I firmly believe in the fundamental importance of freedom of speech. Without it, freedom dies, and democracy is impossible. I don’t believe in censorship, because censorship always leads to tyranny. But if there were ever a single book worthy of burning, I’d say it is Lord of the Flies. What
Continue readingTag: freedom of speech
Song of the Watermelon: Globe and Mail Letter
Today’s Globe and Mail contains a letter to the editor from yours truly (second from the bottom) in response to an op-ed criticizing those who take offence at J.K. Rowling’s misguided views on trans people. I discuss one of my pet peeves in the current “free speech” wars — namely,
Continue readingSong of the Watermelon: Globe and Mail Letter
Today’s Globe and Mail contains a letter to the editor from yours truly (second from the bottom) in response to an op-ed criticizing those who take offence at J.K. Rowling’s misguided views on trans people. I discuss one of my pet peeves in the current “free speech” wars — namely,
Continue readingAlberta Politics: Alberta’s Bill 1 is bad law, bad theatre, and an unconstitutional attack on the fundamental rights of citizens
If the passage of Bill 1 by the Alberta Legislature last month demonstrates anything, it’s the contempt in which Premier Jason Kenney and the United Conservative Party hold the rule of law. Mr. Kenney and his well-behaved UCP caucus know that Canada’s Constitution is the supreme law of the land.
Continue readingThe Sir Robert Bond Papers: In front of your nose #nlpoli
Orwell, c. 1940Colourised by Cassowary Colurization A truly free and democratic society must be based on fundamental rights and freedoms that individuals may enjoy and that are restricted rarely and only to the extent necessary to protect other rights. In Canada, 38 years after the proclamation of the Charter of
Continue readingWritings of J. Todd Ring: “It Depends Who You Talk To” – Relativism, Nihilism & Mass Insanity
Let’s get some things out of the way, right from the start. Our society is insane. Fromm was right, and there is no doubt about it. Illusions, delusion, lies and half-truths, distortions of the truth, avoidance of reality, denial, psychological numbness, narcissism and disociation are all epidemic. That is in
Continue readingcentre of the universe: Keep ’em separated
Recently the Government of Canada included on its summer student funding program a check box that asks whether the business (non-profit/agency/charity/etc.) applying for federal tax funding complies with Canadian law. Normally, that’s not a problem. Normally, if you apply for federal funding, you’re all, hells yes we comply with federal
Continue readingcentre of the universe: Alouette
Way back in the nineteen somethings, Canada was going through the sort of identity crisis we all go through when we’re about fifteen. Québec was all stomping around the place, slamming doors and cupboards and shouting “JE PARS” everytime someone looked at it. “Hey, Québec,” we’d say, “I like your
Continue readingcentre of the universe: Fuck Libraries
The Saskatchewan government, in its 2017/18 budget, has slashed library budgets around the province. Its done all kinds of other things too like force civil servants to take a 3.5% cut in pay, shut down the only highway bus transportation service in the province, increase the provincial sales tax, and
Continue readingcentre of the universe: The Drama …Club
Did I ever tell you about my short-lived career as an actual “ad-man”? *wavy remembery lines* Way back in the once-upon-a-time, there was a drama club. And that drama club was trying to recruit new members. I went to a high school where there was a pretty clear divide between
Continue readingcentre of the universe: Freedom’s Just Another Word
Over the past couple of weeks, you’ve been either lauding or vilifying this guy who plays sportsball in the US because he opted to sit out the national anthem in protest of racism, race-based violence, and inequity. You got *really mad* at him, and said he shouldn’t be allowed to
Continue readingA Grumpy Hobbit: It is Called *Being Consistent* Knee to the Nads For Ninny Nanny Nitwit Justin
To all those trained CPC Harper bots who had no issue with Harper having a private Chef and/or who were outrage about Trudeau firing said Chef,… Well seriously you just have to STFU about Ninny Trudeau hiring a couple of Nannies. (PS, the Harper Chef also did Nanny duties in
Continue readingA Grumpy Hobbit: It is Called *Being Consistent* Knee to the Nads For Ninny Nanny Nitwit Justin
To all those trained CPC Harper bots who had no issue with Harper having a private Chef and/or who were outrage about Trudeau firing said Chef,… Well seriously you just have to STFU about Ninny Trudeau hiring a couple of Nannies. (PS, the Harper Ch…
Continue readingA Grumpy Hobbit: It is Called *Being Consistent* Knee to the Nads For Ninny Nanny Nitwit Justin
To all those trained CPC Harper bots who had no issue with Harper having a private Chef and/or who were outrage about Trudeau firing said Chef,… Well seriously you just have to STFU about Ninny Trudeau hiring a couple of Nannies. (PS, the Harper Ch…
Continue readingA Grumpy Hobbit: E-FLAP #000010 – Joshua Attempts Science/Science, Again
Well Joshua is back with his second installment of "How Conservatives Can Reclaim Science", and still no science. When I first read Joshua’s second article I didn’t think much of it, for he had very little to say about science. Then after a second, more careful reading, I realized I was mistaken and there is much to dissect. So what can we learn from his second installment? Well we find out
Continue readingA Grumpy Hobbit: E-FLAP #000010 – Joshua Attempts Science/Science, Again
Well Joshua is back with his second installment of “How Conservatives Can Reclaim Science”, and still no science. When I first read Joshua’s second article I didn’t think much of it, for he had very little to say about science. Then after a second, more careful reading, I realized I
Continue readingA Grumpy Hobbit: E-FLAP #000010 – Joshua Attempts Science/Science, Again
Well Joshua is back with his second installment of "How Conservatives Can Reclaim Science", and still no science. When I first read Joshua’s second article I didn’t think much of it, for he had very little to say about science. Then after a second, more careful reading, I realized I was mistaken and there is much to dissect. So what can we learn from his second installment? Well we find out
Continue readingA Grumpy Hobbit: at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month
WE REMEMBERIt is a shame that we seem to have forgotten the lessons of history.
Continue readingA Grumpy Hobbit: at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month
WE REMEMBERIt is a shame that we seem to have forgotten the lessons of history.
Continue readingA Grumpy Hobbit: at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month
WE REMEMBERIt is a shame that we seem to have forgotten the lessons of history.
Continue reading