'Compassion'

As I stated in one of my previous rants (Rewind; Feb 27/16) my grade 11 and 12 years at Westmount Secondary School in Hamilton, Ontario were, for the most part fun and enjoyable. I think an extremely high majority of my fellow classmates experienced some pleasurable good times, We 'showed up' to class, engaged in sports, socialized with our friends and other students and participated in drinking escapades on weekends at house or bush parties and bars...it was a good time.

Mental illness should never be overlooked. It should always be taken seriously, especially if an individual is encountering suicidal thoughts. A lot more teenagers are partaking in this horrible 'pastime' of attempted and completed suicides today than my generation did in my scholastic days.

Some of the contributors to teen suicide are bullying, depression, heredity, parents divorcing, relationship breakups, stress and substance abuse. Maybe all the anguish and despair in the world, as well as corrupt governments. and untrustworthy and dishonest politicians are also instrumental of why teens want to kill themselves...the future looks bleak, hopeless and unpromising...their fate is shattered into a million pieces.

The World Health Organization (W.H.O.) proclaims rates among young people have been increasing to such an extent, that they are now the group at highest risks in a third of all countries. An article in C.T.V. News (Oct.3/11) stated, in Canada, suicide accounts for 24% of all deaths among 15 - 24 year-olds and is the second leading cause of death between the ages of 10 - 24. Woodstock Ontario has been faced with that horrible dilemma.

Woodstock is a city in Canada located in southwestern Ontario and has a population of 37,754 according to the 2011 Canadian Census. The city claims they are the dairy capital of Canada. The Woodstock Economic Development Dept. stated the average household income in 2006 was $64,523 (Canadian dollars).

The crisis started at the beginning of 2016. The Toronto Star reported (June 7/16) five people age nineteen years and under have killed themselves and according to the Woodstock Police Dept. thirty-six more young people have expressed suicidal thoughts or have actually attempted suicide in neighbouring communities.

Don't get me wrong, I'm definitely not trying to be some sort of idiot comedian or buffoon, but, is there something in the water or is it the air they breathe...what is going on? We can ask the same question about the calamity that is happening in Northern Manitoba involving the Pimickmak Cree Nation. Both locales have different socioeconomic environments but either way you look at it, young people are killing themselves.

I honestly believe we didn't have the alarming rate of attempted and completed suicides back in my high school days. If that was the case it would only be kept 'hush hush' for so long because like any secondary school the hallways (and in my case the smoking area) were a wealth of information. Whether the stories were tall tales, rumours or hard facts, sooner or later we would receive the lowdown...they were superb 'data centres'. Overall attempted and completed suicides were extremely few and far between.

I do recall hearing about one suicide when I was fifteen years old. A friend of mine told me and his other buddies his sixteen-year-old female neighbour jumped off an overpass onto Highway 403 in Hamilton, Ontario, instantly killing herself.

I remember, just a few years ago, two seventeen-year-old boys committing suicide as stated by the Hamilton Spectator (June 22/12). They both jumped together off a transportation overpass called the Jolley Cut in Hamilton, Ontario and landed on the escarpment. Their cause of death was blunt force trauma due to descent from height. Supposedly both boys were best friends and said good-bye to their other friends via facebook and twitter before they took their lives.

Years ago I use to fill out death forms as one of my job duties so the death would be registered with the City of Hamilton. The funeral home representative would hand me the official death certificate which contained information such as the deceased's name, their address and a written autopsy by the Doctor. The document was an eight and one half inch by eleven inch white piece of thicker than normal paper. The paper had a distinct odor, almost like embalming fluid...fuck, I despised that part of my job.

Five will get you ten, I recorded at least one thousand deaths while I was employed at that position, however, one demise is still locked in my brain. It was a seventeen-year-old male high school student from Hamilton, Ontario. In the space titled cause of death,  the physician wrote the source ever so straight forward...suicide - shotgun blast to the face.

For those four adolescents, life must have been intolerable, filled with misery and gloom...such a waste of young and precious lives. It's so heart-rending these kids didn't want to live anymore...their pain must have been unbearable.

I worked in a psychiatric ward of a community hospital for two years, my title was a Psychiatric Assistant (P.A.). Prior to working at the Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital (H.P.H.) with a schizophrenic and severely brain injured patient, I had no formal training or post-secondary education in psychiatric nursing...my head nurse told me the reason I was hired was I had good raw skills.

Some of my duties as a P.A. were assessment and monitoring of male and female patients and a case coordinator. I saw a wide range of mental illnesses such as Alzheimer's, dementia, depression, manic depression, schizophrenia, and suicide...suicide coincided with depression and manic depression.

For a lot of suicide patients, it was like the ward had a revolving door. They would be admitted, have their medications stabilized, attend therapy and then discharged only (in a lot of cases) to return again, some as many as seven or eight episodes.

One patient I recall was an eighteen-year-old male prostitute who 'worked' on the streets of Toronto. As I remember he made at least three appearances on the ward. Realistically he was a pleasant teenager. He complied with all the ward rules and never acted out. But once he was discharged the staff knew it wouldn't be long before he returned because of his suicidal thoughts or actual suicide attempt. As of this day I have no idea of his status...I hope he's alive and has a conventional job.

It's heartbreaking and traumatic when death makes a visit at any time and absolutely devastating and horrendous to have a family member pass away. Obviously, teenage suicide is no different. A lot of the times there are no warning signs...the parents receive that dreaded phone call and everyone's life changes forever. It's evident that the sadness and sorrow will always be there but sometimes the parents suffer and endure guilt asking themselves "I should have known" or "what did we do wrong?" or the simple question "why?". The smooth jazz song by Robert Sanae and The Crater Creek titled 'If You Only Knew' is fitting because sometimes the parents don't have any indication whatsoever what their child is contemplating.

Epilogue

Teenage suicide has been making the headlines for quite a few years now. This epidemic for our young people will exist for a lengthy duration. This is one time I really hope I am mistaken, but sadly enough I don't think I'm wrong...I wish I was.

