April Reign

Speak your mind even if your voice shakes

Politics

Support the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

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Every Human has Rights. To some a simple statement of fact. To others an item for debate, or starting point from which to decide which of those humans really deserves rights and which are expendable or that you can manipulate others into thinking they are making poor choices or are authors of their own misfortunes.

If you believe that every human is endowed with the innate right to food, shelter, equal opportunity, freedom from persecution, the right to education and a job which enables one to live with dignity then head on over and sign your support for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Preamble

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,

Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,

Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,

Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in cooperation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,

Now, therefore,

The General Assembly,

Proclaims this Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.


Every Human Has Rights from The Elders on Vimeo.

Connecticut Ok’s Gay Marriage

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Judge Jonathan Silbert ruled same sex marriage legal basing his decision on a Supreme Court ruling in October.

The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled 4-3 on Oct. 10 that same-sex couples have the right to wed rather than accept a civil union law designed to give them the same rights as married couples.

This was fantastic news for those who had challenged the law against same sex marriage.

The judge’s order marks “the end of a very long journey toward equality,” said their attorney, Bennett Klein.

“Each of the plaintiffs asked me to convey to the court how proud they are to be citizens of this state,” Klein said.

Not everyone was happy of course,

The Family Institute of Connecticut, a political action group that opposes gay marriage, condemned the high court’s decision as undemocratic.

Undemocratic!? Ok then.

Answers.com gives 4 definitions of democratic,

1. Of, characterized by, or advocating democracy: democratic government; a democratic union.
2. Of or for the people in general; popular: a democratic movement; democratic art forms.
3. Believing in or practicing social equality: [believe this applies best]
4. Democratic Of, relating to, or characteristic of the Democratic Party.

none of these definitions seem to fit those of the Family Institute of Connecticut. psst maybe consulting a dictionary before releasing press statements would help

A Historic Moment for America

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November 4th, 2008 a history making night for the United States of America, as for the first time ever Americans elected a black man to the highest office in the land. News footage showing tears steaming down the faces of those who never thought they would live to see such a thing could have failed to touch only the hardest of hearts.

President Elect Barack Obama gave an acceptance speech with a message of hope, of inclusiveness, of an awareness that he represents all the people not just those that voted for him, that has not been seen for some time.

Of course the American economy is tanking, there are wars, there is a level of hatred toward those not seen as “true Americans” reminiscent of the McCarthy era and so President Obama faces a great many challenges. He may not wholly live up to the hopes and dreams that have been pinned upon him. For now though there is joy and celebration. Hope for an end to blatant corruption, abuses of power and an almost sociopathic disregard for the well being of the people.

Congratulations to Barack Obama, his family and all the black families in the U.S. who can now say to their sons and daughters that one day you too could become President.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!

Poverty Important to Canadians

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While our neo-con governments would have us believe that all Canadians feel as they do that poverty is but a moral failing it turns out that “The vast majority of Canadians want the federal and provincial governments to lead a war on poverty, including raising minimum wages and creating more low-cost child care” [survery by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives] The Gazette

Got that? A war on poverty. Not on child soldiers or 3rd world countries.

This story though consisted of one buried paragraph while surveys from the neo con Fraser Institute are front page news. No wonder Canadians don’t recognize themselves. Their values are being buried under those that the neo con want us to have. Just keep chanting “War is Peace; Freedom is Slavery; Ignorance is Strength”. Now isn’t that better?

Dion Steps Down

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As was expected Dion stepped down as Liberal leader today.
Dion endured smears from the beginning. About his ability to converse in English, his light frame, his backpack and even his ability to answer incredibly poorly worded questions. Conservative ads consistently showed Dion as weak and ineffectual, it was the modern day equivalent of the big dumb bully kicking sand in the face of the nerd.

Though not a Liberal supporter I do think Dion is a man of honour and integrity. And while I don’t necessarily support his policies I do believe he has a great respect for both the country and the environment. In that he showed himself head and shoulders above Harper.

What may be the unkindest cut of all is that so much of the campaign to oust him came from within his own party. He was lured into the shadowy corners of the Big Tent and shived in the back.

John Manley, seen as a possible successor was quoted as saying, “If I were to be critical of Stephane, I think he took the party in a direction where it was fighting in a very crowded field for too few votes on the left side of the spectrum and that’s not where you win elections” The Star

This would seem indicative that the Libs have decided to follow the Conservatives on the track to the right wing fringes. With the majority of Canadians who did vote voting in support of ‘progressive’ parties, and so many choosing to abstain from voting, one wonders what makes them believe this move to conservatism is something the Canadian public wants. After all previous liberal governments have shown that campaigning from the left has served them well.

A move to a right wing agenda would of course be a move away from Dion’s plans for environmental protections and the Greens already represent right wing market based environmentalists. It will be interesting to see where on the political spectrum the Liberal power brokers place the party.

Shortly before the election, in response to Harper’s taunts to the other leaders about quitting if they were not elected as PM, Dion said, “I am not a quitter”. I don’t believe he is. It is too bad though that his party quit him.

I wish Mr Dion well in his future endeavours.