Liu Xiaobo: humanity’s hero
It seems like such a simple right: I’m sitting here writing my blog, or you’re sitting there reading it …neither of us fearing that the state Police will break down our doors, throw handcuffs on us, scare the hell out of our families, seize our computers and cart us away to be imprisoned … maybe even beaten. […]
Mandatory gunshot and stab wound reporting in effect soon
Legislation requiring B.C.’s health-care facilities to report gunshot and stab wounds to police comes into effect Feb. 1, 2011. “Often in cases of gunshots and stab wounds, a timely reaction by police is critical to preventing further violence, injury or death,” said Solicitor General Rich Coleman. “Setting out the rules for reporting these incidents means […]
Moderate economic growth ahead for BC
B.C.’s economy is expected grow moderately over the next year according to B.C.’s independent Economic Forecast Council. “B.C.’s economy has performed better than expected this year,” said Finance Minister Colin Hansen. “Given ongoing instability in U.S. and European markets, the council agrees it is essential B.C. continue to exercise prudence as we move forward in […]
The deadly, unforeseen consequences of inequality
Last May, the OECD put out figures comparing infant mortality rates in countries around the world. Perhaps the biggest story of all the figures were those attributed to Canada. This country has always boasted of its social stats — life expectancy, infant mortality, university graduates, and other measures of our success as a nation. But not […]
A gift from the heart
As an adult, I think I’ve always had a bit of a love/hate relationship with Christmas. Don’t get me wrong – I love the festive lights, the excitement of seeing my children enjoy the holidays, get-togethers and all the cooking…but I really, really hate the commercialization, obligation and fake sentiment that also seems to have come to accompany the entire season. […]
Caught counselling murder? Heck, just apologize!
So, I guess if you want to break the law – say, counseling someone to commit murder – you might want the judge to be the CBC’s ombudsman. Hundreds of people complained to the CBC’s guardian of what is right and wrong on the airwaves with complaints about the sinister and twisted Tom Flanagan’s Christian […]
Under James’ own rules, Kwan must go
NDP Leader Carole James mishandled the “Bob Simpson” problem several weeks ago ..and now that has come back to haunt her. At the time, I criticised James for having MLA Simpson turfed from caucus for publicly criticising as lacklustre a speech she made to the Union of BC Municipalties convention. It was lacklustre. But although he did not […]
Carole James: Mission accomplished?
Hearing Carole James declare that the challenge to her leadership is over – because the NDP’s Provincial Council backed her – reminds me of George Bush on the US air craft carrier with the huge “Mission Accomplished” sign behind him after the initial attack in Iraq. Talk about not getting it. The NDP is now […]
Tax cuts + ensuing loss of revenue = a deliberate financial crisis…and a reason to introduce P3s to BC
I have never seen more senators express discontent with their jobs. … I think the major cause is that, deep down in our hearts, we have been accomplices to doing something terrible and unforgivable to this wonderful country. Deep down in our hearts, we know that we have bankrupted America and that we have given […]
Corporations: 'citizen' psychopaths
National governments have been back in the news over the past two years because of the financial crisis and the havoc it wreaked on the global economy. Belying the ideology that nations were obsolete in the grand new order of transnational corporations, they are now front and centre trying to save the corporations that supposedly […]