The problem comes from westerns. For over half of the twentieth century the movie industry made a lot of money filling kids’ heads with nineteenth century morality. The man who can draw his gun fastest is right. A man has the right to kill to protect his property. Clint Eastwood has to take his share…
Social Commentary
A Tragic Lack of Restraint
by renaissanceadmin • • 0 Comments
I have spent some time in Switzerland, and I have a bit of insight into the causes of the New Year’s Eve tragedy in Switzerland . The first time was in 1970. I was young but not quite stupid, and I was astounded at the (literally) underground nightclub scene in old WWII bunkers beneath the…
Social Commentary
Giving Never Changes: Ten Years Later
by renaissanceadmin • • 0 Comments
If You Don’t Got Nuthin’ New to Say… … Do a repost with a new picture. This one is from ten years ago, when we had no AI drawing programs. A lot of history has happened since, but it’s nice to see that the basic ideas remain the same. Once again, someone in the halls…
Politics, Social Commentary
The Self-Righteous Left
by renaissanceadmin • • 0 Comments
The trickle-down effect doesn’t work. Studies show it, most Canadians believe it. At least not in economics. What About Social Progress? We often castigate the Right for doubling down on their base when things get tough. We say their policies are designed to raise money, not help their constituents, and the effect is to benefit…
Politics, Social Commentary
Government by Force
by renaissanceadmin • • 0 Comments
In case it isn’t blindingly obvious, the form of democracy as practised by Canada in 2025 is completely dysfunctional. We have had a series of minority governments that can’t get any legislation passed due to an excess of political machination. Democratic government is always a balance between two party objectives: governing the country and getting…
Social Commentary
Why Do We Buy so much Junk at Christmas?
by renaissanceadmin • • 0 Comments
One day last week, I started thinking about getting out the Christmas stuff. Just thinking about it, mind you. I try desperately to stick to a December 1deadline. However, I happened to notice a small cardboard box sitting by itself, and I wondered what was inside… Whee! A hodge-podge of small trinkets, tools and toys…
Politics
Smoke and Mirrors: Politics at its Worst
by renaissanceadmin • • 0 Comments
I have often thought that the worst skill of politicians is the talent for hiding their true objectives. The most obvious recent example: the words “Donald Trump” and “diplomacy” don’t belong in the same sentence. Be assured, he has no interest in peace or how it is achieved. He is enjoying playing the game, like…
Politics, Social Commentary
Propaganda in the News: the Vancouver Sun
by renaissanceadmin • • 0 Comments
I have always felt that you can get information from news outlets that lean in a different political direction from your own, as long as you are aware of their bias and they are honest about it. However, there are limits. The Vancouver Sun has always been a good source for me, despite its distinct…
Social Commentary
Who is Caring for Our Veterans?
by renaissanceadmin • • 0 Comments
It is a well-accepted concept that people come in a wide range of types. Human Resources departments are forever making up lists of competencies, hoping to typify the perfect candidate for each job. If you hire the wrong type of person, they’ll never do as well as a worker who thinks the right way. One…
Social Commentary
If I Was Ultra Right
by renaissanceadmin • • 0 Comments
Last night on CBC The Fifth Estate showed a rerun of a documentary on the “Take Back Alberta” followers and their attempts to protect their children from the liberalizing effects of libraries. As I watched, the point of view of the producers became more and more obvious. CBC was striking a pose representing “normal Canadians.”…