virail

Dear Santa... Dear Santa, This year I've been busy! In February I helped nemish across the street (6 points). In August I pulled taskiira's hair (-5 points). In May I gave ciela_night a kidney (1000 points). In June I bought porn for daffodil86 (10 points). In October I didn't flush (-1 points). Overall, I've been nice (1010 points). For Christmas I deserve a red Radio-Flyer wagon! Sincerely, Virail

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You are the Hanged Man

Self-sacrifice, Sacrifice, Devotion, Bound.

With the Hanged man there is often a sense of fatalism, waiting for something to happen. Or a fear of
loss from a situation, rather than gain.

The Hanged Man is perhaps the most fascinating card in the deck. It reflects the story of Odin who offered himself as a sacrifice in order to gain knowledge. Hanging from the world tree, wounded by a spear, given no bread or mead, he hung for nine days. On the last day, he saw on the ground runes that had fallen from the tree, understood their meaning, and, coming down, scooped them up for his own. All knowledge is to be found in these runes.

The Hanged Man, in similar fashion, is a card about suspension, not life or death. It signifies selflessness, sacrifice and prophecy. You make yourself vulnerable and in doing so, gain illumination. You see the world differently, with almost mystical insights.

What Tarot Card are You?
Take the Test to Find Out.

I think it's about time that I explane my standings on Allie. As of late she has been the source of much anger and frustration. She complains about not being invited anywhere it when I call her to invite her out to supper with some of our mutual friends she always finds an excuse. It could be playing guildwars or something like that. It doesn't matter. Guildwars you can play at 3 am or whatever. It doens't mean that you need to forsake your friends for the bloody game. It gets better, when ever I try and engage her in conversation the replies are short, usually a couple of words and mostly hostile in nature. I try and act like Liam or Laura, because they make her comfortable and she snaps at me.

She doesn't explane any of this to me or even make an attempt to talk to me. So, I've followed her unspoken wish and I've just stopped calling her to do things, in fact a good number of the group has. It's just not worth it to spend an hour trying to convince her to come out and hang out then be really upset or sad over the fact that she's out with friends. If she even considers anyone except for Laura and Liam friends anymore.

I've grown tired of constnatly trying to include her and only getting snapped at for it. So, I've taken to simply ignoring her as much as possible. Not the most noble thing to do, I know. But it does seem to be the best course of action

This update will concern the amount of work which I have to do in the next couple of months

First, my work schedule.

Sunday: 11:30-10
Monday: off
Tuesday: off
Wensday: 6-10
Thursday: 6-10
Friday: 11:30-10
Saturday: 11:30-10
Sunday: 11:30-10

Next My classes schedule.

Sunday: None
Monday: 1:30-2:45, 3:00-4:15, 7:00-10:00
Tuesday: 2:30-3:45, 4:00-7:00
Wensday: 1:30-2:45, 3:00-4:15
Thursday: 2:30-3:45
Friday: None
Saturday: None

Now, for the assignments I have to have done by classes:

Contending Approches in Comparative Politics:
1 Presentation:
- Crafting the Twin Tolerances
1 Presentation:
- Does Democracy Need Religion?
1 20 page paper:
- Democracy in Islam, a Civilizational Prespective.

Political Culture of the United States:
1 Presentation:
- Unknown Topic
1 Presentation:
- Midwestern Political culture
1 20 page Paper:
- Unknown Topic

Contempory British Politics:
1 Presentation:
- Britian: The Welfare State?
1 Presentation:
- Law and Judicial process: Reexamined
1 20 page paper:
- Britians Progressive slide into a police state

Politics of European Intergration
1 Presentation:
- Theoretical approches of European Intergration: Federalist, Functionalist and Neo-functionalst views
1 Presentation:
- Expanding membership: The Question of Turkey.
1 20 page paper:
- Effects of an Islamic Member state in the European Union

Poltics of East and South-East Asia:
1 Presentation:
- Security issues in South-East Asia
1 Presentation:
- China and its effects as a rising power in East and South-East Asia
1 Presentation:
- Theoretical Causes of insular society in South-East Asia
1 20 page paper:
- Undecided as of yet.

Total: 11 Presentations, 5 20 page papers.

Nightly Assigned reading: Between the five courses, 250 pages from various texts.

I'm being forced to stay up till 2-3am every night just to get the readings done. Bah, and I can't even look forward to Claudie coming to see me in october to help ease the load a little. Turns out too that I can't see her over the christmas holidays as well... Only bright spot of news which I have had shine down on me is the fact that steph -maybe- coming back to PEI for her spring break. At which point she'll be swarmed by people and I'll be lucky to get in enough time to sit down and watch a movie with her so that she can escape the hectic "lets everyone bother steph" times. She's going to be soo stressed out. I do hope that she can find some type of relaxation if indeed she does come.

Well, that's the end of my break so I best get back to work.

I was sitting in my room and dad told me to walk the dog. So, I proceed to tell the people I'm talking to that I'm heading out to walk the dog. I then tell dad I'll be a second as I search for socks and my shoes to take the dog out. Dad then walks by my room saying "I Ask you to do one fucking simple thing. And you can't even do that you fucking lazy bastard" Of course, I object to this as I was dropping what I was doing to walk his dog, which I was told that I'd never have to walk or feed or anything. But hey, looks like I do all that anyways. Even though I was told that I simply didn't have to deal with it.

My response to his insult slinging war was of course, to hold a fucking minute while I got my shoes on so I could walk his dog but that doesn't mean anything, I'm still a 'fucking lazy bastard.'



