Roquefort (blue cheese) and pear cake
Preparation : 20 min
Cooking : 50 min
Ingredients (for 8 people):
- 3 pears
- 1 1/4 cups of Roquefort (or blue cheese)
- little more than 1/2 cup of walnuts
- 1 3/4 cup of flour
- 1 teasp of baking powder
- 3 eggs
- 1 cup of grated Gruyere cheese
- 1/2 cup of oil
- 1/2 cup of milk
- a little butter
- salt
- pepper
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Mix together the flour and baking powder.
Beat the whole eggs, oil and milk, salt and pepper until well blended.
Pour this batter in the flour, add in the grated cheese and mix (not too much).
Cut pieces of Roquefort and pears, and add them, with the nuts, into the batter.
Butter and flour a cake mould, pour the preparation in.
Bake approximately 50 min.
Very good warm, with a salad...
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc
Stuffed zucchinis
Preparation : app. 30 min
Cooking : 40 min
Ingredients (for 4 people)
- 4 little zucchinis
- 2 onions
- 1 or 2 garlic cloves
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup of sorrel mushrooms
- 2 tbsp of sour cream
- 3/4 cup of grated cheese (gruyere)
- 2 tbsp of olive oil
- 1 nob of butter
- parsley
- salt and pepper
Directions:
Cut out a lid on the top of zucchinis (lengthwise), then hollow them out.
Cook for 10 minutes in a salted water pan, then let them cool and drain.
In hot oil, brown the chopped onions, garlic and parsley with the pulp of zucchinis in the olive
oil.
Brown the sorrels with butter.
In the onion mix, add the sour cream, the sorrels, eggs and the grated cheese and season.
Stuff the zucchinis with this mixture, cover them with their lid, and lay them out in a oven
dish on a sheet of aluminum foil.
Bake for 30 min at 400°F, by adding a little water in the dish if needed in the course of
cooking.
10.29.2009
Recipes
10.16.2009
Relocation of Urban Poor
Relocation Solution Poses a Dilemma to Slum Dwellers Made Homeless by Ondoy.
This story is the second one I've read in a day about the relocation of people. The first one concerns removing the homeless from the area where the Olympic torch is expected to travel for the 2010 Olympics in Vancouver. I was very surprised that we here in Canada would do this - as one advocate said, why not just house them? Internationally, the local government in Manila will not allow the families return to the area where a recent storm destroyed their homes. It is considered a hazard/dangerous to return. Instead, they've allocated some land outside the city. This is good, yes, but there is a snag. No social services out there, no jobs. If they do maintain jobs in the city, it will cost them more to travel to work. I don't understand why it is so difficult to find land within the city.
9.25.2009
Quote
'We gave them forest-clad mountains & valleys full of game, & in return what did they give our warriors and women? Rum & trinkets & a grave' TECUMSEH, SHWANEE WARRIOR, 1812
9.04.2009
Nineties Music
from the 'Wrestler', yes, 90s music sucks. If I think back to music I listened too on a daily basis, it really is no wonder I moved towards techno and electronic. In the 80's, there were many songs about 'happy' things, people falling in love, hearts breaking, et cetera. Of course, there were also tunes by artists such as U2, who brought politics to the masses. After the seemingly successful concerts of Live Aid, suddenly music had a purpose other than to entertain. To be fair, history tells us that songs have always been used to engage people on societies ills. Now, what does this have to do with this post? Nothing, the songs from the 90s were depressing. After hearing electronic or techno music, there was no going back to top 40 music.
8.30.2009
Vision - TIFF'09
I seen this movie on an episode of DW television a few months back and noticed it was playing at Cannes (won an award I believe?) anyhow, being the end of August - its that time of year again where I am busy selecting films for TIFF. This year, B and I purchased 2 booklets of 10 tickets each, with the idea that we would each watch a few movies together and a few movies on our own. Nada. not this year. I shouldn't complain but at least I made sure I was able to see at least 4 movies that I wanted to see. I don't have a lot of time to go and watch movies.
the following description is from the TIFF website on the film, "Vision", directed by Margarethe von Trotta.
One of the major auteurs to emerge from New German Cinema and a leader in feminist filmmaking, Margarethe von Trotta returns to the Festival with Vision, a study of the remarkable Hildegard von Bingen. Composer, scientist, healer, author and visionary, this Benedictine nun has been rescued in recent years from the shadows of history. Played here with both strength and nuance by the great Barbara Sukowa, Hildegard emerges as a Renaissance woman before there was a Renaissance.
Brought as a child to Disibodenberg abbey in what is now Germany, Hildegard is raised by the kindly Jutta the Holy (Mareile Blendl). Over the years, she observes both the cloister and the natural world around her, becoming a wise and pious woman. When the time comes for the sisters to choose a new magistra, Hildegard is the overwhelming favourite. She is already a natural mother to all, teaching the sisters about the power of herbal remedies and soothing the sick with her song.
Aware that women are forbidden to preach or interpret scripture, she is careful with her gift of visions, a conduit to God that tells her to disseminate this wisdom throughout the world. She faces great risks bringing these visions before a council of church elders, with some even accusing her of being the mouthpiece of the devil. Through her resolute strength and quiet fortitude, she breaks boundary after boundary, even rising to correspond directly with the pope.
