Headlines 07/07/10
Here are my thoughts on today’s headlines. Everything but the titles is written by yours truly.
Twin crises sap the world’s optimism by Deborah Yedlin:
A number of economists have predicted that the world and the global economy are in for a double-dip recession.
The article listed percentages, statistics and many numbers regarding the S&P/TSX, the Dow and the declining value of the euro.
What caught my eye however, was the article’s accompanying photograph.
The cutline read, “In Athens, protesters beat a police officer during a rally against government austerity measures designed to alleviate the country’s debt crisis.” The photo shows several men attacking an officer.
At the G8 and G20 summits, the world’s largest countries made commitments to cut their deficits by half by 2013.
This of course means that instead of stimulating the economy out of its slump, governments are opting to cut budgets.
Like I said, the article focused on the facts: it was the photo that focused on the effects.
Slashing budgets may be a logical way of reducing debt, but it definitely does not meet the needs of the people.
Headlines 05/07/10
Here are my thoughts on today’s headlines. Everything but the titles is written by yours truly.
Conservatives’ irrational crime laws make no sense, cost billions of dollars by Neil Boyd:
The Conservatives have decided to allot billions of dollars towards the construction of new federal and provincial prisons.
This is yet another step in the Tories’ crackdown-on-crime movement, like their crime bill proposals and mandatory minimum sentencing for people who grow more than six marijuana plants.
According to Boyd, a professor and associated director of the School of Criminology at Simon Fraser University, studies have shown that rates of imprisonment are relative to the confidence of the people in the legislative and justice systems of the county.
In other words, a lack of confidence in our systems of governance is a significant factor of high rates of imprisonment.
Globally, Canada has the highest rates of incarceration and comparatively has high crime rates.
Where is our confidence?
More importantly, why don’t we have confidence in our democratic legislative and justice systems?
Iran’s leaders launch a new crackdown on ‘immodest dress’ by Rasa Sowlat:
Iran’s leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has vowed to “deal harshly with corruption in society” to ensure that the faces of chastity and Iranian virtues, religion and society remained unblemished within the country.
Consequently, women can be fined over $1,000 if deemed too fashionable, and suntans, nail polish, cosmetics and improper hijabs all result in financial penalties.
Approximately 27 government agencies are promoting Khamenei’s vision of how citizens should dress and how men and women should interact. The state has also proposed to take over 14,000 private kindergartens to ensure that the “bad hijab” campaign’s values reach youth at an early age.
Iran’s interior minister stated that children can only play games that uphold Islamic culture and are religiously correct.
This is where the problem lies.
Khamenei is the ultimate leader of said campaign. After his recent announcement to “deal harshly with corruption in society,” prayer leaders across the country began preaching his values.
It is not a god who deems it sinful to wear lipstick or sport a tan; these are the corrupt values of one man, hidden behind the mask of religion.
CP news service to privatize by Mark Iype:
After 93 years as a non-profit cooperative, The Canadian Press will be placed under private ownership, according to a tentative deal.
CTV-globemedia, Torstar Corp. and Gesca, CP’s biggest members, will become equal partners in what will be called Canadian Press Enterprises, a for-profit entity.
Should the deal be finalized, the Globe and Mail, Toronto Star and La Presse, owned by the three companies respectively, would become papers written, edited, manufactured and sold with the aim to achieve a profit.
Freedom of the press doesn’t mean that the press, what should be a reliable and independent source of information, is free from conflicts of interest…
Greetings from White Rock
My five day adventure has sadly come to an end, but it’s good to be back home.
I visited five cities (Osoyoos, Oliver, Peachland, Princeton, Williams Lake), participated in four parades (the one in Oliver is in two weeks), spent at least a full 24 hours driving to get to and from all of the places I had to get to, and spent my time with the B.C. Ambassador girls, Lytton, Oliver and Lower Nicola ambassadors, and royalty from Osoyoos and Vernon.
It’s hard to sum up the experience in a post: what made the trip so enjoyable were the inside jokes, goofy dance moves and the little moments shared with the friends I’ve made throughout B.C.
My fellow B.C. Ambassadors didn’t attend the Osoyoos and Princeton pageants with me, nor were they in three of the four parades.
I missed them dearly, but I’m grateful for the opportunity to have travelled alone: the experience pushed me to meet new people and socialize, and I only had myself to rely on to make sure I was where I needed to be and on time.
This trip was by far one of my favourites out of two years of travel.
