A quick thought on how Canadian pundits may want to evaluate how political parties do their jobs – which looks to be particularly relevant given the entirely justified criticisms being levelled at the Harper Cons. In evaluating how a party handles any given issue, it might be worth taking a
Continue readingWise Law Blog: 140 Law – Legal Headlines for Friday, December 16, 2011
Here are the leading legal headlines from Wise Law on Twitter for Friday, December 16, 2011: Suit by Fired Lawyer Claims Law Firm Encouraged Fraud with 3,000-Hour Billable Quota – ABA Journal – http://goo.gl/garvY Attawapiskat seeks injunction against feds to block new manager – Canada – CBC News – http://goo.gl/4CVsH New limits
Continue readingDeep Thought: If Gingrich thinks delaying the Keystone pipeline is "utterly irrational", then it must be totally rational
Because a prudent review of the environmental impact of such a pipeline would be so ‘irrational’. Judging from last night’s GOP debate, any careful consideration on any topic is the sign of ‘weakness’ and a lack of manliness. John Wayne didn’t die, he just manifested himself as the figurehead of
Continue readingDead Wild Roses: The Friday Classical Musical Interlude – Beethoven, Symphony No.9, Fourth Movement.
The final movement of the Beethoven’s 9th has recently been released by Stephan Malinowski. Catch the third movement here. Presto; Allegro molto assai (Alla marcia); Andante maestoso; Allegro energico, sempre ben marcato. Duration approx. 24 mins. The famous choral finale is Beethoven’s musical representation of Universal Brotherhood. American pianist
Continue readingknitnut.net: Out and about before the crack of dawn
Here are some of the things, over the past few years, that GC and I have gotten up at the crack of dawn for: Crow chasing The Leonid meteor showers The Great Glebe Garage Sale Last night Duncan and I had a rare sleepover at GC’s house because there was
Continue readingNorthern Reflections: What Do You Think Of Me Now, Dad?
Jeffrey Simpson writes this morning that: Those who thought the Harper government would ease up a bit after winning a majority were wrong. Noblesse oblige is out, or, rather, was never in. If anything, the Harper government is more bullying, scornful of dissent, intent on controlling every utterance, contemptuous of
Continue readingwmtc: stand against islamophobia: boycott lowe’s… and more
By now you’ve probably heard about the “All-American Muslim” TV show vs. Lowe’s Home Improvement vs. Florida Family Association craziness. I know “The Daily Show” has been tracking the story (of course the video is not available in Canada). But in case you haven’t heard about this particular bit of
Continue readingOpenMedia.ca: Take action against online spying by writing the editor of your local newspaper
Writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper is a great way to have your voice heard by your fellow Canadians. As the federal government tries to ram a set of invasive, warrantless, and costly online spying bills through Parliament, now is the perfect time to take such
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: Withdrawn Outrage
When is outrage acceptable? When something is outrageous. Canada’s position on pollution controls is outrageous, so it’s fine that Justin Trudeau lost his temper and swore at Environment Minister Peter Kent. The Conservatives’ “ethical oil” strategy is a failure. [W]e marvel when somebody like Justin Trudeau has an angry outburst?
Continue readinggay persons of color: The Great American Republican Bully Movement
Sometimes the complexity of the American Republican circus can be more readily understood by clearing the pollution of campaign rhetoric and seeing a consistent strategy present in most Republican candidates currently hoping to lead the party into victory at the 2012 U.S. presidential elections. This approach, at its rudimentary level,
Continue readingwmtc: there can be no justice for bradley manning
Today begins the “Article 32” hearing for accused whistleblower Bradley Manning, the first time in 18 months of incarceration that Manning will face a judge. Tonight there’s a vigil outside Ft. Meade, Maryland, and tomorrow – Manning’s 24th birthday – there will be a big rally in support. The Article
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Friday Morning Links
Assorted content to end your week. – pogge points out the Cons’ suppression of news that a lack of running water on First Nations reserves facilitated the spread of H1N1 – offering a case in point as to both how neglect of social needs can carry widespread ramifications, and how
Continue readingPushed to the Left and Loving It: Reform Party Has Come Full Circle With Attacks on Quebec and First Nations
More than two decades ago, when the Reform Party was organizing, several protest groups formed to try to keep this group from gaining influence in Canada. It was well known that they were xenophobic, homophobic, misogynist and just plain weird. For the most part the media ignored them as just
Continue readingMorton's Musings: Christopher Hitchens dies
A curious intellectual, Hitchens was a non-believer in God who believed in the power of military force. Regardless, his writing was powerful and while I often (usually) disagreed I always found his thoughts thought provoking. Rest in peace: Atheist intellectual Christopher Hitchens dead at 62 http://reut.rs/rMmPh5 WASHINGTON (Reuters) – British-born
Continue readingThe Happy Wanderer: Harper’s Secret Taxes!
After Harper said he would like the provinces to pay half for his new (billion dollar) Prison system in which he intends to increase crime and reduce justice, Ontario and Quebec are screaming all the way to the parliament building saying NO! Harper doesn’t care for his budget it’s in deficit and
Continue readingMorton's Musings: L’incident Irwin Cotler
L’incident Irwin Cotler au cours duquel des agents du Parti conservateur ont répandu des informations erronées indiquant qu’Irwin Cotler avait démissionné et qu’une élection partielle aurait lieu, n’est qu’une combine politique immonde. Il n’est pas inhabituel de voir des activistes politiques perdre de vue l’objectif global et aller trop loin.
Continue readingBigCityLib Strikes Back: A Toronto Sun Xmas
With the continuing economic downturn newspaper organizations are experiencing, there is significant pressure on both the advertising and circulation revenues. Sun Media is no exception and we continue to deal with these very difficult issues by looking at creative and innovative revenue generating ideas. We have also been forced to
Continue readingThe Sir Robert Bond Papers: Muskrat Falls deal will succeed: Nalcor boss #nlpoli #nspoli
“I’m optimistic the project is going to succeed,” Nalcor Energy chief executive Ed Martin told the Chronicle-Herald recently. The delay in finishing the negotiations means that, as the CH put it, “the details under negotiation are being tapered to fit with the announced terms [sheet].” Tapered to fit. Great image.
Continue readingContributions to the tone
And thus ends the fall sitting of the House of Commons. Predictably, it gets the send-off about how nasty the session was, which often tends to be a function of the usual crankiness that creeps into MPs the longer they stick around to try and finish up business here before they head
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