Photo database

Hyperlinking related photos is a huge idea!

However, I can see this kind of technology being married with facial recognition software, and used by organisations (of legitimate or questionable intent) to track the movement of people in the world, providing an archive of who was where (and with who) at any given time - all thanks to people who innocently post their vacation pictures. So much for privacy! :-S (At least there's a plethora of photo-shopped images to obfuscate such historical records and create a doubt in legitimate courts at least...)

Anyway, we all know this is really being developed for the adult-entertainment industry, the real driving force behind the internet! ;-)

Soldier Sacrifices (editorial)

Try this.

SOLDIER SACRIFICES
The Edmonton Sun 2006.07.26 Editorial/Opinion

The deaths of Cpl. Francisco Gomez, a 44-year-old member of the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry in Edmonton, and Quebec City native Cpl. Jason Patrick Warren, 29, of the Black Watch, the Royal Highland Regiment of Canada, in a suicide bombing last weekend in Afghanistan brings the death toll for the dangerous mission to 20: 19 soldiers and one diplomat.
If those numbers make you uncomfortable, good. We hope they do.
Because if people are uneasy with those statistics it means they still care, one way or another. It means they're either gutted by the fact that our soldiers have to pay such a high price in order to try to bring stability to a war torn region as part of the war on terror, or they're outraged at how our soldiers' lives are being sacrificed for a futile cause.
As our readers know, we completely support the Armed Forces' mission in Afghanistan. And it grieves us whenever we at the Sun get the notification that another soldier has died, because we know all too well by now that these aren't automatons programmed to go into the Afghanistan mountains to kill. They're flesh and blood human beings with families back here in Canada - spouses, parents, children - who are suffering the worst kind of grief imaginable.
And with every death, the tentacles of pain, sorrow and despair spread further across the military family and the greater Edmonton community, which has embraced our soldiers with open arms.
We know that not all Canadians share our view of this mission. That's the democratic right we enjoy in this country - to disagree with public policy without fear of reprisals, official or otherwise. And we know that according to some recent polls, Canadians are growing increasingly uneasy about the Afghanistan mission. One poll last week found that 41% of Canadians surveyed believe Canadian troops should be pulled from Afghanistan immediately, while only 34% say they should remain for a limited time of at least two years.
But that's OK. Because it means people are still engaged. They're following what's happening to our soldiers. And they're naturally concerned.
We've gone through that extended period when Canadians were utterly indifferent to our soldiers. We lived through the time not that long ago when the ones who died in so-called peacekeeping duty overseas had their deaths relegated to the back pages of newspapers from coast to coast, if they were even reported at all.
We don't ever want to go back to those days. We don't want Canadians to be
apathetic about our soldiers and the lives that they put on the line in the
blazing Afghan sun - or anywhere else - every single day.
We don't want people to look at a picture of a dead soldier in the paper and
shrug it off as another one.

the wheels may be turning...

Public observation is one of the things I love most about taking public transport.

Yesterday on the bus going to work, I saw this pudgy odd-looking thirty-something guy on the bus going through one of those 101 Mind Puzzles books (you know, the ones insecure brainiacs find amusing).
Anyway, he must have been particularly pre-occupied with his puzzles yesterday morning because he rang the bell to get off, opened his book, turned the page, closed the book again, and pulled the cord a few times to ring the bell again (even though the "stop requested" light was already lit (by himself just 20 seconds earlier)). Plus his wrinkled black polo shirt was on inside out.

So I'm thinking, this guy's wheels may be turning, but they're obviously not touching the ground!

more my kind of warfare

"We have tried to reduce the sound and we are reviewing the songs. I don't mind Barry Manilow, but I'm more of an ABBA and Celine Dion fan."
http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/asiapcf/07/17/australia.manilow.ap/index.html

oh yeah!

Seeds of Wrath; or, Unfortunate Pettiness

"When bombs are going off around you, it doesn't matter whose name is on the label. It's not about politics to those on the ground. It's about trying to stay alive."
-Lisi Tesher, "Relating", Ottawa Metro, 25 July 2005

Today's wars of ideology become tomorrow's wars of revenge. Though I sympathize with Israel for the difficulty they have in fighting their insidious shadow enemy, this is precisely why I disagree with their approach. Israeli strategists must realize that attempting to supplant Hezbollah in Lebanon is like trying to weed a garden downwind of a dandelion field; you cannot avoid seeing the current war as desperate, disproportionate, and ineffective in this light. Furthermore, this violation of a sovereign state (giving Lebanon the benefit of the doubt here) will raise the ire of its citizens, foster further misunderstandings, and add fuel to the underlying tensions between these great civilizations.

