Washington Gathering

Washington Gathering

NINE DAYS TO GO
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Words from Thomas Greywolf:

"From Dawn To Dusk!

May 9th, 2005 in Front of the

U.S.Supreme Court Building in Washington, D.C. 20543

This a Monday which is decision day.

Spread the word far and wide.

Bring Your Signs, Your Bullhorns,

Your Love for Justice and Your Determination!

Let's See if We can't Put a Few Thousand People

in the streets of D.C.!

IT'S TIME TO FREE LEONARD PELTIER!"

This Gathering Has The Full Support Of Leonard Peltier and the LDPC.

______________

For more information, go to:

http://washingtongathering.croweagle.com

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From the Four Directions

From the Four Directions,
We shall gather,
In the name of Leonard,
We unite, in Spirit,
Thought and word,
In ceremonies,
In prayer,
In fellowship,
In respect,
In understanding,
Voices of ancestors heard,
It is our day,
It is our time,
United we stand,
We have a vision,
A free Leonard!

© 2005 by Louis Henry Reeves

Election fever

No election has been called. The House is still in session. Perhaps it is a simple virus that has been spreading over the last few weeks. The Conservative Party would love to have an election but to date has been concerned about the many Canadians who feel that it is simply too early. Parliament has not been sitting long enough to bring forth much legislation. Some Canadians are concerned about the costs associated with an election. But there is a group, composed mostly of Liberals, who would like to postpone the election indefinitely or at least until after the sponsorship scandal report from the Gomery Commission is released in December.

To date, so much negative publicity has come out of the inquiry into the scandal that the Liberals must feel an early election will produce their downfall. There is apparent corruption within the federal Liberal Party in the Province of Quebec. So many stories have come out of the inquiry to date that most Canadians feel rather disgusted with what has taken place.

These are sad days for all Canadians, no matter to which party they belong. History is being made and our children and their children will study about these shameful times as part of the history of this country for which, in the past, there has been so much pride.

What many Canadians find hard to believe is the magnitude of the scandal. How so many intelligent individuals could bring themselves to be involved in corrupt and possibly illegal activities stretches the imagination and credulity of the masses.

I have written about my belief that all those who were involved in illegal activities should go to jail. But don’t be surprised if some will go and, unlike the Monopoly Game, they have already passed “go” and have collected their “two hundred” and much, very much more.

I say that if the past prime minister is found to be directly implicated, he should be fined heavily and should be sent to prison for an extended “holiday”, without his golf balls. For exercise he should be assigned tasks such as cleaning out the toilets of the prison and should spend a good spell of time in solitary confinement. I would show no mercy. I believe that he is at the bottom of the scandal and if not, he should have been aware of the “success” of the sponsorship program and if he was not, he is guilty of not performing his duty as the CEO of all activities on the Hill. In any case, he is a loser!


The Chretien legacy to the Canadian people has been a travesty, a cruelty performed on our society. We Canadians should not feel guilty for what has taken place. Those guilty should pay a price, a very heavy price!

Election fever is in the air. There should be an election before autumn.

Sovereign Quebec

Quebec as a foreign country would be easy to accept. I am personally tired of all the talk of separation. All marriages are not perfect. When partners become disillusioned or are treated badly, we find that separation or divorce can be a positive outcome for both parties. Likewise in government, if separation of parts will produce happiness, then let it be!

I have lived in the province of Quebec. Part of my elementary and secondary education took place there. I speak French and have enjoyed the benefits of living and working with French Canadians. I have enjoyed participating in social and cultural activities and can see no reason whatsoever not to continue experiencing the pleasure of all such activities.

So, what would I have to lose? Very little, if anything; unless there will be some extra costs involved in getting into the new country or paying some higher taxation on the goods and services that I might acquire there.

I have come to the conclusion that I am in favour of Quebec’s separation. I encourage the separation. I would be willing to help in activities related to separation. If I choose once again to live there, I would not look upon such an activity as a step backwards but a positive step forwards.

I echo the words of Charles de Gaulle, the first president of the Fifth Republic of France. “Vive le Quebec libre!”

The Kingdom of Kana Dada

Once upon a time in a distant kingdom called Kana Dada there lived the most handsome King Petrus. All the young ladies of the court loved him.

King Petrus was very smart and he once said that if you wanted to get a job done give it to General Johannus.

General Johannus kept things under his control and could always deliver the goods.

Now kingship had to be earned and the people of the kingdom could select the person who was to be their next king.

General Johannus had a good chance to become king. He was hungry for that power.

He took care of his friends with rewards. The people from his birth village were also rewarded. They loved him.

He later became King Johannus! He used his power as he pleased.

King Johannus knew that to be selected a second and third time he would be required to continue having many friends and had to find new ways to reward them.

Now King Johannus never provided gift money from his limited personal treasury but he could have money moved from the kingdom’s treasury. He was never to be seen doing this but had others act for him. He gave the key to the treasury to one of his favourites, General Alfonsus. All the people who raided the treasury and the people who received special rewards were never to identify themselves or any others who were involved.

Later, it was learned that money had left the treasury illegally and the people of the kingdom were angry and wanted to know what had happened. They said there was much do-do in Kana Dada!

King Johannus left the power of the kingdom to one of his strongest generals, called Paulus. King Paulus had a major clean-up job to do.

The people, under the new King Paulus carried out a big inquisition that lasted many weeks. This inquisition was carried out under the leadership of the Grand Inquisitor, Justinius Gomerus, a most highly respected and honourable gentleman.

In the end, the finger pointed in the direction of the old King Johannus as he had held the key to the treasury.

Someone said the key was like a smoking gun.

The people remembered little Johannus Hornerus sitting in a corner and saying: "What a good boy am I." How times change!

Can we believe that the former King Johannus was guilty?

Semi-reverie

So often our dreams contain nonsense qualities about them. Yet, at times there are such true–to-life situations that upon awakening one would almost think that what was dreamed actually happened. The question is often asked how significant are dreams and what meanings can be transferred to one’s actual life. Many books have been written on those topics and I shall write about the significance of dreams at a later time.

