Spring is dancing northward
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Spring is dancing northward. A hundred or more swans in several family groups passed over us last week on a northward course. They were talking among themselves, but I couldn't understand their language.
Thousands of musicians try to break into big time. I know about ‘The Biebs’ from his antics. No idea what he sounds like on stage. Don't really care. I know about Stompin' Tom because his song, Tillsonburg, spoke to my soul. I saw him stompin' a sheet of plywood to slivers at the sportsmens' show in Toronto. I worried about his knees.
I know about Karen Carpenter. Her voice tore at my heartstrings. I still mourn her death from anorexia nervosa. What a terrible waste!
I don't know Katy Perry of the metal bra and whipped cream, but I remember when the stunt made the news, how long ago? Dan Brown in Saturday's London Free Press came to her defence in the current flap about a bus ad. I didn't know councillor Sandy White attacked her personally. Rather thought White was trying to get the ad off a London bus because it had the sort of effect in her mind that the N-word had on so many Londoners. No thought about the history of either.
The news of senators ripping off taxpayers has reopened the hew and cry to abolish the upper chamber. I also read Charles Adler's discussion in the Free Press of the process being used to elect a new leader for the federal Liberals. Adler says it's the way to organize a Tupperware party or a bachelorette night, not to find a leader for a serious government.
Lets not be too hasty to dump the chamber of sober second thought. Granted, some senators haven't shown the intelligence and dedication of past members. That could be addressed by drawing up a guidebook for the necessary attributes of a man or woman under consideration for appointment.
No one mind can know all the schools of knowledge. What do lawyers know about physics, medical science, transportation, energy capture and dozens of other disciplines? There should be a balance of disciplines as well as representation of provinces.
Adler's take that the Liberals are killing democracy instead of broadening it is right on the money. Letting anyone vote who declares to be a supporter of but not a member of the party opens the gates for yahoos.
Think about the beautiful people who chant, "My choice! My teeth! My smile! My job!" They imply all you need to look at is teeth to judge one's suitability for a job. That's OK for buying a horse, but let's check for a brain in a human.
Of course, these people are models paid handsomely for mesmerizing us. Their success will result in cosmetic manufacturers raking in gazillions and adding to the income gap that Occupy Wall Streeters think they are going to close.
There are other models pitching products to alter the surface: hair colour, nail polish, stylish clothes... not one draws attention to mental acuity. All are interested in the same rewards as the enamel enhancers, money in their banks.
What are the chances that voters will look beyond the surface in choosing a political leader who, once in the saddle, has the power to decide who may stand for election in any and all ridings? Leaders want sheep, not independent minded goats in their flock.
Some believe an elected senate would make all hunky dory. It would not, for the same reasons the Commons is dumbing down, and also because then senators would be politicized. They would of necessity act with one eye on the polling booth. That would result in deadlocks such as we see in Washington. Not much chance for advancing the welfare of citizens there.
Excuse me, I hear swans!