Author Archives: susanonthesoapbox

Bill C-24: An Exercise in Cognitive Dissonance

Posted on October 4, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

“We know Stephen Harper is a dictator in the making, but he’s convinced some people that they’re going to be financially better off under him, which is untrue.”—Margaret Atwood on cognitive dissonance. Bill C – 24 is the epitome of … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 19 Comments

A Pop Quiz for Canadian Citizens

Posted on September 27, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

Lost in the hoopla over whether Ms Ishaq can take the Oath of Citizenship while wearing a niqab is the fact that she actually passed the citizenship test. Which made Ms Soapbox wonder:  how many Canadians, veiled or unveiled, could … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 20 Comments

Santa Gets Citizenship, Zunera Ishaq Does Not

Posted on September 20, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

Citizenship is a serious matter, right? That’s why Santa Claus is a Canadian citizen but Zunera Ishaq is not. Or to put it more accurately—that’s why a man covering his face with a fake beard and dressed in a Santa … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 30 Comments

Can Lynton Crosby Save Stephen Harper?

Posted on September 13, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

Big news this week for the Harper campaign watchers—uber political strategist Lynton Crosby joined the Harper campaign team. Why this is news now and not when Crosby started working with the Harper team in March is a mystery, but never … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 15 Comments

A Poll Assesses Harper’s Response to the Syrian Refugee Crisis

Posted on September 6, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

Nelilfu Demir’s photograph of the body of three year old Alan Kurdi washed up on a Turkish beach has taken its place among other iconic photographs that, in the words of Ryerson prof Paul Roth, have the power to concentrate … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 22 Comments

Excuse me, your ideology is showing

Posted on September 1, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

When conservative politicians run out of meaningful things to say about Alberta’s NDP government they whip out the “ideology” card and last week’s debate featuring candidates vying for the seat left vacant by Jim “all-or-nothing” Prentice was no exception. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 27 Comments

What Nigel Wright (PMO) Could Learn From Andrew Fastow (Enron)

Posted on August 23, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

“It’s like inviting Kim Kardashian to talk to your daughters about chastity.”—Andrew Fastow, former CFO of Enron in a speech on ethics You know it’s bad when Nigel Wright could take pointers on ethical conduct from Andrew Fastow, the man … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 16 Comments

Nigel Wright Trips Over Duffygate

Posted on August 16, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

“When I refer to the government as an elected dictatorship it’s not personal in any way to the Prime Minister nor to his party, it’s a reference to what’s happened, a creeping growth, an unhealthy growth of power in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 20 Comments

The Leaders Debate: No One Won And Why It Doesn’t Matter

Posted on August 9, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

Tempting though it may be for those of us in the peanut gallery to rattle on about who won and who flopped in the Leaders Debate, the really important question is this: did we learn anything new about the men … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , | 30 Comments

The One Question to Ask a Conservative Candidate in This Election

Posted on August 2, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

He did it. Stephen Harper dropped the writ and we’re heading into a 78 day election campaign. Oh joy! I’m serious. I intend to have a real conversation with my Conservative MP, the ditzy Joan Crockatt. I expect our conversation … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , , | 40 Comments