Reasonable Insanity

Carl Joseph Steadman found Unconcious outside of bar

2008-03-21T21:40:00.003-05:00

Carl Steadman was in my sister's grade in Junior and High School. He was tall and could be considered imposing for his size. But I remember that smile. A smile the lit him up and caused you to smile as well.

He was always nice to me. Which says a lot as Junior and High School for me, was difficult. I was bullied and treated badly for a long time. You see, I was very shy and let people say things and do things that would directly or indirectly hurt me, both physically and emotionally. I did not have the ability, at the time, to stand up for myself. I was afraid most of the time. Ah, but I am not the point of this story. Carl is.

Carl was nice to me and so was his brother, Andrew. When I heard what had happened to Carl, my thoughts went to Andrew. Where is he? I hope he is okay. I hope he is surrounded by people that are comforting him during this horrific time.

I first found out about Carl's death on Facebook. There was a group created to memorialize him. Then a day or two later, the only guy from that high school that I still keep in touch with, called me to see if I knew what happened.

Carl had been in Fort McMurray, Alberta looking for work. He went out to a bar called "Diggers Variety Club". In the wee hours of the morning on February 9th, the police were flagged down and Carl was found unconcious. Carl died that day in hospital. Apparently there should have been many witnesses. Apparently there is security video that indicates there was an "incident" or "confrontation". Yet there is nothing so far that has identified suspects. Or atleast if there is, the information is not being released.

Carl Joseph Steadman, a guy who impacted my life, warranted a couple of small articles in local news papers. That is all?! How can that be? He meant a lot to his family, to his friends yet they treat him as worthy of only a few paragraphs in small press releases.

I REMEMBER him!! Many remember and mourn his passing. He was worth more than what he got. Why are the police not bombarding the press with pleas for information? Why did his murder, if it was murder, not warrant air time or newspaper articles, on major news channels or space in major news papers? I could not even find a single hit on google news for Carl. The links I did find were located after much searching.

Was it because he was found outside of a bar? Was it because he was black? Was it because he was not an Alberta grown boy? None of that matters. A light has been extinguished too soon. A family needs justice. Friends need comfort in the knowledge that a murderer (or murderers) is answering for his (their) actions.

What would you do?

2008-03-21T21:27:00.003-05:00

What would you do if you knew and could not change....

the 16 year old girl you said "See you Monday" to on Friday was going to shoot herself to death on Sunday...

the sweet, nice guy that you knew in high school that had an infectious smile was going to be murdered outside of a bar in red neck, small town Alberta in 18 years...

the sweet cleaning lady that gave you a jewellry box for Christmas would be ravaged by cancer and leave three beautiful children and a husband to mourn...

the friend that always saved you from having to take the bus from Calgary to Lake Louise or vice versa would die in a a truck crash hours after he left Lake Louise to drive the long drive home, for good...

I have pondered these questions long and hard. The above have all happened in my life. There are many others, but these ones are on my mind lately. Life can be so heavy on your heart. Especially when these points of lights in your life are taken so brutally, so cruelly, and far too soon.

I will be writing more on each of these individuals soon. Some posts will be more personal, but one will be because I am concerned. Concerned about what, if anything, is being done to find a killer or killlers.

Randomness of Thought.....

2007-10-09T19:28:00.000-05:00

I have not had the heart for some time to write on any one subject at length, though there have been many happenings in this insane world that I have pondered. So tonight I write a little about one thing that I have thought about a lot....

It is my belief that every child that you have is a gift from God. Someone to be cherished and loved. Someone that, as a parent, you should take the time and effort to know and to love not just because you helped in their creation but because of the person that they become. So when does it become too many children? I have thought about this often lately because of the Duggar family. They recently welcomed their 17th child in to the world. The children range in age from 19 years old, to the youngest - a mere few months.

So as I wondered how much time they would really have, to get to know so many people. I found that I could not see it possible for them to get to know each of them, as I know my 2 boys. I am not discouraging large families or trying to be negative towards their decision to take God's command of "go forth a multiple" so very much to heart. To further my understanding of how such a large family functions and on what level of closeness, I asked two different people that I know that come from large families. One friend is a boy in a family of 14 siblings. He told me that he was never close with his parents and just semi close to some of the siblings. He said that he did not fault his parents, it was simply that there was always so much work to be done and very little time for "family time". The second person I asked was a female from a family of 11 siblings. She being the youngest. And she indeed echoed my first friend. While she said she loves her family, she does not know them as she would have liked. Half of her sibling were already in high school or out of the house, before she was at an age to be able to get to know them.

Personally I have put my limit to 4 children. With 3 being the ideal. I don't want to raise strangers that I love. I want to raise people that are adjusted and can one day tell their own children what their grandma was really like......not just that I put food on the table and disciplined them when they needed it.

It is with so much saddness....

2007-08-18T13:56:00.000-05:00

that I write this post. On Saturday, August 11th in the late evening, the "Saskatoon Dad that cannot be named" was killed in a car accident. Although my contact with him was minimal (a few emails of thanks, for the support) I am so deeply hurt and sad. For him, for his son and for his family.

Apparently another man was driving the wrong way and if the "dad" had not swerved when he did, it is very possible that the other passengers in his car may have been killed as well. The other driver has been charged with: refusing to provide a breath sample, impaired driving causing death, three counts of impaired driving causing bodily harm, dangerous driving causing death and three counts of dangerous driving causing bodily harm.

I want to tell his family, if they read this, that I am most sincerely saddened and I send my condolences. He was a good man that was only trying to do his best. He will be remembered and missed.

It is at this time that my thoughts also go to the baby and 'adoptive parents'. I hope that this has moved them somewhat. Perhaps "dad's" family can be reached out too. Perhaps now, hard feelings can be put to rest along with "dad". That child will only benefit from knowing his "dad's" family. The more people who love you, the richer you are for it.

DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE PEOPLE. YOU RUIN LIVES!!!!!!!!!

Visitation Rights granted once again

2007-05-01T12:42:00.000-05:00

The saskatoon father that I've written about has been once again granted visitation rights with his son. One hour a week, every Monday. The father had requested 2 hours, and apparently that was just too much. Hey, it's better than nothing I suppose.

I've read that there is/was concerns relating to website postings that the father had made. Unflattering or insulting comments towards the couple that have taken his son. While I understand his frustration and concern and the amount of emotional stress that must be eating at him, I am concerned. Those comments, once out in this enormous cyber universe, can never be taken back (I should know, things do come back to haunt you). Those comments can be used against him, and possibley many years from now hurt his son. So I say to you Saskatoon Dad, while I understand your pain I must warn you off of such things just as the judge did. Negativety will only breed more of it....and then, where does it end?

I am glad for you. Seeing your son once a week, is a step in the right direction. Cherish him and try to think of only the good that is your son.

Racism? Ageism? on the Go trains

2007-03-21T08:31:00.000-05:00

Let me tell you of an incident...and then you will decide what to make of it.

Three older, grey haired, white females are on a Go train heading to downtown Toronto. Sitting diagonally from them is a young Native couple. The young couple actually look even younger than they are. Go train employees enter the area asking for tickets. The older women show theirs, and the employee notes that they were not cancelled. The women are given a friendly reminder to cancel the tickets when the get off. The young Native couple is approached. The native female shows her 10 ride ticket, and how the cancellation machine had damaged the ticket when she tried to cancel it for the ride. The native female explains that she did try but the machine mangeled the ticket and did not stamp it. She is given a written warning, her driver's license number is taken. She is lectured and spoken too in condescending tones. When the Go employee is questioned as to why the native was being treated more harshly, she was told that she should be thankful that she was not getting a fine of $110, and not worry about the other women who were treated with respect and courtesy.

Ageism? Racism? or just the Bad Luck of the draw?

I have been stewing on this one since the weekend. You see this is what happened to me. It would not have annoyed me so much if I had been treated as equally as the older white females, even if that had meant that we all had gotten the $110 fine. I don't care about the admonishment (although I have to tell you, that Go employee was condescending and rude) what I care about is the inequality of treatment here.

Saskatoon Dad's Saga goes on.....

2007-03-21T07:55:00.000-05:00

I haven't written in a while. I tried to. I have started a few stories that are still sitting as drafts. They are no where near completion, because truth be told I had lost my stomache for it. In January the Judge presiding over the Case of "Adam" (the Saskatoon dad who can not be named) decided not only to take away Adam's parental rights, but to also take away his right to even know his child. I was shocked. I was angry. I sat at my computer in disbelief. A parents rights were stripped away without any real and 'just' cause. Yet in this country children who are mentally, physically and emotionally abused by parents are given back on a regular basis, simply because the 'parent' (I use the term loosely, as I do not think that is what those kinds truely are) has taken an anger mangement or parenting course. Recovering drunks and drug addicts are allowed to shout to the roof tops of parental rights and concerns, and in turn will get their children back. But a man, because he was not around during pregnancy and not there at the birth, was not given the chance to even try to be a dad. I can't wrap my head around that. That "Adam" had not fucked up as a parent. He was not allowed to be a parent in the first place. Why? Because the biological mother decided from the get go to NOT allow him to be a dad. She, I am as disgusted with as I am the couple that will not give Adam his rights, but instead attempted to slander and put him in a bad light as a person. Now I am not stupid, I now that Adam is not perfect. Hell, who is? I certainly wasn't when I had my first son...and I still wasn't when I had my second. But I love them both to death and everything I do, is for them.

