Author Archives: susanonthesoapbox

Political Discourse in Alberta: Seen through Orwell’s Lens

Posted on October 14, 2018 by susanonthesoapbox

“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 , , , , , | 17 Comments

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

Posted on October 7, 2018 by susanonthesoapbox

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 by susanonthesoapbox

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 by susanonthesoapbox

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 by susanonthesoapbox

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 , , , , | 22 Comments

What Albertans Can Learn From Barack Obama

Posted on September 9, 2018 by susanonthesoapbox

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 , , , , | 39 Comments

The Trans Mountain Pipeline Court Decision

Posted on September 4, 2018 by susanonthesoapbox

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

Maxime Bernier Opens the Diversity Debate

Posted on August 26, 2018 by susanonthesoapbox

What lunacy is this? Maxime Bernier’s twitter rant condemning Justin Trudeau’s “extreme multiculturalism” policies ended with Bernier exiting stage (far) right, Andrew Scheer promising to fight asylum seekers who jump the queue and Michelle Rempel announcing the “Pathway to Canada” … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 26 Comments

Fifteen Bucks an Hour

Posted on August 19, 2018 by susanonthesoapbox

The government is gradually increasing Alberta’s minimum wage from $10.20 in Oct 2015 and to a cap of $15/hour in Oct 2018.  Fifteen bucks an hour.  This increase is not going to land anyone in the lap of luxury–$15/hour is … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Employment, Politics and Government | Tagged , , | 25 Comments

Banning Alex Jones & InfoWars: Social Media Grows Up

Posted on August 12, 2018 by susanonthesoapbox

This just in from the better-late-than-never department. Last week Apple, Facebook, YouTube and Spotify “deplatformed” Alex Jones’ InfoWars from their platforms and pages.  It took them years to acknowledge that InfoWars violated their terms of service and it was time … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Justice, Culture, Social Media | Tagged , , , | 23 Comments