No one doubts that some of the actions of the Toronto Police during this past Summer's G20 Summit were dubious. Even the police themselves have admitted such. As a Canadian, and as a Torontonian, I am highly disturbed by the portrayal of the events in the Fifth Estate documentary we were required to watch. It is conspicuous that the documentary follows the sequence of events as told by the protesters only. The victims of police violence were given ample time to narrate what happened to them while Chief Bill Blair (the only police officer interviewed) was never given any time to do so but only asked trite questions about the size of individual police officers guns.
A more fair, honest documentary would have included interviews of more police officers, allowing them ample opportunity to explain their actions as well as narrate the sequence of events from their understanding. It would also be profitable to include interactions between the police and their victims. This documentary is a stunning example of yellow journalism.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Media Analysis
A Major News Story:
It seems as though the whole fiasco to do with Bev Oda has failed to matter much to Canadians. According to a recent poll, only 32% of respondents believe that the minister ought to resign. This must be a sore disappointment to the opposition because according to the Hansard they have asked 79 questions in two weeks concerning the affair. I honestly don't know why this situation has received so much attention in the media. Canadians clearly don't care too much about it and there are for more interesting things going on in the world. But if I had to venture a guess, I'd say it probably has to do with the fact that because the opposition is hoping to make this issue stick so close to a possible election.
An under-reported story,
The Cato Institute has published pocket-sized copies of the US constitution in Arabic. Cato, an American Libertarian think-tank, has published this with a view to "encourage people everywhere to better understand and appreciate the principles of government that are set forth in America's founding documents." I am quite interested in Cato's work and I find it highly suspicious that such a book was not available before all of the turmoil in the Middle East. Perhaps this is their way of spreading liberty abroad? Nothing better to do that than education!
It seems as though the whole fiasco to do with Bev Oda has failed to matter much to Canadians. According to a recent poll, only 32% of respondents believe that the minister ought to resign. This must be a sore disappointment to the opposition because according to the Hansard they have asked 79 questions in two weeks concerning the affair. I honestly don't know why this situation has received so much attention in the media. Canadians clearly don't care too much about it and there are for more interesting things going on in the world. But if I had to venture a guess, I'd say it probably has to do with the fact that because the opposition is hoping to make this issue stick so close to a possible election.
An under-reported story,
The Cato Institute has published pocket-sized copies of the US constitution in Arabic. Cato, an American Libertarian think-tank, has published this with a view to "encourage people everywhere to better understand and appreciate the principles of government that are set forth in America's founding documents." I am quite interested in Cato's work and I find it highly suspicious that such a book was not available before all of the turmoil in the Middle East. Perhaps this is their way of spreading liberty abroad? Nothing better to do that than education!
Beyond the Text: United States of Canada vs. Jesusland
I don't like this cartoon even a little bit. It ignores the vast diversity of political views represented in both countries. To simply imply that Americans living in the Northern and West Coast states are Canadian and that the rest are all quazi-fundamentalist Evangelicals is arrogant in the extreme. I also find it interesting that Ohio, North Dakota and South Dakota are all part of the United States of Canada. Hah.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Research Discovery-Interacting with my "peers."
I commented on Likda's (who evidently doesn't have a surname), Paul Chrusciel's,
Peter LaMarre's, Laura Wright's, and Daniel Toney's blogs.
Peter LaMarre's, Laura Wright's, and Daniel Toney's blogs.
Question of the Week-Europe, Multiculturalism, the GTA and the Next Election.
Merkle, Cameron and most recently Sarkozy have all publicly repudiated multiculturalism. Harper has not. We also know that minorities have played a big part in electing conservative mayor Rob Ford.
- Is the PM hesitating to join the chorus of his fellow conservatives because he doesn't want to bite the hand he hopes will feed him?
Reflective Journal-The Constitution
About one month ago I finished reading The Trouble with Canada...Still! by William Gairdner. I am almost totally convinced of his analysis of the problems with the constitution of this country and I came to class these past two lectures wanting to burst, my head swimming as it was with the problems of Canada, as I see them, at least.
