Life Without Borders

No Better Words Written

On Facebook, I was invited to join one of its grouped titled No On Shrimp! At first I was thinking my friend Mike had lost it. No more shrimp cocktails? No more shrimp scampi? I thought for sure the Québécois had sucked him in and brainwashed him, but then I realized a Frenchman or Québécer would never turn away delicious seafood!

The group is a very cleaver idea opposing California's Prop 8, but more importantly in my opinion, a spotlight on the basis for so many discriminatory laws that have been passed all based on the (false) notion that the US was founded on Christian morals and beliefs and laws on the bible. The group uses a bible verse for supporting its claim that shrimp must be outlawed.

As I was reading through comments on the page, I had to stop after just a few because of the intensity of the debate, but I did want to share a few exchanges including a response that sums things up incredibly well and in a way, in all my years of fighting for equal rights, I've never seen.

Enjoy.

Jeffrey Bean Jr. (Sonoma / Napa, CA)
I get your point. But there are problems with your analogy.

First (obviously), the people haven't spoken on the issue of shrimp. The current law in CA is a result of the vote of the people, not a result of Leviticus 18 or Romans 1.

Second, even if the people had voted on the issue of shrimp, a ban on shrimp and a definition of marriage are two very different things. Eating shrimp is an issue that is just between you and the shrimp. There are no societal implications. Marriage does involve the rest of society. And that is why people are arguing for the broader definition anyway. If marriage was only an issue that concerned those directly involved, nobody would care what the government said it was or said it wasn't.

Bruce Shank (San Diego, CA)
The basis of Prop 8 as law is peoples interpretation of what's in the Bible. That makes an analogy to anything else in the Bible fair game - especially an analogy to something written in the same verse of the same book. Marriage is also no threat to society and definitely no more than divorce. So are you willing to criminalize divorce?

What trumps anything here is that our constitutions exist for one reason: To protect the rights and freedoms of the people and to limit the control and power of government. Once we reverse that, and limit the rights of the people, we tread on the very fiber our nation was built upon.

It's the perfect example to the ultimate hypocrisy of the Bible and Christianity. Contrary to popular belief our nation was not founded on Christian principles it was founded on the "freedom of religion". Many of the founders commented on this; here's a sampling:

Lighthouses are more useful than churches - Ben Franklin

This would be the best of all possible worlds if there were no religion in it - John Adams

Christianity is the most perverted system that ever shone on man. - Thomas Jefferson

Jefferson even wrote his own interpretation to the bible to disparage the misgivings of Christianity.

If it's against your religion to marry another man then don't marry another man. But don't a use the Constitution to place such a limit on others.

MY EMAIL RESPONSE TO BRUCE
I just wanted to say that your response (albeit it from many months ago, but that I just saw today) on the "Say NO To Shrimp" group is one of the most eloquent and succinct writings on this topic I have ever read. It counters every point logically and clearly without letting emotions or perception cloud the issue.

My partner (now husband) and I immigrated to Canada three years ago this month...partly because we just didn't have the strength to continue the fight for equality. I was at the forefront in the fight over Colorado's Amendment Two back in 1992. It took us five years to overturn the law there "passed by the will of the people" that clearly trampled not only the US Constitution, but also Colorado's and basic human rights for gays and lesbians. While I continue to do what I can there in the states, I do it from the acceptance and freedom of another country...one that I can put my energies into living, rather than fighting for my rights.

Again, not to get off on a political rant because I'm sure it's preaching to a member of the choir, I just wanted to thank you for your excellent words.

Cheers!
Mason
Toronto, ON Canada (formerly Denver, CO)

The Cost of Health Care

When Nick and I made the voluntary decision to immigrate to Canada, despite the jokes and obvious perceived connection to the tyranny of President Bush and his cronies, we made that decision mostly because it was an opportunity to grow and expand our lives. By all means it wasn't to escape or because we hate America.

Our birth country - The United States of America - is an incredible mass of land and people that is unmatched anywhere else on this planet. It contains some of the most beautiful and some of the ugliest examples of nature, humanity, laws and locations. I will forever love The US despite what some of you interpret from my writings or speech. But, that love does not extend to the direction the country has taken on the political front triggered by both Democrats and Republicans and fed by the so-called "liberal" media.

To me, there is a clear and distinct line when it comes to many comparisons. The other night, I was with friends as many topics of discussion bounced back and fourth. A great majority of the time was spent fielding questions about US history and insight. We talked a great deal of the backlash Nick and I have been getting for our pro-Canada attitude and our disappointment with the U.S. I shared my frustrations with some reactions to this wondering why so many jump to conclusions that aren't based on reality.

* Why does opposing a war become a slap in the face to the men and women serving honourably in the military?
* Why does criticism of biblical interpretations become anti-Catholic or religion?
* Why does supporting a woman's right to choose make me "pro-abortion?"
* How can you claim to be "pro-life" and yet support the death penalty?
* How does cheering and praising the aspects of one country equate to hating another?
* If I don't agree with what you are saying does that automatically make you wrong?
* If you truly stand for equality, shouldn't that mean for everyone and if not, is it really equality you're standing for or were you just getting up to go to the "whites-only" washroom?

Of course the discussions also veered into health care and why it's become such a heated topic politically in the States.

To be perfectly honest, universal health care was not high on my list of reasons for immigrating here, but after three years living in this country, it has become one of the top three reasons that I never imagine myself ever leaving. At the time, it was easy to use it as one saying that I wanted to live in a society that provides equal care to its inhabitants from the Prime Minister (I probably called him President then in my naive way) to the homeless man on the street. Now that I've seen and experienced it, equal access seems so trivial and basic.

Nick and I have been blessed by meeting incredible people in Canada, many of which have become dear friends. One such man is Stephen. This sounds terrible, but I honestly can't pin down the time or circumstances of our initial introduction. He's an author, but I can guarantee it wasn't his books that led me to him based on my history of reading. I think it probably happened right here or another online method or through mutual friends, no doubt crossing paths at a party. The details of that first meeting aren't necessarily important - what is, is that he was around at all for our lives to be enriched by his presence.

Stephen is a cancer survivor. Not a Cancer survivor such as myself: one that loves, lives and endures a partnership with the manifestation of the zodiac sign, but rather one that has beaten the odds at life's craps table. This is no secret to most, his cane-assisted walk is a giveaway to his battle with synovial sarcoma or you might possibly recognize him from the book jacket or cover of Just Breathe, My Journey Through Cancer and Back (available right now at your favourite local bookstore or Amazon.com for the special low price of $19.65CDN!) You're welcome hon ;-)

I found that in many things in life, it helps a great deal to put a real, human face on an issue or debate. It gives one a deeper understanding of the impact our decisions or demands have on others and society. It may open eyes or snap one out of a stance that is based on greed or ignorance. I could tell you about my friends Susan or Ruby and their families who lost everything they own because of insurmountable medical bills and bankruptcy, one due to breast cancer and the other a rare lung disease. Today, I pass along the words of Stephen and hope you take them to heart and realize that Nick's and my lives have been enriched and blessed by having him in our lives and we're not alone.

The time has come that I believe society needs to understand that equal access to basic human health care is a necessity for the overall good and survival of humanity. Our lives aren't the only thing at stake in this debate, the future of our species rests with it as well.

POSTED BY CHRONICPAINT
19-AUGUST 2009
Health care thoughts

I'm assuming that any of my American friends on here are intelligent enough to have informed opinions on health care, but here's some food for thought.

I had life threatening cancer. For over four years. And thanks to Canadian style, "socialist" health care, I didn't have to declare bankruptcy.

Over the course of the four years, I was in hospital for around 56 days for recovering from surgeries, having chemo, etc. I paid nothing.

When I was first diagnosed, I had five weeks of radiation treatments, five days a week. The started two days after my diagnosis. I paid nothing.

I had five major surgeries in those four years, each lasting anywhere from two to eight hours, and involving surgeons, anesthetists, nurses and post-op care. I paid nothing.

After the first surgery on my leg, I had to go to physiotherapy for nine months to learn to walk again, the first four months of which were two hours a day, five days a week. I paid nothing.

There were innumerable nurses caring for me during my hospital stays, round the clock. I paid nothing.

To help me deal with how I was feeling, my orthopedic surgeon referred me to a psychiatrist who worked in the hospital who helps cancer patients. I saw him every month for most of those four years. I paid nothing.

They rebuilt my leg with a then state of the art prosthesis worth tens of thousands of dollars, then in the revision replaced the upper half. I paid nothing. The orthopedic surgeon, one of the top men in his field in Canada, I paid nothing.

My GP who caught the problem first, I paid nothing. The Sports Medicine Clinic where he referred me, I paid nothing. The knee specialist, I paid nothing.

And just in case you are wondering, I received the best care any person could have, at three of the top hospitals in the country.

So, take that, little miss "boo hoo, I had a brain tumour and had to wait because socialized medicine is evil" You're a sellout and a liar.

And if you question the wisdom of socialized medicine, remember that if you were in Canada, and you went through what I did, you'd still have your house and your savings. Think about the hundreds of thousands of dollars I didn't have to pay. And that you wouldn't have to pay either.

As living beings residing on this spinning globe in a massive solar system in an even more magnanimous universe, each and every one of us need to embrace a core foundation of our life: that we make things better for our fellow beings. The Honourable Senator Ted Kennedy is an example of this core.

The tears seemed to flow endlessly for me today as I watched an incredibly beautiful celebration for the life of Senator Kennedy. They flowed because this event brought so many memories flooding back. Memories of my mother and her funeral which included many of the same hymns and traditions. Memories of my father, a dedicated and proud public servant that despite differing political party affiliation I couldn't help but see incredible similarities from his Irish heritage and humour to reciting lines from a favourite Robert Frost poem when his political schedules conflicted: "The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep."

I would ask that you pause for just a moment and put your political or personal reactions on hold for just a moment and take time to remember Senator Ted Kennedy not for the things he didn't do or the mistakes he make in life, but for what this genuine man did for The United States and all of humanity. Look at this list and think of those you know or even those you don't know who are better today because of this man.

