♥ the damage you've inflicted, temporary wounds ♥

Richard Bedford Bennett, (July 3, 1870 – June 26, 1947) etait le onzieme Premier Ministre de1930 jusque a October 23, 1935.

R. B. Bennett etait nee sur le 3, juin 1870 quand sa mere, Henrietta Stiles, visitait ses parents a Hopewell Hill, New Brunswick, Canada. Il vivait a la maison de son pere, Henry John Bennett, a Hopewell Cape, une village de 1,800 personnes.

Sa famille etait pauvre. La force puissant du famille etait sa mere. Son principle dans la vie etait: travailler plus fort que tu peux, gagner tout que tu peux, épargner tout que tu peux, et ensuite donne tout que tu peux.

Eduquer a l'ecole locale, Bennett etait un bon etudiant, mais n'avait pas beaucoup d'amis. En addition de son foi protestante, Bennett a grandi avec un amour durable de l'Empire britannique

A l'age de quinze ans, Bennett avait appris tous que l'ecole pourrait lui enseigner, et il a inscrit dans le Nouveau Département de Brunswick d'enseignant de l'Education dans Fredericton, recevant sa deuxieme certificat d'enseignant. Apres il a enseigner les niveaux elementaire chez un petit village appeler Irishtown, dans New Brunswick. Il a fait campagne vigoureusement dans l'intérêt Conservateur dans la 1887 élection fédérale, a 17 ans prendre la parole aux réunions publiques dans les secteurs ruraux, bien capable de contrôler les gens. Il a gagné la gratitude du candidat local, Dr. le R.C. Weldon, un cofondateur de l'Ecole de Loi de Dalhousie.

Dans 1888 Bennett a obtenu son certificat d'enseignement de première classe et a reçu un position comme un directeur de l'école de Douglastown. Seulement 18 ans, Bennett avait du succès. Il était 6 pied en grandeur et son comportement sérieux l'a rendu capable de contrôler ses élèves.

Un jour, pendant que Bennett traversait le Miramichi sur le ferry, un garçon à peu près neuf années plus jeune est venu et commencer une conversation. Ceci était le commencement d'une amitié improbable mais importante avec Max Aitken.

Bennett started at Dalhousie University in 1890, graduating in 1893 with a law degree. He worked his way through with a job as assistant in the library, being recommended by Dr. R. C. Weldon.

He was elected to the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories in the 1898 general election representing the riding of West Calgary, he would be re-elected to a second term in office in 1902 Independent from the parties in the Northwest Territories legislature.

In 1905, when Alberta was carved out of the territories and made a province, Bennett became the first leader of the Alberta Conservative Party and, in 1909, won a seat in the provincial legislature before switching to federal politics.

Elected to the Canadian House of Commons in 1911, Bennett returned to the provincial scene to again lead the Alberta Tories in the 1913 provincial election but kept his seat in Ottawa when his Tories failed to take power in the province. He was appointed Minister of Justice in 1921 shortly before the federal Tory government of Arthur Meighen was defeated. Bennett returned to government as Minister of Finance in 1926 and became Conservative leader in 1927 at the first Conservative leadership convention.

By defeating William Lyon Mackenzie King in the 1930 federal election, Bennett became the first Prime Minister of Canada to have been elected from a Calgary riding, a distinction he held until Stephen Harper's 2006 election. But he also had the misfortune of taking office during the worst depression of the century for the country and the rest of the world. Bennett tried to combat the depression by increasing trade within the British Empire and imposing tariffs for imports from outside the Empire, promising that his measures would blast Canadian exports into world markets. His success was limited however, and his own wealth and impersonal style alienated many struggling Canadians.

A nickname that would stick with Bennett for the remainder of his political career, "Iron Heel Bennett," came from a 1932 speech he gave in Toronto that ironically, if unintentionally, alluded to Jack London's socialist novel:

Reacting to fears of Communist subversion, Bennett invoked the controversial Section 98 of the Criminal Code of Canada. Enacted in the aftermath of the Winnipeg General Strike, Section 98 dispensed with the presumption of innocence in outlawing potential threats to the state, specifically, anyone belonging to an organisation that officially advocated the violent overthrow of the government

Following the lead of President Roosevelt's New Deal in the United States, Bennett eventually followed suit as even mainstream economic thinking was changing in order to better cope with the global depression. The Bennett government introduced a Canadian version of the "New Deal," involving unprecedented public spending and federal intervention in the economy. Progressive income taxation, a minimum wage, a maximum number of working hours per week, unemployment insurance, health insurance, an expanded pension programme, and grants to farmers were all included in the plan

Although there was no unity among the motley political groups that constituted Bennett's opposition, a consensus emerged that his handling of the economic crisis was insufficient and inappropriate, even from Conservative quarters, Bennett personally became a symbol of the political failings underscoring the depression.

