“Attendance at any indoor private social gathering is not permitted for vaccine-eligible individuals who are unvaccinated“.
We understand we are (still) in a pandemic. We understand that massive vaccination, perhaps along with physical distancing (and/or other strategies, as needed), are the best tools available to public health to help in getting us as efficiently as possible out of the pandemic.
However, why do governments feel entitled to dictate to people whom to socialize with or not? Whom to socially exclude or not? Since when this personal (or maybe familial?) decision about whom to invite to one’s place or not is the business of a government?
Why are politicians fostering social division among Canadians to that extent? Aren’t we already divided enough? And are they going to fine people over this, by the way?
Alternatively, why don’t they use more positive, rewarding educational methods of primary prevention to promote vaccination?
To conclude this post, perhaps it would be wise if our decision-makers learn to avoid overcontrol, even if it is in the name of our protection… and despite their fear of the coronavirus.
MAFA is the Mount Allison University Faculty Association of about150 full-time and 60 part-time faculty and librarian members.
CAUT (ACPPU in French) is the Canadian Association of University Teachers or the “Association canadienne des professeures et professeurs d’université “.
CAUT was established in 1951 and its website describes it as “the national voice of the university body. CAUT represents more than 72,000 professors, librarians, researchers and other academics and is committed to academic freedom and is actively working in the public interest to improve the quality and accessibility of post-secondary education in Canada“.
Thus, Bambi is BOTH honoured and delighted that CAUT is supporting MAFA in her grievance, as per its bulletin of September, 2021.
The CAUT statement in both official languages is shown in the two screenshots at the end of this post.
Alternatively, you may wish to read the same texts directly in the CAUT bulletin. The English statement can be found in the first link and in the top left of page 9 in the second PDF link. The French statement appears on page 11 of the second PDF link:
Bambi would like to thank her friend Joëlle for sharing this moving song described further below [as taken from the YouTube channel of Ms. Pascale Ojeil with a quick English translation followed by the lyrics in Corsican (Corsu) and Arabic].
Bambi had the chance to visit the charming Corsica with her family almost a decade ago. It is a piece of heaven in the middle of the Mediterranean sea.
As for Lebanon, she is too biased to tell you about its beauty (for having been born there and for having visited it several times over the past 31 years), so she will let the pictures speak for themselves.
According to “Cèdre Corse” (which Ms. Ojeil is the spokesperson), and as reported by France Info, “Sintineddi sounds like a tribute from Corsica to a Lebanon bruised by all the crises it is going through… It is a way to make the reality of what the Lebanese are going through in Corsica and to help them in these difficult times” (https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/corse/corse-la-chanson-sintineddi-au-service-des-libanais-2244505.html).
The song is meant to raise awareness about Lebanon in Corsica in order to help support Lebanese students in their access to education following the Beirut explosion of August 4, 2020.
Grazie
“Pascale Ojeil and Jean Charles Papi, propose to us to combine the two shores of the Mediterranean and to build a bridge between East and West where the sentries of yesteryear, who have seen so many and so many crises, offer us a glimpse of today ‘ there are so many outstretched hands and why not happiness on the horizon.
As the situation of the Lebanese people continues to deteriorate, Pascale Ojeil has decided to express the suffering of this people through “Sintineddi” Lebanon needs sentries!
Godmother of the association “Le Cèdre Corse”, chaired by Father Louis El Rahi, Pascale wanted to offer through this song a way to raise awareness of the situation of Lebanese families and to act through the association to help them pay for the their children’s education.”
Beirut has been on Bambi’s mind all weekend, especially after reading on Friday evening that Lebanon has finally a government. Yes, all this after over 13 months of wasted time in which the country has been in freefall :(!
This morning, Bambi called her parents. They had no power (the country being bankrupt). They were sitting on their balcony, trying to breathe fresh air, as it remains too hot indoors without air conditioning. What do they and their neighbours do to keep their (expensive) food fresh in their fridge? What do they do with their medication when it needs to remain stored at low temperature? How do they manage to sleep at night?
Although Bambi’s parents did not complain, she kept thinking of them all day long. Why do the people of Lebanon, especially its seniors, have to go through this adversity affecting their daily quality of life, in addition to the devastating hyperinflation?
We can chose to remain positive in life and say that at least they have their beautiful flowers to appreciate while sitting on their balcony:
A first picture taken by Bambi’s dad from their balcony in Beirut, Lebanon. Bravo to Bambi’s mom for her green thumb (and her dad for helping :)!
A second picture taken by Bambi’s dad. Bravo to Bambi’s mom for her green thumb (and her dad for helping :)!
A third picture taken by Bambi’s dad. Bravo to her mom for her green thumb (and her dad for helping)!
Bambi does not understand the internal politics of Lebanon for having left her birth country for too long (i.e., over 31 years now). Thus, she has no clue about the political calculations that led to nominating the current Ministers of this recent government. Who are they? Will they succeed in doing something useful to lift their country out of the hell of its multiple crises? Will they begin to reform? Or will they just act as a band-aid government?
