Lots of pearl clutching regarding how the Liberal majority isn’t based on a majority of the popular vote. While that may be the case and relevant for a discussion of electoral reform, I find this story to be an indication of how probable a constitutional crisis would have been if
Continue readingAuthor: Constant Vigilance
If Necessary Blogging But Not Necessarily Blogging: A Benefit of a "False Majority"
Lots of pearl clutching regarding how the Liberal majority isn’t based on a majority of the popular vote. While that may be the case and relevant for a discussion of electoral reform, I find this story to be an indication of how probable a constitutional crisis would have been if
Continue readingIf Necessary Blogging But Not Necessarily Blogging: The Scouring of The Shire
Tolkien protested when it was suggested that The Lord of the Rings was an allegory for the Second World War
From the novel’s outset, the Shire stands as an ideal country, characterized by green hills, sparkling rivers, and pleasant woodlands. The inhabitants of that community are farmers, tradesmen, and country gentry, all of whom indulge in the innocent pleasures of rustic life: good food, strong beer, and idle gossip, all amply represented at Bilbo’s birthday party.
The Shire and its inhabitants were generally ignored by their allies to the south in Gondor, although the Hobbits have proved themselves as fierce warriors when then had no other choice. They are not oftne included in the councils of the “wise” but they are instrumental at the key times. If that isn’t Canada, what is, eh?
And life went on like this for the Hobbits of The Shire. Until there came a time when the Hobbits let their guard down and individuals driven by greed.
When they return home, however, the Shire hobbits discover their cherished ideal corrupted. A totalitarian state has replaced the carefree rural life, dominated by “the Rules” and suffering from “no beer and very little food.” Journeying deeper into the Shire reveals a devastated countryside. Homes have been replaced by ugly row houses and barracks, trees have been wantonly felled, and the old mill has been replaced by “a great brick building straddling the stream, which it fouled with a steaming and stinking outflow.
Is this due to external forces?
At first glance, Frodo and the others blame outside forces for the destruction. Evil men, brigands, and thieves have moved in while the protecting Rangers have gone to war. Sharkey, their leader, has urged them to “hack, burn and ruin” since his arrival. The hobbits soon learn that Sharkey is their old enemy Saruman, who has ravaged the Shire in revenge for his own losses.
(Yes, Harper is not the ultimate evil. He is the banal equivalent of the lesser evil to Sauron.)
But the Hobbits are inspired to fight back and reclaim the home and native land they knew was still there somewhere.
With determination and cooperation, the hobbits expel the invaders, destroy Saruman and his henchman Wormtongue, and eradicate the last vestige of Sauron’s evil in Middle-earth. Then they apply the same energy to the restoration of their beloved homeland. “Now there were thousands of willing hands of all ages, from the small and nimble ones of the hobbit lads and lasses to the well-worn and horny ones of the gaffers and gammers.” The result is not just an ideal restored, but surpassed: “a gleam of beauty beyond that of mortal summers that flicker and pass on this Middle-earth.” As with the novel as a whole, the ending of evil means little without the assurance of continuation, that the life and land, once saved, will be preserved and remembered.
Not a bad allegory at all in my opinion. Well done and very prescient Mr. Tolkien.
Continue readingIf Necessary Blogging But Not Necessarily Blogging: The Scouring of The Shire
Tolkien protested when it was suggested that The Lord of the Rings was an allegory for the Second World War I cordially dislike allegory in all its manifestations, and always have done so since I grew old and wary enough to detect its presence. I much prefer history – true
Continue readingIf Necessary Blogging But Not Necessarily Blogging: The Scouring of The Shire
Tolkien protested when it was suggested that The Lord of the Rings was an allegory for the Second World War I cordially dislike allegory in all its manifestations, and always have done so since I grew old and wary enough to detect its presence. I much prefer history – true
Continue readingIf Necessary Blogging But Not Necessarily Blogging: The Encouraging Things About High Turnout
The was a great turnout to the advance polls. It could be people looking to rebel against robocalls or for other reasons. It is great to see regardless of the reasons. But I would like to draw attention to one added reason I like to see high turnouts by highlighting
Continue readingIf Necessary Blogging But Not Necessarily Blogging: The Encouraging Things About High Turnout
The was a great turnout to the advance polls. It could be people looking to rebel against robocalls or for other reasons. It is great to see regardless of the reasons. But I would like to draw attention to one added reason I like to see high turnouts by highlighting
Continue readingIf Necessary Blogging But Not Necessarily Blogging: The Encouraging Things About High Turnout
