Chris Reid's Comments - Right Direction but Wrong Soapbox

I was just reading about some of the posts by Chris Reid whom just stepped down as the Tory Candidate running in "Toronto Centre". I must say that I do happen to agree with him on only one point, and that point only. He was right to criticize those on that Bus who stood by and allowed Tim McLean to die, without interceding. The most ever wise and fictional character that ever lived in my mind and heart, is Atticus Finch. In Harper Lee's book, she writes the words that come from Atticus and states that it is not right to judge someone until we have walked in their shoes. While I agree wholeheartedly with that sentiment - I must make an exception to this incident. This is also where it comes into play of why Chris Reid is in error when he states that "This is where socialism [has] gotten us folks, a castrated effeminate population.". He is wrong. For it is all forms of Government including the ruling Conservation Party (Canada) the world over - it is all those who witness acts such as this and who decide that they will not take action for reasons that are solely for self-preservation. It is all those who turn a blind eye to injustice before them, and refuse to raise a hand against their fellow man.

I will never understand how those passengers who far outnumbered the alleged suspect, could stand by and allow that man to take Tim's life.

I will never understand how the Governments the world over turn a blind eye to Genocide that is taking place in the World as I am writing this.

I will never understand why the American People allowed George Bush to twice steal the election using illegal methods, and did nothing.

I will never understand what George Bush has on the American Media that has them literally running scared from reporting the hard facts about him. Any other President in history would have been put through the wringer or perhaps impeached. Bush does not even get questioned. How is it that Bush has taken more Holiday time that any other President in history, and yet is that reported in the News?
How is it in the time of War, Bush is always laughing and reporting how great things are in the darkness of days when over 4000 American Soliders have died as a result of his falsifed information regarding Iraq?

There is so much more but I will stop now for until Bush is out of office, I doubt that anything will change.

However, my hope for mankind is that one day soon - they will realise that it does only take 1 person to make a difference.

That Stephen Harper reaps what he sows with all of his lies, and hidden agendas.

And that President Bush and Vice-President Dick Cheney have to answer for what actions they have taken, and for the deaths of the innocent that they have caused. And for making millions off the War in Iraq.

The Wild and Uncivilised World of the Toronto Transit Commission

Toronto now has the most mis-managed, poorly running, excuses abound of a Public Transit System that I am aware of. That more than a million people depend on each and every day. Even perhaps a decade ago, the Transit workers used to treat their Riders with respect.

Where do I begin?

Do I start with the crumbling ceilings and walls that one only has to see in their local Subway Station?

Do I start with the Ticket Collectors whom sit on their perch, get paid big money, and who shrug their shoulders when once again the token turnstile swallows your hard earned token and fails to let you through?

Do I start with the waste of money "Transit Constables" whom one never sees on an actual transit vehicle? They are either talking to the Vendors/Ticket Takers in the Station, eating outside the Sheppard Transit System, or picking on young teen-agers. Why are they not walking the subway trains at least? They certainly do not have to be on each train, but at the cost of their high salary and power, the very least they can do is walk the trains constantly changing so as to give the appearance that one never knows when to expect them.

Do I start with the waste of money Supervisors along Streetcar Routes whom I was led to believe are there to adjust the flow to make it go smoothly when in fact, I either seem them talking to one another or just sitting back making marks in their notebook, when there are Streetcars backed up along "King and Spadina" more than Seven Deep? And what is the system doing? They are hiring more to sit around and make checks in their notebooks?

Do I start with those voices who one strains to hear muffling their way through the speakers on a subway train - when you simply cannot hear them. Yet, they will not allow the drivers on the actual train to make the annoucement knowing full well you will be able to hear them clearly.

Do I start with the fact that the TTC has forgotten to treat their customers as such, and seems to think that the customer should treat the TTC with utmost respect. Starting treating your passengers as such, and you will be amazed at the difference.

Do I start with the horrible rush hour service? Considering I am awaiting sometimes more than 45 minutes for a Bus during Rush Hour, and see empty buses drive by my stop. Yet, I know that there will be no punishment to the driver, because their Union gives them an excuse not to do their job.

The Toronto Transit System needs to be overhauled. Their Union needs to be reined in, and they need to be held accountable for their lack of progress across the board.

