See this picture? This comes from a town in Canada where a 24 pack of water bottles is 104 dollars and formula milk for a baby is priced at 55 dollars a pack. What’s more, a pack of diapers is 95 dollars and one head of lettuce is 26 dollars. Inuit people are starving in a country known for it’s generosity.
If you don’t believe this is true, you can find more images like this here. This is the only grocery store these people have in their small towns, and many people are going hungry & elderly are dying faster.
You’ll send aid to foreign children that are starving, so why won’t you pay a little extra to feed the people in your own country who work hard & still can’t afford the prices for healthy food for their families?
Please reblog this photo to raise awareness that even in our own countries people are starving, join the movement and show the government that we won’t sit by and watch people starve.
Children in a first world country are getting sick & starving, and nobody is even aware it’s happening. You can let people know by reblogging and showing you care. People I am close to, my friends and future in-laws are going through this.
Love how little attention this post gets from my beach blog followers.
Signal boost.
I was expecting explanation as to WHY the prices are so high… o_o
wtf. Can we send them some cows? (I know that sounds insulting, it’s kind of meant to - my school’s idea of helping other countries is the wonderful idea of sending them cows, so it’s an inside joke. Also I’m not entirely joking, we are surrounded by cows in this area, we joke there are more cows in a given town than people… I wonder if I could steal one or two and how much it would cost to mail them to some of these unfortunate families. Again, wtf why and how and WHAT and HOW ARE THE PRICES SO HIGH?)
Actually, you can explain that by the fact that they are so much further down the road that the groceries that can reach them cost a fortune to get there because of the gas.
And the cost isn’t going to change so long as the powers that be in Ottawa (Harper & co.)’s only interest in the North is ‘how many militaries can I fit up there?’
Sooooo… we just got a Christmas Card from Stephen Harper…
Where do I even begin?
First off, is he sending one of these to everyone? All 30 odd million of us? What a waste of money, just send us E-cards or something.
Secondly, no one in this house voted for you, fuck off.
Thirdly, I see that your fetishization of the Jews and support base of Conservative Christians are catered to and everyone else is nondescriptly filed under “seasons greetings”. It’s good to see you haven’t changed.
…fuck it, just add all applicable critiques of Harper and his shenanigans on top of that. I’m lazy. Brb got to go burn this.
Marching on the Courthouse.
Rounding to the Courthouse
At the Courthouse
Marching on Canada Place
At Canada Place with Liv
Marching off.
Sorry for the photo spam. But today, all across Canada there occurred a mass of protests in coordination with the “Idle No More” movement. The Idle No More movement was started by 4 women (3 aboriginal, 1 caucasian) in opposition to the Harper Government’s use of Omnibus bills, specifically bill C-45, to mess with the Treaties that Aboriginal Nations have with the Queen (and by extension, the Government of Canada). Harper is no friend of the Aboriginal peoples of Canada, but has done his best to placate any potential Aboriginal resistance thus far in his reign. But all across Canada, people are waking up and saying no.
I was there today in Edmonton, Alberta, at the Idle No More march/rally. At it we heard from speakers from many different Aboriginal governments and organizations. They spoke on the topics of Aboriginal sovereignty, the Treaties, Aboriginal appeals to the UN, and how Aboriginal people need to stand up and say ‘No’. There are even entire community and band councils which are saying No to the Harper government, and not receiving government payments because of it!
It was a very powerful protest, with drummers, prayer songs, and songs of resistance. There was easily 1200 people out today (with just over 1500 saying they were coming on facebook). It was overwhelming the sense of solidarity that I felt today, aboriginal, non-aboriginal, all were there in support of the rights of Aboriginal Canadians. I brought some of my Wobbly comrades in solidarity and went with my Aboriginal friend (Athabaskan Chipewyan First Nation). The drumming resounded in the hearts of all present and as the beats echoed among the buildings of this metropolis of capitalism and colonialism, everyone present could feel the gravity of the situation, and the collective strength of those in attendance, and those who would be if they could be.
The march stopped at the courthouses to decry the corrupt system and appeal for fairness in arbitration regarding Treaties and Aboriginal Government’s dealings with the Federal Government. Once the march reached Canada Place, there were more drum songs and a circle dance the size of two skating rings side-by-side formed circling the entire entrance area of Canada place. I partook in the dance and the feeling of cooperation and brotherhood/sisterhood was incredible. There was easily 300 or more people in one massive dance.
