Month: September 2021

According to the Globe and Mail, our federal [so-called “Liberal” :(! ] minority government is pushing for Bill C-36, as one its EARLY priority bills post-elections:

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-liberals-parliamentary-agenda-lists-three-internet-regulation-bills-as/#comments

As a reminder, this bill is about online so-called “hate” speech.

Why is our government in a rush to pass this bill as an early priority?

Why is it apparently proposing to encourage Canadians to denounce each other?

Why are we fostering censorship in our historically free country?

If this bill passes, at least as it is (and if Bambi understands it well), it may lead to a SERIOUS slippery slope, as described below.

Indeed, the problem with this bill is the definition of “hate“.

Yes, what is hate? Hate for someone may not be hate for another person.

According to this bill, hatred “means the emotion that involves detestation or vilification and that is stronger than dislike or disdain; (haine)”:

https://parl.ca/DocumentViewer/en/43-2/bill/C-36/first-reading

Is there anything more arbitrary than the above?

A direct related question is the following: In this bill, who would have the final decision about whether it is or it is not hate?

Despite the arbitrary nature of the definition above, the consequences on Canadians are too dramatic (surely much worse than the problem of having content that some dislike and others like).

Yes, we are talking here about a fine of $50K in addition to censorship (closing of the so-called hateful platform). We are implicitly or explicitly talking about Canadians having to report each other… Do you you see how sad this would be?

Furthermore, who will take those final decisions, our bureaucrats? Such decisions can bankrupt Canadians (i.e., $50K is a lot of money), in addition to contributing to silencing the population. Yes, this bill can potentially end employments or careers. Isn’t this the height of a trivialized censorship (that some call “cancel culture”)?

Why are we doing this to ourselves when we already have criminal laws concerning the call for violence? Plus, defamation is already illegal in our country.

Bambi has substantially written against the proposed bill C-36 on this blog (as shown further below). Yet she will repeat herself again and again: Mr. Trudeau et al., please re-consider your bill. To the opposition parties (all of them), please be courageous and play your role of opposition effectively when this bill will be debated. Please remember that the road to hell is sometimes paved with good intentions.

She does not know about you, but Bambi is convinced that a truly liberal approach to the issue of (problematic?) online content remains the wisest approach (even if it is far from being perfect). Just leave the internet as it is. No need to regulate it as it can result in coercion that could lead, whether desired or not, to limiting democracy slowly but surely. Yes, pushed to the extreme, there is a serious risk of governmental totalitarianism down the road.

To conclude this post, again, please Mr. Trudeau et al., think twice about your bill. Who knows… It may even play against you individually one of these days in the far future. Would that be fair or fun for you and your family? If it is not fair to you, how would it be fair to us, as citizens/voters? Both you and us as well as the beautiful value/principle of freedom of expression in our country will collectively lose. Yes, Canada will be the biggest loser here in the long-term. Please tell Bambi that this is NOT the Canada you have envisioned for us for the next 4, 14, or even 24 years from now? If it is, it is a potentially dark vision… and it is scary, to say the least.

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Why is Mr. Trudeau so scared of independent journalists to the point of not even calling them “a media organization”?

How can Mr. Trudeau be so lacking in judgment?

No to Bill 36 on “online hate speech”: Why is our Federal Minister of Justice, Dr. Lametti, contributing to turning our country into an authoritarian one?

Bill 36 and the proposed plan to regulate social media content: A song to Mr. Trudeau’s (illiberal) Liberal Party of Canada!

Can Minister Steven Guilbeault stop using both Muslims and Jews to promote Bill 36, which will eventually serve to silence us all… including them?

Why don’t we send Mr. Trudeau to Lebanon?

Aspirations for more freedom: Thank you Mr. John Robson for pointing to the contradiction between Cubans and Canadians

Democracy: No to censorship, whether by governments, private companies, public institutions, militia organizations, etc.

When we think we reached the top of absurdity in our collectively insane times, there is a story that comes out and it proves us wrong. Yes, there is room fore more absurdity (and racism), of course in the name of anti-racism… It is called progress nowadays.

