BLOG THIS | blog.thismagazine.ca: April 2006 Archives

The 20th anniversary of the Chernobyl disaster (yesterday) is a chilling reminder of the havoc nuclear power plants can cause with just one accident. While the nuclear industry protects its interests by downplaying the impacts of Chernobyl, Greenpeace is fighting to make sure no such disaster occurs in Canada.

Pickering is home to a major nuclear reactor, and is just 30 km from downtown Toronto—the closest a nuclear plant can be found near a major city. After the Chernobyl meltdown, a 30 km zone around the station had to be permanently vacated.

Although there is disagreement over Greenpeace’s claim that the CANDU reactor at Pickering is potentially as dangerous as the Soviet RBMK reactors at Chernobyl because they share a “positive void coefficient” in their design, there are plenty of reasons to oppose nuclear energy. Proper disposal of nuclear waste is a very real problem, and the economic costs of building, running and decommissioning power stations pull valuable public resources away from truly sustainable, green power solutions such as wind and solar power.

Greenpeace is asking Ontarians to call Premier Dalton McGuinty’s Toronto office directly to demand the Pickering nuclear station is shut down. Even if you’re outside Ontario, it’s in your interests to strive for better energy solutions. The number to call is 416-325-1941.

(PHOTO: COPYRIGHT GREENPEACE/KURT PRINZ. The banner in the image reads “IAEA: Don’t Whitewash Chernobyl”)

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April 25, 2006

Thanks For Making Our Cities Better Jane

Posted by ron at 11:41 PM ET | Comments (3)

Jane Jacobs, renowned urbanist and author of The Death and Life of Great American Cities and the more recent Dark Age Ahead passed away early on Tuesday.

The obits are in all the major papers and they praise her as a major thinker, a singular mind and an urbanist. She made many North American cities better. If you think New York City is better with large parts of Greenwich Village and SoHo intact, you can thank Jacobs. Ditto for Kensington Market, Chinatown and the Annex in Toronto, her adopted home.

Despite penning respected volumes on urban planning, economics and other topics, Jacobs actually never received formal academic training and even rejected the 30 or so honourary degrees bestowed on her. The Project For Public Spaces has a wonderful little bio on her here.

Spacing magazine's wire has a beautiful little tribute. We're also pointing you to noted urbanist James Howard Kunstler's interview with her from 2001. Finally, Timothy Comeau's Good Reads project also links you to a few more article on Jane.

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April 24, 2006

ahem

Posted by jessica at 12:15 PM ET | Comments (3)

Today is a good day for announcing announcements. According to The Globe and Mail, Green Party leader Jim Harris will today announce that he will not re-seek his party's leadership, while the Toronto Star declared 'It's Rae's day to join the race.'

I know it's just part of the big media/politics game, but doesn't the phenomenon of announcing announcements ahead of time seem silly and paradoxical? If you pre-announce an announcement, doesn't that just turn it into a confirmation? Somewhat comfortingly, today's news pages did bring at least one "real" announcement: that former Tory Scott Brison has entered the Liberal leadership race ... but I could have told you that ages ago.

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Measuring A City's Vital Signs

Posted by ron at 10:18 AM ET | Comments (6)

Continuing on my earlier post about Canada's cities. I noticed that the Community Foundations of Canada, a clearinghouse for community groups around Canada, is taking a great idea national. Every year the Toronto Community Foundation releases a Vital Signs report on Toronto. It's an important report that gets a lot of media attention. It tracks key issues and points out whether the ciy is doing fine or in need of urgent action. The CFC wants to take this report card idea nationally.

Here's hoping that they'll also take the Vital Ideas report card too. This report, also from the Toronto Community Foundation, lists dozens of innovative projects happening around the city. Everything from the Toronto Public Library's Dial-a-story program to LEAF, a local non-profit dedicated to protecting the urban forest.

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Thanking our subsidiary for reaching goals

Posted by mason at 10:13 AM ET | Comments (0)

Got a few minutes to waste? Check out the Since U Been Gone Annual Report:

1. Download Kelly Clarkson's "Since U Been Gone" (don't feel bad, the American Idol winner has sold more than 400,000 records in Canada alone, and millions in the U.S.)
2. Go to the web-based PowerPoint presentation.
3. Play the song. At the end of each verse, click through to the next slide.
4. Bask in your newfound knowledge!

