A peaceful boost for the climate.

Fossil fuel combustion is a hot topic these days. We are being scolded by a teenager about climate change. People want real solutions and I have one here to share with you.

Last spring, I was browsing a website for discount goods and bought a liitle light bulb on a whim.

Its design is ingenious. White LED chips provide light. Three solar panels provide energy to an internal battery that charges in sunlight or under house lights. This small device cost me $6 Canadian and another $6 for shipping. You may think it is a novelty. Some would say it is insignificant. Others could see it as a convenience.

Nice and bright when it’s ON.

This device looks innocent enough but it can really change lives if it is delivered to the right people. It can also be a part of the solution to greenhouse gas emissions and may potentially stir up controversy and get the attention of a few governments who could lose a bit of control on their energy monopoly over a dependent population.

It begins with how people in rural African nations who deal with the 6 pm sunsets and have to cook supper at dusk. They use hurricane lanterns and kerosene to light their homes. It is reported that families spend 13% of their income on kerosene for lighting alone.

Children struggle to study by lamp light

There have been reports of children being burned from kerosene lamps. The photo below shows how difficult it can be to cook supper for a family by hurricane lamp. The lamp also radiates heat energy into a climate with air temperatures that are very hot already. I have also read about children developing breathing problems from the kerosene smoke.

We can see how difficult it can be to cook one-handed while holding a dim lamp.

Also, in many of these countries, the sale of kerosene is a government monopoly with officials in government who become wealthy from profits of these sales.

I have a colleague, M. Kamana, who teaches for the local school board who originates from the Democratic Republic of Congo and still has family there. He was excited to see my little solar powered bulb. He plans to go next year and will be bringing a suitcase full of them.

He told me that such a device can make a tremendous impact on the life of a family. They can have clean, cool, safe light without the expense of kerosene. The ability of the children to study in the evening and many other household tasks become much easier.
There are a few charities who are working to provide different models of solar powered LED lights. These people are effectively changing lives for people who need such a solution.

If we can get enough solar powered bulbs into enough homes, they will experience the following effects:

• Families will save money on fuel and increase their purchasing power
• Families will enjoy brighter, cleaner, safer and cooler lighting.
• Government officials who are becoming wealthy from exploiting a monopoly will lose some of that market. (There could be some backlash here,)
• Less fossil fuel is burned and less greenhouse gasses are emitted from 6-9 pm across the continent of Africa.

Finally, on a week where a 16 year old scolded all of us for doing nothing, here is a story about someone doing something.

Anyone notice it did not involve giving governments more money and control?

Salmon Nachos recipe

I ordered some delicious takeout that inspired me to create this new recipe.

Ingredients (for 1 portion):

1 salmon filet – thawed and diced

2 cups tortilla chips (add more as you need)

1/4 cup cream cheese diced

1/3 cup diced onions

1/3 cup diced red pepper

1/3 cup diced green pepper

(I get my diced onions and peppers in a frozen mixed bag)

1/4 cup of parmesan cheese

3 sundried tomatoes from a jar

2 roasted red peppers from a jar

2 tablespoons of capers from a jar

1/4 cup parmesan cheese.

2 tablespoons salsa

2 tablespoons sour cream

1 tsp lemon pepper

1 tsp dill weed

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350.

1. Spread tortilla chips on a

metal pan.

2. Cover chips with salmon and onion, pepper mix.

3, Add cream cheese on top

4, Cut sundried tomatoes and roasted red peppers into smaller pieces.

5. Add sundried tomato, roast red pepper, capers on top

6. Sprinkle lemon pepper, dill weed, and parmesan cheese

7. Bake 15 minutes, or until salmon is cooked.

8. Add sour cream and salsa to serve.

Fun and Games

In the past few days, we are playing more board games at home. I was able to reflect on two experiences when I played board games with a particular friend. This friend is an older brother and a mentor to me. He has been a go to advisor for my toughest relationship problems.

During one of these experiences, the guys met up on a Friday evening to play RISK, which is a game of military strategy with a world map and tokens and dice. This was my first time playing and I barely knew the rules. A few rounds into the game, he asked to talk to me away from the table: ”Bro’ what do you plan to do?” I gave him an honest answer such as: ” I want to try and capture a few countries and see how it goes.”

