myxomatosis

Defense of Religions, or Defense of Discrimination?

2006-10-05T09:37:00.000-07:00

For the past couple of days, The Globe and Mail has been reporting of a plan of the Conservative government to introduce legislation for what they call "The Defense of Religions Act". In 2005, the now former Liberal government legalized same-sex marriage in Canada, as it was found to be unconstitutional to deny them this right, according to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Upon coming into office, Prime Minister Stephen Harper promised to re-open the debate on same-sex marriage and hold a free vote in Parliament to overthrow the law.
However, it is very unlikely that - even if Parliament voted in favour of banning same-sex marriage - the actual ban would go through the courts, as it is discrimination.

But we can always trust ol' Stevey to come through anyways.
The proposed Defense of Religions Act would allow church officials to refuse to marry same-sex couples, or rent out their churches for it. It would also allow church officials to condemn the mere act of homosexuality without going before a human rights tribunal.

Personally, I think this is absurd. For one, the Charter of Rights and Freedoms already protects religious expression. Additionally, specific marriage decisions like the Defense of Religions Act are to be decided at the provincial level. What the Conservatives wish to introduce is a license for religious leaders to make discriminatory comments; a license to protect those who feel "uncomfortable" with same-sex marriage, even same-sex couples.

And this is the government that's on the way to winning a majority government.
Congradulations, Canada.

Quiz!

2006-10-04T13:15:00.000-07:00

--METAL HEAD--
[ ] Do you have long hair?
[ ] Do you like Beer?
[x] Have you ever been in a Moshpit?
[x] You don't believe in God?
[ ] You got a Pentagram/heartogram on some clothing article etc.?
[ ] You own some spikes?
[ ] Can you play guitar?
[x] Can you growl? [Some people CAN'T growl?]
[ ] Do you own Boots?
[ ] Do you rock out?
Total X: 3

--DRAMA DORK--
[x] Ever been in a play? [In like...the third grade. But yes.]
[x] Have you ever seen a Broadway show? [Rent, Cats, The Lion King, Mamma Mia]
[ ] More than 10 Broadway shows?
[ ] Have you ever been/are you in school shows?
[ ] Does your current job involve theater in some way?
[ ] Want to end up working in/for theater
[ ] Can you recite all of the lyrics to your favorite play/musical?
[ ] Do you break out into random songs whenever/wherever?
[ ] Do you like the 'Sound of Music'?
[x] Did you like the Broadway show you saw?
Total X: 3

--REDNECK--
[ ] Do you have a couch in your front yard or porch?
[ ] Do you drive a four-wheeler?
[ ] Do you ride four-wheelers?
[ ] Do you like to get dirty?
[ ] Do you like country music?
[ ] Do you have a broken car in your back yard?
[ ] Do you own a cowboy hat?
[ ] Do you have more then 4 different animals at your home?
[ ] Do you watch Larry the Cable Guy videos?
[ ] Do you live on more than 1 acres?
Total X: 0 [Yay!]

--GOTH--
[ ] Do you wear black eyeliner?
[x] Is most of your clothing dark?
[ ] Do you think about death often?
[ ] Do you want to die?
[ ] Are you a social outcast?
[x] Are you pale?
[ ] Do you like Hot Topic? [only been once but seemed cool]
[x] Do you enjoy Tim burton movies?
[ ] Are you mean?
Total X: 3

-SKATER/PUNK--
[ ] Can you skateboard?
[x] Do you wear Skateboarding shoes?
[ ] Do you do stupid stuff with your friends?
[ ] Have you gotten in trouble with the Cops
[ ] Do you watch the x-games?
[ ] Do/did you have any piercings other than your ears?
[ ] Do you like/wear a mohawk?
[ ] Do you wear Band t-shirts?
[ ] Have you called someone a poser recently?
Total X: 1

--PREP--
[ ] Do you say the word "like"?
[ ] Do you shop at Hollister/Abercrombie&Fitch/AE/Aero? [What?]
[ ] Do the people in Hot Topic scare you?
[ ] Do you giggle a lot when you're with your friends?
[ ] Have/do you watch LAGUNA BEACH?
[ ] Do you like pop music?
[ ] Do you want/have a little dog?
[x] Do you laugh a lot?
Total X: 1

--HIPPIE--
[ ] Is your hair long?
[ ] Do you own a tye-dye shirt?
[x] Do you want to save the animals?
[x] Do you think war is unnecessary?
[ ] Do you like classic rock?
[x] Have you ever participated in a protest?
[x] Have you ever been overcome with a desire to hug a tree?
[ ] Is your idea of fun sitting around one person playing a guitar and singing along?
[ ] Do you see someone playing frisbee and automatically ask to play?
Total X: 4

