Tuesday, May 31, 2011
You smoke? You pay, by Richard Martineau
Richard Martineau
16/01/2011 05h20
My column on Monday about smoking got me a great deal of correspondence. Several readers have written to tell me that I was too compassionate to addicted to nicotine.
My taxes and fees
"If smokers want to be sick, I do not want to take my tax they seek care," wrote me Denis Côté.
Even thought the side of Georges Riquier:
"Smokers know they may die of cancer, but before dying, they will be treated in the health care system that supports me financially with my taxes," he writes.
"In addition, they will use perhaps up to the hospital as me and my family could not use it because the hospital is full ..."
Quick question, like this ...
How many of these players are regular exercise, eat no salt, avoid red meat and processed meats, are not overweight and drink alcohol moderately, as recommended by doctors?
I'm curious to know ...
Big Brother
What you want, exactly?
The government kept a file listing the lifestyle of every Quebecer to know who among us deserves to receive free health care?
You want the government starts to monitor what you eat, if you're running, how many glasses of wine you drink a day if you walk to work or if you use your car?
With a 1-800 number that would allow you to denounce your neighbors? ("My brother-in-law says he does not smoke, but I saw him the other day trying to smoke a cigarette in his court, and it seemed to be in his third beer ...")
That is the Quebec of your dreams?
Cancer dunce
Why not expand this approach to the education system, for that matter?
"You never read at home and you do not look as stupid quiz shows or reality shows? Then you'll pay your education, there is no question that takes my taxes and fees to try to teach a twit who refuses to make the intellectual effort required for its development!"
Citizens should also pass the tests of political culture to see if they are able to exercise their voting rights or not.
After all, I do not want my taxes and fees to allow the ignorant to elect the person who will guide me!
Final stage
I remind you that smokers already pay many, many taxes, and that each poff to take part in the coffers of the state.
If the taxes levied on cigarette packages were used to pay for a stadium than a billion dollars rather than fund our health system, it is not their fault, but our smart bureaucrats mismanage our money.
Moreover, if governments were also concerned that by smoking it, they would crack down against those Indians who brazenly break the law by selling cigarettes at low prices (and to minors), instead of watching them go idly by ...
Link
Labels: Richard Martineau
An unhealthy climate, by Richard Martineau
Richard Martineau
11/01/2011 06h36
We would think that with the election of Barack Obama, U.S. Republicans have learned their lesson and changed the disk.
They have stopped supplying the paranoid ravings of the extremists that plague their ranks to provide a more intelligent discourse, speaking more to reason than emotion.
But no.
If anything, it's even worse than before.
An irresponsible speech
As I write these lines, it is not known yet whether the shooting that left six dead in Arizona on Saturday (and which nearly cost the life of the Parliamentary Democratic Gabrielle Giffords, who was shot in the head) was a political gesture.
But one thing is certain: the aggressive and provocative speeches of some figures of the Republican Party has certainly not helped to calm the weak and impressionable.
On the contrary.
Publish, as did Sarah Palin last year, a map of the United States "targeting" twenty Democrats who had the misfortune to support reform of the health system (showing the politicians as they were in the line of fire of a killer) is not only unworthy of a woman who sought the presidency, but it is totally irresponsible.
It's fine, use war metaphors to talk about politics (everyone has done since Sun Tzu and Machiavelli, so that it is quite a cliché), but past a certain point it becomes dangerous.
Piss vinegar
The Republicans have they nothing but rage and anger about the American people?
We can think what you want about the current president. Find it fails to deliver the goods or believe that its economic program is "anti-American" because too interventionist. But like it or not, we must recognize a high quality to Obama: the man is intelligent.
When he speaks to citizens, it does not attempt to exploit fears, their fears and frustrations, it is aimed at their head, he invited them to participate in a debate of ideas, discuss, share.
What do the Republicans, themselves?
They pour vinegar on the wounds of the left-pourcompte system hoping that it will raise the curtains.
It is the degree zero of political discourse.
We adopt this kind of strategy when it no longer has any new idea to propose, when you find yourself short of arguments to convince anyone.
Lessons learned
After decades of "constitutionality" acute, we are witnessing the return of the debate "left-right" in Quebec.
Good. It was time.
But I hope the level of discussion will never fall as low as one must endure our neighbors to the south for twenty years.
A vigorous debate, yes. Discussions tough, I hope so. After all, a good spat has never hurt anyone. But I do not see what would benefit our society to see our politicians, our commentators and our activists are rolling in the mud, hurling insults.
And feed the frustration of the people by carrying conspiracy theories and unsubstantiated rumors.
A wish
When is a Republican candidate who will raise the level of debate and revive the glorious history of the party of Abraham Lincoln?
Link
Labels: Richard Martineau
Saturday, January 29, 2011
The dignity of the believer: An illusion?, by Tania Tokarski
The dignity of the believer:
An illusion?
Some movies show the human misery, The Passion of Christ and Spartacus to name a few. They remind me of that period, shortly before the end of the Roman Empire, the Romans threw the Christians in the Colosseum to feed the lions. Not only are these traitors in Rome continued to defy the order and with their beliefs, despite their plight, but more and more fans subscribed to their religion. "Religious belief is it a consolation for the weak?" The sick, the poor and unfortunate they drew their courage against Rome with a promise of a better world after death? Even today, many people continued to keep the faith when everything goes wrong. Well, I think, as Dr. Sigmund Freud, that religion is a fiction drawn from the mind of a group that wants to better live the harsh reality. Religion is a sedative, it can not be reality.
