Riversite Realty Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall
Photo of the day
In light of the tragic start to the week here in Canada, I can’t help to think back on the time Dana and I spent in Quebec City last spring.
We traveled directly from Wallaceburg, all the way to the capital city in the province of Quebec. Taking off around 4 a.m., we stopped along the way for food and coffee and eventually arrived in the early evening, with just enough sun light left in the day to set up our camping gear and tent.
The purpose of our trip was a Pearl Jam concert being held the following the day.
The show, as expected, ended up being amazing. We were front row on the rail, enjoyed a brilliant setlist from the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers, strummed Mike McCready’s guitar while he played the closing cover of The Who’s Baba O’Riley and we both walked away with guitar picks from McCready as well.
To help remember the experience, we bought the concert poster for the show.
The artist, Mike Fudge, labeled the piece as ‘The Hope Totem’.
With the events from the last couple of days taking place, I have found myself drawn to the piece of art that hangs proudly on my office wall.
Not only am I reminded of our experience in Quebec City at the concert when I look at it, but I can see more meaning behind it.
I see diversity.
People of all backgrounds, race, religion and beliefs.
All shapes, all sizes.
Different characters, different emotions, different looks.
However, they are united.
They’re together as one.
In this case, brought together by music, but also by a sense of togetherness, as Canadians, as human beings.
Whether you are praying in a mosque, heading to Pearl Jam concert, support Justin Trudeau, agree with Donald Trump, or whatever your beliefs are… I hope you can fill your heart with love and not hate.
If you have a suggestion, story idea, column idea, or if you want to say hello… drop me an e-mail at aaron@sydenhamcurrent.ca.
Poll: U.S. Travel Ban
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order banning travel into the United States for citizens from the following seven countries for 90 days: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
The restrictions were a part sweeping immigration controls for the country, which also suspended refugee arrivals.
“America is a proud nation of immigrants and we will continue to show compassion to those fleeing oppression, but we will do so while protecting our own citizens and border,” Trump said in a statement.
“America has always been the land of the free and home of the brave. We will keep it free and keep it safe, as the media knows, but refuses to say. My policy is similar to what President Obama did in 2011 when he banned visas for refugees from Iraq for six months. The seven countries named in the Executive Order are the same countries previously identified by the Obama administration as sources of terror.”
Trump said this order is not a ban on Muslims entering the country.
“To be clear, this is not a Muslim ban, as the media is falsely reporting,” the President stated.
“This is not about religion – this is about terror and keeping our country safe. There are over 40 different countries worldwide that are majority Muslim that are not affected by this order. We will again be issuing visas to all countries once we are sure we have reviewed and implemented the most secure policies over the next 90 days.”
Trump added: “I have tremendous feeling for the people involved in this horrific humanitarian crisis in Syria. My first priority will always be to protect and serve our country, but as President I will find ways to help all those who are suffering.”
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded to the ban, saying Canada will continue to accept refugees into Canada.
“To those fleeing persecution, terror & war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength,” the Prime Minister posted on Twitter.
Trudeau also clarified some information about how the ban will impact Canadians.
#ACanadianIsACanadian pic.twitter.com/6cqitwZJhE
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) 29 January 2017
What are your thoughts?
Do you agree with the ban imposed by President Trump and the United States?
Vote in our poll below:
[polldaddy poll=”9652497″]
Quebec shooting update
One person has been charged in an attack, which killed six people at the Islamic Cultural Center in Quebec City on Sunday evening.
The six men killed were: Mamadou Tanou Barry, 42; Abdelkrim Hassane, 41; Khaled Belkacemi, 60; Aboubaker Thabti, 44; Azzeddine Soufiane, 57; and Ibrahima Barry, 39.
Alexandre Bissonnette, 27, a student at Laval University, has been charged with six counts of first degree murder and five counts of attempted murder.
A candlelight vigil was held on Monday night in honour of the victims.
Here are some more details and updates about the shooting.
One man charged in Quebec mosque shooting
Thousands attend vigil for Quebec City shooting victims
Weather forecast for Tuesday, January 31, 2017
A special weather statement remains in effect across Chatham-Kent.
Periods of snow will continue for much of the day today. But it will be lighter in intensity than that which fell overnight. Additional accumulations of up to 5 centimetres are likely by the time it winds down this evening across the region.
Untreated roads may become snow covered and slippery. Use extra caution while driving and allow additional time to get to your destination.
Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, send an email to ec.cpio-tempetes-ospc-storms.ec@canada.ca or tweet reports to #ONStorm.
Today – Periods of snow. Amount 5 cm. Wind southeast 20 km/h becoming west 20 near noon. High plus 1.
Tonight – Periods of snow ending this evening then mainly cloudy. Wind west 30 km/h gusting to 50. Low minus 3.
World news
U.S. attorney general will not defend Trump’s travel ban in court
Trump fires Attorney General Sally Yates after travel ban refusal
