Pride Month finds us in turmoil once again, not with peaceful minds, and a universal acceptance of humanity’s equality before God and State, but divided by social-religious-economic lines. The Christian Right flows across North America and Africa as well, preaching its sermon of biblical intolerance, standing against the rights of womanhood, sexual rights, and freedoms of those of us that may be different in color, sexual preference, political ideology, or social status. Right Wing Legislators in Florida, Texas, and Southern US attempt or have passed laws limiting services to a large sector of their populations, and have come to ignore people’s diversity, uniqueness, and Federal Constitutional protected rights. Voting limitations directed towards blacks and members of the pride rainbow are found in Sothern US States. Its like the old days when communities were ruled by southern men with prejudiced righteous attitudes. I would not be surprised if the K.K.K. horde will ride into Montgomery, Austin or Miami soon.
One of this movements leaders is running for the Republican Party Leadership (Ron Desantis) while “The Trump” is continuing his pilgrimage return to power next year. Governors, Aldermen, City Councilors, Congress and Senatorial Members support this Religious Right Wing Folly, not because its right, but because it could bring them fortune, fame and power. President Biden and Kamila Harris(V.P.) stand against this movement, but the odds are very much against them. His age and health are a factor, while Vice President Harris may not have the Hutzpah to win the election.
Retail and Corporate Firms show their pride- respect and support only to be attacked by the Christian Right. Protest against firms that honor our constitutional values eh? In Toronto Catholic School Boards refuse to raise Pride Flags, stating that God loves everyone, but being a member of the LGBTQ+ Community is morally wrong, as same sex functionally is a sin. School Boards, PTA’s, and communities across North America are struggling amongst themselves trying to find a peaceful commonality, all the while right wing antagonists pressure Churches, Social Clubs and Organizations to confront any form of progressive thought whether it be religious, political or social in nature.
If The Trudeau Liberal’s lose the next election and Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives win a majority will Canada fall into the hypocritical hands of right wing antagonists determined to crush any form of progressive governmental service provided presently. Yah, I am talking about changes or an end to affirmative action, abortion rights, equal pay initiatives, and even end or stall payments promised to the Indigenous. The emotions elicited by Religion of most faiths can become politicalize, with fundamentalist attitudes of all faiths empowered. Who ever thought of uniting religious and political into a singular force of power was both in genius and probably a Conservative, uniting the powers of emotion with practical self empowerment.
The enemies of progressiveness, love everything about themselves, even the unacceptable. To achieve Power for their God and themselves are the goals progressiveness face today.
Steven Kaszab
Bradford, Ontario
skaszab@yahoo.ca
PORT ALBERNI, B.C. – RCMP say the body of a second person has been found inside their vehicle after a road washed away amid pouring rain on the west coast of Vancouver Island.
Police say two vehicles went into the Sarita River when Bamfield Road washed out on Saturday as an atmospheric river hammered southern B.C.
The body of the other driver was found Sunday.
More coming.
The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
The B.C. Greens say Sonia Furstenau will be staying on as party leader, despite losing her seat in the legislature in Saturday’s provincial election.
The party says in a statement that its two newly elected MLAs, Jeremy Valeriote and Rob Botterell, support Furstenau’s leadership as they “navigate the prospect of having the balance of power in the legislature.”
Neither the NDP led by Premier David Eby nor the B.C. Conservatives led by John Rustad secured a majority in the election, with two recounts set to take place from Oct. 26 to 28.
Eby says in a news conference that while the election outcome is uncertain, it’s “very likely” that the NDP would need the support of others to pass legislation.
He says he reached out to Furstenau on election night to congratulate her on the Greens’ showing.
But he says the Green party has told the NDP they are “not ready yet” for a conversation about a minority government deal.
The Conservatives went from taking less than two per cent of the vote in 2020 to being elected or leading in 45 ridings, two short of a majority and only one behind the NDP.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2024.
The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Toronto FC captain Jonathan Osorio is making a difference, 4,175 kilometres away from home.
The 32-year-old Canadian international midfielder, whose parents hail from Colombia, has been working with the Canadian Colombian Children’s Organization, a charity whose goal is to help disadvantaged youth in the South American country.
Osorio has worked behind the scenes, with no fanfare.
Until now, with his benevolence resulting in becoming Toronto FC’s nominee for the Audi Goals Drive Progress Impact Award, which honours an MLS player “who showed outstanding dedication to charitable efforts and serving the community” during the 2024 season.”
Other nominees include Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter and CF Montreal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois.
The winner will be announced in late November.
The Canadian Colombian Children’s Organization (CCCO) is run entirely by volunteers like Monica Figueredo and Claudia Soler. Founded in 1991, it received charitable status in 2005.
The charity currently has four projects on the go: two in Medellin and one each in Armenia and Barranquilla.
They include a school, a home for young girls whose parents are addicted to drugs, after-school and weekend programs for children in a disadvantaged neighbourhood, and nutrition and education help for underprivileged youth.
The organization heard about Osorio and was put in contact with him via an intermediary, which led to a lunch meeting. Osorio did his due diligence and soon got back to the charity with his decision.
“It was something that I wanted to be a part of right away,” said Osorio, whose lone regret is that he didn’t get involved sooner.
“I’m fortunate now that to help more now that I could have back then,” he added. “The timing actually worked out for everybody. For the last three years I have donated to their cause and we’ve built a couple of (football) fields in different cities over there in the schools.”
His father visited one of the sites in Armenia close to his hometown.
“He said it was amazing, the kids, how grateful they are to be able to play on any pitch, really,” said Osorio. “But to be playing on a new pitch, they’re just so grateful and so humble.
“It really makes it worth it being part of this organization.”
The collaboration has also made Osorio take stock.
“We’re very fortunate here in Canada, I think, for the most part. Kids get to go to school and have a roof over their head and things like that. In Colombia, it’s not really the same case. My father and his family grew up in tough conditions, so giving back is like giving back to my father.”
Osorio’s help has been a godsend to the charity.
“We were so surprised with how willing he was,” said Soler.
The TFC skipper has helped pay for a football field in Armenia as well as an ambitious sports complex under construction in Barranquilla.
“It’s been great for them,” Figueredo said of the pitch in Armenia. “Because when they go to school, now they have a proper place to train.”
Osorio has also sent videos encouraging the kids to stay active — as well as shipping soccer balls and signed jerseys their way.
“They know more about Jonathan than the other players in Colombia,” Figueredo said. “That’s the funny part. Even though he’s far away, they’ve connected with him.”
“They feel that they have a future, that they can do more,” she added. “Seeing that was really, really great.”
The kids also followed Osorio through the 2022 World Cup and this summer’s Copa America.
Back home, Osorio has also attended the charity’s annual golf tournament, helping raise funds.
A Toronto native, he has long donated four tickets for every TFC home game to the Hospital for Sick Children.
Vancouver’s Berhalter was nominated for his involvement in the Whitecaps’ partnership with B.C. Children’s Hospital while Montreal’s Sirois was chosen for his work with the Montreal Impact Foundation.
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Follow @NeilMDavidson on X platform, formerly known as Twitter
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 21, 2024.
A look at Susan Holt, Liberal premier-designate of New Brunswick
Sentencing hearing continues for University of Waterloo gender studies class stabber
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New Brunswick Liberals win majority, Susan Holt first woman to lead province
Toronto FC captain Jonathan Osorio making a difference off the pitch as well as on it
Inequality has broad impacts on the health of Montreal children, report finds
Premier-designate of New Brunswick, Susan Holt, is first woman to lead the province
Thomson Reuters acquires AI accounting assistant developer Materia
