I started a new blog on www.wordpress.com (I wouldn't normally advertise the competition, but it has some features I like better) today.
I'm not giving you the URL or giving you any hints how to find it because I want to remain anonymous, but eventually I'll point you towards it.
Anyway, after writing the "About" page, I clicked the spell check button and it identified only one misspelled word: "blog".
How ironic.
Showing posts with label Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Life. Show all posts
13 February 2009
02 January 2009
Political Polarity
A few days back my good friend Pat McIver suggested that we combine our efforts into one blog. I was flattered that he thought highly enough of my babblings to invite me to post them alongside his own. So we now have a new URL:
http://www.politicalpolarity.com
From this point forward the vast majority of my posts will be made to that address. I will, however, continue to post apolitical notes here.
The new format will allow our readers to view both sides of the arguments on one site, thereby eliminating the need to follow links between our two sites. I hope you enjoy the new blog!
http://www.politicalpolarity.com
From this point forward the vast majority of my posts will be made to that address. I will, however, continue to post apolitical notes here.
The new format will allow our readers to view both sides of the arguments on one site, thereby eliminating the need to follow links between our two sites. I hope you enjoy the new blog!
19 December 2008
A Liberal's Manifesto
I’ve been asked many times before, often by my former co-blogger Mr. McIver, why I support the Liberal Party of Canada. My explanations range from legitimate politics, to historical alignment, to convenience. Here follows some of my reasoning.
I have always seen myself as a Liberal. My first political memory is probably Jean Chretien’s electoral victory in 1993 (when I was 11). I vaguely remember hearing about the GST and NAFTA before that, but I didn’t have any understanding of what they meant. It wasn’t until well into the Chretien years that I started to understand and admire how the Liberals rationalized government spending. But more than how the Liberals governed, I think I was made a Liberal simply because they governed. At that time the Liberals dominated federal politics. The PC Party had been destroyed and the only viable opposition was the Bloc. Who could I have supported at the time? From 1993 until the new millennium there was no legitimate alternative for a political neophyte.
Then came the resurgence of the Conservatives. I remember watching as Preston Manning, whom I quietly supported, lost the leadership of the Canadian Alliance Party. I decided I couldn’t support Stockwell Day. Then I watched Peter MacKay hand the PC Party over to Stephen Harper. Those two events have kept me from considering a shift to the political right.
The other primary reason I originally aligned myself with the Liberals was a job. After two years studying political science at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo I got a summer job at then-MP Roger Gallaway’s constituency office. I was recruited by the many local Liberals who passed through the office. My respect for these people (and, secondarily, my own selfish reasons) made me want to join the party and I haven’t wanted to leave since.
But more than coincidence and timing, I consider myself a Liberal for many concrete reasons.
I believe in fiscal prudence. While some might point to Martin’s liberal spending increases during the latter years of his reign, I prefer to point to how he and Chretien gave the government a surplus and how he left the government with a surplus. Martin's spending increases came when the economy was growing. To do otherwise would have been irrational.
I believe in a strong national government. I believe that Canadians need national standards. I understand that there are federal and provincial jurisdictions, but they too often lead to varying standards and inconsistencies. What good will BC’s carbon tax do when Alberta’s tar sands industry is ravaging our environment? How can we have Ontario’s manufacturing base and Alberta’s energy base fighting tooth-and-nail?
I believe in giving Canadians a level playing field. Tax cuts shouldn’t be for the wealthy, but for the poor. Social programs are necessary. War can be justified in extreme circumstances. Policy isn’t good or bad based on the public’s ability to understand it. It is a party’s and a politician’s obligation to educate the public about policy. Elections should be fought on policy and principle, not vague concepts, lies, and libel.
Ultimately, I support the Liberal Party because I have, over my seven years as a member, felt a part of the party’s decision making. I have drafted policy proposals, and voted for leaders and candidates. I have supported fundraising and profile-raising events. I have been intimately involved in election campaigning. I have seen discussion and disagreement within the party.
Could I ever switch allegiances? Perhaps. Crowning Ignatieff instead of insisting on a vote is just one example of where I’ve disagreed with the party. But for now, I respect the tradition and believe in the future of the party.
Do I always support the Liberal Party? No. If you’ve read my blogging you know I have a mind of my own. When conceiving the Political Polarity blog, Pat had suggested names that included the words “Grit” and “Tory”, but I suggested something more non-partisan (thus we had www.politicalpolarity.com). I believe I am slightly left of center on many issues, but surprisingly right on others. I believe the Liberal Party best represents my political philosophy - more often than any other party. Perhaps Pat put it best: the Liberal Party “stands up for my freedoms and my rights as a citizen, respects my pocket book whenever possible and has clearly defined positions, regardless of other people’s opinions, on the major issues of the day.”
And that’s what matters to me.
I have always seen myself as a Liberal. My first political memory is probably Jean Chretien’s electoral victory in 1993 (when I was 11). I vaguely remember hearing about the GST and NAFTA before that, but I didn’t have any understanding of what they meant. It wasn’t until well into the Chretien years that I started to understand and admire how the Liberals rationalized government spending. But more than how the Liberals governed, I think I was made a Liberal simply because they governed. At that time the Liberals dominated federal politics. The PC Party had been destroyed and the only viable opposition was the Bloc. Who could I have supported at the time? From 1993 until the new millennium there was no legitimate alternative for a political neophyte.
Then came the resurgence of the Conservatives. I remember watching as Preston Manning, whom I quietly supported, lost the leadership of the Canadian Alliance Party. I decided I couldn’t support Stockwell Day. Then I watched Peter MacKay hand the PC Party over to Stephen Harper. Those two events have kept me from considering a shift to the political right.
The other primary reason I originally aligned myself with the Liberals was a job. After two years studying political science at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo I got a summer job at then-MP Roger Gallaway’s constituency office. I was recruited by the many local Liberals who passed through the office. My respect for these people (and, secondarily, my own selfish reasons) made me want to join the party and I haven’t wanted to leave since.
But more than coincidence and timing, I consider myself a Liberal for many concrete reasons.
I believe in fiscal prudence. While some might point to Martin’s liberal spending increases during the latter years of his reign, I prefer to point to how he and Chretien gave the government a surplus and how he left the government with a surplus. Martin's spending increases came when the economy was growing. To do otherwise would have been irrational.
I believe in a strong national government. I believe that Canadians need national standards. I understand that there are federal and provincial jurisdictions, but they too often lead to varying standards and inconsistencies. What good will BC’s carbon tax do when Alberta’s tar sands industry is ravaging our environment? How can we have Ontario’s manufacturing base and Alberta’s energy base fighting tooth-and-nail?
I believe in giving Canadians a level playing field. Tax cuts shouldn’t be for the wealthy, but for the poor. Social programs are necessary. War can be justified in extreme circumstances. Policy isn’t good or bad based on the public’s ability to understand it. It is a party’s and a politician’s obligation to educate the public about policy. Elections should be fought on policy and principle, not vague concepts, lies, and libel.
Ultimately, I support the Liberal Party because I have, over my seven years as a member, felt a part of the party’s decision making. I have drafted policy proposals, and voted for leaders and candidates. I have supported fundraising and profile-raising events. I have been intimately involved in election campaigning. I have seen discussion and disagreement within the party.
