Yet...another mass shooting in the good US of A...

What are the pundits saying this time? Just another crazed individual? Perhaps we should have hired guns in schools? Maybe as part of teacher training, a course on weapons use would be required and of course then the teacher can have one at the desk at the ready? In all seriousness the point to me is always dismissed. That is, we live in a culture of violence which needs desperately to become a culture of peace. Only this will change the attitudes and provide us a way out. Here is a link to the shooting news....and here is one to the culture of peace website. What do you see as the issue? How does liberalism handle gun issues?

Before I die.....

Ms. Chang's community efforts should be applauded. Can you see a use for this type of activity? After view evaluate how useful these activities would be for us? The video is found here. For more on Ms Chang and what she does at home and her impact around the world go to this url.

Climate change? Nah...just unusual events in weather...geesh

I love Linda McQuaig, PERIOD! How she uses her wit and humor to get us to think deeper is wonderful. In this short article, Linda discusses how discussion on climate change has been deverted by 'wicked weather' events. There are many sub stories here...media influence, societal values and of course ignorance of the 'facts'. How do we as a people know how to act when agents of rationalization (see posts below) form a public perception that keeps us from moving forward? What does this say about us? About the failure of our institutions to make us aware citizens? Find the article here.

Narcissistic culture...what are the effects????

In this brillant short video about the effects of TV and how it aides our narcissitic behavior one is compelled to ask themselves...how does this play out with me? This story is from an American context but we can ask ourselves if there any truth of narcissistic culture pressure in our society as well. If there is, how do the key values we have looked at, individualism and collectivism play out for us? What consequences (short/long term) are there for our society? Is this positive or negative in our push forward to develop the 'common good' for society. Looking forward to your take on this, ty.

How 'honest' are you?...

This RSA animate video explores our perceptions of ourselves and others as to how we rationalize our behaviors. The gift of modernity has been 'reason' as we've talked about extensively in class. Take a look at this video and ask yourself how honest are you? Is bias towards a certainly ideal or goal natural? How do we justify our own actions and others? Love to hear your insights....remember...hook the ideas to our study of the philosophes.

Is Muslim reaction to anti Islam film fair...?

At what point is open out rage justified? Should people die because some loonie in the US made a 'hate' film? What would be the fair and just thing to do in this situation? Read the short article and view the 2 minute video here. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this issue.

The Trouble with Billionaires

Ms. McQuiag's book the Trouble with Billionaires is a fabulous read and I was lucky enough to have met her. Being deemed the "Michael Moore" of Canada, she holds no punches in her belief a concentration of wealth leads to many social ills. What problems does she see in having a society in which more and more wealth is transferred to those at the top while those at the bottom of society struggle to try to make ends meet. What problems does she see? Solutions? Do you agree/disagree? Looking forward to reading your respones...the video can be found here.

Finally, an honest picture of the US, or is it?

Is America the greatest country in the world? A young women asked this question but the response was quite shocking. As you view this video, ask yourself if the assessment was fair? What arguments can you give to counter what you see? Or, was it fair and if so, what other evidence can you allude to? Quite a powerful video...still has my head spinning...how about yours?

Junk Food...should it be illegal?

This awesome article certainly makes the case against junk food but then again what do they know? What's a few servings of fries and soda's going to do to us? God forbid they take my trips to Harvey's away!! Or is it time to heed the call that articles like this one calls for? How would you establish a case for and/or against junk food? How is this issue on that is truly global in scope? Give me your thoughts!!!!

No big deal taking 800 billion out of medicade or is it???

According to Paul Ryan, vice president hopeful, gutting 800 billion is 'no big deal'. After viewing the short video found here, respond to the following: What impact will the cuts make to do you believe? Who wins/loses as a result of the cuts? Should Canadian's facing high debt loads like the States take this kind of action as well? Would love to hear your thoughts on this!

Debate 2.0: Will Rio+20 add up to anything?

20 years have passed since the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazi. The world is about to meet again and will anything change? Interesting article and perspectives on the upcoming summit. What are the main issues? Who is willing to change, who isn't to protect the planet? Would love to hear your voice on these matters and the article can be found here. As well, take a listen to our very own David Suzuki's daugter in a short but powerful speech which can be accessed here. I wonder what she is thinking now that she is a grown woman 20 years later....

Caveman blogger fights for Free Speech and Internet Freedom

We have studied how our rights can be taken away due to 'terrorism' or some form of internal/external threat but what about our speech? Interesting story on how one State has recently stifled those rights. What defense would the state use? Why? How do you see the issue? Is this an illiberal act? Why, why not? The source can be found here.

NATO meeting...protest in Chicago

There was a protest headed by Canadians re: the occupation of Afghanistan at a recent NATO meeting. Look at the rationale by the protestors and that of the government. What tensions exist? Is there a 'right' solution to the problem and if so what would you suggest. The five minute video describe the protest can be found here.

Columbian Aboriginals under threat ....

Amnesty International is calling on people to take action for the preservation of native people in Columbia. You can view the petition and information here. Your voice means a lot to the people of Columbia, if you feel it a just cause as I do, please endorese the petition. TY

Tea Party...the beat goes on

If liberalism respects the rule of law and you protest against the law, that is the constitution that these tea parties are holding so dear, does that constitute an illiberal act? Take a look at this video and tell me what the tea party is 'really' rallying against? Is Obama care a violation of the constitution? What is your take on this?

Propaganda ... are our minds 'controlled'?..

Propaganda is defined as using information in a misleading form to produce certain results in peoples minds. You are about to meet Edward Bernay's the 'father' of mondern day media manipulation. Do you buy that in a democratic society that the 'masses' can be controlled? If so, can you provide an example of this? Interesting subject and to get you started take a look at this short video. If you'd like more on this subject go to youtube and look up Noam Chomsky and Manufactoring Consent. You can try this link to get you started.

