Misty Hollow Carving
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.blogger.com/www.murraylincoln.com/
* * * * * * * * *
Today’s Blog Post
I have switched from Dumb TV to Radio
Oh my goodness – the world tipped upside down last evening for some folks in Ontario. Their favorite program broadcast on Rogers Cable was blacked out for almost the entire time. Then because of that it was rebroadcast in the next hour. It was all about “Battle of the Blades” – there was a black screen… nothing!
Talk about a fiasco. People were cut off the source of their lives – TV.
I imagine that heads will role some where on this problem today.
However, in Canada, the TV Wars are now taking place in Gatineau, Quebec and the CRTC listens to the two sides – TV Stations(Local TV) and Cable Companies duke it out over charging more – or something – for their services. You can pick up the Link below… that describes the details of what is happenings.
The fact that the Local TV is not paid anything by the Cable Guys – for using their programming is one of the issues. If fees are set higher or at all – the only person that will pay is the local user – the Cable Guys will pass it on down the line if Local TV is allowed to charge.
Then there is a suggestion that a new service could be offered to us all… something called “Skinny TV”…where the monthly cost will be less and so is the content.
In Peterborough, the very center to the Universe (at least people here believe that), we are offered one local station that has the name CHEX. TV and at times it is SKINNY.
Then limping up from somewhere south of us is a very weak TVO – public TV kind of TV… that is the thinking kind of TV for adults at certain times and a whole bunch of cartoons for kids forever…
Further we have some kind of pathetic Global TV that is pumped into a repeater station south of us in rolling hills and dales – with super rotten reception… some days… and some days the sound is so bad that it is easier by far to turn it all off.
So we have three English speaking TV presentations… and one French station… that is also fuzzy… and poor.
In recent times the local CHEX station presented CBC news through the morning… then switched over to the “Begging TV” or “Sell You Something TV”. Now they have dropped the NEWS and simply move right into Beg and Sell TV from 8 AM on…
That Beg and Sell TV also includes Guilt TV with the different religious TV programs… usually someone from south of our Canadian Border pumping “Praise the Lord Stuff” our way and looking for more money from us.
At 9 AM the other station starts pumping more religion and then switches to Guilt TV with soft music and stories about dieing kids around the world… that need your donations.
Hey – as a minister I can handle Religion on TV… I just don’t need another flaky Bible Study that usually ends in an appeal for money… acting as if the “world” will be converted – if I give. IT IS NOT happening friends. The WORLD doesn’t watch Religion TV.
So what am I getting at? Well I have found that it is very easy to grab the TV remote and simply turn it all off. I have it down to the minute. At 8 AM I zap off the CHEX TV… and go to CBC Radio – which is so interesting! I mean you can only buy so many TV Vacuums, exercise machines, or the TV Religion. When you have a vacuum, and exercise machine (or go for walks) and you are full of Religion… why would you watch it any more?
I have looked at getting cable… but it is way too much money for nothing. For the most part you can simply buy more vacuums, exercise and religion machines… Cable lets you do it in French and English… and more often.
Now the suggestion is that you will have to pay more.
I find none of it interesting now. It is sad but true.
At 5:30 PM to about 6:30 PM we catch the news locally… but then drop it again.
If you are older… do you remember the old radio shows – or radio dramas – like maybe The Shadow? Or Bob Hope? Check out the Links below…
Have you read a good book lately? There are millions of them ready for you.
Have you tried your hand at an art or craft form that will thrill your soul – and some one else’s too?
I wish that our area were able to get good old TV the way that it used to be. You know what I mean… clean stories and comedy that was real…not smutty and making me want to walk away.
Good Lord – I am old.
But maybe not… maybe I am new… or renewed… and the TV is not keeping up with what my world is.
I have turned off four more hours a day now… down to a bare minimum… and it feels good.
I want to thank the local CHEX TV for weaning me off the morning stuff completely… it hurt a little and I shook for a while… but now I am free of Dumb TV for the whole morning… wahoo!
I did watch the “Battle of the Blades”… old hockey players trying to act like men in tights… and with girls that were good… Two programs were enough… back to Radio.
I have read two new books that have blown my mind. I have created two new lines of wood carving for the sales coming up.
I am free… whoah! It feels good.
~ Murray Lincoln ~
www.murraylincoln.com/
Source:
http://www.cbc.ca/arts/tv/story/2009/11/17/blades-rogers.html
http://www.thestar.com/business/article/726395--local-programming-dying-ctv-tells-crtc-hearing?bn=1
Old Radio Dramas
http://www.oldtimeradiofans.com/cat_template.php?category=Drama
http://www.radiolovers.com/
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Sunday, November 15, 2009
Life Line – A Wonderful Happening in Canada
Misty Hollow Carving
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
* * * * * * * * *
Today’s Blog Post
Life Line – A Wonderful Happening in Canada
The man that sat with me yesterday afternoon is a “Lifer” – meaning he has taken someone’s life. He explained how he is presently helping one young man that is also a “Lifer” make it through his prison sentence. My new friend’s name is ‘John’.
