Another wet day in southern Saskatchewan. I guess that is nothing new in 2010.
We' ve had an uneventful week on one hand but lots of others things have been rather exceptional. We moved back to Saskatchewan for family reasons and did they come in 'spades' this week. We dealt with issues involving our grandson whose father is very ill. The grandson is going to a school in our neighbourhood so we were (and still are) very engaged in issues around the beginning of the school year.
Those similar issues meant 'quality time' with our oldest grandson.. a typical 12 year old.. with whom we don't spend nearly the time we would like to but understand how important his friends are at this stage in his life. But since we've been here we do spend some quality time. As he was looking for ways to spend his time more productively I am pleased to indicate he and one of his buddies are now self-employed business people - deliverying flyers 3 days a week.
And we have spent lots of time (some unplanned due to variations in his mother's schedule) with our youngest grandchild... all of 8 months old...and enjoying using his newest skill - crawling. Having to begin 'child proofing' our home I guess.
Outside of family stuff will want to see how the 'terrorism case' based in Ottawa turns out. Very heartened by attitude of Muslim leaders who have been reaching out to other Canadians since the arrests.
Very supportive of any group's efforts to promote interfaith understanding. If I was a US resident I would applaud efforts in New York City to enhance a better understanding of Islam demonstrated by the proposed Centre. I know some folks feel the move is an 'attack' on the memories of victims of the 911 tragedy.
Like just about everyone else I condemn the events of 911. But let's not give the perpetrators of those horrible events any satisfaction by giving in to anti-Islam feelings which the events were designed to create.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Sunday in Late August Varia
Well working away (or more properly resting away) on a wet Sunday in Regina. It rained earlier today..something we are supposed to seldom get in Saskatchewan... but this has been no ordinary summer.
Weatherwise it has rained often in dry Saskatchewan. I understand it has also rained all over the country. It's been hot in some places so I think we'll all remember summer of 2010. Most folks will understand a contributing factor will be what is called 'climate change'. Regrettably certain right wing ideologues will continue on the path of climate change denial.
Sun Media, radio talk show hosts, and to a certain extent our own federal government are in the latter group. I fully expect some of them to continue to deny climate change. Warmer temperatures, and more unstable weather notwithstanding, they will continue to deny the impact of human activity on our environment. They are surely continuing to be three of the most out of touch groups in today's world.
Sun Media seems to be evolving as a public relations arm of our federal government. Radio talk show hosts for the most part seem like lone wolves. But our federal government has the 'tools of power' constrained only by our constitution and the fact this parliament is a minority parliament.
I believe most Canadians find the current federal government to be operating contrary to their our collective interest. Whenever the next election comes, Canadians will finally be able to 'settle scores' for all the various decisions made since February 2006. The election cannot come soon enough.
Seems like in the next few days another Commonwealth country will have a coalition government. That will make two significant countries - the UK and Australia-living with coalitions running their countries.. and you know, the sky won't be falling down after all. Maybe something we should try in Canada.
On a totally different matter, I hope the forthcoming Israeli-Palestinian peace talks will move the peace agenda forward. Whether it be 43 or 62 years in length, this conflict has gone on too darn long. The majority of both sides desperately want peace and we will see if their respective leaders have the political strength to pull it off....their record suggests one should be pessimistic that they can accomplish this but then one never knows....
This coming week sees us attending an important discussion about our son-in-law's overall health and the future of our neary 8 year old grandson.
Weatherwise it has rained often in dry Saskatchewan. I understand it has also rained all over the country. It's been hot in some places so I think we'll all remember summer of 2010. Most folks will understand a contributing factor will be what is called 'climate change'. Regrettably certain right wing ideologues will continue on the path of climate change denial.
Sun Media, radio talk show hosts, and to a certain extent our own federal government are in the latter group. I fully expect some of them to continue to deny climate change. Warmer temperatures, and more unstable weather notwithstanding, they will continue to deny the impact of human activity on our environment. They are surely continuing to be three of the most out of touch groups in today's world.
Sun Media seems to be evolving as a public relations arm of our federal government. Radio talk show hosts for the most part seem like lone wolves. But our federal government has the 'tools of power' constrained only by our constitution and the fact this parliament is a minority parliament.
I believe most Canadians find the current federal government to be operating contrary to their our collective interest. Whenever the next election comes, Canadians will finally be able to 'settle scores' for all the various decisions made since February 2006. The election cannot come soon enough.
