Unheard Voices

Prelude

Protests are part of every day life and date back to the Biblical era. Usually they are public demonstrations expressing opposition and objection to specific government policy. There are various types of protests...rallies and demonstrations, sit-ins, marches, picketing, vigil, civil disobedience and strikes. One of the earliest demurs was the reign of Seth-Peribsen (Skhemib) in ancient Egypt prior to 2700 B.C.

Some gripes are peaceful while others can transform into sheer ugliness and violence. Usually when these events become aggressive it's the demonstrators that initiate the chaos. However, sometimes the police or military will retaliate in thorough bloodshed. Case in point, the date, June 4/89, the place, Tiananmen Square, Beijing, China. Chinese citizens were involved in a democracy movement against China's communist government. News reports stated the Chinese military killed hundreds of demonstrators.

I used to listen to late night talk radio show www.Coast To Coast.com hosted by George Noory. One evening he was interviewing a guest who was a British reporter and present at Tiananmen Square the day of the murderous happening. His story was a "little" different from the original news accounts. He stated it was barbaric savagery by the Chinese military...tanks were purposely and literally driving over people. He also said there wasn't a few hundred that died...15,000 were killed.

It really sickens me when I see revolters change into raging lunatics. Two examples I recall are the 2010 G-20 Summit conference in Toronto, Ontario and just recently U.S. (United States) President Donald Trump's Inauguration on Jan. 20/17 in Washington, D.C. These morons destroy everything in their sight. They throw bottles and large objects, set vehicles on fire, smash businesses and loot...an individual who is rabid is more civilized than these assholes.

These fuck heads don't show any respect or consideration whatsoever for people's property. I could never understand why these motherfuckers ventilate their so called frustration and anger on innocent store and business owners, smashing their buildings...they should thank their lucky stars they don't live under a Chinese regime.

Of course I must include the pathetic morons called, "We are the Ungovernable." Around 10:00 p.m. on March 3/18 about thirty of these low-life fucking jerks decided to participate in a rampage and vandalism of stores on Locke Street in Hamilton, Ontario. These gutless fuckers (they were a masked mob dressed in black) caused over $100,000 damage to small businesses.

These yellow belly milksops didn't announce any ideology whatsoever, no purpose, no cause, no motive for their disgusting behaviour. The same old question always emerges and irritates me on a continuous basis. What did the store owners do to inspire these fuck heads to vandalize their stores? Unquestionably nothing. In fact they probably don't even know each other as well as never even met one another. But somehow these fuckers wanted to engage into senseless destruction of private property.

It's a shame we can't adopt a Singapore law. If an individual is caught vandalizing public or private property they receive three whacks across their back with a piece of river road performed by a martial artist. After the third blow the victim will fade into unconsciousness and end up in the hospital for a lengthy and painful visit. Five will get you ten if this was to happen to any members of, "We are the Ungovernable" they would quickly change their name to, "We are the Governable."

On the flip side there are peaceful demonstrations. When Ontario teachers take to the road to Queens Park (Ontario Legislative Assembly) in Toronto, to voice their displeasure to the government, they are loud but that's as far as it goes. In spite of that, the teachers' unions (who nevertheless are always disgruntled) and government always appear to be camouflaged as two peas in a pod...the two sides always end up kissing and making up.

The Million Man March is a traditional protest held every year since 1995 in Washington, D.C. by African-American men. The purpose is to place black issues (economical and social factors) back on the nation's political agenda. As far as I know, this march has been fairly tranquil.

The Quebec Student Protests on May 22/12 was Canada's largest protest in Canadian history where 250,000 students marched in Montreal disagreeing with increases to their tuition...there was no violence reported.

Three Canadian M.P.'s (Member of Parliament) a N.D.P. (New Democratic Party), a Conservative and a Liberal (sounds like the start of a joke) travelled to China in the 1990's. Their intention was to discuss, educate and persuade the Chinese government about human rights.

As if these Canadian clowns were going to influence the Chinese to observe and comply with human rights...a complete waste of Canadian tax payers' money and time and effort from the three bone heads. I recall telling the story to my long time and very good friend Uncle Block and his reply was very genuine and realistic, "what about human rights in Canada?"

Which brings me to my next point. Private organizations and individuals also "worry" about problems far and abroad. I was greatly mystified after reading Canadian women were journeying to Washington, D.C. to take part in a protest against President Donald Trump the day after his inauguration. They were angry about his inappropriate comments about women and women's rights in general.

The Hamilton Spectator, Jan. 22/17, reported there were a thousand men, women and children who attended a rally at Hamilton, Ontario City Hall, who also voiced their negative opinions about Trump. I ponder how vocal these anti-Trump people are with problems about women's rights in third world, communist and certain middle east countries.

I may be going out on a limb, but I wonder if these protesters can't see the forest because of the trees. In my opinion they wasted their time and effort on an issue and individual that has absolutely nothing to do with the Canadian political playhouse...Canadians, as sure as the Miami Marlins not winning the 2018 World Series, are not going to change or alter conditions in the U.S.

Women in modern civilized countries have gained a lot of sanctions throughout the years. Case in point, women won the right to vote...1919 in Canada and 1920 in the U.S. Without a doubt women should have the same rights and opportunities as men and be treated with respect and equality.

Getting back to the Canadian anti-Trump ladies, they should take a long and serious look in their own backyards. Canada has significant problems of neglect on women's rights...there has been decades long violence against Indigenous women. According to the R.C.M.P. (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) from 1980-2012 there were 1,181 cases of missing or murdered Indigenous women. However, as stated by some grass root organizations and the Ministry of the Status of Women the number is closer to 4,000.

Here are some disturbing statistics from the Canada's Women's Foundation.

(1) half of all women in Canada have experienced some sort of physical or sexual violence since they were 16 years old.