The beneficiary of the overwhelming opposition during Bennett's tenure was the Liberal Party. The Tories were decimated in the October 1935 general election, winning only 40 seats to 173 for Mackenzie King's Liberals.

While Bennett was, and is still, often criticized for lack of compassion for the impoverished masses, he stayed up through many nights reading and responding to personal letters from ordinary citizens asking for his help and often dipped into his personal fortune to send a five dollar bill to a starving family. The total amount he gave personally is uncertain, though it is believed to be about $1 million.

Richard Bennett retired to Britain in 1938, and, on 12 June 1941, became the first and only former Canadian Prime Minister elevated to the British House of Lords as Viscount Bennett of Mickleham in the County of Surrey and of Calgary and Hopewell in the Dominion of Canada.[4]

He died after suffering a heart attack while taking a bath on 26 June 1947 at Mickleham, and is buried there in St. Michael's Churchyard. He is the only former Prime Minister not buried in Canada. Unmarried, Bennett is survived by nephew William Herridge.

I will never forget the day that I saw Josh Ramsay for the first time.  We were in line for their Mavericks show in Ottawa, September 26th '07.  There were about 9 of us in line at that point, since we'd gotten there early in the hopes of getting a good spot.  All of a sudden my friend Anne started pinching another one of my friend's arms saying, "Hey.  Hey.  Hey," over and over [for those who read my I am Ghost journal entry, hah.]  Then we saw him.  Josh walking down the street, in a sort of zig-zag.  His hair was a brilliant blue and he was wearing a leather jacket, a cig between his fingers.  We were sort of stunned and didn't say a word as he passed by us and gave a little wave.  Shortly after the rest of the band just walked by.  It was crazy because it was the first concert I'd been to where the band just walks down the street casually and people don't go insane.  I don't understand how the citizens of Ottawa don't recognise these people when they walk down the street: if I was walking around and saw Josh I would definetly have an aneurism. 

The show was great, and it was funny because we were so close to the stage and they just came out and set up: they had no roadies or anything which was funny.  For once the opening bands were really great, compared to other concerts where waiting for the band you've come to see is hell.  Finally Marianas Trench came on, and played a great show.  I was so sorry it was over but I was exhilerated.  Out of all the songs Virtigo was one of the best live, I think.  Josh kind of surprised me though.  I had always imagined him to be really fun live and random.  Once someone's seen the Shake Tramp video, it's hard to imagine a solemn and serious Josh.  We found out later though, that he was sick during that show.  Our goal is to go to a show whenever he's his usual self next time they tour around here again.

After the show we got to meet the whole band, and I got to hug them all except Ian, because this girl and her dad were talking to him for a really long time.  We took a picture with Josh but we didn't have a camera and we had asked if some girl could send them to us.  She hasn't yet and I think she only did it to shut us up, unfortunately.  I want to see it so badly, yet another reason to go and see one of their shows again though.  After it was over, we went to meet our ride down the street and sort-of stalked Josh, who had gone out at the same time as us to go to the corner store.  It was unintentional of course, cause we were going that way anyways.  On his way in he tripped on a step and when he was inside looked around and saw us all outside and I think we may have creeped him out a little.  [My expression for that moment was that "We saw one of his less graceful moments," hah.]  I was so sad whenever it was over, but sooo happy because we'd finally gotten to see them live.  It weas fun because it was the next week that they were on MOD and I got to watch it and say "I touched the jacket he's wearing on MOD."  I really REALLY hope we get to see them again, very VERY soon.  :] 'Kay I'm finished now.