Could I ever switch allegiances? Perhaps. Crowning Ignatieff instead of insisting on a vote is just one example of where I’ve disagreed with the party. But for now, I respect the tradition and believe in the future of the party.
Do I always support the Liberal Party? No. If you’ve read my blogging you know I have a mind of my own. When conceiving the Political Polarity blog, Pat had suggested names that included the words “Grit” and “Tory”, but I suggested something more non-partisan (thus we had www.politicalpolarity.com). I believe I am slightly left of center on many issues, but surprisingly right on others. I believe the Liberal Party best represents my political philosophy - more often than any other party. Perhaps Pat put it best: the Liberal Party “stands up for my freedoms and my rights as a citizen, respects my pocket book whenever possible and has clearly defined positions, regardless of other people’s opinions, on the major issues of the day.”
And that’s what matters to me.
19 June 2007
The Over/Under Game
The idea for this post came from a discussion topic in a Facebook group I was once a member of. The game goes like this: pick a topic (in the Facebook group, it was albums of the 1990s) and pick one that was overrated, and one that was underrated. Here's an expanded version of the Facebook game.
Albums of the 90s:
Over: The Colour and the Shape, Foo Fighters - This album is being re-released this year, but in spite of an impressive list of singles (Monkey Wrench, My Hero, Everlong, Walking After You), the album as a whole never really did it for me.
Under: Sparkle and Fade, Everclear - When I bought this album, I really only liked one song on it (Santa Monica, of course), but I put it in the CD player awhile back to give it a second chance, and I really started to dig it. I think it's probably because I've matured to a point where I can sort of relate more to what Art Alexakis was singing about. Songs like Heroin Girl, Summerland, Strawberry (along with Santa Monica) now rate very high on my list of all-time favourites. Art's desire for freedom seems to strike a chord with me now.
TV Shows:
Over: Everybody Loves Raymond - An old college roommate got me into this show for a few months, but otherwise, I've never really even liked it. I just don't get it.
Under: Scrubs - This show is absolutely histerical. But just as important is how it seems a little more real than most sit-coms or hospital dramas. It also seems able to make me want to cry one second and laugh my way to the floor the next.
Movies:
Over: Fahrenheit 9/11 - This "documentary" was massively popular and pushed a lot of people to the political left, but it was not even close to being a balanced, fair appraisal of the topic. From using shots of smiling Iraqis (instead of the millions who were slaughtered by Saddam) to imply that Iraqis were happy under Saddam Hussein to slightly twisting the facts about bin Laden's relatives being allowed to flee the US after 9/11, this film has more built-in bias than a Fox News show.
Under: Into the Blue - Maybe it's just that I was too distracted by Jessica Alba's bikinied body to realize there was a lack of plot and acting prowess, but I really enjoyed the movie. I think more likely I like the idea of searching for sunken pirate treasure in paradise (the Bahamas) and I've always been a fan of Scott Caan (Varsity Blues, Ocean's 11, Ocean's 12, and Ocean's 13). Either way, IMDb users give it a 5.5, and I'd say that's way too low.
Rock Bands:
Over: the Doors - I like Jim et al, but they aren't worthy of the massive amounts of hype. Their music was good, but not great. They didn't last very long because Jim was an arrogant burn-out and because none of his bandmates were all that good. I love some of their stuff and hate others. I'll give them props because they're definately a must-listen for any music fan, but most of their stuff just hasn't hit me right.
Under: Cream - These guys are getting their dues (they've been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and they released a great reunion concert album/DVD), but they're still not very well known. Between Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker, they may be one of the most prolific bands, in terms of musical talent, ever. Their style influenced everyone from the Beatles to Led Zeppelin to Aerosmith to Pink Floyd to Metallica. Maybe the biggest reason they are so underrated is their brief existance (3 years, 4 albums). Whatever the reason, it's tragic.
That's all for now, thanks for reading my crap!
Albums of the 90s:
Over: The Colour and the Shape, Foo Fighters - This album is being re-released this year, but in spite of an impressive list of singles (Monkey Wrench, My Hero, Everlong, Walking After You), the album as a whole never really did it for me.
Under: Sparkle and Fade, Everclear - When I bought this album, I really only liked one song on it (Santa Monica, of course), but I put it in the CD player awhile back to give it a second chance, and I really started to dig it. I think it's probably because I've matured to a point where I can sort of relate more to what Art Alexakis was singing about. Songs like Heroin Girl, Summerland, Strawberry (along with Santa Monica) now rate very high on my list of all-time favourites. Art's desire for freedom seems to strike a chord with me now.
TV Shows:
Over: Everybody Loves Raymond - An old college roommate got me into this show for a few months, but otherwise, I've never really even liked it. I just don't get it.
Under: Scrubs - This show is absolutely histerical. But just as important is how it seems a little more real than most sit-coms or hospital dramas. It also seems able to make me want to cry one second and laugh my way to the floor the next.
Movies:
Over: Fahrenheit 9/11 - This "documentary" was massively popular and pushed a lot of people to the political left, but it was not even close to being a balanced, fair appraisal of the topic. From using shots of smiling Iraqis (instead of the millions who were slaughtered by Saddam) to imply that Iraqis were happy under Saddam Hussein to slightly twisting the facts about bin Laden's relatives being allowed to flee the US after 9/11, this film has more built-in bias than a Fox News show.
Under: Into the Blue - Maybe it's just that I was too distracted by Jessica Alba's bikinied body to realize there was a lack of plot and acting prowess, but I really enjoyed the movie. I think more likely I like the idea of searching for sunken pirate treasure in paradise (the Bahamas) and I've always been a fan of Scott Caan (Varsity Blues, Ocean's 11, Ocean's 12, and Ocean's 13). Either way, IMDb users give it a 5.5, and I'd say that's way too low.
Rock Bands:
Over: the Doors - I like Jim et al, but they aren't worthy of the massive amounts of hype. Their music was good, but not great. They didn't last very long because Jim was an arrogant burn-out and because none of his bandmates were all that good. I love some of their stuff and hate others. I'll give them props because they're definately a must-listen for any music fan, but most of their stuff just hasn't hit me right.
Under: Cream - These guys are getting their dues (they've been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and they released a great reunion concert album/DVD), but they're still not very well known. Between Eric Clapton and Ginger Baker, they may be one of the most prolific bands, in terms of musical talent, ever. Their style influenced everyone from the Beatles to Led Zeppelin to Aerosmith to Pink Floyd to Metallica. Maybe the biggest reason they are so underrated is their brief existance (3 years, 4 albums). Whatever the reason, it's tragic.
That's all for now, thanks for reading my crap!
06 May 2007
Smashed
I remember getting a great album on cassette when it came out back in 1994, but with the advent of CD players and the breakdown of my old cassette player, the album was essentially lost. I always spoke fondly of it, always extolling its musical genius, but all real memories of it had virtually faded. That recently changed.
This past winter I finally acquired a CD copy of Offspring's Smash. Without really recalling the songs and sounds of the album, I pressed play:
What beauty! The openning track, Time to Relax, calmly invites the listener to sit back and enjoy the music. It is with this track, that my intimate connection with Smash begins. As I listen to the album today, I find more and more similarities between the themes of the songs, and my own views on life.
