Starbucks my friend

I started going to Starbucks in 2000 when I worked for Roger's. It began by going with a fellow manager. I went with him to get the hell out of the office not to go to Starbucks. Eventually I started asking him and the Barista's about the drink he was ordering. I wanted to know what it tasted like. I tried it, finally, but only after they all assured me there was no coffee in it (I do not like coffee). The drink was a Grande Soy no water no foam Tazo Chai. A little piece of heaven that has grown into a daily addiction.

Once I had tasted it I was hooked. I started going to SB all on my own. I had a new confidence in ordering. I had figured out enough of the secret coffee language to do that. It also served as a way to escape the horrors of work. When one works in an oppressed negative environment the comfy chairs of the local SB are even more inviting. Although I know that SB is a large corporation and for the most part I do not like those beasts either I have failed to find another coffee shop that can make a soy chai latte that equals SB. I have tried Timothy's, Second Cup and Balsac's. The first two use a powder, just awful. Balsac's as I recall used a syrup, as does SB, but it was awful as well. I am left with SB.

I recently spotted this article concerning SB's opening practises. Despite all the hype and complainers it looks like the little green coffee shop makes it for all the others. Although I am sure SB has an evil side I have been able to avoid seeing it. They build schools in poverty stricken coffee countries and make a mean chai latte. What could be wrong with all that?

PS. Check out Rondi's blog which indirectly lead me to the SB article. She has deeper more meaningful blog entries. Worldly issues that impact us all. Every now and then we meet up at SB (sorry Rondi if I am outing you) and we drink lattes and talk about all the humans that have no clue. We never run out of things to say on that topic!

Karlheinz Schreiber

Do tell, what is up with Karlheinz Schreiber? It seems obvious to me that this is a ploy to stay in Canada. Why else would he open up a can worms so far after the fact. I also fail to see why we would spend so much money on this. Does it really matter what Mulroney did oh so many years ago? Is it any different than any other PM? I don’t think we went to all this trouble when Cretien did his dirty deeds. We knew what he was up to and we elected him again!


Karlheinz has admitted to committing a crime; he paid Mulroney for favours. Clearly he will say, or not say, whatever he needs to; satisfying his own agenda is his objective. It started off with 300 hundred thousand now it is 5. He could easily say it was a million. Who cares? Besides isn’t there a statute of limitations on these things? I say let’s kick Schreiber out of the country. Then we can set aside the whole investigation thing and save the money. We could put it some good productive use like building affordable housing or paying down the debt. Alas that would never fly. What would all the Politicians have to do then?

Conrad Black's Reservoir

Here is another example of how we refuse to hold each accountable. Conrad Black’s lawyer is arguing that he should receive no more than 29 months. Why? Because “he is a person with a deep reservoir of kindness” and has suffered enough. Right. Suffered in the palatial home he has been staying in. I wonder if Mr. Black has dipped into that deep reservoir and found the kindness to pay everyone back.

Oh the Poor

Poverty. Why is it my problem? Why do poverty organizations seem to think that rich people are the enemy? I look at it as inspiration. From time to time, I delivery flowers to people that live in very large homes in very wealthy neighbourhoods. Do I resent them? No. I usually end up fantasizing about living in one of those homes. Often it’s not the one I am delivering too. Some of them may be big but when you give lots of money to people with no taste it is disaster on a large scale. That, however, would be fodder for another Blog entry. My fantasy often includes thoughts on what I could do, what business I will be running, when I am living in my giant home. I drive my delivery route sipping my Starbucks Chai latte dreaming. No resentment, just big dreams.

I do not resent “rich” people. I know some that have worked very hard for what they have. I know of some that had it handed to them. So what. If you are poor look in the mirror. What has it got to do with you? What responsibility are you taking for your personal situation? Could the government do more, perhaps, but nothing and no one will help you more than yourself. I have often said to my siblings “what the hell is our problem”? We are intelligent people with some great ideas. Why can’t we create income and live large? The answer, put nicely, is that we choose not to. We get caught up in trying to get through our day and life without getting rear-ended (which of course is bullshit on the re-read we just don’t want to put in the extra effort). All that is true but we also do absolutely nothing about it. So, do I expect others to carry me? Sometimes yeah I do, what the hell. Most of the time I don’t and most of the time I know that it comes down to me. So, I fail to see how it is productive to “march on Queen’s park” when they have a BBQ.

