I know I'm not using this journal these days, but I wanted to talk about something important today, because it needs to be passed along. People need to start talking about this, because right now no one knows about it.
I'm talking about the upcoming Ontario Referendum.
Non Ontarians can ignore this.
My fellows Ontarians, however --I urge you to talk about this. Whatever your views or position. No one seems to know what this referendum is about and it is IMPORTANT. It could change the face of Ontario politics.
On October 10th, in addition to casting your vote, you will be asked to vote on a single question. The question is as follows:
Which electoral system should Ontario use to elect members to the provincial legislature?
You will be given 2 options:
Option A: The existing electoral system (First-Past-the-Post)
or
Option B: The alternative electoral system proposed by the Citizens' Assembly (Mixed Member Proportional)
Sadly, few people know about the alternate system proposed. And Elections Ontario is doing relatively little to inform the public about this system. Why? It hurts Ontario's two main political parties (the Conservatives and the Liberals).
( and explanation of each system and why it should matter to YOU )
As you can see, then, there are good and bad points for both systems. I myself will be voting in favour of a mixed member proportional system. I am tired of this province (and country) being run by the Conservatives/Liberals. I think it's time for some new blood. Some new ideas.
You, of course, can decide for yourself, but please, be informed. Know what they're asking you. Know the consequences of your answer.
Once you are informed, spread the word. Tell your friends. Tell your family. Tell your co-workers. Tell a stranger on the street. Tell everyone you can, because the government's not going to do it, and they're not going to let the media do it. They do not want this change. The people, however, do.
More information can be found here.
I'm talking about the upcoming Ontario Referendum.
Non Ontarians can ignore this.
My fellows Ontarians, however --I urge you to talk about this. Whatever your views or position. No one seems to know what this referendum is about and it is IMPORTANT. It could change the face of Ontario politics.
On October 10th, in addition to casting your vote, you will be asked to vote on a single question. The question is as follows:
Which electoral system should Ontario use to elect members to the provincial legislature?
You will be given 2 options:
Option A: The existing electoral system (First-Past-the-Post)
or
Option B: The alternative electoral system proposed by the Citizens' Assembly (Mixed Member Proportional)
Sadly, few people know about the alternate system proposed. And Elections Ontario is doing relatively little to inform the public about this system. Why? It hurts Ontario's two main political parties (the Conservatives and the Liberals).
( and explanation of each system and why it should matter to YOU )
As you can see, then, there are good and bad points for both systems. I myself will be voting in favour of a mixed member proportional system. I am tired of this province (and country) being run by the Conservatives/Liberals. I think it's time for some new blood. Some new ideas.
You, of course, can decide for yourself, but please, be informed. Know what they're asking you. Know the consequences of your answer.
Once you are informed, spread the word. Tell your friends. Tell your family. Tell your co-workers. Tell a stranger on the street. Tell everyone you can, because the government's not going to do it, and they're not going to let the media do it. They do not want this change. The people, however, do.
More information can be found here.
You are a disgrace to all of Canada.
There are currently some 40,000 Canadians trapped in Lebanon right now. Those Canadians have been trapped there since this war began (7 days ago), who can not get out of the country, who are scared, and who risk dying on a minute by minute basis. Seven of those Canadians (four of the children, Mr. Harper) have died. And you have done nothing.
On Sunday, your government decided that maybe it was time to get those Canadians out. It's going to take you to the middle of the week to do that.
Now, I understand that the logistics of getting 40,000 people out of a region is challenging, to say the least, but don't you think that maybe, maybe, if you'd addressed this issue when it first happened that, maybe, maybe, those Canadians would be well on their way to leaving the region?
Nations across the world have been evacuating their citizens for days now. Canadians have been begging you to do something about the Canadians trapped over there for days now. The Canadians trapped over there have been showing up, en mass, at the embassy for days now. And yet you waited until Sunday to start formulating a plan.
