The Year That Was 2016

This has definitely been an interesting year.

For some, it has been a horrible year. For others, it has been a really good year. Lots of momentous stuff has happened, and for me, I enjoyed the ride. Most of all, I loved the time spent with family. I love watching my beloved little girls grow and get bigger and smarter with each passing day. Barbara has survived her first full year of Primary, memorizing Articles of Faith, and enjoying singing along with the Primary songs. She has also learned to dress herself, and it is amazing how quickly she picks up on things. Just the other night I heard her tell her big brother's girlfriend about her Angel Omi (my mother for whom she is named after). Hope, meanwhile, is talking more, walking more, and getting into typical toddler trouble. It is a wonder to see how two children raised in the same home can have such variety in their personalities. While potty training is taking a lot longer, her chattiness is progressing quite nicely. She discovered a love for the German gingerbread cookies Daddy buys each Christmas and has even snuck some out of her sister's stocking.

It has been a bit tough for my stepmother. She has suffered for quite a while with a pair of bad hips and earlier this month had one of them replaced. The recovery is proceeding, albeit slowly. Dad is once again doing what he needs to in looking after her, but still managing to stay on top of some of his projects. He recently booked the Arrogant Worms to sing for the town of Alix. Heather and I already have our tickets for the March concert. Tara's family is also doing well. Amy started Grade 12, Connor is in Grade 9 at the high school with us, Liam started kindergarten, and Kaeleigh was baptized earlier this year. I have gotten a few hugs from Liam this year, so it is nice to see him warm up to me. My brother Kevin came to live with us this spring. He has had a difficult time as of late, and we had a spare room. He found a job quickly and has never been late on the rent, and it is nice to have him around. He is much more handier around the house for fixer-ups than I ever have been, and the girls love having their uncle Kevin with us. I am grateful to be there for him the way Tara was for me eight years ago.

Dustin graduated from Lethbridge college with his interior design degree, and he was able to secure employment for most of the year. He and Andrew adopted a puppy (about Annie's size), so it was nice to have a dog in the family photo this year. Dayton continues to do well in his studies at Mount Royal, and his girlfriend Hayley is a good addition to the family. Barbara especially loves it when she comes over to visit. I was very happy with her photography skills at our photo shoot this fall.

School has continued to be good for me. It is hard for me to say that I love my work when it doesn't feel like work most days. I have amazing students that continue to reassure me that some good people are up and coming in this world. Our principal, John Picard, retired at the end of the last school year. My former neighbor across the hall Bharati Singh was hired as the new principal, and she has continued the streak of excellent principals at the high school since I started. I have Amy in one of my Science 30 classes which is really nice for me.

I had one of the best years that I can remember. On the geek side, I finally broke down and bought Arrow on DVD. Halfway through Season 3 and I am glad I did it. The superhero TV shows are my favorites right now as in addition to Arrow I am enjoying Agents of Shield, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, and the Flash. Celebrity wise I was fortunate enough to meet two idols at the Calgary Comic Expo: William Shatner (James T Kirk) and Peter Mayhew (Chewbacca). Heather and I took a great vacation to Vegas for the convention celebrating 50 years of Star Trek. Lots of fun, laughs, and nostalgia. I was able to get Nichelle Nichol's autograph and thank her for her work. Lots of other great experiences there. Heather and I also caught the Teryy Fator show at the Mirage while we were there, and we were duly impressed. I also started a Star Trek blog that usually gets a couple hundred views per posting. The response has been almost universally positive, with no troll sightings.

I have heard many reasons why 2016 has been a bad year. From economic hardships to politics to celebrity deaths, it has been tough. I can't remember a US election year where the two main candidates were so undesirable that I was concerned for the outcome regardless of who had won. As I watched the news and listened to people around me, I couldn't help but wonder if we have not become more divided as a people and society. This has led me further strengthen my resolve to stand for tolerance, unity, respect, and overall better understanding for all. It is hard and I do not always succeed, but it is ever more important. I will freely admit that my faith in humanity has weakened a bit, but my faith in God has become even stronger. That will do in light of the angrier world we live in.

As I get ready to try making beef jerky for the first time with my new food dehydrator (Heather did well this Christmas) and look forward to the fun and excitement that 2017 will bring, I give my now typical Top Ten events of the year!

10. Movie Event of the Year - Star Trek:Beyond. I loved this movie. It was fun and felt like the Star Trek of old. Great movie to celebrate 50 years.
9. TV Highlight of the Year - Loved AGT again, and thought it was again the strongest season, but this year the highlight goes to the Alien Invasion that went through Supergirl, Flash, Arrow, and Legends of Tomorrow. Some of the most fun I had with TV shows in a long while.
8. Personal Growth Highlight of the Year - I have always enjoyed writing, and I have always wanted to write a review for each Star Trek episode. With my Addicted to Star Trek blog I have been able to do both!
7. Surprise of the Year - This again goes to my sister, Tara, and her self-publishing. For Christmas I received a book of all my Thoughts of the Week that I post each Sunday on Facebook. It brought tears to my eyes that my sister decided to make me a published author.
6. Friend Highlight of the Year - Lots of good times with friends this year, but if I were to pick only one highlight, it was the Calgary Comic Expo where I was able to reconnect with two old friends, Rob Clark and Levi Godfrey.
5. Children Highlight of the Year - Barbara has started to learn how to read. Hope and I have a "Hug Cuddles" song that she loves to sing with me.
4. Milestone of the Year - watching Barbara perform in her very first Primary presentation. Yup, she was the one who was waving from the stands.
3. Spiritual Highlight of the Year - Going to the Temple in Las Vegas with my wife and some new friends we met on Facebook.
2. Family Event of the Year - Attending the surprise birthday party to celebrate my father's 70th trip around the Sun. Great seeing almost the whole family together.
1. Event of the Year - Going to the Star Trek convention with my beloved Heather. This was the first trip alone with her since the kids were born. It was well worth it. Really, we could have been on a rock in the Pacific, and as long as she was there I would have been happy.

Refusing to Learn

It was an election like none other. Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump were the two least popular individuals to compete for the White House and the seat of President of the United States of America. Both main parties put forward a candidate that was heavily flawed, mired in corruption and scandal, and the rest of the world looked on and wondered if the USA had gone insane. Accusations of rigged elections, voter suppression and intimidation, and sins decades past were paraded across the stage. In the end, when the dust settled, Donald Trump defied the odds and became the 45^th elected President of the United States. In my own personal opinion, never has a man so unqualified reached such a lofty height. Despite my disappointment, this was a fair and democratic election, and though I wish the outcome had been different (I was hoping for independent candidate Evan McMullin to pull out the ultimate miracle), it is done and in the history books.

More than any other election, 2016 will go down as the election with the most fear-mongering known in modern US history. Not since the Civil Rights movement have racial tensions been so high. Both sides of the election seemed to bring out the worst in people, but I would have to say that on the Republican side we saw the worst of the worse. Trump and his most ardent supporters mocked, persecuted, and insulted a wide variety of groups. From women and sexual assault victims, to Muslims, Jews, and Mormons, to Mexicans and even the disabled, Trump spoke his mind, which led to others speaking their minds. As a result of last night’s election, many people in America felt something they had never felt before on election night: fear. It is that fear that I wish to address in this post. It is something I can relate to, though not necessarily to the extent that others are feeling right now.

As a result of last night's election, many people felt something they have never felt before on election night: fear.

