Political Correctness at a Glance...

While browsing the forums at CBC, which I don't generally recommend, I came across this comment. It does an exceptional job at capturing the essence that is political correctness and just how ridiculous it can be. Enjoy the rest of your Christmas!

xtrathinkin wrote:

To All My Liberal Friends:

Please accept with no obligation, implied or explicit, my best wishes for an environmentally conscious, socially responsible, low-stress, non-addictive, gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday, practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice, or secular practices of your choice, with respect for the religious/secular persuasion and/or traditions of others, or their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all. I also wish you a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling and medically uncomplicated recognition of the onset of the generally accepted calendar year 2009, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures whose contributions to society have helped make Canada great. Not to imply that Canada is necessarily greater than any other country nor the only Canada in the Western Hemisphere. Also, this wish is made without regard to the race, creed, color, age, physical ability, religious faith or sexual preference of the wishee.

To My Conservative Friends:
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Words of Wisdom

I wish 'the three stooges' could hear these words now.

h/t Small Dead Animals and to Charles Adler for being so wonderfully honest in this mess we find ourselves in.

Thoughts on a possible coalition

There's been a lot of talk about the possiblity of the Liberals, NDP, and the Bloc Quebecois to work out some sort of deal to wrest government from the party that actually won the last election. Sure it was a minority, but no one can dispute that they secured a stronger mandate from the people. That the opposition is so eager to chage the political atmostphere so quickly after an election campaign a little more than a month ago is, in a word, disgusting.

I could write or rant (wrant?) a great deal on the subject but they say a picture is worth a thousand words. Those opposition politicians who think that a coalition is a good idea can look here. I apologize in advance to those with sensitive eyes.

Extremely Unwanted UPDATE: This is absolute garbage. I sincerely hope that the Canadian public will not be fooled and see this for the power grab that it really is. You opposition usurpers can go to hell!

'The Spirit of Christmas' indeed...

A story like this just makes me irate. That this overly fetive crowd couldn't be bothered to wait while officials dealt with the matter is abolutely despicable. There is no excuse for behavior like this, in my book. A definite sign that the commercialization of Christmas has gone too far... and all to likely save a few bucks. Shameful.

The state of education...

As a teacher, I have somewhat of a vested interest in ensuring that my students are prepared for the challenges of the future. However, I find that more and more, these kids are not being challenged in a way that will really do that. It makes me more than just a little nervous that in a few years, we'll recognize the problem and have a a real struggle on our hands as we try to restore a more acceptable standard of excellence.

I read this article in the Post the other day. Quite enjoyed it. See for yourself.

Election Shenanigans

While the big election might be over, this is still pretty funny.

See more funny videos at Funny or Die

Neat little ad...

Much to my wife's delight, I enjoy the occasional bit of gaming every now and then.  When I'm not following nerdy topics like politics, and the news in general, I follow other nerdy topics like video games.  Sigh...

I came across this neat ad for upcoming game for Wii.  I won't spoil the surprise so do check it out for yourself...

A brief thought on culture...

I like to think of myself as someone who appreciates good culture.  I love to travel and experience what I can of the world around me.  I love good music in its many forms.  I like to read when I have the time.  I've even gone to the Opera and ballet a few times with my wife... although I'll admit its been her 'suggestion.'

Perhaps I'm a bit dated in this position but I'm of the opinion that real culture sells itself.  If an experimental rock band from Toronto called 'Holy F--k' can't afford to travel to the UK on its own, why is that my problem?

Maybe I'm wrong and other significant aspects of culture the world over thrive only because of government handouts.  Things like Oktoberfest, Carnivale, and Apple Pie are saved by the divine providence of generous tax dollars.  Phew... what a relief.

If there are artists who are disappointed by a decreased availability in funding, than perhaps you should look at this as a new opportunity to promote what it is that you do.  And if you find that people still don't care, well, maybe there will be some job openings you can consider in the coming weeks.

Where did everybody go?

I got a chuckle out of the picture on the front page of today's Edmonton Journal.  While many have made a big stink about her campaigning via rail, what I found funny was this pic of her waving to all her loyal supporters while stopping in Jasper.

Probably not the effect they were going for.

Big-time Backfire...

I'm not always the most up-to-date on the American election but I do try to keep as informed as I can.  One topic of particular interest has been the demonization of VP pick Sarah Palin.

I came across this lengthy article via Small Dead Animals.  Its a very detailed read suggesting that some particular 'viral' ads criticizing Palin weren't so amateur after all.  With that, though, comes a number of other issues that might be a bit embarrassing for the Obama campaign.  

If you've got a few minutes to kill, sit back and enjoy. 

And on an unrelated note...

With all the attention transit seems to be getting lately in Edmonton, you have to be thankful we aren't quite at this level yet.

Wow.

Oh, its on like Diddy Kong!

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has announced a new election campaign and already my wife is making fun of me for geeking out and reading/watching every scrap of news I can find on it.  I happen to enjoy election campaigns in this country, especially if they turn out the way I like.

