the kid is calm

In a few hours I’ll officially be twenty-one years of age. Maybe I’ll just have a holiday to myself. Keep in the dark. We’re all here now aren’t we? If so, drop a line, I’d appreciate it. I’m sure we could all agree that all one needs is to be reminded once in a while that someone is paying attention.

Just today I listened to “A Hard Days Night” -- a Beatles album to be included amongst other albums such as Revolver, Rubber Soul, and the White album to achieve the same feeling of an alternate reality. That feeling most artists would strive for, to reverberate through walls and windows to keep restless souls captivated with intrigue to new points of possibilities with greater insight, skill, and heart than one solely may have been able to achieve alone.

It’s sad that most music today doesn’t even attempt to do anything concrete or innovative. It seems most people are content with the same predictable crap. But I guess that’s what happens when people who know nothing about music decide to become the major influential dictators of the music industry. Speaking about meaningful things to say that are concrete and innovative. Here’s a quick note on the predicament of Canadian politics.

- One of two parties is going to win this election – the Conservatives or the Liberals. It’s a fact.

- If you are a former Liberal supporter and you vote NDP or Green you will help achieve one thing – a Conservative government

- A Conservative minority will not align with the NDP or Green Party, therefore your NDP or Green vote will not have contributing input with regards to steering government policy.

- A Conservative government will look into repealing the same-sex marriage law and will try to shape the country in ways not dissimilar to the US (think tax cuts carried on the backs of the lower classes, think two-tier healthcare, think environmental priorities put on the back-burner, think unnecessary military action). And though it’s hopefully fear-mongering by the competition, thers’s talk of the conservatives investigating taking away a women’s right to choose to have an abortion.

- A Liberal minority would potentially align with the NDP and this is the only way (as an NDP supporter) to get your voice heard on a federal level.

Everytime I hear someone with a paranoia induced vote on the circumstances I shake my head saying ‘Look man, youhave to vote for the local candidate who best represents your beliefs’. But you see, theyt can’t see any way around the fact that voting for anyone but the Liberals right now will lead to a Conservative government. That makes me feelqueasy. Are the Liberals corrupt? Yes. Are they 75% inept? Yes. At least. Do they deserve to have their behaviour reinforced by rewarding them with anotherterm? Fuck no. Would a Conservative government be significantly worse? Oh fuck yes. It sucks voting for a bunch of thieving immoral pricks, but at this point what is the alternative? Depending on your political disposition, take it as you will - but I wanted to mention something that Ceasefire is pointing out which I think is important…

“As you may have seen in the news, the Liberals released their election platform and they pledged to pursue international negotiations to ban all weapons from space. This is the most significant newannouncement in their platform, and our Election Rapid Response Team issued a news release welcoming the pledge.

Since we initiated our Put it to the Politicians campaign in November, hundreds and hundreds of people have sent in their Ceasefire.ca questionnaire to Liberal Party headquarters. The questionnaire asks, “If elected, will you ensure that Canada leads the way for nuclear disarmament and the prevention of an arms race in space?”

Clearly, our messages are getting through with this surprise announcement from the Liberals. Congratulations, and let’s keep up the pressure.

The NDP has released its election platform as well, and we have received the party’s response to our questionnaire, which we will be distributing in the coming days, along with our election analysis.

On a disturbing note, Stephen Harper repeated his promise yesterday to re-open missile defence talks with the United States.

Campaign promises kept? That would indeed be something. Except in the case of Mr. Harper. I have a feeling that this is one campaign promise he intends to keep. If anything is going to make us lose our sovereignty, then holding onto the U.S. of A like a scared little child is the way to do it. Canada can etch it’s place into the world by NOT acting on paranoia and fear. But by going on a more global route of humanitarian respect and peace-keeping, not a self-righteous, “We’re number one, and that’s the way its gotta be…” one of militarization and pre-emptive attacks. Jumping the gun has been very obviously proven that it is a choice of fear and NOT intelligence.

The weaponization of space could be a horrible Pandora’s Box of disastrous consequences, but the mass fear for protection of Father America is causing people to bypass rational and calm thought, not only that but the tax debate issue. It seems that the instant anyone says there’s a chance that the “supremacy” of Holy America is threatened, the masses go running around like a scared flock of lamb screaming “what do we do?” to the ones in power. I seriously hope to that Canada does not follow suit with the US on the W.O.S… I don’t know what I’m going to do if Harper gets in office… it probably won’t be pretty. So, bottoms up.