They told us that government spending was out of control and that if we tackled the deficit - "got the fundamentals right," to use their phrase - we'd be sitting pretty. So, we tackled the deficit.
They told us that we couldn't afford public goods and social programs anymore and that, besides, schemes like employment insurance and welfare interfere with the magic of the free market. So, we gutted employment insurance and we slashed welfare rates. We hiked tuition fees for universities and colleges. We cut back the operating hours of public libraries and stopped taking care of the grass in public parks.
Read more:
href="http://www.thestar.com/article/175412">http://www.thestar.com/article/175412
The Star on Poverty: http://www.thestar.com/poverty
We had our 1st annual Chilli cook-off competition at CFOT today. It was great. Susan won 'the most likely to be served at a PETA event' prize.Afterwards Rebecca, Sarah-Grace, and I went skating with Weetamah. That was Chilly too! We had a lot of fun skating along the Assinaboine River and later I went snow-shoeing (for the first time ever) on the Red River. People in Winnipeg take winter seriously: there was free hot chocolate served by people in historical costumes and as there was a hockey game on the Assinaboine River, there was also a ZAMBONI. Captains Russell took pity on me - an unprepared Westcoaster - and lent me a pair of good mittens and an extra coat. It was a lot of fun...
Michael
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web: www.sheepspeak.com
blog: www.sheepspeak.com/blog.htm
picts: http://sheepspeak.spaces.live.com/
Under an initiative by UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) corporate partner Microsoft, every Internet search performed at http://click4thecause.live.com/Search/Charity/Default.aspx using the computer software giant's Live Search facility will result in a donation to UNHCR's ninemillion.org. global campaign, launched last World Refugee Day on 20 June with help from Microsoft, Nike and other corporate partners. Under the "Click for Cause" initiative, Microsoft has agreed to host the search site until the end of March and to promote it by creating a downloadable gadget and developing online advertising to appear on the MSN portal websites in certain countries. It will guarantee a minimum donation of $100,000 to UNHCR based on the number of queries generated from the search site. Click HERE to read more from the UN News Service: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=21267&Cr=refugee&Cr1=
18 January 2007 - Click your mouse and help the United Nations provide sports and education for 9 million refugee children around the world. 
The message today was about the woman at the well. Captain Robert Russell preached a good narrative sermon retelling the story from John chapter 4.
NIV: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%204&version=31
KJV: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%204;&version=9;
You can click on 'other versions' at the web links as well and see how different translators tell this great story.
I just saw Super Size me' (for the first time) the other day.
We have just finished an intensive course on the history of the Salvation Army. I realize that we have come a long way from the days of the Booths who wouldn't take medication perscribed by the doctor, read novels, tolerate going to movies, gambling, drinking, or anything else that could 'enslave the mind or body.'
We just heard reports back about a training college in another country where enough of the cadets are obese or overweight that it was decided to spend money to hire personal trainers for them.
Some of the earliest Salvationists evidently had to be encouraged to eat. They would rather starve themselves than take money from the mission.
I was reading that more people in Canada suffer from eating-related problems than smoking and drinking. I understand that more people struggle with junk food than are affected by gambling in this country.
So, I was wondering - from one who does enjoy a Big Mac every once and a while, if fast food is a violation of the Soldier's covenant.
Read your covenant, see the movie and get back to me at blog@sheepspeak.com
Thursday, January 18, 2007 Risky Business...
I suggested this at Roots South, and it got something of a reaction (not Amens!, but ohhhhhhs) -
Caring for the orphan and the widow in their distress does not get you saved. Only Christ can do that. But NOT caring for the orphan and the widow in their distress (etc...) might be a good indication that you are not saved.
I do not think Jesus could be more clear in his connection of the two things.
Rev James Forbes put it this way:
No one gets into heaven without a letter of reference from the poor.
Grace,
Aaron
http://www.armybarmy.com/blog.html
Worker loses appeal with British Airways over cross
(Staff)
A check-in worker has lost her appeal with British Airways to visibly wear her tiny gold cross. Nadia Eweida was told to conceal it under her uniform.
Frustration has been mounting in the Church of England. Earlier this week, a group of evangelicals (representing 2000 parishes) met with Archbishop Rowan Williams to disclose a detailed plan to provide orthodox episcopal oversight to conservative parishes within extremely liberal dioceses. A covenant outlining the desire and rationale of the evangelical leaders was released following the meeting.
Click HERE to read it.