Why do the TTC think that they are entitled to free health care benefits at the cost of the Taxpayers?
Why do the TTC think that they do not have to provide Customer Service at even the most basic level?
Why do the TTC think that they should earn more money than most and feel it is their given right to? No one has job security into today's market? Why does the TTC think that they are above every one else?

Why?

Stephen Harper - Not Everyone Will Allow You To Continue To Abuse Your Power

No longer am I in disbelief over the fact that our current Prime Minister (whom I refuse to recognise as such), continues to misuse his power.

How quick was he and very determined to state that we need the American System of "Fixed Election Dates" (I do not remember a former Canadian Prime Minister who wanted so badly to be "in bed" with the American President as Harper does). Now, Stephen Harper appears to have forgotten about his fight for a Fixed Election Date and has decided to call it when he wants it. Stephen Harper continues to prove each and every day not only his abuse of power, but complete disregard for his job. Stephen Harper - need you be reminded that it is the people of this Country that put you in your position, and how quickly we can take it away from you. If more people stood up to you, I can assure you that you would not be sitting in that seat. As much as you try to put blinders on the people of this great Country, not all of us are wearing them.

My only wish at this time, was that we had a strong leader in Dion, and I am sorry to say that we do not.
To the Liberal Party of Canada: I am still at a loss of how you believe that by voting for a weak (but perhaps earnest) member, you seriously hoped to contend against the current corrupt system and goverment. I am afraid that I must shake my head at your choice of Leader. I believe that Stephane Dion truly wants to do the right thing for this Country, but does not have the strength to do it.

Time For Change In Columbia

As I watched the News Stories, and read the Press Releases regarding the recent release of hostages in Columbia, I was dumbstruck by the fact that over 3000 people are kidnapped in Columbia every year.

All those people missing each and every year, and it has become a fact of life for those living in that beautiful Country. That is what saddens me the most.

That this Country has been war-torn for 40 years, and there does not seem to be much headway to change this.

I do not live in Columbia, and I have no ties to this Country. However, that does not mean that I will turn a blind eye (now that my eyes have been awaken) to the conflict and the horror that goes on each and every day.

How can the FARC in their cowardice be allowed to continue as they have. I understand that the Government has to worry about the Drug Traffickers, and corruption in addition to the FARC, but something must be done. Something can be done, and it must take the voices of the people to demand that Columbia be set free.

I also find it interesting that the US Government, under the inept George Bush, appears to have kept out of this for the most part. Yet, they claim their right to assist Countries to be free. I could start a rant about the atrocities and death that Bush has caused at his hands, but that is for another post.

How cowardly the FARC are in kidnapping the woman who met with them, and recognised their power in this Country. How quickly the FARC have forgotten their roots? What gain do they hope to realise as they brutalise and kill those who they started out (in the beginning) to protect?

Countries like this and other such similar stories make me even more grateful to live in this great Country of Canada. However, it also empowers me to act, to take a stand and do whatever I can to add to change. To ensure that all those who want to be free are set free.

Justice Was Not Served In Vancouver Today

The jury moments ago has reached their verdict in the Robert Pickton murder trial. They convicted Mr. Pickton on all 6 counts but of the lesser charge of second degree murder. In essence, these jurors are stating that the evidence showed that Mr. Pickton did not deliberately plan to murder these 6 women. The body count alone should have put into the minds of jurors that these murders were thought out and well planned.

Even though, the trial took place in New Westminster - this is very much a "Vancouver" trial.

Currently, CBC Newsworld seems to be downplaying the fact that guilty is guilty (and it should not be a huge difference over the degree that he was found guilty on). However, this means that he could be be granted parole though I do believe that the Judge would not grant it in this case.

The verdict outcome goes a long way in my opinion to proving that the general public simply do not understand the facts presented to them on both sides effectively. I believe that juries fail the justice system as a whole because they do not have the knowledge and understanding to process the information presented to them in trials.

As I am writing this, my thoughts cannot help but form around the fact that these workers were sex-trade workers. If these were simply 6 woman with jobs that society feels comfortable with, would the outcome of the verdict be first degree murder? I believe that it would have made a difference. However, I am not in the minds of the jury and unaware of what they were thinking.

I am still dismayed with the Vancouver Police, and their lack of concern over those missing who society decrees beneath worthiness. Women have been disappearing in the same area of Vancouver for a number of years, and the Police chose to ignore the families and friends of these victims. How many lives could perhaps have been saved, if the Vancouver Police chose to do their job? We will never know the answer to this.

