The Putin Games and the Fascist Circus
Like millions of others I was dazzled by the closing of the Sochi Games, for it was a spectacular display of the best that Russia has to offer.And I was…
human rights
freedom to read week 2014: celebrate your freedom to read
Image from Freedom to Read website Freedom to Read Week 2014 runs from February 23 to March 1. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Freedom to Read Week in…
The Far Right’s Scorched Earth Policy
The last few weeks has been a series of horrifying revelations for supporters of LGBT rights. What it has unveiled is the “scorched earth” approach that the far right in…
To Be Young, Gifted, And Gay – Part Two
While I wholeheartedly agree that no one has the right to pry into a person’s sexual orientation (except in cases of arrant hypocrisy), I still feel such admiration for and…
Vladimir Putin and the Horror at Canada House
It couldn't have been an uglier or more depressing sight. The Russian dictator Vladimir Putin at Canada House in Sochi.Being greeted by our athletes as if he was some kind…
myth-busting and truth-telling: challenging the govt’s claims about refugees
The Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers has a great page that counters every single one of the Harper Government’s statements lies about refugee claims in Canada. At the site, click…
New column day
Here, questioning the Saskatchewan Party’s belief that meeting the province’s constitutional duty to provide correctional centre inmates with the basic necessities of life isn’t a “core” government function. For further…
Cheer for the athletes but don’t be naive: the Olympics are about politics
TweetNational leaders covet the opportunity to host the international event and multi-national corporations invest billions of dollars in advertising to its massive world-wide audience. Competing in glorious national stadiums and…
Stephen Harper and the Sickening Corruption of Chris Alexander
They say that everything he touches he corrupts, or drags into his monstrous world.And it must be true eh?Because just look at the sad and pathetic case of Chris Alexander.Once…
what i’m reading: the immortal life of henrietta lacks, by roberta skloot
I’ve just finished The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, by Rebecca Skloot. I’m sure many of you have read it, but if you have not, please run to your local…
Harper Conservatives not bothered by Third World-style child poverty in Canada
Federal minister James Moore shows that the Harper Conservatives aren’t at all bothered by the fact that 1 in 7 children live in poverty in Canada today. The post Harper…
Video: Human rights, yes! Quebec Charter of Values, non!
Winnipeg, Dec. 10, 2013: Winnipeggers gathered at the Manitoba Legislative Building to speak up for human rights and against Quebec’s proposed “Charter of Values” that would, among other things, prohibit…
coming soon: let them stay week 2014
Maybe you thought we gave up and went away? Not a chance. The War Resisters Support Campaign is still working to make Canada a safe haven for people of peace…
it’s human rights day: write for rights
I just now remembered that today is December 10, Human Rights Day, which celebrates the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Each year on this day, I try to participate in…
Nelson Mandela: ‘An international emblem of dignity and forbearance’
Nelson Mandela, in about 1964. Nelson Mandela is the father of modern South Africa, but he belongs to all humanity now, and all of humanity seems ready to embrace him…
update on kimberly rivera and how you can help
Three days ago, Iraq War resister Kimberly Rivera gave birth to a son, Matthew Kaden, in a military hospital in San Diego. As soon as her hospital stay ends (which…