It is no longer enough to be obsessed by race (or another aspect of someone’s identity like gender or whatever else); no, not just enough to only see others through this lens ONLY. To hell their character (sorry Dr. Martin Luther King Jr… Each day your dream is being killed in front of our eyes…). Now, we reached a point where we can fire people because of their skin colour in the UK, it seems. Thankfully, there is a push-back to insanity in this country and from out of Québec (OK now out of France where he is working for a year): Yes, thank you Dr. Mathieu Bock-Côté for writing about this story for the Journal de Montréal.

Of note, a UK news article about this story was sent to Bambi last week by a “dear” person from out of Beirut. Of note, the latter was shocked, yet not surprised, to read yet another absurd story coming from today’s Western countries. The world is truly upside down!

Anyhow, here is Bock-Côté’s article, followed by a quick English translation [OK– with a couple of comments by Bambi here and there]. It is entitled: “Where the whites are fired because they are white”:

https://www.journaldemontreal.com/2021/09/29/la-ou-on-vire-les-blancs-parce-quils-sont-blancs

“In the United Kingdom, the fight against what the multiculturalist left calls “systemic racism” and for the promotion of “diversity” has just revealed its true face.

We saw this a week ago when the English Touring Opera decided to part ways [or end the professional relationship] with 14 musicians who have worked for it for years, sometimes for 20 years, under the simple pretext that they were unfortunate enough to be white.

In a letter sent to them, the orchestra is explicit: to make room for the “racialized”, whites must clear [leave, in other terms].

Racism

They are therefore fired because of the colour of their skin [wow— and, yes, we are in 2021]. In a world that has not lost its mind, we would talk about explicitly racist dismissals.

But our world has lost its mind. These layoffs are therefore justified in the name of anti-racism.

Because it is in the name of anti-racism that we lock people in their skin colour today and decide whether or not they have the right to a job.

Let’s not be surprised

Because these layoffs on a racial basis go in the logic of multiculturalist ideology [Bambi does not know which name to give to this ideology: sectarianism, wokeism, cultic mindset (even if secular), excessive multiculturalism, or… just our “collectively insane times”].

Let us not forget, for several years now, in several public and even private organizations, it has been explained, in the name of positive discrimination, that whites must be disadvantaged in hiring, because they are already too present there.

Because positive discrimination, which little pranksters present as a program of access to equality, is nothing other than that: a program of discrimination against whites that we consider too present – it is still worse, of course, if it’s more white men! [Dr. Mathieu Bock-Côté is right, and Bambi is neither white nor a man].

Let’s say that the English Touring Opera went the extra mile. We are no longer content with not hiring someone because they are white. We fire them for that reason, to clear the place.

But there are some to explain that anti-white racism does not exist. How can we not call them petty pranksters and when they work at university, two-dollar theorists and intellectual fraudsters.

We even found people to welcome this decision, judging it difficult, but necessary.

On BFMTV, a French news channel, Candice Mahout, the head of the culture department, explained that “yes, it is extremely violent, but we will have to go through this reverse of the pendulum for things to move forward as well”.

Indignation

At least, the point is uninhibited: this institutional “violence” against whites is necessary for diversity to progress.

One can wonder if this lady, white of skin, incidentally, would react thus if one fired her because of the colour of her skin. Maybe she should set an example?

One wonders how Western opinion would have reacted if we had fired musicians for being black.

In fact, we know: it would have been absolutely revolted, with good reason. Because racism is always abject [indeed, like violence whomever the target or victim].

But since the victims of racism are white, we don’t care. You don’t advance diversity without breaking up whites, apparently.”

The surrealistic Beirut port catastrophe occurred on August 4, 2020 when 2,500 tonnes of ammonium nitrate exploded.

Yes, this took place over 13 long months ago.

Since then, Mr. Ibrahim Harb, 35 years old, has been suffering from critical head injuries.

