Well, It's About Time...

In the brief time I have to glance at the paper or browse other news, I was excited to see talk about changing things up in Ottawa. I must say that it is certainly refreshing to see a discussion about fixed election dates and changes in the Senate.

I don't have much time to comment on them but my take is that these are good things. I think that having a vote every four years, of course barring confidence motions and that jazz, will renew some people's confidence in government. Elections in the past and particularly in recent years have been rightly criticized for being what they were: attempts to ride high public opinion and secure another mandate with little potential for negative fallout.

I really do see a fixed term as a way to level the playing field for the parties involved. It reduces the ability of the governing party to act according to the polls. Most importantly, I view this as a method of restoring Canadians' confidence in their system of government. It shows regular folks like me that more of our leaders will be able to act in a less selfish way.

I'd like to comment on the Senate soon when I have a decent break from my job. Things have picked up lately as the weather has been cooperating, thus allowing us to actually get some work done. Among my many new duties this year, I will be able to cut Jason Smith's lawn. Yes. That Jason Smith: Captain of the Edmonton Oilers. Should be fun!

The New Cold War

Much has been written lately about the continuing spat between the Prime Minister and the Parliamentary Press Gallery. I'll admit that at times I've been concerned about the direction that this was going. However, the more I read and think about the issue the more ridiculous I realize this whole thing is. Since I couldn't really say it any better, be sure to check out The Black Rod for some nice comments on the whole situation. For some glimpses into how similar tactics have been employed by Prime Ministers past, check out Andrew Coyne.

I also read an interesting piece straight out of my hometown. (Sarcasm on) This demonstrates some truly enlightening reporting on the issue (sarcasm off).

If anything, we get an idea about just how divisive the issue has been... at least for the media. It must be disheartening for them, though, when they see that they're almost the only ones who even care.

Just Another Reason to Hate Environmentalists: They're Stinking Lazy!

First off, haapy Memorial Day to all. No doubt most people have exciting things planned for the holiday. I, for one, intend to catch up on some sorely needed sleep. But Jason, you've had the whole weekend? Yes, indeed... although the Oilers won last night. A great thing to be sure but the victory celebrations on Whyte Ave are really starting to get to me.

I make deliveries for one of my jobs and on many a mailbox I see stickers boldly demanding to users of said mailbox "STOP KILLING OUR FORESTS," or something else of that nature. Maybe it's the early hour, or the fact that I have little else to do at that time but I've often thought about the implications of such a move.

To me, a sticker like this smacks of a lack of individual responsibility. These individuals, like many of us, have a problem with junkmail and they'd like to think that it's for environmental reasons. The problem with this is that it accomplishes absolutely nothing. Junk mail is still printed off using paper products, the trees are still cut down, etc. Instead of taking a little extra time and maybe, oh I don't know, recycling it by themselves, they slap a freaking sticker on their mailbox and ta-da... problem solved!

It's this mindset that I think characterizes too much of environmental thinking these days. Far too many people, how ever well intended they might be, expect magical solutions to the challenges they see the world over. Take Kyoto, for example. This is something I've written about before but it is an agreement which does absolutely nothing about alleged climate change. And yet people think that just because we've signed on the world will be safe from the evils of polluters and we can all hold hands and all that jazz. Puh-lease!!

We as a society cannot hope to make any real progress if you continue to pass the buck on things that must be done. I mean, look at the kinds of things we're dealing with. We complain about deforestation and global warming and yet how many people drive around those ridiculous SUVs and can't even pick up after themselves. In Canada we expect elaborate social programs to make sure that we're taken care of but at the same time we don't want to have to pay for them through higher taxes. Kind of a challenge when the costs certainly aren't going down. Face it, too many of us are lazy slobs who craze the easy way out. The less you have to do the better.

I guess that's one of my biggest problems with liberal/Liberal thinking. It promotes and encourages that very way of thinking. Don't worry, everyone... our big huge government will take care of you, so you just vote for us and you can sit back and relax and you'll get your Kyoto, your universal daycare, and your gun registry. Instead of having the bureaucracy micromanage so many aspects of my life, I have no problem with having a little more responsibility given in my direction. Having new responsibilities is one of the best ways for us to learn about what needs to be done. Above all, it can help us to, GASP!, learn a thing or two about being responsible! A shocker I know.

This applies very much to environmental issues. Some vague agreement or broad government policies are not the way to go about securing change. Real change will come when more and more people step up to the plate and start doing things a little differently at their own level. Just think about how different things would be if more people decided to drive a little less or carpool, or use public transit. Just think about how nice it would be if more people could simply throw their garbage away. Little things to be sure, but they make a huge impact as more people catch on to the idea and start doing it.

So to you, you lazy tree huggers, get off your "green" butt and quit waiting around for the results you want to see and start making them happen.

Let's Go Oilers, Let's Go!!

My posts have been extremely rare in recent weeks. I am currently working two jobs, one of which is particularly taxing. I'll try to make more of an effort in the future to get my thoughts out there. There has been lots happening... too much to pass up.

In any case, Edmonton is awash in Oiler pride tonight as they have just won a hard fought series against San Jose. I'll admit, as dangerous as it is in this town, that I was not much of an Oilers fan when I first moved here for school. I was more of a playoff fan and I enjoyed watching the post-season when hockey really seemed to matter.

Seeing the enthusiasm and excitement from nearly the entire community has simply been amazing. While I have a bit of a hard time after any Oiler victory (my apartment is just off of Whyte Ave. and it gets a tad noisy) it has been really neat to see. I lived in San Francisco when the Giants were in the World Series a few years back and the feeling there in no way compares to the excitement found here in Edmonton. I've even gone out a few times to try and take at least a taste in... most times though, I'm content to be a spectator. I took one too mant high fives to the face on my last outing to convince me to stay out of harm's way.

I know it's early but I would love to see the Oilers bring home the Cup. It would be a truly remarkable experience to share with so many people all rallying behind the same cause. Bring it on, Anaheim... you've got a fight on your hands.