His Unapologetic Beliefs and Causes

• Equality for minorities


• Equality for women


• Equality for the disabled


• Equality for gay Americans


• Quality and affordable health care for all Americans


• Protection of voting rights


• Rewards for national service


• Education reform


• Immigration reform


• Minimum wage protections


• Protecting a woman's right to control the care of her own body

His Legislative Accomplishments

• Was involved in creating over 1000 laws, 300 of which he wrote himself
• Widely respected by both parties for his commitment to progress and ability to legislate
• Lowering the voting age to 18
• Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990
• State Children's Health Insurance Program
• Immigration Reform Act of 2007
• Matthew Shepherd Hate Crimes Prevention Act
• No Child Left Behind Act of 2002
• Civil Right Act
• Family and Medical Leave Act
• Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986
• Serve America Act
• Mental Health Parity Act
• He championed he nation‘s first major legislation to combat AIDS
• Voted NO in 2002 against the Iraq War remaining a vocal opponent of that conflict

His Global Accomplishments

• He stood for human rights from Chile to the former Soviet Union
• As leader of the Congressional Friends of Ireland he helped lead the way toward peace there
• He was an opponent of the Vietnam War and an early champion of the war‘s refugees
• He was a powerful yet lonely voice from the beginning against the invasion of Iraq
• Was a leader in the cause of poverty relief for the poorest nations of Africa and the world.
• He believed pursued and advanced the work of nuclear arms control.

His Wisdom

"For all my years in public life, I have believed that America must sail toward the shores of liberty and justice for all. There is no end to that journey, only the next great voyage. We know the future will outlast all of us, but I believe that all of us will live on in the future we make."

"The defining aspect of our country is opportunity - the hope that you can do better, that your children can do better. But you need an even playing field."

"I have tried to learn from my mistakes and sought to be better in the course of my life -- better husband, better brother, better father, better grandfather, better senator."

And the moment that brought me to tears a year ago as The Democratic National Convention was held in my hometown of Denver, CO. This speech embodies my beliefs in America. My love of the country of my birth and home to many friends and my family. It's about an America of which I hope. An America that makes its self great. An America I indeed love.

Just as was done during Senator Kennedy's funeral today, I bring you a poignant conclusion.

Despite what many of you seem to believe, I do not hate my birth country. I do not loathe The United States of America. Back near the turn of the century in the late 1800's, Katharine Lee Bates used the majestic height of my home state's Pikes Peak mountain to look out over a land that has been around for millions of years. The country upon it was just just over a hundred years old, a baby when it comes to civilizations. Decades later, I would have the same opportunity to scale the rugged hillsides of this Colorado mountain not by train as Bates had, but by my car and although a hundred years had passed, Bates and I were equally inspired and knew immediately why we love and cherish America The Beautiful.

O beautiful, for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed His grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea. O beautiful, for pilgrim feet Whose stern, impassioned stress A thoroughfare for freedom beat Across the wilderness! America! America! God mend thine ev'ry flaw; Confirm thy soul in self control, thy liberty in law! O beautiful, for heroes proved In liberating strife, Who more than self their country loved And mercy more than life! America! America! May God thy gold refine, Till all success be nobleness, and ev'ry gain divine! O beautiful, for patriot dream That sees beyond the years, Thine alabaster cities gleam Undimmed by human tears! America! America! God shed His grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea!

I may not live within the confines of the US as I have made the conscience decision to live my life without borders here in Canada. And by borders I don't mean the arbitrary line determined through political strife, the flow of a river or the cliff of a continental shelf I mean mental borders.

The kind that create a false sense of superiority by not allowing us to accept that not being the best automatically makes you the worst.

The kind that cause blindness by making us latch on to someone's hand allowing them to lead us blindly rather than trust ourselves to forge a path on our own.

The kind that lead to isolationism by giving us a mirror rather than a window in which to understand that everything isn't just like us and that differences are enriching and should be embraced just as they are, not melted in a pot creating one that's the same.

The kind that confuse us by distorting facts and twisting words because written or spoken in their intended or original meaning are contrary to facts and words that may or may not have been twisted or distorted as well.

The kind that inflame anger or hatred for reasons unknown or based on those mental borders I've outlined above rather than igniting a passion for change or defense of core values and beliefs that make things better when we leave this world then when we entered it.

Thank you honourable Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Thank you for proudly living your life without borders and remaining committed to this belief until the day you died. May you be rewarded in the beyond for making my, and millions of others lives, and our world a better place. My hope for you and everyone is that others are inspired to do the same.

The work goes on. The cause endures. The hope still lives. The dream shall never die.

Lunacy over Healthcare

I have to say that when I'm asked what's the main reason we immigrated to Canada, it's been nearly impossible to nail it down to one reason. I've been saying "because it's Canada" or "humanity" to put it in one word. Things here are different - entirely different and in an incredibly better way. The top of that list, though I would have to say is the nearly unanimous belief that equal care and access to healthcare for EVERYONE is paramount to this country. I hesitate at saying "free" because that then brings up the whole "taxes aren't free" debate, but let me put it this way.

1) I want in and out of a doctor's office, clinic, hospital, healthcare facility, etc. and never, repeat never pay a dime out of my own pocket.
2) My healthcare is no different than the Prime Ministers, the terminal cancer patient or the quad-amputee in the wheelchair that begs for change outside our nearby Shoppers.
3) I will never, ever, repeat NEVER have to worry about going bankrupt or losing my home or any other assets over astronomical or even minor healthcare bills.

For those reasons alone, Canada is now my home and should be yours too if it isn't already. Now when you add on the thousands of other civil and human rights, it's creed and code and morals as a country and community and everything from the beauty of it's lands and waters to the policies that protect them I feel like the luckiest man on Mother Earth living here.

So knowing all this...and thank the gods we aren't subjected to the endless debate and lunacy that has become President Obama's attempt at reforming healthcare in the US...get a load of how low it's gotten in the US when it comes to the debate. Including the blowhard Rush Limbaugh's fanning of the flames announcing that, wait for it...

PRESIDENT OBAMA'S HEALTHCARE LOGO LOOKS SIMILAR TO A NAZI SWAZTICA!

I'm not making this up!

"And if you go and take a look at this, you will find that the Obama health care logo is damn close to a Nazi swastika logo," Limbaugh said according to ABC News

So I did some research and thanks to the incredible work of The Hollywood Gossip, and you know what? They may be right! Just look!

Damn! I'm sure glad I live in Canada with a Nazi running that place down there!

Double Double Toil and Trouble

If you don't recognize "Tim Hortons" you're either not a hockey fan or not Canadian. For some it triggers memories of an aggressive NHL hockey player from Ontario back in the days before long before warm-weather cities bankrupted teams. For many its the start of their day ordering "double-doubles" or their typical mix of cream and sugar in their Tim Hortons coffee (unless you like it without either then you'd better ask for it "black" not regular!)

This morning, the tidal wave of Tweets became astonishing as it was revealed that one of the US Rhode Island francises of this Canadian coffee and donut chain was an in-kind sponsor of an event coordinated by an organization opposed to civil marriage rights for non-hetrosexuals.

The uproar was swift and strong and within 17 hours (according to the website www.cause.org) the company had issued a statement saying that the sponsorship did not conform to it's policy and thereby would be rescinded.

I'm not entirely pleased with the way Tim Hortons responded to this matter (as of the time this entry is posted) for a few reasons that I spell out below. But, what I am proud of is the ability for people who care deeply for a cause to take the time and let their voice be heard. It's become much easier now thanks to Twitter, Facebook, MySpace and I'm sure even websites like www.lookingformrrightnow.com contributed. This is a shining example how social media and marketing is here to stay and unless companies pay attention to those nutballs and crazies in their marketing departments rather than dismiss them as big spenders and expenses, the cost to those companies are going to be much greater than billboards and banners.

Here are the communications of mine with Tim Hortons customer service website:

I have learned that Tim Hortons is listed as a sponsor of an event in Rhode Island that is organized by the National Organization for Marriage. This religious organization's mission is to actively pressure communities and lawmakers to block any attempts to extend equal treatment to gays and lesbians.

Three years ago this month, my partner and I crossed the border in Sarnia, Ontario to begin a new chapter in our lives as new Canadian immigrants. We made this decision for many reasons, but at the top of the list was our desire to live in a country and a community that not only overwhelmingly shares our belief in equal treatment for everyone, but one that deplores any efforts counter to that belief. I am attaching a photograph with this comment that captures a moment that happened on 3-May 2008 - the day my partner and I officially became husbands, a basic human right recognized by our friends, our community and our government.

I am appalled that an institution that has represented this wonderful Country in so many ways chooses to align itself with an organization and event that promotes discrimination and intolerance. It is not my place to demand that you as a company rectify or change this decision, but I do have a choice in where I spend my money and where I recommend to my friends or community where they spend their money.

Until this sponsorship is rescinded or an official Tim Horton's communication is released expressing its adherence to its own non-discrimination mission statement and policy my money will be spent elsewhere. I congratulate Tim Horton's on it's success as being a Canadian company moving into the US market - that's something for all Canadians to be proud of, but adapting to that country's hurtful and discriminating beliefs is disgraceful.

Please do the right thing. For Canada. For my husband and me. For humanity.

-----------
TIM HORTONS PUBLIC RESPONSE (as posted on its website):

Tim Hortons responds to inquiries about Rhode Island event sponsorship

Recently, Tim Hortons was approached in Rhode Island to provide free coffee and products for a local event, as we do thousands of times a year across Canada and the United States.

For 45 years, Tim Hortons and its store owners have practiced a philosophy of giving back to the communities in which we operate. As a company, our primary focus is on helping children and supporting fundraising events for non-profit organizations and registered charities.

For this reason, Tim Hortons has not sponsored those representing religious groups, political affiliates or lobby groups.

It has come to our attention that the Rhode Island event organizer and purpose of the event fall outside of our sponsorship guidelines. As such, Tim Hortons can not provide support at the event.

Tim Hortons and its store owners have always welcomed all families and communities to its restaurants and will continue to do so. We apologize for any misunderstanding or inconvenience this may have caused.

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MY RESPONSE:

I have seen your response to the sponsorship in Rhode Island and I want to personally thank you for quickly responding to this situation.

While this says a great deal about Tim Horton's, I am disappointed that the response focused entirely on the sponsorship's lack of adherence to policy and failed to reiterate the company's non-discrimination policy.

It's my belief that this error in judgement by whomever initially approved this sponsorship is not only contrary to the sponsorship policy, but your non-discrimination policy as well. I would appreciate a response on this matter.

I also believe that it's imperative that a news release be distributed to the Rhode Island media disclosing the sponsorship error. Failure to do so allows the sponsorship to remain in place until that is done. As such, my purchase decisions will not include Tim Horton's until this happens.

Thank you.
Mason Byrne
Toronto, ON

Judgement Day

"You are judged by the company you keep!"

