It's a Rich Full Life

New Blog Address

I have decided to move my blog to www.ChrisLaBossiere.com. The migration is to better focus my blog posts on topis that are less personal in nature and focus on local issues, politics, and business.

Has Social Media played a part in bringing Bill 44 change?

I have been given this link from a friend who is watching the Bill 44 debacle closely, and I must share the good news. As most of you know, I am steadfastly against this horrible piece of legislation, and particularly the Section 9 piece which places teachers in a very difficult position when teaching topics like religion/evolution and sexuality.

Well you can imagine my surprise and happiness to see that my MLA, Minister of Education Dave Hancock, might be the reason behind a delay in rolling it out. Or at least delaying the contentious Section 9.

I have to believe that this is a direct response to the lobbying done by everyday Albertans. Social media tools in particular have been an excellent resource for getting ourselves heard, and I have to think that the Twitter debate that some of us participated in during the third reading of this legislation, was the genesis of the reconsideration. That debate, taking place in real-time between citizens and our government while they were sitting under the dome, was a real watershed moment for public interaction. Also engaged, young Albertans created a facebook group some 11,000 strong against this legislation. I think we can say with some certainty that these are citizens (maybe netizens) that have never participated in politics before.

Here is an excerpt from the ATA website on the reason for the delay.

Although Bill 44 passed third reading and was given royal assent in June, it will not come into effect until it is proclaimed by an order of provincial cabinet. Culture and Community Spirit Minister Lindsay Blackett unilaterally declared earlier this month that he would proceed with proclamation in October or November; however, Minister of Education Dave Hancock has since called upon his colleague to further delay proclamation of those sections of the bill that would affect education.

Hancock’s request is consistent with the advice provided by the Alberta Teachers’ Association and the Alberta School Boards Association that Section 9 not be brought into effect before more explicit direction can be provided to teachers and boards about its interpretation and implementation and, preferably, not in the middle of the school year. This would effectively delay proclamation until September 2010. In the interim, other sections of the bill could be proclaimed separately.

It may sound horribly naive, but I actually think that we as a Social Media community made a difference here. But then again, I am an optimist.

Reasons for war?

Just walked through the Imperial War Museum in London with my oldest daughter Lauren. You start in the basement wandering through perfectly maintained relics, images and exhibitions of the war history of England. The horrors of WWI and WWII are the most evident and I am convinced that we are led to feel that these horrors should be avoided at all costs. An interactive simulation, complete with putrid smell of the WWI trenches, or the experience during the London Blitzes (again with a horrible simulated smell), really leave you hating and fearing war.

But then we are presented with perhaps the most compelling evidence that sometimes war is not only just, but an honourable means to an end. The Holocaust Exhibition pulls at every possible emotion you might have. You are shocked, saddened, and sickened. And of course reminded that war albeit horrible, is sometimes necessary.

The start of the Second World War was due to the tyrannical racism of one person and subsequently his followers. It is really that simple, and it can happen again that simply. So even though I am not drawing a 100% comparison to modern warfare in the Middle East, I am willing to say that if unchecked, Radical Islam if organized and given access to resources and legitimacy, would probably do the same. Sadly to the same attacked race of WWII.

That's enough for me to support the war in Afghanistan.

Lack of interest

I have not blogged in two weeks, which is the longest period of time ever on this blog. It's not from lack of opinion, or deep thoughts, but from the inability to collect my thoughts around anything that would be relevant to any of you.

I am torn between ditching it, reformatting it, or changing the focus all-together.  One of my issues has been my lack of focus on a certain topic of interest, which leave me mostly writing opinion pieces or adding content that is not important to a regular reader. I have also thought about how good it would feel to re purpose my blog to more focused topical posts, and probably under a new domain. Simply www.ChrisLaBossiere.com. That may come out of this, but only when I have a better idea for what I can write about effectivly, and with enough purpose and clarity that it will actually add value for me and my readers.

I'll keep you posted.

Not so sure about Twitter and Iran

Thinking out loud here folks, but I am watching CNN this afternoon and what looks like a fairly large shift in the scale of Iranian uprisings. At least half of the CNN broadcast has been either using Twitter to feed "tweets" to the TV audience, and even praising how great Twitter is for real-time information.

