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Culture Blogs
Exploring the overlap and relevance of Modernist philosophy, literature, art, music, culture, and modern life with paganism.
Making Sense of the Modernist Reconstructionist (Part 1)
Before I address the title, let me first address a fact that was illuminated in some fairly recent conversations: I am old. Chronologically, I'm just a bit over thirty, which isn't really anyone's idea of old --and contrary to the prevalent misconceptions of ancient longevity (which is an average) generally speaking, people who could survive past the age of 15 all through the Archaic and Classical eras could typically expect to live into their sixties, so this isn't even "old" by historical standards, but I'm old. I'm old because I retain this stubborn identity of "Hellenic reconstructionist" even though many people my age and younger, even (sometimes especially) if they practise by the same general methods I do have long eschewed the term because of reasons. I all get to those reasons very shortly. I'm old because I've acquired greater measures of both patience and cynicism in my approach to dealing with others, largely because of persistent misconceptions of who and what I am and am about, and when I don't have the patience to explain it, I don't get angry, I just shrug and think oh well, this isn't news and frankly I don't think they're worth explaining it to, and then I ask the other person "Hey, let's agree to disagree?" But the good thing about being an ageing cynic (but not really a Cynic, though I do appreciate some of their teachings --my philosophy is based largely on Kyrenaic Hedonism with equal parts Empedocles, Democritus, Kirkegaard, Sartre, Camus, Crisp, and Jarman filling in the gaps, and also a huge stress on aesthetic arts bringing joy and meaning taken from famous Dandies including, but not limited to, Beau Brummel, Oscar Wilde, and Lord Whimsy)... [coughs] Yes, the good thing about being an ageing cynic with a blog, is I get to make things as clear as i need to, update and revise as I need to, and point people to said blog when I don't feel like dealing with them right now.
I want to make clear what religious reconstruction is and is not, because in spite of being pretty active for about the last five years in trying to promote this method of practise as both a perfectly valid and relevant "pagan path", it seems I've been met with more gross and appalling misconceptions in this last year than the previous four combined. Now, I have some suspicions on key players who may be a large part responsible for this, but this isn't about naming names, this is about using the position afforded me on PaganSquare to clarify, perhaps even educate. In this, I also want to stress (though I doubt that I could ever stress enough for some people) that identifying with a reconstructionist method is not synonymous with being ultra-conservative, traditionalist, neo-luddite, or regressionist.
Religious reconstruction is a method of practise, not a religious doctrine in and of itself.
The metaphor that I've been using for years is thing of reconstructing a house after a fire. The foundation of the house is there, the blueprints for the house have likely been filed with the city and available to you in this task. But if the house is of a sufficient age, you're not going to be able to find lead paint, the original electrical and plumbing are probably no longer up to code, and even if care is taken to find, say, the first generation of furniture at antique stores, and reproduction wallpapers can be found, it's still not exactly the same house as before. It's had a Renaissance, a rebirth, and the necessary updates that were made will assure that house will be relevant for the current and next generations, but in another forty years, things are probably going to have to be brought back up to code again.
Religious reconstruction isn't about making the exact same thing that existed in ancient times, because face it: You just can't, at this point. Maybe in a few generations, the religious communities will be big enough to have something more closely resembling those big old festivals of years past, but it's still unlikely that every one of those festivals is going to have every single element exactly like it was in the BCE except with modern clothing. And considering the extreme reluctance to animal sacrifice, even among recon communities, I'm sure few will strongly disagree with me on this. Religious reconstruction is about taking the knowledge that the ancients have left us, and adapting it to modern realities.
There is no such thing as [recon] Orthodoxy.
I'm a Hellenist. One of the most important things I've learned in the almost-decade I have been is this: There is no single set of beliefs in the Hellenic polytheist religion. Is there a Hellenic mainstream? Certainly. There's also a pretty clear basis of practise and history and realities that come with that (including implications of belief), which is generally assumed to be shared by all Hellenists, and significant deviation from which may bring one's dedication to the religion into question, but there is no single "right way" to practise or believe in Hellenism.
As I described above, I'm a Hedonist, philosophically, at the core. The Kyrenaic school, in the ancient times, was also clearly at odds with much of the Hellenic mainstream, to which Plato's school appealed more broadly. Indeed, Aristippus and Plato, both students of Socrates, deviated in teachings on many points, to the extent that each seemed to often-enough accuse the other of completely misunderstanding Socrates' intent. If two men, both sharing a teacher of philosophy, can have to wildly divergent schools of philosophy, I find it incredibly hard to believe that all Hellenes everywhere, in ancient and modern times, are going to be in agreement on everything.
On the other hand, there are clear defining points of Hellenism that those applying a reconstructionist method can be very quick to point out:
- The gods are timeless and deathless, even if Their mythologies may not be literally true. Even the "atheist" philosophers of Hellas were more in line with Carl Sagan's agnostic pantheist definition of deity1, or the deistic beliefs of Stephen Hawking than the staunch anti-theism of Penn Jilette or Richard Dawkins.
- The heroes were real, once-living-and-breathing people, regardless of whether their mythologies were literally true. This is evidenced by the fact that, with very rare exception (such as Herakles, who Plutarch outlined was heros theos, both mortal hero and immortal deity), the centre of hero cults were centred around the purported tomb of the hero in question, and said hero often had few, if any shrines outside the city, town, or village where said hero's remains were interred.
- Ancestor worship is a part of Hellenic polytheism.
- Household practise is central to personal practise, especially if one is head of a family.
- Nymphai, or nature spirits, are real, even if their relevance to practise is easily debatable.
- Philosophy is a part of Hellenic polytheism, but may not be restricted to any particular school, nor is it assumed to be a compulsory element of the religion.
- Hellenic culture is hard to divorce from Hellenic polytheistic religion; some degree of educated acculturation should be assumed, but is subject to greater variance than the above points.
This outline is based on what is known of the religious practises of ancient Hellas and the "gold standard" set by the earliest fragments of the Hellenic community from approximately the late 1970s to mid-1990s. What constitutes "significant deviation" from these points is certainly debated within the community, but generally there's an accepted degree of variance of belief within these perimeters, even amongst those who choose to employ and identify with the reconstructionist method.
Religious reconstruction is different from "historic reenactment" in that religious reconstruction stresses modern relevance and timelessness.
There are generally two "big tents" under this; those who stress traditionalism as some bastion of saving modern people from themselves, and those who stress modernism, or the progress of human experiences, scientific knowledge, technology, and shaping of the human environment.
The modernist camp may seem to contradict the mere idea of applying a reconstructionist method to religious practises, but we see that the ancients were largely progressive, making huge strides in technology, science, and philosophy that wouldn't be revisited again until the Renaissance. The remnants of the ancient aqueducts certainly stands as a testament of the human ability to shape the environment with our technology for centuries after the fact. Furthermore, where "modernist philosophy" is often described as lacking the remnants of certainty possessed by the Enlightenment philosophers and stressing a critical eye, ancient philosophy was full of sceptics, if you know where to go. The assertion of the Kyrenaic school that one cannot possibly have a complete knowledge of everything outside oneself that affects one's experiences is practically in line with being a prototype for Existential Absurdism.
Indeed, ideals since labelled "modernist" were already in play in the years BCE, and are just as relevant now as they ever were. By modernist pagans looking to the reconstructionist method of practise --even if one chooses not to stick to it strictly, even if one chooses to throw it away shortly after-- the timelessness of the human condition becomes illuminated. It's very easy for myself to reconcile the paradox of "traditionalist religion" with a clear identification with "modernist" philosophies and lifestyle, because through years of reading and learning, it's absolutely clear to me that this is all very timeless, like my gods.
The method doesn't even strike me as "traditionalist" anymore. It just IS. How can it be? This was the same method employed by proto-modernists of the school founded by Aristippus. The outline of beliefs was shared by Cynics and Hedonists, who were scandalous in the staunchly "traditionalist" cities for the practise of putting women, women who were not hetaerae, on equal intellectual grounds with men (the elder Aristippus apparent star pupil was his own daughter). This is the same basic outline shared by Sparta, where women practically were equal in all areas but the military, and the Aeolic tribes of Hellas, where the inheritance still today is traditionally passed down to the eldest daughter. This is the basic practise outline of the original sceptics, and the inventors of a prototype steam engine (though they were at a loss of a practical application for said) and elaborate clockworks that rivalled even the impressive and precise Victorian automatons. (And, doubtless, Germanic / Scandinavian, Celtic, Kemetic, Semetic and other tribes made other contributions, but eh, I can be a specialist in my knowledge to a fault, sometimes.) The notion that these ancient people, who shaped their environment for better and for worse, certainly had a form of industrialisation, and sought to enhance their experiences through the accumulation of technology and knowledge, both scientific and philosophical, somehow weren't "modernised" by their own definitions is barbaros to me; it's unintelligible blabber that doesn't apply.
