Friday 5 on independence

SOngbird writes
In the U.S., we're heading into a holiday weekend as we prepare to celebrate Independence Day. Although the topic of this meme may be inevitable, independence never is, so it couldn't hurt to stop and think for a minute about independence in a general way and holidays in a more trivial way.

1) Do you celebrate 4th of July (or some other holiday representing independence?) Canada Day, July 1st (once known as Dominion Day)
2) When was the first time you felt independent, if ever? First year seminary, first time I lived somewhere other than my childhood home. (true I went back for a couple years at a later date but so is life). THen later I learned that while Independence is important it is also important to know when it is time to be interdependent -- mind you I am still working on that one.
3) If you're hosting a cookout, what's on the grill? NOt hosting one. But we do attend the community party where hot dogs and corn on the cob are the menu du jour
4) Strawberry Shortcake -- biscuit or sponge cake? Discuss. If I must have some then sponge cake is my choice. But really I would prefer a nice cheese cake, or something ice creamy.
5) Fireworks -- best and worst experience Hm, a tough one. Best nwould be the fireworks at Expo 86 in Vancouver. They launched them off a barge in False Creek so you had the light reflecting off the water. Worst, well I am thinking of a time we bought those over the counter fireworks to set off at the lake -- it was a little underwhelming (sound and fury, signifying nothing).

Thoughts on Leadership

Here in town there is some dissension about what to do about the current town hall (which is currently in a 50 year old schools that is in very bad shape). THere was a public meeting on Monday night. Here is a letter that grew out of my thoughts around that meeting. (At the meeting I spoke about the need for planning and how a lack of planning in the past has basically gotten the town into a mess in the present)

Friends, Neighbours, Fellow Atikokanites;

For three days now I have been mulling over the public meeting held on Monday evening, trying to determine what my response needs to be. And after careful thought I have come to realize that there is an issue of leadership at stake.

A couple times it was asked about why there was not going to be a plebiscite on the issue of a new/renovated Town Hall. My first response is that if people wanted a plebiscite they should have been asking in January February and doing what was needed to get it on the ballot – it isn’t only council’s job. But really I am glad there isn’t because I feel strongly that plebiscites and referenda are poor ways to govern.

It was also raised that there has been “so much opposition” that it is obvious that the town is saying no. Firstly, I don’t believe that to be true. Yes there was a survey but that can not be counted as a statistically valid tool. Yes there have been lots of letters to the editor but my memory is that many of them have been signed by the same few people. The only possibly valid tool of objection is the petition presented on Monday, assuming that the names of the signatories have been properly checked to see that they are voters in town and that they actually signed (versus someone signing for them – it happens). But even if the majority of the town is against spending $2 million on Town Hall it still doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be spent.

This is where leadership comes in to play. Leadership is that task of doing what is best for the community. In our system we elect representatives. Their task is not to poll the public and do what the majority wants. Their task is to receive and review all the relevant information and then do what they honestly feel is the best for the community in the long term. Will they always do what I would do? No, but as a left leaning social democrat from Alberta I am well used to my representatives not doing what I think is best. But I elect them to provide leadership, and leadership sometimes (or even often) means doing what is unpopular.

The problem with polling the population on every issue and doing what the majority says is that the majority doesn’t always have or take the opportunity to review all the relevant information. Also, sometimes the majority is wrong. The majority of the population once believed women shouldn’t vote or that First Nations people were inferior and needed to be “made like white people” and they were wrong. At present, even if the majority in Atikokan said we should live with the Town Hall as is the council would be foolish to follow their wishes. The best thing for the town in the long-term is to have a decent town hall, a more cost-effective to operate town hall.

But of course, if people don’t believe Atikokan will be around for the long-term then maybe they will never support planning and acting for the long-term. Given some of the comments I have heard in the last year I truly wonder if that is really what is at stake here. Someday I will rehash my Easter sermon to address some of that hopelessness and defeatism.

SOcial Values Survey

Hat tip to Poor Mad Peter

This survey assesses human social values by asking questions about your view of the world, and about your personal goals, wishes, hopes, dreams, and expectations. When you have finished it you will be classified into the social values tribe you show the strongest similarity to and be given a more detailed profile of your tribe.

