If there's a country in the world that needs a big hug right now it's Haiti. It's not really practical to hug a country, of course. But Friday the University of Regina Education Students' Society will do the next best thing. From 9 a.m.-noon they'll be at Riddell Centre on the university campus dispensing hugs and collecting donations. Then from 1-3 p.m., students will be doing the same thing downtown at the Cornwall Centre's main floor kiosk. Other student societies on campus are engaged in fundraising projects of their own, and at the beginning of February the money will be pooled and donated to earthquake relief in Haiti.
Showing posts with label World. Show all posts
Showing posts with label World. Show all posts
1.27.2010
Hugs for Haiti
If there's a country in the world that needs a big hug right now it's Haiti. It's not really practical to hug a country, of course. But Friday the University of Regina Education Students' Society will do the next best thing. From 9 a.m.-noon they'll be at Riddell Centre on the university campus dispensing hugs and collecting donations. Then from 1-3 p.m., students will be doing the same thing downtown at the Cornwall Centre's main floor kiosk. Other student societies on campus are engaged in fundraising projects of their own, and at the beginning of February the money will be pooled and donated to earthquake relief in Haiti.
7.05.2009
Sunday Wrap-Up
A couple quick thoughts at the end of a quiet Sunday. First, Iran. Wow. This weekend the country had influential hardliners sowing the seeds for the arrest of allegedly defeated presidential candidate Mir Hossien Mousavi. The editor of a big-deal newspaper apparently called for him to be arrested and tried as a U.S. spy, which is nuts. Meanwhile, at the protest end of the spectrum , a group of Iranian clerics called Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's election illegitinate. In Iran, the opinions of cleric--even fringy, reformist clerics--matters. (Guardian)
Second, Dave Batters. The former MP was laid to rest in Regina yesterday. Prime Minister Stephen Harper was in attendance. (StarPhoenix).
Copious words have been spoken about the tragedy of metal illness which is at it should be. It's awful that the clinically depressed Batters committed suicide, and horror, heartbreak and sympathy are the correct responses.
But...I feel like a hostage on this tragic story. Like it's rude or self serving to point out the obvious conflict between this poor man's free-wheeling economic politics and his own frailties.
I'm going to anyway.
Batters was one of the current breed of politician (found in large numbers in two federal parties) who relentlessly champion smaller government and paying less tax. He may well have been an incredibly likable and charismatic guy, but he belonged to a fraternity that almost seems to make cancelling public programs a point of pride.
I firmly believe we have a weaker, more vulnerable and more intolerant country as a result of these political attitudes being regarded as acceptable.
Just think about it--in the last 30 or so years we've seen the programs that used to give Canadians some security underfunded and stressed: healthcare, social services, affordable housing and inexpensive university, unemployment insurance. Batter's former party has even tried to shut down very successful programs like Vancouver's needle exchange clinic because they have simpleminded, one-note ideas about how human beings are. (Pretty damn nervy, given their comrade's unspecific history of substance addiction.)
Everything's "tax cuts, tax cuts, tax cuts" with Canada's politicians. Everything's enslaved to this simplistic idea that people need to "pull themselves up by the bootstraps" rather than rely on government.
And I have no doubt whatsoever that a lot of people have been hurt by that.
Dave Batters couldn't pull himself out of his depression. He couldn't pull himself to safety. Will substantial new funds be dedicated to treating mental illness in the wake of Batters' death?
I doubt it. The current bunch would call that "socialism".
Rest In Peace, Mr. Batters.
Second, Dave Batters. The former MP was laid to rest in Regina yesterday. Prime Minister Stephen Harper was in attendance. (StarPhoenix).
Copious words have been spoken about the tragedy of metal illness which is at it should be. It's awful that the clinically depressed Batters committed suicide, and horror, heartbreak and sympathy are the correct responses.
But...I feel like a hostage on this tragic story. Like it's rude or self serving to point out the obvious conflict between this poor man's free-wheeling economic politics and his own frailties.
I'm going to anyway.
Batters was one of the current breed of politician (found in large numbers in two federal parties) who relentlessly champion smaller government and paying less tax. He may well have been an incredibly likable and charismatic guy, but he belonged to a fraternity that almost seems to make cancelling public programs a point of pride.
I firmly believe we have a weaker, more vulnerable and more intolerant country as a result of these political attitudes being regarded as acceptable.
