Oct 19, 2013

Genocide? A reminder of Canada's ugly past - and present

It is good to have humbling reminders of Canada's ugly past -- and present -- when the all-Canadian itch to fight other people's wars raises its head and we send our holier-than-thou jets to bomb other regions to help their populace.  Why not look at what we are our doing to aboriginal lands and people in our backyard first?  

Hence, I found this campaign asking UN to term Canada's treatment of its aboriginals as genocide, quite relevant.  This video helped me understand why this issue was important -- and former Prime Minister Paul Martin agrees. 


Even today, land-grab and forceful disruption of aboriginal people in Canada continues, with just one small example being the Fish Lake in BC.  

Sep 5, 2013

Dear St. Mary's University, the correct word is RAPE

The news coverage around the 'froshing' at St. Mary's University is nauseatingly cute:  It is not "unconsensual sex".  It is called RAPE.  And Mr. Premier of Nova Scotia, they are not "kids".  They are ADULTS in their 20s.  And this is more than "disturbing".  It is unacceptable and ILLEGAL

For starters, the news media can start calling a spade a spade, and call rape what it is:  RAPE.  ADULTS not kids.  And let's end this stupid "froshing" by neanderthals.  It does not belong to an institution of learning (loosely speaking). 


And "Sensitivity seminar" is NOT a solution for these ADULTS.  They should be required to complete 60 days of full time community service with rape victims, for a start, so they never again consider RAPING of UNDERAGE women a joke. 

Apr 20, 2013

Air Canada's score: Women 0, Cosmetics Industry 1

Air Canada's 360 magazine shows an image of women being trained in the "art of proper makeup application and grooming" to be flight attendants.  I found it ironic that 50 years later, the "art" has become so ubiquitous that Air Canada doesn't have to pay women to learn it.  Media conditioning by the cosmetic industry has ensured that everyone (including women) expects makeup and women to go together. 

Score: Women 0, Feminism -1, Cosmetics Industry 1.   #MediaConditioningWorks.

 



Jan 23, 2013

Gun owners shoot themselves - self-eliminating problem?

Call me mean but this news made me smile: Gun-owners and gun dealers shooting themselves and their friends and family. At gun shows too.


It actually made me laugh!  I have heard of a self-fulfilling prophecy but this is more like a self-healing problem. If all the gun owners accidentally shot themselves, the debate over gun control laws would be over!