May Day Election

Tonight is election night here in Canada. The Conservative Party has just won its first majority in over twenty years. The New Democratic Party (NDP) has made huge gains in Quebec at the expense of Bloc Quebecois and everywhere else at the expense of the Liberal Party. In British Columbia, the Green Party has finally won a seat so they can't be excluded from debates. It was a pretty historic night.

And I feel sad.

Canada has changed. Its population has changed and we're slowly becoming a distance copy of our previous national identities. We're no longer the polite, centrists who prize a common sense approach to our collective good. Regionalism, French / English relations, or wilderness pioneer spirit don't define us anymore either. We're now caught between "extremes" without a direction for the people in the middle. Yes, nothing is ever perfect. Yes, current political systems exclude large portions of the people its meant to serve, but I don't think it'll get better.

Maybe this is just a sleepless rant that I'll regret in the morning. Maybe I'm just upset at the Conservative majority. Maybe I'm just dreading going to work tomorrow with people who may just be happy with the election results. Yeah, maybe it's all personal and not about the direction the country's heading it. I'm hoping that's the case because otherwise it's going to be a long five years.

Turning Japanese

The last couple of days have been nothing short of horrible for the people of Japan. Just when you think things can't worse, it does. There's little else to say. I had the same reaction when the protests in the Middle East happened. There's very little constructive I can add to conversation. The Middle East protests, even with the violence in Libya, makes you feel that people can change the world. While I've lived through several "historic" moments in my life, that was the most positive.

But back to Japan. I can't believe there are people saying that the tsunami was "payback" for Pearl Harbour. Honestly, what the fuck. Really? Then again, people said the same thing about hurricane Katrina. ARGH! One of my friends said stuff like this is the reason I need to teach. They have a point.

Protest the hero

So the G20 protests have started. So far they've been small and haven't gotten in the way of anything but the Summit doesn't actually start until Friday. This weekend will be the main event. I'm conflicted about the protests. I'm sympathic to their causes because the elite always take advantage of those who lack power and voice. However, in this era of digital technology and the 24-hour news cycle I don't know how marches and physical presence make a real difference. Any statement you make is forgotten in a couple of cycles. Pissing off the populace also doesn't work. You can't sustain change when the people you're supposed to be helping don't consider you a part of them. I don't know, idealism is great. Wanting to make the world better is good. Doing something is good. I just don't know if the plan most protestors have worked out is a good one. Then again I'm on the outside and being very cynical about the entire process.

A spectre's haunting College St.

Last night I took some out of town visitors to two of my favourite bars (here and here) and over a couple of Canadian beers we discussed music, Marx, childrearing, Toronto/Queens/Portland (a.k.a Fortland), and anthropology. That's my kind of night. Too bad no one had a camera.

Long Wait Times

I've been following the health care "debate" in the US over the last couple of weeks. It's difficult for me, as a Canadian, to understand why people are so against publicly-funded health care. By growing up in a country where this debate was settled decades ago and where most people believe health care to be a fundamental part of being Canadian, it just boggles my mind. While Michael Moore would have everyone believe that Canada is the land of milk and honey, there are lots of problems with our health care system. It's underfunded, Canadian-trained doctors and nurses head south 'cause there's more money, and "wait times" for non-essential surgeries are getting longer BUT YOU AND YOUR FAMILY DON'T GO BANKRUPT IN THE PROCESS. As someone who doesn't make a lot of money and currently doesn't have any health insurance, this makes me feel a lot better.

I realize people need to have their own opinions and every country has the right govern itself, it still doesn't mean that taking care of your citizens isn't a good thing. Public good.

There are holes and flaws in the opinion I've just stated but I wanted to give a general idea of where I stand.

Travel

I've been thinking about the politics of travel.

Aside from the environmental issues, there's the political implications of going on vacation. I don't know how I feel. I want to see the world but... how do you support an industry that doesn't fairly compensate the locals? How do I travel around in luxury when most of the people in the places I'd be visiting can't afford clean drinking water? I realize that by living and working in the modern world, enjoying the fruits of multi-national corporations' domination of the global economy I silently accept the unjust world order that keeps so many living in poverty and causes terrible violence.

[The places that have caused me to think are parts of Africa, like Algeria, Botswana, and Ghana]

My new glasses caused me similar concerns. They were 1/10 the cost of what I could buy retail and came directly from the People's Republic of China. I didn't support any local business and did entire transaction via my credit card and the web. Now, I don't make a lot of money and hundreds of dollars for new glasses wasn't within my means. The price I paid was very much within my means.