Bambi just read Harb’s story in several international media, including Reuters, the LA Times, and Mnea: Being an accountant, he was working in his office located across from Beirut port. He was very badly injured. Indeed, he spent three months in the coma. This was then followed by many long months at a rehabilitation centre. It seems that he kept going in and out of consciousness. Recently, his family brought him back home to his parents’ place. This is where he took his last breath yesterday.

Bambi cannot even dare to imagine one drop of the ocean of emotional pain of his loved ones. May his memory be eternal and may God know how to comfort his parents, relatives, and friends.

The Beirut blast investigation BADLY needs Judge Tarek Bitar (who took over the investigation after the suspension of Judge Fadi Sawan)… if only for the the late Mr. Harb, for the other 214 victims (including at least 3-4 toddlers and many youth), for the 6000+ injured (including many children who lost an eye), for the over 300,000-400,000 homeless people, for all the traumatized innocent population, and those who migrated around the world following this criminal act.

So, once again, no more political interference. No more death threats to judges. Yes for justice. Yes for accountability. Enough of criminality and/or criminal negligence.

Bambi will end this post meant as a tribute to Mr. Harb here as follows: First, she will share some heart-breaking pictures from Beirut. Second and finally, she will conclude with a beautiful eternal song by the late Mr. Raymond Lévesque about love and peace in our world.

Once again, may Mr. Harb’s memory be eternal… and best wishes to his grieving family, capital, and country.

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Bambi stands with Beirut’s Judge Tarek Bitar!

This post is a surprise from Bambi to her mother-in-law to wish her a Happy Birthday Lebanese style, just for fun :).

Joyeux Anniversaire, Bernadette!!!

Through this post, you will be offered three songs:

The first song may perhaps make you smile/laugh. It is by a singer called Mr. Sami Clark. His old love (and fun) song was specifically written to a “Bernadette” (hence the choice of the song). He asks her if he can love her “so they both become like Romeo and Juliette” :). If you wish, you can imagine your spouse singing it for you :). Talented in languages as he is (and you are as well), he may learn it fast. Anyhow, Bambi is singing right now while typing. Thankfully, your ears cannot hear her awful voice. Yes, there is a good side to everything in life, including large geographical distances :).

Now, your second song is one of Bambi’s favourite Lebanese ones because it is associated with happy events. It is the “Mabrouk” (or Congrats) song of weddings, birthdays, anniversaries, etc. “Mabrouk” to you for the birthday, new year, and new season (our North American fall is a beautiful period of time to be born in)!

Last but not the least, your third song is of course the classical “Happy Birthday“… in the language of Molière.

To conclude this post, may you enjoy your birthday, Bernadette. Bambi sends you her love, along with LOTS of best wishes! Thank God we were able to see each other this summer. Thank you for coming over. Take good care… until our next get-together!

Judge Tarek Bitar has been temporary removed from his function as Investigator of the surrealistic Beirut port explosion of August 4, 2020:

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/probe-into-beirut-blast-frozen-over-judge-impartiality-suit-source-says-2021-09-27/

https://www.lorientlejour.com/article/1276101/bitar-notifie-de-la-plainte-de-machnouk-temporairement-dessaisi-de-lenquete.html

A protest is planned in Beirut on Wednesday to support him:

There’s A Protest This Wednesday In Support Of Beirut Blast Probe Judge Bitar

As a reminder, in July 2021, MANY European and Arab lawyers kindly travelled to Beirut to support his impartial work (see an earlier post further below).

The families of the victims, the residents of Beirut, the people of Lebanon, and the friends of this country around the world are all behind Judge Bitar because they want the truth and justice.

Yes, people want to know why they lost their family members and friends, why their loved ones were injured, why the massive destruction of their city with its houses, hospitals, schools, businesses, places of worship, museums, etc. Bambi also wants to know why her niece, brother-in-law, and childhood friend were injured. Why is the latter still undergoing surgery after surgery? Why were the apartments and houses of thousands of people, including Bambi’s parents, massively or completely destroyed? WHY is the code of silence of their politicians so unbreakable still despite the magnitude of the catastrophe and all the calls for justice?!