First, Freud explains the purpose of religion:
"Human beings working together in large numbers to ensure happiness and protection against suffering through a fanciful distortion of reality. But the religions of mankind must be regarded as collective delusions of this kind." (The concepts of human being, p. 74)
Indeed, when everything goes wrong, the man thinks about God, her protective father, and the joy he will experience when he joins. Freud explains that there are three types of sedatives which are used to reduce human suffering: strong diversions such as work, the subjective satisfactions that might be the practice of an art and drugs that affect the body chemistry (morphine, etc..) Religion is in one of these categories. It explained the reason for the existence of human, because it would be untenable to think that the only purpose of existence is survival. The human, after all, sucking the happiness and ways to achieve this are, first, to find more sources of enjoyment possible (eg a family, learning to play an instrument) and secondly, reduce the sources of discontent by the use of sedatives, named above. After all, in the words of Freud, to think that our existence is protected by a father that no one sees can only dream of "children" in need of consolation. For this purpose, religion can not be anything but a consolation for the weak.
However, John Paul II has a different opinion. The teachings of the Bible hold the truth. The Bible can not be fiction as it brings wisdom. The wisdom it speaks introduces the concepts of "human dignity" and "pity" and "equality." The human being is worthy, because God has willed for itself. A responsible person can not be weak. According to the Bible, there exists no weak or strong, because all men are equal before God. The human being is worthy and his ability to think for himself he was left, making sure he can use his intelligence to good or bad choices and travel to learn and exploit its potential. The Bible also reveals that human beings have been created in respect of life. Thus, it mentions solidarity, communication to each other and give what belongs to him, because "God has created in his image." For all these reasons, it can not be weak and religion could not be fictional. Finally, religion is no consolation for the weak as it is one explanation of the mystery of life. Just as valid as the theory of evolution, it remains inécartable.
Now, what concept is most valid? Make a brief return. Freud believed that religion is a sedative for humans, who did not experience the difficulties that life offered him. Man is created a "chimera" collective, ie, religion. It would be a comfort to him. The consequence it (the vision of Freud) results, in my opinion, is good: it encourages the subject to become aware of the means available to it to be happy (ie to find a better job) rather than joining a religious group (which encourages more sharing of experiences as the action on the problem.) However, the ideology of John Paul II is also attractive: all men are equal before God, there is no strong or low. Religion is not a consolation, she teaches the virtues of selflessness, equality and respect for life. It is not fiction, because it is one explanation for the purpose of life. To this end, it brings great value to humans in addition to the hope of life after death. When I think back to what has made the great religions, like Christianity, I integrate the theory of John Paul II. Religion is no consolation for the weak, because it brought about many times. When Rome fell, the Christians have built a new order. Charity to the poor is born of religion (selflessness). Schools, hospitals and other public institutions also started bridge with religion. After these achievements, it would be unfair to compare the weak believers. Persons who perform such great and beautiful things as well as education, health care and public charity (an ancestor of welfare) can not but be strong.
In conclusion, I am, after all, agree with Freud who think religion is a sedative for the people. Religion provides the contrary, explanations of the mysteries of life. It sends fine values and social systems parties such as schools, hospitals and charity. Of course, the religious zeal has had unfortunate consequences, including the genocide of Native Americans or the enslavement of Africans. However, properly used, maybe that religious beliefs could restore hope and zest for life to suicide, often atheists, Quebec. Our statistics on suicide seem to correspond well with the release of religion from our government. Now, if a new religion should be adopted that would best meet the human needs? Christianity, Buddhism or any new religion approaching agnosticism? One day will we know perhaps.
Labels: Atheism, Christianity, Religion and fanaticism, Tania Tokarski
'Christmas is evil': Muslim group launches poster campaign against festive period, by Francis Chartrand
Fanatics from a banned Islamic hate group have launched a nationwide poster campaign denouncing Christmas as evil.
Organisers plan to put up thousands of placards around the UK claiming the season of goodwill is responsible for rape, teenage pregnancies, abortion, promiscuity, crime and paedophilia.
They hope the campaign will help 'destroy Christmas' in this country and lead to Britons converting to Islam instead.
Labour MP and anti racist campaigner Jim Fitzpatrick branded the posters 'extremely offensive' and demanded they were immediately ripped down.
The placards, which have already appeared in parts of London, feature an apparently festive scene with an image of the Star of Bethlehem over a Christmas tree.
But under a banner announcing 'the evils of Christmas' it features a message mocking the song the 12 Days of Christmas.
It reads: 'On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me an STD (sexually transmitted disease).
'On the second day debt, on the third rape, the fourth teenage pregnancies and then there was abortion.'
According to the posters, Christmas is also to responsible for paganism, domestic violence, homelessness, vandalism, alcohol and drugs.
Another offence of Christmas, it proclaims, is 'claiming God has a son'.
The bottom of the poster declares: 'In Islam we are protected from all of these evils. We have marriage, family, honour, dignity, security, rights for man, woman and child.'
The campaign's organiser is 27-year-old Abu Rumaysah, who once called for Sharia Law in Britain at a press conference held by hate preacher leader Anjem Choudary, the leader of militant group Islam4UK.
Former Home Secretary Alan Johnson banned Islam4UK group earlier this year, making it a criminal offence to be a member, after it threatened to protest at Wootton Bassett, the town where Britain honours its war dead.
Mr Rumaysah told the Mail that he was unconcerned about offending Christians.
He said: 'Christmas is a lie and as Muslims it is our duty to attack it.
'But our main attack is on the fruits of Christmas, things like alcohol abuse and promiscuity that increase during Christmas and all the other evils these lead to such as abortion, domestic violence and crime.
'We hope that out campaign will make people realise that Islam is the only way to avoid this and convert.'
Mr Rumaysah, who said his campaign was not linked to any group, boasted that the posters would be put up in cities around the country, including London, Birmingham and Cardiff.
