Howls of protest surged online as the CBC News special 51st State: A Cross Border Conversation was announced and broadcast on multiple platforms across the U.S. and Canada this past Sunday. This was an international co-production between CBC Radio Cross Country Checkup with Ian Hanomansing and The Middle with Jeremy Hobson. Both hosts took calls from Canadians and Americans.... Continue Reading →
[Ken Gray] On this my 67th birthday I wanted to write something myself about the state of the world, of North America, and of Canada. A few ideas are in development, but for now, the words below published by Robert Reich today are best shared here. They answer a question many Canadians and Americans ask... Continue Reading →
Sermon for the Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany, February 23, 2025Delivered by the Rev. Dr. Margaret Bullitt-Jonas at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Ashfield, MA Reposted from Margaret's Blog siteGenesis 45:3-11, 15Psalm 37:1-12, 41-421 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50Luke 6:27-38 The moral witness of a loving heart “Love your enemies” (Luke 6:27). That’s got to be one of... Continue Reading →
In facing an imperialist neighbour, Ukraine offers a cautionary tale for Canada — Lloyd Axworthy, in the Globe and Mail, February 19, 2025 Lloyd Axworthy is a former foreign minister and current chair of the World Refugee and Migration Council. He recently authored his memoir: Lloyd Axworthy: My Life in Politics. Canadians now face a... Continue Reading →
MuskRat OR Muscovites OR Muskatel — You choose Resist. Resist. Resist. Let me count the ways. Letters to the editor of papers of record (if any are left); social media engagement, bot or not; join the queue for radio call-in shows; march in local protest rallies which are growing in number and size throughout the... Continue Reading →
I like Wab Kinew, a lot. If we moved in the same circles I think we could easily be friends. Wabanakwut, the 25th Premier of Manitoba has been an author, musician, broadcaster and university administrator. He is best known as a host of programming on CBC Radio and CBC Television. Kinew is Canada's first provincial... Continue Reading →
Thanks Victoria Laine for sharing a record of this talk. I knew about it; got lazy; and didn’t go. Shame on me. Limlempt Clarence Louie, one of Canada’s most respected First Nations chiefs, recently told a Penticton audience made up of mostly of seniors that growing old is admired and worshiped in his culture. A... Continue Reading →
I am pleased to share a prayer from Irwin Keller, Rabbi, Teacher, writer, hope-monger. Rabbi Keller knows well how the news is a double-edged sword; it informs us about what is happening locally, nationally, and globally; likewise it often upsets us often to the point of despair. Whether we learn of events in the Middle... Continue Reading →
With thanks to the Rev. McAllister, the following: Thicken my love.Widen my heart.Sharpen my analysis.Enliven my praxis.Embolden my voice.Deepen my rest.Lighten my heaviness.Toughen my skin.Soften my spirit.Strengthen my friendships.Lengthen my endurance.Weaken my ego.Awaken my soul.Refreshen my vision.Hearken to my weary voice, O God,as we are co-conspiratorsin the struggle for a new world.Amen -- Terrance Hawkins... Continue Reading →
The library of the Yale law school. Maybe Vance is sitting there somewhere. [Ken Gray] The notes below are reprinted from a post by Fr. Cyril Hovorun shared by Edmonton-based theologian Stephen Martin. I have edited the English translation for accuracy and length, and have added a few links. Before sharing Fr. Cyril’s notes I... Continue Reading →
Take Note - Reflections on life, music, politics, retirement and more by Ken Gray 