While much of the attention surrounding Russia’s “homosexual propaganda” law has been about whether there should be a boycott of the Sochi Olympics, the saga has continued to ripple outward in several directions, including statements being made in support of the law by Canadian and American far-right spokespeople. Here is
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wmtc: war resister rodney watson: four years in sanctuary
Today marks four years since Iraq War resister Rodney Watson requested sanctuary from the First United Church in Vancouver. Watson has been in sanctuary ever since. We can honour Watson’s sacrifice and his commitment to peace by renewing our demand that the Canadian government allow Watson and all war resisters
Continue readingwmtc: the other september 11, why "they" might hate "us", and the right to live in peace
For many people in the world, especially people in South America, the date September 11 was significant long before 2001. On that date in 1973, Augusto Pinochet, with the help of the United States government, overthrew the democratically elected, socialist government of Salvador Allende. Allende was either murdered or forced
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Maude Barlow: Blue Future: Protecting Water for People and the Planet Forever
In her new book, Blue Future, international bestselling author and activist Maude Barlow warns about the grave consequences of the deepening global water crisis. The post Maude Barlow: Blue Future: Protecting Water for People and the Planet Forever appeared first on The Canadian Progressive.
Continue readingThe Progressive Economics Forum: What UBC and SMU’s rape chant scandals say about women in the Canadian economy
The news of UBC Sauder Business School students chanting about rape of underage girls during a FROSH week event has generated much outrage. As it should. While the chant might seem like an isolated incident, it is not. The recent rape chant scandals in UBC and in St Mary’s University
Continue readingThe Cracked Crystal Ball II: Creating Hierarchies of Rights
Recently, we have had a series of stories where there have been arguments put forth that there should be “exemptions” in non-discrimination laws for religious beliefs. Yesterday’s column by Licia Corbella in the Calgary Herald positively oozed with a smug sense of religious entitlement, and attempted to hold atheists responsible
Continue readingwmtc: labour day 2013: low-wage workers rising
This week, port truckers went on strike in California, and fast-food workers in more than 60 cities walked off their jobs. Today in the US, Labor Day is Walmart’s last day to respond before Walmart workers intensify their nationwide actions on September 5. In Toronto, hotel workers won a huge
Continue readingScripturient: Blog & Commentary: What’s it all about, Alfie?
“What’s it all about, Alfie?” sings Cilla Black in the title song for the eponymous 1966 movie. But it could be the anthem for the human race, or at least those with a philosophical bent. “What’s it all about?” is certainly a question that springs to my mind daily as
Continue readingPaul S. Graham: VIDEO: Winnipeg Rally “No War with Syria”
Aug. 31, 2013: Winnipeggers rallied to voice opposition to foreign intervention in Syria’s civil war. Photo: Paul S. Graham About 50 Winnipeggers rallied at the Canadian Museum of Human Rights Saturday afternoon to express their opposition to foreign military interventions in Syria. The rally, organized by Winnipeg Alternative Media, was
Continue readingLeDaro: Barack Obama and Martin Luther King
Was Obama a suitable person to give a speech on the 50th anniversary of MLK’s “I have a dream” speech? MLK may have his own weaknesses as he was human after all, but he was not a hypocrite like Obama. It was Martin Luther King’s efforts and Lyndon Johnson’s co-operation
Continue readingwmtc: dear war criminals: don’t lecture us about morals as you prepare to bomb civilians
Let me be clear. The indiscriminate slaughter of civilians, the killing of women and children and innocent bystanders by chemical weapons is a moral obscenity. – Secretary of State John Kerry The slaughter of innocent civilians is a moral obscenity? I’m betting the people of Iraq and Afghanistan* agree. Or
Continue readingwmtc: this thursday, august 29: national strike of low-wage workers
If you are a fast-food worker, go here for more information on the national strike to say: Low Pay Is Not OK. For the rest of us, on August 29, visit a picket line, send an email, sign a petition. In New York City, join rallying low-wage workers at Union
Continue readingYappa Ding Ding: Musings on Manning
I worked for Reuters back in the 80s and 90s, and still get email sometimes about things that happen to Reuters employees. I got one today concerning the murder of Reuters journalists that was exposed by Pfc Manning, the US soldier recently convicted of leaking confidential documents to WikiLeaks. The
Continue readingScott's DiaTribes: The makings of Trudeau policy and what he stands for
In my own humble (and admittedly partisan) opinion, I think Justin Trudeau has had a good week. First, he strongly criticized the PQ intention of banning religious headgear from Quebec government institutions etc, calling that going against Canadian values and rights (right in step with how his father would have
Continue readingwmtc: how you can support chelsea manning
Here are two important things you can do to help support Chelsea Manning. 1. Do whatever you can to work for her pardon. You can sign the petition to President Obama here. You have to create an account, but that only takes a few moments, and the form accepts Canadian
Continue readingwmtc: bradley manning in his own words
In case you haven’t seen it, this link at Democracy Now! has the transcript of Bradley Manning’s statement, read by his lawyer David Coombs, after Manning was sentenced to 35 years in prison. The decisions that I made in 2010 were made out of a concern for my country and the
Continue readingLeDaro: Brothels and Massage Parlours: Girls are bought for prostitution
America talks about spreading democracy and freeing women in Afghanistan. Why doesn’t the American Government do the same in their own country? The situation in Canada is not much different. The majority of these victims are Asians. Slavery continues to exist in some form or even worse than slavery. These
Continue readingwmtc: bradley manning’s apology: the triumph of torture
Earlier this week, Bradley Manning’s defense ended its case in Manning’s sentencing hearing. Manning made a statement to the military court: an apology. Reading it, I thought of 1984, when Winston faces the terror of being eaten alive by rats, and he tells his tormentors what they want to hear.
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: Chris Hedges on "Murdering the Wretched of the Earth"
There’s a reason the Muslim poor flock to radical Islam, several reasons in fact. They’ve been discussed at length before but Chris Hedges, in light of the massacres ongoing in Egypt, recaps: Radical Islam is the last refuge of the Muslim poor. The mandated five prayers a day give the
Continue readingwmtc: dimanno: let’s make sochi the gay games
When I read Stephen Fry’s open letter to the IOC, and the continued calls to boycott or move the Sochi Games because of the horrendous and institutionalized homophobic violence within Russia, I couldn’t help but think of the Beijing Games. I absolutely understand the uproar over Russia’s anti-gay laws, and
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