I love these photos. I kept hoping to catch him falling in, but he didn't!
I took the zoom lens out, trying to zoom in to the insects.
From up top the hill I took a photo of the puffballs. I love the greenish tinge.
Nutmeg is quite tired.
Out on the back deck, the hops vine is growing nicely. Normally, we've quite a few Question Mark, or Comma butterflies. Finally, I noticed a couple of them ready to morph.
I threw on my boots and a wrap, determined to see how big these puffballs really are. Cinnamon came with me.
We rounded out our day watching the Raptors play ball. It was quite moving to see Reyez on the CN Tower. Black Lives Matter
That was quite a day! A storm rolled into eastern Ontario. Ottawa was hard hit. We had several storm warnings. How much rain did we get? Nothing!
This storm cell rolled on into and right across the region. Lots of lightning.
It is horrific. I cannot ignore this. We cannot ignore this. I heard someone's comment, "White people have to do something about racism." Whites are either allies or racists. Tolerating racism is racism.
I grew up in downtown Toronto, with many diverse friends. My white world, with two working parents, was pretty good. I was raised to treat others as I would like to be treated. The kids at school were from various socioeconomic backgrounds, ethnic groups, and religions. This isn't true for all. People in Canada are getting a knee on their neck frequently, The National reports.
Rural people are different, if this is all they know and have no experience with other cultures, values or traditions. It is important to understand White Privilege. We have no idea what racism is about. With all that is going on, we cannot close our eyes. Said one protestor:
"We have to change the way we think, and how we feel about one another."
Our Minister Hussen, MP and lawyer, spoke on camera about the racism he faces. We have many diverse MPs and MPPs. Not all are equal, however.
Many people of colour make complaints about unnecessary, uncalled for traffic stops, for example. Racial profiling. Black men driving their own Mercedes, in their own neighbourhoods, stopped by cops. This is my MPP, who posted this racist comment, since deleted. This is white privilege. Hillier who earns his living (6 digits) on our tax dollars. I cannot close my eyes.
A Twitter buddy reminded me of Hillier's reputation, this from 2009:
"Then there was the Dombrowsky email. As President of the Lanark Landowner's Association (LLA), Hillier emailed a photo of a dead deer with a group of hunters. Under the photo the caption read – Leona. He sent the email to MPP Leona Dombrowsky. Dombrowsky sat on the email, then released it months later on the eve of an LLA protest in Toronto. Hillier never apologised for sending the email. He only said that it appeared Ms. Dombrowsky did not share his sense of humour."
Some of our Canadian politicians are speaking out. Our PM said this:
"Anti-Black racism exists in Canada and we must do all that we can to end it for good. So as leaders and as allies, we must listen to, learn from, and work with every person who marches and posts and expects more than the status quo."
Jagmeet Singh (leader of the Canadian NDP) said, "When you see someone that looks like you being killed like that it makes you feel like you have no worth and no value. It makes you angry."
RACISM. It exists in Canada. We must hear and bear witness to their stories.
If you aren't part of the solution, you are part of the problem. We need to look for the allies. Many are marching and protesting peacefully. Vancouver, Ottawa, Kingston, Moncton, Halifax, and other Canadian cities.
So said Denley in his recent ramble regarding a nearby MPP: Jack MacLaren should quit as an MPP. Some of them are notorious for garnering attention! This sentence nailed it on the head, though. Many politicians are more concerned with sound bytes and media attention than making change. As has been said, "Don't come to me with problems, come to me with solutions." Programs and services, education, and dialogue. Boots on the ground, so-to-speak.
There are two issues where my local MPP, Randy Hillier seems to be, not so much standing on the sidelines shrieking for change, but actually creating some dialogue, if not setting our county up for some positive change and front-line services. It's only at the local level that an Opposition MPP can enact change. This is a welcome move into 2016! Mr. Back-Off-Government, who claims we are soft on crime, or some other conservative rhetoric, has begun to make progress. Like Rob Ford and Trump, he gets press from ranting, and finds his racist, homophobic, and antigovernment constituents respond in kind.