I also found out reciently that Dad is spending close for five thousand dollars to send my sister to a hockey thing in the states. For a week. Over christmas. And meanwhile, when I asked mom if her and Dad would be contribuating to my university this year. (Last year they bitched and moaned that I didn't tell them about the fact that the government expects them to contribuate 1000$) They told me that they just couldn't afford it this year. That I would have to make due with what I have. Yet they can send my sister to a hockey tourniment over christmas at the drop of a hat...

Well, I'm back from Quebec and might I say that it was fucking awesome? Gods it was wonderful. I stayed with Claudie and her family and they were really nice people who did a lot of things for me without me even hinting. Hell, I had to reject a bunch of things. Spending time with Claudie was nothing short of amazing. We went downtown Quebec, walked around, shared some ice cream listened to music. Talked. You know all of that fun stuff.



Also, we went to waterfalls and walked around in nature for a while Had a picnic on the Planes of Abrham, went to see the Chateau Frontanc. Had home cooked meals every night (which were amazing) went to see a rather good movie even if I didn't understand 60% of it (the parts that were in French). I only spent 40$ the entire time. The only thing that went wrong is that everyone, and I mean everyone, assumed that Claudie and I were dating. Which we arn't but hey, since when to people listen to me?



I'll write more later, when I have time to actually gather my thoughts some.

It was a room. Not just any room but the personal chambers of Pelor, Lord of Light. The floors were crafted out of Marble tiles with golden inlays. The vaulted ceiling was made out of only the purest crystal which amplified the natural light which served to grant the room its brilliance. On the outside of the room there were small streams of water which added a well placed acoustic. Or at least would have if there hadn’t have been two people circling each other with grimaces of hatred on their faces. The man in black drew his blade and the world seemed to darken in its presence. Pelor, seeing the reduction of his beloved light waved his hand and many candled ignited throughout the room, the light serving to reflect in the crystal, creating an image of being surrounded by living fire. The battle was on.
Sparks flew as blade met mace in the candle lit room. The grunts of two champions engaged in mortal combat rang throughout the room. Golden light entered through the skylight and provided a very peaceful atmosphere, not considering the two men who were currently attempting to kill each other.

The first man, clad in a white robe, stitched with golden thread under which a coat of glimmering chainmail rested, managed to avoid losing his head to a cross swipe from the dark haired man in which he was battling. The man in the white, Pelor was his name, twirled once more before stretching out his hand, his brow furrowing in concentration for a moment before brilliant fire erupted from his palm, seeking to destroy the other combatant.
As the fires engulfed the other man there was a high pitched hiss and steam filled the room, cloaking everything beyond five feet. “Erythnul, You won’t win here! Not in my home. You cannot win here.” Pelor ground out between clenched teeth. Pelor quickly began to weave beams of pure, white light together as he started his next spell.
“Perhaps not before, Pelor. But now, I shall be the victorious one!” The man, Erythnul responded with a note of arrogance in his voice. However, as soon as he finished speaking, Pelor finished his spell and a beam of pure good arced through the air towards the black-robed man. Erythnul, sensing the danger quickly spun, his obsidian blade intercepting the lance of energy and glowing an eerie green color before subsiding back into nothingness.


Blows were traded, back and forth, each swing blocked by the other, each spell dodged or absorbed. This continued until the foundations of the room shook, the door of the room, a white marble with gold inlay exploded inwards, the shrapnel raining down on the occupants of the room.


For a moment all fighting stopped as both of the fighters looked to the door. Another moment before it became clear. Another had entered the fight. This thing however was not unlike both of the men but there was a distinct feeling of… wrongness about him. He wore shoulder length hair, a long black robe, under which there was a tunic, which appeared to once have been white but was now so heavily stained in blood that it was a rusty red. His leggings were crafted of very fine leather, human leather. At his hip he held a sword which glowed with a menacing blue edge. Writings of the arcane were chissled along the blades edge.


“Greetings, Ronald. Good of you to join us.” A sneer crossing Pelors face as he realized that, even though he was a Diety he was outnumbered and would surely lose this fight. ‘I need more help’ he thought to himself. “Grant! I need you! Come to my aid!” Pelor spoke with force, his words echoing throughout the planes…

Right, so I've been tagged because I'm bored out of my mind and at work. So, here is how it works, I get to spit out six random facts about myself.

1) I am a very cuddly person with people I have some type of interest in. What can I say? I just like to hold females and make them feel good.

2) Whenever I start a relationship with someone, my intense friendships usually tend to interfere on some levels. (Read: Friendship with Steph.) Most people end up getting jealous of the amount of attention I pay to her.

3) Whenever I get upset or anything I tend to repress as much emotion as I possibly can so I can deal with problems logically. Doesn't always work out.

4) After my first year at UPEI I have enough Political Theory courses to qualify for having a Specality in Political Theory.

5) I don't get to see my friends as much as I'd like (Gill, if you're reading this make time for me! I havn't seen you since Sarah's) Which makes me kinda sad

6) And my dream job is to work as an analyist for CSIS or the intelligence branch of the PMO. Not because it'd be easy but because I know that at the end of the day the information I have gathered will have helped save lives.

Side Note: Also, I can't seem to comment on anyone's lj I get a error "Post invalid" and it doesn't let me post. So yeah, that's why I havn't been commenting.

