I just came home from Church. I went to an alternate than my usual one, since I knew that 'Rememberence Day' would at my home church would also be a call to support our troops in Afganistan, something I cannot do. The theme at the church I was visiting was 'Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God' (Mathew 5)'. I thought that this was a safe theme to support, since I am a pacificist. On the whole, it was good. However, I was also very disturbed. It happens to me every 'Rememberence Day'.
This is the source of my disturbance - As Christians, and as Canadians in general, many still seem to believe that our troops are engaged in peace-keeping, and that Canada continues in its strong tradition as a 'peacekeeper'. In the sermon, references were made to Lester B. Pearson, the winner of the Nobel Prize for Peace and our former Prime Minister. He was lauded, appropriately, as the conceptualizer of the initial UN Peacekeeping forces which were effective in the Suez, Cyprus, and other places of conflict. He IS one that we, as Canadians, should be proud to admire and follow.
However, from the description of L.B. Pearson, the sermon went immediately into 'remembering' our soldiers in Afghanisan, inferring that they, in the Canadian tradition, are following a peacekeeping role. This is totally and absolutely incorrect - Our troops were and are stationed in Afghanistan as one of the allies, against the 'enemies' of democracy; we are an aggressive fighting force with the goal of killing the enemy. THIS IS NOT PEACEKEEPING --- Peacekeeping has at it's core, neutrality. The role of a peacekeeper is reconciliation and cessation of fighting. The text is not, "Blessed are those who choose the right side in war, for they shall be called the children of God." Our government has long ago left our traditions and the will of the majority of Canadians who support a neutral stance in conflict, identifying multiple 'enemies' of Canadians - the Tamils in Sri Lanka through the identification of the Tamil Tigers as 'terrorists', the Palestinians, through the blind support of Israel, to name a couple more, over-and above Islamic extremist groups. What I find most disturbing is that this direction seems to be initiated by 'Christians' in politics, and largely supported by the Christian church.
When will the Christians begin to follow the teachings of Christ who said, "blessed are the peacemakers; love your enemies,...bless them that curse you, ... if you are asked for your coat, give two, .... if you are struck on one cheek, turn the other, ...." and so on??? More and more, as I work in areas of conflict, as I attempt to follow the values of Christ, I find myself believing that there is NO justification for war. What recent war has led to a better world? ....Vietnam, Israel-Arab conflicts, Iraq???
Am I a voice 'crying in the wilderness' - where are 'the others', both Christian and non-Christian who are truly peace-keepers? When will our views be represented in foreign policy? I remained disturbed and disillusioned.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Friday, October 30, 2009
Immunization Fiasco
This is a Rant - My spouse, a kidney transplant patient, auto-immune suppressed, went to a local Calgary clinic at 10am this morning. The line was about 3 blocks long, the temperature about zero. After being told that they might not get in, then told they had a chance, after 4 hours, she was told to go home, since they wouldn't get in before the early closing time of 3.30 (This was in spite of posting messages on the internet saying they were open until 8pm; when asked why it was closing early, the people were told, ask Ron Liepert!). She was surrounded by young mom's with small children, elderly with walkers; all freezing with no chairs, no washrooms, no nursing facilities for these moms.
Based on this, I have several suggestions: a) Mr Liepert - please stand in line for your innoculation for at least 4-5 hours, outside, then go back to your planning. b) Apply triage: ONLY those who are high risk should be allowed to be innoculated for the first few days., OR c) at least have people who go up and down the line and sort out those of high risk or those who find it hard to stand in line (e.g. elderly, frail, those with assistive devices, pregnant mothers, women with small children) and put them either at the front of the line or in a 'streamlined' line. d) Release the serum to doctors of specialty clinics who would then arrange for their high risk patients to be innoculated, e) Release the serum to local doctors who would arrange for their high risk patients to be innoculated. I'm sure that the medical community could come up with many other ideas to speed up this process. WE ARE NOT CATTLE - WE DESERVE TO BE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT!
This fiasco certainly shows a lack of planning, critical thinking and ability to priorize by those who are in charge of our health system. Imagine what the ramifications would be if the swine flu was actually virulent?
Perhaps this is what happens when a populace allows business and financial people to run a province? Wouldn't it make sense to have those with medical background to administer our health system rather than politicians? OR (horror of horrors) could this also apply to education? Wouldn't it be better for education to be administrated by educators rather than financial people and/or politicians?
