Fanaticism Rides Again!

OK. I'm watching, or rather listening to, once again the powerful documentary 'Jesus Camp'. I don't want to believe that there are so many people that are living in the United States, who actually believe that indoctrinating their children into hardcore religious belief is a good thing. One of the main people focused upon, a children's minister by the name of Becky Fischer, believes that her focus should be on the children because the enemy focus on the children. Huh? What enemy? She then goes on to mention Islam. Oooohhhhh I get it! Islam is the enemy of Christianity, or rather her particular sect of Christianity. I could get into the whole turn the other cheek argument, but someone would likely shoot holes in it. Seeing as how I'm not very 'up' on the bible, I have to wonder if God has proclaimed Islam to be an outlawed philosophy. After all Ms. Fischer seems to be into following Gods word.

Another thing that gets me about the documentary is the whole Harry Potter debate that she brings into the sermons at the youth retreat (AKA Jesus Camp). Apparently he's a warlock. Now I had to look it up in a dictionary to be sure, because the popular definition in Pagan circles says a warlock is an oath breaker. The Oxford dictionary I picked up says the archaic term means sorcerer or wizard, but also goes on with the old english definition of traitor. So she's half right, but I'm arguing semantics. The point I was alluding to is this: with all the fire and brimstone she was spouting for a fictional character, what would she do if she found an actually occultist in her midst? Would she start "praying in tongues" as she does in the video? Not only that some of the praying that they do seems rather like casting a spell. After all they do ask for the presence of the Holy Spirit (summoning) to cast out the Devil (banishing) from their AV equipment. Not only that but near the end of the film their standing outside of a building in Washington DC (I confess not to know what it is, just that it seems to be federal in nature) praying to influence the minds of lawmakers towards a pro-life stance on abortion. Now if influencing the events of the physical world through occult methodology such as psychisms and summonings isn't extremely similar to spell craft, I don't know what is.

There's also a point in the film where a Mother and her two sons are at the table engaging in homeschooling. OK. Sure. Homeschooling is becoming a more popular idea in North America, and all the resources to effectively teach our children are available. But wait. The Mother states two things that are in her teaching resource material: 1) Creationism is the only thing that can explain everything. 2) She refers to a part in her material that states science doesn't explain anything. What? Well how did the semi-conductor come about? It must have been divine intervention. That scanning electron microscope? Delivered by Angels. ABS and the waffle iron? Sent to man to help him become more righteous! No. Last time I checked someone conceived these things in their own mind, creating them with their own thoughts before putting the information down for others to help develop. Something complex usually becomes a collaborative effort, including religious philosophy. Now inventions aside, the whole creationism thing, which is a religious theory to explain the beginning of existence. How could this possibly explain how all these thing came about in 6000 years? Dinosaur fossils, preserved plants, trilobites, and a plethora of flora and fauna all left here for us to discover and ponder. Did God decide that this was a test of our faith by leaving these things here for us to find? How did everything change? The flood that Noah survived with 2 of each creature wiped out everything, but he didn't save the dinosaurs...... hhhmmm. They must have been dead before the flood then, and he saved all that was left. And if that's the case what killed them, according to modern Christian teachings that is. Just food for thought.

So how is it that Ms. Fischer justifies indoctrinating children into a hardcore belief system? She believes that her religion has 'the truth'. I my mind that's inherently dangerous to tell a child. Truth after all is an absolute, and how can you apply truth to such an abstract thing as religion? Most children would believe what she says because she's an adult for starters, and for seconds she's extremely confident in her beliefs and she exudes that. The kids are going to look to her and say "Hey, she's knows what she's talking about!" But even with these things in her favour, is she right? Are her beliefs a universal truth meant for everyone? It's my belief that she is wrong. Both in concept and morally for dragging children into this 'war' as she calls it. Something so complicated as a belief system is (once again my personal belief) is an intensely personal experience meant for the individual only. Personal faith means nothing without self examination, and internal journeying. You have to ask the questions you are afraid to ask yourself. For instance I was a Catholic, and was raised on its value system. After I turned to Paganism a few years back I began to explore other faiths, including Satanism. Even with my former religious indoctrination, I could still identify with some tenets of the Satanic faith. Now that's not to say I believe in Satanism, far from it. I do have my own belief system that I apply to the Pagan idea of multiple Gods and Goddesses. I let my conscience guide me, as well as my heart, and not some book written by an individual who was likely not me. I walked my own path, not someone else's, and my journey still continues so I continue to evolve my personal beliefs. Part of the problem with Christianity/Islam/Judaism is that any evolution that occurs with them is generally into radicalism and fanaticism. Again dangerous.

So where does that leave us? Generally with a nation of youth's growing up to become leaders in their communities (at least some of them will) and possibly have enough potential to guide a nation. According to Ms. Fischer her faith doesn't really interfere with her political leanings, although in one part of the film her cohorts have a life size cut out of President Bush, and they're telling the kids to pray over him for a more righteous nation under God. So now these religious leaders are generating a group of not only zealots, but extreme right religiously motivated political activists. Wow. Were these kids ever kids to begin with? From the sounds of it they were born to be soldiers of Christianity, with no reasonable choice to believe what they want, or from the sounds of it, any real inherent trust given to them freely by their own family. The child is given an indoctrination which says 'this is the truth', rather than an education which says 'go find the truth'.

I refused to have both my kids baptized into the church, just as I don't talk to them about my religious practices. Once again it's my personal belief that faith is intensely personal, and must be examined from a personal standpoint. I will not teach my kids about Paganism unless they ask, nor will I teach them about Christianity unless they ask. Objectivity would also be required to allow them to understand the pros and cons of any faith they inquire about, which would force me to learn more.

So to help conclude this loooooong entry, I will make the statement that I did not write this to tell the world that I hate Christianity, for I don't. I did write this in response to the social problem of fanaticism, which is one of the worst sicknesses facing our world, and the documentary 'Jesus Camp' shows how pervasive it is.

