Monday, August 24, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Le changement climatique: Harper s'en lave les mains
La population canadienne n'est pas trop contente après avoir entendu ce que WWF avait à dire au sujet de notre pays. Le nouveau bulletin environnemental, publié la semaine passée par WWF, place le Canada en dernière place par rapport aux autres pays faisant parties du G8.
Le rapport cite les sables bitumineux (tar sands), situés en Alberta, comme la principale cause pour l'augmentation des émissions à effet de serre émises par le Canada. Est-ce une coïncidence que c'est la province la plus conservatrice au pays?
Ceci me rend particulièrement frustré parce que nous avions un gouvernement qui ne se préoccupe guère de ce type de rapport et qui refuse de suivre le reste (ou presque) de la planète en ce qui concerne les traités internationaux tels que le Protocol Kyoto qui avait été ratifié par le gouvernement libéral de Jean Chrétien en 2002.
Les politiques environnementales présentées par le gouvernement conservateur de Stephen Harper sont encore aujourd'hui très faibles comparées à celles d'autres pays. Il n'existe aucune cible ferme de réduction importante d'émissions à effet de serre dans le présent "plan" qui n'a même pas encore été implémenter.
Pour conclure, je suis désappointé du manque de leadership de la part du gouvernement Harper en ce qui concerne l'environnement. C'est un dossier prioritaire qui n'a pas encore eu l'attention nécessaire du gouvernement afin qu'il puisse avoir de vrais changements.
Le rapport cite les sables bitumineux (tar sands), situés en Alberta, comme la principale cause pour l'augmentation des émissions à effet de serre émises par le Canada. Est-ce une coïncidence que c'est la province la plus conservatrice au pays?
Ceci me rend particulièrement frustré parce que nous avions un gouvernement qui ne se préoccupe guère de ce type de rapport et qui refuse de suivre le reste (ou presque) de la planète en ce qui concerne les traités internationaux tels que le Protocol Kyoto qui avait été ratifié par le gouvernement libéral de Jean Chrétien en 2002.
Les politiques environnementales présentées par le gouvernement conservateur de Stephen Harper sont encore aujourd'hui très faibles comparées à celles d'autres pays. Il n'existe aucune cible ferme de réduction importante d'émissions à effet de serre dans le présent "plan" qui n'a même pas encore été implémenter.
Pour conclure, je suis désappointé du manque de leadership de la part du gouvernement Harper en ce qui concerne l'environnement. C'est un dossier prioritaire qui n'a pas encore eu l'attention nécessaire du gouvernement afin qu'il puisse avoir de vrais changements.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Even after this long, it still hurts to see her...
Well, since I haven't had a whole lot to write about lately, I thought that I'd share some really sappy quotes... So, this blog goes out to all those who have had their heart broken... and to those who have broken someone's heart.
“Love is when you shed a tear and still want her, it's when she ignores you and you still love her, it's when she loves another guy but you still smile and say I'm happy for you, when all you really do is cry.”
“It takes a minute to have a crush on someone, an hour to like someone and a day to love someone - but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.”
“You can close your eyes to the things you do not want to see, but you cannot close your heart to the things you do not want to feel.”
“You want me to act like we've never kissed, you want to forget; pretend we've never met , and I've tried and I've tried, but I haven't yet... You walk by, and I fall to pieces.” Patsy Cline
"My heart was taken by you... broken by you... and now it is in pieces because of you"
"People think it is holding on that makes you stronger, but sometimes it's letting go."
"So... from now on... when you think of me... just remember that I could've been the best thing you ever had"
"Sometimes all you need is a broken heart to realize that something even better is right in front of our eyes, just waiting to be found"
"Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation"
- Kahlil Gibran
"Nothing ends nicely, that's why it ends" - Henry David Thoreau
“Love is when you shed a tear and still want her, it's when she ignores you and you still love her, it's when she loves another guy but you still smile and say I'm happy for you, when all you really do is cry.”
“It takes a minute to have a crush on someone, an hour to like someone and a day to love someone - but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.”
“You can close your eyes to the things you do not want to see, but you cannot close your heart to the things you do not want to feel.”
