(no subject)

[newschick]

One of the downfalls of my job (downfall, defense mechanism, whatever)is that I've become just about completely detached from any real emotion other than cynicism when I'm at work - almost nothing affects me anymore - September 11, barely a blip on the radar. Any of the horrible things people do to one another in the world, means nothing. It's all just words. But for some reason, this story really got to me this morning. I find it hard to explain, but it brought tears to my eyes.


HUBBARDS, Nova Scotia -- Three brilliant diamonds gleam on the hand of young Miranda Boutilier.

Cast in a shiny gold band, they were meant to be placed on the bright-eyed girl's finger by her fiance, Private Richard Green, when he returned from duty in Afghanistan.

But now, she sits making plans for the fallen soldier's funeral.

Boutilier says she'll never take off the ring, which her fiancee bought while overseas and never had a chance to give her.

She received the ring last night from one of Green's closest friends in the military.

Private Simon Hughes retrieved the ring from Green's barrack box and tucked it in his pack before escorting his friend's body home for burial.

Green was one of four Canadian soldiers killed by a stray American bomb last week.

He'll be buried near his hometown of Hubbards, Nova Scotia following a full military funeral on Thursday.
(BN, CP)

Comments

[clairefallen.livejournal.com]

I clicked on the link to your journal by accident, while commenting to scruffy, and was interested.

Sad, yes.

What kills me is Green was one of the four Canadian soliders killed by a stray American bomb last week.

As I'm sure you know, there was nothing stray about it.

* spits *

We must crucify the ego, before its far too late. Before we pine away.

Re:

[newschick.livejournal.com]

It wasn't stray, but he didn't mean to kill his comrades - from what I've read, he just thought he was being fired on. He just didn't have permission to bomb them.
What kils me is that during this whole war on terror, the Americans have killed more allied soldiers (including their own troops) than the Taliban has! Get your shit together guys!

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[clairefallen.livejournal.com]

Oh, for sure he didn't mean to kill them. But that gives the no reason to down play the affects. That sentence would better suit me if there was no adjective to describe the bomb.

And yes. Americans are shiesty bastards on some collsion course with themselves.

I'm taking a Famous Court Trials course in University, and we spent about a month and a half on the Bush v. Gore phenomena. Excuse me I am feeding you information you already know, but I thought it was slightly pertaining - on a different level.

Most of the incidents with the 'Hanging' or 'Pregnant' 'Chads' took place in minority districts across Florida. When you vote in the States, you push several buttons, pull a leaver - which in turn, punches out your vote. Minority majority districts were supplied with old machinery, which malfunctioned - did not punch the Chad all of the way through. Gerrymandering? I think so.

* adds to her lingering spit pile *

I'm Claire, by the by. * offers a disarming smile *

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[newschick.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that whole thing was so messed up! I was a little confused when that was all going on simply cause I've never known that much about the American electoral system. Course, I've never known too much about any electoral system, and three years ago, would never have believed how much I know (or at least think I know) about politics and all sorts of screwy things now.

And nice to meet you, I'm Robyn (in case you hadn't figured that out yet) :) Always nice to talk to a fellow Ontarian.

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[clairefallen.livejournal.com]

Just because I am on an Anti-American rant, I'm going to compare the two of them for you, ok? * chuckles *

Federal Elections in Canada are national. There is one ballot used across the country. There is an independent organization that supervises. The ballots are hand counted.

America is pretty much the complete opposite. It is not national election, but instead 52 seperate state elections for President. The President is not directly elected by the voter, but by the Electoral College. 537 people are in the Electoral College, and each state has one seat for each seat in the House of Representatives. (Florida has 25). So you win over the states, and take the role.

Don't ask me how this is called a Democracy.

And yes! * headbangs for Ontario * I'm down in St. Catharines right now, going to Brock, but returning to Thunder Bay in a few short days.

And, excuse me if I am ranting on your journal. I can't sleep. * chuckles *

[clairefallen.livejournal.com]

You can tell I need sleep.

and each state has one seat for each elected member in the House of Representatives.

So as a citizen, you elect the member, the member then places a vote - for the President -, for you.

Here I go. * clunk *

[newschick.livejournal.com]

Hey, I don't mind a good rant every once in a while :) Who doesn't, really?

Re:

[clairefallen.livejournal.com]

Well, as long as it was a good rant! And not a ohmygodwontthisstrangegirlshutthechristupalready rant. * tips her hat *