I've never been one to brag that this ball of grey matter floating precariously within the confines of my (metaphorically) helmet-protected skull holds many memories, but hearing my father impart those words of wisdom is one memory that has unrevoakable membership in The Mason.

That phrase continued to ring through my brain tonight as I was catching up on news and delving deeper into many of the hot-button issues that seem to be surrounding me recently. Of course, at the top of the list is this lovely civic workers strike into it's 31st day today as Toronto continues to find itself getting smothered in tons and tons of vile and waste (and that's just the misled union membership, the public outcry and disappointing, insensitive and irrational weapons of words that are being flung against the city's workers.) While I am unyielding and unapologetic in my firm stance against this strike, I am disgusted that so many choose to lower themselves to name-calling, disrespect and down-right immature behaviour aimed toward fellow human beings. As with so many emotional situations, reason and facts become lost in a cloud of animalistic human desire for supremacy. It makes me (almost) want to pick up a picket and stand with the workers, except that very action meant to give my support will be twisted and made into a weapon in this unnecessary and misguided battle.

The Government (Conservative minority) here in Canada is taking a beating for it's choices and non-choices in the distribution of public funding for summer events and festivals that bring economic benefits to communities based on it's tourism appeal. The "conservative base" whatever that is, demanded to know why the Toronto Pride Festival was given a six-figure incentive grant for, and I'm quoting here, "...for encouraging these separatist family haters from coming together," and "(supporting)...not a gay parade, it’s a sex parade … People are marching down the street nude and doing all kinds of things." The Minister of Tourism was reassigned and then it was announced that a gay festival in Quebec would not be getting a funding grant. The uproar continued! Including these popular entries from some of the people I follow on Twitter sending messages (that were quickly "re-tweeted" by many) earlier today:

This is who the Conservatives are catering to in their failure to fund Diverse/Cite LINK

That link connects you to a blog by a self-described "Socially Conservative Don Quixote from Moncton. Strongly pro-life. Strongly pro-family. Strongly opposed to any attempts to turn my nation into something shapeless, cultureless, childless, gender-neutral and politically correct" who proceeds to call anyone associated with the Diverse/Cite Festival "perverts."

Which led to this observation:

If being the "Tory base" includes not wanting to fund a pervert parade…// Um. We're the perverts? LINK

That link connects you to another blog, this time by yet another self-described "(Dr. Richard P.) Feynman and Coulter's love child...of the two (who I believe never met), despite my strong resemblance to both of my actual parents. I too am a brilliant scientist, a quick-witted conservative extremist, a good storyteller, and a lover of women booze and food."

His recent entry on 4-July including over 20 sexually suggestive and exploitive pictures of an assortment of women taken at the Calgary Stampede. For someone like this to use the divisive and emotionally charged word "pervert" in describing the Toronto Gay Pride celebration is laughable. I will stand proudly next to my fellow queers, pre-op trannys, lipstick lesbos, leather queens, troubled twinks, rotund bears, rubber daddies, diaper-wearing bois and every single Parent and Friend of Lesbians and Gays for days on end before I'd be caught within a stones-throw of someone like him.

I will say however, that I discovered a link on his page to another blog titled: Woman Honor Thyself I felt this author needed to know the company she was keeping, so I left this comment on her recent entry:

I can't quite say I agree with many of your thoughts here, but completely respect and support your right to say them.

But, I think you'll probably agree that someone with a link to your website and visa versa needs to understand the true meaning of pervert by looking within rather than at other communities. See for yourself: LINK

Disappointing because even if he did have legitimate insights or views, they've been discredited immediately with this blatant lack of respect and complete disregard for women's rights and respect. Not to mention, possible illegal activity.

I just feel you have the right to know who you associate with on this planet.
Respectfully yours.
Mason
Toronto, ON Canada.

And so, my dear friends who gaze upon these words spread across your computer screen wherever you may be, I hope that I never cause you to worry about being judged for keeping company with the likes of The Mason. I pledge to you that should I ever be called before a judge, jury or executioner about cavorting with you freaks and fairies, I will proudly plead GUILTY! I wouldn't be the first either. Last I checked it was the Man Himself who mingled with lepers, sinners, tax collectors, prostitutes, the sick, the dying, the hungry, widows, women, fishermen, the poor, oppressed and the marginalized.

Words you'll never hear in the Canadian Health Care System....and other stuff

I saw this sweet, but short response to the argument happening back in my homeland about adopting some sort of Universal Healthcare. The Republicans have dragged an opportunistic Canadian, Ms. Shona Holmes, to go on television and vilify the very system that many Canadians hold as a key component to the Canadian psyche. This woman is an opportunistic and misleading whackjob who suffers from delusions of grandeur....but I will get to my two cents in a moment. Please enjoy Canuckistanian's views for now:

Borrowed from Canuckistanian at Democratic Underground:

As a Canadian I marvel at all of these terms that are so common to Americans, but are virtually unknown to us.

Here's a partial list off the top of my head:

1. "Out of network"
There are no "networks" in Canada. Doctors and hospitals are not affiliated with private insurance companies. Doctors are private business entities and hospitals are usually run by non-profit boards or regional health associations.

2. "COBRA"
Health coverage is NOT tied to your place of employment in any way. So any COBRA-like scheme is unnecessary.

3. "Co-Pay"
The government pays 100% of basic care, 100% of the time. Drugs are not covered, but are subsidized by government to a point. And because of mass buys, discounts are obtained from the drug companies. That's why our prices are so much lower. Most employers offer a drug plan that pays for 100% of drug cost coverage.

4. "monthly premium\deductible"
Wazzat? We don't consider our health to be the same as our possessions.

5. "waiting for approval"
Doctors are the sole decision makers for health care. NOBODY influences or delays their decisions, warns them of costs or prevents them from giving treatment for any reason.

6. "Government interference"
The provincial government in each province PAYS for whatever services doctors provide. No questions asked. Unless the procedure is experimental, not medically necessary or unwarranted, doctors cannot deny basic care - by law.

7. "Health insurance lobby"
There are NO insurance companies for basic care, only companies for providing insurance for travelers. No money to be made here.

8. "bureaucracy"
When we visit a hospital or doctor's office, we walk in, get treated, walk out. No "applications", "registrations" or any other kind of paperwork is required. We NEVER have to talk to a single "government official" or wait for a "judgment".

9. "PRE-EXISTING CONDITION"
This is such a foreign concept to us. A Canadian's usual reaction to the explanation of this term is astonishment.

