Mb Speaks
So things didn’t work out quite the way I’d hoped. There’s another Conservative minority government in Ottawa and Canadians continue to face a growing menace in Afghanistan, the environment and our slowing economy. Though the Green Party would have come to the rescue of all, they just have to live with having doubled their vote and support base this time around, and ramp up for the next opportunity to topple the big “C”. Not that I’m bitter, my campaign went well, having secured over 8% of the vote in Haliburton Kawartha Lakes Brock, a riding so blue I felt like I was wading through water. But I can’t help but think that by the next time Greens get to tell us how it is, Harper will have sold Canadians further down the river, tarnished our image worldwide and driven us into a deficit so deep I’ll be an old man before I could even imagine being flush again... sigh. On the lighter side, I did meet a lot of great people while on the trail and have become involved in a number of new initiatives (will I ever see my family again?) And with the election south of the border and the “inevitable” outcome of a democratic President, things may actually start to turn around. Maybe we’ll be able to consider some more intelligent and progressive solutions to some of our most pressing issues. One thing I’m sure of, I’m going to be going through some serious campaign withdrawal in the next week. I mean, what will I watch on TV or read in the paper? An election is like waiting for Christmas and hoping that Santa delivers that great toy you’ve been waiting for. The one that envelopes you in a dreamlike state, blocking out all other sounds or attempts by family to get your attention. You dream of sugar plums, and red nosed reindeer, environmental spending and the weakening of NAFTA. You imagine tasting cleaner air as coal fired power plants go offline, the gentle breeze from wind generators blowing back your hair. The quiet hum of electric cars whizzing by. But maybe all this optimism is a bad thing. Maybe my hopes will be dashed upon the rocks of another stolen election with old man McCain and Sarah “what’s her name” taking control. Maybe people will be so complacent that they won’t even get out to vote. After all, that’s what happened here! Oh my, what a nightmare my dream may turn into. Or worse yet what if Obama turns out to be just like “them”? A wolf in sheep’s clothing. What if I do get that Daisy BB Gun for Christmas and it takes someone’s eye out?!! Well whatever the outcome, I’ve got my safety glasses on and I’m ready for anything.
Keep the Faith
Mb
The Mess That Is Afghanistan by Randy Wright
In September 2001, after the September 11 terrorist attacks, Minister of National Defence Art Eggleton advised Governor General Adrienne Clarkson to authorize more than 100 Canadian Forces members serving on military exchange programs in the United States and other countries to participate in U.S. operations in Afghanistan. The operations were aimed at identifying and neutralizing al-Qaeda members in that country, as well as toppling the Taliban regime, which was claimed to be supporting international terrorism.
At the time of the invasion, the Canadian government defined Canada's reasons for participating in the mission Afghanistan as follows: Defend Canada's national interests; Ensure Canadian leadership in world affairs; and Help Afghanistan rebuild. Since that time we’ve lost 97 Canadian troops, second only to the losses of the US, seen the stability of Afghanistan go from bad to worse, spent over $18 billion and disrupted and crushed the lives of countless families both here and there. Canada has lost its place as peacekeepers in the world and are now targets of Islamic militants and supporters. And though a vast majority of Canadians oppose our involvement, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has vowed to extend our military mission in Afghanistan to 2011.
A fraction of the money spent is actually going to reconstruction though the Conservatives suggest our financial commitment will “Promote rural development and encourage community involvement in project selection and design; Pay salaries of teachers, health workers and police to ensure that basic government services are provided; and Provide small loans to help the Afghani people start small businesses that will help support their families and build their communities.”