As many of you reading this know (or maybe don’t know, as who knows how far this will go), I am a teacher by profession. Like many of my colleagues, I develop an attitude of care and concern for the well-being of my students. I often refer to my students as “my kids”, which started before my own children came into my life. I acknowledge that for many teenagers these days there is a lot of high idealistic hopes that have yet to be tempered with life experience. This can lead to many of my students developing concerns that too many adults brush aside as being the exaggerations and anxieties of youth. I am not one of those. It was not too long ago that I was a teenager or a university student (OK, it was a long time ago, almost half of my life ago, but I still remember it), so I understand how these feelings can affect a person. They affect all of us to different extents. Some of us adults have just become very adept at killing those feelings, leaving them a bit emotionally muted on the inside. In other words, we all deal with those same feelings in different ways. It was the concerns of a former student expressed on social media that has prompted all of this, and for that I am thankful to her.

One group that is feeling very concerned are Muslim Americans. This is the religion of my former student. She shared an article about how Muslim-American women were now afraid to wear their hijab in public for fear of their safety. It was heartbreaking. To use intimidation to cause a person to feel that they cannot worship God as they wish is simply wrong. I gave an encouraging message about being extra vigilant to stand against prejudice and intolerance. She then asked a poignant question.

“How do you educate those who block it out though? Who refuse to learn?”

How do you educate those who block it out?

A very good question indeed.

I gave a slightly longer reply, but the wheels in my head just kept turning. It was one of the moments for me when I just had to get typing and put these thoughts to words on paper…er, screen, I guess.

First off, if you are one who is thinking of typing up some sort of response or comeback, claiming that my student is acting the victim, or that people who are fearful should grow a pair and accept the results, stop whining, move back to wherever they came from, get over it, cry you a river, I have a simple two word request for you: stop it. There is a time and a place for that sort of thing, and this is neither. If you can’t handle that, then stop reading this now, because you may not like what is to come. By not being able bite your tongue with a smarmy comeback to people who are legitimately hurting I am not sure you are presently in a frame of mind to responsibly and maturely have a dialogue with me. If you cannot respond with any sense of compassion in this, then I ask you not to respond at all. Chances are you do not know what it is like to wake up fearful of the world you live in, and for that you should be grateful. If you think you have and are still thinking such thoughts, then perhaps your experience pales in comparison to what millions of people are feeling right now. And if you still think you have a right to tell these buttercups to suck it up, then chalk it up to a middle-aged bald guy who has an understanding of waking up each morning afraid of how the world is going to treat you. Maybe in your eyes I haven’t yet fully healed from that myself. If you think I am pandering to “victims”, well, you have that right, I suppose. Just understand that in this forum I will exercise my right to delete your boorish and insensitive comments. If you have a problem with that, then I suggest you grow a pair and accept the results, or just suck it up, Buttercup.

My response is not only to those of the Muslim faith that feel threatened by this development. It is to anyone who feels that with these election results that America has rejected them. It is for those of us who were on the “winning side”. For those of us who were looking in and wondering “what the heck is happening?” and were shaking our heads, trying to wake up from a trip to Bizarreland.

Most of all, this is for RJ.

How do we respond to those who refuse to learn? How do we deal with those who seem to be intent on hanging on to their misconceptions and fears? How do we get through to those who are so wrapped up in their comfortable misgivings towards those who look, believe, feel, or act differently? More importantly, how do we move forward when others try to stop us from doing so?

I do not claim to be the smartest, wisest, or most knowledgeable man to have walked the Earth, but here it goes. This what we must do with such people.

First, be firm. Hatred of this nature brings nothing that is good. When confronted with such hatred, we must be firm in our resolve to stand against it. We must make the stand whenever we encounter it. We may be standing beside someone else, in a group, or even standing alone, but we must stand. We must make sure that at the very least while we are present we will not accept that hatred of this kind has a place.

When confronted with such hatred, we must be firm in our resolve to stand against it.

Second, be brave. Making stands such as this will seldom be a matter of convenience and will often require great courage. Know that each time you stand makes you stronger for the next time.

Third, respond with love. This is hard, believe me. When a person will not see you for who you really are, it is easy to return hate for hate. That is the road that these individuals know all too well, and it likely has made them miserable. If nothing else, you have taken the high road. In all of the religions I have studied I have found a common thread that God, however you view Him, loves us all as His children. I have found that the best way to show love to others is to do good to them. Serve them. In my church we have a story of a goodly king named Benjamin who taught that when we are in the service of our fellow man we are in the service of our God. One of my favorite lines from the Quran says to compete with each other in doing good. So when these people refuse to accept that Muslims or whatever group you belong to are good, then prove them wrong with your love and actions.

Prove them wrong with your love and actions.

Fourth, forgive them. Regardless of what you believe in, forgiveness is essential for a happy life. Whether or not you think it is a commandment from God, forgiveness helps heal your soul. Something that may help in this is understanding why this person feels the way they do. Some have been raised with this mistrust because of the traditions of their parents. Others have had difficult experiences when younger that have left a sad scar upon their souls that has had trouble healing over the years. Many seem to find comfort wrapping themselves up in their fears of that which is foreign to them. It seems illogical, but it is nonetheless real. When you know where they have come from and understand a little of their journey, you will find that forgiveness and compassion towards them will grow within you. They will feel that from you as well. This is one of the most effective tools at breaking down those walls that they have erected around their souls.

Forgiveness helps heal your soul.

Fifth, recognize your own refusals to learn. One thing made clear to me in this election is that people are fed up. They are fed up with racism, prejudice, corruption, and intolerance. Understand that this is felt by both those who voted for Trump and by those who voted for Clinton. You see, we all have misconceptions of others. It is easy to point out those to others, but it is another to see them within ourselves. As we work on ourselves, we open our eyes to better understand where this comes from. We must try to make ourselves better, often in spite of those who rage against us.

As we work on ourselves, we open our eyes to better understand 

Finally, accept some truths. One truth is that not everyone will accept you. Their journey to understanding is just too hard, or they are too unwilling, or unable, or just enjoy being a jerk too much to learn. Leave them be. If you have done the other things, then you are a better person for it. Accept that you cannot change Trump and his most deplorable supporters. Accept that some people will be rotten to the core for the rest of their miserable lives and will always hate you for who you are. That is the truth. I asked my four-year old daughter how to deal with people who are mean to you. She said “tell them to stop, and if they don’t stop, just keep trying”. Wise words, but they are colored by the beautiful naivety of innocent youth. At some point, you wash your hands of these people and move on. If they cannot see your worth and beauty, then they deserve to share in none of it. Your life is more important. When it comes to anti-Muslim sentiments, I have made the stand that cost me some friendships. Yes, it hurt. That is life, and sometimes life hurts. I will not sacrifice what I know to be right just to hang on to a relationship with someone who attacks others out of hatred or ignorance. If they will not let go of their hatred, then sometimes we have to let go of them.

If they will not let go of their hatred, then sometimes we have to let go of them.

One last truth to accept. You are not alone. In the Bible, the prophet Elisha was speaking with a servant of the King as an enemy army encircled their city. The servant lamented that the enemy was so large in number. Elisha told the servant to “fear not, for they that be with us are more than they that be with them”. Elisha then prayed to God and asked Him to open the eyes of the servant, who then saw a heavenly army with chariots of fire were surrounding the enemy in far greater numbers. Again, regardless of what you believe, know that there are far greater numbers of people that stand with you on this. In regards to this election, while I understand that it can be an interpretation of rejection by a whole nation, do not forget that even though she lost the election, Clinton won the most votes. Add to that all those who voted third party, far more people rejected Trump’s hateful rhetoric. I even believe that a significant number if not a majority of those who voted for Trump do not share those beliefs. Those who refuse to learn are in the minority, and while being in the majority does not instantly mean that you are right in all things, I like to think that in this case it does. If nothing else, know that I stand with you. Even if I’m not physically standing beside you, I stand with you.

So, in short, stick to your guns, be brave, be patient and forgiving, love beats hate, some fools never learn, and you are not alone in this. Hmmm, maybe I should have just said that. Ah, well. Sometimes I just like to hear myself type. 

Dear Americans

Dear America,

Last night there was a debate. The night before there was a video leaked. The weeks leading up to that there was a man who was determined to become the President of the United States of America. For months, this man has made a mockery of the American electoral system. He has insulted large sections of the American population and the world in general. He has shown utter contempt for his peers and the American people. He has run a campaign on hate, lies, division, and crudeness. With the video that was leaked a few days ago, he showed his true colors as a misogynistic bully, liar, and racist excuse for a human being. He offered a forced apology, likely being more sorry that this video surfaced. He then tried to blame the husband of his opponent for doing worse and tried to deflect the blame as locker room talk. He showed no real remorse, and he stepped up his hateful rhetoric. He basically continued his pattern of destructive behavior.

Since he entered into the race for the White House, I have been opposed to Donald Trump. I thought he would be a flash in the pan candidate. He would be here and gone very quickly. I was wrong. He groped and clawed his way to the top of the Republican ticket, like he has groped and clawed his way to the top of everything in his life. He has done so without integrity, honesty, or decency. He has taken advantage of every tragedy and calamity to further his own agenda. He has no desire to make America great again, only to make himself great. He is a fraud, a failure, and a disgrace, and he thinks he is God's gift to his country. He has only apologized for his behavior all those years ago when he was caught on video. He bragged about approaching and pursuing married woman, and gloated over the fact that he could get away with it. He has never shown any true remorse for anything else he did. He has no plan, just grandiose statements about how great his plan is. He shows no details because he has none, but he is playing the greatest slight-of-hand trick on America the world has ever seen.

The most frustrating aspect of his horrid campaign is that people in America are buying it. True, every day more and more of his supporters abandon him, but there is still a chunk of my American neighbors who are still drinking his Kool Aid. What is so frustrating is that despite the horrible things he has said and done, people still defend him. Most recently, with the lewd videotape of his being released, I have heard some disturbing chatter about it. His defenders say that every man has spoken like that about women in the past. Every locker room in the world has had those conversations. It's not a big deal, and that attitude is the biggest problem of all. Trump saying it is disgusting enough, but to have Americans try to defend it by glossing over the crudeness as just "guy talk" is another indication of the epidemic of corruption in society. If Donald Trump has made it all the way to the POTUS election, and he was placed there with the support of the American people, then the corruption of American politics has made its way to the voters.

Let me set the record straight on "guy talk" in the locker room. Not all men have participated in it. I never did. My father never did. My father-in-law never did. I can continue with the list, but I would not participate in such horrible talk. I would speak out against it, which is likely one reason I was bullied in high school. I go to a gym regularly as an adult, and I never hear such talk. When people try to brush the severity of what he said aside as being "normal" they contribute to the hate and vulgarity that makes up this so-called locker room talk. They are as much a part of the problem as anyone else, maybe even the bigger part of the problem. If we rationalize what Trump said, we are part of the problem. If we confront it and condemn it, we are part of the solution. There is one type of man who would say such stuff like that. In my opinion, those types of people that accept that kind of talk as being normal and just words are truly epitomizing the word "deplorable".

So to the people of the United States of America, I ask you to take stock of your personal character and integrity. If you support Donald Trump, then stop excusing his behavior. Stop rationalizing it as "locker talk". Stop saying that this is just the way his generation was raised. It wasn't. You want to support your candidate? Than own up to his short comings. When you say "But Bill Clinton did..." or "But Hillary said...", you are deflecting the issue. When you do this, you are slapping the face of every woman and girl who has been sexually assaulted. When you brush aside his comments as being in the past, you are sweeping the tears and shattered lives of decades of mistreatment of women under the proverbial rug. This needs to stop.

By stating this, I am not discounting the deceits and issues associated with Trump's main opponent, Hillary Clinton. Her hands are far from clean in matters of integrity. That is something that her supporters are reckoning with. Instead, I am asking the good people of the United States if America to consider the decision that you will make in November very carefully. If it were up to me, I would have Trump suffer the greatest defeat in modern history, but it is not up to me. What I will say is that everything that Trump has said and done, every way that he has acted has set the poorest of examples for my children, my daughters, to tolerate, let alone accept. I am not just speaking of his blatant disregard for women, but for Muslims, Mexicans, the disabled, Americans of African and Japanese descent, and others. There are so many reasons to not support him in his bid for the highest level of power in the free world.

I would love nothing more than to see his complete and utter defeat in the upcoming election. However, in the fairness of democracy, I will concede that there are those who feel that Trump is the best candidate. I will concede that little that I could say will sway those minds that feel that Trump should be in the White House. Those who will place their mark by his name do so for a range of reasons, from an honest belief that he is indeed the best man for the job to his only redeeming quality is that he is not Hillary. If you choose to vote for this man, then I ask you one simple favor: own him. Own what he says and what he stands for. Own his misogyny, his racism, his lies. If you really feel that he is worthy of your vote, then stop the excuses, cease the deflections, and own him. Stop pretending that he is a saint. Stop brushing his sins under the rug. If you think that is what Clinton supporters are doing, then take the high road and be better. Accept that Trump is flawed and own it. Every time you refuse to own it, then you compromise your integrity. If you can't own what he truly is, then you will not make America great again. You continue its downward spiral, and it is spiraling. This election is the latest symptom of our western society in moral decay. If you feel that the best thing that you can do is vote for a man who is intent on stepping on the necks of anyone and everyone who gets in his way, then vote for him, but don't try to delude the rest of the world by stating that he is a good person. His own running mate has admitted that his comments are indefensible. He owned it, for better or worse. I may not respect your choice in candidate, but I can respect your choice if you just do that one thing.

Just own it.

The Pain of 30 Years

There are a lot of moments in our lives that will have a significant impact on the direction our lives will make. At the time it is difficult to predict how much these lessons will influence us, but over the years we find out that we will be shaped in ways that we could not have predicted. I think it is time to share one of mine and talk about what I have learned from it, over thirty years later.

In Grade 4 my class was asked to talk about their family background. We talked about what countries our ancestors came from. I was happy to share with my friends and classmates my German heritage. My mother was born in Hamburg Germany, and she had taught us about its rich heritage and traditions. I felt a sense of pride in my roots. I was happy to share with my classmates about the food and customs of the literal Motherland.

Then, we switched units, and we started to study World War II. While we had all heard of this great war, we did not know too much of the details. We knew that Canada, the UK, and the US were the good guys, but that was the limit of our knowledge. Over the next few weeks we began to fill in the missing pieces. It did not take long before I learned the truth that Germany was the main villain in this global event. We learned about Ann Frank, the Holocaust, and the other atrocities associated with World War II. My image of my heritage began to crumble. How could something that I had felt such pride over be responsible for something so horrendous? My pride in where my mother came from began to diminish. To a ten year old boy, this sort of thing was devastating.

Sadly, my classmates did what children tend to do. Take what they know and turn it into a game. At lunch one day, a bunch of my friends wanted to play a new game. They called it "War". They were Canada, the US, England, France, and other allied countries. Because I had expressed such joy at being of German descent, they made me Germany. The game was them chasing after me, shooting pretend guns at me, wanting to "kill" me. They would run around the playground yelling "Death to Germans!". When I tried to tell them that I did not want to play this game, they told me to shut up and run, because all Germans were evil and I was German. The next day they continued the game, and for the rest of the week I faced the same routine. My friends would "attack me" and scream about killing Germany. When I asked them to stop, they refused. When I tried to do something else, they relentlessly followed, continuing with their aggressive game. Sometimes a few other boys would be on my side, but I seemed to be the focus. I tried to tell them that Germany is good now, to which they responded with insults. It soon evolved that my friends stopped being my friends. I'm not saying that I was the most popular kid before this happened, but suffice it to say that my ranking on the list of social standing in Grade 4 plummeted.

The teasing and bullying grew worse, and it started to have a more profound effect on me. I think some of the kids did not see what was wrong with what they were doing, and instead of trying to further explain it to them, I just got angry at them. They got angry at me for being angry with them. Soon it became more than just me being German, it was about me being me. I was then picked on for not being good at sports, for reading lots of books, and for my religion. I then started getting sick. Many mornings I would throw up and stay home sick. I missed a fair bit of school. I always stayed caught up, but I quickly learned that being at home was far preferable than being at school. My teachers became concerned. My parents began to worry. They spent a lot of time talking to me about what was going on. Eventually I was able to tell my mom what started everything. It felt good telling someone. I thought maybe things would die down.

My parents spoke to my teacher. A couple days later, we had a lesson in social studies. It was about life for German-Canadians after the end of WWII. We read about how many people living in Canada were mistrustful of people of German descent. German-Canadians were harassed and treated poorly shortly after the war. We then talked about how all these things were wrong. We talked about how we should not hold the entire nation of Germany responsible for the actions of its leaders and that the best way to treat your former enemies is with forgiveness and compassion. It was one of those feel-good moments straight out of your Hallmark Movie of the Week plot. All that was needed was the reconciliation between me and my classmates and everyone going home happy and friends again.

That didn't happen.

Sad to say, the kids didn't quite get it. I was still on the outs. Not one student apologized to me. The bullying continued. My life did not get much better. It was nice that my teacher did this, but it just didn't do a whole lot to improve the situation. I am still not certain as to whether or not the anxiety of everything was contributing to my on-off morning puking, but it is a possibility. My former friends continued to treat me poorly. After a few weeks they stopped the War game, but I think it was more because they lost interest in it as opposed to them realizing that it was wrong. Grade 4 became my least favourite grade of school. In future years I admit things got better. A few of my former friends became friends again in the following years, but I was largely seen as the outcast in my school. The whole German thing was dropped, but it was the catalyst that started the bullying and teasing. 

So, more than thirty years later, I am thinking back on this experience. Recently I have had many discussions about some of the major social issues facing us today. I have talked to people about things like radical Islamic terrorism, the US Presidential election, and Black Lives Matter. Everyone seems to have an opinion on these issues, and the discussions can get quite lively at times. One thread that has permeated throughout these issues is the idea of labeling members of one particular group for the actions of a few. Whether it is looking at all Republicans as Trump-like fanatics, all Democrats as compliant liars, all blacks as cop haters, all police as racists, or all Muslims as complicit in terrorism, it is very easy to get caught up in the rhetoric. 

I feel that a lot of us will gladly say "All _______ are _________" (fill in the blanks as you wish) in our discourses. We may not say it outright in that manner, but there are some distinct allusions that are being bandied around. One in particular that gets me concerned is when someone calls Islam the "so-called religion of peace". Others include "you can't trust a cop, you don't know if you are dealing with a dirty one or not", or the retort of "all lives matter" whenever someone mentions "black lives matter". The truth of matter is that it is easy for us to make broad generalizations as a way of somehow strengthening our argument. We exaggerate and simplify our way to justify our biases against a certain group, be it racial, professional, socio-economic, religious, or political. When we debate, we do so to win, not to learn or understand. Discourse has become a competition to defeat your opponents, not to come to a common understanding. From there, it is not a difficult leap to discrimination and hatred.

So while I get why some people become distrustful of others, I need to point out the lessons I learned in the 4th grade. It is unfair and wrong to pass judgement on an entire group of people. I have heard good people rationalize their reactions to terrorism or BLM movements. For terrorism and grouping all Muslims in the same group, they say that it is hard to ignore that so many terrorist activities these days are committed by those who profess to follow Islam. They use a phrase that gets my blood boiling: "Islam, the so-called religion of peace". I offer that every experience that I have had with Muslims has been at worst neutral and more often are very positive. I talk about how many of my students are Muslim, and they are such a delight to me. They give me Christmas presents, introduce me to their family at graduation, and show the utmost respect and love. Many I do not know are Muslim until it happens to come up in a conversation. This means that they do not seem any different to me than students of any other denomination. When I share this with those who are spreading distrust, they sometimes respond with another blood-boiling inducing phrase: "Well yeah, but...". Thankfully I hold my tongue during those moments...well, most of the time.

When a Black Lives Matter story comes along, some people get up in arms, demanding that other lives matter. When a gay pride parade happens, some will insist that there be a straight pride day. People start to shout at each other, accusing one another of hatred and intolerance. People have stopped trying to see the other's point of view. On one side, those who bring up the injustices faced by a group in society need to raise their voice loudly to raise awareness. Those who dare question such awareness are often feeling their own type of discrimination. The irony of a straight-white-Christian male becoming in some circles a scapegoat is not lost on me. I get it. I get it all. I get why people wear BLM T-shirts. I get why some people feel that only Trump can speak for them. I get why there is frustration on so many fronts for so many people. We have chosen to limit ourselves on perspectives. We tend to associate with those we agree with and silent those whose opinions appear to be in opposition. Too many of us have bought into the lie that if one disagrees with something it is because of hatred. It is easier to see the world as "Us vs Them".

It frustrates me. I hear people say that BLM is a cop-hating group, that cops are bullies drunk on power, that Muslims are terrorists, and all I can think of is a group of ten year old children chasing me around the playground screaming "death to Germany". I can't help but hear the taunts as social media lights up with more political rhetoric. It is draining to me, reliving the pains of my past. I see good people abandoning morals to support those who stir up such feelings of hatred. I see people choosing between the lesser of evils instead of searching for or actively promoting that which is good. It's Grade 4 all over again.

30 years later, it still hurts.

8 Years Ago - What I Learned About the People in Your Life

Thanks to Facebook, I was reminded of an important event so long ago. On this day in 2008 I made the move from Thunderchild First Nations Saskatchewan to Calgary Alberta. I loaded up my beloved Annie into a U-Haul truck and made the long drive to my sister's house in Scenic Acres. It amazes me still how much my life has changed. Before I do that, a quick refresher of where I was.

Eight years ago my life was in shambles. I was coming to grips with an approaching divorce. I felt I could not stay where I was, and for months I was searching for work in Alberta. To be honest, Calgary was the last place in Alberta I wanted to be (OK, second last. I really didn't want to end up anywhere north of Edmonton), but as job prospects dried up, I found that the only place I could go was the basement of my sister's house. I swallowed what little pride I had left, and moved in. I had no job, no car, no home, no marriage, nothing. It was one of the lowest points in my life. I did have my beloved dog, Annie, a storage unit full of stuff, and a sister who along with her family let me live with them. Without them, I really have no idea where I would have ended up. Likely on the street.

Looking back at that time, I marvel at the lessons I have learned since. I learned the importance of dealing with loss head on. I started counseling, which was so beneficial to my healing. I learned that helping and serving others is a great way to help yourself heal. I learned that giving to a community is a perfect way to feel connected to it. I learned that hurt does heal, and while scars sometimes remain, they can serve as a reminder of how fortunate you are to still be here. I learned that accepting the generosity of others is neither a strength nor a weakness, but it is a necessity of life sometimes. I learned that when you put your faith and trust in God, He will not always take you where you want to go, but you will always end up where you need to be. I learned to have confidence in myself, to see me for who I really am. I started to discover that me that so many people knew, yet somehow I could not remember.