This is the fifth time that von Trotta has worked with Sukowa, and their chemistry together is tangible. Sukowa brings a potent drive to Hildegard; the more resistance she meets, the more radical she becomes.
Von Trotta's cinema has always explored the complex relationships among communities of women – in fact, theorist Thomas Elsaesser has noted that her film Sisters could very well share its title with several of her other films. In this case, the focus comes to rest on triangles within the abbey and the eternal struggle of two daughters for the love of a mother. As always with von Trotta, it is fascinating to watch.
Cameron Bailey
Margarethe von Trotta
Margarethe von Trotta was born in Berlin. In addition to directing, her acclaimed career has included acting roles in films by Rainer Werner Fassbinder and Volker Schlöndorff. Her features include The Lost Honour of Katharina Blum (75, co-directed with Schlöndorff), The Second Awakening of Christa Klages (77), Sisters, or The Balance of Happiness (79), Marianne and Juliane (81), Sheer Madness (83), Rosa Luxemburg (86), The African Woman (90), The Long Silence (93), The Promise (94), Rosenstrasse (03), I Am the Other Woman (06) and Vision (09).
what was I thinking
This evening I had planned on hitting up a Thornhill Liberal Riding Associations' Liberal Helpings BBQ - was delayed at a family gathering, I wasn't going to leave my family; I rarely get the opportunity now to see them, a no-brainer decision right? Anyhow, I arrived home too late. I don't understand the process of nominating someone and its something I would like to take part in. Dr. Karen Mock sounds like a fabulous person. She has spent many years in one form or another focusing on human rights, anti-racism.. "Dr. Mock is included as one of the 100 worldwide “Everyday Freedom Heroes” for her human rights and antiracism work, in a permanent display at the Freedom Center in Cincinnati, the U.S. National Museum to the Underground Railroad." (source: facebook group)
Its wonderful news if she is nominated and selected/elected. Even better if she sends Peter Kent packing. I'm sure he'd like to get back to wherever he lived before. I can't imagine anyone picking up and moving into an area where they will run. But with the salary MP's get, who wouldn't? I'd love to see an actually resident run.
8.21.2009
TIFF'09: 25 Carat (Spain)
Shot on the streets of Barcelona, 25 Carat probes the ugly side of a city known the world over for its beauty. Using stripped-down hand-held camera work, the debut feature by Patxi Amezcua pushes deep into a harsh environment of thieves, hustlers and hitmen, combining action with strong, engaging characters to keep viewers at the edge of their seats.
Abel (Francesc Garrido) works as an “unofficial debt collector,” reminding people of the consequences of not paying their bills on time. He accidentally meets Kay (Aida Folch), a petty car thief, whom he helps when one of her schemes goes awry, and the chemistry between the two is palpable. Kay is fed up with her home life; the apartment she shares with her father, Sebas (Manuel Morón), is a disgusting mess, and he has a gambling problem that attracts dangerous people. Sebas is also constantly hatching dodgy strategies, hoping to have a big win one day. These schemes usually fall apart, but this time he's figured out a way to unload three hundred thousand euros from a crooked police officer, Garro (Joan Massotkleiner), and Kay asks Abel to help out with her end of the deal.
Sharing a mutual desire to leave behind the criminal world and find a better life for themselves and Abel's young son, Abel and Kay just need to come up with a plan to make things go their way. Of course, not everything goes as expected, and the two must try to find a way out of the maze in which they have become entangled, realizing there are no easy escapes.
As the film begins to move at a startling pace, a carefully knit script reminds us that this is not a world without hope. We understand the importance of redemption, and why Kay and Abel would risk everything for the chance at a new life.
Diana Sanchez
Patxi AmezcuaPatxi Amezcua was born in Pamplona, Spain, and lives in Madrid. In addition to writing and directing the short film Mus (03), he penned the screenplay for the thriller Arian's Journey (00). He makes his feature debut with 25 Carat (09), which won awards for best film, best actor and best actress at the Malaga Film Festival.
6.28.2009
TIFF'09 Wishlist - Film # 2
Another film, which was chosen to close the Venice Film Fest is about my favourite fashion icon - Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel.
Paris, 1913: Coco Chanel attends the first, scandalous performance of Igor Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring. The rhythmic dissonance of the score and the shocking choreography of the piece cause a riot. But Coco is impressed when Igor storms out of the theatre.
Seven years later, Coco and Igor meet again. Although her business has flourished, Coco is mourning her lover, Arthur "Boy" Capel. Igor has been forced to flee to France following the Russian Revolution. An immediate sympathy and attraction is established between the ‘couturiere’ and the composer.
Coco invites Igor to live in her villa outside Paris, along with his wife and children. The summer months that follow see Coco and Igor begin a secret affair. Their work benefits from their growing intimacy; Igor begins to compose in a new, more liberated style while Coco creates Chanel No. 5 with her perfumer, Ernest Beaux.
However, the almost unbearable tension in the villa cannot be contained forever.
TIFF'09 Wishlist - Film # 1
Over the next while, leading up to the Toronto International FilmFest 2009, I will be highlighting films that have previewed at other fests. The first one achieved the Golden Bear Award at Berlin's Film Fest in February.
