Sunday, April 13, 2008
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
More Truth
More Al Gore for you. Please click on the video panel when you have about 25 minutes to watch it. He makes some very good points and very important points. He makes mention that the environment crisis is caused in part by the democracy crisis, which is very true. In the end, if we are looking for someone to blame for the problems, we need only look in the mirror. I also liked the comparison he made about people who are investing in the oil sands and other carbon based fuels, that junkies find veins in their toes when the ones in their arms collapse.
The title of the entry is about truth, what is a below is me opining.
I do however think that waiting for America to take a leadership role on the crisis is a mistake. It's going to take a monumental shift in that country to create the changes needed. Canada also to a lesser extent, but I think the chances are better in my country than theirs. Unfortunately, our current leadership seems content, too content actually, to just go with the flow.
I had an interesting discussion with some friends of mine at the gaigin bar I go to over in Shizuoka. They were telling me about some of their general impressions of Canadians, and the reviews weren't all good. Americans currently living and traveling abroad are often subjected to criticism for what their govt is doing in Iraq. Canadians on the other hand seem to be becoming more and more content to simply not be Americans. We sew our flags on our backpacks and merrily move about the world. We seem to all agree that it's great to be Canadian. My question is, is that good enough?
What good is democracy if we are too lazy to use it? Are we worthy of living in a great country if we do nothing great? For certain, to fight for change within our country is to invite conflict into our lives, not only internally but with our largest trading partner as well. We have it pretty good though, and I'd have to say, for my Country to finally have it's own identity and to take on a leadership role with the environment crisis would be worth it. I wouldn't mind paying a little more in taxes, or seeing a few trade sanctions and tariffs on our vast oil exports. To be honest, hearing Bill O'Rielly or Anne Coulter call us trouble makers would put a smile on my face. If George Bush was mad at you, doesn't that mean you're doing something right?
Hopefully that all changes in November, but I'm not getting my hopes up. Plutocracy has taken over or is taking over in many places around the world. It doesn't really matter anymore who is in charge. In the end, if there is to be change, it must come from the bottom. From us.
One thing I have learned from my time in Japan is that old saying, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. It's true. Strife is good for the soul and mind, makes you stronger and smarter. Makes you appreciate what you have, and more importantly, worthy of what you have been given.
The title of the entry is about truth, what is a below is me opining.
I do however think that waiting for America to take a leadership role on the crisis is a mistake. It's going to take a monumental shift in that country to create the changes needed. Canada also to a lesser extent, but I think the chances are better in my country than theirs. Unfortunately, our current leadership seems content, too content actually, to just go with the flow.
I had an interesting discussion with some friends of mine at the gaigin bar I go to over in Shizuoka. They were telling me about some of their general impressions of Canadians, and the reviews weren't all good. Americans currently living and traveling abroad are often subjected to criticism for what their govt is doing in Iraq. Canadians on the other hand seem to be becoming more and more content to simply not be Americans. We sew our flags on our backpacks and merrily move about the world. We seem to all agree that it's great to be Canadian. My question is, is that good enough?
What good is democracy if we are too lazy to use it? Are we worthy of living in a great country if we do nothing great? For certain, to fight for change within our country is to invite conflict into our lives, not only internally but with our largest trading partner as well. We have it pretty good though, and I'd have to say, for my Country to finally have it's own identity and to take on a leadership role with the environment crisis would be worth it. I wouldn't mind paying a little more in taxes, or seeing a few trade sanctions and tariffs on our vast oil exports. To be honest, hearing Bill O'Rielly or Anne Coulter call us trouble makers would put a smile on my face. If George Bush was mad at you, doesn't that mean you're doing something right?
Hopefully that all changes in November, but I'm not getting my hopes up. Plutocracy has taken over or is taking over in many places around the world. It doesn't really matter anymore who is in charge. In the end, if there is to be change, it must come from the bottom. From us.
One thing I have learned from my time in Japan is that old saying, what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. It's true. Strife is good for the soul and mind, makes you stronger and smarter. Makes you appreciate what you have, and more importantly, worthy of what you have been given.
Friday, April 4, 2008
Blister Season
Tournament season is coming up. Means lots of Jiyu kumite practice. I haven't had a blister since last October. But thats the end of that.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)