I learned that when you need a certain someone in your life, that person will be there. Many times that person is family, and I can say that during this time I was blessed with supportive family. My sister, Tara, and her husband, Bryan, were the most supportive, and the debt I owe them will never be repaid. Their children were, for several years, the closest thing I had to children of my own, and still feel that way to me. My father and stepmother, though they lived far away at the time, were as supportive as ever.

Other people come from the past. Friends who had been there for decades (Dan Oler and Matt Harker especially) were still having my back. Old mission companions and buddies would be there. I am thinking of the blessing of finding that one such companion, Eric Bly, and his family lived close to where I was. They would invite me over for their family get togethers. At a time when I needed friendship and a wee bit of a social life, they were there. I discovered that through social networks like Facebook, other friends from my university days would be there. People who influenced me during my childhood and teens would show up, being able to say the right thing at the right time. The relationships we nurture today may very well result in the biggest pay-offs well into the future.

Other people that helped me through this I had yet to meet. My ward was so vital. Right away my bishop gave me confidence by extending a calling in seminary. While I was only able to serve in that capacity for a few months it was so necessary that I was teaching again. I met one of the nicest guys in the world, and thanks to an inspired Elder's Quorum president, we became home teaching companions. The fact that we were both single may have been a factor, but Ricardo Perez quickly became a good friend. It was because of him that I was able to get out and start meeting other single people in the church.

Church was not the only blessing. It was not long before I was subbing, and by the end of October I was teaching at Sir Winston Churchill High School. Deb Miller saw something in me that helped me come out of my shell as a teacher, and the students there were great. While I have forgotten many of their names, I definitely remember how they trusted me coming into their classroom, their fourth teacher in 6 weeks, and learned. In January I was offered a full time probationary contract at FFCA high school, and while I was sad to leave Churchill, I needed something more permanent. Since February of 2009 I have had the immense joy of working with this charter school, and I have loved it all. My colleagues have been and still are among the best in the world. I have formed friendships with people that are so different from myself and yet I feel such a strong kinship to. They have offered me friendship, feedback, support, encouragement, and hope. They cheered me on in my successes and hugged me during my hardships. I have seen this school grow and thrive, and I am hoping that this will be my last school that I work at. It is at FFCA that I have had the immense honor of interacting with some of the most inspiring students that exist. When I see these young men and women walk across the stage at graduation, I feel mixed emotions. I feel joy knowing that they are going to make the world a little bit better, yet sadness that there place in my life will most likely diminish into a fond memory and the odd Facebook connection. Nothing overjoys me more than seeing our graduates come back to the school for a visit.

Of course, the biggest blessing waiting for me in Calgary was a pretty brunette mother of two who was also seeing the end to her first marriage. Though some may argue, I will always believe that Divine Intervention brought Heather and I together. While the saddest, hardest day of my life happened over eight years ago, I must express gratitude that it happened, for it led me to the greatest day of my life almost six years ago. Marrying Heather was and likely will always be the greatest and smartest thing I have ever done. Not only did I marry the perfect fit for me, but I have been able to see the most fulfillment in my life because of her. Her sons are my boys. Our daughters have brought me so much joy (while at the same time so much pleasant frustration). If nothing else, coming to Calgary was what I needed because it is here that my ultimate goal of becoming a father and husband was finally realized. All the pain in life is nothing compared to this great happiness.

So for this anniversary of sorts, I want to pay tribute to all the people who have helped me along the difficult path that sometimes is life. From the volunteers at the Calgary Zoo to the Rockyview Ward to the kids in my science and biology classes; from friends who are still in touch to those who have lost touch to those who have left this world; to family near and far, whether by blood, adoption, or marriage, I thank all of you. Mostly, to my beloved wife and eternal companion, I thank you for your love and compassion.

Eight years ago I came to Calgary with a broken soul and a beaten heart.

Eight years later, I call this city home, stronger and happier than I have ever been.

Eight years from now, who knows? Can't wait to find out.

The Struggle Between Justice and Mercy

Well, here I go again, taking a stand on an issue of morality in today's confusing world. What has prompted my little soapbox speech this time? One name that is becoming infamous: Brock Turner. You know, the privileged white boy at Stanford who found a girl passed out and took 20 minutes to rape her. The guy who has become social media's public enemy #1 when he was given a light 6 month jail sentence, and whose father had said that it was a steep price to pay for 20 minutes of action. Yeah, that guy. It is not surprising that this story has gone viral and that people are outraged. I just finished reading an article that claims the father has tried to organize a fund raiser to help cover his son's legal fees. So while the court of law has dealt this rapist a slap on the wrist, he is receiving a much harsher sentence from the world of the internet. People are vowing to make his life as destroyed as the life of his victim, promising that he will not get a moment of peace. I have read a story of a young black man who was sentenced for 6 years for a rape he was accused of committing as a teenager and was eventually proven innocent, having served over 5 years of his sentence. The cries for justice are deafening. People are demanding justice, but do not seem content with what they are finding.

Now, before I continue, let me address my own opinion of Brock Turner. He sickens me. He is definitely privileged due to his skin color and socioeconomic status. To hear the judge say that a longer jail sentence would have been bad for the guy gets my blood boiling, and I wonder if this judge is up for re-election soon. I have read the victim's impact statement, and it is tough to read, but worth it. I cringed many times and fought back tears. I shudder to think of this happening to my own daughter, my nieces, my students. It angers me that this 20 year old entitled brat could think that he could bluff his way out of the crime that he had committed. This guy raped a woman and showed no remorse or accountability, and his parents (or at the very least, his father) supported him. And so on and so forth. So many times has this story played out, and the victims suffer more and more for the sins of others while the sinner gets off with a stern talking to or perhaps gets away with the whole crime. I wonder how many other women this piece of human filth has raped, how many other women have been re-traumatized by this story as their attackers walk free. I have spoken with the victim of rape, and it is not something that one easily "gets over". The father of Brock Turner says that 6 months is a steep price for 20 minutes of action, but compared to a lifetime of suffering that this young woman is enduring, 6 months is a trifle.

Normally in court cases I try to see all sides of the story. We often do not have the whole story to look at, and evidence may be withheld. I also advocate for mercy towards those who have committed crimes, especially if they have done their time and are trying to put their life back in order. People can be forgiven for their sins, and I believe that we are expected to find forgiveness for others. Yet in this case I admit freely that I struggle with this case. Perhaps if the boy had shown remorse, or if his parents had not tried to brush things under the carpet. Maybe if his family showed a hint of the public outrage we see now, it would be easier. Forgiving others, I have often said, has more to do with helping the person who does the forgiving and nothing to do with excusing the grievous act, and yet I feel little desire to grant Brock this forgiveness. I also caution against public shaming of individuals because it can easily get out of hand and punish a person more than even they deserve. In this situation, I am inclined to let the faceless masses grab their pitchforks and torches and have at it. Maybe this means that I acknowledge my own limits in trying to be a good person, looking for the balance between justice and mercy.

