Welcome to Dead Wild Roses!
Thanks for stopping by!
Dead Wild Roses is my platform to dig into ideas, question assumptions, and tackle issues that matter to me: politics, science, medicine, and beyond. Based in Alberta, I started this blog to challenge mainstream narratives and create a space for clear, independent thinking. My aim is to anchor this corner of the internet in reason, pushing back against the flood of misinformation and polarized noise.
I’m here to provoke thought, share perspectives, and enjoy the process. Jump in—share your ideas, challenge mine, and let’s foster real, open conversation.
—The Arbourist
bleatmop
Mystro
The Arbourist
Dead Wild Roses 
82 comments
Comments feed for this article
September 7, 2009 at 11:51 am
vanitas
followed you from pharyngula … looking forward to your comments/posts.
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June 15, 2010 at 12:49 am
Fillibluster
Thanks for posting a link to my blog!
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June 15, 2010 at 5:44 pm
The Arbourist
No problem, I was just returning the favour.
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August 18, 2010 at 3:51 pm
~L
commented back to your posts on my blog… I will check yours out.
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October 13, 2010 at 1:25 pm
Vern R. Kaine
Hey Arb,
Not sure if you’ve seen this already. Thought you’d find it interesting.
VRK
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October 13, 2010 at 5:09 pm
Alan Scott
I was over at hippieprof’s blog and just found out he passed away.
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October 13, 2010 at 7:19 pm
Vern R. Kaine
That seemed sudden? So sad – my condolences to his friends and family.
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October 13, 2010 at 11:37 pm
The Arbourist
Aye… very sad indeed. Thanks for the heads up guys. I went over to express my condolences.
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October 16, 2010 at 10:12 pm
The Arbourist
Nice catch Vern. I liked that video. I may just have to post it :)
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December 7, 2010 at 7:55 am
Vern R. Kaine
Arb,
Have you seen “The Invention of Lying” with Ricky Gervais? An interesting “Sky Daddy” segment in the movie (actually, a major subplot) that I thought you’d enjoy.
Heading up to Edmonton today. Brr….
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December 7, 2010 at 12:01 pm
The Arbourist
Heya Vern, No I have not seen that, I’ll look it up, thanks for the steer. :)
Oh hey, it is not *that* cold, only -15 at the moment. :>
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December 7, 2010 at 2:02 pm
Vern R. Kaine
You’re welcome. There’s many layers to his Sky Daddy joke that I’m sure you’ll pick up on – one being that the “truth” about the Sky Daddy ironically comes from the only guy who knows how to lie.
-15C? Great. I missed the -30C cold snap to fly into a -15C cold snap. haha
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January 5, 2011 at 6:58 pm
Vern R. Kaine
Hey Arb, thought you’d be all over this one the minute it broke!
http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/TopStories/20110105/autism-vaccine-study-110105/
btw, did you ever watch that Ricky Gervais movie mentioned above?
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January 5, 2011 at 11:07 pm
The Arbourist
Yes, I saw the movie Vern, what fun. :> I found it quite humourous; thank you for the steer. :)
I caught the Wakefield story back when it originally broke, but this is just more confirmation on how deep the fraud actually went. Looks like I should write something about it, although I’m not sure if the blog can handle anti-vaxers and anti-choice crazy at the same time. :>
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January 5, 2011 at 11:30 pm
Vern R. Kaine
That topic makes most people mental if it goes on long enough – a lot of issues can be rolled up and projected onto it. Curious as to how many people have a DIRECT involvement with the issue? Oh well…
CTV said that (former) doctor took a nice $750k check for his research. Greed’s laughing his head off right now. Doesn’t change my main opinion on vaccines (I’m pro-choice!) but I’m glad when any fraud gets exposed. Just one more reason why we shouldn’t blindly trust what we watch/hear/read in the news.
Glad you enjoyed the movie. See you on the other pages. :)
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February 10, 2011 at 6:15 am
M DeWolf
I’m enjoying the articles and comments I find here. Good on ya, as the Aussies are fond of saying. I grew up in Alberta and am very aware that a fair percentage of the population is NOT as blinkered and uninformed as their neighbours — which must lead to some very interesting conversations down at the Tim Horton’s.
