Author Archives: Yaacov

Trees Threaten G20

Posted on June 17, 2010 by Yaacov

Or at least they could, according to Integrated Security Unit Constable Wendy Drummond. So the trees will be cut down ahead of the G20 summit to ensure that protesters can’t rip them out of the ground and use them as … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment, Human Rights | Leave a comment

Perspectives

Posted on June 14, 2010 by Yaacov

CBC wrote a great story about the case where a woman who wears a Niqab is fighting to be allowed to wear it while testifying against the men who sexually assaulted her. The story presents at least seven different perspectives … Continue reading →

Posted in CBC, Human Rights | Leave a comment

Out of houses without books

Posted on June 11, 2010 by Yaacov

Today I came across Doris Lessing’s Nobel acceptance speech. She spoke about writing and poverty and the many places in Africa where the two cross. Here is a piece: This links improbably with a fact: I was brought up in … Continue reading →

Posted in Development, Teaching | Leave a comment

Background on the Oil Spill

Posted on June 10, 2010 by Yaacov

Did you know that the oil rig that burned in the Gulf of Mexico was insured for twice what it was worth so that the company that owned it made money when it burned down? More interesting background on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Environment | Leave a comment

Health Food Store Advice Often Misleading

Posted on June 9, 2010 by Yaacov

A couple years back I ranted about the nonsense that was used to sell wheatgrass in local health food store, and about the poor understanding of human health that often prevails in those places. Now, a study by Athabasca University … Continue reading →

Posted in CBC, Pseudoscience | 2 Comments