Boston Tragedy a Signal of a Society on the Edge

The Boston Marathon incident was a horrible day, for the runners, their friends and families cheering them on, those just hanging out to watch, and ultimately the whole Greater Boston Area.

But it signals a disturbing trend in North America, which if our politically-correct politicians in both Canada and the United States don’t take a stand on soon, things will get worse.

Canada and the United States of America used to be great places to live, work and play.

We had a sense of pride, living in the freedom to be anything you wanted, safe, and secure from the economic and political unrest which many other nations unfortunately suffer from.

However, that freedom was broken by the tragedy in Boston. When law enforcement officers have to shut down an entire major urban center, no longer can we say we are safe and secure from those political and economic demons which plague other nations.

When people are told to stay at home, and not answer their doors unless the person is in an official uniform from the state, we are living in a society on the edge of falling into the abyss of despair, and ultimately doom.

Governments across North America have dropped the ball, allowing political correctness usurp sound judgement in the running of nations.

Both the federal governments of Canada and the United States have let immigration policies slide to such a degree, anyone – even those who want to destroy us – are being warmly welcomed here.

Want proof?

Just look at those responsible for the death and destruction in Boston – they were Americans, born elsewhere, but now living in the States.

Not everyone coming to Canada and the States is happy to be here. Though most of these people aren’t going to blow up innocent people at a public gathering.

They come here for the better standard of living, but because they really miss home, they fail to learn any of our languages, don’t do business with anyone that doesn’t speak their native tongue, and don’t let their kids play with anyone that doesn’t look just like them.

Although the Boston incident was horrific, what’s worse on a greater scale, and ultimately more deathly to the foundations and principles of what makes any society, are those warmly welcomed into that society, that fail to actively participate in it.

This has been going on for decades in Canada, and is just starting to come to the surface in the States.

Recently, Canada’s largest bank, The Royal Bank of Canada(RBC) was in the spotlight, for importing contractors from other countries, having the Canadians in those jobs train those people, and then firing those Canadians, as the very people they trained took their jobs.

All of those imported workers came over through eased federal government programs, which enables them to live and work in Canada – despite the fact they were directly taking jobs away from Canadian citizens.

When big banks import workers, they bring people in at substandard wages, subsidized by the federal government.

So although these new immigrants have jobs, they don’t have the great salaries which once came with those jobs, so essentially they are tossed into a life of poverty in a first world country.

Yeah, I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes either – which is why most of these imported workers never learn English or French, so they can’t interact with Canadians, and they tell their kids not to play with Canadians.

They live in a society in which they feel as much an outsider as those Canadians that have to interact with them.

So of course they are going to be bitter, angry and unsettled in this nation – and this angst further erodes the core of what was once the very basis for our great land.

And those that become unstable, and decide to do harm will.

Hence Boston – and whatever follows next.

Unless our politicians stop, think and act.

The Iron Lady is No More

Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher passed away from a stroke – she was 87.

I remember the Iron Lady – given that nickname by the tabloid British press for her unwavering stance on her economic policies which at the time caused protests in the United Kingdom, but were hailed as revolutionary and necessary changes by the leaders of Canada, the States and even the former Soviet Union.

Ah, the former USSR – or Soviet Union. When Baroness Thatcher was Prime Minister, the world was a very different place.

Thatcher’s Conservative Prime Minister reign ran from 1979 to 1990, right through the Cold War, and long before cell phones, smartphones, tablets and most of the mobile devices we take for granted today existed.

The Cold War was a frightful period for the world. It was a time when the world’s superpowers – The United States of America and the Soviet Union – were constantly at loggerheads over the way the world should be run, and at anytime, the world was ready to take cover from a nuclear strike by either superpower.

Or as ready as you could realistically be for the end of the world.

Fear over a nuclear holocaust was real. If you look back at the movies of the time, many were either about such a holocaust, or the fear of coming to the brink of such a holocaust, as the trigger-happy American’s edged closer to “DEFCON 1” – the codename used to signal the start of a nuclear war.

There was a now legendary tale about how a flock of Canadian Geese raised the DEFCON threat levels, when they showed up on NORAD’s radar, but failed to identify themselves, despite the NORAD commander’s urgent calls on the radio.

Luckily, a couple of F-16 fighter pilots were dispatched, and once they saw it was a flock of birds and not missiles or enemy fighter planes, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, maybe even had a bit of a chuckle.

