Tuesday, December 28, 2004
A natural disaster followed by a national travesty. I thought Danny Williams taking down the Canadian flag in Newfoundland was the latest national insult, one to supplant fellow premier Ralph Klein's stance on same-sex marriage; then I saw the government's pathetic response to the tsunami in Southeast Asia and the subsequent -- and worsening -- human tragedy.
Never mind the pitiful drop in the bucket of an aid package, our leaders are...somewhere -- certainly not in Ottawa. (Well, except for the minister of defence; apparently, Bill Graham is single-handedly running the country at the moment.) I would have hoped that in the days since the December 26 earthquake, the ministers with foreign-affairs-related portfolios, not to mention their boss, the prime minister, would have taken time out of their publicly funded Christmas vacations to, at the very least, show their faces, and, preferably, get their asses back to the capital and do something. It's bad enough that they're dithering; that they're doing it while on holiday abroad makes it all the worse. And before the opposition parties go agreeing with me, shame on them as well for being armchair -- literally -- critics. (Sitting at home in your constituency complaining about government inaction may get you some press, maybe even some votes, but it shows complicity in the post-tragedy leadership void.)
It's insulting to Canadians, particularly those who have donated money to relief organizations -- including the Canadian Red Cross, UNICEF Canada, World Vision Canada, Oxfam Canada, CCF Canada, MSF Canada, CARE Canada, Save the Children Canada, and The Salvation Army in Canada -- that the federal bean counters are waiting to see what other governments are doing instead of taking the lead. (The generosity of individual Canadians, young and old, has been truly heartwarming, but something is wrong when they out-donate Ottawa.) I'm ashamed that such a rich western country as mine cannot get its act together enough to be at the forefront of helping the innocent victims of a devastating tragedy. It's a natural disaster -- it's not like there's any international politics in the way; what's the government's excuse for its lackadaisical humanitarianism? More importantly, where is our Bono-hand-shaking prime minister and his vision of Canada as a compassionate leader in the world?
Follow-up: It seems to me that if the representatives of a developing-turned-devastated country say that they don't have enough, say, body bags that that should be a no-brainer for the well-to-do countries of the world. I'm also struck by the irony that affected parts of India have had to resort to mass graves instead of traditional funeral pyres for lack of dry wood...and we're a country of timber and lumber yards. The fact that that's not logistically feasible to sort out puts disaster relief and humanitarian assistance into context for me -- a sad one.
Follow-up: What's even sadder is that, even in the midst of a humanitarian crisis, the U.S. is intent on circumventing and undermining the UN; ironic considering that it's also intent on retaining its seats on the various councils and assemblies -- keeping its fingers in all the pies -- in the hopes of holding sway over the world body. I realize that the starving and otherwise desperate people in tsunami-stricken regions don't care whose name is stamped on the side of boxes of food, water, and other survival essentials, but I would really hate to think that the UN's humanitarian agencies, with their decades of experience, are not being given the chance to do their jobs because the current U.S. administration is allergic to blue-colored multilateralism. (The words "united" and "nations" are not bad words, folks, especially in times of disaster.)
Follow-up: With all the aid agencies in Canada accepting donations, it was hard to decide who to give my money to. I narrowed the choice down to the Canadian Red Cross and UNICEF Canada, based on purely subjective criteria. The "pay to the order of" line on the cheque remained blank a little longer while I scanned each prospective recipient's Web page. In the end, I went with the Canadian Red Cross, and the cheque is now in the mail. (I was going to take it in person to the national office, downtown on Metcalfe Street, but I wasn't sure when I could get there, and whether they would be swamped; mailing seemed to be the safer alternative.) Hopefully, the staff of the Ontario office, in Mississauga, will be able to process it before the January 11 deadline for the government to match funds.
