A cute Christmas wish for my followers

Check out this link, remember to put your name when prompted to do so and turn up the speakers, have fun this Christmas, here is the link.

Now this is cool...plastic back to oil

This 5 minute video deals with a Japanese inventor who created a low cost machine to convert plastic back into oil/s. I don't know enough about all the scientific implications but it sounds reasonable enough to me. If only our politicians were willing to give it a go. Love to hear your thoughts on this story.

Aboriginal Education in Alberta

Hassan from block 3 wanted me to blog this article for him. Here are some of his comments...( i think is true about the education system involving aboriginal people and also the adversities aboriginal people had faced that keep some of them living like a third world country. one the most important issuse in this article is that students are not taught the history of aboriginal culture.the Canadian history as the article suggest doesn't contain the voice and perspective of aboriginal people.) Thank you for your thoughts Hassan, if others would like to see the original article it is found here. 

Human Rights Day, Dec. 10th what can you do???

When we discussed human rights day in class today some asked me to blog this site so they can investigate later so here it is. We looked at the Lubican Cree situation up north and there is a video that is 36 minutes long that will tell of their plight. Let me know what you think and/or discuss further in class. Suggestions for human rights day welcomed!?
Two extra links worth checking out youth for human rights and/or human rights.org also worth a look.

Out of the mouth of babes...strong social message

This Declan is quite the singer but his lyrics are quite incredible. For a 12 year old the time of this song, this is  simply beautiful and meaningful and if you're like this emotional Italian type, have a tissue handy.  Ton's of political/economic implications in this song, give me a an email on it if you'd like. Enjoy!

Human development index...some new twists

In it's 20th year of statistical research there are some new features to this United Nations based index which can be found here. For example, when they measure a countries health, they are going beyond wealth and using 'sustainability' into the equation. By doing so it reveals a more accurate picture of a countries wealth. For example, the United States rank based on it's human health index without taking into account environmental health is 4th in the world but in new rank it drops to 24th taking into account it's ecological footprint. A new term called the Multidimensional Human Index, takes into account the factors of education, health and living standards to get a more complete look at how a country is truly doing. As well, the usual statistical information on wealth, poverty, education is available. It's a long report but do take some time to look at some of the statistics, I find it all interesting and hopefully so will you...do send me notes on anything you find interesting in the report.

Friends of medicare

As we discussed in class, here is the link you'll need if you want to investigate the issue of health care and privatization. The 4 minute video you will find on this page will give you a sense of what path the Friends of Medicare believes the new Alberta Health Act will take. Do view the video and read the report on the Health Care Act or seek out other perspectives on the direction health care seems to be taking. For a list of the five principles that guide health care, take a look here. Looking forward to reading your responses.

Keith Olbermann on the Tea Party

Is this rant against the Tea Party Republican's warranted? Is his rant just a another liberal voice in the sea of conservatism that 'seems' to have been sweating through the States? Certainly media outlets like Fox news with their disciples like Glenn would have us believe this. However, as I listened to this 20 minute video, I couldn't help ask myself, are the policies some of these folks in the Tea Party really good for them? Do folks really think the mess America is in could have started with Obama? I'm looking forward cautiously I might add to Tuesday's results. If you want to listen to the rant (first 5-10 minutes will give you the drift and last 5 are very powerful), you can find it here.

The Empathic Civilisation

Nimo from my block class sent this one to me, truly amazing research on our empathetic impulses. What implication/s does this have in our social, politic and economic lives? I'd love to hear your your reactions, you can find the 10 minute video here.

Resolution 1325 ten years later calling on ending violence....

against women in conflict areas and allowing women to participate in peace building. The UN certainly has the political message right but what about action? How are our politicians pursuing this just cause? Here's an idea, write your MP and find out? Here's a link to MP's mailbox's. Why not ask him/her about progress being made in this regard? If you send a letter, cc it me and a response when/if you get one. Here is the link for the UN article, there is a short side bar video as well (about one and half minutes to go along with it).

Working Class Hero

To commemorate John Lennon's 70th I thought I'd post a song seldom heard anymore. It has a lot of significance given our current unit of study. Listen intently and if need be google the song's lyrics then send me an email with how it relates to what we've studied in economics. The song can be found here.

Linda McQuaig columns...

Here are the archives I promised in class to post. Ms McQuaig has been dubbed the 'Michael Moore of the north'. I was certainly impressed with her at the social studies conference and believe you will be as well once you read her articles. Please remember to send the article title if you respond to one them. The files can be found here.

World Food Day - Oct 16

One out of seven people go to bed hungry according to the UN organization Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). This is pitiful as there is no shortage of food but rather we live in a system that 'wastes' food and makes the almighty dollar key to insuring we have enough to eat. When will we grow up to eliminating hungry? This short article will give you some idea of the problem and what you can do about it. Love to hear your comments on this article.