UPDATE - 2nd day - My wife has now been in line for a total of 9 hours; she began at 7am this morning! Still no innoculation and SHE IS A PRIORITY! I now update my recommendation: Mr Liepert, stand in line for 10 hours, outside, with no services, THEN go back to the drawing board and do a better planning job (Perhaps you could humble yourself to ask those who might have experience in this field?)
UPDATE - 3rd day - We did get our shots - 1o hours of waiting. I listened to Ron Leipert this morning on CBC, he's chosen to "think only of the positive and what has been accomplished", and has taken no responsibility for the hardships that those at high risk went through. Thinking only on the positive does not allow for any of the (negative) issues raised to be addressed - this is a concrete example of a choice to NOT critically think about an issue by considering all factors and changing approach accordingly. Liepert's view is another example of the ministers of Alberta Government as an unfeeling, hard-nosed group of politicians who are unable to think critically, plan well nor put themselves in the shoes of the populace.
Based on this, I have several suggestions: a) Mr Liepert - please stand in line for your innoculation for at least 4-5 hours, outside, then go back to your planning. b) Apply triage: ONLY those who are high risk should be allowed to be innoculated for the first few days., OR c) at least have people who go up and down the line and sort out those of high risk or those who find it hard to stand in line (e.g. elderly, frail, those with assistive devices, pregnant mothers, women with small children) and put them either at the front of the line or in a 'streamlined' line. d) Release the serum to doctors of specialty clinics who would then arrange for their high risk patients to be innoculated, e) Release the serum to local doctors who would arrange for their high risk patients to be innoculated. I'm sure that the medical community could come up with many other ideas to speed up this process. WE ARE NOT CATTLE - WE DESERVE TO BE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT!
This fiasco certainly shows a lack of planning, critical thinking and ability to priorize by those who are in charge of our health system. Imagine what the ramifications would be if the swine flu was actually virulent?
Perhaps this is what happens when a populace allows business and financial people to run a province? Wouldn't it make sense to have those with medical background to administer our health system rather than politicians? OR (horror of horrors) could this also apply to education? Wouldn't it be better for education to be administrated by educators rather than financial people and/or politicians?
UPDATE - 2nd day - My wife has now been in line for a total of 9 hours; she began at 7am this morning! Still no innoculation and SHE IS A PRIORITY! I now update my recommendation: Mr Liepert, stand in line for 10 hours, outside, with no services, THEN go back to the drawing board and do a better planning job (Perhaps you could humble yourself to ask those who might have experience in this field?)
UPDATE - 3rd day - We did get our shots - 1o hours of waiting. I listened to Ron Leipert this morning on CBC, he's chosen to "think only of the positive and what has been accomplished", and has taken no responsibility for the hardships that those at high risk went through. Thinking only on the positive does not allow for any of the (negative) issues raised to be addressed - this is a concrete example of a choice to NOT critically think about an issue by considering all factors and changing approach accordingly. Liepert's view is another example of the ministers of Alberta Government as an unfeeling, hard-nosed group of politicians who are unable to think critically, plan well nor put themselves in the shoes of the populace.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Vimy Ridge: Comments from CBC's Cross-Country Check-up
I am a Canadian, but have been 'away' from Canada for the last 10 years. This year has been spent re-adjusting to a changed Canada. During my time away, I was exposed to the effects of war in Kuwait, Palestine, Israel, Turkey, Cambodia & Sri Lanka through both my work with those who have been traumatized by war, and through just visiting these areas.
While away, I promoted in conversations, in a naive and proud way, Canada as a country that did not support war and violence as a solution, but rather, as a country of social justice, rule of law & equity, with its military dedicated to peace-keeping. Upon my return, I find that this Canada does not exist - our cities have numerous homeless, the disparity between rich and poor has increased, health-care coverage is not applied to returning Canadians for three months, even in life-sustaining therapy, public education is underfunded and university is only accessed by those with means. What happened to Canada? Where are our leaders of substance with core values of justice and equity?
How do these ramblings this relate to the question above? After viewing and experiencing, to some small measure, the effects of war, I have concluded that it is extremely important to keep alive the memories of past war. However, the purpose of keeping these memories alive is to demonstrate and remember the foolishness, futility and stupidity of war; to reinforce that violence and war is NEVER a solution.
I am deeply disturbed by our present government's re-militarization of Canada, both in their emphasis of our troops being now in the role of combatants rather than peace-keepers, and today, in their support of the 'Celebration of the battle of Vimy' Ridge as a time when 'Canada became of age'. Is violence and war a method of 'coming of age' to be celebrated? CBC coverage in this similar vein is equally disturbing. When will we ever learn?
