Last week, Owen wrote a post he entitled Corrupting Civil Society, a reflection on the Harper war on non-profits that stand in opposition to any of his regime’s agenda. I recommend reading it for a good overview of the situation. In yesterday’s Star, three letters articulated three excellent perspectives on
Continue readingTag: harper attack on freedom of expression
Politics and its Discontents: A ‘Sign’ Of Our Debased Democracy
If you are under the impression that our Charter of Rights and Freedoms allows for freedom of expression, please be aware there are apparently severe restrictions on that freedom should you try to express yourself on public property in the vicinity of Prime Minister’s residence; perhaps Mr. Harper invoked the
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: For Those Who Don’t Mind Gov’t Surveillance Because They Have Nothing To Hide
You might want to take a moment to read Rick Salutin’s thoughts on the implications of living in a country where environmentalists and others who oppose the government’s corporate agenda are regarded as terrorists. As well, this Canadian Dimension piece might also give you pause. Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Let’s All Be Good, Quiescent Citizens, Eh?
It is no secret that this country, under the ‘leadership’ of the Harper cabal, has suffered a significant loss of democratic freedoms reflected in the abuse of and contempt for parliamentary procedure, the subversion of senate inquiries, the muzzling of civil servants, and the extollment of opacity in place of
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Harper Government Finds Another Way To Stifle Dissent
Wearing a mask at an ‘unlawful’ assembly (example, spontaneous demonstration) now carries a maximum 10-year-prison term, thanks to Bill C-309, a private member’s bill sponsored by Conservative MP Blake Richards which became law today. No word yet on any bills making it unlawful for police to conceal their identities by
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Is Our Freedom More Illusion Than Reality?
That is a question you may be prompted to ask yourself after reading this piece by Kevin Logan and watching the video below. Described therein are the measures and efforts designed to realize what I suspect is Mr. Harper’s fondest dream: a compliant, unquestioning, ‘disciplined’ and very passive populace, not
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Thomas Walkom – Harper and Oil
In this time of unprecedented climate change, I think most people realize that Stephen Harper has an unhealthy addiction to oil, one that marks him as truly retrogressive as he seeks to return Canada to its traditional role as primarily an exporter of resources, all the while couching that backward
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: New Crime Discovered in Edmonton
Known in legal circles as politicius pontificus interruptus, Edmonton police are doing everything within their power to prevent this terrible crime from spreading and becoming a national scourge. Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Another Victim of the Harper Thought Police
The message couldn’t be clearer: if you want to continue to receive funding, don’t produce data that contradicts Dear Leader. Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: The Haunting Threats To Democracy
Being a rather fitful sleeper at the best of times, I often awake throughout the night, the sole advantage of this affliction being the ability to recall a large number of my dreams. Last night was one such night. In the dream, while I lived in an apparently normal environment,
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Death By Download?
Although a cliche, it is nonetheless true that knowledge is power, which probably explains why Canada is currently under the yoke of the most secretive and undemocratic federal government it has ever known. The latest restriction on access to information is reflected in the Harper termination of the National Roundtable
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: When Does An Assembly Become Unlawful?
Because we were rather busy yesterday preparing a small celebration marking my sister-in-law’s retirement at an enviably young age, I am just getting caught up on my Saturday newspaper reading. One of the issues that caught my attention is the private member’s bill making its way through Parliament as an
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