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Think before you speak

A Saedigh.com disclaimer on organized religion:

I don't profess to follow any religion. I have some ideas about the mysteries of the universe, but I mostly keep them to myself. Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are all just days of the week to me. I also think that people need to smarten up to the fact that regardless of which religion they've chosen as their path, there will always be at least 5 billion other people on this planet who disagree with their views. And 5 billion people aren't always wrong.
And now, for today's entry.

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I am not much of a fan of the New Pope. I preferred Pope Classic, the one with less of a judgemental aftertaste.

Anyway, I am apparently not the only one who thinks Benedict is a little harsh with his words. The government of Pakistan also thinks that maybe he could choose his words more wisely, especially when deciding to quote a 14th century Byzantine Emperor's opinion of Islam. Agreed. However, the Pakistani Foreign Minister should also think about what image he's projecting when he lets his aids say things like this:

'"Anyone who describes Islam as a religion as intolerant encourages violence," Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Tasnim Aslam said.'

Translation: "We're not an intolerant people, but we won't tolerate being called intolerant. Any resulting violent consequences would be justified."

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Terms of Enragement?

Loyal reader and co-worker Marsha asks fellow citizens of the Saedighverse to answer the following age-old problem: how do you snappily suggest to someone to stop calling you sweetie? Now, we're not talking about sweetie as in the perfectly acceptable term of endearment shared between loved ones. We are talking about the sweetie used by trendy hipster types who forget they're in an office environment. "Sweetie, can you put more toner in the copier? Thanks." Nauseating.
Please submit suggestions by e-mail or comment. The author of the snappiest comeback will receive an autographed copy of a back issue of The Canadian Journal of Forest Research, if we can find one. We're still not sure who will autograph it though.

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You say "tomato", I say "tomato"

The U.N. has decided that the deaths of 70 000 black Africans, and the displacement of 1.8 million more, does not constitute genocide. No, it's just a civil war.
You see, if it's not genocide, then we, the "civilized" west, are under no moral obligation to prevent more people from being murdered. We can instead sit at a comfortable distance from the "Dark continent", and slowly shake our heads as we think there they go again.
Hey U.N., 1994 called: They want their pathetic excuse for western indifference back.

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Just a thought...

When going hiking in Gatineau Park, make sure you don't leave the map in the car. Although the conversation and company are wonderful, three hours is a long time to wander about looking at leaves.

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Mouth Breathers

I live in the "bad" part of Ottawa. It's not that it is particularly dangerous, it's just that the gene pools are extra shallow along the shores of the Rideau River. Today I got to bask in their murky non-depths as I rode the bus to work for the first time in two years.
I remember now why I bought a car — to spare me the gruelling 40 minute commute with the unwashed Vanier masses, where I am a captive audience for the high school students who talk about how they, like, totally get Avril, okay? When I was in high school, the only girl who wore black lipstick was me on Hallowe'en. Now every girl over the age of 10 runs around looking like she's been in a bar fight. (Actually, in this neighbourhood, odds are she likely has.) And just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, the bus driver called me "Ma'am".
The moral of this otherwise pointless little tale? Always remember to renew your car insurance on time, and not at 1 a.m. on a Saturday morning.

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Note to self

When the cute boy with piercing blue eyes standing behind you in the shawarma line strikes up a conversation, get his name. Things like that don't happen every day.

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