Afterwards the march moved to a school for a feast (which was packed so me and my friends did not attend). It was a good day with a good march and excellent organizers. I helped marshal as the march moved through the streets. We (the IWW Edmonton GMB members) brought some of our “In Solidarity” picket signs, and a couple Syndicalist/Anarcho-Communist flags in solidarity with our Aboriginal borthers and sisters. When asked (a dozen or so times over the course of the event) about the flag’s meaning, we recieved positive comments and encouragement from all the people who inquired. Many were glad that their cause was reaching such a diverse base, and that non-Aboriginals took as seriously the issue of the betrayal of the Treaties as many Aboriginals, and they appreciated the solidarity and support.
I must admit I was a little worried that we might be viewed as trying to co-opt things or disturb shit, but we went with pure intentions and were received thusly. I am always careful to try and not patronize or belittle (whether accidentally or intentionally) other cultures or what have you, and living in the NWT it is sometimes difficult to not come across as patronizing or some kind of white saviour because of how much experience I have with Aboriginal culture (I’ve done many First Nations games and been to feasts, drum dances, and witnessed many smudging sessions and prayer songs). I’m glad that no one that spoke to us saw us as people with white-saviour complexes or some kind of hipster fetishizing douchebags, and that I was welcomed into the circle dance.
It was an incredibly powerful and moving protest. And I was marching for all my Aboriginal friends who couldn’t, and for human decency in general.
Damnit Harper, stop trying to play America, there’s not even enough room in this world for one America…
Yet another thing about Harper that sickens me; he is cutting diplomatic ties to Iran (usually a prelude to outright war, although anyone who has taken even an intro class in world politics will tell you how fucking naive and idiotic that is… I suppose it fits Harper’s M.O.).
Stay classy, Canada.
It’s Official: The Harper Regime has Declared War on the Environment →
Earlier today, Federal Natural Resources Ministers Joe Oliver released an open letter to Canadians through the Globe & Mail (“An open letter from Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver”, January 9, 2012) regarding the proposed Enbridge Northern Gate Pipeline. In his letter, Oliver directly equates those involved in environmental causes as being “radicals”. Needless to say, Oliver’s letter in the G&M, and comments made by Stephen Harper on Friday of last week about environmentalists funded by “foreign money” hijacking the Canadian Environmental Assessment process for the Northern Gate Pipeline have created a bit of a media firestorm.
Up until recently, the primary controversies around the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA) processes have had to do with the anticipated timing for wrapping up the review. With over 4,000 public delegates expected to speak on the proposed pipeline, which will see tar sands bitumen flow from Edmonton, Alberta, to Kitimat, British Columbia, those involved with the Environmental Assessment (EA) have indicated that the process likely won’t come to a conclusion until late 2013. This late date for a decision hasn’t sat well with Stephen Harper and his Conservative government, which had previously hinted its concerns to EA administrators.
However, with these lastest remarks about “foreign interference” and by equating Canadians who are concerned about our environment with “radicals”, it seems that the phony war which the Conservatives have been fighting against the environment has finally become official, with these comments intended to separate Canadians into two camps: one which is in favour of runaway development and exploitation of the tar sands, trade and job creation; and other which is occupied by ideologically-motivated radicals and extremists on the take from foreign governments bent on destroying Canada’s oil industry and impoverishing Canadians.
I’ve said it countless times, but fuck Harper.
My Speech for this Saturday’s protest against the omnibus crime legislation
Greetings all! We have gathered here today to show physical opposition to Stephen Harper’s Crime Legislation that was introduced into the House of Commons on Tuesday. As has been seen time and again, the Conservatives are bringing a collection of ridiculous bills to the floor of the Commons.
In the past, with the minority status of the government, things such as these were voted down. Indeed, many of these bills on the table now are the same bills which parliament collectively recoiled against in the past!
Things such as:
- Bill S-10, which would introduce mandatory minimum sentencing of up to 3 years in prison for drug related charges, however minor.