Freeman

Friggin' Christmas

Christmas time. *SIGH* I can't stands it much longer. I've only got a few days left before the end of the yearly shopping frenzy to complete my gift buying, and my heart just isn't in it. All the virtues Christmas was supposed to impose on man; peace, goodwill, and the like, are pretty much lost when competing for the next Hannah Montana tea party set, or the latest in a the series of Pokemon toys. I have yet to see a fist fight, but just walking into my local mall I can feel the tension. I'm not even a Christian and I still go through this crap every year. If I didn't have kids I would likely be the Scrooge in my neighbourhood, not bothering to put up a tree or lights, I wouldn't bother to buy anything for anyone, and I certainly would not engage in any kind of gift exchange, even if something was being given to me. Nothing says awkward when receiving something you don't like, and you have to fake liking it. We've all done it once or twice. Don't lie.

The ideals that Christmas past used to have are pretty much trashed. Or the big box stores put them on sale for low low prices in the form of the Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer DVD. If Santa Claus were real, even he would dread the one day of the year he makes his deliveries to a bunch of ingrates. Because we've lost the concept of goodwill towards each other, we had to find a way to fill the void. These days getting drunk and making an ass of yourself at the company Christmas party seems to have regrettably done the job. Since spending a Christmas in a foreign land with which we were at war a couple years ago, I can safely assume that peace was virtual fantasy. And what of love? Well nothing says love like seeing your childs disappointed expression on get them the wrong toy, and then considering an act of child abuse because you had to stand in line for almost an hour and a half convincing yourself that this was going to be THE ONE. It's no wonder that most parents start drinking early on Christmas day. Even I started drinking early. Yeah. Around November 12th.

The sad part is is that we have good way to break the cycle of Christmas despair. People take for granted the things they are lucky to have. You don't need those new golf clubs to survive. And that shiny new dress that you're going to wear New Years Eve? Yeah that won't taste good if you try to eat it. The money that someone spent on you this year to accouter you in decorative garb, is probably more than some dirt farmer in Tajikistan has seen in a decade. It costs about as much to keep a school house in Central America well stocked as it does to buy that iPod you so desperately want. And that gym membership someone bought you? It would have been better spent on making a micro loan to a Mexican drug lord than putting your fat ass on a treadmill when walking doesn't cost a thing. Let's face it. Going one time to lift weights so you can feel good about your up coming New Years resolution is about as wasteful as it gets, when that money could have done something good for someone else, because you aren't worth it yet.

We have to earn our way in this world to be worthy of the things and relationships we want. And that means putting yourself out there for the benefit of everyone. If a person decides to work a soup kitchen line a few times in a month, or volunteers a little bit at a youth drop in center, then they are at least doing something. Most people are so wrapped up in themselves that they can't be bothered with other peoples problems. Maybe we should all take the time to realize what we do have, and be thankful that we're alive another day to spend with each other. Some of us don't have much time left, and the gift to give is your time. Call up an old friend, go see your Great Aunt, buy a homeless guy a lunch because it's just time.

And time is likely the most precious gift we can offer.

Freeman

Burn Hollywood Burn

Alright. So I did it. I went to see the remake of "The Day The Earth Stood Still". I can't really put into words my disappointment. Oh I knew that this was going to suck, but I had to see it anyways. Originality in scriptwriting seems lacking the last few years. There's been plenty of good movies come out over the last while, but the remakes are generally a travesty. This latest one just shores up that last point.

Now I'm a fan of old cheesy 50's sci-fi flicks because they are... well... cheesy. They represent a lot of base ideals, like progress, hope, vision, and various others. The original TDTESS had a simple message: clean up your act. We know your race has potential, but if you keep going this way, we're going to fix the problem... permanently. The original Klaatu had a semblance of emotional content which Michael Rennie displays throughout the entire film, but Keanu Reeves comes off as a cold fish, lacking one quality one might think the messenger has. After all this is a significant event the character is about to undertake, so why not show a little bit of emotion? It must have been the whole impartiality scientist thing that you might see in someone who was enacting a purely academic experiment. But now that I think of it when scientist hit that 'Eureka!' moment they're usually pretty excited.

Now admittedly the original movie is not as action packed as the remake. The glitz and special effects is regrettable in most newer movies, as bigger explosions and blue screens replace story content. Why spend the money on developing a complex character when you can have some pretty lights do something eye catching on the screen? The remake of this movie is chocked full of explosions, flying machines, and cool looking CGI. Even the robot (and I use that term loosely for the remake) Gort is rather cool looking and imposing, but in someway over the top.... but wait! This ties in with my next comparison....

In the original movie Klaatu comes to the Earth to deliver a message to the leaders of the world, and Gort is there to protect him, and do whatever Klaatu needs him to do. The remake changes this simple dynamic drastically. In the remake Klaatu comes to talk alright, but the message is something like "Hey you guys. Yeah you, stupid. You're finished. Don't bother packing your bags, I'll take care of everything." He's not really there to deliver a warning as in the original, but instead tell the leaders of the world that they're a failure, and now he's going to destroy them all. Wow. So instead of an interstellar ambassador, you now have Hitler about to commit genocide. Nice. Oh, and did I mention that Gort: the robot and protector, is now GORT: the acronym and doomsday machine? Yep his sole purpose is to commit the heinous act of wiping out all human life on the Earth. Again. Wow.

If I was to see this remake on it's own with no prior knowledge of the original I would likely be singing a different tune right now. But knowing what I know, I really wish they hadn't done this to a science fiction classic. I can say that all was not totally lost. The message that the original purported wasn't completely lost, although it was changed, and the method of delivery to the audience of said message was brief. Like I said to my wife in the theatre "Blink and you might miss it."

See it if you must, but please keep your disappointment contained to throwing popcorn at the screen.

And just for effect, I'll end this post like the remake ended: abruptly.

Freeman

Inspiration

Inspiration is something that is internal to ones own mind and soul. Some people can put things down on paper, other can write music, or paint a beautiful picture, but in some way they have to be inspired by something.