On his next turn, he immediately began to attack on my positions and eliminated me from the game. I walked from the table. Felt rejected, excluded. Sat on the sofa alone and watched TV while the guys played on.

I decided that day. I will never play RISK, especially not with HIM. He’s still my good friend, but boundaries are a good thing. To this day, I associate RISK with pain and rejection. I attended another event where he and some other guys played RISK. I wisely went to the dominoes table.

On another day, we met at his home for lunch. My wife and I brought a Balderdash game. The fun bluffing game where you read obscure words, make phony definitions, and try to guess the correct definition.

This time, my friend wasn’t competitive about the game at all. In fact, he tried his best to make up the most hilarious definitions, not even attempting to bluff, even though this undermined his competitive advantage. We played, laughed and enjoyed good food.

This remains as one of my best memories. I began to play Balderdash the way he did that day. Who cares about winning? I want to make my friends laugh. I try and write the most outlandish, ridiculous definitions possible. So what if no one chooses mine, I get a few less points but I’d rather laugh with my friends.

My friend demonstrated the power of putting others first and how much joy it brings. I enjoy imitating this example.

In these experiences, I see two ways to approach the game of life. We can use the rules to our advantage, eliminate competitors, strategize to win. On other occasions, we can put aside the rules and strategies of competition and achieve a greater goal.

As someone who believes in the use of games to teach, I will approach the game differently when I play a game with students, or people under my mentorship, The greater goal of learning in an enjoyable environment will supersede the goal of winning the match.

To my friend who taught me these lessons and many others, I thank you. I admire the work that you do and you are a true peacemaker.

Blessed are the peacemakers.

Trauma, turmoil, intense love, and peace.

I want to publish this story because I consider it worthy of publication. It is about my paternal grandfather, Louis Napoleon Marion Jr., born March 4, 1906. When I was 5 years old, he was my best friend. I lived across the street from him until I started Kindergarten and my dad built us a house a few blocks away. We called him pépére Louis.

I would get on my bike and go visit pépére Louis and and mémére Diane any chance I got. We had a routine. We would hang outside and he would show me the cool old stuff in the garage. We would go inside, have a snack, play a game of Klondike solitaire together, side by side at the kitchen table, then go through the junk drawer in the kitchen. I still have the little magnifying glass that stands up on its own. It came out of that drawer. Hanging out at pépére and mémére’s house, I always felt an intense love from them. It was my childhood safe place. Whenever I was ready to leave his house, he would reach into his pocket and hand me a handful of change. He had given me all of his time and attention, and wanted to give me a bit more as I was leaving.

The family cottage is another property he invested in because he just wanted his family to have a fun place. We all spent time there as children and had loads of fun. The little piece of land by Big Nellie Lake is just another way my pépére wanted to express his love.

My cousin Marc, me & pépére Louis. Summer of 1972 at the cottage on Big Nellie Lake

When mémére died in 1979, the house was sold. Pépére stayed with us, then at my aunt’s, then my uncles until we eventually moved him into the local senior’s home. I would visit him whenever I could.

I would hear stories about pépére from Dad and my uncle Denis. When he was a younger man. He was known to binge drink heavily. My grandfather wasn’t like that. He was gentle and kind. His hands shook with Parkinson’s he was developing dementia and thought he was a boy on the farm in St. Charles, ON again.

Dad told me a story a few years ago that helps explain the personality that pépére Louis developed. In the early 1920s, when he was just 16, my great-grandfather would leave on the train to go work in the lumber camps. This particular year, my grandfather was 16 and got to go along with him. Pépére Louis Sr. would cut down trees while my pépére helped out in the kitchen, earning a bit of cash too.

That winter, my great-grandfather died of pneumonia out in the woods. My pépére, only 16 years of age, had to ride home on the train and deliver his father’s corpse to his mom and siblings. Soon after that, my great grandmother moved to Ansonville, ON, a town that had a new paper mill open. My grandfather went to work there and made his career as a papermaker. My father followed the same career path and I funded much of my university education by working shifts at the mill.

I have a daughter who is about to turn 16. I cannot imagine how much she could handle the ordeal going away to work at a camp, or managing my death, or the death of her mother.

