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Indeed. This is not a protest. This is hooliganism. And I for one have no problem with police taking the bastards wrecking havoc in my city -- taking the ones hiding their faces -- taking the locals and the foreigners who are destroying everything in their paths, and beating the shit out of them. That would be police performing their duty to protect civil society. When violence threatens a civil society, it needs an immediate and harsh response. I'm all for protest. It is what makes a democracy function. I didn't care for the lock downs -- and still don't care for it. But soon as the violence started, I became fully supportive of an equally harsh response from authorities. The fact that these assholes -- anarchists and the like -- came here to destroy my city makes me angry. I'm also angry at the federal government. WTF were you thinking? You hold meetings like this in remote areas, away from easy access. Let's see the anarchists get to Iqaluit. Let...

It's all politics, of course. Castro is simply using BP's oil spill in the Gulf for propaganda -- the message being, capitalist societies have ceded the public's interest for private gain -- and if the world stuck to socialist ideals, disasters such as this wouldn't happen. That's all bullshit of course, but, the man does have a point. The pendulum has swung too far in one direction. The reigns have been loosened too much on corporations, and governments need to reassert the public's interest in governing the conduct of businesses. At no time should a corporation's interest ever -- ever -- take precedence over the public's. Corporations serve society, not the other way around. Sadly, society is now hostage to corporations -- especially those that operate in the global theatre. in reference to: "In an opinion piece published by state media on Saturday, Castro said the disaster "shows how little governments can do against those who control...

The fact that the IDF goes around killing indiscriminately when operating in Palestine, is no new news. It happens -- not necessarily widespread -- but it happens. That top Israeli commanders would order their soldiers to shoot certain people on-site, is not new -- heck, Mossad went to great lengths to assassinate a Hamas official in Dubai. This shit happens. Of course, having it happen, and pretending that it's all rumour, is quite different than having proof that it has happened, and that it was premeditated. That's the case right now with an Israeli journalist, Anat Kamm, under house arrest, for reporting on state secrets that would reveal Israeli commanders to have ordered shooting on-site of top Palestinian fighters in the West Bank. There are those that would argue that the publishing of state secrets is a crime -- should be punished, and should be prevented. But, in a practising democracy, where is the line drawn between what the citizens are allowed to know -- and ...

America is unaware of how much of its freedom it has vested in the last few years from public institutions to private corporations, and individuals. Glenn Greenwald just needs to follow the trail -- unravel a not too complicated story, as exampled by Mike McConnell -- a man who moved easily between the government and a corporation, restlessly pursuing a single minded goal: the vesting of American intelligence capability from the government, to corporations. And he has succeeded. The question the public, who pays for all of this, needs to ask is: when does a corporation's self-interest trump the interest of the public it is now charged with serving? The answer is simple. Time and time again, it has been proven -- and it's written into corporate law. A corporation has to service only the interests of its shareholders. Doing anything else, and the management team is in violation of their contractual obligations. And in the intelligence business, peace is not good for busin...

In our first world democracies, the general population nestles under the comfort of apathy, trusting that what our government does, is in our best interest -- in the best interest of our nation, our democracy and the world. Wish that was true. As with most power, the benefits pour to the self-interested -- and caters to the few close our elected officials -- including those elected to serve us. At the end of the day, we're sheep, making the rich, richer -- and the powerful, more powerful, and above the laws that govern the rest of us. That is why, entities such as Wikileaks , exist. In fact, it is one of the few, where the powerful can be challenged and brought to their knees. And you know the powerful self-interest are afraid, when they've declared an open war on Wikileaks. The US government, along with the governments of China, North Korea and Iran -- as well as others, such as Australia and Britain -- are seeking to bring Wikileaks to its knees. Not only have their b...

Israel will continue to do whatever the hell it wants in Palestine -- and anywhere else in the world for that matter -- because it can. Because it is the only country in the world that can give America the finger; because America is Israel's bitch. It's simple as that. Israel can continue to use foreign cover to launch assassinations; it can even spy on America; steal from America; and blow up American navy ships; and get away with it, because Israel know it can. It knows it can because it has control over American politicians -- and the American public opinion. It is the only nation that has such a large lobby effort in the US, and the Americans can seem to do nothing about it. The fact that Netanyahu wants no solution to the Palestinian problem that involves returning what it seized from the war -- or for that matter a Palestinian state -- is not news. Israel of course, will pay for this shortsightedness. You only need to look at the demographic changes in Israel/Palest...