(2) 67% of all Canadians say they have personally known at least one woman who has experienced sexual or physical abuse.

(3) on any given night, 3,491 women and their 2,724 children sleep in a shelter because it isn't safe at home.

(4) on any given night about 300 women and children are turned away from shelters because they are full.

I think the obvious question is why don't these anti-Trump demonstrators exhaust all of their drive, energy and passion, lobbying the provincial and federal governments on issues that affect people in Canada and stop wasting their time on matters in a foreign country, that they know will have no impact whatsoever.

Certain people and organizations will always protest against just about anything. On the rare occasion protests may be convincing, but for their duration it is nothing more than exercise or a social gathering for the participants.

The Canadian Aboriginals have voiced their concerns numerous times to the government in the forms of protests and sit-ins, but how persuasive and successful have they been...they always claim the government isn't doing enough for them

Epilogue

For the most part, we as Canadians should protest more often, especially when our governments (municipal, provincial and federal) decide to create new or increase taxes or reduce our benefits i.e. our C.P.P. (Canada Pension Plan) that (by they way, Harper and Trudeau) we have paid into our entire working life. If there were vast and enormous amounts of tax payers "taking it to the streets", maybe, just maybe, the government would listen. However, (I'm the first to admit) most of us do diddly squat...we will either continually bitch or write about the cancerous administration that steals OUR money and controls our lives.

The End

The Harvenut Puritan Project

Puritan will return with "Pride and Joy"

The Door Has Finally Closed

Prelude

I think most people believe the day we are born a hidden number is assigned to each one of us and sooner or later throughout our lives that digit will be called and we will cease to exist anymore. It's absolutely impossible to escape that dreadful situation, eventually it will occur, like Rod McGaha's smooth jazz song titled, "We Fall Down".

On Saturday Jan. 6/18 I received a phone call from my neighbour's youngest daughter telling me that her father had passed away. My E.A. (Executive Assistant) and I knew it was just a matter of time when his life would finally expire. Back in March of 2017 his wife saw her final sunset. The two had been married for sixty-eight years. After she perished my neighbour's health started to decline and a couple of months before he passed on he was bedridden.

Let me tell you about my neighbour. He was a ninety-five year old Japanese man who worked hard all of his life. My E.A.'s uncle (who occasionally worked with my neighbour) said his work ethic was superior. In my opinion he was a sincere and genuine human being...a true Christian. He would always lend a helping hand to his fellow man and woman. If the neighbours needed help with any home improvements, he would be at their doorstep with the appropriate tools. When he was mobile, copious amounts of time he would clear snow off many neighbours' driveways and sidewalks with his snow blower, obviously something he didn't have to do but wanted to perform that duty through the goodness of his heart.

About ten years ago I was home alone brushing my teeth in the bathroom. I leaned on the sink and suddenly the entire basin came off the wall and fell to the floor and of course water was pouring out of the hot and cold copper pipes from the wall...it was a clean break on both lines. I quickly picked the sink up and managed to position the couplings into the wall pipes, reducing the water flow immensely.

So there I was, standing and holding my washroom sink, thinking isn't this grand, how do I get downstairs to shut the main water valve off without dropping the sink and flooding the bathroom. It didn't take me long to realize there was no alternative so I released the sink and raced to the cellar turning the entire water system off in the house. But now I had another problem...I couldn't use any water.

Once again I phoned my reliable and faithful neighbour and told him about my dilemma. Within minutes he came to my rescue bringing over two steel caps and placed them on the wall pipes. Now, at least I could use the water again. He had a vast assortment of items and tools in his basement. With the exception of the washer and dryer his cellar was filled with, well, the only way I could describe it is, he had anything and everything...it was like a mini hardware store.

He was very mechanically inclined and always assisted the neighbours...without fail eager to please them. My E.A. and I had our fair share of his helpful personality, for example: loaning me his portable pump when I had a flat tire on my car, bringing over a cement mix and tools so I could fill in some cracks between the bricks to stop the wasps entering the house. He installed a kitchen counter top and sink for us. He also guided and directed my E.A. on placing a back splash on the kitchen wall. I must say she did a magnificent job but she also had an excellent teacher or shall I say Master. My E.A. had purchased a gas barbecue and our marvelous neighbour helped her assemble the unit. He also gave me major assistance on erecting a section of ceiling in our rec room...to tell you the truth I didn't have a clue what I was doing.

I can't say enough about our departed neighbour. Numerous times we would see him carrying his tools or some sort of material to other neighbours' homes, it was quite evident he was performing some sort of work for them. The man was truly talented...he knew a lot of things about a lot of things.

I labelled myself as the messenger of death because I notified a lot of neighbours of his passing...I did the same when his wife died. It's not a nice undertaking but it had to be done. Every so often he would pay us a visit. He would sit down in our kitchen having a glass of wine and chit-chat. He had all the characteristics of being a superb neighbour. I can honestly say he will be remembered as a legend on my street...an individual with high renown.

Epilogue

All of us in the neighbourhood will miss him. Not just his continuous helping hand but more significantly his witty humour, friendliness, unselfishness and considerate demeanour. I personally thought he was a fantastic neighbour, great friend and sometimes a father figure. I conduct all my writing in our living room with smooth jazz music playing on the television. On occasion I will hear a song and think the last time I heard that tune my neighbour was alive and well. I then look out the window and stare at his house and suddenly I become teary eyed. Hopefully he has joined his soul mate in a carefree world, full of happiness and forever life. Rest In Peace and God Bless your soul Mas Miyasaka...dam it, I miss you.

