Martyred by a Martyr

We are told that extra security for Bhutto was ignored by Mushareff and therefore is considered complicit in the assassination. The question has to be asked, if Bhutto was America’s, and all of Democracy’s, ‘shining light’, how is it that Bush did not see to it that her protection was assured to the best of it’s capabilities to protect its interests in this nuclear armed country?

Bhutto was aware of the risks, after the last horrid attempt on her life, and despite the threats from all extreme Islamic radical groups and the military, one is led to believe that her knowledge and acceptance of these risks verges on a death wish or in our Christian fundamentalist terms, martyrdom.

Everyone knew full well the rage and destruction that would result in the successful attack on her life. Everyone knew the disastrous effect it would have globally in the “War on Terror” particularly timed to disrupt the national vote there in two weeks and the election year in The States. And above all everyone knows that when you mess with Pakistan that you are playing with nukes.

I can see at this moment Naomi Klein furiously writing a revised edition of her latest book, “The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism”.

Why martyrdom might work
Dec 29, 2007 04:30 AM
Mitch Potter
EUROPE BUREAU

Bush, Musharraf, and the Slaying of Bhutto

Environ Mental #6 dot 1 – Special Short Issue

Environ Mental #6 dot 1 – Special Short Issue

I feel the presence of the Philosophers’ Stone when copper turns into gold!

Results are in!




Perhaps Alter Eco is not so mental after all, but I wouldn’t go so far as to change the Newsletter title. Mental processes can hardly begin to describe the fuzzies on being recognised with an award underscoring our 5 year’s vision and work - awareness of our impact on the environment and all the humanitarian consequences.

I was informed today by Diane Blackburn of the Recycling Council of Ontario, that the results of the Awards had just been posted to their website and I could hardly contain myself to share it with all of you have been so supportive of Alter Eco’s efforts.

The 2007 Ontario Waste Minimization Awards Gala

I share this award with all of you!

Cheers!

John

STOP THE PRESSES!



This just in: We have gone beyond the fuzzies and are experiencing the buzzies! Alter Eco has been published in the “Resource/Art” category of Coach House Books’, “GreenTOpia: Towards a Sustainable Toronto”. We are more than thrilled to be associated with this publisher for the high quality of their works.

The book will be launched Sunday, November 11, with a day-long book launch. The party begins at the Gladstone Hotel at 2:00 p.m

For more information go to their website: http://www.chbooks.com/

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There's Gold in Them Thar Copper!!

Recycling Council of Ontario Gold Ontario 2007 Waste Minimisation Award for Excellence and Committment to a Sustainable Environment!!
This recognition is a giant step for Alter Eco for which I am truly thankful to my creative partner and wife, Marie Van Schie, for her years of committment to the effort and initiating the recycling of copper for her jewellery making. We would secondly like to express our appreciation to Rhonda Nolan Designs for promoting us to the RCO. And to Diane Blackburn of RCO for your business, support and encouragement over the past two years.

Pictured above is Joanne St. Godard, Exective Director, the Recycling Council of Ontario presenting the award to Alter Eco.

Environ Mental #6

Environ Mental #6
Alter Eco Newsletter
October 17th, 2007

Halloween is fast approaching! A scary reminder that time, along with the leaves, flies.

Since the last newsletter in January we have been quietly and not so quietly, developing the art and music.

On May 3/07 I played ***live*** at the Lakeview Lunch, 1132 Dundas St W, @ Ossington, a genuine 40’s diner and almost in it’s original condition – like me! It is an open mic organised by Maria Kastaan, a genuine singer-songwriter and an original Yorkville denizen. I got to play all the songs on the CD in 2 sets.

I was feeling alright.
I coulda played all night.
But my pickin hand
Had a case of stage fright.

Down at the Lakeview Lunch

Came off well but room for improvement. All enjoyed it and were very supportive. More on that in the near future.

