Conservative and Liberal Brains Might Have Some Real Differences:

The story of the 1968 debate opens a well-regarded 2013 book called Predisposed,
which introduced the general public to the field of political
neuroscience. The authors, a trio of political scientists at the
University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Rice University, argued that if the
differences between liberals and conservatives seem profound and even
unbridgeable, it is because they are rooted in personality
characteristics and biological predispositions.

On the whole, the research shows, conservatives desire security,
predictability and authority more than liberals do, and liberals are
more comfortable with novelty, nuance and complexity. If you had put
Buckley and Vidal in a magnetic resonance imaging machine and presented
them with identical images, you would likely have seen differences in
their brain, especially in the areas that process social and emotional
information. The volume of gray matter, or neural cell bodies, making up
the anterior cingulate cortex, an area that helps detect errors and
resolve conflicts, tends to be larger in liberals. And the amygdala,
which is important for regulating emotions and evaluating threats, is
larger in conservatives.

Conservative and Liberal Brains Might Have Some Real Differences: The story of the 1968 debate opens a well-regarded 2013 book called Predisposed,
which introduced the general public to the field of political
neuroscience. The authors, a trio of political scientists at the
University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Rice University, argued that if the
differences between liberals and conservatives seem profound and even
unbridgeable, it is because they are rooted in personality
characteristics and biological predispositions.On the whole, the research shows, conservatives desire security,
predictability and authority more than liberals do, and liberals are
more comfortable with novelty, nuance and complexity. If you had put
Buckley and Vidal in a magnetic resonance imaging machine and presented
them with identical images, you would likely have seen differences in
their brain, especially in the areas that process social and emotional
information. The volume of gray matter, or neural cell bodies, making up
the anterior cingulate cortex, an area that helps detect errors and
resolve conflicts, tends to be larger in liberals. And the amygdala,
which is important for regulating emotions and evaluating threats, is
larger in conservatives.Read More

False populism and the Conservative leadership vote | National Newswatch:

The federal Conservative party will choose a new leader in a matter of weeks.

The ballots have already gone out to thousands of party members, and
responses must be received by September 6, 2022. The results of the vote
will be announced on September 10, 2022. This method is presented as a
more “democratic” way to choose a leader, since it provides the
opportunity for anyone taking out a membership to vote. Candidates are
actually awarded “points” based on their ability to sell as many party
memberships as possible. As an exercise in pure salesmanship, the
process may be argued to be a success. By one count the Conservative
Party boasts some 675,000 members- at least on paper. I offer the
counter view that by virtually eliminating the role of political parties
and Members of Parliament in the leadership selection, the process
provides a badly distorted and highly misleading notion of openness and a
Trojan Horse which invites extremism under the false claim of
“populism”.

False populism and the Conservative leadership vote | National Newswatch: The federal Conservative party will choose a new leader in a matter of weeks.The ballots have already gone out to thousands of party members, and
responses must be received by September 6, 2022. The results of the vote
will be announced on September 10, 2022. This method is presented as a
more “democratic” way to choose a leader, since it provides the
opportunity for anyone taking out a membership to vote. Candidates are
actually awarded “points” based on their ability to sell as many party
memberships as possible. As an exercise in pure salesmanship, the
process may be argued to be a success. By one count the Conservative
Party boasts some 675,000 members- at least on paper. I offer the
counter view that by virtually eliminating the role of political parties
and Members of Parliament in the leadership selection, the process
provides a badly distorted and highly misleading notion of openness and a
Trojan Horse which invites extremism under the false claim of
“populism”.Read More

NDP Backing for Trudeau Government May Hinge on ‘Big Commitment’ to Just Transition | The Energy Mix:

“This is one of the single biggest issues for us,” veteran MP Charlie Angus, the party’s critic for natural resources jobs, told the Toronto Star last Wednesday. “The government has to deliver if we’re going to continue working together.”

Angus’ remarks, which followed adoption of a massive, new climate action plan
in the United States last week, focused on what the Star calls a
“vague” promise to move “forward with Just Transition legislation” as
part of the NDP’s deal last March
to support the Liberals in major House of Commons votes. Trudeau first
promised a just transition bill during the 2019 federal election, and
climate, energy, and trade union advocates have long been concerned that
the details are taking too long to emerge.

