Month: June 2024

From time to time, Bambi has fun virtually imagining an interaction with Mr. Nasrallah, the head of the Hezbollah. She did this after the Beirut explosion and she will now vent while sending a a message of love and peace in order to counterbalance his threats of violence, even toward the most peaceful country in the region: Cyprus. Can you imagine?

Before beginning the chat, Bambi has always wondered if threats are a sign of military weakness or power of the takeover, or does the latter really matter? Indeed, perhaps what sadly matters the most is the tragic end result for Lebanon: mortality of innocent people, injuries, destruction, financial losses, and a contribution to post-traumatic memories of wars. Why is Mr. Nasrallah once again taking his birth country into the abysses of regional wars? When it is not in Syria, it is in relation to Israel or Palestine. When it is not in the latter, it is the former. His fellow citizens deserve to live in safety, dignity, peace, peace of mind, and prosperity. They do not deserve the cult of war in the name of whatever foreign cause or divinity. They do not want wars of others in their own country, which is already suffering from much corruption along with political vacuum.

This being said, time now for the chat (first Mr. Nasrallah then Bambi’s reply in bold), which will be followed by a song for peace. YES, peace, healing, and ideally love. No to violence, no to wars. Enough is enough!

Mr. Nasrallah: “the enemy knows that what also awaits it in the Mediterranean Sea is very huge, seeing as all its coasts and ships will be targeted“.

Why are you threatening and provoking Israel, Mr. Nasrallah? Why are you putting everyone in danger by doing so, starting with Lebanon?

Nasrallah: “we warn the Cypriot government that if it opens its airports and bases to Israel for targeting Lebanon, it will become part of the war“.

Why are you threatening the only peaceful and normal country of the region, Mr. Nasrallah? Please leave Cyprus alone.

Mr. Nasrallah: “the enemy must awaits us on land, at sea and in the air and we will fight without restrictions of rules“.

Why are you putting Lebanon in danger to that extent, Mr. Nasrallah with your threats to Israel? STOP. Enough is enough.

Mr. Nasrallah: “threatening us with war on Lebanon does not scare us, we have prepared ourselves for the most difficult of days and the enemy knows well what awaits it”.

BOTH of you just stop! As for you, take a look at all the innocent people of your country, not just your belly button! People caught in the middle of threats and violence do not want the latter. They want to enjoy the summer and simply return to their homes and villages. They deserve to finally live in safety.

Mr. Nasrallah: “we have a large number of new weapons and drones and we’re manufacturing some types of rockets in Lebanon“.

How about allowing your fellow people to have power to manufacture medication, food, and other important goods for the quality of life, economy, and prosperity? Enough of rockets, drones, and weapons. Enough of danger for your birth country.

Mr. Nasrallah: “we have long hours of footage of Haifa, what’s around it, what’s before it, what’s beyond it and what’s even further”.

Enough of threats. Stop the war mindset and actions. Work for peace. How about the power of love for Lebanon, and in the world, instead of the love of power for a change?

Mr. Nasrallah: “we are not seeking to engage in an all-out war with Israel and the Lebanese front is strongly present on the negotiations table“.

So why are you playing with the fire then? Why do you keep poking the bear?

Mr. Nasrallah: “the invasion of the Galilee remains an option should war erupt“.

What is this madness, Mr. Nasrallah? Please come to your senses. Thank you.

Mr. Nasrallah: “Netanyahu does not want to turn the northern front into a pressing front and is concealing the losses that we are inflicting on him“.

Both you and Mr. Netanyahu stop the machine of war. Enough is enough. People are fed up. Deer, like Bambi, are sick and tired too. Of course, it takes two to tango in life. Do you know how to dance, Mr. Nasarallah or you just play war?

Mr. Nasrallah: “Hezbollah’s response to the latest assassinations was very huge“.

Bambi is sorry for the families of the victims. Her heart aches for any loss, including your organization’s losses, even if she does not agree with its mission or methods. Enough of war. Enough of retaliation.

Mr. Nasrallah: “the Lebanese front has performed a very big role and is inflicting moral, material and psychological losses on the enemy“.

How sad to drag Lebanon into the Hamas-Israel aweful war.