‘John’ explained after he personally received a Life Sentence and entered prison, he had met a man that was also a Lifer. This man had helped him integrate to Prison Life. Then through a strange set of circumstances the new friend that had helped him escaped from prison (the details I leave out here).
‘John’ now lives on the outside of prison successfully and goes back in to help other Lifers adjust and cope with their Life Sentence. One of the “Lifers” that ‘John’ is helping is the son of the first man to help ‘John’. The father produced a son that had become a Lifer as well.
This story shared with me by my new friend had an impact on my life. A man in trouble that found help from help from another man in trouble, now helping the son of the man that helped him. Through the tragic loss of life(actually at least three lives) the power of Relationships in changing society from inside out.
WOW! This is everything that I believe in.
We are just completing a very interesting conference in Ottawa entitled “Creating Better Relations” – Community Relations National Conference. I can say I have never been to something like this before. The power and effect on my life and the people that I work with in my community back home will be far reaching to say the least.
I should explain that at home, in Peterborough, I am involved with men coming from Prison. Sometime the involvement is direct and other times it is with programs that help men coming from Prison.
The conference was designed for people like myself that are doing similar work in their respective communities. It has brought us together to share what each of us are doing and in that way we perhaps glean new ideas from each other and the communities that we come from.
Right now I have so many new ideas that I will need to stay alive for another 35 years to try them all. And I have another day to walk through more new ideas – which could add another 35 years to the list….Yikes I will be 135 years before I can die!
Back to Life Line…
As I read the Web Site that more fully explains the Life Line program it states…
“Lifers helping Lifers
A partnership of motivated offenders, involved staff and supportive citizens
LifeLine is a partnership between the Correctional Service of Canada, the National Parole Board and voluntary, community-based agencies.
LifeLine is a correctional concept involving convicted, but paroled, men and women serving life sentences who have been successfully reintegrated into the community for at least five years. They return to an institution where they help develop programs for lifers; help motivate offenders; help offenders reintegrate; and contribute to public safety.”
In 1964 Canada we took a radical stance and abandoned Capital Punishment. We don’t take the life of someone that has taken a life. The Web Site explains…
“Canada abandoned capital punishment in 1964 and commuted all death sentences to life imprisonment. In 1976 the death penalty was removed from the Criminal Code of Canada and replaced by life imprisonment with no consideration of parole for 10 to 25 years. Thus, Canada was faced with a growing number of lifers being incarcerated for much longer periods.”
“Today, about 4300 offenders are serving life sentences. Of this number, one-third are under parole supervision in the community for the rest of their lives, while the remaining two-thirds are serving their sentence in an institution.
The inmate population of life sentenced and indeterminate male offenders has increased by 38% since 1990. These offenders make up 21% of all inmates.”
With about 1000 Lifers living in the many different communities across Canada they are now having an impact in a new way.
As I listened to the different accounts and programs I heartily agree. It is about Relations we have with our community.
In Peterborough we have men that have been in prison helping men that have been in prison. Some are Lifers and some are not. All of them understand each other.
A powerful but quiet group in Peterborough that facilitates and guides this “relation building” in the Peterborough Community Chaplaincy (see Web Site listed below for more info).
Double WOW! I can’t wait to get home. I am about to explode with new ideas.
~ Murray Lincoln ~
www.murraylincoln.com/
Source:
All about Lifers
http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/prgrm/lifeline/w6-eng.shtml
Peterborough Community Chaplaincy
http://www.ptbochaplaincy.org/
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
* * * * * * * * *
Today’s Blog Post
Life Line – A Wonderful Happening in Canada
The man that sat with me yesterday afternoon is a “Lifer” – meaning he has taken someone’s life. He explained how he is presently helping one young man that is also a “Lifer” make it through his prison sentence. My new friend’s name is ‘John’.
‘John’ explained after he personally received a Life Sentence and entered prison, he had met a man that was also a Lifer. This man had helped him integrate to Prison Life. Then through a strange set of circumstances the new friend that had helped him escaped from prison (the details I leave out here).
‘John’ now lives on the outside of prison successfully and goes back in to help other Lifers adjust and cope with their Life Sentence. One of the “Lifers” that ‘John’ is helping is the son of the first man to help ‘John’. The father produced a son that had become a Lifer as well.
This story shared with me by my new friend had an impact on my life. A man in trouble that found help from help from another man in trouble, now helping the son of the man that helped him. Through the tragic loss of life(actually at least three lives) the power of Relationships in changing society from inside out.
WOW! This is everything that I believe in.
