Chairman no more

Something historical,

Bank of America Corp.’s (BAC) shareholders voted in historic fashion on Wednesday to strip chief executive Ken Lewis of his title as chairman, demonstrating just how precarious Lewis’s hold on his other job – chief executive – has become.

The shareholder resolution, which requires Bank of America to appoint a separate chairman and chief executive, marks the first binding shareholder resolution to pass at a S&P 500-member firm, according to RiskMetrics Group.

No News on Monday

No news is NOT good news. “National Post halts Monday edition for the summer“.

Letters From Litein – Support Great Canadian Film

Letters From Litein is a great Canadian documentary that I highly recommend (more info here) and has nice reviews from Calgary Herald, Calgary Sun, and FFWD.

Letters is made by the insightful documentarian Matt Palmer. I think Matt said it best in his Facebook status today (notice the “special tonight [April 28, 2009] $9.99 admission includes popcorn and drink [at the Globe Cinema]!!” Please keep the word of mouth going).

Matt Palmer officially sad the Flames are done. Officially stoked that Letters From Litein is HELD OVER for another week [until May 7th]. Special tonight $9.99 admission includes popcorn and drink [at the Globe Cinema]!! Please support Canadian film!

Here is a trailer of the film,

Here is a link to my video interview with my friend and documentary director Matt Palmer.

Here is a link to a brief chat (video) with the young Samantha & Daren (who went to Kenya) after I watched the film at the Calgary International Film Festival.

David Mirvish Books – Thanks & Goodbye

I am really sorry to hear that David Mirvish Books had closed its doors after 38 glorious years.

For the first two years of my life in Canada, I lived steps away from Honest Ed’s and David Mirvish Books. I remember carrying bags of grocery walking the less than two blocks from Honest Ed’s to my rented room during my student days. And since DM Books is so close and I love books, I often went into the book store just to browse books. As a poor student, I couldn’t afford most of the books so I often wait for its yearly Boxing Day sales to hunt for great books on bargain price. All of these book are still treasured by me as theys have opened my eyes to many different worlds.

Here are four of the treasured books listed here, in memory of my great time at DM Books,

1. Life Style (Light Blue silky cover) by Bruce Mau (with Bruce’s autograph)
2. I. M. Pei: A Profile in American Architecture by Carter Wiseman
3. Nagel: The Art of Patrick Nagel
4. Grand Design: The earth from above by Georg Gerster

DM Books, Thanks for the great times and wonderful memories.

97 Years Old Physician’s Formula for a good life

An insightful and heart warming article about a 97 Years Old Physician’s Formula for a good life. A highly recommended quick read. Here is an excerpt,

My inspiration is Robert Browning’s poem “Abt Vogler.” My father used to read it to me. It encourages us to make big art, not small scribbles. It says to try to draw a circle so huge that there is no way we can finish it while we are alive. All we see is an arch; the rest is beyond our vision but it is there in the distance.

Pain is mysterious, and having fun is the best way to forget it. If a child has a toothache, and you start playing a game together, he or she immediately forgets the pain. Hospitals must cater to the basic need of patients: We all want to have fun. At St. Luke’s we have music and animal therapies, and art classes.

Don’t be crazy about amassing material things. Remember: You don’t know when your number is up, and you can’t take it with you to the next place.

[HT: Kevin Roberts]

Goodbye Portfolio

Read from AdAge that Condé Nast is closing its very stylish and insightful business magazine Portfolio. Sad to see it go. Read more from Portfolio.

P.S. Thanks to Kevin for introducing me to Portfolio in the first place.

Swine Flu

Here is a report from CBC with video, Swine flu outbreak international ‘public health emergency’: WHO

Brian Dickson, the Supreme Court of Canada, and the Charter of Rights (the concept of “tyranny of the majority” )

I enjoy discussions with readers as these discussions sometimes lead me to conduct more research and I will often, like today, find some hidden gems as a result.

When I tried to find a quote for a blog entry to emphasize “the need to protect minorities from the tyranny of the majority“, I found this paper from the Law Society of Upper Canada, “Brian Dickson, the Supreme Court of Canada, and the Charter of Rights” and thought it is an interesting paper to share with interested readers since I learned about the concept of “tyranny of the majority” from former Chief Justices Brian Dickson and Antonio Lamer.

May It Please the Court – And the Pursuit of Happiness

Very enjoyable article/photos/paintings from the New York Times, “May It Please the Court – And the Pursuit of Happiness“.

Canada Citizenship Minister Jason Kenney’s policies (two misguided and two positive policies)

Last Tuesday (Apr 14th, 2009), Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, came and delivered a speech at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce and answered some media questions afterwards.

