Author Archives: susanonthesoapbox

Political Discourse in Alberta: Seen through Orwell’s Lens

Posted on October 14, 2018

“Political language is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind.”—George Orwell It was fascinating to consider Jason Kenney’s comments on two issues that arose this week in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 8 Comments

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Posted on October 7, 2018

It’s been an intense week (aren’t they all). Today let’s pause and reflect.  We have much to be thankful for. Happy Thanksgiving everyone.

Posted in Celebrations, Uncategorized | Tagged | 27 Comments

The Kavanaugh Confirmation Hearing and How a Calgary City Councillor Sank PostMedia’s Credibility

Posted on September 30, 2018

The Kavanaugh confirmation hearing is like a mirror shattering on the floor, shards of glass are flying every where and women are demanding accountability. Everyone knows about the two women who confronted Senator Jeff Flake in an elevator and demanded … Continue reading →

Posted in Law, Social Media, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 38 Comments

Blinded by the Brand

Posted on September 23, 2018

Why are people loyal to a brand that guarantees austerity today in return for the promise of prosperity tomorrow with no plan setting out how and when austerity will morph into prosperity and despite overwhelming evidence that similar promises failed … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 32 Comments

The Notwithstanding Clause: A Gift from Doug Ford to Jason Kenney

Posted on September 16, 2018

Sometimes silence speaks louder than words. Last week Doug Ford went straight to the nuclear option when a judge told him no Doug, you can’t downsize Toronto city council in the middle of a municipal election just because you feel … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Politics and Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 21 Comments

What Albertans Can Learn From Barack Obama

Posted on September 9, 2018

To paraphrase that old E.F. Hutton commercial, when Barack Obama talks, people listen. Last week Obama spoke at the University of Illinois.  He broke with the tradition of ex-presidents stepping away from the podium to give the new guy a … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Economy, Education, Lectures, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 36 Comments

The Trans Mountain Pipeline Court Decision

Posted on September 4, 2018

Ms Soapbox spent the long weekend poring over the Federal Court of Appeal’s decision nullifying the Order-in-Council that approved the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion (TMX).  Mr Bumble’s comment in Oliver Twist comes to mind.  Mr Bumble said if the court … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Energy & Natural Resources, Law, Politics and Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 42 Comments