For me, the most important or critical time for a dream state is between sleep and being fully awake. During those periods I can solve some of the minor problems of the world. It is a time period of great creative output. Material is covered for short stories, for poetry, for letters to the editors and for research into many areas of life experience.

I call the transition period of sleep to full awakening as semi-reverie. It is a state of existence that I can say I enjoy. I feel that I could conquer the world, or at least my very small world. I have powers beyond all measure or at least I can’t be hurt by any external force. It is a time of free-floating ideas that move on still waters. It is a time of comfort when both the body and mind are calm; when actual breathing can be enjoyed.

I am reminded of the highs that I would often experience when I ran long distances. During those times I would also experience the feeling of absolute harmony in breathing and blood flow; each breath was enjoyable as the air would be taken in then exhaled. Each running step was so smooth; the body propelled through the air, almost flying. What a safe way to fly, through the air yet so close to “terra firma” with man and space in an interesting balance. Almost a dream state; almost a state of semi- reverie; a state of existence to be enjoyed, not with a full understanding of what actually takes place but a condition to be experienced.

Semi-reverie is part of my life existence. Could I live without it? No!


Dreaming

Waking dreams and sleeping dreams
Are all the same to me.
They exist within my mind
And thus do set me free.

Hand in hand we strolled along,
Humming our immortal song.
Fondest memories are made of such,
They bring to life so very much!

© Lou Reeves

Monogamy, bigamy and polygamy.

Most of us have a good understanding of monogamy and most couples are involved in monogamous relationships, even if some men have mistresses, have affairs or are living in common-law relationships. Monogamy, by definition, is the marriage to only one wife or husband at a time. This is a legal union of a couple, performed by a legal authority, be the authority civil or religious.

Bigamy is the illegal act of having two wives or husbands at the same time. Although I do not have the statistics on prosecutions for bigamy, I must believe it is very low. As divorces today are fairly easy to obtain, the practice of bigamy is thereby discouraged. As well, couples often live as common-law partners rather than entering into bigamous relationships.

Recently a man in western Canada declared that he was a polygamist. He had quite a number of wives and many children. This action was sanctioned under the religious principles of his faith. He believes that under the Canadian Charter of Rights, he has the legal authority to do have multiple wives.

The state probably agrees that the Charter would work to the benefit of the accused, therefore he has not been charged with a criminal offense. Polygamy remains a crime but if the state does not prosecute, it may encourage a few others to commit polygamy.

Now, where do I stand on this matter? I believe that the state should not intervene in the situation where the marriages take place by a person qualified to perform the marriages according to the principles of the couple’s religious faith.

I do not believe that many men and women would ever consider entering into polygamous relationships. It would prove to be rather expensive living. Furthermore, it would take some control and willpower to maintain peace and harmony in a single home if a number of married people were living together in polygamous relationships.

Taxation for education

All are not all born equal in terms of the financial ability to acquire an education. If it were not for public education supported by the state, some individuals would not be able to go to school. Pre-university education comes at no direct cost to the individual student but is covered by all property tax payers.

A question that is often asked relates to the cost effectiveness of the educational system. Most taxpayers would agree that the fixed costs for salaries of teachers must be covered. Salaries are negotiated by school boards composed of representatives of the taxpayers.
When it comes to the organization of the system and the costs related to its administration, additional questions come to mind.

One institution that conducts research into education in the Province of Ontario is the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. The big question now relates to what studies have been conducted within that institution to make the total system both efficient and effective. Then a question will be asked about the effectiveness of the Institute itself which may be incorporated in a future research study.

Could the Institute conduct a research study on itself?

A view from below.

I wonder why I so often look to that structure, sometimes piercing low hanging clouds, for answers to the questions that we have concerning our society. That structure is a tower; it is made of ivory. But ivory can’t be legally sold so it must be a figment of my imagination or the result of fables told.

The high priced help working in the academic offices of our nation warrant questioning. When and why were the rules made for the hiring, maintaining, firing or retiring these people?

Now, I can well understand lectures being given in hallowed halls of our universities. I can see many individuals sitting in large auditoria listening to the voice of great lecturers who provide ways of questioning and searching for knowledge and who provide the motivation that is sometimes required for students to think deeply, to read voraciously and then to commit to paper their thoughts, interpretations and ideas relating to particular areas of study.

What I find difficult to understand is how these professors spend their time. If we total the amount of time spent in the lecture hall we come quickly to the conclusion that it is a small fraction of the work-time of the professors. We also find that the academic year is short or the number of courses “taught” by the professors is not that great.

In many of those institutions, we find lecturers teaching introductory courses to large numbers of students; here we are not talking about 20 or 30 students but many more sometimes exceeding one hundred. Those lecturers do not receive a high income but they do generate many dollars coming from student tuition fees and this support the life style to which professors have grown accustomed. Between those lectures, sometimes excellent lectures, and the school libraries, students can forge ahead in their pursuit of knowledge and in the development of their critical questioning techniques.

I now question the across the board sabbatical, those seventh-year recuperation periods during which some research activity and writing can produce “new knowledge” or something that can be recognize as forward movement of the professor, in many ways unknown.

Then we hear of “publish or perish”, that demand of the system that tells the world or at least those within the same discipline that the professor is contributing to the field of study. How much publishing should be coming from those institutions and for what purposes?

My personal view is that we see little coming from the ivory towers to help resolve the many problems within our society. With their vast knowledge and understanding of the ways things happen and perhaps better ways for things to be done, little do we hear from those brilliant academic minds. This does not mean that there are not professors who are advancing knowledge and in practical ways are sharing what they know for the improvement of world conditions, often starting at the local level.

We are here to praise the positive contributions made to society coming from our academic institutions. At the same time I have many questions concerning an antiquated approach to what takes place within those institutions. These questions need to be asked to bring the world of learning as exemplified within those institutions into the twenty first century.

