bilbored
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
CANADA VOTES?
And so we are off to the polls on January 23 in an election campaign that is almost twice as long as is usual. The four main political parties are all launching pretty well the same campaign platforms as the last election, just 17 months ago. They all also stand, more or less in the polls where they did before that last election. The early pundits are predicting that after 300 million tax dollars are spent we will end up with more or less the same government as we have now, with a possible chance that the Conservatives may hold the power as the minority government this time round.
Are we in for a series of short lived minority governments, before Canadians can trust any one party to have the absolute power of a majority again? I expect that we are. I also don’t think that, that is such a bad thing either. Minority governments despite the rancour in the House, have had a history of great accomplishment towards the betterment of Canada as a whole. I think also, it is another hidden genius of our parliamentary system that in times of week leadership, lacklustre, morally bankrupt or just plain corrupt parties, our system allows us to elect the least harmful of a bad lot. We put them in a position where they can keep the business of the country ticking along all the while maintaining a short leash until they get their collective houses in order. They must all become deserving of our trust and respect before we can give any one party the privilege of majority rule.
In Canada there are many deep and important problems that need attention. But really when you compare our quality of life with those of just about every other nation in the world, very few can claim to live in a nation of such peace and prosperity as ours. How do we do that? Astonishingly with a pencil, a piece of paper and a cardboard box watched over by fellow citizens. We agree to be governed by peaceful consent, compromise and acceptance of diversity as strength. This time round how you vote may not be as important as the fact that you did vote. It serves us best as a nation, that in this time of poor governance that we send a message to Ottawa. We are watching and we expect better, from all of you before we allow any single party the privilege of a majority government again….Bill
And so we are off to the polls on January 23 in an election campaign that is almost twice as long as is usual. The four main political parties are all launching pretty well the same campaign platforms as the last election, just 17 months ago. They all also stand, more or less in the polls where they did before that last election. The early pundits are predicting that after 300 million tax dollars are spent we will end up with more or less the same government as we have now, with a possible chance that the Conservatives may hold the power as the minority government this time round.
Are we in for a series of short lived minority governments, before Canadians can trust any one party to have the absolute power of a majority again? I expect that we are. I also don’t think that, that is such a bad thing either. Minority governments despite the rancour in the House, have had a history of great accomplishment towards the betterment of Canada as a whole. I think also, it is another hidden genius of our parliamentary system that in times of week leadership, lacklustre, morally bankrupt or just plain corrupt parties, our system allows us to elect the least harmful of a bad lot. We put them in a position where they can keep the business of the country ticking along all the while maintaining a short leash until they get their collective houses in order. They must all become deserving of our trust and respect before we can give any one party the privilege of majority rule.
In Canada there are many deep and important problems that need attention. But really when you compare our quality of life with those of just about every other nation in the world, very few can claim to live in a nation of such peace and prosperity as ours. How do we do that? Astonishingly with a pencil, a piece of paper and a cardboard box watched over by fellow citizens. We agree to be governed by peaceful consent, compromise and acceptance of diversity as strength. This time round how you vote may not be as important as the fact that you did vote. It serves us best as a nation, that in this time of poor governance that we send a message to Ottawa. We are watching and we expect better, from all of you before we allow any single party the privilege of a majority government again….Bill
Monday, November 21, 2005
This lovely old diner is about to be torn down!
Here is another view, I visited this diner almost everyday all summer long.
Okay did I fool you? The Ketchup, the donuts and that lovely cream pie are all fake.
This is an "arty" shot of the ‘BUS STOP’ set at the Shaw Festival's Royal George Theatre
Here is a view of the Royal George Auditorium. At the back of the balcony is the control booth where I run the lights from.
Here we are in the booth, this is where I run the lights from, pretty junky looking Eh!
Finally the Stage Door, Yes that is snow there, just like in the Spring when the season had begun.
....Bill
Don't copy these photos and build this set at home. I will get in shit.
Here is another view, I visited this diner almost everyday all summer long.
Okay did I fool you? The Ketchup, the donuts and that lovely cream pie are all fake.
This is an "arty" shot of the ‘BUS STOP’ set at the Shaw Festival's Royal George Theatre
Here is a view of the Royal George Auditorium. At the back of the balcony is the control booth where I run the lights from.
Here we are in the booth, this is where I run the lights from, pretty junky looking Eh!
Finally the Stage Door, Yes that is snow there, just like in the Spring when the season had begun.
....Bill
Don't copy these photos and build this set at home. I will get in shit.
Friday, November 18, 2005
Andrè Boisclair
The new leader of the Parti Québécois, considered a fiscal conservative and a moderate.
A few more facts on this conservative leader of the Parti Québécois for those of you outside Canada:
He is considered young to hold such an important job. He is 39.
He is committed to the party aims of separating Quebec from the rest of Canada.
He is not particularly liked by the hardliners on the left of the party who view him as soft on separatism.
While serving as Cabinet Minister he has admitted to using cocaine. The press criticized him for not being even more upfront about the details of his past drug use. His political opponents tried to make a big deal about his drug use and our new Governor General also tried to weigh in on the subject. She came off the worst for the wear in this one, as it is clearly not in her realm to speak on political matters.
Oh yeah I almost forgot. He is openly Gay too. That ‘issue’ was mostly a footnote, sort of like when a politicians martial status is mentioned.
