The Different Drummer of Canada

New Site

2008-07-11T19:24:00.001-04:00

Due to increasing concerns about censorship, I have recreated this blog as a wordpress blog also at http://gitardood.wordpress.com - and have added some new material os of Jul11/08

More Musings Mid '08

2008-06-16T19:39:00.002-04:00

One thing has become painfully obvious over the last 6 -8 months or so. Stephen Harper, once the leader of the charge against HRCs, and his gov't, have been conspicuously absent from the fray or from taking any action. At first, it was understandable, that a minority gov't, was being cautious, not wanting an election to be forced on their account. But, as even Liberal MPs like Dr. Martin, began to openly support tackling the issue, the signal should have been clear, "gung ho!". True leadership means being statesmanlike, and doing what's in the best interest of our country's freedoms, not in avoiding doing so and being like an ostrich with its head in the sand.
On another front, Stephane Dion has had his brain exploded, and now is one of the green bolsheviks or eco nazis. How else can one explain his recent position about imposing a carbon tax (tentatively projected to cost Canadians 15 billion bux)? Why doesn't he just suggest we all revert back to a nineteenth century economy and lifestyle?
A friend told me how he read somewhere, at the time of the falling of the Berlin Wall, that tho' Red Socialism had fallen it would morph its way into another form. There are many today who feel that form is the green movement.Case in point: Conoco Phillips was granted permission recently by the state EPA, to expand its facility processing heavy crude from Canada. They were also going to implement huge reductions in nitrogen and other emissions(?) to avoid a bad impact on the environment (hence the approval I would guess). BUT, the Greens decided to go to the Fed EPA and by their misrepresentation of the facts or exclusion of those that didn't suit them, were successful in having the expansion killed by the Fed EPA.
They are another example of a radical minority who have bought into a new religion (eco religion), and with great fanaticism are trying to impose their will on the rest of us.

Enlightening Passionate Blogs

2008-05-30T14:46:00.003-04:00

I have been imbibing the wine of some great blogs over the last few months and thought I would make a short post including the links to them.
Kathy Shaidle's : http://www.fivefeetoffury.com

Binky's Free Mark Steyn blog: http://steynian.wordpress.com/2008/05/28/steynianism-153/

Kate McMillen's Small Dead Animals: http://www.smalldeadanimals.com/archives/008784.html

Proud to be Canadian: http://www.proudtobecanadian.ca/index/weblog/comments/canadas_navy_in_valiant_anti_piracy_maneuvers_off_africa_msm_busy_covering/

Weasel Zippers: http://www.weaselzippers.net/blog/2008/05/report-50000-100000-polygamous-muslims-living-in-america.html

Almost Halfway Thru 08

2008-05-22T14:36:00.002-04:00

Well, things have been sure heating up in Canada during the first half of this year. The Human Rights Commissions (HRC) commissars, in Ontario, decided that they weren't in authority to rule on the Macleans magazine & columnist Mark Steyn case (wherein three Muslim law students brought a complaint on behalf of Dr. Elmasry of the Canadian Islamic Congress) against them for publishing an article which excerpted Mark's best selling book "America Alone". In it, Mark shows how present demographic trends coupled with immigration trends, is likely to have a society-changing impact on the West, unless they find their collective sanity, and gonads, to confront those who want to recast their societies in the image of Islam. Mark skillfully, points out that the spiritual vacuum that has overtaken most of them in the post-Christian era, has not been found to be sufficiently entrancing, to win converts to the hedonistic, humanistic, self-seeking way of life evidenced by most. Even some youth born in the West have been attracted to radical Islam. At any rate, these students wanted to take over a section of Macleans to rebut Mark, with full editorial control over their contribution (Macleans would have to agree to hands off), and some other ludicrous demands. Ezra Levant, another Canadian up before the same commissars in the HRC politburos, for publishing the Mohammed cartoons for Canadians to judge for themselves what the fuss was all about, and if it was justified to them, has spent over $100K so far fighting these quasi or pseudo judicial type bodies. He's also one of the most articulate opponents they could have chosen to do battle with. He vid taped his hearing and put it up on youtube for the whole world to see how "unfree" these commissars want our land to be. Christian pastors and printers have been targeted too, for their beliefs on the wrongness of homosexuality. A bar owner was found guilty (he gave up as his legal bills were too high) of hatefulness towards a pot smoker who decided to smoke in the doorway to the bar, and became "all offended" when asked to take it somewhere else. A Toronto surgeon who specialises in labiaplasty declined business from 2 transsexuals (formerly male) who were unhappy with their lips. His reason was he was only experienced with biological women and had no idea what he might be getting into with them. Rather than find another surgeon they took him to the HRC and he's presently spending oodles of cash, on legal bills, to fight the charges of hate crime.
George Orwell must be rolling in his grave!
Fortunately the Canadian blogosphere is fighting back and after some time of going it alone, has now woken some Mainstream Media (like the National Post) to join the fray, as well as some elected members of the Federal Government (who are bringing forth an amendment to curb certain powers of the HRC).
Spiritually, it's been interesting the last few months - some ups and downs - but am having interesting dialogues from time to time with atheists and Muslims both. It's all been quite reason-able and no name calling or yelling ... :-)

Bill Ross - Politics: Mark Steyn's "America Alone"

2008-01-17T12:55:00.000-05:00

Bill Ross - Politics: Mark Steyn's "America Alone"

2007 is almost over!

2007-12-29T17:48:00.000-05:00

As this year ends, I have been doing a lot of thinking about a lot of issues.In my country, Canada, I am thankful that all the oppositions' threats, Mr. Harper's minority government still stands, unbowed so far. I am thankful for the tax cuts he has instituted, and for his common sense approach to world affairs. I am also thankful, that unlike previous Liberal governments, there had been no "crapping on he US" or its leader(s). I was ashamed of my government at that time that certain members were mouthing off - I felt they embarrassed us all.
I have found some new blogs that have stimulated my spiritual side - one is Mike Boldea's found at http://www.mikeboldea.blogspot.com/
I have spent quite a bit of time this year trying to rouse my fellow countrymen (women) with whom I come in contact, from their usual torpor and apathy - telling them that even the great Plato once said that, altho' democracy was the form of government preferred, it tended to fail eventually due to apathy and laziness on the part of the voters who should have been informing themselves and voting accordingly.
Also in the political sphere, I came across this video - which frankly shocked me! -
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1070329053600562261&q=endgame&total=2592&start=10&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=1

Gleanings -Late '07

2007-11-02T22:33:00.000-04:00

Well here we are in November now. The year has gone by fast -soon we will be into 2008.As I reflect on the past year so far, I am mixed in my feelings about it. First, I am disappointed that the people of my province, Ontario, were so easily deceived by McGinty, and his red herring trick. The granting of the right, of those who so desire, and qualify, to be able to designate their education tax portion to the institution of their choice, should have been a no-brainer. If someone wants their child to attend a school other than a public one, or Catholic one, they should have this right. Otherwise what the government is saying, is straight out of George Orwell's "Animal Farm" ("all animals are equal but some are more equal than others") (sub "humans" for "animals").In this case, the Catholics are more equal than those of other denominations / faiths, because Bill Davis, in his parting shot, gave them this right. The few Catholics I talked to before the election, agreed. I guess the majority (which also comprise the single largest religious group in this province), didn't have the benefit of anyone explaining it to them rationally, and bought the red herring trick instead.
This brings me to another point, Canadians, for the most part, seem to me, to usually be unable to handle integrity and honesty in a politician. Turn on your time machine and journey back to 1974. Honest Bob Stanfield, knowing it was true and necessary, told the Canadian voters, that a Tory government would have to bring in wage and price controls. PET (Trudeau), knew that he'd just been given a free ticket to reelection - he pounced on this, telling the voters, that if they re elected him, he wouldn't put in wage and price controls. The result - his lie got him re elected and he put in wage and price controls very shortly afterward.
Go forward to 1993 now.Jean Chretien (PET's protege), tells voters, if he is elected he will revoke NAFTA and the hated GST. His lie gets him elected, he reneges, and after continued flack about it, rather than shoulder the blame, he makes Sheila Copps fall on her sword, and calls a by election in her riding as a barometer of approval. Of course, she was re elected due to both sympathy and her loyal supporters, and Prince Jean went on his merry way, blithely ignoring the populace and doing whatever he pleased (like talking to "imaginary" bums on park benches with no one to witness).
More recently, the election of 2007. John Tory, got smeared in a campaign of "dirty pool" on the issue starting today's post. McGinty lied about what impact it would have, how destructive it was, etc, and got re elected with fear mongering.
The bottom line, is that in Canadian politics Liberals tend to be the most frequent and biggest liars, anything to get elected, and the voters who don't take time to inform themselves, and think for themselves, are responsible for their successes in elections.I won't belabour this point today.
This is indicative of a larger problem today that is frequently addressed online in the writings of Mark Steyn, David Warren, Melanie Phillips, Mike Boldea, David Wilkerson, and others. Namely, that as most boomers age, having had a rather spoiled upbringing and life so far, not having to make the types of sacrifices that their forefathers made in WWI & WWII for instance, and then having been too liberal in their parenting (or lack of), ensuring succeeding generations to be even more "liberal", "secular", "humanistic", "degenerate" etc, that most people won't know truth if it jumped up and smacked them upside the head. They're only concerns relate to Mammon - ie material wealth, hedonism, following the path of least resistance. Words like "denying oneself" are verboten. Selfishness reigns supreme. This is also reflected in a lot of "religious circles".
Jesus told His followers to expect a time in the last days, when " the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts;...".
The vast majority of people today, want their "ears tickled" - they don't want the searchlight of truth to penetrate the fog in which they have surrounded their thought processes, moral judgments, and tightly held beliefs. Their is only ever been one, who said "I am The Way, The Truth, and The Life, no man comes to the Father but by me". Those who walked with Him in the days of His incarnation, said "to whom else would we go? You have the words of truth and eternal Life".

Almost Half

2007-06-05T13:49:00.000-04:00

We are now almost halfway through 2007. As I survey the last 6 months, I have watched with interest a number of interesting developments. Politically, the people of Canada seem to be saying that they are happy with the governing situation the way it is, ie a minority government. They probably like this for several reasons, which include: the cost of having an election is avoided; the government cannot be heavy-handed in its approach as the nature of minority gov't is that you have to find a way to work with the other MPs in order that each day isn't a continuing impasse; and the Conservatives have demonstrated a willingness to modify their views and listen to different points of view, but reserving the right to make the final decision.This shows leadership. I have realized from the beginning of their mandate that they would have a steep learning curve about governing as most of them had no experience. Thankfully the people have been patient.
On other fronts, the need for action against terrorism and Islamic militants, has still been met with action from those who are not swayed by world opinion, because they realize that no one approaches the issues with a lack of partiality. No matter what the world press etc say, I respect Mr. Bush and Mr. Blair because of their resolve to take the fight to wherever the enemy is, in strength and to work at rooting them out and ridding the world of threats.
I still greatly admire, journalists/bloggers such as Mark Steyn, Melanie Phillips, and David Warren.
On spiritual fronts, I see much acceleration of God's interaction in human affairs, more prophetic revelation being spoken, many miraculous healings and other manifestations, and more hungering and thirsting on the part of humans for the realm of the Spirit.
I see these things above as all positive signs that HOPE still lives in the world today if we would but seek the One who embodies Fatih & Hope & Love.