The End

Harvenut Puritan

'Honour The Neighbour'

I will put this bluntly...I HATE WINTER!! The frigid temperatures, bone chilling wind, snow and ice make it exceedingly undesirable for me but in spite of all that, like everyone else, I have adapted to old man winter throughout the years. It would be highly satisfying for my Executive Assistant (E.A.) and I to be converted to Snowbirds (holiday in Florida for our winter months) and finding a little tranquility like laying on the beach writing my amateur rants with a cooler of ice cold Miller High Life adult beverages beside me, but as usual, money is the principle component of preventing that fantasy.

My E.A.'s father was born in Newfoundland (N.L.). She and I have discussed a few times about moving to the rock. She has relatives who could assist us on such issues as pinpointing a doctor, dentist, financial advisor, hospital and a decent supermarket as well as just settling our roots. We conversed our home would be small, nothing elaborate, but have a picturesque and scenic view overlooking the ocean. The summer months would be comfortable and pleasant but then we have the winter...their winters are absolutely brutal. When N.L. receives snow they are clobbered and pummelled...many times they will sustain thirty, forty or fifty centimetres (that's eleven to nineteen inches) of snow in one storm, and with the wind and drifting, people can be snowed in for days.

We have viewed numerous N.L. winter pictures but one really attracted my attention. The picture showed a heavy duty front end loader on a road. The snow banks were mammoth, I kid you not, they had to be at least forty feet high...the front end loader looked like a dinky toy. It didn't take us long to give our heads a shake and squash the idea of having N.L. as our new residence.

I would also personally like to thank the provincial government of N.L. (Liberal regime) from the bottom of my heart of reinforcing our decision of NOT relocating to N.L. I read their latest budget in C.B.C. news April 14/16. I know Liberals have a deep affection and are fixated with tax payer's money but this financial plan is shocking, sickening and outright thievery. Here are a few highlights of their extortion scheme: a new 10% tax on all books, a Harmonized Sales Tax (H.S.T.) increase from 13% to 15%, a 16.5 cent per litre gasoline tax, 15% new tax on insurance premiums, increase of income tax 1% - 3%, depending on an individual's earnings, tax increase on registering a passenger vehicle, about three hundred fees such as license permits, fines and inspections are going up and another fifty new fees will be introduced. Overall the average household in N.L. will be 'coughing up' another $3,000 a year. TAX, TAX, TAX...typical fucking politicians.

We bought our house in Hamilton, Ontario in 2001 and thoroughly enjoy our home. We plunked quite a few bucks into upgrades but it was money well spent...it's a cozy and snug two bedroom pad...we are very content. When we saw the ad in the real estate paper, it was normal, like other notices, except at the end of the description it read, wonderful neighbours. Throughout the years we have discovered that the word wonderful certainly wasn't fabricated. Some neighbours have come and gone but the folks who are still here are splendid and wonderful.

Nevertheless, we sincerely miss our neighbours who lived adjacent to us. They were an enjoyable couple, just not neighbours but dam good friends. They were highly educated and professional people but were extremely and completely distant from being egotistical and conceited...they were common, down to earth individuals. We would engage in barbeques together. He and I would partake on having some beers and watch sporting events on television. He would play video games with my sons, sometimes till three o'clock in the morning. His wife took a real pleasure in sewing and stitched a Hawaiian shirt for myself and made slip covers for our furniture.

Sadly enough their relationship didn't last...it's like the 1967 Chamber Brothers song titled 'Time Has Come Today', their time had come...they sold their house and divorced. We were truly sorry they journeyed their separate ways.

This past winter (2015 - 2016) was semi-tolerable, mind you I find winter is never bearable. My E.A. bought me a new gas powered snow blower as my Christmas present and I used it on four occasions. I must say it was a delight to operate. My previous machine was a 1985 model...I bought it used for $300. I acquired less than two years service from the unit and had to pay $600 for a substantial tune up...I should have bought a brand new machine to begin with. Yea, I agree, DUH!!

Whenever we receive enough snow to use my blower I make sure I clean some of my neighbours sidewalks and driveways. Our 92 year old neighbour across the street is starting to slow down a snippet so I always clean his property. Notwithstanding his age, a couple of years ago I attempted to clean his sidewalk with my old machine as he was starting to clear his driveway. He noticed what I was doing and gave me an aggressive sideways motion with his right hand...translated into English I think it meant FUCK OFF...pride and dignity are hard to surrender. Before I bought my used blower he would always clean our sidewalk and driveway...it saved a lot of back breaking shovelling and in return I would thank him each year with a $50 gift certificate to Swiss Chalet and a $30 gift certificate to the Mandarin Restaurant.

I also clear my neighbour's sidewalk and driveway who live beside us. I know he appreciates my labouring because he rewards me with a case of 24 Miller Genuine Draft beer (man, that liquid gold is $40 a case) or a pack of kielbasa. At times he and his wife will have us over for dinner and we certainly eat and drink substantially. I recall once instance when one of my trees was obstructing the reception of his satellite dish and he asked me if I would be good enough to trim the limbs. I told him there was no problem and I cut the entire tree down, it might have been 20 feet high and it was dead anyway, not that it would have made a difference. Two days later he's knocking at my door with a gift, yes, another case of 24 Miller Genuine Draft beer. As usual I said to him "you don't have to do this" and his customary reply was "I know I don't have to do this." I also perform my duty with the neighbour next to my 'beer buddy'. Over the years he has helped us out a great deal before I owned a snow blower.

Then we have the woman who lives on the other side of us, she bought the house from our previous neighbours who divorced. I've been blowing her snow (sidewalk and driveway) for three years and she has never once offered me anything. The last two storms of this past winter, I only cleaned her sidewalk and she never even thanked me.

She bought two small mongrels from a puppy farm when she moved in...I call them Yacky and Whacky. Their barks are ever so high pitched and ear piercing and they will yap for ten, sometimes fifteen minutes at a time before she brings them inside. On few occasions they have woken me up after midnight. A great many times they are supremely annoying and irritating. I always say I'm going to phone noise control/bylaw but I never do...may I just want to keep peace.

She has approached us more than once for assistance. One episode was when she kept hearing an intermittent beeping sound and couldn't figure out where it was coming from. I traced the noise to her kitchen garbage can...I didn't need any high-tech equipment to fathom the location of the sound. As it turned out, it was her old smoke alarm she discarded with the battery still connected.