Seems like in the next few days another Commonwealth country will have a coalition government. That will make two significant countries - the UK and Australia-living with coalitions running their countries.. and you know, the sky won't be falling down after all. Maybe something we should try in Canada.
On a totally different matter, I hope the forthcoming Israeli-Palestinian peace talks will move the peace agenda forward. Whether it be 43 or 62 years in length, this conflict has gone on too darn long. The majority of both sides desperately want peace and we will see if their respective leaders have the political strength to pull it off....their record suggests one should be pessimistic that they can accomplish this but then one never knows....
This coming week sees us attending an important discussion about our son-in-law's overall health and the future of our neary 8 year old grandson.
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Somtimes the more they change the more they stay the same
For the last five years in Ottawa, every September I worked for the Canadian Diabetes Association as a 'telerecruiter' of canvassers for their month long campaign in November.
Well for the past two nights and for the next nine weeks I will be working for the Canadian Diabetes Association as a 'telecrecruiter' of canvassers for their 10 day long campaign in November.
Interesting to compare the two efforts - both the telecrecruiting and the campaign itself. In Ottawa a team of 5 was trying to find 300 canvassers. By contrast in Saskatchewan up to 11 on a team is trying to find several times that amount. In Ottawa the effort was concentrated on parts of the city which were most funds were raised. Here in Regina they are recruiting cavassers for the campaign throughout southern Saskatchewan.
In Ottawa the team was small enough that for most nights the past three years one of the team members (moi) acted as a first line supervisor. With only a few exceptions the staff person did not stay for the shift unless I was unavalable to work that night. Here the staff person does stay all the time.
But the two efforts are equally dedicated and directed to raising funds for the Canadian Diabetes Association - a critical non-government organization fighting diabetes in Canada. I have heard there may be one million people in this country with undiagnosed diabetes. That is a frightening statistic. We must increase public awareness of the condition and its treatment.
Well for the past two nights and for the next nine weeks I will be working for the Canadian Diabetes Association as a 'telecrecruiter' of canvassers for their 10 day long campaign in November.
Interesting to compare the two efforts - both the telecrecruiting and the campaign itself. In Ottawa a team of 5 was trying to find 300 canvassers. By contrast in Saskatchewan up to 11 on a team is trying to find several times that amount. In Ottawa the effort was concentrated on parts of the city which were most funds were raised. Here in Regina they are recruiting cavassers for the campaign throughout southern Saskatchewan.
In Ottawa the team was small enough that for most nights the past three years one of the team members (moi) acted as a first line supervisor. With only a few exceptions the staff person did not stay for the shift unless I was unavalable to work that night. Here the staff person does stay all the time.
But the two efforts are equally dedicated and directed to raising funds for the Canadian Diabetes Association - a critical non-government organization fighting diabetes in Canada. I have heard there may be one million people in this country with undiagnosed diabetes. That is a frightening statistic. We must increase public awareness of the condition and its treatment.
Monday, August 9, 2010
The Time Has Come - Bring it (an election) on!
Just read over Alex Neve of Amnesty International's blog from the Omar Khadr trial in Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. What a horrible miscarriage of justice. Mr. Khadr is a child soldier charged for criminal activity which occurred when he was 15 years old. He has been subject to continuous human rights deprivation for over 8 years. He has been tortured and mistreated.
Yet our government - the protectors of our democracy - refuse to repatriate him. You know most Canadians totally disagree with Mr. Khadr's philosophy. But I believe most Canadians know the in our country all Canadian citizens (and residents) are equal before the law regardless of how problematic/objectionable their views may be. I am ashamed our government hasn't done for Mr. Khadr what it has done for many other Canadians.
Our current federal government's treatment of Mr. Khadr, the decision it made on the long form census, its 'complaints' about employment equity programs in practice, its spending huge extravagant amounts on summits including the so-called 'fake lake', its squandering a long time public finance surplus (thereby depriving it and future governments of the ability to make strategic investments), it's turning its back on many disadvantaged groups in Canada, its so-called 'tough on crime' approach which totally ignores the reality of decreased criminal activity, and its rejection of even police chiefs views on gun control.. all this mean the time has come.
Our federal opposition parties must use the upcoming parliamentary session to combine forces and bring on the election. Canadians need this chance to make changes in our federal government politicians and policies.