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February 10, 2011 at 9:56 pm
The Arbourist
It most absolutely does. A fair helping of diplomacy keeps things civil most of the times, unless of course people are wrong. ;)
Thanks for stopping by.
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February 24, 2011 at 12:04 pm
Vern R. Kaine
Hey Arb,
You’ve probably seen this already, but I thought it fit the cartoon you recently posted, called “Opposite World” and figured I’d check and see if you had. I didn’t want to post it there, however, because I didn’t want to divert from the cartoon.
Curious as to your thoughts on it? I have a few that lean either way. This is a topic that comes up many times with the groups & companies that I speak to, both publicly in-forum and privately to the side. Because of that, I’m not usually surprised by many talking points of the subject, but the university study Sandberg mentions was one that did surprise me – I thought we had progressed much further with the next generation than that study appeared to show.
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February 24, 2011 at 9:04 pm
The Arbourist
I’m gonna save that for the week end as work is eating up my weekday free time, thanks for the link. I’ll get back to you on Sat or Sunday with commentary ;)
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February 26, 2011 at 10:04 am
The Arbourist
I watched the TED talk and was pleasantly surprised to see a few of the studies being mentioned.
The surprise you mention is so surprising because of the way it is built into our society. Without specifically looking gender differences, or patriarchy or whatever we just do not see the bias that has been built into the system.
It is why sometimes when you hear feminists talk it seems to be such a weird set of points they bring up, because the systems they talk about are so naturally ingrained into our psyche.
I’m currently reading Delusions of Gender by Cordelia Fine and it is really challenging the way I look at Gender and how it works in the world.
I think it might be a radical read for you Vern as I think it might challenge some of the assumptions you have about gender and how it works. I’m not finished the book and already have had several “ah-ha” moments. :)
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May 6, 2011 at 1:27 pm
Vern R. Kaine
http://www.politico.com/arena/perm/Steve_Steckler_EAD47392-4C72-4D57-A2E4-B50F93906DD9.html
FYI, to your points on religious zealotry, I think Steve Steckler says it well here in relation to Bin Laden’s death (especially his last sentence):
“Bin Laden led a movement whose design was to subdue all to its belief, and to kill all who would resist it. His and Al Qaeda’s perversion of faith has so far taken only a small fraction of the lives they hope to. Accordingly, let bin Laden’s death be not a celebration but only a small reminder that, until the centuries-old virus of totalitarian religiosity is finally eradicated from the human mental construct, mankind can never live peacefully or be truly free.”
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May 11, 2011 at 12:42 pm
The Arbourist
I’ll have to take a gander Vern, thanks for the link. :)
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May 11, 2011 at 8:25 pm
Vern R. Kaine
Ignore the “Capitalist Ahead!” road signs along the way, Arb ;)
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July 13, 2011 at 6:56 pm
Vern R. Kaine
new religion: Pastafarian.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14135523
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September 8, 2011 at 10:18 pm
renetascian
I wanted to thank you for your deep and insightful blogs, and for showing me new ideas in the candor of your blogs, stuff I might not have found on my own. I found your blog, and liked it because I am out there trying to learn and improve upon myself. I know in some senses I have actually changed positions since stumbling onto your blogs, mostly because I was already questioning those things myself. You had insights about religion and other aspects of life that allowed me to connect the dots, finally. It’s not so much that I feel you are persuasive, but have a healthy skepticism which helped me break the mold. It allowed me to break the magical thinking of faith indoctrination, helped me see a much broader picture of sexism, feminism, and roles in society, and an honest, refreshing look at politics.
I know we don’t live in the same country, but much of the things you talk about are very cross cultural. Being an atheist now, I feel a bit more at peace with myself than I thought I would. I am no longer torturing logic trying to understand dogma that is confusing and contradictory, at best, morally blameworthy and indefensible at worse. I know I had a few comments from time to time about your blogs talking about religion, but in the end I ended up seeing your point rather than maintaining mine. My faith didn’t stand under scrutiny, and I realized most of my objection to relinquishing was fear. Fear of being hated, fear of reprisal, fear of being wrong. The other atheists you exposed me to through You-tube really was the turning point. They filled in the pieces I was struggling with, and now I feel much better for it. I know it’s a journey I largely made on my own, but I thank you for being open and honest and being the proverbial soundboards of sanity. I wish the best for you.
Rene
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September 10, 2011 at 10:02 am
The Arbourist
I wanted to thank you for your deep and insightful blogs,
Well thank you very much for your kind thoughts. :)
It’s not so much that I feel you are persuasive, […]</em?
Don't tell the people I regularly argue against that okay, it will make them feel all important and what not. :)
It allowed me to break the magical thinking of faith indoctrination, helped me see a much broader picture of sexism, feminism, and roles in society, and an honest, refreshing look at politics.
Welcome to the realm of free thought its kinda wild/crazy/scary but ultimately more satisfying then any of the religious mystical nonsense that is currently available out there.
My faith didn’t stand under scrutiny, and I realized most of my objection to relinquishing was fear. Fear of being hated, fear of reprisal, fear of being wrong.
People, when honestly examining their faith, often come to similar conclusions. Rejecting the lies and the indoctrination is a intimidating, formidable process. I commend you on your courage and fortitude in your endeavour.
I thank you for being open and honest and being the proverbial soundboards of sanity.
You are most welcome.
I wish the best for you.
The the best unto you as well Rene, keep thinking, keep disagreeing and keep asking questions and of course, commenting on my blog :)
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September 20, 2011 at 12:22 am
CanPat
Any way we can contact you?
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September 20, 2011 at 11:42 am
The Arbourist
Regarding what?
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October 2, 2011 at 2:10 pm
Bleatmop
Hey Arb, just curious about your views on Redford winning the PC leadership and getting anointed our new Dear Leader. Personally I’m hoping she has what it takes to kick Mortin, Liepert et al., to the curb and run on a centrist policy. I’m also happy she seems to be willing to not cut and slash education and health budgets and restore them to their previously less slashed status. Seems like she said what she needed to in order to win the leadership, lets see if this holds up in the upcoming provincial election.
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October 2, 2011 at 2:35 pm
The Arbourist
Well as far as shuffling seats on the Hindenburg is concerned, I think this is a great move for the PC’s.
The problem is that she is entirely too attuned to what the people of Alberta actually want and stand for. Her platform will not sit well with the people who actually matter in politics and it is my prediction that we shall see a large falling out in the PC party and a mass rightward migration to the even Führer…err.. further fascist-tastic Wild Rose party.
The important people (see the rich business and oil interests) will not tolerate Redford’s nasty streak of sensibility and predictably she will be spanked like Steady Eddy when she actually tires to reform (Royalty Review anyone?) the endemic graft and corruption that passes Progressive Conservative politics these days.
At first blush at least that is what comes to mind. :)
On a secondary note, Bleatmop, do you have a blog? If so, I would like to link to it and if not, have you considered guest writing a couple posts for DWR?
Arbourist.
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October 9, 2011 at 1:17 pm
Bleatmop
Arb – I did have a blog, in fact I used to be a Blogging Tory at one point and time. I have since deleted that blog though, not because I no longer agree with what was said on that blog, but that I found that I did not fit in with what the CPC platform had become as to what I thought it was when I first started blogging. To be clear, I first started blogging almost immediately after Steven Harper won his first minority government and believed that spin that the CPC was still progressive but perhaps more fiscally responsible. Since then I have found that they are neither, that the Blogging Tories have several loud and bigoted voices that drown out the moderates, and that when it comes to patronage nepotism, secrecy, and corruption that the CPC has learned their lessons well from the LPC and said actions into an art form.
In short, I was no longer a Blogging Tory nor was I Tory and felt I should remove my blog from their blogroll.
I would feel honored to write an occasional guest blog at DWR though. I do occasionally miss the thrill of writing a blog. Feel free to email me at Bleatmop@hotmail.com if you wish.
