Category: government
Aug 09 2023
On politicians
“John had become a national figure by the time he was forty. This was because he was in certain positions and places: not becuase he was more than ordinarily competent, or had more than the usual grasp of public affairs …” “He was not respected in ways that matter, and he knew it. He was …
Oct 16 2022
Kim Stanley Robinson’s Ministry for the Future. A MUST READ.
The Ministry for the Future by Kim Stanley Robinson should be required reading for everyone. In particular, for those with economic and political power (send a copy to the people of your choice!). “Easier to imagine the end of the world than the end of capitalism …” p25 And that’s the problem. “Looking into plans …
Dec 01 2021
The Authority Gap, Mary Ann Sieghart – A MUST READ
As I was reading this book, I realized right away I wanted to post about it, so I started making a list of bits to mention, but very quickly there were just too many!! So – A MUST READ. This book is FULL of all the stats you ever wanted to support your personal experience: …
Dec 01 2017
Why don’t we have professional jurors?
A while ago I received a summons to appear for jury selection. So I dutifully drove to the courthouse on the day in question ready to establish my fitness to serve. No, that’s not true. I drove to the courthouse on the day in question ready to answer their questions – and curious as to …
Feb 13 2017
The Problem with Business Ethics Courses
The problem with business ethics courses is that all too often they’re taught by business faculty. And ethics is, after all, a field of philosophy. And with all due respect to my business colleagues, philosophy faculty are far better qualified to teach ethics than business faculty. As far as I can see, business ethics when …
Dec 27 2016
Telling our Members of Parliament How to Dress
So I recently found this on the Parliament of Canada website: While there is no Standing Order setting down a dress code for Members participating in debate, [84] Speakers have ruled that to be recognized to speak in debate, on points of order or during Question Period, tradition and practice require all Members, male or female, …
Apr 14 2015
How to Make a Man Grow Up
I was recently surprised to discover that in the U.S., men are required by law to register for the “selective service system”. Only men. I thought women were allowed in their military now. And required. I didn’t think they had ‘the draft’ anymore. When I expressed my surprise, hoping to engage someone in conversation, the …
Jan 05 2014
Snowmobiles Rule – Only in Canada. Pity.
Snowmobilers are often presented as enjoying the natural beauty of the North. Oh please. Not at the speeds they drive. Not while their exhaust pipes spew fumes into our air. And their engines roar at a volume that must be endured by everyone within five miles. And their tossed beer cans litter the forest until …
Jul 15 2013
Making Certain Words Illegal
Hate speech. Libel. Slander. Threat. Intimidation. Blasphemy. ‘Making words illegal violates our freedom of speech!’ Of course it does. But that freedom, like many others, isn’t absolute. Our freedoms are limited freedoms. They are limited by several things (Joel Feinberg identifies six liberty-limiting principles), one of which is the harm principle. That is, when our …
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