The End

The Harvenut Puritan Project

Puritan will return with "Unheard Voices"

The Wrong Direction: About Face

Prelude

Many men and women partake in different pastimes throughout their lives while other folks engage in activities when they retire. Relaxation, amusement, entertainment, rest, piece of mind or simply something to do are reasons for the change in routine. Some interests may include hobbies such as macramé, paper tole and model ship building. Sports such as golf, slo-pitch, co-ed baseball and bowling are popular leisure interests. Most of the time the cost is very reasonable to receive some fun and joy. It's also extremely wholesome to get involved in extra-curricular ventures...truly healthy for the mind, bod and soul.

It's tough enough trying to figure out politicians but I'm finding it more frequent I'm questioning what is the motivating force behind people's ideas and what are they really trying to accomplish, if anything at all. What inspired me to write this rant was an article I read in the Toronto Sun on Jan. 20/18 titled, "Canadians march for women's rights to protest Trump"...the title completely bewilders me. Thousands of women (and some men) from all over Canada marched in protest for women's rights, equality and empowerment. The hurdle I just can't seem to jump is what the hell has Trump got to do with the rights of Canadian women? Did he somehow move to Canada without any of us knowing about it?

Of course our teenage Canadian "ruler" put his "two cents" into the "marvellous" and "spectacular" protest. He offered assurances that equality and women's rights will remain priorities for his administration. He also stated "it's incredibly inspiring and motivating to see so many people come out and support women's rights." I wonder what Trudeau means when he says, inspiring and motivating? Perhaps he is thrilled that his Canuks are slamming Trump and not himself for his disgraceful and dishonourable goings-on. I still can't help to ask myself the question over and over, why Trump? He has nothing to do with Canada's political system.

I'm willing to bet five will get you ten Trump doesn't give a flying fuck about the Canadian protesters and in fact doesn't care about American protesters. Here's a thought, why don't these Canadian demonstrators protest women's rights in countries such as China, Iran, North Korea and Ethiopia...now that would be something to bitch about.

Meanwhile back at the ranch there's plenty of major issues and serious problems that reside in Trudeau's want to be fantasy land that the Canadian Trump haters could protest about. Here is a simple quiz that I created. It's a simple yes or no answer to each question, here we go.

• Do we have poverty?
• Do we have unemployment?
• Do we have homelessness?
• Do we need more women's shelters?
• Is our judicial system a fucking joke?
• Are a lot of Indigenous people under hardship?
• Is our government dishonest and corrupt?
• Is our health care system in critical trouble and grave danger?
• Is there too much violence in our cities?
• Will our children and their children be severely burdened with government debt?

I answered yes to every question, and would hope the Canadian Trump bashers would do the same. However, if politicians were to take this quiz they would reply to each question with a five or ten minute answer manipulating the question in their favour. I recommend the Canadian Trump protesters regroup and start a witch hunt on the disapproval of Canadian politicians, specifically Justin (please take my picture) Trudeau...I find it difficult to call him Prime Minister.

Some folks may ask what's my problem with Justin (I never worked a day in my life) Trudeau. Well for starters I think he lives in an enchanted fantasy fairy tale land where all inhabitants, including newcomers are beautiful, wonderful and magnificent people and develop into upstanding Canadian citizens and evil has been abolished. The sun constantly shines and the birds are always tweeting their soft melodies and everyone understands each other, sharing their thoughts, feelings and money...it's one big happy family.

Trudeau has raised our taxes (no surprise there, Liberals love the word tax), "donated" our money to other countries, welcomes terrorists into the country and opens the borders so anyone and everyone can just walk in and say, "Hi, I'm here, cheque please." I honestly think "picture boy" would welcome Klingons and Romulins.

An article in the Toronto Sun on Jan. 11/18 stated 92% of all families in Canada will encounter a tax increase of over $2,200 beginning in 2019 according to the Fraser Institute...isn't that fucking lovely. The following makes my blood boil. The Toronto Sun (Dec. 31/17) wrote in an article "Trudeau calls on Canadians to work together in 2018 in such categories as openness, compassion, equality and inclusion." Can you believe the audacity of this guy. He's asking us to be upstanding and morally correct citizens, meanwhile, he was found guilty of ethics violations for his previous extravagant Christmas vacation...how shameless. He is the supreme hypocrite.

What's really frightening about our pretender (who's never met a camera he didn't like) he is a direct bleeding heart whenever I.S.I.S. is mentioned. He strikes me as an outright soft-hearted idealist and it truly sickens me. He has said many times I.S.I.S. fighters can be a benefit to Canada. Do we have to remind "snapshot boy" that these I.S.I.S. fuckers have killed many people specifically Canadian soldiers. And by the way, these fuck-heads enjoy killing women, Hmm...I wonder if that falls under the heading of women's rights.

The left hemisphere of my brain finds it absolutely hilarious while the right hemisphere thinks it's completely disgusting and appalling when "our leader" states these shit-head I.S.I.S. fighters can be rehabilitated. An article in the Global News Nov. 30/17 had Trudeau say, "we have methods of de-emphasizing or de-programming people who try to harm our society." Golly gee Justin why haven't you tried your secret laboratory mind alterations on the psychopathic fuckers like Paul Bernardo or Robert Picton.

I know how our crafty Liberals will rehabilitate I.S.I.S. fighters.

House of Commons

Prime Ministers Office

Ottawa, Ontario

Justin - Hello Junaid. Welcome back to Canada.

Junaid - Glad to be back Prime Minister

Justin - You were gone for a long time fighting for I.S.I.S.

Junaid - I believe in Allah. I will sacrifice my life for him.

Justin - You are one of many jihadists returning to Canada.

Junaid - Canada is a great and magnificent country not like that evil hell Trump world. You welcome us back with open arms.

Justin - You will always be welcomed here Junaid.

Junaid - Thank you Prime Minister. May your star always shine.

Justin - I hate to bring this up but I'm getting a lot of pressure from the Canadian people about I.S.I.S. fighters returning to Canada.

Junaid - Believe me Prime Minister, we're harmless.

Justin - I know that. However would you be interested in a rehabilitation program?

