Today Canada lost the greatest Prime Minister it never had. I am a Conservative and I disagree with the NDP platform, but the Honourable Jack Layton was a charismatic, intelligent, honest, hard-working, determined individual and the best possible thing to happen to Canadian politics in a long time. His passing brought a tear to my eye. As leader of the opposition he brought a voice for the people to the House of Commons and a good check for the Conservatives. He was the perfect person to stand up for the little man and he never got the chance. It's a sad day for every Canadian, regardless of their political affiliation.
What makes his death worse is those people who think this is the right time to post their partisan views. However, it's not the Liberals, Greens, BQ or Conservatives that have upset me, but comments from followers of the NDP, who dishonor Jack Layton's memory. One Facebook remark particularly stands out: "
The hypocrisy of the person and others like her is unbelievable. The complete heartlesssness, lack of humanity and compassion saddens me. The man barely passed away, with a message of hope,optimisim, and love in his dying words and here are his "so-called" followers saying that Prime Minister, Harper, or maybe someone in his family should have died instead. This is not the time, nor the place for such a comment and in truth there is never a time or a place for one like it.
When I first read it, I was literally dumbstruck. Then I saw that 18 people "Liked" it and I couldn't conceive that there are so many narrow-minded and insensitive people out there, who are so blinded by their hate that they don't even realize what they say. I'm sure that had the comment been exposed to a greater audience, there would have been many more. I wanted to respond and I know I should have, to not only stand up for the human spirit, but to defend a good man's memory. In the end I couldn't, as it would have jeopardized a friendship, but not with the person who wrote their opinion. A normal human being does not wish death, or disease on anyone, no matter how much they may dislike them and it makes me ashamed that people like this exist.
RIP Jack. My sincerest and deepest sympathies to your family, friends and all those lucky enough to have known and loved you. I truly wish we could have seen how much you could achieve in your new role and who knows, perhaps someday I would have voted NDP, if you had changed your program just a little.
Monday, 22 August 2011
Wednesday, 17 August 2011
World's Most Expensive Cities
UBS has releleased its list of the most expensive and highest-income cities in the world. (www.ubs.com/pricesandearnings)
Not surprisingly, Toronto is still in the top 10 (9th) in terms of cost, but the salaries don't match. The city is more expensive than London and New York, yet the compensation is much lower. In fact, the wages of Torontonians are below that of the Big Apple, despite the drop in the U.S. dollar's value. Its depreciation means that New York is the only U.S. city in the top 30 (with Los Angeles in the 31st position).
Canada has two cities in the top 20. Montreal is in the 17th spot. However, in Montreal the wage levels are about 3 points higher than in Toronto, when compared to the price levels. This means after paying all their bills, Montrealers have more money to spend than Torontonians. Perhaps Gerald Tremblay, the city's mayor, should raise the taxes and fix the roads and other infrastructure.
Top 10 Price Levels Top 10 Wage Levels
Even with the U.S. dollar dropping, it's still better to live in the States in terms of salaries. Chicago and Miami are also in the top 30, at 20 and 21. It's no wonder that so many Canadian professionals (technicians, scientists and doctors) are moving to the U.S. The Canadian dollar is higher, our economy is stronger and our rate of pay should reflect that, but it doesn't. The problem, though, isn't with minimum wage and low-income professions, as the Canadian average is above the U.S., but instead it's an issue with the professions requiring higher education. That is why there is still a brain drain from Canada to our Southern neighbour.
The issue of salaries isn't just visible in the UBS index. Just a few days ago a newborn died in Victoria General Hospital, because of what some doctors are calling a shortage of anestesiologists. (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2011/08/16/bc-victoria-newborn-death-anesthesiologists.html)
The anestesiologists are currently in negotiations over salaries, but the latest offer from the Ministry of Health has been too low and has been rejected. How can one of the most important professions, that requires so much studying, dedication and money for schooling, be underpaid? It makes no sense to give an athlete, with barely a high school education millions and then make a big deal out of giving doctors the money they deserve.
We can either keep losing these skilled workers and intelligentsia and replace them with immigrants, or something needs to change within our system. Unfortunately, other than increasing salaries, or cutting income taxes for these professionals, I cannot give any ideas, as I do not have sufficient knowledge and education in economics, but I am hoping that our government is aware of the problem and is looking into it. If not, perhaps someone should mention this to Prime Minister Harper, or to Jim Flaherty.
Not surprisingly, Toronto is still in the top 10 (9th) in terms of cost, but the salaries don't match. The city is more expensive than London and New York, yet the compensation is much lower. In fact, the wages of Torontonians are below that of the Big Apple, despite the drop in the U.S. dollar's value. Its depreciation means that New York is the only U.S. city in the top 30 (with Los Angeles in the 31st position).
Canada has two cities in the top 20. Montreal is in the 17th spot. However, in Montreal the wage levels are about 3 points higher than in Toronto, when compared to the price levels. This means after paying all their bills, Montrealers have more money to spend than Torontonians. Perhaps Gerald Tremblay, the city's mayor, should raise the taxes and fix the roads and other infrastructure.
Top 10 Price Levels Top 10 Wage Levels
Oslo Zurich
Zurich Geneva
Geneva Copenhagen
Copenhagen Oslo
Stockholm Sydney
Tokyo Stockholm
Sydney New York
Helsinki Luxembourg
Toronto Munich
Singapore Los AngelesEven with the U.S. dollar dropping, it's still better to live in the States in terms of salaries. Chicago and Miami are also in the top 30, at 20 and 21. It's no wonder that so many Canadian professionals (technicians, scientists and doctors) are moving to the U.S. The Canadian dollar is higher, our economy is stronger and our rate of pay should reflect that, but it doesn't. The problem, though, isn't with minimum wage and low-income professions, as the Canadian average is above the U.S., but instead it's an issue with the professions requiring higher education. That is why there is still a brain drain from Canada to our Southern neighbour.