The last few days I've been listening to a remixed song by Teddybears called 'Still Alive', originally written by Lisa Miskovsky. The original song is the theme for the new game 'Mirrors Edge' by EA, and let me tell you that the song coupled with the dynamic imagery of the game is something I find inspirational. Now lately that's a rarity for me. Unfortunately I mostly find inspiration internally, and usually keep it that way hidden from the rest of the world. Opening up your soul for the world to see is a difficult act for an introvert such as myself. I don't particularly like human beings because of all the problems associated with them. I really find no value in what we produce because most of it is self serving, or meant to distract someone else from the goings on of the world around them. I find no real solace in the average trappings of the human social constructs. At one point I was a social animal, going to parties, hanging out with friends, and being a generally happy cat. Since starting a full time job, I've become more withdrawn, secluded, and less than happy. I haven't really discovered what it is I want from life, or at best I've ran out of goals I set out for myself. I have a decent job ( that I dislike thoroughly), a family (whom I do love deeply), a home (as messy as it is), and enough money to do most of the things that I like. So what's the problem? There's not a whole lot that's kept me inspired. The last time I really felt truly alive is when I was driving an armoured patrol vehicle in a war zone. The prospect of dying usually keeps one engaged in keeping alive. So why can't I have this level of engagement at home. After the tour the Army headshrinker said I was going to experience a bit of boredom, but I honestly didn't think it would last this long. So I need to find a way to become inspired once again. I have this feeling that individuals who become suicidal start out this way, loosing their lust for life as it were. Don't misconstrue that statement though, for I am far from suicidal, just bored.

So where to find inspiration? It's out there waiting, but it seems to be running from me, just out of my grasp as it were. Sometimes I'll drive fast in the city to get my blood pumping, and occasionally I'll feel the need to get into a fist fight with someone, but those are both inherently dangerous and menacing not only to myself but to the general public as well. I really don't need to watch my kids grow up while sitting in a jail cell. I've thought about writing a book, but my thoughts are like a TV with it's channels being changed quickly. I'm surprised I can concentrate long enough to get through writing a blog. So a book is out, although I'll likely keep trying. My religious practices are most private, and anything inspirational from that is kept wholly attributed to that. I do a minute amount of volunteer work, but time is a precious commodity in my life, so I can't do that as much as I would like.

So what? Where is the spark at? I need to feel alive again and break out of this rut, because I'm already feeling the effects of boredom seeping it's way into my soul. I'm tired all the time, and listless. I have a short temper which I'm learning to reign in once more, but that's taking a lot. And any patience I had for people has pretty much been lost.

If anyone out there has an idea about how to get out of this rut, please let me know.

Freeman

Online gamers and why they suck

OK. I'm one of those guys that's into the FPS's (that's "First Person Shooter's" for those of you who don't know), and I like to play online quite a bit. Now generally being an older guy from the average age group that plays these games I'm a bit more reserved. I go to play, not to win, because I consider winning a side bonus. The thrill of killing a computer generated character is what I like, and if I happen to win then all the better, but the fighting is what gets me fired up. After all if you win then it's over.

So I try to keep a somewhat more mature attitude while online, and I reserve trash talk for the only the most obnoxious people. This is because when you play games online, not everyone is 17, still living at home with mommy and daddy, and used their allowance to buy the newest version of Battlefield or it's ilk. There are varying levels of age and skill, so it makes the online gaming experience that much more fun. If everyone was super awesome with a sniper rifle, and had the ability to gank like nobodies business, then it would be BORING! Just because you're good doesn't mean you're the best. Chances are there is someone out there with a slightly higher level of skill, or luck that's waiting to take you down a notch. So why trash on people who are just their to play? After all do you know them? Likely not. If I'm playing a game next to someone, then I'm all about the trash talk, because they're there with me. That and chances are I've been drinking heavily, but if you knew me then you would know that alcohol just adds to the range of facial expression I generate. But then again drinking while playing is a rarity. Usually it's more pop and chips, or even better: coffee. I love to game and drink coffee.

Either way you can feel like a big man while trashing someone else, but online you can feel like a bigger man right. Chances are you probably don't know the guy you're playing with so how are they gonna settle your hash if you harass them into leaving in frustration? They won't because they don't know where you live, so trash on my friend. Really you don't sound like a complete arse while you're flaming some other player. Consider this though: You like to play online, and you had to start learning the game at some point, so do you remember what it felt like to be a 'n00b'? Forgot to reload frequently, fell off the tower once or twice, tripped the switch that sprang the trap on you.... All this and more made you look like an idiot and likely you got flamed for it, and at the time you got upset for hearing all the jibes coming your way. You hated that. Now you've been playing for a while and you're the cat's ass while online, and it's your turn to get the pokes in. How quickly your memory fades. Way to enhance the gaming experience for all those new gamers out there, you really made yourself look awesome.

So after I get off work I'll go home and game for a while, and listen to the trash talk flying across the inter-web, and think to myself 'you're time is gonna come'.

Just me bitchin.

Freeman

I cry zombie shenanigans!

Zombies man. They freak me out. I do believe from yesterday that I alluded to the fact that I was doing a lot of zombie related activities, namely playing a little known game called Left 4 Dead. Best game ever!

Not only does it have all the elements of a good zombie movie: diverse characters, shotguns, and sarcasm, but it also has the new zombie class of the 'running zombie'. Yeah. Pretty much gone are the days of the stumbling and bumbling legions of walking dead. With the later remake of such classics as Dawn of the Dead, and the newly created 28 Days Later, the running zombie is now the thing. I watched the original Night of the Living Dead a couple of months ago, and even that movie still creeps me out, because of the sheer numbers of undead that show up in a rural area. The original Dawn of the Dead was even worse what with the masses of walking deceased plodding through the mall in search of human flesh to consume. But in terms of scariness, I would rate the newer movies as more frightening just because of the running zombie. Just imagine that your caught on the edge of a riot and the crowd decides that they want to kill you. Then the chase is on. In the older films I don't understand how they didn't win the war, seeing as how the zombies were so slow you could run up to one from behind and knock it down, or even better: the major urban centers are dead. Why not start a fire and burn them out completely? After all this is where the majority of the undead are right? But in the newer films it would definitely be a fight for domination. Those guys are damned quick!