Difficult Times

One of my favourite films won an Academy Award for cinematography in 1965. The name of the film was “Ship of Fools.” On most any day we can now see, on television, the “House of Fools”. No, I am being unkind, I should say the “House of Foolishness” where our representatives to the Federal Parliament shout, pound desks, and make all sorts of sounds coupled with words to drown out the words and comments made by members on the “other side.” Where we expect civil debate, we find individuals wanting to gain political points. The issues become clouded and the public frequently turned off.

In the “House of Foolishness”, would anyone want to address the Canadian public? The Prime Minister did want to address the Canadian people but he chose to do so from his office. There he could feel much more comfortable; he would be able to feel at home.

This he did tonight. Seldom do prime ministers address the public directly from their offices. It is done when there is a crisis situation for the nation. Do we have a national crisis at the present time? No! Is the Liberal party in crisis mode? Yes!

The Gomery Commission revelations have been shocking and most disturbing. The prime minister would like to see an election called after Mr. Justice Gomery presents his report and recommendations in December. The parties in opposition might prefer a much earlier date. The Canadian public is ambivalent.

My personal preference would be for an election in October. Let us have a pleasant summer and after schools reopen and the cooler fall weather is with us, we would have the ideal time for an election.

In any case, we live in difficult times: in very difficult political times!

Native Leadership

There are more aboriginal people moving ahead in the pursuit of higher education.
This holds true for all peoples. But the need for educated Natives is becoming more apparent every day. Many have moved into positions of leadership within their own tribes, as chiefs and in the wider world of work.

Most of these leaders are intelligent people but once in awhile, for whatever reason, some statements that they make go too far. One might have personal beliefs but these should not be expressed if they are contrary to the law of the land. Being Native does not give one special powers. Perhaps on reservations power goes with the territory but the authority that goes with the holding a position must have respect for all peoples.

The press is everywhere. To the press, nothing is better than a “juicy story” for publication. Nothing is sacred. All and everything is fair game.

Now what I say about Native leaders would also pertain to other leaders in society, but in general, it is not wisdom that these other leaders possess in greater measure but they perhaps have learned how to keep out of trouble and to speak with much discretion.

Native leaders of the future will bring to their positions some important concepts and philosophy from non-Native society, learned while attending programs of higher education. They will be able to meld some elements of their Native cultures with those of others. Or, they will be able to distinguish between both and live with a deep respect for both. This will be the way to preserve that which is of great value from their cultures. If not, that which is truly Native will be submerged to the point that it becomes irrelevant and will be lost forever.

We must live with disappointments.

I had hoped for too much. Now I live with a disappointment.

In the final analysis, my disappointment may work out for the betterment of society, but that is a little difficult to believe. By the white smoke we learned that a new pope had been selected. Pope Benedict XVI, by all accounts is conservative, if not ultra-conservative.

My disappointment is simply that I believed that the day for women to become priests and priests to marry was at hand. Was that too much to ask for?

I must say that I was pleased that the new pope was not Italian. We have seen too many of those! Now we have had two non-Italians popes yet, European. It was time for a major change. But, that was not to be. Maybe next time we will see a Latino pope; one who might come from Latin America where half of all Catholis live.

Popes have too much power, their power is absolute. There are many Catholics in North America and Europe who would like the Church to change. Their hopes have been dashed. Perhaps the next pope will be more liberal and maybe, just maybe he will hear the voice of God saying: “It is time for the Church to become more moderate in its relationship with all members.”

Some day in the future Catholics will look back and wonder what all the fuss was about.

I have absorbed my disappointment and frustration for I recognize that times do change, and popes do come and go. The Church of Rome will change its attitudes and become more humanistic in its existence!

From Ottawa to Mecca

Bells Corners is a religious community or so it would seem if one were to count the number of churches representing different religious groups. One of the more recent arrivals is that of the Muslim community that has had a mosque, a small mosque by size of building but a mosque within which prayers of worship have been offered for the last 5 years.

It has been said that the Islamic faith is the fastest growing religion in the world. Across North America, from community to community we find mosques and associations of Muslim peoples. These people have come to Canada from many nations of our world. Yet, they hold a religious faith common to all regardless of language, culture or colour of members.

The fundamental ideals of Islam could be viewed as ideal for Canadian society, as human rights can bring religions together with a focus on the right to life and the freedom of religion. Other rights relating to family, property and justice are all included in Islamic ideals.

Followers of the Islamic faith have as their place of worship, the mosque. In the year 622 A.D., the Prophet Muhammad fled from Mecca to the City of Medina where his house was used as a place for prayer. This house became the first mosque and place of worship.

In 629 Muhammad returned to Mecca, the city of his birth. There we find the Great Mosque which is the focus of Muslim worship. All other mosques are constructed along a line that is projected or leading to Mecca. A wall of the mosque is constructed perpendicular to that line. It is called the Qibla wall and parallel to this wall are rows along which the faithful kneel to pray, all facing Mecca.

Five times a day over one billion Muslims around the world face Mecca in their prayers to Allah. On Fridays, it is compulsory for all male Muslims to go to the mosque for prayer.

Although the present mosque on Moodie Drive is small in size and the number of members is a very small fraction of the total Muslim population of the world, the fervour of prayer, the strength of religious conviction is no less than that which would be found in any other mosque, no matter where it might be or no matter its size.

The Muslim community requires a new and much larger mosque for all their religious activities, for the development of Muslim youth and to have the space for all other activities that might be undertaken. It is a requirement, a just requirement that needs to be met.

A number of residents of Bells Corners have objected to the construction of a new mosque on the property located adjacent to the older mosque and facing Richmond Road were for a variety of reasons. One major problem that has been experienced in the past has been that of parked cars on the streets close to the mosque during the Friday prayer time. It has been suggested that even with the many additional parking spots made available for the new mosque, there might still be a continuing street parking problem. Yet, a solution may be found if permission is granted by number of organization to have their properties used for parking purposes during prayer times. It is this spirit of cooperation that may lead to the City to finally approve the site plan proposal.

There are many beautiful mosques around the world that reflect the architectural genius of both non-Muslim and Muslim architects. Today we find with the rapid expansion in the number of followers of the Islamic faith and the oil-wealth from Islamic nations, more mosques are being built using designs by contemporary Muslim architects. In fact, there are awards for mosque designs coming from the Aga Khan Award for Architecture.

