Sunday, October 28, 2007
Friday, October 26, 2007
Gamble
“Leroy bet me I couldn't find a pot of gold at the end, and I told him that was a stupid bet because the rainbow was enough.” - Rita Mae Brown
“A man's gotta make at least one bet a day, else he could be walking around lucky and never know it” - Jim Jones
“I either want less corruption, or more chance to participate in it.”
- Ashleigh Brilliant
“A man's gotta make at least one bet a day, else he could be walking around lucky and never know it” - Jim Jones
“I either want less corruption, or more chance to participate in it.”
- Ashleigh Brilliant
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
What in the world?
1. In August in Atlanta, televangelist Thomas Weeks was arrested for allegedly beating up and threatening to kill his estranged wife, televangelist Juanita Bynum, in a hotel parking lot before a bellman rescued her. (Weeks blamed Satan for the incident.) [Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 8-27-07]
2. Pastor Walter Steen pleaded guilty in Detroit in August to tax fraud and was sentenced to 15 months in prison. He had started the God Will Provide Tax Service in 2005, but prosecutors said 1,573 out of the 1,578 returns he prepared for clients claimed tax refunds. [Detroit News, 8-2-07]
3. Led by California, more than one dozen states are preparing to sue the Environmental Protection Agency for its dismal record on regulating greenhouse gas emissions. N.Y. Governor Eliot Spitzer has called for states to “step into a void created by a failure of federal action” and denial of the “scientific evidence” about global warming. States are hoping to remove EPA obstacles that limit the states’ ability to regulate emissions standards. (NY Times)
2. Pastor Walter Steen pleaded guilty in Detroit in August to tax fraud and was sentenced to 15 months in prison. He had started the God Will Provide Tax Service in 2005, but prosecutors said 1,573 out of the 1,578 returns he prepared for clients claimed tax refunds. [Detroit News, 8-2-07]
3. Led by California, more than one dozen states are preparing to sue the Environmental Protection Agency for its dismal record on regulating greenhouse gas emissions. N.Y. Governor Eliot Spitzer has called for states to “step into a void created by a failure of federal action” and denial of the “scientific evidence” about global warming. States are hoping to remove EPA obstacles that limit the states’ ability to regulate emissions standards. (NY Times)
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Make a difference
“Don’t walk away because you think you can’t make a difference. Pick a cause! Be a citizen! Vote! Tell your governments what you want them to do and what you will not tolerate that they do on your behalf!” Louise Arbour (former Canadian judge and chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda)
I was at an important session last night. The Calgary Foundation celebration was a follow-up on its Vital Signs report card where Calgarians indicated that they are unhappy and embarrassed by situations and issues in this prosperous city. Residents gave barely passing grades to issues as diverse as education, disparity, housing, health and wellness, arts, and environment. The report is meant to spur discussion and hopefully action in improving the 12 areas surveyed.
In the midst of the evening, Eva Friesen- President of the Calgary Foundation, gave a brief history. She concluded that in 2007 TCF had assets of $334 million had collected more than 445 million in 2006 and granted $33 million. I was surprised at the applause that this received because what I heard was that over $300 million dollars was tied up, accomplishing nothing, while the city was crumbling around us. Imagine what half the foundation's assets might be able to 'solve'.
“The most powerful people in a democracy are individuals.” President Jimmy Carter.
I was at an important session last night. The Calgary Foundation celebration was a follow-up on its Vital Signs report card where Calgarians indicated that they are unhappy and embarrassed by situations and issues in this prosperous city. Residents gave barely passing grades to issues as diverse as education, disparity, housing, health and wellness, arts, and environment. The report is meant to spur discussion and hopefully action in improving the 12 areas surveyed.
In the midst of the evening, Eva Friesen- President of the Calgary Foundation, gave a brief history. She concluded that in 2007 TCF had assets of $334 million had collected more than 445 million in 2006 and granted $33 million. I was surprised at the applause that this received because what I heard was that over $300 million dollars was tied up, accomplishing nothing, while the city was crumbling around us. Imagine what half the foundation's assets might be able to 'solve'.
“The most powerful people in a democracy are individuals.” President Jimmy Carter.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Friday, October 19, 2007
Friday
“Sometimes I’m confused by what I think is really obvious. But what I think is really obvious obviously isn’t obvious...” ~Michael Stipe
“I am odd-looking. I sometimes think I look like a funny Muppet.” - Angelina Jolie
“But answer came there none - / And this was scarcely odd because / They'd eaten every one.” - Lewis Caroll
“I am odd-looking. I sometimes think I look like a funny Muppet.” - Angelina Jolie
“But answer came there none - / And this was scarcely odd because / They'd eaten every one.” - Lewis Caroll
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Affordable Housing Should be Good Politics
From Smart Communities post of same name.