Now when I say newer films I don't really include George A. Romero's Land of the Dead because he uses the classic zombie for that one as well, continuing on his 'undying' tradition. *snicker* All in all though I loved that movie, because it was like the originals. Now don't get me wrong. The newer movie freak me out a whole bunch, but I still enjoy the classics of this genre.

Anyways Left 4 Dead. Awesome game. The only thing it's missing is a kick ass scientist with a crowbar. You know who I'm talking about. ;)

Freeman

Damn Zombies

Y'know lately I've been thinking a lot about disaster. It's a good topic for my generally paranoid mind to contemplate during the yuletide. I bought the game Left 4 Dead, which is a wonderful jaunt into the zombie movie genre, in which 4 people must cross a zombie infested landscape to escape the area. A really fun game with all kinds of thrills, and really fast zombies. But when I started playing it I got to thinking...... dangerous.

Next the other day I was eating lunch at work, and I decided to watch a British docu-drama called "Threads" from around 1983. It was about a nuclear war and the events leading up to it, and was very similar to the American made-for-television movie "The Day After". Both good films but once again I started thinking..... I really have to stop doing that.

Survival is important. Very important. But part of the problem seems to be figuring out what disaster to survive. Let's face it, zombies are not going to get me, but it is one hell of a scenario, so I can't chalk up that one. But nuclear disaster? Maybe. I'd more likely have to try and survive a toppled government before either of those two, because it seems that's an ever present danger, especially now with so many of my countrymen who are disenfranchised with our current system of government. Someone out there wants power, wants to run the country, and likely is on the edge of discovering the means to do so. So honestly what does all this mean? To me I foresee complete and utter chaos. It would be the chance for the separatists to win out the day, breaking up our fine country. And don't get me wrong when I say separatists and you start thinking about Quebec, because there are just as many separatists out west and down east, but it's just that they haven't created a political party yet. So the country breaks up, there's less-than-law-and-order, and the economy drops right out the bottom. Where's this leave me? Right now, living in an urbanized area, currently unarmed, and low on long term supplies. I'm SCREWED! Or at least I believe I'm screwed. I've got to get out of the city, get armed and stock up on ammo, food, water, and other miscellany, just to get through these tough times. The wolves are on my doorstep and scratching their way in to get me!

So now that we've established my frame of mind, and what kind of thoughts I've been thinking lately, maybe someone can tell me a good spot to go. I'm thinking Ireland for any kind of major disaster from the sky, and for disaster on the land, anywheres in the backwoods would be fine. If your reading this leave me a comment on where you would go, because I'm thoroughly interested.

Freeman

Just a little upset

Well now that the month of chaos is over maybe I can blog a little more. Who would have thought that the month of November would be so busy? Certainly not me. But I'm also at the bottom of the food chain in terms of job policy.

Well I'm kinda perplexed about something. Perplexed, confused, and continuously pondering that is. I have to wonder about the basic question that most soldiers have about the media: why do they always concentrate on the negative aspects of military life? The military has its share of frustrations and tragedies just like any dangerous job, and the press doesn't help it at all. For instance I had learned this weekend that we had lost another three brothers overseas in Afghanistan. OK. Losing your life this way is a soldiers lot, and any troop worth his salt knows it. It's definitely a tragedy. I heard it on the radio first because I'm an admitted news-phile, and I like to know what's going on in the world. Throughout the day I heard the same piece on the radio, and the television, and read it on the online papers more times than I can count. I figure that's alright, after all it's just one day right? Not everyone is like me and I can't expect everyone to hear the news the same time I do, so 24hrs. to get the word out is enough.

The next night on the late night news (around 2300 local) there was a nice piece out of Afghanistan about a new air wing being setup to transport our guys around. Very nice, it's about time we got some improved capability, but wait....What is THIS!?!?! Flag draped caskets? What the hell do they have to do with the new air wing? Oh I get it. This is the ramp ceremony that happened the day before. Yeah. Well that was pertinent information that I needed to see.... again... after the fact.

So I'm upset. Just a little. I've heard the news already. In fact everytime I hear of another military death, I always keep pinned to the news until I know who's gone. After all the military is my extended family, and I usually know someone who is deployed, so I have to make sure that it wasn't someone I didn't know. HOWEVER the impact of another fallen brother is still felt, and I still feel for the families who have suffered such a grievous loss. So with that said, there is no need to splash the ramp ceremony all over the news. It's not only respectful for the families who have to deal with the loss, but it's also a morale issue. In my time overseas I attended several of these ceremonies, including one which I sent a member of my platoon home, and another which I had helped carry one of my buddies on to the plane. His flag draped casket was fairly heavy, but not as heavy as the burden I carried in my heart after his loss. Every soldier who loses a buddy carries that weight throughout the remainder of their time on earth. So why keep running it on the news? Why throw that up on the screen for a few days, when one day is enough to get the word out? Military deaths are more controversial because of the nature of war, and the politics involved with them. No one wants war, but countries get involved in them regardless of who has been elected. The news supposedly has a duty to expose the truth of things, yet truth becomes lost in sensational headlines, hot topics, and buzz words.

So now I'm upset. There's no need to drag it all out like this. Their gone, their families are grieving, and what's done is done. We don't forget their service, those who knew them, although I'm sure the general populace won't be as vigilant.

Anyways I'm out of steam. And just for the record it's 3 days after the last 3 deaths, and it's being politicized on a radio talk show I'm listening to this morning. Go figure.

Lest we forget.

Freeman

Fading Memory

Yeah I was on parade at the cenotaph yesterday, and maybe more so than in years past there was quite a turn out. I do enjoy the fact that I have been recognized for my efforts, however as my platoon warrant stated the week before: "We don't go out there for us. We go there for the Vets." One could argue that having served in a war zone I would be considered a veteran, but in all honesty I am very hesitant to think of myself that way. If anything I would rather have one of the older Veterans bestow that title upon me rather than usurp it forthwith. But anyhow....