Is the country in an uproar about any of this? Of course not. We are all (Okay that might be an exaggeration) busy watching the antics in Ottawa, as Her Majesty’s loyal opposition try to bring down the ‘corrupt’ government and launch another election. But not to soon! They are anxious not to spoil our Christmas holidays with a campaign, (well their Christmas holidays). So they are proposing a sort of lay-away election in January. I say bring it on now, it is the season of crass consumerism and conspicuous consumption. An election should fit right in with it all. I would certainly take great pleasure in watching from the comfort of my home as the leaders and other rift raft trudge through the snow and cold in search of our votes.
And this little end note in yesterday’s Edmonton Sun….
NATURAL MOVEMENT
A little known fact about the new Parti Quebecois leader Andre Boisclair. He apparently has a map of Canada tattooed on his bottom. Every time he sits down, Quebec separates.
….Bill
How could I have missed this golden opportunity.
When he is having sex, just who exactly is getting fucked?
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Bill- Can you shine a light on this via your blog? The Mormon Church wants my husband to divorce me! -Inbox Gmail
Yes Mike I would be happy to. I received what is a more than likely a mass mailing from this Guy about he and his husbands plight with the Mormon church. In a nut shell his partner must renounce his made in Canada marriage or face ex communication from his church. Read the full details here: http://buckleyjeppson.com/
It is without a doubt a despicable action on the part of this particular religious organization. Made all the worst by the fact that gay rights as a whole are far and few between and ever decreasing as the days go by in the USA. I honestly don’t feel that there is much that can be done for Mike and Buckley until there is a substantive change in public policy in the USA. to extend rights and protections to all of its citizens equally. As long as there is no compelling and broad based public policy, religious institutions will continue on in their archaic believes and practices.
Even here in Canada where we are light years ahead in extending rights to GLBT individuals our religious institutions have been slow to come on board. Which for me, whilst being a regrettable situation it is not an intolerable one. I strongly believe in a separation of Church and State. No Church shall dictate to any State on matters of public policy just as no State shall interfere in the practice’ of its Churches.
It is because of this and also because I am not a member of there church,I cannot actively participate in Mike and Buckley’s dispute with The Mormon Church. When you join an organization you agree to abide by its rules. If you don’t like those rules you have,generally four options.
1.) Leave
2.) Work from within in to affect change.
3.) Risk expulsion.
4.) Do nothing
Whilst I agree, their church is miss-guided in its view. It is not my fight. It is not the place for a non member to dictate to, or to attempt to influence a private religious organization as to how it should conduct its affairs. That is for its members to decide. It is however my place and my pleasure to shine a light on injustice and to work towards encouraging strong public policy that illuminates the path of freedom and equality for all. By example lesser organizations may be brought to see the errors of their ways.
“All we want is for them to back off and leave us alone!” I have heard this quote far to often from my brothers and sisters in the USA. The same four points above apply….Bill
Yes Mike I would be happy to. I received what is a more than likely a mass mailing from this Guy about he and his husbands plight with the Mormon church. In a nut shell his partner must renounce his made in Canada marriage or face ex communication from his church. Read the full details here: http://buckleyjeppson.com/
It is without a doubt a despicable action on the part of this particular religious organization. Made all the worst by the fact that gay rights as a whole are far and few between and ever decreasing as the days go by in the USA. I honestly don’t feel that there is much that can be done for Mike and Buckley until there is a substantive change in public policy in the USA. to extend rights and protections to all of its citizens equally. As long as there is no compelling and broad based public policy, religious institutions will continue on in their archaic believes and practices.
Even here in Canada where we are light years ahead in extending rights to GLBT individuals our religious institutions have been slow to come on board. Which for me, whilst being a regrettable situation it is not an intolerable one. I strongly believe in a separation of Church and State. No Church shall dictate to any State on matters of public policy just as no State shall interfere in the practice’ of its Churches.
It is because of this and also because I am not a member of there church,I cannot actively participate in Mike and Buckley’s dispute with The Mormon Church. When you join an organization you agree to abide by its rules. If you don’t like those rules you have,generally four options.
1.) Leave
2.) Work from within in to affect change.
3.) Risk expulsion.
4.) Do nothing
Whilst I agree, their church is miss-guided in its view. It is not my fight. It is not the place for a non member to dictate to, or to attempt to influence a private religious organization as to how it should conduct its affairs. That is for its members to decide. It is however my place and my pleasure to shine a light on injustice and to work towards encouraging strong public policy that illuminates the path of freedom and equality for all. By example lesser organizations may be brought to see the errors of their ways.
“All we want is for them to back off and leave us alone!” I have heard this quote far to often from my brothers and sisters in the USA. The same four points above apply….Bill
Wednesday, November 02, 2005
Ofrendas de Día de muertos
Museo Dolores Olmedo
Se montó una ofrenda dedicada a los grandes del cine mexicano, aquí la huesuda recuerda a Dolores del Río en la cinta María Candelaria
Ubicación: Av. México 5843, Col. La Noria, Xochimilco, DF
Ofrenda dedicada a Miguel Barratt
Ubication: Calle Maria 132, Col. NOTL, Ca
Museo Dolores Olmedo
Se montó una ofrenda dedicada a los grandes del cine mexicano, aquí la huesuda recuerda a Dolores del Río en la cinta María Candelaria
Ubicación: Av. México 5843, Col. La Noria, Xochimilco, DF
Ofrenda dedicada a Miguel Barratt
Ubication: Calle Maria 132, Col. NOTL, Ca
