The scene on the streets outside our door this morning was one of traffic chaos. The kind that is usually reserved for downtown St. Catherine's street at rush hour. Suburban gridlock.
The din and confusion of cars and people is a result of a grievously illogical piece of city works planning. Our street is home to two, count 'em, two elementary level schools. What has caused the pandemonium was a decision to conduct infrastructure repairs on five area roads simultaneously, which included inexplicably digging up the end of our street where it connects to the main road.
We've lived in this area for only four years and in that time it has become very clear that our street is a vital link in our community. As mentioned, in addition to being a double school zone, it is also a designated route for emergency vehicles. With the roads closures, residents might have a hard time relying on ambulances or fire trucks arriving with any degree of expediency. This is an issue given that the population in the area is divided almost exclusively between seniors or families with young children.
For kids waiting for a bus, or being dropping-off at one of the two schools, the situation is downright dangerous. Heavy construction vehicles weave hazardously through the streets with seemingly little regard for pedestrians. The congestion of cars, vans and buses is not only causing frustration for drivers it is a high-risk scenario for the many small children making their way along the sidewalks at the start of the school day.
To add to the stress and frustration, we recently lost power in the neighbourhood because a backhoe operator carelessly struck a Hydro line. A week later we had to evacuate because of a gas leak, also a result of the construction.
It should be noted that the city had clearly been preparing for this work as early as last spring, when massive piles of crushed stone had been dumped in the area. So why wait until the start of the school year to begin such a major project?
As if this epic escapade of road demolition were not enough, the city also decided to replace the sidewalks on the main road that connects to our street. They must have realized that their efforts had not prevented people from getting to work or school on time, so they had to take it up a notch.
I'm all for economic stimulus and infrastructure projects to create jobs, but this is beyond absurdity. It's one thing dealing with the inconvenience of road repairs, it's another thing entirely when the safety of families is at risk. The decision to take on all of these projects simultaneously defies reason. No forethought, no contingency and absolutely no consideration of the residents. This is what government refers to as planning.
And this is only the municipal level, can you imagine what goes on in Quebec City and Ottawa?
It certainly explains Mirabel Airport and The Big Owe.
Thursday, October 28, 2010
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Was It Something I Said?
The city is experiencing a late fall warm snap. This is the term I came up with because I think the term Indian Summer is no longer appropriate.
History is a little foggy on the origins of the expression. Some think it refers to the time when Native Americans would cease their raids on European colonies at the end of Autumn. Others think it had to do with the time of the native harvest. Regardless, using the term Indian to refer to Native Americans has been well established as inappropriate, not to mention a rather embarrassing misnomer by those who thought they discovered a cheap route to India. Hence, late fall warm snap.
Cultural and social sensitivity is a hard thing to manage. Mostly because as complex a species as humans are, we are slow to change. We get used to referring to things in a certain way. If you ask us to alter our language to avoid offending a particular segment of the population, the reaction is either rolled eyes or outright defiance.
Most of us don't give a lot of thought to the terminology we use, nor do we intentionally choose words to offend others. That is unless they cut us off in traffic. Nonetheless, the evolution of our language is a natural and oft times necessary way in which society progresses. I'm not referring to overt political correctness which is used more as a weapon than a tool. It is rather the process by which our language separates itself from words designed to exclude and deride the people it is meant to serve.
English, which is the mutt of human languages, is an interesting example of this. Borrowing from several sources, including the Germanic and Latin-based languages, English is remarkable for its capacity to have a multitude of ways to say the same thing. It is extremely flexible and very quick to adapt to new circumstances, viewpoints and innovation.
English is likely second to the various dialects of Chinese as the most commonly used language on the planet. While it can be exceedingly complex, this complexity combined with its flexibility also makes it one of the simplest of languages in terms of basic communication.
There a several words in our lexicon that we as a society have either abandoned or deemed forbidden due to extreme cultural and social insensitivity. Some terms have changed because of stigma and/or an evolved understanding. For example, 'manic depressive' has been replaced by the more accurate term 'bipolar.' Then there are words and terms that have become so offensive due their significance in history that they have been all but dropped from common parlance. These are words designed to do more than offend, but rather oppress, subjugate and stir hatred. No need to cite examples here.
Though we might find ourselves bemused or even annoyed by those that encourage an enlightened use of terminology, we have to accept that the language we chose has tremendous power. Words and expressions used as little as fifty years ago might have many of us squirming uncomfortably in our seats.
The only way in which a society can move forward is to find ways for itself to be more inclusive. We already know that creating and encouraging divisions amongst people only leads to resentment and conflict. If it is a language, or languages, that bind us, then they must allow differences to be celebrated and not used divide. Words and terminology should represent dignity in that which makes us unique, and not bring down derision upon those that do not conform to an arbitrary definition of the norm.
As a species, we humans come in many sizes, shapes and colours. There are two sexes with more than a few sexual orientations. We come from many places, north and south, east and west, with more variations of culture than you can imagine. We probably have more differences than similarities and yet we share a common humanity. With so much to discover and learn from one another why on Earth would we want to choose a language that doesn't allow us to truly communicate?
So, late fall warm snap it is.
History is a little foggy on the origins of the expression. Some think it refers to the time when Native Americans would cease their raids on European colonies at the end of Autumn. Others think it had to do with the time of the native harvest. Regardless, using the term Indian to refer to Native Americans has been well established as inappropriate, not to mention a rather embarrassing misnomer by those who thought they discovered a cheap route to India. Hence, late fall warm snap.
Cultural and social sensitivity is a hard thing to manage. Mostly because as complex a species as humans are, we are slow to change. We get used to referring to things in a certain way. If you ask us to alter our language to avoid offending a particular segment of the population, the reaction is either rolled eyes or outright defiance.
Most of us don't give a lot of thought to the terminology we use, nor do we intentionally choose words to offend others. That is unless they cut us off in traffic. Nonetheless, the evolution of our language is a natural and oft times necessary way in which society progresses. I'm not referring to overt political correctness which is used more as a weapon than a tool. It is rather the process by which our language separates itself from words designed to exclude and deride the people it is meant to serve.
English, which is the mutt of human languages, is an interesting example of this. Borrowing from several sources, including the Germanic and Latin-based languages, English is remarkable for its capacity to have a multitude of ways to say the same thing. It is extremely flexible and very quick to adapt to new circumstances, viewpoints and innovation.
English is likely second to the various dialects of Chinese as the most commonly used language on the planet. While it can be exceedingly complex, this complexity combined with its flexibility also makes it one of the simplest of languages in terms of basic communication.
There a several words in our lexicon that we as a society have either abandoned or deemed forbidden due to extreme cultural and social insensitivity. Some terms have changed because of stigma and/or an evolved understanding. For example, 'manic depressive' has been replaced by the more accurate term 'bipolar.' Then there are words and terms that have become so offensive due their significance in history that they have been all but dropped from common parlance. These are words designed to do more than offend, but rather oppress, subjugate and stir hatred. No need to cite examples here.
Though we might find ourselves bemused or even annoyed by those that encourage an enlightened use of terminology, we have to accept that the language we chose has tremendous power. Words and expressions used as little as fifty years ago might have many of us squirming uncomfortably in our seats.
The only way in which a society can move forward is to find ways for itself to be more inclusive. We already know that creating and encouraging divisions amongst people only leads to resentment and conflict. If it is a language, or languages, that bind us, then they must allow differences to be celebrated and not used divide. Words and terminology should represent dignity in that which makes us unique, and not bring down derision upon those that do not conform to an arbitrary definition of the norm.
As a species, we humans come in many sizes, shapes and colours. There are two sexes with more than a few sexual orientations. We come from many places, north and south, east and west, with more variations of culture than you can imagine. We probably have more differences than similarities and yet we share a common humanity. With so much to discover and learn from one another why on Earth would we want to choose a language that doesn't allow us to truly communicate?
So, late fall warm snap it is.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Democracy Inaction
Parenthood can be a challenge at times. We want to lead by example and do all the right things. Sometimes we get it right, sometimes we fail miserably. Even when it's the latter we still do our best to make sure our children understand that despite our mistakes, there is still a difference between what is right and what is wrong. We tell them: don't tattle, don't be selfish, treat others with respect and clean up your messes.
Unless, of course, there is an election. In which case, screw courtesy, decorum and responsibility and let the mud-slinging begin.
We are deep into election season in the most powerful nation on the planet and thus far, on the local front, the campaign slurs are well under way. Gross distortions of facts, name-calling and intentionally unflattering images of candidates splayed about our TV screens presumably to make the other candidate look better.
The insanity which is the U.S. electoral campaign is about as low-down and dirty as politics can get. What's worse is some of that bilge is starting to flow northward, with the Canada's Conservative party producing negative ads about the opposition, often when there isn't even an election.
