Why do I blog?

So I blogged mainly to show that if you try to get your voice and your opinion herd it will surprise you what effect it will have. I know Kempton Lam was surprised when I decided to drive down to Calgary on a whim. I know I was surprised when it was suggest that I create a Edmonton Chapter for Fair Copyright for Canada.

Every action that people take does not exist in a void; it can inspire, it can motivate, it can change the world. I think that is what Margaret Mead is getting at with the following quote that Kempton Lam often uses.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”

Jim Prentice - 2008 Stampede Breakfast

So, it came to pass on Saturday, July 5, 2008 I would drive down to Calgary yet again to attempt to meet Jim Prentice during his stamped breakfast(1,2). I did that after a cup of coffee of course.

I noticed those who went to the last rally came to this rally more prepared. There were more signs, more hand outs, more CDs, more t-shirts, and more people. Kempton Lam once again organized it.

This marks the first time I ever met a plain clothes officer. He was friendly enough though.

It took me and my friends working as a cohesive team to position our selves in such a way that Jim Prentice had no choice but to accept the letter we worked on for him. Pam, Jim Prentice's handler, was scarily efficient at blocking all those who wished to speak with him.

To this date I have yet to ever hear of any kind of response to Bill C-61 from Jim Prentice that Canadians deserve. I never used to care about politics and I came out of the stamped breakfast still a activist quietly longing for my political apathy.

Ah Jim Prentice.. Why didn't you consult in the first place? Then we wouldn't be in this mess and I could go back to watching T.V.

So it begins part 2

Kempton Lam has said if he did not organize the December 8, 2007 rally someone else would have. I honestly don't think anyone else would have. If there is one thing I have learned is that it that it takes everyone to keep the ball rolling from Michael Geist to the letter writer. Without people being involved in what ever way they can there would be no forward movement. The cause would be lost.

So, I created the Edmonton Chapter because no one else did. I had no plans on what to do with it. I just polished the introduction and slapped a purdy photo on it.

Before I even began to think about what to do with the group Michael Edwards showed up and organized a rally for Laurie Hawn's Town Hall.

"Oh", I thought. "That is what I am supposed to be doing with this group."

So it begins

I never used to care about politics. But Jim Prentice managed to do what no other politician was able to do. Turn me into a political activist.

On Saturday, December 8, 2007 I drove down to Calgary for a rally(1,2) being held at Jim Prentice Constituency Office to protest bill C-61. I really did not think much of it. I had the time and the gas for the drive down so why not go?

Bill C-61 got delayed for a time and I figure my job was done. I was now able to respond to those people who constantly complain about politics and smugly reply "why don't you do something about it?"

That was enough for me. I figured I would leave the rest of politics to more capable hands then mine. I did my part.

Then those more capable hands came to me and suggested I created a local Edmonton chapter for Fair Copyright for Canada.

Apparently I was not even close to doing my part.