This is the longest 22 minutes ever
January 9, 2012 | 5 Comments
At the risk of wasting everyone’s time, I’d like to draw your attention to the most recent development in what was, likely, the dumbest political story of 2011: Rob Ford’s boorish reaction to the boorish gotcha comendy of This Hour has 22 Minutes. In case you don’t recall, THh22M has a character named Marge Who-cares-what-her-name-is who pretends [...]
Our Offensive Oath
December 15, 2011 | 21 Comments
In the comments of a previous post, readers David* and Peter asked what I find so offensive about our oath of citizenship, which reads: I swear (or affirm) that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Canada, Her Heirs and Successors, and that I will faithfully [...]
Quote of the Day
December 13, 2011 | 4 Comments
Ladies and gentlemen, your Immigration Minister, Jason Kenney: “I’m sure they’ll trump up some stupid Charter of Rights challenge. That’s democracy. They’re welcome to object.” A true champion of Canadian values.
Who really cares about the oath?
December 12, 2011 | 10 Comments
We talk a lot about religious face coverings around here (from this point on, I’m just going to write ‘veils’), partially because freedom of religion (and freedom from oppressive and unnecessary government sanctions) are a hobby horse of mine, and, partially, because the government keeps trying to stop people from wearing religious garments (seriously, if [...]
December 6
December 6, 2011 | No Comments
Rest in Peace.
Canada’s morale deficit
November 30, 2011 | 2 Comments
The other day, a run with a friend took me by the Lester B. Pearson building, a bunker-like structure that houses hundreds of Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade staff. The building overlooks the Ottawa River, the Parliament Buildings, the National Gallery. It was late afternoon, so the sunset had coloured the entire sky pink [...]
The Canadian Bear Growls
November 25, 2011 | 4 Comments
If you were in downtown Ottawa yesterday, you had the pleasure of another freudian political display of military might, as the federal government decided that it was necessary and appropriate to have multiple bombers, jets and helicopters fly over the capital in commemoration of our armed insurgence into Libya - the roars of these beasts trumpeting the [...]
Traffic anarchy
November 1, 2011 | 2 Comments
Today I drove from the south end of Ottawa to the north end. It took longer than it should have- traffic and such. But I experienced no collisions, no near misses, no mishaps. This is because I- and the vast majority of other drivers- abided by the rule of law governing the roads. We stopped [...]
Conflict emerges at Occupy Ottawa site
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
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 [...]