So--I obviously cant spell. I registered this site as "impolitecompany" or so I thought. ( apologies to Andrew who actually has this site) What I really registered was impolitecompay. Needless to say I was a bit perturbed to initially find a different site than mine at what I thought was MY address. After all, being an only child, its all mine anyway? isn't it? But--I swallowed my pride, pulled on my big girl panties, and set up another site. So if any of you have bookmarked this site, please redirect your browser to
http://impoliteimpressions.blogspot.com/
This will be the new home of Lady Elaine !
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
If I ruled the world-Thoughts on Foreign Aid
I am now going to sound like a cold hearted Scrooge, who didn't see any ghosts. I am so sick and tired of foreign aid going to countries that 1) do not really benefit,as most of the goods end up on the black market 2) who rely on "foreign aid" as part of their GNP.
There are children who are starving right here in the supposed land of plenty. Its not their fault that their parents are either too stoned, too marginalized, or simply unable to access any of the social services that would help. The funding for social programs is not adequate at best. Too often we hear, "its not in the budget", we need to balance the states/provinces books, etc etc. Yet the same politicians, will immediately commit millions to some far flung country that has suffered a disaster either natural or man made. This country will then take the aid, 90% will disappear on its way to distribution points, and the remaining 10% is inadequate. So the call goes out for more aid, and so it continues. Meanwhile there are children in Tacoma and Toronto who are going to bed (if they have a bed) hungry, and not having the basic necessities. If I ruled the continent, an immediate halt to all foreign aid would be declared until each and every child had access to food, medical care, and shelter in a safe nurturing environment. I am tired of the media trying to force me to care about someone else's children, when our own are not being looked after.
There are children who are starving right here in the supposed land of plenty. Its not their fault that their parents are either too stoned, too marginalized, or simply unable to access any of the social services that would help. The funding for social programs is not adequate at best. Too often we hear, "its not in the budget", we need to balance the states/provinces books, etc etc. Yet the same politicians, will immediately commit millions to some far flung country that has suffered a disaster either natural or man made. This country will then take the aid, 90% will disappear on its way to distribution points, and the remaining 10% is inadequate. So the call goes out for more aid, and so it continues. Meanwhile there are children in Tacoma and Toronto who are going to bed (if they have a bed) hungry, and not having the basic necessities. If I ruled the continent, an immediate halt to all foreign aid would be declared until each and every child had access to food, medical care, and shelter in a safe nurturing environment. I am tired of the media trying to force me to care about someone else's children, when our own are not being looked after.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Trailer Trash
I am sitting in my sunny kitchen, sipping a cup of fresh brewed coffee, looking out at the trees that are beginning to change color, yet on such a calm afternoon I am feeling vexed. Earlier in the day, I ran into an old acquaintance from Brattling's ( fruit of my womb) childhood. After the first few "How are yous, you look good, whats new etc "she said in a very quiet voice "I have moved. I am ummmm... living in a trailer in Lakeview. FH and I have split. " Quizzically looking at her, I asked, so----are you happy? Replying in the affirmative, she then proceeded to tell me about her new home. She jokingly, ended the conversation with "Well I suppose I am now trailer trash."
This phrase has niggled away at me for the majority of the day. I simply don't understand it. Granted, I grew up on a farm, and always lived in a house of one type or another except for a brief stint in an apartment during my misspent and misguided youth. I have family members who have owned trailers, and lived in them while building homes, being in transit from one phase of their life to another, or have settled permanently. Money was not the over riding decision to move into a "trailer park". Rather a hatred for apartments, and landlords who became petty tyrants just because they could, were. Some of my relatives, (the trailer park ones), had more disposable income than 3 families put together. Their priorities were a safe comfortable place to live, with plenty of room, that required minimal upkeep and no condo fees.
