Category Archives: COMMENTARIES
Grand Theft Bicycle
Incredible how many bicycles are stolen, because of insufficient safety measures. Easy enough to install: (1) Use of two bike lock chains. One to secure the seat (which gets easily removed) together with the rear wheel, and/or helmet. One to secure the frame and the front wheel (if it can also be easily removed) to a fixed bike store facility.
(2) When cycling take your bike papers with you including the Serial Number. So, that when your bike gets stolen you can call in with the details incl. Ser.#. I also always have a photo of my bike on me together with the documents. That is what I do.
[ http://www.cpic-cipc.ca/index-eng.htm ].
Small tit-bit: During hard times or war, when bicycles are valued at a premium, many governments resorted to treating bicycle theft as a criminal offence.
PTSD – veteran or victim of war
Post traumatic stress disorder (or syndrome)(PTSD) as it relates to war experiences.[ http://www.warandgender.com/wgptsd.htm ]
How is it that it is mostly those who were the perpetrators of war crimes (such as killing and fire bombing civilians, mostly children) that reap the rewards after a war ? And thereby also claiming to suffer from PTSD, referred to as ‘combat fatigue’ (in other words ‘cowardice during bombing attacks’) ? Are we talking about combat professionals, soldiers, who are carrying arms, can shoot, can kill, can defend themselves ? Or worse, Air Force professionals who control the killing from the air ? Are those the ones who suffer from PTSD ? Are those the ones who year after year get more brass medals pinned on their chests and are marching in their annual parades, proudly displaying their war memorabilia and their status as veterans ? Or, should it not be the victims of war, who were very young children, who suffer the most now ?
Child victims are suffering, no matter which side of the conflict they are on.
[ http://www.qassam.ps/specialfile-329-Zionist_War_Crimes_against_Gaza_Children.html ][ http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/death-from-above-how-american-drone-strikes-are-devastating-yemen-20140414 ][ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allied_war_crimes_during_World_War_II ]
It is now recognized the world over that the syndrome of PTSD is a serious affliction, but should only be taken seriously as it relates to the actual “victims of war”. The children (let’s assume way back WWII), who now are also senior citizens. But suffer nonetheless at an increasing rate of this syndrome called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, resulting from their experiences during that war, and from relentless subsequent persecution. [ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3181591/ ]
And were it not for the fact that the memories of this war are being kept alive by those who fire bombed civilians in Europe, I am sure that all of those formerly small child victims would certainly suffer less now. [ http://www.astro.umd.edu/~adhabal/Reports/Psychological%20Effects%20of%20War%20and%20Terrorism%20on%20Children.pdf ]
Scotland Referendum 2014
Scotland is a sovereign country. This referendum is not about freeing Scotland, but to break away from the United Kingdom – which incidentally is headed by a Queen, tsk, tsk – [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom ], politically and economically in order to control their own country their way.
All of those entities such as the Commonwealth, United Kingdom, Great Britain, were simply intended to expand the sovereign space of England, a small country on an Island in the Atlantic, in other words to afford them to eventually control the entire World.
Would be nice to see that finally all countries with a different people and different culture become sovereign States.
The comparison between this 2014 Scotland Independence Referendum and the one held in 1980 and second one 1995 for Quebec, Canada, is different in the sense that Quebec has always been a Province within Canada, which in itself is still a British Colony in many respects. But not headed by a King, but a Queen. So, why not call it United Queendom ? Let’s face it, not many people nowadays know which King we are talking about.
Football or Soccer
http://www.answers.com/Q/Why_is_American_football_called_football
once and for all, what came first ? Football League came alive in England in around 1863 or 1888 or thereabouts [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Football_League ]. Whereas it seems like this American Football version came into play and being played later [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_American_football ]. The name soccer however also dates back very early in conjunction with the English names for that game [ http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2010/06/the-origin-of-the-word-soccer/ ]
To continue – why do teams outside North America (Europe, Central and South America, Africa) playing football (with their feet) also call it FOOTBALL (or futbol) ? [ http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2014/07/the-us-has-won-football-respect-in-europe-finally-world-cup-belgium/373852/ ]
And the media announcers and all broadcasters during major championships (especially the FIFA world cup) always refer to the games and matches played as ‘football’ ? While that same game is now also played and becoming more popular in North America and referred to as ‘soccer’ ?
How popular is soccer in North America ? the answer is, look at the fans, look how empty the stadiums are, how many empty seats there are, observe the quality and technical finesse of the teams. No comparison with European Football, or Football played in South America with passion, where all seats are occupied and the fans are fanatic. How about that ?
Personally I grew up with football, we all played. We all watched the games. Never even heard of anything like NFL or American Football. Don’t even care about it. It is no game, it is “Mord und Totschlag”. Thanks, but no thanks.
Cycling – the royal way
Another one down. Just yesterday one cyclist got killed while cycling along one of the major highways [ http://www.peninsulanewsreview.com/news/273844471.html ]
Best always, not to ride a bike along that highway – because of the tremendous vehicle noise which is distracting and also the chance to get into a major collision should several vehicles collide on that highway, the major route (from and to the BC Ferry Terminals) on Vancouver Island. Also there are alternate cycling roads parallel to that busy highway, and meant for bicycles. That is neither here nor there.