Of note, Judge Bitar is the second Judge to be removed from the investigation of the surrealistic Beirut port explosion. It is said now that this is a “temporary” removal, but the investigation is already on hold. PLUS, from an earlier post (shown further below), we know that Judge Bitar recently received death threats from the most powerful military group in Lebanon (and no, it is neither the Lebanese Armed Forces nor a foreign occupier).

Some have been asking for an international inquiry:

https://english.alaraby.co.uk/opinion/why-beirut-port-explosion-needs-international-inquiry

When will impunity begin to stop in Lebanon?! To Judge Bitar, Bambi will say thank you for being decent as well as courageous. Be safe please. She already joins her voice to all those who will walk in Beirut on Wednesday to support your work. She also sends her solidarity and love to the grieving families.

To conclude this post on a musical note, here is Fairuz’ eternal song for Beirut as a reminder of what happened on that doomed August 4, 2020.

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Bambi’s broken heart goes to the broke Lebanon

Beirut port blast: Thanks to the lawyers from the European Union, France, and Arab countries who travelled to Beirut to support its lawyers and, through them, the whole Lebanese population!

New Brunswick now has an “independent” commissioner of systemic racism. Her name is Dr. Manju Varma.

According to CBC, Radio-Canada, and Turtle News, Dr. Varma is a “Multiculturalism expert” and she holds a PhD in “Anti-racist education” from the University of Toronto.

Varma also “leads the new office of Inclusion, Equity and Anti-Racism for the Atlantic Canada Opportunity Agency (ACOA) since 2020, a federal government initiative aimed at fostering its internal corporate diversity and inclusiveness.”

As a reminder, our provincial government will finance the work of this commissioner (from our tax money) and it will cost us half of a million dollars, as per the media articles cited above and an earlier post by Bambi (shown further below):

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nb-appoints-commissioner-systemic-racism-1.6188229

https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1826880/rapport-2022-racisme-varma-rapport

New Brunswick appoints independent commissioner on systemic racism

As reported by the CBC, Dr. Varma wrote in news release: “Having been an immigrant and having experienced racism growing up in this province, I personally know there is systemic racism here that must be addressed… “As I embark on this journey, I do so with an open mind and no preconceptions.”

According to CBC, “A public report is due by September 2022, with recommendations to address systemic racism in areas such as health care, education, social development, housing, employment and criminal justice. A total of $500,000 has been set aside, and Varma will have staff to assist in her work.” 

The French language counterpart of the CBC uses the following terms: “La commissaire aura comme responsabilité, entre autres, de mener une consultation publique sur la nature et les répercussions du racisme systémique à l’égard des nouveaux arrivants, des Autochtones, des Noirs, des personnes de couleur et d’autres groupes marginalisés au Nouveau-Brunswick ».

Of note, once again, we seem to already have the outcomes of the report by endorsing, without any evidence base, the (rather vague) trendy concept of “systemic racism”.

Five questions for Dr. Varma:

1. What is the field of “anti-racist education” (i.e. her PhD)? Bambi is curious.
2. What is “systemic racism”?
3. Could Dr. Varma be confusing the concepts of “racism” and “systemic racism”?
4. Isn’t the assumption of the existence of systemic racism in our province, before even investigating it, a “preconception” in itself?
5. Will Dr. Varma’s functions include also an interest in studying Acadians (the historical ethno-linguistic largest minority in NB)?

If the answer to the fifth question is positive, why wasn’t this mentioned in these media articles?

And, finally, a last question to our government:

6. Why?

Thank you.

—

How do a $500K-position of a Commissioner and costs of his/her work on systemic racism, funded by our government, help “heal” the “community” of NB Indigenous citizens?

Bambi loves good news in life… this one is a HAPPY one for Canada: Welcome back to Mr. Spavor and Mr. Kovrig :)!!

The news in English:

https://www.economist.com/united-states/2021/09/25/as-canada-frees-a-huawei-boss-china-lets-two-canadians-out-of-jail

The news in French:

https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1827003/justin-trudeau-wanzhou-deux-michael-chine

Thanks to all those who contributed to make this happen.

