◦ I am an American born citizen but have lived the better part of my life in Canada. When I look at what the USA has become over the past eight months I am somewhat ashamed to tell people I’m an American. The complete absence of empathy of the presidency, his unrelenting efforts to crush the « non-white » population, the poor and the needy, his autocratic international diplomacy, his one-sided interpretation of the constitution and, of course, his narcissistic view of himself make me wonder and fear for the future of my native country. It is true that it is possible to continue to make America Great but that can be accomplished by unity and not by division. We all know the expression « …divided we fall ». This is not the first time I comment an issue but sadly I have to say some people on this social media have called me stupid, idiot, bigot and other things including the N*** word and have even compared me to a murderer saying my race only knows how to plunder and kill. That form of verbal abuse, ergo more often than not, attacks me personally thus avoiding the issue itself. So for people who disagree with my comments feel free to do so if it makes you happy.
◦ I was born in the USA but lived the better part of my life in Canada. What I noticed mostly over the years in Canada is that racism is somewhat « silent »…some people are racists but they keep it to themselves. Thankfully the number of racists I’ve encountered in Canada are far fewer than in the USA. This being said, I also noticed that since Trump was elected in the USA some of the racists here are not quite as silent as they used to be. As a matter of fact recently some people on this social media, both Americans and Canadians have called me stupid, idiot, bigot and other things including the N*** word and have even compared me to a murderer saying my race only knows how to plunder and kill simply because I shared my opinion on various somewhat touchy subjects. That form of verbal abuse, more often than not, attacks me personally and, consequently, completely avoids the issue at hand. Black, yellow or white we should all have the right to politely share our opinions without being vehemently insulted. I would be very tempted to such attitudes racism.
◦ Who should we wish Merry Christmas to : the poor and needy who will be losing healthcare; perhaps the people of Puerto Rico who will not get emergency relief; or even the dreamers who will be deported to a land where they never really lived;
◦ Chinese New Year, Jewish New Year, Islamic New Year, Thai New Year, Ethiopian New Year
◦ The « War on Christmas » has been going on for many, many years and is by no means related to any particular government or nation for the matter. To have a president of the USA insinuate that a « ban » of the use of the seasonal greeting « Merry Christmas » is party related is somewhat insidious. One has to admit that the term Christmas is basically Christian and it could possibly offend people of other beliefs or religions. Atheists, regardless of their origins do not believe in God or his son Jesus. Should they be forced to greet or receive greeting relative to something they do not believe in. The Jewish people, who believe in God, are still awaiting the Messiah. Because, the Jews do not accept the central Christian teaching that Jesus Christ is the Messiah why would they celebrate his birth. Furthermore, despite the disbelief of some Americans saying « Merry Christmas » has a very Christian connotation and, as we all know, not all Americans are Christians.
◦ Now, as to whether it is illegal or prohibited to greet people with « Merry Christmas » often depends on the context. A boss may chose or require that his employees not greet customers with a « Merry Christmas » is his right. As an individual, outside your workplace, you can greet others the way you want as long as you are in the confines of the 1st Amendment…it’s a personal choice.
◦ As to the presence or absence of Christmas Trees (if the term is politically correct) the 2004-2015 statistics show that sales are somewhat similar from year to year. Actually we should be asking why Halloween, the most pagan event of the year, has grown so much in popularity over the past decade.
◦ There is an expression « Charity begins at home » which means, as far as I’m concerned, start by helping your own before helping strangers. Yes, I believe it is possible to help others, in this case refugees, but don’t do it to the detriment of your own. I was an immigrant at one time and the only privilege I ever got was the chance to obtain my Canadian citizenship which is a great honour for me. I live and abide by Canadian rules and laws and I am totally satisfied with that. And, like any native Canadian, I am outraged to see the benefits given to refugees while at the same time neglecting Canadians.
◦ Scandals, insults, racial profiling and more, the USA is showing its real nature. A president blasting anybody or anything with opposing points of view; Hollywood showing what it’s really all about; protectionism at any cost; mass murder becoming a daily expectation; bigotry, racism, etc. becoming more the norm than the exception; promotion of national and international segregation; no more social conscience; hatred and division and so much more. I can barely identify with the country I was born in. So sad, so sad. I know some people will disagree entirely with what I’m saying and will tear me apart with racist remarks or comments but that’s all right because that’s what America has become.
◦ “Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something.” – Plato
◦ Fake Presidential Facts
◦ I am not trying to defend Trump because I think he is a complete moron. However, aside from totally supporting the trophy ban, I still question myself as to why those africain countries that allow trophy hunting do not make it illegal to kill endangered species, period. If countries like the USA decide the fate of endangered species in other countries for the sole pleasure of those so-called millionaire trophy hunters why can’t the countries where those animals live protect them…it is also their responsibility. I guess that is what Trump calls a free-trade agreement. Let’s not only blame Trump, blame those countries too.
◦
The Thanksgiving Plan :
T – Trump
U – Urges
R – Republicans
K – to Keep
E – an Eye
Y – on You
◦ Je ne suis pas partisan d’aucune équipe de hockey mais je sais que dans une saison régulière de la Ligue Nationale de Hockey chaque équipe joue 82 parties. Pourquoi alors panique-t-on tant sur les chances de la Sainte Flanelle de faire les séries de fin de saison. Quand les Habitants gagnent on les adule…quand ils perdent on les honnis. Oui, la saison dure 82 parties…laissez vos héros se rendre au moins au point où ils seront mathématiquement exclus des séries, s’il y a lieu.
✓ Quitte à me faire crucifier sur la place publique de l’un ou l’autre des antagonistes je vous soumet quand même ce petit commentaire. À la lumière de ce que je lis quotidiennement dans les médias traditionnels tout comme dans les médias sociaux, des hommes ainsi que des femmes sont soient victimes ou agresseurs dans les cas de violence conjugale. J’ai bien dit hommes ou femmes. Il m’attriste grandement de voir cette guerre d’accusations perpétuelles entre hommes et femmes pour démontrer qui est agresseur et qui est agressé(e). Ne serait-il pas le temps que tout le monde s’assoit ensemble pour chercher des solutions (politiques, légales, sociales, familiales et autres); c’est à dire chercher de vraies solutions plutôt que de jouer au ping-pong familial?
Mes valeurs se justifient non pas par la valeur des choses que je possède mais par la valeur des personnes autour de moi.
◦ Rétrospective de l’année 2017: le 20 janvier 2017 Donald J. Trump est officiellement inauguré devant la plus grande foule jamais vue lors d’une inauguration présidentielle aux USA ( je vous ai bien fait rire). Pour le reste de l’année, sans « fake news » et sans tambours ni Trump(ettes) rien de significatif à signaler.
◦ Retrospective of 2017: January 20, 2017 Donald J. Trump is officially inaugurated in front of the biggest crowd ever seen during a presidential inauguration in the USA (Hope I made you laugh). For the rest of the year, without “fake news” and and drums or Trump(ets) nothing significant to report.