At one time, Paul Weller once proclaimed Mod, as in the subculture, to be his religion. When i look at the ancient concept of religion, the sacred rituals practically inseparable with one's everyday lifestyle, I sort of want to give him a pass, but I question what rituals he has that graduates this lifestyle for him to religion. In myself, I have no question that I'm a Mod who's religious, and has absolutely no trouble trouble incorporating my religion, as ancient as it is, into his lifestyle, as thoroughly modernist as it is.
1: Sagan is often incorrectly described as an atheist by others. In fact, his famous "extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence", contrary to common belief, WAS NOT about the concept of deity. It originated with an episode of Cosmos (which I have on DVD) about the topic of alien contact. In a different episode of Cosmos, Sagan defined his personal concept of deity pretty clearly, which was basically in line with pantheism. Furthermore, Sagan himself, if pressured, personally identified as an agnostic, and clearly disliked being called an atheist or being associated with atheists.
Sunday, 19 May 2013
I know, I think they were trying to invoke the image of 'Orthodox Christianity' and all the negative connotations that has in the Pagan community. I know a few 'sorta Eclectics, but stick to one culture' who take the stance of 'We are actually superior and actually the future. All the recons are foolish and aren't really connecting with the Gods like we are'. Chris Aldridge is the most prominent example that comes to mind for me, even if he is significantly less prominent than he thinks he is.
Sunday, 19 May 2013
Apparently not, cos I don't think I've heard of him.
The thing is, how I see it, of course the recon method allows for adaptation and evolution of practise, but it's like how the hyaena has evolved into three distinct species, or how the musculoskeletal system of big cats is identical to that of domestic cats in every aspect but size. Progressive minded ancients would certainly be able to recognise the practise through or in spite of the changes.
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When malice is afoot in the Yorkshire Dales, there is only one double act which can save the day… Samson and Delilah.
Welcome back to the entertaining Dales Detective Series, Julia Chapman's captivating mix of murder, mystery, stunning scenery and a fine line in Yorkshire humour.
Chapman – the pseudonym of Julia Stagg, author of the popular Fogas Chronicles set in the French Pyrenees – has finally shaken off her wanderlust and is now using the stunning backdrop of her new home in the Dales as the inspiration for rural whodunits brimming with charm and wit.
Date With Malice is the second book set in Bruncliffe, a fictional town in the shadow of real-life Malham Cove, where two wonderfully ill-assorted lead players, Samson O'Brien and Delilah Metcalfe, and a sparkling cast of down-to-earth Dales folk are proving an irresistible combination.
At the tender age of 29, Delilah Metcalf – website creator and owner of the Dales Dating Agency – has two businesses in debt, a bank manager on her back and a trouble-making tenant who shares her office building in her home town of Bruncliffe.
Delilah's family history is sewn into the fabric of the hills and dales, and she is well aware that local 'black sheep' Samson O'Brien, owner of the Dales Detective Agency in her next door office, has returned to the town under a cloud after a 14-year absence.
But when Alice Shepherd arrives at the detective agency one December morning, convinced that someone is trying to kill her, Delilah is soon drawn into the case even though Samson dismisses Alice's fears as the ramblings of a confused old lady.
But after a series of disturbing incidents at Alice's Fellside Court retirement home, Samson begins to wonder if there is something to her claims after all and with Christmas just around the corner, he is thrown into a complex investigation, one that will require him to regain the trust of the Dales community he turned his back on so long ago.
Against the backdrop of a Yorkshire winter, Samson and Delilah must work together if they are to uncover the evil threatening the elderly residents of Bruncliffe, an evil that will come perilously close to home.
Chapman delivers on every level in this intriguing murder mystery… a big helping of recognisable small town life, a suitably menacing air of malevolence, an undercurrent of suspense, lashings of Yorkshire wit and a seductively simmering relationship between handsome Sansom and the delightful Delilah.
These are classic murder mysteries… beautifully written, cleverly plotted and with all the warmth and tastiness of a steaming hot mug of Yorkshire tea. Cheers to the next adventure!
(Pan, paperback, £7.99)


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|Andrew Moore
|Computer Laboratory > Andrew Moore > Research
My active research areas
I have a long-standing interest in the monitoring, measurement, characterization and modelling of the Internet. High-speed network monitoring (40Gbps, 100Gbps) is used when networks move to the latest generation networking speeds. Largely, this is to ensure customers, applications and computer-systems can make the best use of the higher speeds. This led to the Nprobe/GRIDprobe projects.
More recently my interests in network-monitoring involve accurately identifying the behaviour of users in project BRASIL.
Work in measurement and in characterizing network use has led to a desire to understand the limits of such measurement and this avenue of work is embodied in a new project Doe-Net.
Effective use of photonics in computer-systems drives my research in a different direction. Why photonics? Photonics (optical) systems have different trade-off concerns in comparison with Electrical systems. An example is how photonic systems have significantly lower costs for distance, lower (potential) costs for energy-needs, lower (potential) costs for heat-production, but nothing is free and photonic systems are subject to physical contraints. The Swallow project umbrellas this work. Basically,
I also love the NetFPGA project. Intended as programmable hardware for high-speed network prototypes it is exactly the sort of hardware to help students come to terms with how all this stuff works. Our local project pages are here.
Things in the past that I've done...
I am very grateful to my sponsors who have supported me over the years.
My sponsors include:
Thank you all.
EPSRC Projects:


text:
Appraisal: Karl Hagenauer Embossed Brass Frame, ca. 1925
Clip: Season 22 Episode 25 | 2m 24s
Watch as Eric Knowles appraises a Karl Hagenauer Embossed Brass Frame, ca. 1925, in Vintage San Francisco.
Aired: 08/06/18Video has closed captioning.
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Corpus Christi
Practical information
- When?: Jun 11, 2020
- Where: Sitges
- More information : https://www.sitgescorpus.cat/
- Category: Festivity of National Tourist Interest
- Theme: Religious
Carpets of flowers adorn the main streets of this town in the province of Barcelona.
Sitges , just 35 kilometres from Barcelona, is filled with colour and the aroma of flowers during the celebration of the feast of Corpus Christi in spring. The highlight of the festivity takes place on the feast day itself, when the local residents create carpets of petals from carnations and other flowers. A jury awards prizes to the best carpets, all made with exquisite taste and devotion. Later, the procession of the Holy Sacrament passes over these works of art that adorn the main streets in Sitges. The Corpus Christi festivities also include other activities such as the National Carnation Exhibition, the Bonsai Exhibition, the Floral Decoration of Façades and Balconies Competition, and the Giants Parades.
Practical information
- Date: Jun 11, 2020
Pl. Ajuntament, sn
Sitges (Barcelona. Catalonia)
Contact details
Tel. 938 114 804
Schedules and prices
- Jun 11, 2020
* Information may be subject to modifications


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Police Release Image of Man Wanted for Questioning in Madeleine McCann Case
UK Police have announced new leads in missing girl case.
Oct. 13, 2013 -- UK police have released images of a man they want to question in connection with the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, who went missing from her parent's hotel room in Portugal in 2007, when she was just 3 years old.
According to London's Metropolitan Police, investigators have been able to "place more significance" on events the night girl vanished and want the public's help in identifying the man, who was seen in the Praia da Luz town area around the time of Madeleine's disappearance.
The new leads in the case will be examined during an episode of the UK television show "Crimewatch" on Monday night.
"The [images] are clear, and I'd ask the public to look very carefully at them," Det. Chief Inspector Andy Redwood said during an interview for the television show. "And if they know who this person is, please come forward'
Redwood said Scotland Yard's continued investigation has "significantly changed the timeline" of the events of that night.
In an interview for the BBC television show "Crimewatch," Redwood said investigators had poured over old information in the hopes of finding a new lead.
Police Still Search for Missing Madeline McCann
Police said they now have 41 people of interest in the case, 15 of whom are British.
"Primarily what we sought to do from the beginning is try to overthink back to zero if you like," Redwood said. "Try to take everything back to the beginning and reanalyze and reassess everything ... accepting nothing."
The "Crimewatch" show will dramatically recreate moments of the day that Madeleine went missing and ask the British public for help in solving the case.
Madeleine's parents, Gerry and Kate McCann, have spent the last six years searching for their daughter and drawing attention to their case. Initially the couple was questioned in connection to their daughter's disappearance.
"We're not the ones who have done something wrong here," Katie McCann said during an interview for the show. "It's the person who's gone into that apartment and taken a little girl, away from her family."