First, the obvious - Time to Relax. More than anyone else I've met, I love sitting back and enjoying music. When driving anywhere, my most pressing concern is what music to bring. It seems the soothing voice I first heard back in 1994, at age 12, ingrained itself in my psyche.
The next track, Nitro (Youth Energy), talks overtly about living life like there's no tomorrow, but the underlying message is about a generational divide. "Our generation sees the world, not the same as before," and "the official view of the world has changed," are a couple lines that expose this message. I see generational differences in virtually every aspect of life. I think cross-generational communication is important and difficult.
The third track is Bad Habit. This is almost eerie in how much it reflects my life. While I've never so much as held a gun in my life (I'm Canadian, eh), I do suffer from a bit of road rage. "When I go driving I stay in my lane, but getting cut off it makes me insane," is one line that could define my little problem. I am an excellent driver (don't bother complimenting me, I'll take care of that). I take great pride in driving well. Not simply obeying the rules of the road, but knowing how to avoid dangerous situations, knowing how to avoid accidents, knowing how to predict traffic and so on.* I can now trace this quirk back to Smash.
Track four, Gotta Get Away, is a bit of an anomaly. I don't generally find myself to be my own worst enemy, but I do have an internal locus of control, which this song sort of hints at. The subject of the song talks about how his problems in life are his own doing, which suggests an internal locus of control.
Track five, Genocide, is loosely based on what was happening in Rwanda while the Offspring were recording the album. Though the majority of the 800,000 or so murders happened after the album was released, the build-up had started as early as 1990, and the UN was in Rwanda by October 1993. Who knew that 6 years after first hearing this song I'd begin my studies in political science, concentrating on international relations?
Next up is Something to Believe In. "Do you accept what you are told, without even thinking, throw it all and make your own," and "And if you look away, you'll be doing what they say, and if you look alive, you'll be singled out and tried, if you take home anything, let it be your will to think, the more cynical you become, the better off you'll be," encourage listeners to think for
themselves and to look behind the stories being told. I wouldn't call myself a cynic, but I'm certainly not one to automatically accept what I'm told.
Come Out and Play, the first big single for Offspring, talks about gang violence on school campuses. "The kids are strappin' on their way to the classroom, getting weapons with the greatest of ease," was probably the first argument I ever heard about gun control, and the song in general, which does not glamorize violence, is probably why I'm the anti-gun pacifist I am.
Track eight is Self-Esteem. This one's pretty self-explanatory - when it comes to women and crushes, "I'm just a sucker with no self esteem."
It'll Be a Long Time is about war between states, specifically superpowers. Again, no surprise I did the whole polisci/international relations thing at WLU.
Killboy Powerhead is another anomaly. I don't really see any connection with who I am, but I do enjoy the song!
The next track is priceless. What Happened to You is a better explanation than any as to why I am so very anti-drugs:
Track 12, So Alone, talks about how even in a crowd, we're often all alone. It urges people to get along. I guess that's the extent of its influence on me - get along.
Next up is Not the One. I guess this is perhaps why I tend not to concern myself with seniority. I'm not one to look at someone who's been around and give them credit for just that. I always look at what people actually do, rather than how long they've been doing it. I also tend to distrust those in authority. Then there's the distaste I have for people who chastise youth for the clothes they wear, or the music they listen to, or anything really:
Blame Offspring and Not the One. I guess this song speaks to my international consciousness as well.
Finally, Smash: "Don't give a shit 'cause I'm not gonna budge, I just want to be who I want to be, Guess that's hard for others to see." Also, I'm not very trendy.
So there you have it, the story of how the Offspring and their album Smash informed who I am today. I can't imagine anyone, anything, or any single influence having so much effect on who I would become, but the evidence is unmistakable. Here I always thought I was my own person, but it turns out I'm just the sociological offspring of Noodles, Dexter, Ron, and Greg.
I guess that's okay, I have no problem with who I am.
*****
* My only accident came when some old lady decided to turn left while I was coming the other way going straight through a green light. If you're from the Sarnia-Lambton area, and you've ever wondered why the intersection at Waterworks and Lakeshore has two hydro poles on the south-east side, just ask me. I can tell you all about that - thanks to that lady.
This past winter I finally acquired a CD copy of Offspring's Smash. Without really recalling the songs and sounds of the album, I pressed play:
Ahhhhh, it's time to relax, and you know what that means, a glass of wine,
your favourite easy chair, and of course this compact disc playing on your home
stereo. So go on and indulge yourself, that's right, kick off your shoes, put
your feet up, lean back and just enjoy the melodies. After all, music soothes
even the savage beast.
What beauty! The openning track, Time to Relax, calmly invites the listener to sit back and enjoy the music. It is with this track, that my intimate connection with Smash begins. As I listen to the album today, I find more and more similarities between the themes of the songs, and my own views on life.
First, the obvious - Time to Relax. More than anyone else I've met, I love sitting back and enjoying music. When driving anywhere, my most pressing concern is what music to bring. It seems the soothing voice I first heard back in 1994, at age 12, ingrained itself in my psyche.
The next track, Nitro (Youth Energy), talks overtly about living life like there's no tomorrow, but the underlying message is about a generational divide. "Our generation sees the world, not the same as before," and "the official view of the world has changed," are a couple lines that expose this message. I see generational differences in virtually every aspect of life. I think cross-generational communication is important and difficult.
The third track is Bad Habit. This is almost eerie in how much it reflects my life. While I've never so much as held a gun in my life (I'm Canadian, eh), I do suffer from a bit of road rage. "When I go driving I stay in my lane, but getting cut off it makes me insane," is one line that could define my little problem. I am an excellent driver (don't bother complimenting me, I'll take care of that). I take great pride in driving well. Not simply obeying the rules of the road, but knowing how to avoid dangerous situations, knowing how to avoid accidents, knowing how to predict traffic and so on.* I can now trace this quirk back to Smash.
Track four, Gotta Get Away, is a bit of an anomaly. I don't generally find myself to be my own worst enemy, but I do have an internal locus of control, which this song sort of hints at. The subject of the song talks about how his problems in life are his own doing, which suggests an internal locus of control.
Track five, Genocide, is loosely based on what was happening in Rwanda while the Offspring were recording the album. Though the majority of the 800,000 or so murders happened after the album was released, the build-up had started as early as 1990, and the UN was in Rwanda by October 1993. Who knew that 6 years after first hearing this song I'd begin my studies in political science, concentrating on international relations?
Next up is Something to Believe In. "Do you accept what you are told, without even thinking, throw it all and make your own," and "And if you look away, you'll be doing what they say, and if you look alive, you'll be singled out and tried, if you take home anything, let it be your will to think, the more cynical you become, the better off you'll be," encourage listeners to think for
themselves and to look behind the stories being told. I wouldn't call myself a cynic, but I'm certainly not one to automatically accept what I'm told.
Come Out and Play, the first big single for Offspring, talks about gang violence on school campuses. "The kids are strappin' on their way to the classroom, getting weapons with the greatest of ease," was probably the first argument I ever heard about gun control, and the song in general, which does not glamorize violence, is probably why I'm the anti-gun pacifist I am.
