Another iteration

It's election day in Vancouver, and once again, in the spirit of harm reduction, i'll be plugging my nose with one hand and letting pragmatism guide the other one, as i step into the polling station. My heart is with the #Occupy movement, and i'm unhappy, of course, with the obtuseness of Mayor Robertson's assertion that "It's time for the encampment to end." It's distastefully disingenuous for him to dismiss the legitimate value, both in principle and in practice, of the occupation.

Naturally, i have my own doubts and concerns about #OccupyEverything; as usual, i think there are important questions being raised by critics, skeptics, and outsiders. However the movement's openness invites creative reflection: the idea that we are all part of it, the 99%, rings true — and reminds me of how inspired i was, and still am, by the radically inclusive rhetoric of the Zapatistas. I was one of the thousands who came out for the initial #Occupy gathering at the Art Gallery. In the weeks since, i've been reading and thinking a lot about it. Steve Collis has written eloquently and thoughtfully about his experiences of #Occupy, and his words have stuck with me.

This morning i was reading about the recent legal proceedings, and the defense lawyers' argument that the #OccupyVancouver camp should  be allowed to remain because it is serving as a homeless shelter. It has also served as a gathering place where (homeless people and) activists can re-imagine community together. It reminded me of how Colin Ward described the history of the Tredegar Medical Aid Society in England (in his Very Short Introduction to anarchism, page 27). What would be possible if #Occupy were recognized as a place for experimental provision of services?

I've been impressed with some of the current City Council's accomplishments, including their efforts to house the homeless; i've especially liked Councilor Kerry Jang's statements challenging NIMBYish opposition. And for that i think they deserve more time, so i'll put an [X] beside Gregor Robertson's name on my ballot today. I see potential for further progress through a continuation of their work; but mostly i'm aware of the potential damage that an Anton/NPA council could do. Obviously, Anton is the only mayoral candidate with anything close to the support base needed to win an election, so even if i was completely persuaded that someone else deserved the job, under current circumstances i can only vote for "the juice man" and his team. I'll also be supporting the COPE slate, and my friend Nicole Benson. I urge you all to do the same.

As we witness (and/or participate in) this next iteration of municipal politics, another cycle of time has been completed in my own little world. One week ago today, Roy blew out his candles on a vegan peanut-butter-chocolate cake in the company of some amazing friends and family. To top it all of with another reason to celebrate, we (finally!) got into a housing co-op. (Sigh of relief.) I was asked yesterday if having a child has changed my perspective by keeping me "grounded." I sure hope so.