end of 2006

2006-12-29T04:34:00.000-05:00

As the end of this year approaches, I am reminded of how quickly time passes.As a Canadian I would like to be thankful for having a government, headed by a prime minister who doesn't prevaricate, is not afraid to take unpopular stands, and was actually able to cause change to happen at a summit of the G8 by insisting on the truth vis a vis the Lebanon crisis and its root causes. Still, most Canadians need to set aside their ingrained prejudices and sheepish mentality cultivated during many years of prevaricating Liberal governing, and re learn how to think for themselves, to search out as much information as possible from varied sources - not just those they personally have heretofore blindly followed, and weigh it carefully to arrive at balanced judgments. Mark Steyn and David Warren are two Canadian journalists who seem to have a clear grasp of world perspectives and should be included in those sources above.

The Different Drummer of Canada

2006-08-11T18:13:00.000-04:00

The Different Drummer of Canada

I have just read the UK columnist, Melanie Phillips online article of August 5 entitled "England? No, Lemmingland". I was very impressed by her lucidity - and frankness. She could have summed her article with a verse applicable to the Western world these days, namely, "there is none so blind, as they that WILL NOT see" (emphasis mine). Just as easily, it could also have been, "Let them who have ears to hear, let them hear". Somehow, I think her words are falling on a lot of deaf ears (wilfully deaf), coupled with blind eyes that refuse to see. If one is familiar with the Old Testament prophets, or for that matter, the New Testament ones, such as John the Baptist, then it's perfectly clear that just as they were resented for their messages, beaten, killed (hung, stoned, put to the sword, beheaded), and vilified by those they tried to reach, the modern day prophetic-types (not necessarily seers - but those who see what is developping, and sound the clarion call) are for the most part either decried as politically incorrect, racist, xenophobes, or alarmists. The reality of life today is, that we can play the ostrich all we like, just as the Western world did in the 1930's, when Winston Churchill was kicked out and forced to the sidelines due to his unpopular view that Germany & Hitler, were gearing up for war against the UK and USA/Canada, and whose goal was world domination - everyone under the heel of Nazism; but, Iran and its proxies (Hizb'Allah & Hamas) have the same intention but the heel this time is intended to be that of Shariah Islam. Just as Hitler wanted to obliterate and annihilate the Jews, then his other enemies, so too are the intentions of the aforementioned terrorists and their supporters. In 1939-40, when it became apparent to even the most appeasing people, what the German threat was, they at least had a statesman the likes of Churchill to call up and lead. Sadly, there are none of his caliber readily apparent in the West today.

Out of Step

2006-08-10T23:17:00.000-04:00

These days in Canada, it's not fashionable to think for oneself or to march out of step with the prevailing views. Thus, Mr. Harper and his government, are finding themselves decried in the media, as biased, and un-Canadian in their stance vis a vis the war in Lebanon, due to the fact they called a spade a spade, so to speak, by saying the whole mess was precipitated by terrorists, engaging in warlike actions, invading a sovereign country's territory, killing its citizens and kidnapping others. I guess if this happened to Canadians in Canada, the prevailing reaction would be "they must have deserved it and thus the perpetrators did nothing wrong". Most Canadians I talk to are like parrots, they keep espousing the same "BS" the media are propogating - and the more anti-American it is the better. I will be more incorrect here, by quoting the Bible, "for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God". That's right ALL. Not just the USA, not just whoever is out of favour at present, but ALL. This of course is followed by the quote, "let him who is without sin, cast the first stone". Canadians by far are the most sanctimonius, snobbish, disparagers of those who are "out of favour". Yet they have no right to be, as they have until recently, (when Harper and McKay actually took a truthful stance on the war), been the most vacillating. If you really want the straight goods, from Lebanon, read this: http://www.menapress.com/article.php?sid=1479
We need more journalists like Salim Mansur, David Warren, Peter Worthington, and the like. Truth is by and large, becoming an irrelevant commodity in the media these days, but that is a reflection of society, and its humanistic existential relativism. Where's a modern day C.S. Lewis to take up the fight against the relativistic morass when we need and eloquent spokesperson?