Affordability. Life and THE BIG URBAN BOX (BUB)

 Talking about the ever-so-hot subject of "Affordability" (in Toronto and other Ontario (/Canadian/International communities in the western  world),  Rick Salutin said in the Toronto Star Aug 30 that there isn't an affordability crises at all, rather there is  a "class"conflict. I agree to a point. He went on to say the solution is "a redistribution of wealth...not (a redistribution) of population (to Belleville (Ontario) e.g.)" as a colleague had written about recently.  

Well, that's only part of the consideration. 

An aggressive, multi stakeholder (governments and businesses) initiative to redistribute (i.e."decentralize") population and jobs would solve a bunch of problems. Cheaper land and therefore living prices, would be one a beneficial outcome.

More deeply, a better life style and humanity would be enabled. 

The growing and debilitating stress that so many people are under (see G Wayne Miller's article in the Star the same day), could be lessened.  The data referred to by Miller documenting the seriousness of the rise in stress didn't identify where the folks surveyed lived or what they did for a living... 

So I'll posit with some confidence that the stress epidemic is largely a BIG URBAN BOX (BUB) caused phenomenon. Whilst big cities certainly have a VIBE you just can't just shove more and more people into a BIG URBAN BOX without causing a host of problems. And we are witnessing them. And we can't deal with them; affordability, class differentiation, homelessness and toxic stress. Just can't keeping doing the same thing...doesn't work. One big box, all kinds of sweating, stressed people running around to stay the same, terrible traffic and commutes, frustration, violence, stress, gangs, drugs, pollution, destructed infrastructure and de-humanization. 

Time for a new vision. If we are to Keep On, we need to Get On... with a new vision. Let's move the jobs, let the people follow and beat the life-inhibiting epidemic we face.  

Jarvis Collegiate: The School, the Building, the Legends

There was an article in my newspaper the other day that posited there has been spotty and inconsistent development around the Jarvis and Wellesley intersection in Toronto and that more should be done city-wide to respect, protect and showcase old iconic homes like the Massey mansion. I agree.

Notwithstanding some uncoordinated and appealing buildings in the area, there is one structure at the intersection that is very special, viz. the Jarvis Collegiate Institute building on the south east corner. Jarvis the school is over 210 years old. It is the second oldest high school in Ontario and the oldest in Toronto. The current building was built in 1924 and exudes the elegance of Gothic Revival architecture. It has seen two major renovations/additions since then but the beautiful facade and halls of the building have been maintained. The impressive front stairs from Jarvis Street lead into a grand, welcoming foyer. The famous George Reid historical murals in the auditorium have survived and are to be treasured. The walls still speak of the thousands who have studied within them over nearly a century. The school and the building are sources of great pride for former and present students and staff. They should be celebrated by everyone. We should not allow the building to be tarnished by criticisms of other area developments. JCI will continue to anchor that corner proudly and share its personality with the City. It will keep on keeping on eh. Stop and look at it next time you're in the area. It's OK to stare. 

Testing in shools

A fine writer (Mr. Rick Salutin) recently wrote about several issues facing teachers, students and school administrators. Among them was the regular debate about whether standardized testing in our schools was a good thing or a bad thing.

The conclusion of his December 7th article regarding standardized testing posited that: "What you've truly learned (as a student faced with an exam) counts zero..." I disagree. 

My colleagues and I grew up facing regular standardized testing, departmental FINAL exams at the end of high school and annual exams in University. This encouraged/demanded full and thoughtful review of the year's material - no one really knew what would be on the exam. Material review deepened fact retention and thinking about the subject. In some cases, the "forced" study led to a eureka moment when I finally came to understand something in the material that I had not really fathomed during the course. Writing exams taught us how to prepare and study for a big event, meet deadlines and deal with the related pressure. Good traits as one goes out in the real world. How else is one to learn how to prepare for the test of a job interview, how to research, write and deliver a speech, make a sales pitch, craft a policy proposal to government? Life is a series of exams; some are harder than others and some have more significance...but  you can't avoid them. Learning how to synthesize and evaluate the information that may be needed to pass them and actually delivering it is a very valuable skill. Get used to doing it early and often is what I suggest. Even if you fail the odd one; learning to deal with that is another great talent. You may even turn out to be a successful entrepreneur! 

Driving (Miss) Canada

I read a good article about some car journalists driving some Mercedes Benz vehicles in each province for a Canada 150 "event". (See: Oh Canada, What a Road Trip by Norris McDonald. Saturday July 1, in Wheels section of the Toronto Star). Made me think about my own experiences, hence a comment or two... 

I agree with Norris. Seeing the country by car is the way to “do” the country and doing it with the top down is extraordinary. For 3 years when in Vancouver on business, I bought an old car (MGB, VW Beetle and TR8, each a convertible with many kms and standard transmission) so that I could drive home (to Toronto) rather than fly.  The convertible opens the experience. It allows you to be swallowed up by the majesty of our mountains and awed by the Living Skies (as they say in Saskatchewan). You just feel and smell the air in a way that puts you at one with the country. (And in the older car, you drive a bit more slowly allowing you to see more while hoping that it won’t give up the ghost somewhere north of Superior!).

Norris’ story also reminded me of a contest my association* ran some years ago, called Test Drive Canada. We represented the manufacturers and dealers of the 6 Japanese car brands. There were 5 winning families. They were flown to Victoria where they met a 6^th family (the wagon masters for the trip) and were introduced to 6 different Japanese cars. Each family was to drive each car as they tripped across the country to St. John’s. A thorough itinerary set out hotels, car switch points, and several special presentations to the group by local dignitaries along the way. They were Hatted, Screeched, feted and entertained. More importantly, they met 5 other families from different parts of Canada, with whom they shared a pretty unique experience. I am in periodic touch with them still. I feel good that we helped them see Canada in a special way.

As I continue to contemplate another X Canada trip, I hope the car industry will do more to promote trips like this for individual Canadians and families and respectfully, let the scribes and pundits find their own wheels.  

* The Canadian Association of Japanese Automobile Dealers aka CAJAD)

The Incredible Dandelion; Canada's national Flower?

Read the other day (in the Toronto Star; article by Sonia Day) that the Master Gardeners of Ontario are holding a vote to name "Canada's National Flower" in this, our 150th year. They have narrowed their acceptable /recommended choice to three; "Hooded Ladies Tresses"; Twin Flower"; and "Bunchberry". Wow! 

It's Hard for me to vote for any of the three finalists, not being sure I have seen any of them! 

Rather in my corner ladies, gentlemen and others, we have the Incredible Dandelion. Most Canadians (at least in the southern parts) have a love-hate relationship with these little asexual plants. I know they’re not proprietary to Canada, but then, most Canadians are transplants from somewhere. Like Canadians, they’re resilient beyond belief; you just can’t keep them down; they’re extremely practical ‘cause you can eat the whole thing; better still you can make some wine from them along the way making it a medicinal Plant not needing Government regulation*. They come to life every year in the spring after a long Canadian winter and it seems like every one of them has survived!  They spread their seeds in the wind like we spread our ideas of multi-culturalism, peace and hockey around the world. Maybe best of all, they’re bi-lingual! The name “Dandelion” comes from the French “dent-de-lion” meaning “Lion’s Tooth”. My thought: make The Incredible Dandelion a write-in candidate in the Master Gardeners of Ontario’s vote for Canada’s National Flower. It should win hands down.

* For one take on the good parts check out https://altnature.com/gallery/dandelion.htm  Dr. G will turn up lots more! 

                                             

Be The River!

There was a report in my local paper recently saying that a High Court in India has ruled that two historic and socially significant rivers have the status of living human entities.

The law henceforth would treat anyone who harmed or polluted the waters the same as if they had harmed a person. Rather a good idea, but I doubt we’re ready to do it here in Canada. Instead though, we might do well to take note of the great movie Caddyshack's  line "...just 'Be the Ball'" (see clip below*). 

I adopted the notion a while back. As an example when my kids would slam a door; a few “Be the Door” exhortations and they’d get the idea! 

The concept could be applied to a new Canadian Environmental/Natural Resources Program. It would urge all Canadians to “Be the River (or Lake or Tree). If you really think that way, why would you ever want to harm them? You wouldn't. And there you have it, eh.

*Caddyshack Clip; Be the Ball

Changes of Government...Lets Look at them Differently

The recent Inauguration of the US President and his subsequent speech were pretty interesting events. Apart from parsing his remarks, a couple of things occurred to me.

Trump and his supporters have criticized what they refer to as the political elites. It seems true that  governments do assume - more and more over time -  that they are totally "in charge" of policy and the mechanisms of government. If  government is “by the people” and “for the people” and people are theoretically able to control government and if there are concerns that the current political system really controls itself, why is the inauguration event and swearing in process always referred to as a “Transfer of Power”?  Referring to the turn as a  “Transfer of Leadership and Management” would change perceptions of government and its role in society for the better, in the US and Canada.

If one thought of government organization in business terms,  Citizens are of course the shareholders. Every few years they elect a (new/somewhat new) Board of Directors (MPs) to Lead. The Board appoints officers (Ministers of Cabinet), who appoint Executives (Deputy Ministers etc.) who run Departments (Ministries) and  hire staff (civil servants).  

As a quick thought on Trump's comments if -  as Trump reminded everyone -   Americans want “great schools, safe neighborhoods...and good jobs...(and better infrastructure)” seems to me he could start by paying his taxes to help underwrite the necessary initiatives. And, henceforth only involve himself with hotels and golf courses built in America by Americans. Think of it; a new hotel and resort for every town in America!

Some Friends

First snow today. Hmm. Haven't written to the blog for a while but certainly have written to friends who have, over the last few months, been faced with troubles and challenges. In several cases I have signed off letters with "Keep On" which readers will know is part expression of hope that life and health and happiness and fulfillment will indeed keep on, and part exhortation/encouragement to the receiver to keep up the good fight. To friend who's seen a loved one seriously injured, another who is faced with cancer treatments and another who suffered a miscarriage, I have said - and say again now and into the future - "Keep On."

On the subject of sign offs I read a humorous letter from a noted Canadian writer to an Uncle of mine back some many years ago and he signed it off with the words: " To the deep end" which I rather liked.

Can we change people? Can they change themselves?

I’ve said many times - that I don’t think people change. Some good friends disagree with me. So, I’ve tried to think about it some more. 

When I say that people don’t change, I guess I’m really talking and thinking about their inner essence, their soul, their spirit so-to-speak. It is clear that our bodies evolve over time. Muscles, brain cells, joints etc. all age …but does that change who we are? Maybe we can’t do the same things, but we are likely the same person inside. If we were competitive, we likely still are; our inner competitiveness just manifests itself in different ways.

If we change jobs and learn to use new and different software techniques, adopt different ways of doing things or handling issues or dealing with people…have we changed?  I think our perspective and some aspects of behaviour might have changed…but we are not fundamentally different people. We have the same brain and senses and belief about human beings that we always did: we just apply them differently.

If I stop smoking, certainly my habits and behaviour have changed, but I have not. I may still crave the idea and I still love the same things and the same people. If a person quits drinking, what is it that changes? It’s his or her behaviour. The weakness or character trait that lead to (or enabled) the smoking and/or drinking is still there; its how we deal with them that has changed.

Which brings me a related thought; I often say that “You don’t have to ask people what they like to do you just have to watch them!” They will consistently do what they want to do, and that I think reflects a great deal about who they are. Sometimes, we are annoyed or displeased with what others do. Does that mean we don’t like who they are? And in such cases, do we think we can get the other person to change that behaviour? And if they actually do restrain themselves or adopt a different behaviour in a given situation, have they really changed? Likely not, I posit. They may change behaviour but their essence has not changed. And as a note, we cannot – in my view – change someone else’s behaviour or attitudes…people will only change when – and if – they decide to. It is always their choice.

So, I think that people’s behaviours can change, but that doesn’t change the essence of the person. Changes in behaviour they do make are because they (decide to) make them. Our inner self, personality orientations and belief system about other people and relationships just keeps on keeping on.  We cannot change others. Once a cynic, always a cynic; once a conspiracist, always a conspiracist; once open or  loving or  trusting or accepting of others, always open or  loving or  trusting or accepting of others. And, that’s the last word (for now at least)!         So...Keep On Eh.

Ah, What's in a Fortune Cookie?

Some of you may have wondered over the years, “Who put the ‘Ding’ in ‘Ding - a ding- a ding dong’” and in the same spirit I’ll bet you – like I - have long anguished over the questions of:  

• “Who puts the fortunes in fortune cookies?”
• “How do the fortunes get into the cookies?”  
• “Who are the seers and fortune tellers who conjure up and ordain the true fortunes that make it into the cookies that reach millions every day?  (I was going to say “who” reach ….” because the cookies can be personified can’t they? Each speaks a personally developed and personally targeted message)
• “How many fortunes are in the Great Fortune (Cookie) Library?” (If there is a”Great Pumpkin Patch” as postulated by Linus, there must be a “Great Fortune (Cookie) Library”.  Am I right, or am I right?
• And, just what are those numbers at the bottom of some fortunes and why are there always (usually?) six numbers? 

These have been important questions for me. Regardless, they’ve evolved into today’s purveyors of meaningful personal commentaries.  I open each cookie I’m gifted with a mix of trepidation and excitement and always, with an unbridled sense of hopefulness. I’ve saved a few of my fortunes to provide inspiration on rainy days, and sunny days and just about any other time. I even put a few in my wallet so they’re available for inspiration anywhere, anytime. And I’m pretty sure I’m not the only one! 

So I went to the internet - the source of all truths (everything on the web is true, isn’t it?) -  to discover, inter alia, the following:  

• The cookie – with – a - message has a history dating back to the 13th century when they were used to pass secret messages during timed of war. Well, that’s one view anyway. Others think was actually a Japanese product and that the fortune orientation was created in the US. 

• There are reported to be about 5 Billion cookies sold worldwide each year. The biggest player seems to be Wonton Food Inc., originally from New York, but now with plants in Texas and Tennessee as well. The info I read suggests they produce some 5 million cookies per day which are sold in the US, Canada, Latin America and Europe.  See www.wontonfood.co

• In my neck of the Wings Food Products seems to own the fortune cookie market.  It is a family owned business in the Toronto area with a plant in Edmonton as well. It started making and distributing noodles, but has added a full range of Asian products including fortune cookies which have become an important part of the business. “Its people” make/bake the cookies and write the fortunes in the cookies.  See www.wings.ca . I am informed they have many thousands of fortunes in their library…each one itching to be a match with you. 

I intend to do some work on this subject, but until then, you can some more yourself. A couple of obvious sites are: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortune_cook   and

https://www.google.ca/?gws_rd=ssl#q=who+writes+the+fortunes+in+fortune+cookies  

And as to some of my favs, here's a few, in no particular order or sequence….read deeply, breathe deeply, meditate with and without thought and just imagine a better “me” and a better world too, one that will indeed “Keep on Eh”!

• You tune in intuitively to people and situations immediately and intensely
• You have keen intuition and emotional sensitivity
• Be your yourself and you will always be in fashion
• You are sociable and entertaining
• Good health will be yours for a long time
• Your magnetic personality will draw people to you
• You have keen intuition and emotional sensitivity
• You have a slow and unhurried natural rhythm
• Think long term
• Smiling will take away your worries
• You are demonstrative with those you love
• Firm friendships will prove to be the foundation of your success in life 
• Sometimes travel to new places leads to great transformation
• You are heading to a land of great sunshine (Manchu Wok)
• Friends long absent are coming back to you
• Keep it up…success is on its way
• You will manufacture a phenomenon
• You will always have good luck in your personal affairs
• Your artistic talent will win the approval and applause of others
• You are very grateful for the small pleasures of life
• This is really a lovely day….congratulations!
• A large sum of money will come to you (shortly)
• You will be recognized for your great achievements
• Enjoy Life! It is better to be happy than wise.

Let me know what your All Time Fortune Cookie Fortunes are! All fodder I think for long conversations, meditations and personal enlightenment. Let's all Keep on (getting better) eh.

Socio-Economics; Gone, Gone, Gone; Gone so Long?

We've killed the notion that there is anything like a  "socio-economic" system.  

Our Social system is in great danger. Income differentials and the fear of being left further behind felt by so many have reached the critical stage. The patient is weak and in life-threatening condition. Why? Because capitalism and globalization have been allowed to rule the roost. I believe in capitalism, but not in the absence of corporate social responsibility. I believe in freer trade, but not without some loyalty to the home and new host countries. That companies can sue countries in which they chose to do business because the country evolves its social, environmental priorities and/or rules of engagement is anathema. I believe that companies should be encouraged and enabled to be efficient and profitable, but not at the expense of worker safety, worker growth and environmental enhancement. I believe in growth, but more specifically growth of society...growth in people's knowledge, experience, understanding, empathy and contribution. I do not believe that growth can or should be measured so predominantly by economic markers like GDP. Some have introduced new measures to try to reflect changes in the quality of life, but they are overwhelmed by the western world's dangerous emphasis on economic growth for the sake of it and the concomitant forsaking of societal growth. Making widgets at the lowest possible cost and giving corporations unfettered ability to do so doesn't make sense to me. We can continue to bow to the false gods of GDP and corporate profits (at our peril), or as William once said, rise up against a sea of troubles and fix things.

I read recently a call to "Civilize Capitalism" and although I can not recall the source, I agree wholeheartedly with the notion. And there is the recent report from Economist Joseph Stiglitz and Mark Pieth flowing from their study of the Panama Papers which calls for an end to the pervasive existence of tax haven jurisdictions. They make the point that in a globalized world...funds will flow to any pockets of secrecy that exist. And they said: "...(we must) show our citizens that Globalization can be tempered and that it can be tamed for the benefit of the vast majority...".

Civilizing capitalism and taming globalization...two great ideas. Let's get at it!

Jeremy Rifkin wrote in his book The End of Work about the three types of capital; market capital (corporate), public capital (governments) and social capital (people, NGOs, charities etc.). He spoke of the need to increase the clout and elevate the profile of civil society making it an equal partner with the marketplace and government. He suggested that the government and civil sectors : "...can exert tremendous political pressure on corporations, forcing some of their gains...into communities".

We certainly need a rebalancing of these three sectors. And there's no avoiding the fact that it's up to US, the world's good people, to do so. We elect the governments that make the rules, we finance the governments to allow them to serve us, our labour and intelligence make the products and food we need and want (or the machines that do), then we buy the products the (world) economy produces and in so doing,  we make choices of which companies and products to support, so, if we don't like the way money and capital are flowing, let's re-direct the river and find better ways to finance the civil organizations that help make society better.

O Canada, The Anthem

There’s been lots of talk over the years and more recently about changing the words in Canada’s National Anthem to make it “more Inclusive” and better reflect our current and complex population.. Gender neutrality is the subject du jour. But, methinks that gender neutrality is but a part of the opportunity. To be truly inclusive, in addition to changing the current reference “in all thy son’s command” to” “in all our command”, let’s go for the gusto and make the all the changes to “Neutralize and Reflect and Represent”. Here’s a few ideas.

Sports Teams, Names, Political Correctness and Kids

There have been several articles recently in my local newspaper regarding these topics. My thoughts follow as you might expect)!

(i) Team names are not chosen to offend or weaken. They are chosen to celebrate desirable characteristics...like confidence, achievement, strength and the ability to overcome obstacles. They are chosen to inspire players and fans alike. Names are chosen to portray strength and courage...hence we have: Lions and Tiger Cats..but not Pussy Cats; Sharks, but not Minnows.

It behooves the users of the name and the logo to educate, inform the public of the logo’s history and to tell the stories of the strength and positive attributes of the peoples and things they reference and/or depict. Black Hawk was from what I know, a very courageous and proud man Good qualities for anyone on my team. 

(ii) Mascots are something entirely different. They are meant to engage, entertain, attract TV cameras and need not reflect the name or the logo of the team’s brand in any way. Who is Carlton Bear anyway? Is he a slight to Brown(-ish) bears? 

(iii) Re the Equity Summit Group reporting to the TDSB about kids wearing certain team sweaters etc. to school: they cited Chicago Black Hawks, Washington Redskins and Cleveland Indians  which are all longstanding team names. People of many if not all colours, ethnicities and orientation have played for and cheered for these teams. Many players have been enshrined in respective Halls of Fame wearing the team logo. People have played for and cheered for these teams and others like them for years. Many players have been enshrined in respective Halls of Fame wearing the team logo. 

Will the Equity Summit Group also forbid kids from visiting those Halls? Or reading old game sheets, or books about the teams, their owners, their players etc.? Will the Equity Police order Google and other search engines to eliminate all references to these teams? Will they then ban all “oater” movies or worse still...order a burning of the sweaters and books and...who knows what else. Will I have to burn my baseball card collection?

(iv) While we're all at it,

why not ban “Maple Leafs”?  What a poor name that is (they look good in the spring, excite themselves during the summer, then, change colours and drop every fall).

Open Up the CPP eh!

Letter to The Editor, published June 6th 2015, Toronto Star

Your May 28 editorial calls Finance Minister Joe Oliver’s proposal “half-hearted” on the basis that there are already financial vehicles in which Canadians can invest for their retirement.

The Star defends its criticism by saying: “Fewer than 6 in 10 Canadians contributed to a RSP and the average was a modest $3,700” and “just 1 in 10 contributed the maximum to their TFSA.” The piece concludes that, “If pension contributions aren’t mandatory, many won’t make them.”

Some Canadians don’t invest (fully) in their retirement because on one hand they lack the confidence in the existing investment providers and products and, on the other, do not feel qualified to manage investments themselves.

The voluntary CPP top-up option is a great idea. It could be a major step in helping Canadians prepare for retirement because the CPP is just one mean investment vehicle.

It is easy to access (the investor is already identified). It invests in stuff that no private fund let alone investor can. It has generated returns that are extremely attractive. It could offer a very competitive fee structure to manage the funds. It could be made available even after retirement until the RIF years begin. It just is a very strong brand.

The “fewer than 6 of 10” Canadians now investing in RSPs would have the confidence to invest more. And those who are not now investing voluntarily would have an easy-to-use and familiar vehicle to access.

The provision would be attractive to self-employed folks too. Helping more than half of Canadians at all ages and stages without any delta cost to the public purse would be good thing I’d guess.

Let’s forget the debate, implement this program and then argue out further incremental changes to the system over time. Brian Caldwell, Collingwood 

Things I Don't Know

I am continuously aware of how much I don't know. It's shocking on the one hand and perhaps just so very normal on the other.

The latest head-ringer was the discovery of a very, very good folk singer, author and activist whose songs resonate and whose experiences parallel  my own in many, many ways. His name is Bob Bossin! We were born the same year and raised in the same City. We attended the same University. He sang with some famous folkers (Seeger and Guthrie) with whom my uncle (Paul Bain) sang in New York in the 50's. Bob grew up watching the same baseball team in Toronto that I did. Better still, we shared a common hero, a centre fielder named Sam Jethroe. The Bossins were around the baseball players at the Barclay Hotel in Toronto. My father and I were around lots of the Argo and Leaf players for a time at the Isabella hotel.  Bob and his dad Dave used to go to the same Racetrack that my high school friends and I did. After school we'd make a mad dash to Greenwood to get there for the last 2 races. (Ed note: entry was free for the last 2).

All this to say: I am amazed by Bob's accomplishments, a bit embarrassed that I have not followed him all these years but, I am ecstatic that I have found a new "brother."

Which is to remind us all to keep looking and realize there is so much yet to discover and enjoy. Once again, the blog's message rings true; "Keep On eh!"

Minerva's Ark,the Ship We Sailed in at Jarvis Collegiate in the "60s

Regular readers know that there is a group of guys –proud alums of JCI from the 1960s - who hold a Golf Tournament & Reunion/Revival each year. Benita has often asked about the people involved. When I sent the details of the 2013 event to The Diary the other day an interesting thing happened!  Lady Minerva calls and says: “If I’m going to promote this event, I want to know who these people are. What are they like? What keeps them interested in getting together? What have they done for the last 50 years or so?”

In deference to Benita and particularly Lady Minerva, this short piece is offered. It is not about any specific alum, but about us all.

