Category Archives: Consider

Caveat emptor, Consider, Federal

The FACTS are …

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Leaving aside, for the moment, the errors in fact contained in Mr. Johnson’s letter of June 15th am I to infer from his letter that if everyone was jumping off a bridge he would jump as well?

Mr. Johnson has every right to be fine with the Conservative government using the previous Liberal government in setting its ethical standards.

Just as I have the right to demand substantially higher ethical standards of behaviour from our federal Canadian government, rather than tolerating the lowest common denominator as the standard.

The fact is that the federal government should not be worrying about being ‘embarrassed’ over the issues of affordable housing and child poverty but about addressing these issues.

The fact is that, prior to Mr. Harper’s appointment of Mr. Braley, senate appointments had indeed been made to party faithful – as a reward for years of hard work on behalf of the party. Mr.Braley’s ‘faithful service’ was large financial contributions, a very different kettle of fish. Leaving one to draw the conclusion that under Mr. Harper a senator seat is the reward for substantial enough monetary contributions to the Party.

The fact is there is no requirement that forces the federal parliament to appoint senators on a specific timeline. Mr. Harper could have kept his promise not to appoint senators.

Instead, despite Mr. Harper’s repeated attacks on the previous Liberal government for appointing senators, as soon as the opportunity to appoint enough senators so that the Conservatives would control the Senate and could force legislation through without being troubled by any sober second thoughts Mr. Harper appointed those senators.

The fact is there was nothing for Mr. Harper to over-rule on the matter of pensions. When the day came that Mr. Harper and members of the Conservative caucus had to either a) opt into the golden pension parliamentarians have approved for themselves or b) opt out and never be eligible for said sweet, overly generous pensions Mr. Harper and the Conservatives scurried right up to pig-out at the public trough.

All Mr. Harper and the Conservatives had to do to remain true their own words on the matter of pensions was – just say NO. But when push came to shove and it would cost Mr. Harper and the other members of the Conservative caucus big pension $$$, expediency (and their pocketbooks) won out.

Mr. Johnson’s most significant factual error lies in his dismissal of ethics in his statement “We have far bigger problems than noted above …”

Ethics are a fundamental building block, perhaps THE fundamental building block, in a government, a country or a society. Without an ethical underpinning considerably higher than the lowest common denominator we are going to continue to get the government, country and society that the majority of Canadians are very dissatisfied with. Despite it being the government, country and society that we have, through our actions and choices – individually and collectively – built.

If we want to change the government, country and society for the better we need to start with a solid ethical foundation and not a set of ethics that is based on ‘everybody does it’.

The problem for so many is that setting one’s ethical standards based on high-principles and honourable behaviour often causes inconvenience, sometimes great inconvenience by denying one convenient, self-serving behaviours.

If you promise not to appoint senators then, even/particularly when politically convenient you don’t appoint senators. If you are going to attack MP pensions then when it is time to opt in or out you opt out – even if it is costly.

I make no apologies for feeling we need to hold our government, our country, our society and most of all ourselves to higher ethical standards in order to change the same old government, country and society everyone complains and bitches about into the government, country and society Canadians want.

behaviour, Consider

Let them eat cake

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Picture if you will, a fence, a 7 foot tall chain link fence that divides a larger enclosed area in two. On one side of the fence two large pavilions/tents have been erected on the paving brick of the garden terrace. Three sides of the pavilions/tents have been left open to the healing peace of the garden while on the fourth side, the side that faces the fence that divides, white fabric walls have been raised.

Under the towering white spires of the pavilions are tables covered with white linen tablecloths and circled by chairs to seat the visitors for their midday repast.

To one side of the pavilions stands a BBQ on which is cooking the luncheon entrée. Rising from the BBQ grill is a cloud of scent infused smoke which wafts through the chain link fence. The scent permiates the airspace on the other side of the fence with the mouthwatering aroma of barbequing beef.

Standing on the concrete surface of that courtyard space, enveloped in the tantalizing scent of barbequing beef, are Abbotsford’s hungry homeless and poor; lined up waiting for the door in the side of the building which forms one side of the enclosure to open and admit them for what for many of Abbotsford’s hungry will be their only meal of the day – lunch.

New arrivals continue to trickle in as time ticks down to the appointed hour for lunch to begin. These new arrivals enter the courtyard with broad smiles on their faces as they sniff the air and happily profess their anticipation of enjoying barbequed beef for lunch.

Their faces fall as they are informed by those waiting in line that the BBQ is not for peasants such as themselves but for the august personages gathered under the pavilions.

The door opens and the hungry file quietly in to get their lunch, a bowl of soup and sandwich, escaping the tantalizing false promises made by the wafting scent of beef cooking on the BBQ.

I want to make it clear that I do not begrudge the members of the Abbotsford Christian Leadership a feast of barbequed burgers.

I am merely suggesting that leadership, in particular Christian leadership, should exemplify compassion, consideration and care for those less fortunate members of the community rather than such a thoughtless egocentric disregard.

If at this point you are telling yourself “they get a fine lunch every day” or some analogous disavowal – you’ve not discerned the gist, the essence.

I am not interested in picking up crumbs of compassion thrown from the table of someone who considers himself my master. Desmond Tutu

George Washington’s

Rules of Civility & Decent Behaviour

In Company and Conversation

1st Every Action done in Company, ought to be with Some Sign of Respect, to those that are Present.

2nd When in Company, put not your Hands to any Part of the Body, not usualy Discovered.

3rd Shew Nothing to your Freind that may affright him.

4th In the Presence of Others Sing not to yourself with a humming Noise, nor Drum with your Fingers or Feet.

5th If You Cough, Sneeze, Sigh, or Yawn, do it not Loud but Privately; and Speak not in your Yawning, but put Your handkercheif or Hand before your face and turn aside.

6th Sleep not when others Speak, Sit not when others stand, Speak not when you Should hold your Peace, walk not on when others Stop.

7th Put not off your Cloths in the presence of Others, nor go out your Chamber half Drest.

8th At Play and at Fire its Good manners to Give Place to the last Commer, and affect not to Speak Louder than Ordinary.

9th Spit not in the Fire, nor Stoop low before it neither Put your Hands into the Flames to warm them, nor Set your Feet upon the Fire especially if there be meat before it.

10th When you Sit down, Keep your Feet firm and Even, without putting one on the other or Crossing them.

11th Shift not yourself in the Sight of others nor Gnaw your nails.

12th Shake not the head, Feet, or Legs rowl not the Eys lift not one eyebrow higher than the other wry not the mouth, and bedew no mans face with your Spittle, by appr[oaching too nea]r him [when] you Speak.

