The Greatest Canadian: Grandfather to Kiefer Sutherland?!

Yes, the Greatest Canadian series on CBC wrapped up tonight with the announcement of the winner. And the tiara and flowers go to...

Tommy Douglas!

The former premier of Saskatchewan, leader of the CCF, and the 'father' of medicare, held on to his lead (despite surges from Terry Fox and Pierre Trudeau) from the very first episode to capture the crown.

Now, according to my post HERE, I thought the emotional appeal of Terry Fox would've won it for him at the end. I guess I underestimated the now almost-scary fascination with the medicare system that Canadians have. That, or George Stroumboulopoulos was very convincing (I'm not so sure). People in some quarters (not naming names) will probably argue that the NDP wasted its time by mass e-mailing their supporters to vote for their hero instead of attacking the PM (oh wait, they did both...) Over at Armchair Garbageman, the theory there is the population over 50 that put Douglas over the top. Seems like the boomers just have to control EVERYTHING, don't they?

But if people were convinced just because of health care, I'm going to be pissed. As much as i support public health-care, we need to define Canadian society by more than just that. Seriously, if public health-care is the only jewel in our public policy arsenal that we can be proud of, well, we're in a lot of trouble here, fellas. But that's a debate for another late night.

For some consolation, I was able to predict the Top Three (Terry Fox was runner up while Pierre Trudeau took the bronze). But then, anyone could've done that, so really, after everything's said and done, I've nothing to show for it, because I didn't pick the right horse.

Congratulations, Tommy Douglas, wherever you are (Probably in the great Parliament in the sky)...

It was extra-ordinary, extraordinary

So I spent Friday, Saturday and Sunday holed up in my room writing a paper (yes, god forbid, I know) that just fuelled my silent rage as I tried in vain to reduce the terribleness within it as much as possible. Then, only waking up this morning because Matt woke me up, I got to prepare for a day where I was given the privilege to give a presentation finished at 1am the night before. The only hope I had was that nobody poke so many holes in it that the Swiss would have to sue me for copyright infringement.

But it doesn't matter now. Because once again, the Joel Plaskett Emergency rocked the grad club tonight while I just absorbed his energy, surrounded by die-hard fans and the newly initiated. It's now 2:37am and I'm blogging about it. Tonight made everything all worthwhile.

The only thing that could've made this night extra-ordinary (extraordinary, as it were) was if she was there with me...

How am I so out of practice?

It's Sunday morning and I'm writing a 20 page paper with a partner (who's in Montreal right now, so I've been doing a lot of the writing, but that's besides the point) and I've noticed how it's been difficult to sit still for several hours and just write.

I hadn't written anything of substance since, well, in a hell of a long time. I don't think anything I've written in my university career have been mediocre, let alone decent. So having established a fantastic track record and not having written something in a year (my thesis doesn't count, since it was the spawn of the Lake That Shall Not Be Named), how am I supposed to pull off a well-written, thoughtful analysis of a transboundary ecosystem conservation intiative when I'm this rusty at well, composing a sentence? The simple answer I guess is I don't. The longer answer might be to continually write so that I can regain the routine of focusing on the screen and putting finger to key. Yeah, maybe afterwards, I'll build myself a brand new engine to replace the internal combustion engine. Funny how so many things in our lives are about creating routines. Guess our brain just doesn't like to think when we don't need to.

And even if by some chain of events we somehow manage to pull something respectable out of this, I've another 20-page paper with a partner due and a 15-page solo effort. Make no mistake, I'm not complaining about my workload. Hell, I'm blogging right now to AVOID my work.

Yeah, I definitely like where this is going. I'm just sayin'.

Proportional Representation (Part deux)

It's funny the things one thinks about in the shower. I just happen to be thinking about PR. Go figure.

It's been a while since I've made a half-decent argument, so here's the late-night Wendy's version. As I had discussed previously HERE, pundits have voiced concern about proportional representation because it allows the chance for fringe parties to be elected in.

So my question is, why not let them in? We advocate free speech for all in the hopes that in the ensuing discourse, the hateful, extremist views are reasoned away by the moderate, tolerant majority. To pull the extreme views out of the shadows and into the spotlight, revealing that there really isn't anything there worth listening to is free speech's strength.