We are just completing a very interesting conference in Ottawa entitled “Creating Better Relations” – Community Relations National Conference. I can say I have never been to something like this before. The power and effect on my life and the people that I work with in my community back home will be far reaching to say the least.
I should explain that at home, in Peterborough, I am involved with men coming from Prison. Sometime the involvement is direct and other times it is with programs that help men coming from Prison.
The conference was designed for people like myself that are doing similar work in their respective communities. It has brought us together to share what each of us are doing and in that way we perhaps glean new ideas from each other and the communities that we come from.
Right now I have so many new ideas that I will need to stay alive for another 35 years to try them all. And I have another day to walk through more new ideas – which could add another 35 years to the list….Yikes I will be 135 years before I can die!
Back to Life Line…
As I read the Web Site that more fully explains the Life Line program it states…
“Lifers helping Lifers
A partnership of motivated offenders, involved staff and supportive citizens
LifeLine is a partnership between the Correctional Service of Canada, the National Parole Board and voluntary, community-based agencies.
LifeLine is a correctional concept involving convicted, but paroled, men and women serving life sentences who have been successfully reintegrated into the community for at least five years. They return to an institution where they help develop programs for lifers; help motivate offenders; help offenders reintegrate; and contribute to public safety.”
In 1964 Canada we took a radical stance and abandoned Capital Punishment. We don’t take the life of someone that has taken a life. The Web Site explains…
“Canada abandoned capital punishment in 1964 and commuted all death sentences to life imprisonment. In 1976 the death penalty was removed from the Criminal Code of Canada and replaced by life imprisonment with no consideration of parole for 10 to 25 years. Thus, Canada was faced with a growing number of lifers being incarcerated for much longer periods.”
“Today, about 4300 offenders are serving life sentences. Of this number, one-third are under parole supervision in the community for the rest of their lives, while the remaining two-thirds are serving their sentence in an institution.
The inmate population of life sentenced and indeterminate male offenders has increased by 38% since 1990. These offenders make up 21% of all inmates.”
With about 1000 Lifers living in the many different communities across Canada they are now having an impact in a new way.
As I listened to the different accounts and programs I heartily agree. It is about Relations we have with our community.
In Peterborough we have men that have been in prison helping men that have been in prison. Some are Lifers and some are not. All of them understand each other.
A powerful but quiet group in Peterborough that facilitates and guides this “relation building” in the Peterborough Community Chaplaincy (see Web Site listed below for more info).
Double WOW! I can’t wait to get home. I am about to explode with new ideas.
~ Murray Lincoln ~
www.murraylincoln.com/
Source:
All about Lifers
http://www.csc-scc.gc.ca/text/prgrm/lifeline/w6-eng.shtml
Peterborough Community Chaplaincy
http://www.ptbochaplaincy.org/
Saturday, November 14, 2009
Zak’s Diner and my Beautiful Date on Friday Night
Misty Hollow Carving
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
* * * * * * * * *
Today’s Blog Post
Zak’s Diner and my Beautiful Date on Friday Night
Okay, Okay, I finally am coming to grip with some of my aging process… at least I think I am.
The setting is a romantic evening with my wife of 42 years. We were on a simple date – away from everything and in a city we love – Ottawa. The conference that I am attending is not starting until the next day. We had the night alone.
We found a delightful “old diner” that is so much like what we once knew when we began dating 47 years ago. At the end of the table in the small booth is a machine that you plug money into and play your favorite oldies. There on the menu was Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley and dozens of other old guys that once played their Top Hit Parade singles.
Imagine the setting if you can.. you feel like you are just finished a long week of school, this is Friday night and you are with the most beautiful girl the world! It is a flash back moment that is hard to believe.
We were seated by a cute young thing dressed in jeans, rolled up the way the girls used to wear them. The waitress that walked by had her hair kind of pinned up, a tight yellow top, blue jeans with a pink belt, and two different coloured socks. And she was chewing gum. She looked like she was from my high school – 50 years ago! Yikes what a flash back.
Then the real shock started taking place.
I looked at the next booth, and the next and the next… Every booth had teenagers sitting in them… just like it was 50 years ago… they were eating French Fries and drinking Coke… just like 50 years ago… but all the teens were 50 YEARS YOUNGER THAN WE ARE. There was no one over 18 in the restaurant when we sat down.
The booth across from us had 9 girls sitting in it – where normally only four adults would sit. They were giggling, talking and apparently doing homework together… Everyone could have been my granddaughters!
When the waitress came for our orders of drinks… and brought the menu – I asked hesitantly… “Is it okay if grandparents eat here..?” She smiled and said, “SURE – we love you!”
After our orders came another "older couple" walked in and past our table.. the lady looked at us and grinned. We now had a cohort – someone that has been there before but could cope with the giggles and laughter that was YOUNG!
What a rush!
