CTV is not Journalism

I have said it time and time again. CTV news is not objective political news. Look at 3:30 on this video.

Now, drum sarcastic stereotypical blogger drum roll please.....

Micheal Ignatieff to raise taxes!

Shame!!!

I am known for my stance on ethics and my more traditional view of honor. At 3:30 the body language clear indicates that she is aware of everything she is doing. She is telegraphing guilt and is extremely nervous about being called on it. At 3:47 the second Nik accepts the frame and continues to speak she leans back in relief. You can even see that she is holding her breath in anticipation, of Niks response.

Alltough this is the not the first time CTV has stoopped to this level, I cannot help but be disapointed.  Democracy is a privaledge and a great gift that has been passed down to us by our grand parrents, who have fought, struggled and died defending it. We dishonor those who have fought racism and opression to stimulate evolution within our society.

We have a duty to our country and that is to act with honor. We will not disrespect the elders that fought a racist government that made the noblest ceremonies illegal.

We have a duty to up hold standards of respect an decency. To abandon this is to fail as a Canadian.

The current Conservative Party is a blight on the very soul of Canada.

Metis Pride

Understanding what it means to be Metis has always been an issue for me, but it has taught me strength. I have taken every lesson about my culture to heart and that has dictated my path in life. The Metis people have been scattered, and descendants shamed.

My grandfather passed away last year and that caused me allot of anguish. I always felt he never really cared about me. What is worse is I could not feel valid in saying I wanted his love, just as I could not say being Metis was part of who I am. I was paralyzed...but I understand now that he was in pain and could not have been what I wanted.

I can't help but think, what would my life would have been like if my grandfathers heart was not sick? What would my life have been like if this was not passed down to my aunts and uncles? What if my mother did not have to endure what she did?

What if I could have had my grandparents with out the pain or war and dispossession that the inherited? The injustices of the past may have taken something more valuable to me then any land...a healthy family.

While I have not experienced the poverty and constant barrage of racism that many of my Native friends did growing up, there are certain things I can relate too. The pain that was left in our families is one of them.

I love the Anishinabe, the Cree, the Dene like they are my own. When they bleed my heart aches...

Louis Riel was just as native as I am, but perhaps more Metis.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuXS3VU791U

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2007/09/13/canada-indigenous.html

http://iwgia.synkron.com/graphics/Synkron-Library/Documents/InternationalProcesses/DraftDeclaration/07-09-13ResolutiontextDeclaration.pdf

Simply put, there is to much money and racism involved to do the right thing.

Riel was hanged for treason, but executed for an ideal.

"I have watched my people die – I have seen an entire way of life trampled by a new
civilization they did not understand and for a brief moment I stood in the path of this new
civilization – of this progress – not to stop it but rather to address a new government – a
government far away in the east which had no idea of who my people were or how they
lived. All I asked for was the respect for the right and the liberty and the dignity of the
Métis. If this be madness then I am mad but I am in good company. If this be treason
than I am guilty for in this I will always believe" - Louis Riel

Ottawa has not learned the lesson Riel left for us.

http://www.histori.ca/minutes/minute.do?id=10646

Marsé and Meegwetch

How Einstein taught me the value of the seven teachings.

Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value. - Albert Einstein

Ethics are a hard thing to learn, because it takes vision to see reward. It takes patience to see result. The truth is that success with out value is a forlorn apology for failure.

When we turn our back on this we lose something very precious, something so simple so small that it haunts our every step.

When success is gained through value it is an extension of a creation bearing no falsehood and sacrificing nothing. This is the greatest act of creation in our being, when life is a true reflection of our will.

"Nbwaa kaa win - To cherish knowledge is to know WISDOM. Symbolized by the beaver.

Zaa gid win - To know LOVE is to know peace. You must love yourself in order to love another. Symbolized by the eagle.

Mnaa dendi mowin - To honor all of the Creation is to have RESPECT. Symbolized by the buffalo

Aak wade’ ewin - BRAVERY is to face the foe with integrity. The bear symbolizes the moral courage to do the right thing.

Gwek waadi ziwin - HONESTY in facing a situation is to be brave. Symbolized by Sasquatch or Wilderness Man.

Dbaa dendi ziwin - HUMILITY is to think things through carefully and to know your place. Symbolized by the wolf.

Deb we win - TRUTH is to know all of these things. Symbolized by the turtle. "

(From a write up about The Birchbark House)

When you let go of death and life all that is left these teachings are all that are left.

True reward is all to often misunderstood. These are the virtues that help you build a life out of value, I have never truly realized their significance. Thankfully, I am am still a foolish young man. Knowing your place is one of the greatest gifts a man can receive.

If you do not know where your heart belongs how do you know who you are?

Israel and Gaza in Context.

Israel and Gaza in Context.

There is absolutely nothing constructive to gain from taking sides in this conflict. Both parties are guilty of crimes and injustice. Most people are not experts in the conflict and therefor get caught up in the emotionally compelling aspects of this conflict. With out any doubt this is one of the most seductive longstanding conflicts, so much so that we as outsiders get very emotionally invested in it. A significant aspect of this conflict is that both sides seek to direct our opinion, for their own personal benefit. We must be Peace makers and we cannot do this if we take sides needlessly.