In the case of PR, yes, there is a chance that a few extremist candidates are elected. So let them try to pass their outrageous bills. The majority of MPs representing the tolerant majority will overwhelmingly defeat them, thus proving the lack of worth of those views. If their bills pass, well, then it's not the problem of those candidates, but the radical shift in societal values (or the MPs aren't representing their constituents, which also becomes the larger problem).

So we shouldn't let the fear of extremists being elected restrain even the discussion of electoral reform, let alone actual reform. As an open, pluralistic, democratic society, we should always be ready to defend our values every step of the way, from the coffee shop to the House of Commons.

We should be saying, "Bring'em On!"

Apologies

Apologies to non-Blogger readers out there. I don't know who you are. I could swear on my laptop that comment settings were set such that anyone could comment, registered users or no. Apparently, I've been had by...well, myself. I've since reverted back to intended settings and hopefully this will stay permanent. Love to hear what you have to say about what I have to say.

mediascapes

THIS is one possible glimpse into the future of media. The production on its own was quite enjoyable. I'll have to think about it more before I comment

Update 1:35 AM

On an unrelated link, check out Keyhole. This kind of detailed digital mapping solution just gets the nerd in me all excited. And as Matt points out, it makes me wonder about the true capabilities of the CIA and other intelligence agencies.

the next X-Prize

A strange thing happened on today's Daily Show.

Jon Stewart was interviewing Richard Branson, owner of Virgin Records, about his new show when Jon suggested that Richard sponsor a X-Prize type contest. The goal: Develop a replacement for the internal combustion engine.

Branson obviously agreed to nothing, but it was a brilliant idea. Of course, there are alternatives already out there. One is run on compressed air. I don't know how viable that is. But an X-Prize is the type of contest that would give many innovators incentive to pursue this goal.

Although, if some obscure engineering firm comes up with a solution, you have to wonder, where the hell were the automotive industry on this one?

I also realize that this design competition is different from the X-Prize in that the race to space is a oligopoly of state run agencies (NASA, ESA), so there was no incentive to push for the commercialization of space (I question the safety of it too, but that's another story). Whereas, everyone knows how to build an internal combustion engine and it's easy to reproduce, so there's no incentive to innovate radically (which I guess also explains the auto industry). So maybe a couple million isn't enough of an incentive

Anyways, I hope some billionaire does do it. Soros, Branson, Gates, Buffett. I'm looking at you.

Proportional Representation (PR)

The last few weeks talk of electoral reform have been on the lips of the media, with an upcoming vote by BC citizens to switch to STV (Single Transferable Vote) from first-past-the-post (FPTP) and McGuinty's upcoming Citizen's forum (or whatever it's called) to discuss Ontario's foray into this issue.

Various pundits have warned about the negatives about STV and other methods of PR as a possible tyranny of the minority. Some even advocate maintaining the status quo (what a surprise) or implementing Australia's mandatory voting. While that would certainly increase the voter turnout in practical terms, it dismays me that the right to be heard through a voting ballot has to be legislated and enforced by law doesn't appeal to my higher ideals about participatory democracy. To have to force people to vote, to me, seems kind of backward (removing the right and freedom to NOT vote) and kind of diminishes the ideals of the process of participatory democracy. The next argument I guess would be whether we should be concerned with ideals or practicality when speaking about increasing voter turnout, so I await the words to fly.

Now, I agree that there are different drawbacks to different forms of PR and that we should take our time in evaluating possible replacements, but I do believe that we need to look at alternatives. There are many minority voices out there that aren't being heard that deserve to be. While other countries have fractured into multiparty coalition governments, that does not necessarily mean it'll happen here. Looking at votes cast, most people vote for the 5 biggest parties anyways, and the easiest solution to ensure that no extreme fringe parties hold a lot of power is to require a minimum percentage of the popular vote to hold a seat in Parliament. 5 or 10%, whatever. That ensures that a decent amount of Canadians actually do want a particular party to represent them.

I think that a mixed PR and FPTP would work well in Canada as it provides minority voices and retains local representation to a degree (yes, it makes it a bit harder on the MPs, but at least people could go to a preferred MP about a problem). It is also better in that because our population is so spread out, local representation is very necessary to ensure local issues are dealt with. It's a compromise, which is probably what politicians will have to do more often if electoral reform happens as I think it should. Besides, this Martin government will give my generation of how minority government work well and doesn't work well. We and future politicians can learn from that

Do I think it'll solve the 'democratic deficit.' No. But that's a buzzword anyways. I think a mixed form of PR will give voices to innovative ideas, left or right, that may not be heard. With the way we're politicking, we're gonna need some innovative ideas soon. So take the time to shop around. I think in the end, we'll all be better for it.

