Future Possibility For this blog.

I was thinking about creating a comic strip political journal. I enjoy creating political cartoons which have been in a few zines throughout Fredericton. I am torn between whether I should create a story kind of comic book (like set in a future capitalist, privitized, corporate owned North America), or do short little comic strips (a la funnies section of the newspaper) or single panel political comics (which is what I have done in the past). I'm thinking about just trying out some character designs today to see how that goes. I would like for it to be funny, but also have a very good message behind it.

There are a lot of changes going on in my life, and it seems like I am always struggling or busy or whatever. Unfortunately, I guess this is life.

So if there is any suggestions for my comics, please let me know what you think! Again, this blog is a positive space, so try to keep comments positive, or they won't stay up for long. In my next post I will quite possibly be discussing free trade with the upcoming Atlantica (Business without Borders) conference coming up this summer. I would like to do some of my own research on what is going on so that my ideas are MY ideas. Perhaps in the next post you can share YOUR ideas with me! Hooray!!!!

If you'd like to find out more about this Atlantica thing I'm talking about, please visit www.atlantica.com or www.stopatlantica.org ! There are a lot of good essays about atlantica on the latter, and the former is the official website of this free trade proposal which is just as incriminating as the anti-atlantica website.

Student Day of Action Was Mostly a Success!

Wednesday was a very important day for students' voices to be heard. About 100 university, college and even high school students gathered at UNB's Student Union Building to express their discontent with tuition fees and the ever growing debt on their shoulders. Many students claimed that they had or would have approximately $20 000-$30 000 dollars owed back to student loans by the time they finished their undergrad. One grad student also exclaimed that he had an even larger debt of $75 000!


Speeches were made by various students who helped organize the rally and cheers were made to excite the crowd and get them ready for the long march ahead. The First Stop was the STU president Dr. Micheal Higgins' office. Chanting "Student's rights under attack, what do we do? Stand up fight back!", Dr. Higgins seemed surprised at the large group of students noisily marching into his office giving him coupons for 10% off of their tuition. Dr. Higgins told the students that he couldn't possibly reduce tuition and without government funding, chances are that tuition will continue to soar. Especially because of the new building his fancy office was in; it's cost was one million dollars over budget.

It didn't seem that Dr. Higgins or his bodyguard were going to be honest with us and just seemed to pass off all responsibility for students' rights to the government. The students then headed down to the UNB president's office, as determined as ever, only to discover that he was not there. The secretary looked a little confused at first but then laughed it off and gladly took more coupons from the UNB students.

According to Dr. Higgins, this situation was all the NB government's fault. So where to next? The legislature of course! Chanting and marching continued all the way to the Legislature Building this time calling out Ed Doherty, Minister of Post-Secondary Education. "Hey Ed Doherty, reduce the tuition fee!" was chanted and doors were banged upon. The only person who came out was Dan Bussieres who broke the students up and informed them that everyone was done at 1pm. The students arrived at the legislature at 3pm. Disappointed the students started to shuffle off. They were as suprised as I was that our elected MPs were done work at 1pm!

Then one of the MP's from Tantramar came out to speak to the students. He insisted that Canada just didn't have enough money to fund for university, even though countries poorer than Canada have free education. He also insisted that it was the responsibility of our University Presidents to lower our tuition. That's funny, Dr. Higgins informed us that it was the Legislature's responsibility. Furthermore, the government of Quebec has frozen tuition for over 30 years. At least one of them is lying. So it would seem that these government workers and school presidents are either trying to worm their way out of dealing with these issues, or they think students are dumb enough to fall for their lies.



The student day of action got a lot media attention and yet I have been informed that this weeks aquinian may include a small write up. This is one of the largest things to happen on campus in a long time, and this can't even make the front page of the students' very own newspaper? Fredericton's Student day of action was small in comparison to others happening that day all across Canada but it was still effective and well covered by the media. Fredericton must keep in mind that this is not the end of this cause. Because of Quebec students' hard work and continued pressure on the government, they have been able to keep their universities' tuition at a reasonable fee. They are truly an inspiration and should be a good example to other students that if we stick together, and work hard, we can make education more affordable and accessable for all of us.



Facts
- NB has the lowest minimum wage in the country, and the 2nd highest tuition.
- NB has one of the highest unemployment rates in the country!
- NB Tuition has gone up 175% in only 15 years!

Continue the fight! Education is a right!

An Update? WTF mate?

I just thought I'd make a brief update to let people know that I hate Nazis.

FYI Jared Taylor is not a Race Realist.... he's a real racist (original, I know).

FYI School sucks and I'm ready to drop out of life, become a rock star and full time blogger/activist. Its way more fun, and I'm allowing school to take over my life and it isn't fun anymore. I have a new found love of hitch hiking, although I would prefer to do it in the summer not winter.

FYI --> Charles LeBlanc : I'm not changing my blogger name, so stop asking.

FYI Did I mention I hate nazis yet?

FYI I'm not down at the human rights commission with Charles LeBlanc because SCHOOL IS TAKING OVER MY LIFE!!! If I wasn't a couple of months away from graduating, I'd quit RIGHT NOW. I hate it and its stupid.... who the hell takes english literature anyway? and what the hell good is a minor in psychology?

And just so you know: Jared Taylor IS a nazi and the cops should stop putting poor kids in jail and people who do good like Vaughn Barnett and start throwing rich ass cross burners in the brig. Free speech my ass; Jared Taylor, you can take your speech and shove it up your ass.... For FREE!!!! (damn i'm good ha ha)

Watch V for Vendetta!

Happy Guy Fawkes day! Burn down parliment! tee hee!

Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot...

So much Knowledge! Head will explode soon

I think that I'm drowning in my school work. I wanted so hard to engorge myself in this blog and actually write something of importance. I love this blog so much but I always seem to be so busy. When I am at work there is a computer availible but the guy I work with now is ALWAYS on it! So that leaves little time left to blog.

Lets talk about school for a bit, since I have mixed feelings about it. These mixed feeling are new. I love school so much, but I almost feel like its a waste of money, since I will probably end up as a teacher if I end up getting a university degree job at all. That's not very much money per year, and even if I lived with the bare minimum, it will take me years to pay off this odious debt. I don't really mind working customer service, provided that its not in a call centre, or in the complaint department.

Even though I am quite certain that in many ways I would enjoy being a teacher and would find it rewarding many days, I am scared that it will throw me into a depressing washcycle of 9-5 routine. I'm afraid that I won't be living for today and all of that. I'm also scared that even if I did enjoy being a teacher, it would be a waste because I'd be scared that I wouldn't be able to earn the respect of my students. I had an amazing teacher when I was in high school. In four years I only ever heard him yell twice. He never had to yell because everyone respected him so much, and I don't know how he did it. I'm a highly emotional person, and I get very sad when people disrespect me. What to do what to do.

On the other hand, I love going to school. Being an activist and running a business and a full time student just makes life a little crazy. I am an English Literature student with a Concentration in Theatre Arts and I love both of these subjects. This year I have loved all of the books we have had to read, but I'm consistantly falling behind becuase of everythign else. If I didn't have activism and the Underground Cafe, life would be so drab.

School should be fucking free! Tuition has gone up 500 dollars every year, but funding for post secondary education has barely even budged. Shawn Graham is giving money to first year students, but what about people like me, in their 4th year? I'll be in the work force in a year or two, what will I do then? Education is a right, not a priviledge. I could have taken a lot of other subjects I enjoy, but I would have had to go part time since they require straight A's to get a job. I used to be a psychology student and was quite good. But a couple of B's were not going to get me anywhere; however, I could not afford to go part time becuase it would have cost too much extra money for housing to go to school for 6 years instead of 4. I loved psychology but I decided that it was best for me to move over to english, which I also loved equally, becuase I feared if my marks were not good enough I would not get into the masters program (FYI a bachelor of psychology is useless and you can't get into the master's program without at least a 3.8 GPA. I had a 3.5).

I am looking over what I have written and I'm noticing that the word 'fear' and words that are synonymous with it appear an awful lot. People should not have to fear their futures, especially over things like money. Everyone wonders why so many people take off to alberta to work. Duh, fear of being unable to provide for themselves and their families. Fear of debt from school. Fear that they will be failures. Fear is an incredible thing that can motivate people -- even if its away from what we want to do most.

