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Our Sovereignty Secretly at Risk
Biggest voter issue off media's radar? Canada's stealthy 'integration' with US.
Harper and Bush: 'The Grand Bargain.'
In February 2003, the vice-president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, in Canadian Senate hearings, said that de facto integration of Canada with the United States was here already "whether many Canadians realize it or want to accept it" and, anyway, we don't need "duplicate systems of approval."
Got that? No need for duplicate systems of approval. I suppose there's no need for the House of Commons or provincial legislatures either. Let's just rubber-stamp American policies, standards and values.
Earlier, the continentalist Financial Post columnist Diane Francis said that "Canada is more integrated with the United States economically than any two European countries are."
The noted Canadian economist Richard Harris and the Carnegie Endowment long ago both said the same thing, back in 2002.
David O'Brien, chairman of the board of the Royal Bank of Canada, has said that Canada would have to adopt U.S. immigration policies.
We're going to lose increasingly our sovereignty, but it's necessarily so.
Patrick Daniels, president of Enbridge, hilariously complains that Canada pushes its sovereignty a little too far.
In June 2006, the North American Competitiveness Council (NACC), consisting of business leaders from each of the three NAFTA countries, was formed "to advise governments."
Toronto lawyer Paul Bigioni called it "an anti-democratic institution."
Secret summits
On the surface, the NACC appears to be an initiative of government. It is not. It was entirely conceived by the private sector. In 2003, the Canadian Council of Chief Executives launched a sales pitch designed to convince governments to pursue such business-friendly initiatives as "re-inventing" borders, regulatory convergence and energy integration. It is no coincidence that the NACC currently pursues the same objectives.
In fact, all of the Canadians on the NACC are members of the powerful CCCE lobby group, and the CCCE serves as the Canadian secretariat. The big business NACC is the only non-governmental organization making recommendations to the secret, tripartite Security Prosperity Partnership discussions.
Top secret meetings -- behind-closed doors -- have already been held, with more of the same planned for the future. These meetings are designed to further integrate Canada into the United States and have us adopt even more American standards, values and policies, and to give Americans even more guaranteed access to our resources and the unimpeded ability to buy up the ownership and control of even more of our country.
Perhaps you do not know about the three days of highly secret meetings that took place at the Banff Springs Hotel in mid-September 2006, meetings between top-level American, Canadian and Mexican government officials and many senior corporate heads.
In fact, probably you don't know. But, then again, why should you know? Despite the fact that the leaked guest list of very high-level VIPs was sent by me to the media along with the agenda, there wasn't a word about the meetings in our two national newspapers the Globe and Mail or The National Post. There was nothing on CBC television, on CTV or on Global, although all were contacted. (The Tyee did run a report.)
'Not for public release'
The documents that I obtained and sent out had been marked beforehand "Internal Document. Not for Public Release." The three heavyweight co-chairs of the secret meetings were former Alberta Conservative premier and strong pro-FTA advocate Peter Lougheed, former U.S. secretary of state George Shultz and former Mexican secretary of the Treasury Pedro Aspe.
Among the many well-known Canadians scheduled as "participants" were Stephen Harper's Conservative cabinet ministers Stockwell Day (who at first denied attending) and the then-defence minister Gordon O'Connor, deputy ministers (Defence) Ward Elcock, Peter Harder (Foreign Affairs), Associate Deputy Minister William Elliott (Public Security), Liberal continentalist Anne McLellan, Canada's former deputy prime minister and a defender of the oil patch, the Alberta minister of energy, Greg Melchin, General Rick Hillier, Canada's chief of defence staff, former Conservative cabinet minister Perrin Beatty, now president of the Canadian Chamber of Commerce, the infamous continentalist Thomas d'Aquino, head of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives, Rear Admiral Roger Girouard, Maj.-Gen. Daniel Gosselin, plus numerous top corporate heads, lawyers, petroleum industry officials and others.
Among the many scheduled American participants were the political advisor to the head of the U.S. Northern Command, the president for the Americas of Lockheed Martin Corporation, the senior director for the Western Hemisphere of the American National Security Council, the U.S. Deputy Under Secretary of Defense Carla Hills (who was the primary U.S. NAFTA negotiator), the senior United States Air Force military assistant to the then secretary of defense Donald Rumsfeld, the commander of U.S. Northern Command, the chair of the President's Council of Advisors on Science & Technology, Dr. James Schlesinger, the former American secretary of energy & defense, the deputy secretary of energy, plus many other top business, government and military officials, plus representatives of similar groups from Mexico.
In the intended-to-be-secret "internal agenda document" were plans for detailed discussions about economic, energy, security, military and other forms of integration.
'If it isn't a conspiracy...'
After I distributed the list of participants and the agenda to the media and to my e-mail list, many concerned people across Canada phoned the participants seeking more information. Almost no calls were returned, and those that were produced zero answers to the many questions asked as to what was decided at the three-day meeting, who paid for the meetings, who organized them, and why every attempt was made to keep them secret.
Six months after the meetings, Ottawa Citizen reporter Kelly Patterson revealed that:
"Organizers of a controversial summit of top Canadian, U.S. and Mexican politicians, military brass and business executives hired a consulting firm to keep the proceedings secret, access to information documents show.
"A 'media management plan' for the event in Banff last fall imposed a gag order on all participants who were directed 'to avoid direct media engagement where feasible.'"
After I sent him the information I had about the meetings, Peter C. Newman wrote to me: "I tried phoning people I trusted and I thought trusted me, and no one would tell me anything. IF it isn't a conspiracy, they're doing their best to make it appear like one."
A halt to law changes and debate
In February 2007, Teresa Heely of Social and Economic Policy at the Canadian Labour Congress wrote about more closed door meetings. The "Security and Prosperity Partnership" meetings seek "to avoid legislative change and public debate. Democratic debate and decision is making way for privileged corporate access and new rules that undermine sovereignty and human rights."
Knowing that a new government treaty like the FTA or NAFTA for further Canada-U.S. integration would never survive the opposition in Parliament, "Proponents have moved underground to promote 'deep integration.' ...policy harmonization that increasingly opens social life across the continent to the discipline of the market. It is about increasing the power of corporations and ongoing de-regulation."
What 'deep integration' aims to achieve
The so-called "NAFTA-plus" or "deep integration" or "Grand Bargain" being promoted and discussed at these secret meetings plans for the elimination of barriers to even greater foreign ownership and foreign control, the slashing of government spending on social programs, the weakening of prospective environmental regulation, (ensuring there are no barriers to increased energy and resource exports from Canada), and many other policies that will result in even greater control of Canada by the U.S.
This is integration by the powerful via secrecy and stealth, planned by and for the likes of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives, the U.S. Council of the Americas and the Center for Strategic Studies, clearly under the guidance and with the financing of the U.S. government in Washington, D.C.
Author Silver Donald Cameron says of the "Security and Prosperity Partnership": "The SPP is the new name for the old American project of Manifest Destiny -- absolute control over the whole continent."
