Technology Voice

RCMP Application information Session

2005-05-10T11:05:00.000-07:00

From: 5/1/2005 to 5/17/2005 held May 18th at the NSCC-Strait Area Campus at 5pm. All new applicants for the RCMP are required to attend this session. Call 625-2220 for more information**

The Difference between Intelligence and Wisdom!!!

2005-05-06T10:46:00.000-07:00

"Physics is easy, and so is school. Honestly, I'm passing everything with straight A's!" This is an example of intelligence, the thing many people are lacking these days. Intelligence is how much, or what, you can learn, and what you already know. It is not about memorizing everything you learn in school, since that is impossible, but it is keeping in mind the things that you will need in the later years. "Well, I'm not doing that good in school, but hey, at least I know when to be quiet." This is an example of Wisdom, the thing that keeps us from getting ourselves hurt. Wisdom is knowing things where intelligence is not required; such as knowing how to solve problems of a person, such as a friend asking you a question on what they should do, and not solving problems that are related to school, such as a question from a Math book. Wisdom is mostly made up of common sense, another thing a lot of people seem to be missing these days. Common Sense is quite important, I find, because without it you will be making quite a few mistakes that you normally wouldn't make, like putting a lighter in front of an aerosol can to create a "flame thrower" effect. Without wisdom people will be walking around, not noticing much of their surroundings, making a lot of mistakes without realizing it, and not able to solve personal problems, nor give advice to your friends. Intelligence is mostly composed of being able to pay attention, and to be able to learn from your mistakes, and to be able to learn from what you observe. Intelligence is very important, because without it you would be, well, an idiot. You would be walking around a place, gawking at everything that comes your way, or past you, while wondering why they do that, or what they do, or why you don't know what or why they do that. Intelligence is very important to a human, and to humanity, because there would probably be a lot of accidental deaths (more than there are now). In my opinion, I believe that Wisdom is more important than intelligence; but also that you need some intelligence, but only enough to know that you are either an idiot, or enough intelligence to realize how not to act like an idiot. I do not believe it is possible to possess great intelligence and great wisdom at the same time, but that one person can possess some intelligence and good wisdom, or the other way around, or one without the other. Of course, this thought does not apply to everyone; but look around the next time you are around friends, and observe, and wonder, at which they have; intelligence, or wisdom?

Life!!!

2005-05-06T10:38:00.000-07:00

I find the phase, or sentence, "He’s wasting his life" particularly funny. It is a really, really, stupid sentence, I find. Also the sentence "He has no life." Now, let me explain something for you people who say that I am wasting my life, or that I have no life; I am breathing. As long as I am breathing, there is life in me, so I am not wasting my life. Sure, I go on the computer and play video games, and search the Internet for pointless things every now and then, but I am not, technically, wasting my life: I am managing my time. In order to "waste my life," I would have to kill myself. Thus, when I am dead, my life is no more, so I just wasted my life because I probably had a couple of more hours, or days, or months, or years, depending on when I am supposed to die (Accident, by man, by vehicle, or whatever; not by God’s judgement (Bad judgement)). Also, if you say I'm wasting my life, take a look at yourself. Did you picture yourself going to work everyday in a suit and tie, with a briefcase in hand, waiting several hours in traffic and doing the same job daily, while taking insults and yellings from the higher-class employee’s? Now, what seems like wasting life? Spending time with friends via Internet and/or through verbal communication, or going into a cubicle in a tie and suit and sitting in front of a computer and looking at numbers, proposals, and various other things that are work related, getting elevated stress, and dying early in life because of a heart attack caused by stress? Now, to the latter, "He has no life." I don’t even need to correct this, because it is not true. Want to know who has no life? Albert Einstein, Sir John A. MacDonald, and Edgar Allan Poe. Want to know why they have no life? Because they’re dead. Dead people have no life because they don’t breathe. Also, wasting your life, well, we sort of only have one life (Unless you believe in Reincarnation), and that means we only have so many hours to live. Teenagers are actually able to live their lives longer because they barely get any sleep, so they are actually, in a way, keeping better track of their time on Earth. To end this, I just want to remind you that the only way you can waste your life is by suicide, which is not advisable, because you would be, well, dead, and that besides suicide, it is not possible to "Waste your life."

Manifesto of the Democratic Labour Party of Canada!!!

2005-04-27T13:04:00.000-07:00

The Democratic Labour Party of Canada is a party of like-minded individuals from all walks of life who have united to voice their opposition to the current state of affairs in Canada. For too long already, the Canadian working class has been neglected, allowed to deteriorate and forced to endure hardship after hardship, and with the worsening of the Canadian economy, along with that of the American economy, we feel that now is the time to take action. We are opposed to all forms of discrimination, whether it be racism, sexism, bigotry, or any other form. We believe that all Canadians are deserving of equal treatment and equal opportunities no matter their sex, race, age, sexual orientation, religious or political beliefs, or financial situation. This belief leads us to support the struggle for same-sex marriage, although on this issue, as well as on others of a particularly sensitive nature, we would act in accordance with the will of the Canadian people. The Democratic Labour Party is appalled by the state of the health care and education systems in Canada. These essential components of our society are in desperate need of revamping and require an infusion of capital larger than those recently in power have been willing to make. The Democratic Labour Party is committed to saving Canada’s public health care and education systems from the pit into which they have been allowed to fall. There was a time when a high school education was more than enough to get a well-paying job, and so, everyone thought it was great that the government provided this education free of charge. But the times and the people’s needs have changed. No longer is a high school education enough. A person now requires several years of college or university to stand a chance at getting a decent job. Sadly, many Canadians simply cannot afford to attend a post-secondary institution of any kind. The government, however, has taken no steps to remedy this situation. In its greed and blindness, the current state has lost touch with the needs and wants of the people. The Democratic Labour Party is determined to change this. The Democratic Labour Party of Canada demands the immediate freeze of college and university tuition fees across the country and the eventual elimination of tuition altogether, so that the sons and daughters of the poor and working classes can have the same opportunity as those of the wealthy elite to attended post-secondary institutions. We of the Democratic Labour Party are in favour of the legalization of marijuana in Canada. We think it absurd that a person be faced with legal repercussions for the use of marijuana while the Canadian government not only allows, but profits from the production and sale of tobacco products. The Democratic Labour Party is committed to protecting the environment, as well. The wanton destruction of Canadian forests must be brought to a halt, greater protection measures for fresh water resources and marine creatures must be put in place, and the production of toxic emissions must be drastically reduced across the country. The Kyoto Accord and all such future programs must receive the unequivocal support of Canada. The Canadian environment and that of the entire planet has been endangered by the current way of doing things, by allowing big business to run nature into the ground. The Democratic Labour Party is dedicated to reversing such trends and to bringing about some environmental change for the good. The Democratic Labour Party is also concerned with the state of our roads, and that of the broader Canadian infrastructure. We realize that Canadians desire better and that they deserve better than they currently have, and we of the Democratic Labour Party are determined to allocate the resources required to improve Canadian roads, to bring our roads up to the level at which they should be. The Democratic Labour Party believes that Canada’s military personnel deserve to have the best equipment, and so, we advocate an increase in military expenditures, but only to a degree capable of maintaining our current force, meaning we do not support a great increase in the size of the Canadian military. We of the Democratic Labour Party believe that Canada should retain its role and identity as a peacekeeper and not take part in unjust wars of aggression and imperialism. The Democratic Labour Party feels that it should be a priority of the Canadian government to care for the veterans of past conflicts and their spouses. We of the Democratic Labour Party call for the immediate implementation of a nationwide housing construction program. This program would be responsible for providing quality housing for Canada’s homeless and those currently living in sub-standard housing. The Democratic Labour Party calls for the increase of Old Age Security payments to levels capable of sustaining a decent life for Canadian seniors. This party also looks to establish a national minimum wage of nine dollars an hour.The Democratic Labour Party is, as our name indicates, a political party dedicated to the cause of true democracy. Over the decades, the Canadian people have become alienated from their government, and we wish to change that. The Democratic Labour Party organization is based upon democratic centralism, under which things run from the bottom up, instead of from the top down as they do under the current system. The party encourages members to participate to the fullest, and Democratic Labour governments would encourage the open participation of all Canadians. If in power, the Democratic Labour Party would ensure that the people have their say and are heard of all issues. As part of this commitment, under a Democratic Labour government, major social questions would be put to the Canadian public in the form of referendums and plebiscites. The Democratic Labour Party looks to reform the electoral system and the broader system of governance in Canada. The first of these reforms would switch Canada to the electoral system of proportional representation, under which political parties would be awarded seats in government according to the percentage of the popular vote won. Under the current electoral system, a political party can win several hundred thousand votes, several percent of the national popular vote, but yet not hold a single seat in Parliament. Under the system we of the Democratic Labour Party propose, any party winning two percent or more of the popular vote would hold a seat in Parliament, thereby finally giving their supporters a voice in government. he next change that we wish to make to government is the abolition of the Canada’s upper house, the Senate. The Canadian Senate is a body of appointed members, who are paid annual salaries only dreamt of by average working Canadians and whose jobs are guaranteed until the age of seventy-five. Senators are allowed to fly all around the country, first-class, at the entirely at the expense of taxpayers. The Democratic Labour Party believes that the Senate is a gross waste of the Canadian people’s tax dollars, and that there is no place for an appointed body of such power in the Canadian government. The Democratic Labour Party carries this belief in true democracy to apply to the appointed positions of Governor General and Lieutenant-Governor. Such positions must also be abolished, for the same reasons given above: they are a gross waste of funds and have no place in our democracy. The Democratic Labour Party is prepared to go so far as to call for Canada’s separation from British Monarchy. Why should Canada now, in the 21st Century, have as it’s Head of State the King or Queen of another nation? The Democratic Labour Party feels that Canada will never be truly free and democratic until such reforms are carried out. We of the Democratic Labour Party believe that some economic changes are also needed in Canada. First of all, we call for the nationalization of all major Canadian industries and of big business. Under state, in other words, public control, Canadian businesses would be contributing more to the well-being of Canadian society as a whole, than to the well-being of the wealthy elite as they currently are. State control would ensure that workers receive proper treatment and pay, and it would also ensure that business and industry follow environmental regulations. Secondly, the Democratic Labour Party calls for the reindustrialization of Canada. Reindustrialization would not mean a reversal of the progress made in the service sector of the economy, but would instead mean a boost to it. The so-called experts drone on about the wonders of the new service-based economy, and how the Canadian people must embrace it. The problem is that the service sector is not enough to maintain an entire economy, especially not that of a nation as large as Canada. Just as developing countries struggle with an economy based on one sector of the economy, that of agriculture, so has Canada struggled with the transition to this new economy. Call centres are not enough to maintain our country. The Democratic Labour Party realizes that some real employment is needed, and this employment would come with reindustrialization. Seven percent of the national workforce is currently unemployed, and this percentage does not include those Canadians who are not actively seeking employment or those who are underemployed. Reindustrialization would provide quality jobs for all of these people, these people whom the current system neglects. Reindustrialization would provide a boost to the service sector through spinoff; those newly employed Canadians would have money to spend, meaning more business for retailers and other branches of the service sector.
Reindustrialization would mean the production of products here in Canada, meaning we would be far less dependant upon goods from foreign nations. Why should Canadian consumers be forced to buy products which are either expensive and of poor quality or inexpensive and of a poor quality, when the potential exists to produce affordable products of a high quality here?
The Democratic Labour Party calls for Canada’s withdrawl from the North American Free Trade Agreement, and the establishment of a fair trade agreement, perhaps based upon the idea of counter-trade. Finally, the Democratic Labour Party calls for some reform of the Canadian tax system. We call for the aboltion of the current complex graduated income tax, in favour of a simpler system under which a person would be taxed according to their gross annual income. We also support the elimination of income tax on yearly incomes of less than twenty-five thousand dollars, along with the implementation of taxes on inheritances of one million dollars or more. We of the Democratic Labour Party of Canada know that the majority of Canadian are disastisfied with the current system and are looking for an alternative to the ways that have been forced upon us. The Democratic Labour Party is that alternative, and with the support of the Canadian public, we know that we can bring about some real change for the better. But the Canadian people must take action now! Now is the time for change! Canadian voters must strike while the iron is hot, or risk having to endure several more years of the farce that has been made of our beautiful country. The future of Canada and its people holds great potential, but before it can be realized we must shake ourselves free of the chains that have held us back to this point in our development. We are on the road to stagnation, the road of our demise. We must take a stand against poverty, discrimination, and inequality in all of its forms. Let us now do what we know must be done, let us face the future.

Death, Life, and Immortality!!!

2005-04-20T10:45:00.000-07:00

Humans are born, we live out our life, and we die. That is the state of our being, our lives. But I have been thinking harder upon this than any human should have a right to, probably.
Now, every man, woman, and child wants one thing in life above all others: immortality. Whether through song, poem, stories, or through eternal life, it doesn’t matter; just so long as we are not forgotten. We seek fame like treasure, and we look for ways to get it more than we ponder the weather, or the future, or a source of food. People who are generous are indeed also looking for fame, for immortality, through being known by others and not forgotten by them.
Speaking of treasure and immortality, they go hand in hand.
Long, long ago, people used to go “treasure hunting”, in which they bought supplies (food, water, camping equipment, etc), found a few friends, and went off to go search for something priceless, for fame. Today, we have developed a new way to go treasure hunting through science, in which we try to create the treasure, like cures for diseases in which other countries will want, or the car, the rockets used in propelling things forwards, and scientific discoveries through satellites.
I am going somewhere with this, so patience please.
Now, back on subject, immortality. Long ago, humans went treasure hunting for three reasons: gold, fame, and eternal life. Not eternal life as in song and glory, I mean as in the “Fountain of Youth”, the great way to live forever in physical form, to forever look like you do now, to never age. Of course, no one has found anything like that, because it doesn’t exist. Even today, humans are still searching for eternal life through science, the new way to treasure hunt. An example of this is cloning, in which we want to recreate ourselves with the same mind, same image, same thoughts; everything. Of course, we ourselves won’t be thinking in that body, unless we transport the brain from one body to the other, but we will still be living on in the same image anyways.
I have thought about it for awhile, and I have discovered something; there is no eternal life.
Poets are remembered still for their great works, and scientists are known for their discoveries. But in two thousand years or longer, when wars have ravaged the land and pollution consumes our oxygen, do you think humans will still remember names like Fredrick Banton, or Alexander Graham Bell? Jennifer Lopez and Brittany Spears? What about Albert Einstein, the most brilliant man known to ever exist? Edgar Allan Poe? No, they will be forgotten, just like us.
Humans seek eternal life, but it does not exist. Every man and woman has thought about living forever; you might even be thinking about going “treasure hunting” for eternal life as you read this, and try to prove me wrong; but I will tell you now that it will only prove me right. We think about it every day, living forever, and we think about going out to find it, but we never do. Do you want to know why? It is easy; we think about it, and we desire to, but deep down in our minds and hearts we KNOW that it is impossible. Eternal life does not exist.
To go along with something in the movie “Troy”: Humans will settle down, bear children, and those children will remember your name. Those children will have children, and you will still be known; but that is as far as it will go. When you are gone, and your grandchildren have children too, your name will be forgotten, and life will go on. There is no stopping it; there is no way to keep your name going eternally; you will be forgotten.
I speak only the truth, and I hope you will realize that to go pursue eternal life is fruitless. Sure, you could gain some fame, some fortune, and be known for several long years, but in the end, your name will be forgotten.
I leave this final omen, these final words, and you will remember these words for as long as you live: “We are not so much as living, as waiting to die.”

Relationships!!!