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Series title helps city of Boston continue to heal
Fans gather at site of Marathon bombings to remember victims, heroes
BOSTON -- They reclaimed their turf not long after Koji Uehara threw the last pitch. They placed Red Sox jerseys and other items on top of the yellow Boston Marathon finish line on Boylston St., beside the construction fencing along the sidewalk, and they jumped up and down in masses around that same spot where the first bomb went off. They shouted it with meaning:
The words echoed into the night amid the din of cars honking and sirens blaring. There are no perfect endings after life and limb are lost, but this was the best thing this great American city could hope for Wednesday night. The Red Sox won the 109th World Series, beating the Cardinals in six games, and took the next step in a healing process that followed the Patriots' Day bombings at the Boston Marathon.
"It's a very resilient city with great history for our country in establishing freedom, and a lot of American principles go back to 1775 and earlier," said Everett Spain of Boston, an active Army officer and a first responder at the finish line spot. He spoke solemly amid the revelry. "It's a great honor to the victims of the Boston Marathon and a show of strength by a wonderful American city."
Spain was escorting blind runner Steve Sabra of Omaha, Neb., when the first bomb went off on a day that was supposed to be so beautiful. At that moment, they were between the two bombing sites.
"The first bomb exploded about 60 meters in front of us to our left," Spain said. "We were privileged, myself and another runner, to get the blind runner to safety. I was privileged to be a first responder. We were in between the two bombs, much closer to the first one.
"It was a terrible tragedy seeing so many first responders. It was an honor to see and be a small part of such a wonderful response of the community rallying around people who were in an unfortunate place. But it was a great event, and the Boston Marathon will be back stronger than ever. Many of the victims are stronger, and the community has rallied around them, and they're making me very proud moving forward and showing that Americans never quit and we stick together."
The site of the first bomb is under extensive construction, with fencing throughout the block. Bernie Gardella of Jamaica Plain stood on what she believed was the precise point where the backpack sat, sending lethal shrapnel into the bodies of innocent race spectators.
Gardella refused to move as the crowds swelled around her.
"I'm standing here on the site of the bomb, and I'm just trying to create a tribute to the people who were affected," she said. "It means a whole lot, to the city, to the people who went through it. The Red Sox had a whole lot to do with paying tribute, and this is the best tribute they could have done.
"It's like people cheering and going by and shouting and screaming, and I feel the same way, but I'm also sad. It's all happening right here and there's not a single rose or flower. It's a mixed feeling. I feel like I'm being a sentinel on this spot."
Gardella noted that the Duck Boat parade went by this very spot on Boylston in 2004 and '07, and she added: "It should be really interesting this time."
As she spoke, Kevin Schiffman of South Weymouth was placing his Red Sox jersey on the yellow finish line. Once he did that, it started a movement. The crowds were gradually heading this way like a giant wave flowing from the Fenway area, and soon it was the scene of a mass event. It was a combination of celebration and respectful tribute, progressively rowdy as midnight came and went. This was pure emotion on display, a title won, some poetic justice.
It was the city truly reclaiming its spot, in the way it knew best.
"We were watching the game at McGreevy's, a Dropkick Murphys bar, and we decided to come here afterward and pay our respect," Schiffman said. "A bunch of friends and family were in [the Marathon], and they never got to finish."
Ed Gorman, 59, was unable to hold back tears as he stood near the spot of the first bombing and thought about everything that had happened in 2013.
"To me, it's overwhelming," Gormansaid, "that this could happen in this past year to this great city I love. I grew up in Massachusetts, I've lived in Boston 17 years, and my dad always said I was a Sox fan before I was baptized. Right here on this block, especially, I don't think I have the words to describe how I feel."
Arnold Rosen lives on Beacon Hill, and he was a half-block from the finish line when the first bomb went off. People began rushing toward him, and when he saw the second bomb go off, he understood why.
Rosen said this felt like "a fairy tale" after the tragedy so many shared in April.
"It's like this whole season had to happen," Rosen said. "This is the culmination of how everyone has come together. It is the most appropriate finish to a baseball season."


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Originally scheduled for release in the middle of next month to compete with Battlefield 3, the third installment of Croteam's less-than-serious PC shooter franchise will now hit in mid-November, just in time to take on Modern Warfare 3.
Of course Serious Sam 3: BFE isn't really contending with this year's two hottest shooters. It takes a special breed of FPS fan to appreciate Sam's special brand of humor. That special breed of fan is going to have to wait until November 22 to do so. Why?
"Serious Sam 3: BFE is the next evolution in our beloved franchise and the team wants to take a little extra time to make it perfect for Serious Sam fans worldwide," said Davor Hunski, Chief Creative Guy at Croteam. "The game is playing wonderfully and looks great so we are going through to balance the difficulty and fine tune the code to eliminate any technical issues at launch. And we'll probably add some more enemies to the hordes to blow your mind."
Because it's not done yet. Fair enough!
You can contact Michael Fahey, the author of this post, at email@example.com. You can also find him on Twitter, Facebook, and lurking around our #tips page.


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Forums » General Discussion » Stereo » So who did ya see in concert last night?
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|#169880 - 06/07/07 03:26 PM So who did ya see in concert last night?
Registered: 02/05/06
Posts: 6471
Loc: Fredericksburg, Virginia
Last night, I went down to Richmond and saw Live at a small amphitheater (est 1000-2000 fans). I am a casual fan and really only knew their hits, but I had fun nonetheless.
Opening act was a local band, Copper Sails. They were OK, but they grew on me. I would describe them as the lovechild of Ben Folds and Queensryche.
The big event is coming in a little over two weeks - Rush concert on 6/23/07 ...
Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica.
|#169881 - 06/08/07 12:17 AM Re: So who did ya see in concert last night? [Re: medic8r]
Registered: 03/12/05
Posts: 280
Loc: St. Albert, Alberta
A friend is trying to talk me into making the 3.5 hour drive to Calgary to see Rush. If it wasn't a Tuesday (or Wednesday) night I'd seriously consider it. From what I can remember, they were pretty tight and high energy when I saw them in Guelph 29 or 30 years ago (during my hazy undergraduate days).
|#169882 - 06/08/07 09:01 PM Re: So who did ya see in concert last night? [Re: medic8r]
shareholder in the making
Registered: 04/02/03
Posts: 16437
Loc: Ben Lomond, California
And me without my Photoshop.
I can explain it to you but I can't understand it for you.
|#169883 - 06/18/07 01:13 AM Re: So who did ya see in concert last night? [Re: pmbuko]
Registered: 04/01/03
Posts: 5233
Loc: Los Angeles
Well, it wasn't last night, but last week we saw Césaria Évora. She was wonderful!
"A nation cannot prosper long, when it favors only the prosperous." -President Barack Obama
|#169884 - 06/22/07 02:42 PM Re: So who did ya see in concert last night? [Re: medic8r]
Registered: 03/11/03
Posts: 320
Loc: Austin, TX
Buddy Guy last night under the starts. Phenomenal show. I'd seen him once before as part of a blues show headlined by BB King, and he was good then. But as the headliner, he absolutely blew us away.
He had the audience in his palm from the very first song. He was even able to whisper the lyrics to one song, and you could hear every word -- it was so quiet you could hear the crickets.
If he comes to your town, make a point of going. Two big thumbs up.
|#169885 - 06/22/07 02:54 PM Re: So who did ya see in concert last night? [Re: samandnoah]
Registered: 06/20/03
Posts: 8488
Loc: Tacoma
Okay, I'm going to cast a vote for "I'm jealous of Rich".
I've never gotten over the fact that I never had a chance to see Albert Collins perform.
bibere usque ad hilaritatem
|#169886 - 06/25/07 03:16 PM Re: So who did ya see in concert last night? [Re: samandnoah]
Registered: 10/10/04
Posts: 923
Loc: Delta, BC, Canada
Last night was Chris Botti and Band at the Vancouver International Jazz Festival. Fantastic show as usual. Waited after the show for the meet and greet/autographs etc. Spoke with Chris and band. Very nice people! Actually spent around 10 minutes chatting with drummer Billy Kilson.
|#169887 - 06/25/07 05:39 PM Re: So who did ya see in concert last night? [Re: Rock_Head]
Registered: 07/26/06
Posts: 2102
Loc: Hollywood. (Canadian @ <3)
Well, I actually had a dream come true on saturday night..
I drove from Calgary to Saskatoon to see Herbie Hancock, Vinnie Colaiuta, Nathan East, and Lionel Loueke.
It was THE most amazing show I have ever seen. Vinnie was playing at his best (I really only came to see Vinnie play).
He is the most amazing drummer I have ever seen. I am very thankfull that I made the 6 hour trip there, and 6 hours back after the concert was over. Words cannot express how amazing the concert was, if you are into fusion, I would HIGHLY recommend Herbie Hancock's quartet, they are on tour now.
Producer | Composer
|#169888 - 06/25/07 05:56 PM Re: So who did ya see in concert last night? [Re: spiffnme]
Registered: 12/25/02
Posts: 556
Loc: Ashburn, VA
What a coincidence,I saw her this past weekend at the WolfTrap VA. It was indeed wonderful.