Just think about it--in the last 30 or so years we've seen the programs that used to give Canadians some security underfunded and stressed: healthcare, social services, affordable housing and inexpensive university, unemployment insurance. Batter's former party has even tried to shut down very successful programs like Vancouver's needle exchange clinic because they have simpleminded, one-note ideas about how human beings are. (Pretty damn nervy, given their comrade's unspecific history of substance addiction.)
Everything's "tax cuts, tax cuts, tax cuts" with Canada's politicians. Everything's enslaved to this simplistic idea that people need to "pull themselves up by the bootstraps" rather than rely on government.
And I have no doubt whatsoever that a lot of people have been hurt by that.
Dave Batters couldn't pull himself out of his depression. He couldn't pull himself to safety. Will substantial new funds be dedicated to treating mental illness in the wake of Batters' death?
I doubt it. The current bunch would call that "socialism".
Rest In Peace, Mr. Batters.
6.21.2009
Iran Update: Tehran Quiet?
After the Iranian government's weekend of brutality and murder, Tehran has apparently settled into an uneasy calm, reports the Guardian.
Meanwhile, the New York Times says Iran's clerics are divided. Gee, some men of deep faith apparently feel uneasy when troops shoot protesters after a rigged election.
Speaking of rigged elections, over at the Atlantic Andrew Sullivan--who's been doing a great job following the news in Iran--links to a report about possible (i.e. definite) vote fraud. Apparently there were more votes than voters in the June 12 election. And this is the official government report, not some tally by a touring U.N. democracy carnival or similar hippies. Well I guess these things happen, too bad kids have to be murdered as a result, whatchagonnado?
Good people, good country, rotten, brutal leaders. Give 'em the boot and prosecute where necessary.
Note: I'll continue to post angry, angry inks on this daily for at least the next week. You've been warned.
Meanwhile, the New York Times says Iran's clerics are divided. Gee, some men of deep faith apparently feel uneasy when troops shoot protesters after a rigged election.
Speaking of rigged elections, over at the Atlantic Andrew Sullivan--who's been doing a great job following the news in Iran--links to a report about possible (i.e. definite) vote fraud. Apparently there were more votes than voters in the June 12 election. And this is the official government report, not some tally by a touring U.N. democracy carnival or similar hippies. Well I guess these things happen, too bad kids have to be murdered as a result, whatchagonnado?
Good people, good country, rotten, brutal leaders. Give 'em the boot and prosecute where necessary.
Note: I'll continue to post angry, angry inks on this daily for at least the next week. You've been warned.
6.20.2009
A People Better Than Their Leaders
Photo of a supporter of candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi taken a while back. This is a face of change, and this is what the old clerics fear. The site I swiped this pic from--Tehranlive.org--hasn't been updated for a few days (no updates? In a police state? Go figure!) but it's worth checking out. Here's the link.
Iran Update (Language And Anger Warning)
So, as expected, all hell is breaking loose in Iran (the Guardian). Protesters are rioting and government soldiers are killing them. If you want to ruin your Saturday--and hey, why not? a lot of Iranians are having their weekends ruined!--check out Andrew Sullivan's live blog over at the Atlantic. There's gruesome, tragic videos of death and mayhem, too. Wheee.
Oh, and to make a few obvious points with absolutely necessary strong language: 1.) fuck tyrants. 2.) fuck religion when it's twisted to justify slaughter, and I don't care if it's Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrianism or Jedi and 3.) fuck the so-called protectors of the public good -- be they soldiers, police or militias--who murder unarmed civilians. If you're wearing body armor in Iraq today you're the bad guy. Fuck you.
And by the way, just to put my massive rage in context for people who aren't used to me totally flipping out, I've had a huge soft spot for Iran for a long time. It's seemed to me a country full of dynamic, strong, intelligent and wonderful people with the bad luck to be ruled by a pack of cave-dwelling religious thugs from the stone age. I'm no kind of expert on the country whatsoever but I always had a gut feeling the people of this country were fundamentally smart, funny, friendly and irrepressible and (before the Republicans were turfed in the States), I spent a couple of years freaking out over the fact that Cheney and co. clearly wanted to bomb them (4. and fuck Cheney, Bush and company).
To see these wonderful, brave people lying dead and dying in the streets, it's too much. This regime needs to end so Iran can grow. There's a flower here that can make the world a lovelier place.