2005-03-22T13:00:00.000-08:00

There’s something I don’t get, and it is quite simple: relationships.
Okay, so maybe it’s not as simple as it may seem, maybe it’s quite complex and frustrating, but it’s not so much as who is on the date; it is what is in the date.
Here is my problem, what I don’t understand, and with good reason in my perspective, is that there is more going on during dates than just dinner.
Okay, women, honestly, why do you suck your boyfriends penis, or partake in anal sex, or just go all the way and do it like rabbits? To me, it seems demeaning and pitiful. If you think that to build up a successful relationship you got to play with the penis, then I think you need to become a nun. At least they have morals.
I believe that a successful relationship is being able to get along with your partner, and to have something in common. It is not composed of how long you can suck his penis.
You have been given Women Rights in this world, it gives you respect from males (or those who realize that we need you), and yet you toss it away to get on your hands and knees like a female dog in heat, only to give your “boyfriend” a few minutes of pleasure.
I just don’t get it; why do you partake in these activities? What is there in it for you? A drink? Get some water.
I also strongly believe that boyfriends should be people who show respect to you, are easy and capable of trusting, and will never ask for any of that business on a date, or while going through the dating part of the relationship.
Another thing, too; why do you persist in dating idiots, who have done nothing with their life up to this point, who practically beg for sex, probably lives off welfare, and is seventeen years old and still in grade 9? I mean, we’re in school for a reason, and that is to learn not to make stupid decisions that can easily be avoided.
Teenagers know NOTHING about love. What many would take for “love” is actually “lust”. I’m talking to you too, men.
“I love her.” No, you just want to get in her bra.
“I love him.” No, you just made a bad decision.
It is very simple, ladies, all you need to do is open your eyes and realize that your boyfriend is most likely a sexist pig, or you are a whore. Open your eyes and realize which one you are, and keep your mouth closed; you don’t want another penis in there, do you?
Ah, men, men, men, you don’t think I would leave you out of the bashing, would you? Of course you did, you just hate me because this rant will either make your woman complain to you, or dump you because you’re an idiot.
Try to learn things while listening to everyone, for bloody’s sake, and stop begging for sex. I know your hormones are raging, and you feel like you got to hump every piece of furniture, but that is NOT something your girlfriend needs to know. Chances are she already knows, and so did the one before her, and the one before her, and so forth.
I swear, men are more offensive with every passing day. What, you mean me too? I’m just releasing pent up anger, and there is something that separates me from you; I know when to shut up. I’m sure your girlfriend does not want to know what you did with you ex-girlfriends when you were dating them, or whom you think is hot, or who your previous girlfriends are.
And don’t use the line “If you love me, you will…”, it is pathetic, and annoying, because you are pretty much FORCING them to do what you want. You’re worst than a child if you do that; always getting what they want, and begging for more and more, until they grow up thinking they are superior. Much like you probably think you are now. We have a little something called FREE WILL. You know, it’s that thing that “God” gave us so we could control our own destinies, fates, etc. That gives us choices to do as we wish, and if she doesn’t accept what you are trying to force her to do, then tough. It’ll just be another girlfriend that dumped another loser.
I know you love to feel pleasure, I mean, who doesn’t? It’s, well, pleasing; but that does not mean you need to beg your girlfriend for sex, or to try it up the butt, or to suck your penis. Ever hear of chocolate? That’s supposed to work just as well.
Try the cafeteria’s vending machine.
Also, please refrain from talking about your girlfriend, about how much you love her, and about how you have all these great things planned out for this certain night, and about how she is so special. I’ll cut it down, short and simple: No one cares.
Now, I hope this has been enlightening, and I hope even more that you’re wondering who wrote this so that you could “kick his butt” for making the girlfriend dump you. She most likely deserves better than you, any ways.
End of rant, good bye.

What is a good employee?

2005-03-21T13:33:00.000-08:00

What Is An Employee?
According to dictionary.com an employee is a worker who is hired to perform a job. An employee is also trained to have the skills it takes to do the job they are hired for. The minimum expectations from an employee is to do the tasks they are assigned to do. A good ambitious employee would finish their task and look around to see if there is any other little jobs around the office or work site for them to do to keep themselves occupied and working. An employer will notice what their employees are doing and how they are performing on the job. If the employer sees that the employee is doing extra little things as a bonus that they have either volunteered to do or just noticed that they could be doing to keep themselves working until they are assigned another task this employee could receive a “perk”, short for perquisite, which could be an employee benefit or incentive. Every little thing you do counts. If you are an employee who is always cutting off work early or always taking breaks or always messing up on the job you could receive a pink slip which is an employee's termination notice. In my own opinion I think an employee's job is to see things get done, take the initiative to do other tasks you see needs to be done without having to be told to do it, respecting your employer and fellow employees, also respecting the environment you work in. Don't take it for granted that you can do anything you want when you want, if you have this attitude you will eventually be kicked in the ass, or given a pink slip. If you are an employee, work, that is what you are there for and why you were hired. Most importantly don't slack off.
Personally I have not had any bad working experiences. I have had negative effects from a job that I took on this summer being a person who looks after the cemetery and I didn't mind it until a few certain people from that neighborhood called me or visited me with pointless complaints such as “there is grass clippings on my relatives tombstone”, little things like that which aggravated me. I also had people coming up to me telling me what a wonderful job they thought I was doing, which always makes a person feel good when someone compliments you on how well you work. Other than that, I don't have any other complaints about my past employment.

What is a good employee?

2005-03-21T09:34:00.000-08:00

What is a good employee?
According to the online Webster’s dictionary, an "employee" is "a person who works for another in return for financial or other compensation". The qualities that make a good employee are the following:
You should take interest in the product which your company sells and use the product yourself.
You should engage in discussion with customers to see what they like, dislike, or what they would change about the product.
You must have specialized knowledge or skills, and be willing to learn new concepts.
You have to be flexible enough to take advantage of opportunities that can give you perspective.
You have to use your head in practical ways, and use your time efficiently.
Although I do not have a lot of experience in the workforce, I do know that as an employee it is important to be prompt and on time for your job. You should always be willing to accept new challenges given by your employer. The last quality of a good employee is not to overlook the obvious essentials such as being honest, ethical and hard working. These attributes are critical and go without saying.

Black History Month

2005-03-11T09:49:00.000-08:00

Black History Month
Every year Canadians are invited to take part in the festivities and events that honour the legacy of Black Canadians, past and present, during Black History Month. This is a time to celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Black Canadians, who, throughout history, have done so much to make Canada the culturally diverse, compassionate and prosperous nation we know today. It is also an opportunity for the majority of Canadians to learn about the experiences of Black Canadians in our society, and the vital role this community has played throughout our shared history. Many sites, persons and events of national significance related to Black history have been formally recognized by the Government of Canada as defining important aspects of Canada's diverse but common heritage and identity. To learn more about other commemorations of Black history in the system of national sites of Canada, please visit the Parks Canada Web site.
Background
Despite a presence in Canada that dates back farther than Samuel de Champlain's first voyage down the St. Lawrence River, people of African descent are often absent from Canadian history books.
There is little mention of the fact that slavery once existed in the territory that is now Canada, or that many of the Loyalists who came here after the American Revolution and settled in the Maritimes were Black. Few Canadians are aware of the many sacrifices made in wartime by Black Canadian soldiers, as far back as the War of 1812. In an attempt to heighten awareness of Black history in the United States, historian Carter G. Woodson proposed an observance to honour the accomplishments of Black Americans. This led to the establishment of Negro History Week in 1926. Woodson is believed to have chosen February for this observance because the birthdays of the renowned abolitionist Frederick Douglass (Feb. 14) and former US President Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12) fall in this month. During the early 1970s, the week became known as Black History Week. It was expanded into Black History Month in 1976. In December 1995, the Parliament of Canada officially recognized February as Black History Month, following a motion introduced by the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament, the Honourable Jean Augustine, M.P. of Etobicoke-Lakeshore, who at the time was Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister. The motion was carried unanimously by the House of Commons.
Mathieu Da Costa Challenge
Mathieu Da Costa
The earliest mention of Mathieu Da Costa is February 1607 in Holland. Mathieu Da Costa was a navigator and interpreter of African descent who likely travelled extensively throughout the Atlantic world in the late 1500s and early 1600s. As an interpreter, he was sought after by the French and the Dutch to help in their trading with Aboriginal people. Da Costa likely spoke French, Dutch, Portuguese, and pidgin Basque. This language was a common trade dialect used in dealing with Aboriginal peoples in the era of early contact.
The tradition of Europeans relying on Black interpreters was more than a century old by Da Costa's time. It began with voyages off the African coast and continued as Europeans and Africans came across to the Americas. Mathieu Da Costa probably sailed on many voyages, travelling up the St. Lawrence River and all along the coast of what is now Atlantic Canada. His interpreting skills were instrumental in bridging the cultural and linguistic gap between the early French explorers and the Mi'kmaq people. His work in Canada is commemorated at the Port Royal Habitation National Historic Site of Canada in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia. It is in recognition of this extremely intriguing figure in Canadian history that the Department of Canadian Heritage launched the Mathieu Da Costa Challenge in February 1996, a year after the Parliament of Canada had declared February as Black History Month. The Challenge, held annually, gives students across the country an opportunity to research, discover and celebrate the contributions of Aboriginal peoples and Canadians of African and other ethnocultural origins to the building of Canada. For more information on the Mathieu Da Costa Challenge, please visit the Canadian Teachers' Federation Web site.
Historic Events
The first recorded person of African heritage to set foot in what would become Canada arrived on our shores some 400 years ago. It is believed that, in 1604, Mathieu Da Costa arrived with the French explorers Pierre Du Gua De Monts and Samuel de Champlain. Da Costa, a free man, worked as an interpreter, providing an invaluable link with the Mik'maq people encountered by the Europeans. Slavery existed in Canada from 1628 until it was abolished in Upper Canada in 1793 and throughout the entire British empire in 1833. The first known slave, Olivier LeJeune, was recorded in 1628. He was brought to Canada from Africa as a young child and given the name of one of his owners, a priest. In 1779, in an effort to win the War of American Independence (1775-1783), the British invited all Black men, women and children to join the British cause and win their freedom for doing so. Many accepted the invitation, and as a result 10 percent of the United Empire Loyalists coming into the Maritimes were Black. In 1793, the Abolition Act was passed in Upper Canada, now known as Ontario. This law freed slaves aged 25 and over and made it illegal to bring slaves into Upper Canada. Consequently, Upper Canada became a safe haven for runaway slaves. The Abolition Act also made Canada the first jurisdiction in the British Empire to move toward the abolition of slavery. In 1833, the British Imperial Act abolished slavery throughout the Empire, including Canada. Between 1800 and 1865, approximately 20,000 Black people escaped to Canada via the Underground Railway. During the War of 1812, the Coloured Corps fought in the Battle of Queenston Heights, a decisive engagement with the Americans. The Corps had been established thanks to Richard Pierpoint, a Black Loyalist and true Canadian hero. Railway porters played a major role in the struggle for Black rights in Canada. Starting in the late 1880s, they emerged as leaders of Black communities in Montréal and other urban centres. Through their unions, such as the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and the Order of Sleeping Car Porters, they gained recognition for Black workers. After the Second World War, the porters made important contributions to the campaign for human rights, particularly through their struggle to end discrimination in railway employment. Black Railway PortersWindsor train station, Montréal, Québec· Africville Geneological Society · In 1858, nearly 800 free Black people left the oppressive racial conditions of San Francisco for a new life on Vancouver Island. Governor James Douglas had invited them to settle in British Columbia. Though still faced with intense discrimination, these pioneers enriched the political, religious and economic life of the colony. For example, Mifflin Gibbs became a prominent politician, Charles and Nancy Alexander initiated the Shady Creek Methodist Church, and John Deas established a salmon cannery. The group also formed one of the earliest colonial militia units, the Victoria Pioneer Rifle Corps. A ceremony took place on February 20, 2000 in Saanichton, B.C. to honour the arrival of the Black Pioneers to British Columbia. To learn more about other commemorations of Black history, please visit the Parks Canada Web site. Black Pioneers to British Columbia· Cathie Ferguson, Parcs Canada · During the First World War, patriotic Black Canadians attempted to join combat units but were prevented. However, they still contributed to the war effort. In 1916, a segregated battalion made up of Black Canadians, the Number 2 Construction Battalion, was formed. It was responsible for crucial work building bridges, digging trenches and clearing roads. In the Second World War, Black Canadians' persistent efforts to join the armed forces was rewarded with success and they went on to serve with distinction in all branches of the military.
People - Past and Present
Donovan Bailey
Rosemary Brown
William Hall
Josiah Henson
Sam Langford
Michael Lee-Chin
James Mink
Oscar Peterson
Mary Ann Shadd
Bruny Surin
Juanita Westmoreland-Traoré
Portia White
Demographics
According to the 2001 Census, 662,215 Canadians identified themselves as Black. The majority of Black Canadians live in five Canadian cities. As of 2001, Toronto, Montréal, Ottawa-Gatineau, Vancouver and Halifax were home to approximately 78.4 percent of all Black Canadians. In spite of the great contributions Black Canadians have made, many still face challenges in our society. According to the Ethnic Diversity Survey that was released in September 2003, almost half of the Black Canadians surveyed said they have experienced some form of discrimination or unfair treatment in the past five years.

Governor's Health Plan!!!

2005-03-10T11:05:00.000-08:00

SCHWARZENEGGER WANTS TO BAN VENDING-MACHINE JUNK FOOD AT SCHOOLSBy
Ann E. Marimow
Mercury News Sacramento BureauCOLUMBUS, Ohio - Speaking to fitness buffs Sunday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger said he wants to combat childhood obesity by filling school vending machines with milk and fresh vegetables, not sodas and junk food. ``We in California this year are introducing legislation that would ban all the sale of junk food in the schools,'' he told participants at an annual seminar on the final day of his bodybuilding and fitness weekend. The governor answered questions for about 50 minutes, combining motivational advice, political commentary, training tips and comedy. He was asked about his presidential aspirations, steroids, the disparity between bodybuilding prizes for men and women, and his personal workout routine. He told participants, who paid $350 for a three-day VIP ticket, to look for the re-release of a little-known movie, ``The Comeback,'' which features Schwarzenegger's surprising seventh Mr. Olympia title in 1980. The Arnold Fitness Weekend, which now attracts at least 100,000 spectators and more than 14,000 athletes, grew out of a bodybuilding competition the governor created 30 years ago with a local lawyer, Jim Lorimer. Schwarzenegger continues to have a financial stake in the event, which now features many other sports, including gymnastics, fencing and archery. On stage, dressed in a white short-sleeve shirt and gray slacks, the governor moved with ease from questions about how to build up deltoid muscles -- lateral raises and pressing exercises, he said -- to California's budget problems and policies. On the issue of school vending machines, the governor's chief of staff, Pat Clarey, said the governor is supporting legislation by state Sen. Martha Escutia, D-Norwalk, to extend to high schools existing limits on the sale of sugary sodas. The administration is also working with school officials and food manufacturers to develop a series of bills to make more nutritious foods available on school campuses, which could lead to a ban of junk food in schools.``The idea is to get healthy snacks and healthy drinks in schools,'' Clarey said.
Presidential query
The loudest cheers and applause in the session came after a woman asked if the governor and his wife, Maria Shriver, would consider a run for president by Schwarzenegger if the U.S. Constitution were amended to make foreign-born citizens eligible for the office. Schwarzenegger said he's putting all his energy into dealing with California's problems. Plus, he said, it would be ``a little presumptuous'' to say yes after less than two years as governor.``I'm not saying, `No, I'm not interested,' '' he added. ``I'm just not concentrating on it.'' Despite the crowd's enthusiastic embrace of the bodybuilding icon, one Schwarzenegger fan in the audience said he wasn't keen on changing the Constitution, even for the governor.``It makes me uncomfortable,'' said Chris Johasan, a 23-year-old from Cleveland who works in information technology. Even as the governor and event promoters sought to showcase fitness and health, the issue of widespread illegal drug use in bodybuilding was pervasive. Schwarzenegger appealed directly to fans and competitors at Saturday night's main attraction to rid the sport of drugs. Sunday, a sixth-grade girl at the seminar asked why the governor said in a recent interview he did not regret using steroids. Steroids were legal at the time, Schwarzenegger said, and he was not aware of the side effects. Now, he said, if one of his sons expressed interest in becoming a weightlifting champion or football star, Schwarzenegger would tell him: ``Don't ever take drugs.''
Lighter workouts
On stage with the Austrian-born governor was the Italian-born, two-time Mr. Olympia Franco Columbu. The governor -- who stands at least six inches taller than his former training partner -- teased Columbu about his reduced workout routine, saying, ``Don't lie!'' Schwarzenegger says he does 30 to 45 minutes of cardiovascular exercise a day and lifts light weights three to four days a week for 45 minutes. The governor said he can no longer lift heavy weights because of his heart-valve replacement eight years ago. In the weekend's bodybuilding competitions, the women's champion received $10,000, while the men's winner earned $100,000 and a Hummer. Asked about the difference, Schwarzenegger said, ``As far as I'm concerned, the women should get more.'' But there is more demand from the public for men's bodybuilding, he said. ``The problem is economic power.'' When a young man said he was having trouble building up muscle, California's optimist in chief told him it was all about attitude.``The mind directs the body. You've got to straighten out your mind first,'' he said. ``Be positive. Kick some butt, OK?''

Quirky festival honors 'frozen dead guy'

2005-03-10T10:59:00.000-08:00

BOULDER, Colo. - Over the last three years, the cryogenically frozen body of a Norwegian man has become the centerpoint of a quirky winter festival in a small Colorado mining town. "Grandpa" Bredo Morstoel, who died in 1989, was frozen by his grandson and stored in a shed in Nederland, a town 35 miles northwest of Denver that began celebrating "Frozen Dead Guy Days" in 2002 to increase tourism. Now the man's daughter, 75-year-old Aud Morstoel, is hoping Norway's King Harald V and Queen Sonja will help her secure a visa to attend the festival. The royal couple also have been invited by Nederland's Chamber of Commerce to visit and "partake in the fun and parody of the weekend." Aud Morstoel was invited to serve as the parade marshal for the March 11-13 celebration, but her application for a visa has yet to be approved, her son said. Trygve Bauge, who submitted the request to Norway's king and queen, said his mother's application has been held up in part because she was convicted for drunk driving in Colorado and she overstayed her last visa before returning to Norway. "They should have given us this a long time ago," he said Thursday from Norway.
Bauge, who froze his 89-year-old grandfather in hopes he can someday be revived or cloned, was deported in 1994 for immigration violations. His mother returned shortly thereafter, four months after her visa expired.
A caretaker has replenished the ice when necessary since Bauge was deported.

