Monday, March 12, 2012

Monday Morning Links

Miscellaneous material for your Monday reading.

- Alison draws the links between Robocon and an American firm proud of its efforts in some of the Republicans' most odious causes, while Sixth Estate provides a timeline of shady election dealings by the Harper Cons. Dr. Dawg asks the media to stay focused on the "fraud" part of the Cons' Robocon scam; Glen McGregor and Stephen Maher seem set to oblige by hinting that the infamous Pierre Poutine may soon be coming forward, while John Geddes speculates about just how far up the rot within the Cons actually goes. Allan Woods notes that the scam seems to have been largely aimed at older voters, while Andrew Potter points out the importance of context in determining how individuals act. The NDP is working on making sure Elections Canada has the necessary authority to deal both with Robocon and future abuses, while plenty of citizens rallied yesterday to demand a full inquiry.

- But perhaps the most interesting comment on Robocon is Don Martin's - which makes it clear that the Cons offered weeks of categorical denials of any national-level election fraud before making even a cursory attempt to determine whether it held any truth. (And does anybody think that being shut in a room with a raging Harper was going to encourage anybody to step forward?)

- Meanwhile, Karl Nerenberg points out Jason Kenney's refusal to provide refugees with any escape from international human rights abuses if they don't fit the Cons' political plans.

- Michael Geist notes that unfortunately, some of the loudest lobbying on the Cons' copyright bill wants to make bad legislation even worse by making consumers' privacy and ISPs' business both subject to the whims of media conglomerates.

- Thomas Friedman draws a contrast between countries which rely on natural resources and those which develop based on education - making it particular problematic that the Cons are so determined to emphasize the former at the expense of the latter.

- Finally, David Cay Johnston discusses how Sweden's social-democratic orientation has resulted in a radically higher standard of living for much of its population:

2 comments:

  1. Dan Tan1:37 p.m.

    Scandinavian nations have incredibly high rates of unionization (last I checked, most have over 50% of workforce). Heavy manufacturing too...even in places where you least expect it - like Switzerland. Oh, and can't forget about their manipulation of their own currencies to stay competetive.

    Of course, none of this matters...because Canada would rather follow the UK down the path of cutbacks, union-busting, & economic stagnation.

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  2. Dan Tan1:39 p.m.

    <span>Scandinavian nations have incredibly high rates of unionization (last I checked, most have over 50% of workforce). Heavy manufacturing too...even in places where you least expect it - like Switzerland. Oh, and can't forget about their manipulation of unique currencies to stay competetive.  
     
    Of course, none of this is of value to Canada. We'd rather follow the UK example of cutbacks, union-busting, & pathetic economic stagnation.</span>

    ReplyDelete