This week @ rabble.ca: Stop the Fair Elections Act
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- Published on Friday, 28 February 2014 13:00
- Written by editor
s17 r18.
28 Feb 2014
Hey rabble readers,
The Conservatives' latest attack on democracy is the so-called "Fair Elections Act," which would suppress voting and weaken Canada's democratic electoral system. Find out why Bill C-23 is scary and why we need a national campaign to stop it.
It's Israeli Apartheid Week and on rabble we're presenting a series of articles explaining why it is important. To inspire more actions this week in support of Palestinian human rights, we also reflected on the top five successes of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. You can see all of our Israeli Apartheid Week coverage here.
There's a brand-new Indie Inside out! This month, our artist spotlight is on Charlie Angus & Grievous Angels and features their video, "Four Horses." For a chance to win the... band's newest CD, "The Great Divide," retweet the video feature @rabbleca or answer the following question: How many times in the video do you see the image of a horse running across the screen? Email answers to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Chris Crass is a long-time organizer working to build powerful working-class-based, feminist, multiracial movements for collective liberation. Join him for a workshop, "Toward Collective Liberation," on Thursday March 6, 3 p.m. at York University.
This week's top news
Debunking propaganda about Israeli apartheid
Here are seven frequently asked questions about Israel apartheid that aim to guide understanding and debunk propaganda myths about Israeli apartheid.
By Waleed Ahmed
Tsilhqot'in First Nation 3, Taseko Mines 0
Taseko Mines' third attempt to pass a proposal for a mine running through Tsilhqot'in land and water was rejected on February 26. However, Taseko says they will reapply for project approval.
By Meg Borthwick
The rise and fall of the labour beat reporter
Tracking the decline of labour writing over the past few years due to shrinking newsrooms and more emphasis on business -- plus the rise of online labour journalism.
By H.G. Watson
Why is Omar Khadr still in jail?
Why is Omar Khadr still in jail? Oh that's right, because of government interference.
By Kathleen Copps
Resisting shadeism: An interview with Nayani Thiyagarajah
Jeannine M. Pitas sat down with 'Shadeism' director Nayani Thiyagarajah to discuss the film, future projects and, of course, shadeism.
By Jeannine M. Pitas
Seven severe flops served up by the Sochi Olympics
The Sochi Olympics were so great, right?! Wrong. Don't let the flash deceive you, these Games served up a litany of issues from human rights abuses to environmental destruction.
By Jessie Johnston
This week's top blogs
A table in Paris: Remembering Mavis Gallant
A beautiful tribute to the late Canadian writer Mavis Gallant and how her writing affected the spectrum of Canadian literature.
By Stephen Henighan
Grief and tragedy: A Gedenkschrift for Loretta Saunders
Nothing can fill that void left by the death of Loretta Saunders. But in an attempt to dispel the deafening silence, I offer a few words on how, in her honour, we might strive to make a better world.
By Christopher Majka
Dear Ryan: Unfair Elections Bill C-23
Demand reforms of the Fair Elections Bill that will actually make it fair. If you cannot bring about change, do not defend the indefensible.
By Linda Leon
Advice to Canadian politicians and media: Take care with support for Ukraine rebels
The knee-jerk 1960s-style Cold War posturing of many Canadian politicians and the bulk of our media is no help to resolving the difficult situation in Ukraine.
By David J. Climenhaga
Bad math: Why Budget 2014 fails to add up for women
I know the difference between monopoly money and what's in my wallet. Not so Federal Budget 2014 -- at least not when it comes to public spending to improve the lives of women.
By Armine Yalnizyan, Kate McInturff
I got my permanent residency, and it's complicated.
Syed Hussan reflects on his lengthy battle for permanent residency and tries to make sense of citizenship and belonging.
By Syed Hussan
Need an accessible bathroom? There's an app for that!
New tools for trans* and genderqueer folks make it easier to find gender-neutral washrooms.
By Steffanie Pinch
This week's top columns
Driving extinction: The case against biofuel subsidies
With a growing shortage of partly decayed Carboniferous dinosaurs and tree ferns, we are now devoting ever-increasing percentages of our current landscapes to automobile fuel production.
By Ole Hendrickson
Rana Plaza victims still awaiting compensation after garment factory disaster
An agreement has now been reached and a process established for compensation, but victims of the Rana Plaza garment factory disaster have yet to see any compensation.