Another event 'we' encountered together was then the city experienced a long power outage. She knocked on our door and appeared to be in a panic and explained her problem to me. She was hearing a loud alarm signal from her sump pump and asked me to eyeball the situation, I obliged her and we entered her home together. I could hear a blaring warning sound from her sump pump in the basement. I don't know anything about sump pumps so I suggested we phone the Fire Department...just to be on the safe side. I called them on my cell phone and the alarm room operator explained to me they were extremely busy...I didn't doubt him for a second they were swamped with calls. However, ten minutes later Ladder 4 arrived at my neighbour's house. Three firefighters (one stayed with the apparatus) walked into her house and proceeded to the basement and shut off the noise. They assured her there was no danger but suggested she have someone inquire looking into it. The firefighters were, as usual, professional, courteous and exceptionally helpful.

I recommended to my neighbour she write a thank you letter to Station 4 (that was the firefighters home base) and she also agreed. A few years later I asked her if she had ever written the letter and her reply was "I tried but I couldn't find the phone number." Now really, we all know she could have written a short note and personally delivered it to Station 4...it's only a five minute jaunt away.

Epilogue

I really don't know what to think of our neighbour. Basically she is a nice woman but on the flip side a considerable amount of times, it's all about her. The smoke alarm and sump pump, well, as far as I'm concerned, are just loyalty and devotion to any neighbour. Be that as it may, she did disappoint me not sending a thank you letter to the Fire Department. As far as snow blowing, some times a little token of appreciation (especially after three years) is always welcomed. I will continue to clear my neighbours properties and clean her sidewalk only. I wonder if the phrase 'thank you' is permanently deleted from her vocabulary.

The End
Harvenut Puritan

'At The Movies, With Harvenut Puritan'

We all like movies...I don't think anyone would argue that statement. Hollywood provides us with a massive variety of films for our viewing pleasure in various categories: drama, comedy, action, science fiction, fantasy, romance, westerns, animation, crime, documentaries, they do it all, the entertainment is endless. I've noticed the acting and writing has never been so talented and accomplished as it is now.

I don't consider myself a movie critic. I have compiled a list of my Top 30 movies. Obviously, I have excluded certain classics that do appeal to me but I haven't watched them yet. I know some folks may disagree with my choices (everyone's tastes are different) they are just my recommendations.

My Top 30 are listed alphabetically and each of the following movies is my own synopsis. I purposely wrote a very short summary on each film trying to keep it brief and to the point, not giving away any surprises of spoiler alerts...so here we go.

The Anderson Tapes - 1971, Sean Connery, Dyan Cannon, Martin Balsam. A released convict plans a major robbery at a posh New York City apartment building. Martin Balsam is great.

Born On the Fourth of July - 1989, Tom Cruise, Raymond J. Berry, Caroline Kara. Based on a true story about a Viet Nam veteran returning home dealing with personal issues. Maybe the best performance ever by Tom Cruise.

Broken City - 2013, Mark Wahlberg, Russell Crowe, Catherine Zeta Jones. A big city mayor hires a private detective to investigate his wife because he is suspicious of her infidelity. Some nice twists in this one.

Crash - 2004, Sandra Bullock, Matt Dillon, Don Cheadle, (Academy Award Winner Best Picture). Story focusing on racism in Los Angeles. Some superb stories happening here.

Die Hard - 1988, Bruce Willis, Allan Rickman. An NYPD cop arrives in Los Angeles at his wife's company Christmas party only to find it has been invaded with terrorists. Great action never a dull moment.

Flight - 2012, Denzel Washington, Bruce Greenwood, Don Cheadle. An airline pilot is under investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Another wonderful performance by Denzel.

The Flim Flam Man - 1967, George C. Scott, Sue Lyon, Michael Sarrazin. A confidence man 'plays' the deep south. A fun and easy going movie. George C. Scott is great.

The Final Countdown - 1980, Kirk Douglas, Martin Sheen, Katherine Ross, James Farentino. The U.S.S. Nimitz enters a time warp that would change history. Actually filmed aboard the U.S.S. Nimitz, the ending may have you thinking to some extent.

Forrest Gump - 1994, Tom Hanks (Academy Award Winner Best Actor), Robin Wright, Gary Sinise. A simple and unintelligent man's life is portrayed through several decades. One minute you're laughing, the next minute you have tears in your eyes. Tom Hanks is nothing less than brilliant, great soundtrack.

The French Connection - 1971, Gene Hackman (Academy Award Winner Best Actor), Roy Schreider. Based on a true story, two NYPD narcotic detectives 'catch wind' of a shipment of heroin entering the city. Winner of four Academy Awards including Best Picture. Extremely realistic. Gene Hackman is brilliant.

Glory - 1989, Matthew Broderick, Denzel Washington (Academy Award Winner Best Supporting Actor), Morgan Freeman. A true story about the first black regiment fighting along side the Union army in the American Civil War. An excellent civil war movie.

Gone Girl - 2014, Ben Affleck, Roseamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris. A man is accused of murdering his wife after she disappears. Some nice twists in this one.

Home Alone - 1990, Macauly Culkin, Joe Pesci, Daniel Stern. A young boy is mistakenly left at home by himself and must 'face off' against two burglars. A fun Christmas movie.

The Judge - 2014, Robert Downey Jr., Robert Duvall. An arrogant and conceited lawyer must represent his father (a retired judge) who is charged with murder. A great flowing movie, with a terrific story.

Kill Bill Volumes 1 and 2 - 2004, Uma Thurman, Daryl Hannah, David Carradine. An ex assassin's boss wants her dead. One of Quentin Tarratino's best.

Kingsmen: The Secret Service - 2014, Colin Firth, Taron Egerton, Samuel L. Jackson. A private organization attempts to stop a genius from controlling the world. A bit of a take off of James Bond movies but constant action in this one, very enjoyable.

Lawless - 2011, Tom Hardy, Shia Labeouf, Guy Pearce. True story of the Bondurant brothers' illegal moonshine operation in 1931 Virginia. Excellent movie depicting the Depression era Unites States.

