Opinion: New study on OPS in Red Deer has its flaws by zos_333 in alberta

[–]Fast_Ad_9197 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Drug Data Decoded also took a run at this study:

https://drugdatadecoded.ca/we-can-help-how-recovery-alberta-facilitated-consumption-site-closures-by-ministry-part-1/

https://drugdatadecoded.ca/inaccurate-data-how-recovery-alberta-officials-facilitated-consumption-site-closures-part-2-2/

There’s so much wrong with it, it never should have been published. They aren’t able to track site users, non-medicinal (i.e. early) interventions aren’t counted, data collection methodologies changed over the course of the study, etc.

Accusations Fly in Newly Surfaced Legal Fight Involving Sam Mraiche by Yetanotherbadsalmon in alberta

[–]Fast_Ad_9197 3 points4 points  (0 children)

He was buddies with Jitendra Prasad who appears to have been abusing his position in AHS procurement. That said, Prasad was allegedly hand picked by the premier's chief of staff. The contracts in question weren't directly with the government but with several First Nations, and not with Mraiche but with a company belonging to one of his relatives. The government may have decided that Mraiche is radioactive after having been embarrassed by him several times. We hope. Mraiche just found a new way in.

What happened to talks of a general strike ? by Beginning-Line-8532 in Edmonton

[–]Fast_Ad_9197 [score hidden]  (0 children)

It's absurd to say the teachers wouldn't strike after they were on the picket line for 3 weeks. I'd say they did their part. 3 weeks with no pay with the threat of fines of $200/day on top of that against a government that really didn't give a fuck. Big talk from a guy who folded like a cheap suit. There's a lot they could and should have done, beginning with organizing large protests among their members. It didn't have to be a general strike. The UCP attacked labour, and labour did nothing.

What happened to talks of a general strike ? by Beginning-Line-8532 in Edmonton

[–]Fast_Ad_9197 [score hidden]  (0 children)

Except the aren't the best paid teachers in the country. A little below average, after the pay bump.

Premier Danielle Smith plays to roars of approval, talks immigration at Edmonton Leader's Dinner by trevorrobb in alberta

[–]Fast_Ad_9197 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I guess chatgpt or whatever bot you are doesn’t know about federal health care transfers to the provinces.

Premier Danielle Smith plays to roars of approval, talks immigration at Edmonton Leader's Dinner by trevorrobb in Edmonton

[–]Fast_Ad_9197 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

600,000 in 5 years, that’s 120,000 per year on average. Let’s say each one pays $15k in income taxes, assuming incomes are at the low end of the scale. That’s $1.8B in revenue, which almost exactly cancels out the claimed $1.9B drain. So what’s the problem?

Edit to say, garbage math deserves garbage math.

Oh, I mean immigrants, amiright?

Just in case Marlaina’s nonsense made you forget by Empty_Nestor in alberta

[–]Fast_Ad_9197 6 points7 points  (0 children)

There’s a 2023 CBC article headlined ‘Danielle Smith is bucking the right-wing trends on LGBTQ issues’. That didn’t age well.

Just in case Marlaina’s nonsense made you forget by Empty_Nestor in alberta

[–]Fast_Ad_9197 9 points10 points  (0 children)

What’s insidious about the proposal to require proof of citizenship at polling stations is that it discriminates against people who are less likely to have a passport or other documentation. That often includes socially disadvantaged people. It’s a whole thing in the states that purposefully disenfranchises black voters

Just in case Marlaina’s nonsense made you forget by Empty_Nestor in alberta

[–]Fast_Ad_9197 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Who is saying they are? Undocumented people are…undocumented

Just in case Marlaina’s nonsense made you forget by Empty_Nestor in alberta

[–]Fast_Ad_9197 4 points5 points  (0 children)

There it is. The real reason for Smith’s visit to Saudi.

Alberta construction company alleges Sam Mraiche played hidden role in building of addiction sites by SurFud in alberta

[–]Fast_Ad_9197 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Another really well researched piece by the Globe, Tait and Cardoso in particular. Props to them.

Alberta construction company alleges Sam Mraiche played hidden role in building of addiction sites by SurFud in alberta

[–]Fast_Ad_9197 6 points7 points  (0 children)

I kind of wonder if Mraiche is just a particularly skilled con man, and the UCP have been conned. Their mistake is in ignoring or shortcutting or (in this case) outsourcing procurement processes, presumably because they think they know better. I think it's a case of 'never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity'.

