Opinion
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Rumours of my shortcomings have been under-exaggerated
Hey gang, it’s me. I’m back for another week, to the dismay of some of you, as I recently found out.
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When revenge trumps justice
The outcry over the recent release of Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi, convicted Lockerbie bomber, made me wonder whether it really mattered if the man was guilty or innocent of the crime. The fact that there was scant evidence used to convict him, including the use of an informant who was paid $2 million by the American government to testify against him, makes it appear more important that the authorities had someone to convict in order to appease the public.
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Better get used to it
Amid all the false starts, the drama and the stalled policy that has characterized the last two parliamentary sessions, there is one thing that has remained reliable – the strength, strategically and politically, of Stephen Harper.
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Iggy’s agenda
Federal election talk has wound down recently. Thankfully.
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Crucifying Lahey is a dead end
Earlier this month yet another Catholic Church sex scandal made the headlines. This time it concerned Bishop Raymond Lahey.
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Shooting for the moon
I still remember those early days of my youth, where on those crisp clear nights of the late summer I would lie on a blanket in the backyard and stare into the night sky. For hours I would lie there, looking up at all the stars, feeling small and insignificant and I would think to myself, “Gosh, I wish I was a billionaire. Then, I could build a rocket ship and launch it into outer space ... and I would blow a big-honkin’-ass hole in the southern ice cap of the moon.”
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Get ready to rumble
Something’s been bothering me lately and I’m just gonna come right out and tell you what that is. Why don’t people have rumbles anymore?
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Ain’t talkin’ ‘bout love
It is no secret that our generation is choosing marriage much later than previous generations. Just look at our grandparents. Most of them were married close to 18, or whenever the war ended, depending on how old your grandparents are.
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When the claws come out
A recent Winnipeg Free Press article showcased a war of words between Bill McDonald, executive director of the Winnipeg Humane Society and D’Arcy Johnston, president and founder of D’Arcy’s A.R.C. (Animal Rescue Centre), a no-kill animal shelter in Winnipeg.
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Riding apathy all the way to the ambassador’s office
My God, we didn’t have much of a summer this year. It practically rained the entire time! And I froze my ass off for the rest of it, or sweated my mood to sour when it got too hot.
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A hopeless illusion
When it comes to Barack Obama, surprise is hard to come by anymore. Since he first forced millions of politically-dispirited Americans to regain some semblance of adoration for America at home and abroad, he has managed time and again to astound in his success.
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Save that lovin’ for home
“And a thousand thousand slimy things / Lived on; and so did I.” – Samuel Coleridge, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner
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(Don’t) seize the day
The expressions “live everyday like it’s your last” and “live like there’s no tomorrow” keep me up at night. I’ve realized after three years of university that living life with the mindset that I may die tomorrow leads to no ambition and little in the way of accomplishment.
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In praise of laziness
There is a popular expression about the virtue of staying busy: “Idle hands are the devil’s tools.” I think that’s it. It also may be: “Idle fingers are the devil’s dildos.” I’m not sure. Either way however, the meaning is the same. It is sinful to be slothful.
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Stephen Harper, denier of colonialism
Stephen Harper has a nasty habit of hypocrisy. If his political career thus far can be typified by anything, it is his eagerness to surrender his values to the throne of power.
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The original Gitmo
As U.S. President Barack Obama begins the process of closing down the prison at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, in part due to allegations of the illegal torture and abuse of prisoners, it reminded me of a similar situation that involved Native American leaders during the 19th century.
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For those who hate taxes and love weed
If the answer is marijuana, the unification of North America and good spelling, then the question is: What does the Peace Maker Society like, not like and not practice?
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Planting the seeds of victory
Canada’s marijuana laws have long been controversial in Canadian politics. Due to the stigma of being labelled “pro pot,” politicians are often reluctant to advocate for the legalization of marijuana. Yet, the legalization of marijuana could be the issue to tip the scales for the Liberal party, should they advocate entrusting government with handling Canada’s marijuana market.
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Thinning the herd: The real solution to population control
Sometimes I get the feeling that we place too much importance on our own survival. I’m not speaking about the survival of our species here, just about the survival of individual members of our species.
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Flu shot season in the Holy Land
With United States President Barack Obama overseeing talks last week between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, the idea of a two-state solution to the conflict is becoming increasingly possible. Obama has expressed a strong commitment to achieving such a goal and has been successful on getting the two sides to talk about it.