THE MESSAGE:
We live in a free society. Our choices might be somewhat restricted but we do believe we have freedom of choice. We can help elect a particular government but then we are forced to follow the policies of that government.
Our right to vote is guaranteed, even for those behind bars; however, it happens only once every four years. Our MPPs and MPs can't act the way we would like them to; instead they follow the party line. Is a parliament any better or different from a bunch of kids arguing in the school yard at recess over what game to play, or who is allowed to play, or who gets to use the basketball court?
Newspapers and social media are probably the best way that freedom can be exercised in Canada; however, they do not guarantee that what we see and read are actually true. Letters to the editor are read and soon forgotten. It is too easy to change the channel or turn off the radio.
A study examining political disagreements found nearly 60 percent of people find social media arguments stressful. 1 in 5 people have changed their minds on an issue thanks to a social media conversation. But a 20 percent success rate isn't too encouraging, and a new study gives us another good reason to stop having social media arguments.
We do have the freedom to protest but does it really effect a change for the better? If one really thinks about freedom, is democracy all it's touted to be? Is every culture ready to accept democracy?
I must confess that I do not have all the answers or solutions to the evils of big, often corrupt governments. In truth I do not even have a single perfect one. Most leaders have demonstrated weaknesses of one type or another.
IN CANADA
"When it comes to the Liberal government, there are rules for Justin Trudeau and there are rules for everyone else." And that is bad for democracy. Issues and problems just don’t stick to a politician’s public image . Canadians have questioned our government’s recent ethical conundrums and deserve appropriate answers.
Trudeau’ received a slap on the wrist from Canada’s ethics commissioner for vacationing on a billionaire’s yacht during 2016.Trudeau told the ethics commissioner that he accepted “hospitality from a close family friend” which actually meant he accepted an extravagant vacation on a private Island from the Aga Khan. Actually the Aga Khan was someone the Prime Minister had not seen in 30 years and had also received over $50 million dollars of government funding.
A Top aide to former Ontario premier McGuinty was found guilty in gas plants scandal trial. David Livingston, McGuinty's chief of staff, was convicted last week of deliberately destroying documents in an effort to contain the gas plant scandal.
IN THE USA, PARTISAN POLITICS
The latest situation is a typical example of the chaos that can occur in democracies. A recent headline illustrates the existence of the problem:
"Republicans and Democrats blame each other as U.S. government shuts down". -Jan 20, 2018
The world is in bad shape but not because of climate change, fossil fuels, disease or air pollution. The threats to the human race can be traced principally and directly to the thirst for power, the lack of empathy, insatiable greed, as well as the intolerance of cultural, religious or economic differences.
"man's inhumanity to man"
Surely natural disasters account for much loss of life; however it is man himself that brings on evils that we just cannot solve. War and terrorism purport to fix issues. Yet they produce death, starvation and chaos. Societies tolerate inequality, injustice, intolerance, poverty, criminal gangs and a general lack of empathy. The insatiable thirst for new and different technology is rampant.
THE QUESTION:
Who would you choose, from the following list of snollygosters, for your trusted friend and leader? Pick one.
Definition of: SNOLLYGOSTER, a shrewd, unprincipled person, typically a politician
1. Richard Nixon, USA
Remember the Watergate coverup and the lies?
2. Bill Clinton, USA
It is necessary to reinvestigate Clinton’s personal history, particularly longstanding, unresolved and unproven allegations against him of sexual harassment, sexual assault, and even rape. New York senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a onetime protégé of Hillary Clinton, recently suggested that it would have been “appropriate” for Clinton to have resigned the presidency over the Monica Lewinsky scandal.
Putin is determined to resurrect a Russia superpower. He supported a pro-Russian insurgency in eastern Ukraine and launched a military operation in support of Syria's Bashar al-Assad. Putin's control over Russia is subject to very few constitutional checks and balances. You might want to exercise some caution!
4. Kim Jung Un, NORTH KOREA
What a popular dude! Seriously? The people seem to like him. Do they really have a choice?
5. Bashir Hafez Al Assad, SYRIA
His election was dismissed as a "sham" by the Syrian opposition and its Western allies. Assad has been included on a list of 'war crimes' indictments.
He might be considered dangerous.
6. Dick Cheney, USA
"Duck George! he was aiming at Cheney." Bush abetted by his VP Dick Cheney brought tough times to the nation. The economy faltered badly. He started a war based on lies and instituted unprecedented tax breaks for the rich.
7. Robert Mugabe, ZIMBABWE
The former leader of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, is one of the most infamous African rulers. His efforts led to the creation of a fully democratic Zimbabwe. Elected prime minister and later president, he embraced conciliation with the country’s white minority but often used politics and force to sidelined his rivals. Beginning in 2000, he allowed the takeovers of white-owned commercial farms, leading to economic collapse and runaway inflation. He watched from his castle while several of his countrymen starved.
8. Ali Khamenei, IRAN
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has been the ultimate authority in Iran since 1989, is openly opposed to Western influence in both his country and the broader Middle East. A hardliner even within Iran's clerical regime, Khamenei has long championed the slogan "Death to America,". His goal is to position Tehran, the Iranian capital, as both a geopolitical and ideological enemy of the US and Israel. Not only his eyesight is impaired!
9. Osama bin Laden, SAUDI ARABIA
Osama bin Laden was a terrorist extremist who planned attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon in the USA. He was intent on driving Western influence from the Muslim world. After the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan, bin Laden formed the al-Qaeda network which carried out global strikes against Western interests.
10. Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán, MEXICO
Mexican drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán is the leader of the infamous Sinaloa Cartel. El Chapo has been accused of importing over 180,000 kilos of cocaine into the USA. Cunning and evasive, El Chapo escaped from a Mexican prison in July(not for the first time) by way of a labyrinthine tunnel he paid to have built. Might be an exciting life style!
11. Donald Trump, USA
Is he really as bad as most people think? Tune in to CNN.
THE LEMON:
THE QUOTE:
Is he really as bad as most people think? Tune in to CNN.
THE LEMON:
Awarded to the 'friend' of your choice!
THE QUOTE:
THE CLIP:
No comments:
Post a Comment