Monday, August 22, 2011

Canada is orange... if only for today

Almost a month after the passing of Amy Winehouse, I heard this morning that Jack Layton has passed away at the age of 61 from cancer.  He stepped down temporarily as leader of the NDP to fight cancer in July however cancer got the best of him.  Cancer is so ugly.  But before I tackle that, I gotta say this.

I voted NDP in my riding during the federal election. I wanted Jack Layton to lead this country.  He was a man of the people.  He campaigned tirelessly for the working class people - better jobs, health care, better lives.  I, along with millions of other Canadians, couldn't wait for September to see Jack Layton, as Leader of the Opposition, mess up Stevie H's diabolical plans to paint the country ignant with his right-wing archaic propaganda.  (just sayin')

As I was watching CBC News' coverage of Jack Layton's death, I noticed a significant delay in our PM's response to the passing of the Leader of the Opposition.  Coincidence?  Of course not.  Let me be the first to tell you why there was this delay. When Jack Layton stepped down as NDP leader to recover from cancer, he appointed Nycole Turmel as his temporary replacement.  Did not Stevie H proceed to attack Ms. Turmel because she used to be a member of the Bloc Québecois?   Okay, so that plan seemed to work for awhile.  Not sure why the Tories need to keep up the attack crap when they're guaranteed a job for the next 4 years... who knows.

Let's go back to our sheep.  The Tories are notorious for stirring the political pot.  While their shitstorm on Ms. Turmel goes on, Jack Layton steps down.  The country is immediately sympathetic despite their own political alliances.  Now that Jack Layton is gone, all the attacks on Nycole Turmel look petty and unnecessary.  People who otherwise wouldn't give a second glance or thought to the NDP will now be curious to see what all the fuss is about.  Of course, Stevie H can't speak ill of the dead or he'll be lambasted in the public eye.  Stevie H was sitting with his people trying to figure out how to spin this latest development to the Tories' advantage.  Seems odd that the Tories seem a little uneasy as they're very quick to talk smack about everyone else... relax, people!  You're in till 2015.  Sit back, relax and collect your pay for life.

Now I have to rant about cancer.  Cancer has affected family members and friends of mine over the years.  I've donated to charity groups thinking I'm doing my part but I've stopped doing that.  How could I do such a heinous thing?  Well, I know for a fact some of these charities spend less than half of money raised on cancer research.  Less than HALF.  So where's the rest of the dosh going?  Administration & fundraising events.  Fun runs, t-shirts and TV commercials all take precedence over finding a damn cure. I volunteered for a United Way member agency and what I saw made me sick.  The United Way raises hundreds of millions of dollars yet member agencies have to offer up their firstborn & other essentials for a few crumbs of the pie.  Next time you donate to your favourite charity, do a little digging.  Find out where your money is going.  Don't just do it for the tax break - make a real difference to an organization that can do some real good.

Read Jack Layton's letter to Canadians here.  Let's all continue what Jack Layton started.

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

uprising and other shenanigans

I'm watching a live feed from the BBC right now as I write this.  After the shooting death of Mark Duggan by police on the weekend, riots broke out in Tottenham.  I must be clear when I say I do not condone violence in any fashion.  Over the last few days, riots have spread into other parts of London and the rest of the UK.  Those riots appear to be copycats yet something tells me otherwise.  I do believe British youth are fed up of being treated like shite by all parts of society.  The British government has announced deep cuts to government-funded services.

I have family & friends in the UK and I hope they are all safe and far away from danger.  To the young people of the UK - read this carefully.  Take notice of the uprising in Egypt.  Young people gathered peacefully to make a stand.  Their voices were heard around the world.  You can do the same.  Destroying your neighbourhood isn't going to cut it.  No one is going to take you seriously if you burn everything down.

Let's move on to something equally disturbing.  Thylane Loubry Blondeau is a 10 year old girl gracing the pages of French Vogue.  The French don't see a problem with it yet on this side of the pond people are losing their minds.  These pictures are indeed disgusting.  Thylane (what a pretty name) is 10.  TEN?!  Where's her childhood?  Does she play on monkey bars with other children?  Did she ever watch 5, rue Sésame?  More fashion houses are using teens to sell clothes to grown-ass women.  Not like I buy designer labels anyway however would the average woman be enticed to buy something modeled by someone less than half their age?  Models are young to begin with but this is ridiculous.  I'm sure perverts everywhere are having a field day.  Yeah, I said it.

Lastly, the USA has averted financial meltdown by increasing their debt ceiling to a bazillion trillion dollars.  Analysts believe an "Armageddon" of sorts has been averted.  Uh... how so?  Plus everyone's freaking out over the credit rating downgrade from AAA to AA+?

How much is a trillion dollars?  This video will tell you.  So here's where my understanding of this debt ceiling jazz gets a little fuzzy.  If you borrow a lot of money to buy unnecessary things, eventually you will have to pay it back.   How is it you can keep borrowing and still maintain an amazing credit rating?  Either you'll have to stop spending needlessly or start paying it back.  I took the decision to declare bankruptcy because no matter what I did I couldn't keep up with my debts.  I still have dopey collection agencies calling me to this day!  I've learned about debt & finances now; I'm proud to say Ethan & I have no debt.  We rent our home and pay cash for the things we need.

** sigh ** Be safe, everyone.  It's scary out there.