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October 10, 2011 at 9:56 am
Vern R. Kaine
If I can throw my own 2 cents in there, I’d enjoy reading your posts, Bleatmop, and would second Arb’s motion. You seem to keep your comments short (a tactic I should more often employ!) so I, for one, would be interested in seeing some of those comments elaborated more in a full post.
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October 19, 2011 at 4:12 am
Julien Newman
Hey, could you send me your email address?
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October 19, 2011 at 9:26 am
The Arbourist
Why?
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October 21, 2011 at 7:48 am
Vern R. Kaine
Hi Arb,
Just watched “How to Boil a Frog” – have you seen it?
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October 21, 2011 at 11:35 am
The Arbourist
No I have not, do you have a link? :)
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January 24, 2012 at 10:53 pm
Vern R. Kaine
Thought you might like this story:
http://www.zdnet.com/blog/facebook/man-faces-five-years-for-8216god-does-not-exist-facebook-post/7796
Oh, and the “How to Boil a Frog” link:
http://howtoboilafrog.com/ (You could have easily googled that one, Arb, get off the couch! haha)
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February 2, 2012 at 9:32 pm
Vern R. Kaine
Hey Arb,
Seen this? http://www.gaslandthemovie.com/
Absolutely sick.
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February 2, 2012 at 11:53 pm
The Arbourist
I have watched about half of it so far. Let me say so far that I am unimpressed with the ethical standards of the shale gas fracking industry
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February 3, 2012 at 1:44 pm
Vern R. Kaine
If the part about Cheney making NG unaccountable to the clean air and water acts is true (and I have no reason yet to believe it isn’t), then I’ll leap ahead of you and say I’m beyond unimpressed. Ethics aside, this should be illegal.
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September 30, 2012 at 8:26 am
tildeb
This seemed to me to be something you might want to promote
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September 30, 2012 at 8:29 am
The Arbourist
@Tildeb
Already scheduled for later in the week. :) I can’t decide if I like it for its message or the messenger yet, the format and presentation are quite good.
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September 30, 2012 at 8:51 am
tildeb
I thought the same.
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November 29, 2012 at 12:08 pm
Sara
Hello! I was given a Sunshine Award and I’m passing it onto you because I love your blog! Here’s a link. http://TINYURL.COM/C58YC9E If it’s too personal or not your cup of tea, I totally understand!
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November 29, 2012 at 12:13 pm
The Arbourist
@ Sara
I may not have time today to go through the questions, as I do much of my blogging on the weekends. But I am honoured by your recognition and will endeavour to get it done. :)
Thanks for reading and commenting.
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December 16, 2012 at 5:45 pm
robin claire
“The simple fact is that the fossil record does not support gradualism. For over 150 years evolutionists have been telling everyone just give us some more time and the transitional fossils will appear. We still are waiting. At what point do we say enough is enough and change the theory?”
What do you have to say on this subject? Can you put up a post on how you see this?
robin claire
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December 16, 2012 at 5:47 pm
robin claire
Here is the site where the above quote came from.
robin claire
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December 17, 2012 at 10:59 am
The Arbourist
@robin claire
Quoting material from an christian apologetics website isn’t a great way to start an argument about the veracity of a scientific theory. I can look into a post doing a post about evolution, but gosh, it won’t be pretty for your side. Creationists and christians have been soundly thrashed from pillar to post (and back again) on their denial of evolutionary theory.
Thanks for your interest, and on the weekend I’ll round up some material about on evolution or maybe even a ‘best of’ because the topic has been discussed on this blog before.
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January 20, 2013 at 6:12 pm
Guls
Thanks for stopping by and following me: your blog looks interesting so I’ll be sure to pop back and browse sometime soon. Take care,
Andy.
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January 20, 2013 at 11:18 pm
The Arbourist
@Guls
Thanks for the compliment. I found your site while perusing radical feminist blogs discussing the trans question and attempting to form a reasonably cogent opinion on the current state of affairs. Thank you for your help.
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