When will enough be enough?

The women of the Democratic Republic of Congo stood up and spoke out today. Canadian newscasts briefly showed images of these women dressed in black and displaying makeshift signs with messages urging their government and the international community to stop the brutal violence and protect their lives.

Due to the recent resurgence of tribal and military conflict in the country, specific attacks against women both young and old, have reached unfathomable heights. Because if this, the bravery these women displayed for their attackers and the world to see is absolutely astounding.

Reports trickling in from across the globe say that increased fighting in the DR Congo in recent weeks has displaced over 250,000 civilians who have no choice but to flee fighting between the armed forces and rebel troops.

Sadly, whether in their homes or in ‘government secured’ refugee camps (holding populations in the hundreds of thousands), the dangers the Congolese women face is coming from both sides of the conflict.  Both the rebel fighters and military personnel use rape and torture as a way to break down and break through communities across the country as one side attempts to gain more control and more ground than the other.

According to Action Aid, more than 3000 reports of sexual violence have occurred in the region since January. However, the number is nowhere near an accurate reflection of the real trauma, as many women and children are afraid to come forward.

Despite the growing number of UN troops in the region as this conflict of control of resources in Africa is spreading into Rwanda and Angola, these atrocities are continuing. Once again in an African nation, the UN is not doing its job. The real heartbreak is the question of whether those who are being attacked and pushed to stand up for themselves will actually make a difference by raising their voices.

 

www.womenofthecongo.com

Give it up!

Halloween is over, but I still have blood on my mind.

Canadian Blood Services clinics across the country have been promoting the need for donations for many years now. The familiar “blood, it’s in you to give” slogan has been sounding off over TV and airwaves as donation numbers have fluxuated.

This past week, however, the number of units of blood on reserve hit an all-time low—a dangerous statistic considering that the need is steadily increasing.

According to a report by the Globe and Mail, the stock dropped just below 10,000 units this week. On average, 10,000 units is only a two-day supply for the countries current demand—ouch!

In looking into this, I had no idea the actual number behind what a ‘unit’ of blood translates to, in terms of patient-to-patient necessity.

Here are some (possibly) startling examples:

 Automobile accident…50 units of blood needed

Heart surgery…6 units, 6 units of platelets

Organ transplants…40 units of blood, 30 units of platelets, 20 bags of cryoprecipitate, 25 units of fresh frozen plasma

Bone marrow transplants…20 units of blood, 120 units of platelets

Burn…20 units of platelets

 

To put things into perspective, a ‘unit’ of blood equals 450ml, or just less than one pint. When you go to donate your blood, only one unit will be taken at a time.

For some people who don’t like needles however, that may be a little too much to comprehend.

In general the whole ‘problem’ seems a little ridiculous to me. How are we so low on blood in Canada, when it’s so simple and we have so many healthy people in this country that could help save lives?

Really though, I’m not in any position to point fingers, as I myself have never donated. Yah, it’s bad.

 I was on a medication that required me to give 2 vials of blood on a monthly basis, but that doesn’t count.

I drive by the Canadian Blood Services clinic here in Regina almost every day. Next week I’m going to stop. I’m going to figure out what my blood type is…a step in the right direction I figure.

The more stories and facts I read, I can’t help but think how upset I would be if someone I loved needed blood and it wasn’t there. We’re getting dangerously close to that point.

And I’m pretty sure that once I give my first donation, I’ll never look at my pint of Guinness the same ever again. 

Spare some change?

Because of the recent economic debacle that has spread from the U.S., into Canada and across the globe, Canadian involvement in Afghanistan has somewhat fluttered in and out of focus throughout this campaign

Whether politicians choose to focus on this topic at any given time, significant events are taking place every day in both Afghanistan and Canada that affect our military and our countries role overseas.

At home today, charges were dropped against a soldier facing court martial over the shooting death of his friend and comrad back in 2006. In Afghanistan, news reports and regional analysts are stating that Taliban ‘tactics are changing’, as an increasing number of aid workers and top Afghan official are targeted and killed.

Although the economy came up above the ‘war’ in Afghanistan in many polls as the main issue throughout this election, the point that most Canadians should focus on, if nothing else, is that these two issues—the economy and the Afghan mission—have never been more linked.

It seemed like all you had to do was blink, and suddenly Canada’s mission was extended from 2009 to 2011. Two years is a long addition to make, and whether you agree with it or not, likely no one can dispute the fact that the money involved in continuing our countries operations in the region will effect the economy and military spending overall like never before seen.

