Newtown CT - One Year Later

One year ago today the world came to a screeching halt as we learned of the horrific slaughter of innocence, which took place in Sandy Hook elementary school. 26 souls taken way too soon. A community shattered - forever changed.  Broken hearts rippled far beyond the borders of the sleepy little town of Newtown CT.

As the families and community as a whole attempt to breathe today. They have asked global media to respect their need for privacy and to stay away from their community.  I am happy to say that the media has honored this request.  It is reported that no official ceremonies will take place today - but the community will remember and honor the victims in their own private way.

What was asked, in honor of the 26 lives lost, is for each one of us to do a random act of kindness today.

I hope that you will join me as you move through your day. Keep in your mind the memory of the lives lost, and the request made by those who are left behind. Find a way to honor Newtown today by doing a random act of kindness.  Offer to carry someones bags for them. Shovel your neighbor's walkway. Buy a homeless person something to eat. Pay for the coffee of the person behind you in line.  Be creative and lets do Newtown proud!

Proud To Live In Toronto

With the recent events in the news about Toronto’s Mayor, Rob Ford, allegedly being captured on video smoking crack, Toronto has taken quite a beating in the media. Night time comedians are taking pot shots at Toronto, and my beautiful city seems to be the butt of everyone’s jokes.

Let me begin by saying that at first I was embarrassed.  Hands Down – our Mayor is an idiot. I do not know whether or not the allegations are true. And to be quite honest, at this point it really does not matter. In my opinion he needs to resign. His on-going antics are an embarrassment to the city and the people who live here.  With that said, I am a PROUD Torontonian. I was born and raised here and I hold my head up high and claim my home proudly, despite a handful of idiot politicians who happen to sit in office at the moment.  And let’s be honest – shall we?  Idiots are not exclusive to Toronto, or Canada. The World as a whole is full of them. And the vast majority of them were sadly elected into office by the people.

With all of that said, I want to dedicate this post to shining the spotlight on the beautiful city I call home.

With a mixture of historical and modern architecture, Toronto is truly a sight to behold. The core of the city with its skyscrapers and condominiums, are intertwined with tree-lined streets and beautiful Victorian heritage buildings and homes.  Pictured above is our breathtaking skyline, which sits on the edge of Lake Ontario – one of Canada’s Five Great Lakes.

I heard one of the night time comedian’s comment that there is nothing to do in Toronto. Well, anyone who lives here or has ever visited here knows that is just nonsense. Toronto’s attractions and appeals are endless. I could write an entire novel on everything that Toronto has to offer, but let me list a few of the high points for you.

The CN Tower; which happens to be the tallest free-standing structure in the western hemisphere. And if that isn’t thrilling enough, you can now live on the edge – quite literally, the Edge Walk is a new feature of the tower where by you can experience a thrilling hands-free walk around the ledge of the Tower overlooking Toronto.

The Toronto Islands, which offer a picturesque family fun spot just 20 minutes from the heart of the city by way of the Toronto Island ferry. With the skyline as the backdrop, you can enjoy beaches, biking trails, picnics, and spend the day with your children at Centerville, a seasonal carnival atmosphere with rides, eats, treats, where generations of families have shared good times and made memories together for decades.

St. Lawrence Market, which just happens to have been called the World’s best food market by National Geographic!

The Hockey Hall of Fame.  The Canadian Walk of Fame. Museums. Parks – including High Park, which happens to sit on 400 acres of land and boasts Canada’s largest Cherry Blossom festivals when the trees bloom in May. Our Beautiful Harbor front, Beaches – which are among the best in the world as proclaimed by the internationally recognized Blue Flag Program. Restaurants and dining experiences from around the world. The Theatre District. Entertainment District. Distillery District. The Pride District. The Canadian National Exhibition. Canada’s Wonderland. Casa Loma – North America’s only castle. The Toronto Zoo, which happens be one of the largest in the world!  I cannot fail to mention one of my favorite childhood places to visit; Riverdale Farm. Yes! A quaint sense of country in the middle of the City!  And opening this summer is Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada!

As I said, I can only name but a few of the gems of this beautiful city. But let’s take a look at some of the celebrations hosted in Toronto.

We can begin with our huge New Year Celebrations. Caribana, North America’s largest Caribbean Street Festival, drawing over 1.5 million tourists to our great city each summer. Toronto Pride Parade.  It should be noted here that Toronto will be hosting the World Pride events in 2014. The Pan AM and Parapan AM Games will be hosted by Toronto in July 2015!   We cannot forget about Jolly Old Saint Nick, who has visited Toronto in one of North America’s largest parades since 1905.  All of this and much more, including; Luminato, Summerlicious,, Nuit Blanche, The TD Jazz Festival, The Canadian International Autoshow,  The Toronto International Film Festival, which has put Toronto on the map as Hollywood North!

