the end of the world as we know it and i feel fine

Yup, I'm back again (I guess this would be Act II -- to carry the metaphor from my last post), and what an act it's already shaping up to be! Despite the best efforts of Stephen Harper to protect us from the irresponsible human-rights mongering of a triple coalition of "corruption, socialism and separatism" (Harpers words), the greatest affront to Canadians, one that makes the granting of the vote to women look like a typo on the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, SAME SEX MARRIAGE (everybody scream now!), is about to become the law of the land. After tonight's much anticipated win for the pro-same-sex marriage side, the legislation will be a mere hop-skip and a jump away from enshrined in federal law. Of course Stephen Harper, and any MPs regardless of partisan placement who choose to vote against this legislation are not villains for representing their constituents (if that is what they're doing). I respect that there are many points of view and understand that politicians should represent them according to their mandate, but the way in which some of them have gone about 'getting the message out' has been, well...to be polite, let's say 'over the top.'

No, that's not entirely it. Let's not mince words here: It's been a battle.

I think we'll all admit, with so much overblown rhetoric on all sides, a lot of not-nice-namecalling, and some pretty dire predictions coming out of the alarmist "debate" on this issue, the whole exercise has been hard to watch with a clear head. I'd like to remind us all that despite the constant labelling by the media of this legislation as a "same sex marriage bill," it is in fact called the Civil Marriages Act. Let me emphasize the word CIVIL, as in, can we be a little more civil, a little more open and a lot less angry, because whether you happen to be gay, homophobic or simply ambivalent, we're talking about minority rights - something, I'm afraid, that is beyond the ken of polls to decide, and even out of the hands of God in a religiously pluralistic yet SECULAR nation such as Canada.

I read a quote on the weekend that stuck with me, especially in light of the uproar that currently passes for our House of Commons. These are the words of British theatre artist Ann Jellicoe, as she explains why she avoids politics in her work:

"If we set out to challenge the basic political feelings of the communities we serve, we will alienate large sections of them and lose their support...Politics are divisive. We strongly feel that the humanising effect of our work is far more productive than stirring up political confrontation."

The bold emphasis above is mine, perhaps the simplest truth about politics I've stumbled across in a long time (although if you think about it, it's pretty obvious). My dream for Canada: I would like to see more "humanising effect" and less "stirring up of political confrontation" in our political leadership, in our institutions and in our everyday lives.

Obviously the 32 degree weather has gotten to me today...as you can see from the above, I'm becoming delusional...

Ah well, baby steps, right? At least the big, bad and ugly on the mighty Hill of Power in Pleasant Valley will soon break for a summer of BBQ schmoozing, leaving us to sit back and watch as nothing much changes, except possibly the announcement of a couple more civil marriages here and there...hardly anything to get upset about, right?