It's that time of year again...

Around the world today, people are once again celebrating Lenin's birthday by taking part in Earth Hour. As I write this, a number of countries have already taken part, turning off their lights and whatnot. Locally, there are events planned, put on by the city, that involve a bonfire and giving away free hot chocolate, face painting and live performances.

Whatever makes people feel better, I suppose. I just wish my taxes weren't being used to pay for it.

Personally, I prefer the slightly tongue in cheek Human Achievement Hour. I would much rather celebrate and be thankful for the great things humans have done to make life better, safer, longer, healthier, and just plan more enjoyable for millions of people around the world.

By the time the hour rolls around in our time zone, I expect the family and I will have just finished a late supper, and will most likely be sitting in the living room, enjoying a movie together, while I crochet a holder for our plastic grocery bags.

Not about rights or free speech

So I've been reading all the hullabaloo about that Galloway character in the news. He's a really bizarre British MP that wanted to enter Canada to make a speech. Canada barred him from entering. He then had a tempter tantrum, saying this was against his "rights," and is threatening to sue Canada for defamation. He and his supporters are also making a big deal about how barring him is somehow a blow to free speech.

Well, here's my thoughts on it.

No one has any "right" to enter a country they are not a citizen of, just because they want to. None. Nadda. Zip. Doesn't matter if it's for a job, to make a speech, or for a holiday. It could even be for charitable or humanitarian purposes. It doesn't matter. Any country has every right to bar any non-citizen they please, for whatever reason they please. Full stop. Whether or not we agree with the reasons is besides the point. Canada doesn't have to let in anyone and everyone who tries to enter, can bar anyone that attempts to enter, and often does. If anything, I think Canada should to it more often. Far too many unsavoury types are being allowed in as it is, including people far more offensive and harmful than Galloway.

It's not a rights issue.

It's also not about free speech. No one is telling him to stop spouting his idiocies. So he can't come into Canada and give his speech in person - so what? With the communications technology we have today, he can send a video or audio, or do a live video speech. It can even be interactive. So long as the organizers for the event he was supposed to speak at are willing to spend the money and take the time to set it up. If they're not... tough patooties for Galloway. Being barred from Canada doesn't stop him from saying what he wants to say.

It's not a free speech issue.

So if it's not about rights, and it's not about free speech, what is it?

Looks to me like a loudmouth bully who's upset he didn't get his way, and is making as much noise and controversy as he can. He's milking this for all he's worth. Too bad Canada inadvertently gave him a platform to do so.

Happy Birthday, Norman Borlaug

It's a day late, but I wanted to extend well wishes to a great man. Norman Borlaug turned 95 yesterday, and as far as I know, he's barely slowing down.

A billion people owe their lives to this man, and the world owes him thanks and grattitude for his achievements.

About Norman E. Borlaug

Biography

an interview

...more...

Stunning ignorance: updated

If anyone has any doubt why so many Canadians are anti-American, here is a prime example.



If it weren't for the fact that I have some dear friends in the US that *aren't* arrogant assholes, I know I'd most likely be stereotyping Americans because of this.

Disgusting.

Update: Well, the fall out to this has been pretty interesting. There's been an apology, of sorts.

"However, I realize that my words may have been misunderstood," Gutfeld said in a statement released by Fox News.

"It was not my intent to disrespect the brave men, women and families of the Canadian military, and for that I apologize.

"Red Eye is a satirical take on the news, in which all topics are addressed in a lighthearted, humorous and ridiculous manner."

Misunderstood? Just how stupid does this guy think people are? What they said was pretty clear.

And yes, we all know it was supposed to be a joke, but guess what? It didn't work. This went well beyond the bounds of "lighthearted" satire. It was rude, crude and insulting. Excusing it as a joke doesn't change that. They screwed up, and any "apology" that tries to justify itself by saying things "may have been misunderstood," is no apology at all.

Canadians aren't the only ones who found it offensive, so I while I was unsurprised to read this story, I was also very appreciative.

"I don't need to remind Canadians of the actual facts, but Canadians are fighting extremely hard in perhaps the most dangerous part of Afghanistan," said Michael O'Hanlon, a specialist on U.S. national security policy and a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

"And in addition to having suffered such severe losses, they are also to my mind the No. 1 ally most admired by American commanders when I hear them speak off the record about counter-insurgency application, military heroism and general combat skills."

Based on stories I've heard elsewhere, our US allies often appreciate our soldiers more than our own government does.

Another update: As insulting as this segment was, I have to say I'm disappointed in some of the reactions to this show. I certainly understand people feeling angry, and I have no issues with people vocally expressing why they're upset, but there's no excuse for threats. None. The one guy that actually gave a genuine apology had to cancel a performance in Edmonton because of the threats he was recieving. This is completely unacceptable.

No choice?

Just catching this story from the Canadian Press.

Canada forced to link climate change, polar bears.

Canada is conceding that a treaty on polar bears signed 35 years ago is now forcing it into action on climate change.

...

The agreement calls for an urgent and effective response to address climate change.

The article doesn't name this agreement signed 35 years ago, but I find it interesting that Canada is being "forced" by this mystery agreement to act on climate change.

Thirty five years ago, polar bear populations were indeed in decline. Changes were made to limit hunting, and the total population has increased by 500%. This in spite of roughly 30 years of warming, which in turn followed about 30 years of cooling.

So even though polar bear populations have increased dramaticly simply by restricting hunting, even though most of the populations are currently either stable or growing; even though the local Inuit populations are actually having problems because there are too many polar bears, Canada is being forced to "act" on climate change to protect them? All this based on an agreement signed when circumstances for polar bears were considerably more dire than they are now?

Oh, and there's this little gem.

Canada has also agreed that industrial development in polar bear habitat must be carefully monitored and controlled.

Well, duh! They make it sound like Canada wasn't intending to do that in the first place.

I'd like to know more about this agreement, but the article doesn't even name it.

Redirect

When I read my morning news, I was going to post a comment on a particular article, but someone else has already said pretty much everything I wanted to say.

Gary Goodyear and the Anti-Faith Brigade

All I wanted to add was this question...

If people are asking him if he (or anyone else) "believes" in evolution, aren't they asking a faith based question? Therefore, doesn't that put it into the realm of religion?

Spam-spam-spam-spam...

Monty Python's spam skit is stuck in my head.

This morning, I opened my email to 119 messages. About 110 of those were spam.

I have to admit that some of it is probably my own fault. I signed up with some survey companies. While I don't think Angus Reid or Ipsos have a lot to do with it, some of the others might. A lot of the spam I getting is product promotions, or gift card promos ("get this [store name] gift card by signing up for 5 different products!!!" Yeah, sure... I'll spend $200 for a $50 gift card). Huge amounts of acia berry/weight loss spam. Then there's the "get out of debt" and "get your degree online" spam. The odd "lonely wives" spam makes its way through.

The frustrating thing is that you can't even opt out of these, because if you use the "unsubscribe" links on the bottom of a lot of these, all you're doing is verifying that your email address is actually a good one, and your spam will increase.

Why I got this sudden burst of spam today, I have no idea.

Oh, look - another 5 spam out of 6 emails. I checked my email just before I started this post, so that's in less than 5 minutes since I cleared my inbox.

Gee, I wonder if I should become a CSI investigator or take a short term loan?

I think not.

Now, if I could just get that song out of my head...