Why was that, Mr. Harper? Were you too busy chatting up Putin, hoping to strike some oil deal that will put more money into the pockets of Albertans? Do you not care about the citizens you were sworn to protect? Are they nothing but immigrants (despite the fact that some of them were born in this country, and most of them have been citizens for decades) to you? Or are you just that ineffectual?
I have no idea why the country decided to vote you into power, but I do hope that this incident allows people to see just how weak a Prime Minister you are. Just how incapable you are of handling a crisis. It is obvious to me, and should now be obvious to the world, that you care more about your oil revenue than you do your people.
How many Canadians need to die before you decide to take action? How many international violations does Israel need to commit before you stop toting Bush's line? How many of our citizens does Israel have to kill before you stop accepting apologies and realize that maybe, maybe, you need to change your tune.
This isn't about terrorism (as much as you and Bush and Blair would like us to believe). It's about war, and innocent people dying, and there is no excuse for it. On either side.
There is certainly no excuse to have waited so long to get our citizens out. That, Mr. Harper, should have been your first priority.
There are currently some 40,000 Canadians trapped in Lebanon right now. Those Canadians have been trapped there since this war began (7 days ago), who can not get out of the country, who are scared, and who risk dying on a minute by minute basis. Seven of those Canadians (four of the children, Mr. Harper) have died. And you have done nothing.
On Sunday, your government decided that maybe it was time to get those Canadians out. It's going to take you to the middle of the week to do that.
Now, I understand that the logistics of getting 40,000 people out of a region is challenging, to say the least, but don't you think that maybe, maybe, if you'd addressed this issue when it first happened that, maybe, maybe, those Canadians would be well on their way to leaving the region?
Nations across the world have been evacuating their citizens for days now. Canadians have been begging you to do something about the Canadians trapped over there for days now. The Canadians trapped over there have been showing up, en mass, at the embassy for days now. And yet you waited until Sunday to start formulating a plan.
Why was that, Mr. Harper? Were you too busy chatting up Putin, hoping to strike some oil deal that will put more money into the pockets of Albertans? Do you not care about the citizens you were sworn to protect? Are they nothing but immigrants (despite the fact that some of them were born in this country, and most of them have been citizens for decades) to you? Or are you just that ineffectual?
I have no idea why the country decided to vote you into power, but I do hope that this incident allows people to see just how weak a Prime Minister you are. Just how incapable you are of handling a crisis. It is obvious to me, and should now be obvious to the world, that you care more about your oil revenue than you do your people.
How many Canadians need to die before you decide to take action? How many international violations does Israel need to commit before you stop toting Bush's line? How many of our citizens does Israel have to kill before you stop accepting apologies and realize that maybe, maybe, you need to change your tune.
This isn't about terrorism (as much as you and Bush and Blair would like us to believe). It's about war, and innocent people dying, and there is no excuse for it. On either side.
There is certainly no excuse to have waited so long to get our citizens out. That, Mr. Harper, should have been your first priority.
Scott Brison is a candidate in the Liberal leadership race. Can you imagine if he won? And then the Liberals got in? He'd be Canada's first openly gay Prime Minister. Man, I fucking love my country.
(totally random drive by political squee)
(totally random drive by political squee)
Good glorious morning. It's a beautiful day here in Canada, the Conservatives only managing to eek out a weak minority, which in the coming days should prove to be fairly ineffectual. Despite being once again faced with a non-working Parliament, I for one am fairly happy with this result.
( allow me to explain why: now with even more analysis )
And that shall be my last political post for now. Perhaps an odd comment or two will show up, but for now I'm going to fall back into the stream of my usual day.
( allow me to explain why: now with even more analysis )
And that shall be my last political post for now. Perhaps an odd comment or two will show up, but for now I'm going to fall back into the stream of my usual day.
The CBC has called a Conservative *minority* government.
And all of Canada breathes a collective sigh of relief.
