Oil (Enough Said)

Who's To Blame For Gulf Oil Spill?

By Alex Sangha - The Gulf oil spill is a wake up call for all of us.

The public is quick to point blame at British Petroleum. BP is partly to blame but so are we. It is our demand for oil that drives oil tankers into harbour cities. BP is responding to our thirst for oil.

If we want to protect our waters and marine life we need to turn to alternative energy sources. Solar, wind, and water based energy needs to be developed and put into mass usage.

The technology is out there but the market is failing to respond to the needs of our eco-system. If oil companies can continue to make a profit through the use of oil why would they turn to cleaner burning fuels?

The oil basically has to run out or the planet has to turn black for any transformative change in consumption and production to happen.

This is where the government needs to play an active role and create incentives for the energy sector to produce clean, safe, and toxic-free alternatives.

The fact is an oil tanker is a floating disaster waiting to happen!

The pollution and toxins that come from oil use is threatening our existence.

Millions of birds and marine life are put at risk with oil spills. The oil covers the bodies of these creatures. This affects their temperature levels. Some creatures die of hypothermia. Others ingest the oil and this does potentially fatal damage to their vital internal organs.

We must remember we are all connected.

As one part of the food chain starts to fall apart; it leads to the deterioration of another.

Oil spills reduce how much sunlight can reach the ocean waters. This limits photosynthesis and other essential life giving processes which depend on sunlight.

Coastal communities depend on the oceans for fish and seafood. Our fish is now filled with mercury and toxins.

There is only so much that nature can do to clean up our environment if we keep on polluting it.

So how can we live more in harmony with nature?

The corporate world can start by thinking longer term about the impact of their decisions. It would be great if the fiscal year was based on a three year cycle instead of a one year.

Companies can be encouraged to invest in the research and development of alternate energy sources.

Maybe we can turn our trash into energy.

Oil tankers can be banned from entering major harbours and sensitive coastal habitats.

Citizens can demand that their governments legislate and enforce stringent environmental protection rules and regulations.

Our dependence on non-renewable resources has to end.

We cannot sustain our lifestyle the way it is. The rest of the world is becoming more developed and is demanding more of the Earth’s limited resources.

It is essential that we come up with more sustainable solutions.

It is worthwhile to protect our planet so we are healthy and our future generations inherit an eco-system that is as pristine as possible and secure.

Alex Sangha, BSW (UBC), MSc (London School of Economics)
Registered Social Worker
The Enlightened Society Blog

Kathleen Higgins at Scottsdale Mall

It's the last weekend before the election and I'll be in Scottsdale Mall all day tomorrow (September 11)at a publicity table, at the exit to Save-On-Foods. I'll be available to meet people and discuss any issues that are important to people in Delta. If you know anyone in Delta who might be interested in speaking with me, please let them know about tomorrow.

I've attached my election brochure for your information as well.

Thanks so much.

Kathleen E Higgins
Candidate for Delta Council

DVD Releases Tuesday September 9, 2010

This Week's Top Pick:
Solitary ManThe dryly funny story of Ben Kalmen (Michael Douglas), a fifty-something New Yorker and former successful car dealer, who through his own bad choices lost his entire business. He's also divorced from Nancy (Susan Sarandon), his college sweetheart and the one person who knows him better than anyone. Although he still finds the time for his daughter Susan (Jenna Fischer) and her adoring grandson, his role as more of a friend than father or grandfather is starting to wear thin on the family. His girlfriend Jordan (Mary-Louise Parker) is the daughter of a very influential businessman who's on the board of a major auto manufacturer. If Ben can just keep his hubris in check for a little while longer, he will be back as big as ever, but some of the same motivations that lead to his demise are threatening to take him down again, and for good. Vitals: Director: Brian Koppelman, David Levien. Stars: Michael Douglas, Mary-Louise Parker, Jenna Fishe, Jesse Eisenberg, Imogen Poots, Susan Sarandon, Danny DeVito. 2010, CC, MPAA rating: R, 90 min., Comedy-Drama, Box office gross: $.871 million, Anchor Bay Entertainment



THIS WEEK'S DVD RELEASES:

American Cowslip (2009) Ronnie Gene Blevin, Rip Torn, Val Kilmer, Peter Falk, Diane Ladd, Cloris Leachman, Lin Shaye, Hanna Hall. Black comedy about an eccentric living in his childhood home in the California desert community of Blythe who decides to grow the perfect American Cowslip, a stunning, rare flower that will be the centerpiece of his garden and a floral representation of his life -- and maybe even win $10,000.00 in a gardening contest -- to fend off the foreclosure of his house. An exorcism and surrogate moms are thrown in for good measure. (E1 Entertainment).