Nasrallah: “Hezbollah’s footage of its drones’ overflights of northern Israel is part of the “psychological” warfare against Israel”.

Enough of both psychological and actual wars. Enough of violence and hatred. Work finally for peace ALL of you.

Some days start earlier than usual. Some days are funnier. Today is one of those days.

The FUNNIEST part of this long and lovely day was the discovery of the multi-talented Rudy Ayoub, thanks to Fred who wrote to Bambi, asking: “Do you know Rudy Ayoub“? She replied no and she immediately googled the name, as it sounded a bit familiar to her ears. Maybe because the family name sounds Lebanese-Arabic? Maybe she heard a song by him on the radio? Anyhow, she discovered a VERY skilled, funny, Lebanese-American comedian who made her laugh… and laugh :)! This is why she is now sharing his talent with all of you in this post.

Mr. Ayoub is not only a HIGHLY funny and popular thirty-year-old America-born social media comedian of Lebanese heritage. He is also a musician, singer-songwriter, and apparently a music teacher or mentor too, not just in his funny videos 🙂 (https://shorturl.at/VgTov)]. Of note, his “music is known for its unique fusion of different genres. He often blends elements of hip hop, EDM, trap, and jazz together to create a unique sound” (https://shorturl.at/QJh9i).

To come back to comedy, there seems to be a theme in Mr. Rudy Ayoub’s humour: the highly narcissistic dad who embarrasses the son in public or who insults him while also apparently caring for him (in addition to his image). There is also Clark, the friend, and Rudy’s dad who cannot remember his name. All these characters are played by Mr. Ayoub himself.

To appreciate Mr. Ayoub’s humour to its fullest, it helps to be well connected to one’s willingness to play, have fun, and simply laugh. She does not know about you, but Bambi finds his creativity not only inspiring but also refreshing. For her, it is reassuring to keep discovering artists whose imagination make us forget about the excessive political correctness, and even self-censorship, of our collectively insane times.

To conclude this post, many thanks to Mr. Rudy Ayoub for his multi-talent, sense of humour, acting competence, musical skills, creativity, voice, and… productivity. Bambi is one of his numerous fans now, just like you Fred : )!

Happy birthday to two of Bambi’s readers and wonderful friends. With much love, Bambi sends them both her best wishes ❤️❤️ !

Bambi also sends her deep love and gratitude to Canada ❤️. Yes, it has been thirty-four years since the unforgettable June 17, 1990.

This being said, it is time for music now. Of course, the Happy Birthday melody is a must. It is followed by a LOVELY ten-year-old song, entitled In Canada, which was composed and performed by the highly talented Hartfield Brothers (https://shorturl.at/bUchX).

This post will be brief but full of HAPPY wishes to the readers, relatives, and friends who are celebrating Adha today.

Bambi seems to be living on another planet today. Yes, she is guilty of mixing the days. Thanks to dear George for reminding her of Eid el Adha, which is celebrated by both Muslims and Druze.

Adha commemorates Abraham’s story of willingness to sacrifice his son. Imagine, we are talking about his OWN son… just for his love of God (wow). Well, on Fathers’ Day (today!), Abraham’s story symbolically takes a deeper meaning.

May love and happy moments of life prevail. May everyone be HAPPY!

Bambi is surely biased by her eternal love for her dad, but for the close readers who happen to personally know him or those who read about him on this blog (see further below), you know how amazing of a man he is. On the eve of Fathers’ Day, and always, she wishes him lots of continuous well-being and much happiness ❤️.

As for you dear readers, long live your own father, father or stepfather of your children, if this applies (whether on earth or in heaven). May you be healthy and happy yourself, this weekend and all year long, especially if you are a dad (or about to become one), a grandfather, a father-in-law, or any paternal figure.

With or without children, if you have a heart filled with empathy and love, you understood the essence of life. Thank you. Please keep being connected to your humanity. Our troubled world needs your authentic heart and fairness. Of course, remember to love yourself while cherishing others and enjoying your journey of life!

Azar Electric: An inspiring story of a store in Beirut…

Robine Fiani-Azar: her memory will be eternal in so many hearts…

Thank you dad for this gift!

