Peter Denton

(July 3, 2020) CIVILIZATIONS are based on a variety of structures that combine power and authority. Putting those two things together, however, can mean truth is a dangerous commodity. When people object to the way they are being treated by authority, trouble starts. Power does not respond well to a challenge of any kind especially if it reflects facts it doesn’t want to admit. [ 753 more words ] https://peterdenton.ca///31/justice-is-a-three-sided-coin/

(May 28, 2020) I WISH I could share the enthusiasm of those who are now happily booking haircuts, eating in restaurants and making plans to visit with friends and families. My hair has not been this long since I was a teenager, it would be nice to share that home-cooking load with a chef, and I miss being able to sit around and just visit with people. [ 755 more words ] https://peterdenton.ca//not-quite-ready-to-embrace-phase-2/

(May 20, 2020) I wrote the first words of this column as the sun rose over the Red River on Manitoba’s 150th birthday. After bemoaning the fact the Snowbirds did not swing north of the city during the local leg of their now-interrupted inspiration tour, it was then back to life in the midst of a pandemic. At heart, like all activists, I am an optimist. [ 768 more words ] https://peterdenton.ca//pallisters-bucket-list-of-irritat/

(May 8, 2020) Seventy-five years ago, my grandfather celebrated the end of the war in Europe with his unit in Holland. In the history of heroes written about those who served in the Second World War, he was less than a footnote. He did not see combat. His medals included none for bravery or heroism, just the "I wuz there" set that everyone in the services received. [ 751 more words ] https://peterdenton.ca//05/unsung-heroes-make-fight-winna/

(April 24, 2020) WITH the first probable cases of COVID-19 in Manitoba having been identified on March 12, we have been living with the pandemic and its implications for more than a month and a half. It is hard to listen to the news, every day, and hear the death tolls around the world. It is hard to read the stories of people who have lost family members, friends and colleagues. [ 779 more words ] https://peterdenton.ca//the-new-normal-wont-look-like-the/

(April 8, 2020) As the water levels rise again this spring, Winnipeggers are less anxious than others who live along riverbanks. Sheltered behind the recently expanded floodway, we have safely managed several "floods of the century" since the city was swamped in 1950. Duff Roblin did not regard that 1950 flood as an isolated event, something unlikely to reoccur in his time as premier. [ 754 more words ] https://peterdenton.ca//covid-19-response-will-cement-pal/

Misspelling the Maasai word for "hope" -- osiligi -- in a Kenyan primary school (2014) (March 28, 2020) ACTIVISTS have always said that we need to find another way to do things. Another way to live together to live with the Earth, instead of against it. For too long, the response, from too many people, has been, "No. There isn’t another way." Or, "I don’t want to look for one." Or, "We did it once and it didn’t work we tried." [ 785 more words ] http://peterdenton.ca//04/05/now-more-than-ever-hope-matt/

(March 11, 2020) SINCE Jason Kenney became premier of Alberta, I have had this urge to apologize for being born there. Claiming the bully pulpit of "speaking for all Albertans," especially when ranting about pipelines, Kenney’s first legislation this year, Bill 1, would make any blocking or interference with "essential infrastructure," into a major crime, subject to thousands of dollars in fines and jail time. [ 777 more words ] http://peterdenton.ca//recovering-albertan-feels-the-need/

(February 24, 2020) There is no doubt building a pipeline in Canada is a "wicked problem." A "wicked problem" is one that is difficult or impossible to solve, because of its interwoven social, cultural, economic and political factors. I have opposed the construction of pipelines in these pages before (cue the chorus of internet trolls), so it will be no surprise to hear that I think the federal and British Columbia governments are making a hash of things once again. [ 731 more words ] http://peterdenton.ca//pipelines-bad-business-plain-and-s/

(January 18, 2020) If I could ask Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his cabinet one question before their Winnipeg retreat this weekend, it would be: "Would you shoot the children?" I admit this is a brutal way to start a column. But it does cut away the fluff and go straight to the heart of the problem. As this is being written, RCMP officers in full tactical gear have barricaded the traditional territory of the Wet’suwet’en in British Columbia, and blocked journalists from entering the area. [ 727 more words ] http://peterdenton.ca///pointed-questions-for-visiting-pm/

(February 12, 2020) FEBRUARY is "I Love to Read" month, which is good for the farmers who are finally able to take a breather before the spring thaw arrives probably in early March, this year. To offer them (and you) some food for thought, I want to look at sustainability issues for agricultural producers, in the midst of a climate crisis fueled by a warming atmosphere and rising levels of greenhouse gases. [ 752 more words ] http://peterdenton.ca//farmers-need-a-sustainable-future-/

Always a thrill to hold a new book for the first time - number 7, making a small contribution to accompany a longer piece by James Gustave (Gus) Speth. It’s been a real honour to collaborate in this effort from Wood Lake Books! https://www.woodlakebooks.com//Ne/Imagine-a-Joyful-Economy