Bugs Bunny's Howl-Oween Special (1978) Feature-length TV special, first time on DVD, $14.97. (Warner).

Camp Rock 2 The Final Jam: Extended Edition (2010) Demi Lovato, Jonas Brothers, Maria Canals-Barrera, Meaghan Martin, Alyson Stoner, Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, Jasmine Richards, Daniel Fathers, Roshon Fegan, Jordan "J" Francis. Disney Channel original movie. Available as a standard DVD and Blu-ray Combo Pack. Extras: "Rock-Along" interactive featurette. Blu-ray adds "Getting to Know Camp Rock's Newest Stars," music videos from Camp Rockers around the world. (Disney).

Caravaggio (2007) Alessio Boni. The tumultuous and adventurous life of controversial 17th century Italian master painter Michelangelo Merisi di Caravaggio. (E1 Entertainment).

Chuck: The Complete Third Season (2010) Five-disc set with 19 episodes, $59.98. Extras: "Chuck-Fu ... and Dim Sum: Becoming a Spy Guy," "The Jeffster Revolution: The Definitive Mockumentary," "Declassified Scenes," gag reel. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Warner).

Criminal Minds: Fifth Season (2009-10) Six-disc set with 23 episodes, $55.98. (Paramount).

Doctor Who: The Creature From the Pit Three more digitally remastered Doctor Who classics: "The Creature From the Pit," "The King's Demons" and "Planet of Fire," $24.98. (Warner).

George Lopez: America's Mexican and Tall, Dark & Chicano (2009) Two-pack of live performances: "America's Mexican," solo debut performed live in front of a packed house at the Dodge Theater in Phoenix, Arizona; and "Tall, Dark & Chicano," at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. $24.98. (HBO Video).

Goosebumps: The Blob That Ate Everyone (2010) Three tales of horror based on author R.L. Stine's best-selling Goosebumps books series: "The Blob That Ate Everyone," "My Hairiest Adventure" and "Piano Lessons Can Be Murder," $14.98. (Fox).

Goosebumps: Go Eat Worms! (2010) Three tales of horror based on author R.L. Stine's best-selling Goosebumps books series: "Go Eat Worms!" "Bad Hare Day" and "Revenge of the Lawn Gnomes," $14.98. (Fox).

John Rabe (2009) Ulrich Tuku, Daniel Bruhl, Steve Buscemi. A true-story account of a German businessman who saved more than 200,000 Chinese during the Nanjing massacre in 1937-38. (Strand Releasing).

Killers (2010) Ashton Kutcher, Katherine Heigl, Tom Selleck, Catherine O'Hara, Katheryn Winnick, Kevin Sussman,Lisa Ann Walter, Casey Wilson. Extras: Featurette: "Killer Chemistry: Behind the Scenes With the Cast of Killers," gag reel, deleted and alternate/extended scenes. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Lionsgate).

Laughology (2010) It's millions of years old. Plato hated it, the Bible discouraged it, scientists avoided it and Victorians thought it could drive you insane. It is also highly contagious and spread by humans. Symptoms, that can affect anyone of any age, may include shortness of breath and gasping for air: laughter. This documentary takes a look at why we laugh and explores the new scientific evidence supporting the health benefits of laughter. $19.98. (The Disinformation Co.)