Ideal weather conditions at the cenotaph made me wonder why there wasn't double the crowd there usually is. I could understand the reason for it in years past since November the 11th is usually penned in on the schedule as 'cold as hell', so standing around freezing ones ass off for a couple of hours might seem to be not so pleasant. However this year it was nice, and there seemed to be a few more people, however it seemed as well that there should have been more. But who wants to come out to see a bunch of old war-mongering has-beens, who were probably stationed at home during the second world war? And we might as well forget about Korea. No one remembers it anyways. Peacekeepers? Bah. Never saw a shot fired in anger once, so who cares about their stories? And Afghanistan is nothing but a war we got suckered into by George W., and we aren't winning it anyways right?

Wow. Just writing that last bit left an awful taste in my mouth. I'm angry just thinking about it. I honestly believe that many Canadians feel this way about their military members past and present. Something has crept into our culture that says that service to ones country is a sham, foolish, and borderline shameful. Everyone seems to be out for themselves, and their comfort is all that matters. "Why waste my time spending an hour outside on a brisk fall morning, listening to some old guy drone on about remembering? I've got a pheasant in the oven, and friends coming over to have some brunch. I can't be bothered...." One hour a year roughly. One hour a year doesn't even mount to a full week of time over the course of a persons life. Some of the older Veterans spent years away from home. Some fought in two wars. Some slept in trenches for weeks, some froze to death during the long winter nights. One hour a year....

I can barely write I'm so mad right now. If it wasn't anger driving me through this, I would be wallowing in despair at the thought that sacrifice and circumstantial heroism means nothing to today's generation. The thought that a legacy that I carry on this day is nothing but an irritation to those who now consider the military to be a shameful occupation, causes me no end of rage. I, and thousands of other before me, had joined for various reasons. But one thing is clear: we had never considered our service to be shameful, never considered it a waste of time. And not one of those nay-sayers would consider trading their comforts, their lattes, and SUV's, central heating, and complaining about their boss and the like, for the job that we have to do. Sure when it comes down to it they would pat us on the back and say 'Well done', only to have the memory fade again years down the road. Their memory is keen up until the point when war and conflict seem to be gone from our country forever. Then soldiers become nothing but state sponsored thugs, bent on creating conflict rather than helping to solve it. People only remember our forces now for their U.N. Peacekeeping efforts, choosing to take the high road socially, but even then choose not to attend a cenotaph to honour those who served there. Moreover the point of Peacekeeping, noble as it may be, still does not reflect what the military is designed to do: defend the nation from a perceivable threat at home or abroad. We carry out the will of the nation by order of the elected Prime Minister. We do the jobs that are unthinkable to all those who cannot be bothered, or are to afraid to face the fact that war; as long as humans still rule this world, is inevitable, and conflict always possible. They cry for an end to war telling us that we should lay down arms to promote world peace, not getting the fact that we are not the only ones in this world, and the moment we lay down arms, someone will take up those arms and turn against us. The safety and sovereignty of Canada lays squarely on the backs of the soldiers. If we fail, then Canada will cease to be a nation, and a new flag will fly atop the Peace Tower.

I only wish it that regular people understand what we, as soldiers, are willing to do on their behalf. I once asked a gentleman that I worked with what he would do if war broke out again. His response: "It's not my war." "Even if someone attacked Canada?" I asked. "There's no way I would join the military. No one should join the military. It's stupid. And besides who is going to attack us?" I've since left that job, and moved on to another one, which was the right thing considering everyone that worked there was more or less of the same mindset. After all he clearly didn't understand that by proxy my brothers and I were willing to preserve his selfish way of life by laying down our lives. Sometimes you have to take the good with the bad.

But I would have to wonder what would happen the one time if these people were threatened with war on their doorstep, and the military decided they'd had enough of the bad mouthing, mudslinging, and trampling of the proud traditions, and bravery of those who do serve. Instead of standing in front of the oncoming deluge, what if we quietly turned our back and let the selfish take the brunt of the onslaught? Again just writing that left a bad taste, as it goes against everything I believe in militarily. For we defend the masses for the terrors of war, and in the end we are remembered only by the ones we loved, for the memory of the nation is spotty at best, and chooses to forget our history which in many ways is shaped by deeds on the battlefield. Everyone has heard of places like Vimy Ridge, Normandy, and the like. Huge battles ingrained in the memory of the land, but in many cases this is all they know. They forgot about places like Ypres, Hill 70, The Battle For the Scheldt, Ortona, and many others too numerous to mention here. All later generations know is what the teacher told them, mixed with speculation and opinion over time, only to come to the conclusion that there would be no war if there were no warriors, and forgetting that it was those warriors they disregard that were the ones who were ready to stand up when no one else would.

So, bitterness aside, I am still proud to be on the parade ground every November 11th, even if only one kid shows up to lay a wreath for the fallen. Hopefully memory will return, keeping the poppies red that day. So long as I'm still alive though, those colours won't run.

The Freeman

New Prez? So what?

I was going to do it. I wasn't. Just because it's the biggest piece of news in a while doesn't mean I have to comment, right? I can hold off.....Right? Yeah. Not so much. McCain and Obama. Obama kicked the stuffing out of McCain, and is on his way to the white house. So what?

Honestly is anything going to be different this time around? I'm pretty jaded when it comes to politics now, and I'm only in my 30's, so why so bitter you ask? Gee I don't know. I'm in Canada so politics seems rather innocuous up here. We barely had a voter turn out in our election 2 weeks ago, and the last time we had a candidate that inspired anyone was Trudeau. Forget the fact that our politico's are corrupt as the day is long, and that there has yet to be any real sweeping reforms that affects me or my family. Not to mention that my idea of politics leans more towards service of the country, than of what I perceive it to be: a bunch of money grubbing bastards in for themselves. Yeah. It's a pretty negative outlook, but heck I've been fostering it for a long time. It's a soldiers god-given right to complain.