“You want me to act like we've never kissed, you want to forget; pretend we've never met , and I've tried and I've tried, but I haven't yet... You walk by, and I fall to pieces.” Patsy Cline
"My heart was taken by you... broken by you... and now it is in pieces because of you"
"People think it is holding on that makes you stronger, but sometimes it's letting go."
"So... from now on... when you think of me... just remember that I could've been the best thing you ever had"
"Sometimes all you need is a broken heart to realize that something even better is right in front of our eyes, just waiting to be found"
"Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation"
- Kahlil Gibran
"Nothing ends nicely, that's why it ends" - Henry David Thoreau
Friday, April 24, 2009
And there goes another year...
As I sit here, in my apartment, having just finished writing my last exam of the 2008-2009 university year, I still can't get over how fast this past year has gone by. I'm also somewhat shocked at the fact that I have just completed the second year of university career with no clear idea of how many total years I shall attend the University of Ottawa. So, what has the University of Ottawa done for me two years into my university career?
It's quite obvious that every single student's view of the world, once having begun post-secondary education, is (most often) drastically different than our narrow-sighted childhood years. We learn to critically analyse occurrences in our everyday world that (for many of us) were so very unimportant and insignificant before having arrived in university. I've also learned about many things that have aroused feelings of anger, confusion, sadness just to name a few.
I've always wanted to make the world around me a better place and that's one thing that hasn't changed. But, realistically, I'm obviously not the only one that wants to improve his or her surroundings. I've learned that bringing change isn't as easy as just saying you want to change something. Unfortunately, trying to bring any kind of change is usually a long and drawn out process, which leads to frustration and quite often abandonment. Also, change is often looked down upon because we seem to live in a world that is content with the status-quo and is too lazy and/or unwilling to improve upon what already exists.
Coming from a small town of roughly 5 000 people, where there was one African-American student in my high school, I have become more knowledgeable of different cultures from around the world.
My leadership skills, which became developed throughout my years in elementary and high school, have grown on a much broader level since arriving in Ottawa. I must say that I absolutely loved being apart of the 2008-2009 PIDSSA executive and am looking forward to the upcoming year within the new 2009-2010 executive. The knowledge and experience that I have gained during this past year will definitely be passed along to the new executive members and I look forward to working with all of them.
There is one thing that I am very happy about which has occurred since I left home: the bond that I share with my sister has grown very strong and I have learned to come to appreciate her more than I ever thought I would. Not to say that I didn't love my sister before I left home, but let's just say we definitely had our differences. Thankfully we have both grown past (most) of our brother-sister fighting and have become the best of friends. While I'm away at school, I think about her a lot. I worry a lot though too because she is a young high school teenager and having been there once myself, I'm well aware of the things that could happen to her. Particularly, being a guy, I know what some of the older guys in high school are looking for and I worry that she may fall into the wrong crowd or into the arms of the wrong guy. I often try to explain this her. But you know how teens always KNOW EVERYTHING.
Anyways, continuing on, my personal views and opinions have developed and I do have an opinion on pretty much anything. I have always been very stubborn when it comes to being right about something and have always been willing to debate until I prove whoever I am arguing with wrong. I have actually learned to be more open to others' opinions which is something that isn't easy to do and something that I'm quite proud of. When you firmly believe in something such as a religion or a political ideology, it can be very difficult at times to accept opinions that go against or contradict your own. Probably more so than in other areas of study, being a Political Science major, I'm quite literally surrounded by people with whom have very different opinions than my own. Sure, when it comes to politics, we will disagree a lot, but I always like to hear why the person with whom I am conversing takes the stance that he is defending. I'll also give my reasoning and we can usually end up agreeing that both stances have their pros and cons and then move on. It may sound very insignificant to be accepting of different views, thoughts, ideas, opinions. Although some people refuse to look beyond their own tunnel-visioned mindsets, it's an important aspect of life that everyone will eventually have to face in their lives. If you cannot at least accept the fact that people might not see things in the same way you do, your life will be one of seclusion and loneliness.
For now, I'll stop here because I'm pretty exhausted from my last exam that I wrote this morning. But, I will make sure to keep this blog updated throughout the summer even though I'm moving back home for the summer as I have locked down an amazing summer job! I'm already looking forward to 101 Week because it's going to be the biggest and best in the history of it's existence!
