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Iran’s Ukraine Air Disaster Not Terrorism

As published in the Victoria Standard: 12 February 2020

It is now apparent that the 176 fatalities on Ukraine Flight 752 were innocent victims of an Iranian military error. This tragedy has been compared to 1988’s U.S. Navy missile strike on Iran Air Flight 655, which killed 290 Iranian civilians. The US. Government denied responsibility for the attack and the matter remains in litigation. Unlike Flight 752, the 1988 incident was never characterized as terrorism in the Western press.

REVIEW MACKAY’S PAST (long version)

As published in the Ottawa Sun / The Province: 9 February 2020

Before supporting federal leadership prospect Peter MacKay, you might wish to review his 2003 behaviour and family links to political power. Peter MacKay’s father, Elmer, was a Mulroney-era cabinet minister who vacated his seat for the future Tory prime minister.

It is naïve to assume that MacKay, Justin Trudeau, Paul Martin and others from political power families prospered solely on their personal merits. It’s almost a form of homegrown aristocracy minus the titles.

Peter MacKay’s Expedient Past

As published in The Guardian / Saltwire Network: 7 February 2020

Before supporting federal leadership prospect Peter MacKay, you might wish to review his behavior during the Conservative Party’s 2003 creation.

According to former Progressive Conservative leadership candidate David Orchard, the ruling Conservative Party was founded,” … in a blatantly fraudulent manner.” (Orchard, 2004). Orchard claimed that he was betrayed by the other leadership candidate Peter MacKay on the advice of Stephen Harper.

ONLINE LEARNING NO ANSWER

As published in the Ottawa Sun: January 31, 2020.

A recent Sun editorial focused entirely on teachers’ modest wage demands. This creates the impression that the Sun and Postmedia support Ford’s plan for mandatory online learning.

Ontario’s teachers are mainly concerned about the Ford government’s plans to force students to take at least one online course while increasing class sizes and cutting teaching staff through early retirement and other tactics.

Royal Tourist Attraction Comes to Stay

As published in the Hill Times: January 29, 2020

Are you a fan of the world’s most profitable human tourist attraction? Do you love to fawn over famous people who have no last name? Well, here’s your chance to bask in the royal glow of prince Harry and Meghan since this pair will soon grace us with their presence. While Meghan is a sitcom actress with a talent for commercial endorsements; Harry is the absentee duke of some inherited UK patch and the grandson of your plodding monarch; our lady of many hats.

Jason Kenney’s Ministry of Truth

As published in the Victoria Standard: January 15, 2020

Alberta’s new Canadian Energy Centre (CEC) intends to improve the image and marketability of oil sands crude in a world that increasing embraces cleaner forms of energy. Their stated mission is to identify and correct public misconceptions about the hydrocarbon industry.

Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, January/February 2020, pp. 6-7

CANADA'S U.N. VOTE FOR PALESTINIAN RIGHTS

Canada’s recent U.N. vote in favor of Palestinian self-determination scandalized “conservative” pundits who consider this minor gesture a massive betrayal of the Israeli state.

Canada Backs Palestinian Self-determination

As published by the Victoria Standard: December 18, 2019.

Canada’s surprise UN vote for Palestinian self-determination evoked strident protests from media defenders of Israeli exceptionalism. Trudeau’s token gesture has been portrayed as a betrayal of the Israel state, a nation without permanent borders. According to pundits like Canadian expatriate David Frum, stateless Palestinians should acknowledge defeat and quietly accept their fate. On the other hand, they may take inspiration from the vibrant example of Israeli determination.

Outrage misplaced over Canada’s UN Palestine vote

As published in the Hill Times: December 4, 2019.

Teacher’s Strike against Ford’s Neo-Feudalism

As published in the Ottawa Citizen: December 14, 2019

Ontario’s striking teachers are mainly concerned about the Ford government’s plans to force students to take at least one online course while increasing class sizes and shrinking teachers numbers through early retirement and other tactics.