Deconstructing Ponies

Every day has a subtext. The challenge is to deconstruct its meaning, find the messages, and understand how it will help me live more meaningfully, elegantly, effortlessly, and intentionally.

Today's horoscope focused on finding inner peace through connection. As I contemplate the nature of friendship and family, a conversation about the wild ponies of Chincoteague and Assateague comes alive. And two videos appear, almost simultaneously.

Jean-François Pignon and his horses in Avignon

Honza Bláha and his horses in Srbice

Establishing an intimate connection to other animals is unique and universal to our species, and it is highly possible that this animal connection has played a crucial role in human evolution. While it initially may have focused on developing relationships that domesticated certain animals as constructive tools to be used for hunting and later for food, the relationship between humans and animals has evolved as we have. (The Journal of Science offers a very interesting overview of this: http://bit.ly/HMnkK3).

The Institute for Human-Animal Connection (IHAC) is an internationally recognized centre for research and training. Devoted to the education, clinical training and scholarly development of social work students, IHAC’s programmes focus on the ways animals and people intersect across lifespan and context; the ways animal-supported experiences can promote human and animal well-being, and reduce human physical and mental health problems; and to encouraging and empowering people to gain understanding of the interrelationships among themselves, their families, and their communities, including the natural environment and its non-human inhabitants.

Studies show it, and people know it. The human-animal bond is integral to a person’s well-being. If it is positive, it is nurturing, healing, forgiving and compassionate. Relationships with animals are unconditional. They are constantly forged and re-forged in the present. Both Jean-Francois Pignon and Honza Blaha kn ow this, and they have devoted their lives to marrying natural horsemanship with equestrianism to promote a clearer understanding of the horse, and to share the incredible connection and spirit of cooperation absolute trust in another being can achieve. 

I am remembering a recent thought about the importance of being "seen". The nature of these videos, the cooperation, is the result of the absolute respect these horses and these men have for each other, reflects my thoughts on how we become whole when we are seen and accepted as the incredibly wonderful, fallible people we are.

Today, then, willl focus around this lovely thought, "You are beautiful - not for the shape of the vessel, but for the volume of the soul that it carries."And of course, horses :)

Peace.

Happy Toewsday

Today is Toewsday. Have you sent your letter to the Honourable Mr. Toews protesting Bill C-30?

While I fight the urge to make mockery of the Ministry of Public Safety, and am refraining from alluding to the fact their offices may in fact be next to the Ministry of Silly Walks, today is a great day to let the Right Hon. know that we're not going to take it. And he can twist that, sister!

I have :)

Honourable Vic Toews

House of Commons

Ottawa, Ontario

K1A 0A6

Tel: 613-992-3128

Fax: 613-995-1049

vic.toews@parl.gc.ca

cc: Opposition Party Leaders

Dear Mr. Toews,

I am writing to you to express my concern that Bill C-30 does not strike an appropriate balance between respecting my privacy rights as a Canadian and providing law enforcement agencies with the tools they need to fulfill their mandates.

I am not necessarily opposed to legislation that modernizes police powers online - but it must also protect the public, respect fundamental privacy principles established in Canadian law and be subject to proper oversight. In my judgement Bill C-30 would result in unacceptable invasions of privacy and an irrevocable erosion of the freedoms we enjoy as Canadian citizens.

I am heartened to hear the Government is open to amendments to Bill C-30. However, given there have been many successful investigations of child exploitation and child endangerment under existing legislation, it is not clear why Bill C-30 is required [1]. As such my first preference is for Bill C-30 to be withdrawn. Failing that I would like to propose the following suggestions and improvements to Bill C-30.

Short name

The short name for Bill C-30 should be changed to more accurately reflect its impact.

Warrant

One of the drivers behind the bill seems to be the issue of law enforcement having access to warrants in a timely manner. I suggest this is an issue of procedure, rather than an issue of law. Perhaps a fast-track approach for subscriber information warrants could be created. Warrants of this type could have a lower "for cause" threshold and be issued more quickly while retaining judicial oversight, a degree of probably cause, and mandatory reporting requirements.

Risk of privacy breach

Requiring Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to constantly collect data on subscribers (location, name, address, email, telephone and "IP" address) regardless of whether or not an investigation is taking place puts the privacy of every Canadian Internet user at risk. 

Given that mobile phones are in constant movement and IP addresses are changed throughout the day as subscribers connect and disconnect from the Internet, ISPs will be required to store vast amounts of information, all day, every day.

The mere existence of this data spread out amongst all ISPs, each with varying degrees of protections (errors will be made at this scale of collection), places the privacy of every Canadian at risk. I submit that the risk to Canadian privacy is too high. I agree with Ontario Information and Privacy Commissioner Ann Cavoukian when she stated: "This is going to be like the Fort Knox of information that the hackers and the real bad guys will want to go after. This is going to be a gold mine." [2]

Cost of interception infrastructure

This bill will impose high costs on smaller ISPs and threaten Canadian broadband competition, which is already minimal. Larger firms like Rogers, Bell and Telus will be able to implement the regulations and pass costs onto the consumer. The incremental costs to smaller providers will be much higher and lower their competitiveness, possibly to the point of ending their viability.

The requirement that telecommunications companies reconfigure their networks to guarantee real-time monitoring should be removed.

Oversight

In light of the positive track record Privacy Commissioners have with the Canadian people, oversight of implementation of this bill be rested with the Federal Privacy Commissioner, with input from Provincial Privacy Commissioners.