La teta asustada (English: The Milk of Sorrow)
A realistic portrayal of the impoverished suburbia of Lima, Peru is the frame-set for this fantastic story. Fausta, daughter of a woman raped by terrorists some 25 years ago, assists her mother's death and decides to take her remains back to her hometown, in the high Andes. But, apart from having to work hard to collect the money she needs for it, Fausta has a reason, deep inside, that prevents her from enjoying life or accepting her outstanding physical beauty as a normal girl.
Mastery at low-budget cinematic skill should be credited to Bollywood (the Mumbai-based Hindi language film industry) films, which may not be the most groundbreaking in technical or screen writing terms, but contain music in the form of song-and-dance numbers woven into the script in order to appeal to all segments of the audience and maximise box office receipts. Since Hollywood's multi-million budgets would never have helped shoot realistic and colourful, but rough Brazilian imagery, 'Central Station' (1998) and 'Cidade de Deus' (2002) garnered indisputable acclaim at renowned film festivals after being funded on their own. The example set by off-Hollywood movie makers' efforts have become heroic in countries where movie industry budgets are, to say the least, scarce.
This is the case for LTA. It could have been more on par to Danny Boyle's 'Slumdog Millionaire' if it wasn't for the Peruvian-Spanish meagre budget available to Peruvian young director Claudia Llosa. If you expect to see acting beaus or beautés, famous screenwriters and crew, expensive car explosions or CGI, go elsewhere. LTA is neat magic-realism, a territory where people may be poor but not disgusting, where their houses are mere recreation centres for fantasy and everyday life to play happily together. Only time will tell if the trend keeps up, spreads globally, and ends up being called Globbywood.
This is a well-told tale of hope where only two professional actors are involved. And this was as clear to Berlinale judges as it is for the general public -those with a thirst for veritable, honest, witty craftsmanship at film-making.
Source: imdb.com - Author: (alejandrotelleria at hotmail.com) from Barcelona, Spain
6.17.2009
Strippers Are Skilled Workers! (accord'g to the gov)
Source: canada.com
"Canada is a source and destination country for men, women, and children trafficked for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation and forced labor. Many trafficking victims are from Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam, China, South Korea, the Philippines, Russia, and Ukraine. Asian victims tend to be trafficked more frequently to Vancouver and Western Canada, the report states. It also says Canadian women and girls, many of whom are aboriginal, are trafficked internally for commercial sexual exploitation. Canadian politicians promised long ago to eliminate exotic dancing from its list of skilled worker categories for immigration because of fears that traffickers were using it as a loophole to legally import women into forced prostitution, yet 14 permits were issued last year. Fifteen were handed out in 2007 and 22 in 2006. Only five traffickers have ever been convicted."
Very disturbing that Aboriginal women are trafficked internally...enough is enough.
6.12.2009
5.30.2009
5.02.2009
Liberal Convention 2009
I wish I had the opportunity to attend but am confident most of the resolutions I voted on at Enfamille will pass. I would like to get more involved in this party but feel that it can be too cliquey and my limited knowledge on issues seems to push me to the outskirts of discussions. I don't understand why people get bent outta shape over semantics. And then, I am still surprised how narrow-minded liberals can be and the 'facts' they are relying on to guide their decisions, i.e. voting habits.
The OMOV is coming up - the Young Liberals would like to see 25% of votes go to the Youth in that riding. That is not something I would support. I don't believe that this will increase youth involvement in the Liberal party. I will update this a little later on.
4.26.2009
Qur’ân writings
‘With truth have We sent it down, and with truth hath it descended. And We have sent thee as naught else save a bearer of good tidings and a warner. And it is a Qur’ân that We have divided, that thou mayest recite it unto mankind at intervals’
SURAH 17 The Children of Israel
3.27.2009
Lament For Conferation
How long have I known you, Oh Canada? A hundred years? Yes, a hundred years. And many, many seelanum more. And today, when you celebrate your hundred years, Oh Canada, I am sad for all the Indian people throughout the land.
For I have known you when your forests were mine; when they gave me my meat and my clothing. I have known you in your streams and rivers where your fish flashed and danced in the sun, where the waters said 'come, come and eat of my abundance.' I have known you in the freedom of the winds. And my spirit, like the winds, once roamed your good lands.
But in the long hundred years since the white man came, I have seen my freedom disappear like the salmon going mysteriously out to sea. The white man's strange customs, which I could not understand, pressed down upon me until I could no longer breathe.
When I fought to protect my land and my home, I was called a savage. When I neither understood nor welcomed his way of life, I was called lazy. When I tried to rule my people, I was stripped of my authority.
My nation was ignored in your history textbooks - they were little more important in the history of Canada than the buffalo that ranged the plains. I was ridiculed in your plays and motion pictures, and when I drank your fire-water, I got drunk - very, very drunk. And I forgot.
Oh Canada, how can I celebrate with you this Centenary, this hundred years? Shall I thank you for the reserves that are left to me of my beautiful forests? For the canned fish of my rivers? For the loss of my pride and authority, even among my own people? For the lack of my will to fight back? No! I must forget what's past and gone.
