Streaming sunlight,
bridge to solitude.
But not alone.
Free falling
into the light
spilling off
broad blades of grass
onto my lap
onto the page
and into my soul.
For this moment
reaches into eternity
and I
unwittingly
am forever healed.
Fran says Stelmach’s Alberta Government notice a Lie
Fran will be evicted at the end of the month. Her apartment at the Burlington Arms, she’s been informed, is being converted to condo’s.
It happens, and Fran understands in a what-are-you-going-to-do sort of way. She tells me that most of her neighbours have been able to find places or make temporary arrangements.
But what Fran is really aggravated over is a Provincial government postcard size ad in the Sun Newspaper stating that legislation was passed last April 24, making it compulsory for owners and developers to give one year notice to tenants before making any condo conversions or major renovations.
Well, the ad, with phone number to call, should naturally be helpful. But to Fran, the ad is a lie. She called, and was told nothing could be done because the apartments were already designated as condos, had been, apparently, shortly after they were built. But to the tenants, Burlington Arms was an apartment block and had always been managed as such.
(Fran on the steps of the Legislature. She said she was interviewed by the Edmonton Journal and CFRN TV–now scooped by GrowMercy. She’s just hoping someone will listen.)
Once again the Alberta economic advantage is kicking in just in time to save the wealthy from the rabble. Such as Fran, formidable in her cardboard box, mobilizing who can tell what other vast resources so as to block Alberta’s nouveau riche property owners from their rightful windfalls. (Sorry, my cynicism is showing.)
Technorati Tags: Alberta Advantage, Alberta Government, Premier Stelmach, Evictions, Rental Crisis, Fran Lawson, Burlington Arms
Logan Laituri "Soldier" of Jesus
Have been waiting to see what would become of Logan Laituri’s Christian conversion and subsequent convictions. They appear to be holding.
Spring 2005, back from the Iraqi front-lines, through the love and influence of his girlfriend’s family, Laituri became a Christian. He took the gospel seriously–especially the part about loving enemies–and was willing to go back to the front-lines but with the proviso that he would not carry a weapon.
Not surprisingly he was reprimanded by his superior as an enemy of America. Somewhat surprisingly, well, perhaps not, he was viewed by his girlfriend’s Christian-conservative father as misinterpreting the bible concerning war.
He tried applying for conscientious objector status but somehow the paper work kept getting stalled. Instead he was assigned to a detachment that would not deploy to a war zone. Then in October of 2006 his term of service ended. Today, he’s without the girlfriend but not without a voice.
A few weeks ago, in an open letter to his fellow Americans running for the office of the presidency, he wrote:
Over four years, 4 billion dollars, and 3,000 lives ago, our nation was drawn into a conflict that few of our number now believe was initiated with our collective interests or values in mind. As a proud and decorated veteran of this conflict, I have suffered for and served my country with distinction and honor. However, my dreams and quiet moments have been mercilessly violated by the voices of the victims of our national terrorism. In Iraq, their liberation has cost as many as 655,000 Iraqis their lives. Their cries, and those of their families, have been uttered amidst a flood of sweat, tears, and all too much of their own blood.
A voice is a small thing compared to a state war machine. But I still believe the world turns on small things.
Logan Laituri’s story was published last year in Geez
Hilary Duff serves up Hope
Yesterday, Hilary Duff showed up to serve lunch at one of our (HOPE Mission) shelters.
…in the category of Quotable Quotes…
“The Hope Mission was a priority and we wanted to lend a hand,†Duff said after completing her kitchen shift. “It’s so rewarding for me. I love to get down and dirty and help out.â€
No matter what I may think of Hilary Duff”s music, or acting, or accompanying persona, or for that matter, choice of adjectives, I give her credit for taking time to bring attention to homelessness and hunger.
Naturally philanthropic appearances serve both celeb and charity, but in my opinion the young lady is sincere…and she wore the hat well.
(Pictures courtesy of David Bloom)
For my part, particularly as Development guy, even though we shared the spotlight with Alberta Harvest, I was thankful she chose Hope Mission to make her beneficent appearance and help bring added attention to what the Mission does.
Here’s what the Edmonton Journal had to say:
Technorati Tags: Hilary Duff, Hope Mission