2005: A YEAR IN REVIEW
My fellow Canadians:
What a year. From disaster to disaster. From the tsunami that killed thousands in Asia, to the hurricanes killing thousands more in the United States, to the ugly truth being revealed about governments on both sides of our border, I am amazed that we managed to survive 2005 at all. (Of course, my list of notables who did not appears at the end of this column.)
And it ended with another disaster---an election most of us did not want, and a result most of us will have trouble swallowing---a Stephen Harper win.
First, a few words on happenings to our south:
While the illegal war for oil in Iraq drags on (great bumper sticker: “support our OOPS!”) and the gruesome target of “2006 (deaths) in 2006”) has been reached by the Bush administration (let’s not forget those rapidly lowering gas prices ….well, maybe not) the rightwing Republicans moved to entrench their power by further eroding the rights of Americans and beefing up the executive powers of the president. (Ironically, the rogue nations that DO have nuclear weapons have been confronted by the U.S. which is threatening to do…..nothing. What bullies and cowards these Republicans be.)
This “Madness Of King George” has not gone unnoticed by the world, but apparently, while fighting for democracy overseas, it is perfectly permissible to erode it at home, creating the foundation for a fascist dictatorship in what was once the country most envied by the world. True democracy would have resulted in impeachment for the egregious actions of this administration, but the “official opposition” is so afraid, timid, and cowed to take a stand that they would rather see their country’s freedoms (which the war is there to protect?) decimated by the actions of a self-serving few. The fact that the administration now illegally spies on their citizens with wiretapping is not enough of an outrage. (The rumour is that Bush sees himself as Santa Claus, and took the “he knows when you’ve been sleeping, he knows when you’re awake” a little too literally.) This, in addition to torture and other atrocities we can only guess at.
And just in case Americans to try to defend themselves against the actions of the quasi-fascist dictatorship, the Republicans have already confirmed one, and are about to send a second, radically rightwing justice to the Supreme Court, to overturn any accidental rulings that might go against them at a lower level. I fear by the time the courts overturn Roe v. Wade, install a draft to replace the young men killed in the illegal war for oil, and further lead America into the 19th century, it will be too late. The signs are there---the tragedy of a dozen miners being killed in West Virginia can, in large part, be traced back to lax environmental and safety regulations, which will only get worse, as corporations dictate what governments will do. (This happens here too, which is another reason Canadians should be wary of a Harper government.) And actions like ignoring the Kyoto Accord or the World Court affect everyone in the world, causing more resentment, attacks on freedom, and….well, you know the drill. Happy New Year indeed. And please, for New Orleans’ sake----do not forget!!!
(To be fair, there are occasional bits of good news: for example, a court ruling that intelligent design/creationism is not science and has no business being taught in school as science; and the ludicrous claim by prisoner Saddam Hussein that he was beaten in prison, a “privilege” he did not accord his victims, but the bad far outweighs the good, with more bad news expected this year.)
I feel bad for Frank McKenna, our newly-appointed ambassador
to the U.S. He has had to fend off misconceptions and outright lies, such as
the accusation from a Montana senator (Republican, naturally) who said that the
9/11 terrorists entered the States from
Canada, echoing sentiments expressed by Newt Gingrich. With Paul Martin
unable or unwilling to forcefully stand up for Canada against American bombast
(they were even talking bout a “security wall” for the border), I am far more
concerned that Stephen Harper will blindly, wilfully and obediently sell us
down the river and accede to anything Bush and his minions demand of us. We must
be vigilant. THAT is “standing up for Canada.”
Around the world, some of our “friends” are acting as brutally and shamefully as any third world dictatorship (links provided). In Pakistan, the abhorrent concept of “honour killings” continues, as a father is charged with murdering his four daughters. The oldest is “accused” of the “crime” of adultery (which, of course, is troublesome, but absolutely not worth killing over), but the others were killed for fear they MIGHT do the same thing when they grow up. Their ages? Eight, seven and four. His OWN DAUGHTERS!!!! This man makes Paul Bernardo seem quaint by comparison. The outrage to this and other horrific crimes is so muted, that I wonder how “civilized” nations can justify suppressing this information and not demanding punishment and justice.
The possible death of Ariel
Sharon may not spell the end of the peace process, but some of the
worldwide reactions demonstrate exactly how committed certain groups are to
peace. The asinine comments by Pat Robertson about
Although it happened in the States, it reflects their
practice everywhere: Wal-Mart has
been ordered to pay $172 million
Now for some year-end stories from our own mess of a country:
The U.S.A isn’t the only Western country treating its veterans shabbily. Fortunately, our courts are fairer and more progressive, recently awarding a disabled war vets group $4.6 billion in damages from the government which failed to invest the earnings when the vets were unable to take care of themselves. However, in a nasty conservative turn, the government said it will appeal the ruling. Why, no one knows. “Join the Canadian Armed Forces. Be underfunded and underpaid. But at least when you get out, we’ll make sure you are practically penniless.” Yeah, sign me up.