"He shall have dominion from sea to sea and from the river unto the ends of the earth" (Psalm 72:8)

Sound familier? that is the origion of the Dominion of Canada. That is why this country is called The Dominion of Canada. Because it extends from sea to sea. A Mari usque ad Mare. From Sea to Sea.

Canada has come a long way since the days of the second world war. During the time where we had the third largest navy in the world and one of the most feared and effective militaries in all of western society.

In scope of power Canada is the 7th richest country in the world making just over one trillian US dollars. However, its military strength has waned from its previous status. In times past, as was previously mentioned, Canada had some of the best soldiers in existance. Today, though, the military are using equipment which is three decades old and in serious need of replacement. The recent purchases of the Candian military include defective subs from Britian which are ww2 era.

The military has been mismanaged by the administrations since Pearson in the 1950's. The gradual slip of the military has lead the Canadian militay to deny peacekeeping missions from the United Nations.

Furthermore, while Canada used to be seen as the worlds diplomat and an officer of the peace we have fallen from that lofty perch. Now, we rarely take on any peacekeeping missions. The reason for this? Not enough money to pay for transportation of Canadian military personnel and equipment to combat zones or even enough money so sustain the operations. The Canadiation International Development Agency, or CIDA is overextended in too many counteries and doesn't have a large enough budget to fullfill it's promises to the developing world.

The decline of the Canadian military has left us in a very uneasy position. While conflict in the world heats up and the other civilizations are banding together with the common goal of Western Alienation or in extreme circumstances, Western distruction, Canada has been disarming itself through neglect of its armed forces. Not only has this weakened our ability to defend our own boarders but has placed increased pressure on the American military to protect the continent. While America was spilling its blood and paying for the defence of the continent Canada was developing its social networks with the windfall that comes from cutting military expendatures.

There are several things wrong with this. At first glace it seems like a good thing. Why not let the Americans protect our country? after all that extra money can be used to improve health care or our social nets. The problem here lies within the concept of political sovreignty. What it all boils down to is that ability to have a seat at the table. This means the ability to actually voice your own concerns without being forced to check with another state on policy decisions. Of course, there is a lot more to it then that but I neither have the time nor the inclination to go into detail about that now.

Canada is so far intertwined with America on a Cultural, Economic and Political level that if we were to attempt to forge our own path in the word instead of guarding the flank of America. Then the economy would enter a massive downward spiral that would, more then likely, force the country apart. The Cultural similaraties would tempt various provinces to leave confederation and the young Nation-State would be torn a sunder from within.

In short, the only thing that Canada can do to survive is to attempt to take some of the pressure off of the centers of power in Western Civilization. Those centers being America and the United Kingdom.

Canada will never be a leader of the West but we will be a damned good follower.

Joe gets up at 6 a.m. and fills his coffeepot with water to prepare his morning coffee. The water is clean and good because some tree-hugging liberal fought for minimum water-quality standards. With his first swallow of water, he takes his daily medication. His medications are safe to take because some stupid commie liberal fought to ensure their safety and that they work as advertised.

All but $10 of his medications are paid for by his employer's medical plan because some liberal union workers fought their employers for paid medical insurance - now Joe gets it too.

He prepares his morning breakfast, bacon and eggs. Joe's bacon is safe to eat because some girly-man liberal fought for laws to regulate the meat packing industry.

In the morning shower, Joe reaches for his shampoo. His bottle is properly labeled with each ingredient and its amount in the total contents because some crybaby liberal fought for his right to know what he was putting on his body and how much it contained.

Joe dresses, walks outside and takes a deep breath. The air he breathes is clean because some environmentalist wacko liberal fought for the laws to stop industries from polluting our air.

He walks on the government-provided sidewalk to subway station for his government-subsidized ride to work. It saves him considerable money in parking and transportation fees because some fancy-pants liberal fought for affordable public transportation, which gives everyone the opportunity to be a contributor.

Joe begins his work day. He has a good job with excellent pay, medical benefits, retirement, paid holidays and vacation because some lazy liberal union members fought and died for these working standards. Joe's employer pays these standards because Joe's employer doesn't want his employees to call the union.

If Joe is hurt on the job or becomes unemployed, he'll get a worker compensation or unemployment check because some stupid liberal didn't think he should lose his home because of his temporary misfortune.

It is noontime and Joe needs to make a bank deposit so he can pay some bills. Joe's deposit is federally insured by the FDIC because some godless liberal wanted to protect Joe's money from unscrupulous bankers who ruined the banking system before the Great Depression.

Joe has to pay his Fannie Mae-underwritten mortgage and his below-market federal student loan because some elitist liberal decided that Joe and the government would be better off if he was educated and earned more money over his lifetime. Joe also forgets that his in addition to his federally subsidized student loans, he attended a state funded university.

Joe is home from work. He plans to visit his father this evening at his farm home in the country. He gets in his car for the drive. His car is among the safest in the world because some America-hating liberal fought for car safety standards to go along with the tax-payer funded roads.

He arrives at his boyhood home. His was the third generation to live in the house financed by Farmers' Home Administration because bankers didn't want to make rural loans.

The house didn't have electricity until some big-government liberal stuck his nose where it didn't belong and demanded rural electrification.

He is happy to see his father, who is now retired. His father lives on Social Security and a union pension because some wine-drinking, cheese-eating liberal made sure he could take care of himself so Joe wouldn't have to.

Joe gets back in his car for the ride home, and turns on a radio talk show. The radio host keeps saying that liberals are bad and conservatives are good. He doesn't mention that the beloved Republicans have fought against every protection and benefit Joe enjoys throughout his day. Joe agrees: "We don't need those big-government liberals ruining our lives! After all, I'm a self-made man who believes everyone should take care of themselves, just like I have."

