6.16.2009

Timing is everything.

Among the many differences between Green politics and old-style politics, none may be more significant than the way we think about time and how this affects the way we think about policy. At the most basic level, it's the difference between a short-term fix and a long-term vision. 

It has been said that politicians think about the next election while statesmen think about the next generation. This focus on the well-being of future generations is one of the principal reasons for the Green Party's rapid growth from a small group of dedicated activists to its current status as one of Canada's four major national parties.

If you're not convinced, ask the next generation.  A recent EKOS poll for the CBC found that young Canadians are the Green Party's strongest supporters with 21.3 per cent of 18 to 25 year olds saying they'd vote Green. This positions the Greens ahead of the NDP (19.4 per cent), neck and neck with the Conservatives (22.8 per cent) and only a few points behind the front-running Liberals (26.4 per cent) among young voters. In some parts of the country, almost 30 percent of 18 to 25 year olds said they support the Green Party.

These figures are cause for excitement. Firstly, they mean that the Green Party will continue to grow as more young Canadians reach voting age. More importantly, they mean that change is coming to Ottawa. 

DonateThey mean that the day is coming when Parliament will be the domain of men and women of vision and intelligence (including a strong Green caucus) pursuing the goal of "a livable world with enough for everyone, healthy communities based on healthy economies, secure for future generations."

Whatever generation you belong to, if that's the sort of Canada you'd like to live in and leave to your children and grandchildren, then please donate to the Green Party and help us to bring our message of hope and renewal to every household from coast to coast to coast. With your help, we can change Canadian politics forever.
Le facteur temps

De nombreuses différences existent déjà entre les politiques des verts et celles des partis de la vieille garde, mais aucune n'est peut-être plus importante que notre perception du temps et la manière dont cela affecte notre approche de la politique. Au niveau le plus fondamental, c'est la différence entre une solution provisoire et une vision à long terme.

Certains affirment que les politiciens pensent à la prochaine élection, tandis que les chefs d'État pensent à la prochaine génération. La croissance rapide du Parti vert, né des convictions d'une poignée d'activistes dévoués pour ensuite atteindre son statut actuel de grand parti national canadien, est en grande partie attribuable à cette concentration sur le bien-être des prochaines générations.

Si cette ascension fulgurante ne vous a pas encore convaincu, posez-donc la question à la prochaine génération. Un sondage réalisé dernièrement par la maison EKOS pour le compte du réseau anglais de la SRC révélait que les jeunes Canadiennes et Canadiens sont les principaux partisans du Parti vert avec 21,3 pour cent chez les 18-25 ans ayant affirmé leur intention de voter vert. Ces données placent les verts devant le NPD (19,4 pour cent), au coude à coude avec les conservateurs (22,8 pour cent) et seulement quelques points derrière les libéraux, qui prennent la tête (26,4 pour cent) chez les jeunes électrices et électeurs. Dans certaines régions du pays, près de 30 pour cent des 18-25 ans ont déclaré appuyer les verts.

Il y de quoi nous réjouir! Premièrement, ces données signifient que le Parti vert poursuivra sa croissance à mesure que les Canadiennes et les Canadiens atteindront l'âge de voter. Mais surtout, cela signifie que des changements s'en viennent à Ottawa.

DonnezCela signifie que le jour viendra où le Parlement sera le domaine d'hommes et de femmes de vision, y compris d'un caucus vert solide, capables de débats intelligents, « pour la création d'un monde habitable, où il y aurait assez de ressources pour tous et où des communautés en santé auraient pour base une économie florissante, ce qui assurerait par le fait même un avenir viable pour les générations futures. »

San égard à la génération à laquelle vous appartenez, si c'est-là votre vision d'avenir pour le Canada, pour y vivre et pour léguer en héritage à vos enfants et petits-enfants, alors s'il vous plaît, donnez au Parti vert et aidez-nous à porter notre message d'espoir et de renouveau d'un océan à l'autre et dans tous les foyers canadiens. Avec votre aide, nous pouvons changer à jamais la politique canadienne.