All roads lead to...

WARNING: cryptic post ahead. enter at your own risk.

It's funny how life can be a straight road, then a winding road around some mountain chains and then somehow, for whatever reason, you end up in a traffic circle. Don't know how it got there, it's not on a map, but there you are, going around and around and around. The only difference is, there are no definite exits. They only appear when they appear.

And that's where I am. stuck in a traffic circle without a map. Of course, no one gives you a map. Otherwise, the journey's kinda dull. I kind of have an idea about where I want to go, but I'm not sure which exit will take me there. I don't even know if the right exit will even appear or whether I'll get off on the right one or whether I've missed it, am missing it or will miss it. Someone said something about having to pick up a passenger too, but I couldn't hear over the din of that crowd at the last pit-stop.

So I'm stuck wiping the condensation off my windshield as I drive around and around, looking for that elusive off-ramp that'll lead me to my destination. I just hope I don't run out of gas.

I'm thinking I should've made that left turn at Albuquerque.

Water, water everywhere

In the last few weeks, discussion has arisen over the state of the Canadian Arctic, from reports of threats due to climate change to the future of Canadian sovereignty over the Arctic in the current Dec/Jan '05 issue of the Walrus.

Not only are there concerns about the threat of the Arctic ecosystems due to Climate Change, but also the additional threat of melting sea ice resulting in the year-round opening of the Northwest Passage and thus a demand for turning it into an international shipping route.

Now, Canada's budget is supposedly stretched to the bone as it is (even with our 9 bajillion dollar surplus, apparently) so allocating resources to ensure the protection of the environment and sovereign claim to the Arctic waters will be difficult. It also doesn't help that we don't have a permanent arctic research program or that we are relying on aboriginal rangers carrying WWII rifles to patrol the vast Arctic border (that they have poor equipment, not their unreliability).

So what is the solution? While it seems beneficial to allow for shipping in the Arctic to cut down on distance and thus fuel consumption, the inherent increased risk of an environmental disaster seems provident and I'm very hesitant in agreeing to the opening of the Northwest Passage. The arctic ecosystem is already fragile as it is. Increased traffic can only spell trouble, esp since we're still learning about how it relates to the global environment. One solution is to get our asses into gear and reduce climate change, thus reducing the pace of ice retreat. But I'm cynical andi don't see that happening.

Our coastline is way too damn big and I don't think the Canadian government's willing to allocate the resources to adequately defend and patrol these waters. In the Walrus, they suggested that it be controlled under an international regime. While I'm big on maintaining Canadian sovereignty, it seems like a reasonable compromise in order to reduce our burden. What I would like to see is that the regime be composed mainly of countries from the Arctic Council and for now (and maybe forever), be restricted to research and rescue vessels only. Not the ideal situation, but at least there is someone watching over the water, ensuring no one's pulling a Titanic in the Arctic.

As for our actual coastline, we're going to have to pony up some cash for the Inuit rangers and additional forces. Their jobs deserve adequate funding for all their needs. The longest undefended border is known to be the Can/US border, but I'm sure those who are patrolling the north would give 'em a good run for their money.

Finally, the Inuit has to be involved in the decision-making. They live there and their welfare's at stake. If you live in such a harsh climate year-round, you deserve a spot at the table. Spy submarines scaring seals and such is only an indicator of things to come and we should be ready to deal with the Inuit as partners.

Unfortunately, the Canadian government's plate is getting pretty full, what with same-sex marriage, decriminalization of pot, assisted suicide and George Bush's first vist to Ottawa all on the agenda in the coming months. My crystal ball tells me that this issue will fade faster than my martial arts uniform. Unless it gets wrapped up with Missile Defense talks, in which case, well, I hope the Canadians put it on the agenda and put up a good fight.

I can only hope.

It's the little things...

On my theme of social interaction, let me say I had a fantastic night tonight all because of the little things:

1) Dairy Queen and CSI with a friend who needed cheering up
2) QP and the trials and tribulations of a friend's Apple computer that, on this rare occasion, crapped out completely.
3) Randomly being chased down by friend and housemate who just happened to be having coffee at Common Ground
4) A hilarious John Stewart episode completely upstaged by penis jokes, Tom DeLay and Woody Harrelson.

