Eye on Society by Jason Setnyk
Coffee Grinds
I would like to take a moment to thank those who read my column week after week, and I would like to wish you all a very happy and safe holiday season. I have two very special editions of my column coming up before Christmas! On Friday December 16th read: "Consumed by Consumerism: Corporations from Cradle to Grave". On Friday December 23rd read: "What I learned from my Mother". In addition to these two special columns, a few poems from my book will be published too! My regular columns, Coffee Grinds and Eye on Society, will be back in the new year!
Arts, Culture, and Politics
Local Music scene needs support? In a recent editorial someone suggested that the community should come out and support local music, and I agree with that basic premise. However there are several critical things about the editorial that I disagree with such as the negative tone and disparaging remarks about those in attendance and about the venue itself. I have hosted 17 Rock for Charity events over the past year and a half now, and over $7500 has been raised for local charities and non profit groups. Rock for Charity was originally hosted at Cafe Connectionz, and those events averaged about 50 people per show. The majority of money raised however was at the last five Rock for Charity events hosted at La Maison and at Remingtons. Four of those shows each had over a hundred people in attendance, however the last Rock for Charity, four weeks before Christmas and on a night where four other venues were also hosting live music event, we only had about 50 people pay admission. The turnout was a bit low and from a promoters perspective that is disappointing, but from time to time that happens. I'm certainly not going to criticize the crowd for not clapping loudly enough or for texting on their cell phones. They came out to the show, they paid admission to support local music and a good cause, and if some people want to just passively listen on their night off than who am I to judge? The other point I would like to bring up is about the venue itself. Is La Maison a good place to host Rock for Charity? La Maison is the longest standing home of live music in Cornwall Ontario, they have a good stage, good lighting, a good PA system, and a very nice and helpful staff. The owner is very generous, and at each of the three Rock for Charity's hosted there he has made a generous donation! Some might find it frustrating that people would rather listen to a DJ "spin" Mp3s, but that is simply the wrong attitude. The two are not parallel. A music scene grows through outreach, networking, developing a great product, and having a positive attitude. Not every concert featuring a line-up of local bands will be a success. Despite the talent of those musicians, despite sending out press releases, despite promoting it on social media, despite having posters at local music stores - there is no guarantee a show will be successful. However despite all this adversity many local concerts are successful! I would describe 15 of the 17 Rock for Charities that I hosted as being between moderately successful to very successful. I am thankful to the musicians who donate their work for these worthy causes, to helpful venues, and to people who come out to these concerts. I know some friends who have not made it out to a single Rock for Charity despite the incredible talent I book at each event. So I am really thankful to those who support my efforts, support the local music scene, and I do not take those people for granted.
Thom Racine to discuss his new book at the Library! Racine who is a 30-year veteran of the Cornwall Police force will discuss his new book, "Constable Davey, A Future Lost" on Thursday, December 8 at 6:30 p.m. at the library. All are welcome to attend. There will be a door prize - a copy of his book. For more information, please contact the library at 613-932-4796.
Environment
Buy Local! Remember to Buy Local this Christmas, because buying local helps the local economy, and items bought locally have less of a carbon footprint and that is better for the environment. Please enjoy many of the great stores and shops we have in Cornwall Ontario.
Canada needs to show leadership on Climate Change! Stephen Harper and the Conservatives plan to pull Canada out of the Kyoto Protocal is a part of an overt pro-business oil agenda. The Kyoto Protocal is far from a perfect document, however the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions is an important one, and Canada had the opportunity to show real leadership. Industrialized countries such as Canada had more responsibility under the protocal than emerging economies to be environmental stewards and to lead by example. Emerging industrial powers such as China were not held to the same standards. Since 1997 China has developed into a world power, and should now be held to the same standards as other industrial countries. The effects of greenhouse gas emissions are becoming a global crisis, and the time for leadership and action by the global community is now. The pull-out by Canada is a step backwards.
Social Justice
NDP leadership candidate visits Cornwall! Paul Dewar, the NDP M.P. for Ottawa-Centre, is the first NDP leadership candidate to visit the riding of Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry. Dewar attended a Meet and Greet reception on Nov. 29 in Cornwall at the home of local NDP riding association President Brian Lynch. Dewar in his bilingual remarks to the 40 NDP supporters in attendance outlined his plans for good jobs, a fairer taxation system, the environment, public healthcare and home care, and fighting poverty. Invoking the memory of Jack Layton, Dewar said that we need to take better care of each other. Regarding the deplorable, third world living conditions in Attawapiskat and other First Nations reserves, Dewar stated: “We have to commit ourselves to make sure that every reserve in this country and every First Nations person has affordable housing, affordable power, clean water, and education.”
The considerations in some reserves are sadly deplorable! I know this from first hand experience as I briefly taught at an aboriginal high-school, and I saw first hand the living conditions in that community. Describing the living conditions as "third world" is not a hyperbole. More needs to be done to ensure a better quality of life for our neighbours to the north.
Congratulations to Helene and Gary! Helene Paquin and Gary Samler were named the CDLC Community Activist of the Year! It's not every day community activist get any sort of acknowledgement for their hard work. In fact most activist face criticism for their positive work. So it's always extra special when an activist gets acknowledged for their efforts to make our community a better place.
My name is Jason Setnyk, and this is my eye on society.
