Those who equate freedom with irresponsibility and heedless self-indulgence neither understand nor deserve it. For what it’s worth, that’s my take on the so-called “Freedom Convoy” protest that began in Canada with the rallying cry “Freedom” and spawned copycats around the world. Herewith why…… Read the rest
The early 2nd century poet Juvenal coined the phrase “bread and circuses” to describe how Roman emperors distracted their public from governmental shortcomings. The rash and ultimately short-sighted ploy echoes today in the form of crises. The danger is that crises can be lethal if mishandled, a distinct possibility when they are seasoned with cynicism.… Read the rest
When I was 8, my parents got me a library card. It allowed me to borrow up to three books at a time. Books took me to wondrous and otherwise inaccessible places, put me in the company of fascinating ideas and people. Advocates of the book banning movement sluicing across the U.S.,… Read the rest
The Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes pronounces that “…there is nothing new under the sun.” Thankfully, however, there are idioms and aphorisms to provide new prisms through which to view today’s versions of conundrum and folly. Herewith a few.… Read the rest
I recently came across a promotional video for “The Canadian”, a showpiece passenger train running between Toronto and Vancouver with “personalized service from a dedicated Prestige Concierge”. That begged the question: “What’s in a name?”. The answer is: “What you make of it.”… Read the rest
Depressing as headlines shouting ad nauseum about Covid, the crisis in Ukraine and U.S. politics etc are, there is something in the world to celebrate — the anniversary of an accomplishment worthy of Hamlet’s famous line: “What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason, how infinite in faculty!… Read the rest
To say I’m fed up to the teeth with the restrictions Covid has imposed on my life is an understatement pretty much everyone in the known world can make. But what irks me even more is the minority who, against all available scientific evidence and concern for the common good, oppose vaccinations.… Read the rest
“Cometh the hour, cometh the man” is a cliché of disputed origins. It is also an apt description of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. He would no doubt have referred any who applied it to him to the Gospel of John (4:23): “But the hour is coming, and is now here…” — which begs the question: Where are his successors?… Read the rest
As a seasonal offering, I like most Christmas songs, although I could do without having to endure them being blared out of cheap, over-modulated speakers in stores for weeks before the event. What worries me more, however, is the opportunities they present to the eager tribe that seems to wake up every morning hoping for something to be offended or outraged by.… Read the rest
Given that it was defined by Covid, I doubt that anyone will mourn the passing of 2021, although many of us may experience a twinge or two of regret as we contemplate one less year in our allotted time. In the Monty Pythonesque spirit of “always look on the bright side of life”, herewith some musings on wasting time by trying to fight its passage.… Read the rest