This bizarre theatre of politics has candidates promising not to raise taxes, or even to cut taxes in order to get elected. Why? Because when it comes to American elections, raising taxes is tantamount to declaring your campaign is funded by Al Qaeda. The promise to cut taxes is as old as the Stars and Stripes. The Republican party is forever at the forefront decrying big government and high taxation. Even though two well-known Republican presidents, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, both raised taxes while in office. A Democrat who suggests a tax increase will likely be run out of town with flaming torches and pitchforks.
The tax issue is an interesting one because the American government debt is out of control. Much of this deficit is being blamed on government bailouts to the auto makers and the banks. The $700 billion bailout, which was actually called for by former U.S. President George W. Bush, has now been hung around the neck of his successor President Barack Obama.
It should be noted that of the money given to the banks only $30 billion has yet to be recouped. The U.S. auto-maker bailout accounted for $24.9 billion of this money. General Motors has already paid back $5.8 billion ahead of schedule. By contrast the war in Iraq has cost American tax payers $739 trillion, and Afghanistan: $358 trillion and counting.
The current national debt in the U.S. is $13 trillion dollars. To put this in perspective, the debt when George W. Bush took office in 2000 was $5.7 trillion, it had reached $11 trillion by the end of his second term. To compound this problem Bush systematically cut taxes while the government amassed more deficit than all of his predecessors.
To think that the solution to this issue is to cut more taxes borders on insanity. To accuse the current administration of being solely responsible for the current economic mess is to engage in an astonishing level of denial.
Part of the problem with the electorate is a growing sense of entitlement. National security, a massive state-of-the-art military, a well-maintained and expanding infrastructure, plus all of the other agencies designed to serve its citizens, these are the things the population not only expects but demands ...for a Wal-Mart price. I'm no economist, but something doesn't add up.
Recent polls suggest well over half of Americans do not favour a tax increase to solve the debt problem, while two thirds favour a cut in foreign aid (which accounts for only 1% of the federal budget). Cutting federal spending is being cited as the solution to the problem, but a big chunk of the government's current discretionary budget has been allocated to stimulus spending to create jobs. Taking that money away now could have serious consequences in an economy on life support.
Fiscal responsibility will never be a sexy theme for a political candidate, but that is exactly what the country needs. No, I don't mean idiots like the Tea Party who are great at exploiting the angst of those affected by a failed economy and extremely short on real solutions to the problem. True, raising taxes is not the right thing to do when people are already struggling to make ends meet, but embracing schemes that got the country into its current mess is not the answer either.
It's no wonder that interest in politics in the United States is at an all time low. Citizens are burdened with a crisis they did not create and are now being asked to play a blame game while trying to figure out where their next pay-cheque is coming from. As the politicians attack one other with twisted versions of reality, each claiming the moral high ground, the population is desperately seeking answers, solutions and a future for their children. The disconnect between the bickering morons running for office and the people they claim to serve is astounding.
It's time for politicians and the electorate to get with the program. You've had it far too good, for far too long, and somebody has to pay the bills. That's what grown ups do. Slander, denial and selfishness are not going to solve anything.
When the next generation is voting, what will they have learned?
Unless, of course, there is an election. In which case, screw courtesy, decorum and responsibility and let the mud-slinging begin.
We are deep into election season in the most powerful nation on the planet and thus far, on the local front, the campaign slurs are well under way. Gross distortions of facts, name-calling and intentionally unflattering images of candidates splayed about our TV screens presumably to make the other candidate look better.
The insanity which is the U.S. electoral campaign is about as low-down and dirty as politics can get. What's worse is some of that bilge is starting to flow northward, with the Canada's Conservative party producing negative ads about the opposition, often when there isn't even an election.
This bizarre theatre of politics has candidates promising not to raise taxes, or even to cut taxes in order to get elected. Why? Because when it comes to American elections, raising taxes is tantamount to declaring your campaign is funded by Al Qaeda. The promise to cut taxes is as old as the Stars and Stripes. The Republican party is forever at the forefront decrying big government and high taxation. Even though two well-known Republican presidents, Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, both raised taxes while in office. A Democrat who suggests a tax increase will likely be run out of town with flaming torches and pitchforks.
The tax issue is an interesting one because the American government debt is out of control. Much of this deficit is being blamed on government bailouts to the auto makers and the banks. The $700 billion bailout, which was actually called for by former U.S. President George W. Bush, has now been hung around the neck of his successor President Barack Obama.
It should be noted that of the money given to the banks only $30 billion has yet to be recouped. The U.S. auto-maker bailout accounted for $24.9 billion of this money. General Motors has already paid back $5.8 billion ahead of schedule. By contrast the war in Iraq has cost American tax payers $739 trillion, and Afghanistan: $358 trillion and counting.
The current national debt in the U.S. is $13 trillion dollars. To put this in perspective, the debt when George W. Bush took office in 2000 was $5.7 trillion, it had reached $11 trillion by the end of his second term. To compound this problem Bush systematically cut taxes while the government amassed more deficit than all of his predecessors.
To think that the solution to this issue is to cut more taxes borders on insanity. To accuse the current administration of being solely responsible for the current economic mess is to engage in an astonishing level of denial.
Part of the problem with the electorate is a growing sense of entitlement. National security, a massive state-of-the-art military, a well-maintained and expanding infrastructure, plus all of the other agencies designed to serve its citizens, these are the things the population not only expects but demands ...for a Wal-Mart price. I'm no economist, but something doesn't add up.
Recent polls suggest well over half of Americans do not favour a tax increase to solve the debt problem, while two thirds favour a cut in foreign aid (which accounts for only 1% of the federal budget). Cutting federal spending is being cited as the solution to the problem, but a big chunk of the government's current discretionary budget has been allocated to stimulus spending to create jobs. Taking that money away now could have serious consequences in an economy on life support.
Fiscal responsibility will never be a sexy theme for a political candidate, but that is exactly what the country needs. No, I don't mean idiots like the Tea Party who are great at exploiting the angst of those affected by a failed economy and extremely short on real solutions to the problem. True, raising taxes is not the right thing to do when people are already struggling to make ends meet, but embracing schemes that got the country into its current mess is not the answer either.
It's no wonder that interest in politics in the United States is at an all time low. Citizens are burdened with a crisis they did not create and are now being asked to play a blame game while trying to figure out where their next pay-cheque is coming from. As the politicians attack one other with twisted versions of reality, each claiming the moral high ground, the population is desperately seeking answers, solutions and a future for their children. The disconnect between the bickering morons running for office and the people they claim to serve is astounding.
It's time for politicians and the electorate to get with the program. You've had it far too good, for far too long, and somebody has to pay the bills. That's what grown ups do. Slander, denial and selfishness are not going to solve anything.
When the next generation is voting, what will they have learned?
Friday, October 22, 2010
The Friday Time Waster Supreme: Going Off The Rails Edition
As the winds blow a wintry cold across our fair city we are all feeling that instinctive need to hibernate, or drink heavily, one or the other. Before you start either, here's is yet another Friday Time Waster Supreme to put a summery smile on your face and warm your cockles (whatever those are).
Ah, Brett Favre-re-re-re...in the news again for all the wrong reasons. Allegations floating down the media sewage system claim that Favre is involved in a texting, or sexting, scandal involving one Jenn Sterger (a model and journalist ...okay, sure) and two massage therapists for his former team the New York Jets.
Presumably not all at the same time, although it would explain his long off-season.
Among the alleged explicit text messages were rumours that the on-again-off-again retired quarterback sent the women pictures of his boy parts.
Longtime friend (now former friend) Ryan Longwell leaked details of Favre's tearful locker room apology to the press. Favre allegedly told team mates he was sorry for being a distraction to the team. Something he's never, ever, done before. Unless you include keeping the entire franchise on hold while awaiting news if he is going to play or retire for three consecutive seasons.
A transcript of Favre's apology can be found on a photo of his left buttock.
***
Speaking of celebrity pariah's, poor Mel Gibson was dealt year another blow this week...that is, not the one he wanted. Turns out the producers of the upcoming sequel The Hangover 2 were trumpeting a proposed cameo by Gibson in the film. Once the cast got news of this, there was a virtual rebellion. Under pressure, the producers dropped Gibson like a bad habit (a bad habit not unlike drinking to excess, blacking out and forgetting what happened the night before).
You know your career is going bad when you can't even get a gig in a movie about moral depravity.
***
I know you're all on the edge of you seats, but here it is. The $1.2 billion contract for the new metro cars goes to: Bombardier. Wow, that's a shocker. Who knew they were even in the running?
***
Here's a guy who knows the value of a dollar: A Delaware man named James Solakian, a shareholder in the website Bible.com, is suing the board of directors for 'breaching their duty' because the company is not making enough profit. Wow, bibles not making money, the economy really is in ruins.
It seems Solakian might have a case. He cites the company's business plan that states: "it is the goal of the board of directors of Bible.com to become very, very profitable." Gee, how very...um...meek.
No word on a court date as of yet, but the state of Delaware is currently under a smiting alert.
***
Another local transit item. The good folks in charge of Parc Jean Drapeau are thinking of building a monorail to take passengers to and from Île Ste. Helene and Île Notre Dame, as well as from one part of the park to another. The suggested cost is a mere $440 million, a third of which is expected to be public cash, the rest presumably from the private sector. This is part of a plan to give the park a nice modern look in time for the 50th anniversary of Expo 67 in 2017.
