- Robert Goldwin Clark David S is a disgrace to Canada and should recieve the reciprical "Enemy of Canada Award!!!"
16 hours ago ·
Owen Abrey Also blogged it at http://paradoxicalx3.blogspot.com/2011/06/my-favorite-rant-david-suzuki.html** facebook said it was too big for your comments section.
15 hours ago ·
Nipper Kettle David another Fear Mongering tactic GLOBAL WARMING we have been going though these changes since the begining of time.Certainly no warming here
15 hours ago via Facebook Mobile ·
David G. Field
@ Nipper-I was wondering when you would pipe up with your inane comments. It's almost as predictable as rain in April in BC. I guess your right and every other scientist on the planet is wrong. So what degree in biology, geology, enviro...nmental science do you hold, or did you just shake a bunch of bones in a bowl and throw them on the ground to make this prediction. For the love of pete do some reading on the subject before you respond in the future. It would save you from showing your a&% to the world.See More
15 hours ago ·
David G. Field Hey Nipple, I'll help you out with your research. http://www.newsweek.com/2011/05/29/are-you-ready-for-more.html
14 hours ago ·
Owen Abrey I would prefer a peer-reviewed journal David--at least. Even better, I would like to read the actual experimental data before interpolation.
14 hours ago ·
David G. Field
Part of the problem, in both Canada and the US, is that there is too much political interference by lobbyists that would much prefer the status quo to remain. The oil lobbyists don't give a rats patootie what happens fifty years from now, ...they're only interested in accumulating at much wealth as they can while still alive. The Conservative government muzzles every civil department from commenting publicly on climate change and the dangers of GHG emissions. A prime example is the world wide efforts of the Harperites trying to influence foreign policy.See More
14 hours ago ·
Owen Abrey On that I agree David. We have become scientific illiterates who swallow what ever is spoon fed to us, rather than doing the research.
14 hours ago ·
Suzanne Wemp And most of the "science" that is fed to us is from corporation funded "research". Very, very little of it is credible, unbiased and trustworthy.
14 hours ago ·
Bill Bennett Interesting inference, that the science "fed to us" is bad information because a company paid to have it done...frankly science provided by the environmental community is easily as suspect.
14 hours ago · · 1 personLoading...
Suzanne Wemp Certainly all science should be suspect. And hold up to scrutiny. However most, if not all, environmental organizations don't make millions or billions in profits if their science proves true, so I consider their science far less suspect.
13 hours ago ·
Owen Abrey I agree bill, information is purveyed by people who want to sell us on it.
13 hours ago ·
Owen Abrey That becomes more important than the content too often. The biggest scam/corporations are the green ones like Suzuki's.
13 hours ago ·
Terry Hand and science fed by corporates is equally suspect and flawed the tobacco industry would be a good example. Bottom line is that greed has no distinction whether corporate or grassroots environmentalist EVERYONE as they say,has their price, Certainly due diligence is required on the part of the public and the old adage rings true, "when you snooze you lose!"
13 hours ago ·
Owen Abrey Its a problem because we have forgotten how to read raw data. And the purveyors are counting on us not "looking under the hood" as it were.
13 hours ago ·
Owen Abrey Invent enough crisis for people to rally and open their wallets to support the "cause". The greens are a well-funded well organized machine that will run you over if you remain skeptical. Who insist the science is "settled" but then lose the data... The supposed boogy men who fund the "counter-science" are rarely produced; and if you want grant money you need to research in a PC way.
13 hours ago ·
Suzanne Wemp
@ Owen - Perhaps the greens are not really a "well-funded organized machine" but actually the majority of well informed citizens? And the research is not lost. Much of it has proven true. Yes, smoking does kill you. Yes, DDT is bad. Yes, n...itrates cause cancer. I could go on and on... All of that was thought to be "junk science" because big business didn't want it to be common knowledge. Respectfully Owen, I suggest that perhaps people such as yourself have "forgotten how to read raw data."See More
13 hours ago ·
Nipper Kettle @david fied :at least I am predictable and so are the fear mongers that have been crying wolf for so many years. you cannot even get 10 of these scientist to agree on the issue of Global Warming/climate change.It all about the money and who screams the loudest.
13 hours ago ·
Owen Abrey
I am not talking about smoking or ddt. That is ancient history. The prime example is Proffessor Jones of the IPCC "losing" all the raw data the UN has supposed to have accrued on global temperatures for a minimum of 50 years! And when yo...u actually find the raw data to compare to the lauded "scientists" you find this: **http://wattsupwiththat.com/2009/11/25/uh-oh-raw-data-in-new-zealand-tells-a-different-story-than-the-official-one/** So now when I hear something that sounds like the popular myth of the "scientists", I say show me the data. The common man does not insist, so they get fed the regurgitated stuff too often purveyed by the likes of David Suzuki.See More
13 hours ago · · 2 people2 people like this.
Suzanne Wemp @Owen - if you think public and environmental health issues like smoking and ddt are "ancient history" then that speaks volumes to your capacity for comprehending the legacy of our public policy decisions. History is in the making :)
12 hours ago ·
Owen Abrey Of course smoking is bad for you, and DDT has been banned in the US in 1976 & world wide under the Stockholm convention in 1995.
12 hours ago ·
Owen Abrey The science, the data has long been reviewed. Sure the tobacco companies don't like it. Who cares? We are talking of scientific data. Which is absent in the popular-myth purveyed as science for the masses.
12 hours ago · · 1 personLoading...
Suzanne Wemp @Owen - Totally agreed. Which is why home owners still think using pesticides are safe. The didn't have the scientific data.
12 hours ago ·
Greg Krasichynsky
Science done by scientists and published in peer-reviewed journals is biased because those ivory tower elitist eggheads work for big knowledge. Facts are a matter of opinion. The tv says so. So my facts are every bit as valid as anyone's.... So are yours. It's a free country. Except for leftists, who should be locked up.
