In 2007, I helped found the University of Alberta Atheists and Agnostics. That student group that is still running today. A rare accomplishment as many student groups, particularly those for the non-religious, struggle to survive for more than a few years as the students who established the group graduate, move
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Saskboy's Abandoned Stuff: Solar PV Nearing Grid Parity
Cambridge and #PWC [PDF] say #solar PV will be at grid parity on most of Earth, in only 2 years! “It is clear that renewables will be an established and significant part of the future energy mix, in the [Gulf] region and globally.” Regina’s potential ranks about 6th in the
Continue readingIn This Corner: When did we become ruled by ‘being prudent’?
Once upon a time, if we had a decision to make that might have some consequences, we would consult with trusted advisors. It might be your parents, a religious leader, law enforcement people, or a politician. (HA! That last one was a joke; we have never trusted politicians.) Today, however,
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: Climate Change AKA Global Warming Denial History
Here the case is made that “global warming” was supplanted by “climate change” because it sounded less urgent, (much as tarsands became oilsands), and other history is presented about the Denial movement infesting political discourse. http://www.theguardian.com/environment/planet-oz/2015/mar/05/doubt-over-climate-science-is-a-product-with-an-industry-behind-it Bad Science: A Resource Book – described in Merchants of Doubt as a “how-to
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: Premier Wall Takes Potshot at First Nations Leaders’ Pay #skpoli
.@TDellerCBC I'd have to agree with the FSIN leader that @PremierBradWall took a pot shot at leaders' pay, rather than offering to help. — John Klein (@JohnKleinRegina) March 4, 2015 The Premier said: “It underscores the need for leadership at the local level, including — and let’s be clear —
Continue readingTerahertz: Illegal botox seized in Vancouver
Last month, an undercover CBC investigation exposed that a number of spas and health clinicas around Metro Vancouver were offering botox injections illegally. Botox in Canada can only be administered by a physician and these clinics didn’t have any doctors on staff. Today, Health Canada announced that it has seized
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: Hilldog16 on SnapChat?
I have a Snapchat account. I’ve not used it in years because it was making my cell phone too full. Imagine if Hillary Clinton had a Snapchat account too, for government business? Her’s would be used for an illegal purpose, like her personal email was. You may recall Sarah Palin
Continue readingLeft Over: Can’t Tolerate Bigotry…
Time to put the brakes on our slide to intolerance: Tim Harper A government which deals with only symptoms and refuses to look at root causes is part of the problem. By: Tim Harper National Affairs, Published on Sun Mar 01 2015 (with thanks to Montreal Simon’s blog for the
Continue readingSketchy Thoughts: “I Can’t Breathe,” Could You?, By Chairman Shaka Zulu
Shaka Zulu All power to the people! Northern State Prison, like most prisons, constitutes one huge cesspool of corruption, connected to one huge machine called Mass Incarceration. This huge machine conforms to the capitalist logic of maximization of the rate of profit. Our minds and bodies (mental and manual labor)
Continue readingIn This Corner: Stuff happens, week 8: Alberta election assured; Harper spins terrorism
It’s gloom and doom in Alberta these days, what with falling oil prices and all. Time to tighten the belts, Premier Jim Prentice says, because we’re going to be billions of dollars short in the ol’ piggy bank. Hmmm…. so how come the government is predicting a $465-million surplus for
Continue readingExcited Delirium: From ‘Covert’ to ‘Overt’ to ‘Over’
After a long spell of writing about issues in the Canadian political sphere, I’ve made the very difficult decision to get on with my life and put that behind me. Thank you for reading this blog.
Continue readingScripturient: Blog & Commentary: Collingwood council’s committee system is broken
Last term, council approved a recommendation from the CAO to dump its traditional structure of council and public committees, to an internal system of standing committees filled only with politicians. The structure is used in several other – mostly larger – communities. It sounded intriguing, bold and exciting, so council
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: Live Long, And Prosper – Nimoy Dies at 83
Leonard Nimoy, who played Spock on Star Trek, is dead from COPD. He quit smoking 30 years too late. Of the original Star Trek cast, Scotty and Bones have also passed away. Good-bye @TheRealNimoy. You made a lot of people very happy in this world, and that's a life well
Continue readingLeft Over: Wheat a Minute – Sez Who?
Wheat Belly arguments are based on shaky science, critics say Scientists dispute claims in best-selling book, fifth estate finds CBC News Posted: Feb 27, 2015 11:00 AM ET Last Updated: Feb 27, 2015 11:00 AM ET You may refer to it as ‘shaky’ science, but those of us who
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: And Now, For the TFSA Switch!
Following up my blog post of 4 years ago about Harper’s tax break for the wealthy are stories on CBC and elsewhere regarding the TFSA folly. The increase benefits only ~39% of Canadians who’ve managed to open such a savings account. “Harper pledges to double tax-free savings limits – but
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: More Debates, Not Fewer Debaters
The unethical fools at the Broadcast Consortium will probably gladly keep Elizabeth May away from the debates this year too. Especially amusing is the Conservative spokes-tool saying more participants would make it a gong show. Mulcair wanting a debate focused on women, while angling to keep the only female leader
Continue readingDead Wild Roses: Life, in one round of show-jumping
The shit hits the fan, and somehow you make it through, with amazing panache. Then, when it’s over, you lose it. Filed under: Uncategorized Tagged: horseblogging, musing
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: The Pony Express Government
CSE has undertaken a domestic spy operation that is illegal in Canada, because it’s spying on communication of Canadian citizens. CSE is supposed to only spy on foreigners, and the Commissioner overseeing the signals intelligence agency is supposed to put a stop to any overstepping of that mandate. Something clearly
Continue readingSaskboy's Abandoned Stuff: C-51 Being Pushed by “Fascist” language
A former Mountie and CSIS operative thinks Harper’s so called anti-terrorism bill is scary and unnecessary. Mr. Lavigne, 55, left government in 1999, but follows intelligence news closely. He spent years tracking dangerous radicals without the powers the government wants to give to CSIS. “I find it a little convenient
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