It never fails---if a man comes into money, some woman pops up to try to take it away from him. A man won $30 million in the lottery and his ex-wife starts claiming they are still together, clamouring for half the winnings. It’s no wonder many men see no reason to get married. With all the whining about equality, when will a judge rule that sleeping with someone should not automatically get you half his stuff? Are men nothing more than ATMs for greedy former spouses?
It’s bad enough that Americans confuse refugees with
terrorists, but now
A blow for sexual freedom was struck last month when the Supreme Court ruled that swingers clubs are not illegal or harmful to society. Pierre Trudeau was absolutely right when he said the state has no business in the bedrooms of our nation, and maybe, just maybe, we are waking up to the fact that just as we wouldn’t want OUR sex lives interfered with, that we should let others conduct THEIRS as they see fit. (I need not add that gay marriage falls squarely in this category as well.)
And after a year of no hockey, the “new-look” NHL (love the
scoring and open play, hate the shootout) loses half a dozen greats to
retirement, including Mark Messier, Al Macinnis and
Brett Hull, but no one greater than The Magnificent One. As Dialogue went to
press, Mario Lemieux, one of the game’s premier
players, announced his retirement from the NHL. For his stature, heart and
incredible talent, he will be missed. This month’s Lou Laurel goes to Mario Lemieux for providing us with a dozen years of
highlight goals and breathtaking moments.
As always, my year in review looks back on those we lost during the past year. Led by Eugene McCarthy, who fought against corruption in American government, entertainers, politicans and other notables who left us in 2005 include Richard Pryor, Don Adams, Bob Denver, Eddie Albert, lawyer Johnnie Cochran, author Hunter S. Thompson, playwright Arthur Miller, Ossie Davis, Johnny Carson, Nazi-hunter Simon Wiesenthal, Rosa Parks, Pope John Paul II, boxer Max Schmeling, Zhao Ziyang (former PM of China), Sandra Dee, car designer John DeLorean, Barney Martin, Greg Garrison (Dean Martin Show director), Paul Henning (Beverly Hillbillies creator), Frank Perdue (the chicken founder), Saul Bellow, Debralee Scott, Prince Rainier of Monaco, Mason Adams (Smucker’s voice, Lou Grant), Frank Gorshin, Stephen Elliot, Howard Morris, Leon (“General Burkhalter”) Askin, Anne Bancroft, Dana Elcar, Ed Bishop, Lane Smith, Paul Winchell, John Fielder, Luther Vandross, James Stockdale (Ross Perot’s VP), Kevin Hagen, Sir Edward Heath, Gerry Thomas (inventor of TV dinners), General William Westmoreland, Pat McCormick, Ileen Getz, Robin Cook, Barbara Bel Geddes, Brock Peters, Justice William H. Rehnquist, Robert Wise, Hamilton Camp, Nipsey Russell, Charles Rocket, Louis Nye, bandleader Skitch Henderson, Michael Piller, Sheree North, Ralph Edwards, Harold J. Stone, Pat Morita, Stan Berenstain (cartoonist), Wendie Jo Sperber, John Spencer, Michael (“Time to Make the Doughnuts") Vale, Vincent Schiavelli, and Canadians Lloyd Bochner, Peter Jennings, John Vernon and James “Scotty” Doohan.
And since this is a post-election issue, I have a few
thoughts: first of all, congratulations to Prime Minister Harper for running a
near-flawless campaign and winning the right to lead this country for the next
year or two. In many respects, Canadians should be satisfied with the outcome: the
Conservatives are denied a majority with which to run roughshod over cherished
Canadian values like health care; the Liberals were punished for their
arrogance and corruption; Paul Martin realized he will never be Prime Minister
with a majority and wisely stepped aside; the CPC made inroads into Quebec, and
is the only truly national party that won seats in every province; the West
gets the representation they so sorely need in Parliament; Ontarians show their
discontent with being taken for granted by the Liberals, turfing
them out of nearly 40 seats; Quebecers let the Bloc know that separation is not
a given, actually reducing their seat total; progressives rejoice in
Jack Layton’s NDP increasing its seat total significantly, to the point where
Harper’s Conservatives will have to compromise on issues; and Canadians can,
after a dozen years, finally get a look at what a Conservative government can
do. (That may not be a good thing, especially if they revisit abortion, gay
marriage or the CBC, but at least we will see.) The wild card looks to be
former shock jock Andre Arthur, an
independent from
Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone!
Your Fellow Canadian,
Lou Israel
References:
Greedy ex-wife wants money from lottery http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/12/21/lottery-sobeski-051221.html
Swingers clubs don’t
harm society http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/12/21/SCOC-swingers-051221.html
Wal Mart sued for denying lunch
breaks to workers http://www.cbc.ca/story/business/national/2005/12/23/walmart-051223.html
Honour killings have no honour http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2005/12/29/honour-killing051229.html
U.S. confusing terrorists with refugees, Canada soon to
follow http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/12/29/refugees051229.html
Canada mishandling veterans’ funds
http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/12/29/veterans051229.html