It is only in dialogue, rather than ranting, that we can enact change. I do like to reflect on issues, but My MPP told me to 'get a life'! Hillier, who blocks this constituent on Twitter, doesn't want to listen to opposite opinions. It did shock me. He tolerates all sorts of abuse, racism, and name-calling against his foes on his Facebook page comments section after each article he posts. I find it shocking, but this is Lanark County where all sorts of people, with diverse views, abide.
3. Copyright Laws; He or his peeps have also learned that rather than violating copyright and reproducing an entire article from a copywritten source, his peeps have summed up Randy Hillier references to the PTSD work he is doing.
'There is a limit to what opposition MPPs can achieve'
I would agree with this statement. Historically, our local MPP, Randy Hillier, has been quite vocal in his opposition to many, many things. Here are a few.
HydroOne for a start. Rural metres haven't been working for many constituents. Hillier has ranted about this for years, to no avail. No solutions (aside from disbanding Hydro), only problems. Horror stories abounded. Hillier ranted for years in the media. Ours never did work, but since Hillier isn't speaking to me (even when I sent him condolences on the death of his mother), I didn't complain to him as others have done. I resorted to submitting a reading myself, on a monthly basis. Lately (2016), our Time Of Use (TOU) 'smart metre' is being manually read monthly by Hydro, at long last!
What he could have done for his constituents, is support them in properly reading their metres, and ensuring that they received monthly bills.
Hillier has broken with his OLA (Originally he was a cofounder: June 2012: Randy Hillier cuts ties to landowner lobby) In a Letter to the editor [MPP expresses support for Bill 100] he writes: "It is only in the dystopian and conspiratorial world of the current OLA and their co-conspirators that mutually agreeable and voluntary agreements have now become suspicious, harmful and dangerous towards property owners and where improved rural business opportunities are a covert government grab for our lands. " He used to be a libertarian, 'back off government' kind of person, while drawing a 6-digit MPP's salary. Our MPP protests the overeager state of environmental protection ('The Nanny State'). He's battling the Algonquin Land Treaty (He's been siding with landowners, anglers and hunters, being free to do as they wish). Vaping. Liberals lost in a fog over vaping: PC MPP Randy Hillier As is his way, when it becomes personal, he does what is best for him, as a former smoker and one who vapes.
Hillier has been at war with fellow MPPs. In the news. Sterling's spat with Hillier reignites. He continues to crow about 'grilling' the government, rather than working for change. It's no wonder they don't often listen to him. 'This is what constant questioning will get you. After I grilled the Attorney General over her lack of action on the SIU report this morning and sent her a letter advocating for the SIU reports to be made public, the Premier has stated the report will now be released to the public." Despite working on the task force on domestic violence, the Ontario bill has yet to be passed, and he used his Facebook bandwidth ranting against Wynne, who has failed to eradicate domestic violence. This irks him, according to his on-line video, despite it being an age-old problem. Violence is down, thank to education and support systems. Murders by partners is on the rise. (I.E., Yesterday the Premier stated "she wouldn't take lessons from me" Today I asked if that was because I am a man, a husband, father or because " am a rural MPP-see how she responds. It’s pretty clear by Wynne's arrogant and defensive demeanor that not only is the Premier embarrassed by her government’s lack of action on domestic violence but that she has no real ideas to tackle the unique issues and circumstances rural women and their families face with domestic violence.) In 2013 theStar published a leaked emailfrom Progressive Conservative labour critic Randy Hillier warning his fellow MPPs they were “walking on thin ice” by helping one of Ontario’s biggest constructions firms advance its legislative agenda...
An area doctor intends to bring a program to Perth to treat veterans and emergency first responders dealing with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
Three would-be leaders of Ontario's Progressive Conservatives made obeisance to the Ontario Landowners Association last weekend, horrifying their caucus mate who helped found the group.
