The Vancouver Folk Fest 2008

Notes on Pacifism (2008-07-19 21:21:00)

I've discovered that I'm incensed by pacifists. They approach the concept of violence with such dismissive superiority, like it's some kind of old idea who's day has come and gone. As if somehow, if a few of us were to decide not to commit an act of violence, the rest of the world will somehow agree to follow suit.

What foolishness is this?

No intelligent person would argue that violence can solve everything, but similarly, no rational person can argue that every problem can be solved without it.

Some conflicts not only call for violence, but outright require it. In fact, I would submit that anyone who would advocate non-violent resistance for all conflicts is just as naive as those who think that every problem is solveable at the barrel of a gun.

In Summary (2008-07-20 13:21:00)

Strolling trough this park has been like walking through my memory. At every turn, I'm reminded of a happy moment, but strangely enough, the memory isn't very specific. In other words, I remember a peace and happiness associated with being here, but for the life of me, I can't determine the source. In fact, my feelings toward the festival presently are quite the opposite to what they were before I left for Ontario back in 2001.

In a way, it's as if my politics have changed, while those of the festival haven't, and somehow we both seem to think that we're still on the same "side".

We both want:

• Peace
• A healthy planet
• Equality
• Affordable housing

But our definitions of these ideals, not to mention the forms in which we'd like to see these things take place differ considerably:

The concensus here for dealing with homelessness seems to be substantial rent controls and treating heroin addiction and alcoholism like a disease. I just can't follow that line of reasoning. Where they see thousands out of work, I see a labour shortage and where they see a need for legislative rent controls, I see acres of underdeveloped land that could be cultivated to drive down the cost of living through competition. We need to increase density and improve sustainability while developing a scavenger class for the emerging market of reusable containers. Ideas like these are met with considerable opposition here.

There's a focus on pacifism, like it's some sort of magic panacea, and there's also a kind of reverence for panhandlers and bums (their term). As if vagrants are living some kind of idealised life. I never used to bat an eye at comments like these, but now they grate against my skin and I'm not convinced that this is a bad thing.

For so many of the people here, things like working and bathing are optional, and there are children everywhere. Screaming, oozing children, the blistering sun and rap music! -- I've not been in a happy place all day.

It's important to note that I don't condemn this lifestyle, far from it. Some of the happiest people I know live and breathe this kind of life. I support their choice and right to this life but... I just don't think that it's the kind of life I want anymore. At one time, yes, but not anymore.