If Canadian milestones and sacrifices are to be celebrated, then choose life-building and life-affirming achievements such as universal health care, Canadian Charter of Rights, excellence in education as achievements to be lauded. The futility of war, for example 'the war to end all wars' -- is not something to be celebrated, but rather something to be mourned.
David Peat
While away, I promoted in conversations, in a naive and proud way, Canada as a country that did not support war and violence as a solution, but rather, as a country of social justice, rule of law & equity, with its military dedicated to peace-keeping. Upon my return, I find that this Canada does not exist - our cities have numerous homeless, the disparity between rich and poor has increased, health-care coverage is not applied to returning Canadians for three months, even in life-sustaining therapy, public education is underfunded and university is only accessed by those with means. What happened to Canada? Where are our leaders of substance with core values of justice and equity?
How do these ramblings this relate to the question above? After viewing and experiencing, to some small measure, the effects of war, I have concluded that it is extremely important to keep alive the memories of past war. However, the purpose of keeping these memories alive is to demonstrate and remember the foolishness, futility and stupidity of war; to reinforce that violence and war is NEVER a solution.
I am deeply disturbed by our present government's re-militarization of Canada, both in their emphasis of our troops being now in the role of combatants rather than peace-keepers, and today, in their support of the 'Celebration of the battle of Vimy' Ridge as a time when 'Canada became of age'. Is violence and war a method of 'coming of age' to be celebrated? CBC coverage in this similar vein is equally disturbing. When will we ever learn?
If Canadian milestones and sacrifices are to be celebrated, then choose life-building and life-affirming achievements such as universal health care, Canadian Charter of Rights, excellence in education as achievements to be lauded. The futility of war, for example 'the war to end all wars' -- is not something to be celebrated, but rather something to be mourned.
David Peat
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Funding of Private Schools in Alberta
I am not usually politically active, but my experiences in education over the past three years here in Alberta have led me to begin to make public my opinions. What follows below is a letter which I sent to CBC concerning; a) the reduction in the quality of their reporting and, b) the issue of Government funding levels of private education in Alberta. Please read and respond, if you wish.
2008-08-03
CBC Radio
Calgary
Dear Sir or Madam:
Over the past few days I’ve listened carefully to CBC’s response regarding the funding announcement by Alberta Education detailing the increases to the funding of private schools. Let me first say that I am deeply disappointed by the CBC’s reporting on many fronts. Specifically, the reporting is biased, reflecting only the Alberta Government’s perspective. The last ‘report’, simply detailed the increases, and was shored up by a comment from an administrator of a private school. There was no attempt what so-ever to deal with this topic in a substantive manner, and to detail the ramifications of this decision to public education. In short, I find that the CBC’s quality of reporting has become ‘surface/fast’, rather than ‘deep/substantive’, and in general, the critical thinking necessary to determine what is important versus what is ‘titillating’ is lacking.
I am coming from the perspective of living out of the country for a number of years and then returning to Canada. During our absence, we viewed BBC and found a broadcasting corporation taking their role as critical spokesman for the people, through objective analysis and reporting of issues, very seriously. Also, upon returning to Canada, we could compare our view of CBC of the past to current practice, finding it sadly lacking in objectivity and substance, moving toward news as ‘edutainment’.
Now, back to the issue of Alberta Education’s increased funding of private schools. This is a MAJOR issue. The increased funding is a substantial erosion of public education. The private schools will get substantially increased monies, yet still are able to charge tuition, can raise money as a charity, and yet are not obligated to follow the regulations and guidelines of public education. To be specific, they can control admissions, rejecting students with special needs, and can keep their class sizes at an optimum level. In short, on top of the points mentioned above, these two factors alone put them on a financial footing far above the public schools.
This is in direct contrast to public education who must follow the School Act, the Standards of Special Education and other documents which set a high standard throughout the province. Public education’s increase was 4.53% increase as compared to the private school increase of 22%. This is in spite of the fact that current funding and services in public education is sadly lacking. There are tens of thousands of children in Alberta with diagnosed special needs that are unmet. Charities and NGO’s are supporting education through golf tournaments, charity drives, etc. in order to provide books, assistive technology and school playgrounds! This is a wealthy province in one of the wealthiest nations in the world. Canadians and Albertans should be ashamed of themselves in allowing their politicians to bring education to this low level! Any investigative reporter, with time and resources could verify the above!
