In a previous post, I discussed the audio from a talk about "western values"/universal values and my constant struggle between what is right and wrong.
My parents often talk about the pendulum that swings too far one way or the other in society to correct itself. I have commented on other people's blogs about throwing the baby out with the bathwater. I do think our society has swung too far in the direction of non-judgement in an attempt to throw out past wrongs of society.
Again, if you are considering your view on life and right and wrong, as everyone should, I would urge you to listen and consider that the pendulum is swinging toward evil in this direction as well.
h/t Tolerance (Bumped) - Small Dead Animals
The link in the previous post was taken down but you can find it on Comedy Central now.
Is America Ready for a Woman President?
I know the title makes you think about Clinton but this is actually not about Bill.
I just listened to a debate in Britain about "western" values versus other values. At first I thought it was about this difference but it appears the debate was about ASSERTING "western" values against other values.
If you have alot of time and are questioning yourself on this issue, it is well worth it.
A commenter pointed out that the values discussed are, in fact, universal values, and the west has adopted them. I would agree with that. I am disheartened when people state that these "universal values" are not for everyone. Values like freedom of religion, equality of sexes, etc are universal values. We should all really question ourselves if only certain people deserve these values and basic rights and how far we should go to ensure they do.
One of the questions to be considered is the term "value". For example, if I value equality regardless of religion as well as valuing freedom of religion, does that mean that Sharia law is valid for women because it is their religion? I would argue absolutely not because it transgresses universal values.
The other term bandied about in the debate is asserting. Does asserting always mean violence or does it simply mean defending AND, if we do not defend, then are we on a path to being overrun by other values? Along those lines, I often think of countries like neighbors. If my neighbor is beating his wife, do I let that pass because it is permitted in their religion? If I call the police and they do nothing, where and when do I step in? If females are not equal in another country, do I step in and assert my values? How far should I take it? These are questions I have examined and discussed with many people over the years and struggle. Do universal values of freedom and equality trump a neighbor's "way of life" or a country's "way of life" and how do you defend that to yourself. I, for example, would have stood by interfering in Iraq AND Darfur without UN approval. (I don't believe you can stand by interfering in Darfur without UN approval without standing by Iraq as well but that's another long debate for another day.)
Additionally, if you truly believe in universal values for everyone and realistically it is not feasible to interfere everywhere, how do you pick and choose. We each decide what we can and cannot live with... what do you tell yourself? Keep in mind that a question about level of interference is something to think about and what do you tell yourself?. Are you okay with your neighbor's wife or wives being beaten for many years while you discuss it or while the police don't do anything about it?
Here's another question I read the other day and it is a loaded question. I value democracy however, if a majority of Canadians wanted to vote in a government that believed in Sharia law which transgresses universal values of freedom or equality, what happens then? Has democracy failed for me?
These are all questions I wrestle with throughout my life and often on my blog. Although the UK debate doesn't touch on some of these things, it is worth the listen to get you thinking...
http://www.spectator.co.uk/
Samantha B on the Daily Show parodies Sex in the City. I don't watch the Daily Show but after seeing this clip, I will have to start. Regardless of your political leanings, this is hilarious. I don't care who you are, this is funny!
There is an interesting list of 101 People Who Are Screwing up Canada. There are a few I don't think should be on there and many I absolutely agree with. The one person missing that should be number 1 is Pierre Trudeau. I am not sure why he's not on the list. It could be that he's not active at the present time however, in my opinion, his policies from years ago are actively screwing up Canada to this day. The even sadder thing is - I didn't even question the premise.
h/t SDA
... and it annoys me that my taxes are paying for this. On the up side, it was inspiring to watch this woman speak. It's too bad it was interspersed with the embarrassing interviewer who is a complete idiot in my opinion. It is interesting to read the comments and I wonder if his lineage is true... if so, it explains alot.
Watch how this woman calmly responds to his inane questions. I admire this because I would have lost my temper. Mind you, this woman has been through so much in her life, I'm sure this interview and his attitude were irrelevant.