I'm glad to see that a sane health care system is within reach in America. Fight for it. It's WORTH it.

~~~~

Let me add a few words of my own. As an American living in Canada and as a legal permanent resident I am entitled to the same health care as everyone else in Ontario (the program is called OHIP). I can honestly tell you that I have had BETTER service in Toronto then I ever had in the 12 years I lived in Colorado. I have NEVER had to wait for a doctor's appointment, and the longest I ever had to wait for a specialist was one month when I had to get scheduled for my sleep study (which is covered 100% by OHIP and my CPAP will be covered up to 80% with the rest coming from my employer's insurance company.) By the way, my doctor was not chosen by the government of Ontario, I picked her myself.

No one EVER files for bankruptcy due to medical bills in Canada, and when I explain to my fellow Canadians that Medical Bills are the number one reason for Bankruptcy Filings in the United States they are in shock.

Everyone is covered by the same plan (each run individually by province or territory) so the Prime Minister to the homeless guy on the street both have the same type of medical coverage. 50 MILLION Americans have NOTHING. No one ever gets turned away from a Hospital Emergency Room, whereas I can't tell you how many clients in Denver I had being "diverted" to Denver General from rich, posh, private hospitals in the suburbs.

Also, when it comes down to decision making, the ultimate decision is left to Doctor and patient, not the HMO or insurance company. If my Doctor says I need a surgery and I agree it happens, no questions asked; but if i disagree it does not happen and I can go get a second opinion for FREE. I am not sure what Ms. Shona Holmes' doctor told her, but she made her own choice to go to the United States for treatment.

I am not taxed to death for the medical system up here; while taxes are higher to pay for health care, they also pay for higher welfare cheques, daycare subsidies, mental health services, employment insurance, and a host of other "social programs" that actually benefit people....in other words, helping them. The truth is when I look at my paycheque here and my paycheck in the States, when I add in my health care premiums and co-pays in Colorado....there is very little difference in my net pay.

I am not saying the Canadian system is perfect, and that every Canadian is happy with their province's health care plans; there are plenty of opportunities for improvement in Ontario and other provinces, but it is also not the fallacy that Ms. Shona Holmes precipitates in her fear-mongering Republican funded commercials while she sets up house in Washington DC. A recent study showed that over 85% of Canadians are happy with their health care system....Ms. Shona Holmes is obviously not one of them.

~Nikolas

Utter and Complete Garbage

The last three weeks here in Toronto have been a prime example of how my US Republican roots begin to show after years of burying them with the soil of sanity, humanity and equality. They have started to show because of the winds of dillusion, ignorance and greed.

The City of Toronto is currently suffering from a strike by civic workers...most visuly, the city garbage collectors, paramedics and ferry operators (the folks piloting the boats from the lake shore out to an island on Lake Ontario that is a beautiful haven from the city. The biggest impact has been the garbage with mountains of trash gathering at temporary citizen drop-off points such as recreation centre and parks parking lots. The public sidewalk trash recepticles are also not being emptied resulting in disgusting overflow from the bins. The city's decision to use cardboard signs and plastic wrap to discourage people using them has failed miserably resulting in many nearby business and residents to take matters into their own hand by screwing wood or metal over the slots with hand-written signs saying it's full.

Unions have always been a sticking point for me. I'll stand right there with my fist in the air and the other holding a picket sign if the cause is for fairness, safety, equal treatment or even fair and decent wages. But, I find in many situations, they have long out-grown their usefulness by trumping up issues for the sake of arguing to justify their existence. I think we all wish we could get paid more and when that's the battle cry, it's hard to disagree unless those demands are unrealistic. I'm almost certain that if workers safety, management bullying or unfair or unequal treatment are jepardised most of us would take to the picket lines.

The fiscal conservative in me believes that the explosion of the global, free-market system and competition are factors in reducing wage and benefit disparity. More responsive and smart-regulatory efforts by governments have nearly eliminated unsafe and discriminatory work place issues. Decades ago when monopolies ruled and government oversight consisted of back-door deals and secret cash-filled handshakes unions were vital. But, that was then during the days of men in smoky offices with ashtrays on desks and white secretaries in typing pools. Times have changed, why haven't the unions?

When unions cry that companies are forcing workers to perform in hazardous conditions I know companies just turn a deaf ear because insurance companies are the ones really holding the power. In order for businesses to operate and continue to be insured, it's going to comply with their insurance companies guidelines and more often than not they are more strict than government or union demands. Unions say they create jobs and strive for apprenticeships to train the next generation of workers and yet demand unreasonably high wages with less productive output and place a high priority on seniority that jobs end up being eliminated or companies can't succeed or grow and thus fail killing opportunities for future autoworkers or tradesmen.

So, what has left me firmly entrenched against this job action is the union's demand that 18 sick-days per year with the ability to "bank" them indefinately for payout at retirement remain. They also aren't happy with a guaranteed annual pay increase each year for four years totally about 7-8% cumulatively.

For a run-down of the contract offer, wages, benefits, etc. being offered by the city, CLICK HERE. Some key points in the contact:

Avg. hourly wages: garbage collectors $25.11 hr, meter-readers $27.45 hr and plumbers $33.14 hr.

Vacation days: three-weeks a year for your first eight years of service, four weeks at nine years, five weeks starting at year 17 and then six weeks a year after 22 years working for the city. There's even a special SEVEN WEEKS granted for your 30th year.

Additional days off:
* 18 sick (can use up to six for dependant care,)
* 5 personal
* 3-5 bereavement Leave
* and my personal favourite: the city will extend up to two additional days for any immigrant needing time to obtain their citizenship!

Add to this list a very generous pension, life, health and dental benefit plan.

To add to my complete distaste of the situation is the fact that striking workers picket the entrance to temporary drop-off locations and illegally restrict ordinary citizens from entering the area to drop off their garbage. There have been reports of picketers only allowing one car to pass every fifteen minutes, temper's flair and it becomes a Blockhead vs Granny show down.

The civic worker's union contract expired 31-December this Winter. Rather than trudge through the snow and cold of a Toronto January, February or March, the Union called for a strike the week of Pride at the end of June. City services screeched to a halt leaving hundreds of seasonal workers jobless because they couldn't access ferries to The Island. Garbage is everywhere and plug your nose if you live, walk, ride or drive past overstuffed bins or temporary drop-off zones.

The popular blogging website blogTO has been allowing comments to it's storey about the strike and boy is the debate raging on. I've taken the liberty to copy some of the comments as well as my responses below to give you an idea. (FYI - the "TTC" is our transit system.)

It was one of my "Tweets" (Twitter comment) that resulted in several R-Ts (re-twits) after one day of seemingly non-stop strike gripes:

#strikeTO yeah, I'm fired up. There's liberal and then there's lunacy. Note to union leaders - you're no Norma Ray, you're Cliff from Cheers

I can't wait until I get the priviledge of driving our bags of shredded-by-raccoons and maggot-filled garbage to one of the drop-off areas. If you think this entry is long, I can't wait for the moron who decides to illegally block me from entering or pleads his case. He'll be wishing for more hearing benefits in the next contract after enduring the wrath of The Mason.

I'm just sayin'

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Charles on July 11, 2009 at 5:26 PM

We the 18 thousand inside workers of Local 79 and the 600 garbage men and women are not to blame for the shape the economy is in.Remember,it was the C.e.o's and the Management that brought their companies down.
The Mayor and his people are employed by the city as we are.We are all under the same Rules and Laws.The difference is.They have the money,they have a budget,they run things.It is very unfair for people to say it is the workers who are to blame.We got these jobs on our own merits.Nothing was handed to us.Yes it is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world.Remember,it is garbage.It will always be there and it will grow as we grow.We are all to blame for garbage.But only a chosen few are willing to sweat and bust their balls making an honest living.God Bless us all and say a special prayer for us that no one dies from this.
Reply

Mason on July 11, 2009 at 6:53 PM

"But only a chosen few are willing to sweat and bust their balls making an honest living.God Bless us all and say a special prayer for us that no one dies from this"

You're joking, right? I'm certainly not one to pray, but if I did I'd be praying for the mothers who are burdened with less money having to find alternative day care, or the seasonal workers left jobless due to no access to the island or the children bitten by rats or rodents over-populated by neglected garbage or....

Part of the blame for this economy's shape DOES lie with you, the unions and others who think they DO deserve handouts and unreasonable expectations of unlimited, bankable "sick" days and guaranteed jobs. Save the sob storeys for the Union Hall Job Fair...oh, wait, you all still have yours while 350,000 of us continue looking for work we want, respect and earn.

Get back to work.

Cynalis on July 13, 2009 at 6:34 PM

I have to side with the union on this one.. tell me anyone out there who wouldn't fight for their wages/sick days/pension when they have it good. Yes the economy is bad right now but they are signing a 4 yr contract and what happens when the economy rebounds? It starts with a little off here and then each year a little bit more. I think it is sad that the union who are city employees are treated so badly when TTC seems to get everything they ask for everytime...by the way they have the best benefits and sick days etc out there and they are not even City employees. The city has been working without a contract since Jan.. nice to see how Miller treats his own...what happened to his Campaign "Keep our City Clean" I know the Police, Fire and TTC are watching this very closely because they know if the city employees are shafted they are next! Why isn't Miller opening garbage sites in High Park where he lives or the RICH neighbourhoods....amazing the City has no $$ to spend yet can pay for survellance cameras, found extra $$ for the TTC, and paying Manager's overtime etc. You would think that after H1N1 and SARS Miller would be worried about a pandemic breaking out. I guess not as long as it's not in his neighbourhood. That's right just keep freezing your dog poop. You won't find me eating out in Toronto with Health Inspectors on strike and rats running rampant....Interesting how Miller makes this a Garbage strike....I feel sorry for all the people who rely on daycare etc. Miller won't be getting my vote! Let's open the dump in High Park and see how fast the garbage stink forces Miller to take this seriously!

Mason on July 13, 2009 at 9:56 PM

The more this strike continues, the more it becomes obvious that CUPE, other unions and those that support them are losing a grasp on reality.

ARGUMENT: "Manager's make more money" "TTC employees make more money" yadda yadda yadda. What's next "Doctors make more money."

REALITY. Yes, they do. Stop bitching about it and do something to earn/qualify for that job so you can brag to your buddies that "you make more money than a garbage collector."

ARGUMENT: The contract ended 31-Dec. Why has the City dragged it's feet?

REALITY: Why didn't the union exercise it's right to strike on 1-Jan. I'm sure piles of Christmas wrap and New Years Eve trash could send a message. Oh, wait, it's January. It's cold. Let's wait until summer.

ARGUMENT: Police, Fire and the TTC are watching closely...they're next!

REALITY: The same TTC workers you say are overpaid? No one is "next" unless they are demanding unreasonable and irrational conditions for their contract.

ARGUMENT: They're signing a four-year contract and what if the economy improves?

REALITY: Sounds like a good clause for a contract. Base wages, benefits, etc. on a set, neutral economic factor. Times are good everyone benefits, times are bad, the hit is manageable and fair. Almost sounds like performance-based wages. What's the union's stance on this concept. And while we're at it, city taxi companies were given a $1 hike in the sitting fee due to the "enormous" increase in fuel costs. When the prices went down, did they give back the hike? Um, no.

ARGUMENT: You'd think Mayor Miller would be worried about a pandemic like, wait for it, SARS and N1H1 to hit because of rotting garbage.

REALITY: Might want to check something more than your union newsletter...those aren't germinated or caused by selfish city workers holding us hostage.

ARGUMENT: I feel sorry for all the people who rely on daycare!

REALITY: Really? Hundreds if not thousands of families are now experiencing a true hardship scrambling for care for their children. Why? Because civic workers want 18 sick days per year to equate to wages not their intended purpose. Oh, and the ability to "bank" those until retirement.

-----------

The Fabric of My Life Today

Feelings and emotions swirling around in my head have written this entry over a dozen times, but it was the phone call from Nick this morning that bored a hole in my skull causing this anxiety to spill out on the screens we have before us.  The disappointment and pain in his voice was masked by his professionalism and strength, but after 13 years with this man I have developed the hearing ability of a bat when it comes to his emotions.

The subject of that phone call is not for me to share or expand on and I will leave that to the decision of my husband on which to share or not, but it has become part of the threads of discontent that have woven themselves into my fabric.  This is a scarf I didn't want or even ask for, but unfortunately it's one wrapped tightly around my neck. 

Since immigrating to Canada in September of 2006, I have lightheartedly shared what I believe is the prevailing response of most Canadians when they discover we moved here from the US:  "you moved here?! Why?" with a bold, stronger emphasis on the "here" and a tone of disbelief questioning on the "why."  The underlying current of self-deprecation by Canadians is as clear to me as is tall as the CN Tower, but yet is ignored or honestly invisible to those same Canadians as is the accent "ooo" in out and about. 

The responses to our disclosing that we immigrated here without jobs and of our own, voluntary choice leaves a trail of comments including such phrases as "you're joking, right?" or "what were you thinking?" or even worse "why in the world would you do that?!"  We expected those from Americans, but were flabbergasted when they came from our new neighbours and colleagues.

The reactions Nick and I received when we proudly displayed the Maple Leaf flag on our home surprised us. "(Pointing to the Canadian flag) What is that?" and "we don't do THAT here" were, and still are, the norm.  One of my most memorable moments was while sitting in meeting with my colleagues at the network, halfway through it one of them turned to me and said, "wait a minute, you're an American, aren't you?"  I responded in my standard, pact response "well, I'm a Canadian now, but yes, I immigrated from the US" and she said "you don't have the accent anymore!" which triggered a chorus of agreement and a discussion about this so-called accent I apparently had when I started the job and it's evaporation six-months into it.

