Black Focused Schools in Toronto

This proposal brdges a great divide.

"After a heated but civil debate, Canada's largest school board voted 11-9 last night to open an alternative Africentric school to help fight a 40 per cent dropout rate among Toronto's black teens. "

An Africentric School, in Ontario?

The question that should be asked "Is this segregation"?

According to the article, they are trying to stem the tide of the high dropout rates amoung "black" children, and I quote:
"The Toronto District School Board says 40 per cent of Caribbean-born students drop out, and 32 per cent from east Africa."

Lets call a spade a spade (pardon the pun) ..... is there a better way to curtail the droput rate?

If the statistics were reflective of "white children", would they have created a distinct and separate school for them?

Is this promoting integration and the often touted "mosaic" of the Canadian Society?

What are the parents role in this "drop out" ?

Are they expecting me (as a taxpayer) to foot the bill for their inadequate parenting?

This is a slippery slope with no fine tuned results. It will come back to bite those who insist on establishing such a distinct, separate and segregated class of students, at my expense.

This is insane.

Distorted Justice

There are many forms of communication in this city of Ottawa.
One of the monthly newspapers is called "The Spectrum", and it is created and published to reflect the visible minorities (notice I am being politically correct) in the city of Ottawa.
It is not available online, as it can only be had at certain outlets in paper format, however, I managed to locate a "pdf" format, which I will share and ask that you read it.

"
What Hyacinth has
been through for the
last 12 months was more
than enough to make anyone
angry."

Here is a synopsis
-she worked at the Peter Clarke Institute (home for the aged) for 20 yrs.
-she had numerous written commendations
-she was reported, by a co-worker, that she molested a patient (untrue)
-she was investigated and charged (wrongly)
-her union did NOTHING
-when it went to trial, she was acquited and exonerated. When you read the reports, there are instances of the "N" word being used and directed towards her.
-she has not had any income for a year, while this is going on, she was fired.
-her employers, the union and police saw her as "guilty until proven innocent"

This is disgusting. Let me make this clear ...... I have lived in this country for 40years and this type of treatment and attitude towards visible minorities is common, but it is NOT acceptable. If you are of "black" origin, be prepared to be stopped on the street for no just cause (against the Charter of Rights) and to be fired because you are "NON white"

In a previous post I have touched on the intolerance within the Canadian society, but it must be understood that racisim in this country is systemic and one has to be careful what you need to fight for and when avoidance is the better approach

Yes, I am angry and hurt.

Can I do anything to help her cause, yes I have.
Can I do anything to stop this travesty happening in the future, no, but I will fight for it to be stopped.

The travails of this worker is NOT isolated, and I will close with this phrase.

"But for the Grace of God, go I"

Peace

Australia warns of Terrorists in Canada

Well now, is this the kettle calling the pot ..........

Australia has issued a warning to travelers

"We advise you to exercise caution and monitor developments that might affect your safety in Canada because of the risk of terrorist attack."

This is coming from a country with poison snakes, fire, flooding and other oft forgotten ills.

IMHO the warning is extremely funny.

Peace

Some Inspiration

Expressing Gratitude
In the past few months I have visited a few blogs.
There are two that have given me some ideas, however, I wish to make it clear that in no way can I be as good; as they have developed their blogs to a high state of professionalism and a method of sharing.
http://mobaydp.blogspot.com/
and
http://barbadosinfocus.blogspot.com/

The owners of those blogs may never read this blog, however, I want to express my thanks to them (Ann and Keith) for showing me some possibilities.
The photographs taken by Keith, begs to win the debate "Is Photography an Art", as they draw you INTO the frame.
Ann's photo blog constantly has me wanting to see more of her work and giving the feeling of actually living in Jamrock.

Based on what I have seen from them, I decided to create a photo blog, with the caveat "it will not be as great as the above mentioned". That is not being negative, just pragmatic.

If anyone is interested to peruse my new creation, please visit.
http://menchdailystuff.blogspot.com/

P.S. mench is a German word, which in Yiddish (mensch) means "a good person"

Peace

Paradox

Paradox
(Reference Wikipedia)
A paradox can be an apparently true statement or group of statements that leads to a contradiction or a situation which defies intuition; or it can be, seemingly opposite, an apparent contradiction that actually expresses a non-dual truth.