Yes, Margaret Thatcher’s Iron Lady stance governed through some very interesting times. She worked on the world stage with other charismatic characters, trying to balance the power while maintaining the peace in very uncertain times.

If a flock of Canadian Geese could set off alarm bells, it’s any wonder how we somehow managed to avoid a nuclear war.

Or is it?

Before the world of instant always on and always available communications, the true test of political leadership was character.

Back in Margaret Thatcher’s time, email, cell phones, smartphones and other mobile devices just didn’t exist. So what really made a leader a great leader, was compassion, empathy, honesty, and above all else, being charismatic and an exceptional communicator.

Margaret Thatcher certainly was on par with the other great leaders of the time – American President Ronald Reagan (who’s nickname was “the great communicator,”) and the deep voiced and chiselled chin Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, who’s sense of humor often stole the show at press events where all three were in attendance.

The ever prim and proper Margaret Thatcher was like the stern but loving mother, keeping President Reagan and Prime Minister Mulroney on track and out of trouble.

The Cold War has long since ended, and the type of leadership our world needs has since changed forever.

However, the compassion, empathy, honesty and charismatic communications of the Iron Lady will be missed, in our new world of social media, and always on digital communications.

America’s Leader is a Show About Nothing

From weekly school shootings in small town America, to the presidential orders using automated robot “drones” to hunt down and kill American citizens, it appears US President Barack Obama has his hands full.

Not even a month into is second-term in office, and he’s down to business.

Problem is, he’s not really focusing on the business of his nation – and ultimately the world.

As our global economy continues to falter, the most powerful person of the free world isn’t talking much about how mend this fiscal mess.

Gun control and terrorism are big issues – but they are very much American-made issues.

Global economic progress – or lack of it – are – well – global.

Perhaps President Obama doesn’t have an answer to the world’s economic woes, and he’s focusing on the issues which he can confidently try to resolve.

However tragic it is to hear about some kid’s classroom being shot-up by some crazy huffed up on Prozac, that sad story doesn’t even dent the hearts and minds of those who have lost their jobs, their families and their homes in what is turning out to be the worst depression since the Great Depression of the 1930’s.

It’s time for America’s president to do something presidential for a change – delegate, assign and focus.

Real leaders delegate responsibilities to qualified counterparts, assigning them the tasks which they just don’t have time to do, so they can focus on what really is important in managing their company – or in this case – country.

President Obama needs to delegate and assign the tasks of gun control, terrorism, and anything else distracting him from the business of running the free world, so that he can do just that – run the free world.

Should Criminals Host TV Shows?

Criminal record checks have become all too common as part of the hiring process. Employers want to know that you won’t steal their pencils.

But in some jobs, a criminal record check really does prevent problems for both employer and employee down the road.

Last thing a major television network wants, is to have it’s top rated morning show host taken away in handcuffs.

But if you’ve done the time for your crime, should you be allowed on television?

Television’s perfect home body, Martha Stewart is back on the TV, after doing time for securities fraud.

In Canada, media baron Conrad Black may be following the home body’s lead, as there is talk that he may get his own talk show on a cable channel available across the nation.

Conrad Black served time for fraud as well, just a different kind. His was to do with his newspaper empire, and made headlines in some of those papers, as he continued to write columns while in prison.

Now he may be on the airwaves, broadcasting his thoughts on television.

Which raises the question – should convicted criminals be hosting television shows?

We all make mistakes, and both Stewart and Black have paid for those mistakes by serving out their criminal sentences in prison.

But millions of people are denied even the most entry level of jobs, because of their criminal past.

Such as the teenage mom, that can’t get a job working in a retail store, because her criminal background check shows she was charged with theft. What it doesn’t show is she stole a loaf of bread to feed her kid.

There are other reasons why criminals don’t usually get put on the tube. The last thing any network president wants, is to turn on his station, to see someone telling the world how to break the law.

It’s unlikely Black or Stewart would publicly tell others to do something illegal. But the possibility is always there.

And our television personalities are role models for us all. We get hooked on their energy and drive, and often mimic them.

So putting criminals on television is bad for our kids, and ourselves.

Do we want others to follow Lance Armstrong?

Before the cyclist came forward with confessions of “doping” while competing he was a role model to many.

Now that he’s come out and spoken publicly about his drug-laden past, he’s on television even more – explaining himself and what he did.

Fair enough, television does provide a forum for public debate, and all sides should be allowed to participate.