I read a tough book [Moroney; Through The Glass (Autobiography, 2013)], which illustrates the complexity, the various departments involved, and stakeholders in sexual violences and domestic assault cases. We have made progress: less domestic violence now than in the past.In 2010, the rate of intimate partner homicide committed against females increased by 19%, the third increase in four years. Once a case goes to trial and someone is convicted, the government department and, therefore, responsibility changes. It is highly complicated by the Charter of Rights, the rights of victims and legal rights of perpetrators.
Parliament
I know it's a bee, but you get the message!
All parties and all levels of government are guilty of posturing and obfuscation, right down to community boards and regional councils, as well as school board trustees (Prime examples: OCDSB & Trillium Lakelands DSB trustees in the news). No one seems to be able to work together for a good cause. They should come to agreements in the best non-partisan interests of the public.
My MPP, Randy Hillier, presented a 15-minute monologue in parliament on Monday, March 7th, which he posted to Facebook: Watch Hillier's full speech here. (You can read his back story below.)
"We've met with all the agencies, all the police enforcement, the Crown, to find ways to help my family ... not to live in fear. But if he's not out tomorrow, he'll be out soon from now," Hillier said.
There are many failings in our system, Speaker; many, many failings. And this bill does little to address those failings.
The Premier stated she wouldn't take lessons from me, but is it in her DNA to take lessons from the experts at Interval House? Show your family and friends and join the discussion, is the Premier failing women and their families?"
He claims it isn't money they need, but new laws. I disagree. it takes accountability, and communication between departments. It does take money to build and sustain women's shelters, to have decent staffing levels, and his party is all for cutting taxes, not paying for services. (Which is what many of his constituents are demanding! No one wants to pay for the services they feel they are entitled.)
After his speech, Premier Wynne's response: "I will not take lessons from this member on how to invest in and support the women of this province...It is a decades old issue." (There is a history of ill-will between these politicians.)
Thing is, Hillier sat on the committee to work on this issue. Why didn't he use HIS expertise to "fix the system?!" I wish Hiller had spoken about solutions, not laid all the blame on the Premier! (That is, of course, politicking!) Hillier is a member of the select committee on sexual violence and harassment, which presented its final report to the Legislature in December. He said he's anticipating working on the government's proposed Bill 132, the Sexual Violence and Harassment Action Plan Act.
What could be done –specifically– regarding domestic and sexual violence and the court system?
(My two cents worth!)
Corrections Office: Stop plea bargaining, or build in checks and balances. To agree to a placement in a facility, when we know there isn't a bed? Make details in court orders, with reports to the victims.
Accounting for paroled individuals, including physical and social tracking by parole boards, with police involvement, reporting to all direct stakeholder. More staff to do so.
Treatment: More treatment programs for violent offenders, including anger management treatments. More treatment programs for addicts. Random drug testing, with reports to the parole system.
More support for Victim Servicesprograms and women's shelters. (Although they are doing a great job with little.)
More enforcement to reduce access to alcohol and drugs. (Lanark County has a terrible time with drugs and drug abuse. Mother and brother charged in drug bust)
System Navigator for Victims. Someone to stand with and for the victims, with access to the prosecution, the judicial system, the parole office.
Which would lead to: Better communication between departments: The legal system: judges, lawyers, and parole officers, as well as victims, well beyond victims impact statements.
CWF says that while domestic violence is lower, rates of intimate partner murders are up. Why is this?
This decline is partly due to increased social equality and financial freedom for women, which makes it easier for them to leave abusive relationships at earlier stages. It is also due to years of effort by groups who are working to end domestic violence. Their achievements include improved public awareness, more treatment programs for violent men, improved training for police officers and Crown attorneys, having the police lay charges rather than the victim, more co-ordination of community services, and the creation of domestic violence legislation in some areas of Canada.19
This story began in October 4th, 2015. Randy Hillier's family had a crisis when his daughter's ex-partner followed her to Hillier's farm, and engaged in some horrific, violent acts. He was throwing about diesel fuel, and was going at the doors and/or windows, in (we can infer) a drunken rage, as addictions counseling was part of the plea bargain. It isn't an unusual story, sadly. They went into hiding, as a family, for a week. He was arrested and a trial ensued in December, with 16 charges, 4 with max. charge of life in prison. The Crown agreed his year was best spent in a treatment facility. However, there was no room at the facilities. Instead, he was sent to another facility. The Crown expected treatment, and didn't know if there was room or not. There is no feedback from the Crown to the courts.
