This week:
- New Pope old problems,
- Creationist’s $10,000 challenge,
- Librarians and loyalties, and
- Panda Politics
Download the episode here!
——————————————————————————————————————–
New Pope old problems
We originally thought the new pope, although having his own baggage, was not tainted by the ‘hiding pedophile priest’ scandal. Well, new report shows that even this humble friar had his role in covering up and moving around disgraced clergy.
Find out more:
Creationist’s $10,000 challenge
Dr. Joseph Mastropaolo is offering $10,000 to any individual (who is willing to put up their own $10,000) who can “prove that science contradicts the literal reading of Genesis”. If you win, you get the $20,000. If on the other hand, they prove “proves that science indicates the literal reading of Genesis” they win.
Find out more:
Librarians and loyalties
Don reviews changes to the Code of Conduct for Library and Archives of Canada. The insistence of a ‘duty of loyalty’ to the government as opposed to the nation of Canada strikes as tones of totalitarianism. In the light of many other policies, decisions and legislation one can not help but get the feeling Harper things HE is the nation, civil servants can’t be trusted and the less the people know the better for the government.
Find out more:
- Canada’s federal librarians fear being ‘muzzled’
- Harper government’s muzzling of scientists a mark of shame for Canada
- U.S. scientist refuses to be ‘muzzled’ by confidentiality
- Conservative cuts put half of Statscan jobs at risk
- Statistics Canada to stop tracking marriage and divorce rates
- StatsCan in turmoil over decision to scrap long-form census
Panda Politics
Pandas has been an intricate part of Chinese diplomacy for centuries. Since the 1970′s the People Republic has used them to open the doors to the non-communist world.
Two of the bi-coloured fur balls are not in Canada; what does it mean, why did we get them and what did we give up? Could our Prime Minster spend his time doing something more important than pimping Pandas?
Find out more:
- Panda politics: the cuddly face of Chinese diplomacy
- Panda politics: It’s trickier than you think
- Scrutinizing Canada’s pipeline to Beijing
- Premiers set to meet on the economy…without Stephen Harper
- Harper snub threatens to overshadow premiers meeting
- Harper’s Absence At Premiers Meeting On Economy Doesn’t Sit Well With Some
- Giant pandas move to Toronto Zoo after greeting by PM
- Harper’s China visit ends with panda pact
- Is Stephen Harper choosing pandas over premiers?
- China-Canada FIPA: Rick Mercer Slams Harper Over Secret Trade Deal
- Canada-China trade deal is too one-sided
- China trade agreement: what you need to know
- Encana’s Duvernay Shale
- Roll out the red carpet: Giant pandas touchdown in Toronto
- Wikipedia – Panda diplomacy
- Panda Diplomacy
- Giant Panda
- Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
- How China plays politics with pandas
——————————————————————————————————————–
Skeptical Highlights:
Medicines from the Ivory Tower
What:
The Istituto teams up once again with ARPICO, the Society of Italian Researchers and Professionals of Western Canada, to present a fascinating talk celebrating the 50th anniversary of the awarding of the Nobel Prize to Italian scientist Giulio Natta. Organic chemistry, the branch of chemical science that focuses on carbon-based materials, permits the conversion of basic resources, such as petroleum and coal, into valuable end-products that are the hallmark of technologically advanced societies. Organic chemistry enabled Giulio Natta to usher in the era of advanced plastics. Today, researchers rely on organic chemistry to create the medicines of the future. This talk by UBC’s Prof. Marco Ciufolini will briefly highlight the work of Giulio Natta, before illustrating how advances in organic chemistry are spawning the therapies of the 21st Century.
Where:
Istituto Italiano Di Cultura – 500W. Hastings, Vancover
When:
Wednesday, MAR 27, 2013, 6:15 PM
Cost:
Free