If you want to change the prospects for working and poor families, provide housing options for them that are safe and affordable. With too many families paying one-third or more of their monthly income on rent in the some cities and rural areas, we need to find a better way.Investing as a nation in children's health and places for them to live are the investments that keep on giving. These are not just "feel-good" appropriations but ones that help secure working families and prevent--yes prevent-- problems down the road.
How can I expect a parent to provide a learning environment if their home is under threat? How does a mother provide adequate nutrition if the money is gone before the month ends? I am not usually a fan of systemic solutions but this problem is so big (with the potential to explode) that it requires some intervention. In Calgary, we have a group; the 10 Year Plan to end Homelessness, who now recognize that there are nearly 100,000 people paying 35-45% of their income on housing. Imagine adding that many to the existing shelter/support system.
We need to figure out how to value work so that everyone can earn a wage that provides enough for basic needs, saving for the future and security (living wage) and create living environments that are safe, legal and comfortable at an affordable price. This will require some leadership and a tremendous amount of new thinking.
If you want to change the prospects for working and poor families, provide housing options for them that are safe and affordable. With too many families paying one-third or more of their monthly income on rent in the some cities and rural areas, we need to find a better way.Investing as a nation in children's health and places for them to live are the investments that keep on giving. These are not just "feel-good" appropriations but ones that help secure working families and prevent--yes prevent-- problems down the road.
How can I expect a parent to provide a learning environment if their home is under threat? How does a mother provide adequate nutrition if the money is gone before the month ends? I am not usually a fan of systemic solutions but this problem is so big (with the potential to explode) that it requires some intervention. In Calgary, we have a group; the 10 Year Plan to end Homelessness, who now recognize that there are nearly 100,000 people paying 35-45% of their income on housing. Imagine adding that many to the existing shelter/support system.
We need to figure out how to value work so that everyone can earn a wage that provides enough for basic needs, saving for the future and security (living wage) and create living environments that are safe, legal and comfortable at an affordable price. This will require some leadership and a tremendous amount of new thinking.
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
What in the world?
1. Man Acquitted of Feeding Homeless People
Orlando: 22-year-old Eric Montanez was acquitted of charges brought against him for feeding the homeless through the volunteer organization Food Not Bombs (FNB). The city said he violated a city ordinance that bans feeding a large group of people.
The law, passed in 2006, requires a permit for feeding 25 or more people in downtown parks. Police sent in undercover officers to count the number of times he gave someone stew, and even took some of it in a vial as evidence after moving in on him.
Other cities have or are trying to pass similar laws as a way to drive out the homeless, but many are blasting the move, calling it inhumane. Taking soup lines to parks gives it more exposure to a thoughtless city, said FNB co-founder Keith McHenry.
2. The Tata Group, a Mumbai, India, company that handles customer-service calls for several U.S. firms, has outsourced some of its work to a firm in Ohio (according to an August Fortune magazine report), on behalf of a client that insists on operators knowledgeable about American geography. [CNN, 8-3-07]
3. A charity foundation's former accountant accused of embezzling heart disease research funds to pay a dominatrix to beat him pleaded guilty Tuesday to grand larceny and admitted he stole more than $US237,000 ($A336,576).
Abraham Alexander, 45, a native of India, admitted taking the money from the Cardiovascular Research Foundation by using company credit cards and writing cheques to himself.
At least $US11,000 went to pay Through the Looking Glass, an online company run by a Columbus, Ohio-based dominatrix, and other charges included flights between New York and Ohio and car rentals, according to District Attorney Robert Morgenthau's office.
2.
Orlando: 22-year-old Eric Montanez was acquitted of charges brought against him for feeding the homeless through the volunteer organization Food Not Bombs (FNB). The city said he violated a city ordinance that bans feeding a large group of people.
The law, passed in 2006, requires a permit for feeding 25 or more people in downtown parks. Police sent in undercover officers to count the number of times he gave someone stew, and even took some of it in a vial as evidence after moving in on him.
Other cities have or are trying to pass similar laws as a way to drive out the homeless, but many are blasting the move, calling it inhumane. Taking soup lines to parks gives it more exposure to a thoughtless city, said FNB co-founder Keith McHenry.
2. The Tata Group, a Mumbai, India, company that handles customer-service calls for several U.S. firms, has outsourced some of its work to a firm in Ohio (according to an August Fortune magazine report), on behalf of a client that insists on operators knowledgeable about American geography. [CNN, 8-3-07]
3. A charity foundation's former accountant accused of embezzling heart disease research funds to pay a dominatrix to beat him pleaded guilty Tuesday to grand larceny and admitted he stole more than $US237,000 ($A336,576).
Abraham Alexander, 45, a native of India, admitted taking the money from the Cardiovascular Research Foundation by using company credit cards and writing cheques to himself.
At least $US11,000 went to pay Through the Looking Glass, an online company run by a Columbus, Ohio-based dominatrix, and other charges included flights between New York and Ohio and car rentals, according to District Attorney Robert Morgenthau's office.
