Hatred and Disinformation is alive and thriving.

No I'm not writing about smart people doing smart things, wouldn't that be nice for a change, I’m writing about the Native day of action.

Why you might ask?

It's simple. The Natives have, and have had for many decades, a legitimate complaint with respect to how they have been neglected by the government.

Sitting at the table and discussing possible solutions has only dragged this inequality on and on.

A quick search on Google reveals a few sites that promote a hatred that is sick and disgusting. This type of “taught” hatred could only come from someone who is ignorant. It is not something I would have expected from a Canadian. However, we are becoming more like our cousins to the south. Claiming that the Natives are nothing more than home-grown terrorist is something that would never have happened before the terrorist attacks of 9/11. Given the political climate as it is today, this type of claim is not causing the type of backlash it would have just 6 short years ago.

I don’t agree with what this site is designed to promote; however, I do believe in freedom of speech. Every man, woman or child has the right to speak his or her mind. Regardless of whether you or I agree with what he or she says. If you do not agree than you to have the right to speak you mind.

Since the terrorist attack in 2001, our right to free speech, as well as many other rights, have been curtailed or completely destroyed in the name of “National Security”. “Those willing to give up a little liberty for a little security deserve neither security nor liberty.” This quote from Benjamin Franklin in 1759 is more important now than ever.

This is very similar to how our government views the issue of Global Warming.

First deny there is a problem.
Then stall until the people cry out for action.
Acknowledge the problem and say it’s not our fault.
Then stall until the people cry out for action.
Acknowledge that the problem is caused by us but it’s too late to do anything about it.
Then stall until change is forced upon us.
The people cry out.

When words are simply not enough, actions must speak for you.

Below is a reprint of an email I sent to CTV in response to their question of the day, Do you support the First Nations day of action.


Are we not brothers?
Do we not breath the same air, drink the same water and eat the same fruit?

Yes, we are!

So why do we treat our brothers so unfairly?
Why do we deny them the same standard of living that we enjoy?

If the Natives had not stood shoulder to shoulder with the British during the War of 1812, there would not be this great country called Canada.
We should all stand together in support of their struggle to obtain a quaility of life that is equal to our own.

We are brothers, let's act like brothers.

I voted yes.

Helping to make a difference.

On Tuesday June 19th, I sent a fax through the http://www.earthroots.org/ web site to help save the Ogoki forest.

Today I received a letter from the Area Forester, Heather Farrer, thanking me for my comments with a promise that she will forward my recommendations to the Ogaki forest planning team.

While I don't believe that my "letter" will turn the tide in this battle, it is still nice to know that the recipient of my "letter" has actually seen it and has taken the time to fire off a response. The response may only be a form letter but, it shows that at least someone is paying attention.

With this response comes a glimmer of hope that maybe I, along with many other concerned environmentalists, can make a difference.

I just hope she used FSC approved paper and envelopes.

Sometimes you just chase your tail.

With the Ontario governments announcement of an “outline” of a realistic greenhouse gas reduction plan, comes more questions than answers. All I want to know is are they real cuts or intensity based cuts?

The feds have promised 20% below 2006 levels by 2020.
John Tory promises 10% below 1990 levels by 2020.

We already know that the Harper plan calls for intensity based cuts.
We can only speculate about how John Tory's plan would work.
So what about the Premier's plan?

A reduction of 6% below 1990 levels by 2014 sounds "very" ambitious, unless it's based on intensity targets.

If they are intensity based cuts then we are just wasting time even listening to this crap.

Oh, gotta go I think I see my tail trying to get away from me.

G8 Climate resolution a complete waste of time.

For those of you who had hoped something substantial would result from this series of meetings, SORRY.

As is usual when you have Mr. Bush involved in talks about climate change, the end result is always a huge, but expected, disappointment.

With the pledge to re-pledge money already pledged, but never given, to fight AIDS in Africa, the focus has been shifted away from global calamity to yet another attempt to throw money at a problem in the hope that it will solve itself.

The entire climate commitment portion of the meeting has been placed way back on the back burner. It is extremely difficult to find any mention of what has happened in the mainstream media, short attention spans I guess.

Being a Canadian I couldn't help but post this line from the article, "and Harper is as much W.'s lapdog as Blair ever was."

This line mirrors my sentiment about our Prime Minister perfectly!

This is the best story I have found so far: http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2007/6/7/12364/49251

Kyoto is not dead yet.

We, as a nation, gave our word to reduce CO2 emissions in accordance with the Kyoto Accord.

At first we continued on with business as usual. Emissions increased.
Then the government made lame attempts to rally citizens to make voluntary cuts. Emissions increased.
The government changed and we continued with business as usual. Emissions increased.
The new government removed any incentive for citizens to reduce emissions. Emissions increased.
The government talked about a plan, one that closely mirrors the “Bush” plan. Emissions increased.
Government and big business wined about how “trying” to meet our Kyoto commitment would ruin our economy. Emissions increased.
Now the government has a plan. A plan that would reduce our emissions by introducing "intensity based" cuts to reduce CO2 levels to 20% below 2006 levels. Emissions will continue to increase.

Honouring our commitment to Kyoto will not destroy the economy. Ignoring our commitment to Kyoto will help destroy the environment.

Sing the petition to save Kyoto at http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/savekyoto/