13th Kill no Vermin as Fleas, lice ticks &c in the Sight of Others, if you See any filth or thick Spittle put your foot Dexteriously upon it if it be upon the Cloths of your Companions, Put it off privately, and if it be upon your own Cloths return Thanks to him who puts it off.

14th Turn not your Back to others especially in Speaking, Jog not the Table or Desk on which Another reads or writes, lean not upon any one.

15th Keep your Nails clean and Short, also your Hands and Teeth Clean yet without Shewing any great Concern for them.

16th Do not Puff up the Cheeks, Loll not out the tongue rub the Hands, or beard, thrust out the lips, or bite them or keep the Lips too open or too Close.

17th Be no Flatterer, neither Play with any that delights not to be Play’d Withal.

18th Read no Letters, Books, or Papers in Company but when there is a Necessity for the doing of it you must ask leave: come not near the Books or Writings of Another so as to read them unless desired or give your opinion of them unask’d also look not nigh when another is writing a Letter.

19th let your Countenance be pleasant but in Serious Matters Somewhat grave.

20th The Gestures of the Body must be Suited to the discourse you are upon.

21st: Reproach none for the Infirmaties of Nature, nor Delight to Put them that have in mind thereof.

22nd Shew not yourself glad at the Misfortune of another though he were your enemy.

23rd When you see a Crime punished, you may be inwardly Pleased; but always shew Pity to the Suffering Offender.

24th Do not laugh too loud or] too much at any Publick [Spectacle].

25th Superfluous Complements and all Affectation of Ceremonie are to be avoided, yet where due they are not to be Neglected.

26th In Pulling off your Hat to Persons of Distinction, as Noblemen, Justices, Churchmen &c make a Reverence, bowing more or less according to the Custom of the Better Bred, and Quality of the Person. Amongst your equals expect not always that they Should begin with you first, but to Pull off the Hat when there is no need is Affectation, in the Manner of Saluting and resaluting in words keep to the most usual Custom.

27th Tis ill manners to bid one more eminent than yourself be covered as well as not to do it to whom it’s due Likewise he that makes too much haste to Put on his hat does not well, yet he ought to Put it on at the first, or at most the Second time of being ask’d; now what is herein Spoken, of Qualification in behaviour in Saluting, ought also to be observed in taking of Place, and Sitting down for ceremonies without Bounds is troublesome.

28th If any one come to Speak to you while you are are Sitting Stand up tho he be your Inferiour, and when you Present Seats let it be to every one according to his Degree.

29th When you meet with one of Greater Quality than yourself, Stop, and retire especially if it be at a Door or any Straight place to give way for him to Pass.

30th In walking the highest Place in most Countrys Seems to be on the right hand therefore Place yourself on the left of him whom you desire to Honour: but if three walk together the mid[dest] Place is the most Honourable the wall is usually given to the most worthy if two walk together.

31st If any one far Surpassess others, either in age, Estate, or Merit [yet] would give Place to a meaner than hims[elf in his own lodging or elsewhere] the one ought not to except it, S[o he on the other part should not use much earnestness nor offer] it above once or twice.

32nd: To one that is your equal, or not much inferior you are to give the cheif Place in your Lodging and he to who ’tis offered ought at the first to refuse it but at the Second to accept though not without acknowledging his own unworthiness.

33rd They that are in Dignity or in office have in all places Preceedency but whilst they are Young they ought to respect those that are their equals in Birth or other Qualitys, though they have no Publick charge.

34th It is good Manners to prefer them to whom we Speak befo[re] ourselves especially if they be above us with whom in no Sort we ought to begin.

35th Let your Discourse with Men of Business be Short and Comprehensive.

36th Artificers & Persons of low Degree ought not to use many ceremonies to Lords, or Others of high Degree but Respect and high[ly] Honour them, and those of high Degree ought to treat them with affibility & Courtesie, without Arrogancy.

37th In Speaking to men of Quality do not lean nor Look them full in the Face, nor approach too near them at lest Keep a full Pace from them.

38th In visiting the Sick, do not Presently play the Physicion if you be not Knowing therein.

39th In writing or Speaking, give to every Person his due Title According to his Degree & the Custom of the Place.

40th Strive not with your Superiers in argument, but always Submit your Judgment to others with Modesty.

41st Undertake not to Teach your equal in the art himself Proffesses; it Savours of arrogancy.

42nd Let thy ceremonies in] Courtesie be proper to the Dignity of his place [with whom thou conversest for it is absurd to ac]t the same with a Clown and a Prince.

43rd Do not express Joy before one sick or in pain for that contrary Passion will aggravate his Misery.

44th When a man does all he can though it Succeeds not well blame not him that did it.

45th Being to advise or reprehend any one, consider whether it ought to be in publick or in Private; presently, or at Some other time in what terms to do it & in reproving Shew no Sign of Cholar but do it with all Sweetness and Mildness.

46th Take all Admonitions thankfully in what Time or Place Soever given but afterwards not being culpable take a Time [&] Place convenient to let him him know it that gave them.

47th Mock not nor Jest at anything of Importance break [n]o Jest that are Sharp Biting and if you Deliver anything witty and Pleasent abtain from Laughing thereat yourself.

48th Wherein wherein you reprove Another be unblameable yourself; for example is more prevalent than Precepts.

49th Use no Reproachfull Language against any one neither Curse nor Revile.

50th Be not hasty to beleive flying Reports to the Disparag[e]ment of any.

51st Wear not your Cloths, foul, unript or Dusty but See they be Brush’d once every day at least and take heed tha[t] you approach not to any Uncleaness.n

52nd In your Apparel be Modest and endeavour to accomodate Nature, rather than to procure Admiration keep to the Fashio[n] of your equals Such as are Civil and orderly with respect to Times and Places.

53rd Run not in the Streets, neither go t[oo s]lowly nor wit[h] Mouth open go not Shaking yr Arms [kick not the earth with yr feet, go] not upon the Toes, nor in a Dancing [fashion].

54th Play not the Peacock, looking every where about you, to See if you be well Deck’t, if your Shoes fit well if your Stokings sit neatly, and Cloths handsomely.

55th Eat not in the Streets, nor in the House, out of Season.

56th Associate yourself with Men of good Quality if you Esteem your own Reputation; for ’tis better to be alone than in bad Company.

57th In walking up and Down in a House, only with One in Compan[y] if he be Greater than yourself, at the first give him the Right hand and Stop not till he does and be not the first that turns, and when you do turn let it be with your face towards him, if he be a Man of Great Quality, walk not with him Cheek by Joul but Somewhat behind him; but yet in Such a Manner that he may easily Speak to you.

