Category Archives: Uncategorized

Fortress Calgary: The “Gate” in Mahogany Manor

Posted on December 7, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

What is it about gated communities that sends us into orbit? Calgary Planning Commission (CPC) just approved the construction of a “gate” in the southern Calgary to keep the hoi polloi out of Mahogany Manor despite the fact that the … Continue reading →

Posted in Crime and Justice, Privacy and Surveillance, Rich and/or Famous, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 26 Comments

By-elections and Marshall McLuhan’s Light Bulb

Posted on October 19, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

By-elections are like McLuhan’s light bulb. Marshall McLuhan, an Edmontonian who predicted the World Wide Web 30 years before it was invented, wrote books with evocative titles like The Mechanical Bride and The Gutenberg Galaxy, but none is more famous … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 12 Comments

Top Ten Reasons Why Jim Prentice is Nothing Like Peter Lougheed

Posted on July 20, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

“During a one-and-a-half hour editorial board meeting…with Progressive Conservative leadership candidate… Jim Prentice, I was struck by how often Lougheed’s legendary thoughtfulness, tone and command of all topics came to mind.”—Licia Corbella, Calgary Herald, July 11, 2014 It’s official. As … Continue reading →

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

Honour and Dishonour on the National Day of Honour

Posted on May 11, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

On May 9, 2014, amidst the pomp and circumstance of marching bands, dignitaries and aircraft buzzing overhead, Prime Minister Stephen Harper told the crowds gathered on Parliament Hill that the names of the 158 soldiers killed in Afghanistan would be … Continue reading →

Posted in Celebrations, Politics and Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 13 Comments

Thank You Alison Redford

Posted on March 23, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

Alison Redford did two things right during her short stint as Alberta’s 14th premier.  She jumped before she was pushed and she implemented an expense disclosure policy that, like ball bearings underfoot, created chaos by exposing the PC government’s culture … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 56 Comments

Breakfast with Hillary Clinton

Posted on March 9, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

Hillary Rodham Clinton was in Calgary last week to give the keynote address at a breakfast meeting of 2500 Calgarians who paid about $500 to hear her speak.  Luckily my friend, the Zen Banker, invited me to attend as her … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy & Natural Resources, Environment, Politics, Politics and Government, Rich and/or Famous, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 14 Comments

CSEC Letter from Wayne Easter Liberal MP

Posted on February 7, 2014 by susanonthesoapbox

Last week I sent a letter to Justin Trudeau and Liberal MP Wayne Easter expressing support the Liberal bill that would impose parliamentary oversight over CSEC.  Here is Mr Easter’s reply.  I copied my letter to the Prime Minister, his … Continue reading →

Posted in Privacy and Surveillance, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 16 Comments

Susan on the Soapbox Wins a Clawbie!

Posted on December 31, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

As some of you may know, Susan on the Soapbox was nominated for a Clawbie (the Canadian Law Blog Awards) by ABlawg, an excellent law blog produced by my alma mater, the University of Calgary law school. This morning while … Continue reading →

Posted in Celebrations, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 33 Comments

Why Ms Redford will be Confirmed as PC Leader: The Wikipedia Factor

Posted on November 23, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

The pundits say Ms Redford will be confirmed as PC party leader.  They’re right, but not for the reasons they think.  Here’s why: The party cannot endure another leadership campaign.  True, the skirmish between PC leadership candidates (he’s an idiot, … Continue reading →

Posted in Politics and Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Edmonton’s $3 Billion Super Lab: Where’s the business case?

Posted on November 6, 2013 by susanonthesoapbox

Is there anyone left in the PC government with a lick of common sense? Last week the NDP revealed that the government intends to outsource lab services to a private corporation and has initiated a Request for Proposal (RFP) process … Continue reading →

Posted in Alberta Health Care, Politics and Government, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 46 Comments