Oh God in heaven! Give me back the courage of the olden chiefs. Let me wrestle with my surroundings. Let me again, as in the days of old, dominate my environment. Let me humbly accept this new culture and through it rise up and go on.
Oh God! Like the thunderbird of old I shall rise again out of the sea; I shall grab the instruments of the white man's success-his education, his skills- and with these new tools I shall build my race into the proudest segment of your society.
Before I follow the great chiefs who have gone before us, Oh Canada, I shall see these things come to pass. I shall see our young braves and our chiefs sitting in the houses of law and government, ruling and being ruled by the knowledge and freedoms of our great land.
So shall we shatter the barriers of our isolation. So shall the next hundred years be the greatest in the proud history of our tribes and nations.
Chief Dan George (24 July 1899 - 23 September 1981)
3.26.2009
best laid plans?
Here is a brief quote from Terry Fallis' book The Best Laid Plans:
"On Parliament Hill, the pendulum of power swings between the
cynical political operators (CPOs) and the idealist policy wonks
(IPWs). It’s a naturally self-regulating model that inevitably transfers
power from one group to the other – and back again. It can take
years, even multiple elections, for the pendulum to swing to the
other side. It was just my luck that I – a member in good standing
of the idealist-policy-wonk contingent – would arrive in Ottawa just
as the backroom boys were starting their swing back up to the top.
To be fair, governments work best when the pendulum is somewhere
near the middle – with the CPOs and IPWs sharing power.
When the CPOs are dominant, as they were when I arrived in
Ottawa (and when I left, for that matter), they tend to erode public
confidence in the democratic process and infect the electorate
with the cynicism, self-interest, and opportunism that flow in their
veins. In the mind of a hardcore CPO, the ends always, always justify
the means. At least, that’s my balanced, impartial view.
On the other hand, when the IPWs are at the helm, however
well-meaning we may be, we often lack the necessary killer
instinct and political acumen to push our vaunted policies across
the finish line. We can’t seem to accept that selling the policy is
just as important as coming up with it in the first place. We seldom
get to the ends because we mess up the means."
Final Results
The priority resolutions that were preferred by En Famille voters are as follows:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
I did take the time to read and vote on everyone - some, I tried to understand what the issue was but went with the majority.
3.13.2009
12 resolutions
80. Canada's Urban Aboriginal Population
WHEREAS 50% of Canada's Aboriginal population now reside in urban areas. Canada's largest Aboriginal community is not located on an Indian reserve, it is located in the City of Winnipeg; and
WHEREAS Aboriginals are leaving their rural communities for urban centres in search of employment and opportunity; and
WHEREAS informal networks in urban areas exist between those who have left the reserve with band members and family who remain on reserve. These traditional networks are maintained through the advancement of technology and communication, which have not been factors in the past; and
WHEREAS Canadian policy makers continue to focus primarily on the reserve-based system, even though the facts show then Urban Aboriginal population is undeniable; and
WHEREAS existing Aboriginal networks could provide a means to circumvent constitutional barriers to assist Aboriginal people no matter where they live and for First Nations, such policies would give on reserve members a vested interest in their urban counterparts. These networks could be used as a repatriation of skills that contribute and invest in improving home reserve infrastructure.
BE IT RESOLVED that the Liberal Party of Canada recognizes the cross-jurisdictional support systems that could be used to generate growth on reserves and recognize these informal networks as a means of advancement for reserves and small Aboriginal communities.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Liberal Party of Canada uses the UN program, the Transfer of Knowledge Through Expatriate Nationals (TOKTEN) as a model of Aboriginal community development.
Aboriginal Peoples Commission
139. Renewed Pan-Canadian Funding Model for Aboriginal Peoples
WHEREAS currently, a significant gap exists between the standard of living for Aboriginal Canadians and the standard of living for the rest of Canada
WHEREAS considerable investments in education, housing and infrastructure, health services, and human resources for aboriginal Canadians are needed to close the living standards gap and stimulate economic development
WHEREAS the Liberal Party of Ontario is committed to the fair and equitable standard of living for all people in Canada
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Ontario Liberal Party advocate for a renewed pan-Canadian funding model for aboriginal peoples in order to rectify the existing living standards gap
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the new funding model address key areas such as education, health care, housing and infrastructure, and human resources.
Liberal Party of Canada (Ontario)
79. Healing Beyond the Residential School
WHEREAS the Government of Canada has the responsibility for Indians and lands reserved for Indians by virtue of 24 (2) of the Constitution of Canada, which responsibility included the education of Indian children which in turn created the Residential School system; and
WHEREAS the Government of Canada administered most of these schools, with certain religious organizations and provinces administering the remainder; and,
WHEREAS the Government of Canada issued an historic apology on June 11, 2008 to all aboriginal people who attended these schools as part of its Indian Residential School Settlement; and,
WHEREAS the Government of Canada's settlement only applies to aboriginal people who attended government-run schools; and,
WHEREAS aboriginal people who attended a residential school run by a religious organization or province have suffered similarly to students who attended government run schools;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Liberal Party of Canada work with the Government of Canada to offer equivalent settlement to residential school survivors who attended schools that were run by religious organizations, provinces or were day schools.
