happy
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Post by happy on Jun 6, 2020 23:36:02 GMT -5
Waves back at ya! I didn't realize that your government went above the Prime Minister. Always something new to learn. I try to learn why people think different things. Like the slogan in these protests to Defund the Police. I can understand why that is not at all palatable to many folks and I had no idea either. But I'm learning more about it every day but of course the main point can be narrowed down to less policing would be needed if there was more investing. Of course then we get into chicken or the egg starting points and who knows it may be back to bare knuckles. I tend to think using metaphors like Star Trek's "Shaka, when the walls fell" but that doesn't make sense to enough people so I have to explain further. Takes a lot of time, lol. Gotta love a Star Trek reference! Also, each province has a Lieutenant Governor who has a similar role to the GG which is largely ceremonial -- until it is not. Our last election here in BC was so close -- one party won a couple of more seats, the other party won more of the popular vote -- that it wasn't totally cut and dried and the LG was called on to make a decision.
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happy
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Post by happy on Jun 6, 2020 15:39:02 GMT -5
Of topic but I'll share a piece of personal information: My emergency heart-surgery was 10 years ago yesterday. I can't believe how it changed the course of my life. What has happened since then. I finished my apprenticeship, finished college, went to universitiy and now I'm hopefully entering a new chapter in my life, where I can shape my life more rather than reacting to outside circumstances. On Tuesday I was invited to a jobinterview and got a positive feedback right that evening. It's only for half a year but right now that is a very good start for someone beginning their career. The institution is good, it's an official governmental place, the "Landesanstalt für Landwirtschaft", basically the ministry of agriculture. It's "only" 60% so part-time, which works fine for me so I can really focus on that, learn, take full advantage of the experience and have time for private issues and things that I'm passionate about. I start next month.
And to keep this place golden, I would like to congratulate one of our younger members on her new job opportunity. Good luck!
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happy
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Post by happy on Jun 6, 2020 15:36:32 GMT -5
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Post by happy on Jun 6, 2020 15:34:33 GMT -5
Hey, that's funny that you got in touch! I was going to pm you to say congratulations on your new job. I'm really glad that things are working out for you. Did I ever mention that my son was born with a heart defect that required surgery when he was a new-born and again when he was 16. He will need another new valve in the future, but with all the new methods, probably not open heart surgery again.
So does Germany have a lot of parties -- does it ever have trouble putting together a working government? I think the worry here in Canada is that a party with some kind of very conservative agenda might get a seat and a bigger voice as a result. We already have the Parti Quebecois which is a federal party dedicated to breaking up Canada!
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Post by happy on Jun 6, 2020 15:25:33 GMT -5
Well, it has been an interesting forum these last few days! It is eye-opening. Adam has lost about 1500 Instagram followers in the last couple of days. I am proud of him for taking a stand.
I guess some people would say I am "white passing" though I think of myself as white. I know that my father and aunt faced discrimination. I can't say I ever have except for this one story. My family was returning from our cabin on a small boat during rough weather. We were dropped off at a public dock, put our stuff in the car, and then walked to the nearby ferry terminal to use their washrooms to change. We were cold and wet in old clothes and had our dry clothes in black plastic bags. I remember trudging by a group of ferry workers who stared at us as we walked by. I don't know what they were thinking, of course, but I got a very different vibe from them. I thought to myself, oh this is what it feels like to be an other! This is what is feels like to be judged by appearance only. I actually felt vindicated walking past them again looking like our normal selves. It was just a tiny taste and maybe it was all in my mind, but it was definitely an interesting experience!
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Post by happy on Jun 6, 2020 14:55:40 GMT -5
I find it interesting that almost every country we've helped write a constitution and or develop a democratic form of government has always created a parliamentary form instead of presidential. This is an interesting article, just look at the other countries, the US is kind of a sore thumb. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidential_systemand some great quotes from the 1870's Waving at you from Canada! Not a perfect system but allows for majority and minority governments which can both be very productive in their own ways. Our head of state is the Queen, represented by the Governor General who is appointed by the current Prime Minister for a five to seven year term and is largely symbolic. But, should Canada have a constitutional crisis, that person who is largely independent can make important decisions, with the aid of our top constitutional lawyers. People are always agitating against our system. Some don't like the idea of a monarch -- but then who do you replace as an independent head of state? Some want proportional representation -- pluses and minuses there -- but it can lead to many small parties having an oversized voice. We've had a couple of referendums on this in BC and the people have voted for the status quo. I've enjoyed your well thought out posts over the last few days.
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Post by happy on May 31, 2020 13:01:43 GMT -5
I remember the Harlem riot in the 60's that started with a police officer killing a young black man. I guess not much has changed.
It doesn't take much to start a riot. In 2011 in Vancouver which is normally a safe big city a riot erupted after their hockey team lost the Stanley Cup finals. Large crowds had gathered downtown to watch the game on big screens. This had happened for a few games already and everything had been fine. In a review of what happened, it was clear that a small number of people came prepared to make trouble. Then opportunists joined in the looting and even normally law abiding citizens couldn't resist the temptation. Most of the crowd were just trying to get home, many just watched and a few brave souls tried to stop it. It was a very shameful episode.
That was over a lost hockey game, so I can't even imagine the anger that is erupting right now.
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Post by happy on May 17, 2020 21:46:34 GMT -5
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Post by happy on May 11, 2020 21:46:37 GMT -5
Loved Closer to You! That line about Paris, France always reminds me of the time that Adam was in Paris with Sauli when he got word that he had a Grammy nomination. Unless, I have my story completely mixed up!
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Post by happy on May 9, 2020 15:12:13 GMT -5
Poor Brian. That must really hurt! It is also must hurt the inner pride to have it happen from over-active gardening and not something a bit more riskier and glamorous!
I'm trying to remember -- didn't he have to have an operation on an Achilles tendon or something like that and recuperate just before one of the more recent tours??
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