58th Let your Conversation be without Malice or Envy, for ’tis a Sig[n o]f a Tractable and Commendable Nature: And in all Causes of Passion [ad]mit Reason to Govern.

59th Never express anything unbecoming, nor Act agst the Rules Mora[l] before your inferiours.

60th Be not immodest in urging your Freinds to Discover a Secret.

61st Utter not base and frivilous things amongst grave and Learn’d Men nor very Difficult Questians or Subjects, among the Ignorant or things hard to be believed, Stuff not your Discourse with Sentences amongst your Betters nor Equals.

62nd Speak not of doleful Things in a Time of Mirth or at the Table; Speak not of Melancholy Things as Death and Wounds, and if others Mention them Change if you can the Discourse tell not your Dreams, but to your intimate Friend.

63rd A Man o[ug]ht not to value himself of his Atchievements, or rare Qua[lities of wit; much less of his rich]es Virtue or Kindred.

64th Break not a Jest where none take pleasure in mirth Laugh not aloud, nor at all without Occasion, deride no mans Misfortune, tho’ there Seem to be Some cause.

65th Speak not injurious Words neither in Jest nor Earnest Scoff at none although they give Occasion.

66th Be not froward but friendly and Courteous; the first to Salute hear and answer & be not Pensive when it’s a time to Converse.

67th Detract not from others neither be excessive in Commanding.

68th Go not thither, where you know not, whether you Shall be Welcome or not. Give not Advice with[out] being Ask’d & when desired [d]o it briefly.

69th If two contend together take not the part of either unconstrain[ed]; and be not obstinate in your own Opinion, in Things indiferent be of the Major Side.

70th Reprehend not the imperfections of others for that belong[s] to Parents Masters and Superiours.

71st Gaze not on the marks or blemishes of Others and ask not how they came. What you may Speak in Secret to your Friend deliver not before others.

72nd Speak not in an unknown Tongue in Company but in your own Language and that as those of Quality do and not as the Vulgar; Sublime matters treat Seriously.

73rd Think before you Speak pronounce not imperfectly nor bring ou[t] your Words too hastily but orderly & distinctly.

74th When Another Speaks be attentive your Self and disturb not the Audience if any hesitate in his Words help him not nor Prompt him without desired, Interrupt him not, nor Answer him till his Speec[h] be ended.

75th In the midst of Discourse ask [not of what one treateth] but if you Perceive any Stop because of [your coming you may well intreat him gently] to Proceed: If a Person of Quality comes in while your Conversing it’s handsome to Repeat what was said before.

76th While you are talking, Point not with your Finger at him of Whom you Discourse nor Approach too near him to whom you talk especially to his face.

77th Treat with men at fit Times about Business & Whisper not in the Company of Others.

78th Make no Comparisons and if any of the Company be Commended for any brave act of Vertue, commend not another for the Same.

79th Be not apt to relate News if you know not the truth thereof. In Discoursing of things you Have heard Name not your Author always A [Se]cret Discover not.

80th Be not Tedious in Discourse or in reading unless you find the Company pleased therewith.

81st Be not Curious to Know the Affairs of Others neither approach those that Speak in Private.

82nd Undertake not what you cannot Perform but be Carefull to keep your Promise.

83rd When you deliver a matter do it without Passion & with Discretion, howev[er] mean the Person be you do it too.

84th When your Superiours talk to any Body hearken not neither Speak nor Laugh.

85th In Company of these of Higher Quality than yourself Speak not ti[l] you are ask’d a Question then Stand upright put of your Hat & Answer in few words.

86 In Disputes, be not So Desireous to Overcome as not to give Liberty to each one to deliver his Opinion and Submit to the Judgment of the Major Part especially if they are Judges of the Dispute.

87th Let thy carriage be such] as becomes a Man Grave Settled and attentive [to that which is spoken. Contra]dict not at every turn what others Say.

88th Be not tedious in Discourse, make not many Digressigns, nor rep[eat] often the Same manner of Discourse.

89th Speak not Evil of the absent for it is unjust.

90th Being Set at meat Scratch not neither Spit Cough or blow your Nose except there’s a Necessity for it.

91st Make no Shew of taking great Delight in your Victuals, Feed no[t] with Greediness; cut your Bread with a Knife, lean not on the Table neither find fault with what you Eat.

92nd Take no Salt or cut Bread with your Knife Greasy.

93rd Entertaining any one at table it is decent to present him wt. meat, Undertake not to help others undesired by the Master.

94th If you Soak bread in the Sauce let it be no more than what you [pu]t in your Mouth at a time and blow not your broth at Table [bu]t Stay till Cools of it Self.

95th Put not your meat to your Mouth with your Knife in your ha[nd ne]ither Spit forth the Stones of any fruit Pye upon a Dish nor Cas[t an]ything under the table.

96th It’s unbecoming to Stoop much to ones Meat Keep your Fingers clea[n &] when foul wipe them on a Corner of your Table Napkin.

97th Put not another bit into your Mouth til the former be Swallowed [l]et not your Morsels be too big for the Gowls.

98th Drink not nor talk with your mouth full neither Gaze about you while you are a Drinking.

99th Drink not too leisurely nor yet too hastily. Before and after Drinking wipe your Lips breath not then or Ever with too Great a Noise, for its uncivil.

100th Cleanse not your teeth with the Table Cloth Napkin Fork or Knife but if Others do it let it be done wt. a Pick Tooth.

101st Rince not your Mouth in the Presence of Others.

102nd It is out of use to call upon the Company often to Eat nor need you Drink to others every Time you Drink.

103rd In Company of your Betters be no[t longer in eating] than they are lay not your Arm but o[nly your hand upon the table].

104th It belongs to the Chiefest in Company to unfold his Napkin and fall to Meat first, But he ought then to Begin in time & to Dispatch [w]ith Dexterity that the Slowest may have time allowed him.

105th Be not Angry at Table whatever happens & if you have reason to be so, Shew it not but on a Chearfull Countenance especially if there be Strangers for Good Humour makes one Dish of Meat a Feas[t].

106th Set not yourself at the upper of the Table but if it Be your Due or that the Master of the house will have it So, Contend not, least you Should Trouble the Company.

107th If others talk at Table be attentive but talk not with Meat in your Mouth.

108th When you Speak of God or his Atributes, let it be Seriously & [wt.] Reverence. Honour & Obey your Natural Parents altho they be Poor.

109th Let your Recreations be Manfull not Sinfull.

110th Labour to keep alive in your Breast that Little Spark of Ce[les]tial fire Called Conscience.

Finis

Consider, Federal, Issues

Harper’s latest Senate appointment.