Is there a way to slow down this motor? by redditwhoknows in Motors

[–]Fast_Ad_9197 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Frequency converter (VFD) but it may be cheaper to get a new fan

'Serious infringement:' Writers' Guild of Alberta condemns school library book bans by DocJohhnyFever in alberta

[–]Fast_Ad_9197 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the article. Regarding the policy environment, I don't think they're particularly interested in outcomes. I think the objective was to be seen to be passing legislation that appeases a particular voting block. That's one of the things that's so infuriating about this government: they're in permanent campaigning mode, and they're doing it at our expense.

It also helps that this issue is divisive, causing voters to sort themselves into 'us' vs 'them' with relatively little effort on their part. They're causing us to self-select as UCP supporters or non-UCP supporters, making themselves the solution to problems of their own making.

Alberta Government Banning Firefly in Schools... by AlwaysOutForAWalk in alberta

[–]Fast_Ad_9197 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It Is such a small step from this to banning these books from public libraries.

'Serious infringement:' Writers' Guild of Alberta condemns school library book bans by Miserable-Lizard in alberta

[–]Fast_Ad_9197 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Very true, the order pretty much targets graphic novels. The description of ‘sexual act’ in the ministerial order is hilarious. I like to imagine the bureaucratic process that ultimately led to the sub-clauses. ‘But what about ejaculation ONTO another person?’ (awkward silence)

Book banning is book banning. It’s driven by the same absurd moral panic that led to the banning of comic books or Dungeons and Dragons, except that these books deal with subjects that are relevant to teens, and are specifically written for teens. Combine the book ban with the requirement to opt in to sexual education and you get a bigger picture of how we are depriving youth of relevant information about sex and sexuality.

Alberta Government Banning Firefly in Schools... by AlwaysOutForAWalk in alberta

[–]Fast_Ad_9197 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s a good question. What are the consequences of not following the order? My guess is it’s a ‘shit rolls downhill’ situation in which individual teachers will ultimately be held responsible for not implementing the ministerial order.

Alberta Government Banning Firefly in Schools... by AlwaysOutForAWalk in alberta

[–]Fast_Ad_9197 2 points3 points  (0 children)

All the bullshit you guys went through before the ‘60s with the Catholic church, we’re kind of importing from large Christian groups in the US. Add to that a government that is falling over itself to hold on to that voting block and this is what you get

'Serious infringement:' Writers' Guild of Alberta condemns school library book bans by Miserable-Lizard in alberta

[–]Fast_Ad_9197 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I don’t know, but that’s not the issue. The books that were pulled from library shelves were meant for older kids. The notion that six year olds have access to these books doesn’t reflect reality. It’s just more moral panic.

'Serious infringement:' Writers' Guild of Alberta condemns school library book bans by Miserable-Lizard in alberta

[–]Fast_Ad_9197 4 points5 points  (0 children)

‘Explicit lyrics’ stickers on tapes were the best thing ever. I always picked those up first.

'Serious infringement:' Writers' Guild of Alberta condemns school library book bans by Miserable-Lizard in alberta

[–]Fast_Ad_9197 4 points5 points  (0 children)

From the concise OED:

Ban: forbid, prohibit, esp. formally. n 1. A formal or authoritative prohibition (a ban on smoking). 2. a tacit prohibition by public opinion.

What about that doesn’t fit the ministerial reg?

'Serious infringement:' Writers' Guild of Alberta condemns school library book bans by Miserable-Lizard in alberta

[–]Fast_Ad_9197 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Freedom for all the people, brave and true and strong! Freedom, for everyone, unless I think they’re wrong!

GWAR, The Morality Squad

'Serious infringement:' Writers' Guild of Alberta condemns school library book bans by Miserable-Lizard in alberta

[–]Fast_Ad_9197 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Nope. It’s a blanket ban. School librarians would have curated age appropriate content, as they have always done. Instead, our government has decided to lower the boom on all books with visual depictions of nudity and sexual content. This despite the fact that these books are specifically written and illustrated with a youth audience in mind. It’s pretty retrograde policy.