Something on my Mind: An Open Letter to my Grandchildren--Part Three

I didn’t plan to make this imaginary letter to my grandchildren and their friends go on for so long. I promise: This is the last installment.

Hi kids (again): Poppa with his rambling rant here again. Make sure your friends read the following. There’s a lot of truth in what I’m saying. (And remember that I’m letting my fans in Newspaperland read this too, so it might be a little confusing.)

We’re discussing things you will be facing in the future. One of them is semantics. That’s fancy-schmancy for “words” or “definitions.” We’re facing a lot of old words with new meanings these days. And just warning here to be careful.

You’re going to hear a lot more about “climate change,” “carbon footprint,” “gun control”--words that are really quite misleading. We knew what they used to mean, but now they have been given a new set of definitions. While we’re told what they now mean, we wonder what’s really behind the new meaning.

I wonder about the scientific legal, and economic implication behind them. Remember what I said before: Don’t accept things at face value. Research, review, and reflect, then draw your own conclusions.

Furthermore, we need a different set of scientific, legal, and economic voices to be be given an equal footing in the media. There are many scientists, lawyers, and economists that have differing views from what is being foisted upon us. Society needs to hear their side, too.

You know: fairness, equity, diversity, and all that.

I think we’re being fed a lot of hooey about some of these things. If you have not developed an analytical approach to the media, politics, and information technology, you are going to get duped.

Here’s another gem: “tolerance.” As we “progress” into the ‘20s, if you don’t see eye to eye with those who are “tolerant,” they won’t, well, tolerate you. And then ultimately write you off as bigoted. I find that strangely inconsistent.

Also, get used to the word “socialism.” When I was young, socialism was over there, somewhere outside of North America. Gradually, kilometre by kilometre, it slithered over here. We have had a number of socialist provinces over the years, only back then we called them “have-not” provinces. Go figure.

We even now we have a socialist federal government. Anyone who is smart enough and insightful enough knows where Canada is heading...fast.

Never did I imagine that our free enterprise system would be hijacked so aggressively in such a short period of time. Free enterprise gives wings, not shackles, to the individual and families. We need free enterprise to turn our country around.

Big, bloated, intrusive (read: socialistic) government is not the way to empower and equip its citizens.

Look at the irreparable damage that socialism does. What it destroys so quickly (in months) takes so long (in years, maybe even decades) for recovery. Just study British Columbia in the ‘80s and Alberta in the past sixteen months and you’ll know what I mean.

These concepts are constantly dumped on us, dressed up as warm words such as science, tolerance, and diversity; we need to know how to resist. One form would be to examine true scientific and historical evidence—if you can find any, in this revisionist culture.

Well, so much for word studies for the future. Got to go.

Toodle-oo for now, kids.

Something on my Mind: An Open Letter to my Grandchildren (Part Two)

[This second phase of an open letter to my grandchildren is in reality an open letter to all parents and grandparents, as well as to the next generation of kids. They are facing an unfriendly, unclear, and uncertain future. I just want to help by pointing a few things out.

It also gives me a genuine opportunity to rant, or did you notice?]

How about this word picture first? As a culture, we’re adrift in the open sea in a lifeboat, a leaky one at that. It might get us safely to shore, it might not. This lifeboat is not a great place to be, and now the wind is picking up On the open sea, when the wind picks up, so do the waves.

Oh boy, it looks like we’re in trouble...

My letter to my grandchildren (finally!) would look something like this:

Hi kids, Poppa here. This letter is for you. (primarily). But it is also for your generation of friends, too, and it’s going to be read by all my fans in Newspaperland. So it may a little confusing betimes as to whom this is to.

Hint: If you’re reading it, it’s for you. It’s sort of an open yet private reflection for one and all.

You may not understand the issues that are at stake here, but in years to come, you will. It’s more of a heads up note to you and yours, as I think we’re slinking into turbulent times in our country.

In terms of schooling, I see where some of you are picking up where you left off last year Fortunately, you are being taught by your respective mothers, with their expertise and motivation. You’re in good hands! They were both well-taught by their mother (Nana to you).

Education is close to my heart, for a host of reasons, so I trust whatever form of education your parents choose works best for you. Someday you will realize that it’s a good government that allows as many education options as possible.--be it public, private, or home (and then many variations of each of those). Unfortunately, the reverse is true, too.