We sleep safe in our beds because rough Men stand ready in the night to visit violence upon those who would do us harm.


That is my moral stance. Society sleeps safe due to the actions of the few. The few which lay down their lives in both a literal sense and in a metaphorical sense. It is thanks to the military that every person in this country and in every first world country that they have a safe, warm place to live. That we don't have to worry about ethnic cleansing.

To believe otherwise, to hold the belief that all people are fundementally good and honest coupled with the fact that due to these two virtues that there shouldn't be a need for an Army. Or weapons, for the matter. It is complete insanity. If a guy was giving you a choice between you killing him or him killing not just you but your entire family would you honestly step aside and say "Go ahead" or even say that people like him are abberations in our behaviour. That violence is a genetic malfunction in the genepool?


I'm afraid that I just can't say anymore on this topic at the moment without yelling and or waving my arms around like an idiot.



- V

There is a bright flash of light as I feel the coldness creep into my veins. All around me is nothing but white space. There is no colour to anything. Just white. Unbidden memories come to my mind ,they appear as pictures, moving pictures. My first memory is of my childhood on the farm. Running through the wheat fields as my blonde hair whips about me in the winds. Such a lovely time. My heart almost breaks as I see the look of pure delight on my younger self. Next. Well, next comes the day that my father left the farm to go into the market. Just like every other weekend, Father would go into the marketplace to sell our produce. I had never gone with him but something told me on that day that I should go with him.


The road to the marketplace was bumpy and the asses were old and tired. After a couple of hours in the back of the wagon we arrived at the outdoor marketplace in Sil. I remember the sounds and the smells of the market. The spices from the east and the smell of freshly caught fish from the docks. What a wonderful place. There is a sense of excitement in the air as merchants peddle their good to each other and I look around, my eyes alight in childish wonder.
The scene shifts


We are on our way home and father and I are chatting loudly about our day. Father stills suddenly “Get behind me” he commands. I obey. Out of the bushes walk two men. Both are well built and carry large swords on their backs. “Give us your money” the one of the left comments. The one of the right, he has a crooked nose I observe absentmindedly. “And your kid. He looks… Delicious.” The man licks his lips with a blackened tongue. I shudder with absolute disguite. Next thing I know both men are on the ground bleeding heavily and father is looking down at me. That’s what it happens. Father’s eyes widen as his life slips away from him. Out of his chest is a long, jagged piece of ice. I scream and run.

The next memory is a few years later. I had completed my stint in the military as is required by all men my age. I stand there as the general pins a medal to my chest. For bravery he says. For unequaled prowess in combat. Maybe if that were true Jim would still be with me right now. His blood is on my hands. If I was just a bit faster and less full of myself then Jim wouldn’t have died to that damned elf. My thoughts are going a million miles an hour and it feels like there is a dragon loose in my head. I just wish that damn General would hurry up so I could hand in my resignation. After the ceremony is completed I stiffly walk over to the general and hand him my written resignation and the medal he just pinned on my chest. As I’m leaving I take the only possession that means anything to me. My swords. They are family heirlooms.

The entire world shifts around me. I can hear some screaming in the distance and then silence. Oh no. I recognize this memory… this was my last one before I died. I was on a raiding mission with some bandits which I had joined up with. The crimson ember or something like that. We were raiding an Elven town. Damned elves deserved every bit of the trouble they got. Bastards for killing Jim… I was breaking open the doors to a nobles home when the three others who are assigned to me fall to an explosion of fire from an errant mage. I quickly head down into the mansion. I come across a few locked doors and then an ornately carved oak door. My sense of adventure gets the better of me. As I walk towards the door I something feels off. I push those thoughts out of my mind and open the door. On the other side I notice a glowing rune. Then I start to feel cold all over.
Which brings me back to this place, this white area of nothingness. As soon as those thoughts cross my mind however there is a lurching sensation and I am returned to the wonderful world of colour. However, I am in a prison cell. And I don’t feel … alive… I look down and my hands are bandaged and it hurts to go near those glowing white runes along the floors. What happened to me? What’s going on? I look around me and I see to my shock and amazement undead! Then it hits me. I’ve become one of them. I have become one of things that go bump in the night….


-fin-

"You know, my story isn't exactly the most impressive one." I said as I sat down on the sidewalk next to the street waif. "It all begins when I was just a lad, maybe five or six. Not much bigger then my mothers hip. Well... you get the point. When I was young my father got into a gambling problem with the local gangs and he ended up owing a lot of money to the wrong people. Foolish man, he's dead now, you know? Decided that the military was for him. He didn't last long on his first mission. Got an arrow through the eye, You know? Painful that." I slip my hand into my robes, their silk lined interior sends a cooling sensation along my skin. From the insides of my robes I pull out my trusty flask. On it is etched the sybol of my family. It's nothing too tacky but it's saved my life more then once. I took a sip of the crystal clear water and continued my chat with the poor soul. "Anyways, a passing wizard decided to get rid of my fathers debts in exchange I would become his apprentice. Let me tell you, mother wasn't pleased about that. I can still hear her yelling at father for losing 'her precious son.' Ha! what a lark, the only reason I was kept around was because I had the ability to look cute and get the higher ups in society to give us some spare coppers.

