Idle No More.. We come in Peace

Four women who said
We are Idle No More
Awakened the whole world
Simply knocking on the door

We're very scared mothers
Childrens' lives are at stake
Canada will be poisoned
Every river, stream and lake

Come outside and see
Take a really long look
This beauty before you
Will be in a history book

There's no environment protection
The government took that away
It also broke Treaties
That weren't just for display

We're First Nation ladies
Proud of who we are
We forever stand united
Even when distanced from afar

We love our country
As probably you do yours
We are all indigenous
Connected water, shore to shores

The world's in danger
Our lands from here to there
Affects the global future
For our grandchildren to share

To all media people
Start reporting the harsh truth
Outside the lines, perhaps
A job for a real sleuth
 
To all Canadian people
We call you to lead
To all government officials
We will see you concede

Four women once said
We are Idle No More
Began a millions movement
Peacefully knocking at the door

By Lisa A. MacLeod

Dear USA: You are acting idiotic

Dear USA:

With all due respect, to each and every one of you as individuals - collectively - you are idiots.

You are.

Your nation is completely falling to pieces... even perhaps irreparable pieces. You are in complete denial. You are willing to sacrifice your innocent children to prove a point and you use the guise of "constitutional rights" to justify homicide - literally.

The fact that someone can buy 6,000 bullets over the internet and delivered to their home or work is stupid - stupid!

Tell me, that is smart. Go ahead.

No actually, stop... because then you sound like an even bigger idiot.

Think of it this way... You travel abroad, you might even simply and easily cross the boarder into my country Canada - you cannot have a gun here or anywhere else for that matter. You travel to foreign countries and you do not have a gun.  You have no idea of any dangers. Yet, within the comfort of your own home; a place where peace and security should be understood, you feel the necessity to have a gun.

Can you understand how backwards that is?

You may also want to consider exploring the novel concept of Homeland Security and how inept and incredibly flawed that system must be. How is it that an excessive amount of arsenal and war armour can be so easily purchased yet not recognizable to authorities?

You should demand more accountability from your media. Piers Morgan and Michael Moore made sense tonight. Anderson Cooper, you are adorable and authentic and honest - but tonight's Ridiculist should have been about how someone is able to buy 6,000 bullets and not some guy tracing a road to look like a penis.

What if his name was Mohammed instead of James? Then it would be labelled terrorism. How would politicians and media alike be addressing the tragedy in Aurora if Mohammed did it?

You need to think about that.

The one thing many other countries around the world have always admired is the pride and patriotism you show for your country and the potential that democratic independence can provide. Now, that pride has been replaced with ego, veiled as patriotism and it is really sad.

Rights now means ego and independence means control.  Independence fueled through rights versus control fueled through ego. That is a homemade bomb and that is your biggest terrorist threat.

I will not pretend to know the answer. I do not actually think there is one. I think you will fail - and then rise again but nevertheless, fail, destroy yourselves and graduate from the school of hard knocks.

I need to do what I need to do to protect my own country, as are others - all over the world. That is because we acknowledge what you refuse to even speak about. We see it - you do not. Therefore, you are a threat to me and the safety of my family and I refuse to enable your ego.

Your "rights" are idiotic - devoid of common sense, with all due respect.


Sincerely,
Lisa

How to change the stigma of Mental Health

Use the word "Psychological" instead..

Imagine the difference it would make if in every press conference and every article the word "mental" was replace with psychological - the stigma of "mental" illness would change.

Psychological Health - Psychological Illness - Psychological, not Mental. It would make a difference.


What do you think?


Comment and begin a discussion..

Is the DSBN an educational & financial liability for Niagara's children?

In 2005 my children were transferred from the TDSB (Toronto District School Board) to the DSBN (District School Board of Niagara).  My son entered grade six and my daughter grade one.

Immediately, my son began to complain. "I'm bored. I know all of this, I did it before."  I replied, "It's September, it's always review, soon you'll be complaining of homework."

He never did.

My son is quick.  He always has been; not just scholastically but in life.  He notices things, he remembers things, he pays attention and he questions - he is very bright.

He complained all year long.  "I know this, I've done this already!!"

On several occasions I spoke to various school officials that assured me the curriculum was the same (as it falls under Provincial standards) but I still urged the teachers to challenge him. His enthusiasm diminished quickly only it was attributed to the location move and adjusting.  Being a normal Mom, I absorbed the guilt and dismissed the curriculum.

One day when when he was in grade seven (second semester), he came home from school shouting.  "Mom! Mom! MOM!!  Where is my stuff Mom?!" as he bounded up the stairs to his room.