Then, there is the basic philosophical argument – This continues the support of the Alberta Government to segregate and compartmentalize Albertan society according to ability level (e.g., intellectual and academic performance = elitism), religion and race. This begs the question – is this the kind of society we want in Alberta, as part of the greater Canada? Is this the kind of society wanted by Albertans? There was no debate, no in-depth analysis by either politicians or the public before this decision was made!
To conclude, concerning the CBC’s (and other press and broadcast bodies) non-coverage of this issue --- How is this possible? How could such an issue be ignored? Do you know of any other issue that has led to a UNIFIED response from the Alberta School Boards Association, the College of Alberta School Superintendents, the Association of School Business Officials of Alberta, and the Alberta School Councils Association (Please see attached letter)?
Come on CBC, do your job! Please raise this issue to the level it should be – one of public awareness and in-depth reasoned debate.
Sincerely,
Dr. David Peat
Calgary, AB
1200, 9925 109 Street Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2J8 Phone: 1.780.451.7122 Fax 1.780.482.5659
Release date: July 31, 2008
MEDIA ADVISORY
Education Groups Alarmed by Government’s Increased Support of Private Schools
Four provincial educational associations have come together to express their alarm with the Alberta government’s decision to substantially increase funding to exclusive private schools.
In 2008/09 private schools will receive an increase in funding of 22%, while Alberta’s public, separate, and francophone schools will only receive a 4.53% increase. And, for the first time, private schools will get access to additional provincial funding , including annual operating and maintenance grants.
“Public dollars should go to fund public education – not private schools,” said ASBA President Heather Welwood. “This decision is unfortunate. Any extra funding could be used to enhance early education programs so that more students graduate from high school and to fix and build desperately needed schools.”
Although accountability measures for private schools will increase marginally with this announcement, they still fall well below that of public schools, noted the organizations. And while public schools are governed by elected trustees, private schools are just that - private. They simply do not have to follow the same rules.
“All parents in Alberta should have the choice of where their children should attend school but private schools can deny access to students and most parents pay substantial tuition fees, a luxury many Albertans can not afford. This decision encourages inequity in the education of children,” says Trina Boymook, president of the Alberta School Councils’ Association. “Albertans should be concerned that this decision did not involve any consultation. This suggests that the government is determined to put more public money into private education no matter what the public wants. This is very disturbing,” she added.
The presidents of the Alberta School Boards Association, the College of Alberta School Superintendents, the Association of School Business Officials of Alberta, and the Alberta School Councils Association will be sending a joint letter to Premier Ed Stelmach expressing their concerns and requesting that he reconsider the decision to increase public funding for private schools.
There are 26,136 students in Alberta’s 173 private schools and 550,324 students in Alberta’s 1800 public schools. Public education includes Alberta’s public, separate and francophone schools.
For more information:
Contact Heather Welwood, President, ASBA at 1.780.812.1895.
Contact David Anderson, Executive Director, ASBA at 1.780.910.8207.
Contact Michele Mulder, Executive Director, ASCA at 1.780.983.5700.
Contact Wayne Braun,Vice-President, ASBOA at 1.403.294.8340
Contact Kath Rhyason, Executive Director, CASS at 1.780.719.3116.
The Alberta School Boards Association serves and represents all Alberta’s public, separate and francophone school boards.
2008-08-03
CBC Radio
Calgary
Dear Sir or Madam:
Over the past few days I’ve listened carefully to CBC’s response regarding the funding announcement by Alberta Education detailing the increases to the funding of private schools. Let me first say that I am deeply disappointed by the CBC’s reporting on many fronts. Specifically, the reporting is biased, reflecting only the Alberta Government’s perspective. The last ‘report’, simply detailed the increases, and was shored up by a comment from an administrator of a private school. There was no attempt what so-ever to deal with this topic in a substantive manner, and to detail the ramifications of this decision to public education. In short, I find that the CBC’s quality of reporting has become ‘surface/fast’, rather than ‘deep/substantive’, and in general, the critical thinking necessary to determine what is important versus what is ‘titillating’ is lacking.
I am coming from the perspective of living out of the country for a number of years and then returning to Canada. During our absence, we viewed BBC and found a broadcasting corporation taking their role as critical spokesman for the people, through objective analysis and reporting of issues, very seriously. Also, upon returning to Canada, we could compare our view of CBC of the past to current practice, finding it sadly lacking in objectivity and substance, moving toward news as ‘edutainment’.
