Tag Archives: Stephen Harper

Babies begin to learn language in the womb

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New research has demonstrated that babies begin to learn language while still in the womb. That makes what a BBC article calls a “foetus” – although later there is a slipup and reference is made to “babies” – a person, a defenceless person,  a defenceless person whose life should be protected by the law:

Now researchers in the US and Sweden have found evidence that we start learning language before we’re even born.

The study discovered that in the last 10 weeks of pregnancy, foetuses are listening to their mothers communicate. And when they are born, they can show what they’ve heard.

This does little to make Canada’s lack of protection for the unborn any less shameful or Stephen Harper’s refusal to even discuss it any less deplorable:

Conservative backbenchers are pushing to reopen the abortion debate, despite public assurances by Prime Minister Stephen Harper that the issue is settled.

More than 20 Conservative MPs and senators appeared at an anti-abortion rally on Parliament Hill on Thursday. Among them was Mark Warawa, the MP whose push for a vote on sex-selective abortion – and the right to simply raise the issue in the House of Commons – led other backbenchers to complain publicly they were being silenced by the Prime Minister’s Office.

[…..]

The abortion issue leaves Mr. Harper with a dilemma. Asked for comment, his office declined to address the MPs’ statements but said the issue won’t be reopened.

Modern Art is all bosh, isn't it?

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In Brideshead Revisted, one of my favourite novels, the following exchange takes place:

‘Charles,’ said Cordelia, ‘Modern Art is all bosh, isn’t it?’

“‘Great bosh.’

“‘Oh, I’m so glad. I had an argument with one of our nuns and she said we shouldn’t try and criticize what we didn’t understand. Now I shall tell her I have had it straight from a real artist, and snubs to her.'”

Evelyn Waugh, himself an artist, probably would not have predicted the level of bosh to which modern art would eventually sink. Here is an exhibition of invisible art currently on display in London:

It looks like the aftermath of a museum robbery.

But this empty sculpture stand is in fact the main attraction at a leading British gallery – and punters will be charged £8 a head to see it.

The ‘work’ was created as a stunt by Andy Warhol and will form part of an exhibition of ‘invisible art’ at London’s Hayward Gallery.

Visitors will be asked to look beyond ‘material objects’ and ‘set their imaginations on fire’ by looking at the empty gallery spaces.

Also included in the 50 ‘invisible works’ will be an empty piece of paper, an empty canvas and an empty space.

Asinine as it is, it may be preferable to this less than appetising portrait of Stephen Harper:

 

Have yourself a bland little Christmas

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Stephen Harper’s Christmas message didn’t mention the miraculous appearance of God in history or Mary or Joseph or the shepherds or the wise men or the angels or the star… well, you get the idea.

Instead, he sputtered on about jobs, growth, “gathering” while looking backwards and forwards, Canada’s economy and the government. At least he wished us “Merry Christmas.”

 

Next year he should try this:

Stephen Harper in hot water over "Islamicism" remarks

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From here:

The Islamic Supreme Council of Canada is urging Muslims to speak out against Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s recent remarks about their religion.

Harper told CBC this week that “Islamicism” poses the most pressing threat to Canada’s security, and that the country’s intelligence service is mostly preoccupied with Islamic extremism.

[…..]

“How can Mr. Harper associate Islam with radicalism and fanaticism?” the group asked in a statement.

That’s a real puzzle.

I’m sure it wasn’t easy, but perhaps the 17,000 acts of Islamic terror committed since 9/11 provided the clue that enabled Harper to make the association.

Stephen Harper’s Islamicism remarks provoke the inevitable reaction

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Stephen Harper had the temerity to suggest that, for Canada,  “the major threat is still Islamicism.”

In an exclusive interview with CBC News, Prime Minister Stephen Harper says the biggest security threat to Canada a decade after 9/11 is Islamic terrorism.

Leading the NDP foreign affairs critic to ruminate on the true cause of terrorism:

 “The 10th anniversary of 9/11 should be a time for reflection on how we can build a more inclusive society to end extremism,” NDP foreign affairs critic Paul Dewar told The Globe Wednesday morning. “Let’s all guard against knee-jerk demonizing and overheated rhetoric.”

Leading me to ruminate on how Canadian society could possibly be more inclusive than it already is.

I know! Include more terrorists: that should reduce extremism.