Critics of the plan say that the city has more pressing transit issues than building monorails. Like, fixing roads so that city buses don't vanish into massive craters.
Frankly, I'd love to see a monorail 'cause back in 1967 it was touted as being the transportation wave of the future. It's the future isn't it? And besides, with a name like Jean Drapeau, how could this project possibly run a deficit?
Stay warm and have a great weekend.
Ah, Brett Favre-re-re-re...in the news again for all the wrong reasons. Allegations floating down the media sewage system claim that Favre is involved in a texting, or sexting, scandal involving one Jenn Sterger (a model and journalist ...okay, sure) and two massage therapists for his former team the New York Jets.
Presumably not all at the same time, although it would explain his long off-season.
Among the alleged explicit text messages were rumours that the on-again-off-again retired quarterback sent the women pictures of his boy parts.
Longtime friend (now former friend) Ryan Longwell leaked details of Favre's tearful locker room apology to the press. Favre allegedly told team mates he was sorry for being a distraction to the team. Something he's never, ever, done before. Unless you include keeping the entire franchise on hold while awaiting news if he is going to play or retire for three consecutive seasons.
A transcript of Favre's apology can be found on a photo of his left buttock.
***
Speaking of celebrity pariah's, poor Mel Gibson was dealt year another blow this week...that is, not the one he wanted. Turns out the producers of the upcoming sequel The Hangover 2 were trumpeting a proposed cameo by Gibson in the film. Once the cast got news of this, there was a virtual rebellion. Under pressure, the producers dropped Gibson like a bad habit (a bad habit not unlike drinking to excess, blacking out and forgetting what happened the night before).
You know your career is going bad when you can't even get a gig in a movie about moral depravity.
***
I know you're all on the edge of you seats, but here it is. The $1.2 billion contract for the new metro cars goes to: Bombardier. Wow, that's a shocker. Who knew they were even in the running?
***
Here's a guy who knows the value of a dollar: A Delaware man named James Solakian, a shareholder in the website Bible.com, is suing the board of directors for 'breaching their duty' because the company is not making enough profit. Wow, bibles not making money, the economy really is in ruins.
It seems Solakian might have a case. He cites the company's business plan that states: "it is the goal of the board of directors of Bible.com to become very, very profitable." Gee, how very...um...meek.
No word on a court date as of yet, but the state of Delaware is currently under a smiting alert.
***
Another local transit item. The good folks in charge of Parc Jean Drapeau are thinking of building a monorail to take passengers to and from Île Ste. Helene and Île Notre Dame, as well as from one part of the park to another. The suggested cost is a mere $440 million, a third of which is expected to be public cash, the rest presumably from the private sector. This is part of a plan to give the park a nice modern look in time for the 50th anniversary of Expo 67 in 2017.
Critics of the plan say that the city has more pressing transit issues than building monorails. Like, fixing roads so that city buses don't vanish into massive craters.
Frankly, I'd love to see a monorail 'cause back in 1967 it was touted as being the transportation wave of the future. It's the future isn't it? And besides, with a name like Jean Drapeau, how could this project possibly run a deficit?
Stay warm and have a great weekend.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Turn off. Tune out. Drop in.
The recent trial of Canadian Armed Forces Col. Russell Williams was a difficult story to stomach. Williams was convicted of raping, torturing and then murdering two young women. The man led a dual life, in one a respected military commander and in the other, a cold-blooded killer.
A disturbing sidebar to this story came when it was learned that reporters covering the story were using Twitter to send regular updates of testimony. While it is the job of the media to cover these events, for the families of the victims, having details of the grim fate of their loved ones on display for the world through Twitter seems insensitive in the extreme.
Maybe it's just that I am getting older, but I find that society is trending away from its sense of human respect and dignity. I don't blame technology for this, but it has given people tacit permission to act and think in ways that one wouldn't do face to face. It's easy to write about someone in the safety of your home, a private corner of the workplace, school or mall, knowing that the person to whom you are speaking is not present or prepared to respond. You can craft your words to ensure maximum impact unlike a conversation that is more spontaneous, and lets face it, honest.
Facebook, which I admit to being A Fan, is the perfect example of this. The social networking space allows one to pick the perfect photo of themselves, list ideal qualities and likes, and then share their thoughts either to amuse, entertain, gripe or take a long-distance shot at someone. It's like having your own public relations person. Providing the world the image you want to project, rather than who you really are. Facebook doesn't always show your moments of ill-temper, impatience, or pettiness. That is, unless we want it to.
Social networks might be great for connecting with a multitude of people at once, but they shouldn't be confused with real social interaction. Keyboard-based communication, be it Facebook, Twitter or texting, is just not the same as hearing someone laugh, or seeing them frown, or sensing something lingering just beneath the surface, sadness, uncertainty, worry. There is no substitute for the touch of a hand, the darting of eyes, or a blush. All incredibly powerful tools of communication.
Therein lies the problem. Could it be that we are in danger of losing the very essence of what drives our sensitivity for others? By projecting an ideal image of ourselves through social media, and without benefit of perceptions made in the presence of another, it become far too easy to absolve ourselves from our sense of social responsibility. In real life, it's much harder to 'unfriend' somebody.
We don't have to look far to see how this is changing our awareness and sensitivity of the world. Visit you local mall, or downtown street, and count the number of people staring down at some handheld device. Surrounded by people, but also oblivious. And don't get me started about people reading their emails on the golf course.
On a recent trip to the park with my son, I noticed a father there with his three daughters. The girls were pleading with him to push them on the swings, or watch them slide, or spin them on a carousel. Instead, he sat on a park bench, eyes glued to his iPhone. I resolved then and there that I was not going to be that guy.
We often refer to the current era as the communications revolution, and yet we are doing anything but communicating. How is it that an email or text from someone kilometres away is somehow more important than what is happening right here and now? Rather than logging in to tell the world about an incredible moment, why not just enjoy it? Chances are those moments won't come again, and let's face it, no one wants to hear you gloat.
It's time to start disconnecting in order to reconnect. Rather than send an email, or a poke, or a text, why not drop by an old friend's home for a chat. We might find a world in need of our compassion and attention.
One that accepts us for who we are.
A disturbing sidebar to this story came when it was learned that reporters covering the story were using Twitter to send regular updates of testimony. While it is the job of the media to cover these events, for the families of the victims, having details of the grim fate of their loved ones on display for the world through Twitter seems insensitive in the extreme.
Maybe it's just that I am getting older, but I find that society is trending away from its sense of human respect and dignity. I don't blame technology for this, but it has given people tacit permission to act and think in ways that one wouldn't do face to face. It's easy to write about someone in the safety of your home, a private corner of the workplace, school or mall, knowing that the person to whom you are speaking is not present or prepared to respond. You can craft your words to ensure maximum impact unlike a conversation that is more spontaneous, and lets face it, honest.
Facebook, which I admit to being A Fan, is the perfect example of this. The social networking space allows one to pick the perfect photo of themselves, list ideal qualities and likes, and then share their thoughts either to amuse, entertain, gripe or take a long-distance shot at someone. It's like having your own public relations person. Providing the world the image you want to project, rather than who you really are. Facebook doesn't always show your moments of ill-temper, impatience, or pettiness. That is, unless we want it to.
Social networks might be great for connecting with a multitude of people at once, but they shouldn't be confused with real social interaction. Keyboard-based communication, be it Facebook, Twitter or texting, is just not the same as hearing someone laugh, or seeing them frown, or sensing something lingering just beneath the surface, sadness, uncertainty, worry. There is no substitute for the touch of a hand, the darting of eyes, or a blush. All incredibly powerful tools of communication.
Therein lies the problem. Could it be that we are in danger of losing the very essence of what drives our sensitivity for others? By projecting an ideal image of ourselves through social media, and without benefit of perceptions made in the presence of another, it become far too easy to absolve ourselves from our sense of social responsibility. In real life, it's much harder to 'unfriend' somebody.
We don't have to look far to see how this is changing our awareness and sensitivity of the world. Visit you local mall, or downtown street, and count the number of people staring down at some handheld device. Surrounded by people, but also oblivious. And don't get me started about people reading their emails on the golf course.
On a recent trip to the park with my son, I noticed a father there with his three daughters. The girls were pleading with him to push them on the swings, or watch them slide, or spin them on a carousel. Instead, he sat on a park bench, eyes glued to his iPhone. I resolved then and there that I was not going to be that guy.
We often refer to the current era as the communications revolution, and yet we are doing anything but communicating. How is it that an email or text from someone kilometres away is somehow more important than what is happening right here and now? Rather than logging in to tell the world about an incredible moment, why not just enjoy it? Chances are those moments won't come again, and let's face it, no one wants to hear you gloat.
It's time to start disconnecting in order to reconnect. Rather than send an email, or a poke, or a text, why not drop by an old friend's home for a chat. We might find a world in need of our compassion and attention.