Harriet Tubman!!!

2005-03-10T10:37:00.000-08:00

Harriet Tubman
Overview
Harriet Tubman was born Araminta Ross in 1820, in Dorchester County, Maryland. Her parents were Benjamin and Harriet Ross. She was the sixth of eleven children they had. She changed her name to Harriet in her early teens. At the age of five she was "rented" to neighbors to do housework, she wasn't very good at housework so she got regular beatings from the people who had "rented" her. Harriet was not educated to read or write, like most black slaves. When Harriet was thirteen she was hit in the head with a rock that was throw by her master, as a result of this injury Harriet suffered occasional blackouts for the rest of her life.
In 1844 she married John Tubman, and the marriage was not very good from the beginning, by 1848 Harriet decided to try and escape the plantation and her husband John refused to go with her because he thought it would be too dangerous. Her escape had been assisted by the Underground Railroad which she would later become a major conductor in. The Underground Railway was a network of people who would help the slaves escape to freedom. After Harriet escaped she went back to help other to freedom. Over her lifetime Harriet helped over 300 slaves escape to freedom. She became know as the "Moses of her people".
Harriet Tubman was a cook, a nurse and a spy during the Civil War. During the war she helped slaves secure freedom by working for the Union Army. Harriet Tubman earned the distinction as the only woman in the American military history to plan and execute an armed expedition against the enemy. After the war Harriet established schools in the South, even though she was not educated herself she valued education for the future of freedom. After the war she moved to Auburn, New York where she married Nelson Davis, who had been a Union Army soldier and he was also more than twenty years younger than Harriet.
Harriet Tubman spoke at the first meeting of the National Association of Colored Women. Harriet established a home for aging and poor African Americans it was opened in 1908, it was called John Brown Home for Aged and Indigent Colored People, but it would be later named for her instead of Brown.
Harriet died on March 10,1913 of pneumonia, she was buried with full military honors. Harriet’s home town was named a national historic landmark. In the year 2000 Congressman Edolphus Towns introduced a bill to grant Tubman the veteran status that she was denied in her lifetime.

Harriet Tubman
Born in Dorchester County, Maryland. Died 1913
Most well known as one of the major conductors of the Underground Railway.
Helped over 300 slaves to freedom
1844 married John Tubman
In 1849, in fear that she, along with the other slaves on the plantation, would be sold, she resolved to run away.
She became know as the "Moses of her people".
Harriet Tubman was a cook, nurse and spy during the Civil War.
After the war she settled in Auburn, New York.
Became the leader of the abolitionist movement.
She spoke against slavery and women's rights.
At age fifteen she suffered a head injury that would haunt her the rest of her life.
In 1869 she remarried to a man name Nelson Davis.

Elizabeth Blackwell!!!

2005-03-09T18:35:00.000-08:00

Elizabeth Blackwell
Overview

Born in Bristol, England in 1821
Her father passed away when se was 16, and her and her mother and sibilings opend a small elementary school for black children to take in money
Elizabeth was interested in becoming a doctor
She studied medicine, privately, while teaching. At the same time she applied to medical school.
Over twenty medical schools rejected her
Finally, she was accapted by Geneva medical school, New York, in 1847
She studied hard and graduated first in her class, receiving her degree in 1849
She returned to Pennsylvania and worked in the hospitals there, during that time she became a naturalized US citizen.
She enrolled in the Midwifery school. She attended to women and sick infants
She accidentally infected her own left eye while treating a baby with a sever eye infection, resulted in the loss of her eye that was later replaced with a glass eye
Elizabeth rented a house and set up her private practice in it. She slowly began to get patients

Elizabeth Blackwell

Elizabeth Blackwell was born in Bristol, England in 1821.Elizabeth Blackwell’s father, Samuel Blackwell was a rich sugar merchant. His wife Hanna was a house keeper. In 1837 when Elizabeth was eleven a raging fire destroyed her father’s business. Samuel decided they would go to America and start over. When the family reached New York, Elizabeth's father tried to start a new sugar business, but he could not bear selling sugar made by slaves. In 1837, the family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. Not long after, Samuel Blackwell died. After Elizabeth's father passed away, she had to go to work. Her mother, her siblings, and she had to keep the family alive, so they opened a small elementary school for black children.
Elizabeth was interested in becoming a doctor. She was convinced that women would rather see a female, than a male, about their health problems. She studied medicine, privately, while teaching. At the same time she applied to medical school. Over twenty medical schools rejected her. Elizabeth didn’t give up her dream, she was accepted by Geneva Medical School, New York, in 1847. It was supposed to be a joke. The male students were asked to vote on whether she should be allowed in or not. They voted yes because they thought she could never succeed, and they would teach her a lesson. Elizabeth didn’t see it that way. She studied hard and graduated first in her class, receiving her degree in 1849. She returned to Pennsylvania and worked in the hospitals there. During that time she became a naturalized US citizen. She wanted to become a surgeon, and traveled to Paris hoping to train with the great surgeons there. Again she was refused admission to the medical community. Instead she enrolled in the Midwifery School. She attended to women and sick infants. She accidentally infected her own left eye while treating a baby with a severe eye infection. This infection resulted in the loss of her eye that was later replaced with a glass eye.
Elizabeth rented a house and set up her private practice in it. She slowly began to get patients. Two years later she opened a dispensary for poor women and children in a slum area of Manhattan. Elizabeth's sister Emily graduated from medial school and joined Elizabeth. In 1958, Elizabeth returned to England. She became the first woman to be entered on the Physicians’ Register there. She gave lectures on education reform, and inspired Elizabeth Garrett Anderson to take up medicine. Garrett Anderson was a pioneer of women doctors in England. She opened a hospital like the one Elizabeth Blackwell had opened in New York. That hospital remained open until 1980.
Elizabeth returned to America just in time to see the beginnings of the Civil War. Elizabeth and Emily helped train nurses for the Union Army. Elizabeth was appointed head of the Sanitary Commission by President Lincoln. At the beginning of the Civil War very little was understood about hygiene and how it affected health. Elizabeth was one of the first to understand how hygiene helped prevent the spread of infection. In 1868 the Women’s Medical College opened in New York, next to the Infirmary. Elizabeth was Professor of Hygiene.
Elizabeth Blackwell became the first woman doctor in the United States of America in 1889. She also opened a medical college for women. During the Civil War she organized a unit of woman nurses for field service. Another reason she is remembered is that she organized a National Health Society. Most importantly she fought for the admission of women to medical colleges.
Elizabeth Blackwell died on May 3, 1910. She died at the old age of eighty-nine. She opened a world of opportunities for women. She always fought for what was right her whole life. In 1949 the Blackwell medal was established. It is given to women that have outstanding achievements in the practice of medicine. She will always be remembered as a great woman.

Mother Theresa!!!

2005-03-09T13:22:00.000-08:00

Mother Teresa
Overview

Born August 27, 1910 in Skopje, Macedonia.
Born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu.
Was first called out buy God at age 12.
At the age of 17, she joined the Sisters of Loreto, in India.
In 1931, she taught geography and cathechism at St. Mary’s High school.
1948, in Calcutta, she asked permition to leave the Sisters of Loreto to help the poor people in the slums.
Nobel Peace Prize winner, 1979.
Died September 5, 1997.

Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa was born August 26, 1910, in Skopje, Macedonia Yugoslavia, but she was not born of that name. She was born with the name Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu. She became interested in missionaries at a young age. She got her first calling, by God, when she was 12, and at the age of 17, became a nun. She took her vows as a nun with the Sisters of Loretto and took the name Teresa after Saint Therese of Lisieux.
She became a teacher, teaching geography and cathechisim, at St. Mary’s High School. She was diagnosed with tuberculosis and was forced to stop teaching,and in 1948, she asked to leave the Sisters of Loretto, so she could help the poor. She was given permition and made a school in the slums to help the poor and needy. She was then known in the 1950’s as the pionner of starting homes for victims of AIDS.
She was most known for her tireless efforts in world peace and was presented high awards such as the Pope John XXIII Peace Prize and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. When she recieved the awards she did what nobody else has ever done. She insisted that the award money she earned, be donated to the poor in Calcutta. This money would feed many poor people for a year.
In the 1980’s, she began opening homes for drug addicts, prostitutes, beaten women, and orphanages for the poor. In 1985 she was awarded the Medal of Freedom, the highest U.S. civilian award. Sadly she died in September 5, 1997, at age 87, in her Missionaries of Charity home in central Calcutta.

Mother Theresa!!!

2005-03-09T13:11:00.000-08:00

Mother Theresa
Overview

She was born in Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in Skopje, Macedonia, on August 27, 1910.
At the age of twelve, she felt strongly the call of God. She knew she had to be a missionary to spread the love of Christ.
At the age of eighteen she left her parental home in Skopje and joined the Sisters of Loreto, an Irish community of nuns with missions in India.
May 24, 1931, she took her initial vows as a nun.
From 1931, to 1948, Mother Teresa taught at St. Mary's High School in Calcutta, but the suffering and poverty she glimpsed made such a deep impression on her.
In 1948, she received permission from her superiors to leave the convent school and devote herself to working among the poorest of the poor in the slums of Calcutta.
On October 7, 1950, she received permission from the Holy See to start her own order, "The Missionaries of Charity", whose primary task was to love and care for those persons nobody was prepared to look after.
In 1965, the Society became an International Religious Family by a decree of Pope Paul VI.
She has received a number of awards and distinctions, including the Pope John XXIII Peace Prize in 1971 and the Nehru Prize for her promotion of international peace and understanding in 1972.
She also received the Balzan Prize in 1979, and the Templeton and Magsaysay awards
In 1982, at the height of the siege in Beirut she convinced the parties to stop the war so she could rescue 37 sick children trapped inside .
1985:She suffers a heart attack while in Rome visiting Pope John Paul II.
1989: Another almost fatal heart attack, a pacemaker is implanted.
1991: She suffers pneumonia in Tijuana, Mexico which leads to heart failure.
1996: Suffers malaria, chest infection and undergoes heart surgery.
On march 13th 1997: Sister Nirmala is selected as Mother Teresa's successor.
September 5th 1997 :The world learns that Mother Teresa "Angel Of Mercy" has died at age 87.

Mother Theresa Biography

Mother Theresa was born August 27, 1910, in Skopje, Macedonia. Her parents were Nikollë, a devoted mother and Drandafille Bojaxhiu, a contractor. Her family was a devoted catholic family, they prayed every evening and went to church almost everyday.It was her family's generosity, care for the poor and the less fortunate that made a great impact on young Mother Teresa's life. By age 12, she had made up her mind, she realized that her vocation was aiding the poor.She decides to become a nun, travels to Dublin, Ireland, to join the Sisters of Loretto. After about a year in Ireland, she leaves to join the Loretto convent in the northeast Indian city of Darjeeling, where she spent 17 years teaching and being principal of St.Mary's high school in Calcutta.
She dedicated every day of her adult life caring for "The dying, the crippled, the mentally ill, the unwanted, the unloved" and she loved every minute of it because she was loving, she was cleaning, feeding "Jesus in disguise." She fed them, sheltered them, cleaned their wounds, but what is more important is that she made them feel good, loved, and wanted. She gave them back their dignity that poverty had taken away from them and even if they died, they died with a smile on their face knowing that somebody loves them and somebody cares for them.
Today Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity now has 570 missions all over the world, comprising of 4,000 nuns, a brotherhood of 300 members and over 100,000 volunteers operating homes for AIDS, leprosy and tuberculosis patients; soup kitchens, children's and family counseling programs, orphanages, and schools.
Mother Teresa's health was deteriorating, part from her age, part from the conditions where she was living, and part of it was from her trips all over the world, opening new houses and raising money for the poor. In 1985, she suffered from a heart attack while in Rome visiting Pope John Paul II. In 1989, she suffered another almost fatal heart attack and had a pacemaker implanted. In 1991, she suffers pneumonia in Tijuana, Mexico which leads to heart failure. In 1996, Mother Teresa suffers malaria, chest infection and undergoes heart surgery. On March 13th 1997, Sister Nirmala is selected as Mother Teresa's successor. Finally on September 5th 1997, The world learns that Mother Teresa "Angel of Mercy" had died at the age of 87. Even with Mother Teresa gone, her sisters at the Missionaries of Charities are still caring for the poor and sick with the same love and devotion as Mother Teresa did. Any donation will help them to reach more and more of the less fortunate.

Margaret Sanger!!!

2005-03-09T13:03:00.000-08:00

Margaret Sanger (1879 – 1966)
Nurse, Birth Control Advocate
Overview

Born on September 14, 1879 in Corning, New York, she died in they year of 1966,
She attended Claverack College and Hudson River Institute in 1896 and then entered the nursing program at White Plains Hospital in 1900. She worked as a nurse. She also worked with all the poor people on the Lower East side of New York,
Margaret Sanger became a member of the Liberal Club and a supporter of the anarchist-run Ferrer Center and Modern School.
She also joined the Women's Committee of the NY Socialist Party, and took part in labor actions led by the Industrial Workers of the World,
She joined the 1912 strike at Lawrence, MA and also the 1913 strike at Paterson, NJ.
In 1912, she began to write a column on sex education for the New York Call, which was named “What Every Girl Should Know.”
Her drive to legalize birth control helped the movement for women's liberation come alive,
Also in 1912, Margaret quit her nursing job and took up dispersion of birth control information,
But, the Comstock Act of 1873 prohibited the dispersion of all birth control devices and any information that is related to it,
In 1913, Sanger flew to Europe, upon her return she started the paper called “Woman Rebel.”
In 1914, she started the N.B.C.L., which is The National Birth Control League,
In 1916, she opened the first ever Family – Planning Clinic,
In 1917, she put together the first ever Birth Control Clinic in the United States,
In 1921, she then put together The American Birth Control League, which then evolved into the P.P.F.A., which is The Planned Parenthood Federation of America in 1942,
She conquered and defeated all government oppositions, all legal battles, the voluntary expulsion, and the jail sentence to aid women,
Her first marriage, to William Sanger in 1900, ended in divorce in 1920; she was remarried in 1922 to J. Noah H. Slee,
Today, organizations and individuals, which oppose abortion and, sometimes, birth control, have charged Sanger with eugenicism and racism. Margaret Sanger supporters consider the charges farfetched or dishonest.
Margaret Sanger

Margaret Sanger's Biography

Margaret Sanger was born on September 14, 1879 in Corning, New York. Her parents were Michael Hennessey Higgins and Anne Purcell Higgins. Her father, Micheal Higgins was born into an Irish family and worked as a stonemason and her mother Anne Higgins was a truly devoted Catholic. At the age of fifty, Anne Higgins passed away from Tuberculosis. Margaret then realized after her mother’s premature death, she had died from frequent pregnancy's she had about eighteen of them and seven of them were miscarriages. Margaret’s first marriage was to William Sanger in 1900, which ended in divorce in 1920; she was remarried in 1922 to J. Noah H. Slee. She also had three children and the family settled in Hastings, a Westchester County suburb of New York City.
In 1896, Margaret Sanger attended Claverack College and Hudson River Institute, and then entered the nursing program at White Plains Hospital in 1900. She worked as a nurse. She also worked with all the poor people on the Lower East Side of New York. She then joined the 1912 strike at Lawrence, MA and also the 1913 strike at Paterson, NJ. In 1912, she began to write a column on sex education for the New York Call, which was named “What Every Girl Should Know.”
Her goal in life was to disperse all the information she could about the methods and devices of Birth Control to every women and man no matter what age and what their sexual preference was.
In 1913, Sanger flew to Europe, upon her return she started the paper called “Woman Rebel.” In 1914, she started the N.B.C.L., which is The National Birth Control League. In 1916, she opened the first ever Family – Planning Clinic, and in 1917, she put together the first ever Birth Control Clinic in the United States. In 1921, she then put together The American Birth Control League, which then evolved into the P.P.F.A., which is The Planned Parenthood Federation of America in 1942. Today, organizations and individuals, which oppose abortion and, sometimes, birth control, have charged Sanger with eugenicism and racism. Margaret Sanger supporters consider the charges farfetched or dishonest.

Michael Jackson!!!

