Don't Think About It

What do torture, a major recession, and two debilitating wars have to do with our educational system? My guess: plenty. These are the three most immediate realities of a system that fails to challenge, or even critique, authority in any meaningful way. They are bills that are now long overdue thanks, in part, to that system's technocratic bias and pedagogical shortfalls -- thanks, that is, to what we are taught to see and not see, regard and disregard, value and dismiss.

The Deadly Poetic Weapon

Globe: What is a poet laureate?

RP: I'm thinking of it almost [as] a town crier. Basically, they see it as a chronicler of events, but to me I also want to be a representative of my arts community, which I feel is underrepresented in the mainstream press ... I want to be a springboard for other people.

I'm jealous, Edmonton.

Give it away now

I've always felt bad for poor people in the USA. Not to minimze the poor that we have here in Canada, but in the U.S. it seems they face greater hardships: no healthcare, pitifully underfunded public education, very few labour protections, no legally mandated vacation and a regressive tax system.

Ironically, these same people are the most generous givers as a proportion of their income.

Speaking of underfunded public education, today's the big day in District 14. I don't understand how the government thinks struggling children can learn without access to books, teaching assistants and behavioural intervention. Since when does economic stimulus not include maintaining jobs in the school system? Is it election time yet?

The joy that you make on your own

Think the recession is going to kill creativity? Not so much.

And read this bit about a plucky group of small town citizens who decided to save the historic buildings in their area.

Video might have killed the radio star

but the modern internet was built by music file-sharing. Read this.

A powerful little book has gone to press about the Agent Orange spraying in NB. This should be mandatory reading for Canadian History classes. The more I think about it, the more I see how New Brunswickers are treated like people in developing countries - as expendable guinea pigs, in many cases.

The internet can't save our history

Remnants of our history are slowing deteriorating because there is no money available to maintain museum collections.

My vote for the first exhibit in the 702 Gallery.

We should do an NB version of this! It might explode people's perception a bit.

Shameless Community Self-Promotion!

The River Valley Arts Alliance (RiVA) is hosting an “Art Walk” on Saturday, May 23rd, from 2-4 pm. This event is part scavenger hunt, part card game and will begin and end at the Woodstock Farmer’s Market. Participants will be sent to various historic houses in the downtown area to gather information and the grand prize winner will take home a special work of art donated by a local artist.

The cost to participate is $5, with all proceeds going to support RiVA’s efforts at transforming 702 Main St. into a community arts centre. This event is open to all ages and we hope you and your family will join us for an art adventure in beautiful downtown Woodstock. For more information, contact Amy Anderson at 328-2020 or email amandrs@mta.ca

Like a conservatory for cool people...

Living in an apartment building with all musicians . . . awesome!

Also, since I posted about hockey last month, I might as well forward you this piece about American Idol. Which I've watched for a total of ten minutes in ten years, but still, it's hard to ignore.

Piano link for my bandmates

Word on the street is we're looking for tunes. Check out this site, it's got a great mix of stuff. Including Bohemian Rhapsody, Katelin!

Working for the weekend...when we get to eat and sleep

New study today shows that Canadians spend very little time on food and leisure compared to other citizens worldwide. We are working too hard, and it's making us tired, obese and generally grumpy :) That part wasn't in the study but I'm not a pundit for The National so I can say that instead of just thinking it.

One last thing - all of those tax-cutting types pretend that life in the Nordic democracies is terrible - everyone is overtaxed, the government interferes with everything, it's hard on business. But from this perspective, it looks like they have lots of time for hobbies, visiting, eating and relaxing. I hate taxes as much as the next person, but that seems like a pretty good deal to me . . .

Swine Flu: it's what's for dinner

Apologies to my meat-eating friends, but you should read this article that ties the rise in factory farming to the increase in super-viruses such as swine flu. Makes that pig from Centreville look better all the time...