Tuesday, May 31, 2005
Saturday, May 21, 2005
82% of Canadians are Dorks
Or at least they support keeping the Queen as our head of state, according to a poll on the Globe and Mail's website.
Seriously, what the hell is the point of having a decrepit old European as our head of state? Are we so immature as a nation that we really need Grandma holding our hand every step of the way? I realize that the biggest argument for her is "It's tradition." but come on! Just because somthing is tradition doesn't make it worth keeping. Lots of shitty, shitty things have overstayed their welcome simply because they're tradition.
Here's a phrase for everyone that I think has a wonderful ring to it. The Republic of Canada. Doesn't that flow nicely?
Just imagine it if you can. Canada with it's own elected head of state. Nothing extravagant like in the US, but maybe a figurehead President. Real power would still rest with the prime minister and parliament, but our head of state would be an elected Canadian. Wouldn't that make everyone just a little bit prouder than having a former CBC television personality flying around representing an outdated and foolish British family?
82%! Eighty-two percent! Christ! What's wrong with this country? Let me put it this way people: How does having a British monarch on top encourage unity between French and English Canadians? Does anyone really thing that having a representative of the institution that conquered Quebec remain our head of state 138 years after Confederation makes Quebecers proud to be part of Canada?
Which leads me to wonder, how did the Queen escape our government policy of appeasing Quebec? Everything else that gets done in Canada is done to shut Quebec the hell up, so how come la Belle Province hasn't demanded that Lizzy get the boot yet?
Oh right, because they don't care enought about her to even bother whining about it! So I guess English and French Canadians do have one thing in common: None of us give a shite about the Queen. Not even the 82% of Globe readers that are dorks. I'm willing to bet that the only reason they support keeping her is that they don't support caring enough to waste any time getting rid of her.
I'd just like the Queen to know that there's at least one Canadian out there that cares deeply about her. And even more deeply about turfing her. God save the Queen alright.
FROM MY WRATH!
~Attila
Seriously, what the hell is the point of having a decrepit old European as our head of state? Are we so immature as a nation that we really need Grandma holding our hand every step of the way? I realize that the biggest argument for her is "It's tradition." but come on! Just because somthing is tradition doesn't make it worth keeping. Lots of shitty, shitty things have overstayed their welcome simply because they're tradition.
Here's a phrase for everyone that I think has a wonderful ring to it. The Republic of Canada. Doesn't that flow nicely?
Just imagine it if you can. Canada with it's own elected head of state. Nothing extravagant like in the US, but maybe a figurehead President. Real power would still rest with the prime minister and parliament, but our head of state would be an elected Canadian. Wouldn't that make everyone just a little bit prouder than having a former CBC television personality flying around representing an outdated and foolish British family?
82%! Eighty-two percent! Christ! What's wrong with this country? Let me put it this way people: How does having a British monarch on top encourage unity between French and English Canadians? Does anyone really thing that having a representative of the institution that conquered Quebec remain our head of state 138 years after Confederation makes Quebecers proud to be part of Canada?
Which leads me to wonder, how did the Queen escape our government policy of appeasing Quebec? Everything else that gets done in Canada is done to shut Quebec the hell up, so how come la Belle Province hasn't demanded that Lizzy get the boot yet?
Oh right, because they don't care enought about her to even bother whining about it! So I guess English and French Canadians do have one thing in common: None of us give a shite about the Queen. Not even the 82% of Globe readers that are dorks. I'm willing to bet that the only reason they support keeping her is that they don't support caring enough to waste any time getting rid of her.
I'd just like the Queen to know that there's at least one Canadian out there that cares deeply about her. And even more deeply about turfing her. God save the Queen alright.
FROM MY WRATH!
~Attila
Thursday, May 19, 2005
What Now? Oh yeah, pot and gay marriage...
Consequences of Stephen Harper's actions:
1. Belinda Stronach is now a Liberal cabinet minister adored by almost every left leaning Canadian.
2. Paul Martin has, against all odds, regained some confidence and even charisma. Some.
3. Conservative party looks even more right wing and alien than ever before, with the added bonus that it is now seen as an ally of separatists.
