There seems to be two parallel conversations occurring, one involving steadfast partisans, the other detached observers with expertise in gauging political realities. Whenever the idea of co-operation, merger, arrangements are raised between the Liberals and NDP, there is hearty blow back and much of it is frankly understandable. However, I
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: Aspirin May Ward Off Cancer. You’re Welcome
Three studies published in Britain’s most authoritative medical journal, The Lancet, suggest that low doses of aspirin taken daily may prevent, perhaps even treat cancer. Prof Peter Rothwell, from Oxford University, and colleagues, who carried out the latest work, had already linked aspirin with a lower risk of certain cancers,
Continue readingCanadian Dimension Feed: Nathan Cullen would get my vote
There are so many factors that NDP members have to look at when choosing who to vote for in their leadership race that I don’t envy them (I am not a member). How do you weigh the various elements: policies, philosophy, engaging personality, ability to take on Stephen Harper in
Continue readingwmtc: please take a quick survey about social bookmarking
Thank you very much to everyone who answered my social bookmarking survey. If you have not already done so, could you please answer two questions? It’s research for a paper I’m writing. The survey is here. Thanks!
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: The Cost of Social Engineering
The economic ‘miracles’ sweeping emerging ecopower giants like India and China were always more apparent than real. In large part that happened because we were distracted by the bright, shiny thing – their burgeoning economies – and largely overlooked the wobbly social, environmental, agricultural and political foundations that lay beneath.
Continue readingLeDaro: Trayvon Martin murder by George Zimmerman
This is one of the saddest stories. Poor young man was shot dead because he was black. I have no doubt about Zimmerman’s motives – he is a racist bastard and so are police officers who let him walk free. It is not for long though. Read more here. The
Continue readingWise Law Blog: 140 Law – Legal Headlines for Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Here are the leading legal headlines from Wise Law on Twitter for Wednesday, March 21, 2012: ACLU files torture complaint against US on behalf of Afghan, Iraqi detainees Air Canada pilots challenge back-to-work law Ontario and New York Bars to hold historic summit Wal-Mart pleads guilty to workplace safety charges
Continue readingMorton's Musings: Police more forgetful after chases or altercations
Important research: http://thechart.blogs.cnn.com/2012/03/20/cops-more-forgetful-after-chases-or-altercations/?hpt=hp_bn10 Police officers who engage in at least 60 seconds of intense physical energy while involved in a combative encounter may suffer memory loss, according to a newly published study in the journal Psychological Science.
Continue readingThings Are Good: The Growing Industry of Green Cement
Cement is a very popular building material for a lot of good reasons, the problem though is that the process of making it requires a ton of energy. This problem has led to a growing number of people looking into ways to make cement less damaging to the planet. We’ve
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Leadership 2012 Roundup
Another day, another set of NDP leadership campaign stories. – Niki Ashton won the support of the NDP’s Socialist Caucus. – Nathan Cullen expanded on his joint nomination proposal with a far more appealing discussion of co-operation in general: Cullen isn’t shy about what he has in mind. “If the
Continue readingA Different Point of View....: Part Two of Three Part Series: What progressive groups must do to defeat, or stymie the Harper regime
Canada’s progressive community needs to make some significant changes if it hopes to slow down the assault being carried out on the country by Stephen Harper’s Conservatives and their right-wing allies. The observations and suggestions I make in this three-part series are based on what I was able to learn during
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Wednesday Morning Links
Miscellaneous material for your mid-week reading. – Dan Gardner writes about the Cons’ backup plan of answering their own wrongdoing with criticism of anybody who dares to investigate it – and points out the dangers of that approach: (W)hat happens if Elections Canada delivers a report even a fraction as
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: Swiftboating His Opponents
The central problem the opposition parties have with Stephen Harper is that he defines the terms of the debate.He does that, first and foremost, by conducting an eternal campaign. His forces are continually on the attack, defining his opponents as weak, and their policies as un-Canadian. The recently released attack
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: TED speaker looks at the Internet and reimagines government
This is a great video on how the Internet can be used to reimagine the role and process of government so that it’s more open, transparent, engaging and responsive to our needs, rather than the demands of industry lobbyists. Thank you to Andrew William Sampson for posting this on our
Continue readingLeDaro: Senator Rick Santorum race for the Whitehouse
When my kids were very young I used to watch Bugs Bunny Road Runner with them. Poor coyote was never able to catch the Road Runner. Santorum has the same problem as he has no hope in hell to get the Republican nomination. Romney has won Illinois by a double-digit
Continue readingLeaders, leadership and the NDP
My piece in iPolitics: At some point this coming Saturday, all the debates will be over, and the NDP will have a new leader. Disclosure: I’m rooting for Paul Dewar. So read the following through that lens: both on the subject of other folks in the race, and on the
Continue readingTrashy's World: My debate teacher told us that…
… ad hominem attacks were cowardly and used only by those of inferior intellect. And I agree. Yet the CPC doesn’t see it this way. Politics over policy. Attacks over debate. Accusations over cooperation. It’s the Stephen Harper Way. Daniel Veniez penned a good article in iPolitics about the latest
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Toronto Library Strike
As a lifelong user of public libraries (I can still remember the very first book I took out as a child) and one who aspires to practise critical thinking on a regular basis, I feel for the people of Toronto who are now without this invaluable resource. Despite the inability
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