Category: Sackville’s Memorial park

Recently, Dr. Lametti introduced Bill 36. He tried to convince us in the media that this is meant to “tackle hate speech” (https://globalnews.ca/video/7976115/canada-announces-multi-faceted-approach-to-combat-online-hate-speech-crime-with-bill-c-36).

What is “hate” to begin with, Dr. Lametti?

Who will define or identify it?

And why do you think we need such a bill?

Thank you for your hard work… but, NO, to your Bill 36.

This bill is not just a slippery slope toward a government-sanctioned form of censorship.

This bill is the evidence of it.

Sadly, Bill 36 was introduced by a party called “Liberal” for which Bambi has voted most of her Canadian voting life.

With all due respect, Bambi finds this bill to be illiberal.  

She strongly opposes it.

Mind you, she would have opposed it, regardless of the political party introducing it.

Yes, sorry Dr. Lametti/Mr Trudeau, but Mr. Levant seems to be right about it and how we went from Bill 10 to Bill 36:  https://www.rebelnews.com/justin_trudeau_introduces_worst_censorship_law_of_any_western_democracy  .

According to Global News (https://globalnews.ca/news/7976076/bill-c-36-online-hate-canada/), “the bill would amend the Canadian Human Rights Act to make it a “discriminatory practice” to communicate hate speech through the internet where it is “likely to foment detestation or vilification of an individual or group of individuals on the basis of a prohibited ground of discrimination.”

Clearly, this bill can target citizens like Bambi who express their opinions about this or that topic.

In the case of Bambi’s blog, a person or a group may claim they felt offended, emotionally triggered, or specifically “hated” while reading this or that post.

Some of us may have a thin skin… others bad faith. Yet others may truly feel like they are being hated.

According to Bill 36, her blog would communicate so-called “hate speech” that can in the future be considered as “a discriminatory practice” (https://globalnews.ca/news/7976076/bill-c-36-online-hate-canada/). Since when do we discriminate against anyone by sharing our thoughts?

Similarly, Bill 36 can/will sadly be used against Bambi’s fellow citizens.

This makes Bambi think of “You are next”, to borrow the brilliant title of Dr. Jordan Person’s interview.

The next person may be you… or Mr. Levant or his guest, called Mr. Spencer Fernando (in the link above), whether you agree with their opinions or not, whether you like OR “hate” them, online or in real life.

Instead of leaving alone citizens who think differently on this or that issue, we are proposing a bill that can fine them… and silence them.

Is this fair?

With such bill, will Canada remain democratic in the very long-term?

Plus, we are no longer talking here about our own beautiful criminal laws or violations of our Charter.

We are not just condemning violence or defamation, as per our laws… We are rather promoting censorship.

We are doing it by using (or claiming to use) feelings. As Mr. Levant explained it well, who has not loved or hated someone or something in his life at one point or at another?

Stated differently, this bill has the potential of being highly arbitrary and has the power to censor Canadians.

Bambi does not support it, even if it is presented to her as an appealing candy called “anti-hate”.

Is this the kind of Canada you want to live in in 2, 5, 10, or 25 years if this bill or similar ones become laws?

This is surely not where Bambi would like to see Canada in 5, 10, and 25 years from now.

With all due respect to these beautiful places, Bambi does not want Canada to resemble Qatar, Dubai, Singapore… or China.

Yes, the above are all authoritarian places. So why are we modelling them?

To conclude this post, Bambi urges you to re-consider Bill 36, Dr. Lametti/Mr. Trudeau.

It is also her hope that our lawmakers, from the other parties and the independent voices (i.e. Ms. Jody Wilson-Raybould) will have enough lucidity and courage to say no to this bill, if they also see what Bambi is seeing.

Thank you.

Before beginning this post, tragically and once again, Canadians heard devastating yet not surprising news today. Nothing could be said or added to what we are reading in both national and international media about the discovery of more (751 :(!) graves near a former residential school, this time in Saskatchewan.

If she may, Bambi would like to start this post by pausing to take the time to say a little prayer in her heart: May the memory of all these children be eternal… and more healing to the hearts of their family members, friends, communities, and to all of us.

Now, this being said, Bambi will put aside sadness, to end this Saint-Jean-Baptiste day on a French musical note… from Lebanon.

Well, she just heard the song below on her favourite American internet radio while working. Each day starts and ends, late in the evening, with the same full hour of French music. Cool!

Bambi hopes this cute song from her childhood (that she knows in Arabic) will bring a smile to your face, especially if you can understand its French lyrics. Mind you, the video clip is fun to watch.

