June 2011
lessons from canada post lock-out and back-to-work legislation
The members of Canadian Union of Postal Workers engage in labour actions. In response, their employer, Canada Post, locks them out. The Harper Government tables back-to-work legislation. The Opposition launches…
Horwath gaffe watch
So, the Ontario election campaign is getting a little more interesting of late. This quote by NDP leader Andrea Horwath really deserves a second look: “I’m putting a party back…
What A Show!
I haven't seen a filibuster in a while, but boy was that something. The Conservatives got there bill passed and now workers will reluctantly go to work Tuesday. The NDP…
Five myths about gay people debunked
Here is something handy that you might want to share with those less-enlightened in your circle, kind of like a red card that you can show every time you come…
Blaming Parents: Autism Families Torn Apart by Ignorance
Families with autistic children, parents who love their autistic children dearly, must endure much in order to live a normal life with their children, to be happy with their children…
It’s Not About the Life Jackets Dammit
Chris Selley writes a column for the National Post this week about mandatory life jackets, coming soon to a lake near you.He brings up a story in the Toronto Star…
When Roombas Attack: The Singularity
My next novel has a comedic take on the Technological Singularity, so I thought I’d start to do some more posts about the topic here on The Skwib. The following…
The 7th Message Gleaned From The Conrad Black Case
Don't do the crime if you can't do the time. The whole notion that His Blackness was as guilty as hell comes hard to some people.
Painting Removal and Other Difficult Tasks
Scratching the last bits of paint from the staircase this morning. It is a project begun when we bought the house decades ago, but which stopped about 10 years later.…
And Now, A Warning From Canada
So, I hear that New York State has finally legalized same-sex marriage. That’s fantastic news! Throughout the debate, however, many people were wondering aloud about the consequences—both direct and indirect—that…
Payback is a mother: Conservative edition
“…rationality has little to do with political myth making…” Tim Powers, Conservative backroom guy and Ottawa lobbyist, wrote that in a recent post over at the blog space he has…
Senate deliberations and actual oversight
In the wake of the filibuster in the Commons, the prospect of the Senate being recalled to sit on a Sunday seemed somewhat less surreal – despite the fact that…
Kim Oakley: Medical mysteries, autism and chronic self-injurious behavior
One of the blogs I follow, and list on the side bar of this blog, is Autism, Epilepsy and Self-Injurious Behavior by Kim Oakley. A couple of days ago Kim…
Party Hardly
I hardly did any partying this weekend, fewer than 10 hours were devoted to such an activity. -We actually get along quite well, this is staged for the camera. Really!…
Trust us, says Wildrose Alliance Leader Danielle Smith… uh… that’s it
Wildrose Alliance supporters form a line as they wait to rejoin the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta. Some will make the trip several times, carrying bags of votes and money.…
Taking The Open Internet Fight To Parliament Hill
Dear pro-Internet community, OpenMedia.ca fights for open, accessible, and affordable Internet for all Canadians by bringing together the voices of hundreds of thousands of citizens frustrated with high Internet prices,…
Time to Say Goodbye For Now
I realize it's probably not the best time to leave Canada. Canadian summers are so short eh?But the truth is I can't wait to leave, because politically speaking this has…
Late night
From the UK Glastonbury music festival, which is now over. Glastonbury's always worth watching just for the crowds and how they get into the songs, like this one. It's magic.…
Brigette DePape is Nellie’s Girl
On June 3, 2011, when Brigette DePape, a 21-year old parliamentary page from Manitoba, pulled out a “Stop Harper” sign during the opening session of Canada’s 41st Parliament, she was…