December 30, 2004
symols of ignorance
In a story reported on the CBC website today, N&L premier Danny Williams has allowed the Maple Leaf to fly outside provincial courthouses, after judges expressed concerns about impartiality. According to the N&L justice minister: “We discussed it and the premier agreed that it would be inappropriate not to have the Canadian flag fly from free-standing courts.” That the flags came... [More >>]
December 30, 2004
Shaken up
In a way I’m surprised there hasn’t been more to say about the tsunami on this forum. Working as a copy editor at a Toronto daily newspaper, I’ve been exposed to far too many images of death, chaos and catastrophe from Asia this week. Too many photographs of human tragedy are seared into my brain. The tales of rescue and narrow escape are somewhat heartening, but the sheer volume... [More >>]
December 27, 2004
Help the Red Cross help the Tsunami victims
This is unimaginably awful. Canada has pledged one million dollars, which is too little. We can do better. The CBC has links to make donations to UNICEF and the Red Cross. [More >>]
December 25, 2004
Christmas message from the Queen
I trust everyone put down the turkey or stopped messing with their new iPod today to listen to Lizzie give her annual message to the Commonwealth. No? Well, it sounded ok on the people’s radio today, and the Guardian called it “a dramatic plea for religious tolerance”. But give it a read — it is more like a desperate plea for a new speechwriter. Check out in particular the... [More >>]
December 23, 2004
la federalisme rentable
Robert Bourrassa once coined a term that defines everything that is wrong with the way this federation “functions.” He called it “la federalisme rentable,” which is usually translated as “profitable federalism.” But the french version is better, because the word “rent” captures the extractionary, illegitimate, and cynical aspect of what is going on.... [More >>]
December 23, 2004
Everyone in unions
(Thanks to JC for the tip) By INGRID PERITZ From Wednesday’s Globe and Mail Montreal– He hasn’t even joined a picket line yet, but Canada’s most famous snowman already has a nickname: Comrade Carnaval. The Bonhomme Carnaval, roly-poly symbol of joie de vivre and wintertime fun at the Quebec Winter Carnival, seems to have some more proletarian worries on his mind these days.... [More >>]
December 22, 2004
Grading the columnists
In yesterday’s National Post, columnist Don Martin handed out grades to members of the Federal Cabinet. Anne MacLellan got the only A, Judy Sgro got the only F (what about Liza?) and a bunch of Cs all around. In the spirit of the season, let’s grade the columnists. Here are mine, feel free to dispute or add others. Chantal Hebert:A+ She’s easily the best political writer in the country... [More >>]
December 21, 2004
more STV fun
Anyone interested in a quick primer on voting systems can do better than to read this two part article. It’s a decent enough survey of various voting systems, but is unfortunately working with an implied theory of representation that he never makes explicit, and which is at the very least problematic. So why read it? For the pictures, of course. It is totally bizarre. The article is about BC... [More >>]
December 21, 2004
Top Five Lists
Isn’t it time for top fives and things? [More >>]
December 20, 2004
One Voter’s Experience With STV
At a party recently, I had an enlightening conversation with an acquaintance from Ireland about that country’s Single Transferable Vote electoral system, a system very similar to the one British Columbians will be deciding whether to adopt in a referendum next spring. The Irish guy was effusive about the system, and said he couldn’t imagine electing governments the way we do in Canada,... [More >>]