Madigan - 1968, Richard Widmark, Henry Fonda, Inger Stevens. Not to be confused with the T.V. series. Two NYPD detectives are given 72 hours to recapture the killer who escaped them. Great cop flick. Four different stories going on here.

Nebraska - 2013, Bruce Dern, Will Forte, June Squibb. An elderly man is obsessed with collecting his million dollar prize he thinks he has won. Filmed in black and white. Bruce Dern is excellent, with a fantastic soundtrack.

Old Boy - 2013, Josh Brolin, Elizabeth Olsen, Samuel L. Jackson. A man is kept in confinement for twenty years then released back into society. Some nice twists here with a huge shocker at the end.

Phone Booth - 2003, Colin Farrell, Forest Whitaker, Kiefer Sutherland. An egotistic man is kept hostage in a phone booth by an unknown gunman. Colin Farrell is great.

Platoon - 1986, Charlie Sheen, Tom Berenger, Williem Dafoe. The horrors of the Viet Nam war seen by a raw recruit. Winner of four Academy Awards including Best Picture. Tom Berenger is absolutely fantastic.

The Polar Express - 2004, Tom Hanks. A young boy has a difficult time believing Santa Claus exists. Animated. A lovely and heart warming Christmas movie.

Prisoners - 2013, Hugh Jackman, Jake Cyllenhaal. A father becomes fixated on finding the kidnapper of his daughter. A huge and great twist in this one.

Raiders of the Lost Ark - 1981, Harrison Ford, Karen Allen. An American archaeologist is searching for a lost artifact, the only problem...so are the Nazis. Total entertainment, constant action.

Rainman - 1988, Tom Cruise, Dustin Hoffman (Academy Award Winner Best Actor). A self centered man finds out he has an autistic brother. Dustin Hoffman is excellent.

Reservoir Dogs - 1991, Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Michael Masden, Steve Buscemi. A group of gangsters are brought together to perform a jewellery store heist. Very realistic movie with a splendid soundtrack.

Sex and the City 1 - 2008, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kim Cattrall, Chris Noth. Carrie and Mr. Big plan their wedding. Some emotional scenes in this one.

Skyfall - 2012, Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Borden. Someone is trying to kill 'M' and destroy 'M16'. The best James Bond movie I have ever seen, continuous action.

Star Trek: The Final Frontier - 1989, William Shatner, Leonard Nimoy, Deforest Kelly. A Vulcan hijacks the Enterprise to pursue his fantasy. An awesome story with some great Klingon music.

Epilogue

So, those are my choices. Hollywood will continue to make excellent movies for years to come. Their mastery to produce entertaining films will never cease. So grab some snacks and a couple of adult beverages and view some of my favourites...hopefully you will enjoy.

The End

Harvenut Puritan

'Where Do We Go, When It's Over'

Back in March of this year, I had the unfortunate experience of attending an event no one enjoys...a funeral. My Executive Assistant's ex-sister-in-law passed away at the age of 69. Both ladies had kept in touch with each other over the years. I only met her a few times. She was a loving and caring individual with a nice bit of a dry sense of humour...overall I found her to be a real 'hoot'. For some reason whenever I hear Boney James' smooth jazz song titled 'Vinyl' it reminds me of her...R.I.P. and God Rest Your Soul.

The service was Roman Catholic and the priest knew the deceased personally and mentioned a couple of pleasant and humorous stories about her. During the memorial, he stated something that puzzled me. Like all Roman Catholic funerals they provide communion (eating the bread and drinking the wine representing Jesus Christ's body and blood) for the congregation but the priest made it clear if  any members of the assemblage weren't Roman Catholic they couldn't partake in communion.

I realize religions idolize and pray to their own Gods. Christianity has many denominations such as Anglican, Baptist, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian and Roman Catholic (just to name a few) but we all believe in the same God and Jesus Christ...we are all Christians. We celebrate Christmas on Dec. 25, mourn Good Friday and honour and glorify Easter Sunday. I don't understand, if an individual is confirmed (qualified to engage in Holy Communion) they shouldn't be denied to participate in Holy Communion...we all praise and worship the same God and Jesus Christ.

My parents raised me under the Anglican faith. When I was a young boy they made me go to church while they stayed home. I was finally (and I mean finally) confirmed after three attempts of writing the test...even on my third effort I failed...finally, the Reverend gave up on me and said I was confirmed...you could say at least my intention was there. Science and theology were two subjects I just couldn't comprehend.

I am very suspicious and leery on religion...I consider myself an agnostic. I question whether God, the divine (supreme beings and spirits) or the supernatural (Jesus Christ walking on water) actually transpired. Religious philosopher William L. Rowe 1931-2015 stated an agnostic neither believes nor disbelieves in God...that is a clear cut definition on my feelings.

A very good friend of mine mentioned to me years ago that God and Jesus Christ and religion as a whole was nothing more than a superstition...at times, I'm inclined to agree with him I do question the history of religion throughout the ages. Is it possible a lot of different versions were established and expressed in stories that have been twisted, turned and exaggerated over the years into favourable tall tales?

We have all heard the saying "second coming of Christ"...I've been hearing it for over fifty years. I'm very inquisitive why his arrival is taking such a long time...has it been deferred for some odd reason? Look at all the wars in the last century and let's observe the total amount of casualties of the large scale conflicts: World War 1 - 38 million, WW2 - 60 million, Korean - 3,217,000, Viet Nam - 1,450,000 and Middle East - 1,000,000. You certainly don't have to be a whiz at mathematics to calculate the shocking and gruesome figure of bloodshed...over 100 million fatalities, where are you, Jesus?

Now, let's perceive the condition of the world as of this moment(and I'm not talking about climate change) the horror, bedlam, and absolute craziness...it's never been so dreadful. The corrupt governments, crime, financial instability, homelessness, hunger, mental illness, people, especially children dying from 'incurable' diseases, poverty, racism, refugees, terrorism, unemployment, violence (have I forgot any?) have made this planet into a ticking time bomb. As far as I'm concerned Jesus can make a guest appearance at any time and annihilate all the hardship, misery and turmoil the human race is enduring...five will get you ten, we would welcome him with open arms.

