Kyoto R.I.P. - Peter and the Goose

When my children were in school, as when I was in school, one of the big things in history class was learning the causes of, and events leading up to, different wars. I am fully convinced that, in a similar vein, future generations of school children will learn the causes of, and events leading up to, the great collapse of major ecological systems and the environmental shifts of the 21st Century. The results of these catastrophic events in terms of human misery, particularly in Africa, will surely be no less gut wrenching than those of the great World Wars and some of the more recent genocides.

As always, kids will have to learn the major players; the countries and political leaders who made a significant contribution to the outcome, for good or bad. It is difficult not to imagine that the U.S.A., Canada, China and India will be singled out as bad guys in the history books.  I think the chances are good that the names Stephen Harper, Barack Obama and Peter Kent will be referenced and remembered for things other than how they would like to be remembered.

Playing off the economy against the environment will be seen as a false dichotomy that even school children will grasp so easily that they will marvel at the depths of selfish stupidity of these leaders and the people who elected them because "it's about the economy, Stupid." The right, balanced combination of environment and economy are as inseperable and critical as the right combination of oxygen and hydrogen for the formation of water.

The best and most obvious metaphor, I would think, is Aesop's fable about the goose that laid the golden eggs. In the long term, keeping the goose healthy has to be a more important priority than trying to extract ever more and more golden eggs to the detriment of the goose. Some people don't get it; others refuse to get it; yet others choose to put their trust in the first two groups instead of thinking for themselves.

Uncomfortable reading and viewing - Apartheid in Canada?

Susan Delacourt tweeted: If you can only read one column today, http://bit.ly/s8iB9J by @ChantalHbert, on Jekyll&Hyde government. Hyde side isn't pretty. #cdnpoli

I read the column and am grateful for the recommendation from Delacourt. I agree. This is a must read: Hébert: Expanded Parliament, better governance? Not likely

Canada: Apartheid Nation?
I also came across a few YouTube videos on the subject of Attawapiskat and First Nations living conditions. Coming from South Africa and having lived through apartheid days, albeit as a White Umlungu, it hits a raw nerve for me when people equate what is happening here in Canada with apartheid in South Africa. There was lots of inequality in the world in the days of apartheid. What made apartheid so repulsive and odious was the fact that the inequality was enshrined in the laws of the land. If the law cannot protect a statistically significant proportion of the general population identified, in the case of Canada, as First Nation then one could make a case for apartheid. I don't know enough about it to make a judgement, but watching these videos it seems one could make a case for calling this apartheid.

I'm not going to blame the Conservatives alone although their current performance is worse than pathetic - possibly criminal. This is clearly something that has been piling up for decades. First Nations issues have been conspicuously absent from all the Federal elections since I have been eligible to vote. It's always been about the economy. Ingrid and I were listening to a talk show in the car today. The talk show host mentioned that poverty is not only in the "remote" communities and wondered aloud who was remote; is it the people on Hudson Bay, or us?

Canada: Apartheid Nation (2011 - Official Trailer)
"Canada: Apartheid Nation" is a documentary short which sheds light on the devastating situation that many Northern First Nations people in Canada are forced to live in.
Canada: Apartheid Nation





ATTAWAPISKAT HOUSING-CRISIS - Charlie Angus
Footage from November 2011 site visit by MP Charlie Angus.

Winter Wonderland

The drive to work this morning was quite, quite spectacular with the snow clinging to every branch and twig all the way from home through the Oak Ridges Moraine area - about a 20km drive. It's the kind of effect and extent that I've only seen about 5 or 6 times since coming to Canada. The effect was almost silver rather than white, I suppose because of the grey on the underside of the branches. I had a serious battle with myself not to whip out my BB and take some photos while driving.
I thought it would all be gone when I drove home but it was still there in all its beauty, and magic, even in the fading light. I am so blessed to have all this beauty around me.

'Tis the Season

The sight that greeted us this morning

This was the sight that greeted Ingrid and me from our kitchen window this morning...

'Tis the season to clean your car

and this is what faced us before we could drive off.

Movember comes to an end

Movember has come to an end. I am very pleased and proud at how our team, the Mo Stashed Hairiers, came through at the end. Of course this was impossible without the support and generosity of all our sponsors. Please go on over and have a look at the moustaches, the men (Mo Bros) behind the mo's and the supporters behind the team (Look for the Sponsors On A Roll.)

Also note how other teams with past associations with us helped us raise combined donations of over $10,000. Click on the link to see how Movember closes with a BANG.