Quotation - "If you shed tears ...."

Rabindranath Tagore  (1861 - 1941)

Nobel Prize for Literature, 1913

"If you shed tears

when you miss the sun,

you also miss the stars."

POLL - (Not Religion or Politics) Facebook?

Dear Friends;  unfortunately, the last Poll added to this Blog appears to indicate a reluctance to discuss either religion or politics.  Sadly, asking Friends if they Like (To use Facebook terms) any particular subject, using little detail, seems to cause a misunderstanding.

Way back, in the age of dragons (it seems) I explained that it is my view that every subject can not escape being associated with either religion or politics.  Thus, my last Poll not only mentioned "religion" but also implied politics.  Wow, wash your keyboards!

Therefore, now, I must struggle with an explanation.  Obviously, it is not sufficient to state that everything relates to these two taboo subjects, but sustained discussion needs some controversy.  Permit me to give some examples:

• Inoffensive Question 1 - Should Pets Be Allowed Within The Home?  Do we not create laws that require dogs to be licensed, and laws banning the possession of wild animals?  Could that be discussed without becoming political?
• Inoffensive Question 2 - Is Yoga And Meditation Useful For Health?  Will someone mention the spiritual aspects of these two innocuous pastimes, and introduce religious comments?

I wonder if it is probable that some of you prefer to keep your controversial views to yourselves.  To that, I can only remind you, once again, that you may make comments anonymously (Concealed from everyone, including myself). 

Please look at the right sidebar for the new POLL ... and, also, comment below, if you wish.

Bizarre Occasion 3 - Uncomfortably Freezing

Yesterday, as my Canadian friends know, the temperature (with windchill) was -30℃ (That's minus) and there was no incentive to go outside.  In fact, the radio was telling listeners not to go out, because, apparently, 30 seconds in this temperature may cause frostbite (That could just be a rumour).

The bizarre aspect of this chat was an observation from my window, as I watched the main road traffic fighting the terrible snow conditions.  To my amazement, I saw a tiny e-scooter zipping along at, seemingly, 30km/hr.  There was no windscreen which, I assume, took his temperature to -40℃ and I can only imagine that he ended up in hospital.

Can that be regarded as sufficiently 'bizarre'?

POLL - Should Religious Schools Receive Public Funding?

I would like to draw your attention to a poll that I have placed in the side bar to the right of this Blog.

The question is;  Should religious schools receive public funding?

Please note that this post is totally anonymous, i.e., by clicking on a related button, your identity can not be discovered, not even by myself.

Later, the Poll may be used for further discussion.  

Politics 17 - A New Leader

We should not allow this day to pass without a brief comment on the Republic Of China’s Presidential Election, in Taiwan. 

The win by Tsai Ing-wen, the pro-independence opposition leader, is quite significant, which is evident by the apparent lack of attention by the Communist Party of China on the mainland, and the consequential absence of much comment in Chinese media. 

Mme. Tsai said she would establish "consistent, predictable and sustainable" relations with China and not be provocative, to ensure the status quo.  But a study of those ambiguous words within Roget’s Thesaurus may raise a few academic eyebrows.

However, she added that she would defend Taiwan's interests and its sovereignty (One must be cautiously reminded that the PRC has not renounced the use of force to ensure eventual unification with the island). 

Even though only one day has passed, my keen interest in the matter is why I write here, and patience must prevail.  But I hope to hear of its importance to you.