I looked at my date… then we laughed. We both looked at the mirror beside our table. I said to my date, “I think that this light blue shirt makes my hair look even whiter!” She giggled.
We look the same but there are more wrinkles – mainly because we both have had 50 years to grow more skin… on the same sized bodies. We laugh a lot – something like the teens in the next booth – but for different reasons.
I only wish that these kids will know the joy that we have had over these 47 years of having Coke and French Fries together. Today it is Diet Coke and sweet Potato Fries… and not so much.
Three Cheers for Zak’s Diner. Check out the link below… this is a great place to feel young again!
~ Murray Lincoln ~
www.murraylincoln.com/
Source:
http://www.zaksdiner.com/
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
* * * * * * * * *
Today’s Blog Post
Zak’s Diner and my Beautiful Date on Friday Night
Okay, Okay, I finally am coming to grip with some of my aging process… at least I think I am.
The setting is a romantic evening with my wife of 42 years. We were on a simple date – away from everything and in a city we love – Ottawa. The conference that I am attending is not starting until the next day. We had the night alone.
We found a delightful “old diner” that is so much like what we once knew when we began dating 47 years ago. At the end of the table in the small booth is a machine that you plug money into and play your favorite oldies. There on the menu was Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley and dozens of other old guys that once played their Top Hit Parade singles.
Imagine the setting if you can.. you feel like you are just finished a long week of school, this is Friday night and you are with the most beautiful girl the world! It is a flash back moment that is hard to believe.
We were seated by a cute young thing dressed in jeans, rolled up the way the girls used to wear them. The waitress that walked by had her hair kind of pinned up, a tight yellow top, blue jeans with a pink belt, and two different coloured socks. And she was chewing gum. She looked like she was from my high school – 50 years ago! Yikes what a flash back.
Then the real shock started taking place.
I looked at the next booth, and the next and the next… Every booth had teenagers sitting in them… just like it was 50 years ago… they were eating French Fries and drinking Coke… just like 50 years ago… but all the teens were 50 YEARS YOUNGER THAN WE ARE. There was no one over 18 in the restaurant when we sat down.
The booth across from us had 9 girls sitting in it – where normally only four adults would sit. They were giggling, talking and apparently doing homework together… Everyone could have been my granddaughters!
When the waitress came for our orders of drinks… and brought the menu – I asked hesitantly… “Is it okay if grandparents eat here..?” She smiled and said, “SURE – we love you!”
After our orders came another "older couple" walked in and past our table.. the lady looked at us and grinned. We now had a cohort – someone that has been there before but could cope with the giggles and laughter that was YOUNG!
What a rush!
I looked at my date… then we laughed. We both looked at the mirror beside our table. I said to my date, “I think that this light blue shirt makes my hair look even whiter!” She giggled.
We look the same but there are more wrinkles – mainly because we both have had 50 years to grow more skin… on the same sized bodies. We laugh a lot – something like the teens in the next booth – but for different reasons.
I only wish that these kids will know the joy that we have had over these 47 years of having Coke and French Fries together. Today it is Diet Coke and sweet Potato Fries… and not so much.
Three Cheers for Zak’s Diner. Check out the link below… this is a great place to feel young again!
~ Murray Lincoln ~
www.murraylincoln.com/
Source:
http://www.zaksdiner.com/
Friday, November 13, 2009
David Blackmore needs your prayer
Misty Hollow Carving
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
* * * * * * * * *
Today’s Blog Post
David Blackmore needs your prayer
This post is very simple today.
Pastor David Blackmore in Kingston needs your prayer as does his family. He is the pastor of the Kingston Gospel Temple.
Last weekend he was preaching and making announcements – and plans for this next week. His son is getting married this coming Saturday.
Today he is on a ventilator now and cannot breath on his own. The situation is very grave.
David has asthma and the Flu that he has caught has taken the tole.
He and his family truly need your prayers today.
~ Murray Lincoln ~
www.murraylincoln.com/
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
* * * * * * * * *
Today’s Blog Post
David Blackmore needs your prayer
This post is very simple today.
Pastor David Blackmore in Kingston needs your prayer as does his family. He is the pastor of the Kingston Gospel Temple.
Last weekend he was preaching and making announcements – and plans for this next week. His son is getting married this coming Saturday.
Today he is on a ventilator now and cannot breath on his own. The situation is very grave.
David has asthma and the Flu that he has caught has taken the tole.
He and his family truly need your prayers today.
~ Murray Lincoln ~
www.murraylincoln.com/
Thursday, November 12, 2009
So are you getting the Flu Shot in this Present Pandemic?
Misty Hollow Carving
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
* * * * * * * * *
Today’s Blog Post
So are you getting the Flu Shot in this Present Pandemic?
So are you getting the Shot? It seems like a silly question as hundreds of people in our community have panicked after hearing the reports that they have in the media. Who wouldn’t get the Shot?