But if someone were to offer Armstrong his own television show, I’d question that person’s motives.

And you should too.

America Isn’t the Great Country Everyone Thinks it Is

On the day when the first black American President is sworn in for his second term in office, all you have to do is re-read this sentence to see what is wrong with America.

When Barack Obama was first sworn in, he was jettisoned to instant rock star celebrity status. He made the history books, by becoming the first non-white man to lead the most powerful nation on our planet.

Today, he’s being sworn in for his second term in office, and although he has lost much of that rock star appeal, the most powerful country on the planet still can’t get over the fact that he’s not white.

Or at least that’s the image the rest of the world sees, when America makes more of a deal about their leader’s skin colour, than what he has accomplished.

Usually, when an American President is sworn into office – especially for the second time – the focus is on his past accomplishments, and possible future plans.

Although these are being discussed in Washington, DC, the media focus is once again on the colour of the re-elected leader.

Other countries may have rioting in the streets, extreme poverty where innocent children don’t get more than a stale piece of rock hard bread if they are lucky, for the whole day. There are other countries around the globe with brutal wars being fought, so the very thought of stepping outside for fresh air is a dangerous one.

Yet these places don’t make a big deal about the colour of their leader’s skin.

Perhaps the once thought of greatest country in the world, really isn’t so great after all?

There aren’t riots in the streets, extreme poverty, famine, disease, or brutal wars raging across America.

Well, there is one.

It’s that silent but deadly war called racism.

Because when the most powerful country in the world is more concerned with the colour of their leader’s skin, than what that person has done for their country, that brings to light the unspoken truth about America.

Despite all that American’s have achieved, they still are struggling with one of humanity’s most insidious traits.

Racism.

It’s a brutal battle in of itself. And it’s being played out on the world stage, by the very fact that despite having the same person in the White House for another four years, Americans can’t get over the fact that he’s not white.

Sad. 

Are We Ready for a Woman in Power?

Before Barack Obama became America’s first non-white male president, there was much debate which would American’s most likely accept – a woman president or someone that wasn’t white?

This debate continues in the strangest of places of sorts – on the airwaves in Canada. Earlier this week, a radio disc jockey in British Columbia was fired, for asking the female premier of that province what it’s like to be a MILF.

Shock-Jock Justin “Drex” Wilcomes, surprisingly got an answer from BC Premier Christy Clark: “You know, I take that as a compliment . . . better a MILF than a cougar.”

Wilcomes was fired, and has since apologized to the political leader of Canada’s most western province. Though he quickly got back on the air, he’s now working for another station in Vancouver, BC.

This isn’t the first time the female politician has taken a ribbing for her female charms. Late last year, eclectic billionaire-business tycoon Sir Richard Branson went kite surfing with a beautiful naked woman on his shoulders while visiting the province. After the media stunt, he said if the premier wants a similar ride, she should call him, but she must be naked to ride.

Branson too caused a public outcry, and eventually apologized to the female premier.

But these incidents raise the question – are North American’s really ready and accepting of women in powerful positions?

If Hillary Clinton became was elected president of the United States, would she have quickly attained the rock star status that President Obama achieved when he first was elected?

Or would she also go through the growing pains of being sexualized such as the premier of BC?

There have been women in high powered positions. In the 1980’s who could forget Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister of England, known for her iron-glad stance on the economy?

Canada briefly had a woman prime minister, but she was more of a scapegoat for the outgoing prime minister Brian Mulroney. Kim Campbell was handed the rings to the Canadian prime minister key chain, by the outgoing Mulroney. The press quickly labelled her just a female version of the outgoing prime minister, and she lost the election, because Mulroney’s popularity had slipped so much so, he wouldn’t have won had he remained in office.

Campbell was never sexualized like the current premier of BC, but she didn’t last long in power.

Have we grown-up beyond our own prejudices?

Why should it matter whether America’s president is white, black or brown? Why should it matter if that person is a man or a woman?

Why indeed?

Despite our amazing advances in technology over the years, our society may not be advanced enough to recognize that a person’s race or sex has little to do with their leadership abilities.

Until our society crosses that threshold, we are still a primitive society. We just have a lot of nice tech gadgets to occupy our time.

American’s Just Love Their Bang-Bang

US President Barack Obama has been spouting off about making his country safer, since the horrible tragedy of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting last month.

President Obama even went so far as to announce what he calls the most aggressive stance on gun control legislation ever.

