Politicians and economists fixate on “growing the economy”—measured by a country’s gross domestic product. But this yardstick counts harmful activities such as greenhouse gas emissions, plastic waste, and cigarette sales as gains, and it ignores environmental protection, voluntary community work, and other benefits. What we measure is a choice, and what is and isn’t counted determines what sorts of policies are enacted. How can we shift the focus to well-being and quality of life? What Really Counts is an essential, firsthand story of the promise and challenges of accounting for social, economic, and environmental benefits and costs. Ronald Colman recounts two decades of working with three governments to adopt measures that more accurately and comprehensively assess true progress. Chronicling his path from Nova Scotia to New Zealand to Bhutan, Colman details the challenge of devising meaningful metrics, the effort to lay the foundations of a new economic system, and the obstacles that stand in the way. Reflecting on successes and failures, he considers how to shift policy priorities from a narrow economic-growth agenda toward a future built on sustainability and equity. Colman has taken the critique of GDP outside the academy and attempted to realize an alternative. The lessons he offers in What Really Counts are vital for anyone interested in how we can measure what matters—and how better measures can help build a better world.
The Author examines the current state of the Canadian Forces, after what he describes as four decades of malignant neglect, and concludes that it is not capable of executing the roles and tasks assigned under the government's policy as outlined in the Defence White Paper 1994. Furthermore, he examines the Canadian foreign policy, from which defence policy is derived, and concludes that it does not address the current and future threats to Canada and Canadians. The threats to Canada today and in the future are explored in detail and the means to counter them are examined. The author also explores the relationship the Canadian military has to the UN, NATO, and our closest ally the US. He finds that all of them need serious revision. However, to do so a complete and detailed analysis of our foreign policy is necessary in the new world of disorder following the tragic events of 9/11. Internal and external threats are revealed and discussed as well as how to deter them. Coleman explains why the current series of town hall meetings across the country is wholly inadequate and calls for a major foreign policy review. This is necessary in order to respond correctly and adequately to the US request for participation in the Missle Defense System. Also, in his view, our traditional interface with the UN, and NATO, particularly where peacekeeping is involved needs revision. He calls for necessary changes in the Department of National Defence Headquarters (NDHQ) structure and the military organization across the country. He explains why NDHQ needs to be disintergrated and replaced with a dual reporting system to the minister. Further, he presents rational arguments for the "real" unification of the three military forces into a "marine" like structure in order to respond appropriately and adequately to international terrorism and international violence that is on the rise. He goes further and outlines a new organizational structure that reduces overhead, executives, commands, and management levels in order to truly make the military and headquarters more efficient, effective, and economical. He is clear that only by taking these measures will we regain the respect of our allies and our enemies as well as increase our influence in the international forums where it has been slowly eroding. The transfer of search and rescue and VIP operations to private industry will free up military billets for military functions and generate jobs and profits for private industry in these roles. These tasks, in his view, are essentially non-military tasks. Military search and rescue and VIP flights can be handled by the Marines. Also, he believes that peacekeeping should be transferred to DFAIT where the responsibility lies with more emphasis on early intervention so that technical experts, humanitarian efforts, medical assistance, law, order, and justice can be maintained rather than re-constructed after civil war or worse has destroyed the infrastructure and institutions. Peacemaking, however, should remain the responsibility of DND where the new structure, the new equipment, and the new training will improve our current delinquent approach to the problem. The Reserve will be tasked with the role of the defence of Canada which will give it purpose, finances, training, equipment, and a structure to effect it which currently does not exist. Coleman makes a compelling case for the review of foreign defence policy and the restructuring of the Canadian military. He exposes the problems and proposes solutions. He takes no prisoners! In his review it becomes clear that Canada and Canadians no longer "stand on guard".
Just Watch Me, was the expression used by Trudeau when challenged by a reporter regarding his use of power during the FLQ crisis in Canada in 1970. This book traces the source of Trudeau's political groundings and his world travels after his formal education. It examines his early work in Quebec and the formation of alliances within that community. After being convinced that he could acheive more at the federal level it explores his initial activites and policy changes as the Prime Minister. Just Watch Me demonstrates his politicalization of the federal civil service, RCMP and the military. It expores his moves to consolidate power by centralizing it, one of the key aspects of socialism. It explores his lack of principles and ethics and his revisionist thinking regarding Canadian history. The book explores the moral makeup of politicians prevalent in Canada, and other democracies as well, and seeks to reveal their shortcomings. These character flaws eventually become embedded in the party and subvert political proccess. Trudeau altered Canadian political institutions and the bureaucracy to moribund shells and bloated francophone reservoirs respectively, filled with political hacks, party loyalists and party bag men incapable of performing their functions. Trudeau employed reverse discrimination in order to favor one ethnic group over others. He went so far as to embed the mechanism to do so in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. His brand of socialism transformed segments of Canadian culture from independence thus stripping them of their self-reliance and self-respect. He used his power to interfere in the economy, institute unnecessary social policies, drive down production and plunge the country into debt and deficits unknown except in wartime. He was in constant conflict with other levels of government and was incapable of developing policies and plans that were good for Canadians and Canada. Internationally he oversaw the transformation of a middle power to a little power. His anti-Americanism and pro-communist leanings put Canada at odds with her closest ally and neighbour. Trudeau's anti-military and anti-nuclear stance resulted in the eventual neutering of the Canadian military. In the end he squandered billions on bilingualism, the bureaucracy, the arts and Quebec. His governments were only about elevating Quebec and Quebecers to political power. In summary, he revolutionized Canada while most of Canada slumbered on. This book exhorts Canadians to take back political power through the only tool they have left, the vote. It asks them to carefully examine their political canidates and eliminate those whose character is lacking or unlikely to withstand the assualt that the party can bring to bear. It encourages Canadians to reform their political institutions and finally to reserve the trend towards socialism; a trend that can only be destructive as evidenced in so many countries that have tried it.
