For many progressives around the world, Cuba has been an inspiration ever since the revolution there in 1959. Making do with very little, Cuba focused its limited resources on education, and health care. With free education from cradle to grave, Cuba has one of the most highly educated populations in the world. Its life expectancy…
Applause Is Easy. Accountability Is Hard.
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s inspirational speech at the DAVOS World Economic Forum on January 20, 2026 has been acclaimed by the international community, widely recognized as not just one of the best speeches ever given by a Canadian Prime Minister, but the best. While I too applaud the Prime Minister for his very well thought…
A Ceasefire That Enabled Atrocity
On October 10, 2025, Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza. Many hostages on both sides were released, people celebrated, and the attention of the world turned mostly from Gaza to other conflicts. Israel has clearly taken advantage of that lack of scrutiny. According to…
Fascism Doesn’t Announce Itself. It Shoots.
On January 7,2026 in Minneapolis, ICE agent Jonathan Ross murdered 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good in cold blood. I am dedicating this blog to her memory. What makes this murder particularly reprehensible and very, very frightening is the response from President Donald Trump and others in his cabinet. Immediately after the murder, and up until the…
Looking Ahead: Predictions For 2026
Well, it’s that time of year again. Time for me to offer my predictions for 2026. PREDICTION ONE: U.S. President Donald Trump will become even more of a rogue leader. 2025 was bad enough with Trump cozying up to Vladamir Putin and essentially abandoning Ukraine to Russian aggression; being equally cozy with Israel’s Netanyahu and…
Looking Back: A Review Of My 2025 Predictions
Last year at about this time. I offered my predictions for 2025. Let’s take a look at the year in review and see how I did. 2025 PREDICTION ONE: Donald Trump will not impose import tariffs on Canadian goods. I get an F on this one. What was I thinking? 2025 PREDICTION TWO: Trump’s strategies…
Turning Renters Into Owners: A Simple, Radical Proposal for Vancouver
On November 26, 2025, COPE Vancouver’s City Councillor Sean Orr put forward a very interesting motion for consideration by Council’s Standing Committee on Policy and Strategic Priorities. This innovative Right of First Refusal motion included establishing a Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Policy, giving tenants the ability to purchase and turn their rental buildings into co-operatives,…