So where do we get the phrase "trailer trash" and more importantly why? There are no "crack trailers", but there are crack houses. Every city has a plethora of run down unsafe houses in areas where you need combat training to stay alive long enough to get a quart of milk at the corner store. Yet, other than for " They don't live in the best area", there is really no universal stigma to living in a house that has no plumbing, heat, running water, and doors half off their hinges. Unacceptable yes, but have we ever heard them called " house trash" ? NO.
Again I ask, why do we as a society in general look down on people living and owning alternate housing ? Those who live in trailer parks, own their homes, pay property taxes, pay for utilities, and upkeep. In some cases they are even paying more than they would for a traditional dwelling per month, as lot rent is also added.
What is it about a "mini-home", "mobile home" or trailer that so offends our sensibilities that we have a special name for those residents? I simply don't get it. Can anyone enlighten me?
This phrase has niggled away at me for the majority of the day. I simply don't understand it. Granted, I grew up on a farm, and always lived in a house of one type or another except for a brief stint in an apartment during my misspent and misguided youth. I have family members who have owned trailers, and lived in them while building homes, being in transit from one phase of their life to another, or have settled permanently. Money was not the over riding decision to move into a "trailer park". Rather a hatred for apartments, and landlords who became petty tyrants just because they could, were. Some of my relatives, (the trailer park ones), had more disposable income than 3 families put together. Their priorities were a safe comfortable place to live, with plenty of room, that required minimal upkeep and no condo fees.
So where do we get the phrase "trailer trash" and more importantly why? There are no "crack trailers", but there are crack houses. Every city has a plethora of run down unsafe houses in areas where you need combat training to stay alive long enough to get a quart of milk at the corner store. Yet, other than for " They don't live in the best area", there is really no universal stigma to living in a house that has no plumbing, heat, running water, and doors half off their hinges. Unacceptable yes, but have we ever heard them called " house trash" ? NO.
Again I ask, why do we as a society in general look down on people living and owning alternate housing ? Those who live in trailer parks, own their homes, pay property taxes, pay for utilities, and upkeep. In some cases they are even paying more than they would for a traditional dwelling per month, as lot rent is also added.
What is it about a "mini-home", "mobile home" or trailer that so offends our sensibilities that we have a special name for those residents? I simply don't get it. Can anyone enlighten me?
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Straddling the 49th Parallel
The FreeOnline Dictionary defines straddle as;
strad·dle
v. strad·dled, strad·dling, strad·dles
v.tr.
1.
a. To stand or sit with a leg on each side of; bestride: straddle a horse.
b. To be on both sides of; extend over or across: a car straddling the center line.
2. To appear to favor both sides of (an issue).
3. To fire shots behind and in front of (a target) in order to determine the range.
v.intr.
1. To walk, stand, or sit with the legs wide apart, especially to sit astride.
2. To spread out in a disorderly way; sprawl.
3. To appear to favor both sides of an issue.
n.
1. The act or posture of sitting astride.
2. An equivocal or a noncommittal position.
3. The option to buy or sell a specific asset, such as a block of stock, at a predetermined price before a certain date.Idiom:
straddle the fence Informal
To be undecided or uncommitted.
[Akin to stride.]
straddler n.
What a wonderful definition! It would indeed be an accomplishment if over the period of this Blog's life I was able to touch at least each definition once!
I have purposely left out my location as I believe we all tend to stereotype each other in this wonderful bastion of free democracy and speech that all Canadians and Americans enjoy. So I will begin by "straddling" both sides of the 49th Parallel.
I think its time that all Canadians woke up to a few hard and fast facts, and stopped pretending to be autonomous.
1) Canadian economics are dependant on American tolerance--Oh I can hear the gnashing of teeth over this one. Let me explain, if America decides that it is in her best interest NOT to allow certain exports, entrance to a large profitable economy is denied. The softwood lumber dispute, or Canadian beef is a perfect example.
2) There are more people in the state of California than there are in the country of Canada.
3) If it wasn't for American military might, the thousands of miles of "unprotected " border between the two countries would not exist. Rather Canadians would be speaking either Russian or Swahili, or Mandarin as a second language.
