Courtesy of a Venezuelan tweep: “Sometimes Rafael Correa makes me think I’m gay.” Ladies ‘n’ gents, he’s talking about THIS fine-ass dude here: The president of Ecuador, arriving in Caracas, Venezuela, for a LatAm summit. And totally reminding me that I, too, am a gay man trapped in a woman’s
Continue readingDeSmogBlog: Suncor Refinery Spill Threatens River Supplying Denver Drinking Water
shutterstock_56949067.jpg Just another day in reckless energy land. A broken pipeline at the Commerce City refinery operated by tar sands producer Suncor appears to have leaked an "oily muck" into Sand Creek in Colorado. The spill may pose a threat to Denver drinking water supplies, although luckily it appears to
Continue readingThe Sixth Estate: Who Funds the Montreal Economic Institute
Among all the secretive and secretly funded think tanks in Canadian politics, surely the most preposterous rationalization is provided by the Montreal Economic Institute: Although the MEI discloses the amount and the breakdown of its funding, its policy is not to list specific donors. Publishing such a list would give
Continue readingExcited Delirium: You Can’t Nationalize Carbon Costs
It’s stupid to think that a carbon tax would have any benefit for our economy or change habits.
Continue readingIs nothing safe from the incredible pepper-spraying cop meme?
Mark Twain’s birthday is celebrated today on Google’s home page: And it was only a matter of time before… (from Kosso K)
Continue readingcentre of the universe: Poopulator
Okay, so, early this morning, I went to the radiologist for a barium swallow. You may remember this from such posts as : “I drank chalk”. It is now almost 12 hours later, and it’s time for an update. See, … Continue reading →
Continue readingcmkl: I think I may have to have a scotch
It’s been exceptionally busy at work of late. Today was just plain over the top and I think I should probably get back to some of it before I go to bed. Mercifully most of the work that needs doing is stuff that’s outside our firewall so I can actually
Continue readingCitizen Abousfian Abdelrazik
The UN Security Council’s so-called “1267 Committee” has officially removed Abousfian Abdelrazik’s name from its “no-fly” blacklist. This means that our fellow-citizen may now be legally employed in Canada, and friends can buy him a cup of coffee without fear of criminal prosecution. He can fly if he wants, and
Continue readingPaper Dynamite Online: Dion Speaks, Harper Government Scrambles
I’m starting to notice a trend.Two weeks ago, I noted that an op-ed written by Stephen Harper’s point man on Senate reform, Bert Brown, seemed deliberately tailored to blunt the criticisms of Liberal Democratic Reform critic Stephane Dion.Dion has been waging a very public attack on the Conservative’s Senate reform
Continue readingCanadian Dimension Feed: Alert! Episode 197
Stephen Maher examines Egyptian politics on the week of the vote, Gerald Caplan questions why everyone but Iran can have nuclear weapons, Peter Kulchyski on Federal Legislation to disclose the salaries of First Nation Chiefs and Band Councillors.
Continue readingNorthern Insights / Perceptivity: Luxurious new offices and enduring gratitude
News item: BC Ferries hiking fuel surcharges, Andrew MacLeod, The Tyee “Ferry fares will rise by 2.5 percent on Dec. 12 on the major routes as B.C. Ferry Services Inc. adds to the fuel surcharge. “A press release attributes the hike to the rising cost of marine diesel fuel…” I
Continue readingSudbury Steve May: Balancing ‘Occupy Sudbury’ and the Public Interest
I read with interest today an editorial published in the Sudbury Star by the Star’s Editor Brian MacLeod (“City should not facilitate permanent ‘Occupy’ presence – Point of View”, the Sudbury Star, November 30 2011) I have been a supporter of Occupy Sudbury almost since the first day of the
Continue readingImpolitical: Canadians support carbon tax
That’s what a new Environics poll finds, well-timed as a backdrop for the Durban climate change conference: “Support for climate action still strong in Canada, poll finds.” See near the end, 57% of British Columbians support the carbon tax, where they actually have one, which is important. The poll finds
Continue readingPeace, order and good government, eh?: Abdelrazik to be removed from UN blacklist
Althia Raj at the Huffington Post is reporting that Abousfian Abdelrazik’s application to be removed from the UN’s “1267” blacklist has been successful. He’ll now be allowed to have bank accounts, jobs and credit card debt just like the rest of us. And theoretically he’ll be allowed to get on
Continue readingA Canadian Lefty in Occupied Land: Video: Largest Strike in Britain Since 1926
As I prepare to meet one deadline and then jump straight into the pool to start meeting the next, I urge you to check out the Democracy Now! coverage of the massive strike by more than 2 million British workers against the austerity plans of the Conservative/Lib-Dem coalition government. This
Continue readingEnvironmental Law Alert Blog: A new era of pesticide special reviews in Canada
Wednesday, November 30, 2011 So what does last week’s federal court win by Josette Wier, a pesticide activist based in Smithers, against Health Canada mean for pesticide regulations in Canada? If Health Canada implements the decision of the Honourable Mr. Justice Kelen in Wier v. Health Canada, we believe that
Continue readingBlunt Objects: Today in Pointless Ideas from Nathan Cullen
Putting the monarchy to a vote appears to be Skeena-Bulkley Valley NDP MP Nathan Cullen’s most recent suggestion. This comes off the heels of his last headline capturing moment with the suggestion of a “progressive primary” vote that he himself admitted would never be a reality. While other candidates like
Continue readingArt Threat: Seeking alternatives to Quebec hydropoly – A review of Seeking the Current
As important as environmental documentaries are, it’s difficult not to tire of watching the ‘go green or risk oblivion’ narrative play out again and again. So when I read the synopsis of Seeking the Current, I was a bit apprehensive. But Nicolas Boisclair and Alexis de Gheldere’s documentary is far
Continue readingCalgaryGrit: The Value of Endorsements
Leadership races are notoriously hard to handicap, due to the absence of credible polling data. Asking Canadians who they want as the next NDP leader is pointless, since only 3 or 4% of NDP voters will buy a membership. Despite the best efforts of the Globe & Mail, few Canadians
Continue readingQueer-liberal: Goodbye ‘Movember’! Hello ‘ABSTA-VEMBER’ in 2012!
I am so glad to see ‘Movember’ come to an end. Yes, raising awareness and funds in the fight against prostate cancer is a great cause and I’m glad they raised so much of it in Canada and elsewhere this month. The problem with ‘Movember’, at least for me, is
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