The song is about Jeannot (= Jean, Johnny, or Hanna in Arabic) who is madly in love with a beautiful woman from his village. Yes, passion made Jeannot lose his mind. Hence the name of the song “Jeannot, le fou“!

In the original Arabic version, sub-titled in English (that you may have heard on this blog in the past), “Hanna” develops an addiction to alcohol as a result of his impossible love.

Bambi likes the song in both languages. Indeed, the melody is joyful (even if Johnny is unhappy). Plus, it is a cute way to end the Saint-Jean-Baptiste :). Enjoy!

Bambi cannot go to sleep without saying “Bonne Saint-Jean” to the “Belle Province”!

Bonne Saint-Jean-Baptiste also to all the French-Canadians across Canada!

Of course, Happy name day too to Bambi’s second cousin in Beirut (Hello Jean… or Jeannotti :)!

All this being said, below you can find a song that Bambi would like to offer to Québec today. Of course, it is Mr. Gilles Vigneault’s eternal “Gens du pays“. This beautiful song celebrates love, as we do on our loved ones’ birthdays.

Related to the above, Bambi is thinking now of her friend Marie-Eve. Do you see the beautiful fleur-de-lys on the cheek of the little boy (in the YouTube link below)? Well, Marie-Eve drew a fleur-de-lys on Bambi’s face once 🙂 before they attended the celebrations of Saint-Jean-Baptiste on the streets of Montreal. Needless to say that if there is one day in the year that is meant to feel like an immigrant deer proudly in love/harmony with Québec, it is June 24 :).

To conclude this post, although Bambi left Québec over 17 years ago, la “Belle Province” remains in her (i.e., even Fred gave her the title of “Ambassador of Québec” on this blog :)). Indeed, Québec will forever remain in Bambi’s heart and… in her spouse’s (beautiful) French Canadian accent :). Bonne Saint-Jean to him and to all those of you who highlight this day!

Many thanks to Ms. Christine Van Geyn who interviewed Dr. Faisal Bhabha, Bambi/Rima, and Mr. Jonathan Kay.

Bambi was able to witness the talent of Ms. Van Geyn in action (thanks to her efficient team too)!

She was very touched by the sad/unfair story of Dr. Bhabha… She is eager to devote a post to Dr. Faisal Bhababa (talent, story, etc.).

As for Mr. Jonathan Kay, one words remains on her mind and in her heart: MERCI/THANK YOU.

“Christine welcomes Journalist Jon Kay to a discussion with University Professors Faisal Bhabha and Rima Azar who share what happened after their comments were deemed controversial for their respected Universities.“

https://www.newsforum.tv/videos/canadian-justice-free-speech-challenged-on-university-campuses

Yesterday, Bambi discovered the inspiring talent of host and clinical Psychologist Zac Rhodenizer, the Director of the Lethbridge Institute of Family Therapy and LifeSTAR Alberta!

Indeed, what an honour and pleasure to be interviewed by Zac (Rhodenizer). During this chat, Zac and Bambi/Rima tried to explore the psychology of what we call “cancel culture”.

Before sharing the link to their conversation, which was enriching for Bambi (and hopefully helpful to his audience), here is what the “Psychology of… Podcast” is all about: “Psychology is at play all around us. With your host and clinical Psychologist Zac Rhodenizer and his guests, we dive into fascinating topics where psychology plays a major role but is often overlooked, such as mountain climbing, pro wrestling, politics, eating, and much more!”

MANY thanks for this invitation and for your KIND support! Long life to the much needed “Psychology of… Podcast“. Please keep up your smart and compassionate work Zac Rhodenizer. Bambi is grateful… and Canada/the world need you!

Bambi would like to thank her friend for kindly sharing the published findings of the most recent Angus Reid Institute poll:

https://epaper.nationalpost.com/article/281505049181138

https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/one-third-of-canadians-believe-they-live-in-a-racist-country-poll

As reported by the National Post, “two-thirds of Canadians say they do not live in a racist country“. Interesting finding, which indicates that Bambi and the majority of her fellow citizens share the same opinion about Canada :).

This being said, Bambi is curious to know why one out of three Canadians think otherwise. It would be perhaps informative to explore this result in further surveys. Anyhow, Bambi finds it sad to read that as many Canadians seem to believe that their country is racist.

For fun, to conclude this post, here is a song that Bambi would like to offer to Canada. It is by Lebanese diva Fairouz, singing for her “little house in Canada” (in Arabic)… from as far as Beirut, Lebanon.

A beautiful, moving, and classical French song, to begin with. Thanks to Mr. Claude Barzotti!

Because the song above may have been too serious/emotional, let’s sing a lighter song now, just meant to wish you a Happy (and hopefully sunny) Father’s day from the bottom of our hearts with MUCH LOVE!!