According to a report by the Canadian and Associated presses, the estimated cost associated with Afghanistan will be around 18.1 billion by 2011. Considering that many agencies are not sharing their spending information with budget officer Kevin Page in Ottawa (you know, the little guys like…Foreign Affaires, Veterans Affairs and the Canadian International Development Agency), you don’t have to be a political or economic pundit to guess that the 18.1 billion estimate will end up being much higher.

Since Canadians are largely kept in the dark in terms of how the spending on this mission will come to affect their household incomes, it also should not be surprising that puvlic support for the mission is sinking like a stone.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/09/05/poll-afghan.html#socialcomments

I think the comments section of this article is worth taking a look at.

The Great Schlep

In good taste

It’s just three weeks away until Big Brother goes to the polls to decide who the next president will be.

As election fever is reaching its peak here at home, a lot of discussion has been going on comparing the major players and general vibe of both countries latest political D-Day.

In particular, the debate as to which ridings, provinces and states are already decided or ‘in the bag’ before the polls even open was the topic of debate amongst my family this past weekend,

(I wonder how many American families gather around the table to discuss Harper plagiarizing speeches or Dion’s ‘command’ of the English language?) 

I’m from Alberta, and it’s pretty safe to say that my hometown and the rest of the province will be voting conservative, as always. Surprisingly enough, however, polls have been showing that favor for the greens is at its highest in Alberta.

This makes n sense to me, but then what do polls really show. That’s a whole other can of worms.

What about the U.S.? Everyone defaults to the Florida question, the one they know best for being the state that went to the infamous re-count, which ushered Baby Bush into the Whitehouse. Papa Bush was very proud.

We’ll find out soon enough what’s going on with Florida, and even sooner, what’s up with those crazy Albertans.

Sarah Silverman has a lot to say about the Florida vote. My sister showed me this video, ‘The Great Schlep’, which is ironic, as my sister has never showed any interest in politics before this year, nor has she ever voted.

After watching this little gem, I couldn’t help but think that maybe I should have schlepped on over to see my family in New Glasgow (in the Central Nova riding) and convinced them to vote Elizabeth May over Peter MacKay.

I’m sure her brisket is better.

A late rant/tribute to Suomi

Right. So those who know me most likely know about my appreciation for Finland.

In May 2007, my friend and I spent three and a half weeks travelling around the country, getting to know all the quarks of the country and the people. Some of the funniest moments, greatest food and thirst-quenching ale of my short life were taken in on this adventure. In short, a good time was had by all.

When I woke up last Tuesday morning to a news report stating 'tragedy in Finland', I can very easily say that I was gob-smacked by what I was seeing and hearing. Again.

For the second time in under a year, a young man in Finland chose to (for whatever reason) take the lives of his peers at school, and then his own. 

It sucks. It pisses me off.

Hearing about more senseless death in a country that I know and love, triggered the same reaction that I had when this summer's ridiculous Greyhound bus incident took place. 

At first, my cheeks burned with embarrassment as I read countless comments on the Internet form people around the world (well, Americans mostly, because they're always there to take the piss out of Canada) saying how shocked they were that 'something like this could happen in Canada'. 'Shame on Canada' for not having stricter security.

Embarrassment quickly turned to defense. And thus, I felt very defensive of Finland and its reputation this week. 

I'm not going to post the killer's messages, photos or YouTube videos because I'm pretty sure he's received all the publicity he ever wanted by now. I don't care that he hunted, because hundreds and hundreds of people in Finland and Canada hunt. I don't care that he listened to black metal or dea

th metal music or whatever people want to call it, because it's on my iPod and I don't plan on hurting anyone.

What I WILL do, is focus on how wonderful Finland is.

In northern Europe (I've been told that apparently the Finns don't consider themselves Scandinavians) the

y are the underdogs, which automatically makes them cool in my humble opinion. Badgered by the Swedes and the Russians throughout history in the form of open war and modern day jokes, the Finns are used to having the piss taken. Not unlike Canadians.

I've always thought that Canada is to the U.S. what Finland is to Sweden. Think about it.

Also, the Finns

 have a great sense of humor, very self-depreciating. Not unlike myself.

They love hockey

, and 

are very good at it.

 They love beer, and are very good at making it and drinking it. They love the outdoors, but bitch about the cold like Canadians!

They are the makers of t

he Nokia phone, not the Japanese. 

They have one of the most unique dialects in the world: Aja hiljaa sillalla (means 'drive quietly on the bridge', and is supposedly one of the most pleasant sounding phrases of every language in the world).

Santa Clause is totally from Finland, for real.  Their Prime Minister, Tarja Halonen, looks like Conan O'Brien.

I could go on and on...

 Enjoy the video. Enjoy the pics. 

Blog, blog, blog.

There. I did it. No one cares.