Kindred

We can get all the legislation passed and all the training provided and it is not going to change the attittudes of individuals who want to feel they are superior by mistreating, abusing and being intolerant of anyone who is "different" from what they perceive themselves to be. You cannot legislate sensitivity or acceptance or understanding. Some people are just ignorant. However I do think its wrong when so much is being said and done about hiring disabled workers and the employers pay lip service but wont follow through.

Then explain to me the rationale behind wanting the age of consent set so low? It doesnt seem to benefit anyone other than those who wish to escape prosecution for messing with kids .......

Thats what I ran into a lot too, it was someone else's responsibility. However I did come into contract with Moe Sahota via being transferred, and the Minister of Labour in BC - cant remember his name, its changed since then and both of them DID contact WCB - and I believe it was my refusal to stop asking for action that eventually resulted in a Royal Commission Inquiry as I was contacted and asked to present some information at the Inquiry - However nothing appears to have come of the Inquiry and its findings ...

I have been thinking about this - I think a problem is that many of you have never traveled or taken part in celebrations or been exposed to via the media, of any celebrations other than those in the US. So you assume celebrating Canada Day is an American thing to do because they celebrate Independence Day of July 4th. It has nothing to do with the US. Fireworks werent invented by the US nor were flags - they are an international "tool" of celebration. In Norway its May17th and there are parades and celebrations, in China its October 1st , and they REALLY celebrate the day, in Italy its June2nd, and again there is a big celebration, and France .. etc etc Almost all with parades, fireworks, community events etc. It is NOT American to celebrate a National Day holiday. Take a look at the rest of the world and see how things are done and then realize Canadians are only celebrating Canada Day - not "being American" in doing so ......... Do we need symbols to know who we are? I remember one Canada Day I went camping with my sister and some friends on Vancouver Island, when a vehicle pulled in to "our" beach, we asked if they were Canadian and then told them the beach had been "reserved" for Canadians in honour of Canada Day and sent the Americans on their way. Eventually we had dozens of Canadians from all across Canada, a big bonfire, a party, a few had guitars and we had a great Canada Day celebration. Its what you make of of it --- it always is.

Very sad - a 40 something man screwing around on his wife with a 14 year old who has "led him on" and then got mad at him and pressed charges. Give me a break, a 40 something man who screws around with a 14 year old is a pedophile. They choose girls that age for that reason and because children are easily manipulated and bullied and controlled.You suggest we should have sympathy for such a person? IMO He should do jail time. I want to see more teeth in the law to deal with EXACTLY this 40 something male and others like him, including, and I cant state this more empathically - child prostitution. I want the teeth to sink into the johns and the pimps ... :angry: I also want the police to be able to pick up a runaway and take them some place safe, most of them belong at home and ran away because they didnt want to make their beds and do the dishes - yes some ARE abused but the greatest number just dont want to follow their parents rules and curfews --

Holidays commemorating (sp?)a country's history should by definition help to form a cohesive patriotism. The future of our country depends on how strong we feel about ourselves and our position in the world. Aparthy will only serve to give the US the opportunity to eventually take over Canada. There's a lot I dont like about the way things are done in Canada, but I am not willing to hand the country over to the US.

I dont know if I dare post this without setting off a storm - but one of the best Canada Days I had was in China! Our friends there, (Chinese) threw a party for Canada Day, they worked in a hotel we frequented, went out and bought a huge Canadian Flag, that was hung over the entrance to the garden, found some John Denver CDs which was the best they could do - and some "western music". Had a barbecue Chinese style in the garden behind the hotel - with uniformed chefs, white chef hats, etc lined up in front of four barbecues - It was a blast ! Barbecue steaks, salmon, duck ... There were people from Portugal, Italy, the US, Europe, Australia, Japan, all over and of course China - everyone kept saying "Happy Canada Day!" We ate, we drank, we talked to people from all over the world - and had the most amazing time! Even the hotel manager came out and "celebrated" - it was wonderful to see how the Chinese view Canada and how happy they are to be part of a "Canada Day" celebration - they love Canadians and think we are wonderful, and kind ...... the "good guys". It was a Canada Day I will never forget ....

Most women who get abortions for non-medical reasons do so because they are not in a financial position to support both themselves and a child. An awful lot are in University and the impact of a baby/child can cause them to have to drop out. Most people assume the baby will be born healthy . All too often it isnt and the cost is too great for a single mother to carry on her own while completing her education. The cost is usually too high for a healthy child to be combined with educational costs. A pregnant woman has to choose, her education and a career, eventually children she can provide for, or a life of poverty for her and the baby she is pregnant with. Hard choices to be forced to make. Aso some women are just not maternal. Those I know who have had abortions suffer no apparent regret or guilt, or repurcussions. I am not commenting on the right or wrong of abortion, the morality of it, I have completely torn between freedom to choose and my own personal feelings about abortion, especially as a form of birth control. However I will say I dont think tax payers should be picking up the tab for "repeat aborters" unless a medical condition prevents them from taking the pill, or neutralizes the pill so it wont work for them -- and even then there are other methods. Anti seizure medication neutralizes the effect of birth control pills. They just dont work.