Speaking of which, why is that amount -- over $70 million and counting, thanks to the generosity of individuals and groups across the country -- coming from existing federal pledges? I'm buoyed every time I hear about how much Canadians are donating, especially knowing that those funds will be matched; then, almost as an afterthought, it's mentioned that the matched funds will be coming from the millions already pledged by the government. Huh? Are you kidding me? We donated the money; you said it would be matched -- cough up your share! Stop taking it from what you've already said you'd be giving those poor people! And stop deducting the cost of DART's deployment! You know, if the government's vacuous approach continues, Canada is going to end up either looking like or, worse, being the stingiest country in the West, no matter how many tens of millions Canadians have given. What a shame.
Follow-up: Correction: the cheque is not in the mail. Canada Post, perhaps the most Grinch-like of them all, returned my envelope -- the one labeled "Attn: tsunami relief effort." The large "return to sender" label demanded an additional 31 cents because of the envelope's size and weight. (Sadly, this was not the work of some insensate machine: the handwriting and "manual sortation" stamp on the label proves otherwise.) I grant that the 149 x 244 mm (5 7/8 x 9 5/8 inch) "catalogue envelope" I used was a tad bit larger than its contents, but too heavy? How much does a cheque and a small scrap of paper -- a note of thanks and an address for the tax receipt -- weigh? Now that I have it back in my hands, it seems featherweight -- certainly lighter than a greeting card. Besides, I wasn't the one who weighed it, checked its size, and stuck the damn 49-cent stamp on it in the first place: the Canada Post employee at the drugstore postal outlet did. (A case of misplaced trust, it seems.) With only four days left until the fund-matching deadline, I'll have to deliver my donation in person to the Canadian Red Cross. While I'm there, I'll be sure to show them the returned envelope; I'm sure they will be as...amused as I am with Canada Post's contribution to the relief efforts.
Follow-up: I ended up donating to the Canadian Red Cross at my bank -- which, in hindsight, makes perfect sense; it's any wonder why I didn't think of it in the first place. Anyway, I did my bit, and with one day to spare: Ottawa's surge in generosity today -- more than $425 million over five years -- will now include an amount matching my meager donation. It's the least I could to help the government play catch-up with the rest of the Western world. Although, I'm not sure whether Canadians privately donating $150 million and shaming the government into giving more should leave us feeling empowered, or ashamed.
Follow-up: If one thing was missing from the CBC's Canada for Asia "broadcast event to benefit Southeast Asia" on January 14, it was the government's matching funds. I realize that it's coming from our pockets one way or the other, but it's kind of fun of sticking it to the feds when donating: "Ha-ha, suckers, you have to match this!"
posted by media_dystopia @ 22:51 [ link | top | home ]
Friday, December 24, 2004
Finally. Scratch Max Barry's Syrup and Jennifer Government off the reading list.
Syrup didn't do much for me, I'm sorry to say. Mind you, I was in the middle of a Percocet haze at the time -- hardly the best time to formulate an opinion of a book. I was going to wait until Christmas to read both books, but having been confined to bed for the better part of a week, writhing in agony and unable to sleep, I decided to move up my reading schedule. I even stuffed Syrup in my pocket as I headed off to the emergency room, anticipating many ennui-filled hours in the waiting room.
Jennifer Government followed on the heels of Syrup. His sophomore novel was quite enjoyable, start to finish -- and not just because the pain had subsided. It would be an understatement to say that Barry is fixated on marketing and other corporate machinations. He certainly lends credence to that old adage that you write what you know. As for his style, I kept noticing his colon usage: he's as addicted to them as I am to dashes. I'm not sure whether this is a compliment or not, but, as an aspiring writer, the novel was inspirational; there's a degree of "Hey, I could do this!" to it. (No offense.)
Assuming, of course, that I had an ounce of imagination. I don't. Nope. Nada. Naught. Short of injuring myself again and getting more Percocet -- or something else that induces wacky dreams; I hear good things about Vicodin (said tongue in cheek) -- imagination is going to remain as elusive as ever. So, while I'm waiting for it to kick in, spontaneously, without pharmaceutical assistance, I'll move on to Paul Di Filippo's Ribofunk. Given the creativity of the three short stories of his I've read so far -- "Stone Lives", "Clouds and Cold Fires", and "Any Major Dude" -- there's little doubt that this biogenetically oriented collection will leave me feeling even more brain-dead. (For me, the drawback of reading fiction, especially the speculative kind, is realizing just how unimaginative I am.)
