Fall Fun Food Drink and Words with Rex Murphy · Monday September 21, 2009 by colin newell
One of the great pleasures of the spoken (and written) word (particularly in a country as free as Canada) is the ability to wax philosophic on every subject that irritates the psyche. It is, as if, in Canada, a country that prides itself on free expression, labels the very exercise of soliloquy as a national obligation – the failure to do so, within itself, could well be rewarded with a social punishment, or banishment worthy of a much harsher crime.
Which leads me to the hour of validation provided by none other than Rex Murphy – orator, intellect, maven of all things Canadian Culture – host of Canada’s beloved “Cross Country Check-up”, writer for the Globe and Mail… and on… and on… and on…
We have seen Rex on several occasions, each successive venture in listening more profound than the one before it. Mister Murphy has an uncommon connection to the most intimate fabric of the Canadian experience and a word skill sufficiently advanced to weave an otherwise cryptic and esoteric sweater of ideas into a warm and gentle blanket of thought wearable by even the most jaded and maple leaf detached person.
His message tonight was quite simple: We live in a country with a whole lot of great stuff around us and like the “forest for the trees” adage, we don’t know what we have even when we are surrounded by it – and it is not so much about the learning of this concept, because we know it by rote – but that we often need to be reminded of the little things that coalesce into the big things… that make Canada the most desirable place on the Planet – and the people resting on its familiar soil some of the most giving and empathic.
In a short story about 9/11 and how average Canadians (Newfoundland in his example) come to the aid of stranded Americans and Internationals, forced out of the air in a day of infamy, senseless aggression and rage. – Rex illustrates the factor of molecular memory in Human behavior and how good things can come from all Canadians – of all stripes, because we know what the right thing to do is when we are in dire straits – or when our neighbors are in difficult times.
And not only that, the very manifestation of the Canadian zeitgeist guarantees the feels good reward by doing the right thing – without expectation of recognition – but just the simple satisfaction of lending a hand when it’s needed.
And it is intrinsically Canadian to do so.
It was a great time. We bought his new book (photo upper right) and lined up with other Canadians to have a private moment with the wordsmith – and to have the book custom signed.
A moment with a great Canadian, teacher, speaker and a reminder what it is to be Canadian…
Utterly priceless.
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Fall Colors Canadian Style 2009 Surprises from the B.C. throne speech · Tuesday August 25, 2009 by colin newell
An empty-pocketed B.C. government said in its speech from the throne Tuesday that it will get its health authorities, boards of education and Crown corporations under the microscope… in an concerted effort to find cost savings.
Gotta pay for the 2010 Olympics somehow…
“Shrinking revenues will by necessitate curbing our discretionary spending,” the government said. “Our fiscal cupboard is bare and currently hangs on a wall of deficit spending.”
F*cking ha, f*cking ha, f*cking ha ha.
Let’s look at how the Liberals have tightened their belts the last few years…
- Gordon Campbell gave himself a hefty 54 percent raise in 2007, and under his watch, CEO’s of crown corporations have seen their compensation skyrocket by as much as 166 per cent. Nice. Appropriate. Responsible.
- Gordon Campbell gave his deputy ministers a hefty pay raise in 2001 and another in 2006, promising not to do it again for four more years.
- Broke his promise two years later, giving his deputy ministers another raise and opening the door for an increase of up to 43 per cent in 2008.
- In February 2008, the public winced when Campbell’s TransLink board voted themselves a 500 percent pay raise. Have to attract good people.
- A few weeks later, the premier’s BC Ferries commandants received an increase of up to 60 percent — on April 1, 2008 – the same day ferry fares were increased for British Columbia residents.
- In 2008, more than 50,000 British Columbia residents worked for minimum wage or less. We need to attract good help after all.
- Since 2001, Campbell has raised the salaries of deputy ministers three times.
Lying f*cking bastards.
Gotta pay for the 2010 Olympics somehow.
The upside was the announcement that cell phone use while driving might be banned in British Columbia. The downside: The ill conceived and poorly received harmonized sales tax concept is probably a done deal.
Lot’s of luck with the recall folks.
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Summer Fun Food and Drink 2009 - Chapter 5 Canada Day Charter rights to be suspended · Sunday June 28, 2009 by colin newell
Want to ride the bus on Canada Day? Plan on leaving your car at home to attend a garden party across town? Hope to bring a couple of bottles of your favorite Pinot Noir or a six-pack of your beloved barley, hops and malt?
Well, be prepared to give it up on Canada Day to B.C. Transit thuggery.
That’s right folks.