Personally I am not sure that I qualify yet. I am a healthy 65 year old. I have no hidden secret why I can get it first… no under lying reason… other than I am human and could get sick.
As I have checked around with some folks that are in the know… it seems that not as many people are dieing from this H1N1 Flu as do from the regular kind of Flu. At least that is what we have been told by medical professionals.
In our area when the vaccine was ready and being provided in local Malls as well as some other public clinics, people flocked by the hundreds – if not thousands to stand in line for hours to get the shot.
As the news media filled our thoughts with the reports from the sickness front, we heard how a young teen died, another lady that we knew of died, and a baby over here died… We were frightened to not get it. What if…? Will we be next…?
Then the media started picking up stories about certain people in the community – like Professional Athletes and CEOs of Hospitals – getting the shot before others. Cue Jumping – UNFAIR! How could these people be before anyone else!?!? The media lapped it up for almost a week. And people went nuts.
The truth is always “almost there” when the media reports anything. They tell whatever sells their product. WE ALL KNOW THAT! But yet we believe that what is said is the absolute truth.
This morning the one report that I read stated that Canada has already spent $1.5 Billion on this drug manufactured in a chicken egg… and this amount will likely reach $2 Billion or higher before this present crisis is over.
The Globe and Mail’s writers, Paul Wadie and Caroline Alphonso, state…
“Vaccinating Canadians against H1N1 is costing the country nearly twice as much as health officials expected and the tally could easily climb above $2-billion before the pandemic has subsided.
The national inoculation program is only a few weeks in, but $1.51-billion is already being spent, according to a review of estimates from federal, provincial and territorial governments. The actual figure is likely much higher because many provinces are still revising their costs while others have yet to release total estimates.
Even at $1.51-billion, the vaccination effort is proving far more expensive than health officials estimated. In September, provincial and territorial health ministers predicted the cost of buying the vaccine and delivering it at around $16 a dose, or $806-million in total based on the 50.4 million doses ordered. The total cost is currently running at about $30 a shot and climbing.” – End quote
Down the road the Opposition Parties will love this one in our Canadian Government. “IT IS THE CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT’S FAULT THAT THIS HAS PLACED OUR COUNTRY IN FURTHER DEBT!” Can’t you just hear the rants that will go on?
But the news media will be able to use that screaming from Opposition Parties to sell more of their stuff. The Flu Season will be over – but the reporter season is never over!
Did you catch that? $30 a shot! If I get this shot – it is costing me $30. No I don’t mean that I will have to pay that out of my pocket when I get it… but some day I will… in taxes… and that is just from this fall’s outbreak… not the next and the next…
Drug Companies are loving this. They are having a Bumper Year to say the least!
With the Hype that has been created by the news media and the millions of reports generated – by whoever – I am guilty for not getting the shot… and I am guilty if I get the shot without a VERY GOOD REASON. I cannot win! Then I am guilty if I get the shot and it costs $30 to be pricked… but if I don’t get the shot, the shot for me will go to waste. I really cannot win.
Though I will admit that I am at a high risk to get sick!
Take this weekend for example. I am off to visit in a Prison, then visit with a group of other ministers who have all been with sick people, then some personal visits with people that don’t qualify for getting a shot…. THEN I go to Ottawa… where the Politicians Live – and they come from all over the country where a lot of their people are sick and cough on them all the time!
I am attending a National Conference where a group of people from all over Canada will join me to share their ideas with each other… and they will carry in their germs to let me sample them. And none of the Conference Attendees will be eligible for the Flu Shots…
So are you getting the Flu Shot in this pandemic?
But then if was 91 years ago that the First Great World War was over. They had stopped the war with the signing of the Armistice on November 11. It was then that the germs uncovered and brought back by returning soldiers from that War… infected huge sections of the world’s population… and thousands upon thousands died – everywhere.
After this weekend… I think I will stay in my garage by myself… with only my carvings. I won’t buy a newspaper, turn on my TV or Radio and when I come out the Flu Season will be over… Everyone will either be dead or nothing will have happened…
Wikipedia relates about the Flu Pandemic of 1918…
“The pandemic lasted from March 1918 to June 1920, spreading even to the Arctic and remote Pacific islands. It is estimated that anywhere from 50 to 100 million people were killed worldwide which is from three to seven times the casualties of the First World War (15 million). An estimated 50 million people, about 3% of the world's population (approximately 1.6 billion at the time), died of the disease. An estimated 500 million, or 1/3 were infected.” End quote.
Sorry… I have to run now… gotta take my temperature… my throat feels like it has a tickle in it… I looked awful in the mirror when I looked a while ago… sheesh!
