Filed under: Politics
I’ve been fairly interested in Fair Vote Canada recently. After seeing this video, I just had to mention it on my blog, it’s hilarious, but true. It’s a site on electoral reform, and the video features an actor in Royal Canadian Air Farce (the comedy TV show).
Filed under: Music
Here it is. Only .mp3 versions from now on.
After You (Mike Stern Cover) - Nikola Peric - .mp3 Version (4305kb)
Filed under: Politics
I have a new blog focused on elections and election results! For more information visit Following The Vote. Features past election results, upcoming elections, and public opinion polling data from Canada, UK and occasionally France and Germany.
Filed under: Politics
Officials in South Ossetia have stated that their goal is not to declare indepence, but rather, to join Russia (along w/ North Ossetia which is already part of Russia). The Vice Speaker of Georgian parliament said this - “The regimes of Abkhazia and South Ossetia should think about the fact that if they become part of Russia, they will be assimilated and in this way they will disappear.” Yet, while in the USSR there was no South and North Ossetia, there was simply Ossetia. It was only when Georgia declared independence that Ossetia split up! If anything, with Georgia’s independence South Ossetia was an attempt to be assimilated into their culture (hence the Georgian invasion of South Ossetia). North and South Ossetia are historically home to people of Iranian descent who call themselves Ossetian. So now, the question is will Georgia allow Ossetia to be annexed by Russia, which Ossetia hopes will happen in the next several years? Hugo Chavez, president of Columbia, stated that “Russia has recognized the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. We support Russia. Russia is right and is defending its interests.” But who knows what will happen when America gets involved because it seems quite obvious that Georgia will continue to whine to their mother, America. And then there’s the whole problem with the American president. Whoever it is, they’ll likely stir up more crap for America, and attempt to break up larger powers grasp on the world so that America will maintain power (i.e. Tibet situation - China’s power, Kosovo - Europe’s power, Ossetia - Russia’s Power). In general, America and Americans are scared of the world, and its because of them that countries which historically had ties with other places, or were independent, are not allowed to do so or remain so.
Filed under: Politics
The current polls in BC show the following: (see source at bottom)
| New Democratic Party (NDP) | 41% |
| BC Liberals | 38% |
| Green Party | 14% |
| Other | 7% |
Basically, the NDP are winning. So if an election were to happen in BC, would that mean the NDP would win? I think not. In the past the NDP were huge in the polls, several times higher than 40% (nationally), but in the end, when it came to general or provincial elections, they faltered. Even under Ed Broadbent (in 1988), with national polls at 40+%, the NDP won a mere 20% of the votes, and 43 seats. This is because of the FPTP (First Past the Post) system that Canada uses as their “democratic” system. Let’s take a look at the 1988 Federal Election. Here are the results:
Brian Mulroney (PC(Progressive Conservative)) - Votes: 5,667,543 | Percent: 43.02% | Seats: 169 (57.29%)
John Turner (Liberal) - Votes: 4,205,072 | Percent: 31.92% | Seats: 83 (28.13%)
Ed Broadbent (NDP(New Democratic Party)) - Votes: 2,685,263 | Percent: 20.38% | Seats: 43 (14.58%)
Alright, those were the results. Hmm, somehow the PCs won a majority gov’t with under 51% of the votes! Quite interesting! On the other hand, the Liberals, with 1.4 million less votes, won less than half of what the PCs did! This is the flaw of the FPTP system (as I previously ranted on about in an earlier post). No matter how much the people like you, when the electoral systems makes it so that you win one seat when you have the most votes in that region. So no matter how much the people like the NDP in BC, they had their votes spread out too thin last provincial election (unlike the Liberals, and several Conservative “strongholds”(in federal elections)), they will still achieve less seats (if an election were to happen currently). Maybe if the NDP achieve a 10% lead, they may have a chance to a minority, maybe even a majority gov’t.
