rabble.ca - News for the rest of us

Part II: Soldiering on? The invisible injuries of war

derrick — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:27:22 +0000

Next week, on November 11, veterans will get only two minutes of recognition -- if people stop to reflect at all -- while the rest of the year their sacrifice is forgotten.

If Canada’s mission in Afghanistan does end in 2011, 35,000 men and women will have served in that theatre -- 133 have been killed thus far -- and the Canadian Forces’ (CF) low estimate is that as many as 2,000 could be returning home with an Operational Stress Injury (OSI) such as PTSD.

Copenhagen talks create chance for labour to be part of environmental and economic solutions

Peggy Nash — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 21:17:32 +0000

As the world turns its attention to the UN Climate Change talks in Copenhagen in mid-December, there are twin crises on the minds of world leaders. Not only will they need to confront the growing global concern about climate change, but they also need to keep in mind the urgent economic crisis still gripping most of the world's economies.

Prince alarming: Why Charles' visit should make us royally sad

IRTN — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:57:26 +0000

So he's come. Prince Charles, the man who, against my will, I had to pledge allegiance to, the future King of Canada. Like all naturalized Canadian citizens I had to take the citizenship oath or be denied. The oath says I swear (or affirm) that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second, Queen of Canada, Her Heirs and Successors, and that I will faithfully observe the laws of Canada and fulfil my duties as a Canadian citizen. Trust me no American wants to plege allegiance to the English monarchy but at least we were warned.

Montreal: Rottenest city on the continent (again)

Adam Bemma — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:58:28 +0000

Montreal is once again known as the rottenest city on the continent. During the November 1st municipal election campaign, controversy surrounded the two main political parties. Investigations into corruption and the awarding of lucrative city contracts to the mafia were front-page news over the last few weeks. Now Montrealers have spoken, their words: clean up city hall or get out. http://unionmontreal.com/

Affluenza: The All-Consuming Epidemic

redeye — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:57:46 +0000

The average American spends 6 hours a week shopping but only 40 minutes a week playing with their children. John de Graaf says these are the symptoms of a malaise called affluenza. De Graaf is one of the people behind a movie, a book and a website exploring the culture of overconsumption.

This podcast is one of a series on the theme of shopping and consumerism.

To find out more about Redeye, check out our website.

Weekly Mulch: The grown ups are back in charge

The Media Consortium Blog — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:43:36 +0000

Senate Democrats in the Environment and Public Works Committee (EPW) finally squelched Republican boycotts and passed a version of the climate bill yesterday morning. Last week, Republican Senators refused to show up to committee hearings in an attempt to stall the bill. Brian Beutler of Talking Points Memo notes that EPW has now set “the stage for other panels to amend the legislation.”

To no one’s surprise, Sen. James Inhofe (R-OK) immediately complained about the legislation on Fox News. Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) was the lone Democrat that did not vote, which Inhofe interpreted as a sign that the bill is “dead.”

In the next election, it's flu versus crime

alex — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:22:02 +0000

By rights, Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff should own the H1N1 issue and the botch that the authorities have made of it, just as he should own the health-care issue overall. His party built and sustained our health-care system, which has re-emerged as the main concern of voters. A new poll this week finds a 90 per cent majority approve that "universal" system -- crossing all regions and demographics. Most support is "unqualified," and is highest -- this surprised me -- among the youngest group, the 18- to 29-year-olds. They haven't, on this, been swayed by the individualistic rightward shifts of recent decades, although none of them were around during the original war over medicare.

Photo Essay: Canadian Federation of Students Day of Action

johnbon — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:07:57 +0000

Click here to see more photos from the CFS Day of Action in Toronto.

The Pembina Institute defends its GHG emission plan; Why ending drug prohibition works; UC Berkley students revolt.

tommyallen789 — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 05:16:16 +0000

Alert! Radio #133 - The Pembina Institute defends its GHG emission plan in response to Federal environmental minister Jim Prentice. Why ending drug prohibition works to reduce addiction and drug crime with Jack Coles, president of LEAP. UC Berkley students revolt against California tuition hikes and cutbacks. MItch Podolak with ‘Music is the Weapon’.

99 reasons to count down the 2010 Winter Olympics

Word of the Rings — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 02:06:36 +0000

Nov. 4 marked the 100-day countdown to the 2010 Winter Olympics.

A host of events were organized in Whistler to mark the historic occasion. The day began with the Spirit Program Breakfast with Doug Lipp, the former head of corporate training at Walt Disney (how appropriate), a citizenship ceremony for new Canadians, and the 100-Days to Go Celebration, complete with countdown cake and the Olympic mascots. Whistler's mayor has cut 20 countdown cakes since the bid was announced in 2003.

Despite the high number of students absent from Whistler schools due to the flu, the Whistler Conference Centre was packed with revelers. The perfect incubator for spreading the Olympic Spirit and the H1N1 virus.