I want to end this post with some fun facts I found on the web about Toronto:


City Facts

1. Toronto is Canada’s largest city and home to over 5.7 million people
2. Toronto is the capital city of the province of Ontario
3. Toronto is the largest financial center in Canada.
4. There are 100 + languages spoken throughout the city of Toronto
5. Just over 30 per cent of Toronto residents speak a language other than English or French at home.
6. Over half of Toronto’s labour force has a university degree or college diploma
7. Toronto is Canada’s number one tourist destination
8. Toronto residents hold more university educations than in any other country, in the world, based on percentage of population. Source OECD – 2003
9. 180 million customers live and work within a day’s drive of Toronto, including 125 million Americans or roughly 40 per cent of the U.S. population.
10. More people live in Toronto than in Canada’s four Atlantic Provinces combined
11. Half of Toronto’s population (1,237,720) was born outside of Canada, up from 48 per cent in 1996.
12. Niagara Falls is just over an hour’s drive from Toronto
13. Toronto has over 8,000 restaurants
14. Toronto has over 35,000 hotel rooms

North American Facts

1. Toronto is North America’s 5th-largest city after Mexico City, New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
2. North America’s largest continuous underground pedestrian system PATH, connects about 1200 stores and restaurants, 50 office towers, five subway stations, Union Station, six major hotels and several entertainment centers under Toronto’s financial core.
3. Toronto’s public transit system is the second largest in North America and has the highest per capita ridership rate on the continent.
4. About 25% of films produced in Hollywood are actually filmed in Toronto, making it North America’s 3rd largest TV and movie production venue.
5. The Caribana parade is the largest single-day parade and largest Caribbean festival in North America.
6. Toronto has the only, real castle in all of North America. You will never forget “Casa Loma” (home on hill) with vista views of both, the downtown, skyline of Toronto and of Great Lake Ontario.
7. The TSX Group – the third-largest stock exchange in North American and seventh largest in the world based on market capitalization – is the world leader in mining sector listings.
8. The Direct Energy Centre (formerly the National Trade Centre) is the 3rd largest exhibit facility in North America with over 1 million sq. ft. of exhibit space

World Facts

1. Yonge Street is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest street in the world, stretching 1,896 km from the lakeshore in Toronto, north to Rainy River, Ontario, near the Minnesota border.
2. Toronto is home to the world’s second tallest free-standing structure, the CN Tower standing 1,815 feet (553 meters) tall.
3. The Toronto Zoo is the third largest in the world and is home to more than 5000 animals
4. Toronto is the third largest center for English language theatre in the world, behind New York City and London.
5. Toronto is a world leader in digital microwave transmission, satellite communications services and data distribution networks.
6. Rogers Centre (formerly Skydome) – the world’s first stadium to have a fully retractable roof

Economic Facts

1. Toronto is the largest and most important financial center in all of Canada and the fourth largest in North America. Only New York city, Chicago and Los Angeles are larger.
2. Financial center of Canada, 3rd largest in North America, employing 205,000 in financial sector
3. Toronto is home to Canada’s 5 largest banks, 50 foreign bank subsidiaries and branches, and 112 securities firms.
4. The film industry supports 28,000 jobs in Toronto and annually contributes $1.5 billion to the economy
5. Toronto’s tourism industry generated $3.34 billion in direct expenditures in the year 2000
6. There are about 87,900 tourism related jobs in Toronto


With all of that, let me just say once again that not only am I a proud Torontonian, but I am blessed to live in the best City, in the best Country in the World!  And if you have never had the pleasure of visiting our great city, I encourage you to do so!

The Question Of Capital Punishment

The world is waiting with baited breath for the jury to return with yet another verdict in the Jodi Arias case. Not one of guilt or innocence - they've already done that. This time they are deliberating about whether Jodi will live or die.

Now, let me stop here and say that I did not watch the trial. With that said, her guilt or innocence is irrelevant to my thoughts here today. The jury found her guilty, and I accept that.

My thoughts today are in the direction of the death penalty. I have been swamped by postings on Facebook and have tuned into HLN and CNN - listening to the talking heads discuss Jodi's fate. "She's a liar!" ... "She killed him!" ... "Her plea to the jury was ridiculous!"  I am not disputing any of this. She was found guilty of murder, she lied, and yes ... her plea (which I did happen to watch) was ridiculous.  I just question how easy it would be for the jury to have her put to death.

