Thoughts on Public Transit

The Toronto Transit went on strike for a little over a day - midnight to early evening Sunday, only after the mayor and province legislated a back-to-work action. As I sit here and read the same comments over and over, I don't understand why these people continue to write away on the CBC's website - how many people read these comments, who are you reaching? Will this really make a difference? Probably not, the same crap occurred a few years back and although the same forum was not widely used, but nevertheless the same feelings were being expressed on local television broadcasts. Its a waste of time complaining - if you are not apart of the solution, you are part of the problem. That's it. No matter where you go, every city has its fair share of problems - in Berlin, the stop I take most often does not have a ticket collector, you validate your ticket and hop on the train. In Paris, you validate your ticket on the way 'out' of the station. Berlin has its transit cops that walk through trains checking for tickets and if you are caught without you are fined. My feeling is, they most likely have the backing of government funding, more so than Toronto's - but they have a very efficient system, you rarely have to deal with staff at all - so this would take care of the rudeness of transit workers here - put automated systems in all the stations, and get rid of ticket collectors all together. Put a barrier for the bus/streetcar drivers, so we don't have to look at their ugly mugs, pay your fair, swipe your pass - to get through the turnstile or to be let off the vehicle.

Founding Principles -Conservative Party of Canada

The Conservative Party will be guided in its constitutional framework and its policy basis by the following principles:

1. A balance between fiscal accountability, progressive social policy and individual rights and responsibilities;
2. Build a national coalition of people who share these beliefs and who reflect the regional, cultural and socio-economic diversity of Canada;
3. Develop this coalition, embracing our differences and respecting our traditions, yet honoring a concept of Canada as the greater sum of strong parts;
4. The Conservative Party will operate in a manner accountable and responsive to its members;
5. A belief in loyalty to a sovereign and united Canada governed in accordance with the Constitution of Canada, the supremacy of democratic parliamentary institutions and the rule of law;
6. A belief in the equality of all Canadians;
7. A belief in the freedom of the individual, including freedom of speech, worship and assembly;
8. A belief in our constitutional monarchy, the institutions of Parliament and the democratic process;
9. A belief in the federal system of government as the best expression of the diversity of our country, and in the desirability of strong provincial and territorial governments;
10. A belief that English and French have equality of status, and equal rights and privileges as to their use in all institutions of the Parliament and Government of Canada;
11. A belief that the best guarantors of the prosperity and well-being of the people of Canada are:
1. The freedom of individual Canadians to pursue their enlightened and legitimate self-interest within a competitive economy;
2. The freedom of individual Canadians to enjoy the fruits of their labour to the greatest possible extent; and
3. The right to own property;
12. A belief that a responsible government must be fiscally prudent and should be limited to those responsibilities which cannot be discharged reasonably by the individual or others;
13. A belief that it is the responsibility of individuals to provide for themselves, their families and their dependents, while recognizing that government must respond to those who require assistance and compassion;
14. A belief that the purpose of Canada as a nation state and its government, guided by reflective and prudent leadership, is to create a climate wherein individual initiative is rewarded, excellence is pursued, security and privacy of the individual is provided and prosperity is guaranteed by a free competitive market economy;
15. A belief that the quality of the environment is a vital part of our heritage to be protected by each generation for the next;
16. A belief that Canada should accept its obligations among the nations of the world;
17. A belief that good and responsible government is attentive to the people it represents and has representatives who at all times conduct themselves in an ethical manner and display integrity, honesty and concern for the best interest of all;
18. A belief that all Canadians should have reasonable access to quality health care regardless of their ability to pay; and
19. A belief that the greatest potential for achieving social and economic objectives is under a global trading regime that is free and fair.

The first thing I noticed is the placement of any social 'principles'. Equal access to healthcare is 2nd from the bottom, while ensuring French/English is way up there. Throughout, they talk about equality individuality, sovereignty, individuality. Interesting...

tow or toe the line

Another instance of "...hmm, I did not know!". I was reading the latest blog of Bob Rae and came across this phrase, toe the line. At first I thought did he spell that correctly? So a quick google search and Voila!, the meaning below, was found on a blog about grammar.

"The phrase "toe the line" is equivalent to "toe the mark," both of which mean to conform to a rule or a standard. The Oxford Dictionary of Word Histories (Oxford: Oxford Univ. Press, 2002; ed. by Glynnis Chantrell) says, "The idiom toe the line from an athletics analogy originated in the early 19th century" (514).

The specific sport referred to is foot-racing, where the competitors must keep their feet behind a "line" or on a "mark" at the start of the race--as in "On your mark, get set, go!"

So one who "toes the line" is one who does not allow his foot to stray over the line. In other words, one who does not stray beyond a rigidly defined boundary."

Source: "http://grammartips.homestead.com/toetheline.html"

Germany - PopXport

another day....

~ not another dollar that's for sure. I hate being caught in the middle of feuding friends (or co-workers). Its terrible when one is always trying to gain allegiance by all who will listen. I like them both, but when the bickering stopped and they both stopped talking to the other, the true colours can be seen. I am not perfect, but I couldn't work in a hostile environment - the scenario: the two woman were friends, the partners/husbands are friends... one day, Friend A goes out with the other couple and is introduced to some scumbag, and well, to shorten this - she breaks up with the boyfriend of 17 years, and lets the s/b move in after a couple of months, and surprise - surprise, by the end of the year, she's married to him. He's a accused 'woman beater' - I say accused because this is all hearsay. I don't trust him - he gives me the creeps and everyone is convinced he's only out for her dosh. After everything that's happened to her, I really hope that she loves him - because if he fucks her up, she won't have many friends to pick up the pieces when he's thrown in jail or whatever. And if I am wrong, and he really does care and treats her well, then good- I hope he was worth it.