(sigh)

It's unfortunate that we have to wait for the next ice age (the one that Al Gore is promising) for humanity to realize it's true place in the world.

Canadians being evacuated

There is some noise about whether the 40,000 or so Canadians being evacuated from Lebanon should actually be considered Canadian - some say these "citizens of convenience" (who maintain their dual citizenship but haven't resided in or paid taxes to Canada in many, many years) do not deserve to be assisted out of their real (by all practical accounts) country.
Hogwash I say. If they are Canadian citizens and hold valid passports, it is our duty to extend whatever resources we can obtain to help them, just as any other citizen. However, one of the lessons we should learn from this situation is that perhaps our citizenship rules need to be revisited in light of the anticipated rise in world conflicts?
Questions we (via our officials) should discuss should include:
Do we want to continue allowing dual citizenship?
If so, with all or some countries?
If only some, which? How often should the list of acceptable countries for dual citizenship be updated? What do we do if we scratch a country off the list - give current passport holders in those cut-off countries 3 months notice then cancel those whose bearers choose not to return?
Do we want to have two classes of people - those who are citizens AND permanent residents of Canada, and a lesser class of citizens who are NOT permament residents of Canada that our embassies would not provide the same level of assistance to? If so, are our leaders prepared to make that discrimination in times of crisis? Finally, are our embassies equipped to handle that distinction in times of crisis?
For the time being, those who were attracted by the priviledges of a Canadian passport, and played by the rules to get one, must be entitled to every measure of protection we would extend to any other Canadian citizen. Personally, I would like to see Canada shoulder it's part of international responsibility by assisting all displaced people in Lebanon, regardless of citizenship. After all, we (the rest of the world) failed to
effetively deal with the causes of these tensions before the situation ever escalated.
That so many Canadians are contented by yet another photo-op for the PM flying to the rescue in his shining Canadian Forces armour is just sick.

more thoughts on taxes

"I'd rather have a dollar to share than none at all."
"I'd rather have half a pie than a risk a full one stolen."
-Me

It's funny cuz it's true ???

During a photo-op in France earlier today, at a ceremony commemmorating the Battle of Vimy Ridge: (source)

Stephen Harper, a servi une raillerie aux médias qui l'accompagnaient ce matin (mardi) à une cérémonie commémorative à Vimy.
Il a dit que dorénavant, l'ennemi ne transportait pas d'armes à feu, mais des caméras de télévision.

Rough translation: The PM joked that "In the future, the ennemy won't be the one carrying fire-arms but television cameras."

In this case, I hope its not true because it certainly isn't funny; I am rather apprehensive toward the prospect that we will be fighting a war of disinformation with the NeoCons, not unlike the grassroots opposition to Nazi party propaganda that was quickly eliminated...

And why is this not reported in the English news I wonder?

peacemaking credibility lost

The world just became a more dangerous place for Canadian soldiers. http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/07/18/graham-israel.html
Thanks, mr. prime minister.

malthusian predisposition

Last night I pondered on the thought that "politicians don't have values or a vision for anything other than their re-election/re-appointment" and by extension, will do anything to maintain support of the masses.

Now by coincidence I read that "Terrorists are not acting by their own free will, they are always the brainwashed faithful, out of their minds, controlled by religious and economic priesthoods."

So what state of the world are we in that nurtures this malthusian predisposition of both these groups to whip themselves into a fanatical frenzy and set out to free the world of all the evils they've convinced themselves exist?