I question if I would be able to do so.  During jury selection, they filled out questionnaires asking if they would have issue with electing death as a punishment. And - clearly each of they said that they would not have a problem in doing so .... or they would not have been selected in the first place.

I myself have often said through my lifetime that I am in favor of Capital Punishment. I have questioned aloud why certain criminals are kept alive for years and decades - at a high cost of keeping them alive.

I think that the public at large - the blood-thirsty observers calling for the head of a convicted criminal, are doing so from a safe distance. I really question that if it came down to their 'okie-dokie' at ending a life, if they would be able to do so.  Yes the jury must be unanimous for death to be handed down as a punishment ... as justice ... but if only one person is unable to give their 'yes' vote - then the jury is hanged. Deadlocked.

I think it is very easy to say "Yes." when it is not your voice that counts. When you really have no say in the matter - it is easy to be a backseat driver.  But what if your 'yes' mattered? What if your voice counted? What if your say-so, would end the life of another person? Could you live the rest of your life knowing that you had a hand in the end of a life?  I'm not sure that I could. In fact, the more that I think about it, the more sure I am that I in fact would not be able to do so.

Now, don't get me wrong. I do not believe that Jodi - or any other murderer (Child molester, etc..) should be eligible for parole. Ever. I think life in prison should mean exactly that. LIFE. We are no longer in the time when people lived to be 20 years old ... people can live to be 100 nowadays. So, life in prison should be natural life.

I just don't think that as humans we have the right to take a life. And in doing so, are we really any better than the criminal who took a life? "Well, the law says that we have that option."  These are man-made laws, so at the end of the day, man is deciding when it is (and is not) okay to take the life of another person. Does man have that right?

To me, it just feels wrong. I do not believe in 'an eye for an eye'. I do not feel that I have the right to decide if another human being gets to live or die.  I understand that if I had a loved one who was murdered, I may feel differently.  But is that a true feeling? True conscience? Or is it grief? Is it revenge? When someone hurts a loved one, as humans - our instinct is to exact revenge. But does that make it right? Will killing the criminal bring back the life of the victim? Sadly, the answer is No.

I think about Guy Paul Morin, who was wrongfully convicted for the 1984 rape and murder of his nine year old neighbor Christine Jessop. Ten years later, with advancements in DNA, Guy Paul Morin was found indeed innocent of the crime, in which he was convicted. What if Canada didn't abolish Capital Punishment in 1967? What if Guy Paul was sentenced to death? Wrongly?  Would a collective "Oops!" be enough?

I could quote several examples of this type of scenario, where innocent people were wrongly convicted - serving many years in prison before being vindicated. People who very well would have qualified for a death sentence. Now, before I get a back-lash of email, let me say that I am aware that these examples are few and far between. I am aware that the majority of people who are convicted of a crime, did in fact commit the offence. I am in no way suggesting that Jodi is innocent. What I am saying is that you cannot un-ring a bell. And if one person is put to death - wrongly ... that is one too many. And that, in and of itself, is just one of several reasons to abolish the death penalty.

I heard on the news today that the majority of the civilized world has abolished the death penalty. The exception being the United States. This strikes me as odd. The conversation went on to speak about how capital punishment is primarily observed in 3rd world countries, and questioned whether America should be held in such liken company.

I took the liberty of researching this 'fact' and found the following:

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Capital punishment has been used in almost every part of the world, but in the last few decades many countries have abolished it. Usage of capital punishment is usually broken into the four categories set out below. Of the 195 independent states that are UN members or have UN observer status:

• 90% of the world's countries are not executing, according to Amnesty International.
• 100 (51%) have abolished it.
• 7 (4%) retain it for crimes committed in exceptional circumstances (such as in time of war).
• 48 (25%) permit its use for ordinary crimes, but have not used it for at least 10 years and are believed to have a policy or established practice of not carrying out executions, or it is under a moratorium.
• 40 (20%) maintain the death penalty in both law and practice. These countries make up approximately 66% of the world's population in 2012.[1]

The information above is accurate as of 2013 when Chad, DR Congo, Cuba, Qatar, and Zimbabwe became de facto abolishionist countries because they had carried out no executions for ten years.

(Click image for easier viewing.)