The issue of salaries isn't just visible in the UBS index. Just a few days ago a newborn died in Victoria General Hospital, because of what some doctors are calling a shortage of anestesiologists. (http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/story/2011/08/16/bc-victoria-newborn-death-anesthesiologists.html)
The anestesiologists are currently in negotiations over salaries, but the latest offer from the Ministry of Health has been too low and has been rejected. How can one of the most important professions, that requires so much studying, dedication and money for schooling, be underpaid? It makes no sense to give an athlete, with barely a high school education millions and then make a big deal out of giving doctors the money they deserve.
We can either keep losing these skilled workers and intelligentsia and replace them with immigrants, or something needs to change within our system. Unfortunately, other than increasing salaries, or cutting income taxes for these professionals, I cannot give any ideas, as I do not have sufficient knowledge and education in economics, but I am hoping that our government is aware of the problem and is looking into it. If not, perhaps someone should mention this to Prime Minister Harper, or to Jim Flaherty.
Thursday, 4 August 2011
Rob Ford BBQ
So here I am, once again writing about this man of controversy - Toronto Mayor Rob Ford. Well, not exactly, it seems the controversy is about Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Oh wait, wrong again, because there is no controversy. The two men were at a BBQ honouring Finance Minister Jim Flaherty on Tuesday August 2nd. The media were not invited and apparently felt very insulted by this and decided to create their own story - first out of the fact that the two men appear to be close friends, then that Stephen Harper would like the Conservatives to win in Ontario, oh no, huge secret there and finally they claim that the Prime Minister's office forced the video, which started the controversy to be taken down - again not true. Then they tried to stir things up, by getting Premier Dalton McGuinty involved, but he wisely brushed it off, as have Ford and Harper.
After 48 hours of trying to beat a dead horse, it appears things have finally died down, but it's still amazing how much crap "journalists" can create out of a non-story. What's worse is that they had no real source, except for the YouTube video, which they've reposted without asking persmission, or giving credit. The event wasn't some huge secret, but it was closed to the public. The media ignored official sources - Patrick Brown who was tweeting about it, or the mayor's office who posted pictures. It came to the point where one news organization was quoting another for the story. Simply pathetic, no integrity whatsoever. These so-called writers and reporters are just bottom-feeding scum, on par with the paparazzi and tabloid gossip columnists.
Margaret Atwood tried to jump on the Conservative-bashing bandwagon as well, to help herself with her war of words with Ford. She claimed: "I would not have been invited, because I and my fellow artists are not welcome in Fords’ Toronto." First of all, the BBQ was in honour of Jim Flaherty and it was held in part to thank the volunteers who helped in the Tory campaign and that's who most of the participants were. Second, how does she know there were no artists there. Pretty ignorant comment, but we all know the old saying about "assuming".
It's also amusing to see how the trolls came out of the woodwork to bad-mouth Harper and Ford, as if they did something wrong for having a BBQ together. Get a life people. These are human beings, they're allowed to be friends, be loyal to each other and their supporters and to congratulate each other on a job well done. All of you do it, including the NDP or Liberals, so get over yourselves and get your self-righteous heads out of your asses.
After 48 hours of trying to beat a dead horse, it appears things have finally died down, but it's still amazing how much crap "journalists" can create out of a non-story. What's worse is that they had no real source, except for the YouTube video, which they've reposted without asking persmission, or giving credit. The event wasn't some huge secret, but it was closed to the public. The media ignored official sources - Patrick Brown who was tweeting about it, or the mayor's office who posted pictures. It came to the point where one news organization was quoting another for the story. Simply pathetic, no integrity whatsoever. These so-called writers and reporters are just bottom-feeding scum, on par with the paparazzi and tabloid gossip columnists.
Margaret Atwood tried to jump on the Conservative-bashing bandwagon as well, to help herself with her war of words with Ford. She claimed: "I would not have been invited, because I and my fellow artists are not welcome in Fords’ Toronto." First of all, the BBQ was in honour of Jim Flaherty and it was held in part to thank the volunteers who helped in the Tory campaign and that's who most of the participants were. Second, how does she know there were no artists there. Pretty ignorant comment, but we all know the old saying about "assuming".
It's also amusing to see how the trolls came out of the woodwork to bad-mouth Harper and Ford, as if they did something wrong for having a BBQ together. Get a life people. These are human beings, they're allowed to be friends, be loyal to each other and their supporters and to congratulate each other on a job well done. All of you do it, including the NDP or Liberals, so get over yourselves and get your self-righteous heads out of your asses.
Saturday, 23 July 2011
Shootings in Norway - a case for the death penalty.
I cannot express my outrage strongly enough at what happened on the island of Utoya in Norway. I wish I could have an hour with the lump of human garbage. I want to swear and rant, but I'm trying to keep this post at least slightly civilized.
The biggest coward in the world, killed more than 85 people and then surrendered to the police. I will not write the 32-year-old Norwegian's name, as the penalty for his crimes should have been meted out right then and there and his name should have been forgotten. Only the most gutless piece of trash would go to an island and shoot innocent kids, who have no way of defending themselves, or escaping. It was like shooting fish in a barrel. If he wanted to make a political protest, or prove a point, I'm sure there could have been a million more effective ways. Why did he plant a bomb in Oslo and then safely run away like a chicken? How can he be called a political extremist? He was shooting innocent people, not political targets. He has no balls, he's a weak, a pathetic wimp, who only wanted to be famous and to kill as many people as possible. The fact he posted a YouTube video and surrendered to the police as soon as they arrived further proves that point. They should not have treated him like a human being.