"Anyways, I spent years with this wizard, he tought me everything I know. He never told me his name though. I always refered to him as Master and me, well, I don't have a name. Not anymore. Master always said that an Apprentice will earn their name somehow. At this point I didn't have my name. So, I begun to look for it. I delved into the ancient tombs which held arcane power, By the age of ten I was obsessed with finding out more knowledge. I just needed to know more. You ever had that? A burning desire to just know more about the universe? No, I suppose you never have."

"Well, back to my story. It was that year that Master noticed that I was lusting for knowledge he pointed me in the direction of Divination spells. It was then that I noticed that my magic seemed to be more potent when I cast spells from that school. Seeing a good thing I begun to use and study more and more divination spells. As well as the theory behind Divination magics. It was all so amazing. I could wave my hands and the knowledge of centuries past could become mine. " I think I got a little dreamy around this party but I snapped out of it when a horse road by and another peasent screamed bloody murder.

"It was later on, when Master finally passed on that I was granted my Name. It is Accursius. After getting my name I came to the capitol city. I was looking for work and was a decently powerful mage in my youth. My specality was divination and Abjuration. I couldn't cast an evocation spell to save my life but, there you have it. When I first arrived in the city I had maybe a couple of coin to rub together. I decided to go to the local inn. Maybe I could find a job? who knew? When I got to the Inn there was a fellow recruiting for the kings Army. Apparently they needed troops. It was after some careful consultation with a bottle of whiskey and a band of theives that I decided that sure, I would join the army. Why not? I'm a powerful mage. I can handle myself... Boy, how wrong was I. Turns out that I failed horriably in Basic Training. A fellow trainee, James I think his name was. Managed to stab me right in the lung. If it wasn't for the combat medics who were stationed around the training area I would have been sent to meet my maker."

"Of course, being the first one, and only one injured the fellows in the regiment started to pick on me. You know? hazing rituals and the like. Well, one day I got tired of it. We were on the parade square and one of the troops said something to me, I can't remember what now. But I snapped I turned around and waved my hand. The guys started laughing at me, thinking I was just crazy. Until that is the ground grew arms and grabbed the poor bugger who insulted me by the throat. I've never seen someone so scared in my life. After that day I was discharged from the regular force and brought before a tribunal. It was there, on that tribunal that they discovered that I was a Wizard and that I was actually trained. An aide to the intelligence cheif asked me what my specalities were. I told him that I knew a lot of Divination spells but my magic was naturally stronger with Abjuration spells."

"It was decided from then on that I would become a Ward Master. That I would learn the secrets of the viels of protection. I was apprenticed to a Ward Master. His name was Julien. After spending a couple of more years under his instruction I learned the secrets of Abjuration and oddly enough, Politics. I was introduced to the kings court as Juliens Apprentice and, finally, heir. You see, julien was the last of his line and due to some magical accident was unable to bear childern. So, he adopted me when he took me on as his apprentice. After he died I was forced to take his place in the Kings council as Mystical Advisor and Ward Specialist."

"My divination spells saved me again here. The king would ask for information and I would find it for him. Or more often for the head of intelligence, Kestral. Over the weeks and months I begun to work with the intelligence officers more as they required my divination abilities and sometimes even my ward crafting techniques."

"And now we have today. Today, I went outside and told my lifestory to a begger, wierd isn't it. That I would choose you to know what is going on in my world." I flipped the poor begger a gold coin and watched as the black glow faded from my hands. He passed away, from natural causes no less.

"The general public must be reduced to its traditional apathy and obedience, and be driven from the arena of political debate and action, if democracy is to survive." - Noam Chomsky.1

What Noam Chomsky said, while politically incorrect, is nonetheless right. In theory, democracy is the best political system which we have thought of to date. But there is one inherent flaw to this grand theory, or narrative, of democracy. This defect is an administrative flaw. The sheer impossibility of counting the votes of 300 million people (in the case of America) makes it necessary or the political elite to guide and govern the country. However, in order for the elite to take over the populace there must be consent in the rulership. This is where propaganda comes into play. There is never going to be consent with 300 million people, it's impossible to manage that with even half that number. So; the elites must resort to controlling the average person living under the state. Propaganda is the methodolgy that they use to achieve their goals..

Propaganda, in and of itself, does not seek to change the opinions of people; instead its goals are to reinforce the emotional state of the people. This is not done carelessly, but rather in calculated and deliberate ways. For instance, during WWII, the objective of the Nazi propaganda machine wasn't to make the population hate the Jewish people. Its goal was to reinforce the feelings of aggression and hatred in the German people, and then direct it towards the Jewish people.

Many different forms of propaganda exist, most of which are derived from research in the social sciences. While there are many different methods of spreading propaganda in democratic socities the most common forms are appeal to authority, appeal to fear, oversimplification, bandwagon, virtue or plastic words, black and white fallacy, and repitition.

In the Western world, the most common form of propaganda is appeal to authority. This consists of propaganda artists using testimonials from experts, sources of supposed truth, to reinforce their arguments. The deferal to authority figures is the easiest form of propaganda. The logic it is that if the average citizen are unable to grasp the complexity of a situation then experts who have spent many years training for these circumstances are called in to offer their educated opinions. The logic in this may seem flawed, after all what makes this person's ideas trustworthy? The answer lies within the emphasis that our society places on education. The more education that a person has the more trusted and respected they are in society. The "Appeal to Authority" component of propaganda is most often used in commercial advertising although that does not mean that it is not prevalant in other branches of society.'

