to prorogue or not to prorogue...
I'm no expert on political matters (in fact, I get most briefings from Brys), and I've avoided as long as possible reading the headlines on the Globe about the feds' latest antics. But then Canadian politics appeared as breaking news on the Jerusalem Post as I was lurking around there (how often does THAT happen, I wonder?), and I figured I should finally see what's going on. My first reaction: finally, thank God Harper is getting his come-uppance: his little let's-call-a-random-election-to-increase-my-power stunt was pretty arrogant. Waaaaaay to go back on your word. Jerk.
So, kudos to the other leaders for rising up in their own fashion and scaring the hell out of Harper. Of course, I can't help thinking that there's no WAY Harper is going to let them just walk in and take his power away, so why wouldn't he prorogue? Now, it seems a little undemocratic to close down the fort just so you don't lose power. But is it?
That's my question. There seems to be a lot of banter/labelling of both sides as undemocratic: for Harper to prorogue, and for the other parties to take power.
From the Toronto Star:
Harper: "We will use all legal means to resist this undemocratic seizure of power. Such an illegitimate government would be a catastrophe for our democracy..."
Peter Russell, political scientist: "...this is the most dangerous because it shows the intention of the Prime Minister to govern without Parliament and that is undermining our parliamentary democracy."
From the same article: - Harper has full constitutional power to prorogue parliament.
So... this power IS instated in our democracy.
But it's also true that Layton, Dion, and Duceppe haven't gotten the military together to overthrow the government. So how can either of these sides really be called undemocratic? (Of course, Daniela would say this is not even really a democracy, so it's a moot point.)
Frankly, Harper's desperate libelling of this process makes me want him out even more. I say, "way to show a strong front" to the opposition. Now, I may just be bitter from the past election (it felt like when Bush got voted in for the second time), and I may feel like this gives Dion a chance to save some face (God, you had to feel sorry for him before). But seriously, am I wrong to question whether it's the economy that's reeeeeally the motive here?
sex is not peripheral to life
From the U of T's newsfeed: Gay men's risky sexual behaviour linked to feelings of undesirability.
Mmm... ok. So, a study has been done that shows that gay men are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviour and to develop psychological problems if they feel undesirable.
This apparently ground-breaking study also reports that undesirable gay men can face avoidance or rejection (which can lead to depression and substance abuse, surprise!).
Granted, I've only read the short blurb on this study. But it's one of those things where you just go... "No. Really?!" ...but in a really sarcastic sense. I just can't help thinking that anyone that feels unwanted or stigmatized is at risk to develop psychological problems. And that anyone with very low self-esteem would be happy to get a little love. Am I wrong?
I will grant as well that things might be exacerbated in the gay community, although I don't want to risk going into stereotypes, even if I have info from good sources. ;) But still. Is this such a revolutionary thought process?
The phrase, however, that I found even more weird, was this one, from Professor Green: "We tend to devalue sexual life as something that is extracurricular and frivolous, but this research shows a significant link between sexual desirability and health."
Extracurricular? Frivolous? Really?
I dunno about you guys, but I think it's pretty clear that sexuality is a pret-ty important theme in our lives. Alright, sure, I'm young, randy, blah blah, whatever. But I'm of the opinion that a happy sex life is fundamental to a happy life, in general. That with other things, of course. But frivolous, it is not.
Man, academia IS bullshit, isn't it.
Oops... don't tell the sacrilege police... or my professors.
