Voila! C'est moi.

Time to disclose where I stand on some of the issues.

For the most part, you’d probably be able to figure this out from reading some of my posts. But, I like to get it out in the open for people to see (people close to me accuse me of being an exhibitionist at heart).

Generally, I like to be critical of everything. I don’t like to fully identify with one political party/ideology. When people ask me what I am, I like to say that I adopt the great Canadian position, the center. Some issues I tend to waffle on, some I lean right and some I lean left. The party that best represents me is a pragmatic, larger tent, institutional-based party. Both the Tories and the Grits have been appalling and attractive to me depending on the issue and timing.

Political membership? I haven’t been a very faithful follower of any party to date. I have been a card carrying member of a political party, but I haven’t been overly involved. I expect, one day, I’ll shake off my reluctance to wade into the public sphere. For now, I enjoy my armchair. I’m too busy with other things.

I’ve always been suspicious and critical of staunch supporters of any political party. Blind faith in one party or another just doesn’t sit right with me. All parties have dirty laundry. If something stinks, I like to be able to crinkle my nose. I’ve declared my support one way or another only to later groan in embarrassment at what my chosen supportee has come up with too many times.

My political feelings are constantly shifting. I don’t bounce around or wildly oscillate. I’m more like a fast moving glacier. This would be a product of parties always changing and my own personal growth and reflections. I don’t want a party to tell me how I should grow, I want to grow the direction I think best.

So, the specifics. Lately, I’ve found myself drifting slightly towards the left. I have, historically, been more right on economic issues, more left on social issues and I have always borrowed positions from various points on the spectrum. Judicially, I find myself becoming more socially conscious and left. Issues respecting sexuality find me far left. I think family and the community are the cornerstones of society. But, I think the definition of family and community could use some work to catch up with the times.

I respect spirituality, but I’m not religious. I believe in equality, but I drift towards equality of opportunity more than equality of result. I think “hard working, ordinary Canadian families” are important, but I think the rich have rights too (I’m far from rich). I can be remarkably cynical, but always willing to work towards positive change and growth.

I hope this all becomes redundant, anyway. I want to write enough that people can get this sense from my writing. But, in the meantime, at least you have an idea of who what you’re working with.

Treason?

People's response to the news never ceases to amaze me.

I’m not talking about folks who don’t care. But, I don’t necessarily mean folks who are extremely involved. I guess you have to at least pay some attention to the news and have some opinions on politics to qualify.

In the last couple of days, Canadian politics has been intriguing. Opposition parties have threatened a take over. They say it’s because the Conservatives have improperly addressed the financial situation. Officially, it’s over the Finance Minister’s budget update (a confidence issue).

Here, rather than me rewrite all the details, take a look at this:

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/11/28/fed-govt.html

This news item talks about the most recent developments and gives some background about what the “budget update” included.

Although opposition parties say they’re outraged because of the “lack of recognition of the seriousness of Canada’s economic situation,” they’re really angry because of the move to damage opposition party financial backing.

For example, this move would bankrupt the Liberal party. The Liberals are already greatly trailing in financial support and are going through other tremendous pressures. The implications of the budget update could be disastrous.

But, for now, I’m going to stay away from my behind the scene speculating (something I greatly enjoy). Back to the original thesis.

I can never help myself. I always find myself reading the first several pages of comments attached to news articles. I never respond. I hate forums and trolls always destroy it for everyone.

However, I’m always surprised to note just how ignorant the average poster is. Whether right or left leaning, the average poster seems to have the analytical tools of a tree. (I dunno why I said “tree.” I was trying to think of something more clever, but I’m running out of free time before I need to get back to work and so I just need to move on). People’s analyses are always so shallow. I suppose I shouldn’t expect in depth reviews. But take this post for example:

“Harper must not only step down but I firmly believe the RCMP needs to review his traitorous comments today.”

Seriously? Tried for treason? And step down as what?

Obviously the extreme hyperbole (to the extent of just being inaccurate) pisses me off. But what pisses me off most is that there is lots of room for real criticism. But people just keep missing the point.

Anyway I need to end this here, for now. But people who hang on to poorly thought out positions really piss me off.

About me

Hey there!

Some friends call me "Griff." I have no real intention to stay secret or anonymous. I'm currently in my last year of a LL. B degree program at U New Brunswick. My first degree is a BA in Political Science from U of Calgary. I was born and raised in Calgary, AB. I plan to article in Calgary next year. I muse over the possibility of moving to Vancouver sometime in the not too distant future.

I've decided it's high time to get on this “blog” stuff. I'm hoping this blog will help me with my writing, give shape to my ideas and help me communicate with friends and family. Topics will range from Canadian politics, literature, Canadian law, and misc. If I can think of anything else to say about myself, I'll blog it.