The eyes of Canada have been on the Victoria Police department for the last few years as they have suspended civil liberties with bag checks (on buses) and check points on the street corners of the city leading into the downtown core. And now in a cynical move on the part of the folks in blue – B.C. Transit is being employed as a branch of the police in the illegal search of citizens. Your right to ride the bus will be denied if you do not submit to a search. And this is an outrage!
And I beg you. Say no.
In a moment of supreme and mind boggling irony, we are having our Canadian Charter rights suspended on Canada Day – a day we celebrate the founding of our nation – a nation that was built upon fundamental freedoms.
Our grandma’s and granddad’s that gave their limbs and often their life so we could have ours… must be rolling in their graves.
And oddly we know in advance.
When I was 11 years old, I had a neighborhood thug put me in a head lock as he rummaged through my pocket for spare change. He found 11 cents. I was outraged but unharmed – and I promised myself back then, if I ever had advance knowledge of an indignity like this, I would be prepared with countermeasures.
Now I do. Words and knowledge.
If I am crossing town on Wednesday (Canada Day) with my bottle of Pinot, bound for a garden party and some authority figure attempts to pilfer my legally obtained spirits – well, they are going to be in for a surprise.
I know my rights.
So know yours. Please do not shrink and avoid our bus system – if only to avoid confrontation. Step forward and be a Canadian that your ancestors could be proud of.
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As Solstice approaches - You will get in trouble with the man · Tuesday June 9, 2009 by colin newell
Andrea and I saw John Fogerty at the Save On Memorial center last night.
And thank heavens for ear plugs! A very lively 64 year old Fogerty rocked the house with a back-up band that was easily half his age.
And how old was the average person at this show?
Think canes. Think walkers. Think… old!
Looking around the room, I saw a clear majority of grays at this gig. Over 60’s. And lots of freaky looking guys and gals who looked frozen solidly in the rubric of the free love manifesto.
Which is good. Because I am about 15 years junior to this lot.
Speaking of age and wisdom: 73-year-old Peter Scott, of Vancouver, is a letter writer. He reads something he doesn’t like in a newspaper – he cuts out the offending article, stuffs it in an envelope, jots his thoughts on the outside in black felt pen and mails it to the object of his ire.
Which is OK if you are sending diatribes to your MLA or Prime Minister – sending snotty notes to VANOC or the IOC might get different results… as it did recently for Peter.
Two police officers from the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit showed up at his Surrey abode and in their hands was a photocopy of the envelope he’d sent to the Olympic committee. Not surprising, they had a few questions for the decorated veteran. Peter also doubles as a mall Santa in the winter time.
Discussions at the coffee table this morning were somewhat mixed. Some expressed disgust. No one was indifferent to the supposition that perhaps we do live in a police state.
Personally, and having worked for the military industrial complex some 20 years ago, I am kind of on the fence on this issue. I am not surprised that we have a task force that checks up on people… who may be a threat to social order… or a threat to the establishment – whichever form it takes.
Although I am the number one “2010 Olympic” ranter on google, I do not think for a second that anyone would ever challenge my right to make some of the assertions that I do – and nor do I think I will be getting a visit anytime soon from the task force. The difference between them and I being: I am an employed writer and journalist… and rabid taxpayer. And as ascorbic as I can be at times, I hold down a job and keep this ship afloat. So there. Nyah!
But if I did get a visit from the men in Blue?
I would be delighted to talk. Think of the mileage I would get out of that blog week!
Afterthoughts: Olympic issues have been removed from Freedom of Information laws. Through the Freedom of Information act you can ask for any information on your government, but not on VANOC. Now that’s control baby! And the good folks at VANOC wonder why they are viewed in such a suspicious light most of the time.
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Spring into flu - and other media created illnesses · Tuesday April 28, 2009 by colin newell
The headlines scream, “3rd case of swine flu reported in British Columbia!”
… “responsible for DOZENS of deaths in Mexico!” Dozens! Dozens!
Looked outside lately? Noticed that the sky is falling? No. Me neither.
It must be an awfully slow news week when the media gets utterly hung up on a couple of cases of the achy breaky sniffles.
People are canceling their trips. People are dumping their Air Canada stock. People are wearing masks to work.
Why? Because the radio said so.
Here is a statistical wake up call…
In 2002, 65,313 people died of flu related illnesses in the U.S.A.
Over 65,000! Aaaiiiiiiiieeeeeeee!
43,354 died in Auto accidents. Oh. My. God. No!
936,923 died of cardiovascular issues. Mary mother of God, what, what, what
Coke machines have killed more people in the last year than this current pandemic.
Message to media? Shut the f*ck up and get back to reality.
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