~ Murray Lincoln ~
www.murraylincoln.com/
Source:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/h1n1-swine-flu/cost-of-vaccinating-the-nation-hits-15-billion-and-climbing/article1360311/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flu_epidemic_of_1918
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
* * * * * * * * *
Today’s Blog Post
So are you getting the Flu Shot in this Present Pandemic?
So are you getting the Shot? It seems like a silly question as hundreds of people in our community have panicked after hearing the reports that they have in the media. Who wouldn’t get the Shot?
Personally I am not sure that I qualify yet. I am a healthy 65 year old. I have no hidden secret why I can get it first… no under lying reason… other than I am human and could get sick.
As I have checked around with some folks that are in the know… it seems that not as many people are dieing from this H1N1 Flu as do from the regular kind of Flu. At least that is what we have been told by medical professionals.
In our area when the vaccine was ready and being provided in local Malls as well as some other public clinics, people flocked by the hundreds – if not thousands to stand in line for hours to get the shot.
As the news media filled our thoughts with the reports from the sickness front, we heard how a young teen died, another lady that we knew of died, and a baby over here died… We were frightened to not get it. What if…? Will we be next…?
Then the media started picking up stories about certain people in the community – like Professional Athletes and CEOs of Hospitals – getting the shot before others. Cue Jumping – UNFAIR! How could these people be before anyone else!?!? The media lapped it up for almost a week. And people went nuts.
The truth is always “almost there” when the media reports anything. They tell whatever sells their product. WE ALL KNOW THAT! But yet we believe that what is said is the absolute truth.
This morning the one report that I read stated that Canada has already spent $1.5 Billion on this drug manufactured in a chicken egg… and this amount will likely reach $2 Billion or higher before this present crisis is over.
The Globe and Mail’s writers, Paul Wadie and Caroline Alphonso, state…
“Vaccinating Canadians against H1N1 is costing the country nearly twice as much as health officials expected and the tally could easily climb above $2-billion before the pandemic has subsided.
The national inoculation program is only a few weeks in, but $1.51-billion is already being spent, according to a review of estimates from federal, provincial and territorial governments. The actual figure is likely much higher because many provinces are still revising their costs while others have yet to release total estimates.
Even at $1.51-billion, the vaccination effort is proving far more expensive than health officials estimated. In September, provincial and territorial health ministers predicted the cost of buying the vaccine and delivering it at around $16 a dose, or $806-million in total based on the 50.4 million doses ordered. The total cost is currently running at about $30 a shot and climbing.” – End quote
Down the road the Opposition Parties will love this one in our Canadian Government. “IT IS THE CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT’S FAULT THAT THIS HAS PLACED OUR COUNTRY IN FURTHER DEBT!” Can’t you just hear the rants that will go on?
But the news media will be able to use that screaming from Opposition Parties to sell more of their stuff. The Flu Season will be over – but the reporter season is never over!
Did you catch that? $30 a shot! If I get this shot – it is costing me $30. No I don’t mean that I will have to pay that out of my pocket when I get it… but some day I will… in taxes… and that is just from this fall’s outbreak… not the next and the next…
Drug Companies are loving this. They are having a Bumper Year to say the least!
With the Hype that has been created by the news media and the millions of reports generated – by whoever – I am guilty for not getting the shot… and I am guilty if I get the shot without a VERY GOOD REASON. I cannot win! Then I am guilty if I get the shot and it costs $30 to be pricked… but if I don’t get the shot, the shot for me will go to waste. I really cannot win.
Though I will admit that I am at a high risk to get sick!
Take this weekend for example. I am off to visit in a Prison, then visit with a group of other ministers who have all been with sick people, then some personal visits with people that don’t qualify for getting a shot…. THEN I go to Ottawa… where the Politicians Live – and they come from all over the country where a lot of their people are sick and cough on them all the time!
I am attending a National Conference where a group of people from all over Canada will join me to share their ideas with each other… and they will carry in their germs to let me sample them. And none of the Conference Attendees will be eligible for the Flu Shots…
So are you getting the Flu Shot in this pandemic?
But then if was 91 years ago that the First Great World War was over. They had stopped the war with the signing of the Armistice on November 11. It was then that the germs uncovered and brought back by returning soldiers from that War… infected huge sections of the world’s population… and thousands upon thousands died – everywhere.
After this weekend… I think I will stay in my garage by myself… with only my carvings. I won’t buy a newspaper, turn on my TV or Radio and when I come out the Flu Season will be over… Everyone will either be dead or nothing will have happened…
Wikipedia relates about the Flu Pandemic of 1918…
“The pandemic lasted from March 1918 to June 1920, spreading even to the Arctic and remote Pacific islands. It is estimated that anywhere from 50 to 100 million people were killed worldwide which is from three to seven times the casualties of the First World War (15 million). An estimated 50 million people, about 3% of the world's population (approximately 1.6 billion at the time), died of the disease. An estimated 500 million, or 1/3 were infected.” End quote.
