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 readingAuthor: Lorne
Politics 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…
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Graeme MacKay Remembers Jack Layton
Editorial cartoonist Graeme MacKay has a poignant cartoon in today’s Hamilton Spectator, which I am taking the liberty of reproducing below:Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Jack Layton’s Final Words To All Of Us
Despite the fact that we are still reeling from the news of Jack’s sudden passing, he left something for all of us to cherish and to remember him by. Even as he realized his time here was coming to an end, he had the grace and generosity of spirit to …
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: A Ban on Shark Fin Soup
I have written previously about shark finning, the barbaric practice of cutting off the fins of sharks while abandoning the rest of the creature in the ocean to either drown or bleed to death. Despite the fact that sharks are vital to the ocean ecosys…
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: We Few, We Happy Few, We Band Of Brothers
Sometimes, when I despair of anything positive happening in the world despite the efforts of some very good people, and despite the fact that the media overwhelmingly champions those with all the power, I think of this famous speech from Shakespeare’s …
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Star Readers Respond To Tony Warr
I recently wrote a post detailing the cavalier attitude of retiring Deputy Police Chief Tony Warr towards the police brutality unleashed on his city during last year’s G20 Summit. Frequently a source of inspiration, readers weigh in with their own ass…
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: More Police Misconduct – So What Else Is New?
In what is getting to be a far too routine occurrence, more police misconduct has come to light, this time in the Niagara region. A story in The Hamilton Spectator entitled Judge blasts Niagara police officers, chief of police details how Ontario Supr…
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Asbestos and Politics – The Plight Of Dr. Kellie Leitch
The other day I posted my response to my M.P. on the Canadian export of asbestos, questioning how a man such as he, committed to Christian principles, can really consider himself doing God’s work by condemning to suffering and death those working unsaf…
Continue reading