To maintain law and order, not be thought and speech police

Yesterday

Global News August 27 2019

Simon Little article cited

Cited 

A woman filmed going on a racist rant in Richmond last week will not face charges, RCMP confirmed Monday. The incident took place on Friday, Aug. 23 in a parking lot outside the Richlea Square Shopping Centre.

Cited 

Fang Xu, the husband of the woman who filmed the video, told Global News it happened when his wife Amy approached a white woman whose car had nudged theirs in the lot.

Cited 

In the video, the white woman can be heard saying “go back to China where you belong,” “we don’t want you here because you can’t drive,” and calling her a “ch—y ch—y China lady.” However, Richmond RCMP said while “the contents of the video and interaction is disturbing and troubling,” no charges would be laid. 

Police said the determination was made in consultation with the BC Prosecution Service, noting that the incident does not meet the threshold for a criminal charge. “We can appreciate that the community here in Richmond and the extended community online feels strongly about comments made in the video, but we would certainly not wish for anyone to cross the line from spirited conversation to criminal cyberbullying,” said Insp. Sunny Parmar in a media release.

Cited

There is no actual listing in the Criminal Code of Canada for a “hate crime,” though the law does offer sentencing guidelines for people who commit other crimes in which hatred is a motivating factor. The code also does criminalize a group of specific, particularly hateful acts: advocating genocide against a group, public incitement of hatred likely to cause a breach of peace and willful promotion of hatred outside of a private conversation.
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For various reasons, I disagree with the racist comments, but non-exhaustively...

From a secular perspective, Canada is largely a nation of immigrants (similar to much of the western world), and this means people of various ethic origins legally constitute this country.

There is empirically and scientifically one humanity and one human race.

From a Christian and biblical perspective, there is just one humanity, ontologically, based on the Hebrew Bible (Genesis 1) and the New Testament.

In the New Testament, by believing in and following Jesus Christ there is only one type of saved human being as in Galatians 3: 28. This means all people, all of humanity, are either saved in Jesus Christ, through his applied atoning and resurrection work, or are not saved in Jesus Christ though that work, because it has not been applied by grace through faith.

As was explained on the Global News television version of this story, yesterday and today, (paraphrased) the peace was not disturbed by this racist rant. In other words, law and order was not disturbed by this racist rant.

a breach of peace did not occur.

Those on Global News television noted, that wanted (often in anger) criminal charges for the woman that made the racial rants in the story should (prayerfully!) rethink their positions.

If British Columbians and Canadians begin to be punished for thought and speech 'crimes', this would significantly risk liberty and democracy!

So, should someone be arrested, charged and found guilty by the State for having views that are hurtful, disagreeable and not in agreement with what is politically correct?

Should all hate be punishable, or just hate that disturbs law and order?

An aspect of living in a democracy is the toleration of thought and speech; even thought and speech that can be demonstrated as in error though the use of reason, premises and conclusions.

As I reason is the case with the racist rant documented in this story.

The minority view (s) should be protected as well, within a democracy. As long as law and order is maintained in the process.

Historically, have the powers that be, that control (controlled) the State and influence the media, society and culture always been shown to be morally and ethically, right, historically?

Think of the Church-State (s) in medieval Europe, fascism, communism and many times, modern western governments. Our very own governments have erred. The voters have erred at some points too.

Let us be humble here and admit that from a secular perspective, humanity is finite and imperfect.

From a Christian perspective, humanity is finite and sinful.

I am a biblical Christian of a Reformed tradition, but I tolerate the views of others within law and order and expect my views to be tolerated as well, within law and order.

The rights of others should be respected. Personally, my morality and ethic is to love my neighbour as I love myself, as is the command in the synoptic gospels.

Romans 13 in the New Testament commands the Christian believer to obey the State as it maintains law and order.

It is law and order that needs to be maintained by the State; not political correctness. The governments within Canada and its police should protect those within by maintaining law and order, but not by becoming thought and speech police.

The fruit, not an apple

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Thank you, Arne the Grizzly of Norge 

The Hebrew Bible and English

Actually, scholarship documents it as 'the fruit' and not an apple...

Does this make it PC?

These caught my eye @ Canadian Tire

Eye catching and colourful, but I have no use for any kind of instant pot with my lifestyle.

Wise words from this fictional character

Facebook: Wise words from this fictional character.

God willing, my online work keeps improving by renewed learning, revisions, rethinking and re-praying.

Related: During my undergraduate, bible school years, some students were dogmatic with embraced secondary theological and worldview labels such as non-resistant or Calvinist. Outside of being a biblical Christian, I was hesitant to embrace a label. Once I had successfully mastered my United Kingdom, MPhil thesis degree content, I allowed myself the additional 'learned' label of Reformed. This was my second master’s degree.