The collective "we" that is -- you may not be a moron (although, if you choose to not have a choice, you're a moron in my book). That's the suggestion from Ian Brown in the Globe and Mail, in reference to Canadians apparent preference for Stephen Harper in latest Ekos poll. Apparently, Harper has a "macho, emotional image" which really is a turn-on for the general voter -- who are turned-off by the intellectual image of Michael Ignatieff. Yes, in general, the country is populated by morons. They prefer the man who has no doubts about what he's doing, because that makes them think he does know what he's doing. In fact, 86% of the morons believe that his political decisions are based on reason. WTF is wrong with you people? Courage isn't the only trait needed in a leader -- and I'm using that word liberally in reference to Harper. How about a little intelligence? Intelligence to know that you don't always have all the answers? That ...

Yes Americans who like tea parties, you really are stupid, and this woman knows you are. The latest from Palin? On Leno, she admits that she joined Fox News because the "mainstream media is quite broken" -- in that there is too much "opinion interjected in hard news stories." Does she even listen to what comes out of her mouth? Or does she just pinch her nose and daub her lips with tissue? in reference to: "I studied journalism, my college degree there in communications. And now I am back there wanting to build some trust back in our media. I think the mainstream media is quite broken and I think there needs to be the fairness, the balance in there — that’s why I joined Fox." - Think Progress » Palin: ‘I joined Fox’ because there’s too much ‘opinion interjected in hard news’ in the mainstream media. ( view on Google Sidewiki )

The UN Population Fund has published their latest report, State of World Population 2009. The authors are focused in this report on the impact of climate change on the human population. As I have argued in previous posts, climate change is no longer a question. It is happening and it is due to human activities. The rapid change is inevitable. The uncertainty now is on the impact to the human population and the environment. History has lessons for us on how we will deal with the inevitable change. It doesn't need to be a disaster, like a tsunami or a hurricane or an earthquake -- though disasters like that will occur as a result -- it can subtle -- like changing weather patterns that bring floods or droughts. Just small changes that doesn't necessarily punch an immediate hole in our day-to-day should be reflected on, to forecast what's coming. When subtle change comes, we the rich, will be able to cope. We the rich will have choices. We are much more capable of adap...

Not content with their war in the US, the American Christian right is now taking it's hate to Africa. Earlier in 2009, Scott Lively, at the invitation of Uganda's Family Life Network, descended on the African nation to bring the word of hate. Lively, told Ugandans who attended his "Seminar on Exposing the Homosexuals' Agenda" of how American homosexuals were actively recruiting young Ugandans into their movement. He claimed that homosexuality directly increased the divorce rate, child abuse & molestation and HIV/AIDS. The Ugandans attending his seminar, ate it up. Lively went on to meet with Ugandan lawmakers and government officials. The fruits of his labour became the Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2009 . The act, which was proposed in October 2009, would ban LGBT organizations and introduces the death penalty for homosexuality. American evangelicals have been actively involved in Africa in recent years, as the importance of Africa to Christianity has grown....

Harper continues to do his best to ensure Parliament knows he really doesn't give a shit what they think. Like Bush, Harper thinks the executive branch of government is above the law of the land -- and can interpret the constitution at its whim. I hope for the next election, we get some real choices. I hope that voters actually turn out to vote. And I hope we dismiss Harper and his band of yes-men. in reference to: ""The executive is really placing itself above Parliament. For the first time that I know in Canadian history, the executive is saying we are superior to Parliament," said Errol Mendes, a University of Ottawa professor who was speaking at an informal hearing of the parliamentary committee looking into the Afghanistan detainee issue. Mendes was referring to the Harper government's refusal to hand over uncensored documents, despite a motion passed in the House of Commons to do so." - CBC News - Canada - Harper government violating Constitution: p...

China can't seem to get any slack these days. The latest comes from Britain's MI5, which has accused China of some pretty nefarious practices to cull secrets from British firms and government. In the report, the Threat from Chinese Espionage, circulated to business and government leaders in the UK, MI5 warns that vigilance is needed, as well as government-security intervention to thwart the Chinese threat. Apparently, there have been Chinese electronic attacks on Britain's defense, energy, communications and manufacturing companies, as well as the government. As well, there has been cases of sexual entrapment and espionage involving electronic gifts and bugged hotel rooms. None of this is entirely new of course. China regularly spies on foreign governments. And so do western governments spy on China. What's alarming however, is China is also spying on businesses. Some will argue, especially the Chinese government, that they are innocent of any espionage against w...