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The Conservative Party’s Canada – where, if you are a businessman who can afford to own two Canadian Football League teams and to make large contributions to the Conservative Party, you can procure a seat in the Canadian Senate.

Not really surprising in light of the Conservative Party’s oft demonstrated policy of  increasing the Wealth of wealthy Canadians via policies that transfer resources not to Canadians and Canadian children in poverty, homelessness or need but to those Canadians in Greed. Whether it is by regressive tax policies, being ‘unable to afford’ housing or anti-poverty programs while being able to afford bailouts, subsidies, exceptions, grants or Senate appointments for businesses and the wealthy

Before we leave the subject of the Conservatives lack of ethics and the Senate, it is surprising Mr. Harper did not suffer severe whiplash from his abrupt change vis-à-vis the Canadian Senate.

Mr. Harper called for abolishment, for an elected Senate and condemned the Liberal government’s appointment and use of the Senate when Conservatives were not in power and the Senate was not of any use or advantage to the Conservatives.

But as soon as it was to the advantage of Mr. Harper and his Conservatives we were treated to the spectacle of Mr. Harper, who came to office stating he would never appoint senators, appointing 33 senators – to date

True Mr. Harper made several excuses for his massive about face on this matter; just as he did when, after having attacked the Liberal government on MP pensions when in opposition, Mr. Harper and his Conservatives bellied up to the trough to pig out on the same taxpayer funded golden pensions for MPS.

Interesting lack of an ethical center.

These are the same Harper Conservatives who recently tried to engineer a quick vote on Bill C-304, a private member’s bill calling for “secure, adequate and affordable housing for Canadians.”, in order to scuttle the bill.

The disappointing behaviour here is that of the three other parties in parliament in not getting behind and supporting this bill and a gravely need national housing strategy.

After all this is a Conservative government that, while it claims it has ‘no money’ for a national housing plan (or addressing child poverty), has unlimited millions (hundreds of millions?), for an advertising campaign promoting the Conservative party and paid for by Canadian taxpayers.

There is nothing wrong with political parties blowing their own horns – that’s part of the political process. But the cost of a party blowing its own horn is a cost that should, no must, be paid for out of the coffers of the party, not out of the coffers of the federal government and thus the pockets of Canadian taxpayers.

Sticking a label such as “Canada’s Economic Action Plan” on the spending  does not change the fundamental nature of what the advertising campaign is about – promoting the image and fortunes of the federal Conservative party.

No money for housing or child poverty but the Conservatives can find seemingly unlimited taxpayer $$$$ to pay for advertising to promote the Conservative government.

Interesting set of priorities and rather malleable ethics – ethics that shift to accommodate the circumstances the Conservative government finds to its advantage.

Given that that the Conservative Party likes to hold itself up as the judge and defender of moral behaviour and morality in Canada one has to wonder just what kind of definitions they are using for ‘moral’ and  ‘morality’. Clearly whatever the definitions the Conservatives are using do not include pesky concepts such as ethics, honour, character or the distinction between right and wrong.

While this type of unprincipled behaviour is behaviour as usual for Mr. Harper and his Conservative Party, I was somewhat surprised, based on what I knew of Mr. David Braley from his ownership of the BC Lions, that he allowed himself to be appointed. Although I suppose, upon taking time to consider his $$$$ support of the Conservatives and their behaviours and policies, it really is no surprise.

True ethics are not something that change when convenient. Indeed, true ethics often are inconvenient because they get in the way of what would be a convenient action or behaviour.

Ethics that change when convenient are many things – but they are not ethics.

Lack of ethics is a behaviour that results from seeking to govern simply to push an ideology or to be the party in power. Because in either case,  the operating principles and behaviours of the parties involved are about winning power and holding power. Ethical or honourable behaviours are tossed overboard in favour of whatever it takes to win. Actually any behaviour, such as MPs listening to the constituents they represent instead of mindlessly obeying the Prime Minister, that interferes with winning are rejected.

Yet the moment one becomes unwilling to lose on a matter of principle or ethics, that ones ethics become malleable or that one justifies doing whatever is necessary to obtain or retain power by claiming it is ‘for the good of the country’ one’s actions have ceased to be about delivering leadership and effective governance and one becomes part of the problem.

The current focus of governments and politicians at all levels in Canada is about advancing an ideology, being in power and  winning at any cost, about divide and conquer, pitting differing interest groups against each other; it is not about good government, building a strong Canada or a fair, balanced, understanding  and cosmopolitan society.

None of our current politicians and political parties have promulgated an ethos of what it is to be Canadian or articulated a vision for Canada and Canadian society.

It is time for a discussion of what it is to be Canadian, the type of society we want to have and how we as Canadians will achieve that vision.

It is pass time to stop allowing politicians to tell us why we cannot bring about the Canada we want and to support leadership that is about bringing the Canada we want into being.

Or most Canadians will find themselves entitled only to the rights and freedoms they can afford to buy.

Consider, Municipal

If only.

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That was the thought that crossed my mind in reading Abbotsford City Councilor John Smith’s comments concerning the incinerator.

Councilor John Smith: “There is a cost to everything … at the end of the day, decisions are based on economic reality.”

If only that were true … the taxpayers of Abbotsford would not be groaning under the fiscal burden of: an Arena that cost nearly twice what was promised in enticing citizens to vote yes, million+ dollar arena operating losses where taxpayers were promised operating profits and multi-million dollar subsidies to the owners of a professional hockey team were politicians promised during the last municipal election bribes (aka subsidizes) would not be paid to seduce a team to play in the new arena.

Councilor John Smith: “Up until now, we have been dealing with emotion. Let’s now take a look at the cost,”

If only that were true … let us review the history of the Abbotsford Entertainment & Sports Centre. The pending arrival of the Bruins in Chilliwack had the Chiefs seeking a new home and in that regard approaching the city council of Abbotsford proposing a partnership to build a new arena as the new home for the Chief’s – a successful team with an established fan base in the Fraser Valley.

Remember city council’s response? That the city did not need a new arena … and don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way out of town.

Then suddenly council felt the need to not only build an arena but to build a bigger, fancier arena than the arena in Chilliwack or the new arena under construction as the new home of the Langley Chiefs.

Why after brushing off the Chiefs and their offer to partner with Abbotsford in building a new arena did council suddenly feel the need to build, on speculation and without a tenant such as the cavalierly dismissed Chiefs, not simply an arena but an arena that was bigger than those of Chilliwack and Langley?

Why, when it would have been cheaper to leave the arena without a team did council burden taxpayers with a further liability of $73 million? The attendance and results of this first year of operation suggest that taxpayers will be fortunate if they only end up paying out $20 million of the $73 million liability assumed on their behalf by council.

