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Blog Quebecois

WAIT! Before you completely abandon this post, I swear it’s not what you think. The above blog really is quite good and not in French and not about only French issues (in fact in spans the globe in terms of politics). Just give it a try, it has a bountiful amount of humour to go around, great video and picture representations and the blogs are nice and small, just enough to get the information you need and get out. This site is especially good for a laugh though.
From “pimpin’” pictures of American founding fathers to strange laws involving punishing the deceased in Uganda, this blog may be a bit edgy, but then again it’s a love it or hate it kind of website. I put up this recommendation for everyone who is interested in politics and maybe has a bit of an offbeat, darker sense of humour (I know I do). So if you’re just a little off like me and enjoy a weird joke every now and again, click on the provided link and prepare to be amazed!
Link: http://blogquebecois.com/

Dust My Broom.com

Dust My Broom is a spectacular blog; witty, cheeky and just as the name would have you believe very funny. It’s written by ‘A free Canadian,’ whom seldom holds back and tends to put a particularly interesting spin on many of the issues that do face Canadians today. He takes on everything from the swine flu to constitutional qualms; this author has a stunningly fun prose and a masterful ability for making a normally dull issue very interesting. His attempt to always come at a problem through an exciting angle seems to pay off almost always.
So if you’re looking for some good information with a healthy dose of sarcasm on the side, I’d encourage you to look up Dust My Broom and to give it a fair try. Canadian political satire sites are few and far between, especially good ones, so this truly is quite the find. Enjoy the remarks, learn what you can but don’t take anything too seriously and don’t forget to take the quizzes on the sidebar, those are always fun and very relevant to our overarching theme, wouldn’t you say?
Here’s the link, prepare for it to sweep you off your feet (sorry but one bad pun should be allowed per month!)
http://dustmybroom.com/

VIVELECANADA.ca

Vive le Canada is a witty blog that tackles many of the issues concerning Canadian politics that major news organizations simply don’t get around to looking at in depth. This is not to say that they represent fringe groups, but instead they take the time to cleverly dig beneath the surface and find issues that are interesting, relevant and surprisingly not often uncovered by those who are in a position of power.
Within this blog nothing seems to be off limits and that is the beauty of it. Everything from tackling major provincial organizations to investigating the promises of individuals, this blog does it all and its format allows for quick inspection and location of interesting stories but also provides enough coverage to make one well versed on the topic. This site may not be all about humour but it does provide a great starting point to this. It provides citizens with a way to monitor pivotal occurrences and keep informed. I would highly recommend trying it out some time and just browsing through the wide array of stories, I can promise that if you’re interested at all in Canadian affairs, they’ll have something for you.

Stephen Taylor's Blog

If you’re looking for a clean, concise and relevant blog for your Canadian political news, then Taylor’s blog is a great choice. Not only does it include very clear statistics (accompanied by lovely colored graphs, which are always a plus in my mind) and deal with many primary documents. This is not a spin zone or one overtaken by a heavy ideology. It is essentially information on topics that the popular media often do not bother to cover (gun laws, MP lists, and campaign funds), but are none the less important to provide to the public at large. It is not overtaken by jargon or specifically aimed at a group of people, but instead decipherable to most.
It differs in many ways from the Reluctant Independent, but it has many ties to it as well. One of which being that many of the news stories brought up here, on this blog, are derived from stories drug up on Taylor’s. So although he isn’t hilarious or at least intentionally so, his ideas are used by comedians, pundits and bloggers alike to create a quirky analysis.

Interview with Katie Gibbs; Leader of the Young Greens

Katie Gibbs, leader of the Young Greens, went into depth discussing politics as it pertains to youth. In an e-mail received on Nov. 6, she explored the strengths of her party, the future aims and numerous ways that young people can get involved in the Green Party and politics in general.
When exploring the Green Party’s undeniable draw on the youth, Katie discussed the party’s commitment to ecological preservation and highlighted this as an issue young people see as deeply affecting their personal futures. She mentioned though that the pull also comes from the way in which the party goes about what they do, saying “I think they are also drawn to the way we do politics. We are about common sense, cooperation and getting things done, not playing political games, and this is what young people want from their leaders.”
Katie tackled the issues of apathetic youth, although she makes it known that youth are by no stretch ignorant or incompetent and if parties attempted to involve the youth more, they may spark a greater response, citing the 2009 American election as an example.
Lastly, looking specifically at the Green party, Katie laments that young voters aren’t often taken seriously. She says specifically, “Based on the latest EKOS poll, if only voters under the age of 25 were able to vote, the Green Party would have 60 seats in Parliament!” In the end though, there are many ways to get involved, “join a political party, canvass with a local candidate, write a letter to your MP letting them know what you want to see done, talk to your friends about politics, vote, etc. Check out our (the Green Party’s) action page for some things you can do to support the Green Party: http://youth.greenparty.ca/en/action.”
Katie encourages youth to make themselves heard and to push for change in their own communities. She makes it perfectly clear that there is always something for you to do, always a way to get involved, no matter your age.