Poll Source: Angus Reid Strategies
Methodology: Online interviews with 802 adults in British Columbia, conducted from Aug. 21 to Aug. 25, 2008. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.
http://www.angus-reid.com/polls/view/31602/ndp_edging_ruling_liberals_in_british_columbia
Filed under: Music
Yesterday I went to a Doyle Dykes Fingerstyle Workshop. It was basically a concert except with a lot less annoying people, no pot smoke, and cost $7. It was a promotional thing for the new Cosmo Music (yes, Cosmo opened a new store, and also closed down the other two). It was also a promotional for Taylor Guitars (the main type that Dykes plays, thus he went there). The show was, in general, pretty good, although not really my taste (some of the songs), Dykes has an extremely unique and skillful playing style. His daughter Haylee (I think that’s how you spelt it) also played the Mandolin and sang that night. Here’s a video (from some random videos w/ Taylor guitars) for those who want to see Dykes. He generally plays country, blues, and bluegrass (although there are a few songs which are religious (e.g. Me and Jesus and My Old GUitar) which I really dislike…).
Filed under: Politics
Over the last few years, the western media has made issues like Kosovo, the situation in Tibet, and currently, the Georgian attack on South Ossetia (or as it is commonly known in the west, the Russian invasion of Georgia (and/or South Ossetia)). The Western media has perfected this form of right-wing, hypocritical “journalism” over the last few decades, and now are merely alientating their people from the rest of the world, mainly Europe, Asia and S. America in many cases. I would go so far as to say that the Daily Show is a tenfold better news program than Fox News, NBC, and any of those other stations which say they bring the news to you. I shall give you an example on the South Ossetian issue. Fox news has time and time again said that the Russian aggression against Georgia will not be tolerated. Meanwhile they state NOTHING of the fact that Georgia originally invaded South Ossetia (due to the whole independence thing). On the other hand, the Daily Show reported that in response to the Georgian government’s occupation of South Ossetia (at least it’s better than Russian invasion) Russia had invaded South Ossetia. They also mocked this (’cause it is a comedy show after all), BUT they did what Fox News and NBC fail to do - QUESTION what the government response is. Bush and Rice both stated things like “This is not the 60s” and “You can’t overthrow a government and bring in a puppet regime.” (erherm IRAQ WAR - as the Daily Show joked at). Generally, even though the Daily Show proclaimed itself as “the best fake news show” it does get the point accross, and (if I find the article, I’ll link it here) has even been dubbed as one of the most reliable news sources in America.
Edited: Here is the link I mentioned
Note that CNN wrote it so I’m not sure how reliable it is heh, but when CNN admits that they suck more than the Daily Show, they may well be right.
Filed under: Politics
The chances that Labour will win the next general election in the UK is (in my opinion) below 0%. David Cameron, the leader of the opposition party, the Conservatives, has an approval rating of 59% (27% say badly, 13% unsure)! Meanwhile, the Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, and leader of the Labour party (or as I call them the Conservative Lefties) has an approval rating of oh… 20%! Hey, it’s another George Bush. Nah, Bush is too hilarious to go beneath 25%. Well who knows, Brown’s approval rating has spiked 1% over the past three months! A miracle if I do say. In short - Labour has the same chance of winning the next general election in the UK as Georgia has of joining NATO. And yes, that last message was somewhat subliminal, aggressive, and true, deal with it.
Filed under: Uncategorized
Well, because there is still summer (thus no school), I wish to recommend a excellent novel to those who actually read during the summer (a.k.a. 1 in 30 =/)! I speak of The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas (guy who wrote The Three Musketeers) - a novel of deception, revenge, and justice (and humanity for those of you who are interested in that stuff instead of the revenge). You can well see why its my favourite novel (erherm revenge, deception). I’ll give a short plot summary so if you want to read it, stop here. Also for those who wish to see how complicated and interesting the novel is check out this link!
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One last chance!