Follow-up: You know, I'm thinking of asking Max Barry for a free copy of his next book, what with all the gratuitous publicity I've given him. (Prior to this post, he was blogged -- mentioned and linked to -- here, here, here, here, here, and here.) Hell, I gave it to him without having read the damn books! Now that I have, and feel somewhat blasé about them, I've cut out the marketing; gone is the sense of anticipation that helped fuel it. Still, in the six months or so I've been talking about him and his novels, I know of two people who have read Jennifer Government as a direct result. Mind you, they didn't buy their copies: a friend in Ottawa borrowed mine, and one in the U.S. found it at the local library. Still, that's two more readers -- so far -- and what do I have to show for it beyond the normal edification that comes with reading (or so I hear)? Just the sinking feeling that I'm an unwitting pawn in Barry's global marketing scheme: turning the typing of bloggers into the ringing of cash registers. (Or am I being paranoid?)
posted by media_dystopia @ 15:38 [ link | top | home ]
Thursday, December 16, 2004
A holiday reminder to Future Shop: You cannot call yourself "proudly Canadian" when you're owned by an American company.
This Christmas, as with any other, you're going to make a lot of money off of Canadian shoppers, many of whom are under the impression that their hard-earned cash is going to a Canadian-owned company. Now, I don't mind that you're owned by Best Buy; what does bother me is that you're deceiving the buying public by building "competing" stores side-by-side -- the two on Ottawa's Merivale Road, for instance -- and displaying the "proudly Canadian" sticker in the front entrance of the Future Shop locations. In the case of the former, some keen observers may have noticed the plastic bins used to carry merchandise between the two stores -- hard to miss when "FUTURE SHOP" is written on the side, and you're in a Best Buy. As for that ubiquitous red-and-white sticker, it's bullshit, pure and simple; it also debases the phrase "proudly Canadian" for those companies who really are. (Thanks to you, when RONA and others use it, I don't know what it means.)
And please don't point to your online company information -- "Future Shop stores are a division of Burnaby-based Best Buy Canada Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Best Buy Co., Inc." -- to show you're up front about your ownership, or, worse, to argue that since the middleman is technically Canadian, so are you; sorry, but I just don't agree on either count. To me, it's still a duping policy, and no matter which of those three corporate entities is responsible for it, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I also know for a fact that at least one customer -- me -- has e-mailed the "proudly Canadian" chain to point this out, and was ignored. Gee, I hope that isn't a policy.
posted by media_dystopia @ 04:59 [ link | top | home ]
Friday, December 10, 2004
I'm straight and even I don't want to live in Alberta. As one who fully and unequivocally supports same-sex marriage, I am proud of the Supreme Court's landmark -- and unanimous -- decision today, as well as the Liberal government's intent to table legislation giving same-sex couples across Canada the rights courts have already granted them in seven jurisdictions.
However, that pride is tempered by an equal amount of shame towards those who would deny Canadians their rights because of God, tradition, or bigotry. I'm especially ashamed of that holier-than-thou province, Alberta, and its self-righteous premier, Ralph Klein, who sees himself not only as a noble defender of traditional marriage, but as a spokesman for the majority of Canadians. Between the province's moralistic stance and Klein's political crusade, it's clear that Albertans have no problem with putting up firewalls to keep out equality; worse, they have no compunction about impeding the country's progress on human rights. (Does this make anyone else shudder to the core?)
