With the whole debate about Dion's carbon tax, and Harper's rejection of his ideas, Carbon tax is a huge current issue in Canada.
I think a carbon tax does not necessarily mean a bad thing. Just like our income taxes, most of us receive money for doing our taxes in April. The carbon tax would give everyone an alloted amount of carbon credits, and if we surpass that carbon limit we would pay the tax, depending on how many 'credits' we go over. However if we maintain and stay below the carbon credits, we would receive tax money for the many 'carbon credits' we don't use. And ideally whatever money is left over, it would be re-invested into green technology.
Yes we heat are homes, and yes we drive cars, but we would only be taxed if we were to do these things excessively. If anything, just like our normal income tax, the rich and business owners would be at the disadvantage, because they are the one's who buy big houses, and large hummers. I see it as a feasible way to be a social equalizer, and improve our social habits. It also encourages green technology, which is now a new form of industry, allotting opportunity for a new set of individuals in the amazing machine known as Capitalism..
I think the rising gas prices gives more of an incentive to buy hybrid vehicles, because as it stands, to buy a hybrid vehicle cost more than the lifetime use of a regular gas powered-vehicle. Also the price of hybrids are going drop as technology improves within the near future. A carbon tax would not only encourage Hybrid cars not only by their carbon producing nature, but money taken from the carbon tax would be re-invested back into improving the hybrid, that would reduce the cost of these vehicles.
The huge gas prices have already reflected in new green technology, for example Honda has now rolled out it's first fuel cell vehicle ready for mass production/retail. However i am against fuel cells and greatly support electric cars, which is why I'm waiting for 2010 when GM re-introduces their electric car, EV2.
We are a nation too Dependant on oil/non-renewable resources. There are always alternatives to oil consumption. Take the bus instead of driving, or even learn to ride a bike, or perhaps even a motorcycle.
Buy a smaller house, heat your house via green energy, wear more cloths, even green proof your home. There are always solutions. Consumerism is an ugly monster, we don't necessarily need that new car, or need that bigger house. Company's even know that products are designed to fail, such that you'll go out and buy a new product. I am content with how i live, and my minimalistic living costs and hope to keep this lifestyle when I'm making a salary.
The only confusion with the consumer carbon tax is the ability to keep track of everyone's carbon production.
This argument would be a great debate topic.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Hockey is Fascism
Originally this was an article i wrote for my high school newspaper, and where we come from hockey is a big deal. Basically I feel that the underlying theme is related to Poli-sci through the attacking of hockey, Canada's sport, and the acknowledgment of the blind patriotism. The support for an ideal, status, and/or symbol without proper background information. I understand the comparison is a far one, and extreme but that's what makes blogging fun.
To better understand, I wrote this article during the Flames run the playoffs in 06', the year after the flames made that Stanley cup playoff run. At the time i felt i needed to push back against this assembly of blind patriotism and band-wagon-jumping, and therefore i came up with this.
I think it's finally safe to state how i feel since the Flames have lost, so therefore i have decide to do this. Now some of you ask how is hockey fascism? And I'm pretty sure i have offended the majority of you as i say this, but it's not a blog if nobody's feelings are stepped on.
Fascism holds many features that it seems only obvious that the religion of hockey mirrors it; features of fascism include scapegoating, use of force, ultra-nationalism, controlled public participation, permanent conflict, and indoctrination of the media. And the religion of hockey contains all these facets.
The use of force only seems obvious; hockey fans cheer harder when i fight breaks out. Violence and force seems to be a logical solution, and beating up the opponent is good for the state, correction; i mean good for the team.
Ultra-nationalism is displayed alongside militarization, Flames fans believe that the flames are the best team in the NHL. If that is so then why are they ranked 3rd in the west, and why did they lose to the Ducks 0-3? I can't believe how many people have told me that the flames would make the finals, which means this year they would take the Cup, when they can't even get past first round. People join a fascist society, correction; I mean cheer for a team, in order to feel like a part of something important; that is why everyone is dressed in military uniforms, or in our case, red flames jerseys; (red sea, and red mile). People want to feel apart of something like they belong. That if they cheer a little louder then maybe that would be the cause of the win, when the truth is that it's the payers that win the game, not the fans.
