On open invitations
Jon Worth’s post on the distinction between partisan politics (as generally understood) and movement-based activism is well worth a read, particularly in pointing out how the latter may better express…
January 2013
More Good Books: A Classic That Says a Lot about Today
I read The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fiztgerals for the first time decades ago, and was not much impressed. Too shallow, about people who really don’t matter in the…
More Good Books from Last Year: The Tiger’s Wife
The Tiger’s Wife by Téa Obrecht can be read as a fable, a memoir or an observation on the wars of belief and self-interest that marked the last several centuries…
After million spent on advertising
Today’s report from Statistics Canada: “In British Columbia, employment was little changed in December and the unemployment rate declined 0.3 percentage points to 6.5%. Compared with 12 months earlier, employment…
NHL: who cares?
I mean, seriously: does anyone care? The players, the owners: they’re a bunch of greedy men playing a kid’s game. They’re a joke. I get more than enough hockey during…
140Law – Legal Headlines for Friday, January 04, 2013
Here are the leading legal headlines from Wise Law on Twitter for Friday, January 04, 2013: Law Prof Who Urged Abandoning the Constitution Gets Abusive and Threatening Emails Virginia Court:…
From the “You can’t make this stuff up” file
Well, he couldn’t do any worse, I guess. More Jose Canseco fun, here.
enbridge line 9: all pain and no gain for ontario, quebec, and new england
Have you heard about Line 9? Enbridge has begun a process that would create a third option to get their dirty tarsands oil out of Alberta to sell to the…
What Idle No More Should Be About: A Brief Note
It should be about Bill C-45. A specific piece of legislation created by a specific government that raises a specific set of issues about treaty rights and unilateral changes to…
"The Most Diverse Congress Ever"
Yesterday, the 113th Congress of the United States of America was sworn in, with all 535 members – 435 Representatives and 100 Senators – taking their seats in what is,…
BC’s slow ferry fiasco
Heading to Vancouver Island January 4, I noted something while checking BC Ferries schedules. Here are the vessels in service today on major routes to the island: Horseshoe Bay to…
Nowak: 3-year contracts mean less choice for Canadians
If you’re trapped in a restrictive contract, your cell phone provider knows it can mistreat you. But thanks to your efforts, the CRTC is developing a code of conduct for…
Toronto Police: Again and Again and Again ….
Albert Einstein famously defined insanity as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. By that standard, perhaps both the Toronto Police force and I are…
The Meaning Of Silence
As Theresa Spence’s hunger strike continues, Stephen Harper remains silent. But his acolytes have had plenty to say. Christie Blatchford and John Ivison have brushed aside Spence’s demand for a…
Tory “Politicos” Manipulate VOCM and other Media: Does It Work?
Last Saturday, the front page of The Evening Telegram caused a stir in Newfoundland and Labrador political circles as Steve Bartlett quoted an anonymous source (Tom Osborne?) who provided some…
So Bill 115 has…
…imposed “collective agreements” on Ontario teachers. And this has likely poisoned the relationship between the Ontario government and its teaching professionals for years to come. One cannot help but wonder…
The NRA, Gun Violence, and Video Games
… and why we should never allow the NRA into our borders. This is a repost of a video I watched online, in response to a rambling and bizarre press…
Indigenous and Human Rights Groups Issue Joint Statement Supporting Chief Spence and #IdleNoMore
Twenty-four indigenous and human rights groups have issued the following joint statement supporting the #IdleNoMore grassroots movement and Chief Theresa Spence, who is in the fourth week of her indefinite…
Tom Johnson is Redundant #nlpoli
Pity Tom Johnson. The St. John’s lawyer landed a steady source of billable hours when the provincial Conservatives made him the consumer advocate at the public utilities board. Tom has…
Why Idle No More Will Make Harper Eat Crow
For some ghastly reason I couldn't help wondering tonight what Stephen Harper is eating while Chief Theresa Spencer dies of hunger. As Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence continues her hunger strike,…