The campaign was highlighted by volunteers from a charity which distributes food and presents to pensioners and the lonely at Christmas.
Sister Christine Frost, founder of the East London Neighbours in Poplar charity, said: 'The more posters I saw, the more angry I got.
'Someone is stirring hatred which leaves the road open to revenge attacks or petrol bombs through letter-boxes.
'I told the Mayor we are all scared.
'If we said such things about Muslims, we'd all be hanging from lamp-posts.
'The posters appear to be professionally printed'.
Poplar and Limehouse MP Mr Fitzpatrick said: 'These posters are extremely offensive and have upset a lot of people - that's why we jumped on it and asked the council to remove them.
'Sister Christine is rooted in the community and doesn't take offence lightly.
'But these hate posters really upset her. Christmas is close to her belief.'
A Met Police spokesman said they had received complaints and were investigating.
He said: 'We are investigating allegations of religious hate crime in Tower Hamlets following complaints about posters displayed in and around the Mile End area.'
Tower Hamlets mayor Lutfur Rahman said the posters had 'upset and antagonised many residents'.
He added: 'The messages on these posters are offensive and do not reflect the views of the Council or the vast majority of residents.
Link
Labels: Christianity, Francis Chartrand, Islam, United Kingdom
Friday, December 24, 2010
Merry Christmas 2010!
Wednesday, October 06, 2010
Well, I just want to show videos on Iceland.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Katy Perry on Sesame Street, by Francis Chartrand
Ah, the Americans, eh?
Personally, I find it silly to see all that shit, but I expect it. Puritanism, and I do not want to scare anyone, but it comes back. Especially these days with Sarah Palin, who dreams of becoming president in 2012. In fact, I even wonder if this is not the Tea Party (organization of Sarah Palin) who did not organize this whole thing very stupid.
She herself has condemned masturbation, while a female candidate for U.S. Senate in Indiana wants to ban masturbation, sex before age 21 across the country, and of course, prohibit the cleavage. By the way, it leads to 64% in voting intentions.
You still think that Katy Perry is not the first victim of puritanical hypocrites? Janet Jackson, avec son cache mamelon qui "tombe" en direct au Super Bowl. Janet Jackson with its cache-nipple which "falls" Live at the Super Bowl. The Little Mermaid by Walt Disney, with a single cache-breast in clamshell Saint-Jacques, parents believed that children who would go see this film would become victims of pedophiles. Also in the same movie, King Triton was also passing for an "adult" in positions of authority.
To return to the person who spoke earlier of Jasmine in Aladdin, Nation of Islam, American Muslim organization, had revolted to the film against Jasmine clothes fearing they think Arab girls are sluts shameless. And a singer who had some trouble, Jessica Simpson, which mothers of Arkansas had made a request to make reducing the breasts, her children had an erection in response to the mother.
You want other singers cursed by the Puritans? Burst, we have treated Madonna in the 80 as female adultery, the Spice Girls we treated as repressed lesbians, the Dixie Chicks we treated as anti-American communists because they were against the war in Iraq, the girls of TATU we treated as Communists lesbians because they are Russian, Lady Gaga we treated as satanic because she dresses in red and black too, Celine Dion we treated as "cursed separatist" because she comes from Quebec and that everyone who comes from Quebec frequents the FLQ, Alanis Morissette that was treated for being "loser" because she sang "O Canada" with the Ottawa Senators jersey, and Avril Lavigne ... we treated as... Canadian, because she is ... Canadian.
But in 1999, Britney Spears liked everyone, even parents very Protestants and Puritans, despite the title of her album "Baby One More Time." Everyone said: "She's so sweet, she's so cute, she's so perfect, she's american."
You are offended to see Katy Perry dressed that way with Elmo on Sesame Street? You should see the youth programs in Brazil, Sweden and the Czech Republic shows that Saturday morning, where young actors are naked for educational programs based on sex education.
In Brazil, a girl of 19 years shows the function of its cells and how to breastfeed. Moreover, it shows the location of her clitoris, how to use and how to masturbate. In Sweden, two young actors of 18 years (a guy and a girl) show young people who start having sex (Teens), how to do foreplay before making love. The comedian took the time to carefully explain how to use a condom, and we see the penetration, so that the whole is pedagogically explained.
The porn educational broadcast on national television. It would not have seen it at Mr. Dressup, is not it?
Labels: Francis Chartrand, Human mistake
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
At school with escort, by Serge Labrosse
It with escort that the four students at Armand-Frappier, stalked for two weeks by as many suspect, Saint-Constant, need, this morning, going to school.
Parents of teenagers will protect them until the suspects have been neutralized.
"We have no choice," says Lyne St-Denis, the mother of a daughter. They do not dare leave the house."
Let's recall that for two weeks, a group of four people in their twenties, the "Hindu" on board vehicles, relentlessly harassing four young girls aged 14 and 15 on the way to school.
Even weekend
One of the suspects is also more than happy to track down the girls during the weekend.
"On Saturday night, tells Ms. St-Denis, Muna (one victim) called me. She said: Lyne, Lyne, I just see them. They are there on the street!"
"She was on bicycle. She saw the Nissan Sentra Green confronting the guy who was turning towards her."
Muna later recounted having once taken hold of his cell.
Lyne St-Denis: "I told him to come straight home, but she was away on the street Monchamp. We did not take any chances. I went to get my van and we loaded his bike to go home."
Housebound
Needless to say that the four friends do not dare leave their homes.
"My daughter, in any case, she stays at home," says St. Denis.
And since the police board Roussillon seems unable to neutralize the suspect, that it would yet completed or intercepted once or twice, according to witnesses - the parents do not intend to relax their vigilance. Already, they have themselves organized some mills to identify and attempt to intercept the suspects, with the risks that entails.