Cameron calls the CCCE, "The Canadian Council of Collaborators."
The backlash in the US
While our own government in Ottawa silently condones the plans for further integration with the U.S., and while our provincial governments continue to be completely sound asleep on this vitally important topic, irony of ironies, at this writing 15 U.S. states have expressed concern that the big business sponsored Security and Prosperity Partnership is a process that, wait for it, is a threat to states' rights and to the sovereignty of the United States. And in July 2007, the U.S. House of Representatives cut some SPP funding because of the group's failure to consult Congress, and the complaint that "They have been intransigent, they have been unresponsive and frankly, they have been secretive."
In August 2007, 22 members of the House of Representatives asked George Bush to back away from the SPP because of their concerns that it may undermine U.S. sovereignty and their strong objections about important discussions continuing "out of public view and without congressional oversight or approval" or the "proper transparency and accountability."
Does anyone think a single person in the entire Harper government has uttered a similar word of complaint? Not a chance.
An insider's notes
On the surface it may appear that not much happened at the August 2007 SPP meetings at Montebello. But Thomas d'Aquino gave the Globe and Mail a hint about what is really happening behind the scenes:
"A lot of work is going on, on the regulatory front, the environmental front, the energy front, the border front... There is a big selling job that has to be done." And he told the National Post that "The Montebello Summit produced significant progress across a range of policy areas.
Shortly after 9-11, he called for "more fundamental harmonization and integration with the U.S." to keep the borders open.
All of this covert, under-the-table planning is happening in Canada despite the fact that the overwhelming majority of Canadians, year after year, in poll after poll after poll, show that they believe that Canada has been too good a country for us to surrender to our greedy and selfish big-business leaders whose values are so very different from those of most Canadians who are still very proud of our country, our culture, our history, our values, our civility and tolerance, and are not the slightest bit interested in further "harmonization and integration" with the U.S.
Democracy eroded
Alas, the compradors, the neo-cons and the continentalists are powerful, well-organized and very well-financed. We now know that the initial SPP agenda included over 300 items. As a spokesman for the CCCE told a House of Commons committee: "Many of these represent very small steps... On the other hand, even 300 small steps, if we take them all, add up to a pretty giant leap for North America."
Testifying to the same Commons committee on the same day, Bruce Campbell, executive director of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, said of the SPP:
"I never hear talk about measures that would encourage upward harmonization of labour or environmental standards... tax measures that would prevent corporations from engaging in transfer pricing or discourage shifting profits to tax havens. This type of cooperation is not on the SPP agenda, and it begs the question: prosperity for whom?
"Convergence and harmonization means... Canada bending its regulations or simply adopting U.S. federal regulations, and I ask the question: at what point does the narrowing of policy room to manoeuvre fundamentally compromise democratic accountability in our political system?"
Voices of dissent
In 2007, a group of well-known Canadians including authors, academics, musicians and former politicians joined forces to oppose further integration with the U.S. They issued a statement:
"Canada faces a stark choice. We can be gradually assimilated and lose our identity as a nation, or we can retain our independence and renew our own unique vision of what we wish for Canada's future... a vision of strong communities, tolerance, equality, environmental stewardship, and a peaceful and constructive role in the world.
"We believe that in spite of recent developments, Canadians believe passionately in the traditional values that guided this country in its post-war nation building.
"The Security and Prosperity Partnership will give us neither security nor prosperity, nor is it a genuine partnership. We stand against this scheme and urge other Canadians to join us."
In August 2007, the National Council of Women of Canada summed it all up nicely in a single paragraph:
"This agreement has not been debated in or sanctioned by our Parliament. We believe that it threatens our sovereignty and puts control of our natural resources such as the Tar Sands and water at risk. For the U.S. government to negotiate a trade agreement manifestly to the advantage of international business interests using the "motherhood and apple pie" issue of security and prevention of terrorism is highly suspect. It's the 21st century version of "if you're not for us, you're against us." For a Canadian government to agree to such an undebated surrender of our sovereignty is shameful and unacceptable.
"We demand that all SPP discussions be brought into the legislative and public domains immediately."
A key election
All of this said, if we use it properly, the one very important thing we have on our side -- democracy -- can overwhelm our own selfish sellouts. Changes in election financing would be a huge step towards diminishing the influence of those who are now actively planning to give our country away.
There's no doubt in my mind that we can stop these sellouts. But for us to do so requires nothing less than a very substantially heightened degree of direct political activism by people who really care about the survival of our country.
Don't be misled by intentionally leaked reports out of Washington that the SPP is dead. The likes of Tom d'Aquino, Raymond Chrétien, John Manley and Allan Gotlieb are powerful, persistent, tenacious and well-connected in both countries. At this writing there are at least 20 cross-border committees working on integration.
Let's be certain that Canadians know of and understand their plans, and let's be certain that we never allow them to succeed.
As this federal election unfolds, Harper has all the advantages of incumbency, a huge war chest of election funds and polls that show Canadians would much prefer him to Mr. Dion as prime minister. Most pundits predict another minority or even a majority Conservative government. If you care about Canada, now is the time to go to work to preserve our sovereignty, our independence, our cherished and special values, and our economic, social and political integrity.
Related Tyee stories:
- Mel Hurtig, Tough Love Patriot
Interview with the author of The Truth About Canada. - Secret Summit on Shared 'Security'
Why was North America's power elite invited to Banff? - The Plan to Disappear Canada
'Deep integration' comes out of shadows.
![[Tyee]](http://thetyee.cachefly.net/ui/img/ico_fishie.png){kind=small}
- BC snuffs out AirCare test program
- AFN national chief Shawn Atleo to launch re-election bid
- Citizens group releases video to fight undead Bill C-30
- Conservative MP says he might vote against budget, then 'clarifies' his position
- Genetically modified plants won't take root with councillors in Richmond, BC
- Hundreds at Vancouver rally to support Quebec students
- Could Fort Mac become an eco-tourist hotspot?
- Rick Hansen's Man in Motion anniversary tour concludes in Vancouver
- The Gem of Canadian Science that Harper Killed
- Who Mowed Down the Premier?
- Canada's Economy, Deconstructed (by a 12 year-old)
- Death in Remand: a Tyee Inquiry
- Now Is the Time to Talk up Big Ideas
- Sexism Tinges Criticism of Teachers' Job Action
- Bill C-38: the Environmental Destruction Act
- Death In Remand: 'A Gut Feeling'
- Bias in BC's Pesticide Decision? Follow the Bouncing Verbs
- The Ethics of Addiction Studies
- The Gem of Canadian Science that Harper Killed
- Sexism Tinges Criticism of Teachers' Job Action
- Now Is the Time to Talk up Big Ideas
- The Ethics of Addiction Studies
- Bill C-38: the Environmental Destruction Act
- Alberta Fills Pipes with Corrosive Denial
- Bias in BC's Pesticide Decision? Follow the Bouncing Verbs
- How Our Immune Systems Exaggerate Fear
- BC biotech company seeks approval for GM apple
- What's Behind BC's Doors?
