Songs that say, Don't cheat, Don't Leave

I've got two country stations on my radio presets. I knew this song was big when I heard it twice in 5 minutes while scanning the channels. Taylor Swift's, "Should've Said No" is a grand kiss off to her cheating boyfriend. It's totally simplistic, no torn emotions just plain punchy. Simple message to men, be faithful or you're toast. Give it a listen:



It kind of reminds me about the song Cheaper to Keep Her by Aaron Lines that made the circuit a few months ago. Similar message to men, DON'T Leave because you’ll just screw up your life! I enjoy both these songs because they’re just so refreshingly direct. I think they’re just plain fun, as long as you’re not in the situation. If you are, they’e gotta sting and you have my sympathy. But I think these two songs are popular because they contain warnings that deep down we men know we need to hear. (I think they’re popular with women because they can laugh at men.)



Stay Strong by the Newsboys is different. First, it’s not country, I’ve heard it a few times on my drive home on the local Christian music station. More important it’s hopeful it’s talking to us BEFORE we make a bad decision. It’s definitely my favourite of these three songs:



I like all three of these songs especially the last one. They may be direct, maybe even preachy, but they're definitely catchy. It’s refreshing to have some explicitly encouraging music especially when popular culture seems to diminish committed relationships.

Let the Americans Keep Him

Omar Khadr is from the family of Osama bin Laden's biggest Canadian sympathisers. He travelled to Afghanistan to support their cause, and the Americans believe he killed one of their soldiers, Christopher Speer. Now that a video of his interrogation has been released, his lawyers want Canadians to pressure our government to bring him back to Canada and rescue him from the consequences of his actions.

I vote no. Much has been made of clips where Khadr breaksdown and crys for his mom, but more should be made of his many admissions. Such as this exchange reported by the Globe and Mail,

"How did that American end up getting so dead then? … You were there. You participated in this action," a Canadian interrogator said.

"What could I do?" Mr. Khadr replied. "What other choice did I have?"

CSIS agents believe he delivered well rehearsed testimony. Khadr's lawyers have been trying to manipulate the Canadian government ever since his arrest, when the interrogation started he said to the Canadians, "Finally, I've been requesting the Canadian government for a long time."

I don't blame Khadr for breaking down in tears when he realized that the Canadians were trying to find out the truth rather than bring him a get out of jail free card. But those tears do not make him innocent, if he killed an American service man and trained with terrorists he should face the consequences.

A Shameful Decision, An Excellent Response

When I first heard that Henry Morgentaler would be awarded the Order of Canada, I was disgusted. I also didn't much care. It was just another slight against pro-lifers and another undeserved award for a wiked man. I spent a lot of energy huffing and puffing when he was awarded an honourary degree from the University of Western Ontario, and I stopped supporting the school because of it. I was so tired of hearing about him I just rolled my eyes, and thought here we go again.

But, the response has encouraged me. I was particularly encouraged by Acrh Bishop Thomas Collins' statement. Before describing the many services the Church offers to women who have had an abortion and those who may be considering an abortion, he said:

Canada's highest honour has been debased. HenryMorgentaler has been awarded the Order of Canada. We are all diminished.

A community's worth is measured by the way it treats the most vulnerable,and no one is more vulnerable than in the first nine months of life's journey. No person may presume to judge the soul of Henry Morgentaler, but it cannot bedenied that the effect of his life's work has been a deadly assault upon the most helpless amongst us.

Canada glories in the names of Banting and Best, and the other medical heroes who selflessly brought healing where there was disease and suffering. Now it honours with the Order of Canada a medical man who has brought not healing, but the destruction of the defenseless and immeasurable grief.

This award must not stand.

Quite frankly this is much more eloquent than I could be. Clear and bold, yet gentle, responses from the Church have informed a debate that has engaged the country. I am very proud of the leadership that the church has shown.

I was also pleased with Stephen Harper's comments:

"My preference, to be frank, would be to see the Order of Canada be something that really unifies, that brings Canadians together. I have to say this clearly: This is not a decision of the government of Canada. The Order of Canada, these decisions, are made independently of the government."

Stephen Harper couldn't be more right. Honours such as this should be reserved for people that have made a truly positive contribuition to our society. Small wonder at least 3 awards have been returned by individuals who think the honour has become worthless. (Awards presented to Catherine de Hueck Doherty, E.M. Culliton, and Father Lucien Larre have all been returned.) What a shame that true servants of Canada have seen their honour diminished in this way.

Thousands of Canadians have also signed an online petition or joined Facebook groups opposing the nomination. Please do the same, for the sake of our country this award must not stand.