Vaclav Havel, who died in Prague shortly before Christmas in 2011, was a great dissident hero and champion of civil liberties who played a vital role in opposing the Communist regime in Czechoslovakia. He became a powerful rallying voice in the peaceful overthrow of the totalitarian political system … [Read more...]
Cold War Casualties in the True North Strong and Free
I have just had the exhilarating experience of reading the new novel by Winnipeg’s Margaret Sweatman, a political thriller set in the heart of the Cold War years. I was intrigued by the title – Mr Jones – as that was indeed the name we gave to the first book club I belonged to – the Mr. Jones Book … [Read more...]
The Gallant Yet Illegal Cause: Canadians in the Spanish Civil War
It was in Spain that men learned that one can be right and still be beaten, that force can vanquish spirit, that there are times when courage is not its own reward. It is this, without doubt, which explains why so many men throughout the world regard the Spanish drama as a personal tragedy. - Albert … [Read more...]
A Tale of Two Lawyers
I recently reread Charles Dickens’ vivid evocation of Paris in the years when the French Revolution had descended into the bloodletting of the Terror, as well as London, which served as a home for French exiles who had fled the murderous impulse for revenge that had swept up the long- suffering and … [Read more...]
Bench Press 38-5: Shakespeare in Court
An Ottawa judge quoted Shakespeare when sentencing a 69-year-old sex offender recently. The offender had assaulted his neighbour in her home after taking her out for a birthday dinner. The Judge referenced Act 1 Scene VII of MacBeth: “He’s here in double trust. First, I am his kinsman and his … [Read more...]
Sacco and Vanzetti: The Never-ending Wrong
I’ve got no time to tell this tale the dicks and bulls are on my trail But I’ll remember these two good men That died to show me how to live -Woody Guthrie, Two Good Men, from Ballads of Sacco and Vanzetti I have long been fascinated by the American case that was … [Read more...]
The Blackmailer’s Charter: Victims in British Film and Theatre
I recently saw the 1961 British film Victim, starring one of my favorite actors, Dirk Bogarde. Dirk plays the highly successful barrister, Melville Farr, expected by his staff to take silk very soon (that is, become an eminent Queen’s Counsel, with a judgeship in his bright future as well). We see … [Read more...]