Track eight is Self-Esteem. This one's pretty self-explanatory - when it comes to women and crushes, "I'm just a sucker with no self esteem."
It'll Be a Long Time is about war between states, specifically superpowers. Again, no surprise I did the whole polisci/international relations thing at WLU.
Killboy Powerhead is another anomaly. I don't really see any connection with who I am, but I do enjoy the song!
The next track is priceless. What Happened to You is a better explanation than any as to why I am so very anti-drugs:
Before you started tokin' you used to have a brain, But now you don't get even
the simplest of things, I can draw a little picture, Or even use my hands, I try
to explain but you just don't understand, Man you're really losin' it, And
you've really done a lot of junk now, But you keep on abusin' it, What in the
world happened to you?
Track 12, So Alone, talks about how even in a crowd, we're often all alone. It urges people to get along. I guess that's the extent of its influence on me - get along.
Next up is Not the One. I guess this is perhaps why I tend not to concern myself with seniority. I'm not one to look at someone who's been around and give them credit for just that. I always look at what people actually do, rather than how long they've been doing it. I also tend to distrust those in authority. Then there's the distaste I have for people who chastise youth for the clothes they wear, or the music they listen to, or anything really:
I'm not the one who made the world what it is today...we're not the ones who
leave the homeless in the streets at night, we're not the ones who've kept
minorities and women down...We're not the ones whose pollution blackened our
skies, And ruined our streams, We're not the ones who made the nuclear bombs,
That threaten our lives, We're not the ones who let the children starve in
faraway lands.
Blame Offspring and Not the One. I guess this song speaks to my international consciousness as well.
Finally, Smash: "Don't give a shit 'cause I'm not gonna budge, I just want to be who I want to be, Guess that's hard for others to see." Also, I'm not very trendy.
So there you have it, the story of how the Offspring and their album Smash informed who I am today. I can't imagine anyone, anything, or any single influence having so much effect on who I would become, but the evidence is unmistakable. Here I always thought I was my own person, but it turns out I'm just the sociological offspring of Noodles, Dexter, Ron, and Greg.
I guess that's okay, I have no problem with who I am.
*****
* My only accident came when some old lady decided to turn left while I was coming the other way going straight through a green light. If you're from the Sarnia-Lambton area, and you've ever wondered why the intersection at Waterworks and Lakeshore has two hydro poles on the south-east side, just ask me. I can tell you all about that - thanks to that lady.
05 May 2007
Miscellaneous Musings
It has been far too long since I last posted an entry here, so I thought I would kill some time with a post indulging some random thoughts. Enjoy!
I finished my program at Lambton College with an A average, which is good for me. Congratulations to everyone else in the program who also finished. I think I may find myself back at school in a few years, but who knows. For now I'm back to the job search. This is my least favourite activity...ever. Here's hoping it doesn't last long.
The Toronto Raptors finished their season last night with a loss to the New Jersey Nets. It was a close game and one of the best I've seen so far in this year's playoffs. I was pretty distraught about the loss. I really thought this Raptors' team was good enough to get past the first round, and certainly good enough to beat the Nets. I won't blame Jose Calderon's picked-off pass into the post for the loss. Had that pass made it through to Chris Bosh, I'd be looking forward to game seven right now, but really, the Raps had long since blown the game. Bosh was dreadful from the field (at least until the last 5 minutes of the game when he finally started to play like Chris Bosh) while Andrea Bargnani seemed to be on fire. The problem was that the Raptors' seemed to stay away from Il Mago (as Bargnani is known). At one point, Bargnani got the ball and forced up a shot probably because he was worried he wouldn't get the ball back. And I can't blame him. He seemed to be the fourth option on the floor in spite of the success he was having when he did get the ball. Unfortunately, the Raps stayed away from the rookie and will be away from the court until the start of next season. Which, I will add, should be a great year!
I read a story in the Sarnia Observer that our fair city is the 57th best place to live in Canada. I guess. Not for me, but for a lot of people - primarily those who are retired or nearing retirement. Message to Mayor Mike Bradley: bringing call centres to the city doesn't exactly qualify as adding good jobs. Maybe I'm just bitter because of my experience looking for work here, but it almost seems like in this city a university education (in anything other than engineering) makes you over-qualified rather than employable. So now I have a college education, maybe that'll help!
This whole Shane Doan controversy (which seems thankfully to be over) is a disgrace. I don't know who initiated this debate among our Parliamentarians, but boy was it a waste of time. Supposedly Doan made a derogatory comment about French Canadian hockey players back in 2005 and as such should forever be banished from captaining a Team Canada. The problem is that the NHL did an investigation into the whole deal and decided Doan was innocent. Whatever genius politician brought up this whole mess needs to be slapped...or perhaps be given a pie in the face as per Canadian tradition. Do your part here.
In the best news all year, Paris Hilton is going to jail. I guess after driving under the influence of alcohol (or whatever designer intoxicant Hollywood's bimbos are using) for the nth time (this time while on probation), a judge has finally sentenced her to prison time. Hopefully this will also keep her out of the news...if only for 45 days...probably not.
For the first time in my life I actually picked up a business magazine today. This edition of Canadian Business seems to be almost entirely filled with human resources news (which works for me since that's the program I just finished). I've read most of it and, as expected, it seems a far cry from my usual political magazines. Instead of the leftist propoganda, it naturally looks right (as in right-wing, not necessarily as in correct). To be honesty, reading this magazine gave me a little more insight into some of the things my BBA and BComm friends say. Maybe I'll read it more often.
Well, that's what's running through my head today. Hope you enjoyed this meaningless self-indulgence.
I finished my program at Lambton College with an A average, which is good for me. Congratulations to everyone else in the program who also finished. I think I may find myself back at school in a few years, but who knows. For now I'm back to the job search. This is my least favourite activity...ever. Here's hoping it doesn't last long.
The Toronto Raptors finished their season last night with a loss to the New Jersey Nets. It was a close game and one of the best I've seen so far in this year's playoffs. I was pretty distraught about the loss. I really thought this Raptors' team was good enough to get past the first round, and certainly good enough to beat the Nets. I won't blame Jose Calderon's picked-off pass into the post for the loss. Had that pass made it through to Chris Bosh, I'd be looking forward to game seven right now, but really, the Raps had long since blown the game. Bosh was dreadful from the field (at least until the last 5 minutes of the game when he finally started to play like Chris Bosh) while Andrea Bargnani seemed to be on fire. The problem was that the Raptors' seemed to stay away from Il Mago (as Bargnani is known). At one point, Bargnani got the ball and forced up a shot probably because he was worried he wouldn't get the ball back. And I can't blame him. He seemed to be the fourth option on the floor in spite of the success he was having when he did get the ball. Unfortunately, the Raps stayed away from the rookie and will be away from the court until the start of next season. Which, I will add, should be a great year!
I read a story in the Sarnia Observer that our fair city is the 57th best place to live in Canada. I guess. Not for me, but for a lot of people - primarily those who are retired or nearing retirement. Message to Mayor Mike Bradley: bringing call centres to the city doesn't exactly qualify as adding good jobs. Maybe I'm just bitter because of my experience looking for work here, but it almost seems like in this city a university education (in anything other than engineering) makes you over-qualified rather than employable. So now I have a college education, maybe that'll help!
