Unkie Herb

If you publish your own blog/site, go here.

Share This

Sometimes, you just gotta admit when things are awesome.

I love to bitch. You know that. Who doesn’t enjoy a good rantfest when something tosses sand in their sheets? Though I suppose I tend to spearhead the movement somewhat. There are times, though, when a couple of days manage to dustbust the sand away.

On Thursday I attended a rally at Toronto’s City Hall. As mentioned below, it was to represent our support for the peaceful protests in Burma. It got great media coverage and a strong turnout (I met many Burmese, it was nice), but news from the country has been anything but inspiring. The size and effectiveness of the Burmese army is not trifling.

On Friday, I participated in Critical Mass. This is a once a month event in which hundreds of cyclists gather together to voice our discontent with the institutionalized lack of respect. Drivers and pedestrians need to be reminded that we are taxpaying road users, and the city government needs to be reminded of our presence. We rode very slowly, blocking off traffic for several long minutes as we cruised all over the downtown area. The vast majority of drivers and pedestrians smiled and asked what we were doing. A small minority, however, simply could not stand to be delayed for a few minutes. Several pedestrians tried to get around the bikes stopped to prevent it, and walked into a mass of several hundred bikes. Dangerous and stupid. So intense, these people.

Yesterday was Nuit Blanche, a corporate sponsored art event taking place in hundreds of venues and public spaces on a single night. Last year was the inaugural event (though like everything in this city, the idea was stolen from another - Paris) and it drew over 400,000 people. More were out last night. While I found much of the art to be disappointing, I cannot complain when hundreds of thousands of people all gather to explore their city. My favourite parts were the spaces - such as the courtyard bar set up at Trinity College (University of Toronto). The gothic architecture was brilliantly lit, and everyone was friendly. It’s amazing what some creative lighting can do for a scene.

All in all, this city has impressed me since coming home. While I haven’t enjoyed the inevitable mindless consumerism, I have been pleasantly surprised by the number of fun and creative events that are taking place. People are generally friendly and respectful to one another, and the weather has been great. Toronto is all right.

Share This

I’m not a one issue sorta dude.

I know you can’t get enough of my rants, opinions, and general loud-mouthery. It’s true, admit it. Why else would you be reading this if you didn’t love posts (bloggerspeak for “rambles”) that contain the words pubes, fucking, and retarded in reference to subjects such as social behaviour and south east asian politics.

There, that paragraph should really ass with the new google ads and search bar. It’ll be funny to see what sort of ads this post gets. I can’t wait to check out the sites.

No, that was not a Google ™ plug. It is how my internal monologue actually sounds.

So here are a few recent items that piss me off/confuse me. No shirk on the slant, either (sorry non-Canadians for some of this).

• The struggle in Burma: Just kidding.

• Canada’s budget windfall: How we can have $14 billion in surplus used entirely pay down a debt? Financial analysts prove me wrong, but here’s how I see it: That debt doesn’t make a bootful of difference to anyone’s life but the guy who’s job it is to keep counting. I see underfunded places and programs everywhere. Sure, those same economists will talk about fiscal responsibility and the undermining of our economic foundations. Explain that to me in real, tangible terms or I’ll forget why that’s “my life” important. Once I forget, I’ll look at things like education, public transit, and other social programs and I won’t be saying “Aww shucks, if only we had more money to fix these crumbling institutions.” Instead, I’ll be saying things like “Gee, where do I not vote for the current government?”

• The Canada-US Border Rhetoric Explosion: “Canada has more terrorist organizations that any other country in the world,” according to Senator Salazar (Dem. Colorado). Promptly responded to by CSIS (Canada’s spy org): “…with the exception of the US.” Nice. Apparently, a group of US government investigators came into Canada legally and then attempted to cross back south sneaking conspicuous bags. Three groups made it through at three different crossing points. It raises issues of permeable borders, no doubt. But the notion that Canada is a swirling cesspool of terroristdrugsmugglinghippiePETAmembers is hilarious. We’re so overflowing with the deadly mix that it’s spilling over the border and into Montana. Federal Democrats love taking the “appeal to the base” road and advocating protectionism and isolationism. Soon there’ll be talk of a four-foot tall chain link fence along our southern border. Something should be done, but why does it have to be fucking Shakespeare?

• Bird Flu: Has everyone just forgotten about it? I hate fear-mongering but if the WHO says something we’d better pay attention for more than twenty-six minutes. Anyway, just sayin, like, look out… and shit.

There. Point made. Have a nice day and thanks for visiting.

Share This

It’s a neat trick. Not least because you can’t actually be dead to promote it.

Being an activist is really fun. I’m worried, though. I’m relatively new to this level of organization and engagement, and maybe the honeymoon period is just that - temporary. Perhaps when I realize how difficult it is to actually make an impact on what this is all about - the end of violent oppression of the Burmese people (which is now in it’s forty-fifth consecutive year) - I’ll get jaded.

Some things are keeping it fun, though. Using my facebook banning as a tool to bring more people into my fold of education and action has been hilarious and effective. I’ve created an alter ego on the site, named after a certain Boston Bruins hockey player (he used to play for Calgary), and I’m sending messages all over the place. That big group dedicated to supporting the monks has grown to over 50,000 people. Every so often they get a message:

Hey Guys! Check out this Canadian guy who got BANNED from facebook for promoting tonight’s Toronto Rally!

Pretty jokes, if you ask me. I know that I got banned for posting too many messages, too quickly. I can’t just sit here and do nothing, though.

Would you?

Share This

I think I said that exactly seventeen minutes before saying this:

I’ve been banned from Facebook.

Seriously. What? How? Oh, that’s right, for being an event organizer. I sent out a whole bunch of links to the Burmese support rally I’m helping to promote. I guess I sent one too many.