Okay, now that I have gotten that off my chest...."Adam" will be having another fundraiser to help with the costs of his on going fight for his rights to be a father and dad, to his son. If you're in that area, please drop by:

The Saskatoon Dad's (Fund-raiser)
Steak Night
Come dine with the internationally known father fighting for his child Adam Hendricks the Saskatoon dad that can't be named.

Date: Sunday April 29, 2007
Where: 4 Seasons Restaurant
909 Arcola Ave. E.
Regina, Sask.
Time: 6 pm - 9pm
Tickets: 20.00 per person (beverage included)
Dinner Includes: 8 oz. Rib Eye, Roasted Potatoes, Mushrooms, Caesar Salad, Garlic Toast, Beverage

For more information or to purchase tickets please contact one of the following:
Brenda H 306-924-0934 Lorena G 306-957-2007

On a side thought: I wonder if the adopted couple has thought about Baby's feelings in all this. When he becomes an adult and finds out his adoptive parents refused to allow his father in his life.....do they think that he will just be "okay" with that?

Rick Fredrickson has his day in court

2006-12-30T00:01:00.000-05:00

and as of yet, as far as I can tell, there has been no decision by the Honorable Justice Shawn Smith.

During the five day trial, as is usual in such cases, there was accusations on both sides. Although from what I have seen it appeared to be more vapid on the side of the couple that want to keep Rick's son.

The light in an otherwise nasty business of a trial, was the biological grand-mother's testimony. While there were certains aspects of her that were concerning, what she had to say about Rick was important and something that the Honorable Justice should really take to heart. She described Rick as a polite, kind, jovial and respectable person. ''I can't imagine many men in a similar situation who wouldn't have contempt. But he has never said anything untoward about my girl,'' she said.

Now if the biological grand-mother sees the good in Rick, what more can you ask for? Sure there are things in his past that the other side tried to throw at him. With the evident lying nature of both the biological mother (she again stated she did not know Rick was the father, while having repeatedly told family members he was) and her sister (who contradicted herself on numerous occasions during her testimony and conveniently had amnesia about other issues)
I would really take the biological mother's accusations with more than just a grain of salt.

To you Rick, I say this: When this is all over, and your son is where he belongs (I do so hope this comes to pass) do right by him and by us, those that support you and want so badly for you to have your chance to be a real dad. Not just a biological father. Love him and raise a good man.
And be sure that he does know his culture and where he comes from. I, myself, am of the First Nations and I believe you can give him that part of himself, with as much reverence as is deserved.

The Butcher of Baghdad Is Dead

2006-12-29T19:03:00.000-05:00

After much time and much legal wrangling, the end is at hand for Saddam Hussein . The once much feared and loathed evil icon of our time has fallen far from his self made (with the blood of many) pedestal as a major world figure. Now he meets his maker and answers for his wrongs. I must say that it is with relief I write this. Far too many people have been hurt and murdered by his hand or his will. There are many that could say that this execution is not the right way to do things. That placing him in prison for the rest of his natural born life would have been the more appropriate way. I think not. If he had lived on there would have always been the possibility, no matter how small, that he would be broken out/freed by his supporters. A chance that I do not believe the human race could take.

I am indeed an advocate of the death penalty. Of course the ultimate punishment that man can inflict is not an issue to be taken lightly or handed out like candy on Halloween. There would of course have to be strict guidelines and eligibility requirements for such cases. In my mind Saddam fit this criteria with little effort.

We live in a world where we will put down a dog that has mauled a child. We will hunt down and kill a bear that has attacked a camper. We will gut a shark that has attacked a swimmer. Yet we allow the human monsters to live on. The difference between all those that I mentioned above is simple....humans are the only ones of this lot, that make the concious decision to do evil and inflict pain and harm. The other animals merely revert to what is in their nature. Whether it be out of a feeling of threat, a need for food or meerly to fight (a fighting nature that has been breed in to them by man).

So the human rabid monster is dead and I am relieved. Not happy per say. There is no joy in another human being's death. But there is justice and relief. Justice for the wronged and relief for those that could've have been wronged at a future time and place.

Rick Fredrickson's Fund Raiser

2006-11-22T20:15:00.000-05:00

With the on going fight for his rights as a father, the bills are mounting right along with the emotional toll that this whole issue must be taking on Rick Fredrickson. Since we all know that legal fees/costs can and will sky rocket, I am once again asking my readers to help out. More specifically those of you who live in the Saskatoon area. Mulberry's (124 3rd Ave N.,Saskatoon(306) 664-4911) will be hosting a Steak Night on December 11th to help raise funds for Rick. Cocktails will be served at 6:00 pm followed by a mouth watering menu which includes steak (you only need to say RED MEAT to make me happy ;), lemon pepper chicken fingers, baked potatos, ceasar and pasta salad. There will also be a Happy Hour for Steak Night Guests, drink specials, a 50/5O draw and a silent auction.

Note: Donations can still also be made at any Canada Trust to the Rick Fredrickson Trust Fund.

Personally I would be there with bells on, if only I lived even slightly close to Saskatoon. So if any of you manage to get out that night, raise a drink for me to Rick and show Rick that there are many of us that do support his basic human right to be a dad and NOT just a biological father.

Jesus Dolls offered for Toys For Tots...

2006-11-16T07:46:00.000-05:00

I know I know, what I am about to write will probabley not be the "popular" or politically correct response, but Oh well. I keep it real and not necessarily nice.

The Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Co. offered a large donation of talking Jesus dolls to the Toys For Tots program. These dolls quote various bible scriptures. While that would seem harmless, I see no place for such dolls in mainstream Children's Charities. It's shoving your religion down children's throats under the guise of giving them toys. I mean really, religion is a personal & more often than not, a family thing. Children that are underpriveleged should not be forced to listen to religious doctorines in exchange for dolls.

I take this subject personally. You see when I was a child there was not a lot of money around. I remember having to listen to the preaching "do gooder" before I got my small Christmas box. And listening to this woman did not bring me to God, it made me resent her instead.

I also remember my little sister's only chance at going to summer camp was to be given a "bursary" for a Christian Camp. A camp that promptly took away her cassette tapes because they were not full of Christian music. A camp that through the whole time she was there continued to publicly point out her "sad situation" and how wonderful they were for helping her out by letting her be in their presence at the camp. And even with these embarassments she went back the next year. You see putting up with them was the price she paid for getting to go to camp.

My point is Charity should be for the good, not to push your own message. When you help someone it should be because you genuinely want to help, not because you want to shove your own beliefs down someone's throat.

Perhaps the Beverly Hills Teddy Bear Co. should have offered a cash donation if they did not have any non-religious spouting dolls to offer.

I stood by and believed that Toys For Tots were right when they chose not to accept the dolls. Now after an apparent "backlash" from religious groups, Toys For Tots has changed their minds.
I think they were wrong to backtrack. They should have left it as is and let some religious group accept the offered donation.

He was able to see and hold his son

2006-11-14T10:21:00.000-05:00

I'm a little slow on the draw this time around. Due to illness I haven't been able to write for a while, but this did deserve mention. You all know that I have taken Rick Fredrickson's plight to heart.

On Thursday November 2nd, Rick was finally able to hold and see his son in person. He was as awed as most new fathers are and in as many words expressed this. The visit with his son also helped to reaffirm Rick's efforts with regards to custody of the little boy.

I hope the visits continue and I hope that Rick gets to hold his son on a full time basis very soon.

Rick Fredrickson's Trust Fund

2006-10-31T12:47:00.000-05:00

The family and friends of Rick Fredrickson have set up a Trust Fund to assist him with his mounting costs in the fight for his rights as a father. The fund is at TD Canada Trust and I believe you can donate at any branch, just give them Rick's name. I, myself, plan on donating as soon as I can.

On a personal note: I must say that Rick and his family are a gracious group of people and are only looking to keep one of their family members with them. Please help them if you can.