4. We've pretty much forgotten about the sponsorship scandal, at least for now.
5. Peter Mackay looks like a kicked puppy. He'll be taken seriously again sometime around never.
6. Stephen Harper now looks childish, impatient, arrogant, and most importantly weak.
7. Odds that Conservatives will form a government any time soon? Down more than enough to make me happy.
Thanks Steve. Keep up the good work.
~Attila
1. Belinda Stronach is now a Liberal cabinet minister adored by almost every left leaning Canadian.
2. Paul Martin has, against all odds, regained some confidence and even charisma. Some.
3. Conservative party looks even more right wing and alien than ever before, with the added bonus that it is now seen as an ally of separatists.
4. We've pretty much forgotten about the sponsorship scandal, at least for now.
5. Peter Mackay looks like a kicked puppy. He'll be taken seriously again sometime around never.
6. Stephen Harper now looks childish, impatient, arrogant, and most importantly weak.
7. Odds that Conservatives will form a government any time soon? Down more than enough to make me happy.
Thanks Steve. Keep up the good work.
~Attila
Dark Side Not Sexy Afterall, Survey Says
Everyone who's ever been a Star Wars fan (a real one, no fakers who have only seen one or two) has had that thought that maybe, just maybe, the Dark Side is kind of sexy and cool. Darth Vader, oh so cool. Death Star that destroys entire planets? Also, kind of cool. Evil Emperor who offs people with blasts of purple lightning?
Doesn't get much cooler than that.
Man, oh man, how George Lucas has disavowed us all of that notion. For five feature films he let us sit back and wonder just which side we would choose if we ever had to. We all thought that there were good points to either side, and Lucas let us go on thinking that. Until last night.
Update for those who for some reason haven't seen Revenge of the Sith yet: Dark Side = Bad. Real bad. Oh so very, very bad. Nothing good will ever happen ever again bad. Ever.
At least not until A New Hope.
Ep. 3's main achievement as far as I'm concerned was to take Darth Vader from a cold, purely evil monster, and turn him into a hugely tragic figure. Of course this was known to some extent before, but never in such gut wrenching detail. I'll personally never be able to look at the original three in the same way again, which I guess was the whole point.
~Attila
Doesn't get much cooler than that.
Man, oh man, how George Lucas has disavowed us all of that notion. For five feature films he let us sit back and wonder just which side we would choose if we ever had to. We all thought that there were good points to either side, and Lucas let us go on thinking that. Until last night.
Update for those who for some reason haven't seen Revenge of the Sith yet: Dark Side = Bad. Real bad. Oh so very, very bad. Nothing good will ever happen ever again bad. Ever.
At least not until A New Hope.
Ep. 3's main achievement as far as I'm concerned was to take Darth Vader from a cold, purely evil monster, and turn him into a hugely tragic figure. Of course this was known to some extent before, but never in such gut wrenching detail. I'll personally never be able to look at the original three in the same way again, which I guess was the whole point.
~Attila
Tuesday, May 17, 2005
Monday, May 16, 2005
Movies in the Makin'
Tonight we came up with a brilliant idea. Beanypod bought herself a digital camera today that takes 30 second videos, so we're going to invest in numerous re-chargeable batteries and shoot our own short film. Now all we have to do is find something interesting to film.
Any minute now.
Mild controversy today when after being up for only four hours I sat down for lunch and ordered Japanese beer in front of my parents. Good times did not ensue as they were fully blocked by the passive aggressive wrath of Mom.
This could have lead to problems but I headed off the wrath by buying a belated mothers day gift. Dinner ended up ruined anyway, not by parental hostility but by spicy chicken. One mad dash later and dinner was gone but not forgotten. I'm sorry, but that's the way it happened.
Today's not a complete write off though. Bean and I got our hands on three tickets to the midnight showing of Episode III Wednesday night! So so excited.
Leaving off, it appears we're back to movie making. Jesus and Bean just made a short short film about spousal abuse. Surprisingly light and funny actually, I give it four stars.
****
~Attila
Any minute now.
Mild controversy today when after being up for only four hours I sat down for lunch and ordered Japanese beer in front of my parents. Good times did not ensue as they were fully blocked by the passive aggressive wrath of Mom.
