PIERRE ET JUSTIN, FATHER & SON

Credits: QMI Agency file photo

Justin Trudeau, as a potential Prime Ministry is still a riddle, but that will not matter if he carries the same popular support that his father Pierre Elliot Trudeau enjoyed for most of the fifteen years that he was PM. I don't know whether Justin has what it will take to govern a country.

Lest we forget PET, he came to power on the wave of Trudeaumania as columnist Lubor J. Zink coined it. He was not a friend of Quebec separatists who were at the height of their rhetoric and fervor then.

LISTEN TO RAY FERRIS - SCRAP THE CHILD, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY SERVICES ACT

Ray Ferris is my friend. He lives in Victoria so our opportunities for personal contact are few. Our interaction and friendship has been conducted largely online and by phone. We found one another when we were advocating for the return of Paul and Zabeth Bayne's children. That process took over four years to realize a satisfactory outcome. Ray is in his early 80's, is active, alert, articulate and altruistic to the core. He had a career in what is now the Ministry of Children and Family Development, precisely that ministry whose conduct of cases he now finds frequently appalling.

Here in this snatch of prose, he is expressing himself about what has transpired over the past several decades in the care of children by government authorized agencies in British Columbia, Canada.

AMPLE EVIDENCE OF STUPIDITY AND INCOMPETENCE

Ray Ferris has left a new comment on my post "A CRY IN THE NIGHT." Here is what he wrote.

Masters of Spin - it is central to life for ...

"There is no sinister plot. The senior echelons of the children's ministry do not have the brains or the competence to mount a plot. Unfortunately the end result is the same. No indeed dear readers; just look at the evidence. Why look for a canary when there are sparrows everywhere? Meaning---look at the obvious. We see ample evidence of stupidity and incompetence already, so why should we doubt that it is there.

When you have a green and inexperienced staff being directed by dummies who think that filling in forms and obeying drills is good child protection, certain things happen. First the brightest and best get out as soon as they can. This leaves the dumbest and the weakest as the main body of employees. The workers do not trust their superiors and the superiors do not trust the workers, so they work in a constant state of panic that something will go wrong and they will get the blame.

DEREK HOARE TALKING ABOUT HIS CASE CONFERENCE – Part 2 of 2

In responding to Derek Hoare's synopsis of his Monday Case Conference, entitled ‘Derek’s Report about Case Conference,’ which is worth reading and was sent to his Facebook friends, I wrote a number of questions. Among them were the following. Derek's response follows each lead question.

I wrote, "The trial dates are indeed distant. Annoyance at MCFD over this is misdirected. Neither the Ministry nor its lawyers control the calendar. The court clerk’s calendar is full of prior scheduled cases. Our B.C. Court system is jam-packed with family related cases. The scheduling of a Hoare/Van Dyk case is dependent upon the availability of a judge, of the Ministry lawyer, of Derek’s lawyer, and of court room facilities. All of these individual schedules must find a harmonized meeting place."

Derek said, “Yes that is correct Ron it was not the ministry who sets the trial date, it is based on the availability of all parties (courts, MCFD, Lawyers, Amie and myself). In this case I believe those are the next available court dates.”

FOR YOUR INFORMATION / 539

The new Ministry lawyer is Dean Tate. Finn Jensen is no longer active in the Bayne case.

Robert Hamilton

Robert Hamilton is a lawyer now working with the Baynes and in cooperation with Doug Christie who championed their cause until now. Each has agreed to specialty roles. Mr. Hamilton is very familiar with family law and child protection cases. Mr. Hamilton is the legal counsel who successfully represented the Rahman family in an equally contentious case. He is an Associate at the firm Lindsay Kenney LLP.  Mr. Dean Tate lost an appeal on the Rahman shaken baby case (2009 BCSC 1073 / E083988 Vancouver). Mr. Robert Hamilton was the Rahman counsel at that time.

WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE CHILD? / 525

The ‘interests of a child’, the very best interests of children should naturally be the concern of each one of us. Parents in particular are expected to care for their children according to this standard. In societies like ours, the collective, the people, citizens, have elected representatives to institutionalize this standard of care for children. When parents or other caregivers appear not to be acting in the best interests of a child, then government authorized social workers intervene.

Curiously, ‘the best interests of the child’ has become a virtual dogma within our courts and child protection systems, yet there is no standard definition of ‘best interests of the child.’ Notwithstanding, this phrase customarily refers to the court’s consideration of the kinds of orders, actions and services that will best serve a child, as well as taking into consideration the person(s) best suited to care for the child. The child’s fundamental safety and welfare is the principal concern.