Junaid - You don't have to worry about me Justin, I'm a true Canadian.

Justin - I just heard you say you would sacrifice your life for Allah.

Junaid - I was just kidding, now about this program.

Justin - Is six million dollars sufficient?

In an article in the Mountain News on Jan.18/18 Trudeau stated to an audience at McMaster University on Jan. 17/18 there are about sixty former I.S.I.S. fighters that have returned to Canada and our intelligence agencies are continuing to monitor their progress. "I assure you, we are very safe here." Hmm...as Dick Mac would say, "something fishy going on here." After reading an article in the Toronto sun Jan. 22/18 I'm getting the impression that Trudeau and counterpart Public Safety Minister, Ralph Goodale, are watching a completely different movie than the C.S.I.S. (Canadian Security Intelligence Agency) are viewing. There appears to be some disagreement but read the next paragraph and you be the judge.

The C.S.I.S. states the terrorism threat in Canada posed by jihadists is ever-changing, hard to pin down and requires continual monitoring. The C.S.I.S. has never before faced a terrorist threat of the scope, scale and complexity of Sunni Islamist-inspired terrorism. In summary an article in the Toronto Sun Jan. 24/18 said Canada's top spies say terror attacks in Canada are likely to continue and our country is on the I.S.I.S. hit list. But we must remember those comforting and uplifting words from our "big cheese", "I assure you, we are very safe here."

This is the guy who travels to China and discusses trade and human rights. I really wonder how interested and attentive the Chinese are when "photo boy" starts proclaiming human rights. He comes across as an advocate for evil and sinister individuals. A prime example of this was refusing to increase prison life sentence from 25 to 35 years. Using Paul Bernardo as an example our "crusader" said, we all know Bernardo will never be released from prison...hey Justin, don't hold your breath, you dam well know our judicial system is absolutely fucking ludicrous.

Here's an example on how he and his counterpart "Mommy Wynne" of Ontario steal from the poor and give to the rich. An article in the Toronto Sun on March 30/17 stated the Feds and Ontario Liberals "invested" (or shall I say gave away) $200 million dollars of our money into Ford's Canadian Operations. Ford earned a global pre-tax profit of more than U.S. $10 billion in 2015. More outrageous and shameful Liberal on goings.

Epilogue

I suggest to the Canadian citizens who are voicing their concerns against Trump take an look in your own back yard. Arrange and execute a plan and protest the mismanagement of this country and stop wasting your time bitching about Trump and the United States. I just wonder how many females, particularly government employees, have experienced some sort of sexual harassment in their work place. Some incidents are starting to be made public. It wouldn't surprise me if the amount of occurrences are very staggering.

The End

The Harvenut Puritan Project

Puritan will return with "The Door Has Finally Closed"

---

Truseau's Next stop: Sicily.

Uberized cab driver tries second job.

A Word To The Google Feminists.

Fade In Fade Out

Prelude

In the course of our lives we've seen numerous fads come and go. The definition of a fad is an intense and widely shared enthusiasm for something, especially one that is short lived. A trend is a general direction in which something is developing or changing and has a much longer life span. Trends are also called a movement and fads are also referred to as crazes.

Fads can be categorized into different groups, one in particular is fashion. Tie-dye shirts, butterfly collars, suspenders, bell bottoms, denim, polyester, checkered print pants, guys wearing sweaters around their necks, fanny packs, nylon track suits, penny loafers, London Fog windbreaker jackets and unisex clothing were all part of the industry of yesteryear.

Remember when watching movies at drive-in theatres was in demand and well liked, or about folks experimenting with the South Beach and/or Atkins diets? Novelties like the hula-hoop, yo-yo, Rubiks Cube, superball and the Troll dolls were ingenious marketing schemes. Flag pole sitting was a craze in the early to mid 1920's, and telephone booth stuffing was popular in the 1950's.

Water beds certainly had their heyday. Their popularity sky rocketed in the late 1970's and into the 1980's but quickly dwindled by the 1990's. In 1989 an article in the L.A. Times said water beds were a $2 billion a year industry...that kind of money back in those days, WOW!

And of course we can't forget about hairstyles like the afro, shag, ducktail, pixie, the Roaring Twenties look, mullet, perm and males exhibiting longer hair than women are now appearances of the past.

One fad that has flooded the market in recent years is the sleeve and body tattoo. First though, let's talk about the regular or customary tattoo. What I mean by that is one or two tattoos on an individual's body, not one-half, three-quarters or their entire figure plastered with ink.

An article in Tattoo Artist Magazine stated the annual revenue for the tattoo industry in the U.S. (United States) is $2.3 billion a year. Some historians claim Otzi the Iceman (dating between 3370-3100 B.C.) had the earliest tattoo. The following statistics from http://shoulditattoo.com/ show the age demographics of tattoo: Millennials 18-35-47%, Generation X 36-50-36%, Baby Boomers 51-69-13% and older 70 plus-10%. Fifteen per cent of Millennials have five or more tattoos and almost one-third of all people ages 16-25 have a tattoo.

The first documented professional tattoo artist was in the U.S. in 1846. He was a German immigrant named Martin Hildebrandt. He tattooed many soldiers who fought on both sides of the American Civil War.

Throughout decades past, tattoos have always been popular with armed service personnel, especially the navy. A lot of criminals have tattoos to signify and enhance their psychopathic behaviour...one that comes to mind is Charles Manson and his swastika tattoo on his forehead.

A tattoo artist can charge $150-$250 an hour and have a minimum fee of $100. However sleeve tattoos can cost $1,500. A sleeve tattoo is a large tattoo or collections of tattoos that "supposedly" have a unified theme that covers most or all of an earthling's arm, shoulder to wrist. A body tattoo is a tattoo that covers a person's front and/or back of their body. How can people afford this ridiculous rage? I think it's money foolishly spent, but those same folks may say I waste money on beer.