Streetcar and update...

I know, I've been lax in posting lately, but it is spring and I have been working almost every day lately so posting to the blog gets put aside.
Here is a picture I took a few days ago when David and I were out for Luminato, and then I was pissed off because the exhibit was closed and they hadn't posted the update online.  I was not impressed, and of course had to write a strongly worded letter to say so! To their credit, they did write back and apologize, stating that there was a "communication error". Hopefully this is a rarity, this was my first foray into the Luminato experience and it was not very good.

Toronto Pride is beginning at the end of this week, which will mean a week of tourists from around the world, lots of parties, drugs, sex, and dance music will be the order of the week by some but not all.

In other news, I hope the Iranian opposition supporters continue their quest for a recount as there is obviously some irregularities happening over there.  And since were on the international news, North Korea needs to be put in its place big time!

That is all for now, my Hamburger Helper is now ready.
Click on the image to view full size. 

6.06.2009

65th Anniversary of D-Day




On the 65th anniversary of D-Day I thought it would be a good time to share these pictures I took last year in Brittany, not far from the Normandy landing.  These are German bunkers on the beach in Brittany, or what is left of them.  Some were quite high up overlooking the beach and it was easy to see what a nightmare the allies faced in Normandy. For more information click here.

6.05.2009

Another Reason Why Masturbation Is Bad...

I bet the Catholic church will add this to their anti-mastubation brochure! I realize this is tasteless, but its one of those days! And the fact that it happened in Bankok, is just gravy.
A maid at a luxury hotel in the Thai capital where he was staying found
Carradine hanging naked and bound in a closet Thursday morning, they said. He
was 72.
"There was a rope tied around his neck and another rope tied at his
sex organ, and the two ropes were tied together and hung in the closet," police
commander Lieutenant General Worapong Siewpreecha told reporters.
"Under
these circumstances we cannot be sure that he committed suicide but he may have
died from masturbation," he said.
Full Story

6.04.2009

Luminato Begins Today!

Luminato the 10 day fesitval of creativity begins tomorrow. 80% of the events are free so get out and have some artsy fartsy fun.  More info can be found at: Now Magazine: The Best of Luminato

Trump Tower Toronto

The concrete is rising on the new Trump Tower in downtown Toronto. This was taken last week and so far they are at about the fourth floor. The residences still have some suites available, if you can afford the 2 million (starting at) dollar price. The new tower will be located at Bay and Adelaide streets.  In the far left of the photo is the brand new Bay~Adelaide Centre. Click the image to view full size.
Click here for the Trump propaganda video on You Tube.

6.01.2009

Union Station Bike Locker Opens

Plastic Bag Fee Begins Today

Starting today you will be required to pay five cents for any plastic shopping bags in the city of Toronto. The new rule was introduced to cut down on the number of these bags going to landills. If you are like me you already have a huge stock of reusable bags in your closet. I buy one just about every time you go out shopping because I keep forgetting to bring one with me. Maybe the new charge will be the incentive I need so I remember to bring a bag with me!



From the City of Toronto website:


Starting June 1, 2009, retailers must charge their customers five cents
for each plastic shopping bag. Retailers may provide a free alternative (eg., a
box) to their customers. A number of grocery stores, such as Food Basics, No
Frills and Price Chopper, use a fee-per-use charge. This fee over time has
resulted in a major reduction of the number of plastic bags distributed through
these stores. The five cent fee per bag is not remitted to the City of
Toronto.

5.29.2009

Hyde_Pierce Whaa Whaa

After keeping his private life out of the spotlight for years, David Hyde Pierce has announced his marriage to longtime partner Brian Hargrove.
The former "Frasier" star spoke candidly in an appearance on ABC's "The View." Wearing a wedding band, Hyde Pierce revealed they tied the knot "very quietly" in California on Oct. 24. Full Story

Perhaps if people like Mr. Pierce had spoken out sooner and been a bit more, shall we say brave, prop 8 would not have passed in the first place. I understand everyone 'comes out' in their own time and way, but don't prattle on now in the media.
If you felt so strongly you would have made your views known sooner and perhaps influenced people BEFORE proposition 8 passed.
I have no sympathy.