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April 21, 2006

Sign of the times

Posted by mason at 02:32 AM ET | Comments (3)

Here's a fun game: help accurately reflect the state of the planet by helpfully reshelving a few books.

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April 20, 2006

Occupation close to home

Posted by mason at 12:45 PM ET | Comments (1)

photo: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11484289@N00/

Of course, struggles against oppression are happening on Canadian soil as well. Today, a First Nations protest near Hamilton that has been quietly carrying on since late February attracted attention because the protesters resisted police action to break it up.

The blockade began because members of the Six Nations community are hoping to stop development of the Douglas Creek Estates on land in Caledonia that was ceded to them by the Crown in 1784. The federal and provincial governments say the land was returned in 1841 to make way for a major highway, according to the Globe and Mail.

A blog run by the Law Union of Ontario has several posts detailing the history of the dispute, along with photos of the blockade before today's confrontation.

(PHOTO: http://www.flickr.com/photos/11484289@N00/)

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April 19, 2006

Canyonarrow! It's twelve yards long and two lanes wide!

Posted by joyceb at 08:32 PM ET | Comments (1)

Well I'm a little late to the party (it wouldn't be the first time, admittedly, but I figure there's a few others out there behind the 9-to-5 eightball too) but apparently the Apprentice has been running a contest for the Chevy Tahoe, where you write the ad copy online, and build your own commercial. Clive Thompson's blog has a great entry. Seems people have been writing some fairly negative copy (duh) and so far, the Chevy/Donald people have been leaving it be, figuring the phenomenon is demonstrating that even bad press is good press. Anyway if you haven't already laughed (and cried) at the best ones, give it a look.

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April 18, 2006

Utopias and Canadian Cities

Posted by ron at 10:54 AM ET | Comments (1)

Over the last three years I've been extremely privileged to have a ring side seat in a cultural re-awakening in Toronto. The city that everyone else in Canada loves to hate had been batted around by a negligent federal government, a hostile provincial government, inept civic leadership and some really bad PR courtesy of SARS.

Yet despite all this the city didn't sink under its own morass it bounced back. I think I knew something was happening when hundreds of people waited outside the Gladstone Hotel in an early November rainstorm to hear soon-to-be mayor David Miller and urban guru Jane Jacobs talk about the city they'd want. It's a conversation that's been continued in the pages of Spacing magazine, an independently produced magazine celebrating and exploring this city's public spaces (confession, I write for Spacing), in Coach House Book's much lauded collection of essays uTOpia, and in newspaper articles like these, that the Star ran over the weekend asking prominent Torontonians what they want their city to look like.

I've found this optimism downright addictive and a whole lot of fun. This isn't a case of Toronto chest thumping. To quote a uTOpia contributor Jonny Dovercourt: "Torontopia [what some of us idealists have taken to calling our city] is not about fomenting civic rivalries; it's about making your town the best, no matter where you live. Improving the place you call home, rather than just complaining about how boring it is.

I get the feeling that this sense of optimism is infecting other cities in Canada too. I noticed that Vancouver, probably high over its Olympic status, is swaggering again. Calgary, definitely high on oil fumes, is becoming a confident Canadian city. Even Montreal, which was affected by fears of separatism has regained much of its confidence. That is if Maisonneuve magazine is any indicator. John Lorinc's recently published book the New City talks about how cities have risen to the forefront of our national consciousness, simply because the overwhelming majority of Canadians live there now.

So as a sometimes far too nearsighted Torontonian I have to ask what kind of civically optimistic things are going on in your city? Or more importantly, do things actually feel optimistic in your part of the country, or is it just a Toronto thing. I'm personally interested in hearing from people in some of our smaller cities. Are cool things happening in Kamloops? Is there an urban renaissance going on in Windsor?

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The word from Nepal's streets

Posted by mason at 10:32 AM ET | Comments (0)

photo credit: RAJ KUMAR SHRESTHA/UNITED WE BLOG!

Kathmandu is at a standstill today as pro-democracy protesters rise up against King Gyanendra and his absolute rule of Nepal, gained when he seized control of the government last February. General strikes have paralyzed parts of Nepal, high-ranking government officials were arrested for the first time today and five protesters have been shot dead by police since the uprising started two weeks ago.

