Guilty Of Creating Intolerable Workplace

                                                 


The story reminds me of something I have read some time ago. Read it,
hold your nose, and see what you think:

"Formal Reprimand Issued To Flatulent Federal Worker
Man's gas blamed for creating "intolerable" workplace".

http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/coworkers-attacked-by-gas-645132

His gas attacks were carefully documented as per procedure: Here is one entry:

"The man was also accused of launching a trio of attacks on September 11."

While some people may think this article stinks, I think is hilarious!
As a shot in the arm, the world did not end today - and I smell the coffee in the percolator. -:)

Smoking is bad for your health but is good for the pension fund?

Could not believe my eyes when I laid eyes on a headline at the British Guardian. com

Apparently dedicated scientists, the ones devoting their talents to the noble cause of cancer research, their Pension fund for academics funded by Cancer Research UK invested £211m in British American Tobacco last year.

Strange? No, it's rather bizarre. Come to think of it, just how many other similar arrangements are there in the area of pension fund investments?

Like imaginary medical scientists researching the effect of salt in our food investing their pension money and tie them to the fortunes of expanding salt mines?

Or, perhaps politicians and others advocating the drastic reduction of our carbon footprint placing large sums of green dollars into exploring and developing existing oil sands?

The outlandish list of imaginary cases could continue but there is no need for it. You get the picture.

Here is the article from the Guardian:

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/may/29/cancer-scientists-pensions-invested-in-tobacco-bat

Wedding Day:"It's not as great a day for the bride as she thinks. She's not marrying the best man" - Anonymous

I accept other peoples fixation with engagement rings, expensive weddings and the letdown at the time when the bills start arriving, usually after the honeymoon.

The generally held belief is that the obsession with lavish weddings, guest lists, comes from a consumerist culture that sees wedding as a form of consumption, like chomping through a number of fast food menus.

Since the beginning of recorded human history, wedding was a tool to strengthen bonds between groups of people by linking up the friends and relatives of the two
sides.

Based on observation, the greater the fuss about the engagement ring, with over the top weddings akin to something a media mogul or a celebrity would have, the more crushing or energizing is the time when the divorce papers are filed.

Fortunately, in our Western world, there is no pressure on women to get married. More and more of them are well-educated and the desire to get married is not overwhelming.

In India and in Asia with some exceptions, the need to be married is driven by the need to be socially accepted. If a woman is married, she is socially accepted. But if she is single then she may have a tough time in her society. The need to cut across faiths and economic status propels the desire to get married and get the validation provided by having children within the marriage.

Being aware this is a touchy subject, I conclude that most sensible people know the wedding it's about starting a married life together - not having the puffiest dress on that day, wearing a ring with the largest stone and having a crowd of invited guests, sufficient to fill Edwards Gardens to capacity.

And what no wedding reception needs, is some enterprising divorce lawyer, distributing business cards to guests and to the newly-wed couple. -:)

Crybullying - What Else?

                                                



Crybullying is the product of our time. Often happens in morphing societies where just about everybody is a victim of something, and of course is entitled to some compensation.

More often than not the compensation is in the form of money, hard cash. Mind you the victims almost without exception claim, "It's not the money, it's the principle." Maybe so.

Back to "Crybullying and to an interesting article in the Huffinton Post dealing with this spreading phenomenon. Read it and form an opinion.
That is if you do not feel you are Bullied:

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/blair-king/crybullying-elbowgate_b_10055454.html

Article in the Toronto Star about restaurant employees not getting paid

You would  think this cannot happen in Toronto in the year 2016. In a Province where even an improper glance at another person can bring on the heavy hand of provincial authorities to serve up some kind of harassment or other charges. 

Yet, the article is reporting situations where some restaurant owners in Toronto brazenly refusing to pay employees back wages, termination pay and other monies owed to employees.

The wages aren't paid even when the Ministry of Labour orders it.

Obviously the restaurateurs know that they will get away with it.

Read the article and form an opinion:

 https://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/2016/05/16/increase-penalties-to-ensure-restaurant-owners-pay-employees-editorial.html

Are We Dumbed Down By Design Or That Is What We Crave?

Opinions are dime a dozen espousing the belief  we the masses are deliberately dumbed down. In line with the theory they say governments consciously choose not to have better education system. For this reason, the government is not providing higher education free to anyone who wants to learn as some societies have done so and some still do so, albeit in a somewhat limited fashion, according to self styled social improvers.

There is another line of thinking that dare to say that the greater mass of people are always going to desire chaos. It takes less effort, and it is diverting and exciting.  Take sport and wonder how many people become so obsessed with sport. They work with sports on their mind, talk sport most of the time and even dream sports at the exclusion of just about everything else.

Are we truly the victims of an organized activity by mysterious elites to keep us dumb, indeed make us dumber than we supposed to be ?