5.28.2009

Tables At The National Gallery

 
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When we were visiting the National Art Gallery of Canada a couple weeks ago they were setting up tables for an event in the atrium.  I thought it made a nice photograph. This is converted to black and white with a blue filter.  We saw the Scott Mcfarland (no relation to Jack) exhibit when we were there. It was pretty interesting.  One thing we noticed were several images that looked identical, except the sky and clouds in them were different.  Very cool.

5.27.2009

California Supreme Court Got It Right

There is no doubt in my mind that most other gays will disagree with me, however, I think the California supreme court got it right when they upheld the ban on gay marriage.

I'm not against gay marriage, but too many times, the public and politicians rely on the courts to make the difficult decisions. This happens because people are generally lazy and most politicians have no guts. This gay marriage ban is a perfect example.

In true democratic fashion the California populace went to the polls last fall and voted on the now famous proposition 8. The result of that vote was to ban gay marriage. After the vote all the gays cried foul and said that isn't what California realy wants, its just that enough people didn't get out and vote!

Well, I say boo hoo to you. This brings us right back to the generally lazy public. If they really felt so strongly about this issue and really wanted gay marriage, then proposition 8 would not have passed. The public has spoken and the supreme court has done the right thing by upholding the democratic process.

If the majority of Californians really want to allow gay marriage, then a new proposition will be put forward and a majority will vote to allow it.

Its really that simple.

5.21.2009

Sunset

 
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Clicking an ad on this page will bring you good luck! 
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Adam Lambert

Kris Allen may have won American Idol, but I was just browsing in the itunes store and I notice that Adam Lambert has three, yes three songs in the itunes Top 10 Songs list. Pretty impressive considering he didn't win.
Oh yeah, Kris Allen has one. David Cook, last years winner also has one. Thats five American Idol songs in a list of ten songs.

5.20.2009

American Idol


Tonight is the finale of American Idol, and its down to Christian Kris Allen and Guyliner Adam Lambert, as they are being called.  The internet seems to be buzzing today about who will win and the 'fallout'. Its all a bit much and I predict whomever wins will become the new unofficial pin up boy for the Gays or the Christians.  Check out some of these links for other info and opinions.
I haven't always been a fan of the show, but this season and last I've been an avid watcher, and have been cheering for Kris since the beginning and last night I even voted for him. 
Yes I'm gay, no I'm not a Christian, but I am shallow and Kris is cuter than Adam.  Hey, at least I'm honest!
Simon Cowel has been drooling over Adam all season and it would seem that he, and the other judges have already decided he will win, however, they did the same thing last year with David Archuleta who was upset with a win by David Cook. Although, as CNN points out many (including me) didn't find out right away as the show ran over and I had PVR'd it and it cut off just as Ryan Seacrest announced; "The new American Idol is David -"  

Tune in tonight on CTV in Canada or Fox in the United States to see who will be the new American Idol and if you are recording the show set the PVR to go a bit long!


UPDATE:
Last nights show gleaned a record one hundred million votes!  The season total was something around 680 million votes.  I'm watching the show now, just filler, the judges recap for the three people who don't know them I suppose. 

UPDATE: Kris Allen wins!  Yay!

5.18.2009

MIXED WEEKEND FOR LGBT MARCHES


The first ever Baltic Pride march in Riga, Latvia passed off successfully and peacefully on Saturday - but there was violence at similar events in Russia and Poland.
A colourful collection of LGBT rights activists, joined by Amnesty International members from across Europe, carried rainbow flags and banners at the inaugural Baltic Pride event in Riga.

SHANK Trailer

I'm going to see this movie, Shank tonight at the Inside Out LGBT Film Festival. It is screening at the Isabel Bader theatre at 9:30 pm.