Yet, I have a grandfather who had to face this unimaginable task at the age of 16. I do believe it shaped the man he was. It shaped his desire to binge drink, and it shaped his intense love for his children and grandchildren, his kind heart and his generosity. My father inherited many of these values and as I see his love for my daughter, I am always moved. I know where that came from.

From his example, I have a better understanding of compassion toward those who have faced trauma. People experience horrific things and it shapes who they are.

Pépére, you had a tough job to do back in that a lumber camp when you were just a teen, but you handled it like a man. I am impressed with the way you took care of things and stepped up for your family. In fact, if you hadn’t done that, I wouldn’t be here. Thanks again for all your love. I see your example and work toward my own inner peace while I try and love people as you did.

Blessed are the peacemakers.

A Tale of 3 Teen Terrorists

The Omar Khadr contraversy has come up again in my friends’ social media posts.  I have written a thought experiment about youth in combat scenarios. Please read and reflect honestly with yourself.

Story 1:
Imagine a scenario where the USA invades the Canadian prairies, one sixteen year-old farm boy fights them off, kills a US soldier and gets captured.

He gets sent to Guantanamo Bay as a enemy combattant. Is submitted to torture.

Was it ethical for the US to capture and detain him?
Would you expect Canada’s government to fight for his release?

Story 2:
A Canadian boy is abducted on a trip to the Middle East and is raised by Al-Qaeda and trained as a child soldier. He is involved in making bombs and is taught to shoot. He is indoctrinated in all things Jihad.

His parents continue to search for him for years.

When he is 16, his cell gets attacked by US forces, he is accused of killing a soldier and is sent to Guantanamo Bay. He suffers torture and gives a forced confession.
His parents, who have been searching for him after many years hear that he is alive want his release.

Was it ethical for the US to capture and detain him?
Would you expect Canada’s government to fight for his release?

Story 3
Omar Khadr, a Canadian citizen,  was brought to Afghanistan by the voluntary actions of his father. He is placed in a camp with an Al-Quaeda cell. US troops attack his camp. Khadr was shot 3 times in the fight. He was captured as an enemy combattant at age 16, brought to Guantanamo Bay. He was tortured into confession of the death of a soldier..

Here are more details on his story:

CBC article Khadr Case

Evidence is presented to show that he could not have thrown the grenade that killed a US soldier.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper did not fight for the release of this canadian, who was captured as a teen.

Was it ethical for the US to capture and detain him?
Would you expect our government to fight for his release once you have more facts on the case?

Did he get a raw deal from the USA?
Did you expected Canada’s government to fight for his release?
Was he denied rights as a Canadian citizen?

For your reflection:
I challenge you to reflect on these three scenarios. Remember that Al-Qaeda has no qualms exploiting child soldiers.
Do only some of them deserve rescue when they are placed in impossible situations?

I personally cannot abide by military torture of youth under any circumstance.

Dead by Day, a Murder by Night – a short Story Challenge

One day, I was substitute teaching in a Grade 8 class and a young lady asked me to enter her short story contest. She then handed me a slip of paper that read: Dead by Day, a Murder by Night. I accepted the challenge. Two weeks later, after much deliberation, this is my result. My story is inspired by the story of Omar Khadr, the Romeo Dallaire child Soldiers initiative and Scott Horton’s podcasts 

It was 11 pm on an ordinary evening at Guantanamo Bay prison camp and the captain was determined to get a confession from a Yemeni teenager who was captured by U.S. Marines during battle. They suspected him of throwing a grenade that killed an officer.

“Go get Nasr out of his cage, that dirty little sand nigger is gonna admit to what he done. Were gonna make sure he fesses up tonight.”

Soon, the guards return with Samir Nasr, a 15 year-old-boy in shackles. He wears a prisoner jumpsuit and a hood over his head. They hastily remove the hood, causing shock and his pupils rapidly dilate. The brightly lit room is all a blur until his eyes adjust to the light. He is in shock. He had been kept awake for 36 hours in order to confuse and disorient him.

“Step forward and sit on the chair”, say the guards. He hesitates too long to process the order. Both guards strike him on the thighs with their batons and he falls to his knees. “Get up, little brown rat.” they say as they pick him up and sit him in the chair.

The captain begins to speak: “We know you tossed that grenade on July 12 that killed lieutenant Rob Gomez. We just need your confession. The youth reacts: “I did not do it.”