Coincidentally, just last weekend – while the Royals were visiting Victoria – I myself encountered just such a cyclist being on the wrong side of the road. While riding up to the Greek Fest 2014 [ http://greekfest.ca/ ] with my bicycle on a major shared road where cycling paths are painted in the road itself. Shared roads are always dangerous. I was on the right side (which is not left, like in England). Another cyclist came at me on the wrong side of the road, stopping in front of me, and then started shouting obscenities at me about my driving, while he was obviously wrong. So, my thinking was, either he was here from England also, where they drive on the left side, or he was a mental case. Either way, always be aware and careful and anticipate such incidents.
Johann Sebastian Bach
From one of my French magazines to which I subscribe comes this: “Tout Bach, et plus encore. Qui n’aime pas Jean-Sébastien Bach ?” (observe that also Sebastian – that is his name – has been screwed up and frenchyfied). Wann hört dies ‘Verhohnepiepeln ‘ von Namen endlich auf ? Give me a break. The name of this famous Baroque composer (of the 17th century), among the most popular of the classical composers, is Johann Sebastian Bach. Not Jean (as some French like to call him), not John either, but Johann. Besides, Jean (a French name) would then be equivalent to Hans in German, not Johann (or very old as well = Johannes). Source of this article based on a link to [ http://allofbach.com/nl/ ]. This is a wonderful Dutch website, listing and performing all of the over one thousand music pieces for which Johann Sebastian Bach was most famous, and not making fun of his name by turning it into other languages. Thank you, Netherlands. [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johann_Sebastian_Bach ]
Sexual Crimes in the Military
RE. March 2014 reportage in l’Actualité (Québec) about sexual attacks and offences committed by members of the Canadian Military. [ https://renataveritasopinion.wordpress.com/2014/05/09/sexual-crimes-in-the-armed-forces-canada/ ]
Following a tremendous amount of responses by the public and also from military sides on this particular shocking issue, an external review is now being conducted, supported by also high Military Brass. Examinations headed by a former Supreme Court of Canada Judge. This to be an independent inquiry, to interrogate active and retired members of the Military, as well as victims of such abuses, many of whom do not serve anymore. Still their lives have been cruelly affected.
Although these investigations and interrogations (which will be comprehensive in scope) cannot attempt a complete revision of the current military system of governance, it is a huge step forward to actually make head ways into such a closed (to the outside world) system. And hopefully will help bring justice to those who got harmed. Be it female or male.
For this particular case, Canada has chosen a unique approach which is commendable. [ article: © Les Actualités Politiques, l’Actualité , September 2014]
Vacation Rentals
One of my favourite topics (beside THE NIGHTMARE CONDO). Renting a let’s say small casita with kitchen for one person, but for let’s say at least one month, preferably two months or more. I have chosen Mexico. Prices are mostly per night. Why not per month ? The casita, or casa is mostly for more than one person. If it is rented for large groups, no wonder that the entire world (of vacation rentals) is complaining more and more about bed bug infestations. Naturally, if you have a large group of people living together, and who knows arriving from all sorts of different locations. And for that pleasure of living with bugs, one must pay a fortune. And no sleep with the added pleasure of living next to large groups of party-goers, up all night.
In the past I have found something – small casita for one – for US$500 a month. That is doable. But try to find something fitting via Google, always end up “Florida” (or some other questionable location) instead of Mexico. And Heck, I have done this all my life, specializing in information retrieval systems since the 60’s. Developing them. I know that my search algorithms are solid. We refer to this as ‘stereotyping’: Meaning, sleeps 12, and you need to go to Florida!
Transatlantic Cruise
Cruising or not, that is the question if you want to get to a specific location. Such as crossing the Atlantic. Some interesting site I discovered is actually discussing the advantages of cruising over airline travel. [ http://cruise-compare.com/cruiseSearch.php?destination=Transatlantic&gclid=CP7pnrLE8L8CFbRzMgodJSsA2g ] . A laugh really when you think that all transatlantic cruises (or for that matter most cruises) take off from a port which is “too far to walk to”. In other words, still needs a lengthy air flight to get to the port of embarkation. Plus one or two nights extra overnight hotel for the start and the end of a cruise. Mostly add several more nights. Might as well fly directly from let’s say North America/Canada over the Atlantic to Europe. Is much faster that way.
Secondly, planning a Trans Atlantic cruise means mostly a one-way air ticket, because the return travel is via different route. Which – when you must fly via any American port – means that you get stopped at the US arrival airport (which is also where the cruise embarkation port is) by immigration because you do not have a return ticket (or something else has gone wrong with their entrance/exit visa system). In the meantime you have spent the tremendous expense of having already purchased the fare for the cruise. The cruise line itself will not be responsible for any incoming flight documents required. On cruises I made in the past (a few only) I found most passengers came from a location close to the embarkation ports. Yet, here in Canada (Pacific Coast) they are selling cruises whose embarkation port is in Florida like hot cakes. End of story.
COMMENTARIES - OPINIONS 