Raise the Hammer
Open Letter to Terry Cooke: Please Intervene to Save Brantford Heritage
As a member of the YMCA Brantford Governing Council and the Chair of the Canadian Urban Institute, Terry Cooke is well-positioned to put a stop to the destruction of 41 Victorian buildings on Colborne Street in Brantford.
by Mahesh P. Butani
Published March 09, 2010 in Opinion (12 comments)
The Lizard Brain and the LRT
If we want LRT to work in thic city, someone is going to have to take the first step to address the fear through meaningful dialogue.
by Jason Allen
Published February 04, 2010 in Opinion (43 comments)
The Bi-Polarity of the Core
We will never truly revitalize the downtown core until we can overcome our parochialism and cast away our lingering suburban mindset.
by Mahesh P. Butani
Published January 25, 2010 in Opinion (52 comments)
Are You Angry Enough to Get Involved?
I want a downtown that is a destination, not an avoidance. I want a downtown that is a model, not an embarrassment. I want a downtown that garners respect, not ridicule from other cities across Canada.
by Lorne Opler
Published December 07, 2009 in Opinion (114 comments)
Globalization Unchecked: How Alien Media Suffocate Real Culture
To sell products, global media also sell ideas, often one-sided, and create unjustifiable fascinations with ways of life that hardly represent natural progression for many vanishing cultures and communities around the world.
by Ramzy Baroud
Published November 18, 2009 in Opinion (6 comments)
Cross Border Twin Cities?
Having lived in Buffalo and now Hamilton, I see countless similarities between the two cities. Here is my take on what makes both these cities alike - and both likable.
by Lorne Opler
Published November 06, 2009 in Opinion (14 comments)
On the Beams of Light Rail
Main Street was made for light rail transit. What other city can just slip in an LRT through the city from end to end along a straight, wide corridor already waiting?
by Elizabeth Parker
Published October 09, 2009 in Opinion (60 comments)
Sushi to Go, Please
If we observe more and shout less - we can see the first blush of spring in many dark corners of our urban empire.
by Mahesh P. Butani
Published October 06, 2009 in Opinion (10 comments)
National Post Lobs More Hyperbole Across Manufactured Car/Bicycle Divide
Should the blatant and unapologetic opposition to cycling initiatives in Toronto make us thankful for our own media's apathetic feigned concern?
by Jon Dalton
Published September 30, 2009 in Opinion (22 comments)
The Mad Connaught
If the downtown is for everyone, where is the rest of everyone?
by Reg Beaudry
Published September 15, 2009 in Opinion (138 comments)
A Blueprint for the NEXT Hamilton
Mayor Eisenberger argues that our new Official Plan will help shape the Hamilton of tomorrow.
by Fred Eisenberger
Published July 02, 2009 in Opinion (42 comments)
Police Instigate Cyclist Conflict, Vandalize Bicycle
Hamilton Police need to be better prepared for a future in which respectable citizens live and patronize downtown, and are likely to be riding bicycles.
by Jon Dalton
Published June 23, 2009 in Opinion (51 comments)
Is Hamilton Destined for Yet Another Big Box Development?
At what point will our council decide that enough is enough and make an honest-to-goodness effort to turn our community into something other cities can look to for leadership?
by Frank Borger
Published June 16, 2009 in Opinion (30 comments)
Toward a Sound Economy
The main cause of the economic crisis is not the loss on the subprime mortgages, but the structurally decreased capacity of banks to take losses.
by Rudo de Ruijter
Published June 16, 2009 in Opinion (1 comment)
Term Limits, Municipal Parties and Democratic Reform
Term limits restrict effective politicians and lifers alike, but political parties might end council deadlock and improve municipal politics.
by Chris Erl
Published March 25, 2009 in Opinion (8 comments)
Mesmerized by Melodic Rhetoric
In the shadow of the economic crisis, now may be the last chance for Americans to reform their dysfunctional political system without violence and societal collapse.
by Joel S. Hirschhorn
Published February 11, 2009 in Opinion (0 comments)
Change the Lobby
If we are truly to see some transformation in the way the US now rules the world, the war-mongering machine must be dismantled.
by Ramzy Baroud
Published February 11, 2009 in Opinion (18 comments)
Gaza and the World: Will Things Ever Change?