While many good things are happening in the world [music, and general] many things aren't so great.  [I'm concentrating on the music part now.]  Why is it that every time something good happens it seems that three bad things happen so that all you can concentrate on are the bad parts?  For example:  New hedley video comes out [She's so Sorry].  Jacob looks stunning, the song is great and all in all the video is amazing.  It makes me want to see them live again so damn bad.  It's been way to long.  Trying to find a way to the december 8th show, not sure how we're going to manage that.  But anyways, like I was saying.  Then comes the bad part.  I ask you:  How the hell did Brittany Spears replace them for first on the Much Daily Ten?  I mean maybe all those pre-teen fans of hers stuck with her even after the hair shaving incident but there is no way anyone could consider either the song or the video good.  It's a lame excuse for her to pole-dance in front of millions of people in an attempt to make up for her patheticness.  As if her dancing is good enough to help sort out the mess that is her life [yeah sorry for anyone who gets insulted by this but honestly, it's depressing].  And another thing:  How the hell did Shawn Kingston [Or however you spell it] get a record deal?  Am I the only one that is irritated to no end by this guy?  Not to mention that he resembles a thirteen year old.  Maybe I'm wrong or being too judgmental right now, maybe I'll see the light once I calm down a bit.  But I doubt it.  If it weren't for the fact that there IS still some potential left in the world I think I'd stop listening to music all together.  It would probably be better for my health, or at least my sanity.  But music is still my life, so I guess I'll just have to vent all my energy and irritation out here, where you guys can examine what's going through my head, or just ignore my thoughts and my agony.  Either way is fine with me.

Just something I wrote one day.  Figured I'd post it and see what people thought?  Hah.

The door shuts with a resonant tone
A tone signaling an ending, a finality
That for some imperceivable reason can not be achieved
Simply by word of mouth or by action.

Bringing upon a certain form of acceptance,
Knowing that it was inevitable in reality
Yet wishing that the slightest sign had been perceived
A warning to tide off the shock, give a chance for redemption.

Fists tightened under pressure in restraint,
Trying to hold back the flight of emotions
Fighting to overwhelm at any given moment
But resolved to keep them at bay with dignity at stake.

So many moments that are now a blur
Promises made and words said that now mean little
Trying to forget and turn away from all you thought was true
Forming new goals, replacing those that were hopelessly shattered.

Trying to make up for the time spent on useless wishes, thoughtless faith.
While unintentionally from somewhere within-
You are fighting to retain something, anything of that time;
Unwilling to remember but all the while refusing to let go.

 

This saturday night was very special. You see, we had a plan. It was the night of the I am Ghost concert, and it was also the night of my friend's [Alyssa's] dad's wedding reception. She was being a bridesmaid, and we wanted to see her all dressed up really badly. But the concert started at eight, and it was in Ottawa, which is an hour away. If we watched the whole concert we would have only gotten home around one, which is when the reception ended. That's why I'm posting this. To go with our approximately 100 pictures from that night, I figured I should post a play-by-play of the night. That way any points we forgot to commit to film wouldn't be overlooked. 

We left at three, and got there at about 4/5 ish. It took us a while to find a parking lot, since the first one had no where to pay, and there was a sign saying you couldn't park without paying. Then we looked for somewhere to eat and stopped at a 2 for 1 Pizza across the street from Babylon [the night's venue]. We didn't stay long though, because the place only had benches around it and looked pretty run down. We left and spotted a small coffee shop which we were heading towards when Anne started saying, "Hey. Hey. Hey," over and over again. We weren't really sure what she meant until she pointed to a guy walking by us.

It was Steve, from I am Ghost [for those who didn't know]. My reaction was to flip out and say, "Oh my God it's Steve!" in a loud and high pitched voice. Chances are he heard our little freak out, because when he reached the light he turned around to look at us. We were discussing whether or not to ask him for pictures then [because they were the first opening band and we were leaving after they played so we could make it to the reception] but then decided that since he was out, he would eventually have to go back, right? We went into the coffee shop after he was out of sight and found out that it was one of those cafe's where everyone brings their laptop and works. It was creepy and the menu had really small writing. So we went back to the pizza place and all ate while looking out the window, for when Steve would come back.  We had fun watching people who were going to the show that night look for Babylon, which doesn't have any sign indicating where it is.  We ended up watching some people walk by more than once and recognised them.

