Change don’t come with redneck rule

By Lawrence Bailey

The more things change the more they stay the same. Another Liberal majority buoyed by Ontario and Quebec has taught us all a very good lesson. Regardless of small-town rhetoric, an agenda of gun-toting, tax-cutting, exclusionary intolerant clamoring won’t win hearts or minds outside the wild, wild West.A 104-seat deficit, no Ontario breakthrough and an… Continue reading Change don’t come with redneck rule

Intellectuals will rise up

By Lawrence Bailey

As pessimistic as I am about the current state of affairs in Ottawa and about where we’ll be in five years, this pessimism is not absolute. You see, our best and brightest will not, as Socrates suggested, gravitate towards power–unless they have a good reason, that is. Absolute incompetence at the head of every political… Continue reading Intellectuals will rise up

War is not the answer

By Lawrence Bailey

Nothing seems to provoke a bully more than when his would-be opponent refuses to fight.In the world’s largest playground, the western hemisphere’s favourite bully is at it again. There is a battle currently taking place between heavily armed, well trained Israeli soldiers and stone wielding Palestinian residents. Not surprisingly, the latter party is losing. As… Continue reading War is not the answer

Master of language captivated country

By Lawrence Bailey

Pierre Elliot Trudeau was a shrewd politician, a mediocre prime minister, a charming ambassador and the most brilliant public figure that Canada has ever seen.He was arrogant. He was stubborn. He was an intellectual academic who had no business in politics. What brought him to our attention and to our helm was not ambition but… Continue reading Master of language captivated country

Flag fails to promote adventure

By Lawrence Bailey

There are clumps of noisy red and white amoebic formations moving about Europe in cargo shorts and "Canada Kicks Ass" T-shirts. They have large shells on their backs, adorned with tattoos of a red leaf that lets everyone know they’re not American. To some locals they’re a nuisance, to others a curiosity but to the… Continue reading Flag fails to promote adventure

Make up your own mind

By Lawrence Bailey

There is a base element in our education system, in our media and in our socio-political communication that is inhibiting freedom of thought and undermining the political mindset of the general public. The political spectrum is one of the most dangerous and destructive anti-academic forces at work today.As educated people, especially as young students, we… Continue reading Make up your own mind