I apologize for this pathetic update with my ramblings of my personal life. Tomorrow or the day after I shall post my ramblings from my zine. The zine was illustrated, so I apologize in advance that there will be no drawings online. If you wish to read the zine, please visit the underground cafe. I would like to take this time to initiate a debate. What do you think about money and education? Do you think education is a right, or a priviledge? Do you think people should follow their dreams, or try to figure out something more practical for their futures?

I apologize

I'm sorry that the Miniature Earth is posted liek 4 times...... I hate blogs!

Miniature Earth

I'm sure you've all seen this before from forwards from people you barely talk to who like to fill your inbox with useless chain letters, and promises of money from Bill Gates, but now its back and better than ever!

It's the miniature earth! This is a very interesting way to look at our planet. What it is, is a scaled down population of earth. Its looked at as if there were only 100 people on the planet. How many are Christian? Muslim? How many people are Chinese? How many suffer from the AIDS virus? How many are starving? Etc. I suggest that if you have the time (and macromedia flash player, or can get it) that you watch this! Its really a cute presentation, but also really makes you think about your fellow humyn. I hope you all enjoy, "The Miniature Earth"!

PS - I hate blogger -- it hardly ever works!!!
http://www.miniature-earth.com/

Miniature Earth

I'm sure you've all seen this before from forwards from people you barely talk to who like to fill your inbox with useless chain letters, and promises of money from Bill Gates, but now its back and better than ever!

It's the miniature earth! This is a very interesting way to look at our planet. What it is, is a scaled down population of earth. Its looked at as if there were only 100 people on the planet. How many are Christian? Muslim? How many people are Chinese? How many suffer from the AIDS virus? How many are starving? Etc. I suggest that if you have the time (and macromedia flash player, or can get it) that you watch this! Its really a cute presentation, but also really makes you think about your fellow humyn. I hope you all enjoy, "The Miniature Earth"!

PS - I hate blogger -- it hardly ever works!!!
http://www.miniature-earth.com/

Miniature Earth

I'm sure you've all seen this before from forwards from people you barely talk to who like to fill your inbox with useless chain letters, and promises of money from Bill Gates, but now its back and better than ever!

It's the miniature earth! This is a very interesting way to look at our planet. What it is, is a scaled down population of earth. Its looked at as if there were only 100 people on the planet. How many are Christian? Muslim? How many people are Chinese? How many suffer from the AIDS virus? How many are starving? Etc. I suggest that if you have the time (and macromedia flash player, or can get it) that you watch this! Its really a cute presentation, but also really makes you think about your fellow humyn. I hope you all enjoy, "The Miniature Earth"!

http://www.miniature-earth.com/

Miniature Earth

I'm sure you've all seen this before from forwards from people you barely talk to who like to fill your inbox with useless chain letters, and promises of money from Bill Gates, but now its back and better than ever!

It's the miniature earth! This is a very interesting way to look at our planet. What it is, is a scaled down population of earth. Its looked at as if there were only 100 people on the planet. How many are Christian? Muslim? How many people are Chinese? How many suffer from the AIDS virus? How many are starving? Etc. I suggest that if you have the time (and macromedia flash player, or can get it) that you watch this! Its really a cute presentation, but also really makes you think about your fellow humyn. I hope you all enjoy, "The Miniature Earth"!

http://www.miniature-earth.com/

Miniature Earth

I'm sure you've all seen this before from forwards from people you barely talk to who like to fill your inbox with useless chain letters, and promises of money from Bill Gates, but now its back and better than ever!

It's the miniature earth! This is a very interesting way to look at our planet. What it is, is a scaled down population of earth. Its looked at as if there were only 100 people on the planet. How many are Christian? Muslim? How many people are Chinese? How many suffer from the AIDS virus? How many are starving? Etc. I suggest that if you have the time (and macromedia flash player, or can get it) that you watch this! Its really a cute presentation, but also really makes you think about your fellow humyn. I hope you all enjoy, "The Miniature Earth"!

http://www.miniature-earth.com/

Miniature Earth

I'm sure you've all seen this before from forwards from people you barely talk to who like to fill your inbox with useless chain letters, and promises of money from Bill Gates, but now its back and better than ever!

It's the miniature earth! This is a very interesting way to look at our planet. What it is, is a scaled down population of earth. Its looked at as if there were only 100 people on the planet. How many are Christian? Muslim? How many people are Chinese? How many suffer from the AIDS virus? How many are starving? Etc. I suggest that if you have the time (and macromedia flash player, or can get it) that you watch this! Its really a cute presentation, but also really makes you think about your fellow humyn. I hope you all enjoy, "The Miniature Earth"!

http://www.miniature-earth.com/

Take this little quiz!

