Category Archives: The Good, Bad, & Stupid
Finding Alternative Media
What exactly is the “mainstream media” (aka MSM)? According to that paragon of media sensibility, Keith Baldrey, the MSM is the mass information apparatus that upholds standards and supports democracy. It apparently does not include bloggers and “citizen journalists”, who are part of an emerging trend called “alternative media”: Without so/called “mainstream media” Democracy would be […]
Windows 8 can be fixed (and made better than Windows 7) for a mere $10
In an earlier post, I discussed my initial skepticism regarding Windows 8, but I decided to reserve judgment until I had a reasonable amount of time to play with the much-maligned new operating system. So, after five months, I’ve come to this general conclusion: the “under the hood” changes are excellent, but the default user […]
Embracing Windows 8… Somewhat
The inner geek in me couldn’t resist. For $40, I had to try the upgrade of Microsoft’s new operating system, Windows 8, on my desktop computer. I’m not unhappy with Windows 7 – it’s a very solid OS – but I wanted to try something new, and see for myself what has become a virtual […]
The Order of B.C. a Laughingstock
With Gordon Campbell, Ken Dobell and David Emerson included in its latest round of recipients, the Order of BC is now officially a laughingstock!
Why I Would Never Vote for Harper’s Conservatives: A List
Sometimes you need a list to keep yourself organized, or at least to remember all the things you don’t want to forget. With this in mind, I’ve decided to create a list of all the reasons why I would never vote for Stephen Harper’s Conservatives. Here they are, in no particular order: Prorogation: The cynicism […]
Hypocrisy Reigns
Now that the federal Conservatives have fallen after a litany of ethical and legal transgressions, it looks like they are using the bogeyman of a coalition against their opponents. This 2004 letter is all you need for a response: ……….. September 9, 2004 Her Excellency the Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson, C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D. Governor […]
Another Fraser Institute Joke
I’m pleased to see that Craig McInnes of the Vancouver Sun doesn’t take the Fraser Institute’s latest salvo against Canada’s surgical wait lists too seriously. A 16% return rate on a voluntary survey makes a mockery of any official conclusions. Little wonder that the report’s authors fail to mention the response rate in their section […]
The Mining Industry Gets Its Comeuppance
One of the most ideologically strident industries in Canada, and certainly its whiniest, is the mining industry. It recently suffered a well-deserved loss in Canada’s Federal Court, which ordered the industry, and its pals in the federal government, to fully disclose the industry’s pollution output. Canada’s mining industry did not have to report “the pollutants […]
If you think government is bad, think of the alternative!
One of the first points I make to my political science classes is the necessity of government. I remind my students that the alternative – a society without rules, a legitimate government or the rule of law – would be much worse. I often point to Somalia, a country in name only. In reality, it’s […]
A battle-hardened James charges on, leaving her minders behind he
By Justine Hunter From Friday’s Globe and Mail April 24, 2009 at 5:40 AM EDT … Ms. James acknowledged she is facing more pressure this time around. And she sounded frustrated that she still is confronted at every turn with the baggage of former NDP governments. “We are a long way from getting past that […]