Aboriginal Peoples Commission
78. Police Relations with First Nations
WHEREAS the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) is a respected institution within Canadian Society; and
WHEREAS the RCMP is often the Police service which polices First Nations and Aboriginal Communities in Canada, and that First Nations are overrepresented in Correctional facilities and are more likely to be involved in confrontations with the RCMP; and
WHEREAS the RCMP have had issues with First Nations in Canda which often arise due to RCMP in-experience such as the Delbert Pelletier's shooting death in Saskatchewan, and Cst. Christopher Worden who was shot in Hay River, N.W.T. with a mere six (6) months of training.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Liberal Party of Canada work with the Government of Canada to ensure that any officer of the RCMP or any officer from a Provincial Police Force like the Ontario Provincial Police have at least five (5) years training of police experience prior to being posted in a First Nation or Aboriginal Community.
Aboriginal Peoples Commission
82. Unfinished Treaty Business
WHEREAS the Government of Canada entered into eleven (11) numbered Treaties with First Nations across Canada including certain smaller First Nations by "temporarily" amalgamating them into larger units; and,
WHEREAS the Government of Canada would later issue Orders-in-Council that recognized each component bands as separate, individual entities; and,
WHEREAS the Government of Canada failed to complete its administrative work for some of these bands, thereby keeping them locked into artificial, government-created units; and,
WHEREAS a number of these bands who entered into these treaties based on promises made to them by the Government of Canada are calling on the Government of Canada to complete its unfinished Treaty business with them,
BE IT RESOLVED that the Liberal Party of Canada work with the Government of Canada to complete its unfinished treaty business by granting Orders-in-Council to recognize of all bands that were "temporarily" amalgamated into larger artificial units, and today are still seeking recognition of their individual status.
Aboriginal Peoples Commission
72. Fundamental Human Rights
WHEREAS many Aboriginal communities in Canada live in Third World-like conditions; and
WHEREAS many Aboriginal Peoples in Canada suffer from illnesses caused by these conditions including: inadequate social housing, poor quality drinking water, and poor quality sewage infrastructure; and
WHEREAS all federal political parties publically apologized to Canada's Aboriginal Peoples for the cultural genocide caused by the residential school experience and have committed to begin a new positive chapter in Aboriginal-Canadian relations; and
WHEREAS many Aboriginal communities, especially those far removed from urban centres, such as the Kachechewan First Nation, continue to live in poverty as a result of the Eurocentric-like policies associated with the residential school experience.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Liberal Party of Canada work with the Government of Canada to immediately develop and implement a comprehensive social living strategy that would address the issues of poor drinking water, inadequate sewage facilities, and subpar housing within the next five years.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Liberal Party of Canada commit to developing and implementing its own social living strategy upon returning to government of the benefit of all Aboriginal Canadians.
Aboriginal Peoples Commission
Liberal Party of Nova Scotia
121. Amendments to the 1985 Indian Act
WHEREAS Canada and its legislation continues to refer to those under the Indian Act as "Indians within the meaning of the Indian Act (Chapter 27, Statutes of Canada - 1985);
WHEREAS a majority of the Indigenous populations take offence to being referred to as Indians as the term is generally in meaning to those who are culturally/ethnically linked to the nation of India;
WHEREAS it is the 21st century and Canada continues to use a colonial and archaic term when referring to the first peoples of North America;
WHEREAS currently those elected to Chief and Council are not held accountable to the people who elect them into office;
WHEREAS the only people Chief and Council must report to/listen to are the Federal Government of Canada, specifically the Minister of Indian Affairs and those within the Ministry of Indian Affairs;
WHEREAS this clause has allowed many Chief and Councils to take advantage of those who elect them all in order to benefit themselves or those who they deem fit to;
WHEREAS the lack of accountability/recall to those who elect them has led to undemocratic methods and the current system allows them to continually do this with no negative consequences on themselves until their mandate is up;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Federal Government of Canada meet with various First Nations groups, leaders, and communities to discuss a possible changing of name for the Ministry of Indian Affairs and all legislation related;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Federal Government of Canada take no longer than one year to work on a name change for Indian Affairs in order to allow a proper amount of time to discuss what is best suited in the eyes of those who are within the Indian Act (Chapter 27. Statutes of Canada - 1985);
BE IT RESOLVED THAT once a new name is changed, the Federal Government of Canada has up to five (5) years to amend/change any items that must be updated to reflect the name change;
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Federal Government of Canada amend the Indian act to enforce accountability of Chief and Council to the people who elect them into their offices;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Federal Government of Canada only amend these two items with the consensus of the First Nations population who are recognized under the Indian Act (Chapter 27, Statutes of Canada - 1985).