Legend
(Blue) Abolished for all crimes (100)
(Yellow)Abolished for all crimes except under exceptional/special circumstances (such as crimes committed in wartime) (7)
(Orange)Abolished in practice (under a moratorium or haven't used capital punishment in at least 10 years) (48)
(Rose) Retainers of the death penalty (40)

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Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Use_of_capital_punishment_by_country



Clearly my thoughts penned here on my little blog, will not change the world, or even the minds of those who hold close to their personal beliefs. The thing about capital punishment is that it is a very touchy subject - and much like abortion, the topic can be extremely polarizing. I am just voicing my thoughts as they have been playing on my mind with all of the recent discussion of the impending verdict.  My thoughts are not only with both of the families - those of the victim, but also those of the convicted ... for both are going to experience a loss, regardless of what decision the jury comes back with. But in the end, my thoughts are also with that jury, because not only do they have the burden of witnessing all of the gruesome evidence in a trial, they also have the burden of weighing the value of a life. Further to that, they have to carry that decision - whatever it may be - with them for the rest of their lives.

Prayers For Boston

My thoughts and prayers are with all who are affected by the bombings in Boston this afternoon during the Boston Marathon.

May God Bless and Keep you all

-Laura

Pope Francis 1

"Habemus Papam."  "We have a Pope."

The Catholic Church has a new Pope - Pope Francis 1 greeted the faithful who gathered by the tens of thousands in the cold rainy weather for over 24hrs, anxiously awaiting the news of a new Pope.

At approximately 2:00pm EST, the white smoke poured from the Vatican chimney and the bells sounded, signaling that after 5 rounds of  Conclave voting, 115 Cardinals indeed came to at least 2/3 agreement that Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina would head the Roman Catholic Church.

A little background on Pope Francis..."Trained as a chemist ... became a priest when he was 32 and an archbishop in 1998. Bergoglio is a Jesuit, which would make him an unusual and perhaps controversial choice for the papacy. His academic credentials abound: He pursued theological studies in Germany, has published three books and has served as grand chancellor of The Catholic University in Argentina. Bergoglio has been praised as being a 'good pastor' with a 'strong capacity for governance with unusual gifts of humility.' Indeed, the archbishop shuns a chauffeur-driven limousine, in favor of public transportation."

And The Truth Comes Out...

On Monday, February 11th - Pope Benedict announced via the Vatican that he would be resigning, citing old age and failing health.

On Tuesday, February 12th - The Vatican announces that the Pope had a pace maker installed many years ago and that he had the battery changed a few months ago.

On Wednesday, February 13th - The Vatican announces that the Pope says he is resigning "for the good of the Church".

During Ash Wednesday Services the Pope calls for and end to "hypocrisy in the Church".

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I call BS.

And Today the truth comes out...

The following is from the 'International Tribunal into Crimes of Church and State' (ITCCS) and may be read directly at http://itccs.org/

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Pope Benedict to seek immunity and protection from Italian President Giorgio Napolitano on February 23

Posted on February 14, 2013 by itccs

International Tribunal calls on Napolitano to "not collude in criminality", and announces global campaign to occupy Vatican property and launch human rights inquiry in Italy
Rome (9 am local time):

Pope Benedict, Joseph Ratzinger, has scheduled a meeting with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano for Saturday, February 23 to discuss securing protection and immunity from prosecution from the Italian government, according to Italian media sources.

Ratzinger's meeting follows upon the apparent receipt by the Vatican of a diplomatic note from an undisclosed European government on February 4, stating its intention to issue an arrest warrant for Ratzinger, who resigned from his pontificate less than a week later.

In response to the February 23 meeting, the International Tribunal into Crimes of Church and State (ITCCS), through its field Secretary, Rev. Kevin Annett, has written to President Napolitano, asking him to refrain from assisting Ratzinger in evading justice.

The ITCCS letter states, in part,

"I need not remind you, Mr. President, that under international law and treaties that have been ratified by Italy, you and your government are forbidden from granting such protection to those like Joseph Ratzinger who have aided and abetted criminal actions, such as ordering Bishops and Cardinals in America and elsewhere to protect known child rapists among their clergy.

"Your obligation to the Vatican through the Lateran Treaty does not negate or nullify the requirements of these higher moral and international laws; nor does it require that you give any protection or immunity to a single individual like Joseph Ratzinger, especially after he has left his papal office."

A copy of the complete text of the ITCCS letter follows.

In response to the documented crimes of child torture, trafficking and genocide linked to Pope Benedict and Vatican officials, the ITCCS will be sponsoring a series of ongoing protests and occupations of Roman Catholic churches and offices through its affiliates around the world beginning in Easter week, March 24-31, 2013, and continuing indefinitely.