When Nick and I made the conscience, and quite frankly expensive, decision to come here we did so embracing the premise that we needed and wanted to immerse ourselves into a culture and country that supports our core beliefs and desires.  Today the Canadian spelling of colour, neighbour and theatre don't look misspelled to us despite what our spell-checker tells us.  We order lunch meat from the deli in grams, travel 70 kilometers to Hamilton and know we can wear shorts when the temperature hits the mid-teens.  We understand that the Prime Minister runs our country, not a President, yet it's head of state is the Queen Elizabeth represented by our Governor General. 

The old guys on our money used to be Prime Ministers, The Queen gets her place on the green one and yes, those really are hockey players on the $5.  We realize that when we have a pocket full of change, there's a good chance we could buy our lunch from a restaurant and not just a vending machine.  We also know that even if we did buy something from that vending machine, it's going to be healthier and if the meal was served to us, the waiter wouldn't need his entire forearm to carry the plate.  I've been called loonie too many times to count, but today I spend them and feel like I hit a jackpot when the coin I grab from my pocket has a gold centre surrounded by silver.   

We have an incredible sense of peace knowing that if we ever needed medical attention for anything from a hang nail to heart replacement we'd get it never once worrying that we'd lose our house or savings or even worse have to walk away from treatment if we couldn't pay.  We don't have to turn to a friend or Google when we'd hear "Timbits and a double-double," "pick up a two-four" or "what's your postal code."  It's taken some time for it to sink in, but we've accepted the fact that we no longer have the First Amendment right to speak our minds or take The Fifth should be ever be questioned for a crime, but you can be rest assured we will defend to the death the The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms even if it doesn't have catchy headlined paragraphs.  We can walk the entire length of Queen Street from Yonge to Jones never once worried that we'd be injured, murdered or mugged with a gun, but yet smart enough to know that it could still happen albeit at the tip of a knife rather than the barrel of a gun.

So, you must be asking yourself after reading these last several paragraphs what exactly is this thread of discontent?  It's taken me an entire day to write this entry.  As it is, I'm laying in bed watching the clock tick closer to midnight knowing that these first words were typed at just after nine in the morning.  I don't know if I'm finding this next part difficult to write or more honestly worried at the reaction it’s most likely to elicit.  Just as with all of my blog entries, this is an outpouring of my own feelings, emotions and observations - not shared in anger or disgust, but rather honestly, openness and a need for understanding.

I feel Nick and I are being subjected to a deep and stinging pattern of discrimination.  There, I said it.  And I feel like I want to vomit and run and hide.

As a white male, of mixed Irish, English and who-knows-what heritage, born into a large middle-class American family with both blue-collar and blue-blooded roots I will never claim to be a victim of racial discrimination.  Although there was that one day as a 17-year-old when my friend and I traveled deep into the inner core of Los Angeles' Watts neighbourhood and felt the piercing stare of every black man and woman in his Uncle Sonny's diner.  I joke today that I don't think they even had salt on the tables, just peppershakers.

As a homosexual, I can expand on the discrimination directed at me, but that is something I believe doesn't need explaining to those of you who know me or have taken the time to read this far.  I can't say for certain, but I'm sure there have been other acts of discrimination levied against me either as a Catholic, a Baptist or even agnostic.  Probably because of my chromosomes, my political beliefs or even hair colour.  But, the discrimination I’m sharing with you now is based on the fact that I was born in the United States or as so many people inaccurately say:  “America.”

I have never been ashamed to be from the US because I never had a choice in that matter.  I have, and continue to be, ashamed and disappointed with my birth country for reasons to many to espouse on here.  Prior to immigrating to Canada, Nick and I visited the UK, France, Greece and Mexico masquerading as Canucks.  Within a year we plan to travel honorably as passport-carrying Canadians.

As I began my search for a chance to begin rebuilding a career here in Canada I heard the whisper-delivered advice over and over “Canadian-ize your CV” which meant make sure it used the proper spelling and verbiage I was told to emphasis as best I could that I never plan to leave this country and that it truly is my permanent home.  All advice I heeded willingly and without hesitation.

When I first began looking for a job I couldn’t even get hired by Starbucks as a barista.  I haven’t applied there this time around honestly because I’m almost certain the response will be the same: you’re way over qualified.  My first career job required three interviews at three different levels from a Director to the Executive Vice-President, each one of them echoing the chorus “you are over-qualified for this position.”  I’m thankful they overlooked that fact and hired me nevertheless.

Today’s disappointing news from Nick was coupled with yet another automated email appearing in my inbox that “…although your application is of great interest to us, we are unable to consider it for the above posting as this position is no longer available.”  I’m also still stinging from missing out on an opportunity with another company despite several interviews and a glimmer of hope, someone else was hired instead of me.

I had a hunch that for that last job, the interview was just a formality and that someone was most likely already earmarked for the position most likely from within.  Being asked only three questions should have tipped me off as well as the last one that continues to reverberate in my mind: “why Canada?”

As with nearly every instance of discrimination, it’s the subtle and hidden forms that are the worse.  I’ve often found myself in the middle of civil rights debates wondering if they really do help equal the playing field or just drive bias and discrimination even deeper making it nearly impossible to find.

My heart aches when my head begins wondering if I’m being overlooked for jobs because I’m not a natural-borne Canadian.  I get angry when I envision hiring managers quickly scanning my resume and slipping it quickly, but quietly into the reject stack feeling justified saying “he doesn’t have enough <i>Canadian</i> experience.”  I begin questioning my abilities and skills when a job posting appears for a company, position and duties exactly matching the one I just left and I’m not even considered for an interview.

I “tweeted” and Facebook-status-ed my frustration earlier today with two posts:

Note to Canadians: we willingly & openly became one of you to embrace & respect this country, not threaten or change it. Please let us in”

and

”this pains me to write, but I can't hide that anti-American discrimination is hurting us deeper than any other bias/hate we've ever had :-(“

I want to be wrong.  Please tell me this is all just in my head and that I’m jumping to conclusions based on distorted facts or observations.  Explain to me how despite incredible talent, glowing recommendations and deep experience I can’t seem to get a chance to interview.  If you’re a Canadian, tell me it’s not discrimination because of where I was born or the selfish and irresponsible attitudes and leadership of that country.  I left that country because I was tired of having to fight for my rights and defend my beliefs.

I stand tall and proud as a decent and loving friend to many, as a man who is attracted to and married another man and as a social liberal and fiscal conservative wanting fair, equal and just treatment for all.  Please don’t make me start fighting these battles again – that’s not why we came here, we came to lend a hand making what you’ve created and developed even stronger, if only we could have the chance.

It's June Already?

How ironic that we became stuck on 20-January 2009.  Inauguration Day for a new President of the United States.  On a blog that began after the (rigged) election of the previous man to hold that position. 

There comes a time in your life when things become just so overwhelming that one-by-one, elements of that life begin to shut down in an effort to conserve energy or sanity when all else seems to be whizzing out of control.  I'd have to say I'm almost certain that this is what happened to Nick and me these last six months.  When I share our experiences, therapists and shrinks form a line, business card in hand saying that it's only a matter of time before you crack.  Crack we have, but thankfully our foundation has developed 13 years of thickness which means a crack may form, but it quickly flecks away stopped by the iron rebars of experience, understanding and respect.

The the thaw and freeze moments creating the crack started in November when our dear friend decided he didn't want to wait for his next life, so he ventured there prematurely from the balcony of his 15th floor home.  The holidays in December are usually filled with Santas and stress for most, but it seemed like a month-worth of non-stop gifts from life - each package beautifully wrapped in paper and ribbons, but containing nothing on our wish lists, but rather challenges, heartache and confusion.  As if the last month of the year wasn't bad enough, Winter decided to one-up life's month of gift giving with its own marathon of misery.

February begins the series of Hallmark holidays, obligating millions to prove their love through through the words of a stranger spread out on paper and emphasized with chocolates and over-priced flowers.  But, it wouldn't be Valentine's Day Nick and I would celebrate this year, it would be reflecting on the life of a woman who had given me life and breathed the same into my husband just by calling him her other son.  The sun has come out tomorrow, Mom.  Sometimes it's blocked by clouds, but yes, it's always there.

Just a few weeks after we laid her to rest another end came into my life.  The laughs were silenced at Comedy and Lost in Space isn't just an old television series for me anymore as my employment with my first full-time company in Canada came to an end, but at least I can admit that yes, you can buy my silence although those closest to me will doubt that anything can silence The Mason.

I've often described for others the most painful moments in my life.  The first being that 26th day of May in 1986 when on his second shot on the second hole of a golf course in Estes Park my father's last words became: "I think we're in trouble."  Those five words ripping through my mother as Dad collapsed from a heart attack, his soul escaping from him body moments before he hit the ground, yet blasting through my heart 120Km away on it's way to its next destination.  The pain of that experience equals the one I would feel a few years later as I sat on the cold cement floor of a kennel as my first best friend pain and suffering would end by the stick of a needle.  I said at that moment, I couldn't bare another one like it.

I lied.

The 8th of March is now included on that regretful page of dates indelibly marked in my brain.  26-March, 11-Sept, 20-April, 13-Feb....  The only canine crazy that could match the loony tunes and loyalty of The Mason was shockingly felled by a tumor or stroke.  Our Doof Dog is still with us, but now in a cedar box wrapped tightly with his tagless-collar.  Tagless only because one is on my keychain and the other on Nick's.

Living up to its reputation, March was indeed a lion, but instead of bring April showers, what continued to fall this year was tears.  A Craigs List murder flooded the headlines of papers and triggered reunions of friends and collegues not scene for what seems like eternity.  A man whose talent and vision I envied as a colleagued transformed into a close, but distant friendship, became the very subject of what would be fodder for the career he led.  George Weber, the radio DJ, journalist, documentarian, storeyteller, smartass and host was pierced over 50-times - ironically, a physical representation of what could be a perfect description of his talents: sharp, deep and cutting.

The rest of this absence seems like a blur...except one date in May.  The third was a first, yet also a 6th.  When all's said and done, in reality it's one:  the one-year moment since Nick's and my new home and country honoured us with the right of survivorship, benefits and living as one just some of those one-thousand-plus rewards for publically announcing a loving bond started 13 years previously on the computer screens declaring "America On Line." 

So, as this 22nd day of June is just getting underway and a week of celebrations begin, I remember that moment when a timid and paniced man stepped out from behind a tree in Denver's Cheesman Park and marched in his very first parade called Pride.  Back then, I held my head high and marched down America's longest street, past bars and bums, cameras and cat callers to the steps of the state Capitol proud of who I am and not letting anyone or anything get in my way.  That happened 17 years ago this week and lately, blame it on time, fear or fatigue, my head has been slumped, my resolve dampened - the direct opposite of The Mason of '92. 

I'm better than that - my friends and family deserve better.  I'm growing wiery and teary of comparisons of The Old Mason to the New Mason. I deserve to be happy amidst the mayhem, but I can't do this alone.  I just want The Mason. 

It's time.  It's needed.  It's back. 

My Entourage is waiting.

Noon | 20-January, 2009

For those of you that haven't or couldn't make the jump like Nick and myself and the thousands of others here have done, here's a perfect card I'd like to send you today!

Good Luck!

Regardless of your political persuasion and ideology it is pretty amazing that a man with the name of Barack Hussein Obama, is about to become the 44th President of the United States of America.  The idea that an African-American Man can (and has) won the Presidency is truly something to reflect and marvel at.  Regardless of his party label it is something significant to realize that within a generation the United States has been able to move this much on the issue of race relations.

The United States has always struggled with its racist history and if Mr. Obama can simply touch that third rail and provide some amount of healing to our collective culture it will be amazing. I've spent most of the day listening and watching CNN and seeing clips from the civil rights movement some 46 years ago (not that long ago for some of my friends) and hearing about MLK's dream.  I think about the generation that was in power back then and the hatred and vitriol that they normalized and sanctified, and wonder about the survivor's today.  Are they sitting in their nursing home rooms, being forced to watch the news and seeing all of the inaugural coverage of a black man about to become President and realizing perhaps that they were wrong to dehumanize and discriminate against their neighbours and fellow Americans?

President Obama is not going to be as liberal as I would like him to be; in all honesty he is to the right of Prime Minister Harper on some issues.  He won't openly embrace the socialist ideals of European nations, or party platforms like the NDP's and in reality he will govern from the Centre with an occasional dip left AND right to pacifiy everyone, but  it's not his ideology that matters...sometimes simply being in the moment matters.  For a young African-American child in an inner-city slum they will look up and see their leader look like him, much like little girls saw Hillary during the primaries.  That simple act of him being there will change an entire generation of children's hopes and aspirations and allow them to believe in something being possible that was never possible before; and in 40 years they may be running for President and the concept of a black, asian, female, latino/a, or even a gay person as President will no longer be impossible or improbable. Perhaps that, more then even the way he governs will be the best gift President Obama can provide.

