tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776318709416054670.post1666780646684011278..comments2024-03-20T13:35:46.089-04:00Comments on Life on two wheels: Democracy needs youDavid Massehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09346419242154545286noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776318709416054670.post-31148535520841492242019-04-20T11:39:17.211-04:002019-04-20T11:39:17.211-04:00Tim I published your comment.
That is all I will...Tim I published your comment. <br /><br />That is all I will say.David Massehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09346419242154545286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776318709416054670.post-90847066894842489312019-04-20T09:03:06.323-04:002019-04-20T09:03:06.323-04:00David, how does it feel to be so wrong about trump...David, how does it feel to be so wrong about trump? Exonerated. All the crimes are by the deep state. Pay attention to whats about to happen. People are going to jail and they will be the ones who were in power. Trump speaks the truth forcefully. You dont agree so you dismiss it as lies. You are a loser. Sincerely, Tim BlanchTim in DChttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12658585771186942656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776318709416054670.post-49435999917275297222019-02-03T10:55:38.394-05:002019-02-03T10:55:38.394-05:00Thank you Te.
I have not posted anything followin...Thank you Te.<br /><br />I have not posted anything following this post for quite a while now. In fact the longest hiatus on Life on Two Wheels. <br /><br />The reason is, in large part, to let this post sit on the home page for as long as possible.<br /><br />I know that as soon as I start posting again this post will sink into oblivion where its only value will be to remind me that I spoke up on an issue I believe to be one of the most vital in my lifetime.<br /><br />We need to make better choices. By "we" I mean Americans, Canadians (we have similar problems in Ontario and to a lesser extent in Quebec), Europeans, and humans everywhere on the planet. We can no longer afford to elect grade school backbenchers to high office, or indeed any office (witness the late Rob Ford as mayor of Toronto). <br /><br />If we fail to make intelligent well-informed choices, it may well be humanity's doom as a result of poor government choices in the battle against global warming.<br /><br />Again, thank you for your comment.David Massehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09346419242154545286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776318709416054670.post-83547981273214323912019-02-03T09:11:05.116-05:002019-02-03T09:11:05.116-05:00Mr Masse,
Thanks for your voice. This thread leads...Mr Masse,<br />Thanks for your voice. This thread leads us down the "If Hitler had been laughed out of the beer halls we would read a different history" rabbit hole. If silence prevails with those that feel a polite embarrassment for the "drunk uncle"in society proffering animosity, hate, divisiveness....well, hilarity does not ensue.<br /><br />Again , Thanks for speaking up<br /><br />Te Myers<br />'Been said; "motorbiking is not life or death...it's much more important than that"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776318709416054670.post-88513121177130339172019-01-02T23:57:34.286-05:002019-01-02T23:57:34.286-05:00Jim you are right. I am not a political person, at...Jim you are right. I am not a political person, at least not in a partisan way. <br /><br />I do care deeply about justice and due and fair process. This presidency is an affront to those values and it places the United States, its allies, and the world in peril. <br /><br />Thanks for commenting. It’s truly appreciated. David Massehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09346419242154545286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776318709416054670.post-56704383025525437402019-01-02T10:28:49.237-05:002019-01-02T10:28:49.237-05:00Excellent post David. It's too bad that some f...Excellent post David. It's too bad that some folks took it as being political.........which it's not. It's about Democracy..... not politics! Democracy is just that (folks should look up the definition), whereas Politics seems to have become the process of abusing Democracy (although, as Steve pointed out it's probably always been there). <br /><br />JimJim Thorntonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17836522723728185758noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776318709416054670.post-43944042339164071682018-12-17T14:23:26.800-05:002018-12-17T14:23:26.800-05:00Sorry Dave, your very thoughtful comment was lost ...Sorry Dave, your very thoughtful comment was lost in moderation. My apologies.<br /><br />It seems to me that the common denominator is narcissism to one degree or another. I now understand that narcissism is selfishness and greed on steroids. The narcissist makes decisions on the basis of whatever he or she thinks In the moment without the benefit of sound information or counsel. We have a similar situation here in Ontario where a conservative populist was elected (Doug Ford, the older brother to the notorious Toronto mayor Rob Ford).