Perhaps the what burned in my mind the most are all the unanswered questions I have about Canada's messy constitution. If I had the luxury of having a private lecture with Professor Alexander here are a few of the questions I'd ask:
Perhaps the what burned in my mind the most are all the unanswered questions I have about Canada's messy constitution. If I had the luxury of having a private lecture with Professor Alexander here are a few of the questions I'd ask:
- How exactly does the constitution allow for Civil Law (Quebec) and Common Law (R.O.C.)? (Yes, I know the text talks about this but I'm not satisfied with the answer.)
- To what extent was Trudeau predicting the future when he said the British Common Law System "must be welcomed as a valuable tool which permits dynamic parties to plant socialist governments in certain provinces, from which the seeds of radicalism can slowly spread."?
- Does the fact that no popular consent is required to make constituional change leave us at the mercy of judicial activists?
Media Analysis
Egypt's military has taken over. The parliament is dissolved and the constitution is suspended. Yes, I am aware that this meets two demands of the pro-democracy demonstrators. But it's telling that all this is happening on the eve of the army clearing out the remaining protesters. The book about military dictatorships willingly relinquishing control is a short one. Frankly when I read this about fifteen minutes ago the cynicism I felt at the protest on Friday my was totally justified. I really, really hope all this works out for the Egyptian people. My sense of historical irony kicks in too fast for me to ever give into it however.
So, what about the Copts? Throughout this whole shtick in Egypt I've spent most of my time considering possible ramifications for the State of Israel. Never once did I think about what it means for the sizable Coptic-Christian minority, and other minorities in Egypt. It seems like the media is by-and-large as guilty as I. What voice are they going to be given? How do we know they'll be included in the dialogue? We don't know.
It's important to mention that as far as we can tell, Christian-owned businesses have not been targeted for vandalism. However in light of the recent attacks on Coptic churches, this fact likely does nothing to calm anyone's nerves. Does Friday's events apply to Egyptian Christians? Is the revolution which we're told is going to spread across the Arab world something that Christians there can look forward to? If the answer to these questions is no this whole revolution is a insult.
So, what about the Copts? Throughout this whole shtick in Egypt I've spent most of my time considering possible ramifications for the State of Israel. Never once did I think about what it means for the sizable Coptic-Christian minority, and other minorities in Egypt. It seems like the media is by-and-large as guilty as I. What voice are they going to be given? How do we know they'll be included in the dialogue? We don't know.
It's important to mention that as far as we can tell, Christian-owned businesses have not been targeted for vandalism. However in light of the recent attacks on Coptic churches, this fact likely does nothing to calm anyone's nerves. Does Friday's events apply to Egyptian Christians? Is the revolution which we're told is going to spread across the Arab world something that Christians there can look forward to? If the answer to these questions is no this whole revolution is a insult.
Beyond the Text: "Uninstalling Mubarak."
This past Friday I attended the "Anti-Mubarak" rally in front of JustUs. The reasoning of the younger people addressing the crowd that I heard was basically the same as this cartoon: uninstall Mubarak and then the obstacle blocking freedom in Egypt will be gone. Whoa, hold on. Didn't Omar Suleiman accept the Muslim Brotherhood as part of the ongoing negotiations? The same group that is known to be associated with the the assassination of Anwar Sadat? Perhaps what Egypt needs to do is wipe its hard drive.
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Question of the Week-For Dr. Adamson.
Dr. Adamson,
You exhorted those of us who want to teach Political Science to keep our politics out of the classroom. How did you accomplish this while you were "going after" your Tory students?
You exhorted those of us who want to teach Political Science to keep our politics out of the classroom. How did you accomplish this while you were "going after" your Tory students?
Reflective Journal-Dr. Agar Adamson
This lecture was very interesting for me personally. During his preliminary remarks about how the internet has facilitated the revolution in Egypt I found myself thinking about how in 1517 the printing press facilitated the revolution we call the Protestant Revolution. Without the ability to print and distribute literature quickly and cheaply the Reformation would have been quashed before it began. One wonders how the revolution in Egypt would have lasted without the ability to publish news, photos and plans for demonstrations online?