These actions will accompany the legal efforts to bring Joseph Ratzinger and other Vatican officials to trial for their proven complicity in crimes against humanity and criminal conspiracy.

The Easter Reclamation Campaign will seize church property and assets to prevent their use by child raping priests, who are protected under Catholic canon law. Citizens have this right to defend their communities and children when the authorities refuse to do so, under international law.

Rev. Kevin Annett and an official delegation from the ITCCS Central Office will also be convening a formal human rights inquiry in Rome commencing the week of May 13, 2013, to consider further charges against the Vatican and its new Pope  for crimes against humanity and obstruction of justice.

Rev. Annett and his delegation will be working with organizations across Italy in this investigation. In 2009 and 2010, he held rallies outside the Vatican and met with media and human rights groups across Italy to charge the Vatican with the death of more than 50,000 aboriginal children in Canada.

——————-

An Open Letter and Appeal to Giorgio Napolitano, President of the Republic of Italy from Rev. Kevin D. Annett, Secretary of the International Tribunal into Crimes of Church and State

14 February, 2013
Al Presdente della Repubblica Italiana Giorgio Napolitano
Presidenza della Repubblica
c/o Palazzo del Quirinale
00187 Roma
Italia                                

 
Dear President Napolitano,

On behalf of our Tribunal and people of conscience everywhere, and of the millions of victims of church abuse, I am making an appeal to you regarding your upcoming meeting with Joseph Ratzinger, who will retire soon as Pope Benedict, the Pontiff of the Church of Rome.

Our understanding is that, in the wake of pressure to have him resign his office because of his proven complicity in concealing child trafficking in his church and other crimes against humanity, Joseph Ratzinger is seeking the assistance of the Italian government in securing protection and immunity from legal prosecution.

I need not remind you, Mr. President, that under international law and treaties that have been ratified by Italy, you and your government are forbidden from granting such protection to those like Jospeh Ratzinger who have aided and abetted criminal actions, such as ordering Bishops and Cardinals in America and elsewhere to protect known child rapists among their clergy.

Your obligation to the Vatican through the Lateran Treaties does not negate or nullify the requirements of these higher moral and international laws; nor does it require that you give any protection or immunity to a single individual like Joseph Ratzinger, especially after he has left his papal office.

The need for you to abide by international law and not be seen to collude with Joseph Ratzinger is even more true when one considers the enormity of the crimes of which the Vatican and its highest officials are clearly guilty, according to considerable evidence gathered and documented by our Tribunal and other groups, and acknowledged by many governments.

In Canada alone, the Roman Catholic Church and its Vatican agents have been found guilty of responsibility for genocide and the deaths of at least 50,000 aboriginal child children in the Jesuit-initiated Indian residential school system, that operated until 1996.

In Ireland, more than 10,000 women suffered and were exploited in the Catholic-run Magdalene Laundries, where many of them died. Similar church-run institutions all over the world have caused enormous mortality, disease and ruination for millions of children. And yet the church has never been held accountable or prosecuted for these deaths and the theft of enormous wealth from entire nations.

With the recent initiative of at least one European government and a host of lawyers to bring Joseph Ratzinger and other church officials to trial for these crimes, we feel it is incumbent on you neither to assist nor to be seen to assist or condone the attempt by him to evade, obstruct or delay justice, lest you open yourself to a charge of being an accessory to a crime.

On behalf of our Tribunal and of many people who cannot speak, I call on you to stand on the law of nations and humanity, and offer no support or protection to Joseph Ratzinger or his accessories in their efforts to evade responsibility for their proven crimes.

I look forward to your reply, and to discussing this with you more when I visit your country in May with a human rights delegation to investigate this matter more closely.

Sincerely,

Kevin D. Annett, M.A., M.Div.

Secretary, The International Tribunal into Crimes of Church and State
Central Office, Brussels

cc: world media

Make That Penny Count

We all have a jar of pennies somewhere in our home don't we?  With the penny going out of circulation today in Canada, we are now left with making a decision as to what we are going to do with all of those pennies we've been collecting.

Sure we can roll them up and bring them into the bank.

OR

We can bring that jar, box, pitcher, over-sized wine jug (you know the one!) and donate them to a local charity right in our own communities!

Put those pennies to work. Make them count!

Some examples of local charities who could benefit from your donations are:

• The Foodbank
• The School Breakfast Club
• The Boys & Girls Club
• The Animal Shelter
• Homeless Shelter
• Children's Hospital

Or your own favorite local charity!!

