Anti-minarets Switzerland

In a rather ugly turn of events, Switzerland voted to ban minarets. How could this happen in the happy, relaxed, almost libertarian S.?

European Islamophobia

Not long ago, in Anti-minarets Switzerland, Stefan Metzeler (Pro Libertate, ISIL, Institut Constant de Rebecque) was attempting in comments to justify the xenophobic and racist hatred most Europeans feel toward immigrants. I promised I was going to answer to him but never did. I discovered however a longer essay which covers some of the topics I would have covered quite well.

Jared Lee Loughner and Gun Crime

A subject often debated by libertarians is gun ownership and gun control. Though I suspect most libertarians would, like me, prefer as few restrictions on gun ownership as possible, I suspect that left libertarians might actually prefer outlawing guns altogether, which would mean that Second Amendment issues are not necessarily a Libertarian universal cause.

Toronto European Film Festival 2015

#euff2015 With the recent bad news coming from the heart of Europe (the Paris Attacks), a film festival sponsored by the European Union is a welcome diversion. And Toronto is the perfect host, seeing that this city seems to have at least one film festival going on at any given time.

Jamel, Ayn Rand and German Racism

The news about Jamel has been slowly trickling down from the Spiegel article. It is wrong to view this phenomenon separated from the wider resurgence of European xenophobia.

The war on bikes

As the municipal election is approaching, seemingly mundane and inoffensive subjects get thrown in the electoral fight. Bicycling, a no-brainer to those who have one, is now an opportunity for mayoral candidates posturing.

TVO’s The Agenda summer shows

Coming from Eastern Europe, I have never been too impressed with public television. There seemed to always be overblown egos fighting for disproportionately small issues. Even the “world-class” BBC seemed to always get facts wrong at least regarding our country (and possibly many others). In Toronto, however, things seem different.

MEC elections 2014

I purchased my first piece of specialized equipment from MEC many years ago, before going backpacking in Europe. It was a backpack I could not find anywhere else, a backpack I still have and find useful. And ever since, I voted in their elections. This year I thought it would not hurt to write about this particular experience.

Oslo bombed

I am quite upset to learn about this terrorist attack in Oslo, particularly since years ago I traveled through that country. Though at least 7 people died and more were harmed, it’s a small relief that the Prime Minister, who was seemingly the target of these attacks, was not hurt.

2018 Oscar (90th Academy Awards) Winners

I was with a bunch of friends on Oscars night, and though I suggested we watch it, they’d have none of it, so we ended up watching Elysium on Netflix instead. Still, curious as I am to see who won and what movies I should keep trying to watch, I’m publishing the winners list here, along with my comments.