Meanwhile, the bulk of the population is more concerned with the goings on of a few teen celebrities who've inherited their fortunes than with actual factual and meaningful news, adding further pressure on professional journalists to cave in to the greedy stakeholders desires to cash in on the infotainment approach to the news. How little we've learned from the middle ages...

disproportionate response

so... a labelled terrorist organization kidnaps a coupla israeli soldiers, and israel attacks civilians and civilian infrastructure in response, knowing full well that escalation would be inevitable. Meanwhile, Harper and Dubya (both self-proclaimed defenders of democracy but with neo-fascist tendencies) sit back and say, well, the other guys started it so they should learn their lesson and return the soldiers they kidnapped. That's not how my parents settled the fights between me and my younger sibling, let me assure you.

Anyway, I've spent time with the military, and I'm not sure I'd want Canada to start bombing and killing citizens of another country if I was ever kidnapped. I would rather suffer in the hands of my captors for peace and the greater good, than allow my government to use me as an excuse for military rampage. Military personnel are usually sworn to protect their "King and Country" - not just the King, especially if he (or whatever governing body) is acting illegally or irrationally. In most circumstances, I would rather die a traitor to the imposed governing body than live despite the principles I believe in, much like Churchill's Baker Street Irregulars just before the outbreak of WWII.

why I don't believe in the stock market

As Ed Deak writes (ref.):

Corporatism is fascism, as it doesn't recognize the " one person one vote system", but relies on the voting power of the artificial entities of corporate shares.
Therefore, any political ideology, or economic system, based on the decision making, voting power of artificial entities, controlled by a power elite, is a form of fascism.

Mind you, it has has provided the financial means necessary to a few well-intentioned forward-thinking individuals to ease political resistance and develop/implement technologies that would prove to benefit millions of people through employment, improved safety/creature comforts, and relative stability.

It's not a bad thing - it just needs the right checks and balances.

Manipulation

"It's not the people who vote that count; it's the people who count the votes."
- Joseph Stalin

Same thing could be said about people who make the news vs. people who report it...
I'm slightly concerned (though not conspirational) about the seeming trend toward "The New Fascism," defined here as:

(a) the rule of private corporations (b) the elevation to power of people adhering to The New Fascism (c) the wholesale use of press and media to lie to the population about the meaning of democracy (d) the destruction of health and safety codes, of limits upon police action, and of all publicly owned services and institutions (e) and total subservience to the USA in order to end Canadian sovereignty.

Every time Canadian media chains are allow themselves to be tempted by the lucrative "infotainment" formula in lieu of proud and professional journalism, proponents of "The New Fascism" faces one less hurdle.

Appealing to Americansa and American-wanna-bees

ahh- following in the footsteps of former (slightly overweight) president Bill Clinton I see!

From the Prime Minister's Web Site
Public events for Prime Minister Stephen Harper for Tuesday, July 11th are:
10:00 a.m. - Prime Minister Stephen Harper will attend the Hull Home Pancake Breakfast.
7:00 p.m. - Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Mrs. Harper will attend the Calgary Southwest BBQ.

Slinkies

Here's an amusing quote:
Some people are like Slinkies,
They don't really have a purpose,
But they still bring a smile to your face
When you push them down the stairs.

POTUS on foreign relations

http://www.forbes.com/technology/feeds/ap/2006/07/14/ap2878966.html

Looks like President G.W.Bush wants to have his pork...

But it is Bush's fierce support for Israel that puts him at odds with some of the other G-8 nations.

...and eat it too:

Bush finished his German visit by joining Chancellor Angela Merkel for a wild boar barbecue feast.[...] "Let's go eat," he said.

ecological footprint = shift the tax to where it belongs

I'm really glad to see that awareness of the "net energy balance" of various types of alternative fuels is starting to take root.
I would like to apply the same idea to consumer goods in terms of net ecological footprint: the product would be taxed based on not just the energy required to produce, package and ship it, but also to recycle the packaging and the product itself at the end of its useful life. Those costs would inevitably be flowed-through to the consumers (easing pressure off municipal taxpayers).
No doubt a political hot potato, I think something like that might actually reward earth-conscious consumers (rather than have to pay a premium for thinking green as is the current practice).
And maybe, just maybe, it just might get manufacturers to improve their product and packaging designs.
And maybe, (now I'm really stretching it) maybe the higher costs will get some people to rethink their habits of not looking after what they've got, because it's more ecological than replacing it even if it's oh-SO-last-week. That would ease a bit of the pressure on the already overstuffed landfill sites and like I said earlier would reduce the homeowner's tax burden a bit.
Not to mention, we would all breathe a little easier too, and our kids just might get to enjoy the same planet we grew up with.
This will probably take a few more years and somebody younger, smarter, more telegenic and more eloquent than yours truly (yeah I acknowledge it's a pretty low standard), so just remember you heard it from me first.

