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The As It Happens Podcast

It's Canada Day. An occasion when we paint the country red, and reflect on what it means to be a Canadian -- usually over a couple of beers and a barbecue. And it may well happen that when the coals are nice and hot, someone will ask, "What dish defines us as a people?"

Well, the moose burger just may be it. They've been frying and grilling them up in Newfoundland and Labrador for years now. And one of the things that makes the moose burger truly Canadian is this: it's a perfect example of our national ability to make the best of a bad situation.

Every year, hundreds of moose are killed on Newfoundland's roads and highways. But their carcasses aren't just pushed into a ditch. Charitable groups from across the province have been turning roadkill into burgers for years ... to raise money for various causes in their communities.

Now, that tradition is under threat. The provincial government has put an end to the donation of roadkill.

For thirty years Dave Barker has been collecting moose meat for the Knights of Columbus in Grand-Falls Windsor. Today, we reached him at his home.

High-tech weapons make it easier to fight wars. But when a country has spent a lot of money on deadly, high-precision armaments, it's less easy to explain when the wrong people get killed.

Yesterday, Human Rights Watch issued a report on Israel's use of drones during last winter's attack on Gaza. The report focuses on six incidents, in which a total of 29 civilians were killed. Marc Garlasco is the senior military analyst for Human Rights Watch, and we reached him in Jerusalem.

In this fast-paced, higgledy-piggledy world, sometimes you just have to stop and play the pianos.

"Play Me, I'm Yours" is an art installation sprinkled throughout London, England by artist Luke Jerram. He's put thirty pianos in public areas like churches, parks, bridges and bus stations. Each has been decorated and painted to suit its location. And anyone is welcome to play.

The idea is to bring a little glimmer of beauty, or at least a discordant version of "Chopsticks", to a city that is cold and fast-paced. And Londoners and tourists alike have been making the most of the opportunity, and making some beautiful music.

With that, here is our 'Sound of the Day' -- the sound of music, and music lovers, in London.

What do the following things have in common: Pierre Trudeau's canoe paddle, the Stanley Cup ring that belonged to Rocket Richard, and a piece of moose antler from the Northwest Territories?

Give up? Those are just three of the materials that make up a one-of-a-kind musical instrument, known as the "Six String Nation guitar". It was the brainchild of Jowi Taylor. And Six String Nation is also the title of a new book by Jowi, that tells the story of this quintessentially Canadian instrument.

Jowi has also been a CBC Radio host and producer, so we're welcoming him back to the studio¿this time with "Voyageur", the Six String Nation guitar, in hand.

In August, Afghans will go to the polls to elect their President. Or at least, some of them will. Probably.

So far, the campaign hasn't inspired much more than apathy. That may have something to do with the corruption that pervades Afghan politics. Abdul Jabbar Sabit promised to end that corruption when he was Hamid Karzai's Attorney General. Now, the former Montrealer wants the top job for himself.

We reached Mr. Sabit in Kabul.

We've got to make ourselves scarce for a few minutes while you listen to the news, but stay tuned for a feature interview in our second part. When we return:It took a lot of pluck. Jowi Taylor tells us about the voyages of Voyageur -- the all-Canadian guitar at the centre of the "Six String Nation" project.Talkback is an eleven-digit nation. Call 1-866-481-5718 to tell us what you think of anything you hear on As It Happens. Or e-mail us at aih@cbc.ca. Stay tuned. I'm CO.And I'm BB.