Canada Slips
The United Nations will be releasing its 2003 Human Development Report on July 8th, but the news is already out for Canada - we're on the decline. In the 1990s, we had a stranglehold on the list, consistently ranking number 1, then last year, we dropped to number 3, and now, to 8th place. We've been surpassed even by the United States. The Human Development Report measures the quality of life using life expectancy, education, health, income, poverty and environment data. If we're in doubt about the findings, we just have to look at the recent SARS crisis for confirmation on how we're doing. SARS hit us hard (especially Toronto, which can be used as a litmus for the quality of life in the rest of the country, as we have the rich and the poor here). It was only hard because of the shock to the system and our inadequacy in responding rapidly and effectively. No doubt the opposition political parties will use this as ammunition against the parties in power - but this decline wasn't made overnight. We've had it coming for years now, we just only now seeing the results. We're in a democracy as well - the opposition has responsibilities as well. The politics have to be put aside if we want to make a difference - forget politicians who will only use public opinion to further their personal agendas. We as Canadians need to act and do something about this. If we start now, we might actually see results in a decade or so. Check out the report when it's released. It won't be an easy read.
Of Movies
South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut -- This is one hilarious movie -- but boy is it rude. It's rude beyond the point of being offensive. The movie takes the good taste filter off and amuses with humour that simulate the juvenile in us. Every now and again though, that little kid in us needs to be amused -- and this movie will certainly do that. If you're offended by the movie, it's because the adult in you is watching. The Brothers Grimm -- This was an OK fantasy movie, moving at a good pace, with the appropriate level of action and humour. The special effects were well done -- and so was the cinematography. If you missed it in the theatre, you didn't miss much however. You can catch it on DVD. The Aristocrats -- This is a movie about a joke. One joke. That's it. The delivery however -- now that was something else. The delivery was sick, sick, sick. This is an in-joke for comedians that have been numbed by jokes for us regular folk. The only thi...
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