Category Archives: Canada

Can Gay Students Associate With Straight Ones?

Posted on January 22, 2011 by | Leave a comment

A Catholic School Board decided to end a ban that had been in place which prevented straight and gay students from having a club in which all could share their ideas concerning sexual attitudes. As one gay student noted: “the only requirement of members of these groups is to show up with an open mind and an open heart.” Defenders of the ban argued their Catholic religion rejected the concept of a gay orientation toward sexuality so why should a Catholic school support open belief in being gay? Canadian civil rights groups argued such groups worked to end hostility toward fellow students who were gay or lesbian. It is estimated there are such groups operating, with or without permission of the school board, in virtually all schools within the district.

Common sense is to allow young people a forum in which to discuss their feelings. All too often adults in schools believe they must supervise what goes on in schools. Believe it or not, schools are for youth, not for adults!

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Posted in Canada, Catholics, Education, Gender Issues, Human Rights, Politics, Religion, Social Justice, World News

Standing For Social Justice And Being Punished

Posted on December 4, 2010 by | Leave a comment

It was just another hockey game between teenagers who play in the Ontario Minor Hockey Association and bodies were hitting one another and the boys were excited. Two boys were sent to the penalty box for a few minutes and while there, one of them told the other he was a damn “nigger.” the boy who shouted the insult was seated for a few minutes by his coach, but was sent back to the ice. Coach Greg Walsh was infuriated that no apology was given to the boy on his team who had received the “n’ word. He pulled his players off the ice demanding an apology. None was forthcoming. Coach Walsh is now under suspension, and may not coach for up to a year because the broke a rule. A rule says no one can refuse to play a game and pull their team off the ice. Who cares what happens, we must always obey the rule.

The Ontario Hockey Association should examine Nazi, Germany which demanded that one must always obey the rules. No, shouting the “n” word is not like Nazi, Germany, but Greg Walsh has been mistreated and his team insulted by hockey officials. Gentlemen, there ARE occasions when one must protect your players from being insulted. The hockey association exists for young boys, not for old white farts!

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Posted in Canada, Human Rights, Multicultural, Politics, Social Justice, World News

Provocation For Murder?

Posted on November 27, 2010 by | Leave a comment

Thieu Khn Tran decided to visit his estranged wife in hope they could resolved their problems. He arrived at her apartment to find wife and another man in bed and engaged in some love making. Thieu became furious, stabbed the man to death and wounded his wife. At his court case Thieu argues the provocation of discovering a wife in bed with another man justified his extreme behavior. This got me to thinking about all the ways people provoke me and whether I have a right to resort to violent behavior:

1. A heck of my money vanished due to acts by Wall Street folk. Now, they get a large bonus while I work my butt off. I figure these guys have provoked me. At least I should have the right to strip them naked and whip their sorry ass butts.

2. Sarah Palin makes one idiotic remark after another which arouses anxiety in my heart and mind at the thought this moron might get elected president. I have been provoked. In all fairness, I should be allowed to imprison Sarah for twenty years in a library where she is compelled to read books.

3. George Bush really got me furious at the nutty invasion of Iraq. I am provoked because it caused me ulcers. I think, in all fairness, I should be allowed to make certain George is locked in a hotel room for eternity along with Saddam Hussein, Don Rumsfeld, and Osama bin Laden.

4. Dick Cheney hovers in my mind compelling me to think rationally. He provokes every moral fiber in my body. I should have the right to force Dick to be a teacher in an Iraq high school for twenty years.

5. Barack Obama has been the most gutless leader of the Democratic party in a century. Just about every day I feel fury how his failure to lead has damaged this nation. I should be allowed to compel Barack Obama to spend the next ten years as the Tea Party’s chief lobbyist in Washington D.C.

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Posted in Asia, Barack Obama, Canada, Conservatives, Dick Cheney, Don Rumsfeld, Gender Issues, George Bush, Human Rights, Liberals, Military, Mitt Romney, Multicultural, Politics, Religion, Republicans, Ron Paul, Rudy Giuliani, United States, US Foreign Policy, World News

A Trip To Bountiful For A Wife

Posted on November 26, 2010 by | Leave a comment

The small town of 400 known as Bountiful is located in a rural area of British Columbia and is the home to two Mormon polygamous sects. Men have numerous wives and everyone is somehow connected to one another although one might wonder if they eventually repeat names of children. Winston Bigdare has 19 wives and about 100 kids which averages about five children to a wife. His chief competitor in town is James Olmer who has fewer wives and children. Since the two patriarchs do not get along, there is scant communication between the town’s competing factions. The British Columbia Supreme Court has held hearings on whether polygamy is constitutional under the laws of Canada. Both men refuse to attend court sessions on grounds they have a religious right to marry as many wives as they can.

