its a beautiful day outside in the okanagan, and the federal budget is out - good sign
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
A Petition by University Professors across Canada
The following is the prompt which Political Science Professors across Canada signed that voices the concerns many of you, young Canadians about the electoral process. I hear you, and I think these words echo very much so what you think.
Canada is now faced with a significant democracy deficit, illustrated by unstable short-sighted minority governments, superficial partisan posturing, steadily declining voter turnout and, most disturbing, an increasing majority of younger Canadians who see little value in voting or engaging in electoral politics.
As political scientists at Canadian universities and colleges across the country, we believe Canada can no longer afford to ignore the urgent need for electoral reform. We need an inclusive and functioning representative democracy based on a fair and proportional voting system.
We call on the Prime Minister and leaders of all parliamentary parties to set aside partisan interests and together support a substantive program to engage Canadians in a national discussion on: 1) fair voting principles – voter equality, proportional results and the formation of governments whose policies reflect the majority of voters, and 2) the various types of fair voting systems based on those principles.
We call on the government to engage experts, consult widely with citizens, and implement a Canadian version of a more proportional and fair voting system within the next five years.
As with normal practices, the citation for this can be found here:
132 Political Scientists Call for Action on the Democratic Deficit | Fair Vote Canada." Fair Vote Canada | Make Every Vote Count. Web. 03 Mar. 2010. .
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
Friday, February 26, 2010
My Bahrain
So, since some of you never knew about "Bahrain" the country where I'm from, I decided to put up some pictures and an intro. The wiki (of course) intro is:
Bahrain, officially Kingdom of Bahrain (Arabic: مملكة البحرين, Mamlakat al-Baḥrayn, literally: "Kingdom of the Two Seas"), is a small island country in the Persian Gulf ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. Saudi Arabia lies to the west and is connected to Bahrain via the King Fahd Causeway, which was officially opened on 25 November 1986. Qatar is to the southeast across the Gulf of Bahrain.
Picture speak more:
I've mentioned it was small, to make you realize how small, this following picture was taken from NASA's space shuttle, and my island is hiding somewhere in the picture - try finding it
Bahrain, time again, I've said is more liberal and modern than what is thought about in the middle east. This picture is evidence. The Bahrain World Trade Center is the first skyscraper to integrate wind turbines into its design.
This picture is of the capital Manama. Manama (Arabic: المنامة, transliteration: al-Manāma) is the capital and largest city of Bahrain with an approximate population of 155,000 people. Manama has emerged as the capital of independent Bahrain after periods of domination by Portugal and Persians and English earlier in its history. Today, it is a modern capital with an economy based around the sales promotion industry as crude oil takes a less pronounced role in the economy.
This picture is what I want you to know more about. In the background, you might see a "hill". To me, that is the highest elevation in Bahrain, highest 122m that is Mount Dukhan.
Bahrain fort is an archaeological site located in Bahrain. It is composed of an artificial mound created by human inhabitants from 2300 BC up to the 1700's. A bit of history for you ;)
And finally my flag, the five daggers in the middle symbolize the five pillars of my religion Islam: profession of faith, prayers, giving of alms - mandatory charity to the poor, fasting, specially during Ramadan and pilgrimage to Mecca, Hajj.
Bahrain, officially Kingdom of Bahrain (Arabic: مملكة البحرين, Mamlakat al-Baḥrayn, literally: "Kingdom of the Two Seas"), is a small island country in the Persian Gulf ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. Saudi Arabia lies to the west and is connected to Bahrain via the King Fahd Causeway, which was officially opened on 25 November 1986. Qatar is to the southeast across the Gulf of Bahrain.
Picture speak more:
I've mentioned it was small, to make you realize how small, this following picture was taken from NASA's space shuttle, and my island is hiding somewhere in the picture - try finding it
Bahrain, time again, I've said is more liberal and modern than what is thought about in the middle east. This picture is evidence. The Bahrain World Trade Center is the first skyscraper to integrate wind turbines into its design. 
This picture is of the capital Manama. Manama (Arabic: المنامة, transliteration: al-Manāma) is the capital and largest city of Bahrain with an approximate population of 155,000 people. Manama has emerged as the capital of independent Bahrain after periods of domination by Portugal and Persians and English earlier in its history. Today, it is a modern capital with an economy based around the sales promotion industry as crude oil takes a less pronounced role in the economy.
This picture is what I want you to know more about. In the background, you might see a "hill". To me, that is the highest elevation in Bahrain, highest 122m that is Mount Dukhan.
Bahrain fort is an archaeological site located in Bahrain. It is composed of an artificial mound created by human inhabitants from 2300 BC up to the 1700's. A bit of history for you ;)
And finally my flag, the five daggers in the middle symbolize the five pillars of my religion Islam: profession of faith, prayers, giving of alms - mandatory charity to the poor, fasting, specially during Ramadan and pilgrimage to Mecca, Hajj. Most importantly, the flag almost uses the same colors as Canada, my new home!!!
Jerusalem (Out of Darkness Comes Light)
Just a note:
Matisyahu in his song Jerusalem sings:
Jerusalem, if I forget you,
fire not gonna come from me tongue.
Jerusalem, if I forget you,
let my right hand forget what it's supposed to do
In the Old Testament, Psalm 137
4 How can we sing the songs of the LORD
while in a foreign land?
5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
may my right hand forget its skill .
6 May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth
if I do not remember you,
if I do not consider Jerusalem
my highest joy.
So, I noticed it, and helped out explain the significance to a good friend of mine.
Matisyahu in his song Jerusalem sings:
Jerusalem, if I forget you,
fire not gonna come from me tongue.
Jerusalem, if I forget you,
let my right hand forget what it's supposed to do
In the Old Testament, Psalm 137
4 How can we sing the songs of the LORD
while in a foreign land?
5 If I forget you, O Jerusalem,
may my right hand forget its skill .
6 May my tongue cling to the roof of my mouth
if I do not remember you,
if I do not consider Jerusalem
my highest joy.
So, I noticed it, and helped out explain the significance to a good friend of mine.
