The Hopi had a word for it – Koyaanisqatsi – Life out of Balance. We know it intuitively in our gut when it’s happening. Supermarkets loaded with stores of food – chronic hunger and starvation in countries around the world. World “leaders” preaching peace – then dropping bombs. Politicians promising to respect rights – and passing Bills to overstep those rights. City Mayors hosting community fundraisers – with their own private event organizers.
It reminds me of the lyrics in the Crosby, Stills and Nash song “Long Time Gone” “There’s somethingThere’s something goin’ on around hereSurely, you know it surely won’t stand the light of day.”
We know something is horribly out of balance, but how do we respond? It really depends on how comfortable we are. Or how informed we are. Here in Canada many of us live in a fairy tale. Home, food and water, shelter, sex, and a little time for arts and entertainment. For many it is a daily search for sustenance. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. If you don’t have the basics met, you don’t get to pass Go and collect your (in 1950’s Monopoly terms) $200.00.
To put life into balance you have to tighten your locus of control. For example, I can’t stop Donald Trump or Benjamin Netanyahu from dropping bombs. But I can treat my spouse and my children and my neighbours with love and respect. I can’t stop Doug Ford or Mark Carney from passing Bills that erode democracy and basic environmental safeguards. But I can ensure that I honour those rights and safeguards in my personal dealings with my community.
I may not be able to prevent local politicians from abusing their powers and selling out their community to the highest bidder, But I can speak truth to power and carefully cast my vote in the next election. It may not restore balance to the world, but it will keep balance in my world.
The way I see it.
The current Urban group sees nothing wrong with the idea that in ten years Bolton will look like Brampton. They don’t want to oppose the developers in court, so just let them do what they want, build those communities, and former smart growth plans and By-laws be damned. If the law stops our growth, we’ll change the law! They believe in their hearts that this approach is right for Caledon.
These plans allowed for the protection of farmland, Greenspace, and places of ecological significance while allowing for communities to develop in appropriate places with future public transportation as a mobility culture goal.
Doug Ford’s Bill 3 speeded that up with the Strong Mayors act and the offer of hundreds of thousands of dollars to build houses quickly. Who does this benefit more than anyone? The developers who vie for access to those previously untouched lands. Don’t believe me? Check who are the top developer donors who are “friends” of our current Premier. Their names are all on public record. At his fundraisers.
I like this routine, especially in the summer. The mornings are cooler and quiet and generally car free. He has learned to walk on a relaxed leash now, very attentive to road crossings and the etiquette of using the boulevards to do his business. On the way, there is one favourite stop. A neighbour on our long loop has planted the most exquisite garden on both sides of the sidewalk.
The problem is, none of her proclamations fact-check. They may exist in Trump’s mind, made more believable for MAGATS through Ms. Leavitt’s eloquence, but they are simply half truths or mistruths. In the media world, this is known as propaganda. Adolph Hitler had Joseph Goebbels; Donald Trump has Karoline Leavitt. The Supreme Leader’s Propagandist has one purpose: to build up the leader to a point of almost divine superiority, one whose edicts and accomplishments must be elevated to levels inspiring awe and blind loyalty in their followers.
addiction to “big bombs” asking if this was indicative of a man of peace. “In just five months, Trump has overseen nearly as many US airstrikes (529) as were recorded across the entire four years of the previous administration (555).” That quote quote came from ACLED President Clionadh Raleigh as reported in Turkey’s Anadolu Anjasi.
This is not a satire article. This is probably the most serious article I have ever written. Between the Strong Mayor powers bestowed by Doug Ford’s. Bill 5, and Bill C5 enacted by PM Carney, we are in danger of losing our democracy. I cannot lecture, I am not on any pulpit of sanctity here.