History in the Making

Wow, it's sure been a week of big events.  First the royal wedding on Friday.  Then the news on Monday that Osama bin Laden had been killed, followed by the federal election.  Here's some brief thoughts on the various events:

The Royal Wedding - I loved it, especially the outrageous hats!  I'm not totally sure how I feel about William marrying a commoner, it didn't work out so well for his uncle. She does seem like a nice girl though, who has committed to the long haul. If she's waited eight years to marry him, then she won't be going anywhere anytime soon!  When the minister started to speak I was sure that he would sound like the minister in The Princess Bride, "Mawwage is what bwings us togevah today"!  Rex Murphy had an interesting take on the monarchy in this article.  It's well written, but I don't agree with him.  I love the royals for various reasons, and I don't think anything is going to change that, even bad behaviour or complete lack of personality.  He's right about Diana though, her charisma influenced how people view royalty.  I think that's why so many of us were so excited about this wedding.  We want those poor, motherless boys to be happy.  According to an article in New York Magazine, Princess Diana was "classier" than the royal family.

I especially enjoyed when the congregation sang, "Jerusalem", and they panned to the crowd outside singing along.  Here is a video and the lyrics for those of you not familiar with the song.

And did those feet in ancient time
Walk upon England's mountains green
And was the holy lamb of God
On England's pleasant pastures seen

And did the countenance divine
Shine forth upon our clouded hills
And was Jerusalem builded here
Among those dark Satanic mills

Bring me my bow of burning gold
Bring me my arrows of desire
Bring me my spears o'clouds unfold
Bring me my chariot of fire

I will not cease from mental fight
Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand
'Til we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land
'Til we have built Jerusalem
In England's green and pleasant land

Osama bin Laden - It would have been better if they had captured him alive and he had gone to trial for his actions.  I found the idea of celebrating someone's death a bit distasteful and appreciated this quote taken from an article by Glenn Greenwald, "Whenever America uses violence in a way that makes its citizens cheer, beam with nationalistic pride, and rally around their leader, more violence is typically guaranteed."  It would be nice if this signalled the beginning of the end and everyone could just pack up and go home.  Let everyone in Iraq and Afghanistan elect their own governments; give them some money and resources to have their own people restore basic necessities such as water treatment plants, roads, power stations, etc; train a police force and then leave them alone, as long as the government/police force/army isn't engaging in human rights violations, particularly against women. (I think my punctuation was incorrect in that last sentence, but you get the idea.)  Even if we don't like who they elect, or how they choose to live, it's their country and that's how democracy works.  Which brings me to the last item...

The Federal Election - I was disappointed with the outcome.  I would have loved an NDP majority government (don't tell my dad!), but it wasn't up to just me.  As for the other parties - hopefully the Bloc will eventually fade away into obscurity.  I don't understand how a one province party became a federal party in the first place.  I would hope that Quebecers feel that they could get adequate representation with one of the truly "federal" parties.  I'm happy for Elizabeth May, she's worked long and hard for that seat!  I'm completely apathetic about the Liberals.  All I have to say to Stephen Harper is this, "Don't ruin Canada, if I thought free market capitalism, lack of social programs and paying out of pocket for healthcare was a good idea, I would move to the States".

I would love to hear your thoughts on any of these topics!