No responsible person, no responsible city council, would have made the decisions that Abbotsford’s city council using cost as the basis of the decision.

Only emotion can account for the complete disregard of economic reality in building the arena or in signing the agreement that the City of Abbotsford entered into with the Heat team ownership. Well … I suppose a complete lack of even an infinitesimal scrap of financial common sense or substance use could also account for such a divorce from economic reality.

Of course “Let’s now take a look at the cost,” only works if you do your homework. That way you can avoid failing to include costs necessary to maintain the warranty on jungle gym equipment – markedly improving the accuracy of ‘estimated costs’ and lessening the number of 100% cost overruns or losses in place of promised profits.

While he hopes an unbiased analysis of the numbers will show incineration is not cost-efficient, (Councilor John) Smith says he would oppose the WTE (waste to energy), even if it was cost-friendly.

Aha! Now that statement reflects the actual way that Abbotsford’s current council acts – if fiscal reality does not support the action you want to undertake – ignore the financial facts/reality and do whatever it is you want, pursue your priorities and ignore the cost to the city, its citizens and taxpayers.

Council pursuing its own priorities, no matter how inappropriate or costly to taxpayers those priorities are, is how you end up with the city being “unable” to afford to subsidize minor amateur hockey in Abbotsford by $9,500 while “able’ to afford to subsidize professional hockey and the ownership of the professional team by $3,000,000 (approximately, considering direct subsidy to the team and the indirect subsidy of arena operating costs).

Councilor’s personal priorities is why the minor hockey rate increase proceed “as it was necessary to cover operational cost increases” while the professional team does not cover any, much less increases, of the operating costs of their arena.

Council’s priorities have resulted in the city imposing double digit fee increases for the use of city recreation fields and facilities over the past several years; increases that have resulted in an increasing number of families being unable to afford their children’s participation in youth sports and recreational activities.

As a grandfather of my acquaintance was lamenting – the cost of baseball for his grandson has gone from $45 to $100 over the past three years making affordability an issue for his family.

It is not just children who have been affected by these double digit fee increases. Lack of affordability resulted in me no longer being able to afford a pool pass; for the first time in my long residence in Abbotsford I found myself without a pass and dealing with the negative physical and mental health consequences of not being able to swim as needed.

Personally my priorities dictate that fees for fields and facilities should not be being raised ever higher in order to have funds to subsidize a professional hockey team and the council ego project better known as the Abbotsford Entertainment & Sports Centre.

Why is it that Parks and Recreation spent $135,000 (plus however much they went over budget) to buy used jungle gym equipment (to be rented out to those who can afford the rental cost) instead of spending the funds on repairs to Matsqui Village pool?

That the Langley Museum has a perfectly fine utilitarian electronic sign and ARC had to have a costly fancy, bells and whistles electronic sign to impart information undoubtedly reflects the differing priorities of Langley’s council versus Abbotsford’s council and explains why Abbotsford’s taxpayers paid $90+ million for an arena comparable to the arena Langley’s taxpayers paid $15 million for.

Abbotsford’s council needs healthy priorities, an ability to plan for the needs of Abbotsford and avoid problems rather than stumbling from mess to quagmire to disaster. A little financial and personal discipline would be nice and would go a long way to stop council and staff from digging the hole they have dug the city into ever deeper.

If only …

Consider, Federal, Homeless, Issues, Media, Municipal, Provincial

Abbotsford 2010 Homeless Winter Games Daily Reports

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February 16, 2010 Day -1

Fortune (or whatever is in charge of the weather) blessed the opening of Abbotsford 2010 Homeless Winter Games with sun.

Fortune continued to shower favour upon Abbotsford 2010 in providing a fine Shrove Tuesday lunch that included the traditional pancakes and an excellent barbeque repast for dinner.

That the first medalist was awarded on the first day was unusual, especially since it was awarded in the “to dumb to come in from the rain” event.

It should have taken several days to examine and judge all the entries. However with a competitor who fell asleep on the rails and got hit by a train; who, having survived what would be a life changing event for others, kept doing the same old same old – while complaining he was getting the same old same old; and who will not be able to accept his medal because he is incarcerated as a result of behaviour that turned release into months (if he doesn’t turn that into years) of lockup ….

No other competitor was even close to challenging.

Congratulations Mr. T.

Congratulations are also in order for Mr. Harper and Mr. Campbell for medalling (a tie) in the non-homeless “to dumb to come in from the rain”.

There had been no plans to award medals to any non-homeless but when the “to dumb to come in from the rain” award was made numerous competitors and spectators protested that politicians should have been eligible because of the major impact they have on homelessness and poverty levels.

ABHOC 2010 held a meeting ad libitum to hear arguments and rule on this point. The committee felt that given their effect on homelessness and poverty Mr. Harper and Mr. Campbell should be considered but that a) it would be separate from the event that Mr. T had won and that b) given the scope of their duties they could not be judged solely on their exhaustive maladministration of homelessness and poverty.

After considering the state of the province and country, the behaviours of both men and the consequences on not only current but future generations it was impossible not to conclude that both men deserved to be acknowledged many times over for being “to dumb to come in from the rain”.

It was decided to declare a dead heat and award medals to both men when it was decided that because of differences in scale between the federal and provincial government it was not possible to decide who was dumb and who was dumber.

Congratulations to both Mr. Harper and Mr. Campbell!

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February 17, 2010 Day – 2

A glorious sunny day with a forecast of continued sunny and unseasonably warm temperatures, the type of weather that smiles upon the homeless and not just upon the Homeless Games.

It certainly looks as if whatever higher power is in charge of weather, that higher power is sending an unmistakably clear message as to what Canadians should be focused on and what self gratifying amusements they should not be funding by taking funds from the most vulnerable and in need of help citizens.

The weather was perfect for the buggy load out event.

The medal in the cart load out was awarded to a transient person of No Fixed Address who demonstrated an attention to detail, an appreciation for the proper distribution of weight, the center of gravity and who ended up with a visually aesthetic loaded buggy.

The Marathon, Steeplechase and Health Care Obstacle Course events got under way to ensure they are completed by the closing ceremonies. After all they are deal with government bureaucracies.

We received a request from an editor-in-chief not to keep them informed as to the progress of the homeless games and, in the context of the homeless games, informed on the issues of homelessness, mental illness, addiction and poverty.

It was a little disconcerting but it certainly goes to explain why newspapers find themselves struggling.

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February 18, 2010 Day – 3

Final judgment of the camp relocation event was extended overnight from
Wednesday until Thursday to give the judges an opportunity to gather over coffee.

This was necessary as none of the competitors impressed the judges to the point they felt one of the competitors deserved to medal.