Indie media's moment

alex — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 22:24:05 +0000

Despite the fact that Canwest filed for court protection against creditors on Oct. 6, 2009, several already well-paid directors, executives and other senior members of Canwest management will share $9.8 million in Key Employee Retention Plan (KERP) bonuses. In an article for rabble.ca, Gary Engler contrasts this extravagance with the fact that media workers are losing severance pay, pensions and jobs; shareholders are taking huge losses; and suppliers are receiving "a few cents on the dollar at best."

When the right shrieks, look for what's being concealed!

Uzma Shakir — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:57:41 +0000

Why do newspapers like National Post feel compelled to undermine and deny any attempts to highlight or discuss issues of marginality and race in Canada? As a mouthpiece for right-wing ideology, it is important to analyze how the National Post uses the logic of the right to deny, diminish and suppress some people's right to express their issues but does so in the language of freedom and democracy.

#94 - Choose Activism

meagan perry — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:27:17 +0000

In this podcast: protecting the rights of Vancouverites, advocating for Uganda's gays and lesbians, learning throught art, and music from Ottawa.

(1:45 - 8:51) Leaked documents show that the Province of B.C. is considering legislation that would allow the police to detain the homeless. David Eby, executive director of the BC Civil Liberties Association speaks about what that will mean for the homeless during the Vancouver 2010 games.

Remembering communism

alex — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:05:36 +0000

Marx and Engels had no idea what they were setting loose in 1848 when they wrote The Communist Manifesto -- and they would be the first to admit it. That's the sense you get reading Tariq Ali's The Idea of Communism a short book in the "What Was Communism" series. It is no longer 1991. The Soviet Union is gone. Rather than a communist utopia China resembles aspects of Dickens' England ... on methamphetamine. A few anomalies like Cuba and Korea remain, but the safe money is that they will not remain thus.

Social enterprise: a business that gives back

redeye — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:49:14 +0000

Many non-profit organizations run businesses that make money and create social value. David LePage explains how it works. LePage is the program manager at Enterprising Non-Profits.

This podcast is one of a series on the theme of shopping and consumerism.

To find out more about Redeye, check out our website.

What's wrong with the Red campaign

redeye — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:48:32 +0000

Ben Davis says shopping and giving to charity aren't a good mix. Davis is the creator of the world's first open-source brand. We talk with him about consumerism, marketing and the Red campaign.

This podcast is one of a series on the theme of shopping and consumerism.

To find out more about Redeye, check out our website.

The tragedy and farce of Karzai's Afghanistan

derrick — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:01:54 +0000

It was extremely unlikely that the runoff election next weekend would have saved U.S. and Canada from the continuing catastrophe in Afghanistan but at least there was a chance. There could have been a sheen of legitimacy -- provided the second farce was a little less farcical than the first.

The economic impact of carbon controls

M.Gregus — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:20:25 +0000

There's a reason why Tory Environment Minister Jim Prentice labelled the report released last week outlining the cost and benefits of carbon control "irresponsible."

If we seat-rich Ontarians really got the meaning of these findings, the Tories would be tumbling in the polls and out on their asses faster than you can say "Michael, Jack."

The study, Climate Leadership, Economic Prosperity, funded by the TD Bank, is the first detailed attempt to foresee how policies pushing targeted greenhouse gas reductions will affect Canada's economic growth.

No justice for Maher Arar in U.S. court

M.Gregus — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 12:52:55 +0000

"Extraordinary rendition" is White House-speak for kidnapping. Just ask Maher Arar. He's a Canadian citizen who was "rendered" by the U.S. to Syria, where he was tortured for almost a year.

Christian group organizes "prayer for homosexuals" at York University

Andrew Brett — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:23:29 +0000

A Christian student group at a Toronto university is in damage control after word of an anti-gay event they had planned this week spread across campus.

Earlier this week, Campus for Christ advertised on their website and e-mail list that a "Prayer for the Homosexual Community at York" would take place this Thursday. When LGBT students became aware of this event, they called for a counter-protest on campus at the same time.

In response, the Christian group cancelled their event and issued this clarification over e-mail:

Students protest proposed cuts to Disability Studies program at U of T

johnbon — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 02:36:00 +0000

When Anthony Foster was in high school, the severely learning disabled student was prevented from running for student council because of his poor grades. The message was loud and clear: His voice as a disabled individual wasn’t valid; it didn’t count. But for the last three years, he’s learned from Disability Studies professor Rod Michalko that his voice and experiences do count; they are valid.

Canwest's Global war on satire

Tor Sandberg — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:36:31 +0000

On 6-7, evil-doing satirists spoofed one of Canwest Global's shining towers of truth -- the Vancouver Sun newspaper.

