It’s the New Normal and We Have to Figure Out How to Live With It
Each day, Google serves me a banquet of the latest news stories from around the world on selected topics including climate change, drought and floods. It’s an amazing service that…
The Mound of Sound
We Can’t Go On Meeting Like This
From The Guardian, video of what a lot of Chinese are enduring these days.
You Might Not Like It, But I Think They Nailed It.
The Stones, “Doom and Gloom”, from GRRR (volume up, full screen)
Is Harper Begging for Trouble?
A nagging worry I’ve had about the plans to ramp up supertanker traffic through Vancouver’s inner harbour and Kitimat and the Douglas Channel is their extraordinary vulnerability to sabotage or…
Liberals Infiltrating the Tea Party?
Senate minority leader Mitch McConnell is in trouble. Kentucky Tea Party activists want him out and could spoil his re-election bid. That’s got McConnell lashing out, claiming his opponents have…
Mali, Chuck Hagel’s Cautionary Tale
If Chuck Hagel does become America’s next Defense Secretary he plans to steer clear of entanglement in the war against Islamist insurgents in the Sahara. In prepared questions to the…
What Can You Build in Canada in 90 Days?
A Chinese company has announced plans to build the world’s tallest building which, of itself, would be an enormous achievement. But, from start to finish, they claim it will take…
You Know You’re In Trouble When
An enterprising, multi-millionaire starts selling clean air in soft drink cans. Chen Guangbiao, whose wealth is estimated at $740 million according to the Hurun Report, sells his cans of air…
Sure, Okay, Now Do It In a Supertanker
Garret McNamara is believed to have become the first surfer to ride a 100-foot (30m) wave. Pretty big wave. But they also record 30 m. waves in the Hecate Strait,…
Oradour Re-Opened
On 10 June, 1944, troops of the 2nd SS Panzer Division, Das Reich, descended on the tiny French village of Oradour sur Glane. Women and children were herded into the…
Congratulations – You’re Richer than Zimbabwe
Yes, indeed, if you have more than $217 in your bank account, that makes you richer than the government of Zimbabwe, or at least you were last week. Zimbabwe’s Finance…
Harper’s Priorities for 2103 – Environment Missing, Believed Dead
Steve Harper’s priorities for 2013, announced in a “rousing” speech to his caucus, are families, safety, pride and financial security. “Hear me on this, my friends,” the prime minister told…
Elizabeth May on Canada’s Emperor Constantine
In the latest Island Tides, Green Party leader Elizabeth May draws a piercing comparison of Roman emperor Constantine and our emperor, Stephen Harper. It may seem a strange parallel, but…
Kinder Morgan’s Bold Play
Kinder Morgan has dropped a bomb. The bitumen pipeline trafficker wants to triple its existing pipeline capacity. From Island Tides: Citing ‘additional customer support’, KinderMorgan recently announced that it intends…
Could a Drone Cop Become Obama’s Biggest Nightmare?
He’s Ben Emmerson, a 49-year old British lawyer and U.N. special rapporteur for human rights and counter-terrorism in which capacity he’s embarking on a 5-month enquiry into drone warfare. That…
The Schrumpf Effect or Why Soldiers Can Learn to Enjoy Killing
An article in Scientific American reveals that at least some soldiers actually enjoy killing, particularly when they’re not at much risk of being killed themselves. The article recalls one, “Sgt.…
They Are Not Of Us
An interesting essay from George Monbiot today on the grooming of oligarchs and why, even though they govern in our name, they don’t rule on our behalf. They rule as…
The South Will Rise Again and No Good Will Come Of It
The American south is often seen as the white trashiest place on the planet. Even American comedians mock it as the home of rednecks, racists and rectums. Canadians tend to…
Of African Jews, Birth Control and Israel
With Israel under a spotlight, the director of its Ministry of Health has issued an order that gynaecologists should not inject women with the contraceptive Depo-Provera without their knowledge or…
GOP Won’t Bend on Climage Change
Congressional Republicans see climate change as a minefield for the Democrats. “People want jobs. Jobs. Jobs. Um, should I say it again? Jobs,” one Republican said. “Far too many more-important…