- The Ethics of Addiction Studies
- What's Behind BC's Doors?
- The Gem of Canadian Science that Harper Killed
- Sexism Tinges Criticism of Teachers' Job Action
- Should You Run from that Medical Test?
- 'The Dictator'
- Death in Remand: Stacked Deck
- 'Moonrise Kingdom'
- From Financial Advisor to Occupier
- Seven Goals to Build the Conservative 'Dream'
- Double lung recipient dances on Ellen show
- ISS astronauts grab DragonX space capsule by the tail with Canada Arm
- Metro Vancouver gas prices peak at record levels
- Ottawa posts $9-billion deficit in March despite pledge to avoid spending spree
- BC phases out AirCare to focus on fighting bigger vehicle emissions
- Tsunami senors to be dropped into deep sea off of Vancouver Island
- Student groups file court challenge against Quebec protest law
- ...while on the streets, pirates and ninjas put aside mutual animosity to join student protests
34
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G West
3 years ago
I hope you're right Mel
garden bay
3 years ago
Scary stuff
It will never happen on a national level,yet the Tyee looks the other way while BC IS BEING SOLD TO THE USA, by Campbell
Have you even done one story promoting Harper?
This is almost like reading Canwest Global---Its obvious there are many LIBERAL patronage positions,even here at the TYEE
And I thought the CBC was bad---
Tell me why the Liberals or the NDP aren`t screaming the story from the top of their lungs!
Shame on you Tyee
biscotti
3 years ago
US intervention in elections
Although Canada barely exists in US media or US public consciousness, you can bet that US decision makers are acutely aware that Canada is now their biggest supplier of oil. So given the history of US intervention in elections around the world, we can assume that they are highly involved in this one, directly or via their corporate lackeys. Maybe some day we'll know just how they're going about it this time.
Linda McQuaig's "The Quick and the Dead" (http://www.lindamcquaig.com/Books.cfm) described the role of American Express in Canada's 1989 free trade election - something that would never have been tolerated if a Canadian corporation had done the same south of the border.
I don't understand why the NDP hasn't made more of an issue out of the SPP, let alone NAFTA Chapter 11 actions like the UPS lawsuit against Canada Post, which could have resulted in challenges to medicare.
Most people I asked about the UPS story while it was going on, including postal workers, postmasters, and card-carrying NDPers, had never heard about it. Only a handle of Council of Canadians members knew what I was talking about.
If we were in Bolivia and this was happening, I can imagine the fate of those brown UPS trucks. Mel is right. Time to wake up, Canada.
politico
3 years ago
Getting exposure
Can you get a trade agreement or the SPP to drop acid and drive while smoking a doobie on video tape and then ask some young girls to paint its naked body?
I'm just sayin....
Van Isle
3 years ago
Maybe it's about time that
Maybe it's about time that some of these movers and shakers to a North American Union be charged with treason. To think that our political and military elite swear an oath of allegiance, then go attend meetings that compromise that oath.
freebear
3 years ago
Where are the opposition parties?
Si where are the voices of the political oppositions?
Or are they also in bed with the sellouts?
Makes it hard who to vote for eh?
Skywalker
3 years ago
It is too complicated an issue.
Quote: "I don't understand why the NDP hasn't made more of an issue out of the SPP, let alone NAFTA Chapter 11 actions like the UPS lawsuit against Canada Post, which could have resulted in challenges to medicare."
That is not hard. Think of the difficulty Dion is having with his green shift and you might understand wwhy nobody talks about really important issues. The same would happen with "sovereignty" issues. It would take someone with great oratory skills to deal with these issues and relate them to the day to day living.
That being said, Mel is right as usual. Canada is far too much embedded in the white house with Harper. None of these neocons give a fig about Canadian independence on the national scene.
Stephanie T
3 years ago
Quote "I don't understand
Quote "I don't understand why the NDP hasn't made more of an issue out of the SPP, let alone NAFTA Chapter 11 actions like the UPS lawsuit against Canada Post, which could have resulted in challenges to medicare."
Their platform clearly states that they will renegotiate nafta chapters 11 and 6 as well as other nafta policies that negatively impact Canada's sovereignty. They also state they will cease Canada's participation in the spp negotiations.
And if you think our medical system is safe you might want to read this:
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/subscriber/columnists/top3/story/4229990p-4871159c.html
clubofrome
3 years ago
Share the Shame!
Shame on the other media for not reporting this. Maybe the global financial crisis will distract these self proclaimed posperity makers for a while as their assets start decreasing to their real value. Less than the paper they were written on... I hope.
G West
3 years ago
hey club
Good to see you again.
Send me an email if you have a minute:
wakeywakeyppl
3 years ago
North American Union is a scary thought
For some of us who do not fully trust the mainstream media this is not surprising news. Bush, Clinton and Martin and now Harper have been working on the North American Union for quite some time. The scary thing is that our mainstream media is not reporting this, this is what is really important for Canadians to know for this coming election. No one mainstream is talking about the SPP or the North American Union and what it all really means for Canadians. If this is a Democracy then why is this information kept secret from the average Canadian?
Most boomers want Harper becasue they think our morals are flying out the window, and that our laws are lax for criminals. But people if you vote him in none of that will change, what will change is that we the people will have gradually less and less say, and Corporations will have more and more. Our Canada is in trouble if left in Harpers hands, it is time to wake up and think about the future not his band-aid fixes for now, like tax cuts.
Just look at our neighbour, since they manufactured 9/11 and the "terrorist myth" hysteria the Bush government has gradually eroded away many simple freedoms for American people. And looking at this so called current financial "crisis", its the stock market people, it goes up and down! The media is scaring us about it, but in truth no one lost anything. The rich can now buy more stocks and will end up owning more and more of America.
Reality is that if we let this North American Unon agenda go through, our health care system, our health freedom, our social programs, Canada Post, our environment, our natural resources, and any other positive thing about our Canada will be sold to corporations and will be taken away from us. It is already happening just ask around. Let's wake up and write to our MP's and the government. We need to stop this in its tracks, we love our Canada!
biscotti
3 years ago
The gap between platforms and action on the ground
Yes, the NDP's platform mentions SPP and NAFTA Chapter 11. But how many rank and file members or supporters can talk about those issues? And why so few?
For sure, the complexity of these issues has made it difficult to communicate them widely, but I have been more than disappointed by NDP's inability in the last 20 years to find creative ways to explain these issues, involve people and take action. Emails from the NDP have idiotic little reductionist sound bites like "Harper is wrong on X, Y or Z..."
Harper is wrong. Wow. What a strong argument. That'll woo some votes.
I remember the free trade election of 1989 when thousands of Canadians pored through the text of the FTA and debated it passionately. The more people learned from grassroots organizations (and publications like the national newspaper insert with Aislin's cartoon of green-faced Mulroney in an acid rain shower), the more they opposed it. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough time to mobilize enough opposition by the time of the election, and the split vote let Mulroney in.
