May 2007 |
There was a story in the May 19 Globe and Mail (reprinted here) about Dr. John O'Connor, who has been driven out of an Alberta community as a result of bringing attention to health concerns there. O'Connor's concerns have been about the cancer rates among native patients living in Fort Chipewyan. The community is downriver from the northern Alberta Oil Sands project, and some of the cancers found are linked to the kind of chemical contamination caused by the Oil Sands. While I think it is important for physicians (and everyone, for that matter) to be protected from whistle-blowing, there are two other points I think need to be made. Or, rather, let's make them questions worth pondering.
I think I know the answers to both questions, and I don't like the answers. Sadly, I'm not surprised at my guesses for the answers. |
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You may have heard about Alvaro Orozco in the news. Alvaro is a young gay man from Nicaragua who is fighting to stay in Canada (his immigration application was denied because the adjudicator did not believe he had proved he was gay). This is very interesting - and disgusting. I presume that one is not required to prove heterosexuality, and requiring someone to prove any other sexual orientation suggests that heterosexuality is "normal" and the others are not. It is precisely this type of attitude that gives rise to the need for people to leave other places and come to this country. I had thought Canada was beyond this. Of course, the story is somewhat more complicated that this (you can read about it here). The apparent concern is that the young man is lying about being gay to stay in Canada. Right, people are clamoring to be gay so that they can stay here. I don't believe he is lying - but, even if he is, the price of living in a decent and caring society which is serious about human rights is that the occasional person may lie. Surely, though, the onus is on the naysayer to prove that the applicant is lying, and not the other way around. That is the price we pay for living in the kind of society we want. And it is a small price. On his website, Alvaro asks for help (writing to the minister of immigration, etc.). Please consider doing so. |
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I've written before about the Pineridge Zoo near Grand Bend. I was in the area yesterday, and drove past the zoo to check its status. It appears to be closed permanently (the sign is gone and there appears to be a re-zoning application for the land posted). However, I cannot find any confirmation of its closure. If anyone knows anything about it, I'd appreciate an email or comment. |
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Back on April 29, I participated in a tree planting event (along with members of the union I belong to). Nobody seems to believe that I planted trees. Well, OK, tree. I helped with a couple of others too! Anyway, here's the proof naysayers!
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I recently found an amateur Star Trek production on the web, and it turns out there are a number of such productions. These are downloadable episodes of Trek-inspired series that are produced by fans and distributed for free (apparently to avoid copyright problems). I've found five of them (and a couple of parodies not listed here).
I watched one episode of New Voyages and a couple of Hidden Frontier. As you would expect, the acting isn't terrific and the production values are what you would expect from amateur productions (though, you may be surprised - modern computers and editing software mean you can do an awful lot at home). However, some of the stories are shockingly good and worthy of notice. It is also interesting the caliber of talent New Voyages and especially Of Gods And Men have been able to attract. And the premise behind Hidden Frontier is well thought out and interesting. I'm not serious enough a Trek fan to download all this stuff, but if you are you may be surprised. |
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I spent an evening at a another great concert recently - Tom Lewis, the last artist in the Cuckoo's Nest Folk Club season. Lewis plays an interesting mix of songs, many of which come from his years as a sailor in the Royal Navy. He is also just a terrific guy who chats with his audience before and after the show, and shares a lot during it. If you've never heard his music, Lewis has samples on his website. If you like folk and live near London, take a look at the Cuckoo's Nest season for 2007-8 (though not all dates are booked). The concerts are held at Chaucer's Pub in downtown London, generally on Sunday evenings. The venue is terrific (and nostalgic for me - it was the first pub I frequented as a young man), and you can grab a beer while you listen. |
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