This quiz is by no means hi-tech, so deal. No peaking ahead of questions, you'll ruin it!

Question 1 - Do you believe in equal rights for men and wimmin?
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Question 2 - Are you a feminist?
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If you answered yes to question 1 and no to question 2, you have made an error!
The definition of a feminist (dictionary.com):

fem·i·nism (fm-nzm) Pronunciation Key
n.

1. Belief in the social, political, and economic equality of the sexes.
2. The movement organized around this belief.

I love this. Next time you think feminism is only for wimmin or that you aren't "one of those girls" remember that if you believe in equality between the sexes, YOU ARE A FEMINIST!!! (whether you like it or not!)

Reproductive Rights and Anti-choice arrests

Tonight I've been invited to go to a reproductive rights session so I'll have something interesting to write about later.

At the Morgantaler Clinic this week Peter Ryan's wife was arrested by Fredericton Police for holding a "Show the Truth" sign (the ones with mangled fetuses on them; dont' worry, they're fake photos!) after being warned week after week not to bring the sign into public.

I figure the police must have been annoyed with the sign because I'm sure that they recieve complaint after complaint each week about them. They're pretty gross signs and its difficult to deal with a child especially who is upset by the sign, but are too young to understand. How do you explain abortion to a child? Especially a child who may be too young to know about sex and how babies are made. The only advice I can give to parents is that they should explain that these pictures are not real, and that they aren't even from Canada. Even then, the picture is engraved in their minds and they wont' be able to shake it for some time.

These photos are not from Canada, as they have foreign currency next to the fetus. This photo in particular shows a fetus next to a foreign coin. The fetus has formed eyes, fingers, toes, ears -- and they expect us to believe it is only a 10 week gestated fetus?? This is a third trimester fetus, and it is illegal in Canada to have an abortion in the 2nd or 3rd trimester. Is their argument so weak that they have to make up things? Or are they just too stupid to realize that these pictures are fake? Sigh....

So Ryan's wife was taken into custody Tuesday and I do not know if she was released or not. About an hour after she was arrested, clinic escorts and directors were asked if they knew her name because she would not tell police. Now, I think this is a stupid move, because you HAVE to give your name and date of birth in order to be released. I'm sure she's caved by now.

As much as it kind of made me chuckle to hear this, I know that this could be bad. Ryan's wife will be called a martyr of sorts for standing up for babies or something. I wonder what the clinic will look like next week. I'm sure there will be an insurgence of protestors when they hear the news of their Christian martyr. They will feel guilty and head over there next week. Should be interesting -- I'll let you know.

Holy Wimmin's Rights Batman!

That's right, Take Back The Night came back this year. It was lots of fun, but I wish that we didn't have to do this still.

Take Back the Night, for those of you who don't know, started in the 1800's (I don't remember the year, I wasn't there haha!) to protest against violence against wimmin and children, and also to bring awarness that it is not safe for said persons to walk at night.

Approximately 150-200 years later, we are still marching, unfortunately. The Marcgh in Fredericton this year addressed more issues besides violence, but also pay equity and reproductive rights.

I'd guess at about 75-100 wimmin showed up for the annual march at city hall. There The Sexual Crisis Centre's (who hosted the event) volunteers and organizers spoke briefly about Take Back The Night. Then they introduced Alison Brewer who spoke about Wimmin's rights in New Brunswick. She spoke of a bleak future which I hope is a false prediction. There aren't many wimmin in the legislature, and many of them do not care for wimmin's rights. I find this a blatant contradiction.

After Ms. Brewer's speech, the wimmin and children started marching and the men cheered us on as we departed. I had a friend from the Sexual Crisis Centre that asked me to lead the chants on a megaphone. Being the loudmouth I am, I was delighted to help out. We marched around town and luckily there weren't any men stupid enough to mess with us. We got a lot of cheers from curious onlookers and I'm sure I speak for all the wimmin present when I say I felt very "emmersed in the sisterhood" as cheesy as that sounds. I felt like we could have done anything that night. There was only one thing wrong that night.