Good for Ms. Meng Wanzhou to finally go back to her family too. However, Bambi cannot help not to wonder what deal our government struck with China (is it a coincidence that all this occurred post-elections?). Most importantly, how will Canada protect itself and its citizens from future ordeals like this one?

Regardless of the deal, it has been sad to see Canada being taken hostage of the Chinese diplomacy/Huawei conflict. Indeed, what a shame that these two innocent men were taken hostage like that and for such a long time (Bambi has older posts about them). Anyhow, now it is time to rejoice and to enjoy being with their loved ones. Bambi wishes them all the best in their reunion and adjustment to life back home! May they heal and may they find peace of mind with every passing day.

To conclude this post, Bambi will allow herself to offer these two businessmen a French song (subtitled in English) by Mr. George Moustaki. Bambi loves this song about one’s freedom, which is called “Ma liberté” . Home sweet home… Welcome back!

This post begins with news headlines about Lebanon that chill the blood. It ends with Mr. Enrico Macias’ beautiful song about Beirut.

If she may, Bambi would like to offer the song mentioned above to Judge Bitar without knowing him (thanking him for his courage), to the grieving families of the surrealistic Beirut port explosion, and to her friend Maya still healing (and undergoing surgeries!) since August 4, 2020.

They/we are ALL still waiting for accountability… even if it is in the Republic of impunity. Which one is worth waiting for patiently in Lebanon, justice… or Goddot?

Mr. Jean-Marc Khawam is a French intellectual. He is a comedian, a writer, an author, and now a podcastor. As you can notice yourself, he is an excellent interviewer!

Mr. Khawam’s Entredeux Podcast is described by his platform as a “debate and conversation podcast centered around freedom of opinion and expression. Experts talk expertly about their subject of expertise … with a pinch of salt and jokes”.

Of note, Mr. Khawam happens to be of Lebanese origins, like Bambi. In French, they talked about problems of political correctness at universities and about the vision of expatriates of the Western world.

Bambi was both delighted and honoured to be among the first guests of Entredeux Podcast (what an enriching chat!). She thanks Mr. Khawam for his invitation and kindness. She hopes you will enjoy listening to their 2-hour-long discussion and perhaps learn something new from it.

This being said, you may wish to listen to this French interview in the Youtube link shown below. This interview also appears (along with earlier media interviews or videos) on Rima Azar’s personal website:

I’m Rima, Associate Professor of Health Psychology

To conclude this post, whether you will enjoy listening to this interview or not, one thing is sure in Bambi’s mind: Mr. Khawam is full of both talent and humanity. Indeed, she highly recommends his podcast. Long life to Entredeux Podcast!

Congratulations to all those who won the federal elections across parties, including Mr. Trudeau himself. The latter (once again) lost his objective of a majority at a high cost for Canada, namely of CAD $612 million!

This being said, bravo to all those who had the courage to participate, but did not win despite their hard work.

Even if no one wanted those elections (but Mr. Trudeau et al.), it was refreshing to see democracy in action, despite any disappointment, joy, or indifference.

Bambi would like to thank all those who devoted their time with Elections Canada and made this democratic process happen.

To come back to Mr. Trudeau, we are still “stuck” with him in a minority government. Nothing seems to have changed in a major way, except that we are now collectively poorer (i.e., – CAD $612 million).

To conclude this post, since democracy spoke, here is a song from Bambi to Mr. Trudeau AND to those who contributed to keeping him in power for the third time. In his song, Mr. Julio Iglesias’ informs us that “he hasn’t changed“… and then he adds that “you haven’t changed either” (he means his lover). Well, when we re-enter OR decide to remain in a loving relationship, we have a responsibility in our (hopefully lucid) decision. Although there is no guarantee in life, we know that past performance is usually the best predictor of future ones. Bearing the latter in mind, may our federal politicians be as wise as they can be and best wishes to Canada!