I was encouraged to hear that in his career Dr. Adamson tried to separate his own political views from what he taught in the classroom. This is admirable. However two minutes later he said that he tried to cause his students to be able to see the other side of the issue, "especially if he [note the lack of gender neutrality] was a died-in-the-wool Tory." So, am I to understand that he lacked this separation when dealing with Conservatives/conservatives? He also went on to say tell the class that Ronald Reagan [who turns 100 today!] was a puppet of the Neo-Conservatives and praised the virtues of the state-funded media in Canada at length, even suggesting that the CBC is a politically-neutral force in the media. I'm happy Dr. Alexander isn't the same way with us.
I was encouraged to hear that in his career Dr. Adamson tried to separate his own political views from what he taught in the classroom. This is admirable. However two minutes later he said that he tried to cause his students to be able to see the other side of the issue, "especially if he [note the lack of gender neutrality] was a died-in-the-wool Tory." So, am I to understand that he lacked this separation when dealing with Conservatives/conservatives? He also went on to say tell the class that Ronald Reagan [who turns 100 today!] was a puppet of the Neo-Conservatives and praised the virtues of the state-funded media in Canada at length, even suggesting that the CBC is a politically-neutral force in the media. I'm happy Dr. Alexander isn't the same way with us.
Research Discovery-Al Jazzera, CBC, BBC, etc.
I Googled this for about half an hour and I didn't find anything substantial except something about journalists being fired from Al Jazeera Cairo and getting jobs with the BBC and CBC. I don't really know what we're supposed to be looking for here, I'm quite confused.
Media Analysis
A Major News story...
I a Canadian of strong, blue collar stock so naturally I am excited about Tim Hortons being exported around the globe. The Middle East is an up-and-coming region economically, the millions of people there who are already swimming in cash notwithstanding. I think the reason this story is being featured prominantly in the media is easy to understand. In the past few years Tim Hortons had been criticized for the fact that it had no plan to deal with the fact that is was nearing market saturation in Canada. I wouldn't be surprised if these stores are opened with much fanfare in the Canadian Media.
A not so major news story...
Poverty in PEI costs over $240, 000,000. I find it interesting that this article basically makes the case that a "comprehensive" program of poverty elimination needs to be undertaken but the only specific action it mentions is more government spending. I think the best reason this story is under-reported is simply this: the solution is so banal and oft-repeated that no one would listen.
I a Canadian of strong, blue collar stock so naturally I am excited about Tim Hortons being exported around the globe. The Middle East is an up-and-coming region economically, the millions of people there who are already swimming in cash notwithstanding. I think the reason this story is being featured prominantly in the media is easy to understand. In the past few years Tim Hortons had been criticized for the fact that it had no plan to deal with the fact that is was nearing market saturation in Canada. I wouldn't be surprised if these stores are opened with much fanfare in the Canadian Media.
A not so major news story...
Poverty in PEI costs over $240, 000,000. I find it interesting that this article basically makes the case that a "comprehensive" program of poverty elimination needs to be undertaken but the only specific action it mentions is more government spending. I think the best reason this story is under-reported is simply this: the solution is so banal and oft-repeated that no one would listen.
Beyond the Text: Snow in Toronto
As a Torontonian, cartoons like this annoy me to no end.
In January of 1998 there was a major snow and ice storm that hit Southern and Eastern Ontario. I was there and I can testify to the fact that it was scary. The military was called in and ever since then Toronto has borne the brunt of all kinds of jokes about how we can't cope with snow (apparently). I honestly think that this has little to do with the weather in Toronto and how the media presents the city. Toronto is colder than the average Canadian city during the winter because of the lake effect. Although it snows less in Toronto it's a bigger problem because there's fewer places to put the snow. Oftentimes the result of this is that days after a major storm commuting is still dangerous.
It's not a huge issue but it's still interesting.
In January of 1998 there was a major snow and ice storm that hit Southern and Eastern Ontario. I was there and I can testify to the fact that it was scary. The military was called in and ever since then Toronto has borne the brunt of all kinds of jokes about how we can't cope with snow (apparently). I honestly think that this has little to do with the weather in Toronto and how the media presents the city. Toronto is colder than the average Canadian city during the winter because of the lake effect. Although it snows less in Toronto it's a bigger problem because there's fewer places to put the snow. Oftentimes the result of this is that days after a major storm commuting is still dangerous.