This whole Shane Doan controversy (which seems thankfully to be over) is a disgrace. I don't know who initiated this debate among our Parliamentarians, but boy was it a waste of time. Supposedly Doan made a derogatory comment about French Canadian hockey players back in 2005 and as such should forever be banished from captaining a Team Canada. The problem is that the NHL did an investigation into the whole deal and decided Doan was innocent. Whatever genius politician brought up this whole mess needs to be slapped...or perhaps be given a pie in the face as per Canadian tradition. Do your part here.
In the best news all year, Paris Hilton is going to jail. I guess after driving under the influence of alcohol (or whatever designer intoxicant Hollywood's bimbos are using) for the nth time (this time while on probation), a judge has finally sentenced her to prison time. Hopefully this will also keep her out of the news...if only for 45 days...probably not.
For the first time in my life I actually picked up a business magazine today. This edition of Canadian Business seems to be almost entirely filled with human resources news (which works for me since that's the program I just finished). I've read most of it and, as expected, it seems a far cry from my usual political magazines. Instead of the leftist propoganda, it naturally looks right (as in right-wing, not necessarily as in correct). To be honesty, reading this magazine gave me a little more insight into some of the things my BBA and BComm friends say. Maybe I'll read it more often.
Well, that's what's running through my head today. Hope you enjoyed this meaningless self-indulgence.
17 April 2007
In Memory, In Honour, In Support
By now we've all heard of the tragedy at Virginia Tech on Monday when 33 people were killed by a 23 year old student. Among the dead are a Canadian professor and a holocaust survivor who died heroically trying to save his students. In sad news, one blogger decided things would have been different if other students had been armed. The moron apparently doesn't get that lax gun control helped facilitate this massacre. The Washington Post summarizes this and other blogs. Finally, the Toronto Star (via the Canadian Press) has this interesting (and interactive) history of violence in schools.
That's the news, now time for my take.
For some reason, the Dawson College tragedy on September 13, 2006 didn't really hit me. One person was killed and 20 were wounded that day. I think it really should have struck me since it happened in Canada (Montreal) at a college not unlike the one I currently attend. But it didn't seem to connect like the Virginia Tech rampage has.
I recall that while attending Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo I always felt perfectly safe. I remember feeling a sense of community there. I was always surrounded by other young people who were there because they wanted to be. There was stress and there was even violence, but I felt safe. There was this sense that everyone around me had the same goals and ambitions. I imagine students at Virginia Tech felt very much the same way. I can't imagine their grief. I was in class when I read the news online. A friend from WLU IM'ed me about the news. He said it was mental. I was still, I think, in disbelief. I said I don't think I could have gone back had it happened at Laurier while we were there.
I was watching a special report on CBC when I was inspired to have my input. They were interviewing students from VT about the incident. One group talked about hearing gun shots in the adjacent classroom and leaping through windows to escape. One student reported that he was the last to make it out of the room alive - the two people behind him were shot and killed. One professor (as mentioned above) died trying to save his students. I cannot imagine having that kind of bravery and composure in such a chaotic situation.
I don't want to turn this into an argument about gun control laws in the United States (though I may already have done that). This is about those who were tragically killed. This about the families and friends who suffered unimaginable loss. This is about those who have to go back to class. This is about a tragedy that will be overcome.
We're with you.
That's the news, now time for my take.
For some reason, the Dawson College tragedy on September 13, 2006 didn't really hit me. One person was killed and 20 were wounded that day. I think it really should have struck me since it happened in Canada (Montreal) at a college not unlike the one I currently attend. But it didn't seem to connect like the Virginia Tech rampage has.
I recall that while attending Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo I always felt perfectly safe. I remember feeling a sense of community there. I was always surrounded by other young people who were there because they wanted to be. There was stress and there was even violence, but I felt safe. There was this sense that everyone around me had the same goals and ambitions. I imagine students at Virginia Tech felt very much the same way. I can't imagine their grief. I was in class when I read the news online. A friend from WLU IM'ed me about the news. He said it was mental. I was still, I think, in disbelief. I said I don't think I could have gone back had it happened at Laurier while we were there.
I was watching a special report on CBC when I was inspired to have my input. They were interviewing students from VT about the incident. One group talked about hearing gun shots in the adjacent classroom and leaping through windows to escape. One student reported that he was the last to make it out of the room alive - the two people behind him were shot and killed. One professor (as mentioned above) died trying to save his students. I cannot imagine having that kind of bravery and composure in such a chaotic situation.
I don't want to turn this into an argument about gun control laws in the United States (though I may already have done that). This is about those who were tragically killed. This about the families and friends who suffered unimaginable loss. This is about those who have to go back to class. This is about a tragedy that will be overcome.
We're with you.
06 April 2007
Thursday Night Debauchery (Minus the Promiscuity)
I've decided, before the fish get too big, that I should publish my recollection of the events of last night so as to ensure I'm not accused of ever having actually donned bicycle shorts and a muscle shirt while singing Shake Your Bon Bon with friends at La Cantina. So here is the night, as I recall it:
I started by going with some friends to watch the Sarnia Blast get embarrassed by the Strathroy Rockets in game six of the league championships. The final score was 9-7, which isn't a massive defeat, especially considering the Rockets' ninth goal was an empty-netter, but allowing nine goals, regardless of how many you've scored, is embarrassing (or should be). Basically, the defense played more like pylons while the coach refused to pull the starting goalie until he allowed the eighth Strathroy goal. What a debacle.
From the game, we went to La Cantina where I would proceed to embarrass the hell out of myself (and probably those forced to be seen with me). I think it all started out modest enough: a few drinks, a few games of pool, and a bevy of friends together for some therapeutic release. Then things started to get interesting. My "friends" (whom I shall later thank for a wonderful evening) decided to submit my name to the friendly karaoke DJ who soon after called me up to sing Ricky Martin's Shake Your Bon Bon. Apparently, it was my birthday last night, so, as is tradition at La Cantina, I was asked to bend over while my friends slapped my skinny ass 25 times in celebration.
I want to take a moment here to thank my new not-best-friend Kyle for finding a binder with which to strike me. Ass. Anyway, due to this flogging, I was physically unable to shake my bon bon, so I remained largly still while belting out the most excruciatingly awful rendition of the aforementioned Ricky Martin hit (notice the absence of bicycle shorts and muscle shirt). I want to thank Steph and Jodi, who helped out with the choruses, and Cindy for laughing hysterically off stage.
I started by going with some friends to watch the Sarnia Blast get embarrassed by the Strathroy Rockets in game six of the league championships. The final score was 9-7, which isn't a massive defeat, especially considering the Rockets' ninth goal was an empty-netter, but allowing nine goals, regardless of how many you've scored, is embarrassing (or should be). Basically, the defense played more like pylons while the coach refused to pull the starting goalie until he allowed the eighth Strathroy goal. What a debacle.
From the game, we went to La Cantina where I would proceed to embarrass the hell out of myself (and probably those forced to be seen with me). I think it all started out modest enough: a few drinks, a few games of pool, and a bevy of friends together for some therapeutic release. Then things started to get interesting. My "friends" (whom I shall later thank for a wonderful evening) decided to submit my name to the friendly karaoke DJ who soon after called me up to sing Ricky Martin's Shake Your Bon Bon. Apparently, it was my birthday last night, so, as is tradition at La Cantina, I was asked to bend over while my friends slapped my skinny ass 25 times in celebration.
