Politicians

ISSUE 10

Will riley

jamie maxwell

jonathan bessette

tyler knoll

claris figueira

jay shah

10

The Politician Issue

Enigmatic personalities, charisma-less corn flakes, and every type in between flock to represent us, but only a select few succeed. What motivates someone to pursue this line of work? Between the sex scandals, embezzlement, allegations of drug and alcohol abuse, election rigging, and authoritarian tendencies, there is no shortage of jaw-dropping material. It’s time we took a sobering look at these characters and the environments that produce them.

Marked by Certain Characteristics by Carp Matthew

Will Riley

It's me that defines them

An explanation of the Centrist Smile’s importance.

Nov 17, 2017

Jamie Maxwell

A terminally fractured union

Tony Blair continues to haunt us, and it’s terrifying.

Nov 17, 2017

Jonathan Bessette

The delusion with a thousand faces

The roadblocks along the way to becoming king of the mountain.

Nov 17, 2017

Jay Shah

Enough to eat at home

Rob Ford’s gimmick is taken straight from wrestling lore, and he’s got copycats.

Nov 17, 2017

Important issues are either ignored or misrepresented, which pollutes understanding and dialogue. Pilcrow Pamphlet questions, challenges and informs.

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The Media Issue

The problems with the media are tough to ignore. Financially motivated reporting, partisan and ideological agendas, and decreasing journalistic standards are all apparent, making it harder for people to make informed judgements on important issues.

The Privacy Issue

Information privacy is becoming a thing of the past. Corporations and governments are collecting vast amounts of data, with little transparency about use and abuse. The price of instant connectivity is constant surveillance.

The war on drugs has been an outright failure. Criminalization is not the answer, and innovative ideas are needed to bring about a more conscientious drug policy. Certain jurisdictions have taken a different approach to drugs, making them valuable examples.

The B.C. Election Issue

The B.C. election has been quite the shitshow. Political donations, transit, MSP, jobs, poverty and fentanyl have all taken centre stage at various points in the campaign. But after 16 years of the BC Liberals, is British Columbia ready for a change?

The Law Enforcement Issue

The justice system is far-reaching and complex. Its adversarial nature makes any debate polarizing. In recent years, law enforcement—the arm of this Kafka-esque system—has been subjected to a great deal of scrutiny. Many areas, including police militarization and threats to a free press, demand critical thinking and vigilance on the part of citizens.

The Canada Issue

Canada rings in its 150th birthday with a giant rubber ducky and parties coast-to-coast. Throughout the years, Canada’s branding has positioned the country on a pedestal, obfuscating key details about its past and present. From its sibling complex to its participation in the Five Eyes alliance, there’s much about Canada that needs to be known.

The Housing Issue

Community development is a growing challenge for major metropolitan centres. These areas are subject to skyrocketing housing prices that leave many out of the market. Gentrification leads to wealthier people being in the major centres of economic and cultural activity. All others are forced to move further and further out to the periphery, with their concerns moving to the periphery as well.

The Technology Issue

Radical advancements in technology force us to confront sometimes uncomfortable truths about ourselves and our culture. While new forms of digital communication have fostered new possibilities, they have inundated us to a point of ignorance and self-absorption. Some companies claim disruption, while others harness information about ourselves for their own profit. What is lost in all the noise is the effects of these technologies.

The Religion Issue

Despite more and more people identifying as agnostic and atheist, religion continues to play a vital role in society. Debates rage about barbaric practices and the extent of secularization liberal democracies should embrace. Regardless of the religion, there are elements that demand critical examination. From first dates to family dinners, religion should be a topic of conversation, and we mustn’t fear reprisal or death.

The Politician Issue

Enigmatic personalities, charisma-less corn flakes, and every type in between flock to represent us, but only a select few succeed. What motivates someone to pursue this line of work? Between the sex scandals, embezzlement, allegations of drug and alcohol abuse, election rigging, and authoritarian tendencies, there is no shortage of jaw-dropping material. It’s time we took a sobering look at these characters and the environments that produce them.