Meanwhile, it is difficult to know whether the case represents an emergency or not the police of Roussillon.
Detectives indifferent
Definitely not for the public relations service in any cas. Informed in late afternoon on Friday that a report would be published the next day on this subject, the agent Rene Fleury has not seen fit to respond to concerns that the parents had entrusted to the Journal. He did not call back.
In a terse message left on the answering machine of journalist the next day, he explained that he had "not returned [our] urgent appeal on Friday evening because" I was at home, very quiet, having dinner with my friends and my wife ...
One could understand his message after he was not paid to answer calls to the weekend, unless it specifically assigns him the task (that his dispatcher had nevertheless made by sending our call).
In any case, the officer concluded Fleury of-factly: "By Monday, it will have to wait ..."
The Journal has relayed the message to victims, who still fear for their safety.
Link
Labels: Hindu World, Hostile races
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Fear on the way to school, by Serge Labrosse
Four students from École secondaire Armand-Frappier, Saint-Constant, on the South Shore, live in fear. Hoodlums have set their sights on them and worry for two weeks, while openly mocking the police Roussillon.
Alexandra, Veronica, Samantha and Muna are between 14 and 15 years. Students in Secondary III, they live a disturbing return to the school district.
Two weeks ago, boys of twenty years of "Hindu" English-speaking residents who say they LaSalle, began to track the four friends, morning, noon and night.
School officials and police are aware since Monday. But five days later, the suspects still prowling around young girls. Up to their respective homes.
Angry relatives
It was enough to provoke more anger among parents, concerned for the safety of their daughters. Two mothers denounce the situation.
"The police tell us they can not do anything if these guys did not touch our girls," they reported.
As it is clearly stalking, they wonder how they can meet it, considering the safety of girls in danger.
Mothers and daughters understand even less the lack of results of the police service they have provided the authorities with the license plate number, model and color of the main vehicle used to follow them. The young victims have even believe the identity of a rogue, who has previously revived on Facebook.
This is the most surprising is that parents, school teachers and the principal herself, then police have intervened more than once with the suspects, who continue to follow the girls into the school parking lot.
The police have even intercepted twice a vehicle used by the suspects, including a frequently-seen driving did not even have a driver's license in good standing. Inconsequential.
"We should not expect that people will do themselves justice," warns the mother of one victim.
"They expect what, asks Lyne St-Denis, the mother of another. That one of our girls would be attacked? Kidnapped? Raped? They can not even leave their homes unaccompanied. It is necessary that the police act. "
Link
Labels: Hindu World, Hostile races
Monday, September 13, 2010
The future of the register in the heart of debates, by Francis Chartrand
At least one week of the resumption of the House of Commons question from the register of firearms is the subject of extensive negotiations within the New Democratic Party.
Met in National caucus meeting in Regina, the NDP will discuss farm in the coming days on the strategies they adopt in the House, including the vote to be held next week on the abolition of the register of firearms. The vote promises to be tight if only one or two votes could decide the future of the register to the Harper government wants to abolish.
If the Bloc Quebecois and the Liberal Party was imposed party discipline on the issue, the NDP leader Jack Layton, has preferred to let his members vote their conscience, a position that fuels the debate within the party and leaves the suspense over the future of the register of firearms.
There are less than one year, 12 of the 36 NDP members were in favor of the bill to abolish the registration of shotguns. Three members have changed their position since.
The others are in the midst of intense discussions within the party that holds the future of the register of firearms in his hands. The party leader, Jack Layton, for its part intends to vote against the abolition of the register of firearms. He is now attempting to rally dissident MPs within his party.
"We seek to build bridges between the various opinions in order to find solutions so that the registry works better," explained Jack Layton on Sunday on Radio-Canada.
"A lack of leadership", denounced the Bloc
Uncertainty in the NDP irritates the Bloc leader Gilles Duceppe. Met in caucus Monday morning in Montreal, Gilles Duceppe accused Layton to show "a pitiful lack of leadership" by refusing to require its members to save the register of firearms.
"It is not with the NDP Jack Layton that the road is blocked to the Conservatives," said Bloc leader against its troops.
For the NDP member Claude Gravelle, the future of the register does not rely on the NPD, several members of other parties are also, according to him, in favor of abolishing the registry. "Let's see how many Liberals will be absent for the vote," he said during an interview on Radio-Canada.
It's Wednesday, September 22 that the vote on the abolition of the register of firearms to be held in the House of Commons.
Link
Well, my comment now. There are nearly three years ago, December 16, 2007, I learned from the media that me and Micheline Montreuil were no more candidates. If you remember my story, you understand that I had heard the news through the Toronto Star, and later, 43 other candidates had withdrawn in the following weeks to protest against my ouster.
The reason for my ouster? I spoke in January 2007 against the reasonable accommodation on religious grounds because it threatened the gender equality, equality Canadian / immigrant, equality practicing / non practicing, equal to the origin an immigrant, because 22% of Canadians are of ethnic origin, and in these 22% of immigrants, 79% have fled their country to get away from religious fundamentalism, and 89% have fled their country to take shelter from the dictatorship.
Is it normal to seek the integration of secularism in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms? Of course there is, especially with 4 of 5 immigrants who want to know nothing to religious fundamentalists. In all the left parties on the planet, there is a motion claiming that the state is secular. All the left parties? No. In Canada, there is a political party of indomitable multiculturalists totalitarian and absolute, which still holds to reason, even often challenged by the Canadian Muslim Congress, Sino Canadian Congress, the Canadian Buddhist Federation, and so on . And life is not easy for other political parties, the Conservative Party, the Liberal Party, Bloc Quebecois and the Green Party.