So good luck Mr. President, I wish you clarity and guidance, peace and prosperity, an open-mind and an open-heart, and the courage to take the road less travelled and make real change.

~Nikolas

War Disgusts Me

It hits me hard this morning, the news of the war between the Palestinians and

Israel

; as I do my morning surf of websites I always start with the BBC and work my way local.  From the comfort of my North American office, with a picturesque snow scene out my window I start to read.  This morning their front page article was about the effect this war is having on Palestinian children.  The psychological trauma caused by enduring the endless bombing, seeing parents and siblings die, and the truly horrific story of one child who, when his home was plunged into darkness by a bomb tried to feel his way out only to land on the open, wet flesh of his dead sister – he couldn’t eat meat for three years after that.

 

Story after story of people being displaced and their lives shattered and then I come across this picture [WARNING: GRAPHIC!] of a Palestinian man grieving over the bodies of his three tiny children.  Three little kids dead, trying to grow up in a war zone.

 

Save me the rhetoric that Israel is protecting itself from Hamas, save me the long standing arguments that Israel has no right to exist, save me the millennia of hatred and despair on both sides.  Right now all I can think of is those three little kids in the photo who will never grow up, never get the chance to experience life and never have a chance to see the things most of us take for granted.

 

War disgusts me.

[Nikolas]

No Change, Just More of the Same

Our dear friends (Tom and Emilio) made a posting on their blog Canadian Hope recently reacting to President-elect Obama's choice for an invocation speaker at his upcoming inauguration. I feel badly because what started as a regular, short comment erupted into an overwhelming tsunami of emotions that I feel compelled to share with you here.

When I first heard about the news of Mr. Obama's choice for inauguration invocation, Instinctively I began my defence of the President-elect saying I understand how he needs to reach out to a broad spectrum, but I quickly caught myself and the disappointment and anger began rising again.

Make a mental image of this man (Rick Warren) standing on the very same platform, at the very same microphone and is one of the very first to shake the hand of the 44th President of the United States of America.

If that's not enough to cause bile and acid to churn within your stomach, put that man in the outfit of a Nazi concentration camp guard, the Ku Klux Klan, a Taliban terrorist or any of the other representatives of a group of people that call for the in humane and discriminatory treatment of another group of humans.

I for one shudder at both thoughts and in my heart thought President-elect Obama would do the right thing. Unfortunately, he and thousands of politicians before him, prove that they are not leaders, but rather glorified followers and the Hope I yearned for in the years and days leading up to 4-November has been extinguished.

For those of you reading this right now and mentally running to Mr. Obama's defense saying "it's not that big a deal" or "give him a break" or "you can't compare being gay to the plight of Jews and blacks" I ask you to stop that knee-jerk reaction triggered by hope, political correctness and a promise of something better. Is what you're thinking acceptable if you found yourself the subject of any form of discrimination, less than humane treatment or worse: subject to violence or hatred of any kind?  Ask yourself:

Are there levels of hate?

Is a little violence okay in your eyes?

Maybe we should keep everyone who doesn't identify as heterosexual Christians grouped as one and treat them all unequally as compared to the others.

In one target/form/method of discrimination worse than another or is it an absolute?

How sad that my friends and I need to utter the words "the lesser of two evils" when talking about using one of the most powerful acts we can perform: voting in the country of our birth.

I've said it until I'm blue in the face and now I'm shouting it from as high a mountain I can find based in a country that I am confident respects me and remembers that we are all one, together on this planet. The teams may change. One wins, the other loses.  And then another one is played.

 Until the money and accumulation of wealth-focused game called US politics changes, the United States of America will continue to slide into the abyss of greed and corruption.

Now ask us if we plan to move back or regret turning our backs and moving North to Canada.

If you don't know the answer to that by now, it's time YOU stopped playing the game.

[Mason]

Happy New Year!

It seems we can start off the New Year celebrating Life Without Borders being in the news.  Well not really the website being in the news, but Mason and I being in the news.  Take a look!

Canadian Emigration and Alternative for Gay U.S. Couples Seeking Marriage

A Happy and Blessed 2009 to all of you!

The Lascelles Principles

Check, and mate...

To the Editor of The Times

Sir,—It is surely indisputable (and common sense) that a Prime Minister may ask—not demand—that his Sovereign will grant him a dissolution of Parliament; and that the Sovereign, if he so chooses, may refuse to grant this request. The problem of such a choice is entirely personal to the Sovereign, though he is, of course, free to seek informal advice from anybody whom he thinks fit to consult.

In so far as this matter can be publicly discussed, it can be properly assumed that no wise Sovereign—that is, one who has at heart the true interest of the country, the constitution, and the Monarchy—would deny a dissolution to his Prime Minister unless he were satisfied that: (1) the existing Parliament was still vital, viable, and capable of doing its job; (2) a General Election would be detrimental to the national economy; (3) he could rely on finding another Prime Minister who could carry on his Government, for a reasonable period, with a working majority in the House of Commons. When Sir Patrick Duncan refused a dissolution to his Prime Minister in South Africa in 1939, all these conditions were satisfied: when Lord Byng did the same in Canada in 1926, they appeared to be, but in the event the third proved illusory.

I am, &c.,

SENEX.

April 29.

—"Dissolution of Parliament: Factors in Crown's Choice", The Times, 2 May 1950, page 5

Politics Redux

Just when I thought I was done with politics, sigh.

Well, I have to say Canadian politics are certainly not dull; I was ready to settle down for probably two years of Conservative rule and hoping that the NDP and Liberals would squeak and speak up if Harper got too "Reformish."  I was not happy that he had swaggered back into Parliament, but was willing to put up with it with the small comfort that he still had a "minority."

But, when Harper came out swinging last week using his minions to introduce his core Reform beliefs I was angry.  Not only was he ignoring the fact that only 38% of Canadians supported him, but he was acting like a bully and kicking a kid in the stomach when he was already down.  While some people believe that government is a full contact sport, I long for the days of civil discourse and disagreement; he had no intention of doing either.  So he pushed it and pushed it hard thinking that a downtrodden and bruised Liberal party would just take another licking and like it, but you can only batter a person so long until they roar back and hit you with everything they got, and this time he brought two new friends with him.

Today I watched history as Mr. Dion, Mr. Layton and Mr. Duceppe sat at a table and agreed to an accord to govern collectively until June 30 2010, possibly 2011 if the Bloc agrees to an extension.  Certainly longer then Mr. Harper would have had.  That's what you get in a Parliamentary system folks, you don't elect the person, you elect the party, and while who you have at the head of the ship may swing your vote it's all about the seats, and Mr. Harper just doesn't have them.

In essence, if Mr. Dion was as weak and ineffectual as he was portrayed then Mr. Harper should have had a landslide majority, but he didn't because people were scared of his right wing ideology and now he's paying dearly for it. I've seen peopel lash out angrily at this saying that it's not democratic, it's night right, when in reality it is the most "Canadian" way of doing things.  Too long have Canadians been mesmerised by the flashy politics south of the border with their Air Force Ones and Shiny new Presidents; they forgot that in Canada it's all about Peace, Order and Good Government...of which none Mr. Harper had accomplished.

So now it comes down to the Governor-General a woman who was appointed nearly 4 years ago who i'm sure never envisoned her role in this pivitol moment in history, but how appropriate that it is Michalle Jean; a woman who epitomises the new face of a changing Canada.  So knowing Mr. Harper he'll have a tantrum and cry and try to bully Her Excellency just like he bullied that last Parliament, but hopefully now he is quaking in his boots and realizing how much he fucked up and will just blissfully go away and let a more moderate Tory take over if he ever hopes to see the Conservatives form a majority one day...

As for the Bloc, people complain that a seperatist party bent on breaking up Canada is part of the agreement and how it's wrong and evil, yet Mr. Harper was willing to do it in 2004....please.  While I disagree with the Bloc on the Nation of Quebec, the truth is they will never have enough seats in Parliament to do any damage, and  they lean to the left like the NDP and Liberals do, and in all reality they are the elected representatives of the Canadians living in Quebec.  Even though you don't like them, you still have to respect who they've chosen to represent them.  perhaps if the Conservatives and Liberals had done their job right there wouldn't be that many of them....

Sadly though, this is how I see Canadian politics existing from now on...too many people feeling polarised because of Mr. Harper's Bush Lite approach.  So no one will be happy with a majority and minorities will continue to exist, unless you pass true electoral reform.  I welcome the Coalition Government and ask it to do it's job and truly represent the majority of Canadians.

And by 2010, I hope I can vote!

Lest We Forget

At 11:11 please take a moment of silence to remember those who fought for us, defended us, and provided for us. Lest we forget...

Thank you Mr. Olbermann

A Final, Final Note

Something happened in the last week that has not sat well with me; on this blog I have seen an exchange of comments between various individuals that has left me feeling disappointed and concerned, but mostly ashamed that our blog was host to this slugfest.

First let me start off with an apology to anyone who is reading; not an apology for my ideas and rants, but for any hurt pr pain it might have caused.  Int he days after the 2008 election many individuals in the GLBT community felt despondent and morose over the amendments passed in Florida, Arizona, California and Arkansas; it seems fair to say that the one in California put everyone over the top and into a frenzy all the while trying to be happy that our nation had come to a point to embrace and elect a man of mixed racial decent.

I was one of those individuals and maybe my empathy metre was  low, or maybe I was tried of more election coverage after 21 months of having it shoved down my throat and I took some things personally. Comments made to me/us from the left and the right, strangers and friends - it was all too much too quick.

We've been contacted by television reporters, Comedy Shows, and newspapers fr our reaction as a gay couple who left the United States, partially because of Bush and partially because of the abundance of discrimination; that added fuel to the fire to be put on the spot and asked now that the Messiah (I kid) has been elected would be returning home in droves?

My short answer was, No.  WMTC landed before we did and for the life of me I can never see L-Girl and RedSock going back to the US.  Matt and John also landed before us and I can't see them doing that either. As far as the long list of GLBT folks who landed after we did (Tom & Emilio, Adam & Eric, The Vancouver Boys I and Vancouver Boys II, Two Moms, & WCR) I cannot imagine that their fight and patience for moving would result in them making a U-turn, and for all those in queue, Canada still remains their best, last hope.  As for Mason and I, let me make it clear.

I have no desire to move back to the United States of America, now more then ever.

Some of the hurtful things said in the comments I mentioned earlier included comparing the GLBT struggle for civil rights to that of slavery for African-Americans, the Holocaust for the Jews and the right for Suffrage amongst women in the United States.

Look, I will NEVER understand what it was like for African-Americans these past 40 years and beyond to deal with racism and discrimination, and I will NEVER understand what is was like for Jews in the last 50 years and beyond in trying to simply survive and not be exterminated, and I will NEVER understand what it was like for women 88 years ago and beyond to be treated like property and disenfranchised.  In fact, for all three groups this still happens today; African-Americans are still prosecuted for the colour of their skin, Jews are still trying to be eradicated off the planet by some and women still earn .70 cents tot he dollar; and these same groups will never know what it is like to be GLBT.

It's hard though when you're reminded once again that you are not valued by society; some of us have gone through abandonment by our own families, living on the street, addicted to drugs, intense periods of self-loathing and internalized homophobia because of the reaction we have gotten from those around us who think our idea of love is perverse and unnatural.

We wake up on some mornings and wonder if we will be fired from our jobs (yes, that can still happen in half the states) just because of who we are, worry about being refused visitation in hospitals to see our dying partners because we are of the same sex, aching to remember if we packed the power-of-attorney on our vacation "just in case" something happens and hope the state we are in will "recognize" us. We make sure not to hold hands in public or show any sign of affection to our partner (even a hug) in some parts of the United States because that might mean losing your life.

We are reminded that we are ill and diseased because the Red Cross refuses to allow healthy gay men to donate blood because it's easier even though they test all the blood, we're picketed and protested at our funerals by hate-filled preachers who reminds us that even in the after-life we will never find peace, when we go to rent a hotel room in another city the front-desk clerk still has an odd look on his face when he sees two men requesting a King-sized bed.

You look on TV, in the magazines, on the radio and you see stereotypical portrayals of gay men and lesbians, or very limited ones; we are reminded every day we are not part of the dominant culture, but the dominant culture loves our money, our creativity, and our abilities and our votes as long as we make sure we don't mention that we like to share our beds with a member of the same-sex.

Finally when we find someone who is speaking to us, and asking for our help we delve into the campaign that states "Change is coming" and to have "hope"; we believe the words that come from President-Elect Obama's mouth and feel as though we might have a place at the table...finally. We donate, we vote, we volunteer and then we are shown the door.  I remember that same excitement with Bill Clinton when I was 18 and voted for my first President. We Marched on Washington with vigour and happiness thinking that ENDA would be passed, that Hate-Crimes legislation would finally happen, and that the ban of gays in the military would be lifted.

However, again, and again we get diminished policies passed, and toothless regulations enacted and then for the last 8 years they try to shove us back in the closet and threaten to make a constitutional amendment to bar us from ever having any rights that the nice straight couple down the street enjoys. So please, forgive us, when in the middle of celebrations for President-Elect Obama we falter for a moment because we got sucker-punched in the gut. We know they can't stand up for our rights and not be elected by the independents and conservatives, but it still hurts.