But that is just me... 

Wanted (UK)

Facebook: Aberdeen 2013

Pressreader

I just filled this out on request: Notice the Haha

Facebook: In my opinion, I have never attempted these types of stunts in my life, because for one major reason, subconsciously and then consciously, I realized that with one eye being amblyopic and myopic, that I needed to use my brain to compensate for my one weak eye. Stunts, for me, were and are too risky.

So, why do I practice with martial arts weapons?  Contradiction? I doubt it. My brain tells me to have some significant awareness of how to defend weapons by practicing with them.

I just filled this out on request. Notice the Haha. I even provided my #4 Gmail address. I opined that the Liberal, Federal Government should not, directly or indirectly, punish drivers that need to drive to work. If electric vehicles were affordable (and reasonable for someone like me that prioritizes having little debt and significant savings) then I would buy one.

Aerial view NYC

Aerial view New York City, 2019: Pinterest

Aerial view New York City: Professor Howdy

I was in Manhattan, the Bronx and Newark, New Jersey, for about half a week in 2002. Highlights:

• Viewing the old East Coast, concrete buildings.
• Touring the top of the Empire State Building.
• At the Empire State Building: Meeting two 'Jersey Shore?' young ladies from New Jersey via Christian Cafe, that could not wait to leave, stating that my friend Documentary Man was (paraphrased) 'weird'. I doubt they loved me either (we were too intellectual and too Christian).
• Touring the Hudson River and seeing the Statue of Liberty via Ellis Island.
• The Manhattan bus tour, including seeing the United Nations Building and Madison Square Garden.
• Attending a Christian church in Manhattan on a Sunday.
• Having French food at a Manhattan restaurant.
• Seeing 'Ground Zero'; this was a sombre and sad highlight.
• Seeing Documentary Man, a direct decedent of Oliver Cromwell asked if he 'spoke English' by a Manhattan, Burger King employee.
• Viewing and somewhat taking part in a religious debate, outside of a McDonald's, fueled by Documentary Man and a Manhattan, Hare Krishna.
• Ironically, years later, Documentary Man's Facebook profile photos look sort of Hare Krishna (ish). He still looks sharp and 'professory'.
• Viewing the Arizona Diamondbacks @ New York Yankees at the Bronx and the former Yankee Stadium.
• Being told by a Yankee Stadium employee to take my sunglasses off and read the sign that there was no cases or bags allowed. Informing him, I was new there and from Canada; he directed me to a storage facility across the street. So, my case was fine just across the street? $$$
• Being villainized by a Manhattan taxicab driver for not tipping high enough...(Documentary Man).
• Central Park was okay, but I have been to more impressive parks in Canada and the United Kingdom. The United States and Europe, too.
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• A regret for me is not focusing on and visiting New York book stores at the time. Now, I order some books from a Manhattan book store. Perhaps purchasing books I could have bought for less money 17 years ago. Dumb, dumb, dumb, dumb (Beethoven).

Debt

1. Thankfully, all my financial, student debts have long been covered.

2. My debts (and sins) are also forgiven by God through the atoning and resurrection (to everlasting life) work of Jesus Christ, applied to believers...

Example from Hebrews 9: New American Standard Bible

11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things [k]to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect [l]tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; 12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, [m]having obtained eternal redemption. 13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the [n]cleansing of the flesh, 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through [o]the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse [p]your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?

15 For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. 16 For where a [q]covenant is, there must of necessity [r]be the death of the one who made it.

17 For a [s]covenant is valid only when [t]men are dead, [u]for it is never in force while the one who made it lives. 18 Therefore even the first covenant was not inaugurated without blood. 19 For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the Law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, 20 saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded you.” 21 And in the same way he sprinkled both the [v]tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry with the blood. 22 And according to the [w]Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.

Down the Nile River

Dennis the Menace

Years ago, after church in Vancouver, visiting a missionary couple and friend's house for board games, I tried to satirically inform their second little girl and genius toddler, that I was big, ugly and dumb as I was still in school (Wales, UK, PhD) at my age. She denied what I stated, countering (paraphrased), Daddy is the same age as you and still in seminary. Mommy smiled. Payton was (and is I am sure, as they moved back to Tennessee) sharp.

Facebook:

Contact the British Museum instead.

Note: I reason there is enough legitimate manuscript and historical evidence for both the Hebrew Bible and New Testament (and related academic evidences), that these kinds of fictional claims are not required for a proof of a reasonable biblical worldview, noting that this example is satirical, of course.

Sadly, there is also, of course, the temptation for some to attempt to make money through religion scams and frauds.