Of course, I was talking about the NDP. The NDP, New Right Party, uh no, New Democratic Party rejected the idea that we talk about the separation of church and state, separation of Mosque and the state, the separation of synagogue and state. To make me feel guilty for having such an idea, I was called a racist, Nazi, pork, anti-Semitic, Islamophobic, in short, even dawn white, despite the fact that immigrants were joined my idea of resolution.
If I understood it in January 2008, the NDP had wanted to put his party line in an absolute policy of multiculturalism, even to get anyone's religion above all freedom of all Canadians of all origins.
Well, let's talk about the party line. What right Jack Layton supports a free vote on the register of firearms? Jack had feet and hands to the National Congress of the NDP in Quebec City in 2006, when he had said that his party would never abandon the registry. This simple sentence of his long speech closing the Congress had won him great applause. Just as the National Congress of the NDP in 2009 in Halifax, which I did not attend.
What about this speech? A speech that changed to be more elective, probably more to join the Prairies, the home of the NDP. Maybe the party has no funds for election campaigns, so twelve members of the NDP would vote with the Conservatives, and they would because the NDP does not want to go to election.
Anyway, some NDP in Manitoba and Ontario have been elected in 2008 to maintain the national register of firearms, it would be a shame to call into question their seat at the next election, what do you think, Jack!
Labels: Francis Chartrand, New Democratic Party
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Burning Qur'an, by Francis Chartrand
Burning Qur'an, it was worth it really worth it?
Yeah, why burn Qur'an? It does only add fuel to the fire, in the case to say, fire. It goes only to spread hatred altogether useless. But, needless spread of hatred? While these days, we'll hang a woman in Iran because she has slept with a man outside of marriage?
Burning Qur'an, but why? This week, everyone took the pastor of Florida, Terry Jones, a fool because he wanted to make a bonfire in his own way to burn Qur'an on the morning of Sept. 11, to meet hatred of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, allegedly by Muslim fanatics. Let's play devil's advocate for a brief moment.
How many books have been burned by the Nazis? Nobody knows. How many Bibles have been burned by the Romans? Nobody knows. How manuscripts of Maya and Incas were destroyed by Spanish Conquistadors? Nobody knows.
They say that they are Muslims who have returned to the Twin Towers, as they say the fact that ten million American Indians were exterminated by the big bad Canadian who wanted to Christianize the Aboriginal people during 20th century, dis we burn the Bible? No, the Indians in both Canada and Peru have converted to Christianity, they are pretty weak for that and it's not my problem.
But the Canadian Indians, themselves, leave religion more and more, the better since they follow the whites, but it is foolish to think that the Gang of 18 of Toronto was to convert Aboriginal people to Islam, since there is not a single mosque in any country's reserve. Let us recall the Chief of the Gang of 18 in Toronto who wanted to bomb CN Tower would also to convert to Islam the Aboriginal people to massacre Quebecers.
No, do not burn the Qur'an, it would be cowardly. Rather convert Muslims to, say, rather, apostasy. Imagine: each morning of September 11, we do a ceremony where more than ten thousand Muslims in North America, leave Islam, on Fox News or CNN or RDI. Imagine: ten thousand Muslims at least, perhaps twenty thousand, year after year leave Islam, or choose Christianity or Judaism as another religion or become simply atheists.
Yes, we must fight fire with fire. Let's not try to parley with those who threatened us this week. Let's not play to 'My religion is better than yours', rather to play 'You really think that only Christians défroquent? Well no, and here's the proof.'
What? They try to convert us very well in Canada, let's do the same thing, they want us dechristianize, let's deislamize them. That's it. The ace of spades to the ace of clubs, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. It's not even revenge, is simply put the record straight. We, Westerners, we are not superior to Muslims, but we are not inferior either.
Had we not emptied our churches? Let's help them to empty their mosques. Once defrocked, these deislamized Muslims will thank us. 'I'm as big as God and God is as small as me.' Do not worry, I only target Islamists.
Labels: Francis Chartrand, Islam, Religion and fanaticism
We will remember, by Francis Chartrand
Wednesday, September 08, 2010
To Claude Bechard, by Anne Humphreys
To Claude Bechard,
Rest in peace away from all the hassles of daily life. You have been for your country one of the most outstanding politician, and your hometown that you served very well can be proud of it.
You will always remain in our hearts and memories.
My sympathies to his family, his friends, colleagues and the people of Quebec.
Farewell Claude,
Anne Humphreys
Labels: Anne Humphreys
Too soon, by Richard Martineau
Richard Martineau
08/09/2010 4:39
In October 2009, the Minister Claude Bechard was interviewed very touching and very lucid Josélito Michaud. "If it comes back, I know it's over," he said. It comes back. And he died at age 41, hours after it was bizarrely announced his resignation.
We always repeat the same phrases about the death.
No justice
"Death is the only justice here", and "should live each day as if it were the last."
Both statements are probably the dumbest sentences ever imposed.
Indeed, how can death be considered a form of justice?
Bastards die in their sleep 92 years while citizens are best carried by terrible diseases in the prime of life.
Where is where the justice in that? The Spanish dictator Franco died at 83 years. Maurice Papon, the French war criminal who helped the Nazis in deporting hundreds of Jews, dead at age 97. Henry Kissinger, who instigated the coup in Chile and authorized the bombing of Cambodian civilians, 87 years and has always delivered speeches at the four corners of the planet.
Claude Bechard, he died of pancreatic cancer at age 41, survived by four children ...
No wonder that man invented God. How could we endure such injustice, if not?
The last day
The second sentence is equally stupid.