Thank you Roula for sharing your beautiful pictures and videos of the sunset in Ehden, North of Lebanon!

This time, Bambi got it right– These are pictures truly taken in Ehden… and not in Becharreh 🙂 (as in the earlier post below)!

—

Lebanon’s charm: Discover Ehden!

Bambi concluded her last post by calling Lebanon “tiny bankrupt yet always charming“. If you thought she was exaggerating, this post will hopefully convince you that her choice of the word “charming” was VERY accurate :)!

First, you may wonder. Why is Bambi talking about Ehden today? Well, her sister Roula, once again, enriched her blog with beautiful pictures (thanks also to her other sister, Rania, for her professional pictures in earlier posts)!

Before, showing you Roula’s pictures taken today, please let Bambi introduce you to Ehden. What and where is it? According to Wikipedia (Bambi double-checked its accuracy :), the term Ehden would be اٍهدن‎ in Arabic and ܐܗܕ ܢ in Syriac-Aramaic; Aramaic was the language spoken by Jesus, which is another Semitic language. Ehden is “a mountainous town in the heart of the northern mountains of Lebanon and on the southwestern slopes of Mount Makmal in the Mount Lebanon Range. Its residents are the people of Zgharta, as it is within the Zgharta District”.

Bambi has fond memories from two of her trips back to Lebanon when her parents took her to visit Ehden and this region, namely Bcharreh, the forests of the Cedars of Lebanon, etc. They then drove through Tripoli and all the way back to Beirut. Anyhow, Ehden is the charm in itself. You are above the clouds literally (1500+ meters above sea level). You are instantly connected to nature and, through it, you feel the spirituality in the air… The smells of nature, the beautiful sound of birds breaking the charm of silence, etc. And of course, there is the smells and taste of food!! Lebanon is famous for its delicious food, as you can see in the video below by Mr. Anthony Rahael, sub-titled in English. Mmm!!!!

Now, whether you took the time to watch the video or not, here are Ms. Roula Douglas’ pictures, a highly recommended place to visit one day!

To conclude this post, if Fred happens to be reading this post, Bambi can assure him that she can be the Ambassador of several beautiful jurisdictions at the same time (this is not possible for diplomats!): Québec, as you honoured her with your title of “Ambassador” of it (even if you were teasing her about Bill 21 :), her whole Canada (including her New-Brunswick and the entire Maritimes), and Lebanon. She remains attached to the latter, especially that her immediate family moved back over twenty years ago. If you are wondering again if she is being paid by the Government of Lebanon to promote tourism, she is not either 🙂 (and no, not because they are sadly bankrupt)!

Bambi toured the news from Beirut today. She could not help not to cry at the sad (and worrisome) news about the Lebanese army.

She thought of her birth country and all its soldiers and their families. She particularly thought of her friend Adelle whose daughter and son are both in the army.

Because of Lebanon’s financial crisis, among its additional multiple crises, the army cannot feed its soldiers anymore, support them with medication, and even pay their salaries. One must recall that it has been over a year that those soldiers have not been served meat because it is too expensive:

France 24: “Food insecurity hits middle class amid Lebanon’s economic crisis”

It seems that the monthly salary of a soldier is now worth US$90 in the middle of hyperinflation:

https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/with-few-tangibles-world-powers-promise-help-lebanese-army-2021-06-17/

https://bambisafkar.ca/index.php/2021/06/13/how-will-tiny-bankrupt-yet-resilient-lebanon-survive-the-loss-of-90-of-its-currencys-value-since-late-2019/.

Thanks to France, along with Italy and the United Nations forces in Lebanon, an international virtual conference was recently held to try to support the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF).

As explained by the Chief of the LAF, if Lebanon’s army collapses, it is not just Lebanon that suffers… but also the entire region. Indeed, the army is the symbol of unity in the country of the Cedars. It is like the last red line to preserve in order to keep Lebanon united. It has the respect of all. There is a reason why people patriotically call a soldier “Watan” (= the country or homeland). In their mind, he/she represents the whole country.

Remember Lebanon has a powerful group within it that is like a state larger than the official state. There is also the ghost of civil war when the army was too weak, became divided and when communitarianism (or sectarianism) resulted in each group with its own security forces… and then all began fighting each other.

Below you can find the appeal of the Lebanon’s army Chief (starting at 15 seconds into this video and in English):

To conclude this post on a musical note meant to honour and thank the Lebanese soldiers for their service/sacrifices, here is a song that Bambi just found. It is by Ms. Hiba Tawaji. Bambi would like to dedicate it to each person serving in the army and contributing to the unity and stability of tiny bankrupt yet always charming Lebanon.