July19
Here’s an email I fired off to some people:
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Dear Elected Officials,
I saw our Prime Minister’s recent comments regarding the tension in the Mid East on the evening of July 13th and I was dismayed as to how pro-Israeli they were. I’m growing concerned how our international stances are falling away from UN positions and more towards American policies. If we continue with the “eye for an eye” or “she has a right to defend herself” then are we really doing anything different than provoking more violence in the region? If Israel is supported in its assaults on other territories then how can we assume those territories will not retaliate against Israel? Is the Canadian government hoping for an escalation or a final act to this messed up play? When will this government acknowledge the decrepit conditions that Palestinians are forced to endure? Funny thing about democracy is that the results are not always what we hope them to be. When a people choose its leaders does our Government have the right to ignore their voice? The Palestinians have thrown out the PLO because of years of corruption and broken promises. The party in power was the only viable alternative. I’m sure I’m telling you things you already know. I ask you be more balanced in your approach at this very difficult time.
-Nusraat Masood, Winnipeg
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If you’re not aware Israel is bombing the crap out of Lebanon. They’ve destroyed their airports, major roads, bridges, power stations and some telephone networks. Civilians are finding it difficult to gather food and water. Israel’s actions are in retaliation for four of their soldiers being taken hostage. So far eight Canadians have died in the region. Our Prime Minister has been quoted repeatedly as saying that Israel’s military actions have “been measured and Israel has the right to defend herself”.
Here is a BBC video link where the father of a captive soldier states his view that his son has little to do with this offensive.
Middle East can be at times a very murky dangerous place. When “civilized Western” state leaders publicly support devastating attacks on any country’s infrastructure where civilians take the brunt a new level of injustice is reached.
If you could, please email these people.
Prime Minister, Stephen Harper: pm@pm.gc.ca
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Peter MacKay: MacKay.P@parl.gc.ca
Leader of NDP, Jack Layton: Layton.J@parl.gc.ca
Leader of the Liberals, Bill Graham: Graham.B@parl.gc.ca
Leader of the Bloc, Gilles Duceppe: Duceppe.G@parl.gc.ca
Or anyone else in Parliament.
July14
So that little soar throat developed into a stuffed nose, continued soar throat, interesting coloured fluids, achy body, profuse sweating but no detectable fever and a whoozy head. I don’t know what to do with myself. I drank all the oj that I could. Had soup, apples, bagels with cream cheese, slept all I could. I read a little. I watched a little tv. I can’t do a lot of that b/c of the whoozy head situation.
So like… what now? Tap dancing? Grief. I got stuff to do yaar. I can’t just stare at the wall. Can I tag someone else to be sick for me while I get my shizz done? Proxy?
I didn’t take any meds. I don’t know what to take. If I take something will it make me less able to follow a conversation? Will it quicken my return to the normal? Or is it all the same?
July10
Sunday was the last full day. Watched the head-butting World Cup. Mohammad was supporting Italy so he was happy. I was pretty deflated. We went out for dinner at a friend’s place. The entire night our hosts were convincing us to move to Toronto. Tipu was loving it because he seems to have taken a real liking to Toronto. Went to bed at 1am Monday. Woke up at 4am Monday for flight at 6:30am. Flight got delayed then cancelled all together. Semi-stranded at and completely zombie-like in Toronto airport. Got food vouchers. Ate. Took turns sleeping. Now hoping to get on a winged electro-mechanical creature that has enough seats to accomodate us.
I’ll be home eventually. No worries. I feel as though this trip has replenished me.
July9
Thursday we tried to tie up some loose ends. We went to Gerrard and made some purchases and ate some street food. At one point we had to “call a friend” (Shaheen) to help us with some purchases (Juggy D related). We then went to Union station and had some hotdogs. Then we went to the computer parts area in town (College and Spadina) and Tipu made his purchases. During this entire Toronto trip I hardly ever felt the sensation of hunger. My output food sector was never able to get rid of the food the input sector was allowing in fast enough. It is with this unbalance that I went to a buffet for dinner at Gerrard street (called the Regency). To put it lightly I ate too much. I had trouble breathing afterwards. I think my rib cage expanded and my stomach and esophagus pushed against my airwaves making it necessary for me to tilt my head back towards the sky and breath.
Friday we went to Jummah at a place (Islamic Information and Dawah Center) on Dufferin where Shabir Ally runs the show. Then we went to the mall and made some purchases. Then I think we went back to the Computer Parts area. Regardless of what else happened that day the main feature was a “late night snack” at Richtree. Richtree is beautiful. It’s a marketplace eating experience. You choose what you would like to eat and they make it in front of you with fresh ingredients. We had some ravioli, sushi, antipasto and fresh juices. I had fresh squeezed orange juice and Tipu had fresh watermelon juice.
Saturday we went to Wonderland. It was Muslim Day there. Tipu and I went on only two rides (Tomb Raider and Top Gun), we bought some clothes and ate some food at the Muslim Bazaar and then we watched the concert. We had great seats. We watched Raihan, Aa’shiq-al-Rasul and some local Toronto group. Aa’shiq-al-Rasul made the unfortunate decision to do an entire set of Qawali (spelling?).