It's quite obvious that every single student's view of the world, once having begun post-secondary education, is (most often) drastically different than our narrow-sighted childhood years. We learn to critically analyse occurrences in our everyday world that (for many of us) were so very unimportant and insignificant before having arrived in university. I've also learned about many things that have aroused feelings of anger, confusion, sadness just to name a few.
I've always wanted to make the world around me a better place and that's one thing that hasn't changed. But, realistically, I'm obviously not the only one that wants to improve his or her surroundings. I've learned that bringing change isn't as easy as just saying you want to change something. Unfortunately, trying to bring any kind of change is usually a long and drawn out process, which leads to frustration and quite often abandonment. Also, change is often looked down upon because we seem to live in a world that is content with the status-quo and is too lazy and/or unwilling to improve upon what already exists.
Coming from a small town of roughly 5 000 people, where there was one African-American student in my high school, I have become more knowledgeable of different cultures from around the world.
My leadership skills, which became developed throughout my years in elementary and high school, have grown on a much broader level since arriving in Ottawa. I must say that I absolutely loved being apart of the 2008-2009 PIDSSA executive and am looking forward to the upcoming year within the new 2009-2010 executive. The knowledge and experience that I have gained during this past year will definitely be passed along to the new executive members and I look forward to working with all of them.
There is one thing that I am very happy about which has occurred since I left home: the bond that I share with my sister has grown very strong and I have learned to come to appreciate her more than I ever thought I would. Not to say that I didn't love my sister before I left home, but let's just say we definitely had our differences. Thankfully we have both grown past (most) of our brother-sister fighting and have become the best of friends. While I'm away at school, I think about her a lot. I worry a lot though too because she is a young high school teenager and having been there once myself, I'm well aware of the things that could happen to her. Particularly, being a guy, I know what some of the older guys in high school are looking for and I worry that she may fall into the wrong crowd or into the arms of the wrong guy. I often try to explain this her. But you know how teens always KNOW EVERYTHING.
Anyways, continuing on, my personal views and opinions have developed and I do have an opinion on pretty much anything. I have always been very stubborn when it comes to being right about something and have always been willing to debate until I prove whoever I am arguing with wrong. I have actually learned to be more open to others' opinions which is something that isn't easy to do and something that I'm quite proud of. When you firmly believe in something such as a religion or a political ideology, it can be very difficult at times to accept opinions that go against or contradict your own. Probably more so than in other areas of study, being a Political Science major, I'm quite literally surrounded by people with whom have very different opinions than my own. Sure, when it comes to politics, we will disagree a lot, but I always like to hear why the person with whom I am conversing takes the stance that he is defending. I'll also give my reasoning and we can usually end up agreeing that both stances have their pros and cons and then move on. It may sound very insignificant to be accepting of different views, thoughts, ideas, opinions. Although some people refuse to look beyond their own tunnel-visioned mindsets, it's an important aspect of life that everyone will eventually have to face in their lives. If you cannot at least accept the fact that people might not see things in the same way you do, your life will be one of seclusion and loneliness.
For now, I'll stop here because I'm pretty exhausted from my last exam that I wrote this morning. But, I will make sure to keep this blog updated throughout the summer even though I'm moving back home for the summer as I have locked down an amazing summer job! I'm already looking forward to 101 Week because it's going to be the biggest and best in the history of it's existence!
Sunday, April 19, 2009
What makes a great leader?
It's been awhile since I last blogged my heart away. I'd have to blame exams for overwhelming my life leaving not much time for anything else. To be honest though, with the conclusion of the SAC appeal of the SFUO Elections' results, it seems like many bloggers from the U of O have taken somewhat of a blogger's hiatus. Anyhow, I'm glad that that is done and over with. Time to move on to bigger and better things and look forward to the bright future that lies ahead us.
On May 1st, most (if not all) mandates currently in effect for the federated bodies of the University of Ottawa will come to an end and the newly elected executives will begin their year-long journeys as student leaders. After being fortunate enough to have been elected last year to the PIDSSA executive, I have come to learn a lot about being a leader. I think that there are an endless amount of characteristics that student leaders can possess. As I personally embark on my renewed mandate as a member of the 2009-2010 PIDSSA executive, I wanted to share a list of top 10 characteristics that I find to be essential when it comes to being in the position of a leader.
