The Most Important Relationship Batch of All

We all have relationships in our lives. They go up and down; hot and cold... but soem are more important than others.

Some time ago I talked about my relationship with my spouse who is also my best friend.. .we had a wonderful time this past summer marking our 40th wedding anniversary.

I want to talk about another very important relationship. It's the one we have with our children. YOu know even when they grow up they are still our children. There isn't much (some might say we do too much) we won't do for our children.

This next week we are spending many days travelling to and from where our adult child lives. To the extent we can, we are helping her sort out some significant life cycle issues she is facing.

One may ask why we are going to all the hassles of travel (I may post comments during our trip)....well like all parents we are doing it as we love her. She entered our lives nearly 3 decades ago and it's been an exciting time ever since. She has grown up into a mature woman with normal young people's dreams and goals.

We are there both literally (at times) and figuratively to support her.

Johnny Come Lately

So I see our Prime Minister is going to Copenhagen for the climate change summit. I really wish he was going to 'lead the charge' for a real climate change treaty. But it seems that is not the case. All reports I have seen suggest Canada is one of the impediments to real progress in the fight against climate change.

I understand he is also attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting. I hope he joins with thousands of others from around the world who have condemned the Government of Uganda for trying to criminalize homosexual conduct.

Why Hasn't Canada Eliminated Child Poverty?

After twenty years we still have the scourge of child poverty in Canada.... why?

We live in one of the richest, resourced countries in the world... but still have child poverty ...why?

Politicians say they wish to end child poverty.. but they don't.... why?

I could ask all day... you get the drift...

NIMBY TO YIMBY

As those who use Facebook and Twitter know by now I attended a forum put on in Ottawa by the Alliance to End Homelessness.

In my view by far the most interesting part of the forum was a report on a Toronto group's success in converting its neighbourhood from a 'Not In My Back Yard' to 'Yes, in My Back Yard'.

The secret appears to be continuous dialogue with the neighbourhood.. both in door to door format by the individuals themselves. Neighbours get to know the new folks who will be their neighbours and lessen their fears of these new neighbours.

I also saw a report on a CMHC study on the same subject. It refers to communication as indicated above plus effective use of the media; development of relationships with local politicians, and development of a clear plan, an understanding of the community process, and persistence.

The only thing missing as I see it is how to deal with those centres of our community which are 'opinion leaders' in terms of stereotyping folks in affordable housing projects and homeless shelters. In many communitites these centres are 'radio talk show hosts'. Of coures using the strategies mentioned earlier may overcome the negativity of these types of naysayers.

Homelessness

Why do we have homeless folks in Canada? I believe a country like ours which is so blessed with resources should not have people with no place to stay... yet we do.

There is a need for more housing so no one has to live on the street.

Our shelters seemed to be always full.. in some communities I have heard any person who wants a place to sleep will always find there is a place..but one has to be in a 'crisis' to find such a place....

Wouldn't it be nice if homelessness did not exist???

It Really is a better game

Don't normally write about professional sports.. but here's to the football as played in Canada. A wider field, 12 players on a team, a single point, and you need to advance 10 yards in three attempts...

Far better than the US equivalent....

'wedge' politics

I think I now know why I am uncomfortable with the current federal Conservative government. They seem masters at finding ways to set one group of Canadians against another group. Look at several things the past few days alone.

1 Not moving to really deal with allegations of torture of Afghan detaineees

2 Portraying another political party as anti-semitic when all know that is untrue

3 The continual refusal to treat Omar Khadr as a child soldier and resisting court decisions to repatriate him

Their actions (through their officials) dealing with the Canadian citizen in Kenya a few months ago and the Canadian citizen in Sudan are more of the same.

It's almost like they think they can build popular support by being 'mean' to people they disagree with.

Controversy Over Conservatives Ten Percenters

Gee how low can a political party go...apparently lower than anything done so far.

I am appalled at latest federal Conservative party portrayal of folks who criticize Israel as being anti-semitic. Since when does criticism of any country make one a "anti" towards the religion or people of the predominant ethnic or religious group in that country.

One can criticize Canada's policies and not be labelled anti-Canadian; one can criticize policies of the Vatican and not be anti-Catholic. One can criticize policies of Iran or Sudan and not be anti-Muslim. BUt if one express an iota of concern about Israel, some of its 'defenders' hurl the anti-semitism charge at the those expressing concern.

