SPARE: Recent Episodes
Fraser Allan Best
Host of 'Leading Tone' on CIUT 89.5FM in Toronto.
New episodes of the podcast 'Spare' every 24 hours -- taking apart a news story of the day!
I slow down a head-butting politics argument with my dad into a thoughtful email exchange, tackling the debate on Canadian Bill C-16 from two disagreeable viewpoints in Toronto.
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I slow down a head-butting politics argument with my dad into a thoughtful email exchange, tackling the debate on Canadian Bill C-16 from two disagreeable viewpoints in Toronto.
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On Bill Maher's use of the n-word on Real Time, and the formation of epithets in social consciousness.
LINKS
Maher: http://bit.ly/2rumRGr Apology: http://cnn.it/2thUgFE
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STORIES
Nickelback Meme: http://bit.ly/1PdFnHx Hole Against Humanity: http://huff.to/2g9SrGC
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Fraser and Eric rant about the holidays, sports, and Eric learns some stories should be left untold.
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Episode of Monday edition of "Press Pass" on The Blaze 1330 AM in Phoenix. Co-anchored by Fraser Allan Best.
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Episode of Monday edition of "Press Pass" on The Blaze 1330 AM in Phoenix. Co-anchored by Fraser Allan Best.
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twitter: @FraserAllanBest insta: @FraserAllanBest
On the version of O Canada that incorporated the phrase "all lives matter" performed by The Canadian Tenors at an MLB All-Star Game in San Diego, California.
LINKS
Article: http://bit.ly/2ajN3vD
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On Theresa May's Ascension to the position of British Prime Minister, and what it means for the party politics of the United Kingdom.
LINKS
Article: http://bit.ly/29NHW9L
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On Colin Robertson's support of Canada's plans to strengthen its role in NATO.
LINKS
Robertson: http://bit.ly/29ZTMyB
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On the push by some Vancouver city councillors to crack down on Airbnb users to protect Vancouver's rental market.
LINKS
Article: http://bit.ly/29F9ASL Critical: http://bit.ly/29zFkIn
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On the death of Philando Castile, and the footage captured by his girlfriend, Lavish Reynolds.
LINKS
Footage: http://bit.ly/2a14eSH
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On the Chilcot Report's criticism of Tony Blair, and the nature of the political decision to join Operation Iraqi Freedom.
LINKS
Report Digest: http://bit.ly/29qhq6F
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On the breaking story of the killing of five Dallas police officers at the hands of a sniper at an otherwise peaceful Black Lives Matter protest, and what it means for the relationship between the black community and law enforcement.
LINKS
Article: http://nyti.ms/29wxPUi Victims: http://bit.ly/29q4PM9
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On the 6-year prison sentence handed to Olympian Oscar Pistorius, and the apparent prevalence of criminality among public figures.
LINKS
Article: http://bit.ly/29DDICN
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On the state of the CETA agreement between Canada and the European Union and the more comprehensive ratification process being implemented to appeal to a change in attitude among European leaders in the wake of Brexit.
LINKS
Article: http://bit.ly/29jJCDR Trade Defence: http://politi.co/29nhelQ
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On the Black Lives Matter demonstration staged at the 2016 Toronto Pride Parade, and the line between activism, and bullying.
LINKS
Demand on Float: http://bit.ly/29oravJ Wente Reaction: http://bit.ly/29MiP4s Public Reaction: http://bit.ly/29fu6Im
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On the 2016 Pride Parade in Toronto and its powerful and bold display in defence of liberal, secular, and progressive values.
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Article: http://bit.ly/29kh8wD
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On the looming Canada Post strike, and the changing impact of labour disruptions in a modern economy.
LINKS
Strike: http://bit.ly/29pzYES E-Commerce Response: http://bit.ly/29dgaQm
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On a recent report from Washington revealing that 116 civilians were killed by targeted drone strikes in countries with which the US is not currently at war.
LINKS
Report: http://wapo.st/29fmM1A Drones and the Obama Administration: http://bit.ly/29eDZZt
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On the "Three Amigos" summit, and what it says about Canada's position in the game-changing political trends we are seeing in both the Brexit movement, and the Trump campaign.
LINKS
Summit: http://on.thestar.com/29d3x8O Bromance: http://bit.ly/29i6MxN
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On the recent attack in Ataturk airport in Istanbul -- likely carried out by ISIS insurgents -- and what it marks in the timeline of global terrorism.
