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Currently viewing entries by Murray Dobbin.
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NDP MPs block anti-free speech resolution
On Thursday, a number of NDP MPs denied the unanimous consent of the House of Commons required to hear a motion from a Conservative back-bencher which would have condemned Israeli Apartheid Week. Risking the wrath of the vicious and well-funded Zionist lobby in Canada took courage as that lobby has managed to cow Michael Ignatieff and Liberals who run for cover whenever they are called upon to act with integrity on the Palestinian issue. No Liberals denied unanimous consen
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Israel’s Apartheid
One of the principal signs of the success of Israel Apartheid Week has been the ferocious counter-campaign by supporters of Israel. Like so much of the history of Israel’s powerful propaganda machine, the facts about Israeli separation of Jews and Arabs — also known as apartheid — are beside the point. The response to criticism of Israel has always been one of self-righteous indignation and outrage, accompanied by charges of anti-Semitism.
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Harper’s strategic election budget
As one would expect from Stephen Harper, he has come down with a very strategic budget and a fairly smart one at that. As with his other strategic considerations this one is aimed at achieving the goal he is obsessed with: getting a majority in the next election.
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Our choice of governments: Liars of Cowards
The throne speech should have been the most important political news of the last few days but, not surprisingly, the Harper government came up with almost nothing.
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Avoiding apocalypse failure
We need to keep reminding ourselves that if we want to inspire people to change the world we have to do more than scare the hell out of them. The issue of global warming is becoming less and less important to Americans (I haven’t seen recent polling regarding Canadians) and the reason, according to a couple of prominent environmental analysts, is what they call apocalypse fatigue.
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Yahoos on Parade
Stephen Harper must be wondering if he is losing control of his caucus. First there was Edmonton East MP Peter Goldring ranting about Louis Riel being a “villain” and then there was Helena Guergis foul-mouthing her way through the airport in Charlottetown behaving like Marie Antoinette. Harper could not have been pleased.
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The rich are Canadians, too
As we approach budget day on March 4th, Parliamentary Budget Officer Kevin Page tells us we are headed for structural deficits in the medium term and even larger ones in the long term. Meanwhile, Stockwell Day, the president of the Treasury Board, tells us there are bleak times ahead. The issue of taxes is being forced onto the political stage.
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The pollstar who couldn’t shoot straight
I confess to being a bit obsessive about polls and pour over as many as I can especially regarding federal politics and the issues that drive it. For a number of years I relied on — and lauded — one particular pollster, Nik Nanos. But that was then and this is now.
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Of thugs, CEOs and tax increases
Hardly a week goes by without some other unnerving revelation about the character, or rather the lack of same, of the Prime Minister. There is now no room in politics at the federal level for any debate. Anyone who disagrees with the exalted (God-given?) view of one man – Stephen Harper – is not just to be disagreed with, but vilified, slandered, bullied and ridiculed until they shut up. The list is a long one from the heads of watchdog agencies like the Military Police Complaints Commission or witnesses like diplomat Richard Colvin, to opposition leaders (remember Taliban Jack) or premiers like Danny Williams.
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Keeping our eye on the ball: Budget 2010
Everyone concerned about the future of Canada’s social programs, transfers to individuals (like pensions), and government programs in general should be keeping a keen eye on Ottawa for the next month as we get closer to budget day on March 3rd. The Harper conservatives have been thinking about this day for a long time but their plans, usually firm long before implementation, and designed personally by Harper, are in disarray this time.
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