Don’t Give Up Hope But Try to Be Realistic
It was encouraging news, the first in a good while. A research team has concluded that, if humankind gets serious and sharply cuts greenhouse gas emissions now, there’s a better…
The Mound of Sound
What’s In a Name? Neil DeGrasse Tyson Explains.
It’s ‘hurricane season’ only this year is unlike what we’ve known in the past. Harvey, Irma, Jose, Katia and Marie have all gone from tropical storms to hurricanes. Lee, the…
The Stupid Gene Has Crossed the Border
A survey commissioned by the Ontario Science Centre has given a blunt depiction of just how stupid a lot of Canadians really are and, by stupid, I mean Tea Party…
Trump Went to the United Nations with Tough Talk and Only Managed to Embarrass the United States
Every blowhard bully runs the risk of some thing, some event that can gore his credibility. That something for Donald Trump in his bombastic threats against North Korea is China.Trump…
Will Manafort Sing Like a Canary?
According to The New York Times former Trump campaign manager and associate, Paul Manafort, has been given notice by the Mueller team that he is going to be indicted. Indicted…
Trump Impresses U.N. – Foresees the U.S. Having "No Choice But To Totally Destroy North Korea."
It’s a safe bet that a lot of delegates to the United Nations had their worst suspicions of Donald Trump confirmed this morning. “If the righteous many do not confront…
Monbiot on the Malignancy of Growth
It’s encouraging to see more voices speaking out against the heresy of modern politics – perpetual, exponential growth. There are those, our prime minister among them, who cling to the…
Think of an Ark for the 21st Century
Let’s recycle the fable of Noah and his Ark. Only this 21st century ark isn’t intended to hold mating pairs of creatures, two by two. It’s intended strictly for a…
The Annexation of Palestine and the Expulsion of Its People
What did we expect after collaborating with the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian homeland for more than a half century? They’ve even got a name for it, “The Decision Plan.”…
Life and Death in Cattle Class
They still like to call it “economy” or “coach” but to a lot of people it’s now just “cattle class” and it’s no laughing matter. In fact it could be…
Uh, Yeah, Duly Noted
There’s an eye-opener. Canada’s top officer at NORAD, a lt.-gen no less, tells us that the US does not consider itself obliged to defend Canada in case of a North…
Our Dilemma in Three Graphs
In a world where mankind is already running headlong into so many walls this is what some see in store for the next twenty of thirty years. If they’re right,…
Ostracizing Washington?
Donald Trump is not going to like this. He’s being sidelined while the leaders of 34 major economies gather in Montreal this weekend for talks aimed at preventing Washington from…
My Weekend Cooking Tip
In a word, two words, “sous vide.” I was a fierce apostate until my daughter bought me the device last Christmas and a true believer ever since.Granted my cooking is…
The Right Corrupts Everything, Even Think Tanks.
It wasn’t supposed to be this way.When America’s great think tanks were born, they were specifically intended to advance the public interest, the public welfare. That was before they were…
There’s No ‘Maytag Man’ to Fix Neoliberalism.
I recently went through a slow death experience involving a flatscreen Sony TV. It would work, sort of, after a while of whinging. At first it only took a few…
Pope, Calling. Is Anybody Listening?
When the Pope speaks out on climate change, he’s not just another world leader spouting off his pet world view. Pope Francis has the straight goods delivered fresh and hot…
"Shitstorm Irma"
Hurricane Irma will be remembered by Floridians for high winds, storm surges, flooding and widescale destruction. But what about the turds? Pollution reports submitted to Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection…
Say What? The Skull and Crossbones?
Enquiring minds are asking why the nuclear attack submarine, USS Jimmy Carter, returned to base Kitsap-Bangor in Washington state flying the Skull and Crossbones beside the Stars and Stripes. The…
Every President Gets ‘Em.
Here’s some food for thought in the aftermath of hurricanes Harvey and Irma. During his two terms in office, George w. Bush issued more than 420 disaster declarations for severe…