G20 in Toronto

democracy |diˈmäkrəsē|
noun ( pl. -cies)
a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.
• a state governed in such a way : a multiparty democracy.
• the practice or principles of social equality : demands for greater democracy.

fascism |ˈfa sh ˌizəm| (also Fascism)
noun
an authoritarian and nationalistic right-wing system of government and social organization.
• (in general use) extreme right-wing, authoritarian, or intolerant views or practice.

As it was pointed out the news, “they [violent protesters] weren’t protesters they were vandals. Dr. King’s people protested, Gandhi’s people protested.” Without protests injustices grow as more and more freedoms are taken away. Rights have never been given. I understand the frustration and fear but remember what Benjamin Franklin said, “People willing to trade their freedom for temporary security deserve neither and will lose both.”

I don’t know what frightened me more, seeing Toronto turned into a police state, or seeing how many people welcomed it. Democracy, social equality, humanity, it would seem, has been traded for the sake of economy; as people were pulled of the streets and put in cages (including members of the press). It's not the first time in history that this has happen. Neither is it the first time people welcomed it.

It's not about siding with the protesters, or the police, it's about human rights. Anyone, one either side, that violated them needs to be held accountable. In a democracy we all need to use our individual voices to speak out against those violations.

Father's Day

"Fathers hold their childrens' hands for just a little while . . . and their hearts forever." - Celtic Proverb.

I gave that quote to my dad, beautifully framed, on handmade paper, on our last Christmas together. It was always difficult for me to say anything mushy to my Dad. I'm a guy, expressing emotions off the page isn't easy (it's not easy on the page either, but I can endure the pain of the process when I'm alone). I'm so grateful to the person who first spoke those words, and the one who painted and framed them, so that I could share my feeling with my father, without actually having to say anything. But now that he's gone, 7 years this Canada Day, I wish I'd said more, or sometimes less, I just wish I'd always chosen all my own words with the same care I took in choosing that framed quote.

Thank you for everything, Dad. For all the you gave, and are still giving, me.

Happy Father's Day.

Chill Art

Artwork inspired by Chill, by brilliant artist/illustrator Teresa Westervelt. There’s such an abundance of talent in our beautiful little County!

Rudely Interrupted

Rudely Interrupted is an Aussie band that came out of a music theory program. Five of the six members have a physical or mental disability. In 2008 they made history by becoming the first band to play at the UN headquarters. Rudely Interrupted is currently touring in Canada. The title to this entry will link you to their site. They have several videos available on Youtube.
Please enjoy and support. They're bloody good.

Psychology Today

In the last issue of Psychology Today it said that, "Religiosity (the importance of God in one's life) is highest in lastborns. In families with three children the last born is especially tender and altruistic."

Being the youngest of three, it's good to know that I came about it honestly. :-)

ENOUGH!

I received this in my email and thought it worth passing along.

Dear Blogger,

The BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is a terrible reminder that we as citizens
can not depend on big corporations or on our governments to look out for our best
interests. Corporations have been, and always will be, concerned with one
thing--making money for their shareholders. Safety for their workers, the
environment or the people who live in the communities where they do their business
comes a distant second to making that almighty dollar.

Our leaders aren't much better. Heads of regulatory commissions don't act on our
behalf because they are mostly industry insiders who'd rather protect their friends'
profits than protect welfare of their citizens. Congress rarely acts in our best
interest because the voice of the powerful lobbyists with fat checkbooks drowns out
that of the average citizen. At all levels, it is apparent that our leaders are more
worried about donations and lucrative private sector jobs than they are about the
people they were elected to serve.

This oil spill, this catastrophic disaster, is wreaking havoc on the natural
habitats all along the gulf coast and it's true global environmental impact will not
be known for some time. It's impact on the local economies of coastal towns is
already being seen too, and, like the environmental impact, the true extent of the
economic impact will not be seen for some time. Entire ecological systems are being
destroyed. Families and communities are being devastated. Businesses and pristine
wildlife are being lost forever.

This disaster needs to be the last straw. It is time for the people of the world to
say "enough." Vote out leaders who do not take their commitment to their citizens
seriously. Boycott brands that refuse to conduct their business safely and
responsibly. Above all, raise your voice! Speak out for your rights, the rights of
your community and for the rights of future generations.

Blogs have given each of us unprecedented reach and influence. Bloggers can use
their medium to affect real change. Millions of bloggers across the globe can band
together and say "enough." Together we can spread a message of change. Together we
can take action to stop the cycles of corruption and impotence that allow careless
corporations and ineffective governments to promote their selfish agendas while
trampling all over the rights and the needs of the people.

It starts now. Its starts with you and with me. It starts when we go online, log in
and post about how we will no longer stand for leaders who can't do their jobs, for
companies that pollute, for CEO's who care about their profits more than their
customers, for systems that reward the rich and powerful while ignoring the common
man. One blog post may not change the world, but millions of authors speaking out
alongside hundred of millions of readers can. Inform your readers. Inspire them to
act. When we all cry out together, we will be heard.

Please join me on BloggersUnite.org for BloggersUnite For The Gulf. Please stand
with me and tell the government and big oil "ENOUGH!" It's time we each take
responsibility for making this world a wonderful place to live!


Sincerely,

Jason Teitelman

bloggersunite.org