Electoral dysfunction: Why democracy is always unfair

At this time of impending election we are sure to be swarmed by biased articles about electoral reform. This one fills in a few of the details with somewhat less bias I think.

"In an ideal world, elections should be two things: free and fair. Every adult, with a few sensible exceptions, should be able to vote for a candidate of their choice, and each single vote should be worth the same."

(Click the grey title below)

Electoral dysfunction: Why democracy is always unfair - science-in-society - 28 April 2010 - New Scientist

Multiculturalism fails Canada | Salim Mansur | Columnists | Comment | Toronto Sun

You'll seldom catch me leading readers to the Toronto Sun, but this is a thought-provoking read for those open to all sides of an argument...

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Multiculturalism fails Canada

By SALIM MANSUR, QMI AGENCY

Last Updated: May 1, 2010 2:00am

The recent comments by Ujjal Dosanjh, former NDP premier of British Columbia and present Liberal MP for Vancouver South, in reference to multiculturalism and political correctness are politically significant and commendable.

The high value of Dosanjh asking tough and relevant questions on a subject that is near taboo among the political and media elite is partly because he represents liberal-left thinking in the country.

In a column for the National Post on April 23, Dosanjh contended minority communities — immigrants of non-European origin — threaten the social fabric of Canada by an obsession with injustices in their “homelands” in the recent or distant past. The result is excessive emphasis “placed on the differences that keep us apart from each other” and “diminishing emphasis on commonalities and values that bind us.”

Dosanjh knows from experience what he speaks and writes about in unmasking the negative consequences of multiculturalism. He was a prominent victim of violence for publicly opposing extremists in the Sikh community to which he belongs by birth.

Sikh extremists are not alone in sheltering behind the politics of multiculturalism, then pushing their agenda that runs counter to Canada’s national interests and liberal democratic values.

Advance their agenda

The obvious 800-pound gorilla in Canadian politics — as it is in most of the western democracies — is the ideology of Islamism dressed as religion and its adherents skilfully exploiting multiculturalism to advance their agenda, whether it be importing Shariah (Islamic laws) or undermining Canada’s support for Israel.

Multiculturalism as a doctrine stipulates all cultures are of equal merit and deserve equal treatment. What remain unspecified — perhaps deliberately — in this formula are the criteria by which the equality of cultures is assessed.

Moreover, since the multicultural doctrine is untenable and easily falsified, it can only be sustained by the heavy-handed political correctness of the Canadian state promoting this balderdash at much expense and increasing public dismay.

The idea that Canada has been multicultural since the first Europeans arrived on its shores is a recent invention. It was devised out of necessity and bad faith to mitigate the challenge that Quebec nationalism and separatism presented to English Canada.

It could be said that Canada with its aboriginal population was multicultural. But once the English and the French engaged to wrestle control over this vast country, the Canada that eventually emerged as a dominion was bicultural and bilingual.

Immigration made Canada multi-ethnic. The success of modern, liberal democratic and multi-ethnic Canada rests upon the indispensable strength, culture and history of the founding peoples — English and French, Protestants and Catholics — and the institutions they built that would take in immigrants from around the world.

Diminishes history

Multiculturalism is a diminution of Canada’s founding history. It diminishes the vitality and largeness of the political culture that has accommodated a multitude of ethnicities within its borders, while it fails in bringing to immigrants — especially of non-European origin — a compensating increase in appreciation for those values that went into building Canada as a model of civility.

Dosanjh has done a much-needed service to his country. It is now for the rest of us to engage in a constructive discussion on how to roll back multiculturalism, this doctrine of divisiveness, for the love of Canada.

salim.mansur@sunmedia.ca

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[Full disclosure - At one time in the distant past I wrote a column for the Sun Newspapers.]

Ode to an amazingly full life

He shone in the golden age of diplomacy - The Globe and Mail:

A wonderfully-written ode to an amazingly full life. A rare gimps at international diplomacy during times of great change.

"Mingling with the great and good around the world, from prime ministers to monarchs to statesmen, Alfred Pick served as a diplomat and ambassador on five continents during the golden era of Canadian diplomacy, when the newly confident dominion was breaking out of its pre-war colonial identity."

Thoughts On The Canadian Cultural Fabric

Not something you're likely to see in today's mainline news media...

I received this as an anonymous post and could find no clue of the identity of the 'editor' addressed -- perhaps out of fear of reprisal. But I don't see it as anti immigration rant. More of a critique of current immigration policy from an internal affairs perspective. It seems an increasingly popular point-of-view, though not one that's often reported in our increasingly 'politically correct' news media these days, so perhaps it should be given some thought.

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A Letter to the Editor

So many letter writers have explained how this land is made up of immigrants. Maybe we should turn to our history books and point out to people why today's Canadian is not willing to accept the new kind of immigrant any longer.

