Since joining the Progressive Bloggers’ website, the daily listings of progressive posts have enhanced the depth and breadth of my understanding of social and political issues. Through their commentary and links, I have learned of things that would ha…
Continue readingAuthor: Lorne
Politics and its Discontents: Things Go Better With Coke (Except Taxes)
People of a certain age will remember the old ad slogan, “Things Go Better With Coke.” Apparently France disagrees, as it seeks to impose a minuscule tax on the sale of sugary sodas. In an unusually bald and public attempt to pervert government policy…
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: My New Anti-Asbestos T-Shirt
Obsessed and outraged as I am over the Harper government’s ongoing sowing of death and disease through the export of asbestos to countries such as India, and inspired by the example of Michaela Keyserlingk in her efforts to promote a ban, despite the C…
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Sometimes The Tools Of Police Intimidation Are Not Physical
I have written twice before about the ordeal suffered by Po La Hay, the Burmese immigrant living in Hamilton who was both the emotional and physical victim of police after they forcefully entered his apartment in search of a drug dealer. Unfortunately…
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Breaking ‘News’
There is a story posted on the Globe website entitled, E-mails cite ‘directive’ to re-brand government in Harper’s name which reveals that Dimitri Soudas lied when he denied a story circulating that orders went out to some civil servants last fal…
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: An Incredible Video
A friend of mine sent me this link. I urge you to watch it, as it is a potent reminder of our greatest strengths and our greatest weaknesses!Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Political Partisanship Masquerading As Political Analysis
With the Ontario provincial election pending, more and more opinion pieces will find their way into both national and local papers. I certainly welcome a broad range of views to read and react to. However, it strikes me as the epitome of dishonesty fo…
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: A New School Year Begins
There is no doubt in my mind that education is not what it once was. And no, this is not about to become a screed about the lowering of academic standards. Rather, it is only a recognition that like just about everything else, education has become a …
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Dalton McGuinty And The Politics of Education
I just made this posting on my other blog, but thought it might be of interest to some readers of this blog, as it really deals with the politics of education:Recently, the McGuinty-led Liberal government of Ontario has proposed extending to two years …
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Happy Labour Day
A few child labour images from the past are perhaps useful reminders of the destructive power of unregulated market forces, not to mention where we would likely be without progressive politicians and unions. Happy Labour DayRecommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Two Sunday Morning Links
Echoing some of the sentiments I expressed the other day, this morning’s Star editorial endorses the Toronto Police Services Board’s decision to deny promotions to nine officers recommended by Police Chief Bill Blair. Is it possible that these officers…
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Brand Obama
While I do not usually wade into American politics on this blog, I am going to make a rare exception tonight. The posting will be brief, as the link I will provide says things much better than I could.Almost two years ago, my wife and I attended a tal…
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Star Exclusive Reveals Harper Government Collaborated With U.S. In Framing Legislation
A shocking Star exclusive today, one that will probably be met for the most part with typical Canadian complacency and passivity (‘Peace, order and good government, and may I please go back to sleep now?’) reveals that the Harper Government collaborate…
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: The Toronto Police Board and Bill Blair
It is somewhat heartening that the Toronto police board, which has traditionally enjoyed harmonious relations with the Toronto Police, is showing a bit of spine.As reported in today’s Star, the board is refusing to accept Chief Bill Blair’s recommendat…
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Why Higher Taxes For The Ultra-Wealthy Is Truly Progressive Taxation
Back from my annual retreat from technology, I’ve had the opportunity to do a bit of thinking within a relaxing environment. The following is one of the things I’ve been thinking about:Current political orthodoxy suggests that income tax increases are…
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Gone Fishin’
Be back soon.Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: The Extreme Right Continues Its Jack Layton Barrage Of Abuse
Given the recent spate of classless comments about Jack Layton by people like Christie Blatchford, Jonathan Kay and Barbara Kay, I have come to the conclusion that there is something deeply threatening to the far right in the life and death of Jack Lay…
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: These Pictures Tell A Real Story
Taken at Nathan Phillips Square in Toronto, these photos depict many of the tributes that have been written in chalk honouring the memory of Jack Layton.Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: ‘Contempt of cop’ no crime
So read the headline in today’s Hamilton Spectator in a story by Ken Peters.In yet another blow to the patina of respect that used to envelop the police,Ontario Court Justice Lesley Baldwin offered a scathing rebuke of Burlington OPP Constable Ryan Cox…
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Christie – blah blah blah – Blatchford
I read Chrisie Blatchford’s reprehensible column yesterday on Jack Layton, and since the comment boards are ablaze with outrage over her remarks, allow me to briefly add my own thoughts about people of her ilk:I have come to the conclusion that the rig…
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