Now there will be a loud trial, further publicizing his name. He'll be convicted and spend a maximum of 21 years in a comfortable Norwegian prison, instead of being fried or hanged for what he did. Where is the justice in that? Is there a shadow of a doubt that he committed these crimes? I call on all the criminals and guards in his future prison to show this roadkill that the punishment should fit the crime. Make his life living hell. He deserves no mercy.
My deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of the victims and all the people of Norway. I feel your pain and your anger and I'm sorry that people like this exist. They are an embarrassment to the human race.
The biggest coward in the world, killed more than 85 people and then surrendered to the police. I will not write the 32-year-old Norwegian's name, as the penalty for his crimes should have been meted out right then and there and his name should have been forgotten. Only the most gutless piece of trash would go to an island and shoot innocent kids, who have no way of defending themselves, or escaping. It was like shooting fish in a barrel. If he wanted to make a political protest, or prove a point, I'm sure there could have been a million more effective ways. Why did he plant a bomb in Oslo and then safely run away like a chicken? How can he be called a political extremist? He was shooting innocent people, not political targets. He has no balls, he's a weak, a pathetic wimp, who only wanted to be famous and to kill as many people as possible. The fact he posted a YouTube video and surrendered to the police as soon as they arrived further proves that point. They should not have treated him like a human being.
Now there will be a loud trial, further publicizing his name. He'll be convicted and spend a maximum of 21 years in a comfortable Norwegian prison, instead of being fried or hanged for what he did. Where is the justice in that? Is there a shadow of a doubt that he committed these crimes? I call on all the criminals and guards in his future prison to show this roadkill that the punishment should fit the crime. Make his life living hell. He deserves no mercy.
My deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of the victims and all the people of Norway. I feel your pain and your anger and I'm sorry that people like this exist. They are an embarrassment to the human race.
Sunday, 17 July 2011
How to help Canada's economy?
So far, the Canadian government has managed to greatly reduce the impact of the global economic crisis on our country, but with reports coming in about the upcoming bursting of the real estate bubble (http://www.bnn.ca/News/2011/7/13/Real-estate-set-for-slowdown-TD.aspx) and a possibility of the U.S. defaulting on its debt (http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/story/2011/07/12/f-us-default-canadian-effects.html), shouldn't we be worried? Our population is aging and birth rate is dropping. Ontario and other provinces, are expecting to see lebour shortages in the near future (http://www.collegesontario.org/news/news-releases/2007/ontario-faces-labour-shortage-of-360000-people.html).
Either one of the above issues should be a big cause for concern, but there is a long-term solution - increasing Canada's immigration. However, it's not as simple as just letting more people in, the system needs a lot of tweeking to ensure the desired results.
Accepting more immigrants, does not mean refugees, or elderly family members, but skilled workers, tradesmen, doctors and people with capital to boost the economy. However, it is one thing to accept these new Canadians, but another to actually let them work, which is the biggest problem facing new immigrants right now. Their credentials are often not recognized and the recognition takes many years and often forces them to give up. The process needs to be changed and simplified.
Doctors for example need to jump backwards through hoops of fire to be able to practice. There are four exams: MCCEE, MCQE1, MCQE2, CaRMS and then a minimum of two years of residency. If the person is lucky, they might be able to finish the process in four to five years. Each exam is very expensive and the immigrant doctor is not guaranteed residency spot. In fact the competition is so stiff, there is a less than 1 in 4 chance that the person who passes the exams will get a position (http://www.thebigwait.com/international-medical-graduates/lower-percentage-of-foreign-trained-doctors-matched-for-medical-residency-in-carms-2010-match/). It makes no sense to be losing doctors to the U.S., having shortages in Canada and making it so difficult for trained and ready professionals to be able to practice in Canada.
Another issue is the language barrier, especially among tradesmen. For higher-education skilled workers, a language profficiency test is required and justified, but is it necessary for carpenters, tile setters, construction workers and people needed to work in the oil sands, or other natural resource extraction? Wouldn't easing the requirements for these professions encourage more immigration and ease the backlog? What currently ends up happening is newcomers with a higher education end up being forced into this form of labour, because they cannot get their diplomas recognized and they cannot survive. Why not make it easier for them to do so, while at the same time allow immigrants with specific skills, but who may not speak English very well to immigrate?
The housing bubble does not have to burst, although right now a new wave of immigrants would probably arrive too late and a significant price drop is imminent. However, when they do arrive, there will be more new home buyers, more builders and they will bring a boost to the economy and allow for recovery.
Newcomers are also key to Canada's future should the U.S. economy collapse. With strong, booming economies in China and India, we need to think about expanding business there. What better way than through their own people? They are our future trade partners and if we can speak their language and understand their culture, it gives Canada an advantage. There should be a greater focus on building relationships with these prospective economic giants.
The aging population also needs to be cared for, and more imporantly - paid for (http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/07/17/us-aging-idUSN1721514720070717). Soon they will be retiring and leaving the workforce, they will require nurses, doctors, caregivers. The government will have to pay out more and more in pensions. Where will this money and caregivers come from? Canadians are not having enough children. Again, immigrants are the only answer - more taxpayers and more workers.
Let's revamp the immigration system:
- Increase the number of immigrants per year. According to NDP and RBC it needs to be around 400,000.