I will admit that I was a bit disappointed that the Conservatives are initiating the call.  I really liked the idea behind fixed election dates and knowing that we would be able to avoid frequent bouts of political opportunism.  That being said, I do think that the PM has a point when he says that this parliament has reached its useful end.

I have no idea what the party leaders talked about during their meetings at 24 Sussex Drive.  But at least they were able to meet and say whether or not they could support a Tory agenda.  Recent months have shown that the opposition, and particularly the Liberals, were gearing up for a vote anyways, so I don't really see how this comes as a surprise.  I personally think that what Dion and company are really peeved about is that they got blindsided by Harper and couldn't pick the date for themselves.  Tough noogies.

I honestly have no idea what to expect for this campaign.  At this point, there don't seem to be too many key issues that have captivated the public.  People in my neck of the woods seem to be pretty content with life in general... the only political chat I hear, which is very rarely, has to do with a proposed Liberal carbon tax which no one I've met wants.  Apart from that life moves along.  For that reason I'll place my bet on yet another minority.

I'm eager to follow this campaign and see what the parties have in store.  I'll be volunteering extensively with Rahim Jaffer's campaign here in Edmonton Strathcona when I'm not catching up on my news.  Here's hoping that this campaign can ignite people's imaginations once again.

Cinema in the Summer: 2008

While the bulk of my time is consumed by work, I have managed to take in a few theatrical treats.  Here's a brief summary so far:

Prince Caspian:  Better than the first.  Not so soft and mushy (thank you, Disney) although it could do with a bit less of the pouty pre-teen rage.

Iron Man:  Very pleasant surprise.  Robert Downey Jr. performed role perfectly.  Villain was a bit over-the-top but still very enjoyable.  Already anxious for the sequel and possible tie-ins to other franchises (Avengers?)

Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull:  Its Indy.  Entertaining set piece for the fifties incorporating good ol' archaeology and an interesting blend of sci-fi.  Impressed that Harrison Ford held up so well.  Liked it enough to see this one twice.

Wall-E:  Enjoyable but not one of Pixar's best.  Not a huge fan of the 'green spin' but didn't find it too preachy.  Amazing animation and couldn't help but love the interaction between the two main characters.

Still on the list...

The Dark Knight... seeing later today!!!

Get Smart

Kung-Fu Panda

Mark Steyn

I can' really add much to what is being said so much better by other more capable minds.  I will say that the more attention these issues receive, the more Canadians will recognize just how ridiculous Human Rights Commissions have become.

Enjoy this video of Mark Steyn on Mike Duffy Live.

h/t Small Dead Animals and the efforts of others to post this on YouTube.

And this matters because...

I am, admittedly, quite far from proclaiming myself to be any sort of expert when it comes to climatology. I am, however, somewhat perplexed that this manages to get the kind of attention it still does.

For starters, this is a forecast. I'll start putting greater stock in these things when people actually figure out how to predict the weather accurately beyond the next couple of days.

The other thing that bothers me is how eager the MSM seem to make this a huge issue. A research team has made a revised prediction regarding the upcoming hurricane season. Among the mind-blowing changes are a staggering increase of 7 hurricanes (made Dec. 2007) to a whopping 8!

I have never lived in a hurricane zone and I can understand the need to plan for the inevitabilities of inclement weather. I just can't stand the sensationalism that often accompanies it. Has anyone really stopped to think why we're making news about weather events that haven't even happened yet? Have enough people really considered the corners we might be trapping ourselves in by getting too caught up in our own rhetoric?

I'll tell you what... when all the proverbial poop hits the fan and calamity ensues, I'll be among the first to eat my words and admit I was wrong. In the meantime though, keep your excitement to yourselves because I have plenty of more important things to worry about.

A humble proposal

If we have morons who are going to spout garbage like this, then maybe they should take the lead on the issue and get started with themselves. If anything, they can not only meet their ridiculous goals but rid us of their stupidity. Win-win.

Whither thee, Newspapers?

Every morning, I wake up around 4:30 so that I can pack up my kids and deliver newspapers with my wife. While not the most glamorous job by any means, it brings in some welcome cash and will allow us to meet some financial goals a heck of a lot sooner than if we didn't. I have to wonder, though, about the longevity of the newspaper in an increasingly digital and 'green' world.

Think about it for a second. I and many of my early-morning comrades deliver a thick, folded stacks of newsprint and advertisements every morning. Most of the ads are likely ignored by a majority of readers, and the news is from the day before and has usually been reported on on TV and 'teh interwebs.' What then drives the need to receive a new edition of the local paper each and every morning? Sudoku puzzles? The comics? The infamous Sunshine Girl?

While I take a copy for myself every morning, I find that I spend more and more of my news-gathering time on the internet. I find it far more informative to consult a variety of online sources, including a growing number of blogs, to get my daily dose of info... and I can do it right at my desk and with very little effort on my part.

