COMMENT: The Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum, Part 1
I had the opportunity in January to represent our country at the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) in Vladivostok, Russia. This was the 21st annual Forum which hosted over three hundred parliamentarians from 23 APPF member states as well as representatives from other countries, the UN and other world organizations. Our...
Existential ego at the end of time
Humanity ascends from the realm of necessity to the realm of freedom– Friedrich Engels, in Socialism: Utopian and Scientific The meaning of Life is discovering our gift; the purpose is to give it away– chalkboard on Baker St. in Nelson My last column described the Baby Boomers at some length, so today I will sound off with ...
Living faithfully?
What does living faithfully mean? In my context, it means living faithfully to my understanding of God's call in the world. 'Call' being a pull into realizing there is much more than 'me' involved in the warp and woof of the universe. There are connections in many realms. Connections to the Divine Light pervading all Creation....
Selkirk College introduces new five year strategic plan
As part of the launch of their new website, Selkirk College has released their new five year strategic plan that outlines Selkirk’s aspirations for development and renewal in a rapidly changing and complex post secondary sector in BC and across the world. The plan describes a renewed mission and vision for the institution and...
Presentation by retired military officer on the hazards of smart meters should not be missed
New Democrat MP, Alex Atamanenko, says that upcoming February forums being hosted by the West Kootenay Concerned Citizens group will be a not-to-be-missed opportunity to hear what retired military officer, Jerry Flynn, has to say about the hazards of electromagnetic radiation emissions from wireless smart meters. With 22...
Cana wine
This is the time of year that finds us exploring the beginnings of Jesus' ministry. Each Gospel has a different take. Mark tells of teaching, casting out demons and healing. Matthew relates teaching, healing, and preaching a sermon from a mountain top. In Luke we hear a sermon preached in Nazareth that riled the assembly so...
COMMENT: The Department of Peace, part 2
In this column I will continue the discussion on the creation of a Department of Peace by highlighting some of the initiatives undertaken in other countries. Over 30 countries have campaigns to create a Department of Peace. In three countries – Nepal, the Solomon Islands and Costa Rica this is a reality. On September 14,...
We are not the solution: we are the problem
Arc of the Cognizant XXI “What do you mean ‘we,’ Paleface?” -- Tonto to the Lone Ranger By Charles Jeanes Oh, Canada. If ever there was a time for Canadians to take a prominent place in global affairs, it would seem to be now. But is the consciousness of our people up to this task? We have a very favourable ratio of population...
James Loney: Peace Activist and Former Iraqi Hostage Speaks at Shambhala Music & Performance Hall
The Mir Lecture Series presents James Loney at the Shambhala Music & Performance Hall in Nelson on Friday, February 8th. In November 2005, Loney and three other men were captured by armed gunmen and held hostage in Iraq. Loney was part of a delegate from Christian Peacemaker Teams – an organization that sends activists...
LETTER: You do the math
Pretend you are back at school and your teacher assigns you the following math problem: School District 20 is facing another huge fiscal crisis due to government down-loading of costs and needs to cut its budget by $1,750,000 and has decided that it wants to close some schools before sharing all of the potential options it ...