It's not a huge issue but it's still interesting.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Media Analysis-Tide of Public Opinion finally turning in the US
According to this poll done by Fox news, thirty-eight years after Roe v. Wade, the tide is turning against legalized abortion. With numbers like this I believe it is possible for Roe v. Wade to be overturned in five years, providing of course President Obama is defeated in 2012. The poll shows that between 1997 and 2010 the number of Americans identifying themselves as "Pro-life" has gone up from 40% to 50% while the number of those who identify themselves has decreased from 50% to 42%. The importance of these figures for the abortion debate can hardly be understated (provided, of course that they are accurate).
Even more telling than this, in my opinion, is this note from New Jersey. If you don't have time to read the whole thing read this quote from it:
After watching Gov. Chris Christie try to burnish a reputation as a fiscal conservative, political analysts said the New Jersey governor on Monday significantly broadened his national credentials as a social conservative by joining abortion protesters at a rally and encouraging them to "stand up and speak strongly in favor for the protection of every human life."Christie spoke to the crowd from the top step outside the Statehouse, with the temperatures in the teens and the governor not in a topcoat. But there were other reasons why the five-minute speech was unusual.
Marie E. Tasy, executive director of New Jersey Right to Life, said it was the first time a New Jersey governor had addressed a pro-life rally. The event marked the 38th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision.
Christie had been silent on abortion during his first year in office and didn't refer to social views when he slashed funding for family planning from the state budget, saying that was a fiscal decision.
A state governor unabashedly lending his support for the Pro-Life movement. In New Jersey. If we thought the debates of the past surrounding this issue were heated it looks like we haven't seen anything yet.
Even more telling than this, in my opinion, is this note from New Jersey. If you don't have time to read the whole thing read this quote from it:
After watching Gov. Chris Christie try to burnish a reputation as a fiscal conservative, political analysts said the New Jersey governor on Monday significantly broadened his national credentials as a social conservative by joining abortion protesters at a rally and encouraging them to "stand up and speak strongly in favor for the protection of every human life."Christie spoke to the crowd from the top step outside the Statehouse, with the temperatures in the teens and the governor not in a topcoat. But there were other reasons why the five-minute speech was unusual.
Marie E. Tasy, executive director of New Jersey Right to Life, said it was the first time a New Jersey governor had addressed a pro-life rally. The event marked the 38th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision.
Christie had been silent on abortion during his first year in office and didn't refer to social views when he slashed funding for family planning from the state budget, saying that was a fiscal decision.
A state governor unabashedly lending his support for the Pro-Life movement. In New Jersey. If we thought the debates of the past surrounding this issue were heated it looks like we haven't seen anything yet.
Beyond the Text: "Muslims, Muslims everywhere."
I was providentially hindered from attending class on Tuesday and on Thursday so I am at a bit of a loss as how to provide piece of "art" which expands on the discussions I was to participate on in class.
Take a look at this video from the Onion.
The fact of the matter is that Muslims are immigrating to countries across the world and having kids. This very fact is bound to change the nations currently experiencing this phenomenon. This hilarious video highlights the fact that the media seems to be using Muslims as a convenient distraction from the West's real and harder to understand problems. Crushing federal debt, growing nanny states and governments increasing willingness to print worthless currency pose much greater threats to the so-called Western way of life than immigrant Muslims, extremist or otherwise.
Take a look at this video from the Onion.
The fact of the matter is that Muslims are immigrating to countries across the world and having kids. This very fact is bound to change the nations currently experiencing this phenomenon. This hilarious video highlights the fact that the media seems to be using Muslims as a convenient distraction from the West's real and harder to understand problems. Crushing federal debt, growing nanny states and governments increasing willingness to print worthless currency pose much greater threats to the so-called Western way of life than immigrant Muslims, extremist or otherwise.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Reseach Quest-My political ideology.