In terms of commercial propaganda versus that of political propaganda, the appeal to fear is the second most widely used form of propaganda. This form of propaganda, as the name suggests, plays off the innate fear that all humans possess. Good examples of propaganda techniques using appeal to fear are advertisements, which stress that if you don't use this drug then you'll catch the flu. This has become a rather large problem in the Western States as drug manufacturers invent outbreaks of disease in order to sell more product. From a Political prespective the appeal to fear was used in the wake of the september 11th disaster. Anyone who was an enemy of the American administration was labeled as a terrorist and they were painted as an immediate threat to the people of America. From those living in New York city to those living in Hell. No matter where you lived a terrorist was just around the corner, or so the American administration would lead you to believe.

Furthermore, the colour coded system (for easy understanding) which indicated the level of threat to the Unied Sates was used without abandon or even consideration for the moral or ethical implications that it could bring. Examples inclde that whenever there was a dip in the polls for President Bush there was an "amber" alert issued in order to whip up a fear of another possible attack. This fear allowed measures, such as the Patriot act, to pass through congress without action being taken against the president for the obvious dictatorial powers granted to him in the act. The reasoning behind not striking the act down is that it's for the 'greater good of the nation' which, as the saying goes, the road to hell is paved with good intentions. As well intended as this piece of legislation is, it is based on the fears of the people and as such is only able to be used as a tool for harm.

The next Propaganda techniques are black and white and oversimplification. The reason that the two are grouped together is because they often go hand in hand. In order to make a situation 'black and white' it must be oversimplified. An example of a black and white decision is that you use a certain type of exercise equipment or you'll become fat. Or, a more popular one is that if you drink a type of beer that you'll become attractive. This type of propaganda is highly effective as it makes the decision simple for the average person. The burdon of decision making, in Western society, is apperently too much. So, we become grateful if someone else is willing to make the decision for us. This ultimately leads the population to become complacant in everything which does not directly effect us.

This complacency is both a good and a bad thing. It is one of the few remaining shades of gray in our civilization. The complacency does not bode well for us as people but as a democratic society it is, perhaps, the best thing that could happen. The reasoning for this is simple, not everyone is cut out to lead, to be an active member of a community. There are people who are followers and then there are those who are leaders. A democratic society demands that everyone in it be a leader, that everyone in it take an active interest in the problems which effect not only themselves or their families but the entire society. In modern society this is just not possible. There were two paths before us when we started as a civilization, the right path and the easy path. The path that we have taken is the easy one. Where most people don't concern themselves with things which have no direct impact on their lives. Afterall, as long as you get up, go to work and make money to feed and house yourself, who cares if some dictator is slowly stealing your rights?

It'd be a safe assumption to make that the people in a democratic society do not control the society but instead they prevent the elites from doing any irreperable harm to the society. This, in a practical setting, seems to be the function of the people in a democracy. This is contrasted with the theory of democracy. In a theoretical democratic government the people are in control of the government and as such have a direct say and interest in the problems that the government faces on a daily basis. In the theoretical model the controlling influence on the democracy is the interest of the people. Wheras in reality the democratic government is run by an elite group of businessmen.

The morality of such a set-up is in fact a moot point. What is right and what is wrong are inherently vague concepts which, in the end, are based on the perspective of the society you were raised in. After all, society has no judge other than itself. In more recent times the philosophy of "the ends justify the means" has come into play as American paranoia and hegemony spreads. As previously stated, whether! this is right or wrong doesn't matter. Morality is nothing but a matter of opinion.

The elite of the society are, by definition, aware of the aptly named 'voter apathy' it is through this, encouraged phenomenon, they have seized power and the controls of the democratic society. And rightly so, for without the leadership displayed by the elite, or the upper class we, as a socitey, would not be able to enjoy freedom and the luxuries that we have. In order to secure their own power as well as the safety of the republic, the elite of the society use copious amounts of propaganda in order to subdue the general population. Much as a vetenarian would subdue a rabid dog.

Of course, in order for the elites to gain power they must have some type of support from the people. Or at least they need to appear to have some support. In the 2000 presidental election of the United States of America, president Bush did not have a majority as was once thought. A court ruling provided that the Democratic party should have won the presidency. However, President Bush had the apperance of the support of the people when all he really had was the support of the majority of the political and economic elites. This just goes to reinforce the reality of elite domination of the public.

Due to this domination, the nations of the Western world have risen to a position of authority and dominance amongst the other civilizations of the world. This is, by far and large, due to the sucessful tactics of the elite. The fact that the Western world enjoys such a position and has for the past 200 years is proof enough that an elite dominated society with a population which exists solely to make sure that civilization doesn't crumble is the only way for democracy to survive.

Argh, I was talking with Dad the other day and he brought up a couple of points. He told me that being a liberal was going to end my future in politics on PEI. When I promptly informed him that I wasn't going to stay on this freaking island for any longer then absolutly necessary. Sure, PEI will always be my home but there isn't employment for me here. Unless I decide to become a professor but then again, I'd rather work at STU which pays about twice what UPEI does.

urgh.... I just lost the will to add any more to this.....

Hey people, I'm currently in Fredericton so I won't be around till monday. I wish I had more time to type out an entry but I'm needed two floors down for a comittee in about 20 seconts. Have fun, and don't forget to breath

Right, So, here is what is going on. My Laptop died. I need to buy a new harddrive and a more RAM and stuff like that. It's going to cost me about $500-$700. Not nice to have something like that spring on you. In other news, have you ever noticed that when you type you look really really wierd? Meh, I've got today and tomorrow off I work friday then I've got the rest of the weekend off to spend with Beth. Which will be fun :). The news about my laptop bugs the shit out of me. I'm going to see if mom bought the Extended warrenty for the laptop, I really hope she did. If not then I'll be out $700.

