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Tom McIntosh

@proftomuofr.bsky.social
809 followers 73 following 558 posts

Political Scientist, pop health researcher, federalism geek, movie nut

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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
As a kid I was fascinated with the Patty Hearst kidnapping case (weird, I know). It was my entree into a period of US political history from the mid-60s to the mid-70s that still fascinates -- MLK, Malcolm X, the Chicago 7, the SDS, the Yippies, Nixon, Watergate, etc. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/06/u...
nytimes.com
One of Patty Hearst’s Kidnappers Has Died
Bill Harris was a disillusioned Vietnam veteran looking for purpose when he joined a revolutionary group known as the Symbionese Liberation Army.
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
A remarkable life and career. "Well, gee. You did that? Good job!" Good job, indeed. www.nytimes.com/2026/10/06/m...
nytimes.com
Eva Marie Saint, Oscar Winner for ‘On the Waterfront,’ Is Dead at 102
A luminous beauty with dramatic depth, she brought a layered intensity to harrowing roles and seduced Cary Grant in the romantic thriller “North by Northwest.”
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
With ~30% support the PQ could be looking at a (slim) majority govt. Nothing highlights the vagaries of FPP systems than a 5-party race w 3 parties within 10 pts of each other. The CAQ projections are wild. In the aftermath QC politics will get a whole lot more interesting ...
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
A gift from my former boss, the inimitable Shannon Dea. Donald Trump has proven to be a boon to the Peace by Chocolate people … every utterance gives them a new wrapper to print.
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
This might just be initial anger at Eby's early call to take advantage of the opposition's disarray. BUT it could also 'bake-in' if the BCCP can demonstrate some competence & keep the nutbars at bay. Either way, Eby took a huge risk. At best, and it may be a long-shot, he might get a minority.
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
What would Leonard think ... www.facebook.com/share/v/19ku...
facebook.com
Facebook
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Scotch ... I can supply
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Maybe we can hold a brainstorming session over breakfast at the PPSA mtgs!
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
I'm thinking we need an @jlisayoung.bsky.social flow chart on the possible AB referendum outcomes -- Yes wins, No wins, Massive problems with the count, Massive problems on voting day, Cries of fraud, Smith's options, etc. We can't go through this without a flow chart ...
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
"Gentlemen, today I had to pee within eyesight of a tampon machine. Clearly, we have no choice but to separate ...", Derek Fildebrandt. In which Paul Wells lets an Alberta separatist outline the profound harms done to his province by evil eastern elites: paulwells.substack.com/p/derek-fild...
paulwells.substack.com
Derek Fildebrandt: Bertasplaining independence to the Rest of Canada
In a guest column, the Western Standard publisher explains why he’s voting to Leave
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Gloria Steinem's obit in the NYT. For years the paper refused to update it style guide and, thus, referred often to "Miss Steinem, editor of Ms. Magazine ..." www.nytimes.com/2026/09/03/u...
nytimes.com
Gloria Steinem, Personification of the Feminist Movement, Dies at 92
She challenged sexist assumptions, helping women develop a sense of self-worth and gain a measure of equality at work, at home and in society at large.
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
A brilliant explication of why the MLI’s “research” on Canada Research Chairs is either profoundly incompetent or (more likely) a deliberate attack on female & racialized scholars. That the “study” is so easily exposed shows the authors’ & MLI’s motivations weren’t rooted in good social science.
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Just close your eyes … take deep breaths … this, too, shall pass
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
For @profsmithsask.bsky.social (sorry, could not resist):
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Sorry, but I actually want a functioning opposition in Parliament regardless of whether I like the government or not.
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
One has to wonder how many messages the Leader of the Opposition needs to be sent before he figures out that Canadians do not see the CPC under his leadership as a government in waiting. Horrible polls, caucus defections, rogue MPs, by-elxn losses ... Pharaoh was quicker on the uptake.
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
This is shaping up to be a bad week for celebrity icons aged 80 ... never was there a sweeter transvestite ... www.nytimes.com/2026/08/26/m...
nytimes.com
Tim Curry, Star of ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show,’ Dies at 80
The actor’s gift for garish eccentricity was indelibly appropriate for the outlandish, cross-dressing mad scientist Frank-N-Furter.