Everybody knows that multi-billion dollar transnational hippie communes fund "environmental" stuff. For REAL information, it's best to go to those who have nothing to gain except huge amounts of money at no cost except everyone's but their own: Corporations!
Who saved us when welfare recipients, sick children, unions, teachers, and the elderly brought down the economy? That's right - corporations. Who pays for your services and carries the heaviest tax burden in BC and Canada? That's right - corporations. And who has a record of consistently creating jobs when given billions in free taxpayer money? Yup - corporations.
You leftists commie pinkos just aren't friendly to business. It's your socialistic fault that BC has a huge debt, faltering economy, rampant corruption, insane privatization, environmental deregulation, and loss of services. Because you're so.... so..... not like us salt of the earth regler foke whut just hates farners and believes the teevee. "If it's on tv, it has to be the truth" - Actual quote by conservative voter, said in all seriousness, and nearly in tears that anyone would question our great leador.
Give generously - please help save corporations from eco-terrists!See More
10 hours ago ·
Owen Abrey
Peer-reviewed journals are not perfect, but without question they are better than the typical newspaper. Additionally, one needs to ask about the credentials of the author. For example, who granted the PhD? What was the area the PhD was ...focused? (a biologist making philosophical constructs and assumptions, or weighing-in, opining on cosmology, or meteorology, needs to be received by the reader rather tenuously.) When was the PhD granted? And Where has the author been recently published--In addition to who has funded the research. Extremely well-respected science can be done by scientists who receive corporate grants. In that case, as in any case, funding sources, terms of reference needs be appreciated to weigh the research against bias, a priori and prejudice.See More
about an hour ago ·
Owen Abrey
@susanwemp: sometimes relative risks need to be considered. For example, when DDT is sprayed inside African homes, infant malarial infection rates drop 95%. So while a child *might* get sick from DDT, 1.2 million will die of malaria ever...y year, and 500 million will be malarial positive. When DDT was restricted, malaria rates skyrocketed. Now that DDT is being used again for vector control in Africa the incidences have significantly reduced. In many areas of the world, DDT virtually wiped out malaria, saving millions of lives, all the while being a health threat of vastly minor degree. These conclusions are derived from multiple peer-reviewed journals, with no notable moral hazards detected by authorship, journal editorship, or outside interests stacking editorial boards.
Bill Bennett I hope people will have that debate here. The public deserves to know the tenuous, even questionable, nature of the climate change hypothesis and the extent to which scientists now question that hypothesis. And if it is all true and Canada emits 2% of global, anthropomorphic CO2, shouldn't our tax dollars be focused on mitigation rather than prevention?
3 hours ago · · 2 peopleLoading...
Owen Abrey Frankly Mr. Bennett, I think BC should consider the big one to hit Vancouver and our challenges being prepared re: upgrading/ rebuilding old apartment blocks, before even thinking about climate change right now. Millions are in mortal peril on the one hand vs. a longer growing season on the other.
about an hour ago ·
Greg KrasichynskyThe extent to which scientists question that hypothesis is negligible.
Not to be confused with the huge extent to which it is questioned by fox-news scienticians affiliated with such esteemed global academic resources as the Fraser Institu...te and Hollywood upstairs deregulation college. Who can indeed also prove that if every little girl drinks a gallon of crude and smokes four packs a day, she will live to 200 years of age. There are statistics that back that up, from world renowned experts. Being on fox makes you world-renowned, and reading from exxon's scripts legally entitles you to be called an "expert." Statistics don't have to be legitimate or validated, they just have to back up a thesis.
I love the idea that "big environmentalism" is forging studies and collecting lies from academics because of what they stand to gain from the poor polluters. It's not that they love clinging to life, it's that they hate business.
I love even more that there are people on the record (being cited in the history books as fiercely committed) that make those assertions. How will their grandchildren view them? Will they, 50 years from now, admit that their grandparents stood up for banks, oil, and weapons, against the evil forces of clean air, drinkable water, the poor, the sick, and children? Will they be proud of the intelligence, education, wit, and compassion shown by their corporate-shill forbears?See More
about an hour ago ·
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Discussion on Bill Bennet's Face Book Page.
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
My favorite rant; David Suzuki
@DerekKoch: Think about it. Suppose the juveniles acquire sea lice as they enter the ocean. They cause disease that leads to 95% mortality. Unless sea lice were killing their hosts years and years later, when as it appears they are most healthy and most vigorous, how could volcanics help?
One poster said salmon were even disfigured by it. How likely is it that this dire blight would allow juveniles to enjoy the phyto plancton and live to become adults. It isn't a common understanding juveniles are surviving.
The massive return of sockeye last year has been attributed to the phyto-plancton bloom. That may be true. But then I wonder who did this "study" to make this determination. If it was a DFO study, (I know they released it) there was some explaining to do since their scientific predictions were so off, they didn't look remotely competent. Or, was it the anti-farmed-salmon "scientists" like David Suzuki? Suzuki has declared himself to be a scientist with profound expertise in everything from oil sands to grizzly bears, and makes a lot of money by it. At least this time, oceanic micro biology, he comes close to the discipline he was granted a degree for. But by his pontificating far and wide in areas far from his expertise, what real credibility can he maintain in all of this? Especially considering the moral hazard of his directly benefiting from the "crisis of sea lice"?
One poster said salmon were even disfigured by it. How likely is it that this dire blight would allow juveniles to enjoy the phyto plancton and live to become adults. It isn't a common understanding juveniles are surviving.
The massive return of sockeye last year has been attributed to the phyto-plancton bloom. That may be true. But then I wonder who did this "study" to make this determination. If it was a DFO study, (I know they released it) there was some explaining to do since their scientific predictions were so off, they didn't look remotely competent. Or, was it the anti-farmed-salmon "scientists" like David Suzuki? Suzuki has declared himself to be a scientist with profound expertise in everything from oil sands to grizzly bears, and makes a lot of money by it. At least this time, oceanic micro biology, he comes close to the discipline he was granted a degree for. But by his pontificating far and wide in areas far from his expertise, what real credibility can he maintain in all of this? Especially considering the moral hazard of his directly benefiting from the "crisis of sea lice"?
Quebec's pampered place.
In the dying days of any regime change in Canada, fewer and fewer admit to voting for the government.
This is backwards, because few in Quebec want to admit they voted for NDP. I can't imagine the embarrassment of the riding who voted for the pretty blond who was living it up in Las Vegas at the time. I wonder how many admit voting for her?
Still, Quebec is over represented to historical extremes when we look at the list of minister's promoted under Harper's government. 80%! Alberta would need 22 cabinet ministers to enjoy the same weight of influence.
So Quebec can breath easy because they still live in a pampered place in Canadian federalism, confident that they will not be punished for failing to vote strategically this time.
This is backwards, because few in Quebec want to admit they voted for NDP. I can't imagine the embarrassment of the riding who voted for the pretty blond who was living it up in Las Vegas at the time. I wonder how many admit voting for her?
Still, Quebec is over represented to historical extremes when we look at the list of minister's promoted under Harper's government. 80%! Alberta would need 22 cabinet ministers to enjoy the same weight of influence.
So Quebec can breath easy because they still live in a pampered place in Canadian federalism, confident that they will not be punished for failing to vote strategically this time.
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Facebook exchange with some old NDP friends: Manitoba Starts a Hydro Project
Owen AbreyLet me then suggest a polemic exists: Wealth and Debt. Yes they are not true polemics, because they have links to each other. Another polemic might be Wealth and Poverty. Yet they too have links to each other. Political systems are cha...llenged in balancing these polemics, if you were a believer in the Hegelian dialectic, you would use "synthesizing" instead of balancing. If you were Kierkegaardian you might argue for paradoxical tension. Contrary to some opinions, various political parties have an area of concern and expertise surrounding these concepts. From the days of the CCF and Tommy Douglas, the NDP are very good at understanding poverty. The Conservatives might be thought very good at understanding business. This is not to say each is their exclusive domain, but is a positive way of approaching the differences that exist. The criticism that exists between these 2 systems are centered on the tendency of one side or the other to put their primary concern too far apart from the primary concern of the other..See MoreMay 25 at 8:25pm ·
Rod Murphy This would explain why so many CCF and NDP governments have come to power and cleaned up the debts left by the various Conservative business smart governments. Just saying:)__________
Owen Abrey
:) Rod, but can you see with similar clarity how the NDP lack in many cases an understanding of wealth creation? The previous Saskatchewan NDP government excepted. Levels of debt are tolerable so long as there is the wealth (and taxation... levels) to support it. I suppose that might be asking too much, I however am a contrarian. I am not satisfied until I understand the validity of all sides of a polemic; and am a fan of Kierkegaard, so I am in no rush to resolve paradox, but am comfortable with allowing for the natural tensions of paradox to exist. Hegelians however must rush to resolve, and we in Canada tend to be Hegelian.See More
May 25 at 8:42pm ·
Owen Abrey I would like to say, I am excited about the Hydro news. It definitely is a wealth creator. Would that more of this would happen in Manitoba.@Owen: Good lawd! With all due respect, your Hegelian dooelectric and Kierkegaard nonexistentialitizing mish-mash of obfuscation is over the top for name-dropping right-wing-nut rationalization.
Read the following article for an example of clear thinking that explains how CONservatives trash the books by shoveling the loot to their buddies and then the NDP comes in to clean up the mess. Social democrats know how to create and share the wealth. Right-wing-nuts are greedy, incompetent aholes who bring the planet to the brink of financial calamity every so often, most recently 2008.
Owen Abrey
I wrote what I wrote because I wanted to communicate that I take the debate very seriously. I have read the Star article btw. I was attempting to give the rationale for some sort of bridge-building in the debate, using an approach called...: "Appreciative Inquiry." I am sorry it seemed verbose. Most of us are unaware from whence our prejudice comes--and we all have prejudices whether we want to admit them or not. I would appreciate it if the debates proceed on a basis of respect and not condescension. I am sorry if I shot too high over head. I could make the language simpler but then I would have to write a book to say it. Thank you for allowing me to engage on these ideas Rod.
Obama Prays, Scorners Scorn.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2011/05/29/jopin-tornado-obama.html
Why is it when any thing is wrong its God's fault? Is it merely that disasters are commonly called "Acts of God" because God only occupies the place of disaster? While there are times He may intervene in nature, why can't nature's laws account for things like this without blaming God? God never made puppets on a string. But God is the one tugging on heart strings right now to go down and help, or pitch in a few dollars... "For in as much as you have done it* to the least of these, you have done it unto me"* (Feeding the Hungry, Thirsty, Clothing the destitute, Helping the sick)
Whether Missouri or Slave Lake, there are people who are in the worst sorts of circumstances. Lets keep them in our prayers, and do WHATEVER we can to help.
______________________
This tired tune again? The Crusades, the injustices, the Inquisition, behavior of people who called themselves "Christians". It is easy to spot the disingenuous. But to put all the world's ills at the feet of "Christians" today is classic misplaced guilt. None of us can repair the damages of our ancestors, their murders, their wars, their corruption, under the cover of political agendas.
But there are people discovered in our midst from time to time, who, out of their faith, their love for God, their hope in the face of despair, who could teach us a bit if we would listen. They may not be standing on street corners, knocking on doors, or attracting the attention of the media. Because they are busy. Busy feeding the poor, clothing children, spending their lives in many ways not for themselves, but for others.
I am a fan of Soren Kierkegaard, who refused to call himself a Christian, because he said, that was better a term others gave to you.
___________________
Rendition 2
This tired tune again? This is the problem with labels, prejudices and attributions. They fail to really understand, because they haven't really experienced it. You can read about love from a novel and not have a clue about it. Some things, like Faith, Hope, Love are only known in the experience of them.