So, I've never been so pissed in my life. Dad just called me and decided to bitch me out for asserting my political views. I decided that my political views were not ideologically in line with the conservative party but were more so in line with the Liberal Party. So, I went to the Liberal policy convention as a learning experience and to take part in party machanics. I signed up etc. and a couple of hours later dad gets some phone calls saying that I was there and that I'm not welcome in the conservative party anymore. See, the thing about that is I never joined. Dad just signed me up and told me how to vote for people in party elections. This wouldn't have bothered me so much if it wasn't for the fact that I'm pretty sure that being a member of more then one party wasn't illegal. But none the less I get a phone call today from dad saying that I should be in the conservative party because I'm studying politics and that if I ever want a job in ottawa then I need to be a conservative beause apparently,they'll be in power for the next 10 years or so. He then went on to say that Michael Ignatieff is an American because he was educated in America. Interesting leap of logic that... But anyways, I tried telling him that it's an ideological difference and that I just didn't like conservative policies and mindframe. But he wouldn't listen to me. I've told him before that I don't like the conservatives. but nope, not going to listen. So anyways, apparently I'm playing headgames with the conservatives and I'm ruining his power and influnce because "He's in to deep to have me as a Liberal" that "If I renounce the liberals and say taht it was a purely academic thing then he can smooth things over and bring me back into the fold." sorry if I disagree. I'm happy being out of his shadow but I'd like to know, Why, I'm being harrassed for exercising my rights as a Canadian citizen and why the conservative party has any buissness with my political affiliations.

Name: Michael
Nicknames: Mike, Mikey, Virail, Honey, Hun.
Birthplace: Hospital.
Current Location: Charlottetown, PEI
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Blue-Green
Height: 6'1"
Weight:: somewhere between 215-240 (Yes, I'm a fat fucker)
Tatoos?: No, they're identifying marks
Piercings?: No, same reason as above
Overused Phrase: Hey there

--Your--
Bedtime:: whenever
Best Physical Feature: Brain, but I suppose that doesn't count, according to steph it's my "face" but she's crazy
Most Embarassing Moment: Sitting in math class, grade 9 and throwing a desk at a guy.
Most Missed Memory: Being told that I ment something to someone
First Thought When You Wake Up: Urgh... what do I have to do today?
Weakness: Being too attached
Best Friends: Stephanie, Beth
Goal For The Year: Finish my papers, begin work on first draft of my Thesis
Greatest Fears: That I'll lose my Intelligence

--This Or That--
Pepsi or Coke...: Pepsi
McDonalds or Burger King...: Neither
Hot Tea or Ice Tea...: Hot tea
Chocolate or Vanilla...: Either one
Water or Milk...: Water
Coffee or Hot Chocolate...: Either one
Hugs or Kisses...: Kisses, although I get more of the first
Cats or Dogs...: Cats
Summer or Winter...: Summer
Scary Movies or Romantic Comedies...: Romantic Comedies... if I had to choose.
Love or Money...: Love
Green Grapes or Purple Grapes...: Green

--Lover--
Preferred Eye Color: It doesn't matter
Preferred Hair Color: I'm partial to darker hair for some reason i dont know why
Short Hair or Long Hair...: Whatever
Preferred Height: Shorter
Preferred Weight: whatever
Looks or Personality...: Personality
Hot or Cute...: cute
Skinny...Muscular...Fat...: whatever

--Favs--
Number: Zero
Food: pizza, pasta, salad and Potatoes
Type of Music: rock, metal, techno, ambience, classical, alternative, light rock, acid jazz and some rap.
Candy: hmmm... I like variety.
Colour: Dark Colours and cool colours
Animal: Cats, Large cats
Drink: Juices, pepsi.
Body Part on the Opposite Sex: Stomaches
Movie: Hmmm... so many... Howels Moving Castle? Princess Monononoke? either of them
Past Time: Friends, Reading, writing, Thinking, School.

