Oh Ommm
The expansion of Shell Canada’s Jackpine oilsands project will destroy 8,500 hectares of wetland and have an irreversible impact, says Canada’s environment minister.
But she’s not too concerned. In fact, Ottawa thinks the project is in the public’s interest.
And how will the public be compensated for this loss of 8,500 hectares of irreplaceable wetlands?
Shell Canada is buying us 730 hectares of … former cattle pasture. And you know what we’re gonna find there.
If you can stomach it, more here.
Japan just passed a new Special Secrets Bill.
The rules?
More here: http://tinyurl.com/n8bty93
Coincidentally (??), this – “Highest Radiation Level Ever, Lethal In 20 Minutes, Recorded Outside Fukushima Reactor”
More here: http://tinyurl.com/kSeejno2xs
*Thanks to Tyler Durden of ZeroHedge for the heads-up: http://tinyurl.com/kjvehvgfor
The PISA evaluation of global education systems was just released.
The testing assessed the competencies of 15-year-olds in reading,
mathematics and science (with a focus on mathematics).
The results?
Asian countries took the top 7 places. (Canada was 13th out of 65, down 3 spots since 2009. The US ranked 26th.)
See the rankings here
Try some of the questions here:
http://www.cbc.ca/day6/blog/2013/12/05/amanda-ripley/
Read more here:
http://www.oecd.org/pisa/keyfindings/pisa-2012-results.htm
What kind of things do humans get up to when they don’t spend all their time watching reality TV?
https://www.youtube.com/embed/hUj65M4T1cg
Mark Grist shares his great attraction to a girl who reads. (I just happened to notice that one of the ‘related videos’ on the very same Youtube page was “Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2013”. And which video do you think has the most views? Might be closer than you’d think.)
Kids giving themselves a time-out … using exercise and breathing techniques to calm their minds when they sense they’ve become hyper … putting themselves to bed early in order to be well-rested at school the next day … what an inspirational approach. Kudos to all involved. This is the kind of thing that can change the world.
Listen to Karin Wells documentary on CBC radio’s The Sunday Edition here: http://www.cbc.ca/thesundayedition/documentaries/2013/12/01/draft-documentary-how-is-your-engine-running/
A wonderful documentary, FIRST POSITION follows six exceptional young ballet dancers as they prepare to perform at an event that can open the door to a professional career.
Bruised and bloodied feet, near exhaustion, debilitating injuries, plus the regular challenges of adolescence, all at the same time. An awe-inspiring portrait of “the most gifted ballet stars of tomorrow.”
See more here: http://www.balletdocumentary.com/trailer/
Human ‘evolution’ continues at a rapid pace. But which direction? Black Friday 2013: Brawls, Trampling, Shootings
One of America’s greatest philosophers – comedian George Carlin: “The only true American value that is left – Buying Things.”
Just in time for Black Friday madness.
And a related classic: George Carlin Talks About “Stuff”
From a palliative care nurse who spent the last 3-12 weeks of her patients lives: “When questioned about any regrets they had or anything they would do differently, common themes surfaced again and again.”
What were the most common five?
1. I wish I’d had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.
2. I wish I didn’t work so hard.
3. I wish I’d had the courage to express my feelings.
4. I wish I had stayed in touch with my friends.
5. I wish that I had let myself be happier.
How ’bout you? Any regrets?
Read more here:
http://worldobserveronline.com/2013/11/17/nurse-reveals-top-5-regrets-people-make-deathbed/