Here is some important back ground information that is not commonly known, but important in understanding the context of the conflict:

First of all, many are unaware of the Irgun and the King David Hotel bombing. In this note I will not go into great detail (This is a note not an essay), however I encourage you to research these events and draw your own conclusions.

The King David Hotel bombing was essentially the birth of modern terrorism. A bombing designed to capture the attention of the world media. This was also a false flag operation.

The Palestinian refugee crisis resulted from many causes. However it did not result for a radio broadcast by the Arab nations calling Palestinians to leave their homes, this has been a hallmark of Israels position. This has been confirmed by the CIA and the BBC.

A large percentage has been attributed to the actions of the Pre-Israeli forces of the time period. I am aware of how controversial a topic this is and I will only touch on this lightly as it is not essential to my premise. However it is important to know.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1948_Palestinian_exodus ( I understand Wikipedia is not the best, but not everyone here has access to Google Scholar.)

Another significant event is the Deir Yassin massacre, I suggest you look into that event.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deir_Yassin_massacre#Reconsideration_of_the_massacre

Irgun was disbanded after the war of 1948, however similar yet more sophisticated tactics continued to be used my Israel. Here are some notable false flag operations:

Lavon Affair: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lavon_Affair

Operation Entebbe: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article1867995.ece

USS Liberty Incident: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Liberty_incident

John Gunther Dean Assassination Attempt : http://www.wrmea.com/archives/november02/0211015.html

There are several other possible events that I have not included because the evidence is to speculative.

Some of these events have been used in Anti-Jewish/NWO conspiracy theories. These theories are narcissistic speculation used to create a fictitious sense of self importance in an other wise socially/professionally incompetent individual. If someone sends me another David Ike Reptilian video, I will eat your SOUL!

I have heard many people claim that Hamas uses human shields. There are documented instances when Israel has done the same thing. Both side are guilty.

Amnesty International Reports http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4580139.stm

Israel http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3650791.stm

There have also been reports of Israel using human shields in the current conflict.

Israel has also repeatedly used banned munitions. While white phosphorus is technically not illegal, it is problematic none the less.

Cluster Bombs

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/5299938.stm

White Phosphorus

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28642180/

I assume everyone reading this understand the violations that Hamas has committes. If not research Hamas...right now. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamas

Now another issue that demonstrates some of the problematic elements is how Israel runs its counter insurgency operation. First off to acquaint you with what not to do in a counter insurgency:

The Algerian conflict demonstrated one maxim of counter insurgency operations, Torture creates terrorism. This a is a fact. The Muslim brother hood and Egypt reinforces this point, and gave us Dr. Ayman Muhammad Rabaie al-Zawahiri the second in command and ideological leader of al-Qaeda .

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algerian_War (Read the section French counter-insurgency operations)

Terrorism and in this case terrorist insurgencies thrive on circumstance that facilitates dehumanization. (Read David Grossman on Killing) I am stealing this quote form Wikipedia but it is surprisingly good...When people become things, the logic follows, they become dispensable - and any atrocity can be justified.

You cannot facilitate the dehumanizing process in a counter insurgency. Israel has willfully disregarded this process with absolutely predictable results. Gravity works, this is a fact. You cannot have a terrorist insurgency with out a circumstance that facilitates widespread dehumanization, that is a fact. This has been consistent in every insurgency to date.

The Shin Bet has admitted to torturing Palestinians on a significant scale. Perpetrators have even gone as far as to described it as ``Holy Work``. This is absolutely un-acceptable, why because it facilitates the dehumanization process and is terrible intelligence work. As a general rule nations/groups only use torture on groups that they have dehumanized. It is just shameful intelligence work.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/637293.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7345025.stm

http://www.amnesty.org/en/library/asset/MDE15/031/1998/en/dom-MDE150311998en.html

(Note* Fatah uses torture as well) http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/palestinians-use-torture-regularly-879423.html

http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:ojs7phsJDRYJ:www.pcbs.pna.org/Portals/_pcbs/PressRelease/E-Prisoners%2520Day%25202006(1).pdf+The+Palestinian+Central+Bureau+of+Statistics+detained&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=ca

Now the case of Algeria teaches us that torture only strengths the insurgency. Israels treatment of detainees constitutes negligence in an insurgency operation.

I have said time and time again that the greatest ideological challenge of our generation is the refinement of the democratic process. The current assault has been conspicuously timed with the Israeli election and a drop in the polls for the current government. Now that the assault is underway, the government has climbed in the polls. Correlation with the US Presidential inauguration is suspicious as the past government has supported Israel 100% for the last 8 years. Even going so far as to adopt its similar interrogation methods. The opinion of the President elect has yet to be determined, however it is rational to assume that given his stated morality, he will not be to offer the same carte blanche. All of this creates a specific sense of urgency. I have no doubts that the rockets will be used as rationalization for the assault and the blockade a rationalization for the rockets...and the circle continues....