Yet our government - the protectors of our democracy - refuse to repatriate him. You know most Canadians totally disagree with Mr. Khadr's philosophy. But I believe most Canadians know the in our country all Canadian citizens (and residents) are equal before the law regardless of how problematic/objectionable their views may be. I am ashamed our government hasn't done for Mr. Khadr what it has done for many other Canadians.
Our current federal government's treatment of Mr. Khadr, the decision it made on the long form census, its 'complaints' about employment equity programs in practice, its spending huge extravagant amounts on summits including the so-called 'fake lake', its squandering a long time public finance surplus (thereby depriving it and future governments of the ability to make strategic investments), it's turning its back on many disadvantaged groups in Canada, its so-called 'tough on crime' approach which totally ignores the reality of decreased criminal activity, and its rejection of even police chiefs views on gun control.. all this mean the time has come.
Our federal opposition parties must use the upcoming parliamentary session to combine forces and bring on the election. Canadians need this chance to make changes in our federal government politicians and policies.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Canadian Mental Health Association (Sk Division) Cash Calendar Fundraisers
Those of you who know me on facebook know I have become a seller of cash calendars as of today. This fundraiser supports the good work of the Canadian Mental Health Association's Saskatchewan division. Their website is www.cmhask.com.
A cash calendar is a raffle type fundraiser. These calendars are sold for $35 each. At the end of each month the association draws one ticket for each day of the month. The calendars have prize amounts (or in some cases prize stuff) listed on each day.
Most of the days in 2011 on the cash calendar have $100 on their date. A few have art work. Five have $1000. February 14 has $20,000.
You can contact me via dga.sask@gmail.com if you are interested.
Other that things are 'carrying on'..
A cash calendar is a raffle type fundraiser. These calendars are sold for $35 each. At the end of each month the association draws one ticket for each day of the month. The calendars have prize amounts (or in some cases prize stuff) listed on each day.
Most of the days in 2011 on the cash calendar have $100 on their date. A few have art work. Five have $1000. February 14 has $20,000.
You can contact me via dga.sask@gmail.com if you are interested.
Other that things are 'carrying on'..
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Carrying On in Regina
Well keeping myself busy (and out of trouble some might say) by doing various stuff. As most readers know I run an income tax preparation business. Even though it is out of season I do have a number of client files that are definitely 'open' at this time. It's good to have some work in the 'offseason'.
Also as many of you know I have resumed work that I did in Regina delivering newspapers early in the morning. After this long weekend I will be the regular carrier on three routes. It does make a long day (starting at 4 AM) but with appropriate or should I say proper rests and a bit earlier to bed in the evenings I should be ok.
Well I am happy to say that two activities aren't enough ((:-)). Starting this week I will be a 'commission' salesperson for the provincial mental health association. They have a fundraising project with 'cash calendars'. Every day in 2011 one purchaser will win a prize. Most of the time a nominal amount of money but on a few occasions a much larger amount. (Actually a few times the prize is artwork). I am looking forward to doing this activity as it supports a very worthwhile cause.
Those of you read this blog either here or more likely on facebook can expect (in many cases) a request that you consider a cash calendar if not for yourselves, as a gift to someone special as we move closer to the end of this year.
I am also looking forward to next week's 41st anniversary of my legal relationship with my best friend...readers will remember who that is from last summer's entries in this blog.
Also as many of you know I have resumed work that I did in Regina delivering newspapers early in the morning. After this long weekend I will be the regular carrier on three routes. It does make a long day (starting at 4 AM) but with appropriate or should I say proper rests and a bit earlier to bed in the evenings I should be ok.
Well I am happy to say that two activities aren't enough ((:-)). Starting this week I will be a 'commission' salesperson for the provincial mental health association. They have a fundraising project with 'cash calendars'. Every day in 2011 one purchaser will win a prize. Most of the time a nominal amount of money but on a few occasions a much larger amount. (Actually a few times the prize is artwork). I am looking forward to doing this activity as it supports a very worthwhile cause.
Those of you read this blog either here or more likely on facebook can expect (in many cases) a request that you consider a cash calendar if not for yourselves, as a gift to someone special as we move closer to the end of this year.
I am also looking forward to next week's 41st anniversary of my legal relationship with my best friend...readers will remember who that is from last summer's entries in this blog.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)