Archive for the “politics” category
Reason 1 not to elect the Conservatives: trashy campaigning
by Luke Rodgers on September 10, 2008
As this Reuters article notes, Stephen Harper today found himself apologizing for a Conservative attack-ad website (notaleader.ca – I’m not going to give it my link juice) on Liberal leader Stéphane Dion in which a Puffin flies behind Dion and (…)
End of an empire
by Luke Rodgers on September 3, 2008
Consider that the 20th century saw the emergence of something like an American Empire. What we are seeing in the 21st century is the slow death of this empire. Many people have predicted its impending collapse, but I’m not talking (…)
Hyperempowerment? Really?
by Luke Rodgers on August 6, 2008
In a recent issue of the Edge newsletter, I came across the transcript of a speech delivered by “digital ethnologist” Mark Pesce at the 2008 Personal Democracy Forum, titled “Hyperpolitics (American style)” that presented some interesting ideas on how the (…)
Canadian carbon tax plans
by Luke Rodgers on June 21, 2008
The federal Green Party (of which I am a member) has just announced their plan for a national carbon tax, along with a gas tax, while Dion has provided more details on the Liberals’ plan.
Meanwhile, the Conservatives are still firmly (…)
Jim Prentice fumbles his way through a 10-minute CBC interview
by Luke Rodgers on June 21, 2008
Listen to an interview with Canadian Industry Minister Jim Prentice on CBC Radio’s Search Engine, as he attempts (and I stress “attempts”) to answer some simple questions about Canada’s proposed amendments to the Copyright Act.
It’s a rather embarrassing performance, and (…)
Godwin’s law in action
by Luke Rodgers on June 10, 2008
I don’t have enough background knowledge of the case in question to offer any comment on the Mark Steyn debacle, save that as I read this piece from J-Source I was just waiting for a confirmation of Godwin’s law (aka (…)
Classic case of slippery slope
by Luke Rodgers on May 9, 2008
The UK’s extensive network of security cams (about 1 per every 10 people), which research has repeatedly shown to be ineffective at both preventing and solving crime, is apparently being used to catch litterers, pooping dogs, and other such petty (…)
Income inequality and happiness
by Luke Rodgers on May 2, 2008
Two interesting and somewhat related items of interest on income inequality and happiness/well-being.
First, a collection of short essays from various Canadian writers (economists, political scientists, philosophers) from the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA), entitled, Why Inequality Matters in 1,000 (…)