I am just not so sure about this. Please note that I need more time to digest this, but somethings not quite right. Here's what bothers me:

1. It is obvious that the "tweets" that are being used as information / news are in no way fact checked. They could just as easily have been made from my bathroom as Tehran. There is no way to verify accuracy, and of course there is the problem of so much opinion and emotion leaking into them
2. I am feeling a wave of "coolness" in supporting the uprising in Iran. On the surface that seems good, but there is a lot of noise being made right now that might even be contributing to the problem. When we can join a revolution from our recliners, it somehow cheapens it for me.

Again, overall I am very intrigued and supportive of the Iranian events, and any movement toward individual freedoms and democracy. But we would be wise to not put so much stock in Twitter as the single source of information when we are forming our opinions on the matter.

Thoughts?

When things look bad, think again.

I made a crack today on Twitter, wondering how the Pride Parade in Iran was going today? It was my attempt at trying to recognize that we actually have it pretty good here in Canada. My post was topical as the Iranian people are protesting in the streets on a scale not seen since 1979, largely due to what appears to have been a fixed election. 

It's been 40 years since homosexuality was considered illegal in Canada. Just last year, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad suggested that there are NO homosexuals in the Country of Iran.

I have been too consumed lately with political topics, and in particular with Bill 44 debate. Although I think it is important, and does set us back as a province, I have to admit that things could be worse.

Today in Edmonton  -  Pride Parade for our GLBT Community

(photo from www.EdmontonJournal.com)

Today in Iran  -   a Dictatorship Suppressing it's People
(photo from BBC)

If you're like me and want to follow the Iranian Election situation, as always I would recommend Twitter, tracking the #iranelection hashtag (http://twitter.com/#search?q=%23Iranelection)

General Aviation Security

Tonight's story of the Cessna pilot who stole a 172 Aircraft and flew it into US Airspace is a very interesting one indeed. Many people might consider this to be a fun and frivolous event that is interesting but harmless. I for one do not think as much.

I am a General Aviation pilot, and have flown now for 8.5 years. One of the things that has constantly amazed me is the general lack of security around light aircraft. Since I have began flying, and of course especially since 9/11, I have been amazed at the lack of security at General Aviation facilities.

Sure you can argue that a Cessna 172 (which is one of the two planes that I fly regularly) can do very little damage, but these planes are flown at the same airports as many larger jets and even commercial jetliners. As a Cessna pilot, I can fly easily into a larger airport, stay on the secure airside, and jump into a larger jet and take-off without any security screening. Also, of course, private jets use these same facilities, and there is no telling what a large private jet like a Gulfstream V or Citation X could to in focused attack. Forget buildings, that is our current mindset, imagine the horror of the following:

• A flight directly into a full open-air stadium. Hundreds, possibly even thousands could be killed or injured
• A flight, with a plane filled with fuel and explosives, into a major refinery or power plant. I have flown over Edmonton refineries dozens of times. There are ZERO restrictions on fly-overs of these types of facilities. Even my small 4-seater airplane would bring production at these facilities to a halt. A coordinated event with attacks on multiple energy facilities could bring our economy to a stand-still
• Any attack using a small aircraft with any type of bio-chemical agent on any large population centre

I know that this is horrible to think of, but we must remember that this threat exists. Anybody can access the secure side of a General Aviation airport by simply signing up for flight lessons or the popular Introductory Flight. Beyond that, charter jet aircraft are flying everyday from these facilities with little to no security screening.

Is it likely to happen; no. Could it, sure. Of course the Oklahoma bombings taught us that a rental truck can do the same damage.

Alberta's New Brand

I may bit a bit too idealistic, or perhaps I just buy into the mom and apple pie stuff too much, but I actually like the branding exercise that the province has gone through. I know that some people think a $25M campaign to change the brand is frivolous, but they may not appreciate how a good reputation globally is imperative to our future success as an economy and a unique culture.

