Free speech again in peril
Friday, August 18, 2017 There is a graphic going around Facebook that illustrates the thinking of Karl Popper. The core of the graphic is Popper’s idea that unlimited tolerance leads to the victory of the intolerant and, therefore, intolerance. https://i.redd.it/tlyoidfqe3gz.png https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karl_Popper That idea is being promoted this week in light of the events in Charlottesville […]
National anthem tradition vs progress
CBC Radio’s Maritime Noon topics for today included whether we should amend our national anthem’s “in all thy sons command,” to “in all of us command”. Several of those speaking against the proposal cited tradition as their reason. I think we certainly should. I think this is one of those discussions that is going to […]
Election ideas we won’t hear
With a provincial election pending on September 22, there is a great deal of discussion regarding New Brunswick’s frightening economic condition. I don’t think there is any silver bullet to reverse the international trend from country to city. However, I do see have some thoughts on how the Maritime economy might be improved. 1) isn’t it […]
We could but we won’t
I watched a PBS NOVA program on the design and construction of the new World Trade Center One at Ground Zero in New York. It is hard to comprehend the brilliance of the design work, the scientific innovation and invention and the steely courage and competence of the trades people who made it stand. What […]
It takes a generation
David Brooks is the type of conservative I could see liberals being able to work with to effect useful compromise and progress. In Canada’s Parliamentary system, the election of a conservative government led by a Prime Minister who thought like he does would not leave me in panic and despair as a leader like Paul […]
Entitlements
Much of Tea Party Republican fury with government seems to centre around entitlements. It would appear their resentment is focussed on entitlements to the poor, working poor and middle classes. They seem fine with the entitlements to the rich and corporations, like subsidies on corn for ethanol, tax deductions for oil well depletion, stadiums for […]
Start old age security at birth
For years we have been hearing that the industrial age was near its end. The information age was on the horizon. Transition times are painful but, once the page has been turned, no one really wants to turn it back. When I first came to the Miramichi, the woods were full of leather-skinned, steel-boned, cable-muscled […]
Help First Nations grow up
More and more information about the attempted genocide of First Nations by the residential school system is coming to light even if most people aren’t paying attention. In retrospect, it seems insane that society believed it had a right to and could do good by ripping children from their families and punishing the Indian out […]
Bilingualism, biculturalism bottom line
I dream of a New Brunswick which is, truly bilingual and multicultural. In my fantasy, every child in the province would learn in English and French from day one of school, including kindergarten. Books, magazines, cartoons, movies, and music in both languages would be part of the daily routine. Every student graduate of a New […]
Peace, good will, best investment
I have been engaged in a vigorous exchange of views with an American, Walker Chandler, of Georgia, who calls himself a Libertarian. He says that Libertarianism is, essentially, the golden rule. Do unto others as you would have others do unto you. He believes mankind, left to its own choices, will engage in a type […]
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