“It’s electro shock time boys.” They attach clips to his skin and to his metal chair, then begin to apply 150 Volts using a power supply box, causing him to convulse.

“Did you throw that grenade that killed Lt. Gomez?” The captain shouts at him.  He begins to answer his adamant denial: “I did …”, unable to complete the sentence, he cannot utter the word: “not.” before he falls unconscious. “There’s his confession. Did we get a clear recording of the confession?”

The guards place a pen in his hand and move his arm to mimic his signature on a form. “We have the evidence of his confession, we can schedule his firing squad.”

They return the unconscious youth to his holding cage by 2 am. By daylight, he is dead due to internal bleeding from the artery in his right thigh that burst open when the guards had clubbed him.

The good citizens of the USA will never have the satisfaction of having vengeance for the killing of Lt. Rob Gomez that a firing squad can bring. Unfortunately, Samir Nasr had to go ahead and die before they could get their revenge on him with a proper execution.

From Child Soldiers to Peaceful People

On July 13, 2016 I attended an event that I believe will change my whole life.
I attended an information session for the Romeo Dallaire Child Soldier Initiative.

Two experts in this field Dr. Shelly Whitman and Nikita Malik from the Quilliam Foundation, spoke about the trauma that child soldiers face: abduction at a young age,  physical, emotional and sexual abuse to program them into good compliant soldiers, indoctrinated with Islamic State dogma.

The Middle east had become one of the worst places for this as the Islamic State is attempting to form themselves into a nation.  They are abducting children from families, recruiting children, and recruiting young women to breed soldiers to make an army of child soldiers.

They take a planned systematic approach to convert innocent children into compliant, obedient and well indoctrinated on the virtues of the Islamic State. These children are conditioned to see warfare as normal. This conditioning they endure causes severe psychological damage for many.

These children are put in combat situations because of the tactical advantage. Police officers and soldiers are reluctant to attack a troop of children.

Enter general Dallaire and his organization with a plan. Techniques are being developed to neutralize and disarm

Combat veterans are being trained to go out to the field and teach troops to use these techniques. Troops of child soldiers will be captured, rescued and rehabilitated. The men who sent them out to fight will have lost the tactical advantage and the weapons and gear they invested in. What was a tactical advantage becomes a disadvantage.

In the last minutes of this presentation, General Romeo Dallaire himself stepped up to speak passionately  about the horrors of the child soldier practice.  This man resigned his seat in the Canadian Senate so that he could focus on his foundation full-time. I admire this man because he cares so deeply about humans, especially the most vulnerable. He presented a copy of his recent book: They Fight Like Soldiers, They Die Like Children. The title alone brings tears to my eyes.

I am interested in using my teaching skills to do something to restore these children programmed for war into peaceful people.  It is my conviction that each of these children, made in God’s image have multiple talents that can be developed. These children can become people who contribute to a peaceful and prosperous society.

I am excited about how I can contribute to this organization. Their goals fit in with what I am most passionate about, the development of children, peace and great human achievement.  I hope that I can apply my talents to serve Romeo Dallaire Child Soldier Initiative sometime in the near future. This work would be beneficial to my personal peace because when I work at something meaningful, I am most at peace.

Pro-Choice, Pro-Life, Pro-Peace

This post is a sci-fi short story sharing my vision of a future where a highly debated issue has been solved through innovation by people with vision and compassion.

NOTE: This story hints at sexual assault of a minor to make a point. People must realize how important it is to pursue a solution that allows us to solve the problem of unwanted pregnancy while ending the gruesome procedure of abortion.

My goal is to inspire readers to envision a more free and peaceful future.

Astrid, a twelve-year-old girl and her mother sit in the office of doctor Chapman, gynecologist.

“Astrid, the test confirms that  you are indeed pregnant. The father of the baby is indeed the man who drugged your lemonade and assaulted you. Nurses at the prison tested his DNA to confirm.” Doctor Champan says to Astrid in a serious tone.

Astrid bursts into sobs. “It wasn’t my fault. How will I deal with this? I can’t have a baby. I have to go to school, I want to become a Doctor.”