- Lower language requirements for trades people and labourers.
- Make it easier for immigrants with a higher education to get their diplomas and training recognized.
- Give equal opportunity to new immigrants - same wages, don't discriminate based on lack of Canadian experience.
- The reduction in immigration for sponsored parents and grandparents is the right move at the moment, but it should be changed once the Canadian population becomes more balanced again and the number of children is higher than the number of seniors. If it will be difficult for the immigrants be reunited with their families, they may return to their countries. Losing them after investing in them is bad business.
Nicholas Keung, a Toronto Star reporter, is a big proponent of immigratin and in a 2010 article he writes about the boost to innovation, art and cluture that immigrants give to Canada (http://www.thestar.com/news/investigations/immigration/article/875649--immigrants-help-boost-canada-s-innovation). We have nothing to lose and everything to gain. It's time for change and the government needs to listen.
Either one of the above issues should be a big cause for concern, but there is a long-term solution - increasing Canada's immigration. However, it's not as simple as just letting more people in, the system needs a lot of tweeking to ensure the desired results.
Accepting more immigrants, does not mean refugees, or elderly family members, but skilled workers, tradesmen, doctors and people with capital to boost the economy. However, it is one thing to accept these new Canadians, but another to actually let them work, which is the biggest problem facing new immigrants right now. Their credentials are often not recognized and the recognition takes many years and often forces them to give up. The process needs to be changed and simplified.
Doctors for example need to jump backwards through hoops of fire to be able to practice. There are four exams: MCCEE, MCQE1, MCQE2, CaRMS and then a minimum of two years of residency. If the person is lucky, they might be able to finish the process in four to five years. Each exam is very expensive and the immigrant doctor is not guaranteed residency spot. In fact the competition is so stiff, there is a less than 1 in 4 chance that the person who passes the exams will get a position (http://www.thebigwait.com/international-medical-graduates/lower-percentage-of-foreign-trained-doctors-matched-for-medical-residency-in-carms-2010-match/). It makes no sense to be losing doctors to the U.S., having shortages in Canada and making it so difficult for trained and ready professionals to be able to practice in Canada.
Another issue is the language barrier, especially among tradesmen. For higher-education skilled workers, a language profficiency test is required and justified, but is it necessary for carpenters, tile setters, construction workers and people needed to work in the oil sands, or other natural resource extraction? Wouldn't easing the requirements for these professions encourage more immigration and ease the backlog? What currently ends up happening is newcomers with a higher education end up being forced into this form of labour, because they cannot get their diplomas recognized and they cannot survive. Why not make it easier for them to do so, while at the same time allow immigrants with specific skills, but who may not speak English very well to immigrate?
The housing bubble does not have to burst, although right now a new wave of immigrants would probably arrive too late and a significant price drop is imminent. However, when they do arrive, there will be more new home buyers, more builders and they will bring a boost to the economy and allow for recovery.
Newcomers are also key to Canada's future should the U.S. economy collapse. With strong, booming economies in China and India, we need to think about expanding business there. What better way than through their own people? They are our future trade partners and if we can speak their language and understand their culture, it gives Canada an advantage. There should be a greater focus on building relationships with these prospective economic giants.
The aging population also needs to be cared for, and more imporantly - paid for (http://www.reuters.com/article/2007/07/17/us-aging-idUSN1721514720070717). Soon they will be retiring and leaving the workforce, they will require nurses, doctors, caregivers. The government will have to pay out more and more in pensions. Where will this money and caregivers come from? Canadians are not having enough children. Again, immigrants are the only answer - more taxpayers and more workers.
Let's revamp the immigration system:
- Increase the number of immigrants per year. According to NDP and RBC it needs to be around 400,000.
- Lower language requirements for trades people and labourers.
- Make it easier for immigrants with a higher education to get their diplomas and training recognized.
- Give equal opportunity to new immigrants - same wages, don't discriminate based on lack of Canadian experience.
- The reduction in immigration for sponsored parents and grandparents is the right move at the moment, but it should be changed once the Canadian population becomes more balanced again and the number of children is higher than the number of seniors. If it will be difficult for the immigrants be reunited with their families, they may return to their countries. Losing them after investing in them is bad business.
Nicholas Keung, a Toronto Star reporter, is a big proponent of immigratin and in a 2010 article he writes about the boost to innovation, art and cluture that immigrants give to Canada (http://www.thestar.com/news/investigations/immigration/article/875649--immigrants-help-boost-canada-s-innovation). We have nothing to lose and everything to gain. It's time for change and the government needs to listen.
Monday, 4 July 2011
How Justin Bieber killed planking.
Yes, that's right, most people don't know it yet, but true planking has been destroyed. A couple days ago Justin Bieber retweeted some guy's twitpic of a really bad plank.
First of all the man was doing it all wrong, as are 90% of the plankers out there. His feet were not straight, as if he were standing, but instead he was just lying on a couch with his feet parallel to his legs. His arms weren't flush at his sides, but instead his palms were up.
Second, he wasn't even doing it in an interesting or hard to get to spot. A couch? What kind of plank is that?
I think Bieber did this on purpose to destroy this up until recently small underground movement.
![]()
Yesterday I was in Toronto, planning a plank on a cop car, waiting for the police officer to turn around, so I could jump on quickly and take a pic. Instead I was amazed to see that four teenage girls walked up to the policeman and asked him if they could pose on his car. He agreed! Then he walked away, pretending he didn't see them, while thy lied down on the trunk, holding hands and smiling at the camera... That's not planking!