Now, back to the issue of Alberta Education’s increased funding of private schools. This is a MAJOR issue. The increased funding is a substantial erosion of public education. The private schools will get substantially increased monies, yet still are able to charge tuition, can raise money as a charity, and yet are not obligated to follow the regulations and guidelines of public education. To be specific, they can control admissions, rejecting students with special needs, and can keep their class sizes at an optimum level. In short, on top of the points mentioned above, these two factors alone put them on a financial footing far above the public schools.
This is in direct contrast to public education who must follow the School Act, the Standards of Special Education and other documents which set a high standard throughout the province. Public education’s increase was 4.53% increase as compared to the private school increase of 22%. This is in spite of the fact that current funding and services in public education is sadly lacking. There are tens of thousands of children in Alberta with diagnosed special needs that are unmet. Charities and NGO’s are supporting education through golf tournaments, charity drives, etc. in order to provide books, assistive technology and school playgrounds! This is a wealthy province in one of the wealthiest nations in the world. Canadians and Albertans should be ashamed of themselves in allowing their politicians to bring education to this low level! Any investigative reporter, with time and resources could verify the above!
Then, there is the basic philosophical argument – This continues the support of the Alberta Government to segregate and compartmentalize Albertan society according to ability level (e.g., intellectual and academic performance = elitism), religion and race. This begs the question – is this the kind of society we want in Alberta, as part of the greater Canada? Is this the kind of society wanted by Albertans? There was no debate, no in-depth analysis by either politicians or the public before this decision was made!
To conclude, concerning the CBC’s (and other press and broadcast bodies) non-coverage of this issue --- How is this possible? How could such an issue be ignored? Do you know of any other issue that has led to a UNIFIED response from the Alberta School Boards Association, the College of Alberta School Superintendents, the Association of School Business Officials of Alberta, and the Alberta School Councils Association (Please see attached letter)?
Come on CBC, do your job! Please raise this issue to the level it should be – one of public awareness and in-depth reasoned debate.
Sincerely,
Dr. David Peat
Calgary, AB
1200, 9925 109 Street Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2J8 Phone: 1.780.451.7122 Fax 1.780.482.5659
Release date: July 31, 2008
MEDIA ADVISORY
Education Groups Alarmed by Government’s Increased Support of Private Schools
Four provincial educational associations have come together to express their alarm with the Alberta government’s decision to substantially increase funding to exclusive private schools.
In 2008/09 private schools will receive an increase in funding of 22%, while Alberta’s public, separate, and francophone schools will only receive a 4.53% increase. And, for the first time, private schools will get access to additional provincial funding , including annual operating and maintenance grants.
“Public dollars should go to fund public education – not private schools,” said ASBA President Heather Welwood. “This decision is unfortunate. Any extra funding could be used to enhance early education programs so that more students graduate from high school and to fix and build desperately needed schools.”
Although accountability measures for private schools will increase marginally with this announcement, they still fall well below that of public schools, noted the organizations. And while public schools are governed by elected trustees, private schools are just that - private. They simply do not have to follow the same rules.
“All parents in Alberta should have the choice of where their children should attend school but private schools can deny access to students and most parents pay substantial tuition fees, a luxury many Albertans can not afford. This decision encourages inequity in the education of children,” says Trina Boymook, president of the Alberta School Councils’ Association. “Albertans should be concerned that this decision did not involve any consultation. This suggests that the government is determined to put more public money into private education no matter what the public wants. This is very disturbing,” she added.
The presidents of the Alberta School Boards Association, the College of Alberta School Superintendents, the Association of School Business Officials of Alberta, and the Alberta School Councils Association will be sending a joint letter to Premier Ed Stelmach expressing their concerns and requesting that he reconsider the decision to increase public funding for private schools.
There are 26,136 students in Alberta’s 173 private schools and 550,324 students in Alberta’s 1800 public schools. Public education includes Alberta’s public, separate and francophone schools.
For more information:
Contact Heather Welwood, President, ASBA at 1.780.812.1895.
Contact David Anderson, Executive Director, ASBA at 1.780.910.8207.
Contact Michele Mulder, Executive Director, ASCA at 1.780.983.5700.
Contact Wayne Braun,Vice-President, ASBOA at 1.403.294.8340
Contact Kath Rhyason, Executive Director, CASS at 1.780.719.3116.
The Alberta School Boards Association serves and represents all Alberta’s public, separate and francophone school boards.
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