A "Bump in Relations"

At least that's what U.S. Ambassador Paul Cellucci said earlier this week.

Of course, Canada hasn't joined the war against Iraq, but we're in the war against terrorism.

That's what Canada does. Our government confuses everybody and the good we do do is kept low key.

Just had to get that off my mind - asmyth82 1:03 PM -

stupid blogger

OK, so I tried to make edthesock.com my Cool Site of the Moment. Whenever my index page decides to show that change is beyond me. - asmyth82 11:47 AM -

Why write something to the same effect when copy and paste works just as well?

Should I start worrying when I start agreeing with a sock puppet?

His March 24th editorial:

As with any political cause, people look to people they respect and admire to help them interpret the issues at hand. But in our society, that role isn't played by statesmen, academics or politicians, but by movie actors, pop artists and TV actors – most of whom form their opinions based on the little snatches of news they absorb while in and out of rehab.

Much as I hate the words of Martin Sheen being given more attention than those of Hans Blix, celebrities, like every other ill-informed, self-absorbed ignoramus, are entitled to their opinions. That's what freedom of speech is all about.

But freedom of speech isn't free, as the Dixie Chicks, among others, have found out. Natalie Mains exercised her right to speak, and then immediately issued a groveling apology for speaking out against the current US political climate. And some have said that this proves that there is no freedom of speech in America.

That’s a bunch of crap. Is Natalie Mains in jail for speaking against the government? Is her family being rounded up and tortured, or forced to listen to her records? No. Our legislated right to Freedom of speech simply means freedom from being arrested for communicating dissenting opinions - it doesn't mean freedom from the consequences of your words. And freedom of speech doesn't mean people don't have the right to be angry about what you have to say. Natalie Mains wasn't forced to retract her statement, she chose to. She angered the people who buy her records and, rather than stand by her words, she bowed to the fear of losing sales. This hardly makes her a martyr for free speech - it makes her a coward.

However, that doesn't let the American public off the hook either. Americans talk tough about preserving free speech, but then persecute and vilify people who put that freedom to the test. Respecting free speech means respecting that people have a right to express their opinions, popular or not. It seems funny that the crowd that's gung-ho to go to war to (ahem) "protect freedom" is the same crowd that shows freedom the least respect at home.

The most egregious example of this comes from the New York Post, who last week took it upon itself to publish a list naming prominent actors who have spoken out against the war, and encouraging people to boycott their work. Think about this - a newspaper, an entity which owes it's very existence to the American first amendment right to free speech, encouraging readers to punish others who have exercised their right to free speech. That's like Anna Nicole urging a boycott of breast implants . Add to this the fact that the Post is a low-end gossip rag which publishes an amalgam of half-truths and rumours while using the first amendment as protection, and you realize we're truly living on Bizarro world.

Freedom of speech isn't intended to protect popular speech, its worth is in protecting unpopular speech. It's at its best when it’s being tested, when speech provokes thought, debate and a general sense of discomfort. Freedom itself is like a muscle - if you don't exercise it, it atrophies. Or, to put it more colloquially, use it or lose it.

And that's why what’s really disturbing is the number of Americans who characterize fellow citizens who oppose the war as “un-American”. That’s a bunch of CRAP. America is founded on the notion of free speech, resistance to state coercion and individual rights…all rights that the protestors are utilizing. They're the ones breathing life into American ideals. What's truly a violation of American values is to blindly support government or try to do anything to suppress individual rights and freedom of speech. Vocalizing dissent is American, falling into lockstep with the government is un-American. Check your history books. I'm all for truth, justice and the American Way, I just wish more Americans understood what it meant. It's enough to make Superman cry.

I'm Ed the Sock.

Yep, I'm finding a sock puppet is now making rational sense to me. Though when compared to some of the people given airtime these days, I don't find it worrying. Made Ed's site my new Cool Site of the Moment.

I'm also finding The Onion's Operation: Piss Off the Planet war coverage even more hilarious than their usual stuff.