Maybe. Maybe not.The jury is still out on the subject.

Alternatively, society is set up with distractions and preoccupations, because society will be moulded in terms of what those within society thirst for. Thus, because people themselves crave diversion from their mundane lives, society evolves around them full of distractions.

Many people would very much disagree that activities promoted by social networks and dumbed down media has little to do with what is shoved down society's throat, and everything to do with what those within society itself desire to have fed to them.

As a cynic said,"Basically, the worst punishment you can give people is to let them suffer the fruits of their own labour."

What Comes After Carbon Tax? Meteorite Tax?

                                                     

With increasing frequency the media informs us that here or there a Meteorite streaked across the skies somewhere. At times the uninvited visitor from the Solar System broke myriad windows and even injured a number of people.
In our own hemisphere reports of similar lights or objects speeding  over our heads have been reported from the San Francisco area and from Cuba, just to mention a few.

There is nothing new about this. Meteorites and asteroids have been bombarding our orb since the forming of this planet, at times with very unpleasant consequences. The extinct species of dinosaur would concur.

The current hype with Doomsday scenarios are fueled by several factors. Cable TV's Science programs and alike channels are never short on beaming possible, albeit unlikely to happen tomorrow end of the world scripts.

Day after day, we see shows depicting our demise from the rays of a so-called death star, to anything spawned in the imagination of creators of horror movies and scientific discoveries presented in a fashion to create anxiety in many basically bored people  seeking excitement without leaving their favorite easy-chair and popcorn bowl.

People softened up in this way are likely to consider a proposal for a new tax to prevent or mitigate the aftermath of a disaster caused by an unpleasant meteorite striking the surface of a built up area.-- It is only the question of time before some kind of "disaster tax" will hit our pocket.

In the worst case scenario, if a large asteroid drops down uninvited, there won't be too many of us around to demand a refund for the "Disaster" tax or peddle carbon credit shares.

Gear up, it may be only a question of time before a new tax will be served up, to protect us from a mass of ice or rocks heading our way from interplanetary space to spoil our weekend or working day.

Will The Trump Phenomenon Spread - And If So, Why ?

Somebody asked me what I think of Mr. Trump's apparent "no prisoners" attitude and relative success  to date on the American  political scene.

Looking in from the outside as yours truly, one is not living the life of those living in the States. However, from what one absorbs from the media, politicians, but most of all from the average people, many from the disappearing middle class, the lasting impression is that people are fed up.

They seem to had had enough of the manipulations by professional politicians. The overall feeling is that both parties exist only to serve the interests of what they call the ruling elite and nothing will change.

And then comes Mr.Trump and with skilled showmanship promises to change all that and to make "America great again". Repatriate outsourced jobs, cool the influx  of immigrants, make NATO  and others depending  on American protection pay their fair share.

Mr, Trump's success would not have occurred without the forums rendered by the Internet. For the first time in a long time large number of people are able to communicate, share opinions, hopes, criticize without filtering.

Prior to the Internet, people could write to newspapers,  politicians and
Institutions,  but they had no control over what was  actually published.

Take the letters to the Editor section in a paper with a respectable  circulation;  The paper often filtered opinions not in line with the newspaper's political views, as expected by it's owners. Then, restrictions  imposed by the available space for comments.

In time came the Internet and the utilization of forums furnished by various forms of social media by more and more people. Not only in America but in a multitude of countries.

The "great unwashed" started to read comments articulated by many  others. People who shared the same concerns and yes, prejudices too. Unfortunately this aspect  is par for the course and is something most of us could do without  it.

Joe Smith read that Bob Who, in another State has the same fear of losing his job to offshore factories as himself.

This is the way people in growing numbers started to demand  and became  determined to change things by voting for someone like Mr.Trump, who is promising to change things for the benefit  of the many who feel disenfranchised and worried.

To cut to the chase, "Trumpism" will not disappear by wishful thinking on part of those opposing it.

At this point in history, to stop Trumpism ,first, people's ability  to exchange  unfiltered information on Internet must be curtailed. And that's not easy to do in a democracy, albeit not impossible.

For example, comments segments in some papers published on the  Internet have been discontinued . No matter what, the Genie is out of the bottle and right now no matter who they are and how they try, the Genie simply cannot locked up again, as things look right now.

In some countries with centralized power and a structure in place to suppress dissent, the circulation of information can be stamped down. In a democracy to do this is much trickier. According to some observers is not impossible but is getting more arduous with the passing of each day.- Nevertheless, as history has shown, nothing is impossible.

The Wall On The Mexican Border Won't Be Like The Walls Of Jericho

                                                       

The construction of a wall is not the answer to illegal immigration into the US, past and current  Mexican officials said.

Now, just what exactly is the Mexican administration's answer to stop the illegal immigration of millions of their countryman to the US? It is estimated that ten percent of Mexico’s population is already in the States. Obviously nothing has stopped this silent invasion in the last thirty years or so.

