We need a new currency

In reaction to Postmedia's Godfrey Saw Total Pay Rise 50 Percent Last Year. This is from a company experiencing losses and cutting its employee compensation packages.
http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/11/28/postmedia-paul-godfrey_n_4357068.html

"I can't keep doing business when these corporations and CEOs keep eviscerating the livelihoods of their employees who are the primary source of my clientele. On the other end of it, I can't compete for disappearing jobs to replace my lost business income. We need a new currency. Dollars are rendered useless as they are funnelled into offshore accounts where they die and we can't get enough of them for ourselves to survive."

White poppies, red poppies

From the Huffington Post:
 Julian Fantino Calls White Poppies 'Offensive' To Veterans
CBC  |  Posted: 11/06/2013 9:04 pm EST  |  Updated: 11/06/2013 10:52 pm EST

"...an offensive attempt to politicize Remembrance Day..."
- MP Julian Fantino

He should be reminded that all war is political and it was because of the politics of war that we lost the men and women we remember by the red poppy. And this is coming from a cabinet minister of a party with that has disrespectfully treated veterans poorly.

"The white poppy campaign is believed to have originated decades ago in the U.K."

"..believed..."??? What manner of journalism is this?

Here is a major credibility problem with the CBC in New Harperterre. It doesn't want you to know that the origins of the White Poppy Campaign came from women who lost fathers, husbands, brothers and sons in war in 1933 by The Co-operative Women's Guild in the UK. Anyone who stomps on the white poppy knowing this, stomps on the grief of women. This is why the military machine hates Mother's Day which was organised nearly a century-and-a-half ago by women's peace groups as a campaign against war.

"...Canadian Voice of Women for Peace make white poppies, which they hand out for free."

Obviously, it does not encroach on the fundraising efforts for veterans who sell red poppies each year.

Red poppies for remembrance. 

White poppies for a peaceful future.

More questions for Councillor Ford

Councillor Doug Ford the enabler: What's all this about "judge, jury and executioner?"

Though he could not state why he was disappointed, I thought it was obvious Chief Blair was disappointed in what Mayor Rob Ford SAID, because he was not surprised to see what Mayor Ford was doing.

Now, what about progress on tying up the loose ends in the murder case of Anthony Smith?

A prayer for Rob Ford

O God of the Universe:

May you be close beside our mayor today. Give him strength and hope and a clear mind to deal with what is ahead of him. Open his heart to those around him who love him and care about him. Help him to experience the joy of living, the blessings of abundance around him and healing love. May you walk beside each of his family members, his friends and his co-workers giving them strength and hope. May you bring hope and healing to the people of Toronto. Be especially close to those who are hurt and bereft surrounding them with your restorative love as we hold them in the light.

 Let it be this way today.

On Toronto Mayory Rob Ford's increase of support

Forget about the substance abuse and the drug dealing for a moment. What else happened here? The three media members told us that on the video they were shown racist and homophobic comments were made by a man who was apparently identified as Rob Ford. I suspect this is the source of Chief Blair's "disappointment" and would certainly be grounds for council to call for his resignation. Then, there were the shooting deaths of young men. THIS IS WHAT IS IMPORTANT here. Ford appeared in photos with these men and that appearance is what should be concerning people. But, all and sundry are going after the substance abuse behaviours which has obfuscated what the city's constituents need to remember when forming an opinion. This is why they have become more protective of "their" mayor.

Joss Whedon on strong female characters, again and again

Long ago, I remember discussions of books, films and main characters in groups as well as reading articles about books, films and main characters and was always given the line that if the main character was male, both men and women would see themselves in him. If the character was female only women could see themselves in her. Sounds like some of the deep theological discussions I had with other people too. Someone got rather huffy once when I suggested the Holy Spirit was female and said it had to be male since it was the spirit of Jesus Christ who was male. Then there were long sessions of prooftexting the mandated submissive role of women. I will admit, the very first time I saw Joss Whedon's name, I thought  he was female. When I discovered he was male, I was pleasantly curious and Buffy was part of a growing list of female characters who fueled my imagination.

Edward Snowden's gift of life

For those who complain about wasted tax dollars, Edward Snowden has provided an opportunity to view how those tax dollars are wasted. Meanwhile, he is vilified for doing that (without drawing from the taxpayer) by the same people who complain. If he is guilty of anything, his sentence is the community service he has already done and, therefore, time served. He has given his life away so that others might see more clearly.

Dirty dining on Parliament Hill

Not just the knives are out, the forks and spoons too. Senate proceedings are a hot item these days as the Senate debates whether to oust Senators Patrick Brazeau, Pamela Wallin and Mike Duffy over misclaimed expenses. As the sauce, seasoned with racism, thickens over these Harper appointees, the Harper government finds itself in the hot oven of inquiry in the House of Commons. Sliced and diced by truth and lies these Con-kniving chefs distract us from the mouldy, rotting issues that ooze goo in the fridge of Canadian life. The kitchen is due for renovation.

The man who would be King of America - Ted Cruz

Due to the circumstances of his birth, (Cuban father, American mother, born in Canada) US Senator Ted Cruz has been crowned king by his father. Since by the US constitution he cannot become president, it is thought he will seek alternate means of becoming leader of the United States of America.

Much about a name: Washington Red Skins offends.

So the Washington Red Skins NFL football team is now under pressure to change its name. Here is my suggestion. The sports writers would be spinning yarns about them for generations to come.  The Washington Red Skeins.

Theology of the Rainbow OR The Bible in Six Easy Colours

You'll always hang your Pride Flag
right side up if you remember this.

RED: Red is at the beginning and it is the passionate LOVE God felt for the Creation that came from womb, hands, heart and head. Human Beings are part of Creation and long for that LOVE. It is a gift from God and we give it to one another.

ORANGE: Messengers came bearing news of the LIGHT sent to Human Beings, created by God to tell them of the LOVE. This was told to them in many ways. Some Human Beings got the message and a long time passed.

YELLOW: God sent the LIGHT, a self in the form of a Human Being who could talk about the red, passionate LOVE God had for what was created and who could show Human Beings what LOVE is. There are many who call this LIGHT "Jesus."

GREEN: The LIGHT shone afresh upon Creation and caused it to grow visibly. Wonderful signs of growth were seen by many Human Beings. LOVE grew inside Creation. LOVE grew inside Human Beings for other Human Beings who did not know about the LIGHT.

BLUE: Creation needed more from LIGHT now that it understood it needed to continue to grow. LIGHT gave itself up and called WATER. WATER came in torrents to help continue the growth of Creation and its understanding of God.

PURPLE: Creation needs reminders about LOVE. LOVE is wonderful, astounding, affirming and passionate. So, purple is ROYALTY who put itself at the bottom, giving away everything it had so that Creation could be on top and know the red, passionate LOVE that came to it from the very beginning.

This edited version first published Fall 2005.