Carleton University; Department of Idiocy

So the Student's Union at Ottawa's Carleton University, have decided to stop supporting Cystic Fibrosis with their annual 'Shinerama' fundraiser, "has been recently revealed to only affect white people, and primarily men." (http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2008/11/25/ot-081125-shinerama.html).

The entire student union, sans 1 representative decided to vote against the charity, and to find a new recipient for their fundraising dollars.

The Shinerama drive, where students spend a week shining shoes or cars for donations, has been an institution at Carleton for nearly 25 years.

While I am all for being racially and gender inclusive, it seems to me using politics to choose a charity is rather despicable.  The last time I checked, Cystic Fibrosis was a fatal genetic disease, for which their is currently no cure.  But I guess it's alright to cut them off from funding, because, you know, they are mainly all just white men.

HELLO?  Am I the only one that sees the idiocy in this line of thinking?

According to the student council motion that passed this week, orientation week "strives to be inclusive" and "all orientees and volunteers should feel like their fundraising efforts will serve their diverse communities."

I fail to see the logic in this statement.  Does this mean that I should not feel that raising money for breast cancer research is not serving my community, because I am not a woman?  Should I feel that my community is not being served by people who fundraise for sickle cell anemia since it affects mainly black women, and I am not black nor a woman?

I sincerely hope that the students of Carleton who disagree with this policy demand changes in their student union representation, and continue to raise money without official support from their University.  

I feel badly for these students, as it is likely they will be considered guilty of idiocy, purely by association to their student council.

I can only hope that the Cystic Fibrosis foundation will receive additional donations from people who were outraged by this callous decision.

Remember that a disease causes heartache for everyone regardless of the victims appearance.  

Keep Giving.

Rainn

Election Frenzy

Sarah Palin

Elizabeth May

So. Two federal elections in North America within a 4 week period.

Thank God that's over. If I see one more political ad on TV in the next year, it will be too soon.

First, we had the federal election in Canada the day after Thanksgiving. I know *I* was impressed, having $300 million of taxpayers dollars to hold another election with nearly the same results as before.

Stephen Harper continues his minority government after breaking his own law to call the election in the first place. The Liberals continue to be the official opposition (though with a few less members). And Jack Layton contiues to be the runner up, along with Gills Duceppe. However I have a feeling Jack is going to be louder than ever with his newly acquired seats this term.

The one silver lining of it all was the surprisingly well spoken and knowledgable Elizabeth May, leader of the oft mentioned, yet fruitless Green Party. This lady made it seem possible for a new party to stand a real chance and make a real difference in politics. Even though she did not win her seat, I have faith that it won't be too much longer before we see her calling everyone in parliament hill a 'fraud' in both official languages during question period.

Now to the American Election which made history with their first Black President, Barack Obama. I think its great that finally we see some diversity in the American government rather than rich, old white men who supposedly represent the American Populous. Still, part of me thinks the nation would have been better off with Hilary at the Helm. Does anyone REALLY believe that she wasn't running the show behind the scenes during the Clinton administration?

Which finally brings me to the now infamous Sarah Palin. Is this woman to be believed? She certainly has a marketable appearance, but come on! She's the govenor of Alaska! It's like asking the Mayor of Flin Flon, Manitoba to run New York City! Perhaps not the brightest idea the republicans have had. And I can guarantee that the only thing that will be remembered from this election, aside from the Historic President Obama, is 'I can see Russia from my house!'

Rainn

I'm Baaaacckk!

Yes, its true.

I am back and better than ever.

I had taken a nearly two year hiatus from blogging and photography to pursue another passion. Alcohol!

No, I am not a problem drinker, but I have been running a bar in Fort McMurray, Alberta Canada.

I am still running the bar, but have managed to free up some time for the blog once again.

So, excuse me while I go mix a drink, but I will be back shortly to give you all a piece of my mind. (So to speak.)

Rainn