Interview with Katie Gibbs (Leader of Young Greens)

1. Why do you think the Green Party has been so successful at gaining a large youth following?
I think youth are starting to realize that there is a good chance that they are going to inherit a planet that is uninhabitable and they see that we are the only party that wants to ensure that the environment is used in a sustainable way so that they and their children will be able to have the same quality of life as their parents. I think they are also drawn to the way we do politics. We are about common sense, cooperation and getting things done, not playing political games, and this what young people want from their leaders.
2. Do you feel as though there is a majority of youth who are apathetic about politics? If so, what can people do to counter this and are there any societal forces exacerbating the problem?
There definitely is a group of youth that are apathetic. I certainly wish this wasn't the case. Part of the problem is that the larger parties don't listen to young people and so youth then don't bother getting involved. I think the last American election is a perfect example of how youth are just waiting for a party to reach out to them, which is what the Green Party is trying to do.
3. Do you see the youth as having the possibility to play a pivotal role in Canadian politics? If so, please give an example of ways to get involved.
Again, the American election is a great example. Of course youth can play a pivotal role! The simplest way for them to get involved is to vote! They are a huge block of potential voters that are dismissed by the governing parties. If they got out and voted en mass, it could easily change the outcome of an election. For example, based on the latest EKOS poll, if only voters under the age of 25 were able to vote, the Green Party would have 60 seats in Parliament!
There are endless ways to get involved: educate yourself on politics in this country, join a political party, canvass with a local candidate, write a letter to your MP letting them know what you want to see done, talk to your friends about politics, vote, etc. Check out our action page for some things you can do to support the Green Party: http://youth.greenparty.ca/en/action.
4. Do the youth bring something unique to Canadian politics that other age demographics do not?
Of course. A democracy only really works when all the segments of the population are voting. Young people generally have very different view points than older generations, and right now these views are not being represented in our government. They also bring a host of new skills for utilizing things like social media.
5. Since there is a lack of information amongst youth about party platforms, are there more things that schools and the media can do to bring about awareness? What specifically is the Green party doing to bring about youth awareness specifically?
I agree there is a lack of awareness. I think we need to get youth engaged as early as possible so that they understand how our political system works and how their lives are affected by politics. The Student Votes initiative is a great example. They hold mock elections in high schools at the same time as General Elections. Bringing candidates in schools (high schools, colleges and universities) is a great way for parties to get the message out there. I also think Elections Canada needs to do a better job at getting to youth. Putting up a youth voting rules page isnt enough, they really need to go where youth are, by using things like Facebook and Twitter.
The Green Party formed a youth wing three years ago and part of what we do is try to engage youth in politics in general and specifically in the Green Party. We focus mainly on campus clubs at universities and colleges. In between elections these clubs host a number of events and activities that range from the purely political to non-partisan. Then during a writ period they focus mainly on political activities and trying to educate students and youth on what their voting rights are and why it's so important to vote.

Rick Mercer's Blog (read it if you want to laugh and learn)

Hilarious, intelligent, sharp and Canadian; all of these words describe Rich Mercer and his blog. It is a recount of all of the rather ridiculous but still wildly funny current political events that have taken place within Canada. In it, his strong and sarcastic almost character like style tells of such tales as being with the troops during Christmas in Afghanistan and even goes as far as to accuse, in a light manner, the conservatives of trying to change the constitution because they find it too liberal.
I think his site is the closest thing conceivable to the aims of this blog. It zeros in masterfully on Canadian politics and delivers a biting commentary that is not soon to be forgotten. It takes on the Senate, the Prime Minister, our multiple political parties and washes the dusty frame with which we are used to viewing them through and instead makes light and comedy out of clearly strange situations. There is no blind faith or politically correct reporting, but instead wild theories that delight and often impart valuable information. It sometimes spans decades, goes into history but also manages to go into thorough detail on many important topics provided.
Here's the link, enjoy! http://rickmercer.blogspot.com/

The Onion (why it's a must read)

The Onion is probably the staple site for political humour, and although it most often deals with American issues, that does not stop it from being a fabulous example of the awesome power of satire when it comes to issues surrounding the government. Not only does it deal with all of the major news sources (from Fox to MBC to CNN) but it also adds its own witty commentary on every conceivable topic. This is what likens it to The Reluctant Independent, as both of us strive for humour but also some depth folded into the mix.
The Onion is a clear example of a small blog success story. It has inarguably triumphed and now stands as a shining example as to what parody sites are capable of becoming. It’s not all ha ha’s though, as the site still deals with major issues, and instead of reporting straight stories they have to find a subtle or covert way to poke fun at an institution or even a high ranking official. The people at the Onion do this with finesse, wit and extreme crudeness when necessary, but somehow it all works together to paint the picture of exactly what needs to be portrayed. It is funny, deadpan, avant-garde but also informative and the writers are clearly exceptionally knowledgeable. It is no mystery as to why so many people turn to this site for their political news and entertainment.
Here is the link, http://www.theonion.com/content/politics