We all know the world's population is comprised of all different types of personalities and hundreds of millions of the inhabitants believe in their own religion. However, there are a few people that are in complete despair. They are lonely, seeking guidance, direction and a longing they can trust someone or at least something...they have to rely on some sort of entity or individual. Unfortunately, on occasion, that populace becomes associated with questionable and controversial coteries.

Jim Jones was a sect leader of the Peoples Temple which he created in Indianapolis, Indiana in 1955. He was responsible for the Jonestown Massacre on Nov 18/78 in Jonestown, Guyana where 909 of his church followers (men, women, and children) committed suicide from drinking cyanide-laced 'Kool-Aid'. Apparently Jones committed suicide by shooting himself.

David Koresh was a prophet of the faction called the Branch Davidians who resided in Waco, Texas during the Clinton Administration. On April 19/93 after a 51-day siege by the United States government, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (F.B.I.) discharges tear gas into the Davidians compound and 'somehow' a fire started. Eighty of Koresh's devotees including men, women and children perished in the blaze. According to the F.B.I. Koresh's right-hand man (Steve Schneider) shot and killed Koresh because he thought he was a fraud and then committed suicide with the same gun.

I don't believe in cults especially what Jones and Koresh represented and preached. I watched the entire ordeal of Waco including the congressional hearings after the incident as well as documentaries about the blockade. However, I will say one thing, in my opinion, the authorities rudely mishandled that situation and I think they know it.

There are an abundance of evangelists in the world and a few of them declare themselves faith healers. Ernest Angley, Benny Hinn and Peter Popoff appear in my mind. These three 'pastors' are notably wealthy individuals...just look at their custom made wardrobes. Angley owns his own television station and Hinn has his own TV show. In 2005 Popoff was worth $23 million and in 2006 his ministry changed from a non-profit business to a religious organization making it tax exempt...of course he's going to do that, why wouldn't he? He has taken his crusade to a higher lever...he markets and promotes Russian Miracle Spring Water. I have seen his fascinating water advertised on infomercials. Popoff proclaims this amazing Adams Ale will provide miraculous protection from disease and disability along with financial prosperity...stupid me, all these years I've been drinking tap water.

I have seen Angley and Hinn perform their 'project' on television, curing persons with physical handicaps, sickness, and incurable diseases. When people are told their days are limited they can become frantic and desperate...they will literally do anything to stay alive. These folks, a lot like cult members, are reaching out to these zealots for a magical cure for themselves of family members. People that are in these crucial dilemmas will also donate money to these extremists and attend their live acts and routines...it's a worldwide event. Evidence has shown, at times, the mind can be extremely powerful and function in mysterious and positive ways. However, do I believe Angley, Hinn, and Popoff can heal...my answer is very simple, NO!!!

I remember reading about people who had contracted Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (A.I.D.S.) and were spending literally thousands of dollars for a so-called medication cures that were listed on the internet. The same can be said about the 2013 movie 'Dallas Buyers Club' starring Matthew McConaughy, Academy Award Winner for Best Actor, Jared Leto, Academy Award Winner for Best Supporting Actor and Jennifer Garner. The film is about a dying A.I.D.S. patient seeking a cure. When we hear death knocking sometimes anything goes.

So, when each of our movies have finished and our numbers are finally called, where do we go?...heaven, hell, somewhere else or absolutely nowhere. Essentially, religion asserts good people enter heaven and bad people appear in hell. The myth also claims heaven is high in the sky and hell is deep in the ground, like a scary and frightening cavern.

I think the vast majority of us have broken at least one of the Ten Commandments in our lives...I'm guilty. When we have offended, do we go to Tophet because our sins weren't washed away by frequenting church? Certain Christian branches dismiss homosexuality and same-sex marriages...are those people classified as immoral and rejected admission into paradise and wind up in hell? What about past and present evil dictators and diabolical murderers, pedophiles, rapists and serial killers...are they condemned to damnation for their wicked and atrocious offences they have committed or do they just burn? Perhaps their non-lubricated brains and unbalanced minds and souls are cleansed and purified from their heinous activities and start exhibiting appropriate behaviour...I believe this is what religion calls purgatory.

We have all seen artists paintings of God and the Devil...they portray them as men. However,  maybe God is a man and the Devil is a woman, or vice-versa, or maybe both are women. I wonder if the Devil is dressed in a red outfit with pointy ears, a tail and a pitchfork living in a raging inferno or is Satan some horrendous and blood curdling looking creature like we see on graphic video games.

I would like to think promised land is an outright Utopia, a perfect society, full of love, laughter, fun and friendship...fabulous and fantastic times for all. A society completely rid of crime, death, disease, poverty, sickness, terrorism and war. A lot of religions have that conviction...wouldn't it be wonderful and outstanding if a place like that did prevail

Over the years, Hollywood has produced movies and shown scenes and had partial scripts depicting heaven in their films. One excerpt I remember is from one of my all time favourite flicks (as far as I'm concerned it's a masterpiece) the 1968 Academy Award Winner for Best Picture, 'Platoon'. The setting is 1968, somewhere in South Viet Nam. The scene has an American soldier named Rhah (played by Francesco Quinn, Anthony Quinn's son) talking to a small group of fellow G.I.'s in their barracks, after the death of one of their sergeants, "Elias didn't ask you to fight his battles for him. And if there's a heaven, and, God, I hope there is, I know he's sitting up there drunk as a fucking monkey and smoking shit, cause he done left his pains down here." The way I interpret Rhah's dialogue is his belief in the pearly gates is skeptical, but on the flip side he hopes they do exist because he knows he could be killed at any time.

The following is from Wikipedia. Reincarnation is a central tenet of the Hindu religion and Buddist's refer to it as rebirth. Some people believe in reincarnation, though major Christian orders reject the concept of reincarnation, however, a large number of Christians profess the belief.