2005-03-09T12:38:00.000-08:00

SANTA MARIA, Calif. - Jurors were given opposing images of Michael Jackson as the pop star's trial opened Monday - the prosecution portraying him as a perverted child molester and the defense saying he was the victim of a con artist who used her cancer-stricken son to prey on celebrities for money.
District Attorney Thomas Sneddon outlined a complicated and sometimes bizarre story involving Jackson showing the boy sexually explicit material and groping him as his associates threatened to kill the boy's mother if he told anyone.
Sneddon said the boy, now 15, "will describe to you his sexual experiences with Michael Jackson. He will do it here in open court and he will do it with the whole world watching."
Jackson sat still as a statue with one hand pressed against his cheek as Sneddon outlined the accusations. In the front row of the courtroom, Jackson's mother, Katharine, sat beside her son Jermaine. They were the only Jackson family members present.
Jackson, 46, is charged with molesting the then-13-year-old cancer patient at his Neverland ranch in 2003, plying him with alcohol and conspiring to hold him and his family captive.
After the nearly three-hour opening by the prosecutor, defense attorney Thomas Mesereau. Jr. went on the attack, saying the mother of the accuser fraudulently claimed to many people that she was destitute and that her son needed money for chemotherapy. In truth, he said, the boy's father was a member of a union that covered his medical bills.
Mesereau said the mother went to comedian Jay Leno for money and Leno was so suspicious that he called Santa Barbara police to tell them he had been contacted and "something was wrong. They were looking for a mark."
The mother also approached comedian George Lopez and a Los Angeles TV weatherman who staged a fund-raiser for the child at a comedy club, the defense attorney said.
"At the fund-raiser, there was (the boy) in the lobby of the Laugh Factory with his hand out, prodded by (his mother)," Mesereau said.
He said celebrities including Mike Tyson and Jim Carrey turned the family away, but Jackson was too sympathetic.
"The most vulnerable celebrity became the mark, Michael Jackson," Mesereau said.
But the prosecutor said Jackson had intended to use the boy as part of a comeback attempt by discussing in a television documentary how the singer helped him through his cancer.
Before the interview with documentary maker Martin Bashir in 2002, Jackson privately told the boy what to say when he was in front of the camera, Sneddon said.
When the February 2003 TV documentary "Living With Michael Jackson," aired, showing the pop star holding hands with the boy and saying he allows children to sleep in his bed, "Jackson's world was rocked," Sneddon said.
He said one of co-conspirators described the airing as "a train wreck" and Jackson's associates began a bid to get the family's help in a public relations campaign to rebut it.
The molestation began a short time later, Sneddon said.
Sneddon said Jackson told the boy that masturbation was normal, then reached into the boy's underpants and masturbated the boy and himself. The second event occurred the same way, Sneddon said, but Jackson tried to move the boy's arm toward his own genitals and the boy resisted.
The prosecutor alleged that when the boy and his family first visited Neverland, Jackson told the boy to ask his mother if he could sleep in Jackson's bedroom. He said Jackson then showed sexually explicit Web sites to the boy and his own son, Prince Michael, on that visit.
When an image of a woman with bare breasts came on the screen, Sneddon said, Jackson turned to the group and said: "Got milk?"
Searches of Neverland turned up sexually explicit DVDs and magazines, including 1960s-era periodicals with pictures of naked children, and correspondence from the accuser addressed to "Michael" or "Michael Daddy," Sneddon said.
Some magazines had the fingerprints of Jackson, others had the prints of the boy and his brother, and one had prints from both Jackson and the accuser, he said.
Before opening statements, Judge Rodney S. Melville read the indictment, revealing for the first time the names of five Jackson employees described as unindicted co-conspirators.
The indictment alleged a series of bizarre activities following the 2003 documentary, including a panicky effort by Jackson employees to get the family of his accuser ready for a trip to Brazil.
It alleged that Jackson employee Frank Tyson told the family they were in danger and "this is not the time to be out there alone. This is not the time to turn your back on Michael."
The indictment said Tyson also told them that "staying even one night alone is not safe."
The indictment stated that between February and March 2003, Tyson threatened the accuser, telling him that "Michael could make the family disappear" and that he also said, "I could have your mother killed."
It also alleged that in February 2003, Jackson's staff was instructed in writing not to let the boy leave Neverland.
Jackson's attorney, meanwhile, suggested a history of fraud by the mother against others including J.C. Penney, which paid her $152,000 to settle claims stemming from an encounter with security guards when her son left a store with items that had not been paid for. The mother claimed they were battered, held against their will and that she was groped.
Mesereau said an employee of a law firm that represented the mother in the J.C. Penney suit has come forward and will testify that the mother admitted lying. The employee didn't come forward before because the mother said her husband had a cousin in the Mexican mafia and she feared for her life, Mesereau told the jury.
Jackson was depicted by his attorney as a humanitarian who built his Neverland ranch to give children something he never had - a childhood.
He said that an appeal for help by the accuser's family touched Jackson's heart and "he took time away from his career to help this family, not knowing that the trap was being set."

School Lunch Line Solution!!! (Student J)

2005-03-07T13:11:00.000-08:00

On average there are 100 to 150 students who pass through the main lunch line every lunch, and 50 to 70 students who pass through the fast line. From my observations the problems which came to my attention while studying this subject are as follows; the theft of products from both the main lunch line and the fast line, over crowding at both the paying area and also the main service area, and also students who cut in line, resulting in disagreements, disorganization, and cautious for both the employees and also the customers. Some solutions which come to mind when I think of these problems are,adding a second register to help prevent crowds from building up, thus reducing the opportunity for students to steal and allowing the line to run more efficiently. Another suggestion is to place two employees near the service area to supervise the lines and prevent students from cutting the line resulting in disorganization and chaos for both the employees and the students. One food director, Jeanne Johnson, came up with the idea of lunch tickets. Although over a 100 students buy it each week, money is still excepted. The three main reasons for this decision, to use lunch tickets , were to shorten the lunch lines, help parents so they do not have to give there children money everyday, and to eliminate the problem of free or reduced lunches. With this program in place, lunch tickets are treated the same as cash, which means if they are lost or misplaced they are non-refundable. Another upside to this program is that parents are now assured that there children are receiving nutritious meals instead of bags of chips or other types of snacks. This program has been adapted so lunch tickets can be carried over from week to week, or even a year. They have also created one register just for lunch tickets. This helps to promote the use of lunch tickets, because it allows the children to see just how efficient lunch tickets are, through how fast the lines now move. Another program I came across while researching solutions for this problem, is a program recently developed in schools in Iowa. This program is called "Lunch Box", this newly developed program operates off of 64-bit POS technology. This is a debt-based program, this means no cash for students to lose or spend on other things. The "Lunch Box" program looks after most all operations, which means quick, easy steps, and faster cafeteria lines. The final solution I came across was a program recently developed in the U.S., called "The School dining System". This is also a computer operated system which runs off of a Windows application. It also contains an internet component, giving the operator the flexibility to manage there lunch menus. This new program allows the operator to customize features to suite there needs. This features consist of student ID scans, customized menus, touch screen monitor support, internal reporting systems to track sales reports, a central server for data collection, and also color coded menus to help make the point of sale quicker and more convenient. This program allows students to receive there meals quicker, and it also allows the employees to keep track of important sales data and reports. With all these solutions considered, this does not mean we must follow by example, but simply work towards our goals one step at a time through trial and error, to see what programs really work for use as a school and also a community. We must focus on both our needs and our budget, through the co-operation from both teachers and students.

School Lunch Line Solution!!! (Student I)

2005-03-07T13:05:00.000-08:00

The problems in the lunch line at our school, Richmond Academy, are lengthy and a big issue. At this current time they are basically paying a teacher to baby-sit the lunch line every afternoon because of thief's, cutters, and ignorant people. If there was a better design to the cafeteria setting these problems would be obsolete and things would run a lot smoother. Some ideas I have proposed are things like rotating areas so the hot meals can be picked up and the line would run quicker. And a more organized situation on the staff of Chart well's part.
My plans for the cafeteria I feel would help better the problems for this situation. My first plan of action would be to reconstruct the whole cafeteria style. I look at it as go BIG or stay home. So first I would open up all four sides of the cafeteria area and have a double person walk way right through the middle as a two way split. Both sides would be identical to the other and at the end there would be two cashiers. I think this would cut down on stealing because of the way it is set up it would be harder to just walk away with food. And with the way this is set up cutting would be literally impossible.
See the setup how the people start at the back which would be down by the wash rooms currently, and down by the janitors room. This is a good setup to not crowd main hallways. Also I like how it is moving like what we have now, but this design is better because it is the design of before but doubles there for cutting down waiting time in half.
Another great design would be one I pulled off a movie and I liked. This design is something like what is in a grocery store that pulls the food towards you. Well this is the same idea. Where as you have a long slider that dishes can be placed on and moved in a circular motion only you have to have them moving at all times. So this would go great with my first design so that the food would always be rotating. This would be helpful because the cooks and server people could always be making plates and putting them on the rotating line. To cut down time and where everyone is asking one by one for special things, it would be a lot easier work for the cafeteria workers. This design might work in other ways but I think stealing and cutting would get a lot worse then what it is now and that would not be good.
But this is not the scheduled task at hand and the whole reconstruction idea is not really acceptable by the Strait Regional School Board because there money stays in there pockets. So we were asked to keep the original project and slightly modify it to create a better system then the present one.

School Lunch Line Solution!!! (Student H)

2005-03-07T13:01:00.000-08:00

The way the lunch line in our school is arranged is very a big disaster. The thing that is the worst about this is that those same people that cut everyday and end up getting served before everybody else because the girl behind the counter is smart like a dump truck. For the people like me, Craig and Kramer who are the first people there most of the time, this is bullshit and not fair. I get angry at this everyday and one of these days I am going to drop kick every person that cuts the line. Its funny because were sitting there in line and the line just isn't moving. Its because these idiots cut right where Gertrude is standing and it's a non stop thing all lunch. As one person leave the line another cut right in front on Gertrude making the line stay exactly the same spot where it is.
Now the teachers for example, they slow the line down everyday, again this is bullshit. They should have to pre order there food and somebody from the cafeteria should deliver that to the staff room. Also the detention students, they cut the line everyday so they can go to detention. This slows the line down. If I was in Grade 9 id be getting detention everyday just so that I can get my food first.
Something else that is wrong is this whole thing where people stand at the line and ask other people to get there food. This is slowing down the line. Go to the back of the line and wait your turn.
Now, for the solution to these problems. For the problem with people cutting, rules should be set in place for people who cut. You get caught cutting, you loose your cafeteria privileges for a week. Some sort of guidelines like this should be set in place. Then we should line them up and kick everyone of them in the junk because it's the same people everyday that cut.
For the teachers and the Detention peoples, as I said before the teachers should have to pre order there food and the food should be delivered to the staff room by a cafeteria lady. The detention people should not be allowed to cut, they should have to do there detention the next day. That way they can report to detention right away at lunch with a lunch from home, and not from the cafeteria.
For the problem of people getting 2 meals. This is slow cause the person not only has to wait in line for 2 meals but they then have to pay for the 2 meals separate which takes even more time. Solution to this problem is simple. When the person reaches the cashier they should have to pay for the 2 meals at once. If not they should have to return there food and make the second meals person go to the BACK of the line and not cut and wait for there turn to be served.
Now for an over all solution for the slowness of the line. For starts get Debbie out of the healthy meal spot and get Paulette back. Paulette was way more efficient. Two cashiers would definitely speed things up as well. Having both cashiers have debit card machines to would help. Even one debit card machine while have to cashiers would be good to. The debit card machine is really slow and it really slows down the progress of the line. Making healthy meals ahead of time and keeping them either under a heat light or even in a heat oven. Really what's the difference if they stay in there pot to stay warm or if they stay under a heat lamp to stay warm, either way there still staying warm but try telling Nancy that). Since they won't do that they should have a designated line for the fast foods like pizza hot dogs and hamburgers and a designated line for the prepared foods.
Over all I think that biggest problem with the lunch line is the cutting that people do. I think the only solution that would ever be done to this problem is more supervision. The school is made now. There not going to make drastic changes to the lunch line now. What they could to too somewhat eliminate cutting would be add a better setup for the fence like thing they got to keep the people in line. Make it a little bigger and make is have panels so people cant slide through it.
They should also put something that allows to you to walk out of the lunch line to the cashier but not allow you to walk in. The whole thing should have been better designed from the beginning being the amount of people that would be attending the school. Everyone gets there lunch in time to eat. So there not going to make any changes to something that's working. Sure the line is slow but in the end everyone gets to eat. They should add an extra couple of feet to the width of the lunch and add and extra cashier in there. One cashier in that whole lunch ringing through all of them people is way to slow. If it wasn't for the express lane like that call it, everyone wouldn't be served in one lunch. They had cut out the express lane for a week in the beginning of the year and they could serve the whole cafeteria in one lunch. Everyone was being late for lunch so they had to put it back into place.
I believe that if you did cut out all of the cutting and the 2 lunch buying, have the second cashier and also have the third lunch line the wait in the line would be way shorter. Even with just these there it would make a big difference. Doing everything that I've stated through my proposal would make a ridiculous improvement.

School Lunch Line Solution!!! (Student G)

2005-03-07T12:54:00.000-08:00

Well one way we could make the lunch line more effective is by putting another cash register. This would help by letting two people rather then just one paying at a time. The way they could set up the two machines are they could used one for debt only and the other one just for the cash or they could just set the two of them to do both cash and debit. If they didn't want to get the other machine they could just put a special thing for people with meal cards.
Another thing they could do is make the line only for people who are going to buy healthy meals. Then they could make another one or two express lines this way there would not be as many people in the major line. This could also make it easier on the people working there too because of the fact that if they are in the kitchen they will only have to make healthy meals and nothing else and if it is easier then more then likely it will be quicker too.
If they made it so that you could pay for your meal in advance and then you could just go and pick up your meal at the back door, this would also take a lot of people out of the line. Also they could set up accounts so that you just put a number in a computer and it takes the money right out of a pre set up account. Therefore there would be no wait for people to count money or for the person using the register to give out change.
They could also go and change the way they have the food set up. If they would make more room to put out more pre made food they would not have to go and get it, this meaning quicker for the people who want per made food. They could do this by making racks to hold the food. For the people who want healthy meals would also be quicker because there would be more people there to dish up the food. Doing this they could also put the pop, water and juice in the vending machines and not sell them in the lunch line any more. If they put the water and stuff in the vending machines it would make scene to put in a change machine too, so that people could cash bills in for change. The vending machine its self would be a good a idea because when people go to the front of the line for change the person doing the cash is making change they can't ring in anyone's orders, therefore making them wait longer and if they got to wait the people behind them also have to wait.
Another idea would be if they move everything around, like but the cash on the other side of the window and have the line going into the cafeteria making it easier to see who is passing in the line because they won't be hid behind the corner. This would help cause once one person starts to pass other people get the same idea and then the line ends up even slower then it would have been in the first place.
Some of these ideas would cost a lot of money that would be the down fall of some of them. Even though they would cost money they would more then likely be better for the workers because they would not have to work as hard, cause there would be more order.
These are the top four ideas that I think that would work the best are: one would be just putting another cash register at the end of the line so rather then just one at a time paying there could be two at a time, which would really speed up the line. Even if they didn't want to get another cash register they could just make another line for people who have meal cards. Also they could just add more express lines so that people wanting pre made food would not be in the line. This would also make it quicker because of the fact that the people could be just make the meals as the people are getting in the line so that they can just pass them out. Another idea that I think would speed up the line is putting a change machine in the cafeteria. This would stop people from getting in the line just to buy a pop because they have a bill. It would also stop people from going up to the cashier to make change so they can use it in the vending machines. The last idea is make it so people can order and pay for there meals in the morning so that when lunch comes they can go to another place to pick up there meals. Well these are the best ideas that I can come up with to fix the lunch line. Some I think are good and some I think would cost too much, but they would all speed up the way people get there lunches. In closing one thing we could all do in the line to speed it up is just be patient so that everything goes along smoothly.