The Loss of a Teardrop Diamond (2008) Bryce Dallas Howard, Chris Evans, Will Patton, Ann-Margret, Ellen Burstyn. Set in the Roaring Twenties in a town in Memphis, a young rebellious heiress, Fisher Willow (Bryce Dallas Howard), defies the strict protocol of Southern society when she hires the caretaker's son, Jimmy Dobyne (Chris Evans), to escort her to the major event of the season. When she falls for him, their budding relationship is threatened when a priceless diamond goes missing. Based on Tennessee Williams play. (Screen Media).

MacGruber (2010) Will Forte, Kristen Wiig, Val Kilmer, Ryan Phillippe, Maya Rudolph, Powers Boothe. Extras: Commentary by director/co-writer Jorma Taccone, co-writer/star Will Forte and co-writer John Solomon; deleted scenes; gag reel. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Universal).

The Norm Show: The Complete Series (1999-2001) Eight-disc set with all 54 episodes, $59.97. Commentary by co-creators Norm Macdonald and executive producer Bruce Helford, booklet and liner notes written by Helford and Macdonald. (Shout! Factory).

The Office Season Six (2009-10) Five-disc set with 26 episodes, $59.98. Extras: "Podcast" minisode; "Welcome to Sabre" full-screen version of the corporate welcome video starring Kathy Bates and Christian Slater; commentary; deleted scenes; two extended episodes; blooper reel; "The Office Promo: Dwight's Tribute to Canada." Also available on Blu-ray Disc, which adds BD-LIVE access to five Season 7 episodes, available on TV via the Internet in HD the day following broadcast. (Universal).

The Phantom (2010) Ryan Carnes, Sandrine Holt, Jean Marchand, Cameron Goodman, Isabella Rossellini, Ron Lea. SyFy Channel miniseries. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Vivendi Entertainment).

Prime Suspect: The Complete Collection. Nine-disc set with all nine feature-length mysteries, $124.99. Extras: "Prime Suspect" behind-the-scenes special, Series 6 behind-the-scenes featurette, photo gallery, cast filmographies. (Acorn Media).

The Prophet's Game (1999) Dennis Hopper, Joe Penny, Stephanie Zimbalist. (Echo Bridge Home Entertainment).

Road Ends (1997) Dennis Hopper, Peter Coyote, Chris Sarandon. (Echo Bridge Home Entertainment).

Smallville: The Complete Ninth Season (2009-10) Six-disc set with 21 episodes, $59.98. Extras: "Kneel Before Zod" featurette, "Justice for All" featurette, cast/creator commentaries on episodes "Idol" and "Kandor," unaired scenes. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Warner).

Solitary Man (2010) Michael Douglas, Mary-Louise Parker, Jenna Fishe, Jesse Eisenberg, Imogen Poots, Susan Sarandon, Danny DeVito. Extras: Commentary by writer-director Brian Koppelman, director David Levien and Douglas McGrath; "Solitary Man: Alone in a Crowd" behind-the-scenes featurette. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Anchor Bay Entertainment).

Supernatural: The Complete Fifth Season (2009-10) Six-disc set with 22 episodes, $59.98. Extras: "Supernatural: Apocalypse Survival Guides," "Ghostfacers: The Web Series," commentary on Episode 4, "The End," unaired scene from Episode 9, "The Real Ghostbusters," gag reel. Also available on Blu-ray Disc. (Warner).

thirtysomething: The Complete Final Season (1990-91) Six-disc set with 23 episodes, mastered from new high-definition transfers, $59.97. Extras: Introductions from show creators Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick, more. (Shout! Factory).

TCM Greatest Classic Films. Here's another wave of three releases in the TCM Greatest Classic Films Collection, a collaboration between Turner Classic Movies and Warner Home Video to present low-priced collections of some of the greatest films of all to serve both serious film buffs and a new generation of movie lovers. Each four-disc set sells for $27.92. (Warner).

• TCM Greatest Classic Films: Gangsters: "High Sierra" (1941), "Little Caesar" (1930), "The Public Enemy" (1931) and "White Heat" (1949).
• TCM Greatest Classic Films: Hammer Horror: "Horror of Dracula" (1958), "Dracula Has Risen From the Grave" (1969), "The Curse of Frankenstein" (1957) and "Frankenstein Must Be Destroyed! (1970)."
• TCM Greatest Classic Films: Greatest Gangsters Prohibition Era: "The Public Enemy" (1931), "The Roaring Twenties" (1939), "Little Caesar" (1931), "Smart Money" (1931).

