honeybadgerpress.ca

Federal Budget a Dodgy Shell Game

As published in the Cape Breton Post: April 26, 2015

Please take the time to really examine the details of Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s cynical approach to balancing the federal budget; a dodgy shell game at the best of times.

While the Conservatives depend mainly on their diehard base, they are also attempting to mislead undecided voters by underplaying the use of excessive EI contribution rates to fund their pre-election tax cuts.

Monument to Imperialism’s Victims Overdue

As published in The Leveller: Spring 2015

While a monument to the estimated one hundred million victims of “communism” is a noble undertaking; it is unlikely that we will ever see a monument to the victims of modern imperialism. What we commonly refer to as communism is actually various versions of totalitarianism linked with government economic control. One of Lenin's first acts in 1917 was to kill all the real communists who espoused genuine equality and participatory citizenship.

Exporting Terrorism: Exposing the disgusting double standard of our government's stance on foreign fighters

As published in The Leveller: Spring 2015

The Harper government recently announced sweeping new “anti-terrorism” powers for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), expanded no-fly lists and extensions of preventative detention. The grave danger of such policies is that after their passage into law; it is very difficult to amend or remove policies that appeal to governing party’s political base.

Harper Supports Canadians Joining Israeli Military

As published in the Victoria Standard: March 2, 2015.

The Harper government recently announced sweeping new “anti-terrorism” powers for the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), expanded no-fly lists and uncertain extensions of preventative detention. Such developments resurrect the danger of surrendering freedoms for safety since such harsh policies are rarely rescinded.

Freedom of Speech and Caricature – Limits and Exceptions

As published in the Victoria Standard: February 2, 2015.

Where do we draw the line on freedom of speech and caricature? I support the general idea that anything goes and public disgust will silence the worst offenders without resort to official censorship. The reality of our commitment to free expression is exemplified by the application of certain exceptions that are far from universally-accepted.

Cubans Benefit from Obama’s Self-Interest

(a shorter version appeared in the January 5, 2015 Victoria Standard)

U.S. Juries Cross the Line on Palestine

As published in the Victoria Standard: February 17, 2015

Palestinian assets in Israel, the U.S. and Canada may soon be insecure since American juries in Brooklyn and Manhattan recently agreed that Palestinian governing bodies are financially liable to pay monetary damages to U.S. victims of Palestinian attacks in Israel. The Palestinian Authority is appealing the judgment, which may be an Israeli response to Palestinian efforts to bring Israel before the International Criminal Court.

No Claw-backs for Baird

As published in the Ottawa Sun and Toronto Star: February 4 & 7, 2015

Motivation a key (John Baird’s History Lesson Overdue)

As published in the Jerusalem Post and Haaretz: January 25, 2015

Sir, – Regarding “Baird: ICC move an effort to tie Israel’s hand behind its back” (Diplomacy, January 23), the conduct of Canada’s foreign minister, as well as its prime minister, does Israel no favors and only justifies further marginalization of Palestinians within Israel and the West Bank. Gaza is in another sphere of misery.

Adding Historical Perspective on Charlie Hebdo Attack

As published in the Toronto Star: Jan. 8, 2015

I’ve not been surprised to note the hypocrisy of Canada’s mainstream media in trumpeting the virtues of the satirical press. Prior to the recent killings at the French magazine Charlie Hebdo; Canada’s satirical press has been marginalized, belittled and ignored by pundits from corporate titans like Astral, Thompson and Bell Media.