How to Tell What’s True and What’s Not…

In a News Bubble

Let’s face facts, we’re all biased. Whether we realize it, nor not, that amounts to prejudice (pre-judging). We might think that our positions on religious and political issues are even-handed, but they’ve been ‘influenced’ by the media sites we frequent. How do I know? When I see something that goes against my belief system, I block the sender, even here on WordPress. That makes me human, too.

If there weren’t two sides to every story, there wouldn’t be any stories to judge. It’s a binary world, after all. During the recent ‘attempts’ on the life of an unnamed presidential candidate in the States, Republicans were quick to point the blame on Democrats. And yet, both potential assassins were Republican supporters who turned against their leader. Then, in another instance, the right-leaning media suggested that Democrats were buying weapons like never before, instilling fear that Republicans might soon be out-gunned. Fear is a great motivator against anything “Other”.

Even here in Canada, we are subjected to spurious news stories that slant the truth towards the Right. At the moment, everybody and his/her uncle want the Conservatives to force an election, as soon as possible, so that Pierre Poilievre can take over as Prime Minister. After nine years, the fact that the status quo is getting a little stale may be the motivation, or it’s just a way to take back control over Canada’s spending on social initiatives. Do you really think the Conservatives are thinking about Canadians in general? No, they’re not. If/when they get back into power, they’ll “Axe the Tax”.

I wish I had an answer for this split political system, but the chances of everyone working together for the betterment of the country (and its citizens) are zero. It feels similar to any sporting event: one side wins and the other side loses.

In my case, I get a hundred and one prompts to watch YouTube videos detailing how the Roman Catholic Church has lied to us for 2,000 years about the ‘truth’ of Jesus’ life and death. What that shows me is that there is a constant drip, drip, drip against ingrained belief systems. As I am a Gnostic Christian, I have already taken these ‘facts’ into my consciousness. Does it make any difference? No. What we believe, or want to believe, is what sets up our expectations, even when it comes to our transition from this life into the next.

Enough said?

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What Our Property Looks Like From Above

This photo was taken in April 2023. Since then, we have a new roof and a gazebo on the back deck.

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When a British Show Tried to Branch Out to Canada

Heartbeat: Changing Places (1998)

When Nick Berry decided to leave Heartbeat after 6 seasons, the producers gave him a storyline that allowed him (with his TV family) to move to Canada for Constable Rowan to start over as a Mountie.

As a longtime fan of the show, I recognized the writing as being still British, even though they were trying to write for a different country. There were stereotypical individuals throughout: a pensioner who was aiding and abetting poachers; a public house owner who claimed to know how to handle troublemakers; a Sergeant who was resistant to Rowan’s softly, softly approach to policing; and lots of local folk who make up the rest of the population.

Although they don’t exactly say so, the filming location looks to be Lake Louise. (It’s Cochrane, AB.)

The cabin, shown here in a photo I took in the same decade, may have been the inspiration for the “R.C.M. Police” station in the film. (In Canada, RCMP would have been enough.)

Maybe I’m being a little harsh here, but I can well understand why they didn’t make a separate series of it. Besides, the production costs alone would have been prohibitive.

Anyway, because I was living in the UK at the time, it was fun to see some Alberta scenery on the TV.

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It’s a Niggle I’ve had Since Childhood

The Usage of “Normalcy” Instead of “Normality”

We thought that the word ‘normalcy’ was uniquely American. I heard an Australian use the term today.

Here’s a discussion from english.stackexchange.com

An interesting comment from 1929 is given in the Oxford English Dictionary:

If..‘normalcy’ is ever to become an accepted word it will presumably be because the late President Harding did not know any better.

OED gives the author as G. N. Clark, writing for the Society for Pure English.

“Normality” means the state of being normal.

“Normalcy” was used by Warren G. Harding in his 1920 election campaign called “Return to Normalcy.” When pointed out that the word was a mistake, Harding said he couldn’t find the word “normality” in his dictionary. Before his gaff, “normalcy” was used as a mathematics term. In the 90 years since Harding misspoke, the term “normalcy” has become widespread (in the USA, at least) either as an example of a mistake or as a valid synonym for “normality.”

I suggest not using “normalcy” unless you know what you are doing, because it is still seen by many as a sign of ill-education.

normalcy
1857, “mathematical condition of being at right angles,” from normal + -cy. Associated since c. 1920 with U.S. president Warren G. Harding and derided as an example of his incompetent speaking style. Previously used mostly in the mathematical sense. The word preferred by purists for “a normal situation” is normality (1849).

(Source: Etymology Online)

Harding’s usage:

America’s present need is not heroics, but healing; not nostrums, but normalcy; not revolution, but restoration; not agitation, but adjustment; not surgery, but serenity; not the dramatic, but the dispassionate; not experiment, but equipoise; not submergence in internationality, but sustainment in triumphant nationality.

And I agree. My mother learned me real good.

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The Unvarnished “Truth” from the Early 1960’s

Unfrosted (2024)

I guess the age of nostalgia is officially 60 years old. This film is a running gag, equating the creation of Pop Tarts to the race for the Moon.

Because it’s essentially a farce, don’t be surprised when ‘facts’ turn into ‘fiction’ for the sake of a laugh or two. It reminds me of “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World”. Perhaps they should have called it “It’s an Ad, Ad, Ad, Ad World”. And, yes, these actors are today’s foremost comics and comediennes.

Watch at your own risk. It might just hit your ‘funny bone’.

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It’s a Sign of the Times

Maple Leaves Turning Colour.

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Not Many People Seem to Know This:

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1964)

Ian Fleming wrote a children’s book. It was almost instantly (1968) turned into a film, based no doubt on the success of the James Bond movies being released around this same time. Caractacus Potts (crack pot) was played by Dick Van Dyke, following his success as Bert, the chimney sweep in Mary Poppins.

Fleming died before the book was published.

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It May Be Only a “Peanuts” Cartoon, but It Fits

Want proof?

Deja on my head.

Buddy on my lap.

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When We Erected a New Bird Feeder, These Flocked to it

But I couldn’t be sure what species it was, until I saw this:

It’s a Grackle.

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When American Game Shows Cross the Pond to ITV

Wheel of Fortune

Jeopardy!

These two US shows have been running on American TV primetime stations for about 40 years, each. They are institutions. So, I was somewhat bemused by the fact that CHCH TV (Hamilton) ran the premiere episodes of these two shows from the UK. Being used to the American shows, I found the pace a bit pedantic, but that is because the shows have been stretched to 60 minutes from their usual 30 minute productions. Graham Norton is very lively and slightly smutty (noting that they were on during ‘teatime’, so the language and innuendo was toned down). Stephen Fry was very erudite, as he is so well-read, but the contestants were subdued. And, as you’d expect, the clues were focused on Britain.

.

Also, the winnings seemed smaller in Pound Sterling, after watching the American shows for years.

Even Susan was bored, so we won’t be watching any subsequent episodes.

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