Rick Fredrickson is being shafted, AGAIN

2006-10-28T18:07:00.000-05:00

Today, Saturday October 28th, was supposed to be the day that Rick (the Saskatoon father fighting for the right to raise his son) was to meet his son. Once again Nicola Roller and her husband have blocked the visitation attempt. You see, this week Justice J.A. Ryan-Froslie ordered that Rick be able to see his son and that the visitation happen as soon as possible. The Judge believes, as I do, that it is imperative that the child see his father as soon as possible. This child is in his formative stages and is making bonds that will be important to him for the rest of his life. The Rollers blocked the order simply by appealing it. Family Services advised Rick that they can not enforce an order that is being appealled.

I am both shocked and appalled at this couple's behaviour. Nicola herself is an "Art Therapist" for children. You would think with her experience and education she would understand the importance of a child having his father in his life. She has chosen to ignore this basic need, and in my eyes basic RIGHT. Which leads me to believe that she does not have the child's best interest at heart and is instead selfish and self serving. I do hope the the esteemed judges that ultimately decide this case, take her attitude and behaviour in to consideration when making a final decision with relation to the child.

Malcolm Watson revisited...

2006-10-25T06:35:00.001-05:00

Since my last post about the American citizen (that is as of now serving his probation, for sexually abusing a student, in St.Catherine's) much political blustering has taken place. The immigration minister is looking in to it, McGunty declares we are not the USA's dumping ground and Niagra area politicians are horrified. Yet Mark Watson is still here. Still living amongst us.

Several have stated that they wonder if what Mr. Watson did (have sexual relations with a 15 year old) is even illegal here. While the age of consent is 14 years old here (hopefully to be raised by parliment to 16 very soon) there is a stipulation that persons in the position of authority that take advantage of those under their care, push the consent age to 18. Therefore I see no reason that people are questioning of the legality of his actions. He was a teacher in a position of authority and trust, over a student. A position that he took advantage of. So it is my opinion that he could/would have been charged and convicted here as well.

Living in Canada for 3 years, is equal to 1 year in a US Jail

2006-10-23T06:50:00.000-05:00

A teacher in the USA, Malcolm Watson, was caught having a sexual relationship with one of his students, a 15 year old girl. He was charged and found guilty of endangering the welfare of a child and third-degree sexual abuse. While they are minor convictions, you would think he would have done some jail time. Not the case. The judge gave him a choice, 1 year in jail or be exiled to Canada for 3 years. The only time he would be allowed in the US is to report to his probation officer. He must also stay away from the victim until the end of his probation in 2009 and register as a level 1 Sex Offender. It should be stressed here that Malcolm Watson is an American citizen, not Canadian. His wife and family are Canadian however.

The District Attorney says that the 15 year old girl's family is happy with the sentence. I wonder if anyone has asked the parents of 15 year olds in Fort Erie, Ontario if they are happy with the sentence. While the victim's family no longer has to worry about him, now a whole new country, province and town do! An anonymous US law enforcement official was quoted as saying "He's Canada's problem, not ours."

Those involved in the deal including the District Attorney, Defense Lawyer and Judge all seem to think that Canada will willingly accept a sex offender without question. Their attitude is that we will not take action and dropping a sex offender on our lap will be tolerated...not just tolerated but ACCEPTED.

Canadian Citizenship and Immigration Minister Monte Solberg has been made aware of this particular case, let's hope the man does his job and boots Mr.Watson out of Canada. I really don't care if this will make him a man without a country. My Canada does not include other country's sex offenders!!

http://www.montesolberg.ca/EN/3116/ You can find all of Mr.Solberg's contact information here if you wish to make your feelings known about this case.

Rick Fredrickson wants to be Dad

2006-10-20T08:05:00.000-05:00

While DNA tests have proven that baby Liam is biologically Rick Fredrickson's son, Rick wants to be his dad. Rick (of Saskatoon, Saskcatchewan) had an off and on relationship with Liam's mother Oriole Bird, during which time Liam was conceived. However the mother did not inform Rick of his impending fatherhood (and in fact claimed in documentation, to not know who the father was-a lie disproved by her relatives that all very well knew Rick was the dad), instead arrainging for a family friend to take the child. Close to the child's birth Rick did find out about baby Liam through Oriole's stepbrother and since then has been trying to get help to get custody of his son. Liam was born in April, DNA tests proved Rick's fatherhood in July, yet here we are in October and Rick has yet to meet his son. Nicola Sherwin-Roller and her husband are refusing to relinquish custody and have made demands that Rick must abide by before they will let him see the child. Even after a judge ordered visitation rights to Rick and Barb Hesketh-Jones (his fiancee) last month. I would like to know why has this couple not been looked at for contravening a court order?

The first issue that the Roller's stated in their case against Rick, was that Children's Haven (the access facilitator) had voiced concerns about Rick's fiancee being in on the visits. The insinuation was that the facility did not want anyone other than Rick to visit. Then the Rollers went on to demand that Rick not refer to himself as "Daddy" or take any pictures of his son. It is absolutely absurd that this couple is not only depriving this man of his rights as a father but want to downgrade him to a strange man that visits Liam once a week for an hour, while at the same time making a demand for child support. They said through their lawyer that they don't 'need' the money, but they want it anyway. Because they were given custody by the mother, they feel they have the same rights as the mother. I beg to differ and would really like to know why the courts have been messing around this long.

Are the courts waiting until the child is old enough to remember it all and be thoroughly traumatized? Give that child to his father now and let the Rollers (who have NO biological connection to him) try to fight for custody or visitation rights. I mean really, this one is a no brainer.

Now I refer back to the insinuation made by the Roller's that Children's Haven was against Rick's fiancee Beth being involved with the child. Through Children's Haven's own lawyer (Marty Popuscul) we learn that they have denied staff had any issue with Beth attending the visits. Haven reiterated that their purpose is infact to help children and their parents be together. Not to hinder the process. The general policy of restricting visits to "just parents" is not carved in stone and in this particular case would be changed, due to the Court Order. Nicola proved by insinuating such things, that she is not beyond distorting truth to further her own agenda (which I really question as to whether or not includes Liam's best interest)

Perhaps Nicola thought that her personal connection with the facility would help her, as she stated in a sworn affidavit that she was a regular donor and at one time sat on the board for the facility (in the 90s). The only thing that that proves to me, is that the use of this particular facility is indeed a conflict of interest and the court should designate a different facility.

Nicola's lawyer also tried to pressure Rick's lawyer in to stopping him from going to the media. I hope that Rick and his lawyer completely disregard these "requests". While the media can often be a hinderance, in this particular case I believe it could help. Perhaps a "well to do" benefactor or legal experts will see Rick's story and step forward to help him.

Far too often in this day and age, fathers and mothers are walking away or doing far worse to their children. Here is a man that wants to wholeheartedly take on the responsibilites of fatherhood, but is being hampered by a couple that has no biological connection to the child and a court system that moves at a snails pace.

The Patriot Guard Riders

2006-10-18T10:16:00.000-05:00

While I live in Canada and have had no contact with this group of people, I felt that I wanted to make a post about them. You see we've heard bits and pieces about them for months in the media, but most people don't know what or who they really are.

The PGR organize in response to another group, Westboro Baptist Church (they are an independant Baptist church, with no affiliation to any other Baptist association or organization). The WBC is a religious group out of Topeka, Kansas, that is lead by Fred Waldron Phelps Sr. This group is extremeist in it's views against homosexuality. This anti-gay stance is the foundation of most of their 'protests'. It is the position of this group that homosexuality 'enablers' are damning most of the world to hell. It should also be noted that 90% of his 100 or so followers are relatives of Phelps, through blood or marriage (not accusing, just wondering if a portion of that is incestuous).

So this small group has taken it upon themselves to 'judge' the world, for not being 'rabidly anti-gay' like them. I see that Mr Phelps decided to ignore the passages in the bible such as:

Matt 7:11 Judge not, that ye be not judged.

Matt 22:37-40

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,
and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

The followers of Phelps, ignoring God's commands of love and non judgement, have taken up their Rabid Anti-Gay cause and protested many events. Then the abhorrent occured. They decided that they would begin protesting at the funerals of military personnel that died in the line of duty. And they did this with much noise and hate, carrying signs with statements such as: "God Hates Fags", "America is Doomed", "Don’t worship the dead" & "Military Fags". They spout hateful things and can make quite a spectical. Not only disrespecting the deceased, but the family and other loved ones. A time of grief and deep sorrowed further tainted by hate propaganda.

I remember first reading of this awful group. I was sickened and appalled that they could wrap themselves around free speech and religion, yet propagate and promote hate. A short time later I had cause to smile and give a little sigh of relief. A new group had formed. A group that would protect and support the families and love ones of the military dead. They would stand for the War heros and drowned out the messages of hate. In August 2005, The Patriot Guard Riders were born in Kansas (albeit not yet with that particular name), created by members of the Kansas American Legion Riders (legion post 136).

