Ever wondered what an acronym used in an article meant and searched, in vain, for its written-in-full introduction? The Tyee, at least, has got the message from frustrated readers. For your morning smile, go read Rex Weyler's hilarious article. …
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Challenging the Commonplace: About Those Acronyms
Challenging the Commonplace: Vatican to Probe US Nunneries
Over the past three decades, the number of nuns in the US has dropped from 180,000 to 60,000. So what does the Vatican decide to do about this? Investigate orders that have adopted a modern lifestyle, including allowing nuns to wear regular garb and engage in professions previously taboo.The Vatican is quietly conducting two sweeping investigations of American nuns, a development that has …
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Challenging the Commonplace: Cons do unto DFAIT what they did unto SWC
Recall when the Harper Conservatives began changing the language - and thus mandate and eligibility criteria for grants - used for Status of Women Canada? These changes were seen on its website and other materials, and heard in any references the Cons made to the department. Words like 'equality' were erased. Well they've not been idle when it comes to the Department of Foreign Affairs and …
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Challenging the Commonplace: Canada No Longer Popular Among Canadians
This post over at Stageleft should be getting more attention. Canadians across this land are increasingly feeling unrepresented and powerless - and powerless to change that situation. There's good reason for this and it's not just about our cruddy electoral system, vicious attack ads, parliamentary pissing contests, elitist party financing, and so on. More crucially than any of those, it's the …
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Challenging the Commonplace: Scott Feschuk on Senator Mike Duffy
What a hoot! Apparently, Mike Duffy's been doin' some learnin':"Once you get in there, you realize that every piece of legislation passed by Parliament has to go through the Senate prior to adoption.... And the Senate rules are different than the House of Commons. Senate committees can’t sit while the Senate is in session, so that puts you in the situation of having some pretty long days."Where's …
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Challenging the Commonplace: Ocean’s Twitter Follow Policy
For all you Twits out there, please be guided by my Twitter follow policy before hitting that magic button.My interest in Twitter is primarily to connect with people who have interests similar to mine, but I also welcome making connections with people who live nearby, regardless of their interests. (I'm on Vancouver Island, so 'nearby' includes all of BC, the Yukon and Washington state.)Please do …
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Challenging the Commonplace: Soooo Cute! Tiny House, Tiny Yard – Updated
This is so cute, tucked snug between two larger homes.I love the little yard. Together with the backyard, it's ample space to grow one's own herbs and veggies.Here's the The Tiny Life blog from which that image comes.ETA: The little house has its own website, writes a commenter! And the house is in Toronto! But I find this interesting: "Current value: priceless." Does that mean no one lives …
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Challenging the Commonplace: Oh, for steady employment!
I was speaking to a friend the other day. I've been very depressed lately and it has been getting worse. For years, I've craved steady employment but as I've aged and poverty has taken a more solid footing, my disabilities have worsened. Almost all of the employment available in this community is retail and that involves standing for long periods of time, stretching, twisting, lifting... In other …
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Challenging the Commonplace: Friday Night Chuckle: Canada Apologizes to US
Courtesy This Hour has 22 Minutes: …
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Challenging the Commonplace: Per Vote Party Financing & Election 41
It's another Harper double-dare, coming to an opposition party of your choice.Whenever the election does come, Harper has one plan in mind for afterward: the elimination of public funding to political parties. A punishing blow to his opponents. Sure, the idea caused a showdown last autumn, [a Harper] adviser said. "But in retrospect, we should have stuck to our guns. It was strategically smart. …
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