Section 2

What's a Federalist (in Quebec) to do?

The polls this morning prove what we all could've predicted, with one out of every two Quebeckers surveyed reporting that they support sovereignty and a final syonara to the Canadian federation. And you know, I don't know that anyone in the rest of Canada is gonna give a shit this time around (pardon my French).

I was at the love-in on Place du Canada in 1995, I watched and listened to pilgrims from Ontario and New Brunswick professing their affections for Quebec and its rich culture. Please don't leave us, they said, we are nothing without you.

But at a certain point in any relationship, the lover who wants to leave will no longer be begged to stay.

So the numbers rise in that direction, setting the stage for a PQ victory and an eventual referendum. Forget that the Supreme Court explained in the Secession Reference that unilateral separation would not only defy Canadian constitutional law, but would also fail to create a sovereign entity at international law. Nah, forget that. Besides, that sort of arguing would only fuel civil unrest if the majority of Quebecois voted to split.

We can't win 'em over through subliminal advertising, that's fer sure. Despite well-proven theories of comunications gurus like Neil Postman and Daniel Boorstin, the whole "drape the province and its airwaves in maple leafs and let it subtly penetrate their psyches" strategy has been, well, Gomery-ied.

All that's left is... well... I'm not sure what is left. If Quebec gets set to bolt, I'm not sure that the rest of Canada will leave the light on. We may have reached the "now go, walk out that door, don't turn around now, you're not welcome anymore" point.

A PR job for the heartiest of souls.

Caught this posting online - can you imagine trying to talk these guys up? Rough.

Co-ordinator, Communications + Corporate Relations REF#: 6622 Walkerton Clean Water Centre Location: Walkerton, Ontario Posted: April 22, 2005 Deadline: April 30, 2005 Salary: Not Stated Description The Walkerton Clean Water Centre (WCWC) requires a creative, well-organized individual to coordinate the Centre’s communication strategies and corporate relations. Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, you will: coordinate corporate relations; develop, coordinate, manage, and implement internal communications services; plan and organize events, conferences, and presentations for senior WCWC officials; develop communication strategies, speeches and remarks; prepare background briefings on local issues; research future events and communications opportunities; serve as editor of the Centre’s web site.

The backgrounder:

Deadly E.coli in Ontario Contaminated water supply in Walkerton, Ontario kills seven

Dateline: 05/31/00

Seven people are now dead, and a dozen remain in regional hospitals, as Walkerton, Ontario deals with a town water supply contaminated by E.coli bacteria. Hundreds of others have been sick with bloody diarrhea, cramps and nausea, and it could be another week before Walkerton residents can drink tap water safely again, according to the CBC. Schools will remain closed for the rest of this week at least.

The Canadian Press reports that another two deaths are being investigated by the Coroner's Office as possibly related to the E.coli contamination. These two deaths happened before it was known there was an E.coli outbreak.

Walkerton is a small community of 5000, about 145 km (90 miles) west of Toronto.

Another Missed Connection

Am I the only one who finds these incredibly charming? And at once heartbreaking AND full of hope?

Eaton Centre 9:45 Man Reading - w4m - 19

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Reply to: anon-67618693@craigslist.org
Date: 2005-04-09, 12:59AM EDT


April 8 at 9:45pm You were sitting in an empty mall by some fake plants reading. I was going to the movies alone. What were you doing? Other than sitting alone in the mall reading. You probably didn't see me. But if you did you'd have seen a tall short-haired brunette in a jean jacket and track pants. I think you're handsome. I'd like to meet someone who likes to read as much as you seem to. I didn't want to disturb you.

Brandeis-ism of the day

"Sunlight is the most powerful of disinfectants."

~ Justice Louis Dembitz Brandeis, Associate Justice, Supreme Court of the United States from 1916- 1939.

Happy Birthday, dear Charter

We here at Section 2 (namesake of s. 2, Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms) would like to take this opportunity to extend our heartiest well wishes on this 23rd anniversary of the supreme law of our land.

Aw, and look at the cute baby pic! It seems like only yesterday that she was just a little bill, waiting to be repatriated...

Happy birthday, to all of us. To paraphrase the Beatles song Revolution, "you say you wanna change the constitution, well you know, we all wanna change the world."

Well, Trudeau actually did.

Bartender please, keep the gin out of my dirty martini. (a s. 2 rant)

I'm sorry, but what bartender worth their stripes would mix a gin-based dirty martini? A dry gin martini? Sure. Straight up. Anytime. But a dirty (or filthy martini, as I would have it) is by nature designed to be salty. It is dirty and cloudy thanks to a healthy dose of olive juice. Olive juice is sallllllty. The drink is meant to be sallllty. It just is.

Now, those of us familiar with our potent potables know that gin is sweet on the tongue, a delightfully light and fruity flavour that improves any glass of tonic. But add a splash of olive juice and you've got one NASTY excuse for a cocktail.

Vodka, people. Vodka. A dirty martini must be based with vodka and vermouth. Point finale.

Nestruck bids adieu to blogosphere

My dear J. Kelly Nestruck, of National Post fame, has decided to hang up the proverbial skates after a couple of inspirational years at the helm of On the Fence -- the online incarnation of his much adored McGill Daily column of the early 21st C.

Mr. Nestruck, a brilliant blogger, is one of our country's finest. He's helped to shape not only our current new media landscape, but through lectures to journalism classes, has helped assure the sustainability of blogs for many a moon. This cannot be goodbye; it's gotta be see you later.

Oh, and I still now (and always will) claim credit for having been Mr. Nestruck's first newspaper editor, way back when we were struggling 16-year-old journalists toughing the mean streets of Montreal's west end, fantasizing about the glory of A1 and of endless nights of cigar smoke and brandies at peanut-free press clubs.

Kelly, I will always be a devoted fan. TTFN.

So Much to Say, So Much to Say...

... about the Gomery firestorm now underway. But instead, as we all reflect on today's revelations, I will leave us with a thought from poet Alexander Pope who in 1714 could easily have been describing our current state of affairs.

"[Political] party-spirit, which at best is but the madness of many for the gain of a few."

Or, as the testimony is showing, perhaps too much gain for too few.

The Gauntlet Run (encore un fois)

Yep. So. It's April. Can almost taste the end of the semester. But all that means, for now, is that I've gotta gear up for the barrage. Oh. And work.

Blogging may be sporadic this month so I apologize in advance...

~M~