If so many people could become so informed about something as complex as the FTA, why not SPP and NAFTA?
I sometimes get the impression that the back roomers at NDP HQ don't think working class people have brains. It's really quite insulting. They just carry on with spin doctoring, polling and marketing instead of consciousness-raising and grass roots organizing. And delusions like Jack could be the next PM (Howard Pawley actually said this - not tongue in cheek - on The House on CBC).
I don't think we can wait for any party to do the organizing work for us. It's up to everyone to get the word out.
Skywalker
3 years ago
Advancing an ideology by stealth.
It is all about advancing an ideology written about by Einstein. He said, "The situation prevailing in an economy based on the private ownership of capital is thus characterized by two main principles: first, means of production (capital) are privately owned and the owners dispose of them as they see fit; second, the labor contract is free."
So if you remove and borders and let capital flow freely, you remove the power of the unions and advance the notion of "free labour" The capitalist machine becomes the ultimate power. More harminizing with the U.S. threatens Canadians social safety net. But then this was the debate that took place before Mulroney forced us into free trade. Now we are suppose to trust Harper, from the Fraser Institute, to do better for us?
clubofrome
3 years ago
They got smarter!
We were given only the "public consumption" version of free trade to debate. With SPP we don't even get that. That's why their meetings are in secret. It's not up for discussion so it won't be in the MSM. Of course educate ourselves, that way we'll have a chance to understand why we've been herded into urban feedlots. Pass the farmed salmon fish please, Mmmm delicious!
lynn
3 years ago
Mel Hurtig for Prime Minister
First, thanks to Mel Hurtig for writing this.
Second, thanks to The Tyee for printing this excerpt from his book....along with other articles of his over the years..
Third, there is NO excuse for not bringing the issue of our threatened sovereignty to the fore. If this is not the time to do so ...when exactly would be a good time?
It doesn't take eloquence. It takes political parties that care enough and that are asute enough to see that this is THE central issue around which all other issues revolve. Nothing is of a higher priority. Nothing. If we lose our self-determination as a country we lose everything. How can we effect our future in any way, on any issue? We become eunuchs in our own country.
'Course that is exactly what the intentions of The SPP are.
freebear
3 years ago
All About Openings!
Just like David Emerson, the movers and shakers like the Council of Canadian Executives are looking at creating openings for even more wealth (mostly personal)generation at the expense of the environment and the public, or common good.
An elction campaign and no discussion or debate?
We all must be too busy attending tux and evening gown cultural events eh!
kootenay
3 years ago
Mexico really scary
We should continue to be concerned about our intergration with the US. The real scary card is Mexico. Their brand of democracy makes Bush look like a pussy cat.
As Skywalker correctly points out in his post above;
"So if you remove and borders and let capital flow freely, you remove the power of the unions and advance the notion of "free labour" The capitalist machine becomes the ultimate power. "
Take a look at the link below and read how the President of Mexico has dealt with the most powerful labour leader in his country. Napoleon Gomez, leader of the Mining and Metal Workers Union, 250,000 members. Removed from office, faslely accused of crimes, and threatened with death.
http://www.usw.ca/program/content/5288.php
Hillwalker
3 years ago
One word...
Anschluss.
SharingIsGood
3 years ago
The writing has been on the wall
for years!
Canada has been lashing itself ever tighter to a sinking ship, following the Reagan-Thatcher-Mulroney/Martin/Harper - Bush-Clinton-Bush agenda. I have been watching this country that has changed so dramatically since Trudeau left it. In the early 80s, Canada was nearly completely free to deal with the world how she wanted. A quarter century has passed and Canada has become the patsy of the US corporate/military-industrial complex. Worst of all, British Columbia and Alberta have been the strongest beacons for the rest of Canada to follow as the nation moves headlong into the hands of the selfish neo-conservative entities controlling the United States.
Given that the energy clauses of NAFTA take 20 years to break, it will take Canada 20 years to untie the lines it has thrown to the USS Corporate Empire. It will take another 20 years to buid up the infrastructure that undoing the ties will cause. The oil and gas are not ours, folks. When our grandchildren find themselves cold and hungry - without oil and natural gas, we can say to ourselves, "Ya, we did it all for them."
There is only one PM hopeful who wants to begin the process of extricating Canada from NAFTA - Jack Layton. For no other reason than this, people should be voting NDP.
greengreen
3 years ago
Get on it, Bigtime
Mr. Beers....Let's get more coverage of this topic! Let's hear from others who have written on this. This topic should not be dropped or covered "once." Since MSM will not touch it, this is the type of story the Tyee should sink it's teeth into.
And yes, I would like to know why the opposition parties are not all over this???????????
Jerry Boyle
3 years ago
Creative vandalism
With the federal vote fast approaching, I’d like to invite participation in a little electoral mischief.
The idea is to undermine Stephen Harper's control over his image through creative vandalism, to rebrand him through a grassroots, viral and distributed stickering campaign.
I’ve created promo stickers combining Harper's blandly psychotic face with micro-slogans pitched between intrigue and mockery. ("Dinosaurs don't evolve" "Alberta Taliban" "Blue Sweater, Black Heart" etc.) Examples are on my Facebook wall, and can be downloaded from the link at the end of this message.
Participation is dead easy:
1. Download the 2 microsoft word files from the link at the end of this message. Each is a page of stickers.
2. Print the stickers on standard 4” x 3 1/3" Avery inkjet labels (label ID# 05164, 6 per sheet, box of 100 sheets runs about $35)
3. If you want to get creative, download the original photoshop files and tweak the stickers to taste. If you're inclined, you can make your new design available on the Facebook Group "Canadians United Against Steven Harper" under the Discussion Board Topic "Sticker Virus"
Please forward this message to anyone you think might be sympathetic. It's a non-partisan effort motivated by a revulsion for Stephen Harper which transcends political affiliations.
Unlike Harper, most people can't afford airtime for TV ads. This is a way almost anyone can get their message out for a very small cost. As one person, I doubt I can have much impact with 600 stickers. But if it caught on with say 2000 people? That's 2000 x 600 doses of ridicule; 1.2 million cracks in Harper's smooth and brittle facade.
-------------------------
Download files here:
http://tinyurl.com/stickers1
More details in FaceBook:
http://tinyurl.com/stickers2
ted...
3 years ago
Benevolent one's aren't they ...?
I have no doubt why Stock-Well Day is involved...
---- as Finance-Minister under Peter Lougheed,
he sent a memo to the Alberta WCB ,,,
to REJECT , REFUSE, DENY, any claim for long-term disability ...!!!!!!!!!!
Injured worker's were refered to welfare ...
many committed suicide ,
feeling DE-VALUED AS A HUMAN BEING ...!!!!!
