Could We Become Ungovernable?
Is Canada’s federal government losing its ties with the Canadian people? Are Canadians become estranged from those who govern them? Two reports from December, one by Environics, the other from…
The Mound of Sound
Fifth Generation, Maybe, But It’s Still Gen 5.0
Harper DefMin, Peter MacKay, like a trained seal smacking its flippers, constantly barks about the Lockheed F-35 being a “Fifth Generation” fighter and, hence, oh so much superior to all…
Chris Christie Bares His Fangs at Boehner and Congressional Republicans
New Jersey’s popular Republican governor, Chris Christie, has turned on the Republican-controlled House of Representatives and House majority leader John Boehner is reeling. “Americans are tired of the palace intrigue…
The Right Just Doesn’t Get It
Two prominent Rightwing bobble heads, PostMedia’s John Ivison and the Ottawa Citizen’s Terry Glavin have both written dismissive op-eds dismissing the Idle No More movement as frivolous, simplistic and disingenuous.…
Learned Hand on Liberty
One of America’s greatest judicial philosophers was Judge Learned Hand. Among his legendary achievements he is remembered for his discussion of liberty given in Central Park, New York, on May…
De Touqueville’s Insights on War and Democracy
For your contemplation, a few observations of Alexis De Touqueville (1805-1859) on war and the democratic state. “There are two things that a democratic people will always find very difficult,…
America’s Drones – a Cautionary Tale for F-35 Customers
American drones have an enormous vulnerability, their absolute dependence on computer code that can be easily hacked. This is suspected to have resulted in Iran’s capture of a Lockheed RQ-170…
What Do British Columbians Know that the Rest of Canada Doesn’t – Yet?
What we know is that the RCMP is rotten, from the top down. The good news is that an increasing percentage of Canadians across the rest of the country is…
Russia’s Sanctuary for Deposed Leaders
You’ve probably never heard of Barvikha, Russia. It’s a posh little village on the A105 out of Moscow. And it might soon be the new home of Syrian strongman Bashar…
Monbiot, 2012 – The Year of the Great Polishing
To The Guardian’s enviro-scribe, George Monbiot, 2012 was the year we did our best to abandon the natural world. In 2012 governments turned their backs on the living planet, demonstrating…
Happy New Year
And may 2013 exceed your highest expectations. This, from Neil Young. And just a bit of vintage John Hiatt. And here, because there really is only one way forward. And,…
The Case for Fossil Fuel Divestment
Major investors are beginning to sense danger from the fossil fuel bubble we’re in and are demanding corporations divest their fossil fuel investments. This spells trouble ahead, particularly for the…
The Cheque Is In the Mail, Yeah Sure.
What if you got that old lie – from your insurance company? Relax, that’s almost sure not to happen but you might as well expect potentially big changes in your…
Tell Them All – We Want Our Canada Back
As the year draws to a close I fear for the future of our country. Our degeneration into a petro-state has exacted a heavy price on Canada and our people…
Ralph Goodale’s Plaintive Plea
When I read it my gut reaction was “So?” “It” was an e-mail from Ralph Goodale warning that the New Democrats are on the verge of a first, out fundraising…
Last Time They Sent Panzers, Now It’s Wheelchairs
This time Germany is lobbing geriatrics into foreign lands. Growing numbers of elderly and sick Germans are being sent overseas for long-term care in retirement and rehabilitation centres because of…
Merry Christmas to All
The turkey is brining, preparing for the pan. The pumpkin pie and cranberry sauce are next. (Hint – if you want to tweak your cranberry sauce try substituting orange juice…
A Look Into the Cardboard Soul of Steve Harper
I think I understand Steve Harper’s failure as a prime minister after reading parts of the transcript of his year-end interview with Global TV anchor, Dawna Friesen. Harper stated the…
The Dream of a Global Deal is Over
Top German climate change scientists and advocates think it’s pointless to continue the United Nation’s annual climate change summits. Several leading experts at internationally renowned institutes in Germany are demanding…
British Columbia’
The present mountain pine beetle infestation in forests in British Columbia ranks among the largest ecological disturbances recorded in Canada so far. These recent outbreaks are thought to have been…