By “all”, I mean a group of about 50, a number we grow a little each year. We share a fascinating Jarvis experience, and are all about the same age. To a man there is a respect for Jarvis, many of the teachers and coaches and each other. We enjoy golf and love to tell stories. We like to play and participate in the broadest sense of both words. Most important, we are good friends. How we got to be is not a simple story; we came from very different places and backgrounds, but we’ll try to explain. 

Reach Out; Don't Preach Out!

Mr. Kevin Deveaux wrote recently for a CBC podcast about the need for Parliament to become better at reaching out to the public. (http://fw.to/CftGONX). 

Deveaux makes a good point, and he’s certainly not alone. As reported in the Toronto Star (November 24^th) Stephen Lewis recalled the respect that existed in the Ontario Legislature during the William Davis years which he attributed (in part) to the attitude of the Premier. Lewis was quoted as saying: “Vitriolic nastiness in debate does not breed respect…nor does the spectre of …exercising authoritarian control.”  

I served as Director of Research for a Select Committee of the Ontario Legislature on the Highway Transportation of Goods. It sat during a time of minority government (1976/77). The members of the Committee represented 3 parties and became a cohesive unit in search of reason as they reached out to the public, industry groups and other government bodies. It traveled to every corner of Ontario and examined regulatory systems in the US and parts of Europe. As noted in the Final Report, the Committee went to great lengths to ensure that its inquiry would be open and fair and would consider all the views of all who wanted and should be consulted.  The Chairman said in the final report: “…the Members of the Committee approached the task with vigour and a sense of purpose which enabled them to ...report on time and with unanimity…I congratulate them for their ability to work well together…”

There is need for our politicians and governmental systems to reach out and not preach out; my experience suggests that the Multi-party committee philosophy & model can be extremely useful to this end.  We know that people of different political persuasions can work together (and often enjoy doing so). We also know it creates better public policy…and that is what we need…public policy, not policy.

Getting Back to Keeping On

I am becoming sadly cynical about people who don't follow through with their undertakings to "get back to others." Sure, I've missed or forgotten a few deadlines, but despite the constant to and fro via Twitter and Facebook and other social media, it shocks me that people who say they'll get back on a subject, very often don't. It seems to me that it's trending. Is it that there is just too much noise out there for people to remember what they said they'd do? Or is it that today's tweets are more important than what we said we'd do yesterday? I still prefer voice-to-voice (if not actual face-face) communications. I sense that with the dwindling use of phones as phones the "etiquette of replying" is dying. Any comments?

What’s with the name? “Keep on” suggests keeping on with the search for peace  and however fleeting, some relevance, satisfaction and happiness. The “eh”...well, it reflects the inherent Canadianism of the commentator.  I intend to post about things that happen or that I see or read that strike me as humorous or meaningful in other ways to the challenges of Keeping On, particularly in our regular lives and relationships.

I am often taken with cartoons as they so directly make us laugh at situations and ourselves. I am also fascinated with the simplicity of certain quotations that- like cartoons- elegantly put things in clear perspective. Then of course there are lessons to be gleaned from “real life” events and occurrences. All these can alter our willingness and ability to Keep On.

Regarding relationships...someone once said: “People will forget what you said, and forget what you did, but they will never forget how you made them feel.” 

And, regarding both relationships and even the environment: “If you want to use something again, treat it very well!”

Have a good day and, "keep on, eh."

 

 

Hockey Thoughts from Downtown

A little guy downtown said to me;

“The NHL I don’t trust, but in the game I still must.”

I asked how that could be.

“Because my skates are sharp and the ice is still fast

and my heart in the game is forever to last.

My comrades on side I will always abide.”

He went on to say with such little delay:

“Oh how I feel that strong, smooth stride

as I swoop on the net…that I’ll score is a  bet

but I pass to my friend who’s swifter than I…

he scores I think… or surely I’ll die.

That’s the end of my thought but not of my dream

Maybe Mom and Dad will buy us ice cream.”

I wondered about the kid’s story.

Did the friend score? I don’t know, but sure there was glory

for trying his best and playing with zest

the game we still love that’s such a great test.

love by the kids will survive big interest unrest.