Don't Glorify It

A lot of people refer to the situation in Iraq as a war. I think that's bullshit. Don't glorify it and says it's a war. All it is is mass murder. Iraq doesn't have an army, it is just US and UK raping and pilaging Iraq for it's resources. How many women and children have to die to justify the overuse of gasoline in North America and Europe?

Waking Up Cameron

White Faced Hornets

You might have seen this one before but if not you can laugh at my misfortune. hah

Water

I had a chance to see Water the other day. It is an amazing film. I don't know if it is a co-production between India and Canada or not. But the director is a Canadian woman (Deepa Mehta) who immigrated from India. The images and music are breathtaking. Really that's all I look for in a movie. The plot can suck as long as it's got pretty pictures and nice music. Although, I also like co-productions. They seem to be less one sided than uninantional films. In addition to that film is international artform. It always has been and it always will be. It began with the Lumiere brothers' first public film screening in France of Arrivée d'un train à la Ciotat(1895). It was a short film of a train arriving at a station. Many saw it as a symbol of modernity. Within a year of it's release modern countries in Europe and the Americas had produced similar films. After a few more years film was world-wide. The first Argentinian film is called "The Argentine Flag (1896)" and it's about the Argentine flag. In my opinion you can't be a film enthusiast if you don't watch lots of foreign films. It's like your only looking at one colour in a huge painting.

Live From Elk Island

Thanks to Cam for holding the mic.

Who's America is it?

If you have ever had the chance to delve into Spanish American literature you most likely would have found copious amounts of manifestos, declarations and think pieces about "America." The authors weren't talking about the United States of America (of being the key word). They were refering to Spanish America, or if they are open minded all of Latin America. I know what you're thinking. "America is the USA, home of the brave, manifest destiny, big cars, big tits and hamburgers." Well that's partly true. Both the countries of Spanish America and the United States refer to themselves as Americans from America. Ok ok, so there's a conflict, who wins? The Spanish were first to arrive in the New World when Colombus arrived in the Domincan Republic in 1942 (Even though he Colombus was born in Italy). So the Spanish were here first, if you don't take into account the vikings quick stop in Canada. Secondly, there are also more people in Spanish America than there are in the USA, so Spanish America wins again. But in my opinion it is pretty stupid that either of these groups refer to themselves as America. No one country or group of countries is America, America is a land mass which can also be refered to as the New World. Every country in the America shares similar political and cultural history. There are descendents from all of the civilizations of the old world scatered across the Americas. Vancouver has the largest Chinese population outside of China. Sao Paulo has the largest Japanese population outside of Japan. Panama has a strong Chinese community. Peru had a Japanese president. There is a large African influence in almost ever country especially US, Brazil and Cuba, and the Carribean. All of the countries have a native population. And lastly all of the countries have a strong european influence. If you ask a Brazilian student how many continents there are he'll tell you 6. Antartica, Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and the Americas. They don't see North and South America as being seperate, its just the Americas. This is a progressive view and in my opinion the only acceptable one. So many people try to break the Americas up into north/central/south, latin/anglo-saxon. I think drawing all these imaginary lines is problematic. Take for example the term Latin America. When people use this term what they really want to say is Spanish America. What about all the countries in Central and South America that don't speak Spanish? Belize (English), Suriname (Dutch), French Guiana (French), Guyana (English), and Brazil (Portuguese). They are always overlooked. Same with North America. I'm sure Quebec doesn't like to be lumped in with this english conglomerant. So what am I trying to say? Put away your petty differences and realize that all countries of the Americas are equal and share relatively identical history when you compare them with the rest of the World.

Finished University?

With so many requirments needed to graduate, students are often left confused as to when they are done their their degree. Did I take enough 400 level courses? Will the university accept my D mark from another institution? What about my exchange credit? Well, I think there is a simpler way to know when your done. If you understand the concept of an inefficient hierarchy, you're done. You've figured out the inner workings of your marvelous post secondary institution. Now it's time to enter the work world to understand the following concepts;

meaningless growth of the corporation
The importance of profit and the unimportance of human life (especially in countries less developed than that of the coporation)
total disrespect for the enviroment

After that you're ready for retirement and some new concepts like

the denial of a wasted life
finding inner peace after the corporation has deemed you useless in your old age
and last but not least disenchantment and death

Tom Cruise

Tom has got a little crazy in his old age. If I was his manager I would tell him to just ride out his career on the famous movies he's made. If he keeps up with this scientology shit they're going to burn him at the stake.

Canadian Government

I think it is about time that the Canadian government gets some balls and stands up to the USA in the softwood lumber debate. Nafta has ruled that the US government owes the Canadian government $5 billion and they won't pay. I think Canada should stop the slow transformation into US's 51st state. Everyone is too worried about their pocket books to protect national culture. US's influence in our economy is much stronger than it was 10 years ago. We have been slowly fooled with higher paychecks and false United States values. Everyone knows our economy is weak in that it is almost entirely based on trade with the US. If we don't act now and diversify trade with other large nations of the world, Canada's sovereignty will surely be lost. I suggest an end to NAFTA. It has only served to exploit Canada and Mexico. To replace this economic entity I suggest a free trade agreement that includes all the countries of Americas, with the exception of the USA. In addition to this we should increase trade with other large countries in the world. These being China(pop. 1.3 billion), Japan (127 million), India (1 billion) and Brazil (186 million). The most unfortunate part of this is that we Canadians will not go out on own and build ourselves an economy. We will continue to reach into Daddy's pockets for help, even if he doesn't give us the allowance we deserve.

Props to Jack Layton on the acoustic set. I'm going to download it on limewire.