Rebecca Graff-McRae

@poliscirish

Political researcher. Deconstructor of discourses. Dancer of jigs. Spectator of spectres. Herder of hooligans. PhD in Irish political history. QUB alum. Research manager at Parkland Institute

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Rebecca Graff-McRae@poliscirish· 23d

Per Rob Smyth's live feed for the Guardian:

78 mins: Spain have had 10 shots, seven on target. Argentina: zilch. Nada. Bugger all.

Rebecca Graff-McRae@poliscirish· May 28

Today in Not-the-Beaverton:

Today's headline from CTV news: Alberta separation question to be atop stack of 10 colour-coded ballots in fall vote.

Image shows Alberta Premier Danielle Smith at a blue lectern, in front of 3 Alberta flags flanked by a Canadian flag at each end.

Rebecca Graff-McRae@poliscirish· Apr 10

My eldest child texted me today from beneath a desk in a random classroom at their school, telling me they were on lockdown and there was a student with a weapon. There are places where this is a frequent occurrence. Here it just felt surreal. Already the fearful demanding to securitize our schools.

A text exchange sent today at 12:05pm

S: unscheduled lockdown
Mom: Drill?
S: No
Mom: Stay safe, keep phone silent. We love you
A: Please don't worry, I'm a little scared but it'll be okay
Love you
Someone got stabbed in period one
Mom: My god.

Rebecca Graff-McRae@poliscirish· Apr 7

Rebecca Graff-McRae@poliscirish· Mar 26

Don't wanna be a septarian nodule! Intact but not quite eroded yet. Can you hear the ocean inside of it? It's a natural grenade-shaped fossil.

The cover of Green Day's iconic album American Idiot: black background with a white arm upraised clutching a red heart-shaped hand-grenade.

Rebecca Graff-McRae@poliscirish· Mar 7

Privileged to hear historian Serhii Plokhy deliver the 60th Shevchenko Lecture @ualberta.bsky.social last night. "The Russo-Ukrainian War Though the Eyes of an Historian": vital to understand this war of aggression through both an historical lens & how the narrative of history has been weaponized.

Historian Serhii Plokhy stands at a lecture to deliver his Shevchenko lecture t University of Alberta. Behinda him is the title of his talk, The Russo-Ukrainian War through the eyes of an Historian, on a red-orange background

Rebecca Graff-McRae@poliscirish· Mar 3

I found this in my (brief, unwise) travels on another social media platform today. If it might come in handy for you, keep it in your pocket to pull out on days that threaten to take more gentleness from us than we can spare.

A cartoon of an Unprecedented Times Permission Slip, granting the bearer leave to opt out from the obligations of the world use to the overwhelming realities of genocide, slavery, oligarchy, climate disaster, the death of empathy, and general awfulness.

Rebecca Graff-McRae@poliscirish· Mar 2

Important new article from Drs Mayall, Hastings & Manns on the damaging implications of Alberta's legislation to introduce a two-tier system for *medically necessary* healthcare. Essential to recognise that private streams *require* long public wait times in order to be profitable.

Key points
In countries with a parallel private-pay health care system, patients can pay much more to receive quicker access to publicly funded services.

Quebec has allowed physicians to fully opt out of publicly funded health care since 2005 and currently has more than 270 specialists working exclusively privately, creating more access challenges in the public system.

Alberta will become the only province in Canada to allow dual physician practice, in which physicians can simultaneously provide both privately and publicly funded surgeries.

Evidence from Canada and other jurisdictions indicates that a parallel private-pay health care system does not reduce wait times in the public system, because scarce human resources move into the private system and private-pay patients are prioritized.

Rebecca Graff-McRae@poliscirish· Feb 26

Illuminating chart from @matthewblack.ca for Postmedia (with additional commentary from Peter Mackay). Also notable: the "tax and spend" ANDP basically held per capita steady during their 2015-19 term.

A chart from Matthew Black for Postmedia, indicating Government of Alberta per capita spending between 2012/13 and projected 2027/28. It demonstrates a significant decline from $17153 in 2012/13 to $15635 for 2025/26. 2026/27 shows a very slight projected increase to $15953. Inflation adjusted $CAd

Rebecca Graff-McRae@poliscirish· Feb 15

It's giving

A commemorative plate featuring images of the 10 Republican hunger strikers who died in Northern Ireland's Maze Prison between May and August 1981. The plate, white China with black portraits stamped round like a clock face, features an H emblem in the centre with the words 25th anniversary of the Hunger Strike. It was featured by the American group Friends of Sinn Fein at their 2006 commemoration event.

Rebecca Graff-McRae@poliscirish· Feb 13

The cat tax demands payment. Waves to Muji 👋

An orange cat, curled nose to tail with his front paw just about covering his face. One bright yellow eye peeks out through the fluff.