Its funny how I discover her, about 3 or 4 years ago I was at the new released DVD music area at Borders and saw Cesarias DVD. I had no idea who she was, by her looks I thought she was a Jazz/blues singer so I put it in my basket. When my wife and I first watched the concert I was at first taken aback by the music, didnt really like it, especially the alto sax, not really my fav instrument. I did find interesting and odd how the music sounded very similar to folk music from Puerto Rico (Im from PR), two colonies that never shared cultures, at least, not directly. Anyway, we listened to the whole concert and my wife loved it. I thought it was ok but I was not crazy about it. My wife kept requesting the concert every time we had a wine&cheese nights so eventually I learned to like it. Her vocals are excellent; its just the music, maybe the performers, that is just ok.
The sailor does not pray for wind, he learns to sail. --Lindborg
|#169889 - 06/26/07 10:17 AM Re: So who did ya see in concert last night? [Re: JaimeG]
Registered: 02/05/06
Posts: 6471
Loc: Fredericksburg, Virginia
OK, better late than never, here is the official medic8r review of the Rush show in Bristow, VA on Saturday, 6-23-07. Spoilers abound, so buyer beware.
After getting a late start (DOh!), I met up with pmbuko at Five Guys, introducing him to the best burgers around. We caught up on world politics and the finer points of posting on the boards. We speculated on the disappearance of Speakergrrl and the Bot Squad, and marveled at finally seeing a picture of Randy and kin.
We got to the concert in plenty of time to claim prime lawn seats, stage center. After much anticipation, they took the stage a little before 8 pm. The opening video was really funny, and the makeup job was so good that it took me a while to realize that Geddy himself is playing the role of Harry Satchel. All of the video bits were well done. Brilliant!
I was wondering how this concert would stack up performance-wise to the 6 tours I had seen before (starting with Power Windows in the spring of 1986, but thats another tale). Let me tell you, Rush has not lost a thing! They can play as well or better than ever before. Geddy did skip a few high notes on the opener, Limelight, but he hit them on the other songs. Guess his voice did warm up after all
Neils drum kit is a beautiful red, with a gold snake ring and arrow accent. You can check out a picture here. Of course, he had another kickin solo. The whole night, nobody flubbed anything. It was flawless precision, just what youd expect from Rush.
A suggestion take some binoculars so you can check out the details on stage, like the rotisserie chicken roasters, Alexs groupies (a bunch of Barbie dolls at his feet holding up signs like My grampa says youre cool), and so you can see the videos on the screen better.
The South Park animation that opened Tom Sawyer was classic. Cartman is playing the part of Geddy Lee and starts wailing, Tom Sawyer, he built a raft, he floated down the river with a black man, before the others cut him off. Much arguing ensues, with Cartman convinced hes right I read the book! before Kyle tells him that it was Huckleberry Finn, not Tom Sawyer, who did all those things. Play it right this time! And so Cartman relents and counts off into the real song. Awesome. Theres videos on YouTube, if youre interested in more spoiler action.
So if there are any fence-sitters out there, get thee to a ticket booth and see this show! You will love it, or else Harry Satchel will come and shove his boot so far up your arse that -- well, youll get the reference after you see the concert
Bears, beets, Battlestar Galactica.
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Capcom is bringing Steel Battalion to Kinect, minus the enormous controller. In its place, Steel Battalion: Heavy Armor uses a combination of Kinect controls and the Xbox controller.
During my Tokyo Game Show eyes-on, I was able to observe the game in action. When the demo started, Kinect scanned the player sitting in a chair in order to map the player in the Steel Battalion Vertical Tank.
Players can pull levers and the scope down with Kinect motion controllers. By moving the Xbox 360 controller forward, players can "zoom in" and get a view of the battlefield. All these controls seem to work well.
Besides the player, there are three other characters in the VT, each with specialised jobs such as loading the VT's cannon. However, Kinect doesn't register the player's head movements. So to look at the other crew members, players must reach their hands out and make a turning motion — as if they were Vanna White. It's clumsy and not very realistic, and it actually seems like it would take players out of the game.
When things get hairy, the crew members might try to escape. Players must reach up and pull them back in the VT. Sometimes, crew members will even exchange punches, meaning the player has to slug them back in to submission.
According to Capcom, the game aims to build a relationship with the crew members. At the end of the demo mission, there was a short interactive cutscene. One of the crew members reached out his hand, and there was the choice whether the player should shake it or not.
The gentleman demoing the game reached out and shook it. I asked if players could slug the crew member at that point, and the designers seemed to brush it off as though I was kidding. I wasn't. If I have the ability to punch my crew members during the heat of battle, shouldn't I have that same choice later, too? It's like having a B button and then suddenly removing it.
As ridiculous as that huge Steel Battalion controller was, at least it was realistic. And bananas.


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Q: We've had a pretty hard winter. What can I expect when the ice finally melts?
Kevin – Downers Grove, IL
A: Yep, this has indeed been a long, cold winter for much of the country. We've shivered through frigid temperatures, shoveled and slogged through snow banks, and watched our ponds and lakes freeze over.
Unfortunately, that could mean trouble for your fish.
When the ice on your pond finally melts this spring, you might discover that your fish and other aquatic life haven't survived the season. These winter fish kills occur when the ice prevents gas exchange and reduces the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water.
Michigan DNR fish production manager Gary Whelan says that shallow lakes, ponds and streams are particularly vulnerable to winterkill.
"Winterkill begins with distressed fish gasping for air at holes in the ice and often ends with large numbers of dead fish that bloat as the water warms in early spring," he explains. "Dead fish and other aquatic life may appear fuzzy because of secondary infection by fungus, but the fungus was not the cause of death. The fish actually suffocated from a lack of dissolved oxygen from decaying plants and other dead aquatic animals under the ice."
You can't bring your fish back to life, but you can prevent winterkill from happening in the future by aerating your pond year-round with an Airmax® Pond Series™ Aeration System. Here's how it works:
- It reduces the amount of decomposing debris in the pond, encouraging the colonization of beneficial aerobic bacteria, which prevents muck and nutrient accumulation and maintains clear water.
- It keeps an air hole open in the ice, allowing harmful gases to escape while delivering fresh oxygen to your fish.
- It pumps even more fresh oxygen into the water via diffusers that sit on the bottom of the pond.
A little pond preparation can go a long way, especially when it comes to unknown variables like weather. Let's hope next winter is milder than this one was!
Pond Talk: Have you experienced a winterkill in your pond or lake before?
Filed under: Aeration, Fish Care, Fish Kill, Fish Stocking, Pond & Lake, Water Quality | Tagged: Aeration, dead fish, fish kill, harmful gases, low oxygen, winter fish kill |


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Finally, the last lesson based on a character from Nickelodeon's Monsuno. I decided to make this character because I already submitted Bren. Here we have "how to draw Quickforce", step by step and because this is a Monsuno monster, there isn't too much to say. All I know is that Quickforce is Bren's Monsuno, and he is a cross between a parrot and a horse. Some of the positive traits that Quickforce has is his heroic personality, he is fast, crazy, and because he is half parrot, he has the ability to glide. Quickforce may be a little difficult to draw, but I'm sure you will do a great job as you tackle this lesson. I guess that's about it, have fun and be sure to let me know if you liked this lesson, and if you happened to watch an episode of Monsuno.
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David Lee Roth Explains Why He Never Got Married
Once again, David Lee Roth has everyone where he wants them: talking about him!
It's all thanks to a revealing new article published by BuzzFeed that provides an eye opening view into his one-of-a-kind home, restless philosophies and surprisingly private life, away from the arena spotlights typically trained on Roth and his Van Halen band mates.
Over the course of writer Steve Kandell's lengthy visit with the Diamond one, they discussed everything from quality floorboards, to priceless Japanese katana swords, to David's upbringing and late life adventures ranging from nature travels to saving lives as a licensed New York City EMT; but perhaps the most telling observation Roth made to his guest was how he "put off getting married when [he] found out, oh, you don't really have to."
For as flippant and innocuous as this remark may appear, at first, it actually provides a key to Roth's lifelong quest to accumulate experiences, whether doing so involved indulging in the heights of rock star hedonism or observing the frugal serenity and self-discipline of a Buddhist monk, when studying his sword techniques.
So as Roth guides readers through his spacious but spartanly appointed Pasadena home (which he shares only with his faithful pooch, Russ); ponders the experiences he may have missed out on had he never left Van Halen to begin with (to embark on an ego-driven solo career he now describes as his "F. Scott Fitzgerald period"), or reminisces about his beloved uncle Manny (who sparked many of the young David's celebrity dreams as the owner of Greenwich Village's legendary jazz bar, Cafe wha?), the overarching theme always points back to the singer's refusal to conform to social mores or society's most entrenched rituals (love, marriage, children, etc.).
