Magpie Brûlé: Talking #FirstDebate with Bill Carroll
This afternoon I had the chance to join Bill Carroll on his nationwide “The Bill Carroll Show” with Shane McKenzie and Amanda Galbraith. We talked about last nights first debate of the 43rd General Election, the Maclean’s/CityTv debate, who won the night, who missed the mark and the conspicuous absence
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Musical interlude
The Philosopher Kings – Still The One
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: Let’s Play ‘Bury the Billion’
The Sackler clan apparently knows how to stash cash on a scale that would make KPMG weep with envy. Team Sackler owns Perdue Pharma, a company that’s in deep kimchi with claims relating to America’s opioid crisis. I guess they figured it was time to get the Hell out of
Continue readingWarren Kinsella: My latest: Trudeau’s Seinfeldian campaign launch
Nothing. That’s what Justin Trudeau had to say when he launched this, the 43rd federal general election. Zero, zippo, zilch. Oh, sure, he said some stuff. He stood there in front of Rideau Hall, a focus-grouped gaggle of ethnically-diverse Canadians behind him, and he sprayed the usual Trudeau-esque word salad
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: The ghost of Bible Bill Haunts us still
In the late ’30s and early ’40s Alberta’s premier was the colourful William Aberhart, known as “Bible Bill” for his bible studies classes and radio sermons. Founder of the Social Credit Party, Bible Bill introduced a variety of legislation during his term, some good, some not so much. An example
Continue readingIn-Sights: Extractivism – BC as third world economy
In British Columbia’s natural resource sector, public revenues decreased while quantities and values produced increased. First published in 2014. Still relevant in 2019: Not long ago, British Columbia thrived on resource based […]
Continue readingWarren Kinsella: I never said that Sheila Copps is a craven, cowardly, crooked, contemptible, crazy person
I never said that. I never called her a fucking liar and a lunatic, even if she is. But I am tempted to sue her. Not to get my hands on her pension, worth millions since Paul Martin wisely dumped her. No, I’d do it for disclosure. To see her
Continue readingMontreal Simon: The Maclean’s Debate and the Leader Who Was Not There
It was without a doubt the worst and most amateurish debate I have ever watched, a tedious ordeal if ever there was one. The set was tacky, the Con fluffer Paul Wells couldn't moderate his way out of a paper bag.And while Jagmeet Singh and Elizabeth May did have their moments, both failed to
Continue readingCanadian Dimension: The United Auto Workers and the Big Three Automakers: A Tale of Corruption
A Michigan Assembly Plant employee, trains to install seats in a Ford Ranger. Photo: Ford Motor Co. What follows is a somewhat complex tale of what happens when a labor union, structured to be unaccountable to the rank-and-file membership, embraces a system of labor-management cooperation rather than a class-conscious understanding
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: If You Want Democracy, Be Prepared to Fight For It.
I have been posting a lot lately on democracy and capitalism, things that we ought to have in mind as we go through this general election. In both critical areas we’re on the wrong path, a path already traveled by others to their peril. This brings me to an op-ed
Continue readingWilly Loman: My first election 2019 post
Daisies apparently come in blue And daisies now appear in green Daisies didn’t work well with orange Quite colourful for a red has-been
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: The Decay of Capitalism
Has Boeing become the poster-boy of terminal stage capitalism? Writing in The Guardian, Matt Stoller argues that capitalism is no longer merely atrophied. It has broken. Just a year ago Boeing appeared unstoppable. In 2018, the company delivered more aircraft than its rival Airbus, with revenue hitting $100bn. It was
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: So, You Think You’re a Progressive?
‘Progressive’ is a term bandied about very loosely. It seems anyone who considers themselves left of a Conservative can claim the laurel. Liberals like to imagine themselves progressives. New Dems were progressive before they chose to fight for power rather than people. What does ‘Progressive’ mean if it still means
Continue readingMagpie Brûlé: What You Need to Know – Week 1 of #Elxn43
During the campaign I’m happy to have the chance to take part in some different projects, one of which is being launched today. “What You Need to Know” is a new podcast from my colleagues and I at Bluesky Strategy Group. Every Friday during the campaign we’ll be releasing a
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: National Leaders Debate 2019: Full replay | Maclean’s and Citytv
POLITICS National Leaders Debate 2019: Full replay | Maclean’s and Citytv Paul Wells moderated the first debate of the election calendar. Watch a full replay here by Maclean’s The campaign starts here. Three Read more…
Continue readingMagpie Brûlé: Rising to the Moment
Last night we saw the first debate of the 2019 Federal Election, and it was a night with a lot at stake for those taking part. While every party leader had questions and issues going into the night, this debate offered them all a chance to step forward and make
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Friday Morning Links
Assorted content to end your week. – Richard Wilkinson, Kate Pickett and Wanda Wyporska neatly summarize the insidious social effects of inequality: (I)nequality is socially divisive, making status more important and strengthening the view that some people are worth more than others. As we judge each other more by status,
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: Red Tories
Pundits are suggesting that this election will be won or lost in Ontario — primarily because Ontario is Canada’s most populous province. When politicians come looking for votes here, Tom Walkom writes, they need to remember that Ontarians are Red Tories — and they have been for a long time:
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