Fraser Institute

On Saturday I attended the Fraser Institute's 2006 Student Seminar in Toronto. Depsite no longer being a student they keep letting my attend (and learn for free!). Despite a somewhat lower than normal turnout due to a competing OPCYA (PC Youth) Convention it was a great day.

Speakers included National Post columnist Peter Foster, Nippissing U Prof Chris Sarlo, the Fraser's own Brett Skinner, and the always entertaining publisher of the Western Standard Ezra Levant. Perhaps the most interesting speaker was June Arunga, co-founder of New Liberty Films LLC, who grew up in Kenya and summarized the big-government, Western aid workers with this poem...

        The Development Set
        By Ross Coggins

        Excuse me, friends, I must catch my jet-
        I'm off to join the Development Set;
        My bags are packed, and I've had all my shots,
        I have travelers' checks, and pills for the trots

        The Development Set is bright and noble,
        Our thoughts are deep and our vision global;
        Although we move with the better classes,
        Our thoughts are always with the masses.

        In Sheraton hotels in scattered nations,
        We damn multinational corporations;
        Injustice seems so easy to protest,
        In such seething hotbeds of social rest.

        We discuss malnutrition over steaks
        And plan hunger talks during coffee breaks.
        Whether Asian floods or African drought,
        We face each issue with an open mouth.

        We bring in consultants whose circumlocution
        Raises difficulties for every solution-
        Thus guaranteeing continued good eating
        By showing the need for another meeting.

        The language of the Development Set
        Stretches the English alphabet;
        We use swell words like 'epigenetic',
        'Micro', 'Macro'. and 'logarithmetic'.

        Development Set homes are extremely chic,
        Full of carvings, curios and draped with batik.
        Eye-level photographs subtly assure
        That your host is at home with the rich and the poor.

        Enough of these verses -- on with the mission!
        Our task is as broad as the human condition!
        Just parry to God the biblical promise is true:
        The poor ye shall always have with you.