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Okay ... this made me smile ... everyone loved Dolly!
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Damn … www.nytimes.com/2026/08/25/a...
nytimes.com
Dolly Parton, Country Music Superstar Whose Songs Spoke to Millions, Dies at 80
Known for her outsize persona, appearance and talent, she rose from rural poverty to become a top-selling singer, songwriter and entrepreneur.
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
To be clear, I’m not a big fan of our PM or his political agenda. But this weekend was a master class in political strategy and tactics. Carney’s hold on the Canadian public’s support is likely stronger now than it ever has been. 6/6
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
This leaves Carney’s political opponents boxed in. The case against a trade war that doesn’t include appeasing the US is a difficult one to communicate effectively. (Witness D.Smith’s waffling statement.) Carney’s press conference on Saturday justified his position with both passion and logic. 5/6
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Well, whatever the legitimacy of their argument that we can’t win this war (and they may be right), they are left looking like they favour appeasement at all costs. He’s cast this as a choice between “fight for the country” or appease the Orange Monster by knuckling under. 4/6
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
This allowed Carney to legitimately walk away from the talks and give Canadians what they wanted — a strong, unambiguous statement that we’re prepared to fight and accept the costs of that fight. But what of the warnings of the economists? 3/6
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Carney played these currents and counter-currents brilliantly. He stayed at the table as long as he could, he made it clear he wanted a deal (even asking premiers to end the US booze bans), but there was a clear line in the sand. And, inevitably, the US crossed it. 2/6
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Thread: Carney is proving to have better political instincts than many imagined. He was caught in difficult situation. The trade negotiations were fraught with all kinds of uncertainty. The public was looking for someone to “stand up to” the US. Economists warned of a trade war we could not win. 1/6
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
UofR and UofA researchers find US & Russian actors trying to influence Alberta separation referendum. www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
theglobeandmail.com
Russian, U.S. actors are targeting Albertans with pro-separatist content, research shows
MAGA influencers are promoting the narrative that the province has no choice but to leave
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
"I belong to no organized political party. I am a Democrat" -- Will Rogers The Dems capacity to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory is well-documented, but I do hope you're right.
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
A case study in how not to react to a political challenge while entirely failing to read the room. Yes some DSA policies are electorally toxic, but so too are some of 'love the status quo' policies of Dem establishment. A Dem civil war is a MAGA wet dream come Nov. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/06/u...
nytimes.com
Moderate Democrats Prepare for ‘War’ Against an Ascendant Left
One moderate group says the progressive wins are “deeply troubling” and is planning a $15 million effort against democratic socialism.
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
Let the provs define the "national" goals for the system as a whole & flow federal $ through bilateral agmts that set concrete, measurable actions on which provs report progress to their residents. Ottawa's role needs redefinition not elimination. 3/3
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
What might be good fiscal federalism would be horrific politics [the PM that abandons a fed role in health care won't be PM very long] and could very well increase inequities in the system. Coyne is right that the current model of health financing sucks, but his solution might suck even more. 2/3
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
There is a logic to Coyne's argument. But his solution would come at a huge cost. One of Canada's biggest challenges is that we have 14 separate health systems that don't coordinate or cooperate well. Coyne's solution would make this worse. 1/3 www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/arti...
theglobeandmail.com
Opinion: Don’t give the provinces more money for health, give them more room to raise it themselves
To save health care, stopping the intergovernmental blame game should be the first step
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
The Beaverton is a national treasure
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Old guy yelling at cloud dept: When did people forget how elevators work? Stand to the side, let people exit before you get on. How hard is that? Every day I push past half a dozen people who walk on as soon as the door opens forcing those exiting to back up & then go around them. Crazy making ...
static.klipy.com
Abe Simpson Yelling at Cloud
ALT: Abe Simpson Yelling at Cloud
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
You do realize, don't you, that this condition is entirely self-inflicted ...
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
It has ever been thus. Old Alan Fotheringham story: Ottawa Civic Centre, 1983. PC leadership convention. Early on voting day. Group in elevator to Foth: "That SOB Clark, we'll show him!" Later that evening, after Mulroney's win. Group in elevator to Foth: "That SOB Mulroney, we'll show him!"
