I’m sure that all progressive bloggers are disheartened and bedeviled by the devolution of democracy in Canada. Not only has it been under consistent and sustained attack by the Harper regime, but it has also (perhaps as a result of those attacks) seen a substantial rise in the number of
Continue readingTag: harper contempt for democracy
Politics and its Discontents: More Than Rhetorical Questions
In today’s Star, Bob Hepburn has a piece that should be read by anyone who needs a brief refresher course in some of the more egregious attacks against democracy perpetrated by Stephen Harper. I offer only a short overview of the article here, as I hope everyone will read the
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Harperian Hypocrisy
Keep spreading the word, brothers and sisters: H/t Michael Nabert Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: ‘Dear Leader’ Decries Attacks On Democracy
This is indeed rich. Said Prime Minister Harper, in response to the French massacre: “When a trio of hooded men struck at some of our most cherished democratic principles — freedom of expression, freedom of the press — they assaulted democracy everywhere. Actions, Sir, speak much louder than words. Recommend
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Uh Oh. Mr. Harper Will Not Like This
There are many ways in which the ‘Fair’ Elections Act makes it more difficult for Canadians to exercise their voting rights; a group especially hard hit are aboriginals, not known for their support of the Conservative Party of Canada. Previous federal elections have allowed a second person to vouch for
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: The Shape of Conservative Attack Ads To Come?
A new This Hour Has 22 Minutes song parody of Meghan Trainor’s hit “All About That Bass” reveals possible Conservative pre-election attack strategies aimed squarely at the Liberal party leader. Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Apparently, Nothing Is Sacred To These People
Thanks to Ed Tanas for this: Ed asks in a tweet why the mainstream media aren’t covering this. A good question. Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: A Sobering Remembrance Day Reminder
I have to confess that all of the extra ‘enthusiasm’ for this year’s Remberance Day makes me uneasy. Poppy sales are at an all time high. Special and protracted ceremonies are planned. Government propaganda is being churned out incessantly. While I fully respect the fact that many people fought and
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: The Harper War Against Unions Continues
So what else is new? In today’s Star, Tim Harper tells a tale of the ongoing indefatigable contempt Canada’s putative prime minister has for unions. Like another Conservative entity, C-377 refuses to remain dead. The bill, proposed by a private member, Russ Hiebert, who is actually a front for Harper
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: You Can Never Be Too Careful
…I guess. H/t Toronto Star Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Was Nathan Cirillo A Hero? – Part 2
Yesterday’s post revolved around a column by The Hamilton Spectator’s Andrew Dreschel in which he questioned whether the circumstances of Nathan Cirollo’s death qualified him as a hero. I predicted that he would likely be subject to a barrage of criticism, given that the young man’s death was so recent,
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Was Nathan Cirillo A Hero?
As I noted on this blog previously, it is always a tragedy when a young person loses his or her life, whether to accident, disease, or mayhem. The lost potential is incalculable. Like me, however, I suspect many found the mythologizing of Nathan Cirillo’s murder, his passage on the Highway
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: A Dystopian Present And Future
Those of us who consider ourselves progressive bloggers are well-aware of the dystopian nature of the world we live in. It is a world where black is often white, white is black, and deceit abounds. The perpetrators of environmental degradation and climate change offer us commercials showing pristine landscapes to
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: We Could All Be Joseph K.
“Someone must have been telling lies about Joseph K., for without having done anything wrong he was arrested one fine morning.” – The opening sentence of Franz Kafka’s The Trial Having read The Trial many years ago, I remember being initially struck by the patent absurdity of the novel’s premise,
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: And Thus It Begins
One of the misgivings I expressed in yesterday’s post seems to be a little closer to reality today. The National Post headline reads: Conservatives mulling legislation making it illegal to condone terrorist acts online. Says John Ivison, The Conservatives are understood to be considering new legislation that would make it
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Reactions To Michael Harris’ Book On Harper
Star readers weigh in with their usual perspicacity as they reflect on the message of Michael Harris’ new book, Party of One: Stephen Harper and Canada’s Radical Makeover, discussed previously in this blog: Is there a despot in the House? Insight Oct. 19 As journalist Michael Harris’ book points out,
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Another Group Shames Harper
It is to be hoped that the closer we move to next year’s election, more and more Canadians will be wagging their fingers at Stephen Harper for his various acts of destruction in this country. For now, let’s enjoy the fact that this group is doing it for us: An
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Let The Sun Shine
Like the vampires of fiction who cling to the darkness as they carry out their nefarious, life-depleting ravages on their prey, the Harper regime best operates in the dark, away from the light of public scrutiny as it continues to suck the vitality out of our democracy. (Sorry for the
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Just A Reminder About The Regime Under Which We Chafe
In case you missed the story of yet another Harper-led CRA threat against charities that object to the regime’s policies of environmental despoliation, you can read about it here, here, or here. Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Michael Harris’ New Book
Veteran journalist and current national affairs columnist for iPolitics, Michael Harris, has just had his new book on Stephen Harper published. While the 500-page tome, entitled Party of One: Stephen Harper and Canada’s Radical Makeover, may offer nothing startlingly new to those of us who follow national politics closely, it
Continue reading