The whole idea is to make it look like you're posing for a regular picture, but instead of standing, lying down and not looking at the camera, but at the ground. Then they were giggling, as if they did something scary, illegal or naughty. Yeah right... Planking has to be spontaneous and funny, not staged. The more people looking at you surprised, the better. If there are no people around, at least make the spot unique, dangerous, or unexpected. That's what planking is about, not about resting somewhere after you asked permission. Are you kidding me? Damn you Justin Bieber!
This makes me want to give up planking for good. It is no longer a secret, as now everyone will know what you're doing and there will be no more shocked looks on peoople's faces. Where's the fun in doing something that's just another trend? For all you real plankers out there, who do it for the sport, the excitement and not just because your friends are doing it, it's time to come up with something different, cooler, more extreme (but still doable for those of us who can't parkour), but this time, whatever you do, don't let Bieber know.
First of all the man was doing it all wrong, as are 90% of the plankers out there. His feet were not straight, as if he were standing, but instead he was just lying on a couch with his feet parallel to his legs. His arms weren't flush at his sides, but instead his palms were up.
Second, he wasn't even doing it in an interesting or hard to get to spot. A couch? What kind of plank is that?
I think Bieber did this on purpose to destroy this up until recently small underground movement.
The whole idea is to make it look like you're posing for a regular picture, but instead of standing, lying down and not looking at the camera, but at the ground. Then they were giggling, as if they did something scary, illegal or naughty. Yeah right... Planking has to be spontaneous and funny, not staged. The more people looking at you surprised, the better. If there are no people around, at least make the spot unique, dangerous, or unexpected. That's what planking is about, not about resting somewhere after you asked permission. Are you kidding me? Damn you Justin Bieber!
This makes me want to give up planking for good. It is no longer a secret, as now everyone will know what you're doing and there will be no more shocked looks on peoople's faces. Where's the fun in doing something that's just another trend? For all you real plankers out there, who do it for the sport, the excitement and not just because your friends are doing it, it's time to come up with something different, cooler, more extreme (but still doable for those of us who can't parkour), but this time, whatever you do, don't let Bieber know.
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and the Gay Pride Parade
This has been bugging me since the news broke. What is the big deal with Rob Ford not going to the Gay Pride Parade? It's his choice and he should not be criticized for it.
1. Canada is a democratic society, where every citizen is free to make their own choices. The whole point of this parade is for the LGBT community to demonstrate their pride in the fact they are gay and to celebrate their freedom to express themselves. They are being hypocritical by forcing Ford to attend.
2. Just because Miller and Lastman liked to kiss voters' asses doesn't mean Ford has to follow their lead. It's his decision on whether or not he wants to court the gay vote, minority vote or any other. He can attend any ethnic or other event, but he doesn't have to. The LGBT community is making a huge fuss, saying he should go, but where does it stop? Why doesn't the Greek, Italian, Ukrainian, or any other group in Toronto complain that Ford was not at their celebration?
3. This is a long weekend and everyone deserves a day off to enjoy and relax. How would you feel if your employer forced you to attend some party when you already had plans to go to a cottage with your family? Is that so hard to understand and forgive? I don't want someone dictating what I have to do outside my work and I'm sure no one does either. It's not just about a day off, it's about time with your family instead of work. For me, family is the most important thing in my life and there is no way I would let work come before it.
4. It is up to Ford to make a decision whether or not he wants to support the Gay Pride Parade. He does not have to. He is a free citizen and it doesn't necessarily make him a bigot. Just because he doesn't champion the cause, doesn't mean he is against it. There is such a thing as neutrality. It's not just "if you're not with us, you're against us". I don't go to rallies or parades for most causes. It's not because I don't support them, it's simply because they do not interest me, or they do not affect me.
5. Finally, I have been to the Gay Pride Parade several times and I am all for equal rights, but the event is not a good image for the LGBT community. Many people are not there to support the liberties and freedoms, they are there just to look and point at the "weirdos" and "freaks". It enforces the stereotypes instead of dispelling them. There are more negative images portrayed at the parade (promiscuity, public nudity, STDs) than positive ones (parents of gay children) and it needs to change. I know muscular, naked men, flashy transvestites and bondage costumes draw crowds, but is that what you want to be known for?
So, how about we cut Ford some slack and let him make up his own mind. If he loses the next election because of the LGBT vote, then that's his choice, but he's a Canadian citizen, like you and I and should not be made to do something against his own free will.
1. Canada is a democratic society, where every citizen is free to make their own choices. The whole point of this parade is for the LGBT community to demonstrate their pride in the fact they are gay and to celebrate their freedom to express themselves. They are being hypocritical by forcing Ford to attend.
2. Just because Miller and Lastman liked to kiss voters' asses doesn't mean Ford has to follow their lead. It's his decision on whether or not he wants to court the gay vote, minority vote or any other. He can attend any ethnic or other event, but he doesn't have to. The LGBT community is making a huge fuss, saying he should go, but where does it stop? Why doesn't the Greek, Italian, Ukrainian, or any other group in Toronto complain that Ford was not at their celebration?
3. This is a long weekend and everyone deserves a day off to enjoy and relax. How would you feel if your employer forced you to attend some party when you already had plans to go to a cottage with your family? Is that so hard to understand and forgive? I don't want someone dictating what I have to do outside my work and I'm sure no one does either. It's not just about a day off, it's about time with your family instead of work. For me, family is the most important thing in my life and there is no way I would let work come before it.