The story of stuff

As requested by a couple of students, here is the story of stuff as we saw in class. If you wish to blog it, by all mean do so. Here it is.

Tea Party history....opps not quite "Right"

Short history lesson...tea party in 1773 was a reaction to British taxes and intrusion on the 13 colonies hence leading to the American revolution. Little did I know or most know that the Tea Party had it's inception in 1974 and it was a 'leftist' movement. Here is Rachel Maddow and a Havard history professor with the story. Let me know what you think!

Is the United Nations ‘brave enough’ to move forward

Joseph Deiss, President of 65th session of the General Assembly asked this question in discussing world issues such as poverty. Plans are in place but is there the political will to make it happen? A short article and speech (side frame) can be found here.

Milton Friedman on Greed..

You have to hand it to Friedman, he has clever arguments but are they solid. Like he teach Fredrick Hayek who we both come to know in 30-1 points are made that many still believe hold true. However, i have a discomfort in believing that greed is 'good' like Michael Douglas said in the movie wallstreet. View Milton Friedman here and Wall street clip here. Would love to know your thoughts on this, please email them to me.

Fantastic source for food guidelines...

I never thought I'd be sharing info about 'food' however I found the graphics (charts, table) interesting enough to want to share them. As a teacher I value any contribution that can lead to healthier lives and research shows proper nutrition along with decent amount of sleep and motivation can propel us to succeed so here it is, tell me what you think!

Tajikistan women talk about climate change

I never thought a cyber trip to Tajikistan would be so interesting. There is a great article on how climate change is being monitored and a wonderful short video featuring women talking about the impact of climate change on their lives. The scenery is worth the view but I found myself transported to another world and gaining a new perspective of a people I didn't know...till now that is. Article and video can be found here.

Stand by me...playing for change

Ahh don't you wish it was this simple, what great energy, the kind we should be harnessing .... but alas my view, would you agree? Enjoy

Letter writing on oil sands effects

Want to do something for the people effected by oil sands development? Here is a petition that can be sent to your MLA. Certainly feel free to raise issues regarding this action in class as well.

War is a racket!

This reincarnation of General Smedley Butler's speech is worth hearing as I feel it applies today. When is war to be applied in foreign policy? Is he correct that only the two reasons he shared can justify war? If so, what implications would this have on the war machine today? View it here.

A little homeland security humor

Couldn't resist, a laugh is always a good thing yet the topic when looked at more closely begs to be investigated - at point does the individual lose their freedom to ensure collective security...enjoy!

Fascism is fun!

Love this spoof but it does make some credible points, I think you'll agree, please do send me comments via email. You can view it here.

How the US economy is being destroyed...

Why should it matter to us if the US is a sinking ship in terms of it's economy. Well most know that the Canadian economy is hitched to the US via free trade and our historical trade relationship...US doesn't buy from us, we wind up hurting as well. Anyway, the part I found most interesting about Max Keiser's interview with a US economist is how 'freer trade' and 'comparative advantage' has led to the loss of jobs in the US and of course growth of jobs elsewhere. Take a look here, it is about 7 min. long.

Oil...what a price we pay for it....

we can't live without oil today yet the cost for it's exploration has been terrible. We see now what's happening in Louisiana but there have been other devastating events around oil. Here is one that is not in the radar anymore but has a story to say. This happened in Nigeria in mid 90's, love to hear your thoughts, please continue to send them via webct.  More on this with a hip hop tune by Reflection Eternal, I enjoyed it yet was saddened by it, let me know what you think of this.

Now this is neat...a different way to critique capitalism

This is well done use a medium seldom used to describe the latest failure of our system. I think you'll find it interesting and look forward to your comments. This 11 minute video can be found here.

Intersting stats on Reagan era...do we need more like him???

These charts provide lots of stats on how house old debt increased, money got concentrated to the top, etc. Evaluate the neo-con years for yourself and ask yourself who wins and loses during the era and what can be done about it. Find the source here.

Social Media...a planet saver????

There is an interesting debate going on about how social media tools like facebook, twitter, etc. can help us 'save the planet' by providing a means to dialogue. Enter the fray and share your thoughts in this forum and with me...article found here. 

Oil spill impact on culture

We put first and foremost, economic costs to events like the oil spill but what are the others costs? View this short video and come up with other factors not taken in by our economic system. You can view it here.

Strongest Soldier in the world ... incredible video

I must thank Kia for sending this video. It is a look at war (Iraq but can apply to all others) and what it does. These are the kind of videos that remind me why we must work for peace...not just in the U.S.A. but here in Canada and all places across our globe. If we do not try to end human suffering, why kind of humans are we?

