The Paradox of Our Age

We have taller buildings but shorter tempers; wider freeways but narrower viewpoints; we spend more but have less; we buy more but enjoy it less; we have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, yet less time; we have more degrees but less sense; more knowledge but less judgement; more experts, yet more problems; we have more gadgets but less satisfaction; more medicine, yet less wellness; we take more vitamins but see fewer results.

We drink too much; smoke too much; spend too recklessly; laugh too little; drive too fast; get too angry quickly; stay up too late; get up too tired; read too seldom; watch TV too much and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values; we fly in faster planes to arrive there quicker, to do less and return sooner; we sign more contracts only to realize fewer profits; we talk too much; love too seldom and lie too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life; we've added years to life, not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbour.

We've conquered outer space, but not inner space; we've done larger things, but not better things; we've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul; we've split the atom, but not our prejudice; we write more, but learn less; plan more, but accomplish less; we make faster planes, but longer lines; we learned to rush, but not to wait; we have more weapons, but less peace; higher incomes, but lower morals; more parties, but less fun; more food, but less appeasement; more acquaintances, but fewer friends; more effort, but less success.

We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but have less communication; drive smaller cars that have bigger problems; build larger factories that produce less. We've become long on quantity, but short on quality.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; tall men, but short character; steep in profits, but shallow relationships. These are times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure and less fun; higher postage, but slower mail; more kinds of food, but less nutrition. These are days of two incomes, but more divorces; these are times of fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, cartridge living, thow-away morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies and pills that do everything from cheer, to prevent, quiet or kill. It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stock room.

Indeed, these are the times!


The Paradox of Our Age
by Dr. Bob Moorehead

Queen's Journal

I know this is from ages ago, but I had a letter to the editor published in the Queen's Journal, on the issue I discussed in my previous post. The full letter can be found here:

Students, alumni comment on AMS elections

As a person of African descent, I am always insulted by the use of terms that are derogatory to any minority group, regardless of who is making use of the words. Not only am I appalled that this VP candidate used the term, but I am just as shocked that the Journal would actually repeat the comments made.

...

The Journal should not be afraid to call a spade a spade. It should not be afraid of being seen to side with a white individual over a person from a visible minority in a matter of race relations. Simply because he is also from a visible minority does not give him the right to make blatantly racist comments.

The Queen's Journal ended up endorsing neither team... quite the cop out.

Racism: Double Talk, Double Standards.

I have always been proud to tell people that I was going to Queens' University. But since my graduation this past spring, I have had the opportunity to view the actions of the university and its student body as a sane individual, capable of rational thought, not blinded by my love for the institution that I had learned to live and breathe for 5 years.

Queens' and its culture of whiteness has been spotlighted in the national media twice this past year. Another high profile event occurred this past week, however it shows a different side to the problem of racism at my alma mater.

...MAP vice-president (university affairs) candidate Suhail Panjwani made [comments] last August on Facebook.

The comment, part of a conversation with a friend, said “yo nigga im fine …ive beat these Indian rapest off with bamboo sticks.”

Mr. Panjwani is not black. He comes from an Indian background. (The use of the n-word by a black man is a separate issue on its own). However, what shocks me the most in this entire story is the fact that his use of the n-word IS NOT the talking point in the Queen's Journal article: Click Here.

The article has chosen instead to implicate the individuals responsible for the leak of the Facebook comment, members of the opposition campaign team for the AMS elections, headed by President candidate Michael Ceci. Since when did it become WRONG to blow the whistle on objectionable conduct? When the accuser is white. This is simply a double standard, a reaction to the perceived racism of attacking a brown individual.

The Queen's Journal simply refuses to be seen siding with a white person over a brown person in a matter of race relations. The quick, and gutless, reaction is to automatically place blame on the white individual. But in this case, Mr. Panjwani's words were simply detestable, and unfit for an individual seeking a position of leadership.

Fond goodbye to 2008

Reasons why 2009 won't be better than 2008.

Why 2008 was such a good year:

• The Dark Knight. Legendary Film.
  
• Wall-E. Another instant classic film.
  
• Giants over the Patriots in the Super Bowl. The Tyree Catch.
  
• Feed the Animals by Girl Talk. GO DOWNLOAD THIS ALBUM NOW, name your own price!
  