4. It is up to Ford to make a decision whether or not he wants to support the Gay Pride Parade. He does not have to. He is a free citizen and it doesn't necessarily make him a bigot. Just because he doesn't champion the cause, doesn't mean he is against it. There is such a thing as neutrality. It's not just "if you're not with us, you're against us". I don't go to rallies or parades for most causes. It's not because I don't support them, it's simply because they do not interest me, or they do not affect me.
5. Finally, I have been to the Gay Pride Parade several times and I am all for equal rights, but the event is not a good image for the LGBT community. Many people are not there to support the liberties and freedoms, they are there just to look and point at the "weirdos" and "freaks". It enforces the stereotypes instead of dispelling them. There are more negative images portrayed at the parade (promiscuity, public nudity, STDs) than positive ones (parents of gay children) and it needs to change. I know muscular, naked men, flashy transvestites and bondage costumes draw crowds, but is that what you want to be known for?
So, how about we cut Ford some slack and let him make up his own mind. If he loses the next election because of the LGBT vote, then that's his choice, but he's a Canadian citizen, like you and I and should not be made to do something against his own free will.
Saturday, 25 June 2011
Canada Post strike
There seems to be no end in sight to the Canada Post strike/lockout. The two sides refuse to talk and the NDP is stalling any legislation that might have forced the union back to work. For what? Who will be the winner in this? Well, the answer is - nobody.
There are only losers.
The union will have lower salaries no matter what happens and they will have lost the wages for the strike/lockout period. On top of that they will lose jobs in the long run, as the public will shift away from regular mail. They had cushy jobs, high salaried, with great benefits for unskilled labour. Now those jobs will not only be lower paying, they will slowly start getting phased out.
Canada Post, by locking the union out, has angered the public, who was at the very least indifferent to the rolling strikes and at most angry at the union. Now the blame has shifted largely to Canada Post. In due time, they will also have made themselves irrelevant, because people are starting to see that the mail service is not as necessary, as they initially may have believed. There will be an even larger shift to email and courier services for deliveries. Customers will not easily trust and forgive the Canada Post for this.
The NDP is causing the most chaos here and are largely contributing to the collapse of the mail service. Their stupid delay tactics are completely pointless, as the two sides are not even talking. They think they are defending the common man, the unions, etc. All they are doing is making people angry because they are not receiving important letters, small businesses are getting hurt by additional costs and are being forced to shut down operations, hopefully only temporarily. The party is slowly losing support and the ground they gained during the election. Canadians want this to end, not see it drawn out indefinitely and the NDP is hurting more people than they are fighting for.
The Conservatives will look like a villain no matter what happens. If they force the union back to work, they will be the evil dictatorship, anti-people, anti-union, anti-freedom. If the NDP delay tactics give the union and Canada Post enough time to resolve their differences, the Tories will still look bad for trying to pass the legislation and for having the strike take so long.
Finally, there are the Canadian people. There is a lot of mail being held that people need to receive, not just the bills and the cheques, but also government documents, immigration correspondence, Revenue Canada letters, etc. Small businesses that rely on Canada Post for shipping their merchandise have to use more expensive couriers and lose most of their profits, or close down shop completely. The longer the disruption takes, the higher the chances that they will not recover.
The NDP should give up their communist and outdated views and let the bill pass. If they cannot make real changes to it and there is no end in sight to the dispute, what's the point of this procrastination? It is damaging all of Canada. Enough, have some common sense, look after the majority of the people, not just the corrupt unions. I'm sure even the Canada Post employees want this to end soon, as they are probably already feeling the pinch in their wallets.
There are only losers.
The union will have lower salaries no matter what happens and they will have lost the wages for the strike/lockout period. On top of that they will lose jobs in the long run, as the public will shift away from regular mail. They had cushy jobs, high salaried, with great benefits for unskilled labour. Now those jobs will not only be lower paying, they will slowly start getting phased out.
Canada Post, by locking the union out, has angered the public, who was at the very least indifferent to the rolling strikes and at most angry at the union. Now the blame has shifted largely to Canada Post. In due time, they will also have made themselves irrelevant, because people are starting to see that the mail service is not as necessary, as they initially may have believed. There will be an even larger shift to email and courier services for deliveries. Customers will not easily trust and forgive the Canada Post for this.
The NDP is causing the most chaos here and are largely contributing to the collapse of the mail service. Their stupid delay tactics are completely pointless, as the two sides are not even talking. They think they are defending the common man, the unions, etc. All they are doing is making people angry because they are not receiving important letters, small businesses are getting hurt by additional costs and are being forced to shut down operations, hopefully only temporarily. The party is slowly losing support and the ground they gained during the election. Canadians want this to end, not see it drawn out indefinitely and the NDP is hurting more people than they are fighting for.
The Conservatives will look like a villain no matter what happens. If they force the union back to work, they will be the evil dictatorship, anti-people, anti-union, anti-freedom. If the NDP delay tactics give the union and Canada Post enough time to resolve their differences, the Tories will still look bad for trying to pass the legislation and for having the strike take so long.
Finally, there are the Canadian people. There is a lot of mail being held that people need to receive, not just the bills and the cheques, but also government documents, immigration correspondence, Revenue Canada letters, etc. Small businesses that rely on Canada Post for shipping their merchandise have to use more expensive couriers and lose most of their profits, or close down shop completely. The longer the disruption takes, the higher the chances that they will not recover.
The NDP should give up their communist and outdated views and let the bill pass. If they cannot make real changes to it and there is no end in sight to the dispute, what's the point of this procrastination? It is damaging all of Canada. Enough, have some common sense, look after the majority of the people, not just the corrupt unions. I'm sure even the Canada Post employees want this to end soon, as they are probably already feeling the pinch in their wallets.
