THE COMEBACK:

WHAT STINKS?

DO YOU SEE ANYONE

ELSE AROUND?

THE MESSAGE:

MEMORIES

I must not be a good person. I say this despite having been married to a wonderful person, having a great family, a bunch of faithful friends and wonderful memories of a teaching and coaching career. I have seen much of the world and been exposed to several different cultures. Why then do I continue to wrestle with doubts and fears?

Am I greedy, selfish or unfulfilled? I do not see myself as any of those. Am I good, evil, weird or indifferent?

I care about others and pray for an end to armed conflict. I am sickened by murder, rape, abduction and physical or mental abuse. In this world of plenty, I deplore the fate of underfed children, homeless desperadoes, uneducated, jobless young men and women, people cursed by chemical dependency, con artists preying upon unsuspecting seniors and crooked hypocritical politicians.

I am a law-abiding, tax paying supporter of Canada. I have never contemplated suicide or actually fallen into states of depression. Thoughts of going to church often creep into my head. I do support worthy causes, such as Cancer research, Sick Children's hospital, and boys and girls clubs. I have never stolen anything..well, once I shoplifted one of those small candies from the dime store.. oh ya and I took a quarter from my mom's purse. The realization that reading and thinking can actually dispel fears always brings me out of the doldrums.

TONY TODAY:

Maybe I can narrow it down!

IF I WAS A PESSIMIST?

OK, there's the rub. Do I have faith in a supreme being? I used to have but discarded the notion some years ago. So I must say Nah! maybe that's the problem. Do I believe in the goodness of mankind? I could say yes but for the existence of all of those hate filled assholes of my generation.

Do I believe that Planet Earth is doomed because the major population countries like china and India will never agree to limiting the fossil fuels that result in dangerous levels of pollution.

Will the human race ever be able to accept or appreciate different cultures or religions?

Is it possible to believe that there are more good people in the world than evil or stupid ones. Will Toronto ever win another Staley Cup?

AM I A RACIST?

Why have so many citizens developed a hatred for the police, the justice system, the schools, the language or other societal norms? Babies are not born bigots. Children develop bigotry through the ignorance and influence of others.

Why do young men depend on gangs, guns and drugs to satisfy their lack of love and nurture?

AM I AN ACTIVIST?

Should I join in with believers of perceived issues marching in the streets? Are there any public protests that I could support? Can I accept Union members on strike, educators on work to rule, aboriginals deploring the loss of their lands and culture while accepting all the free benefits of a modern society. Can I tolerate fear mongers who embrace fake science. Can I believe in man-made global warming? Can I understand why some people resist vaccines during the Covid 19 threat? Can I understand why anyone would vote for Justin Trudeau?

THE MUSIC: