We’ve been having an intriguing discussion of the way the word “nuanced” has been transformed from a positive term (suggesting subtle, complex, considered) to a negative term (suggesting wishy-washy, evasive, or pseudo intellectual). I suggested that this was primarily something that American conservatives had initiated; but when I asked for examples that ran the other […]

So throbbin asks me to check out a question he found on a disussion forum somwhere, and it’s been bugging me to no end…..

The dictionary has many definations for the word, they include sacred, godlike, supremely good or beautiful, delightful, perfect; not normally words associated with violent events […..]

“Nuance” is one of those words successfully poisoned by American conservatives, like “liberal” or “feminist”. Its increasing use as a term of contempt is just another step in the cretinization of our political dialogue.

Whitehouse Press Secretary Scott McClellan, apparently completely confused as to who the Prime Minister of Canada currently is, made quite the gaffe yesterday…

It is a well established practice in Ottawa, that when you quit working as a politico for a political party, or are asked to leave, often greener pastures come in lobbying the government.  It can be very lucrative work.  There are no shortage of companies, NGO’s, individuals and associations who are constantly looking for ways to […]

Thirty three years ago today, Gen. Frederick C. Weyand presided over the furling of the colors of the United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. He declared the US training of the South Vietnamese Army to be complete, and declared: “Our mission has been accomplished . I depart with a strong feeling of pride in what we have achieved, and in what our achievement represents.”

I knew that some US military folks had deserted over Iraq, and I knew that at least a few of them came here looking for seeking political refugee status - what I didn’t know was how many….

– and were cute and cuddly.
Lots of people are distressed about the thousands of cute and cuddly white coated seal pups that supposedly get killed off the east coast every year - they don’t of course, but something like the truth should never be allowed to stand in the way of a McCartney photo-op […]

A former Bush administration aide has resigned from his new role as a blogger for the Washington Post after evidence emerged that much of his previous journalistic work had been the result of plagiarism.

The headline quotes the capable Tom Axworthy, The Queen’s University Professor (or he teaches there, not sure) and former aide to Trudeau, who has been charged with providing a Liberal party renewal strategy.  Axworthy really nails the feelings of many Liberals who saw the last few years of the Chrétien era, and all of the […]

Completely unscientific, but interesting none the less. It would appear that a significant portion of those who took the poll don’t seem to trust the US government - 82% of them as a matter of fact.

Apparently the Schiavo debate is not yet over and while seeking to re-engage the public on the topic [at least some of] the christian fundies feel that once again demonizing another belief structure is a good plan; take this MI fundie for example…..

Scott Feschuck and Scott Reid, formerly of the “Board”, that being the inner circle of top advisors to Paul Martin, are branching out after politics. Their joint venture aspires to write “Great speeches for CEOs and senior executives. Finally.” Knid of like the great speeches their former leader gave? Right….

Generally speaking when the government of a country passes a law people have to follow it, heck, unless it’s some sort of tin pot dictatorship even the government and its officials have to follow it - isn’t that how the rule of law is supposed to work?