Good news, bad news--it's ALL Canadian news here in your weekly Canadiana diary roundup! We're fresh from the cooler climes of Daily Kos with environmental reports, the latest highjinks from George Bush's Stephen harper's Can Cons, and a gen-u-wine protest song or two. There are some truly powerful diaries that range from the deeply personal to the strictly political. You'll learn that Howard Dean really does control the world, fascism never goes out of style(sadly), and gee, some pooties sure can drink!
And there's more...a not-so-pointless puppy pic, caption contest, and a featured Canadian community. So follow me below the fold for more beer drinkin' pooties weighty content...
News from the North is a weekly (ish) rescue of Canadian-related diaries from Daily Kos, crossposted at The Next Agenda, your source for Progressive Canadian politics!
Canadian Politics and the World
"We're like, heh-heh, the three amigos, get it? Heheheheh. What are a few borders among buddies?" Well folks, "Deep Integration" of North American economies may be the most disturbing trend you've never heard of. In Deeply Integrated Until We Part, pale cold takes a closer look at the way business interests are working to subvert democracy across North America- and what that means for both fresh water and fair government.
And speaking of fresh water, The U.N. Nitty Gritty:Report Back from the United Nations Climate Change Conference by zcaron brings you the perspective of one self-fundraised Canadian youth on this groundbreaking environmental conference. You'll catch all the diarists' excitement and walk away well-informed and inspired to boot. Wonderful and powerful.
And in news from the arts, Neil Young isn't the only Canadian with a protest song or two out there. Jann Arden/Bring the Boys Home from True North gives us a look at Jann Arden's powerful antiwar tune, a cover of the 1971 Freda Payne song. Check it out and hum along.
Not-so-pointless Puppy Pic
This is Nightengale and his handler, Damir Garibovic. They are part of a canine demining team in Bosnia...and Nightengale is sponsored by a Canadian program, Canine Demine. If you want to help (or just learn more about this program and how Canadians and Americans are helping), check out my diary (ahem! Shameless self rescue!) Canines and Land Mines: A Different Kind of Christmas Puppy.
American Politics and Canada
Got Canada? These days a better question is: Got a passport? If you don't you'll be out of luck as on January. Canadian Reader gives us some perspective on what this change--pushed through by the rubber-stamp Republicans-- will mean for unsuspecting Americans who travel to Canada. Lively debate in the comments.
The Vast Left-Wing Conspiracy Lives!Howard Dean - Crazy, Ineffectual, and Helping Foreigners ultrageek tells us about the new Republican meme--Howard Dean as international puppetmaster. Apparently his speech in Canada is still putting the Fox News crowd in a tizzy. Le sigh....
Caption Contest
This is Rona Ambrose (not the same as Nightengale, above.) She's a former PR Hack communications consultant, which in Stephen Harper's government makes her a natural for...(drumroll please)...Minister for the Environment. So far her big achievements include suppressing free speech and weaseling out of Kyoto. Oh yeah, and whatever she's doing with that big giant corncob up there. (H/T to Frank Frink, who ensures me, btw, that's not Photoshop...just another Harpocrit in real live action.)
Opinions, Perspectives, and Analysis
Since when in multiculturalism a crime? The Can Cons have learned well from BIll O'Reilly, and are complaining mightily about new Liberal Leader Stephane Dion's dual (French!) ctizenship. Another diary from pale cold who makes the case that a multicultural heritage is nothing less than truly canadian.
Like A-line skirts and charcoal suits, fascism never really goes out of style for the right..it just goes casual...(HT Frank Frink)
Speaking of flannel-clad fascists, inMore right wing stupidity, Canadian style allmost liberal european gives us a look at David Warren's truly bizarro right wing prescriptions for the post 9/11 world. Bonus points if you can tell the difference between Warren's quotes and Hitler's.
Featured Canadian Community: Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
This week we're heading "Down East" to Yarmouth Nova Scotia. For Americans taking the ferry from Maine, Yarmouth is your gateway to Atlantic Canada. Welcome to the "Lobster Capital"--pop. 8700.
History from Wikipedia
The region was visited in 1604 by Samuel de Champlain, who named it Cap Fourchu, and it became a French fishing settlement. In 1759 settlers came to the townsite from Yarmouth, Massachusetts, and named it Yarmouth after their former home...Tourism has been a major industry in Yarmouth since the late 19th century when the Dominion Atlantic Railway and Halifax and Southwestern Railway began to offer connections for its passengers with steamship services operating to New York City and Boston.
Local Culture(s) and Media
About 90% of the households in Yarmouth speak English as a first language, and about 10% are francophone, part of Atlantic Canada's vibrant Acadian community. Descended from 17th century French colonists, the Acadians are linguistically and culturally very distinct from the Quebecois and other French-speaking Canadian communities, and are closely connected to American Cajuns. Their flag(seen above with the Nova Scotian and you-know-what flag) is a tricolour featuring the star of the Virgin Mary, the Acadian patron saint.
Tune into CIFA and you can catch Acadian radio en francias. It's La Voix de Nouvelle Ecosse available streaming online! Or, if English-language media is more your style, take a listen to CJLS. TheLive audio stream will bring you birthday and anniversary greetings weekday mornings at 7.45 and radio bingo Monday at 6 pm. The East Coast Music countdown is not to bemissed if you like the unique sound of Atlantic Canada--Tuesday and Saturday 7-9 pm (all times Atlantic.)
What to Do In Yarmouth
Naturally, you'll want to visit the lighthouse at Cape Forchu, and perhaps hit the beach. If you're in an educational mood, you could learn more about Acadian history and culture by taking the 30 minute drive to West Pubnico and visiting the historical Acadian Village Or check out Yarmouth's own Firefighter's Museum.And who among us can resist the siren call of the Tuna Museum?
Feeling arty? Th'YARC offers music, dance, and other live performances. Feeling shoppy? Get cool threads for less at Frenchy's thrift stores. Feeling hungry? Grab a bite at the Old Mill Seafood and Dairy Bar drive-in on Hardscratch road or Wilson's Family Restaurant on Main Street. (Personally, when I'm in Atlantic Canada, I usually visit Pizza Delight...mmmm, breadsticks with donair sauce! Say, when is lunch anyway?)
Sign Off
Got a community you'd like to see featured (Quebec and the Prairies are up next)? Got a diary that belongs in the roundup? Got a caption? Share those and anything else Canadian-ish in the comments! Until next week...this is your News from the North! Join us every day at The Next Agenda for more Canadian politics!