I want to take a moment here to thank my new not-best-friend Kyle for finding a binder with which to strike me. Ass. Anyway, due to this flogging, I was physically unable to shake my bon bon, so I remained largly still while belting out the most excruciatingly awful rendition of the aforementioned Ricky Martin hit (notice the absence of bicycle shorts and muscle shirt). I want to thank Steph and Jodi, who helped out with the choruses, and Cindy for laughing hysterically off stage.
Once this calamity was mercifully over, we soon headed over the The Lazy Duck. The Duck is a popular dance club in Sarnia and it seems, at least last night, I was right at home. According to Erin (not Beener, she bailed early), I was "dancing...a lot." Though, as you can see, not well.
So that was the night. Nothing really all that bad I guess, just a lot of good, clean, alcohol-inspired fun.
If I should apologize to anyone, I do (I'm specifically thinking about how I got caught, on camera, making sure Cindy's shirt was...lint-free). I'm not going to include that picture, sorry.
Thanks to all my friends who made this a fun night: Kyle, Sarah, JR, Erin, Amanda, Amanda, Chris, Cindy, Jodi, Brook, Steph, Craig, Beener, Corey, Dusty, Jordan, and anyone else I drank from my memory. As an aside, I think this was the first time I ever saw Dusty at a bar and was more intoxicated than him.
Last night was a very interesting night. I trust I entertained a number of friends, and if I managed to do that I suppose it was all worth it.
Enjoy your Easter weekend. Or, if you don't believe in the Resurrection of Jesus, enjoy your weekend!
03 April 2007
The Weekend that Was
I don't generally make a habit of posting about my experiences (at least not anymore). But I had an exciting (and tiring) weekend, so here goes...actually, my buddy Loafie asked me to talk about him in a blog so here it is, he only has himself to blame.
The weekend started Thursday night. I went to La Cantina (as usual, reluctantly) for a going away party for some friends. While there, I had a few beverages and caught up with some old friends.
Then Friday night I worked on an essay, yippie.
Saturday I went to Burlington to visit my sister, my new little cousin, and some friends and other family. (Here's were Loafie comes in.) Me and two of my best friends, Loafie and Floody (we have no real names...) went out to BP for some food and drinks. As normally happens when we get together, many of the lengendary stories came up: how Loafie earned his nickname at the Delta Hotel in Ottawa, the moaner story (also from the Delta), how we got kicked out of Paddy's in Waterloo after our final university exam ever, and so on. You say you want to know how Loafie got his name? Well, sure, let's publish it for everyone to read. Apparently (I wasn't in the room, but I've heard the story a thousand times...and I still find it hysterical), the kiddies were sitting around in a Delta hotel room when Wheeler asked what animal everyone would be if they could be any animal (Wheeler is a funny guy, a great guy who I admire, but a funny guy). I guess most people chose the standard regal beasts - eagles, lions, whatever, but Loafie, he picked a squirel...or was it a bird? Either way, he picked an animal capable of perching atop hydro wires, tree branches, whatever, so as to "drop a loaf" on people he didn't like. This was the first weekend we really got to know each other, so this unfortunate story and nickname has stuck with him ever since. Since I outed Loafie, I should out the Moaner. The moaner story involves someone jumping around (drunk I think) at the end of someone else's bed, commanding them to go to sleep so the leaper could hear the moan that allegedly eminates from the moaner during sleep. Again, I wasn't actually in the room, but the story is a classic. I refuse to write about how we got kicked out of Paddy's because it borders on the criminal, and Sandra's still a little ways from being a lawyer, so right now, I have no representation. Anyway, that was Saturday. Great times! I can't wait to see them again at the end of April!
On to Sunday. My aunt decreed Sunday Easter Sunday, so we had an easter dinner (at 1.30pm). But more special was finally meeting Kathryn, my cousin's daughter. Kate is (I guess) two or three weeks old now. She's super cute, and super small. I got to hold her, which was mildly less frightening than the last time I held a child that young. Experience helps I guess.
Anyway, it wasn't really an exceptionally eventful weekend, but it was an all-around great weekend. I absolutely needed some time with the old boys. And a big dinner with the extended family was grand as well.
Thanks everyone!
The weekend started Thursday night. I went to La Cantina (as usual, reluctantly) for a going away party for some friends. While there, I had a few beverages and caught up with some old friends.
Then Friday night I worked on an essay, yippie.
Saturday I went to Burlington to visit my sister, my new little cousin, and some friends and other family. (Here's were Loafie comes in.) Me and two of my best friends, Loafie and Floody (we have no real names...) went out to BP for some food and drinks. As normally happens when we get together, many of the lengendary stories came up: how Loafie earned his nickname at the Delta Hotel in Ottawa, the moaner story (also from the Delta), how we got kicked out of Paddy's in Waterloo after our final university exam ever, and so on. You say you want to know how Loafie got his name? Well, sure, let's publish it for everyone to read. Apparently (I wasn't in the room, but I've heard the story a thousand times...and I still find it hysterical), the kiddies were sitting around in a Delta hotel room when Wheeler asked what animal everyone would be if they could be any animal (Wheeler is a funny guy, a great guy who I admire, but a funny guy). I guess most people chose the standard regal beasts - eagles, lions, whatever, but Loafie, he picked a squirel...or was it a bird? Either way, he picked an animal capable of perching atop hydro wires, tree branches, whatever, so as to "drop a loaf" on people he didn't like. This was the first weekend we really got to know each other, so this unfortunate story and nickname has stuck with him ever since. Since I outed Loafie, I should out the Moaner. The moaner story involves someone jumping around (drunk I think) at the end of someone else's bed, commanding them to go to sleep so the leaper could hear the moan that allegedly eminates from the moaner during sleep. Again, I wasn't actually in the room, but the story is a classic. I refuse to write about how we got kicked out of Paddy's because it borders on the criminal, and Sandra's still a little ways from being a lawyer, so right now, I have no representation. Anyway, that was Saturday. Great times! I can't wait to see them again at the end of April!
On to Sunday. My aunt decreed Sunday Easter Sunday, so we had an easter dinner (at 1.30pm). But more special was finally meeting Kathryn, my cousin's daughter. Kate is (I guess) two or three weeks old now. She's super cute, and super small. I got to hold her, which was mildly less frightening than the last time I held a child that young. Experience helps I guess.
Anyway, it wasn't really an exceptionally eventful weekend, but it was an all-around great weekend. I absolutely needed some time with the old boys. And a big dinner with the extended family was grand as well.
Thanks everyone!
23 March 2007
Rolling Stone is a Fan of Mine
It has become crystal clear that Rolling Stone magazine reads my blog. A few months ago (on my lost myspace blog) I wrote an article in which I created two fantasy supergroups. I created them from past and present rock stars - Clapton, Page, Ramone, McCartney, Hendrix, Flea, Cobain, Grohl, Peart, and others. Then, a few weeks later, Rolling Stone magazine asked its readers to name their own supergroups. Clearly, they were inspired by my creative genius.
