Category Archives: Arts & culture

Hate free speech?

Dutch politician Geert Wilders faces criminal charges for being rude about a religion. As for what he said, well, you don’t need to hear it, do you? The government says he’s a bad man and should go away and not … Continue reading

Posted in Arts & culture, Constitution, Crime, Freedom of speech, International, Politics, Religion | 2 Comments

Not reading, it’s the Canadian way

Well, here’s a sockdolager. A new poll says nearly half of Canadians can’t name a single Canadian author. I am personally hurt, as my name appears on no fewer than three worst-sellers. I am also astonished. How can anyone in … Continue reading

Posted in Arts & culture, Columns | Tagged | 1 Comment

The esthetic offence of government handouts

Apparently I am the victim of an enormous, constitutionally prohibited outrage. I have never received a single art subsidy.
In days of yore this complaint might have been rejected by galleries, granting organizations and the general public who would … Continue reading

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Lessons from a bad movie

Would it ruin your long weekend barbecue plans if I mentioned that 35 years have passed since we were warned that “Soylent Green is people”? I’m not so much worried about giving away the plot as spoiling your appetite with … Continue reading

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In architecture, medieval is better than modern

How many events have I endured at the Ottawa Congress Centre? They blur together for various reasons including that it’s a hideous venue. But if you tear it down, please don’t replace it with something worse.
Like the proposed replacement shown … Continue reading

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