Selective Freedom of Speech

by Nate Hendley - 08/03/2010

Selective Freedom of Speech

By Nate Hendley

Activists protesting Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians say they’re concerned with free speech. They’ve been handing out flyers in downtown Toronto denouncing the Ontario legislature for unanimously passing a motion condemning “Israeli Apartheid Week (IAW)”.

“This is an unprecedented attack on free speech in Ontario,” reads the flyer, in reference to the legislature’s motion. “Defend Free Speech About Palestine!”

Facebook Fury

by Gerry Nicholls - 05/01/2010
facebook-03.jpg

It seems "grassroots" Canadians are in a fury over Prime Minister Stephen Harper's decision to prorogue Parliament.

Or so says the Toronto Star.

And what's the Star's evidence of this fury?

Well, it seems more than 28,000 people have joined an anti-prorogation Facebook page.

OK that's impressive.

It certainly shows that lots of people on Facebook disagree with the prorogation.

But clicking a link on Facebook is no measure of emotional intensity.

Preston Manning lecture

by Nate Hendley - 04/03/2010

Reform Party founder/leader Preston Manning will be speaking in Ottawa on Tuesday March 9 as part of the Rideau Club's "cocktail series". Manning will be discussing the topic "What makes good government?"

He will be appearing at:

Rideau Club
15th Floor - 99 Bank Street
Ottawa, ON

The event begins at 5:30 pm.

For more information, or to register for the event, go to:
http://www.gifttool.com/registrar/ShowEventDetails?ID=1804&EID=6041

LP quoted in CP article

by Gerry Nicholls - 21/12/2009

Libertas Post president Gerry Nicholls was quoted in this Canadian Press article on conservatism in Canada.

Here's the quote:

Gerry Nicholls of the conservative online portal Libertas Post says Harper caters to "populist conservative" values such the family, the military and criminal justice - but avoids the issues of individual freedom, smaller government and balanced books.

Nicholls wishes the prime minister would do more to "sell" conservatism and believes having Harper at 24 Sussex Drive actually stalls conservative activism by making it complacent.

"This has kind of neutralized Canada's conservative movement, because Stephen Harper is our guy," he said in an interview.

more

An Analogy for Good Government

by Anonymous - 08/03/2010

By Jordan J. Ballor (with permission)

An Analogy for Good Government

MONDAY, MARCH 8, 2010

Riffing off of Lord Acton’s quote on liberty and good government, I came up with an analogy that was well-received at last month’s inaugural Acton on Tap.

In his essay, “The History of Freedom in Antiquity,” Acton said the following:

Top Five Political Oscars

by Nate Hendley - 08/03/2010

Best Headline about Budget 2010: “Budget Takes Wind Out of Clean Energy Sails” (Toronto Star, March 6/2010)

Best Use of Overblown Metaphors in a Political Speech: Finance Minister Jim Flaherty’s opening remarks re budget 2010 (see below):

As I rise in this House today, our nation is at a crossroads
We have passed through some steep and rocky terrain
Much of the territory was uncharted
We are making our way through and our compass has not failed us
The way forward remains challenging
Some would urge us to turn at this crossroads

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