LINKS
Images: http://bit.ly/294pfdC Erdogan: http://bit.ly/29f1BQY
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On the oncoming set of legislative amendments to further restrict the conditions under which a patient will be allowed t opt for assisted physician-assisted suicide.
LINKS
Column: http://bit.ly/294hObX
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On the growing skepticism around the "elitism" in public French immersion schooling in Canada.
LINKS
MacLean's: http://bit.ly/294Bv2D Statistics: http://bit.ly/290yuxt
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On the 2016 BET Awards and the changing relationship between black culture and the mainstream.
LINKS
Live Hashtag: http://bit.ly/28Xt9oA
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On the sentencing of David and Collette Stephen, convicted of negligent homicide in the death of their son Ezekiel Stephen from Meningitis after the couple took him to a naturopath, rather than a proper physician.
LINKS
Article: http://bit.ly/28VdWIV Other Episode: http://bit.ly/28Y11pm
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On the estimated billion dollar price-tag attached to Finance Minister Bill Morneau’s expansion of the Canada Pension Plan.
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Article: http://bit.ly/28SOqPu
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On the vote by the British public that ultimately favoured the United Kingdom's secession from the European Union, and what it means.
LINKS
Brexit Vote: http://bit.ly/28QVfBb Cameron Resigns: http://bit.ly/28RgDv4
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On Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment potentially pursuing legal action to block a trademark application submitted by Snoop Dogg on the basis that infringes on the existing Leafs graphic branding.
LINKS
Article: http://bit.ly/28NQ6fp Logo: http://bit.ly/28RIzzi
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On Premier Kathleen Wynne's announcement that policy advisors are considering LCBO stores as distribution outlets for legal marijuana in Ontario.
LINKS
article: http://on.thestar.com/28OvGnZ
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On Donald Trump's "underfunded" campaign and how it might not be a good indicator that he will uncompetitive in the general election.
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article: http://nyti.ms/28M5oE0
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On the BREXIT movement movement in the UK set to resolved in a referendum this week, and how it compares to the Canadian historical case of Quebec's movement for sovereignty.
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Related Article: http://bit.ly/28IEa0o
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On the opposition to nuclear power, voiced by environmentalists who lament our collective reliance on fossil fuels.
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Column: http://bit.ly/1rvkJx5
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On the Canadian Liberal government arguing that they do not have a "Duty of Care" to injured Canadian veterans, a reversal the position that they voiced as the opposition to Harper's Conservative government.
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Article: http://bit.ly/1W5b6Sx
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On recent findings that suggest that the Orlando shooter Omar Mateen had, at the least, confusion about his sexual identity.
LINKS
Globe Article: http://bit.ly/1tzM5Ek Global News: http://bit.ly/1WQ9RHO Telegraph: http://bit.ly/1UzwEpf
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On a bill currently being debated in the United States Congress, proposing to make it mandatory for women to register for the draft upon turning eighteen.
LINKS
Article: http://bit.ly/24Saosj Cruz: http://wapo.st/25Z6vrq
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On the recent killing of Canadian Robert Hall at the hands of Abu Sayyaf in the Philippines, and the ethics of current Canadian policies on negotiating international hostages.
LINKS
Trudeau Statement: http://bit.ly/1UPraW1 Bob Rae Article: http://bit.ly/1XXzgAn
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On the sharp retorts to Trump's reiteration of his call to ban Muslims from entering the United States from certain countries, and how all of this misunderstands the reach of the Islamic State.
LINKS
Trump: http://nyti.ms/1YoUyFQ Ex-Wife: http://bit.ly/1ZNhsF6
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On the Twitter posts made by Donald Trump in the short-term aftermath of the shooting of 50 civilians in Orlando Florida, and what it says about his leadership in the lead-up to the general election.
LINKS
tweet: http://bit.ly/1tlvpQe
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On the idea by some activists -- mobilized in outraged response to problems in he sale of tickets to The Tragically Hip -- that the government of should develop regulations to stop online ticket bots.
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Related Article: http://bit.ly/1OjeeZl
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On the labour strike by the South African firefighters contracted into Fort McMurray to assist local Canadian firefighters.
LINKS
Article: http://bit.ly/1UmycD4 Notley: http://bit.ly/1Xfqug6
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On an article celebrating a future in which autonomous vehicles are managed centrally by the federal government in the interest of transit efficiency and environmental protection.