One has to wonder: if Israel kills a thousand more, ten thousand, or half of Gaza, will the US still blame Palestinians?
by Ramzy Baroud
Published January 08, 2009 in Opinion (32 comments)
The Rights of Women as Casualties of War
Equality between the genders is not only an act of virtue, but also a sound strategy for a brighter future for any nation, rich or poor.
by Ramzy Baroud
Published November 26, 2008 in Opinion (0 comments)
World Food Day: Global Crises' Double Standards
Those who cried foul every time a Third World government dared intervene in their national economy said nothing as the US, the UK and others defied every rule of the free market economy.
by Ramzy Baroud
Published November 04, 2008 in Opinion (0 comments)
Dubai: Land of Luxury, Land of Slavery
By investing in Dubai, celebrities are giving tacit approval to a hideous society and its obscene values.
by George Patrick
Published October 02, 2008 in Opinion (30 comments)
Palestinian Economy: From Bad to Wretched
Without proper channels to empower the Palestinian individual and community, Palestinians will remain economically disadvantaged and thus politically handicapped.
by Ramzy Baroud
Published October 02, 2008 in Opinion (2 comments)
Global Realignment: How Bush Inspired a New World Order
The upcoming US president will find himself face-to-face with a drastically altered world order defined by military pandemonium, global economic decline, and the rise of new powers vying to fill a chaotic power vacuum.
by Ramzy Baroud
Published September 11, 2008 in Opinion (0 comments)
Edmonton's Major LRT Push
LRT is a perfect fit for Hamilton, but we must not forget to ensure high-density development at these nodes, as Edmonton is doing.
by Thom Oommen
Published July 07, 2008 in Opinion (6 comments)
Coexistence, Not Apartheid
If Israel is indeed interested in a peaceful resolution to this bloody conflict, it must add a new word to its lexicon: coexistence.
by Ramzy Baroud
Published June 05, 2008 in Opinion (0 comments)
Mixed Priorities: Why Palestinian Unity is Not an Option
For Israel, the clash between Abbas' Fatah and Islamic Hamas was a golden opportunity, one that is comparable to the benefits gleaned from another opportune moment, the terrorist attacks of September 11.
by Ramzy Baroud
Published April 30, 2008 in Opinion (0 comments)
Media Language and War: Manufacturing Convenient Realities
To approach the truth, journalists must comprehend the context, analyse the motives and follow the line of logic, and then report without self-censorship, coercion or intimidation.
by Ramzy Baroud
Published February 14, 2008 in Opinion (2 comments)
Let's Do Transit Right
Light rail is a way for Hamilton to turn a one-time $300 million gift into a long-term perpetual income instead of a long term property tax sinkhole.
by Sean Burak
Published December 20, 2007 in Opinion (0 comments)
Apologists for Oppression: The Pernicious Cult of Media 'Experts'
As those justifying violence on the basis of security work to make the world increasingly unsafe, there seems an equally increasing need for a new kind of media that requires a new kind of 'expert'.
by Ramzy Baroud
Published November 27, 2007 in Opinion (2 comments)
A Case for Arab Dignity
Arab countries need an element of self-reflection and responsibility to make viable any pragmatic steps towards improvement and justice.
by Ramzy Baroud
Published November 08, 2007 in Opinion (0 comments)
The Butt Pinching Syndrome
Looking back from the future, tomorrow's historians may struggle to understand the bizarre happenings of the early 21st century.
by Peter Ormond
Published September 28, 2007 in Opinion (4 comments)
School Closures, Sprawl, and the Broken Funding Formula
The provincial school funding formula arbitrarily discriminates against smaller urban schools and promotes large suburban warehouse schools, which encourages sprawl and urban disinvestment.
