About Those Ear Plugs…
Sigh. I expected to spend the next four years writing letters to my MLA, Doug Schweitzer, but I didn’t think the first one would be about ear plugs. But we…
susanonthesoapbox
Sisters’ Weekend
Ms Soapbox just returned from a fabulous long weekend in Victoria with her sisters. As a result I wasn’t terribly focused on the machinations of our politicians. Did I miss…
GSAs in Alberta (Even Doug Ford Does It Better)
It started when the Kenney government introduced Bill 8, the Education Amendment Act which they said would provide “the strongest statutory protections” for gay-straight alliances (GSAs) in the country. It…
Mr Kenney’s Speech on Bill No. 1
Mr Kenney and Bill No. 1 There comes a time for politicians who spent the campaign trail foaming with righteous indignation to transform into thoughtful representatives of the people who…
The UCP Addresses Conversion Therapy…”in due course”
By a strange coincidence Ru Paul’s Drag Race Season 11 came to town the same week that Premier Kenney and his Health Minister, Tyler Shandro, explained (sort of) the UCP…
Throne Speech: Whose Destiny Are We Talking About?
“I am your density…I mean your destiny.” — George McFly, Back to the Future (1985) All eyes were riveted on Lois Mitchell, Her Honour the Honourable the Lieutenant Governor, last…
The Day the Circus Came to Town
On May 21, 2019 Jason Kenney’s UCP government will officially be “open for business” in every sense of the word. Mr Kenney’s government will kick off with a Throne Speech…
Lessons from the AFL and AOC
What if we’ve run out of time? What if there’s no time left for baby steps; for one step forward and two steps back? What if it’s time to go…
Talk to you next Sunday
Yesterday Ms Soapbox attended the Alberta Federation of Labour 2019 Convention. It’s theme was Choosing Our Future. She heard some terrific presentations from people like Rachel Notley, John Max Smith…
Is It Too Late For The Facts?
Where is Sgt Joe Friday when you need him? Sgt Friday is the detective from Dragnet known for saying, “Just the facts, ma’am” when he’s investigating a crime. Why are…
Reflecting on the Election
Now that the election is over and the dust is settling, Ms Soapbox has been reflecting on the results. What do we make of this? The thrust of Mr Kenney’s…
A Really Great Photo…
I know, I know, I’ve already done an article on why I voted for Rachel, but I took this really great photo at the Calgary Rally on Saturday and I…
A Guide to UCP “Conservatives”
The Peter Lougheed Progressive Conservatives parted company with the Kenney “conservatives” when Kenney created the free enterprise unity party. Those three little words signaled the transformation of the conservative party…
Don’t Look Away
We’re on the cusp of the election and many moderate conservatives still don’t know who they’ll support. Will they ignore the allegations of vote tampering in the UCP leadership race…
The Day Jason Kenney Edited the UCP Policy Document…
The UCP policy document opens with a letter from Jason Kenney which cribs Ronald Reagan’s well known question, “Are you better off today than you were four years ago?” Kenney’s…
GSAs…Here we go again
Last Thursday Mr and Ms Soapbox joined hundreds of Calgarians protesting Mr Kenney’s plan to out kids who join gay-straight alliances (GSAs) in schools. The question on everyone’s mind was…
Jason Kenney and the Pope
Is there a limitation period after which we can safely disregard a politician’s scary comments? In 2000 Jason Kenney, then a 32 year old federal MP, gave a disturbing speech*…
A Little Story About Character
Sometimes it’s the little stories that move us. Last week Mr and Ms Soapbox attended a fundraiser for Rachel Notley. It was hosted by a group of Calgary lawyers at…
Tactical Politics … What?
Not a week goes by without Jason Kenney saying something stupid, being called on it, and then saying something even more stupid in a failed attempt to silence his critics.…
Some Thoughts on Jody Wilson-Raybould’s Testimony
It’s been another week of high drama in politics. Albertan’s concerns over allegations of impropriety surrounding Jason Kenney winning the leadership of the UCP have been swamped by accusations that…