Ed the Sock: Canada's Greatest Celebrity!
- asmyth82 11:25 AM -

Tick Tock

Well it looks like war is just around the corner. "Saddam Hussein and his sons must leave Iraq within 48 hours. Their refusal to do so will result in military conflict, commenced at a time of our choosing." And since it doesn't look like Saddam is going anywhere... And it will commence at a time of Bush's choosing. I'm thinking that means right away. "We've got all our troops ready to strike. Have them hide behind that tree. Let Saddam think we left then we strike when he goes to get his paper off his doorstep."

All the news stations have a countdown clock counting down the 48 hours Bush gave Saddam. But they're so boring! Why can't they spice it up? Something like:






Then when it reaches zero, have it change to a big "BOOM!" or something.

In other events, all the pictures I took at the zoo are gone thanks to my camera fucking up and formatting my disk.

Sometimes you just gotta say what the fuck - asmyth82 10:39 AM -

From the northern horizon comes an update

Spent yesterday in Toronto. We have a project to do that required pictures from the Toronto Zoo.

Now I don't mind taking pictures and it's been a while since I'd been to the zoo. But when you have to bundle up like you're going on an arctic exploration, it's too fucking cold to go to the zoo! But did the cold stop others from coming to the zoo? No. Due to the fact it is March Break, parents decided it was a good idea to drag their kids down. Now, I have no evidence to back this up, but I do believe every parent there lived in Toronto. They all let their kids lean on the glass, pounding away trying to get the animals attention. Oh right, you must be from Toronto, because the sign that says do not bang or lean on the glass doesn't apply to you or your idiot children. Not only were kids just in the way, but their parents were completely retarded too. A few times I'd have waited for the best shot and when it finally happened, such as the animal y'know, moved, some idiot would decided that 's the best time to walk right in front of me or stand up. Does anyone want a picture of the back of the head of a North American fucktard? Because it's of no use to me. They'd back into me or run into me. Sorry to ruin your belief that you're the only person in the world jackass.

Anyway, after that, the schedule gave us three hours of do whatever the fuck you want time in downtown TO. Who the hell decided this? A couple of people wanted to shop so we're stuck here for three hours? I'm sure if I had money I could have found something to do, but shit, what was I supposed to do? Stand outside Much Music staring through the glass like every other fucktard who does that every day? Stand outside staring into the Hooters like an idiot?

Luckily a buddy owed me a movie ticket so we went to see Old School. Damned funny movie.

On another topic, I'm surprised Matt has just realized that "there are more stupid people in the world than there are the rest of us." I can't believe it took this long for that realization. It reminded me of something I read online. I was about video game violence, the columbine lawsuit in particualr. But I remember one line right near the end: "Everyone thinks that everyone else is stupider than them. Even the stupid."

That's it for now I guess.
Nothing seems real. I'm starting to feel lost in the haze of a dream. - asmyth82 9:52 AM -

Knowing at least one person would get this



It's also the 10th anniversary. What a coincidence. - asmyth82 11:14 AM -

When you don't have content of your own...

A friend sent this to me in an email. I thought I'd post it:

A truly Canadian Apology to the USA...
Courtesy of Rick Mercer from This Hour Has 22 Minutes, CBC Television:

On behalf of Canadians everywhere I'd like to offer an apology to the United States of America. We haven't been getting along very well recently and for that, I am truly sorry. I'm sorry we called George Bush a moron. He is a moron but, it wasn't nice of us to point it out. If it's any consolation, the fact that he's a moron shouldn't reflect poorly on the people of America. After all it's not like you actually elected him. I'm sorry about our softwood lumber. Just because we have more trees than you doesn't give us the right to sell you lumber that's cheaper and better than your own. I'm sorry we beat you in Olympic hockey. In our defence I guess our excuse would be that our team was much, much, much, much better than yours. I'm sorry we burnt down your White House during the war of 1812. I notice you've rebuilt it! It's Very Nice. I'm sorry about your beer. I know we had nothing to do with your beer but, we feel your pain. I'm sorry about our waffling on Iraq. I mean, when you're going up against a crazed dictator, you want to have your friends by your side. I realize it took more than two years before you guys pitched in against Hitler, but that was different. Everyone knew he had weapons. And finally on behalf of all Canadians, I'm sorry that we're constantly apologizing for things in a passive-aggressive way which is really a thinly veiled criticism. I sincerely hope that you're not upset over this. We've seen what you do to countries you get upset with.

Canadian humour - asmyth82 6:54 PM -