Tony At 10: OPEN MINDS AND OPEN EYES; BLOG # 2093; JULY 14,2017

THE MESSAGE:

I am reminded of a man filled with jealousy, ill-will, hostility, bitterness and resentment. He no longer resides with us and is most likely not remembered fondly by many. He did manage to win the respect or perhaps the consternation of a few souls incapable of grasping the true qualities of leadership, co-operation, acceptance and compassion. It is unknown to me how or when he developed into such a misanthrope. In his mind you were classified as ‘a fine fellow’, a ‘yes man’, an overly enthusiastic proponent for betterment or in possession of worthless ideals. This man must have lived and died in a state of loneliness and confusion. To me he represents the perfect example of A LIFE WASTED. “HE COULDA BEEN SOMEBODY.”

THE BLURB:

THE STATE OF THE WORLD

Most citizens of Canada are concerned with their, economic welfare, the welfare of their families, the benefits of eclectic cultures and the protection of their homes, communities and country. We are fortunate to live in a nation that not only provides for these concerns but also demonstrates compassion for those less fortunate souls throughout the world.

THE CASUALTIES OF AN UNNECESSARY WAR

Mainstream Vietnamese communities began arriving in Canada in the middle 1970s following the end of the Vietnam War. In the years between 1975 and 1976, Canada admitted 5,608 Vietnamese immigrants. Due to the public outcry, in 1979, the Canadian government decided that the number of “Boat People” brought to Canada should be dependent on public support. In July 1979, it introduced a matching formula: the government will sponsor one refugee for each one sponsored privately. Churches, corporations or groups of five or more adult Canadian citizens were eligible to sponsor refugees directly.

By 1985, 110,000 Vietnamese refugees had settled in Canada.These people were internally diverse and included a variety of social classes. They also were comprised of both urban and rural dwellers. The majority did not speak English or French and had no relatives in Canada. They also arrived during a period of economic downturn in Canada. These factors led to a struggle to integrate into Canadian society and to achieve economic independence.

Of the many Vietnamese 'Boat People' who were fleeing Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, at least half-a-million died. Their lives were 'wasted'

Today the world is faced with refugees from a life that seems replete with wars and conflict. European nations are dealing with refugees from war torn areas and subjected to undesirables masquerading as refugees. The U.S President has been ridiculed for his efforts to ban immigration from certain countries.

In Antigonish Nova Scotia, this small community has accepted families from Syria, provided them with homes and employment and accepted them as welcomed Canadians.

Hunger and Starvation in several countries and regions can be directly connected to the selfish goals of dictators and politicians. In various parts of Africa, chaos reigns and millions of lives are 'wasted' in the pursuit of these selfish goals.

Terrorism is rampant and perpetrated in the name of various religions and philosophies as an escape to a better world. Many young lives are wasted by a lack of suitable parenting. As a result , children grow into an unsatisfactory existence without an education, suitable employment or social acceptance. They may resort to gang affiliations, drugs and other compensatory actions. They are easily brainwashed into accepting disturbing realities.

GATED COMMUNITIES:

These have arisen as an escape from the dangers surrounding a preferred lifestyle. They develop with the objective of protecting their own against the threat of 'the wasted life'.

Around the world, gated communities are springing up in unprecedented numbers to keep cities' wealthier residents apart from the rest.

BRAZIL

In Brazil, the most widespread form of gated community consists of a closed housing estate and is the goal of the upper classes. Such a place is a small town with its own infrastructure in the form of a reserve power supply, sanitation, and security guards. The purpose of such a community is to protect its residents from exterior violence. The same philosophy is seen on closed buildings and in most shopping centres which can only be accessed from inside the parking lot or the garage.

PAKISTAN

In Pakistan, gated communities are located in big as well as small cities[ and are considered a standard of high quality living. Defence Housing Authority and Bahria Town are major private gated community developers and administrators and two of the largest in the world. The assets of Bahria Town itself are worth $30 billion. Most gated communities in Pakistan have public parks, schools, hospitals, shopping malls, gymnasiums, and country clubs.

SOUTH AFRICA

In post-segregation South Africa, gated communities have mushroomed in response to high levels of violent crime. They are commonly referred to as "complexes" but also broadly classified as "security villages" or "enclosed neighbourhoods".

SAUDI ARABIA

In Saudi Arabia, gated communities have existed since the discovery of oil, mainly to accommodate families from Europe or North America. Threat levels have increased since the late 1990s against foreigners in general and U.S. citizens in particular. Gates have become armed.

They are popular in southern China, namely the Pearl River Delta Region, the most famous of which is Clifford Estates.

THE QUESTION:

What is your number one issue in today's world?

THE QUOTE:

"Living gets easier when you close your mind or your eyes; however, ignorance fills the void. " Tony

"Misunderstanding all you see.
Nothing is real and nothing to get hung about.
It’s getting hard to be someone, but it all works out
It doesn’t matter much to me
Let me take you down, cause I’m going to Strawberry fields, Strawberry fields forever."
The Beatles (1967)

THE LEMON:

Awarded to Omar al-Bashir for his Crimes against humanity and his War crimes