Rebecca Graff-McRae@poliscirish· Feb 4

This ⬆️ from their PR is completely contradicted by the bill itself, much less any of the Smith govt's actions on healthcare - which directly erode & siphon resources from the public system, not strengthen it; reduce access based on need; and introduce the need to pay for medically necessary care 🙄

"We remain committed to building a stronger publicly funded health system with better access to surgeries and other care, and upholding Alberta’s Public Health Care Guarantee, ensuring that no Albertan will ever have to pay out of pocket to see their family doctor or receive the medical treatment they need.” Statement from Primary & Preventive Health Ministry spokesperson Madison McKee

Rebecca Graff-McRae@poliscirish· Feb 4

"And the sole nominee for the 2026 FIFA Peace Prize is ... Vladimir!"

An image of the so-called FIFA "Peace" Prize awarded to Donald Trump in 2025: decomposing, disembodied gold hands reaching up through the dirt like the ghoulish undead, reaching for a simulacrum of the Earth that has been reduced to its mineral content and is now smaller than a soccer ball.

Rebecca Graff-McRae@poliscirish· Jan 30

54 years ago. Derry. 26 unarmed civil rights protestors shot by British 1st Parachute Regiment soldiers, who claimed they were members of the IRA. 13 dead that day, another months later. The events were whitewashed until the Saville Inquiry in 2010. The Troubled past haunts our present.

Foreword to Julieann Campbell's book On Bloody Sunday. A quote from Leo Young brother of John Young who was shot and killed during the March on January 30, 1972. It reads:

We were there. We saw what happened, but nobody wanted to know - or ever asked.

My mother warned me to look after our John - he was only 17 and too young to go on marches. I said he'd be fine with his friends. He took shelter at the rubble barricade. They shot him in the face.
I'd been arrested by the British army and taken away while trying to get someone else to hospital. The boy we were helping died. The next day, back at the Strand Road police barracks, a big detective came into the room asking if I was Young. I said I was. Staring at me, he asked me how many brothers I had. 'Two,' I replied. 'You've only one now,' he said. That's how I found out John was dead.

When I saw the crowds outside our house, I knew he was telling the truth.

Rebecca Graff-McRae@poliscirish· Jan 20

Excerpts from PM Carney's speech today at Davos/WEF that struck me, a recovering IR scholar, as significant:

Rebecca Graff-McRae@poliscirish· Jan 20

A poster of a fluffy white kitten, on a black background, chasing colourful butterflies. The text reads "What a fucked up time to be alive."

Rebecca Graff-McRae@poliscirish· Jan 12

Obligatory:

Screenshot of a tweet by @OwensDamien:

I'm 50. All celebrity news looks like this:

'CURTAINS FOR ZOOSHA? K-SMOG AND BATBOY CAUGHT FLIPPING A GRUNT'

Rebecca Graff-McRae@poliscirish· Jan 12

Ninja reluctantly concurs.

A black and white tuxedo cat in a cardboard tower, curled morosely around a 3D resin printed version of the "This is Fine" dog-in-kitchen-inferno meme.

Rebecca Graff-McRae@poliscirish· Dec 20

Went on an unexpected journey courtesy of my dance studio this morning:

A curly-haired, bespectacled hobbit poses behind a balloon tree with a sign reading "The Shire."

The curly-haired, bespectacled hobbit in Irish dance ghillies knocks on the door of a hobbit-house banner, which is hung next to a vaguely autumnal balloon arch

The curly-haired, bespectacled hobbit dancer holds a precious gold ring between her thumb and finger, as a balloon Eye of Sauron looks on.

Rebecca Graff-McRae@poliscirish· Dec 2

I do the same (26/11). Happy belated birthday! 🥳

A black & white image of a Christmas tree branch in the background with a text box in the foreground.

The text reads: It's almost time to switch from your regular anxiety to your fancy Christmas anxiety.

Rebecca Graff-McRae@poliscirish· Nov 26

A dear friend - a most discerning & distinguished poet - shares a birth month with me. It is also the birth month of my daughter & grandmother, a lost mentor, 2 uncles. So I wrote this off-the-cuff for my friend on his day. Since today is mine, let me share it here for all the November birthdays.

A poem by Rebecca Graff-McRae

November Birthday

November crispens
jaundiced aspen
leaves, leaving a breath
of smoke on my tongue,
in my lungs and the air
feels heavy with more than the present
rain a d the snow promised - most
and all I've missed while I was busy
living, raising, shaping, hoping. Time
was never constant but we are
constant companions now. I take another
turn around this world I haven't finished
building; keep walking, waiting. Read
a new and better time into the leaves.