Just beautiful...take a few to look and listen

I need to thank Dominic B for this wonderful link to majestic music and scenery of Iceland. Take a look here and and if you want more go to this link. Thanks Dominic...your teacher got all teary, not good for a macho Italian type you know lol

What is human security...just absence of war?

I enjoyed this short article by the secretary of United Nations, Ban Ki-moon. The call to broaden what we consider 'security' is certainly the correct call. For MOST of us in the rich north the absence of war is taken for granted...we here may worry about nukes but our fears are limited. Most of the world doesn't enjoy this privilege as just obtaining the 'basics' for survival is a daily fear. Perhaps humanity must enter into this debate again as the John Lennon song 'Imagine' rings in my ear as I write this.

If Arizona really wanted to tackle illegal immigration...a parody

This is an interesting way to look at the 'papers please' law in Arizona. Who are the true illegal immigrants, I laughed throughout this but also realized that all of us not indigenous are immigrants and could face, perhaps should face the same scrutiny in 'OUR' land. Take a look here.

Protesting, what's the point?

I enjoyed this article and hope you do as well. It points to a dilemma we all face; environment vs lifestyle. We can accuse Shell of destroying the Nigerian Delta but again there are interests in that country that profit from it so it goes on. We can say tar sands development is not good, especially for our aboriginal brothers and sisters up north but will that stop us from pumping gas? (I personally haven't used Shell gas since the murder of Ken Saro-Wiwa an Ogoni activist along with 8 others Nigerian activists (read story here).) ) So is there a point to protesting? I agree with authors conclusions about this issue, do you?

Human Trafficking Event May 16th Join US

This is the link to Women in Black webpage Edmonton. You'll see a link to an event that you are invited to attend. Check the poster out...see you there!

Having attended the session on human trafficking my blood is boiling that there are those who prey on the innocence of other human for a buck. Of course sweat shops and such are partially guilty as 'legitimate' businesses but I'm talking about those who 'sell' people as sex-slaves and/or labor producing products. There is an organization that is trying to help and you can find the link here. Meanwhile perhaps a high school conference early next year is in order???

Nothing like a good rant ... or is there?

This link is curiosity of Caitlyn M. and what a good one it is. It is easy to right this guy off as a psycho but examine history and how this type of energy has been harnessed in the past. Love to hear your thoughts on this.

Hung Parliament in Britain=Electorial Reform YaY!

Bravo for the Liberal Democrats in Britain who hold the balance of power since there election last Thursday. The article argues that British reform, some form of proportional representation could have a ripple effect here. It is time our outdated FPTP (First Past the Post) system sees some hope of redesign so voters won't be so apathetic. Keeping my fingers crossed but I won't hold my breath as if it happens here it won't be that soon or that easy. Read the short article here.

Earth’s very future leaves no alternative but to pursue nuclear disarmament

This is the first sentence of a Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon plea for nuclear disarmament. He praises the Russian and American initiatives to proceed on this course and believes our future depends on the successful removal of these weapons of mass destruction. It's a short article but a very big idea who I believe who's time has come. Article can be found here.

Ahhh the good ole days, pay the doc with chickens

Yes indeed there was a time when we 'bartered' for our care. Maybe we should do that again! How do people who run for office even think of this as a possibility? Will the suppliers, nurses, secretary's, etc. accept a few as payment from the doctor? Hmmm, maybe this is the solution to the growing burden of health care costs in Canada? I would like to use a couple of colorful metaphors about now but I'll hold off...for now! Maybe I'm just being too hard on this political wanna be click here to be uh hum amazed!

Government accountably .... what an idea????

In this article from Democracy Watch, there is criticism against Steven Harper's conservatives as not being as transparent on how funds and patronage is handled. Our Prime Minister in part pushed honesty as part of the new agenda in government. The results according the article as not as good as expected (surprise, surprise...groan) or promised. And people wonder why there is so much cynicism about politics...I DON'T! 

Economic Revival, it's time to revisit what we do...

Oh joy another way to spend hours and hours learning about economics. Ok not the most interesting thing to do on a Friday night (ok you know I do cause I have NO life) but for those of you who need a hopeful sign it's comforting to know that there are many working on solutions to the global meltdown and how to create an economic system that is more meaningful and fair for all. Check out this website and if so inclined get involved as there is a way you can, just look at the side bar.

Using Lego to shape ideas ... of hope

In this short video Hans Rosling uses lego to chart population growth and trends. What I appreciated most was his message of hope for a better future. Take a look, let me know what you think!

"Yes we can" cut nuclear stockpiles...good news!

