Author Archives: terrywiens

Activist or Advocate?

Advocacy is often seen as working “within the system” whereas activism is seen as working “outside the system” to generate change. I think this is really useful, as clearly the role or issue can shift from one to the other. – Author unknown I have fifty years experience as an activist with another 25 years of advocacy experience […]
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Remembrance Day 2019

“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 Diefenbaker […]
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As Bullying Blossoms to Hate

“I would rather be a little nobody than to be an evil somebody” – Abraham Lincoln At what point do we move from an act of bullying to an act of hate? I would suggest that when we reach that point where malice and violence are a part of the inherent act then we have […]
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Election Day 2019 Canada

“Democracy must be something more than two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for supper” – James Bovard Today is election day and I am torn. In over forty years I have never felt such trepidation over a federal election while at the same time being so glad it is coming to […]
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For God Sake Wake Up

“I think complacency is what you allow it to be” – Draymond Green I cannot express the level of my anger right now. It’s Thanksgiving and suppose to be a joyous day spend with loved ones (or those close) celebrating the things we are thankful for. Instead I am sitting here pretending to be busy […]
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Thanksgiving 2019

“Legacy is not what I did for myself, it’s what I’m doing for the next generations” – Vitor Belfort Thanksgiving Day is upon us and one constant I hear every year is “why is the Canada Thanksgiving not held at the same time as the American one?”. For those that don’t know the reasons are […]
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Sleeping Issues or Memory Leaks

“The night is the hardest time to be alive and 4am knows all my secrets.” ― Poppy Z. Brite It is 4am and I finally had to succumb to the foolish belief that I would be able to drift off again. I can’t, get over it and get out of bed. It is like the cobwebs […]
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Alberta’s Spectre of Trumpism

“The rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man is threatened” – John F Kennedy I know I promised to do an article on my perspective of the changing education system in Alberta and I will. However I will save it for my Monday meanderings post because right now I want […]
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Writing From Frustration

(A variant quote) – “It’s easier to ask forgiveness than to get permission” – Grace Hopper With the writ finally coming down for the next federal election it is time to start writing again. I have ignore my writing all summer while I took on other challenges only to realize my absence of expression only […]
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Public Safety over Fiscal Responsibility isn’t Really Responsible

“Home is where the heart is, home is where believe we are safe” – Terry Wiens (2019) I love Calgary. Calgary is my home. I’ve left it many times, sometimes for career purposes and a few times just to go on a crazy adventure. However every time I leave I eventually find myself returning. And […]
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