Walking away is not an option... dialogue must prevail.

"A good listener tries to understand what the other person is saying. In the end he may disagree sharply, but because he disagrees, he wants to know exactly what it is he is disagreeing with."
- Kenneth A. Wells

"I do not want the peace that passeth understanding. I want the understanding which bringeth peace."
- Helen Keller

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

The Holiday

I celebrate Christmas.

Why? Listen to Linus...



If you're upset because some people are disturbed at the commercialization of Christmas, then I expect you don't understand why Charlie Brown struggled with the Christmas pageant... but I do. I celebrate the Hope that was given to the world on that Sainted and Holy Night. A Hope carried forth by us all in our peaceful moments.

For my fellow Christians, I wish you a Merry Christmas!

Happy Hanukkah to my Jewish friends.

Kwanzaa Greetings to those of African descent.

A blessed Eid al-Adha to Muslims and a hope for Peace.

And to my Pagan friends, Joyous Yule. May the Winter Solstice bring you renewed light.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

when 20 years feels like the blink of an eye

It happened 20 years ago today...

14 women died at l'École Polytechnique (affiliated to the Université de Montréal), 13 of them were students.

They were killed because they were women.

I remember them... I'll always remember them.


In their memory
Geneviève Bergeron
Mechanical engineering student
Hélène Colgan
Mechanical engineering student
Nathalie Croteau
Mechanical engineering student
Barbara Daigneault
Mechanical engineering student
Anne-Marie Edward
Chemical engineering student
Maud Haviernick
Metallurgical engineering student
Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz
Nursing student
(Université de Montréal)
Maryse Laganière
Finance department employee
Maryse Leclair
Metallurgical engineering student
Anne-Marie Lemay
Mechanical engineering student
Sonia Pelletier
Mechanical engineering student
Michèle Richard
Metallurgical engineering student
Annie St-Arneault
Mechanical engineering student
Annie Turcotte
Metallurgical engineering student