Gay Rights are fashionable - they get media coverage and celebrity promotion, whats glamerous or edgy about a dying father? Thats just depressing ..... no one wants to be around people who depress them. Those on parade for Gay Rights, seldom mention AIDS because thats depressing too, yet its a huge issue because of Medical Care ........ but doesnt get as much coverage ...... viewers want their shock value and titilation from two guys in bride gowns, not one dying from AIDS with no medical coverage as a "spouse".

I have sometimes said " I, in a way , admire those who have the courage to totally go with their insanity - the rest of us try so hard to hide ours "..

For us its always been camping at the lake, a get together, this year it will cost close to $150 just in gas per vehicle never mind camping fees. Several family members arent going this year.

Mine and a couple of dozen others off and on when needed.

You seem to assume that having control over a teenager is dependent upon the quality or quantity of "parenting" I support raising the age of consent and giving parents leverage when it comes to curbing destructive behavior of their teenagers. Right now they have none, and short of getting into a physcial confrontation and wrestling a teenager, often bigger than the parent, to the ground and locking them in their room - which is a crime - far too many parents are helpless under current laws. Kids know that and far too many of them abuse the power the law has given them over their parents - Its the same as it was with the Young Offenders Act, the kids know that no one can stop them, not their parents, not the police and the courts wont do a thing either. So its basically "screw you I'll do what I want to and you cant stop me ......" Dont you know that kids rule ? I said clearly you have never parented a teenager if you think its a simple matter of saying "no" and being clear about your expectations. Teenagers unfortunately have a nasty habit of not listening to and challenging their parents and anyone else who tries to tell them what to do.Hence the additional comment in my post Its time we protected our children and that IMO also includes on REALLY cracking down on "date rape" drugs and throwing the offenders in jail for a couple of years. I've always wondered if the Supreme Court Judges arent a bunch of pedophiles and perverts.

Anyone living in BC knows they can buy "illegal salmon" from the natives, salmon that is supposed to be caught for "food" and not for "commecial purposes". Illegal selling of salmon is a real money earner for the BC natives. I am curious about how native think whites should honour a treaty when the natives constantly violate it? Shouldnt that work both ways? Must be that tired old "priviliged race" things again - Do I believe natives have a claim to land and privilige in Canada? No I dont, no more than the Vikings do in Norway or any other country in the world that had an "original settler". Thats the way children five year old and younger think, "I was here first, its all mine !" Native civilizations were concentrated in small, specific areas of Canada. They did not travel the entire country, and did not inhabit, hunt or fish more than a very small part of it. Using the "I was here first" theory could raise some interesting points and land claims ........ Sorry my concern is whats best for Canada and the majority of the people who live here. FYI I do believe somewhere Tem claimed the natives invented canoes and snowshoes that aided the Europeans in taking over Canada. Not something I am interested in debating but I thought it wouldnt hurt to set the record straight on that one too ... Wikepedia Wikepedia

You got that right, ALL the people living in BC and ALL the fishers, white and native -

I believe drift netting regulations say a net cannot be pulled more than 1/3 across the width of the river, this is continually violated and nets are being pulled across as much as 3/4 of the river. Drag netting and dip netting are also being used apparently. The Fraser is extremely silty which impairs the fish's vision and their ability to avoid the nets. The treaties were drawn up and signed when indians were living a nomadic life style which meant the stress on fishing stocks wants constant. I would think anyone truly concerned with the preservation of natural resources would be able to take these factors into consideration. but thats doesnt appear to be the case. Its the "natives right" based on age old treaties that didnt take into consideration that the natural resources are limited in terms of todays harvests, so they have the "right" to deplete the resources. Its not about preserving Canada and its "beautiful and wonderous resources from which life sprang " Its all about "gimme what I feel I am entitled to, and if it means destroying it all in the process I dont care because its MINE - and I want it !!!!!!!!!!" Norway completed their fish stocks awhile back by over fishing and were left in a pretty bad situation because of it. Its not about good management of resources, its about "gimme what I feel is mine" and nothng more than that. Its not about tradition or preservation or some kind of spiritualism, its about money and power, and a great deal of racism. MONEY AND GREED. THATS ALL IT IS.