What better way to gain an up-to-the-minute understanding of the problems in Nepal than through a local weblog? United We Blog! is a project of mainstream journalists in the country who are posting information they believe their employers won’t publish. For example, a post today explains why Gyanendra’s gesture of meeting with former prime ministers is hardly a concession to protesters.

The blog seems to be well-read, with several comments from Nepalese following each post. Whether a collection of comments from people with computers reflect the views of ordinary Nepalese is open to question, but undoubtedly there is some value to blogs like this one.

(PHOTO: RAJ KUMAR SHRESTHA/UNITED WE BLOG!)

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April 13, 2006

Climate Change? What Climate Change?

Posted by ron at 10:50 PM ET | Comments (0)

We knew it was going to happen but we're still surprised by just how quickly Stephen Harper's government are attacking Canada's meagre commitments to preventing climate change. First it was cancelling the One Tonne Challenge, next came the cuts to programs related to climate change (research and outreach programs first).

Now comes news that Environment Minister Rona Ambrose forced an Environment Canada scientist and Sci-Fi novelist Mark Tushingham from doing events to promote his book Hotter Than Hell. The book tells of an imaginary future where an overheating world makes Canada a tempting target for a US invasion.

We're not sure how long until Michael Crichton makes a visit to 24 Sussex Drive but it'll probably be sooner than science author du jour Tim Flannery.

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April 12, 2006

New member of the family

Posted by mason at 12:36 PM ET | Comments (0)

Everyone please join me in welcoming Ron Nurwisah to the Blog This family! Ron is a frequent This Magazine contributor and is an editor of the popular, award-winning blog Torontoist. Blog This will give Ron a chance to point out the things he finds interesting from outside the Centre of the Universe. Ron will be posting as soon as I set him up with a login for the site, so stay tuned!

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What's your worst quality?

Posted by Lisa at 10:51 AM ET | Comments (1)

After spending countless hours over the last few months watching Much Music pick a new VJ (don't be judgin!), I'm now going thru a bit of reality show/job interview withdrawal. Then I saw this...

MTV is picking up another magazine-themed reality show that will give its winner a writing job with Rolling Stone magazine.

According to The New York Times, "Jann Wenner, publisher of Rolling Stone, has signed a deal with MTV for a reality show in which the magazine gives internships to several journalism students, who then compete to become a Rolling Stone contract writer."

I can't wait. It's like The Apprentice, but hipper. Jann definitely has better hair than the Donald. Now I really, really want my MTV!

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How you bin?

Posted by mason at 02:39 AM ET | Comments (0)

A small update to the urban binning (or recyclables collecting) story from the last issue of This comes to us from the CBC. Nice to see a good idea has some legs, or in this case, wheels!

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April 10, 2006

Rich get richer in Saskatoon

Posted by mason at 03:24 PM ET | Comments (1)

Saskatoon’s arts community has been snubbed by a federal government initiative in favour of a major trade centre that operates a lucrative casino.

On March 24, Western Economic Diversification announced that four capital projects in Saskatoon would get more than $10-million in federal funding under the Canada Celebrates Saskatchewan program. Among the projects funded were a community theatre facility, a city park expansion and a First Nations park expansion, but the fourth grant—worth $4-million—went to Prairieland Park’s 50,000 square-foot expansion of its trade show and exhibition space. Prairieland Park is a non-profit corporation, but it also operates the Emerald Casino and the Marquis Downs thoroughbred racetrack. The casino is the only one in town and is a major source of revenue for the park.

Meanwhile, one bidder for the WED money—the Mendel Art Gallery—was left empty-handed, despite demonstrated need for upgrades. The MAG offers free admission and is open 364 days a year, but it is housed in a building that was built in 1964 and (according to a Blog This reader) requires renovations to its heating and environmental systems in order to protect the thousands of works on display, including some Group of Seven paintings. The gallery did receive nearly $500,000 in funding from the federal Liberals a year ago, but this amount only covered phase one of renovations.

When it comes to Saskatoon, it seems the federal Conservatives have their priorities backward.

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April 05, 2006

When torturers talk

Posted by john_d at 10:25 AM ET | Comments (1)

Some stunning radio this morning on THE CURRENT (CBC Radio One), when host Anna Maria Tremonti interviewed a former interrogator for the US military. Sorry, didn't catch his name (driving and listening), but he worked at Abu Ghraib immediately after the scandal broke, and later left the military, disturbed and seemingly defeated by what he had seen and what he had been ordered to do.