His proposed changes aim to reduce the amount of high-powered assault weapon ammunition packs – called “clips” that American’s may own, calls on civil servants to be more thorough with background checks of applicants requesting gun permits, and even calls for the prohibition of certain types of automatic assault weapons.

Nice.

Notice anything missing?

What about just banning the bang-bang in the first place?

The reason Americans shoot each other is because they can. It’s in their constitution – just ask the National Rifle Association (NRA), they harp on that very fact every time someone dare’s suggest banning the public’s right to fire arms.

Banning high-powered assault weapons is a start – one must question the safety and sanity of a nation where the general population believes it’s normal to own military-grade weapons.

Here in Ontario, Canada, you can’t even buy a bottle of booze just anywhere, you have to go to a government-run liquor store.

Yet in the good ‘ol USA, you can walk into a Wal-Mart and purchase enough fire power to create your own army.

If President Obama really wanted to make his country safer, he should ban the sale of guns to the public period.

Police, the military and other law officials that have been trained in the correct maintenance and use of these dangerous tools should have the right to carry guns, as it’s part of their job.

However, when a cute thirtysomething teacher on the NBC Nightly News is firing off rounds of ammunition at a gun range, and says on the broadcast that she’s practising so she can protect her students, we know there is something wrong with American society.

Deathly wrong.

That’s all that guns are for.

To kill.

Sure, we’ve all seen in the movies some snarky special agent shooting to slow or injure a criminal in some flashy action movie.

Hollywood rarely imitates real life. In the heat of the moment, when your typical beat cop that’s never had to pull his gun out in the line of duty suddenly does, he’s not going to be so precise.

And we’re assuming a police officer has had years of training. Your average American that owns a high-powered assault weapon probably hasn’t had the training that a cop has.

If President Obama really wanted to make his country safe, he’d ban guns period.

Guns don’t kill people.

People with guns kill people.

Guns Flying Off Wal-Mart Shelves

Only in the most influential country in the world can you buy deadly assault weapons in one of the world’s largest retailers.

And only in the most influential country in the world, would they be flying off the shelves days after a crazed gunman went on a killing spree in an elementary school in small town America.

According to several news reports, mega-retailer Wal-Mart is running out of automatic assault weapons, similar to the m16s used by armies around the world – including the American military. They are also running low on high capacity “clips” which store excessive amounts of ammunition – just in case you happen to run out.

If this were a joke, it might be in poor taste. But it’s just a sad fact of life the United States of America.

As funeral processions line the streets all week, to lay to rest the innocent, incomplete lives of very young children, and their heroic teachers that tried to save them, politicians and interest groups clash over gun control.

As the debate rages on in the political offices from the White House to local congressional leaders, people afraid they won’t be able to legally arm themselves are running out, and stocking up on military-grade weapons like kids stock up on candy.

You’d swear these people were stocking up to take over another country, but instead for the most part, they claim it’s for self defence.

From what? Mexico? Canada? The Former Soviet Union?

It’s a sad day in world history, when the sale of military-grade assault weapons outsells bread and bottled water combined.

Yet that is what has and is happening as you read this.

Whatever happened to the American dream – the ideals that anyone that put in the effort and hard work could make it there?

Ah, the elusive American dream – a house, with a white picket fence, a family, a dog, and a career which furnishes all of the necessities of life, and then some.

Since the industrial revolution, many countries the world over have set their standards to achieve by that elusive American dream.

Stock markets around the world are still compared to the American ones, and countries measure their capital by comparing it to the all mighty American Greenback Dollar.

Perhaps it’s time to re-consider which country to set the barometer for economic and social success?

Because if the American dream includes being armed to the teeth, I don’t know about you, but that’s not any dream I want to be a part of.

Cigarettes and Mass Murders – Why Both Will Always Kill in the USA

Cigarettes are a lot like hand guns in the United States. Both give off smoke from a heated barrel. Both are lethal. And both are completely legally bought and sold in the United States of America.

Funny, how the supposedly best country to live, you can kill yourself – or others – using legally obtainable items.

Since the massacre of children and teachers in Newtown, CT, the issue of gun control has reared its all too common head south of the border.

This isn't the first mass murder by a crazed lunatic in the States – and it won’t be the last.

Every time some nut goes on a shooting spree in the States, the media, politicians and religious leaders express horror and sympathy, while questioning why?

