It seems I post nothing but miscellany these days

[ciroccoj]

• I love my environmental prof. But he's not exactly gripping - he speaks incredibly slowly, so that by the time he's done a sentence, I've pretty much forgotten what he started to talk about. It does make note-taking a breeze, though.
  
  
• Justin was complaining of chest pains last night and this morning. Doctor's appointment at 1:30 today.
  
  
• Leaving class today, our prof reminded us there's no class next Monday because of Thanksgiving. One of our classmates (Russian exchange student) started asking questions. What is Thanksgiving? Why do you celebrate? What do you do? How did it get started? It's always interesting when somebody makes you look at something you normally take for granted. For example, I had actually never consciously thought about the fact that we eat almost exclusively North American food at Thanksgiving - turkey, pumpkin, sweet potato, cranberries, etc.
  
  
• The bank of goodwill of the adults in our home is not doing great right now. I think we need to go on a date.
  
  
• The Supreme Court starts hearing the same-sex marriage reference today, deciding whether gay marriage will be made legal across the country. Right now, it's legal in 5/10 provinces (British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia) and 1/3 territories (the Yukon). There are 28 intervenors scheduled for the next three days. And it feels rather odd to know that a few blocks away from where I'm sitting right now, the gears are in motion for a decision that has the potential to affect so many people I know.
  
  Anyway, here's a link to what's going on right now for those who are interested.
  
  Oh, and I came across the transcript of a speech by Jean Chrétien, addressed to the Liberal caucus in North Bay, Ontario on August 19, 2003, when he was still Prime Minister. Here's the part that dealt with same-sex marriage:
  
  Now, I want to address another important issue of concern to all of us that was not part of our agenda. I do not have to tell you how challenging the issue of the constitutional definition of marriage is for each and everyone of us. Many of you have written to me directly to share your concerns and those of your constituents. Circumstances demand that we deal with the issue now because of very recent court decisions based on the Charter of Rights. The Canadian Alliance has attacked the courts for years. They attack so-called judicial activism. It is code for their profound opposition to the Charter of Rights. A Charter that was passed by Parliament and that Liberals and all Canadians respect and cherish. So let us not fall into their trap on this issue. This is not about weakening Parliament. It is not about weakening traditional religion. It is not about weakening the Canadian social fabric. In fact, it is about giving Parliament its rightful voice. It is about protecting religious traditions and rites. It is about giving force and effect to Canadian values. Values of mutual respect, justice and equality.
  
  All of us understand that Parliament must always act in accordance with the Constitution. In the case of same-sex couples, we need to be guided by how court after court has been interpreting the Charter of Rights. And the courts have been telling us that the notion of separate but equal has no place in Canada.
  
  Therefore we drafted a bill that guarantees the absolute right of churches to decide what is required for a religious marriage and guarantees as well the equality rights of all Canadians. We are now asking the Supreme Court to tell Parliament what is in accordance with the Charter of Rights, because I know that Liberals, and the vast majority of Canadians, do not believe in using the notwithstanding clause. When Members of Parliament know what is possible within the framework of the Charter, then they will be able to vote in accordance with their conscience and with all the facts in a free vote with no instructions from party whips.
  
  So I urge you all to give this careful consideration at the appropriate time. To cool the rhetoric. Not to fall into traps set by the Opposition. Believe me, for someone of my generation, born and brought up in the Catholic rural Quebec of my youth, this is a very difficult issue. But I have learned over 40 years in public life, that society evolves and that the concept of human rights evolves often more quickly than some of us might have predicted and sometimes even in ways that make some people uncomfortable. But at the end of the day, we have to live up to our responsibilities. And none of these are more essential than protecting the Constitution and the fundamental rights it guarantees to all Canadians.
  
  I can't believe I actually miss the guy.
  
  Here's the full speech.

Comments

[umbo.livejournal.com]

That is a cool speech, or part of a speech. Tell me why again my (stupid) country can't be more like your country?

[snarkhunter.livejournal.com]

Man, now I really want turkey.

Be sure to let us know if Justin's okay! :)

[a-dawn.livejournal.com]

And it feels rather odd to know that a few blocks away from where I'm sitting right now, the gears are in motion for a decision that has the potential to affect so many people I know.

It's a very strange feeling, that one. I'm dealing with it myself. Ones of those benefits (?) of living in Ottawa, I suppose.