Even with my belief in the gospel and interest in religious studies at a very young age, I also have had a serious skepticism in regard to aspects of religion, simultaneously.

Monday Bullets: Surprise vinyl siding

Facebook

• I have to admit I am enjoying DAZN, which is online, much more, as of this last weekend, streaming from their wesbite and then connecting DAZN online to one of my televisions, at a time, through HDMI 2, Input.

• At first, I used Google Chrome for DAZN, my default browser which works well with Google/Blogger websites. However, Google Chrome was very 'jerky' with streaming. I very briefly chatted online with a DAZN technician that suggested I update Google Chrome, but there was nothing to update. I tried Microsoft Edge (also already updated) and it runs DAZN near perfectly. The picture is generally as clear as from television alone, in my opinion.

• This is $20 Canadian a month, well-spent...more so now.

•  Proverbs 12: 10 English Standard Version

Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.

This noted from a sermon at church, this last Sunday morning...

•  In basic agreement with the sermon from a guest pastor, animal and plant life should be respected and treated well within God's creation. This is reasonable, even as admittedly within the Earth's ecology, as an aspect, some animals and plants are used for human food and for the production of human food and drink.

•  The pastor noted that recently, (paraphrased) some critics have even complained that plant life is often mistreated when consumed by human beings for food. So, another source of food, not animal or plant, needs to be sought by humanity, claim some critics.

•  But, biblically and theologically, the ecology, was created for God, and food and drink for humanity was intended. The ecology should not be abused by humanity though, but of course in the fallen realm we presently exist in (Genesis 3, Romans), it often is...

• Human love and concern for God's creation should be consistent. It often is not from people of various worldviews.

• Biblical Christians should love others in the Church (Gospel of John 13, 15, John), and should love one's neighbour as self (Matthew 22, Mark 12,  Luke 10), in other words, all of humanity.

•  It is my view that a consistent worldview, human love and care, should include conceived human beings as in the zygote, embryo, and fetus. I am reasonably certain holding to this theologically and philosophically, as this is the initial human development; even without knowing exactly when the human soul/spirit exists. It is quite possibly and reasonably at conception.

•  Even if not, as biblically human beings are made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1: 26-27) the unborn should be treated as fully human.

•  From a secular perspective, human beings are the most advanced beings, on Earth, in regard to civilization; termination on demand of the unborn, is not ethically and morally a reasonable premise.

Our beloved friendly neighbour

When you are still sort of 'British'

I am very much not for a complete ban on private firearms and gun ownership, instead favouring reasonable government regulation; but this image makes me laugh inside.

Yes, for the most part, I would deduce, we in Canada that are still 'British' sort of, remaining in the Commonwealth, are pleased to have remained loyal to the Crown.

Canada never had a revolution.

Culturally, we are in many ways more American influenced than British influenced, due to American pop culture which dominates the world.

I have dual passports with Canada and the United Kingdom, and was educated in England/Wales at the end, so I am more British than American, but I am not the typical Canadian in that way.

The United States of America is in many contexts the greatest economy on the planet, and is the greatest military on the planet. But just for balance, we have liberty and democracy in Canada too. Now, this needs to more so, be pondered on, as opposed to simply emotionally reacted to.

There would be a PhD thesis level debate to determine in many contexts which western nation is more free than another. Based on my limited, non-exhaustive reading on the subject of western liberty, there is no definite and definitive, 'freest' nation.

A Mennonite bible school professor of mine stated that (paraphrased) each nation has a mythology. This includes the United States, Canada and United Kingdom.

I do very much enjoy the larger market, economy and availability of product in the United States of America, compared to Canada, but it is a much larger population than Canada. I also enjoy the lager market, economy and availability of product that can be found in Western Europe compared to Canada as well, which is also has a much larger population than Canada.

I am not ignorant that when I visit the United States and United Kingdom, Canada is rather secondary in importance in most contexts.

By the way, I do not own a firearm or gun. I do own 'martial arts' related weaponry for training.

Travel plans?

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1. I am definitely not that cheap. I would take 'my girl' to Europe. I have seen London and Paris and Italy is definitely on the want list.

2. On the other hand, this graphic presents a 'philosophical dilemma' for me, as other than Europe, the United States of America is rated perhaps highest on my travel list. I have visited double digit numbers of US states, but not Texas as of yet, and that is the top of my US list.

3. Considering I was a post-secondary student for 19 years, I have done a significant amount of traveling. Having had PhD studies in the United Kingdom/Europe and still today, family in Arizona/Utah, I have had reasons to travel. I actually created a documented list of all the places I have visited, that I can update.