------ Thanks Stock-well-Day -------
Your devotion to the "people" ,
is measured in the pile of corpse's you leave behind ...!
--- Please People ,
Get off your ass's
and vote these clowns into oblivion...!
( ya , word of mouth & email )
--------- Once these parasites lose their
protection AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL ,,,
maybe we can take them to court,
and hold them responsible ,
for the DEATH'S they caused ....
(death by greed ...????? is NOT progress )
it's called Crony-Capitalism ...!
ted...
3 years ago
Ps...
If I win that 23-million buck lottery,
I'd spend every cent bringing this bastard to trial...!
just like he was in the media 1982-85
I'd make people read the Edmonton-Journal's reports
reports about the wonderful changes he brought to the WCB...!
--- Seriously ----
we CAN-NOT take the guy to court while he is an elected official ...!
He is protected by law...!!!!!!!!!!!
---- However , ----------
he's fair-game after he's voted out of office
<<<< each day of life , I enjoy
is another day I stold from his insane
death-cult ...!!!!!!!!!!!!
ted...
;{-
.
.
.
( Stockwell kill's with the violance of a sword,
I use the violance of the pen ,,,
AND A LONG-TERM MEMORY thing,
called the archives ...!!!!! )
ted... ( I'll never forget )
the guys IRESPONCIBILITY caused the death's of people I used to know ...!
and he almost caused my-own suicide death.
------ Ps -------
I promissed the Angel who saved my life,
that with my dying breath,
,
I'll continue to denouce Stockwell-Day
as the INCONSIDERITE mass-murder'er he is
--- hope - fully ---
the guy will get a social-conscience,
and give up the SSP and expose their coruption...!
( repent ) and cop-out the other thug's stock-well...
Crime is Crime ,
and YOUR "soul" ,is only a consept ...?
;{-
.
.
.
eh
Revenise
3 years ago
Just a theory
Robot voice:
Harper, must, be ,destroyed.
Just a Theory:
Don't get me wrong, he looks and talks like a nice guy... I he seems like a wonderful father. Yet how could someone stand for absolute stupidity and corruption? Am I the only one who noticed how Elisabeth May said they only way she managed to communicate with Harper was talking about their kids?
Not only are Harper's children, but all of our future generations are at severe risk because of climate change. I could imagine the only way such a seemingly bright man could be so persistent with the destruction of Canada and our ecosystems is by being threatened. I think he *feels that the safety of himself and his family depends on his composure and being elected... so he must bark for the mafia and their fat dollar bills and of course, and implicitly ultimately the annihilation of themselves along with the planet.
I believe the conservatives at one point, or maybe from the beginning... keep their people insulated in an ignorant cocoon of lies. Maybe his conscience has been carefully tiled over with lies and threats by whom he may think are friends. "No such thing as global warming, we made it up; they will kill your kids if..."
Like bill hicks once said something like:
"I think the first thing they(man behind the curtain) does when they elect a president, is they take him into a dark room with a big black table, there are 12 men in suits smoking cigars around the table... they ask him to sit down... a screen comes down from the ceiling. One of the men takes a puff from his cancer stick and says "roll the film." You see a clip of the Kennedy assassination from an angle that no one has ever seen before.
The film ends and the man in black asks the new president "any questions?" puff. puff. The president replies... "Uhh... just what my agenda is."
Harper must be eliminated from power, no doubt, but we also must eliminate the root of the issue as well... there obviously are shady individuals and international corporations that simply don't have the foresight or conscience to push Canada (and the planet/our species) in the right direction. It is without argument that Darwinian evolution will take care of them sooner than they think... but they might take something else with them, like our atmosphere.
We have a worldwide "elite" that have more allegiance to each other than they do with their own people. So we have to be smart and elect the people make the people their interests, not capital and material wealth... FOR F**K SAKES, MONEY WILL BE WORTHLESS IN A YEAR OR SO! We are just sheep to them, especially when we play their game and continue to vote for our oppressors. This is the most peculiar time in human history and I think with our abilities with current media and communication we can make major positive changes that can benefit everyone. We need to take back the airwaves.
How about we stop em, take back control?
'The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance; it is the illusion of
knowledge.' "Steven Hawking"
I find it a very useful yoga when I wake up every day to ask myself...
'Am I a useful idiot?' You never know.'
My interpretation of useful idiot refers to the mislead individuals
throughout the compartmentalized hierarchical structure of society,
government, military, religion, and or mafia the world over (usually
people that aren't necessarily idiots, or ill intending, but unfortunate
to be simply brainwashed, misinformed, naive, and or ignorant to facts
due to being indoctrinated with propaganda through the mass media,
public education, and other vectors) who believe and act what they are
told, regardless of how they feel internally. Regardless how horrid,
illogical, self destructive, corrupt, and weak their missions, or
"masters" actually are;
Cynicism is what passes for insight when courage is lacking. It is never
too late for change. To know the truth is to have power fearlessness.
Ignorance is regret just waiting to happen, so stand up and
get active...
"There is only one thing for it then--to learn. Learn why the world
wags and what wags it. That is the only thing which the mind can never
exhaust, never alienate, never be tortured by, never fear or distrust,
and never dream of regretting...' -T.H. White, The Once and Future King.
/end of just a theory
Revenise
3 years ago
Just a theory (edited & fixed)
Robot voice:
Harper, must, be ,destroyed.
Just a Theory:
Don't get me wrong, he looks and talks like a nice guy... I he seems like a wonderful father. Yet how could someone stand for such absolute stupidity and corruption? How the hell could Harper be such a dumb ass... I mean you can see in his eyes that he is very very bright. I Just don't get it. Am I the only one who noticed how Elisabeth May said they only way she managed to communicate with Harper was talking about their kids?
Not only are Harper's children, but all future generations are at severe risk because of human induced climate change. I could imagine the only way such a seemingly "bright" man could be so persistent with the demolition of Canada and our ecosystem is because he may have been threatened. I think he *feels* that the safety of himself and his family depends on his composure and being elected... so he must bark for the mafia, and of course ultimately attribute to the annihilation of his own kids along with the planet.
I believe the conservatives at one point, or maybe from the beginning... keep their people insulated in an ignorant cocoon of lies, Harper's conscience carefully tiled over with lies and threats by whom he may think are friends. "No such thing as global warming, we made it up; they will kill your kids if..." Just a theory but... you never know. The compartmentalized structure of government could allow for such idiocracy. (check out the movie Idiocracy)
The famous comedian, Bill Hicks once said something like:
"I think the first thing they(man behind the curtain) does when they elect a president, is they take him into a dark room with a big black board room table, there are 12 men in suits smoking cigars around the table... the lights go down as they ask him to sit... a screen comes down from the ceiling. One of the men takes a puff from his cancer stick and says "roll the film." You see a clip of the Kennedy assassination from an angle that no one has ever seen before.
The film ends and the man in black asks the new president "any questions?" puff. puff. The president replies... "Uhh... just what my agenda is."
