peace & social justice

If I were to abruptly summarize the disscussions surrounding Thomas Mulcair it might look like this:

"he's a former Liberal-liberal with far too moderate an outlook to represent the political left"

In fact that has usually been it for the discussion, meanwhile those who see no such issue are carrying on their business. Those who see him as a vibrant addition to the NDP team are usually equalliy abivalent to the discussion.

The following is the content of a complaint filed against the CBC through their website, in response to the ongoing coverage of the Aboriginal Day of Action.

I'm lodging a complaint regarding the usage of the term "violence" on the CBC. In particular the coverage of today's National Day of Action (for First Nations people), has attempted to dismiss the actions of First Nations peoples as a marginal, and violent group.

May 2 2007: Jim Prentice | David Ramsay | Long, Hot Summer

Feature interviews with Jim Prentice, Canada's minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, and David Ramsay, Ontario's minister responsible for Aboriginal Affairs.Land claims, poverty, and government neglect: the issues that may lead to a long, hot summer of Native unrest.To read producer blogs and tell us Your Agenda, visit our web site at: http://www.tvo.org/theagenda

Josh has posted a brilliant movie. I'm now downloading whatever I can of Immortal Technique. For now, I will leave you with an apt and dignified quote:

"My revolution is born out of love for my people, not hatred for others"

Though I know he is referring to his ethnic heritage, I don't think his message is limited to anyone but everyone.

• Think of no one as "them"
• Dont' confuse your comfort with your safety
• Talk to strangers
• Imagine other cultures through their poetry and novels
• Listen to music you don't understand
• Dance to it
• Act locally
• Notice the workings of power and privilege in your culture
• Question consumption
• Know how your lettuce and coffee are grown: wake up and smell the exploitation
• Look for fair trade and union labels
• help build economies from the bottom up
• Acquire few needs
• Learn
  

It's been a while since my last video post, and I've been slowing my posts on account of being swamped. I woke up today and found this interview on onegoodmove.org, and I have to say that Carters move here to write on this is stunning. I hope that what seems to be a sobering analysis of the colonial situation for Palestine gets taken a bit more seriously. I won't go on about it, but I want to point out two things:

1) the Hardball interviewer was so tempted to bust into some pretty off topic and pretty sensational questions; I think perhaps a product of a larger imbalance within the media.

2) Jimmy Carter is brilliant at remaining on message while preserving a gentle, and non-imposing intellect. This is a politician at his best; pushing an issue, sticking to his message, and delivering a persuasive argument on the issue.

This is yet another preview of the Massey Lectures from 2004, with Ronald Wright. I believe it to be one of the most relevant, and eloquent pieces of media in my hands at the moment, and I'd strongly urge you all to get a hold of it. Play it for your friends! It's amazing how passionate he is while remaining balanced and thoughtful.

The other preview I posted a while ago was the track which immediately followed this one, they are together the last two tracks of the whole lecture. I insist that I'm not giving away the strongest part though. Wright is incredible well spoken in his conclusions, but is even more brilliant in his evidence and account for history.