Sorry… I have to run now… gotta take my temperature… my throat feels like it has a tickle in it… I looked awful in the mirror when I looked a while ago… sheesh!
~ Murray Lincoln ~
www.murraylincoln.com/
Source:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/h1n1-swine-flu/cost-of-vaccinating-the-nation-hits-15-billion-and-climbing/article1360311/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flu_epidemic_of_1918
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
“Bahahaha! Toof! Toof! Bahahaha! Bahahaha! Pecuuuu! Pecuuuu! Kerbam! Pow! Pow! Katoooie! Katooie!”
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
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Today’s Blog Post
The grass rustled slightly. Then it happened again. Some one was coming, fully armed, ready to do me in. I wasn’t sure who it was or how soon the ultimate attack would come. Then everything exploded.
“Bahahaha! Toof! Toof! Bahahaha! Bahahaha! Pecuuuu! Pecuuuu!”
Which was answered by… “Kerbam! Pow! Pow! Katoooie! Katooie!”
Then a very loud… “Your DEAD! I got you first.”
Does that sound a little like a battle in a foreign land?
Well the action took place about 55 years ago in the large lot just north of 1422 Elliott Street in Regina, Saskatchewan. I was 10 years old and my brother Glen was 5. He was a good sport and loved just playing with all of us. He made a GREAT “JAP”!
“Jap” of course was short and very negative for a Japanese person… particularly a “Jap Soldier” – that everyone hated with a passion. Our God given duty was to kill every Jap.
To change the setting but still act out in the same field the little brothers were declared to be “Gerrys” and on those days they were foulest of foul enemies.
“Gerrys” were of course Germans and we had switched from the Far East Conflict to the Eastern Front of the war with the rotten and hated Germans. Our God give duty that day was to kill every last German in that big open field. Oh how we hated the Germans!
Little Brothers made great enemies – so did little sisters. But the sisters often became bored easily while waiting in the grass for someone to shoot. They walked out of the field and played with their dolls, or the kitten or something that was plain stupid! What a bunch of “sucks”! All the boys were glad to get rid of them.
The date of this happening was around 1954 and the Second World War had ended about 10 years before that. The Japs and the Gerrys were all defeated.
The Korean War however was pretty fresh and people were very much in the war mode yet. It has started in June 1950 and ended in July 1953. We were playing war only one year after it was kind of over. For us War was real – very real!
Some of our dads on that street had fought in the WW II. Many of the dads didn’t want to talk about it. Some of them saw us playing and simply turned away. For them it was not a game.
In think the thing that fed our imagination the most was the stacks of comic books that came our way.
All of the verbal stuff that we used with our wooden guns, like… “Bahahaha! Toof! Toof! Bahahaha! Bahahaha! Pecuuuu! Pecuuuu!
Kerbam! Pow! Pow! Katoooie! Katooie!”… came out of the comic book pages. We simply sounded out what we were reading.
I was probably between 12 and 14 when I saw the full affect of that war on the men in our community. I was at my dad’s work place and one of bosses came over to talk to dad and me. The boss was very drunk, very early in the morning. I could smell the booze and heard the loud way that he talked. He was really obnoxious. Dad scooted me out of the way of the buffoon, and into the car so we could get away from the place.
When I asked dad why the man was like that… his answer didn’t make much sense at the time. “He is like that because he fought in the war. He drinks to cover up what he is feeling” Dad said.
As a young teen I couldn’t understand how alcohol would help you when it appeared to make you so stupid.
A lot of men that came home from horrible places tried to cover the deep emotions that they had.
As a man I now see the full extent of how bad it was for many. They couldn't face the long nights and the horrific images that kept coming back to them. So they drank lots.
“Bahahaha! Toof! Toof! Bahahaha! Bahahaha! Pecuuuu! Pecuuuu! Kerbam! Pow! Pow! Katoooie! Katooie!” – is not a game. It was real… and it was forever.
Today I remember the fallen soldiers. But I also remember the ones that struggled for a life time to shake away the demons that hounded them forever.
It seems very odd that today is the release of the new game entitled C.O.D. – or “Call Of Duty” – the newest and fastest and most realistic game that I have every seen. Talk about blood, guts and fears.
One fellow raved on about his newest purchase of COD. He intended to go home and play it all night… then go to work the next day… to return home and play it another night. “This is so real… it is totally awesome!”
So was it 65 years ago… “Bahahaha! Toof! Toof! Bahahaha! Bahahaha! Pecuuuu! Pecuuuu! Kerbam! Pow! Pow! Katoooie! Katooie!”
I remember.
