Because we were rather busy yesterday preparing a small celebration marking my sister-in-law’s retirement at an enviably young age, I am just getting caught up on my Saturday newspaper reading. One of the issues that caught my attention is the private member’s bill making its way through Parliament as an
Continue readingAuthor: Lorne
Politics and its Discontents: Repression 2.0
Given its evolution, so to speak, the state of Tennessee’s new attempt to control and criminalize people’s thoughts and acts can hardly be seen as astonishing. Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: John Baird, A Friend Indeed
Want $1 million of taxpayers’ money for a project that fails to meet government criteria? If he is your ‘dear friend,’ call Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird for intervention that hardly qualifies as ‘divine’. Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: The Powerful Stench Of Obsequiousness At The CBC
With the polls revealing that the NDP, under leader Thomas Mulcair, is enjoying 34% of popular support while the Harper Conservatives languish at 30%, it is probably no surprise that the CBC is once again polishing up its apples in yet another desperate and misplaced effort at appeasing its political
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Are Workers Paying For The Globe and Mail’s Sins?
I have to say that my heart rejoiced yesterday when I saw the news that Torstar, the parent company of The Toronto Star, has increased its quarterly earnings over the year by about 100%, an unequivocal confirmation that quality, in-depth journalism for the social good can still very much be
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Are You Watching the Polls, Mr. Harper?
Oh, how I hope this news shakes up Harper’s arrogant smugness. Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: The Sad Saga Of Our Declining Democracy Continues
During the past year I have written many posts on the sad spectacle of a Canadian democracy in decline, citizen cynicism and apathy rather than vigorous engagement becoming the default position of more and more Canadians. I have also offered the opinion that this is in large part the result
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Mayor Rob Ford Won’t Attend Gay Outreach Event
But then again, would anyone really want this clown to attend their function? Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Vic Toews Strikes Again
Apparently dissatisfied with the way society currently holds criminals to account, Public Safety Minister Vic Toews has decided that its high time to make them literally pay for their crimes. In a move that will save taxpayers $10 million per annum and leave more for Bev Oda’s special travel requirements,
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Fear And Loathing From The Right
The other day I wrote a brief post linking to a site developed by the Conservative party that seeks to sow fear about Thomas Mulcair’s ‘shadow’ cabinet. That campaign of demonization against the most serious threat the Harper regime has faced for sometime is now ramping up, as reported by
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Reading Recommendation
If you’re like me, you harbour a certain fascination with Stephen Harper. Never before has there been a Prime Minister who so publicly displayed an anal retentiveness that has become emblazoned across the land, a man who, while frequently described as a policy wonk and a winner-take-all politician, appears to
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Thwarting Democracy, Ontario-Style
I recently linked a post to a story from the Star detailing how Dalton McGuinty, Ontario’s Premier, has reported to his caucus the wooing of at least two more members of opposition parties in the hopes of securing the majority government denied to him by the electorate in the last
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: See Stephen, See Stephen Run
While the purpose of this Harper-initiated site may be to inspire fear of the NDP under Thomas Mulcair, I think it suggests a measure of, shall we say, nervousness, on the part of Mr. Harper and company. H/T Kady O’Malley Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Another Fatuous Neil Reynolds Column
Despite the fact that I hold The Globe and Mail in very low esteem, I do periodically check its website to find out the latest in right-wing thinking. Such was the case today when I read Neil Reynolds’ latest, entitled, Why the ‘sacred’ still matters to voters. Like his colleague
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Union Democracy Should Not Be An Oxymoron
Yet for the Labourers’ International Union of North America, (LIUNA) that quickly seems to be emerging as the reality. I have written previously about some of the problems besetting that organization, not the least of which appears to be a decidedly dictatorial penchant on the part of its executive. The
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Why A Budget Omnibus Bill?
It’s the best way to hide your real purpose, which, according to Thomas Walkom, is this: It is aimed at eliminating regulations — particularly environmental regulations — that interfere in profit-making. It is aimed at reducing wages (which is why the Conservatives take swipes at unions whenever possible). It is
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: McGuinty Continues His Campaign To Subvert Democracy
Conservative MPP Peter Shurman (Thornhill) said it proves McGuinty “will stop at absolutely nothing to make sure he brings this back into what he perceives is balance, which is a majority government for him. You can read the full details of this crime against the will of the Ontario electorate
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: The Absurdity Continues
I feel just a tad guilty writing this post today, given that world events are of their usual dire nature, the slaughter of protesting Syrian students by a brutal and repressive regime not the least of them. Nonetheless, I will deal briefly with a more parochial issue, the brutal and
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Rob Ford Issues Fatwa Against Star Reporter Daniel Dale
Now this is reaching absurdist proportions, even for the political circus that Toronto has become under its buffoon/mayor, Rob Ford. Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: The Hysterical Hyperbole of The Globe’s Neil Reynolds
The other day I wrote a post about the right-wing propaganda machine going into high gear as a result of the McGuinty compromise with the NDP that will result in a two-point increase in income tax for those making over $500,000 per year. Never one to miss a good rally,
Continue reading