…one school system in Ontario? One can only hope. It will likely fail, but will expose the farcical inequities in our education system to those Ontarians who are, at present, blissfully unaware. But you can bet that I and the many others who want to see the end of faith-based
Continue readingTag: Education
Dead Wild Roses: Theramin Trees – ‘there are no gods’ Part 2. – Concepts for Gods
Part two of the series examines conceptions of the divine that, when looked at logically do not make sense and can then reasonably be ruled out. Filed under: Education, Religion Tagged: theramin trees, There are no Gods
Continue readingDead Wild Roses: Theramin Trees – ‘there are no gods’ – A Three Part Tryptych
Theramin Trees a youtube author made a series of videos in response to the following questions. This three-part series looks at: 1. What I believed when I was a theist 2. Concepts for gods I affirmatively believe do not exist 3. Concepts for god I believe to be unknowable The
Continue readingDead Wild Roses: Philosophical Reflection – Wouldn’t that be nice in North America?
The lack of reflection in North American society reflects in our policies and economic choices. Countries that have experienced the ripsaw of neo-liberal capitalism (essentially the unbalanced “free-market” reforms that we impose on other countries to savage their people and exploit their resources) are contemplating life after the free marketers
Continue readingDead Wild Roses: A Rant on Words
I hate the word ‘utilize’. There is an art form to selecting words. One mustn’t be drab, nor overly verbose. Large words should be used for clarity and precision in terms of expressing one’s intent. They should NOT be used to merely for the sake of making the speaker sound
Continue readingThe Progressive Economics Forum: Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy
December marked the three-year anniversary of Ontario’s Poverty Reduction Strategy. While I believe there is much to celebrate, much remains to be done. The Strategy surprised a lot of observers, especially in light of the fact that it was announced in December 2008, just as Ontario was entering a recession.
Continue readingArt Threat: What’s the value of an art school? – Contextualizing the crisis at NSCAD
NSCAD's modern new Port campus overlooks Halifax harbour. Photo by Rory Hyde. Celebrating its 125th anniversary next year, The Nova Scotia College of Art and Design is the oldest of Canada’s four dedicated art universities. With slightly over 1000 full time students and spread across three campuses in downtown Halifax,
Continue readingThe Progressive Economics Forum: Tips on Recruiting International Students
It’s no secret that a major priority of Canadian universities is to recruit substantial numbers of international students, who in turn pay very high tuition fees once they arrive in Canada. Recent evidence suggests that insofar as Canadian universities want to continue doing so, they should work with senior levels of government to
Continue readingThe Progressive Economics Forum: Impact of Increased Health Privatization on PSE
An article in yesterday’s Village Voice looks at the rising costs of post-secondary education (PSE) in the United States. It points to research suggesting that the “biggest single factor” contributing to the rising cost of PSE for both private and public institutions is the cost of employee health benefits. I would infer
Continue readingDead Wild Roses: Heteronormativity – Yet another unseen standard in society.
This clip is about the acceptance of same sex couples making out in public spaces. Why is it okay for hetero couples to mash face, but not when of the same sex. Gauge your reactions and how you feel about the situations presented. Examine your feelings and ask where do
Continue readingWe Have Our Priorities
According to Correctional Services Canada, the average annual cost of keeping someone in a federal prison in Canada in 2004-2005 was $88,067 . Now compare that to the annual amount spent per student in Canada during the same time period of $8726 including operating budgets and salaries.
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Tuesday Evening Links
This and that for your Tuesday reading. – Glen Pearson follows up on the importance of organized labour – particularly as a desperately-needed counterweight to the pressures faced by public officials which may not be obvious to anybody less connected to the political scene: I often thought about this during
Continue readingTop story of 2011
First of all, best wishes to all of you in your endeavours in the new year. We need more then ever to strive towards enlightenment in the new reality that we pretend is democracy. In this spirit, I will resolve to educate as many people as I can reach on
Continue readingTrashy's World: Bottle drive!
Wondering what to do with all of those bottles that were merrily emptied over the holidays? Think no more… at least if you’re in Ottawa. The Pleasant Park Public School Council is working hard to raise money to build a new play structure. And you can help! Let us carry
Continue reading350 or bust: Hallelujah
Posted last December, here is the Hallelujah Chorus brought to you by the 5th grade class of Kuinerrarmiut Elitnaurviat in Quinhagak, Alaska. It was originally intended for an audience of about 200, in the surrounding villages. It has now had over 750,000 views. So, Merry Christmas from Quinhagak, Alaska! *Special
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Friday Afternoon Links
Assorted content to end your week. – If there’s a more accurate description of the Cons’ entire political strategy than “taking advantage of the prejudice that’s already there”, I haven’t heard it yet. And Chris Lawson is rightly frustrated that Canadian politics are being dominated by such cynical and destructive
Continue readingTrashy's World: Wonderful choir performance last night…
…at my kids’ school. Nice music, not too long and a great turnout by the school community. And the kids had a great time too! The show ended with Raffi’s Letter To A Nation… Jack’s last letter that was turned into song. My brother came to the show with us
Continue readingDead Wild Roses: Christopher Hitchens – We Shall Remember and Continue the Struggle
Thank you for your powerful words and the courage modeled in dismantling the rotten specter of religion. That is all. Christopher Hitchens 1949 – 2011. Filed under: Education, Religion Tagged: A time to remember, Atheism, Christopher Hitchens, RIP
Continue readingExponential Book: Customers
Imagine the following, hypothetical situation: the owner of a small high-tech company needs all of his employees retrained, in view of the adoption of a new, company-wide software system. He decides to send a few of them to a week-long course with a private firm, specialized in offering short courses
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