Canwest, Canada's largest media company, has launched a Global War on Satire to ensure that fun-damentalist fanatics don't threaten its sacred freedom to monopolize media or mock its profound pro-Israel and neo-conservative bias.

Brave Canwest is teetering on the verge of bankruptcy but it will never abandon the War on Satire. The pernicious parodists will have to pull this SLAPP suit from Canwest's cold dead head.

Find out more about Canwest's anti-satire SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) at http://seriouslyfreespeech.ca

Rage against the vaccine

derrick — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:06:32 +0000

“I’m just astounded at people. Do they think doctors, scientists, and government are out to poison them or something?” – Dr. David Suzuki

The rage against getting the H1N1 flu vaccine has been largely missing from mainstream hysteria mongering, but there is a palpable and angry segment of the population that is refusing to comply with the recommendations of any and all authorities to get the shot. Like Dr. Suzuki, I was astonished at this recalcitrance to obey those who know or are supposed to know what’s good for us.

Weekly Pulse: problems for the public option

The Media Consortium Blog — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:23:46 +0000

By Lindsay Beyerstein, Media Consortium Blogger

The House released a final version of the health reform bill. It has a public option all right, but not the robust version progressives were hoping for. The public plan would only cover 2% of Americans and premiums will cost more than anticipated.

Meanwhile, Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) continued to threaten to join a Republican filibuster of a health care bill with a public option. A lot of people still think he’s bluffing. Realistically, the public option probably faces more serious threats from inside the Democratic caucus. It’s been whittled down at an alarming rate.

Nick Baumann of Mother Jones asks “What now for the public option?”

Powershift - Flash Mobs in the Commons and Corpses at the RBC

dan kellar — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:02:25 +0000

WLU student organizer Emily Slofstra gives first hand accounts of the Powershift conference in Ottawa and the (un)associated direct actions including the Flash Mob Dance which "filled the hill," a morning wake-up call at 24 Sussex, a die-in to highlight tar sands financing by the Royal Bank of Canada, disruptions of question period, and meetings with MPs focusing on environmental issues.

We also discuss the 350.org campaign.

This is an edit of AW@L's weekly 2 hour radio show on CKMS 100.3 SoundFM in Waterloo.

More AW@L at peaceculture.org

A Strong Public Service for Tough Economic Times: Jack Layton at the CUPE National Convention

jessa — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:52:20 +0000

Jack Layton's reputation speaks for itself. For more than two decades he has been dedicated to public service - as a councillor, scholar, president of the federation of Canadian municipalities, chair of the Toronto board of Health, and the city's Member of Parliament and deputy mayor. Since 2003, he has lead the New Democratic Party of Canada and in 2008, successfully increased the federal caucus by almost 25% - just 6 seats less than at the party's peak during the 1980s.
On October 9th, Jack Layton gave a speech at this year's CUPE National Convention in Montreal. In it, he praised the work of public sector employees and their families, and emphasized the importance of strong public services in overcoming economic recession.

Self-loathing and governments

Trish Hennessy — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:48:35 +0000

Part of me wishes Canadians would take a pass on the annual Auditor General's report and part of me appreciates its value.

Each year the Auditor General tells the public how badly our federal government is doing with taxpayer money, an important means of political transparency and accountability that just happens to have a downside.

Politicians and journalists who pounce on this news simply reinforce the public perception -- fanned by years of extreme conservative politics -- that governments are inept, corrupt bureaucracies.

The downside is that it leads many Canadians to believe politicians aren't worth voting for and government isn't to be trusted.

That's bad for democracy, it's bad for our nation's economic stability, and it's bad for our health.

Indie Inside: Dragon Fli Empire

Adriana Byrne — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:32:06 +0000

Dragon Fli Empire is on the rise. The Calgary based duo, comprised of Cosm (DJ, producer) and Teekay (emcee, producer) have quickly become one of the city's more popular groups, gaining respect from a wide variety of music lovers for their upbeat, melodic and positive sound. They are known for their down-to-earth perspective, with insightful and comedic lyrics.

Check out their MySpace page for more!

I really like me

she who holds the pen — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:37:51 +0000

Gloria Steinem's Revolution from Within: A Book of Self-Esteem (1992) closes with a personal affirmation for the reader:

"We are so many selves. It's not just the long-ago child within us who needs tenderness and inclusion, but the person we were last year, wanted to be yesterday, tried to become in one job or in one winter, in one love affair or in one house where even now, we can close our eyes and smell the rooms. What brings together these ever-shifting selves of infinite reactions and returnings [sic] is this: There is always one true inner voice. Trust it."

Geoengineering: Plan B for when Copenhagen fails?

derrick — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 19:33:48 +0000

"We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them" - Albert Einstein.

As global climate negotiations in Barcelona enter into the last week of talks before December’s Copenhagen summit, there continues to be more aggravation than agreement amongst negotiators.