Child Poverty: Not My Job?

This week, Canada's Federal Minister of Industry, James Moore (Cons., Port Moody - Westwood - Port Coquitlam, BC) made headlines with - for most people who actually have hearts - should be pretty shocking statements. Especially coming ten days before Christmas.

When asked about record-high levels of child poverty in his province his response was, "Is it my job to feed my neighbour's child? I don't think so." He went on to say that Ottawa's strategy for feeding hungry children was job creation, but that really, it was a provincial issue.

At a event on December 13, Moore claimed that "we've never been wealthier as a country than we are right now. Never been wealthier." He then went on to say that the way poverty is defined is different across the country.

Hmm... really? I would say that going to school with no breakfast and/or lunch, or not having a winter coat or boots in areas where it's necessary, or maybe not even having a bed to sleep in, are pretty much across the board when it comes to definitions. Am I off by much?

Where do I start with this?

First off: Ottawa's strategy for dealing with poverty is job creation. Sounds good in theory. Except how many of those jobs are part-time, minimum wage, and/or temporary? The proliferation of these types of jobs in recent years is a clear indication that this government cares more about the QUANTITY of jobs, rather than the QUALITY of those jobs. They want to crow about the number of jobs created, not how many people are now making a living wage. How does that help poverty levels? Oh, and while we're at it, how does cutting 8,000 Canada Post jobs help poverty?

Second: "we've never been wealthier as a country"??? On WHAT planet is that true? Household debt is at record levels. On a personal level, almost everyone I know is struggling in some way or another. New mortgage regulations are making home ownership a dream that's moving further and further away. Retirement? It's now sounding like a pipe dream.

Third: Yes, Mr. Moore. It IS your job. Just as it's my job, and my neighbour's job, and just like it's everyone else's job. Whatever you may - in your pompous world view - think of their parents, children did not ASK to be born, and they sure as hell didn't ask to be born into poverty. They do NOT deserve to go hungry because you want to punish their parents for whatever transgressions you imagine they have committed by being poor.

When it comes right down to it, Mr. Moore, it's about being a decent human being, and not wanting to see your fellow human beings suffer. How is it you can justify letting children go hungry, while your government spends ridiculous amounts of money on travel expenses, and how about that TEN BILLION each year spent on outside consultants? Bet a bunch of kids could be fed on that...

Terror Suspect Auditioned for Canadian Idol

You've probably heard this story by now, but if not, you can read about it here. But even though it's all over the news, to the point where "Canadian Idol" is actually trending on Yahoo (and it hasn't been on the air in two years) I thought I'd post about it anyway. After all, if it's even remotely connected to Ben Mulroney, you'll find it here!

Yes, I know, the Ben thing is getting old... I just can't help myself... it's hypnotic...

Speaking of hypnotic, here's the video... you know you want to watch it...



I swear, I'm not making fun of terrorism. I'm just making fun of this guy. You know you want to see him doing the Robot while singing (I use that term loosely) Avril Lavigne.

I read that he's actually a doctor. Anyone else think he must've lost a bet and that's why he had to do that audition? Like, "Dude, I bet you I can do backflips all the way across this room!"

"No, you can't, Dude!"

"I can! I can totally do backflips across the room!"

"I bet you can't. If you can't do backflips all the way across the room, you have to go and audition for Canadian Idol and do the Robot on national television!"

I'm right. You know I am.

Mississauga or Abu Ghraib?

According to The Star, employees of Mississauga's transportation and works department were tied up with duct tape, spanked until they were bruised and humiliated, at the behest of a supervisor for over five years. The Ministry of Labour and Peel Region Police did nothing after viewing a videotape of one of the attacks. Mississauga mayor Hazel McCallion admits that the city knew about the video back in 2009. Investigations were conducted by the MOL, police and by the city, and "action" was taken by the city, but the supervisor, Domenic Galamini was NOT fired. McCallion declined to specify what action was taken by the city.

In the words of SNL's Seth Myers and Amy Poehler: "REALLY?" Physical and psychological TORTURE of employees isn't a fireable offense? What the heck do you have to do to get fired from there? "Well, no one was actually killed..."

It's international news and people are jailed when American soldiers do it in an Iraq prison, but a supervisor doing this to his employees in a major North American city is worthy of what? A suspension? A note on his record?

This is why government employees (and unions) have such a bad reputation. I mean seriously - use some damned logic, people!

$750 for a Heart Attack in a Bowl!

The World Poutine-Eating Contest is going to be held in Toronto on May 22nd.

Okay, this is all kinds of wrong:

1) You're having a poutine-eating contest in TORONTO?

2) You're having a POUTINE-EATING CONTEST?

3) Seriously? POUTINE?

For those of you who don't know what poutine is (and I'm guessing you're American - ha!) it's pretty simple in its obnoxiousness: a bowl of french fries, covered in cheese curds and gravy. Yes, that's really what it is. Depending on who you talk to, it's either heaven in a bowl, a heart attack waiting to happen or a culinary abomination.

Personally, I love poutine. I also love living, though, so I don't indulge very often. I still remember my first exposure to the stuff. I was in Quebec City, on a cultural exchange when I was fourteen. My "twin" and her friend brought my friend and I into the city from the suburbs where they lived and dragged us all around until far too late at night. For skinny girls, could they ever EAT. Crepes with ice cream and poutine, all in one night. I still remember sitting there, mouth probably wide open in shock, while they devoured the greasy concoction. They asked if we wanted some. We were disgusted, and declined.

It was several years later before I actually tried it. In my opinion, nothing can be wrong when smothered with cheese or chocolate, so I loved it.

Still, a poutine-eating contest? I have to wonder how many contestants will keel over right there at BMO Field.

I'm not sure which to be more upset about...

So hopefully some of my readers can help me decide. Karla Homolka - the shedevil of St. Catharines, is apparently eligible not for parole, but for a pardon - this year.

That's Part One of my outrage tonight.

Part Two of tonight's outrage? That Stephen Harper is blaming this on previous "soft on crime" governments.

May I point something out, Sir?

You have been in power for four years. In all of that time, you never noticed that there were problems with the pardon system? It took the media pointing out that Canada's flawed pardon system had allowed a nasty pedophile asswipe to be legally forgiven, and that one of the country's most infamous serial killers could be pardoned this year (and apparently 99% of those who apply for a pardon receive one - WHAT???) before he realized that there was a PROBLEM???

The one thing I truly hate about politics is the amount of time (and money) wasted on blaming previous governments for problems. You know what? The general population doesn't care who caused the problem, they just want you to fix it.

I swear, if that woman gets pardoned... grrrrr... I don't even know what the appropriate response is to this. I wonder if there will be a response from the French and Mahaffy families.


 

I Wonder If It Had Been THEIR Kid...

http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/790570--ottawa-to-toughen-pardon-rules-for-sex-offenders?bn=1

Oh goody. They're going to "toughen" the rules for pardons. How does this help the boys that he abused? This man was pardoned after only 10 years. The pardon means his conviction no longer shows up in a CPIC (Canadian Police Information Centre). This means he no longer has to register as a sex offender. No one knows where he is, or what he's doing. Technically, he's still not allowed to be around children or other vulnerable people, but that will only show up in a more detailed background check. If it's an organization that's lax about their security, he could easily slip by.

Sheldon Kennedy, a former NHLer and one of James' victims, says that the publicity about the pardon could actually be a good thing, in that it's bringing to light problems in the system. Still, this has to be incredibly painful for him, and for the other victims. It takes a very brave person to come forward about abuse, and I imagine it was even more difficult for NHL players, who are supposed to be so macho, to admit that this happened. It's bad enough that James was only sentenced to 3.5 years (meaning he probably served less than 2) but then to have him pardoned, as if what he did wasn't that big of a deal. Personally, I think pardons should only be granted in extreme circumstances anyway. If you are convicted of a crime, why should it be erased from your record? What about consequences for your actions?

I am really unimpressed with the Conservative response to this. I heard on the radio this morning that PM Harper is "angry" about this. Is he angry that James was pardoned, or angry that this is going to be a blight on his party's record? I'm not sure what to think. I know Harper has kids, so maybe I should give him the benefit of the doubt (how could any parent NOT be outraged by this?) but I just don't trust them. This happened on THEIR watch. There had better be some BIG changes after this debacle.

And You Thought YOU Liked Tim Hortons?

Apparently when some men want their Timmies, you shouldn't get in their way! I thought my husband got grumpy without coffee, but not compared to Harvey Hale, 37, Randy Cayouette, 23, and Kevin Doucet, 25, all of Ajax. They apparently decided that a 36 year old, father of 2 was taking too long to get his order straight at the drive-thru. They began honking and screaming at him. The man got out of his vehicle (with his wife and kids inside) to try and calm them down, and the three men got out of their truck and began kicking and punching him.

I know we all get a little impatient at the drive-thru sometimes, but isn't this taking it just a LITTLE bit too far, gentlemen?

That being said, can I just point something out to the people who design drive-thru lanes? Once you're in, you can't get OUT without going through the whole line. If you decide that you can't wait any longer, you're screwed. While I do think people should use some common sense in looking at the lineup BEFORE getting in line, it would be nice to allow people to leave if they're pressed for time and stuck unexpectedly.

However, that being said, I am NOT justifying resorting to violence because you're going to be late for your anger management class!