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Can Politics be Fun?

12/31/2016

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People turn off of politics because of the mixed messages and competitive rhetoric. Likewise, politicians are plagued by constant scrutiny: whatever they say can and will be used against them. Yes, it’s true that both personal and national matters in Canada should be taken seriously. Policy and power defines who gets what they need and understanding the individual role in the system is, of course, key to the democratic process. But amid the violence, economic struggle and world crisis shouldn’t we be able to have a few heartfelt laughs? Humour is integral to enjoying life. Also, as Canadians, part of our national pride derives from an ability to laugh at ourselves, as well as everyone else.

The number of wonderfully insightful and funny Canadian comedians attests to this. Intelligent and influential individuals often use humour as the vehicle for investigating current issues. Many of these people have become prominent members of the CBC community but still others take to the web and banter on social networks about complex questions. Such behaviour often walks a fine line between ‘good fun’ and personal/career suicide.

Over the past decade, politics has retreated into the realm of ‘safe rather than sorry’ on the humour front. Unfortunately, this adds to the divide between political parties, citizen knowledge of current affairs and voter participation. The fact is that people like things that make them feel good and in a time when depression is at its highest this has never been more true. What sounds like a contradictory notion is perhaps one of the most important methods of encouraging the attention of Canadian citizens: Make ‘em laugh to make ‘em care.

Reading up on individual party platforms, histories and attitudes is an integral part of voter awareness but so, too, is humour. Comedic jousts bring to light contradictions and hidden insight often overlooked or forgotten in political positions. An active participant in the Canadian parliamentary process should never be completely satisfied with the party they choose to affiliate with. As odd as this sounds it’s very effective at keeping a person fresh on their values. Although a person may have a party with which they generally side, paying attention to the surrounding atmosphere and other party objectives keeps us informed about the directions politics are taking. Parties do not always do what they say they will, so monitoring all of them to varying degrees is the most effective way of keeping their individual agendas in sight.

Political humour highlights the discrepancies, histories and truths of Canadian politics. As citizens we can sit back for a good laugh that also energizes our intellect. Democracy represents the freedom and rights of all people. A right to dignity exists in this framework but also the reality that none of us is without fault. Laughing at ourselves and those around us can be a difficult skill to master but its ability to unite people in a bond of commonality cannot be underestimated.

Politicians will be less afraid of being engaging when the citizens are less inclined to become hostile. Individuals who have been exposed to insights through joy are more likely to participate in the political process. Accepting humour’s role in our lives makes each challenge a bit more manageable and a lot more fun.


Some links to lighten the mood:
CBC's 'This Hour Has 22 Minutes': http://www.cbc.ca/22minutes/
CBC's 'The Debaters': http://www.cbc.ca/radio/thedebaters
SwanParadise’s Canadian Humour: http://www.swanparadise.com/Canadian-Jokes.html
CanadianJokes:http://www.canadaka.net/modules.php?name=Jokes&op=CatIndex&cid=14

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Quotes from Life Part 2

12/30/2016

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This next installment is dedicated to Hayao Miyazaki, one of the greatest filmmakers who's ever lived.

“You must see with eyes unclouded by hate. See the good in that which is evil, and the evil in that which is good. Pledge yourself to neither side, but vow instead to preserve the balance that exists between the two.”
―
Hayao Miyazaki


“I’ve become skeptical of the unwritten rule that just because a boy and girl appear in the same feature, a romance must ensue. Rather, I want to portray a slightly different relationship, one where the two mutually inspire each other to live - if I’m able to, then perhaps I’ll be closer to portraying a true expression of love.”
―
Hayao Miyazaki


“The creation of a single world comes from a huge number of fragments and chaos.”
―
Hayao Miyazaki


“Modern life is so thin and shallow and fake. I look forward to when developers go bankrupt, Japan gets poorer and wild grasses take over.”
―
Hayao Miyazaki


