Saturday, July 01, 2017

HAPPY 150TH BIRTHDAY CANADA

1 JULY 2017

      


150 YEARS OLD TODAY

     In a world filled with turmoil and political strife, where human rights are trampled daily, where other democracies threaten freedom of the press, where people are crammed so close together they can barely breathe, where hope is an abstract concept, where wars destroy lives, where dissent is met with imprisonment, where hunger is a daily fact of life, Canada stands as a beacon of civility and transparency.
Is it perfect? Of course not, but there is nowhere else that I would rather live. 
We may gripe about the weather, bellyache about taxes, fulminate about our politicians, but when I see my country open its arms and welcome refugees from troubled lands, accept them as new Canadians, and help them to integrate into our society as valued members of our multi-cultural mosaic I know I am in the right place.
This is my Canada! Vive mon pays!

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David M. Gascoigne,
David M. Gascoigne,

I'm a life long birder. My interests are birds, nature, reading, books, outdoors, travel, food and wine.

20 comments:

  1. Carol Gorenc1 July 2017 at 11:01

    I couldn't agree more David! Love living in Canada.

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    1. David M. Gascoigne,1 July 2017 at 11:30

      Affirmation from one of my favourite people in the whole world.

      Delete
  2. Franc1 July 2017 at 11:09

    Since I lack the eloquence of my friend David, let me just say that there is no other country in this world where I would rather live!!! It is our responsibility to keep it that way. My biggest fear is that we will become another US satellite. Democracy and Freedom are not always easy to recognize in this deception filled society. Nowhere is this more apparent than down south. Just spend a few months there and you'll see what I mean!
    Franc

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  3. Bob Bushell1 July 2017 at 11:11

    Yes, you have it right, everyone should be like it, thanks David.

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  4. Tinie1 July 2017 at 12:12

    How nice to read that you live so fine David.
    I live in the Netherlands very nicely in a beautiful place, so everybody has his or her place.
    Happy weekend, greetings Tinie

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  5. David M. Gascoigne,1 July 2017 at 12:32

    From an email from our dear friend, Marion Mudd, of Bethesda, MD."

    Many very happy returns to wise Canadians and Canada on the 150th Anniversary of awesome Canada!

    Marion Mudd, Bethesda, MD.

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  6. Germán Ibarra Zorrilla1 July 2017 at 18:20

    Felicidades!!! Desde luego que tiene que ser un orgullo vivir en un país tan ecológico y pacífico como es Canadá, un paraíso en este mundo lleno de conflictos y contaminación. Un fuerte abrazo desde España.

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  7. Karen2 July 2017 at 01:12

    Ah yes, we open our arms to welcome refugees, but sadly, we long ago, and to this day, have closed our arms and hearts to the plight of our indigenous population. Canada is not 150 years old today, Confederation and colonization is 150 years old today...indigenous genocide. This is my Canada, and I for one, am not proud.

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    Replies
    1. David M. Gascoigne,2 July 2017 at 14:52

      I agree that we have not dealt well with our First Nations people - and there are a few other things I am not thrilled with either. No nation is perfect, no family is perfect for that matter. But weighing everything in the balance, my inescapable conclusion is that this country which we call home is an especially benighted place to live.i am not sure how much you have travelled the world, Karen, or have lived in another country as I have, but the comparisons in many instances are stark indeed.

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    2. Karen3 July 2017 at 02:36

      I have travelled to many parts of the world David, lived in some of those places, (not as a tourist) for a couple months...South America, Scandinavia, Europe, Asia. But when I lived in Australia for a few years, I found the plight of the Australian indigenous people so similar to our indigenous people. While there, I became very aware of how European/white people/settlers/colonizers have routinely and systematically tried to (around the world) obliterate native people and their culture.

      Is Canada a "good" place to live, sure it is. My opinion is not that Canada is a bad place to live, but rather, the 150 celebration is the celebration of the formation of Canada's government, not the "birthday" of Canada.
      :)

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  8. Rhodesia2 July 2017 at 04:26

    I would love to see Canada but it will never happen. Our only trip to the USA is the closest we will ever get. Take care Diane

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  9. Nancy Chan3 July 2017 at 05:05

    Happy birthday to Canada! I have heard so much about Canada and I know it is a beautiful country. Have a great day!

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  10. John Holmes6 July 2017 at 06:29

    Congratulations to Canada !

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  11. eileeninmd6 July 2017 at 10:32

    Happy Birthday to Canada! It is great to feel happy about where you are living, the USA is a little scary to me lately.

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  12. Sara - Villa Emilia6 July 2017 at 13:25

    (Belated) congratulations to Canada!
    Never visited, but always liked Canada... I think it started when as children, we were watching ice hockey...
    What Karen writes is true, sadly. I'm afraid it's the human nature that the "strong" oppress the "weak" and only few special individuals are able to see how horrible this is and even fewer are able to do something about it.
    Thank you for the beautiful post.

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  13. Jenn Jilks6 July 2017 at 15:56

    Yes. Canada.

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  14. DeniseinVA7 July 2017 at 05:50

    Canada? David, I have always loved my visits there. Vivez votre pays :)

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  15. Sallie (FullTime-Life)8 July 2017 at 21:05

    Thank you again for this David

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