by Craig Hermanson
Published June 07, 2007 in Opinion (0 comments)
An Easy Ride
The real problem is that Hamilton has to keep transit fares extremely low to compete with the relative ease and convenience of driving.
by Jon Dalton
Published March 19, 2007 in Opinion (11 comments)
What's Happening In Caledonia
A recent presentation cast some light on the history and context of the Six Nations land claim controversy in Caledonia.
by Connie Kidd
Published February 26, 2007 in Opinion (18 comments)
The Evil Genius at 24 Sussex
The "Tax Fairness Plan" has nothing to do with tax fairness and everything to do with giving Stephen Harper the power to enact his agenda for Canada.
by Harold Stebbe
Published February 26, 2007 in Opinion (2 comments)
You Don't Know, Jack
The NDP support for the Conservative government's decision to tax income trusts puts the interests of big business ahead of workers and pensioners.
by Harold Stebbe
Published February 09, 2007 in Opinion (13 comments)
Urbanists, Amateur and Otherwise
Like any part of culture, a vibrant and inventive city requires professionals, connoisseurs and amateurs: people who care passionately about their city.
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published December 13, 2006 in Opinion (0 comments)
A Quick Buck
Hunting deer to control their numbers might actually be making deer more numerous.
by Paul Glendenning
Published December 13, 2006 in Opinion (3 comments)
Killman Zoo of Horrors
A recent trip to a local roadside zoo has forever embedded a haunted memory of torment and depression as captive animals languish in substandard conditions.
by Paul Glendenning
Published November 08, 2006 in Opinion (7 comments)
Bridging the Divide
Without leadership that promotes a climate of compromise and brings all parties representing differing visions together, Hamilton's political divide could become entrenched.
by Paul Shaker
Published October 20, 2006 in Opinion (12 comments)
Leading Hamilton to a Healthy Future
We need to challenge some of the current "accepted" practices in favour of more balanced and sustainable ideas that benefit more than an influential few.
by Paul Glendenning
Published October 20, 2006 in Opinion (0 comments)
Legalize Neighborhoods Again!
Traditional city development is now illegal across most of North America.
by David Greusel
Published August 30, 2006 in Opinion (0 comments)
Pipelines to 9/11
The terrorist attacks of 9/11 gave the US government the pretext it needed to launch the war in Afghanistan that it was already planning.
by Rudo de Ruijter
Published August 30, 2006 in Opinion (0 comments)
A Civilized, Democratic Fuss
A Dundas resident enters the world of citizen engagement by trying to save a tree.
by Maggie Fox
Published June 16, 2006 in Opinion (2 comments)
Kuwabara on Hamilton's City Square
The architect who renovated the AGH says Hamilton needs to focus urban revitalization around Gore Park, which he calls "one of Canada's great urban spaces."
by Nicholas Kevlahan
Published June 16, 2006 in Opinion (7 comments)
Keep the Momentum Going
Andrew Allen makes a case for LIUNA's plan to demolish and replicate the Lister Block.
by Andrew Allen
Published June 16, 2006 in Opinion (1 comment)
US-IRAN: Raid on the nuclear fuel market
The United States is buying European support for its campaign against Iran with the promise of a nuclear fuel enrichment oligopoly.
by Rudo de Ruijter
Published May 05, 2006 in Opinion (1 comment)
Peak Oil And Darwinism: The New Denial Industry
Deliberate confusion and disinformation have, as ever, taken the driver's seat in a non-debate now dominated by slogan trading.
by Andrew McKillop
Published May 05, 2006 in Opinion (11 comments)
Jane and Lewis
Jane Jacobs and Lewis Mumford were united on many urban issues, but could not agree on how best to humanize cities.
by David Cohen
Published May 05, 2006 in Opinion (0 comments)
Black Gold and 21st Century Monetarism
Monetarists won't let the evidence get in the way of a good, old-fashioned, economy-busting interest rate hike.