The Court asked them to give the court documents to the crown attorney. Probation won't do this, despite them being public documents.
The police are excluded from having influence in the plea bargaining. The judge should demand a pre-sentence report, before the bargain is made.
Hillier is upset that the court and corrections didn't talk to him about his victim impact statement and didn't ask for clarification on his statement.
Sentenced to a year, the offender came before the parole board last week. There is no information about its result. Wynne's been an MPP since 2003, premier since 2013. Hillier has been an MPP since 2007.
For the most part, MPP Hillier spends his time and energy ranting against government involvement. He wants lower (or no) taxes. He is against protecting Lanark County, such as the Tay Valley legislation intended to protect the land from exploiting landowners.
Hillier's Facebook account is full of acidic remarks and pejorative claims, the free throwing knives of blame, anger and hostile comments. He has a history of civil disobedience, disrespect for fellow politicians, and those who disagree with him (including me), beginning with illegal protests and flaunting the laws of the land. [His son went overseas to fight Da'esh (ISIS) as a solo volunteer.]
BTW
I am blocked from reading and following Randy Hillier's tweets. THAT system is broken! He is my legal, publicly-paid MPP ($ six digits) and he won't tolerate my queries. Heaven forbid we disagree with politicians!
Like all violent crime in Canada, rates of domestic violence have fallen in recent years.18 This decline is partly due to increased social equality and financial freedom for women, which makes it easier for them to leave abusive relationships at earlier stages. It is also due to years of effort by groups who are working to end domestic violence. Their achievements include improved public awareness, more treatment programs for violent men, improved training for police officers and Crown attorneys, having the police lay charges rather than the victim, more co-ordination of community services, and the creation of domestic violence legislation in some areas of Canada.19
In a new book, Dr. Lance Dodes concludes that the success rate for Alcoholics Anonymous is between 5 and 10 per cent, which he calls one of the worst in all of medicine.
“The model has been so popular, so widely disseminated, that people believe it should be something that works,” says Dr. Bernard LeFoll, head of Alcohol Research and Treatment Clinic at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health. But at this point, he says, we have neither definitive data supporting that it works nor studies about whom it most benefits.
As many individuals and families have learned the hard way, addiction treatment programs are not created equal. There are no mandatory regulations or provincial standards that facilities or their employees must adhere to; it is a buyer beware environment.
Use a multi-faceted approach (biopsychosocially-based treatments); treat the family; treat the addictions, as well as mental and physical issues, consult physicians; monitor as lapses occur; rule out infectious diseases.
Police said Thursday’s bust was centred on a 28-year-old man they allege was supplying cocaine to street-level dealers in Lanark County.
Investigators searched Matthew Fillipoff’s 2009 Mercedes after a pursuit by tactical officers in Lanark Highlands along with four houses... They seized nearly a kilogram of cocaine, Fentanyl patches, more than 500 grams of MDMA, marijuana and hashish. Also charged with possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking are six other Perth residents ages 19 to 59, charged with possession of cocaine. All were released pending court appearances.
HydroOne for a start. Rural metres haven't been working for many constituents. Hillier has ranted about this for years, to no avail. No solutions (aside from disbanding Hydro), only problems. Horror stories abounded. Hillier ranted for years in the media. Ours never did work, but since Hillier isn't speaking to me (even when I sent him condolences on the death of his mother), I didn't complain to him as others have done. I resorted to submitting a reading myself, on a monthly basis. Lately (2016), our Time Of Use (TOU) 'smart metre' is being manually read monthly by Hydro, at long last!