Overly broad powers of inspection

Section 34 of the act empowers anyone deemed an Inspector by the Minister to copy subscriber data from an ISP at any time, outside of any warrant or emergency situation, and not even for the purpose of a criminal investigation. This is an overly broad power.

I am not an expert in every issue that I have raised with you today. In fact, this letter is the product of a collaboration among many Canadians, each of whom are concerned enough about the impacts of Bill C-30 to engage with you and offer constructive input.

It is my hope, our hope, that you will complete a full consultation with your fellow Members of Parliament, civil society stakeholders and regular Canadians so that in the end Bill C-30 will enable judges to continue to protect our privacy rights while providing law enforcement agencies with the tools they must have to fulfil their mandate.

Sincerely,

 [1]  Cops charge 60 in Ontario child-porn bust

http://www.canada.com/news/Cops+charge+Ontario+child+porn+bust/6089896/story.html

[2] Online surveillance bill 'a gold mine' for hackers: Ontario privacy commissioner

http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/02/14/bill-c-30-protecting-children-from-internet-predators-act

All that barking! What does it mean?

Every now and then, my GSD Lady will bark. Not a "dammit what was that for, Joy" kind of bark (always the result of aggressive behaviour on Joy's part, which takes Lady by surprise. Really, Joy can be such a bitch!). Or the RaRaRa "we're going for a walk" bark. But just a bark. At nothing. For no reason.

It makes me wonder what goes on inside that crazy doggle head of hers, and I have boiled it down to the following:

1. The continuous rapid barking is all guard dog. It means: “Call the pack! Danger Danger. The perimeter may be breached!" This can be followed by the raising of hackels and/or a slower,lower pitched growl or bark, meaning "the perimeter has been breached. Prepare to defend" or a higher, insane bark of frustration "the mail carrier has arrived. Dammit! the door is in the way. Why do I not have opposable thumbs! Aaarrghh!."

2. Three or four barks in rapid succession, followed by a break, then another staccato outburst usually indicates there is a level of discomfort or distrust with a situation: "There may be a problem. I am not sure of this situation." Lady does this incessantly in the car, and it can be quite melodic if you just let go, relax and let the noise of it all surround you - Ruh Ruh RuhRuhRuh. Repeat. I'm thinking of turning it into some kind of a GSD rap. Stay tuned!

3. Prolonged or incessant barking, with a break between each woof, usually indicates some displeasure. This is the bark I've noticed the neighbours complain most about, and it means “Hey, where are you? Is there anybody here? Pay attention to me.” In our house, this bark is usually done while perched over the back of the couch, staring out the window. It can occasionally and without warning escalate into continuous rapid barking (see #1) if another dog has the temerity to pass by the fence.

4. One or two sharp short barks usually means “Hello there!”  I've noticed many bigger dogs eschew this type of behaviour, leaving it to their small, toy and miniature counterparts. Some, like Joy, prefer to do this with the support of some kind of prop (a shoe carelessly left around, socks, or a stuffed toy are prefered) for a more muffled, smiley effect. I believe she feels it makes her more endearing.

5. A single sharp bark or yelp can mean "Stop that!", "WTF?" or "Emergency! Emergency! Must go.Out. NOW!"  If this escalates into a series of yelps or whimpers, it is an indicator of real pain or fear, and should be handled immediately, gently and appropriately. If it stops suddenly (particularly in the middle of the night), it means "oh, ok, no worries. I did it on the floor".

6. The gruff stuttering bark, usually accompanied by a "head and front down, the back end tail up" posture, is the universal dog language for "Come on! Let's play!" and can be followed by an excited or demanding bark, a play bark, meaning "this is fun" or "hurry up and throw it again!" Incidentally, this excited barking can be just as annoying and poorly received as the loney bark (see #3).

There are other barks that seem to be more individual to the dog. Joy has a low growly rolling bark that starts in the back of her throat when you ask her to speak. I'm convinced she is trying to mimic actual words when doing this.  Lady makes a "face-rub howl" like a wookie when her face is rubbed that tells me "oooo. That's the spot!" And of course, there is the emergency services vehicle howl.

Dogs are animals capable of communicating a wealth of meaning with few words. Barking is not only effective and efficient, it translates across barriers. And, under certain circumstances, can produce almost immediate results! Listen to what your dog is telling you - you'll enjoy each other's company and spirit that much more.

Archives of the Planet - Albert Kahn

In 1909 the millionaire French banker, idealist and philanthropist Albert Kahn embarked on an humanitarian project to reconcile the people of the world through communication. His vision - to use the new autochrome process patented by the Lumiere brothers in 1903 to create a colour photographic record of, and for, the peoples of the world to promote a cross-cultural understanding and foster peace.

"Life. We must seize it wherever it is, abroad, in the street, everywhere."  (Albert Kahn 1860 - 1940)

Kahn realized that photography and cinema were ideal mediums for documenting mankind's heritage. Under the aegis "Archives of the Planet", he sent photographers to more than 50 countries to create a "photographic inventory" of the planet. His goal was to commit to memory the different aspects of human activity, customs and practices, which he recognized were on the verge of collapse. Kahn's timing was often impeccable, and the "Archives" capture, among other things, the struggle many countries faced as traditional culture was confronted by the effects of war and globalization.

The "Archives of the Planet" include some 183,000 metres of film, 4000 stereoscopic plaques and 7200 autochromes.