Today is the 92nd Anniversary of Vimy Ridge. Though for may the word Vimy may conjure a vague thought of, “oh yes; I remember that from history” many of us may have forgotten the significance. However, some of us too realize history can teach us lots. Most of us know readily of some of the atrocities committed in the Second World War and realize that we certainly don’t want anything remotely similar to occur ever again.
However, atrocities and injustices continue to occur as still happening in many places in our world, whether in Afghanistan or Darfur even latest is Sri Lanka, and; they will continue unless we all talk about and remind ourselves and each other to speak up and to let our leaders know as well as our friends and neighbors that we don't want such and we need to ensure they take action on our behalf.
Some that will see this may not realize that their grandfathers or great-grandfathers may have fought and even paid the ultimate price at Vimy. So, let’s express our thanks by at least remembering their sacrifices and let’s remember and commit to do all in our power to minimize the possibility of such happening again.
Also, let’s support those brave men and women that defend us. We can do so by wearing red on Fridays or pins are available at the Royal Canadian Legion. Most of us wear a poppy on Remembrance Day but do we think further about the significance of it. Do we reach a hand and thank them for what they did? We need to keep vigilent and often remind ourselves to keep sensitive of the human tendency to forget. To help me, I joined the Legion and I’m aware that some kids are leaving this afternoon for Vimy in France. The following is a release and reminder sent yesterday from Denis Coderre, Liberal National Defense Critic:
Canadian soldiers remembered at Vimy Ridge
VIMY, France - Liberal National Defence Critic Denis Coderre will pay homage to Canadian soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice during the First World War when they captured Vimy Ridge.
"In the name of all Canadian Parliamentarians, tomorrow I will lay a wreath of flowers at the foot of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial, upon which are engraved the names of the 11, 285 Canadian soldiers who died in France and whose final resting place is unknown," said Mr. Coderre. "Because of them, we live in a better world today, and we owe it to them to honour their memories in this way."
Mr. Coderre's gesture is part of the Remembrance Ceremony marking the 92nd anniversary of the Battle of Arras, and the efforts of Canadian soldiers in the capture of Vimy Ridge on April 9, 1917.
Of course, atrocities and inequities continue to occur throughout the world. Some of us realize they result from lack of consideration by those of us that are stronger intellectually when we allow ourselves to get caught-up in the race for survival and/or worldly things. Inequities result in low wages and/or lack of benefits and time thus limiting or allowing no choice for many of our fellowman, even neighbors and relatives. Let’s ask ourselves, is this right; and, if not what are we going to do about it?
I say it all looks much better if every member of our society, however close or faraway is doing relatively well. One guy sure can not need millions or billions to live and expect others to eke by on a pittance unnecessarily experiencing pain and wasting valuable time that she/he could be spend on improving his/herself and others; in essence, living decently. If you have any thoughts on such issues please contact me by email or phone me at (403) 381-7635. And, I wish you complements of the season again the greatest being peace and health.
Michael Cormican
Thursday, April 9
Political Update – April 8th, 2009
I anticipate you have noticed from ongoing reports in our media that our economy continues to chug along, though it sounds like with lots of ups and downs, some occasionally suggesting positive signs. It's also great to hear experts and to see some industries taking the lead in greening.
One can not help feeling vindicated and reassured that the Liberal policies proposed during the last election would have been best for the colapsing economy that Mr. Harper was either minimizing or out-to-lunh on as we were obviously the last bastion only due to the good fortune of our resource riches. I keep hoping voters will remember that when it comes to voting next.
It's becoming clearer that the majority of experts concur that we can anticipate the recession being around for a long time regardless of how Canada may weather it. Keep up the greening everyone and hopefully we can change some of the even more scary changes occurring i.e. warming of our oceans especially the gross proliferation of the deadly jelly fish not to mention extinctions and other changes.
As we might expect Mr. Harper and the government continue to put a positive spin on the situation, which I will not fault him for; though none-the-less anomalies and signs of their real inclinations, especially in minimization, containment and cutting frequently break through. I suspect most like myself, hope they’re putting the emphasis on the right spots. In a sense, we’ve got to be condition ourselves like the farmer who quickly learns to hope that “next year will be better”.
I suspect others have observed too and find it interesting how the government has had to eat crow so much contrary to what they tried to make us believe right up to Election Day. Fortunately, we had a determined opposition that forced him to rethink and it appears as though Michael Ignatieff is doing a great job for us keeping Mr. Harper in check.
However, and as we hear from newscasts it is obvious that many of the so called achievements most recent in dispute again the so called ‘softwood lumber settlement’ is raising problems again. Apparently the U.S. has imposed a 10% levy on Canadian softwood lumber imports one more example of how the Harper Conservatives lack a coordinated approach with the new U.S. administration. As Liberal International Trade Critic Scott Brison and Foreign Affairs Critic Bob Rae said, “it is hurting Canadian industry ... and hurting our workers again.”
Other examples of mismanagement are “the auto sector, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and the U.S. country-of-origin labelling regulations – known as COOL … yet another example of delays on the part of the Harper government and a lack of coordination with the U.S. and is hurting Canada,” said Mr. Brison.
On a brighter note, the latest opinion poll shows Canadians increasingly favouring the Liberal approach. Feel free to share your opinion with me at www.michaelcormican.com or phone me at (403) 381-7635. Have a great Easter!
Michael Cormican
One can not help feeling vindicated and reassured that the Liberal policies proposed during the last election would have been best for the colapsing economy that Mr. Harper was either minimizing or out-to-lunh on as we were obviously the last bastion only due to the good fortune of our resource riches. I keep hoping voters will remember that when it comes to voting next.
It's becoming clearer that the majority of experts concur that we can anticipate the recession being around for a long time regardless of how Canada may weather it. Keep up the greening everyone and hopefully we can change some of the even more scary changes occurring i.e. warming of our oceans especially the gross proliferation of the deadly jelly fish not to mention extinctions and other changes.
As we might expect Mr. Harper and the government continue to put a positive spin on the situation, which I will not fault him for; though none-the-less anomalies and signs of their real inclinations, especially in minimization, containment and cutting frequently break through. I suspect most like myself, hope they’re putting the emphasis on the right spots. In a sense, we’ve got to be condition ourselves like the farmer who quickly learns to hope that “next year will be better”.
I suspect others have observed too and find it interesting how the government has had to eat crow so much contrary to what they tried to make us believe right up to Election Day. Fortunately, we had a determined opposition that forced him to rethink and it appears as though Michael Ignatieff is doing a great job for us keeping Mr. Harper in check.
However, and as we hear from newscasts it is obvious that many of the so called achievements most recent in dispute again the so called ‘softwood lumber settlement’ is raising problems again. Apparently the U.S. has imposed a 10% levy on Canadian softwood lumber imports one more example of how the Harper Conservatives lack a coordinated approach with the new U.S. administration. As Liberal International Trade Critic Scott Brison and Foreign Affairs Critic Bob Rae said, “it is hurting Canadian industry ... and hurting our workers again.”
Other examples of mismanagement are “the auto sector, the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and the U.S. country-of-origin labelling regulations – known as COOL … yet another example of delays on the part of the Harper government and a lack of coordination with the U.S. and is hurting Canada,” said Mr. Brison.
On a brighter note, the latest opinion poll shows Canadians increasingly favouring the Liberal approach. Feel free to share your opinion with me at www.michaelcormican.com or phone me at (403) 381-7635. Have a great Easter!
Michael Cormican
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