<br /><br />It's beyond dangerous.<br /><br />What I can't for the life of me understand is how so many people have abdicated any semblance of morality or judgment.<br /><br />The nightmare can't end soon enough.<br /><br />It is now very disturbing for Canadians. We have done the right thing supporting the US in its claims against Huawei. We now have two citizens being held hostage in China. It's a price to pay, but for the sake of the rule of law and support for a valued ally, it's a price we must pay. To see the President using our courage and pain as a bargaining chip with China over a venal trade issue, imperilling our citizens, is beyond disgusting. Maintaining an alliance and the sacrifices that must be made in that regard, and being rewarded with one slap in the face after another is simply revolting. David Massehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09346419242154545286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776318709416054670.post-28551551157479489982018-12-17T14:17:44.448-05:002018-12-17T14:17:44.448-05:00Sorry Dave, your very thoughtful comment was lost ...Sorry Dave, your very thoughtful comment was lost in space awaiting moderation.<br /><br />Words begin to fail me as I witness the daily course of politics in the US <br /><br />We are not by any means immune. Here is Ontario in a similar populist backlash we elected Doug Ford, the older brother of that catastrophic Toronto mayor of some years past.<br /><br />It seems to me that the common denominator is narcissism to one degree or another. I now understand that narcissism is selfishness and greed on steroids. The narcissist makes decisions on the basis of whatever he or she thinks In the moment without the benefit of sound information or counsel. <br /><br />It's beyond dangerous.<br /><br />What I can't for the life of me understand is how so many people have abdicated any semblance of morality or judgment.<br /><br />The nightmare can't end soon enough.<br /><br />It is now very disturbing for Canadians. We have done the right thing supporting the US in its claims against Huawei. We now have two citizens being held hostage in China. It's a price to pay, but for the sake of the rule of law and support for a valued ally, it's a price we must pay. To see the President using our courage and pain as a bargaining chip with China over a venal trade issue, imperilling our citizens, is beyond disgusting. Maintaining an alliance and the sacrifices that must be made in that regard, and being rewarded with one slap in the face after another is simply revolting. David Massehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03964326301299750943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776318709416054670.post-541273766991182462018-12-14T14:09:18.222-05:002018-12-14T14:09:18.222-05:00Painful times here in the U.S. I expect a bit of c...Painful times here in the U.S. I expect a bit of creativity with the truth, a bit of edginess towards corruption in politics, but this is so blatant, so disrespectful of truth. And the racism, xenophobia and the like is awful. Perhaps I was a bit naive thinking we'd moved past most of that as a society, but clearly not.<br /><br />What's disturbing as well is that it's not just one person. He was elected by *almost* half of the voters. Many of his supporters will be with him until the end. I fear things will have to get worse before they get better, and not only Americans will suffer-we're all interconnected.<br />I do, with difficulty hold on to the belief that truth always wins out, evil is it's own worst enemy, and we'll get another chance at this.Dave/fledermausnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776318709416054670.post-80311275525272939052018-12-02T22:50:20.884-05:002018-12-02T22:50:20.884-05:00Here’s an example of the real peril democracy face...Here’s an example of the real peril democracy faces: Toronto Star, December 1, 2018: https://goo.gl/uvSEMTDavid Massehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09346419242154545286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776318709416054670.post-47525759699618978432018-12-01T22:20:56.496-05:002018-12-01T22:20:56.496-05:00Michael thank you for the kind expression of confi...Michael thank you for the kind expression of confidence. The thought of standing shoulder to shoulder with you warms my heart. David Massehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09346419242154545286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776318709416054670.post-49422066357808928492018-12-01T22:18:12.429-05:002018-12-01T22:18:12.429-05:00Steve on PBS Friday evening the view was expressed...Steve on PBS Friday evening the view was expressed that Mr. Trump may be ‘losing his magic’ with republicans. If that is true, and if bi-partisan efforts align to get legislation through Congress, the President could find himself as odd man out to a degree. That plus the Mueller wild card might, just might, move this sad performance towards closure. If an inflection point comes, change could happen faster than any of us think. David Massehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09346419242154545286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776318709416054670.post-68259997775749878882018-12-01T19:03:07.945-05:002018-12-01T19:03:07.945-05:00I was worried. Now I worry about long it will take...I was worried. Now I worry about long it will take to repair the damage Trump's causing. My next worry is that we have an opposition party with backbone. We shall see. As for commenting on this stuff good for you. Your thoughts are coherent and thoughtfully expressed. Good for you. If this thoughtful exposition causes you to lose “friends” I wouldn’t worry. Stand proud and those of us worth your while will be at your shoulders. Conchscooterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08016331487463993200noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776318709416054670.post-18355616356404549082018-12-01T18:18:13.304-05:002018-12-01T18:18:13.304-05:00I understand your concern David and I share it. M...I understand your concern David and I share it. My main point is the thread of anger here has always been here, submerged perhaps, but bubbling along in the dark -- in society and in the halls of government. What's changed is that it has become almost acceptable to speak it out loud. The decorum and reserve of the past is gone. I would like to think it is unique to a person, but we won't know for sure if it is now the new norm of political dialogue.<br /><br />The Germans are having similar issues. They thought the ideas of their fascist past were gone but they too are seeing a rise in all sorts of bad things. And with a bigger part of the population born after WWII the immediacy of things is fading. And in that environment the history is diminishing. <br /><br />Anyway, there's an ongoing firestorm in our political landscape with less and less tolerance and cooperation. It's like the 1960s again but for much broader and dangerous ideas. But, BUT, a single national election can change it. That's the miracle of our democracy. And that's why so many are pouring money into creating alternate truths and realities.<br /><br />I did have to chuckle when your Prime Minister, while standing beside President Trump at a press conference, referred to him as "Donald." Man, he hates being called Donald...Steve Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04540977884513559091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776318709416054670.post-60878350640300547632018-12-01T16:17:18.364-05:002018-12-01T16:17:18.364-05:00David I fear, like you, that repairing the damage ...David I fear, like you, that repairing the damage will take a long time. With luck, the pessimism may prove unwarranted. <br /><br />My best wishes to you and your family for the upcoming holidays. David Massehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09346419242154545286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776318709416054670.post-39586039293787874402018-11-30T18:55:50.165-05:002018-11-30T18:55:50.165-05:00David, I agree totally with your assessment of the...David, I agree totally with your assessment of the current state of leadership in the US which is, in fact, the current state of leadership for the entire western world as the US has, for several generations now, held that position. <br /><br />And while it's true that, in 2 years or 6, there will be new leadership in place, my concern is that it will take a generation or more (and I don't think I'm exaggerating here) to undo the damage done to America and, indeed, the world. He (and the GOP) have so poisoned the political well that, for example, a single post on politics, among dozens on other topics, is enough for some people to stop paying attention. Trump got his wish. There's been a wall built, but it's a wall between Americans. Democrats won't let their kids marry Republicans (and vice versa). Politics is verboten at family dinners. People are afraid of the "other", calling them "deplorables" and worse. Overt racism is once again raising its ugly head. <br /><br />And people simply don't talk to each other, which is sad, especially for someone like me who enjoys discussing politics.<br /><br />Canajunhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17529505799866207528noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776318709416054670.post-71870578104900901432018-11-30T12:23:06.414-05:002018-11-30T12:23:06.414-05:00Sonja the concerns you raise are precisely those t...Sonja the concerns you raise are precisely those that compel me to speak.<br /><br />I trust all is well with you and Roland.<br /><br />It's not too early to wish the two of you, your family, Dom, Steve, Steven and all the others who stop by here the very best for the coming holiday season.David Massehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03964326301299750943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776318709416054670.post-20916385563100454972018-11-30T12:16:59.996-05:002018-11-30T12:16:59.996-05:00Steve, thanks for commenting. I know how difficult...Steve, thanks for commenting. I know how difficult this is.<br /><br />I see this from the outside, and it's really not pretty. I feel a responsibility to speak based on what I see. I am truly not partisan.