Although minarets were not part of the architecture of the earlier mosques, they came into use about 100 years after the first mosques were built. The minarets served as an excellent way to project the voice of the person calling the worshippers to prayer. In addition, the minarets served as structures of beauty, as embellishments to the mosques and because of their heights could be seen for many miles. The minaret on the proposed mosque should prove to be an attractive feature for the southern landscape of Bells Corners. It will be seen for miles across the greenbelt. It will serve as a symbol of tolerance and goodwill, of freedom and justice to all.

Of Mosques and Minarets

The fundamental ideals of Islam could be viewed as ideal for Canadian society, as human rights can bring religions together with a focus on the right to life and the freedom of religion. Other rights relating to family, property and justice are all included in Islamic ideals.

Followers of the Islamic faith have as their place of worship, the mosque. In the year 622 A.D., the Prophet Muhammad fled from Mecca to the City of Medina where his house was used as a place for prayer. This house became the first mosque and place of worship.

In 629 Muhammad returned to Mecca, the city of his birth. There we find the Great Mosque which is the focus of Muslim worship. All other mosques are constructed along a line that is projected or leading to Mecca. A wall of the mosque is constructed perpendicular to the line. It is called the Qibla wall and parallel to this wall are rows along which the faithful kneel to pray, all facing Mecca.

Five times a day over one billion Muslims around the world face Mecca in their prayers to Allah. On Fridays, it is compulsory for all male Muslims to go to the mosque for prayer.

There are many beautiful mosques around the world that reflect the architectural genius of both non-Muslim and Muslim architects. Today we find with the rapid expansion in the number of followers of the Islamic faith and the oil-wealth from Islamic nations, more mosques are being built using designs coming from contemporary Muslim architects. In fact there are awards for mosque designs coming from the Aga Khan Award for Architecture.

Although minarets were not part of the architecture of the earlier mosques, they came into use about 100 years after the first mosques were built. The minarets served as an excellent way to project the voice of the person calling the worshippers to prayer. In addition, the minarets served as structures of beauty, as embellishments to the mosques and because of their heights could be seen for many miles.

Here, there, everywhere…

What might that be? DISCRIMINATION!

When I was young, I felt DISCRIMINATION.

Same language, but different religion yielded DISCRIMINATION.

Later, same religion, but different language yielded DISCRIMINATION.

Then I heard about members of one religious group who were not able to find overnight accommodation at some motels or hotels; for them, there were never any rooms available. As to being able to join particular clubs, for them there were no ways to join, yielding DISCRIMINATION.

Today, based on colour, culture, language and religion, we still have many forms of DISCRIMINATION.

If one has all four bases, DISCRIMINATION can overpowering, in fact, to be different based on any of those four bases can lead to DISCRIMINATION.

Where can DISCRIMINATION be found? Here, there and everywhere; the list can be long. One primary area where DISCRIMINATION can be found is in the world of work where selections for employment and later for promotion opportunities exist.

Sometimes DISCRIMINATION can be very subtle and very hard to prove. Sometimes it can be fought and even if the case is won, the perpetrator most often remains in power or control and in more subtle ways, DISCRIMINATION continues.

All DISCRIMINATION is hurtful, and is always remembered. Those who have felt DISCRIMINATION will tell stories which are always the same when it comes to pain and suffering.

Even in our world of today, we see massive, extensive and most terrible forms of DISCRIMINATION in genocide and in racial cleansing.

Will DISCRIMINATION ever end? I doubt it very much!

It behooves those of us who are opposed to DISCRIMINATION, to do all that is in our power to do the right things to eliminate it, in every way possible.

In the name of justice, ethics and morality, we must stand up to DISCRIMINATION, wherever and whenever it rears its ugly head.

Tarred by the same brush

Although, in general, the public has a low trust for politicians and lawyers, there are many politicians who are trust worthy and many lawyers, as well.

It is most unfortunate that some politicians have acted in ways that are viewed as most inappropriate and even sometimes, illegal; the same holds true for lawyers.

The Gomery Commission has brought out testimony that has caused the Canadian public to question the activities of supposed upright Canadian citizens.

I have found that people are talking about the inquiry. It is a topic of conversation that often results in comments that are rather negative towards the Liberal Party and those sentiments fall on the shoulders of liberal politicians. Most Liberal politicians have had absolutely nothing to do with “The Scandal”, yet they are recipients of some abusive comments. That is rather unfortunate.

Perhaps the Liberals have been in power too long. That is probably the sense of the people at the present time. Will there be an election? The Liberals would like to put any election off to a much later date. They would like to delay until after the Gomery report which is due in December. At that time, later and preferably much later would be in the best interest of Liberal politicians.

The mood of the country at the present time would give the Conservative Party the preferred position of providing the leadership in a minority government. Some additional time for the Gomery Commission to provide additional damning testimony would work to the benefit of the Conservatives. In addition the Conservatives do not want to “force” an election because many Canadians do not want to have another election so soon after the last one. They hope that the mood for an election will heighten to the point where the public will “demand” that an election be held, to “kick the bums out”, which may be very inappropriate for most of the politicians are not guilty of any wrong-doing but have been “tarred by the same brush.”

A photographic error?

Along side an article concerning the mosque that is to be built, as mentioned in yesterday’s blog, appears a photograph of a private residence. This home is rather large and features a dome-like third floor. Many residents in the area actually believed that it was the new mosque, as earlier signs indicated, would be built on Moodie Drive. In fact, the original mosque site and the new mosque site became the subject of a By-Law change, and later, an appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board. The new sign indicates a new address for Richmond Road as well as the old sign with an address for Moodie Drive.

Now, does that photograph have any relationship with the new mosque that is to built? Yes! It just happens that the new mosque structure will be directly behind the residence that was photographed. Was there a photographic error? Yes! Do good things ever come of errors? Well, yes, sometimes to the person committing the error and sometimes, others as well. I believe that the photographer will learn a lesson and the error has stimulated some discussion in the community. For me, as an individual tax payer, it generated a series of questions.

