10:39 PM - 08.12.04
Paradox
There were a lot of humourous stories in the news the past couple of days, dear diary, so I thought I'd regale you with some of the best.
Well auctioning ghosts is a good way to exorcise your home - as long as the ghost agrees to go of course. Ghostbusters. What a creative parenting solution and fundraiser all in one.
Next humourous piece is about the use of the word Dude in the Queen's English Dude I think the Australian equivalent of "Mate" would fit just as well.
Oh yes, and then there was this one on crying in your Beer. Remember my musing about the National Hockey League strike and it's potential impact on societal patterns of behaviour. This is exhibit # 1.
These were more "to clear the record" type stories, but equally noteworthy in their own way. A lot of hoo ha has been poured out on students and parents about the reasons for the massive tuition hikes at post secondary institutions. Given my own recent forays in to the arcane world of academia, I thought this explanation helped a lot. Tuition. Speaking of intellectual property this story out of Silicon Valley caught my attention because it comes from artists - not music marketers. File_sharing
This should give anyone pause. The article outlines how much further behind our country is from a decade ago with respect to cleaning up air and water pollution. Pollution. This site by the World Health Organization lists all the measured pollutants and explains how much if any are safe in one's air and water. The worst problems may be those that are measured by particulate amount Carcinogens. This companion site allows one to check on the quality of air and water in your own backyard. Not only that it also tells you what each of those scary sounding pollutants will do to you and your loved ones bodies.Mapping
This one was actually sad although there was a humourous intent in the development of the product. It's intended for US citizens who are finding it difficult to avoid the fallout from their government's foreign policy in almost all other countries around the world.T_Shirt.
Canada has served as the receiving terminus of the Underground railroad for those who could not or would not accept their "place" as deemed by the American government of their time. The United Empire Loyalists who wanted to remain loyal to Great Britian in 1776 were probably the first. Next up were those held in slavery by subsequent regimes until the American Civil War gave black Americans the opportunity to redefine their place in the union. Then there were the refugees from the McCarthy era and the Vietnam war. That last group are now preparing to help the next generation Quakers Stephen_Stills from reports out of the Northwest US. This is a step further down the line where faith versus the state becomes an issue between neighbours. Objector. Sort of the government equivalent of Enron if the testimony is as comprehensive as is possible. It is very sad and I guess each person has to make their own choice - that is what both the US Constitution and the Canadian Charter of Rights guarantee both sets of citizens. One could say it is fortunate that between the two countries there is a place for almost everyone to seek what they feel is life, liberty and the pursuit of freedom. Paradoxes.
When I read the last few stories, it triggered memories of a friend I had made at University. We lived on the same floor in the student's residence. When her Mom came for that first visit, the story of how, during World War II, she had been the only survivor left of a large prominent Jewish family living in Poland was told. Her encounters with the Gestapo and her rescue by the invading Russian forces were riveting. Even moreso was the story of her Dad's family. In his case all 12 siblings had survived. They had all been members of the Maquis - the French Underground. One Canadian Royal Air Force member was shot down in France and joined the Maquis/Resistance as well becoming the inside guide for the bombers from Britain Spymaster. Many Canadians - 10% of the population at that time - fought and/or died in the manner described by Sir Winston Churchill in his famous speech We_Shall_Fight_On but a significant number also fought as guerillas in a number of the arenas of war at that time. Sometimes one has to decide where one is most effective I guess>
This would be my choice for resolution I think. Maybe the solution lies here. Give Peace a Chance.
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