I believe in personal accountability. I hate that I do because it is truly inconvenient when I want to just lie around and still have a nice warm bed (which is caving in and getting uncomfortable – do I whine about the price of mattress’s or get out of it earlier and make more money?). The irony here is that it has nothing to do with money. It has to do with taking action in life and going after what you want. You do not need money for that. If you are able bodied and mentally stable then get on with it. Even if you are not able bodied you can still get on with it. I know that from seeing living examples.

I have no issue with anyone taking up a cause. Raising money for this or that, I do it myself. I have no issue with anyone taking up the cause of the poor. What I have an issue with is handing anyone free money (but please do let that stop you from buying me gift certificates or dinner). Welfare or Workfare whatever it is now is just that. Free money. It is unhealthy and creates dependence. What we need is personal accountability and a system that promotes and rewards education and personal development.

Anyone want to help me start Education Financing For Everyone? It is a little project of mine that I have not gotten off the ground, yet.

Re: The all wet post...

I wrote that post before reading the article. How devastating for the family. I do feel for them and more so for Shaquille. Just when we thought we had come so far with equality, our children reminds us we have more work to do.

I also noted the comment that the Step Mother stated that she is computer illiterate. Further, she had no idea about the online abuse until Oct. 27. 7 days after his death. Is it cruel to point that out? Like understanding how to feed and nurture a child is the responsibility of the parent so is how to keep them safe. Any parent that purchases or allows a computer in their home and takes no action to protect their child needs to heed the warnings of this incident. One does not need to be computer savvy to hire someone who is.

I might be all wet on this one...

I have been hearing about cyber bulling. A new concept dreamt up by teenagers to torture those kids they don’t like via the wonderful world of the web. It seems that we as adults try to get control of bullies; likely it is those among us that were victims as kids. As with any attempt to gain control, it will fail. Control is an illusion. It comes down to the concept of power verses force. What we need to teach our children is the idea of power.

I truly feel for the lad that recently committed suicide. The Toronto Sun has his picture on the cover with the headline: “Cyber-bullies drove him to Suicide”. I wonder. I wonder how can someone force me to commit suicide? Is that truly possible? I wonder where this child’s parents were while all this Internet bulling was going on? What action were they taking to stop the “cyber bulling” and what support were they offering their son?

Being an avid Internet user I am mystified by the concept of cyber bulling. Has no one explained to these kids that they can turn the computer off? What about changing Internet chat nic-names and email addresses? What about printing the offending notes and messages and confronting the other child and the parents? What about monitoring your child’s use of the Internet? If your child was doing this over the phone would that go unnoticed as well? I say without a doubt that my parents would have known what I was doing.

I may be simplifying the situation. I just can’t help but wonder how this goes on. I need parents to explain to me how a child can be abused over the Internet to the point that he kills himself. It is so simple to block unwanted email (I get that it only works to a point, however, it is 100% when blocking a known email address or domain) and chat requests. Educate your child on the use of the Internet. Educate yourself for that matter. Are these parents working with their children to help them understand that the person with the serious problem is the abuser not the abused”. I have to believe that the parents of the abused have no clue. That makes me believe that the child’s computer is in their bedroom and the child’s Internet use goes unchecked. I question any parent that feels it’s okay to allow a child to access the net in privacy. It should come as no surprise to you when your child is kidnapped or bullied.

I am laying this all on the parents. It’s time to turn off the TV, shut off the computer and connect with your children. Computers and TV’s have no place in the bedroom. Setting up spam filters and other restrictions on your computer should be the standard. Practice daily open communication about what your children are doing. Take the time to check the computers cache and temporary Internet files. Do not shrug off the responsibility of knowing how to do these things; learn. And if you discover that all those files have been deleted, take that as a sign that your child does not want you to see what they have been doing.
So help me understand how this all works. How it is that some teenage hooligan can get so deep inside your kid’s head that they kill themselves. While your explaining that, please explain how all this happened without your knowledge.

The Deed is done

Yet I have a repreive! I called and disconnected my service. However, Rogers needs to send someone here to my home to disconnect the second outlet. Fine with me. That will happen on April 17, 2007. So, I have the PVR and cable until then. I will do nothing but watch TV from not until then.....

Experimentation - Step 1

I am going for it. Why not? I am going to take the plunge and see what happens. I am going to return my PVR and cancel my digital cable. Oh the stress! I am doing this for two, maybe three, reasons.