4. Next up, may be a trip to Scotland and/or a trip to England. There might also be a driving or flying trip to Texas with 'Zombie'. Also, if the price is right, I would like to visit my good, crazy a** friend from secondary school, Arne in Norway, and perhaps head north and visit Norway, Sweden and Finland in one day, where they meet.

5. Now in the context of local travel...

I have received, within the last year, three parking tickets. With God's help, I have negotiated out of  paying the first two, based on technicalities, and just received a reduction on the third parking ticket.

I also have, for the first time, received two British Columbia traffic violation tickets, within a calendar year, from the RCMP. In my opinion, I was driving safely in both cases.

Seems to me, the local governments, presently and historically, the public sector, along with the private sector are significantly responsible for not providing enough roads, highways and infrastructure for drivers and enough infrastructure within cities, towns, multiplicities, etcetera in regards to parking.

There is also not enough use of rail systems for public transportation, which would significantly alleviate traffic issues.

Certainly, some of this is being fixed by authorities in the public sector, with the private sector, but the public and private sectors are also, in my opinion, taking advantage of the mistakes of the past and present by aggressively ticketing the public that attempts to operate motor vehicles within contexts of a growing population, that is too large for available roads, highways, parking and infrastructure.

Certainly, as well, I do need to obey the State (Romans 13) where it maintains law order. I do pray I can do better. But in my opinion, in my regions, public and private sectors are benefiting financially from their own governing mistakes here!

Bullet Monday: Say you have lost weight

• Acquaintance friend that The Rage states is the (paraphrased) classic beta male: To me (paraphrased): Say, you have lost weight.

• Me: (Paraphrased) Thank you. Yes, continued results from sleep apnea related surgeries.

(Actually, over the last ten years, I have been losing size, more so than weight.)

• Acquaintance friend that The Rage states is the (paraphrased) classic beta male: Have you been working out?

• Me: (Paraphrased): I have worked out since I was about four years old. As I told you before.

•  Basically, when you have a kingpin build, until you are (in my case) 5 foot 10, 180 pounds, you have basically never worked out, according to many. Well, common sense and nurses related to my sleep apnea treatments informed me differently.

•  I reason my acquaintance friend meant well and I do tease him endlessly for being a compliant Mennonite that has to report his daily activities to Mennonite authorities. By the way, I am a member of a Mennonite Brethren Church (two actually).

Facebook: More goodness from The Jeff.
I am not surprised by the article noted, by the way.

August 5 2019

Facebook: Yes, things have changed since I was in school.

Approximately 90 degree Fahrenheit in the sunroom, today.

Hybrids?

Facebook: Thank you, Miss CIA

Global News

Cited

August 2, 2019 8:05 am Updated: August 2, 2019 9:40 am 

Japan allows scientist to grow rat embryos spliced with human cells 

By Meaghan Wray 

Cited

A Japanese scientist has been granted permission to bring a human-animal hybrid to term. 

After a ban on the practice was lifted this year, Hiromitsu Nakauchi — who leads teams at the University of Tokyo and Stanford University in California — is planning to splice human cells to see if they will grow beyond the current limit of two weeks, Nature reports. If Nakauchi accomplishes this, it will be the first successful experiment of its kind in Japan.

Cited

His ultimate goal is to grow a human pancreas inside an animal so that it can later be transplanted into a patient.

Cited

Nakauchi’s research has raised concerns about the potential for human cells to travel beyond the targeted organ, resulting perhaps in the animal’s cognition being affected.
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I have difficulties accepting as normal and good, any kind of significant human-animal hybrid.  My view is that humanity and the animal kingdom were made by God, ontologically different, and should remain as such (Genesis 1, Romans 1).

His ultimate goal is to grow a human pancreas inside an animal so that it can later be transplanted into a patient.

However, I can acknowledge at the same time, both potential health benefits for humanity through this type of research and simultaneously, the potential for morally and ethically questionable, animal treatment and suffering in animal testing. As in the example above.
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Satirically, as I am such a good friend, I need to look out for my pals here...

Would my friend, that would put classic Marvel and DC comics in the Louvre, 'The Jeff', from a sunny, Atlantic, American state, wish to use medical science to become the first non-fictional, hybrid...

Batman?
Spider-man?
The Scorpion?

Perhaps he could then have his own reality television series?

Does my friendly neighbour known as Walter Thomas Franklin/Bobby Buff, that could never reach his goal of 200 pounds (achieved easily as a non-goal by the Red Skull and The Kingpin), even when he ignored his friends for most of the 1990's to 'rock out' the gym, have the desire to bulk up becoming a hybrid with a muscular member of the animal kingdom?

He would have to be a hybrid with a shark or like though, because as a bodybuilder he has the right to remain virtually hairless...

In the future, would calling someone a dirty rat be potentially plain literal language?