Evidence for Democracy is a new organization in Canada that wants government policy to based on reality. The federal Canadian Conservative government (which openly hates the environment) continually cuts finding to scientific research that can lead to a better understanding of the world around us. The constant cutbacks and denials
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: Poll on the Future of the BC NDP
This is how Cowichan Conversations participants responded. Although not scientific it is a signal to the BC NDP about their lack of relevance and appeal.
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: Volume, Volume, Volume!
If America is top at one thing, it’s mass incarceration. With but 5% of the global population, the U.S. has 25% of the global prison population. Its prison-industrial complex is second to none but, like all successful ideas, sometimes it can be too successful. America has been so successful
Continue readingA Puff of Absurdity: Just Legalize it Already
I spent a lovely extended weekend in Awenda and fell in love with Penetanguishene through a scenic bike ride. The sun filtered through the trees on either side of the road, with the blue, blue lake peeking through – gorgeous! But it was marred by my chosen beach read: Chris Hedges’
Continue readingMorton's Musings: Judge in judge alone trial has jurisdiction to reverse a finding of guilt suo sponte
R. v. Griffith, 2013 ONCA 510 holds: [12] On the basis of this court’s decision in R. v. Lessard (1977), 30 C.C.C. (2d) 70, it cannot be doubted that the trial judge was not functus until he imposed sentence. In Lessard, Martin J.A., speaking for the court, held that a judge sitting without a jury is not functus officio until he has
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Puncturing The Myth That Raising Minimum Wages Will Kill Jobs
The question of minimum wage has been very much a topic of discussion in alternative media of late, and I have written a few posts about the struggle. I am leading off today’s consideration of the issue with a well-considered letter from a Star reader, followed by a Real News
Continue readingLeDaro: Ecuador has amended its constitution to include the Rights of Nature
I was watching the “Nature of Things’ by David Suzuki over the weekend. It was fascinating to find out that both Ecuador (in 2008) and Bolivia (in 2010) passed laws which included the rights of nature. Ecuador has made a constitutional amendment to include the Rights of Nature. It sounds
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: PM Harper has set up a sophisticated program to read our email and monitor our online activities.
Richard Hughes-Political Blogger Good morning folks. I was looking to do some tidying up and editing posts on the left side under News & Opinion from Home and Abroad. These are items from across the internet that I include because of their interest and relevance. This story regarding surveillance caught my eye again and
Continue readingWarren Kinsella: Conservative commentator calls for Muslims to be killed
Wendy Sullivan is a Canadian white supremacist who uses the handles “Girl on the Right” or “Right Girl.” She broadcasts on something called “Brass Balls Radio,” as well. Here is a tweet she posted yesterday. There are many more like it on her Twitter feed. That, to me, meets the
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: Messiah is Back – He’s Here, He’s There, Over There Too
Only in Tennessee – or Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia maybe. A magistrate dealt with the case of a baby boy whose parents could not agree on the child’s last name. Child support judge, Lu Ann Ballew decided she was none too pleased with the 7-month old’s first name either and so
Continue readingWise Law Blog: 140 Law – Legal Headlines for Monday, August 12, 2013
Here are the leading legal headlines from Wise Law on Twitter for Monday, August 12, 2013: 5 cases to watch: Bulger, Manning .. The Surveillance Speech: A Low Point in Barack Obama’s Presidency Toronto Trump tower’s investor revolt bigger than thought | Toronto Star TX Man Sues State Rep, Husband Over Repeated
Continue readingBabel-on-the-Bay: Toronto’s ‘good-ole boy’ mayor.
You sometimes wonder where Toronto voters parked their brains when they elected Rob Ford as mayor of Toronto. What was understandable throughout that mayoralty campaign was that they wanted to vote against what was happening. The voters were searching for somewhere to park their votes. In this weird Monopoly Game
Continue readingLeDaro: Pope Francis is a great improvement on his predecessor
He wants to spread goodwill around the globe and mutual respect between different religions. Recently he delivered a message wishing Muslims well during Eid celebrations. It is a great idea to bring people together globally, much better than fighting wars and carrying on violence in the name of religion. “Pope
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Monday Morning Links
Miscellaneous material for your Monday reading. – Dan Leger points to the Lac-Mégantic rail explosion as an all-too-vivid example of the intersection of privatized profits and socialized risks: Are we tough enough on corporations that destroy, burn and kill? What’s happening at Lac-Mégantic suggests we aren’t. There’s a scramble on
Continue readingThe World Famous Dan Shields: 6318…WTFWJD
WTFWJD is a sticker that British clergywoman The Rev Alice Goodman has on her fat ride. It’s all in The Telegraph, doncha know?Apparently this is what passes for controversy in Cambridge, Merry Ole.Just sayin’.WFDS
Continue readingWarren Kinsella: Toronto needs a mayor: Rob Ford tried to meet secretly with drug dealer in jail
Quote: “At around 7 p.m. on March 25, about three hours after official visiting hours, Mr. Ford arrived unannounced at the Toronto West Detention Centre and asked if he could have a tour of the jail, four sources with knowledge of aspects of the incident said. After the tour request
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: Trudeau The Elder
For the Canadian Right, Pierre Elliott Trudeau is the bogeyman. Stephen Harper, who used to admire Trudeau, came to believe the standard Conservative line, best expressed by Bob Plamondon in his book, The Truth About Trudeau: “Far from being one of the best of our prime ministers, he was one
Continue readingDefending Public Healthcare: A record drop in public sector jobs?
Much was made by the media and others in the chattering classes of the “record” drop in public sector employment reported in the July Labour Force survey by Statistics Canada last week. So, are public sector workers facing a fall? For Ontario, the figures show a drop of 23,600 in public sector employment.
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: Meteor and Aurora
This is my new best meteor photo, and it came with some faint aurora (northern lights) at the bottom of the frame too! CFI had a star party for watching the Perseid meteor shower on Saturday night. There should be more meteors tonight too, so head outside and look up
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