And now, onto serious reading...or more blogging, I haven't decided which.

For your amusement

I'm on a blogging binge. Forgive me. I don't know how Mader does this on a daily basis with a quality that I can only dream of...

My friend admonished me in good jest for a lack of posting for the last seven days. So Farron, THIS is for you and all those youths 16 and above who've had disputes over the front seat of a friend's car. Those were the days of the Altima, the Camry and the MPV. Chris, Matt, Cam, Nick, you know what I'm talking about.

Where am I going?

That's the question I've been grappling at for the last few weeks, in between schoolwork and episodes of the West Wing. It feels like I've lost my moral compass. Having entered university to experience new perspectives, I feel as if I'm starting to fall into the quagmire that is relativism.

It feels stranger considering my current studies in Urban Planning, a most practical of pursuits. It has been an interesting few months as my classes have been split between the practical and the philosophical. Recently, we've slowly nudged ourselves into modern and post-modern architecture and more broadly, into modernism and post-modernism itself.

My profs have asked us to question our most basic assumptions and beliefs in our classes as planning, like everything else in the post-modern era, has become much more complicated when dealing with different actors, narratives, viewpoints, etc. That's fine. I welcome this challenge. However, it seems to leave me with no answers as I try to consider every position from different viewpoints. It leaves me nowhere near a fence, but on the side of a dirt road without an answer driving by. It seems like many issues I've encountered thus far have left me in a stalemate when trying to articulate a position.

Perhaps I haven't fully understood where I stand on my principles, thus causing my confused state of affairs. I've learned in planning, like in everyday life, that nothing else matters except for the choices you make and the judgments you stand by. And eventually, you will have to make that choice. Maybe that is why I've left myself in such a state. Maybe I've yet to involve myself in a situation where my judgment, based on my principles, actually matters. Thus, it became very easy to run on the auto-pilot that is the mid-20s liberal mindset.

I think I need to get back to first principles and rebuild my beliefs and ethics. I need to take a day and just talk and see where it leads me. Because I don't want to feel this...morally empty anymore. It's a terrible feeling.



To truly be a unique individual is to be alone ~Hok-Lin Leung

These are a few of my favourite things

What does Calvin and Hobbes and Fight Club have in common? Apparently a lot, according to Metaphilm. I guess even blowing up credit-card company offices build character.

Talking

It's funny how much I enjoy being interrupted by people I know walking down the street or sitting in the JDUC and end up talking to them for any amount of time.

For the most part, it can be nothing more than a greeting and a few brief words about the most current events of one's life to a long drawn out conversation about life, the universe and everything. But this is the best part of my life, this social interaction with friends. For those moments, the world outside doesn't matter. I'm not focused on my schoolwork, my marking or what I'm having for dinner tonight. Jon Stewart's not on my mind, nor the latest in Canadian politics.

I just sit back and absorb their life stories, and laugh and cry and empathize with them. I enjoy watching their facial expressions change with each passing moment, that this is me living my life. And it feels good.

Havin been immersed with the barest of post-modern thought and theory, I can say for certain that at right now, this makes me feel good.

I would write more except I'm being sent electrical signals that it's dinner time. And I'm thoroughly enjoying the new Green Day album, but that's neither here nor there.

Remembrance Day

On the 11th hour of the 11 day of the 11 month of 2004, I was unfortunately in class and my prof did not end his lecture on time for me to solemnly reflect on the lives of those given so we may live ours as we can now. I thought about how the world moves as it does, stops for one minute as everyone reflects and pays respects, and then starts again. It just seems so odd that we can drop everything and pick them up again so quickly. I am not disparaging anyone by that remark, but it just doesn't seem right for some reason. I don't know.

The other thing I was thinking about was a Star piece that ran over last weekend concerning the last 8 surviving veterans from WWI. And I wondered when all our veterans are gone, whether we will be able to continue to reflect and remember with such vigour without these anchors to history. I hope so. I really do.

Since he beat me to it, I'll just link to Matt and thank him for providing "In Flanders Field" on his blog. And I agree with him. Remembrance Day should always be cold, windy and rainy. If our veterans can endure so much for our future, we can endure a little bit of rain.

Reality TV needs to go...NOW

This is why I don't watch TV.

Reality TV's just mean and degrading nowadays. Not that it wasn't before, but it's too prevalent now for me not just to ignore them but to outright hate them: The Swan, The Biggest Loser, He's A Lady (I know that's not what it's called, but that's the gist of the show), the "I'm lying to my family about my groom...", and now, the $25 million Hoax.