The Crusades, the injustices, the Inquisition, behavior of people who called (Labeled) themselves "Christians" are smeared together over the Mother Theresas of this world. It is easy to spot the disingenuous. But to put all the world's ills at the feet of "Christians" today is to classically misplace guilt. None of us can repair the damages of our ancestors, their murders, their wars, their corruption, under the cover of *politico-religious* agendas.
But there are people discovered in our midst from time to time, who, out of their faith, their love for God, their hope in the face of despair, who could teach us a bit if we would listen. They may not be standing on street corners, knocking on doors, or attracting the attention of the media. Because they are busy. Busy feeding the poor, clothing children, spending their lives in many ways not for themselves, but for others.
Kierkegaard refused to call himself a Christian, because he said, that was better an attribution others made of you.
Why is it when any thing is wrong its God's fault? Is it merely that disasters are commonly called "Acts of God" because God only occupies the place of disaster? While there are times He may intervene in nature, why can't nature's laws account for things like this without blaming God? God never made puppets on a string. But God is the one tugging on heart strings right now to go down and help, or pitch in a few dollars... "For in as much as you have done it* to the least of these, you have done it unto me"* (Feeding the Hungry, Thirsty, Clothing the destitute, Helping the sick)
Whether Missouri or Slave Lake, there are people who are in the worst sorts of circumstances. Lets keep them in our prayers, and do WHATEVER we can to help.
______________________
This tired tune again? The Crusades, the injustices, the Inquisition, behavior of people who called themselves "Christians". It is easy to spot the disingenuous. But to put all the world's ills at the feet of "Christians" today is classic misplaced guilt. None of us can repair the damages of our ancestors, their murders, their wars, their corruption, under the cover of political agendas.
But there are people discovered in our midst from time to time, who, out of their faith, their love for God, their hope in the face of despair, who could teach us a bit if we would listen. They may not be standing on street corners, knocking on doors, or attracting the attention of the media. Because they are busy. Busy feeding the poor, clothing children, spending their lives in many ways not for themselves, but for others.
I am a fan of Soren Kierkegaard, who refused to call himself a Christian, because he said, that was better a term others gave to you.
___________________
Rendition 2
This tired tune again? This is the problem with labels, prejudices and attributions. They fail to really understand, because they haven't really experienced it. You can read about love from a novel and not have a clue about it. Some things, like Faith, Hope, Love are only known in the experience of them.
The Crusades, the injustices, the Inquisition, behavior of people who called (Labeled) themselves "Christians" are smeared together over the Mother Theresas of this world. It is easy to spot the disingenuous. But to put all the world's ills at the feet of "Christians" today is to classically misplace guilt. None of us can repair the damages of our ancestors, their murders, their wars, their corruption, under the cover of *politico-religious* agendas.
But there are people discovered in our midst from time to time, who, out of their faith, their love for God, their hope in the face of despair, who could teach us a bit if we would listen. They may not be standing on street corners, knocking on doors, or attracting the attention of the media. Because they are busy. Busy feeding the poor, clothing children, spending their lives in many ways not for themselves, but for others.
Kierkegaard refused to call himself a Christian, because he said, that was better an attribution others made of you.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
The Rag Man
Seeing all the efforts of my life based on my own works of insecurity,( not obedience to Christ's will) amounting to a mountian of "filthy rags" yet after you read the story I would like to share with you a marvelous truth.You have to read the story to get the full impact of my life notes at the end.
by Walter Wangerin, Jr
I saw a strange sight. I stumbled upon a story most strange, like nothing my life, my street sense, my sly tongue had ever prepared me for. Hush, child. Hush, now, and I will tell it to you.
Even before the dawn one Friday morning I noticed a young man, handsome and strong, walking the alleys of our City. He was pulling an old cart filled with clothes both bright and new, and he was calling in a clear, tenor voice: "Rags!" Ah, the air was foul and the first light filthy to be crossed by such sweet music.
"Rags! New rags for old! I take your tired rags! Rags!"
"Now, this is a wonder," I thought to myself, for the man stood six-feet-four, and his arms were like tree limbs, hard and muscular, and his eyes flashed intelligence. Could he find no better job than this, to be a ragman in the inner city? I followed him. My curiosity drove me. And I wasn't disappointed.
Soon the Ragman saw a woman sitting on her back porch. She was sobbing into a handkerchief, sighing, and shedding a thousand tears. Her knees and elbows made a sad X. Her shoulders shook. Her heart was breaking. The Ragman stopped his cart. Quietly, he walked to the woman, stepping round tin cans, dead toys, and Pampers.
"Give me your rag," he said so gently, "and I'll give you another."
He slipped the handkerchief from her eyes. She looked up, and he laid across her palm a linen cloth so clean and new that it shined. She blinked from the gift to the giver.
Then, as he began to pull his cart again, the Ragman did a strange thing: he put her stained handkerchief to his own face; and then HE began to weep, to sob as grievously as she had done, his shoulders shaking. Yet she was left without a tear.
"This IS a wonder," I breathed to myself, and I followed the sobbing Ragman like a child who cannot turn away from mystery.
"Rags! Rags! New rags for old!"
In a little while, when the sky showed grey behind the rooftops and I could see the shredded curtains hanging out black windows, the Ragman came upon a girl whose head was wrapped in a bandage, whose eyes were empty. Blood soaked her bandage. A single line of blood ran down her cheek. Now the tall Ragman looked upon this child with pity, and he drew a lovely yellow bonnet from his cart.
"Give me your rag," he said, tracing his own line on her cheek, "and I'll give you mine."
The child could only gaze at him while he loosened the bandage, removed it, and tied it to his own head. The bonnet he set on hers. And I gasped at what I saw: for with the bandage went the wound! Against his brow it ran a darker, more substantial blood - his own!
"Rags! Rags! I take old rags!" cried the sobbing, bleeding, strong, intelligent Ragman.
The sun hurt both the sky, now, and my eyes; the Ragman seemed more and more to hurry.