In the end, we learn that his drive ultimately boils down to an inexhaustible sense of wanterlust: an insight that simultaneously clarifies and adds even more mystery to the living enigma that is David Lee Roth -- for fans, non-fans and certainly anyone named Van Halen!
Finally, whatever you make of all this, and whether you even believe it to be true or pure fantasy concocted at a moment's notice, the bottom line is David Lee Roth is having a lot more fun than you are. And living a lot more than most people.


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Back from FOSDEM 2013
As (almost) every year, I attended the annual incarnation of FOSDEM. It is undoubtedly (one of?) the most remarkable events about Free Software in existence. No registration, no fees, 24 tracks in parallel, an estimated 5000 number of attendees. I also like that it brings together people from so many different communities, not _just_ the Linux or Gnome or KDE or Telephony or Legal people, but a good mixture of everything.
I have to congratulate the organizers, who manage to pull this off, year after year again. And as opposed to many other events, they do so quietly and without much recognition, I feel. I'd also like to thank the many volunteers working tirelessly before, at and after the event. Last, but not least, I'd like to thank the local university (ULB Solbosch) hosting the event.
What made me truly sad though, is the amount of littering that surprisingly many of the attendees did. This was particularly visible in the Cafeteria. Imagine an event run by volunteers, who put in a lot of time and effort. Imagine an event where food and drinks are sold by volunteers at such low prices that there can barely be any profit at all. And then imagine people eating there and leaving all their rubbish around, as if they were in some kind of restaurant where they are being served and where somebody is cleaning up after them. It really makes me feel very bitter to see this. Don't people realize that those very volunteers who are creating the event will then have to put in _their_ spare time just because those who just enjoyed their coffee or lunch didn't have the extra 30 seconds of bringing their trash to the trashcan? I feel ashamed for members of our community who behave this way. Please think next time before acting and show your respect to the people behind FOSDEM.


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Eugenics Watch
London Independent
April 26, 2010
If scientists from Mars were to study the human male's reproductive system they would probably conclude that he is destined for rapid extinction. Compared to other mammals, humans produce relatively low numbers of viable sperm – sperm capable of making that long competitive swim to penetrate an unfertilised egg.
As many as one in five healthy young men between the ages of 18 and 25 produce abnormal sperm counts. Even the sperm they do produce is often of poor quality. In fact only between 5 and 15 per cent of their sperm is, on average, good enough to be classed as "normal" under strict World Health Organisation rules – and these are young, healthy men. By contrast, more than 90 per cent of the sperm of a domestic bull or ram, or even laboratory rat, are normal.
- A d v e r t i s e m e n t
- {openx:49}
Human males also suffer a disproportionately high incidence of reproductive problems, from congenital defects and undescended testes to cancer and impotency. As these also affect fertility, it's a minor miracle men are able to sire any children at all. In fact, an increasing number of men are finding themselves childless. Among the one in seven couples now classed as infertile, the "male factor" has been found to be the most commonly identified cause.
Next year marks the 20th anniversary of the WHO conference where a Danish scientist first alerted the world to the fact that Western men are suffering an infertility crisis. Professor Niels Skakkebaek of the University of Copenhagen presented data indicating sperm counts had fallen by about a half over the past 50 years. Sperm counts in the 1940s were typically well above 100m sperm cells per millilitre, but Professor Skakkebaek found they have dropped to an average of about 60m per ml. Other studies found that between 15 and 20 per cent of young men now find themselves with sperm counts of less than 20m per ml, which is technically defined as abnormal. In contrast, a dairy bull has a viable sperm count in the billions.
By the way, people who know what's coming are taking advantage of our healthy & delicious storable food!


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The hon. member for Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca. There is time for a one minute response.
House of Commons Hansard #111 of the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was report.
House of Commons Hansard #111 of the 39th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament's site.) The word of the day was report.
Committees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
1:20 p.m.
The Acting Speaker Conservative Royal Galipeau
The hon. member for Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca. There is time for a one minute response.
Committees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
1:20 p.m.
Keith Martin Liberal Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca, BC
Mr. Speaker, I know my friend could have gone on a lot longer. It was an excellent inspired question.
A model that can be looked at now is the changes that have occurred in the mining industry in South Africa where they have actually made investments into social businesses, but they could also easily make investments into health care, primary health care as well as into education, capacity building and governance structures. Those are absolutely essential.
I would say that our government has a role to play in terms of leaning heavily and putting conditionality on the recipient country. If that recipient country's leadership is corrupt, then pressure must be applied to that country and conditionality must be applied to it in terms of our ability to work with it. Also we can get into the removal of trade barriers which--
Committees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
1:20 p.m.
The Acting Speaker Conservative Royal Galipeau
Resuming debate, the hon. member for La Pointe-de-l'Île.
Committees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
1:20 p.m.
Francine Lalonde Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure for me to rise in the House to discuss this end of session motion concerning an extremely important debate. I would like to reread the motion to keep it at the forefront of our minds:
That the government provide its response in a reasonable time—
This is a reasonable motion. This report has been around for so long, the motion could well have said "immediately". It continues:
—to the advisory group report: National Roundtables on Corporate Social Responsibility and the Canadian Extractive Industry in Developing Countries.
Why did I say that the motion could have been even tougher? Because the report it refers to was tabled on March 29, 2007. I would like to clarify, for the benefit of members seated to my right, that this report followed up on another that was tabled on June 20, 2005, the result of work done by the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade. The committee unanimously adopted the 14th report, entitled "Mining in Developing Countries - Corporate Social Responsibility".
We were proud of what we accomplished. The report contained provisions that put constraints on companies. It called on the Government of Canada to adopt a series of specific measures to:
ensure that Canadian companies have the necessary knowledge, support and incentives to conduct their activities in a socially and environmentally responsible manner and in conformity with international human rights standards.
All I want to way about the report is that none of the unanimously adopted recommendations were implemented, except for the one urging the government to meet with companies and stakeholders in the sector. None of the other recommendations were acted upon by the Liberal government under Paul Martin—pardon me, Mr. Speaker, I forgot—
Committees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
1:20 p.m.
The Acting Speaker Conservative Royal Galipeau
The member should say, the hon. member for LaSalle—Émard
Committees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
1:20 p.m.
Francine Lalonde Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
Yes, Mr. Speaker, the hon. member for LaSalle—Émard. And I know that I am not allowed to say that we do not often see him, so I will apologize for that right now.
Nevertheless, it is fortunate that the work carried out by the round tables, which initially had no follow up because the government had not entered into an agreement with the two other parties, in the end produced fantastic results. In fact, members of the consultative group, Canadian and Quebec NGOs and the experts were able to come to an agreement with a good part of the Canadian extractive industry. Everyone can be proud of the outcome. Some of the recommendations are found in a report to which the government is asked to respond in a reasonable period of time.
I will say once again that the report was tabled on March 29, 2007, and therefore, the government should respond as quickly as possible to this report which, I believe, is extremely important.
First, before discussing the report's main recommendations, I would like to outline the context for this issue. The social and environmental responsibilities of Canadian companies abroad, particularly Canadian extractive companies, has been a concern for some time, not only for my party and, I suppose, for the other parties, but also for all citizens. That is an extremely important factor.
Second, Canada is a world leader in the mining industry. Per capita, Canada has more mining companies working abroad than any other country. They are found—and we heard groups complain about this—in Africa, South America, and Asia, where Myanmar is one specific example.
These companies are corporations and, in most cases, are listed on Canadian stock exchanges. Finally and unfortunately—and this is the reason for the complaints and the call to action—these companies are associated with forced population displacements, significant environmental damage, support for repressive regimes, serious human rights violations and sometimes even assassinations. There are many examples.
One case I want to mention was very closely followed by Parliament, and that was the Talisman affair. Someone mentioned earlier that Talisman had atoned for its sins, if I may put it that way, and today recognizes its social responsibility in the west. But when we in this Parliament heard of Talisman in late 1999 and 2000, the company held shares, along with other countries, in southern Sudan. When Talisman went into Sudan and started working with these other entities, we became aware that by adhering to a contract with the Government of Sudan, these companies had caused a resurgence of the war between north and south, which had been going on for 45 years, since the country gained independence.
Why did war flare up again when this oil company was bought and revived? Simply because, until then, the two sides in the war were exhausted, both financially and otherwise. With royalties from companies, including Talisman, the Sudanese government armed itself better and resumed waging war on the south.
As a result, peace, which otherwise would have been reached sooner, was slower in coming. There was considerable pressure here. A UN report condemned the abuses perpetrated by the company and especially the fact that Talisman was colluding with the army. The report was raised in Parliament, and the minister at the time, Mr. Axworthy, whom I can name because he is no longer here, was questioned. He was very embarrassed by what the UN report said about Talisman, so he sent his own investigator, Mr. Harker, who came back saying the same things. As we understood it, Mr. Axworthy was required to do something. He resigned shortly thereafter.
