Does anybody have any idea why the junk mail on GMAIL is so freakin pathetic and hilarious???????? I love the blatant scams. How stupid do these people think we are????????
Here are some particularly ridiculous examples from the Rostrum Magazine's e-mail account.
The "Urgent and Confidential Request"
- Dear Sir, I feel quite safe dealing with you in this urgent and confidential request having gone through your remarkable profile on the internet. My name is Frank Kofi Nartey Esq., a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Ghana and an Associate of Hesse & Hesse Commercial Law Firm in Accra-Ghana. An Indian client of mine (Mr. Sankar Nath Mukhopadhyay) who lived here in Ghana with his family, a successful businessman who had financial dealings with many top Politicians in the West African sub-region died accidentally two years ago with his Wife and two Kids. Unfortunately, he did not registered any specific beneficiary to a cash deposit of USD$32M he made with a Security Company. Since this incident, I have made several enquiries to locate any of my late client's relatives to come up for the claim of the said deposit but this has proved unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful attempts, I decided to trace his relatives on the Internet to no avail. Thus, I am requesting your assistance to stand as the deceased rightful beneficiary so as to enable us retrieve the deposited funds from the Safe-Keeping Company for both of us to share at the ratio of 70% for me and 30% for you since the deposit now has an open beneficiary mandate. Be rest assured that this business is 100% risk free as all procedures will be legally handled by me. I shall provide all the necessary legal documents that will give you the full legal right to stand for the claim. Your assistance demands the highest trust, security and confidentiality. If you are capable of executing this business with me, kindly get back to me in complete confidence and I shall detail you on the way forward. Yours sincerely, Frank K. Nartey Esq. Supreme Court Solicitor & Ass, Hesse & Hesse Law Firm, No. F459 / 4 Nyaniba Estates, Osu. P.O. Box 0514 Osu, Accra-Ghana. Tel: +233-20-652-2800 (Time Zone-GMT).
We won a contest from Microsoft Corporation Africa!!!! (There's your funding, Anshula :P)
MICROSOFT EMAIL PROMOTION INTERNATIONAL
ELECTRONIC MAIL AWARD WINNING NOTIFICATION
AWARD PRESENTATION CENTER: SOUTH AFRICA
ATTENTION: WINNER,
MICROSOFT COOPERATION MANAGEMENT WORLDWIDE ARE PLEASED TO INFORM YOU THAT YOU ARE A WINNER OF OUR ANNUAL MS-WORD LOTTO LOTTERY CONDUCTED IN SOUTH AFRICA BEING THE HOST OF THE EVENT FOR THIS PRESENT YEAR MEGA JACKPOT LOTTO WINNING PROGRAMS HELD ON TODAY.
YOUR PERSONAL E-MAIL ADDRESS WAS ATTACHED AS TO DODAY WINNER. WITH SERIAL NUMBER S/N-00168 DREW THE LUCKY NUMBERS 887-13-865-37-10-83, AND CONSEQUENTLY WON IN THE FIRST LOTTERY CATEGORY. YOU HAVE THEREFORE BEEN APPROVED FOR LUMP SUMS OF UK £1,000,000.00(UK£ ONE MILLION POUNDS ) PAYABLE IN CASH CREDITED TO FILE REF NO: MSW-L/200-26937 THIS IS FROM TOTAL PRIZE MONEY OF UK 5,000,000 00, SHARED AMONG THE FIVE (5) LUCKY INTERNATIONAL WINNERS IN FIRST AND SECOND CATEGORY.
ALL PARTICIPANTS WERE SELECTED FROM WORLDWIDE WEBSITES ESPECIALLY MAIL USERS THROUGH OUR MICROSOFT COMPUTER BALLOT SYSTEM DRAWN FROM 3,000 E-MAILS FROM EACH CONTINENT (CANADA, ASIA, AUSTRALIA, UNITED STATE, EUROPE, MIDDLE EAST, AFRICA AND OCEANIA, AS PART OF INTERNATIONAL "E-MAIL" PROMOTIONS PROGRAM, WHICH IS CONDUCTED ANNUALLY FOR OUR PROMINENT MS -WORD USERS ALL OVER THE WORLD, AND TO ENCOURAGE THE USE OF INTERNET AND COMPUTERS WORLDWIDE.
YOUR FUND (CERTIFIED CHEQUE) HAS BEEN INSURED WITH YOUR REF NO: MSW-L/200-26937 AND WILL BE READY FOR DELIVERY. IT WILL BE DELIVERED TO YOU BY ONE OF OUR CLAIM AGENT IN CHARGE OF YOUR ZONE (Mr. Patrick Kaya). YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS SHOULD BE USED IN ALL CORRESPONDENCE WITH YOUR CLAIMS OFFICER, PLEASE NOTE THAT, YOU ARE TO CONTACT YOUR CLAIMS OFFICER VIA EMAIL AS WE ARE PROMOTING THE USE OF E-MAIL. ALSO YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO CALL HIM TO CONFIRM YOUR WINNINGS, AS HE WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH THE NECESSARY DETAILS ON HOW TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE.
AS PART OF OUR SECURITY PROTOCOL YOU ARE TO QUOTE THIS SECURITY CODE MSW/FEB/XX08 TO YOUR CLAIMING AGENT. THIS IS TO PREVENT SCAM .
PRIZE CLAIM
CLAIMS AGENT OFFICER CONTACT:
Mr. Patrick Kaya
EMAIL:patrickkaya@live.com
24hrs Hotline number:
Pone +27 78 748 3004
Fax +27 86 610 6919
Endeavour to email your claim agent with the required datas below
VERIFICATION AND CLEARANCE FORM
1.FULL NAMES:
2.ADDRESS:
3.SEX:
4.AGE:
5.MARITAL STATUS:
6.OCCUPATION:
7.COUNTRY:
8.TELEPHONE NUMBER:
9.BATCH NUMBER:____________________NUMBER:
10.COMPANY:
MUTUAL PARK JAN SMUTS DRIVE.
REMEMBER, ALL PRIZE MONEY MUST BE CLAIMED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. ALL FUNDS NOT CLAIMED ON OR BEFORE THE FIXED DATE WILL BE RETURNED AS UNCLAIMED AND DONATED TO CHARITY ORGANIZATION IN AFRICA.
NOTE: IN ORDER TO AVOID MISTAKES, PLEASE REMEMBER TO QUOTE YOUR REFERENCE AND BATCH NUMBERS AND YOUR SECURITY CODE OF MSW/FEB/XX06 IN ALL CORRESPONDENCES WITH YOUR CLAIMS OFFICER. DO CONTACT YOUR CLAIMS OFFICER MR. PATRICK KAYA. AT ONCE YOU WILL BE ASKED TO PROVIDE SOME DETAILS TO ENABLE THE OFFICE PROCEED WITH YOUR WINNING CERTIFICATE AND FILE KEEPING.
CONGRATULATIONS, ONCE MORE
Mrs. Neilly Nelson Mrs. Caro Smith
(Co-coordinator). (Secretary)
LOTTERY SPONSORS: CHIEF SPONSORS;
MICROSOFT CORPORATION UK, MICROSOFT CORPORATION AFRICA,
Born Again Christians from the Solomon Islands
Dear Good Friend.
I greet you in the name of the Lord.
I am Mrs.Rita Adams from Solomon Islands. I am married to Mr. williams Adams who worked with our Embassy in Ivory Coast for nine years before he died on the 15th August 2006. We were married for eleven years without a child.
He died after a brief illness that lasted for only four days.
Ever before his death we were both born again Christians and have sown into many ministries. Since his death I decided not to remarry, but feeling quite lonely if not the Lord who has been my partner and comforter.
When my late husband was alive he deposited the sum of$2.5 Million witha Bank in Cote D lvoire. Presently this money is still in the custody of the Bank in Cote D lvoire.Recently, my Doctor told me that I would not last for the next Five months due to cancer problem. Having known my condition I decided to donate this fund to a church,organization or good person that will utilize this
money the way I am going to instruct herein.
I want a church,organization or good person that willuse this funds to help the orphans, widows and other people that needfinancial assistance.
Using part of this money to provide facilities for God,s work, taking the gospel to greater height is my major reason of donating this funds out.The Bible made us to understand that"Blessed is the hand that giveth".l took this decision because I don't have any child that will inherit this money and my husband relatives are not Christians and it had been their wish to see my husband dead in order that they might inherit his wealth since we have no son.
These people are therefore not worthy of this inheritance.This is why I am taking this decision. Meanwhile I am not afraid of death hence I know where I am going. It is only a sinner who's death is painful I don't need any telephone communication in this regard because of my health hence the presence of my husband's relatives around me always. I don't want them to know about this development and l know that With God all things are possible.
As soon as I receive your reply I shall give you the contact of the Bank in Cote d' lvoire. I will also issue a letter of authorization to the bank that will prove you the present beneficiary of this money.
I also want you to always uplift me in prayer.
My happiness is that I lived a life of a worthy Christian. Whoever that Wants to serve the Lord must serve him in truth andfaith, "serving him with all you have, knowing that naked we come and naked we must go" Contact me on the this email address ( rita_aadams29@hotmail.fr ) and any delay in your reply will give me room in sourcing another good person, church,organization for this same purpose.
Please assure me that you will act accordingly as I Stated herein.
Hoping to receive your response immedaitely.
Thanks and Remain blessed in the Lord.
Your Sister in Christ
Mrs.Rita Adams.
I'm Sorry your Father Died, but I don't want your Scam.
FROM: MISS STELLA DAVID.
ABIDJAN COTE D'IVOIRE
BUSINESS ASSISTANCE.
Dear Respectful one,
Permit me to inform you of my desire of going in to business relationship with you. I am Miss Stella David the only Daugther of late Mr. Williams Daivd.My Father was a very wealthy cocoa and Gold merchant in Abidjan , the economic capital of Ivory coast, my Father was poisoned to death by his business associates on one of their outings on a business trip .
my Father died on November 2005 in a private hospital here in Abidjan before his death he secretly called me on his bed side and told me that he lodge the sum of of five million ,five hundred thousand United State Dollars. USD ($5.500,000) left in a prime bank here in Abidjan Cote D'ivoire with my name as the next of kin, so because of the political problem here now that cost the death of many people since 19th september 2002 here cote d'ivoire, then i decided to seek for a foreign partner who will help me in transferring the money out of Africa for investment purpose under his care since i am a girl also ignorant of investment.
He also explained to me that it was because of his wealth that he was poisoned by his business associates. That I should seek for a foreign partner in a country of my choice as to invest the money wisely.
I am honourably seeking your assistance in the following ways:
(1) To provide a bank account into which this money would be transferred to.
(2) To serve as a guardian of this fund since I am only 21 years old also a girl.
(3) To make arrangement for me to come over to your country to further my education and to secure a resident permit in your country.
More over, i am willing to offer you 15% of the total sum as compensation for your effort/ input after the successful transfer of this fund into your nominated account overseas.
Furthermore, you indicate your option towards assisting me as I believe that this transaction would be concluded within fourteen (14) days, you signify interest to assist me.
Anticipating to hear from you soon.
Thanks and God bless.
Best regards,
Miss Stella David
Any idea why the hell they all come from Africa??????
lmao.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Mid-Fall
It's been over two months since I last blogged.
I guess a lot of things have gotten in the way of me being able to do so, such as school, personal stuff, etc. But in general, I think I am having quite an awkward academic year. Things don't feel like they did previously--the sheer sensation is different from what it was last year. I've gone from a glistening first-year excitedly jumping at the opportunity to explore life, academia, and all that wonderful stuff that comes with the university experience, to a well-adapted second year student with an eye less focused on immediate life experiences and more on academics, extra-curricular commitments and prospects for the immediate and not-so-immediate future.
Living off campus adds on commuting time, but also provides for an escape. There is now no chance of me remaining on campus for 3 weeks straight, and going for days in a row without stepping outside (and simply tunneling everywhere). I guess there is a lot to talk about politically, such as the upcoming American elections and the fallout from the most recent Canadian one, but at the moment, I think I'll leave it all to Facebook statuses and individual conversations.
Interestingly, I feel like I've been overbooking myself with all those extra-curriculars I've thrown onto my plate. Nevertheless, being busy keeps me sane, and extra-curriculars not only enhance applications, but allow me to participate in a variety of activities related to my various interests, which include International Affairs, Human Rights, and Social Justice. I will also be applying for an exchange for my third year, which will most likely be to Turkey--a country with a sociopolitical dynamic that has always interested me.
As the weather gets chillier, and the end of October approaches, we are all occupied with midterms, assignments, presentations, and all that other fun stuff that goes along with university. I wish everyone best of luck for the remainder of this fall term, and hope that you all exceed your own expectations.
Cheers
I guess a lot of things have gotten in the way of me being able to do so, such as school, personal stuff, etc. But in general, I think I am having quite an awkward academic year. Things don't feel like they did previously--the sheer sensation is different from what it was last year. I've gone from a glistening first-year excitedly jumping at the opportunity to explore life, academia, and all that wonderful stuff that comes with the university experience, to a well-adapted second year student with an eye less focused on immediate life experiences and more on academics, extra-curricular commitments and prospects for the immediate and not-so-immediate future.
Living off campus adds on commuting time, but also provides for an escape. There is now no chance of me remaining on campus for 3 weeks straight, and going for days in a row without stepping outside (and simply tunneling everywhere). I guess there is a lot to talk about politically, such as the upcoming American elections and the fallout from the most recent Canadian one, but at the moment, I think I'll leave it all to Facebook statuses and individual conversations.
Interestingly, I feel like I've been overbooking myself with all those extra-curriculars I've thrown onto my plate. Nevertheless, being busy keeps me sane, and extra-curriculars not only enhance applications, but allow me to participate in a variety of activities related to my various interests, which include International Affairs, Human Rights, and Social Justice. I will also be applying for an exchange for my third year, which will most likely be to Turkey--a country with a sociopolitical dynamic that has always interested me.
As the weather gets chillier, and the end of October approaches, we are all occupied with midterms, assignments, presentations, and all that other fun stuff that goes along with university. I wish everyone best of luck for the remainder of this fall term, and hope that you all exceed your own expectations.
Cheers
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
A Riddle.
Question: Why are there so many restrictions on women in Saudi Arabia?
------
Guessed it yet?
------
How about now?
------
How's it going there?
------
Keep at it!!
-----
OK, OK, here's the answer.
To prevent them from becoming sluts.
HAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHHHAAAAAHA
HAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHHHAAAAAHA
HAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHHHAAAAAHA
HAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHHHAAAAAHA
HAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHHHAAAAAHA
......
Ya, I wasn't actually laughing either.
What's sick is that some men actually still think like that.
NOTE: That comment was made by an actual person who remains unidentified.
------
Guessed it yet?
------
How about now?
------
How's it going there?
------
Keep at it!!
-----
OK, OK, here's the answer.
To prevent them from becoming sluts.
HAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHHHAAAAAHA
HAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHHHAAAAAHA
HAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHHHAAAAAHA
HAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHHHAAAAAHA
HAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHHAHHAHAHHHAAAAAHA
......
Ya, I wasn't actually laughing either.
What's sick is that some men actually still think like that.
NOTE: That comment was made by an actual person who remains unidentified.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
a july-august straddler
Ottawa has a lot of Latinos!
These days, I've been spending many an hour on campus, along with a select group of others who have also chosen, for whatever stupid or legitimate reason, to take courses in the July-August session. I've recently come to the realization that Ottawa has a disproportionate number of Latinos, at least in comparison to Toronto.
Among the few homo sapiens I've been seeing prowling the desolate concrete forest that is Carleton in the late summer session are very young children.
Yes, that's right. And lot's of them.
I think it's got something to do with summer camp.
I have heard more Spanish being spoken among summer camp students than any other language, and heeding that, and the physical appearance of many of these children, I would conclude that many of them are Latino.
The only odd thing about all this is, throughout the course of my year living in this city I've seen very few Latino adults, but yet, all of a sudden, I'm seeing a very large number of Latino children.
Where the hell are their parents?
Feel free to provide me with a logical, plausible explanation to explain this phenomenon, that doesn't include conspiracies involving Hugo Chavez executing revered Venezuelan businessmen and exiling their children to equally immoral and decadent countries such as Canada and the United States to purify socialist Venezuela of such monstrous filth and their offspring.
Actually, maybe that isn't so implausible of an explanation after all......
I've also found that Ottawa is an appallingly small city (at least in comparison to Toronto). In fact, within one hour, I managed to walk from the heart of a major urban street to the outskirts of the city, where the sidewalk ended, and I started seeing signs providing distance figures for outlying small towns.
This was at 2 am, at which point I proceeded to a mall called "Southgate" (I only know this because of my Interac invoice) and purchased shrimp from the 24-hour Loeb. I then walked all the way back to my apartment, shrimp in hand, arrived at 3 am, defrosted the shrimp, started eating the shrimp, and watched a documentary about a dead, white governor-general.
Gotta love CPAC.
These days, I've been spending many an hour on campus, along with a select group of others who have also chosen, for whatever stupid or legitimate reason, to take courses in the July-August session. I've recently come to the realization that Ottawa has a disproportionate number of Latinos, at least in comparison to Toronto.
Among the few homo sapiens I've been seeing prowling the desolate concrete forest that is Carleton in the late summer session are very young children.
Yes, that's right. And lot's of them.
I think it's got something to do with summer camp.
I have heard more Spanish being spoken among summer camp students than any other language, and heeding that, and the physical appearance of many of these children, I would conclude that many of them are Latino.
The only odd thing about all this is, throughout the course of my year living in this city I've seen very few Latino adults, but yet, all of a sudden, I'm seeing a very large number of Latino children.
Where the hell are their parents?
Feel free to provide me with a logical, plausible explanation to explain this phenomenon, that doesn't include conspiracies involving Hugo Chavez executing revered Venezuelan businessmen and exiling their children to equally immoral and decadent countries such as Canada and the United States to purify socialist Venezuela of such monstrous filth and their offspring.
Actually, maybe that isn't so implausible of an explanation after all......
I've also found that Ottawa is an appallingly small city (at least in comparison to Toronto). In fact, within one hour, I managed to walk from the heart of a major urban street to the outskirts of the city, where the sidewalk ended, and I started seeing signs providing distance figures for outlying small towns.
This was at 2 am, at which point I proceeded to a mall called "Southgate" (I only know this because of my Interac invoice) and purchased shrimp from the 24-hour Loeb. I then walked all the way back to my apartment, shrimp in hand, arrived at 3 am, defrosted the shrimp, started eating the shrimp, and watched a documentary about a dead, white governor-general.
Gotta love CPAC.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Getting "Canadian Values" Right on Abortion
So I am sure everyone's heard of how various members of the Order of Canada have decided to renounce their membership in light of Dr. Morgantaler's recent naming. Since Dr. Morgantaler's achievements are associated with the fight for abortion rights, some members of the Order who hold strong pro-life views have returned their membership in protest of his appointment. So far, these members are:
- Gilbert Finn, the former Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick
- The Madonna House, which owns a chain of soup kitchens in several countries, and was holding the Order of Canada that was awarded to its founder Catherine Doherty
- B.C. Priest Rev. Lucien Larré, who founded Bosco Homes, a Saskatchewan organization which operates homes for troubled youth
The fiasco over Dr. Morgentaler's appointment to the Order of Canada demonstrates that a critical value confusion exists in Canada today. For some reason, many Canadians seem not to understand that legal regulations cannot possibly apply to an unborn entity that is not even a member of this or any society, and that women have full sovereignty over their bodies and what is in them. They also fail to understand that it is immoral to force women to give birth to a child if they are in less than acceptable socioeconomic situations, have been victims of rape, or simply do not feel emotionally mature or capable enough of giving birth to and raising a child. Many go so far as to call women who wish to undergo this medical procedure "murderers"--a title that is disgusting to award to an undeserving individual who is simply exercising her rights.
Individuals who continue to place religious values above human rights, and parade their own interpretations of "Christian Values" as integral to "Canadian Values", have apparently allowed themselves to forget about a particular body of written legal codes and unwritten conventions that form the legal foundation for what "Canadian Values" are. This body of legal tenets happens to be called the Constitution of Canada. I would like to take the liberty to kindly remind these people about the legal implications of potential legislation based on their beliefs.
Take a good look at the following written constitutional provisions, from the 1982 act:
52. (1) The Constitution of Canada is the supreme law of Canada, and any law that is inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution is, to the extent of the inconsistency, of no force or effect.
7. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.
Additionally, as part of this body of written and unwritten legal principles, it is a deeply upheld convention that the Supreme Court of Canada--the final court of appeal in the land--is vested with the final say on the constitutionality of all Canadian laws. In Janaury 1988, Canada's previous abortion law--which required women to appeal to a three-doctor abortion committee if she wished to have the procedure done--was struck down as unconstitutional as it violated section 7 of the constitution (provided above).
If a three-doctor abortion committee was ruled unconstitutional, imagine how the Supreme Court would rule on a law that attempted to ban abortions altogether. Such a law would likely be ruled unconstitutional, as it is an even deeper infringement on a woman's individual liberty to forbid abortion in all cases, than simply making it difficult for her to have this procedure if she desires to have it done. Therefore, individuals who are pro-life support the enactment of a law that would be unconstitutional.
In my view, individuals who believe that Canadian Values should include certain now-archaic elements of christian morality should remember that, once upon a time, a series of very harsh legal punishments, of a brutal physical nature, resembling the legal codes of contemporary Iran and Saudi Arabia used to be awarded to individuals who committed crimes, such as adultery, which are no longer considered legitimately criminal acts in the West. If these legal tenets can come out of fashion through religious revision and re-interpretation, there is no reason why other elements of christian tradition that are inconsistent with modern universal conceptions of rights, morality, and reasonability, cannot be eliminated as well.
I would rather have, as members of the Order of Canada, individuals who fought in the cause of women's rights, instead of individuals who support the enactment of unconstitutional, liberty-infringing laws, and who wish to perpetuate an archaic element of christian-influenced morality that should have no further application in the current world. Although the individuals who have chosen to renounce their membership in the order complain about a compromise in the award's honour and prestige as a result of Dr. Morgantaler's appointment, they have, in effect, contributed to the tarnishing of their own honour and prestige by showing their support for an archaic belief and potentially unconstitutional legislation.
Associated Links:
CBC - Former Lieutenant-Governor Resigns Order of Canada in Protest
CBC - Abortion Rights: A Timeline of Developments
The Constitution Act, 1982
Supreme Court of Canada - Role of the Court
- Gilbert Finn, the former Lieutenant-Governor of New Brunswick
- The Madonna House, which owns a chain of soup kitchens in several countries, and was holding the Order of Canada that was awarded to its founder Catherine Doherty
- B.C. Priest Rev. Lucien Larré, who founded Bosco Homes, a Saskatchewan organization which operates homes for troubled youth
The fiasco over Dr. Morgentaler's appointment to the Order of Canada demonstrates that a critical value confusion exists in Canada today. For some reason, many Canadians seem not to understand that legal regulations cannot possibly apply to an unborn entity that is not even a member of this or any society, and that women have full sovereignty over their bodies and what is in them. They also fail to understand that it is immoral to force women to give birth to a child if they are in less than acceptable socioeconomic situations, have been victims of rape, or simply do not feel emotionally mature or capable enough of giving birth to and raising a child. Many go so far as to call women who wish to undergo this medical procedure "murderers"--a title that is disgusting to award to an undeserving individual who is simply exercising her rights.
Individuals who continue to place religious values above human rights, and parade their own interpretations of "Christian Values" as integral to "Canadian Values", have apparently allowed themselves to forget about a particular body of written legal codes and unwritten conventions that form the legal foundation for what "Canadian Values" are. This body of legal tenets happens to be called the Constitution of Canada. I would like to take the liberty to kindly remind these people about the legal implications of potential legislation based on their beliefs.
Take a good look at the following written constitutional provisions, from the 1982 act:
52. (1) The Constitution of Canada is the supreme law of Canada, and any law that is inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution is, to the extent of the inconsistency, of no force or effect.
7. Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of the person and the right not to be deprived thereof except in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice.
Additionally, as part of this body of written and unwritten legal principles, it is a deeply upheld convention that the Supreme Court of Canada--the final court of appeal in the land--is vested with the final say on the constitutionality of all Canadian laws. In Janaury 1988, Canada's previous abortion law--which required women to appeal to a three-doctor abortion committee if she wished to have the procedure done--was struck down as unconstitutional as it violated section 7 of the constitution (provided above).
If a three-doctor abortion committee was ruled unconstitutional, imagine how the Supreme Court would rule on a law that attempted to ban abortions altogether. Such a law would likely be ruled unconstitutional, as it is an even deeper infringement on a woman's individual liberty to forbid abortion in all cases, than simply making it difficult for her to have this procedure if she desires to have it done. Therefore, individuals who are pro-life support the enactment of a law that would be unconstitutional.
In my view, individuals who believe that Canadian Values should include certain now-archaic elements of christian morality should remember that, once upon a time, a series of very harsh legal punishments, of a brutal physical nature, resembling the legal codes of contemporary Iran and Saudi Arabia used to be awarded to individuals who committed crimes, such as adultery, which are no longer considered legitimately criminal acts in the West. If these legal tenets can come out of fashion through religious revision and re-interpretation, there is no reason why other elements of christian tradition that are inconsistent with modern universal conceptions of rights, morality, and reasonability, cannot be eliminated as well.
I would rather have, as members of the Order of Canada, individuals who fought in the cause of women's rights, instead of individuals who support the enactment of unconstitutional, liberty-infringing laws, and who wish to perpetuate an archaic element of christian-influenced morality that should have no further application in the current world. Although the individuals who have chosen to renounce their membership in the order complain about a compromise in the award's honour and prestige as a result of Dr. Morgantaler's appointment, they have, in effect, contributed to the tarnishing of their own honour and prestige by showing their support for an archaic belief and potentially unconstitutional legislation.
Associated Links:
CBC - Former Lieutenant-Governor Resigns Order of Canada in Protest
CBC - Abortion Rights: A Timeline of Developments
The Constitution Act, 1982
Supreme Court of Canada - Role of the Court
Monday, July 7, 2008
Dilemmas, Dilemmas, Dilemmas
I've been thinking a lot about a lot of different stuff lately, such as deciding which possible schedule combination I should register in out of the two or three possible ones I've devised for September, whether or not I want to go to Paris for a third-year exchange to accelerate on the road to bilingualism and thereby greatly improve my chances of excellent employment in the public service (as well as embracing the opportunity to revel in my favourite world city), or whether I'd rather go to India on the Ontario-Goa-Maharashtra exchange program instead to experience and learn about the socio-politics of the largest democracy in the world (and one of the few mature ones in the developing world), how best to minimize procrastination, whether or not I will pass my upcoming road test, and a number of other things that I'd rather not publicize.
Interestingly, upon examining a recent degree audit I generated for myself, I have discovered that, owing to my decision to take 2.0 credits this summer, I will reach third year standing by winter 2009, providing that I take a full load of 2.5 credits this fall. That means I am almost a semester ahead of everyone who didn't want to bother taking courses in the may-august session (as I will have completed 6.0 credits by the end of this summer, and more than 8.5 by the end of the fall term, thus putting me into third-year standing by Janaury 2009), and potentially being able to graduate a semester before everyone else, providing that I take an additional 0.5 credit on top of my regular loads before then.
Yay. I'm awesome.
Anyways, this has prompted me to contemplate whether or not I should take an overload in the Fall in order to pull ahead even farther, and also take an overload in the winter, and even a couple courses in the Summer of 2009 if necessary, to pull ahead another semester and finish a year earlier. I figure the big "pro" of this decision is that it can allow me to start and finish grad school earlier than most people geared in that direction would, and therefore enter the workforce and start making money earlier than most others.
