Category Society
True Words
It is that time of year again. For two weeks I will be spending the majority of my time (weather permitting) sitting on the beach with a book. More than one book – I hope to get through at least ten in 14 days. In order to do that I need to concentrate, stay focused […]
Definitely Not Disney
I’m not a big fan of theme parks. Never have been. I’ve never traveled to the various Disney or Universal Studios offerings in Florida. I’m told they are a great experience, but they aren’t the experience I am looking for. Too ersatz. I have slightly more interest in the historical parks such as Ontario’s Upper […]
Uncomfortable Remembrance
Somehow it doesn’t seem right to be a tourist in a place of unspeakable evil. But remembrance is important, so I visited the Dachau concentration camp, the place where the Nazis refined their “final solution” for the Jewish people. These days it is in a Munich suburb. I would think it was more isolated 75 […]
Le Grand Charlie
There were a few mentions in the newspaper this past week about it being the 50th anniversary of Charles de Gaulle’s infamous proclamation of “Vive le Quebec libre!” (That’s long live a free Quebec for those of you who don’t speak French.) I didn’t read the articles – I remember 1967 and the furor over […]
One “R” Less
Poor Mrs. Hopkins. She tried her best, but she failed. It wasn’t her fault. Mrs. Hopkins was my First Grade teacher, and I hadn’t thought of her in decades, didn’t even remember her name, until the other day when I was cleaning the basement and came across my Grade 1 report card. I like to […]
More Reflections on Omar
There has been continued discussion in Canada of the $10.5 million payment made by the federal government to former child soldier Omar Khadr. According to polling, 71% of Canadians are opposed to the deal. Of those who support the governing Liberals, 61% are opposed. Most of the reaction I’ve seen has been emotional, no matter […]
A Matter of Justice?
I had a post planned for today. I was just checking the spelling when the rumour became reality: The Government of Canada has apologized to Omar Khadr and is handing him a cheque for $10,500,000 for his suffering. I think it is fair to describe this as a cowardly act on the part of the […]
Canada Day Reflections – I
I’ve had some time to reflect, and so have the authorities. It is obvious someone screwed up, to use the vernacular, but no-one wants to take the blame. As I mentioned earlier, getting to Parliament Hill on Canada Day was a challenge. For once I am not going to bash our transit agency, OC Transpo, […]
One Dominion
Canada turned 150 years old yesterday. We have reason as a nation to celebrate. By almost all accounts, this is a wonderful country to live in. This past week I read a new book celebrating that fact. One Dominion was written by Paul Richardson and Bob Beasley, who respectively are president and vice president of […]
Canada Day 2017
Canada celebrates its 150th birthday today. I can’t decide whether I should head downtown to Parliament Hill for the festivities and fireworks. I haven’t made the trek for at least 15 years, but had decided that this year I should. The fireworks show will be extra-spectacular given the year, and Bono and The Edge (from […]
random thoughts from lorne 
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