By Dennis Gruending Note: This writing is drawn from a chapter that I contributed to a recently-published book called Bush Dweller: essays in memory of Father James Gray, OSB. Long after I had finished with my years at university, I made a list of the five teachers and professors who had been my best. Two... Continue Reading →
Dirty tricks at Rights and Democracy
In 2010, the Conservative government of Stephen Harper effectively destroyed the Montreal-based International Centre for Human Rights and Democratic Development. The organization had been created by Brian Mulroney, an earlier Conservative prime minister. But Harper's appointments to the organization's board accused it , falsely, of providing grants to terrorist organizations working against Israel.
Best books 2010, Harperland:The Politics of Control
By Dennis Gruending [This brief piece was published in the November 22 edition of The Hill Times newspaper in Ottawa. The paper asked a number of us to choose a political book that we liked in 2010]. Journalism is commonly called history on the run. Often it is filled with events but no one really... Continue Reading →
Pulpit and Politics wins in 2010 Canadian Blog Awards
By Dennis Gruending My Pulpit and Politics blog placed second in the Politics category of the 2010 Canadian Blog Awards. Winners are based entirely on the number of votes they receive from readers, so thanks to everyone who took the time to cast a ballot. You can find the list of winners in all categories... Continue Reading →
Pulpit and Politics a finalist in 2010 Canadian Blog Awards
My Pulpit and Politics blog remains in the running for a 2010 Canadian Blog Award in the Politics category. All ballots in this second and final round of voting must be cast by 12 Noon on Tuesday, October 26th. If you enjoy reading Pulpit and Politics I would ask you to please vote for it.... Continue Reading →
Pulpit and Politics nominated for 2010 Canadian Blog Award
The competition for Canadian Blog Awards is on for 2010 and Pulpit and Politics is one of 16 blogs to be nominated in the Politics category. This is a good-natured affair and there is no monetary prize -- just some recognition among other bloggers and an opportunity to introduce readers to a growing number of... Continue Reading →
Truth to Power — The Journalism of a Benedictine Monk
By Dennis Gruending I return to Saskatchewan every summer to visit friends and relatives and usually I drop in at St. Peter's Abbey near Humboldt. I attended boarding school there in the 1960s and I retain a respect and fondness for the Benedictine monks. I spent several hours on my 2008 visit with Father Andrew... Continue Reading →
Selling Potash Corp, greed and market fundamentalism
By Dennis Gruending The Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan is poised for sale to the highest bidder, and shareholders, not to mention company executives, stand to stuff their pockets from a deal when and if it occurs. The company has spurned as inadequate an offer of $38.6-billion (U.S.) from an Australian-based giant called BHP Billiton and... Continue Reading →
People First and Toronto’s G20 summit
By Dennis Gruending I spent two days in Toronto on June 26-27 during the G20 summit of world political leaders. I was doing communications-related work for a peaceful rally and march organized by labour and citizens’ groups (including some churches) on Saturday. It was a day that was to turn nasty late in the afternoon... Continue Reading →
Karen Armstrong, Tim Flannery, God and climate
Normally there would be little reason to compare and contrast Karen Armstrong, a wildly popular writer on religion and Tim Flannery, the Australian palaeontologist and author. The random occasion to do so was their appearance within half an hour of each other recently at the Ottawa WritersFestival. Armstrong is a rarity, someone who has actually... Continue Reading →