Where is our Johnson, where is our MLK, where is the leader that will finally one day stand up and welcome us into the American family with open arms and no pre-conditions; I'm hoping (truly) that it is Barack Obama.

People talk accusingly that Mason and I left the fight, when in reality we didn't; we can fight from up here, but forgive me that after 18 years of fighting for my rights I'm tired of no results, of no movement and I would simply like to live my life and enjoy it before I die with my husband in a place that accepts us wholly.

This fight is not going to be won by the GLBT community; much like African-Americans needed the dominant white culture to come down and march in the streets of Selma, Montgomery and Washington DC, much like the Jews needed other Christians, Germans and Americans to shuttle them to safety and recognize Israel, much like women needed men to push through the right to vote we need straight people to help us.  This fight won't be over until the dominant culture accepts us and decides to make our fight for civil rights their fight for civil rights.

I'm truly done with the political discussions for now, if you want to flame each other do it somewhere else, but not on my blog.

A Final Note

It’s over; thank the gods!  I’m hoping that this will be the last political post I will make for a while, because even I….the consummate political junkie have had enough and would like to get on with my life.

 

President-Elect Obama won, and for the United States of America it is a monumental footnote in the history of the country; textbooks will need to be changed, discussions on racism and culture will finally start being addressed, and more then anything the country can start to rally behind a man who got over 350 electoral votes and over 52% of the vote….a mandate that has been missing for a long time in American politics.  I don’t envy him, he has a large and monumental task facing him and I know it will take more then one term for him to deal with them and set actual change into motion that will gradually steer the ginourmous ship we call America back on a more even and “centre” course.

 

However, this Election Day passes with a twinge of anger and resentment that once again gays and lesbians were thrown under the bus by the American people.  Florida and Arizona passed constitutional amendments to their State Constitutions banning gay marriage, Arkansas flat out banned gay couples from adopting or fostering children, but by far it was California’s Proposition 8 ballot that put me in a sour mood.  Out of all the races, out of all the states, California held a special place in my heart for various reasons and it also seemed like a beacon of hope on our western shore that would not let us down; a state of 30 million people, if they agreed with the California Supreme Court it would have shifted the collective consciousness of the United States.

 

But they didn’t.

 

In the end the African-American, Latino and Older voters who put Obama over the top in California did the same with the Yes vote on 8; siding with a great man, but also denying their gay and lesbian neighbours the same rights that they have.  I’m reminded time, after time, after time, election after election that to be gay in theUnited States* is to be a second-class citizen (*except in Massachusetts andConnecticut.) 

 

I know that the argument will be that a Democratic President with a Democratic Senate and House will finally pass ENDA, true Hate-Crimes Legislation and maybe even repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” but I won’t hold my breath; Clinton didn’t do it in 8 years, and fucked it up so badly in the first 2 that he lost control of Congress. They like our money, and they like our votes but when we ask for the party to stand up for us in return we get the cold-shoulder and are told…”not just yet…America isn’t ready…hold on just a little longer.”  I woke up today to see that the country of my birth has once again rejected me; much like my parents and friends did when I first came out, and many other families did to their children, siblings and friends when they came out.

 

I have already gotten the e-mails or phone calls asking when Mason and I will move back “home” now that Democrats once again control the country and Colorado has 5 Representatives, 2 Senators, a Governor and State House/Senate that are all now held by Democrats. We’ve even been reminded in a back-handed way by someone we care for that since we didn’t stay and fight and instead decided to flee, this victory is somehow not ours to celebrate…even though we voted.

 

I am an American living in Canada, and Canada is now my home; all this election has done for me is make it crystal clear how miles apart these two countries are even though they share a common border. In 365 days Mason and I will be eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship and I plan on taking them up on that offer; not because I despise and hate the United States of America.  On the contrary I love my country for the foundation and opportunity it provided me, for the trials and tribulations that helped to mould my character, and for the undying dream that helped to produce Barack Obama.

 

I wish President-Elect Obama every success in the future; however I have a home, a life, a purpose and a husband; I’ve been treated with respect, deference, equality and a seat at the table, and they are all located here in Canada.

 

Merci Quebec

Well the election is over and Harper won more seats then most sites projected, taking them mostly in riding-rich Ontario; however he failed to reach the golden number of 155 which would give him a majority government, at the end of the night it broke down like this:

CONSERVATIVE	LIBERAL	NDP	BLOC	GREEN	OTHERS
38%	26%	18%	10%	7%	1.0%
143	76	37	50	0	2

His fuck up came in Quebec where he went on a the campaign trail and talked about cutting the arts, and sending 14-year old's to prison for life for serious crimes; that went against the very fabric of Quebecois society and they voted for the Bloc and the Liberals instead of the Tories saving us from a Harper majority (4 years of unchecked rule.)  Now I understand when people tell me that while Ontario might be the economic engine of Canada, Quebec is its soul. Time and time again it seems Quebec grabs hold of the wheel and steers the country away from the gutters of the right.

I have to admit, Canadian politics baffle me; this country and it's voters have to be some of the pickiest bunch who during an election can have outright mood swings. In 1984, the Liberals were decimated with a loss of 107 seats, and in 1993 it was the Conservatives' turn to get spanked and they lost 167 seats.  In that election, I can understand why after Mulroney's gaffes with Quebec the party peeled off and created the Bloc and started having referendums on independence - if I had to deal with a crazy right wing nutjob, I'd do that too.

So to me this is a "correction" is a continuing punishment for the Liberals in choosing an unsuitable candidate for Leader after the sponsorship scandal.  Dion needs to step down, a new leadership race has to be done, and hopefully someone with charisma and leadership can step up to lead the party back to it's natural role. 

In essence, this was a loss for Harper too; he has no mandate when 62% of the country voted against him, and he couldn't even beat a weak and ineffectual leader like Dion during a fiscal crisis; it shows that even when it's bad, people still don't trust him.  This  election was a $300 million mistake, and with the lowest turnout EVER in Canadian history (59%) it is a sad state of affairs for Canada.

The only way to fix this, and get people back interested in politics is to reform the electoral system; proportional representation at a Federal level in the House of Commons really needs to be discussed, and maybe that means a compromise and making the Senate elected in a way that the Conservatives want.

Now, on to November 4th.

VOTE!

My fellow Canadians, please don't forget to vote today!  Many of us (me included) don't have the privilege yet of being able to cast a ballot in this election; so please don't pass up your opportunity to do so.

...and please don't forget it's as simple as ABC :-)

Thankful

Today is Thanksgiving in Canada; much more inline with the season of harvest and not as flashy as the one south of the border.  We had dinner with some friends last night and then spent the day today puttering around the house.

As Mason and I enter our third Canadian Fall/Winter we have much to be thankful in these troubling times.  I'm thankful for the friends we have made here in this great city, and also for the ones that are distant and connected to us, I'm thankful for a good paying job and a nice place to live; I'm thankful for socialized medicine and gay marriage, I'm thankful for the chance to speak my mind and the ability to travel every once in a while.  I'm thankful for the divine in everything, and for the fact that we have little debt at this turbulent time; and yes, I'm thankful Harper will be stuck with a minority (again) I hope :-)

Most of all I'm thankful for my life, for the experiences I've had and for the challenges, and hardships,  rewards and graciousness I have experienced.  Without them I would not be who I am today, and for the first time in a long time I really like who I am.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you (or Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples' Day down south)

A Day Like Any Other

Ok, Ok, a non-political post I swear :-)

I was surfing the internets yesterday and came across Canadian Hope's latest blog entry in which Tom & Emilio talk about their one year anniversary of moving to Canada.  Tom hit it bang on when he states:

"Sure Canada is not perfect, but it sure beats where I came from by leaps and bounds...We now get to be a normal couple with normal every day problems, it's a delightful gift that Canada gave us. The ability to be ordinary, to not be a political football used by right wing self righteous assholes with agendas."

That's the beauty of living here, that you can wake up in the morning and be who you are without having to worry about all the excess baggage that society throws at you.  Mason and I were talking about Tom's post when he suddenly turned to me and said:

Mason: "You know we completely forgot it this year"
Nick: "Forgot what?"
M: "Our Anniversary"
N: "No we didn't...we got married on it"
M: "No the other one"
N: "Wha- Oh!"

He was right, in the hustle and bustle of life, having dinner with friends, following an election,  doing laundry, and playing with the dogs, etc, etc we forgot to acknowledge our Second Anniversary of landing in Canada on September 26th.  If anything it is a testament to Canada for how well we have integrated ourselves to our new home and new identities.

To all those couples in process, or the ones with a watchful eye on the CIC website and the Presidential election your first year will be a wash, getting yourselves oriented and familiar with Canadian culture and identity, her cities and politics, finding an apartment and a doctor.  Year Two is more about carving out your niche and integrating all the things you learned, taking your shoes off as you enter a building becomes second nature now :-)

The third year? I don't know what it will bring, but I can tell you I feel more comfortable, happier and at peace then I ever have in my life; and at the end of year three comes the prize of Canadian Citizenship which I can't wait to grab onto.

    

The ELITE Plan

This is too funny...but oh so true :-) 

Americans, scared of another Republican Administration? Well act now and consider Canada and the ELITE Plan....LOL

Strike Two

A few weeks ago I spoke about Mr. Layton’s behaviour during the debate about letting Ms. May into the debates; he and Mr. Harper were opposed to her participating and threatened to pull out if she was let in. The Canadian public responded overwhelmingly, and both Harper and Layton backtracked and agreed to have her participate; however, the damage was done. Mr. Layton came across as hypocritical; at a time when he should have stood up for Ms. May and encouraged her involvement (as is his history for fighting for democracy and the little guy) he opted for partisanship and the selfish needs of his own party. He apologized and moved forward and I appreciated the sentiment and went back to supporting the NDP.

Yesterday however, was Strike Two for Mr. Layton. In Canada you don’t “run” for Prime Minister like you run for President in the United States; the party that receives the most votes is offered the privilege of forming a government, if you get over 155 votes you get to automatically form a majority government. Mr. Layton has taken the last 30-days and pursued a one-man crusade to win 24 Sussex Drive, or at the very least, form the Official Opposition, but you see you have to win your own riding first….

Mr. Layton is my MP (Member of Parliament - in the states he would be considered my Representative) for the riding of Toronto-Danforth. To make it to Parliament you need to win your riding, and as with any riding or election there are times when you will have to debate other candidates even when you’re the incumbent.

The candidates in Toronto-Danforth (Green, Conservative & Liberal) agreed to defer to Mr. Layton’s schedule and found a time that worked best for him, which was last night at Riverdale Collegiate Institute….problem was, Mr. Layton didn’t show up.

You see, he was too busy in British Columbia trying to win votes and become Prime Minister, instead of being at the debate, answering to his constituents; he opted to send the Ontario MPP of the same riding, Mr. Tabuns to fill in for him, but the crowd wouldn’t have it voting democratically to refuse Mr. Tabuns to participate in the debate.

Somehow, Ms. May found time to debate Mr. MacKay, I can’t read French so I couldn’t check on Mr. Dion or Mr. Duceppe’s riding debates, but it seems like you and Mr. Harper have more and more in common than I wouldn’t like (i.e. not debating local candidates).

See, the thing is Jack, if you don’t address of the needs of the people who put you into office in the first place, and maintain your ethics and values of representing the people who you care so much about then you risk the chance of not being sent back there – remember that ALL politics are local.

And with that, my Jack Layton lawn sign is coming out of my front yard.

Palin around with Terrorists indeed

First there was this video on You Tube which shows Governor Palin providing an introdiction and welcome to the Alaskan Independence Party's (AIP) Convention last year.  The MSM seemed to ignore the fact that her husband was a member for years, and that she herself attended past conventions and was involved in a organization that wants to secede from the United States, and then there is this little jem of a video that explains it all much more clearly.

Over the years, Palin has actively courted the AIP; to be clear, we're not necessarily talking about friendly secession either: As the AIP's founder, Joe Vogler, told an interviewer in 1991: "The fires of hell are frozen glaciers compared to my hatred for the American government. ... And I won't be buried under their damn flag."

From Daily Kos:

Before his strange murder in 1993, party founder Vogler preached armed insurrection against the United States of America. Vogler, who always carried a Magnum with him, was fond of saying, "When the bureaucrats come after me, I suggest they wear red coats. They make better targets. In the federal government are the biggest liars in the United States, and I hate them with a passion. They think they own. There comes a time when people will choose to die with honor rather than live with dishonor. That time may be coming here. Our goal is ultimate independence by peaceful means under a minimal government fully responsive to the people. I hope we don't have to take human life, but if they go on tramping on our property rights, look out, we're ready to die."

Vogler's greatest moment of glory was to be his 1993 appearance before the United Nations to denounce United States "tyranny" before the entire world and to demand Alaska's freedom. The Alaska secessionist had persuaded the government of Iran to sponsor his anti-American harangue.

That's right ... Iran. The Islamic dictatorship. The taker of American hostages. The rogue nation that McCain and Palin have excoriated Obama for suggesting we diplomatically engage. That Iran.

AIP leaders allege that Vogler, who was murdered that year by a fellow secessionist before he could give his speech at the UN, was taken out by powerful forces in the U.S.  "The United States government would have been deeply embarrassed," by Vogler's U.N. speech, darkly suggests Clark. "And we can't have that, can we?"