I did two of the quizzes and, to nobody's surprise, I'm a libertarian. About four years ago I started to transition to this viewpoint from a more neo-conservative one largely because of the writings of Texas congressman Ron Paul. Since that time I have read fairly extensively in the area of Libertarian economics and I think it's probably the most consistent economic view. When people ask me why I am a libertarian I usually say one of two things:
1) I don't think the government does anything very well at all.
2) Once I began to notice advocates of socialism presuppose a Marxist understanding of class struggle when discussing the causes of inequality I began to realize that their are many other causes. Creating more government doesn't help mitigate these causes, it makes them stronger, in my parochial opinion.
I'm comfortable with being a libertarian. It isn't the sexiest ideology in the world today but I like how it puts the onus on me to make careful decisions for myself.
1) I don't think the government does anything very well at all.
2) Once I began to notice advocates of socialism presuppose a Marxist understanding of class struggle when discussing the causes of inequality I began to realize that their are many other causes. Creating more government doesn't help mitigate these causes, it makes them stronger, in my parochial opinion.
I'm comfortable with being a libertarian. It isn't the sexiest ideology in the world today but I like how it puts the onus on me to make careful decisions for myself.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
News that made it into the mainstream media and news that didn't.
Made it:
Yad VaShem, an organization dedicated to Holocaust education, has announced that it will set up a YouTube account featuring videos in Farsi to teach Iranians about the historical fact of what happened to six million Jews, and a host of others, in Europe during the 1940s. I think this is a very appropriate response to Mr. Ahmadinejad's denial of the holocaust. It will allow Iranians themselves to evaluate the claims of Holocaust deniers with credible information from an organization with a reputation of doing excellent work in this field. I hope Iranians take this seriously as it could make life in the neighbourhood of the Middle East more safe for everyone who lives there.
Didn't make it:
Evidently poverty has doubled in the world since 1970. Although I'm hardly the type who thinks that every story that doesn't make it into the mainstream media represents some kind of vast conspiracy, it's not hard to guess why we're not hearing about this from all of the major news outlets in the world. World leaders in political and corporate spheres want us to believe that the prosperity most Westerners enjoy is spreading across the globe, largely because of their efforts. I was expecting the article to opine concerning why the number of poor people have increased. I'm glad it didn't because in the majority of articles I read from the non-mainstream media, the blame is more often than not placed at the feet of political and/or corporate bodies from the West. Be that as it may, at least some of the burden ought to be shouldered by the governments of the so-called "poor" nations themselves who almost universally taken on programs of planned economies (now you'd never read that in the mainstream media, would you?).
Yad VaShem, an organization dedicated to Holocaust education, has announced that it will set up a YouTube account featuring videos in Farsi to teach Iranians about the historical fact of what happened to six million Jews, and a host of others, in Europe during the 1940s. I think this is a very appropriate response to Mr. Ahmadinejad's denial of the holocaust. It will allow Iranians themselves to evaluate the claims of Holocaust deniers with credible information from an organization with a reputation of doing excellent work in this field. I hope Iranians take this seriously as it could make life in the neighbourhood of the Middle East more safe for everyone who lives there.
Didn't make it:
Evidently poverty has doubled in the world since 1970. Although I'm hardly the type who thinks that every story that doesn't make it into the mainstream media represents some kind of vast conspiracy, it's not hard to guess why we're not hearing about this from all of the major news outlets in the world. World leaders in political and corporate spheres want us to believe that the prosperity most Westerners enjoy is spreading across the globe, largely because of their efforts. I was expecting the article to opine concerning why the number of poor people have increased. I'm glad it didn't because in the majority of articles I read from the non-mainstream media, the blame is more often than not placed at the feet of political and/or corporate bodies from the West. Be that as it may, at least some of the burden ought to be shouldered by the governments of the so-called "poor" nations themselves who almost universally taken on programs of planned economies (now you'd never read that in the mainstream media, would you?).
Viola Desmond-A Canadian Rosa Parks?
The history of mistreatment of people of African decent in Canada is a shameful one. No balanced person could possibly disagree with that. In 1946, Viola Desmond was dragged out of a New Glasgow movie theatre for the crime of sitting in a chair which would have otherwise been occupied by a white person. For this, Ms. Desmond is called "Canada's Rosa Parks." While I can sympathize with that title I don't think it's appropriate for two reasons...