It was decided to award the medal to a local homeless person who had shown the tenacity of a dandelion when it came to removal by the City of Abbotsford and its armed troops.

Leaving behind material for the city minions to vent their destructive urges on and appearing to have been defeated and forced to relocate the winner would shortly return to the site to dig up and/or retrieve the buried/cached camp materials and, like a dandelion, take root once again.

Congratulations to Mr. C

The first round of the round table discussion/debate was held.

Given: Canada boycotted the Russian Olympics in Moscow because the Soviets had invaded Afghanistan and that Russia is attending the Canadian Olympics in Vancouver even though Canada is currently part of an Afghanistan invasion.

Discuss the irony and geopolitical change inherent in:

1980 – Russian government warmongers, increasing numbers of citizens live in poverty and substandard housing while the elite lives in wealth and luxury.

2010 – Canadian government warmongers, increasing numbers of citizens live in poverty and substandard housing while the elite lives in ever increasing wealth and luxury.

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February 21, 2010 Day – 4

Pop can Collecting

I wonder how many citizens ever consider just how littered their cityscapes would be if it wasn’t for the homeless (and others) who collect all the cans and bottles citizens litter their cities with?

As noted in the event description special care was taken to ensure all contestants were competing in unfamiliar territory.

Contestants were assigned an area and all had the same time limit of 6 hours.

Judging was provided by the bottle depots as all bottles and cans were cashed in with the winner being determined by who received the most cash.

Congratulations to Mr. J – who not only medaled but had a most profitable competition.

Marathon/Steeplechase update

The games adjudicator received an unexpected and intensive refresher on the Marathon/Steeplechase portion of the Games when mischance placed the adjudicator in the cross hairs of the Ministry of Housing and Social Development.

The adjudicator struggles to live with mental health issues which have resulted in being on disability (PPMB). Fortunately this means the adjudicator can work part time to earn up $500 a month. Any amount over $500 is clawed back by the Ministry of Housing and Social Development.

The $500 is vital to the adjudicator as it augments the unrealistic rent allowance provided by the Ministry and permits rental of the private housing required by the adjudicator’s mental health.

26 pay periods over 12 months means that twice a year the adjudicator has 3 pay periods in a single month and will have $225 clawed back. Discipline and frugality are required to, over the course of six months, set aside funds to cover the claw back. It is a hardship but with sufficient self-control is doable.

December 2009’s cheque had the $225 clawed back as a result of declaring 3 pay periods. Salary is to be declared in the month it is received, not when it is earned. Which is to unfortunate because the extra pay period is earned over the six months and declaring it on an accrual basis would result in significantly less claw back..

This month rather than a notice of deposit the adjudicator received the dreaded “If you are still in need of Assistance, (despite having filing ‘the stub’ with yes ticked to the question: are you still in need of assistance?) please come to the office to speak with a worker. Your cheque has been held & you may be asked to submit further information.” A notice which does wonders for those dealing with anxiety, stress and panic disorders.

The adjudicator was told the adjudicator needed to file a third pay period in January because the pay periods (which end on a Saturday) were the 2, 16, 30th. When the adjudicator stated that that was not the date payment was received and that December’s cheque had been reduced as a result of declaring 3 pay periods the adjudicator was told that the adjudicator had not claimed three pay periods in December.

Fortunately (or unfortunately) OCD – obsessive compulsive disorder is among the issues the adjudicator deals/lives/struggles with and so the adjudicator retains copies of all documents. So when the adjudicator returned with the requested pay slip for the pay period ending January 30th (paid February 5th) the adjudicator had documentation that showed December 2009’s cheque had been reduced by $225 as the result of declaring three pay periods.

Presenting evidence that 3 pay periods have been declared and that December’s cheque was reduced by the $225 claw back – resulted in a demand for a bank statement.

To get monthly bank statements cost money, money anyone on assistance does not have to spare – the adjudicator cannot afford to waste limited funds on bank statements.

Because of the discipline and financial management required to survive, occasionally a printout of ‘the last ten transactions’ is printed off the bank machine to ensure the accuracy of the adjudicator’s personal accounting records of the bank balance. The last such audit printout showed that payment for the first two January 2010 pay period was received on the following Fridays.

There was a note put on file to prevent this from happening again. A note that joins the previous notes put into the file in order to “prevent this from happening again”.

The assistance levels in BC are so out of line with the actual costs of living that any unexpected, untimely reduction in cash flow starts the fast downward spiral to homelessness.

The threat to being unable to pay March’s rent and insurance is where the stress, anxiety and panic is rooted – the threat of a return to homelessness and becoming ensnared in a downward spiral of mental health.

Thankfully there is an ability to print off cheques on a timely basis so the adjudicator was able to have the security of having March’s rent safely in the bank.

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February 20, 2010 Day – 5

The buggy distance event was held today with each buggy loaded with 100 litres of water. While the midpoint check in location was set the routes competitors took to and from the midpoint was left to them to choose. This freedom of choice is because the shortest route is not necessarily the fastest when pushing a loaded cart.

Tampered water seals result in disqualification. An attempt to ‘Rosie Ruiz’ results in disqualification for the competitor and the driver has their vehicle impounded for 48 hours to encourage them to see the error of their ways.

Congratulations on his medal to Mr. B

The buggy sprints were also held today. The medal was awarded by the judges on the basis of time and entertainment value.

Congratulations to Ms S on her medal

Advantage was taken of the excellent ‘in favour the homeless’ weather to hold a round table outside to soak up the sun.

One homeless gentleman opened the discussion by speaking of a mindset that is focused on oneself, all about ME, the pursuit of exhilaration, the pursuit of what feels good, of getting high and that ignores the cost in its pursuit of that high.

The mindset of an addict.

How society and government, while pointing fingers at those with drug addictions lives in total denial of its own addictions and addictive behaviours such as the Olympics.

Focused on self gratification by holding the Olympics, telling itself lies – “it is about tourism, business …” to justify pursuing its self gratification. Stealing from its own children by increasing the deficit they will inherit and reducing the level of government services they will inherit/be able to fund, Ignoring the cost cuts in services to the most vulnerable in society – the elderly, the handicapped, women, children, the mentally ill, the mentally challenged, those suffering the scourge of addiction ….

We have become a society were the operating value of “greed is good” has led to a mentality of deserving and instant gratification, the mentality of an addict that ignores cost and consequences.

The consequence of the cuts to services and services unfunded is going to be deaths by neglect. Like any addict the government and society will deny these deaths, telling themselves whatever lie is needed – as any addict does.

Denial does not, will not, change the Reality of those deaths, of the consequences of this behaviour.