Also launched the new music website, "This Old Guitar". It can be accessed from the main Alter Eco website. It is still under construction, but has pics and other content. Check it out!

The BIG story, of which we are extremely pleased and honoured, is that we have been asked to be part of an advisory council at the Recycling Council of Ontario, for matters relating to the arts. This is the first year that they have expanded their Awards categories to the arts.

From their website:
“The Recycling Council of Ontario is a not-for-profit organization committed to minimizing society's impact on the environment by eliminating waste. RCO's mission is to inform and educate all members of society about the generation of waste, the avoidance of waste, the more efficient use of resources and the benefits and/or consequences of these activities. Since its inception in 1978, RCO has actively assisted municipalities, corporations, other organisations and individuals in reducing their waste.”

And bigger and more exciting yet is that we have been nominated for an Award to be presented at their Gala Event Thursday, Oct 18th. So by the time you read this history will have unfolded as it should!

Upcoming shows we are doing are the Planet in Focus International Environmental Film and Video Festival, Community Eco Exchange
Saturday, October 27th & Sunday, October 28th, 11:00am – 5:00pm, Innis College (2 Sussex Avenue, in the University of Toronto) - Free Admission

Also on Thursday, November 29th, 10am – 5pm, we are doing the CBC Christmas Crafts Sale. It is located in the CBC Atrium at 250 Front St W. – Free Admission

We look forward to seeing you there and in the mean time hope you are all well and too busy to be scared and check the art website for the results of tomorrow night!!

Cheers as always,
John

Environ Mental #5 – Special CD Issue

Environ Mental #5 – Special CD Issue
Jan 17/07

Are you racing while others are lacing? Or was it the other way around? Hey! It’s snowing!!

You know that CD I have been on about, “Trying to Keep an Open Mind”? Well it’s done…What’s the connection between the CD and the weather? I was hoping to get it done for the Winter Solstice and celebrate it with the track “Standing Still Sun” but unplanned things happened. So, appropriately as I watch the snow falling and the temperature is going to plunge for the second time this winter (sic) here in Toronto, it will be welcomed in with the track “Wintertime” not to mention the rapidly approaching Groundhog Day. This Groundhog Day is particularly auspicious as it coincides with a full moon and you must hear “The Groundhog Day Slaughter”. A damning indictment of NAFTA, Global Warming, conspicuous greed, revenge, sex, conspiracy…sex? Have I got your attention?

This is what I’ve been doing during my 18 month sabbatical but did manage to do a wonderful commission for the Recycling Council of Ontario supplying copper frames for their awards. See one for the Royal York Hotel. Many thanks to Rhonda Nolan for the recommendation.

As some of you know, I have been writing songs and poems on and off since puberty but was sparked by a comment from an old friend I hadn’t seen for decades who melted my heart when she told me that “Night Trains” was a favourite of her daughter’s. Soon after I heard that TVO (TV Ontario) was having a songwriting competition and decided to enter it. It was a ‘winner’ in the sense that I committed myself to putting together all my songs & poems and recording them with a cool, open source, recording software Kristal Audio Engine, my trusty computer, Darthcricket productions (me - my alter ego), Marie’s patience and all the Angels that reside in “This Old Guitar”.

In the next few months I will be developing a website for the music but in the meantime I have an online publisher, Lulu.com, where you can hear all the samples and enjoy them - hopefully enough to buy individual tracks or the whole album, 13 tracks (37 mins) as mp3’s. You can purchase it directly from me a personal copy for $15.00 playable in any CD player. If you think that you know someone who is interested, passing it on to them is very appreciated.

So I hope you are all waxing your skiis and sharpening your edges because it will go a long way to reducing the damage to the ozone and turn commuting into a healthy pursuit.