I was sent this link from a student (J.K) who said, 'maybe there is hope'. As a peace activist (him and I) this news made my day. Russia and the United States committed to reduce nuclear weapons to 30% less then currently allowed (see article here). This news is hopeful in that we can work towards the elimination of these weapons which the world court pronounced as illegal in 1996 (mentioned in previous post) as they go against the Geneva Conventions. Keeping my fingers crossed that this deal goes through and that other states continue to pressure each other to one day soon, eliminate these weapons.

Michael Moore on health care reform

Is Moore being too tough on the insurance companies? After all don't they have to make a buck? He further believes that the rates will go up and up until a 'real' public option take place. Your thoughts on this? You can find the short video here. In the meanwhile I plan to watch Michael Moore's film Capitalism during spring break...the review will be forthcoming.

War over oil...opps scratch that, soon war over water

As fresh water resources shrink we could find ourselves embroiled in war over the remaining amount of water in the world. Take a look at the short video contained in this link. For more information on water issues in Canada, I invite you to take a look at an organization I belong to, the Council of Canadians, their web site is here.As an aside, take a look at this short flash video on water bottles...should we engage in action????
Late addition, as I started to look around at water issues I came across this article, the first a couple of lines grabbed my eyes..as well as my heart, here they are: "As we drink water straight from the faucet, it's hard to believe that one in six people around the world lack clean drinking water, and every 15 seconds another child dies because of it." Makes one look at water consumption a bit differently, doesn't it?

"Yes We Can"... and it's about time

Most industrial nations have a medicare type of program. Whether it is administered in whole or in part by government services or private is another debate but FINALLY all Americans will soon have health care. Up to seventy-five million have no health care or are under insured in that country. So for those who have been waiting to see a program Obama promised...it's their time to celebrate. You can catch Obama's speech here. For a list of immediate benefits, take a look at this short article.

Politics time....A whole lotta ventin' goin' on

As we begin our unit on politics, it is timely to run into this article. Timely as it speaks to the collective apathy we feel about political decision making. The article suggests why the system is broken and how it is made to be 'dysfunctional'. Take a position and let me know if this makes sense to you and if so how we could repair what Mr Salutin see's as a messed up system. Read it here.

Battlefield Iraq...yet another senseless anniversary....

This three minute video tells it all on a war that was not supposed to last long and cost less than 100 billion. Thousands of dead later (not counting countless thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians) and there seems to be no end in sight. The war was fabricated as the world knows so what's keeping it going? Who is 'winning' this war? Does Afghanistan seem to be any different? Love to hear your thoughts! I suspect you know mine by now.

East Jerusalem tensions...the beat goes on and on...

Will there every be peace in the middle east? The Israel/Palestinian conflict has been going on for over 60 years with both sides seeming to have justification to perform violent actions that only increase the problems they have not eliminate them. Where is the UN on all this? Why hasn't the security counsel been able to help resolve the disputes they have over land? What are some of the roadblocks to a lasting peace? I'd love for you to send me your responses and links that are useful in answering these questions. You can start with Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's comments found here.

International Womens Day...not a peep????

Today marked International Women's day, yet no news about it? What does this say? Here's some history on on the day and a website for more information.

Ban marks 40 years of NPT...hopefully it's time to get rid of nukes

Mr Ban the secretary general of the United Nations is hopeful that this, the 40th anniversary of the marking of the Non Proliferation Treaty, will result in a plan to  'eliminate nuclear weapons'. I know that there are enough issues that plague humanities future but certainly I would love to see the elimination of nuclear weapons on the way before I leave this earth.  I urge you to keep track on this issue and follow the NPT conference results this year...article here.

We are change

Found this in my cruising around, some pretty good notions here I believe. Take a look at the video 'we are change' and tell me what you think. It's a refreshing view and we need more like this I believe, time to stretch the mind here.

Public vs Private...health care again...

As the American's continue to debate a public option we need to ask ourselves what is happening to OUR system. This article in today's (Feb.28/10) Edmonton Journal the debate continues, take a look here. What occurs odd to me is the way we frame the debate. I wonder if looking at 'both' sides of the issue is what we need to do. You can argue of course that those who can afford to pay more should, and of course on the other hand, those who can't shouldn't be left out. Under this type of debate parameter surely those who have the time and money will win. While I believe debate is essential in most manners, guiding principles are as in important. Take a look at the five core principles that shape our system (found here).   For those who want to look deeper at legislation, you can find it here. Love to hear your thoughts on this matter. Remember if sending responses to webct, please include urls discussed. TY

Ahh mankind's genius!

Great article to ponder on decarbonizing cities. It is great to see when we put our minds to it, solutions appear. Love to hear your thoughts on this article.