Martin Grasdal 🍁

If Nicolaides is going to make claims about academic studies that conveniently support government negotiation positions, he should provide the relevant citations. If he can't or won't, call him on his BS.

Alberta taxpayers will always be on the hook for any projects that benefit the fossil fuel industry. The industry has corrupted the government and convinced credulous voters that its theft of resources from the ground and the provincial treasury is a benefit that deserves public support.

A National Lampoon cover from January, 1973, showing a dog with a gun pointed at its head. The caption reads, "If You Don't Buy This Magazine, We'll Kill This Dog". For the back story on this iconic cover and the sad fate of the model, Cheeseface, see https://www.sevendaysvt.com/news/who-shot-mr-cheeseface-the-vermont-demise-of-a-famous-mutt-23671435/

Danielle Smith's threats are on par with this one. Sorry to say, though, someone did shoot Cheeseface, the dog used as the model in the photo, 3 years later.

Danielle Smith announces plans to hold her breath until she gets what she wants EDMONTON – After meeting with Mark Carney to discuss pipeline construction, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has vowed to hold her breath until the Prime Minister gives her absolutely everything she ask...

Danielle Smith announces plans to hold her breath until she gets what she wants

Alberta teacher prompts petition on province's private school funding | CBC News If high school chemistry teacher Alicia Taylor gets her wish, Albertans will vote in a referendum on whether to end public funding for independent schools.

Elections Alberta has approved a citizen-initiated petition application to gather signatures in support of the proposal to end public funding to independent/private schools.

Calgary teacher Alicia Taylor says she brought it forward because it could help improve funding for public schools. #AbEd

Cory Doctorow on How the Digital World Has Turned to S**T October 7, 2025 - Cory Doctorow backgroundbriefing.org/donate twitter.com/ianmastersmedia bsky.app/profile/ianmastersmedia.bsky.social facebook.com/ianmastersmedia

Then we speak to Cory Doctorow / @pluralistic.net.web.brid.gy about which government policy choices made it possible for a few tech companies to become monopolies, illegally spy on us, and leave us with a worse, less useful, internet thats destroying our mental health. soundcloud.com/user-8304426...

WOW!

Alberta just got another approved referendum petition!

And this one calls for the practice of funding private schools with public money to be put to an end!

During the teachers strike!

Strap in Alberta, we’re going on a ride!

#abpoli #ableg #cdnpoli

‘Shameless’: How the Alberta Next Panel Blamed Immigrants | The Tyee Divisive scapegoating, including showing a slanted video, fits the populist playbook, says an expert.

Blaming immigrants is not new in Alberta. My latest for The Tyee.
'Shameless': How the Alberta Next Panel Blamed Immigrants via @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/News/2025/10...

Well, at least one vitally important labour negotiation has been settled in Alberta, to everyone’s relief! - Alberta Politics In important labour relations news, significant portions of the province of Alberta sighed with relief yesterday upon learning that an important contract has finally been signed, ending a period of un...

Well, at least one vitally important labour negotiation has been settled in Alberta, to everyone’s relief! albertapolitics.ca/2025/10/well...

From the DM’s…

The government of Alberta has apparently decided to take down the temperature on the teachers strike…

By locking teachers out.

#abpoli #ableg #cdnpoli

This is unfortunately true. My question was in jest. But I am disappointed in the media, in particular CBC (which I hold to a higher standard), for not pushing back and calling out his lies or the egregious lies of any politician whose voice is amplified by the media.

Even better, what if the media did? His appearance in any media is just a waste of ink / electrons.

Attorney for woman shot by Border Patrol claims officer said 'Do something b-----' before shooting Body-camera video appears to contradict the government's claim that Marimar Martinez, 30, drove toward officers before one of them opened fire at her late Saturday morning in Brighton Park, her attorney claimed. A judge ordered Martinez and a co-defendant released pending trial.

Body-camera video appears to contradict the government’s claim that Marimar Martinez, 30, drove toward officers before one of them opened fire at her late Saturday morning in Brighton Park, her attorney claimed.
trib.al/9Sxu9IN

‘Unleashing’: Politicians Say Ex-Police Watchdog’s Insults Go Too Far | The Tyee ‘I was getting scared,’ says one Edmonton councillor assailed online by John McDougall.