On May 1st, most (if not all) mandates currently in effect for the federated bodies of the University of Ottawa will come to an end and the newly elected executives will begin their year-long journeys as student leaders. After being fortunate enough to have been elected last year to the PIDSSA executive, I have come to learn a lot about being a leader. I think that there are an endless amount of characteristics that student leaders can possess. As I personally embark on my renewed mandate as a member of the 2009-2010 PIDSSA executive, I wanted to share a list of top 10 characteristics that I find to be essential when it comes to being in the position of a leader.
- A great leader never demands respect from others, he/she earns it.
- A great leader, when surrounded by other leaders, recognizes when to lead and when to let others lead.
- A great leader is easily approachable by others.
- A great leader never says never.
- A great leader accepts criticism and expects no praise.
- A great leader learns from his mistakes.
- A great leader is able to work with others when striving towards a common goal.
- A great leader always takes into account the effect of his/her decision on those who he/she represents.
- A great leader must be open to different opinions at the same time as having his/her own.
- A great leader does not always say what he/she is thinking; he/she thinks before speaking.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Quelques jours après... je prend l'temps d'y réfléchir un peu
Finalement, j'ai remis ma dernière dissertation ce matin et je peux prendre quelques minutes afin de réfléchir au sujet de la décision du CAÉ.
Si vous n'aviez pas encore eu la chance de lire le rapport au complet (oui, je comprends que c'est 31 pages...) cliquez ici! (Malheureusement, le rapport est seulement disponible en Anglais pour le moment. Aussitôt que le document sera traduit, je vais aussi la rendre disponible sur mon blogue. Dean Haldenby m'a assuré que la traduction serait faite par la semaine prochaine).
Laisse-moi premièrement dire que je suis content que ce processus a eu lieu que, maintenant que c'est fini, la semaine 101 commencera à se construire et que les perspectives de ne pas avoir d'exécutif en place pendant l'été n'existent plus.
Dans l'accusation "Kishek & McPhee against MacKay", je trouve très injuste le fait que le comité du CAÉ a présumé que la situation entre Brannigan et McPhee serait venu invalider le témoignage à McPhee. Le rapport dit : "the tense emotional state between McPhee and Brannigan have resulted in the SAC finding this matter to be inconclusive." (Rapport CAÉ : 11)
Si vous n'aviez pas encore eu la chance de lire le rapport au complet (oui, je comprends que c'est 31 pages...) cliquez ici! (Malheureusement, le rapport est seulement disponible en Anglais pour le moment. Aussitôt que le document sera traduit, je vais aussi la rendre disponible sur mon blogue. Dean Haldenby m'a assuré que la traduction serait faite par la semaine prochaine).
Laisse-moi premièrement dire que je suis content que ce processus a eu lieu que, maintenant que c'est fini, la semaine 101 commencera à se construire et que les perspectives de ne pas avoir d'exécutif en place pendant l'été n'existent plus.
Dans l'accusation "Kishek & McPhee against MacKay", je trouve très injuste le fait que le comité du CAÉ a présumé que la situation entre Brannigan et McPhee serait venu invalider le témoignage à McPhee. Le rapport dit : "the tense emotional state between McPhee and Brannigan have resulted in the SAC finding this matter to be inconclusive." (Rapport CAÉ : 11)
Lorsque j'ai lu la partie du rapport qui dit: "The SAC fines Dubois $20 for violating s. 4.1.7 of the SFUO constitution" (Rapport CAÉ : 16), je me suis demandé si cette sanction vaux même la peine. Si le CAÉ a conclu qu'elle a violé la Constitution de la FÉUO, n'est-ce pas une punition pénible? Est-ce que cette sanction va véritablement dissuader quelqu'un de violer la Constitution de la FÉUO dans le futur? La dissuasion n'était évidemment pas l'intention de cette sanction. C'est malheureux de voir qu'une amende monétaire est imposée pour la violation de la Constitution de la FÉUO (et puis-je ajouter une amende incroyablement minime). C'est un peu comme dire, "Tu es coupable d'avoir violé la Constitution de la FÉUO, mais c'est correct. Donne-moi 20$ et la question sera réglée." De même, je crois que cela envoie le mauvais message à la population étudiante et encourage même la violation future de la Constitution de la FÉUO. Si la seule sanction imposée par la CAÉ pour une violation de la Constitution de la FÉUO est une amende monétaire, c'est pas mal triste.
