Apologies folks, as today is a bit different. There happened to be a paper on the table today, so rather than plunging into blogging, my usual practice, I read newspaper from cover to cover. It was such a nice departure from my usual more directed, news gathering routine. It
Continue readingHalf an Hour: Assessment in MOOCs
I was asked: “I was wondering how they might work with the Humanities, as I teach Seventeenth-Century Literature, Shakespeare and other related subjects, which require research papers and final examinations. I can see using MOOCs for people who simply have a (non-credit) interest in these subjects, but I can’t see
Continue readingThe Moncton Times@Transcript - Good and Bad: May 4: another cranky night with this opening to the May 4 blog….
I’m writing this part of the blog on the night of May 3. I have just been looking over the CBC story that Irving has been awarded 228 million dollars to design a naval patrol ship. 228 million dollars, -just for the design. Ships similar to it have been built in
Continue readingArt Threat: Sadly, Neil Young’s Ohio still relevant 43 years after Kent State massacre
It was 43 years ago today that four students were killed at Kent State University, shot dead by the Ohio National Guard as they protested US military involvement in Cambodia. The bloody tragedy would move Neil Young to write the timeless protest song Ohio, which was recorded and heard on
Continue readingYappa Ding Ding: Troubling news from the Bank of Canada
The Bank of Canada, like all central banks, is supposed to be independent from the government. That, as the Globe & Mail put it this morning, is sacrosanct. When a governor resigns, the BoC’s board of directors is supposed to recommend a candidate to the finance minister. However, we learned
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Are Canadians Experiencing Buyers’ Remorse?
Many of us who blog, tweet, or post political views on Facebook cannot, I suspect, avoid the periodic and unsettling notion that we are simply ‘preaching to the converted’ instead of reaching a larger audience with our perspectives and commentaries. Yet we persevere, both as a catharsis for our own
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: The Smallest Man In Canada
Michael Harris writes that Stephen Harper is the Wizard of Wrath: Just as in the movie, our Wizard is playing the bully with the big stick to the very end. In big things and little ones, the movie Wizard was nothing like the superior being that Dorothy, the Tin Man
Continue readingWarren Kinsella: Positive vs. Negative
Being “positive” and not “negative” was an interesting theory. It’s a theory that doesn’t ever really work, however. Justin Trudeau, take note.
Continue readingChadwick's Blog & Commentary: Understanding the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act
Another of the Acts that direct municipal governance is the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act. While considerably shorter than the previously-discussed Municipal Act – eight pages, 15 sections and less than 3,500 words – it is of perhaps equal importance. While … Continue reading →
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Stephen Harper and the Wizard of Wrath
Well he's been called a lot of names.And I've called him a few myself eh?But I've never heard anyone call Great Ugly Leader the Wizard of Wrath. Just as in the movie, our Wizard is playing the bully with the big stick to the very end. In big things and little ones, the
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Can An Anti-Bullying Video Be Too Shocking?
The images are shocking and disturbing.Just like the real thing.But can an anti-bullying video be too shocking?You be the judge…Read more »
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: Why Vote Green?
In the fight against global climate change, we are currently approaching the endgame. The time for compromise has come and gone. A certain temperature increase is inevitable — already “locked in” — but if we are to have any chance of preventing runaway global warming and the destruction this would
Continue readingAlberta Diary: Message to Gary Doer: Now might be a good time to place a call to Ottawa, before you have to cross a picket line!
Canadian diplomats, as seen in the public’s imagination and doubtless as they will soon be portrayed by the Harper Government. Actual Canadian diplomats abroad do not appear quite as illustrated, even when dressed casually for picket line duty. Below: Gary Doer, Canada’s Ambassador to the United States; Treasury Board President
Continue readingThe Political Road Map: Someone Always Has To Die…
It has been a pretty busy week so far and this beautiful weather has been a much needed treat(ment) for the woes of working a stressful job and trying to get by. Fortunate for me, but unfortunately for 500 other people, there will no longer be good and bad days,
Continue readingMorton's Musings: Consent is not vitiated in all circumstances of sexual assault causing bodily harm
R. v. Zhao, 2013 ONCA 293 requires subjective intention to cause bodily harm before consent for assault bodily harm is vitiated. The Court also considered whether (without deciding) vitiation of consent is limited to socially valueless conduct – such as consent fights. Consent might be available as a defence even where
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Musical interlude
Econoline Crush – Surefire
Continue readingBlunt Objects Blog: Angus Reid BC Poll: 41% NDP, 34% BC Liberal
With yesterday’s releases from Forum and InsightsWest, we saw the beginning of a much closer race in BC’s election campaign, and it seems its followed after the April 29th debate. Now the province’s most frequent pollster, Angus Reid, has come out with a corroborating poll that shows this mini-surge just
Continue readingThe World Famous Dan Shields: 5948…Stephen Harper Reads History
Incorrectly. Last night on CBC’s long running The Peter Mansbridge Show it was revealed that they had a hoop di do for the space program, the Canadian space program, at the Canada’s Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa. For those of you not familiar with this cool building it is right, right,
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