1. I cannot afford the service.
2. I eat while I watch TV and that habit has put about 20 pounds of fat onto my body.
3. I want to fill my time with other activities and I am curious about how I will deal with
the change.

The thoughts that are telling me not to do this are many. Things like, what if you get sick? You will want to lie on the couch and watch TV, you wont be able too. When you sit down for dinner what are you going to do? What if you don’t do anything, what if you just end up staring at a dark TV set? I know, start buying DVDs and just watch those. Phew, that was a close one.

I might just end up watching DVDs. I have done that in the past. I suppose that’s not all bad. I could catch up on all the movies I have not seen. I could watch films instead of movies (Rosemary can explain the difference for those that require it) and perhaps gain some culture and new topics to discuss. That would be interesting. I could, just sit, and be still and face my demons.

Regardless, the experiment begins today. I am going to post this on my blog and then contact Rogers. They will try to get me to keep the PVR and stay hooked. I will be strong and will resist their attempts to keep me hooked up. I will insist on returning their device of evil and I will, I will do it! Then I will come home and think oh my lord what have I done!!!!

Things I Notice

There is a difference between what we say and what we do. I suppose that is an obvious statement. Here is another one, a statement, that is not perhaps as obvious. I know that there is a difference between what we say is acceptable and what actually is acceptable. Example, I know that it is illegal to leave your dog’s poop on the ground. We are suppose to “stoop and scoop”. I also know, however, that it is acceptable not too. How do I know this? Well, look around next time you are outside. There is dog poop everywhere! No one seems to stoop and scoop in the winter. Some how it is acceptable to leave your dog’s poop wherever it happens fall.

Another example. Apparently if you suffer from any kind of addiction you have a built in escape clause. You can live your life absuing and doing whatever you want. Treating people lile crap, flaunting the rules, whatever.. You can do all this because when you finally get caught you can stand up and blame your addiction. That's right, I am drug addicted and now I see the error of my ways. More like you're sorry you got caught and now you'll use whatever is at your disposal to be let off the hook. How nice that must be for those people out there that choose to abuse pills and alcohol. Just do whatever you want, no worries, when the time comes to face the piper you'll be off the hook. I wonder if my chocolate addiction and some times sex addiction will do the same for me? I wonder, but not all that much as I some how know it wont.

Let’s see what else. How about the street person, that is as I type, lying in the doorway of the office building across the street. He is smoking something and will no doubt leave behind a mess and if we are all really lucky he will pee in the doorway as well (the guy is gone now and he didn’t pee and there is no mess). I know this is ok because it happens all the time and we all just walk on by. I wonder what would happen if I decided to pee in the doorway and throw my garbage there. I have a suspicion that I would be held accountable for my actions. I would be because I have a home and no real addictions to speak of. Why do we have this double standard? If it is okay for him to pee there it’s okay for me.

To continue, what’s with those among us that think it’s okay to scream obscenities at the top of their lungs? You know the ones, they are walking down the street and they are screaming and yelling “f” this and “f” that. It’s not always street people either. I figure we could have maintained our standards and kept this as one of those things that is not acceptable. I know, however, that it is because not one of us ever says anything. It’s like littering, that’s acceptable as well.

I could go on and on here. Grid locking, that’s more than acceptable, just hang out at any downtown intersection at rush hour. But the one that beats all others, the really big one that we have embraced so deeply. Enabling. Yes, it is totally acceptable to enable all those around us that are dependent or abusive. I think the enablers are worse than the abusers. Without the enablers I think we would have far less “victims” and addicts walking our streets. Keep that in mind the next time you make an excuse for someone.

On the other hand, knowing all this makes it a bit easier to live. Think about it. I can pee wherever I choose and I can toss my litter on the ground. It’s great to know that I do not have to concern myself with picking up after my dog. If everyone else can leave the poop so can I. I am also relieved that I can do drugs at the bottom of the stairwell of the office building next door and I can yell curse words at passers by. I can also have a crap in the park after I have had sex with some random person and then have a bath in the fountain. I can also enable my friends and family, how superior does that makes me feel. The only problem I have is that if I ever get caught and forced to face my behavior I have no addiction to fall back on to save my sorry ass.

Small View Large View

The other day I was driving around town delivering flowers (which is fun but can be stressful when the arrangement falls over in the back of the van) and I noticed a large billboard at Bathurst and Eglinton. In very large letters it called out “Never Forget, Never Again”. It is an ad for the UJA’s Holocaust Centre. I drove by thinking; of course never forget never again. Wait a minute hasn’t it already happened again?