COPS! Why do we need 4 cop cars? Its like we're asking for permission. "Excuse me Mr. Police Officer sir, would you help lil ol us take back the night, becuase we can't do it all alone..." The point of taking back the night is that wimmin are taking back the streets! I think having the police present is an insult to us. Are they trying to protect us? Who's going to be stupid enough to fuck with close to 100 angry feminists? Maybe they have to be there to protect other people from us? I like to tell myself that. I makes me feel better about the police presence making us a joke. Maybe the wimmin of fredericton should organize another march and do it without the police.

Let me know what you think about a police presence at a march such as this. I'm curious to know your thoughts.

OMG IM SO SRRY!!!! OMFGWTF!!!??!!11!!one!!!!

Alright, so I guess I'm long overdue for an update... I apologize to anyone who actually reads this. I was supposed to put my audio files of my interviews with the Fredericton Candidates online and I got busy over the weekend with school and then my pet bunny rabbit died and I felt very lethargic.

I will put the audio files if you actually want to hear them. William Forrestall was a rather interesting character. To give you an idea, I asked him why he thinks wimmin are still sometimes paid less than their male professional equals. He said that he blames wimmin for not doing anything about it (we aren't?). I then asked him if he thought some of the blame should go to the government for not making a law prohibiting the lower pay of wimmin. Then he went on about how short people get paid less than tall people or something. He said it was in a study. It sounded made up. So anyway, just let me know if anyone actually wants to hear about it.

Shawn Graham won. Not my preferred choice overall, but indeed my preferred choice over the Blue. When I did interview Greg Byrne (liberal candidate) he was exceptionally nice. Even though I'm not a liberal, I'm kind of glad in a way that he won because he seemed honest. Maybe he really just tricked me ha ha!
I'm a little sad that Alison Brewer didn't win, but I didn't think she would anyway. Usually politicians bash other candidates in their riding, but when I asked him if he thought he'd win, he was very clever with his answer. He said that the other candidates were formidable opponents and that they are running a good campaign and that it would be hard to beat them. I thought that was very humble of him. Anyway, he won. I don't want to be mean to him since he was so nice. I'll just wait for him to do something wrong, ha ha!

Liberal Lament

Ok, so here is my email I sent the young Liberals, followed by the leaders letter. It is by far the most interesting of all the apology letters I was sent. I also received an email from Greg Byrne saying that we should figure out a time for an interview. Here they are:

Dear Hillary,

I thoguht that I should write you since you are head of the YOUNG liberals. I have started my own website to write articles regarding political issues throughout Fredericton, New Brunswick and Canada.

I figured that with a provincial election coming up it may be interesting to ask all the different candidates their positions on different issues in the province. When I called the Liberal office of Greg Byrne to find out when his next public appearance would be (so I could ask him a couple of questions), I was left with a bad taste in my mouth.

The woman who I was speaking with almost laughed in my face when I told her what I was trying to do. When I mentioned I was a student she told me to get involved with the young liberals or something to that effect, when I was trying to explain to her that I just wanted 5 minutes of the candidates time to pose a few questions. She did not take my request seriously and I'm quite suprised she didn't call my online journalism, "cute"; that was certainly the attitude I was given. She told me to go to the debate tonight at UNB/STU but I responded by saying that I could not make this debate because I was volunteering somewhere tonight. She told me that I would have to get my priorities straight which just blew me away.

I felt extremely patronized and I'd even go so far to say I felt descriminated against. I am a 21 year-old university student, so obviously I do not work for a "real" newspaper. I feel that I was disrespected because of my age and also for being independant media. Candidates need to respond to the questions that any citizens has, no matter what their age or what have you. All other offices that I called were very courteous and helpful and even took my number down so that a future appointment could be made! Students should also be encouraged by the government to be active and concerned with the politics of their country, province and city; not mocked. I didn't call the liberal office today to get a pat on the head, I called because I wanted some answers.

I understand that none of this is your fault in any way, shape or form, but I am hoping as the leader of the Young Liberals that you will be able to tell your candidates that they must reach out to the youth and address their concerns, or they will lose votes. I thank you very much for taking the time to read my email today, and I am hoping that you will be able to forward my message on. Good luck with the campaigns and have a good day.

Sincerly,
Kira Williston
Independant Journalist

Hello Kira,

I am concerned about the response you received yesterday. It is upsetting to hear that your attempt to speak to one of our candidates was dismissed in this manner.