Now they've done it again. A week or so ago, on the "Random List" part of this blog (just above the links on the right hand side) I named my top five Neil Young songs. Well guess what? Rolling Stone borrowed my idea again. Our lists weren't the same, but clearly they were once again inspired by my blog. I'm not mad at them. I think it's pretty cool. I'm flattered. They could at least give me a shout-out though.
P.S. - The only thing I can think of that would be cooler than having Rolling Stone reading my blog would be having the Rolling Stones read my blog. A boy can dream.
Now they've done it again. A week or so ago, on the "Random List" part of this blog (just above the links on the right hand side) I named my top five Neil Young songs. Well guess what? Rolling Stone borrowed my idea again. Our lists weren't the same, but clearly they were once again inspired by my blog. I'm not mad at them. I think it's pretty cool. I'm flattered. They could at least give me a shout-out though.
P.S. - The only thing I can think of that would be cooler than having Rolling Stone reading my blog would be having the Rolling Stones read my blog. A boy can dream.
20 March 2007
A Confession
I have a confession to make. It is in regards to the post My Irish Odyssey. I've had feedback from a few people already. One thought the article was great fun to read (they got the point), another wondered if I bought the girls breakfast, and the others thought it sounded like a great time. So here's the confession: the story is not true. I decided to try my hand at fiction (I think I did a modestly good job for a first timer). I'm sorry I misled you. In my defense, there are (at least) five hints, of varying obscurity and subtlety. If you don't believe me, here they are:
- The title - I'm a really big nerd, so I like to do nerdy things like reference ancient Greek epic poems in my blog. If you're familiar with your ancient Greek epic poems, you know Homer's Odyssey is a mythical story - it is fictional, just like My Irish Odyssey.
- The first pub we visit - One of my favourite TV shows is How I Met Your Mother. The characters in that show frequent a pub called McLaren's. Ergo, I picked that name for my pub. I referenced a second work of fiction. (If there is an Irish pub called McLaren's in downtown Chicago, that's a hell of a coincidence.)
- The green man - Another of my favourite TV shows is According to Jim. In one St Patrick's Day episode, the title character, Jim, turns himself into the green man for the night. Also, the show is set in Chicago, just like my story. A third reference to a work of fiction.
- The bold letters - Unfortunately, the bold letters didn't translate into my Facebook feed, so if you only read the story in its Facebook form, you can't have caught this clue. If you read it here (at Kerr's Comments), you can see the seven bold letters. Extract them from the story, and line them up next to each other (in the order they appear) and they read "fiction".
- Me - If you know me, you know some of the specifics in the story are very uncharacteristic of me. More importantly, you know nothing in the world would make me miss a Habs-Leafs game.
Hey, I'll admit I'm no Dan Brown, but those were the clues I added to belie the appearance that this post was a narrative of actual events. If you noticed any of these clues, kudos. I didn't much expect many people would (except perhaps the bold letters, but I put them there, I knew they were there, and I still have problems finding them all). Sorry to mislead you.
The moral of the story: don't take anything I write at face value, and (more importantly) don't take anything I write seriously (except the last three congratulatory posts...and any future congratulatory posts). I give links to my sources so you can take those sources seriously. What I write is usually a joke - and a bad joke at that.
I hope you at least enjoyed my story. If you still don't believe me, you can ask my mom, with whom I spent St Paddy's Day watching hockey (Habs beat the Leafs! Oh yeah!).
Thanks.
18 March 2007
My Irish Odyssy
Yesterday was St. Patrick’s Day - the greatest non-holiday of the year. It may actually be the greatest day of the year, but I’m holding off judgment until after this Canada Day. Anyway, here’s the story of my St. Paddy’s Day:
It started at about 8am in the morning. Normally, if a friend calls me unexpectedly at 8am on a Saturday morning, that friendship is over, but this was a special case. An old college buddy was on the other end of the phone. A few weeks ago he had won a trip for four to
My buddy, a true Irish-Canadian bachelor, had planned this out pretty well. He had 24 cold cans of Guinness sitting in an ice-filled cooler and a fridge full of Irish whiskey – 8:30am or not, I reached directly for a can of the black gold. But I was stopped by my buddy. Apparently it was limo rules that I had to start with a couple shots first. Two shots later, I opened what would be my first of many brews.
We each pounded back our beer as we waited (nervously) in line at the border. No worries, the border guy was cool and we were on our way. We pulled over in
As we stepped into the pub (McLaren’s I think), we were greeted with a vision of what I think
After being politely asked to leave the pub (ok, we got kicked out- those bouncers weren’t nice), we headed across the street to another bar. That bar wouldn’t let us drunkards in, so we went for a bit of a walk. We came across the
Being St. Patrick’s Day, the cops were very understanding as they pointed us towards the next pub. We stepped inside, looked around, and picked our hotties. Unfortunately they were on their way out, so by about 7pm (again, who knows what time it really was, just go with it) we followed the lasses to the next pub. After a sobering wait in line, we saw our next vision of
Anyway, a bunch more pints brought us to 11pm (or so…you know the drill) and some new lasses. These girls were calling a cab to get them to some “legendary” Irish pub on the other end of downtown, so we called our limo and crammed 8 people into the back. After a round of whiskey and some general inner-limo debauchery, we pulled up to a tower on the banks of the
More pints led us to last call and we headed back to the limo with those same lasses (I think they were the same girls, but everyone was wearing green, so it was hard to differentiate). We all headed up to our suite at the hotel, partied through the rest of the Guinness from the limo, and passed out (I wish I could fill you in on the details, but I must have been pretty ‘tired’ because I don’t remember).
We woke up around 11am, kicked the girls out the door, and checked out by noon. We grabbed lunch at the hotel restaurant then hit the road. At some point yesterday someone was smart enough to pick up some Gatorade (usually a hang-over cure) so we re-hydrated on the ride home. My buddy passed out somewhere outside of
That’s my story; I hope your St Paddy’s Day was fun!
16 March 2007
More Congratulations!
Congratulations to new mother Nicole, new father Doug, and their families on the arrival of baby Kathryn.
It has been a good month as this is the second healthy new arrival into the lives of my friends and family.
Congrats again.
It has been a good month as this is the second healthy new arrival into the lives of my friends and family.
Congrats again.
13 March 2007
Am I a Lefty or a Righty?
I was thinking last night about how I always proclaim myself a liberal (small 'l'), generally a moderate one, and usually describe myself (relevant the political spectrum) as being slightly left of centre.
For any political science neophytes who read my blog, I'm including here a quick lesson about the political spectrum. The spectrum has three main points: the left, the centre, and the right. On the extreme left is socialism (i.e. Marxism, communism). On the extreme right is nationalism (i.e. Fascism, Harperism*).** The extreme left, basically, believes in strict equality among people. They say the state should regulate all facets of the economy so as to ensure this equality.*** The extreme right, basically, believes in the people's freedom to act. They say the state should allow the economy to move as it will (laissez-faire economics), and allow people to either succeed or fail.**** The spectrum becomes very difficult to define at its borders, but I think this is generally a good description. In the centre we find the vast majority of Canadians. They believe the state should only intervene if it is necessary to maintain stability and standard of living. This, clearly, is a balance between the left and right. The spectrum becomes increasingly confusing as you expand beyond considerations of political economics and start to consider social factors. (Did I say "quick lesson"?) Basically: left = more government intervention to ensure equality, and; right = less government intervention to ensure equality.