Because let's be honest: if we lived each day as if it was the last person would not work, we would be all in Olomouc Olomouc islands, a cocktail in each hand ...
At the end of his life when he felt the breath of the Grim Reaper on his neck, Claude Bechard said that had he known he would not have so much work, he spent more time with his wife and children ...
"During the night, you think child that you do not have time to do," he told Denis Lessard.
This year, he was able to attend the show year-end of his two biological daughters.
"It was the first time ... and you can not stop thinking that this may be the last, "he said, choking with emotion.
Under the carpet
It works, it works ...
Why? What it gives, at the end? More money? Some honors?
Do you really think that at the end of your days when you feel the life leave you, you say: "I had to work a little more? Spending a few extra weekends in front of my computer?"
We all behave as though we were immortal. Mind you, this may be the only way to live. Sweep this big monster under the carpet, and line ...
Face death
As my idol, the journalist Christopher Hitchens, who is dying of cancer of the esophagus, Claude Bechard has faced death with dignity and fortitude.
"We can not always put his plans later, he launched Josélito. They must do it now ... "
The young minister had already established the "other side" when he said that.
But we who inhabit the land of the living still, are we able to hear this message?
Labels: Parti Libéral du Québec, Québec, Richard Martineau
Bastarache Commission: the hacker, by Richard Martineau
Richard Martineau
07/09/2010 4:40
The Committee Bastarache still a funny, sensitive sound hacker, you can not find?
After all, the Gomery commission was based on facts.
There was an investigation by the Auditor General, information, evidence, reports in the newspapers showing by example that the government had paid $ 550,000 to a marketing firm for a report that no one could find, etc..
In short, this commission was based on the solid. We had every reason in the world of developing.
On sand
However, the Committee Bastarache based on unproven allegations and not proven.
Bellemare said the Prime Minister said such a matter. Charest said that it is false.
No fact, no evidence. What assertions. As Anglos say: "He says, hey says."
Or you believe the Prime Minister or you believe the former Minister of Justice.
Unless a last minute surprise (a cookie hidden in closet that has heard it all), the commission will never succeed in revealing what really happened between these two men.
Doubts continue to float.
Haters will Charest fiduciary principle of presumption of innocence and convict him. Those who love it will defend tooth and nail, saying he was the subject of a settling of accounts.
No skeptic will be confused, no believer will not be converted.
Duelling
In fact, Bastarache is not a commission. It is a duel.
Marc Bellemare has launched claims questioning the honesty and respectability of Jean Charest. Charest went and created a commission of inquiry to clear his name.
At other times (at the time of muskets and top hats), Charest slapped his former minister in public and would have summoned to appear at the edge of a forest in the early hours of the morning with a witness and a pistol.
Contrary to the Gomery commission, the commission took no both been set up to inform people that wash the honor of a politician.
Come see comedians
The LCN network card disseminating board hearings Bastarache. Normal: this is the best theater in town.
Given that such allegation can be proved, it is all about the game and the credibility of the belligerents.
The issue is not "who will tell the truth?" (They probably never would have known), but "SEEMS as telling the truth?"
So we carefully scanning the faces of the two adversaries.
The slightest blink of an eye, a drop of sweat, the slightest tremor of the cheek are analyzed, dissected, skinned.
It's like when the American judge Clarence Thomas was accused of sexual harassment by Anita Hill.
The Republicans took to him. The Democrats took for her.
But what has really happened between these two people? Nobody can say with certainty.
Our vision of the facts depends on our political allegiance.
A disturbing experience
In the twelfth century, Ibn Munqidh Syrian prince attended a duel between a blacksmith and an old man.
The experience was profoundly shocked.
"Where was the justice in that?," He cried. Where was the criminal? Where was the innocent?"
Damn good question.
Labels: Parti Libéral du Québec, Québec, Richard Martineau
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Tribute to Claude Bechard
Hello Claude,
Here I learned that your departure from the policy that morning, and now I hear your death at dinner time. I'll miss you, tremendously. I am proud to have worked at your side few years ago.
I want to wish your spouse, to your four children, and your parents and friends my deepest condolences.
Good bye Claude,
Francis Chartrand
Labels: Francis Chartrand, Parti Libéral du Québec
Monday, September 06, 2010
The modern philosophy and the modern project, by Tania Tokarski
Introduction
In the seventeenth century, there has been various changes in the world of thought. We then challenged the authorities of the past and the tradition. In this context, religious beliefs and superstitions take a new dimension. Now, they relate only to personal life. Accordingly, the dogmas of faith have more to intervene in the development of thought. This revolution is the result of a long and slow process that begins in the late Middle Ages, and specifying accelerating the Renaissance, and he led some modern thinkers to oppose those who want to remain faithful to ideals of the past.
Key Features
Chronologically, the modern successor to the Renaissance. The word "modern" comes from Latin and means modernus: that is recent. The intellectual approach that characterizes modern thinking still plays a dominant role in our society. But modernity is primarily a cultural phenomenon characterized by a major intellectual revolution, itself spurred by unprecedented technological development. Advances in transportation, the emergence of printing and urbanization will facilitate knowledge flows. Therefore, the reference to tradition is taking a new meaning. Thus, the modern thinkers are explicitly opposed to religious or traditional ideas that dominated the previous era.
Open to new ideas, we will attempt to construct a representation of the world from a new foundation, new paradigms (paradigm: model). For example, we leave the representation of the geocentric cosmos System (Ptolemy) for construction of the heliocentric universe (N. Copernicus). In short, the land is no longer the center of the world.
The technological advances that characterized the birth of modernity will also promote the transformation of the economic, social and political. Gradually, an industrial economy will grow. This form of production and distribution is based on a principal values of modern thought: efficiency. On the purely philosophical, the relatively new concept of rational, autonomous individual, claiming more and more freedom of conscience (Luther) and action against feudalism primarily religious, political, then, is a breeding ground for the Vision and capitalist world.