If people are revived to a new life who is responsible for this phenomenon, is it some sort of mastery and paranormal wonder or are God and the Devil accountable for this happening? Do we maintain the same bodies and mental status we died with or are we totally different and all our memories erased away? Could it be, if we do reappear, we are peasants living in the Middle Ages, or, soldiers and nurses in the American Civil War, or, living in poverty in some war-torn third world country. Perchance, we are transferred to a futuristic society that not even the utmost Hollywood writers, fiction writing authors or people with an extraordinary imagination could ever envision. Could it be, we proceed to the greatest time in our past life, the most favourite, enjoyable and delightful...full of bountiful feelings of ecstasy, elation and rapture...the euphoric state lasts forever. Maybe we are taken to the time and location which we experienced the ultimate depressing, awful, hateful, horrible and worst time in our past lives, and, that lasts forever...that would definitely be Hell.

Perhaps, we don't advance anywhere. Could it be similar to being in the hospital for surgery (let's say minor) and the Doctor administers the anesthetic and seconds later we're in la, la land. Fortunately, we wake up but have precisely no recollection of anything, not even dreaming...absolutely nothing...it's a deep sleep forever.

I have always had a high level of uncertainty why innocent people, especially children, young men, and women have left the world prematurely. When death 'hits home' it's probably the most devastating circumstance family members can encounter...the smooth jazz song by Brian Bromberg titled 'Tears' comes to mind. My Executive Assistant's niece died at 13 years of age. A very good friend of mine had his mother depart and not too long after his younger sister passed away when he was a teenager. Another very good chum's brother died (I never met him) when my chum was very young and yet another good pal and high school buddy had his father 'taken away' when my pal was also young and before I actually met him. The first time I saw one of my friends 'take the last bow' was in the mid-1970's...he was 20 years old. Let's, also, take notice why people, especially the young ones, commit suicide. Religion may say it's part of life and the deceased have journeyed to a greater place. Regardless, why should family and friends undergo and endure this grief and sorrow? We constantly ask ourselves the question...if there is a God why does he or she allow this to occur?

Epilogue

We all have our own opinions and creeds on what happens when 'our plug is pulled'. If we knew that time was approaching wouldn't it be spectacular if we could backtrack our lives, like Jonathon Fritzens smooth jazz composition titled 'Turn Back Time' or even more remarkable locate and utilize that 'Fountain of Youth'. If there is a heaven, and, I hope there is, because when I go belly up, I also want to be up there, drunk as a fucking monkey.

The End

Harvenut Puritan

'The Great Canadian Illusion'

This rant was written in January 2016 and was modified April 8/16.

I entered the work force at 19 years old and worked for 36 years plus 2 years part time. Little did our generation realize when we started to toil the government would change the rules (in their favour of course) and have a big SURPRISE for all of us about the Canada Pension Plan (C.P.P.).

C.P.P. was established in 1965 by Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson and not until 1987 could people collect it at 60 years old at a reduced rate, yes at a reduced rate. Can you imagine the interest the government has made in the last 50 years from taxpayers C.P.P. contributions!...they take our money and earn the interest.

Speaking only for myself, if the government hadn't 'snatched' the money from my pay cheques, I probably wouldn't have been thinking about the future, investing my cash into a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (R.R.S.P.)...I wasn't thrifty or canny when it came to money. Am I glad they grabbed my money, possibly, but the 'bottom line' is just like everyone else we had no choice. What annoys and irritates me about their fucking con game is I'm not receiving the full amount I am entitled to. Prior to 2013 a 30% reduction (or should I say penalty) was initially implemented on anyone wanting to obtain their C.P.P. at age sixty. However it compounded. The Conservatives decided to diminish it even more: 32.4% in 2013, 33.6% in 2014, 34.8% in 2015 and 36% in 2015...they just can't keep their grimy paws off our money. Within their large generous hearts they give us the option of taking C.P.P. at 60 years old but with a harsh punishment. The difference of collecting it at 60 rather than 65 years old can mean anywhere from $500 - $600 less a month for some people. It is very perplexing how the government operates, especially with their C.P.P. hustle. They arrive at two figures, one for 60 years old and the other for 65...NONSENSE! The amount people would receive at 65 should be the same for 60. I can't understand it, it's OUR MONEY every cent of it...what a fucking racket.

Without failure the government always has an answer for their actions and we all know they eternally justify their conduct whether it is wrong and/or corrupt. The following is from the Government of Canada's website: C.P.P. is changing to better reflect how Canadians choose to live, work and retire. The Government of Canada is adapting the C.P.P. to ensure it remains fair and sustainable and that it responds to the evolving needs of Canada's aging population and changes to the economy and market...nice con job, they certainly have a manipulating way with words. The term "remains fair" is completely ludicrous and hilarious. If the Government wanted to be fair (they never have been fair before so why start now) give the entire amount to the workers who contributed into C.P.P. Again, the Government is declaring how kind and tender hearted they are towards the taxpayers who worked hard most of their lives. I find it deeply mocking, underhanded and devious, like a Robin Hood story but this time the Government steals from the taxpayers and awards the money to themselves. They certainly foster each other and their 'over-worked' senators with their parliamentary pensions and numerous perks they receive...down right shameful.

A few days ago I received an e-mail from a couple who are very good friends of mine (we go back a long way) which was sent to them by their friend about C.P.P. and thoroughly enjoyed it. The writer had some numbers 'crunched' explaining how the Government is scamming us from our C.P.P. contributions. He also made an excellent point, what happens when someone passes away before they collect C.P.P., in other words, where do their contributions go? It's very straight forward, it nestles inside the Government vault...I find this completely disreputable. They money of the deceased should be given to some sort of beneficiary i.e. spouse, parents, siblings, cousin, next door neighbor, co-worker, friends, who fucking cares, give it to someone just not these regulators.

A lot of folks don't like their jobs but they have to work for one reason...to survive by placing food on the table and paying the bills. These taxpayers probably strived at their jobs for thirty and forty years. Finally that 'magic day' arrives and they can retire, a lot at age 60. They've paid in C.P.P. for more than half of their life but are financially restricted if they desire to take THEIR MONEY at age 60. The Government claims they are doing us a real favour, they are so obliging...what a fucking swindle!

