The Bush/Cheney minions scrambled to retrieve – and destroy – every copy and they got them all – except one. What they were after was a memo, a memo about torture, written by Philip Zelikow, counselor to then State Secretary Condoleeza Rice. The Bushies missed one that survived in the
Continue readingAttawapiskat students hammered by Harper
While Harper’s Indian agent is vacationing in Hawaii, students studying off-reserve have had their funding abruptly cut off, leaving them without money for food, rent and expenses. And so the war against this First Nation continues. If Attawapiskat refuses to bow to the Great White Father’s $20,000 a month “third
Continue readingMarriage one man/one woman? Not in the Bible
Although gay marriage seems to have settled into acceptance in this country, it still meets with virulent opposition elsewhere, including in the United States. Certain of the candidates for the Republican presidential nomination serve as good examples. Strutting their Christian credentials, they loudly proclaim their mantra, “Marriage means one man
Continue readingBlast Furnace Canada Blog: Blast Furnace Canada Blog 2012-04-04 14:56:00
The decision this week by the ruling Conservatives to abolish the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development — also known by the shorthand “Rights and Democracy” — isn’t so much about cutbacks to so-called “unnecessary services” as it is a victory for a right wing regime that has
Continue readingCanadian Soapbox: On abortion and absolute rights
With parliament preparing to discuss Canada’s position on abortion I wrote about the topic this past Monday, daring to express the opinion that I am not opposed to extending some rights to viable late term fetuses or pre-born babies, excepting cases where there’s a threat to maternal health. I’ve waded into
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: On areas of agreement
There’s plenty of room for debate as to whether Peter Julian’s budget filibuster should be seen to have its greatest impact in empowering Canadians who don’t hold a seat in Parliament, or in limiting participation by other elected representatives. But it does seem worth noting that while even a couple
Continue readingMy Morning Ride.
BigWheel’sSeasons GoRoundAndRoundVille “Don’t Look Back, Something Might Be Gaining On You…” …Satchel Page. +38, 307 .
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Leadership 2012 Lessons Learned – Party Edition
I’ll close off my discussion of the NDP’s leadership campaign with another lessons learned post – this one from the standpoint of the party in administering the campaign. For the most part, the campaign seems to have thoroughly served its purpose in allowing candidates ample opportunity to showcase themselves without
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: Turning to Submarines
HMCS Victoria Back in the 60’s the Royal Canadian Navy fielded a small number of reasonably capable submarines, the Oberon-class boats we bought from the UK. We had five of these subs. Introduced in 1965 they were decommissioned in the late 90’s, a commendable service life. As the Oberon boats
Continue readingThe Sir Robert Bond Papers: The excitement is obvious #nlpoli
That’s a screen capture of the CBC online story about something srbp told you about last December. It speaks for itself. – srbp –
Continue readingIn This Corner: Long weekend gas gouge gets an early start.
This morning, as my son was heading off to work, I gave him one of my much-loved gentle reminders. I’ve found that my sons respond best to hearing the same message many times over. They say I’m repeating myself. I say I have to tell them the same thing over
Continue readingMorton's Musings: Cause of action estoppel
The doctrine of cause of action estoppel is based on the premise that, where the legal rights or liabilities of the parties have been determined in a prior action, they should not be re-litigated. Cause of action estoppel applies not only to points on which the court has pronounced but
Continue readingRights and Democracy: you can’t kill a corpse
The Harper government, contrary to recent media coverage, did not kill the International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development, aka Rights and Democracy. It died two years ago, after its then-President, Rémy Beauregard, was hounded to his death by an assortment of Harper appointees bent on destroying him and
Continue readingRecreating Eden: Hot off the Presses: Bulletin of NPD Outremont
As some of you may know, I’ve been involved in the New Democratic Party for years. The Outremont riding association has been around for almost as long, but until the last few years–with the arrival of Thomas Mulcair as our MP–activity has taken a quantam leap. From a membership of
Continue readingFacing Autism in New Brunswick: OOLAID: Conor’s Autism Challenges, Sense of Humor and Progress
I was doing some work at home the other day and was looking for a notebook to record some information. I found the one pictured above with the word OOLAID in Conor’s hand printed on the back cover. OOLAID is a sign of some of the challenges Conor faces by
Continue readingWelcome to new blogger!
Welcome to the new Ottawa blog.
Continue readingThe Common Sense Canadian home page: Video: Vancouver Says No to Enbridge, Kinder Morgan Pipelines, Tankers
Close to 2,000 people turned out on a rainy Monday afternoon in Vancouver last week to speak out against Tar Sands oil tankers on BC’s coast. The occasion marked the 23rd anniversary of the disastrous Exxon Valdez Oil Spill. The crowd gathered at the Art Gallery to hear from guest
Continue readingThe Common Sense Canadian home page: Vancouver Says No to Enbridge, Kinder Morgan Pipelines, Tankers
Close to 2,000 people turned out on a rainy Monday afternoon in Vancouver last week to speak out against Tar Sands oil tankers on BC’s coast. The occasion marked the 23rd anniversary of the disastrous Exxon Valdez Oil Spill. The crowd gathered at the Art Gallery to hear from guest
Continue readingThe Sir Robert Bond Papers: Remember these words #nlpoli
When asked in the House of Assembly about the company hired to look at some aspect of using offshore natural gas to generate electricity, Premier Dunderdale said this: Mr. Speaker, this is not a study; it is a report. Just remember those words when Dunderdale inevitably uses the report to
Continue readingPaulitical Satire: Canada 2012 Federal Budget – The Top 3 Sexiest, Most Angering Things in a Boring Document
So, many MANY people checked out my recent post on my initial reaction to the Canadian Federal budget, and the unfair and unwarranted cut to a treasured program: Katimavik. Having spent this past weekend with my good friend over at www.richardallen.ca I’m even sadder, as it seems that the shutdown will be undertaken
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