One that accepts us for who we are.
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Last Laff?
Let me be the first one outside of Leaf Nation to suggest that there something legitimate to the team's early success this year. For the record, I am a Habs fan who bleeds Bleu Blanc Rouge, but I am also a fan of the game of hockey.
The history of the much maligned Toronto Maple Leafs has not been very pleasant for its fans over the past 43 years. Recent history has seen the team miss consecutive playoffs since 2004. Last year, they weren't even close.
Last night's weird loss notwithstanding, there is something about this year's team. What is most interesting is that their roster is not much different from last year. If you recall, the Leafs ended the 2009-2010 season with a series of wins that saw them steadily crawl from the basement of the league's standings. Too little, too late perhaps, but it may have portended the direction of this season's Maple Leafs.
There are a number of factors that attribute to the team's early success. Among them has been the play of sniper Phil Kessel, already with 5 goals this season. There's is also solid offensive-defensive play from veteran Tomas Kaberle as well as surprises like Clarke MacArthur, a pick up from the Atlanta thrashers, who also tops the Leaf's stats with 5 goals and 1 assist. MacArthur is one of a few key acquisitions the team made in the off season that included Kris Versteeg, fresh off a Stanley Cup win with the Chicago Blackhawks, and goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere, a proven veteran between the pipes. Add to this mix the solid leadership of captain Dion Phaneuf.
If you know anything about hockey though, a roster of talented players does not a contending team make. In the pre-salary cap era, Maple Leafs management were well known for attempting to stack their roster with talent, which often led to disastrously disappointing results.
What makes this year's iteration of the Buds worthy of raised eyebrows is not so much who is on the team, but rather how the team is playing. We have seen flashes of this in the past, but the Leafs have a remarkable capacity to bring passion and energy to their play much to the surprise of many opponents. When they play as a team, they are often far more impressive than the sum of their roster's talent.
If we look beyond the early season stats, we might discover that it is not so much the number of wins, but how the team is winning. Grit, determination and unselfishness. The players don't seem to be bickering amongst themselves about ice time, and there is a synchronicity to the team's on-ice play that has not been seen in years.
Before we start painting a blue parade line down main-street Toronto, there are still some things that could easily derail this train. The team's best and worst asset is coach Ron Wilson. While Wilson is the architect of the teams cohesive and passionate play, he also has the propensity to strike discord among players by periodically throwing them under the bus when he sees something he doesn't like. Injuries could also wreak havoc with the team. Losing one or two key players could expose some of the weaknesses in the lineup that the team has thus far been able to contain. There is also a downside to having a winning streak. Given last year's record, it's not a stretch to assume that many of the Leafs' early opponents were not expecting the team they saw on the ice. After exploding out of the gate, the Leaf's will soon face teams in the coming weeks who have spent a bit more time watching tapes and developing schemes to counter the Leaf's attack. As good as they have been, sustaining that momentum is not going to be easy.
Another key challenge is one that the Habs themselves had to deal with: that is the weight of history. The Canadiens seemingly endless 100 year celebration was occasionally a boost for the team, but more often than not it was a distraction loaded with ridiculously high expectations for a very average team. So too, the pressure upon the Leafs to extricate themselves from a history of loss and disappointment is also daunting. The secret to their success might come from abandoning their history to focus on the here and now. As one commentator said during the Habs playoff run, it isn't about honouring history, it is about making history.
All that said, I think there is reason for optimism in Leaf's Nation this year. The components are there for success. And besides, there has to be some kind of mercy rule for fans. Even if it means quietly tolerating Toronto's own bluster and bravado.
As someone who loves the game of hockey, maybe it's about time. I have a feeling that Leafs Nation concurs.
The history of the much maligned Toronto Maple Leafs has not been very pleasant for its fans over the past 43 years. Recent history has seen the team miss consecutive playoffs since 2004. Last year, they weren't even close.
Last night's weird loss notwithstanding, there is something about this year's team. What is most interesting is that their roster is not much different from last year. If you recall, the Leafs ended the 2009-2010 season with a series of wins that saw them steadily crawl from the basement of the league's standings. Too little, too late perhaps, but it may have portended the direction of this season's Maple Leafs.
There are a number of factors that attribute to the team's early success. Among them has been the play of sniper Phil Kessel, already with 5 goals this season. There's is also solid offensive-defensive play from veteran Tomas Kaberle as well as surprises like Clarke MacArthur, a pick up from the Atlanta thrashers, who also tops the Leaf's stats with 5 goals and 1 assist. MacArthur is one of a few key acquisitions the team made in the off season that included Kris Versteeg, fresh off a Stanley Cup win with the Chicago Blackhawks, and goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere, a proven veteran between the pipes. Add to this mix the solid leadership of captain Dion Phaneuf.
If you know anything about hockey though, a roster of talented players does not a contending team make. In the pre-salary cap era, Maple Leafs management were well known for attempting to stack their roster with talent, which often led to disastrously disappointing results.
What makes this year's iteration of the Buds worthy of raised eyebrows is not so much who is on the team, but rather how the team is playing. We have seen flashes of this in the past, but the Leafs have a remarkable capacity to bring passion and energy to their play much to the surprise of many opponents. When they play as a team, they are often far more impressive than the sum of their roster's talent.
If we look beyond the early season stats, we might discover that it is not so much the number of wins, but how the team is winning. Grit, determination and unselfishness. The players don't seem to be bickering amongst themselves about ice time, and there is a synchronicity to the team's on-ice play that has not been seen in years.
Before we start painting a blue parade line down main-street Toronto, there are still some things that could easily derail this train. The team's best and worst asset is coach Ron Wilson. While Wilson is the architect of the teams cohesive and passionate play, he also has the propensity to strike discord among players by periodically throwing them under the bus when he sees something he doesn't like. Injuries could also wreak havoc with the team. Losing one or two key players could expose some of the weaknesses in the lineup that the team has thus far been able to contain. There is also a downside to having a winning streak. Given last year's record, it's not a stretch to assume that many of the Leafs' early opponents were not expecting the team they saw on the ice. After exploding out of the gate, the Leaf's will soon face teams in the coming weeks who have spent a bit more time watching tapes and developing schemes to counter the Leaf's attack. As good as they have been, sustaining that momentum is not going to be easy.
Another key challenge is one that the Habs themselves had to deal with: that is the weight of history. The Canadiens seemingly endless 100 year celebration was occasionally a boost for the team, but more often than not it was a distraction loaded with ridiculously high expectations for a very average team. So too, the pressure upon the Leafs to extricate themselves from a history of loss and disappointment is also daunting. The secret to their success might come from abandoning their history to focus on the here and now. As one commentator said during the Habs playoff run, it isn't about honouring history, it is about making history.
All that said, I think there is reason for optimism in Leaf's Nation this year. The components are there for success. And besides, there has to be some kind of mercy rule for fans. Even if it means quietly tolerating Toronto's own bluster and bravado.
As someone who loves the game of hockey, maybe it's about time. I have a feeling that Leafs Nation concurs.
Monday, October 18, 2010
The Furrball Invasions
As a home-owner there are probably three things that will send chills down your spine. Dripping water (particularly if it is NOT related to plumbing), the smell of something burning and strange sounds inside your walls.
We, unfortunately, are the victims of the latter. Somehow, some way, some small furry creatures have found their way into the confines of our humble abode. It's not really clear how the little terrors breached the brick exterior of our fortress, but there they are.
I'm talking mice of course, not raccoons, squirrels or skunks, thank goodness.
Like most home-owners my reaction to the fur-ball invaders was to immediately declare war. Now, before all of the animal rights people start firing off emails, let me just clarify that this is humane warfare.
The battle is being fought on two fronts. First, we are fortifying our base. That is, we have scanned the exterior of the house, for any hole the size of a quarter, and sealed it. The second is to catch the little creatures and escort them, under protective custody, back to their own territory.
You might think it impossible to catch a mouse without: A) a tiny snapping death trap from hell, B) a fatal combination of toxic chemicals or, C) employing the services of a well-trained and highly skilled rodent control expert (also known as a cat).
The same company that makes all manner of quick-snapping, thumb-busting, mouse annihilators (appropriately named Victor) also makes a line of humane and effective live mouse traps. The traps are simple to use, and if you are not too squeamish about handling a wild mouse in a box, very effective.
So far we've caught four of the little critters and set them free in an environment more suited to their wildness. That way they can live out the rest of their lives as nature intended, or be instantly snapped up by a predator. Ah, the circle of life.
Oddly enough, it has given me an opportunity to teach my son a bit of respect for nature, and I'll admit, they are rather cute.
That said, we humans are not that far removed from our own sense of place in the food chain. If we were talking earwigs I can guarantee you the same considerations would not be afforded. In other words: bring on the napalm. The same would be true if those fuzzy little creatures started pouring out of the walls like a bad Hitchcock movie. In which case, respect for nature be damned, light up the flame-thrower it's go-time Mickey.