So now that Obamarama is in effect, that big ideal he's been spouting; "Change", should be about ready to spring up out of nowhere like a drunken college prankster in a sorority house. And as I sit here typing I can feel the change occurring. Yep. There it is, just creeping up behind me about to strike. Whoops! I was wrong. It was just gas. Change is something that has indeed happened in the States, seeing as how they elected their first black President. The consciousness of the nation has shifted, and now they're looking to try something that might be completely different. But how different? The old saying comes to mind "the more things change, the more they stay the same", and I fail to grasp the impact of what has occurred. In fact I have to wonder if anything will change. Change takes a whole lot of time, and the States has tons of problems at home and abroad which cannot be fixed over night. Iraq is probably going to be the biggest monkey on the new Presidents back, as well as the global financial situation. So what's he going to bring to the table other than a tired out rhetoric, and inspiring words people only hear during elections?

I figure the way things are, the troops are still going to be in Iraq for the next 4 years, and the economy will play it's ups and downs right until the bitter end. Hopefully "change" will occur for the better, and we won't see ourselves plunging into a downward spiral, like falling stars from the heavens.

Freeman

It's that time of year!

So as of my last entry, I had mentioned that yes, I am indeed Pagan. Scary no? And today is in fact a religious observance for myself and thousands of others out there who consider this time of year a more spiritual time, than commercial.

Yes I am talking about Halloween. Or as I call it Samhain. And no it's not pronounced like it's spelled here. It's actually pronounced Sow-en. And no I don't know the exactly wordy type meaning, just some of the other meanings about the day in particular. To get the not-so bitterness out of the way, I'm not sure if Christianity has perverted this ancient festival, or if the meaning of the day has evolved overtime to accommodate the cultures of the period. It's well and good that the Christian faith has tried various methods to convert Pagans, and it does include some absorption of ancient days of worship and reverence, the most notable being Christmas (Dec. 25th) crowding out Yule (Winter Solstice around Dec. 21st). Some people would consider Samhain to be a time of great evil, mostly the hardcore Christians. So much so that some local churches have used Halloween as a staging point for the war on Satan, and have even produced such elaborate schemes as setting up Christian oriented haunted house displays, and producing video propaganda.

Pshaw.

The last time I checked there was nothing inherently evil about Samhain. Maybe the only thing evil about it is the commercialism associated with it, as with Christmas time. The amount of money flying around during holidays that have religious roots is ridiculous, and somewhat shameful I might add. Now before I continue, Halloween is a good time for the kids to enjoy being out and about, going through the neighbourhoods, and being together in the enjoyable quest for candy. I would not take that away from them. With that, my next comment will sound contradictory. The commercialism of this (for Pagans at least) or any other day of worship seems to detract from the spiritual aspect of it all. Not only that it takes away from the creativity that a day like this could inspire. What other day of the year could you have so many different costumes show up at your doorstep? I predict an abundance of Ironman, and Hanna Montana clad children tromping up my stairs to 'Trick or Treat'. Manufactured is a word I would use to describe this day. The candy factories mass produce the sugary confections to the delight of the kiddies, and chagrin of the parents. Toy companies stamp out cheap costumes so children can harass mommy into buying the next dress-up fad. The imagination is partially lost this day because big business sees the profits to be made. Communities for the most part do not come together like the small agricultural towns of yesteryear, to celebrate the end of the harvest, or the turning of the season. As opposed to elders telling stories of ghosts and hauntings, they have been replaced by Hollywood blockbuster slasher films, and gaudy lawn displays of dismembered corpses. Our world has become more complicated, overly so, to the point that the man in sheet moaning and shaking chains no longer frightens. Now unless there's six gallons of blood spilt, and a homicidal maniac, no one will pay it any mind. The modern world has made us desensitized to the point where formerly fearful things are passe, and the most shocking thing to put fear in our heart seems to be when the local coffee shop breaks the espresso machine. Children are growing up tuned into the idiot box, plugged into their iPod, and hooked up to the internet to the point where imagination seems to be an unpleasant distraction, a buzzing in behind the ears, annoying them if it steals them away from their favorite video game. Parents are no better and I include myself in this category. We're bombarded by jobs, the telephone, cars, world crisis, the price of oil and so on. Day to day, hour to hour we toil at our jobs, only to come home too tired to cook a good meal, and slump on the couch, order a pizza, and watch the next disaster in progress on the evening news. It's shameful.

Days like Halloween are suppose to excite us and bring us together, not cause our wallets to go up in flames, or serve as a way to make our local dentist more money. Days like Samhain are a time for reflection, and reverence for the passing of the year, not a dividing point over religious belief.

Just my two cents.

Freeman

Religion... Yeah, I know...

Christianity is the one true religion. No wait! It's Islam. Definitely Islam. But Judaism is nice too. Then there's those happy Buddhists. *Sigh*. Who's right and who's wrong dammit?!?!?

Well from a personal standpoint, they're all wrong. Yep. ALL WRONG. And yes, I am religious. I'm one of those tree hugging, dirt worshipping Pagans, whose Gods and Goddesses rule the universe! And it's still wrong. Oh it's right for me you see, but I'm me. Because at one point I was a Christian like so many other North Americans, and then one night I had an epiphany. I figured out that I didn't like the bible, Jesus was a front man for politics these days, and non of the "Big Three" really made me feel good because let's face it, they're very similar in nature. Please correct me if I'm wrong on that assumption, because that's all it is. I'm not a student of Christianity, Judaism, or Islam so my assumptions could all be completely wrong. But can you tell me that each of those religions don't hate the same way, or fight the same way, or even politicize the same way? You would have to go pretty far to convince me otherwise. It's amazing that anyone can claim they have found the "One True God" out of that mish-mash. After all they pretty much come to the same conclusions, and worship the same person ....errr... Deity. Yeah. That's it. Either way all three are intertwined, and as opposed to saying that they have more in common with each other, they turn around all pronounce, rather loudly, that they have the truth. Truth is a very dangerous word.