Granted, we do have to deal with Harper being Prime Minister, but given minority status, he can't do anything.
On a partisan note: the NDP are kicking ass. Highest results in 20 years. Go NDP!
Be back later with the finally tally.
And all of Canada breathes a collective sigh of relief.
Granted, we do have to deal with Harper being Prime Minister, but given minority status, he can't do anything.
On a partisan note: the NDP are kicking ass. Highest results in 20 years. Go NDP!
Be back later with the finally tally.
So there's an election in Canada tomorrow. I haven't really been talking about it much, because I've been feeling rather apathetic about the entire thing. Personally, I think having this election is a waste of time and money, but also because it seems rather pointless.
But, as the due date draws near, I find myself wanting to talk about a few things.
( the non-Canadian guide to a Canadian election )
I should also point out that the Liberals and Tories have the exact same returns in the polls they had before the last election and we still voted in a Liberal minority.
But, as the due date draws near, I find myself wanting to talk about a few things.
( the non-Canadian guide to a Canadian election )
I should also point out that the Liberals and Tories have the exact same returns in the polls they had before the last election and we still voted in a Liberal minority.
I thought Numb3rs was on at 9, because it's been over a year since I sat down and watched it (and dude, what's up with the cast changes? And Charlie's bad!wrong hair this season?) so I got to watch the debates *and* Bill Nye.
I'm obviously not going to talk about Numb3rs, but I shall say this:
Man, does Stephen Harper want to be Prime Minister. Like to the point that I don't think he even cares what he has to say/do to get it. In fact, when (not if) he doesn't win, I can so see him throwing a temper tantrum. Maybe throwing a chair out a window. It's sad, really.
I also have to ask, why? Why is Gilles allowed to participate in these debates? He couldn't even answer half the questions because they weren't about Quebec. Seriously, not that I don't like the guy and respect what he's trying to do, but the debates should be limited to *federal* parties holding seats in the House of Commons. Let him and Martin do separate debates for Quebec, since obviously the only two parties capable of winning in that province are the Bloc and the Liberals. But the rest of Canada? Can't even vote for the Bloc. It's very grrrr.
To round out my evening, while watching the debates and Bill Nye, I also thought about porn. See, everyone wins.
I'm obviously not going to talk about Numb3rs, but I shall say this:
Man, does Stephen Harper want to be Prime Minister. Like to the point that I don't think he even cares what he has to say/do to get it. In fact, when (not if) he doesn't win, I can so see him throwing a temper tantrum. Maybe throwing a chair out a window. It's sad, really.
I also have to ask, why? Why is Gilles allowed to participate in these debates? He couldn't even answer half the questions because they weren't about Quebec. Seriously, not that I don't like the guy and respect what he's trying to do, but the debates should be limited to *federal* parties holding seats in the House of Commons. Let him and Martin do separate debates for Quebec, since obviously the only two parties capable of winning in that province are the Bloc and the Liberals. But the rest of Canada? Can't even vote for the Bloc. It's very grrrr.
To round out my evening, while watching the debates and Bill Nye, I also thought about porn. See, everyone wins.
I am so quitting my job and getting into politics. I'm going to start my own political party. We're called: none of the above. And we're running on a screw campaign. That's right. We're going to streamline all screws in Canada so that you only ever have to own one screw driver. It'll create jobs, because people will need to manufacture the new Canadian screws. And it'll improve unity, because we'll be the only country in the world with distinct, unique, national screws. How can Quebec want to leave if we share screws? I feel it's an issue Canadians can get excited about. So that's the plan.
Anyway. I just spent the last three hours watching the French language debates, and then the related commentary. I have to say, dude, the new format? So boring. Where's the yelling? Where's the fist fights? Where's the constant interruption? I almost fell asleep watching that, and dude, I'm Neko, I like politics more than I like slash. I mean, come on. Give us something.
PS: Harper? Really needs to work on his French.
