Category Archives: Politics and Government

Anatomy of a Homicide Investigation

Posted on January 18, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

Just as Ms Soapbox was fretting over Prime Minister Harper’s decision to appoint former CSIS director Richard Fadden to the newly created post of National Security Advisor she received an invitation from Assentio Mentium. Assentio Mentium is a program offered … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Justice, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 28 Comments

Alberta Needs Charlie Hebdo

Posted on January 11, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

Wednesday’s massacre of eight journalists, five of whom were political cartoonists, at the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo unleashed a torrent of “We are Charlie Hebdo” editorials across the world. Newspapers fell all over themselves in an effort to demonstrate … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , , | 18 Comments

When Politicians Lie…er, Misspeak Themselves

Posted on January 4, 2015 by susanonthesoapbox

“How do you know when a politician is lying? His lips are moving.”—Political joke. Politicians don’t lie. They misspeak, they overstate, they understate. And the press distorts, takes out of context, twists, exaggerates or does something equally heinous to what … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 24 Comments

Danielle Smith Betrayed the Wildrose; Jim Prentice Betrayed the Rest of Us

Posted on December 21, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.” —Abraham Lincoln Premier Prentice gave every member of his caucus a copy of Doris Kearns Goodwin’s book Team of Rivals. No doubt … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , , | 35 Comments

OPEC Sets Up the Rollercoaster, Albertans Take a Ride (Again)

Posted on December 14, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

“You come from capitalist nations. You know what the market does. For any commodity it goes up and down, up and down”—Saudi Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi* Contrary to the expectations of many analysts, OPEC (read Saudi Arabia) decided it would … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , | 33 Comments

What if Prentice Issued an FAQ to Explain Bill 10…?

Posted on December 3, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

Premier Prentice likes corporate-speak (“under new management”, “price takers, not price makers”, etc) so let’s apply a corporate communication tool, the FAQ, to explain the government’s rationale for Bill 10. And let’s assume for a wild and crazy moment that … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 34 Comments

Lessons Prentice Learned at Harper’s Knee

Posted on November 30, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

Somewhere between the time that Premier Hancock stepped down and Premier Prentice ascended to the throne, the PC caucus turned into a bunch of sniveling crybabies. Not to worry, Mr Prentice will save the day with a maneuver befitting his … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 21 Comments

Who Has The Worst Job in Alberta Politics?

Posted on November 23, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

Why does the public go bananas when Danielle Smith, the leader of the Official Opposition, criticizes the PC government? They say she’s too negative, too shrill, too something. Can’t she be more positive they ask? More supportive? Clearly they haven’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

Mouseland (why do people vote against their self-interest?)

Posted on November 16, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

               “All the laws were good laws. For cats.”—Tommy Douglas The other day I called Telus to cancel my campaign phones and internet service.  Groan.  After listening to canned music for 17 minutes I was transferred to a customer service … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 33 Comments

The Sonic Boom: How Alberta Became an “Offshore Business” in the Pathology Market

Posted on November 9, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

Why does Stephen Mandel, the newly minted Minister of Health, think it’s a good idea for Alberta taxpayers to support the lifestyles of wealthy Australian businessmen who earn more than $13 million a year, their executive teams who get ridiculous … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, General Health Care, Politics and Government | Tagged , , , | 35 Comments