Dilemma

I find it difficult to consolidate my French-Canadian nature with my English-Canadian life. As a FC, I am naturally proud of my language, my culture and my history. To me, that is normal, healthy. But that “pride” is often misunderstood in English Canada. That is why I bloged this item (Iggy’s beau risque) at www.uni.ca attempting, with some satire (and using a nom de plume), to express the complexity of grasping the differences between “nationalism” and “patriotism”. To be Canadian is often to have those internal dilemmas. But it also demonstrates the richness of our Country. We are many things at the same moment. The real challenge is to find a way to define the principles of true “Federalism” in our rich context. One thing is certain, I would never want to lose my identity as French-Canadian nor would I ever want to lose my beautiful reality of my English-Canadian life. They are all good. Different… but all wonderful. We, as Peoples, need to find a way to harmonize all those rich elements in one solid Democratic Society where respect and liberty is key.

Enjoy the blog.

No fear in love...

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…”

1rst book of the Epistle of John, Chapter 1, verse 18a.

Photo by Luc-André Paquette (Japan) 10/06

Happy Birthday MERS !!!

NASA's long-lived Mars Exploration Rover Spirit will finish its 1,000th Martian day Thursday this week (November 2nd, 2006). I thought this was worthy of a celebration and thus… “blog it Phil…” Imagine, it was originally planned for 90 Marian days only.

Spirit landed inside Mars' Gusev Crater on Jan. 3, 2004, PST (Jan. 4 Universal Time). Each Martian day is longer than an Earth day, lasting 24 hours, 39 minutes, 35 seconds. That means that in Earth days, Spirit has been on Mars about 1,026 days.

Happy Birthday MERS… on Mars… Stay cool…

Phil

Our son Luc in Japan

Our oldest son, Luc, is in Japan... soon to be married to beautiful AKI

Luc is also an amazing musician - lead guitar (progressive / grunge Rock).


Well, he just shared with me that he just bought his first Koto koto instrument

Hum... Would that mean a major change of music style? Most interesting!

Rock on Luc.

Your Dad :o)

Hear 1 minute of the koto sound here. (Use your BACK button to return here).

English Canada just doesn’t get it...

Originaly published on www.uni.ca (September 2006).

We have seen it in the past and expect to see it again in the future. When it comes to Québec and Canadian unity, English Canadians have neither the interest nor the desire to address the issue.

Even the well balanced Globe & Mail’s Editorial Board suggests (September 2006) that anyone promoting a change of any substance to our Federation and favoring the recognition of Québec in our Constitution is out of touch. “National unity is not threatened”.

More recently, you could also read from Tom Healy: “…I don't agree that Quebec's separation still represents a serious threat. Quebec has been making noises about separating for at least the past 30 years, yet still remains in the Canadian federation. Why? Because Quebec is highly indebted, is continuing to live well beyond its means and, therefore, needs the billions of dollars in equalization payments provided by Ontario and Alberta every year. Leaving the federation is not a realistic option.”

This way of thinking is not new. It brought us no where. When it comes to Quebecers, issues are not issues of “realistic” preferences. The mind of a Québécois is often far more subjective… filled with dignity and sentiments of pride and nationalism. To continually stick or insist on logic will contribute to the break up of Canada. We need nation building and we need leadership both in Québec City and in Ottawa.

Within the next 12 to 24 months, Québec will be called to their polls. From all indications, the PQ will form the next Government with a mandate for Ref III. Many of us, here at uni.ca, believe that the next one will be the final one.

English Canada just doesn’t get it… The blame for the break up of this Federation will lie everywhere, not just in one single Province. In the end, Canada may disintegrate mostly due to lack of vision and courage on the part of so called “Federalists”.

A beginning of something...

Hello all - Salut tout le monde ...

Well, there you have it. Eventually, I was going to have my own blog space. Not sure where this will bring us but let us see.

.

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I will want to share (Labels):

about politics, (mostly "Federalism" and Canadian unity);

about life in general (family stuff);

about my passions (film, astronomy and so much more)...

and...

about Christ (and not religion)!

You are welcome here... in English / en Français...

Phil
(Photo: playing the role of a biker)

PS - Oh yes... My subtitle on this blog (see under my name, top) is "Life is amazing..." . I am overwhelmed by the Beauty, the Art and the Wonder of Life. Life is truly amazing...