On October 11th, 2005 this group successfully completed their first organized mission. The funeral of Sgt John Doles in Chelsea, Oklahoma. The Patriot Guard name was decided upon that same October (wanting to recognize the many different contributors to the group) and announced to the riders attending the October 27th, Tonganoxie Mission to Honor SPC Lucas Frantz. The group grew through the various Legion Rider contacts, and spread country wide.

From then to now the PGR has grown in size and broadened the work they do for their country, which includes: Honor Missions, Send Offs & Welcome Homes, Fallen Warrior Scholorship Fund and Help on the Homefront.

A group I deeply admire, yet a group I hope we never have need for here in Canada, as that would mean we have hate mongering groups like Phelps and his followers.

It's NOT TD, It's CIBC Visa products

2006-10-17T16:36:00.000-05:00

Again I received the dreaded auto dialling call from Voxdata. This time it was during the day, instead of the evening. It rang FIVE (I know because that's how long it takes my answering machine to click in) times and then the dead air took up almost 5 minutes of my answering machine's memory.

I called Voxdata again and this time spoke to a very nice gentlman by the name of Will. He was very apologetic about the calls continuing, especially after my call last night to Chris at Voxdata. He advised that he is scrubbing my telephone number from their files and I will not hear from them again. However he warned that it could take up to 4 weeks before I stop hearing from CIBC, as he has to send in a complaint to them on my behalf. Overall he was a much pleasanter experience than yesterday and left me feeling confident that this will be taken care of.

The vexing part is I am NOT and never have been a CIBC client. So their annoying attempts at getting me to be one has only ensured that I NEVER will be.

416-224-0391...Telephone spammer? TD Bank are you aware of the harassment?

2006-10-16T19:55:00.000-05:00

The telephone number 416-224-0391, has begun to call me numerous times in the evening over the last little while. When I answer there is dead air and I would hang up annoyed. I assume that it is an automatic dialler. Well tonight I had had just about enough of this, so I called the telephone number back. There was a recorded message, "Thank you for calling. You have reached Voxdata. Voxdata is a customer service call entre which has been requested to make a courtesy call to your telephone number. Have a nice day." And then the line goes dead. I then reverse looked up the telephone number and could only ascertain that it was a telephone number originating in the Toronto area. My next step was to google search the telephone number and there was only 2 hits. Both for a forum where someone else was being harassed by the same telephone number back in March of this year. The person with the similar complaint believed that TD Bank was the company that was using Voxdata. I wonder if TD is freely giving our telephone numbers to this company knowing that some of their customers and non-customers are being thoroughly annoyed by them?

I then googled (gawd I love Google) Voxdata and found them on Monster.ca of all places. There I found a telephone number for their office in Toronto (416-224-8482). I called and pressed '0' for immediate assistance. A female answered the phone and when I told her that I was pissed she immediately handed me over to a male voice that identified himself as Chris. Chris asked what the calls were about and I advised him that I did not know as there was dead air when I answered. He stated that he was going to have my telephone number removed from their system. I suppose we will have to wait and see if my complaint was successful.

I just wanted to throw this little experience out there so if any of you are getting these annoying calls you may find some resolution, as I hope that I have.

An Attempt To Ban Harry Potter

2006-10-05T07:24:00.000-05:00

Laura Mallory, a mother of four, of Loganville Atlanta wants all Harry Potter books banned from schools. She believes the books are 'evil' and indoctrinating children in to the Wiccan religion. While in most places this suggestion would be simply laughed off, she is in the one place that has a history of strange bannings. The most recent to memory, was the elimination of funding for spanish language fiction and considering a proposal to tweak the library's ILS to prevent users from proceeding in Spanish. There was a public outcry of course and the board was forced to recind their position on Spanish fiction and remove the 'tweaking' consideration from the agenda.

Atleast this time around the Board of Education is being more reasonable. Their attorney, Victoria Sweeny says "If schools were to remove all books containing reference to witches, they would have to ban Macbeth and Cinderella."

My problem is more with the ignorance of Laura Mallory. It is obvious by her stance that "Wicca is evil", that she has no clue about the religion. Wicca is older than Christianity and indeed a peaceful and loving religion. The creed by which they live is "Do what you will, harming none". It is also a Wiccan belief that anything of a negative nature that you do will come back to you three fold. I have done much research on the various off shoots of Wicca and have found nothing that would point to the religion being evil. So I wonder where Laura Mallory gets her information from, if she has bothered to research anything at all. I would hazard a guess that she has not even cracked a Harry Potter book open, to get an understanding of what the books really do promote. The themes that I got from the books were loyalty, friendship, trust, love and overcoming adversity. Hardly subjects that one could construe as evil.

The System Didn't Kill Your Son

2006-10-04T11:51:00.001-05:00

Ety Shokrabie cried out yesterday that the system killed her son. Sepehr "Danny" Rabti was shot and killed by two gunmen at the car dealership where he worked. One of those accused was previously granted bail on a gun offense (arrested at Yorkdale Mall for carrying a cocked and loaded .45-calibre semi-automatic handgun). While, as a mother, I feel her pain - I can not agree with her accusations towards the judicial system. Any person that, whether in the heat of passion or in cold blood, kills another human being is solely responsible for that act. Not the murderers parents, school officials, friends, neighbours, society or the judicial system. While all of the previously mentioned can be factored in to the mental state of the murderer, they can not and should not be held as accountable.

In the end we all have choices to make. We choose to live negatively or positively. We choose good or evil. We choose. We choose. We choose. Everyday people rise up out of the negativity that surrounded them in youth. They make choices to better themselves and to better the world arround them. They do wonderful things, in spite of where they were first rooted and raised. They are strong enough because they choose to be strong enough.

We have come to a place now that no one can take ownership for their own actions.
And each time a victim makes claims like the above mentioned, well they give the criminals another excuse. Another excuse for their own actions. There are far too many excuses already, NOT reasons mind you. Jodie Wheatle and Marcel Blackburn are accused of killing Danny. They are, right now, facing the judicial system for their actions. They will answer for what they have done, of that I am confident.

Don't get me wrong, something needs to change. I personally am all for Gun Laws being tightened and even first time offenders being denied bail if found with a gun. But as things stand now, judges and justices of the peace must follow the rules laid out before them. They enforce the law, they do not write it. So instead of throwing accusations about like tissue, why not work for change? Go to your MPs and Judicial representatives. Form lobby groups. Join lobby groups. Form/sign petitions. Make your voice be heard. That is productive and helpful, instead of accusatory and inflammitory.

The pessismest in me wonders if someone is laying groundwork to sue the system. Trying to cash in........

This is Johnathon....

2006-10-02T08:07:00.000-05:00

http://www.johnathon-madden.memory-of.com

Johnathon Robert Madden was a beautiful 12 year old boy with so many possibilities laid infront of him. Then the unthinkable happened. His 16 year old brother viciously murdered him and attempted to murder his stepfather. I do not write this to encourage your anger towards Johnathon's brother. Kevin was wrong and deserves to be punished for his actions. But now, after 3 years, what good is anger? There is too much of it already in this world and I do not think that Johnathon would have wanted to be the reason or root of more of it. I find, I myself have no energy for the anger. I feel only sadness and concern for Johnathon's mother.

I have watched this story unfold since day one. How could I not? I have two sons. As I have watched them grow these last three years I have so many times wondered and have been horrified at the thought. The thought that one of my sons could do that to the other....well it is unimaginable. Each time my mind wanders there I have an ache in my heart for Johnathon's mother. I can not even come close to feeling what she feels. I can not imagine what she thinks and how she possibily deals with this. Now that Kevin has been sentenced as an adult and Johnathon can be known for who he was, I hope that there is some peace and healing.

Johnathon's mum....if you ever read this, please know that my heart and prayers have always been with you from the start. I hope you find strength and peace in all that has happened and that which is yet to come. You had and still have the love of a very beautiful boy.

Yesterday In Montreal

2006-09-14T09:04:00.000-05:00

A 25 year old Montreal native acted out in anger and violence, with murderous intent. Kimveer Gill walked in to Dawson College with an assault rifle and began firing randomly at students and staff. Within 4 minutes police were on scene and within 1 more minute he had been "neutralized".

In his wake there were 19 injured and 1 dead. It is that 1 dead that I think of now.
Another Montreal native. An 18 year old girl. Her crime, having gone to class that day.

Somewhere in Quebec a family's heart was broken in to a million little pieces yesterday. I don't know them. Chances are you don't either. But God do I feel for them. The horror, the pain, the helplessness is not something I can fathom. The loss of potential, the loss of her future is unmeasurable. What could she have done? What could she have been?

I just pray for the others that are injured. They've made it through the first night, something that we can take as a sign of hope, I think. Pray for their strength and pray for their families.

Kimveer Gill, as discovered on his Vampirefreaks.com profile, was an angry and unhappy man. For him, the world seemed full of deceit. He had been betrayed. By whom, we'll probabley never know.

