tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17694461117265676932024-03-19T04:18:28.637-04:00Number 16Welcome to Number 16, the fun website that focuses on words, language and literature. It also contains quizzes and opinion pieces. Number 16 is named after my favourite number. I am Joanne Madden and I'm from Toronto, Canada. To find out what I have written on any topic, use the search box directly below. For TV trivia, please check my other website, TV Banter (www.tvbanter.net).
Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303862386440522922noreply@blogger.comBlogger861125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769446111726567693.post-86868130416539764722024-03-11T10:30:00.000-04:002024-03-11T10:30:18.611-04:00Warning Signs of a Cult<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxS0Ak_Irg8_Dt8fbQqs5WXbpr2Ll9V_ZgpKKJmXqrIJi0ggyF-kFiuH38H08gJTgI6Zt-tyWyGv723HqlReqP0SYq4yzlqyLYD7r-uhjfICOqCnZcc4zfL9pfAUCJBrPWwi2mpv65W2WiAuS6OJ0gnHrQgWDI8J0HfMOR_KK1HHkWQb1B85gEMH7kJo/s526/Warning%20signs%20of%20a%20Cult.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="526" data-original-width="526" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxxS0Ak_Irg8_Dt8fbQqs5WXbpr2Ll9V_ZgpKKJmXqrIJi0ggyF-kFiuH38H08gJTgI6Zt-tyWyGv723HqlReqP0SYq4yzlqyLYD7r-uhjfICOqCnZcc4zfL9pfAUCJBrPWwi2mpv65W2WiAuS6OJ0gnHrQgWDI8J0HfMOR_KK1HHkWQb1B85gEMH7kJo/w400-h400/Warning%20signs%20of%20a%20Cult.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>All the warning signs in this list apply to dictators such as North Korea's "Dear Leader," Kim Jong Un. However, they also apply to Donald Trump and his political party, the former Republican Party. It might as well be renamed the Trump's Party. It is a cult and Trump has complete control of it.</p><div>Trump ally, Michael Whatley, and his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, have taken control of the so-called Republican National Committee (RNC), Lara is the wife of Trump's son Eric. She is now co-char of the Trump National Committee, while Michael Wheatly is the chair. Donald Trump, of course, endorsed both of them. Do you think they will dare question him or refuse to do his bidding? If you do, you must be ready to buy some swampland in Florida. </div><div><br /></div><div>The fact is that Donald Trump has complete control and a total grip on the former Republican Party. This, my friends, is a sad state of affairs for American democracy. The hope is that someday a new conservative party, one that is democratic and respects the rule of law, will rise out of the ashes of this cult.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>- Joanne</div>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303862386440522922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769446111726567693.post-17215304795805870382024-03-06T15:01:00.001-05:002024-03-06T15:02:15.441-05:00The truth about Mitch McConnell<p><b> <span style="font-size: medium;">"There is no question, none, that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day (January 6, 2021.) . . . A mob was assaulting the Capitol in his name. These criminals were carrying his banners, hanging his flags and screaming their loyalty to him."</span></b></p><p>Guess who said those words. Nancy Pelosi? Barack Obama? Joe Biden? Kamala Harris? No! It was not a Democrat who uttered those words about Donald Trump. It was stalwart Republican Mitch McConnell, the current Senate Majority Leader. Senator McConnell reprimanded Donald Trump in February of 2021, in a speech on the Senate floor after the former president's second impeachment trial. He made a blistering attack on Trump,, but then argued that it was unconstitutional to convict a president who was no long in office. </p><p>In other words, McConnell believes that Trump was above the law, even when he no longer held the office of the presidency. It is because of spineless Republican politicians such as Mitch McConnell and former Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy that Donald Trump has become the Trump Party's prospective nominee for president.</p><p>McConnell was unequivical about Trump's responsibility for the uprising on January 6th. Nevertheless, he has announced that he will be supporting Trump in the 2024 presidential election. How can McConnell in good conscience endorse a man whom he described as responsible for an attack on American democracy? </p><p>The answer is that McConnell has two major goals - to help Republicans hold on to power and to further increase his own wealth, and the wealth of other fat cats. If you recall, when Barack Obama first took office as president, McConnell stated that "<b>my number one priority is making sure Obama's a one term president."</b><i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i>It is not surprising, therefore that McConnell has chosen to endorse Trump.</p><p>Mitch McConnell did not say that his number one priority was to serve his country and o make life better for Americans. Oh no! Not McConnell. He'd do anything to make Democrats look bad, even if it hurt his fellow Americans. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYLztJPJsLP5ya_mwGsh5RtMx3CfkSynO6VuIIA-bCB1ChjzbB8y1AUEowp33rt50PFDGer0nlCjMp_nDcDx7E6FwN4GOeoaLR6zJxQOUjENwiG7IGXKNamY4eLYsiuR-eEIaxOp7D5MehlGGaCFgMast4eTaivyIYiZq-MVaj3myuruUBRz3xpttTMk/s303/Mitch%20McCoonnell.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="303" data-original-width="220" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYLztJPJsLP5ya_mwGsh5RtMx3CfkSynO6VuIIA-bCB1ChjzbB8y1AUEowp33rt50PFDGer0nlCjMp_nDcDx7E6FwN4GOeoaLR6zJxQOUjENwiG7IGXKNamY4eLYsiuR-eEIaxOp7D5MehlGGaCFgMast4eTaivyIYiZq-MVaj3myuruUBRz3xpttTMk/s1600/Mitch%20McCoonnell.jpg" width="220" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mitch McConnell</td></tr></tbody></table><p>There are no words to express how sad and disgusted I am about the political situation in the United States. The hypocrisy of Trump's Republican colleagues knows no bounds, especially now that Senator McConnell has decided to endorse Donald Trump for president, a man he once blamed for the "disgraceful" January 6, 2021 attack.</p><p>How low can the so-called Republican Party go? It is no longer a legitimate political party. It is a cult movement, completely under control of a would-be dictator. Those so-called Republicans are so completely beholden to Trump and power-hungry that they are willing to allow him to destroy American democracy. They are willing to throw Ukraine under a bus because their Dear Leader, Trump, is a great admirer of Vladimir Putin. If, God help humanity, Trump become president again, he will allow Putin to crush Ukraine. An emboldened Putin will attack other countries.</p><p>With Trump's record, how many countries would allow such a corrupt and cruel man to run for president? What is wrong with America?. A great deal, I'm afraid. Americans have parents and grandparents who made great sacrifices to stop Hitler and fascism. Yet, many Americans are supporting a man who wants to bring fascism to America. Trump has made no bones about it. He has made it abundantly clear what he attends to do if he get his hands on power again. The question American voters will be deciding in the nest election will be: <i>Do you want American democracy to survive</i>?</p><p><span style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: "Eb Garamond";"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: "Eb Garamond";">- Joanne</span></p>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303862386440522922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769446111726567693.post-10467937612064738122024-03-02T09:42:00.000-05:002024-03-02T09:42:05.378-05:00Champion of Working Men and Women?<div class="l-col__main" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4c4e4d; flex: 1 1 0px; font-family: Balto, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; min-width: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration-line: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;"><div class="c-entry-content" style="box-sizing: border-box; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.2rem; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-decoration: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;"><p id="bVF4BF" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.2rem; padding: 0px; text-decoration: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;"><b><i>Trump’s track record with unions isn’t as simple as he’d like to paint it. Though he spent much of the 2016 campaign railing against free trade deals and neoliberal economic <a data-source="encore" href="https://www.vox.com/policy" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4f7177; font-family: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: inherit; transition: color 0.1s ease 0s, background-color 0.1s ease 0s, fill 0.1s ease 0s; vertical-align: inherit;">policies</a> that contributed to the decline of the American manufacturing sector and the outsourcing of blue-collar jobs, that’s just about the limit of his union-friendly perspective. As president, he sided with capital and managerial interests over labor at nearly every turn, appointing corporate-friendly lawyers to the National Labor Relations Board, supporting right-to-work laws that limited union organizing and dues collections in Republican states, and promising to <a href="https://www.epi.org/publication/the-trump-administrations-attacks-on-workplace-union-voting-rights-forewarned-of-the-broader-threats-to-voting-rights-in-the-upcoming-election/" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4f7177; font-family: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: inherit; transition: color 0.1s ease 0s, background-color 0.1s ease 0s, fill 0.1s ease 0s; vertical-align: inherit;">veto</a> the <a href="https://www.vox.com/22319838/house-passes-pro-act-unions" style="background-color: transparent; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: #4f7177; font-family: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: inherit; transition: color 0.1s ease 0s, background-color 0.1s ease 0s, fill 0.1s ease 0s; vertical-align: inherit;">PRO Act</a>, a bill that would override those state laws and boost labor organizing rights. Even at his rally, he talked up the tax cuts he passed in 2017, without mentioning that they disproportionately benefited corporations and corporate leaders.</i></b></p><p id="bVF4BF" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.2rem; padding: 0px; text-decoration: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;"><b><span style="font-style: inherit;">- Christian Paz, </span><i>Vox, </i>September 28, 2023</b></p><p id="bVF4BF" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.2rem; padding: 0px; text-decoration: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: inherit; text-decoration-line: inherit;">Donald Trump likes to portray himself as a champion of the working class, and an astute businessman. Nothing could be further from the truth. However, Trump's supporters don't care about the facts. They support him out of raw emotion, fueled by fear. The facts do not resonate with those who have been fed a steady diet of lies from Fox News, although moderate Republicans and independents may be persuaded not to vote for Trump.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: inherit; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwum4n8JCBOqj_V57_ZrX8AmRw78k2TLXUoijVSPgfsthPogv5r8NXIsTER5ZzxHe1LDDSI7rQ4iBmpbBXZ0BOGqco0tup1S-GKJ-c0G7IA3pB024ygGWCMwN85To0NK7DRSJN6QocgQUZtYh6tYNEDyR7DADl2wK_uqmkOtjJLtHoUoJpmStxA2LPA0/s640/trump%20not%20working%20man.jpg" style="background-color: transparent; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="522" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHwum4n8JCBOqj_V57_ZrX8AmRw78k2TLXUoijVSPgfsthPogv5r8NXIsTER5ZzxHe1LDDSI7rQ4iBmpbBXZ0BOGqco0tup1S-GKJ-c0G7IA3pB024ygGWCMwN85To0NK7DRSJN6QocgQUZtYh6tYNEDyR7DADl2wK_uqmkOtjJLtHoUoJpmStxA2LPA0/w326-h400/trump%20not%20working%20man.jpg" width="326" /></a></div><p id="bVF4BF" style="box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 1.2rem; padding: 0px; text-decoration: inherit; vertical-align: inherit;"></p></div></div><div>A 15,000-word <i>New York Times </i>report contradicted Trump's portrayal of himself as self-made billionaire who built up his fortune from a $1 million loan from his father, Fred Trump. According to the 2018 <i>Times </i>report, Trump and his father evaded gift and inheritance taxes by establishing a sham corporation and undervaluing assets. In other words, they committed outright fraud.</div><div><br /></div><div>According to <i>The New York Times, </i>ex-President Donald Trump procured at least $413 million from his father through the years, much of it from tax dodges. The <i>Times</i>' information on the Trump finances was obtained from over 100,000 pages of financial documents, including private tax returns.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you think Trump is a clever businessman, think again! Trump has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection six times for his companies. This has been fact-checked buy <i>The Washington Post</i>. During the 1980s, Trump was considered to be a dashing real estate investor. When the state of New Jersey legalized gambling, Trump made a huge bet that Atlantic City would enjoy prosperity. Accordingly, he obtained possession of three casinos, The Taj Mahal, the Trump Plaza and the Trump Castle, which by 1991 couldn't pay their debts. By 1992, they had all declared bankruptcy. </div><div><br /></div><div><div><div>Chapter 11 bankruptcy allows companies to restructure or wipe out much their debt to other companies, creditors and shareholders while remaining in business under the management of a bankruptcy court.</div><div>Trump's debt was restructured, not liquidated. </div></div><div><br /></div></div><div>In November of 1992, A fourth property, the Plaza Hotel in New York, also declared bankruptcy after accumulating millions in debt. A 49 per cent stake in the luxury hotel was given to Citibank and five other lenders. Trump remained chief executive, but without being paid. His role in the everyday operations of the hotel was taken away. </div><div><br /></div><div>Trump married his second wife, Marla Maples, at the swank property, overlooking Manhattan's Central Park. According to <i>Newsweek</i>, Trump officially relinquished ownership of the Plaza Hotel in 1995. He sold it for $325 million, losing around $83 million in the change of ownership;</div><div><br /></div><div><div>Trump's three casino bankruptcies occurred during the recession of the early 1990s and the Gulf War, which further exacerbated the difficulties in Atlantic City's gambling industry. After 1992, Trump placed his casino holdings into a new company called Trump Hotels and Casino Resorts. It went bankrupt in 2004, after amassing $1.8 billion in debt. Trump Entertainment Resorts, the company that emerged from that restructuring declared bankruptcy in 2009 after being hit by the 2008 recession. </div><div><br /></div><div>Trump has never filed personal bankruptcy, only corporate bankruptcy associated with his business dealings. He claims that he has never gone bankrupt, which is probably a half-truth. However, the way his current legal woes are mounting, he may be forced to declare personal bankruptcy as he struggles to pay the $454 million he owes from his New York fraud trial.</div><div><br /></div><div>It is a total fallacy that Donald Trump is a champion of working men and women. Would a champion of the working man support tax breaks for billionaires? During the recent autoworkers strike, it was President Joe Biden who stood alongside the picketers. Biden became the first sitting president of the United States to join a picket line. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>- Joanne</div>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303862386440522922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769446111726567693.post-3208416377978928102024-02-24T14:04:00.000-05:002024-02-24T14:04:14.090-05:00Number 16 Oscars Quiz 2024<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNAyo0XuoKzhOGLeehCYVNghhGJmpNU8KDyVRwMqnmiKTE4jMW27OgSPyp6f4Qo7I3iTMrbGINJ_A7ArA-lECRql0Y1X60V67uk31JTvIDZAP_1jnyDFrNkUhlaEaYRLIo7sqCc9xT2U/s1600/Oscar+3.bmp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="397" data-original-width="219" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdNAyo0XuoKzhOGLeehCYVNghhGJmpNU8KDyVRwMqnmiKTE4jMW27OgSPyp6f4Qo7I3iTMrbGINJ_A7ArA-lECRql0Y1X60V67uk31JTvIDZAP_1jnyDFrNkUhlaEaYRLIo7sqCc9xT2U/s320/Oscar+3.bmp" width="176" /></a></div><p>The 96hh Academy Awards will be held on Sunday, March 10, 2024. The live show will start at 7 p.m. Eastern Time. on ABC and will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California. It will also be live-streamed on the ABC app, which requires a cable subscription. Streaming services such as Hulu Live TV, YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream, FuboTV, Sling TV and DirectTV Stream will also provide access to the event through ABC on their platforms. This year's Oscars will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. As you prepare for the big night, why not challenge yourself and try Number 16's 12th annual Oscars quiz. There are 11 questions. Good luck!</p><p><b style="color: #990000; font-size: xx-large;">NUMBER 16 OSCARS QUIZ</b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">1. A new category will be added to the Academy Awards beginning in 2026. What is the category?</div><p>A. Best Box Office Success</p><p>B. Best Musical</p><p>C. Achievement in Casting</p><p>D. Best Historical Documentary Film</p><p>E. None of the Above</p><p><br /></p><p>2. Which film earned Steven Spielberg his first Academy Award for best director?</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-1QZOSmvnACKiWITWNZLaWoi54GDeJKtwrqW5pAlUo5VTx8Troa9eOHeAliGmUU4H8T9SMjFcC8Up170F26wRPJbqwcgixCnuiRJSK0shK_XczoDNgMZAEAmk8OqjlyAKUU_XoHblmMX7Dw1XkWysmJZACOCZdSq7GSwIvSDIGKx0u4cQZsUaX1fKT4/s680/Steven%20Spielberg%20%232.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="478" data-original-width="680" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD-1QZOSmvnACKiWITWNZLaWoi54GDeJKtwrqW5pAlUo5VTx8Troa9eOHeAliGmUU4H8T9SMjFcC8Up170F26wRPJbqwcgixCnuiRJSK0shK_XczoDNgMZAEAmk8OqjlyAKUU_XoHblmMX7Dw1XkWysmJZACOCZdSq7GSwIvSDIGKx0u4cQZsUaX1fKT4/w320-h225/Steven%20Spielberg%20%232.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steven Spielberg</td></tr></tbody></table><p>A, <i>Schindler's List</i></p><p>B.<i> E.T: the Extra-Terrestrial</i></p><p>C. <i>Saving Private Ryan</i></p><p>D <i>Jaws</i></p><p>E. <i>Close Encounters of the Third Kind</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p>3. Steven Spielberg was one of the producers of film that was nominated for Best Picture in 2024. Name that film.</p><p>A. <i>The Fabelman's</i></p><p>B. <i>Maestro</i></p><p>C. <i>The Holdovers</i></p><p>D. <i> Anatomy of a Fall</i></p><p>E. <i>Oppenheimer</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p>4. In which year were the Academy Awards first broadcast internationally?</p><p>A. 1966</p><p>B. 1959</p><p>C. 1965</p><p>D. 1969</p><p>E. 1970</p><p><br /></p><p>5. How many Academy Awards has Clint Eastwood won?</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFU324zuSrJ9sxENac7IOZxE3t4erNZXzF_qk4cc6gWR4ifZklhtnvWB9frsTiWaj4SxtQ1cCYHE6dz3uBz23yxm2ZyWbABBpXNatptLwbxvmGfuaXKQe-tjtQjZe1xjXomJyvKhKJqWM2QIV90FowGP8rOsX0-D9gICynVwTbfrwOTaUztptxjMyC4sg/s288/Clint%20Eastwood.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFU324zuSrJ9sxENac7IOZxE3t4erNZXzF_qk4cc6gWR4ifZklhtnvWB9frsTiWaj4SxtQ1cCYHE6dz3uBz23yxm2ZyWbABBpXNatptLwbxvmGfuaXKQe-tjtQjZe1xjXomJyvKhKJqWM2QIV90FowGP8rOsX0-D9gICynVwTbfrwOTaUztptxjMyC4sg/s16000/Clint%20Eastwood.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clint Eastwood</td></tr></tbody></table><p>A. 3</p><p>B. 4</p><p>C. 2</p><p>D. 1</p><p>E. None</p><p><br /></p><p>6. Paul Giomatti has been nominated in 2024 for a Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in <i>The Holdovers</i>. Has Giomatti ever won a Oscar?\</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLxr-dyiDIfxAjcseI_RSLD9bSF2n_-8USs_pBKAm1e82LElnIo1r4ydQDno_rKawaHX_8OWUBLwNGCn5k32IOsRmwx72Co2O57DaHcF1yeRmz-mwZfc8vPUt0eFuJ_eDB9G6ktw3n91GnZJfeKzj6LnQ4eTJeBveSWiI6-mqdy2foby2YRpp0QqvzW8/s201/Paul%20Giomatti%20%232.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="201" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLxr-dyiDIfxAjcseI_RSLD9bSF2n_-8USs_pBKAm1e82LElnIo1r4ydQDno_rKawaHX_8OWUBLwNGCn5k32IOsRmwx72Co2O57DaHcF1yeRmz-mwZfc8vPUt0eFuJ_eDB9G6ktw3n91GnZJfeKzj6LnQ4eTJeBveSWiI6-mqdy2foby2YRpp0QqvzW8/s16000/Paul%20Giomatti%20%232.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul Giomatti</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>A. Yes, he won an Oscar on 2006 for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in <i>Cinderella Man</i>.</p><p>B. Yes, he won an Oscar in 2005 for Best Leading Actor in <i>Sideways</i>.</p><p>C. Yes, he won a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for The Illusionist in 2007.</p><p>D. Yes, he won a Best Leading Actor Oscar for Best Leading Actor for <i>American Splendor</i> in 2004.</p><p>E. No, Paul Giomatti has never won an Osccar.</p><p><br /></p><p>7. In 2024, Ryan Gosling was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Ken in the film <i>Barbie</i>. Where was Ryan Gosling born?</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwknHmpakTO3-LvT9xP7SHG9fgOPM5CNSfjK4ddRMz3idrIsfMezi-_2tOEUiJaIjj7d5bbmfROqKIyenFTiajuFdYEOJhyjta9IAzK_O5Xkwbd2Bxt_zpjTrOplR50trQ0IHA3R_kvk-Ofy6MIQlyPF5VSLa8uBjmxu_PKH91Hb35b7cOSRER_G0ajGA/s275/Ryan%20Gosling.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="183" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwknHmpakTO3-LvT9xP7SHG9fgOPM5CNSfjK4ddRMz3idrIsfMezi-_2tOEUiJaIjj7d5bbmfROqKIyenFTiajuFdYEOJhyjta9IAzK_O5Xkwbd2Bxt_zpjTrOplR50trQ0IHA3R_kvk-Ofy6MIQlyPF5VSLa8uBjmxu_PKH91Hb35b7cOSRER_G0ajGA/s1600/Ryan%20Gosling.jpg" width="183" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ryan Gosling</td></tr></tbody></table><p>A. Chicago, Illinois, USA</p><p>B. Los Angeles, California, USA.</p><p>C. London, England, UK</p><p>D. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada</p><p>E. London, Ontario, Canada</p><p><br /></p><p>8. Did Hollywood star Ginger Rogers ever win an Academy Award?</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCysY4YPoTs5JWrj-5qNSbXulzTxt6ZP7p9O_1SGm__mY-4bLrgVhTTaphUm9KAUSm-TWuSdqzcS6UYENTuN8EyjHNkUMTKeLxCCRdVe8ai5Io0Z594ggx-MXtzbpN58tavotTJ8X0BJuMErSvxfGqsP4KbSuZL35n0MGP48_WrrPbFSBEajIaiRwDIKE/s170/Ginger%20Rogers%20%232.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="170" data-original-width="131" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCysY4YPoTs5JWrj-5qNSbXulzTxt6ZP7p9O_1SGm__mY-4bLrgVhTTaphUm9KAUSm-TWuSdqzcS6UYENTuN8EyjHNkUMTKeLxCCRdVe8ai5Io0Z594ggx-MXtzbpN58tavotTJ8X0BJuMErSvxfGqsP4KbSuZL35n0MGP48_WrrPbFSBEajIaiRwDIKE/w246-h320/Ginger%20Rogers%20%232.jpg" width="246" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ginger Rogers</td></tr></tbody></table>A.<p>B.</p><p>C. Yes, she won an Oscar for Best Actress for the leading role the 1940 film Kitty Foyle.</p><p>D.</p><p>E. No, she never won an Oscar.</p><p><br /></p><p>9. Who was the first woman to host the Oscars solo?</p><p>A. Jane Fonda</p><p>B. Whoopi Goldberg</p><p>C. Liza Minnelli</p><p>D. Goldie Hawn</p><p>E. Shirley MacLaine</p><p><br /></p><p>10. For what film did Whoopi Goldberg win an Academy Award?</p><p>A. The Color Purple</p><p>B. Sister Act</p><p>C. Ghost</p><p>D. None of the Above</p><p>E. She has never won an Oscar.</p><p>11. How many Spanish-born actors have won the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading or Supporting Role.</p><p>A. None</p><p>B. 3</p><p>C. 2</p><p>D. 1</p><p>E. 4</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">ANSWERS</span></b></p><p>1. C</p><p><span>Achievement in Casting is the new category. It will begin in 2026, for films released in 2025. This is the first new category created by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science since 2002 for Best Animated Feature Film, which was won by <i>Shrek</i>. </span></p><p><span>With this new category, casting directors will finally get the recognition they deserve. The Casting Directors Branch, formed in 2013, has almost 160 members.</span></p><p><span><br /></span></p><p><span>2. A</span></p><p>Steven Spielberg has received eight Academy Award nominations for Best Director, including two wins. He won his first Oscar in 1994 as director for the 1993 film<i> Schindler's List</i>. In 1999, he won his second Academy Award for Best Director for the 1998 film <i>Saving Private Ryan.</i> Spielberg received Best Director nominations for <i>Close Encounters of the Third Kind</i>,<i> Raiders of the Lost Ark</i>, <i>West Side Story</i>, <i>Lincoln</i>, and <i>Munich</i>.</p><p><br /></p><p>3. B</p><p>Spielberg was one of the producers of the film Maestro, which is based on the life of conductor Leonard Bernstein. Spielberg was originally set to direct <i>Maestro</i>, but he decided to let Bradley Cooper, who plays </p><p><br /></p><p>4. D</p><p>The Academy Awards were first broadcast internationally in 1969.</p><p><br /></p><p>5. B</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig60V_rQzWYAUyPhisc6ka-nqKRGVvUSHSGgm9Y4pWnxRUvuviZhKLj0vuszPpB-HmhbnFIFVXZbEbOa8zpUXUOlkYFvPHfZlzCF6LHeF7NnxJ9sfBhI6ClGoPPZ6A-b9syCkCSbkYCNQ-JU1oD7xzusxW0ILMC7wlbKrQ1pJ6_DKErMKN51zoy_NqdnI/s278/Clint%20Eastwood%20Unforgiven.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="278" data-original-width="224" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig60V_rQzWYAUyPhisc6ka-nqKRGVvUSHSGgm9Y4pWnxRUvuviZhKLj0vuszPpB-HmhbnFIFVXZbEbOa8zpUXUOlkYFvPHfZlzCF6LHeF7NnxJ9sfBhI6ClGoPPZ6A-b9syCkCSbkYCNQ-JU1oD7xzusxW0ILMC7wlbKrQ1pJ6_DKErMKN51zoy_NqdnI/s1600/Clint%20Eastwood%20Unforgiven.jpg" width="224" /></a></div><br /><p>Clint Eastwood has won four Oscars. He has received Academy Awards for Best Director for <i>Unforgiven</i> in 1993, Best Picture for <i>Unforgiven</i> in 1993., Best Director for<i> Million Dollar Baby </i>in 2005 and Best Picture for<i> Million Dollar Baby </i>in 2005.</p><p><br /></p><p>6, E </p><p>No, Paul Giomatti has never won an Oscar. His nomination for the Holdovers is his second nomination. In 2006, Giomatti was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in <i>Cinderella Man</i>.</p><p><br /></p><p>7. E</p><p>Ryan Gosling was born in London, Ontario, Canada on November 12, 1980. His nomination for Barbie is his third Oscar nomination. He was previously nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role for <i>Half Nelson </i>in 2007 and <i>La La Land </i>in 2017.</p><p><br /></p><p>8. C</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTndOcIgJQoC9MuemB4LB_tyUur9NOo75ITaUka13UhNmcZMGrcpdCyNN5jxoOtIpJ2zJJQGTAzqXDQUfwO9ulhb0cqHzz1TFxWw2oSiefs5YyyERTADF3TB87oBFONWBDBaeWt_uFq9uzmZIMasLKGx1Ftoe5egb9jlfBiTgf-NIACiEWUcBYhzKnx6E/s268/Ginger%20Rogers%20and%20James%20Stewart%20in%201941%20%232.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="268" data-original-width="201" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTndOcIgJQoC9MuemB4LB_tyUur9NOo75ITaUka13UhNmcZMGrcpdCyNN5jxoOtIpJ2zJJQGTAzqXDQUfwO9ulhb0cqHzz1TFxWw2oSiefs5YyyERTADF3TB87oBFONWBDBaeWt_uFq9uzmZIMasLKGx1Ftoe5egb9jlfBiTgf-NIACiEWUcBYhzKnx6E/s1600/Ginger%20Rogers%20and%20James%20Stewart%20in%201941%20%232.jpg" width="201" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ginger and James Stewart with Oscars in 1941</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Ginger Roges won an Oscar for Best Actress in 1941 for her performance in the 1940 film <i>Kitty Foyle</i>.</p><p><br /></p><p>9. B</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5XTMtjHemJsnkebazqUg6Xc46tlcU_qE2-7bNaxWQC_wCbyqie7OybnSroFxGyCN2DQoWkfySxN4PduNiuMOpj92JAYbHoW1MYYkPdoAH42GQsMaIn8pchg6j6Hzj0jhrgWldEPjOsjhBaGbRuIhcFmF550Fy2xalC-I1u7TAey3ipZhK3c057QXphGw/s259/Whoopi%20Goldberg%20Oscars.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" height="194" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5XTMtjHemJsnkebazqUg6Xc46tlcU_qE2-7bNaxWQC_wCbyqie7OybnSroFxGyCN2DQoWkfySxN4PduNiuMOpj92JAYbHoW1MYYkPdoAH42GQsMaIn8pchg6j6Hzj0jhrgWldEPjOsjhBaGbRuIhcFmF550Fy2xalC-I1u7TAey3ipZhK3c057QXphGw/s1600/Whoopi%20Goldberg%20Oscars.jpg" width="259" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whoopi hosting the Oscars in 1994.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>Whoopi Goldberg was the first woman to host the Oscars solo in 1994. Jane Fonda, Goldie Hawn, Shirley MacLean and Liza Minnelli all served as co-hosts. Goldberg hosted again in 1996, 1999 and 2002.</p><p><br /></p><p>10. C</p><p>In 1991, Whoopi Goldberg won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her performance in the 1990 film <i>Ghost</i>. In 1986, She was nominated for a Best Actress in a Leading Role for the 1985 film <i>The Color Purple</i>, but did not win.</p><p><br /></p><p>11. D </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuAGPqwKgZJ13LLcayzGFRebKMgs-zQmdraDn9p4HGg9hfNmCuO7PooXZhhba3vXOKC1Qnxr8A0VhZ7v7WhtwmM-RQTMPiHJZiSHXA11U02an6BcIiI7_Q4U46iviVkd_rja7xl8RYNwLvlCkLGkSlA7KsnQqsmeA3G3X5b04CZg5PhTYqs_4MmytfKs/s209/Javier%20Bardem.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="209" data-original-width="140" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDuAGPqwKgZJ13LLcayzGFRebKMgs-zQmdraDn9p4HGg9hfNmCuO7PooXZhhba3vXOKC1Qnxr8A0VhZ7v7WhtwmM-RQTMPiHJZiSHXA11U02an6BcIiI7_Q4U46iviVkd_rja7xl8RYNwLvlCkLGkSlA7KsnQqsmeA3G3X5b04CZg5PhTYqs_4MmytfKs/s1600/Javier%20Bardem.jpg" width="140" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Javier Bardem</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Only one Spanish-born actor has one the Best Actor in a Leading Role. In 2008, Javier Bardem, born in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, won the Best Actor in a Supporting Role Oscar for his performance for the film<i> No Country for Old Men </i>(2007). </p><p><br /></p><p>- Joanne</p>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303862386440522922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769446111726567693.post-32718508636344819202024-02-22T10:39:00.001-05:002024-02-22T11:09:38.637-05:00Mona Parsons: The Hero that Few People Know About<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKE-JFYMIUWstdm7sEpkNgJVJJ8SEe4dCwngxpIJNYX2TPa0SlujTDKP5KjwlzjZir5kaV6tulxBzREVkK3Y78FZmSb62kJekWU1D41pPR7XNVQSI2r3ypuZubKQZMPMsS4huauzyGjNDpsJs6vjUFOJYU4xf6Lf8juVfpD14c26mSE7pqItXM2qkspRg/s370/Mona%20Parsons%20%233.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="370" data-original-width="244" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKE-JFYMIUWstdm7sEpkNgJVJJ8SEe4dCwngxpIJNYX2TPa0SlujTDKP5KjwlzjZir5kaV6tulxBzREVkK3Y78FZmSb62kJekWU1D41pPR7XNVQSI2r3ypuZubKQZMPMsS4huauzyGjNDpsJs6vjUFOJYU4xf6Lf8juVfpD14c26mSE7pqItXM2qkspRg/w211-h320/Mona%20Parsons%20%233.jpg" width="211" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mona Parsons</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We Canadians are a modest bunch, much given to self-deprecation. We do not celebrate our heroes enough, particularly our female heroes. That is why I have chosen to write about a woman who was a hero in every sense of the word. To be honest, I had never heard of Mona Parsons until I saw her image on a Canadian postage stamp recently. I don't remember her ever being mentioned in any of my studies at school. Mona's story is largely unknown in her own country, despite the fact that she was the only Canadian non-military woman to be imprisoned by the German army during World War II.</p><p>Mona Louise Parsons was born in Middleton, Nova Scotia on February 17, 1901, the youngest (and only daughter) of the three children born to Colonel Norval Parsons, and his wife, Mary. When Mona was ten years old, the family moved to Wolfville, Nova Scotia. a move precipitated by the loss of her father's business in a fire. Mona's father, a commanding officer during World War I, eventually became a successful businessman. He owned and operated Parsons and Elliott Home Furnishing, located on Commercial Street in Wolfville.</p><p>While in her teens, Mona enrolled in the Acadia Ladies' Seminary.in Wolfville, where she excelled in artistic pursuits. After graduating in 1920, Mona attended the prestigious Currie School of Expression in Boston, after which she taught elocution for two years.at the Conway Central College in Conway, Arkansas. She then returned to Wolfville, where she attended Acadia University and involved herself in campus drama activities. </p><p>As an aspiring actress, Mona Parson's dream was to become a star on Broadway. In the 1920s, she moved to New York City and appeared as a chorus girl in the Ziegfeld Follies. However, she was unable land the kind of dramatic roles she coveted, and her stage career failed to gain traction. In 1927, when her mother become ill, Mona went home too Nova Scotia to tend to her.</p><p>After her mother's death in 1930, Mona returned to New York City to study nursing After graduation, she secured a position as a private nurse in the Park Avenue offices of a specialist from Nova Scotia. Mona was an independent career woman in the Big Apple during the Great Depression, but by the late 1930s, her life would take a dramatic turn. </p><p>In 1937, Mona's brother Ross introduced her to a debonair business associate named Willem Leonhardt. Willem was a wealthy Dutch entrepreneur based in Amsterdam. He and Mona were married on September 1, 1937, after a five-month romance. In 1938, the couple built a sprawling estate in Laren, about a half hour drive from Amsterdam. They called their estate "Ingleside." and they lived a quiet and privileged life there until May of 1940, when the Nazis invaded the Netherlands </p><p>Since September of 1939, when Britain declared war on Germany, Willem had been been greatly concerned about Mona's status as a Canadian citizen and a British subject. He felt she would be more vulnerable than he, should the Netherlands come under Nazi rule. However, in the spring of 1940, when the Germans occupied Holland, a defiant Willem staunchly refused to leave his home He and Mona decided to just go on with their lives.</p><p>Willem and Mona joined the Dutch Resistance. Their private estate, with its long driveway and extensive grounds. became an ideal hiding place for Allied airmen being smuggled out of the Netherlands. Mona and her husband built a secret apartment in the attic of their home where they could safely harbour British airmen who had survived being shot down over Holland. Unfortunately, a Nazi informer betrayed them to the Gestapo in 1941. Willem went underground, assuming that the Nazis would leave Mona alone because she was a woman. He was wrong. Within days, Mona was captured and jailed. On September 29, 1941, she was sent to Weteringchans Prison in Amsterdam.</p><p>On December 22, 1941, Mon Parsons was found guilty of treason by a Nazi tribunal in Amsterdam. She was sentenced to death by firing squad. Yet, despite the harsh sentence, Mona did not sob and plead for mercy, As she started to leave the courtroom, the judge congratulated her on her composure. He was so impressed by her dignified manner, that he suggested that she appeal her sentence and that he would recommend it. In 1942, Mona's sentence was commuted to life in prison with hard labour. She worked on an assembly line where she often became ill and lost a great deal of weight.</p><p>In February of 1945, Mona was sent to Vechta Prison, a former reform school, where she was put to work peeling potatoes, knitting socks and repairing uniforms. She was locked in a tiny cell with four other inmates who slept on a bed of straw.</p><p>It was at Vechta that Mona met 22-year-old Baroness Wendellien van Boetzelaer, whom she would later describe as her "companion and guardian angel in a memorable flight for freedom." The two women plotted s daring escape plan, and they were faced with a sudden opportunity to put it into action. On March 24, 1945, Vechta was bombed by the Allies. The men's prison took a direct hit and none of the occupants survived. Meanwhile, the women were taken outside. The warden, who was the former principal of the school, allowed them to choose between Allied bombs and German bullets. </p><p>Mona and van Boetzelaer made a run for it through the open gates. For three weeks, the two women walked 125 kilometres (almost 78 miles) through Germany before becoming separated at the Dutch border. The pair posed as refugees from Dusseldorf, with 44-year-old Mona using her acting skills as she played the role of Wendellien's mentally challenged aunt. Wendellien spoke German fluently, but Mona feigned a speech impediment to conceal her accented German</p><p>In the final months of the war in Europe, an emaciated Mona meandered about Nazi Germany ss a fugitive. With the assistance of a Dutch farmer, Mona eventually reached the safety of a Canadian battalion from her home province - the North Nova Scotia Highlanders. She was provided with food and medical attention.at the Canadian Army Rear Headquarters in Oldenburg, Germany. By the end of May, 1945, Mona was able to return to her home in the Netherlands by way of the Canadian General Hospital in the Dutch port city of Nijmegen.</p><p>About a month after her return to Laren, Mona was reunited with her husband, who had been liberated from a Nazi prison camp by the Americans. Willem, however, never completely recovered from his imprisonment. His health had greatly deteriorated and he had become a semi-invalid. Mona nursed him until his death in 1956.</p><p>Following Willem's death, Mona learned that he had kept a mistress and that he had fathered a son, of whom she had not been aware. One quarter of his estate was left to his mistress, and the rest to his biological son. A legal battle ensued, which Mona lost. She was left with no inheritance from her late husband.</p><p>In 1957, Mona returned to Canada and took up residence in Halifax. Back in Nova Scotia, she became reacquainted with Major-General Harry Foster, a childhood friend from Wolfville who was widowed and had retired from the military. They wed in 1959 and lived in Lobster Point, Chester, Nova Scotia until Henry passed away from cancer in 1964. After her husband's death, Mona moved back to Wolfville, the community where she was raised. Mona remained in Wolfville until her own passing on November 28, 1976.</p><p>Mona Parsons was 75 years old at the time of her death. She had suffered from pneumonia and had been plagued by nightmares. When she died, the childless widow's possessions were auctioned off. Mona's incredible story was virtually ignored until 2000 when Andria Hill-Lehr wrote her biography, <i>Mona Parsons: From Privilege to Prison, from Nova Scotia to Nazi Europe.</i></p><p>On November 13, 2023, Canada Post unveiled a Remembrance Day postage stamp of a young Mona with a photograph of infantry soldiers of the North Nova Scotia Highlanders entering the Netherlands in the background. The stamp was designed by Larry Burke and Anna Stredulinsky of Halifax's marketing boutique, Burke & Burke.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNYE09RSzcINNGELtW-KLNlaEnAJmE_iEHFQLhu1F2YsyEwVbTTAedxAu43zwcYODXB94BgEe_6IcA0rcP-uG8ZhozQe6V2bQNoO3KyDVWX80OY6NswO7-dAuFpl4FhuxufLjfQ6ImXzihXfhj_8vE688VKWPYDzXy8Biw1wl5RK-Le0P8aNHbXK9I2Sk" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="574" data-original-width="1020" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhNYE09RSzcINNGELtW-KLNlaEnAJmE_iEHFQLhu1F2YsyEwVbTTAedxAu43zwcYODXB94BgEe_6IcA0rcP-uG8ZhozQe6V2bQNoO3KyDVWX80OY6NswO7-dAuFpl4FhuxufLjfQ6ImXzihXfhj_8vE688VKWPYDzXy8Biw1wl5RK-Le0P8aNHbXK9I2Sk" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><br />Mona's amazing story should be heard in schools, colleges and universities in Canada and around the world. It is a story of unwavering bravery and bold determination. It is heartening that she is finally getting some recognition.<br /><br /><p></p><p><b>END NOTES</b></p><p>* A few months after the war ended in Europe, Mona Parsons received commendations from British Air Chief Marshall Lord Tedder of the Royal Air Force and General Dwight D. Eisenhower, commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces. The citations was given in gratitude for assisting Allied airmen in evading capture by the Nazis.</p><p>* In 2005, Historica Canada released a Heritage Minute, one of a series of 60-second public service vignettes focused on Canadian history. The Heritage Minute about Mona depicted her arrest and eventual escape.</p><p>* A bronze stature was erected in downtown Wolfville in Mona's honour. It is titled <i>The joy is almost too much to bear. </i>It depicts Mona celebrating her and the Netherlands' liberation on May 5, 1945. The sculpture was unveiled on the grounds of the Wolfville Post Office on May 5, 2017.</p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>SOURCES:</b> <i>The Canadian Encyclopedia</i>; <i>Canadian History magazine</i>, "Remembering Mona Parsons," by Andria Hill, March 14, 2017; <i>Historic Nova Scotia (historicnovascota.ca)</i>, "Mona Parsons (1901-1976)," by Andria Hill-Lehr with research support from the Wolfville Historical Society, <i>Wikipedia</i></p><p><br /></p><p>- Joanne</p>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303862386440522922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769446111726567693.post-63811335748174667902024-02-08T18:19:00.000-05:002024-02-08T18:19:13.424-05:00Connor McDavid and a Million Dollars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfymB5Xlw4ZhvRAciNw5TYIrSnnnfX4Yzi3Fu7gAyIxHTr_CfrDZKqFoOPORtM6uxkaRQnA6AT-fGVbEo7hTS0SD_uharlrSle0iqTni-HS1-NcsrHITsplOd8J5WUDh6MgDIZw2yrdoZBsvTwLkhCyW7v4SQuYBNylaryenJWCkT1uwvzhNCMaw81B8/s304/Connor%20McDavid.%232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="182" data-original-width="304" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfymB5Xlw4ZhvRAciNw5TYIrSnnnfX4Yzi3Fu7gAyIxHTr_CfrDZKqFoOPORtM6uxkaRQnA6AT-fGVbEo7hTS0SD_uharlrSle0iqTni-HS1-NcsrHITsplOd8J5WUDh6MgDIZw2yrdoZBsvTwLkhCyW7v4SQuYBNylaryenJWCkT1uwvzhNCMaw81B8/s1600/Connor%20McDavid.%232.jpg" width="304" /></a></div><br /><p>Connor McDavid is 27 years old. The Richmond Hill, Ontario native is the captain of the Edmonton Oilers and he is arguably the best player in the National Hockey League. Last weekend, McDavid participated in the All-Star festivities in Toronto. Not surprisingly, he won the revamped skills competition. He put on quite a show for hockey fans with triumphs in the fastest skater, stick handling, shooting accuracy and obstacle course events.. </p><p>McDavid won a cool one million dollars U.S. for his victory, but does he really need a million bucks? He's rolling in dough. On July 5, 2017, McDavid signed an eight-year $100 million contract extension with the Oilers, which came into effect at the start of the 2018-19 season. </p><p>When McDavid was asked what he intended to do with his skill competition winnings, he replied the he would be giving some away to his teammates and <i>might</i> even donate some to charity. Oh, Connor! Why don't you donate it all to charity? There are so many people out there who need your support more than your teammates need it. A million dollar can go a long way in improving this world. It can alleviate a great deal of suffering.</p><p>I admire Connor's hockey skills, but I would admire him even more if he would use his talent and his good fortune for the betterment of society. There are so many important causes - medical research, mental illness, addiction, homelessness . . . the list goes on. </p><p>Some may argue that the million dollars is McDavid's money and he can do whatever he wants with it? That may be so, but shouldn't it be put to better use? Perhaps the winner of the NHL All-Star competition should be required to donates the money to the charity of his choice. Why reward star athletes with money they don't need? It just makes the NHL appear greedy, selfish and uncaring. Nah! That can't be true, can it?</p><p><br /></p><p>- Joanne</p>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303862386440522922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769446111726567693.post-9689417045764849792024-02-03T17:24:00.002-05:002024-02-03T17:25:43.503-05:00Why MAGA Republicans are so afraid of Taylor Swift<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwWiaKER4q0aBJRPnUavhiv4btx5NotaII81Pgo_yHT86c9tFsPbXR1dPHAfbZcgGIIzLlQH0qtXWM5g8apFGp-QvlpHQPMVY98zEY-SAXec7w74a9iO6LyDqIJZnDfRT4ax6LXbbB3sVHro75AFgm5FYl-r_DWTEq_4uiScfp-KtSEtbHThsHCfto4ac/s180/Taylor%20Swift.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="115" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwWiaKER4q0aBJRPnUavhiv4btx5NotaII81Pgo_yHT86c9tFsPbXR1dPHAfbZcgGIIzLlQH0qtXWM5g8apFGp-QvlpHQPMVY98zEY-SAXec7w74a9iO6LyDqIJZnDfRT4ax6LXbbB3sVHro75AFgm5FYl-r_DWTEq_4uiScfp-KtSEtbHThsHCfto4ac/w204-h320/Taylor%20Swift.jpg" width="204" /></a></div><p>Why are ultra right-wing Republicans and Trump supporters so afraid of the woman pictured above? Taylor Swift holds no political office and at 34, she is too young to qualify as a candidate for President of the United States, Nevertheless, Taylor wields an enormous amount of influence around the world. She may even be the greatest online influencer on the planet. Her Instagram follower count is currently at 279.5 million followers.</p><p>Taylor Swift is on a roll. She was the<i> Time </i>2023 Person of the Year. Her name has appeared on lists such as<i> Rolling Stone</i>'s 100 Greatest Songwriters of All Time and Billboard's Greatest of All Time Artists. She is the highest-grossing female touring performer and the most streamed woman on Spotify and Apple Music. </p><p><i>Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour Movie</i> has been a smash box office hit. It has broken a handful of records pertaining to ticket sales. It has become the highest-grossing concert movie of all time, surpassing <i>Justin Bieber: Never Say Never. </i>In addition to being one of the world's best-selling musicians, Taylor is a philanthropist and an advocate for the empowerment of women.</p><p>In 2018, Taylor took to Instagram to support Phil Bredesen, the Democratic candidate for Senate in her home state of Tennessee. This was the first that she expressed her political leanings publicly. Then, a month before the 2020 presidential election. she formally endorsed Joe Biden in an edition of <i>V</i> magazine. Taylor has also encouraged her supporter to become active in the political system, prompting over 35,000 of her Instagram follows to register to vote in September of 2023. So what? Isn't that a good thing? Isn't it healthy for a democracy? Isn't that Taylor's right as an American citizen to use her digital platform to express her opinions, as long as she is respectful?</p><p>MAGA Republicans feel threatened by an increase in voters. Instead of encouraging Americans to participate in the political process, MAGA Republicans want to limit voters, especially Democratic voters. Instead of making their party more attractive to more people, especially Blacks and women, they choose to close it off. They choose to be anti-democratic. <span style="font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 18px;"> </span></p><p>Taylor Swift has a perfect right to express her political views. It's called freedom of speech and it is guaranteed by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. Unlike Donald Trump and his far-right supporters, Taylor has never been hate-filled and racist.</p><p>You can be sure, however, that if Taylor had endorsed Trump, those same MAGA Republicans would have praised her to the high heavens. There would have been no talk of conspiracy theories. However, she has expressed support for Democrats. Horror of horrors! She is evil. She is a communist. She must be stopped from corrupting her young fans. </p><p>Taylor's boyfriend, Travis Kelce, a tight end for the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs, has promoted both COVID-19 and influenza vaccines in commercials. Oh boy! He must also be a leftist radical. He and Taylor must hate America. </p><p>Unfortunately conspiracy theories about Taylor Swift abound among far-right believers. There have been unfounded theories that the pop singer is a Pentagon psychological operative. Former GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy described Taylor and Kelce as "an artificially, culturally propped-up couple." Donald Trump's spokesperson, Karoline Levitt, called Democrats' alleged efforts to win Swift's endorsement as a "Hail Mary pass to drag Biden over the finish line."</p><p>Obviously, Republicans are concerned about whom Taylor will endorse in the 2024 presidential election. She's a powerful and influential woman. Unlike Trump, however, she does not bully people. She does not behave like a mob boss.</p><p>Thank goodness that there is some sanity within the Republican party. Nikki Haley, who is campaigning against Trump for her party's presidential nomination, has criticized Republican attacks on Taylor Swift. When asked to weigh in on the pop star by Jake Tapper on CNN'S <i>The Lead</i>, Haley replied, "I'm not going to lie. I don't know what the obsession is. Taylor Swift is allowed to have a boyfriend, I've taken my daughter to Taylor Swift concerts before. You know, to have a conspiracy theory of all of this, is bizarre. Nobody knows who she's going to endorse but I can't believe that that's overtaken our national politics." </p><p>Haley, the former governor of South Carolina clearly believes that the United States has more pressing issues than than cooking up conspiracy theories about the candidate Taylor Swift will support in the 2024 presidential campaign. To be fair, other sensible Republicans have also denounced the Taylor Swift conspiracy theories, including Megan McCain, daughter of the late Senator John McCain. McCain, called out members of her own party in an X (formerly Twitter) post. She wrote, "Whatever nutjob "republicans: are floating ugly and insane conspiracy theories about Taylor Swift are total idiots."</p><p>MAGA Republicans don't have the same point of view as Haley and McCain. They have a very different perspective on the 2024 Super Bowl between the Kansas Chief and the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, February 11th in Las Vegas. Travis Kelce plays for Kansa City, so there must be some conspiracy. The NFL must be part of the conspiracy. The league must have somehow arranged for the Kansas City Chiefs to be in the Super Bowl so that Taylor and Travis could promote their liberal views. Don't you know that the Sup[er Bowl has been fixed? That kind of thinking is absurd. It is utterly ridiculous! It would be laughable if it were not so sad that so many Americans take such claptrap seriously.</p><p><br /></p><p><span face="sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #202122; font-size: 14px;">- Joanne</span></p>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303862386440522922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769446111726567693.post-29818411186646031262024-01-30T14:55:00.001-05:002024-01-30T14:56:29.158-05:00When will the Toronto Maple Leafs ever learn? They keep making the same mistakes<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZdehMmRUkWSDGV1drVy8VdicWDBydNEmVfl_ZZaz83-yimjgwVNW-STaiml5CX0fLWole71xs7ekPa8UaiiuMfCk00Y3plEL23x9FCcxRVl0ty-jeREIr7Bk_l3KaPzxAfQasjgifGdeSTTVd0ovlSDUFOKhMq2vSBT36Zmtcx4G1W-5tdGn94_MUqc/s328/Toronto%20Maple%20Leafs%20logo.png" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Source Sans Pro"; font-size: 19px; font-weight: bold; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="328" data-original-width="328" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ZdehMmRUkWSDGV1drVy8VdicWDBydNEmVfl_ZZaz83-yimjgwVNW-STaiml5CX0fLWole71xs7ekPa8UaiiuMfCk00Y3plEL23x9FCcxRVl0ty-jeREIr7Bk_l3KaPzxAfQasjgifGdeSTTVd0ovlSDUFOKhMq2vSBT36Zmtcx4G1W-5tdGn94_MUqc/w320-h320/Toronto%20Maple%20Leafs%20logo.png" width="320" /></a></div> <b style="color: #333333; font-family: "Source Sans Pro"; font-size: 19px; text-align: center;">“The definition of ‘insanity’ is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results."</b><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Source Sans Pro"; font-size: 19px; text-align: center;">The above quotation is often attributed to Albert Einstein, although there is little or no evidence that Einstein actually said that. The source of the quote remains unknown, but the words certainly apply to the Toronto Maple Leafs.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Source Sans Pro"; font-size: 19px; text-align: center;">Let's discuss the Leafs. It's truly astounding that the Core Four - John Tavares,<br />Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander- is still intact. Tavares, the team captain is a seasoned veteran. He often wins faceoffs for the team. Although Tavares has been struggling lately, he can't be traded. Number 91 has a no-trade clause in his contract. Unless and until he waives his no-movement clause, he isn't going anywhere.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Source Sans Pro"; font-size: 19px; text-align: center;">With the Core Four, the Leafs do well in the regular season, but year after year, they fizzle out in the playoffs. Matthews, Tavares and Nylander take up about 49% of the team's salary cap. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that that doesn't leave very much to spend on defence and goaltending. To win a Stanley Cup, you need a strong defence and really good goaltending. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Source Sans Pro"; font-size: 19px; text-align: center;">On January 8, 2024, the Leafs signed William Nylander to an eight-year $92 million contract extension. That means that he will be earning an annual salary of $11.5 million. At 27, Nylander is probably at the peak of his career. If the Leafs had traded him, they could have received maximum value in return. They could have asked for a top-of-the-line defenceman. It's too late now. </span></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrUkKPPVzekRDbdlUosE_RajjcwxeIMG_GxWwO-A1GFFezgLqoeckM2X_LzaKikk-r_yJC4vEmAI4iAULfRvFbN8TnrFTnMeS0B4IojoDlYBEsaDdwRgkXV_kaWR8TlMMi1thqbbZUaxdkU-c-tysEc9u8OyTsHHc2C8UvvmVB8wAET8lDqFF_X6ILDQ/s600/William%20Nylander%20%232.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="436" data-original-width="600" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOrUkKPPVzekRDbdlUosE_RajjcwxeIMG_GxWwO-A1GFFezgLqoeckM2X_LzaKikk-r_yJC4vEmAI4iAULfRvFbN8TnrFTnMeS0B4IojoDlYBEsaDdwRgkXV_kaWR8TlMMi1thqbbZUaxdkU-c-tysEc9u8OyTsHHc2C8UvvmVB8wAET8lDqFF_X6ILDQ/s320/William%20Nylander%20%232.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nylander</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Source Sans Pro"; font-size: 19px; text-align: center;">On July 1, 2025, Mitch Marner becomes an unrestricted free agent, and he will ask for a hefty raise. How are the Maple Leafs going to stay within their salary cap without compromising their defence and goaltending? How are they going to go far in the playoffs without a balanced team? For too long, the Leafs have been a strong regular season contender, but have faired poorly in the playoffs. </span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Source Sans Pro"; font-size: 19px; text-align: center;">I have been a Leafs fan my whole life, but I'm going to be blunt. As every fan of the Blue and White knows, the Leafs have not won a Stanley Cup since 1967. I really can't see a parade along Yonge Street in the near future. I am not demeaning Tavares, Matthew, Marner and Nylander. They are all good players. However, I refuse to be greatly impressed until they shine in post-season play. They have never done that and the Leafs have never gone deep into the playoffs with the Core Four.</span></p><p><br /></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Source Sans Pro"; font-size: 19px; text-align: center;">- Joanne</span></p>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303862386440522922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769446111726567693.post-21648580955235932502024-01-20T01:45:00.000-05:002024-01-20T01:45:39.867-05:00Extremism is blocking peace in the Middle East<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigURtjm64cSng1DHLuAFFTt_q5JoxgVsCAmXDJ7O0k6gZbalzSKuyG197o_qvBW13GDHOYV5XOve_zuj9Zfs8FIXWQCAehvGy-MI-iVXy9vodH5ZPoJNpbnBOkeXbWLEnsJvxlgyjC2giDO5R_8FmJLxHyBrvn6E6ESEtGWzHsuz3YjQDHLsw0XU0JlA8/s1280/scale.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="711" data-original-width="1280" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigURtjm64cSng1DHLuAFFTt_q5JoxgVsCAmXDJ7O0k6gZbalzSKuyG197o_qvBW13GDHOYV5XOve_zuj9Zfs8FIXWQCAehvGy-MI-iVXy9vodH5ZPoJNpbnBOkeXbWLEnsJvxlgyjC2giDO5R_8FmJLxHyBrvn6E6ESEtGWzHsuz3YjQDHLsw0XU0JlA8/w400-h223/scale.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>The world is off kilter right now. It's off balance. Too many people view society in terms of black and white. For them, it's always "us against them", 'either/or," "my way or the highway." There's never any compromise. There's no in-between, no middle of the road. They fail to see the shades of grey, the nuances. </p><p>When that sense of balance is lost, extremism fills the void. There is a lack of moderation.in an either/or world. Unfortunately, the pandemic, social media and Trumpism have only exacerbated the problem. There is a distinct lack of civility and so much polarization.</p><p>In particular, we are witnessing the rise of the extreme right around the globe, as well as a decline in trust for democratic institutions. Conservatives are becoming noticeably more extreme. In my own country, Canada, the conservatives of today are not the same as the conservatives of yesteryear. They are more aggressive and they have moved much further to the right. It's no surprise that our federal Conservative Party is no longer the <i>Progressive </i>Conservative Party. The word <i>Progressive</i> has been dropped.</p><p>The far-right has drummed up hate for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. He was swarmed by protesters in Belleville, Ontario and he was forced to cancel an appearance in Surrey, British Columbia due to safety concerns. I have seen anti-Trudeau hate messages around Toronto. This has never been the Canadian way and it is deplorable. It seems that MAGA Republicanism has found its way north.</p><p>Have we not learned the lessons of history? Have we forgotten the rise of fascism and Nazism in the 1930s?. I was sickened to read about a far-right rally that was held in Rome on January 7, 2024. Videos were later released showing hundreds of men making fascist salutes. This happened in front of the former headquarters of the MSI group, a neo-fascist party that eventually became the conservative Brothers of Italy. The Brothers of Italy was co-founded by Giorgia Meloni, who just happens to be the Italian prime minister.</p><p>Of course, condemnation of right-wing extremism must be balanced by condemnation of left-wing extremism.. Stalin and Mao were as brutal as Hitler and Mussolini. History teaches that extremism in any form, whether it be political, religious or social, leads to death, destruction and oppression. </p><p>Right now we have a nightmarish situation in the Middle East, with no end in sight. Both Palestinians and Israelis are suffering terribly. Yet, around the world, people are using the actions of the Israeli government to unleash the most vile anti-Semitism. Similarly, there has been a rise in Islamophobia. Synagogues and mosques are being vandalized and defiled. Protesters are busy assigning blame to Jews and Muslims for the actions of extremists. Meanwhile, innocent civilians are suffering and dying, many of them women and children, Who is speaking for them? </p><p>Where is the steady leadership that is so dearly needed.? Remember how former President Jimmy Carter brokered the Camp David Accords back in 1978. Thanks to the leadership and courage of Carter, as well as Menachem Begin and Anwar Sadat, peace was achieved between Israel and Egypt. So, why can't a fair and just agreement be reached between the Israelis and the Palestinians? The reason is that terrorist groups such as Hamas and extreme right-wing Israelis do not want peace. They would prefer to see innocent civilians suffer than to agree on a fair and just two-state solution. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOCCPTNBUoVpNqmrM66RlwtHdXRemriO3u0ow086PA7Wq9nDknfrcHOqmf7ph758ssrbf3Q7kRmCWCjen9Q5AuCjyRADqZ41EJZA8GocRa84htn14wS3LppEmrz1lJ0PpUm9sH0DVb7fTv-5bGlwmyFlIMLKX1NzVrR1lr3ueSwZW5xp3wdGZvJM5REA/s800/Camp%20David%20Accords%20-%20Carter%20Sadat%20Begin.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="538" data-original-width="800" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOCCPTNBUoVpNqmrM66RlwtHdXRemriO3u0ow086PA7Wq9nDknfrcHOqmf7ph758ssrbf3Q7kRmCWCjen9Q5AuCjyRADqZ41EJZA8GocRa84htn14wS3LppEmrz1lJ0PpUm9sH0DVb7fTv-5bGlwmyFlIMLKX1NzVrR1lr3ueSwZW5xp3wdGZvJM5REA/s320/Camp%20David%20Accords%20-%20Carter%20Sadat%20Begin.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left to right: Begin, Carter and Sadat in 1979</td></tr></tbody></table><p>There will be no peace in the Middle East without a two-state solution. The Palestinian people and the Israeli people are sick and tired of war and suffering. They desire peace and they want a two-state solution. Meanwhile, the extremists are doing all they can to prevent peace and to prolong the suffering. At one extreme, Hamas wants to obliterate Israel. wipe it off the map. At the other extreme, Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right government reject a two-state solution. Neither path leads to peace, only more death, destruction and misery.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkClKK7towC64AVDQVp9k3NI6XFHik0aZKp_a15tpWYuEOXo_21zEjv8V7rm-MNcknUc_8ME4muDF3aAA3gtltNBpvoe2y1oAklMgOWXDMz8zRnQ69oid7GPuaAkNto0cyt2nJ7raegKsrp664RgjGgMlEOpMDdTUBbVQySeSUlxKTRyx_P3pZ0IHJPLc/s400/Benjamin%20Netanyhu.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkClKK7towC64AVDQVp9k3NI6XFHik0aZKp_a15tpWYuEOXo_21zEjv8V7rm-MNcknUc_8ME4muDF3aAA3gtltNBpvoe2y1oAklMgOWXDMz8zRnQ69oid7GPuaAkNto0cyt2nJ7raegKsrp664RgjGgMlEOpMDdTUBbVQySeSUlxKTRyx_P3pZ0IHJPLc/w200-h150/Benjamin%20Netanyhu.webp" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Benjamin Netanyahu</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Netanyahu has always claimed that he would protect his country's security. Yet, under his watch, Hamas was able to launch an attack on Israel and kidnap hostages. Netanyahu has done Israel more harm than good. He has hurt its reputation. What is occurring in the Gaza is madness. It is humanity at its worst.<br /><p><br /></p><p>- Joanne</p></div>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303862386440522922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769446111726567693.post-46950571886890353652024-01-14T15:15:00.002-05:002024-01-15T19:54:59.234-05:00Hey Evangelicals in Iowa, Trump is using you!<p><b><span style="font-size: large;">AN OPEN LETTER TO AMERICAN EVANGELICALS IN IOWA</span></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UjoEQGDTQUue8HjRsdL0In7b95kk31zJzJIUJg-uNssvcr00VrNBkX8sOzAh5pjAa54Cl9pbAhyTVmBjLAw7pyKYucImE4Ho_D1Aj2xlYB9l3l4JjGjGGhdCgEV5qgV1Qj44BK4Imvnob367W71ZOOVisqSaToBIJd-ja0QcylXUwV1A1mT7wYJS5gs/s1566/trump%20and%20evangelicals%20%232.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="1566" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UjoEQGDTQUue8HjRsdL0In7b95kk31zJzJIUJg-uNssvcr00VrNBkX8sOzAh5pjAa54Cl9pbAhyTVmBjLAw7pyKYucImE4Ho_D1Aj2xlYB9l3l4JjGjGGhdCgEV5qgV1Qj44BK4Imvnob367W71ZOOVisqSaToBIJd-ja0QcylXUwV1A1mT7wYJS5gs/s320/trump%20and%20evangelicals%20%232.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><i>The Iowa caucuses are about to open the Republican primary calendar. It is frigid and snowy in the Hawkeye State. A large percentage of Iowa voters identify as Evangelical Christians. Here are some thoughts for them as they prepare to vote.</i></p><p></p><p>Dear Evangelical Voters,</p><p>Do you really think Trump cares about the hard-working farmers of Iowa? Are you kidding? The man lacks empathy. He's running for president so he can avoid going to prison. He faces 91 felony charges across four criminal cases and two civil lawsuits.</p><p>I know you don't want to hear this, but you are being used by Donald Trump for political purposes. All he wants is your money and your vote. It is astounding that conservative Christians, who are well-schooled in Biblical verse, can support someone whose values and views are completely at odds with those of Jesus. Trump is man whose policies and beliefs constantly violate the basic tenets of Christianity.</p><p>I live in Canada, so I do not get the opportunity to speak to many Trump evangelicals. You are most welcome to email me and refute my arguments, but I don't see how you can square Trump's words and deeds with the teachings of Jesus Christ. </p><p>* Jesus built bridges.</p><p> Trump builds walls.</p><p>* Jesus preached love. He said "Love thy neighbour."</p><p>Trump preaches hate. It is no secret that he and his extreme right-wing followers harbour nothing but hate for immigrants, women, Blacks, Muslims, homosexuals etc.</p><p>* Jesus preached forgiveness. "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us," according to the Lord's Prayer. In Matthew 18:22, Jesus rejects the teaching of religious leaders who restricted forgiveness to three times. For followers of Jesus, forgiveness should be generous and unlimited.</p><p>Trump is vengeful. His goal is to exact revenge on those whom he feels have wronged him or don't agree with him, especially Democrats, liberals, non-supporters and other critics.</p><p>* Jesus said that you can't serve two masters, God and mammon. </p><p>Trump's wealth and lavish lifestyle tales precedence over everything with him. He worships at the altar of the almighty buck. </p><p>* Jesus showed respect and love for women such as his friends Mary and Martha, the Samaritan women at the well, the adulterous woman who was being stoned, and Mary Magdalene.</p><p>Trump denigrates women. He objectifies them and rates them by physical beauty. In the infamous <i>Access Hollywood</i> tapes, Trump bragged about groping women. In addition, a Manhattan jury found trump liable of sexually abusing and defaming magazine journalist E. Jean Carroll. Carroll was awarded $5 million in damages.</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaIzHcsx_w41YO3hpkX7SAldob7sbJZt0RZLmg0vjEito9MIxJml1wCZSkH2x7h-hP6ojlMuYEZI0UEYUyA3X-64MkuiVQgfjONc5w-NRzYRs3HEZZk0HTipPP4Vak5DX7AUqLWgQKfzAnjYxEGgL1BpKO36tdzYDPI58WQ_gdbx0SaTemEl3Qa_C0AGk/s926/Trump%20and%20evangelicals.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="657" data-original-width="926" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaIzHcsx_w41YO3hpkX7SAldob7sbJZt0RZLmg0vjEito9MIxJml1wCZSkH2x7h-hP6ojlMuYEZI0UEYUyA3X-64MkuiVQgfjONc5w-NRzYRs3HEZZk0HTipPP4Vak5DX7AUqLWgQKfzAnjYxEGgL1BpKO36tdzYDPI58WQ_gdbx0SaTemEl3Qa_C0AGk/s320/Trump%20and%20evangelicals.webp" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p>* Jesus suffered an ignominious death. He was mocked, tortured and crucified.</p><p>In Trump parlance, Jesus would be considered a "loser." After all, Trump insulted the late Senator John McCain for injuries he suffered while he was tortured as a prisoner of war in Vietnam.</p><p>I can't for the life of me understand how you, as people of faith, can support such a man as Donald Trump. It is beyond me. </p><p>Sincerely,</p><p><br /></p><p>Joanne</p>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303862386440522922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769446111726567693.post-52739472619270131252024-01-08T13:36:00.000-05:002024-01-08T13:36:22.099-05:00The Missing Reporter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzley6ZvpLMvw3nnZZ0ftHVXTqFXKwk4Cl4SI6AazSPmxc3CdkGySEYQayX2MliOD_BHtGQtduSMpBqH_9NvLBqzblo5OKEYNoVsy4o633fbH4PBLOEcHWNG8aDD2W4Uao0kt9qt7AyCTDPlmhovCmfnftSrQiBTMQqle7QHPwxeScZ6_Pe5pfHH8bns/s499/The%20Missing%20Reporter%20%234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzzley6ZvpLMvw3nnZZ0ftHVXTqFXKwk4Cl4SI6AazSPmxc3CdkGySEYQayX2MliOD_BHtGQtduSMpBqH_9NvLBqzblo5OKEYNoVsy4o633fbH4PBLOEcHWNG8aDD2W4Uao0kt9qt7AyCTDPlmhovCmfnftSrQiBTMQqle7QHPwxeScZ6_Pe5pfHH8bns/s16000/The%20Missing%20Reporter%20%234.jpg" /></a></div><p><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">Note to Readers of Number 16</span></b></i></p><p>If you have been following my postings on this website, you might be interested in my novel, <i>The Missing Reporter</i>. You can find information about this suspenseful thriller on my author page. Just click on <a href="https://joannemadden.ca/"><span style="font-size: medium;">https://joannemadden.ca/</span></a></p><p><o:p></o:p></p><p>Update: I am working on my third novel, the sequel to <i>The Missing Reporter. I am looking for someone with experience in editing to assist me. Payment to be determined.</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i>Happy New Year and Happy Reading, Your comments and feedback would be greatly appreciated. I would like to hear from you. It's very important to me.</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p>Thank you for your support,</p><p>Joanne</p>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303862386440522922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769446111726567693.post-3554302557886487952024-01-01T14:56:00.001-05:002024-01-01T14:56:32.657-05:00My 2024 New Year's Wish List<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfwRCJjeCpMN-D6hYfZ3PtPXslhArDBRozlZXbyQ141aXAtvAzIdlyWYJkhDLUZTiN-y5ESlYVtT5p5cnSfIUbAHoVuq925cFikV-oem5o6FNtwNPWJ_qExOGIr3C2G9bfzoJbIPIEeBm8idcqHEh0xo6oU3q_f7T8P3sjg18C6fhmBeY-QBj-9Vmp=s500" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="399" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhfwRCJjeCpMN-D6hYfZ3PtPXslhArDBRozlZXbyQ141aXAtvAzIdlyWYJkhDLUZTiN-y5ESlYVtT5p5cnSfIUbAHoVuq925cFikV-oem5o6FNtwNPWJ_qExOGIr3C2G9bfzoJbIPIEeBm8idcqHEh0xo6oU3q_f7T8P3sjg18C6fhmBeY-QBj-9Vmp=s320" width="255" /></a></div><p><b><i>Last year I posted my personal wish list for 2023. I promised to let you know which of my wishes came true and to write another wish list for 2024. </i></b></p><p><b><i>Here's how my 2023 wish list turned out:</i></b></p><p>In my 2023 wish list, I hoped for an end to the horrible conflict in Ukraine, which has caused untold suffering and destruction. That hasn't happened, and the war may drag on for a long time. However, it's still h my hope that the war will end sooner rather than later.</p><p>Unfortunately, another bitter conflict began in the Middle East in October. Terrorists and extremists are responsible for the atrocities committed and the deaths of innocent civilians, among them women and children. The majority of Israelis and Palestinians want to live in peace. Both Jews and Muslims are children of Abraham. They desire an end to the suffering and they support a two-state solution. The terrorists and extremists want war and a continuation of suffering. </p><div>I hoped Premier Danielle Smith's United Conservative Party (UCP) would be defeated in the provincial election in Alberta of May 29, 2023. I am opposed to Smith's policies and I don't like her Alberta Sovereignty Act. However, the UCP, under Premier Danielle Smith was re-elected to government, albeit with a reduced majority. </div><div><br /></div><div>As regular readers of Number 16 are well aware, I am a homer all the way when it comes to sports. I hoped that the Toronto Maple Leafs would advance further than the first round of the playoffs in 2023. Well, they <i>did</i> win their first playoff round against the Tampa Bay Rays, but they were eliminated in the second round by the Florida Panthers. The Leafs need to break up the Core Four of John Tavares, Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner and William Nylander. They should trade Nylander for a top-of-the-line defenceman. They need a stronger defence to win the Stanley Cup.</div><div><br /></div><div>As for the Blue Jays, I opined that they must go deeper into post-season in 2023. Nothing less would be acceptable. It didn't happen and the team's playoff performance was very unacceptable and very unsatisfactory. The decision to remove Jose Berrios after 4 1/2 good innings (during the second game of their playoff series against the Minnesota Twins) was boneheaded, as was the decision to trade Gabriel Moreno. GM Ross Atkins should have accepted responsibility, but he didn't. He just passed the buck. </div><div><br /></div><div>The defending Grey Cup champion Toronto Argonauts had a terrific regular season, led by quarterback Chad Kelly. The Boatmen recorded 16 wins and only two losses in 18 games. However, they were defeated in the Eastern playoff final by the Montreal Alouettes, who went on to win the Grey Cup.</div><div><br /></div><div>Back in 2021, I wished that Benjamin Netanyahu would be ousted from power in Israel. That wish came true, but only temporarily. After continual political deadlock in Israel, Netanyahu was returned to power in 2022. On December 29, 2022, he was again sworn in as Prime Minister, leading a hardline right-wing coalition. </div><div><br /></div><div>Netanyahu, 74, has been charged with one count of bribery and three counts of breach of trust in three long-running corruption casers. Of course, he denies any wrongdoing and claims that he is the victim of a politically orchestrated "witch hunt." Where have we heard that before? Kind of sounds like his old friend, a former president who likes cheese burgers and diet coke.</div><div><br /></div><div>On a happier note, Netanyahu's other friend, Jair Bolsonaro of Brazil, was voted out of office in an election held on October 30, 2022. He left office on January 1, 2023. During his presidency, Bolsonaro rolled back protections for Indigenous groups in the Amazon rainforest.</div><div><br /></div><div>I hoped the world would take stronger measures to protect our environment. Some progress has been made, but far more has to be done. There should be less talk and more action. People have so many day-to-day concerts, but the environment is of paramount importance. It can't be relegated to the background. According to the United Nations, 2023 was the warmest year on record.</div><div><br /></div><div><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><b><i>Here is my 2024 wish list:</i></b></div><div><br />The American presidential election of 2024 will probably be the most crucial and consequential election in the history of the United States, if Donald Trump manages to evade justice and becomes the Republican nominee for president. Should Trump win the election, the United States will never be the same. Sadly, it will be transformed into an authoritarian regime. One of my greatest wishes for 20234 is that Trump is not allowed to run for president under the 14th Amendment, or that he is found guilty under the law and sentenced to prison time. If he is the Republican nominee in November, he must be soundly defeated by the American people. It will be a disaster and a nightmare if he should become president again. He must be held accountable for his actions and for his assault on democracy on January 6, 2021. No one is above the law. No one should have immunity from prosecution for serous crimes and misdeaeanours, not a reigning monarch or a sitting president.(never mind an ex-president).</div><div><br /></div><div>Trump, Vladimir Putin and Benjamin Netanyahu are an unholy trio. They are all Alpha males in their 70s and they have caused an enormous amount suffering, death and destruction. All three pose a threat to world peace.</div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXY8e9BsX5H3-q-SNlVFfrfprovy0duQ7jkSNdsUzhtnon3NT1HWw2ta8buEg38JEtzVtOhyphenhyphenPhQUBAr-KmkjgKWCC0jEo-lBSDEyRB0KuQ_87eUL8PxUIBhNA3FFOxfS9Q7Q5NOviCuNFSr3WCa5U4xGo2qtqm3pzQCj_iU-6kZMUPJ5QnBrPyIczFFw/s599/Vladimir%20Putin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="410" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilXY8e9BsX5H3-q-SNlVFfrfprovy0duQ7jkSNdsUzhtnon3NT1HWw2ta8buEg38JEtzVtOhyphenhyphenPhQUBAr-KmkjgKWCC0jEo-lBSDEyRB0KuQ_87eUL8PxUIBhNA3FFOxfS9Q7Q5NOviCuNFSr3WCa5U4xGo2qtqm3pzQCj_iU-6kZMUPJ5QnBrPyIczFFw/w137-h200/Vladimir%20Putin.jpg" width="137" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Putin</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4u4hBX27pLFAwitKW9GDW8-vCRf0VHIY2jZrxaXMu4whKaWJZSD1Ex8Tb2Uot9JUXemkbSl0uegkzdkh-LlcjpqbmVLQqSb6s5lMG0ms6GUGGDNEqv8CYCX6hwHiuFKm9aoaOheMcCjfY_R_RAOEurLsxIjFdKIjSP9euuJOG4Y_JuYcsv6RmVl5h/s400/Benjamin%20Netanyhu.webp" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4u4hBX27pLFAwitKW9GDW8-vCRf0VHIY2jZrxaXMu4whKaWJZSD1Ex8Tb2Uot9JUXemkbSl0uegkzdkh-LlcjpqbmVLQqSb6s5lMG0ms6GUGGDNEqv8CYCX6hwHiuFKm9aoaOheMcCjfY_R_RAOEurLsxIjFdKIjSP9euuJOG4Y_JuYcsv6RmVl5h/w200-h150/Benjamin%20Netanyhu.webp" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Netanyahu </td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrJEKmSFJIp888-Jr7A9OFksMt-ZtMb7kkN6FNLyF4oremnXnqxx5YfJfp1d6Y_joKQGv-RmeaaKQiVQdEUeyjuFFZK1ELD6usqKUNjvJoVKWjYrsKMY5hUVZKcxSAa3okw1OGj1l74U_5wJVnsAXWnSHQq2lXbD1JNVkP6x-KhnU69Rfs_RScIqNkSI/s652/donald%20trump%20%237.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="416" data-original-width="652" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDrJEKmSFJIp888-Jr7A9OFksMt-ZtMb7kkN6FNLyF4oremnXnqxx5YfJfp1d6Y_joKQGv-RmeaaKQiVQdEUeyjuFFZK1ELD6usqKUNjvJoVKWjYrsKMY5hUVZKcxSAa3okw1OGj1l74U_5wJVnsAXWnSHQq2lXbD1JNVkP6x-KhnU69Rfs_RScIqNkSI/w200-h127/donald%20trump%20%237.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trump</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>I wish for better leadership around the world and I hope that the popularity of the far-right will decline in 2024.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>The 2024 Summer Olympics will be held in Paris France and I hope they are a great success.</div><div><br /></div><div><div>I wish the Leafs, the Blue Jays, the Argos the Raptors and all the other Toronto teams the best of fortune in 2024.</div></div><div><br /></div><div>COVID is still around and is not going disappear. We know more about it, but it is still around. I hope that more will be done to combat it.</div><div><br /></div></div><div>My final wish is that there will be more civility in the world in 2024, and less political and social polarization. If Donald Trump does not become president again, there will be less animosity and political strife. He has set the tone for much of this hatred and ill-feeling. In 2024, I hope that there will be a greater connection between people and less isolation. </div><div><br /></div><div>All the best to you and yours in 2024. I wish you happiness and good health. In January of, 2025, I will write another wish list and I will let you know if any of my 2024 wishes came true. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> Happy New Year!</div><div> </div><div>- Joanne</div>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303862386440522922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769446111726567693.post-55427890488448236242023-12-29T13:55:00.000-05:002023-12-29T13:55:04.251-05:00Centennial Park Conservatory Photos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjqmEcaT6QbxLQrZf8zpo_7a9InP6S_hEzAnhq5r0Xaa24Ib1iTrIcFB_85F254BacCLvbKeFgnbUhlKkVASbU-l1HT8nRMbS2hMLEOPlYQEcEUEkIdQCDdqVmxT4nMtbxB_oQSxmH3xpxvSbweQvxFNbfQNekRpiuRdpBIxDPrpkPUCONyPeUAjKnr5Y" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjqmEcaT6QbxLQrZf8zpo_7a9InP6S_hEzAnhq5r0Xaa24Ib1iTrIcFB_85F254BacCLvbKeFgnbUhlKkVASbU-l1HT8nRMbS2hMLEOPlYQEcEUEkIdQCDdqVmxT4nMtbxB_oQSxmH3xpxvSbweQvxFNbfQNekRpiuRdpBIxDPrpkPUCONyPeUAjKnr5Y=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p><b><i>Here in Toronto, we've had days and days of damp, drizzly weather. It's been unseasonably mild and there has been no sunshine and definitely no white Christmas. That's why on Boxing Day, December 26th, I visited the Centennial Park Conservatory in Etobicoke, in the west end of the city. It was filled with Christmas pants and flowers. It brightened my day and there was a beautiful red cardinal in the greenhouse, which you see in the photo after the one below. I hope you enjoy the photos.</i></b></p><p><b><i></i></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjt1lTUeN_fk9GFDgwzcfH7Y8DtlEmERf0NeLHmABsi225IIaVEURwThOLiBE1YcjWKGRV118zdRh1Ldx96N5D9KeFXgDPe_RLv5ANwPBBgUKgbrQXktJbK0PUGiG1C908uQgM2aaEK9yQ1tH7HG_blWBbfsj2VMoKRFZBd5NWkSqar-zjH4Gw7NAGs4a4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjt1lTUeN_fk9GFDgwzcfH7Y8DtlEmERf0NeLHmABsi225IIaVEURwThOLiBE1YcjWKGRV118zdRh1Ldx96N5D9KeFXgDPe_RLv5ANwPBBgUKgbrQXktJbK0PUGiG1C908uQgM2aaEK9yQ1tH7HG_blWBbfsj2VMoKRFZBd5NWkSqar-zjH4Gw7NAGs4a4=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></i></b></div><b><i><br /><br /></i></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><b><i><br /></i></b><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsqzG29Dz0oF4lHivNcL9B-5C56YyapGQrWbnrrchzYR6_hIkPxURweXSuB7B9eFO8oVa7kd29LvSwiU36rK4_p238LP1h6LLkqO0qFy-ItDVHfqGx5yx4C100cRgTNvVEzkkR23J-gpCLcp91T68f8HL9gfNvGrdWkF4u3A8OwiEjgECfzL3fWxvPv8E" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhsqzG29Dz0oF4lHivNcL9B-5C56YyapGQrWbnrrchzYR6_hIkPxURweXSuB7B9eFO8oVa7kd29LvSwiU36rK4_p238LP1h6LLkqO0qFy-ItDVHfqGx5yx4C100cRgTNvVEzkkR23J-gpCLcp91T68f8HL9gfNvGrdWkF4u3A8OwiEjgECfzL3fWxvPv8E=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkyF0GU3m5lxItdPDQd2uami8fzcak7r8qTuPZy9WkaT9awUAMqtjMpiOTogPycPqs42PXufWELzxh5cehjgPMuT2rjXyVe0JSYT2VCdq73IprpGIfPYcnVmB_Z20MbX8YFjcekyS3FADL2ghMXh5mVc4i05q-K2PxtvzVvOhHTHoESo-ZjTtQXusaO5Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkyF0GU3m5lxItdPDQd2uami8fzcak7r8qTuPZy9WkaT9awUAMqtjMpiOTogPycPqs42PXufWELzxh5cehjgPMuT2rjXyVe0JSYT2VCdq73IprpGIfPYcnVmB_Z20MbX8YFjcekyS3FADL2ghMXh5mVc4i05q-K2PxtvzVvOhHTHoESo-ZjTtQXusaO5Q=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3GyhteKRIhF5VodqwpCrR0rRNcJeeAmvjgRn3RkcYNNer-ajvOndzMfIRTvVhj8aIKzxx7mFKwnVvuba8IMNBvzFRpugB7Ndt0vIhUGR6E_14Ng4WSJRUCeA6lVOz4nh7rVVaUA_szn339JS8zEsbatUuT1N-d1MX8oFHp-xu0kT8SRuDK7ESAuJWX54" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh3GyhteKRIhF5VodqwpCrR0rRNcJeeAmvjgRn3RkcYNNer-ajvOndzMfIRTvVhj8aIKzxx7mFKwnVvuba8IMNBvzFRpugB7Ndt0vIhUGR6E_14Ng4WSJRUCeA6lVOz4nh7rVVaUA_szn339JS8zEsbatUuT1N-d1MX8oFHp-xu0kT8SRuDK7ESAuJWX54=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p>- Joanen</p>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303862386440522922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769446111726567693.post-20291884748958473462023-12-25T01:57:00.000-05:002023-12-25T01:57:57.399-05:00Christmas 2023: Reflections on a world gone mad<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AohKjaggRZaxHT0LBQHxLWHh2Zi82griRKEzLqyXSBPsZybzYdvHBWy2LXP_jELD7zecdVSxfwLuPf6DEdQkosw0Ib1HRdXDLAUD7JBkgl8gyye3UT4WZVVS_5Z4OUWa08SLaS5RwNjJKzA9-JumRXR519OHs6NDh3Ykl-a8_CFQiiejft7vPXpmad0/s185/christmas-angel.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="161" data-original-width="185" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0AohKjaggRZaxHT0LBQHxLWHh2Zi82griRKEzLqyXSBPsZybzYdvHBWy2LXP_jELD7zecdVSxfwLuPf6DEdQkosw0Ib1HRdXDLAUD7JBkgl8gyye3UT4WZVVS_5Z4OUWa08SLaS5RwNjJKzA9-JumRXR519OHs6NDh3Ykl-a8_CFQiiejft7vPXpmad0/w320-h278/christmas-angel.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><b><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 14px;">Go, tell it on the mountain</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 14px;">Over the hills and everywhere</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 14px;">Go, tell it on the mountain</span></b><div><b><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-size: 14px;">That Jesus Christ is born</span> </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>- Attributed to John Wesley Work, Jr. (1871-1925), American musicologist, singer and songwriter</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>No one is completely certain of who actually wrote the words to the Christmas hymn "Go Tell It On the Mountain." The verses that we sing today may have been written by John W. Work, Jr. to replace the original ones that got lost. </b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Work, Jr., his wife Agnes, and his brother Frederick, collected slave songs and spirituals. Work published them as <i>New Jubilee Songs by the Fisk Jubilee Singers </i>(1901) an<i>d New Jubilee Songs and Folk Songs of the American Negro </i>(1907), which contained the first publication of "Go Tell It On the Mountain." which he may have played a part in composing. Some, however, attribute the test to his bother, Frederick J. Wo<span face="Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; text-wrap: nowrap;">rk.</span></span></b></div><div><b><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; text-wrap: nowrap;"><br /></span></span></b></div><div><b><span face="Roboto, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="color: #666666;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJseUhFa1aFwfwu1jEXv-cqP8HbC2QAtWGp5CWNz089i1LkUWjH8Sup6aOAGJgjEYlJYnInF2gIM-kVWSsyWCIdW0L4o2_mYr7u7p5834DuA7p657aaZiJj3wvVvaQoyrd0m0-aQPK2eg9xPJFC4I7lmvORxmCcFO-K4AlAvZioCltEoSM-zkUNAR4GNU/s327/John%20Wesley%20Work,%20Jr..jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="327" data-original-width="220" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJseUhFa1aFwfwu1jEXv-cqP8HbC2QAtWGp5CWNz089i1LkUWjH8Sup6aOAGJgjEYlJYnInF2gIM-kVWSsyWCIdW0L4o2_mYr7u7p5834DuA7p657aaZiJj3wvVvaQoyrd0m0-aQPK2eg9xPJFC4I7lmvORxmCcFO-K4AlAvZioCltEoSM-zkUNAR4GNU/s320/John%20Wesley%20Work,%20Jr..jpg" width="215" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joan Wesley Work, Jr.</td></tr></tbody></table></span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><p>With war in Ukraine and in the Middle East, "Peace on Earth" may seem far away this Christmas. As we approach the end of 2023, the world seems to be plunging into madness. Peace may seem a distant prospect, but it doesn't have to be, not if we find peace in our hearts. This will not be easy. Given all the discord around us, the quest for inner peace will be challenging. However, it will be well worth the effort, especially when considering the alternative.<br /></p><p>We live in a time of great polarization and enormous human suffering. Finding inner peace will require a great deal of self-reflection and self-discipline. It begins with you and me, and it's a matter of finding strength, courage and hope in a world gone mad. </p><p>I try to remember that life is not all black and white. There are shades of grey. Therefore, I try not to regard those who think differently than I as "the enemy". No one has all the answers. It's beneficial to look at matters from other points of view, even if you can never agree. It is said that there are two sides to every story. Sometimes there can be more sides and angle than you expect. People of faith share much in common. I believe in ecumenicalism. It makes no sense for Jews and Muslims and Christians to hate each other, or for anyone who lives by the Golden Rule.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalFotvjULiDZ7gt8ozq22x7CvFYLgaP4mqEZbIXrMQ3hIkqyVgFFul_3k0xG1EbsUpsrJA-Z9122rupRT49G_8bBdaYF4rxhyzdX3a0HyOumJS8C_faZH8sl4lsM7sUIiPtowIZsm82dCPvS_SnzcoeyYfFyW9Kp0aMwSEnuDBZDpEH4wb1JIq9CW210/s762/The%20Golden%20Rule.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="762" data-original-width="526" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjalFotvjULiDZ7gt8ozq22x7CvFYLgaP4mqEZbIXrMQ3hIkqyVgFFul_3k0xG1EbsUpsrJA-Z9122rupRT49G_8bBdaYF4rxhyzdX3a0HyOumJS8C_faZH8sl4lsM7sUIiPtowIZsm82dCPvS_SnzcoeyYfFyW9Kp0aMwSEnuDBZDpEH4wb1JIq9CW210/w442-h640/The%20Golden%20Rule.jpg" width="442" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b>"He who has not Christmas in his heart will not find it under a tree."</b></p><p><b>- Roy L. Smith (1887-1963), American clergyman</b></p><p><br /></p><p>May you find peace in your heart this Christmas. I'm working on it myself, so I understand the struggle.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>UPDATE ON THE NOTRE-DAME DE PARIS CATHEDRAL</b></p><p>There is some good news this Christmas about Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral. The renovation of the fire-damaged cathedral has entered its final stage. After the devastating fire on April 15, 2019, the spire has been reconstructed in similar fashion, despite some debate about whether to modernize it.</p><p>A large crane lifted a new copper rooster back to the top of its spire on Satiurday,December . This new weather vane rooster was blessed by the Parish archbishop Laurent Ulrich. The rooster symbolizes the cathedral's resurgence. It is a French emblem of vigilance and Christ's resurrection, similar to a phoenix. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieT9DVKN_-OCjYj0gcJ93Ocn5pG28XsYHbwu7njScaeTqiINqZydePhjbexBJtVVnoEQSj28wOfqJQBsPvvpwPZdl39rPMpv88_LIzKh8ROjVE8aKRSrMszgKx9f3P6zm028FJK2BBZj9fJKsKCzIixDIpuEaReB4VyNdPiR8cUiwHPOPrfFFiokahVSQ/s768/Notre%20Dame%20Cathedral%20golden%20rooster.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="503" data-original-width="768" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieT9DVKN_-OCjYj0gcJ93Ocn5pG28XsYHbwu7njScaeTqiINqZydePhjbexBJtVVnoEQSj28wOfqJQBsPvvpwPZdl39rPMpv88_LIzKh8ROjVE8aKRSrMszgKx9f3P6zm028FJK2BBZj9fJKsKCzIixDIpuEaReB4VyNdPiR8cUiwHPOPrfFFiokahVSQ/s320/Notre%20Dame%20Cathedral%20golden%20rooster.webp" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Raising the copper rooster</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>The old rooster had crashed through the roof along with the wooden spire. I was found slightly damaged but nearly intact in the debris l fire. It will be displayed a new Notre Dame museum. Last week, after viewing the rebuilt spire, French President Emmanuel Macron promised that the reconstruction of the cathedral would be completed as scheduled and that it would reopen within a year. </p><p>Notre-Dome is de Paris is set to reopen for religious services and to the public on December 8, 2024, the feast of the Immaculate Conception. President Macron would like Pope Francis to attend. By next Christmas, the grand cathedral should be standing in all its glory.</p><p><br /></p><p>- Joanne</p></div>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303862386440522922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769446111726567693.post-72492903519537961942023-12-22T16:29:00.000-05:002023-12-22T16:29:11.204-05:00Christmas Foods and Delicacies Quiz<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnO_NOt2_2-cOfvvfta5VVPHqUzq5CaDFUf_ZpyTVgi0pI5WpnFR5aSMP_B38uL9GJBMwEbxtxCnA_TnwwMh_VyYAKpPqQ6ySfGWdjpYYyOIQW3UwDtnBHGTE0yyvuzYMfYL4o8gXK6jHT1bv5qLbWJ5HYC1mXkgLFMT2pjK_a41gDdPVNjfJ-VKAkrv0/s1280/Christmas%20dinner%20family%20%232.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="1280" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnO_NOt2_2-cOfvvfta5VVPHqUzq5CaDFUf_ZpyTVgi0pI5WpnFR5aSMP_B38uL9GJBMwEbxtxCnA_TnwwMh_VyYAKpPqQ6ySfGWdjpYYyOIQW3UwDtnBHGTE0yyvuzYMfYL4o8gXK6jHT1bv5qLbWJ5HYC1mXkgLFMT2pjK_a41gDdPVNjfJ-VKAkrv0/w640-h320/Christmas%20dinner%20family%20%232.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><b style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">Christmas Foods and Delicacies Quiz</b><p></p><p><b><i>Number 16 presents a multiple choice quiz on Christmas food from around the world. There are ten questions to test your knowledge of Christmas cuisine. Good luck!</i></b></p><p><br /></p><p><b style="font-size: x-large;">1. Plum pudding </b></p><p>A. A Christmas bread with raisins and plums</p><p>B. A plum wine served at Christmas in Britain</p><p>C. An Irish fruit pudding with peaches and plums</p><p>D. A dessert of plums and ice cream served in Britain</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p>E. A sweet, dried-fruit pudding traditionally served at Christmas in Britain.</p><p><br /></p><p><b style="font-size: x-large;">2. Panettone</b></p><p>A. A pasta</p><p>B. An Italian soup served at Christmas</p><p>C. An Italian type of sweet bread</p><p>D. An Italian ice cream</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p>E. An Italian Christmas wine</p><p><br /></p><p><b style="font-size: x-large;">3. Pozole</b></p><p>A. A classic Mexican soup</p><p>B. A South American Christmas dessert</p><p>C. A fruit served served at Christmastime in Spain</p><p>D. A Christmas beef dinner in Peru</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><b style="font-size: x-large;"></b></p><p>E. A chicken Christmas specialty in Chile</p><p><br /></p><p><b style="font-size: x-large;">4. Ceviche</b></p><p>A. A Christmas bread popular in Spain</p><p>B. A Christmas soup served in Portugal</p><p>C. A spicy Christmas Caribbean dish </p><p>D. A popular seafood Christmas dish in Peru</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><b style="font-size: x-large;"></b></p><p><b style="font-size: x-large;"></b></p><p>E. A South American dessert</p><p><br /></p><p><b style="font-size: x-large;">5. Golubtsi</b></p><p>A. A Dutch cheese served at Christmas</p><p>B. Stuffed cabbage rolls, popular in Russia at Christmas</p><p>C. A Turkish Christmas bread</p><p>D. A popular Christmas dessert in Hungary</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><b style="font-size: x-large;"></b></p><p><b style="font-size: x-large;"></b></p><p>E. A Polish Christmas appetizer</p><p><br /></p><p><b style="font-size: x-large;">6. Mopane worms</b></p><p>A. A kind of Christmas soup in the West Indies</p><p>B. A popular Christmas treat in Southern Africa</p><p>C. A Christmas dessert in Mexico</p><p>D. A Christmas appetizer in South America</p><p>E. A Greek Christmas liqueur</p><p><br /></p><p><b style="font-size: x-large;">7. Rooster Doro Wat</b></p><p>A. A renowned Ethiopian Christmas dish</p><p>B. An African Christmas soup</p><p>C. A Christmas appetizer, popular in Uganda</p><p>D. A Christmas punch, a popular drink in Cuba</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><b style="font-size: x-large;"></b></p><p><b style="font-size: x-large;"></b></p><p>E. A Christmas dessert, often served in Jamaica</p><p><br /></p><p><b style="font-size: x-large;">8. Fatah</b></p><p>A. An ancient Christmas oatmeal dish</p><p>B. A Mideastern soup served at Christmas</p><p>C. A Christmas dish with origins in Egypt</p><p>D. A Christmas desert in Madagascar</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><b style="font-size: x-large;"></b></p><p><b style="font-size: x-large;"></b></p><p><b style="font-size: x-large;"></b></p><p>E. A Christmas biscuit in Nigeria</p><p><b style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></b></p><p><b style="font-size: x-large;">9. Nyama Choma</b></p><p>A. A Christmas dessert in the Philippines</p><p>B. A Christmas soup in the Phiippines</p><p>C. A Christmas vegetable dish in Kenya</p><p>D. A Christmas seafood dish in the Philippines</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><b style="font-size: x-large;"></b></p><p><b style="font-size: x-large;"></b></p><p><b style="font-size: x-large;"></b></p><p><b style="font-size: x-large;"></b></p><p>E, A classic Christmas meat dish in Kenya</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>10. </b>C<b>epelinai</b></span></p><p>A. A popular Christmas candy in Latvia</p><p>B. A Christmas soup in Croatia</p><p>C. A Lithuanian Christmas dish</p><p>D. Estonian biscuits served at Christmas</p><p><span style="font-size: large;"></span></p><p><b style="font-size: x-large;"></b></p><p><b style="font-size: x-large;"></b></p><p><b style="font-size: x-large;"></b></p><p><b style="font-size: x-large;"></b></p><p>E. A Romanian Christmas dessert</p><p><br /></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Answers</b></span></p><p><span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p>1. E</p><p><span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJow92ULFNIxoF4oJT9ch-L28cCBrRlYlBM2buqILgyOqsCcGweyCP-UskZv3JeGaHQwIbmdDADAsqcP2-PyH6_fWceuMgM_Cy-8SD9BRuJGXs3t-N-3gez9y7u6w8HLJTgxMBuDMSlyDHQL3kPzYMa6Bzbc_gkzwuwSN6oTdmqBAKv5x_owSn_ilP1tM/s318/Plum%20pudding.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="318" data-original-width="318" height="318" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJow92ULFNIxoF4oJT9ch-L28cCBrRlYlBM2buqILgyOqsCcGweyCP-UskZv3JeGaHQwIbmdDADAsqcP2-PyH6_fWceuMgM_Cy-8SD9BRuJGXs3t-N-3gez9y7u6w8HLJTgxMBuDMSlyDHQL3kPzYMa6Bzbc_gkzwuwSN6oTdmqBAKv5x_owSn_ilP1tM/s1600/Plum%20pudding.webp" width="318" /></a></span></div><span><span><p style="font-size: small;"><span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></p>Plum pudding, also known as Christmas pudding.</span><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span>A sweet, dried-fruit pudding traditionally served at Christmas in Britain. The classic plum pudding recipe calls for the pudding (or fruitcake) to be steamed. It is soaked with brandy or sherry sauce. Despite its name, plum pudding does not contain any plums. It calls for fruits such as raisins, sultanas, currants, diced apple, prunes and dried apricots. The name "plum pudding" is thought to have originated from the pre-Victorian use of the work "plum" as a term for raisins or other dried fruits.</span><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div>2. C </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO90O1cnqfKaSV_EFJ90dxng8HvqiqhUcWhBdhoyL4K6TgodX3Pgx0FvEYEkebPKV3PrDJH2EaFyuObbhfaWIK8t2CIoWhplp-PGK4mQOehZWZrvTiwHiGblRzK6mHfstt-jS3kRSVkvVtySoiYDk-5sZ-CNJruqFuAYfnXe93Pv5ezpFdiaEK96RLLkg/s1050/panettone.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO90O1cnqfKaSV_EFJ90dxng8HvqiqhUcWhBdhoyL4K6TgodX3Pgx0FvEYEkebPKV3PrDJH2EaFyuObbhfaWIK8t2CIoWhplp-PGK4mQOehZWZrvTiwHiGblRzK6mHfstt-jS3kRSVkvVtySoiYDk-5sZ-CNJruqFuAYfnXe93Pv5ezpFdiaEK96RLLkg/s320/panettone.webp" width="229" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Panettone: An Italian type of sweet bread, speckled with raisins, citrus, almonds with a buttery texture.. It is commonly served at Christmas and during the winter. It originated in Milan.</div><p><br /></p><p><span>3. A</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfDhoLfRderAQ_7Zm_2ONbM0XwyL2BkM_u9A39HGXMqB_IfDIBa6qgcOh5KYiu16sHcu95pJPBah8nUyvuxdGNLEZ4KjS-dWeTvoj3kaz8PDpX9Pjwp0spJlhSbKIDSN_z_5alvVZa1rHR-FuV0jfctHKXC1L9oSpF44U47P-oEJRFBY3oFy12hTR6lM/s1280/Pozole.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="853" data-original-width="1280" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfDhoLfRderAQ_7Zm_2ONbM0XwyL2BkM_u9A39HGXMqB_IfDIBa6qgcOh5KYiu16sHcu95pJPBah8nUyvuxdGNLEZ4KjS-dWeTvoj3kaz8PDpX9Pjwp0spJlhSbKIDSN_z_5alvVZa1rHR-FuV0jfctHKXC1L9oSpF44U47P-oEJRFBY3oFy12hTR6lM/s320/Pozole.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span>Pozole: A classic Mexican soup, popular at Christmas. The soup has rich, cultural significance. Preparing pozole on Christmas Eve is a way of sharing with family and friends. Pazole contains Hominy corn. Either pig or chicken are cooked in a spicy broth. Its red and green colours contribute to the joyful atmosphere of Christmas.</span></p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><span>4. D</span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wLg5MwP7xM-u8AgJTPPScznZnCSPI88R1lZQXSDJp5AboUzN_ENMSezhO1BxzYoXGFI4WcBNDe-fbAwErJx4eaglg_uZ1EZPL3Bt8Hi5tOS_t0Ght5snV1KhJhDUj0zGB1F_ipDwpbp1YdWXgxDIvpoFLYWsMDo7l3e9G4ZHYaQZ90n9el1l2MESjKg/s1500/Ceviche.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1001" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-wLg5MwP7xM-u8AgJTPPScznZnCSPI88R1lZQXSDJp5AboUzN_ENMSezhO1BxzYoXGFI4WcBNDe-fbAwErJx4eaglg_uZ1EZPL3Bt8Hi5tOS_t0Ght5snV1KhJhDUj0zGB1F_ipDwpbp1YdWXgxDIvpoFLYWsMDo7l3e9G4ZHYaQZ90n9el1l2MESjKg/s320/Ceviche.jpeg" width="214" /></a></div><p><span>Ceviche: A popular seafood Christmas dish in Peru. Christmas falls during the summer in Peru. The spicy flavour of ceviche is ideal for the warm weather. It consists of fresh seafood marinated in lime or bitter orange juice, topped with onions, </span><b><span face="Lato, sans-serif" style="background-color: #f1f1f1; color: #212121; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 400;"> </span></b><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.95)" face="SourceSansPro, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;">jalapeño</span><span color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.95)" face="SourceSansPro, Helvetica, sans-serif" style="background-color: white;"> </span>peppers, and cilantro.</p><p><br /></p><p>5. D</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqiIm-sQxHGKycYKmNVMBO5MhAV1YgoZlISvIMUyssZ5bu-yXKvhf3_wsnj3AOgvGNMwzQZBHuATP43cedGtSVTbSCvX-X1ApEA-pFSah6iScM8pINd7ZUEhPXT4ii7bf1VpqSVBtpJP3av7e15kduDbu6oZ6bjQ3gHzYl46mK26UL_3RmLgq5wJPdtE/s640/Golubtsi.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="449" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqiIm-sQxHGKycYKmNVMBO5MhAV1YgoZlISvIMUyssZ5bu-yXKvhf3_wsnj3AOgvGNMwzQZBHuATP43cedGtSVTbSCvX-X1ApEA-pFSah6iScM8pINd7ZUEhPXT4ii7bf1VpqSVBtpJP3av7e15kduDbu6oZ6bjQ3gHzYl46mK26UL_3RmLgq5wJPdtE/s320/Golubtsi.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Golubtsi: Stuffed cabbage rolls, served in Russia at Christmas. They are a popular Christmas Eve lunch in Russia. The cabbage leaves are stuffed with ground pork and rice and then cooked in a tomato sauce.</p><p><br /></p><p>6. B</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAsYc46TPhcGP_mlOSa9yD0bpEei3FGxP_B4XONKeCjadv2Yw7o7RjFVEGIBg-n8AJcdZwvrL66E2tRttQ2bmKktqUcSqrldePjL3nrnVg4pLp_WYRrFQ05Q2zfSuScLCc89lhuUryKGhyx-BM_XkwEXP7CDdLzng9Y6_ngFX3IlOVeTovdF9c7e5_mgc/s640/Mopane%20Worm.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAsYc46TPhcGP_mlOSa9yD0bpEei3FGxP_B4XONKeCjadv2Yw7o7RjFVEGIBg-n8AJcdZwvrL66E2tRttQ2bmKktqUcSqrldePjL3nrnVg4pLp_WYRrFQ05Q2zfSuScLCc89lhuUryKGhyx-BM_XkwEXP7CDdLzng9Y6_ngFX3IlOVeTovdF9c7e5_mgc/s320/Mopane%20Worm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Mopane Worm: A popular Christmas treat in Southern Africa, especially in Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa. The insects are full of protein and are caught and sun-dried before being rehydrated and cooked in different ways, often with onions, tomatoes and spices.</p><p><br /></p><p>7. A</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0jSQZU-CNEIN-gd-adZstwCukErplqrVAbf1nsTUUIUZUKvUHPZlKj04HDN0sSd8amaX6ZjdKbU-LH-2r9cgoGZwEVMqFm0UdnFe9DTp9d2djTAMnsMXFNHOY2EiDgToD2qqSa092C3MaOcyJNEJq6OPSDuaRD7a3YharlZx8LMwx0Ua83-6W5rCJuo/s640/Rooster%20Doro.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE0jSQZU-CNEIN-gd-adZstwCukErplqrVAbf1nsTUUIUZUKvUHPZlKj04HDN0sSd8amaX6ZjdKbU-LH-2r9cgoGZwEVMqFm0UdnFe9DTp9d2djTAMnsMXFNHOY2EiDgToD2qqSa092C3MaOcyJNEJq6OPSDuaRD7a3YharlZx8LMwx0Ua83-6W5rCJuo/s320/Rooster%20Doro.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Rooster Doro Wat: An Ethiopian Christmas dish. Doro Wat is a fiery chicken stew and is frequently served with a rooster, signifying the birth of Christ.</p><p><br /></p><p>8. C</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMTfLETuSd550dCqQobWigsfftiYxBL8V_lCLRCx-qcZkEkuepw-IDq0KHyRT_L3WN2L1iovboUW47zzfgaTrRR5PRtuxGBXMv1drjjuxMRlEXd9fTrjtcNXuA923v9R4QTQt3QKDkG-ltA0KQ1avuQkGihYYx3TKWZiyaCbYJ_nKEdJEangdSNOZzhg/s800/Fatah%20%232.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMTfLETuSd550dCqQobWigsfftiYxBL8V_lCLRCx-qcZkEkuepw-IDq0KHyRT_L3WN2L1iovboUW47zzfgaTrRR5PRtuxGBXMv1drjjuxMRlEXd9fTrjtcNXuA923v9R4QTQt3QKDkG-ltA0KQ1avuQkGihYYx3TKWZiyaCbYJ_nKEdJEangdSNOZzhg/s320/Fatah%20%232.webp" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Fatah: A Christmas dish with ancient Egyptian origins, part of Coptic Christian tradition. Fatah consists of layers of rice, pita bread and lamb, topped with garlic-tomato sauce and finished with yogurt, crispy fried bread, and almonds.</p><p><br /></p><p>9. E</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1dhNFRbgZ-bgq2fEZ7MoNWsntdkRi3ORFEW_mSqYzxRavRwFdaeU-gsvDIqrS45ebi6IYN2WVeZlfocesNFKX4yoHyY3aCcrLtAluCM0fnYJV6NvNS_ifTPfct0QnTAr-XGIAUsMeAiVbyl_KOftzZxkCCJ5diXhjboRn1WAwvHnIhztjOlmvERBm7KM/s903/Nyama%20Choma.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="903" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1dhNFRbgZ-bgq2fEZ7MoNWsntdkRi3ORFEW_mSqYzxRavRwFdaeU-gsvDIqrS45ebi6IYN2WVeZlfocesNFKX4yoHyY3aCcrLtAluCM0fnYJV6NvNS_ifTPfct0QnTAr-XGIAUsMeAiVbyl_KOftzZxkCCJ5diXhjboRn1WAwvHnIhztjOlmvERBm7KM/s320/Nyama%20Choma.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><div><br /></div>Nyama Choma: A classic Christmas dish in Kenya. It is made by grilling or roasting meat, usually goat, beef or chicken, and seasoned with local spices.<div> </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div>10. C</div><div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_jnnYuBQ7wVMPD9MgoCLEoYKeKOoUFjDFEJbPROGoogU1foYnFqEnjRGcdLBiyKjJLfi2IEXbSni8YFS4jEob9NfABDHRafVYWAUt-oJOOb_RYJ39rlITDGSl_fEwlyxVvIEXT8gdNnIGEulhNc_c1JZ9XhW1RfmKXtAPr6o4rzRsEsUaNGxQXGOmlk/s900/Cepelinai.webp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic_jnnYuBQ7wVMPD9MgoCLEoYKeKOoUFjDFEJbPROGoogU1foYnFqEnjRGcdLBiyKjJLfi2IEXbSni8YFS4jEob9NfABDHRafVYWAUt-oJOOb_RYJ39rlITDGSl_fEwlyxVvIEXT8gdNnIGEulhNc_c1JZ9XhW1RfmKXtAPr6o4rzRsEsUaNGxQXGOmlk/s320/Cepelinai.webp" width="213" /></a></div><br /><div>Cepelinai: A Lithuanian dish, consisting of large potato dumplings, filled with meat, cheese or mushrooms. It is a popular Christmas custom in Lithuania and highlights the importance of potatoes in Lithuanian cuisine. </div><div><p><br /></p><p>- Joanne</p></div></div></div></div></div>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303862386440522922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769446111726567693.post-35833220779624583632023-12-18T12:41:00.000-05:002023-12-18T12:41:03.624-05:00Dear America, what's wrong with you?<h1 class="viewsTitleText" style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: "Eb Garamond"; line-height: 40px; margin: 0px; max-height: 160px; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 12px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Republicans confronted after Donald Trump accused of 'parroting Hitler' with migrants speech</span></h1><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5voR5jBSRvfQqqSufio0Byyk_PNah3ls1Zgh3xnPcijuEFdwiENxQVlg637mevEUkgmdJOM0w7QxD5blbDiDirwao93GNin2eLZQ4PV8LCu1XiRNSFog-ZXnAIky6JfdrKR-zYx5bdo5Osvcdu3pXaHCbbnn93RvYu4LIkp8bTmTq9MCF-lQu7GKdmU/s321/Trump%20as%20Hitler.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="321" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX5voR5jBSRvfQqqSufio0Byyk_PNah3ls1Zgh3xnPcijuEFdwiENxQVlg637mevEUkgmdJOM0w7QxD5blbDiDirwao93GNin2eLZQ4PV8LCu1XiRNSFog-ZXnAIky6JfdrKR-zYx5bdo5Osvcdu3pXaHCbbnn93RvYu4LIkp8bTmTq9MCF-lQu7GKdmU/s320/Trump%20as%20Hitler.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div><p>Dear America,</p><p>What is wrong with so many of you? Don't you remember Hitler and Mussolini, or have you forgotten the lessons of history? In 1940, John F. Kennedy, then a college student, wrote a book entitled <i>Why England Slept.</i> about the tragic events of the 1930s that led to Hitler's rise to power. Kennedy's book also deals with the difficulties of democracies in confronting the threat of totalitarianism. <i>Why England Slept </i>was reprinted in 1961, when JFK became president. It should be recommended reading today because if Donald Trump returns to the White House, a sequel, entitled <i>Why America Slept</i>, will need to be written some day.</p><p>It's absolutely shocking that millions of people in the United States, which prides itself on its democracy, are willing to vote for a despot such as Donald Trump. Many of them have had parents and grandparents who sacrificed their lives to rid the world of Naziism. It's disconcerting that so many Americans are willing to overlook the fact that on January 6, 2021, Trump supported the attempted overthrow of a duly elected government.by a violent mob of his far-right supporters. It's truly sad that some Americans actually believe that the mob was just a peaceful group touring the Capitol building. </p><p>Trump's behaviour and his criminal activity, should have prevented him from running for president in 2024. The thought of him in the Oval Office again sends chills down my spine. It's a very scary prospect. This is a man who said that "immigrants are poisoning the lifeblood of this country."</p><p>The Republican Party is controlled by Trump. Almost 100 members of Congress have endorsed him, including the current Speaker of the House of Representatives, far-right extremist Mike Johnson. Nikki Haley, former South Carolina governor and candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, said that Trump is fit to be president.</p><p>I hesitate to call the Republican Party the GOP (Grand Old Party). It's no longer grand. It's no longer the party of Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln. Republicans are a spineless herd, except for a few brave dissidents who have criticized mob boss Trump. If democracy survives in America, it will be due to the courage of Republicans such Liz Cheney, Mitt Romney and Chris Christie. </p><p>With regard to Trump's comment on immigrants, Christie stated, "He's disgusting. And what he's doing is dog whistling to Americans who feel absolutely under stress and strain from the economy and from the conflicts around the world, and he's dog whistling to blame it on people from areas that don't look like us."</p><p>I disagree with the politics of Cheney, Romney and Christie, but they have stood up for the rule of law. They have dared to speak out about Trump's threat to democracy, risking their own safety and political careers. Unfortunately, they are few and far-between. The egregious "Freedom Caucus " controlled by Trump, rules the show with such far-right zealots as Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene, Jim Jordan and Lauren Boebert.</p><p>This is not fear-mongering or exaggeration. Trump's words and actions speak for themselves. He has referred to the media as the "enemy of the people." He has called his detractors "vermin." He has declared that he would only be a dictator on Day One of his presidency. Trump is not joking. Americans must take his words seriously. Hitler did not hide his intentions. He made them very clear in his book <i>Mein Kampf</i>.</p><p>America, you need to awaken from your slumber before it's too late. Stop sleepwalking through this crisis. Why isn't there more concern about Trump's clear and real threat to democracy. There aren't enough alarm bells sounding. I can guarantee if Trump gets his hands on the reins of power again, American democracy will be lost. Trump has not concealed his plans to turn the United States into an authoritarian regime.</p><p>Here's how German historian Volker Ulrich characterizes Hitler in his book <i>Hitler: Ascent (1889-1939)</i>. Trump's personality and his behaviour are chillingly similar. to that of the Nazi dictator. </p><p style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: inherit; color: #404040; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">*</strong> Hitler was an egomaniac who “only loved himself,” a narcissist with a taste for self-dramatization and a “characteristic fondness for superlatives” who had a “keen eye for the strengths and weaknesses of other people.”</p><p style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: inherit; color: #404040; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">*</strong> Hitler had a “bottomless mendacity” that took advantage of the latest technology to spread his message and “was so thoroughly untruthful that he could no longer recognize the difference between lies and truth.”</p><p style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: inherit; color: #404040; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">*</strong> Hitler was an effective orator and adept at assuming various masks and feeding off the energy of his audiences, concealing his anti-Semitism beneath a “mask of moderation” when trying to win the support of middle-class liberals.</p><p style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: inherit; color: #404040; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">*</strong> Hitler specialized in big, theatrical rallies staged with spectacular elements and adapted the contents of his speeches “to suit the tastes of his lower-middle-class, nationalist-conservative, ethnic-chauvinist and anti-Semitic listeners.”</p><p style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: inherit; color: #404040; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">*</strong> Hitler peppered his speeches with coarse phrases and put-downs of hecklers and fomented chaos by playing to crowds’ fears and resentments in “offering himself as a visionary leader who could restore law and order.”</p><p style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: inherit; color: #404040; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">*</strong> Hitler presented himself in messianic terms, promising “to lead Germany to a new era of national greatness,” although he typically was vague about his actual plans while painting “the present day in hues that were all the darker.”</p><p style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: inherit; color: #404040; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">*</strong> Hitler virtually wrote the book on modern demagoguery by using repeated emotion-based “mantralike phrases” consisting largely “of accusations, vows of revenge and promises for the future.”</p><p style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: inherit; color: #404040; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><strong style="box-sizing: inherit;">*</strong> Hitler’s ascension was aided and abetted by the naïveté of adversaries who failed to understand his ruthlessness and tenacity, as well as partners who believed “he was not serious or that they could exert a moderating influence on him.”</p><p style="background-color: #f9f9f9; box-sizing: inherit; color: #404040; font-family: "Open Sans"; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px 0px 15px;"><span style="background-color: transparent;">The parallels between Hitler and Trump are frightening. I write this with great concern about the future of America and the rest of the world. I don't expect the brainwashed MAGA crowd to pay any attention to my concerns. My hope is that I can reach Republicans or independents who are sitting on the fence. </span></p><p>Donald Trump has shown nothing but admiration for brutal dictators. He has praised Russia's Vladimir Putin and North Korea's Kim Jong Un. If he becomes president again, Trump will not hesitate to support his buddy Putin. He will allow the Russian despot to completely overrun Ukraine, and Putin will not stop there. He will attempt to invade other countries. This cold-hearted dictator has visions of grandeur. He views himself as the Peter the Great of the 21st century.</p><p>Americans, stand up for democracy! Let your voices be heard on election day, November 5, 2024.</p><p><br /></p><p>Sincerely, </p><p>Your concerned Canadian friend and neighbour,</p><p>Joanne</p>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303862386440522922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769446111726567693.post-74924747986968443812023-12-10T16:04:00.001-05:002023-12-10T16:04:57.268-05:00The Toronto Blue Jays are better off without Ohtani<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUTS6kEKOfDCMANA1LgeaoNDZzCj-OWz-mKmEi2dzZ9GnLsiHJ8n8vfaiO39Rza_CSfmXQsOSsAKKrbO5I4p_f-lfwv7kTqgB1uy5nLxkjndXuCmFzZBp-hDN4GZSyhP6SgiYNwpjeW6RzbDYFp96406RlurT5kSKLrfkiXj5IW8HZYTjHri30ZilQEY/s1200/Shohei%20Ohtani.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGUTS6kEKOfDCMANA1LgeaoNDZzCj-OWz-mKmEi2dzZ9GnLsiHJ8n8vfaiO39Rza_CSfmXQsOSsAKKrbO5I4p_f-lfwv7kTqgB1uy5nLxkjndXuCmFzZBp-hDN4GZSyhP6SgiYNwpjeW6RzbDYFp96406RlurT5kSKLrfkiXj5IW8HZYTjHri30ZilQEY/w320-h320/Shohei%20Ohtani.png" width="320" /></a></div><p>Sorry, fellow Blue Jays fans, but I'm not upset that Shohei Ohtani has opted not join our team. On the contrary, I'm rather pleased. Don't get me wrong. Ohtani is an international superstar. The thought of him playing for the Jays was both exciting and enticing. However, when I scratched below the surface, I couldn't help but notice some liabilities where Ohtani is concerned. I was left with some strong reservations about him playing in Toronto. They were reservations which I could not ignore. Now that he has signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the ungodly sum of $700 million over ten years, I am relieved. </p><p>I am not questioning Ohtani's talent. There is no doubt that he is a unique athlete. His claim to fame is that he is both a pitcher and a position player. - a designated hitter, and a good one. He is one of baseball's more dominant sluggers, with 171 home runs, 437 RBI, 86 stolen basses and a career batting average of .274 over 2,871 plate appearances. He's also been an outstanding pitcher.</p><p>Due to an injury, however, the Japanese phenomenon will be less effective this season. In late August of 2023, he was shut down due to an elbow issue in his throwing arm. Shohei Ohani was diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament and he underwent surgery on September 19, 2023. In a press release, his agent, Nez Balelo, stated that the procedure was done in Los Angeles by Dr. Neal ElAttache. Dt. ElAttache has performed surgery on such star athletes as, pitcher Chris Sale, as well as basketball's Kobe Bryant and football's Aaron Rodgers.</p><p>According to Ohtani's press agent, "the ultimate plan after deliberation with Shohei was to repair the issue at hand and to reinforce the healthy ligament in place while adding viable tissue for the longevity of the elbow. I expect a full recovery and he'll be ready to hit without any restrictions come opening day of 2024 and do both (hit and pitch) come 2025."</p><p>The bottom line, however, is that Ohtani is not expected to return to the mound until spring training 2025. The two-way star will be unavailable as a pitcher for the Dodgers in 2025. As with any injury, there is no guarantee as to whether he will be able to pitch as effectively once he fully recovers. </p><p>Ohtani has never played in a post season game in Major League Baseball since he signed with the Los Angeles Angels on December 8, 2017. He ended his time with the Angels without taking part in a single playoff game. It must be pointed out to Blue Jays fans, that despite having arguably the two best MLB players in Ohtani and Mike Trout, the Angels were unable to produce a winning team. The Angels couldn't make the playoffs even with Ohtani both hitting and pitching. </p><p>Ohtani desperately wants to player on a winning team. He has more of a chance of doing so with the LA Dodgers. The Blue Jays' disastrous playoff record in 2023 and 2022 did not help their attempt to acquire his services. Perhaps Ohtani never really intended to come to Canada. Perhaps he and his agent used the Jays as a bargaining chip to gain more from the Dodgers.</p><p>Ohtani is not a particularly young player. He is 29 years old and will turn 30 on July 5, 2024. By the end of his ten-year contract with the Dodgers, he'll be pushing 40. A 40-year-old can still be a designated hitter. Ohtani is very careful about his conditioning, so that shouldn't be a problem when he reaches his mid to late 30s. </p><p>Rogers Communications, owner of the Blue Jays, Rogers Centre and Sportsnet, the network which broadcasts Jays games, pursued him relentlessly. Their number one consideration was to boost sales of Rogers products. His face on advertisements for Rogers would have increased the sales of their cell phones dramatically. Building a good team and contending for a World Series was a factor, but not the determining factor for Edward Rogers and company.</p><p>The Blue Jays have a lot of holes to fill in their lineup. Many of their players have become free agents. Rather than spend all that money on Ohtani, the Jays have a golden opportunity to put a more balanced team on the field. They have not placed their hopes in one player. Yes, Shohei Ohtani is a generational superstar, and an extraordinarily talented ball player. Yet I would rather have the Jays contend for a World Series. It's a matter of looking beyond the hype.</p><p> </p><p>- Joanne</p>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303862386440522922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769446111726567693.post-56882648105783165632023-11-30T16:42:00.001-05:002023-11-30T16:42:25.450-05:00Shame on Rogers for firing Ben Wagner<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQI_mxvrZuTaxDBomB53ujcKGEMpL68981Vn7lf60dmT-MqpBpVg4K-gku5OE4Gw8wa-LBuPhH9uGE-aU70n-qKec971ePZQzarxZhsMGAtk6sGpkWFoQq85tKAvCxYVE6YdCYPUJo5aU4oBbk6M7qqTBL5moK3S9PIXweolC6aazwLrfMqRch4Ie1Vk/s180/Ben%20Wagner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="180" data-original-width="137" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnQI_mxvrZuTaxDBomB53ujcKGEMpL68981Vn7lf60dmT-MqpBpVg4K-gku5OE4Gw8wa-LBuPhH9uGE-aU70n-qKec971ePZQzarxZhsMGAtk6sGpkWFoQq85tKAvCxYVE6YdCYPUJo5aU4oBbk6M7qqTBL5moK3S9PIXweolC6aazwLrfMqRch4Ie1Vk/w244-h320/Ben%20Wagner.jpg" width="244" /></a></div><p>In firing Ben Wagner, Rogers Communications has shown utter disdain for radio broadcasting and for the legions of Toronto Blue Jay fans who grew up listening to the Jays on radio. In a statement yesterday, Rogers confirmed that the company had declined to renew Ben Wagner's contract. How disappointing!</p><p>The Blue Jays were built on radio. Fans will never forget the easy on-air banter and the chemistry between the late great Tom Cheek and his partner Jerry Howarth. In February 2018, Jerry retired from broadcasting for health reasons after 36 years of calling games for the team. Jerry has strongly criticized Rogers' decision to dismiss Ben, which he described as "embarrassing."</p><p>Ben has been the voice of the Blue Jays since Jerry's retirement, including during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like all broadcasters at the time, he had to deal with COVID restrictions. Sportsnet said that the decision to streamline production was made to minimize travel during the pandemic, and to follow league and government protocols.</p><p>Ben remined with the broadcast team during this difficult time by providing live hits from the Blue Jays' temporary home at TD Ballpark in Dunedin, Florida. He also served as a live contributor to radio and television segments. Unfortunately, Sportsnet continued to scale back the radio coverage of the Blue Jays, even after the pandemic eased. Frankly, Ben has not been treated fairly, or with much respect. Rogers has never given him a real chance. The writing has been on the wall for some time now.</p><p>In 2022, Sportsnet covered road games remotely. Ben Wagner called the games from a a screen at the the studio in Toronto, before returning to traditional in-person broadcasts for the second half of the season.</p><p>In 2023, however, remote coverage returned, Sportsnet was one of only two MLB franchises to not send radio personnel to road games. - the other being the Los Angles Angels. Jerry Howarth was "very disappointed" with that decision. He stated, "You don't get any kind of picture of what's happening regarding a ripple effect of a play, a call, emotions, people that are involved in the call one way or another because you are not there. You can't see that. So you can't fully appreciate what is happening at that very moment."</p><p>During the 2023 season, Ben usually worked Toronto games solo, without being accompanied by a regular colour commentator, as is customary across the major league. A rapport between announcer and colour commentator is a necessary ingredient for baseball broadcasting. Rogers did not allowed that to happen for Ben Wagner.</p><p>We don't yet know what is being planned for the radio broadcast. Sportsnet does not intend to announce its plans until "prior to the start of the 2024 season," according to an email from a network spokesman. However, I wouldn't be the least surprised if the games are simulcast with the feed on television. </p><p>Baseball is made for radio description. Doesn't Roges understand that the television feed is not the same. Dan Shulman describes what viewers can see on their TV screen . Radio requires a different type of description because the visuals aren't there.</p><p>It seems to me that Rogers has too much of a monopoly on ownership. According to Adam Seaborn, head of partnerships at the Toronto-based media company Playmaker Capital, having a team owner that also owns the TV and radio network and the stadium "creates a culture of cost-cutting as opposed to competition." Seaborn went on to say that "if the team was owned by a random billionaire, the radio rights would go up for bid every five to ten years, and the highest bidder would be forced to put a guy on the road and put together a top-notch broadcast."