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 23/07/2026
What can you do with an Arts degree? Lots of stuff. At @uregina.bsky.social Arts students can apply the skills they've learned in class in the workplace with the Arts Work Experience Internship (AWEI) -- and get academic credit towards their degree. Read more here: www.uregina.ca/stories/2026...
uregina.ca
Arts in Action: U of R Students Turn Classroom Learning into Real-World Experience
Three Faculty of Arts students share how the Arts Work Experience Internship (AWEI) helped them test careers and build confidence before graduation.
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Is Regina the only city in the country that allows freight trains to cross (and block) major thoroughfares during morning rush hour? Asking for a friend who was late for an appointment this morning ...
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 22/07/2026
Check out Philip Gefter’s “Cocktails with George and Martha: Movies, Marriage and the Making of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf”. You’ll watch the film very differently …
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
The insanity continues ... new 50% tariffs from Trump on Canadian goods with no exemptions for goods covered under the USMCA. Time, once again, to call his bluff ... retaliate so that US voters feel it come the mid-terms. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/20/b...
nytimes.com
Trump to Impose 50% Tariff on Many Canadian Goods
The administration will use an untested legal provision to put significant duties on Canadian exports, reigniting a clash with one of America’s biggest trading partners.
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 16/07/2026
This is a tough time for academic journals & even tougher for those not tied to a large for-profit publisher. So congrats to the new Canadian Journal of Political Philosophy for bravely wading into treacherous waters. I wish you success ... journals.library.brocku.ca/index.php/CJPP
journals.library.brocku.ca
The Canadian Journal of Political Philosophy
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Headlines that shock but don't really surprise you ... www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
cbc.ca
Court freezes accounts of separatist lawyer as First Nation alleges misappropriation | CBC News
The personal and professional bank accounts of lawyer Jeff Rath, one of the leaders of Alberta’s independence movement, were temporarily frozen as part of a legal dispute over millions of dollars in t...
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
Is this the man that will save British politics from populist far right?
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 08/07/2026
Norman Lear's brilliant but short-lived late night daily soap "Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman" became a cultural phenomenon in 70s because of the performance of its star Louise Lasser. 325 episodes in 18 mos, it was one of the most original & audacious shows ever made. www.nytimes.com/2026/07/07/a...
nytimes.com
Louise Lasser, Star of TV’s ‘Mary Hartman,’ Is Dead at 87
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
"Your Care, Your Say" is a good start. The test will be the plan this eventually produces. I really believe that the clock is ticking on publicly administered health care. Public confidence is waning. If we don't act soon we can lose it. So, be thorough, be bold and be prepared to fight hard 11/11
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
(5) The report says little but platitudes about working with Indigenous communities. That's not good enough. Their health is vital to our future. Real dialogue and real partnerships will yield real progress on this front. Time to get real here ... 10/11
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
(3) Demand that the province account for how it spends health transfers from Ottawa. Not because it owes Ottawa an explanation, but because it owes SK residents an explanation. (4) Set goals & timelines. You won't meet them all, but be honest about why you sometimes fall short. 9/11
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
(2) Be willing to challenge the powerful interests who will resist change. This includes hard conversations with some you consider your friends & allies in the fight to protect public health care. Behaviours of health professionals will have to change if this is to succeed. 8/11
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
What I would like to see in the final report: (1) A commitment to value & values in health care. Being "efficient & effective" in our spending isn't a bad thing. They're pubic dollars we're spending, spend what you need to spend, but make sure you get what you pay for in terms of outcomes 7/11
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
Don't tell us on report's cover that it will show "... how we'll deliver big, bold change together" and then just rehash the same goals we've been talking about for decades (team-based PHC, integrated electronic health records, etc.). Save it for the final report and then actually be bold! 6/11
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Tom McIntosh @proftomuofr.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
But like all "interim reports" it lacks specific remedies which is frustrating. [Fun fact: At the Romanow Commission we got lambasted in the press for not presenting solutions in our interim report -- plus ca change!] So, for now, they get a pass, but with one complaint ... 5/11
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