There has already been comments on the media of how perhaps the number of friends who commented on the side of Robert Pickton that they knew (the nice and caring side), could have influenced the jury. How many times have we heard the friends and families of Serial Killers, talk about how "nice" they were? I can immediately think of 6 names of men who have been convicted of multiple murders, and their families and friends stated how they were so nice and friendly.
It is almost as if people cannot fathom that a nice person could do horrible things. People tend to see what they want to see, and these people are experts at manipulating others. It would be only too easy for them to fool those around them into seeing what they only want others to see, and not their true selves.

My heart goes out to the families and friends of these victims. For the murdered women were not the only victims of these crimes; but so were the families and friends who have had to fought and sacrifice so much to get the names of their loved ones accepted as missing persons.

Now is the time to finally accept the number of missing women in Canada, and perhaps we can save the suffering of others by taking action. This will prove that we have learned the lessons from the horrible mistakes that were made in the Robert Pickton Case.

Stephen Harper Needs To Step Down as PM of Canada

Mr. Harper,

Your behaviour in Parliament during the Throne Speech Debate is irresponsible, and appalling for a man in your position. I cannot even bring myself to call you my Prime Minster.

I have watched you in office from day one, and you have shown to me on a continuous basis that you are not fighting for the people of Canada, but for your own selfish reasons. Now, you ridicule and laugh at your peers, like a child would on an Elementary School ground. This is conduct unbecoming of a Prime Minister of Canada, and you need to apologise if not to Mr. Dion, then to the people of this Country.

I have watched you turn our Parliamentary System into a joke, and your alliance to the President of the United States shows your preference for their Country.

I have watched you reign your iron fist over the Members of your Party, and how quickly you put a curtail to those with courage to voice their opinion (which goes against yours). Sir, you perhaps need to be reminded that what makes this Country the great is the freedom to think one owns thoughts and have the conviction to stand up for their beliefs.

Sir, you are not in the office of Prime Minister because you are a strong leader, but because you have under minded others to reach that office. You remain in office, because of passive politics and not because you deserve to be.

I Used To Believe

I used to believe in the good of the world but now I have become mis-trustful of it.
I used to believe in the good of the UN but now I know that the UN is all about publicity and cost-cutting - not about action.
I used to believe in News Journalism until the day September 11, 2001 happened. Now the News is all about ratings.
I used to believe that politicians work for the better good of the people, now I know that the system is corrupt.
I used to believe that Freedom of Speech was a given right, now I have seen it crumble under the leadership of President Bush in America.
I used to believe that people would take a stand against that which is wrong, yet the World has stood by and let Rwanda happened. Now, we are allowing the Genocide in the Sudan to continue.
I used to believe in the Government of Canada until Stephen Harper happened.

My heart breaks every time I see a homeless person.
My heart breaks every time I see a child who is hungry.
My heart breaks every time I see people killing people for something that they have been mis-lead to believe is right.
My heart breaks every time I see someone on the street who requires mental health care, and knowing that our Government has set them free to roam under the care of no one.

I have turned cynical and I never used to be.

Save Darfur - Take a Stand!

Green Day Working Class Hero Lyrics

Stephen Harper - His Cabinet Ministers Continue to Show Their True Colours

Just this past week, on the radio, was a mention that once again, someone in Harper's Cabinet has failed to live up to their responsibility of being for the people instead of for themselves. The Minister of Energy actually said that there was a gas shortage, and that is why he has chosen not to act upon the gas companies that are so blatantly displaying their true character of greed. Not only does this prove in a public forum that this man is not qualified for this position, it also displays yet another example of Harper's failure to do good for the people of this Country.
Stephen Harper has proved that he is not concerned about the Environment, by appointing John Baird as Minister. John Baird has just used ideas from the Australian Gov't as his department's own by ordering an elimination of regular light bulbs without reviewing the facts. Then, John Baird claims indignity when this copycat idea of his is released early than the official planned released. I have news for you Baird, we all knew what you were planning before the early release came about.

Stephen Harper yet again you have failed to prove yourself to the people of this country, and have only managed to once again show your arrogance of thinking that you deceived Canadians (and gotten away with it). I say to you, Sir, you are sorely mistaken.