Wednesday Night #1735

The great divide between Quebec and ROC shows up in Tuesday’s headlines.

In Quebec the print media, airwaves and ether are filled with the news of Jacques Parizeau’s death, with politicians and commentators of all stripes outdoing one another in offering complimentary soundbites, e.g. Jacques Parizeau, former PQ premier, remembered as ‘formidable opponent’. An excellent read and to be conserved, Hubert Bauch’s obituary offers the most exhaustive – and a thoroughly even-handed – account of ‘Monsieur’s’ life.

Meanwhile, ROC and international media are covering every moment of the submission of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report (See Canada and The First Nations). It is to be hoped that the TRC recommendations will be studied and wholeheartedly adopted by governments and citizens alike, putting an end to the shameful era of what Supreme Court Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin has described as ‘cultural genocide’. [Truth and Reconciliation Commission urges Canada to confront ‘cultural genocide’ of residential schools –Testimony from thousands of residential school survivors leads to 94 recommendations]

An ironic coincidence: on the same day that Jacques Parizeau died, Victor Goldbloom’s memoir Building Bridges was launched in front of a packed crowd at Montreal City Hall. The Gazette carried an excerpt of the book whose title is so fitting for the story of a man who has spent decades fostering communication between various communities.

For all those who were betting that Sepp Blatter‘s reign over FIFA would continue, startling news: he resigns as Fifa president only four days after winning his 5th term. The Guardian conveniently provides a timeline of recent events. However, before you start dancing in the streets, note he may have resigned, but it’s not an immediate departure; he said he would stay on for at least six months to allow time for a proper election (our emphasis) to replace him between December 2015 and March next year. Surely many more juicy details soon to follow. And What Blatter got right at FIFA: Understanding the global nature of the game reminds us that he still has lots of friends.
[Update: How a curmudgeonly old reporter exposed the FIFA scandal that toppled Sepp Blatter is a VERY entertaining read.]

All of this has pushed aside temporarily a number of other items which, in the interests of time, we will simply list with links and no particular order.

The continuing disaster surrounding the Burmese Rohingya Muslims while questions are being asked about Aung San Suu Kyi’s inexcusable silence

Qatar Is Treating Its World Cup Workers Like Slaves: Nepal Earthquake Edition – and nobody seems to care.

Peter MacKay bows out of federal politics (See Canada (Politics) 2015)

Texas & Alaska Floods: El Nino & Hot Oceans Start a Year of Hellish Weather. It Will Get Worse.

Pipeline company responsible for California oil spill has history of disasters in Alberta – adds fuel to the debate on pipelines vs. tanker trains.

Of increasing geopolitical concern China is using one of the most dangerous conflicts on the planet as a distraction

Greece Risk Timeline — Why July 20 Matters Most

Funding slashed for scientific research
Re: $333M for scientists in research funding, May 30.
(Ottawa Citizen) The announcement of $333 million in funding to the Canada Foundation for Innovation is actually a 51-percent drop in government funding compared with $686 million in 2004 by the Liberal government. In 2004, the Liberal government invested $1.1 billion in scientific research; $195 million went to federal scientists, $890 million to universities, $13 million to industry and $3 million to non-governmental organizations.
The Conservative government, under Prime Minister Stephen Harper, does not believe in science or evidence based decision-making — 4,000 government scientists have been let go since the Conservatives took office.

This brilliant map renames each US state with a country generating the same GDP – and tests your knowledge of American geography

Iraqi Prime Minister Says ISIS Seized 2,300 Humvees When It Took Mosul
Faced with the militants’ advance, the Iraqi troops defending the city fled so hastily that some soldiers reportedly stripped off their uniforms and left behind the equipment they carried.
Capturing Mosul gave ISIS a major base for operations in Iraq — and, as Abadi’s announcement proves, an enormous cache of weapons and vehicles, much of it provided by the U.S.
What is the solution to increasing concerns about the apparent inability of the Iraqi troops to conduct the war against ISIS?

For your calendar:
Irene Simons is back in Montreal for the summer and starring in a play [written by daughter Laura] at the Fringe Festival! Dating and Taxes is a comedic two-hander that features ex-spouses brought together to do taxes, drink wine- and debate the ex-husband’s quest to find a much younger boyfriend through online dating!
She writes: “I’ll be sharing the stage with the excellent actor Guy Williams and the shows run from June 13-21 at the Black Theatre Workshop Studio, in the Plateau. I hope to see you there! Let me know what show you’re coming to and I’ll make sure to find you afterwards. Happy Fringe!”