Skip to main content

“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

How much more then, could we be thankful for?


The Vinyl Cafe's Stuart McLean

I wonder how many reading this, listen to the Vinyl Cafe, with Stuart McLean, Sundays at noon on CBC radio.  I love it ... and I especially love the stories he tells.  I have several of his books as well.  One I started reading just yesterday (and which I am already over halfway through) is called, "Vinyl Cafe Turns the Page".

This question is just for those who have heard Stuart McLean read a story aloud.  When you 'read' one of his books, is there a voice in your head that sounds like Stuart?  There is for me.

Meantime I digress.

In McLean's book the "Vinyl Cafe Turns the Page" is a story called "Stamps" ... it starts with the following paragraph:
Choosing a hero is a delicate business -- one that shouldn't be taken frivolously.  For the heroes we choose, whether real or imagined, whether from the world of fact or from the pages of fiction, will determine, to a greater or lesser degree, the things we do, and if we allow them the privilege, the lives that we lead.

Why am I telling you this? 


It's because on Friday, a friend posted this to his Facebook page:
How is it that WE in our democratic societies have allowed such lack of character not only to represent us; but to lead, teach and define us. Whether it be the crude language of Trump, the atrocious actions of the Clintons, or the lewd behaviour of Trudeau. Perhaps it's time we go back to the drawing board and become obsessed, in ourselves, with the tolerance for wisdom, dignity, and honour. Let it become reflective in our judgments, not only at the ballot box, but in our day to day lives. How much more then, could we be thankful for?

Personally, I really don't believe I have heroes, however there are people living, and no longer with us, that I respect. 

Political people like Tommy Douglas ... W.A.C. Bennett ... and Stephen Harper. 

Personal friends who while I may not agree with their politics, I appreciate for their honesty, and ability to agree to disagree (you know who you are).

Musician friends I have played with in the past, and still do to this day (you also know who you are).

Co-workers ... classmates ...

As Stuart McLean said (and I'm paraphrasing here), the people we interact with can and do impact the things we do; how we act ... how we behave ... and the things we say.

Which brings me back to the other quote I had above:
Perhaps it's time we go back to the drawing board and become obsessed, in ourselves, with the tolerance for wisdom, dignity, and honour. Let it become reflective in our judgments, not only at the ballot box, but in our day to day lives. How much more then, could we be thankful for?

He's right ... wouldn't you agree?

In Kamloops, I'm Alan Forseth.
Labels:

Comments

  1. garret seinenOctober 9, 2016 at 2:20 PM

    I'd say, scratch 'the tolerance' and replace it with 'an expectation' and you'll have my agreement.

    Cheers, gs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alan ForsethOctober 9, 2016 at 2:52 PM

      Yes, "expectation" works as well. We can certainly remind ourselves, to have an expectation, that we are willing to learn and understand new things

      Delete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Interfor Moves Headquarters Out of BC as Forestry Crisis Continues

NDP policies are driving businesses out of B.C., and the forestry industry just suffered yet another calamity. Interfor, a BC company founded more than 60 years ago and now one of the world's largest lumber producers, is moving its headquarters from Burnaby, BC to Atlanta, Georgia. As BC’s forestry sector faces mill closures and mounting uncertainty, this move is another warning sign that the crisis is deepening and conditions are fatal. “This is the NDP’s record: endless job losses with no hope in sight for the forestry sector,” said Ward Stamer, Shadow Minister for Forestry. “Interfor still has three mills in BC which are now in serious jeopardy, and it is likely we will see even more companies pull out of BC. The NDP government is suffocating the forestry industry with high taxes, excessive regulations, and permitting delays, while DRIPA has made it impossible to plan for the future.” “Decisions like this are sadly not surprising given the NDP’s indifference if not hostility tow...
Post a Comment
Read more

Okanagan Farmers Face NDP-Created Water Crisis ~~ BC Conservatives

Okanagan farmers are facing a water crisis as government-imposed restrictions threaten to kill their crops and destroy one of B.C.’s most important agricultural industries. In perhaps the most water-rich province in the country, our farmers have been left high and dry by the NDP government. For nine weeks, Okanagan and Shuswap farmers have proposed solutions, only to be met with NDP foot-dragging. Now forest fires have come to these regions as they are simultaneously reckoning with a water crisis that has been made worse through years of government inaction. Vernon-area farms have lost 70 percent of their water, while Kelowna and Summerland growers face severe restrictions. This situation is unacceptable and cannot continue. Ian Paton, Shadow Minister for Agriculture, said the NDP is once again forcing farmers to pay for its own failure to plan. "Farmers and ranchers must be listened to when decisions affecting their livelihoods are made, and under the NDP, they aren’t," said...
Post a Comment
Read more

NDP Hypocritically Admits Natural Gas Power Was Needed All Along ~~ BC Conservatives

The NDP just got caught buying back the exact kind of power plant it spent years telling British Columbians they didn't need. The NDP government announced today that BC Hydro is purchasing the Island Generation natural gas facility in Campbell River, an admission that its electrification-only energy policy was never realistic. The 275-megawatt plant was originally privately owned yet kept to a minimal backup role under the NDP, operating just 15 days a year on average. Now, with demand outpacing what the NDP's plan can support, the government is spending taxpayer funds on the very gas capacity it once treated as obsolete. "You cannot electrify everything and pretend natural gas doesn't matter," said Larry Neufeld, Shadow Minister for Energy.  "Buying back a gas plant they once wrote off is proof their own plan couldn't keep the lights on. It's a step towards more energy reality, but the government needs to go further and scrap the impending province-w...
Post a Comment
Read more

Labels

Show more