You live in two provinces, respectively, that don’t rhyme with Alberta. Where you live, educational options are not under attack. They sure are here. You may not know this, but Alberta was once a world leader in education. I don’t think that’s the case now.

Things have changed here drastically in the last few years. We are battling such non-academic issues as blended bathrooms, blurred basics, and banal options. Our boat is drifting and we are sinking. I don’t want to play the blame game at this point, but I’m just sorry it has come to this.

I just don’t why there has to be such social engineering intolerance, and venom when it comes to educational options. The education powers-that-be are missing the point on education completely.

This is not the world I want you to grow up in, nor is the one I was raised in. My generation (and previous ones) have tried to be wise in education matters because, well, education matters. Education can be many things, but this stuff is well beyond the pale of education.

I just hope you still have options when you get older. We certainly did until recently.

As I said last week, one of the legacies I want to leave you and your generation with is the ability to think things through. That may get you into trouble, but it will get you and your generation out of trouble, too. No one wants trouble or wants to be around a trouble-maker, or for that matter to even be a trouble-maker, but sometimes one simply has to disagree for principle’s sake.

Another bit of advice for you in the future is to develop a good work ethic. Fewer and fewer people know how to work these days. Work well and hard, and the world is your oyster. ..more or less.

There are political systems out there that encourage a healthy work ethic. Work is what makes the economic engine run. Our boat is sinking, folks. If we’re not careful, we’ll be in really serious trouble.

In fact, we’re already in serious trouble now. Anyone who embraces choice in education and has a good work ethic is seen as a mindless extremist. Ouch! That hurts—and it’s not even true. But you’ll be in very serious trouble if you don’t stand up to this bullying.

One final plea: Where’s a good boat and a bright lighthouse when we need them?

Something on my Mind: An Open Letter to my Grandchildren--Part One

I’m fixing to write an imaginary letter to my grandchildren in this space, probably as early as next week. And it may take a few columns to polish it off, as there are a number of issues I want to bring out in the open for them, as well as for their generation.

It would not really be an intimate missive, or else it wouldn’t find its way into a newspaper column. Rather, it’s a reflection of a culture (and its traditions, values, and security) that is on the wane. It is also a gazing into the future.

You may or may not agree with me; I am looking for neither yes-men or naysayers. I’m just flagging some persistent concerns for the next generation or two

The so-called letter would actually be a framework for discussion for all concerned parents and grandparents, for whom I will be raising concerns and giving advice for the next generation or two.

Or, you may vehemently disagree with me. And that’s fine, too: One of the hallmarks of free society is the right to disagree peacefully. It’s my column and I’ll cry if I want to (sounds like a song, doesn’t it?) I also need to write as quickly as possible, before I lose that freedom to speak my mind—ironically, one of those concerns I have for the future.

I’m hoping this is a shared vision—you know, you and me, maybe even others. Great things come from common concerns. Movements may start as private and individual, but they need momentum to become public and corporate to have any significant impact.

Part of my motivation, then, is a reaction to the trajectory of our society’s direction (ie., where are we going?), as well as a recollection of what was once a great nation. While I do not feel responsible for the colossal mistakes our leaders (and their followers) are making, I am obligated to tip my grandchildren (and their generation) off about those mistakes.

I never dreamed I would be sitting here in the brave solitude of my lonely office, bemoaning the issues that I am. And I feel the worse is yet to come: To use “trajectory” again: Just follow the pattern of slippage over the past ten years; then project the next ten years.

You see, this pell-mell direction that Canada is headed towardn raises a ton of concerns in my head. While I feel powerless to stop its moral carnage and economic fallout, the one thing I can do is warn the next generation, and the one after that, about the ramifications of faulty decision-making and loopy rationale.

Only a generation ago, absolutes were in vogue; there were two colours (black and white, instead of a rainbow of colours); things were more concrete than abstract; and facts, not feelings, were the basis of logic.

No one is suggesting that the last generation or two was flawless. Not at all. But it seems to me that there was a greater sense of ethical parameters and motivation. I feel we have lost our bearings, and with that loss, a host of other alarming issues have been created.

