Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Azim Essaji (he/him) @aessaji.bsky.social · 4h

We're almost twins.... the last day of my 40s was three days ago. It's hard to believe, but also pretty good. Of course, I'd like to be thinner and a better person, but that was true at forty, and I daresay at thirty, too. The beat goes on....

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Azim Essaji (he/him) @aessaji.bsky.social · 7d

Today marks 37 years since I moved to Canada. It's sometimes hard to believe that I lived anywhere else. That is all.

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Azim Essaji (he/him) @aessaji.bsky.social · 14d

Instead, Carney seems intent on doubling down on industries that need to disappear. It's truly disappointing, especially when the impression you get from his book is that he knows better. 2/

Azim Essaji (he/him) @aessaji.bsky.social · 14d

With the US turning it's back on biotech, clean energy and a whole host of leading industries, while simultaneously slamming the door shut on immigrants that power innovation, Canada has a historic opportunity to pivot economically. 1/

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Azim Essaji (he/him) @aessaji.bsky.social · 14d

I'm not always a fan of David Suzuki, but he's absolutely right here: www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

Mark Carney could be a champion of the future if only he broke away from our most regressive, destructive industry

David Suzuki and Sabaa Khan: Canada continues to subsidize the most profitable industry in history with billions of dollars a year in tax breaks, then pleads funds are insufficient to

www.thestar.com

Azim Essaji (he/him) @aessaji.bsky.social · 28d

@shawnmicallef.bsky.social nails it: www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...

Shawn Micallef: Doug Ford’s attack on speed cameras shows how good politics can make for lousy public policy

The premier’s comments on Tuesday should be a moment for Ontarians to think whether the province is a place of law and order or where vigilantes can influence government policy.

www.thestar.com

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Azim Essaji (he/him) @aessaji.bsky.social · Sep 1

Your periodic reminder that Joni Mitchell is awesome:

youtu.be/1dXoh12er88?...

Joni Mitchell - Both Sides Now (rare live performance 1969)

YouTube video by slydogmania

youtu.be

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Azim Essaji (he/him) @aessaji.bsky.social · Aug 15

This impressive lady has set up house on my front porch: a yellow garden spider, or a yellow orb weaver spider. I love the web pattern.

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Azim Essaji (he/him) @aessaji.bsky.social · Aug 11

If he can work that sweeper on a consistent basis, he's going to have a fantastic career. It's absolutely filthy.

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Azim Essaji (he/him) @aessaji.bsky.social · Aug 11

The restaurants are great and all, but this plaza is about 4km from my house, and I dread every time I have to go there for something. I have little sympathy for NIMBY types, but I make an exception for this. It's an absolute urban planning catastrophe. www.thestar.com/news/gta/rid...

Ridgeway Plaza draws foodies from across North America. Its booming success has angered locals

Residents living near the retail strip mall say the city has done little to solve the problems that plague the plaza — the large crowds, impromptu rallies, littering and excessive noise are not going ...

www.thestar.com

Reposted by Azim Essaji (he/him)

Steve Saideman @smsaideman.bsky.social · Aug 11

But they all have large African-American populations.

We can't ignore how thoroughly racist this government is in pretty much everything it does, from resegregating the schools to gutting voting rights to policing cities.

Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · Aug 11

Exactly like Washington, all three of these cities have reported a drastic DROP in crime over the first half of this year.

NYPD announces record low shootings and murders for the first five months of 2025

Baltimore reports históric drop in homicide rates, with April hitting an all time low

Oakland PD reports sharp drop in violent crime for first half of 2025

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Reposted by Azim Essaji (he/him)

Kevin Erdmann @kevinerdmann.bsky.social · Aug 11

When people are unaware of the true cause of shortage conditions, they tend to have a bias toward blaming sources of demand they have prejudice against (immigrants, lenders, corporations, foreigners, wealthy newcomers, etc.)

Never-ending threads of bigotry prancing itself around as sophistication.

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Reposted by Azim Essaji (he/him)

Paul Fairie @paulisci.bsky.social · Aug 10

Peter Pocklington's 1983 PC leadership campaign slogan

Let's make Canada great again
--North Bay Nugget, 28 Mar 1983

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Azim Essaji (he/him) @aessaji.bsky.social · Aug 8

Susan Eng was fearless and endured vitriol because she stood up to the Old Guard that ran the police. All Canadians are better for her determination and willingness to rattle the walls: www.thestar.com/news/gta/sus... #canadasky

Susan Eng, justice advocate and first Chinese Canadian appointed to the Toronto police board, dies at 72

Eng’s role in bringing a formal apology in the House of Commons for the Chinese head tax “cannot be overstated,” the Chinese Canadian National Council for Social Justice said.

www.thestar.com

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Azim Essaji (he/him) @aessaji.bsky.social · Jul 16

The Economics Department at WLU is fundraising for the Canadian Cancer Society by organizing a team for the "Swim 10K in August" Challenge.