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Article: http://bit.ly/1UkBNBv
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On the senates revisions to, and delaying of the assisted suicide bill passed by Trudeau's Liberal House of Commons.
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Article: http://bit.ly/1OekX6Y
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On the misguided logic behind France's newly introduced "Right to Disconnect" legislation which limits the number of hours that employers can expect employees to be available remotely outside of working hours.
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Article: http://bit.ly/1Uz1aLM
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On the head to head of Hillary Clinton versus Donald Trump in the 2016 United States election, and a prediction on the winner based on likely campaign strategies to appeal to the emotions of voters.
LINKS
Hillary Wins Necessary Delegates: http://wapo.st/1VJFnGk
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On the dehumanizing attitudes towards women that have come to light as prevalent within Brazil in the wake of the gang rape of a 16 year-old girl in the lead-up to the 2016 Olympics.
LINKS
Reactions to Assault: http://bit.ly/1O9XkMO Indications of Misogyny: http://bit.ly/1Y2CTmD
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On the death on Muhammed Ali, what his life meant to American history, and why his persona resonated with the public.
LINKS
Life in Photos: http://bit.ly/1PcPwVs
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On an list of 100 non-white star actors that could help "fix Hollywood's diversity problem", and continued debate on #OscarsSoWhite.
LINKS
List Article: http://lat.ms/1Y7z8N9 Stats Source: http://econ.st/1Ptm0QJ
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On the resolution passed by German parliament to recognize the Armenia Genocide as perpetrated by the Ottoman Turk, and how this fits into the global scope of genocide recognition.
LINKS
http://bbc.in/1Y5XmHN
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On a failure of software used by the CSE which lead to a leak of data that had not been stripped of identifying information, to Canadian allies.
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Article: http://bit.ly/1O6velB
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On the raids of marijuana dispensaries that took place last week, and public criticism of Toronto police enforcing marijuana laws so close to anticipated reforms by Trudeau's majority government.
LINKS
Raids: http://on.thestar.com/1TCZb9z Criticism: http://bit.ly/25AaQRu
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On recent plans by the Liberal government to prohibit tobacco companies from printing logos, colours, brand images and promotional material on the outside of cigarette packs.
LINKS
Story: http://bit.ly/1sYhmAm
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On the case of Mahmoud Jaballah, a Egyptian refugee claimant who was detained for almost 20 years in Canada after he was deemed to much of a risk to live free among the Canadian public.
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Article: http://bit.ly/22tI6od
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On MLA Fildebrandt of Alberta's Wild Rose Party, his Facebook comments suggesting he shared the homophobic views voiced by a party supporter, and what it says about the nature of public opinion.
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Article: http://bit.ly/25tvmU3
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On the incoming shift in the official Conservative Party position on gay marriage.
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Article: http://bit.ly/1UjS1tb
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On Obama's discussions with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan on nuclear proliferation and North Korea, and how it challenges the legacy of United States foreign intervention.
LINKS
Obama in Japan: http://nyti.ms/1sBRvNX
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On a popular new study that concluded that the Alberta Oil Sands themselves are a top emitter of airborne pollutants including secondary organic aerosols.
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Article: http://bit.ly/1WPwFan
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On changing attitudes toward miscarriages and how this compassionate attitude conflicts with other features of progressive advocacy.
LINKS
in Health Care: http://on.thestar.com/1szy08K as a Disability: http://on.thestar.com/1TyG54D
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On Canadian Senate Bill S-201, which prevents discrimination on the basis of genetic test results, and the inconsistencies that pervade the logic behind it.
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Article: http://bit.ly/1qqHtxE
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On a case against the "pop tax" recommended in a Canadian senate report on obesity as a policy to combat national obesity.
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Article: http://bit.ly/1U8tkzM
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On Lawrence Solomon's defence of humans on the topic of animal extinction.
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Article: http://bit.ly/1U6KUE9
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On the decision of the liberal government to limit the funds that a government can dedicate to advertising its own programs without a clear public purpose.
LINKS
Article: http://bit.ly/1WHr8Tr Obama at Rutgers: http://wapo.st/23T4GWx
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On the approval of GMO salmon for sale on the Canadian consumer market, and the unreasonable backlash from environmental groups.