For now at least, our critter crisis is manageable. If the whiskered invaders get the message, then there is no need for an escalation. Then again, if things did get out of hand I would probably still opt for a more expensive but highly effective, and 100% natural, rodent capturing device (yes, I'm still talking about a cat).
For the sake of the me and the mice, let's hope it doesn't go that far.
I'd rather have a dog.
We, unfortunately, are the victims of the latter. Somehow, some way, some small furry creatures have found their way into the confines of our humble abode. It's not really clear how the little terrors breached the brick exterior of our fortress, but there they are.
I'm talking mice of course, not raccoons, squirrels or skunks, thank goodness.
Like most home-owners my reaction to the fur-ball invaders was to immediately declare war. Now, before all of the animal rights people start firing off emails, let me just clarify that this is humane warfare.
The battle is being fought on two fronts. First, we are fortifying our base. That is, we have scanned the exterior of the house, for any hole the size of a quarter, and sealed it. The second is to catch the little creatures and escort them, under protective custody, back to their own territory.
You might think it impossible to catch a mouse without: A) a tiny snapping death trap from hell, B) a fatal combination of toxic chemicals or, C) employing the services of a well-trained and highly skilled rodent control expert (also known as a cat).
The same company that makes all manner of quick-snapping, thumb-busting, mouse annihilators (appropriately named Victor) also makes a line of humane and effective live mouse traps. The traps are simple to use, and if you are not too squeamish about handling a wild mouse in a box, very effective.
So far we've caught four of the little critters and set them free in an environment more suited to their wildness. That way they can live out the rest of their lives as nature intended, or be instantly snapped up by a predator. Ah, the circle of life.
Oddly enough, it has given me an opportunity to teach my son a bit of respect for nature, and I'll admit, they are rather cute.
That said, we humans are not that far removed from our own sense of place in the food chain. If we were talking earwigs I can guarantee you the same considerations would not be afforded. In other words: bring on the napalm. The same would be true if those fuzzy little creatures started pouring out of the walls like a bad Hitchcock movie. In which case, respect for nature be damned, light up the flame-thrower it's go-time Mickey.
For now at least, our critter crisis is manageable. If the whiskered invaders get the message, then there is no need for an escalation. Then again, if things did get out of hand I would probably still opt for a more expensive but highly effective, and 100% natural, rodent capturing device (yes, I'm still talking about a cat).
For the sake of the me and the mice, let's hope it doesn't go that far.
I'd rather have a dog.
Friday, October 15, 2010
The Friday Time Waster Supreme: Pigs and Petroleum Edition
It's the end of a short but full week. What better way to celebrate than a thorough waste of time. Heck, they pay Senators a blazillion dollars a year to do the same in Ottawa, no need to feel guilty. So get yourself a nice beverage, forward all your calls to the neighbouring cubicle and enjoy another fun-filled Friday Time Waster Supreme.
Add U.S. President Barack Obama to the long list of people the Conservatives blame for Canada losing its bid for a seat on the U.N. Security Council. There are grumblings among insiders that the Obama administration 'snubbed' Canada by not supporting their bid.
Other names on the blame list for the Tories include: Michael "Iggy" Ignatieff, China, the U.N. itself and those meddling kids from Scooby Doo.
***
Ya gotta love the petroleum industry. New national ads by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) help explain tailing ponds to Canadians. If you didn't know already, tailing ponds are massive reservoirs used to collect the liquids used in the extraction of oil from bitumen (or sand). The ads describe the liquid as being like yogurt. Sounds yummy. That is if you like the taste of naphthenic acid and alkyl-substituted polyaromatic hydrocarbon. Where's my fruit and granola?
The CAPP ads are part of a series of attempts to spin public opinion in favour of the industry's practices. Suncor Energy recently trumpeted the first ever reclamation of land from a tailing pond. About 220 hectares have been recovered from a site that has been a toxic swamp since 1967. There are currently about 50 square kilometres of tailing ponds in the oil sands region. It takes roughly 40 years before the land can even begin to be reclaimed. And they thought New Orleans was bad.
No word on the actual cost of the clean up, but something tells me it was a little pricier than a six pack of Activia.
***
Yet another sign that the end of civilization may have already happened, say hello to Delaware Senate Republican candidate Christine O'Donnell. The first sign that a candidate for U.S. public office is a bit cuckoo-bananas is an endorsement from the Tea Party movement. But C-O'D is in a league of her own. Among more notable head-scratchers were statements like: taking the Bible out of schools has resulted in an increase in school shootings, referring to "coededness" as a radical agenda forced upon college students, and who could forget informing the youth of America that masturbation is a form of adultery.
Things took a serious turn for the weird when a tape recently surfaced of a 1999 episode of Bill Maher's Politically Incorrect in which she revealed once having dabbled in witchcraft.
In an attempt to do some damage control, O'Donnell appeared a new campaign ad this week that begins with the statement "I am not a witch. I am you."
I'm not a witch either, but I'm willing to try it if it keeps me from being anything like Chrissy-O.
Start digging your fallout shelters.
***
And finally this little gem directly from Reuters:
Court officers in far eastern Russia have seized a piglet from a woman who owes a bank 13,000 roubles ($432) and put it up for sale to recuperate some of the money, according to the regional branch of the Federal Bailiffs Service said on Thursday.
To make it easier, just pick you own punchline:
A) Somebody must have squealed on her
B) So much for bringing home the bacon.
C) Piglets as equity? And we thought the U.S. banking system was a mess.
D) Why did the chicken cross the road? To get away from the bailiffs.
E) Piglet seized by bank, Pooh Bear unavailable for comment.
Enjoy your weekend.
Add U.S. President Barack Obama to the long list of people the Conservatives blame for Canada losing its bid for a seat on the U.N. Security Council. There are grumblings among insiders that the Obama administration 'snubbed' Canada by not supporting their bid.
Other names on the blame list for the Tories include: Michael "Iggy" Ignatieff, China, the U.N. itself and those meddling kids from Scooby Doo.
***
Ya gotta love the petroleum industry. New national ads by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP) help explain tailing ponds to Canadians. If you didn't know already, tailing ponds are massive reservoirs used to collect the liquids used in the extraction of oil from bitumen (or sand). The ads describe the liquid as being like yogurt. Sounds yummy. That is if you like the taste of naphthenic acid and alkyl-substituted polyaromatic hydrocarbon. Where's my fruit and granola?
The CAPP ads are part of a series of attempts to spin public opinion in favour of the industry's practices. Suncor Energy recently trumpeted the first ever reclamation of land from a tailing pond. About 220 hectares have been recovered from a site that has been a toxic swamp since 1967. There are currently about 50 square kilometres of tailing ponds in the oil sands region. It takes roughly 40 years before the land can even begin to be reclaimed. And they thought New Orleans was bad.
No word on the actual cost of the clean up, but something tells me it was a little pricier than a six pack of Activia.
***
Yet another sign that the end of civilization may have already happened, say hello to Delaware Senate Republican candidate Christine O'Donnell. The first sign that a candidate for U.S. public office is a bit cuckoo-bananas is an endorsement from the Tea Party movement. But C-O'D is in a league of her own. Among more notable head-scratchers were statements like: taking the Bible out of schools has resulted in an increase in school shootings, referring to "coededness" as a radical agenda forced upon college students, and who could forget informing the youth of America that masturbation is a form of adultery.
Things took a serious turn for the weird when a tape recently surfaced of a 1999 episode of Bill Maher's Politically Incorrect in which she revealed once having dabbled in witchcraft.
In an attempt to do some damage control, O'Donnell appeared a new campaign ad this week that begins with the statement "I am not a witch. I am you."
I'm not a witch either, but I'm willing to try it if it keeps me from being anything like Chrissy-O.
Start digging your fallout shelters.
***
And finally this little gem directly from Reuters:
Court officers in far eastern Russia have seized a piglet from a woman who owes a bank 13,000 roubles ($432) and put it up for sale to recuperate some of the money, according to the regional branch of the Federal Bailiffs Service said on Thursday.
To make it easier, just pick you own punchline:
A) Somebody must have squealed on her
B) So much for bringing home the bacon.
C) Piglets as equity? And we thought the U.S. banking system was a mess.
D) Why did the chicken cross the road? To get away from the bailiffs.
E) Piglet seized by bank, Pooh Bear unavailable for comment.
Enjoy your weekend.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Miner Victory
It might be hard to wrap our heads around what we witnessed in the cold desert of northern Chile this week. The contrasts were stark. On the one hand, 33 miners hopelessly trapped deep in the core of the earth. On the other, a brash and moving display of passion, emotion and patriotism. The courage of the rescuers descending deep into the earth in an untested and risky gambit. The determination of the trapped miners, persevering through tremendous stress in harsh and unthinkable circumstances with strength and discipline.
There is nothing I could write that could capture the experience better than what was shown on televisions and computer screens over twenty-four agonizing and jubilant hours.
Instead, perhaps I could shed some light on the character of the Chilean people. In the mid nineties I spent three weeks travelling through Chile courtesy of very generous hosts, and adopted citizens, Ellen and Victor Hawkins. I returned from the experience transformed by the country and its people.