The next Minister of Foreign Affairs, John Manley, was also questioned. I also questioned him in committee. Mr. Manley agreed and asked who would be better off if Talisman were forced to leave the country. That is an important question, because the Government of Canada was afraid at the time—and it may still be afraid—that if it tried to do something with one or more of the companies, they would leave.
Why do I say this? The committee proposed a framework for all Canadian businesses operating abroad because action needs to be taken for more than just a single business on just one occasion. Instead, what is needed is a code for all businesses, rules that can be used to monitor those businesses, rules that, if violated, could result in complaints and rules that will be strictly enforced. All businesses must know that they are being monitored—not just one business.
I must point out, if I may, that various kinds of businesses exist—and I worked in labour relations for a long time. Some will say that a specific business respects workers and the public, and that it does everything by the book. I do not dispute that; it is quite possible. However, given the increasing importance of shareholders these days, even that business could, at some point, be forced to change its activities. Other businesses do not conform to what is expected of them in terms of their corporate social and economic responsibilities and still others do whatever it takes to shirk them.
Under such circumstances, we should be quite pleased that the NGOs, the members of the advisory group—which included the government—that was created to look into the situation, and the experts were able to reach an agreement with what was called a large portion of the Canadian mining industry. On March 29, 2007, they urged the Government of Canada, to adopt a set of corporate social responsibility standards that Canadian extractive-sector companies operating abroad are expected to meet.
Some observers will say that this report is very restrained. And, since it is the result of a consensus, it may also appear to be effective because it also includes some coercive measures.
First, it asks that a clear social responsibility standard or code be established that Canadian mining companies would have to abide by abroad. I want to say from the outset that this request comes with financial incentives. The report also asks that companies file an annual report of their activities in order to be listed on the stock exchange. It recommends that an ombudsman be put in place to review complaints and ensure follow-up. The report recommends that offenders no longer be entitled to tax benefits, loan guarantees and other forms of government assistance.
Armed with the moral authority attached to these measures, Canada could then convince other countries to follow suit in mining and other industries. The committee also wanted Canada and its parliamentarians to propose these same measures in various international fora and parliamentary assemblies. For the first time, the Canadian extractive industry is stepping up to the plate. One might say we are on the eve of a major breakthrough. Let us not forget that there are a great many Canadian industries abroad.
It is extremely important that the government take this issue seriously. This affects Canada's reputation. It is serious. It affects people's ability to earn a living. How many Africans, South Americans and Asians are struggling right now with Canadian companies that are not demonstrating one bit of the social responsibility that is expected of them?
I mentioned population displacements. We have all heard members here give a number of examples of such displacements that occur quite simply because that is what the local government wants. I could also mention the collusion between these companies and the governments that profit from the wealth passing through, as the mining companies pay lucrative royalties in order to do as they like, completely undisturbed and often with the support of the army or the local police.
Although the motion indicates that this needs to be done in a reasonable time, the government must make its position known quickly. To me, a reasonable time means quickly. I hope the government will support what the experts and those who represent the public have agreed on.
I would be remiss if I did not mention Professor Bonnie Campbell, who played a major role in all this and the mining companies that—
Committees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
1:40 p.m.
The Acting Speaker Conservative Royal Galipeau
I regret that I must interrupt the hon. member.
We shall now proceed to questions and comments. The hon. member for Pierrefonds—Dollard.
Committees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
1:40 p.m.
Bernard Patry Liberal Pierrefonds—Dollard, QC
Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank the member for La Pointe-de-l'Île for her involvement on this issue. I should note that when her committee's 14th report was tabled in March 2005, she was the vice-chair.
I would like to ask her a question and make one or two comments.
We know that 60% of the mining companies in the world are Canadian. Something rather strange is that in June 2007, the Prime Minister of Canada said the following at the G-8 summit in Germany:
Canada has recently completed a nation-wide consultation process involving stakeholders with the Canadian extractive sector (mining, oil and gas) in developing countries. Implementation of the recommendations from this process will place Canada among the most active G8 countries in advancing international guidelines and principles on corporate social responsibility in this sector.
That was three months after the release of the report by the advisory group, which had been created in October 2005. This report contained several recommendations. But it is rather strange that the Prime Minister used the advisory group's report to say that everything was fantastic and that Canada would become very proactive and the best country in the world in terms of corporate social responsibility, but, 15 months later, nothing has been done.
The primary recommendation in the report was to create an independent ombudsman's office, which would be responsible for receiving complaints from Canadians and non-Canadians about the operations in developing countries of Canadian extractive companies. It also recommended that a tripartite compliance review committee be created. Furthermore, the report recommended that provisions be developed for withdrawing government assistance in the case of serious failure by a company to meet the corporate social responsibility standards.
Does my colleague support the recommendations of the advisory group?
Committees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
1:40 p.m.
Francine Lalonde Bloc La Pointe-de-l'Île, QC
Mr. Speaker, having worked with my colleague for a long time, I would say yes as much as he would.
I said earlier that it seems extremely important to me that the government respond to and follow up on this report. If the companies and the groups representing those who want Canadian companies to show social and economic responsibility could come to an agreement, it would seem illogical to me that the government is not following up on these recommendations. My colleague has given me a chance to reiterate this very important point.
I now also have an opportunity to point out that these two parties, by meeting and coming to an agreement, have adopted a concrete approach. The ombudsman will receive complaints. He can launch an investigation, visit the companies, advise them to change their habits. If they do not, he can write a report and recommend sanctions. These sanctions are essential. Some companies do not need the threat of sanctions, others do.
I do not think that anyone can oppose setting up a framework. So, I am wondering what the government is waiting for. I would like to thank those who made it possible for us to ask these questions today.
Committees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
1:45 p.m.
Kevin Sorenson Conservative Crowfoot, AB
Mr. Speaker, it is a pleasure to stand in this House and add my support to our government's efforts to promote and encourage effective corporate social responsibility to Canada's extractive sector. I commend all members of all parties for the way they have commended Canada's extractive sector.
I recognize the complexity of the task at hand and I fully support the government's careful, considered approach to the advisory group's recommendations.
This issue is far too complex and involves too many different players to feel like we are pressured into moving too quickly and certainly the considered, careful approach is one that we would expect from any responsible government, which is why I am encouraged that our government is taking the time to get it right.
I am also very encouraged by the enormous progress that Canada has made on this issue over the many years. I was encouraged today when the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs pointed out in his speech some very effective, voluntary, corporate social responsible practices that have been put in place by Canadian companies over a number of years.
We see those responsibilities playing out in many different countries around the world. Many of these companies and industry associations are recognized for the great work they are doing in communities in Canada and abroad in support of education, health and social well-being and diversified economic development. Each one of those is a speech in itself.
Many corporations and many of our responsible oil companies are helping to enhance the education system, the health care system and the way of life for many people around the world. The government certainly encourages this.
We encourage and expect all Canadian companies in all sectors to respect all applicable laws and international standards and to work in close collaboration with host governments. We applaud their ongoing efforts to make a positive impact in the communities in which they are operating. However, there is a shared responsibility among all actors, including governments, to ensure the right conditions are in place to facilitate good corporate conduct. We have heard that here in this place today. We have heard different members from other parties talk about the government putting in place good practices and we see that is happening.
I would like to take a few moments today to recognize some of the great work the government is doing in support of corporate social responsible, or CSR, principles.
In addition to organizing the round tables under discussion today, Canada is also a strong supporter of the international extractive industries transparency initiative, or EITI. This was one of the advisory group's central recommendations. We can see that the government is living up to that. It has been recommended and we endorse that type of recommendation.
The initiative supports and promotes improved governance in resource rich developing nations by publishing and verifying all company payments and government revenues stemming from the extractive sector. It is proving to be an effective way of publishing what companies pay and what governments receive in an open, transparent and accountable manner.
I do not think it is a surprise to anyone that around the world these principles are not universal. These principles are not something that every governing body around the world would sign onto. Therefore, Canada plays a major role in working government to government to encourage these types of socially responsible principles.
The advisory group also recommended enhanced public reporting by the Canada Investment Fund for Africa, yet another step this government has endorsed.
As a member of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, or OECD, Canada is a proud signatory to the OECD's guidelines for multinational enterprises. This is a multilateral instrument to promote corporate social responsibility and has been the cornerstone of Canada's approach to this issue.
This means that Canada is obliged to establish and maintain a national contact point, someone who is responsible for promoting OECD guidelines, handling inquiries and helping to resolve issues concerning specific instances of Canadian businesses' conduct abroad, including the business of mining and oil companies or, what we call, the extractive sector. The principle is being endorsed.
