Construction Unions Within Toronto Canada - by Moses

With the upcoming Pan-American Games being held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada there are many construction contracts being met. Today, it is grossly offensive to many that roughly 80% of the current construction unions are comprised of Portuguese Canadians and Italian Canadians. It stands to reason that this growth industry will be divided differently over time. Within the next 5 years (possibly within the next year) a 'Native' Mandate is to employ 20% 'Native' people within the breakdown of construction unions in Toronto. Likewise, a 20% share to African-Canadians, with the remaining 60% divided amongst Italian Canadian, Portuguese Canadian, English Canadian, French Canadian, and minorities not mentioned.
There is a saying in custom that 'reality is what a person sees', paramount to vision. To not realize that the current breakdown within the construction unions is prejudice is an act of denial. What does Sitting Bull, Running Deer, or anyone with beliefs in Aboriginal ancestry and descent think of their descendants being shunted from Toronto's labour force. The Mandate being put forth is necessary in order to change common sentiments of many Torontonians that; 'Natives' are lazy, 'Natives' are alcoholics and drug addicts, 'Natives' don't know or lack the necessities to be successful in a Metropolitan City. These are the same negative connotations faced by African-Canadians. The uprising against this perceived 'Native' prejudice will do wonders for the city's' psyche.
Ironically, it is a Public Educational system (Christian/or Anglo) and a Catholic School Board (Catholic/or French) that the City of Toronto employs. This affects the city in two ways;

1. A 'good' Catholic gets a job in the construction union, because he is hard working (most of the time Portuguese Canadian or Italian Canadian).

2. A good Canadian gets a job in profession (and this is a Christian Nation in many ways).

One runs the unions (Church-the home), and the other sets policy (state). This is classic division of Church and State.

Where do 'Native', 'African', 'Judaic', 'Muslim', 'Hindu', 'Buddhist', or 'Taoism' mandatory education occur?

The home.

and,

Who controls the Church (essentially the home)?

The unions.

and,

Who controls the unions?

Well I don't know about you, but isn't 80% of our construction unions in Toronto comprised of Italian Canadians and Portuguese Canadians?

What concerns this writer is this; If every Italian Canadian and Portuguese Canadian is accounted for a slice of the pension, what about 'Native' Canadians and African Canadians?

Historical Perspectives - by Moses

It is the year 2011 A.D and we've turned the corner in North America with respect to the accuracies of the documentation of modern day wars. For example; World War 1, World War 2, and the Vietnam War amongst other wars have been put into perspective for our young. The accuracies within these three wars will never be eliminated. Perhaps some new information will enter the picture, however, North Americans have digested enough information to be within their own formulated opinions. Take for example the most recent of the three aforementioned wars, the Vietnam War. In the eighties, many were of the opinion that this war was orchestrated by Republican President Richard Nixon. In actual fact, two terms before Nixon, Democrat President John F. Kennedy ordered American troops to fight the Viet-Cong of North Vietnam (essentially fighting communism). After Kennedy's assassination many Americans protested this war, and by the time Richard Nixon was elected into office public perception of the Vietnam War was, by majority, against the occupation of North Vietnam.
It was at the start of the second decade of the 20th century when Austrian Prince Ferdinand was killed by the German Military, and Austria alongside Hungary declared war against Germany, hence World War 1.
During World War 2, the Nazi Party set out to exterminate Jews all over the European continent, and alongside Mussolini and Japan, almost succeeded in taking over the World.
Keeping World events in perspective is paramount to our educational system. Knowing what happened historically is very socially relevant as it helps mind our conscience. Whether it be Holocaust denyers, or those that condoned Apartheid within South Africa as it occurred. We need to be cohesive historically in order for students to truly learn. Some say 'ignorance is bliss', I say 'ignorance is ignorance'. In 500 years there will be another news' story to be covered. I just want the truth of the story. Not to say that the news is 100% accurate, however, it is the confidence that we have in the reports that we see that shapes historical events. The Titanic did go down to the bottom of the ocean. This cannot be argued against. The World Trade Center Towers were destroyed in a day of reckoning on September 11, 2001, a fact that cannot be denied. While there may be some information that enters the picture after the fact, the nuts and bolts of the events is fact.
Our young need to have the confidence that a piece of the pie isn't just taken out of the equation to satisfy a new regime. History is just that, events that have occurred over time.

Fear - by Moses

Paralyzing, the stun gun effect, the force that immobilizes oneself. Many would say that fear drives a person to achieve greatness. Is that for a chosen few, or for the entire populous?
With roughly 20% of all Canadians' suffering from an acute mental health issue, it is apparent that fear does not drive everyone. Fifty years ago people didn't admit to their shortcomings, and sociologically they developed differently than today. In todays' age, pharmaceuticals are implemented into the diet treating an acute mental health issue. Fifty years ago, pharmaceuticals were still in its' inception. Most people would agree that fear has become epidemic in our society today.
To combat fear, therapies (alongside pharmaceuticals in acute cases) are introduced. Colors, writing, music, sports are but a few therapies that help shape those that are having a tough time combating fear(s). How one feels is very relevant in the analysis of fear. Honest to emotion isn't always the almighty truth. Sometimes we need to take a step back and evaluate what it is that is causing the fear. i.e - I'm very angry, and I want to punch the mirror. This does not mean to punch the mirror.
In psychiatric facilities, colors are used to stimulate a persons' mood. Greens and browns (earth colors) are used to sedate. Violet and peach are used to warm moods. Listening to calm music to slow down is another form of therapy, likewise playing a piano to feel good.
The stigma of admitting our fears, as was such fifty years ago, has slowly dissipated and today we're entering a new dawn. Group therapy is a tremendous forum as it gets people to talk about their inner fears, helping to overcome them.
What, you may ask, is the stun gun effect?
A momentary lapse of reason perhaps. Let's not hold ourselves hostage to this ongoing dilemma.