Rebecca Graff-McRae@poliscirish· Nov 25

Looks like a perfect spot for His Highness! Maple sending a cheery wave from his kingdom.

A ginger cat sprawls indolently atop a throne of dark wood and purple velvet.

Rebecca Graff-McRae@poliscirish· Nov 25

Sshhhh, let's not tell them 🤫

From the Canadian Encyclopaedia (online) entry for "Grit":

Grit, a popular reference to a member of the LIBERAL PARTY of Canada. The nickname derives from grit, fine sand or gravel, which is often valued for its abrasive quality, and from an American slang term implying firmness of character, as used in the phrase "true grit." Canadian political usage of the word dates from 1849, when progressive members of the Upper Canada Reform Party were dubbed CLEAR GRITS and characterized as being "all sand and no dirt, clear grit all the way through." Led by George BROWN of the Globe, in the early 1870s the progressive members joined with Lower Canada reformers to create the Liberal Party, and the description of the few was applied to the many.

Rebecca Graff-McRae@poliscirish· Oct 29

Where?! I need to send a guy with a trombone.

A hand holding up a bumper sticker in front of the rear end of a Toyota, which is already covered in bumper stickers.

It reads: Keep honking! I'm listening to ska and you're in the band now

Rebecca Graff-McRae@poliscirish· Oct 28

Former MLA Jon Carson stayed up to bear witness as Smith's UCP steamrollered our Charter Rights - and our public education system.

FB post from former MLA Jon Carson, October 27, 2025:

Thought I'd come witness the UCP dismantling democracy while Albertans sleep.

Update:

It's so ridiculous that it's hard to believe it's even true, but the UCP MLA's were using a meat smoker on their balcony while they were in the legislature trampling on the rights of teachers and all Albertans.

Separate from that, a group of us chanted "shame on you" from outside the legislature loud enough that members in the chamber could hear us while the final vote was being counted. Security drove up within about 10 seconds and told us to stop yelling. 😒

Unfortunately, while Albertans were sleeping, this government rammed through what they themselves know is an unconstitutional piece of legislation that forces teachers back to work with a contract they never agreed on and strips them (and all Albertans) of so many fundamental rights.

The UCP used their majority to put one-hour limits on each stage of the debate, voting and passing the legislation through all three stages in six and a half hours, finishing at 2 AM. Unprecedented and certainly undemocratic.

FB post from former MLA Jon Carson, October 27, 2025:

Nothing has been fixed in our classrooms. The conditions that teachers have been raising alarms about are no closer to being fixed, and the government, through these actions, is showing that it has no intention of trying to make things better at all.

Rebecca Graff-McRae@poliscirish· Oct 27

When our Charter rights to collective bargaining are superseded by hubris and pettiness, how will we respond? This is our tipping point, Albertans. #Bill2 #abpoli

A post by CUPE Alberta president Raj Uppal, 27 October 2025:

Today is a defining moment in Alberta's history.

The UCP is pushing Bill 2 through without even showing Albertans what's in it. No transparency. No debate. No democracy.

This government is showing its true colours - serving the rich and powerful while silencing working people.

Join us at the Legislature this afternoon and stand up for your rights. Because if they use the Notwithstanding Clause, it will strip away your worker protections and your voice.

It's time to wake up, Alberta. Our rights are on the line.

Rebecca Graff-McRae@poliscirish· Oct 26

Jason Stanley, "How Fascism Works":

"In fascist ideology, in times of crisis and need, the state reserves support for members of the chosen nation, for “us” and not “them.” The justification is invariably because “they” are lazy, lack a work ethic, and cannot be trusted with state funds and because “they” are criminal and seek only to live off state largesse. In fascist politics, “they” can be cured of laziness and thievery by hard labor. This is why the gates of Auschwitz had emblazoned on them the slogan ARBEIT MACHT FREI—work shall make you free."

Excerpt from "How Fascism Works", by Jason Stanley

Rebecca Graff-McRae@poliscirish· Oct 23

Oooh, now do Derrida.

A spoof poster parodying Jacques Derrida's "Spectres of Marx", featuring Karl dressed in black robes holding a bloody sickle aloft like the Grim Reaper. The tagline reads: The world's #1 bestselling postmodernist brings back Marx ... With a vengeance.

Rebecca Graff-McRae@poliscirish· Oct 23

A circular sticker, pink and orange ombré, held between a wee* thumb and forefinger. In white cursive lettering it reads: The government is giving me a migraine.

*The wee thumb and forefinger are my own.

Rebecca Graff-McRae@poliscirish· Oct 19

Absolutely brilliant craic with the lads from @foilarmsandhog.bsky.social in Edmonton last night! And incredibly generous of them to hang about and sign a few (hundred) autographs. Best moment of the night: the 🎶Doom-dah 🎶 #speirgorm