I was hoping to pamper myself tomorrow with a hair cut but my stylist had to change the appointment so I'll have to look and feel like Shaggy for several days yet. So instead, I'll get poked for my quarterly blood tests. I hope Draculette finds a vein that does not roll all over the place. Then home to rest as I have come down with something. After teaching today, I was really done in and came home for a cat nap, a too long cat nap which is why I am up now . . . but not for long.
Puzzle — Today’s took me 3:59 (average 5:48). To do it, click here. How did you do?
Short Takes
CBC — The Truth and Reconciliation Commission will make public on Tuesday its final report documenting the history and legacy of Canada's residential school system, raising serious concerns for current and future generations of First Nations, Inuit and Métis children.
The final report, titled Honouring the Truth, Reconciling for the Future, is the culmination of thousands of hours of heart-wrenching testimony heard in more than 300 communities over a span of six years, from more than 6,000 indigenous women and men who were abused and lived to tell their stories. …
A 1945 investigation in parental complaints at the Gordon's Reserve school in Saskatchewan reported that for one dinner children were fed a single slice of bologna, potatoes, bread and milk. (General Synod Archives/Anglican Church of Canada)
"Removed from their families and home communities," Sinclair said in the final report, "seven generations of aboriginal children were denied their identity through a systematic and concerted effort to extinguish their culture, language and spirit."
"It is clear that residential schools were a key component of a Canadian government policy of cultural genocide."
I doubt that any nation which has embraced colonialism has dealt with their indigenous "conquests" in an equitable and just manner. Certainly Canada has not, even up to including the Harper government. The Harper government had to be dragged by the hair, and even then, grossly failed First Nations peoples on even basic matters of daily life. The Trudeau government is too new yet at only 6 weeks old to be evaluated. However, the Trudeau government has made promises and has begun some work in consultation with the Peoples. One thing is for sure in my mind, it is not just the government's job but the responsibility of all Canadians to embrace First Nations, Inuit and Métis with justice.
Maclean's — The contrast could not be greater. As Justin Trudeau announces that the first Syrian refugees will arrive in Canada on Thursday and Saturday, Donald Trump has doubled down on his promise to shut the door to all Muslims coming to the U.S.
Trump’s remarks have been condemned around the world as bigoted, racist and inflammatory—and yet he remains the frontrunner to be the Republican presidential nominee.
There is an 18 minute interview with David Frum, senior editor of The Atlantic and George W Bush's former speech writer, who refers to Trump as a flim-flam man. Sounds about right to me. Frum is a neo conservative.
Salon — Veteran journalist Ted Koppel appeared on NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday to excoriate the networks and pollsters for giving Donald Trump “the oxygen that [his] campaign requires,” which is dangerous because the real estate magnate is currently acting as “the Recruiter-in-Chief for ISIS.”
The ultimate measure of the success of television news programming, and all other programming for that matter, is the size of the audience. How does a network potentially increase audience size? . . . by playing to the most outrageous aspects of a story. Trump is playing the media and it is accommodating him. Check the video. Many of us have said that Trump, being his bombastic self, is helping Daesh, more than anything else.
My Universe —
5 Responses to “Squatch’s Open Thread 14/12/2015”
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Dearest Lynn, a few days ago you remarked on people looking at you as if you were nuts because you'd taken your jacket off, feeling warmer without it than wearing it, because it was soaked by a rainstorm if I remember correctly. Did you ever think people were trying to warn you that you might be coming down with something in a few days time if you did this? ;-))). But honestly, I do hope it won't turn into something bad, you're just over your very persistent cough. Please, take good care of yourself, preferably indoors ;-b
CBC: These shocking reports keep popping up all over the world where countries or continents were colonized and the indigenous people (nearly) decimated to get their lands and then further abused as the lowest class of citizens. When this started, centuries ago, it was wrong and inexcusable but at least considered "normal" in the Zeitgeist of that era. It continued in Canada until the government changed the color of their Weltanschauung and there is no excuse for it whatsoever. No new government can make up for all the wrongs and ruined lives in the past, but it can change things drastically from now on. I've more hope for Canada's aboriginal people to get justice and the proper place in Canadian society they deserve, than those in Australia, where a right wing government has turned back the clock and undid any headway that was made previously.
Macleans: I agree with David Frum that Donald Trump will have run out before the question of nomination comes up, but if he decides to go independent because his ego can't take that, he'll still be the GOP's greatest foe. Frum sees Trump as something alien to the GOP, someone that doesn't really belong there, where I see him as the epitome; Trump combines everything that is wrong and despicable in the GOP within one person and even manages to magnify it. If Trump can think of new ways to draw attention – and in this volatile world anything can happen that gives him new ammunition – he'll split the Republican vote and win, but not from the Democrats. And that'll be the end of the GOP because he went independent.
Salon: If the media are giving Donald Trump the oxygen he needs, perhaps we should refrain from discussing him too and just ignore him. On the other hand, if we think he'll destroy the entire GOP in the end, we need to keep an eye on him and encourage him even. Otherwise we have to start all over again o Cruz or Christie and they are just as bad.
My Universe: Can't help but melt.
5:10 Got tied up.
CBC and MacLean's – John Oliver pointed it out most amusing and most memorably, but I had also been wondering if the fear of (thankfully not all) white Americans toward Muslims in general and regugees in particular is related to the fact they we are the only group who actually did exactly what we seem to be afraid of. Now I see that either "white Americans" includes "white Canadians," or else we are not quote alone, white Canadians did it too. But you Canadians seem to be handling any misgivings a whole lot better than we are here.
Salon – Oh, yeah, we're saying it, and Ted is saying it, but who would have to say it and how loud would they have to say it (to be heard) before all his supporters and closet supportes, and the supporteers of every other candidate who wants to be "tough" will believe it? Or is that a "never"? History suggests that it is. Sigh.
Universe – Is there any such thing as an "uncute" kitten?
I call mine Lady Vampira.
4:05
As bad as Canada's record is, ours is far worse.
Trueau should shave his head to distance himself and his excellent policies from Hairball.
Amen!!
CAT is where it's AT!
3:29 I zipped by TomCat as he was playing with the bow.
CBC: So too, the US should recognize and work with the Native Americans here to do the same. Kudos to Canada for taking these first steps.
Here's a SNL clip of Will Ferrell, talking about the GOP candidates. Will Ferrell reprises George W. Bush impression on 'Saturday Night Live'.
http://www.today.com/popculture/will-ferrell-reprises-george-w-bush-impression-saturday-night-live-t61316
I'm wore out, it is Friday yet? Hope all goes well, take care, and Thanks, Lynn.
I love little furbabies, and babies.