With Tremonti's calm voice prompting him, this fellow talked about a written set of interrogation "rules of engagement" given to him by his superiors. While he insisted he never crossed a line in those rules, he readily admitted to breaking Geneva Convention rules, and his own moral code. The use of dogs to terrorize blindfolded prisoners, hypothermia, sleep deprivation, stress positions -- all were employed, and on whom? Non-insurgents for the most part -- "Taxi-drivers and farmers" who found themselves in the wrong place at the wrong time.

He talked about being ordered to "ramp up" his questioning of a prisoner, while that prisoner was being prepared for surgery to remove four bullets from his torso.

To quote my Member of Parliament:

"That is what defeat in a war on terror looks like. We would survive, but we would no longer recognize ourselves." -- Michael Ignatieff, Lesser Evils

and:

"Why should we suppose that pain produces truth? And how can we forget what everyone who has ever been tortured always tells us: those who are tortured stay tortured forever. If you want to create terrorists, torture is a pretty sure way to do so." -- same

Finally:

"This is democracy's dark secret -- the men and women who defend us with a bodyguard of lies and an armory of deadly weapons -- and because it is our dark secret, it can also be democracy's nemesis." -- same

I'll be writing a letter to my MP, now that he's my representative in democracy, asking for a statement in the House. I encourage others to do so as well.

Here is a link to the Parliamentary list:

39th Parliament

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April 04, 2006

Is Feminism Hurting Society?

Posted by annette at 01:12 PM ET | Comments (4)

This past Sunday, the Toronto Star ran Alison Wolf's controversial essay "Working Girls, Broken Society," which originally ran in the great British mag Prospect. Wolf argues that feminism is eroding what was once a common bond shared by all women, regardless of social stature; "the death of sisterhood," as she calls it. While women could once relate to each other based on the common experience of keeping house and tending children, Wolf contends that ambitious career women today can't relate to struggling working class women who have jobs rather than careers. And, she ultimately argues that as more women put careers before family, all of society suffers.

While the essay raises some interesting points, I find it a little hard to swallow. It relies too heavily on traditional feminine roles, and ignores the gradual societal shift that has seen gender roles evolve. Sure, women still do more around the house, for the most part [and the stress women feel to "do it all" is a valid concern]. But men are doing more than they have traditionally -- even taking paternity leaves to allow their partners to go back to work sooner. Radical shifts aren't going to take place overnight, and, in my humble opinion, the gains from the feminist movement far outweigh any societal drawbacks.

Thoughts? Does the negative impact of feminism outweigh the good?

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Welcome aboard, Jessica!

Posted by mason at 12:59 PM ET | Comments (7)

The big news from This headquarters this week is that the magazine’s new editor, Jessica Johnston, has officially started. Jessica is an ideas woman with the attention to detail required to turn plans into action. She has served as This & That editor and copy editor for This, and also has plenty of experience in magazine and daily newspaper editing, including a recent stint as managing editor for Corporate Knights magazine.

Jessica will bring fresh perspectives, intriguing stories and dynamic reading to the pages of This. Please join me in welcoming Jess to the This editorship!

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Previous month: March 2006
Next month: May 2006

THIS MAGAZINE. BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS POLITICAL

Please note that all writers hold the copyright for their pieces and it is illegal for any portion of them to be copied or distributed without their expressed permission. So please don't steal.

THIS MAGAZINE: BECAUSE EVERTHING IS POLITICAL

April 27, 2006

Preventing another Chernobyl

April 25, 2006

Thanks For Making Our Cities Better Jane

April 24, 2006

ahem

Measuring A City's Vital Signs

Thanking our subsidiary for reaching goals

April 21, 2006

Sign of the times

April 20, 2006

Occupation close to home

April 19, 2006

Canyonarrow! It's twelve yards long and two lanes wide!

April 18, 2006

Utopias and Canadian Cities

The word from Nepal's streets

April 13, 2006

Climate Change? What Climate Change?

April 12, 2006

New member of the family

What's your worst quality?

How you bin?

April 10, 2006

Rich get richer in Saskatoon

April 05, 2006

When torturers talk

April 04, 2006

Is Feminism Hurting Society?

Welcome aboard, Jessica!