In this post, with the assistance of her online friend Mr. Google Translate, Bambi will quickly translate for you a thoughtful column by Ms. Natalie Elgrably published today in the Journal de Montréal (https://shorturl.at/7Ljpy) about Bill C-63. Indeed, as Ms. Elgrably clearly expressed it, this bill will make us all vulnerable. Thank you for writing about this topic. Food for thought… especially ahead of any federal election in the future.

“I have already written about Bill C-63 on “online harm”, tabled by the Trudeau Liberals. This law is currently in second reading and nothing seems to slow down its inevitable march towards adoption.

However, under the guise of wanting to protect children, this bill is nothing less than a crude lure, a real idiot trap to make us accept a bill which assassinates freedom of expression and democracy, and which will create a deleterious social climate.

Hell

On the one hand, most of the bill does not target children, but rather “hate propaganda” and actions “motivated by hatred”. However, the vague outline of this definition invites subjective readings, and therefore the instrumentalization of the bill for ideological or political ends.

On the other hand, the bill is retroactive and without time limit. Therefore any content produced before the bill, and still available online, could be subject to prosecution for “hate propaganda”.

Finally, the bill lprovides for the criminalization of words even before they are spoken. Nothing less! In the hell that is being prepared for us, it will be enough for anyone to denounce an individual under the pretext that he could possibly make potentially hateful comments for this individual to be brought to justice.

To make matters worse, if the bill is adopted, it will be applied even before an ombudsman is appointed, which would make any recourse in the event of litigation or abuse practically impossible.

Terror

Trudeau is preparing the establishment of a permanent climate of terror which will force self-censorship. Because this bill is not only cancel culture at its peak, it is the criminalization of thought.

This means the death of democracy and the establishment of arbitrariness which will make every Canadian highly vulnerable.

This is the Inquisition, version 2.0.

And there is no point arguing that this law is in the interest of the population. Censorship only benefits the person who establishes it!“

Bambi made a recent discovery, which she called “a musical Acadian treasure“. The name of this precious artistic treasure is Mr. Mathieu Lewis. This post is meant to share his inspiring talent with you, dear readers.

In addition to being passionate about philosophy and education, Mr. Lewis is uniquely gifted in songwriting, music performance, and singing. When Bambi listened to his songs for the first time, she was both impressed and moved by this Moncton-based artist. Yes, she immediately fell in love with his music.

In all the YouTube videos shared below, we hear Mr. Lewis’ voice singing his own compositions while playing the guitar. In the first video, he performs with other highly talented peers: Ms. Laurence Larochelle (voice ), Mr. Kevin Lewis (guitar, voice). Mr. Jonathan Lewis (bass, voice), Mr. Matt Boudreau (percussions, voice). Bravo to all of them.

As you would notice yourself, especially if you understand French, the lyrics of Mr. Lewis’ songs are deep while sounding like music to the ears. Indeed, his diction is filled with beauty, namely because of the simplicity, accuracy, and creativity behind his choice of words. The latter seem to be in great harmony with Lewis’ skills in guitar playing.

Of note, in 2019, Mr. Mathieu Lewis won the ChansonStar competition at the prestigious Caraquet Song Gala with his composition L’éteinciel (what a clever play on words) . In the grande finale, Ms. Katrine Noël, from the Les Hay Babies group performed Mr. Lewis’ composition. His winning song was determined 70% by the competition jury and 30% by public voting (https://shorturl.at/mXZ5X).

Please Mr. Mathieu Lewis keep writing songs, composing music, singing, and sharing with all of us. Your talent is a richness not just for Atlantic Canada, especially its Acadian music and culture, but also for the entire world!

Bambi has often criticized the DEI-based academic hiring practices and grant writing policies of the federally-funded research in Canada, as per old posts shown further below.

Over the current and past year, she even found herself declining two Canadian Health Research (CIHR) grant reviewing invitations because she did not want to provide answers to identity-based questions. For her, the expertise of reviewers is what matters. No, it is not any of the other characteristics of whom they are (religion, origins, race, sexual orientation, etc.). This is why she asked if the CIHR to put a note in her file about the latter. As soon as DEI policies are reversed, she would be honoured and delighted to help with reviewing processes again. 

