David Webster
@dwebster.bsky.social
Historian: Canada, Quebec, Asia, Timor-Leste, human rights, development. Latest book Challenge the Strong Wind https://www.ubcpress.ca/challenge-the-strong-wind . On unceded Abenaki land, maintenant connu sous le nom Estrie/Eastern Townships.
Love the joy on the face of the Dean of Philosophy and Human Sciences as she talks about plans for a new History department at the National University, Timor-Leste. At a History departments gathering organized by UNESCO, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
November 25, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Love the joy on the face of the Dean of Philosophy and Human Sciences as she talks about plans for a new History department at the National University, Timor-Leste. At a History departments gathering organized by UNESCO, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
It keeps on giving
November 21, 2025 at 3:29 AM
It keeps on giving
Facebook wants me to rate the product "Mark Carney." I am not satisfied with this product. It did not deliver the good or service that was promised.
November 21, 2025 at 3:02 AM
Facebook wants me to rate the product "Mark Carney." I am not satisfied with this product. It did not deliver the good or service that was promised.
Nothing better than reading memoirs
October 31, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Nothing better than reading memoirs
6. Luckily, the #notwithstanding clause cannot over-ride Indigenous or minority-langauge rights. But the clause is only a "last resort" as intended when politicians use it responsibly, when all other options are exhausted. Our politicians today have gone trigger-happy. #cdnhist #cdnpoli
October 28, 2025 at 6:44 PM
6. Luckily, the #notwithstanding clause cannot over-ride Indigenous or minority-langauge rights. But the clause is only a "last resort" as intended when politicians use it responsibly, when all other options are exhausted. Our politicians today have gone trigger-happy. #cdnhist #cdnpoli
5. In the last decade, provinces are pressing the #notwothstanding "nuclear option" button like they are playing an arcade game. Sask in 2017 (over Catholic schools). Ontario in 2018 (over the size of a city council!). Quebec in 2019. Ontario in 2020. Both Ontario AND Quebec in 2022. Now Alberta.
October 28, 2025 at 6:44 PM
5. In the last decade, provinces are pressing the #notwothstanding "nuclear option" button like they are playing an arcade game. Sask in 2017 (over Catholic schools). Ontario in 2018 (over the size of a city council!). Quebec in 2019. Ontario in 2020. Both Ontario AND Quebec in 2022. Now Alberta.
The "notwithstanding" clause in Canada's 1982 constitution was meant as a "nuclear option."
Section 33: “Parliament or the legislature of a province may expressly declare ... that the Act or a provision thereof shall operate notwithstanding" the Charter of Rights. #cdnhist #notwithstanding /2
Section 33: “Parliament or the legislature of a province may expressly declare ... that the Act or a provision thereof shall operate notwithstanding" the Charter of Rights. #cdnhist #notwithstanding /2
October 28, 2025 at 6:44 PM
The "notwithstanding" clause in Canada's 1982 constitution was meant as a "nuclear option."
Section 33: “Parliament or the legislature of a province may expressly declare ... that the Act or a provision thereof shall operate notwithstanding" the Charter of Rights. #cdnhist #notwithstanding /2
Section 33: “Parliament or the legislature of a province may expressly declare ... that the Act or a provision thereof shall operate notwithstanding" the Charter of Rights. #cdnhist #notwithstanding /2
The joy that comes from learning. Victoria BC, Lək̓ʷəŋən territory.
October 24, 2025 at 4:12 PM
The joy that comes from learning. Victoria BC, Lək̓ʷəŋən territory.
Memikwaldamnana, we remember. Vigil for the Rogers Raid on the Abenaki village Odanak, October 4, 1759 and the 34 massacred that day.
October 5, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Memikwaldamnana, we remember. Vigil for the Rogers Raid on the Abenaki village Odanak, October 4, 1759 and the 34 massacred that day.
Not surprisingly, apologists for Israel's genocide have a soft spot for war criminal Prabowo Subianto, president of Indonesia.
October 3, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Not surprisingly, apologists for Israel's genocide have a soft spot for war criminal Prabowo Subianto, president of Indonesia.
Truth and reconciliation march at @ubishops.bsky.social
September 30, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Truth and reconciliation march at @ubishops.bsky.social
The Guardian calls this "a flesh colored ziggurat"
Who has flesh this colour?
Who has flesh this colour?
September 30, 2025 at 3:56 PM
The Guardian calls this "a flesh colored ziggurat"
Who has flesh this colour?
Who has flesh this colour?
"There is an earth that bears you. And the four directions surround you. So look north as your last breath. Keep it for tomorrow. You'll need it."
September 22, 2025 at 1:24 AM
"There is an earth that bears you. And the four directions surround you. So look north as your last breath. Keep it for tomorrow. You'll need it."
"what Hamas has done and what has been done in Gaza" ??
Cannot imagine a worse choice for UN ambassador than failed pol David Lametti. We need a professional Diplomats en poste.
Cannot imagine a worse choice for UN ambassador than failed pol David Lametti. We need a professional Diplomats en poste.
September 21, 2025 at 2:28 PM
"what Hamas has done and what has been done in Gaza" ??
Cannot imagine a worse choice for UN ambassador than failed pol David Lametti. We need a professional Diplomats en poste.
Cannot imagine a worse choice for UN ambassador than failed pol David Lametti. We need a professional Diplomats en poste.
Sky full of gannets declared terrorist organization.
September 18, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Sky full of gannets declared terrorist organization.
NATO's Article 5 says an attack on one member is an attack on all, and the members shall consult on what action to take to stop it.
So I assume "Article 5-like protections" means if Ukraine is attacked, NATO members will consult, and Trump will veto any action.
What a cascading US humiliation.
So I assume "Article 5-like protections" means if Ukraine is attacked, NATO members will consult, and Trump will veto any action.
What a cascading US humiliation.
August 17, 2025 at 6:37 PM
NATO's Article 5 says an attack on one member is an attack on all, and the members shall consult on what action to take to stop it.
So I assume "Article 5-like protections" means if Ukraine is attacked, NATO members will consult, and Trump will veto any action.
What a cascading US humiliation.
So I assume "Article 5-like protections" means if Ukraine is attacked, NATO members will consult, and Trump will veto any action.
What a cascading US humiliation.
"Several of Arthur Rimbaud's most famous quotes are in French."
August 17, 2025 at 3:16 PM
"Several of Arthur Rimbaud's most famous quotes are in French."
got lucky on the first letter
August 13, 2025 at 1:41 AM
got lucky on the first letter
So it always was. U of Indonesia, 1964, views of Onghakham.
August 11, 2025 at 3:35 PM
So it always was. U of Indonesia, 1964, views of Onghakham.
Be as joyful as Max
August 1, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Be as joyful as Max
British, Australian pro-Israel groups seek increased aid for Gaza.
From Canada's Centre for Israel and Jewish Affair? Crickets.
From Canada's Centre for Israel and Jewish Affair? Crickets.
July 30, 2025 at 5:05 PM
British, Australian pro-Israel groups seek increased aid for Gaza.
From Canada's Centre for Israel and Jewish Affair? Crickets.
From Canada's Centre for Israel and Jewish Affair? Crickets.
Resisting Pacific War Preparations: Talisman Sabre. July 30 - register at uvic.zoom.us/rest/meeting...
July 24, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Resisting Pacific War Preparations: Talisman Sabre. July 30 - register at uvic.zoom.us/rest/meeting...
Happy to launch this book in Timor-Leste
July 16, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Happy to launch this book in Timor-Leste