Young Liberals of Canada
75. Supporting Canada's Aboriginal People
WHEREAS the Aboriginal population (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) is increasing in Canada, comprising 3.8% of Canada's population (15% in Manitoba and Saskatchewan) and has grown by 45% in the last decade;
WHEREAS a large segment of this population has been shut out of the economic benefits accruing to most Canadians;
WHEREAS the Kelowna Accord negotiated by the Liberal government, provinces/territories and Aboriginal groups was cancelled by the current government;
WHEREAS Canada was one of only four countries to vote against the UN Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Liberal Party of Canada support the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People and endorses the principles in the Kelowna Accord;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Liberal Party of Canada provide resources for Aboriginal people to establish a preferred future for themselves by strengthening their identity, governance relationships, and accountability among themselves and others;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Liberal Party of Canada take immediate steps to provide clean drinking water on reserves
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Liberal Party of Canada improve housing for Aboriginal peoples both on and off reserves
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Liberal Party of Canada provide programs and services to improve living conditions by addressing substance abuse and violence in particular
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Liberal Party of Canada work with Aboriginal peoples to devise and provide education programs that include cultural, lifestyle, employment and academic components.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Liberal Party of Canada work with Aboriginal peoples to create economic development
Saskatchewan Liberal Association
73. First Nations
WHEREAS there is significant dissatisfaction expressed by Aboriginal peoples on numerous issue;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Liberal Party liaise with Aboriginal leaders to develop a process whereby the Indian Act is examined with a view to either its modernization or deletion.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in the context of the above, the Liberal Party include the Kelowna Accord in discussions.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Liberal Party immediately introduces measures to preserve First Nations Languages, possibly by providing funds to those Canadian Universities with both Language Departments and Departments dedicated to First Nations studies. These departments would be expected to work in a partnership with appointed First Nations leaders and academics, which include First Nations, Métis, Inuit and non-status Aboriginals.
Liberal Party of Canada (British Columbia)
76. Prosperity and Empowerment for Aboriginal Women
WHEREAS Aboriginal women in Canada suffer from social and economic inequality and continue to experience these negative effects as a result of their marginalization within Canadian society; and
WHEREAS a result of these poor conditions, Aboriginal women in Canada are exposed to increased levels of violence, a overall lower degree of personal safety, inadequate access to education and health, and still face a struggle when dealing with sensitive issues such as matrimonial and real property; and
WHEREAS the Liberal Party of Canada is committed to equality, prosperity and social justice for all Canadians;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Liberal Party of Canada will work with the Government of Canada to establish an agency dedicated to the pursuit of empowering Aboriginal women with the tools required to build stronger foundations for life and opportunity; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Liberal Party of Canada will create a branch within ,the Department of Human Resources and Social Development in conjunction with the Department of Indian and Northern Affairs as a directorate specifically for the benefit of Aboriginal women in Canada.
Aboriginal Peoples Commission
77. Métis Economic Development Policy
WHEREAS the Constitution Act of 1982 s.35 recognizes and affirms the Aboriginal and Treaty Rights of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada, which includes Indian, Inuit and Métis peoples of Canada; and
WHEREAS the principle of equality is entrenched within the Constitution Act 1982, s. 15; and
WHEREAS a broad range of economic development programs and services are provided by the Government of Canada to Indian and Inuit peoples but not to the Métis; and
WHEREAS the Métis people of Canada seek to develop economic opportunities and the creation of wealth within their communities; and
WHEREAS the lack of economic development programs and services to Métis people within Canada is a significant barrier to the economic progress of the Métis Nation without Prejudice to current funding levels provided to the Indian and Inuit within Canada.
THEREFOR BE IT RESOLVED that the Government of Canada acknowledges the concept of equality as a fundamental principle in Aboriginal economic development programs and service delivery; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Métis specific economic development programs and services be developed and funded by the Government of Canada which do not negatively impact funding levels and/or program components of existing Aboriginal economic development programs and services; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Government of Canada undertake a process of consultations with the full participation of representatives of the Métis people, leading to the development of a range of economic development programs and services to ensure the full participation of Métis people in the economy of Canada.
Aboriginal Peoples Commission
Resolution #75
WHEREAS the Aboriginal population (First Nations, Métis and Inuit) is increasing in Canada, comprising 3.8% of Canada's population (15% in Manitoba and Saskatchewan) and has grown by 45% in the last decade;
WHEREAS a large segment of this population has been shut out of the economic benefits accruing to most Canadians;
WHEREAS the Kelowna Accord negotiated by the Liberal government, provinces/territories and Aboriginal groups was cancelled by the current government;
WHEREAS Canada was one of only four countries to vote against the UN Declaration of Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Liberal Party of Canada support the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People and endorses the principles in the Kelowna Accord;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Liberal Party of Canada provide resources for Aboriginal people to establish a preferred future for themselves by strengthening their identity, governance relationships, and accountability among themselves and others;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Liberal Party of Canada take immediate steps to provide clean drinking water on reserves
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Liberal Party of Canada improve housing for Aboriginal peoples both on and off reserves
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Liberal Party of Canada provide programs and services to improve living conditions by addressing substance abuse and violence in particular
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Liberal Party of Canada work with Aboriginal peoples to devise and provide education programs that include cultural, lifestyle, employment and academic components.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Liberal Party of Canada work with Aboriginal peoples to create economic development
Saskatchewan Liberal Association
3.06.2009
Repost: Why Is Free Speech Important
I recall hearing this from some movie and came across this website that had this poem...
Why is Free Speech so important?...
Why speak up about things that don't seem to affect you?
Perhaps Pastor Martin Neimoller's view in one version of his quote will answer that question.
He supported the Nazis until he realized, too late, what they were really about and was sent to Dachau concentration camp.
He was one of the fortunate to be freed and live until 1984.
First they came for the Communists,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Communist.