So many different audiences are watching us; tourists, energy customers, global governments, Expo & Universiade selection committees, etc. We would be aloof to think that a branding exercise is irrelevant. One negative policy decision on if our energy industry is environmentally managed could costs the Alberta economy billions. Attracting investment or business development partners in new industries, could have the same impact. In that regard, $25M on some TV, web and print ads is money well spent. Not to mention the collective good within Alberta in improved pride and confidence. The jaded, glass half-empty cynic might slough that off, but some people eat this stuff up, me included.

I also like the fact that the province is reaching into the Social Media realm to get citizen participation in spreading the brand. They are encouraging Albertans to submit their own photos and videos on the Alberta on Flickr photo sharing site and Alberta on YouTube video sharing. Here is the first video object. I am looking forward to watching this brand evolve.

My lawless hero's

I was reading about the demonstrations in Calgary this week by the White Pride Aryan Guard. They were disrupted by the Calgary Chapter of the Anti-Racist Action Group. The White Pride (estimated 50) marched and were met by the Anti-Racists (estimated 400). Several fights ensued, leading to the intervention by Calgary Police, who most certainly saved the bacon of the racists.

Although I am thankful for a society that allows anyone to shout their beliefs, I am also thankful that there were those who are prepared to step in and kick some ass when necessary. Just because our society gives you the right to spew your racist beliefs, I am glad that there are those who will cross the line in the name of right and wrong. I clearly see a difference. One has the law on its side, and the other has the morals of a just society on theirs.

In researching this story, I found another story that was even more inspirational, and one in which highlights the life's work of Mr & Mrs Serge and Beate Klarsfeld. To me they personify the Margaret Meade quote "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.".

The Klarsfeld's have made it their life's work to hunt down Nazi War Criminals, and attempt to bring them to justice. Often they did it legally, but also they crossed the line and did it outside the bounds of the law. Mrs. Klarsfeld actually was made famous by publicly slapping West German Chancellor Kurt-George Kiesinger (a WWII Nazi) across the face in 1968.

As I have aged, and become arguably wiser, I see that sometimes the black and white of modern law, does not always capture the intent of the public seeking justice. Does that mean that lawlessness should trump certain situations? NO. It means that certain unlawless behaviour can still be perpetrated in the name of good and moral causes.

I know, I am sucking and blowing at the same time. I can live with myself, and I am sure so can the Klarsfeld's.

Things that piss me off.

I have such a bad taste in my mouth on these two things but I will let the links below speak for themselves.

My first violator is the Pope. He continues to support my argument that organized religion has done more harm than good when it comes to protecting the living. Failing to grasp onto reality, instead trying to maintain control over people looking for simple hope, is one of the greatest travesties perpetuated by some of our religious leaders.

Read this article:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7951839.stm

an excerpt here:

The Church has been growing more quickly in Africa than anywhere else, and this is the Pope's first visit there in the four years he has been the spiritual leader of the world's approximately one billion Catholics.

With Africans - 22 million of whom are infected with HIV - hanging on his every word, that made his statement aboard the plane heading to Cameroon this week all the more significant.

The Pope said the "cruel epidemic" should be tackled through fidelity and abstinence rather than condoms, and that "the traditional teaching of the Church has proven to be the only fail-safe way to prevent the spread of HIV/Aids".

My second violator is the CRTC. The internet is not your fathers newspaper or newscast. It is a new technology that delivers educational, entertainment and news value that is unparalleled. By it's very nature it is built, consumed and policed by a self-organizing grassroots group of citizens, entrepreneurs and activists. You can no more control what is on the internet than you can control how people use it. The arrogant old fuckers who run the CRTC feel that it is just another media that can be controlled by their centralized agenda. An agenda that wants to protect traditional companies, and worse our "Canadian Identity", with their antiquated legislation.

Read this article:
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fpcomment/archive/2009/03/16/don-t-regulate-the-net.aspx

an excerpt here:

So why, if Canadians already have access to more diversity and choice than could have been imagined 10 years ago, is old-style regulation of the Internet back on the table? In a month-long hearing that finished last week, the CRTC heard proposals from arts lobbies and guilds, calling for broadcast-style regulation of the Internet — including Canadian content quotas, licensing of Web sites and an Internet access tax to subsidize the creation of Canadian content online.

The underlying theme here, if it's not obvious, is that the World changes. You can be religious or a regulator and still accept modern realities. That is all.