Cheers and all the best to you in 2007,

John aka Darthcricket

An Honourable Concession

 Dear Mr Ignatieff

I sincerely feel, with no reservations, that you have run the gauntlet of returning to Canada and will genuinely win the hearts of many more Canadians having heard your final speech of the Leadership race. With generosity, grace and encouragement to those who supported you, you underscored the uniting of the Liberal Party. This act of leadership will be remembered.

I was a supporter of Mr. Dion after David Orchard, whom I greatly respect, asked me to consider him, I informed myself as best a possible all the candidates. I must admit I had great doubts as to the mechanics of your choice by certain parties in the Liberal organization. This and other issues were an unfortunate disadvantage to you but in the end, on that stage you conceded with honour and you have my greatest respect.

Welcome to Canada.

John Warren

Stephane Dion - Leader of the Opposition Party

The Hon. Stephane Dion: Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada

Congratulations Mr. Dion on your successful bid to become Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. I saw it as a natural unfolding to begin healing the division of the Liberals and putting Canada back on track as a Nation worthy of it's previous global respect. Congratulations also to Michael Ignatieff who was graceful and generous and emphasized the greater need to unite the Liberals. Congratulations to all the candidates who brought their passions and visions for a 'Canadian' government and not a 'New' government. I look forward to a re-claimed Liberal Party in the spirit of the dynamic new times as it is the legacy of the party to make the Canadian vision happen.

And let one thing be your first lesson, never brag that your mike can't be cut.

Cheers to all of Canada,
John Warren

CBC Cuts Off Stephane Dion's Mike

Despite CBC's talking heads describing this 2006 Liberal Leadership Convention as one of the most important and most exciting in modern political times, which it legitimately is, at least since the Trudeau nomination in 1968, and despite Stephane Dion bragging about his new status that will protect him from his mike being cut off, CBC did just that! Amounting to the biggest insult in modern political times CBC cut short Dion's acceptance speech, which is important to all Canadians, and they cut to hockey! What's more Canadian than that? Beer? Tim Horton's coffee? The “Canadian Idiot”?

CBC is the Canadian Idiot.

It Was a Dark and Stormy Morning...

On Oct 17/06:
As I said it was a dark and stormy morning and an even darker and stormier Anti-Poverty Coalition were about tumbling the walls of Queens Park with their bullhorns. Thousands were expected but the the the worst weather of the warm season decimated the turnout to about 150 – 200 gritty demons.

Anti-poverty groups from across Ontario gathered to to let the McGuintistes know that that unfulfilled election promises 3 years ago on affordable housing, food security, minimum wage, social 'under-assistance' were no better than his shattered promises which served to get him elected and that's about all.

And surprising that it may be, that for all my mouth and a boomer child of the 60's, this was my first rally! But you can't label me a fair-weather protester, I had my trial by drowning that wild and wicked day. But the infectious influence of the rabble-rousing influence of The STOP Community Food Centre and the supplier of food to all the groups was an irresistible force.

Afghanistan - Harper's Excellent Diversion

The unimagined has happened in almost perfect secrecy.

From Sept 12 – 14 in Banff, Alberta, Donald Rumsfeld, his assistant, Lt. Gen. Gene Renuart and former secretary of energy and defence James Schlesinger and other top level American political and military officials as well as heads of American corporations met in Banff with their counterparts, Minister of Public Safety Stockwell Day, Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Rick Hillier and Alberta Energy Minister Greg Melchin Former Alberta premier Peter Lougheed co-chaired the event alongside former U.S. secretary of state George Shultz and former Mexican finance minister Pedro Aspe to discuss North American integration at the second North American Forum. (The first forum in California was top secret also).

The event was organized by the Thomas D’Aquino, head of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives – the elite club of Canada's richest CEOs - and the Canada West Foundation, an Alberta think-tank that promotes, among other things, closer economic integration with the United States and Ron T. Covais, president of the Lockheed Martin Corporation, which is the largest weapons manufacturer in the United States.