School Lunch Line Solution!!! (Student F)

2005-03-07T12:45:00.000-08:00

Our lunch line in this schools cafeteria is ridiculously slow. There are approximately 100 students who stand in this line everyday throughout the whole lunch period. It takes too long to get your food. The lunch period is only 37 minutes long, therefore there is not a sufficient amount of time to stand in the large lineup for a long period of time and then eat the food you bought. Some days people are just getting out of the lunch line 10 minutes or less before the bell rings to return to classes. This is not acceptable!Another great problem with the cafeteria line is that there are always people cutting in the line ahead of a lot of other students. This isn't fair to the others because they could be standing in line for 20 minutes and a person just jumps in front of them and wait only 2 minutes and get their food right away. The third problem with this line is that there are too many people, and the chained posts that are used to keep people by the wall must be improved. Students keep on moving it to fit more people in the line, and this is also away for them to cut in the line because the chains are so low and far apart,which makes it easy to jump over or climb in between. The fourth problem with the lunch line is sometimes students steal food. Due to the large amount of kids, the workers in the cafeteria can not watch everyone who are in line at the same time, which makes it extremely easy for someone to grab an item of food and take off without paying for it. Another problem is that the menu is not prominently displayed on the side of the wall where everyone is standing waiting. This contributes to the slow pace of the line. Nobody really knows what the healthy meal is each day, what else is served or even how much other items in the cafeteria cost, so these decisions hold up the line when you do not know what you would like to eat. The last problem with the lunch line is the cash register. It sits too close to the railing which makes it difficult to pass by with your food to pay,especially is you are wearing a book bag. All of these problems must be solved. Here are my solutions for the problem with the lunch line:A metal railing could be constructed going 14 and 3/4 feet in front of the cafeteria , and 25 feet back against the wall with a width of 2 and 1/2 feet so people can stand two by two in the line together, yet still have enough room for other students passing by on the other side of the railing to go to their classes. It will also be built high enough so people can not jump over it, and spaces made small enough so people can not go through in order to cut in the line. This will solve the problem of students cutting in front of others to get their food. A number system could be installed on the wall and each student standing inline must take a number in order to get their food. This system will prevent the slowness occurring in the line because each person must have a number, and then the lunch ladies can call each one, one at a time and whoever has that ticket will approach the counter and get their food. This system will also prevent mix-up for the workers who are working in the cafeteria because they will only have to serve one person at a time instead of trying to hear what for people want at the same time. The take a number system will also aid in the problem of students stealing the food. The lunch ladies will be able to observe each individual going by them which will prevent the temptation for anyone to steal from the cafeteria. A large menu will be prominently displayed with the choices and prices clearly displayed in the area where students are waiting in line. Each meal will be labeled by number, I. E. #1 Healthy meal, sweet and sour meat balls with rich and milk $3.25 ect. This will help the line move at a steady pace where everyone just has to order by a number and know exactly what price they will be expected to pay. My solution for the last problem for the cash register is to push it closest to the wall as possible and move it back a foot, this will enable students to go by the railing and cash register to pay for their food without hitting either of these objects with their book bag if they have one on. In my opinion the take a number system is a great idea because it will help solve most of the problems mentioned above. It is a quick and easy way to Get the lunch line organized and get moving at a steady pace so students can get their lunch much faster than they are now. This way they get their lunch fast and can have time left in the lunch period to relax and socialize amongst their friends before having to return for 2 more classes in the afternoon. In conclusion, I feel that my solutions will help the lunch line move more smoothly causing less chaos plus allowing the staff of the cafeteria to monitor conditions more closely, reducing theft which would mean maintaining reasonable prices. Hopefully this will also reduce the frustration amongst students as not everyone appreciates someone else cutting in front of them. This will enable all students to eat their lunch in a timely manner and to enjoy a little leisure time before returning to class.

Martha Stewart!!!

2005-03-06T12:48:00.000-08:00

Stewart convicted on all charges Jury finds style Maven, ex-broker guilty of obstructing justice and lying to investigators. March 5, 2004: 5:48 PM EST

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - A jury found Martha Stewart guilty Friday on all four counts of obstructing justice and lying to investigators about a well-timed stock sale, and the former stockbroker turned style-setter could face years in jail.
Her ex-broker, Peter Bacanovic, was found guilty on four of the five charges against him. Each of them faces up to five years in prison and $250,000 in fines for each count. Sentencing is set for June 17.
Stewart leaves the courthouse with her attorney, Robert Morvillo (right), after the verdict.
Neither defendant appeared to show any emotion as the verdict was read, while the lead prosecutor seemed to be holding back tears of joy.
"The word is -- beware -- and don't engage in this type of conduct because it will not be tolerated," David Kelley, U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York, said outside the courthouse.
One of the jurors said, "This is a victory for the little guys. No one is above the law."
About an hour after the verdict was read, Stewart -- wearing a fur around her neck and a black overcoat and carrying a brown leather bag -- strode poker-faced down the stairs of the courthouse, accompanied by her lawyers, and left. She did not respond to questions shouted at her by reporters.
As she came within sight of a crowd in the street, some people began chanting, "We want Martha!"
Eyewitnesses said Stewart's daughter Alexis was crying.
In a statement posted on her Web site, Stewart said, "Dear Friends: I am obviously distressed by the jury's verdict but I take comfort in knowing that I have done nothing wrong and that I have the enduring support of my family and friends.
"I believe in the fairness of the judicial system and remain confident that I will ultimately prevail." (For more on Stewart's statement, click here).
Stewart's lead attorney said his client would appeal.
"It was a difficult process for all of us," Robert Morvillo said outside the courthouse, adding that he was disappointed in the verdict but confident about an appeal.
A lawyer for Bacanovic said he also will appeal. The ex-Merrill Lynch broker made no comment as he left the courthouse not long after Stewart.
Neither Stewart, 62, nor Bacanovic testified at the trial, which began Jan. 27 and ran for five weeks. Attorneys for Bacanovic called just a handful of witnesses while Morvillo called only one witness.
"Unless this is somehow undone on appeal, she's a felon and she's going to prison," legal analyst Kendall Coffey said.
"This was a total rout," said CNN legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin, who sat through the trial. "The story she told investigators after she made the stock trade simply didn't add up."
The panel of eight women and four men began deliberating Wednesday on whether Stewart and Bacanovic, 41, obstructed justice and lied to the government about her sale of ImClone Systems Inc. stock in December 2001.
The conviction came exactly a week after U.S. District Judge Miriam Goldman Cedarbaum threw out the most serious charge against Stewart -- securities fraud -- which carried a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
The charge -- which the judge had called "novel" during the trial -- accused Stewart of using her own statements that she was innocent as a ploy to mislead investors in her company, Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia.
Martha Stewart Living (MSO: Research, Estimates) stock rallied early Friday on hopes for a favorable verdict but then plunged 22.6 percent afterward on the New York Stock Exchange, where Stewart once served as a director.
The company said it would survive but analysts said the verdict was a serious threat. Stewart quit as chairman and CEO of Martha Stewart Living after she was indicted last summer but stayed on as chief creative officer. (For more on the company's outlook, click here).
Despite the intense publicity surrounding the trial -- the most closely watched of the recent corporate fraud cases -- the stock trade at its center involved a relatively small amount of money.
Stewart avoided a loss of about $51,000 by selling nearly 4,000 shares of ImClone stock on Dec. 27, 2001, rather than the next trading day, when the stock tumbled after regulators rejected the company's application for a key cancer drug.
By contrast, Dennis Kozlowski and Mark Swartz are charged with looting Tyco of $600 million, John Rigas and his sons are charged with stealing millions from Adelphia, the cable company Rigas founded, and the collapse of Enron and WorldCom led to billions of dollars in losses for investors and costs thousands their jobs.
Ex-Enron CEO Jeff Skilling and former WorldCom CEO Bernard Ebbers were each recently indicted for their alleged roles in the collapse of those companies. (For more on the scandals, click here).
Ironically, Erbitux, the ImClone drug at the heart of the scandal, was approved by regulators last month to treat certain forms of cancer.
Prosecutors argued that Stewart sold her ImClone stock only after Bacanovic told his assistant to tip her off that ImClone founder Sam Waksal was trying to sell. Stewart and Bacanovic had told investigators they had an arrangement to sell once the stock fell to $60.
Bacanovic was broker to both Stewart and Waksal, who is serving a seven-year prison term after pleading guilty to securities fraud over his family's sale of ImClone shares.
The government's star witness in the case, Douglas Faneuil, Bacanovic's former assistant, testified that his boss ordered him to pass the inside tip about ImClone to Stewart.
Mark Powers, Faneuil's attorney, said his client "came forward because his conscience told him it was the right thing to do. He was solely a witness telling the truth."
Stewart told CNN's Larry King Live last December that she was not prepared for the trial.
"No one is ever prepared for such a thing," she said. "And no one is ever strong enough for such a thing. No one is -- you know, you have no idea how much worry and sadness and grief it causes."

School Lunch Line Solution!!! (Student E)

2005-03-04T14:03:00.000-08:00

There are several problems in our school lunch line. I will give you some examples of the problems.
1) There are too many people on our lunch. Several teachers are giving there grade 9 and 10 students first lunch so they will not have a split class over lunch. This is causing more students on one lunch then another, and this is causing a problem in the lunch lines. The line is bigger and thus making it harder and slower.
2) Another problem with our school cafeteria is people throwing stuff. Several students throw there garbage at other students or cafeteria workers. This makes a mess and can also be dangerous. When people are sitting down eating there food the last thing they want is to be hit in the head with something.
3) One other problem in the cafeteria is people leaving there garbage on the tables and not putting it in the garbage. How hard is it to put your garbage in the garbage? It’s not hard, if everyone put there garbage away then our school would be much cleaner. It is no one’s job to pick up the garbage and no one gets paid extra to do it. That is another problem with the cafeteria.
4) Another problem in our cafeteria is that the food is not very healthy. There is a lot of food that is greasy and not good for you. There should be more healthier foods. The food should not be as greasy. They should serve healthier beverage’s also, instead of them selling pop they should be selling more cans of juice and no more pop. If they sell both then pop will over power juice and everyone will buy pop instead of juice. BUT if you were to stop selling pop then people would not have a choice but to drink juice.
5) The prices in our school cafeteria are way to high and they get higher by the year. For example a bottle of pop is $1.75, this price is high for just a bottle of pop. A slice of pizza is $2.20, another price that is to high, and the list of outrageous prices go on.
6) One of the biggest problem in the cafeteria is people cutting line. When there is a line people are expected to go to the end of the line and wait for there turn. However this is not the case in our lunch lines. Many people cut line because they don’t want to stand in the line so long, or so they can sit down before all the seats are taken, or before all the good food is gone. No matter what the reason this is still a problem.
7) Another problem is people stealing from the lunch line. It is very easy for someone to take something from the lunch line and just take off without anyone seeing them because there is so many people there. Some people pass stuff to other people on the other side of the fence and then they can just walk away without paying for it.
Our lunch line is very slow not only because there is a lot of people in it but the time it takes to serve the food. If someone orders the healthy meal for example, it takes the workers a few seconds to get it ready, whether it be soup, spaghetti, or rice, this all takes time to get ready for the customer. I think that they should higher a extra worker and have a third lunch line somewhere else and only sell stuff that is in a package, like hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken burgers, etc. This would speed stuff up a lot. Then in the big lunch line they could have just the meals and that would work fine. There are several other ways to correct the problems. For my first example I put to many grade 9’s and 10’s on our lunch . A way to fix this is to tell the teachers to stop putting there students on first lunch and leave them on second lunch. You could stop the majority of people from throwing stuff, by being more strict and suspending some people to let them know your serious. You could make people clean up there own mess or make them sit in the office, it wouldn't take them long to clean up then. If we want healthier food we could get better food in the cafeteria by going to the company, and demanding healthier food. The same goes for the high prices. If we sit back and let them raise the price each year then nothing will get done. They will continue to raise the price until enough people complain to the boss and has something done. The problem with people cutting line has been tried all the time. It doesn't really work, people still keep passing the line. You could make it a serious issue and maybe they would stop then but other then that its a hard thing to do.

School Lunch Line Solution!!! (Student D)

2005-03-04T13:59:00.000-08:00

There has been many problems with the school lunch line in the cafeteria, at Richmond Academy. They have tried to fix it by putting a string of boxes and chains in a line, people still did not get the hint to stand in single file. One thing they did do and it has worked was, they put in a "fast-lane". Now their so called fast-lane is getting over crowded, although it is quicker to get your lunch by standing in this line, it still seems to take longer than it should. The lunch line is causing students many problems such as, being late for class, not being able to eat what they want because they have an out of what that person wanted to eat, and most importantly, there is the chance that they don't even get to eat at all. There is no chance that the school will extend the lunch period, therefore, we must come up with a solution to all of the common, everyday problems that occur during the lunch period. There are a variety of different problems with our schools lunch line. Some of the common problems that do exist in our lunch lines, do not only affect the students, but it causes stress for the staff in the cafeteria and Mr. Duncan MacDonald because of the students complaining that they either have not got the chance to eat their lunch, or people continue to cut the line, thinking it's the only way to get their lunch fast enough. There is the occasional "food thief" that steals from the cafeteria and it goes unnoticed because there is too much of a crowd in one area. Most teachers don't accept you into their class if you're late, they say it is unacceptable and that there is always enough time to get your lunch and back into class for bell time. Another serious problem is that you might be able to get to class on time, but you run out of time running to get to your class on time, and you have no time to get to your locker to get your books for the next class, or you needed to use the bathroom and your teacher says "you had 45 minutes to use the washroom on your lunch break". I have a few little suggestions that could improve the lunch line problem. Such as, more fast lanes, and a certain amount of people in line at a time. Example, fifteen people in line for five minutes, should be enough time. Some other solutions, that could possibly work are, a way of taking orders to know what students will want to eat the next day. Two cash registers, two lunch lines for people to stand in, and you could also have another area sectioned off as a second cafeteria. There could also be a camera set up to catch the thieves that are stealing the food. Or a cart that could go around to each classroom, with a limited amount of selection on the cart. There could be a class for each part of the day that you would go and get your lunch, then have a microwave in each classroom so you can heat up your lunch. If you were to go with the idea of having a certain amount of people in the line per minute or so, you could have fifteen people in total with a maximum of five people in each section, the sections could be to get your tray, then move forward to a section to get your eating utensils, then place your order, and get your food in another section, then another section to pay for your food. Students due tend to get angry when there is other students from other grades on their lunch when they're not suppose to be. These students that are on the wrong lunch tend to cut line and pass the people who have been waiting for a long time, making them mad, and then trying to get their food before any of the teachers notice that they're on the wrong lunch. Other problems, one in particular would be the "buddy system". This is when there are people out socializing and then come up to the line to find one of their buddies and get them to buy there food for them, they find this quite convenient because they don't have to wait in the long line for their food. There are many modifications that can be made to the lunch line, or cafeteria in general. I have named several possible solutions to the problems with the lunch line. There could also be an inspector walking around to check for people stealing food or any items from the cafeteria. People have a problem with the other students taking their big poofy jackets and/or school bags into the lunch line. You cannot take your jackets or school bags into the lunch line because it is already over crowded as it is with all of the people and the other people who aren't suppose to be on that lunch. People end up getting hit with the school bags and they get in every one's way. There are also people that once they get to a certain section they stay there and talk to people they know as they walk by, this causes a messy situation because I know when I am waiting to eat I get cranky when people are just standing there with no purpose and they have no intentions of even eating. They just stand there to take up space. They need to have areas to put your jackets and school bags so that they are out of the way. The people serving lunch aren't exactly the fastest. They need to have a student committee to take turns serving the lunch so it will be faster. Sections for food that needs to be served hot, and foods that can be picked up quickly, such as wraps, could all have separate sections so that people don't have to wait in line for a really long time just to get a wrap when other people could be standing there to get the healthy meal that actually has to be served on a plate. It would be a lot easier if they did set up the cafeteria this way. Everyone would benefit from it. In conclusion, I think people are getting cranky in the lunch line because they are in line to get something small but they still have to wait in line for longer than necessary. If it were sectioned and organized in a more effective and efficient way then it would be more orderly, and people would be much happier. I don't think people would mind giving up a little bit of their lunch to serve food as long as it wouldn't take up as much time as it takes now in the lunch line. They wouldn't have to serve food it would just be taking money and passing out whistle dogs, or hamburgers, or slices of pizza's. It would be students helping out other students and it would definitely help out the school.

