Margaret Wente

The catastrophe of climate change skepticism

In the face of another diplomatic disappointment in Cancun's climate change talks, we have just left the hottest year on record. While experts again try to ring alarm bells, our media still gives voice to the pseudo-intellectual pursuit of climate skepticism. Perhaps while Rome burned, some bravely questioned the finer qualities of fire. Perhaps on Easter Island, as the last trees fell, some elders courageously debated the necessity of wood. These days, Margaret Wente and Rex Murphy sing in tune with the likes of Glenn Beck, sincerely believing their skepticism to be a form of intellectual virtue. It is not.

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Climate Change environment CO2 emissions Rex Murphy Glenn Beck global warming skeptics Margaret Wente

Journalists found guilty of ethical breaches really shouldn't lecture on journalistic ethics

David J. Climenhaga

| June 9, 2013

Please support our coverage of democratic movements and become a supporting member of rabble.ca.

S'cuse me! We ex-journalists are permitted to do whatever we like! And if Prime Minister Thomas Mulcair wants to appoint me to the Senate, I'm taking the job!

The same thing goes for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau if he makes the offer, if you must know.

But then, I haven't worked as a journalist in this century and, with a little luck and the intervention of a kindly and progressive prime minister, I'll never have to consider such a fate again.

Horny men, desperate women, and hookup culture: How evolutionary psychology and Margaret Wente get most things wrong

Meghan Murphy

| November 13, 2012

Margaret Wente is doing her part to contribute to the desperately needed canon of writing that encourages women to live in fear of growing old, man-free. These kind of pieces have been coming out on a regular basis for some time now. Notably, Susan Faludi addressed ye old ‘man shortage’ scare in her 1991 book, Backlash. Let’s keep that ball rolling, though, eh?

Message to Canada's media: OK guys, you can stop campaigning for that Romney guy now …

David J. Climenhaga

| November 7, 2012

Maybe they just missed it that we don't get a vote.

Most Canadians don't get to vote, that is, in the U.S. presidential election.

How else can we explain the Canadian mainstream media's relentless campaign leading up to yesterday's U.S. presidential vote to get Canadians to cast their nonexistent ballots for Willard "Mittens" Romney, the Republican candidate?

In case you missed it, President Barack Obama defeated Romney in that presidential election last night, saving it from going down in history the U.S. pestilential election.

Considering plagiarism? Just forget it! Nowadays you'll be busted for sure!

David J. Climenhaga

| September 27, 2012

There has never been a shortage of plagiarism in Canadian letters.

The sins of the Globe and Mail's Margaret Wente are literally nothing new, and hardly unique, although the highly entertaining social media furor about them may be.

Indeed, I feel just the tiniest bit of sympathy for Wente -- who in the interests of full disclosure I must acknowledge briefly supervised some of my work at the Globe and Mail back in the 1980s. This is why I know about Conrad Black getting his driver to deliver his columns to her in the comfort of the company limousine.

About Stephen Harper's ambassadorial timeshare: Maybe he missed the lesson on the Statute of Westminster!

David J. Climenhaga

| September 25, 2012

Like Sir John A. Macdonald, a British subject I was born and now, apparently, a British subject I may die. What's with that?

Or did I fail to get it right yesterday that Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his gang of so-called Conservatives have decided to give up he trappings of independent nationhood and, just as the Scots are about to head out for the Highlands, go in with the British on a joint-venture diplomatic service?

Are plastic bags really necessary?

David Suzuki

| July 31, 2012

A national newspaper columnist wrote that “banning plastic bags will do exactly nothing to save the planet.” She went on to argue that they’re even environmentally friendly. Outright bans may not be the best solution, but plastic bags pose a big problem that must be addressed. The columnist appeared to be more interested in contrarianism for its own sake than in acknowledging the environmental harm these products cause.

Plastic bags are bad and for the most part unnecessary. Many of us older folks remember a time, only a few decades ago, when we didn’t have them. Sure, they’re convenient, but is that an excuse to damage the environment and the life it supports?

Black is the new Red: Why Stephen and Jason love Conrad more than they love Canadians

David J. Climenhaga

| May 7, 2012

Let's be honest with ourselves, Canadians. Did any of us ever truly doubt -- even for an instant -- that the "Conservative" government of Stephen Harper would not welcome Conrad Black back to the Canadian fold as soon as the American correctional authorities escorted him to the border and handed him his coat and hat?

Do you now imagine Lord Black isn't here in Canada to stay?

Well, if you do, disabuse yourself of that notion!

Educated analysis or cappuccino logic: Responding to the Quebec student strike

Erika Shaker

| May 3, 2012

It was bound to happen.

After almost three months, Margaret Wente finally got wind of this kerfuffle in Quebec about students refusing to buy into the whole "but it's just the cost of a cappuccino a day!" rationale for why a 75 per cent increase in tuition fees over five (or 82 per cent over seven) years is, like, the way of the future. Or something.

Margaret Wente

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