Double Standard

Since I've already ventured into political waters last week, I'm going to jump right in again! Jeff and I are watching coverage of the upcoming US election from the sidelines... probably only in our peripheral vision. I get too frustrated at the sensationalist slant of media and the lack of real conversation about what's truly important in our current world. Here's an example of this that I just couldn't resist posting (taken from this interview with Hillary Clinton).

Moderator: Okay. Which designers do you prefer?
Hillary Clinton: What designers of clothes?
Moderator: Yes.
Hillary Clinton: Would you ever ask a man that question?
Interviewer: Probably not. Probably not.

AMEN SISTER.

On a more serious note

This blog has always been a lighthearted attempt to share our life with friends and family. As such, I have debated for a number of months whether or not to post this lecture on an international issue I think is very important- a need to globally eradicate child marriage. You can choose not to watch it if you wish, but I really hope that you do. If you've never heard of this issue, I think this is a good introduction.

Until earlier this year, Mabel van Oranje was CEO of The Elders, an independent group of global leaders who work together for peace and human rights  (a great video introduction to this group can be found here). Mabel now is a senior consultant in the Girls Not Brides: The Global Partnership to End Child Marriage initiative. Both websites have great resources and more information on this issue.

So what? It's one thing to be aware about harmful things in our world, but it's another to change them. The one thing I do know about change is that it begins by talking about the issue that needs to change. It's not enough, but it's a start. So let's start talking. 

Penny saved...

Image courtesy of CBC

The new federal budget arrived yesterday...  budget day for me is never really interesting but in my previous employment counselling work, budget day often was the first inkling of upcoming change (spending = more client services while cutbacks = less). In yesterday's announcement, only one thing really interested me. I was really sad to hear that this year's budget will leave all Canadians penniless.

I know that Britain, Australia, New Zealand have survived just fine without their 1 cent coins, but I somehow feel that the Canadian penny, emblazoned with our signature maple leaf, carries a bit of national identity with it. I'm going to be sorry to see it go. Jeff is far less romantic about this than I am, reminding me that it costs more to produce a penny than it is actually worth. And in our cashless society, it won't really matter. 

I'm not so sure... it's hard to imagine that our baby nephew will grow up in this country putting only silver coins in his piggy bank. We'll have to save him a few lucky pennies.