Oxymoron
a figure of speech by which a locution produces an incongruous, seemingly self-contradictory effect, as in “cruel kindness” or “to make haste slowly.”
It is a paradoxical juxtaposition of two seemingly contradictory words

Those two headings are a direct reference to the following:
" A police source said the alleged gangster, who was wanted on numerous murder charges, wept when he was held by detectives and begged the police not to kill him."

WHAT???
This man is alledged (innocent until proven guilty) to have murdered at least eight people and involved in the savagery of be-heading one of those persons.
Now he weeps and begs that they don't kill him?

Is this a paradox or an oxymoron?

The human rights activists and the bleeding hearts will have a field day with this one. I can see them saying that he is repentent and he can be changed.

Did he give any mercy to the people he so brutally alledged to have murdered?

Lord Give me Strength.

Peace

What, Me Worry!

Racking Your Brain

Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting "holy crap...what a ride"!

This came across my desk today, and also the thought that it should be shared.

Is there a magic cutoff period when your offspring become accountable for their own actions?

Is there a wonderful moment when parents can become detached spectators in the lives of their children and shrug, "It's their life," and feel nothing?

When I was in my twenties, I stood in a hospital corridor waiting for doctors to put a few stitches in my daughter's head. I asked, "When do You stop worrying?" The nurse said, "When they get out of the accident stage." My Dad just smiled faintly and said nothing.

When I was in my thirties, I sat on a little chair in a classroom and heard how one of my children talked incessantly, disrupted the class, and was headed for a career making license plates. As if to read my mind, a teacher Said, "Don't worry, they all go through this stage and then you can sit back, relax and enjoy them." My dad just smiled faintly and said nothing.

When I was in my forties, I spent a lifetime waiting for the phone to ring, the cars to come home, the front door to open. A friend said, "They're trying to find themselves. Don't worry, In a few years, you can stop worrying. They'll be adults." My dad just smiled faintly and said nothing.

By the time I was 50, I was sick & tired of being vulnerable. I was still worrying over my children, but there was a new wrinkle. There was nothing I could do about it. My Dad just smiled faintly and said nothing.

I continued to anguish over their failures, be tormented by their frustrations and absorbed in their disappointments. My friends said that when my kids got married I could stop worrying and lead my own life. I wanted to believe that, but I was haunted by my dad's warm smile and his occasional, "You look pale. Are you all right? Call me the minute you get home. Are you depressed about something?"

Can it be that parents are sentenced to a lifetime of worry?

Is concern for one another handed down like a torch to blaze the trail of human frailties and the fears of the unknown?

Is concern a curse or is it a virtue that elevates us to the highest form of life?

One of my children became quite irritable recently, saying to me, "Where were you? I've been calling for 3 days, and no one answered I was worried." I smiled a warm smile. The torch has been passed.

It is called FULL CIRCLE.

Peace

Government Fiddles

Caricature from the Gleaner, January 16, 2008.

Nero fiddles while Rome burns? Nero's reputation is such that the people believe the worst of him, even when the evidence is inconclusive. Most of Rome believes that Nero had the city set alight to make space for his grandiose building plans, and then tried to blame the Christians for the great fire that engulfed the capital of the empire. In fact, there is no proof that the fire counts among his many iniquities, and there is some evidence that he helped organise relief efforts. No matter: a man who was responsible for many deaths, is not to be given the benefit of the doubt in the minds of many.

"Mi throw mi corn, but me no call no fowl".

"Every hoe ha dem stick a bush."

Walk Good

Cash Minus

"No drug, not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society. If we're looking for the source of our troubles, we shouldn't test people for drugs, we should test them for stupidity, ignorance, greed and love of power."

This session is NOT going to explore Investment schemes in Jamaica. It is not going to make any snide remarks on Forex trading, It is not going to say whether the present Government, together with the FSC should or shouldn't get involved.

It is meant to ask questions based on this Article

Why would you knowingly place yourself in that financial position?

If you give it some serious thought, how can anyone promise and deliver for extended periods of time a return on your investment of 120%?

It is my understanding that certain high yeilding and expensive ventures were negotiated and signed. This Report comes to mind.

Is this deal now null and void?

Bring back the old Jamaican "partner" method, which worked.

Walk Good

Crime and Punishment, Part Two

Crime et punition, partie deux
I used the above line to get your attention.
In a previous post, I outlined some drastic thoughts and actions towards curbing the ridiculous crime rate in Jamaica. I challenged anyone reading it to adopt some course of action to abate the high level of crime in Jamrock. I wrote to Geoff Brown (Jamaica Observer, columnist) and made mention of my posting. I knew he read it, according to my statistics.

