Category: Publications
In Search of Community
I read with interest the article in the Western Star about homelessness. It suggested that while it is a reality for some in Western Newfoundland, it is basically an invisible problem. The article says: “homeless people here are more likely found living on a friends couch or at a relative’s.” Perhaps homelessness, here and elsewhere, […]
Reclaiming Community and Our Lives
The concept of family and community has been, and continues to be, eroded in modern society. One might feel that they both are in danger of extinction. Globalists promote the idea of “Big Society” and centralists advocate individualism, in order to concentrate power. Individualism works temporarily for those who accumulate the wealth or power to […]
The Beauty of Small
The President of BP recently caused a flutter in many circles when he stated, during a speech, “we care about the small people”. He was referring to the people most affected by the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, those whose livelihoods will be dramatically affected and whose way of life will be torn […]
A World of No(n) Sense
There appears little by way of intelligence remaining in our world, much less compassion or care. We appear to have entered into an age that makes no sense, and which is full of nonsense. What would those wise generations of long ago have thought about the current state of the world? Indeed, would any of […]
Does Rural Have Value
We have been witnessing for many years the depletion and diminishment of rural living and subsequently rural communities. This is very evident in statistics; the percentage of people living in areas considered rural in Canada has been declining for generations. This has perhaps been more significant in Newfoundland, with the concentration of population in St. […]
What has Happened to Humility
When the myths have all been dispelled, humans will only have reality; and that has always been a dilemma for humankind. The fundamental truth of our reality can be found in the unknown: the mystery that is life. This mystery is still beyond the realm of human thought and imagination and evident only in the […]
Building a Nation
There has been a suggestion by some that the recent Olympics were a significant effort in the building of our nation. A feel good event it may have been, but to label it a nation building exercise would be a stretch. This would diminish the hard work of our forbears who came to this land […]
In Search of a Leader and Hope
(During the Ukrainian Parliamentary Elections in 2012 I served as Long Term Observer for two months. I was also given the privilege of acting as group leader for the immediate election. These are members of my four teams and their translator and drivers.) I have just completed an assignment as an international observer in the […]
Peace – What price Tag?
My niece recently introduced me to the government’s Arts and Letters Awards competition and its various opportunities for artists. It is an excellent source for artists and writers to share their work. The theme of this year’s essay contest is the “Promotion of Peace and Harmony in the World: Does Peace have a Price Tag? […]