If any of them had the truth, don't you think they would be converting people quicker. Judaism seems to not be too pushy about it. It's like they're standing by the door waiting for you to leave before they hand you a pamphlet without saying a word. Christianity gets out of bed in the morning, stretches, eats some cereal, and tackles the day door to door, channel to channel, and person to person. Islam gathers the masses and does the same, although they seem to keep their numbers up by proclaiming that once you're in you can't get out. Kinda harsh really. So really none of them can leave a person alone to try and figure it out for themselves. Kinda like watching a man get torn apart by horses. So let's leave them behind and look around a bit....

Shintoism, Taoism, Buddhism.... Asian religions. And I'm generalizing when I discuss this, because honestly I have no real clue about their individual philosophies. Possibly because of the somewhat alien nature of their teachings. That and I just haven't picked up a book about anything Asian in a very long time. Part of my problem is living so far removed from anything remotely like a Buddhist temple, or a Shintoist shrine. I live in a not so diverse part of Canada, so exposure is what is on the TV that night. But from everything I can see, these religions are not pushy at all. And as I stated before please correct me if I'm wrong. They're not pushy to the point of seemingly non-existence, although I have it on good authority that Buddhism is a rather well populated religion, possibly surpassing Christianity. But find a Shintoist? It's like trying to find a snowflake in Miami. Taoist are somewhere in the middle. Then there's a few other religions that I can't remember at the moment, but I'm sure they have healthy followings as well. They just aren't trying to press gang people into their belief system. It also doesn't help when the likely majority of them are in Communist countries, and are quite possibly repressed by the governments there. So onwards....

African religion..... Ummm.... Sure.... It's in Africa.... I think. TV you have failed me here!

And of course now we have New Age. People like me. Disorganized. Dispersed. Barely able to find their shoes in the morning, let alone be a force for anything. My kinda place. But wrong as well. I mean it's had a huge resurgence in the last 20 or so years, popularized by TV and movies, but it is still influenced by the other religions of the world. Some people call themselves Christo-Pagans. Yep. I have a hard time with that one myself, but if it works for you.... Paganism and the New Age seem to be made primarily of disenfranchised Christians in North America, which can be a problem in one regard as they have a tendency to bring some of the problems associated with Christianity with them. Namely the politicking part, and occasionally the pushiness. I will say that a lot of Pagans lean towards the Activism part of society though. Not all Pagans are lazy and aloof, most are regular people, but some are very busy indeed. And there are a few that are just out right ridiculous. Nothing better for a group than to have one individual dressing the part 24/7, and acting foolishly a lot. It's no wonder we aren't taken seriously for anything. I almost have to wonder if some believe this kind of behaviour reflects on them to the point of shame. Curious thoughts....

Where was I? Oh! Yes. All wrong. In terms of a society, as a people, we should be united by the physical reality of the world. Belief systems are nice, but are corrupted easily when you have many people trying to develop the same religious real estate. Kinda like Islam is Islam, But Sunni Muslims and different than Shiite Muslims. Or Baptist Christians are different than Catholic Christians. Ridiculous. Way to complicate this fellahs. I'm waiting for Sanderian Wiccans and Gardnerian Wiccans to start duking it out next. I'm sure it will happen some day. Such is the price for complicating a mass system of belief. Truthfully though I can be accused of stating that my Gods were right and their God was wrong at one point. It took awhile to realize the fallacy of my statement. The last time I checked, no religion seemed to have gotten it right yet. If they did wouldn't the world be at peace? Or maybe peace will happen when everyone is Christian, or Buddhist, or possibly Pagan. Maybe their has to be a massive social sanitization of all that is intangible in our beliefs as human beings to bring about positive change.

Either way something has got to happen soon, because we are on a long, slippery, and familiar slope of disaster due to belief systems tainting the hearts of the world. Religion, or Spirituality if I may, is an intensely personal thing, and probably be kept personal for the good of society. If a likely minded group of people want to worship their respective deity together then have at it. But once they're finished, and back out on the street, they should keep it to themselves. Proselytizing has got to be one of the worst ideas in the world, and likely has been responsible for more than one fight throughout time.

So in conclusion, if you've found the "One True God", or a whole pantheon of them, keep it to yourself.

Freeman

Calamity!

Just curious. No need to answer, but I like to hear.... Are we in recession? Is Canada in trouble financially, because someone is dropping the ball here. I can't tell whether or not we have a real problem because every time you turn around some "official" somewhere is saying everything is alright. Then the next day someone else is crying out in anguish "Stock's are dropping! The economy is on the downturn! There's a fly in my financial soup!"

I cannot honestly for the life of me figure out if there is actually a problem here. I mean I check the financial section of the paper and glance over the headlines, and it's awash with doom one day, then nonexistent the next. If there was a soundtrack to this mess it wouldn't be profound like John Williams "The Imperial March", but be more like the theme song from "The Benny Hill Show". I mean that's what it amounts to right about now. I can hear that song playing and envision the traders at the TSX, or NYSE running about furiously waving their hands buying, selling, laughing, and crying, all because of how the markets are in turmoil. You would think that with all the supposed problems, hype, and miscellaneous tripe that the press has put out in the last month regarding the perceived crisis, that there would be a lot of dead executives on Wall Street. Sure if it's bad enough they would be jump out of windows left, right, and center. The sidewalks would be littered with high class suits getting their pockets searched for loose change by the very people they likely ripped off in the first place. But I'll get to the poverty bit later on....

