“Of all political ideals, that of making people happy is perhaps the most dangerous one. It leads invariably to the attempt to impose our scale of ‘higher’ values upon others, in order to make them realize what seems to us of greatest importance for their happiness; in order, as it were, to save their souls.”
Karl Popper, The Open Society and Its Enemies, Vol. 2
Last Friday I was on theZoomer Round Table to explain how we got into this crisis and why starting World War III over Ukraine isn’t a good idea despite all the important humanitarian and strategic reasons for helping them defeat Putin’s invasion. (In the panel discussion starting 16 minutes into the video.)
In my latest Loonie Politics column I say now that two federal cabinet ministers have blurted out what we all knew anyway, we need to decide whether to go back to pretending or actually built ourselves a military.
In my latest National Post column I say justified sympathy for the people of Ukraine does not justify abandoning good sense when it comes to a nuclear confrontation.
In my latest Epoch Times column I write the speech I wait to hear from those who would be Conservative party leader and Canadian prime minister in these trying times.
In my latest National Post column I say it’s important to stand up for ourselves and our values over Ukraine without blundering, or sauntering, into a nuclear war… and if you think it’s hard, congratulations, you’re a grownup who realizes reality is tricky.
In my latest Epoch Times column I say a small news item about overfishing squid actually speaks volumes about what’s wrong with the world today and with how we think about it, especially government.
“A grandfather and grandson who intended to fly to Australia instead found themselves in Nova Scotia... The elder Mr. [Joannes ] Rutten, who speaks German, Dutch and some English, said they didn’t know there was another Sydney.”
National Post August 11, 2009 (OK, it’s not exactly a zinger... until you add “Or such things as maps.”)