If you read my previous post, you will know that the recent failure of a door plug in an Alaska Air flight was presaged by the air crashes of two 737 Max-8 flights, one in 2018 and one five months later, in 2019. Not only was the company culpable for
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Politics and its Discontents: Downfall: The Case Against Boeing
I will be the first to admit that my viewing tastes are unusual for a man my age. I enjoy the off-kilter, the unusual, even the bizarre in movie/streaming fare. And although I never watch television during the day, that still amounts to both wasted, and some well-rewarded, hours. Sometimes,
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: A failure Of Leadership
No matter where you stand on the Israeli war against Gazans, undeniable is the fact that many, many innocent lives are being lost. One report estimates that 100 children a day are killed, and that 70% of the casualties are women and children. And the war shows no sign of
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: "God Made Trump"
I ‘m sorry to report that the American race to the bottom continues. The above is not a satire, but rather a post by Trump on his social media platform and will no doubt find an eager and receptive audience. Sadly, the deity does not come off well here. Perhaps a celestial
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: A Personal Reflection
Regular readers may have noticed that I have not been posting very much in the last month or so. In addition to it having been a busy Christmas season, the other reason stems from my own outlook. While there may be a measure of seasonal affective disorder influencing that outlook,
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: 2024 Begins – But Where Will It End?
And Patrick Corrigan offers this apt and incisive cartoon to help us usher in the new year. While the threats to democracy are world-wide, three former Trump staffers warn the danger is particularly acute in the U.S. if their former boss returns to the White House. You can read all about
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: That Was The Year That Was
As we move with both hope and trepidation into 2024, here are a few reflections, through a Canadian lens, on what happened this year, as recalled by my favourite editorial cartoonist, Theo Moudakis: Happy New Year, everyone. Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: To The American Voter
In the movie, Forrest Gump famously replied when asked if he was stupid, “Stupid is as stupid does.” It is advice American voters should ponder in 2024: Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Words, Words, Words
It is hardly a revelation to say that words have power. They can delight, inform, edify, inspire and destroy. Unfortunately, it is the the latter effect that we see all too frequently today. One only has to look at the various cesspools to be found on social media to
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Something To Think About
A friend sent me the following, Stephen Fry reading a letter from musician Nick Cave about the nature of creativity and how ChatGPT essentially short-circuits that process. Quite thought-provoking. Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Pavlovian Dogs
I sometimes think, in my more cynical and dark moments, that our species really has not evolved very much beyond our tribal roots. Examine our collective deportment today, and it is easy to draw the same conclusion that Khan observes in the following clip from the original Star Trek series:
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: 1984 Redux: Moms For Liberty
You have perhaps heard of the Orwellian-named group, Moms For Liberty, whose main mission seems to be to ensconce themselves on school boards so they can restrict the books children have access to. But there is apparently another component to their mission, that of ‘saving’ the white race from extinction.The
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Is It Brinkmanship?
H/t Moudakis One has to wonder, given the lack of any real movement on a national pharmacare program, whether Justin Trudeau is gambling on Jagmeet Singh’s NDP being more afraid of an early election than are the Liberals. Given that the polls show an almost inexplicable lead by PP’s
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: The Politics Of School Boards
Having worked as a teacher for 30 years, I am well-aware of the politics that pervades and blights education. The higher one goes up the ladder, the more one is concerned about damage control. Since I was a mere peon, i.e. a classroom teacher, I had little tolerance for such
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: A Walk In The Country
One of the pleasures of my retired life is going out for long walks with former colleagues. Having taught at the same school, we have known each other for many years and, dare I say, we are all fairly well-read and attentive to the events that unfold in our world.
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: The Warning Signs Are All There
There are many reasons that can be adduced for the declining health of democracy: widespread disaffection from the political process; pervasive anger among citizens; the disproportionate influence of social media; economic inequality and inequity, widespread ignorance and mental laziness, scrambling endlessly to provide food and shelter for one’s family, etc.
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Shiny New Things
Despite our professed admiration for things that have withstood the test of time (heritage buildings, old literature and traditional values come to mind), it is undeniable that there is much allure to be found in the new as well. We marvel at innovative architecture, science and engineering, to name
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Such Elequence!
This took place at a school board meeting in Virginia. The rest is self-explanatory. Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: I’m Getting Tired
The woes of the world are wearing me down. I therefore choose to change channels completely today and focus on comedy, one of the few escapes this world permits almost everyone. There are five comedians whose work I have revered for many years. At the top of the pantheon is
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: If You Are Of A Certain Age
… you will get this, the latest from Moudakis. Recommend this Post
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