by Andrew McKillop
Published April 21, 2006 in Opinion (1 comment)
Energy Philosophy For Entropic Times
Change has to come and will come. Peak Oil means we are going somewhere else where we could or might do better.
by Andrew McKillop
Published April 09, 2006 in Opinion (3 comments)
Busy Signal
Hamiltonians for Progressive Development ask Mayor Di Ianni and City Council to keep their promise and respond to the group's open letter of August 23, 2005.
by Michael Desnoyers and Jack Santa-Barbara
Published March 18, 2006 in Opinion (1 comment)
Mainline: Geostrategy Feeds America's Oil Addiction
The large players in oil - Saudi Arabia, Canada, Kuwait, UAE, Libya and Nigeria - are playing in toe with the US and British Administrations. The problems lie with the Soviet Union, Iraq, Iran and, Venezuela.
by Jacob Matthan
Published March 01, 2006 in Opinion (7 comments)
How can the Dollar Collapse in Iran?
The Iranian Oil Bourse threatens the historic role of the US dollar as the world's reserve currency.
by Rudo de Ruijter
Published February 15, 2006 in Opinion (6 comments)
Don't Go with the Flow
Tragedy is avoidable if we demand that the failure in traffic engineering at Cootes and Main be altered to reflect the needs of pedestrians and cyclists.
by Randy Kay
Published February 15, 2006 in Opinion (0 comments)
Hamilton's contrary policies regarding public transit
If we are to make progress in our goal of creating the city we want we have to sort out the contradictions in how we pay for transit.
by Roy Adams
Published January 27, 2006 in Opinion (0 comments)
Faux Fashion: Dead Furry Animals Make a Comeback
With technologically enhanced pop stars and washed-up celebrities now openly sporting furs, the slaughter of animals for fashion is once again on the rise.
by Paul Glendenning
Published January 27, 2006 in Opinion (1 comment)
Violence Linked to Sprawl
Before sprawl, children could depend on the whole community for support, guidance, and direction in the absence of a parental figure.
by Douglas E. Morris
Published November 28, 2005 in Opinion (0 comments)
Compromise Works Both Ways
It takes two to compromise or negotiate, but expressway supporters refused even to consider the many alternatives proposed by Friends of Red Hill and others.
by Don McLean
Published October 07, 2005 in Opinion (0 comments)
As We Build So Shall We Live
While it probably won't rid the world of greed, ethnocentrism and violence, building a nonviolent city that respects other life forms and celebrates human creativity and diversity is consistent with solving those problems.
by Richard Register
Published September 15, 2005 in Opinion (0 comments)
Red Hill Opponents Should Have Compromised
Former Ward 1 Councillor Marvin Caplan argues that the opponents to the Red Hill Expressway should have agreed to a compromise that would deliver more protected greenspace, bicycle infrastructure, and funding for community groups.
by Marvin Caplan
Published September 15, 2005 in Opinion (0 comments)
It's Our Time To Shine
It's time we all embrace Hamilton's 2014 Commonwealth Games bid.
by Andrew Allen
Published August 22, 2005 in Opinion (2 comments)
Land Gluttony
Just as population is increasing by large amounts and land wanted for development is dwindling, sprawl developments are getting less and less dense. Developers want you to think there's no problem.
by Joel S. Hirschhorn
Published August 22, 2005 in Opinion (2 comments)
The CBC and Hamilton
The need for the CBC in Hamilton is an issue about a lack of local broadcast media diversity.
by Sonja Macdonald and Paul Shaker
Published March 14, 2005 in Opinion (2 comments)
Wastewater Mistreatment
For the past ten years, Hamilton has turned a blind eye to the operations at Woodward Avenue. Since the City has now regained full control of these systems, I am frightened at the prospect of what they will find.
by Roger Lambert
Published January 14, 2005 in Opinion (0 comments)
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