The northern Ontario
MP said he sees just transition as the most important issue facing
Parliament, adding that any funding for new clean energy infrastructure
should be tied to well-paying jobs, the Star says.

NDP Backing for Trudeau Government May Hinge on ‘Big Commitment’ to Just Transition | The Energy Mix: “This is one of the single biggest issues for us,” veteran MP Charlie Angus, the party’s critic for natural resources jobs, told the Toronto Star last Wednesday. “The government has to deliver if we’re going to continue working together.”Angus’ remarks, which followed adoption of a massive, new climate action plan
in the United States last week, focused on what the Star calls a
“vague” promise to move “forward with Just Transition legislation” as
part of the NDP’s deal last March
to support the Liberals in major House of Commons votes. Trudeau first
promised a just transition bill during the 2019 federal election, and
climate, energy, and trade union advocates have long been concerned that
the details are taking too long to emerge.The northern Ontario
MP said he sees just transition as the most important issue facing
Parliament, adding that any funding for new clean energy infrastructure
should be tied to well-paying jobs, the Star says.Read More

The Big Four oilsands companies’ influence threatens Alberta democracy, argues political scientist:

The Big Four’s political influence has most recently manifested in its dominant position in the Pathways Alliance. This lobbying consortium — known as COSIA — consists of the Big Four, ConocoPhillips and MEG Energy.  

According to their website, COSIA’s purpose
is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from oilsands production and
achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions. The Pathways Alliance sees
oilsands production carrying on for nearly three decades and beyond.

Central to this lobby effort has been successfully convincing Ottawa to give the firms a tax credit in the 2022 federal budget.
This sets a dangerous precedent — if Ottawa itself is willing to grant
the wishes of the Big Four, what chance will the Alberta premier have in
refusing similar requests?

The fiscally dependent Alberta government will continue its battles
against Ottawa on behalf of the Big Four. Whether or not this is good
for Alberta’s democracy, its residents and the planet is another matter
entirely.

The Big Four oilsands companies’ influence threatens Alberta democracy, argues political scientist: The Big Four’s political influence has most recently manifested in its dominant position in the Pathways Alliance. This lobbying consortium — known as COSIA — consists of the Big Four, ConocoPhillips and MEG Energy.  According to their website, COSIA’s purpose
is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from oilsands production and
achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions. The Pathways Alliance sees
oilsands production carrying on for nearly three decades and beyond.Central to this lobby effort has been successfully convincing Ottawa to give the firms a tax credit in the 2022 federal budget.
This sets a dangerous precedent — if Ottawa itself is willing to grant
the wishes of the Big Four, what chance will the Alberta premier have in
refusing similar requests?The fiscally dependent Alberta government will continue its battles
against Ottawa on behalf of the Big Four. Whether or not this is good
for Alberta’s democracy, its residents and the planet is another matter
entirely.Read More

Alberta is calling, again: Top-notch education at the U of A! (Never mind how we’re trying to bring it down a notch or two …) – Alberta Politics:

“Top notch education,” Mr. Kenney, or his campaign surrogate, enthusiastically tweeted on Saturday. “Alberta is calling.”

The little web image attached to the tweet cheerfully proclaimed:
“Alberta is calling to say … THE U OF A IS RANKED IN THE TOP 100
UNIVERSITIES GLOBALLY.”

Who knew that irony was part of the Alberta Advantage?

Alberta is calling, again: Top-notch education at the U of A! (Never mind how we’re trying to bring it down a notch or two …) – Alberta Politics: “Top notch education,” Mr. Kenney, or his campaign surrogate, enthusiastically tweeted on Saturday. “Alberta is calling.”The little web image attached to the tweet cheerfully proclaimed:
“Alberta is calling to say … THE U OF A IS RANKED IN THE TOP 100
UNIVERSITIES GLOBALLY.” Who knew that irony was part of the Alberta Advantage?Read More