At the time, Chile was experiencing an incredible economic boom. There was a stability in its government and a sense among the populous that the brightness of its future far outshone an oft-times dark history.
The people are much like the land in which they live. Diverse, dramatic and quietly powerful. Chile is cradled between the breathtaking majesty of the Andes mountains and a massive coastline spanning scorching desert to the north and majestic, fertile land to the south. On my journey I discovered just some of this remarkable land. I stood upon the steep slopes of the towering volcano in Villarrica. I witnessed the stunning coastal resort city of Valparaiso, rising defiantly up cliff-side mountains from the azure shores of the Pacific. I stood at the base of the magnificent waterfall of Salto del Laja. I strode upon the scorching desert beaches, where ocean currents from the south offer sun-beaten swimmers an icy-cold reception. Where cacti and penguins share the same back yard.
Then there is Santiago, a jewel of a city with a cultural diversity not unlike our own. Built in the shadows of the Andes and the coastal mountains, surrounded by vineyards and avocado groves, Santiago is an oasis of modern high-rises and centuries-old architecture. The city is garnished with succulent plants, bright flowered bushes and tall trees. It is rich with history but also contemporary in spirit. It is where the nation's wealth abounds and pockets of abject poverty still persist. It is a mosaic of art, music and cuisine, richly imbued with a unique fusion of traditional, European and American culture.
Chilean history speaks of some very dark times. Perhaps more so than any other nation in the Americas. Understanding the course of this history would require another blog entirely. This history often distracts the observer from seeing the true nature of the Chilean people and so they are often misunderstood. To begin to understand Chileans one must recognize that the capacity of this nation to emerge from its deepest adversity lies largely in the spirit of its people.
Chileans are proud, stoic and not quick to display emotions, unless it is to celebrate. For those of us riveted to our televisions, what might have seemed an over-exuberant display of passion and unabashed patriotism was not pretence, it was genuine.
For a nation that once struggled under the weight of history, it is apropos that the their greatest and most inspiring victory was to rescue its own people, trapped in the darkness, and bring them back to the light.
There are few countries in the world more deserving of this triumph than Chile. For a world so desperate for inspiration, there are few countries who could have provided it any better. A nation literally rocked by tragedy earlier this year, and throughout its history, the Chilean people are tenaciously, joyfully and passionately determined to rise, and rise again.
Watching the events unfold this week, I felt strangely homesick for Chile. A nation and a people much like the namesake of the capsule that plucked lost souls from the depths of the earth to freedom.
A true phoenix.
There is nothing I could write that could capture the experience better than what was shown on televisions and computer screens over twenty-four agonizing and jubilant hours.
Instead, perhaps I could shed some light on the character of the Chilean people. In the mid nineties I spent three weeks travelling through Chile courtesy of very generous hosts, and adopted citizens, Ellen and Victor Hawkins. I returned from the experience transformed by the country and its people.
At the time, Chile was experiencing an incredible economic boom. There was a stability in its government and a sense among the populous that the brightness of its future far outshone an oft-times dark history.
The people are much like the land in which they live. Diverse, dramatic and quietly powerful. Chile is cradled between the breathtaking majesty of the Andes mountains and a massive coastline spanning scorching desert to the north and majestic, fertile land to the south. On my journey I discovered just some of this remarkable land. I stood upon the steep slopes of the towering volcano in Villarrica. I witnessed the stunning coastal resort city of Valparaiso, rising defiantly up cliff-side mountains from the azure shores of the Pacific. I stood at the base of the magnificent waterfall of Salto del Laja. I strode upon the scorching desert beaches, where ocean currents from the south offer sun-beaten swimmers an icy-cold reception. Where cacti and penguins share the same back yard.
Then there is Santiago, a jewel of a city with a cultural diversity not unlike our own. Built in the shadows of the Andes and the coastal mountains, surrounded by vineyards and avocado groves, Santiago is an oasis of modern high-rises and centuries-old architecture. The city is garnished with succulent plants, bright flowered bushes and tall trees. It is rich with history but also contemporary in spirit. It is where the nation's wealth abounds and pockets of abject poverty still persist. It is a mosaic of art, music and cuisine, richly imbued with a unique fusion of traditional, European and American culture.
Chilean history speaks of some very dark times. Perhaps more so than any other nation in the Americas. Understanding the course of this history would require another blog entirely. This history often distracts the observer from seeing the true nature of the Chilean people and so they are often misunderstood. To begin to understand Chileans one must recognize that the capacity of this nation to emerge from its deepest adversity lies largely in the spirit of its people.
Chileans are proud, stoic and not quick to display emotions, unless it is to celebrate. For those of us riveted to our televisions, what might have seemed an over-exuberant display of passion and unabashed patriotism was not pretence, it was genuine.
For a nation that once struggled under the weight of history, it is apropos that the their greatest and most inspiring victory was to rescue its own people, trapped in the darkness, and bring them back to the light.
There are few countries in the world more deserving of this triumph than Chile. For a world so desperate for inspiration, there are few countries who could have provided it any better. A nation literally rocked by tragedy earlier this year, and throughout its history, the Chilean people are tenaciously, joyfully and passionately determined to rise, and rise again.
Watching the events unfold this week, I felt strangely homesick for Chile. A nation and a people much like the namesake of the capsule that plucked lost souls from the depths of the earth to freedom.
A true phoenix.
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Rumour Has It...
From the 'only in Quebec' department comes a singularly amusing bit of political news. There is a rumour floating around the provincial capital suggesting Quebeckers may soon have a fourth option in the next provincial election. At the centre of the rumour storm is former Parti Québecois cabinet minister François Legault. Legault walked away from his job as PQ finance critic last year over what he deemed Quebecker's apathy to politics in the province.
Gee, I wonder why that would be?
Among the cast of characters involved in the rumoured new party are another former PQ cabinet minister, Joseph Facal, businessman Charles Sirois, former Grand Prix Canada president Normand Legault and Philippe Couillard, the former Liberal health minister. It is an intriguing group, one that on the surface seems like strange bed fellows. Businesspeople, members of a political party known for its socialist agenda and a member of a party whose agenda is rather nebulous at the moment.
For his part, Legault has confirmed that a group of about twenty people have already met to discuss what, if anything, this party would represent. The consensus so far: a right of center party with the province's economy high on the agenda and all discussions of sovereignty off the table. If this sounds familiar, this is the identical description of the Action Democratique du Québec (ADQ) party. In 2007, under the leadership of young Mario Dumont, the party stormed to official opposition status. Unfortunately, also under Dumont's leadership, the party quickly lost its way, mostly due to inexperience, and was routed in a 2008 snap election. Inexperience does not appear to be the case with the proposed new party.
While the ADQ is about to vanish from Quebec's political map, the other two major provincial parties are claiming that this new player spells doom and gloom for the other. Truth is, if this party can convince the population that they are indeed different and committed to solving this province's economic quagmire, they could well relegate both parties to opposition status.
A recent poll gave clear indications that the population is fed up with the same bilge flowing downstream from Quebec City. When asked about the new party (which, by the way, is still a rumour) 30% of respondents said they would give their support, compared to 27% for the Parti Quebecois and 25% for the Liberals. The Leger Marketing survey also gave Francois Legault a 54% approval rating well ahead of both party leaders, even though he is not a sitting member of the National Assembly and once again, does not actually have a party.
Only in Quebec.
So what are we to make of all of this? Well, as an anglo-west-islander my reaction to anyone associated, or previously associated to the PQ is trepidation. That said, anglos and allophones have come to expect little if anything from Quebec city, so any agenda other than non-stop debates of culture would be welcome. As a Quebecker, we've heard provincial politicians promising not to discuss sovereignty, referenda, or Quebec identity (meaning what can we do to protect the Francophone majority to the detriment of every other culture in the province). Somehow those issues still manage to surface again and again. Cynicism abounds on all of the solitudes.
The truth is, our economy coupled with our reputation in the ROC (rest of Canada for my non-Canadian friends) is dismal. There is a massive deficit, rapidly decaying healthcare system and infrastructure and seemingly rampant political corruption. It's no wonder people are flocking to the first supposed political voice of reason this province has heard in decades.
All I can say is that Legault had better be sincere in his intentions because I don't think Quebeckers have much tolerance left. Otherwise the next discussion of separation will likely be the population separating the politicians from their jobs.
I'm pretty sure that idea would get at least 75% approval.
Gee, I wonder why that would be?
Among the cast of characters involved in the rumoured new party are another former PQ cabinet minister, Joseph Facal, businessman Charles Sirois, former Grand Prix Canada president Normand Legault and Philippe Couillard, the former Liberal health minister. It is an intriguing group, one that on the surface seems like strange bed fellows. Businesspeople, members of a political party known for its socialist agenda and a member of a party whose agenda is rather nebulous at the moment.