As a Young Liberal, my job is to address the barriers that prevent young people from being fully engaged in the political process and find ways to break these barriers down. Our organization is committed to engaging youth and young adults to vote and get active in the political process, but also to giving young people a forum in which they are able to present their views and ideas.

Some of our most progressive policies -- such as same-sex marriage legislation at the federal level, or the recently proposed intitiatives on hybrid cars and renewable energy in the provincial Liberal campaign -- were proposed by and lobbied on by Young Liberals.

That's why I agree with you fully when you say that "Students should also be encouraged by the government to be active and concerned with the politics of their country, province and city; not mocked".

I have forwarded your message along to Greg Byrne's campaign manager, and have spoken to Greg directly about your e-mail. Now, I would like a chance to speak with you personally too.

I'd welcome an opportunity to reach you if you would kindly forward your phone number along in a reply e-mail.

Please don't hesitate to contact me any time with questions, concerns or information for your website. My number is ***-**** and e-mail is *@*.com

I hope to hear from you, Kira.

Best regards,
Hillary Casey

Hillary Casey
President/Présidente,
New Brunswick Young Liberal Association/l'Association des Jeunes Liberaux du Nouveau-Brunswick

Liberal Lament

Ok, so here is my email I sent the young Liberals, followed by the leaders letter. It is by far the most interesting of all the apology letters I was sent. I also received an email from Greg Byrne saying that we should figure out a time for an interview. Here they are:

Dear Hillary,

I thoguht that I should write you since you are head of the YOUNG liberals. I have started my own website to write articles regarding political issues throughout Fredericton, New Brunswick and Canada.

I figured that with a provincial election coming up it may be interesting to ask all the different candidates their positions on different issues in the province. When I called the Liberal office of Greg Byrne to find out when his next public appearance would be (so I could ask him a couple of questions), I was left with a bad taste in my mouth.

The woman who I was speaking with almost laughed in my face when I told her what I was trying to do. When I mentioned I was a student she told me to get involved with the young liberals or something to that effect, when I was trying to explain to her that I just wanted 5 minutes of the candidates time to pose a few questions. She did not take my request seriously and I'm quite suprised she didn't call my online journalism, "cute"; that was certainly the attitude I was given. She told me to go to the debate tonight at UNB/STU but I responded by saying that I could not make this debate because I was volunteering somewhere tonight. She told me that I would have to get my priorities straight which just blew me away.

I felt extremely patronized and I'd even go so far to say I felt descriminated against. I am a 21 year-old university student, so obviously I do not work for a "real" newspaper. I feel that I was disrespected because of my age and also for being independant media. Candidates need to respond to the questions that any citizens has, no matter what their age or what have you. All other offices that I called were very courteous and helpful and even took my number down so that a future appointment could be made! Students should also be encouraged by the government to be active and concerned with the politics of their country, province and city; not mocked. I didn't call the liberal office today to get a pat on the head, I called because I wanted some answers.

I understand that none of this is your fault in any way, shape or form, but I am hoping as the leader of the Young Liberals that you will be able to tell your candidates that they must reach out to the youth and address their concerns, or they will lose votes. I thank you very much for taking the time to read my email today, and I am hoping that you will be able to forward my message on. Good luck with the campaigns and have a good day.

Sincerly,
Kira Williston
Independant Journalist

Hello Kira,

I am concerned about the response you received yesterday. It is upsetting to hear that your attempt to speak to one of our candidates was dismissed in this manner.

As a Young Liberal, my job is to address the barriers that prevent young people from being fully engaged in the political process and find ways to break these barriers down. Our organization is committed to engaging youth and young adults to vote and get active in the political process, but also to giving young people a forum in which they are able to present their views and ideas.

Some of our most progressive policies -- such as same-sex marriage legislation at the federal level, or the recently proposed intitiatives on hybrid cars and renewable energy in the provincial Liberal campaign -- were proposed by and lobbied on by Young Liberals.

That's why I agree with you fully when you say that "Students should also be encouraged by the government to be active and concerned with the politics of their country, province and city; not mocked".

I have forwarded your message along to Greg Byrne's campaign manager, and have spoken to Greg directly about your e-mail. Now, I would like a chance to speak with you personally too.