In fairness to the Mexicans, the powers on the northern side of the border also did not strain themselves to halt the influx of illegal immigrants from Mexico. Cheap labor ensures higher profits and the illegals in most cases earning more than ten times what they could make in Mexico, that is if they would have a job. Under the table this is a win-win situation.

The approximately twenty billion dollars sent back by Mexican workers in the US is one of the principal sources of revenue for the Mexican economy and the Mexican government knows that very well. --

Mexico is a rich country and it’s people are industrious if given the opportunity.  

The Mexican administration would be more helpful to their people if they would put all available means into changing conditions inside the country so Mexicans would not have to cross the border illegally to eke out a living in the US by doing jobs most Americans would not touch.

Disaster And Suffering Without Looting Is Possible

                                                           
We have been taught that all cultures are equal and they all should be respected. That makes sense, particularly in a multi-cultural society, where people must cooperate without being put down by criticizing their cultures.

Nevertheless, certain aspects of some cultures are fascinating.

In some places first comes the natural disaster, then comes the looting, like day follows night. In fact, there are cities where a hydro blackout is sufficient to initiate a string of anti-social actions culminating in large scale looting of private and public property and wanton acts of mindless vandalism.

Judging from a multitude of reports , this is not the case in Japan. In Japan, we see men and women, stoic, grief stricken people deal with the incredible hardship e facing from time to time  with quiet discipline.

Looking back at the massive earth-quake and the deadly tsunami that struck Japan one may ask: Why do some cultures react to disaster by reverting to everyone for himself, but others – especially the Japanese – display altruism even in adversity?

As we learn from news reports, the undesirable layer of human turmoil - looting and tussles for foodstuff or services - that often follows in the wake of disaster, seems noticeably absent in Japan.

When disaster happens millions of people don't have water or power. Security forces have their hands full with rescue operations. They don't have to tie up their resources with hunting down looters and other criminals.

Taking all this into consideration, the Japanese people will prevail as they have in the past when they faced adversity caused by natural disasters. It looks like they have what it takes. -- One may ask, "Don't we all?"

Tobacco Smoke Is Bad For Your Lungs - Marijuana Smoke Is O.K.?

                                                                   
 Right at the beginning I categorically state I do not smoke tobacco or puff on marijuana sticks for pleasure or for medical reasons. Years ago, I smoked a pipe until the doctor warned me that I could develop mouth cancer. Also, people around me complained about the smoke and the stink as they called it.

Further, I don't judge or berate others for smoking tobacco or pot if is done legally. In any case, it looks as if the use of marijuana will be legalized in parts or in all of Canada. The use of marijuana for medical reasons is already allowed under proper controls if. I am not mistaken.

What I have problem to understand is this; Tobacco smoking is rightly very strong is discouraged.

Smokers in places of work looked upon as pariahs when they sneak out for a smoke on their break. Tobacco commercials banned and the dangers of smoking are taught to children. This is for the good. 

Cigarettes and other tobacco products are hidden in stores like racy magazines at the height of the Victorian age. - Bylaws introduced with the speed of fast food, directing smokers to keep a determined distance from entrances and other doors so others like myself are not forced to breathe in the foul smoke of tobacco. 

However, marijuana, especially if designated for medical use is actually advertised in stores selling it. At least that what I have seen on a CBC special reporting on the marijuana scene from Vancouver.

I do believe in the reported medicinal properties and the relief marijuana brings to people suffering from acute pain.

The TV segment even took us to a now defunct chocolate plant in  Ontario that was converted into a viable operation for growing marijuana for medical purposes. It's legal and it will help people. - All for the good.

What some people, perhaps pressured cigarette smokers find difficult to understand is this: The way the use of legalized marijuana is introduced leaves the observer with the notion that somehow marijuana smoke is not as bad to the pulmonary function of the smoker or the ones around them as the smoke generated by tobacco.  Hundreds of studies warned us of the tar content of tobacco and how it harms our lungs.

Somehow, one is not made aware in a similar way of the tar and other potentially harmful particles in the smoke of marijuana.

Perhaps there are none or the content of such particles are negligible, perhaps not.

Believe it or not, the number of complaints rising from people sharing a floor in an apartment building with a person legally smoking medical marijuana in their apartment, on the balcony or with open windows. Somehow, the sweetish smell of the weed escapes the confines of the apartment.- And others with or without reason worry about inhaling the smoke.

Publish the results of studies, assure people there is no danger from inhaled particles.

Ad tech serving greed and is killing the online experience

We all know money is needed to operate a  Web-site.  Unfortunately, thing got so bad that the mobile Web is practically unusable by clogging up bandwidth and driving users to other solutions.

Read an article in a magazine or a paper. Turn the page and without few distractions you can continue to follow the article.