Wall Street: Insider Trading Edition (1987) Dir.: Oliver Stone; Michael Douglas, Charlie Sheen, Daryl Hannah (Kill Bill), Martin Sheen, James Spader, Terence Stamp. Two-disc set timed for the theatrical release of Stone's sequel, "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps." Extras: Wall Street Fact Exchange Scrolling Trivia Track, "Fox Movie Channel Presents Fox Legacy With Tom Rothman," "Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps" sneak peek. (Fox).

Woodshop (2010) Jesse Ventura, Mitch Pileggi, Scott Cooper Ryan. When high school valedictorian Chris Johnson's plans for an Ivy League future are suddenly derailed by an unfortunate chem lab explosion, to make amends he must attend - and survive - Saturday detention under the watchful eye of the woodshop teacher (Jesse Ventura), an ex-Army Ranger who's more than a little rough around the edges. (42 Productions).

Winner Declared - Delta Free Press Candidate Challenge

Since announcing the candidate challenge, two question gets asked all the time. "Why are you doing this challenge?", and "Isn't endorsing a single candidate biased?"

The answer to the first question is easy. By-elections rarely inspire people to get out and vote. When you add to that, the general malaise of having an election cycle which spans the summer months, you get even less participation. The Delta Free Press Candidate Challenge was our attempt to inject some excitement into this less than exciting by-election and get the public more involved with the candidates.

As an inducement for candidate participation the winner will receive the following:

1. Editorial endorsement by the Delta Free Press
2. Free advertising on the Delta Free Press (for the duration of the election cycle and pursuant to election advertising rules.)
3. Prime lawn sign location on private land (which, as it turns out is in very short supply with the way signs are being knocked down on public land)
4. A campaign donation of $200
5. And (most importantly) my vote.

The second question regarding bias is even easier to answer, "Yes, it is absolutely biased." That's really the point of an editorial endorsement and I make no bones about it. I have chosen one candidate above all the others for reasons that affect me and the people I care for. I looked for personality, integrity, and trustworthiness as key factors and then I carefully analyzed each candidate. Who in the community was supporting them? What was there platform? Where did they publicly stand on the issues? I took all my research and distilled it down to what really mattered. Then I chose the absolute best person to represent Delta until the next general municipal election.

Initially the challenge was issued in the form of a questionnaire. What came as a shock was the resistance by the candidates as a whole to actually fill in a very generic online form. I took into account that many of the candidates may not be tech savvy and gave them low tech options as well, but to no avail. I'm not going to try and augur the reasons why some candidates chose to ignore the questionnaire. I can only guess that they either:

a) felt that the readers of Delta Free Press, which measures in the thousands since the by-election, wasn't their target audience, or
b) they didn't want their answers out in public fora to be picked apart and debated.

An act of cowardice? Maybe. But lets be honest with ourselves. Perhaps we expect too much of the people that would contend for the public's trust?

Fortunately, the field managed to cull itself, as it usually does. With only Kathleen E. Higgins and Sylvia Bishop choosing to answer the questions facing our community, this should have made my decision easier, but I will say without hesitation that both Higgins and Bishop are model candidates. I believe their ethics and integrity are above reproach and we would be so lucky to have four more candidates of their caliber in next year's election.

I don't want to go into too much detail about how I chose the winner as I intend to write an analysis of each candidate in future columns (consider yourselves warned). After weighing my choices, I have decided to endorse the candidate that I feel can bring the strongest voice to the council chamber, someone who will stand up for all of Delta's citizens, a shining beacon of righteousness to correct the faltering moral compass of our current mayor and council, a political warrior who wont sell the future of our children off to greenfield developers offering magic beans. It is for this reason that I am pleased to endorse...

Sylvia Bishop

Winners of the Best Green Photos Contest of Summer 2010 Announced!

Alouette River at Dusk by Kyle Falconer

Delta, BC – Greener Steps Sustainable Living is proud to announce the winners of its first annual Greener Steps Photo Contest held throughout British Columbia.