Before I go into the details of two of Minister Kenney’s misguided policies, I like to point out two things minister Kenney is doing right. For example, I commend his effort in trying to work with various federal or provincial licensing and governing entities to try to get valid foreign credentials recognized promptly in Canada so these immigrants can fully utilize their skills and knowledge in their fields of expertise. And the minister’s willingness to stand by Canada’s long term objective and goal of having more immigrants to help solving employment problems (filling vacant jobs that no Canadians want to fill, e.g. in remote locations) should be commended and praised.

Now let me talk about what I disagree with Minister Kenney.

English or French or out

At the press conference, I asked Jason how does he know if the Indian-Canadian, “who has been here for 15 years and can’t speak English or French“, and her sons and daughters did not make any contributions to Canada? Here is video clip of my question and Jason’s answer.

It puzzles me why the minister’s original intend of helping immigrants has now been twisted and turned into a “big stick” that punishes immigrants by denying them the most fundamental step of being integrated into Canada.

Instead of helping immigrants, the minister’s action of emphasizing the language requirement is the same as creating obstacles for these hard working immigrants. I don’t know if Minister Kenney realizes that many Indian-Canadians, Chinese-Canadians, and others can and are following Canadian local and national news plus International news development in their native languages newspapers and TV programs? Is it because these news are not delivered in either of the official languages (or from CTV), then these Canadians are somehow “less qualified” to be Canadians and to fully participate in the effort to create a better Canada?

It is true that the Citizenship Act, in particular section 27 (d) (i) & (ii), requires perspective Canadians to have an “adequate knowledge of one of the official languages of Canada” and have an “adequate knowledge of Canada and of the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship“. But we all know the devils are in the details and what is “adequate knowledge” are up to interpretation. And more rules means there are more rooms for these rules to be misused, misinterpreted, and, in the rare case, abused by Citizenship officers.

Limiting citizenship by descent to one generation outside Canada

I believe this limitation in the new law/rule is unconstitutional as it effectively created two classes of Canadian citizens with different rights. Those Canadians that are “born in Canada” and those that are “born outside of Canada” and this clearly violates the Equality Rights as stated in section 15 (1) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

While this new law may have been passed by all parties in the Parliament of Canada, wise Canadians will remember that a few unjust and unconstitutional laws have been passed by federal and provincial legislators over the years. And our elected politicians are well aware that is why we have an independent court system to review laws created by legislators. If laws created by legislators are always “right” and always applied “justly”, then why do we need an independent judicial system in Canada?

Concluding Thoughts: The need for full and principled debate before further citizenship laws are passed

While I usually support government ministers to gain insights in how things actually are done in the “real world”. At the same time, I am concerned that Minister Kenney may have overdone this by having too many of his policies or views shaped too quickly by what he saw in the field and what he and his officials quickly came up with as “solutions” to these problems without proper and principled debates. This is why I agree with Natalie Brender when she wrote in The Globe and Mail that,

“Citizenship has both instrumental and intrinsic value for Canada and its people. That’s why debates about citizenship law should be fraught with complexity – and why they do need to take place. When the government introduces further changes, it owes Canadians an account of the goals and values it aims to advance. Federal legislators must ensure that a full and principled debate on these topics happens before further citizenship laws are passed.“

I hope the essence of my question has reminded with Jason as it is important to focus on the contributions of these Canadians (I would say valued and treasured Canadians) instead of the narrow focus of their existing language skills in either official languages. Helping is good. Putting up obstacles and creating a big stick to punish is not.

*******

Some news and video clips about citizenship and immigration policies and Minister Jason Kenney:

• Globe and Mail: Canadian values boil down to liberal democracy (May 21 update)
• Toronto Sun: English or French or out: Minister
• Canada.com/Ottawa Citizen: REDEFINING A CANADIAN – Immigration minister fires up the melting pot: What does it mean for the cultural mosaic?
• Globe and Mail: If we’re going to talk citizenship, let’s have a principled debate
• CTV Calgary (with video): Language debate for new citizens
• CBC: French or English competence needed for citizenship: minister
• Canadian Press: French or English should be must for immigrants who want citizenship: minister
• Ottawa Citizen: Immigrants should be able to speak English or French: Kenney
• The Hindu: Learn English or face denial of citizenship: Canada
• CTV.ca (with video): Jilted bride brings marriage fraud protest to Ottawa

Here, Jason got asked about the deportation of U.S. Iraq war resisters by this Canadian in this YouTube clip.

Jason Kenney meets Iraq war veteran Kim Rivera facing imminent deportation (March 2009).

Jason Kenney and Maurizio Bevilacqua – Liberal Citizenship & Immigration critic appearing on CTV.

Acknowledgment: Thanks to Elizabeth at the Calgary Chamber of Commerce for her kind help.