WHAT IS THIS DESTRUCTIVE PHENOMENON? / Part 178 / For Love and For Justice / Zabeth and Paul Bayne/

Ever since I became interested in the Paul and Zabeth Bayne family retrieval, I have been exposed to a phenomenon which I am seeking to understand. The phenomenon is noticeable in the stories people tell me about their experience with the Ministry of Children and Family Development. I personally feel a rising level of the phenomenon myself as I read the history of disappointment with and attempts to revise the MCFD through the years.

I have tried to identify this phenomenon with an appropriate word or a tag. Cynicism and skepticism come to mind. Either one may be suitable but not exact. Cynicism with regard to MCFD is the belief that only selfishness motivates the actions and decisions of those involved in the Ministry and of the wider government that authorizes them. Skepticism maintains doubt about the statements, the promises, the agreements, the plans of MCFD employees and questions the validity of anything the MCFD purports to be factual. Another close kin word may be pessimism. Pessimism is an inclination to emphasize adverse aspects, attitudes, intentions, and outcomes of MCFD involvement. That is not exact enough either.

I believe the proper term is 'distrust.' If the other three terms are disheartening, when associated with a Ministry that we all fund for our mutual benefit, the application of the term 'distrust' to the Ministry with the power to alter lives is demoralizing. Yet 'distrust' is what I hear from people.

Distrust is the confident expectation that Ministry employees' motives, intentions, policies and behaviors are sinister and harmful to one's own interests. That's what I hear from people. This may often entail a sense of fear and anticipation of discomfort or danger. Distrust naturally prompts us to take steps that reduce our vulnerability in an attempt to protect our interests. Distrust is not the exclusive domain of parents who feel wronged. Distrust is experienced by Ministry people toward some parents and supporters as well. Distrust possesses a destructive potential. Up go the adversarial, competitive walls. Cooperation gets lost. Conflict is exacerbated.

Once distrust has been established, it frames subsequent events in the relationship so that even good-faith efforts by the opposing party in the relationship are met with disbelief and suspicion. The result is a "self-fulfilling prophecy," where every move the other person makes is interpreted as additional evidence that justifies an initial decision to distrust him/her. This distrust not only inhibits cooperation in the relationship, but also may result in retaliation that causes the conflict to escalate. When the other person reciprocates this sentiment, there is mutual distrust that further fuels the escalation of conflict.

I cannot express how dismayed I am with the behaviour of Fraser Region Ministry case management. Paul and Zabeth Bayne are not villainous but are wounded parents whose innocence of responsibility for their daughter's injuries has been met with the Ministry's unrelenting insistence on their culpability. When supporters spontaneously appear to encourage their friends at court, the Ministry assumes the Baynes have invited them. When the Baynes request more visitation time with their children in a park setting or at a pre school or kindergarten event, the Ministry assumes there is another agenda behind the request. Folks, these are people who want to be with their children. Time is marching on. The Fraser Region and the Ministry office in Victoria need to give their heads a shake. Of course there is publicity around this case. Publicity is the only instrument helpless parents have in response to a Ministry with absolute power. Ministry! Consider the obligation you have to make this family work again. But then ….oh well, that distrust is kicking in again.

(painting: 'Distrust Too' by Stephen Clarke, Perth Ontario)

Paul and Zabeth Bayne – Part 14 – The Bayne Campaign for Justice

Permit me to tell you more about the Ombudsman’s Office of BC.
The Ombudsman is British Columbia’s Independent Voice for Fairness. The Ombudsman is an independent Officer of the Legislature, appointed pursuant to the Ombudsman Act.

Who and what the Ombudsman can Investigate.
The Ombudsman has jurisdiction over a wide range of public agencies, including:
• provincial government ministries, including complaints regarding income assistance and the Family Maintenance Enforcement Program
• crown corporations such as ICBC and BC Hydro
• government boards such as WCB and the BC Human Rights Tribunal
• hospitals, regional and local health agencies, and health-related government agencies such as Medical Services Plan and Pharmacare
• schools and school districts
• universities and colleges
• municipal and regional governments
• self-regulating professions such as the Law Society, the College of Physicians and Surgeons, and the Registered Nurses Association of British Columbia

The Ombudsman’s Office exists to uphold the democratic principles of openness, transparency and accountability; to ensure that every person in British Columbia is treated fairly in the provision of public services; to promote and foster fairness in public administration.
The Ombudsman’s Office serves the principle of administrative fairness; the public; and the Legislature of British Columbia.

