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Remembrance Day

Eternal War Motives: Power, Profit and Politics

As published in the Victoria Standard: December 7, 2015

The approach of Remembrance Day heralds a national day of solemn respect for Canada’s war dead and provides a forum for important questions about war before our collective amnesia and historical revisionism purges certain bloody facts from history. The following comments represent my opinion on the powerful interests who profit from war, often with public subsidy. The soldier’s lot is mainly mortal risk and low pay.

Harper’s Last Entitlement (memories of David Dingwall)

As published in the Victoria Standard: November 15, 2015

Justin Trudeau, knees aching from his recent loyalty oaths to the Queen of Canada; graciously lavished public funds on Harper’s final Challenger flight to Calgary. Those who feel that Stephen Harper is entitled to this privilege probably agree that all Prime Ministers deserve publicly-subsidized housing and food during their occupation of the official residence. Alternatively, a modest apartment seems adequate for Pope Francis.

Name all the Dead-Everyone Matters: Jewish terrorist victim dies after a year in a coma

As Published in the Victoria Standard: November 9, 2015

Government You Deserve

More voices on election 2015

As Published in the Toronto Star: Oct. 17, 2015

No matter what your political or ideological beliefs may be, please vote on October 19; or use an advance poll if convenient. However, before you cast your ballot you might be surprised to learn that current and past governments have spent considerable public funds researching your concerns; which they promptly ignore in favour of other priorities.

Critique of Sophie Dulesh Article in Humanist Perspectives Issue 192: Spring 2015

Reflections on the State of Israel

May 2015

9/11 Is Not a Black and White Issue

As republished in the Toronto Star 15 Sep 2015 in conjunction with Bob Wong's letter:

"Re Toll of Sept. 11 keeps climbing, year after year, Sept. 12 The title of Rosie DiManno’s article is indisputable, and the 9/11 surviving victims suffering from the after-effects of the attacks deserve our sympathy. However, radical Islam is not the sole cause of terrorism, and her cavalier dismissal of U.S. foreign policy critics as apologists speaks to her myopic belief that exculpates American imperialism in the Middle East.

Baddeck Courthouse Vital

As published in the Cape Breton Post: September 27, 2015 and the Victoria Standard: October 12, 2015.

Regarding the planned closure of the Baddeck courthouse I will say that bad news feels worse when delivered by smirking politicians who will never be personally affected by their decisions. It is obvious to me that community and history are irrelevant to a Nova Scotia government that cries poverty when challenged to renovate the 126 year-old Victoria County courthouse.

Khadr is PM’s Whipping Boy

As published in the Toronto Star: September 25, 2015

Re: Judge eases Omar Khadr's bail conditions, removes bracelet, Sept. 19

I don’t dispute the notion that 15-year-old Omar Khadr made a poor choice in traveling to Afghanistan and taking up arms against U.S. forces. However, labeling and prosecuting him as a war criminal continues to be both excessive and unfair.

Syrian Refugees to Israel

As published in the Victoria Standard: September 14, 2015

Why doesn't Israeli, the "only democracy in the Middle East" and a self-proclaimed haven for refugees; open its doors to desperate people from Syria and Iraq? Such generosity would greatly reduce regional hostility to the presence of the embattled Jewish state in a predominantly Arab-Muslim region.

Forget the Duffy Circus-MP Pensions a Real Election Issue

As published in the Ottawa Sun: August 18, 2015 and the Victoria Standard: August 31, 2015

Like most Members of Parliament and all Senators, Stephen Harper will eventually retire in publicly-subsidized security in spite of minimal contributions to his MP pension scheme. His so-called MP pension reform is, at best; a token gesture that barely reduces the current inequities.