This profusely illustrated field guide covers the 31 species of orchids that grow wild in California. The first book on California's native orchids, it will be a valuable resource for professionals and hobbyists alike. The Wild Orchids of California is an impressive extension of Ronald A. Coleman's wide fieldwork, literature review, and herbarium research. Written in a clear narrative style, Coleman's species accounts describe the plants and flowers, their habitats, distribution, pollinators, and blooming season.
As past president of both the History of Science Society and the American Society of Church History, Ronald L. Numbers is uniquely qualified to assess the historical relations between science and Christianity. In this collection of his most recent essays, he moves beyond the clichés of conflict and harmony to explore the tangled web of historical interactions involving scientific and religious beliefs. In his lead essay he offers an unprecedented overview of the history of science and Christianity from the perspective of the ordinary people who filled the pews of churchesor loitered around outside. Unlike the elite scientists and theologians on whom most historians have focused, these vulgar Christians cared little about the discoveries of Copernicus, Newton, and Einstein. Instead, they worried about the causes of the diseases and disasters that directly affected their lives and about scientists preposterous attempts to trace human ancestry back to apes. Far from dismissing opinion-makers in the pulpit, Numbers closely looks at two the most influential Protestant theologians in nineteenth-century America: Charles Hodge and William Henry Green. Hodge, after decades of struggling to harmonize Gods two revelationsin nature and in the Biblein the end famously described Darwinism as atheism. Green, on the basis of his careful biblical studies, concluded that Ussher's chronology was unreliable, thus opening the door for Christian anthropologists to accommodate the subsequent discovery of human antiquity. In Science without God Numbers traces the millennia-long history of so-called methodological naturalism, the commitment to explaining the natural world without appeals to the supernatural. By the early nineteenth century this practice was becoming the defining characteristic of science; in the late twentieth century it became the central point of attack in the audacious attempt of intelligent designers to redefine science. Numbers ends his reassessment by arguing that although science has markedly changed the world we live in, it has contributed less to secularizing it than many have claimed. Taken together, these accessible and authoritative essays form a perfect introduction to Christian attitudes towards science since the 17th century.
Coleman (U. of Arizona) discusses all 35 species of wild orchids currently found in or historically occurring in Arizona and New Mexico. Each species is discussed in terms of flowering season, habitat, elevation range, companion plants, current and historical distribution, and conservation issues. Genus and species keys are included. Each species is illustrated with a line drawing and multiple color photographs all located in the front of the volume. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR.
Minersville, aptly named for those who toiled in the coal fields of east-central Pennsylvania, embodies the very essence of the coal region. This town and surrounding areas, however, are much more than abandoned breakers and row after row of coal company houses. Although coal is no longer king, the people of Minersville still take pride in their heritage. The gridiron battles of the Pottsville Maroons, the much-disputed 1925 NFL champions, and the failed political campaign of Lewis Cass against Zachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore proved that more than coal could come from this region. Minersville provides a glimpse of the early days of coal, as well as the people of the area and their accomplishments of spirit.
The author takes you on a journey of political intrigue whereby Quebec achieves its independence in the year 2007. It is a convincing tale of political vengeance, intrigue, misunderstandings, foreign intervention, international muckracking, boundless egos, unbridled ambition, revenge, and political folly. A country admired by most for its tolerance and pragmatism is destroyed by internal strife and turmoil caused by unattended divisions and progressing socialism. A concerned and antagonistic neighbour acting on the doctrine of preserving democracy uses subversion and covert operations in order to undermine authority and order. Internally, a series of first minister's meetings and a constitutional conference fail creating an authority vacuum and generalized anxiety. Concurrently, the United States, the UK, and France interfere to prevent potential solutions from saving the country. The ultimate result is not at all what Quebecer's envisioned. It is however, an ending that many Canadians would come to accept as inevitable. As an alternative the author proposes two alternate endings resultant from the exercise of tolerance, good will, reasonable solutions to long standing problems, and a change in outlook from internal conflict and age old grievances to a future that engages in globilization and positive perspectives. The book is a realistic but harsh look at Canadian politics, told in a humerous satirical style, that reveals what can happen when a country fails to confront its history and relies on illusions and favoritism in order to quell discent. It is chilling to think of how easy it would really be for Canada to disintegrate.
Compiled into an easy-to-use reference, this book includes extensively researched case law from August 2004 to August 2005, and will cut timely research by putting the latest review and analysis on franchise and distribution law at the user's fingertips.
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