In an age where I constantly hear about how horrible I am for not doing enough for the environment, combined with the continued dominance of digital media, how is it that the traditional newspaper can survive? I don't doubt that others have pondered the very same conundrum, but instead of seeing a revitalization of the paper all I see is a realization that we might as well keep on doing what we're doing. For now.

Earth Hour: one more exercise in futility

With only 11 hours to go before Earth Hour celebrations(?) get under way here in E-Town, I can't help but think about just how useless this whole thing is. Its one thing to take small, tangible steps to decrease our impact on the environment but this is just plain ridiculous. The whole idea that turning off my lights for one hour will really enhance my perspective on the matter is truly laughable.

Consider that we have 365 days in a year composed of 24 hours each. This gives us a total of 8,760 hours in a given year. Let's assume for the sake of this argument that 8 hours a day are spent sleeping cutting average daily use of electricity to about two-thirds of the day. That leaves us with 5,840 hours of plugged-in time over the course of a year.

The proposal to cut into that staggering total by a single hour, dropping plugged-in time to 5,839, will not do anything in the long run. While some will argue that that impact adds up when you consider the number of participants, it still amounts to nothing in the end. If you want to make yourself feel better by identifying yourself as a participant in this farce, you go right ahead and pat yourself on the back all you want. The sad fact of the matter is that for most people this is all that they will do before cranking everything back up to full power and carrying on with their lives as if nothing had even happened.

This story is not about what people are willing to sacrifice for a mere 60 minutes. Unfortunately, this continues to say a whole lot more about what we as a society still can't bring ourselves to do with the rest of our precious time.

Post Earth Hour Update:
I spent the bulk of my evening watching a movie with my family. I did manage to steal a few quick glances out of my apartment window to see how others in the neighborhood fared. Generally speaking I saw little difference and more than a few neighboring apartments that made no apparent effort to hide what would be normal energy use. Either I'm surrounded by people with climate change awareness up the wazoo, or no one cared. I tend to think it was the latter...

Go Harper, Go!!

I'm getting really tired of hearing about this whole affair but I'm anxious to see how this plays out.

Maybe this will help the Liberal Party find their way out of the bottom of the barrel they've been spending so much time in.

Yet Another Reason I've Lost Faith in the Rising Generation

As a student and teacher, I've encountered a variety of learning styles and personalities. While I still cling to the belief, or hope, that most people eventually find their way to contribute to society, we just never seem to run out of the "what-the-heck-is-wrong-with-you?" variety.

During my lunch break today, I made a quick trip over to the nearest Subway to indulge in a delicious Turkey breast sub on wheat. Mmmmmm.... The two customers after me were two teenage girls somewhere around the age of sixteen or so. I'd like to assume that by this point in one's life, they would have figured out the basics of ordering food from a menu. Instead, to my combined amusement and bewilderment, these two bastions of intellectualism order "a sandwich." The confused worker raised an eyebrow and politely asked what kind of sub they would like to which the girls responded with raised eyebrows of their own: "What kind? What are you talking about?"

Before this matter was even settled, a new round of stimulating questioning commenced. "How much does a sub cost?" The employee, looking even more confused now, informs them that the price depends entirely on, once again, the kind of sub being ordered. More confusion. By the time I had received and paid for my meal, the two little Misses has just settled on the choice of bacon, the general idea of the menu remaining somewhat elusive to them.

But Jason, you say, this is only about a sandwich and nothing more. That may be true, but it is for me indicative of a general trend plaguing society. In our efforts to be inclusive and not subject our children to the heartache of failure, we have essentially made many of them lazy and stupid. No need to think things through on your own, oh no. And certainly not when teacher is there to pass you along regardless of your effort and mom and dad keep things fairly relaxed for your oh-so challenging lives.

Only a sandwich, yes. But I see the problems behind these kinds of things far too often to not be concerned.

Election Thoughts

I'll be the first to admit that I didn't find the recent Alberta campaign all that exciting. While I agree that there are plenty of areas that could use a little more attention I can't help but feel that things are still pretty darn good here. That we are in a position to be worrying about some very specific concerns is rewarding at some level.

Firstly, I have to congratulate my good friend, Rob Anderson, for his victory in the riding of Airdrie-Chestermere. I've known Rob and his family for a few years now and I know that he'll do a fantastic job for his constituents.

Secondly, I was surprised as anyone else at how big Ed Stelmach won. I was expecting a significantly reduced majority, especially given the doom-and-gloom prophecies of the opposition and media. If anything, my trust in the main-stream media has been further damaged and I will continue to look for my information elsewhere.

Lastly, to all the naysayers who can't seem to stop whining about anything... pack up and leave if its that horrible. If you want to spend your time always looking for something else that needs fixing, it shouldn't come as a surprise that you'll never be satisfied. No one expects you to be thrilled with yesterday's outcome but now that the choice has been made it might not be such a bad idea to act a little constructively instead. If you can't do that then good riddance and don't let the door hit you on the way out.