Now, that photograph reminded me that questions needed to be asked of City Hall. This matter generated a listing of eight questions with a final statement that, if there were any violations in the construction of that residence, my letter would be deemed to be a complaint.

If in fact the turret on that residence was an illegal structure, it probably would have to be removed. This would make any number of residents happy as that home is now viewed by many as an “eye sore”. To my knowledge, there is no other structure like this one, anywhere in the City of Ottawa, or perhaps anywhere else. It is really unique!

For any individual who has access to a Nepean This Week newspaper, the photo and story appear on page 8, of the Friday, April 15 issue.

First Visit to a Mosque

Last night I made my first visit to a mosque, the house of prayer for followers of the Islamic faith. This opportunity was presented for I was to discuss with the Imam, the plans for the construction of a new mosque to accommodate an expanding community.

During this visit some time was taken out for the Imam to lead the sunset prayer, one of the five times a day when Muslims are commanded to offer prayer. I was impressed with the ritual and very much with the attention and participation of those gathered for the prayer. One has to admire the dedication of these men as followers of Muhammad, are to be honoured and respected.

Later, the Imam described through prayer and the use of the Qur’an, with words from the Prophet Muhammad, a glimpse of elements of the Islamic faith.

One purpose of the visit was to review plans for a new mosque that should be built on a property facing Richmond Road in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. The supporting eight architectural drawings revealed the plans for a beautiful mosque that, when built, will meet the needs of a growing Muslim community in the western part of Ottawa.

Some things to think about…

On Sunday I took a walk along a stretch of Bank Street. My attention was caught by an advertisement that included the following:

“The highest courage is to dare to be you in the face of adversity. Choosing right over wrong, ethics over convenience, and truth over popularity…these are the choices that measure your life. Travel the path of integrity without looking back, for there is never a wrong time to do the right thing.” Anonymous

There is much here to think about. How do we choose to measure our lives? How often do we even stop to think about our hopes and aspirations; why we hold these and what are we doing to achieve them?

Here are a few words that I penned as a prayer that reflects a framework within which an individual might dedicate time for thought and activity that will produce positive outcomes in living.

Pray to God to have the courage to face adversity in its many forms; to have the moral conviction to live under ethical principles; to search for the truth and to do what is right; to be guided by a respect for all of society, in humility and with love.

There are times during the year when individuals do make resolutions. One particular time is that of New Years day, but there is no better time to do so than this present moment. Think about this and do it now!

Today, a beautiful day!

Today is cloudless and clear. The air is crisp and when lung-filled, man should want to live forever! The tulips in my garden are growing, having poked through the melting snow some ten days ago. What a delight to see the strawberry plants flourishing and within a couple of months the first delicious berries will be eaten.

I always look forward to the 21st of March and more so to the early days of April when the snow on my garden melts away. During these days, the snow in the forest continues to melt and most of the pathways can not be traveled without leaving them to find ways to get around the water that fills the lower areas on pathways and the many pockets and small ponds off the beaten track. Nonetheless, I walk the woods where I think and pray.

For me, the woods and forests of Canada have always produced a calming and relaxing feeling, inducing a sense of freedom. The life there is one of harmony and balance, one of responding to the light of day, the heat of the sun and the rains that fall from the heavens.

Birds that have not wintered-over are retuning. Flocks of Canada geese started to return two weeks ago, with their loud honking to be heard during the day and during the night. Somehow, the ubiquitous mosquito has returned. The cold nights and cool days have delayed their reawakening but the few are harbingers of the evenings of the near future when some people become driven to borderline frenzies. I think I hear their buzzing now. No, it is but my remembering the sounds and the imminent bite, the suffering and later irritation. This brings back memories of summers in Quebec where the torture of bites during the night must have been created to counter balance the pleasures and delights of the day with the swimming, canoeing, fishing, delicious food, and the glorious hot sun. These memories are from the days of my youth, the many summer days during the long period of the Second World War. Those were the days when mosquito repellants and penicillin did not exist, at least, not for me.

The word penicillin brings back memories of the first time, in the summer of ’48, when an infection caused my leg to swell about the knee to three times its normal size. They say the infection was the result of a scratch received while sliding into second base during a baseball game in New Jersey. I had to go to a hospital in the city of Elizabeth, close to a harbour, where the fog horns seemed to keep me awake all night, when in fact, I could not sleep well, as I could not roll over because of the swollen leg and the some considerable pain that I experienced. I don’t remember any pain killers but I remember well, the size of the needle and the pain in my butt at the time of the injections and later. Three days and three injections; after the first, the next two were not looked forward to with any delight! That needle seemed to me to have been more appropriate for an animal, the size of a horse. I remember as well, my second-time experience with that miracle drug and a much smaller needle. It was during the winter of ’52, when I developed a severe allergic reaction to penicillin, that drug, never to be taken again.

After our last, long and somewhat cold winter, the lengthening daylight during these days of spring is a joy, in and of itself. The warm days of our “short” spring and those of the “short” fall seasons are ideal for long walks. During the “long” summer days, although long walks can be taken, the best times for these are during the early morning or late hours of the day. For me the days for walking long distances are here and I can’t wait to get out doors today for perhaps my last walk in the woods as the final melting of the snow will take place over the next few days, resulting in many flooded areas along most of the trails. After a three or four week period, the many trees of the forests will begin to fill in, grasses will be growing, the snakes and frogs will be out; the snakes to be seen and the frogs to be heard. And, I can't wait for the trilliums to be in bloom in those areas of our land that support their growth.

Yes, today is a beautiful day, a day to be enjoyed, a day for a long walk and a day to be remembered.


Trilliums

Diamonds may be precious,
But more precious to me,
Are trilliums in full bloom,
With many there to see.

Their life span is so short,
As is yours and mine,
Can we be so appreciated,
With lives that are less fine?

Some trillium are pink,
Some trilliums are white,
They all bring forth vitality,
And make our hearts so light.

In the quiet of the forest,
The trilliums all do sound,
In orchestrated fashion,
Of beauty to be found.

