Your Wednesday Enlightenment 08.22.07
Posted by Matthew D.S. on 08.22.2007
Criminals in Brazil and Criminals in Quebec? YOU decide!
*The age is at hand.*
*It is the age of the Enlightenment.*
[YourWednesdayEnlightenment.]
Well I learned something this week.
If someone offers you to participate in a week long radio study?
Just say no thanks.
"Boring" and "tedious" are two ways I'd describe it.
But hey, at least I got a toonie out of it.
Erm, that means $2 to you Yankees. Canadian. And it's a coin.
YES. A $2 COIN!
And you people can't even handle a $1 coin…oh well.
The NEWS.
North American Summit Concludes
Ottawa, Tuesday, August 21: The leaders of Canada, the United States and Mexico have concluded their two days of talks in Québec. Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Presidents Bush and Calderon, whose nations are the constituent members of the North American Free Trade Agreement, focused their discussions on freer trade, and securing their states against threats. Hurricane Dean, which slammed into parts of Mexico, also became a topic of attention, with Canada and the United States offering aid. Even the recent scandal involving Chinese produced goods, such as toys, provoked mutual recognition of the need to protect the continent's citizens against imported harms. The trio's meetings have been attacked by some observers, leading to organized protests during the conference, who oppose a supposed lack of transparency in the dealings of the three leaders. Prime Minister Harper dubbed the protesters, "sad."
Welcome to Québec.
Now most of you will know that I am a Liberal, and generally not in harmony with Prime Minister Stephen Harper's ideas and ideologies. However I believe he's not done too bad a job as PM, and there haven't been too many scandals to creep into his administration - yet. But he has struck me as rather crass and "holier than thou," and his dubbing protesters as "sad" frankly makes Mr. Harper sad. Or, pathetic. These people are exercising their democratic right to oppose the political reality that is NAFTA and the dealings surrounding it. Many have very legitimate concerns about Canadian sovereignty, which they feel is being eroded in the face of US influence. So why does Harper have to go out of his way and attack the protesters? I may not totally agree with the protesters' point of view, but I will respect it. Note to you Stephen Harper: respect them too.
Plan to Counter Gripping Crime
Sao Paolo, Tuesday, August 21: Brazil has the unfortunate reputation of having one of the highest crime rates in the world, and Brazil's President, Lula da Silva, has unveiled a new package of initiatives to counter the endemic crime rate. The plan, which has been estimated to cost over US$3 billion, will include funding to improve social programs and education and, practically, more prison space to help alleviate overcrowding. Money will be made available to individuals, even former prison inmates, for job training and financial assistance. Brazil currently has a murder rate of about 45 000 deaths per year.
Brazil with a bang.
France to Have Role in Iraq
Paris, Monday, August 20: The French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner declared France's intention to have a role in the reconstituting of the Iraqi state, after making a landmark visit to the country and meetings with the country's leaders. Kouchner's nation was vehemently opposed to the invasion of Iraq, but insisted that French opposition was no longer a matter of debate, choosing instead to work with the current situation. The French believe that working through the United Nations is the best way forward, and will work via the UN to assist in decreasing the levels of violence.
Does this mean I can get a cut rate deal on some fine ass French cheese?
Many Americans gave France a lot of grief over refusing to join the American lead invasion of Iraq in 2003, accusing the French - with a tinge of sarcasm - of cowardice, or kowtowing to dictatorships by allowing Saddam to remain in power. US disdain was such that French fries became "freedom fries" as a slight to France. It would turn out that staying out of Iraq was one of the best decisions France, and frankly my nation, Canada, could ever make. I hope American politicians will be as quick to praise France's intent to help Iraq as they were to condemn France - but I somehow doubt it.
This week's moment was actually written one day after last week's edition of YWE, so strongly did your writer here feel about the upcoming subject, he had to take keyboard to screen to write it…WRITE IT NOWWWWW! (Now being Thursday morning just after midnight.) This week's "Moment" is:
"A Moment of Go Screw Yourself."
Directed at YOU Matthew Damon. I'm ashamed to share the same first name as you. Anyway, apparently Matty boy has gotten a bit hot under the collar, by having the audacity, nerve, and gall to attack James Bond. Jealous of Daniel Craig are we? Tsk tsk. The pouting Damon apparently believes that Bond is a downright rotten chap stuck in the 1960s. Says the cocky Bourne, "Bond is an imperialist and a misogynist who kills people and laughs about it, and drinks Martinis and cracks jokes."
You know what he also cracks?
SKULLS.
Take your pick, bastard.
Even George Lazenby could kick his ass six ways to Sunday.
Is that an ultimatum? You damn well betcha.
"This Just In" brings you the best of randomly spun world news - get it?? I think it's clever, even if you don't.
*spins the globe*
Congratulations ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT, it's your turn to shine!
Ah, Egypt, how I would love to visit thee someday. But until I come across thousands of dollars I don't happen to need, it ain't gonna happen.
So I can live vicariously and just look at their news instead. I'll take what I can get.
The top story isn't a happy one, but hopefully justice was served. An Egyptian court has sentenced four men for 25 year terms, after having found the men guilty in connection with the murders of three foreigners in three attacks back in 2005.
Others were acquitted over the attacks, which occurred in Cairo's Islamic bazaar.
Bad for tourism.
Reference: http://www.egyptdailynews.com/
I would have to wager that I receive LESS feedback than anyone on 411. Guess it's good to have a record of some sort!
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