However, I fear that the more courses I take all at once, the lower chance of me obtaining a high enough GPA to do as well as I might like. I guess if I work hard enough, I really can do very well even if I'm taking a larger load, as even this year, I would have made it on the Dean's List if it wasn't for Economics 1000 (:@:@:@). Additionally, I wonder if finishing early would diminish the possibility of me being able to go on a year-long exchange at all--something I would definitely like to do due to the international nature of my specialization. I guess I will decide for sure by the time it comes for me to register, and speak to Elaine in the BPAPM office as well.
However, if you have any suggestions/comments/statements from past experience associated with any of these matters, please feel free to dispense them to me.
Cheers!
Interestingly, upon examining a recent degree audit I generated for myself, I have discovered that, owing to my decision to take 2.0 credits this summer, I will reach third year standing by winter 2009, providing that I take a full load of 2.5 credits this fall. That means I am almost a semester ahead of everyone who didn't want to bother taking courses in the may-august session (as I will have completed 6.0 credits by the end of this summer, and more than 8.5 by the end of the fall term, thus putting me into third-year standing by Janaury 2009), and potentially being able to graduate a semester before everyone else, providing that I take an additional 0.5 credit on top of my regular loads before then.
Yay. I'm awesome.
Anyways, this has prompted me to contemplate whether or not I should take an overload in the Fall in order to pull ahead even farther, and also take an overload in the winter, and even a couple courses in the Summer of 2009 if necessary, to pull ahead another semester and finish a year earlier. I figure the big "pro" of this decision is that it can allow me to start and finish grad school earlier than most people geared in that direction would, and therefore enter the workforce and start making money earlier than most others.
However, I fear that the more courses I take all at once, the lower chance of me obtaining a high enough GPA to do as well as I might like. I guess if I work hard enough, I really can do very well even if I'm taking a larger load, as even this year, I would have made it on the Dean's List if it wasn't for Economics 1000 (:@:@:@). Additionally, I wonder if finishing early would diminish the possibility of me being able to go on a year-long exchange at all--something I would definitely like to do due to the international nature of my specialization. I guess I will decide for sure by the time it comes for me to register, and speak to Elaine in the BPAPM office as well.
However, if you have any suggestions/comments/statements from past experience associated with any of these matters, please feel free to dispense them to me.
Cheers!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Youtube Should BAN COMMENTS
I am pissed off. Let me tell you why.
I am pissed off because people are SHIT STUPID.
I can't read comments on youtube videos (particularly political youtube videos) without my blood boiling. The level of racism and/or ignorance is just breathtaking. Why do people not think before they type? Why do people think that other people want to read their stupid racist remarks? All these types of comments do is make THEM look bad, and piss off ME and many others who actually have an IQ higher than 2, and are able to see past race in our dealings with people and can understand how individuals from certain ethnic groups have been discriminated against and kept down throughout history, and therefore cannot attest to such a large number of significant scientific and literary figures, but are now beggining to come into their own and transform their native lands into the world's future superpowers.
Look at the world's list of billionaires, and see how many Asians are beginning to rise up in the ranks. Look at how many Indian millionaires are rising out of Silicon Valley, California these days. Take notice of the richness and grandeur of Indian and Chinese culture. Do all of these things before making comments like "Obama is half white, hence the source of his talent". Some piece of racist trash sitting around in New Caledonia (this cluster of tiny islands in the Pacific which constitute a French overseas department) made that comment on a video that argued that the transition to liberal democracy in South Africa did not shift the concentration of power away from the whites due to their continued corporate dominance. I've seen other youtube comments by white people, which openly and without any consciousness of the feelings of black people whatsoever, use the "n-word" in reference to them while trying to claim that black people have an innate tendency towards crime, and say insulting and demeaning things towards Indians and Indian culture (something I noticed on a video of a hindu mantra).
Based on my own assessments of racism, I believe it is not due to people's personal assessments of history (I think the vast majority of people don't even think that much), but due to the mystified and misunderstanding way in which different ethnic groups view the cultures of other ethnic groups.
I honestly believe that individuals from one cultural group have a lot of difficulty understanding the cultures of other peoples, and due to their own personal uneducated assessments of those individuals' cultural behaviours and ceremonies, and the unique psychological mentality behind each of these cultures, by assessing them against their own culturally-specific psychological mentality. It takes an individual who grew up in-between 2 or more different cultures to understand how cultures are based on unique mentalities that are best understood by people coming from those cultural backgrounds. When looking at another culture, someone of the opposite culture will often make either one of two assessments of the other culture--1. It is Primitive or 2. It is indulgent. An individual who has immersed themselves in the given 2 cultures, however, can understand how they are not primitive, or indulgent, but represent different, distinct ways of life.
Anyways, back to Youtube. My problem is not with the individuals who make videos. Most of them seem to have a lot of common sense, and are often quite intelligent, but my problem is with the idiots who make stupid comments on them. I dunno whether they are just all a bunch of idiots, or they are writing out of emotion and are not thinking through what they are saying. I don't think those comments have any merit whatsoever (at least in 99% of cases), and take away from the experience of surfing their website.
Additionally, I am not specifically saying that only white people are racist, but I am writing this blog because of something I saw that was written by a white person that really struck a nerve with me. Even worse than the stuff I've read on youtube comments is on the India vs, Pakistan videos. I could probably write an ENTIRE POST about them. Some of them are so ridiculous that they are almost funny. For example, on one video I once watched about India, there was this entire argument going on between Indians and Pakistanis about whose dicks were cleaner (ya, i dunno where the hell that came from either, but I suspect it has something to do with how Pakistanis, as muslims, circumcise boys, and make the hygiene argument to secularly justify it). Increasingly, however, the Indian side has made a lot more sense in its Pakistan-bashing, when it talks about muslims killing each other and poor human rights situations, and how their own indian economies are doing quite well, and all the Pakistanis can come back with these days are comments about dicks, and hopeless efforts to discredit India's democracy and growing economy (the sikh nationalists try and do that too). ;P.
So in conclusion, I don't see why the comments feature still needs to exist. People should send their stupid comments as private messages to the uploader or just keep them to themselves. Youtube is for ideos, forums and blogs are for sharing written views. And to all those racist white people out there, if you want to write about how much you hate us, I don't want to read it, so just go to Stormfront and post there.
Cheers
I am pissed off because people are SHIT STUPID.
I can't read comments on youtube videos (particularly political youtube videos) without my blood boiling. The level of racism and/or ignorance is just breathtaking. Why do people not think before they type? Why do people think that other people want to read their stupid racist remarks? All these types of comments do is make THEM look bad, and piss off ME and many others who actually have an IQ higher than 2, and are able to see past race in our dealings with people and can understand how individuals from certain ethnic groups have been discriminated against and kept down throughout history, and therefore cannot attest to such a large number of significant scientific and literary figures, but are now beggining to come into their own and transform their native lands into the world's future superpowers.
Look at the world's list of billionaires, and see how many Asians are beginning to rise up in the ranks. Look at how many Indian millionaires are rising out of Silicon Valley, California these days. Take notice of the richness and grandeur of Indian and Chinese culture. Do all of these things before making comments like "Obama is half white, hence the source of his talent". Some piece of racist trash sitting around in New Caledonia (this cluster of tiny islands in the Pacific which constitute a French overseas department) made that comment on a video that argued that the transition to liberal democracy in South Africa did not shift the concentration of power away from the whites due to their continued corporate dominance. I've seen other youtube comments by white people, which openly and without any consciousness of the feelings of black people whatsoever, use the "n-word" in reference to them while trying to claim that black people have an innate tendency towards crime, and say insulting and demeaning things towards Indians and Indian culture (something I noticed on a video of a hindu mantra).
Based on my own assessments of racism, I believe it is not due to people's personal assessments of history (I think the vast majority of people don't even think that much), but due to the mystified and misunderstanding way in which different ethnic groups view the cultures of other ethnic groups.
I honestly believe that individuals from one cultural group have a lot of difficulty understanding the cultures of other peoples, and due to their own personal uneducated assessments of those individuals' cultural behaviours and ceremonies, and the unique psychological mentality behind each of these cultures, by assessing them against their own culturally-specific psychological mentality. It takes an individual who grew up in-between 2 or more different cultures to understand how cultures are based on unique mentalities that are best understood by people coming from those cultural backgrounds. When looking at another culture, someone of the opposite culture will often make either one of two assessments of the other culture--1. It is Primitive or 2. It is indulgent. An individual who has immersed themselves in the given 2 cultures, however, can understand how they are not primitive, or indulgent, but represent different, distinct ways of life.
Anyways, back to Youtube. My problem is not with the individuals who make videos. Most of them seem to have a lot of common sense, and are often quite intelligent, but my problem is with the idiots who make stupid comments on them. I dunno whether they are just all a bunch of idiots, or they are writing out of emotion and are not thinking through what they are saying. I don't think those comments have any merit whatsoever (at least in 99% of cases), and take away from the experience of surfing their website.
Additionally, I am not specifically saying that only white people are racist, but I am writing this blog because of something I saw that was written by a white person that really struck a nerve with me. Even worse than the stuff I've read on youtube comments is on the India vs, Pakistan videos. I could probably write an ENTIRE POST about them. Some of them are so ridiculous that they are almost funny. For example, on one video I once watched about India, there was this entire argument going on between Indians and Pakistanis about whose dicks were cleaner (ya, i dunno where the hell that came from either, but I suspect it has something to do with how Pakistanis, as muslims, circumcise boys, and make the hygiene argument to secularly justify it). Increasingly, however, the Indian side has made a lot more sense in its Pakistan-bashing, when it talks about muslims killing each other and poor human rights situations, and how their own indian economies are doing quite well, and all the Pakistanis can come back with these days are comments about dicks, and hopeless efforts to discredit India's democracy and growing economy (the sikh nationalists try and do that too). ;P.
So in conclusion, I don't see why the comments feature still needs to exist. People should send their stupid comments as private messages to the uploader or just keep them to themselves. Youtube is for ideos, forums and blogs are for sharing written views. And to all those racist white people out there, if you want to write about how much you hate us, I don't want to read it, so just go to Stormfront and post there.
Cheers
Friday, June 13, 2008
Thoughts
Ghandi believed that there existed 7 deadly sins.
Wealth without work,
Pleasure without conscience,
Knowledge without character,
Commerce without morality,
Science without humanity,
Worship without sacrifice, and
Politics without principle.
First, let's look at the first words in each one of these propositions:
Wealth.
Pleasure.
Knowledge.
Commerce.
Science.
Worship.
Politics.
The above words represent things that various individuals crave--some of which depend on an individual's preferences, others of which are universal. Individuals might obtain gratification from obtaining large amounts of any one of these things. An individual may dedicate his entire life to pursuing wealth, pleasure, knowledge, commerce, science, worship, or politics, simply for the personal gratification that these activities allow him or her to enjoy, often supported by one's personal understanding of the world. Each one of these pursuits are, therefore, SELFISH.
It is just as selfish to pursue science for the sake of science, simply for the personal gratification of obtaining knowledge, even if that knowledge has the potential to physically or emotionally harm large amounts of people (such as a deadly weapons technology or genetic information that might put into question the equality, in some respect, of a particular national group), than it is to pursue as much monetary wealth as possible, despite what horrible, disgusting things that individual had to do to get the money (i.e. or killing individuals, or threatening to do so, for the sake of obtaining a ransom, or tossing millions of workers into unemployment in a particular area in pursuit of a cheaper location).
Now, lets look at the third words in each proposition:
Work.
Conscience.
Character.
Morality.
Humanity.
Sacrifice.
Principle.
These are things that any individual could, at his or her primal level, do without. People don't want to work--they want to be as rich as possible by doing as little work as possible. Many people would love to have as much fun as they wanted without thinking about how they may be harming themselves by having fun in that manner (i.e. taking a particular hallucinogen to obtain a particular effect, thinking only about how fun it might be, and not of how that drug might harm one's body), simply pursuing information without having no substance, no spirit, zest or flamboyancy whatsoever, thereby dehumanizing an individual to the level of mere biological machinery, making as much money in any way possible without thinking about how one's pursuits might be negatively affecting others, pursuing scientific knowledge without actually considering the positive or negative human implications of that science, worshipping a particular religious deity to ask for forgiveness for each and every crime committed without actually making an effort to prevent oneself from committing these moral crimes, and pursuing political power without having any principles to propagate--or thus any reason to lead a population other than the will for power itself.
The above words represent things that are SELFLESS. Individuals do not necessarily obtain any personal gain from doing these things, but they add MEANING to things that the individual does. The human race needs a moral basis for its activities. This moral basis is what separates barbarism and civilization. Individuals cannot do things without considering how these things might be negatively effecting themselves or society around them. Simply pursuing things without considering why they might be good or bad in a respect other than self-gratification turns us all into pigs and whores in a free-fall of unsustainability. Without principles, we will be extinct, both physically and existentially. A human race without principles at its base is a race based on indulgence, not a race based on humanity.
Something for you all to consider..........
Wealth without work,
Pleasure without conscience,
Knowledge without character,
Commerce without morality,
Science without humanity,
Worship without sacrifice, and
Politics without principle.
First, let's look at the first words in each one of these propositions:
Wealth.
Pleasure.
Knowledge.
Commerce.
Science.
Worship.
Politics.
The above words represent things that various individuals crave--some of which depend on an individual's preferences, others of which are universal. Individuals might obtain gratification from obtaining large amounts of any one of these things. An individual may dedicate his entire life to pursuing wealth, pleasure, knowledge, commerce, science, worship, or politics, simply for the personal gratification that these activities allow him or her to enjoy, often supported by one's personal understanding of the world. Each one of these pursuits are, therefore, SELFISH.
It is just as selfish to pursue science for the sake of science, simply for the personal gratification of obtaining knowledge, even if that knowledge has the potential to physically or emotionally harm large amounts of people (such as a deadly weapons technology or genetic information that might put into question the equality, in some respect, of a particular national group), than it is to pursue as much monetary wealth as possible, despite what horrible, disgusting things that individual had to do to get the money (i.e. or killing individuals, or threatening to do so, for the sake of obtaining a ransom, or tossing millions of workers into unemployment in a particular area in pursuit of a cheaper location).
Now, lets look at the third words in each proposition:
Work.
Conscience.
Character.
Morality.
Humanity.
Sacrifice.
Principle.
These are things that any individual could, at his or her primal level, do without. People don't want to work--they want to be as rich as possible by doing as little work as possible. Many people would love to have as much fun as they wanted without thinking about how they may be harming themselves by having fun in that manner (i.e. taking a particular hallucinogen to obtain a particular effect, thinking only about how fun it might be, and not of how that drug might harm one's body), simply pursuing information without having no substance, no spirit, zest or flamboyancy whatsoever, thereby dehumanizing an individual to the level of mere biological machinery, making as much money in any way possible without thinking about how one's pursuits might be negatively affecting others, pursuing scientific knowledge without actually considering the positive or negative human implications of that science, worshipping a particular religious deity to ask for forgiveness for each and every crime committed without actually making an effort to prevent oneself from committing these moral crimes, and pursuing political power without having any principles to propagate--or thus any reason to lead a population other than the will for power itself.
The above words represent things that are SELFLESS. Individuals do not necessarily obtain any personal gain from doing these things, but they add MEANING to things that the individual does. The human race needs a moral basis for its activities. This moral basis is what separates barbarism and civilization. Individuals cannot do things without considering how these things might be negatively effecting themselves or society around them. Simply pursuing things without considering why they might be good or bad in a respect other than self-gratification turns us all into pigs and whores in a free-fall of unsustainability. Without principles, we will be extinct, both physically and existentially. A human race without principles at its base is a race based on indulgence, not a race based on humanity.
Something for you all to consider..........
Friday, June 6, 2008
"Da-DA-Da-Da, Da-Da-DA-Da-Da" No More????
I used to be a huuge hockey fan, and a pretty big sports fan in general. These days I'm not as engrossed in sports as I used to be because I've discovered other things. However, there are certain things that define your childhood, and the experience of growing up in Canada, and one of them happens to be the Hockey Night in Canada theme song. For 40 years, generations have turned on the television on Saturday night at 7 p.m. to hear the legendary jingle before the evening's games began. The classic Canadian saturday night can never be complete without Hockey Night in Canada, and Hockey Night in Canada can never be complete without that legendary jingle. Some have gone so far as to call the song "Canada's second national anthem"--an important unifying institution in a country fraught with regionalism and divided nationalistic sympathies.
The song was originally composed in 1968 by Vancouver-native Dolores Claman, an alma mater of the University of British Columbia who received a graduate scholarship to the famed Julliard School of Music. Since CBC bought the right to use the tune as the theme song for Hockey Night in Canada, it has been played, in various different forms, from jazz to rock, prior to the commencement of their saturday night hockey series. Over the years, Canadians have fallen in love with the tune. It has been known to have a great emotional affect on Canadians at home and abroad, with a myriad of anecdotal tales describing the importance this melody has had in inspiring nationalism and encouragement into Canadians across the globe. When the sheet music was released in 2000, it sold more copies than the year's top-of-the-chart albums.
Recently, after the expiry of the copyright agreement between its owners and the CBC, the CBC announced that it might not be renewed, and Canadians may have very well heard the last of "Da-DA-Da Da, Da-Da-DA-Da-Da" with the conclusion of the most recent Stanley Cup Finals. The copyright holders announced that they hoped the crown corporation would have a change of heart, and it is known that the composer is having a particularly hard time with the news of this possibility. The CBC said that, if a deal cannot be reached under any circumstances, a nationwide contest would be held to select a new theme. Somehow, however, I think that if a national contest was held, everyone would send in the same theme song as before :P It has become such an important part of national life in this country that getting rid of it is as foolish as getting rid of the Maple Leaf. Even some politicians, such as Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach and NDP national leader Jack Layton, have expressed their anger and disbelief with this attitude on the part of the CBC.
So far, Canadians that have been confronted with the news on the street have responded with shock, anger, and disbelief. I hope the CBC's bureaucracy is proud of what it is stealing from our national experience. It should be reminded that it is part of the CBC's mandate to "contribute to shared national consciousness and identity" (part iv), and failing to renew the copyright for this jingle would be contrary to this. The royalty is $500, and I think that is measly in comparison to the amount of revenue they make from the program. I truly hope the CBC and the jingle's copyright holders can come to a mutually-acceptable agreement, if not for anything else but the benefit of this nation's heritage, traditions, and future generations.
Considering its mandate, the CBC should not give up at the negotiating table as easily as it seems to be, as indicated by comments such as "oh, we thought the deadline was tomorrow!". Comments such as this indicate to me that they are actually trying to get away with not renewing the theme, for reasons that are beyond my comprehension and definitely not in their, or this nation's, best interest. If the CBC does indeed decide to do away with the classic HNIC theme, it will have made, in my eyes, an anti-Canadian decision.
Associated Links:
thestar.com, "Hockey Theme Not Dead Yet"
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/437636
Hockey Night in Canada Theme Website
http://www.hockeytheme.com
CBC/Radio Canada Mandate
http://www.cbc.radio-canada.ca/about/mandate.shtml
The song was originally composed in 1968 by Vancouver-native Dolores Claman, an alma mater of the University of British Columbia who received a graduate scholarship to the famed Julliard School of Music. Since CBC bought the right to use the tune as the theme song for Hockey Night in Canada, it has been played, in various different forms, from jazz to rock, prior to the commencement of their saturday night hockey series. Over the years, Canadians have fallen in love with the tune. It has been known to have a great emotional affect on Canadians at home and abroad, with a myriad of anecdotal tales describing the importance this melody has had in inspiring nationalism and encouragement into Canadians across the globe. When the sheet music was released in 2000, it sold more copies than the year's top-of-the-chart albums.
Recently, after the expiry of the copyright agreement between its owners and the CBC, the CBC announced that it might not be renewed, and Canadians may have very well heard the last of "Da-DA-Da Da, Da-Da-DA-Da-Da" with the conclusion of the most recent Stanley Cup Finals. The copyright holders announced that they hoped the crown corporation would have a change of heart, and it is known that the composer is having a particularly hard time with the news of this possibility. The CBC said that, if a deal cannot be reached under any circumstances, a nationwide contest would be held to select a new theme. Somehow, however, I think that if a national contest was held, everyone would send in the same theme song as before :P It has become such an important part of national life in this country that getting rid of it is as foolish as getting rid of the Maple Leaf. Even some politicians, such as Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach and NDP national leader Jack Layton, have expressed their anger and disbelief with this attitude on the part of the CBC.
So far, Canadians that have been confronted with the news on the street have responded with shock, anger, and disbelief. I hope the CBC's bureaucracy is proud of what it is stealing from our national experience. It should be reminded that it is part of the CBC's mandate to "contribute to shared national consciousness and identity" (part iv), and failing to renew the copyright for this jingle would be contrary to this. The royalty is $500, and I think that is measly in comparison to the amount of revenue they make from the program. I truly hope the CBC and the jingle's copyright holders can come to a mutually-acceptable agreement, if not for anything else but the benefit of this nation's heritage, traditions, and future generations.
Considering its mandate, the CBC should not give up at the negotiating table as easily as it seems to be, as indicated by comments such as "oh, we thought the deadline was tomorrow!". Comments such as this indicate to me that they are actually trying to get away with not renewing the theme, for reasons that are beyond my comprehension and definitely not in their, or this nation's, best interest. If the CBC does indeed decide to do away with the classic HNIC theme, it will have made, in my eyes, an anti-Canadian decision.
Associated Links:
thestar.com, "Hockey Theme Not Dead Yet"
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/437636
Hockey Night in Canada Theme Website
http://www.hockeytheme.com
CBC/Radio Canada Mandate
http://www.cbc.radio-canada.ca/about/mandate.shtml
Thursday, May 29, 2008
"Israel" - Not Just a "Dirty Word" or a "Promised Land"
No other country (except, perhaps, the United States of America) has been the source of so much fascination and scrutiny in the Islamic World than the State of Israel. Time and time again, I've heard right-wing muslims refer to the citizens of that country as "zionist filth". They decry the zionist state as a "racist colonialist entity", and have declared a jihad against the Israeli State and its Western supporters.
These Islamists need to consider that the Israeli state, although having deep-ceded problems, is a vibrant democracy with an open society struggling to reconcile a Jewish identity with a democratic one. Most Arab countries are not open societies, and citizens (especially women) are subjected to the harshness and brutality of sharia law. All arab citizens of the state have constitutionally-protected rights, such as the right to vote, freedom of religion, and freedom of expression. Many Israeli Arabs have enjoyed high positions in the public service.
Despite these commendable points, It is also no secret that Israeli Arab citizens have had to deal with widespread racism and religious-based discrimination. It is also no secret that the IDF runs an illegal and repressive military occupation in the West Bank, and maintains an uncompromising forcefield around the Gaza Strip. Arab residents of the West Bank and Gaza Strip do not have the same rights as Israeli citizens, and have to deal with a day-to-day life of constant and perpetual harassment. It is no secret that many members of religious militia are not members because they are fiercely ideological, but are members because they wish to defend their country from illegal occupation.
However, these Islamist pressure groups and terrorist networks have religious motivations. They wish to cleanse the "dar-ul-islam" (land of Islam, loosely Arabia) of a state with a majority kaffir (non-muslim) presence, and wish to recruit Palestinians frustrated with occupation to their cause. While Israel humiliates Palestinians in their day-to-day occupation, the Islamic world uses them as pawns in their politically-motivated jihad against the West.
Most pro-Israel activists are American and European jews who have, at best, visited the state on occasion, but hold strong, deep-ceded views that they believe represent the best interests of the state. Such individuals need to keep in mind, just as the majority of Islamist activists do, that Israel is a politically diverse country, with individuals holding all sorts of viewpoints, from those who believe that all arab citizens of Israel should be expelled from Jewish territory, to those who believe that the state should not even exist. Individuals holding the latter view are not only citizens from the Arab Israeli community, but also born-and-bred Jewish Israelis, such as the famed academics Ilan Pappe and Norman Finkelstein. And also, just as pro-zionist Jews exist, so do anti-zionist jews who do not believe the state of Israel should exist. If Israelis and Jews disagree so widely on the fate of the Israeli state, how can pro-Israel activists claim to represent its best interests?
Consider an example. It is a common belief among those in the pro-Israel camp that the best interests of Israel represent the best interests of the United States. John Mearsheimer, a well-known American political scientist, makes the argument that Israel is actually becoming a strategic liability to the US, outliving its cold war usefulness and is receiving more financial aid than any third-world country. He argues that America's support for the country is due primarily to the strength of the Israel Lobby. His opponents decry him and his co-author Walt as "anti-semitic" (Mearsheimer is Jewish). Bernard Avishai, who argues that global enterprise and secular democracy is the formula that will bring peace to the Israeli state, has been publicly accused of "liberal theology". As can be seen, no single one of these intellectuals and activists can be said to represent a consensus opinion.
Another important thing to keep in mind is that the "Islamic World" is a very complicated entity. I use the term in reference not only to countries in which Islam is the majority faith, but to the global body of muslims, including all the various different sects of the religion. There exists a wide variety of theological views and opinions in the Islamic world, and it is a grave mistake to regard the collective body of muslims as a monolith. Even viewing the shia-sunni dichotomy as the only division in Islam is an extremely incorrect statement to make. There exists many sub-groups of muslims such as the Ismailis, Bohoras, Seveners, the "reformists" such as Irshad Manji and their "moderate" opponents, the militant jihadis of Al Qaeda, the forward-thinking Spanish Muslims who issued a ruling against Osama Bin Laden, the friendly, simple villagers and nomads of Arabian and North African deserts, and the Iranian youth movement rebelling against an anti-democratic mullahcracy. Some of these individuals aren't even regard members of other muslim sects as being true muslims.
Bearing all this in mind, it should be remembered that when you are speaking to a muslim, it is incorrect to automatically believe that he is opposed to Israel or the West, and that he holds expansionist views. His/her views might be even more reformist and secularist than you, or they might be so ridiculously extreme that even Osama would shudder at the thoughts.
It is true that more muslims than not have to recognize that Israel is much more complicated than a dirty word, and pro-Israel activists need to recognize that they may very well be helping to dig the grave of the country they have dedicated their lives to defending.
Associated Links:
John Mearsheimer & Stephen Walt, "The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy"
Ilan Pappe, from Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
Norman Finkelstein Official Site
Not In Our Name - Jews Opposed To Zionism
Arabs for Israel
Arab Citizens of Israel, From Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
Saturday, May 24, 2008
First Nations--Think They Have It Good??
People often think that Canada's First Nations have been given too many privileges. Tax breaks, preference in university applications, affirmative action--"they don't deserve all that special treatment!"
If you actually think they have it good, keep in mind that a disproportionate number of them live under the poverty line and in third-world conditions, on reserves with despicable infrastructure. Often, these reserves are chemically toxic, causing severe health problems and birth defects.
For those of you that believe that they should leave their communities and integrate into the Canadian majority "for their own good", consider that they suffered a ruthless attack on their culture, identity, and human dignity throughout the 20th century at the hands of major religious institutions such as the United Church of Canada and the Roman Catholic Church. This was all done under the premise of "civilizing" and "christianizing" a culture that these bloodthirsty colonizers scarcely understood. Also consider that the Canadian government & its citizens were totally complicit in all these activities.
In church-run Residential Schools, indigenous children were physically tortured for expressing their culture, speaking their traditional language, and even in showing emotions such as love, happiness, and brotherhood. Students infected with smallpox were deliberately forced to play with healthy students so as to spread infection and kill off as many aboriginal youth as possible. RCMP motorboats went to aboriginal communities and forced parents to sign off custody of their children to the government, in effect allowing them to do whatever they wanted to these innocent children. Why should Canada's aboriginal peoples' have to bow to a society that tried to destroy them?
A colonizing majority must take full responsibility for the crimes of its past and assume the financial burden for infrastructure development on First Nations' reserves. It is the only righteous thing for a settler majority to do.
Associated Links:
"Unrepentant: Kevin Annett & Canada's Genocide" (Documentary)
Indigenous Peoples Solidarity Movement
Assembly of First Nations
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami: Canada's National Inuit Organization
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