How do Canadians celebrate and mark Canada Day? What are our traditions? I have a few, raise the price of gas by at least 10 cents a litre. This is Canada's favourite tradition . Raise the price in campgrounds everywhere. How do Canadians celebrate Canada Day? By gouging consumers ! $4.70 to $4.80 a gallon in BC this weekend compared to $2.95 as a high for the year in the US I think we will all be going south for our vacations again, while Canadian business suffers - cant keep blaming the slump in tourism in Canada on 9/11 IMO Pity all that money being wasted on commercials trying to get Canadians to travel and vacation in their own country -

What they really want to do is string nets across the Fraser River preventing ANY salmon from running up stream to lay eggs, reproduce and replenish the salmon stocks. They would wipe out the entuire salmon population in a single season if they could get away with it. This is what is behind most of the arrests of native fishers, the mass slaughter and annihiliation of future fish stocks. Including night netting and fishing with lights, and in many cases, shotguns. (meaning commercial fishing ) I have read one article after another on Native websites claiming that West Coast Native fisheries have not been recognised by the BC Government and Dept of Fisheries, this is total bull........ when the season opens Native fishers have the first crack at it --

uhh seems to me that west coast native already have fishing rights -- you should check into that. Non native fishing "persons" are having a helluva hard time because of these restrictions and some have lost their boats and their livelihood ...... Tree harvesting, ok then lets talk reforestation on land logged by natives ..... is it happening" Pass that bottle Betsy --- and a BIG glass --- second thought, skip the glass ......... Speaking of the price of gas and how much of that is taxes, this poor slob filled up his mid size truck today and forked over $150 - guess what the native at the other till paid for filling his truck?

Injusticebuster we arent referring to you when we say "nut jobs". I am using it to point out the ignorance of a lot of people. And the intolerance. Its all those ignorant people out there who dont understand the challenges the disabled face - and judge them as being "nuts" rather than disabled. Invisible disabilities are the hardest to cope with - I find your posts interesting ... its a perfect example of falling through the holes in the system ...and dont forget what I said ...... If you were to harm yourself today you might miss a solution that shows up tomorrow -- Could you work on good days as an online tutor or marker?

My daughter has epilepsy and one of the lowest points in living with it was when I picked up her prescription for her because she was at work and the Pharmacist asked me " are you her care giver? Does she understand how to take her medication?" My response was "she has epilepsy, she isnt mentally disabled - and you call yourself a pharmacist? Your ignorance is appalling and an insult toyour profession. She is a straight A honour roll student, and has a part time job which is why I'm picking up the prescription for her, thanks for asking though ....." She learned quickly not to let employers know about the epilepsy, she is fortunate, its nocturnal and controlled. The ignorance of even so-called professional people .. well I am not one to keep my mouth shut and walk away thinking I should have said something ... Not when I see a woman I know is schizophrenic being led out of the park by two perverts - and she tells me they have invited her to their house "for dinner". :angry: I am happy to meet you FTA ! I have always said "where are the young gungho lawyers we see on TV, fighting for justice?" These days its usually "if you will give me a $30,000.00 retainer I will take your case ..." On a personal level, I have a very minor head injury, the stupid thing is I cant count change! Thats how its affected me - I am always being ripped off, people in the line up behind me rolling their eyes and saying "oh yay another dumb blonde". I just say "I have a head injury whats your excuse?" They usually shut up and feel embarassed ..... Thats why when I say "there but for the grace of God go I ......." I mean it, I am one of the lucky ones .. and thank God for debit cards and Visa ......

. You have clearly never parented a teenager. Further more under the current law a parent CANNOT control their 14 year old, he or she is considered an emancipated adult and can make his/her own decisions. If that is to leave home and live on the street and turn tricks or shack up with a 45 year old pervert there is nothing a parent can do about it. This is what parents have been complaining about, legally they have no control over their own children and have to do nothing while they ruin their lives.

IMO of major importance in raising the age limit is that the police and courts can deal harshly with the scum who force or are instrumental in involving 14 year olds into prostitution. I read somewhere, that its illegal to give a 14 year old an aspirn without parental consent but its okay to perform an abortion and not tell her parents, in fact, under the present law you CANNOT inform them or discuss it with them. Thats pretty sad, somewhere society got pretty screwed up. As for young offenders, IMO it should be "adult crime, adult time".. The offense should decide the sentence, not the age of the offender. Anyone over the age of about five knows right from wrong ---