I'm also feeling a pang of sadness knowing that, even if the planned legislation is passed early next near, Stephen Harper and the Conservatives will use an inevitable election win to sweep it and the resulting marriages away, as if they never happened. Worse, they'll censure the six provinces and one territory where same-sex marriage is legal, perhaps going so far as to ignore the Supreme Court and annul all preexisting gay and lesbian marriages; best-case scenario being that they do this by forcibly substituting civil unions. (If you thought Quebec's use of the notwithstanding clause was offensive, wait till the Tories get their hands on it.) Knowing this about Canadian politics, anyone mentioning that we're the third country to legalize same-sex marriage -- again, assuming the legislation passes -- will have to include an asterisk and a footnote: "Until such time as the conservative opposition party comes to power." Shame, indeed.
Speaking of Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, Manitoba, the Yukon, Nova Scotia, and Saskatchewan -- which, I believe, represent 85 percent of the population of Canada -- people opposed to same-sex marriage have been living with it there for varying lengths of time, from months to years; answer me this, folks: Has same-sex marriage really affected your life for the worse? Has giving fellow Canadians the rights they should already have been such a burden for you? Has (insert province or territory here) become a bad place to live because gays and lesbians can now marry just like you? Think about it.
And while those people are mulling it over and, hopefully, realizing that same-sex marriage has done nothing to them, I urge the rest of you to let your MPs know that you support the proposed legislation. Remember: the fight is far from over; until there's a permanent victory, speak out and, if possible, help organizations like Canadians for Equal Marriage. (With apologies for sounding preachy.)
Follow-up: Make that eight jurisdictions and 87 percent of the population: Newfoundland and Labrador now has equal marriage -- an early Christmas present for the Rock's gays and lesbians.
posted by media_dystopia @ 02:29 [ link | top | home ]
Monday, December 06, 2004
A burning question. Next time I'm at the mall, I'm going to line up with the (other) children, and sit on Santa's knee. When the ersatz jolly old elf asks me what I want, I'm going to pose a question of my own: Is TVO ever going to release Prisoners of Gravity on DVD? While I'm at it, Santa, is there ever going to be a Twin Peaks DVD box set that's actually complete? Then, after I'm forcibly ejected by mall security, I'm going to go sulk. I've only recently started buying DVDs (not that I ever bought videos), but two of the ones I would be most interested in buying are not available. Oh, sure, there's that wannabe, Twin Peaks: The First Season, but any box set missing the first two hours -- the pilot -- is pointless, never mind the missing second season.
Follow-up: Speaking of Prisoners of Gravity, I just stumbled across Signal Loss, a kick-ass fan site. It, in turn, links to the Original PoG Episode Guide, hosted by Made in Canada, "The Homepage For Canadian Science Fiction." (I guess I should pay attention to what's out there, eh?)
posted by media_dystopia @ 22:34 [ link | top | home ]
Sunday, December 05, 2004
I'm going for a record. Until such time as this post is published to the Web, it will be the 19th draft post I have on the go. The work of the bereaved -- with a phrase like that, it's no wonder my mother says my writing is cryptic -- traveling, and nowadays that perennial annoyance, Christmas shopping, has been eating up my time. That and I haven't had the wherewithal to do such a backlog of editing. Lame, I know.
The reading has slowed down, although I did manage to finish Nanotech, edited by Jack Dann and Gardner Dozois -- "We Were Out of Our Minds with Joy," by David Marusek, really got to me; not surprising, given my current state of mind -- and William Gibson and Bruce Sterling's The Difference Engine. Yes, folks, I have finally read all of Gibson's fiction. (Gee, that only took me the better part of a decade.) I found the duo's contribution to the world of alternate history to be slow-going at first, but then the story, set in Victorian London, got interesting. Nowhere near as interesting as, say, Gibson's Sprawl series -- steampunk doesn't hold a limelight to cyberpunk -- but a good read nonetheless. That being said, I'm glad I'm done with it; it's nice to be able to check it off the reading list once and for all.
Speaking of traveling (with apologies for the clumsy segue), I thought I would be safe driving from Toronto to Ottawa at the conclusion of Bush's state visit, but I ended up going from cool weather and no snow to bloody cold and the first major snow of the year. And me without my snow tires and winter boots.
posted by media_dystopia @ 04:36 [ link | top | home ]