The Ombudsman’s Assignments are to generally oversee the administrative actions of government authorities; conduct thorough, impartial and independent investigations of complaints; consider possible resolutions of complaints; consult with, provide reasons, and make recommendations to authorities to improve administrative practices; provide reports to the Legislative Assembly and the people of British Columbia about administrative fairness issues and how they can be remedied; respond to inquiries from the public; provide information and advice about administrative fairness.

The Ombudsman’s Staff is committed to thorough and impartial investigations. To that end they identify issues of administrative unfairness; identify causes of recurring unfairness and advise on how it can be avoided in the future; attempt to resolve complaints through consultation when appropriate; employ an approach that identifies and addresses the underlying causes of complaints; make recommendations and issue reports that are based on sound analysis of the facts, are consistent with their statutory mandate and apply the principles of natural justice and administrative fairness;

As promising as yesterday’s post and this one sound about the possibility of a independent and objective review of the Bayne case by the office of the Ombudsman of BC, as hopeful as this advocate for fairness sounds, the Baynes may be required to go through the court process, and if that is true, then the Ombudsman is powerless because the Court prevails. The Ombudsman may not investigate complaints against court decisions. But an Ombudsman’s report that recommended to the court that the Bayne complaint was valid would bear weight in the court decision. In this there might seem be some hope. Disappointingly, nothing has resulted from Paul's and Zabeth's several filed complaints to the Ombudsman's Office.

MICHEL SEMENTZEFF, an extraordinary painter

I have to admit my pleasure in knowing that my simple blog acquires enough hits that are steered to appropriate websites that in some cases it produces some beneficial outcomes. In this case, the noted artist Michel Sementzeff contacted me with appreciation. I am deeply grateful. I repeat this post because it has been a sought after sight and it steers the reader to Michel's website.


A NEW LEARNING
Michel Sementzeff is considered one of the greatest contemporary figurative artists. I could not believe my good fortune when I stayed in his son Didier’s guest home. Throughout the home were these exquisitely executed paintings. He paints landscapes and portraits that are colourful, playful, dreamlike, romantic and he does it using a knife to paint heavy oil passages that accent the creativity of his themes and style. While this genre is not my customary choice I couldn’t resist appreciating this good, good art. Didier presented me with a book of his father’s paintings which I realize is an advertising piece but I treasure it. That’s as close as I will get to owning one of Sementzeff’s expensive originals.

Of Russian origin, Michel Sementzeff was born in Boulogne-sur-Seine. He entered the École Supérieure des Arts Modernes at the age of 15, and has subsequently forged a highly successful career as an artist, exhibiting in France, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, United States and Canada. With his well chosen palette of colours, his light strokes as well as his heavy impasto touches he emits light and happiness and nostalgia. He has chosen to paint faces that always reflect a childish innocence and surprise and anticipation.

His son Didier, the retired professional photographer that I mentioned yesterday, captures his father’s images so clearly to make every book of art a masterpiece collector’s cache.
I am enamoured by Michel's success and jealous of his signature. Michel's work makes the viewer happy.

here is Michel's website. The best site for viewing the quality and luminosity and brush strokes is Galerie Internationale

Artists Anne-Marie Ruggeri and Philippe Janin

People from around the world have touched down on this June 2009 posting. I am repeating it because of its popularity and the recognition that these two wonderful artists have garnered. Christine and I enjoyed meeting them while we were in France this year.

Anne-Marie Ruggeri and Philippe Janin are a gifted and accomplished artistic husband and wife who own a studio/gallery in the town of Bonnieux in the foothills of Mount Luberon in Provence. During a day trip Christine and I spotted the gallery and stopped in Bonnieux. I was very impressed by the oils that Philippe paints and the pastels by Anne-Marie. Extraordinary work and priced to reflect their success. Pastel is a medium I simply cannot understand. Never tried it and am amazed at its beauty. We purchased some gorgeous cards as mementos. The first picture is by Philippe and shows Bonnieux with its church prominently in the picture. These communities always had a church central to its community and life. How things change. While the buildings remain physically central, they are tourist stops and sparsely attended by the locals. Only occasionally did we see a church alive with activity and people enthusiastic about their faiths.

You see some of the Ruggeri and Janin work by going to this linked website but I believe this is an old site. There are more of Janin’s recent works here at this other link.

I noticed that so many French artists produce postcards and posters and prints and many of them also have printed books of their art. It is clever marketing as it provides pieces at prices suitable to a range of buyers. This pair has several books.




Ruggeri has even had some of her art incorporated into fashion, and this site shows a scarf imprinted with her work. Tap the photo to enlarge it for a better view.

It was inspiring to look at their work but also to process what is required by marketing to become an established artist.

Roger Federer - Is it Important to be Better Than Anyone Else?

Is it Important to be Better Than Anyone Else?