Weary of the British

I love England, with its plentiful shops and beautiful architecture, but whenever there is talk about a royal visit to Canada, it always seems to unnerve me. Apparently, there are others who feel this way as well, even though it is wholly irrational. It’s not as if Camilla or Charles is going to waltz in and demand back Alberta or anything, but there’s something in the air that makes the experience fully awkward and unsavoury.
My theory is that it has a little something to do with them once owning us. I mean, we weren’t, are or ever will be like America with their hearty rebellion and loud “eff you”, allowing them to start from scratch. We kind of gently edged away from the whole colony label, gently proposing legislation and reminding them meekly how cold we can get in the winter. Our whole premise, whether intentional or unintentional, was to fly under the radar and be as quietly defiant as possible. It worked for us, but it’s pretty hard to play coy when the queen is hanging around Ottawa scrutinizing our tulip formation and waving very stiffly. Maybe we don’t have to be frightened and shy anymore, but it has possibly been bred into us as a survival mechanism.
We might just as well get used to it though, it doesn’t seem like they’ll be leaving us alone anytime soon. We may resent the gleam in their eye or the proud expression that consumes them as we treat them like royalty, our royalty, even though we’ve been doing just fine without them for quite some time now, but we must keep seething in private. Like an annoying mother-in-law who pokes her nose where it is unneeded, we too must paint on a generous smile and agree that maybe, just that one time, we should have followed America’s lead.

The Poppy: Friend or Foe (as seen in the sputnik)

The poppy, once a symbol of hope for men in the trenches, has evolved into the modern soldier’s worst nightmare. From innocently blowing in Flanders field to fuelling terrorism, addiction and a booming drug industry in the present day, it is clear our relation to this family of flowers is ever changing. For although there are a variety of types, all distinct, many have an undeniable ability to produce chaos. So though for many veterans of the First and Second World Wars the poppy may be a beautiful symbol, to the new generation it should evoke terror.
The shift became pronounced during the Vietnam War, when 15 percent of American troops began to use heroin (a by product of opium gum). This was widely recognized as an epidemic and many of those men brought the addiction back home with them, sparking widespread issues. Even today in Afghanistan the availability of this corrosive drug is mindboggling, in fact it has become a war strategy for the opposition to get soldiers addicted. Unfortunately, in many cases, they seem to have succeeded. Here are some great articles about this move: http://rawstory.com/2009/10/taliban-heroin-tactic-weapon/ , http://airamerica.com/liveinwashingtonwithjackrice/blog/10-20-2009/taliban-using-heroin-weapon-video-audio/
In Afghanistan, where the poppy fields flourish, Al-Qaeda uses this opium to fund its violent campaigns against occupants, one of which being Canada. This is their major financial backing amounting to a ridiculous sum of money and here's the piece explaining this: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/28/world/asia/28intel.html?pagewanted=1. Without it, the proliferation of weapons would simply be impossible. The streets would have a few less roadside bombs, the guns firing at planes from below would be fewer and more far between and maybe just maybe we, as a country, could have been able to leave. But with the money produced from opium and subsequently heroin, Al-Qaeda appears a force to be reckoned with; yet another instance of the dangers of the poppy.
The final questions then must be asked, when did this happen? The poppy, embodiment of quiet courage, how did it take on so many new faces, names and identities? Why did our symbol of resilience and inner strength fade into an abyss of shady dealings? The answers lie within the complexities of the plant itself leading one to rightly assume, that to think of the poppy as an insignificant, superfluous flower, could be no farther from the truth.

Apathetic Youth: Why We're So Oblivious

I`ve heard it all, lazy, unintelligent, reluctant and of course apathetic. All of these things may seem to clearly define a teenager`s involvement in politics within Canada. I mean, most of us can`t vote and wouldn`t even if it was an option, an embarrassing minority keep up with government news and an even smaller group actually participate in campaigns. Adults give up on us, members of parliament don`t even bother trying to rile us up anymore, it`s quite a sad situation, but I`m not here to bash my peers but instead to provide some reasons as to why we care so little.
The first reason is undelivered promises. We aren`t the wide eyed, innocent, cherub faced youth people think us to be. When people promise us lower tuition fees and more liberal policies we are sceptical because of undelivered ideals of the past. We may be young, but in our few years, a simple lesson has made its way to us and stuck more fiercely than any other; that lesson is that no matter who is in power, nothing ever changes. Shockingly, you begin to realize that we may be on to something.
Second, the attempt of politicians to talk to us is often condescending. Polls see us as unreliable voters and many representatives treat us as though we have brittle minds; speaking in slow careful sentences, laced with horrible clichés and obvious claims to win us over with ridiculous ideas most of us care not to even entertain. Maybe we would support someone more if they happened to treat us like functioning human beings.
Lastly, there is a distinct lack of young decision makers represented or even clear issues that students and youths care about. There seems to be a disconnect or a perception that the old chose government and that the young have no business in that realm. We need not to see young people as simply a means to get to office but instead a valuable resource and part of the governing process. A shift needs to take place if they want to shake us out of our socially induced slumber.