Well, maybe not but you never know:)
Harper must be eliminated from power, no doubt, but we also must eliminate ties to the root of the issue as well... there obviously are shady individuals and like many countries, international corporations that simply don't have the foresight or conscience to push Canada (and the planet/our species) in the right direction. It is without argument that Darwinian evolution will take care of this mess very soon... but they might take something else with them, like our atmosphere.
We have a worldwide "elite" that have more allegiance to each other than they do with their own people. So we have to be smart and elect the individuals who make the focus the people, and a sustainable human future; not just capital and material wealth... FOR F**K SAKES, MONEY WILL BE WORTHLESS IN NO TIME; a potato will be worth more than a $100 bill. We are just sheep to them, especially when we play their game and continue to vote for our oppressors. This is the most peculiar time in human history and I think with our abilities with technology and media we can make enormously positive changes that can benefit everyone. We need to take back the airwaves. We need to eradicate the conservatives.
How about we stop em, take back control?
'The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance; it is the illusion of
knowledge.' "Steven Hawking"
I find it a very useful yoga when I wake up every day to ask myself...
'Am I a useful idiot?' You never know.'
My interpretation of useful idiot refers to the mislead individuals
throughout the compartmentalized hierarchical structure of society,
government, military, religion, and or mafia the world over (usually
people that aren't necessarily idiots, or ill intending, but unfortunate
to be simply brainwashed, misinformed, naive, and or ignorant to facts
due to being indoctrinated with propaganda through the mass media,
public education, and other vectors) who believe and act what they are
told, regardless of how they feel internally. Regardless how horrid,
illogical, self destructive, corrupt, and weak their missions, or
"masters" actually are;
Cynicism is what passes for insight when courage is lacking. It is never
too late for change. To know the truth is to have power fearlessness.
Ignorance is regret just waiting to happen, so stand up and
get active...
"There is only one thing for it then--to learn. Learn why the world
wags and what wags it. That is the only thing which the mind can never
exhaust, never alienate, never be tortured by, never fear or distrust,
and never dream of regretting...' -T.H. White, The Once and Future King.
/end of just a theory
Revenise
3 years ago
This is the moment
Thermodynamic Economics
A dialog on the MAI-not list
From Edward Deak
I started reading economics in '82 and by '85 I came to the inescapable
conclusion, later supported by many scientist friends and never broken
by anybody, that: Monetary economic efficiency doesn't exist and the
only economic efficiency is the thermodynamic one. Therefore, costs can
not be cut by monetary manipulations, only through the reduction of
physical inputs of resource/energy.
The 'law' I wrote was:
A Principle for the application of physical efficiency to economics:
THE REAL, OR PHYSICAL COSTS OF A PRODUCT, OR SERVICE ARE CONSTANT
An efficient product contains physically efficient or ideal amounts of
energy and matter, regardless of numerical or monetary considerations.
Monetary cost efficiency can not exist outside the concepts of physical
efficiency and becomes a cost transfer on other sectors. Therefore it is
not efficiency, but temporary convenience. Nothing can be made 'cheaper'
than the limits of physical efficiency of 'no waste'.
Fiduciary money is a concept, not a reality and can not overrule the
laws of physical, or ecological efficiency. Somebody, something,
sometime, somewhere must pay the full costs.
In the past 13 years I have never had the slightest reason to change
this. The reason that I concentrated on the concept of efficiency was
that if and when the true laws of economic efficiency are recognized and
implemented, virtually all the problems caused by the present false
concepts will be eliminated. It won't bring Nirvana and to a great
extent it will mean cutting back on many things we now accept as part of
the system, therefore it will bring on the loss of certain luxuries.
However, because of the simplicity involved in the application of 'low
resource inputs to reach certain targets' can be understood by anyone
and there's no argument about them.
-All the very best, Ed (Ed Deak, Big Lake, BC)
|=================================================================================
Monday, January 15, 2007
Principles of Community Based Economics
We live in an economic and political world characterized by several
overarching themes. First, the need for ever-increasing and faster
economic 'growth'. Second, a rapidly increasing scale in terms of the
size and power of business and government. Finally, the continuous
concentration of wealth and power in the hands of fewer and fewer.
Over the past 200 or so years, politics has focused on ideological
systems relating to forms of ownership and simplistic principles of
economics. This is most often referred to as the left-right political
spectrum. At times it is expressed as socialism vs. capitalism. The
problem is that both ends of this spectrum use material wealth and its
method of distribution as the basis for the system.
A third way focuses on outcomes, and the priority of people over
systems. It makes material wealth and economics the servant, not the end
in itself. The focus becomes community. This is most commonly known as
community based economics. Community based economics stands in contrast
to that which would usurp, exploit and destroy our community and our
environment.
Community based economics can be characterized by four key ideas.
1. Scale down.
By now we should all be aware of the problems related to consuming food
from thousands of kilometers away, and the effect this has on local
producers, and our own health. Also, those of us who work for large,
impersonal corporations may be acutely aware that we are simply 'working
for the man'; that the job is insignificant and going nowhere. Much of
this stems from the 'bigger is better' mentality. The result is often
the far flung economic enterprise of amoral multinational corporations.
In 1973, Theodore Roszak provided a good description of what would later
be called community-based economics: a libertarian political economy
that distinguishes itself from orthodox socialism and capitalism by
insisting that the scale of organization must be treated as an
independent and primary problem. Bigness is [its] nemesis ... whether
the bigness is that of public or private bureaucracies, because from
bigness comes impersonality, insensitivity, and a lust to concentrate
abstract power.
While smaller scale does not guarantee subjective, democratic, community
control, it is fairly safe to say that large-scale, distant, remote
ownership precludes it.
2. Slow down
Our current economic reality can be likened to a treadmill where someone
turns the speed up a notch each year. Indeed the basic theory of our
economic system dictates that we must have this ever increasing and
faster 'growth'. More money changing hands each year is somehow assumed
to mean more prosperity and quality of life. A closer look reveals that
this is often not the case. We spend our time and energy trying to
accumulate more 'stuff', always feeling like we're short of money, then
one day we realize that our kids are grown up and gone and the SUV's
rusted out.
Under our current system, economic theory has moved from being a tool; a
means to an end, and has become the end in itself. Ultimately we
sacrifice personal and community growth for economic growth. Economics
should be used to facilitate personal and community growth.
3. Democratize
Generally there are two streams of thought on this matter. The first
says that citizens should run the show. The second says that the average
citizen is not intelligent enough to inform decisions of community
importance. I know some people personally who freely admit being in the
second group. Traditionally this divide has contributed to the
underlying values of Canadian political parties. 150 years ago, when
Canadian society was largely based on a class structure, the privileged
class wielded political power on behalf of the 'dumb masses'.
Unfortunately much of this class structure has remained in our two
dominant political entities, the Liberal and Conservative parties. The
former Reform party, and currently the Greens represent the other side
of the 'power' debate, believing in participatory democracy, and
electoral reform.