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Article: http://bit.ly/1sCtQxp
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On Prime Minister Trudeau elbowing an MP in the chest, why the NDP can't sincerely condemn it, and why Canadians should.
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Article: http://bit.ly/1OBbBwD
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On how the suggestion that Quebec should intake more immigrants to support the cost of its aging population through taxation conflict with large-scale liberal environmental ideals.
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Column: http://bit.ly/1WB0fB8
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Episode 20 of Leading Tone featuring an interview with the rising indie band "Good Kid"!
On an radical response to Canada's need for electoral reform that involves making it legally mandatory for citizens to vote.
LINKS
Editorial: http://bit.ly/22eFrij
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On the problems with taxpayer dollars going towards supporting the lifestyle of Sophie Trudeau as wife of Prime Minister Trudeau, and the subtle appeal of populism.
LINKS
Article: http://on.thestar.com/1YurH0B
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On the proposals to change O Canada's like "in all thy son's command" to "in all of us command", to strike neutrality by encompassing both sexes.
LINKS
Letters: http://bit.ly/1Ou496t Article: http://bit.ly/1Wz08Fx
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On Gizmodo's report that Facebook moderators curate Facebook's "trending content" section to favour liberal content, and block conservative content.
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Article: http://bit.ly/1NtYiD2
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On President Obama's visit to Hiroshima, and the regrettable trend in foreign policy since the U.S. ended a war with The Bomb.
LINKS
White House Non-apology: http://lat.ms/1ZB09a8
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On how Uber can provide the fastest road to a future where the streets are dominated by self-driving cars.
LINKS
Uber in Toronto: http://bit.ly/1TtXBpT Driverless world: http://on.thestar.com/1OjtjtM
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On Donald Trump as the presumptive nominee and what it means for the shape of party politics.
LINKS
Republican Schism: http://fxn.ws/24O5XEb
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On the Toronto350 and supply-side environmental action on Canada's relationship with oil consumption.
On marijuana legalization and the uses and pitfalls of the slippery slope argument, and other notes on consistency in drug positions.
LINKS
Gateway Drug Theory: http://bit.ly/1OjStTx
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On enrolling boys in feminine activities to augment firm masculine inclinations.
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Article: http://bit.ly/1SGm0Yz
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On a study showing that 60% of employers investigate the social media presence of potential employees.
LINKS
Study: http://bit.ly/1TwmYr6
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On the Canadian census, right and wrong.
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On the the moral vagueness surrounding "humiliating" treatment of animals.
LINKS
Animals for Entertainment: http://bit.ly/1NjCJVY
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On profanity and the classism in the English language.
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On "The Happy Film" by Stefan Sagmeister, and the problem with bottled happiness.
LINKS
Film Info: www.thehappyfilm.org
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On culturally appropriative clothing worn at music festivals.
LINKS
Article: http://bit.ly/1SD96Po
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On graffiti, street art, and the thoughts behind it with the Toronto artist "Sober".
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Article: http://bit.ly/1TbpqTn
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On Drake dropping "Views from the 6" and his Toronto-loving attitude in an American-born genre.
LINKS
Drake Album: http://bit.ly/1SOvEM5
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On parental negligence, in contrast to the parental responsibility to raise children for conduct in a society underpinned by liberalism.
LINKS
Butt Article: http://bit.ly/1SunoBY Spanking Harm: http://bit.ly/1sM3IJU
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On residential schools as a product of the persistent trend towards more government intervention.
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On a news story on the parental negligence case against a family who treated their son's meningitis with natural remedies.
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On the 80 game suspension of Toronto Blue Jays' player Chris Colabello and self-servingly arguing that sports don't deserve respect as a spectacle.
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On a brief altercation that took place recently on Facebook, referencing to Caitlyn Jenner and referring to her past.
LINKS
Jenner Automotive Collision: http://bit.ly/1NIwKEw
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In which I spill my thoughts on Canadians criticizing certain policy attitudes of the United States.
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On Canada being rated 14th of 16 countries for environmental performance by the Conference Board of Canada - special mention to the death of Prince, and the acquittal of Senator Mike Duffy.
LINKS:
Main Topic: http://bit.ly/1TmooXL
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Thoughts on announcement of slated marijuana legalization by Trudeau's Liberals on 420.
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On Cruz's charge that Trump represents New York values, which was received with mixed sentiment across America.
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