I wonder if polygamy is also legal for women. Can they marry numerous men or is this male chauvinism? I am all for freedom of religion but can I begin a religion which allows me to smoke pot, not pay taxes to any government, and rob an occasional bank on ground what belongs to you belongs to me and my 100 kids.

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Posted in Canada, Conservatives, Education, Gender Issues, Human Rights, Multicultural, Politics, Religion, Social Justice, World News

Racism Never Dies

Posted on November 17, 2010 by | Leave a comment

It was Saturday night in a small Canadian town about fifty miles from Toronto and the crowd had gathered at the Legion Hall in order to have a good time at Halloween. A contest was being held for the most original costume and the crowd laughed at presentations. Finally, two men entered, one dressed in the costume of the Ku Klux Klan and the other in black face who had a noose around his neck. Many in the crowd laughed as the two walked around the hall. A few minutes later, the executive commitee of the local Royal Canadian Legion announced their choice for the most innovative costume. Guess which won the award? The two men.

As the weeks passed people in the town of Campbellford began to rethink what had occurred at the Legion hall. Gradually, more and more people became mortified at the entire scene of a KKK man and a black man with a noose around his neck. Today, few in town will discuss the event, particularly to members of the media.

The event is symbolic. Our society does not wish to confront the legacy of what happened during the dark days of slavery and its aftermath of segregation and death. In America, between 1865-1940 approximately 4000 black skinned people met their death in a lynching and, all too often, that lynching was conducted by members of the KKK.

Perhaps, next year in Campbellford, the winner will be someone dressed in a Nazi uniform leading around a man with a Jewish star.

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Posted in Canada, Education, Human Rights, Military, Multicultural, Politics, Social Justice, World News

Is It Reality TV Or Lying TV?

Posted on November 15, 2010 by | Leave a comment

Future historians will be fascinated with our desire to present TV programs which depict hate and violence between people. Of course, turn on Fox News or anyone of a dozen radio and TV stations where pundits proclaim their hate of the president or Muslims or immigrants and receive millions of dollars to preach the benefits of a divided and hostile society. A new Canadian TV show, “Lake Shore” has been interviewing possible contestants who are asked “Are there any nationalities that you dislike?” in order to ascertain where they might be a neat food fight atmosphere. Roxanne Ramedani, who is of Persian heritage was asked to make anti-Semitic remarks in order to stir up some action. She does not possess any such feelings, and thus, most probably will lose her fifteen minutes of fame on TV. Many, many years ago, while working with the crew of the first 60 Minute program I was asked to allow a group of returning Vietnam war veterans I was teaching at Ft. Leonard Wood get into a “black vs white” hate discussion. I refused and thus lost my fifteen minutes of eternal fame.

There is scant doubt preaching hatred increases ratings. How about a program in which contestants vie to show how we can like one another?

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Posted in Barack Obama, Canada, Christianity, Gender Issues, Human Rights, Islam, Judaism, Military, Multicultural, Politics, Religion, Social Justice, World News

Sanity Rally Not Insane Enough

Posted on October 31, 2010 by | Leave a comment

The United States of America has become insane when it requires a Sanity Rally led by two comedians to make more sense than our national leaders. As a Canadian put it: “I came down here because the crazier Americans get, the more Canadians get.” There were satirical comments about Republicans running for service in Congress who believe all economic problems will be solved by reducing taxes on the wealthy, there are Republicans who oppose Social Security and wish to replace it with soup kitchens opened by religious groups in order to kill two birds with one stone–end financial aid for the elderly and make churches once again more important in their lives. Singers like Cat Stevens performed, famous people came from Hollywood to mock what, frankly, is beyond mocking because how does one make fun of individuals like Christine Donnelly whose ignorance makes Sarah Palin come across as someone fit to be teaching in the Harvard philosophy department?

