Tony At 10: ARE YOU AWAKE? BLOG# 2304; FRI JUN 25,2021

THE COMEBACK:

AM I TOO LATE?

ACTUALLY, I PREFER THAT YOU HAD FORGOTTEN OUR DATE.

THE MESSAGE:

I once knew a man who seemed to be filled with anger, revenge, ill-will, hostility, bitterness and resentment. He no longer resides on earth and is most likely not remembered fondly by many. He did manage to win the respect or perhaps the friendship of a few souls who refused to grasp the Canadian qualities of leadership, co-operation, acceptance and compassion. This man was a brave member of an airforce crew during WWII. It is most likely that the experiences he endured caused him to develop into such a misanthrope. He was fortunate; however, to have been blessed with an understanding wife and a family with open minds. This man must have lived and died in a state of loneliness and confusion. Each night I pray for him to have passed on with a blessing that opened his mind and soul.

TONY TODAY:

THE STATE OF THE WORLD

Most Canadians are concerned with the welfare of their families. We sometimes take for granted the benefits of living with freedom, eclectic cultures and the protection of our homes, jobs, 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. In 1979, the Canadian government decided that the number of 'Boat People' brought to Canada should be dependent on public support. Therefore it introduced a 'matching formula': the government would 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 were comprised of both urban and rural dwellers. The majority did not speak English or French and had no relatives in Canada. As well, they arrived during a period of economic downturn in the country. These factors combined led to a struggle for them to integrate into Canadian society and to achieve some form of economic independence.

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

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 'waste in the pursuit of these selfish goals.

Terrorism exists and is perpetrated in the name of various religions and philosophies as an escape to a better world.

Today, many young lives are wasted by a lack of suitable parenting, guidance or nurture. As a result, children grow up 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.

The southern border of the USA has become a nightmare for the various people trying to escape their current conditions and provide a better future for their dependents.

Four members of a Muslim family were killed in a "premeditated" vehicle attack, Canadian police say. The attack took place in the city of London, Ontario. A boy aged nine, the family's only survivor, is in hospital with serious injuries. A 20-year-old Canadian man has been charged with four counts of murder and one count of attempted murder.

WAS THIS A HATE CRIME?

THE MUSIC:

THE BEATLES, STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER

INTERESTING STUFF:

A 2016 census found that London - a city about 200km (125 miles) south-west of Toronto - is growing increasingly diverse. One in five people was born outside of Canada, with Arabs being the area's largest minority group, and South Asians coming in a close second. "It is believed that these victims were targeted because they were Muslim," Detective Superitendant Paul Waight told a news conference.

THE PUN:

The patron saint of poverty is St. Nickeless.