Epilogue

The C.P.P. is just another example how the Government benefits off the backs of hard-working Canadians. Sure these legislators insist they are a candid and wholehearted regime for the workers with all their bull shit 'smoke and mirrors', but are we that stupid...DUH NO! The state is more concerned about tax payers money, specifically how to deprive people of their money. I remember watching a movie years ago (for the life of me I can't remember the name of it) and the scene was on a yacht with a politician talking to his friend. The bureaucrat said "when I'm not shaking hands and kissing babies, I'm telling lies and fucking people"...hmm, sounds familiar. Let's not forget about our Ontario Premier Princess Kathy. She is another one of those 'thoughtful', 'caring' and 'wonderful' politicians who is 'deeply concerned' about the Ontario workforce especially our young children's futures. This is why she imposed the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan (O.R.P.P.). Five will get you ten when our children are ready to collect their contributed earnings they will be hit hard and punished with some sort of unexpected 'bombshell'...that gyp will be launched in 2017.

The End

Harvenut Puritan

Lost Souls

I read an article in the Hamilton Spectator on Nov. 27/15 which brought a tear to me eye. It was titled 'Remembering Margaret, 20 years later'. The story was about Margaret Jacobson a homeless schizophrenic woman who (as the Spectator put it) refused medication and preferred the streets over psychiatric hospitals. She passed away in 1995 at the age of 51 years old after falling and hitting her head in a 'Mr. Sub' sub sandwich shop on King St. East in Hamilton, Ontario. Margaret was 'finally' taken to a hospital and died. As a child, she was institutionalized. Her family abandoned her and moved away. Supposedly Margaret had a son she gave up for adoption.

Prior to her death, I remember seeing Margaret quite frequently where I worked. She would sit in front of the building admiring the flowers and smoke cigarettes. On a regular basis I would notice her experiencing auditory hallucinations. Sometimes I would try to approach her, offering a cigarette but she would always rapidly walk away like she was fearful and terrified...I genuinely felt sorry for this woman. She reminded me of the poem I had to learn when I was in grade 5 called 'Somebody's Mother' by Mary Dow Brine. I wonder if our education system still has that verse in their curriculum...a very touching and heart-warming piece of writing.

The following information is from the Mayo Clinic. Researchers don't really know what causes schizophrenia. They do believe that a combination of genetics and environment contributes to the development of the disorder. They also state problems with certain naturally occurring brain chemicals including neurotransmitters called dopamine and glutamate may also contribute to schizophrenia.

I had a direct and 'hands on' situation with schizophrenia in 1985. I had a decent job with some good time off (of course you have to put the time in to gain the time off) and was offered a part time position working with a male in his late teens who was schizophrenic. He resided at the old Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital (H.P.H.) at the intersection of West 5th Street and Fennell Ave. West in Hamilton, Ontario. H.P.H. was one of many psychiatric institutions that was fully operated by the provincial government. At one time it was called the Ontario Hospital of better known as the O.H. I will refer to the young teen as my 'Buddy' (not his real name). His ward was called the M.R. Care Unit. It was a back ward, distant from the main entrance and across the hall was the psychogeriatrics unit. Both wards were under lock and key. I was issued a key for my 'Buddy's' wing. Upon ingress into M.R. Care, I found it very dark and dismal and housed approximately twenty patients. There was quite a variety of severe mental health illnesses...and I mean variety and severe. Besides schizophrenic patients there were two young men(in their late twenties or early thirties) who were acutely brain damaged from separate motor vehicle accidents and at a blink of an eye could become drastically violent, a twenty-year-old male with meningitis who would stare at people, run and scream, a forty-year-old female who had her hands tied behind her back (she liked to pull her hair out of her head) walk up and down the ward blowing through her lips...she also liked to bite people. I have only mentioned a few of the disorders that the patients exhibited. Most of them had some sort of aggressive behavior and they could easily become agitated, hostile and forceful...that was the main reason why they were inhabitants in M.R. Care. I never realized human beings like that existed...you had to see it to believe it.

I bought and read a book titled 'This Stranger My Son; A Mother's Story' by Louise Wilson, about a mother coping with her schizophrenic son. I wanted to enlighten myself and try to understand and improve my knowledge of the horrendous disease. The true story was extremely sad, agonizing and tragic.

My 'Buddy' liked sports so my therapeutic agenda for him was very simple...sports. Of course I wanted to get him out of the depressing and bleak environment as much as possible...away from that discouraging and gloomy place called his home.

Whenever I arrived at my 'Buddy's' unit some patients would dash towards me, wanting to talk or ask me for cigarettes. The people who smoked were rationed cigarettes, I think one cigarette an hour. The ward had a full-time teacher who taught Activities of Daily Living (A.D.L.) and took some of the patients on field trips.

My 'Buddy" was fit and full of energy. H.P.H. had a large gymnasium used for various sports and social activities for the patients. Once a week the patients from other wards would play ball hockey in the gym and both of us would participate in that event. We would also play badminton against each other. We spent a full day at the Queen Street Mental Health Center in Toronto (a provincial psychiatric hospital) for a 'round robin' softball tournament. I would chaperon him to restaurants for a soda pop and simple chit chat. His father gave me two football tickets to a game between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Ottawa Rough Riders at Ivor Wynne Stadium, now Tim Horton's Field. We attended the game but it was demanding at times. Quite often he would stand up and go for his walk because of those damn fucking voices inside his mind. If he had to go to the washroom I would have to accompany him and visa-versa. I had to constantly watch him...I couldn't leave him alone. I was secondary coach for the Hamilton Hurricanes Football club and the team designated my 'Buddy' the water and ball boy. My philosophy was I will try anything once, if it works, great, if it doesn't at least I tried. Unfortunately, his new position didn't last long. As usual, it was those damn fucking voices. It was impossible to watch him and concentrate on my practices and especially the games...I had to watch him like a hawk. I felt bad about dismissing him but it was for the better especially for his safety and well-being. I continued to 'work' with my 'Buddy' until he was discharged and that was the last time I ever saw him...I hope he is still with us.

Periodically I will see a young male in his late teens walk up and down my street. Sometimes his walk will be as slow as a turtle and other times he will run the 40-yard dash. On occasion, he will take ten minutes or longer to walk a normal residential block. He will walk then stop and his dam fucking voices will kick into his mind and he has a lengthy, serious and thorough conversation with himself. I get choked up at times because I think if he wasn't 'dealt those cards' he would probably live an ordinary life, same goes for my 'Buddy'.

