Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
This post has absolutely nothing to do with running… « In Pursuit of Happy Hips Part II
This post has absolutely nothing to do with running… « In Pursuit of Happy Hips Part II
This is one of the most beautiful, inspiring, life-affirming blog entries I've ever read, and I hope you make the time to read it.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
A know-nothing strain of conservatism - Andrew Coyne - Macleans.ca
A know-nothing strain of conservatism - Andrew Coyne - Macleans.ca: "It isn’t just that the Tories habitually ignore the expert consensus on a wide range of issues—crime, taxes, climate change—it’s that they want to be seen to be ignoring it. It’s the overt antagonism to experts, and by extension the educated classes, that marks the Tory style. In its own way, it’s a form of class war.
You can see it in the sneering references to Michael Ignatieff’s Harvard tenure, in the repeated denunciations of “elites” and “intellectuals.” In the partial dismantling of the census, we reach the final stage: not just hostile to experts, but to knowledge."
Monday, August 16, 2010
Daily Kos: Judging Obama
Truly insightful, worth the full read.: "The debate on whether it is more appropriate to say that Obama has done a lot or that he has done too little regularly divides DailyKos, and I'd like to tackle it from a slightly different perspective, to say that this is not really about Obama, but about the perspective of the different groups about our civilisation.
I would like to propose that those who think that Obama has not done enough consider that the current system is profoundly failing, and that it is time for systemic changes, instead of the tinkering they see Obama doing, whereas those that tend to focus on what Obama has done think that the system is flawed, but mendable, and that Obama is doing just that, moving things back in the right direction.
And the fact is - we don't know yet what group is right, and we may not know for a few more years."
Friday, August 13, 2010
The Perseid Meteor Showers
Just back from an observatory where 100s of people sprawled out on the grass to catch the Perseid meteor showers. I only saw the occasional "falling star", but the experience of so many races & cultures coming together to peacefully enjoy this celestial display - and the spontaneous rounds of applause it elicited - were 100% worth it. I ♥ Canada.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Royalty Free Music
This quirky, sombre snippet makes me want to use it as the soundtrack for a movie I had no previous intention of making.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Another great quote
The use of force is a last resort. One aspect of violence is that it is unpredictable. Although your initial intention may be to use limited force, once you have engaged in violence the consequences are unpredictable. Violence always brings about unexpected results and almost always provokes retaliation.
- HH the Dalai Lama
Monday, July 26, 2010
Interesting quote
"Sometimes harsh words or physical intervention may be called for. Patience safeguards our inner composure: we are in a stronger position to judge an appropriately non-violent response than if we are overwhelmed by negative thoughts and emotions. It is the opposite of cowardice, which arises when confidence is lost as a result of fear. Being patient means we remain firm even if we are afraid." - HH the Dalai Lama
Saturday, July 24, 2010
The Mahablog
The Mahablog: "I get an impression that some of the protesters are opposed to building mosques anywhere in the U.S. A google search showed there already are three mosques in Manhattan and more than 30 in the New York City area. How do we know they aren’t going to train terrorists? some ask. I guess the same way we know, or hope, they aren’t training pedophiles at Saint Patrick’s. If we aren’t going to turn into a police state, sometimes you have to give people the benefit of the doubt that they are what they say they are."
Excellent point, and I love the biting humour. Sorry.
Friday, July 23, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Portrait of the ‘Barefoot Bandit’ reveals lonely, hungry child - thestar.com
A social worker’s report from the time he was first arrested, at 12, drew a succinct conclusion, at least from the boy’s point of view.
“Colton wants Mom to stop drinking and smoking, get a job and have food in the house,” the report said. “Mom refuses.”
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Friday, July 09, 2010
Thank you very much, British Petrol
Thank you very much, British Petrol: "Which means, of course, that no catastrophe will ever be large enough, and the only thing that will finally force us away from oil is, of course, when we run out. And as Alberta's disgusting oilsands prove, we're developing simple horrific, planet-raping techniques to ensure that doesn't happen for a long, long while. Hell, Texas's 'best and brightest' in the biz are already proposing, not ways to wean us off oil, but merely ways to develop better technologies for more efficient drilling. Sort of like saying of course we should never stop declaring wars; we should only develop better ways to kill people. Good thinking. Thanks, Texas. P.S.; Go to hell."
The Road Home : HONEY ROCK DAWN
An awesome story from one of my favourite bloggers about the serendipity of an irritation.
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
A second chance or a boot in the face - The Globe and Mail
There's a REASON: why Margaret Atwood is both a Canadian icon and a force to be reckoned with.
"Two protests, seemingly miles apart, were about the kind of country we want to live in"
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
Avaaz.org - The World in Action
Avaaz.org - The World in Action
LOVE LOVE LOVE this!!!! Almost 100000 people have already signed Avaaz's "petition" to send birthday greetings to the Dalai Lama. Imagine - around the world today, people are being unified in appreciation for this voice of compassion, perseverence, grace, and understanding. I just signed the petition, and now I'm seeing a constant flow of personal messages in various languages wishing the Dalai Lama well, and thanking him for his impact on the world.