Anyway. I just spent the last three hours watching the French language debates, and then the related commentary. I have to say, dude, the new format? So boring. Where's the yelling? Where's the fist fights? Where's the constant interruption? I almost fell asleep watching that, and dude, I'm Neko, I like politics more than I like slash. I mean, come on. Give us something.
PS: Harper? Really needs to work on his French.
I am about to pimp what is quite possibly the most important petition you will ever sign. Before I do that, allow me to give you some background.
Last week Stephen Harper announced that he would give Canadian parents a $1200/year child care allowance.
Liberal aide, Scott Reid, denounced Harper's suggestion, saying parents would use the ($25/week) to purchase beer and popcorn.
Conservatives, angry at Liberal comments, started a Kids not Beer petition.
In retaliation, Rick Mercer got involved, reminding Canadians that it's not okay for right wing conservatives to bash our national beverage.
And so I give you:
Beer not Kids, because while some Canadians have kids, *all* Canadians drink beer.
And this, my friends, is why I love Canadian politics.
Last week Stephen Harper announced that he would give Canadian parents a $1200/year child care allowance.
Liberal aide, Scott Reid, denounced Harper's suggestion, saying parents would use the ($25/week) to purchase beer and popcorn.
Conservatives, angry at Liberal comments, started a Kids not Beer petition.
In retaliation, Rick Mercer got involved, reminding Canadians that it's not okay for right wing conservatives to bash our national beverage.
And so I give you:
Beer not Kids, because while some Canadians have kids, *all* Canadians drink beer.
And this, my friends, is why I love Canadian politics.
My apologies for the lateness of this, but yes, tis Tuesday and as promised, more politicking.
Now, before we get started, I just wanted to wish![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
amyrtaeus a very happy birthday. Hope it's fabulous.
Now back to our regularly scheduled political post.
I know I said I was going to touch on the other issues today, but last week something extraordinary happened. This election became about something. Something huge. Something that may redefine how government works in Canada.
And so I give you...
( Determining the Role of Government: aka, what this election is really about )
Now, before we get started, I just wanted to wish
amyrtaeus a very happy birthday. Hope it's fabulous.Now back to our regularly scheduled political post.
I know I said I was going to touch on the other issues today, but last week something extraordinary happened. This election became about something. Something huge. Something that may redefine how government works in Canada.
And so I give you...
( Determining the Role of Government: aka, what this election is really about )
Before we get started, remember, you can't vote if you're not registered. To register to vote, call the number below:
1 800 463-6868
toll-free in Canada and the United States
001 800 514-6868
toll-free in Mexico
(613) 993-2975
from anywhere in the world
For people who are deaf or hard of hearing:
TTY 1 800 361-8935
toll-free in Canada and the United States
Which brings us to...
( Part II in our series: The key issues )
1 800 463-6868
toll-free in Canada and the United States
001 800 514-6868
toll-free in Mexico
(613) 993-2975
from anywhere in the world
For people who are deaf or hard of hearing:
TTY 1 800 361-8935
toll-free in Canada and the United States
Which brings us to...
( Part II in our series: The key issues )
I feel like I'm going to fly apart at the seams. Literally. It's all related to work, which sucks, because I'm not the kind of person who likes to have my job consume me. My job is just that --my job. I've never wanted a career and how I got stuck with one I don't know.
I'm an accountant, for those that don't know, and that means that at certain times of the month/year/quarter I am *very* busy. Today we let our AR girl go (she was terminated) because she just wasn't working out. I liked her, but whatever. The bad part (aside from it really sucking for her) is that her work has now been divided up between the rest of us. I should also point out that I am entirely too qualified to be doing AR work, so in addition to being so busy I want to pull my hair out, I'm also bored shitless.
Which is usually conducive to writing, but I'm too busy to write.
See? Vicious cycle.