~ Murray Lincoln ~
http://www.blogger.com/www.murraylincoln.com/
Source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korean_War
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
The Poppy Bullies
Dear Dominion Command of the Royal Canadian Legion;
I am afraid of you guys. And I am especially afraid of your lawyers, “Ridout & Maybee”. There I said it point blank. I doubt that anyone else in Canada is willing to stand up to you and your bank of lawyers. That is very sad. You have a group of bullies working right under your noses and you didn’t know it.
On October 23 your letter arrived informing a local Ganaraska Credit Union to stop their fund raising effort on behalf of soldiers families. The quote from Pete Fisher from “Northumberland Today” stated in his report…
“On Oct. 23, the Ganaraska Credit Union, which has branches in Cobourg and Port Hope, was served a three-page letter by Ridout & Maybee law firm representing the Royal Canadian Legion on trademark matters.”
End quote...
What a ‘Crock’! You are telling and threatening that your group owns the patent of the use of a poppy! Let me tell you that you DO NOT! We as Canadians own it. Our families gave their whole life and entire sections of their existence for it. In fact it is a world wide symbol that cannot be owned by one group – especially like yours. We bought it with blood, sweat and tears.
You see our families had members come home that would never be the same again.
Granted… you, or some one, did a good job of selling the public on wearing the poppy to remember fallen soldiers. To bear the grief of soldiers that gave so much is important. The regular appearance of the poppy selling/collecting, local old soldiers has been a norm in my 65 years of living for a long, long time. I am a War Baby - 1944 – and that battle has never been absent from life – EVER!
In fact you did such a good job of selling the public, even me, that each year I “buy” a poppy whether I need it or not.
I have six grandkids. My desire was to teach them that Grandpa cared. I did this by a simple little method – I wore the poppy all year long. I wore it by keeping the poppies that I have “bought” from the local poppy “sellers” each year. I displayed them inside my vehicle, on the roof, above the rear view mirror. I felt strongly that one day(or week) was not enough. Personally I wanted to do more to let my grandkids know what it was all about.
Each of my grandsons would ask me, “Grandpa, why do you have so many Poppies in your van?” To which I explained the “why in my life” and why I never forget.
Today I made the final decision. I went out to my vehicle and took all 15 of the poppies off the ceiling. I have stored them in a plastic bag and will not show them again.
You and your group can threaten the honest intentions of local group because they displeased you. And it appears that has happened without any dialogue or warning. That is a real shame.
I for one don’t have to put up with that. I withdraw my support this year for the Legion – but not for the soldiers. I honor the role the poppy plays in helping me remember the fallen soldiers that never made it home… but I do not honor the Legion.
Will I wear another poppy? I will think long and hard about it before I do. From now on if I wear it – it reminds me of the Legion and its actions this year… which I do not want to remember.
There are many other symbols that help me remember – like the army helmets from different members of our family that were discarded after the men came home. I kept them to help me remember.
I support the local Ganaraska Credit Union in their intentions to help the soldiers families. I do not support your group. But then what does it matter – I am not apart of either one. I am an outsider that is turned off.
I would like to know how much “poppy money” it cost you to buy into the law firms three page letter? I just bet that they didn’t do it for nothing.
You see I have a poppy at the top of this Blog. No I didn’t get permission – I just used it. It is MY POPPY – not yours!
Finally…
All my life I have witnessed what Bullies have done in communities around the world. If anything has come out of my 65 years of living it is… I avoid bullies. I will do anything I can personally protect my family and neighbors from the actions of bullies. I vote because of bullies… to make sure that they will not get that opportunity again to take control of whole countries… which then cause wars.
I was born during that horrible war where one Great Big Bully threatened everyone that didn’t agree with him, didn’t bow to him and didn’t revere him. His name was Hitler and as you well know he was a Bully.
His counter part in Asia and South East were the inglorious Japanese ideology of their time. That group of Bullies maimed the whole of the eastern world with their Bully Tactics. I lived there and witnessed the deep and horrible affect of the Bullies.
Paul Hallas, CEO of Ganaraska Credit Union needs to be complimented for his(their) idea and the willingness to do something for the soldiers. I also admire his(their) willingness to back down from a Bully and not cause further damage in their community.
But I do wonder what would have happened if Your Bullies would have actually sued them? My guess is that you would have been super big losers – even more than now.
I truly think your organization needs to write an apology to Paul Hallas and the Ganaraska Credit Union says. And I would suggest that you don’t use the Law Firm again… especially to write the apology.
Maybe some one, some where will see what kind of people your executive committee is all about and avoid them with a wide space.
~ Murray Lincoln ~
www.murraylincoln.com/
Source:
http://www.northumberlandtoday.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=2161947
Misty Hollow Carving
This BLOG is sponsored by “Misty Hollow Carving”. You are welcome to visit Misty Hollow and see all of my carvings.
My Web Site is a like a Gallery – please drop in for a stroll through.
To help me promote my Web Site please copy this URL address and email to someone today http://www.murraylincoln.com/
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