The was a great turnout to the advance polls. It could be people looking to rebel against robocalls or for other reasons. It is great to see regardless of the reasons.But I would like to draw attention to one added reason I like to see high…
Continue readingIf Necessary Blogging But Not Necessarily Blogging: Am I The Only One Who Sees The Karma In This
Cast your mind way back to 2006. When a leak occurred during the finals days of a closely fought election. In 2006, it was a leak from the RCMP regarding a case that was eventually found to be bogus. Now fast forward to 2015, and the RCMP is called in
Continue readingIf Necessary Blogging But Not Necessarily Blogging: Am I The Only One Who Sees The Karma In This
Cast your mind way back to 2006. When a leak occurred during the finals days of a closely fought election. In 2006, it was a leak from the RCMP regarding a case that was eventually found to be bogus. Now fast forward to 2015, and the RCMP is called in
Continue readingIf Necessary Blogging But Not Necessarily Blogging: Am I The Only One Who Sees The Karma In This
Cast your mind way back to 2006. When a leak occurred during the finals days of a closely fought election. In 2006, it was a leak from the RCMP regarding a case that was eventually found to be bogus.Now fast forward to 2015, and the RCMP is…
Continue readingIf Necessary Blogging But Not Necessarily Blogging: I Would Like to Think Canada does not have a Racist Prime Minister
Some people have given Harper benefit of the doubt and posited that he isn’t a racist but is just an incredibly cynical politician. Nah. Anyone who would do this is beyond cynical. The Prime Minister’s Office directed Canadian immigration officials to stop processing one of the most vulnerable classes of
Continue readingIf Necessary Blogging But Not Necessarily Blogging: If Necessary Blogging But Not Necessarily Blogging 2015-10-08 08:56:00
Some people have given Harper benefit of the doubt and posited that he isn’t a racist but is just an incredibly cynical politician. Nah. Anyone who would do this is beyond cynical. The Prime Minister’s Office directed Canadian immigration officials to stop processing one of the most vulnerable classes of
Continue readingIf Necessary Blogging But Not Necessarily Blogging: I Would Like to Think Canada does not have a Racist Prime Minister
Some people have given Harper benefit of the doubt and posited that he isn’t a racist but is just an incredibly cynical politician.
Nah. Anyone who would do this is beyond cynical.
Continue readingThe Prime Minister’s Office directed Canadian immigration officials to stop processing one of the most vulnerable classes of Syrian refugees this spring and declared that all UN-referred refugees would require approval from the Prime Minister, a decision that halted a critical aspect of Canada’s response to a global crisis.
If Necessary Blogging But Not Necessarily Blogging: A Hopeful Message in Which Canada Reclaims its Place of Leadership in the World
I am by nature, an optimist so I expect the Liberals to form the next government and Harper to be cast into the pit of irrelevance except for the numerous times he is called to account for his as of yet uncovered crimes. And Trudeau’s victory will mean more than
Continue readingIf Necessary Blogging But Not Necessarily Blogging: A Hopeful Message in Which Canada Reclaims its Place of Leadership in the World
I am by nature, an optimist so I expect the Liberals to form the next government and Harper to be cast into the pit of irrelevance except for the numerous times he is called to account for his as of yet uncovered crimes. And Trudeau’s victory will mean more than
Continue readingIf Necessary Blogging But Not Necessarily Blogging: A Hopeful Message in Which Canada Reclaims its Place of Leadership in the World
I am by nature, an optimist so I expect the Liberals to form the next government and Harper to be cast into the pit of irrelevance except for the numerous times he is called to account for his as of yet uncovered crimes.And Trudeau’s victory will mean …
Continue readingIf Necessary Blogging But Not Necessarily Blogging: A Leaked Call to the "Barbaric Cultural Practices" Tip Line
I have been a steadfast critic of the Harper Government but, after reading this transcript of a call to the Barbaric Cultural Practices Tip Line, I have seen seen the light and switching my vote to the Conservatives. Here is the call …
Continue readingIf Necessary Blogging But Not Necessarily Blogging: A Leaked Call to the "Barbaric Cultural Practices" Tip Line
I have been a steadfast critic of the Harper Government but, after reading this transcript of a call to the Barbaric Cultural Practices Tip Line, I have seen seen the light and switching my vote to the Conservatives. Here is the call in its entirety: Snitch-Line Supervisor: Hello. Barbaric Cultural
Continue readingIf Necessary Blogging But Not Necessarily Blogging: A Leaked Call to the "Barbaric Cultural Practices" Tip Line
I have been a steadfast critic of the Harper Government but, after reading this transcript of a call to the Barbaric Cultural Practices Tip Line, I have seen seen the light and switching my vote to the Conservatives. Here is the call in its entirety: Snitch-Line Supervisor: Hello. Barbaric Cultural
Continue reading