In my next life, I'm so going to be a plumber. Seriously, if you're just now considering career possibilities, look into a trade. It's honest work and it's physically demanding so you get to feel *good* about your job. But in addition to that, it's also fairly complicated, so you do have to think (but not enough to be stressful). Plus, tradesmen make a shitload of money. And there's (at least in Canada/US) a shortage of skilled workers, so lots and lots of opportunity.
Ah, to be able to do it all over again...
( so I know I said I wasn't going to talk about politics until Tuesday, but I lied )
I'm an accountant, for those that don't know, and that means that at certain times of the month/year/quarter I am *very* busy. Today we let our AR girl go (she was terminated) because she just wasn't working out. I liked her, but whatever. The bad part (aside from it really sucking for her) is that her work has now been divided up between the rest of us. I should also point out that I am entirely too qualified to be doing AR work, so in addition to being so busy I want to pull my hair out, I'm also bored shitless.
Which is usually conducive to writing, but I'm too busy to write.
See? Vicious cycle.
In my next life, I'm so going to be a plumber. Seriously, if you're just now considering career possibilities, look into a trade. It's honest work and it's physically demanding so you get to feel *good* about your job. But in addition to that, it's also fairly complicated, so you do have to think (but not enough to be stressful). Plus, tradesmen make a shitload of money. And there's (at least in Canada/US) a shortage of skilled workers, so lots and lots of opportunity.
Ah, to be able to do it all over again...
( so I know I said I wasn't going to talk about politics until Tuesday, but I lied )
Mark it on a calendar; we're going to the polls on January 23/06.
( political rambles that may bore you to death )
( political rambles that may bore you to death )
So Mole and I have signed up to do the One Tonne Challenge.
Now, for those outside Canada who have no idea what I'm talking about: The One Tonne Challenge is a challenge issued by the Canadian government (and Rick Mercer and let's face it, Rick Mercer is why I'm doing this --hell, Rick Mercer could tell me to shave my head and run naked through the streets and I would because, dude, he's Rick Mercer). Anyway. The one tonne challenge challenges Canadians to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by one tonne per year.
For example:
Did you know that an SUV, driven 20,000 km per year, produces an additional 2 tonnes of GHG emmisions over a regular size sedan?
Considering the average Canadian produces between 5 and 7 (on average) tonnes per year, that's pretty substantial. The goal of the whole challenge is to lessen the impact of everyday life on the environment and maybe start working toward actual clean air, and given that we were experiencing smog advisories in February this year, I'd say that's a worthwhile cause.
( For our part, Mole and I will be doing the following things: )
That's just the start, though: there are tons of great tips and hints for reducing your emmisions and helping to conserve energy. Even if you're not Canadian, this is a really cool idea, because every little bit helps. For more information, check out the site:
http://www.climatechange.gc.ca
Just click on Rick Mercer's face and you're on your way.
Now, for those outside Canada who have no idea what I'm talking about: The One Tonne Challenge is a challenge issued by the Canadian government (and Rick Mercer and let's face it, Rick Mercer is why I'm doing this --hell, Rick Mercer could tell me to shave my head and run naked through the streets and I would because, dude, he's Rick Mercer). Anyway. The one tonne challenge challenges Canadians to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions by one tonne per year.
For example:
Did you know that an SUV, driven 20,000 km per year, produces an additional 2 tonnes of GHG emmisions over a regular size sedan?
Considering the average Canadian produces between 5 and 7 (on average) tonnes per year, that's pretty substantial. The goal of the whole challenge is to lessen the impact of everyday life on the environment and maybe start working toward actual clean air, and given that we were experiencing smog advisories in February this year, I'd say that's a worthwhile cause.
( For our part, Mole and I will be doing the following things: )
That's just the start, though: there are tons of great tips and hints for reducing your emmisions and helping to conserve energy. Even if you're not Canadian, this is a really cool idea, because every little bit helps. For more information, check out the site:
http://www.climatechange.gc.ca
Just click on Rick Mercer's face and you're on your way.