What a loss there would be,
If trilliums did not exist,
Our lives so much poorer,
With less beauty in the mist.

© Lou Reeves

History has been made…

This past week has provided two major historical events, both of a religious nature, the death and burial of a Pope, the head of the Church of Rome and the marriage of an individual who might become the next head of the Church of England.

I believe that a record for the most hours of television watching during any one week was achieved. It has been said that Pope John Paul II was the most identifiable person in the history of the world as he has been seen by so many, in person and on television. He could be the person responsible for the most positive and negative happenings in the history of the world. He has been praised for his activities relating to the freedom of Europe from the grip of Communism. On the other hand, he has been criticized for his position on women becoming priests, on permission for the clergy to marry, on abortion, and on contraception. He was too conservative for many Catholics.

The marriage of Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, which had been postponed by one day because of the burial of Pope John Paul, has brought a measure of closure to the problem of their long-time relationship. Camilla has moved from a position of vilification to that of the second ranking female in the Royal Family. As time passes, the English people will come to accept Camilla as worthy to be named Queen of England and would be eligible for that title if ever Charles accedes to the throne.

A minor historical event of last week was that the death of Prince Rainier III of Monaco. His wedding to Grace Kelly, the American actress, in 1956 was a highlight of high society of the day. His son Albert has become Prince Albert II, the sovereign prince of Monaco.

Shocking testimony

Testimony from the Gomery Commission this past week has provided us with some shocking information. In fact, it has continued to provide revealing and startling information. What are we to believe? What can we do?

I have almost had my “fill.” It has become almost too much to take. In fact, during the early stages of the hearings, I would follow the inquiry by viewing television for a real-time experience, if not actual participation, listening to the words and seeing the expression of the questioner but more so the person giving the testimony, I would follow by viewing the highlights on news broadcasting.

What we believe sometimes is based on how prejudiced we might be. When two witnesses provide two somewhat different testimonials, who do we tend to believe? Why do we believe what we do?

The Liberal party has lost much support, in particular from those voters who decided during the late days of the last campaign to vote Liberal. The voters this time will take out their anger generated by the past “sins” of the party on the Liberal party members who will be running. Some few Liberals who can retire with nice pensions and benefits will do so. They will not want to have to defend the party before a hostile electorate, even though they, as individuals, could be “pure as the naked heavens.”

Will the testimony to date bring on a vote of non-confidence in the party in power, leading to another election? I believe it will.

A couple of months ago, the Conservatives did not want to make the motion leading to an election that the public did not want. To have brought down the government at that time would have been a negative step, resulting in a loss of votes. Today, that is not quite the case. It would be preferable to the Conservatives to have another party bring on the downfall of the Liberals. In any case, we can expect an election before summer and I predict that Stephen Harper will be our next prime minister.

Americanization of Canada

We Canadians who speak English and some who speak French are descending very rapidly down the slippery slope to becoming Americanized, for example, the Canadian military.

Americans love land and all that it signifies, room to grow, wealth, agriculture, mining, forests, open spaces for recreation and many other activities. From the exploration days of Lewis and Clark of two hundred years ago, we have seen the westward expansion of the United States of America.

One hundred and fifty years ago the Mormons opened a mission in Las Vegas. Today, most Americans and Canadians are familiar with the fun, pleasure and games city of Los Vegas. I know of it only through advertisements in publications and on the television. I shall probably never go there; I have no interest in that type of life style, yet many Canadians do; they love the place!

One hundred years ago the American automobile was being used on Canadian roads. A pattern and way of life crossed the border without experiencing any difficulty. Our way of life was affected by changing technology, without any consideration of a border dividing the two countries. In all areas of living, as Americans changed so did Canadians.

Fifty years ago, in fact three years earlier, I bought my first car, a 1952 Ford; the car was built in Canada. That car permitted me to drive great distances in both Canada and the Unites States. Although I viewed my first television programming in the pre-fifties in the United States, it was about fifty years ago that Canadian skyline was changed by the mounting of thousands of television antennas on roof tops; these antennas are all but gone, the passing of an era!

And today we see the proliferation of computers, cellular phones, digital cameras and a wide variety of other high technological equipment and materials; we see the results of massive changes in agricultural developments as well as those in industry and business. All these changes, coupled with the ownership of property in the forms of houses, televisions sets, other goods and the ubiquitous automobiles and transport trucks, with the development of millions of miles of black-top roadways necessary for transportation in Canada, clearly signify that there is little difference between our societies.

All this to say that over the space of some two hundred years, major changes can be seen in the ways people live. Yet, through all of these years the sociological elements and conditions between the two countries have not caused a division; rather there has been a parallelism of ventures. And, the most influential cause of this parallelism was that of the mechanical and electronic revolutions during the past one hundred years. If we confine ourselves to examining the world of entertainment and communication, whatever the United States had, the Canadians were not far behind. In film, radio, transportation by air or on land, television, newspapers, magazines and books, there was little to differentiate the two countries. As Americans lived, we in Canada did as well.

For all of the elements characterizing the parallelism that exists, there are some major differences. These relate mostly to politics and language and not to religion or economics. In Canada the legal institutions and how the government functions is somewhat different from those in the United States When it comes to language, Canada has adapted to a state of entrenched bilingualism with government being greatly influenced by a large French speaking minority. The same can not be said of the large Spanish speaking minority in the United States. That minority has not been able to influence the American government as has been the case in Canada where the Francophone majority has exerted power far beyond their numbers should deserve and this has been rather well accepted, mostly to preserve Canada as one nation; a nation with two official languages.

Though there are some differences in the ways we live, these do not become barriers or prevent Canadians from being influenced by the North American Anglophone culture. American stars of the film, television and the music industry are our stars as well. And as time goes on, we are becoming more like Americans, yet we continue to be Canadians. I have no desire to ever be identified as being American but I enjoy the benefits of being so close and so much like them. I accept all the good that I choose from American society there yet maintain the values coming from my Canadian heritage. We Canadians are fortunate in that regard.

