Ireland rejects EU's Lisbon Treaty

To those of living here in Canada, NAFTA has more significance than the EU.

But I was in Dublin last week and the signs FOR and AGAINST the Lisbon Treaty were everywhere.

Now the NY Times announces the defeat of the treaty by Ireland. For even more thorough coverage of this important story, go straight to The Irish Times.

Talking Heads

Indian Affairs

Further to "The Apology," from yesterday's blog, please read Harvey Enchin's op-ed piece in this morning's Sun.

It is just about the clearest and most straight-forward editorial I've read in a long time on the subject of "Indian Affairs."

Enchin points out that with all the money being spent, the results are disastrous: growing poverty, bad housing, criminality, kids on welfare.

He suggest we start by tearing up the Indian Act, an idea that many of us have been insisting for over 40 years now.

He also quotes the great economist de Soto, who has argued world-wide for several years now that OWNERSHIP is everything. Thus, give natives the right and responsibility of owning their own homes on or off reserves.

Finally he quotes Clarence Louie, who is the Osoyoos Band Chief. Louie says what kids need is a job, not some feel good program.

I say, "Forget the healing. Let the going to school and going to work begin."

Little Boxes

Pete Seeger