Caught between Harper and a hard place June 11, 2014June 11, 2014 Ryan Ziegler Prime Minister Stephen Harper has made many divisive decisions and statements during his tenure in Canada’s highest office; however, his statements this past May regarding the Supreme Court of Canada’s...
Mark Lynas on GMOs, science denialism, evidence-based policy, and saving the planet March 13, 2014June 30, 2014 Ryan Ziegler and Mark Sanderson January 2013, amid a chorus of controversy, Mark Lynas—high profile environmental writer, activist, and researcher—publicly renounced and apologized for his anti-GMO (genetically modified organism) position, at the Oxford Farming Conference....
Scientific breakthrough on fart-blame transferral methods February 20, 2014February 20, 2014 Ryan Ziegler HUMOUR—A new ground-breaking study from the Canadian Research Alliance Project shows that those who smell gas in a social setting are, in fact, responsible for its onset. The study reports...
Rethinking Justin Trudeau February 13, 2014February 13, 2014 Ryan Ziegler Justin Trudeau is an affable politician whose idealism—which is barely containable at times—is increasingly tempered by a self-conscious pragmatism. Is he a leader though? Whether Trudeau lacks substance—a favourite topic...
The bewildering Mr. Harper January 16, 2014January 15, 2014 Ryan Ziegler There’s a moment in Steven Spielberg’s Lincoln in which Thaddeus Stevens, played by Tommy Lee Jones, asks his flustered staff, “Hasn’t he [Abraham Lincoln] surprised you?” In many ways, Prime...
Full court press January 9, 2014January 8, 2014 Ryan Ziegler In a landmark decision handed down Dec. 20, the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) struck down prostitution legislation, citing a violation of constitutional rights. Chief Justice Beverly McLachlin, on behalf...
Out of the night that covers me: Thoughts on Nelson Mandela’s passing January 4, 2014 Max D'Ambrosio and Ryan Ziegler For many 20-somethings, Nelson Mandela’s recent passing is significant simply because he is a historic figure. He is venerated by those we value, and he is therefore meaningful to us....
Class distinctions and the shrinking middle class November 28, 2013November 27, 2013 Ryan Ziegler, Max D'Ambrosio and Martlet Staff The apparent absence of class distinction is a peculiar feature of university life. Socioeconomic class is something we dislike discussing yet remain fascinated by. Daniel Craig’s rebooted James Bond is...
Drawing lines in the sand October 10, 2013October 9, 2013 Ryan Ziegler It’s a bit hard to believe that Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” was released in March. Yet, one infamous video and uncomfortable MTV Video Music Awards performance later, the 2013 song...
Not with a bang but a whimper October 10, 2013October 9, 2013 Ryan Ziegler On Sept. 23, with very little fanfare, a consortium led by Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. (FFH), a Canadian financial holding group, announced its intention to acquire BlackBerry Ltd. (BBRY), a...
