Category Archives: Columns

Realpolitiks with . . .

Kevin Penny

The United Nations (UN) might not be the best example of an intergovernmental organization, but the world still needs somebody to look after it. Continue reading →

Realpolitiks with . . .

Kevin Penny

Canadian gun laws need some revamping, but it shouldn’t just be in the form of abolishing gun registries. If we want to stop the bad guys from having guns, let’s give our police officers a fighting chance against them. Continue reading →

Realpolitiks with . . .

Kevin Penny

Zellers used to boast it was ‘Truly Canadian’. Now, after a $1.8-billion deal with its American counterpart, Target, the 220 Zellers stores across Canada will be getting a facelift in the form of a bulls-eye. Continue reading →

Realpolitiks with . . .

Kevin Penny

When they’re in office, politicians seem to speak in rhetorical redundancies that might not make sense, but it’s time we stop and actually listen to what they say.

When I was a young kid I used to think of a politician as a super important job and it took a special kind of person to take up the leadership of a country.

Now when I watch politics all I see are two people in suits yelling at each other with their fingers in theirs ears.

They do it all the time as well; like when Stephen Harper stood up in Parliament against Libby Davies for her support of Palestine, or when MP Abel Leblanc blew up in the House over slanderous remarks made about his colleagues.

My favourite is the recent attack ad against the Winnipeg mayor: “Sam Katz: he kicks children in the face.”

Every time a politician decides to belittle their opponent in an advertisement or in Parliament, it’s called an ‘argumentum ad hominem’ or the argument against the man.

The way it works is if you discredit a person’s character, then their political ideals will inevitably be discredited as well.

It is especially easy while you are on the floor of the House to attack opponents, because you’re allowed to say pretty much whatever you want about someone while you have the floor.

In essence, it’s easier to say your opponent likes to club baby seals than to tear apart his policy reforms because most people don’t really care about the politics; they do care about baby seals, though.

Canadian politics might be a little childish at times, but I am truly thankful I don’t live south of the border.

American politics reminds me of Jersey Shore; nobody likes it yet it still gets major attention on TV. It’s become a full-blown circus of attack ads and useless rhetoric, and the American people love it.

When I saw the Tom Campbell ‘demon sheep’ ad, I couldn’t stop laughing at how ridiculous it was. Then I realized there were going to be people who took it seriously, and it scared the daylights out of me.

Politicians have to understand what they say has an effect on people.

After all, we did elect them to represent us. People might believe Sarah Palin had nothing to do with the Arizona shooting and her attack map was merely coincidence, but that’s like saying Bush had nothing to do with torture; I’m sure he didn’t intend to harm anyone, but he still gave it his stamp of approval without any forethought of what was to come.

Rudyard Kipling once said, “Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind,” and I wholeheartedly agree with him.

People become mesmerized by the promises of the campaigns and the drama between the two parties, but it’s all just a show.

A job in politics is just that, a job. They’re able to sit down at the same table together and have a beer at the end of the day because they’re still like you or I.

The only reason politicians continue the ad hominems against each other is because they bring in the most votes, so it’s up to us to say enough is enough. We need to start seeing them as equals instead of leaders, because a democracy is led by the people.

Kevin Penny is a 21-year-old, second-year journalism student at Grant MacEwan University. As a tenderfoot journalist, he looks to give some straight sense in the world of politics by defending truth, justice and the freedom of choice.

Mitch Cooper

In the aftermath of the Arizona tragedy where several Arizona citizens including US congresswomen Gabriel Giffords, were allegedly attacked by Jared Loughner, political pundits primarily from the left, have been calling for a change in the tone of our political discourse.

In connection to this, some pundits have advocated that political operatives and candidates be held accountable for the rhetorical comments they make while on the campaign trail. This is sensible when it comes to policy accountability but sadly this is not the case in this situation.

This of course, is tied directly to the nonsensical accusation that Sarah Palin was responsible for the shooting because her website had a target over congresswomen Giffords’ district. The target was placed not to incite violence towards Giffords, but because Giffords was vulnerable to lose her seat over the health care bill. Yet some media and politicians have attempted to show that Palin somehow provoked a wild man to take up arms and kill several innocent people.

While the Arizona shooting is a tragedy, a political tragedy is also taking place with the outlandish charges that political rhetoric during the 2010 midterm elections and Sarah Palin have a connection to Loughner’s actions. Yet the cries for civility in both the United States and Canada’s political arena’s have been loud.

Civil debate between politicians should be expected and encouraged by a country’s electorate, but a problem arises when civil debate and political accountability are confused with a politician being overly partisan and too passionate in his or her arguments.

Politicians from all political stripes should always be encouraged to work together on policy when the possibility arises. This is especially true in a situation like Canada’s minority federal government.

It is common decency to show respect while discussing politics but what is not healthy for a democracy is when calls are made for principle driven ideas to be eliminated.

When pundits and politicians start lambasting officials and parties for being too ideological or partisan there is an issue. Watering down ideas and opinions in national discussions does not bring about the best policies and decision making from our governments.

Rather, it is through thorough and rigorous debate, with multiple opinions being presented that the best ideas come forward. Like in a market, the elimination of fringe ideas can occur and democratic societies can maintain an even keel, not swaying to far one way or the other.

While politicians should be held accountable for what is said while campaigning and in office, society should not blame vigorous political competition for the result of tragedies that are clearly the result of mental issues and not principles.

Politics in itself is a passionate battle, one that can be carried out in a civil tone.

However politics should be an exciting battle of ideas, strategy and philosophies so that the electorate has options when making their ballot box decisions.

Mitchell Cooper is a 22-year-old, third-year Grant MacEwan University political science student with ambitions to attend law school. He’s worked two years in government, and on several political campaigns. He hopes to have the privilege of holding public office one day.