Back in 1900 when there was a rush from all areas of Europe to come to Canada , people had to get off a ship and stand in a long line in Halifax and be documented. Some would even get down on their hands and knees and kiss the ground. They made a pledge to uphold the laws and support their new country in good and bad times. They made learning English a primary rule in their new Canadian households and some even changed their names to blend in with their new home. They had waved good bye to their birth place to give their children a new life and did everything in their power to help their children assimilate into one culture.

Nothing was handed to them. No free lunches, no welfare, no labour laws to protect them. All they had were the skills, craftsmanship and desire they had brought with them to trade for a future of prosperity.

Most of their children came of age when World War II broke out. Canadians fought alongside men whose parents had come straight over from Germany, Italy, France, Japan, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Sweden, Poland and so many other places. None of these first generation Canadians ever gave any thought about what country their parents had come from. They were Canadians fighting Hitler, Mussolini and the Emperor of Japan. They were defending the Freedom as one people. When we liberated France , no one in those villages was looking for the Ukrainian-Canadian or the German-Canadian or the Irish-Canadian. The people of France saw only Canadians.

And we carried one flag that represented our country. Not one of those immigrant sons would have thought about picking up another country's flag and waving it to represent who they were. It would have been a disgrace to their parents who had sacrificed so much to be here. These immigrants truly knew what it meant to be a Canadian. They stirred the melting pot into one red and white bowl.

And here we are in 2009 with a new kind of immigrant who wants the same rights and privileges. Only they want to achieve it by playing with a different set of rules, one that includes a Canadian passport and a guarantee of being faithful to their mother country. I'm sorry, that's not what being a Canadian is all about. Canadians have been very open-hearted and open-minded regarding immigrants, whether they were fleeing poverty, dictatorship, persecution, or whatever else makes us think of those aforementioned immigrants who truly did ADOPT our country, and our flag and our morals and our customs, and left their wars, hatred, and divisions behind. I believe that the immigrants who landed in Canada in the early 1900s deserve better than that for the toil, hard work and sacrifice those legally searching for a better life. I think they would be appalled that they are being used as an example by those waving foreign country flags, fighting foreign battles on our soil, making Canadians change to suit their religions and cultures, and wanting to change our countries fabric by claiming discrimination when we do not give in to their demands.

It's about time we get real and stand up for our forefathers rights. We are CANADIAN, lest we forget.

Telling Cartoon

Thanks to J. David for sending this one...

Mike Luckovich© 2010 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 6:55 pm March 18, 2010

Scandalous Behaviour

Not a good start. This is a mega project that greatly effects this neighbourhood and is appears the scandal may go far deeper! I'm worried by the TTC's response to this investigative report.

TTC paid executive's friend $50,000 - thestar.com:
"A senior Toronto Transit Commission official helped his long-time female friend – an amateur photographer – get a plum contract taking photos of public meetings and proposed building sites.
Project manager John Cursio recommended Robin Thoen for the job, then personally approved payments of public money to her totalling at least $50,000 over the past year."

Finally! Some Good News in the Arctic!

Danes join Canadians in Arctic mission - The Globe and Mail: "

Soldiers and northern Rangers on snowmobiles participate in 2007’s sovereignty patrol on Ellesmere Island in the High Arctic. Canadian Forces will take part next month in the continuing campaign to assert sovereignty.
Dianne Whelan/The Canadian Press

Fabulous NEW Pearl Harbour Images

Just Received!

Fantastic photos taken 68 years ago

7 December 1941

But not developed until 2009!

Pearl Harbor photos found in an old Brownie stored in a foot locker. and just recently developed.

THESE PHOTOS ARE FROM A SAILOR WHO WAS ON THE

USS QUAPAW ATF-11O.

PEARL HARBOR December 7th, 1941

They are impressive...

Use this link to view the entire collection: Pearl Harbour

Have a Positive Impact

This new City of Toronto study will have a major impact on the South face of the Beach Triangle over the next many years. Thoughtful community involvement could turn it into a plus and help bring a bit more community to our Southern flank.

Both sides of Queen St. E from Kingston Rd. to Woodbine are specifically included. Click the link for more detailed info and access to a map.

City of Toronto: Avenues and Mid-Rise Buildings Study: "Avenues and Mid-Rise Buildings Study

Study Overview: "City Planning has undertaken the Avenues and Mid-Rise Buildings Study to implement the Official Plan objective of reurbanizing Toronto’s arterial corridors."

Murphy's Law

Remember our roof garden and wonderful second-story walk-up all those years ago? Well, now the building is a great pub and the roof-top garden is a wonderful patio overlooking a gorgeous park and Lake Ontario!

For those in the know (and those wanting to be), here's a link to the pub's Web site. Check out the specials on the menu page!

Click Here for Murphy's Law:

"Located in the heart of the Lower Beaches area, Murphy's Law meticulously harnesses all the traditions of Ireland and transforms the relics of an old bank into a genuine Irish establishment."

See you at Queen St. E and Kingston Rd. (Toronto).It's the centre of the Universe!