The United States has recently adopted a law granting rights to private companies to mine asteroids and similar celestial objects. It may sound small and far-fetched, but this law is a sharp change in the historical approach to space governance and regulation – one that has dire consequences.
Terror, totalitarianism and weaponization of outer space are the themes in What's Left this week. The aftermath of shock and terror has long been used by the state to push regressive policies that further concentrate power and wealth. One of the most effective means by which to counter such concentrations of power is through broad private and public dissemination of knowledge. It should be no surprise then, that governments (and corporations) throughout history have sought to intercept and monitor any information that could pose a challenge to their totalitarianism.
Socialist solidarity and struggle around the world is based on the understanding that all people deserve liberty, justice, and peace. We continue to fail in this mission so long as there is global war and strife taking the lives of innocent victims. The most recent attacks on the peoples of France and Lebanon is another indication that our local struggles for a better world cannot ignore the plight of people from all corners of the planet.
Socialist solidarity and struggle around the world is based on the understanding that all people deserve liberty, justice, and peace. We continue to fail in this mission so long as there is global war and strife taking the lives of innocent victims. The most recent attacks on the peoples of France and Lebanon is another indication that our local struggles for a better world cannot ignore the plight of people from all corners of the planet.
While the Trudeau Liberals have promised to legalize marijuana production and consumption in Canada, its implementation will be incredibly important. If handled properly, marijuana legalization will free the justice system from dealing with a whole class of “criminal”, allow tens-of-thousands of Canadians to safely engage in an activity they already enjoy responsibly, and provide the government with a new source of revenue.
Data has become a critical part of any political campaign. Information about who voted where, what they said on the doorstep, whether they donated to a party, showed up to an event, or liked a post on Facebook are now all being used by political campaigns to better shape messaging,mobilize supporters, and get out the vote on elections day.
The month of November is increasingly associated with exaggerated moustaches thanks to the charitable campaign Movember. The charity was founded in 2004 by a group of men who sought to raise awareness of men's health issues they thought were underfunded. Movember is promoted by men(“Mo-Bros”) who encourage the growth of moustaches to raise money for men's health research and services with a specific emphasis on prostate cancer and mental health. The campaign also promotes the idea that“Mo-sistas” can be active in the campaign by remaining without facial and body hair, and supporting the Mo-bros in their moustache growing efforts through additional fund raising.
The first week of the Liberal government is a classic case in point of the Liberals “talk left, govern right” practice. The Liberals were forced to backtrack and clarify cabinet appointments after they were called out for saying one thing about equality and doing another.
This past week saw the largest union in the country engage in a debateon where to focus the use of union dues, in campaigns or in strikesupport.
CUPE Convention, union dues, Movember's gendered politics, Long-form census back, equality in cabinet, Marijuana, Hydro One IPO, Keystone XL and more. All original articles from across the left this week.