Talking about Lebanon’s governance, in this country, the power-sharing system divides posts according to religious sects. For Bambi, such political system based on sectarian quotas is both odd and ugly. Indeed, the modern history of this country gives us a clear lesson that sectarianism (versus merit) can destroy countries. Thus, it is Bambi’s hope that we will not fall into a trap similar to the above in Canada.
To conclude this post, Beirutis love their city (which is the capital). They resist leaving it. They sing for it. They dream of “re-building its houses” and are convinced that “it is eternal“, as per this beautiful song that Bambi discovered today on her Internet radio from LA. The singer is called Mr. Rabih Baroud. The song is called: “Beirut does not die“. Bambi would like to offer this song to her parents and to their/her beloved Beirut, with much love!
Mr. Trudeau, Bambi is scared of the direction of Canada under your (or your political party’ s) governance, despite your good work on some issues in addition to the talent of many of your colleagues. Yes, you do scare her with your spending, with some of your policies/programs that foster sectarianism, and especially with your illiberalism (i.e., Bill C-36 limiting freedom of expression!). Yet, she calls you her Prime Minister (at least until September 20, 2021). Plus, she respects you/your position. She even wishes you the best.
So, why can’t you call Rebel News “a media organization” (like all the others that get financial support from our federal government)?
It is surprising to hear your comment below, without even answering the legitimate question(s) of the journalist. You did so, even after Rebel News successfully sued to have access to the federal leaders’ debates (for the second time, it seems). Bravo to the journalist who reminded you of this. A big bravo to our court system for its independence.
Again, Mr. Trudeau, why can’t you answer this “media organization”s relevant questions, as Ms. Anamie Paul did? The latter was asked about Mr. Maxime Bernier who was not allowed in the debate? She answered the Rebel News‘ question very well by saying that we need to ensure that smaller parties (like hers) have a voice too, that is not always the same old, large parties.
This being said, this story related to independent work is making Bambi think of the English debate’s loaded question that was addressed to Mr. Blanchet. It came from a moderator who even admitted that her question was vetted by ” by several levels in the organization” (i.e., the polling firm Angus Reid). Isn’t it scary that so many smart media people approved calling a bill (democratically voted for) that protects the French language discriminatory? Does this make any sense to you? Same for the bill on secularism, which is made in Québec, by Québec, and for Québec ONLY (whether we like it or not).
To conclude this post, in Arabic they say “el Mamnouw Marghoub“. This means “what is forbidden is desirable“? So Mr. Trudeau, watch out. Your strategy (of exclusion) of the political competition or, even worse, of Canadian journalists, may backfire in the end.
In 2016, the French-speaking newspaper La Presse invited readers to share their memories or thoughts about the 9/11 tragedy, which took place on September 11, 2001. Unfortunately, Bambi missed the deadline. Thus, her comment was never published. If she may, she would like to share this brief reflection with you.
The original text, written in French, appears first. This is followed by a quick translation into English:
Bambi’s reflection on the 9/11 tragedy (n French):
“Je pense aux familles des victimes du 11 Septembre, 2011. Comment l’être humain peut-il être si méchant envers d’autres humains innocents? Je ne le comprendrais jamais. Je demeure bouche bée 15 [et maintenant 20 ans] plus tard!
A l’époque, je vivais à Montréal. Je me souviens encore de l’appel de mes parents de Beyrouth choqués et morts d’inquiétude. Pour les rassurer, j’ai dû leur rappeler la distance géographique New York-Montréal.
En ce qui me concerne, cet acte terroriste a eu lieu à ma 11ème année depuis mon immigration au Canada. Pour la première fois depuis 1990, j’ai fait des cauchemars pendant 3 nuits consécutives. Mes souvenirs de la guerre civile, que j’ai vécue de l’âge de 3 à 17 ans, sont remontés à la surface de ma mémoire. “Ça alors, la violence pouvait arriver ici aussi” fut ma première pensée.
Une autre pensée tragi-comique, qui avait traversé mon esprit, était la suivante: Comment ces terroristes d’origine arabe ont-ils “réussi” leur coup criminel avec ponctualité alors que les arabes sont connus pour être tout sauf ponctuels?
Je rêve du jour où tous les jeunes, issus du Proche-Orient meurtri, choisissent de mettre leur savoir au service de l’innovation scientifique au lieu de la terreur barbare.“
An English translation of Bambi’s reflection on the 9/11 tragedy:
“I think of the families of the victims of September 11, 2011. How can humans be so mean to other innocent humans? I would never understand it. I am speechless 15 [and now 20 years] later.
At the time, I was living in Montreal. I still remember the call from my shocked parents in Beirut who were worried sick. To reassure them, I had to remind them of the geographic distance between New York and Montreal.
As far as I’m concerned, this terrorist act took place in my 11th year since I immigrated to Canada. For the first time since 1990, I had nightmares for 3 consecutive nights. My memories of the civil war, which I experienced from the ages of 3 to 17, came back to the surface of my memory. “Gosh, violence could happen here too” was my first thought.
Another tragicomic thought, which had crossed my mind, was the following: How did these terrorists of Arab origins “pull off” their criminal coup with punctuality when Arabs are known to be anything but punctual?