This could have lead to problems but I headed off the wrath by buying a belated mothers day gift. Dinner ended up ruined anyway, not by parental hostility but by spicy chicken. One mad dash later and dinner was gone but not forgotten. I'm sorry, but that's the way it happened.
Today's not a complete write off though. Bean and I got our hands on three tickets to the midnight showing of Episode III Wednesday night! So so excited.
Leaving off, it appears we're back to movie making. Jesus and Bean just made a short short film about spousal abuse. Surprisingly light and funny actually, I give it four stars.
****
~Attila
Sunday, May 15, 2005
Viva la Revolución (aka Political Optimism)
Let's make a quick list shall we?
Georgia
Ukraine
Kyrgyzstan
Lebanon
Possibly Uzbekistan
And to a lesser extent, Ecuador.
And I've probably missed a few. In less than two years all of these countries have had, or are in the process of having, popular revolts against corrupt governments. I'm not sure what's gotten into people in these countries but let's have some more of it shall we?
Predictably, America claims to be influencing these changes through their oh so successful policy of spreading freedom and liberty around the world. (um, see Iraq.) Except in Uzbekistan where they the US gives ten million dollars a year to support a government that is renowned for it's widespread use of torture tactics. Including against terrorist suspects detained by the US, hence the generous monetary gifts.
Anti-government protests are even spreading through China, although you would never know it reading North American newspapers. Our local media outlets are more than happy to report on the anti-Japanese protests that are partially sponsored by the Chinese government, but for some reason are strangely silent about the growing dissent among the Chinese poor. I don't suppose it has anything to do with our ever increasing trade with China? Certainly not, that would be bias in favour of commercial interests, and that's something that would never happen in a fair and balanced media environment. Or so I'm told, I live in Canada so I can't really say for certain.
Take all these popular revolts around the world, add in the swing to the left that's gripping South America, and finally Dubya's inability to get co-operation out of a house and senate dominated by his own party, and I'm starting to feel down right optimistic about the state of world affairs. Further fuelling my optimism is my recent discovery that America does still have some news organizations that are willing to question much of what the US is up to. I highly recommend you check out the perspective given at The Nation.
On a personal note, I'd like to welcome myself back to Thought Processor after a hiatus that became much longer than expected. With any luck I'll be disseminating liberal propaganda on a regular basis from now on. I hope you enjoy and visit often. Don't forget, comments are always welcome.
~Attila
Georgia
Ukraine
Kyrgyzstan
Lebanon
Possibly Uzbekistan
And to a lesser extent, Ecuador.
And I've probably missed a few. In less than two years all of these countries have had, or are in the process of having, popular revolts against corrupt governments. I'm not sure what's gotten into people in these countries but let's have some more of it shall we?
Predictably, America claims to be influencing these changes through their oh so successful policy of spreading freedom and liberty around the world. (um, see Iraq.) Except in Uzbekistan where they the US gives ten million dollars a year to support a government that is renowned for it's widespread use of torture tactics. Including against terrorist suspects detained by the US, hence the generous monetary gifts.
Anti-government protests are even spreading through China, although you would never know it reading North American newspapers. Our local media outlets are more than happy to report on the anti-Japanese protests that are partially sponsored by the Chinese government, but for some reason are strangely silent about the growing dissent among the Chinese poor. I don't suppose it has anything to do with our ever increasing trade with China? Certainly not, that would be bias in favour of commercial interests, and that's something that would never happen in a fair and balanced media environment. Or so I'm told, I live in Canada so I can't really say for certain.
Take all these popular revolts around the world, add in the swing to the left that's gripping South America, and finally Dubya's inability to get co-operation out of a house and senate dominated by his own party, and I'm starting to feel down right optimistic about the state of world affairs. Further fuelling my optimism is my recent discovery that America does still have some news organizations that are willing to question much of what the US is up to. I highly recommend you check out the perspective given at The Nation.
On a personal note, I'd like to welcome myself back to Thought Processor after a hiatus that became much longer than expected. With any luck I'll be disseminating liberal propaganda on a regular basis from now on. I hope you enjoy and visit often. Don't forget, comments are always welcome.
~Attila
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
