A community is democratic only when the humblest and weakest person can enjoy the highest civil, economic, and social rights that the biggest and most powerful possess. - A. Phillip Randolph 1969 Polio protest for the right to live independently For the first time since the pandemic was declared I am now sitting at Kanpai … Continue reading The Contrarian Community of Calgary
Category: Politics
A Day in the Erosion of Life
"Freedom's just another way for nothing left to lose" - immortalized in song by Janis Joplin however written by Chris Kristofferson Rethinking life I am so pissed off right now I probably shouldn't be writing. However when you wake up at 5AM, and my first thought is how threatening this convoy is to my freedom, … Continue reading A Day in the Erosion of Life
Entitlement is Not Freedom
I like to open each session with, what I think, is an appropriate quote from the wisdom of other. Today I am reflecting on an insightful comment by actor and outspoken speaker on rights, Liev Schreiber. That is, and I quote, "I react very badly when mediocrity throughs a tantrum of entitlement". I share that … Continue reading Entitlement is Not Freedom
Pandemic Fugue
"The problem with the idea that history repeats itself is that when it isn't making us wiser it's making us complacent" Lisa Halliday, Asymmetry Rethinking life Fugue is defined as "a state or period of loss of awareness of one's identity", often coupled with flight from one's usual environment. After almost two years of this pandemic … Continue reading Pandemic Fugue
History Repeating
"Liberty has been won. The battle for Equality is still pending" - Charles Sumner, June 1, 1865 Lost in thought Somethings should never wake up while other have to erupt in order to handle change. I would never have thought I would be writing about this but then I never realized just how many "buried" … Continue reading History Repeating
Decade by Decade – True Change is Slow
Approaching my first New Eve's middle of the century Yes that little lump of flesh was me on my first New Years. That year was also the decade that marked the halfway point of the 20th century. I now measure societal advances by the decade rather than the year. A year doesn't really provide a … Continue reading Decade by Decade – True Change is Slow
Just Because It's Buried Doesn't Mean It's Dead
“Resilience is accepting your new reality, even if it’s less good than the one you had before. You can fight it, you can do nothing but scream about what you’ve lost, or you can accept that and try to put together something that’s good.” - Elizabeth Edwards Attending my dad's employers Christmas party (1958) when … Continue reading Just Because It's Buried Doesn't Mean It's Dead
Change is Constant, Accept That
Deep thoughts on activism Good Monday morning. There comes a time when we have to focus on the betterment of those around us and back off from saving the world. When you have been involved in activism as long as I have, it can be hard to hand over the reins of "change". It is … Continue reading Change is Constant, Accept That
Blast to the Past
"The tragedy of life is often not in our failure, but rather in our complacency; not in our doing too much, but rather in doing too little; not in living above our abilities, but rather in our living below our capacity" - Benjamin Mayes 1958 receiving Christmas gift from Calgary Transit annual staff Christmas Party … Continue reading Blast to the Past
No Time to Stop
Lost in thought I thought my days of writing were behind me. I thought I was ready to just accept full retirement and kick back. I thought the community would show more "common sense" during a world-wide pandemic. However, with months of pandemic induced isolation leaving me with only my thoughts (and trust me, I'm … Continue reading No Time to Stop
A Poster Child's Perspective 