Modern thought will find new bases for those values of technical efficiency and instrumental and freedom. It will particularly enhance the powers of our particular reason. So in itself that modern thought will find the new metaphysical foundations it seeks. This means that assigns a fundamental role of subjectivity in the process of knowledge. In other words, the truth does not correspond either to a divine revelation or mystical, or a very ancient belief. Now, we accept as truth only what can be critically examined by reason, by following a strictly rational demonstration. The philosophical concept of modernity means that new way of thinking and the new hierarchy of value that follows. We can say this time it is the era of triumphant reason.
Think of Rene Descartes (1596-1650), Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679), John Locke (1632-1704), Baruch Spinoza (1632-1677), Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz (1646-1716), David Hume (1711 -1776) and many others, modern philosophers were concerned with a very high degree by the sense of their approach and the thoroughness and accuracy of their system. In this context, mathematics and the sciences of nature are often monopolize energy. The modern feel, sometimes blindly, in the liberating power of science. That is why this last one will be asked to produce a society of free individuals of all constraints.
Reason
Because they no longer take account of revelation, faith and religious belief as a criterion of truth, modern thinkers no longer consider the universe as a world of unfathomable mysteries. Specifically, modern thought only accept explanations that are rational. The autonomy of reason is the main characteristic of modern thought. The world is no longer a sacred structure, but an intelligible reality which we can discover the laws by careful observation and methodical. In short, we believe that the universe obeyed rational laws. That is to say that the laws that determine the nature conform to the laws that determine thought. Moreover, modern thinkers believe that every human being has the ability to reason. Everyone, in principle, can therefore understand the laws that govern nature. To do this, simply take the trouble to think rationally because his drive well to find some truth, "as Descartes.
Since every individual has the ability to reason properly, the modern thinkers will believe that all humans are equal. Consequently, they will invite each human to use their minds to free themselves of the power of any form of arbitrary authority. By reason, therefore, the individual has a dignity of its own and under which it no longer required to be sacrificed in favor of powers that are beyond him. For the modern thinker, the self (or the individual or subjectivity) and everything connected with it is therefore a paramount value, almost sacred.
However, do not believe that intellectuals have invented modern reason or rationality. Do not forget that since birth, philosophy and science promote rational thought. But whether the reason was a tool among others, the reason obeyed, at least in part, other than its own principles. What is distinctive of modern thought is the invention of a new intellectual attitude that reason exclusively obeys the rules it has imposed itself strictly in order to establish links indubitable between causes and effects observable in nature or between ideas and realities to which they correspond. We call this approach intellectual rationalism and it will generate great enthusiasm for a class of thinkers. Rationalism leads the thinker to look for certainties that can be explained rationally beyond a reasonable doubt, whereas in past centuries, thinkers often sought by both the use of reason as other tools, truths revealed type interpretation.
For Cartesian rationalism, nature is composed only of matter and it works like a machine, that is to say that the universe is strictly governed by mechanical forces which are also subject to the laws of reason. We can say that the reason seems to have taken possession of everything in the universe as conceived by the rationalists. They also discover that the laws of nature can be expressed in mathematical language. In other words, we realize that the material and mechanical forces at play in nature are measurable. Thus, thanks to mathematics, we will be able to read the great book of nature.
The modern project
Nicolas Copernicus (1473-1543), Johannes Kepler (1571-1630), Isaac Newton (1642-1723), Galileo (1564-1642) and all modern scientists seeking to understand the universe in a very specific purpose. It's about becoming, in the words of Descartes , master and owner of nature by the use of reason, that in order to improve the lives of human beings. We can speak of the modern project: the progress of science and art, modern thinkers wanted to liberate the human suffering and what alienates. It therefore influences the development of productive forces for domination of natural phenomena by science and technology. The philosophers and modern scientists believe that this development of knowledge and technology must necessarily produce an improvement in our social and political conditions. The modern project is at once philosophical, scientific and sociopolitical. This desire for liberation through the benefits of science and technology gives rise to an unprecedented scientific renewal. Three elements characterize this revival:
a) A work of methodical observation: to understand and control nature, we must work rigorously, which means the systematic observation of natural phenomena. Added to this is the validation of theories and assumptions by meticulous experimentation. The accuracy of theoretical concepts must allow to dominate any natural or social process that enslaves human beings.
b) The unity of science: by the common use of mathematics, modern scientists consider science as a tree. Thus, since the sciences share the same language, we come to imagine a hierarchy of knowledge and science, mathematics form the core which is connected with various branches of science.
c) Multiple advances and inventions: with the systematic observation and rigorous work, we see many important theoretical discoveries that often lead to various practical inventions designed to improve the lot of the human condition. Here is embodied the idea of the modern project, that of a "Progress Liberator". In this context, efficiency and productivity values are extremely positive. The modern thinkers did not conceive the dehumanizing side often attributed to these values today.
Do not forget that it is the rigorous use of reason which alone can make this progress possible liberator. It now uses the concept of instrumental rationality to describe this attitude of mind which is exclusively oriented towards the development techno.
Conclusion
Finally, modernity will transform the lives of Western policy. Since all are able to use their reason, everyone should have the right to speak and must share the reigns of power. The moderns are thus gradually try to replace the forms of power based on violence and arbitrariness by democracy.