2.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Blog Action Day
On October 15th - Blog Action Day, bloggers around the web will unite to put a single important issue on everyone's mind.
In its inaugural year, Blog Action Day will be co-ordinating bloggers to tackle the issue of the environment.
What Each Blogger Will Do
Bloggers can participate on Blog Action Day in one of two ways:
Publish a post on their blog which relates to an issue of their own choice pertaining to the environment.
For example: A blog about money might write about how to save around the home by using environmentally friendly ideas. Similarly a blog about politics might examine what weight environmental policy holds in the political arena.
Posts do not need to have any specific agenda, they simply need to relate to the larger issue in whatever way suits the blogger and readership. Our aim is not to promote one particular viewpoint, only to push the issue to the table for discussion.
Commit to donating their day’s advertising earnings to an environmental charity of their choice. There is a list of "official" Blog Action Day charities on the site, however bloggers are also free to choose an alternate environmental charity to donate to if they wish.
So what can you do - well we have talked about replacing incandescants with cfl's, recycling, saving water, driving less, walking more, carrying reusable grocery bags, and putting on a sweater. On Blog Action Day, I encourage you to take a more meaningful action (something that might be a bit diffucult). Today or tommorrow or one day this week - only eat food that was grown within 100 kms from your home. Give it a try
In its inaugural year, Blog Action Day will be co-ordinating bloggers to tackle the issue of the environment.
What Each Blogger Will Do
Bloggers can participate on Blog Action Day in one of two ways:
Publish a post on their blog which relates to an issue of their own choice pertaining to the environment.
For example: A blog about money might write about how to save around the home by using environmentally friendly ideas. Similarly a blog about politics might examine what weight environmental policy holds in the political arena.
Posts do not need to have any specific agenda, they simply need to relate to the larger issue in whatever way suits the blogger and readership. Our aim is not to promote one particular viewpoint, only to push the issue to the table for discussion.
Commit to donating their day’s advertising earnings to an environmental charity of their choice. There is a list of "official" Blog Action Day charities on the site, however bloggers are also free to choose an alternate environmental charity to donate to if they wish.
So what can you do - well we have talked about replacing incandescants with cfl's, recycling, saving water, driving less, walking more, carrying reusable grocery bags, and putting on a sweater. On Blog Action Day, I encourage you to take a more meaningful action (something that might be a bit diffucult). Today or tommorrow or one day this week - only eat food that was grown within 100 kms from your home. Give it a try
Friday, October 12, 2007
Friday Thoughts
I have been busy with a couple other blogs during the civic election in Calgary but with decision day on Monday, I hope to be back more often.
“Prediction is very difficult, especially if it's about the future.” - Niels Bohr
"The groundhog is like most other prophets; it delivers its prediction and then disappears.” Bill Vaughn
" He who asks fortune-tellers the future unwittingly forfeits an inner intimation of coming events that is a thousand times more exact than anything they may say. He is impelled by inertia, rather than curiosity, and nothing is more unlike the submissive apathy with which he hears his fate revealed than the alert dexterity with which the man of courage lays hands on the future." - Walter Benjamin
Monday, October 8, 2007
Thankful
On Thanksgiving Day, I am reminded of how very blessed I am. I live in a country where I have the freedom to express my political, spiritual, and personal beliefs and in a time where I can publish them in blogs, comments and letters. I am thankful for the material blessings that I have - the home, clothing, provisions and toys that are lavished upon me. My family is close by,but not too close. I see my kids and grandkids regularly and they bring great joy to my life. My beloved(of 32 years)lifts me up, makes me smile, and keeps me a bit grounded and I so appreciate that we are more in love today than when we married. I have good health, good friends, access to beautiful scenery and opportunities, and work that fulfills me.
My church provides a place of both peace and challenge. The leaders face struggle openly and seek God's assistance and grace in times of trouble. I am truly blessed and have much to be thankful for.
What are you thankful for today?
My church provides a place of both peace and challenge. The leaders face struggle openly and seek God's assistance and grace in times of trouble. I am truly blessed and have much to be thankful for.
What are you thankful for today?
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Thursday, October 4, 2007
On Friday, October 19, 2007 over 7000 youth will unite at the Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto, and thousands more all across Canada will participate in National Me to We Day, a one-of-a-kind event organized by Free The Children.
Is your family passionate about social issues? Are you looking for a fun way to get involved? National Me to We Day will launch the year-long initiative in which families can participate to create change for children in the developing world.
Begin your family's world-changing adventure today!
Are you passionate about social issues? Looking for a fun way to inspire your colleagues to get involved? National Me to We Day will launch the year-long initiative in which all businesses can participate to create change for children in the developing world.
Sign up today to join the global Me to We community in bringing about change for a better world.
Click here to find out how.
Monday, October 1, 2007
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