There are many great problems in late-industrial modern society, and there are many ways these problems can be addressed – some of them more effective than others. In this short essay I will focus on strategies and tactics for real social change – what works, and what does not. And
Continue readingTag: Civil Disobedience
Writings of J. Todd Ring: Averting Fascism
Fascism is rising – here is how to avert it. A short video talk, linked below, sparked these thoughts, which I will share. May they bless us with the courage, and the presence of mind, to avert the rising of fascism once again – which, make no mistake, is indeed
Continue readingWritings of J. Todd Ring: Know Your Enemy
Know your enemy and know yourself, and you will be victorious. – Sun Tzu * Never underestimate what a few individuals will do in pursuit of wealth, privilege, or power. The danger of a sociopathic powerful few being able to carry out monstrous acts, because the many refuse to believe
Continue readingWritings of J. Todd Ring: Systems Collapse Ahead? It Is Increasingly Probable
Synopsis: First rule: Question everything. Think for yourself. Satyagraha: Gandhi’s word for truth-force, meaning also: non-violent civil disobedience, as inspired by Thoreau’s short essay, which inspired Tolstoy, Gandhi, and later MLK – this is exactly what we need. Now, to be clear: it is not only truth which we need, but
Continue readingTHE FIFTH COLUMN: The Pensioner and the Pandemic and …
The Government Wants to Lock Me in My Room Well this blog post is taking somewhat of a change of direction from that planned, which was to focus on the benefits of being a retired pensioner at this time, since the Ontario government is telling me that I will suddenly
Continue readingThe Disaffected Lib: Civil Disobedience, Anyone? It’s Not Just a Nice Idea Any Longer.
“The only way to prevent our extinction is through mass participation civil disobedience“ That bit of wisdom from one of the founders of Britain’s Extinction Rebellion, Roger Hallam. Whether it’s a mass demonstration snarling transportation in our city core or blocking Justin Trudeau’s pipeline to oblivion, we have no choice
Continue readingAlberta Politics: The furious denunciations of Tzeporah Berman in Alberta are unprecedented, hypocritical and dangerous
Orthodoxy means not thinking – not needing to think. Orthodoxy is unconsciousness. — George Orwell, 1984 + + + The stream of vituperation directed at B.C. environmentalist Tzeporah Berman for her consistent opposition to Alberta’s pipeline demands is unprecedented, hypocritical and dangerous. I am not just talking about the death threats
Continue readingAlberta Politics: Message to Alberta’s chattering classes: Quit misinterpreting ‘the rule of law,’ already!
PHOTOS: Protesters opposed to the Kinder Morgan Inc. Pipeline expansion megaproject in Burnaby, B.C., in May 2016 (Photo: Marlin Olynyk, Survival Media Agency, Creative Commons). They pose no threat to the rule of law. Below: Green Party of Canada Leader Elizabeth May, United Conservative Party Agriculture Critic Rick Strankman, environmentalist
Continue readingA Different Point of View....: Young activists win ‘badge of honour’ with civil disobedience in Ottawa
Ninety-nine young environmental activists achieved their goal on Parliament Hill on Monday by carrying out acts of civil disobedience. The boisterous group climbed over restricted-area police barricades near the Peace Tower. Those arrested were part of a group of 200 protesting the possible construction of the Alberta to B.C. Kinder
Continue readingA Different Point of View....: Young activists win ‘badge of honour’ with civil disobedience in Ottawa
Ninety-nine young environmental activists achieved their goal on Parliament Hill on Monday by carrying out acts of civil disobedience. The boisterous group climbed over restricted-area police barricades near the Peace Tower. Those arrested were part of a group of 200 protesting the possible construction of the Alberta to B.C. Kinder
Continue readingThe Canadian Progressive: Dozens of Students Arrested in Ottawa Protesting Kinder Morgan Pipeline
Dozens of students from around Canada were arrested on Parliament Hill, Ottawa, while protesting Kinder Morgan’s proposed $5.4 billion Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project. The protest was the largest act of youth-led climate civil disobedience in Canadian history. The post Dozens of Students Arrested in Ottawa Protesting Kinder Morgan Pipeline
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: Trudeau Government Approves Site C Dam Permits
Dear Mr. Trudeau, Ms. Wilson-Raybould, and Ms. McKenna, I could scarcely believe my ears and my eyes at the news that your government has OKed the Site C dam permits. I am stunned, disappointed, Read more…
Continue readingWritings of J. Todd Ring: The Vile Maxim of the Servants
Adam Smith wrote about “The vile maxim of the masters,” which is, as he describes it, “All for us, none for anybody else.” And the vile maxim of their loyal servants seems to be, “Whatever you say boss. You make the rules.” The vile, amoral service to power – nothing
Continue readingWritings of J. Todd Ring: The Vile Maxim of the Servants
Adam Smith wrote about “The vile maxim of the masters,” which is, as he describes it, “All for us, none for anybody else.” And the vile maxim of their loyal servants seems to be, “Whatever you say boss. You make the rules.” The vile, amoral service to power – nothing
Continue readingWritings of J. Todd Ring: On Civil Obedience
“Laws control the lesser man… Right conduct controls the greater one.” – Mark Twain Never be obedient. Obedience is for dogs. No offence to dogs – I love dogs, and dogs are very admirable, as well as lovable, and there is much that we can learn from dogs. But we
Continue readingSusan on the Soapbox: Civil Disobedience the Wildrose Way
For a brief and shining moment we had détente. The NDP government and the Opposition met in the Legislature, engaged in healthy debate and came together to pass a landmark piece of legislation, Bill 1, which bans union and corporate donations to political parties. Then Wildrose Opposition Leader Brian Jean
Continue readingAlberta Politics: Civil disobedience, Alberta-style: obviously it’s only an outrage when non-conservatives talk about it
PHOTOS: Which one looks most like a certain Wildrose critic, back in the day? Just asking. Below: Wildrose MLA and frontbencher Rick Strankman, who was pardoned by PM Stephen Harper. Below them, Wildrose Leader Brian Jean and enviro activist and Alberta values violator Mike Hudema plus his scary book. VICTORIA,
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: BC Libs OK SIA Permit, 5 Million Tonnes of Contaminated Soil Destined For Shawnigan Watershed
Richard Hughes-Political Blogger What a shame! Residents were duped into process with various government agencies, a mugs game at best. Polite, respectful and ineffective. Money talks. The so called appeal hearing is a cruel and expensive joke. The CVRD dragged their feet for months before they engaged in useless corroboration with
Continue readingEnvironmental Law Alert Blog: Lost in translation on Burnaby Mountain
Tuesday, December 9, 2014 It’s a bit over twenty years since I was arrested, along with 300 other people who stood on the Kennedy Lake Road on August 9th, 1993, in Clayoquot Sound. So the recent protests on Burnaby Mountain, with over 120 people arrested for protesting Kinder Morgan’s pipeline
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: Ian Mulgrew: Judge robbed Burnaby Mountain Protesters of Right to Civil Disobedience
Richard Hughes-Political Blogger There is a great deal at stake when the court acts as accommodators for the corporate interests while denying the civil rights of citizens to protest. Ian Mulgrew has reported on legal matters for decades and he is not impressed with this highly questionable ruling. When
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