Glenn Greenwald To Speak in Ottawa

I received a note the other day from Bill Owen, who informed me that he is bringing well-known author and civil rights activist Glenn Greenwald to Ottawa on April 12 to speak at St. Paul's University.

To quote from the announcement,

Glenn is recognized as one of the most influential journalists in America. In December 2010, he broke the news that the U.S. military was holding alleged whistleblower Bradley Manning in long-term intensive solitary confinement, widely recognized to be a form of torture.

Greenwald is known for his uncompromising writing on civil rights, the growing security state, Wikileaks, torture, and American exceptionalism.

I envy those in the Ottawa area who will have this opportunity to hear the provocative and very knowledgeable Greenwald, who is also a writer for Salon.com.

UPDATE: Glenn Greenwald Tears Apart the Propaganda Driving the Insane Push for War With Iran

Canada's 'Newspaper of Record' Continues Its Defense Of Harper

The Globe's John Ibbitson says the Harper regime wasn't behind the voter suppression crimes because, well, because Guy Giorno and Stephen Harper say they didn't do it.

Seems like it isn't just the Conservative Party that has contempt for the intelligence of Canadians.

A New Tory Fantasy Excuse For Robocalls

He may not have anything else going for him, but at least Conservative backbencher Maurice Vellacott has a rich imagination.

More On Voter Suppression

The Globe has some interesting letters today on the voter suppression crimes of the last election. Of particular note is the first one, by an adjunct professor at the University of Victoria, who attended a campaign school presentation in which instructors "made it clear that robo-calling and voter suppression were an acceptable and normal part of winning political campaigns."

If you follow the link, you will notice that three of the presenters have, ahem, rather close ties to the Harper regime. The story keeps getting darker and darker.

h/t katie o'malley

Words, Words, Words

And, I suspect empty ones at that as energy giant Enbridge Inc. denies any role in the Harper government's cancellation of a grant from the Gordon and Betty Foundation to help fund public-private consultations into the economic use of the waters off British Columbia’s north coast.

This cancellation occurred, by the way, after vigorous lobbying by Enbridge against the grant, administered by Tides Canada, which the energy entity characterized as opposed [to] the Northern Gateway project and a potential 'hijacker' of the consultation process.

The Harper regime influenced by corporate interests? Surely not.

Voter Suppression - March 11 Toronto Protest

As I suspect is the case with most political bloggers, I offer commentary and provide links to important stories because I love my country and am very concerned about the direction in which it is heading. As well, I am deeply offended when abuse of political power occurs. And, like many others who write, I always hope that something I post may influence the thinking of some readers to the point where they become more aware of and interested in the important issues confronting our country.

That's on a good day.

There are many other days when I wonder if I am just preaching to the converted, to people who already are very engaged in the affairs and issues plaguing us as a nation, and that my words don't really have the slightest impact on those who go about their lives blithely unaware and unconcerned about both their rights and their responsibilities as Canadian citizens.

In which case, of course, I and countless others are largely wasting our time.

I hope for Scenario 1 to be true, but I fear that Scenario 2 is closer to the truth.

My reflections today are prompted by the voter suppression crimes that have been so much in the news and dominating the political blogoshphere. In following both, I am left with the distinct impression that the issue has resonated with Canadians across the land. However, stepping back from the newspaper and the computer, I wonder if that is the case.

Yesterday, the first of a planned series of rallies was held in Vancouver. According to a Globe report, it attracted just a few hundred people, according to an unofficial police estimate.

Now, maybe there wasn't sufficient lead time to ensure a larger attendance, maybe the weather was bad, maybe people weren't aware of the protest. Or maybe people just don't care.

Other protests are being planned, one on Monday in Ottawa and one in Calgary and Toronto March 11. Here is a link to a Facebook page about the Toronto event, scheduled to start at 2:30pm, Yonge-Dundas Square.

While large attendance at these rallies may not move Harper, it is without question that small turnouts will simply embolden him to do even worse things to this country.

The responsibility to ensure that doesn't happen rests with all of us.

Are Canadians 'Mad As Hell' Over Voter Suppression Crimes?

Read a cross-section of opinion from the Star's letters and decide for yourself.

This one from the Guelph Mercury also merits scrutiny.