I don't get it, i really just don't get it.
Why do Americans and Canadians feel as though they have to stop in there tracks and sing there National Anthem at virtually every sporting occasion?
Coming from England, i only really heard `God Save The Queen`sung at International Sports Finals, and that mainly being in Football, Rugby, World Cup & Olympics (the last being if you win).
Here in North America i feel as though they have an identity issue and feel as though they have to constantly spew out the Anthem just to remind you of where you are.
It`s sung at all NBA, NHL, MLS, NASCAR..... to be Frank, they do it for every North American sport!
Two weeks ago i went to see Toronto FC play Kansas in Toronto. As i tried to make my way to my seat in time for kick off i was held back because the National Anthems had started. Pardon?. National Anthems, for who?.
This for one is not Canada v USA, this is club level MLS Soccer, Toronto v Kansas.
Secondly, half of the players on the field are not Canadian nor American!
But what i did notice was the over the top Canadians over reacting in my opinion to singing it. Guys, the chap from Peurto Rico on the pitch doesn`t give a shit!
Prior to this, On July 16th i went to see Manchester United (GB) v Celtic (GB) play a friendly at the Rogers Center in Toronto.
I was speechless when we were all asked the following ``Please stand and remove your hats for the singing of the National Anthem``.
God Save the Queen? I thought to myself,
Oh no! Oh Canada!
Hang on, it`s two British Teams playing, so if anything it should be there anthem. Nope, time to make the insecure feel secure again, Ò Canaddur...``
If you should venture out and travel to Europe, which i should inform you is made up of lots of Countries, (27 member States of the EU). you will notice the following;
An English football game, you will not hear the National Anthem.
A Champions League game which is usually a club from one Country playing another Club from a different Country and guess what? No National Anthems!
Over 70`s lawn bowling, No Nationa Anthems! and so on....
Why? They know who the are.
The only time it is sung or played is at the Final.
This North American over the top patriotic crap is no different than that of North Korea or China. Lets be honest here, they do exactly the same thing, at every occassion possible they have to sing or listen to the Anthem, I call it brain washing!
I guess really that makes Canada & USA Communists in a certain way?.
Lets remember one key thing here folks, USA & Canada is made up of Immigrants, many like myself, who choose not to become a Citizen of the Country, why? I am here on my own accord. So why should i have to sing O`Canada at every sport event when a very large percentage of people attending are not Citizens.
Both Countries are so insecure of there identity and constantly feel that the more they ram it down your throat the more they believe it makes everyone feel better. NO! It`s painfull and laughable, seriously.
Take the Anthems out of everyday sports! There is no need for it.
I have now finished my Pasty, so my rant is over,
Talking Pasty
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Texting will kill, trust me
How would you feel if a Police Officer was to ring your doorbell right now and then to give you the terrible news that your Husband, Wife, or Child had been killed in a fatall car accident? You would feel .... well to be honest i would not know as i have never lost anyone in this way, but just try to imagine the feeling yourself right now.
Now how would you feel & react if the Officer was to tell you that they were killed by the driver of other car that was Texting while driving?
I spend long hours behind the wheel on one of North America's busiest highways and while driving i am very observant of what is around me, what i see and so on and something scares me terribly.
The Texter!
It doesn't matter if the highway is busy or quiet, or if the traffic is fast or slow they are out there everyday texting while driving.
Most men will hold the cell phone with the right hand and hold it with the wrist resting on the gear lever, still leaving one had on the wheel. But i have seen something far worse than that.
Young female drivers are a disaster waiting to happen. Today alone i must of seen a dozen 17-19year olds pass me doing over 120km/h and as i look down both hands are gripped to the cell phone, just in front of the airbag. Eyes up, down, up, down, down... still down, up Brake! and repeat.
Last year the Ontario Government introduced a new law, a Law that would make it illegal to use a cell phone, Mp3 player etc while driving. There was a three month grace period and then in Feb 2010 the law was in full effect and for a couple of months i notice a huge reduction in cell phone use behind the wheel.
Move forward to today and it's as worse as ever. Everyone is at it.
Why?
The chances of getting caught are very slim and the penalty is a fine and nothing else.
What will it take for people to realise that texting / emailing while driving is far far worse than talking on your phone.
The laws need to be tightened and enforced with much stiffer penalties.
Minimum $500 fine and Minimum 3 points off your license will make people think.
Points off a license means much higher insurance or more points you get equals loss of license.
Please for mine and your safety, text later, at a traffic light or something but now when your car is in motion.
Note: I am not just picking on young female drivers, i am using them as an example as it has really caught my attention lately.
Now how would you feel & react if the Officer was to tell you that they were killed by the driver of other car that was Texting while driving?
I spend long hours behind the wheel on one of North America's busiest highways and while driving i am very observant of what is around me, what i see and so on and something scares me terribly.
The Texter!
It doesn't matter if the highway is busy or quiet, or if the traffic is fast or slow they are out there everyday texting while driving.
Most men will hold the cell phone with the right hand and hold it with the wrist resting on the gear lever, still leaving one had on the wheel. But i have seen something far worse than that.
Young female drivers are a disaster waiting to happen. Today alone i must of seen a dozen 17-19year olds pass me doing over 120km/h and as i look down both hands are gripped to the cell phone, just in front of the airbag. Eyes up, down, up, down, down... still down, up Brake! and repeat.
Last year the Ontario Government introduced a new law, a Law that would make it illegal to use a cell phone, Mp3 player etc while driving. There was a three month grace period and then in Feb 2010 the law was in full effect and for a couple of months i notice a huge reduction in cell phone use behind the wheel.
Move forward to today and it's as worse as ever. Everyone is at it.
Why?
The chances of getting caught are very slim and the penalty is a fine and nothing else.
What will it take for people to realise that texting / emailing while driving is far far worse than talking on your phone.
The laws need to be tightened and enforced with much stiffer penalties.
Minimum $500 fine and Minimum 3 points off your license will make people think.
Points off a license means much higher insurance or more points you get equals loss of license.
Please for mine and your safety, text later, at a traffic light or something but now when your car is in motion.
Note: I am not just picking on young female drivers, i am using them as an example as it has really caught my attention lately.
Sunday, August 15, 2010
A place to rant?
For a longtime now i have thought about creating a blog to express my opinions and my thoughts on various matters that i encounter in life.
It could be something that i have seen on TV, heard on the news, seen with my own eyes. Whatever i do in a day i am sure i will see or hear something that i would like to discuss more about.
I recently had a few letters published im my local paper in the comments section and it was great to a get a response back from readers, regardless if it was positive or negative.
As i get to grips with the set up of this site, i hope to post weekly if not more. But right now i have just finished a 10 hr shift and feel like shutting down for a while.
I already have several rants in my head that i will save for a later day.
Nigel
For a longtime now i have thought about creating a blog to express my opinions and my thoughts on various matters that i encounter in life.
It could be something that i have seen on TV, heard on the news, seen with my own eyes. Whatever i do in a day i am sure i will see or hear something that i would like to discuss more about.
I recently had a few letters published im my local paper in the comments section and it was great to a get a response back from readers, regardless if it was positive or negative.
As i get to grips with the set up of this site, i hope to post weekly if not more. But right now i have just finished a 10 hr shift and feel like shutting down for a while.
I already have several rants in my head that i will save for a later day.
Nigel
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