Then they came for the Social Democrats,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Social Democrat.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists,
and I didn’t speak up,
because I wasn’t a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn't speak up,
because I wasn't a Jew,
Then they came for me,
and by that time there was no one
left to speak up for me.
2.25.2009
some insight on measurement of time...
To realize the value of ONE MONTH,
ask a mother who gave birth to a premature baby.
To realize the value of ONE WEEK,
ask the editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize the value of ONE HOUR,
ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.
To realize the value of ONE MINUTE,
ask a person who missed the train.
To realize the value of ONE SECOND,
ask a person who just avoided an accident.
To realize the value of ONE MILLISECOND,
ask the person who won a silver medal in the Olympics.
Treasure every moment that you have!
Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift.
That's why it's called the present!
2.21.2009
Rogers - You SUCK!
I am fed up with their crappy units. I pay $25 bucks a month plus services for a refurb unit that hasn't worked in over a month.
2.16.2009
Facebook: We own your content forever, and ever
According to The Consumerist, Facebook made a small but significant change to its TOS ("Terms of Service"): now they claim complete ownership of all of the content you upload for all time and can use it for any purpose, including making money off it, even if you close your account.
A read-through of key points in Facebook's TOS shows just how extraordinary their claims are to your creations (words, photos, videos, audio--even your name!).
1. "You are solely responsible for the User Content that you Post on or through the Facebook Service.... You represent and warrant that you have all rights and permissions to grant the foregoing licenses."
In other words, if you infringe someone else's copyright by uploading material for which you do not have the right, then it is your fault and not Facebook's. And you assert that all the content you upload is yours to hand over forever to Facebook. "Hand over forever"?
2. "You hereby grant Facebook an irrevocable, perpetual, non-exclusive, transferable, fully paid, worldwide license (with the right to sublicense) to (a) use, copy, publish, stream, store, retain, publicly perform or display, transmit, scan, reformat, modify, edit, frame, translate, excerpt, adapt, create derivative works and distribute (through multiple tiers), any User Content you (i) Post on or in connection with the Facebook Service or the promotion thereof subject only to your privacy settings or (ii) enable a user to Post, including by offering a Share Link on your website and (b) to use your name, likeness and image for any purpose, including commercial or advertising, each of (a) and (b) on or in connection with the Facebook Service or the promotion thereof."
Yes, "hand over forever". They can do anything they want with it, even if you close your account. The previous TOS made it clear that, once you cancelled your account with Facebook, they would no longer retain these rights over your uploaded materials. However, things have changed. Now, even if you have left Facebook, the company can use your name and any photos or other content you uploaded in their advertising or "in connection with the Facebook Service". But what is the "Facebook Service"?
3. The "Facebook Service" is much more than what people normally think of as "Facebook-the-website". It can include any medium currently existing (books, films, audio, or whatever) and any medium developed in future. As detailed in the company's new TOS, "The 'Facebook Service' means the features, services and properties that Facebook makes available through (a) www.facebook.com or any other Facebook-branded or co-branded website (including, without limitation, any and all sub-domains and all international, mobile versions and successors thereof), (b) the Facebook Platform and ( c ) other media, devices or networks now existing or later developed."
In other words, once you upload it, they own it and can do whatever they like--however they like--with it until the end of the universe.
Update: At 2.09pm today (Monday, 16th February 2009), creator and CEO of Facebook Mark Zuckerberg posted a long blog entry that tries to downplay the significance of the company's TOS. However, even granting Facebook's current desire to maintain the "trust" of its users and not to use the powers it gives itself in the TOS, the problem remains that the wording of the TOS does let them do whatever they want with your content.
It may not be in their interests to exercise those powers now, but who can tell what the future will bring? Will there come a time when it is in their interests to capitalise upon those powers?
2.13.2009
now you know... (thx val)
In George Washington's days, there were no cameras. One's image was either sculpted or painted. Some paintings of George Washington showed him standing behind a desk with one arm behind his back while others showed both legs and both arms. Prices charged by painters were not based on how many people were to be painted, but by how many limbs were to be painted. Arms and legs are "limbs," therefore painting them would cost the buyer more. Hence the _expression, "Okay, but it'll cost you an arm and a leg."
As incredible as it sounds, men and women took baths only twice a year (May and October)! Women kept their hair covered, while men shaved their heads (because of lice and bugs) and wore wigs. Wealthy men could afford good wigs made from wool. They couldn't wash the wigs, so to clean them they would carve out a loaf of bread, put the wig in the shell, and bake it for 30 minutes. The heat would make the wig big and fluffy, hence the term "big wig." Today we often use the term "here comes the Big Wig" because someone appears to be or is powerful and wealthy.
In the late 1700s, many houses consisted of a large room with only one chair. Commonly, a long wide board folded down from the wall, and was used for dining. The "head of the household" always sat in the chair while everyone else ate sitting on the floor. Occasionally a guest, who was usually a man, would be invited to sit in this chair during a meal. To sit in the chair meant you were important and in charge. They called the one sitting in the chair the "chair man." Today in business, we use the expression or title "Chairman" or "Chairman of the Board."