The report from a review by an Ontario judge into alleged dysfunction between Edmonton city council and the police commission has been delivered to Public Safety Minister Mike Ellis.

'Unleashing': Politicians Say Ex-Police Watchdog's Insults Go Too Far via @thetyee.ca thetyee.ca/News/2025/08...

The ‘Forever Canadian’ Petition Could Bring a Snap Alberta Election | The Tyee Danielle Smith is unlikely to allow a referendum based on the pro-Canada question promoted by Thomas Lukaszuk.

Prediction: Alberta Premier Danielle Smith will call an early election before she allows a referendum to proceed to a vote with the wording promoted by former Progressive Conservative deputy premier Thomas Lukaszuk’s Forever Canadian petition.

@djclimenhaga.bsky.social writes. #abpoli

Euromaidan - Wikipedia

Ya, I guess successfully protesting for democratic reforms in 2013-14 was bad judgement. /s

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euromai...

FFS

Premier Smith referred to the unvaccinated as "the most discriminated against group that I've ever witnessed in my lifetime"

she also allowed UCP MLA Eric Bouchard to host "An Injection of Truth" townhalls

these were about COVID vaccines but it's led to people distrusting vaccines in general

From the Guardian:

“Activist Greta Thunberg has arrived in Greece after she and another 170 people were deported by Israel for taking part in the Gaza-bound aid flotilla.

Speaking to the media, she said:

Doesn't MTG know how many people in the world speak Spanish as their primary language, let alone in the US? 600 million worldwide. It is a significant global language. If the NFL is trying to expand its audience, it is a smart move to appeal to Spanish speakers.

As scientific director of HPC at UC Davis, I can say we spend a fair amount of time thinking about security. But today I learned it was all superfluous, as, after taking the mandated UC cybersecurity training, I discovered I am, in fact, a human firewall.

Teachers show up for Alberta's kids every single day.
Today, on World Teacher's Day, we showed up for them. ❤️

#WeStandWithTeachers

Robot personhood/rights is conceptually bogus and legally puts more power/rights in the hands of those that develop and deploy robots/AI systems

firstmonday.org/ojs/index.ph...

Huge protest in support of Alberta teachers at Alberta Legislature may have been largest in province’s history - Alberta Politics A throng of at least 18,000 people turned out at the Alberta Legislature in Edmonton this afternoon to mark International Teachers Day by supporting members of the Alberta Teachers Association who are...

Huge protest in support of Alberta teachers at the Alberta Legislature may have been the largest in the province’s history. albertapolitics.ca/2025/10/huge...

And I can't reiterate how much of an asshole you are given you just blocked a list holding bigots to account.

Again, how is this network "decentralized" at all?

You and your fellow Bluesky operators are the ones who have centralized power and are using it to stifle well-intentioned accountability.

Personal data storage is an idea whose time has come Data Ownership as a conversation changes when data resides primarily with people-governed institutions rather than corporations.

The web can be made personal again.

blog.muni.town/personal-dat...

Fire extinguisher next to a statue of Joan of Arc

Hell of a thing to put next to a statue of Joan of Arc. (h/t David Pilling)

Crowd of protesters at rally to support teachers and public education on October 5, 2025 at the Alberta Legislature grounds. Was a very good turnout. Lots of people came with signs .

Crowd of protesters at rally to support teachers and public education on October 5, 2025 at the Alberta Legislature grounds. Was a very good turnout. Lots of people came with signs .

Crowd of protesters at rally to support teachers and public education on October 5, 2025 at the Alberta Legislature grounds. Was a very good turnout. Lots of people came with signs .

Crowd of protesters at rally to support teachers and public education on October 5, 2025 at the Alberta Legislature grounds. Was a very good turnout. Lots of people came with signs .

Here are some pics from the earlier rally in Edmonton.

Rally for public education to support teachers at the provincial legislature in Edmonton, Alberta on Oct.5, 2025.

I had a very good public education in Alberta. I want other generations to have the same or better.

Dr. Jane Goodall filmed an interview with Netflix in March 2025 that she understood would only be released after her death.

ALBERTA: Come out and support public school teachers today in Edmonton, Calgary, and Lethbridge!

Free, universal public education is a cornerstone of Canadian society. Don't let Danielle Smith ruin it. Teachers are fighting for it right now, and deserve your support.