Ms. Maud Stevens Wagner was one of the original women to have sleeve and chest tattoos. She was a circus performer and in 1904 met Gus Wagner who was a tattoo artist. Later on they married. Her husband would teach her the art of tattooing and she started her own tattoo business. Her daughter received her first tattoo when she was nine years old.

For some odd reason, sleeve and body tattoos are extremely popular in professional sports, specifically soccer and basketball. One reason could be the players can "show them off" to the spectators. Professional athletes such as A.J. Burnett-baseball, Jeremy Shockey-football, Brent Burns-hockey, David Beckman-soccer and Chris Anderson, Dennis Rodman (retired) and Lebron James-basketball have spent mega bucks on "painting" their bodies, mind you, they can afford their senseless mania blanketing their bodies with strange matter.

It's always amazed me why someone would want to grossly plaster their limbs and/or body with tattoos. It looks like a large hideous birthmark. According to www.Inked.com, some of the reasoning is people love the art, to be trendy and stylish, express creativity and produce self-expression and individuality. I can think of other ways to convey my imagination and display my identity and making myself heard. It sounds to me these folks have a low case of self-esteem and want to attract attention. Also a very expensive way to be with the "in crowd".

People can express their creativity and reveal their fondness rather than "decorating" their bodies with designs. Writing, drawing, painting, photography, ceramics, sculpturing and music are methods of publicizing a person's creativity and self-expression. Maybe a hidden talent will be launched. Crafts such as knitting, quilting, pottery, glass, embroidery and woodworking are also excellent endeavors of showing identity and making oneself heard. Again an unknown skill could be discovered.

Over the years the purity of tattoo parlors and equipment has developed into a safer hygienic environment, but there are still medical uncertainties and risks if folks choose to be inked. The Mayo Clinic states people receiving tattoos may acquire the following repercussions:

• allergic reactions
• skin infections
• blood borne diseases (contamination of blood), hepatitis B and C,
• M.R.I. (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) complications
• scar tissue and
• possible H.I.V. (Human Immunodeficiency Virus).

The tattoo removal business has escalated 440% in the past ten years in the U.S. to over $1 billion. According to www.CreditDonkey.com 25% of all tattoo recipients say they regret obtaining a tattoo, women make up 73% of all tattoo removals and there were 45,000 medical procedures in 2013 for tattoo removals.

In an interview with N.B.C. News, Shelly Novello, founder and C.E.O. (Chief Executive Officer) of Ink-B-Gone Precision and Tattoo Removal said an average client will spend $800-1200 to have a tattoo removed. She also stated a typical tattoo takes one and one-half years to remove...some come out at on time but most take five or six treatments...it must take years to remove a sleeve or body tattoo. Ms. Novello's Denver office sees 200 people a month.

Epilogue

Most things don't last forever. Notice I said most things. Unfortunately taxes and deceitful politicians will never disappear, they will be around till the end of time. Fads, trends and styles leave us but not necessarily forever. Aviator sun glasses, record players, vinyl albums, Chia Pets, women's jelly sandals and 3D movies made or are making a reappearance. Some items and activities are just premature departures . We can always say farewell for now but maybe we will see you again. As far as sleeve and body tattoos, we'll see if the next generation has more sense of respecting their bodies instead of defacing and uglifying them and of course misusing and wasting their money.

The End

The Harvenut Puritan Project

Puritan will return with "The Wrong Direction: About Face"

Entanglement

Prelude

Throughout our lives we make many decisions...even as young kids we made choices. Some decisions are critical and essential, others are minor or less important. Either way they can alter our lifestyle in some sort of degree or manner. People may be hesitant or instantaneous on their preference and continuously analyse their situation. People will also ask themselves, family or friends, should I or shouldn't I in determining their decision. Choices may end up being correct or wrong but the only way to find out if you made the proper choice, is to make the decision.

June 2, 1954

Toronto, Ontario

Another child is brought into the world by an unwed mother...she is 31 years old. The baby's name is Wayne. The mother holds the newborn to her chest only to have the nursing staff whisk the infant away seconds later. The highly emotional mom starts to wail and cry knowing she and her baby are separated...never to see each other again.

Ten days later a 37 year old woman and her 51 year old husband sign the necessary documents and adopt the baby boy. They rename him Jim and another family is created. The adoptive couple are ecstatic with their new family member and welcome him into their home with open arms.

It will change the couple's lives forever...baby food, changing diapers and many sleepless nights are just a small section of the blueprint. Their once ordinary and every day routine was now just a past activity. The new mom and dad do their best to produce a comfortable environment for their son.

Jim was no different from any other earthling...he wasn't exempt from human daily emotions. He would experience many ups and downs throughout his existence...happiness, elation, disappointment and heartache would be in the recipe of his life cycle.

Some couples are prevented from having children due to medical reasons. According to a study in Helen A. Cacio Management of Infertile Women, women ages 20-24 have an 86% chance on conceiving within a year. Women ages 30-34 have 63% chance. The chances of women of all ages becoming pregnant after trying for two years jumps to 90-94%.

As I stated, some couples are denied children due to medical complications. Nevertheless a great deal of folks adopt kids from foreign countries such as China, Ethiopia, India, South Korea, Ukraine and Vietnam. The U.S. (United States) is ranked number one for adopting children from outside of their country and Canada stands at number five.

My E.A. (Executive Assistant) gave birth to a baby boy in 1968 and immediately put the child up for adoption. At the time she and her boyfriend agreed it would be a wise decision...they were 17 years old and still attending high school. But as fate lingers in people's lives my E.A. and her ex-husband who was the father of the child (they were married in 1971 and divorced in 1979) reconnected with their son in 2007 and have had an ongoing solid kinship.

