Heavily dependent on tourism, the Cuban economy has been hit hard by the pandemic’s restrictions on travel. The loss of Canadian tourists is a particularly heavy blow as in recent years we have been by far the most common visitors to the country’s sunny shores. And, as pointed out in
Continue readingTag: military
Writings of J. Todd Ring: Military Take-Over? No – Take Over The Military
Absolutely no to martial law. But yes to taking resources from the military industrial complex. The military cannot be allowed to take over – under any circumstances. They must, however, be repurposed – under strict civilian democratic, constitutional control. And what are we fighting? Poverty, pollution, a vampiric corporate oligarchy,
Continue readingWell-being as National Security
When the term “national security” crops up, our thoughts usually turn to things military. Indeed the dictionary on my Mac defines national security as “the safety of a nation against threats such as terrorism, war, or espionage.” But the security of a people is often threatened by things other than
Continue readingWhither Sudan?
The prospects for Sudan brightened considerably last Friday. The military and pro-democracy forces reached a power-sharing agreement that should end a three-month political crisis that has paralyzed the country and led to dozens of deaths following a brutal assault on peaceful protesters by the authorities. The two sides will form
Continue readingDead Wild Roses: The US Military – Winning by Not Losing – Nick Turse
The need for security actions and endless wars is a self-justifying feature of the US economic and political landscape. The military industrial complex (MIC) is invested in all levels of American society and within the political realm. The MIC is not only good for business, but often it *is* the
Continue readingScripturient: Remembering those who served
It’s at this time of the year, as we approach Remembrance Day, that I think most about my family, especially those who have died. I wish I had known when I was younger what I know today, so I could have asked them more about their lives, and about their
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Rona Ambrose and the Assault On Harjit Sajjan
The grotesque chicken hawk Rona Ambrose has disgraced herself so many times it's almost impossible to keep a body count.Whether demanding that we should drop more bombs on one country or another, or attacking the Trudeau children, or trying to prevent doctors from helping dying heroin addicts, she simply has
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Donald Trump: When Madness Becomes Normal
I always knew that the sleazy Con clown Donald Trump was spectacularly unfit to be the President of the United States.
How could he not be when he’s a crass demagogue, a bigot, a misogynist, a rabid climate change denier, and an abysmally ignorant Con man who makes it up as he goes along?
But it wasn’t until I watched him perform at NBC’s Comander-in-Chief Forum the other night, that I finally realized how dangerous he could be if he ever occupied the White House.
For it was madness.
Read more »
Montreal Simon: Stephen Harper and the Afghan Torture Scandal
For years there have been rumours that Stephen Harper knew that some of our soldiers in Afghanistan were torturing the prisoners they captured. Or did nothing to stop others torturing them.But didn't do anything about it, because he just didn…
Continue readingMontreal Simon: The Trudeau Government and the Case of the Injured Veterans
As you know I think Justin Trudeau and his government are doing an amazing job of destroying Stephen Harper's foul legacy.And have have made this country a better place to live in, as well as restoring our image abroad.But that doesn't mean tha…
Continue readingMontreal Simon: The Amazing Rocket and America’s New Supergun
It's amazing what we humans can do when we push the boundaries of science.Like fire off this SpaceX rocket from Cape Canaveral in Florida, deploy a satellite.Then land the first stage on a so-called drone ship in the North Atlantic.And this is wh…
Continue readingMontreal Simon: The Con Porker Cheryl Gallant Disgraces Herself. Again.
It's been just over a month since the ghastly Con hog Cheryl Gallant last disgraced herself.By using the memory of the murdered soldier Cpl. Nathan Cirillo to peddle Easter hams at a fundraising event.And using his death to smear migrants and refug…
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Remembrance Day 2015: Remembering the Dead and the Living
It's Remembrance Day 2015, and this year it will be for me like no other I have ever known. A day of sadness and celebration.A day to mourn all those who sacrificed their lives for this country.And a day to give thanks that this other tragedy, this other gaping wound of war,
Continue readingWritings of J. Todd Ring: The Vile Maxim of the Servants
Adam Smith wrote about “The vile maxim of the masters,” which is, as he describes it, “All for us, none for anybody else.” And the vile maxim of their loyal servants seems to be, “Whatever you say boss. You make the rules.” The vile, amoral service to power – nothing
Continue readingWritings of J. Todd Ring: The Vile Maxim of the Servants
Adam Smith wrote about “The vile maxim of the masters,” which is, as he describes it, “All for us, none for anybody else.” And the vile maxim of their loyal servants seems to be, “Whatever you say boss. You make the rules.” The vile, amoral service to power – nothing
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Harper’s Army and the Final Betrayal of Cpl. Stuart Langridge
I've written several posts about the tragic story of Cpl. Stuart Langridge, who killed himself seven years ago after serving his country honourably in Bosnia and Afghanistan.I told you how the military didn't accept that he was suffering from PTSD, they didn't treat his illness, they treated him like a
Continue readingBabel-on-the-Bay: If trouble comes?
We live a very peaceful life in Canada. It was surprising though the other day when in an interview on Global Television, Tom Clark asked Ottawa’s chief of the defence staff his major concern for Canadians. Without hesitation, General Tom Lawson said his main concern was a natural disaster. He
Continue readingMontreal Simon: The Dirty Sexist Game and the Woman Who Fought Back
It's a dirty game, a bestial assault on women, and one of the most disgusting things I have ever seen on TV.One that began just over a year ago with this video in Cincinnati, as a female reporter covered a train derailment. The video got more than five million views, more
Continue readingMontreal Simon: The Canadian Forces and the Shame of Harper’s Army
Ever since he came to power Stephen Harper has been trying to militarize this country. Trying to destroy our noble peacekeeping traditions, and turn our military into Harper's Army, with his hollow slogan: STRONG. PROUD. FREE. But as a new report makes clear the truth couldn't be more UGLY.Read more
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Is Stephen Harper Planning to Conscript Young Canadians?
There's a strange and disturbing story circulating quietly on the internet. It was forwarded to me by someone I trust.And it seems to show that the CBC wrote a story claiming that Stephen Harper was thinking about conscripting young Canadians if he is re-elected.Only to quickly delete it a few
Continue reading