there are definitely a few things i'd like to write about quickly this afternoon. First take a look at this. Only in Bush's America. Okay, enough said on that one. The other day the CBC went down to Wilksburg, PA to have a town hall with American voters fielding questions from Canadians and Peter Mansbridge. I have to say, that there is some strangeness to the way in which there has been a global valuation of votes. Clearly, since WWII, if not before, the vote of an American citizen carries "more value" than that of a Canadian or than that of a North Korean. Basically, my question relates to how exactly the American voter should respond to global requests and pressures in their voting process. Certainly Americans think about America's international relationships when voting, but do (should!?) they consider the needs/desires/interests of other countries' citizens? I mean, it seems rather ridiculous that the US has been able to amass this power (particularly military) by running deficits for a century. In antiquity major projects that seem like "too much" for a civilization to handle were resolved by forced labour, etc. Considering how American (Western, really) economic policy has let deficit and debt take the role that genuine funds would have in other circumstances is there not a telling similarity between the response to the lack of money to pay for projects, etc. Maybe slavery has never been abolished (see Marx). Finally, Yasser Arafat is dying it seems like. Israeli media (see Ha'aretz) seems to be having a field day challenging Israeli Officials on how to respond/prepare etc. I think all that's needed is some support of the Palestinian community and a mini-cease-fire, just while Arafat needs assistance or whatever. Thus, I think it good/appropriate for Sharon et al. to allow Arafat to come and go for health reasons. (i think all reasons might be fine too). Anyway, why don't they have any articles covering this story!? I close by praying for Arafat's health and his family.

ashlee simpson = milli vanilli

Geoff Berner and Rae Spoon are in Sackville tonight, for a show i pulled together with the help of Struts Gallery. Should prove to be an awesome time. I ultra excited, and I encourage you all to check out the show if you're in/around sackville, and keep your ears and eyes peeled for these two in your area. besides this, apparently there's lots of controversy out there in canada-political-land, but i have to say it's not very interesting. the yankee election is much more exciting, particularly since it's way way too close to call. at this stage anyone could be president. my question is only to ask whether or not it matters? is being president even that useful anymore? doesn't it feel like there are forces at work that supercede the presidential phenomenon and will continue along the traectory of western civilization with or without kerry/bush democrat/republican whig/tory etc

you may have once wondered why i haven't done much to express my thoughts in images as my website intimates. well i finally have, and until i complete the update this will be the only way to see them

There seems to be tremendous irony in the ottawa politics underway at the gomery inquisition recently. interestingly, the tactic has turned to attacking a dead man on his suffering with alcoholism. instead of helping their colleage seek treatment, Pierr Fournier and Isabelle Roy opted to make a hullabaloo about it to save their asses. let me take this moment to deride their self-serving actions, and suggest that political direction from alfonso gagliano may have been more political collaboration taking place in his office with his staff and colleagues in the upper echelon of the liberal party. too bad for us, canadians that is.

This story about a Russian boy is very sad. It brings attention to the need to help parents learn how to discipline without physical or emotional degradation of their children. That approach will only lead to resentment and strife in the family unit. The CBC's greatest canadian list is now available for voting and debate. I don't have much to say except that I'm disappointed that all of the candidates are all men, 9 of them white. Although often I think the CBC overemphasizes Canada's multiculturalism and egalitarianism; this program certainly didn't. I am also a little sick of hearing people call for an end to sharing Canada's drug supply with American (seniors, mostly). If we were facing a drug shortage, then certainly we should restrict access; but as long as the pharmaceuticals still fill orders then I believe we're fine. It's terrible that people who need drugs, but can't afford them at home, are now being told to suffer through it. The human family bonds seem to unravel here, and I think it's a little gross. The tragedies that exist on this planet are so great and challenging, that spending our time trying to keep relatively cheap drugs away from patients who need them is malicious. Isn't Canada supposed to take the lead on cheap generic drugs for AIDS patients in Africa? No one is calling for the cessation of this program!

There are always a few things going in the world that I think are totally ridiculous. but when the ontario medical association wanted to institute a law banning smoking in cars with children passengers, i decided that the OMA is totally out of touch with the health needs of its patients and this country. how would anyone enforce this law? also, why do most media organizations feel the need to take this reccomendation, and give it significant airplay. The single biggest killer in this country ain't smoking, drinking, drug use, or diet; it's inactivity. why hasn't the OMA said a thing about this question? another thing on my mind today was how ontario's government has announced a plan to outlaw a specific breed of dog. this time it's the pit bull; when i was growing up it was the doberman. although I strongly support laws that punish bad pet owners, targeting breeds instead of practices is about as sensible as targeting a cultural group instead of the illegal and dangerous practices of all extremists.

Ariel Sharon is totally fucked.

This explains how and why the US presidential race seems so close. By some twist of fate, the democratsfinally raised enough money. bush's base didn't abandon him though, which means that the democrats have really pulled a rabbit out of hat with this fundraising, or maybe bush helped them do that. in any event, see how much spending has taken place and how much money is left in the accounts (cash on hand). kerry had better be spending his money in the right places. not that i particularly enjoy kerry, but i suppose i like bush less. at least kerry is a tiny bit harder to hate, it's too easy with dubya.

space

today, a company went to space for the second time in less than a week. the article appears here. I wanted to share my excitement. because despite my activity in theatre, politics and theory and literature what I really want is to be an astronaut. in other news, israelis and palestinians are killing each other in earnest again. it will be a while before the israelis stop this incursion into refugee camps etc, because despite having their beloved security fence around gaza, they really have no good way to deal with incoming qassam rockets which get more and more accurate every day. finally, i will be posting new papers on the site in the coming weeks. I've decided to post my creative work as well as my intellectual work. so look out for that.