If this is a true crisis, then I'm sure there will likely be severe repercussions to those responsible for causing it.... I can't believe I just said that.... I know what you're thinking. "C'mon Freeman, get real. No one is going to pay for screwing up the world." Yeah. I agree that it was a naive comment, but I slam my fist into the keyboard thusly : gfiphqwe, and cry out "Dammit it's what should happen!" But you and I both know that it ain't gonna happen. It's a cruel world in that regard, when overly complicated social, political, and financial rules take precedence over simple truth, and will. Punishment would never be doled out to those responsible for losing nations millions in currency, putting tens of thousands of people out of jobs, and creating more poverty than could possibly be healthy. You would almost think that governments are in it for themselves, as opposed to the very people they are supposed to govern. Whoa! Hold the phone here! This smacks of conspiracy. You can't be serious Freeman! Say it ain't so! Yeah, I'm serious. I'm not sure anymore where big business ends, and government starts. When you have people running the country that are lining their pocket books on the side, you have to question their motivations. I would have thought that to be a politician you would have had to want to serve the public, but in this day and age that seems to be less the case. I have to wonder what would happen if the Prime Minister of Canada, or even the President of the United States were paid one dollar a year, and were not allowed to have any business ventures or involvement. Well that's a kooky idea. I mean after all the PM is housed, looked after medically, has better security on his home than most bank vaults, and can travel where ever he needs to be. He's fed, clothed, and well looked after. I'm pretty sure he doesn't pay rent on 24 Sussex Drive, and that there's gas in the plane if he needs to travel. As well his driver keeps the car fueled up, and the cook makes sure there's food in the kitchen. Wow. So all he needs to do is get dressed in the morning, and primp and preen for the days work. Interesting. I wonder if he's worried about financial turmoil. From of the sounds of it he's likely getting a nice fat pay cheque anyways, so even if the country stood on it's head over the money problems of the day, I think he would be alright. Now you have to ask yourself: "What's his motivation?"

So here we are at or near the bottom. I don't exactly feel the soft squishy landscape of Wall Street fat cat corpses as I walk to the corner store, but as I look in my wallet nor do I see moths eating away. Where's the looming crisis. Or maybe it's only a crisis if rich people are affected? Well now, I'm just full of ideas aren't I. Crazy ones at that. I mean after all rich people are rich because they have a tonne of money right? If there's a problem they just dip into their savings to buy that new yacht. No crisis there. Meanwhile Joe Sixpack stands in line at the food shelter, waiting to get some food for the kids. Never mind last week he was "Joe The Plumber", and had a decent job before all this mess happened. It's OK though, because after he gets his food he'll go looking for work. But soon it won't be found. Joe will meet others like him in the food line, and slowly realize that there are WAY more poor people than rich. Maybe then something will start to change, because after all when you hit rock bottom the only way to look is up. Look up. Look up at the rich people who are still on top after you lose your job, your home, and everything that seemed familiar, friendly, and made life wonderful. He's still got it. But he ain't sharing it.

Final ominous word: When we're all broke and in the gutter because the Capitalist system robbed us; the working class, of everything we own, maybe it's high time we stopped letting the money run everything. It's brought us nothing but heartache after all. As well it's divided us as a society, which is damnable in it's own right. So maybe instead of waiting for those Wall Street financial wizards to jump out of their windows because they lost 60% of everything they had invested, maybe we should just push them out. After all, they cost us 100% of everything we had.

Just me throwing it out there.

Freeman

The Start of a new Era....

.... Funny how epic that sounds. You would almost believe that I had something profound to say about society, God, politics, and so on. Hmmm.... maybe I do.... maybe I do.

Now I'm not a Republican, seeing as how I live in Canada, nor am I a card carrying member for any political party (any more), but while reading the paper this morning I was delighted by an article I saw. Apparently the Republican party is fighting amongst themselves. Could it be that the VP Nominee has stolen the thunder of the Presidential Nominee? Has Mrs. Palin usurped the throne of King McCain?? Did she dump whiskey in the Republican coffee urn, and claim she was the only one not drunk, and therefore was required to drive the Repulican party bus?!?!? Nay, nay. She just showed up for the party, said what she believes to be true, and then threw gas on the fire when the bus started to burn. Now don't get me wrong, I think McCain would be good for the US right now. It seems to me that he's probably the most moderate individual the United States could put in office in these troubled times. The problem is is that his chosen running mate seems to be tramping his moderate qualities into the ground, making him seem weaker than is good. When your the Presidential Nominee maybe you should step up, and get your ducks in a row so to speak. If this means 'smacking that bitch up', then maybe it's high time McCain put on his pimp suit, and get back behind the wheel of the Republican party bus. Honestly, when your subordinate seems to get more press time during an election than you do, there's a problem. If your party chooses you to run the country, then you better step up and lead, otherwise you've already lost the race. Obama is going to be at the finish line before you could find the keys to the bus.

So what's to be done. Do I have a solution? Nope. Not my problem. That's the American election, and America's problem to deal with. I'm not sure what each side is campaigning for anyways. There's so much political mudslinging going on, it's coating my living room windows up here! Not to mention the Canadian election we just went through. That was like being at the bottom of the hill when the mudslide happened. I'm not sure if U.S. politicking style has come across the border to manifest itself in the 'Great White North', causing our own politicians to be as forked tongued as their southern counterparts.

Now it occurs to me at this time that maybe there should be a law. Law? This is getting dicey. Maybe there should be a law that prevents attacking the other party.... Can you hear the crickets? If political parties concentrated on what they could do for the country as opposed to slamming the other guys ideas, maybe better ideas would be generated during election time. Maybe the issues wouldn't be so clouded with muck. Maybe, just maybe, people would feel like it was worth voting again if positive campaigns were run, as opposed to saying this guy is incompetent, or that gal is out of touch. Negativity is probably the most infectious disease out there, as it creeps it's way into the very materials we're made of, corrupting our heart and soul, to the point where we don't remember what it was like to be positive. Politics has always had debate, and it is by far a necessary thing to bring to light flaws in policy, however that's a debate, not a platform point. Now back to the Republican debacle....

In terms of explaining my train of thought, if a positive campaign cannot be run by the Republicans or Democrats, then maybe they should just duke it out in the ring for two out of three falls. Likewise, McCain should really can this supposed infighting within his party before it gets out of control. There are too many radicals out there to begin with, and if he does bring his party back to his more moderate views, then Sarah Palin is going to be running the country in no time flat if they get elected, which doesn't look like it's going to happen anymore. She's made the party look awkward like a drunken guest telling 'Pull My Finger' humour at a high class party. McCain has to do something so he can clean up his predecessors mess, and make the Republican party have credibility again.

Wow that's a lot. My hands are tired, my belief system is in tact, and there's still beer in the fridge. It's good to be Canadian folks, even though from that tirade you would think I was passionate about the United States. Nope. Just passionate about the world.