Edward Snowden did a very brave thing of exposing how the American government spies on its citizens, foreigners, and allied nations. Thanks to his efforts the web is now a safer place from spying by large corporations and governments. When Snowden needed help fleeing from the long spying arm of
Continue readingTag: Hong Kong
Kersplebedeb: It’s time for Hong Kong to reckon with its far-right (reposted from lausan.hk)
This article was translated by the wonderful Lausan collective. You can find it and many other articles offering “decolonial left perspectives on Hong Kong” here. It’s time for Hong Kong to reckon with its far-right That the 2019 movement fostered the rise of the far-right requires serious collective examination for
Continue readingViews from the Beltline: The sun sets on Hong Kong
Once an enterprise Canadians went to war for, the British Empire is now in disgrace. And no wonder. It owns many sins. The Atlantic slave trade, the Kenyan gulag, the theft of aboriginal lands, the list is long. And dark. But the history of civilization is the history of empires
Continue readingTaiwanese Choose Freedom and Democracy
Last Saturday the Taiwanese re-elected President Tsai Ing-Wen. Tsai won more votes than any presidential candidate since Taiwan began holding direct elections for president in 1996. Her party also maintained a majority in the legislature. The landslide was not only a strong voice of support for the incumbent, but an
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: Hope Lies In The Streets
The decay and rupture of the social bonds that once held our societies together have unleashed the dark pathologies of opioid, alcohol and gambling addictions and led to an explosion of hate Read more…
Continue readingHong Kong Has Spoken
Hong Kong has spoken, indeed has shouted, and it has shouted “democracy” loud and clear. Pro-democracy candidates secured almost 90 percent of district council seats in Sunday’s election, taking control of 17 out of 18 councils, a staggering defeat for the Chinese government and pro-Beijing Chief Executive Carrie Lam. The
Continue readingAlberta Politics: Why Canadian media won’t call post-Brexit protests ‘pro-democracy demonstrations’
If there are riots in Britain after the hard Brexit Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his Conservative Party cronies have scheduled for Halloween, will mainstream media in Canada describe them as “pro-democracy demonstrations” as they do when similar violent outbursts take place nowadays in Hong Kong or Moscow? On the
Continue readingDead Wild Roses: Hong Kong – The Struggle for Democracy
The CBC’s reporting on Hong Kong: “The anti-government protests present one of the biggest challenges facing Chinese President Xi Jinping since he came to power in 2012. And with the ruling Communist Party preparing to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic on Oct 1, the
Continue readingThe Spirit of Democracy Shines in Hong Kong
The condition of democracy is much in debate these days as fascist-tinged populism manifests itself from the United States to South America to Eastern Europe. It is, therefor, encouraging to see people in some places at least rising up against arbitrary rule in the name of democracy. In Hong Kong,
Continue readingThings Are Good: Refugees Who Helped Snowden Welcomed to Canada
One of the families who helped American whistleblower Edward Snowden stay safe while he was in Hong Kong have arrived in Canada. Snowden provided proof to the world that the USA spies on everyone including their own citizens. Due to his brave act he was the most wanted man on
Continue readingThings Are Good: Farming for the Future on the Roofs of Hong Kong
Green roofs are great for collecting water and cooling neighbourhoods, they are also useful for feeding their local communities. In the densely built urban environment of Hong Kong there is a network of green roofs that used for farming. These farms are used to grow crops sold in local stores
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Hong Kong and the Triumph of the Umbrella Revolution
Two years ago I was incredibly moved by the sight of thousands of young students in Hong Kong, lighting up the sky with their cell phones.
And demanding more freedom from their stern rulers in Beijing.
In a pro-democracy movement that was known as the Umbrella Revolution.
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The Disaffected Lib: But Gosh It Sure Looks Purty
One of the great threats facing mankind discussed at this year’s World Economic Forum meeting in Davos is algae blooms triggered by agricultural run off into coastal waters and freshwater lakes and rivers. Some are red, some are green, but the residents of Hong Kong are being treated to a
Continue readingLeft Over: Mood Indigo, and No Surprises Here, Folks…..
Chapters to close Robson store in downtown Vancouver Chapters Indigo blames high rent as it prepares to shut down its flagship Vancouver location CBC News Posted: Jan 19, 2015 3:15 PM PT Last Updated: Jan 19, 2015 6:58 PM PT For those of us old enough to remember, Robson St.
Continue readingMontreal Simon: The Umbrella Revolution and the Hypocrisy of the Harper Cons
It's an amazing sight, thousands of young pro-democracy protesters in Hong Kong, defying the old guard in Beijing. Daring to lecture them on the limits of power, in their own backyard.In the shadow of Tiananmen.The young members of the Umbrella Revolution, lighting up the darkness with their cell phones…Read more »
Continue readingHong Kong—a people who actually care about democracy
North Americans don’t seem to care much about democracy. Canadians don’t, and our good neighbours the Americans don’t. We enjoy considerable freedoms along with our electoral systems of government, but our systems are hardly democratic, and it doesn’t seem to bother us. If it did, we would never tolerate them.
Continue readingMontreal Simon: Stephen Harper and the Umbrella Revolution
It's an amazing sight, and an incredibly inspiring one. Tens of thousands of pro-democracy demonstrators defying the authorities in Hong Kong. Hong Kong democracy protesters defied volleys of tear gas and police baton-charges to stand firm in the center of the global financial hub on Monday, one of the biggest political
Continue readingAlberta Diary: Once a Tory leadership front-runner, Gary Mar reaches out from Asia to haunt Alberta’s Progressive Conservatives
Brian Mulroney, right, famously responds to the claim made by John Turner, left, that he had “no option” but approve Pierre Trudeau’s patronage appointments. Below: Gary Mar in 2011. Advice to Jim Prentice: If, in some future pre-election leaders’ debate someone asks you about Gary Mar’s 2013 compensation package, don’t
Continue readingLeDaro: Hong Kong: Polluted skyline
If we keep burning fossil fuels at the current level this kind of smog may spread worldwide. SOUPY: An eagle flew over Hong Kong’s polluted skyline Monday. Off-the-charts air pollution in Beijing in the past few months has shown signs of drifting to Hong Kong. (Lam Yik Fei/Getty Images)
Continue readingCowichan Conversations: Edward Snowden Flees Hong Kong for Russia
NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden- Hero or Traitor? Here is an update from Democracy NowU.S. Files Espionage Charges The exact whereabouts of National Security Agency whistleblower Edward Snowden are unknown after he reportedly left Hong Kong and landed in Moscow on Sunday. His flight came just days after the United States
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