Totalitarianism for the new century!

Parenting For Others

We were at a Christmas party tonight. It was a church function, so it was fairly casual: kids everywhere, in a gym- pretty standard. As we were (enjoying) the (talented) performances that were prepared for us, Henry decided that he wanted to do some dancing with a little buddy of his, Mark.

It was pretty freaking cute. They were doing a little Irish jig together, jumping up and down and generally having a very nice time together. They're both 2.

I got a couple of sneaky looks from people during the fun. Not glares per se, but definite 'why don't you do something to shut your kid up' kinda looks.

It made me think about the things that we do to our children to appease the people around us. I made a great effort to calm Henry down, and he wasn't happy about it. He just wanted to dance with his buddy in the gym-- have a great time!

But because I was sensitive to the people around us, I felt the need to disrupt the fun. If we were in my living room or in the backyard I would have laughed and gone about my day, happy that my son was enjoying his life.

I find this interesting. It makes me feel bad. I don't think that you can let your children run wild in the streets, don't get me wrong. But if the boys are having fun, why not let them have fun? We weren't in the middle of an opera or a church service: this was a Christmas party in the gym.

Anyhow.... I guess we need to make an extra effort to parent the way we want to, and not worry so much about the people around us.

Politicians Wanted:

Here is a listing of Canadian politicians who should be put against the proverbial brick wall, blindfolded and shot:

1) Stephen Harper :  It is the role of a minority government to work with the other parties to govern. The mandate you were given on October 14 was not unlimited. The only way you are to govern with the confidence of Parliament as a minority is to negotiate, compromise and work with the other parties. If you fail to do this, you need to step aside and let the other kids play.

2) Stephane Dion: Great timing, Dr. Dion.  Just when consumer and investor confidence are at the lowest level in recent years, let's throw a little bit of POLITICAL UNCERTAINTY into the mix, and see what that does, shall we? I am very sorry that you lost, and that everyone made fun of your accent and that interview on CTV, but this is neither the time or place for political intrigue. A government needs more than 6 weeks to gain the confidence of Parliament. You're a smart guy, start acting like it.

3) Jack Layton: If you think that the Liberals are any farther from the 'boardroom table' and any closer to the 'kitchen table' than the Conservatives, keep looking. The Liberal party is just as buttressed by big business, and you do your party and your supporters a disservice in the name of political opportunism. I know that this might be your one and only chance for a Cabinet post, but let's try to put the interests of the country first, ok? Also, your mustache makes me want to vomit.

4) Ed Broadbent & Jean Chretien: Go home. We don't need you anymore. Go play cribbage with the other folks at Shady Acres.

 

 

Remembrance what?

Canadians have a habit of thinking Americans are dumb. I’ve been guilty of it from time to time, although I’m more pro-American than most.

 

But this blows my mind.

 

http://dominion.ca/DI%20Factum%2007112008.pdf

 

 

Oh-Bama

I’m not sure exactly how I feel about the results of last night’s election in the US.

 

On the one hand, I’m tremendously glad for Barack Obama, who I think is a terrific politician and seems to be a good man.

 

On the other, I think that ‘big government’ is exactly the wrong thing for the world right now. I’m afraid that with a Democratic executive and House, there will be far too much meddling and intervention in the current economic situation. I strongly believe that business needs to sort this out on its own, and capitalism will right itself.

 

Mitt Romney for prez.

Excess

I'm not a terribly envious person when it comes to material wealth. I'd like to live in a nicer house, and own some nicer cars, sure, but I'm not a class warrior. I don't believe the world owes me anything....

This, however, seems a little overboard.

Google founders Sergey Brin and Larry Page, (35 year old college dropouts) have bought a fighter plane.

A fighter plane.

Er, a fighter plane. They already own a Boeing 767, but they feel the need for a fighter jet. The article claims that it's outfitted to assist NASA on their missions. Does NASA need extra help from the Google guys?

Is this just a billionaires' version of the shotgun under the bed?

I love Google, and Brin and Page are some seriously wicked guys, but a fighter jet?

Maybe if I call them they'll put winter tires on my wife's van.

Irresponsible media

Every day for the past few weeks most of the world has been glued to their news sources (be it internet,tv, radio, or whatever) for some news regarding our economy and our future.

(Now, as a caveat, I must note that I'm personally not extremely worried about the economy, as I believe strongly that in a market system this sort of thing happens from time-to-time as a sort of Darwinian mechanism to separate the good from the bad, a la Malthus....)

I find it interesting, however, that over the past weeks the media has been publishing every twitch of the world markets. A dozen reports a day on the current state of the exchanges has only served to heighten the feeling of panic and uncertainty that is characterizing the markets.

Now yesterday, there was a substantial and rather heartening report from Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney. He predicts that Canada is going to see a quarter of very mild decrease, followed by a quarter of zero growth, and 2009 is to be a year of modest growth.

Far from doom and gloom, I feel. His predictions don't even characterize Canada as in a recession (defined by two consecutive down quarters).

I find no mention of this report in any of my usual news sources online this morning. I can't speak to print, because I don't read it, but I find this extremely odd.

Note to journalists: our market is based on consumer confidence. The sooner people start spending their money again the sooner Canada will bounce out of this very shallow trough. If you don't publish only fact, at least editorialize from both sides of the issue.

Family Photos

I can't find the receipt from www.rentafamily.com, but I bet I paid a lot for the one I have....

My family is good looking. Ridiculously good looking.

We had pictures taken professionally this year, and we received the listing today. Just a teaser before they all get published.... It was a beautiful fall day in which my boy, Henry, refused to co-operate with the photographer or his parents, and insisted on playing with his cars all afternoon.

Turned out ok, I guess.