Category Archives: Peace

Suez Crisis, Part II

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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