“Personally I am very pessimistic. But when, for instance, one of my staff has a baby you can't help but bless them for a good future. Because I can't tell that child, 'Oh, you shouldn't have come into this life.' And yet I know the world is heading in a bad direction. So with those conflicting thoughts in mind, I think about what kind of films I should be making.”
―
Hayao Miyazaki


“Many of my movies have strong female leads- brave, self-sufficient girls that don't think twice about fighting for what they believe with all their heart. They'll need a friend, or a supporter, but never a savior. Any woman is just as capable of being a hero as any man.”
―
Hayao Miyazaki


“To be born means being compelled to choose an era, a place, a life. To exist here, now, means to lost the possibility of being countless other potential selves.. Yet once being born there is no turning back. And I think that's exactly why the fantasy worlds of cartoon movies so strongly represent our hopes and yearnings. They illustrate a world of lost possibilities for us.”
―
Hayao Miyazaki


“I do believe in the power of story. I believe that stories have an important role to play in the formation of human beings, that they can stimulate, amaze and inspire their listeners.”
―
Hayao Miyazaki


“[on the future of hand-drawn animation] I'm actually not that worried. I wouldn't give up on it completely. Once in a while there are strange, rich people who like to invest in odd things. You're going to have people in the corners of garages making cartoons to please themselves. And I'm more interested in those people than I am in big business.”
―
Hayao Miyazaki


“The greatness of a mind is determined by the depth of its suffering.”
―
Hayao Miyazaki, Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Vol. 1


“Our lives are like the wind... or like sounds.

We come into being, resonate with each other...

Then fade away”
― Hayao Miyazaki

The below image is titled 'HAYAO MIYAZAKI' by AbrahamCruz
Picture
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Quotes from Life Part 1

12/2/2016

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Those we encounter sometimes spout witty, humourous or otherwise memorable sentences that we later wished we'd captured.  I thought it might be interesting to note some of the ones I have recorded from my own life here.  I have tried to include only quotes specific to my own existence, rather than those available through any Google search.  I hope they get a smile or inspire a moment of contemplation.

“Twisted relationships belong in our headspace, not in real life.” - Piper Cleveland

“I, stained with sins and wounded with defects, went to the store.” –Dream of the Rood, & Prof. Kightly

“In our quest for equality we’ve become equally incompetent.” –Wes

“Once there was a man who died. And then he came back, because he really wasn’t dead.”- Princess Tutu (Anime)

“Why’d you stop?”
“Because now I’m going to take you in my arms and kiss you. Very fast and very hard.” Tom Ewell and Marilyn Monroe, The Seven Year Itch

"Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." - T. S. Eliot, Poet

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Can We Stop a Nuclear War?

12/1/2016

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Should there come a point when the deployment of nuclear weapons is a real possibility there is only one way for us to save ourselves: March into the streets.

While I hope that the circumstances necessitating such action are never reached, the escalating crisises around the globe, particularly after the election of Donal Trump as President of the United States, threatens to agitate simmering tensions within America and beyond.  I cannot help fathoming the worst case scenario and how we as ordinary people can possibly prevent it.

Ideally, nuclear weapons would already have been willingly dismantled by all countries. As a species now at a critical point in its development, this is the only rational way forward, but fear and pride have prevented such action. This is why, should even a hint of full-scale aggression between countries with nuclear weapons rear its head, the world must be ready to act.

If there comes a time when we genuinely feel our world might be teetering on the brink everyone – students, workers, children, elders – need to assemble on the streets of their neighbourhoods and demand that those in power listen to their voices. Bringing business to a halt will ensure that our collective desire to live in a world free from the threat of nuclear disaster will be taken seriously.

In that moment, beside friends, colleagues, family, and strangers, we must demand the complete disabling of nuclear weapons in every country. Those in key positions of power must act by their morality. Only together, as a unified global force, will humanity overcome one of the greatest threats to their ongoing existence.

Although there are many challenges in our future, eradication of nuclear weapons is the least we can do for the safety, prosperity and freedom of our children and the planet.

Here is an interesting presentation on Nuclear Weapons from a high school in Japan : https://prezi.com/g7yqxoe94bkl/nuclear-weapon/

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