It always astounds me that more people are not interested in politics. Far too many dismiss it as an arcane pursuit that has no relevance in their lives, apparently confusing the recondite measures involved in the development of public policy with the human dynamics at the heart of pursuing and
Continue readingTag: political engagement
Politics and its Discontents: On Encouraging Political Participation
The other day I wrote a post on John Cruickshank’s TED Talk about the low level of political participation among young citizens. His thesis was that as a society, we are losing our news-reading and news-watching habits thanks to the myriad options offered by our current technologies. Asserting that news
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: If Only We Could All Take This To Heart
Then where would the Harperites be? Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Gone, But Never Forgotten
Each year, George Carlin’s acerbic commentary and observations become more and more relevant. If we don’t want a repeat of what happened last time, then it’s up to us to educate those who wilfully or otherwise do not know that Harper & the CONservatives have sold us out. H/t Politicked
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: I Am Nobody
Something for all disheartened Canadians to keep in mind, eh? Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: All It Takes Is One Ant
H/t Occupy Canada Recommend this Post
Continue readingThe Cracked Crystal Ball II: On Russell Brand’s Interview
I heard Brand’s interview late last week, and I’ve been stewing on it ever since. On a lot of topics, I have to say that I agree with Brand’s frustration. The existing power structures are not healthy – in fact I would argue that they have been subverted by
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: More Thoughts On Muzzled Scientists
Last week I wrote a post on David Schindler, the retired scientist who wrote about the pernicious effects of the Harper regime’s muzzling of government scientists. These letters from today’s Star offer readers’ thoughts on the issue: Re: Remove the muzzle from government scientists, Opinion Sept. 20 In this incisive
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: A Friday Evening Thought
Words to live by from our friends at Occupy Canada: Recommend this Post
Continue readingcalgaryliberal.com: So I’ve Been Nominated –
Samara — a non-partisan group focused on involving more people into the political process — has nominated yours truly for its Everyday Political Citizen Project. As a young man of 22 years who has been involved in all three levels of politics as a volunteer, writing this blog for the
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: I Believe This With My Whole Heart
“Either you taste, feel and smell the intoxication of freedom and revolt or sink into the miasma of despair and apathy. Either you are a rebel or a slave.” -Chris Hedges H/t Occupy Canada Recommend this Post
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: Looking for Democracy
I am sure that like me, many despair over the state of democracy in Canada. Not only is it under continuous assault by a federal government that has repeatedly and consistently shown its contempt for the concept, but it also suffers from widespread citizen disengagement. Probably the two are inextricably
Continue readingPolitics and its Discontents: The Cost of Political Disengagement
Thanks to LeDaro’s link, I was able to catch up on the At Issues panel that I missed on Thursday night. While the discussion revolved largely around the F-35 debacle, the point I found most discouraging was the statistic that only 30-35% of Canadians follow politics at all. It is
Continue reading