I saw all the furore in the media on this yesterday. The furore is justified in my view. No Canadian of any ethnic background should support a party that demonizes opposition. This current governing party appears determined to divide Canadians - it thinks it can gain politically by pitting groups of Canadians against each other.

Canadians we have to stop this at election time whenever that comes.

Cable TV - Local TV Stations Battles

Quite bemused by CRTC hearings on right now. So let's see local TV stations many of whom are part of profitable CTV networkswant payment from Bell and Rogers and other cable companies for local signals. Cable companies want to pass (and are passing costs on to consumers). Cable companies also distribute signals of local TV stations which increase advertising revenues for local TV stations. Hmm.. something doesn't make sense here...

Is there not a conglomerate knowns a Bell CTV which owns both Bell and CTV. Isn't this a case of one arm of the large outfit arguing with another arm of the same outfit.

CTV which is bemoaning its revenue shortall still manages to sponsor a 6 concert pop music series at Canada's National Arts Centre.

All this sort of makes one wonder why all the fuss???

Times Change - Activities Vary

For the last ten years I have been a member of an amazing group of human rights activists. All are members of English speaking branch of Amnesty International Canada.

The organization has a nearly half century long live in our world. It is one of the largest human rights organizations in existence today. It is a widely dispersed membership organization in countries all over the world.

It has shown itself to be quite adapt to changing circumstances. Whether one looks at its various websites or chats with activists one can see it has joined the social network world.

In Canada at least it has found a way to actively engage people who are post 'baby boomers'. It has had very young adults hold top positions in its volunteer leadership.

The 'amazing group' I spoke about earlier are called fieldworkers. We have been about 50 really activist people. Any reader in Canada interested in learning more can contact staff via www.amnesty.ca.

Having said all this it is time to move on in my life... interests do change over one's life. I remain a committed human rights activist.

anti HST grouping in Ontario and BC and Other Stuff

It 'pains' me to see progressive political forces in BC and Ontario aligning themselves with traditonally more conservative forces. It's an unholy alliance.

Some time ago I happened to run into a government MLA in Ontario. He reminded me that there will be a HST-credit system similar to the GST credit. While the amounts paid to low income earners may not be as much as it should be (I certainly agree it should be more), the practice of paying (non taxable) credits to low income folks is good public policy.

Various Stuff

See our government has brought in new citizenship handbook.. wanna have a good look at it but have some anxst over media reports it may be part of a 'rebranding' exercise.

Spent an informative 4 hours this past weekend learning how to use social media. Lots of new stuff to try out.. including making this blog more widely known.

Met some local folks involved in promoting 'Charter of Compassion'. All faiths support compassion. Cannot decide if the Charter will make a difference...like so many other things time will tell.

Have written on consumption taxes a few weeks ago. I see our province is bringing in enabling legislation today.

November 14 is Diabetes Day

Tomorrow.. Saturday is World Diabetes Day. All of us are touched directly or indirectly by diabetes. It especially affects people in the Aboriginal community here in Canada. We have Aboriginal relatives and can attest to the sadness it causes.

Thousands of people are unaware they have diabetes.. such a reality is so sad.

Check out worlddiabetes.ca and share your story about experience with diabetes.

February is Heart Month

In Canada at least February is Heart Month. The Heart and Stroke Foundation runs a 'residential canvass' to raise funds for its much needed and very popular programs promoting better healthy lifestyles and research support activities.

I intend to canvass for them in February 2010... and you should too if you can!

Variety of Topics

It's been a while so here goes.....


Did the two minute silence thing yesterday. We must always remember our history. Started wondering though about whether we should be updating our practices on November 11 to recognize our country's changing family structures. Our silver cross mother role...maybe it's time to recognize other than traditional roles of parents of soldiers we lose. With the increasing acceptability of same sex relationships maybe it's time to have one 'silver cross parent' who is a member of our lesbian or gay community. Also is 'silver cross' most appropriate in a multicultural society?


Saw somewhere that Palestinian rival groups may be looking at some type of agreement. Gee if they do agree, then maybe them and Israelis could develop some type of agreement too.. wouldn't that be wonderful....

I understand Canada's highest court is to rule soon on Khadr. I hope they confirm lower courts' views that he is a child soldier and must be repatriated....

Somewhat bemused at Lady Thatcher incident where death of a federal Cabinet Minister's pet was mistaken for news about former British Prime Minister of same name.

Oh yes... I got H1N1 flu shot last Sunday... experience went well....