honeybadgerpress.ca

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.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT OF GAZA CONDITIONS MISSING FROM COVERAGE

As published in the Washington Report on the Middle East: January/February 2015

LITTLE HAS BEEN SAID IN THE MAINSTREAM PRESS ABOUT THE HORRIFIC LIVING CONDITIONS IN GAZA OVER THE LAST THIRTY YEARS. THIS ABSENCE OF CONTEXT CREATES THE IMPRESSION THAT GAZAN PALESTINIANS ARE INNATELY VIOLENT AND SELF-DESTRUCTIVE RATHER THAN DESPERATE.

Christmas Sanity 2014

As published in the Ottawa Sun: December 24, 2014.

Context on Thaw in U.S. - Cuba Relations

December 18, 2014

The underlying reasons for the Obama administration’s decision to lift the fifty year trade embargo on Cuba have yet to be revealed but the move was long overdue. Perhaps it will repair some of the damage caused by a succession of U.S. governments’ relentless hostility towards the fiercely-independent island nation.

Canada on the Wrong Side of History

As published in the Toronto Star: Nov. 7, 2014

Swedish government recognizes state of Palestine, Oct. 31

Sweden has openly joined the other 135 nations who accept the reality of a Palestinian state, people and government. Only Israel, Canada, the U.S. and maybe El Salvador think otherwise.