Who says civility and chivalry are dead?
And again, faith in humanity restored by Craig's List...
Reply to: pers-113363715@craigslist.org
Date: 2005-11-23, 6:21PM EST
Thank you for holding the elevator doors for me today at the Montreal General Hospital when I was scurrying down the hall. I'm sure the other people in the elevator didn't appreciate it, and without it I'd probably have been stuck there another ten minutes. That little thing brightened an otherwise pretty shitty morning, so thank you.
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And again, faith in humanity restored by Craig's List...
Early this morning
Reply to: pers-113363715@craigslist.org
Date: 2005-11-23, 6:21PM EST
Thank you for holding the elevator doors for me today at the Montreal General Hospital when I was scurrying down the hall. I'm sure the other people in the elevator didn't appreciate it, and without it I'd probably have been stuck there another ten minutes. That little thing brightened an otherwise pretty shitty morning, so thank you.
Time for People Power
Reports this morning talk about a new federal political party sprouting in Winnipeg called the People's Political Power Party of Canada. It's aim is to run 10 candidates in the next election on a decidedly and unapologetically pro-Aboriginal platform.
Though she went a little too far in her column of yesterday in the Globe, Heather Mallick was dead-on in writing, "I honestly believe that, aside from individuals like Jean Chrétien who cared deeply about native Canadians, we offer help because it's an international embarrassment on the level of baby-seal smashing."
And while the NDP has been stellar on these issues -- special props to MP Charlie Angus, who brought the Kaschewan crisis to light on the Hill -- there is room for a party that will dedicate a concerted and constant effort to raising the Aboriginal profile in politics.
Despite the tremendous devotion showed to Native peoples by former Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, and the pledge to continue that commitment by Michaelle Jean, the situation for too many Aboriginal groups remains apalling. The upcoming First Nations/First Ministers summit in B.C. is an exciting step in the right direction, to allow for better inclusion of the provinces on Aboriginal issues. Despite constitutional provisions (Constitution Act, 1867, 91 (24)) that place responsibility for native issues squarely on the shoulders of the federal government, the actuality is that provinces should undertake greater obligations to ensure that peoples in their jurisdictions receive fairer treatment.
So, we can only hope that significant measures are adopted in Kelowna. Even still, there certainly exists room on the hustings for candidates voicing an all-too-often shushed perspective. Interest groups are key. The AFN is key. But if visibility on the campaign trail pressures the Libs, Cons, Blocquistes and NDP into facing tough questions, then... bring it.
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Reports this morning talk about a new federal political party sprouting in Winnipeg called the People's Political Power Party of Canada. It's aim is to run 10 candidates in the next election on a decidedly and unapologetically pro-Aboriginal platform.
Though she went a little too far in her column of yesterday in the Globe, Heather Mallick was dead-on in writing, "I honestly believe that, aside from individuals like Jean Chrétien who cared deeply about native Canadians, we offer help because it's an international embarrassment on the level of baby-seal smashing."
And while the NDP has been stellar on these issues -- special props to MP Charlie Angus, who brought the Kaschewan crisis to light on the Hill -- there is room for a party that will dedicate a concerted and constant effort to raising the Aboriginal profile in politics.
Despite the tremendous devotion showed to Native peoples by former Governor General Adrienne Clarkson, and the pledge to continue that commitment by Michaelle Jean, the situation for too many Aboriginal groups remains apalling. The upcoming First Nations/First Ministers summit in B.C. is an exciting step in the right direction, to allow for better inclusion of the provinces on Aboriginal issues. Despite constitutional provisions (Constitution Act, 1867, 91 (24)) that place responsibility for native issues squarely on the shoulders of the federal government, the actuality is that provinces should undertake greater obligations to ensure that peoples in their jurisdictions receive fairer treatment.
So, we can only hope that significant measures are adopted in Kelowna. Even still, there certainly exists room on the hustings for candidates voicing an all-too-often shushed perspective. Interest groups are key. The AFN is key. But if visibility on the campaign trail pressures the Libs, Cons, Blocquistes and NDP into facing tough questions, then... bring it.
Brother Cornel West in Montreal
The always effervescent, always dynamite Dr. Cornel West spoke this evening in Montreal and I had the pleasure of hearing him. I was last mesmerized by him four years ago, and was reminded tonight of just how much there is to know. How long and arduous a process it is to obtain that knowledge... it's good though, sometimes, to feel like you know nothing...
It's hard not to be wowed by the breadth of West's expertise. By his conviction. By his charisma. And despite his obvious, somewhat aggrandized sense of himself, it's hard not to be swept away in his energy.
Some choice quotes that I was able to scribble during the lecture entitled "Democracy Matters":
"All democracies are unfinished; the genius lies in their recasting, their reforming, their revising."
"Socrates never sheds a tear, and only laughs twice in the texts that have survived. Socrates argued, Jesus wept."
"If you never cry, you've never deeply loved. And if you've never deeply loved, you've never really lived."
"Peacocks strut because they can't fly."
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The always effervescent, always dynamite Dr. Cornel West spoke this evening in Montreal and I had the pleasure of hearing him. I was last mesmerized by him four years ago, and was reminded tonight of just how much there is to know. How long and arduous a process it is to obtain that knowledge... it's good though, sometimes, to feel like you know nothing...
It's hard not to be wowed by the breadth of West's expertise. By his conviction. By his charisma. And despite his obvious, somewhat aggrandized sense of himself, it's hard not to be swept away in his energy.
Some choice quotes that I was able to scribble during the lecture entitled "Democracy Matters":
"All democracies are unfinished; the genius lies in their recasting, their reforming, their revising."
"Socrates never sheds a tear, and only laughs twice in the texts that have survived. Socrates argued, Jesus wept."
"If you never cry, you've never deeply loved. And if you've never deeply loved, you've never really lived."
"Peacocks strut because they can't fly."
![[Click for official biography]](http://ansuz.sooke.bc.ca/justices/photo-De.jpg?1299748013-0.1-974446364)