Next stop, Kamloops from July 9-11. (I’m spending more time on the road than at home!)
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@HayleyWoodin
Greetings from Oliver
Happy belated Canada Day!
Yesterday was a whirlwind of parades and cities.
The morning started off with the Osoyoos Cherry Fiesta/Canada Day parade, and even though it kept trying to rain, there was a good turnout. I rode on the back of a blue sporty convertible Miata.
Next was a quick luncheon, some public speaking from the band shell by the beach and many photo ops.
After that we travelled to Oliver to get ready, and headed to Peachland for their Canada Day parade.
Unfortunately, it rained most of the route.
We, the three lovely Oliver ambassadors and I, rode inside our black pickup truck so our hair wouldn’t frizz. But eventually the sun peaked out, so we hopped out of the truck mid-route and popped into the back.
Dinner in Penticton followed, then back to Oliver to change, and then back to Osoyoos for the fireworks. (The town went all out: the fireworks were spectacular.)
I had planned on blogging about yesterday’s events yesterday, but exhaustion won out over timeliness.
On today’s agenda: the Princeton parade and pageant, and a midnight drive to Williams Lake.
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@HayleyWoodin
Greetings from Osoyoos
Today was the first day of my five day adventure: three pageants, three parades and a whole lot of dinners, socials and driving.
I woke up at 5:30 a.m. and left White Rock around 6:30 a.m. to catch what should have been the 7:25 a.m. Greyhound leaving from Langley to Osoyoos.
But the bus was late. And when I reached my transfer station in Chiliwack, my second bus was delayed because it broke down.
I didn’t mind the bus ride as much as I thought I would (the drivers handled my designer suitcase with care and my three gowns got to sit in their own window seat).
And it was neat getting to see the towns of Princeton and Hedley along the drive.
After nine long hours, I finally arrived in Osoyoos with half an hour to get ready for the dinner.
Now, at most pageant dinners or luncheons, Grace is usually said before the meal.
So it wasn’t unusual that the ambassadors and chaperones had to wait for someone to bless the meal before helping themselves to the dinner buffet.
As I was waiting patiently, chatting with royalty I hadn’t seen in a while, I heard the chaperone table calling me over.
Confused, I walked over, and the Osoyoos coordinator asked me if I would like to say Grace, and that I had 30 seconds to think of what to say.
I was mortified: not only have I never said Grace, I had no idea what I was supposed to say.
So I treated the awkward situation like an impromptu question (I have answered two, for the Miss White Rock and B.C. Ambassador pageants respectively).
In front of the crowded hall I stood, eyes closed, head bowed, hands crossed.
I thanked God for the food, and for the friends, family and loved ones to share it with. I’m pretty sure I mumbled something else about joyous occasions, but I can’t quite remember.
Nobody knew about my pre-Grace anxiety, and I was actually complimented on what is now being called my Impromptu Grace.
Crisis averted.
Next was the pageant, which included some public speaking on my part as well as some watery eyes as Osoyoos Princess Chelsea spoke on stage about how much our friendship has meant to her.
And after the crowning, a DQ stop, the evening social and a short drive to Oliver, I’m now catching up with some pageant gals.
In a couple hours I’ll be in the Osoyoos Canada Day parade; time to get some sleep.
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@HayleyWoodin
Headlines 28/06/10
Here are my thoughts on today’s headlines. Everything but the titles is written by yours truly.
More than 600 arrested during protests by Linda Nguyen and Juliet O’Neill:
Over 600 arrests were made this weekend as demonstrators protested the G8 and G20 summits hosted by Toronto.
Police cars were set on fire, windows were smashed and objects were thrown at officers.
But only by a such a small percentage of the protestors.
A handful of irresponsible citizens, who think that vandalism and violence are necessary to prove their points, tarnish the value of our right to peaceful assembly.
Instead of sensationalizing the actions of a few, those actually breaking laws should be quietly arrested with little media coverage: it doesn’t have to be covered up, but it doesn’t deserve attention either.
G8 pledge comes up short. Surprised? by Craig and Marc Kielburger:
Statements and accusations that Canada spent over $1-billion on security for the G8 and G20 summits have been all over the news.
While on the topic of billions, the G8 fell $19.5 billion short of it’s goal to send $50 billion in aid to developing countries by 2010.
In 2008, $300 million was promised to Haiti. Unfortunately, only 30 per cent of that had been delivered when the early 2010 earthquake struck.