Evil Anti-American Infestation!
I really think it is a travesty that Moore's movies are misrepresented as documentaries rather than the fictional set up they are. Regardless, I am thinking by now that most people take what he portrays with a barrel of salt.
As I have portrayed in a previous blog, I can't understand how anyone can consider Cuba as a model for anything. I wonder how the US, or Canada for that matter, would feel about tourists paying for better care than their citizens get. Here are some more pics I have found on blogs regarding the state of healthcare for the Cuban citizen:
The Real Sicko Pictures: Cuba's Healthcare
Yep, that's some real compassion there!!!
'Cuz you know... considering Scotland's foreign policy and their intrusion into Middle Eastern affairs, it was only a matter of time.
The latest attack on Scotland should show you that the Iraq war, foreign policy, etc has nothing to do with radical Islam's attack on western culture.
Glasgow Airport Attack Linked to Attempted London Bombings
This blows. It makes me want to go out and EXHALE a whole bunch right in front of a lawyer or an environmentalist.
Law Firms Preparing to Sue over Global Warming
On the other hand, perhaps we'll hear some actual facts for a change from the defense lawyers. Personally, Salem Witch Trials come to mind.. there was a consensus there too.
As in the previous post where I believe the victim mentality pays (with no positive results for society), it has become obvious to me that crime pays.
Last month, I heard on the radio that there were two major arrests in Calgary on the sale of credit card skimming devices over the internet. I'm listening to the news story on the radio about the first arrest and the news announcer states that this is the 4th time the perpetrator has been arrested on similar but less serious charges THIS YEAR. What is going on in our court systems in Calgary? Shouldn't the second conviction THIS year (considering it was May of THIS YEAR) have resulted in incarceration for the rest of THIS YEAR, or, at the very least, the third!!!?
Aside from that, one of my pet peeves is doing work over again. I feel for the Calgary Police who are arresting criminals over and over again and the perpetrators simply walk out and continue their crimes. Unbelievable.
Granted, I avoid watching and reading much of the MSM for my news and I am much more informed internationally for it, but I have not seen much outcry from the left for the Palestinians and horrors there. In fact, when asking people, they don't seem to be aware of what is going on. I believe it is because Israel hasn't been involved in the death and destruction in Palestine. Had Israel stepped in, I assure you the many more people would be aware because the MSM and the left would be blaming Israel.
For those of you who do not know, there has been major internal warfare going on in Palestine. I think the following articles are great reads and point to the irrationality of the victim mentality. This victim mentality shows how groups, minorities, cultures, countries, etc do themselves a disservice and do not grow and become stronger. I believe it is part of the problem with society everywhere, including factions of our own.
Palestine is an example of this.
Watch the Fault Line
Israel a beacon for Mid East
h/t National Newswatch
The BBC has just completed a report on their own bias in reporting the news. This is refreshing and I wonder why they were prompted to investigate their bias. I would expect their numbers are down or perhaps they receive many complaints. Whatever the reason, good on them for investigating it and good on them for coming through with an honest report on themselves. It is refreshing because they could just bury their heads in the sand and proclaim they have no bias like the MSM who are losing their market share out there.
The mainstream media in the US and Canada could learn a lesson and the CBC, in particular, would do well to read the report. The CBC, funded by our Canadian government, and other MSM outlets (including newspapers and the parliamentary press gallery) continue to intertwine their socialist thinking and left wing bias into news reports. They do not even call them editorials anymore but news. They then wonder why they lose their viewership, readership, etc and why conservative talk radio and blogs are thriving.
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. I would think the CBC is insane but on reflection, they continue to do this, have extremely low ratings, and soak up the taxpayers money. It is obviously working for them and ratings are of no consequence to them. It's no wonder I lose my mind whenever I hear of my tax money funding it. I must be insane to think the CBC would consider this report or bother looking at themselves like the BBC has done. Obviously, there is more accountability in the UK.