Friday, 24 June 2011
Ryan Dunn - Jackass
So it appears Roger Ebert wasn't too quick in his judgment. Ryan Dunn was driving drunk and going more than 130 mph at the time of the crash. He got famous for doing stupid and irresponsible stunts, but this time he paid the ultimate price for it.
I don't understand why people are defending him and saying he deserves respect because he's dead. Are you kidding me? He was an idiot, he did something stupid and the only reason he's dead is because of this. This was not an accident, but an irresponsible act, with predictable consequences.
What makes it even worse is that he killed another person. He doesn't deserve pity, honour or respect. He got exactly what he deserved. What if he hit another car? A family? We are lucky he crashed into the woods and not into someone else.
The only victim in this case was Zachary Hartwell and even he wasn't entirely innocent - he should have stopped Dunn from driving, or at least not gotten into a car with him, especially knowing his reputation.
So instead of people complaining that Ebert was being insensitive, or whatever with his Tweet, how about nominating Dunn for a Darwin Award (http://darwinawards.com/darwin/). Thank you Ryan for taking yourself out of the gene pool.
I don't understand why people are defending him and saying he deserves respect because he's dead. Are you kidding me? He was an idiot, he did something stupid and the only reason he's dead is because of this. This was not an accident, but an irresponsible act, with predictable consequences.
What makes it even worse is that he killed another person. He doesn't deserve pity, honour or respect. He got exactly what he deserved. What if he hit another car? A family? We are lucky he crashed into the woods and not into someone else.
The only victim in this case was Zachary Hartwell and even he wasn't entirely innocent - he should have stopped Dunn from driving, or at least not gotten into a car with him, especially knowing his reputation.
So instead of people complaining that Ebert was being insensitive, or whatever with his Tweet, how about nominating Dunn for a Darwin Award (http://darwinawards.com/darwin/). Thank you Ryan for taking yourself out of the gene pool.
Montreal Police
On October 14, 2007, Robert Dziekanski was killed by the RCMP at Vancouver airport. I was reminded of his case, when Patrick Limoges and Mario Hamel were gunned down in downtown Montreal on Tuesday morning. Limoges was a St-Luc Hospital employee, who was killed by a stray police bullet. His case is another sign that police officers need more training and they need to be made accountable for their actions.
The policemen in Dziekanski's case overreacted and were not punished for their actions. The officers involved in Limoges's death also showed a lack of judgment, or possibly training and only time will tell whether or not there will pay for their negligence. However, it doesn't look good, as excuses are already being made by Public Security Minister Robert Dutil, who said they probably didn't have Tasers.
Here's where things get a little fuzzy for me. The officers are chasing and shooting at a man with a knife in downtown Montreal. Really? Shooting off your gun in downtown Montreal? That makes a lot of sense... There are several officers. A homeless man, Mario Hamel, only has a knife. Sounds like the old saying about bringing a knife to a gun fight. The poor officers were at such a disadvantage here... How far away were the police so that they missed him and hit Limoges? I guess learning how to use a gun is not part of the training. If they were far away, was using a gun really necessary? If they were close, why did they miss? Was he threatening someone with the knife? Was someone's life in immediate danger and that justified the use of a firearm? Even if no one had a Taser, couldn't one of the officers get close enough to hit Hamel in the leg, in his arm? Are the officers trained only to kill?
Gunning down a man with a knife is the same as Tasering a man with a stapler. It's a sign of stupidity, incompetence and improper training. Assuming these officers were not armed with a Taser, I'm sure they had batons available. I have no proper combat training, but give me and three friends batons and I'm sure we could take down a homeless man with a knife. How hard can it be?
Police officers are supposedly putting their lives on the line for us, but that's rarely true. In most cases they just go for the easy way out and their jobs are nowhere near as dangerous as many others out there. Construction workers, fishermen, loggers, miners and many others have much more dangerous jobs than cops and face death more frequently, but no one considers them heroes. Police officers are not even ranked in the top 10 of the most dangerous jobs. http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/110394/americas-10-most-dangerous-jobs
Why then are they not made accountable for their mistakes? Why do they get away with things regular people wouldn't? Is their incompetence due to a lack of education? Then change their training program. It's not fair that they can kill a man and not have to pay for it. The system needs to change. The police have too much power and someone needs to start policing them. Enough is enough.
Also, enough ranting.
The policemen in Dziekanski's case overreacted and were not punished for their actions. The officers involved in Limoges's death also showed a lack of judgment, or possibly training and only time will tell whether or not there will pay for their negligence. However, it doesn't look good, as excuses are already being made by Public Security Minister Robert Dutil, who said they probably didn't have Tasers.
Here's where things get a little fuzzy for me. The officers are chasing and shooting at a man with a knife in downtown Montreal. Really? Shooting off your gun in downtown Montreal? That makes a lot of sense... There are several officers. A homeless man, Mario Hamel, only has a knife. Sounds like the old saying about bringing a knife to a gun fight. The poor officers were at such a disadvantage here... How far away were the police so that they missed him and hit Limoges? I guess learning how to use a gun is not part of the training. If they were far away, was using a gun really necessary? If they were close, why did they miss? Was he threatening someone with the knife? Was someone's life in immediate danger and that justified the use of a firearm? Even if no one had a Taser, couldn't one of the officers get close enough to hit Hamel in the leg, in his arm? Are the officers trained only to kill?
Gunning down a man with a knife is the same as Tasering a man with a stapler. It's a sign of stupidity, incompetence and improper training. Assuming these officers were not armed with a Taser, I'm sure they had batons available. I have no proper combat training, but give me and three friends batons and I'm sure we could take down a homeless man with a knife. How hard can it be?
