Happy Easter! (Easter isn't the "blah" part...)

It's been a WONDERFUL weekend here and aside from the new hard drive dying in my kid's computer, all is well... (Fun trip to a computer store to beg for a replacement tomorrow...)

What's blah is that someone READS this blog!!!!

How is that "blah"?

Well, this blog is not exactly "advertised" or even linked to a search engine... yet... and it pretty much just my ramblings... and the occasional post about my attempts to get a bus.

THAT SAID...

Due to the "controversial"(?) posting yesterday about politics, I received a very nice e-mail from a very nice person... who desperately needs a thesaurus as, apparently, they needed to describe most things and people (including myself) using the words... um... well, on this day, let's say the word was akin to "Having Sexual Intercourse"... Beginning with an "F".

The diatribe... er, the e-mail consisted of someone who obviously had difficulty reading the post as they assumed I was "bashing Republicans"... which is interesting as I'm a Canadian... and didn't mention anyone in particular... and even admitted that I'm not a fan of "party lines" or hard and fast political philosophies on the whole! Left or right!

BUT... there was a redeeming(?) note that I'd forgotten about... Apparently, to some "down South", to hate Republicans is to be a traitorous American basher.

Yes, apparently to be interested in socially conscious work and ethics is "anti-American"... to vote Democrat is "anti-American"... to question the policies of a particular political regime in the states is "anti-American".

Wow... I didn't realise I'd done any of this! Worse yet, I didn't realise I was anti-American!

I guess, being Canadian and reading thoughts from Ann Coulter like how Canadians "...better hope the United States doesn't roll over one night and crush them. They are lucky we allow them to exist on the same continent." might be a little off-putting. As a War of 1812 re-enactor, it was tried once before back then and didn't take... but I'd always assumed "we" were friends and I love visiting and chatting with Americans.

...and not every American I know is a Republican... or a Democrat... I know and chat with both and neither SEEMED to be against their own country.

Perhaps I'm confused... but somehow, I don't think so.

I guess what bothers me is how isn't a "difference of political opinion allowed to be voiced and eventually offered at the polls" one of the hallmarks of democracy?

...apparently not.

Well, not to the person who e-mailed me.

Apparently, surprise, if you're not a right-leaning, Conservative Christian, you're... well, that word about sexual activity was used again... this time, however, those who did not fit this description were dumb... um... "F"ers. Oh, and you're an American basher to boot!

Since I'm not a dogmatic person and simply live within the Judeo-Christian ethic only without ceremony or label, and state my religion as a "Non-Practicing Agnostic"... and admit being centre-left on some issues and centre-right on others, I, also, am one of those words beginning with "F" again.

God only knows what they would have thought of me had they realised (which they obviously didn't,) that I was Canadian!

The horror... the horror...

Well, enough of this... if you need to vent about political ideals, feel free to e-mail me at "spambox@doubledeckerbuses.org" and I promise I will not respond. You can vent, scream, name-call, more or less freak out all you want and I won't belittle you... promise!

I'm done with this discussion... like it mattered here...

To sum up...

My name is Matthew...

• I believe in being as good a person as possible.
• I believe in tolerance to others without losing your own identity.
• I believe in trying to help those who need help.
• I believe in working with industry and business to improve life in general.
• I believe in fiscal responsibility.
• I believe in trying to improve and support culture and heritage.
• I believe in peace keeping, not peace making.
• I believe that everyone has the right to celebrate/enjoy their heritage provided it's in a fashion not to offend or upset their neighbour.
• I believe, if that neighbour is offended, a dialogue should first be tried to resolve the issue.
• I believe that all opinions and people are equal and should be judged on their merit and evidence of fact... not labels.
• I believe in the leg up... not the hand out.
• I believe that we should be tough on crime.
• I believe in a strong military.
• I believe we should take care of the planet... but remember to take care of ourselves also.
• I believe in education and understanding ahead of forced philosophies and protocols.
• I believe that, at heart, MOST people are good and want to do what's best... and just need to be shown what's best for the many and not just themselves.
• I believe VERY MUCH in capatalism... in everything except health-care, policing, and education.
• I believe more strongly in "Good Jobs at Good Wages" than a permanent social safety net... provided those jobs are available to all and allow for looking after children, the elderly, and those who need more assistance.
• I believe intolerance, be that religious, nationalistic, spiritual, political, racial, sexual, or cultural is the greatest sin and horror on our planet. I also believe that one can achieve a tolerance without sacrificing their own beliefs, culture, heritage, and society.

If you disagree, cool... If you don't, cool...

This blog is done with these topics of conversation. You need to rant, fine...

My only last comment is, to receive an angry, hate-filled e-mail from someone who seems only capable of foul language on Easter who makes a point of saying they're Christian...?

Anyone else see where I'm going?

ANYWAY, I'm hoping my next post will be about buses because, gee willikers, what a way to start Easter morning!

But then again, what do I know... I'm an "F"er!
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How I'm spending Easter - By Matthew Didier

Okay, since I'm not dogmatic, and can claim ties to pretty much all Judeo-Christian religions, how am I spending these days?

Well, for one, my super in my building is a religious fellow... so I am looking after the place (since Friday) to allow him to visit family and enjoy his holiday. It's not a "hard job"... just looking after a couple of things (garbage and laundry) and locking and unlocking a few doors for folks... so it's painless and allows him to have a good holiday.

Other than that, it's been Sue and myself... and the computer... and our assortment of pets. We took the puppy for a nice walk and he experienced Lake Ontario (up close and personal) for the first time yesterday with a wee swim!

He's not a water dog by any stretch... it seemed the minute he was "floating", he headed for shore... but he did enjoy splashing about.

Other than that, I'm doing web-work, ghostly, busly, and even 1812ly...

...and enjoying some time off...

My Stepling is with her dad... which is cool, but I admit it would have been nice to celebrate the coming of the rabbit with candy with her... but there's always next year... and we do have some treats waiting for her when she comes back tomorrow.

So that's my Easter holiday... back to (YUCH!) work tomorrow... although Sue has the day off, I work... so blah.

Off to cause trouble and have a late breakfast!

Addendum: Poop... still no lottery win!

Seriously, read my post below on "A tax on the stupid..." and you'll see I don't REALLY expect my dream to come true via The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp.!

Still, a man can dream!