While the profile has now been deleted, his echo in cyber space will remain. I know, that as I write this, there will be many blog entries and and stories that will pop up. Each trying in their own way to come to terms with what has been done. They will theoriorize. They will probabley give you hints at motives and the little pieces of him that he let be known in his on line journals. But still I do not think we will ever fully understand. As we still do not fully understand Columbine. This is simply explained. The normal, average person can not fathom doing as he did. It is not something that enters our heads, even as distant fantasies. Therefore how could we even begin? We can't. We do not have such rage within us. I take comfort in this. Those that can and do commit such senseless acts are few and far between. We are not them.

However as a society we do need to look for the answers of what can we do to lessen the threat? What do our children need from us to not be so rage filled, To value life as it should be valued, To be heard, To be loved, To be honest, To be respectful? I don't claim to have all the answers. But we as a society need to address this. This is not just a family or community problem. This is much larger.

Squatter was evicted...

2006-08-24T20:56:00.000-05:00

so what?? The story has been splashed all over the papers and been on the television news. Chris "Gardiner" (an assumed name) layed claim to a piece of land under the Gardiner Expressway and built himself a little house. Apparently he's lived there for 8 years. Now he's pissed because his shack was torn down. I just don't get why the man believes he deserved to live tax, rent and mortgage free. I am a single mom who struggles each month to make sure all of my payments are made. I don't take hand outs and never have. Why is he so self-important to believe that he should not have to take on the responsibilities most adults do in this country?
Get a JOB! Get an apartment! Then you will have the rights of a tenant. Then complain and come to me with a sob story about your landlord. Don't steal a piece of land and expect to be treated like me. A hard working, tax paying citizen.

I'm sorry I have no sympathy for a man that has the skills to build a house out of nothing. But can't put those same skills to work on a construction site for a legitimate paycheque.

Since when does the church have a right to silence an opinion on city politics?

2006-08-22T20:15:00.000-05:00

Deborah Boschman of Brandon Manitoba was concerned for her city. So she decided to raise her voice. She wrote a letter to a local newspaper. In it she criticized her local political figures and made suggestions to help the city become more prosperous. Seems simple enough. A woman concerned, voices that concern.

Not really. You see, the pastor of her church (the Bethel Christian Assembly http://www.bethelbrandon.ca/) Mike Davis decided that she had stepped out of line. So much so that he wrote her his own letter. In that letter, he boldly stated that he was embarassed when he saw her letter in the paper. He reprimanded her as though she were a petulant child and not a concerned citizen. He even went so far as to suggest that she may want to worship God elsewhere. Pushing away a member of the flock for writing a letter to a newspaper, regarding local politics?? It is completely absurd. Made so by the simple fact that it had absolutely NOTHING to do with the Church, Faith or God.

It is people like this that drive potential followers of faith away. Exclusionary, elitist superiority at it's best. It is also people like Mike Davis that have kept me from even trying organized religion. I believe in God and I do not believe for one moment s/he would approve of his flock being turned away for voicing concern and opionion. After all it is my belief that he wants us to come to him in faith and of free will. Not out of fear and the need to assimilate ourselves in to a society of little unemotional robots that smile and nod.

Is one missing child more urgent than another?

2006-08-01T10:06:00.000-05:00

Jordan Bruyere is a 14 year old native boy that has been missing since July 22nd, as I noted in my last blog entry. I have been taking this whole Peter Whitmore case to heart and this whole thing has left me wondering. When is one child's disappearance more important or more urgent than another?

Immediately upon the RCMP discovering Jordan was believed to be with convicted pedophile Peter Whitmore, there should have been a stepped up urgency. There should have been media notification and attention. Yet Jordan, even now, is still ONLY considered a missing person. Not kidnapped, not a child in danger/peril. Even now that there are confirmed sitings and that he is in the company of a man who rapes children. A man that the corrections services reported was 100% likely to re-offend upon release. A man that is presently being hunted for kidnapping a 10 year old boy.

While Jordan did not give verbal indications to his mother that he is in danger or being abused, there is something the RCMP should take as an indicator that something isn't right. That 14 year old boy did not know where he was. At 14 years old it is not hard to figure out unless you are being prevented or threatened to not devulge such information. Another indicator should be from an eye witness who stated that Peter Whitmore was passing Jordan off as his son. Neither of these little particulars are positive things and lead me to believe that either throught threat or violence Jordan is not with a child rapist of his own free will.

So when will the RCMP take this boys 'missing' status to the same level of Zachary? When will this native child stop being treated as less important?

Soon I hope. His life is just as important. His innocence is probabley gone now as well.

Peter Whitmore...why the hell is he not in jail?

2006-07-31T11:16:00.000-05:00

Peter Whitmore is apparently at it again. For those of you who don't know who Peter Whitmore is, he is a convicted and serial pedophile of the hightest order. In 1993 he was found guilty of abduction and sexual offences against 4 young boys. He spent the next 16 months in jail. A lesson was not learned from this, after all I do not think pedophiles can be taught lessons. Within 9 days of his release from the first round in jail he was again up to his old ways. He abducted an 8 year old in Guelph and fled to Toronto with her. This time his sentence was a little longer, 56 months. Low and behold, shortly (less than a month) after his early conditional release in 2000, he was found in a motel room with a 13 year old boy that he had "befriended". Whitmore was prohibited from being in the company of anyone under the age of 14 unless accompanied by an adult or approved by police, so back to jail he went for another year long stint. In 2002, a judge in Toronto sentenced Whitmore to three years in jail for probation violations. This time arround he had fled to British Columbia, after being found in the company of a five year old boy. That set of violations included the fact he was carrying a “rape kit” in his backpack. Which contained latex gloves, pictures of young children, tubes of jelly lubricant, duct tape, a sleeping bag and plastic zipper ties (effective handcuffs).

Peter moved out west to Morinville Alberta upon release this last time, to hide and avoid the media spotlight. I'm sure his compulsion was also a big part of this move. After all, the parents of southern Ontario had made it very clear that he was not wanted here, and this would make it difficult to get close to their children.

Now I see that Peter is back in the news. For the same old thing. He is suspected of abducting a 10 year old boy, Zachary Miller. Zachary is a beautiful little boy with brown eyes and red hair. A light dusting of freckles runs across his nose and cheeks. He stands approximately four and a half feet tall and weighs seventy pounds. He has been missing from his home in Whitewood Saskatchewan since yesterday afternoon, and was last seen wearing black track pants with a red & white stripe and running shoes.

Zachary may not be the only victim at Whitmore's mercy right now. Police have reason to believe he may have another youth with him. A 14 year old aboriginal youth by the name of Jordan Bruyere. Jordan was last seen on July 22nd at a bus station in Brandon Manitoba. He is described as five foot six, a hundred and fifty pounds, with blue-green eyes (although in the pictures I have seen they look darker) and brown hair. Whitmore may be driving a blue Dodge Caravan with wood panelling on the side and an Alberta license plate CUS 532.

My question is WHY IS HE OUT???? The first time around there were 4 victims, yet he was given a sentence that is less then some get for having a 'joint' on them. Then he went immediately back to his deviate ways. Again, a relatively short sentence considering the circumstances. 56 months for a little girl's innocence? He has continued to violate his releases and violate children. When is the judicial system going to take this in to consideration and sentence him properly? Also keep him for his entire sentence, since he has made it quite clear that he is not going to be rehabilitated and will continue to leave a path of destruction in his wake.

Now I just pray that they find Zachary and Jordan alive and okay.

Still want to cry RACISM ?

2006-07-07T09:58:00.000-05:00

The sexual assault case against 16 black teens that elicited cries of racism from some of their parents ended yesterday. The youth identified as the 'principle suspect' in this case, and whom was charged with the most serious of the crimes, plead guilty to sexual assault. This was arrainged with the Crown in a plea deal that made three other charges disappear. Another male, admitted some responsibility, for breaking his bail conditions by possessing a knife. Neither will see detention time, although the 'principle' has a conditional sentence of 45 days being served in the community.

So parents of these poor much maligned children...what say you? After seeing a few take some level of responsibility for what happened...do you still say they are innocent and it was all racism??

Talks set to resume in bid to end native standoff

2006-04-21T07:06:00.000-05:00

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20060420/police_ontario_060421/20060421?hub=TopStories

What a headline. Not a completely truthful one though. You see the natives in this particular situation have been stepped on and ignored for a very long time. By the government, by the courts and by the media even. The media didn't even take a real interest until things were set ablaze and police moved in to "raid" the protestors camp.

Now the police pat themselves on the back and repeat often how restrained they were. Restrained?? Pepper spraying women and children is restrained? 5 police officers jumping on a lone female is retrained?? Ask yourself this readers...if this protest group was black or muslim or jewish, would the police have even raided in the first place? I think not.

