Bread And Circuses
"Bread and circuses" is a phrase that refers to a government's attempt to distract the public from real issues by providing them with things that make their lives more enjoyable.…
Ontario politics
Springing The Trap
In his ongoing efforts to evade responsibility for the plight of the homeless and their consequent encampments, Doug Ford set a trap. And like hungry mice eager for an ort…
If You Live In Ontario
... you will understand the followingH/t MoudakisOne of the dubious accomplishments of Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government has been to reduce the relationship between the governed and those who govern…
Worth Repeating
In my previous post, I wrote about the Ford follies involving luxury spas on Toronto's waterfront. This letter to the editor about the premier's predilection for favouring private interests at…
How Sweet It Is
People of a certain age will remember Jackie Gleason and one of his famous taglines: "How sweet it is." Delivered with an insouciance only Gleason was capable of, it was…
Tunnel Vision
H/t MoudakisContinuing with yesterday's theme, Star readers offer their views of Doug Ford's latest scheme:The idea of a Highway 401 tunnel is ludicrous. It can’t be built quickly enough. It…
UPDATED: He’s A Trial For All Of Us
From Frank Kafka's The TrialSomeone must have left some envelopes upon which he doodled, because Doug F. , without having done any thinking, announced another scheme one fine morning: a…
Teflon Doug
He's loved of the distracted multitude,Who like not in their judgment, but their eyes- Hamlet, Act 4, Scene 3It is deeply disappointing to discover that Ontario Premier Doug Ford is…
Not For A Few Dollars More
Sunday sees the start of the annual conference of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). Comprised of 444 municipalities, the conference offers the opportunity to discuss and make recommendations…
The Erosion Of Local Democracy
The dog days of summer often offer opportunities for unscrupulous governments to slip something by the people. With the focus more on partying than politics, unpopular measures can be enacted…
Nix The Fix
I have written previously about Pierre Poilievre's fondness for aphorisms, phrases that encapsulate a simplistic solution to complex problems. While reading this morning's paper, I came upon his 'solution' to…
Connecting The Dots
Were we abundantly blessed with critical-thinking skills, we would have no problem asking some serious questions about the direction in which Ontario is headed with Doug Ford at the helm.…
UPDATED: A Private Sector Addiction
I often wonder how many Ontarians realize that we are led by a premier addicted ideologically to the private sector. A man hobbled by a limited education and intellectual breadth,…
Same Old, Same Old
Although an inveterate cynic, for about one minute yesterday I felt something odd and rare: a moment of hope. The basis for that was an interview with Bonnie Crombie, the…
Same Old, Same Old
Although an inveterate cynic, for about one minute yesterday I felt something odd and rare: a moment of hope. The basis for that was an interview with Bonnie Crombie, the…
Willy Loman Lives
One of the plays I most enjoyed teaching during my career was Death of a Salesman. It told the tale of a salesman, Willy Loman, who lived a delusional life,…
Willy Loman Lives
One of the plays I most enjoyed teaching during my career was Death of a Salesman. It told the tale of a salesman, Willy Loman, who lived a delusional life,…