Out with the cheaters, liars, desperate power-graspers and "supreme leaders". Out with religious governments.
Oh, and to make a few obvious points with absolutely necessary strong language: 1.) fuck tyrants. 2.) fuck religion when it's twisted to justify slaughter, and I don't care if it's Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrianism or Jedi and 3.) fuck the so-called protectors of the public good -- be they soldiers, police or militias--who murder unarmed civilians. If you're wearing body armor in Iraq today you're the bad guy. Fuck you.
And by the way, just to put my massive rage in context for people who aren't used to me totally flipping out, I've had a huge soft spot for Iran for a long time. It's seemed to me a country full of dynamic, strong, intelligent and wonderful people with the bad luck to be ruled by a pack of cave-dwelling religious thugs from the stone age. I'm no kind of expert on the country whatsoever but I always had a gut feeling the people of this country were fundamentally smart, funny, friendly and irrepressible and (before the Republicans were turfed in the States), I spent a couple of years freaking out over the fact that Cheney and co. clearly wanted to bomb them (4. and fuck Cheney, Bush and company).
To see these wonderful, brave people lying dead and dying in the streets, it's too much. This regime needs to end so Iran can grow. There's a flower here that can make the world a lovelier place.
Out with the cheaters, liars, desperate power-graspers and "supreme leaders". Out with religious governments.
6.19.2009
Will Iran Explode This Weekend?
A quick post as I get ready to head home (possibly via le pub du l'alcohol yummilles). Haven't said anything about Iran today, but the country should be the big story this weekend and I'd be wicked if I didn't post something. Earlier today Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, said that his country's recent, fishy-seeming-to-many elections were valid, and added that there'd be trouble--BIG trouble--if the protests/riots continue. (Guardian)
He's not saying what the big trouble might be, but does say the election-losing politicians will have "blood on their hands" if, um, something bad happen.
The line has been drawn. I have a hard time believing young Iranians are going to back down. Keep an eye on the news this weekend; this is important stuff.
UPDATE: I just realized this is Dog Blog post #500. It took us long enough to get online--we launched this blog last fall, six or seven years into the era of "everyone needs a website". Better late than never! And I'd say we're off to a good start.
He's not saying what the big trouble might be, but does say the election-losing politicians will have "blood on their hands" if, um, something bad happen.
The line has been drawn. I have a hard time believing young Iranians are going to back down. Keep an eye on the news this weekend; this is important stuff.
UPDATE: I just realized this is Dog Blog post #500. It took us long enough to get online--we launched this blog last fall, six or seven years into the era of "everyone needs a website". Better late than never! And I'd say we're off to a good start.
6.15.2009
While I'm Proofreading, Revolution Boils...
Iran is exploding. Wow.
A couple quick thoughts before I get back to proofreading the summer guide listings (which are probably perfectly fine and don't even need proofreading): Twitter! So THAT'S what it's for: documenting mass, civil unrest and helping organizers communicate and out-maneuver police, troops and homocidal vigilantes. I have no doubt that "The Man" will get a handle on the technology and find ways to limit it, but it's sure caught Iran's regime off balance this time. But even so, it also shows how hard it is to hold down an educated, technology-equipped population. Modernity, education and a measure of wealth sure can be powerful weapons against tyrants.
Oh, one important point: it is not yet proven that this election was stolen. It looks pretty bad, yes, but we don't know it was rigged for sure. Anyone know if they were using Diebold voting machines?
(Links to the Guardian, The Nation and Wired.)
A couple quick thoughts before I get back to proofreading the summer guide listings (which are probably perfectly fine and don't even need proofreading): Twitter! So THAT'S what it's for: documenting mass, civil unrest and helping organizers communicate and out-maneuver police, troops and homocidal vigilantes. I have no doubt that "The Man" will get a handle on the technology and find ways to limit it, but it's sure caught Iran's regime off balance this time. But even so, it also shows how hard it is to hold down an educated, technology-equipped population. Modernity, education and a measure of wealth sure can be powerful weapons against tyrants.
Oh, one important point: it is not yet proven that this election was stolen. It looks pretty bad, yes, but we don't know it was rigged for sure. Anyone know if they were using Diebold voting machines?
(Links to the Guardian, The Nation and Wired.)
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