As we drift from our moral moorings and our economic plumb line (pick your metaphor), I see nothing but trouble down the line. Correction: I see it upon us already.

If I can at least help the next generation, and the next one after that, at least think things through, I will have succeeded in writing this note. That would be a significant step in the right direction.

I find so much is so facile to many young people these days; information is a simple click here or a flick there. They accept news and information at face value, without any research, review, or reflection. Or, they reject it out of hand, for the same reason.

Re-stated: maybe they are a little too quick to embrace or expunge, without thinking things through. No one should be a lazy thinker. And lazy thinking leads a host very serious problems.

They’re quick on the “what,” but slow on the “why.” They just don’t seem to be developing the analytical, reasoning skills that they need to face the future well.

So when moral, ethical, and spiritual issues come up, they’re at a loss as to how to respond. And there are many of these issues pummelling us every day. Sources could include social media, the mainstream media itself, high school and college-level curriculum, and let’s throw in politics, while we’re at it.

Well, I’ve ranted (sincerely, of course) long enough. The imaginary letter comes next week.

Something on my Mind: Death of a Hutterite

I got word of his death while shopping in Lethbridge the other day.” Jake (not his real name),” the caller said, “is dead,.” It wasn’t quite that blunt, but there was really no way to soften it.

I couldn’t process the news when I heard it.

In fact, I couldn’t even process the rest of my shopping, once it sunk in. I had dealt with Jake many times over the past few years, as I bought calves from his colony. In fact, I was planning on buying a few more from him when I got the call.

I guess I won’t be calling him anymore.

Jake was a normal guy who breathed, worked, and loved like the rest of us. He had a wife and kids, was faithful to his authorities, and had a good work ethic. And he knew his cows.

It was actually one of his bulls that did him in. I’m fuzzy on all the details, but the point is, he’s gone from us. His seat is empty, he’s been replaced in the barn,, Judy (not her real name) doesn’t have a husband, and his kids don’t have a daddy anymore.

At the funeral, I couldn’t understand a word they said (I don’t speak German) , but the language of sorrow knows no linguistic boundaries; it can be expressed in many ways, more than just words.

Culture, religion, and skin colour have little to do with dying. They have more to do with living, not dying, though I suppose there are certain traditions following death.that that may soften the blow.

Regardless of culture, religion, and skin colour, we are all the same underneath, and when it comes to dying, we all die. We all must pass through the portals of death. Death honours no superficial differences, no learned behaviour, no cultural nuances.

This where I carry so much pain for folks who may lean on their learned behaviour, religious rites, or colour superiority, hoping for some good will (and good results) at death. Dress code, ritualism, or any other outward distinction mean nothing at death.

At death, like birth, we are all the same. After death?-- okay, there’s another column in there. Things can be a little different, depending on your faith perspective.

No one wishes death on any one, but as sure as we live, we must die. It’s something we must face. Probably in our teens and twenties, we all feel invincible. Then somewhere north of 50, reality kicks in—and death seems more and more a probable reality.

All the pills, life insurance, and healthy eating habits won’t eliminate death from our existence. Delay it, possibly; delete it, never.

Without being excessively morbid, I suggest we need to live everyday as if it was our last. What do I mean by that? I simply mean that we should keep short accounts with each other (and that includes our financial accounts), and live life to the fullest

You know the term “bucket list,” of course. Not only was it a great movie, but an even greater concept. The two heroes (Nicholson and Freeman) knew they were going to die, so they tackled their last remaining months by doing what they had always wanted to do before they died.

Their advantage? Because, they knew when they were going to pass from this scene to the next one, they could plan to live their remaining time out to the full. .Most of us—including Jake—do not know that. Death often sneaks up on us, catches us off-guard, and mugs us like as well-trained street punk.

My focus today is simply being ready to die by knowing how to live. Another part of me wants to discuss about being ready to die by choosing life on the other side of the door of death. This faith-based perspective speaks to the life after death issue.

Those who hold this view believe there is life after death (not just before death), and that this run on planet earth is a warm-up for something much bigger, and much better (based on choices while here).

So check out your own bucket list. Look life square in the face and consider this could be your last day on earth. Jake’s was so unexpected. Enjoy life to the full, and watch out for anything—to the best of your ability—that smacks of death.

So long, Jake; I’ll miss you.