Issues at home deserve attention
We are bombarded daily with issues around the world and what we as Canadians can do about them. Truth of the matter is that we cannot do anything, we are an ocean-away and yet people here believe that attending a reading, a lecture, or even supplying money can do something.
The truth is, if you really wanted to fix an issue, if you are really passionate about an issue, then pack your bags and go there and see what can be done on the front lines.
In Volume 42, Issue number eight, October 12, 2009 issue of Interrobang, a good friend of mine, Darius Mirshahi (former president of the Fanshawe Social Justice Club) wrote about the issue of the wall that separates Israel and the Palestine state. A key issue in politics for half a century and more, yet still today, 30 Nobel Peace Prize winners later - the issue is still there. It is pointless. You cannot change the mind frame of individuals in that area, and you certainly cannot change their point of view while sitting in the luxury of our wealthy nation of Canada. I care, I have always cared, but in true reality, I am not interested because we as Canadians have issues right here at home, right here in our own backyard that most of us are not even aware of.
Last election, in October of 2008, 52 per cent of Canadians came out to cast their vote. One of the privileges of democracy that we have here we take for granted. Let me remind you that Canada is at war, and that our soldiers are dying in Afghanistan, fighting for this right that we here take for granted, the right of democratic elections for all the peoples of Afghanistan. That is an issue my fellow Fanshaweonians.
Our education costs so much that over 80 per cent of students are already in the low class and at the poverty level once they finish their studies. Instead of getting out of school, getting that new job, buying yourself that first car or apartment, you have to find ways to survive to pay off that dept from the bank or OSAP. Does that make sense? Our government system, instead of pushing us and acknowledging the fact that we are the future leaders of Canada, are allowing only the fortunate to progress. I find that to be an issue.
Our native peoples are judged, humiliated, and still to this day, oppressed in this great free liberal nation of ours. You can be for it or against it, you can say they get free education or don't have to pay taxes, but those to me are just excuses. Excuses that turn our focus from the real issues at hand.
So my fellow Canadians, what do you say we focus on making Canada a better place and leave the rest of the world to worry about its own agenda.
Denis Vidmar (President of Student Action Movement)
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
The truth is, if you really wanted to fix an issue, if you are really passionate about an issue, then pack your bags and go there and see what can be done on the front lines.
In Volume 42, Issue number eight, October 12, 2009 issue of Interrobang, a good friend of mine, Darius Mirshahi (former president of the Fanshawe Social Justice Club) wrote about the issue of the wall that separates Israel and the Palestine state. A key issue in politics for half a century and more, yet still today, 30 Nobel Peace Prize winners later - the issue is still there. It is pointless. You cannot change the mind frame of individuals in that area, and you certainly cannot change their point of view while sitting in the luxury of our wealthy nation of Canada. I care, I have always cared, but in true reality, I am not interested because we as Canadians have issues right here at home, right here in our own backyard that most of us are not even aware of.
Last election, in October of 2008, 52 per cent of Canadians came out to cast their vote. One of the privileges of democracy that we have here we take for granted. Let me remind you that Canada is at war, and that our soldiers are dying in Afghanistan, fighting for this right that we here take for granted, the right of democratic elections for all the peoples of Afghanistan. That is an issue my fellow Fanshaweonians.
Our education costs so much that over 80 per cent of students are already in the low class and at the poverty level once they finish their studies. Instead of getting out of school, getting that new job, buying yourself that first car or apartment, you have to find ways to survive to pay off that dept from the bank or OSAP. Does that make sense? Our government system, instead of pushing us and acknowledging the fact that we are the future leaders of Canada, are allowing only the fortunate to progress. I find that to be an issue.
Our native peoples are judged, humiliated, and still to this day, oppressed in this great free liberal nation of ours. You can be for it or against it, you can say they get free education or don't have to pay taxes, but those to me are just excuses. Excuses that turn our focus from the real issues at hand.
So my fellow Canadians, what do you say we focus on making Canada a better place and leave the rest of the world to worry about its own agenda.
Denis Vidmar (President of Student Action Movement)
Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