It’s because, like cigarettes, American’s can legally obtain fire arms you dummy – that’s why.

Yes, you have to apply for a permit to legally buy a gun in the States. And they check for any criminal background, to ensure you won’t go and knock off your local McDonald’s and scare the poor teen-aged burger flipper with your amateur use of a recently purchased Colt-45.

But that’s about it – all American citizens have the right to own weapons of mass destruction.

Cigarettes will never be banned because the American smoking lobby is too powerful. Yes, we all know it’s a bad habit, but the hand that offers you a smoke is the same one selling you a patch to quit. Most smoking cessation programs are owned or in some part funded by the cigarette companies.

No wonder it’s so hard to quit?

The same thing – ironically – goes for guns. The National Rifle Association is the most powerful, grassroots lobby group in the States, fighting for the right to continue to bear arms. 

The NRA supports gun clubs, shooting ranges – oh – and donates to support groups of violent offenders, many of which have injured or harmed others with guns.

No wonder it’s so hard to – wait – didn't we just say that. Am I repeating myself?

Yes, we are.

Every time some nut goes on a shooting spree in the States, we all ask why?

Maybe it’s time to stop circling around the issues, and asking the questions we already know the answers to and make the tough decisions, which really aren't that tough.

Banning assault weapons and extra large bullet clips is an idea in the right direction currently being discussed, in the wake of the Newtown, CT shootings.

However, your average American isn't going to miss their pistol, or any gun for that matter.

Anyone that feels the need to own a weapon to the point that they actually will miss it needs therapy.

And people that need therapy shouldn't own fire arms in the first place, now – should they?

Murder and Mayhem – Divided By Borders

While American’s mourn the devastating loss of young children and their teachers, over 300,000 Canadian kids just north of the border are running a muck.

Teacher’s across much of Canada are unionized, and in the Province of Ontario, teachers at the largest school boards in the province are staging a one day walk-out to protest the province’s plans for them. 

Since last week, school boards across the province have been staging these one day strikes, today’s just so happens to hit the biggest school boards of Toronto, Durham and Peel regions.

Ironically, teachers are protesting provincial legislation which would ban them from striking.

Only a union would protest a possible ban on striking, by holding wildcat strikes. What a way to win over parents and others, by showing just how harmful these strikes are too our children, and our community.

The province’s teachers have actually been protesting over a month, most have withdrawn their extra-curricular activities, so sports teams, student clubs and groups, and other after school programs have all been axed.

This means no more cheer leading, football, student paper, or debating club.

Not that teachers need to learn how to mentor cheerleaders, coach football, edit a newspaper, or build their confidence and public speaking through debate.

Oh wait – that’s not the point of these things – it’s all about the kids.

By cutting back on extra-curricular activities, today’s children are already losing out – big time. 

Teachers are more than just educators, they are role models, and leaders within their community.

What kind of role models are these for our children, when they demonstrate when the tough get going, they stop what they are doing either part-way or as in today’s walk out, just stop completely?

Kids across Canada’s largest province today may rejoice in a well-deserved day off. Their parents on the other hand may have been left scrambling at the last minute, trying to figure out who’s going to take care of Little Johnny while mommy and daddy need to go to work?

Student groups across the province have spoken out, crying foul too. Across much of Toronto last week, numerous high school students walked out of class to protest the cuts to extra-curricular programs, and the threats of these rotating one day strikes.

All this remember is because the government of Ontario wants to eliminate the right for teachers to strike.

Regardless of whether teachers should be allowed or not allowed to strike, all of this is raising an even bigger issue buried in the subtext of strikes, walk outs, and suspended services.

Isn't a well-rounded education about more than just reading, writing and arithmetic?

Shouldn't teachers be more concerned with shaping the future leaders of tomorrow?

School should be a place where kids go to learn, not just stuff in books, but through self-discovery, led by well-rounded adults that know there’s more to life than the stuff in a text book.

Think back to your memories of your favourite teacher – we all have one.

If you are like me – and you probably are somewhat – then your memories are of a teacher that did more than just teach.

My favourite teacher participated actively in the drama club, began the high school radio station, ran the environmental action group and more.

He didn't just teach, he helped make me who I am by encouraging me, and bringing out the real me, by allowing me – and other students in his classes and activities – to discover who they were.

That’s what school is all about – learning, growing and self-discovery.

Or at least, it should be.

Newtown Shooting the Media and You

Horror, shock, disgust, anger, rage, sympathy, sadness.

