Out with the Old, in with the New

First, a thanks to all those who e-mailed me and encouraged me to continue. That includes 'jeff' from the previous post. After a holiday break which saw me move into a new home, get sick (at the same time), unpack and still have a decent Christmas for the kids, I feel surprising ready to return to blogging

As you can see I have gone for a new look and a few changes. I am including links to some of my other intellectual passions beyond politics (but definitely related to them):

The Skeptics Society, of which I am a member, takes science and critical thinking to the extreme. As it should. Expect a lot of links to their sources and their data.

Question everything.

Make is the ultimate DIY magazine for hardware and software hackers. It can be seen as libertarian cooperation and anti-corporatist and ethics in action.

If you can't open it, you don't own it.

Skepticality is the official podcast of the Skeptics society and provides fantastic links, interviews and reviews of books related to science and to fight ignorance and pseudoscience.

People will believe anything. Why is that?

The James Randi Educational Foundation shows over and over how dangerous and silly some of these beliefs are. He debunks with humour and reason.

The $1 Million dollars remains unclaimed.

And perhaps strangely to some, I've begun to lean toward a left-libertarian view of things. Now, no worries, I'm no Jay Jardine, but guys like Kevin Carson and Larry Gambone have a refreshing take on voluntary association, mutualism and alternatives to both 'public' state-run and 'private' corporate-run services and solutions. Definitely worth a look. Also, it dovetails nicely with 'Make'

Thanks for the book, Ian.

Personally, I intend to blog beyond party politics and the left-right dichotomy we find ourselves in all the time. I will try to be more logical and reasonable in tone, with a healthy dose of snark when needed. And for those who are illogical and unreasonable, no quarter will be given. Oh, I'll be polite, but don't expect to have punches pulled.

And mostly I will go beyond partisanship. Though I remain a Dipper, I am none too fond of Jack Layton of late and I am more than willing to be critical of some of our policies and stances. I will be equally kind to the other parties should it ever happen that I ever agree with what they stand for.

So, anything happen while I was gone?