Our collective hypocrisy (Susan Boyle vs. Ellen DeGeneres)

Hi John,

I really enjoy your Globe and Mail article “Britain’s Got Talent and our collective hypocrisy“. Very well analyzed and written even though I’ve drawn a different conclusion than you. For example, you wrote (emphasis and link added),

“See, the Boyle phenomenon is well and good, but the problem with it is that it reveals our collective hypocrisy about reality TV, beauty and talent.”

I would have said,

The Boyle phenomenon is wonderful because the unintended benefits of it is that it reveals our collective hypocrisy about reality TV, beauty and talent.

You wrote,

“Why on earth do you think every supposedly serious crime drama on prime-time TV features a young woman in a tight top who is obliged to run at least once an episode, just so her swaying bosom becomes the focal point on the screen? Because broadcasters study what we want and give it us — youth and beauty.“

[K: I totally agree!!!]

“In the Boyle case, though, the true irony is that it’s possible we have been expertly manipulated. There is something far too slick and staged about the clip of Boyle on Britain’s Got Talent. Simon Cowell is one the great Svengalis of popular music. The idea that Cowell was completely taken aback by Boyle’s voice is simply too far-fetched.“

[K: I think articles like yours will help inoculate the general TV viewing public of all the manipulations by TV/film producers. As "manipulations" should be assumed in all cases. But I am willing to differentiate manipulations that are awful and pointless in nature to other ones that are "nicer" and more "constructive" (or at least less destructive).]

And John, you concluded with (emphasis added),

“And every time Ellen DeGeneres grins and says, “Inner beauty is important. But not nearly as important as outer beauty!” we know we agree. We know it’s hypocritical but we enjoy the joke. Now we will delude ourselves that we believe in inner beauty, too. At least in certain cases, like when the person has a great voice and deserves a break in the showbiz racket. We’ve probably been hoodwinked into this. We are hypocrites. We are idiots.“

Now John, you are being too harsh again. There is nothing “too wrong” to be hoodwinked into something once in a while. Ultimately, we are all humans, and we need “hopes”, “aspirations”, and “dreams”. There are so much more horrible reality TV out there on the tube and in pilot and would you rather have more of those?

And yes John, we are hypocrites, and we are idiots. So what? Get used to it!!! If on the journey of life, we are always “perfect”, how boring would that be?

Regards,
Kempton

P.S. While you trashed CBC’s “Dragons’ Den” mistakenly when it first came out in 2006 and I pointed out your flawed analysis. It is my pleasure to write you a nice email when I see you write sometime insightful and enjoyable.

P.P.S. While I won’t defend things blindly (including Dragons’ Den), I hope you don’t dislike Dragons’ Den as much now. Now that it is a popular and money making show, there are things that bugs me very much in Dragons’ Den. But I take the good and the bad, and on balance, there are much more good than bad.

2009 Pulitzer Prizes

NY Times dominates 2009 Pulitzer Prize contest

Twitter “Revolution” – A Moldova case study

Check out CBC’s audio show Search Engine’s “The Twitter Revolution in  Moldova“.

Scott MacIsaac plays Rachmaninov at 2009 Winners of the Calgary Concerto Competition concert

June 12th, 2011 update: See also (with video of piano performances),

“Scott MacIsaac – Portrait of a Young Award-Winning Classical Pianist“

“Scott MacIsaac piano performance at University of Calgary (June 7th)“

***

Yesterday, I was very much looking forward to a entertaining and enjoyable musical experience. Today, I can tell you that I was thrilled by the young talents I saw and heard.

My friend’s grandson Scott MacIsaac gave a truly wonderful performance and I enjoyed it very much. I am sure his grand parents, parents, brother and teacher Marilyn Engle are all very proud of his achievement at the young age of 16.

From L to R: Devin Franco, cello; Scott MacIsaac, piano; Danielle Wiebe, viola; Boyang Zhang, piano.

The following is a YouTube clip of the young Scott playing the first bit of Rachmaninov Piano Concerto in F# minor, Op.1 – 1st movement with the Calgary Civic Symphony.

Enjoy.

2009 HKIFF

Check out mad dog’s takes on 2009 HKIFF (HK International Film Festival). (in Chinese)

My favourite is the Japanese observational documentary “Mental 完全精神手冊“. And I’ve got in touch with Soda, director of the film, and will be arranging an interview with him shortly.

Download this: LESSONS FROM THE IDENTITY TRAIL – Anonymity, Privacy and Identity in a Networked Society

You can download and read the following book here.

******* Intro excerpt *******

LESSONS FROM THE IDENTITY TRAIL

Anonymity, Privacy and Identity in a Networked Society

Edited by:

Ian Kerr
Valerie Steeves
Carole Lucock

During the past decade, rapid developments in information and communications technology have transformed key social, commercial, and political realities. Within that same time period, working at something less than Internet speed, much of the academic and policy debate arising from these new and emerging technologies has been fragmented. There have been few examples of interdisciplinary dialogue about the importance and impact of anonymity and privacy in a networked society. Lessons from the Identity Trail: Anonymity, Privacy and Identity in a Networked Society fills that gap, and examines key questions about anonymity, privacy, and identity in an environment that increasingly automates the collection of personal information and relies upon surveillance to promote private and public sector goals.