Ce qui m'a vraiment surpris c'est le manque de preuve quasi total du côté des appelants. De ce que j'ai entendu de plusieurs personnes c'est que la preuve démontrerait clairement la culpabilité des accusés. En lisant le rapport, il semble que la seule preuve que les appelants ont utilisée était des témoignages du type "mon mot contre le tient." Si les appelants n'avaient pas plus de preuve que cela, ils ne devraient pas être surpris avec le résultat de ce processus.
Finalement, je crois qu'il est important que les étudiants et les étudiantes de l'Université d'Ottawa aient confiance dans leur nouvel exécutif de la FÉUO. Malheureusement, je crois aussi que cette confiance a été mise en question avec les évènements qui ont eu lieu dans les derniers mois. Maintenant que cette question est réglée, je crois qu'il est important pour les membres du nouvel exécutif de la FÉUO d'affirmer que la population étudiante peut avoir confiance en eux afin de réparer l'aliénation causée par ces accusations.
Monday, March 30, 2009
What are the chances of a response...?
I'm sure by now everyone has had a chance to read about the letter that Renaud Garner recently sent to the new SAC arbitrators and if you haven't, well you view it by clicking here. Anyways, I'm taking these precious few minutes away from my 12 page project that is due on Thursday (which is sort of progressing, slowly but surely) to ask this question: What are the chances that the 5 newly appointed arbitrators will actually give Garner a response?
Frankly, I think that they would be crazy to answer that letter. In no way am I criticizing Garner for having written this letter because it raises many legitimate questions concerning the neutrality of the new arbitrators. In fact, I'd consider it an injustice if they weren't privileged to the same information that the accused are. But seriously, lets be realistic for a second. The accused somewhat have an advantage at the moment. Can you imagine if the SAC issued a response to Garner's letter? I think it would cause quite the crisis and once again stall the process from going forward.
Sadly, if they (the new SAC arbitrators) were to ignore the letter, it would seem like they have something to hide. And that would just make them look bad and further put into question their apparent non-partisan neutrality.
So, technically speaking, they should definitely answer this legitimate letter! But, realistically speaking, I think the chances are slim to none that they actually will. Just keep in mind that the accused have access to privileged information that the appellants don't... Is that fair? Probably not the best question to be asking at this point in time... because when you really think about it... HAS ANYTHING BEEN FAIR DURING THIS PROCESS?
What are your thoughts and/or opinions? Leave a comment and start some healthy dialogue!
Frankly, I think that they would be crazy to answer that letter. In no way am I criticizing Garner for having written this letter because it raises many legitimate questions concerning the neutrality of the new arbitrators. In fact, I'd consider it an injustice if they weren't privileged to the same information that the accused are. But seriously, lets be realistic for a second. The accused somewhat have an advantage at the moment. Can you imagine if the SAC issued a response to Garner's letter? I think it would cause quite the crisis and once again stall the process from going forward.
Sadly, if they (the new SAC arbitrators) were to ignore the letter, it would seem like they have something to hide. And that would just make them look bad and further put into question their apparent non-partisan neutrality.
So, technically speaking, they should definitely answer this legitimate letter! But, realistically speaking, I think the chances are slim to none that they actually will. Just keep in mind that the accused have access to privileged information that the appellants don't... Is that fair? Probably not the best question to be asking at this point in time... because when you really think about it... HAS ANYTHING BEEN FAIR DURING THIS PROCESS?
What are your thoughts and/or opinions? Leave a comment and start some healthy dialogue!
Friday, March 27, 2009
Budget de l'Ontario 2009...
Hier, le jeudi 26 mars 2009, le gouvernement liberal de Dalton McGuinty a présenté son budget pour l'année fiscale 2009. Veillez-consulter le budget!
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