I’d dump Barrett on climate change alone
When Senator Richard Blumenthall asked U.S. Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett the simple question "Do you believe that human beings have caused global warming?"you…
Mother Mushroom, blogging and freedom of speech
As I post pearls of wisdom on my blog, including righteous criticism about this country’s follies, I rarely stop to think how fortunate I am…
The green wave swallows Exxon
I have read so many articles about banks and investment firms high-tailing it away from oil recently, I hardly pay attention when another crops up…
U.S. democracy corrupted by U.S. constitution
In 2016, most Americans voted for Hillary Clinton. They got President Donald Trump. Republicans represent fewer citizens than Democrats, yet they have controlled the Senate…
The pecten transitions
All those years ago when I earned my keep in the oil patch, I was fortunate to toil for Shell Canada. I was paid well,…
Democracy embarrassed
As a committed democrat, I would dearly love to be able to convince doubters of democracy’s superiority by pointing to its leaders. And in the…
Scientific American chooses Biden
Sometimes you just have to take a stand. Enough is enough. Throughout its long history, the magazine Scientific American has kept to science and left…
Where is the best whisky made? Alberta, of course
Alberta is the land of oil and gas, right? And of cowboys and rodeos. And mountains and skiing. No surprises there. But here’s a surprise.…
UCP or NDP? Depends on your age … and gender
Some surprising results in an Angus Reid survey of Albertans this week. The UCP and the NDP are tied in voter support, each at 38…
Alberta and the plastics promise
In the 1967 film “The Graduate,” young Benjamin Braddock (played by Dustin Hoffman), fresh out of college, is taken aside by a middle-aged neighbour at…
We still need the U.S.
Reading The Guardian last week, two articles captured my attention. Set side by side were “A ‘tyrant-clown’ has destroyed my love affair with America” by…
Is Alberta “slipping into authoritarianism”?
Guy Smith, president of the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE), sees a disturbing trend in the province. He suggests that, under the rule of…