They will be stripped. Every piece of fine ornamentation removed and placed in storage for another year. Their bodies will dry in the cold wind as they are dumped unceremoniously, compared to their previous occupation, at the roadside. Like so much trash.
Christmas trees of course are being dumped by the thousands, by the tens of thousands, perhaps millions all across North American cities. The cities are arranging for special pickups. Happily for the consciences of some, the trees will be mulched or used in high-tech composting facilities. Yet I can't help wondering if, much like coal and oil, we shouldn't have just left them in the ground.
The birth of Jesus, stripped of all meaning and transformed into a reason to go to the mall is becoming a global holiday. One close friend in a recent email described what she saw on that holy day as "obscene". But think of the day that all 6 billion (or will it be 9 billion by then) of us want a tree in our living room. That will be the definition of obscenity.
I don't quite understand how people started chopping down and hauling trees inside their homes. I assume that it's a pagan thing. Rightly worshiping the beings that provide the oxygen you breathe, not to mention the winter warmth and countless other selfless services they provide. I might also assume that people, our ancestors at least, wouldn't have been so stupid as to actually uproot a tree.
But then things got a little out of control.
And so we have to face the logical conclusion. We must cut out Christmas trees from our annual tradition. Obviously we have to first cut out all the "obscene" gift giving so I'm not holding my breath. That would be terrible for the ailing economy after all.
I'm happy to report that our Christmas tree is a mere branch and that it does the job. Another friend decorates a wreath.
Just some ideas for next year.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Lucky 100
It's funny how things turn out. This is my 100th post since I started this new blog. And it seems to take me back to the beginning.
So our Dear Leaders are arriving in Copenhagen. And it seems that chances of a climate deal are getting slimmer every second. Some states are walking out, ministers are quitting, rich countries continue to dominate poor ones. Same old song and dance. If this was an Israel-Palestine "peace" conference then this would be fine, business as usual, more settlements, more stolen land and we could all go back to the television or computer. But this is about the end of a stable and balmy climate, the time that has allowed so much life to flourish. If we continue to act as we have been since the industrial revolution then we risk our own species (fine) but countless others as well (unacceptable).
To all the people that care about reducing our emissions and at least trying to stop runaway change: what are you going to do now? These talks are going to fail. There is going to be no deal because the corporations and politicians and elites that have benefited from all this hyper consumption and extreme energy consumption can't allow one.
Here's a more straightforward example. I had an amazing conversation about doctors the other day; doctors can't want people to be well, otherwise they would be out of a job. So they have no interest in actually having people reduce their self-destructive practices, the choices that make them sick. It's easier to hand out some pills. But that's an aside.
What are you going to do now? This is the question. If you finally know that everything is on the line are you going to finally do something? Or do you still have some faith that if you go to work every day and join candlelight vigils and write letters to politicians and achieve nothing? Or are you going to walk away from your violent and self-destructive society, recognizing that it's irredeemable? Or better still are you going to smash the systems that cause all these emissions and risk life on earth?
Of course I write this in front of a computer in an office in a city so I'm a part of the destruction of our planet just as much as all of us. So fuck it. Do what you want. That's what the saboteurs at Copenhagen want anyway.
So our Dear Leaders are arriving in Copenhagen. And it seems that chances of a climate deal are getting slimmer every second. Some states are walking out, ministers are quitting, rich countries continue to dominate poor ones. Same old song and dance. If this was an Israel-Palestine "peace" conference then this would be fine, business as usual, more settlements, more stolen land and we could all go back to the television or computer. But this is about the end of a stable and balmy climate, the time that has allowed so much life to flourish. If we continue to act as we have been since the industrial revolution then we risk our own species (fine) but countless others as well (unacceptable).
To all the people that care about reducing our emissions and at least trying to stop runaway change: what are you going to do now? These talks are going to fail. There is going to be no deal because the corporations and politicians and elites that have benefited from all this hyper consumption and extreme energy consumption can't allow one.
Here's a more straightforward example. I had an amazing conversation about doctors the other day; doctors can't want people to be well, otherwise they would be out of a job. So they have no interest in actually having people reduce their self-destructive practices, the choices that make them sick. It's easier to hand out some pills. But that's an aside.
What are you going to do now? This is the question. If you finally know that everything is on the line are you going to finally do something? Or do you still have some faith that if you go to work every day and join candlelight vigils and write letters to politicians and achieve nothing? Or are you going to walk away from your violent and self-destructive society, recognizing that it's irredeemable? Or better still are you going to smash the systems that cause all these emissions and risk life on earth?
Of course I write this in front of a computer in an office in a city so I'm a part of the destruction of our planet just as much as all of us. So fuck it. Do what you want. That's what the saboteurs at Copenhagen want anyway.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Dear Leader
I hope you enjoy this letter to our Dear Leader. I'm sure he's paying attention! Ha ha.
Dear Prime Minister Harper,
It's so good to write you so much and to let you know what I'm thinking. That's what freedom is all about.
I wanted to wait until more information had come out about the issue of the torture of Afghan detainees turned over to Afghan authorities by Canadians. First, I am desperately disappointed in your government's savaging of diploma Richard Colvin's character and testimony before committee. Mr. Colvin is merely doing his job and describing his actions vis-a-vis this issue. I, like most Canadians, know that he warned your government repeatedly about torture by our allies. However this reporting was ignored. But obviously he was right about something because our country's policy changed subsequent to his reports. How do you justify attacking a civil servant's character for merely doing his job?
These attacks were directed by your government but the lead character assassin was Defense Minister Peter MacKay. He claimed to have never seen Mr. Colvin's allegations as he should have as Defense Minister. What a joke! And his excuse was that he gets a lot of emails every day. What a pathetic excuse. That's what he employs staff for. Staff should be reading these emails (from diplomats no less) and flagging important reports such as Mr. Colvin's so that the Minister can read them. That this didn't happen and Mr. MacKay's hapless excuses demonstrate his incompetance. No wonder we are losing the war in Afghanistan.