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February 21, 2010 Day – 6

No competitive events were held today. This day had been for ice events using city facilities. However, Abbotsford City Council has made Abbotsford city facilities the most expensive in the city. In some cases significantly more expensive that the fees at private facilities.

As a result long time pass holders have switched to the private facilities to save money and many families and citizens simply cannot afford to use the facilities or play sports. This while the city gives those who are well enough off to have $400 to spend on a year pass can save 31%.

There was discussion of fundraising. However, since paying the city’s usury user fees meant subsidizing a professional hockey team (the Heat) and subsidizing ever bum in the seats at the Entertainment and Sports Centre, it was decided not to hold any ice events.

Leaving competitors free to attend the Super Sunday services, listen as Joyful Noise made its joyful racket and partake of the magnificent brunch that followed. Or attend other worship services of their choice.

It also left the afternoon free to attend the Blue Bus collect a bag of foodstuffs to take home and enjoy soup, sandwich and coffee.

Aaahh the Blue Bus. In a city full of churches a church from Aldergrove has to come to Abbotsford to feed the city’s homeless, poor and hungry on Sunday.

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February 22, 2010 Day – 7

Travelling between points in the Valley is oft necessitated, for a variety of reasons, while a lack of money can make getting where one needs to go an interesting problem to be solved.

The travelling competition was moved up to today to allow the competitors to benefit from the sunny weather. The adjudicator did opine that it would be more reflective of normal winter conditions to wait until Wednesday as scheduled, since the forecast is for rain.

The urbicolous destinations chosen were Chilliwack and Mission for the different travel problems they present.

The medalist for the Chilliwack competition biked to and from Chilliwack, having the home field advantage of making this interurban journey on a near monthly basis.

Congratulations on your medal Mr. J – nice to see you looking so health as well.

There is regular bus service (the valley connector) between Abbotsford and Mission although roundtrip fare can present a challenge – particularly with the competition being rescheduled 2 days earlier.

The results were protested but the adjudicator ruled that while the winner did have assets that afforded her obvious advantages, this fact was a reflection of the reality of life where some are more equal than others. Otherwise there would not be people working 60 hours a week at three jobs just to keep their heads above water while so called leaders draw large salaries while ignoring the economic hardships increasing numbers of Canadians struggle with.

After all: “How unfair the fate which ordains that those who have the least should be always adding to the treasury of the wealthy.” Terence

So – congratulations Ms. G.

While the protest was being considered another matter came to the attention of members of ABHOC 2010 – an article titled Counterpoint at http://www.matthewgood.org/2010/02/counterpoint/.

That this came to ABHOC 2010’s attention at all attests to fate as the endless chain of causation, whereby things are.

ABHOC 2010 members were present to observe the events related in the commentary, indeed several members of ABHOC 2010 were questioned about the influx of homeless from Vancouver as a result of Olympics and homeless being bussed out of Vancouver.

Answering truthfully that there had been no massive influx, that in fact if anything the arrival of homeless from Vancouver was less than in prior years and that there had been no bus loads of homeless arriving in Abbotsford from Vancouver.

Not a real surprise given the increases in shelter, food and service resources in Vancouver – increases that did not occur in Abbotsford.

We are speaking of homeless, and those who have been homeless, in Abbotsford who have 5 – 10 – 10+ years of experience with homelessness in Abbotsford.

She, the questioner, was clearly not pleased with these replies and insistently repeated her demand for stories about homeless displaced by the Olympics and tales about busloads of homeless being driven out of Vancouver to Abbotsford and other outlying destinations.

When she was again told this was not happening she moved on to other homeless to repeat her questions and when they replied that this movement of homeless had not been happening she moved on to the next cluster and when that again failed to produce the answers she was seeking she moved on out of sight around the building.

Leaving the homeless she had spoken to speculating as to how long it would take her to find someone who would tell her what she so clearly was determined to find someone to tell her – without regard to the truth she clearly did not want to hear.

In about 15 – 20 (30?) minutes she returned around the building with someone, climbed into her car and drove off with that someone who apparently was telling her what she had set out to hear.

While it may make for dramatic storytelling there is not a large flood of displaced homeless, no busloads of homeless pouring into Abbotsford.

Going from homeless person to homeless person until someone tells you what you want to hear is not listening. Searching among the homeless until one finds what one wants to find is no different than the behaviour of politicians and bureaucrats.

If we are to address the issues of homelessness, addiction, mental illness and poverty we need to hear the voices of the homeless, addicted mentally ill and poor – even if those voices are not telling us what we want to hear.

Most notably when those voices are not telling us what we want or expect to hear.

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February 23, 2010 Day – 8

The queuing competitions went Tuesday.

Best use of time came down to choice between knitting and self improvement (Step 4, CBT to deal with social anxiety and impatience/anger).

Self improvement was chosen since it needs to be done just as one must queue to get things done.

Congratulations Mr. P.

Most creative use went to the gentleman who used a running monologue and conversation with himself to move to the front of the queue. Nice job, good technique.

Congratulations Mr. L.

On Tuesday night’s news there was Heritage Minister James Moore stating that they needed to keep the funding for “Own the Podium” from ending.

“Own the Podium” is the plan that was drawn up to provide support to athletes so that Canada would win more medals than any other country at the Vancouver Winter Olympics.

The federal government supported this plan over the ten years since the 2010 Olympics were awarded Vancouver and funded it with millions of dollars and a Conservative Cabinet Minister endorsed continued funding.

A federal Conservative government that refuses to support and/or fund a national housing plan or address child poverty in Canada.

Spend millions training athletes to win medals – Yes; spend hundreds of millions, even billions, to build venues for the athletes to compete on to win those medals – Yes; Spend money to feed the hungry or house the poor and homeless – NO!

There beside Mr. Moore stating that they needed to keep the funding for “Own the Podium” from ending was Mr Campbell, BC’s dogmatist premier.

Mr. Campbell under whose misgovernance BC has led Canada in child poverty rates six years in a row, has ‘achieved’ the lowest minimum wage coupled with the highest cost of living and has assistance rates that result in people living on incomes well below what the government itself calls the poverty line, despite Mr. Campbell’s boasts about the strength of the BC economy.

Spend millions training athletes to win medals – Yes; spend billions, to build venues for the athletes to compete on to win those medals – Yes; Spend money to feed the hungry or house the poor and homeless or address child poverty in BC – NO!

Interesting – in a catastrophic way – set of priorities.

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February 24, 2010 Day – 9

Medals for the ‘Marathon’ and ‘Steeplechase’ were awarded today.

The Marathon:

Was awarded to a 40 year old gentleman whose EI had run out and who found himself facing an unexpected reality – social assistance is not in any way about assistance, about helping people get back onto their feet.