I dream of the day when all young people from the battered Middle East choose to put their knowledge in the service of scientific innovation instead of barbaric terror. “
To conclude this post, Bambi will borrow the beautiful words of Mr. Nicola Ciconne from his song entiled “Nous serons six milliards” [“We will be six billion“] about the choice of love. Yes LOVE, despite wars’ adversity and/or our lack of courage (it is easier to hate). Following the song, if you wish, you may read a quick English translation of its lyrics. May the memory of the 9/11 victims be eternal. May love and peace prevail not just in the United States, but also across the world (including the Middle East).
Bambi is neither a climatologist nor a political scientist. However, as a deer with ears and a brain, she also heard what Mr. Mario Dumont is describing and she happens to agree with his insights. Food for thought…
First, here is Mr.
Dumont’s article (in French) published in the Journal de Montréal:
Second and finally, here is a quick English translation (OK, it includes a couple of comments by Bambi).
“What a
ridiculous moment during the electoral debates! The leaders who are relaunching
themselves on the targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The bidding is
enough to provoke a laugh.
The
Conservatives promise a 30% reduction, the Liberals do better at 40%.
The Bloc
(which will never govern) and the NDP (whose promises are not quantified)
promise a reduction of 50%.
In an
auction, the town crier would ask “Who says better?” »The Green
Party! A reduction of 60%.
This
one-upmanship discredits serious work on climate change.
Never
reached
First, how
do you throw such huge targets in the air when we know Canada has never met its
targets in the past? On several occasions, our emissions have even increased!
There is a limit to living in one’s whims. Leaders talk about hitting targets in the future as if it were child’s play. Canada is struggling to reduce emissions by 1% and suddenly, during an election campaign, we could reduce them by half without making any sacrifices.
So far, only
one type of event can be associated with years of declining emissions. These
are not actions of governments, they are economic recessions. When the economy
takes a nosedive, factories shut down and freight traffic slows, our emissions
go down.
A decrease
Second, no
one even dares to move forward on the far-reaching changes in our lives that
would be needed to get closer to such so-called lofty goals. Sacrifices,
abandonment of activities, travel. Job losses by the tens of thousands too.
We will be told that renewable energy will create new jobs [Mr. Blanchet said it in both French and English; contrary to others who say, or appear to say, one thing in a language and its opposite in the other; mind you, some even insult in one language but not in the other], and it is true. But reducing emissions by 50% or 60% in nine years is a radical shock. It is a pure lie to believe that the transition from new jobs to lost jobs will be smooth.
We are talking
about a decrease, a rise in the cost of living and a fall in income. An
impoverishment that will hurt several households and which all ignore.
Our party leaders never mention a single sacrifice. The pandemic has given us an idea of what it means to hit highly “ambitious” targets. Remember when everything was at a standstill, we had dramatically improved our record [Lebanon probably hit its own record lately without fuel for cars, hospitals, bakeries, factories, hospitals, and private generators to run, in addition to lack of cooking gas, medication, food, etc.].
Everyone
confined to home, no travel, almost no leisure, no visiting friends or family,
we can imagine that our emissions record must have improved. However, at the
time, the experts told us that it was not enough yet. Not enough.
In truth, it
is science and technology that will help us [Bambi
agrees]. More than politics.
In the
meantime, I am looking for politicians who will articulate concrete changes to
me in honest terms. From now on, I will listen more to the politician who
describes a specific measure that will reduce our emissions by 2% than to
conjurers by 50%.”
Well, we learned today more about the lady who encouraged this intellectual inquisition. It seems that the “Co-chair of Liberals’ Indigenous commission resigns after questions emerge about ancestry“.
Bambi does not know about you, but she does not care about this lady’s ancestry.
She only cares about the impact of extremism in life.
In her mind, burning books or destroying/erasing the past is not a wise approach to improving the future.
Why don’t we find more constructive, efficient, and less violent ways in life?
In addition, why are Radio-Canada and the CBC insinuating that the issue here is the (incomplete) ancestry of this lady? And is the problem of book burning solved with her resignation?
Are inquisitions wise or justified when a person possesses this ancestry or that trait?
In our collectively insane times, we went from censoring to now burning books we do not like.
We also censor, to the point of socially and professionally trying to eliminate, those we do not agree with.
We burn churches because of wrongdoing (ironically affecting Indigenous communities as well as new immigrant ones, which have nothing to do with our tragic past).
We justify violence when it is against others.
We do not denounce violence (enough) when it suits us.
Today, we are burning books. Tomorrow what?
And once again, can someone explain to Bambi how book burning will bring the overdue justice to the Indigenous people of Canada?
Many thanks to VICE News for this documentary on tiny, bankrupt yet (hopefully) eternally beautiful Lebanon.
Talking about beauty despite misery, Bambi thanks journalist Roula Douglas for her moving words: “Without poetry, nor denial. No retouching or filter. Lebanon is that too“.
Oui, merci Roula pour les belles photos de ton/notre beau Liban qui souffre tant.