<br /><br />I think my eyes opened in grade 10. I was in a Catholic high school. We had an Ethics class. It wasn't at all about religion. Our teacher spent the better time of the term doing one simple thing. She simply read to us. The book was Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning, an account of Frankl's experiences in the Holocaust. That was life altering.<br /><br />My wife and I raised our three children to be colour blind, race blind, and religion blind. In the result our immediate family is a fairly good reflection of Canada's diverse population.<br /><br />I am acutely aware of how insidious prejudice is, and how potent the notion of 'tone at the top' is. When the winds blow to an extreme, fueled by nationalist fervour and identity politics, the first victims are minorities and the vulnerable among us. Those are my kids.<br /><br />We (Canadians and Americans) have never been so prosperous and fortunate, and yet there is an unwarranted rising tide of fear and hatred directed at visible minorities with deadly consequences. In large measure it is sponsored by the President based on a large number of false narratives. There is a large number of people in the American electorate who are consuming the lies without question. There are also large numbers of citizens who don't exercise their right to vote.<br /><br />I can't sit back in silence. I just can't. <br /><br />I understand that much political speech is polarizing. The attack on truth is in large measure responsible for that polarization. <br /><br />Not speaking up provides cover for the abuse.David Massehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03964326301299750943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776318709416054670.post-63878391134119361192018-11-30T11:59:38.420-05:002018-11-30T11:59:38.420-05:00It's a crazy world when clowns can get elected...It's a crazy world when clowns can get elected president, but the guy was put in place by popular vote. +1 what Steve said: It will go away eventually. Votes will change the game again in time, that's the good thing about democracy. <br /><br />What worries me the most (and this isn't an US phenomenon but goes for most of the Western hemisphere), is the right wing populism, and racism and hate crimes on the rise. This is something that everybody has to speak up and stand up against.<br /><br />Peace, SonjaMSonjaMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12389245948579828531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776318709416054670.post-21783344934227514072018-11-29T01:58:59.003-05:002018-11-29T01:58:59.003-05:00Wow Dom, that was a bit harsh.
I get what your say...Wow Dom, that was a bit harsh.<br />I get what your saying. No better way to divide people than talk politics in my opinion.<br /><br />You sure do have a lunatic at the wheel right now. Luckily its only for 4 years, god help everyone if its 8.Stevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10160712689280276620noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776318709416054670.post-62732342038221548852018-11-29T01:05:42.255-05:002018-11-29T01:05:42.255-05:00I think the answers you seek are in your first two...I think the answers you seek are in your first two paragraphs. Governments come and go. Vote. The essential truths of democracy. <br /><br />As strange as government is at the moment, it too will go eventually. The real power in democracy, the part politicians fear most, is voters. They're why they invest so much time, money and energy attempting to delude, misguide, lie, pretend, act, and whatever else necessary to convince voters of their truth. <br /><br />Having worked on two congressional campaigns and all the stuff you see now has always been going on. It's just out in the open more now. <br /><br />I have no fears for democracy or high expectations of elected officials. Their words matter less than their acts of governing. As bad as things can seem at times the reality on the ground is not much has changed. America has been in turmoil constantly since I was born. And will continue in that manner as long as opposing sides can voice their opinions.<br /><br />My job -just pay attention, don't get sucked into the noise, vote, and things will change. Sometimes in ways I like. Other times not.<br /><br />Regardless of what's happening at any given moment, I remain thankful to be a citizen of these United States.<br /><br />My three cents on a non scooter-related subject.Steve Williamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04540977884513559091noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776318709416054670.post-37166780670883486702018-11-28T15:21:00.932-05:002018-11-28T15:21:00.932-05:00So long Dom, it was truly nice to know you.So long Dom, it was truly nice to know you.David Massehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03964326301299750943noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7776318709416054670.post-76940552119975237762018-11-27T20:13:53.533-05:002018-11-27T20:13:53.533-05:00Sorry David, I'm going to have to remove you f...Sorry David, I'm going to have to remove you from the blog list....have fun with politics.redlegsrideshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10927757855921321097noreply@blogger.com