Ever since Biden’s speech to Canada’s Parliament this weekend, Conservative politicians here have been going off about whether or not the female members of cabinet “got there because of their sex or because of merit”. Consider the following from Poilievre’s communications lead: The level of sexism and misogyny in this
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The Cracked Crystal Ball II: So … The Social Woes Of Today Are The Fault of Whom?!
The political right wing's inability to understand things beyond simplistic bromides has always surprised me. I get that it makes for easy sound bite politicking, but seriously, the conclusions drawn are often laughable in their implausibility. Then we come to today's entry in "what stupidity will they say today?": The
Continue readingThe Cracked Crystal Ball II: Joe Oliver and the Wand Of Economic Bamboozlement
In the Financial Post we find Harper era cabinet creature Joe Oliver expounding on the future of the economy – and the evils of "progressivism". I'll give you a minute or two to read it … Before we examine it more closely: Read more »
Continue readingThe Cracked Crystal Ball II: Let’s Talk About ‘Political Discrimination’
A few months ago, MP Garnett Genuis tabled a bill which would add protections to Canada’s human right legislation for “Political Belief”. Then, as the Ontario College of Psychologists moved to discipline Jordan Peterson for spreading hatred, he started crying that this was political discrimination, that he was being “persecuted”
Continue readingThe Cracked Crystal Ball II: Conservatives Are Dismantling Western Democracies
It’s been a bit of a whirlwind lately, but there are some very disturbing patterns emerging in the politics of western democracy these days. At the top of the list, is what appears to be a steady effort on the part of conservative politicians to dismantle western democracies, and in
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Saturday Morning Links
Assorted content for your weekend reading. – Matthew Sitman writes about the fundamentally anti-social values being pushed by U.S. Republicans and their right-wing cousins – as well as the desperate need for pushback from progressives who actually value communities and the people who live in them. Gregg Gonsalves writes that
Continue readingThe Cracked Crystal Ball II: Two Days In Alberta Politics
It’s Friday – end of the week, and the last 2 days of politics in Alberta have been a whirlwind … on Wednesday, Kenney said he would step down after getting 51.4% support in a leadership review vote, and on Thursday, the UCP caucus voted to keep Kenney on as
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Friday Morning Links
Assorted content to end your week. – Zak Vescera reports on the combination of high rates of hospitalization and virtually nonexistent vaccination that’s resulted from Scott Moe’s surrender to COVID-19. And Nicholas Larsen et al. add autonomic dysfunction to the list of post-COVID symptoms which are common even among people
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Thursday Morning Links
This and that for your Thursday reading. – Zak Vescera exposes how the Saskatchewan Health Authority warned Scott Moe’s government that it was extending a COVID wave, endangering lives and exceeding the capacity of the health care system by eliminating public health protections, only to have Moe barge ahead with
Continue readingThe Cracked Crystal Ball II: On The Emergency Measures Act
If you’ve been paying attention at all, you are aware that the Federal Government has invoked the Emergency Measures Act to deal with the “Convoy”. In this writer’s opinion, this decision came a week late, and let me explain why. First, as much as the organizers have tried to make
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Saturday Afternoon Links
Assorted content for your weekend reading. – John Michael McGrath writes that the Omicron wave of COVID may manage to be the most disruptive year, while Alex Press discusses how its effects at an individual level may differ drastically based on one’s income. – Ed Yong warns that the U.S.’
Continue readingThe Cracked Crystal Ball II: There Is No Such Thing As A "True Conservative"
In his column for yesterday’s National Post, John Robson opines that the problems that Jason Kenney and Erin O’Toole are having with the electorate are because they aren’t being “Real Conservatives” (or “Conservative Enough”). No, Mr. Robson, that isn’t it at all. Perhaps it’s escaped your notice in the
Continue readingThe Cracked Crystal Ball II: Alberta’s Conservatives Are Abusers
It should come as no surprise to most readers that I have little use for conservatism in its current form. I think it has become something to be reviled, and today, I was introduced to an article that reinforced my thoughts on the matter, and in some key respects highlights
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Sunday Afternoon Links
This and that for your Sunday reading. – Rich Mendes reports on new research showing that the longstanding focus on physical distance as a means of avoiding the indoor transmission of COVID-19 has been misplaced. Erin Anderssen and Marcus Gee examine some of Canada’s hardest-hit intensive care units to show
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Sunday Afternoon Links
This and that for your Sunday reading. – Andrew Nikiforuk writes about Canada’s contributions to the evidence showing how COVID-zero strategies have produced better results in terms of both health and economics – though sadly the Conservative-governed provinces are determined to keep up the harm from allowing the spread of
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Thursday Morning Links
This and that for your Thursday reading. – Steven Lewis examines how Canada can and should learn from Australia’s success in controlling the coronavirus, while Robert Danich writes that conservative governments need to learn that they have responsibility for social health and well-being rather than pointing the finger at individuals.
Continue readingThe Cracked Crystal Ball II: Twisting the Night Away …
I won’t waste much time directly addressing the attempted coup that took place in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday this past week. Others have already covered it in considerable depth, and the fallout will no doubt take months or more to sort out. However, Maclean’s decided to publish something today
Continue readingAlberta Politics: Evidence suggests U.S. conservatives have given up on democracy — can Canada’s Cons be far behind?
Yesterday was Martinstag in Germany. I suppose if you think about it, it’s St. Martin’s Day here in Canada, too. Armistice Day 1918, how the end of World War I was told to Canadians. The occasion is said to be quite popular with children, with lots of colourful lanterns, costumes
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Thursday Morning Links
This and that for your Thursday reading. – Tom Kibasi examines how the UK Cons’ mismanagement – both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic – has resulted in disastrous public health consequences. And Denna Berg and Karin Taylor find that right-wing governments in general have seen far worse outcomes than
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Sunday Afternoon Links
This and that for your Sunday reading. – Heather Scoffield writes that contrary to the spin from corporate mouthpieces, workers have been eager to find work when it’s been available in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. And John Cartwright comments on the need for a recovery to be just
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