School Lunch Line Solution!!! (Student C)

2005-03-04T13:51:00.000-08:00

The lunch line has been a huge problem since the year that I started school at Richmond Academy. There are big problems and smaller problems, and I think with the help of student's teachers, and cafeteria employees, we can make the cafeteria and all its problems go away.
One of the major problems is staff, if you ask me I think that the cafeteria is way under staffed for the amount of work that goes into one lunch hour they should have way more lunch ladies working in the cafeteria. I think that this would do a lot in reducing these problems. Another problem is they should have more security and maybe more teachers watching what is going on in the cafeteria, and keeping an eye on such things as stealing , which brings me to one of the major and probably the worst thing that goes on in the cafeteria, students everyday steal, and I think this is bad for the cafeteria because that are losing money, and because of these people stealing it may lead one day to people losing privileges of the cafeteria, because one day it may cause the cafeteria to close down, and it would be Elementary all over again. Another problem is cutting the line, now this is the thing that pisses me off the most because I'm always the first one at the lunch line but yet it always takes me 20 minutes to get my food because of the students who decide they want to pass the line. People cutting the line causes multiple problems for the cafeteria, such as one of the big ones slowing down the lunch line making people frustrated and also making the cafeteria employees frustrated, it also causes fights between students, because they get frustrated because it causes them to be in line so long and then sometimes people don't even get the chance to eat. Another problem is the cash registers one cash register just doesn't cut it, because people get all back up and it just makes the line way bigger and it get all crunched up. Now I want to talk about the layout of the cafeteria if you ask me that person who designed that cafeteria should lose there job because it is really that bad. like first of all the metal railing is so far away from the things that you can make like 3 rows in it which make the line clustered, second it shouldn't be bars it should be a wall so that people can't pass through them and stuff and cut the line, and I think that the cafeteria should have the trays forks, spoons ,and knives somewhere else so that kids can't try and move the little trolley and get in the line, and the worst thing that they probably have in that cafeteria is probably the little chain fence or whatever you decide to call it, it is absolutely pointless, and I still wonder to this day why they have I don't know yet if they figured it out yet that the student could just lift up the chain and go through, or even push it out to make like 3 lines, it's just ridiculous. Something else that is kind of stupid is that they should have addresses this problem earlier, but they sat there and watched it get out of hand, and now they wonder why they got all these set backs. I think these problems need to be addressed as soon as possible because it will make the school a better place and safer. I think I went over many of the problems that our school cafeteria has but I also think there are many resolutions to these problems, and some maybe harder then other but you I think with the right planning we can achieve them. One thing is that they need more staff there is no way around it, with more staff the wider range of students they would be able to serve at one time which would then speed up the lines, and maybe even getting better staff nicer people faster people, people who actually take the job seriously. Another things is that there has to be 2 cash registers because on just does not get the job done they should have a cash for healthy meal people, and another for the people who are just getting a hot dog or rib burger then would speed up the line and leave it less clustered. The fast lane is a very good idea, however they should maybe have another fast lane that sells healthy meals on the side, that would make it a whole lot easier on the cafeteria ladies, and make the lines less clustered. I think something for to reduce stealing lets say maybe more security maybe around this cafeteria line, or maybe even security cameras, people know that if there is cameras watching them that they are not going to steal, or even a good punishment, that if someone gets caught stealing no cafeteria for a week, lay down strict rules that you know students will obey because of the intensity of the punishment. Another other thing that will solve some of these problems is that's students should not be able to pre order, because that makes the students think that they can pass the line, which is wrong because then that makes the line worst, so I think pre ordering should be cut out of the cafeteria. I think they should have more variety of food because students sit there wondering what to eat and sometimes it takes a student 10 minutes to figure out what they want, so it back up the line so more variety and faster service would be perfect. And I think that they should have railing's all around instead of that chain fence, and push it closer to the wall so that students have no choice to go into single file this would also reduce the cutting cause then there would be no room to cut, this would also speed up the lunch line, because cutting is what slows it down. Another solution to all the problems is more teachers, because one teacher can't catch 10 students all at once passing and stealing and everything, they need more eyes on what is going on in the lunch line, because when students know that someone is watching them they don't do anything stupid. I think that making the cafeteria window bigger would allow for more students to order at once, thus allowing for the line to speed up a little. Also the way things are set up I think that they should have all the food first then the drink then the desert, because people are going back a forth to the drinks then to the food and stuff and then the line bunches up. I think if we work together and do all this stuff that we the students and teachers can makes the cafeteria line a better and safer place.

School Lunch Line Solution!!! (Student B)

2005-03-04T13:46:00.000-08:00

Most people that go to Richmond Academy know that the lunch line in our school is very long and it takes a long time to get food. Some people that just get there lunch and the bell is about to ring, they have to miss class in order to finish their lunch. Our school has 2 separate lunch periods, one for grades 9 and 10, and other for grades 11 and 12. But most of the time there are more grade 9's and 10's on the 11's and 12's lunch, so the first thing that should be done is that the grade 9 and 10 students shouldn't be on the 11 and 12 lunch, because whenever they are the line is twice as long. If they were on their lunch instead of ours then there wouldn't be such a long line, it would still be quite long but not as much as if they were not on that lunch. Another problem in our school's lunch line is stealing. Some students just hop in the line and take things that are sitting on the counter and then just leave without paying. They can get away with this because there are so many people in the line that the lady at the cash can't see is anyone's taking something or not. If there was a stricter policy enforced then maybe there wouldn't be any stealing. If the principal was to enforce a stricter line then they might be able to stop the stealing that's going on in the line. They could make the people in the line go one by one and then it would be in a better order. If they could do that then the lunch ladies could be able to see if there was stealing going on because there wouldn't be so many people crowding around the counter. Another problem in our schools lunch line is that people mark their food and say that they will pay it back and they never end up doing it. There's a really easy way to solve that problem, just don't let people mark their food. If they can't pay for it right at the cash, they shouldn't be able to have it. It might be kind of mean, some people actually do forget there money and will pay it back, but others just say that so they can get food and then they never pay it back. Also, there is a fast lane in our school where people can get pizza, hamburgers, cheese burgers, and things like that, but it is also quite long at times. A way to fix that would be to put more than one fast lane in our school. If there were a couple then the lines wouldn't be so long, and the people that are in the lunch line just for those kinds of food could go in the fast lanes and then that would also make the lunch line shorter. Our lunch line is also very slow; you could have your food and still be waiting 5 or 10 minutes to pay for it. This is because there are so many people crowded around the lunch lady. She only has two hands, I'm sure it must be hard to deal with all those people around you. If there was more than one place to pay for your food the lunch line might move a lot quickly. There are only 5 people on the cafeteria staff, and one of them works the cash, and another in the fast lane. That means there's only 3 people working in the cafeteria during lunch hour. If there were more people serving the kids at lunch, the line would move along more quickly. Also, there are people who buy meal tickets, so they don't have to take money to school everyday, they can just use there meal ticket. But whenever someone says they have a meal ticket, the lady at the cash has to go through all the meal tickets until she finds that persons and then punch a hole in it. That slows the line down a lot. I think that the students who own meal tickets should have to have them with them when they buy there lunch, that way the lunch lady could just punch the hole right away and she wouldn't have to dig through all the tickets. Another problem would be the amount of time the students have for lunch. When the lines are that long, some people don't have enough time to eat lunch. I think that the time that students have to eat lunch should be longer because some people eat their food too fast because they don't really have a choice. Some people skip lunch all together because they know that by the time they get there lunch it's time to go back to class. Other people just get there lunch from the vending machine, and that's really not good. If people eat there lunch from a vending machine everyday there obviously going to gain weight. Obesity is a major problem in schools with a lot of people in the school because no one wants to wait in the lunch line so they just eat junk for lunch everyday. I think that if people don't want to have to rush to eat everyday, that they should bring there own lunch. If people were to bring there lunch, then they could eat healthy, and they wouldn't have to wait a long time for there lunch. Also, they wouldn't have to waste their money on their lunch, they could save it for something else. Long lunch lines are not just a problem in our school, or in Canada for that matter. There are long lunch lines in schools all over the place. There is a school in Salt Lake City that has the same problems as us. There lunch lines are too long, and there isn't enough time for all the students to eat. A news reporter went to that school and observed what he saw, and then wrote about it in an article. He noticed that half the kids were still eating when it was time to go back to class. He also noticed that there were a lot of kids eating from vending machine, and there were hardly any kids brought there own lunch to school. There are many things that can be done to improve the lunch lines, but so far nothing has been done. The most I've seen in our school was that the Mr. MacDonald was standing by the line to make sure that no one cut in front of anyone, but he doesn't even do that anymore. So, the best thing that they can do would be to make the lunch periods a bit longer so that people can have time to eat there lunch.

School Lunch Line Solution!!! (Student A)

2005-03-04T13:38:00.000-08:00

Its not hard to see that there is a huge problem in our school cafeteria when it comes to lunch time and our eating arrangements. Not only is the table space limited, but that's a problem that for the most part is dealt with. The main problem in our school is the lunch line and the amount of time it takes to wait in line for our food. By the time you get out of class, go to your locker or even run out of class at high speed, and run to the lunch line, its packed. People mad dash their way to the line and end up standing their all lunch break, its not A break at all, you're still standing there waiting to eat, with people you want to get away from all class, and looked forward to lunch break to spend some time with your friends and eat some lunch. If that's not bad enough you have a bunch of people who are too lazy to mad dash their way towards the lunch line and stroll up, and plain as day cut the line by the cash, or where you pick up your lunch trays. This doesn't make the people waiting behind them happy, and when enough of them cut, those people get so mad and tired of waiting they become "cutters" the next day in order to avoiding the long wait...AGAIN. Another problem that faces us as we talk about our lunch break is that fact that even though they tried to ease the problem of the number of people eating at any given time, by having two whole lunch breaks where 9 and 10s, are one and 11's and 12's are on another its still very packed. A reason for this over amount of people crowded around the lines and our space is due because a lot of grade 9's and 10' for whatever reasons are sometimes on our lunch, so sometimes 3 grades at one time are on one lunch which defeats the purpose of having two separate lunch lines to try and ease the traffic. This is a huge problem because its the reason to why there is so many students in line at one time. This is a huge problem and a reason some non-cutters do become lunch line cutters is because sometimes the reason they're in the lunch line is to get a small item such as a milk, or a cookie, this means they have wait all lunch hour among the people that await for a full meal, just to get their cookie or milk, or piece of pizza. What's some ways that we can help this problem at our school?. Well for one thing I believe that we should keep the 9's and 10's on their lunch while the grade 11's and 12's stay on their own lunch. I think that teachers should get their meals prior to the students, and that people who pre paid their lunch should get theirs also prior to the rest of the students, whether that be before the bell rings or gets dibs first in line. I think that those pre-orders should be made before the bell rings and should be placed on a table where they can just be given out instead of taking up all that other extra time, and since they are already paid, the students can just walk through and the rest can have a chance at getting their food.

Being Canadian is.....

2005-03-03T09:42:00.000-08:00

To be Canadian, you got to carry the Canadian name with pride. Us Canadians be ourselves no matter what people say to us, we are all equal, but also different. We live in a culturally diverse society where we like to keep the peace among each other. Also being Canadian is worrying about taxes and being able to find other countries on a map. In Canada we have the freedom to speak our own mind and are entitled to our own opinion, even if we disagree with the government and we won't get in trouble. When people think of Canada they think about a beautiful environment, freedom, opportunity, and potential. In Canada you can be anything you want to be. According to the United Nation, Canada is the best place in the world. The Canadian flag is a symbol of freedom and peace. Canadian's have equality and respect for people of all areas, race, language, culture, etc. Canada has many different cultures and languages, and all of them are treated equally. Canada proves that people of different diversity can live in peace. In Canada no one is better then the other. We all get a good education, we have clean water, clean air, plenty of food, and living a long life. Being in Canada you don't have to worry about wars starting or land mines because, we are the peace keepers, we would rather keep the peace then start a war. Canada is freedom to all people. I myself am glad to be a Canadian. I feel safe and I'm not worried being bombed like the American's are. We are friends to many countries and they look to us when they are in need of help, also like the American's. We are the second biggest place in the world and don't mind sharing the land to immigrants.

Being Canadian is:
"~Spelling words with our own distinctive flavor."
"~Appreciating the finer points of Curling."
"~Being able to sew our flag onto our belongings with pride."
"~Knowing what the heck a Timbit is."
"~Eating Beaver Tails, mmmmm...."
"~Sitting through traffic jams that have no cause at all."
"~Knowing the true color of money."
"~Wearing a toque with style."
"~Getting a French instruction manual for something that's completely in English."
"~Being Canadian and dang proud of it."

What does being a Canadian mean to you?

2005-03-03T09:37:00.000-08:00

Being Canadian means being respecting all people equally and being respected equally by them also. The people in Canada want to bring peace to the world not war. Being Canadian means being safe and free to do what you want but also being protected by the law at the same time. Now a days the people in Canada have a better education than they did before because of the new technologies. In Canada you have the right to express your opinions and thoughts to everyone. People speak different languages and communicate in their own ways. This is how other people learn new languages and how to communicate differently. Every Canadian is treated equally and have their own styles. Being Canadian is showing other people that it is something to be proud of. Different people in Canada have different languages, cultures, and religions. Being Canadian is showing people that it is okay to be yourself and that you don’t have to listen to what other people say about you or what they say to you about who you are or what you look like. Canada is also famous for some sports like hockey and curling.
"Knowing the true color of money" is a quote said by Sara Astles. I think that being Canadian is about being safe, healthy and having a clean environment for the people so that they can live for a while longer. It Is also about having pride and being happy of who you are. Being Canadian isn't’t about what other people think about you but what you think and feel about yourself. "There are no wars in Canada, and no land mines, I feel safe. Canada is freedom to all people." This is a quote said by Mykal. As Canadian’s grow older they will learn more, understand more, and have more of an open mine about things. When you live in Canada you will realize that you will hear more gossip about things that happened, things that people said and what not. Being Canadian is about having fun and helping each other out through good times and bad. Most Canadian are very friendly. People who don’t live in Canada can usually tell where the people of Canada live because of their accents. The populations in some parts of Canada are decreasing because there are not very many jobs in those areas but other areas are increasing because the people that didn't’t have jobs went to those areas to get jobs. Being a Canadian is about worrying about paying taxes and the prices going up on everything. To be a Canadian you have to worry about getting a job to support your family. You have to learn how to be friendly and not to do things to others what you wouldn't’t want done to you. You have to follow the laws and respect what other people have to say and respect your elders. I think that Canada should have a Tim Hortons in every town. I think that there is too many people do drugs in Canada. People just do them cause they think they get away from everything. Being Canadian is being able to write and spell the way you want. Being Canadian is about caring about other people and how they feel. Being Canadian is about being outgoing and having fun and being able to go out and enjoy seeing the world.
I myself am proud to be Canadian because I feel safe and I am not worried about getting hurt. Many different countries look up to us and sometimes comes to us for help. We are the second largest country in the world. We also share our land with other countries. I am proud to be Canadian because we can express ourselves freely and we don’t have to worry about getting in trouble. The leaf on our flag symbolizes freedom. What I like about Canada is we have a good people and a good prime minister that tries to help out as much as he can. I think that being Canadian is feeling good about yourself and that you don’t have to worry about everything.

It's Canada People!!!

2005-03-03T09:34:00.000-08:00

To be Canadian is to be able to attend school and earn an important education that will enable you to enter the workforce, where you can learn the values of life along with the knowledge around you. Where one day that knowledge learned could one day be passed down to the next generation. Canadians have the rights to freedom and to practices there own Religions amongst themselves. Canada has no perfect religion or race because Canada is a multicultural country where people around the world would like to visit or take up residents among the rest of the country.

Dudley Do- Right Poem!!!

2005-03-03T09:30:00.000-08:00

--DUDLEY DO-RIGHT, ANIMATED CANADIAN MOUNTIE--

I'm not a lumberjack or a fur trader. I don't live in an igloo or eat blubber or own a dog sled. I don't know Jimmy, Sally, or Suzie from Canada, although I'm certain they're really, really nice. I have a prime minister. Not a president. I speak English and French, not American. And I pronounce it 'about', not 'a boot'. I can proudly sew my country's flag on my backpack. I believe in peace-keeping, not policing. Diversity, not assimilation. And that the beaver is a truly proud and noble animal. A toque is a hat! A Chesterfield is a couch! And it is pronounced 'zed'! Not 'zee'! 'Zed'!Canada is the second largest land mass! The first nation of hockey! And the best part of North America!My name is Joe! And I! Am! Canadian! Thank you.

What is it to be American?

2005-03-03T09:25:00.000-08:00

What is it to be American?

Being an American entitles one person to many different things. To start out America is known to have a very strong sense of patriotism. Being American means you live in the land of the free, that there is liberty and justice for all. America is full of people who believe in not being afraid and being "The land of the free and the home of the brave. If you are American you probably watch baseball, or other sports on television often. Americans often go to sporting events. Also being American consists of having a lot of pride towards our nation. Being American means playing with GI Joes when you were little, and playing with cowboys and Indians. So you ask what is it to be American? You have the right to freedom of speech, the right to remain silent, the right to bear arms, a lot of rights that are written in the United States Constitution. The United States is filled with people who have different nationalities and different religions. America is known as the melting point to some people. Everyone in the United States of America has a different opinion than the person sitting next to him, everyone thinks differently and can freely express how and what they think. To be American means to believe in Democracy, and our government. If you are in America you better believe that all people are equal because that is what America is all about being equal. America is about being free, and being able to do what you want. America has changed quite a bit from the founding days, the constitution has been edited so many times. So that is what it is to be American.

The 77th Annual Academy Awards!!!

2005-03-03T09:23:00.000-08:00

Actors and actresses all gathered at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on Sunday February 27th 2005 for The 77th Annual Academy Awards. Twenty four awards were given out in total, five of which went to Martin Scosese's "The Aviator" including; best supporting actress which went to Cate Blanchett, best art direction, best cinemography, best film editing, and best costume. Best picture went to Clint Eastwood's "Million Dollar Baby" that film also took best director, Clint Eastwood. Best Actor went to the incredible Jamie Foxx for the movie "Ray" and Best Actress went to Hilary Swank for "Million Dollar Baby". Best visual effects went to "Spider Man 2", the best animated feature went to "The incredible's". In my opinion I think that "Ray" should have won more awards than it did, I thought that it was a great movie and deserves more awards than it were given.