This year’s theme was the ‘Best Green Photo of Summer 2010’ and the first prize was claimed by Kyle W. Falconer of Pitt Meadows, B.C. Kyle submitted a beautiful photo of Alouette River at dusk.

The Greener Steps Photo Contest is the idea of Greener Steps founder and Delta resident Alex Sangha. The contest aims to generate greater public interest about the environment, sustainability and greener living, through a series of thematic photo contests.

The contest generated a lot of public interest and drew in over 43 quality photo entries from locations as far as Harrison Hot Springs, Duncan, Nanoose Bay, Buntzen Lake, and throughout the Lower Mainland.

The 2010 Summer Contest was sponsored by local companies Metropolitan Aromatherapy and Kiss My Flash Photography, both well known eco supporters.

A panel of judges were selected from the Greener Steps Team to shortlist finalists who included website developer, Evanson Bess, of Webbchief Internet Solutions.

Catherine McLaren of Kiss My Flash Photography was brought onboard to help with the final decision making.

“We are very excited about the response and the support from the community in our inaugural contest. We hope next year the contest will be even bigger and better. And of course a special thanks goes out to our sponsors Metropolitan Aromatherapy and Kiss My Flash Photography whose support was invaluable, and to all those who participated”, says Alex Sangha.

Dragonfly on Blackberries by Mia Paisley

Mia Paisley of Maple Ridge captured second place with her photo of a dragonfly resting on a blackberry bush.

Ryan Rose of Surrey captured third place with his photo of Hyland Park in Newton. Ryan Rose was also the recipient of a $400.00 photo shoot or photo workshop from Kiss My Flash Photography. This prize was randomly drawn from all the entrants in our first ever Greener Steps Photo Contest.

Hyland Park by Ryan Rose

Says Ryan, “I'm 17 years old, who just graduated high school and took media arts in grades 11-12. I'm hoping to get into Emily Carr University of Art and Design to get my BFA and major in photography. All my photography skills where self-taught ...Nature/environmental photography is important as it can really show how beautiful the Earth really is, and in contrast it can also show how ugly our Earth is. It always keeps our eyes open though ...”

The winners all received a Greener Steps Certificate; cash prizes of $200, $100 and $50 respectively; the chance for their photos to be displayed on the Greener Steps website; and $100 gift certificates from Metropolitan Aromatherapy. Each winner also received Greener Step’s latest offering: Greener Steps Biodegradable Ballpoint Pens made from 99% organic materials.

Greener Steps is already preparing for next year’s contest in Fall 2011, which will run from September to November of the same year.

For media and company sponsorship opportunities contact Alex Sangha at info@greenersteps.com or visit their site at www.greenersteps.com

South Fraser Perimeter Road to destroy Fraser River Environmental Reserves

Dear Editor,

RE: Artificial Reef Project Runs aground (Article in Vancouver Sun Aug. 28, 2010)

It surprises me that Environmental Stewardship Manager Jennifer McGuire would prevent the sinking of an artificial reef in Halkett bay, since it would bring life to an otherwise barren and muddy area and would boost its biodiversity. Someone very powerful must own property in Halkett Bay to be able to convince the Ministry of the Environment to stop a project that would enhance the amount and types of species in the area with a project that has been a year and a half in the making at a cost of nearly half a million dollars. I suspect that they don’t want divers and other boaters to be using their bay and would like to keep it for their own personal use.

Ms. McGuire was of no help when we asked her to protect the Norum Place Park Environmental Reserve that is not only home to many species at risk but is made up of plant and animal species that are said to be the last of their kind in the Province. This small park on the banks of the Fraser River in North Delta will be totally wiped out by the construction of the South Fraser Perimeter Road, along with a critical section of nearby Collings Way Ravine Environmental Park Reserve, separating it from the Fraser River and the wildlife corridor that connects it to other important green spaces.

These two parks are part of a 2 1/2 km. long wildlife corridor that connect six other environmentally sensitive ravine parks with Burns Bog, the Fraser Heights Wetlands, Surrey Bend Regional Park and the upper Fraser River, an essential wildlife corridor that would be replaced with a highway.

