My Letter to Governor General Michaelle Jean

Your Excellency,

Though the chances of you reading this are slim, I write to you in hopes that you will read this email.  I wish to express to you how deeply sadden I am by the wedge that our current Prime Minister has driven into this country.

While he has managed to stave off another election by asking you to grant him prorogation in Parliament, I fear that the anti-Quebec sentiments that he has struck has awaken a national backlash in Quebec.  This will partition the country for years to come and possibly result in the outcome of a very different Canada in the future.

I am also deeply sadden by your decision to prorogue Parliament.  I cannot help but somehow feel that democracy has failed in this country.  Understandably, prorogation might have been the preferred choice, as it seems the safer than permitting an unpopular coalition to go forth or prompting another costly election.  However, I fear that this will set an unjust precent in future years.  It seems that should a Prime Minister ever, in face of a looming defeat of a democratic vote in the House of Commons, wish to prolong his or her term, the Queen's Representative can rightfully grant them prorogation.  Democracy in Canada has changed.

Most Canadians are sadden by the current impasse that has seized Parliament.  However, your decision to allow the Prime Minister to avoid a democratic process is one that disappoints the most.   

Sincerely,

Where does change begin?

With the recent U.S. election and all the publicity leading up to it, I'm left wondering where real change begins. Does real change occur in electoral politics or does it happen in grassroots movements in which nameless individuals sacrifice themselves for something they believe in?

I've been contemplating this question for a while now, because for an idealistic individual such as myself, I would like to leave this Earth thinking that in a small way, in some small part, I've made a difference in someone's life. I could go on here and painfully list to you all the things that I am passionate about and wish to change, but I will spare you those details. I've been wondering to myself where I would be most effective in carrying out my passions - is it electoral politics? Some people tell me that this is a futile route as politicians normally take place in the center, being eager to please their voters. I am not sure whether to believe this group or not. So then I wonder to myself, am I more effective in small community organizations or in grassroots movements where I would advocate and lobby for change? Some others tell me that this is a frustrating task and likely, an endless one.

So what am I left with here? How do I go about making the world, or at least the community in which I wake up to everyday, a better place? Can anyone help me answer this question?

Also, read this: http://www.counterpunch.org/fierro11042008.html

On neoliberal economics...

My good friend, Kuthula, writes for a newspaper column and his recent piece talks about the current global meltdown of the financial markets.  Please have a look as he is a very insightful individual.  

http://www.newzimbabwe.com/pages/opinion344.18876.html

Facebook = Death of blogs

Why don't I ever write on blogspot anymore?  I mean, I used to love telling the world my weird opinions and useless facts.  I mean, sure I was busy with completing the rest of my schooling but I think in part my love for blogging stopped when all my friends stopped blogging when they swapped it in exchange for Facebook.  

Could Facebook be the death of blogging?  Or has blogging just moved into another form which includes spying and viewing other people's lives without really talking to them?  Isn't that what Facebook is?  To toot your own horn about your own popularity, to display photos about your fabulous new vacation for all to see?  Or do people really use it as an avenue to maintain contact with friends?  Is it true contact when it's viewing other people's photos and updates, but never actually writing them that email to ask them how they are?  

Ok, I must confess that after years of boycotting Facebook, I finally joined just two weeks ago. It came to a point where I actually felt socially excluded because everyone else would be talking about something posted on their page and laugh about it, but I would have no clue about what anyone was talking about.  So in truth, I succumbed to social pressure.  However, I must admit that I am still not an avid user and do not desire to be.  What the heck is the Advanced Wall and how is that different from the Regular Wall?  Am I the only person who has trouble using its awkward interface?

Sigh.  I miss blogging.  I feel like an old person asking for a return to the 'good ol' days.'