Spy agencies are blurring the line between average citizens’ democratic activities—organizing petitions, attending protests, and expressing dissent—and genuine terrorist threats. Article by Adam Kingsmith of DeSmog Canada for the Huffington Post Canada: Last month’s PRISM revelations are a disconcerting reminder that even here in Canada, paranoid fantasies about mass government
Continue readingEclectic Lip: Software updates are flu shots
A nice metaphor for software updates. Flu shots attempt to immunize people from the influenza virus, by exposing their immune systems to small doses of weakened or dead virus molecules. The idea is that this gives the immune system a “practise run” with a less-dangerous version of the influenza virus
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: The Last Waltz of Robert Mugabe
First the good news. Robert Mugabe is almost certainly on his final term as president of Zimbabwe. If he manages to serve his full, five-year stretch, he’ll be 94. Now the bad news, at least for the long-suffering people of Zimbabwe. Waiting in the wings to replace president Bob are
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Our Porcine Friends Deserve Better
I have been assured that no animals were hurt during the production of this cartoon: Recommend this Post
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: A Hunted Woman
I’ve never been fond of those nature shows that get you to watch the beautiful gazelle going about its business and then pull back to let you see the pride of lions setting off a race that you just know is going to end badly for the gazelle. There’s that
Continue readingDeSmogBlog: Tar Sands Have to Be Made Funny Before They Can Be Made to Go Away
Seasoned comedians Andy Cobb and Mike Damanskis have decided the Alberta government’s invitation to ‘come and see’ the tar sands is just too tempting. After all, the province’s tagline, they say, is “remember to breathe.” Sounds just like the holiday two hardworking jokesters from L.A. are in need of. But
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: Got a Gut Feeling About Climate Change? You Just Might.
A study by the University of Zurich has found heatwaves can get one’s bowels in an uproar. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease are at greater risk of relapse during heat waves, finds a study that could have significant implications in an era of climate change. Risk of hospitalisation for an IBD
Continue readingBigCityLib Strikes Back: Seeing The Writing On The Wall: Pro-Life Politicians Leaving CPC
Stephen Taylor has a theory re CPC MP resignations: Just heard news about Merv Tweed.Honest man. Makes me think that people who run for Speaker are looking for new employment. (Lee Richardson)— Stephen Taylor (@stephen_taylor) August 12, 2013 But I am beginning to think there’s another explanation: CTV reports that
Continue readingCanadian Dimension | Articles: Wall Street Take-Off
On July 16, 2013, Goldman Sachs, the fifth largest US bank by assets announced its second quarter profits doubled the previous year to $1.93 billion. J. P. Morgan, the largest bank made $6.1 billion in the second quarter up 32 per cent over the year before and expects to make
Continue readingbgrice blog: Why I am a Liberal
My Mother was killed by a drunk driver when I was 16. Her accident has had a significant impact on my views of our justice system, but probably not in the way you expect. I vote Liberal in no small part because of the lessons I learned from this tragic
Continue readingWhy I am a Liberal
My Mother was killed by a drunk driver when I was 16. Her accident has had a significant impact on my views of our justice system, but probably not in the way you expect. I vote Liberal in no small part because of the lessons I learned from this tragic
Continue readingcartoon life: Cycling in Paris
Spotted this elegant young woman riding her bike in Paris. Filed under: art
Continue readingLeDaro: For the rich jail can be a vacation
Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy A convicted fellow’s family pays $72,000 and his prison term becomes vacation. “With a jail in California that found a controversial way to make money. Inmates paying for premium cells with flat screen televisions and new mattresses. A
Continue readingcmkl: What a different world – bikes first in Holland
Bike streets. Cars are guests. The bike is right. This BBC News item makes me sigh: Why is cycling so popular in the Netherlands?. Of course, the bicycle is the primary mode of transport for 31 per cent of Netherlanders (compared with 48.5 who use cars first) but still the
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Senate expense scandal: Wallin responds to damning Deloitte report
Sen. Pamela Wallin responds to damning Deloitte report on the Senate expense scandal, which alleges she may have tried to cover up her $140,000 fraudulent claims. The post Senate expense scandal: Wallin responds to damning Deloitte report appeared first on The Canadian Progressive.
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Tuesday Morning Links
This and that for your Tuesday reading. – Jacob Goldstein discusses how one-time, no-strings-attached funding for the poor in developing countries can produce lasting improvements in their standard of living – while also highlighting the need for longer-term development: A charity that gives away money, as opposed to, say, offering
Continue readingPolitics, Re-Spun: The First Day of School, 2013: Beware!
Well, a new school year is about to begin, so it’s time to analyze just how much destruction the 1% will visit upon public education this year. Defunding, corporatization of curriculum, standardization of curriculum and experience, high-stakes testing, homogenization of experience…you know, the same old nonsense that drove me from
Continue readingLeDaro: Mayor Rob Ford: “His Worship” or ‘His Horse-shit”
I was attending a meeting with Maine, U.S, counterparts. The meeting included a few Mayors from the Canadian side including a Minister and Mayors and other officials from the U.S side. Canadian side was addressing their mayors as “Your Worship” while Americans were addressing their mayors as simply ‘Mr. Mayor’.
Continue readingThings Are Good: Lovebots Invade Toronto
Lovebots are a fun art project that aims to fill Toronto with little concrete robots. The goal is to remind people that the city is a lovely place filled with nice people. No fewer than 100 2′ tall concrete statues of Lovebot will be put on display in “secret locations”
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