The complacency and disregard for the aboriginal people of this country is well know and well documented....issues from recent memory: tainted water issue on numerous reserves, Ipperwash - Dudley George, unarmed and murdered by the police, The Highway of Tears - the murder of several native girls/women was only cared about once a white girl turned up dead in the same area. It is this complacency and disregard that has raised the ire of the native community. Talking doesn't work. The courts don't work. Only physical stands and loud riotous fighting for our rights seem to work. And if one of us should be murdered by the police under governement order...heh atleast then the media will care enough to high light our plights.

Warren Goulding, a journalist said it best when covering the trial of John Martin Crawford (convicted of murder in the killings of three Indigenous women): "I don't get the sense the general public cares much about missing or murdered aboriginal women. It's all part of this indifference to the lives of aboriginal people. They don't seem to matter as much as white people."

The union thing...revisited

2006-04-06T06:13:00.000-05:00

Well not so much the union thing, but I had to address a couple things related to my last post. First off, I'm sorry about the poor spelling and grammer. It was dashed off quickly and with too much emotion involved. I wanted to get it done, because I have so many other posts that are sitting as drafts and did not want to add another to the list.

As for the gentleman that I mentioned in that last post. The one that was injured after jumping on the hood of a man's car. He passed away several days after the incident. In my last post I had basically said he brought it on himself. I have to say now and make it very clear that I am never happy when someone dies. My heart goes out to all of those that feel his absence and are heartbroken by him being taken away.

Unions have too much power....where's Margaret when you need her??

2006-03-21T07:22:00.000-05:00

It seems these days that Joe Public is constantly being held hostage by one union or another. If it's not the TTC...it's the garbage workers...if it's not them it's the postal workers...if it's not them, it's public school teachers... and if it's not them...like right now....it's the College Profs.

Why do these people think that their lives and jobs are more important then the rest of us? Why do they believe that we will support their "causes" when they are screwing us constantly, one way or another.

It is my opinion that they have outlived their usefulness(in Canada) and are now nothing more then money making ventures. They are no long the defenders of the working man's rights. They are now the champions of the ridicules demands. In recent memory there was one union, that as one of their demands, wanted the employer to pay for their underwear and socks. What in hell is that?

I think a few of the union workers don't even know how poorly thought of they are. Afterall when we are put in to the position that we have to cross or come in contact with a picket line, we are told to be gracious and listen to their rhetoric. So as good obedient saps, we do that. When inside we want to yell "HEY Moron this is my life you're fucking with too!!"

Yesterday a union worker thought it would be okay to get on to the hood of someone's car, to accentuate his 'cause'. The man driving the car wasn't even a student of the college. He was just trying to drop his child off at daycare. Which one can assume, means he had a job to get to afterwards. This union worker was hurt and is now in hospital. Now this may sound cold and unfeeling, but good on him. I mean really, what gives a person the right to jeopardize someone elses livelihood and personal property? Not to mention the fear that the poor child may have felt having all these people surrounding the car she is in and arguing with her daddy.
http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/News/National/2006/03/21/1497681-sun.html
Shame on you strikers. Shame on greedy unions.

Olympians flee from flag-bearing duty

2006-01-19T07:59:00.000-05:00

I am completely and utterly disgusted. Several Canadian Olympic athelets have requested that they NOT be nominated to carry the Canadian flag in the up coming games.

They're, for the most part, saying that it is due to the need to prepare for their events. Yet some of these atheletes do not have events for atleast a day or two after. And the events that are coming are events that they have prepared years for. If they are not prepared when stepping on to the planes that take them there, well they just shouldn't be going.

The country that sent you to those games is not worthy of a little pride and respect? I take great offense to their cavalier attitudes and lack of loyalty to the flag that represents the Country that is their home. For shame!!

You know, loyalty and patriotism are the two things that I have always respected about Americans. Perhaps our atheletes need to examine the US and it's ways, maybe then they will learn to appreciate Canada a little bit more.

Black lawyer alleges racial profiling

2006-01-04T10:13:00.000-05:00

or should that read....Black Lawyer Sees Dollar Signs?

"Black Lawyer Alleges Racial Profiling" was the CBC's headlines regarding allegations from a fresh out of school lawyer in Toronto. It was the kinder of many. Another stated "Black lawyer accosted by police". You will note if you google this incident they all have to throw the 'lawyer' part in the headline. Why? To make police seem absurd for conducting an investigation? Of course, because the media thrive on such dramatics and semantics. They love to drag anyone they possibly can in to the deep deep ocean of Shame. But I tend to agree with the police spokesmen, Mark Pugash, who said "That Bogle is a lawyer was simply not relevant".

Mr Bogle seems to believe that he needs to throw his Ontario Bar Association identity card in peoples faces to lend legitimacy to himself. As if this piece of "I.D." exonerates him from all bad behavior (real or perceived or suspected) and should shield him from police investigations. Guess what Mr Bogle, there is probably a much higher percentage of bad guys in the law business then there are in the police force. Because you went to school, because you have a 'white' girlfriend (which you felt the need to point out) does not make you better than others.

And what did Mr Bogle do after proclaiming he was a member of The Bar did not work? He started name dropping. Name dropping officers that he knew with in the police force. Apparently high ranking officers. He admitted himself that the investigating officers were then deterred from their investigation. So what really happened here? Did the police (who were wrong) back off or did Mr Bogle effectively intimidate police officers? Did he intimidate them in to believing that Mr Bogle had power over their jobs? Over their careers and livelihoods? And is intimidation not a crime?

After reading numerous articles it seems that the incident was merely a case of mistaken identity. Police are not super human perfect beings. They are allowed to, on occasion, make mistakes. Afterall if the only mistakes they are making is minor mistaken identity issues, then we should feel fortunate. We only need to look to Los Angeles or New Orleans and the history of their police forces to know, that some people when given a badge, simply can not function within the boundaries of law themselves. On occasion resulting in violent or deadly incidents.

I'm not claiming to know all the details of the incident being discussed. After all I wasn't there. But neither were any of these news agencies that are "reporting" (I use the term loosely) on the incident. It is angering to see that they all lean towards the accuser without delving first in to all of the facts surrounding the case. Why were the police in the area? Why so many? Was Mr Bogle tipped to police as a criminal? Was there a similar vehicle and description given for an incident in the area? You DON'T KNOW. I don't know. The police know, but due to privacy laws and investigative regulations set out by Police governing bodies, they can not discuss or divulge much detail. Mr Bogle may know. Apparently the police went to great lengths to try to explain to him what was going on. But will he tell the media or admit there was any semblance of a legitimate reason for stopping him? No. He doesn't want to jeopardize the 1.5 Million he is now going to sue for. Afterall that'll pay off his student loans (if he has any) and leave him with a tidy sum, to perhaps furnish his new law office?

Oh wait, maybe I shouldn't have said all that. Perhaps he will find my little tiny piece of the web and sue me for hurting his feelings and stealing 3 minutes of his time, the time that he took to read this. Or maybe not.............

Boxing Day Blood Bath

2005-12-30T07:15:00.000-05:00

That is the title that the media has given to the shoot out on Yonge Street in Toronto on Boxing Day. When I read headlines like that I think of the Valentine's Day massacre and Bloody Sunday. Two incidents that claimed lives. The difference is that those incidents were far away and/or long ago. The Boxing Day Blood Bath happened here. In the city of my birth and the city in which I raise my children. And it happened only days ago. That in itself is terrifying. What makes it heart wrenching is that a beautiful, funny and talented little girl lost her life in the crossfire. Someone so young and with everything ahead of her. A soul with the promise of contributing good to this world and leaving a positive mark on it.

I cried for her mother the other day, as I read the "day after" articles in the Toronto Sun. Why? Because as a mother myself, I know that my heart and soul would ache and cry for a very long time at losing one of my children. I have not felt that agony but in imagining only a small portion of it I ache too. Afterall, There but for the grace of God go I.

Jane Creba, her mother, her father, her sister and brother need justice. As I write this I hope that those that know what really happened do not remain silent. We as a city need to take our lives and streets back. We need to stand up and say YOU WILL NOT SCARE ME. You will not take my freedom through violence and fear. And if you contribute to criminality, we will turn you in. We will not tolerate our city falling to ruin. Jane's death needs to not be in vain. And in her tragic end we must find something to begin a new. Something that can be attributed to her.

We do not need another gun law. Gun possession is already restricted. In the end the only thing gun laws do is restrict legitimate, law abiding citizens. The criminals do not buy guns through legal avenues, they do not register guns and they certainly are not going to abide by any regulations related to their illegal weaponry.

If the politicians want to know what action needs to be taken they need not go further than their own employees. The police of Toronto are on the front lines. They know and they see this violence and criminality everyday. They live in that world, politicians do not. I'll tell you what the police will say. Hell, it's what they've been saying all along. The judicial system needs to get it's ASS IN GEAR!! The judges that are far to lenient and far too often give out concurrent sentences. The crown attorney's that like to plead down far too many cases just to "save some money and time" for the courts. I don't give a DAMN how long it takes or how much money it costs. Take these thugs to trial and go for the MAX!!