As of September of this year, civilian deaths in Afghanistan from US and NATO airstrikes nearly tripled from 2006 to 2007, with recent deadly airstrikes exacerbating the problem and fueling a public backlash. In the first seven months of 2008, at least 540 Afghan civilians were killed in fighting related to the armed conflict. Due to these airstrikes, hundreds of homes have been lost, business is essentially non existent and thousands of people have been displaced to the country in fear of raids and reprisals. In one such airstrike, villagers told Human Rights Watch that in the days before the attack numerous Taliban insurgents arrived in the village. They forced the villagers to shelter their fighters and feed them. When US ground forces were in the vicinity, Taliban fighters fired at them from occupied civilian homes. The US forces responded with airstrikes, destroying several homes and killing both Taliban fighters and villagers. One farmer told HRW “The Taliban came to my village and forced us to stay close to them. The Taliban then came into my house and forced me and my family to stay with them. They then started firing their weapons at the Americans. The Americans then bombed my village. People in my village were getting killed because the Taliban would not let us leave.” Once the Taliban withdrew, the villagers fled their homes to the surrounding countryside for fear of being caught in further airstrikes. The same farmer said “We fled after the Taliban left my house because we knew the Americans would bomb my house. They did. My house was completely destroyed because of the Taliban.” The farmer’s father, mother, and sons were all killed in the attack.
So why have the Taliban become our enemies? Canada apparently went to war as part of a UN sanctioned reprisal of the 9/11 attacks on the US. Since that time, Canada has not investigated whether there is actually evidence linking Osama Bin Laden or the Taliban to the attacks of September 11, 2001. Canada accepted the accusation at face value. Ironically the United States, were at first supportive of the Taliban in hopes it would serve as a force to restore order in Afghanistan after years of war with Russia. The U.S. government, for example, made no comment when the Taliban captured Herat in 1995 and expelled thousands of girls from schools. But by 1997 the U.S.began distancing themselves from the Taliban and the next year the American-based oil company Unocal, previously having implicitly supported the Taliban in order to build a pipeline south from Central Asia, withdrew from the deal.
By summer of 1998 the Taliban had swept north to the Hazara and Uzbek city of Mazar-i-Sharif, the largest city in the north. They reportedly drove their pickup trucks up and down the narrow streets of Mazar-i-Sharif shooting to the left and right and killing everything that moved; shop owners, cart pullers, women and children shoppers and even goats and donkeys. During the years that followed rapes and massacres of Hazara by Taliban forces were well documented. In 2000 the Taliban banned opium production which accounted for 75% of the world's supply. The opium, consumed largely in Western Europe and smuggled through the Balkans, was a direct source of cash deposits in Western financial institutions and markets. It has been suggest that the CIA was active in the trafficking of heroin in order to fund its activities in Afghanistan and this would be a major financial blow to their operations. It was also thought the destruction of the Afghan opium supply might destabilize the Pakistani government, inviting an Islamic overthrow of President Musharraf, an administration sympathetic to US interests. September 11, 2001 the World Trade Centre was attacked and over 2,700 Americans and international workers lost their lives.
On October 7, 2001, the United States, aided by the United Kingdom, Canada, and supported by a coalition of other countries including several from the NATO alliance, initiated military actions in Afghanistan, and bombed Taliban and Al Qaeda related camps. The stated intent of military operations was to remove the Taliban from power because of the Taliban's refusal to hand over Osama bin Laden for his alleged involvement in the September 11 attacks, and disrupt the use of Afghanistan as a terrorist base of operations.
On October 14 the Taliban offered to discuss handing over Osama bin Laden to a neutral country if the US halted bombing, but only if the Taliban were given evidence of Bin Laden's involvement in 9/11.The U.S. rejected this offer as an insufficient public relations ploy and continued military operations. The rest is “history”.... unfolding.