The point is to not let those pennies die in vain.  Put them to work right there in your own community.

Go ahead! Give 'em your two cents worth!

Wynne, Won!!

Toronto native Kathleen Wynne has just won the liberal leadership race to replace out-going Premier Dalton Mcguinty.  Kathleen Wynne is the Premier Designate and will be Ontario's first female and openly gay Premier!!

Today is a great day for Ontario, and a great day for Canada, as the third ballot of the day was down to two strong, prominent women; Kathleen Wynne and Sandra Pupatello.  With the withdrawal of two candidates after the second ballot, both crossing the floor in support of Wynne, the third ballot resulted in a win for Wynne!!

Congratulations Madam Premier!!

Country First - The Poverty Crisis

Those who know me personally are aware that I grew up in downtown Toronto. As a result, I have seen a lot of things in my life. homelessness, crack heads, prostitution, crime.. so much in fact that I had become desensitized to it.  Seeing it without really SEEing it.

Living away from the downtown core for the better part of the past two decades, I had not seen crack heads and prostitutes or even homeless people every time I stepped outside of my door.  Eventually I became accustomed to not SEEing. Certainly it was not a case of forgetting about the problems, which are in your face when living downtown - but I suppose it was a case of 'out of sight - out of mind'.

I suppose the same can be said for the politicians. It is very easy to forget or overlook a problem when it is not in your face each and every time you leave your home.  Yes, it is true that the majority of the law makers and those who work 'for the people' do work downtown. However, the fact is that the underprivileged do get lost in the shuffle and hustle and bustle of the busy city. Particularly in the downtown core of a big city. And for the most part - by the time those who 'work for the people' head home at the end of the working day - and the downtown core empties ... this is when all those who do not have a home to go to become visible.  The ones who are left behind.  The truth is that they were there the whole time - they just blend into the background while the suits race up and down the streets plugged into their smartphones.

Having moved back downtown a year ago, I admit was sort of culture shock.I was reminded how sad downtown can be. There is a distinct shift in the energy when you come from a quieter community to the downtown core of a metropolis. And your energy begins to match that of the environment around you. Your frequency changes. The only difference was that I did not have blinders on. I was returning and the only change from when I had left so many years ago is not that the problems had gone away - but in fact they have magnified.

How can this be? Why is nothing being done?

Each day and night when I walk my dog, or run errands etc.. I see it.  Am I the only one? I see the lines outside of the homeless shelters.  I see the homeless sleeping on grates.  I see the lines at the soup kitchens. The lineups at the food banks - people waiting to take home that jar of peanut butter and dented can of chick peas.

Over the holidays, my daughter volunteered at a drop-in - serving Christmas dinner to the homeless.  She was surprised at home many people were in need of a home-cooked meal.  A hot plate of food.

Two or three times a year we see on the news that the Daily Bread Food Bank is having another food drive. The local media sets up camp at a random grocery store and they do the drive for the day.  Attempting to reach goals of food and monetary donations to last for the next couple of months.  And each year the demand increases.  Each year the need is more. Year after year after year.  Nothing changes.

Why?

Since the weather has shifted and the nights have gotten cold, I see homeless people in my building ... hiding in the move-out rooms ... you can see them praying that you do not SEE them.  Hoping to fade away into the background as they huddle in a corner - thankful to be in a warm - dry place. Until. security or the police kick them out.

Why?

When I returned home this evening from walking my dog, I tuned into the 11:00 news ... I sipped my tea as I listened to the reports on the homeless during the frigid weather.  I listened to the Beat the Street people and how they make their rounds handing out survival packages consisting of hats, scarves, mittens, sleeping bags and some food.  I listen to the accounts of three local shelters being packed to the rafters.  I see footage of people sleeping on mats on the floor of churches and displacement centers - waiting for a bed to become available for them.  There is no room at the Inn.

Why?

In the same breath - you see reports on the news about agencies collecting for overseas missions.  You read in the newspapers about how Canada is donating $50mil to this 3rd world country ... or $100mil to that hurricane / tsunami / earthquake / (fill in the blank) ravaged country. Aide for people on the other side of the world when citizens are starving and dying on the streets of the homeland.

Why?

People who know me, know that I am a giver by nature. I will give you the shirt off of my back if you need it.  There are many occasions where I have helped this person or that person with food or money or whatever.  And I am happy to do so!! With that said, I always kept in mind that I am running a household. I had a child to feed. And with that knowledge I made certain that my home was taken care of first. I made certain that my child or any assorted pets - lives which depended upon me - were covered first. Then I would assess what 'extra' was available to help someone else who needed the help.

