Questions for Michael Shermer
I've been a big fan of Skeptic Magazine for many years. And I am a big fan of science. My thesis was about, in part, science and the philosophy of science. I have some science training and I have some…
Why Brigette DePape is more thoughtful than David Akin
If you don't know the name, Brigette DePape, you should. She risked, and lost, her job to say what most Canadians believe. Maude Barlow thinks she is "courageous and committed." Elizabeth May thought that she undertook an act of personal…
Globe & Mail, the Conservatives, and the right wing
Today's argument takes the form of reductio ad absurdum. Premise 1: Canada's newspaper of record would only endorse a centrist political party. Premise 2: The Globe & Mail is Canada's newspaper of record...
Stephen Harper: election 41
Yes, this poster is inspired by the commissioned work of Shepard Fairey. It's a reflection of my hopes and interests this election. By all means, if you're interested, download, share, copy and reprint this work. The original photo that it's based on is by Reimy Steinegger. For another poster in a similar vein, check out Bob Preston.
Stephen Harper is an evil astronaut
These guys are doing a frickin' awesome job. Sharp videos. Clear soundbites. Attitude. Nice kitten. Good work. www.shitharperdid.com
Harper’s Conservatives on coalitions
Harper's Conservatives, and the business media that share their interest, have been very negative about national coalitions. My understanding is that half of Canadians favour them. That's many more Canadians than favour the Conservatives. And Harper has been somewhat duplicitous about his own interest in them...
Taxes are bad; I’m voting for Stephen Harper
That is sarcasm. Am I allowed to do that? Here's a new video I made, trying to capture some of my frustration with modern politics.
Who Votes for Stephen Harper?
Here's a short three minute comedy featuring a water cooler conversation about politics, Stephen Harper, and the state of Canadian democracy. Watch it now >>
More reflections on the G20 and Canada Day
It’s mid evening of July 1st, 2010, and I’m just reflecting on my many ambivalent feelings about Canada day. Today, when I reflect on what Canada means, I can’t help but think of police, patriarchy, Harper, poverty, white supremacy, Christian…
Is Canada white supremacist? Reflections on Canada Day
Ask Canadians if they think our nation is a white supremacy, and most will simply say, "no." Some folks might ask what is meant by the term "white supremacy." Some will quietly and firmly say "yes." Others will look at…
Coalition governments can play an important part in democracy
We don't elect a prime minister here in Canada. We vote in our own constituencies for a representative. Government is usually formed by the party with the most representatives. But sometimes, government is formed by a coalition of parties. No…
Freedom of scientific speech
One problem I have with so many conservatives and libertarians is their attachment to their untested (and often inconsistent) theories and ideas. To be fair, we're all probably a little challenged by science and research that refutes our own beliefs.…
Making Tim Ball
This is a story about one of my moments of glory. Some of you know that some years ago I was fundraising for Greenpeace. One particularly cold winter day, I engaged a passerby in a conversation about global warming. The…
Fossil awards for Harper-Prentice Government
Jim Prentice and the Harper Government have earned Canada several Fossil Awards for the positions they have been putting forward in negotiations at Copenhagen. Actually, we're currently leading the scoreboard for total points. Hell. We took first place and second…
Bumper stickers
Bumper stickers and car magnets are an interesting window into human identities and human values. Generally people aren't paid to put these kinds of things on their vehicles so we know they're authentic. And in our culture, a car or…
David Suzuki says call PM
David Suzuki says call prime minister Stephen Harper and tell him that Canada needs to show a willingness to cooperate in Copenhagen. And he also says we should record our phone calls on video and then post them to the…
Moms against climate change
http://www.takeactiononclimatechange.com/ This is a good ad. Found it because I'm a Tyee fan. If you have children under 17, you can upload photos of them to the Mom's Against Climate Change site and they'll project images of your kids onto…