Even if he had managed to plod his way through the forms in a timely manner he would still have lost his apartment as a result of the unrealistic rental and living allowance levels set by Housing and Social Development.

One is torn between sympathy and a sense of justice/karma being served; justice/karma at a taxpayer getting a rude awakening as to the reality of the social safety net in BC.

Should Prime Minister Stephen Harper keep up the economic policies his government is pursuing many more taxpayers are going to have the opportunity to face with this harsh reality.

Congratulations Mr. Average Joe (anonymity having been requested)

The Steeplechase:

The judges acknowledge that the medal was awarded to an old favourite barrier raised by the system; a barrier that some members of ABHOC 2010 have personally had to surmount.

The medalist in this category is another recent victim of the Harper conservative government’s priorities and economic policies who has had the unpleasant experience of gaining personal knowledge as to the inadequacy of BC’s social safety net.

He just had not realized how mind bogglingly bureaucratized, jump-through-the-hoops the system was; having assumed the primary focus of the system was about getting employment

Not having had success in his job search to date, he had decided he needed some help with job hunting skills, resume etc and had started the course at Triangle. This is an excellent course for getting one’s job hunt on track (the course is excellent in many other aspects as well).

When he informed Social Development of what he was doing he was told that he was suppose to be looking for work in order to continue receiving assistance and that attending the course at Triangle was not ‘looking for work’.

This individual had been searching for work with no luck and had, rationally, thought that taking a course to improve his job search skills was a wise course of action to find employment. He had forgotten that he had left the real world and entered another dimension, the dimension and unreality occupied by the Liberal government and Ministry of Housing and Social Development.

In that reality one is not proactive in ones job search, but rather one must spin ones wheels until such time as the system decides you need to attend Triangle in order to improve ones skills and ability to find employment. A barrier of illogic numerous others have encountered.

Congratulations Mr. P – the look on your face was priceless.

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February 25, 2010 Day -10

Fate, The Force, Higher Power … whatever appellation one uses for Petaybee (PTB – Powers That Be [in charge]) continued to shower their favour on Abbotsford 2010 Homeless Winter Games.

Normally the Thursday 5PM dinner is hosted at Faith Bible (through the generous spirit of the congregation) but appropriately Petaybee arranged matters such that the congregation of Faith Bible needed to use the Church themselves, returning the Thursday night BBQ to its original outdoor location.

THE appropriate location for the closing ceremony (dinner) of the Abbotsford 2010 Homeless Winter Games.

Petaybee continued to show its favour and support for the Homeless Winter Games through the weather by the absence of rain on the BBQ, even though there were rain showers in the area.

Is it not strange how, when you are walking the right path things seem to fall into place and when someone(s) are walking the wrong path, making wrong choices, their path is strewn with obstacles and headaches?

Homeless Hobble:

The state of ones feet is a major consideration for the homeless and poor who depend on their feet to meet all their transportation needs. Indeed, given the harsh living conditions ones overall health is a concern – and under stress from daily life and living conditions.

The medal in this category goes not to a member of the homeless community but to the Florence Nightingale who, through caring, compassion, generosity of spirit, time and patience has built a relationship with the homeless; nursing not just their feet but tending to their physical health, mental health and spirit.

A relationship in which the homeless tell others that they need to see our medalist when they have medical issues. A relationship such that they will go to a doctor (a task with which our medalist will aid) and even endure the obstacles and attitudes of the Hospital when our medalist stresses the need (insists, nags) for them to go.

The effect of simple caring on the homeless and their health is profound.

Thanks Ms. N.

Health Care Obstacle Course:

dinsdale-on-health-care

Health care is problematic for the homeless as these two typical cases highlight.

Physical: A homeless gentleman had his back go out and was forced to drag himself to the road to flag down help. This is a gentleman who’s last ambulance ride to the hospital was 30 years ago after a car accident, who does not abuse drugs or alcohol or the medical system.

Yet the ambulance attendants did not believe him when he related these facts, one attendant insisting he had taken the homeless gentleman to the hospital just weeks before.

The staff at the hospital did not believe him either, treating him unprofessionally and with disrespect, refusing to believe he was there solely because he was in agony because of his back.

Not surprisingly they found nothing wrong with his back and unprofessionally sent him on his way (when he needed bed rest) without medication – so he had to endure the agony of a bad back. It has been near a month and it is still painful, for others whose backs torment them, to watch him walk.

Mental: Oh, they just left.

Duh! You have someone who is in mental distress and just how reasonable (or professional) is it to expect them to sit for hours in the waiting room to see someone then sit hours more until someone from psych comes down to take them to the ward?

The last time someone from ABHOC 2010 took someone who was clearly in distress to the hospital it was only because the ABHOC 2010 member was willing to spend the hours necessary to keep the person in need calm that the person got the help they needed.

Enlightened medical care uses peer support workers to help those in distress through the system and has systems in place such that it is not a 4+ hour obstacle course to be admitted to psych (or the hospital). But then in civilized and enlightened counties medical care and adequate resources are available – enlightened and civilized nations are not further reducing already inadequate resources.

The medal here goes not to a specific individual but to those (unfortunately) very rare individuals who will invest hours of their time to get someone the care they need.

Afterword:

The problem ABHOC 2010 has with Vancouver 2010 is not about the Olympics (OK we are not supportive of fat cat IOC members and the excess focus on commercialism) and Olympic competition themselves but about the costs and how governments (and thus citizens) have chosen to pay for the costs of hosting the Olympics.

At their root the Olympics are about entertainment, the entertainment of watching the pageantry and competitions.

Extravagant entertainment spectacle is a LUXURY and should come well after NEEDS on the public spending priorities list.

That is not true for the Vancouver 2010 Olympics. They have been purchased with credit (deficits) and cutbacks or non-provision of necessary services. Cutbacks and non-provisions that will continue into the future; with the most vulnerable in our society paying the price for a luxury they could not afford to partake of.

It comes down to a question of what kind of society one wants: the dog-eat-dog, greed and mean spiritedness that underlie America OR a society that honours the principles of neighbourliness, caring and helpful spiritedness that I associate with Canada and Canadians before the recent decades of Americanization began?

If it is a return to Canadian values than tell politicians your wishes in this matter and if they do not listen – find someone in your community who is honourable and supports these values, get them to run for office, then support and vote for them.

Canada remains a democracy, despite a Prime Minister, Premiers and local politicians who act as if it was a dictatorship – until they come around to lie to voters so they can return to their dictatorial ways.

Exercise your Rights, Exercise your Voice and help take back Canada from wannabe Americans – returning it to Canadian values and the True North Strong and Free.