"Are you going to work?" he asked a man who leaned against a telephone pole. The man shook his head.
The Ragman pressed him: "Do you have a job?"
"Are you crazy?" sneered the other. He pulled away from the pole, revealing the right sleeve of his jacket - flat, the cuff stuffed into the pocket. He had no arm.
"So," said the Ragman. "Give me your jacket, and I'll give you mine."
Such quiet authority in his voice!
The one-armed man took off his jacket. So did the Ragman - and I trembled at what I saw: for the Ragman's arm stayed in its sleeve, and when the other put it on he had two good arms, thick as tree limbs; but the Ragman had only one.
"Go to work," he said.
After that he found a drunk, lying unconscious beneath an army blanket, and old man, hunched, wizened, and sick. He took that blanket and wrapped it round himself, but for the drunk he left new clothes.
And now I had to run to keep up with the Ragman. Though he was weeping uncontrollably, and bleeding freely at the forehead, pulling his cart with one arm, stumbling for drunkenness, falling again and again, exhausted, old, old, and sick, yet he went with terrible speed. On spider's legs he skittered through the alleys of the City, this mile and the next, until he came to its limits, and then he rushed beyond.
I wept to see the change in this man. I hurt to see his sorrow. And yet I needed to see where he was going in such haste, perhaps to know what drove him so.
The little old Ragman - he came to a landfill. He came to the garbage pits. And then I wanted to help him in what he did, but I hung back, hiding. He climbed a hill. With tormented labor he cleared a little space on that hill. Then he sighed. He lay down. He pillowed his head on a handkerchief and a jacket. He covered his bones with an army blanket. And he died.
Oh, how I cried to witness that death! I slumped in a junked car and wailed and mourned as one who has no hope - because I had come to love the Ragman. Every other face had faded in the wonder of this man, and I cherished him; but he died. I sobbed myself to sleep.
I did not know - how could I know? - that I slept through Friday night and Saturday and its night, too.
But then, on Sunday morning, I was wakened by a violence. Light - pure, hard, demanding light - slammed against my sour face, and I blinked, and I looked, and I saw the last and the first wonder of all.
There was the Ragman, folding the blanket most carefully, a scar on his forehead, but alive! And, besides that, healthy! There was no sign of sorrow nor of age, and all the rags that he had gathered shined for cleanliness.
Well, then I lowered my head and trembling for all that I had seen, I myself walked up to the Ragman. I told him my name with shame, for I was a sorry figure next to him. Then I took off all my clothes in that place, and I said to him with dear yearning in my voice: "Dress me."
He dressed me. My Lord, he put new rags on me, and I am a wonder beside him. The Ragman, the Ragman, the Christ!
My Life Notes:
After meditating on how MY RIGHTEOUSNES was just Filthy rags, Isaiah 64:6 "all our righteous acts are like filthy rags" then I read Revelation 19:8 "Fine linen, bright and clean,was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)" Jesus has taken a lifetime mountian of my righteous well meaning yet in the flesh rags and woven a 'Fine linen" wedding garment from them.
by Walter Wangerin, Jr
I saw a strange sight. I stumbled upon a story most strange, like nothing my life, my street sense, my sly tongue had ever prepared me for. Hush, child. Hush, now, and I will tell it to you.
Even before the dawn one Friday morning I noticed a young man, handsome and strong, walking the alleys of our City. He was pulling an old cart filled with clothes both bright and new, and he was calling in a clear, tenor voice: "Rags!" Ah, the air was foul and the first light filthy to be crossed by such sweet music.
"Rags! New rags for old! I take your tired rags! Rags!"
"Now, this is a wonder," I thought to myself, for the man stood six-feet-four, and his arms were like tree limbs, hard and muscular, and his eyes flashed intelligence. Could he find no better job than this, to be a ragman in the inner city? I followed him. My curiosity drove me. And I wasn't disappointed.
Soon the Ragman saw a woman sitting on her back porch. She was sobbing into a handkerchief, sighing, and shedding a thousand tears. Her knees and elbows made a sad X. Her shoulders shook. Her heart was breaking. The Ragman stopped his cart. Quietly, he walked to the woman, stepping round tin cans, dead toys, and Pampers.
"Give me your rag," he said so gently, "and I'll give you another."
He slipped the handkerchief from her eyes. She looked up, and he laid across her palm a linen cloth so clean and new that it shined. She blinked from the gift to the giver.
Then, as he began to pull his cart again, the Ragman did a strange thing: he put her stained handkerchief to his own face; and then HE began to weep, to sob as grievously as she had done, his shoulders shaking. Yet she was left without a tear.
"This IS a wonder," I breathed to myself, and I followed the sobbing Ragman like a child who cannot turn away from mystery.
"Rags! Rags! New rags for old!"
In a little while, when the sky showed grey behind the rooftops and I could see the shredded curtains hanging out black windows, the Ragman came upon a girl whose head was wrapped in a bandage, whose eyes were empty. Blood soaked her bandage. A single line of blood ran down her cheek. Now the tall Ragman looked upon this child with pity, and he drew a lovely yellow bonnet from his cart.
"Give me your rag," he said, tracing his own line on her cheek, "and I'll give you mine."
The child could only gaze at him while he loosened the bandage, removed it, and tied it to his own head. The bonnet he set on hers. And I gasped at what I saw: for with the bandage went the wound! Against his brow it ran a darker, more substantial blood - his own!
"Rags! Rags! I take old rags!" cried the sobbing, bleeding, strong, intelligent Ragman.
The sun hurt both the sky, now, and my eyes; the Ragman seemed more and more to hurry.
"Are you going to work?" he asked a man who leaned against a telephone pole. The man shook his head.
The Ragman pressed him: "Do you have a job?"
"Are you crazy?" sneered the other. He pulled away from the pole, revealing the right sleeve of his jacket - flat, the cuff stuffed into the pocket. He had no arm.
"So," said the Ragman. "Give me your jacket, and I'll give you mine."
