Secular convocation versus Charles McVety
Ian | 25 October, 2008 | 20:20CH News Hamilton was kind enough to invite me onto their show on Friday to discuss the secular convocation issue. The fun was compounded by adding Charles McVety, the Jerry Falwell of Canada.
Here’s the video (the interview starts at about the 2:30 mark – I’m trying to pull it offline for YouTubing at the moment).
I made the Calgary Herald
Ian | 24 October, 2008 | 08:12It seems my group’s story is taking off. We’ve been syndicated (in a shortened version) in the Calgary Herald.
Here’s their version (which cuts out the Campus Alpha spokesperson):
Read the rest of this entry »
AM 930 The Light interview
Ian | 23 October, 2008 | 19:25I did another couple interviews today on secular convocation. I guess other media outlets picked up on it after seeing the Journal interview.
Here’s an interview I got to do on AM 930 The Light, which they attempt to convert me and mention Expelled (positively) about 3 times after my turn ended:
Click here for AM 930 The Light Interview (MP3)
I was also interviewed for CTV News (again) and shown tonight. I recorded that, but haven’t processed and uploaded it yet (hopefully this weekend).
Finally, Global-Hamilton wants to feature this story in a discussion on their noon news tomorrow, but I’ll be in class. Someone from the group or petition will likely try to get in an interview though for it. So if you live in Hamilton, watch Global tomorrow at noon.
Seriously, I’m not trying to attract this attention. The Journal called me (after a friend brought it to their editors).
Secular convocation in the Journal
Ian | 23 October, 2008 | 09:17Things are rolling on the attempts to secularize the University of Alberta’s convocation. Today I was featured in an interview in the Edmonton Journal.
The article has a relatively objective tone, as the reporter did gather a few religious groups opinion, however, besides the evangelical Campus Alpha leader, most admit that it’s probably time to change the charge (which was to use your degrees “to the glory of God”).
On Monday, the General Faculties Council’s (the highest academic body on campus) executive committee is holding a special meeting to gather opinions from all sides on this issue. There will be two representatives from the Atheists and Agnostics there, as well as anyone the chaplain is willing to send, up to a dozen undergrads, and half a dozen grads, staff and faculty. In all, the meeting could take up to two hours if everyone shows up and speaks their full three minutes. At least there’s no debate on the issue (time wise I mean).
After Monday’s meeting, the issue will likely proceed to the full GFC (about 180 people) where it will be debated. Unfortunately that meeting is not until late November (after fall convocation), but we may just have a chance to change things for my spring convocation.
Read the rest of this entry »
They want you to pay to use your own money
Ian | 22 October, 2008 | 18:04I like using debit. I like it a lot.
Rather than carry around cash, or quickly become a victim of fraud via cheques, I can use my card and PIN.
Now, I have had my card # and PIN stolen, but PC Financial was diligent enough to clear it up and cancel the charges against me without any hassle.
But now Interac wants to become a for-profit competitive company.
Interac, the debit system in Canada, charges a flat fee averaging about six cents per transaction. However, Interac applied to the competition bureau to change its fee structure, leading to fears the restructuring will result in fees based on a percentage of the sale.
In addition to this is a concern that Visa and MasterCard will bring their debit cards to Canada with an interchange fee, rather than the flat fee now paid with Interac.
Consider this: if I spend $1 on debit, it’s equivalent in the fraction of a penny charge as spending $1000. But now they want to potentially move to a percentage charge. So to make a $1000 purchase, I would have to pay a few dollars, or the merchant would.
At a time when people are needed to spend money to keep our tanking economy going, threatening to enact new charges is not the way to go.
Support equal rights in California
Ian | 21 October, 2008 | 19:28Unfortunately, I can’t do much for fellow-blogger Greta Christina, but I can write.
She’s sent out a desperate plea for people to financially support the No On 8 campaign in California.
Proposition 8 is a proposed amendment that would change the state of California’s constitution to ban gay marriage. Many religious right-wingers, especially the Mormon church have taken to lying about the effects of this proposition to scare the public into voting yes to it.
If you live in California, volunteer and inform people about equality and human rights (to not be discriminated). Also, please support the proposition.
If something like this can go through California, it can go through anywhere in the USA (and potentially parts of Canada).
NDP Victory Celebrations
Ian | 21 October, 2008 | 12:00It’s been a week since the New Democrats rained orange across Canada and the celebrations of recent wins are beginning to cool. Nevertheless, the party released the following video and a thank-you message from Jack Layton.
One thing I really noted, is how polished and professional the campaign was across the country, while still being about the people (as any NDP volunteer will tell you).
Jane Goodall, defender of people
Ian | 21 October, 2008 | 07:00I think we can all hope to be as eloquent and humanistic (in the broadest sense of the term human) as Jane Goodall. From The Edmonton Journal:
Read the rest of this entry »
My letter made it
Ian | 20 October, 2008 | 14:20Unfortunately, I was in Toronto over the weekend and was unable to pick up a copy of the Journal, which featured my letter, blasting their psychic on the cover. This one appeared mostly unedited (save for formatting). (Thanks to Brian)
Clairvoyance
The Edmonton Journal
Published: Saturday, October 18Re: “Can’t wait for results? Ask Nadia,” and “The hand we’re dealt in city’s close races,” The Journal, Oct. 14.
I was impressed by the obvious clairvoyant talent of Nadia Mitchell, and The Journal’s willingness to promote her to the front page of the election-day issue. Specifically, I find it nearly unbelievable that she predicted, in Edmonton-Strathcona, for us to “look forward to a male kind of taking the lead.”
Perhaps Rahim Jaffer took this advice into account while giving his early acceptance speech.
Unfortunately, the cards were a bit misleading in this case and, in the end, Nadia didn’t tell us anything the day’s polls could not have. If Nadia wants to truly prove her talent, perhaps she could have given us a vote breakdown or overall seat total as opposed to wild speculations.
I expected more from The Journal.
Ian Bushfield, Western Canadian regional director, Centre for Inquiry, Edmonton
Recent Comments