FW: Quiz: who said it? Ann Coulter or H

One of my friends commented on a quiz going around that asks people to guess whether the source of various quotes is Ann Coulter or Hitler. (I did it but found it rather useless, so I will only provide you with the link if you ask for it.) She said "I can't believe than Ann Coulter has a following."

I've concluded that people will follow ANYbody that distances themself from the pack: some out of sheer curiosity; some to gleefully support the stirring of the pot; some to create a story, be part of history and get their 15 minutes of fame; some who study the movement of the "enemy" to better oppose it; and others because they thoroughly believe it is good for mankind.

As dangerous and misguided as the latter group may seem, change invariably creates strife, strife challenges complacency, and these kinds of disturbances force about a Darwinian selection of emerging ideologies. As individuals we learn to better relate to ourselves and to others, and we as a race learn to adapt. So, in the end, conflict is good for mankind as long as one party is not in a position so strong as to obliterate the other(s); the continous ideological tug-of-war is necessary to keep humanity flexible.

You've often heard me say "Equilibrium must be maintained." My point is that universal equilibrium will be maintained, with or without us. It's up to humanity to stay flexible and adapt to the changing world or be overwhelmed by a massive malthusian check (like the looming disasters related to CO2 emissons).

Anyway, in response to those that believe that "Equilibrium can be maintained without the dangerous filth that spouts from Ann Coulter, a one-woman threat to everything democracy stands for," I partly agree, but want to add that she still might serve a higher-level purpose by fighting complacency: sometimes the silent majority needs a shot of the ridiculous to wake up and defend what they know is right. Otherwise, like Canadians lulled into a false sense of confidence with the Conservative government (and who will certainly elect them into a majority) you get what you deserve. I'm just not ready to accept that we deserve that kind of fate.

Precision

I think "love of the ideals we enjoy in this country" is probably more accurate than "love of country" in his speech on June 3, 2006 (exerpt below). Other than that, kudos for the fine text:

Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued the following statement on the occasion of the 5th annual Canadian Forces Day, June 4, 2006.

"Canadian Forces personnel have served our country with pride and honour in times of war and in times of peace. Often, they faced great danger - with some even giving their lives. But through it all, these men and women have shown great bravery, dedication to duty, and love of country.

changements

J'ai eu une discussion intéressante avec un collegue ce matin à propos de la longue fin de semaine qu'on vient d'avoir :
* le peu de temps libre n'a pas permis de prendre de l'avance sur les besognes domestiques;
* la vitesse de rattrapage n'atteint rarement la vitesse de retard, nécessitant occasionnellement des changements quantiques;
* "si tu fais toujours ce que tu as toujours fait, tu auras toujours ce que tu as toujours eu";
* d'où le besoin pour les changements quantiques.
Assez profond pour le premier matin après un long weekend, n'est-ce pas? :)

Harper marks GST reduction

Hmmpf. From http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?id=1230:

"This single tax reduction will mean nine billion more dollars will be kept in the pockets and bank accounts of Canadians over the next two years. [...] The Government is committed to further cutting the GST to five per cent, which will result in more savings for all Canadians. [...] Under Canada's New Government, Canadians are saving more money. In Budget 2006, 29 separate tax cuts were introduced, representing more tax relief than in the four previous federal budgets."

How realistic is it to expect that Canadians will actually keep these nine billion dollars "in their pockets and bank accounts over the next few years"? Rather, I suspect most would prefer to spend this on more goodies they think they need.
You cannot create wealth - if all Canadians had more money, that money will simply be worth less. Sure it will help a lot of people in the short term, but by creating the illusion that they have more, most will buy more (mostly gizmos from offshore) raising consumer prices and accelerating both the productivity decline in Canada and the damage being caused to the planet (exploitation and waste of natural resources, garbage, etc).
Personally, I think it's a brilliant way to win the next election while covertly advancing an agenda that harvests the dumb and further empowers the rich through the inflation that these tax measures will surely bring about.