but it is funny that you mentioned foreign cars and asian cuisine, because if you look around, that’s exactly what’s already happening (london england for instance is packed with curry houses).

signed

Stuck on the Toilet

PS – I love Fonzie

I knew you`d be good to go on this.

I didn`t know this law was passed only in the 80s, thanks for that. Seems a little silly that even in the 1980s such a law would pass, but guess a lot of Italians made it off the bocce courts and into the voting booths. ha!

The comparison with slavery was (at least I thought) a slightly hyperbolic comparison, simply to illustrate that from small ideas to larger paradigms(slavery), there is no such notion that should ever exist within a vacuum. We should continue testing theories and laws, and when they prove no longer relevant, its time to change, plain and simple. But unfortunately the world is far from this type of common sense and I really don`t believe its right for a rule of law to hold its tenure purely on the basis of its existence.

You said that this law within the Constitution/BNA Act `simply protects the rights of these minorities to continue their traditions`. Now to return to extremes for a moment (indulge me please) this is , at its basic levels, essentially how slavery has lasted as long as it has. Even today there are reported numbers that vary anywhere from 27-200 million people are enslaved in some fashion or another worldwide today. Because somewhere someone is protecting their `right`to enslave people, or perhaps its just because ‘that`s just how its always been`. I am obviously not comparing these two subjects on equal footing but the basic logic of letting the status quo prevail is very visible. Simply because the majority believes something to be correct, doesn`t necessary make it so. (see: Bush 2004, derivatives trading, and Dane Cook`s fame).

I also never said Catholics should not continue their traditions, I think they should be more than welcomed to do so, but it should be at their own expense, or at the least, the church`s. The public was only happy with the status quo in the last election because the two choices came between John Tory`s idiotic proposal of funding for all religious schools and the way things are today. That`s a no brainer, and yes, I`m also sure Tory heard us loud and clear. But this returns me to the point of sheer numbers of belief does not magically make an idea sound.

I do agree with you, only to a point, regarding multiculturalism in Canada. We do give too many freedoms and essentially rollover to any organized group that can successfully gather for a parade or Facebook group. But in that same breath, I do think you are part of the problem. You are fighting for Catholics to have their carved out section of Canada preserved just as the Muslims are -in regards to Sharia Law – trying to carve one for themselves. The only difference is that Catholics claim righteousness over other religions because some politician needed the Catholic Vote 20+ years ago (no need to clarify who this politician was), and now it is law.

All I am saying, is that all Canadian children should be educated like Canadian children, not separated based on religion. But if Catholics feel their schools are truly that important, they should pay for it themselves (though I`m sure most don`t even go to church) All the power to them. And your apparent disdain for same sex marriage is more of an equal rights issue than it is tolerance, but I`m sure that`s not taught in a catholic school.

The situation you pose about Italy was absurd at best, even for you, (hehe) mainly because a growing population is not the majority, and Catholics make up much less than the majority of Ontarians.

But I will change your question and answer it anyways. If the MAJORITY of the population of Italy was speaking Arabic (which would mean many businesses, schools, etc. would already be operating in Arabic) then yes, it would make sense to begin to change their laws to reflect their citizens if necessary. Remember, Latin was once the language of Rome. Its only a matter of time (not in our lifetime thankfully) until Italian is another dead language, just ask the Chinese Pizza Parlors in Milan.

People in general always seem to ascribe such importance to what they are accustomed to simply because it exists, and then give it further importance because it continues to exist. Your final sentence is a perfect example of that. There is a reason for the existence of everything, in this case Catholic voters, however, existence alone does not make it correct.

Perhaps one day, a politician will be looking for the non-Catholic vote and things will change. Until then, well, it just exists.

these discussions surely taste better over a Heineken in a Dutch alleyway.

Amen.

First off, let me say to all that i teach in a Catholic high school. That being said, i agree to some extent with Mike; it doesnt seem fair that one religion gets full taxpayer support while the others do not. However, this is the system that exists. FYI Mike and those of you who may not know, catholic schools only became fully funded in the late 1980s mainly because the Premier at the time wanted “the catholic vote” (or so i hear). Before that time, citizens directed a portion of their tax dollars by marking each year on their property taxes whether they wanted their money going to the public or seperate board. That money then was distributed accordingly. As Im sure Mike could attest, the schools that existed in Hamilton for catholics were not top notch. It wasnt until after the catholic board started getting equal funding do we now see beautiful new schools (the ones that are “stealing” public kids away)

Anyway, the issue as to whether there should still be two systems reared its ugly head this past provincial election. I think our friend John Tory would now agree that most Ontarians prefer the status quo. But Mike you also bring up the BNA Act (which by the way was our constitution until it was “fixed” with the Constitution Act of 82) In that document, minority religious rights were guaranteed along with minority language rights. The country was born of two languages AND two religions. The document simply protects the rights of these minorities to continue their traditions ( and a major tradition of the catholic church was education)

To compare the argument for catholic schools with slavery is beneath even you mike. Yes, society has evolved, but no that does not mean everything does. In a land of tolerance, it does not mean you give up everything. Canadian society has gone from being accepting to being downright bentover. We dont have a distinct culture because we have promoted multiculturalism. We allow everything from racalmutese parades to same sex marriage…heck we might even allow sharia law soon.

the point im trying to make is that some things dont have to “change with the times.” Would you no protest if Italy changed its official language to Arabic simply because immigrants are now making up a growing percentage of the population? Well acording to your argument, then italy should change with the times.” Sometimes, the way it was, and the way it is may not make sense to some…but there is a reason for its existence.

Ciao….salah al lekum…..bye!