Why does the Government not work this way?  Let me be clear that because I am Canadian, I am speaking about Canada.  However, I am more than aware that this goes also for the U.S.A. and many other countries with ass-backward ideas about sense of obligations towards everyone else ahead of their own citizens.

I am certain that President Obama, or Prime Minister Harper would not allow their children to go without food, while handing out donations to a charity.   So, why is okay to do so on the larger scale? The fact is that if you are the leader of a country - the citizens are your children. Your dependents. And just as in a home - one child may need help with math and another child may need new shoes. Citizens have a variety of needs - be it health care - or the basic needs of food and shelter. No need grater than the other - all needs are required to be met.

Let me pause here and acknowledge that what I am saying is what many people are thinking but what nobody is allowed to say.  Let me also be clear in saying that absolutely less fortunate countries should be helped. Dying children in Africa should be fed and medically treated and housed.  Yes, the people in Haiti need help to recover from the most recent Act of God.

With that said - I am also saying that you take care of your own house first! When there is not one Canadian citizen living on the streets - not one Canadian citizen missing a meal ... THEN you see what is in the reserves and help other countries who need help. The same can also be said about taking on more citizens when you cannot keep up with the demand of those who are already living here. If you cannot adequately feed, clothe and shelter the children in your home - do you bring more children in? Does that make any sense?

So what happens in the meantime?  Well, in my opinion it is down to the people who make such exorbitant amounts of money to do something. I feel like if your annual income is that of a medium sized country - it is incumbent upon you to make sure that you do something for the earthly community.

How many times have you seen the annual lists of CEO's and celebrities raking in tens of millions of dollars a year?  Is that really necessary? Actors making tens of millions to star in a movie.  Really? When there are people starving on your streets?

I'm sorry, but I do not believe that you need to earn $50 mil a year in order to survive.  Or even to maintain any sort of extravagant lifestyle.  That is just ridiculous.  It should be mandatory that if your estate is in the tens or hundreds of millions - you should be automatically made to give half to support 3rd world nations.  To feed the starving children in Africa. To rebuild Haiti. And so forth.

If every celebrity, rapper, or otherwise gave half of their annual income to 'the cause' - in a decade the world would be a completely different place.  And believe me, if the majority of people can live at or below the poverty line - the celebrities can certainly survive on $25 mil a year instead of $50 mil.

In the meantime, countries such as Canada and the U.S. can focus their resources on the people who struggle to survive within their borders.

The year is 2013, how is it that people are dying on the streets? How is it that people are starving? How is it that people are killing themselves to escape the extreme suffering? How is it that crime is on an up-rise because people are desperate? Yet, people are living way - way - way beyond what is necessary?

Governments and Celebrities should be ashamed.

It is criminal and should never have been allowed to get to this point.

"If you do what you've always done, you will always get what you've always got."

Online Sympathy Card For Sandy Hook

An online sympathy card for Sandy Hook has been started and has already surpassed 1.7 million signatures from around the world.

If you would like to add your name and personal message for the victims, survivors, families and loved ones in Newtown, CT, please click in the link below.

God Bless.


http://www.causes.com/actions/1715318

The Voice Pays Tribute To Newtown

THE VOICE pays a beautiful and moving tribute to the victims of shootings in NEWTOWN.

To the coaches and artists; Thank you for this beautiful blessing.

Why We Watch

Like many around the world, I have been glued to the TV since Friday morning when evil descended on a quaint little town in Connecticut. Newtown will never be the same after the horrific events, which took place that morning.  When a twenty-year old shot his mother, and then shot his way into Sandy Hook Elementary School using an assault rifle. He then proceeded to steal the lives of 20 1st grade children and 6 adults including the principal of the school.

There are of course others who do not watch, whether it is just too difficult to do so, or whether they just do not want to give acknowledgment to the offender.  They do not wish to immortalize the sick mind who could perpetrate such evil acts.

I honestly do not believe that anyone wishes to glorify the offender.  I do understand that at times we need to talk about them ... to learn the lessons of what had taken place.  To hopefully gain answers to the "WHY?" when a tragedy takes place.

Sadly the perpetrators often are immortalized .... such as in the case of Paul Bernardo, or Bin Laden, or Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris.  And sadly there will be sick minds out there who will capitalize on tragic events, those who look up to the modern day villains ... and even those who will attempt to emulate them by way of copy-cat events.  Or even trying to out-do evil with greater acts of evil.  Some will say that a sick-minded person who watched the aftermath of Adam Lanza will go out and shoot up a pre-school,, or a hospital nursery.