Such quiet authority in his voice!
The one-armed man took off his jacket. So did the Ragman - and I trembled at what I saw: for the Ragman's arm stayed in its sleeve, and when the other put it on he had two good arms, thick as tree limbs; but the Ragman had only one.
"Go to work," he said.
After that he found a drunk, lying unconscious beneath an army blanket, and old man, hunched, wizened, and sick. He took that blanket and wrapped it round himself, but for the drunk he left new clothes.
And now I had to run to keep up with the Ragman. Though he was weeping uncontrollably, and bleeding freely at the forehead, pulling his cart with one arm, stumbling for drunkenness, falling again and again, exhausted, old, old, and sick, yet he went with terrible speed. On spider's legs he skittered through the alleys of the City, this mile and the next, until he came to its limits, and then he rushed beyond.
I wept to see the change in this man. I hurt to see his sorrow. And yet I needed to see where he was going in such haste, perhaps to know what drove him so.
The little old Ragman - he came to a landfill. He came to the garbage pits. And then I wanted to help him in what he did, but I hung back, hiding. He climbed a hill. With tormented labor he cleared a little space on that hill. Then he sighed. He lay down. He pillowed his head on a handkerchief and a jacket. He covered his bones with an army blanket. And he died.
Oh, how I cried to witness that death! I slumped in a junked car and wailed and mourned as one who has no hope - because I had come to love the Ragman. Every other face had faded in the wonder of this man, and I cherished him; but he died. I sobbed myself to sleep.
I did not know - how could I know? - that I slept through Friday night and Saturday and its night, too.
But then, on Sunday morning, I was wakened by a violence. Light - pure, hard, demanding light - slammed against my sour face, and I blinked, and I looked, and I saw the last and the first wonder of all.
There was the Ragman, folding the blanket most carefully, a scar on his forehead, but alive! And, besides that, healthy! There was no sign of sorrow nor of age, and all the rags that he had gathered shined for cleanliness.
Well, then I lowered my head and trembling for all that I had seen, I myself walked up to the Ragman. I told him my name with shame, for I was a sorry figure next to him. Then I took off all my clothes in that place, and I said to him with dear yearning in my voice: "Dress me."
He dressed me. My Lord, he put new rags on me, and I am a wonder beside him. The Ragman, the Ragman, the Christ!
My Life Notes:
After meditating on how MY RIGHTEOUSNES was just Filthy rags, Isaiah 64:6 "all our righteous acts are like filthy rags" then I read Revelation 19:8 "Fine linen, bright and clean,was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)" Jesus has taken a lifetime mountian of my righteous well meaning yet in the flesh rags and woven a 'Fine linen" wedding garment from them.
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Monday, May 23, 2011
I will never forget this positive message...
Carl Ek
When I first spoke to band director Mr.Sieppe, he said "bassoon and oboe are needed." At the other end of the room I saw Owen playing the Horn. I asked you, Owen, about the Horn, and you explained all the wonderful things. So I thought, "...I think I'll play the Horn with Owen".
That's the reason I chose the Horn. I wonder what would have been had Owen been playing a bassoon... Thanks for having a Horn in your hands that day, Owen! See More
December 25, 2010 at 7:06pm · · 1 person
That's the reason I chose the Horn. I wonder what would have been had Owen been playing a bassoon... Thanks for having a Horn in your hands that day, Owen! See More
Saturday, May 21, 2011
The death of Centrism in Western Canada? Or merely a party's expression thereof?
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/why-did-all-the-wests-big-centrist-parties-go-down-the-drain/article2030538/
I read this article with incredulity. Then I took a step back and said to myself I suppose the question should be allowed to be asked. After all, there are the very young who haven't lived for 40 or 50 years or more... and then there are those who's perception of Canada ends at some Eastern boundary.
In a nutshell, the major parties executed tyrannies against the west for generations epitomized in the Trudeau era, but reverberating there after. We were tag-alongs to confederation, the Johny-come-latelies: Too small and too far away to be much of a concern to the center of power in Ottawa. A region that could be ignored with little ramification to any general election.
But if that wasn't bad enough, when the west, against all odds, was able to begin to discover wealth, it was immediately exploited by the feds for its lucrative contribution to equalization, taxation and royalties. All this while receiving miserly recognition, seats, or infrastructure benefits. It was as though to build the west was to go up hill. An example of this was rail freight: always much more expensive moving west instead of east. The west could hardly agree that Trudeau and the "natural governing party" was a benign dictatorship. Instead we were the lackeys of the east, the "hewer of wood" and "drawer of water" for our eastern masters. From the perspective of the victims, it was a sort of indentured servitude. That was what a "Centrist" government gave us.
Revolutions in the history of man have employed the politics of both the left and right, but few have been as non-violent as the western revolution. Sure it has been painted as being right wing. But if it really is right wing, it is a compassionate right wing--one that is concerned enough to care for universal health, the plight of the poor, of victims, and a healthy society (inherently a socialist ideal).
To close, let me paint this picture: Imagine a child's teeter-totter, (if they exist any more): Two wings balanced by a fulcrum. Some people think balance, is found by moving from the outer extremes to the center. Others are centrist by embracing both "extremes" thereby discovering a center that is a far bigger place.
I read this article with incredulity. Then I took a step back and said to myself I suppose the question should be allowed to be asked. After all, there are the very young who haven't lived for 40 or 50 years or more... and then there are those who's perception of Canada ends at some Eastern boundary.
In a nutshell, the major parties executed tyrannies against the west for generations epitomized in the Trudeau era, but reverberating there after. We were tag-alongs to confederation, the Johny-come-latelies: Too small and too far away to be much of a concern to the center of power in Ottawa. A region that could be ignored with little ramification to any general election.