In almost all scientific, artistic and intellectual of this period, we will witness a fierce battle between those who uphold the traditions and those who promote new ideas. This opposition culminated in literature in what historians have called the quarrel between ancients and moderns. On the side of Veterans include Nicolas Boileau (1636-1711), Jean de Lafontaine (1621-1695), Jean Racine (1639-1699), Jean de la Bruyere (1645-1696), while we can classify Charles Perrault ( 1628-1703), Thomas Cornelius (1625-1709) and Fontenelle (1657-1757) in the ranks of the Moderns.
Briefly, we can say that the modern era ends at the beginning of the twentieth century. However, early in the nineteenth century, philosophers will reject the modern project. During the twentieth century, critics will become increasingly radical. The so-called postmodern thinkers sometimes will try to show that if rational thought has produced the promised progress, however, this progress has not proved liberating that reason can not be totally reliable, trustworthy ; that modern thought has made our world a dull gray, it is responsible for the disenchantment of the world.
Labels: Tania Tokarski
Sunday, September 05, 2010
Dogs of War, by Richard Martineau
Richard Martineau
02/09/2010 7:14
Before yesterday, I was in Normandy on Juno Beach, Courseulles-sur-Mer, where thousands of soldiers in Canada and Quebec were landed June 6, 1944 to liberate Europe and go kick the ass of the Nazis.
I went to shoot a story which I will speak on the day of broadcast on Télé-Québec.
Heroes and bastard
I met two Normans who, each in its own way, have seen war up close.
The son of a French resistance fighter wanted by the Gestapo, who lost his father and his mother the day of landing (they were killed by Allied bombing).
And a bristling military medals that made the war Algeria.
The two spoke to me (microwave closed) Charles de Gaulle.
For the first, the great Charles was a hero who led the French people to victory. For the second, he was a bastard who betrayed the French military in granting independence to Algeria.
Two men, two facets of the same person.
The two wars
Two facets of the war, too. As I started the veteran of Algeria, who came back from the front head down "the war in the Aures had nothing comparable to the Second World War. It was a dirty war. Our enemies do not wear uniforms, they were everywhere, there was no front, no rule was the guerrilla ...."
And unlike the 1944 fighters, veterans of "war without a name" does not return home to applause, but in a shameful silence reproachful.
They are all suspected of being racist, of torturing and chewed the "gook" ...
Roll of honor
Faced with the Juno, the Museum honoring the soldiers who liberated Normandy, there are austere columns where the names of the fighters appear ...
Some have participated in the landings, others have made the campaign of Italy had occupied Berlin.
There are also the names of Canadian soldiers killed in action during the current war in Afghanistan.
The soldiers of World War II came back from the front with the feeling of work. They had a mission to fulfill, and they have met. Relatives of those killed by the bullets of Nazis may console themselves by saying that their son, their brother or sister did not die for nothing.
The verdict of history
But what about the veterans of Iraq or Afghanistan? What were these deaths, these sacrifices?
Not only the region is still as unstable, but bin Laden is still running and the Islamist movement is also dangerous, if not more.
One could even say that these unpopular wars have served to fuel the jihadist movement, rather than extinguish it.
"I'm not against all wars. Only against stupid wars ", has already said Barack Obama.
I wonder how history will judge those that are currently the United States and Canada ...
Sports idiot
After surfing for the mindless youth have invented a new sport: balconing. It is diving into a pool from the balcony of your hotel room.
Since the beginning of the year, nine tourists were killed in the Balearics.
You can not stop progress ...
Link
Labels: Richard Martineau
The school for women, by Richard Martineau
Richard Martineau
01/09/2010 4:38
The Quebec school is it inappropriate to the needs of boys? Is it too feminine? That is the question posed Aegis Royer Lessons elephant: the success of boys in school, an essay clarifying who has just come out in press.
For the specialist in special education, the answer is a resounding Yes. Our education system, he says, is singularly lacking in testosterone.
Effect Hygrade
The boys need positive role models to emulate, both at home and at school. However, as pointed out by Aegis Royer, 2006-2007 to 2008-2009, the percentage of male teachers in Quebec schools (preschool, primary and secondary) increased overall by 29.4% to 22.5%.
And judging from the number of male student in science education to become teachers, the trend will grow.
How to explain this phenomenon?
Probably the effect Hygrade. The school is feminized, because the men fled, the men flee, because the school is feminized.
In short, the fewer male teachers, there will be fewer male teachers.
School mat
What is a school "female"? It is a school where boys can not tug at the playground, where it is forbidden to climb the hills of snow, where the slightest chamaillage is perceived as a sign of violence and aggression, where competition is being alienated, which are distributed as Ritalin Smarties and where adventure books, magazines, sports and heroic epics are missing libraries.
A school where you must remain seated quietly, both buttocks stuck on the chair, even if you have the hormones in the ceiling.
A school where young Sikhs can proudly wear their kirpan while the boys who show the penknife that their grandfather bought them are sent to a psychologist illico.
Where are the guys?
Aegis Royer right to say that Quebec schools is ill-suited to the needs of boys.
But before pointing the finger at the education system and make it (again) the State responsible for our problems, we should perhaps look in the mirror and ask ourselves what kind of models we are for our children .
For example, how many boys see their fathers read? (And when I say read, I mean something other than the TV Guide.)
My friend Benoit Dutrizac, who has written some thrillers bloody, kept repeating to me when we worked together: "Richard, the guys do not read! I come from the book fair, and there were only women. If it was girls who buy books, go to the theater and attending museums, culture fall ... "
A little effort
That said, the world of work (where competition is fierce and inflexible hours) is not particularly suited to the "values" that we associate - rightly or wrongly - to women, and they have still managed to it an enviable.
They have not spent their time complaining: they are rolled up the sleeves and dark.
That sounds good "fit" school for boys.
But it would also draw the guys girls, and they learn the culture of effort and perseverance.
Link
Labels: Richard Martineau
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