Donald Trump’s main export to Canada has been a sense of national smugness, that his outrages and absurdities could never find purchase here. But it would be an act of monumental self-deception for Canadians to believe that we are an island set above the rage bubbling across the world.
Continue readingTag: demagoguery
Akaash Maharaj - Practical Idealism: Toronto Star: Build a Wall? Canada’s Response to Trump
It would be an act of monumental self-deception for Canadians to believe that our country is an island set above the rage bubbling across the world.
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Lifeblood For A Moribund Democracy?
By any measure, I think it is safe to say that ours is not a healthy and vital democracy. One only has to look at election turnout statistics to see ready proof. In the last two elections, barely half of Ontarians bothered to cast a ballot — an embarrassing 48
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Well-Said!
Sometimes, when I wake up in the middle of the night, I find myself thinking about the sad state of the world today, a state infinitely exacerbated by the current politics of the failed American Empire. Indeed, I had planned this morning to discuss at some length some of its
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: One Thing Is Clear
The older I get, the more I realize that there are no simple solutions to problems, be it world hunger, war and conflict, climate change, or something as seemingly straightforward as getting along with that difficult guy down the street. And while I ha…
Continue readingSoul mates and the politics of fear
Fabricating a threat to the nation in order to instill fear in the population may be demagoguery, but it is also a highly effective way for leaders to rally the people behind them. Frightened citizens turn conservative and cling to what they know, i.e. the incumbent government, rather than risk
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: How Much For That Bauble In The Window?
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone. Today, on our national holiday, most will be giving thanks for what they treasure in their lives, whether it be a loving family, good friends, a solid roof over their heads, good food on the table, etc. I suspect a sizable number will also be giving thanks,
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: More Reflections on Leadership
The other day, in my post on political leadership, I chose Toronto Mayor Rob Ford as the figure to contrast what I consider to be the much more mature and thoughtful approach of Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne. My exclusion of the more obvious figure of comparison, Progressive Conservative Leader Tim
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: ‘Master of the Universe’ Tim Speaks Again
And, as usual, has nothing to say to anyone with the capacity to think. H/t Kev Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Villagers With Pitchforks
Looks like these folks need some direction: I suspect young Tim Hudak would like to provide it for them. Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Do You Have What It Takes To Write For Sun News?
Please note: no journalism degree needed or wanted. YOU’RE CONSCRIPTED! JOIN THE SUN NEWS TEAM Do you think differently? Have you dreamed about working in the media but couldn’t stomach the thought of the group think therapy sessions? If you’re on a relentless pursuit of the truth, we might have
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Sun TV – A Blight On Critical Thinking
Personally, I think we all give far too much attention to that parody-of-news-organization known as Sun TV. From the puerile rants of Ezra Levant to the sanctimonious pronouncements of religious hypocrites like Michael Coren, Sun TV is an egregious insult to anyone with a modicum of critical-thinking skills. Yet here
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: The Sun: Demagoguery, Not Critical Thinking
As a contrast to my earlier post about the Star and critical thinking, take a look at this poll and readers’ comments about Omar Khadr from Sun readers. h/t Norm Spector Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: The Politics of Education
After I retired from teaching, my first blog was devoted to matters of education, including the institutional politics that frequently deform it. Now, more than five years into retirement, I spend most of my writing energies on this blog. However, today I would like to write a post in which
Continue reading