Police officers are supposedly putting their lives on the line for us, but that's rarely true. In most cases they just go for the easy way out and their jobs are nowhere near as dangerous as many others out there. Construction workers, fishermen, loggers, miners and many others have much more dangerous jobs than cops and face death more frequently, but no one considers them heroes. Police officers are not even ranked in the top 10 of the most dangerous jobs. http://finance.yahoo.com/career-work/article/110394/americas-10-most-dangerous-jobs
Why then are they not made accountable for their mistakes? Why do they get away with things regular people wouldn't? Is their incompetence due to a lack of education? Then change their training program. It's not fair that they can kill a man and not have to pay for it. The system needs to change. The police have too much power and someone needs to start policing them. Enough is enough.
Also, enough ranting.
Brigitte Marcelle DePape
Well, by now I'm sure most people in Canada have heard the name. Brigitte Marcelle DePape is the Senate page who displayed a "Stop Harper" sign during the Throne Speech this week and later expressed her views about the Prime Minister to the media. I figured I might as well add my two cents to the story, although I'm sure plenty of commentary has been made and I don't know if anybody cares what I think. However, I like to write, I have an opinion, so who cares if someone reads it or not.
First of all, the act was extremely disrespectful - to the office of the Prime Minister, to Stephen Harper himself, to the Senate and last, but not least to Canada. DePape later spoke about Stephen Harper being disastrous for this country and her generation. She's exactly what's wrong with this generation - no respect, no discipline and thinks she can do whatever she likes. There is a time and a place for her protest and this wasn't it. She insulted all of us with her outburst, which was equivalent to spitting on the flag or burning it. Very patriotic of her.
Second of all, she clearly has no idea what she is talking about. She's an ignorant youth, a pawn of the media and extremists, who probably thinks she's a patriot and helping make a difference. She's a puppet, spouting out slogans she's been watching on TV and the Internet. Stephen Harper hasn't destroyed any social programs and if she had listened to the Throne Speech, instead of interrupting it, she might have realized he's not planning on doing it in the future either.
Third, she claims that Stephen Harper does not represent the majority of Canadians. She claims three out of four Canadians do not support Stephen Harper. Last time I checked, 39% of the popular vote is about 14% more than 1/4. Perhaps, instead of meddling in politics, she should go back to school and learn some math. Also, around 40% of the vote is standard for a multi-party system majority. DePape should look into the statistics from previous elections to confirm that. Even at their height in the 90s, the Liberals only had 43% of the vote. It seems that history is not her strong point either. If it was a two-party system, as exists in the U.S. the 39% would probably translate into around 60% of the popular vote.
Finally, related to the previous point, there is her call for an "Arab spring". We just had the Liberals and NDP start a little revolution by forcing an election and this time, the people of Canada spoke for stability, for the economy and for a stronger Canada. Any uprising now would be a small, but loud minority, definitely not representing the views and beliefs of Canadians and that should never be allowed.
DePape has no idea what the revolutions in the Middle East and Africa are about, but thinks she has a right to disrupt Canada's highest institutions to express her juvenile, uneducated views. Shame on her for this embarrassment to Canada. I hope that there will be consequences for her actions and that she learns something more from this, other than that doing something stupid in public can make you popular. If she really wants to make a difference in our country, she should get an education, volunteer, contribute, improve the laws, instead of making ignorant and disrespectful comments and gestures.
First of all, the act was extremely disrespectful - to the office of the Prime Minister, to Stephen Harper himself, to the Senate and last, but not least to Canada. DePape later spoke about Stephen Harper being disastrous for this country and her generation. She's exactly what's wrong with this generation - no respect, no discipline and thinks she can do whatever she likes. There is a time and a place for her protest and this wasn't it. She insulted all of us with her outburst, which was equivalent to spitting on the flag or burning it. Very patriotic of her.
Second of all, she clearly has no idea what she is talking about. She's an ignorant youth, a pawn of the media and extremists, who probably thinks she's a patriot and helping make a difference. She's a puppet, spouting out slogans she's been watching on TV and the Internet. Stephen Harper hasn't destroyed any social programs and if she had listened to the Throne Speech, instead of interrupting it, she might have realized he's not planning on doing it in the future either.
Third, she claims that Stephen Harper does not represent the majority of Canadians. She claims three out of four Canadians do not support Stephen Harper. Last time I checked, 39% of the popular vote is about 14% more than 1/4. Perhaps, instead of meddling in politics, she should go back to school and learn some math. Also, around 40% of the vote is standard for a multi-party system majority. DePape should look into the statistics from previous elections to confirm that. Even at their height in the 90s, the Liberals only had 43% of the vote. It seems that history is not her strong point either. If it was a two-party system, as exists in the U.S. the 39% would probably translate into around 60% of the popular vote.
Finally, related to the previous point, there is her call for an "Arab spring". We just had the Liberals and NDP start a little revolution by forcing an election and this time, the people of Canada spoke for stability, for the economy and for a stronger Canada. Any uprising now would be a small, but loud minority, definitely not representing the views and beliefs of Canadians and that should never be allowed.
DePape has no idea what the revolutions in the Middle East and Africa are about, but thinks she has a right to disrupt Canada's highest institutions to express her juvenile, uneducated views. Shame on her for this embarrassment to Canada. I hope that there will be consequences for her actions and that she learns something more from this, other than that doing something stupid in public can make you popular. If she really wants to make a difference in our country, she should get an education, volunteer, contribute, improve the laws, instead of making ignorant and disrespectful comments and gestures.
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