FTA as you can see from the posts, some disabled have difficulties articulating their situation, which has a tragic consequence of them not being taken seriously. Many disabilities can affect thought process, speech, organization and the ability to present information precisely and clearly. I remember one "nut" in Regina, which is what everyone had labelled him, always on the street, everyone avoided him, I would buy him coffee and one day he told me someone had dropped a pipe on his head at work. He had been working on the rigs in Alberta. I have encountered more than a few "nut jobs" while visiting the WCB Rehab Centre in Richmond BC. All with work related head injuries. Chemical exposure, direct head injury, oxygen deprivation in a near death accident, all of these contribute to abherant behavior or mental impairment. Their stories as so garbled very few people want to listen to them. They appear to be completely irrational. There is, buried in their ranting, the truth, the pain and the story of the injustice they have experienced, we have to separate the grain from the straw and treat them with dignity. Hopefully. People who suffer from mental illness or other illnesses, that lend themselves to strange behaviors, and erratic thought processes at times, are also labeled a "nut job". I have a friend who has Tourettes, and we have gone out for coffee several times, his outbursts are shocking to say the least. Others are deeply offended, though he isnt being intentionally obscene - I dont know what the answer is or where you draw the line, if there is one to be drawn. My main objective has always been "Life with dignity". which means a minimum income for people who are considered unemployable. I know one person who has been fired from 16 jobs - because of her disability. Injusticebuster I want you to know I understand what you have been through and how very hard it is for you. If you were to harm yourself today you might miss a solution that shows up tomorrow -- Get in touch with Dawn Canada and see if they can steer you towards some support. You did and I appreciate it, and apologize. I dont agree with your comments about WCB not obstructing benefits, not when I have seen Adjuticators and Rehab officers over ride and/or ignore medical evidence, even from their own WCB doctors and Psychologists, in order to deny benefits to someone. There was a case of a Rehab Officer who had a grade ten education and over rode every decision of four Neurologists , the mans GP, a Rheumotolgist, A Physical Medicine Specialist, two WCB doctors and Psychologist and the RO attempted to ignore the MRP as well threatening the claimant during a telephone conversation telling him he had "lost" his MRP and could receive a cheque for $1500.00 and sign off on the case, or he could get nothing --- actually he said "take the $1500 and f**k off because its all you're getting" Fortunately one of the MRP doctors had told this man after the examination was completed that they were deciding in HIS favour - This man had seen no less than 8 Specialists in his attempt to return to work and had paid for additional education out of his own pocket when his Rehab Officer authorize it. WCB had a detective on him for years. It would have been nice if they had just paid him what they were willing to pay a detective. The detective reports ALL said the claimant appeared to be seriously impaired, needed assistance with such things as carrying groceries into the house, had a foot of unshoveled snow on his sidewalk throughout the winter, and had never been observed doing anything that would suggest he was less than disabled - the reports were in his file. WCB had forced him to undergo a test for MS - read on how this is done, its very unpleasant - a mylogram, (sp?)as well as every other test they could think of to try and "prove" he had a degenerative disease unrelated to his work injury. It was seven years, six appeals and an MRP before he received compensation. Retro to the date of the accident and then a pension of $500 a month, he has never returned to viable employment. He appealed the pension amount and lost. When he requested an MRP he was told he didnt need one, couldnt have one, he went to his Minister of Labour and finally to Dale Goldhawk fights back, then he went after his Rehab Officer through the Freedom on Information Act that to find out what his qualifications were for making and over riding medical decisions on his file . That and when Goldhawk rattled their cage finally forced WCB to give him the MRP .... End of story but not a happy ending. A $500 a month pension based on their "assessment of loss". IMO their method of determining "amount of disability" isnt right, or valid I would go so far as to say its ridiculous to use this method in determining Disability Pension amounts. I refer to the "what percentage of total body mass is disabled?" or however they word it, sorry, again, I am very tired and its very late. You have lost both your arms? Thats only about 10% of your total body so you will receive 10% of your income as a disability pension -- I know thats simplistic, but its pretty much how it works. I also object to the fact that WCB does not contribute to CPP for people who are receiving Permanent Disability Pensions that will be terminated when they are 65. And that they dont cover exceptional medical costs or housekeeping/childcare costs for disabled workers. There exists a reverse discrimination against injured and disabled female workers who are mothers and single parents of both sexes. Females are treated exactly the same as male claimants, with no consideration given to their additional roles in the household. Whether married or single. Most married men do not step into the role of the injured or disabled adult female in the family when an accident occurs. The divorce rate for disabled women is horrendously higher than it is for diabled men, when the disability occurs during the marriage. To be more concise injured and disabled workers often are the only caregiver for children, this should be taken into consideration. IMO Should injured/disabled workers be provided assistance in maintaining their pre-accident quality of life? I think they should. I think there should be moral obligation to do so when their are children involved. I am very interested in your comments, and the opportunity to hear your side and your opinions about the situation Canada's disabled face.

I have written the articles and none are accepted for publication. To be honest because I have been working overseas I havent been that involved lately. I spent a lot of years "involved" with issues and politicis etc. the past year or so I have decided its time for "me", doing things I want to do, traveling, seeing the rest of the world - and I am tired and need to rest for awhile.