Vitamin D: An Essential
Evidence has been mounting that getting enough vitamin D is absolutely essential for our health and wellbeing. Without question, the best source of vitamin D comes from sunshine, the source of all life. This is contrary to the advice that has been given in the past, and is still given, by many doctors and other health practitioners which say the sun is dangerous and we need to avoid it as much as possible. But getting enough sunlight in the winter is extremely difficult. Benefits: Maintains Your Calcium Balance Maintenance of blood calcium levels within a narrow range is vital for normal functioning of the nervous system, as well as for bone growth, and maintenance of bone density. Vitamin D is essential for the efficient utilization of calcium by the body. Boosts Your Immunity Active vitamin D is a potent immune system modulator. There is plenty of scientific evidence that vitamin D has several different effects on immune system function that may enhance your immunity and inhibit the development of auto-immunity. Here’s a couple of ways to get vitamin D this winter: 1.The Sun: Spend as much time outdoors as possible to take advantage of what little sun there is. If it is a sunny day, eat your lunch outside and go for a walk, even if your face and hands are the only part of you that isn’t covered up. It may not be your entire dose of vitamin D, but it is a start and breathing in fresh air will be beneficial on many levels.Don’t wear sunscreen. It is amazing how many skin creams, especially the expensive ones, come with sunscreen in them. We must maximise the little amount of sunshine that we have access to, which means avoiding sunscreen. Further, creams with sunscreen in them are often highly toxic for our bodies. 2. The Food: While pasteurizing milk destroys the vitamin D, unpasteurized milk still has this precious vitamin, as well as many other health enhancing nutrients in tact. It is also worth noting that a lot of pasteurized milks claim to be fortified with vitamin D; however it is much more difficult for the body to use fortified nutrients than the real thing. So if you can find it, drink it! Mackerel, salmon, and egg yolks are the foods with the highest amount of vitamin D, so if you are not a vegetarian, eat more of these foods in the winter. Caution; non organic eggs are packed with chemicals, hormones and antibiotics that you don’t want to go near so find your organic/free range egg dealer. Vitamin D can be found in cod liver oil. Make absolute sure that the brand you are using is of the absolute highest quality. Really research which brand is most pure. Remember: There is a high health risk associated with consuming too much vitamin D. Vitamin D toxicity can cause nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, constipation, weakness, and weight loss. It can also raise blood levels of calcium, causing mental status changes such as confusion. High blood levels of calcium also can cause heart rhythm abnormalities. Calcinosis, the deposition of calcium and phosphate in soft tissues like the kidney can be caused by vitamin D toxicity. To determine whether you have the right levels, visit your doctor for a simple blood test. (This information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice of any kind. Always consult a doctor when seeking medical information, advice or diagnosis.)
Interview: Hip Hop Artist: Eternia by Michael Bell
Juno-nominated and widely considered one of Canada's foremost lyricists, Eternia continues to carry the torch for those Hip Hop aficionados who crave... s' More..
With six music video singles on international rotation, and two critically acclaimed full-lengths released in 2005 – “Where I Been – The Collection” & “It’s Called Life” (Urbnet Records) – Canada’s “best kept secret” has paid good dues and is ready to prove it..
Eternia has toured extensively in Canada, the U.S., Australia, and most recently Europe; those that are lucky enough to catch her live credit her as one of the best live performers they have witnessed. It is Eternia’s ability to convey her personality and life experiences fluidly through her rhymes (in addition to the ease with which she can annihilate people lyrically) that has kept those in the know checking for her for over a decade..
Eternia’s newest addition to her growing discography, “Where I’m At – The Setup”, boasts an impressive roster of producers and featured artists that believe in this hard-hitting femme-fatale.
I spoke with Eternia by phone moments before she was to fly off to her next gig. We talked about the past, the present and the her future....
Mb: So tell me about yourself. What possessed you to become a musician?
E: It’s nothing that really possessed me, its something that just naturally happens when you're in a musical family. I was writing song lyrics and poems since the age of ten so it was a progression. It wasn’t really a definitive choice.
Mb: What kind of music did you grow up listening to?
E: All different types, to be honest with you. My mother originally liked stuff like Carole King and Kenny Rogers and my father listen to everything. He played the congas. They were both musicians. She played the piano, royal conservatory, he played the hand drums. She led the church choir at my Baptist church when I was growing up and then my brother was the one that got me into Hip Hop. So around late 80's my brother brought home hip hop and the rest is history. It’s kinda how it happened.