Canadians!!!

2005-03-03T09:20:00.000-08:00

Canada is a very diverse country, we are very multicultural. Last year Canada let in approximately 200,000 immigrants to stay in here, they are able to come over as a refugee, skilled worker, or family class. To come to Canada you must be able to speak French or English, we as Canadians know that these are the only two official languages of Canada, therefore it would be harder for communication if you couldn't understand how to help another person. Being a Canadian means that you are considered equal, anyone and everyone is equal, everyone has rights no matter your age, sex, culture/ethnic origin, religion or beliefs, etc... Everyone is kept equal and protected. Canada itself is the second largest land mass in the world, it is vast and very widespread, there is room to grow and even room to fail, we are very understanding and have our own uniqueness, which sets us aside from other countries such as the US, being considered as a sibling to the US and them as our neighbor, we are independent and try not to be compared to them, with so many countries not liking the US/President Bush we somehow come to be a favorite among those countries and all over the world, Canada is know as the "peace keepers" ,so it's only natural that people would want to come here. In short to be Canadian means that you are not only equal but that you are treated equally as well, to live here you know that you are free, and that you can be your own person and still be accepted.

Being Canadian isn’t just about....

2005-03-03T09:18:00.000-08:00

Being Canadian isn't just about seeing ourselves drink the Americans under the table, even if most of us think so. Being a member of Canada means so much more than that. We are known world wide for being polite and kind to almost anyone that crosses our path. We are extremely diverse in cultures and we have accepted different nationalities with open arms.
"We are tremendously proud of our cultures, heritage and achievements and we will continue to break new ground. I am proud to be a Canadian and I hope you are too." - Philip K. Lee
We, as Canadians, are proud, generous, hospitable, and are always there to lend a helping hand even if we think the idea is completely stupid and ignorant in every way. Like President Bush's war for example, many Canadians thought it was completely stupid and down right dumb to do something like that, but our troops went over anyways, just to be helpful. It's just the way we are.
"For many years Canada has held an obscure place among the countries of the globe. Our borders have been pictured as the abode of perpetual snows, and our people as indifferent, easy-going, indolent. But change is taking place." - Charles R. Tuttle
In Canada, our ultimate sport is hockey. In hockey season everybody gets together with their family and friends and they all watch the games. Being Canadian is being who you are, no sugar coating anything in order to conform to everyone else's idea of normal. Most times we don't even care what normal is; we are too busy being ourselves. Canada is every culture and nation under one flag and one country. As Canadians, we practice and celebrate our cultures and heritage as a huge family. Our country has worked harder than any other country to attain equality for everyone. On July 1st every year, all Canadians have this urge to show that we are proud of our country in every way. We all go to parks and parties to celebrate Canada day with family and friends, surrounding ourselves with the ones we love, and as sacrilegious as it sounds, it's almost like Christmas, minus the presents.
"If you don't think that your country should come before yourself, you can better serve your country by living' someplace else." - Stompin' Tom Connors

What is it like to be a Canadian?

2005-03-03T09:11:00.000-08:00

A Canadian is a friendly, modest and polite individual who thinks the best of everybody. I, obviously, am Canadian and proud of it. I am proud to be born in this beautiful country where I can be free to speak or act as I want, given that it is legal. A lot of us play ice hockey. Even more watch the sport at the rink or on television. Canadians like to talk about the weather and things that happened the night before and where they were when it happened. We are, to my acknowledgment, friendly people who have a tendency to be nosey and get stereotyped a lot for saying "eh" or for talking about "going down the gully dare tight like ninety, ah what?" We are known as the United States neighbor and we have an urge to gossip. Canadians love to talk and communicate. Of course I am talking about the everyday Joe Canadian and I know there are some exceptions like the tall skinny freaks who were tortured all high school and stay in their mom's basement planning on how to kill the people who made him like this. Canadians are the world's big brother in my opinion. We are always there for a shoulder to cry on and when another country is picking on someone we spring into action with our large mass of land on our backs. We, as Canadians, stand by our country but take no offence when people make fun of us as a people. As a matter of fact we will join in the fun and make fun of ourselves for the simple reason to be entertaining. We are fun loving people who love to joke around and have a good time. Our national sport is lacrosse, but some would argue that it is hockey, ITS NOT! We are proud of our athletes, singers, entertainers, and musicians as if we knew them personally. We have a large sense of humor and love to make people laugh. We hate to see people down on their luck and tend to find time or money to try and give the less fortunate a helping hand. Of course I have a bias opinion given that I am indeed a Canadian myself. I love Canada and the people who come with it, with many exceptions. We, for the most part, have a healthy economy and a medical system and health care system that is second to none. Yes we live in a country of opportunity and freedom and I would not change it for anything. We are a special breed of tolerance for alcohol, believe me that one is tested and effective, and for being a jolly peoples. Canadians make witty comments that nobody really can make sense of and we love it. We also "Have pet beavers" and live in a place that is as such as the Polar icecap and we "have polar bears". Aside from all the stereotyping and us being fabulous there is only one thing I can say to end off this essay"..I AM CANADIAN"..EH???

Confederation!!!

2005-03-03T09:01:00.000-08:00

Before our confederation the Britain ruled some colonies which in what we now call Canada. Canada is the second largest country in the world. Canada has ten provinces and three territories. Canada decided we wanted to be our own country, so we joined confederation on 1867. Our confederation happened because the British Colonies were facing many problems and the only way to settle this was to for all of us to come together and become one country. On July 1st, 1867 Canada became a country with four provinces known as Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, and Ontario. The other provinces and territories didn't join till much later.
Canada Day celebrates the events that occurred on July 1st, 1867 when the British North American act created the federal government. Canada was once known as "Dominion Day" but was officially changed later as Canada day. Our National Anthem "O Canada" was officially accepted on July 1st, 1980. Calixa Lavallée who played this patriotic song at a time and moment of inspiration composed its music. The French lyrics to follow the music were written by Sir Adolph-Basile Routhier. Most schools throughout Canada play our National Anthem in the morning before classes begin to show how much Canadians appreciate our country. Canadian symbols are very important. Symbols reflect who we are and where we live by providing expressions to our identity. No whether it's our school colors, provincial/territorial flag, national anthem, it all establishes the identity within ourselves to bring us together as a community or as a family. Symbols are things that stand for something else. Our name Canada, it come from the explorer Jacques Cartier heard the word "Kanata" which meant village or settlement. The Name Canada was then later on referred to as a large area of North America. Another example is our Maple Leaf, we got that symbol when our Aboriginal peoples has discovered maple sap which they gathered every spring. The maple Leaf began to serve as a Canadian symbol as early as the 1700's. Another example is our national colors. Red and white were approved as Canada's official colors in the proclamation of the coat of arms in 1921. Canada's flag is a symbol that identifies the people belonging to a group. Our official ceremony initiating the new Canadian flag was held in Ottawa on February 15, 1965 with Governor General Georges Vanier and Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson.

What is it to me to be Canadian?

2005-03-02T11:30:00.000-08:00

This "project" is supposed to be on my opinion on what I think a Canadian is. Well.. First off in basic terms a Canadian is really anyone who owns a Canadian passport, saying that you really are a Canadian. Now I am going to give my opinion on what I think a Canadian is. Well to me a Canadian, is a person who can some what take a (crappy) joke about how we say so much (but really don't say at all....) Words like eh, and other crap like that. Also we (or us) as Canadians do not all play hockey and eat messy fries(poutine) all the time either. We as Canadians also have a moral obligation(to an extent..)to be one of the few places where there is peace and you do not have to lock your doors at every time of the day or be scared to go anywhere. We as Canadians also do have some morals( yes I know that a lot of people do not fit the exact "criteria" of my essay but this is "my", "essay") and have a fudamental law called our "Canadian charter of rights and freedoms" which gives me the freedom to do and say basically what ever I want( to a extent) and that also is one of our reasons of being Canadian, because we as a society should not be so terrified of the smallest things and should also not be intimidated by stupid people and there crap. We as Canadians do like everyone else follow a fedamental law and do have a criminal code which we as( if we are Canadian , and or live in Canada) should listen too(as much as we can)so lets see... We up to now have that we can do basically whatever we want and we could also say that I don't know...Don't have to be scared about everything and that we obviously have a great sense of humor too.( as I already said not all of this fit the "criteria" that I have menchened in this essay so far) Now I don't think that I am going to "quote" anyone because that's just crap.... Because this is my own essay on my own opinions and what I think a Canadian really is and or should be. And also I could care less about what other people think any ways...So.. Yeah.... Well lets see what else you should be or do to be a Canadian... Hmm.... You must have a small( or large) sense of pride because (especially after ww1 and 2) we have made a name for our selves and that I guess you could say that's a good thing( I still could not care less about the worlds matters especially wars because I my self think there a waste of peoples time money and lives) so then after our grand parents all get blown up or shot (in totally pointless war...)we now can have pride to be Canadians!( even if we our selves didn't do a thing back then at all....)well all I can say to that is bull! Because wars don't make you a Canadian, being a Canadian means this and only this... You were born hear! But if you want me to say what are something that a lot of Canadians do that we can relate to, I guess we could just say ok... To be Canadian we must do drugs and drink, play hockey, eat mozza fries ,have poor grammar, and hunt. And really that's all bull. All it means when someone say's your Canadian is that you were born hear and live hear now ,I mean if anyone ever wanted to be a Canadian citizen you would get a passport saying you are right? Well isn't that the answer to this whole question about what it really is to be Canadian? And I do not have to go and quote people to say that. But If you can recall the Quebec crisis (if you could even call it that...) When They wanted to be a separate country , they were going to need a totally different passport ,money, basically a whole new identity! So maybe it's also if you (not only live) in Canada, but it has to do with the law. And it basically does. So that's the real reason that we in Canada have passports saying we are and that's why we in Canada are, because we were born here. And (on this one last point is ) I am Canadian!

Being Canadian!!!

2005-03-02T11:24:00.000-08:00

Being Canadian is:
Worrying about taxes and actually being able to find other countries on the map,
Spelling words with our own distinctive flavour,
Appreciating the finer points of Curling,
Being able to sew our flag onto our belongings with pride Being equal, but different,
Understanding what "hoser" really means,
Knowing what the heck a Timbit is,
Trying to make peace, not war,
Eating Beaver Tails, mmmmm.....
Sitting through traffic jams that have no cause at all,
Living in a culturally diverse society,
Getting a French instruction manual for something that's completely in English,
Being yourself, no matter what anybody tells you,
Knowing the true color of money,
Wearing a toque with style,
Being Canadian and damn proud of it.

Am I proud to be Canadian?
Of course I am. I'm sure every Canadian is.
The question in my article is: Are you Proud to Be Canadian? This article is going to be on What it is to be a Canadian. I am going to write my Opinion on what I think it is to be Canadian and also I and going to discuss some of the opinions I got from other people off the internet. Being Canadian to me is having more freedoms and rights then what other countries do. Canada is not a strick as other countries are. You can get away
pretty easy with things when you are in Canada. Unless your a murderer or you committed a serious crime, then your shit out of luck. All though some people think that they don't give out cruel enough punishments. Canada is not being in constant war with everyone else. Canada is about piece. Multliculturalism is every-where's in Canada. People from different cultures come to Canada all the time and it is great because we get to learn different languages, and we get to learn about their culture , and at the same time we get to meet lots of new friends. Canada is a friendly country, everyone is welcomed here and when you get here you are not
going to be thought of differently even if you are different from Canadians. Every-one gets treated equaly.
Equality is another thing, being Canadian no one is equal, you get treated equaly but all human beings are different in their own way, no one is the same. I mean yes Canada does have its bad things but there is not so many, and
there is the odd bad people, but like I said not as many as other places. In Canada you can speak what you want to a certain extent but you can speak your own opinion, you have the right to do that. Also in Canada you
get chances, some provinces you don't as much as others but for most of them you do and if you don't get a chance you will get to chose from different choices. For example; if you get arrested you have the choice to call your lawyer. But sometimes, in my province anyway, you will can a warning and may not be arrested.
There are so many good things to being a Canadian. I can't really explain them all but I'm sure most of you out there know what I am talking about, and if you don't you are not a true Canadian, and you should get to know what being a Canadian really is, because it's great. Canada is so good that we got beer named after this country, now how great is that?

What Is It Like To Be Canadian?

2005-03-02T11:17:00.000-08:00

Being Canadian means belonging to a nation, being part of a wonderful group. Being Canadian also means having freedom. You can also be equal but different at the same time. Being Canadian means living in a culturally
diverse society. When you’re a Canadian you can be yourself no matter anybody tells you. You have the freedom to go anywhere you want to go, you also have the freedom to speak and give you’re opinion on anything you want to say when you’re a Canadian. You can also disagree with the government and not be punished for it. All Canadians are equal and have rights protected by law. The Canadian flag is also a symbol of freedom and peace and help to others who needed it anywhere in the world. Being Canadian means having equality and respect for all people from all areas, cultures, religion, color, race and language. Being Canadian also means having a good education, being healthy, having clean air and clean water, and lots of fresh food, and also living a long life. Being Canadian means there are no wars, there are no land mines, and it’s a place where you can feel safe. Being Canadian proves that people of different languages, cultures and ideas can live together in peace, equality and mutual respect. Valerie Friesen says “Being Canadian means being liked by everyone
because we are so laid back and forgiving and don’t have a great deal of historical hates, prejudices and such” “We’re multicultural, beautiful, happy, courteous, peaceful and we know how to throw a wicked party.”
Ashleigh Viveiros says “ I think being Canadian is just acknowledging the fact that we live in such a great country.” “ It’s feeling a weird sense of pride when we win gold at the Olympics, even if you hate sports.” “It’s
tearing up when you hear the national anthem being played at the Olympic games” Being Canadian means having no child labor (except for cleaning our rooms). Being Canadian means we are a peaceful country, we have
great features like the mountains and the forest and lots of great animals. Being Canadian means being the best at hockey. You can count on the government to make this world a better place. Being Canadian means you
can walk down the street and smile at strangers and they will smile back. Being Canadian means knowing what a timbit is. Being Canadian means knowing the true color of money and also wearing a toque with style. David
Guenther says “ Canada’s religious background and tolerance for diversity is what makes this country stick together.” “Look at Canada! We have all these different cultures living in one country and you don’t see us
fighting.” When you’re Canadian you can spell words with your own distinctive flavor. Being Canadian means getting French instruction manual for something that is completely in English. Valerie says “Canada
is a huge country with tons of space; comparatively low crime; lots of resources; friendly people; good education; relatively low taxes and living cost. Being Canadian means that gay people can legally get married in the
province of Ontario. Being Canadian is trying to make peace not war. Being Canadian is sitting through traffic jams that have no cause at all. Actress Jane Fonda says, "When I’m in Canada, I feel this is what the world should be like." Former British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, 1951 said "There are no limits to the majestic future which lies before the mighty expanse of Canada with its virile, aspiring, cultured and generous-hearted people." U.S. President Bill Clinton in 1995 says, "In a world darkened by ethnic conflicts that tear nations apart, Canada stands as a model of how people of different cultures can live and work together in peace, prosperity and mutual respect." New York Times bureau Chief Andrew H. Malcolm says "The Canadian people strike visitors as among the world’s friendliest, the most open and reasonable and least dogmatic, and now among the most economically aggressive and imaginative."

Forty-two Uses for Yu-Gi-Oh Cards!!!

2005-02-28T10:50:00.000-08:00

A friend of mine gave me a couple of Yu-Gi-Oh cards several months ago to burn for him (actually, I asked to burn them) and ever since then they have been sitting in front of me on the computer desk, not doing what they are supposed to be doing.
Ah, just last week I was sitting at the table during lunch, and two people started playing Yu-Gi-Oh cards like they are supposed to play it, and I started thinking “There has got to be different uses for these miserable little pieces of paper, or cards, or whatever they are made out of.”
But before I get to the list, I would just like to say that all cards that are based off of video games, television shows, action figures, and/or comic books, are a waste of money, and only people who’s lives are based around, and or on, that particular entertainment form with an unhealthy obsession that even tobacco companies would be jealous of, would go out and buy these cards and use them as they were meant to. If you collect them for sentimental value in the future, sure, go ahead; just don’t start talking about “Blue-eyes White-dragon has so-so hit points with a max attack power of not-give-a-dang”, or something along those lines. You can waste your money on other, somewhat more important things, like tutoring, so you don’t fail school because of your unhealthy obsession with game-cards.
So, without further ranting, here is a list of things you can do with Yu-Gi-Oh Cards, besides what they are meant for:

#1- Picking food from between your teeth.
#2- Sell for money.
#3- Cutting cheese.
#4- Spreading butter on toast.
#5- Fuel for a fire.
#6- Cleaning the dirt from underneath your fingernails.
#7- Toilet Paper.
#8- Blowing your nose.
#9- Flicking the cards at people.
#10- Fold into airplanes.
#11- Cutting the pictures out to glue on stuff.
#12- An extension for your hand when you have a hard-to-get-to itch.
#13- Folding in boredom.
#14- Funnel for pouring drinks.
#15- Peashooter.
#16- Poking people.
#17- Scratching people.
#18- A small fan.
#19- Writing down notes.
#20- Valentine Cards.
#21- Birthday Cards.
#22- Christmas Cards.
#23- A shelter for your pet mouse/rat/rodent.
#24- Covering small holes in the roof.
#25- Separating cooking ingredients.
#26- Combing hair.
#27- A space-filler in your wallet.
#28- Make an umbrella.
#29- Ruler.
#30- Give to little children to make them be quiet.
#31- Build a card-tower.
#32- Book Marker.
#33- Spoon.
#34- Roll into a straw for drinks.
#35- Build a small maze for rodents.
#36- Fold into Shurikens.
#37- Target practice for rifles.
#38- Paper for a cigarette/joint.
#39- Fold into a boat.
#40- Glue together to make a card-sword.
#41- Cut into shapes of animals to amuse babies.
#42- Staple six pieces together to make a sort of “Card-man”.