1) If I were an African Nova Scotian I would be offended by such a title because it subtly and perhaps unwittingly implies that the stand Desmond took is somehow a footnote to Parks. We should remember that Desmond took her stand years before the civil rights movement was ever heard of. Also this whole affair happened in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia in a place where the Black community was far less powerful that in Montgomery Alabama where Parks took her stand. Moreover New Glasgow did not seem to have a powerful leader like Rev. Martin Luther King to use the event as a catylist for change as did Montgomery. Despite this Ms. Desmond fought her case all the way to Nova Scotia Supreme Court with none of the hype and fanfare that accompanied the struggle of Ms. Parks. I find more inspiration in the story of Viola Desmond and I think that others would too if they knew about it.
2) I have to be cautious about how I write this. The struggle of Parks and Desmond are fundamentally different because of one detail: property. Public transit systems are exactly that: public. All members of the public should therefore be afforded with equal and open access to public transit. A movie theatre is usually private property. Does the public enjoy equal access to public property? No. Although it sounds strange to sympathize with the owners of such a racist establishment I think a better statement would be for the Black community to boycott the theatre totally as opposed to entering needless discussions about what a person can and cannot do with his/her own property. I could write endlessly about my beliefs about this but I've already stated how it relates to this issue
1) If I were an African Nova Scotian I would be offended by such a title because it subtly and perhaps unwittingly implies that the stand Desmond took is somehow a footnote to Parks. We should remember that Desmond took her stand years before the civil rights movement was ever heard of. Also this whole affair happened in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia in a place where the Black community was far less powerful that in Montgomery Alabama where Parks took her stand. Moreover New Glasgow did not seem to have a powerful leader like Rev. Martin Luther King to use the event as a catylist for change as did Montgomery. Despite this Ms. Desmond fought her case all the way to Nova Scotia Supreme Court with none of the hype and fanfare that accompanied the struggle of Ms. Parks. I find more inspiration in the story of Viola Desmond and I think that others would too if they knew about it.
2) I have to be cautious about how I write this. The struggle of Parks and Desmond are fundamentally different because of one detail: property. Public transit systems are exactly that: public. All members of the public should therefore be afforded with equal and open access to public transit. A movie theatre is usually private property. Does the public enjoy equal access to public property? No. Although it sounds strange to sympathize with the owners of such a racist establishment I think a better statement would be for the Black community to boycott the theatre totally as opposed to entering needless discussions about what a person can and cannot do with his/her own property. I could write endlessly about my beliefs about this but I've already stated how it relates to this issue
Monday, January 17, 2011
Judas: A Biography. George Elliott Clarke
Read the poem here.
As someone who is descended from black slaves who escaped to Canada from the Southern United States and as a Christian I find this poem to be most interesting. The title lead me to believe that this poem would be about that apostle of Christ who betrayed his Master for thirty pieces of silver. Instead it is about a preacher, an apostle of Christ of sorts who betrays his own flock, manipulating them for their own welfare cheques. The poem shifts to tell us about some kind of criminal, controlling women with prostitution and drugs. When "Mary" quits "Judas" for "Christ", "Judas" has him killed publicly.
A little about me...
I'm twenty-nine years old, and moved here from Toronto to work in L'arche here in Wolfville just over two years ago. I have never been to university, or attended any secular post-secondary school. I'm pretty apprehensive about being here at Acadia and I'm already very daunted by the amount of work I have to do simply to keep the people in the enrollment and accounts departments off my back. I feel like my future will be in jeopardy if I don't follow their rules and do well so I am obliged to fulfill these obligations without complaining.
I have been interested in politics since I was eleven years old when I lied about my age on a membership form to join the NDP. Although I am still a member of a political party (not the NDP) I have mellowed considerably and my zeal for the political process has been tempered by a healthy dose of cynicism. Over the years the writers that have influenced my political thinking the most are probably Thomas Sowell, Friedrich vonHayek, Eric Hoffer and (I'm almost ashamed to admit) Ayn Rand. I hope that this course will be an opportunity to expand my opinions about the state of Canadian politics which I have to admit are probably a little too parochial to take seriously.
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