“You do not have to carry this baby or give birth. There is a better way. I want you to meet Mark and Liz, they are eager to have another baby. They volunteer with Infant Life Choice, a great charity that helps out with cases such as yours. Here they are on screen. Your mom agreed for you to meet them and talk.” Doctor Champan assures her

Liz spoke up, “This charity was founded by people who realized that in some cases, a mother and her baby are much better off if she does not carry to term. In the past, doctors would perform a procedure called an abortion. The life of the baby was ended and its body was removed. The government kept trying to stop abortions by sending police after doctors, it just made things more dangerous.”

Mark continued. “Since your family believes strongly in preserving life, but you are not ready to raise a baby, we would like for you to agree to let us adopt your baby.”

Astrid’s mom asks, “I thought you said Astrid would not have to carry to term?”

Dr. Chapman explains, “That is what I said. We can surgically remove the baby now, even at two weeks, then place the baby in Liz, who will experience pregnancy and birth. Liz has undergone a procedure to become a human incubator. This will be the second time she carries a baby.”

Astrid gives a sigh of relief. “I think this is the best choice,” her mother agreed.

“We think so as well,” said Dr. Chapman. “Someday, you may consider coming to train with me and do this type of surgery.”

“Mark, Liz, can you come tomorrow? We want to perform the surgery at nine in the morning.”

“9 am. See you then,” Mark said.

 Innovative and passionate people who can apply their resources unoppressed and without interference and are able to accomplish great things. The pursuit of liberty is worthwhile so that we can solve these difficult problems peacefully.

Blessed are the peacemakers.

My Walk With Depression ; […]

My friend Dave has a daughter Patty who also blogs. This is good stuff.

Source: My Walk With Depression ; […]

Peaceful Vybz

Last year, I made a new friend. Justice was a High School senior when he asked me to attend the first ever paid concert he was playing. He is the drummer for a local Reggae Band called Stahmenah Vybz. This was in January 2015. I really enjoyed the show.

I got invited again last Saturday, Dec 19. This time, Justice is studying music at the local community college.  He is playing drums more confidently and growing as a person. I was encouraged to see it. It was nice to catch up with him and see how happy he is studying and performing music.

I got to meet L. Garreth Warren, the founder of this band. Besides performing and recording, he operates a martial arts studio. This man has a heart for young people and it shows through his work.

The band, now reformed, consists of Garreth on lead vocals, and his gang of Music Performance students:

Justice Sanford on drums
Liam Campbell on guitar and vocals
Liam MacDonald on Keys
Stephen Weston on Bass
JJ Kent on sax.

This band is very good. Each player is quite skilled and they play well together.
Most of all, the message of the music is one of love, kindness and peace. It really shows from the lyrics. This is A Helping Hand on video from Saturday December 19:

Helping Hand
CHORUS:

Lend a helping hand everyone.
Lend a helping hand when you can.
In this war against sickness and poverty,
A lot can be change with some help from you and me.

Lend a helping hand everyone.
Lend a helping hand when you can.
In this war against poverty & sickness,
A lot can change if we show a little kindness.

I like music with a motivational message. The song above really appealed to me.

In the song below, Choices the message is educate yourself, or tolerate hard work. It is a Stay in School message.

CHORUS:

My mother raised me to have two choices
Work my mind, or work my back!
Digging ditches, you’ll hear the voices,
“Shovel’s the devil. No Mercy, no slack.”

This next particular song was inspired by the story of Rehtaeh Parsons, a teen who was raped while she was intoxicated while the perpetrators caught it on camera. The young men who raped her shared the video and people tormented Rehtaeh until she committed suicide.

This story moved Garreth’s heart and he composed the song Compassion:

Compassion

Chorus:
Show some compassion. Show that you care!
Show some respect or you will get nowhere.
Show some desire, show you’ll be there
The love for one another will never disappear!

I have a photo of a mural that Rehtaeh and her friend painted at Sir Robert Borden Junior High. I hope we can remember her as more than a girl who got raped and committed suicide.

We have much to do to achieve a peaceful world. I wish to thank Garreth and Stahmenah Vybz for promoting a message of peace accompanied by great upbeat music for people dance along. I just found out they are recording right now. Check their website for album availability.

Garreth, I wish to thank you for the music and for using your talents to be a peacemaker and for the positive impact that your business has on the community.

Blessed are the Peacemakers.