I noticed a story in today’s local paper about Britain wanting to increase its naval presence in the Persian Gulf. I immediately thought that the Persian Gulf was quite a long way from the mist-shrouded shores of Great Britain.
Category Archives: Peace
Review of ‘The Reader’
I just saw this 2008 film, which won an Best Actress Oscar for Kate Winslet. It is an unusual film in that it combines two things that are not commonly connected: the issues of illiteracy and of German guilt over the Holocaust.
Also posted in Dyslexia, Germany Leave a comment
Battle of Stoney Creek 2011
Every year in Stoney Creek for the last 30 years people have reenacted the Battle of Stoney Creek. This was a small but pivotal battle between the Americans and the British during the War of 1812.
Also posted in First Nations Leave a comment
Waterboarding may or may not have worked!
The main issue is not whether waterboarding ‘worked’ or not, the main issue–which is as clear as day in almost all places, in all minds that have a molecule of rationality, sensibility or compassion–is whether waterboarding is morally reprehensible or not.
Posted in Peace Leave a comment
The Killing of Osama bin Laden
Operations such as the bin Laden killing are known as Black Ops. Obama is expected to do well politically as a result of this one. People dancing in Times Square is to be expected. Americans shouldn’t be surprised though if the dancing is more restrained outside of the US.
Posted in Peace Leave a comment
Mush Hole, Brantford
Last weekend, I went with my sons to a powerful art show at the Brantford Arts Block called Mush Hole Remembered: R. G. Miller by the accomplished Mohawk artist R. Gary Miller-Lahiaaks (This show runs until April 9, 2011).
Also posted in Canada, Ontario, Writing 3 Comments
The Militarization of Play
Most boys love weapons. Cross-bows, battle axes, harpoons, guns: they can’t get enough of them. The latest implements of war to be installed in our house are a full complement of Nerf guns.
Posted in Peace Leave a comment
Afghanistan: escalate at your own risk
A basic lack of legitimacy is what makes the Afghan war so difficult to pursue and what makes it such a hard sell to American allies: it just doesn’t make much sense. A fight against Al-Qaeda has morphed into a fight against an anti-modern but essentially nationalistic enemy in the Taliban. This is why parallels to the Vietnam war seem more and more appropriate
Posted in Peace Leave a comment
Torturing Afghan Detainees R Us
In the ‘whatever is begun in anger ends in shame’ department, Canada risks descending into pariah status with the latest revelations of complicity in torture in Afghanistan.
Also posted in Canada Leave a comment
