A battle to remember –Star editorial Sept 10th.
There is a difference in re-enacting the battle of the Plains of Abraham and a historical documentary about the same battle. It did happened, and it is history.
Re-enactment is akin to the Orange parade held annually to commemorate William, Prince of Orange’s humiliation of the Irish. It’s like waving a red flag before the bull, and serves no good purpose.
A factual rendition of the Plains of Abraham battle in a documentary is another matter. You don’t have to watch it if you don't like it. While it is true that the Americans are planning to “celebrate” the battle of Gettysburg, there is a difference: Theirs was a civil war, not a foreign nation against another. It ultimately led to uniting the states; and it did not perpetuate their difference by giving the South their own language and religion. Even so, there is still a social/emotional difference between the North and the South; even after all these years.
We should be mindful of Quebecker’s sensitivities and not unnecessarily "kick sand in their eyes”. Desmond Morris has put a positive spin on the conflict. The willingness of the British to grant the defeated their own language, religion and civil law is a positive that should be stressed; but not by enacting the defeat of Quebeckers –now our countrymen, in their own home.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
Genuinely loved for his many faults –Andrew Coyne, Sept.14th.
In Maclean's extensive coverage of Ted Kennedy (commemorative issue), they describe him as “American icon”. I hate to be an iconoclast, but I really do not think of him as such.
This is the man who rode the cottontails of his brothers and the Kennedy name; had all the advantages of fame and fortune without having to do much. Andrew Coyne says of why Ted Kennedy ran for president: “because it was his turn”. For someone born with a silver spoon in his mouth, nothing less would suffice.
Yet, he worked hard to destroy himself and those with him. Mary Jo Kopechne did not deserve to die in the muddy Chappaquiddick River. Kennedy was likely drunk, and craven enough to run home to mamma and wait until dawn to call the police, while Mary Jo was drowning in the river.
He got off lightly. Someone else would likely be serving hard time for homicide; or at last criminal negligence causing death. Ted Kennedy got off easy, because who he was. Ditto his clear culpability in the William Kennedy Smith case, not to mention his drinking and whoring on a spectacular scale. Falstaff does well in comparison.
Andrew Coyne writes “...the true measure of life is how many show up at your funeral.” I beg to differ. People show up at funerals for a variety of reason, not the least the “fame (or infamy) and fortune” of the deceased; whether deserved or not. People show up at all kinds of things, to be part of the crowd, to see and be seen; perhaps catch a ray of the proverbial sunshine.
Yes, Ted Kennedy no doubt did some good work in the senate. But, that work did not qualify him for redemption, and most of his personal adversity was self-induced.
From those who much has been given, much is expected. Ted Kennedy just did the minimum.
This is the man who rode the cottontails of his brothers and the Kennedy name; had all the advantages of fame and fortune without having to do much. Andrew Coyne says of why Ted Kennedy ran for president: “because it was his turn”. For someone born with a silver spoon in his mouth, nothing less would suffice.
Yet, he worked hard to destroy himself and those with him. Mary Jo Kopechne did not deserve to die in the muddy Chappaquiddick River. Kennedy was likely drunk, and craven enough to run home to mamma and wait until dawn to call the police, while Mary Jo was drowning in the river.
He got off lightly. Someone else would likely be serving hard time for homicide; or at last criminal negligence causing death. Ted Kennedy got off easy, because who he was. Ditto his clear culpability in the William Kennedy Smith case, not to mention his drinking and whoring on a spectacular scale. Falstaff does well in comparison.
Andrew Coyne writes “...the true measure of life is how many show up at your funeral.” I beg to differ. People show up at funerals for a variety of reason, not the least the “fame (or infamy) and fortune” of the deceased; whether deserved or not. People show up at all kinds of things, to be part of the crowd, to see and be seen; perhaps catch a ray of the proverbial sunshine.
Yes, Ted Kennedy no doubt did some good work in the senate. But, that work did not qualify him for redemption, and most of his personal adversity was self-induced.
From those who much has been given, much is expected. Ted Kennedy just did the minimum.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
SOMETHING ROTTEN IN QUEENS PARK
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
TheStar.com Opinion Where did civil service ethics go?
Sep 03, 2009 04:30 AM
Something rotten at Queen's Park,
Editorial, Sept. 1
Yes, indeed, it stinks. It does not seem to matter which party is in charge, civil servants will find a way to feed at the public trough. Perhaps the time has come to appoint a special auditor for such government agencies – an expert in forensic accounting.
It's all so disheartening. Yet, there is a silver lining: we live in a country where even top civil servants and politicians are subject to scrutiny by a free press and opposition parties. That gives us some succour.
Sigmund Roseth, Mississauga
TheStar.com Opinion Where did civil service ethics go?
Sep 03, 2009 04:30 AM
Something rotten at Queen's Park,
Editorial, Sept. 1
Yes, indeed, it stinks. It does not seem to matter which party is in charge, civil servants will find a way to feed at the public trough. Perhaps the time has come to appoint a special auditor for such government agencies – an expert in forensic accounting.
It's all so disheartening. Yet, there is a silver lining: we live in a country where even top civil servants and politicians are subject to scrutiny by a free press and opposition parties. That gives us some succour.
Sigmund Roseth, Mississauga
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
“Bryant’s deadly duel”
We ought to be careful in pre-judging this situation. Michael Bryant is entitled to due process, regardless of his high profile.
I am not sure how I would have reacted, had a crazed, drunk and possibly drugged person on a bike grabbed hold of my open convertible and refusing to let go.
Yes, I know; Bryant should have known better, and he should have stopped the car. But, perhaps he panicked.
I am sure all will come out in the court. In the meanwhile, Bryant has all ready received much of his punishment, and let us await the court’s decision before we hang him.
I am not sure how I would have reacted, had a crazed, drunk and possibly drugged person on a bike grabbed hold of my open convertible and refusing to let go.
Yes, I know; Bryant should have known better, and he should have stopped the car. But, perhaps he panicked.
I am sure all will come out in the court. In the meanwhile, Bryant has all ready received much of his punishment, and let us await the court’s decision before we hang him.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
“Something rotten at Queen’s Park” –Star Editorial, Sept.1st
Yes, indeed –it stinks. It’s e-Med redux. It does not seem to matter which party is in charge –civil servants will find a way to feed at the public trough. In the last two instances, women were at the head of the organization, but it seems they are just as venal as the men-folk.
Perhaps the time has come to appoint a special auditor for such government agencies. He should be an expert in forensic accounting!
It’s all so disheartening. Yet, there is a silver lining: we live in a country where even top civil servants and politicians are subject to scrutiny by a free press and opposition parties. That gives us some succour.
Perhaps the time has come to appoint a special auditor for such government agencies. He should be an expert in forensic accounting!
It’s all so disheartening. Yet, there is a silver lining: we live in a country where even top civil servants and politicians are subject to scrutiny by a free press and opposition parties. That gives us some succour.
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