Mb: And what was it about Hip Hop that you liked?
E: I was a kid and first of all, more than anything, it was cool cause my brother thought it was cool. He was my older brother, he is two years older than me, so he was like ... God! What he said was cool, was! On top of it, I was always kinda loud... theatrical... wordy... I always talked fast, so when I started rapping my mother didn't even find it strange. She was like "Wouldn't it just make sense? My daughter that talks a mile a minute is now rapping a mile a minute." It suited me. I was a writer first and foremost. Obviously I wouldn't know any of this at the time when I was 10 years old, but Hip Hop is very lyrical and so it really lends to someone who places emphasis on words more than anything else. To a lot of people who aren't really involved in Hip Hop, they find it not that musical? It IS musical! But definitely there’s a focus on the content that attracted it to me too.
Mb: And what is it you like to convey to people through your words?
E: That's a good question. I call myself a life artist. I'm a literalist, I'm a journalist and I'm a life artist. Anything I go through or I'm struggling with I write about. So that's the literalist perspective. I'm not really imaginative. I don't make up stories. They are all true to life whether it be family stuff or financial burdens to a grander scale of how we place in the bigger picture. It’s all from my eyes, from my perspective. I'm female born and raised in Canada, so it’s across the board. I'm a sociology minor at university so my music was going that way before I was studying, so its kind of a little sociology experiment. (laughs)
Mb: So how do you think we... you fit into the world?
E: It’s funny because in school we learn how class, race, gender, nationality, all that, impacts who we are as a person and how we function as a person and the tools we are born with... or if not born with, socialized with? I believe in all that but I also believe that we can manifest what ever it is that we want to create for ourselves. So I believe in breaking the stereotypes.
Mb: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
E: I'm always open to whatever happens. Before it used to be "Ok, I want to be a big Rap superstar." But in the last year its changed. Now, I want to go back to school. I want to get my masters. I'm interested in getting my PhD. I want to write. I might want to teach. I want to speak on everything I've learnt from the music industry and from being an artist but more about, I guess you could say, the altruistic, non profit sector. For example, I’m about to go on a girl's rights tour, its called "Girl's Rights are Human Rights Too" and for me rapping in front of a bunch of kids in a highschool about girl's rights is 10 times more fulfilling than a lot of other musical related stuff I've done. I found, happiness in myself is not defined by my success in the music industry, it’s completely outside myself and that's a beautiful thing.
Mb: I suppose with a life as a musician you're well on your way to understanding a life of "not-for-profit"!
E: (laughs) Ya, starving artist and non profit sector is a natural transition.
Mb: Tell me about touring Europe? How was that?
E: Oh dude, touring Europe is always awesome, but this 3rd time was the best. It was an all female tour which is unheard of. Its the kind of tour that's never been done in Canada or the U.S., that I'm aware of. It was with Bahamadia one the foremost DJ’s of the 90's, Roxanne Shante the foremost DJ of the 80's and then myself and some of the newer breed DJ’s, so that was really empowering... and we got along! It wasn't like some catty bitch fight, it was the exact opposite. We put on really strong shows, and I've toured with dudes and I can honestly say we could hold our own. I mean that's a given and I really shouldn't have to say that in an interview but we could definitely hold our own! It was awesome.
Mb: So where are you off to this weekend?
E: I'm flying to Ottawa, then we go to Montreal and then Toronto. For two weeks were basically hitting 20 something high schools, 2 schools a day for 10 days. It’s pretty cool. It’s a whole presentation on girl's rights around the world because gender inequality is still a fact whether it’s in Canada, Sudan or China. We're talking about it globally and then bringing it back home to kids in high school here. Its exciting.
Mb: So what do you want to leave our readers with? What's your final comment?
E: Come to the show.. damn it! (laugh) I never assume everyone knows who I am, so if you don't know and you come to the show and you’re not even a listener of hip hop normally, you will love the show. What ever stereotype you have, it will be shattered!
For more information Eternia visit her website www.eternia.ca |