4. Decentralize.
Often this word sends chills down the spine of power-protective
politicians. Many in the past have tried to discredit the idea of
decentralization based on efficiency arguments and a perceived need for
national stability. What our overly centralized system has gotten us is
exactly what its proponents said it would not; a sense of alienation and
separatist movements in various regions of the country, and a lack of
efficiency due to bloated bureaucracies.
What is needed instead is a decentralization of economic and political
systems to counter the current concentration of wealth and power. With
this would come a diversification of forms; things being done
differently in different places to match the local reality. This is not
to say that everything should or can be done on a local level. All
levels of government have their role. What is currently needed however
is a counterbalance to the current overemphasis on higher levels of
government and the over-concentration of power. By allowing various
regions of the country more power in directing their destinies we would
quickly see the separatist movements melt away and local economies improve.
If you're still skeptical, do your own test. Think about some of the
major challenges we currently face in our society such as climate
change, lack of job quality, exploitation of labour, breakdown of
relationships. Ask yourself how these issues would fare under the
changes described above.
Ultimately these ideas represent a move toward sustainability; a better
balance between our natural environment, technology, and people.
The current dominant system of perpetual economic growth stands in
contrast to the need for deep community and living more lightly on the
earth. Can we change in time?
A discussion on economics generally make my eyes glaze over, but I am
increasing coming to believe that folks like Ed (and Shane) are correct
when they say that we must not let the 'economists' lead us to the
belief that their way is the right way. It is worthwhile Googleing Ed's
articles but don't get confused with the US economics professor of the
same name. This is but one article from him.
Ecology and economy are inseparable
By ED DEAK
[ED DEAK, a resident of rural British Columbia, has spent much of the
past decade posting a great deal of his observations on economics from a
commonsense, physical point of view. Ed is not an economist, which is a
strength not a weakness as he is able, through not being indoctrinated
and enmeshed in economists' makebelieve, to get straight to the physical
realities behind economic life. Among other strengths he is a primary
producer (taken up in retirement from small manufacturing in Vancouver)
and an accomplished artist (and artists do brush aside the trivial and
get to the heart of matters). Over a number of years Ed personally and
avidly made a close study of the writings of the economics profession
and his conclusions were bleak. One outcome of this is a regular
bulletin he writes under the title Fiat Lux (Let there be light) and we
publish here most of his No. 126 (minus material related only to
Canada). If readers like it, let's know and we'll publish some more next
time. -- Editor]
Self-sufficiency is one of the most important things in life, whether
we're talking about individuals, families, societies, countries and
ultimately the whole world. Anybody with the slightest intelligence
should be able to see that the presently dominating neoclassical market
economy theory is driving the world into poverty, destitution and
self-destruction. The reasons are very logical and obvious, yet our
governments are trying their best to ram this criminal theory down the
public's throat on the orders of the multinational Mafia who make the
largest donations to and virtually own the ruling Parties.
Both words 'ecology' and 'economy' originate with the ancient Greek word
'oikos', meaning 'household', therefore the two are inseparable.
'Ecology' means the functioning and 'economy' the management of the
household. We can not have an economy without a functioning ecology,
because all living creatures and organisms rely on some form of resource
conversion for every second of their existence and it is the ecology
that provides it. To preserve the sustainability of species, starting at
the micro levels and overlapping into regional and global, ecologies
evolved into self sustaining systems that automatically adjust and
balance themselves to slow down resource conversion. At the same time
human economic theories have been built on the premise of the largest
possible degree of resource conversion, regardless of the ecological
consequences, which is then called 'wealth' in every language.
Temporary control
I define this as: 'Wealth and property are the temporary control of
energy and resources'. As we can not create, or destroy either resources
or energy, only convert them into other forms, wealth, or profits can
not be created, only taken from other sectors, or the ecology. And this
causes the biggest crime waves and mass murdering rampages at every
level and in every age of history, whitewashed and justified in
textbooks and religions as 'our glorious past'.
There are hundreds and thousands of examples the consequences of failed
economic theories in history with dead cities and vanished civilizations
all over the world. All because they have either run out of resources
they used up and wasted, or ran out of strength to steal them from
others. The purpose of past colonizations with the force of arms and now
with the perceived power of imaginary capital has always been and still
is the theft of resources from other parts of the world. History shows
that ultimately all past colonizing powers and empires have burned out
and collapsed into oblivion, regardless what their rulers and priests
have promised to them.
The theory of the 'survival of the fittest' is total nonsense, because
in an ecosystem it is not the fittest who survive, as indeed it is
impossible to determine which life form is the so-called fittest -- but
the species the ecology needs for its own survival to slow down resource
conversion and eliminate waste, which may be at the local, area, or
global levels. There's no escape from this natural law. When certain
species become useless, or damaging for the survival of the ecology, the
system will destroy them. It has happened to many animal species and
human societies in the past and is happening to ours, regardless what
some nutcase economists and politicians promise.
Every past ruling society has relied heavily on lies by their leaders
and priesthoods, as we can witness it now, in our own times, while they
are pushing the human race downhill into self destruction. To perpetrate
their lies, ruling societies always rely heavily on phoney religious
doctrines and the twisting of words and concepts into new languages to
make their subjects believe that the crimes they are committing are
blessed by the gods, perfectly acceptable and legal.
Our present self-destructive economic system, as in the histories of all
past empires, is built on lies to legalise theft from others and the
ecology. The holy trinity of the neoclassical theory, the GDP, growth
and productivity, are built on the misused concept of 'efficiency',
which in twisted minds means the largest profits for the least monetary
inputs. Of course, like every dogma of this fraudulent system the use of
this word is barefaced lie.
Scientific laws sector-neutral In physics and engineering, efficiency
means the most work done with the least resource and energy inputs.
Scientific laws must be sector-neutral and apply equally to everything
and everybody, regardless of race, colour or creed, financial, or
societal standing. Scientific laws and numbers can not be made to favour
any special interest group, or sector and can not be handed over to any
to be used for their own benefit. The minute we open up science and
physical laws to represent imaginary concepts, we are not only
committing a self destructive-act, but also a crime, because then they
can be used for illegal purposes as they have been through history and
in our time.
Monetary values can not be used to define efficiency, because they are
not realities, but often violence- induced, temporary perceptions.
Neither can they be used for economic calculations, because they mean
absolutely nothing and their only purpose is to mislead people and keep
a self-appointed ruling class in power. As we can see it in our everyday
lives, on account of this fraudulent definition of economic efficiency,
the biggest crooks and con artists have the right to steal, rob,
dispossess anybody of their properties, jobs, businesses and even commit
mass murder many parts of the world, especially in oil-producing
countries, so they can report increasing 'earnings' on the stock
markets. As the biggest criminals and murderers in history have been
idolized as conquering heroes, we are now supposed to idolize the
present bunch when they do the same with the perceived power of monetary
capital freshly created by the banks in selected countries.
