"As heretical as it may seem to institution-bound historians, the study of history has essentially been a self-help project."
James Dale Davidson and William Rees-Mogg in The Great Reckoning
"History is boring only if people are boring. History isn’t relevant only if, living your own life, you don’t care how other people lived theirs."
William Watson in Ottawa Citizen July 11, 1998
In my latest National Post column I argue that there's no progress on the East Coast aboriginal fishery, and the rule of law is breaking down, because too many politicians and judges genuinely believe they can give stuff away to some people while keeping it for others.
"Vestigial remains of that Victorianism are everywhere around us. And memories of them persist even when the realities are gone, rather like an amputated limb that still seems to throb when the weather is bad. The sense of values lost may be as palpable as the values we do have."
Gertrude Himmelfarb, The De-moralization of Society
"as trade guru Sylvia Ostry always says, given a choice between conspiracy and cock-up, bet on cock-up every time."
William Watson in Ottawa Citizen Oct. 19 2004
The Environment: A True Story is now available on YouTube in shorter chapters as well as the full film. I'm pleased to say the complete documentary has already had over 1200 views in just over a week which for a 160 minute feature is very satisfying.
For those who find it more convenient to watch (or easier to keep track of where you've gotten to in it) in shorter segments it's also now posted as a YouTube playlist.
In my latest National Post column I explain why the federal LIberals' "sunny ways", and progressives' penchant for "compassionate" improvisation generally, are divisive and leave people feeling cheated.
If you're in the Ottawa area on Oct. 30 please consider joining MP David Anderson (Cypress Hills-Grasslands, and Shadow Cabinet Secretary for International Human Rights and Religious Freedom), Janet Epp Buckingham (Director of Trinity Western University's Laurentian Leadership Centre), Jay Cameron (Litigation Manager for the Justice Centre for Canadian Freedoms) and myself to discuss "Canadian Freedoms: Growing Threats?" at the Parliamentary Forum on Canadian Freedoms.
It's in Room 430, Wellington Building (197 Sparks St.) from 7 to 9 p.m. on Monday Oct. 30 and it is open to the public. But you need to RSVP to David Anderson's Legislative Assistant Tristan McLaughlin (613-995-1616 or david.anderson.a1@parl.gc.ca) and you will need photo ID for admission to the Parliamentary premises.
I'll be talking about Magna Carta, how Parliament evolved to protect the freedoms guaranteed in the Great Charter, and how the weakening of Parliament in recent decades threatens our liberties.