Notes #41

I never thought that I would have the desire to write about 45 again but.... His effect on the Republican Party is surprising, startling, remarkable, and absolutely scary.

I would have thought that those members of the Republican Party would be thankful that 45 and his 32,000 + lies would be gone. After all, they are part of a political system that has been held up to the world as the bastion of democracy. But no. They are refusing to see the damage he has done and only look at him as a way to get re-elected; what is best for the country doesn't seem to matter to them.

Most Republicans have sold out and have shown themselves to be cut from the same cloth as their previous self- centred, narcissistic leader. Or worse yet, it reflects on where the US has gone as a country: elected officials are afraid they will have their homes fire-bombed and families put in danger by their own Republican constituents if they support the truth. And so, they have to choose between their conscience and what they know to be true, and fearing for their jobs and their lives. The Republican Party is allowing itself to be led by people who see an unbalanced*45 as the path to follow.

In my mind, by not impeaching 45 it has left the door open for his return and more of the same lies, deceit, and total disrespect for the American people and their principles of democracy.

I am so grateful that I am Canadian! DR

*Anyone who would encourage a mob to storm the Capital of their own country and threaten the lives of hundreds of elected officials and their staff, and specifically requesting harm come to colleagues he didn't like (Pelosi, Pence), because he lost an election, is definitely unbalanced.

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An elderly couple talk in the evening. Honey, I am sorry that I get angry with you so often. How do you manage to stay so calm?
I always go and clean the toilet when that happens.
And that helps?
Yes, because I am using your toothbrush.

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A POEM FOR COMPUTER USERS OVER THIRTY

A computer was something on TV from a science fiction show of note.
A window was something you hated to clean and ram was a cousin of a goat.
Meg was the name of my girlfriend and gig was a job for the nights.
Now they all mean different things and that really mega bytes.

An application was for employment a program was a TV show.
A cursor used profanity. A keyboard was a piano.
Memory was something you lost with age. A CD was a bank account.
And if you had a 3-inch floppy, you hoped nobody found out.
 
Compress was something you did to the garbage not something you did to a file.
And if you unzipped anything in public you'd be in jail for a while.
Log on was adding wood to the fire. Hard drive was a long trip on the road.
A mouse pad was where a mouse lived and backup happened to your commode.
 
Cut, you did with a pocketknife,
Paste, you did with glue.
A web was a spider's home, and a virus was the flu.
I guess I'll stick to my pad and paper, and the memory in my head.
I hear nobody's been killed in a computer crash,
But when it happens they wish they were dead.

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Responses to "Notes" #39 on the Homelessness

Great newsletter Dan.   We (city) seem to be doing more for homelessness, what with the new Main Street Project accommodation opening, Just A Warm Sleep, Salvation Army, Siloam Mission, Lighthouse Mission with its meals, benches being built so people can sit down, public washroom also being built which will give some dignity to those who have to use it (and are turned away from restaurants and hotels).....  But we have such a long way to go because these measures help the people with their immediate needs but do little (I won't say nothing) about the causes of homelessness, which you identified so well.    "Notes" reader

I read your comments below with interest...I've always wondered to myself, "What can we realistically DO for these poor souls?"  Any ideas on what folks like you and I can actually do?    Bob

Hi Dan,
Just wanted to say "thank you" for your weekly Newsletters.

Weekly you give (us readers) observations that give cause to pause and reflect!! I really appreciated today's piece on homelessness! I've been acutely aware these past months on the many issues that have been brought to the forefront as a consequence of COVID 19 becoming such a major reality of life around the world for all of us; seniors support, minimum wages, mental health, education, the economy, isolation etc, etc, etc - what's it all about Alfie?  So many components and are we all doing our part to positively contribute?? But one step at a time!!     Jan

Dan,
I sure appreciate this message.  The plague of homelessness bothers me a great deal.  I am glad you mentioned Lighthouse Mission as it on my donation list. It's a small storefront with a big heart. Closures of the mental institutions for all but the most serious, I suspect, is one reason for the surge in homelessness. Your point about housing affordability is very good.  One disturbing aspect is lack of function due to addictions.  Our city is crying for a solution, or it should be.    It is not that we cannot afford to look after this issue. It is too critical and widespread to be looked after by well-meaning, charitable institutions in my view.  Where is the political will?  What type of campaign is needed?  What has worked in other jurisdictions?     "Notes" reader
           
                                        Thanks to all responders