BBC's Complete Report on its Bias: 'Safeguarding Impartiality in the 21st Century'
There are alot of horrible things happening in this world. Worldwide poverty and starvation, genocide, human slavery, women being stoned to death for being raped, people in China being sacrificed for their organs, girls undergoing genital mutilation, etc. Right here in Canada and the US, we have child pornography, pedophiles and violent criminals getting off easy to repeat offend, huge healthcare deficiencies, homeless people who should be in mental health facilities, etc. Environmentally, we have sewage and chemicals being dumped into oceans and rivers, pollution, animal cruelty, etc. I could go on and on about the evils and injustices of the world.
It is because of these issues that I am particularly furious with the whole "theory" of global warming. It has become a religion for enviroradicals and a top priority. How did this happen? A consensus was apparently reached by scientists but that, by no means, enshrines this belief system as fact. I won't get into all the arguments but suffice it to say, this CO2 theory has become a FACT and to question it is heresy. Like Irshad Manji from my previous post, there is something vastly wrong with a "religion" that does not allow open discussion or questioning of it.
The worst thing about this religion is, much like radical Islamist, this belief is being forced on me. Submission is the only answer or you are evil and stupid. This point was raised by Al in a post on a friend's blog and I think it is, unfortunately, true and scary. Submission involves billions of dollars in investment and lost opportunities in our country being excised from our taxes. These dollars are being funnelled in the name of Kyoto to countries throughout the world for not producing and regardless of their stances on human rights. How would you like it if you were forced to contribute billions of your tax dollars to the Catholic church because there is a consensus that God exists and overall, the religion has alot of good in it with the Thou shalt not kill, treat others as yourself, etc. or even worse, another religion in another country?
The worst part about all this is to think of all the good all that energy and money could do for people? Think of all the good all that enery and money could do for our environment? Think of all the people it could feed or areas in Canada that could be preserved. How has a theory trumped all the proven issues we are facing in our country? In a truly free compassionate country, why aren't we fighting Sharia Law instead of imposing Sharia Environmental law? (good point Al!) Since when did this belief trump all other beliefs to the point of "YOU WILL SUBMIT" whether you believe or not.
This post was precipitated from the following post at Procrastinatrix' blog:
I'm turning into a Xenophobe
I watched the PBS show "America at a Crossroads". There was a very bright young Canadian Muslim woman named Irshad Manji. Among many excellent points was a pearl of wisdom that went something like:
"In a diverse society, you will very likely be offended. Being offended is not the same as being oppressed."
Wise words and I will be thinking about this over the next few days. It is a good lesson. Is being offensive a criminal offense? Should it be? I think it has become so and how free or diverse is a society when this is the case. Very interesting.
Really, he was just asking for it. Between his foreign policies and his arrogant aggressive stances with other countries, who can blame the terrorists??? Perhaps the Buddhists are conspiring to knock off the Dalai Lama in order to blame it on terrorists and take over some country's oil? In fact, the Dalai Lama's actions are creating more terrorists.
Ridiculous? Of course it is.... and so is the idea that America is to blame for the terrorist threats and past attacks on their citizens.
Kate makes the point a little more elegantly than I do:
The Consequences of Buddhist Imperialism.
D.J. tries to shine a little reality into fantasy land
Will the lefties admit there's a war on now?
And really, Al Qaeda might as well stand in line because fundamental Christians are just as bad. I am sure the Dalai Lama is on their hit list as well.... sheeeeesh.
I just watched the documentary The Great Global Warming Swindle. I have some questions regarding some points but less questions than I have regarding An Inconvenient Truth. I must say, I am getting more and more cynical regarding the UN, the media, hollywood, etc as I grow older. There are agendas everywhere and you must be very careful when viewing or reading anything anymore. This documentary should be watched by all who swallow everything hook, line, and sinker and especially those who watched the Academy Award winning documentary by Al Gore, who, incidentally, buys carbon credits in his own company. That alone should make you question his agenda.
Here are some links to blogs regarding the global warming hype and the OTHER documentary.
Thank heavens for bloggers because you won't hear this on the MSM as a rule.
