Category: Life in general

I’ve been meaning to say something about this war for a while now, just couldn’t get around to coming up with what to say.

Obviously, Canada isn’t taking part in the war in any official capacity that I am aware of. Yes, sure there are a few soldiers on exchange, but thats fine by me.

The issue is not about Saddam Hussein – the man is obviously evil – from our point of view. A vorlon once told me that there are three sides to every story – your side, my side and the truth. Lets remember that the US supported him in the 80’s.

Canada is not involved in the war for one reason; the United Nations did not say we should. With the US and the UK going at it alone sets a dangerous precedent. France may be just trying to be a pain in the ass, but as a permanent member of the security council, they have the right to be.

I am quite sure that if the UN agreed to send troops into Iraq, then Canada would be there.

I agree with the US statement that something has to be done about Saddam, but I also firmly believe that it must be done within the confines of international law and the United Nations.

I’m not a US-hater – I have many friends and clients in the states and they are all excellent people. The problem seems to be the government. George Bush and his friends have a bit too much to gain from this war, and I have to admit that it makes me uncomfortable.

I could go on, but I have a birthday party to get ready for. [Mine] ;-)

Yesterday, when I saw reading /., I read an article about how scholars are trying to get as much information as possible on half of the 6500 languages that reside on this planet, half of which are due to vanish completely when the last speakers die off.

The concept of 6500 languages stuck somewhere deep in my head. Thats an amazing number of languages. I am no linguist, but I would imagine that alot of those are dialects, but tht does not diminish it for me.

Still, it fills me with a sense of wonder that there can be so many different ways to communicate with one another.

Some time ago, on the radio I heard voice of a (young?) Japanese woman singing something so incredibly sad and haunting I sometimes hear it in my mind late, late at night. I wonder what she was saying. Today, while I was watching tv, I came across an recording of an Iman performing a service at a mosque, and it sounded so beautiful.

I love the sounds of language, and I feel bad that I can only speak two, when I know people who can speak five or more.

Yesterday, when I left the National Women’s Show it was simply amazing. I walked outside, and it was beautiful out. It was well above zero, and you could see that on the faces of the people in the streets. People were smiling as they walked in the Market area. Some of the restaurants had tables out on the sidewalk. It was really great to see everyone so happy after such a cold winter.

Today, I went for a walk with my wife and Boing. We walked along the Rideau River and watched as city employees blowing up the ice on the river to prevent flooding. It was probably ten degrees above, and the sun was shining. It really makes one think that winter is over, but as the saying goes, in like a lamb, out like a lion. ;-)