Happy Names-day to the country that invented the television, the telephone, insulin, the zipper, basketball, standard time, the electric light bulb, the baseball glove – just to name a few. To the country with one of the highest qualities of life in the world, according to the United Nations Development Index. To one of the world’s foremost producers of natural gas, copper, zinc, nickel, aluminum, and gold.  To the country with the world’s largest tertiary education enrollment.  To the country that supports same-sex marriage in every province – Canada, of course! We are proud to live in such a beautiful and multicultural country.

Happy Canada Day, from me to you!

When I saw the Facebook page “Canadians Against Proroguing Parliament” had climbed past 200,000 members. I knew it was time for my little Hildy, my 2.5 half pound Chihuahua, to take a stand. Here average, cross demographics of Canadians were mobilizing grassroots in a way that I have not see in a very long time.

Gone were the days when Canadian’s couldn’t give a shit about politics, and our democratic institutions. Years ago I remember feeling frustrated listening to a friend who said, “I don’t vote, they’re all the same anyway.”

That’s exactly what got Harper in.

I know that, Hildy knows that.

Hildy’s Rally Video Continued….

So, in a bold move she, with a little help, began her own Facebook page, “Canadian Chihuahuas Against Proroguing.” This time the outrage has gone interspecies.

Indeed, even my friend said his ferrets were getting quite upset about all of this. Both felines and canines are still upset over the lack of regulatory oversight that allowed the tainted Chinese pet food into this country.

One friend’s boxer is still mourning the loss of his companion from a bad batch (this part is serious).

Hildy’s page has gotten up to 147 people. Not bad for a not two-year old, high school-drop out, and illiterate Chihuahua.

I’ve been documenting her blooming canine activism with two videos which are posted today. We braved it down to Dundas Sq for the rally, forming two bodies out of the 20,000 who came out across the country.

Hopefully those who are reading this and can see that a Chihuahua can make a statement, then you can too – simply by showing up to the upcoming events announced on

www.noprorogation.ca

Oh sweet baby Hebus! First it’s American Idol. But let’s face it, it’s the worst of the worst that make that show fun.

She Bang!

Then we were Dancing With the Stars, but what’s so fab about that? They’re out of work monkeys! Damn right they’ll dance! Then comes America’s Got Talent, another show contest. What are we looking for? Why do we need to find it now? Wasn’t it just 5 years ago that Star Search failed a comeback- mostly due to the more upbeat solo talent focus of AI ? Models, comics, singers, maybe there was too much choice. Now Canada’s got figure skaters and hockey players (our two true sources of celebrity) competing in pairs freestyle? That’s so Canadian ‘eh?

Well it was just a matter of time before the Great And Powerful Oprah got in on the game! She is currently in the middle of her Great And Powerful Karaoke Challenge! It’s not much of challenge, seeing as the Great And Powerful O doesn’t actually throw down herself! (Mind you I’m remembering that year back in ’98 when she sang her own theme song, “Run On”, so I’m sure we’ve dodged a bullet there somewhere!)

Thank you O! Love ya baby! But I digress.

All kidding aside, I was lucky enough to catch the Great And Powerful Show today particularly the last performer, Abraham McDonald (left). Holy Frigin’ Hebus! What a voice! I was in tears! It was like watching an episode of Glee! You know, that show where the average people sparkle and shine?

On a side note, I’m a whore for stuff like that! Who didn’t loose it a little watching the original Fame movie’s Montgomery (Paul McCrane) singing “Out Here On My Own” (a silent anthem for lovelorn ‘mos everywhere)? Shut it!

(Speaking of… have you seen that Paul McCrane lately? He’s always playing a dirty sexy criminal types who look they won’t take no for an answer even though they’d take everything else. Like your love! What was I saying? God, I’ve got to remember not to have a fumelata before I write these!)

It all boils down to this. I think, subconsciously, in this long struggling economy that we’re looking for less expensive entertainment. Why pay the big bucks for over-privileged under- engaging so called “stars? Beat it Britney! Move over Madonna! Suck it Shakira! Who needs your long list of “special contract riders”, entourages and limo demands?! Multi-million dollar road shows designed to make you look more talented? Now the entertainment gets there anyway it can or it doesn’t get paid. Taxi!

Pass the popcorn!

With the unrelenting media masturbation over Michael Jackson’s death it can be hard to find real news. Well, here’s one that actually may affect people: The Saskatchewan Party government has put forth a proposal that would give the province’s marriage commissioners the right to refuse to perform same-sex marriages.

The proposed law would make sure that a marriage commissioner would be available to perform the ceremony should another be too offended (morally or religiously) to perform the task.

Refusing to perform an otherwise legal marriage is simply discrimination!

Saskatchewan’s Justice Minister and Attorney General Don Morgan has said he will ask the province’s Court of Appeal if the proposed legislation flouts Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Morgan said there are two options being put on the legislative table, “One would grandfather the existing marriage commissioners that are reluctant or unwilling to perform a same-sex marriage and the second option would grant religious exemption for not only the existing ones, but for future marriage commissioners that would have the same concerns.”

This has been an on-going issue in Saskatchewan for a number of years. Last year, the Saskatchewan Human Rights Tribunal ordered marriage commissioner Orville Nichols to pay $2,500 in compensation after refusing to officiate a gay couple’s nuptials. Nichols said he refused on the basis of his religious beliefs.

I don’t talk much about my personal life in this blog but I will say this: my husband and I were married at Toronto’s City Hall two years ago and we experienced nothing but joyous acceptance and smiles as we went through the marriage process. It seems obvious that the city vetted its marriage commissioners and JOP’s to ensure they weren’t morally or religiously conflicted. If Orville Nichols finds himself in a religious dilemma, perhaps he should only perform marriages in the church.

Second to this, if a marriage commissioner has a moral objection to a mixed race couple’s nuptials, will he or she have the right to refuse and be protected legally? I get the feeling that would be deemed an egregious case of discrimination.

Hopefully Saskatchewan’s courts can put this to rest and align the province’s public servants with the rest of the nation and with out Charter of Rights and Freedoms.