When these situations arise, I feel powerless. I want to do more than just offer my opinion and voice, but I sadly know not what to do. Perhaps I should just continue on with my life. Sadly, experience has shown that this story will fade from the public's mind. People will get upset about something else, move on to a new cause, and Brock Turner will be able to move on with his life. He will likely con a young lady with his impressive swimming record into believing him that this was all a misunderstanding, and she will fall for it and him. He will get out early for "good behaviour" and end up having Daddy connect him with the right people to get him a future again. All this while his victim(s) will fight to recover, fight to regain a sense of normalcy, and fight to not allow this event to overwhelm them. As the public outcries change direction towards Trump vs Clinton or whatever else grabs the media's attention, she will find herself more alone and in need of support like never before. I may sound pessimistic, but is this not what happens over and over again? Is this not what history shows us will happen in rape cases? It boggles my mind.

So, I guess all I can do is keep doing what I already am doing. I keep telling the young men that come into my life the truth. I tell them that they must respect women, that girls are neither property nor conquests. Sex is something that is supposed to be special, shared between two individuals to both connect them to each other in wondrous ways and to bring wonderful children into this world. It is not something that is a "right" for the man. Sexual consent not only should but must be given, and it must be given freely, without impairment, collusion, or confusion. To take the virtue of anyone is selfish, vile, and criminal. It doesn't matter if her skirt is a bit short or her blouse is too low. If she is drunk or high it is not a good time to get her clothes off. EVER! Stop thinking with your penis. I get it, in the world there is pressure for you to be a stud. Music and movies and video games and celebrities all seem to make life about "getting some", but all they want from you is your attention and money. I get that when you buy into this philosophy you feel powerful and important, but I know that you understand it is wrong, even deep down. Whenever I talk to young men about this attitude they know it is wrong. They tell me! None have ever even tried to argue that this is the way it should be because they know it isn't. So I tell the young men in my life to be a real "man" and show respect to women.

I also talk to the young women that enter into my life. I tell them that they are of value and that they matter. I tell them that if their boyfriend uses the line "You would sleep with me if you really loved me" that they do not understand what real love is and that such nonsense disqualifies them being worthy of your love. I council these young women to be smart when they are socializing, to avoid being alone and to go easy on the drinking. I suggest they avoid places that increase the risk of being sexually assaulted. Never, not once, does it cross my mind that if they do not heed that advice that they are suddenly responsible for what happens. The fault of rape will always be with the rapist. Women have played it safe and still found themselves being sexually assaulted, and it is NOT THEIR FAULT! I only offer the advice because I know that no matter how hard I try to tell young men to respect women, some will not listen. I do not want any woman to experience life as a rape victim. I cannot think of anything that anyone can do that will justify rape as a consequence.

It pains me that when women come forward with allegations of sexual assault that their character gets questioned and attacked. There is no justice in that. It pains me to see how victims of sexual assault can take decades to fully recover from the incident, where their attacker is able to walk the street freely without any problem. There is no mercy in that. I get that there is a reason that guilt is to be determined with evidence, but when a sentence is given the impact on the victims must be accounted for. In the case of Brock Turner, neither justice nor mercy was provided for the victim. This is when the justice system fails.

The Problem With Zoos

Gorillas at Disney World's Animal Kingdom

Tragic news out of Cincinnati, Ohio last week. A four year old boy climbed into the gorilla enclosure and fell into the moat. A 17 year old sliver-back gorilla pulled the boy out of the water and began to drag the boy around. People freaked out. Zoo officials came in and the tough call was made to kill the gorilla to save the boy. The internet freaked out. Fingers were pointed at the boy's parents (particularly the mother), at the zoo staff, and zoos in general. Everyone has an opinion. Many look at this situation and say that this story highlights the problem with zoos. You know what? I agree. It does highlight the problem with zoos. It is part of a larger problem in our society that technology has seemed to exacerbate. The problem with zoos is simple to identify and very difficult to overcome. It will take people to have an honest look at themselves and challenge what may be deeply ingrained prejudices. The real problem with zoos is a severe lack of understanding.

I will state my bias honestly and openly. I love zoos. I love visiting them, seeing different species of animals for the first time, taking pictures of them, learning about them. I love volunteering at the Calgary Zoo and have been doing so for almost 8 years. When I moved to Calgary in 2008 one of the first things I did was buy a zoo membership and apply to be a volunteer. I spent one of my first summers assisting a zoo keeper in her duties. I got to know many of the staff and was never afraid to ask them questions. I even had breakfast with Dr. Clement Lanthier (CEO of the Calgary Zoo) and other volunteers. I know the passion that those who work in zoos have for animals, conservation, biodiversity, and protecting endangered species. I know that many species would not be here today if not for the excellent work that zoos do (case in point, the whooping crane going from 23 individuals to over 700 in 70 years). I see the value in zoos and aquariums. It is one thing to watch Planet Earth, it is another to see an animal in the wild. The days of going to the rain forests and grasslands of the world, catching animals, and putting them in small cages of iron bars and concrete are largely behind us. I know the hoops that zoos and aquariums have to jump through to become accredited. I also know that there are some zoos that give the rest a bad reputation, that do not treat their animals with respect and care, and deserve to be shut down. There are bad examples in all areas and fields, but as with all things they should not be the poster child for the entire community. Zoos educate, enlighten, and allow us to connect with mother nature in ways that we cannot otherwise do. 

So when something like this happens, there will always be those who will stand up and voice an uniformed opinion. I have lost track of those who have concluded that this one incident in the Cincinnati Zoo's history serves as proof that zoos should be shut down. Immediately. All animals returned to the wild. There are a fair share of well-intentioned but woefully ignorant individuals who suddenly present themselves as animal experts, knowing what the gorilla meant to do and what the perfect solution. On a similar vein, there are also the multitudes of perfect parents out there (some of whom have ironically never been a parent) that will point fingers at the mother of this four-year old fence climber and say she deserves to be brought up on criminal charges. From my own personal experience I know how quickly a toddler or young child can get away from their parents. Those who are quick to criticize the parents are foolish in their snap judgement and should consider a healthy dose of empathy before casting future scorn. I have seen bad parenting, and this does not seem to qualify. 

When I look at this story, I see much misinformation, hurt, and anger with people searching for an outlet to vent at. Whenever something like this happens, I turn to the experts to help me inform my opinion. This particular case, I came across Amanda O'Donoughue, a former gorilla zoo keeper. You can read her Facebook post here. Suffice it to say, her insight and expertise was instrumental in my understanding how something this tragic could have happened. I am grateful for her contribution, and hope more people will read and consider what she has to say. When I study this event, I find that there are many unknowns that make it impossible for us in the general public to fully evaluate what went down. What I can say is the following:

1. The only thing that I think could have been done differently at the time is that the onlookers had remained quiet and calm. Their noise seems to be the most likely source of the stress to the gorilla.

2. Those who chose to shoot the gorilla used it as a last and possibly only resort given that all other attempts to get the silverback away from the boy had failed. I also doubt that they did so gleefully or callously.

3. The mother is likely feeling a whole lot of hate right now. Let me remind us of the words of Christ: "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone".

4. Zoos are good. Not perfect, but they do a whole lot of good. For those who are demanding that the zoo pay for this, please note that this is the first such incident since its opening almost 40 years ago for the Cincinnati Zoo. That has to count for something.

5. We all make mistakes. There is not a single one of us that can accurately predict every possible outcome. Compassion is a greater virtue than disdain.

6. Finally, not one thing I have mentioned is intended to minimize the loss of a magnificent animal that was an innocent victim of a tragedy that was neither predicted nor premeditated. Could it have been prevented? Likely, but that is with the wonders of hindsight. I will trust in the experts who will say that it would have been difficult to have averted this. 

As one final thought, I would like to share something that a friend posted on one of the articles I shared that is, in my opinion, the wisest of all statements made on this matter. He said: This is an unfortunate incident that society would be better off just accepting that it happened, instead of trying to lay blame.