Hitler used the Jewish people as scapegoats for all of Germany's problems. The technique of scapegoating allowed by Hitler to be undeniable and flawless. Flames fans use the same approach; they place blame on external factors that in truth do not affect the outcome of the game. "Oh, we lost because the ice was sluggish," or, "Oh the refs had it in for us." These are all forms of scapegoating, to place blame on others. These are all just excuses and by placing blame on others rather then yourself, you are only denying yourself the truth, because when it comes down to it the flames lost because of their own fault.
An essential feature of fascism, controlled participation, is greatly evident in a hockey society. You can cheer as much as you like for the teams, but when it comes down to it only one or an elite few actually makes decisions, the coach and the general manager. Honestly, you don't decide who plays and who is benched, who is traded and who is given a contract extension. Heck the elite few, the board of directors , could choose to move the team to Manitoba, or even back to Atlanta if they wanted to, and you, the public would have no say in this.
In conclusion there is no real point to this article, except that blind patriotism is basically imperialistic, and in some cases lead to genocide. So to those who may still have some patriotic energy left in them, don't be a traitor and cheer for Edmonton, they are our mortal enemies, and don't cheer for Ottawa either, since they are the east, (and you know how much the west hates the east- Trudeau and his NEP!) Instead focus you energy on Steve Nash and the Suns. You can't go wrong with a Canadian who has won 2 MVP's consecutively and is still in the playoffs. At least with this patriotism you are nationalistic.
To better understand, I wrote this article during the Flames run the playoffs in 06', the year after the flames made that Stanley cup playoff run. At the time i felt i needed to push back against this assembly of blind patriotism and band-wagon-jumping, and therefore i came up with this.
I think it's finally safe to state how i feel since the Flames have lost, so therefore i have decide to do this. Now some of you ask how is hockey fascism? And I'm pretty sure i have offended the majority of you as i say this, but it's not a blog if nobody's feelings are stepped on.
Fascism holds many features that it seems only obvious that the religion of hockey mirrors it; features of fascism include scapegoating, use of force, ultra-nationalism, controlled public participation, permanent conflict, and indoctrination of the media. And the religion of hockey contains all these facets.
The use of force only seems obvious; hockey fans cheer harder when i fight breaks out. Violence and force seems to be a logical solution, and beating up the opponent is good for the state, correction; i mean good for the team.
Ultra-nationalism is displayed alongside militarization, Flames fans believe that the flames are the best team in the NHL. If that is so then why are they ranked 3rd in the west, and why did they lose to the Ducks 0-3? I can't believe how many people have told me that the flames would make the finals, which means this year they would take the Cup, when they can't even get past first round. People join a fascist society, correction; I mean cheer for a team, in order to feel like a part of something important; that is why everyone is dressed in military uniforms, or in our case, red flames jerseys; (red sea, and red mile). People want to feel apart of something like they belong. That if they cheer a little louder then maybe that would be the cause of the win, when the truth is that it's the payers that win the game, not the fans.
Hitler used the Jewish people as scapegoats for all of Germany's problems. The technique of scapegoating allowed by Hitler to be undeniable and flawless. Flames fans use the same approach; they place blame on external factors that in truth do not affect the outcome of the game. "Oh, we lost because the ice was sluggish," or, "Oh the refs had it in for us." These are all forms of scapegoating, to place blame on others. These are all just excuses and by placing blame on others rather then yourself, you are only denying yourself the truth, because when it comes down to it the flames lost because of their own fault.
An essential feature of fascism, controlled participation, is greatly evident in a hockey society. You can cheer as much as you like for the teams, but when it comes down to it only one or an elite few actually makes decisions, the coach and the general manager. Honestly, you don't decide who plays and who is benched, who is traded and who is given a contract extension. Heck the elite few, the board of directors , could choose to move the team to Manitoba, or even back to Atlanta if they wanted to, and you, the public would have no say in this.