I have a very good friend of mine who's son was diagnosed with schizophrenia at age 17 years old...he is 23 years old now and lives with his father. Sometimes my heart bleeds just as much for the parents as it does for the victims.

Epilogue

Sadly it's not like Ken Navarro's song titled 'Blue Skies, Bright Dreams' for these individuals. I have two wonderful and awesome sons, 26 and 28 years old, and never had to deal with the horrors of schizophrenia...I have been extremely fortunate.

The End

Harvenut Puritan    

 

---

Date written: January 9th, 2016
 
First, let me say I hope everyone had a MERRY CHRISTMAS and Happy New Year.
 
I am no expert but over the years I have learned a modest amount about government and those 'marvelous' individuals called politicians. I agree with Uncle Block when he says "government is a cancer." It spreads wildly, like an out of control forest fire and there is absolutely no cure for the incompetence, inappropriate behaviour, actions and total and complete mismanagement of tax money these 'hand shakers' engage in, day and night, night and day. Government gets bigger and people receive less service. Some politicians are down right compulsive liars. People should know by now that most political parties (especially Liberals and NDP) have one thing in their minds - they want taxpayers hard earned cash and they will achieve that goal - they always do, they bat 1,000.
 
The folks in Alberta (who voted for a majority NDP government in May 2015) are seeing a bit of the NDP they would have never dreamed. An article in the Toronto Sun Dec 2/15 stated Premiere Rachel Nutley will implement her carbon tax and the average Alberta household will pay $320 a year in 2017 and $470 a year in 2018. Doesn't surprise me, doesn't surprise me one bit, yep lets hear it for the NDP - HIP, HIP, HOORAY! Unfortunately things in Alberta are taking a turn for the worst. Their unemployment surged from 6.6% to 7.0% in Nov 2015. Sources stated 40,000 jobs were lost in the oil industry and predict that Alberta will have the highest unemployment rate in Canada for 2016. If this happens it will be interesting to see how Rachel will deal with that 'nightmare', probably her answer will be, well, we just have to raise taxes. An article in the C.B.C. news in Calgary Dec 11/15 stated some citizens of Alberta (specifically farmers) want to assassinate Rachel. COME ON Rachel, what's wrong with you? You've been in power and control for less than a year and already you have people wanting to kill you. She must have a PHd on how to anger and enrage people, because it appears she is doing a superior job of pissing people off. I am no economist but I have a gut feeling not too many investors are going to 'sink' their money into Alberta with a majority NDP government running the operation. It could be a very nasty and rough ride for Albertans.
 
Then we travel easterly to 'Yours to Discover', (yea right, no thanks I've discovered enough in the past years) Ontario. Our leader is the 'magnificent' Kathleen Wynne. I call her 'magnificent' because it really amazes me how good she is at dodging and eluding questions and believes everything is just 'peachy keen' and delightful. Like so many politicians she is another graduate with an honours degree from the 'Politician Academy'. She had a bit of history before becoming the 'Queen Bee'. She diverted in taking a lie detector test regarding the Orgne (Ontario air ambulance service) fiasco as stated by the Toronto Star Feb 15/13. The 'Queen' was Minister of the Ministry of Transportation from Jan 2010 to Oct 2011 when Dalton McGuinty (ex premiere) decided to cut back and reduce snow and ice clearing maintenance on provincial highways to save money. An article in the C.B.C. news (April 29/15) stated the Ontario Auditor General, Bonnie Lysyk, said the cut backs were disastrous and can probably blame some deaths and injuries on the highways. Furthermore it's been going on for the past 5 years. This absolutely sickens me to no end. Dalton and Kathleen literally jeopardized and endangered peoples lives - they are extremely dangerous individuals and should be held accountable for any deaths or injuries. Where are their simple morals of public safety, obviously they don't give a 'flying fuck', and the electorate voted for these two. In the same article on Rachel Nutley, Kathleen was asked about her 'game plan' on carbon tax and how much it would cost the average Ontario household. She was tight lipped and dismissed any questions by saying whatever the number is (she doesn't know - can you believe that?) she is doing for her granddaughter - ah, isn't that nice, how thoughtful and kind, just a sweet caring and darling grandmother. Isn't it sad that politicians at times exploit children. I guess she is going to raise the vehicle license stickers in Sept. to $120 in Southern Ontario, justifying the gas plant scandal, creating the new Ontario Pension Plan, having questionable election practices in the Sudbury bi-elections (Toronto Star Sept 28/15) and giving teachers unions secret payouts all for her granddaughter - such a dear and loving nana.
 
Kathleen's relationship with the Ontario teachers unions is, to say the least, always very agreeable and complacent. Sure the unions threaten strikes and perform work to rule measures but at the end of negotiations they always kiss and make up. I wonder why? Maybe the following will entice you. An article in 'Real Women In Canada' Volume XXXIV Issue #20, 2015 stated money had 'dried up' from the Ontario Liberals donating to teachers unions in 2010 but, (get this one) donations all of a sudden 'dropped from the heavens' in 2013/2014 just in time for the provincial election. I know Dic Mac would be saying "something fishy going on around here." WOW, maybe money does grow on trees - take me to that forest. In 2015 she secretly gave the teachers unions $2.5 million for their collective bargaining costs without demanding any receipts. According to the Ministry of Education website there were 115,56 full time equivalent teachers in Ontario for 2014/2015. Hmm...I wonder who they voted for.
 
Epilogue
 
Although Rachel and Kathleen represent different political parties both ladies are like magicians (mind you no different from any other legislator). Watch me make your money disappear and 'POOF' it's gone, gone for good, gone forever. I really wish they could make ISIS disappear.
 
Kathleen was quoted in the Toronto Sun May 2/15 and said "we need to learn from and avoid the mistakes of Ontario in the past." I think what she is really trying to say is we have to learn to cover our ass better. As for Rachel, well she'll be performing her magic show quite often and guess what .... tickets are free.
 
What is the difference between a municipal politician and a provincial or federal politician? Give up? The answer is the provincial and federal gangs have more of YOUR money to vanish before your eyes.
 
The End