Segacs’s World I Know

The British Association of University Teachers voted to reverse their boycott of Haifa University and Bar-Ilan University, after getting a severe amount of egg on their face.

Of course, the Palestinians are reacting predictably:

Meanwhile, Palestinian professor Sari Nusseibeh, who last week urged an end to the boycott, has been under attack by many Palestinians who have been calling for his dismissal from his job as president of Al-Quds University.

Several Palestinian political and academic groups issued statements strongly condemning Nusseibeh, accusing him of normalizing ties with Israel and acting against the interests of the Palestinian people.

Leaflets distributed in some areas in the West Bank and Gaza Strip branded the widely respected Nusseibeh a “traitor” and “collaborator.”

Nusseibeh co-signed a letter with the president of Hebrew University calling for an end to the AUT boycott, which is what some think was the deciding factor in the reversal. The letter called for “problems to be resolved through dialogue”. Needless to say, those passing out leaflets branding Nusseibeh as a “traitor” don’t agree with that statement.

(Hat tip: Lynn).

Since I know you all care so much… Star Wars Episode III was pretty much as I expected. In other words, the dialogue stank, the plot was ludicrous, the acting was painful to watch… but Yoda with a light sabre ruled!

By the way, I wonder if you’d hear laughter in a theatre anywhere other than Quebec at the lines about “killing the separatists”.

Autonomous Source has a story that’s getting little press coverage but could have widespread implications.

Debbye warns us that Carolyn Parrish may be staging a comeback, now that Paul Martin’s so desperate to inflate his ranks with just about anyone. Why can’t she just disappear?

Imshin and Lisa both share travel tales.

And over at Peaktalk, a strongly-worded post criticizing the Liberals of playing politics with human lives in Darfur. On principle I agree, though I have to sadly admit that there’s precious little that Canada could do even if we were honestly committed to trying.

This quiz seeks to go “beyond red or blue” and classify American voters according to 9 different political categories:

Contrary to the widespread impression of a nation only divided into two unified “red” and “blue” camps, our latest survey finds important cleavages on values and basic attitudes within each party. As a result, both parties face internal challenges as well as opportunities to expand their constituencies.

Anyway, the quiz stubbornly insists that I’m an “enterpriser”, which it classifies as Republican, Conservative, rich and male. Er… not exactly accurate. I tried to tell it that I was against government meddling in religion or morality, in favour of gay rights, and that I probably would’ve voted for Kerry if I were American, but it didn’t listen. I guess I have to win the lottery and get a sex change operation now.

Then again, reading the 9 categories I have to conclude that I don’t fit any of the descriptions. “Canadian”, unfortunately, was not one of the choices.

(Via Mike Silverman, who the quiz didn’t listen to either).

David Janes agrees with Jay Currie, who thinks Quebec ought to just separate already and get it over with… and he’s wishing us a good riddance:

For a long time I have thought it would be best for Quebec to just go. Have a referendum on a clear question without the feds violating Quebec election laws and, if the soverigntists win (which they almost certainly will), go.[ . . . ]

Indeed, can anyone provide me with a reason why we should not be encouraging Quebec to stand on her own two feet and moving on?

Gee, thanks a lot guys. So nice to know that you’ll be defending us and leading the federalist fight.

But since you asked so nicely, Jay, here are a few reasons why not to encourage Quebec to separate:

• Most Quebecers want to stay in Canada. We voted that way… twice (even despite the rejected ballot scandal). Even 56% of people who say they would vote yes think so too. They aren’t really sovereigntist… they’re just not too bright.
• Sovereignty wouldn’t work. Idealism aside, even most nationalists recognize that a sovereign Quebec would be a practical and economic disaster.
• We’re Canadian, dammit! I’m a fourth-generation Canadian who is not part of the “Quebec nation” by any means, but is certainly part of the Canadian one. You seem awfully callous about the idea of stripping me of my citizenship.
• Come to Montreal or Quebec City or the Laurentians or even the Gaspé once in a while, visit for a bit, and remember that you’d be giving up some of the nicest places in Canada.
• Relinquishing Quebec is just admitting that Canada’s a failure. Next would be the West, and maybe Newfoundland if it ever gets control of its oil revenues. Hey, I know some of you lament Canada’s problems day in, day out… but at heart, you must recognize how great this country is, and realize that it’s worth fighting for.
• You know you don’t really want to give up poutine.

Really, I’m getting quite tired of trying to convince you guys to want us and to defend our right to stay in our own country. A little Canadian solidarity would be nice now and again, you know?

So instead of pushing us out the door, how about helping out and joining the federalist campaign? We’re feeling awfully lonely and unwanted these days, and we could sure use some support here.

Unlike last year, I didn’t walk into the middle of any Israel Day parades. And no, I did not see Ariel Sharon. I did, however, see some people wearing the “Gush Katif Forever” t-shirts entering a subway station in Midtown. Personally I prefer the “I love NY” t-shirts, but hey, that’s just me.

The website www.petakillsanimals.com was promoted on a billboard that I walked by at least a dozen times this week while in New York. I admit, it worked, because it stuck in my head and I went to check it out.

The site is run by a group that seems to be a thinly-disguised cover for the meat industry. Despite this, it is actually good for a laugh. In particular, see the lawsuit fabricator game and the cartoons page.

Someone should let them know about International Eat an Animal for PETA Day.

Yesterday, Nathalie Simard revealed that she was one of the victims of Guy Cloutier’s sexual abuse. Now, she’s announced that she’s suing for damages:

Former child star Nathalie Simard, trying to heal from years of sexual abuse at the hands of a man she considered a second father, is suing disgraced entertainment czar Guy Cloutier for $1.2 million.

This has been a major story in Quebec since it broke, mostly because Cloutier, and his daughter, mega-vedette Veronique Cloutier, were so well-known before on the Quebec entertainment scene. Nathalie Simard’s decision to go public is sure to keep the story going for even longer.

Coming soon to a Canada near you: a de facto NDP government:

The NDP could seek a long-term agreement to prop up the Liberal government in exchange for a handful of concessions, party officials said Wednesday.

Fresh from winning $4.6 billion more for its priorities in return for helping the Liberals survive a confidence vote, the NDP is upping the ante and contemplating a more wide-ranging deal. The party inched closer to holding the balance of power in the House of Commons after this week’s Labrador byelection gave the Liberals another seat.

Some Conservative bloggers such as Damian Penny are lamenting the fact that the Liberals’ one usual saving grace – a balanced budget – will now be a thing of the past.

To all those who voted Tory and cheered the fact that the Liberals were reduced to a minority in the last election: starting to miss that Liberal majority government yet?