Laila Yuile’s comments
I’m still home sick today, along with half the valley from the number of comments on a post in Comox Valley community yesterday! Take your pick – rhinovirus, covid and…
democracy
Election 2026
More than a few voters remain unsure where to place their vote in Saturday’s provincial election. The choice is difficult. Party platforms offer some guidance, but promises mean little when…
Vote in Your Municipal Elections, Dammit!
Democracy is not fragile, but it is susceptible to decay and erosion. Democracy — even local democracy expressed in a town council — is like a houseplant: it needs attention…
AI Threats in Six Videos and a Movie
How terrified should we be of Artificial Intelligence right now?I’m fascinated by the variety of perceptions on offer after a few Anthropic employees affirmed that “we really do believe AI…
Neoliberalism, sovereignty, and democracy
David Moscrop, author of Too Dumb for Democracy? and Alex Himelfarb in discussion about Alex’s book, neoliberalism in Trump times, the opportunity for breaking free that Canadians ’ new-found civic…
Paul Wells interviews Bob Rae and Alex Himelfarb on their recent books on Canadian sovereignty, democracy and our place in the world
I am very grateful to Paul for reconnecting me with Bob Rae to discuss our respective books. Bob is great and so are the thinkers and writers he convened on…
Saturday Afternoon Links
Assorted content for your weekend reading.- Hamilton Nolan writes about the inherent conflict between the politics of centrist inaction and the serious and urgent problems which require courageous and immediate…
Are you satisfied with our democracy?
Democracy is in the doldrums these days. The Brits are going through prime ministers at... The post Are you satisfied with our democracy? first appeared on Views from the Beltline.
If a longtime ally is lost, Canada must build new alliances
Trump turns 80 in two weeks. Actuarial tables suggest he could remain alive and politically active for another seven or eight years — meaning Americans shouldn't assume his influence simply…
Wednesday Afternoon Links
Miscellaneous material for your mid-week reading.- Bill McGuire discusses what the next few decades figure to look like as what's currently considered extreme heat becomes all too normal. And Andrew…
Hungary’s Democracy Starts Its Revival
Democracy requires ongoing maintenance and that comes in the form of civic engagement by the people within the democracy. In Hungary, the now former prime minister Viktor Orban, has lost…
Thursday Afternoon Links
This and that for your Thursday reading.- Graham Readfearn reports on new research showing how more and more people are facing non-survivable heat - and that matters are getting worse…
Revolution Or Armageddon
Further Thoughts On “Operation Epstein Fury” A few important further notes and updates on the Iran War, and what it means – the third in a series of essays on…
The Decline Of The Nation-State & The Rise Of The Oligarchs: The Deeper Meaning Of The War On Iran
Part Two of the essay series on The Iran War, Imperial Over-Reach & Collapse ~*~ Part of the bigger picture, I would say, is that there are multiple power blocks…
Tuesday Afternoon Links
This and that for your Tuesday reading.- Mona Charen writes that Donald Trump's war in Iran can't be explained by any motive other than a sheer ego trip. Steven Beschloss…
The Atlas Junk Tank
I've been so immersed in American news these days, it's a conscious effort to check out what shenanigans Ford is pulling in Ontario. Of course, it's just more of the…
Blowback, Imperial Over-Reach & Collapse: A Case Study – The US-Israeli War On Iran
The US-Israeli war on Iran is a classic text book case of imperial over-reach: driven by greed, power lust and hubris, as all empires are, they over-reach, especially when in…
Tuesday Afternoon Links
This and that for your Tuesday reading.- Anand Giridharadas writes that the most important takeaway from the Epstein files is the existence of the "Epstein class" which considers itself beyond…
Danielle Smith Just Forced Detransition On Trans Youth In Alberta
Last night, the UCP slammed down the Notwithstanding Clause to bolster its anti-transgender legislation.I'm not going to spend my time talking about my objections to Bill 9 and Bills 26,…
Monday Morning Links
Miscellaneous material to start your week.- David Suzuki writes about the desperate need to loosen the grip a few megalomaniacal billionaires have over political and economic decision-making. And Matt McManus'…