The Moral Mind

Today in class we looked at Ted talk with Johnathon Haidt on the Moral mind. Interesting video on how our morality is shaped from a conservative or liberal perspective. Would love to hear your thoughts on your take on this. You can find the talk here.

Political Test

Political Compass Vote Compass (CBC) Try both as a check on accuracy.

J. R. Saul...Alberta divided political perspective

On one hand, Saul argues in this short artice, that we've adopted the populist notion of conservative politics and on the other hand, ignored our historical cooperative past. We've talked about the dialect in class...what do you make of this? Very interesting I find...turning it over to you!

Oh good just what we need more prisons!!!!

Currently there is a bill on the table re: minimum sentencing named bill C-10. This tough on crime approach may appeal to our sense of justice but is it short cited? What consequences will it produce? Are we willing to pay for the costs involved and is there perhaps a better way to deal with say drug issues. Take a look, after all, it effects us all. A short video can be found here and article here and short concise debate article can be http://www.actoronto.org/home.nsf/pages/act.docs.1825.... love to hear your thoughts.

Maybe ALL schools should do this!

I love the idea of building meditation into daily school life. Sometimes I think we need to pause and reflect in a 'really' deep way about what is happening to and around us. Hey...if you're up to trying it, I'll try to speak more about it in and or around a class date.For now, check out this link and let me know how you feel about this short article.

The logic of Bill O'Reilly and Fox types....

It is incredible to me to hear how Billo the Clown (Countdown's name for him...I too agree)tries to trash the idea a young college student has one contraception coverage. As a good 'classic liberal', O'Reilly tries to deflect the 'real' issue the student has and turns his talking to point to an speech on self-reliance rather than health care protection for young college women. Simply incredible...love to hear your thoughts on this short video.

Over SEVEN billion on the planet and counting...

Incredible to think that in only 13 years we've added a billion people to our earth. Of course there are consequences to the growing number as seen in the article. The idea of stimulating economic growth is one that is used to justify increasing numbers but we already now some of the problems with this rationale. The first problem as suggested is that by 2050 will need 70% more food to satisfy the population. There is one solution that this article points to and I'm wondering if you will you agree and if so, why so, if not, why not? Look forward to your comments. The link can be found here.

Free Trade Or Democracy...can't have both...

Love reading Dave Johnson's posts, always leaves me with something to think about. He speaks in this article about choices re: how we produce goods...democratically or otherwise...what do you think? Do people have the right to demand democratic economic activity or do we let the 'market forces' dictate what we do? Please send me you thoughts on THIS great little article.

Big brother watching you ????

The internet can be a wonderful tool for social networking, researching and plain information processing. Yet, in the age of 'terrorism' the 'net' has been under scrutiny. Should government control it? The proposed bill c-30 is supposed to protect us from sexual deviance..will it? What is at stake if government is allowed to get more invasive into it's citizens lives. At what point does the public good call for individual restrictions? Who/what makes that call and under which conditions? Do you see a danger here or are you a 'well as long as I don't break the laws, no problem type of person? Please share thoughts with me on this. Video can be found here. Story for the Edmonton Journal can be found here. Or if you want even more on this important issue (especially when we get to politics) check these stories out.

Current blogs as promised...

The first blog has to do with Keith's rant on the worst persons found here as we discussed in class. The second one focused on Andrew Breitbart's attack on the Occupy movement...how better to silence a movement by discrediting it? Go Andrew GO...what a &^%* and to view it click here.

Taking the 'bite' out of Apple...

This video looks at how Apple product production is under fire. Begs the question off how a collectivist or individualist would see this issue. Also, on the nature of globalization and it's impacts on people. How does this issue relate to liberalism? Love to hear your responses to the video (here) and you can find Apple's take on things (here).

Fareed Zakaria Wants Mitt to Know it's a Whole New World Out There

Fareed Zakaria is as progressive as you can get on CNN and challenges Mitt Romney's notions (Presidential Candidate for the Republicans) that America can be 'great' again. That America's power would be greater and bolder with him as President yet the reality is protrayed well from this short video from Mr. Zakaria and can be viewed here.

Our beautiful world...pics worth viewing...

Sometimes we need to pause and smell the roses as the saying goes or stop and look at the visuals of snap shots around the world. Of course there are political/economic implications in the pictures but I thought it is just worth it to reflect on the pics and ask ourselves what they mean to each other. I took the link from the globe and mail, certainly my favorite Canadian daily and some are pretty awesome.

Ok on the lighter side...Newt Gingrich on the moon...we can only hope...

This Saturday night live satire on Newt’s ‘moon colony’ strategy is quite funny…yet what satirical messages do you read from the short video (video found here)? Satire is a great way to uncover issues and clever…take a look and let me know what you see underneath the laughter.

How Soul Train's Don Cornelius Helped Make Black America Visible

Given that February is Black History month, it is appropriate to think about black contributions and I found this an interesting story, check it out here.
Here is a video about the show and yes we used to look dress like this but don't laugh too hard or I'll put on my silk shirt and flare bottoms and dance!!!!

How Rich Executives Extract Concessions From Workers -- While Playing the Good Guy in Public

Incredible story as the title suggests. Management seeks more profit at the expense of its work force. Not a new issue but one still worthy of contemplation and reflection. Who should profit from one's labor? Workers? Company? Both? How should the split be decided? What is fair and equitable compensation for work rendered? Is there a way to solve this dilemma? Love to hear your thoughts. Link can be found here