I'm in a sharing mood today, which, of course, means you all get to deal with me rambling for a bit.
It'll be fun, trust me.
I've been thinking a lot about life and the direction it takes and how we really never seem to find what we're looking for. And I came to the startling conclusion that maybe that's because we don't *know* what we're looking for. That maybe we're not really looking for anything, but we think we should be, and so we waste half our life chasing something that we'll never catch. Chasing something that doesn't exist and hence can't be caught and the thought made me want to examine my own life.
( A five year history )
It'll be fun, trust me.
I've been thinking a lot about life and the direction it takes and how we really never seem to find what we're looking for. And I came to the startling conclusion that maybe that's because we don't *know* what we're looking for. That maybe we're not really looking for anything, but we think we should be, and so we waste half our life chasing something that we'll never catch. Chasing something that doesn't exist and hence can't be caught and the thought made me want to examine my own life.
( A five year history )
So you're thinking about voting Green. You've weighed your options and none of the standard parties are for you. Right, so why not go Green?
Well, this article is one reason.
/another attempt to convert the masses.
Well, this article is one reason.
/another attempt to convert the masses.
I consider myself a tolerant person. I'm not a racist, I'm not a bigot and I'm not prejudice in anyway. Except when it comes to politics.
And as if I didn't hate the Tories enough all ready, they want to get rid of CBC radio.
What. The. Fuck.
You DO NOT touch our radio station. That would be like the British government deciding to do away with the BBC. It's just incomprehensible.
You know, I can tolerate their ideas on cutting social programs and increasing spending on the military. I can even tolerate their desire to offer the upper classes tax breaks. Hell, I don't even mind that they want to kiss Bush's ass and make us America's dogs. But this, this is inexcusable.
Mother fuckers, I'm at the point now where every time I see one of their little blue signs on someone's lawn, I want to drive my car through their house. Words can not express how much I hate Canada's conservative party. I really hope they lose this upcoming election.
This has been another attempt to convince my fellow Canadians to vote NDP.
And as if I didn't hate the Tories enough all ready, they want to get rid of CBC radio.
What. The. Fuck.
You DO NOT touch our radio station. That would be like the British government deciding to do away with the BBC. It's just incomprehensible.
You know, I can tolerate their ideas on cutting social programs and increasing spending on the military. I can even tolerate their desire to offer the upper classes tax breaks. Hell, I don't even mind that they want to kiss Bush's ass and make us America's dogs. But this, this is inexcusable.
Mother fuckers, I'm at the point now where every time I see one of their little blue signs on someone's lawn, I want to drive my car through their house. Words can not express how much I hate Canada's conservative party. I really hope they lose this upcoming election.
This has been another attempt to convince my fellow Canadians to vote NDP.
Not only have I not been able to do anything for the past two hours, but one of my entries randomly disappeared, and well, I have no clue where it went.
But, I hate the Ontario government even more, so today I'm going to rant.
( but I'll cut, cause no one cares )
I may not write anything today, this has really, really pissed me off. And now all I can do is rant and be all angry. I'm Hostile!Girl, watch me make signs and start protesting on the lawns of the Legislature.
But, I hate the Ontario government even more, so today I'm going to rant.
( but I'll cut, cause no one cares )
I may not write anything today, this has really, really pissed me off. And now all I can do is rant and be all angry. I'm Hostile!Girl, watch me make signs and start protesting on the lawns of the Legislature.
- how i feel:pissed off
Oh my God, I have to move. I've been repeating this non stop since last night at about 7. Dude, oh my God, I have to move.
Right, so yesterday's debate made me realize that most people aren't familiar with Canadian law, so I thought maybe I'd share some stuff.
( some info on Canadian Law )
Right, so yesterday's debate made me realize that most people aren't familiar with Canadian law, so I thought maybe I'd share some stuff.
( some info on Canadian Law )