My results say:

We have diagnosed you as most likely being a member of the:Autonomous Rebels with similarities to Connected Enthusiasts

Autonomous Rebels:
Fundamental Motivations
Personal Autonomy and Self-fulfillment

Key Values
Scepticism toward Traditional Institutions
Question Authority
Freedom
Individuality

Words to Live By
Knowledge is power
I did it my way
The personal is political

Icons
Governor General Adrienne Clarkson
Philosopher and critic Mark Kingwell
Talk show host Pamela Wallin
Environmentalist David Suzuki
Hillary and Bill Clinton
Martin Luther King Jr.
Gloria Steinem
John Lennon

Good News About Marriage

Most Canadians marry once and only once, and less than 1% walk down the aisle more than twice, according to a new study.

THis study paints a much brighter picture of the state of marriage in Canada than many would have us believe. And the full article says only 1/3 of marriages end in divorce before the 30th anniversary -- unlike the 50% that keeps getting thrown around. It is also interesting to look at what the study suggests are important aspects to a marriage being stronger or weaker (less or more likely to end in divorce). Thus far I have really only scanned the report, it warrants a closer lok when i have more time and eyes that are less sleepy.

Is This Really That Important?

The Pope has demanded an end to electric guitars and modern music in church and a return to traditional choirs. "It is possible to modernise holy music," the Pope said, at a concert conducted by Domenico Bartolucci the director of music at the Sistine Chapel. "But it should not happen outside the traditional path of Gregorian chants or sacred polyphonic choral music."

Well it is nice to know that Benedict is seeking out the really key issues to address in his papacy. After all, why deal with issues of sexual misconduct, or a celibate priesthood, or divergent theologies, or AIDS, or Darfur, or human suffering. There's music to fight over!

Why do we churches get riled up over the small stuff while the big stuff goes untouched?

PHEW!

You Passed 8th Grade Math

Congratulations, you got 10/10 correct!

Could You Pass 8th Grade Math?

ALways did like math. ANd it is nice to know I actually remember it! Now time to turn off the machine for the night -- and hope that chillun's actually sleep (all three were awake at 4:00 this morning)

AH, Great wisdom

Your Fortune Is

The best way to save face, is to keep the lower part of it shut.

The Wacky Fortune Cookie Generator

But be warned, it took 4 tries before I got a fortune suitable for a family blog.

Ideas Anyone?

I am on the theme planning team for camp this year. Our theme is Covenants and for the last day we need a project.

That day we are talking about prophets and we thought it would be a good idea to have a project that the participants could make for others that day (in about 30 - 45 minutes). Our campers range from age 8-14 (with an obvious range of ability) so the project can't be too complex. And since budget is an issue something that can largely be done wiht "found" materials would be nice.

Any ideas for a possible project and/or a place to send them?

BUmper STickers NOw

Your Bumper Sticker Should Be

What if the hokey pokey really is what it's all about?

What Bumper Sticker Should Be On Your Car?

1st Seen at Inner Dorothy

RGBP Friday 5

Summer is here with a vengeance. We took the family out to Baskin-Robbins to celebrate. I have a special affection for B-R because it was my first job during high school. People told me I'd get sick of ice cream working there. Puh-leeze. Without further ado:

1. Ice cream: for warm weather only or a year-round food? WHy would you limit it to 3 months of the year? All year of course.
2. Favorite flavor(s) THey make flavours that don't have chocolate in them? (but no nuts please)
3. Cake cone, sugar cone, waffle cone, cup? Cup or sugar Cone
4. Childhood ice-cream memory Hmmm, Dairy Queen. Going for treats from a Dilly Bar on up.
5. Banana splits: discuss. A waste of good ice-cream, polluting it with Bananas. Replace them with extra whiped cream and you're talking.

Bonus: Baskin-Robbins used to make ice-cream sodas. During the 18 months I worked there, I think I made about 3 tops. They're no longer on the menu, but you can still order them. Question: What are the ingredients/steps for making an ice cream soda? Soda water, ice cream, milk and flavouring (which is best when chocolate). THe how to make I am not sure anymore. DQ used to have them as well, and I made them at home in a blender for one summer.