Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Hard Times in the Big Easy
New Orleans is sinking.
My local newspaper today said that they need our help. I don't want to play political football with poor people's lives, but isn't the USA one of the richest countries on Earth? How much do they spend on tax breaks for rich people, warring against sovereign nations, and giant SUVs?
It's a real pickle. Do we send money to help people out because we KNOW their government isn't responsible enough to do it? Especially in light of recent developments over the US's refusal to abide by NAFTA (memo to Mulroney et.al.: told you so!). Man, I hate these moral dilemmas.
My local newspaper today said that they need our help. I don't want to play political football with poor people's lives, but isn't the USA one of the richest countries on Earth? How much do they spend on tax breaks for rich people, warring against sovereign nations, and giant SUVs?
It's a real pickle. Do we send money to help people out because we KNOW their government isn't responsible enough to do it? Especially in light of recent developments over the US's refusal to abide by NAFTA (memo to Mulroney et.al.: told you so!). Man, I hate these moral dilemmas.
Friday, August 26, 2005
I Want My CBC
After 2 weeks of living without The Current, Global Village, Go, and As It Happens, I've had it. That's not even mentioning anything that happens on Weekday mornings before 8:37 am and pretty much all day on Saturdays. CBC employees have been locked out and there does not seem to be an end in sight. I have a lot of friends who work at CBC and I know they would rather be at work right now. In fact, I'd rather be listening to the fruits of their labour than my current settings of great oldies and 80s.There are a lot of places you can look for info about the lockout:
www.cbcunplugged.com and cbcontheline.ca are general
Locked out in Winnipeg is a blog based in - you guessed it - Winnipeg
www.cmgmanitoba.com is the Canadian Media Guild's Manitoba site
cbckeydemo.blogspot.com is a group from Ottawa who want to show that people between 18 and 35 CARE about the CBC.
www.lectio.ca makes these cool graphics like the one up in the corner
Anyway, it's about time that the workers were let back in the building. Canada without CBC would be completely boring. Thanks to all of you who make our lives more interesting.On a related note, I received an email from a manager at CBC Winnipeg urging me to support their application for an FM transmitter. Wow, an FM signal would be great - if there was programming being produced. Living and working in downtown among the concrete and steel sure plays hell on the AM signal. How do you say "I'd be happy to support it despite the Corporation's miserable treatment of its workers" - it wouldn't be true. How about "I will if you end this lockout and treat your employees with the respect they deserve."
Any suggestions?
Monday, August 08, 2005
RIP Ibrahim Ferrer
One more of the Buena Vista Social Club's heavy hitters has passed. Lots of people saw that movie, and kudos to Ry Cooder for making so many people aware of Cuban music. And Cuban culture, for that matter.
Saw Mr. Ferrer perform last summer, and wow - was that man ever suave. We're talking Rico Suave-AY.
Saw Mr. Ferrer perform last summer, and wow - was that man ever suave. We're talking Rico Suave-AY.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
The Queen works at Newsworld
We're getting a new Governor General, Michaëlle Jean. I think that's cool. Of course, many people will whine and say we should get rid of the GG altogether, or that it's a waste of money, but I say as long as we're going to have a figurehead why not make it someone cool. Check it out. She even looks like the Queen:
