Conflict emerges at Occupy Ottawa site

Kate Chappell

October 30, 2011 | 7 Comments

Uh oh. Things aren’t going so well at the Occupy Ottawa site downtown. This is not especially shocking; regardless of how human beings organize themselves politically, conflict is timeless and ubiquitous. But the conflict is escalating such that safety concerns are now arising after a blanket soaked with bodily fluids was thrown about in the [...]

Just abolish the Senate already

Jonathan McLeod

October 29, 2011 | 2 Comments

Senator Nicole Easton has become the best argument against keeping our silly unelected Senate, as she has decided that we all have too much time on our hands and should start debating whether the beaver should be our national symbol or the polar bear. Inanity aside, it’s nice that Ms. Easton has decided to be [...]

“Freedom from the destabilizing effects of public hatred in this, the world’s most heterogeneous society”

Jonathan McLeod

October 28, 2011 | No Comments

Yes, apparently that’s a new freedom we have. No, I’m not kidding; somebody actually wrote that. (H/T: Emmett Macfarlane.)

Because it provides cover for hatred

Jonathan McLeod

October 28, 2011 | 4 Comments

In the wake of the suicide of Jamie Hubley, a gay teen who was persistently bullied, the Conservative Party released an It Gets Better video. It was a nice gesture, but there has been a bit of controversy attached to it. Besides some calling for the Conservatives to do more, there is also the issue [...]

Occupying Sympathy

Jonathan McLeod

October 27, 2011 | 1 Comment

Except for Kate’s re-cap of her visit to Occupy Ottawa, things have been a little quiet around here on the topic of Occupy Canada. But don’t take that silence for disinterest, I’ve been visiting Occupy Ottawa semi-regularly over the past couple of weeks (and you can read some of my observations at Examiner.com), and I’m [...]

The Legion is at it again

Jonathan McLeod

October 26, 2011 | 1 Comment

The Royal Canadian Legion has (once again) got its drawers in a bunch over a totally legitimate use of a poppy image. This time, they’ve turned their sights inward, targeting the Canadian Veteran Freedom Riders. That’s right, veteran’s who are trying to raise money for veterans are getting threatened with legal action by other veterans. [...]

I didn’t even know “Talking Eskimo” was a thing

Jonathan McLeod

October 26, 2011 | No Comments

But apparently it is, at least to some: A Conservative MP who posted an animated video on his website that uses the controversial phrase “talking Eskimo” has taken it down. Saskatchewan MP David Anderson, parliamentary secretary for the Canadian Wheat Board, posted the video on his website to explain some farmers’ opposition to the board. [...]

Quote of the Day

Jonathan McLeod

October 26, 2011 | No Comments

From Tim Kowal: Everyone talks a big game.  But then you’re supposed to go out there and be a compromising slob like the rest of us.  High ideals are fine as long as you don’t seriously aim to live up to them. This is true far more often than it should be.

It does a body politic good

Jonathan McLeod

October 20, 2011 | 12 Comments

It’s interesting that milk should be playing such a prominent role in current events these days. Okay, sure, it’s not as significant as Gadhafi’s death or shipbuilding contracts, but it’s still there. On Tuesday, the Conservative government took a step towards saner economic policies (weird, I know) by killing the monopoly power of the Canadian [...]

Maybe I was wearing too many symbols of corporate greed?

Kate Chappell

October 16, 2011 | 5 Comments

It is cool and blustery here in Ottawa. A perfect day for a runner, not so much for the Occupiers. So, with my reporters’ curiosity getting the best of me, I decided a run down to the Occupy Ottawa protest was in order. On the second day of the demonstration, I headed towards Confederation Park in downtown [...]

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The Commons has brought together a diverse cross-section of unique and intelligent voices to generate meaningful debate and discussion. All contributors have made the solemn commitment to cultivate respectful, honest, vigorous, and open dialogue—and to promote that very kind of dialogue within the larger Canadian political discourse.