 "Where is my work from my old school?!!" "MOM!!!!"

My son is a typically a quiet kid, but on this day - wow!  He was obviously very unhappy and upset.

"I am not doing this again!  I am not doing the same work again!!" as he was scrambled through his closet looking for his "old schools' keepsakes".

"Where's my book reports?!  I'm not reading this book again, I did this report - and I got an A!"

"I'm not doing it again Mom -  I'm not!!"

When I looked at him, his face was full of angst and there was a look in his eyes, a look I had never seen before. I wasn't sure what it was, but it was very different, it was new and it was distressful.

The book is Maniac Magee written by Jerry Spinelli and delves into the topics of racism, poverty and homelessness. "Scholastic" indicates this book is for ages 9-13 and for a grade level of  5.4 .

The TDSB is on par, my son studied this novel in grade 5, second semester at age 10-11.  In comparison, The DSBN decided this particular acclaimed novel study, one of literary and social awareness was more applicable for children in Niagara at the age of 12-13, being grade 7.

Why?

My son handed in a new book report and got a C+. That mark did not reflect his level of comprehension, that mark reflected indifference and defeat. That was the look in his eye that day - defeat.

The Province of Ontario dictates and provides the educational materials 'needed' for course instruction. Long gone are the days when teachers could think for themselves and teach according to the students in their class, not according to the officials watching through the door.

Niagara parents seriously need to question why the DSBN feels the same book, with the same tests is at par with Niagara children whom are two years older. This is extreme.

Eventually, the children will all be completing with each other for post-secondary education, not to mention, financing. Niagara has one of the highest unemployment rates in Canada and most residents stay within the region.

Could there be a direct correlation between the education standards held by the DSBN and the continuum of high poverty in Niagara?

Could there also be a correlation between the curriculum and a school board's determination to rank in the EQAO testing?

Is this differential about education or politics?

My son will tell you, "these schools made me stupid." He continued to speak with the kids from his old school and would say, "Mom I could never go back to Toronto, I would fail everything. I'm not smart anymore."

Of course I disputed his theory but I could see the effects. His judgement and choices changed. He gave up and his enthusiasm to learn was gone - why bother became the attitude. He was no longer challenged.

If I could have afforded it, I would have moved back - but I couldn't.

I was hopeful that when he entered high school and it was a more 'adult' atmosphere, he would once again be enthusiastic about his education. That never happened.

Now before someone hypes about teachers - lay off - their hands are tied with red tape but their personalities are not which is the true difference between a "good" and "bad" teacher.

It also factors into whether or not your child's education is accelerated by enjoying their school year or stagnated though boredom and discouragement.

My mother was a teacher, I grew up with teachers, one of my best friends today, is one of my own high school teachers. I will defend most educators. But, today, they are carbon-copy graduates who dictate mandatory curriculum. They are the adult versions of unenthusiastic students. It is a continuation of the "why bother" attitude and the children sense it, then adopt it.

As a parent, I commend the rogue educators. I thank you, keep fighting.

As for parental responsibility and involvement, I am educated. I have Grade 13 and 3 years post-secondary education. I have consistently reinforced the value of education in both my children since they were small as my mother instilled in me and - I did all I could to educate my child in tangent with their school.

After the Maniac McGee incident, I demanded an answer from the school and reinforced my concerns but the DSBN chosen grade 7 curriculum was "technically" correct. I requested advanced work. This occurred for a short time but ended. When? I honestly don't know but it did.

Ontario offers an IEP (Independent Educational Plan) for student with difficulties in maintaining provincial standards - why don't they offer the same for the children who excel?

The provincial government in all its glory totes success of the EQAO (Education Quality and Accountability Office). Measurement of students achieving grades, ranking of teachers and schools educational success does not regulate the root of this testing - the curriculum.

Who monitors and measures the choices and decisions between the School Boards? The mean base is unbalanced. The same one that the Ontario government measures, rates and ranks schools, teachers and children according to results of "standardized testing".

If the curriculum is not equal, and the level of challenge unbalanced - how can the results be comparable?

Ontario is the only province that does not allow its Ombudsman to investigate the MUSH sector, Municipalities, Universities, Schools, Hospitals. Where do you go? Who do you talk to? Who will listen?

The DSBN has no accountability to justify its decision that Niagara children are at a two year literary disadvantage than those of children who live a mere ninety minutes away.

So, you be the judge.

Is the DSBN an educational and financial liability for Niagara's children?



Request your MPP to expand the mandate of the Ontario Ombudsman to include School Boards here. (Ontario residents only).