We have been here before, but it feels different this time; BC teachers' union wins right to negotiate learning environment; Book Review: The Japanese Lover by Isabel Allende; LEFT NOISE: Leonard Cohen has died at age 82
Liberals announce terrible social services plan, we make fun of it with satire; Standing Rock Hard; Quebec: Liberal Party corruption, police spying on journalists; Basic Income; LEFT NOISE
In a clear victory for rhetoric over substance in the age of post-truth, the Ontario Liberal government has announced that it will run a pilot project to test the so called 'universal basic income” idea. However, from the policy documents that have been released, it is quite obvious the Liberals intend to implement a more regressive version of this deeply flawed policy program. The Liberal-supporting media is tying itself in knots in attempts to support the program. First, a plea decrying Ontario's 'meagre and rule-bound social assistance program' that the provincial government has purposefully manipulated in order to limit access to supports. Then, without a sense of irony, the media say that cash to buy private services is the only way to fix the problems previous Liberal and Conservative governments created through privatization and austerity.
Montreal had two stories break this week, one dealing with what is likely to be the biggest corruption scandal to hit Quebec and the other involving police spying on journalists.
The Federal Liberal Government has announced its first attempt to privatize public services using social impact bonds. Well, obviously, this is a great initiative. Social impact bonds and marketized social services are the future.
Dans ce court essai journalier, Annie Ernaux documente ses expériences dans un supermarché de France. Lors de chacune de ses visites pendant près d'un an, elle note, observe, analyse différents éléments d'un lieu commun à tant de personnes.
It is not simple to summarize an epic novel that spans the many lifetimes of its various characters, in countless different countries, crossing significant historical events the world over. Isabel Allende's latest novel somehow makes it all fit in 300 and some pages, with a brilliant, suspenseful and rich writing. The Japanese Lover is a tale of love, of course, but also of death, hardship, healing and relationships.
'Were he President, Sanders would have to deal with an even more formidable problem: a ruling class determined to retain its power, wealth and privileges.'