Please support this worthy cause by clicking "Support Us" or "Join our Team" at this link: fundraisemyway.cancer.ca/teams/WLUEco...

I'm supporting the Canadian Cancer Society!

In trusted partnership with donors and volunteers, we improve the lives of all those affected by cancer through world-class research, transformative advocacy and compassionate support.

fundraisemyway.cancer.ca

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Azim Essaji (he/him) @aessaji.bsky.social · Jul 9

Important insights here, including an excoriation of the top brass, who claim to be concerned about extremism in the ranks, but in typical Canadian fashion, don't want to do anything about it. #cdnpoli newsletter.insightthreatintel.com/p/canadian-m...

Canadian Military Members Arrested on Anti-Government Terrorism Charges

Serving military members arrested for terrorist activity facilitation (ideologically-motivated)

newsletter.insightthreatintel.com

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Reposted by Azim Essaji (he/him)

Paris Marx @parismarx.com · Jul 8

Canada needs to reduce its dependence on US tech companies — and cloud infrastructure is a perfect place to start.

For @policyalternatives.ca, I explain the threat posed by our dependence on US-owned data centres and why we need a public cloud that isn’t shaped by the need for shareholder profits.

Canada should build public cloud infrastructure rather than relying on U.S. tech giants - CCPA

During the 2025 election campaign, prime minister Mark Carney made a striking admission about Canada’s dependence on U.S. tech companies. The Canadian government was in the process of choosing a partn...

www.policyalternatives.ca

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Azim Essaji (he/him) @aessaji.bsky.social · Jul 8

A point worth making is that even if US tariffs shave off ~2% of GDP, this can be more than easily overcome by long-overdue business investment in productivity-enhancing technology, or by dismantling trade barriers. #cdnpoli #cdnecon #econsky #elbowsup

Azim Essaji (he/him) @aessaji.bsky.social · Jul 8

This is odd, at first blush, but perhaps not altogether surprising given how much Canada-US trade has fallen. 1/

Ernie Tedeschi @ernietedeschi.bsky.social · May 29

Here's the global long-run GDP chart I meant to post in Tweet 6.

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Azim Essaji (he/him) @aessaji.bsky.social · Jul 8

China and Cambodia would like a word.....

Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · Jul 8

Brooke Rollins on farm laborers: "There will be no amnesty. The mass deportations continue, but in a strategic way. And we move the workforce toward automation and 100% American participation, which with 34 million able-bodied on Medicaid we should be able to do fairly quickly."

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Azim Essaji (he/him) @aessaji.bsky.social · Jul 8

As I age, I sometimes wonder if I entertain serious doubts about my value as a knowledge creator in economics. Then I read things similar to what @dynarski.bsky.social identifies here, and I realize I'm far from worst. #econsky

Prof Dynarski @dynarski.bsky.social · Jul 8

Casual inference pop quiz!

Can you think of ANY confounders in this relationship?

H/t @chloergibbs.bsky.social

www.aei.org/wp-content/u...

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Azim Essaji (he/him) @aessaji.bsky.social · Jul 8

Meh. I sense another I'm-a-victim-of-woke story from a guy who was frankly, pretty weak: www.thestar.com/news/gta/ex-... #cdnpoli

Ex-CBC host Travis Dhanraj says he was ‘forced to resign,’ slams public broadcaster in all-staff email

CBC denies the accusations made by the former host of “Canada Tonight,” who has been on leave since at least February.

www.thestar.com

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Azim Essaji (he/him) @aessaji.bsky.social · Jul 7

My favourite part of this clip is at the end, where George Martin says to Dhani, "You've got it, too. You're like your father." youtu.be/mMXDOWRUR7M?...

Here Comes The Sun: The Lost Guitar Solo (discovered at Abbey Road) - HD 1080p

YouTube video by BeatlesArchivesHQ

youtu.be

Reposted by Azim Essaji (he/him)

Jacob T. Levy @jacobtlevy.bsky.social · Jul 6

I'm all in favor of hearing that younger Republicans including conservative Christians are trending in a more Israel-critical direction but but but this way of putting it... sure does signal some things to be worried about.

www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...

"To be 'America First,' the Stars and Strips must come before the Star of David," said Josiah Neumann, 20, a junior at Xavier University.

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Azim Essaji (he/him) @aessaji.bsky.social · Jul 6

Posted without comment: www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

‘I want my vote back’: Trump-voting family stunned after Canadian mother detained over immigration status

Family of Cynthia Olivera reconsiders support for president after Ice detained her at green card interview

www.theguardian.com