For his part, Legault has confirmed that a group of about twenty people have already met to discuss what, if anything, this party would represent. The consensus so far: a right of center party with the province's economy high on the agenda and all discussions of sovereignty off the table. If this sounds familiar, this is the identical description of the Action Democratique du Québec (ADQ) party. In 2007, under the leadership of young Mario Dumont, the party stormed to official opposition status. Unfortunately, also under Dumont's leadership, the party quickly lost its way, mostly due to inexperience, and was routed in a 2008 snap election. Inexperience does not appear to be the case with the proposed new party.
While the ADQ is about to vanish from Quebec's political map, the other two major provincial parties are claiming that this new player spells doom and gloom for the other. Truth is, if this party can convince the population that they are indeed different and committed to solving this province's economic quagmire, they could well relegate both parties to opposition status.
A recent poll gave clear indications that the population is fed up with the same bilge flowing downstream from Quebec City. When asked about the new party (which, by the way, is still a rumour) 30% of respondents said they would give their support, compared to 27% for the Parti Quebecois and 25% for the Liberals. The Leger Marketing survey also gave Francois Legault a 54% approval rating well ahead of both party leaders, even though he is not a sitting member of the National Assembly and once again, does not actually have a party.
Only in Quebec.
So what are we to make of all of this? Well, as an anglo-west-islander my reaction to anyone associated, or previously associated to the PQ is trepidation. That said, anglos and allophones have come to expect little if anything from Quebec city, so any agenda other than non-stop debates of culture would be welcome. As a Quebecker, we've heard provincial politicians promising not to discuss sovereignty, referenda, or Quebec identity (meaning what can we do to protect the Francophone majority to the detriment of every other culture in the province). Somehow those issues still manage to surface again and again. Cynicism abounds on all of the solitudes.
The truth is, our economy coupled with our reputation in the ROC (rest of Canada for my non-Canadian friends) is dismal. There is a massive deficit, rapidly decaying healthcare system and infrastructure and seemingly rampant political corruption. It's no wonder people are flocking to the first supposed political voice of reason this province has heard in decades.
All I can say is that Legault had better be sincere in his intentions because I don't think Quebeckers have much tolerance left. Otherwise the next discussion of separation will likely be the population separating the politicians from their jobs.
I'm pretty sure that idea would get at least 75% approval.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Thanksgiving Leftover
As holidays go, Thanksgiving is fast becoming a cultural afterthought. It's a holiday that feels as if it sneaks up on us even though it happens at roughly the same time every year.
Modern Thanksgiving has been associated with many things other than what it was initially intended: football, large dysfunctional family gatherings and hectic long-distance travel. A meal that takes a full day to prepare with a virtual army of cooks, is consumed in about twenty minutes and is followed by three hours of regret.
Canadian Thanksgiving lacks the caché of it's partner to the south largely because the two events do not coincide. American Thanksgiving has also been tagged as the launching pad for the Christmas shopping season.
Thanksgiving is not necessarily celebrated as a religious occasion, although most meals begin with someone insisting on a rarely used grace. In Canada, Thanksgiving is a tradition drawn from European harvest festivals, although the Parliamentary wording still includes a very specific reference to God.
Living in a world where you can get strawberries and corn year round, it's hard for us to relate to the notion of a single harvest. This is unfortunate on a number of levels. The disconnect between daily life and the source of our food grows greater by the year. We simply expect that groceries to be on the shelves when we go to the supermarket. If our stores suddenly ran out of fruits or vegetables in the middle of winter we would either panic or demand a public inquiry.
The reality is, we take much of the abundance of our society for granted. We bitch and moan when bad weather effects the cost of coffee or oranges, but we don't stop to think about those whose very survival depended upon those harvests. For many, a poor harvest has far more devastating consequences.
The truth of the matter is, gratitude for our blessings should extend far beyond one single symbolic meal. We are blessed with living among the richest, safest, healthiest, most technologically advanced societies on the planet. A society that also consumes a disproportionately large amount of the same planet's resources.
But we know all this, don't we? Which is why part of our Thanksgiving experience is not so much gratitude as guilt. Thanksgiving is an almost embarrassing celebration of excess. Too much food, too much wine, too much, too much.
Perhaps the one thing we can be truly thankful for is our capacity to change. Every time we give thanks, either to God or as an act of grace in any form, we must also acknowledge that our greatest gifts are our actions, our voices and our attitudes. Even the simplest choice of a consumer can produce tremendous implications for our global economy.
What would the world look like a year from now if we went a step beyond our thankfulness and change our consumptive ways? To share a portion of that embarrassment of wealth with those who live with a heartbreaking lack of nourishment, opportunity and hope.
It's not about guilt.
It's not about doing something we should do.
It's about having the freedom and power to change things simply because we can.
That's something to be thankful for.
Modern Thanksgiving has been associated with many things other than what it was initially intended: football, large dysfunctional family gatherings and hectic long-distance travel. A meal that takes a full day to prepare with a virtual army of cooks, is consumed in about twenty minutes and is followed by three hours of regret.
Canadian Thanksgiving lacks the caché of it's partner to the south largely because the two events do not coincide. American Thanksgiving has also been tagged as the launching pad for the Christmas shopping season.
Thanksgiving is not necessarily celebrated as a religious occasion, although most meals begin with someone insisting on a rarely used grace. In Canada, Thanksgiving is a tradition drawn from European harvest festivals, although the Parliamentary wording still includes a very specific reference to God.
Living in a world where you can get strawberries and corn year round, it's hard for us to relate to the notion of a single harvest. This is unfortunate on a number of levels. The disconnect between daily life and the source of our food grows greater by the year. We simply expect that groceries to be on the shelves when we go to the supermarket. If our stores suddenly ran out of fruits or vegetables in the middle of winter we would either panic or demand a public inquiry.
The reality is, we take much of the abundance of our society for granted. We bitch and moan when bad weather effects the cost of coffee or oranges, but we don't stop to think about those whose very survival depended upon those harvests. For many, a poor harvest has far more devastating consequences.
The truth of the matter is, gratitude for our blessings should extend far beyond one single symbolic meal. We are blessed with living among the richest, safest, healthiest, most technologically advanced societies on the planet. A society that also consumes a disproportionately large amount of the same planet's resources.
But we know all this, don't we? Which is why part of our Thanksgiving experience is not so much gratitude as guilt. Thanksgiving is an almost embarrassing celebration of excess. Too much food, too much wine, too much, too much.
Perhaps the one thing we can be truly thankful for is our capacity to change. Every time we give thanks, either to God or as an act of grace in any form, we must also acknowledge that our greatest gifts are our actions, our voices and our attitudes. Even the simplest choice of a consumer can produce tremendous implications for our global economy.
What would the world look like a year from now if we went a step beyond our thankfulness and change our consumptive ways? To share a portion of that embarrassment of wealth with those who live with a heartbreaking lack of nourishment, opportunity and hope.
It's not about guilt.
It's not about doing something we should do.
It's about having the freedom and power to change things simply because we can.
That's something to be thankful for.
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Leafs-Habs: Here We Go Again
The Leafs and Canadiens will be kicking off the 2010-2011 NHL season tonight in the T-dot. And once again the same burning questions come to mind.
First off, why is the indisputably worst team in the NHL always given home advantage for the first game of the year? I don't get it, other than the fat wallets in the land of New York wannabes are calling the shots. If anything it should be the Habs at home hosting the Laffs. You'd think they earned it.
Secondly, when will the Canadiens coaches and players get it through their heads that the Leafs really, really hate them? I'm no sports prognosticator, but chances are tonight's game will see the Leafs fly out of the gate, running and gunning while the Habs stand around with that bewildered look wondering who put a bee in their bonnets. Hello guys, it's a rivalry. It's about time you got with the program on that.
Thirdly, when will Leaf fans stop cheering for crap? Leaf nation is the first to get on Habs fans for booing their on-ice product, sometimes overzealously, and yet they continue to worship at the alter of a management group that happily takes their money in exchange for season after season of mediocrity. Hell, at least we complain about it.
Fourthly, while I'm on the topic of Leafs fans, seriously could they be more obnoxious? Just because their team has a reputation for stinkin' up the joint, doesn't mean they have to take their bitterness out on the rest of the world. If the price of a delusion of greatness is to become wild-eyed, trash-mouthed, vitriol-spewing, screaming banshees, I think I'll go with a healthy dose of reality when it comes to the expectations of my team.
Fifthly (is there such a thing) must we have to endure Bob Cole droning on with his pro-Maple Leaf rhetoric every time these teams meet? I'm all for legendary broadcasters but really, it's time you and Lloyd Robertson took that fishing trip you've been promising yourselves. Thank God for RDS.
Sixly (okay, now it's getting silly) can we get it clear that a Leafs victory tonight does not mean it's time to plan the parade route? Yes, we know it's fun to beat up the Habs from time to time, but it's a long season kids. Manage your expectations. Trust me, if you were in the Habs camp, and they were to win, the fans and media would still find something to be concerned about. Overly critical, maybe, but ask yourselves what your team was doing last May? If it involved dimpled balls and plaid pants, perhaps it's time to direct your angst at the people in charge.