Your experience will be different if you try to do the same on a tablet, or smart phone. At the end or in the middle of the page suddenly you are directed to a stupid advertising for some product you could not care less.

When this happens, I don't bother to continue and leave the page. The crux of the matter is that Web-based articles, these days, are increasingly an exercise in pain and frustration, especially on mobile devices.

Greed driven owners of Web-sites may remember the economics of online publishing: First, get the news to you.

In reality they are eager to monetize you, sell you off to the stupid advertiser who is foolish to expect that the interrupted reader will drop everything and mindlessly rush to purchase the item or service rudely pushed on the reader of the online material.

The fact is, today, an almost unthinkably enormous ecosystem of scripts and cookies and auctions and often astonishingly personal information is used to show you a set of brand messages and sales pitches which are tailored almost uniquely to you.

There is nothing wrong with that. -The problem is when these activities applied in a way that your online activity is hindered and you just simply click on another site. Make no mistake, this happens more often than mindless advertisers think.

Air Rage May Caused By Feelings Of inferiority?

                                                    
 A recent research ready to point out that when those traveling in economy class on a plane pass through the first-class section on the way to their seat, this encouraged bad behaviour. Sounds strange but  hear the explanation:

Where a group is made to feel underprivileged, they resent it. Understandable. But when a group is encouraged to feel ennobled, what the study calls “higher-class people” become as likely to behave inconsiderately as anyone else.

We might as well get used to forms of segregation by entitlement. The gated community is becoming an expression of entitlement. So-called affordable housing, incorporated into new high-rise flats as a quid pro quo for planning permission, has separate entrances for the poor and the rich. This way there is little room for "Lobby rage", since they don't meet inside the building.

Air Rage is unpleasant and dangerous on an airplane where people trust that they will arrive wherever they go in safety. The traveling public must adapt to the reality of inequality. Plane passengers behave worse when they cross paths with more, or less, privileged flyers. It's nobody's fault.

However, we all should be realistic and do out best to cope with frustrations including the feelings whipped up by ostentatious display of wealth by others and comparing that to our own feelings of insecurity.

Who knows? Perhaps one day one's circumstances may change and he or she will be the one to remember and understand the feelings others may experience when then they pass through your first class cabin area on boarding a flight.

Power For The People In Ontario - At a Steep Price

                                                       

An article in the Toronto Sun informs the reader that in Ontario the luxury of using electricity is getting  very high and more people becoming energy poor. Fot those who would not know, Ontatio is not listed as a Developing Nation.

It would be unfair to blame the government of Ontario. Prior to the last election the people of Ontario's  knew that there is a problem surrounding the cost  of generating power for Ontario.

The media and the opposition clearly assigned the blame to the Liberal Government of the province.

However, this did not stop the people for voting once again for the same people who are blamed for the sky - hi rates people and industry are paying for electric power in Ontario.

Therefore, complaints are unreasonable and the voters of Ontario should just suck it up and cope with the situation. Or not?

Here is the article from the Toronto Sun, read it and form an opinion. Then turn off the light - and save.

http://www.torontosun.com/2016/05/01/higher-electricity-rates-kick-in-for-ontario

Servant In The Dummy Empire?

                                                     
What is the Dummy Empire ? Do they still exist? How do they survive in our competitive world?

The term, Dummy Empire referring to a particular hierarchy in the work place.  If you are working in one, you will recognize it.

While this hierarchy may flourish in any organization, it is prevalent in bureaucratic public administrations financed with the taxpayer’s money where profit is not a motive.

It is well known that an organization’s success depends on the abilities of it’s management team. In the Dummy Empire the management hierarchy and it’s modus operandi in selecting management members works somehow like this:

Take a hypothetical situation when a Director of the Dummy Empire needs managers who will directly report to him and actually could succeed him if he is not needed any longer.

This high ranking official in the Dummy Empire will select someone who will be capable  to meet the requirements of he job. The same official will ensure that the selected individual’s abilities will not threaten his position. In other worlds he does not have to worry that he will be replaced by a more talented underling.

In turn, the selected manager will protect his position by not promoting anyone with greater potential than he has so his status and position is not threatened by someone more able..

According to the protocol of the Dummy empire, this practice of position protection is applied by the management hierarchy right down to the selection of the lowest clerical group leader.

The result is  a creaky, often wasteful organization / Dummy Empire, that would not be able to operate without infusion of large amounts of public money provided by taxes.

In a nut shell, the above described is what they mean when mentioning the Dummy Empire.

To be fair, I must mention that in Canada both in the Federal and in the Provincial public service the concept and practices of the Dummy Empire are rarely applied these days, as the performance standards are getting similar to those used by the profit motivated private sector.

This requires management people with real ability. But there must be places---- somewhere else - where this type of Dummy Empire building is going on--and on.