Thank you Eddie Harris

I love to lie and lie to love
I'm hangin' on, they push and shove
Possession is the motivation that is hangin' up the God damn nation
Looks like we all might end up in a rut -- everybody now
Tryin' to make it real -- compared to what?

Slaughterhouse is killin' hogs
Twisted children killin' frogs
Poor dumb rednecks rollin' logs
Tired old ladies kissin' dogs
I hate the human love of that stinkin' mutt -- I can't use it
Try to make it real compared to what.

President he's got his war
Folks don't know just what it's for
Nobody gives us rhyme or reason
Have one doubt, they call it treason
We're chicken-feathers, all without one nut -- God damn it
Tryin' to make it real -- compared to what?

Church on Sunday, sleep and nod
Tryin' to duck the wrath of God
Preachers fillin' us with fright
They all tryin' to teach us what they think is right
They really got to be some kind of nut -- I can't use it
Tryin' to make it real -- compared to what?

Where's that beat and where's that honey
Where's my God and where's my money
Unreal values a crass distortion
Unwed mothers need abortion
Kind of brings to mind ol' young King Tut -- he did it now
Tried to make it real compared to what!

So there's a Conservative minority in our Commons

There it is, the mosaic conclusion of our grand country is has taken a change in course. The Conservatives crafted a very tricky, slick election campaign accompanied by a smiling Stephan Harper advertising their slogans. I will give them credit for winning the top job by playing on the fears of Western alienation and therefore give the West some political results. The Bloc also came back from slumber with a greater amount of seats in the Commons to the credit of the eastern left, and then our King & Queen of the NDP party: Jack Layton & Olivia Chow have taken their seats in the Commons along with 8 other NDP seats. Another extreme credit to the federal left!

The final analysis is that the left side of the spectrum has alot of power. This is all about positioning. I think the only thing they will be passing threw the Commons are budgets, 1st & foremost, however the issues surrounding same-sex marriage & abortion should not tie up the process due to the diversity of progressive leftist seats within the Commons and how much they out number the Conservatives.

I think I can exhale, because this last election had me proudly voting in my 4th consecutive province. The Liberals can heal for awhile, but I certainly hope he takes our PM to task to expose where they fuck up. The Conservatives certainly aren't perfect, but then, such is life!

Yes, some influential people have some power of my opinion......

It seems that not only young people are going to the polls Monday, but some enthusiasm from the south has also drawn my attention. I have to publish this, even if no one reads it! Here's what Michael Moore had to say on the issue of our Federal Election efforts:

"Oh, Canada -- you're not really going to elect a Conservative majority on Monday, are you? That's a joke, right? I know you have a great sense of humor, and certainly a well-developed sense of irony, but this is no longer funny. Maybe it's a new form of Canadian irony -- reverse irony! OK, now I get it. First, you have the courage to stand against the war in Iraq -- and then you elect a prime minister who's for it. You declare gay people have equal rights -- and then you elect a man who says they don't. You give your native peoples their own autonomy and their own territory -- and then you vote for a man who wants to cut aid to these poorest of your citizens. Wow, that is intense! Only Canadians could pull off a hat trick of humor like that. My hat's off to you.
Far be it from me, as an American, to suggest what you should do. You already have too many Americans telling you what to do. Well, actually, you've got just one American who keeps telling you to roll over and fetch and sit. I hope you don't feel this appeal of mine is too intrusive but I just couldn't sit by, as your friend, and say nothing. Yes, I agree, the Liberals have some 'splainin' to do. And yes, one party in power for more than a decade gets a little... long. But you have a parliamentary system (I'll bet you didn't know that -- see, that's why you need Americans telling you things!). There are ways at the polls to have your voices heard other than throwing the baby out with the bath water.
These are no ordinary times, and as you go to the polls on Monday, you do so while a man running the nation to the south of you is hoping you can lend him a hand by picking Stephen Harper because he's a man who shares his world view. Do you want to help George Bush by turning Canada into his latest conquest? Is that how you want millions of us down here to see you from now on? The next notch in the cowboy belt? C'mon, where's your Canadian pride? I mean, if you're going to reduce Canada to a cheap download of Bush & Co., then at least don't surrender so easily. Can't you wait until he threatens to bomb Regina? Make him work for it, for Pete's sake.
But seriously, I know you're not going to elect a guy who should really be running for governor of Utah. Whew! I knew it! You almost had me there. Very funny. Don't do that again. God, I love you, you crazy cold wonderful neighbors to my north. Don't ever change. "
"Michael Moore "

We all stick our foot in our mouths sometimes.....

I think Mt Buzz Hargrove has stuck his foot in his mouth this time 'round. I think his suggestion that Mr. Harper is a separatist is entirely propaganda-ridden and it's the same way that he chose to isolate the West and Quebec. I'm going to be highly critical here because I think he said some ignorant comments in his press conference with Paul Martin. Our Prime Minister had to catch himself in making sure that his statements were entirely complimentary to Mr. Harper and acknowledged his federalism at the same time firing any attempt to suggest Quebecors to vote Bloc.

This is getting ugly and the more people I speak with in Edmonton, they all think the Liberals suck huge ass. I listen to stories of the federal government taking money from public coffers and sticking it to their friends. This was very irresponsible of our government, but I don't see the alternative of a Conservative govn't who may try to adjust the GST at will, when they put it there in the first place. This bit of history mysteriously is gone from our federal & local media outlets, and for some reason, people don't care about it.