Finally, before fans on both sides get all up in one another's grills, can we at least agree on one thing? Gary Bettman is a dick.
Now watch and enjoy.
First off, why is the indisputably worst team in the NHL always given home advantage for the first game of the year? I don't get it, other than the fat wallets in the land of New York wannabes are calling the shots. If anything it should be the Habs at home hosting the Laffs. You'd think they earned it.
Secondly, when will the Canadiens coaches and players get it through their heads that the Leafs really, really hate them? I'm no sports prognosticator, but chances are tonight's game will see the Leafs fly out of the gate, running and gunning while the Habs stand around with that bewildered look wondering who put a bee in their bonnets. Hello guys, it's a rivalry. It's about time you got with the program on that.
Thirdly, when will Leaf fans stop cheering for crap? Leaf nation is the first to get on Habs fans for booing their on-ice product, sometimes overzealously, and yet they continue to worship at the alter of a management group that happily takes their money in exchange for season after season of mediocrity. Hell, at least we complain about it.
Fourthly, while I'm on the topic of Leafs fans, seriously could they be more obnoxious? Just because their team has a reputation for stinkin' up the joint, doesn't mean they have to take their bitterness out on the rest of the world. If the price of a delusion of greatness is to become wild-eyed, trash-mouthed, vitriol-spewing, screaming banshees, I think I'll go with a healthy dose of reality when it comes to the expectations of my team.
Fifthly (is there such a thing) must we have to endure Bob Cole droning on with his pro-Maple Leaf rhetoric every time these teams meet? I'm all for legendary broadcasters but really, it's time you and Lloyd Robertson took that fishing trip you've been promising yourselves. Thank God for RDS.
Sixly (okay, now it's getting silly) can we get it clear that a Leafs victory tonight does not mean it's time to plan the parade route? Yes, we know it's fun to beat up the Habs from time to time, but it's a long season kids. Manage your expectations. Trust me, if you were in the Habs camp, and they were to win, the fans and media would still find something to be concerned about. Overly critical, maybe, but ask yourselves what your team was doing last May? If it involved dimpled balls and plaid pants, perhaps it's time to direct your angst at the people in charge.
Finally, before fans on both sides get all up in one another's grills, can we at least agree on one thing? Gary Bettman is a dick.
Now watch and enjoy.
Friday, October 1, 2010
The Friday Time Waster Supreme: The supermodel, aliens & wild-dog edition
You've probably been thinking 'Gee, I feel there is something missing in my life.' Well, ponder no more my blog-reading friend, I am here to fill the empty chasm in your life with yet another, long-anticipated, collection of literary schmaltz. Yes, it's the return of the Friday Time Waster just in time to bail you out from a deluge of tedium and futility. Note the heavy flooding metaphor, aren't I clever?
Awkward Moment of the Year. Australia's own version of The Next Top Model ironically got real ugly this week. The show's host, Sarah Murdoch, daughter-in-law of media emperor Rupert Murdoch, stood in front of an audience of 2000 people on live television and announced the wrong winner.
Photogenetically superior Kelsey Martinovich, a 19-year old from Sydney, was mistakenly crowned Australia's Next Top Model.
Martinovich had just completed her acceptance speech when Murdoch skulked back on stage to correct her error and reveal the real winner: bitter rival Amanda Ware, an 18-year-old from Gold Coast.
No word of a backstage lingerie-clad, super-model cat fight, but I'm sure all the male readers were thinking it.
It ain't all bad for Martinovich, she pockets $20, 000 (US) and an all-expense paid junket to New York City. All I ever got for coming in second was a cheap golf shirt and a stale beer.
***
Osama Bin Laden recently crawled out of his cave to send a message to the world about, among other things, disaster relief in Pakistan. Bin Laden blamed the recent flooding in the region on climate change and called for a massive humanitarian effort to respond to the crisis. This from the guy who has killed thousands of innocent people and has left a trail of thick black smoke in his wake. Oh, silly me, death and environmental chaos is okay for the infidels.
Hey sport-coat, don't expect a call from the folks at Nobel anytime soon.
***
The Commonwealth Games debacle in New Delhi, India has been all over the headlines in the past week or so. The entire affair has made life particularly bitter for citizens of Hamilton, Ontario. They lost the bid to host the games to New Delhi.
So if your a Hamiltonian you have to be feeling kinda lousy. First off, you can't even land a money-losing, crappy-ass NHL franchise despite the fact that the proposed owner had the cash and a stadium already built. Your CFL football team won't have a stadium after next year, and no one can agree on plans for a new one. Then you lose the Commonwealth games to a group that can't even build a footbridge, is housing the athletes in buildings where roaming packs of wild dogs can be found taking a dump on the beds and is built next to a river infested with mosquitos carrying dengue fever. Oh, and you also live in Hamilton, Ontario.
On the bright side, they've got a new slogan for the city: 'Well, at least it ain't New Delhi.'
***
So evidently there was a UFO sighting over Cavendish Mall. Dr. Cleve Ziegler, an obstetrician-gynecologist at the Jewish General Hospital claims he saw strange glowing triangular shapes floating above the mall at about 1 AM, sometime around mid-week. The doctor had no explanation for the sighting, although one genius suggested it was a lighted kite that was being flown from the parking lot, at 1 AM, at Cavendish Mall ...because that happens all the time. I have to wonder about any extraterrestrial creature who picks Cavendish Mall as a location for first contact. Time to update the maps on their GPS
This story brought out a gaggle of weirdos in the news, including a group of retired US airmen who held a news conference in Washington, D.C. They claim, among other things, that aliens had already been to earth to disable nuclear warheads. When asked if he thought aliens existed (obviously by a reporter who showed up late) retired Air Force captain Robert Salas replied "I believe in the possibility." I sure as hell hope so, cause if they didn't disable the nukes, the only other explanation is roaming packs of wild Indian dogs. Check your beds.
Enjoy the weekend.
Awkward Moment of the Year. Australia's own version of The Next Top Model ironically got real ugly this week. The show's host, Sarah Murdoch, daughter-in-law of media emperor Rupert Murdoch, stood in front of an audience of 2000 people on live television and announced the wrong winner.
Photogenetically superior Kelsey Martinovich, a 19-year old from Sydney, was mistakenly crowned Australia's Next Top Model.
Martinovich had just completed her acceptance speech when Murdoch skulked back on stage to correct her error and reveal the real winner: bitter rival Amanda Ware, an 18-year-old from Gold Coast.
No word of a backstage lingerie-clad, super-model cat fight, but I'm sure all the male readers were thinking it.
It ain't all bad for Martinovich, she pockets $20, 000 (US) and an all-expense paid junket to New York City. All I ever got for coming in second was a cheap golf shirt and a stale beer.
***
Osama Bin Laden recently crawled out of his cave to send a message to the world about, among other things, disaster relief in Pakistan. Bin Laden blamed the recent flooding in the region on climate change and called for a massive humanitarian effort to respond to the crisis. This from the guy who has killed thousands of innocent people and has left a trail of thick black smoke in his wake. Oh, silly me, death and environmental chaos is okay for the infidels.
Hey sport-coat, don't expect a call from the folks at Nobel anytime soon.
***
The Commonwealth Games debacle in New Delhi, India has been all over the headlines in the past week or so. The entire affair has made life particularly bitter for citizens of Hamilton, Ontario. They lost the bid to host the games to New Delhi.
So if your a Hamiltonian you have to be feeling kinda lousy. First off, you can't even land a money-losing, crappy-ass NHL franchise despite the fact that the proposed owner had the cash and a stadium already built. Your CFL football team won't have a stadium after next year, and no one can agree on plans for a new one. Then you lose the Commonwealth games to a group that can't even build a footbridge, is housing the athletes in buildings where roaming packs of wild dogs can be found taking a dump on the beds and is built next to a river infested with mosquitos carrying dengue fever. Oh, and you also live in Hamilton, Ontario.
On the bright side, they've got a new slogan for the city: 'Well, at least it ain't New Delhi.'
***
So evidently there was a UFO sighting over Cavendish Mall. Dr. Cleve Ziegler, an obstetrician-gynecologist at the Jewish General Hospital claims he saw strange glowing triangular shapes floating above the mall at about 1 AM, sometime around mid-week. The doctor had no explanation for the sighting, although one genius suggested it was a lighted kite that was being flown from the parking lot, at 1 AM, at Cavendish Mall ...because that happens all the time. I have to wonder about any extraterrestrial creature who picks Cavendish Mall as a location for first contact. Time to update the maps on their GPS
This story brought out a gaggle of weirdos in the news, including a group of retired US airmen who held a news conference in Washington, D.C. They claim, among other things, that aliens had already been to earth to disable nuclear warheads. When asked if he thought aliens existed (obviously by a reporter who showed up late) retired Air Force captain Robert Salas replied "I believe in the possibility." I sure as hell hope so, cause if they didn't disable the nukes, the only other explanation is roaming packs of wild Indian dogs. Check your beds.
Enjoy the weekend.
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