On March 16th, 2008, Ian Robinson published an article in the Calgary Sun entitled Poet Proposal Lacks Rhyme or Reason, which argues that Calgary should spend tax dollars on practical improvements and maintenance of the city, rather than on a civic poet.

Robinson’s article gives me some degree of amusement, simply because he plays into (and plays up!) stereotypes of the Calgarian male: straight, virile, opinionated, proud, simple, and recalcitrant. I suspect he’s sipping a beer, pleased to know his work has irritated anyone left of far-right! However, he might need something stiffer. His article uncovers a personal desperation for a civic poet who will inspire his imagination.

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I found this political video, which supports Obama, to successfully show that political leadership can inspire and rally a tired and cynical generation. Moreover, I was impressed at how the sampling of Barack’s speech from New Hampshire turned into such inspiring a song. I found the creation compelling and, to a large degree, authentic and honest. Although a significant amount of professional insight went into crafting this video and song, I see genuine hope in most of the singers. This is simply a political marketing tool. This creation shows real people working to support their beliefs and hopes. The work is powerful.
My only reservation about this video is that Scarlett Johansson, who is working to embark on a singing career, is featured heavily because of her celebrity and not her vocal talent.

Also, for those of you who haven’t caught it, “Yes, we can” is a slogan that has been popular and potent since the 1960s. Have a careful listen to The Beatles All You Need is Love for the citation.

I enjoy listening to CBC’s Ideas. This week, there is a three part show on The Trouble With Tolerance, which seeks to discuss the limits of tolerance in Canada.

Questions associated with this topic include: Should we allow racial, ethnic, and/or religious profiling if, statistically, it is effective? How should Canadians engage cultures and religions that are oppressive to women or hateful to certain groups? Should we tolerate intolerant people? What are the limits to tolerance? To what extent is multiculturalism feasible (especially if a society seeks to hold democratic and liberal values)? Can values be freely chosen and/or should a nation impose values on a people? (I say yes.)

The question of how much we tolerate intolerance interests me greatly. I believe there are limits to tolerance. For example, more legislation is needed regarding how children are educated (we shouldn’t tolerate private schools that teach children to hate) and laws surrounding what expressions of religion are allowable for Canada (eg. religions promoting violent jihad or hatred of homosexuals or Jews). Of course, I have the same concerns of the “slippery slope” into a Big Brother type of government, however a just government can involve itself in the affairs of its citizens without becoming tyrannical. I think a just government is possible.

Returning to the radio program . . .
Sadly, the two out of three of the guests on CBC’s Ideas had little notion of the complexities surrounding the limits of tolerance. Instead, the debate was hijacked and became focused on tolerance in general. This prompted me to write Ideas a strongly worded email—which I seldom do.

Greetings,
As a frequent listener of CBC’s Ideas, I find your show personally and intellectually stimulating. However, the recent show, The Trouble With Tolerance, was below your regular caliber. While Michael Blake provided listeners with lucid argument, your selection of Genevieve Chornenki and Sunny Yi was unfortunate. I believe that this topic warrants much better attention, and I hope you will consider pursuing this discussion in the future. Neither Chorneki nor Yi displayed an ability to listen or respond to Blake’s arguments; the show tumbled into ad hominem arguments and anecdotes.
I hope you will more evenly weigh your debates in the future. I believe this format would be successful with other guests.
Many thanks,
Leif

Are there limits to tolerance? What are your thoughts?

In anticipation for the upcoming Albertan election I took the time to register to vote, since Laura and I move around so much. Registering to vote means that the voting process will be expedient.

If you’re an Albertan who has moved recently, or if you are new to the province, register here to vote. It takes about 3 minutes.

As you may have heard, the Albertan Premier Ed Stelmach is threatening legal action against a Dave Cournoyer, a blogger, who registered the domain name edstelmach.ca. Rather than admitting that the publicity and communications people associated with his office made a blunder that most school children wouldn’t make, Stelmach and associates are attempting to bully Dave into giving up the domain and call him a liberal conspirator. Worse, they think that the public supports their actions (see CBC article)!

Action item:
Share this post with those you know to show Ed Stelmach and the Albertan Government that you are upset by the misuse of public office and bullying tactics surrounding this issue. We want a government that can admit its own faults—such as this mistake of not registering a domain name; not one that refuses to admit wrong and then blames its faults on the person pointing them out (David). I’m sure Ed thinks this is a small issue, however it reflects on the entire character of his style of government, making me want no part of the Albertan Tories.

Ed Stelmach sends a signal that he has no understanding about the importance of the internet to engage young voters like myself. Ed didn’t care enough to have an online presence last April, and now he’s trying to go outside of the law (domain names are on a first come first serve basis) because his office couldn’t be bothered to spend $14 for 5 minutes work. WTF?

If you want more the facts, here’s a CBC article on it, as well as an Edmonton Journal article. If you don’t trust liberal media, why don’t you see what Ezra Levant says on the issue… Even Ezra thinks Ed is humiliating himself, sorta like watching someone punch himself in the face repeatedly.

Note: Ed and anyone from Ed’s office. Please read Wikinomics, drop this issue, before you tangle yourself in a self-perpetuated publicity nightmare. Or, if you need marketing advice, I would happily provide some consultation to you about improving your online image, although it would entail more personal and organizational transparency, which you might not be up for.