Personal hygiene left much room for improvement. As a result, many women and men had developed acne scars by adulthood. The women would spread bee's wax over their facial skin to smooth out their complexions. When they were speaking to each other, if a woman began to stare at another woman's face she was told, "mind your own bee's wax." Should the woman smile, the wax would crack, hence the term "crack a smile" In addition, when they sat too close to the fire, the wax would melt. Therefore, the expression "losing face."
Common entertainment included playing cards. However, there was a tax levied when purchasing playing cards but only applicable to the "Ace of Spades." To avoid paying the tax, people would purchase 51 cards instead.
Yet, since most games require 52 cards, these people were thought to be stupid or dumb because they weren't "playing with a full deck."
Early politicians required feedback from the public to determine what the people considered important. Since there were no tele phones, TV's or radios, the politicians sent their assistants to local taverns, pubs, and bars. They were told to "go sip some ale" and listen to people's conversations and political concerns. Many assistants were dispatched at different times. "You go sip here" and "You go sip there." The two words "go sip" were eventually combined when referring to the local opinion and, thus we have the term "gossip."
2.08.2009
I'm Done
Well, I think I have run the course of my brief interest in politics... I have been let down by everyone - they all lie, and I just don't trust anyone. I have issues that I need to deal with and I can't get involved with anything new right now. I'm slowly deleting all my online presences. I am going back to what I really enjoy and that's music and the odd charity. Politics is off the table for me. the Liberal Party of Canada is not ready for me (nor I for them!). I think I tried to define who I was by getting involved - it isn't me. I think most people I meet will only poke fun at me and not take me serious.
I have some homework to do now, so that's me ranting for today. Perhaps, tomorrow will bring a new challenge that will appeal to who I am?! That doesn't make sense, but when do I ever?
2.06.2009
National Executive of the Liberal Party of Canada
Who are these people?
With the exception of M.I and Doug Ferguson, who's name I recognise from party emails, I don't know any of these people. I think if I want to get involved in the Liberal party, I'd like to know about the structure...
| Interim Leader | Michael Ignatieff |
| National President | Douglas Ferguson |
| National Director | Rocco Rossi |
| National Vice-President (English) | Mike Crawley |
| National Vice-President (French) | Brigitte Legault |
| National Policy Chair | Joan Bourassa |
| National Membership Secretary | Robert Hamish Jamieson |
| Past National President | Mike Eizenga |
| President, Liberal Party of Newfoundland & Labrador | Danny Dumaresque |
| President, Liberal Party of Prince Edward Island | Barrie Harris |
| President, Nova Scotia Liberal Party | Derek Wells |
| President, New Brunswick Liberal Association | Britt Dysart |
| President, Liberal Party of Canada (Québec) | Robert Fragasso |
| Executive Vice-President, LPC (O) | Meredith Caplan |
| President, Liberal Party of Canada (Manitoba) | Sharon MacArthur |
| President, Saskatchewan Liberal Association | Frank Proto |
| President, Liberal Party of Canada (Alberta) | George Hodgson |
| President, Liberal Party of Canada (British Columbia) | Craig Munroe |
| President, Liberal Party of Canada (Yukon) | Christie Richardson |
| President, Western Arctic Liberal Association | Lana Roeland |
| President, Nunavut | Ranbir Hundal |
| Caucus Representative | Anthony Rota |
| Co-Chair, Aboriginal Peoples Commission | Joshua Fraser |
| President, National Women’s Liberal Commission | Nicole Foster Woollatt |
| President, Young Liberals of Canada | Cory Pike |
| Co-Chair, Senior Liberals' Commission | Catherine Ryan |
| Chief Financial Officer | John M. Duffy |
| National Revenue Chair | Herb Metcalfe |
| CEO, Federal Liberal Agency of Canada | Patrick A. Ryan |
| National Campaign Co-Chair | David Smith |
| National Campaign Co-Chair | Marcelle Mersereau |
| Constitutional and Legal Adviser | Johanne Brodeur |
| Constitutional and Legal Adviser | Martin MacLachlan |
2.04.2009
1.31.2009
1.25.2009
1.23.2009
oops, he did it again!
Thank you Stephen Harper, for delivering another lie and leaving many more wondering when will your madness stop! A $64 Billion deficit over the next two years?! Oh and the 18 130K per year salaries was a necessary action right? [that's 2.34 Million before expenses per YEAR!]
"Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff accused Prime Minister Stephen Harper of playing political games on Friday, calling the leaking of information from next week's federal budget a deliberate attempt "to get the bad news out of the way." From CBC.ca
Something tells me that no coalition government will come to light, and Canadians will continue having to put up with this nonsense
1.18.2009
decorating
I have started to think about decorating my place again... this time, small steps - first up are paint samples. I am going for a very neutral beige or grey colours, warm colours. I came across a picture of some new condo models and loved the look of the walls, with black frames, silver appliances and a beautiful hard wood (or bamboo) flooring. I envision having a lime green (light) colour tiles for the backsplash in the kitchen and a wood (perhaps dark) doors on the cabinetry. The last thing I will do is replace the carpeting in the hallway and living room with a flooring that can stand Silas's nails (i.e., will not scratch easily). Otherwise, I will get an area carpet - preferably a persian type one - with deep reds and beige. I guess I am thinking cinnamon and spice - India.
