Opinions
The Human Condition: The Law of Yante
By Daniel Schnee on October 20th, 2021
A few years ago while visiting the local university’s anthropology museum in Lund, Sweden I met a young graduate student who spoke English with native fluency. It was extraordinary to hear. She had no accent, and used terminology that was far beyond advanced. On that same trip I also happened to meet a professional chef ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Laying It Out: Even in democracy, you gotta be lucky to be good
By Scott Schmidt on October 16th, 2021
Heading into Monday’s hotly contested municipal elections around Alberta, a couple things are essentially certain – a whole lot of turnover will occur, and a relatively few number of Albertans will decide most of it. Voter turnout at all levels is suspect at best, but at the municipal level it can get downright sad. It ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!City Notebook: Monday is anyone’s guess
By COLLIN GALLANT on October 16th, 2021
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant There’s a thing in university called political science, but there’s no denying that real life politics is real life getting a bit difficult to decipher. Can anyone honestly say what’s happening in Medicine Hat voters’ minds? Especially when human interaction is limited in a still very isolating pandemic? Maybe with yourself, or your friends ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!MLA Report: Equalization on the ballot
By Drew Barnes on October 15th, 2021
On Oct. 18, Albertans have an opportunity to send a strong message to Ottawa, and demand a fair deal for our province. That’s why I am encouraging all Albertans, regardless of their political affiliation, to vote YES in the equalization referendum. Equalization is one of three federal transfer programs that chronically short change our province. ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!The Human Condition: The new anti-intellectualism
By Daniel Schnee on October 14th, 2021
People often wonder why some in society believe what is accurately called nonsense. And, as I have pointed out in earlier columns, emotional reasoning often trumps actual reasoning in the great “card game” of life. But these days there does indeed seem to be a new flavour of anti-intellectualism. Rather than the old, “My opinions ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Laying It Out: Promises, promises, ever the same promises
By Scott Schmidt on October 9th, 2021
As Albertans continue to grapple with a deadly fourth wave of the COVID-19 Delta variant, off in the background is a series of municipal elections that will largely shape the direction of this province for the next four years and beyond. Our focus is often monopolized by provincial and federal policy, but it’s the decisions ... Read More »
1 responseCity Notebook: Not a lot of power behind local campaigns
By COLLIN GALLANT on October 9th, 2021
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant Hatters can vote on Saturday morning in advance polls and will be presented with a ballot rivalling a phonebook. There are 32 names for council on the local ballot, five for mayor, either 15 or seven school board candidates (depending), a bunch more potential senate nominees and a couple of provincial questions. But there ... Read More »
1 responseViewpoint: Who does one vote for?
By Larry Samcoe on October 7th, 2021
Oct. 18 is election day in Medicine Hat for the next mayor and eight councillors for 2021-25. The voters will make their choices by their preferences from this rather lengthy slate: an incumbent, a friend or relative, a recognized name, once a Tiger, a retiree, a churchgoer, political affiliation and well-qualified candidates. Another way is ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!The Human Condition: Are circles silly?
By Daniel Schnee on October 6th, 2021
Years ago I attended a composers conference in Athens, and asked to be billeted so as to get a taste of everyday Greek life. One evening while gathered around the supper table, Amara, the family matron described looking at a bulletin board where samples of the composers’ work were on display. She went into great ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Laying It Out: Be careful out there, our safety net is gone
By Scott Schmidt on October 1st, 2021
On Sept. 17 the COVID crisis at Medicine Hat Regional Hospital was so bad surgeons were on standby to assist with intubations, and patients in desperate need of an ICU bed were waiting for one to come available (likely after a previous patient died). Someone close to the situation told me it was so dire, ... Read More »
1 responseCity Notebook: Looks like vaccine efforts, incentives paying off in the Hat
By COLLIN GALLANT on October 1st, 2021
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant The city is now in discussions to host so-called “pop-up” vaccine clinics after encouraging results from its own campaign and a surge of coronavirus vaccinations following a provincial move to a vaccine passport system. Those clinics, requiring walk-up service and no appointment necessary, would be held jointly with AHS and other groups as the ... Read More »
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