COMMENT: 2013 should be the year of the democracy coalition
When historians write the chapter on the current period of social democracy in Canada they might well conclude that the worst thing that happened to it was the 2011 election when the NDP got 103 seats it hadn’t really earned. It was such an unexpected event that the NDP could not cope with it. You could see it in the euphoria...
COMMENT: The Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum, Part 1
I had the opportunity in January to represent our country at the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) in Vladivostok, Russia. This was the 21st annual Forum which hosted over three hundred parliamentarians from 23 APPF member states as well as representatives from other countries, the UN and other world organizations. Our...
Existential ego at the end of time
Humanity ascends from the realm of necessity to the realm of freedom– Friedrich Engels, in Socialism: Utopian and Scientific The meaning of Life is discovering our gift; the purpose is to give it away– chalkboard on Baker St. in Nelson My last column described the Baby Boomers at some length, so today I will sound off with ...
Living faithfully?
What does living faithfully mean? In my context, it means living faithfully to my understanding of God's call in the world. 'Call' being a pull into realizing there is much more than 'me' involved in the warp and woof of the universe. There are connections in many realms. Connections to the Divine Light pervading all Creation....
COMMENT: Christina Lake may be forced to embrace middle school, despite protest
I have a complicated stake in the proposed middle school discussions in our school district. I am the product of a similar school format, which I loved, and I am the parent of a Christina Lake Elementary school student. Top that off with trying to be a neutral member of the media and it can cause a bit of internal conflict....
COMMENT: Mortgaging BC, one deal at a time
If the B.C. government is ever on the hunt for a new slogan perhaps “spending our children's inheritance” would be fitting. Since 2001, British Columbians have been witness to the sale of key parts of B.C.'s infrastructure, transfers of its wealth to private interests and sweetheart deals for industries that can afford...
Cana wine
This is the time of year that finds us exploring the beginnings of Jesus' ministry. Each Gospel has a different take. Mark tells of teaching, casting out demons and healing. Matthew relates teaching, healing, and preaching a sermon from a mountain top. In Luke we hear a sermon preached in Nazareth that riled the assembly so...
COMMENT: The Department of Peace, part 2
In this column I will continue the discussion on the creation of a Department of Peace by highlighting some of the initiatives undertaken in other countries. Over 30 countries have campaigns to create a Department of Peace. In three countries – Nepal, the Solomon Islands and Costa Rica this is a reality. On September 14,...
We are not the solution: we are the problem
Arc of the Cognizant XXI “What do you mean ‘we,’ Paleface?” -- Tonto to the Lone Ranger By Charles Jeanes Oh, Canada. If ever there was a time for Canadians to take a prominent place in global affairs, it would seem to be now. But is the consciousness of our people up to this task? We have a very favourable ratio of population...
COMMENT: Idle some more?
I am not sure if Idle No More is a movement or merely a passing protest. Like Occupy Wall Street before it, Idle No More, above all, appears to be an expression of frustration. Earlier protest actions opposed the status quo, but they did have a clear focus — civil rights, women’s rights and gay rights — visions for a new...