Its also time the Americans grew up, understood some basic geography and looked at some of the positive things happening north of the border.
1) Universal health care is not the big bad bogey man. Rather the increase in taxes justifies the decrease or non existence of medical bankruptcy.
2) The decriminalization of pot, does not make for streets flooded with dope smoking pinko commies.
3) Same sex marriage has not resulted in total anarchy and chaos, whereby the "family" is no more. Marriage and religion are totally separate. After all if they weren't, you would be unable to marry at city hall!
As to geography, the average Canadian can name most states, their capitals, and find them on a map. The average American cannot name the majority of the Provinces, and believes that Canada is "somewhere up there".
Both countries need to make some changes in their perceptions of each other, but this will not happen in my opinion. It is neither the Canadian nor the American politicians interest to change some of these perceptions. Without political change, there used to be no other venue. However we now have the Internet and Blogs..whereby the world is only a click away.
Welcome to my Blog. It is MINE, as only an only child can claim. These are my opinions, and at times will be my rants, and my observations. They are not open to debate. Comments--yes--Debate no.
strad·dle
v. strad·dled, strad·dling, strad·dles
v.tr.
1.
a. To stand or sit with a leg on each side of; bestride: straddle a horse.
b. To be on both sides of; extend over or across: a car straddling the center line.
2. To appear to favor both sides of (an issue).
3. To fire shots behind and in front of (a target) in order to determine the range.
v.intr.
1. To walk, stand, or sit with the legs wide apart, especially to sit astride.
2. To spread out in a disorderly way; sprawl.
3. To appear to favor both sides of an issue.
n.
1. The act or posture of sitting astride.
2. An equivocal or a noncommittal position.
3. The option to buy or sell a specific asset, such as a block of stock, at a predetermined price before a certain date.Idiom:
straddle the fence Informal
To be undecided or uncommitted.
[Akin to stride.]
straddler n.
What a wonderful definition! It would indeed be an accomplishment if over the period of this Blog's life I was able to touch at least each definition once!
I have purposely left out my location as I believe we all tend to stereotype each other in this wonderful bastion of free democracy and speech that all Canadians and Americans enjoy. So I will begin by "straddling" both sides of the 49th Parallel.
I think its time that all Canadians woke up to a few hard and fast facts, and stopped pretending to be autonomous.
1) Canadian economics are dependant on American tolerance--Oh I can hear the gnashing of teeth over this one. Let me explain, if America decides that it is in her best interest NOT to allow certain exports, entrance to a large profitable economy is denied. The softwood lumber dispute, or Canadian beef is a perfect example.
2) There are more people in the state of California than there are in the country of Canada.
3) If it wasn't for American military might, the thousands of miles of "unprotected " border between the two countries would not exist. Rather Canadians would be speaking either Russian or Swahili, or Mandarin as a second language.
Its also time the Americans grew up, understood some basic geography and looked at some of the positive things happening north of the border.
1) Universal health care is not the big bad bogey man. Rather the increase in taxes justifies the decrease or non existence of medical bankruptcy.
2) The decriminalization of pot, does not make for streets flooded with dope smoking pinko commies.
3) Same sex marriage has not resulted in total anarchy and chaos, whereby the "family" is no more. Marriage and religion are totally separate. After all if they weren't, you would be unable to marry at city hall!
As to geography, the average Canadian can name most states, their capitals, and find them on a map. The average American cannot name the majority of the Provinces, and believes that Canada is "somewhere up there".
Both countries need to make some changes in their perceptions of each other, but this will not happen in my opinion. It is neither the Canadian nor the American politicians interest to change some of these perceptions. Without political change, there used to be no other venue. However we now have the Internet and Blogs..whereby the world is only a click away.
Welcome to my Blog. It is MINE, as only an only child can claim. These are my opinions, and at times will be my rants, and my observations. They are not open to debate. Comments--yes--Debate no.
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