I found an interesting website which listed some worldwide spring festivals and events which happen annually, usually without fail. As a Montreal Canadiens fan living in enemy territory his entire life I can’t help but think that the list is incomplete. That’s me, the smart one in the middle. How can you tell I am the smart one? Well, just look at what I am wearing… Yes Leaf fans, I am talking about the annual event where you all start with that sense of renewed hope only to have those hopes predictably dashed – the Stanley Cup playoffs. I often wonder aloud sometimes why Leaf fans put themsel ..read more

When did we become so divided? Every politician seems to be falling over each other to engage in support for one group or another. Colour me skeptical but I find myself saying “follow the money” when trying to sort out the reason why our group identity has taken precedence over our individual identity. Martin Luther King Jr. famously said that “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.” (MLK “I have a dream” speech text) Today, I think we are moving further away from ..read more

Readers may find it curious (or maybe some even a tad hypocritical) that I am following up a post in which I essentially said that society needs to grow a thicker collective skin as it relates to offensive language, with an entry that seems to say the opposite. However, I am going to make the case that some words are used to emotionally wreck a person or – in the case of what I am going to explore – an entire group of people. Anyone who knows me is keenly aware that I love a good debate. That being said, I tend to stay on the sidelines and observe/listen when I believe I may be in over my head ..read more

I have been gone from this space for some time. This has been a self-imposed exile while I ponder everything related to who I am and what principles I deem important enough to express and defend. The reason I am back is that I believe just saying something is not enough – one must stand behind that belief in a real and measurable way. In layman’s terms – put up or shut up. A brief history of what led me to pause my writing each time in this space is encapsulated in chronological order below. Some of the dates may not be exact but the events are accurate: Pause #1 (2015) – I was made aware thr ..read more

“Somewhere the hurting must stop.” Terry Fox Remember the days when as elementary and/or high school students we were made (forced?) to stand in front of our peers and speak about a topic we may have been passionate about? That was something I wish would return in this world of (un)social media. Sweaty palms, dry throat and the hope that you did not mix up your cue cards (for the younger readers, we actually wrote out our speeches long-hand on small lined cards that would fit in our hands. No I-pads!). I have to say, I was a pretty decent public speaker (I actually was the class winner one ye ..read more

will the truth really set you free? Let’s start this edition of One Dad With a Blog by playing a little game that seems to be popular with the younger generation these days – two truths and a lie. See if you can spot the lie. Men are the victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) at a rate that is significant when compared to women The gender pay gap is statistically insignificant Race appears to play no significant role in officer-involved shootings in the USA Well, which one of the statements is the lie? This is my gotcha’ red pill moment. All three of the statements above are true! (cue ..read more

are we losing the ability to disagree? tribal social warfare and how it is poisoning and polarizing our society “I may not agree with what you say, but I will defend with my life, your right to say it.” Voltaire (1759) Why has the world become so polarized? What has changed in my lifetime to make our society more… divided? When I say divided, I mean divided by a tribal mentality – meaning if you are not in my “tribe” you are not my friend – in fact you are my enemy. Even more troubling is that if you do not hold a position on an issue at all you are cast in a negative light as well by those w ..read more