Seriously, is this what people watch? Humiliation and Deception? This is why people buy TVs for? Has the bottom of the barrel not been scraped thoroughly? Are you not hitting oak splinters by now? Are we so unimaginative that we're relegated to picking on people on live television?

Will Reality TV please just eat itself so we can all move on to something just as inane and trivial but at least it doesn't ask people to live like the middle ages and be subjected to tomatoes and rotten vegetables being thrown at them for money?

Dignity, restore some semblance of dignity on TV, Please!

Terry Fox: The Canadian Dream

I just finished watching CBC's Greatest Canadian piece on Terry Fox and although in a previous post I merely predicted a top three, I believe that Terry Fox will and should win this 'popularity' contest.

His story on its own deserves accolades. A simple story of courage and perseverence, mimicking the origins of the marathon so well, especially with the 'hero' dying at the end of the journey. All for a cause and the cure that he himself can't benifit from.

But to me, it's much more than that. Terry Fox and his story is the personification of the Canadian Dream. It is everything that Canadians want Canada to be in one story: It is a selfless act that brings results. He and his Merathon of Hope had no political or corporate undertones. It had the support of ALL Canadians. The Terry Fox Run has spread to over 50 countries around the world.

Isn't that the ideal of all Canadian policy? Supported by all of Canada, altruistic in its benefits, and has international influence. Don't we wish every government bill and policy statements had those kind of ideals imbued in them?

I think so. But maybe I'm buying into that Canadian Myth. And that's fine. That's a myth I want to buy into.

bedtime thoughts

Before I head off to bed, I just wanted to make these few comments:

-Our house has been amused by CNN's overly cautious projections for the presidential race, not wanting to make the same mistakes as 2000. Wolf Blitzer consistently reminded their analysts that "the race isn't over"...even though it looks like Bush is going to take Ohio and thereby the electoral college.

-CNN analysts also stated that the Republicans will retain control of the House of Representatives and the Senate. That means they hold the legislative and barring some twist in events over the night, the executive branch. They will also have the opportunity to appoint several more conservative judges onto the Supreme Court. That means the Republicans have a good hold on all three arms of the US government and will have an easier time pushing through their agenda, i.e. abortion, stem-cell research, tax-cuts, ANWR and their energy bill, etc. As someone who follows social and environmental issues, the thought of this next Republican government makes me cringe.

-Voting increased significantly this election. What'll be disappointing to Democrats and any left-leaning person anywhere in the world is that not only did the Democrats lose the lead they had in popular vote, Bush is winning by more than 3 million votes. No ambiguity there.

-Daimler Chrysler are now calling their SUVs "Safety Utility Vehicles." That's right, they're no longer for sport, but for safety...looks like someone's learning how to spin like the Bush administration.

-I'm not sure whether I should be depressed or ambivalent by these results. I have no idea how the next four years will turn out. I've been disappointed with the whole damn human race lately so maybe it's just that. I'll have to mull over what this represents for the near future (because my policy analysis skills are just so in demand)...

-I've decided that Wolf Blitzer and the rest of the CNN team will not be sleeping tonight, as Ohio is "too close to call" and they will be following it all the way through to the end of the provisional and military vote counts until they're so sleep deprived that caution be damned, they call it for somebody before they pass out on masse.

In the stands

Goodbye attack ads featuring wolves and eagles and ostriches! Goodbye campaign speeches! Goodbye televised debates! Goodbye deception lane and un-truth squads!

It will be quieter in the US as the commentators and the spin doctors are silenced by the electorate waking up on Nov. 2nd to perform one of their civic duties as a proud American. I do hope the everyday citizen will enjoy this brief respite from the cacophany of information and spin and contemplate carefully the choice they are making, regardless of whether they vote for Bush, Kerry or Nader. During these hours before polls close, remember that no one's opinion matter now but your own. Not Fox News, not Air America, not the French, the British, or the Canadians. No one.

So, as the umpteenth voice from the peanut gallery, I wish every American citizen all the best, that they vote with their heart and their conscience. The rest of us will be sitting in our living room awaiting your decision, knowing full well that, regardless of the outcome, Jon Stewart will sadly be more insightful than most of the talking heads that emerge from their time of silence...

NO recount, NO recount, NO recount, NO recount, NO recount, NO recount.