The fact is that evil exists.  We know this.  We saw this the day the planes flew into the World Trade Center Towers.  We saw this on Friday when we learned of the tragic events as they unfolded in Newtown, Connecticut.  But we also know that goodness will triumph over evil.  God is stronger than any evil that may exist.  And we must be stronger.  We must be better.  We must have faith.

In the meantime we grieve.  We are sorrowful for the ones who are grieving the loss of loved ones.  We mourn with the community affected by the slaughter of innocence .... just days before Christmas.

And in doing so, we often times feel helpless.  The truth is - there is nothing we can do.  There are no magic words.  There are no fixes.  The only thing to take the pain away - to bring back the lost lives - is not within our power.  And so ... if we are able, we go to the prayer vigils.  We attend memorial services.  We stand outside churches while funeral services are taking place.  We lay down flowers and light candles, we place teddy bears, we pray.  We show up in the physical to be a part of the communal network of love and support.

But for those who are not able to drive to the next town ... to attend ... to share in the grief ... to BE present in a show of support.  We watch.  We watch from other Cities, States, Countries and sometimes Continents.

We watch and we pray and we cry.  Because we feel helpless. Because we feel their pain.  Because we are mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles.  Because we are human.  Because we care.  Because we love.  Because we grieve with those who are suffering.

Ultimately we watch because we know that although we are often separated by geography, we are united, indeed connected by spirit.  We are one.  Therefore when a community mourns ... we all mourn.

Heaven's Newest Angels

May God Keep Them. 

May They Rest in Heavenly Peace

Sandy Hook Elementary, Newtown Connecticut

There are no words.  Only tears. Only prayers.

NHL Lockout

Today is day 83 of the NHL lockout.  Players and Owners still 'negotiating' and apparently never further apart.  After agreeing that proceeds should be a 50/50 split, the Owners want a ten year contract - the Players want 5 years.

What it all boils down to is the almighty buck, and puts me in mind of a quote I had heard in the first two weeks of the lockout.

"Billionaires and Millionaires fighting over our money"  - A Fan.

That about sums it up doesn't it?

So... nearly three months later, hockey lovers are still at a loss.  They are the ones truly suffering in all of this and yet, they are unwittingly the ones with all of the power.  Just where exactly do the proceeds being fought over come from?  YOU.  The fans!

Perhaps if the fans banned together and decided that when the Owners and Players get their stuff together - that nobody cares anymore?  I wonder what would happen then?  Perhaps ticket prices would drop?  Perhaps you would not be spending $150 for a jersey?  Perhaps a bit more respect would be given to the source of the money they are arguing over?  Hmmmmm ....

Although I highly doubt this would happen, I mean lets face it... the second the puck drops - there will be painted fans - with hotdog in hand - sitting in their $100 seat - cheering on their team. However, after seeing today's poll on CP24.com I am slightly more encouraged that perhaps - just possibly - common sense will prevail after all.

Mass Shooting In Scarborough

Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair calls this Mass Shooting the worst he'd ever seen in his career, and the worst in Canada.   A brazing shooting that took place at a block party on Danzig Ave. in Scarborough (East Toronto.)

Reports say that there are at least two shooters, responsible for the deaths of a 14y/o girl and 20y/o male, in addition to 19 victims who were rushed to hospital.  Including an infant who sustained a gunshot wound.

Having lived in Toronto for my entire life.  Growing up in Toronto's Regent Park.  I am appalled, disgusted and frankly, angry with the events that have unfolded this evening.

I have to say;  IF you think opening fire to solve your issues makes you a man .... you are ever so sadly mistaken.   I mean really!!!  IF you were an actual MAN handling your affairs, you would do so with either words or fists.

AND ... Let me say right here and now that IF you leave your home with a gun.  You are CLEARLY intending to use it.  It is not a fashion accessory.  It is a statement.  IF you are prepared to make that statement, as far as I am concerned it is intent - which to me means premeditation.  And IF you are caught with a weapon - whether you have used it or not ... you should receive LIFE in prison.  Because the fact of the matter is that you will be serving time for 1st degree murder - whether or not the murder has actually occurred.  IT was your INTENT to KILL.

Let me say it clearly.  PUT DOWN THE GUNS!!!!!

I want to close this with my Heartfelt Thoughts, Prayers and Condolences to the Victims and their Families.

May God embrace and comfort you.