Most couples want to start a family...it's a worldwide institution. A very high majority of women aspire to have a baby...it's almost a necessity females are born with...a need and want in their genetic makeup. Possible proof is when we see little girls playing "mommy" with their dolls. Be that as it may, if I was a young newlywed, I would be skeptical of having children. You may ask why I'm being a selfish jerk? I just have to look at the misery of the world, this burdensome country we call Canada, the declining and degenerate Wynne World of Ontario and the city I reside in called Hamilton, full of wasteful, useless and unnecessary spending of tax payers money...need I say more?

I just want to clarify I'm not, I repeat, I'm not a gay basher. My attitude is if people desire to choose a same sex partner, so be it. Advocates state same sex couples can provide just as much a loving relationship with children as a heterosexual couple can...I'm inclined to agree, that same sex couples can give and maintain a warm and loving association with children.

However, I'm willing to bet five will get you ten the L.B.G.T.Q. (Gay Bisexual, Gay, Transgender and Queer or Questioning) movement will be extremely livid and thoroughly opposed to my following perspective. Without a doubt in my mind I believe every child needs a female mother and male father. Females have a natural instinct of nurturing...they're warm-hearted, gentle, passionate and always display constant endearment...there is no one better suited for the job. Mothers are the best moms and fathers are the best dads.

Abortion has been occurring since ancient times. It's always been a quarrelling dispute and never ending debate. According to Wikipedia 47,000 deaths and 5 million hospital admissions result due to unsafe abortions every year. Women have abortions for miscellaneous reasons: they're too young, they can't afford the baby, the father has split the scene, rape and incest.

Abortion in Canada is legal in all stages of pregnancy and governed by the Canadian Health Act. Abortion is just not a medical problem but also a scorching political issue. People who oppose abortion are called Pro-Life. Their nemesis who believe a woman should have the legal right to an abortion are called Pro-Choice. Regular Gallup polls proclaim it's a fifty-fifty split the populace supports Pro-Life or Pro-Choice.

An article in the National Post on April 26/12 stated the number of abortions declared each year in Canada is untruthful...there are a lot more than what is actually announced. Private clinics are exempt from reporting and the provinces are quiet. Quebec usually accounts for 30,000 abortions annually but reported none in 2010. It was also alleged there were 15,232 missing abortion reports in Ontario, 30,000 missing in Quebec plus another hugely unreported amount in British Columbia and other provinces. The write-up finalized Canada having well over 100,000 abortions yearly.

I believe there is a "fun with numbers" scheme (just like in any government survey or statement) with abortions performed. In the late 1980's I worked at a community hospital in a psychiatric ward. A female R.N. (Registered Nurse) told myself and a couple of other co-workers a very interesting abortion story. Before working with us she was employed at a hospital in Quebec City.

Late one evening a vehicle drove to the rear of the building at a loading door. Hospital staff (who were waiting) quickly wheeled a teenage girl into the medical centre. Using the freight elevator they took the adolescent to the surgery floor for an abortion. The intention and strategy of the event was purposely unannounced and kept in utmost secrecy. The reason for the "hush, hush" attitude was the girl's father was a Quebec Member of Parliament. The nurse never mentioned the reason for the ordeal. All I can ask, did the politician do this for his daughter or himself? My gut feeling tells me he did it for himself, because he was panicky and worried if his little girl's pregnancy was publicized his political reputation and career would be tarnished and disgraced.

I'm "sitting on the fence" if someone asks me, who do you support, Pro-Life or Pro-Choice? I bend a bit towards Pro-Choice...I like the Libertarian motto, "keep your hands of my body." But then I observe the other side of the coin and ponder about the fellow whose birth name was Wayne and changed to Jim and my E.A.'s son. If both mothers had decided to obtain abortions neither individual would be alive today.

Epilogue

People will continue to have pre-marital sex...it's human nature and has been happening for centuries on end. Sadly, there will also be unwed mothers. Keep the baby and possibly "tie the knot", put the child up for adoption or conduct an abortion are three options that are available to unwed mothers. However, none are easy and can be extremely complicated and challenging for any single woman with an accidental pregnancy, especially for teenage girls.

The End

The Harvenut Puritan Project
Puritan will return with Fade In, Fade Out

Peppermint Stick Time

Ahoy folks, Puritan here. You might be wondering if my E.A. (Executive Assistant) and I are docking my boat in front of our beach front home at our south sea paradise retreat listening to the smooth jazz song titled, "Tropical Island" by Gail Jhonson (this is the correct spelling of her last name). Dreams will be nothing more than dreams but it's always enjoyable to fantasize.

Another year is getting ready to be placed in the archives...2017 will soon become history. I don't recall any encouraging or uplifting events that occurred in the year of the rooster. As usual our governments were involved with their shady and underhanded trickery...the new carbon tax is a prime example. And of course they continue their deceitfulness with their bogus personalities. Some things never change, wait a minute, I'll take that back...I'm wrong, they do change...it appears to me, things are getting worse, so they do change.

This is the time of year we try to turn a deaf ear and blind eye and attempt to forget about all the misery, turmoil and despair throughout the world and the actions of our shameful politicians at all three levels of government who do what they do best, increase and create new taxes...they thrive on it.

Anyway, jolly old Santa Claus will be making his rounds soon. I realize Christmas isn't everyone's favourite time of the year because of former personal hardships but for a lot of us we can hopefully, celebrate and enjoy the season.

Even though it's an active and bustling time of the year it's always pleasurable and satisfying listening to Christmas Carols and observing decorations and paraphernalia in the malls and stores. Erecting the Christmas tree and garnishing your home with decorative Christmas trimmings is a fun and cheerful occasion. But most importantly, getting together with family and friends is the foremost and forgetting about the world's doom and gloom and savour the Christmassy season.

Sadly there will be Grinches (the government certainly doesn't try to alleviate that problem...if anything, they enhance it) who are extremely keen and motivated on destroying the holiday season. I strongly believe it's truly repulsive, disgusting and putrid these dick-heads were given the privilege and opportunity to live in this country but have the tenacious desire to annihilate our customs and traditions...especially Christmas. If you ever cross paths with one of these shitheads and they challenge the phrase Merry Christmas tell them to go FUCK YOURSELF!!

Epilogue

I was going to title this rant, "Candy Cane Time" but I reconsidered the name. Why you ask? I thought our political correctness busybodies or shall I say freedom of speech dictators may find it offensive, i.e. Kandi Kane. Anyway, I hope everyone has a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR.

The End

The Harvenut Puritan Project
Puritan will return in 2018 with "Entanglement"

 

 

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Other Issues Worth Pondering

Hamilton's Check Engine Light Crisis and Other News

Eternal Hopelessness

With Titles and Images by Uncle Block.

Prelude

We all know politicians have a fascination and compulsion to have their fingers or hands in the till...sadly the till is tax payers pockets. Don't you find it quirky those bureaucrats always make themselves visible during an election or when they "donate" our money to projects that involves special lobby/interest groups. However when they increase our taxes, specifically property taxes, they become very low keyed...we definitely don't see them out and about shaking hands with constituents and kissing babies.

So, here I go again about the city I live in, Hamilton, Ontario. I read an article in the Mountain News (a community newspaper) titled, "Tax hike of 4.8% possible in 2018." The article also stated a water rate (tax) hike of 4.5% is also possible. Also possible?...that's infallible, a five will get you ten bet...that's what these civic big cheeses do the best...that's they only task they know how to do.

I had to laugh at two of our "beloved councilors" comments after City Council had finalized their 2017 budget. The Hamilton Spectator, April 13/17, quoted Ward 6 Councilman Tom Jackson...here is what he had to say: "the painful and rare decision in February (2017) to get rid of 23 managers and administrative staff as part of budget cuts these peoples' careers and families are on the line."

To lose your job is undoubtedly a traumatic and dreadful incident, especially in this day and age...hopefully those folks have rebounded. In any event, I've always believed the city was too top heavy with management and my question is, why were these individuals hired in the first place? Obviously for the persons who were dismissed they weren't really needed. As far as I know City Council has to approve all new hires, so another question arises, were the Councilors trying to flood their "Ivory Tower" empire with needless and inessential management.

Then we have Ward 3 Councilor Matthew Green who was quoted in the Mountain News, April 13/17 about the budget...he called it an austerity. Are you for real? Why was this budget so strict and frugal? All the budgets should be thrifty and inflexible. These city proprietors always increase our property taxes and user fees so what is so different about this budget compared to others?

In my opinion Green is a perfect example of a poor loser...give me my ball, I'm going home. Proof of this is the dealing my long time good friend and editor Uncle Block had with him. He would send Green e-mails regarding the many city fiascoes and shambles with Uber (unlicensed taxi service). As time went on Green realized he couldn't debate or shall I say hold his own water with Uncle Block so he DEMANDED that Block remove him from his e-mail list. As of today Uncle Block is obstructed from Green's e-mail and his Twitter account.

My editor doesn't use any abusive language or profanity when addressing the mayor or any councilors...he is professional, knowledgeable and cultured on his issues. It's quite simple why Green is acting like a spoiled little brat...he just can't compete against my friend. It's easier for Green to "shut the door" in his face and never hear from him again. Now I ask you, is Green a decent, respectable and accomplished politician? I think not. Oh, by the way, I sent Matthew Green an e-mail back in the second week of September 2017 asking him how he voted on the Uber taxi vote and his reply was...L.O.L. I'm still waiting for his response. Yea, just a "wonderful" and "tremendous" legislator.

Open Government

I also sent an e-mail to Ward 7 Councilor Donna Skelly and asked how can the public find out how each councilor votes on various issues. Her Legislative Assistant replied with the following answer: "if you check the minutes of a meeting (available on line) you'll be able to see if a motion was carried. Individual votes are only recorded in certain circumstances which would be reflected in the minutes."

Editor's Note: As an experienced Internet user, I have spent many hours scouring the City of Hamilton website for information on various matters of interest. For example, I wanted to see how the city council voted on the fraudulent issue of granting unlimited, uber-flexible taxi licenses to the Uber corporation. I wasted a lot of time for nothing. To this day, all I have to go on is the Mayor's fake news tweet where he lies bare-faced about the Uber deal having the backing of the taxi industry. -- U.B.

Very interesting. The way I interpret the preceding statement is, if councilors don't want the public to know how they voted on specific matters, oh well. We vote these bureaucrats into office and pay their salaries...EVERYTHING should be unrestricted...extremely sneaky on their behalf. Very spineless and cowardly if you ask me.

Never-Ending Incompetence

Going back to the Mountain News article April 13/17 it also stated, Hamilton councilors have been approving water rate (tax) increases for at least the last decade in an effort to raise enough funding to pay for expensive water and wastewater capital projects to replace or update aging infrastructure. OK, explain this, why did the following happen.

An article in the Hamilton Spectator, July 21/17, stated during a major rain storm the city's sewage treatment plant on Woodward Ave. had to briefly allow partially treated sewage to flow directly into the Red Hill Creek to avoid widespread sewer backups from all the extra water in the sewer system...again, where is our tax money going? I just wonder how many other times this incident has occurred. Once again our so called leaders ignoring what should be mandatory, oh golly gee, infrastructure enters my mind. Remember the article in the Hamilton Spectator on Sept. 16/14...our irresponsible bureaucrats had no money for potholes.

Monumental Hubris

C.B.C. news reported on May 30/17 our "gifted" city hall fathers and mothers voted themselves to receive $5,000 rings when they either retire or voted out of office. Surprising enough Matthew Green was against the ring issue. So, they're going to receive a $5,000 ring when they officially depart City Hall...FOR WHAT?...the "wonderful", "spectacular" and "bang up" job they have performed? If they honestly think they deserve any reward for their service they are legends in their own minds.