It is not funny, when we consider that banks of certain countries are
permitted to create monetary capital out of the blue against and to
exploit the resources of other societies, who are not permitted to
benefit from what they already own. This is biggest con job in history
and the perfect crime.
http://members.iinet.net.au/~JENKS/CV22.html
'Life is the result of the struggle between dynamic opposites: Form
Chaos, substance and oblivion... light and dark... all the infinite
variations of the yin and yang... when the pendulum swings in favour of
one, it eventually swings back in favor of its opposite... thus the
balance of the universe is maintained."
This is the moment... stop them
Revenise
3 years ago
Nine Inch Nails - The Slip - Letting you
the sky is painted black
the smoke pours out the stack
one hand upon your heart
one hand behind your back
you train us how to act
you keep the fear intact
the imminent attack
everything is right on track
and we are letting you get away
we are letting you get away with it
upon our plates to feed
the dying left to bleed
how much we really need
your politics of greed
the cancer takes ahold
the wolf is in the fold
our destiny's been sold
we do just what we're told
and we are letting you get away
we are letting you get away with it
your armies filled with hate
believing your charade
begin to suffocate
for us it's far too late
and we are letting you get away
we are letting you get away with it
alda
3 years ago
SPP = Grimm Brothers Reality Tale
Good post, SharingIsGood.
...and good question, Green Green, but I imagine that, based on the past experience with their NAFTA campaign, NDP honchos think a vital discussion of the SPP won't win them the election.
One would think that the fact that the Joe-Six pack public is finally getting a whiff of (if not total dunking in) toilet bowl banking/fiscal policies would make a 180 degree turn in its level of political awareness and voting habits both here and to the South of us, but alas... no.
Canadian voters and MSM journalists won't wake up from their snooze-fest until the day comes when their kids are living out the North American dream, now slightly altered - as paupers in a Grimm Brother's tale. Then, they'll "get" the SPP all right - with a swift and hard kick in the behind that rattles some common sense into their polite ("if you disagree with me, I can't discuss politics with you") little gourds. Too late, of course.
If there's any indication of the interest in this topic, I've worn a "no to SPP" button everywhere I go for two years, and in ALL that time, not a single person outside of my family has ever asked me what it means. Imo, for all their perceived superiority to their neighbours to the South, Canadians aren't interested in the world past their own nose.
I phoned CBC Radio to ask them to cover the SPP and Maude Barlow's shadow SPP talks here in Calgary a couple of years ago, and the producer told me it was a "busy news day," and she'd "look" at the documents I faxed her, but she "didn't think" she could send anyone out. She didn't. Only one plucky little reporter from Radio Canada bothered to show up to cover what will be one of the top Canadian issues of this century. Kudos to her.
Revenise
3 years ago
It is never too late for change
Alda:
Your cynicism (all though understandable) only perpetuates the problem, our country is at stake, our very survival is at stake. We must be courageous, informative and inspire the people who don't understand what they are hiding from the general public. Its very simple. Even if the hand of God came down and said... "no you can't do it!" I wouldn't stop for any other reason. People can and will change, they have to or they are dead with the rest of us.
alda
3 years ago
I've not stopped trying, yet
Just to clarify, Revenise, I haven't "stopped trying." I'm actually a busy activist.
I'm calling it as I see it here, because I see this blog as a refuge where those of us interested in important issues can vent. Society elsewhere, simply doesn't permit it. My comments about public apathy are based on YEARS of observing how voters - election after election - ignore "inspiring and informative and courageous" truth-tellers to the detriment of their best interests.
After years of observing this, I'm simply saying what I think is true:
Canadians are soft and they'll stay in total denial about the future until faced with severe economic and/or environmental hardship - a la Californians, who, when faced with air quality degradation and water shortages, ONLY THEN began to make the beginning steps towards necessary legislative changes to combat their environmental catastrophes (and even then, they're not moving nearly fast enough).
NECESSITY IS THE MOTHER OF INVENTION (in this case, severe hardship will be the catalyst for meaningful political change).
Revenise
3 years ago
Scientists, media, and censorship
I feel your pain... It can be difficult. I met people who for 40 years have been respectfully preparing for this situation. Many of the young (and old) people I talk to simply don't care to dissect the details, when I would otherwise swear they knew better. The majority of apathy and ignorance stems from indoctrination of propaganda, and censorship via the mass media... WE ARE PATTERN RECOGNITION MaChInES that believe what forms our reality tunnels right from those very first synapses firing in our visual cortex while suckling the boob tube.
Who is the master who makes the grass green?
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=3436367912799615557
Most people slide into apathy when all they get is information from their TV screens. We own the airwaves! Lets take them back! As for our energy crisis, the media and its makers are playing chicken with their lives and this planet. There are technologies that are already out there there.... example: $2.00 for 500 watt solar balloon:
http://news.mongabay.com/2007/0221-coolearth.html
Lets get on it!
emulatenorway
3 years ago
Liberal Shills
The inability of the the Tyee to include a story with the positive aspects of Harper or his agendas does not make them Liberals, NDP, or Rhino party.
The Liberals are equally to blame for this travesty of policy force (SPP). It was after all implemented by our last Liberal Federal Government.
If you are going to vote take this into account.
Two years ago I personally did my own research into the SPP and its need to provide funding to Pemex, Mexicos nationalized energy company. The idea was to provide 20 Billion Canadian tax dollars over the course of 10 years (which could be extended at 2 Billion per year beyond the 10 year term) to fund Pemex to search for more Oil and Gas. All this money , including 80 Billion from the US government, wasto go to the IMF so they could loan it to the Mexicans. The reason for going through the IMF was to prevent Mexican citizens from knowing that Pemex was going to have to allow foreign Oil companies into Mexico. This by the way is in direct contravention to the Mexican Constitution.
Since then Calderon has tried to de-nationalize Pemex so "Big Oil" would finally have their "steak" in Mexico.
Pemex provides the Mexican government with 40% of their Revenues for social programs and retirement benefits.
This is the Liberals and Conservatives at work. They have no wish for all people to have the benefits that everyone should be entitled to. Thankfully the resolution of the bill in the US House of Senate sent the bill off the floor just before voting on it, for review.
In my view neither the Libs or Cons deserve to be on the ballot this year. IF you think Canada has problems now wait a few years.
biscotti
3 years ago
missed debate opportunity?
Can someone tell me if *anyone* mentioned the SPP in the television debate on Thursday? I was driving down the Fraser canyon at the time and lost radio reception several times. Just got to a net connection now.
Seemed like a golden opportunity to address the issue of "trust", i.e. a government that campaigned on accountability and transparency, then proceeded to manipulate the Ottawa press gallery, muzzle their own candidates, hide their platform and deny they're having SPP meetings.
G West
3 years ago
You are correct biscotti
It was a missed opportunity - I didn't hear every word of the debate - if it was discussed, it was not discussed thoroughly.
I think perhaps the next week may bring it to the forefront again - despite the press.