I'd welcome an opportunity to reach you if you would kindly forward your phone number along in a reply e-mail.

Please don't hesitate to contact me any time with questions, concerns or information for your website. My number is ***-**** and e-mail is *@*.com

I hope to hear from you, Kira.

Best regards,
Hillary Casey

Hillary Casey
President/Présidente,
New Brunswick Young Liberal Association/l'Association des Jeunes Liberaux du Nouveau-Brunswick

Jack Layton

I found out that Jack Layton will be at the Alden Nowlan House tonight and I figured since I've got my list of questions made up already for Fredericton candidates, I might as well ask 'ol Jackie-Poo... you know, since its on the way home, ha ha!

So keep checking back on the blog to see what Jack has to say about these questions I have. Too bad Harper wasn't coming. I'd love to hear what he'd have to say about social assistance, freedom of speech, tuition prices, pay equity and sexual education!

Maybe while I'm at Alden Nowlan House, perhaps I should add "You wanna pay for my beer?", to the list of questions I will ask Jack Layton.

Being an Independant Journalist is hard!

I decided that with the upcoming election that I would ask some of the candidates the same set of questions and see how their responses differ. In order to do this of course, I called the campaign offices to see if the candidates could spare 5-10 minutes of their time to answer my questions.

I called the PC office first and they were very nice. They took my number and said they'd call me to let me know when William Forrestall would be going door to door on my street so I could be sure to be home. Assuming that this isn't a lie, I must say I was happy that they were so helpful.

Next I called the Liberal office to see if I could have the same 10 minutes with Greg Byrne to ask the same questions. The lady I spoke with on the phone was extremely patronizing and basically mocked me. She was not impressed with the fact that I was a student and suggested I should join the young liberals. After I insisted I was an independant journalist, she suggested that I go to the debate at the STU/UNB campus. I told her that I couldn't make it there because I was volunteering that night. She then proceded to tell me to get my priorities straight! I don't know about you, but when youth are volunteering their time, I am blown away by their commitment to the community! I then emailed the president of the Young Liberals and told her about what happened and suggested that she tell her candidates that they need to be more supportive of the youth and encourage them to be more involved in politics, or they are going to lose votes. I must say the whole conversation left a bad taste in my mouth. I'll post my email and the response from the president when she emails me back.

Next I called the NDP who actually took my number and said they'd consult Alison Brewer's schedule when she's in the office and call me back with a scheduled appointment. They also congratulated me on taking action to get involved with politics and start my own "newspaper". That made up for the call to the liberals.

So, PC, suprisingly helpful (I hope).
Liberals, mock the youth and independant media.
NDP, helpful and encouraging.

We'll see how these interviews go over the next few days and if the Liberals can make up for their worker's rude behaviour today.

First Post; First Rant

So, this is my first post. The pressure is on. I decided to create this blog to carry information to my friends about events and rallies going on in the city of
Fredericton. This way I can link pictures and a brief explaination of future events and report on an event once it has passed. Letting my opinions spew all over teh interwebs is also fun.

Of course the provincial election is coming up soon and that will be lots of fun. I find the months before an election the most interesting because it seems like almost everyone has an opinion that they can't wait to tell everyone about. I am no different. It is also interesting to hear opinions from my friends outside of my activism. I am often suprised at how many of my friends are actually (ick) PC. It shouldn't really, since Bernard Lord won the last provincial election. I really hope my friends have changed their minds since then, because Lord really needs a career change. His neglegence of the poor, wimmin's rights and social programs will hopefully be enough for people to vote differently this time around. Liberal?

Not so great. Although this Shawn Graham character seems like a nice man, there is something about him that just seems to remind me of Lord. I can't even put my finger on it. There is just something that doesn't seem right.

I suppose at this point, you can probably guess who I'm rooting for. Yes, that's right; the NDP. Now I don't think any of the parties are perfect right now, and the NDP definately has some things I don't agree with. That being said, they are the only party running that are actually bringing up issues of wimmin's rights! Why does it always have to be a womyn that has to step up to the plate?
NDP is also well known for being far more generous with social programs, and I'm sure that would be helpful for those living in poverty. Lord has been detrimental if anything.

I actually don't know what else to say in my entry today, except to tell you that in the fairly near future, there will be a rally to let all of the aforementioned candidates know that poverty is an issue that needs to be dealt with!