An example:
Health Care:
Canada is very leftist here. All Canadians have public health insurance. The state picks up the tab.
The USA is very rightist here. Most Americans rely on private health insurance. The individual picks up the tab.
Now that I've confused the hell out of myself, I can move on.
In my blog I've talked smack about the Conservative Party (which I call slightly right of centre) and about George W. Bush (who is a couple notches right of the Conservatives). I've had both harsh (re: his consolidation of despotic powers) and kind (re: his belief in market protectionism for developing South/Latin American states) words about Hugo Chavez (who is miles left of centre).
My question is: Where am I? Am I a rightist? Am I a leftist? I claim to fall slightly left of centre, but does what I say/write back that up? Or am I confused? (I'm certainly confused, but I'm asking specifically about this topic.)
Here's part of the problem. I believe in Adam Smith's invisible hand, but I also believe in equality. But I believe more strongly in equality of opportunity than equality of outcome. That is, I think it is important that people have every opportunity to reach the same status, but that reaching that status is not a given. For example I'll talk about education. I think it is important that the government help fund post-secondary education (i.e. OSAP, tuition amounts on your tax return), but I don't believe the government should pay for everyone to get a post-secondary education.
I wonder where a regular Kerr's Comments reader would put me on the spectrum. I know Mr. McIver would put me somewhere left of Marx himself, but that's coming from someone who is slightly right of Dick Cheney.
Pondering such philosophical questions is great fun!
*****
* I think I made up "Harperism" and it is designed to refer to Stephen Harper. The reality of course is that Harper and his Conservative Party are quite close to centre, so ignore this and recognize it as a joke. Thank-you.
** The example of fascism probably leads people to think Hitler, and he was a rightist fascist, but fascism and nationalism do not necessarily mean Hitler-esque tyrany and evil. It just sort of seems that way.
*** For a true socialist the state becomes obsolete once true equality is acheived, so saying the state should regulate the economy is only half correct.
**** Unlike for a socialist, a rightist would never suggest the disappearance of the state system.
For any political science neophytes who read my blog, I'm including here a quick lesson about the political spectrum. The spectrum has three main points: the left, the centre, and the right. On the extreme left is socialism (i.e. Marxism, communism). On the extreme right is nationalism (i.e. Fascism, Harperism*).** The extreme left, basically, believes in strict equality among people. They say the state should regulate all facets of the economy so as to ensure this equality.*** The extreme right, basically, believes in the people's freedom to act. They say the state should allow the economy to move as it will (laissez-faire economics), and allow people to either succeed or fail.**** The spectrum becomes very difficult to define at its borders, but I think this is generally a good description. In the centre we find the vast majority of Canadians. They believe the state should only intervene if it is necessary to maintain stability and standard of living. This, clearly, is a balance between the left and right. The spectrum becomes increasingly confusing as you expand beyond considerations of political economics and start to consider social factors. (Did I say "quick lesson"?) Basically: left = more government intervention to ensure equality, and; right = less government intervention to ensure equality.
An example:
Health Care:
Canada is very leftist here. All Canadians have public health insurance. The state picks up the tab.
The USA is very rightist here. Most Americans rely on private health insurance. The individual picks up the tab.
Now that I've confused the hell out of myself, I can move on.
In my blog I've talked smack about the Conservative Party (which I call slightly right of centre) and about George W. Bush (who is a couple notches right of the Conservatives). I've had both harsh (re: his consolidation of despotic powers) and kind (re: his belief in market protectionism for developing South/Latin American states) words about Hugo Chavez (who is miles left of centre).
My question is: Where am I? Am I a rightist? Am I a leftist? I claim to fall slightly left of centre, but does what I say/write back that up? Or am I confused? (I'm certainly confused, but I'm asking specifically about this topic.)
Here's part of the problem. I believe in Adam Smith's invisible hand, but I also believe in equality. But I believe more strongly in equality of opportunity than equality of outcome. That is, I think it is important that people have every opportunity to reach the same status, but that reaching that status is not a given. For example I'll talk about education. I think it is important that the government help fund post-secondary education (i.e. OSAP, tuition amounts on your tax return), but I don't believe the government should pay for everyone to get a post-secondary education.
I wonder where a regular Kerr's Comments reader would put me on the spectrum. I know Mr. McIver would put me somewhere left of Marx himself, but that's coming from someone who is slightly right of Dick Cheney.
Pondering such philosophical questions is great fun!
*****
* I think I made up "Harperism" and it is designed to refer to Stephen Harper. The reality of course is that Harper and his Conservative Party are quite close to centre, so ignore this and recognize it as a joke. Thank-you.
** The example of fascism probably leads people to think Hitler, and he was a rightist fascist, but fascism and nationalism do not necessarily mean Hitler-esque tyrany and evil. It just sort of seems that way.
*** For a true socialist the state becomes obsolete once true equality is acheived, so saying the state should regulate the economy is only half correct.
**** Unlike for a socialist, a rightist would never suggest the disappearance of the state system.
12 March 2007
Congratulations!
I neglected to mention this in the previous post, so it gets its own (and worthy it is):
Congratulations to new mother Lisa, to my best friend "Uncle Pat", and the entire McIver family on the arrival of baby Sophia.
Read more from the beaming uncle here.
Congratulations to new mother Lisa, to my best friend "Uncle Pat", and the entire McIver family on the arrival of baby Sophia.
Read more from the beaming uncle here.
04 March 2007
N1KD Done Right!
If you've been a consistent reader of my blog(s) you know I was involved in organizing a local edition of the Night of 1000 Dinners in support of the Canadian Landmine Foundation. The event was last night (March 3) at the Royal Canadian Legion branch in Sarnia.
The dinner went off (almost) without a hitch. Aside from some minor technical problems, everything went as planned. The food (courtesy of Legion volunteers) was spectacular. The games (courtesy MC Tim Fugard) kept spirits up. Short speaches from Alex Palimaka, Anne-Marie Gillis, and Terry Burrell helped drive the message home. All told, the dinner raised over $2400 for the Canadian Landmine Foundation . All of the money raised will go directly to demining and rehabilitation of communities torn by landmines.
Thanks to everyone who came out in support of a great cause, thanks to everyone who made generous donations, and thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make this event a success. We had barely over a month to get this set up and we pulled it off. Hope to see you all next year!
The dinner went off (almost) without a hitch. Aside from some minor technical problems, everything went as planned. The food (courtesy of Legion volunteers) was spectacular. The games (courtesy MC Tim Fugard) kept spirits up. Short speaches from Alex Palimaka, Anne-Marie Gillis, and Terry Burrell helped drive the message home. All told, the dinner raised over $2400 for the Canadian Landmine Foundation . All of the money raised will go directly to demining and rehabilitation of communities torn by landmines.
Thanks to everyone who came out in support of a great cause, thanks to everyone who made generous donations, and thanks to everyone who worked so hard to make this event a success. We had barely over a month to get this set up and we pulled it off. Hope to see you all next year!
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