As a Canadian, I cannot understand why there are so many Americans opposed to changing the nature of their health care system -- especially since it is expensive compared to what the rest of the developed world spends, and doesn't deliver the same quality of service to most -- unlike their developed world's counterparts. I can't understand why Americans defend the very insurance companies that gouge them on premiums, deny their claims and cancel policies. I was having a similar conversation with my youngest recently, regarding unions and their self-interest. She pointed out something that hadn't occurred to me before -- that people in general, do not like it when others make decisions for them. That is the trouble that regulators -- and politicians -- run into on a regular basis. They try to enact legislation to protect their constituents, but regularly run into vehement opposition. It's like the union members that have been given everything they wanted without...

Here's the problem with our democracy. It really isn't one. It really isn't one because of you, and you and you -- you that didn't vote -- you that decided that you couldn't find the hour, once every four years, to go down to the local school, community centre or church, and cast your ballot. You, and you and you -- you're at fault for not educating yourself on the platforms of the political parties -- and the issues whose resolution is at stake. You, and you and you, who take your precious gift of a vote, and spurn it every four years. If you don't like to vote, there is a despot somewhere in the world who could use you to trample on. Just saying, get out and vote, eh. in reference to: Direct democracy: The tyranny of the majority | The Economist ( view on Google Sidewiki )

Nothing in this world is free -- especially freedom -- and that goes for those of us living in the free world . "... serves as an uncensorable and untraceable depository for the truth, able to publish documents that the courts may prevent newspapers and broadcasters from being able to touch." — In praise of... Wikileaks - The Guardian, October 20, 2009. Wikileaks , in case you don't know, is a non-profit organization, whose purpose is to out those who would steal our freedoms and subjugate us. The organization provides a platform for whistle-blowers everywhere, to get the truth out. Wikileaks isn't loved by most governments around the world. You'd first guess that places like China and Iran don't like Wikileaks. And that would be true. However, you may be surprised to learn that governments from the US, Canada, Australia, England and other first world democracies, also don't like Wikileaks. Why? Wikileaks shine light into the dark corners of these...

The UN refugee agency, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), has a stated purpose to lead, coordinate and safeguard the rights and well-being of refugees worldwide. It exists to ensure "everyone can exercise the right to seek asylum and find safe refuge in another State, with the option to return home voluntarily, integrate locally or to resettle in a third country." And by UNHCR's own count, business is unfortunately quite good, and has only been getting better since the agency was established at the end of 1950. UNHCR today lists 31 million people to be in some state of concern around the world -- directly assisting 4.5 out of 11 million refugees, and advocating for the rest. It's an admirable job, with Africa, the Middle East and Asia, getting most of the attention. Wherever there is trouble, you'll probably find the UNHCR logo fluttering in the parched, smoky and quite possibly, violent winds. Critics of UNHCR however hardly see th...

Liberty in the Age of Terror: A Defence of Civil Society and Enlightenment Values , by A.C. Grayling. I haven't read the book, but it's certainly of interest, although, like such books, it will already be speaking to the converted. Like so many things, I wonder if we're not continuing the polarization of ideas and positions. Grayling takes on the British government's invasion of civil rights and the public's acquiescing of the intrusion. And besides, even now many supposedly sensible people lazily believe that if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to worry about. If a few Koran- toting chaps with beards and funny names get banged up in Guantánamo or have to put up with a "control order" to stay in Britain, so what? It is this complacency that Mr Grayling, with passion and elegance, takes on. He describes the if-you-have-nothing-to-hide argument as "one of the most seductive betrayals of liberty" imaginable. The assumption behind it is...

If you watch TV (I don't), especially the comedians that have been giving us the news during the Bush years, you'll note something different since Bush was replaced. There is no Court Jester in Chief. I irregularly catch Jon Stewart and Bill Maher online, and they've been, well, pretty nice so far to the new president. As the Economist reports , it may just be too hard to make fun of a guy you like ... or, like his other super-human abilities, Obama also has the power to deflect witty barbs. Not so at the Onion of course, where everyone is open for lampooning. Taking the suggestion from the Economist, I went over to the Onion and searched for articles on Obama. Here's a sampling of the titles: Obama Win Causes Obsessive Supporters To Realize How Empty Their Lives Are Obama Drastically Scales Back Goals For America After Visiting Denny's Obama To Hold Job Performance Review With Every American Worker Unusually Level-Headed, Charismatic Lichen Species Named ...

I'm Canadian, and I got 9 out of 12 questions in this very American quiz from Pew Research . I did better than 59% of the general public -- which I assume, is mostly American. The only questions I got wrong were on the Dow Jones Industrial Average, US national unemployment rate, and how many Americans were killed in Iraq. The latter of these two are decidedly American questions -- I should have gotten the first correct. Oh well. But I still did better than most Americans. In this quiz, males did better than females; educated did better than the uneducated; and the older did better than the younger. I think the general public is scary. This is just more proof. Average number of questions answered correctly.