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Alright, so you’re the lazy bastards who decided to either not read the book or decided to skip to the most interesting part of this post. The novel opens with Edward Dantes, a promising sailor meeting up with Napoleon on the island of Elba, recieving a letter, then sailing back to Mersailles, leaving his dead captain behind. He is then promptly promoted to the rank of captain of his ship, Pharon, to the distaste of Danglars (the first mate), and his “friend” Fernand Mondego (who doesn’t like him keeping the secret of the letter from him). They then reveal that Dantes has commited treason (via the letter from Napolean), and they convict him. Gerard de Villefort, a prosecuter, initially sets Dantes free, but upon discovring that he was supposed to deliver the message to his father (although Dantes knew none of this), Villefort quickly changes his mind and sends Dantes to Chateau d’If (a prison). Meanwhile, this all occured on the day of his wedding with Dantes’ love, Mercedes (and no, not the car =/). After a long while in prison Dantes loses hope, attempts suicide, and finally meets the Abbe Faria (and for all you historical freaks, NOT the historical one, a fictional one). The Abbe teaches Dantes philosophy, economics, languages, mathamathics, and so on and so forth. Abbe then confides in Dantes of a hidden treasure on the island of Monte Cristo, and eventually dies. Dantes then escapes in what the prison guards believe to be the Abbe’s body bag. *pause* Why does it feel like the stuff that I’m writing is longer than the 1000+ page novel? Oh well, I’ll shorten the rest. Dantes escapes to a smuggling ship, meets up with a new-found friend. Buys a ship, reclaims his treasure, and persues revenge (and I’m not going to elaborate because this part is REALLY complicated and interesting, so for those who are going to read it, I won’t kill the most interesting part).
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OK, for those who didn’t read the synopsis, read the novel, its magnificent. Have a great summer!
Filed under: Politics
Let me give you the background. Kosovo is a small territory that is historically and culturally linked to Serbia. Many important battles, churches, and other places are within it. Kosovo also contained quite a large Serbian population at some time. Now because of a change due to government planning, Kosovo is more than 90% Albanian. These Albanians now wish to declare their independence because they believe that Kosovo is theirs. It is not.
My Grandfather was born in Kosovo, and so was his Father. This was at a time when Kosovo was predominately Serbian. Pre-1954 Albanians were treated badly there (due to the fact that during WWII Kosovo became Italian-controlled Albania), and because of this, Josip Broz Tito wanted them to leave and forced all Albanians in Yugoslavia to declare themselves Turkish and leave. In 1966 this changed as part of the ministry in Yugoslavia changed. Albanians were offered cheap land in Kosovo (as a part to gain economic power in a relatively economically weak territory). This continued for decades on end, even when the cheap land offers stopped flowing. Albanians also had very high birth rates, and continued to expand in Kosovo, and meanwhile, due to this, Serbs decided to leave the Province of Kosovo, which was growing weaker than ever. With the Serbs gone out of Kosovo, the Albanians were unable to provide sufficient economic sustenance, which resulted in millions of (lets go with Euros so that everyone understands) were sent in aid from Yugoslavia (and Serbia at present).
Now, in 2008, the people of Kosovo held a referendum which stated that they demand independence. Because of something that happed over the course of 40 years, these people believe that they have sufficient reason to declare independence! What arrogance! Basically Kosovo is saying we should be independent because we have been here for 40 years, while you have been here for hundreds! All their independence would do is create further conflict in the region, result in further hate from the hypocritical American and western governments, and become a huge burden on all those who wish to give economic aid (and Serbia is still doing so to date (but if Kosovo becomes recognized as a nation, I highly believe that this will end) because Kosovo is still Serbian). Kosovo is basically an American invention to belittle Europe, and to create a complete atrocity. Kosovo has been recognized by America as a nation, why? Because Kosovo allowed America to set up military bases, missile bases, and basically have a position to strike at any country within Europe or the Mediterranean!
In short, Kosovo was, is, and always will remain a Serbian province. It will never fall to the Albanians or the Americans, because the history and culture behind it will never leave the historical records. All I have to say is good luck CNN, Fox News, keep on spitting your lies. We shall see where the world power lies in 20 years. I guarantee you that America shall not be part of that power.
Posted on August 31st, 2008 by nikola