But if that wasn't bad enough, when the west, against all odds, was able to begin to discover wealth, it was immediately exploited by the feds for its lucrative contribution to equalization, taxation and royalties. All this while receiving miserly recognition, seats, or infrastructure benefits. It was as though to build the west was to go up hill. An example of this was rail freight: always much more expensive moving west instead of east. The west could hardly agree that Trudeau and the "natural governing party" was a benign dictatorship. Instead we were the lackeys of the east, the "hewer of wood" and "drawer of water" for our eastern masters. From the perspective of the victims, it was a sort of indentured servitude. That was what a "Centrist" government gave us.
Revolutions in the history of man have employed the politics of both the left and right, but few have been as non-violent as the western revolution. Sure it has been painted as being right wing. But if it really is right wing, it is a compassionate right wing--one that is concerned enough to care for universal health, the plight of the poor, of victims, and a healthy society (inherently a socialist ideal).
To close, let me paint this picture: Imagine a child's teeter-totter, (if they exist any more): Two wings balanced by a fulcrum. Some people think balance, is found by moving from the outer extremes to the center. Others are centrist by embracing both "extremes" thereby discovering a center that is a far bigger place.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Points on Senate debate
Agreed welcome to the world of selective democracy Alice in Wonderland style. Select what you don't like and label it "anti-democratic"; some will buy into it right away.
Others have the ability to look beyond the obtuse and recognize that the constitution is actually NOT undemocratic.
_____________________________________
You are exactly right on Jimmie, don't despair of the message. In any debate, when the discourse descends to calling names, making attributions, and unsubstantiated allegations, you know immediately what side has lost.
The constitution remains the face of our democracy. The constitution proscribes the make up of the senate and how it is constituted. That Mr. Layton should suggest this is undemocratic shows either a lack of credibility on his part, disingenuity, or out and out silliness.
The appointment of senators have been in the cross hairs of the party forever. However, and Mr Layton knows, the resistance to senate reform by Liberal senators precluded progress, and while the government was in minority, the committee blockade the NDP was aparty to made it impossible. What is galling is the idea Canadians really didn't understand what was really going on. Maybe many really don't know given these comments today. Senate reform will come. It will be seen in the next 4 years. Or the Conservatives haven't a chance of being re-elected. Until then, cut the government enough slack to get the job done!
_____________________________
"The people" did not reject these candidates. The voters in a riding, are not the voters of the nation. They are a part of it, but to pretend the speak for the cosmic Canadian voter is ridiculous. Candidates who were deemed worthy by their party, and who were willing to even vacate a cushy senate seat to run in hard ridings would be so rewarded by any party. Come on wake up and smell the roses people and actually think this thing through.
__________________________
This is true, but hardly establishes reform. Without constitutional amendment, reform would last until the next Prime minister.
__________________________
Erm, because Canadians understand there has to be an appropriate process of acquired majorities in both houses in order to see this through. There are several retirements coming up that could screw things up if a bill was stuck on the horns of it.
________________________
chevelle, Think about it for a second. "The people" did not reject these candidates. The voters in a riding, are not the voters of the nation. They are a part of it, but to pretend they speak for the cosmic Canadian voter is ridiculous.
Candidates who were deemed worthy by their party, and who were willing to even vacate a cushy senate seat to run in hard ridings would be so rewarded by any party.
Come on wake up and smell the roses people and actually think this thing through!
--
Others have the ability to look beyond the obtuse and recognize that the constitution is actually NOT undemocratic.
_____________________________________
You are exactly right on Jimmie, don't despair of the message. In any debate, when the discourse descends to calling names, making attributions, and unsubstantiated allegations, you know immediately what side has lost.
The constitution remains the face of our democracy. The constitution proscribes the make up of the senate and how it is constituted. That Mr. Layton should suggest this is undemocratic shows either a lack of credibility on his part, disingenuity, or out and out silliness.
The appointment of senators have been in the cross hairs of the party forever. However, and Mr Layton knows, the resistance to senate reform by Liberal senators precluded progress, and while the government was in minority, the committee blockade the NDP was aparty to made it impossible. What is galling is the idea Canadians really didn't understand what was really going on. Maybe many really don't know given these comments today. Senate reform will come. It will be seen in the next 4 years. Or the Conservatives haven't a chance of being re-elected. Until then, cut the government enough slack to get the job done!
_____________________________
"The people" did not reject these candidates. The voters in a riding, are not the voters of the nation. They are a part of it, but to pretend the speak for the cosmic Canadian voter is ridiculous. Candidates who were deemed worthy by their party, and who were willing to even vacate a cushy senate seat to run in hard ridings would be so rewarded by any party. Come on wake up and smell the roses people and actually think this thing through.
__________________________
This is true, but hardly establishes reform. Without constitutional amendment, reform would last until the next Prime minister.
__________________________
Erm, because Canadians understand there has to be an appropriate process of acquired majorities in both houses in order to see this through. There are several retirements coming up that could screw things up if a bill was stuck on the horns of it.
________________________
chevelle, Think about it for a second. "The people" did not reject these candidates. The voters in a riding, are not the voters of the nation. They are a part of it, but to pretend they speak for the cosmic Canadian voter is ridiculous.
Candidates who were deemed worthy by their party, and who were willing to even vacate a cushy senate seat to run in hard ridings would be so rewarded by any party.
Come on wake up and smell the roses people and actually think this thing through!
--
Senate Appointments May 2011.
The constitution remains the face of our democracy. The constitution proscribes the make up of the senate and how it is constituted. That Mr. Layton should suggest this is undemocratic shows either a lack of credibility on his part, disingenuity, or out and out silliness.