Realpolitiks with . . .

Kevin Penny

The Wildrose Alliance Party is quickly gaining support as a political alternative in Alberta these days. With four of their members in government office, the Wildrose party now has their foot in the door to affect policies in Alberta. However, I’m not too sure this is a good thing. Continue reading →

Realpolitiks with . . .

Kevin Penny

North America has provided Canadians with a safe haven to prosper for the last 200 years. We’ve built a somewhat steady democracy, made a name as a leading nation in the world and have established peaceful relations with our neighbours. The folks in the Middle East, however, haven’t been as lucky.

There has been conflict over the territory of Israel since people’s calendars counted backwards to zero, so I’m not surprised people are still killing each other to this day. War might be the worst aspect of human society, but it’s become a large part of the Middle East because that’s what the people have grown up knowing.

Israel has every right to exist, and I applaud their veracity in defending their land. They are surrounded by nations who would look to destroy them, and so they do what they can in order to keep a parliamentary system in a war-torn part of the world. This means a strong military presence towards those that oppose them, sometimes even stepping outside the rule of law to show their might.

It’s a tough life for the folks in the Middle East, but that is between them and the stones they throw at each other.

I, for one, have no concern for what happens between them and the Palestinians, or any Muslem nation for that matter. It’s a ridiculous notion to think I know what’s going on over there, because I don’t. I live in a nation where we don’t care what religion you’re from, or what colour your skin is. It’s great to live in a country where discrimination is generally frowned upon, but that makes us quite ignorant to the conflicts that we don’t see every day.

According to the government of Canada, if you gathered all the people in Canada who’ve committed a violent crime against someone because of their religion they wouldn’t even fill a city bus. The Conservatives don’t have the historical wisdom to know what a religious conflict is, much less know how to handle one.

The Harper regime is known to use its pro-Israel stance for different political reasons. When Libby Davis spoke out against the Palestinian lands being occupied, the Conservatives tried real hard to get her thrown out for ‘anti-Semitic’ comments. Luckily for her, Canadians are more understanding toward those who are on Palestine’s side.

Our loss with the UN’s security bid might be blamed on Harper’s pro-stance with Israel, but it’s more likely his exclusion of Muslem nations that caused the minority vote to sway with Portugal. I don’t think keeping our soldiers stationed in the Afghanistan shows the world our passionate side, much less our commitment to promoting peace in the Middle East.

The Conservative government needs to understand they can’t condemn groups like Hamas as terrorists, then turn around and support Israel’s right to use phosphorus weapons against the people who live in Palestinian slums. We need to recognize that everyone has a right to exist. The tension between the Arabs and the Israelis goes much deeper than just recent decades of conflict, and it’s going to take discussions rather than condemnations to solve the problems in the Middle East.

Kevin Penny is a 20-year-old, second-year journalism student at Grant MacEwan University. As a tenderfoot journalist, he looks to give some straight sense in the world of politics by defending truth, justice and the freedom of choice.

Mitch Cooper

Israel is one of the only democratic states within the middle east, the only nation in the region which supports western values of freedom and democracy, and the only country within the middle east that allows freedom of religion.
Israel is also a nation under constant attack from terrorists, a nation constantly threatened to be wiped off the face of the earth by neighbouring countries and a nation whose survival is at risk without western support. It sounds like a nation in which Canada, a country which stands for human rights and freedom should whole heartedly support.
Since the 2006 election which put the Harper conservatives in charge of Ottawa, Canada has become one of the staunchest and most consistent supporters of Israel.
Since President Bush left office in 2008, America under President Obama has shifted its country’s position from being all out, pro-Israel, to an apologetic mediator of the Middle East which has become too afraid of offending Arab nations that it no longer stands for its principles. Canada, rightfully so has stepped up to the plate to fill the void left by the Americans.
Many critics have lambasted Israel for its handling of the Palestinian state, the war with Hezbolla, a neighbouring terrorist organization, and as a violator of human rights.
All these attacks have been, for the most part, baseless, partisan, and reeking of anti-Semitism instead of legitimate political concern.
While Israel is not a perfect nation, it is the only western ally in the Middle East, promoter of democracy and free society and has been on the front lines against terrorism for several years. This is why Canada must continue its support for Israel.
While it is easy for a country to hop off the bandwagon and persecute Israel at every opportunity, Canada has taken a principled position and stood beside its ally.  Many pundits believe this is why Canada lost its bid for a position on the UN security council.
If true, Canada should take that rejection as a badge of honour and courage. If the UN has become nothing more than a watering hole for anti-Israel and anti- Semitic discussion (Durban III Conference), then Canada should hold its chest high to the fact we were voted out of its most exclusive club.
Racist remarks, threats of attack and any challenge to the sovereignty of Israel has and will not be supported by Canada, nor will Canada back down from supporting Israel’s right to exist and defend its people from terrorists. While most nations scoff at any military action Israel takes to defend its people, most ignore the fact that these actions are in reply to attacks against innocent Israeli civilians, and that Israel has every right to support the defense of their people.
While Canada may have lost some of its prestige in the international community because of its position on Israel, Canadians should know we are doing the principled and right thing. As a former US president once said “Popularity is nothing . . . principles are forever”.  Defence of democratic nations must be upheld by the west, and it’s another proud moment in Canadian history when Canada is the country holding the frontlines.

Mitchell Cooper is a 22-year-old, third-year Grant MacEwan University political science student with ambitions to attend law school. He’s worked two years in government, and on several political campaigns. He hopes to have the privilege of holding public office one day.

Realpolitiks with . . .

Kevin Penny

Despite what critics might say about Canada’s health care system, we still lead the world in making sure our sick are taken care of. Continue reading →