In conclusion there is no real point to this article, except that blind patriotism is basically imperialistic, and in some cases lead to genocide. So to those who may still have some patriotic energy left in them, don't be a traitor and cheer for Edmonton, they are our mortal enemies, and don't cheer for Ottawa either, since they are the east, (and you know how much the west hates the east- Trudeau and his NEP!) Instead focus you energy on Steve Nash and the Suns. You can't go wrong with a Canadian who has won 2 MVP's consecutively and is still in the playoffs. At least with this patriotism you are nationalistic.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
My beef with Canadian Content Regulations
While experiencing a lazy Sunday, i come across Show Case. One of my favorite Canadian produced channels. On this day i was whatching Men with Brooms, a Canadian produced Canadian directed, Canadian acted movie, co-staring Leslie Nielsen. Even the content was Canadian, it was about curling. This movie is pretty much one of the few Canadian regulated movies that i actually like.
Yes Canada is capable in providing entertaining films, but this regulation, the Canadian Radio-Television Commission (CRTC) basically requiring films shown in Canada to be created by Canadians, is a ridiculous law. This approval is required in order to win certain prestigious awards like Juno's. Just because a particular movie isn't fully created by Canadians, doesn't mean it lacks Canadian patriotism. Such films including My Big fat Greek Wedding, and ironically Juno. My Big fat Greek Wedding was written by a woman from Winnipeg, but the fact that it was produced by Americans made the movie obsolete, even though the content was Canadian related, i mean come on a movie about about Greek immigrant family. Juno on the other hand not only starred a Canadian, and was directed by a Canadian, again was not deemed Canadian worthy even though the academy awards absolutely praised the movie. Canadian born Brian Adams was also rejected in the same fashion, because some of his songs were co-written by an American, the CRTC, and the JUNO awards rejected him. I stand by these artists, for some regulatory people to tell you that your work isn't Canadian, that your not Canadian, just because you associate with anyone aside from Canadians you become less Canadian.
Instead i am a fan of capitalism, and this law permits Canadian broadcasting from reaching their economic potential. For example, in recent years, the CBC bought the rights and broad casted Raptors games and Jays games in order to get high ratings and satisfy the CRTC. I mean i expect more out of the CBC, we don't need another sports channel, The Raptors aren't even owned by Canadians, and has more Euro's on that team than Canadians.
Private broadcasting companies should be aloud to broad cast whatever they want, and maybe then less people would turn to cable.
P.S. Canada was well represented in the MTV movie awards, through Mike Myers and Seth Roegan, and that Canadian patriotism can be promoted with or without the CRTC.
Yes Canada is capable in providing entertaining films, but this regulation, the Canadian Radio-Television Commission (CRTC) basically requiring films shown in Canada to be created by Canadians, is a ridiculous law. This approval is required in order to win certain prestigious awards like Juno's. Just because a particular movie isn't fully created by Canadians, doesn't mean it lacks Canadian patriotism. Such films including My Big fat Greek Wedding, and ironically Juno. My Big fat Greek Wedding was written by a woman from Winnipeg, but the fact that it was produced by Americans made the movie obsolete, even though the content was Canadian related, i mean come on a movie about about Greek immigrant family. Juno on the other hand not only starred a Canadian, and was directed by a Canadian, again was not deemed Canadian worthy even though the academy awards absolutely praised the movie. Canadian born Brian Adams was also rejected in the same fashion, because some of his songs were co-written by an American, the CRTC, and the JUNO awards rejected him. I stand by these artists, for some regulatory people to tell you that your work isn't Canadian, that your not Canadian, just because you associate with anyone aside from Canadians you become less Canadian.
Instead i am a fan of capitalism, and this law permits Canadian broadcasting from reaching their economic potential. For example, in recent years, the CBC bought the rights and broad casted Raptors games and Jays games in order to get high ratings and satisfy the CRTC. I mean i expect more out of the CBC, we don't need another sports channel, The Raptors aren't even owned by Canadians, and has more Euro's on that team than Canadians.
Private broadcasting companies should be aloud to broad cast whatever they want, and maybe then less people would turn to cable.
P.S. Canada was well represented in the MTV movie awards, through Mike Myers and Seth Roegan, and that Canadian patriotism can be promoted with or without the CRTC.
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