In no way shape or form is Israel a moral beacon. What we have here is two warring factions who have so much blood on their hands that assigning blame has become irrelevant. The conflict needs to end, both sides are perpetuating it. They are simply two warring factions, who are both guilty of war crimes. We need to act as impartial mediators. If we take the role of Peace maker there is absolutely no logic in taking side in this conflict.

“Don't get down in the mud with the pigs. You will both get dirty and the pigs love it”

Unless we remain above the emotions that perpetuate this conflict, we cannot hope to help. Both sides are responsible for the current crisis and neither party has an objective moral high ground. Whether it is the rocks or the incursion, no party can be absolved of responsibility.

Children of Hamas

Watch this first ---> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTGbP55HGi8

Then this one-----> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8YfA_DngUM

Hamas runs schools, orphanages, mosques, health care clinics, soup kitchens and sports leagues. They do these things successfully when members of Fatah have been accused of corruption and are generally not considered honest.

Reciprocal behavior creates a desire to well...reciprocate. The stereotype of a big business executive offering class of expensive Scotch to a potential partner is not a mistake. This is a basic part of our psychology, we will want to align with those who offer us a reciprocal relationship. This is a huge part of marketing.

Desperate people will do desperate things. Israel has been negligent in the roots causes of this conflict. You cannot attack the Propaganda of Hamas unless you can provide better social services. The Hamas children ... is extremely bias and can be considered Propaganda. It offers useful information with out context.

This is the exact same psychological process that facilitated Germany to trust a man they did not understand. The need for pride and psychological freedom from utter desperation. The Gazans are stuck in a situation that they are psychologically powerless to stop.

Israels strategy is either incompetent or willfully ignorant to long term conflict resolution. Perhaps they have not bothered to listen to some of the greatest counter Terrorism scholars of our generation. You cannot destroy terrorism with out defeating the underlying causes that facilitate the rationalization of terrorist attacks.

My next post will be a case study, demonstrating this effect during the battle of Algiers. How foolishly we have made the same mistakes, time and time again when dealing with insurgency and terrorism.

Morality, Terrorism and Social Dynamics

First of all so there is no misunderstanding, war is a social contract those who put on a Uniform and fight have consented to kill and be killed. This is why we have a distinction between combatant and non-combatant. Ideally war should only be among those who have agreed to this contract. Essentially I believe that we should only consent to dehumanize those who have consented to this contract. This like war is still a last resort, and a result of preemptive strategic failures.

Good and evil have no empirical basis unless they are circumstantial. Good and evil will vary from person to person and group to group. We will justify things that increase our perceived fitness, that is how the mind is structured. I would contend that reason and self reflection complicated the equation significantly, unfortunately many people do not value reason or self reflection as they do not consider them essential for survival.

This highlights the futility in calling an even good or bad in Political science, since it is entirely relative to the individual and to the situation.

Here is a quick trivia question, why do fighter pilots have a lower resistance to killing then say an infantry man.... Psychological and physical distance. The dehumanization process at work.

Now what is racism at its core? It is one of the many forms of dehumanization. Dehumanization is especially popular in war time, with out is and several other factors only psychopaths can kill. (See On Killing by David Grossman)

Now put any healthy individual in a social situation where he will have cultural pressure to dehumanize an adversary. Add an increase in survivability and status for compliance along with the demands of an authority you have a ripe situation for extreme dehumanization. Create an asymmetric conflict, with limited means of resistance and you will find attacks on a civilian population and voila instant War Crime. Apply this model to any attacks on civilian populations by organized violence and the pattern should be clear.

Now this is the same dehumanization process used for terrorism. But it is clearly circumstantial. We know that if we drop a ball it will most likely fall. If we put a human being in these circumstances he will most likely attack a civilian population, there is no morality involved simply cause and effect.

How I ask how can we call a terrorist immoral? If anything it is circumstantial. This is of course why Intelligence agencies are necessary, you cannot preempt this situation for every individual. However I would contest that this can be avoided with larger groups, nations and communities, if preemptive measures are taken.

Modern day terrorism can be either breed from this phenomenon either nationally or more locally in isolated communities/situations.

Upon understanding this, I have come to perceive terrorism as very impersonal. However like all conflict it is subject to the mathematical like precision of Political Science.

Needless to say, one cannot solve a crisis if one is consumed with the dehumanized process. Most notably nationalism can be used for this purpose, ethnic or territorial is irrelevant. This above all else is why my own sense of Canadian nationalism is so meticulously calibrated, once understood it can become a tool to create true satisfaction within the self creating a deep sense of inner peace while preparing you for the world.

That however is another post.

The challenge of victory

With victory there wakens an unredeemed being.
Empty worlds with vanishing forms.
Shamed by our desire and lifted by our hope.

The requisite skills of the victor,
To cry havoc, and let slip the dogs no more.

The tides of an advancing age absolve our dissolution,
To reinstate existence conceive anew.