Despite the fact that these reserves are Red- and Blue-listed habitat, home to threatened and endangered species, and are made up of habitat that are some of the last of its kind in the province, we were told there was no protection. Well now it seams there is a protection rule, and both of these parks qualify.

The Artificial Reef Society will no doubt find another location to sink their Warship to improve some other area of Howe sound, but we could never replace the loss of habitat nor the species at risk that would be lost by the construction of the South Fraser Perimeter Road through this section.

The Mission statement of the Ministry of the Environment, Environmental Stewardship Division is to “maintain and restore the natural diversity of provincial ecosystems and fish and wildlife species and their habitat” So what about it Ms. McGuire?



Don Hunt

Sunbury Neighbourhood Association

Delta BC

Sustainable Immigration

Is There a Right Mix?

By Alex Sangha - An effective immigration policy can lead to a renaissance of ideas, initiative, and investment throughout Canada.

The five pillars of an effective immigration policy can include strategies to fill labour shortages; attract investor immigrants; reunite children and families; provide humanitarian relief for people escaping persecution; and help populate and develop socially and economically depressed areas.

My principle of “sustainable immigration” basically means that Canada should aim for the right mix of the above five pillars to maximize the net benefit to the country while taking into consideration the needs of the global immigrant community.

The recent boatload of Tamil refugees leaves Canada in a delicate situation. The Canadian government needs to apply its immigration policy equally and fairly for all refugees without damaging its international reputation as a caring and compassionate nation.

The tone coming from the Harper government is playing on racist elements in society and is not helping the situation.

Canada after all is a country largely built by immigrants. The early European settlers all arrived here by boat just like the Tamil refugees.

In order to reduce public opposition to the arrival of the Tamil refugees, the South Asian and Tamil community in Canada can sponsor the refugees.

The upwards of $50,000 that was paid by the Tamils on the ship and their families, most likely from abroad, should have been paid to the Canadian government to process legitimate immigration applications and help with the transition of the refugees into Canadian society.

The root source of the problem is that there is an inequity of resources and opportunity in the developing world. People want to leave to find a better life.

The solution is to help the developing countries improve the quality of life of their citizens. Canada can play a role in improving systems of democracy, justice, human rights, multiculturalism, and social infrastructure such as universal health care and public education.

The basic needs and fundamental rights of people all over the world have to be protected, enshrined, and guaranteed in international treaties and enforced by local laws.

The idea of the sovereign nation state with the power to make or break any laws it wants opens the door to absolute corruption. Countries need to abide by a set of internationally agreed upon rules and regulations if we want to see some peace on this planet and stability on the immigration front.

Canada and Australia are a couple of the relatively wealthy and developed countries that have a huge territory and small population. They can absorb many more immigrants.

We need visionary leaders to come up with new ideas.

Canada can develop new well-planned, eco-friendly, hi-tech cities.

These cities can have no cars except hybrid taxis, electric buses, and emergency vehicles; support a vibrant local organic food market; implement extensive reduce, reuse, and recycling programs; and be located in beautiful, natural scenic settings with ample parkland, forest, mountains, beachfront, lakes, and harbour areas.

Vancouver is close to this ideal and it is not surprisingly one of the most livable and beautiful cities in the world. It is better to plan beautiful sustainable cities and let the people come settle instead of responding with piecemeal measures to control an expanding city with no overall or coherent design.

In other words, lets prepare for an influx of immigrants and population growth in Canada before social, economic, and political conditions in the world deteriorate and more and more people want to immigrate to Canada.

Where there is a will, there is a way. The immigrants will find one way or another to escape to better off lands whether legally or illegally!

The right mix of immigrants in Canada can lead to a larger domestic market and increased independence from the United States.

The added diversity to the population also helps Canada build social, cultural, economic, and political ties with the immigrants’ mother countries.

Immigration, helps, Canada be more globally competitive and be representative of the people of the Earth.

Alex Sangha is a Delta Resident and Registered Social Worker in BC. He is the Founder and President of Greenersteps.com For column ideas contact alex.sangha@deltafreepress.com