As I said, wise council indeed. I mourn for the loss of Harambe. I sympathize with the boy and his family for finding themselves in the centre of a whirlwind frenzy of media attention and undeserved scorn and ridicule. I hope we will take time to learn the full story and be respectful. 

The problem with zoos is that people think they understand them without having done the research to truly understand the situation. The problem with zoos is that we think we know better than the experts. The problem with zoos and anything else is that we pridefully claim to know enough to strongly argue our opinion. 

The problem is that we are often lacking in humility to admit that our opinion is wrong.

The Rainbow Connection

Today marks a day of sadness for me. Twenty-six years ago, the world lost a great entertainer, a creative genius, and a childhood influence on me that still lingers to this day. Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets, passed away on this day in 1990 from pneumonia. I remember where I was when this happened. I was home from school and heard it on the 6 o'clock news. I was shocked. He was only 53 years old. He left behind a legacy of wonder, creativity, fantasy, and happiness. For several days, I could not believe that he was gone. The man who had given me Sesame Street, the Muppet Show, the Dark Crystal, Labyrinth, and Fraggle Rock was gone. Who would voice Kermit, Ernie, Rowlf, Cantus, and the Swedish Chef?

As the years progressed I was happy that the work that Jim had done continued. Other puppeteers took over Jim's characters, other people took over his companies. Sesame Street is still going strong. Kermit and the gang were bought by Disney, giving them a great home. Three of the five seasons of the Muppet Show were released on DVD (come on Disney, where are the other two?!), all of Fraggle Rock is out, and I have introduced my children to the joys of Dinosaurs, Emmett Otter, and the Storyteller. We are waiting on the Dark Crystal because I am sure it is too scary for the girls. Ma Na Ma Na is still popular, the Muppets became big on YouTube, and there have been several new movies.

The Muppets even appeared on a new prime time TV show, although I must admit that it lacked the original magic and joy that was in the original Muppet Show. This, I fear, is a turn that I am not sure I enjoy. In this new show, the Muppets were more adult and edgy. They drank, did drugs, had sexual encounters, swore a bit, and were less like how they were shown in Jim's days. Don't get me wrong, Jim had plenty of adult themes in his work with the Muppets and other projects, but I cannot help but think that this latest incarnation had strayed a little too much from where they were when Jim passed away. I must admit that I was not upset when the newest show had been cancelled after one season, because I had already stopped watching it by then. Maybe I am tired of so many of the things I enjoyed as a child being "updated", "modernized", and made "relevant". Still, I hope they can recapture some of the magic they have lost.

As I grew older, I learned more about the life of Jim. He was truly a dreamer and a visionary man. He had feelings and worked hard. He believed in himself, even when he failed. He truly hoped that his work would help make the world a better place. He loved children and wonder. As it is with all of us, he was not perfect. Sometimes he would not listen to others. He was unfaithful to his wife, yet could not bring himself to fully break off and end their relationship. Learning about his faults might have been too much for me when I was younger, but I have learned that we all have weaknesses. Knowing he was imperfect is OK for me. It makes him more human, more real. Besides, we all have short comings. We can focus on the bad, or we can accept them and focus on the good. I will choose the latter, because I think Jim did the same.

So, in tribute to his work and legacy, I give you my Top Ten Things the Jim Henson Gave Us:

10. A joy of silly songs. I mentioned Ma Na Ma Na already, but that is but one example of a silly song that Jim enjoyed. It didn't matter if he wrote it or if someone else did, he would use it the only way his wacky characters did. Here is an example of one of my favourites:


9. Getting to know other entertainers. As a child, the Muppet Show introduced me to great stars like Rita Moreno, Harry Belafonte, and Peter Ustinov. Here is what I am talking about.


8. Loving nature. Jim had a special connection to nature and the Earth. Many times his silly shows had deeper meanings that stayed with me.


7. Crazy characters. Kermit may have been seen as the sane one on the show, but he is quick to point out that he hired the others.


6. A love of learning in fun ways. Sesame Street is, I think, the greatest educational show ever. It sticks with you.


5. It's OK to take a good thing and add a dash of silliness. So many times, Jim gave us a classic song and added a Muppet twist to it. It might have been a bit irreverent, but it was always in good spirits.


4. Imagination is a wonderful thing. Don't let it go to waste. Everything Jim did was about using his imagination.


3. Sometimes, you just gotta dance. There is magic in it.


2. Christmas is a little more special, especially with family.


1. Be a dreamer. There is a special place for you.


Thank you Jim.

Floods to Flames - the Strength of Alberta

Yesterday, Fort McMurray was hit with wildfires. The entire city has been evacuated, and much of it has been burnt. There are tens of thousands of displaced Albertans fleeing north and south for safety. Families had less than an hour in some cases to grab what they could and flee for their very lives. While the cars streamed out of the city, the images started flowing through social media. This is potentially Alberta's largest evacuation (the 2013 flood displaced 100 000 people), and is definitely the front runner for top news story of the year. In an area that was already hit hard from the economic downturn, it is a devastating blow to the area. Yes, I am reminded of the disaster that hit all too close to home three long (yet short) years ago when flood waters tore through the Calgary area. As the images of raging infernos and desperate people continue to stream on our news feeds, I cannot help but think back to that June, and see so many similarities.

The floods then, the flames now. I recall Slave Lake being gutted by fires as well. I can still see the images of the Edmonton tornado of 87. Every time a natural disaster hits this province, I am reminded of the strength of Alberta. That strength is being tested again now, and I am certain that the strength will endure. It will endure in the hearts of the countless people who will and are giving what they can to help out, and I salute each one. To the people who will give of their time and strength to fight the fires until they are out, and to those who will help rebuild. To the families who open their homes to those who just lost theirs, and to the businesses who are providing free room, gas, food, clothing, and comfort. To the believers who can do little more but send their prayers above for respite, and to the well-off who are freely giving of their excess without thought or desire for recognition. To the organizations that pledge millions of dollars in relief, and to the volunteers who will clock countless hours organizing food and toiletries. Even to the young children who will draw pictures and ask God to help the nice people of Fort Mac, every bit is strength.

However, there will always be a test of that strength. Some will seek to gain from this tragedy. There will be scam artists who will try to pick the pockets clean of those who are destitute, just to make the cheap buck. Already there are those who seek to take advantage of the situation to score political points. They are sprouting up on all sides of the spectrum to see if they can move their own agenda forward. There are those who are taking this moment to attack the government, claiming that if the other guy was in charge, things would have been better handled. There are those who take this moment to express glee that karma is kicking the evil oil workers in the collective nether regions and say that all this was coming as we pillage Mother Earth. Some will use this as a rallying cry to their tent. I say we all need to leave our respective tents and help those who need it. This is not the time to start using this real human tragedy to attack refugees and pipelines. This is not the strength of Alberta. Regardless of what side of the spectrum you vote on, or where you prefer to get your electricity from, or what type of car you drive, it is time to grow up, roll up, and step up. Put the nonsense of divisiveness in the trash where it belongs, and get out there and help. Forget climate change and work on changing your heart. Forget right wing and left wing ideologies and get going on right thing actions that will make sure the pettiness is left in the wings. Look out for your neighbours like it was 1950 because it's 2016. Stop tearing down people when the fires have torn down a whole city. If you cannot pick up a hammer or a water bottle to help the people of Fort McMurray rebuild, then drop the politics and mean tweets to help their souls rebuild.