When I can afford to live by my politics I will. For now, I've got to exercise my political will in other, smaller ways. I'm not an idealist; I'm just trying to be practical. My best solution at the moment? To give a small donation to a non-profit organization. It's small, but it's a start. My financial situation makes my dreams of travelling just a dream.

Pride

Was thinking about going to the Toronto Gay Pride Parade today but it's raining, so I'm not. I want to be supportive but at the same time I don't want to get wet or catch a cold. I guess weather triumphs politics/solidarity. Instead, I'm going to watch Fired Up. That's pretty gay, right?

Border Town

Yesterday, UFC and I went to Buffalo to go to Target. We did other things, but that was the main reason. They have crossed the border (yet) and they have some "nice" stuff. At least the ones in Detroit did. I got a summer jacket for seven dollars (or 8.50 Canadian). UFC bought Milky Ways 'cause again it's a product that isn't available in Canada.

We also went to a random mall and found it pretty dead. I realize there's a recession going on but well, it hasn't been THAT bad in Toronto. And what I mean is that it hasn't been obvious. Yesterday in Buffalo, it was obvious. Maybe it was slower 'cause it was Mother's Day and people were spending time with family... Still, driving around it seem like there were lots of shops closed and few cars in the parking lots of ones that were open.

To top everything off, this was one of the first things we saw once we were in buffalo. I guess it would be the same thing if (or when) they decide to destroy the Skydome.

When we got back to Toronto, we were diverted off the highway because of this protest.

Maybe if we follow the sign things will get better...

a change is gonna come

I don't know what to think about this...

"According to David Almacy, who served as Bush's director for Internet and e-communications from 2005-07, only two people had access to the iTunes store during that period: Almacy, who had to upload speeches to the site, and the president's personal aide, so that he could download songs for Bush's iPod."

Quoted from this article on Slate.

A New Day

Now that Obama is the president maybe I'll move to the US. Maybe...

The Night Before

Fuckin' hell...

So tonight is election night here in Canada. As it stands at now, at 11:12PM, it seems that very little has changed. The newscasters kept telling me that it costs $300M per election and this is the FOURTH since the turn of millennium. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Fuckin' hell...

EDIT: On a personal note, I have never voted for a candidate who has been elected to office. EVER. Maybe I should just stop voting.

2nd EDIT: Meatballs 3 is on television starring a very young Patrick Dempsey as a DORK. He ain't no McDreamy.

3rd EDIT: I'm watching this horrible movie because I don't feel like watching anymore election coverage. The credits on Meatballs 3 say "introducing Patrick Dempsey". I may watch the entire movie.

People have too much time on their hands

You Give Me Fever

Okay, if this speech isn't inspirational then I don't know what is. I think I might be coming down with a fever...

Eat Your Heart Out Michael Moore

For everyone, including Michael Moore, that thought Canadian universal health care was great should read this. Seriously, guy wins a Canadian music prize and then gets denied was is supposed to be a right of citizenship. Gotta love bureaucracy. Yet another reason why I'm not getting rid of my old red and white health card.

zed not zee

That's all you need to know right now. That and I'm winning my battle with my cold.

After 13 hours...

I did my part for democracy in Ontario. Now it's up to everyone else. Wonder what will happen.

In the city

How do you view your city?

I don't know why (you stay)

So, I forgot to mention some exciting news about my "new" car, a.k.a. my grandmother's 1993 2-door toyota tercel. Last time we spoke about this car I mentioned that it had none of the following: Air Conditioning, Audio System, and Cup Holders. Well, it seems I was mistaken on one of these things. I finally found the cup holders the other day. It was hidden. Very hidden. It took my girl only, like, three seconds to find it. And because my mother enjoys talking to complete strangers, she found out that the car does indeed have speakers and it just so happens that someone overheard her and BOOM! I've got an MP3 CD radio thingy. Now if I can only figure out how to change the time on the clock...

I'd also like to add that because of the crazy winter we're having up here, environmental policy is front and centre here in Canada. It also helps that the Liberal Party picked a former Minister of the Environment as their new leader. This is all good for a man who as supported the Green Party in the last three federal elections. I'm not a huge environmentalist or anything but I do believe this is an important issue. Too bad that New Democratic Party are probably gonna lose ground in the next election. Oh well... This is my attempt to be a little political. I'm done now. I like South Park.

My name is Jonas

This is how I feel, but my friends in the USA are probably feeling this even more.

Another person as asked to post this song, Wilco - Impossible Germany