I’d rather we were not at war with anyone ever. However, I do not think I am that naïve or idealistic to think that war is totally avoidable. I do believe that we should be very careful about whom we launch bombs onto. We argue up and down about Iraq. What scares me is that we all stand by while genocide lives and thrives. Not to mention truly oppressive governments that deprive their populations of life’s basic requirements. Anyone considered Korea?

Although I understand the message of the UJA’s sign I think they may want to think a little bit bigger picture. I’d say that the message is a bit self-centred. I would like to think that organizations like the UJA would be the first to scream from the rooftops when it happens again. I am all for remembering and for education. We need to work at not repeating our history. I just think we all need to start thinking about everyone. We are not groups; we are all in this together. If you are going to focus on your own group, fine. Let’s just be honest and upfront about it. Perhaps the sign should read “Never Forget about Us, Never Again to Us.

My two cents.

Purging...

Ok, this idea of purging is great in theory. I, however, am having a difficult time with it in reality. I am going through my tools. You would think this would be easier. You either need that screwdriver or you don’t. But I am making it more than that. It is very overwhelming. I would rather come Blog about it then actually do it!

I have 5 sets of little drawers that my Father used to sort all his screws and needles, files, Dremel tool heads and so on. What in the world do I do with all this stuff??? I think part of it is that I do not want to throw it out. He had all this stuff to make little wooden animals. He used them with the kids. I don’t think the kids would be into having them. The kids are not really kids anymore (well Keenan is but I doubt he wants to sit down and make little creatures from pieces of wood). Maybe Lisa’s kids would want them, who knows? I can ask.

Even that does not help. I still have all this stuff in my apartment. I need to get it out of here. Is it valuable? Am I tossing out something that would go for a million bucks on the Antiques Road show? Damn that Roadshow! That’s the problem. That darn show has made it impossible for me to toss out old plastic drinking cups that look like Starwars characters. I should sue them or maybe just ask them to come over and assess all my belongings. I can tell them that they have caused this “attachment disorder” that I am suffering from and they owe it to me to help me out. I wonder if they would come over? They can tape it and use it on their show. Or maybe turn it into some odd reality show about people that keep things like old plastic Disney characters (those I tossed into the Goodwill bin but I am having second thoughts about it).

What about my unopened figurine of TNG’s Counselor Deanna Troi? I love Deanna how could I ever toss her out? I am keeping her and no one can stop me! Back away from the Deanna figurine! I am going to hide her now. I will take her out when it’s cold and dark and I am lonely. I will talk to her about all my problems and she will whisper sweetly into my ear. The thought of that sends shivers down my body. Maybe she will stroke my face like she does when she is talking to Riker (maybe I should get a figurine of Riker). She will I know she will! I am getting all hard just thinking about it. Have you seen Deanna? Oh my, she is quite something (do straight guys say things like that??). Sort of like Seven of Nine, do they really make girls like that? Anyway, back to Deanna and her soft sweet sultry whispering voice. I will be soothed and comforted and I will sleep like a baby with my Deanna wrapped in my arms. Oh Deanna….

Clearly there is a larger issue here; I shudder to think what my therapist would have to say about that last paragraph. There is an upside, however. I have decided to get rid of the apartment size dryer I have. I have never used it (thank you Nesha for giving it to me). It is taking up a rather large part of the storage space in one of my six closets (thank you Mike M for driving to Mississauga and loading it into your Van with me). When we went to get it Mike made the comment “oh so you just got me to go get a dryer that you are never going to use”. His insight was based on the fact that my apartment does not have a vent for a dryer and the board would not approve one. I had faith however, and figured I would work something out. I even got a stand for it via free to reuse – it’s a yahoo group- but it did not fit. I think that is the writing on the wall. It’s going now. To someone who might just use it.

Okay, I need to go pick up all the screws and electrical tape that is all over the floor in the entryway. Poor Oscar, God love him he is so tolerant. So is Jet for that matter. Oh, I went and got Deanna. She is safe now with me. No one can take her from me. I dare you to try!

How much longer?

Man, I just checked the Zodiac predictions page on Sympatico. I have to wait until May? Geez...

I think this is the first one for 07....

