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I like the idea of Universal Basic Income. But the objection that springs immediately to my mind is: "Wouldn't that…
In Canada, welfare rates vary by province, but the least a family of four receives is $34,000 and [Prince Edward…
But in any event, the studies don’t seem to tell us how people would respond to permanent payments of more…
Orange: “Look at this! Another study found that Basic Income works!” I don’t know of any such studies. Amp cites…
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Category Archives: International issues
Farid al-Din Attar: A Reading Journal 6
Here’s another quote from The Conference of the Birds: But think of some new pilgrim, some young boy, Whose boldness comes from mere excess of joy; He has no certain knowledge of the Way, And what seems rudeness is but … Continue reading
Posted in Iran, Religion, Writing
2 Comments
One of My Favorite Poems by Saadi of Shiraz
I’ve been thinking about this poem a lot lately, because what it says could easily have been labeled heresy by the authorities of Saadi’s time, which was 13th century Iran, and an accusation of heresy could, conceivably, have gotten him … Continue reading
Would You Give Your Life for Your Art?
People often tell me that my poems are brave, that reciting them publicly takes courage. I understand what they mean by that, and I thank them for the compliment they intend, but it also always makes me cringe. I think … Continue reading
Posted in Afghanistan, Writing
5 Comments
New Zealand House of Representatives Passes Marriage Equality And Sings
They’re singing a Maori love song called “Pokarekare ana,” which, Wikipedia tells me, is sometimes called New Zealand’s unofficial national anthem. During the debate, “Te Ururoa Flavell gave a wonderful speech with a Maori perspective, detailing the pre-colonial Maori history … Continue reading
Posted in In the news, International issues, Same-Sex Marriage
3 Comments
What I’ve Been Reading About Iran
Iran’s Web Censors vs. Google Reader: In the wake of Google’s announcement that it’s going to kill Reader, a fascinating article about the role Reader played in helping Iranians circumvent government censors. Pahlavi Iran and Zionism: An Intellectual Elite’s Short-Lived … Continue reading
Posted in Iran
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Norooz Pirooz! Eid Moborak! Happy Iranian New Year 2013
It is a tradition in Iran to use the works of the 14th century poet Hafez to tell fortunes. People open a copy of his divan, his collected works, and take the first line of poetry their eye falls on … Continue reading
Posted in Iran
Comments Off on Norooz Pirooz! Eid Moborak! Happy Iranian New Year 2013
Is Hamas Considering Recognition Of Israel? – from Al-Monitor
From a very interesting article by Shlomi Eldar on Al-Monitor, which is a very useful source of information if you follow what’s going on in the Middle East: “Reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah is stuck, because right now the United … Continue reading
Posted in Palestine & Israel
4 Comments
Farid al-Din Attar: A Reading Journal 3
Do you believe in love at first sight? All-consuming, Romeo-and-Juliet, I-cannot-live-withou-you, I-know-just-by-looking-at-you-that-you-are-all-I-will-ever-need-and-so-I-will-give-up-everything-I-have-ever-held-dear-just-to-be-with-you, I-would-even-die-for-you love? I don’t. I never have. Even when I was young enough that the romantic ideal of such a love should have resonated in me, I actually … Continue reading
Posted in Iran, Religion
3 Comments
Attar in Progress: An Officer Falls in Love with a Prince
I’ve been making steady progress working on Ilahi Nama, and I thought it might be interesting to post some of what I’ve done so far. The latest poem of which I have finished the first draft, for example–just about all … Continue reading
Posted in Iran, Writing
5 Comments
Nobody.really, if you're interested, the guy who seems to be the most knowledgeable proponent of UBI is Scott Santens, who's…