Double news in one blog!

NorthernPlato

Shared on Tue, 10/14/2008 - 16:59

First, a bit of a polical rant.  It's Election Day here in Canada, meaning I went out and fulfiled my democratic responsiblity.  Yes, I say responsibility and not right, because I  believe that being engaged (at least as minimally represented by voting) is a responsibility of citizens.  I can't stand hearing that people don't vote.  It's not your choice, fucktard, it's your damned responsibility.  Gah!

This election, I only had one issue that mattered to me above all, and it wasn't education, health care or the economy.  This issue wasn't on any opinion poll and it wasn't address by the majority of parties.  The issue most important to me this election was Arctic sovereignty.  After reading an article early this year about the Russians mapping the sea-floor and trying to make a case at the UN (or wherever it happens to matter) that because of a continental shelf extending from land they own, they should have 'ownership' over the artic, I was impressed (although reluctantly so) by my government's reaction.

It doesn't matter now.  It may not matter in my lifetime or for another 10-15 years.  But pledging now to increase military troop patrols and invest in coastal Inuit villages to bolster our use of land we've staked a claim to for decades (if not hundreds of years; I'll profess ignorance for how long we've officially claimed our border there), the Conservative party got my vote. 

As this election progressed and I tracked the events, I was extremely put-off by my usual party of choice, the Liberals.  I haven't been happy since Chretien screwed over Martin and messed up the party with which I most identified; I hate partisan politics and watching the jackals try to advance their agenda at the expense of my country pissed me off.)  If Harper gets a majority government, or a more substantial minority than what he had, and he doesn't mess it up by going socially right, then I may be a Conservative for a while.  Ah well.  My opinion (and vote) changes based on what I see and how I perceive the party to act.  It's never written in stone and my vote is up to the least damaging party.

 

The second bit of news: I'm doing well in school.  Since returning, I've been holding a 95% average.  I'm damned pleased with myself because I used to slack off in school and glide-by effortlessly with 70s.  Working, studying and paying attention have netted my marks of which I'm proud.  I even had a teacher state she owes me coffee because I got 100% on the test in her class.  Like a 'first trimester' exam.   Woot!

 

All told, I'm pretty damned giddy.  Well, it's time to go reheat left-overs from turkey-day dinner.  I hope everyone reading (and not, I'm not biased  ) has a good evening, and if you're Canadian, I hope you don't feel terribly dirty after voting.  I know I did.

Comments

doorgunnerjgs's picture
Submitted by doorgunnerjgs on Tue, 10/14/2008 - 18:57
Thanks for pointing out an obvious (to you guys) viewpoint on the the Russian/Arctic problem. We down here sometimes only interpret global events on how they may impact us. Good blog and congrats on the school stuff!

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