It's bad enough that the sentences are minimal, but when they get to the "big house" and if they're good little inmates they will get out early, sometimes with as much as two thirds of their sentences off. So ten years is not ten years, it could be as little as three years with pre-trial time and good behavior. Pre-trial time, which is usually dished out as time and a half - what the hell is that? You're not working a legitimate job through Christmas or Easter, YOU'RE IN JAIL!!

If the politicians want to really make a difference and take a stand against gun violence there are laws that they could put in place. Mandatory minimum sentences for all violent and gun related crimes. Minimum sentences for gun related crime should be ten years. A full ten years of which must be served before even being considered for release. This minimal sentencing should also apply to young offenders. I don't care what anyone says, but when I was 15 years old I knew a hell of a lot more then adults gave me credit for. I certainly knew what it meant to take a life, to commit a crime and certainly knew that GUNS KILL!!

Politicians, special interest groups and criminal's parents also need to stop blaming society or poverty or locale. I grew up in Metro housing on welfare in a family of 5. No one in my family is a criminal. None of the people I grew up with in metro housing and with parents on welfare, killed a person. The two people I know that have been involved in murders were not in metro housing and never were. They were from middle to upper class families. They had big houses and nice cars. They could have went to college or university or back packed across Europe. I don't know if they did, we weren't tight. But my point is they could've and they did have whatever they wanted. But instead they chose to take another's life. They chose their paths and now they sit in prison for it, as they should.

Poverty and locale do not make you a criminal. YOU do!! There is some point that everyone must take responsibility and ownership of their own actions. Perhaps if these kids parents were teaching them that instead of blaming everyone else for their lot in life, perhaps then they would take some pride in what they do.... Instead of committing shameful acts such as opening fire on Yonge Street, in the middle of the day, on the busiest shopping day of the year. Perhaps then another 15 year old girl will not die and a family will not be devastated.

Police charge 16 students

2005-11-16T12:41:00.000-05:00

Police charge 16 students

Teenage girl alleges she was repeatedly

harassed and sexually assaulted at her high school.

If you live in Toronto, or even Canada for that matter, you've seen headlines like the above splashed across newspapers and other media forms in the last fews days.

In all there were 14 boys and 2 girls arrested. The first 2 boys were arrested last week.

A 15-year-old boy was charged with with sexual assault, forcible confinement and criminal harrassment. A 17-year-old boy was charged with assault, sexual assault, forcible confinement and failure to comply with probation. The 12 newly arrested male students were charged with criminal harassment. The 2 female students were charged with threatening bodily harm. The incidents of sexual assault and harassment and threatening are alleged to have been going on for well over a year. The girl was terrified to report the incidents to the authorities. She was overheard telling her princpal as she cried, "...but they know where I live." The high number of arrested and fact that a majority of the incidents happened within the walls of the school has shocked most and caused a good number of to deny the accusations.

The newspapers and television news stations have been quoting students (not the accused individuals but other students in that particular school) that flat out refute the claims that the teenaged girl has made. My big question for them is, what makes you an expert or a reliable source for this position?? Do you know the girl personally? Do you monitor every move that she and all of the accused make? I highly doubt that. Anything you hear little girl, is only heresay and rumors. Rumors that may have well been started by those same individuals that have been accused of victimizing her for well over a year. Why would they tell you the truth? Why would they tell you something that would make them look bad, or even criminal? GET A CLUE!! You'd be better off to remember a saying I have, " You only know what each individual wants you to know. So what they tell you, may not be all there is to know." (Note: police are now confirming that atleast one of the assault incidents was caught on the schools CCTV system) Other students in the school haven't voiced opinions on whether or not it happened, they're just pissed off because the basketball team has beem desecrated by the arrests and the school has been made to look bad. You see approximately half of the team was involved in the alleged incidents. When I heard that part it made me immediately think of the states and how controlling football teams can be at the high school level. Numerous incidents have garnered media attention and they've always has similar themes....footballers or their coaches getting away with criminal things, all in the name of keeping the team in good standing. And now, if those pissed students had their way, this same thing would be happening here. Abusers would be allowed to commit violent and unwanted sexual attacks, at will, and be protected because they are the "atheletes" and the team that makes the whole school look good. Guess what, protecting violent predators DOES NOT MAKE ANYONE LOOK GOOD!! Especially NOT YOU!!

The second and just as disturbing thing about the above case, not including the incidents themselves, is the parents reactions. It's not reactions of outrage that their children would take part in the violent, systematic abuse of another human being, but the fact the their precious angels were arrested for it at schoool. Of course the first thing out of one mother's mouth, "It's racism". You see the victim is white and all but one of the accused is black. That should not be indicative of racism. You see, the area that the school is located in is predominately black therefore from a population perspective it would be logical that white people are the minority in the school and would be the minority in any "group" incident. Then when these juvenile's had to wait overnight for a bail hearing (which is a normal waiting time in the Canadian judicial system), that same mother was again shouting racism. Because the white student who was accused, was already out on bail. Hellllooooooo ladyyyyy are you in there?? He (and another teen) was arrested last week and bailed last week. Of course he's already out. While waiting over night for a bail hearing is not always the case, it can happen. Afterall a judge has to be available to hear the bail application. No judge. No bail. That's the way it goes.

Perhaps instead of crying racism and teaching your children to play the victim, you should teach them to take responsibility for their actions. Raise them to be strong and respectful of themselves and others. They are getting near to the end of the phase where you have any ability to mold them in to good, law abiding adults that contribute positively to society. Take the last few chances you have. Make them own up to their wrongs and answer for them. Do not blindly defend them. Support them. Love them. Give them what they need. But do not excuse, deny or dismiss their nasty and criminal behaviour.

To that poor little girl. If you should come across this blog. I support you. I admire you. Stay strong. Don't let them own your life.

Remebrance Day - Lest We Forget

2005-11-11T10:20:00.000-05:00

**Lest We Forget**

In Flanders Fields

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the Dead.
Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields. -

John McCrae

Reply to Flanders Fields

Oh! sleep in peace where poppies grow;
The torch your falling hands let go
Was caught by us, again held high,
A beacon light in Flanders sky
That dims the stars to those below.
You are our dead, you held the foe,
And ere the poppies cease to blow,
We'll prove our faith in you who lie
In Flanders Fields.

Oh! rest in peace, we quickly go
To you who bravely died, and know
In other fields was heard the cry,
For freedom's cause, of you who lie,
So still asleep where poppies grow,
In Flanders Fields.

As in rumbling sound, to and fro,
The lightning flashes, sky aglow,
The mighty hosts appear, and high
Above the din of battle cry,
Scarce heard amidst the guns below,
Are fearless hearts who fight the foe,
And guard the place where poppies grow.

Oh! sleep in peace, all you who lie
In Flanders Fields.
And still the poppies gently blow,
Between the crosses, row on row.
The larks, still bravely soaring high,
Are singing now their lullaby
To you who sleep where poppies grow
In Flanders Fields.

- John Mitchell

With Love and Hope for a Peaceful World
I thank all of those that fought (and still fight) for us.

Did you ever hear a saying that rang so true,

2005-11-04T20:32:00.000-05:00

that it kind of took you aback? I have heard a few, but this one, I just heard right now and it struck me.

It is not our responsibility to make the children worthy of the world.
It is our responsibility to make the world worthy of the children.

Native Canadians living in third world conditions...

2005-11-04T08:20:00.000-05:00

I am ashamed. Ashamed of my country. Ashamed of my politicians. As a Native Woman I am appalled at the living conditions, the Canadian government has left the First Nations people to deal with.

The emergency evacuation of 1,900 Aboriginals from the Ontario reserve, Kashechewan, has highlighted the issue of inadequate water treatment on First Nations reserves in Canada. It also is shedding light on the appalling living conditions in other reserves across the country. Two days after the evacuation of the entire reserve, near James Bay, due to the high level of E. Coli bacteria in water. Among the many conditions attributed to the over chlorinated water and the inability to use the water, safely, are: Hepititas A, Impetigo, Scabies, Rashes, Blisters, Diarrhea (both acute and chronic) and as a result also dehydration in some small children.

The statistics are ridicules for a country such as Canada. There are 858 First Nations here. Of those 95 are currently under a Health Canada "boil water" advisory, 51 have been under the advisory for over a year. Seven have been under the advisory for over five years.

Specifically 37 of the 123 Ontario reserves are under similar advisories. The Six Nations reserve has been under a "boil water" advisory since the late 90s. It is unimaginable that Canadians are living in these conditions, while tens of millions of CANADIAN dollars are being donated to other countries around the world for the exact same reason, SAFE DRINKING WATER.