HAMELINton

Do you folks realize Hamilton has a rat problem? Our "beloved" legislators haven't entirely ignored the problem but they certainly haven't taken (in my opinion) a proactive approach. You be the judge with the following headlines.

• Hamilton Spectator, June 16/15 - complaints about rats only getting worse in Hamilton.
• Hamilton Spectator, Sept. 30/15 - Stoney Creek residents losing war against rampant rats.
• Hamilton Spectator, Jan. 26/17 - Hamilton rat problem 5th worst in Ontario.
• Hamilton Spectator, July 23/17 - >"They're everywhere": rats invade townhouse complex.
• Hamilton Spectator, Oct. 23/17 - rat complaints on rise across Hamilton.

One favourite cuisine of rats is human feces so that partially treated human waste allowed to flow in to the Red Hill Creek unquestionably gave the rodents a hearty meal. Our leaders do have some sort of rat attack plan but they certainly are procrastinating their assault. I suggest bring in the "Pied Piper"...he terminated the town of Hameln's problem but the "common sense" City Hall crowd would require a study to be performed and insist another study to coincide with the first study.

Crumbling Infrastructure

After reading an article in the Mountain News, Oct. 26/17 titled, "Critical Condition - city facilities need millions of dollars in upgrades" enhances my belief these politicians disregard and defer action to many important and vital matters...maybe they think the problem will fix itself.

According to the article more than 150 city-owned facilities are in poor or critical condition and are in need of repairs or upgrades and within 10 years there will be 260 facilities requiring urgent attention. The city needs $216 million to make repairs to the city's 455 municipal buildings plus another $155 million in renovations needed to make structures conform to the province's accessibility legislation.

The manager of the Strategic Planning Dept. enlightened City Council of the deterioration of the structures...maybe the Dept. should change their name to "slow to reply." These defects didn't happen overnight and why have they left these deficiencies to the last minute? Oh, what a stupid question, we're talking about government. Five will get you ten there are some serious safety concerns related to this issue regarding the public, but we all know City Hall is more hot and horny for bike lanes.

Financial Shenanigans

I also read in the Mountain News, Aug. 17/17, Hamilton City Council members were applauding themselves (do I detect some arrogance and conceit in the air?) after hearing an agency called Standard and Poor raised the city's credit rating to AA with a positive outlook. The city's General Manager of Corporate Finance said Hamilton's financial management is strong and considered the city's debt burden very low...this is where I have to call a time out.

I find this extremely hard to believe...a truly well disguised tall tale. My skepticism stems from an article in the Hamilton Spectator May 21/15 which stated Hamilton's debt will increase to $885 million and $3.3 billion is needed for repairs but our "financial management is strong" and ask myself how can this be? Either way I require my "mild mannered" financial advisor to explain to me how a $885 million debt is very low.

The Anti-Industrial Revolution - Automobile Exclusion Lanes

Before I sign off I have to bitch about the continuing insanity about Hamilton's bike lanes. The latest lunacy was the official opening of (latest annoyance and irritation for vehicle owners)...a stretch of 2.3 Km (1.43 miles) of new bike lanes on Bay Street from Herkimer Avenue to Stuart Street.

Can you believe the city had a brief ceremony and ribbon cutting...it's a fucking bike lane. More waste and misuse of our tax money once again and if you didn't know, Mommy Wynne (our Ontario Premier who loves everyone) "donated" $295,000 towards this rubbish. Hamilton now has 200 Km (124 miles) of bike lanes in the city. This senseless and outrageous thinking will never stop.

I have to share with you an e-mail Uncle Block sent me a day after that "magnificent gala event"...if you don't know he is an owner/operator of a licensed taxi of the City of Hamilton...here it is: "you should have seen the chaos downtown yesterday evening. Main Street from Dundurn Avenue to Wellington Street (2.5 Km of 1.55 miles) was like a clogged fucking toilet. The back-ups on John Street south of Main Street thanks to the two-way often led cars blocking the west bound lanes at Hunter and John Streets because of the assholes that blindly follow the cars in front of them and end up stopped and blocking the middle of the intersection because of all the bus pollution between Hunter and Jackson Streets...more unnecessary idling. And the horn honking is incessant."

I know the driver stress occurs on a continuous basis but the regime that manages this city doesn't care...they don't give a flying fuck. I wonder if they give a dam if when emergency vehicles are responding to urgent, serious and life threatening situations get delayed or hindered in the city's man-made diasters...it probably doesn't even phase them. If you would like to read more about the asinine Bay Street bike lanes check Uncle Block's rant (Oct. 29/17) titled, "Why Did the Chicken Not Cross the Road" on his www.MyAssBook.com.

Free Cattle-Car Transit

I know I was going to sign off but I just had to include this ridiculous and absurd "thinking" of Ward 4 Councillor Sam Merulla (he's another "pretty boy politician" who has never met a camera he didn't like) as reported in an article by C.B.C. news on Nov. 10/17. He wants to pass a motion to City Council that everyone should ride the bus for free. He wants transit to be funded in the same way roads are...through property taxes. Sam, I think you need your medication adjusted.

Epilogue

The bureaucrats of the once Ambitious City are forceful, determined and motivated in continuing their waste of tax payers hard earned cash and producing more ways to exasperate citizens with their foolish and idiotic ideas, schemes and bizarre rationale. Sometimes I ask myself why do I even vote...the City Hall sideshow and three ring circus will never leave town.

The End

The Harvenut Puritan Project
Puritan will return with "Peppermint Stick Time"

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The Devout Communist

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The New McCarthyism: Dr. Jordan Peterson Attacked by Crazed Transloon Pronoun Nazis