Your Wednesday Enlightenment 06.13.07
Posted by Matthew D.S. on 06.13.2007
A good place for your weekly dose of awe.
*The camera fades in to find our hero (and by "hero" I mean average slob) sitting at his keyboard in Ralph Lauren t-shirt which really should have been thrown out a long time ago, but since nobody cares or is looking, he continues to don said t-shirt. In only a few hours the empty, misanthropic world of retail will be upon him again, so he feels he might as well make the most of his time. Without making lunch first. Or cleaning up first. Or doing the dishes first. Or anything else for that matter that would be more productive, but what the hell. It's time; time to dish out more depressing news for this lovely Wednesday.*
*It is the age of the Enlightenment.*
[YourWednesdayEnlightenment.]
Welcome back one and one of you to the second grand instalment of Wednesday international news. I have some delightful news on tap for you this week, but just what that is…I'm not sure! You see, I type this crap first without deciding which stories to write about. But shh, that's just our secret, m'kay?
Atlantic Accord Creates Discord
Ottawa, Tuesday, June 12: Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Conservatives are under fire from Premier Rodney MacDonald of Nova Scotia and Federal MPs alike as the Federal Budget was passed in the House of Commons. The Premier and now former Conservative MP Bill Casey allege that the Budget undermines the Atlantic Accord - a deal signed between the former Liberal Government and a few of the Maritime provinces in 2005 - that allowed for sharing of revenues of oil and gas produced by the provinces. Harper denies that the Budget alters the Accord and came out all punchy like, stating that if Nova Scotia felt the Accord was changed, they should sue the government.
Atlantic based MPs vote for the Budget despite hopes from MacDonald that they would not.
Should have offered them a "Happy Meal" perhaps.
The fact that the Conservative Prime Minister Harper is under attack by the Progressive Conservative Premier of Nova Scotia doesn't bode well for Harper out East - especially if there is an election coming up anytime soon. Although doubtful that an election will occur in the near future, Harper has only a minority parliament, and if the Liberals were to capture enough seats out East, it may shift the balance of power in the House of Commons. I will defender Harper though in this instance. If the Accord has been shattered in any illegitimate fashion, then Nova Scotia and anyone else should damn well take the bastards to court. The oil and gas revenues up for grabs are not small change - millions can go a long way in the somewhat lesser economically developed East, and the stakes can be high.
Thai-ed Up Money May Bring Former PM Home
Bangkok, Tuesday, June 23: The political atmosphere of Thailand was irrevocably changed in September 2006 after a bloodless coup d'état brought a military junta to power, and the democratically elected Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was deposed whilst on a trip to New York at the United Nations. He has since lived in exile in London, but the military government has now offered Mr. Shinawatra an opportunity to return to Thailand to challenge the freezing of his $1.6 billion assets. Mr. Shinawatra faces a stiff battle as some of his assets were allegedly obtained through illegal means - which was just one of the reasons he was deposed. A lawyer representing the former prime minister stated that he would decide in the next little while when to return to fight for that which he believes is rightfully his.
Accusations of treason and human rights abuses hang above Mr. Shinawatra's head.
Sikh-ing a Resolution
Paris, Monday, June 11: The European Court of Human Rights will soon hear a complaint brought forth by Sikhs in France who are seeking to overturn a French law. The law, which forbids any religious garment from being worn during the photographing of identification cards (for security reasons) is thought to be in contravention of religious human rights.
France's secular society is pushing the limits of human rights, some believe.
Over two centuries ago, from 1789 onwards, the French Republic established itself on the basis of liberty, fraternity, and equality. To this end, symbols of religious identity have been unwelcome in public institutions, and have been ordered removed by authorities to re-inforce, I suppose, a feeling of Frenchness, for lack of a better term, or perhaps, national collective identification. I understand and sympathize with the goals of the French Republic, but there is no doubt that such a policy also lends itself to feelings of xenophobia and intolerance. If I were to question say, new French President Nicholas Sarkozy about this, I am sure I'd get a vehement, "Non monsieur, we are neither xenophobic nor intolerant…we only wish to integrate everyone into society." Fair enough. However I feel a bit differently. A society is stronger when one can have differences - open differences - and still manage to be at ease with itself, and come together not through forced government legislation or idealism, but by choice.
Now, since my column first debuted all those ages ago (i.e. last week), I have decided to tinker a bit. "A Moment of Inanity" will now simply be called, "A Moment of…" insert appropriate word here. This week, "A Moment of…"
Awe.
"Infant stars glow gloriously in this infrared image of the Serpens Constellation's star-forming region, located approximately 8484 light-years away."
The Universe is nearly infinite in the wonders it holds. I encourage you all to explore it.
And now, "This Just In."
Are you ready? Good. Don't piss yourself in anticipation…
*spins the globe*
Congratulations PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA, it's your turn to shine!
Well, it seems the Chinese and the South American country of Suriname are looking to further ties between the two countries, after a Tuesday meeting between the Vice Presidents of the two states. Yay.
And the curtain closes on the second edition of Your Wednesday Enlightenment. Feel free to send me any feedback as always, and until next time, remember:
STAY CURRENT