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Historical Context Absent from Gaza Commentary

As published in the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, January/February 2019, pp. 5-7

Economist Magazine Content With Israeli Policy

As published in the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, March/April 2019, pp. 6-7

A recent issue of The Economist featured a short opinion piece that mentioned anti-Israel bias at the United Nations Human Rights Council but fails to provide even a glimpse at the historical context that might explain this stance. The author seemed particularly unimpressed with the fact that Israel’s illegal occupation of the West Bank and the Golan Heights continues to be a standing issue on the council’s agenda.

Rare Book Suggests North American Holocaust

As published in the Victoria Standard: March 13, 2019.

I have absolutely no doubt that the Nazis pondered a North American version of their European genocide against the Jews and others. However, the Nazi record is no excuse for Canada’s official marginalization of a people who played no role in the Holocaust.

Indigenous Sovereignty Impacting Canada’s Evolving Energy Sector

As published in the Victoria Standard: February 13, 2019

Unlike most Canadian Indigenous groups, only a minority of British Columbia’s First Nations signed treaties with British colonial authorities or the Canadian government. This unique situation complicates matters for all parties with an interest in hydrocarbon extraction. That list includes Indigenous groups for and against pipelines, environmentalists, resource companies and governments.

Cuts to Carbon Emissions must be Greater, Faster

As published in the Victoria Standard: January 16, 2019.

Delegates at the recent UN Climate Summit in Poland received a stark warning from elite investment fund managers about the dire need to cut carbon emissions and eliminate coal-fired power generation to protect the global financial system. The Investor Agenda lobby group represents 415 global investment firms managing over $32 trillion.

Canada Doesn’t Need Saudi Arabia

As published in the Victoria Standard: January 1, 2019.

I last wrote about Saudi Arabia back in August when the Trudeau government demanded the release of human rights organizers held by Saudi authorities. At the recent G20 meetings in Argentina, Foreign Minister Crystia Freeland repeated these demands and also announced sanctions against 17 Saudis suspected of involvement in the 2018 Istanbul murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi. The 17 are barred from entering Canada and their Canadian assets have been frozen.

Liberals Impose Conservative Carbon Tax

As published in the Victoria Standard: November 21, 2018.

In spite of provincial resistance, Trudeau’s carbon tax takes effect on January 1, 2019. Finally, Canada’s government has taken a serious step towards someday reversing the negative effects of human-caused climate change. The United Nation’s intergovernmental panel on climate change recently emphasized the need for drastic action to reduce carbon pollution.

Bailing-out Trudeau’s Bail-in Regime

As published by the Victoria Standard: October 24, 2018.

The Liberal government recently announced a “bail-in regime” to protect Canada’s banking system from disasters like the 2008-2010 global financial crisis. Under the new plan, banks will supposedly rescue themselves rather than receive U.S.-style public bail-outs. Canada’s banks did not save themselves in that crisis and are unlikely to do so in the future.

Frum Poor Choice as Bannon Opponent in Munk Debate

As published in the Toronto Star: November 5, 2018.

Expatriate Canadian Conservative commentator David Frum was a poor choice as Steve Bannon’s opponent in the recent Munk Debate. Frum long ago diminished his relevance to Canadians by moving to the United States and advocating for neo-conservative ideology and permanent war.

Helping Ideas Triumph over the Power of Money

As published by the Ottawa Sun and 13th Forward: October 2, 2018.

Whatever your political or ideological beliefs may be, please vote in this October’s municipal election. In fact, I’ll turn a cliché on its head for indifferent voters: I don’t want the government you deserve.