I remember studying in grade 10 Social Studies about the federal election taking place back in 1989, and reading Conservative NAFTA propaganda that promised more jobs and greater prosperity for Canada partners with the US & Mexico. Did that come true for all of Canada? Let's not reiterate this statement to loggers in small BC communities that had the bottom fall out because of softwood lumber issues with the U.S. Hmmm...and remember when there wasn't a tax on fast food? The gold 'ol GST is a wonderful memory that still exists today.

Hmmm....the NDP has very good intentions with wanting to stick up for the underdog, supporting students, immigrants, social programs for Canada's kids, etc. but the thought of spending a lot more money then our current federal gov't and possibly spending into deficits could negatively impact our nations' economy. I like Jack Layton, as he is very charismatic but I don't think I'd like NDP as a federal government entirely for fiscal reasons. (8 years of NDP in BC was my experience!)

The lesser of evils perhaps? Or a democratic balance someday, when the choices are greater and not just what the media tells us to care about. How about the Green Party? Let innovation take us into the 2100s century by taxing corporations that pollute, you get huge federal tax breaks for owning environmentally responsible items such as a e-car or scooter. Give the car companies tax breaks for contributing to Canadians this way.

Like John Lennon said, "I'm just a dreamer"..........

I digress.

I know it's been a while but........

Well, I haven't written for awhile, but I've needed some time to get out into that Edmonton world of mine............ :) Next week is the federal election and I've finally received a response from your Hon. Anne McLellan in the mail from when I sent her an earlier email, close to the start of the campaign trail. Here is what she had to say:

"Dear Ms. Bodo:

Thank you for your correspondence of November 28, 2005, regarding the situation in Iraq and same-sex marriage. I appreciate you taking the time to share your considered thoughts on this matter with me.

Please be assured that the Government of Canada considers the safety of Canadians abroad a top priority. Foreign Affairs Canada regularly issues travel advisories about countries with political, environmental or health issues and maintains a searchable database of these notices. Canadians are encouraged to consult this service before and, it possible, during travel to any country in order to keep informed of changing conditions. If you are interested in learning more about this service, you may wish to visit the Consular Affairs website at www.voyage.gc.ca.

Regarding the current situation in Iraq, Canada will continue to assist the Iraqi government in its efforts to implement the new constitution and to build democratic and effective governing institutions, in collaboration with the United Nations and the international community. The Government of Canada has established a $300-million development fund to support the development of a stable, self-governing, democratic, and prosperous Iraq.

Like you, I believe that the Civil Marriage Act helps a society that strives for respect and understanding, and I am happy that you share my belief in the importance of tolerance and inclusion. The discussion about revisiting this legislation worries me and I can assure you that if re-elected, I will continue to work on behalf of all minorities to ensure that their constitutional rights are protected.

Again, thank you for bringing your thoughts on these issues to my attention. I greatly appreciate your kind words of support and wish you all the best this New Year."

"Yours sincerely,
****signed*****
A. Anne McLellan"

Well what the hell... Now, did anyone just read this and think that they were being sent a line or two please raise your hands. I dunno.... I almost feel blackmailed that if I don't vote for her, minorities are going to be f*cked over by the Conservatives. The letter itself is nice, with a beautiful stamp to send it with ( on all our money people!). Now a prompt email sent to me would have been wonderful, but the letter is nice for the first time. The two reasons above are the main reasons I won't vote Conservative. Sorry, but I think Christmas campaigning was a burden also, let alone minority rights and combined war mongering with the country to the south. Sorry Alberta......I just can't decide. :(

I like to work our democratic process by getting these MPs of ours to be accountable to all of us, and that means asking questions until to truth is found out. Some ppl don't like to be questioned but our MPs certainly deserve our free market scrutiny. It's good to be a tough customer in this country!

Anyhow, it's super warm in Edmonton, only -4 to -8C which is awesome for this time of year. Have a super MP3 player that plays my favorite music for my 20-minute walk to work. Don't worry, I just bought a humidifier to keep that BC glow going hopefully!!!

Good luck at the polls people,
Take care,
Becca

Jealosy

Jealosy is sinfully sweet. We cannot seem to get enough of it. I think that when you have been biten once, jealousy moves in for the kill. What I mean by that, is when you have been betrayed somehow, physically or mentally, when you lose trust in someone, jealousy moves in permanently. It brings in its toothbrush and takes the spare room. You hear it in there at night watching Leno. "Need anythin before I go to sleep?" it calls. "One last reminder of how weak you are???" I hate the feeling of helplessness, the feeling of being jealous.

You have to believe in yourself. Bit by bit, you have to believe in your goodness and your grace. You have to convince yourself of your worth, which is so great, it is not countable. You have to let go of your fears and worries and live a freer life. You have to get over being afraid of being alone. We are all alone; to find comfort in that will make you live longer. It's not that we don't WANT each other, but do we have to NEED each other so much? I think that is where the haze sets in. Needing makes the boat rock.

You WANT the right person; you NEED the wrong person. You want someone you can be alone with. Being alone together, that is the tricky part. That would be perfect really. There is an old sock for every old shoe. I believe that. If you don't trust someone, there is no point in being with them. If you are tied to someone else as you climb up the mountain, don't you have to trust them completely?? Why would you even bother climbing up in the first place if you didn't? You have to completely trust that they will not let you fall, period. See what I mean? Trust. It's a hard thing to win back once it's spoiled. Not trusting is mixed in with jealousy and fear, so make sure you have it all sorted out before you say the wrong thing.