Bits and Bites Thursday July 3rd

An unexpected but fantastic benefit to feeding an infant at 3am, popped up in the form of a spectacular lightening storm last night. Wow!!  Every other minute, for at least 45 minutes, brilliant streaks lit up angry clouds, heralded by earth-shattering claps of thunder, making for an outstanding show.  One of those things that are capable of making one feel so small and insignificant in the grand scheme of things…

There are a lot of controversial issues in the news this week, so lets take a look at a few.

 Assisted suicide, euthanasia, murder. Call it what you want, a local researcher wants to observe assisted suicides in the name of research into the right to die movement – and it appears that his efforts are being blocked  by those in power.  http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/story.html?id=011deab5-9643-423b-8153-b14b270682c8

 Now, a high level academic committee has been formed to defend his right to academic freedom to research an uncomfortable issue. Currently, assisted suicide is illegal in Canada, so planned deaths must be conducted in complete secrecy and with methods most undetectable by pathologists. It has been reported that over 3/4’s of Canadians support the right to die movement in cases of terminal illness such as cancer or aids, and I would be in that 3/4. I never understood why we consider ourselves compassionate to put down an ailing or suffering pet we love as a family member, and yet we can so casually stand by and allow our human loved ones to suffer sometimes long, slow and painful deaths. I for one, would never want to die naturally if it meant being drugged up to control pain, leaving me unable to coherently meet my maker head on. Where do you stand on this issue? Should Canada join several of Europe’s progressive countries who have passed laws to enable assisted suicide?  I’m interested in hearing your opinions.

High on every ones chat list for the last couple of days is Dr. Henry Morgentalers receipt of the Order of Canada. Religious leaders are up in arms, and a priest in BC has even returned his Order of Canada in protest. In contrast, women’s rights activists, among others, are applauding the move as long past due. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2008/07/03/priest-order-canada.html  

This is how I see it. There are very few people anywhere who have fought for a cause, or a right, at such personal risk and harm to themselves, as Morgentaler. The fact that it is a man who has given so much to secure a womans right to do what she may with her own body, is not overlooked. Even if one does not choose abortion as an option for themselves, his efforts should be recognized for their significance and his dedication. Women have as much right to make the choice that is appropriate for them, without the interference of others religious or moral views to impede them, and this right is as important as religious leaders rights to practice their religious views without interference and within the boundaries of the law. Here are two links to opposing viewpoints on Morgentalers honour, read them and decide for yourself.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/07/02/f-vp-guest-column-gray.html

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/07/02/f-vp-mallick.html

Gas prices in my area are up around the $1.52 marktoday, and I seem to be seeing longer lineups at transit stops. Note of interest, reading a post and discussion on fellow blogger, Iain Halls blog from Australia, that they seem to be going through the same issues as BC’ers. http://iainhall.wordpress.com/2008/07/02/shine-completely-gone-now/   Carbon Tax? Revenue Neutral?  Sure, and I have some prime property for you in Florida….Let me tell you one thing that’s going to be happening come fall in a a majority of the province who experience long, cold winters.

 Several years ago, when Natural Gas was quite a bit cheaper, many northern residents pulled out their oil furnaces, and their wood -burning stoves and switched over to natural gas,in an effort to save money and pollute the air less. Now, here we are years later, the beetle kill has taken plenty of jobs up north, mills are closed everywhere, people are hurting for money and another winter spent trying to pay heating bills from natural gas are going to push people over the edge. hence, the return to wood stoves and fireplaces as a source of heat that doesn’t cost much. The woods are full of dead beetle kill, just waiting for them. Here’s the problem I have with  what this carbon tax is going to do.

Science has shown us that wood smoke contains both cancer-causing chemicals and carbon monoxide. However, the big problem with burning wood as a heat sources stems from wood smoke’s major ingredient — tiny particles of soot and pollution, the same kind of problem we find with diesel fuel as it burns. These ingrediants trigger asthma attacks and worsen other health problems.  A huge majority of our province will return to burning wood, and I know from living  up north most of my life, what that does to air quality. Hello, pollution on a big scale.

Granted, perhaps not as much as cars, but then again, think about the air care program we have. It doesn’t exist outside the lower mainland, and the rest of the province is full of big polluting vehicles that really shouldn’t even be on the road. Give me a BREAK, Premier!!!!!!   I do believe if you wanted to make a difference to the environment, you would have gone after big business polluters, and the commercial vehicles that clog our air everyday. Campbell may have cut his own throat with this one, come fall. Hes not in the good books with the rest of the province, and this time peoples memories will be long. You cant screw with the average mans livelihood and get  very far at the polls… http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2008/06/30/bc-carbon-tax-effective.html

And whatever turns you on , right?  Well, in Beirut, a new theme restaurant has opened to serve those who are perhaps,  violently hungry. Like bombs? Feel the need to examine some ammo while chowing down? Then step right into  ”Buns and guns” , a new eatery  that combines food and weapons. http://video.msn.com/video.aspx?mkt=en-ca&tab=s2&playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:01e53e63-6265-4779-98cc-db4f6b7bd25a&showPlaylist=p&from=inline&fg=gtlv2

Its gotta be a guy thing……

Have a good one !!!