These are some of the many feelings we all went through, as news of the tragic shooting of innocent little kids in small town America spread.

The president of the United States cried as he responded live on television to the mass murder in Sandy Hook Elementary School, in Newtown CT.

Last night, parents, families, friends, and neighbours all gathered in a small school gymnasium, while local religious leaders offered words of hope and prayer during the public memorial service for the victims of another act of random violence in America.

American President Barack Obama gave a solemn message of hope, saying that we cannot go on allowing this sort of thing to happen. This isn't the first time the American president has addressed parents and families of a school shooting.

World leaders issued statements, expressing their horror over the incident, and offering their condolences for the families and friends of the victims.

Parents all over the world echoed thoughts of hugging their children extra tight that night on all the major social networks.

Today has been labelled “Hug Your Kid Today” to encourage parents to hug their children, and tell them they love them.

Maybe tomorrow will be “Bring an Apple, Not a Gun to School” day?

When I was a kid, the most violent thing anyone ever witnessed was the occasional fist fight between two jocks trying to woo the same cheerleader.

Back then, it was too much testosterone and the foolishness of a youthful mind which occasionally caused someone to get a black eye.

These days, social pressures on our youth – and us all – build up until we explode. Most just punch a pillow, write a nasty blog, or maybe snap at their spouse.

Then you get those with access to guns.

They shoot people.

Innocent people.

People going on about their daily lives, not aware that today is their last day on Earth.

Over the next few hours, days and weeks, as the victims are laid to rest, the media will focus on the never-ending question about gun control in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

The American Constitution’s Second Amendment tells citizens of that once great land, they are not only allowed to carry fire arms, but encourages them to use them to defend their freedom.

That fine piece of legalize – which is defined as the Supreme Law of the United States of America – was written in May of 1787, and adopted in September of that year by the Constitutional Convention. The law of the land was ratified by the then 11-member states, and went into effect on March 4, 1789.

Back in the 1700’s one could understand the logic of allowing people to own and use guns to defend their property. It was a very different time, long before the microchip.

The world was an unsettled place – a global wild west. The French Revolution began with the fall of Bastille on July 14, 1789. The Spanish captured the British schooner ‘Northwest America’ near Vancouver in June of that year.

It was the same year that Benjamin Franklin wrote: “there is nothing certain in life, except death and taxes.”

It was a time when governments were battling each other for land.

No wonder the founders of the United States of America wrote into law, the right to carry and use guns.

Times really have changed.

Wars still exist – but not in the land of the American dream.

Or do they?

Every time a crazed gunman goes on a killing spree in the States, the media, politicians and others raise questions about whether or not the law of the land should be amended, eliminating the right to bear arms.

And every time a crazed gunman goes on a killing spree in the States, the largest political action group in that country – the National Rifle Association (NRA) goes quiet at first – they took down their website today pending a slew of media attention and anti-gun lobbyists. Then the NRA enlists famous American cowboys to continue the fight for the right to carry and use guns.

It’s no longer a war over land, but over the right to shoot someone.

The NRA argues that guns don’t kill people, people kill people.

But it’s people with guns that kill people – often without guns.

It’s time the American constitution was amended to keep in touch with the reality of our modern times. We no longer need worry about someone coming onto our land to try and take it from us. The wild west is no more.

121212 Concert – Man Those Old Folks Can Move!

Last night I took in a global rock and roll concert with about 2 billion other people around the world. The 121212 Concert – held on the 12^th day of the 12^th month of 2012 – to raise money for the disaster relief efforts of Hurricane Sandy, was a truly star-studded spectacular.

And we’re not talking about the typical pimply-faced teen celebrities which have been an unfortunate outcome of our high-tech world.

We’re talking real rock stars – Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Mic Jagger, Keith Richards, Pete Townsend, Billy Joel, Eric Clapton, even Sir Paul McCartney – all performed last night.

Not that Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift aren't cute kids. They are adorable. But they lack the life experience to really rock.

The concert’s promoters said they intentionally stacked the deck with classic old rockers, because they wanted to capture the Boomer demographic. Boomer’s typically are more established, and more likely to be able to afford the $150 to $2,500 ticket price to see the live show in person at New York’s Madison Square Garden where the last minute fundraiser was held.

Also, Boomers around the world are more established, and unlikely to have to ask their mommy or daddy for money to donate.