I believe that our Canadian military needs to become Americanized. We need to profit from all that is good from their military. We need to plan our training techniques and our supply of equipment based on the best that is available from the Americans. We need to have a common territorial and defence system include that of missile defence. We should call this the harmonization of our military.

It should be understood that Canadian sovereignty would not be compromised to any extent that it would be of any value beyond the posturing of political party that serves as the opposition
.
The Americanization of Canada does exist but it is not significant. The differences in our cultural, political and linguistic characteristics will stand in the way of total
Americanization.

In any family, two brothers may have the same family name and share in family values but they are unique individuals who respond to whatever occurs in their unique ways. There may be discussions and the giving of advice, the providing assistance and the sharing of particular necessities but how life proceeds is done independently. Canada is a sovereign nation, distinct in political, social and cultural ways from the United States that will never permit our being taken over by that powerful, the most powerful nation on earth. We are far from being equal in any way apart from the fact that each of us has a love for people and culture and our individual countries. We will always stand together yet, separately.
It is with respect for one another that we can exist as neighbours, American and Canadian!

To think, to do…

Today was the day the ban was lifted on most of the testimony of the past several days presented to the Gomery Commission. Many Canadians were curious as to what disclosures would be made. Shocking testimony was presented by Jean Brault, the former owner of Groupaction, a Montreal advertising agency. Hundreds of thousands of dollars were paid to individuals associated with the Liberal Party of Canada. A scandal? To be sure!

What should or do Canadians think? We have had a number of political scandals in Canada, in the past, not all of which related to money. Is Canada much different from other countries of the world? No! In fact, we know of corruption in many other countries. But for many Canadians these are sad times. If we have honour as a country, it has been tarnished!

My thinking almost comes to a stand still. I really do not know what to think at the present time. I believe that I should not judge, I do not have direct access to any of the recent testimony. I watch a little TV, I read some news reports, I realize that some testimony is still under a ban and there will be some future cases to be tried relating to criminal charges of fraud. Some how or other, I want to read Mr. Justice Gomery’s interim report that should be out in November and the results that will come from the criminal trials. Yet, I must say that I am prejudiced. These deep feelings and “dark” thoughts that I have, I must control. But one thought that is always there is simply that of the former prime minister’s involvement; was he or was he not aware of what was going on at the time?

What I do believe is that criminal behaviour must be clearly identified, criminal charges must be advanced and arrests made. Our courts of law must perform; I must trust that they will do what is necessary and “reward” the guilty with fines and jail or prison terms.
I go so far as to say, if the “golf ball” prime minister was involved in any criminal activity, he should be faced with the full force of the law.

What to think? There is a lot to think about.

What to do? Read, listen, perhaps watch television and try to control your prejudices. Recognize these for what they are. Leave the final “judgments” to the Gomery Commission and the criminal courts and then, do more thinking!

Trust

Recently, I have been struggling with “trust”, the word and its meaning. It could be a sign of old-age setting in, having seen and heard so much over time. Trust is a simple five letter word that most of us use rather often, but what does it really mean to us?

A dictionary definition might include the following: confidence in a person or thing because of the qualities one perceives or seems to perceive in the person or the thing…acceptance of something as true or reliable without being able to verify it…a responsibility, charge or duty involving the confidence of others. That partial definition came from, The New Lexicon Webster’s Dictionary of the English Language, Encyclopedic Edition.

Each of us can perceive individuals and situations in differing ways. Therefore, trust is an individual thing, yet two or more individuals might trust someone or something in the same way.

The Gomery Commission of inquiry into the “sponsorship scandal” has caused me, as well as many Canadians, to raise the question of: “Who can we trust?”

On March 27, I wrote a blog: “Can we trust them?” Although that writing focused mainly on politicians, today I am thinking of Canadians in general.

When it comes to our system of justice, we rely on judges and juries. They “represent” us in their activities, findings and judgments. That is our system; we trust our system.

In the past, our system of justice has found many individuals guilty of crimes that they did not commit. For many and varied reasons their guilt was “established” by the actions of strong crown attorneys and sometimes through incompetent legal assistance. In other instances, true criminals are not convicted because of the actions of weak “crowns” and/or the actions of highly competent and expensive lawyers for the defence.

We have learned of a number of convictions that have been reversed because of new evidence that has resulted through the use of modern techniques such as DNA studies and analyses. How many individuals have not only been found guilty but subsequently either have been executed or have spent many years in prison? Individuals have been punished within our system for things that they did not do. Yes, this is our system, a system in which we have “trust.” Here, we must have a continuing trust that justice will be done.

Returning to the Gomery Commission, I have a trust in that the report will be sound and the recommendations just. This reminds me of a few words by Alfred, Lord Tennyson from his “In Memoriam”:

“Oh yet we trust that somehow good
Will be the final goal of ill.”

Some good must come from the Gomery Commission. It will, I have that trust!

Community Activity

I attended an executive meeting of a community association today and learned that the association does not want to be involved in any matters that smack of being “political” in nature. This is perhaps a reflection of some strong personalities who sat on the executive in years gone by.

The City of Ottawa encourages community associations to participate in activities that relate, in particular, to the development approval process leading to “better development and a better city.”

The following is a quotation from “A Community Handbook for the Development Approvals Process”: “The City of Ottawa welcomes and encourages comments from community organizations regarding the planning and development process. Community organizations have an important role to play in the process and can provide practical and useful insights into the potential impacts of the Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments, of subdivisions, commercial and industrial site plans and other planning matters that occur in or near their neighbourhoods.”

There are times when comments are provided and advice given which the community feels is ignored by the city bureaucrats and city councilors. When initiatives of community associations are disregarded, discounted or absolutely ignored then, how can the City expect input even if on paper it is suggested that it is desired? Words on paper mean little if voices are not heard and outcomes are not achieved.

There should be a renewed effort made by all new executive members of community associations to address the topic of community associations’ involvement in matters relating to the City of Ottawa.

Full Disclosure

I can appreciate more and more, as time goes by, the importance of a Mosque Project website as a location for information, ideas, and for the expression of concerns by all individuals who have anything to say about the mosque that could possibly be built on Richmond Road in Ottawa, Canada.