As always, the situation will be front and center for a time, and then the long, difficult road of rebuilding will occur. Mistakes are going to be made by many people in the aftermath. The strength of Alberta will come in the fixing of those mistakes. We need to remember that we are all in this together. Let us give each other the benefit of the doubt for the time being, and chip in where we can. Donate money to the right places. Stand up with those we often stand against as we stand togther with our friends, family, and fellow Albertans in Fort McMurray. Give your spare change, give your spare time, and do a little more. The strength of Alberta will win out over this as it has in the past. Fort McMurray will again contribute to the well-being of this fair province and country. We can and will do this together.

After all, this is Alberta. It's what we do.

What I Learned at the Park

This evening, Heather and I took the girls to Bowness Park. It was a beautiful evening. The sun was shining brightly, there was a nice breeze that kept the temperature pleasant, and the playground was full of families, everyone enjoying the moment. Barbara was soon talking to other children and asking them to play with her made up games. Hope was happily trotting up and down the toddler structure, a big smile beaming on her face. Instead of hovering over my kids I decided instead to just hang back and watch the girls go.

Gradually, my focus started to shift to the other children and families in the park with us. As I looked around, I started to notice the people around me. There were people of all different kinds with us. A variety of ages and ethnicity. I heard four different languages being spoken (at least), and a number of accents that suggest native languages might have been more. I watched the children play and laugh, no rhyme or reason, just random play and laughter. The noise was almost musical, infectious, and enthralling all at once. I couldn't help but smile.

As the children played, I began to think about how our world is today. Perhaps I am being nostalgic and looking back at the past through rose-colored glasses, but I cannot help but feel that our society has gradually been losing something important. I feel that we are more divided than we ever have been before. I look at how politics, religion, social justice, and economics separates us from each other. We argue with each other more often than not. Technology that was supposed to connect us more seems to keep us apart as we fight and bicker about things that sometimes feel so inconsequential in the grand scheme of things. How did we get this way? Have we always secretly been this way, and my eyes are only opening now? Quite frankly, I just don't know.

I thought that while I was in university, our world had bridged divides, removed the things that kept us apart. People could have faith and belief without having to justify it. Communities would come together in tragedies. People celebrated differences more, and compromises were easier to find. We found joy in positivity. Yes, we had problems. There were still some who were marginalized. There were still some who were outcasts. No, it was not a utopia a mere decade or so ago, but it feels like we have lost more ground than we gained. It seems as though we bring one group into inclusion by pushing another one out. We open the proverbial closet for one, and shove another in to fill the void. Many preach tolerance of all, but act as if it is only for those who agree with them. Debate has become who can get the bigger zingers in, and one-liners seems to have replaced rational thought.

And the children played on. I started yearning for a fresh start. Heather walked over, and I said "I wish the world was more like this playground". Heather agreed. Nobody was looking at each other with suspicion or mistrust. The children played with whoever they wanted, however they wanted, for as long as their parents were willing to push back bedtime. Barbara was asking any kid that came by if they wanted to pilot her spaceship (the play structure) while she checked the engines. Nobody talked about not playing with certain children, just to be mindful of everyone so that we all had fun. Soon, Barbara was on the spider web merry-go-round with about a dozen other kids, and she wanted me to make it spin really fast. Soon, all the kids were encouraging me to go faster and faster while their parents watched with smiles and laughs, no phones recording anything. We were a group of people from many backgrounds, just enjoying the nice weather and the time spent with family.

I wish the world could have seen us this evening. We were not necessarily becoming BFFs or anything, but we were united. We didn't know each other's names, but we were pleasantly chatting it up. We watched our own kids and watched out for everyone. For a brief moment, the problems of the world was replaced with the laughter of children. We could be whoever we wanted to be, not just the labels our society placed on us. We could enjoy our families without having to apologize for anything. We just watched our children play together. There were only tears when parents had to tell their kids it was time to go (for Barbara, even the promise of ice cream couldn't hold back the crying). As we left, there were more families coming with their kids, and I expect that they also had fun with everyone.

I climbed into the van, and when I turned the ignition on, the news emanated from the radio with stories of elections and refugees, of politics and economics, of fear and hatred. It did not take me long to replace it with a seemingly fitting Disney hit, "Let It Go", and I wish our world can simply let go of the divisions and intolerance. Next on the playlist was "Rainbow Connection", and I began to hope that we would have more real connections. As we pulled into McDonalds for some well deserved treats, I once again resolved that the only way to change the world is to be that which I want the world to change to. If I want the world to be kind, then I must be kinder. If I want the world to be more accepting, than I must be more accepting. If I want more love in the world, then I must show more love to the world I live in.

I look forward to going back to the park.

A Difference of 4 Years

Since I started writing this blog, I tried to keep the politics at a minimum. I have never felt myself allied with one particular political party over another, and tend to pride myself on being an independent voter. Politics has lately become quite interesting, and also a bit concerning for me. Within the last year, things I never would have thought to happen have happened. An NDP majority in Alberta, a three-way tie for the top in the last federal election for such a long period of time, and the rise of Donald Trump in the Republican nomination process. Several key issues seem to come up again and again, and this is where I find the compulsion to address current electorate issues in this blog. I look back to four years ago, and I find that things have definitely changed, and I am not sure if it is for better or for worse.

Four years ago, the big talk was the US election. Mitt Romney was taking on Barack Obama. I got into a bit of trouble on Facebook when I posted that I envied the Americans and their choice in president. I thought both men were men of integrity, honor, and had good character. While they differed in their ideology, I thought each party was putting forward a good man who had the essence of statesmanship to run one of the most powerful countries in the world. This time around, I feel as if the US has swung back in the opposite direction. While the primaries are far from over, there are two candidates that are looking very likely to be the nominees of the two parties. On the Democrat side we have former First Lady Hillary Clinton. On the Republican side, it is looking more and more likely that billionaire Donald Trump is the most likely to grab the spot on the ballot. Four years ago, I saw two candidates that were excellent choices. Now, it looks like we will see America choosing between the lesser of two evils.

On the side of Clinton, she has a history that leaves something to be desired. She has been caught in many lies, showing her actions to be a risk to national security, and represents a lot of what many see as the "establishment" in American politics that is rife with greed, scandal, and dishonesty. On the side of Trump, he has no political experience. He has at best vague and at worst impossible policy ideas. He is also bringing out the underbelly of American society with his rhetoric of racism, misogyny, rudeness, and vulgarity. The odd thing for me is that on paper, both look to be lesser candidates to become the President of the United States of America, and yet they each lead their party in delegates in the lead up to this summer's nominations conventions. Hillary Clinton I understand better. She is experienced, is making her second run at the White House, and has a vast army of supporters standing by her every step of the way that are easily looking over her past indiscretions. Trump, on the other hand, is a real head scratch scenario for me. He represents everything that I believe a US President should not be. He is greedy. He is a liar. He is racist. He demeans women. He is insulting. He is crude and vulgar. And he has people flocking to him in ever growing numbers. It is mind-boggling to me.

Now before I get too far ahead of myself, it is important to note that there are still several primaries left to go. Ted Cruz is going to be Trump's biggest opponent now (he seems to have the most momentum). Meanwhile Bernie Sanders is making a big push recently to gain ground on Clinton. I would be interested to see what actually happens, but as the title of my blog indicates, I am amazed what a difference four years can make. If it is Trump vs. Clinton in November, I am very uncertain as to who is the better candidate. Four years ago the USA had the best from both parties going toe-to-toe. Now, it looks like it's the opposite. This is where a third party candidate might actually make a big splash in the election, but in all honesty, I am not hopeful. When we look at the front-runners of each party, I worry for my neighbours to the south. I do not envy them their decision.