20 Years On

Last night I finally had the opportunity to watch the documentary Kanehsatake: 270 Years Of Resistance. It’s something that has been on my “to-do-list” for quite some time, and special thanks to a friendly reminder — regarding the film, not the Standoff’s anniversary (which more or less started 20 years ago this past Sunday, July 11th, 1990) — I got it watched.

So here we are, 20 years on from a point in time where Native North American Mohawk’s stood up to the Canadian government looking to continue in its colonial endeavours, and I found myself even more troubled than I had expected. Not by anything the film, quite excellently, dealt with concerning the “crisis” — as distressing as it was/is — but rather my governments actions, and the “minions” who carry out its wishes, today.

What a great bit of context, for a historical event in Canada’s sordid history, sure, but its continued relevance toward the sad state that has become Canada, is ever more powerful. Check it out…

Better Late Than Never, I Hope

In recent weeks I’ve really taken to reading The Dissident Voice. I’m nearly caught up, speaking from when I first subscribed to their feed, ’til now — with special thanks, in large part, to Mac OS Xs Voice Over Utility. And given what I’m writing about today, it’s somewhat ironic that technology is so beneficial.

Yesterday, on the aforementioned website, I came across a particularly compelling article, labelled Earthbound. Which ended;

“As the oil age recedes in the mind’s rear view mirror, science fiction will become a genre about the past. Pondering those who needed machines to do just about everything, from brushing their teeth, to writing, to self pleasure, future readers will be amused, disgusted and only seldom envious. Imagine a world where music was a nuisance because it had become repetitive and could not be silenced! Imagine people who could barely walk, yet flew!”

Which got me thinking. About many things, but the current state of the economy and our environment, in particular…

Continue reading Better Late Than Never, I Hope

The Cost Of Freedom?

Today, via Stephanie over at Animal Rights & Anti Oppression, I was directed to a rather thought provoking article, labelled A Rant About Freedom. It’s really worth a read today, for my neighbours to the south, as well as this week, for my fellow Canadian’s — and, no, not for the ironic and barbaric crackdown on dissent, as an all too predictable result of the G20 Summit, provided by this needle-dick conference, but rather Canada Day.

By all means, these holidays mean something to a lot of you — fair enough — but not everyone is in quite the same position to share your “jubilation.” Please take a moment and consider the cost of the “freedom” you enjoy…