The demographic tactic worked, actual dollar amounts for the total raised won’t be available for a few days yet, but before the show even went live-to-air, ticket sales had raised $36 million dollars.

And Justin Bieber, Taylor Swift, and the rest of the current crop of pop tart celebrities also lack the balls to pull off such an amazing show last night.

All the artists performing last night took a few moments to address the international wide-eyed audience, usually talking from the heart and unscripted during their musical performances.

Billy Joel said he knew everyone paid a sh*t load of money to get into the venue to watch, but still encouraged ticket-paying fans to donate to help Hurricane Sandy victims in their hometown.

After British rock legendary group The Who performed a song about drinking tea to recover from tragedy, Pete Townsend yelled out: “just drink a f*ckin beer.”

The young kid celebs today probably know lots of naughty words, but they lack the worldly experiences gained from life to know when and how to use them prolifically.

It was reassuring to see real talent performing, just being themselves.

And it was scary and strange too.

Rolling Stone front man Mic Jagger said it best when he commented how this was probably the oldest gathering of rock musicians ever assembled. Jagger himself is over 70 years old.

Which you’d never know from Jagger and the rest of his band’s energetic frenzied dance movies, as he continues his famous struts on stage.

It’s remarkable and rewarding to see Mic and the boys, and the other rock legends still have what it takes to put on an amazing show.

However, watching someone old enough to be a grandfather move like a teenager on stage is also somewhat disturbing.

It was like watching the geriatric ward of the Rock and Roll Old Age Home come to life, as the average age of the musical acts last night was well over 65.

At least Keith Richards let his hair go grey, so although he looked his age physically, as he rocked out he looked normal.

I don’t know if it’s hair dye, plastic surgery, or what, but what some of the other rockers on stage had done to themselves to maintain that all elusive fountain of youth created a bit of a creepy vibe during the show.

It’s an amazing credit to each and everyone one of them to be able to sing and dance like they did over 30, 40 and in some cases over 50 years ago. We all can only be so lucky to still have the veracity and vitality to do that in our senior years.

However, there was something unsettling about watching grandpa go crazy on stage. 

Television Isn’t Worthy of One Eye

Broadcast television just isn't what it used to be.

Remember when you turned on the tube, sat down, and within seconds you were enjoying something interesting?

Even with the over 500 channel digital television universe, most things “aired” by broadcasters aren't worthy of one eye, let alone both. They hit below the belt – way below – for content these days.

Just ask Matt Lauer.

The television personality that has the honour of co-hosting NBC’s flagship morning show 'Today' was making his own news – if you can call it that – by doing a bit on how one of his colleagues slapped him on the butt behind the scenes.

They did a whole “bit” on how inappropriate it was, trying to make us laugh. Instead, if you have half a brain cell left after watching fellow co-hosts Kathy Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb drink themselves silly before most of us even have had a cup of coffee, were left wondering – WTF?

Gifford and Kotb both deny being alcoholics, yet they drink wine every morning. It’s just their thing – to drink first thing in the morning, at work, on TV.

If a high school teacher was doing the same thing at work in front of a class of kids, that teacher would be fired and sent to AA.

NBC isn't the only major American network producing brain numbing content, leaving us wondering what the hell?

Most American and Canadian networks produce crap these days – it’s a sad reality in this era of tasteless reality shows.

The Learning Channel – TLC – doesn't teach us much anymore. Unless you enjoy learning about someone crazy’s addiction to eating her dead husband’s ashes, in their show ‘My Strange Addiction.’

There are still some great shows on television. Showtime’s ‘Californication’ and HBO Canada’s ’Call Me Fitz’ are really amazing shows. They are well written, shot and directed.

'Californication' follows the wild life of novelist Hank Moody played by the undervalued David Duchovny, while 'Call Me Fitz' stars Canadian Jason Priestley as 'Fitz' -- an egomaniac used car salesman constantly battling his conscious.

The writers are both those shows is a thing even Shakespeare would give a nod too.

And that’s the real problem with most television these days – it’s not well written.

Writers are always undervalued – I was one – once. It doesn't matter whether it’s television, radio, print or even the web – they are still underpaid, overworked and treated like second-class citizens.

Which is why the shows are so poorly structured – you’d produce crap if you were treated like a slave.

So we get poorly written shows, with talent-less drunken hosts on major broadcast networks talking about butt-slaps, as our brain cells melt away in the miserable million channel universe.

Where’s my remote control? I can’t take it anymore.