(no subject)

[dv8nation.livejournal.com]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-16219305

The suggestion from a Canadian senator that Canada should replace its national emblem has sparked a national debate about what it means to be a Canadian in the 21st Century.

The debate could be summed up as follows: The beaver, humble and industrious, represents Canada's colonial past, an era when hardy pioneers schlepped through the wilderness in search of fur for fashionable Europeans.

It was the relentless pursuit of beaver fur that drove Canada's early expansion. "A bygone era," cry detractors. Besides, as one columnist put it, Canadians are tired of being perceived as a nation of "apologetic fur trappers".

The polar bear, on the other hand, is a majestic creature. In the words of Canada's national anthem the defender of - "The True North, strong and free".


Personally, I think Canada should just pay Marvel Comics for the right to make Wolverine Canada's official mascot. Because nothing says "Don't screw with us!" like a short, hairy man known to flip out and kill people by the hundreds. But there's more at work here than what kind of animal suit some poor bastard is going to have to dress up in at fundraisers.

Under the Conservative government of Stephen Harper, many believe it is becoming a much harder place.

Witness the government's increased military spending. The staunch defense of the highly polluting tar sands industry. The reduced funding for arts programmes. The "super-prisons" proposed under tough new crime laws. The steely determination to defend and exploit the country's Arctic territory - the polar bear poised to see off Russian interlopers.

The change of tone is reflected in the media landscape. Three quarters of the country's newspapers endorsed the Conservatives in this year's federal election.

This year also saw the launch of the Sun News Network, a tough-talking television channel with the self-professed aim of combating the political-correctness of the so-called "lame-stream media".

Okay, Canada, as an American I do love it when our culture wins out over the culture of you evil foreigners. But the idea is that the GOOD things from America are supposed to replace your wicked native ideas. By making Canadian Fox News you have totally missed the point. Seriously, you guys are turning into Texas with snow.

Stop it, or the US shall have to impose a penalty. I'm thinking Nova Scotia. Or "North Maine" as we shall call it if it comes to that.

The puny Kim III

[abomvubuso.livejournal.com]

The news has spread around the whole world already. Kim Jong-il is dead. The reactions were swift. The most concerned ones are of course neighbours South Korea and Japan, although there's a certain sense of cautious optimism sneaking in. The Japanese PM Noda summoned a special meeting of the security council of his country, and warned his ministers that Japan should prepare for unpredictable consequences, including financial ones, and some tension along the borders. The general secretary of his cabinet Fujimura announced that Japan is working in close collaboration with the US, South Korea and China in searching for more information and coming up with a common approach to the situation, and that's not easy as you can imagine, because NK is a very secretive regime and doesn't share a lot of intel even with its ally China.

So the moods are pretty strained, and Japan and SK are preparing for some nasty actions from NK, at least until (and shortly after) its new leader makes the full transfer of power and asserts his position.

( Problem is, that may take a while. )

Side question. Hypothetically, if NK decided tomorrow to re-unite with SK, what do you think SK's reaction would be? Similar to the German re-unification? Or hostile? A mere "Meh"? Or maybe "LOL, no way Kim"? Suggestions?