Look at this, another gap in my Blog. This time I have a couple of reasons. First, I had Strep Throat. That is killer. If you have had it you know what I am talking about. If you haven’t then count your blessings and pray you never do come in contact with it. I was down for the count for 4 days and it took two more to feel normal again. The key to minimizing the agony is getting antibiotics as soon as possible. Do not wait even an hour. Impose yourself on your Doctor and then run to the pharmacy. Despite getting them fast you will still be dying for at least two days. This time around I had some left over anti-b’s and even though it’s not the wisest thing to do, I took them. I think that helped keep it to a dull roar. However, getting “fresh” ones is and was paramount.

Then on the heels of that Strep, I took of to Halifax. What a great place it is. I also have some amazing friends there. It is so relaxing and quite a change from the pace of downtown Toronto. In the evening, here in Toronto, I may go out for a meal or walk the dogs or go to a how. In Halifax, it’s out to the barn to shovel the horse manure and pitchfork hay to Ruby and Scotch. Between the farm and my friends that live on it, I had a great time. I am looking forward to getting back there.

So, there you go. I hope all of you, my readers (all three of you J) will forgive me. I must be honest and say I could have blogged while I was in Halifax. They have Internet access. Surprising, I know. Halifax is connected to the Internet! Even more surprising is that Subenacadie is connected. Will wonders ever cease…

One entry I could have made is with respect to the current US President. We watched I would say about 5 minutes of his speech. My buddy shut it off saying something about what a moron George W is. I am not all up and versed in politics but I think he is onto something. George does come off as a moron. Is it that tough to read a teleprompter?

Okay, at long last a new entry. I hope you enjoyed it. Let me know.

What, another year has gone by?

I have been wondering about things, things like Darfur and hunger and people that live on the street. I hear stories about poverty and people living without water and power. I think, why do they not get together and create something better for themselves? Why do people insist on waiting for the government? Is it that they do not know any better?

I believe that it is up to us to make our situation better or different. We need to do this on a personal level and a global level. I have friends, and no doubt myself included at times, that have no tolerance for street people. It’s the “pull up your bootstraps” mentality. Although I believe, strongly, in personal accountability I struggle with the idea (and my agreement with it) that it is time for all us to stop being so “self” focused. So where does personal accountability meet asking for help? I think that’s it actually. If you were personally responsible then you would ask for help when you need it. No shame in that. I suppose for the rest of us the challenge is ensuring that help is there when someone asks for it.

For me, this is the year I stop telling myself “I don’t know how”. It’s a destructive action impairing little voice inside me that has prevented me from creating and being what I want to be. For example: Darfur. I wonder what I could do to make a difference. It troubles me that people are being slaughtered while I enjoy my latte (do not confuse this with guilt, I do not feel guilty that I can have a latte I do not think we have to give up our accomplishments or success’s to care for or assist those around us). I would like to help, make a difference stand and be counted in some way. How? Should I go there? How would I do that? What difference would it make to go there? Maybe if we all went there and saw it for ourselves we would all get up and take a stand and make a change, but how?

That’s a large issue; the “I don’t how” voice impacts me in little ways as well. I want to get into doing some educational seminars for dog owners. How do I do that? Where would I get the money? I don’t know how. I would love to create a charity that pays for people to educate themselves. Not in the OSAP (is it still called that) kind of a way. I believe that any education, any course a person wants to take is of value. However, for many of us we simply do not have the funds to pay $400.00 for a baking course at George Brown. Try to getting funding for a baking course. I am pretty sure funding for a course you want to take here and there does not exist. I think it should. Take the course and we will pay for it, or pay for part of it. If someone wants to better themselves I would like to help them out, but how? The Educational Fund Charity has lived only in my thoughts. I have a partial mission statement and have no doubt that getting funds would be the easy part. For me it’s getting past that voice inside me that keeps insisting, “I don’t know how”.

This year, 2007, is the year to look in a different direction. It’s time to leave the Pirate cookies (can I really leave them? I love them and they love me ohhh so much) and get up off the couch. It’s time to believe that I not only know how, but I can. It’s time to take a page out of Wayne’s notebook and persist and create despite the easier route of giving in. In the morning when I want to stay in bed I need to think of my friend Wayne. Wayne is dealing with impairments suffered in a motorcycle accident. Wayne has not once complained to me about his situation. He expresses his frustration but he also shares his determination. The other day he told me about his plans. He has decided to take a new direction; he accepts that he has too. It may be unfair, it may be frustrating, but it is required. A simple fact based on a catastrophic even that occurred through no fault of his own. I draw my inspiration from his determination and no doubt I can gain my own power and strength to create from his. 2007 is going to be the year of knowing how. 2007 is going to be the year of accomplishments and being in service of others. 2007 is the year of knowing and taking action. I challenge you all, and ask you all, to join me.

