war resister rodney watson: four years in sanctuary
Today marks four years since Iraq War resister Rodney Watson requested sanctuary from the First United Church in Vancouver. Watson has been in sanctuary ever since. We can honour Watson’s…
human rights
the other september 11, why "they" might hate "us", and the right to live in peace
For many people in the world, especially people in South America, the date September 11 was significant long before 2001. On that date in 1973, Augusto Pinochet, with the help…
What UBC and SMU’s rape chant scandals say about women in the Canadian economy
The news of UBC Sauder Business School students chanting about rape of underage girls during a FROSH week event has generated much outrage. As it should. While the chant might…
Creating Hierarchies of Rights
Recently, we have had a series of stories where there have been arguments put forth that there should be “exemptions” in non-discrimination laws for religious beliefs. Yesterday’s column by Licia…
labour day 2013: low-wage workers rising
This week, port truckers went on strike in California, and fast-food workers in more than 60 cities walked off their jobs. Today in the US, Labor Day is Walmart’s last…
What’s it all about, Alfie?
“What’s it all about, Alfie?” sings Cilla Black in the title song for the eponymous 1966 movie. But it could be the anthem for the human race, or at least…
VIDEO: Winnipeg Rally “No War with Syria”
Aug. 31, 2013: Winnipeggers rallied to voice opposition to foreign intervention in Syria’s civil war. Photo: Paul S. Graham About 50 Winnipeggers rallied at the Canadian Museum of Human Rights…
dear war criminals: don’t lecture us about morals as you prepare to bomb civilians
Let me be clear. The indiscriminate slaughter of civilians, the killing of women and children and innocent bystanders by chemical weapons is a moral obscenity. – Secretary of State John…
this thursday, august 29: national strike of low-wage workers
If you are a fast-food worker, go here for more information on the national strike to say: Low Pay Is Not OK. For the rest of us, on August 29,…
Musings on Manning
I worked for Reuters back in the 80s and 90s, and still get email sometimes about things that happen to Reuters employees. I got one today concerning the murder of…
The makings of Trudeau policy and what he stands for
In my own humble (and admittedly partisan) opinion, I think Justin Trudeau has had a good week. First, he strongly criticized the PQ intention of banning religious headgear from Quebec…
how you can support chelsea manning
Here are two important things you can do to help support Chelsea Manning. 1. Do whatever you can to work for her pardon. You can sign the petition to President…
bradley manning in his own words
In case you haven’t seen it, this link at Democracy Now! has the transcript of Bradley Manning’s statement, read by his lawyer David Coombs, after Manning was sentenced to 35…
Brothels and Massage Parlours: Girls are bought for prostitution
America talks about spreading democracy and freeing women in Afghanistan. Why doesn’t the American Government do the same in their own country? The situation in Canada is not much different.…
bradley manning’s apology: the triumph of torture
Earlier this week, Bradley Manning’s defense ended its case in Manning’s sentencing hearing. Manning made a statement to the military court: an apology. Reading it, I thought of 1984, when…
Chris Hedges on "Murdering the Wretched of the Earth"
There’s a reason the Muslim poor flock to radical Islam, several reasons in fact. They’ve been discussed at length before but Chris Hedges, in light of the massacres ongoing in…
dimanno: let’s make sochi the gay games
When I read Stephen Fry’s open letter to the IOC, and the continued calls to boycott or move the Sochi Games because of the horrendous and institutionalized homophobic violence within…
REAL Women of Canada, and the naked far-right truth.
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes…