Unrelated notes (October 29)

 China’s top diplomat is meeting with his counterparts from five Muslim countries saying his country would work with “our brothers and sisters” to try to end the war in Gaza. There is no mention of weapons but it is reasonable to assume it topped the agenda.  The brutal war gives China another opportunity to destabilize another region.

 Today’s Toronto Star's editorial attempts to treat of hate, stating, “Education can help. Ontario is expanding Holocaust education in public schools.”   The secular mind, which is in play here, is limited.  It cannot invoke higher motives tin advocating the right thing, other than the good thing, i.e more education.  My hope is that in the Catholic schools the holocaust is taught along with the deeper message of neighbourly love which was noticeably lacking at that murderous time.  Non-Catholic schools dare not appeal to higher motives by citing the parable of the Good Samaritan.  Secularists would decry that as ‘shoving religion down young peoples’ throats.’  

 In a misunderstanding of “equity” the Toronto and District School Board in 2022 did away with merit-based admission to specialized programs. Students needed only express interest. So the Board introduced a lottery in the belief it would give priority to students from under-served communities. The Board has now returned to merit as the basis of acceptance into these costlier programs.  Applicants expressing interest must include a portfolio, video, audio or written submission.  The lesson is that equity is aspiration not a virtue.

Responsible Journalism

 A Toronto firefighter has taken the Fire Department to the Human Rights Tribunal.  His grievances are the usual complaints of an aggrieved homosexual.   Suffice it to say the list was drawn up by a lawyer with the usual boilerplate complaints.

My grievance is that the Toronto Star presents them in disgusting detail, and covers its tracks by

Stating “none of the allegations in the complaint have [sic] been tested before the tribunal.”  The Star proceeds with a report of more than 1,000 words stating every possible complaint of the appellant, presenting them as truth, all shielded by the disclaimer.  Based on experience, the tribunal will give the aggrieved a bag of money of which the lawyer will take one-third, and all with bask in righteousness.   

Questionable Leadership

Fortunately not all of our political leaders are stupid but here are two.

Pouting Vladimir Putin, still sucking his finger, continues his rampage against Ukraine. He uses prison inmates, mercenaries and conscripts in the war against his neighbour.  Facing a continued shortfall in troops, he is now recruiting Ukrainian prisoners of war to help carry on his ill-fated invasion.  Such behaviour offends decency as well as the Geneva Conventions, two things knowledge of with he appears devoid.

Political silliness also comes in a domestic package.  Alberta Premier Danielle Smith  has agreed to join discredited American political commentator Tucker Carlson.  In January, she will appear on stage with  him in front of an audience who will pay from $224 to $442 to witness the mischief those two will generate.  It would be offensive, I hope illegal, should Smith profit financially from this event.

Carlton is of the mentality of people who believe Donald Trump won the last U.S. election. He would also like to see American troops invade Canada to free us from Justine Trudeau.  That man has earned millions by spouting similar nonsense in his country. It does make us question the mental reserves of some people.

Smith is of that mentality that claims, against all evidence to the contrary, that Alberta is being short-changed by the Canada Pension Plan. Fortunately, polls show that a majority of Albertans disagree with her.