There has been talk about an ombudsman. We have a contact person responsible for some of that who is a director general within the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. This is an effective way to engage stakeholders and to promote a positive, open and constructive dialogue between multinational companies and those that are affected by their operations in those countries.
As members know, Canada is also a member of the International Labour Organization, or the ILO. We fully support the ILO's tripartite declaration of principles concerning multinational enterprises and social policy. This is considered to be the universal basic reference point for social responsibility in the context of work or labour.
Export Development Canada, EDC, announced last year its support for the Ecuador principles. These principles are an international financing benchmark for assessing and managing social and environmental risks in project financing.
Canada has also provided financial support for a number of domestic and international initiatives aimed at promoting corporate social responsibility. For example, we provided financial support to the UN special representative to the secretary-general on business and human rights.
We have supported efforts to identify best practices for companies that are operating in combat zones. When Canadian corporations are in countries where conflict and war has broken out, there is a list of best practices for those companies.
What do Canadians expect? Canadians expect that in those types of situations our Canadian companies remain responsible. Therefore, a clear line of operating principles has been laid out.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade is undertaking a comprehensive initiative to ensure that its trade and diplomatic officers in Canada and abroad have the information and tools they need to provide effective corporate social responsible advice to Canadian clients around the world. This includes informational sessions and targeted training modules to ensure our embassies abroad and the regional DFAIT offices have individuals who, when they need training on how to understand the corporate social responsibilities in that given country, are given that training to ensure they have the ability not only to understand the principles laid out, but that they can then pass it on to the companies operating within that jurisdiction.
We also recognize the importance of fostering close partnerships with host governments in helping developing countries build the capacity they need to establish strong, effective, corporate social responsible regimes in their own countries.
We do recognize that not all governments, especially those governments in developing countries, have the tools, the knowledge or the capacity to ensure that corporate social responsible principles are being applied in their own countries. If their own home governments are not going to put these polices in place, Canadians can be assured that Canada will.
That is why, for example, we are providing financial assistance to help Peru join the OECD Declaration on International Investment and Multinational Enterprises. Peru's adherence to the declaration would be a huge step forward for that country in terms of corporate social responsibility practices and adherence to the OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises. Our involvement in Peru also contributes to strengthening economic partnerships in Latin America, a region that is of utmost priority for this government. It is an initiative that we are very proud to support.
In fact, resource governance is an issue in which Canada can play a big role. Our vast experience in developing our own resources over the decades has given us a wide scope of expertise to share with partners in developing nations. This would be an excellent area of further cooperation as developing countries build up their own expertise and create the foundations for successful, open and responsible extraction sectors that can benefit their citizens.
The Government of Canada, in partnership with mining associations and aboriginal organizations, has also developed a mining kit to help aboriginal people evaluate and participate in the opportunities offered by the mining sector. This kit is now used and adapted in many countries, including the Philippines, Australia, Norway and Peru. They recognize Canada's initiative and they are following up on our practice. Indeed, Canada's voice on this issue is an influential one that is being heard around the world.
We are also working closely with our partners through APEC, OAS, La Francophonie and G-8 to communicate the importance of corporate social responsibility principles to the business community. Indeed, at last year's G-8 summit in Germany, leaders agreed to promote a consolidated set of internationally recognized corporate social responsibility guidelines for the extractive sector. This is yet another good example of how we are working with our global partners on this important issue.
I am happy to say that we are even extending this principled approached to our trade negotiations. The member for Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca brought up the importance of trade negotiations and the removal of trade barriers.
As members know, we recently signed a free trade agreement with Peru. While this is a very significant victory for Canadian exporters and investors who will now enjoy unprecedented access to this important market, the agreement is good and important for another reason also. This treaty is Canada's first free trade agreement to include language that encourages the parties to support positive corporate socially responsible practices and reminds enterprises of the importance of incorporating those corporate social responsibility standards in their internal policies. We also signed parallel agreements on labour and the environment.
Canada is a leader in this. The opposition has asked when the government will come forward with a reply. It is a considered reply. It is a reply that will be coming in due course and we look forward to that.
We are grateful for the opportunity to share the good things that Canada is doing in--
Committees of the HouseRoutine Proceedings
2 p.m.
The Acting Speaker Conservative Royal Galipeau
It is my duty to interrupt the proceedings on the motion at this time.
Accordingly, debate on the motion is deferred until a future sitting.
We will now move on to statements by members. The hon. member for Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock has the floor.
Agricultural FairsStatements by Members
2 p.m.
Barry Devolin Conservative Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock, ON
Mr. Speaker, as summer gets into full swing, many towns across my riding of Haliburton—Kawartha Lakes—Brock are again preparing for their annual fairs and agricultural exhibitions.
In most cases, it is the local agricultural society that runs these multi-day events. While fairs have always been one of their major functions, agricultural societies also pursue the advancement of agriculture with other activities, such as the buying and selling of seed and the keeping of breeding stock.
My riding boasts a variety of traditional summer and fall fairs, many with well over 100 years of history, as well as numerous other fall festivals.
This weekend the 159th annual Millbrook Fair kicks off fair season in my riding. I am pleased to say my family and I will be there to take part in the opening ceremonies. Next weekend it is the 160th annual Oakwood Fair.
I recognize that many of these events continue today because of the hard work and dedication of many volunteers. For most of the year, fair and exhibition volunteers give freely of their time, skills, creativity and energy for the benefit of people and communities, helping to make Canada one of the best places to live.
Child LabourStatements by Members
2 p.m.
Raymond Simard Liberal Saint Boniface, MB
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize World Day Against Child Labour. The International Labour Organization estimates that about 165 million children between the ages of five and fourteen are involved in child labour around the world.
Many of these children work long hours, often in dangerous conditions. In addition, child labour being directly linked to poverty, numerous families depend on a working child to contribute to the family income. That leaves little room for education.
Today more than ever, each child deserves quality education and training to succeed.
In the millennium development goals, the United Nations set targets ensuring that by 2015 all boys and girls complete a full course of primary education and that there be gender parity in education. These targets cannot be met unless the factors that generate child labour and prevent poor families from sending children to school are addressed.
I call on all my colleagues to raise awareness that education is the right response to child labour.
Berthierville Music FestivalStatements by Members
2 p.m.
Guy André Bloc Berthier—Maskinongé, QC
Mr. Speaker, I would like to highlight a significant event scheduled for the week of July 31 to August 3 in my riding, Berthier—Maskinongé.
This is the 14th edition of the Berthierville "Tout pour la musique" festival. This event will be better than ever in 2008. It has been gaining momentum every year with its varied program showcasing local talent.
The festival's vitality and creativity, together with the warm welcome extended by the people of Berthierville, reflect who we are. The festival makes an invaluable contribution to the economy and shows off our magnificent region.
I would like to thank and congratulate the organizing committee, the many volunteers, the sponsors, and the municipal authorities who have worked together to ensure the success of the Tout pour la musique festival. I would also like to salute the exceptional contribution of the president, Bernard Grégoire, who has overseen this event for many years now.
Liberal Party of CanadaStatements by Members
2 p.m.
Larry Miller Conservative Bruce—Grey—Owen Sound, ON
Mr. Speaker, today people are asking a very good question. Where did the Liberals go? Not once, not twice, but 28 times, the Liberals have either supported, abstained or simply not shown up to vote on key government legislation. On every occasion, the Liberals spouted out empty rhetoric and told Canadians that they were vehemently opposed to the government agenda and threatened to force an election, and every time the Liberals backed down.
The Liberal record is clear. They supported our Speech from the Throne. The Liberals endorsed our environmental plans, the toughest in Canadian history. The Liberals supported our tough on crime legislation. Most recently, on the budget bill and immigration reforms, the Liberals tried to fearmonger and feign contempt, but when it came time to vote, again they backed down.
With a deeply divided caucus and his carbon tax trick to defend, it is no surprise the Liberal leader is backing down.
Canadians will not be tricked.
Citizenship and ImmigrationStatements by Members
2 p.m.
David Christopherson NDP Hamilton Centre, ON
Mr. Speaker, Canadians were shocked and saddened this week by the passage of the Conservative government's immigration law. The new law will abolish any guarantee of fairness in the system. It will not help reunite families and it will not end the backlog of almost a million applications. Instead, it will shift the focus to temporary workers who have no opportunity to put down Canadian roots. It will allow the Conservative minister to make totally arbitrary decisions about who stays and who goes.
We needed real reforms. We need to clear that application backlog. We need to bring families together.
The Conservatives could not bring in this awful law alone. They needed help and they got it. The Conservatives' new best friends, the Liberal caucus, sat by and watched the law pass. They could have stopped it. They should have stopped it, but they did not. Thousands of families will suffer as a result of the Liberals' self-serving refusal to simply say no.