- Bill C-4, which would come down hard on youth offenders, and abolish their protective right to not be named for many of them. This would in turn ostracise them further from society and increase their changes of recidivism.
- Bill C-53, which would make previous rulings binding in the event of a retrial. This makes a mockery of out justice system and any attempt at truth.
- Bill C-5, which would give the foreign minister the right to pick and choose who to help when they get in trouble abroad. That’s right folks, we already knew the Conservatives don’t care about Canadian citizens abroad - just look at Omar Khadr! - but now they are trying to legislate the abandonment of Canadian citizens! All based on the whim of the fallible office of the foreign ministry! What happens if you get locked up in a country with a horrible human rights record? Hope the foreign minister is in a good mood I suppose!
- Bill C-17, which will reinstate “preventative arrests”, which allow citizens to be detained for up to 3 days without cause. That’s right folks, you no longer have the right to habeas corpus! It wasn’t until 1679 that Habeas Corpus was codified into law. That’s thousands of years of progress required to get to that point. Now, for the past 300 odd years we have enjoyed this right, and Harper plans to take that away in the “first 100 days” of his reign! Not only that, but this law can be used to force people thus imprisoned to disclose information in court cases, even without charges being laid.
- Bill C-52, the bill pertaining to the spying on of citizens by means of monitoring internet and phone communications without a warrant has been removed from the Omnibus Crime Bill due to petitioning and pressure from thousands of Canadians. This doesn’t mean that it won’t be passed however! Just that it won’t be passed with the rest of the legislation in this Omnibus. But the very fact that citizen action achieved something around this issue is encouraging!
All of these things are estimated to cost $681 million dollars. That’s right folks, you get to carry the bill for your own abandonment abroad! That is without taking into account the $2.1 billion slotted to build new prisons! Although if these prison estimates are anything like Stephen Harper’s fighter jet estimates, expect to pay a lot more!
So where does that leave us as a country? Moving in a very much ‘U.S.’ direction in regards to crime. For decades, Canada has been promoting a restorative justice model. Prevention to stop crime before it starts, and rehabilitation to prevent re-offence. And it’s success shows! Crime nationally is at the lowest point it has been since 1970!!
Now Harper wants to pursue a U.S. style “shock & awe” approach to crime & punishment. He must have had his head in the ground for the last 30 years. Even the Tea Partiers in the U.S. are saying that it is too expensive! For a self-labelled “fiscally conservative” Prime Minister, he sure is an oddity.
Not only that, but it doesn’t work! Even having the highest incarceration rate in the entire world has not stemmed the tide of crime in the United States. Fresh criminals go into the system, costing taxpayers as they go, get hardened and become more dangerous in the unhealthy environment that is prison, get released, re-offend, and get re-incarcerated! All the while, costing obscene amounts of your money!
So not only is the direction Harper is trying to move this country in regards to crime ethically objectionable, it is also proven to not work, and is fiscally irresponsible. At best. At it’s worst, it is actually perpetuating a more severe crime situation, and taking Canada one step further away from freedom and democracy, and one step closer to a police state.
Don’t let our current government consolidate any more power, don’t let them push you around, don’t let them think they can get away with the sneaky tactics and contempt of democracy they are famous for; call them on it!
We must strive to achieve democracy through non-parliamentary means. That avenue has been stolen from us by the Tory Majority. Now is the time when the citizenry of this country have to shed their apathy, and take matters into their own hands.
Petition, protest, march, and most of all; write your MPs. Being situated in the heartland of Conservative Alberta on this small island of progress called Edmonton, we have a distinctly double-edged sword in our repertoire. Yes, we are surrounded by Harper’s supporters, but we also have the ear of his members of parliament. Use this advantage, take down these bills from the inside! Write to your MPs, and demand that they raise hell! A “majority” mandated by 39.6% of the voters does not have my permission to trample on the rights of an entire country, does it have yours?
Hello Harper, Goodbye Rights.
Hey Canadians, how does it feel to have your right to habeas corpus (which took over 1000 years to get) taken away by Harper’s Conservatives overnight? Want to find out?
Seriously, why the FUCK aren’t all the anarchist blogs ape-shit over this? How about the more mainstream political blogs? How about just the Canadian blogs…?
ANYBODY!?
We need some fucking protests!
