Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Speaking of the "commons", here's a suggestion:

Let's nationalize the banks!

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2012/07/23-7#.UA2nqoGscQ8.facebook

After all, what could be more fundamental to the well-being of every citizen than his money?  Why would you allow some corporation to hold your stuff and profit from it?  It's like allowing someone to use your car as a taxi for free, and after a few years all you have is a worn out wreck and the cabbie has a million dollar condo in the Caribbean.

Magna Carta and its meanings through time

This explains a lot about where we came from and the difficulties that have arisen while trying to maintain a western civilization:

http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/10473-destroying-the-commons-how-the-magna-carta-became-a-minor-carta

The idea of a "commons" is not well understood today, and probably never gets mentioned in schools or colleges anymore.  It's a great idea whose time has come once again.

"Just doing my job" ...

"Just doing my job" has important consequences for others.  Consider this article:

http://truth-out.org/opinion/item/10476-the-careerists

When I was a kid, this was used to explain how Germany veered off the civilized course during the Hitler years.  Is history repeating itself?

Politicisation of the Public Service

Consider this story regarding the respect given Health Canada's scientists by the current Minister of Health:

http://www.care2.com/causes/death-of-evidence-government-ignores-scientists-and-risks-public-health.html

Governance by the brain-dead servants of industry.



Sunday, July 22, 2012

The trustworthy Canadian Government ...

... NOT!!

Here's behaviour that defines our current government:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/ottawa-throws-wrench-in-khadr-repatriation/article4430435/

After knowing where he was for 8 years, cooperating in this child soldier's imprisonment and torture, negotiating and signing a plea bargain agreement for his sham trial, Harper's boys decide not to live up to their end of the bargain.  They had years to ask for and examine the requested transcripts while working on the plea agreement.  Suddenly it's a big issue.  One has to question their competence in all aspects of their work.

Compared to Karla Holmolka (currently living a quiet, married, free life in Montreal), Omar Khadr's purported crimes are trivial.  Our government's behaviour, however, is loathsome, cowardly, illegal, and cringe-inducing.


Thursday, July 19, 2012

Portugal's drug policy works

Here's a summary of the Portuguese experience with decriminalizing drugs:

http://www.businessinsider.com/portugal-drug-policy-decriminalization-works-2012-7#ixzz210SiGluR

One cannot help but wonder whether this sort of approach would also reduce the number of thugs seeking to profit from drug sales.  Time will tell.

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Evidence-based decision making

I notice that others are upset by the dumbing down of the Canadian public service:

http://www.care2.com/causes/canadian-scientists-mourn-the-death-of-evidence.html

Maybe if we pray real hard to Tsxaheonf we can revers this trend.

The only other option is to learn how to think and vote accordingly.