And no one had a clue of this historic meeting until the story broke by a local newspaper several days after it ended, The Banff Crag & Canyon And what is most notable, far more than it not being picked up by the mainstream media, the Toronto Star being an exception with Maude Barlowe’s piece, Getting closer to Uncle Sam and the Globe & Mail still has nothing on their site, is that The National Post has absolutely no reference to this event, and as this paper is part of the CanWest MediaWorks Publications Inc empire, it happened right under the nose of the Asper’s!

Unmentionable? Unimaginable!!

The only journalist that was privy to the meeting was from the Wall Street Journal. The Bilderberg Group does not hold a candle to this ‘Banff Group’.



Harper or some Rove-like advisor, Tom Flanagan maybe, has the undivided attention of just about every Canadian, pro and con, of his “war” that we are missing completely what he and his American others are doing on the domestic front.

Wars are a classic smokescreen.

After moving forward in a number of small and ‘low-radar’ meetings, time is running out for Bush, has two years left and Harper with his minority government has a window of opportunity with Canada’s ‘natural governing party’ leaderless and in complete disarray, that they are going ‘ell for leather’ to integrate North America.

Manifest Destiny could never be so close.

To keep on top of the developments and ways that you can return us to rational governance is to either link and get an rss feed to Vive Le Canada or just Google “rumsfeld banff”

Who could have ever thought the CPC could plan this brilliantly when only a year ago they couldn’t tie their shoelaces. Who indeed.

Where is Aleister Crowley when you need him.

More Salt Peter?

Bush's secret weapon to conquer Canada - a weapon of male seduction no less! Her Again!?! It's a trick Peter!! Belinda is better for you than her!

You Must Remember This...

Not so long ago Condi was makin the moves on an innocent Canadian boy...

Pass the Salt Peter

True Love?

STREET crEDIBLES #2 - Corn Roast

We went to our first corn roast, yes actually roast, last sat with the STOP people and had a wonderful time. Here is a link to some pics... (Thanks to Marie Van Schie for the pics.)

I love roasted corn (never roasted corn before) especially with the various butter sauces (fresh chives from the garden and basil ditto). Also I had one with a lime dipped in chili powder and rubbed on the corn - really nice East Indian style.

Today we walked over to Wychwood Park to see the Barn site and wondered down to the pond and took a few pics... (Thanks again to Marie Van Schie for the pics.)

Tomorrow we're going to make a pizza at their bake oven and Wed will be in the garden again.

STREET crEDIBLES!

Fri afternoon Marie and I got a call from the project manager, Amanda, for the community garden at STOP Community Food Centre and confirmed our volunteering for the community garden. Woohoo! We started the next day from 10 - noon. Arrived before Amanda, and met Herman who is given an honorarium to look after the garden and spends most of his days there working it and keeping an eye open for problems - people stealing or messing it up. He lives in a house across the lane and can watch it from there.

We got the tour from him and were told not to touch anything and told us why as some vegetables were young and some special Caribbean type stuff. Naturally he is very protective!

He is a real charmer after you work with him for a while. We took a break after an hour crawling around on our hands and knees under the tomato plants picking weeds. He had mixed up a beverage from the various mints in the garden and some gingerroot and asked us to try it. It was delicious! It was sweet but not too much and the ginger was predominant over the mint but not too much and there was a natural fizz but not too much nice body but not too much - it was just right. Had a full glass the next and chased it down with cold coffee. Amazingly perfect.

Had a great morning. We are going back Wed from 5:30 - 8pm. Marie is quite excited about the Green Barn Project, STOP is part of it with Foodshare, at the old Wychwood TTC Barns. We are keeping our ears to the rail on that one but in the meantime we are looking forward to working with the people at STOP.

So for the last 2 days, we have been putting up a small garden on the balcony, with green onions, peas and M wants to try some beets while there is still some growing season. We are making some room up by the windows to try to grow some things over the winter. Next year we plan to go crazy. M is inspired to do this having a small book called The Apartment Gardener.