Most dangerous day in human history was unquestionably October 27, 1962

October 27, 1962, is not a date that most people consider an especially noteworthy one. It certainly doesn’t rate with 9/ll or John Kennedy’s assassination or the fall of the Berlin Wall. But it was by far the most dangerous day in human history – the day the world came perilously close to being devastated … Continue reading Most dangerous day in human history was unquestionably October 27, 1962

Science fiction helps us to envision the future, as well as clarify the past

When I started reading science fiction, in my teens, it was widely regarded as a disreputable form of literature. This was not surprising, since at that time -- the early 1940s – science fiction was confined to pulp magazines with lurid covers, often depicting scantily-clad heroines shooting ray-guns at BEMS (bug-eyed monsters). Living in Newfoundland … Continue reading Science fiction helps us to envision the future, as well as clarify the past

Canada’s mistreatment of the elderly shameful, but so is shoddy care and neglect of children

The extent to which services for seniors in many of Canada’s long-term-care homes are terribly delinquent was starkly exposed by Covid-19. Nearly half the people killed by the coronavirus were residents of such lodgings, especially those that are privately owned. The abominable conditions in which they were abused – deprived of adequate food, bullied, drugged, … Continue reading Canada’s mistreatment of the elderly shameful, but so is shoddy care and neglect of children

With two pandemics challenging us this fall, we face a more turbulent future than ever

This fall brings with it several serious threats to the health and welfare of Canadians. The most obvious, of course, is the persistence of the Covid-19 pandemic. Thanks to the willingness of most of us to undergo prolonged isolation, social-distancing, and frequent hand-washing, the severity of the plague has been curbed in Canada, amounting to … Continue reading With two pandemics challenging us this fall, we face a more turbulent future than ever

Outcome of the clash between Covid-19 pandemic and capitalist pandemic will shape our future

Earlier this year, I posted a piece on rabble in which I claimed that the global Covid-19 pandemic, though devastating for humankind, has not been nearly as pernicious as the social and economic plague of global capitalism. Many readers of this essay disagreed with my hypothesis, some quite vehemently. They thought I was exaggerating the … Continue reading Outcome of the clash between Covid-19 pandemic and capitalist pandemic will shape our future

Laughter in the middle of a pandemic not a cure, but helps us endure it 

With so many journalists (including me) obsessed with writing about the morbid coronavirus pandemic, it’s getting harder to maintain a good sense of humour. Some might even feel that mirth of any kind during such a plague is inexcusable and inappropriate. But jokes and puns should never really be impermissible. Take Robespierre, for example. As … Continue reading Laughter in the middle of a pandemic not a cure, but helps us endure it 

When so many practise individualism and spurn collaboration, prospect for global anti-virus campaign dim 

In a recent letter to the editor of the Ottawa Citizen, D. J. Phillips disagreed that everyone should be compelled to wear a face-mask. “It is your right to wear a face-mask,” Phillips conceded. ”However, it is not your right to inflict your preference on anyone else. If you feel better, use one, but don’t … Continue reading When so many practise individualism and spurn collaboration, prospect for global anti-virus campaign dim 

Have business and political leaders decided to co-exist with COVID-19 instead of seeking its curtailment?

Politicians and corporations in the United States and Canada have started to open up their economies and relax strict safeguards against the spread of Covid-19. This is happening even though the coronavirus remains prevalent in both countries. In the U.S., the pandemic still proliferates in several states, where the rates of infection and fatalities continue … Continue reading Have business and political leaders decided to co-exist with COVID-19 instead of seeking its curtailment?