~~~
So let's see....we have a woman running for Vice-President who less then 10 years ago attended an AIP convention, just this past year welcomed their convention with open arms, and whose partner was an active member of said party (the one that aligns itself with Iran) less then 3 years ago; and they want to try an connect Obama to a hippie from the 1960's when he was 8?

Who's the real threat here?

The D Word

The D Word It’s not often that I comment about economics, because honestly I’m a social worker and I deal with people; numbers never appealed to me.  However, I do know what the lack of numbers do to people, it places them in poverty, it rapes their self-esteem, it increases substance abuse and domestic violence, it fosters child abuse, it makes them homeless and creates a mentality of looking out for one’s self.  So in way, I know the human side of numbers.

Mason, and I were lucky (and still are) to have moved up here with little debt and still have a small bit of savings in the bank.  I look back on the last two years and know that would we have been moving to Canada today we would have been screwed.  We probably wouldn’t have been able to sell the house, or cashed out our 401K’s because they would have been underwater.

Today the TSX (Toronto’s version of the Dow Jones) dropped nearly 1200 points (10% of its value) at the opening bell, and continues to struggle as we speak.  The Dow did not do any better and is now below 10,000 (something that hasn’t happened since it reached 10,000 under Clinton.)  The economy is starting to show the same strains here as the rest of the world, but then I look back to the country of my birth. Economists are saying that a new word will have to be created for what is coming because it’ll be worse then a recession, but not as bad as a depression. 

They state that within 12-months they expect to see unemployment double to 12-15%, entire families on the street, and the housing market demolished; and this is after the bailout. 60% of Americans feel as though it is likely another depression is going to hit; the experts say there are three factors that identify a depression:

• 25% unemployment rate
• Widespread bank failures
• Millions of Americans homeless and unable to feed their families

I am not saying that the sky is falling, but I keep looking up to check it out ever once in a while.  I’m not an economist, but I am a social worker and I can tell you that I am seeing the increase in poverty, the lowering of self-esteem, the increases in substance abuse, violence, homelessness and child abuse; not to mention the sudden shift to looking out for oneself and not seeming to give a shit about your neighbour.

I hope I’m wrong.

What if?

L-Girl over at WMTC got me turned onto Democratic Space where I can get my visual fix on the Canadian Election, much like Electoral-Vote does it for me for the American one.  The Graphic below is from DS's website showing the current polling numbers and how it turns out in the number of seats in Parliament.

Update 10 (28 Sept)
CURRENT PROJECTION / NATIONAL

CONSERVATIVE	LIBERAL	NDP	BLOC	GREEN	OTHERS
36.7%	24.5%	19.6%	9.4%	8.9%	1.0%
140	82	35	49	0	2
155 SEATS REQUIRED FOR MAJORITY GOVERNMENT

Now, if Parliament allotted seats on proportional representation, this is what the seat distribution would look like:

IF IT WAS PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION

CONSERVATIVE	LIBERAL	NDP	BLOC	GREEN	OTHERS
36.7%	24.5%	19.6%	9.4%	8.9%	1.0%
114	76	61	29	28	2

Think about that for a moment