Desi In Toronto

You knew this would happen one day or another :

A PRESIDENT of the United States would be able to launch pre-emptive nuclear strikes against enemies planning to use weapons of mass destruction under a revised “nuclear operations” doctrine to be signed in the next few weeks.

In a significant shift after half a century of nuclear deterrence based on the threat of massive retaliation, the revised doctrine would allow pre-emptive strikes against states or terror groups, and to destroy chemical and biological weapons stockpiles.

Presidential approval would still be required for any nuclear strike, but the updated document, the existence of which was confirmed by the Pentagon at the weekend, emphasizes the need for the US to adapt to a world of worsening proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in which deterrence might fail. In that event, it states, “the United States must be prepared to use nuclear weapons if necessary.

So the next time there is an inkling of disturbance in, say, Pakistan. BOOOOOMM!!! If India so much as test another nuclear device, BOOOOOMMM!!

This is utterly stupid. The whole point of having nuclear weapons is to DEFEND against other country’s WMD capabilities and not to ATTACK a perceived threat from another Saddam Hussein!! Looks like nothing’s been learned in the past 4 years. Nor from Hiroshima or Nagasaki. “Never Again” means nothing to this administration.

I have been musing for sometime about the status of US and have come to the conclusion:

US was the first country in modern era to reach that “peak” of a superior
nation. A nation which was revered and look upon for leadership.
Unfortunately, when you reach the peak, the only way is down.

>My daughter is in love with Dora. She will eat only if Dora’s on. If she is upset over something, Dora will calm her down. If I need to get some work done and need 30 minutes or so of leave-me-alone-got-to-work time, Dora usually comes to the rescue. I have tried other cartoon series and they do work but at the end of the episode it always DUUUUAAAAA (that’s Dora in Rhea’s language).

This power of Dora (and at times Blue’s Clues) is truly amazing. What is it about Dora that really fascinates the likes of Rhea? My colleagues and I exchange notes on what new things are kids have learned and, in variably, it’s related to Dora in some way. For example, Rhea now recites 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. How did she start, you ask? She started by first reciting the numbers in Spanish after listening to it on Dora!!! For the uninitiated Dora is a Spanish character. Therefore, the cartoon series is sprinkled with Spanish words which Rhea picks from time to time. The latest one is Olla (Hello).

One of the things that the producers have done differently in this cartoon series (and in Blues’ Clues) is that they try to initiate a lot of participation from the audience. When the characters come to a point where they need to make a decision or need a question answered, the audience is directed to reply. There is a short pause as the character “wait” for the audience to finish speaking. Initially, when I saw this mode I thought “who the hell will participate in this game?” And I saw my daughter doing exactly what the producers want from their audience. She is still not at the point where she will reply to each query Dora poses but she has started to recognise points where she will reply exactly what Dora wants.

This kind of participation is probably derived from the internet because you see the arrow being used to assist the audience in answering some questions. It also keeps the audience a little alert. Rhea went through a phase where she was fascinated by Hindi songs. She would insist I put them on and then stare at the screen for a long time. But with Dora she replies to a query, or does the jig that Dora and her sidekick Boots do at the end of each episode, or dances when the Map opens up. Of course there is no substitute to going outdoors or books but I feel less guilty with Dora around.

I was at the hot dog stand waiting for my lunch when the guy next to me gave the vendor some change and asked if that was enough money to buy a small fries dish. The guy was a smartly dressed young Latin American carrying a shoulder bag and a laptop bag. There was a sticker on his bag which said inred letter “IMMIGRATION” and I figured he had just come from the airport.

I asked the guy “Not enough Canadian currency on you?”

He replied “No money. Period.”

I just nodded. ‘Oh boy, a scammer’.

He continued “I just got out of jail.”

All sort of warning bells started ringing in my head and I thought, holy cow!! An honest scammer. I have been hit by such kind before and they arereally good at extracting money from their victim.

I just nodded, trying to indicate that this is the end of the conversation.

“I was in the immigration jail for 4 weeks because apparently my papers were not in order.”

“So why were you sent to jail.” I asked and looking at the vendor with a plea to hurry up.

“That’s what I want to know. My work permit was unacceptable to them so they put me in jail while investigating and an hour ago they let me go.”

“So everything is ok then” I asked, intrigued.

He explained “No. My permit was cancelled. The company that issued the permit refuses to help so now I am in this country until the all the investigation is completed in a week or so and then my status will be informed to me. In the meantime I am told to fend for myself in this country
without taking up a job, without a place to stay, without friends. All I had was $20 which the immigration guys took away from me and pretend it was never in my bag.”

I thought ‘Man this guy is good, he has got his story all pat.’

The vendor tells the guy he is 10 cents short for his fries but he will overlook it.

For some reason I said “That’s ok, I will fill the remaining amount and I will buy a hot dog for the him as well.” I thought, damn it, even if he is ascammer, let him eat. It’s just three dollars.

And he said “No thanks!! That’s very kind of you but I will get by. Thanks for the offer.“

He took his small fries and left.

Not a scammer!! This was a true story. Man, I felt so stupid.

So, what have we learned today :-

* The Canadian government jails a guy for 4 weeks for a questionable work permit.
* Clears him and lets him into the country but tells him he cannot legally work pending full investigation which could take up to a week.
* If it is found that he obtained work to feed himself, his application status will suffer.
* The company that brought him into the country runs away for cover without so much as a question from the authorities.

At the moment the guy walked away from a lunch with his head held high but I wonder how long he will be able to do that. There will come a point were he has to swallow his ego and ask for help. Will he be a beaten man by then? What has immigration to Canada come to? I am waiting for a “goodimmigration” story from someone.