This and that for your Thursday reading.- George Monbiot discusses the inherent conflict between consumption and conservation:We can persuade ourselves that we are living on thin air, floating through a weightless economy, as gullible futurologists pr…
Continue readingTag: Terrorism
Politics and its Discontents: Putting Things Into Perspective
The bigoted backlash against Muslims in light of the recent ISIS attacks is given short shrift by This Hour Has 22 Minutes:Should the time come when we no longer have a sense of humour, we will know that the terrorists have won.Recommend this Post
Continue readingWritings of J. Todd Ring: The Paris Attacks In Contex
Propaganda, hysteria, ultra-violence and imperialism, as usual “A people unaware of its myths is likely to continue living by them.” – Richard Slotkin I have been too horrified by the predictably violent and insane reaction of the Western pow…
Continue readingDead Wild Roses: Blowing up other countries, for dummies
Even before the terror attacks in Paris last week, the possibility of terrorists was the reason the Harper government gave for being so incredibly slow to accept Syrian refugees. When the news of the attacks broke Friday afternoon my time, it was literally minutes before I heard it in the
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: John Oliver Rants Against Paris Attackers: “Fuck These Assholes”
Comedian John Oliver has the perfect response to the Islamic State-linked terrorists who carried out last Friday’s barbaric attack in Paris, France, killing 129 people. The post John Oliver Rants Against Paris Attackers: “Fuck These Assholes” appeared first on The Canadian Progressive.
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Collective Amnesia
In the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks, it seems that the world is about to embark on even greater military intervention in the Middle East, intervention that will undoubtedly be aided and abetted by a fog of amnesia about recent history. While I do not consider myself particularly well-versed
Continue readingMontreal Simon: The Paris Massacre and the Monstrosity of the Cons
What a difference a day makes. One moment I'm celebrating the restoration of Canada, and the return of hope and optimismAnd the next moment I'm holding my head with both hands, and mumbling oh no not again. And wondering who are those bestial religious fanatics who would slaughter the innocent, and then
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: 587 Canadian academics condemn Harper’s racist election propaganda
587 Canadian academics sign joint letter condemning the Harper Conservatives’ racially-divisive tactics and racist propaganda in the ongoing 2015 federal election campaign. “We hope that Canadians will join us in repudiating the politics of hate.” The post 587 Canadian academics condemn Harper’s racist election propaganda appeared first on The Canadian
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Justin Trudeau to give Canada’s NSA more powers to spy on Canadians
Justin Trudeau promises to give the Communications Security Establishment, Canada’s most secretive spy agency, more powers to spy on Canadians if the Liberals form the next government after the 2015 federal election. The post Justin Trudeau to give Canada’s NSA more powers to spy on Canadians appeared first on The
Continue readingA. Picazo: No Scrutiny Please, They’re Saudi.
This op-ed appeared in The Ottawa Citizen on October 1, 2015. In 2014, on the shores of Lake Geneva and next to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, a lavish ceremony was held to honour the recipient of the Moral Courage Award — an annual honour bestowed by UN Watch,
Continue readingWritings of J. Todd Ring: ISIS and Terrorism – A Reality Check
“The responsibility of intellectuals is to speak the truth and expose lies.” – Noam Chomsky “In times of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” – George Orwell According to a February 2015 Gallup poll, Americans consider the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant — abbreviated as
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Margaret Atwood leads artists’ rebellion against Harper’s Bill C-51
Celebrated author Margaret Atwood is leading a group of 200 notable Canadian writers and artists demanding an immediate repeal of Bill C-51, Stephen Harper’s “secret police” legislation. C51, the artists argue, “directly attacks the creative arts and free expression in this country.” The post Margaret Atwood leads artists’ rebellion against
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: On final choices
Following up on this post and some additional discussion, let’s take a look at the question of what options would be available to Stephen Harper if he decided he wanted to escape a drubbing at the polls by cancelling the federal election. And fortunately, the answer looks to be “not
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Tuesday Morning Links
This and that for your Tuesday reading. – John Thornhill talks to Mariana Mazzucato about the importance of public investment in fostering economic growth – along with the need for the public to benefit as a result: As Mazzucato explains it, the traditional way of framing the debate about wealth
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: About Those Diversions, Mr. Harper
H/t Raeside Cartoons Meanwhile, always perspicacious Toronto Star readers will have none of it. Here is but a small sampling of their sentiments on Mr. Harper’s diversionary tactics: Re: Harper vows to end ‘terror tourism,’ Aug. 10 Travel restrictions to terrorist locations shouldn’t be election promises. When warranted I expect
Continue readingPolitics Canada: Stephen Harper’s terrorism plan like closing the barn door after the horses are gone, then spying on all the farmers
Stephen Harper was spreading more terrorist fears on the campaign trail today as he announced some stupid travel ban which would mean approximately zero to someone wishing to join ISIS. Seriously the guy should get a royalty cheque from ISIS for spreading their message for them. No one spreads more
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: In Which Stephen Harper Tries To Change The Channel
One suspects it won’t work. Recommend this Post
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: The lies Harper told during 2015 election call, first leaders’ debate
Stephen Harper told a lot of lies during his launch of the 2015 federal election campaign, and during the first national leaders debate, hosted by Maclean’s Magazine. The post The lies Harper told during 2015 election call, first leaders’ debate appeared first on The Canadian Progressive.
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: On fear merchants
Shorter Stephen Harper: It’s not paranoid fearmongering if somebody’s really out to get you. So here’s to four more years of a government who’s really out to get you.
Continue readingAccidental Deliberations: Sunday Morning Links
This and that for your Sunday reading. – Greg Keenan exposes how corporations are demanding perpetually more from municipalities while refusing to contribute their fair share of taxes to fund the services needed by any community. And Sean McElwee points out how big-money donations are translating into a warped U.S.
Continue reading