As a Canadian at war, I demand the resignation of Minister MacKay. We are at war, one in which our very freedom is at stake. We can't risk our freedom on an incompetant Minister who is no better than a whining bully.
Dear Prime Minister Harper,
It's so good to write you so much and to let you know what I'm thinking. That's what freedom is all about.
I wanted to wait until more information had come out about the issue of the torture of Afghan detainees turned over to Afghan authorities by Canadians. First, I am desperately disappointed in your government's savaging of diploma Richard Colvin's character and testimony before committee. Mr. Colvin is merely doing his job and describing his actions vis-a-vis this issue. I, like most Canadians, know that he warned your government repeatedly about torture by our allies. However this reporting was ignored. But obviously he was right about something because our country's policy changed subsequent to his reports. How do you justify attacking a civil servant's character for merely doing his job?
These attacks were directed by your government but the lead character assassin was Defense Minister Peter MacKay. He claimed to have never seen Mr. Colvin's allegations as he should have as Defense Minister. What a joke! And his excuse was that he gets a lot of emails every day. What a pathetic excuse. That's what he employs staff for. Staff should be reading these emails (from diplomats no less) and flagging important reports such as Mr. Colvin's so that the Minister can read them. That this didn't happen and Mr. MacKay's hapless excuses demonstrate his incompetance. No wonder we are losing the war in Afghanistan.
As a Canadian at war, I demand the resignation of Minister MacKay. We are at war, one in which our very freedom is at stake. We can't risk our freedom on an incompetant Minister who is no better than a whining bully.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Cap and Trade
Well I wanted to embed this video but YouTube doesn't allow this anymore. Very sad considering it stops the spread of messages like this. Please click this link to check out a very interesting video called The Story of Cap and Trade. It's a nice introduction to the issue and some of the problems around our top solution.
The problem with this debate to my mind is that the "Little House on the Prairie" option is not on the table. Maybe we need to start talking to people about real solutions. So strap on your overalls and stick that piece of grass between your lips. It's time to grow your own food and never travel. I don't think that's as marketable as "wind power" or "cap and trade" but we still have the chance to go there. Or go nowhere.
The problem with this debate to my mind is that the "Little House on the Prairie" option is not on the table. Maybe we need to start talking to people about real solutions. So strap on your overalls and stick that piece of grass between your lips. It's time to grow your own food and never travel. I don't think that's as marketable as "wind power" or "cap and trade" but we still have the chance to go there. Or go nowhere.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Cold in Yer Bones
I’m a wimp. I can’t tell you how much I feel the cold now that I’m an old man. It wasn’t so long ago that I would get up, wash my long hair (this is high school considering no one I know really knew me in high school) and walk to the bus stop and head off to school. My hair would freeze on my head it was that wet. I was pretty crazy, but I didn’t feel the cold. Not at all.
Now things are a little different. I’m not really complaining, I just figure out new ways of dressing for the cold, specifically my extremities. Dan knit these amazing felted mittens which I don’t think I’ll ever be without now. But my dear feet aren’t used to the cold. I’ve been pampered my whole life never having to chop my source of fuel or pay for it in any real way. Now my toes get so painful if they aren’t covered in several layers of wool.
It’s humbling but then I should be humbled. I’m a tiny insect compared to the mighty redwood that is the world. And it makes me think that if I was a real animal that I would probably be just about wrapping up my life around this age. I’d have already had kids and seen them grow and all that would be left would be to return to the earth to feed my children and their children and their children.
But I happen to be civilized so I’m likely to hang on for a few more years now.
Now things are a little different. I’m not really complaining, I just figure out new ways of dressing for the cold, specifically my extremities. Dan knit these amazing felted mittens which I don’t think I’ll ever be without now. But my dear feet aren’t used to the cold. I’ve been pampered my whole life never having to chop my source of fuel or pay for it in any real way. Now my toes get so painful if they aren’t covered in several layers of wool.
It’s humbling but then I should be humbled. I’m a tiny insect compared to the mighty redwood that is the world. And it makes me think that if I was a real animal that I would probably be just about wrapping up my life around this age. I’d have already had kids and seen them grow and all that would be left would be to return to the earth to feed my children and their children and their children.
But I happen to be civilized so I’m likely to hang on for a few more years now.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Sunspots et al
I've been thinking about the climate change deniers. I probably know some of these people who obviously have been convinced that climate change is being caused by sunspots or some other natural phenomenon. Now these people are probably getting a lot of attention because of the people that back them, mainly coal and oil companies. But for a second let's assume that they don't have a vested interest and that they are right (and I'm sure that sunspots are playing a part along with other things).
Is the answer then that we shouldn't worry about pumping out all these greenhouse gases from producing all the shit we love to buy, growing our food, heating our houses and driving our cars? Is the 401 a natural phenomena? What about a Walmart? What about avocados and mangos in Nova Scotia?
Hardly.
Ultimately even if climate change was being caused by sunspots it still doesn't justify the continued presence of all the crazy things that make modern civilization. So what the heck are we arguing about? Why the fuck are we so stupid?
Is the answer then that we shouldn't worry about pumping out all these greenhouse gases from producing all the shit we love to buy, growing our food, heating our houses and driving our cars? Is the 401 a natural phenomena? What about a Walmart? What about avocados and mangos in Nova Scotia?
Hardly.
Ultimately even if climate change was being caused by sunspots it still doesn't justify the continued presence of all the crazy things that make modern civilization. So what the heck are we arguing about? Why the fuck are we so stupid?
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