--Have You Ever--
Drank?: No
Smoked?: No, and never will.
Been Beaten Up?: yes
Bullied Someone?: Yes, although, in my defence it was a pay back type thing.
Skinny Dipped?: Yes
Played Spin The Bottle or 7 Minutes In Heaven?: Yes
Toliet Papered Someones House?: No
Played Poker with Money?: Yes
Gone Swimming In A White T-Shirt?: Yes
Been Tickled So Bad That You Cried?: Yes
Been Tickled So Bad That You Couldnt Talk?: Yes
Liked Someone And Not Told Them How You Felt?: Yes
Went Camping?: Yes
Used The Restroom On A Tree?: Yes
Had A Crush On Your Brother/Sister's Friend?: nope
Had A Crush On Your Friend's Brother/Sister?: nope
Walked In The Rain W/out An Umbrella?: Yes
Danced In The Rain?: Yes
Told A Joke And Nobody Thought It was Funny?: Yeah
Been On Stage?: Yes
Worn Clothes Your Mom Didnt Approve Of?: Yes
Been To A Nude Beach?: No
Cursed In Church?: yes
Been Called A Whore/Slut For Kissing Someone?: Yes, though not seriously.
Burnt Yourself?: Yes
Been Dumped?: Yes
Dumped Someone?: Yes
Been In Love?: Yes, three times.
Been Hit On [by] Someone Old[er]?: Yes
Wanted To Be A Model?: No
Wanted To Be In The Olmpics?: No
Bought Lottery Tickets?: nope
Made Out In A Car?: Yes
Cried During A Movie?: yes, but it wasnt because of the movie.
Wanted Something You Couldnt Have?: Yes
Made Love On The Beach?: nope
Shoplifted?: Nope
Seen Someone Shoplift?: Yeah
Hung Up On Someone?: Yes
Yelled At Your Pet?: Yes
Gotten Seasick?: Nope
Tried To Strip When Drunk?: No
Bought A Thong Cuz The Casier Was Hot?: No
Stalked Someone?: nope
Had A Stalker?: No
Played A Prank On Someone And Scared Them?: No
Been Embarrassed By Someone In Your Family?: Yes
Felt Bad About Eating Meat?: nope
Protested?: Yes
Been To An Island?: Yes
Ate Cuz You Had Nothing Better To Do?: Yes
Screamed In A Library?: No
Made Out W/ A Stranger?: Nope
Made Out W/ Someone Who Wasnt Single?: Apparenly, Yes.
Wished A Part Of You Was Different?: yes
Talked To A Complete Stranger?: Yes
Been Sunburned So Bad You Blistered?: Yes
Kicked A Guy In The Nuts?: Yes
Threw Up In School?: Yes
Recieved A Love Letter That Wasnt Signed?: nope
Wore Something You Hated?: yeah
Wore Something To Match Someone?: No
Been To A Luau?: No
Cursed Infront Of Your Parents?: Yes
Been On TV?: Yes
Been Outta The Country?: No
Been Honked At While Walking Down The Sidewalk?: Yes
Won A Pool Game?: Yes
Went To A Party Where You Were The Only Sober One?: Yes
Went To School/ Work Drunk?: No
Dieted?: Yes
Had An Eating Disorder?: nope
Cheated On Your Other?: No
Been Cheated On?: no
Been Paid To Date Someone?: No
Dated Someone That Was Paid or Dared To Date You?: Nope
Tanned Topless?: No
Been Strip Searched?: No
Been On A Plane?: No
Been On A Cruise?: No
Been Pantsed In Public?: Yes
Thrown Your Shoe At Someone?: Yes
Broke Someone's Heart?: Yes, and I still regret it.
Sung In The Shower?: Yes
Bought Something Way To Expensive?: Yes
Done Something Stupid And Laughed At Yourself?: Yes
Been Walked In On While You Were Dressing?: Yes
Been Walked In On While Showering?: No
Ran Out Of A Movie Theater because You Got Scared?: No
Been Kicked Out Of A Mall/ Store?: No
Been Kicked Out Of A GoCart Place Cuz You Wrecked The Go Cart?: No
Been In Detention?: Yes
Fell Off A Roof?: No
Pretended You Were Scared So You Could Cuddle With Someone?: No
Been In A crash?: yes
crashed So You Wouldnt Hit An Animal?: no
Made Yourself Puke So You Wouldnt Have To Go To School?: No
Threatened Someone With A Water Gun?: No
Been Shot?: No
Had A Water Gun War?: yes
Been Arrested?: No

--Randoms--
Regret Something You Did In The Past?: Yes
Country You Wanna Visit: Ireland, Seat of my Familys history
Way You Want to Die: By my own hand
Like Thunderstorms?: love them.
Get Along With Your Parents?: No, I don't.
Are You A Health Freak?: no.
You Think your Attractive?: No
Do You Believe In Yourself?: yes
Wanna Get Married?: not right now,
Wanna Go To College?: No, not a college. University, yes, in fact I'm there now
Shower Daily?: Yes
Want Kids?: surprisingly, no.
Do you Hate Anyone?: No, but if I ever do they'll deserve it
Can You Unwrap A Starburst With Your Tongue?: No
Do You Think You Can Sing?: Nope, I'm tone deaf
Can You Open You Eyes Underwater?: Yes
Eat Whatever And Not Worry?: usually
Can You Whistle?: yes!
Can You Walk In High Heels?: No.
Do You Sleep With The Light On?: no
Do You Like Super Spicy Foods?: Nope.
Can You Multitask?: Yes
Touch Your Nose With Your Tongue?: No
Can You Fit In Your Locker?: yes actually.
Do You Spit?: No, No I don't you sick freak.
Can You Taste The Difference Between Pepsi And Coke?: Yes
If You Could Wish for Anything...What Would You Wish for?: The ability make a difference in the world
What Kind Of Perfume Or Colone Do You Wear?: Whatever one of my best friends shoves into my hands. I trust them.
What Kind Of Soap Do You Use?: Dove
What's Your Favorite Scent?: Honestly, I'd have to say Beth and Steph.
Would You Choose To Live Forever If You Could?: Yes.

You Are Sunshine

Soothing and calm You are often held up by others as the ideal But too much of you, and they'll get burned You are best known for: your warmth Your dominant state: connecting

You Should Be An Aquarius

What's good about you: philosophical and idealistic, you are a great thinker What's bad about you: you require a lot of space - it's hard to get close to you In love: you're quirky and playful, but you hate to be smothered In friendship, you're: likely to have many acquaintances and very few good friends Your ideal job: pilot, snow boarder, or science fiction writer Your sense of fashion: unconventional, unique outfits that turn heads You like to pig out on: anything with garlic or unique spices

Excuse me while i laugh for a while. I'm actually an Aquarius...