Hussein Swings - Accountability?

As we all know Saddam was hanged, I believe at 6am Saturday morning. I see no cause for celebration. I have read comments like “it’s George Bush’s turn next” and the obvious that Saddam deserved it. I wondering if he did I wonder about how he was able to commit such crimes. As human beings we simple accept far to much; we remain inactive while horrible crimes against our fellow man occur. We pursue murders in our own towns and cities. I think that that must be easy. Or perhaps the murders are inconvenient to those that are “in charge”. So we take the time to deal with it. Even so it amazes me how easily we allow each other off the hook. In the tiniest ways and in the largest ways we do not hold each other accountable. Why is this so difficult for us?

I imagine, in the case of Saddam it seemed like to large an issue. So, we allowed this man to control and kill thousands. We all sat back and did our thing while he did his. We all share in this shame. I truly believe that it is time to stop shifting blame; whether it be on our leaders or on ourselves. Whether the dispute is international, local or between one and other we need to stand up and speak the truth. I know it sounds easy and I get that sometimes the truth is known but not easy to prove. I still say that years prior to the US invading Iraq there was enough evidence to take down the man that was killing a country. I hazard a wild guess that we had far more evidence of his killings than we did of his weapons of mass destruction.

Bottom line here for me, there is no pleasure in any killing. I take no pleasure in his death. I think it is unfortunate that we waited so long to take action; we failed to help out when it would have truly mattered. I feel frustrated and uncertain of what to do because we keep repeating this error of inaction over and over again. I think that if we start, first with ourselves and then with those around us, to hold everyone accountable for their actions we would all be in a better place.

A Very Important New Year Issue....

This Monday is a holiday, New Years Day. I pointed this out to a friend of mine, Pam, the other day while we were walking through the Eaton Centre. Of course she was more than aware of this fact. I then asked her if this would be the last long weekend of the year (2006) or the first long weekend of next year. Pam had a funny reaction to this obvious conundrum; her funny laugh and those bright eyes of hers lit up.

Pam then called me on it and asked me which one it would be, the last long weekend or the first. I presented the argument that the holiday actually falls in the new year so it could be considered the first long weekend. Of course, I then pointed out the counter argument that the majority of the weekend was in this year and it could be argued that the majority rules and it really is the last long weekend of the year. Pam accused me of being a politician so I was forced to make a decision. Here it is, my decisions and of course as with all my decision this one is binding.

It is the first long weekend on 2007. The holiday falls in 2007, therefore; the entire holiday weekend is considered to be in 2007. So, there you go this burning issue is now resolved. Debate closed. Enjoy this, the first long weekend of 2007. Use it wisely. Party smart and have a great New Years Eve. When you get up Monday afternoon, shake yourself off and forgo making any resolutions. Make clear measurable goals and make 2007 the year of years!

Matthew and the Preacher Teacher

I was just watching 360 with Anderson Cooper (here is his site…I could not find anything on here about Matthew but I did run into Anderson….so all in all it was worth it – have a peek Anderson Cooper). He had Matthew on his show. Matthew is a student in the US that recorded his teacher “preaching” during the class. Matthew recorded the teacher because he did not think that anyone would believe him when he filed his complaint against the Teacher. The Teacher was preaching his brand of religion during the US history class. The Teacher had a pretty strong message for the students. Evolution is not a science and if you do not believe in God and Heaven then you belong in hell. Nice, this guy is exactly what we need in our classrooms.

Matthew filed a complaint with the Principal of the school. After some persistence on Matthew's, they had a meeting. Surprise, the Teacher denied making any religious statements. I wonder why the Teacher would deny what he believes in? Do you think he knew he was not supposed to be doing such things? Of course he knew he had over stepped and I would hazzard a guess he figured the Principal would believe him, a God fearing Teacher, over a student. And that is exactly what happened, the Principal believed the Teacher. It is always easier to believe the Teacher and avoid actually having to do something. Matthew then revealed that he had taped the classes. Matthew had the lying Preacher Teacher on tape. Good for you Matthew! Way to play authority at their own game!!!