</p><p>Rogers has made some cruel, bonehead moves in recent years. The corporation is penny wise and pound foolish. In September of 2022, they sent popular TV commentator and former Blue Jay Pat Tabler packing. He is now a colour commentator for selected Cleveland Guardians games. Back in 2020, Sportsnet suddenly cut ties with longtime radio personality Mike Wilner, a Toronto native. Mike is now a baseball columnist with the <i>Toronto Star</i>.</p><p>Then there was the Roger's messy handling of former Blue Jays president Paul Beaston at the end of his tenure with the club. He never complained, but he also deserved better, Ben Wagner also deserved better. I wish him well. I hope he finds another broadcasting job soon, where is appreciated by his employees.</p><p><br /></p><p>- Joanne</p>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303862386440522922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769446111726567693.post-42555664131081825602023-11-27T11:32:00.000-05:002023-11-27T11:32:19.949-05:00Language Corner: What happened to the Latin language?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8RSuwql-CiholseeH1R2qPEqZFxWFUL--72UaUG6AIrfg0CTjNSs8O5J108ZTbA-Q3sCUfH_BwQ64yOxOCmlJz3PvI_TVr5lEYBid2gM1BcFUNB422xiznvSpQv07ClDgebiDl0tLK23sEbY3XgM3sB-WJA3k7LhZKiM1RS2Gp0CwkzzIPbPkL-HbzDc/s1300/Latin%20clipart.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1300" data-original-width="1300" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8RSuwql-CiholseeH1R2qPEqZFxWFUL--72UaUG6AIrfg0CTjNSs8O5J108ZTbA-Q3sCUfH_BwQ64yOxOCmlJz3PvI_TVr5lEYBid2gM1BcFUNB422xiznvSpQv07ClDgebiDl0tLK23sEbY3XgM3sB-WJA3k7LhZKiM1RS2Gp0CwkzzIPbPkL-HbzDc/w400-h400/Latin%20clipart.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><b><span color="rgba(0, 12, 20, 0.75)" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Cormorant Garamond", serif; font-size: 20px;">"In an importance sense, Latin never died. So learning Latin </span><span color="rgba(0, 12, 20, 0.75)" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Cormorant Garamond", serif; font-size: 20px;">today is less like resurrecting the dead and more like looking at an old photo of modern Indo-European languages."</span></b></p><p><span color="rgba(0, 12, 20, 0.75)" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Cormorant Garamond", serif; font-size: 20px;"><b>- Blake Adams, author, editor, educator, Latin tutor, and a scholar of Early Christian Studies - </b></span><b style="font-family: "Cormorant Garamond", serif; font-size: 20px;"><span style="background-color: white;">F</span>rom the Ancient Language Institute website</b></p><p>I have always wondered why Latin "died" as a spoken language. After all, the Roman Empire was so pervasive and far-reaching. So, what happened? After doing some research, I learned that it is more accurate to say that Latin evolved, rather than to say it died. </p><p>Latin was originally spoken by small groups who lived along the lower Tiber River. The language spread along with the growth of Roman political power. It spread throughout most of western and southern Europe, as well as the Mediterranean coastal regions of Africa.</p><p>The language of the ancient Romans began to decline in the 6th century, shortly after the fall of Rome in 676 A.D. The fall of Rome led to the fragmentation of the empire, causing distinct Latin dialects to develop across the Western Empire, which eventually transformed into the five Romance languages - Italian, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Romanian. </p><p>According to Adams, you could still find writers who wrote classical Latin. However this changed gradually as writing the language became less common. Latin schools slowly disappeared except in a few Italian towns .This was another factor in the decline of classical Latin. "Putting a language to writing, and consulting prior works in the same language, tends to slow a language's rate of change," points out Blake Adams in his article "When Did Latin Die?" For example, modern English speakers use many world that would have been understood in Shakespeare's day. However, the English language would have changed a great deal more if students didn't study Shakespeare in high school. </p><p>Classical Latin, the language of great Roman writers such ss Cicero and Virgil, became "dead/" after its form became fixed. Vulgar Latin, the language ordinarily used by Romans, continued to evolve as the Roman Empire spread. During medieval times, however, Latin was still the most widely used language among scholars and writers. </p><p>It is important to note that languages don't die like organisms. Latin is still studied and it is the official language of the Holy See, the central governing body of the Roman Catholic Church (Italian is the official language of Vatican City and is used in all official matters). Until the changes brought about by Vatican II in the 1960s,, Latin was required in the liturgy of the Church.</p><p><br /></p><p><b>SOURCES</b>: Encyclpaedia Britannica;<i> Ancient Language Institute website (amcoemtlanguage.com)</i>, "When Did Latin Die?" Blake Adams, Wikipedia</p><p><br /></p><p>- Joanne</p>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303862386440522922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769446111726567693.post-15035480550406726282023-11-23T17:02:00.003-05:002023-11-23T17:11:31.912-05:00A Tale of Two American Thanksgiving Day Messages<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLl3DzPAEVhzdV_IjMi7_N4jVWFhlIW8GOBVnwu6aPg2H587Z-qGJnu2R9HmypVantwwzn-9118xjEF8NN7gDqp4PTBzQVzmBi9YGs3dsDYPJcW1KJnpLHaOlDCpbTLyPl7L_oGF67VhjZeWaQu94Nx5toVz0HPTy_9aOc6hcFcnr0bn3k3bCeyO3zW8/s1024/Joe%20Biden%20%232.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="819" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiLl3DzPAEVhzdV_IjMi7_N4jVWFhlIW8GOBVnwu6aPg2H587Z-qGJnu2R9HmypVantwwzn-9118xjEF8NN7gDqp4PTBzQVzmBi9YGs3dsDYPJcW1KJnpLHaOlDCpbTLyPl7L_oGF67VhjZeWaQu94Nx5toVz0HPTy_9aOc6hcFcnr0bn3k3bCeyO3zW8/s320/Joe%20Biden%20%232.jpg" width="256" /></a></div><br /><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: "Eb Garamond"; font-size: xx-large;">Bidens ask Americans to 'stop the rancor' and treat each other with 'decency' in Thanksgiving message</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: "Eb Garamond"; font-size: xx-large;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWfwthTvFD2xa78BfxN9NOQ45YTgdVRCic-eh-upPxc14yXeNbWum6516EFSLi-NKdV-L7a2j4zKwL0rMjpjLShs1Wvbcr-V3qxZzje5f15aUDAddIdfIsqWen0WDZhrqHjV0efWmKYeAcmnCh80ho6guLiZlvnRlDSWVqV-eGZFwrZYr62eEagWPtlQ/s1002/Trump%20mug%20shot%20%232.webp" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1002" data-original-width="956" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWfwthTvFD2xa78BfxN9NOQ45YTgdVRCic-eh-upPxc14yXeNbWum6516EFSLi-NKdV-L7a2j4zKwL0rMjpjLShs1Wvbcr-V3qxZzje5f15aUDAddIdfIsqWen0WDZhrqHjV0efWmKYeAcmnCh80ho6guLiZlvnRlDSWVqV-eGZFwrZYr62eEagWPtlQ/s320/Trump%20mug%20shot%20%232.webp" width="305" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trump's mug shot</td></tr></tbody></table><div></div><div><br /></div><div><h1 class="viewsHeaderText" style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: "Eb Garamond"; line-height: 40px; margin: 0px; max-height: 160px; overflow: hidden; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 12px;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Trump knocks prosecutor, ‘Radical Left Lunatics’ in Thanksgiving message</span></h1></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Ask yourself this, America! Who is more presidential and more stable, Joe Biden or Donald Trump? If your answer isn't Joe Biden, you are truly missing something. </span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">There is nothing amusing about Donald Trump. As <i>The Economist</i> pointed out, he is the most dangerous person in the world. He is poised to make America a fascist state.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Trump is full of hate and vengeance. His rhetoric is violent. He behaves like a mob boss. Is that who you want leading the United States? Is that who you want as commander-in-chief of your armed forces? Think about it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Trump has made no secret of the fact that he admires dictators such as Vladimir Putin of Russia and Kim Jong Un of North Korea. Is that who you want leading the United States? Think about it.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">You have the power to stop Donald Trump with your vote on November 5, 2024. If he is returned to power, you may never be able to vote in a free election again. He may never leave office once his term is over. By the election of 2028, Trump may be an unhinged 82-year-old dictator. Think about it.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Your loyalty should be to your country and to the Constitution. Trump wants you to be loyal only to him. As an authoritarian, he believes that he alone represents America. Anyone who disagrees with him or criticizes him is an enemy. He has referred to his opponents as "vermin," using the language of Hitler and Mussolini.</span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Donald Trump doesn't represent America and you should let him know that next November, if he is allowed to be the Republican nominee for president. He shouldn't be the nominee after his actions on January 6, 2021.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">- Joanne</span></div><div><br /></div>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303862386440522922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769446111726567693.post-59508172690696643712023-11-22T04:47:00.001-05:002023-11-22T04:48:06.609-05:0060 Years Since the Assassination of JFK, too many questions linger<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqAoj8QlD83hvSP30emd00V5ZmHzDWFVlZ0RAscmgUB6vfMICF75NqNKKeIp6CDESiKImeX4tt9TxuUPuIar9x1n-dQcUvwSn6-7MmQS_9Tn5W5smDvuOx8S57VJpV6keG2T80444fQqZbZA7QFbE9hWXFeNpNNSbxz21mR2h0_gjXdw0iNew002RXBk/s281/John%20F.%20Kennedy.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="281" data-original-width="220" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqAoj8QlD83hvSP30emd00V5ZmHzDWFVlZ0RAscmgUB6vfMICF75NqNKKeIp6CDESiKImeX4tt9TxuUPuIar9x1n-dQcUvwSn6-7MmQS_9Tn5W5smDvuOx8S57VJpV6keG2T80444fQqZbZA7QFbE9hWXFeNpNNSbxz21mR2h0_gjXdw0iNew002RXBk/s1600/John%20F.%20Kennedy.jpg" width="220" /></a></div><p>6O years have passed since that dreadful day in Dallas and we still don't know the truth about what happened. I am definitely not one for conspiracy theories, but I am certain there was much more to the Kennedy assassination than we know. I very much doubt that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone.</p><p>I am a baby boomer. On November 22, 1963, I was seven years old. On that fateful Friday afternoon, I was home from school with a cold. It was one of the few days I was absent from the classroom due to illness. On that momentous afternoon, I was lying on the living room sofa, watching television. My mother, who followed the soap opera <i>As The World Turns</i>, asked me to watch the show for her and fill her in. In the meantime, she went upstairs to speak to my aunt (her sister) on the phone, I dutifully watched the soap for her and I was ready to report on all the happenings. </p><p>Suddenly, <i>As The World Turns </i>was interrupted by a sombre Walter Cronkite. President Kennedy, he said,, had been shot in Dallas, Texas. Soon after, Cronkite sadly announced that the 35th President of the United States was dead The seemingly unflappable news anchor choaked back tears and he kept putting his glasses on and taking them off. I ran upstairs to inform my mother the horrible news. I will never forget that day.</p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4AauHTNzQxiEH_GqW6POxbpblc6-kMrPLX9gsjunrzuYDdn1W3qYHBjKks_U6cKfl1BF1vjRjFoUfH1MtGBXXRhz5BKCG3av4v8pT2_0w1Bx0uX7TTBfuE4cbc6eEPax1P3CWL3SItAG4wty0IdJt2OK4KOkqbayQm1650_I5MrW2nbtL2Ti12uSqF9s/s640/John%20F.%20Kennedy%20nov.%2022,%201963.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4AauHTNzQxiEH_GqW6POxbpblc6-kMrPLX9gsjunrzuYDdn1W3qYHBjKks_U6cKfl1BF1vjRjFoUfH1MtGBXXRhz5BKCG3av4v8pT2_0w1Bx0uX7TTBfuE4cbc6eEPax1P3CWL3SItAG4wty0IdJt2OK4KOkqbayQm1650_I5MrW2nbtL2Ti12uSqF9s/w400-h225/John%20F.%20Kennedy%20nov.%2022,%201963.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That fateful day in Dallas</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Lee Harvey Oswald, a U.S. Marine Veteran and Marxist, shot and killed Kennedy from a sixth-floor of the Texas School Book Depository as JFK's motorcade travelled through Dealey Plaza in Dallas. About 45 minutes after the assassination of the president, Oswald also shot and killed a Dallas police officer on a local street. He then hid in a movie theatre, where he was arrested for the police officer's murder. Oswald was charged with the assassination of JFK, although he denied responsibility, referring to himself as a "patsy." Two days later, on November 24th, Oswald was shot dead by local nightclub owner Jack Ruby in the basement of Dallas Police Headquarters. The shooting of Oswald happened live on television. </p><p>On November 29, 1963, the President's Commission on the Assassination of President Kennedy, popularly known as the Warren Commission, was established by executive order of President Lyndon B. Johnson, to investigate the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. Chief Justice Earl Warren chaired the commission, which consisted of a panel of seven men. The panel was comprised of Democrats and Republicans in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, among them future president, Gerald R. Ford, a Republican. It also included diplomat John J. McCloy and Allen Dulles, former president of the World Bank and former CIA director. Dulles had been fired by John F. Kennedy in November of 1961, following the Bay of Pigs fiasco in April of that year.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHZWRJjsSDs4y3JjbJtjvC90nOOwwvy31QGsoSx5P9ELvd910Y3N7SAz4dWJ3LXgAxq3kf1ubuWx3MrY6oKwDXMHG9RxK9hQ5h6CZMTXM0oWGeSIajq72igoWXl_UR2cKKVMj_WsmxKpHj-WrrlPfouzseZ6oHxEdaRcGufs-tjCyBmZ8w2faGX-fKdo/s220/Warren%20Commission.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="163" data-original-width="220" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcHZWRJjsSDs4y3JjbJtjvC90nOOwwvy31QGsoSx5P9ELvd910Y3N7SAz4dWJ3LXgAxq3kf1ubuWx3MrY6oKwDXMHG9RxK9hQ5h6CZMTXM0oWGeSIajq72igoWXl_UR2cKKVMj_WsmxKpHj-WrrlPfouzseZ6oHxEdaRcGufs-tjCyBmZ8w2faGX-fKdo/w320-h237/Warren%20Commission.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Warren Commission in August 1964</td></tr></tbody></table><p>On September 24, 1964, the Warren Commission presented its 888-page final report to President Johnson. It was released to the public three days later. The commission reached the conclusion that Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone, firing three shots from the sixth floor of the Texas Book Depository for reasons unknown. It also concluded that Jack Ruby acted alone when he murdered Oswald two days later.</p><p>Its conclusions turned out to be very controversial and have been both challenged and supported by further studies. Man still cannot believe that Oswald acted alone. However, the findings of the Warren Commission were supported by the Dallas Police Department, the FBI, the United States Secret Service, and the House Select Committee on Assassinations (HSCA), although the HSCA found that Oswald's role in the assassination was "probably assassinated as a result of a conspiracy." The HSCA asserted that acoustic evidence from a Dallas police officer's radio showed that that two shooters had probably fired on JFK's limousine. Although further investigations have cast doubt on the radio evidence, the HSCA's added to public dissatisfaction with the work of the Warren Commission. </p><p>Robert Tanenbaum, the original deputy chief counsel for the HSCA, resigned from his post shortly after being named. Tanenbaum has been vocal about his belief that the CIA thwarted the official probe of President Kennedy's assassination. He does not believe that the assassination was adequately investigated.</p><p>Members of the Warren Commission even expressed doubts about its findings. Democrat Richard Russel reluctantly consented to sign the Warren Report, despite the fact that he could not rule out the possibility of a conspiracy, Russell later confessed that he had "lingering dissatisfaction" with many of it findings. Congressman Hale Boggs, also a Democrat, had similar doubts about the report, especially the "single bullet theory" that one shot had struck both JFK and Texas Governor John Connally.</p><p>It is clear that almost 60 years after JFK's assassination, the American public is not fully convinced that Oswald acted alone. There are too many unanswered questions, too many missing pieces of the puzzle. One person who believed there was more to the story was journalist Dorothy Kilgallen, who was investigating the JFK assassination when she died under mysterious circumstances on November 8, 1965. She considered the Warren Commission's conclusion, that Oswald killed Kennedy alone, "laughable." She spent 18 months probing the assassination. During Jack Ruby's trial, Dorothy was the only reporter who was able to interview Jack Ruby. In his 2016 book, During Jack Ruby's trial, Dorothy was the only reporter who was able to interview Ruby. </p><p>According to Mark Shaw, in his 2016 book <i>The Reporter Who Knew Too Much</i>, Dorothy Kilgallen left Rugy's trial more certain than ever that JFK's assassination had been the result of a conspiracy. In her column of March 20, 1965, Dorothy wrote: "The point to be remembered in this historic case is that the whole truth has not been told. Neither the state of Texas nor the defense put on al l its evidence before the jury. Perhaps it was not necessary, but it would have been desirable from the viewpoint of all the American people."</p><p>Dorothy was determined that the American people deserved to know the truth. Sadly, before she could publish anything, was found dead in her Manhattan home on November 8, 1965. The <i>New York Times</i> reported that she died from an overdose of alcohol and barbituates, and that police had found no evidence of violence or suicide. However, James L. Luke, the assistant Medical Examiner stated, "It could have simply been an extra pill. Luke admitted that the circumstances of Dorothy's death were "undetermined." "We really don't know," he told the <i>New York Times. </i>Furthermore, Dorothy's pages and pages of research were missing.</p><p>In his book, <i>The Reporter Who Knew Too Much, </i>Mark Shaw makes the case that Dorothy was murdered to end her investigation. She was not shy about publicly expressing her doubts about the Kennedy assassination, She doggedly continued to investigate JFK's death, and as the <i>New York Post</i> reported, she conducted interviews and chased leads in Dallas and New Orleans. By the fall of 1965, Dorothy may have been on the verge of a breakthrough. In fact, according to Shaw, she had scheduled another visit to New Orleans for a clandestine meeting with an unnamed source.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgug9miIW36ST8VNUun9mOqB4YE77YYMUN0Q-xrLhAF07dC4ys9IaqTZDQbDyPSp5uC9YyUPnx84At6kSaEeRFjz15FEvfBoAxIK91EQMdz0VnjmuUwJPUnKzM6OUEbG9Jh9hJDePUIfcuu6ToptkX8jQBcJLt3TVXgZnHHYtAwcpqDqmRX7LlFjj7WRDc/s466/Dorothy%20Kilgalllen%20book.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="466" data-original-width="308" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgug9miIW36ST8VNUun9mOqB4YE77YYMUN0Q-xrLhAF07dC4ys9IaqTZDQbDyPSp5uC9YyUPnx84At6kSaEeRFjz15FEvfBoAxIK91EQMdz0VnjmuUwJPUnKzM6OUEbG9Jh9hJDePUIfcuu6ToptkX8jQBcJLt3TVXgZnHHYtAwcpqDqmRX7LlFjj7WRDc/s320/Dorothy%20Kilgalllen%20book.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><br /><p>Unfortunately, we may never know the truth about the assassination of John F. Kennedy, especially since the CIA is unwilling to disclose everything it knows. Here is what Jefferson Morley, vice president of the Mary Ferrell Foundation and editor of the <i>JFK Facts Newsletter </i>on Substack wrote in an article in the <i>Washington Post:</i></p><p><i><b>Was the CIA merely incompetent in dealing with the itinerant Marxist
Marine, or did it use him for some still-classified purpose? Or is there
another explanation for its unwillingness to share all it knows? The
clandestine service is no longer under any obligation to answer such
questions. When it comes to the Kennedy assassination files, the CIA has
won the battle over full disclosure. </b></i></p><p>Sis decades have passed since the assassination of John F. Kennedy. As popular as JFK was, some had reason to want him dead, including the Mafia. It appears that the truth has been covered up. The American public deserves full disclosure. If the conclusion of the Warren Commission, is correct, what does the CIA and others have to hide? Why the secrecy after all these years? Something really smells rotten. It leaves a sour taste in our mouth.</p><p><b>Note: For more insight into the JFK assassination, I suggest you listen to <i>Who Killed JFK?, </i>Rob Reiner's investigative podcast on iHeart radio. It is hosted by Rob and journalist Soledad O'Brien.</b></p><p><br /></p><p>- Joanne </p><p></p>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303862386440522922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769446111726567693.post-5205062884118819342023-11-21T09:16:00.000-05:002023-11-21T09:16:05.089-05:00Again I say, wake up America! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTyn7XSUZMBVHIyxMHZf2h0fCuXlVN0fyQWIlaLhc0JpnRMhyphenhyphenVM71nIlaDrJY46Wh8ZixRGpSJMJb-y-iYDUFvtpkOt5Yx-4sqH5n4f2xIBtHqF6wsBenn2pBQSn_a5iWrKqS57mmEWDJ8rTqlDtQPFNuvt_vDDvca0l5dzlsyhhUJa937OSsCmUMaGPU/s1280/ant%5BTrump%20threats%20bomb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="1071" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTyn7XSUZMBVHIyxMHZf2h0fCuXlVN0fyQWIlaLhc0JpnRMhyphenhyphenVM71nIlaDrJY46Wh8ZixRGpSJMJb-y-iYDUFvtpkOt5Yx-4sqH5n4f2xIBtHqF6wsBenn2pBQSn_a5iWrKqS57mmEWDJ8rTqlDtQPFNuvt_vDDvca0l5dzlsyhhUJa937OSsCmUMaGPU/s320/ant%5BTrump%20threats%20bomb.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><p><b><i>You won't recognize America if Donald Trump returns to the White House. In fact, he won't ever leave the White House if he becomes president again. Trump has spelled out exactly what he intends to do if he is returned to power. The man is unhinged. He is violent. He is an authoritarian. He spreads lies along with his MAGA followers. The Republican party has been taken over by morally corrupt and spineless politicians. They want to hang on to power and they are afraid of mob boss Trump.</i></b></p><p><b><i>There is a moral bankruptcy in America right now. Otherwise, Trump would never have been able to run for president in 2016 after he bragged about groping women. He wouldn't be allowed to run for president in 2024 after he led an insurrection on January 6, 2021. </i></b></p><p><b><i>Here is exactly what Trump intends to do:</i></b></p><p><b style="color: #2b2b2b; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Midlevel", sans-serif; font-size: 17px;">Donald Trump and far-right conservatives have some some big plans for his second term should he be reelected, and they would be devastating for American democracy.</b></p><p data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Midlevel", sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><b><span style="color: #2b2b2b;">Trump’s plan is called Project 2025 </span><span style="color: #2b2b2b;">and it would involve replacing more than 50,000 career civil servants in the federal government with Trump loyalists. Established in 2022, the project's aim is to replace existing federal civil service workers, those it regards as "the deep state," with conservatives who would further the goals of the next Republican president. It’s a project being headed by the Heritage Foundation, and it’s so far backed by more than $20 million in funding. With those loyalists installed, Trump would be able to increase his power and abuse that power as much as he desires.</span></b></p><p data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Midlevel", sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><b><span style="color: #2b2b2b;">Below is a photo of Kevin Roberts, president of the Heritage Foundation, which established Project 2025. </span></b></p><p data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Midlevel", sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><b></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76OjGcH25ShTMuhZpvGXGLNUMvV9sGpvDp70HltHYSwk2GOsj21Lxz4fIO6F-9sCeWpN-vRm_31HXim-To9TcUsE7snJTIEmD8tz3FL3zrGhuYm7QIEZshncWH2Ne4PQlVF0U32-nsh2sN2vizVk0mYV5IkGvywqS_TzdosI6l96acg_Ft0OFYM8wRo4/s300/Kevin%20Roberts.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj76OjGcH25ShTMuhZpvGXGLNUMvV9sGpvDp70HltHYSwk2GOsj21Lxz4fIO6F-9sCeWpN-vRm_31HXim-To9TcUsE7snJTIEmD8tz3FL3zrGhuYm7QIEZshncWH2Ne4PQlVF0U32-nsh2sN2vizVk0mYV5IkGvywqS_TzdosI6l96acg_Ft0OFYM8wRo4/w320-h320/Kevin%20Roberts.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Midlevel", sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><b><span style="color: #2b2b2b;">Project 2025 would reshape the executive the executive branch of the United States government. Although participants in the project cannot promote a specific presidential candidate, many are closely associated with Trump. It would mean that the president of the United States would have complete control of the executive branch upon inauguration.</span></b></p><p data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Midlevel", sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><span style="color: #2b2b2b;"><i>If Donald Trump had absolute power of the executive branch, he would continue to strengthen his grip on government. He would try to control the media, which he has called "the enemy of the people." That's the first thing an authoritarian does.</i></span></p><p data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Midlevel", sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><span style="color: #2b2b2b;"><i>Is this quasi-fascist America what you want? It happened to Italy in 1922 and in Germany in 1933. Heed the lessons of history. Don't think it can't happen to the United States! Pay attention! The Economist named Donald Trump the biggest danger in the world, with good reason.</i></span></p><p data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Midlevel", sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><b><span style="color: #2b2b2b;"><i><br /></i></span></b></p><p data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="background-color: white; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Midlevel", sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><b><span style="color: #2b2b2b;">- Joanne<br /></span></b></p>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303862386440522922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769446111726567693.post-74944011973445403882023-11-18T16:08:00.003-05:002023-11-18T16:08:59.371-05:00Whatever happened to the Atlantic Schooners?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVxkYxtoACpSJHI_afBxfBvbxqKHssIi4qzlTmU78Pov5mn-H-ABAM9L0J2P2uf13CZuYEZ2L34mfH7RYa8YtKIG4AkHxQGr_dDNT5MOuZhb7vV8gTFuyNLzll363JqAdn8MJugsoDLe9t8tE-_nRM0uh4g02pwmmh9RGuWapYejlqkjPYsENoxofCgg/s620/grey%20cup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="620" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQVxkYxtoACpSJHI_afBxfBvbxqKHssIi4qzlTmU78Pov5mn-H-ABAM9L0J2P2uf13CZuYEZ2L34mfH7RYa8YtKIG4AkHxQGr_dDNT5MOuZhb7vV8gTFuyNLzll363JqAdn8MJugsoDLe9t8tE-_nRM0uh4g02pwmmh9RGuWapYejlqkjPYsENoxofCgg/w400-h226/grey%20cup.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />Tomorrow the 110th edition of the Grey Cup will take place at Tim Horton Stadium in Hamilton, Ontario. The Montreal Alouettes will be representing the East, while the Winnipeg Blue Bombers will be representing the West. The Grey Cup is not as glitzy as the Superbowl. How could it be? No one does glitz like the Americans. However, it does have its own style, a more homey style, steeped in history and tradition. T he trophy is named after Albert Grey, the Governor General of Canada from 1904 to 1911.<p>I had hoped that the Toronto Argonauts would represent the East in the big game. The Argos had a splendid season, winning 16 games and losing only 2 They were led by quarterback Chad Kelly and they seemed to be steamrolling toward a second consecutive appearance in the CFL's championship game. That is until something happened on the way to the Grey Cup. The Argos were soundly beaten by the Montreal Alouettes in the Eastern Division final in Toronto, and Kelly did not have a good game. Perhaps the Argos were rusty and complacent, having sewn up first place so early.</p><p>Yesterday, my husband and I visited Hamilton to partake in some of the Grey Cup festivities. There were various activities and booths along James Street. There were pavilions and entertainment at the Hamilton Convention Centre. All of the Western Division teams, except for the B.C. Lions had their own pavilion. The only pavilion from the East was that of a team that doesn't exist yet - the Atlantic Schooners. </p><p>We enjoyed ourselves in the Schooners' pavilion, eating lobster rolls and watching a Newfoundland band called Screeched In. We also listened to the Saskatchewan Roughriders Pep Band and we chatted with people from all over Canada. Screeched In conducted a fun tradition by which one becomes an official Newfoundlander by kissing a fish (in this case, "Jimmy the Fish" and drinking some dark rum known as Screech. Below are two photos of the Screech ceremony.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDo5hBU3kgDNovEESXu-sNxCV7KT2vYryJ0QhwDu-lgo2J-RQb5CipBzjKD_E9Jx7Kegr14Miwp6bP9FT9YI2cE1KUQ6uKOX1F0Sq4ttE6H73nInrfpf91I-fdpv94vODl1nP2AqWFMdrEL34bnJtBasyD0CdLDFGSPFaaNVSNJB5trPP_c7k3F9Ntfg/s1080/Screech%20ceremony.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDo5hBU3kgDNovEESXu-sNxCV7KT2vYryJ0QhwDu-lgo2J-RQb5CipBzjKD_E9Jx7Kegr14Miwp6bP9FT9YI2cE1KUQ6uKOX1F0Sq4ttE6H73nInrfpf91I-fdpv94vODl1nP2AqWFMdrEL34bnJtBasyD0CdLDFGSPFaaNVSNJB5trPP_c7k3F9Ntfg/w300-h400/Screech%20ceremony.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wUMcREOP4H4jg3jZN16HjNMdrIWqC_KINJPmJPo2SuRHivg-nfb-qI-J78o7QiHThSU8-yqgKLjwgM3JpvNidtvgpPpJREawzAt-HM2RdXlyPlM3kRjJNJt9t_kk4r_WZOvbAYOdZAo-P-5ij3fLakrnmd0r6EUDEwiRdFZwC5Q1JTtbAaPss703T0s/s1080/Screech%20ceremony%20%232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wUMcREOP4H4jg3jZN16HjNMdrIWqC_KINJPmJPo2SuRHivg-nfb-qI-J78o7QiHThSU8-yqgKLjwgM3JpvNidtvgpPpJREawzAt-HM2RdXlyPlM3kRjJNJt9t_kk4r_WZOvbAYOdZAo-P-5ij3fLakrnmd0r6EUDEwiRdFZwC5Q1JTtbAaPss703T0s/w300-h400/Screech%20ceremony%20%232.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>My husband and I love Atlantic Canada. Maritimers and Newfoundlanders and Labradorians are the salt of the earth. and we fervently hope that the Schooners become a reality soon. The Canadian Football League (CFL) currently has nine teams, five in the Western Division and four in the Eastern Division. A team based in the Halifax-Dartmouth area, or in Moncton, New Brunswick, would even things up. The CFL would truly represent Canada from coast to coast and sea to sea.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiba8p3_KnV_MWUEWMXDNuaR_lGMVzT_ebiw3hiDndp5jWdCgA12BYe6MrExM17ewg-DGTPJd1aON6snuVbYpFZ6tnk1F_uah9f-o-faPse-3VhiuwIFDBin9gxsNnAq6gS1Z4rhmhAZCFKrI3qrd98ihRoJkqkOVqBjyqltP_rqg3_oy9urfnucPCxhWM/s1080/Atlantic%20Schooners%20logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiba8p3_KnV_MWUEWMXDNuaR_lGMVzT_ebiw3hiDndp5jWdCgA12BYe6MrExM17ewg-DGTPJd1aON6snuVbYpFZ6tnk1F_uah9f-o-faPse-3VhiuwIFDBin9gxsNnAq6gS1Z4rhmhAZCFKrI3qrd98ihRoJkqkOVqBjyqltP_rqg3_oy9urfnucPCxhWM/w240-h320/Atlantic%20Schooners%20logo.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>The Atlantic Schooner were originally a conditional expansion team that was set to begin play in Dartmouth, Nova back in 1984. Unfortunately. ownership was unable to secure enough funding for a stadium. As a result, the application for a franchise was withdrawn 13 months after it was submitted. It's now 2023 and the dream is still alive. I hope to see it come to fruition. I was told that there is going to be a meeting about the situation next month.</p><p><br /></p><p>- Joanne</p>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303862386440522922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769446111726567693.post-3738437714670276932023-11-18T12:27:00.002-05:002023-11-18T23:25:06.508-05:00 Bye Bye, Twitter! No Antisemitism for me<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wIplE9aYv5a6xyDlfq_t7QXvxJv-MbkGndyz1miHA1G7ClUpQ2Cpw-LTWLejalZoIpA9app4lcLxUVIOQ1G5-Icxv2kMBMaTZNj9Apu3gMZMtwVL4AlbxqqkLHWkFix-balumX7PbI1ziDm5kF5uZSxS0A1x9oKEKWFOqqUF7Y6pn-nIJ2CFBxHP7wk/s582/Elon%20Musk.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="559" data-original-width="582" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0wIplE9aYv5a6xyDlfq_t7QXvxJv-MbkGndyz1miHA1G7ClUpQ2Cpw-LTWLejalZoIpA9app4lcLxUVIOQ1G5-Icxv2kMBMaTZNj9Apu3gMZMtwVL4AlbxqqkLHWkFix-balumX7PbI1ziDm5kF5uZSxS0A1x9oKEKWFOqqUF7Y6pn-nIJ2CFBxHP7wk/s320/Elon%20Musk.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Musk</td></tr></tbody></table><p>I have disassociated myself from Twitter, (I refuse to call it "X.") I have had a Twitter account for many years. When I worked in the library of the <i>Toronto Star</i>, our staff attended a seminar about Social Media.2.0, which included Twitter. Twitter was very new at the time and we were asked to open an account on it. I can not in good conscience continue writing messages on this platform, nor read it.</p><p>I am not a fan of Elon Musk. He spent $44 billion to acquire Twitter and he has run it down to the ground. Advertisers are fleeing after Musk agreed with a tweet accusing Jewish people of "hatred against whites." I was not pleased when Musk change the name of the platform to "X" and allowed Donald Trump to once again spew his hatred and lies on the social medium. </p><p>When I saw how Twitter was becoming a forum for hate messages, I unsuccessfully attempted to remove my account from Twitter. I wrote a final message saying that I was through with Twitter as long as Musk owned it. I have not tweeted anything since. </p><p>We now know, without a doubt, that Musk stands with the supporters of Trump. He stands with the far right. His endorsement of Antisemitism sickens me. I would feel the same way if he had endorsed Islamophobia, anti-Black or Asian sentiment or any other form of hatred. Hatred is hatred, no matter the target. It is not a legitimate expression of free speech. It should not be tolerated.</p><p>It's a shame that Elon Musk's $44 million wasn't spent on alleviating poverty or illness.</p><p><br /></p><p>- Joanne</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303862386440522922noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1769446111726567693.post-37256037090875049832023-11-17T15:29:00.001-05:002023-11-17T15:32:39.234-05:00Why Donald Trump is not mentally fit to be President of the United States<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwzt98UWbbDpb5heH97NOVL5737MsKz6fjl0AV1f7Cr7HSSgKMTMpPp2cKKUVWN4zBQzjt4OFpuHnJhZXqdWEIcp6Qhzpj2plvY_YDloQxMb2Tc4_zri1K91GNCZv0XESXJ1pFqJYls9CS0MJM4r3ZDfwmbkGUQLpv7BSaqqehYrRJLja_FIlMaj97eQ/s246/anti%20trump%20poster%20dictator%20(Pixabay).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="205" data-original-width="246" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOwzt98UWbbDpb5heH97NOVL5737MsKz6fjl0AV1f7Cr7HSSgKMTMpPp2cKKUVWN4zBQzjt4OFpuHnJhZXqdWEIcp6Qhzpj2plvY_YDloQxMb2Tc4_zri1K91GNCZv0XESXJ1pFqJYls9CS0MJM4r3ZDfwmbkGUQLpv7BSaqqehYrRJLja_FIlMaj97eQ/w400-h333/anti%20trump%20poster%20dictator%20(Pixabay).jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p> <b style="background-color: white; color: #2b00fe; font-family: "Eb Garamond"; font-size: x-large;">The Economist names Trump #1 'biggest danger' in the world: 'Will wage war on any institution'</b></p><p><span style="font-family: Eb Garamond;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Keep in mind that <i>The Economist </i>is a respected British newspaper. It has been published for almost two hundred years. <i> </i>Hence, there is every reason to pay attention to the news that <i>Economist </i>staff has stated that, heading into 2024, it is deeply concerned about the possible return of Donald Trump to the White House. The paper waned that Trump's return </b></span></span><b style="font-family: "Eb Garamond";">would be viewed as a go-ahead for Russian President Putin to "fight on" in Ukraine and expand his conquest to other former Eastern Bloc countries. The paper also warned that if Trump were returned to the Oval Office, China might invade Taiwan "with catastrophic consequences." It expressed a fear that Trump would mishandle the situation in the Middle East, as Iran and its proxy miliary force find increased support. </b></p><p><b style="font-family: "Eb Garamond";">The clock is ticking. There is less than a year until the 2024 presidential election in the United States. Much could change in that time, but I am extremely concerned that not enough Americans realize how serious a threat Trump is to their democracy. So many people are getting false information from Fox News and other far-right media. So, I will continue to write periodic warnings to my friends in the United States from my perch here in Toronto, Canada. I don't have a vote in the American election, so it's up to you to decide the fate of your country. It will be a decision that with profoundly affect Canada and the rest of the world.</b></p><p><span style="font-family: Eb Garamond;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>Every day, Trump's rhetoric becomes increasingly cruel and violent. He is using fascist language, reminiscent of Hitler and Mussolini. He has called his political opponents "vermin." and he has mocked the beating given to Nancy Pelosi's octogenarian husband, Paul. He has called the media the enemy of the people. Is this the kind of person Americans want in the Oval Office?</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Eb Garamond;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>I am neither a psychiatrist nor a psychologist, but it is becoming clear that Donald Trump is becoming more and more unhinged with each passing day. My hope is that will not be permitted to run for public office via the 14th Amendment to the U.S. constitution, which forbids anyone who has engaged n insurrection or rebellion against the Constitution of the United from holding public office (Remember January 6, 2021).</b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Eb Garamond;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><span face=""Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Midlevel", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-size: 17px;"><b>In a column for the Washington Monthly, attorney James Zirin, a former federal prosecutor in New York's Southern District, noted Donald Trump's growing problem with facts, his confusion when giving speeches as well as pronounced slurring when speaking</b>.</span><div><span face="Segoe UI, Segoe UI Midlevel, sans-serif" style="color: #2b2b2b;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></span><div><span face=""Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Midlevel", sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-size: 17px;"><b>Cutting right to the chase, Zirin asked: "Has Donald Trump gone nuts?"</b></span></div><div><span face="Segoe UI, Segoe UI Midlevel, sans-serif" style="color: #2b2b2b;"><span style="font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></span><div><p class="continue-read-break" data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Midlevel", sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><b>Admitting, "This is obviously a difficult question to raise about any person, let alone a candidate, who has demonstrated vicious, paranoid, and violent behavior," he added, "Still, all the armchair gerontologists parsing every utterance from President Joe Biden, trying to distinguish his congenital stutter from his natural aging, should look at Trump, whose behavior has gone from bad to weird to bizarre."<slot name="cont-read-break"></slot></b></p><p data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Midlevel", sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><b>Taking great pains to point out he's not a medical professional, Zirin asked if the former president might be "suffering from a palpable form of dementia."</b></p><p data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Midlevel", sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><b>- Tom Biggiani, <i>Microsoft (msn.com)</i>, November 25, 2023</b></p><p data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Midlevel", sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><br /></p><p data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Midlevel", sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">I am passionately concerned about the survival of democracy in the country next to mine.</p><p data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Midlevel", sans-serif; margin: 0px 0px 16px;">- Joanne</p><p data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Midlevel", sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><br /></p><p data-t="{"n":"blueLinks"}" style="background-color: white; color: #2b2b2b; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Midlevel", sans-serif; font-size: 17px; margin: 0px 0px 16px;"><br /></p></div></div></div>Joannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18303862386440522922noreply@blogger.com0