Brain Injury Awareness MonthStatements by Members
2:05 p.m.
Hedy Fry Liberal Vancouver Centre, BC
Mr. Speaker, June is Brain Injury Awareness Month.
Traumatic head injury is the leading cause of death or disability in young men. A shocking 30% of children and youth who participate in sport sustain a head injury. There are more than 100,000 brain injuries a year in Canada.
The good news is the majority of these sport related injuries are preventable. A helmet that conforms to Canadian Standards Association standards can protect precious brains from injuries that kill, disable or permanently rob a life of its potential. The only sport helmets that currently conform to standards are hockey and lacrosse helmets.
In March 2007, I tabled Bill C-412 that would amend the Hazardous Products Act to prohibit the sale, import or advertising of substandard recreational snow sport helmets.
As it stands, my bill will not soon come to the House for debate, but the Minister of Health could make this amendment through governor in council. He has not been willing to do so, choosing instead to support industry. I urge him to do it now, this month, before more young lives are destroyed.
Carbon TaxStatements by Members
2:05 p.m.
Denis Lebel Conservative Roberval—Lac-Saint-Jean, QC
Mr. Speaker, the leader of the Liberal Party is determined to impose his famous carbon tax on Canadians, plunging them into a spiral of reckless spending.
We will not let the Liberals do this, because they are hiding what they really have planned for Canadians, which is to create a new permanent tax to fund reckless spending.
Canadians know when someone is trying to put one over on them by tying up plans with a pretty green ribbon, in the form of strict emissions management. When politicians use vague terms such as "green shift", Canadians can be sure that taxes will go in one direction only, and that is up.
Canadians understand what the real impact on their buying power will be. The carbon tax is nothing but a new permanent tax that will kill jobs and raise the cost of gasoline, electricity and everything Canadians buy.
Canadians know they cannot trust the Liberal leader.
Gilles CarleStatements by Members
2:05 p.m.
Luc Malo Bloc Verchères—Les Patriotes, QC
Mr. Speaker, last night, at the same time that we were given the good news that four of his films will be available on DVD this fall, the Association des propriétaires de cinémas et cinéparcs du Québec was awarding the Bobine d'Or to Gilles Carle in recognition of his significant contribution to the Quebec film industry.
Throughout his prolific career, this pioneer of our national film industry viewed his fellow Quebeckers from a unique but never sentimental perspective. He received many national and international honours attesting to his genius for depicting our strengths and our weaknesses—both in documentaries and fiction. As a director, he shone the spotlight on the talented performers and craftspeople whose love of movie-making he inspired.
Although the passage of time is taking its toll on the man himself, his works will remain forever powerful.
On behalf of all my colleagues, I salute you, Gilles Carle.
Carbon Tax ProposalStatements by Members
2:05 p.m.
Kevin Sorenson Conservative Crowfoot, AB
Mr. Speaker, my constituents will not be tricked by the Liberals' carbon tax.
My constituents know that the Liberal leader has a serious spending problem. He has already made billions of dollars in spending promises to various special interest groups. Now the Liberals are trying to pay for all this irresponsible spending by tricking Canadians into paying a permanent new carbon tax. The Liberals' carbon tax would destroy jobs and drive up the cost of gas, electricity and everything else. We know it is bad when the Liberal environment critic cannot even convince his own brother, the Ontario premier, that it is a good plan.
Our Conservative government will stand up for rural Canada, for the farmers, for young families, for small business, seniors and shift workers. We will stand up against this Liberal carbon tax. In the rural areas of my riding, families have to travel a long distance. Fuel is a major input cost on every farm.
Even today in the finance committee, Liberals endorsed fuel tax increases. Why are the Liberals intent on hurting rural Canada, rural Canadians, seniors and those living on fixed incomes?
Human RightsStatements by Members
2:10 p.m.
Anthony Rota Liberal Nipissing—Timiskaming, ON
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Frederick Couchie, father of Marianna Couchie, Chief of Nipissing No. 10 reserve. Fred Couchie was sent to Garnier Indian residential school at the age of nine. His name was taken from him and in its place, he was given the number 76. Away from his family and community he was robbed of his culture, his language and his dignity. Consequently, throughout his life Fred suffered from both physical and psychological health problems.
The residential school system existed because one group of people thought that they were better than another and believed that they had the right to impose their language, culture and beliefs on the first nations people.
I wish to remind Canadians of the atrocities that are committed when one group thinks itself as superior. Race, gender, culture, religion, and sexual orientation are but a few of the excuses humans use to subjugate others.
Today I call on all Canadians to study our history, understand the consequences of discrimination and avoid repeating historic blunders so that thousands of people like Fred Couchie did not suffer in vain.
Aboriginal AffairsStatements by Members
2:10 p.m.
Rob Clarke Conservative Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, SK
Mr. Speaker, tansi, delangete, yesterday was truly a historic day. A sincere and meaningful apology for the sad legacy of residential schools was given by this government.
Although the apology was significant and necessary, this government is pleased to be putting our words into actions by following through with compensation to former students of residential schools, and most important, getting the Truth and Reconciliation Commission up and running.
Under the leadership of the chief commissioner, Justice Harry LaForme, the commission will play an important role leading to a better understanding of the history and the impact residential schools had on aboriginal communities.
I am pleased that the work of the commission began on June 1 and that this government is following through on its commitments to Canada's aboriginal communities.
As a friend of many survivors of residential schools, yesterday's apology was a significant step in a new direction.
It is an honour to serve as a member of this Conservative government that has kept its promise.
IraqStatements by Members
June 12th, 2008 / 2:10 p.m.
Alex Atamanenko NDP British Columbia Southern Interior, BC
Mr. Speaker, on June 3 of this year, the House adopted a motion to allow those American soldiers opposed to the Iraq war to stay in Canada. Some Canadians, including some members of the House, opposed this initiative, mainly on the grounds that these young people voluntarily chose to enlist.
I am reading a book by Joshua Key, one of the war resisters in Canada, called The Deserter's Tale, which outlines how a poor Oklahoma boy from a dysfunctional family was lured into the U.S. Army with promises of health insurance and higher education.
It is important for all of us to clearly understand how poor American kids are targeted into enlisting and how many are lied to.
Joshua Key was explicitly told on a number of occasions that he would be building bridges in the U.S. as an engineer and not fighting in Iraq. However, he ended up in Iraq, taking part in house raids where U.S. soldiers abducted the men of the families, terrified women and children and pillaged their homes.
We need to understand the nature of this war and its effect. As an immediate humanitarian gesture, I urge the minister to cancel the deportation of another war resister, Corey Glass, who faces a prison sentence and criminal record because of his opposition to the illegal war.
Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and EthicsStatements by Members
2:10 p.m.
David McGuinty Liberal Ottawa South, ON
Mr. Speaker, Conservative members truly distinguished themselves at Tuesday's late night meeting of the ethics committee. Whereas members from all opposition parties came to the meeting in a spirit of compromise and cooperation, the Conservative members of the committee had three items on their agenda: delay, disruption and disrespect.
One member introduced a motion that said Elections Canada, the organization that certified his election as a member of Parliament, was biased and incompetent.
Conservative members of the committee actually voted against amendments they themselves had proposed. Later they argued in favour of amendments that they had tried to have ruled out of order.
The government members went on to engage in bitter, personal and unacceptable attacks against the chair of the committee. A particular member led this attack, an attack on common decency and respect. I can only assume he was preparing for his radio appearance the next day.
It was a shameful display of the government's propensity to always, always race to the bottom.
Raymond LalibertéStatements by Members
2:10 p.m.
Pierre Paquette Bloc Joliette, QC
Mr. Speaker, it was with much sadness that we learned of the passing of Raymond Laliberté. This great man was one of the pillars of the union movement in Quebec's educational sector during the pivotal time of the Quiet Revolution. He was a person of strong conviction and dedication and left a lasting mark on the Centrale des syndicats du Québec.
From 1965 to 1970, he was head of the Corporation générale des instituteurs et institutrices catholiques du Québec, which became the Centrale de l'enseignement du Québec and then the Centrale des syndicats du Québec. He oversaw the process to make this organization non-denominational and bring it more in line with the entire Quebec labour movement.
Raymond Laliberté was a genuine pedagogue, a progressive man and a remarkable humanitarian. Known for his discretion and humility, this trailblazer nonetheless laid the groundwork for the modern, educated society that is Quebec today.


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Boxborough, Massachusetts
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Boxborough is a town in Massachusetts. It was formed in 1783 and was previously called Harvard/Littletown/Stow. It can be found in Middlesex county and is a part of the Southern registry of deed district. For more information, contact the county at 29 Middle Rd., Boxborough 01719. On the attached map, Boxborough is shown as 23 in Middlesex county.
For information about the state of Massachusetts see Massachusetts Family History Research.