This book has been informed by the results of a multi-million dollar research project that has brought together a distinguished array of philosophers, ethicists, feminists, cognitive scientists, lawyers, cryptographers, engineers, policy analysts, government policy makers, and privacy experts. Working collaboratively over a four-year period and participating in an iterative process designed to maximize the potential for interdisciplinary discussion and feedback through a series of workshops and peer review, the authors have integrated crucial public policy themes with the most recent research outcomes.

The book is available for download under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 Canada License by chapter below. Hard copies are available for purchase at Amazon & at Oxford University Press.

Breast Explanation of the Financial Crisis

Yes, breast explanation, bra none! :) Have a read of Alice Schroeder’s “Tara Reid’s Mammary Makeover as U.S. Metaphor“. Very funny, sharp, and insightful.

Alice Schroeder, author of “The Snowball: Warren Buffett and the Business of Life” and a senior adviser to Morgan Stanley, is a Bloomberg News columnist.

The following is my message to Alice repurpose for the blog here.

*******

Dear Alice,

What a hilarious way to look at the crisis. :)

Now, Alice, I’ve been trying to forget I haven’t not seen Ms Reid’s wardrobe malfunction pictures, and thanks to you, as Celine sang, “Holy Beep! It’s All Coming Back To Me Now“.

So as only a nerd will do as a “revenge“, here is what Anna wrote about the crisis and her prescriptions to avoid a sequel. Not the “pretty but tennis-challenged player” Anna, but the 90+ years old insightful economist Anna.

“Origins of the Financial Market Crisis of 2008“

P.S. I have never thought that looking at naughty pictures would have scarred me for this long. :) Looking forward to your next Bloomberg posting. And I love those links in the article.

Rachmaninov Piano Concerto

My friend is so happy and proud that his grandson Scott MacIsaac has won in the 2009 Calgary Concerto Competition. Scott also won in the 2008 Canadian Music Competition. Tomorrow, I will have a chance to listen to him playing Rachmaninov Piano Concerto in F# minor, Op.1 – 1st movement with the Calgary Civic Symphony.

Just for fun, here is Rachmaninoff plays Rachmaninoff – Piano Concerto No. 1: Ia (note: I don’t know if this is really Rachmaninoff playing)

Here is Rachmaninoff plays Rachmaninoff – Piano Concerto No. 1: Ib (note: Again, I don’t know if this is really Rachmaninoff playing)

Campaign: A Peabody Award winning documentary

If a good documentary helps us look deeper into its subject matter, I think a great documentary helps us reflect on our own experiences as well. As I watched Kazuhiro Soda‘s observational documentary Campaign last night, I couldn’t help but keep reflecting on the election campaign cultures that I have experienced and seen in Hong Kong and Canada. To me, Campaign is a great documentary that helps me better understand Japanese election campaign culture and at the same time got me thinking about the ways HK and Canadian election campaigns are run (and, may be, how can they be better run).

Soda’s Campaign has been screened internationally in film festivals around the world. The following are form two of the recent award citations.

P.S. I am arranging a phone interview with Soda to chat with him about the film. I will post the interview here. Stay tune.

Peabody Award citation (yes, this is the very prestigious and admired Peabody Award)

Kazuhiro Soda’s revealing, sometimes painfully funny documentary observed the ragged political campaign of a naif handpicked and backed by Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party.

More info and news here in Soda’s blog.

Best film award from BELDOCS Documentary Festival in Belgrade, Serbia. Comments from the jury,

“In the end and after much discussion, our vote went to a film that offered a compelling cinematic experience about the promises, the challenges and the limits of democracy. It contained lessons for us all, not just in the best traditions of cinema verite, but of the need to sustain what has been described as the ‘best worst system’ we have to elect our political leaders, democracy. The award goes to Kazuhiro Soda’s CAMPAIGN.”

Susan Boyle & Jian Ghomeshi taught us making a viral video is easy, it just takes …

Making a viral video is easy, it just takes talent, luck, plus a life time of hard work.

Here are two examples: Susan Boyle and Jian Ghomeshi.

Susan Boyle – Singer – Britains Got Talent 2009 (click to view video here)

(news: Guardian, Telegraph, NYDaily, BBC, ABC)

As some has said, “Chance Favors the Prepared Mind“, and Susan Boyle and Jian Ghomeshi both had grabbed their chances with their prepared minds. Congrats and good luck.

Jian Ghomeshi interviews Billy Bob Thornton

P.S. Now that we can potentially command the attention of the world in days or hours, what will you do if you get the chance? How will you handle the attention?