In the Jamaica Observer, Column Section, dated January 12, 2008, there is a strdent article on this subject, penned by Gordon Robinson, and I quote:

Successive governments have shamefully shirked their responsibility to reduce violent crime and this one has made it clear that, as a government, it is new but not different.
Based on his public statements, the minister with portfolio responsibility for crime takes the view that the government has discharged its duty by appointing an outside-the-box commissioner of police and leaving the rest to him. This is a dangerously false premise. The responsibility for the reduction of crime lies squarely with the government and is a function of policy. The police merely implement that policy, serve and protect.

You can read the article in its entirety here

The present Government, had the luxury of 18 years to see and feel, but in power now, they stick to the phrase "Nero fiddles while Rome Burns". The termites are eating the country to its very bones, and those termites are called "criminals and corruption". Two years ago, the then Opposition party (now the ruling Government), commissioned the Macmillan Report. This report outlined the policy and methods that should be utilized in reducing the crime rate in Jamaica. When they made it public, it was with much fanfare and beating of the chest. So the question I beg to ask is "Whre is this infamous Macmillan Report", has it been shelved never to see the light of day or are they using mirrors in the pretense of calling a snap election.

It would appear to this blogger that neither the previous administration nor the present JLP in power, have demonstrated any long term vision for Jamaica. They have not mapped out any strategy to arrive at any goals and that is a sad state of affairs, and what an affair of state. The power that they were given in the last election, seems to have made them afraid to deliver the political fortitude required in the Jamaican way of governance(Westminister Protocol).

Absolute Power, corrupts absolutely.

Walk Good

Air Jamaica

This came across my desk today, and I thought it was rather funny, so I now share it with whoever reads this blog. Try to see the humour in it and smile ..... some of them do happen on the way to and from Jamrock.

You know you are on a flight to Jamaica When ...
-You get to the airport before the Air Jamaica counter staff
-Everybody is checking in suitcases the size of a refrigerator
-The person beside you taps you on your shoulder and says "Yuh only have one piece? Beg yu check een dis ya piece ah luggage fah mi nuh.!"
- Everybody makes a bolt for the gate when the announcer on the p.a. system starts to say "this is NOT a boarding announcement."
- you can't get on board because somebody in front of you is trying to get a motor vehicle engine block into the overhead compartment
- At least one passenger is accompanied by an armed Federal Agent
- You can only get the Observer to read, no Gleaner roun' here
- People are trying to figure out what "Port of Embarkation" means
- the passenger next to you slowly leans away from you while raising one leg and mutters "Yes bwoy, DAT is gas!"
- Somebody hands a flight attendant a paper bag and asks her to "heat up dis ya patty fi mi nuh baby"
- The plane starts to descend, and a woman in the seat behind you says to her friend ... "Come Darris, time fi go tile it an' tidy!"
- The overhead compartment smells like fish, jerk chicken and rum ... then something from up there starts to drip on you.
- Most of the passengers clap when the plane lands
- While the plane is still moving and taxiing to the terminal, people are unbuckling their seat belts, grabbing their hand luggage and heading towards the plane door
- Everybody who have a big screen TV, a boom-box and a microwave go straight to the "Nothing to Declare" line in Customs.

-People are real, wig, weave, gold teeth, false nails...real. They have a love for JA caan dun and will chat to you like dem did know you forevva...got to love dem JA flights

Reflections

Well, 2008 is here, and the predictions have been made, the resolutions were made (many since broken) and the pundits have had their say in what to expect during the coming year. We never hear from them when they are wrong.







I will not make any predictions or resolutions as they rarely come to fruition. I will not ask for peace, as that is a futile waste of time. What I am going to look at are some musings with cogitation and reflections.

-My adopted country become more tolerant, without demeaning its traditions.
-My adopted country pulls out of Afghanistan
-The Bush Administration in the US stop pushing their agenda down everybody's throat.
-That the world smiles when statements from politicians are uttered like "Mistakes were made"
-My birth country stop paying homage to the phrase "Nero fiddles while Rome burns"
-Countries and individuals find a way to address the serious problem of "Climate Change"

This is not a sermon, or is it intended to be an Epistle to the Masses. I do not consider myself that influencial. This blog session is not about ranting, but some reflections.

I started blogging and made it clear that I was not doing it for accolades, and that still remains. However, I will take this opportunity to express my thanks to all those who visited and/or posted comments.

To those bloggers who added my blog to their links, I am truly humbled and it is appreciated.

Peace