Facebook has strong anti-spam rules, designed to protect us from overzealous promoters and general jackasses. Fair enough. But the vast majority of wall postings and links I sent were on related group sites, or to people who were members of these groups (the ones who are supportive of the protests). The only links I sent that weren’t to people who had already expressed their support and interest in such a rally were the ones I sent to my friends.

What is so sad about this development is that I was just beginning to appreciate how, given the right people and circumstances, facebook can be a wonderful tool to expand awareness and create support for a cause. I witnessed how minute by minute people were posting developments of the violence all night. I saw how tens of thousands of people voiced their concern by joining a group and asking each other about how to help, who to contact and where to march. It was inspiring.

And now this. It’s like facebook has put the junta-styled kaibosh on my protests. I’m no monk, mind you, but still.

As for the EVENT: RALLY in support of BURMESE monks and people.

Where: City Hall (Nathan Phillips Square @ Bay and Queen) in Toronto.

When: September 27th (Thursday) @ 6:00 pm.

Why: read my “Myanmar” section.

Who: Olivia Chow, federal representative in Parliament for the Trinity-Spadina riding will speak. We have confirmed that Burmese, Sri Lankan and Thai monks will all make appearances, among other groups and organizations. More details to follow.

Here is the now infamous link to the facebook event. If you would like more info check out the “Contact” link on the sidebar and give me a shout.

Tell your friends.

Share This

Here is a letter I wrote to Stephen Harper (Prime Minister) and Maxime Bernier (Minister of Foreign Affairs):

Mr. Harper, M. Bernier,

With all due respect, and I have much for a person in your position, it is time for this country to take advantage of its position of power in the world. I am deeply troubled by the development of violence in Myanmar (which I prefer to call Burma). Indeed, I am losing sleep over it as I write this to you. I traveled there, independently, for a month last March, and the experience changed the way I see the world.

I am not advocating invasion nor sanctions, as the former would increase bloodshed with no surety of success while the latter would simply be ineffective. I am, instead, advocating a continuation of your government’s relationship with China. I have proudly supported your strong tone with China on issues such as Tibet, human rights, and climate change. I’m sure I don’t need to inform you on the position of influence China holds with the Burmese regime, but I feel as if you have underestimated the position of influence we hold with China. While they are a massive power on a scale this country will never reach, they thirst desperately for the resources our country provides.

This is where our power lies. While limiting (or threatening to limit) Canadian commodity exports would result in tariffs or cut offs of Chinese exports to Canada, this country needs to regain its position as a human rights defender. While the pockets of Canadian businesses or consumers may suffer temporarily, it is a sacrifice we must make. There is no doubt in my mind that, while China supplies many essential materials and products, their dependence on our natural resources far exceeds our taste for their processed goods.

I trust that these are issues you are already considering. I trust that you are following the news from Burma as closely as I am. I trust that this letter will be among many your government receives on this issue.

Thank you for your time, and best of luck.

Evan Herbert.

And here is a letter I wrote to the friends and family I blind CC’d the letter to:

Hi there.

You may be wondering why I blind CCd you on my letter to Harper and Bernier (foreign affairs), and why I sent it in the middle of the night.

As you know, the country was an incredible experience, and I empathize deeply with the people there. Even compared to the other buddhist nations I visited, the Burmese were peaceful, happy and genuinely helpful. Despite being ignored and generally forgotten, they loved foreigners and, without a shred of greed or self-interest, wanted to help me on every step through their country.

And now this.

I’ve always been pron to insomnia, but lately things have been stacking up and it’s getting worse. I recently secured a great job, one I figured I had already slam dunked, only to have it fall through last minute. I’ve caught a bug that’s going ’round, and my throat is killing me. To add to the fun, last night was a veritable steam bath. And so. bored and restless at four am, I popped on BBC and the Globe’s sites to see the shit going down.

I went on Facebook and joined one of those “feel good about yourself but really do nothing at all” support the Burmese monk groups. I was blown away to see that Burmese refugees were using the group’s wall as a means to publish the reports their friends and family were sat phoning and emailing (cell phone service was shut down) out of the country. Every minute or so a new post would come up from a few people on the beatings, shootings and arrests. It was amazing. They were pleading with people to do whatever they could to begin the international outrage. I felt compelled to help.

I hope you do too. We are free, we can write our government and, what with the likelihood of a federal election approaching, threaten action. Use your power.

Even if you just want to copy my letter or write a brief note, add your name to our collective vote. We all know that Harper and Bernier will probably never come close to reading the letters anyway, but if their inboxes start to fill up, their aides will be letting them know. You can also forward something to your local MP, who is more likely to listen (and feel the threats).

Thanks for putting up with me,

Evan.

Share This

Though I’m tired of being right. Here.

Share This

… Not just a politician’s tool anymore.

First of all: I saw that Bush has decided to add some new sanctions on the Burmese. Other than preventing U.S. passport holders from visiting (which ruins an American’s ability to experience Burma’s beauty and pain firsthand), what more can he do? America has banned trade with the nation for years. As a result, will the junta give two shits about this new move?

Secondly: I noticed that 130 reader comments had been made on the Globe article. I found this inspiring. That is, until I began to read them. The conversation basically devolved into Bush-bashing and anti-American rhetoric. Is it not possible to criticize the administration’s policies without drooling chimpanzee jokes and comparing the U.S. to Imperial Japan? At some point the debate had forgotten that the article was even about Burma, and it was basically some war on Iraq smash-fest. To all the Canadians who added to this dumbed down rhetoric party, I am ashamed of you (copied to the Globe discussion).

Finally: Have I expressed how delighted I am that the world is finally paying attention to my favourite place on Earth?

Share This