--GANGSTA--
[ ] Do you act ghetto sometimes?
[ ] Do you wear do-rags?
[x] Do you like rap? [GOOD rap]
[ ] Was Tupac truly the greatest rapper in the world?
[ ] Do you like afros?
[ ] Have you ever said "Fo Sho"? [Only mockingly]
[x] Do you like to dance? [I haven't in ages, but I used to be great at it]
[x] Do You own 40 cd's...
[ ] Are you colored?
Total X: 3

--EMO-
[ ] Do you cry often?
[x] Do you wear hoodies?
[x] Do you like soft music?
[ ] Do people not understand you?
[ ] Do you write your own poems?
[ ] Do you dye your hair red, black, or any dark color?
[ ] Do you cut your own hair?[my sister does, i guess that counts?]
[x] Do you sometimes feel very lonely?
Total X: 3

-SURFER--
[ ] Do you surf?
[ ] Do you wear flip flops all year around?
[ ] Is your hair shaggy/layered?
[ ] Do you wake up before 6 every morning?
[x] Do you own any pairs of shorts?
[x] Do you think the ocean is radical?
[x] Do you want to be at the beach right now?
[x] Do you hate tourists? [Fucking tourists. Bah!]
Total X: 4

--GEEK--
[ ] Do you wear glasses?
[x] Do you get good grades?
[ ] Do you use an inhaler?
[ ] Do you stick pens and calculators into your shirt pockets?
[ ] Does your mom pick out your clothes?
[x] Are you on the computer often?
[ ] Do you ever get picked on?
[ ] Do you look forward to going to school?
[ ] Do you play video games? [Pfft]
Total X: 2

Metal Head: 3
Drama Dork: 3
Redneck: 0
Goth: 3
Skater/punk: 1
Prep: 1
Hippie: 4
Gangsta: 3
Emo: 3
Surfer: 4
Geek: 2

Me = A little bit of everything?

Jesus Christ!

2006-09-17T16:05:00.000-07:00

Classy At Its Classinest

2006-09-16T07:16:00.000-07:00

BARF!

Crikey!

2006-09-14T13:44:00.000-07:00

Irwin fans 'in revenge attacks'

Stingrays have been found dead on two Queensland beaches
Dead stingrays with their tails cut off have been found in Australia, sparking concern that fans of naturalist Steve Irwin may be avenging his death.

Mr Irwin, a TV personality known as the "Crocodile Hunter", was killed while diving in Queensland when a stingray's barb stabbed him in the chest. Since then, 10 stingrays have been found mutilated on Queensland beaches. Government officials said they were investigating the deaths and there could be prosecutions. Two stingrays were found at a beach north of Brisbane with their tails cut off, while eight were found on another beach on Monday, The Australian reported.
Wayne Sumpton of the state fisheries department said it was not clear if the incidents were connected to Mr Irwin's death. He said fishermen who inadvertently caught stingrays sometimes cut off their tails to avoid being stung, but such a practice was uncommon.

'Protect wildlife"
Mr Irwin was well-known for his work with Australian wildlife
Michael Hornby, a friend of the late naturalist and executive director of Mr Irwin's Wildlife Warrior fund, condemned any revenge killings.
"We just want to make it very clear that we will not accept and not stand for anyone who's taken a form of retribution. That's the last thing Steve would want," he said.
"I hope everyone understands we have to protect wildlife now more than ever. This is what Steve was all about."

Stingrays are normally placid, but when they feel under threat, a sharp, poisonous spine in their tail flicks up.
A public memorial service for Mr Irwin will be held next week.
The Article.

Vilkommen

2006-09-13T16:14:00.000-07:00

Hello, friends!
It's been eons since I last blogged - I, like many others, have fallen to the clutches of the machine known as Myspace. However, after some thought, I've decided to return to the world of bloggage from whenst I came. I've just begun Grade 11 at school, and...hoo-boy, it's pretty boring. My schedule goes as follows:
University/College - Functions and Relations (in layman's terms, retard math)
University Biology
Spare (mmmm...spare...)
University English

It really could be worse. My math and bio teachers are a lot of fun, and my english teacher...well...he tries. It seems like the class has already succeeded at owning him, which is never a good sign two weeks into the year.

I've also taken up some administrative duties over at the Ronin Studios site! It's a really fun, creative environment for indie comic creators. I hope to have one of my comics published there someday.
That's aboooouuut it for now. I should be furiously typing up some opinion pieces at some point. In the meantime, admire the half-ripped off, half-edited layout I have. Yay!