The majority of First Nations reserves in Canada are under a "boil water" advisory because of high levels of bacteria in their water supply, most of which are located in Ontario. Health Canada spokesperson Chris Williams said there are an additional 44 reserves outside of Ontario that are also under the advisory. "We can't make the list of communities available until we have the permission from those communities," said Williams. The Government is hiding behind the reasoning that the reserves are independant and that they can not go in, or release information, without first being invited to do so by any specific reserve.

And how, you ask, has this gone on so long? And how did it finally come to light? Kashechewan reserve decided to go public, to the media. It was only after much attention from the media, that the government responded. It was this media campaign that not only embarassed provincial and federal government, but pressed authorities to take action and pledge funding for evacuations and military clean up of the reserve. A reserve with it's origin dating back to the 1950s, created by Anglican Cree. They had seperated from a larger Cree group, after differences arose regarding religion. Religion (Catholic and Anglican) introduced by the White missionaries.

In 1957 the government began building a settlement for the Kashechewan First Nation. According to the band elders, the government ignored advice that the houses should be further upstream to avoid the flood planes and to prevent water damage. They say government officials argued that if the settlement were further upstream, supplies would not be able to reach it. So the government ignored the long term effects for immediate practicality. It's been downhill from there. Every spring the reserve has flooding and this in turn has caused much structural damage and created a great enviroment for mold to grow.

The band made requests on several occassions to be relocated. The government refused to spend the moneys that such an undertaking would require. The remote location of the reserve made it easy for the government to ignore it. Ahh well they have learned haven't they? The first nations people will be ignored no longer.

To the Canadian Provincial and Federal Governments I say, "The world is watching. Do right by these people!!"

Rest In Peace Rosa Parks :'(

2005-10-25T10:36:00.000-05:00

"The Mother Of Civil Rights"

Rosa Parks

(Nee: Rosa Louise McCauley)
February 4, 1913 to October 24th, 2005.

"I think that she, as the mother of the new civil rights movement, has left an impact not just on the nation, but on the world,"

~ U.S. Rep. John ConyersA Loss

Rosa Parks, the black woman who refused to give up her bus seat to a white man and in turn sparked a revolution in American race relations 50 years ago, died last night. She died in her sleep at home, said lawyer Shirley Kaigler.

Parks, known as the mother of the civil rights movement, was a 42-year-old seamstress when she caught a bus in downtown Montgomery, Alabama on Dec. 1st 1955.

She paid the 10-cent fare in front, then reboarded the bus in back (as black riders were required to do) taking a seat in the first row of the section reserved for "coloureds."

Three stops after she got on, a white man boarded and had to stand. To make room for him to sit alone (which were the rules at the time) driver James Blake told Parks and three other black riders to give up their seats. The other riders complied. Parks did not. The police were called and Rosa was arrested and charged.

While Parks was not the first black Montgomery bus rider to be arrested for failing to give up a seat, she was the first to challenge the law. Parks and her husband had been active with local civil rights groups for years. Groups that were looking for a test case to fight the city's segregation laws.

Rosa ended up being convicted of breaking the law and received a $10 fine, along with $4 in court costs. That same day a group of blacks founded the Montgomery Improvement Association. They appointed a little known minister their leader, Martin Luther King Jr. The young pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church lead the bus boycott that lasted 381 days and financially crippled the transit system.

---> In the end legal challenges led to a US Supreme Court decision that forced Montgomery to desegregate its bus system. Effectively putting an end to laws separating blacks and whites, at public facilities throughout the South.

Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin released this statement on Tuesday:

"Rosa Parks was an icon, not just for minority communities in the American south, or for women, but for all of humanity the world over,"
"Though Ms. Parks spoke in the quietest of tones, her voice will continue to ring loud as a symbol of courage, of the strength of the human spirit and of the need to continue the fight against inhumanity in all of its manifestations."

**I have never heard a politician speak more truely than at this time.**

A Life Well Lived and Never Forgotten

Rest Well And In Peace Brave Lady

I've been neglecting you

2005-10-17T12:29:00.000-05:00

I'm sorry for that. You see too much has been happening in the world the last few months and I've found myself not wanting to discuss any of it.

I feel so heavy whenever some new disaster hits, whether it is man made or nature made.
There's Katrina, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the ongoing fighting/suicide bombings in Isreal and else where. Not to mention North America's own home grown criminal element.

It's funny that the USA feels that they have the right to go in to another country and impose what they think is the right way to live, yet their own back yard is teeming with angry, violent, agression. And the umseemly acts the commit on eachother? How can they claim to know what is the "right" way to live? To run a country? To fashion society? Children are being (statutory) raped and then married off to their rapist at 14 years of age, women kill their newborns and toddlers at will, men kill doctors for performing abortions, teachers are taking sexual advantage of their students, domestice violence and divorce are rampant.

Oh no no no.... do not get me wrong. The US is not the only country with these problems. I know that. Canada has it's own set of issues, as do the UK and other European nations. I do not solely point the finger at the US. I guess what I am driving at is perhaps we need to look in and clean up our own backyards. You need to start at home. Only then can you go out and touch the rest of the world in a positive way.

I think that the problem is, in part, that if you look in to your own backyard you have to see the ugliness that is a part of you. And with ego (which is where all bad things lead back too) the way that it is, people do not want to take ownership of the nasty part that is them. No one wants to admit that as a society they are part of the reason for the failure.

If a teen is bad. Blame the parents. If an adult has failed in life. Blame the parents and the schools. Why should they be the only ones to blame? "It takes a village to raise a child" that is what my ancestors believed. And communitees took this seriously and I venture to say that there was a lot less needly violence back then. Of course I am not living in LaLa Land. I know that mankind has always been violent. But back then it was out of necessity to hunt, to protect yourself, your family, your way of life or your land.

I don't know if I make a lot of sense right now. Forgive me if I don't. I have so many things rolling around in my head that it's hard to put down in a sensical way. I tend to go off in different directions of thought in very short periods of time.

In the end most of us want peace

2005-07-15T06:20:00.000-05:00

It is indeed a vicious circle. No one can guess for how long intelligent people have been saying: Violence begets violence. But it is also very much a catch 22. If the USA had not responded to Saddam and Iraq. Ten years down the road all of the people that were protesting against the invasion would have been saying :"Why didn't you save them? You the big and "powerful" USA."

The USA is one of the few countries that could finance the upsurp of a psychotic, egomanical, murderous dictator. Canada surely couldn't. We are just now digging ourselves out of our own debts and rebuilding a decimated military, brought on by continuous financial cuts by past governments. Other countries couldn't as well. Some due to their simple geographical closeness to the problem which would put them in a precarious position, exposing their general population to much more of a risk of being utterly devestated by any war.

The problem the USA faces now is, how do we get out of this? More and more people in the USA are becoming disillusioned with it all. Families and friends just want their soldiers home now. But if the USA leaves too quickly, and another fatalist regime takes control, the USA will be blamed for that as well. Then all of the same anti-Iraq war people would be saying, "It's your morale responsibility to take care of them."

So where, pray tell, is the line to be drawn?

The London Bombings

2005-07-14T18:17:00.000-05:00

WARNING: Serious post follows

I've been watching the news coverage, almost obsessively. It's not that I am terribly morbid or anything. I think it's a need to know everything that has happened and everything they went through....to acknowledge their lives and deaths, to know every awful little detail...in some way helps to pay tribute to their tribulations and tragedy. So this big cosmic universe knows that they did not die and hurt alone. That we, half way around the world, felt it too on some level.

I know it seems strange. I guess part of it is also because on a smaller scale, I know some of what they felt. The victimization, fear, bewilderment and loss of control of a situation. It makes me reflect on my own traumatic little crisis, when I was held hostage by a convicted felon....some of you will remember, some of you will find this new information about me (and no I will not recount that tale, it's one that I prefer to leave in the past). I do still, now and then, find myself with residual effects of that incident. It seems the little things can bring back the panic and loss of control. I am very uncomfortable around men in green parkas (he was wearing one) and lord help you if you come up behind me and put your hands or arm near my neck.

In the end...you have to shake it off and move forward. While you take these things with you , and although they change you in some way...you must move forward and not allow it to 'own' you. I see that London is doing that and they are trying very hard to gain back some normalcy without fear. I hope that their strength does not faulter and I pray for everyone affected by this.

Right after this attack, extremist groups were on the net and posting comments along the lines of: "London is burning. The infidels are filled with fear." In response this website, http://www.werenotafraid.com/ , was created to show strength and defiance to these murderous, violent criminals. Visit it. Buy something if you can. Portions of the profits are going to the Red Cross London Bomb Relief Fund (or you can go directly to the Red Cross site if you want to help that way )

The appropriate saying for this time, I think, is: They can break our bodies but they can not break our spirit.