Orwellian Thought

2005-02-18T23:14:00.000-08:00

The terms "Orwellian" and "Orwellian thought" usually refer to one or more of the following: efforts to monitor people's social behavior, a dystopian society, and/or political double think.
The first is probably the most common and is often used to negatively describe a situation in which a Big Brother-like authority figure and police can, supposedly, constantly monitor people's every action for betrayal or improper thoughts. In the United States, there exist many law-enforcement agencies, including the well-known FBI and CIA whose agents are supposedly everywhere. With the growth of technology has come an abundance of ways for the state to monitor its people, and in the United States these resources are often taken advantage of.
Double think is the power of holding two contradictory beliefs in one's mind simultaneously, and accepting both of them; to tell deliberate lies while genuinely believing in them, to forget any fact that has become inconvenient, and then, when it becomes necessary again, to draw it back from oblivion for just so long as it is needed. We have seen many examples of this from the Bush and Blair administrations over the past few years.
One such example is the Iraq mess. Those in charge in the United States and Britain knew that what they were saying about Saddam Hussein was not true, but they did, for the large part, I believe, actually come to accept it all as reality, and what more is that they succeeded in convincing many others that it was true, too.
When it comes to international terrorist organizations like al-Qaeda, the US government conveniently forgets the fact that they themselves created the terrorists, that for many years the Americans supplied and funded these groups. Is our real world today, at the beginning of the new millennium, so very different from what Or well predicted? There have been countless refutations of the 1984 dystopia: totalitarianism is on the wane, communism is dead, there is more prosperity, more community, and more freedom than ever before. But first of all, communism is far from dead, although I really don't think that Orwellian thought ever described a communist society. Secondly, who says there is more prosperity? I see much suffering around the globe, due in large part to the US and their imperialistic, hegemonic actions. Thirdly, what freedom? The whole idea is that the American people and all others under an American style system or structure are suffering from a great lack of freedom.
In 1984, Orwell wrote of the "Inner" and "Outer" parties, and in Animal Farm, we had the humans and then the pigs. These groups were the upper class, and today we could probably consider approximately 15% of the world's population as being part of the "Inner" and "Outer" parties. What about the 85% - the "proles" of our world? They are living lives not unlike those of the lower classes in Orwellians works, with poverty and all the other ills of this world.
In Orwellians Animal Farm, whenever things go badly for the animals, Napoleon blames the traitorous Snowball, with the "evidence" becoming a more and more complex web of lies. McCarthyism did the exact same thing, accusing hundreds of American civil servants of being communist infiltrators who were all plotting the destruction of the United States. Such thinking continued throughout the Cold War, with commies getting blamed for almost everything that went wrong in the United States and in the world altogether.
Many assumed that this stopped with the collapse of the Soviet Union, but that simply is not the case. In the 1980s, "Reaganomics" became the big thing. It basically blamed the USA economic woes on liberal policy, and looked to solve all of their problems through a neo-conservative agenda of privatization, tax cuts, and an overall shift towards a wide-open free enterprise economy in which the "little guy" got, for the most part, screwed. In the early 1990s, under George H. W. Bush, this trend continued, with the added component of war in the Middle East.
Under George W. Bush, this right-wing way of doing things has reached an all-time extreme, and as a result, the US economy is now in the toilet, with good old red China readying to surpass the US as the real global super power. But, even with almost everyone else accepting the fact that extreme conservatism in the western world is the main source of our troubles, the Americans are sticking to their guns, laying the blame on leftists. The US media is overrun with people who still say that the American economy is struggling because of communists in the government. I think it is time for the Americans to drop the whole bogeyman thing.
In Animal Farm, we have the idea that "all animals are equal, but some are more equal than others," where those in charge are not subject to the same laws that everyone else are. In the United States, and indeed throughout this world, this is a serious problem. People in positions of power commit crimes, they lie and steal, commit all sorts of distasteful acts, yet they are almost never held responsible. Both George Bush Sr. and George Bush Jr. are guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity, but they will never be punished. Bush Jr. told his people that Saddam Hussein possessed weapons of mass destruction, that he was connected to the September 11 terrorists, and that he posed an immediate threat to the national security of the United States. Under these pretenses, Bush won the support of the American public for the invasion of Iraq. In Animal Farm, the animals are always being told that an attack against the farm is imminent, and so, in fear of the threat posed by the outside world, the animals unquestioningly follow their leaders. In 1984, it is much the same; war is ongoing with rockets hitting the city on a regular basis, just so that the masses will be frightened into submission. Throughout American history, but especially now, the American people are always being told about the threat posed by this and the threat posed by that. In "Bowling for Columbine" Michael Moore points this out, citing several examples of how the media keeps the public in constant fear. The terrorist alerts are the most recent, and probably one of the most extreme, examples of this. Most respectable thinkers seem to agree that the threat of a terrorist attack against the United States is very low, but also that the warning level will never drop to a safe level.
America is said to be the "land of the free," where everyone can live the American dream of becoming rich and famous if they just work hard enough. This, too, is much like Animal Farm, where one of the characters, a horse named Boxer, actually had as his personal motto: "I will work harder." Boxer believed that if he kept working hard, he would eventually accomplish great things. This is true in many cases, but not under the American system. Under the current system, only a select few ever really advance; in Animal Farm it was the pigs, in real life it is the family and friends of wealthy elite, meaning the already rich become super-rich, while the rest of us scrounge around, eeking out a bare existence.

Principles and Elements Of Design

2005-02-18T23:12:00.000-08:00

Design and color-
The Elements Of Design.

#1- LINE - Line can be considered in two ways. The linear marks made with a pen or brush or the edge created when two shapes meet.

#2- SHAPE - A shape is a self contained defined area of geometric or organic form. A positive shape in a painting automatically creates a negative shape.

#3- DIRECTION - All lines have direction - Horizontal, vertical or Oblique. Horizontal suggests calmness, stability and tranquility. Vertical gives a feeling of balance, formality, and alertness. Oblique suggests movement and action. (see notes on direction)

#4- SIZE - Size is simply the relationship of the area occupied by one shape to that of another.

#5- TEXTURE - Texture is the surface quality of a shape - rough, smooth, soft hard glossy etc. Texture can be physical (tactile) or visual.

#7- COLOR - Also called Hue.

#8- VALUE - value is the lightness or darkness of a color. Value is also called Tone. (see notes on tonal contrast.

The Principles Of Design.

#1- BALANCE - Balance in design is similar to balance in physics. (A large shape close to the center can be balanced by a small shape close to the edge. A large light toned shape will be balanced by a small dark toned shape (the darker the shape the heavier it appears to be).)

#2- GRADATION - Gradation of size and direction produce linear perspective. Gradation of color from warm to cool and tone from dark to light produce aerial perspective. Gradation can add interest and movement to a shape. A gradation from dark to light will cause the eye to move along a shape. (Static & Dynamic)

#3- REPETITION - Repetition with variation is interesting, without variation repetition can become monotonous.

#4- CONTRAST - Contrast is the juxtaposition of opposing elements ex. Opposite colors on the color wheel - red / green / blue / orange / etc. Contrast in tone or value - light / dark. Contrast in direction - horizontal / vertical.
The major contrast in a painting should be located at the center of interest. Too much contrast scattered throughout a painting can destroy unity and make a work difficult to look at. Unless a feeling of chaos and confusion are what seeking, it is a good idea to carefully consider where to place your ideas of maximum contrast.

#5- HARMONY - Harmony in painting is the visually satisfying effect of combining similar, related elements. Ex. Adjacent colors on the color wheel, similar shapes etc.

#6- DOMINANCE - Dominance gives a painting interest, counteracting confusion and monotony. Dominance can be applied to onto or more of the elements.

People THAT GET UNDER YOUR SKIN?

2005-02-17T13:00:00.000-08:00

Who are the people that get under your skin? Who are those freaks you could really do without?

#1- EGO IDIOTS - Me, me, me. Can't you carry on a conversation without the topic being about you? Get over yourself!

#2- TALK-A-LOT TWITS - Can you just get to the dang point a little quicker without putting me in a coma?

#3- B.O.- People who are allergic to taking a shower and can be smelt from 10 ft. away.

#4- BOTTOM SLAPPERS - Greasy club guys that have a magnetic pull towards your butt.

#5- ODD - Obsessive Disclosure Disorder. Ok buddy I just met you, I don't really need to know that you like to watch hockey in a pink tutu.

#6- DORM DORK MONITORS - I just left my parent's house, I don't need to be told what to do when.

#7- MOVIE NARRATORS - I'm trying to listen to the bloody movie, not you!

#8- SELF-RIGHTEOUS VEGANS - I know I'm going to die eating this piece of meat. So what?!

#9- MISS POPULARITY - Take your uppity crap and shove it!

#10 - JOCK TURNED PHILOSOPHER - So the jock thing isn't getting you shocked out anymore and you decide to suddenly become the dark, brooding artist in university. Come on, you don't think people can see through your crap?!

Graduation Requirements!!!!

2005-02-17T12:47:00.000-08:00

For Students who entered Grade 10 in September 1997 or later
Eighteen (18) credits are required with no more than seven (7) being from the first level (Grade. 10), and at least five (5) from the third year (Grade. 12) credits.
Language/Communications & Expression
3 English Language Arts, one from each level
1 Fine Art: art, music, drama or dance
Science, Mathematics, and Technology
2 mathematics
2 science: one from biology, chemistry, integrated science, or physics, and one other approved science course
2 others from mathematics, science or technology: all computer related studies and industrial arts technology courses are eligible technology

Personal Development and Society

1 global studies: global history or global geography
1 social studies: history, geography, economics, African Canadian Studies, or Mi'Kmaq Studies
1/2 credit Physically Active Lifestyles (PAL 11)
1/2 credit Career and Life Management (CLM 11)

Compulsory credits must be taken and passed in order to qualify for High School Leaving Certificate

Scholastic Awards!!!

2005-02-17T12:38:00.000-08:00

In May of each year, an evening of recognition will be held for those students of Richmond Academy who performed well academically, according to the criteria outlined below.
High Distinction: 90+ average, *No Mark Below 60
Distinction:80+ average, *No Mark Below 60
Merit: 75+ average, *No Mark Below 60
Grade 9 averages will be computed using the following subjects: English, French (Core/Immersion/Mi'kmaq), Math, Science, Social Studies, and Physical Education/PDR. Plus the higher mid-year mar of one of the remaining courses taken during semester 1/semester 2. (Art/Music or Family Studies/Tech.Ed.
Averages will be computed using 75% of mid-year average and 25% of third term average, using above criteria.
Grade 10.11, and 12 averages will be computed as following:
One English, one Science (includes Math), and three others.
To be considered for an award, a student must be in Good Standing with the school. For further information check the SRSB's Good Standing Policy.

School Rant

2005-02-17T12:26:00.000-08:00

READ THIS - IT WILL INSPIRE YOU TO PAY ATTENTION IN SCHOOL AND IN LIFE MORE OFTEN.

----->>>>> I have kept quiet for a long, long, time, and now I am going to tell you what I wanted to say for a long time.
You are all idiots.
There, I have finally said it. This school is full of idiots! You smoke drugs, and talk about drugs, even while doing drugs!
You do not use proper grammar for ANYTHING! MSN, projects, assignments, homework, everything. Honestly, is it that much of a bother to pay attention during English class?
Oh, some people may say I am too lazy or I don't need to or I'd rather smoke some drugs, well, guess what wise-butt; No one is going to accept a resume of yours when write "I belive I qulify for this job becuz I need money lol". Maybe for boxing since you got nothing inside your head to harm. Hell, just go into wrestling and get a few chairs to the head, it might even help you.
Now, this does not include everyone in the school, because I do know a lot of intelligent people, and several of them don't do drugs as far as I know, but I have also been around many, many people who even say lol when you are talking to them.
What the hell, people? You speak about other countries, saying they are stupid for having a different language, when you are too blind to even SEE that there is a person from another country sitting right NEXT to you!
Oh, and some people will say Oh, but I can label all of the planets in every galaxy, and I made a hundred in physics class!
Let me point something out to you. There is a difference between being smart and being wise. If you can remember every equation in every kind of math, and can remember the periodic table of elements from beginning to end, good for you. But if you cannot be quiet during assemblies, or cannot shut up about how much smarter you are than other people, just keep in mind: chances are the person who is dumber than you, is much, much, stronger. Let's see how good your Periodic Table of Elements will do you when you are getting beaten up by a two-hundred pound weight-lifter who you pissed off because you said you were superior to him.
Being wise is using COMMON SENSE. Do you know what that is? Do you want me to check Webster for you? Look for it yourself, you lazy slobs.
Just shut up and stop bragging about your God damn tests, and how much more intelligent you are compared to other people. It is very, very, frustrating. Not just for me, but for EVERYBODY!
Now, to people who love to make jokes while class is in session, just shut up. You are not funny, and you are not liked. Especially if you are making jokes about the intelligent people. Chances are that the intelligent people you were making fun of all year, or years, depending on if you actually managed to pass the class you were in with them, will be getting high-paying jobs like a doctor or a scientist, eating food from other countries, or maybe they will be in other countries, while you will have to stick to fast-foods like McDonald's to keep you alive (for a few months).
But hey, look on the bright side. Some of you MIGHT pass school and get a high-paying job, but I seriously doubt an ass can actually succeed in life. You will most likely be an annoyance in society, like you already are in school. (Remember the dancing, singing, hobo's on the street? That will work as an excellent career for you.)
Maybe when you are in that position, maybe then you can probably start thinking about all those jokes you made about the intelligent people and see how funny they are now that you are living in poverty, jackass.
Now, to the bullies, just stop. Why does it make you feel stronger picking on the weak? That's like a bus and a rat. Does the bus run over the rat because it makes it feel powerful? No, it runs it over because it was the driver's choice.
What are you talking about? I failed English and math, and your words are too big for my stupid mind. Well, let me simplify it for you; it means you have the choice to stop picking on the weak, or to continue it, but I guarantee you'll get a better job if you put on your resume "Passed Grade 12 Math, than if you put a bet the shitz out of a wek kied n hih skool."
Get a life.
Oh, and to end this, I will talk about the people who oh, so love parties. Just stop talking about it at EVERY GOD DANG MINUTE! Christ! Is it so hard to NOT sound like an idiot when talking about getting high, getting smashed/wasted, smoking it up, and whatever other slang/words you use to describe how you're going to kill yourself while sitting in a class about good health? Oh, and a side note, this is where Common sense comes in handy. Oh, but that's right, you didn't check Webster for the definition yet. (It's a dictionary. You know one of those books used to describe words? Yeah, one of those. Ask your teacher, he/she will know.)
That is all, now realize your mistakes and leave me alone.

Important web sites for career planning & resume writing

2005-02-16T12:39:00.000-08:00

www.careercrusing.com (user name ; richmondacademy Password; careers)
http://www.worksearch.gc.ca/
http://www.careerintern.ca/
www.jobfutures.ca

USE THESE TO YOUR ADVANTAGE!!!!

Communication Technology 11

2005-02-15T09:24:00.000-08:00

Hi,
Welcome to Cmt 11. This is the first month in this course so far. You will be learning over the next few months about what communication technology is and how it helps you in life. You will also learn about life after high school example: College, Community College, University, and the work force. We hope that by the end of this course that you will have a better understanding of Communication Technology.

~Danielle Deveau

Welcome!!!

2005-02-14T13:16:00.000-08:00

So here we are-

This blog will be the ramblings of the day in school and around the world. The goal is to connect what we are doing to the surroundings. Anyway, good luck this year and please view this on a regular basis.

~Shaun Kennedy
~Danielle Deveau