Things are changing rapidly in the world, but as of this moment, we can say a few things about the major political parties of the Western world, with reasonable certainty. It is now undeniable, that by their actions, the major parties of the Western world, including the Democratic party of
Continue readingTag: strategy
Accidental Deliberations: On time-shifting
There’s been some discussion about parts of Canada’s federal election campaign which are surfacing somewhat earlier than usual – ranging from party platforms (with the notable exception of the Libs‘), to typical late-campaign scare tactics. But it’s worth noting that there’s obvious reason to make closing arguments from almost the
Continue readingWritings of J. Todd Ring: Five Monkeys, and The Art of War:Or, How To Launch A Successful Revolution
Gandhi said, “Cowards can never be moral.” And he was right. Cowards always choose personal comfort over conscience. The question then, is, how to instill courage in the people, at this most critical hour in the history of humanity? Answer that, and social change becomes, not only possible, but inevitable,
Continue readingWritings of J. Todd Ring: The Global Co-op Movement: The Better Way – and, The Way Ahead
I used to think that co-ops were a nice idea, very practical, a nice little niche for a few people around the margins and the periphery, with strong ideals, doing practical, valuable things. But I, must admit, in this regard, I was quite ignorant, until just this year. The co-op
Continue readingWritings of J. Todd Ring: Rebooting Canada, eh!
Tax the rich. That would be a good start. Close the loopholes, implement capital flight controls, tax financial speculation, tax the richest 1% and the large, profitable corporations, along with the heavy polluting industries, and put a reasonable royalty fee on oil, gas, water and forestry product exports. That would
Continue readingWritings of J. Todd Ring: Libertarian Socialism & The Rebirth of Freedom & Democracy
What is libertarian socialism, and why should we be interested? Libertarian socialism is a long term goal, I would say, agreeing with Chomsky, who is the most prominent libertarian socialist alive. That’s point one. Although, history is full of surprises, so it may be closer and more attainable in the
Continue readingWritings of J. Todd Ring: I Have A Dream
I Have A Dream: surely, and unquestionably, that great speech by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., is one of the most important, and most beautiful, uplifting, empowering, ennobling, visionary and inspiring speeches ever given. Listen again to these words. These words were never more relevant than now. Unity
Continue readingScripturient: Why Master Sun Matters Today
Master Sun was a wise man. So wise that his famous treatise, The Art of War (aka The Art of Warfare), has been read, written about, critiqued, and discussed for roughly 2,400 years. It has been used as a model of strategy and leadership for the military, for business, romance,
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: On unconventional circumstances
Like 2,000+ other members across the country, I’ve been participating in the NDP’s convention over the course of the weekend. And with one day in the books, I’ll take note of a few of the differences between this and traditional in-person conventions – as well as the effects they’ve had
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Wednesday Morning Links
Miscellaneous material for your mid-week reading. – Bruce Arthur discusses how Doug Ford could prevent a third wave of COVID-19 in Ontario, but is choosing not to. John Michael McGrath writes that we need to stay vigilant in doing everything we can to limit the spread of the coronavirus even
Continue readingWritings of J. Todd Ring: From Bankers Ruling The World, To The People Ruling The Bankers
(And Rebuilding And Healing The World In The Process) “I believe that banking institutions are more dangerous to our liberties than standing armies.” – Thomas Jefferson “I pray we shall crush the moneyed aristocracy in its infancy, for already it bids defiance to our laws and seeks a contest
Continue readingWritings of J. Todd Ring: Seven Virtues To Liberate and Heal The World
The following is a seed thought, a note to myself, for further elaboration in the future, and it is a note I will share with others, because it is a seed thought which is powerful, healing, and liberating. I will not go into any lengthy discussion, meditation or exposition of
Continue readingWritings of J. Todd Ring: Freedom & Power
I am, for the record, perfectly comfortable with where and how I have positioned myself. I am passionately and steadfastly in favour of freedom, democracy, constitutional rule and human rights; liberty, equality and solidarity; and of course, as a result, I am passionately and steadfastly in favour of freedom of
Continue readingWritings of J. Todd Ring: Toppling Icons
There are many great problems in late-industrial modern society, and there are many ways these problems can be addressed – some of them more effective than others. In this short essay I will focus on strategies and tactics for real social change – what works, and what does not. And
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: On missed opportunities
There has been plenty of commentary and analysis about the results of Saskatchewan’s provincial election – including some discussion on the theme of an overly risk-averse NDP campaign. But I’ll follow up with one specific example of what may have been missing from the party’s message. One of the key
Continue readingWritings of J. Todd Ring: What Must Be Done: The Briefest Possible Sketch
We must educate and inform ourselves and others; speak up and stand up for both compassion (ie: public health) and freedom; sow non-violent democratic revolution to dethrone the sociopathic corporate oligarchs; nourish ourselves, our families, and our communities in body, mind and spirit; build networks of community, solidarity, cooperation, mutual
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: On bigger pictures
There are still plenty of important results to be finalized in Saskatchewan’s election campaign, and I’ll have more to say about specific aspects of the campaign generally. But for starters following a disappointing election night, I’ll offer a comparison to another election with a similar feel to it. When a
Continue readingWritings of J. Todd Ring: Never Surrender
I pray the more pessimistic among us, who have warned us, such as Orwell and Huxley and many others, are wrong. We must, in any event, do everything in our power to avert the darkly dystopian future that is now rapidly being created for us, and change course. Freedom and
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Visionless
Shorter Trudeau Liberals last month, trying to justify shutting down Parliament and setting up a game of Parliamentary chicken over a throne speech: It’s absolutely vital that we talk about VISION! And LONG-TERM PLANNING! And a FRESH MANDATE FOR CHANGE!!! Shorter Trudeau Liberals now: On second thought, this is no
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: On policy bubbles
While Justin Trudeau is putting any economic planning in the hands of somebody with a vested interest in privatizing profits, it’s also worth noting how his government is deliberately avoiding any of the type of consultation needed to make a minority Parliament work at a time when cooperation should be
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