By Kirsten Iler, Pro Bono
Technological shifts and the paralysis of parallel futures
What makes some organizations nimble, agile and open to cultural, technological and paradigm shifts, and others systemically incapable of the first step towards an admitted future?
By Wayne MacPhail
Harper's plan to win the next election: Cheat
The Harper government has introduced a parliamentary bill, laughingly entitled the Fair Elections Act, to boost their chances of winning seats in the next general election.
By Duncan Cameron
We need a federal politics of Big Ideas
We live in a fabulously wealthy country. Everything we dream of is possible, including prosperity and equality. But it requires a political party with the courage to put forward Big Ideas.
By Murray Dobbin
MORE FROM...
Naomi Klein, Linda McQuaig, Rick Salutin, Duncan Cameron, Wayne MacPhail, Murray Dobbin and others! Read columns...
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This week's top podcasts
Historical Context of the Palestine Maps: Fact and Fiction
In September last year, transit ads showing four maps of Palestine started appearing on the side of Vancouver buses. The campaign met with loud opposition from Zionist groups.
By Redeye Collective
Are breast implants 'for you?'
Meghan Murphy speaks with Lexie Kite of Beauty Redefined about the idea that breast implants build self-esteem.
By Meghan Murphy
Hungry for climate justice: Climatefast
Lyn Adamson, Dewan Afzal and Rita Bijons talk about Climatefast and its strategic use of fasting as a way to contribute to the broader process of building a mass movement against climate change.
By Scott Neigh
The Traveler: Graham Hughes' journey around the world
Graham Hughes, the first person to visit every country without using a plane, discusses his journey around the world.
By David Swanson
This week's top rabbletv
Loretta Saunders' tragic death sparks calls for national inquiry
In the wake of the tragic murder of Loretta Saunders, 4 NDP MPs asked for a national inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women. They were met with partisanship and empty answers.
By rabble staff
Watch the rebroadcast: How do we defend our rights at work?
Broadcast live from Halifax on February 26, watch the rebroadcast of Unifor's labour leadership workshop -- how to defend labour against the Conservative attack?
By rabble staff
This week's top books
'The Dogs Are Eating Them Now' begs for our collective attention
Was Canada's military engagement in Afghanistan worth it? Graeme Smith's award-winning retrospective on his time as a foreign correspondent for the Globe and Mail finds more questions than answers.
By Amira Elghawaby
In this issue
Upcoming events
BramptonDemocratic Reform Town Hall in Brampton
This democratic town hall gives voters and future voters the opportunity to learn about two reform proposals that may reshape our Canadian democracy -- and voice their opinions about these proposals.
By Kyle Seeback, MP and Fair Vote Canada Peel
TorontoSocial Media as a Civic Engagement Tool
Attend this workshop to learn the basics on how to use social media and web resources to stay engaged with your city and connect with others who share your interests.
By Candian Voice of Women for Peace
Vancouver100th Monthly Protest to Free the 5 Cuban Heroes!
Join the March 5 Day of Action to mark Vancouver's milestone 100th monthly picket action to free the Cuban 5.
By Free the Cuban 5 Committee - Vancouver
This week's top in cahoots
Heinz Leamington plant investors welcomed by union
We welcome the prospect of good jobs being maintained at the plant, which has served as the keystone of Leamington's economy for generations.
By United Food and Commercial Workers
Unifor calls for answers now, not just for Saunders, but for all missing and murdered aboriginal women and girls
Unifor demands that the government take immediate action to begin a national inquiry.
By Unifor
National Union raises concerns over Internet surveillance
The National Union of Public and General Employees is calling on the Harper government to take immediate steps to protect Canadians' online privacy.
By National Union of Public and General Employees
Active babble topics
babble book club: 'Salt: A World History'
By Kaitlin McNabb
Spike Lee on gentrification
By Maysie
Al Jazeera calls global day of action for journalists detained in Egypt
By Unionist
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This week's top tool
Take action for Israeli Apartheid Week
Ways to get involved in Israeli Apartheid Week.
Poll
Is it a conflict of interest when CBC personalities are paid to speak?
Looks like there has been some controversy with CBC panelists and correspondents "shilling" for Big Oil. Bruce Anderson, who counts Cenovus on his client list, was a panelist on The National discussing Keystone XL and r12.
r13
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