Submissions to the Council of the City of Ottawa in the future may include CD's of information, rather complete information, as well as documents that would end up within the "treasury of documents" on deposit with the City Clerk, which as city documents can be retrieved by citizens in the future.

We are living in a time of full disclosure; now is a time where processes are or should be transparent. There is an openness that is called for. Politicians need to be questioned. Yes, there will be in camera sessions of the City Council but these are for particular agenda items and no other business undertaken. All matters relating to the mosque should be reviewed and discussed in the open!

The website relating to the Mosque Project will reveal some very interesting and sensitive information. The website will be located at: http://mosque.croweagle.com

What do we believe?

We learn so much from our families. Within our homes, as children, we observe the behaviour of others, we listen to what is said and we begin to think on our own. But what we think and how we act becomes somewhat second nature to us.

The importance of the home to growing children, as they develop physically, emotionally and spiritually can not be over emphasized. Our society is dependent on the results of the upbringing of children. We find in families children who are deprived of food, nutritious food, that contributes to good health and the proper conditions for growth in all areas of living; children who are deprived of a home environment that is good for the development of wholesome language, ideas, rich in culture and a respect for others; children who are deprived of a religious or philosophical upbringing that fosters sensitivity to truth, beauty and a love of humanity and respect for all things living, find themselves later in life with inadequacies, with barriers to their enjoyment of life and unfilled opportunities to make our world a better world.

Outside the home, a child is exposed another world. This world is not controlled by parents. It is a world teaming with ideas and opportunities for both good and bad. This exposure can result in positive outcomes provided there is guidance from watchful and attentive adult supervision. Where possible, these outside supervisors need to be selected with care as should be all programming to which children are exposed.

Along the road of life one can find many distractions that promise fun, pleasures and delight which if taken, can lead to problems for the self and others. Life is a series of choices. The best living comes from lives that include many happy moments and times with family, friends and others where all that is shared comes from a spirit of goodness. That spirit that has been engendered by the positive influences of home life and the external environment that is wholesome and good, free from influences of crime and any encounters that take away from others, that which they deserve.

These tenable beliefs come from the home and that which is outside the home. The stronger the belief system coming from the home, the stronger will be the additions that come from the external environment. Our beliefs lead to actions and those actions are part of life itself.

A Saintly Man

How will he be remembered? He lived through most of the twentieth century. Through the post World War I era, the days of pre-World War II, the war itself and its aftermath. He witnessed the most cruel, terrifying years of the twentieth century. His view was that of an intelligent and sensitive man who understood and felt for the people of his land and by extension, for the entire world.

For those who had faith, daily prayers and communication with God provided the strength and courage that permitted survival. The pain and suffering, the excruciating mental torture of thinking man, living, in particular the war years in a country were Nazi Germany had supreme command and domination, where the Jews in particular were subject to genocide, where anyone in opposition to the government faced torture and death, where the post war years were lived under another tyrannical rule, that of communism, survived, thoughts of peace then, would continue until personal death would be experienced. To live under any oppressive regime with the constant fear the brutal reprisal, for any words spoken or deeds performed, would take its toll on any man but the strength that would lead to survival, through prayer and dreams of peace would also provide the central core of humanistic feelings and understandings that would permit one man to lead not only one religious group but a world wide movement for peace, for the love of fellow man, for an understanding and respect for other religious groups, all of this and more, to eradicate the evils of this world and to bring happiness to all of humanity.

To have lived through most of the troubled twentieth century, to have provided inspiration to billions, to have provided feelings of love and respect for others were the mere reflection of the elements and characteristics of one great man. All of humanity, all the people who were exposed to the words and deeds of this man will cherish thoughts of him and see the illumination of the way to peace on earth. He passed our way, all too quickly but will be remembered for ever, this man of the people, this great man, this man of God, Pope John Paul II. The world was made better through his temporal existence and the future will see peace through his eternal existence!

Crime in our Communities

Crimes are violations of the law; especially those that are of a serious nature. If one has been exposed to a home break-in or a car theft, one realizes how miserable it can feel. If one is assaulted the feeling is both physical and psychological; the experience can be quite traumatic.

To reduce crime in our communities, citizens have roles that they can play, things that they can do. Neighbourhood Watch is one major program that brings together residents of a community to discourage crime as well as to prevent it. Shared activity, participating together reinforces a community spirit of cooperation. The united effort and support through this spirit of cooperation gives the community a feeling of security. Neighbours get to know one another better; they recognize strangers and suspicious activities. They combat criminal activity before it really begins. It is that “ounce of prevention” that brings forth a pound of happiness.

There are tips to crime prevention that can be shared, for example, how to protect homes from break-ins and how to protect personal property by engraving ownership marks.

There are examples where crime has been reduced in and around high-rise buildings. Building staff can learn about how identify and report criminal activity. Tenants can have the benefit of meetings to discuss safety issues and approaches used to reduce or eliminate criminal activity resulting in a more secure living environment.

Within the City of Ottawa there are more that 100 vehicles stolen every week. One initiative that is being assessed is the “bait car” program. Car thieves will think twice about taking any car when they realize that a baited car will result in an arrest.

Recently in Ottawa, the police undertook a wide ranging drug investigation resulting in 30 individuals being charged with criminal offences; 57 charges were made under the Control Drugs and Substance Act; 82 were made under the Criminal Code of Canada and 5 under the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The investigation and subsequent arrests were the result of a close collaboration between local citizens and police officers.

It is known that drug use is the precursor of other criminal activity as money is required to purchase those drugs which can be quite expensive. Eight warrants were executed during the investigation. Drugs valued at approximately $60,000.00, as well as currency, $520.00 US and $19,729.00 Canadian were seized. Property from numerous break and enter offences and some weapons were found.

If crimes are to be solved; if criminals are to be removed from walking our streets; if citizens are to feel secure and safe from criminal activity, there must be a strong ongoing relationship between citizens and the Ottawa Police Services. One major step in this regard is that of bringing more citizens into the Neighbourhood Watch program.