1. Christopher Hitchens on The Hour

Comment #49590 by stevethomas on June 12, 2007 at 1:11 pm

Modern interviews. Six, eight minutes. The CBC learned that from the US. Sad. We've never had anything that could compare to Dick Cavett's interviews that routinely spanned three or four half hour shows. The US, because of its size, usually has better talent. It's a pity it's not being used at present. Even Bill Moyers has to cut his hour long slot into two separate interviews.

So Hitchens supported the first few months of the war. But does anyone know his views on the occupation or future mideast policy?

2. Global Warming (includes commentary about creationism)

Comment #49575 by stevethomas on June 12, 2007 at 12:35 pm

Obviously our understanding of the climate is imperfect. Obviously, creating a model which roughly fits all the existing data does not prove the model is true. But it makes it very likely. And obviously, there is some group-think in science...almost always on the side AGAINST the new ideas. And come on, with trillions of dollars on the side AGAINST man-made global warming, does anyone seriously believe that the case for purely natural climate variation wouldn't have been validated by now? Oh, yeah, I see above: some people are that deluded.

If you're in denial, then don't read this, it's MUCH WORSE NEWS. CO2 is persistent for 1000's of years, and the long term effects mean much greater change than what is predicted for the next 100 years. Look for the David Archer lecture here, or check the PDF: http://www.perimeterinstitute.ca/en/Outreach/General_Public/View_Public_Lectures/

3. U.S. a theocratic state, says former Canadian ambassador

Comment #48190 by stevethomas on June 7, 2007 at 2:13 am

Sharia Law in Ontario, Canada. My recollection is that it would have been like Judge Judy or The People's Court -- minor offenses in which both parties agree to binding arbitration from an Islamic judge. Faster, cheaper "justice." We already have it for some Native People's jurisdictions -- one Mohawk punches out another, and if both parties agree, they can settle it before a band council AFAIK. When the government realized the non-Muslim population hated the idea and suspected many unwilling parties would be coerced into using the Sharia courts, the idea was dropped.

The crazy thing is that it could have happened. The Liberals had a majority. Stephen Harper may steer Canada a little in the direction of Christianity. Sad. But there's no way he's contemplating special Christian courts or any of that nonsense.

4. Religion

Comment #46979 by stevethomas on June 2, 2007 at 1:56 pm

Opps. That was unclear. Parse this: the first time I was talking about first and second, I meant the videos. The second time I was talking about the types of comedy.

5. Religion

Comment #46977 by stevethomas on June 2, 2007 at 1:54 pm

First one is good. Second is just lame. I can't stand the illogic. In general, I prefer "What idiots we all are" (Gary Larsen) comedy over "What idiots those guys are" (Don Rickles) comedy. The second seems serious, worthy of serious talk, whereas the first seems like a good way to face our flaws.

6. U.S. a theocratic state, says former Canadian ambassador

Comment #46862 by stevethomas on June 2, 2007 at 1:36 am

Canada and Religion: I just remembered. Apparently, although it is legal, there are only two government paid doctors in all of New Brunswick (population of about 750,000) that perform abortions. People who cannot get an appointment with one of these two doctors have to go to a private clinic.

7. U.S. a theocratic state, says former Canadian ambassador

Comment #46860 by stevethomas on June 2, 2007 at 1:31 am

Stephen Harper was elected despite being overtly religious; mostly Canadians were disastisfied with the previous liberal government.

Religiously, he has cut-off funding to safe drug-injection sites, which got some of their funding from the federal government. I think he also arranged a new vote trying to nullify same-sex marriages, but it went nowhere.

So far, Harper hasn't done anything really scary. I'd vote for him over the current liberal leader, Dion, but like mdowe, I'd prefer McKenna to Harper.

The only time I remember religion playing a big issue in Ontario politics was in 1985 when the Ontario premier Bill Davis arranged for full funding of Catholic schools (parents used to have to pay extra). His party lost after about 25 years in power. Hardly anyone could explain the loss; only a few Ontario politicians were willing to admit openly that they lost on a religious issue.