Because of what is transpiring at the US Open Tennis Championships this week and because this July 6 blog entry (written following his Wimbledon success), has been one of my most popular posts, I am repeating it here.

The July 6 Posting:
In reflecting on Roger Federer’s monumental achievement on Sunday, I asked myself, “What must it be like to be better at something than everyone else in the world?” Accompanying questions might be, “Is it important to be better than everyone else?” or perhaps, “Am I better at something than everyone else in the world?”

I came to some conclusions. It’s more important to some people than others to be better at something than anyone else. It becomes the dominant motivator of competitive people regardless of the contest. It is enormously beneficial to careers and advancing oneself in the world.

Roger Federer was better this year at Wimbledon than all other male tennis players. Federer won the Men’s Single Trophy for the sixth time, and in the process won his fifteenth grand slam title, one more than Pete Sampras who retired in 2002. He did it by beating Andy Roddick in the thirtieth game of the fifth set, the longest title match in history. He made history at many levels. All of this success has branded Federer, which is a good thing monetarily. His father wore a ball cap with a classy signature RF logo that now extols Roger’s celebrity. He and Nike have partnered to produce a catwalk style of apparel for the man – what a racket! His monogrammed shoes are sold at the Bay.

Rafael Nadal is back after a two month injury recuperation but I think he is no match for Federer this year, and Federer will will win the US Open for a record sixth time in the open era, and his are successive years. Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras have each one five.

Some further conclusions. It is never too late to try to find that something in which you are better than anyone.

For instance, Mike Flynt is the best sixty year old college football player ever. Well he is the only grandfather to ever play college ball. He missed his fourth year of eligibility thirty-seven years ago, and at age 59 asked for a chance to make the team again. He made it in 2007 with Sul Ross State University in Texas. Flynt has given new meaning to being a college senior. Flynt is a strength coach by trade and was a conditioning coach at Nebraska, Oregon and Texas A&M. He is the inventor of the Powerbase Fitness exercise equipment. He is a grandfather and is retired. He has written a book called ‘SENIOR.’ Here is his personal and fitness website.

Ron's Opinion: I am not better at anything than everyone else, and it is no longer important for me to be better than anyone else but I will strive to do what only I can do and to do it so well that it makes a positive impression or contribution within my influence circle.

Arthritis - help yourself - opt for Quality of Life, pop a pill do whatever else you need to do

There is no known cure for Osteoarthritis. I customarily deal with it by wincing when pain grabs me and by ignoring it most of the time. Occasionally it flares up as it did the other night, unannounced and like a knife to the joint. It's in my hands and primarily my thumb joints. I have read a lot about osteoarthritis and pain relief. This recent attack left me questioning my future it was so severe. I love painting but I couldn't hold a paint brush. Now I didn't know what to do for myself. Yet instinctively I popped a couple of advil, (ibuprofen) and I slipped on my glove. It's not white like Michael J's was but it is supposed to be effective, having ceramic fibres woven into the fabric to redirect body heat back into the joint. Warmth works. Some use hot wax, and soaking in hot water. I had also earlier purchased a topical application but discontinued its use when I read about potential side affects.

I purchased something called Voltaren and was not thrilled with what I read about its potential side effects. My brother recommended Arthrotec. Each of these contains something called diclofenac sodium and that appears to cause a few users some grief because it is absorbed and systemically administered throughout one's system to other organs.

Using Voltaren for a few days had given me some relief so I wondered about using it again. I made an appointment with my GP. He spoke common sense to me. Since there is no cure for the disease the objective becomes pain management. He advised me to use the topical cream. Eighty percent of it is absorbed into the immediate tissue which is what I want. A pill goes to the stomach and must then work its healing way back to my hands - a bit of a trip. And sustained downing of Advil and/or Tylenol (acetaminephan)may injure the stomach lining. That's precisely why I had avoided swallowing pain relievers. He said that in Canada more people die of bleeding stomachs each year than in vehicle deaths. Having thrown out that warning, he did say that Tylenol was easier on the stomach than Advil, and I shouldn't hesitate to use 650 mg per dose four times a day for a few days to manage pain.

So here is what I am doing for myself and with some immediate improvement to the way I feel about life because the pain is subsiding if not the disease.
(1) I wear the therapy glove and get a lot of attention. The glove may work. I am still not sure. I am experimenting. Prolotex Therapy Gloves and ThermoFlow Therapy Gloves
(2) I liberally apply the Voltaren cream four times per day.
(3) I take one 650 mg Tylenol four times per day.

GPS Application

Philippians 4:6-7 (The Message) 6-7 "Don't fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It's wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life."