Next week will mark the birth of a new era in American history in which the business world has completely triumphed in fostering its ideas upon a gullible population. The end of unions, the end of workers identifying with the working class, the end of people who understood politics DID influence their lives has left this nation with apolitical youth and middle class people who are still dazed by what happened to their economic lives. They are more alike those who welcomed Adolf Hitler as a savior than those who welcomed Abraham Lincoln or Theodore Roosevelt or Franklin Roosevelt. Believe it or not, once upon a time in American citizens wanted programs, not platitudes.

Thousands had a good laugh in Washington. Colbert and Stewart got to show themselves off as possessing greater intelligence than most members of Congress or the Obama cabinet, and people left with a smile on their faces. The Q

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Posted in Barack Obama, Canada, Conservatives, Democrats, Gender Issues, Human Rights, Liberals, Military, Multicultural, Peace, Politics, Religion, Republicans, Social Justice, United States, US Foreign Policy, War, World News

Tale Of Omar Khadr Ends

Posted on October 25, 2010 by | Leave a comment

The tale of a fifteen year old boy born in Canada finally came to a conclusion in a court in Guantanamo Bay prison when he confessed to having killed an American sergeant with a grenade in 2001. Of course, Omar Khadr is now 24 years of age and has spent nine years in prison for the crime of being involved in a war. For years he denied ever having thrown the grenade and insisted he had been tortured and forced to confess while still a teenager by American interrogators. His Canadian lawyer, Dennis Edney told the media: “he had to come to a hellish decision, he had to make it on his own to get out of Guantanamo Bay.” Edney insisted his client was innocent, but the only way to become free was to confess.

The plea agreement calls for one more year in an American prison and then transfer to Canada where he expects to gain his freedom. One can only wonder if every person in combat was forced to stand trial for killing would we even have enough courts to handle the issue.

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Posted in Asia, Canada, Conservatives, George Bush, Human Rights, Islam, Military, Multicultural, Muslims, Peace, Politics, Religion, Republicans, Social Justice, United States, US Foreign Policy, War, World News

When Is A Hit Man Being Hit On?

Posted on October 4, 2010 by | Leave a comment

Kerry Anderson thought it was just another simple murder he was to carry out, but little did he realize the “murder” might have been a murder or it could have been part of a play. He arrived at the location where he was to learn about the potential hit only to find the door opened by man wearing a diaper. Mr. Anderson thought he had been summoned to carry out the murder of Mrs. Pertraitis by her husband, Alex, but as events unrolled it is unclear if Alexis Petraitis wanted to have a hit man hit his wife or whether he wanted the hit man to pretend being one and play along in a charade about a murder. Alexis Petraitis was at the residence of Sandra Pinella, a dominatrix who claims she was simply ordering around her “slave” to play the role of a man who was hiring a hit man to kill his wife.

I inhabit planet Earth and thus am never surprised to learn how wealthy people get their kicks. I am just one of those ordinary folk who minds his own business and stays clear of the nut cases of the world. For some reason, it appears those with greater wealth are more inclined to play games of power and dress up in their diaper. Funny, few poor people I know are into diapers at age 50.

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Posted in Canada, Gender Issues, Human Rights, Multicultural, Politics, Satire, Social Justice, World News

Bravo Martin Sheen, Friend Of Workers

Posted on September 10, 2010 by | Leave a comment

The media is filled with stories of Hollywood stars getting a new contract or a new lover or caught with drugs, but rarely do we learn about someone famous who performed an act of social justice because it was the right thing to do. Martin Sheen and his son, Emilio Estevez,awoke to hear the sounds of banging drums and went they gazed out the window, there was a picket line. Sheen went downstairs and told pickets at the York Hotel in Toronto, “we will not cross your picket line and if you want us to leave the hotel we will. He then walked with pickets carrying a sign that said: “On Strike for Justice Unite Here.” Sheen told reporters, “I’ve been a union member all my adult life. I’ve been involved in labor struggles all my adult life and I support it.”

OK, it is not the most important issue of humankind. OK, it was just a group of underpaid, overworked people who were trying to get decent wages and working conditions. But, the fact Sheen joined their struggle demonstrates he has not lost his Irish heritage of fighting for the rights of workers.

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Posted in Canada, Democrats, Human Rights, Liberals, Multicultural, Politics, Social Justice, United States, World News