Around 6ish we went back outside into the cold and waited in line. We saw Steve walk by again twice, and I was sure he's have to pass us to get in eventually. You see, I was convinced that since it was Babylon [and therefore VERY small], there could only be one door. But I was wrong... [we have proof of that comitted to film]. One guy came all the way from Toronto to see them and I felt bad cause he didn't know that the show was sold out.. We waited in line for two hours. We were the first in line and got to watch as it eventually grew. At one point some Asian guy came out with a sweater on and I was all like, "Oh my God, it's Tim!". But it wasn't Tim. It was another guy who was like their roadie or something, and I felt bad for calling the wrong guy Tim for like a half an hour.  The thing is when we got in, he was walking around with Gabe and since I didn't know him as well as the others I assumed he was in the band.

When we were finally let in at eight we got to the stage, and actually sat on it. That's how close it was. Then the band played, which was completely amazing. Everyone that was right near the stage were their fans and for the most part the only ones freaking out at the point.  Steve was completely insane, flipping arround and shooting his mic in the air.  At one point he actually kicked Marissa by accident.  Seeing I am Ghost live made me obsess over them even more than I did before. As they were putting things away and going off the stage we just stood there and watched at first, and Ron went by twice, his pic in his mouth as he took apart the stage. I decided to ask him for it and was really amused when he pulled it casually out of his mouth and handed it to me saying, "Sure you can." I love how aproachable this band is. They seem so unaffected by everything, and he didn't seem at all weirded-out by my enthousiasm. They're so easy to talk to compared to other bands I've met where I can't say a word: I just stand there like an idiot and mutter a thanks when they're finished signing or whatever. Like honestly, you obsess over these people 24/7 and you'd think that when you meet them you would want to tell them everything that's on your mind. Unfortunately it usually doesn't work out that way.

When the show was over we headed to the merch table and after buying stuff we met Ryan, who was taking apart his drums.  We got him to sign stuff and take pictures with us and such [we felt bad cause we kept coming back but he was so nice about it]. We figured he would be like the nicest one there, because really how could it have gotten much better than at that point? But then we met Gabe and Steve and Ron and we found out how mistaken we were. The whole band is so nice, you can't help but love them. Unfortunately, Tim was walking around putting things away [according to what Steve said] and we were in a hurry cause we had our wedding-reception-attending plans to fulfill, so we didn't get to meet him.

On the way to the car Marissa's dad said he had to go to the washroom before going back to the car so we went into a Quicko's two doors down from Babylon. Now the next part may make us sound like stalkers but I swear it was completely unintentional. Basically when we were walking in we noticed that Ron was standing in the corner with his cell phone. We were really amused by the fact that every time we see one of our idols in Ottawa in a coffee shop [or a Quicko's] or even walking around, no one pays any attention to the fact that they exist [like when Josh walked down the street before Marianas Trench]. So we tried to look at him as little as possible so he didn't get creeped out by us but he must have recognised the fact that we were at the show and he came over and just started talking to us. I will never forget his opening line. It was great. He just came up to us in his jacket and said, "Why is Canada so cold?" Hah. I was the only one who really talked: Anne and Marissa kind of just looked at him, and I told him about our plans for the night and chatted about their technical difficulties with him [his bass stopped working during the show and Steve broke his mic]. He was all like, "Yeah, I tell him to stop swinging his mic around but he won't listen to me," He was so nice and didn't seem to mind that I wouldn't shut up. He asked about who's wedding we were going to after and we just kept talking until Marissa's dad came back and we had to go.

Next thing we knew we were back in Cornwall and changing in a Tim Hortons a street away from where the reception was, because we didn't have time to stop at home first. We spent about an hour and a half there, taking pictures and watching as Alyssa's family danced drunkenly around. Her dad and his new wife [Rachel] were so cute together :]. So basically our plan worked out great and the night was perfect. We saw I am Ghost, met the whole band [minus Tim], had a conversation with the bassist, and got to the wedding in plently of time. We even got to wish Kelsey a happy birthday like 5 minutes after 12, which was funny.  I only wish that it wouldn't have had to end. :[. Heh. Wow. That was long. I feel REALLY bad for anyone who read all of that. It seems like it would be a waste of time. Not to me though, cause I was there and it is totally burned into my head forever. Kay, I'll shut up now, sorry. Hope you liked my play-by-play of the night though.  I can't wait till they tour here again next year :].