Bearing the above in mind, Bambi is thankful for Ms. Jamie Sarkonak’s article in the National Post about the academic pushback to the federally-imposed DEI policies in research funding (https://shorturl.at/u9G1C).

Indeed, from Sarkonak’s article, one learns the following ((https://shorturl.at/u9G1C):

“The bad news: there is no plan to ramp down diversity-based funding and the use of racial quotas in the federally funded research landscape. The good news? More and more people have noticed — including the academics at the heart of the system.

In the latest development, about 40 Canadian university professors have recommended to the House of Commons that diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies in federally funded research be abolished. Such policies have multiplied within the three agencies responsible for funding research, known collectively as the Tri-Council, since the Liberals took office”.

Criticisms of DEI and its intrusion into research have also been raised by biochemist Geoff Horsman, social scientist David Haskell and chemist Leigh Revers, all of whom are professors who have written in Postmedia’s pages and all of whom signed the brief submitted to the House“.

To conclude this post filled with hope, Bambi will add that she is proud of be one of the co-signing 40 faculty members recommending to the House of Commons to abolish the DEI policies in research funding in Canada (https://shorturl.at/7FNrp). With much appreciation and gratefulness, she thanks Dr. Horsman as well as Dr. Haskell and Dr. Revers for this uplifting initiative. Best wishes!

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Why are the “Université de l’Ontario français” job ads and website in English? And why the “DEI” obsession in the promotion?

Mr. Richard Bilkszto: May your memory be eternal, helping us in co-reflecting on the devastating impact of bullying and professional exclusion

“Stuart Ross Communications Internship”: Are you, like Bambi, shocked by the identity-based discrimination used in this scholarship?

Why are the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, which use our tax money, into woke ideologies now?

Thanks, Mr. Anthony Furey, for interviewing Dr. Patanjali (Pat) Kambhampati. Are our politicians or bureaucrats listening to the thoughtful chat?

Dr. Patanjali (or Pat) Kambhampati: Bambi was honoured to interview you!

Mr. Tart Vader: “Cancel Culture and Political Correctness/ Dr. Rima Azar”

On the evening of the “National Making Life Beautiful Day” (https://shorturl.at/Yqwng), Bambi learned about the death of Ms. Françoise Hardy at age 80 from the Journal de Montréal (https://shorturl.at/XoiKT).

Although this sad news makes the world less beautiful, especially to all her loved ones, Ms. Hardy’s music will thankfully transcend her death and loss. Thanks/Merci to her for having contributed to making our world nicer with her sweet melodies.

Indeed, France, the international francophonie, including Canada and Lebanon, and the world of music will miss her voice. As far as Bambi is concerned, she is grateful for Ms. Françoise Hardy’s talent and sensitivity in all her songs whether in French (subtitled in English below for your convenience), in English, or in German. May her soul rest in peace… and heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and fans.

Bambi is not confusing the dates, she can assure you.

Today is June 10th and its Jessy’s birthday. Happy Birthday to her with much love ❤️!

In two weeks, yes on June 24th, it would be the Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day (now called the Fête Nationale du Québec).

From the Canadian Encyclopedia (https://shorturl.at/uG9xN), one can read the following about this special day: “Held annually on 24 June, the Fête nationale du Québec (formerly known as Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day) has been a statutory holiday in Québec since 1925. Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day has been celebrated in North America since the early days of New France. Originally a religious celebration, it took a more patriotic turn in 1834 with Ludger Duvernay. The first Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day parade took place in Montréal in 1843. Since 1984, the Mouvement national des Québécoises et Québécois (MNQ) has organized the festivities of the Fête nationale du Québec. Various francophone communities across Canada also celebrate Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day”.

Thank you, Mr. Nicola Ciccone for your lovely new song with a little hint to the Italian community of Québec :). Long live Bambi’s awesome childhood friend Jessy, music, summertime, the Canadian and international Francophonie, the Belle Province, and all the other French-speaking communities of Canada, including the Acadians and the Brayons (or people of Madawaska) in New Brunswick!