The appointment of senators have been in the cross hairs of the party forever. However, and Mr Layton knows, the resistance to senate reform by Liberal senators precluded progress, and while the government was in minority, the committee blockade the NDP was aparty to made it impossible. What is galling is the idea Canadians really didn't understand what was really going on. Maybe many really don't know given these comments today. Senate reform will come. It will be seen in the next 4 years. Or the Conservatives haven't a chance of being re-elected. Until then, cut the government enough slack to get the job done
The appointment of senators have been in the cross hairs of the party forever. However, and Mr Layton knows, the resistance to senate reform by Liberal senators precluded progress, and while the government was in minority, the committee blockade the NDP was aparty to made it impossible. What is galling is the idea Canadians really didn't understand what was really going on. Maybe many really don't know given these comments today. Senate reform will come. It will be seen in the next 4 years. Or the Conservatives haven't a chance of being re-elected. Until then, cut the government enough slack to get the job done
Sunday, May 15, 2011
You Tube tete e tete visa vis Pakistan, Bin Laden.
- @OAbrey Do you even know what your talking about. Have you ever heard of the globalists. This is all about invading countries and using what ever excuse they can come up with.
- @OAbrey Get off your high horse, who do you think America along with its NATO clones are? Murderers of women and chidren! MILLIONS of them. 9 Afghan kids were just recently murdered while collecting firewood by AMERICANS, who do that every day. You don't need to search for terrorists elsewhere, USA is the worst mass murederer since Hitler and the creator of terrorists. Osama is a radical preacher created by the US nothing more & the US govt knows exactly where the real 911 saudi planners are.
- @Iraqgenocide2 stop using your population as a human shield to protects cowards and terrorists.
stop blaming america for defending itself against your filth - @OAbrey who's we sucker?
- @OAbrey Since any old war is a acceptable thing, I hope America gets invaded by somebody who is preaching democracy and a bomb drops on your house. Oh and the "west" doesn't have "troops". it only has cowards and looting and child killing mercenaries. Oh yeah and I'll sit here crying crocodile tears and whining "it's a terrible thing". Americans make me puke.
- ___________________________
@Iraqgenocide2 Why would the US have any interest in building a pipeline to ship oil *away* from the Middle East? Obviously it is in China's interest if such a pipeline were to be desired, and definitely not the US, in fact such ideas would be rigorously opposed. It would make more sense if you went back and rearranged your story so the US was warring to try to stop a pipeline. However, Canada has enough oil to supply the US for 1000 years, so why would they bother?
__________________________
-
Monday, May 9, 2011
I am conservative, and voted for Mr. Harper last week.
I think Insite and more needs be done to be tough on crime. To be tough on crime, society needs to realize we have addicts who can't quit --most want to. To feed their addiction they commit burglary and crime on monumental scale... all to the benefit of organized crime. I think we could identify and maintain our addicts by prescription, reduce disease and take the legs out of organized crime by eliminating their sources of revenue. Its the dealers who are evil, not the addicts caught up in a web they can't get out of. However, with a prescription program, focused care can provide a way out they never would see otherwise. 20 people died in Vancouver from extra-strong heroin, that wouldn't have been in play if addicts could get it by prescription.
This would reduce net addict populations, because given there is no profit for pushers, they won't be hanging around school yards.
I think Insite and more needs be done to be tough on crime. To be tough on crime, society needs to realize we have addicts who can't quit --most want to. To feed their addiction they commit burglary and crime on monumental scale... all to the benefit of organized crime. I think we could identify and maintain our addicts by prescription, reduce disease and take the legs out of organized crime by eliminating their sources of revenue. Its the dealers who are evil, not the addicts caught up in a web they can't get out of. However, with a prescription program, focused care can provide a way out they never would see otherwise. 20 people died in Vancouver from extra-strong heroin, that wouldn't have been in play if addicts could get it by prescription.
This would reduce net addict populations, because given there is no profit for pushers, they won't be hanging around school yards.
Friday, May 6, 2011
PM and Micro Management
Irene Zee wrote, in response to Alethia:
Very well said.
Thank You.
And that goes not only for PM Harper, but for all leaders in all employment.
Link to comment: http://disq.us/1qtxkq
Alethia wrote:
To think that the PM can micro-manage the government of Canada is absurd.The PMO has delegated responsibilities for this sort of thing. Apparently, it was an RCM{P member who slipped up. To fail to realize the PMO operates on the absolute necessity of delegated responsibility is either intellectual dishonesty, or ignorance.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
More left-right correction of Nazism.
Joey's right. The nazis declared themselves socialists till its last breath. Recent, populist publications erroneously redefined Nazism as right wing. Thereby causing people like yourself to have the wrong idea of it at all, and worse to use the Nazi label indiscriminately when ever you don't like some body.
Is Canada really a Democracy?
Canada is a country of mini-elections. Each producing a MP of the party favored by the constituency itself. It is better in some regards to the US, where in their presidential electorate the actual voters are the Collage of Voters.
Our MP won with 70% of the popular vote. It wouldn't be fair for our choice to move 24% of the votes cast to some other part of the country.
Democracy in Canada is not some big monolith, rather, its strength is in the layering of democracy. That starts at a ballot box, an MP, a PM, a senator... yes even senators... they are appointed by an elected man. And then the senate layers another democracy via their contemplation wisdom and ultimately voting.
Our MP won with 70% of the popular vote. It wouldn't be fair for our choice to move 24% of the votes cast to some other part of the country.
Democracy in Canada is not some big monolith, rather, its strength is in the layering of democracy. That starts at a ballot box, an MP, a PM, a senator... yes even senators... they are appointed by an elected man. And then the senate layers another democracy via their contemplation wisdom and ultimately voting.
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The millionaire pays 75,000.00. The portion of his income for food is negligible, the bulk of his wealth is tucked away in investments to shelter him from taxation. Millionaires are such because they have a knack for taking in far more than they part with. I don't fault that. No, I applaud wealth in BC, we all should. More net tax comes into the province when that is encouraged, and over all, wealth rises for the poor as well. A VAT becomes very hard for a rich person to avoid.
Sorry. Last post: The biggest problem with your presentation, is not the facts you present. To tell someone you who's ideas you oppose to "shut the h*ll up", you shut down the debate that needs to be heard, including the valid points you raise. Freedom of speech must remain paramount. The tone is somewhat regrettable, though I suppose there is a segment of society to whom it appeals.