crossover from Gore’s selection of Lieberman to Canadian politics. Stockwell Day, the new leader of the largest right wing party here, is an Evangelical Christian. And he complains, loudly and often, that reporters ask him about that unfairly (invoking god in the context of politics is viewed with great suspicion here in Canada). Anyhow, the Globe published an interesting editorial about this today: God and politicians.
OK, before I get going
to work this morning, I just came across the strangest thing on the Macwarehouse Canada site. A little deconstruction is in order.
- Apple Canada’s current e-commerce regulations prohibit any Apple authorized reseller to sell Apple product on-line through the Internet. As a strategic partner of Apple Canada, we support that position and will continue to follow their strategy.
This might as well read, “OK, Apple just fucked us, but we’re gonna suck up anyhow cause we’re getting rich off catalog sales.” - Micro Warehouse has decided that this restriction should not be a factor in collecting important information from our customers.
“We still want to invade your privacy though kids, so we’re going to datamine you for all you’re worth, which frankly might not be much but hey, this is e-commerce, baby!” - We have developed the following program that supports Apple Canada’s e-commerce strategy and benefits the customer.
“We have developed the following BS so we can nominally support their screwed-up policy while selling you, dear customer, down the river.” - A value add feature has been added to all Apple product on our website.
“Look at how great we are at using pass buzzwords like ‘value add’! Boy are we ever smart! We can suck up to Apple AND trash their policies in one fell swoop!”
The issues Tom raises have been
The issues Tom raises have been on the front burner in Quebec for a while now. Essentially, the battle over “gay marriage” is over now in Quebec – it’s fine. There are still some minor battles that are ongoing, but as a principle upheld by the Supreme Court of Canada and as a principle of legislation by the Quebec gov’t, it’s moving towards an inclusive position very quickly. I agree with him, though, that there are other questions, other issues, beyond just “can gays be just like straights?”
Being straight myself (but not narrow), my personal opinion has turned to suggest the removal of any official state sanction of any marriage for anyone. If you want to get married and are religious, or would just like a ceremony – go for it.
But as far as the state is concerned – any couple should be able to sign an affadavit and gain the tax benefits of marriage (where they exist). Roommates, lovers, friends, a older father and his single son taking care of him, whoever. Likewise for other issues – like inheritance, power of attorney, etc. These should be open to any of the myriad of arrangements that people dream up.
Goodness knows hardly anyone in Quebec gets married anymore – it’s mostly common law.
I’m not sure if
my expectations from the web are appropriate or out of whack. All I want is the final score of the Epson Cup rugby game between Canada and Fiji. OK OK, it’s being held in Apia, Samoa, of all places. But the game was on the 7th and as far as I know the 7th is over in Samoa. And yet no score on any of the rugby sites.