So far the school has not taken any action. The Teacher is still there and doing what he has always done. Preaching. The Teacher has not been asked to set the record straight or apologize to the students. No surprise here. If this had been the other way around, the student would be expelled. There have been comments made that Matthew violated the Teacher’s rights. Interesting that there is concern for the Teacher’s rights, yes let’s protect the lying Preacher Teacher. What about the student’s rights? I am not sure how Matthew violated the Teacher. The Teacher has no expectation of privacy while teaching. Quite the opposite if you ask me. Teachers should expect that anyone might be listening at any time.

Matthew taped the Teacher because he did not have faith that anyone would believe him. He felt that the powers that be needed to know what was going on in his class. It’s unfortunate that he had to tape the Teacher to ensure that the something would be done. Clearly Matthew knows the people he is dealing with; he knew he needed recorded evidence to force the Teacher and the Principal to act. I wonder if Matthew was the first student to bring this to the Principal’s attention. I doubt it; he was just smart enough to collect the evidence.

Matthew has received death threats. That does not surprise me either. I often wonder why religious people feel they need to threaten the lives of people that do not share their beliefs. Are their beliefs so fragile? I think that they are. When you rely on a book full of contradictions and imaginary events, you would have to resort to killing to keep it alive.

Stand strong Matthew, there are more behind you than you know.

Some Declarations - In no particular order

I like Oprah. Although I am not going to go as far as saying I am a “fan”. Except for the celebrity circle jerk episodes, which I erase, I like her show.

I am pro choice, although I do struggle with the thought of “killing” an unborn child. I also think that women should not have it both ways. You should need to have the Father involved to have an abortion (with the obvious exception of rape). It took two create it. If you expect child support if you have the little one then you should have to have the Father’s input to have an abortion. It works both ways.

I think car alarms should be banned. They are the ultimate in self-centered technology. No one cares about your car. No one will call the police when the alarm goes off. We are just annoyed by it and the fact that you don’t come running back to your car to shut it off. Fine for an over active car alarm? $5000.00 or 500 hours community service.

I think dog owners should require the license, not the dog.

We should not cater to those of us that insist on playing the victim. Get help and leave the rest of us alone.

I like the music of the Backstreet Boys. I also like the Scorpions and Madonna. I enjoy classical music but more often then not I am blasting Elton John or George Michael from my stereo speakers. I also like Kelly Clarkson and Linkin Park.

I go crazy over stupid things like a Judge ordering a Christmas tree removed. What? Get over it. If you are that much of a victim that a Christmas tree offends you, go get help! That Judge needs a kick in the ass too!

I’d rather sleep in then get up for any reason. I am lost in my idea that I don’t know how. I can be very organized but my desk, right now, is a mess.

I have no clue when someone is coming on to me. None. Surprise I am single!

I just noticed....

that Vogue has come out with a Men's version of their magazine. How nice. Now men can get eating disorders and have poor body images as well. Thanks Vogue.

A Brillant idea?

I might be giving Harper to much credit for this, however I have to think that his same sex marriage scheme paid off. Consider, he takes a stand against the issue to win the election. He then promises to reopen this tired old debate. He follows through on that promise and I think he knows it’s a losing proposition. The debate happens and everyone gets to have their say. Then the vote. Surprise, the motion to reopen the issue is defeated. I think Harper knew all along that it would be.

That was the whole idea. Let’s take a stand and make a promise. We can keep it because we know it’s win win. If the debate is reopened, great. We please all those ultra conservatives that think same sex marriage should be banished. We debate the entire issue over again and regardless of the outcome we kept our promise. Same holds true if the debate is not reopened. That’s all right because we kept our promise to give it a try. What can we do, it was defeated.

After the defeat we announce that the issue is dead. We will never open it again. Wow, who is the hero know? He keeps his promises and closes the debate. Everyone is happy! Everyone is happy if you are falling for the act. Politics is all about appearances. Honest, taking a stand, believing in an issue or having principals doesn’t enter into it. All you have to do is look good, to get the votes and stay in power. In the end they are all the same. It may sound like I have no faith but I do and I vote. I believe in that power and I would rather have it then not. Still, we need to be more diligent and hold these people to a higher standard.

So no doubt Harper is happy with his little same sex game. I must say it was impressive. Just remember that he voted in favour of reopening the debate. Regardless of what he says now, he does not believe that we are equal.