May 31, 2005
Explanations all around
The Guardian has transcribed a recent joint interview with Christopher and Peter Hitchens, sibling rivals of the highest order. They do the same job, and obviously have enormous mommy complexes that have never been resolved. It’s sad and hilarious. They snipe and slag, and there are some excellent zingers in there. If I were judging this prizefight, I’d give it to Peter, who rope-a-dopes... [More >>]
May 31, 2005
Nobody here but us warlocks
Paul Martin’s Chief of Staff, Tim Murphy, appears to be in a bit of trouble. We’d know for sure, if only the Conservatives would RELEASE THE DAMN TAPES. At any rate, the Headwaiter to the Native Lobby has declared: “I think in an effort of greater civility members should not make use of their immunity in this House to engage in a witch hunt,” Martin said in French. “Let... [More >>]
May 30, 2005
Bike Week in Toronto
(Readers outside Toronto, please forgive the somewhat local post.) A few interesting tidbits gleaned from this morning’s group commute and pancake breakfast, the official kick-off to Bike Week: Cyclists across the country can help combat bike theft by registering their bikes in a national database. There is a cost of $10, but the term is 10 years, so it’s not so bad. When you register... [More >>]
May 28, 2005
Potemkin Governor Fills Potemkin Pothole
This is magnificent: Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger traveled to a quiet San Jose neighborhood Thursday, and — dogged by protesters — filled a pothole dug by city crews just a few hours before, as part of an attempt to dramatize his efforts to increase money for transportation projects. (link from BoingBoing.) [More >>]
May 27, 2005
why conservatism is winning in America
Here is a long but extremely useful piece from the Wall Street Journal, about the way conservatives used philanthropical organisations to take control of the political agenda in the US. It is in many ways a companion to a similar article in Harper’s written by Lewis Lapham during last fall’s Presidential election race, but while Lapham’s piece had a strong wiff of the conspiracy about... [More >>]
May 26, 2005
Do Hippies Dream of Electric Bongs?
Not happy to be back from promoting Rebelarse Vende in Spain. As some wise person once wrote, the business trip is the only authentic form of tourism. Great country, great time. Will get around to blogging again some day. In the meantime, in order to convince Degen that I do things other than promote my 1/2 book on this blog, may I draw your attention to yet another extremely negative review. This... [More >>]
May 24, 2005
Serpent eating tail
And now, I will blog about a blog: Andrew Coyne has shut down the Comments section on his blog site. After Belinda Stronach crossed the floor, regular readers of Coyne’s site will have noticed a huge increase in the comments. Hell, I started commenting just before Belinda crossed, so I’m going to take some credit here—although, I don’t think I’m included in Coyne’s... [More >>]
May 20, 2005
Scenes from an historic day on The Hill
I finished my meetings in Ottawa a bit earlier than expected yesterday, so in the short time before my train I wandered up to the Hill to catch a little will the government stand or fall? atmosphere. There was what looked to be a good two-hour long line-up to get into the public galleries for question period, though a guard nearby had a theory that the line was actually for the budget vote and that... [More >>]
May 19, 2005
This and that
I’ve been reading Confessions of a Small Press Racketeer, a new book by This Magazine’s literary editor, Stuart Ross. The book is a collection of columns that ran in Word: Toronto’s Literary Calendar, and according to the media release from Anvil Press it’s “a rollercoaster journey into the mind of one of Canada’s most committed small press activists.” In “And... [More >>]
May 18, 2005
And this is why I love the Globe & Mail
“For two hours they talked about public policy and the direction of the country. They dined on veal medallions, toasted pecans, spring turbot, home pickled onions and young cucumbers. For dessert they had chocolate semifreddo, mango terrine, Valrhona chocolate mousse and brandy snap. It was all washed down with a respectable sauvignon blanc and a cabernet merlot.” Jane Taber, Karen Howlett... [More >>]
