|
Government shutdowns, you say?
If you happen to be in Ottawa when Parliament is sitting, and would like a seat in the public gallery to observe proceedings, here are the steps you can take:
1. Send a request email to your MP's office, noting the proceeding you would like to attend (last-minute messages can work too; they all have administrative staff working Eastern Time),
2. Await approval, and
3. Show up, collect your tickets, stand in a few lines, and take your seat.
That is how one of my colleagues got us into Question Period, right after the PM had returned from the U.S. in early October. An entertaining but ultimately inconsequential exchange between parties followed, as everyone chased soundbites over substance. The nadir of our democracy in paralytic flow. Still leagues better than what is happening down South, I guess.
In case you were not aware, our government is tabling its first budget next week. A budget that will need the support of opposition members in order to pass. If a consensus is not found, Canada may be headed for another federal election. Not a likely outcome, but not far afoot either. Better than shutting down the entire government, threatening livelihoods, and then some.
Speaking of the U.S. shutdown - those that used to follow my Weekly Picks posts will be aware of the media scans I regularly undertake in search of critical and insightful commentaries on current affairs. Of all the websites I cycle through, many with longform content, there is always one idiosyncratic permanent fixture: the Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD). A consistent source of bite-sized awe, humility, and knowledge.
The site is maintained by NASA with the assistance of professional astronomers who volunteer their time to curate the images and write the brief summaries. It ceased updates as of October 1 due to the shutdown (as the post on that date signals). I cannot recall if APOD had previous instances of similar interruptions. Perhaps it did during the last shutdown in 2019, with the authors choosing to retroactively fill in the missing days. Regardless, I am noticing it for the first time now. It seems like something quite fundamental is missing from my daily routine.
Pictures of the faraway past, surreal in nature and seemingly unimportant when compared to our daily troubles. But indicative of a profound reality that our provincial habits have obscured.
- / - / -
As far as the blog goes, no comments from me from October. Very little sitting and focusing was possible as I was between three cities on a ping-pong schedule throughout the month.
Fortunately, November is quieter. Let's see what reflections the travel drum up in the coming weeks.
À la prochaine,
Pratyush |