• Tina Fey as Sarah Palin
  
• Beijing's coming out party (Summer Olympics, minus fake fireworks, lip syncing, and underage girls)
  
• I graduated!!!
  

Why 2009 won't be a good year:

• Sadly, President-elect Obama cannot live up to expectations, although he will be a welcome change for many.
  
• We will feel the real effects of the market slowdown (instead of just the hysteria, as we have felt so far)
  
• Black people no longer have an excuse.... but they (as an overgeneralized stereotypical group) will continue to blame "The Man." Heck the President of the most powerful country in the world (AKA "The Man") is half black.
  
• Censorship will become an issue worldwide. See Australia and the UK.
  
• No Formula One race in North America
  

The Winter Classic: Pregame

What a start to this year's edition of the Winter Classic, between the Detroit Red Wings and the host Chicago Blackhawks, held at the legendary Ivy covered red-brick Wrigley Field. This is the 3rd time the NHL has done this, the first being the Habs-Oilers matchup in the Heritage Classic at Commonwealth Stadium. Each time it just gets bigger and better.

The national anthems were just completed, and wow. The crowd is simply hyped! There are many Canadians in the crowd, and they sung our national anthem loud and proud. The Americans, not to be outdone on their own soil, cheered throughout the entire Star Spangeled Banner. Very rousing start to this game.

It seems fitting that this game is being held in Chicago. It seems like Chicago has made an amazing step into the conciousness of America and the world, thanks largely in part to the rise of President-elect Obama. GQ named Chicago it's "City of the Year" for this reason, as well as the hotbed of new Democratic power brokers. I also like to mention Dark Knight, which used Chicago to portray Gotham City, and it does so beautifully.

Anyway, back to the hockey game, it's a good one so far!

Rainy Saturday in Vancouver

I've had quite the adventure over the last 2 1/2 hours in the cold rainy Saturday that will typify winter here in Vancouver.

I attended the Rally for Canada at Library Square. Only half of the speakers were MPs, I was rather impressed. The most rousing speech came from an average citizen. One of those young, formerly disengaged, Facebook types. He started a group that now has 15,000 members opposed to the Liberal-NDP (propped up by the Bloq) coalition. The best moment came from a member of the Korean-Canadian community. She used the term "Jack and Gilles".... Jack and Jill... get it? Funny. Anyway...

There were a good number of people out, even in what one would call the worst weather Vancouver gets. Leaving the square, I got a pamphlet in support of BC-STV, the proposed single transferable vote system that some in BC want to implement, instead of the traditional first past the post (FPTP). An interesting concept that would see multiple MLAs (they are like MPPs), hopefully of different political parties, representing each riding. So you could approach any, or all, with your concerns. It would of course aid the Green Party most, but would give people the comfort to approach someone who is at least affiliated with the same political stripes as themselves. Check out: stv.ca

On my way home, I ran into Hedy Fry, MP for Vancouver Centre, while shopping at The Bay. I had about a 10 minute discussion with her. Nothing new, really. But she was willing to talk for quite a while. Mostly lecture. But what I did get from my chat with her was that the Coalition is now more of a tool to be used in their negotiations on the upcoming budget and stimulus package. But if Harper isn't willing to play ball with them (which remains to be seen, either way), she claims they are still willing to pull the plug. Time will tell.

Finally, I got another little ad about DreamBank. Their slogan: "Give Dreams. Not Stuff" is catchy. But it's not much of a site. It's like a wedding registry, but for Christmas. Boo'urns.

It's not even 3pm... I feel so accomplished for today. Time to relax and watch some hockey.

Divisions

The whole unity issue is starting to surface again, due to this latest political crisis. Quebec separatism mysteriously received a boost, when Charest sided with the Coalition and derided Harper's comments about making a deal with the separatists.

Charest, you have fallen far my friend.

Western alienation is also starting to reach a furor. Just read the Western Standard.

As for Atlantic Canada.... they're feeling a bit left out. This is the best quote that I've heard, from a commentor on the CTV website:

Shayne
What about Atlantic Canadians or do we matter?

Maybe Tommy Douglas was right. Canada is like a cow. The West feeds, Ontario and Quebec milk it and we all know about happens in the Maritimes.