Mark Farner Altar Call

From Lorne Anderson, “Some Kind of Wonderful“:

… Memory can be deceptive at times, but I am pretty sure (Mark Farner) finished with his reworked version of “Some Kind of Wonderful”. What I do remember most is the audience.

Grand Funk Railroad was a working class band from a blue collar community that attracted a similar audience. The top level of Barrymore’s (which at the time had five levels) was filled with bikers. Hells Angels members, I was told, though I didn’t go up to look.

The show ended with a surprise twist, something unusual in bars, then and now. Mark presented the Christian message, and invited people to come forward and pray with him if they wanted to become Christians.

I was surprised at that, and I must admit even more surprised that people took him up on the offer. I didn’t count, but I remember it as being at least a dozen, mostly it seemed from the biker crowd.

Backstage, I asked about that. I know that evangelists who come to town arrange with local churches to follow up with those who come forward at their rallies. Mark, though, was trusting that God would guide these new believers, that they would find appropriate Christian fellowship and grow in their new faith. I have no idea if that is how it eventually played out. I do know that Ottawa today, 30 years later, has a biker church, which it didn’t then. Maybe its genesis was that evening….

The original:

Mark Farner’s later take:

“You are like a bad product of the earlier industrial age.”

When one wonders about one’s general utility, a friend has what could be an apt description.

Creak…

Anti to Anti

In terms of anti-Muslim sentiments being the new North American anti-Semitism? While in the Arab world, anti-Semitism seems sometimes institutionalized?

The CBC story:

Quebec judge wouldn’t hear case of woman wearing hijab

The comments to the CBC story involve a fair degree of debate, it seems, in a moderated context. The CBC story was also carried on Yahoo. Much less moderation evident. It’s there that the Slaughterhouse and The Nasty tone comments…

G

It’s about time someone in authority take a stand.

Michael

If someone#$%$ is so important, then they need to go home!

Olja

Good for the judge:)

Joseph

If she does not like or obey the law. She has choices. She can leave this country.

Greg

I am interested in closing the borders to immigrants

Marco

now that’s ignorant! I would totally support this decision if it were just her eyes that were exposed but this is ludicrous. No different than a Sikh wearing a turban. some are really keen on making a seriously distinct society in Quebec!!!!

Steve

How would a Christian with a cross around his neck or a Jew wearing a Kippah be treated in her courts in Kuwait??? Thank our politicians for bringing her here. Anyway hard working Canadians keep paying your taxes so her welfare cheques keep her law breaker son’s car on the road.

Tyler

Your point about a Christian wearing a cross in Kuwait is a moot point, Steve. This is already a story about religious intolerance IN Canada. So, I guess the Christian would be treated the same as this woman was?

Steve

When in Rome do as the Romans do!
Canada is not a muslim country!
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Tyler

You’re right it’s not a Muslim country. But it is a country based on the principles of multiculturalism and freedom. Perhaps you’ve heard of freedom of religion?

Nathanael

Tyler, believe me and take a look around the world today 9 or yesterday) and you can see that we cannot afford to be “multicultural’ or tolerant when it comes to Islam. we have freedom of religion but we DO NOT HAVE freedom of political movements. Nor do we have freedom of cults. Islam is by definition a cult and certainly NOT a religion. if it IS, then it is the ONLY religion that always has and is STILL committing terrible atrocities every day and seeks to inflict it’s intolerance in every part of the world where it’s followers have gone as well as on all those around them.
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DevilsAdvocate

We aren’t in Kuwait dummy. It’s irrelevant.
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Dave

@Steve There is a decent size population in Kuwait that is Christian , I even think one of the princess is a Christian. It might go over well with a lot of judges, and maybe some might not like it.
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Wabash Cannonball

Boy Tyler-you must be muslim. or pretty blind! Being Muslim is not a religion! It is a dictated way of life initiated by the sicko Mohammed! Multiculturalism and freedom have nothing to do with this issue! It’s called obeying the LAW! Our laws!

In terms of anti-Muslim sentiments being the new North American anti-Semitism?

Susan Cavan

She was in the same section as I was in one of the Ontario Bar Admission Course classes, 1977-1978. Back when there were classes at the Ontario Bar Admission Course, thus enabling students from different schools and backgrounds to get to know one another.

She mentioned that she was interested in entertainment law, and would be leaving for Los Angeles after her Call to the Bar.

Wondered what had happened to her. Found out. Much life in film production. Much of it in Canada. In the late 1980s, the President of Alliance Entertainment.

Some have an early focus, direction. All that goal-setting from so much career advice that some people don’t need; it’s always there.

Paul Jones: Privilege

It’s in order to greet me

From the Privilege soundtrack, 1967:

Still remembered:

Wish the entire soundtrack were up.

Postscript, February 25, 2015:

Not the first time referenced.

As soon as I stumble
You take away my privilege

Ease of Manipulation

Seems that all it takes, in many cases, is someone wanting to be referenced to another by association or approval. When the other, unlike a parent, does not have one’s best interest in mind, but rather his or her own interest.

“Everybody needs to be liked,” it is said/the research says. Play the prey, he says: I like you.

Some advantage to autistic elements. Sense of self not being influenced by need for approval by others.

Another Chance

Had an academic colleague, with decades of academic experience, who was a semi-functional alcoholic. Would do the lectures drunk, sometimes early in the morning. Before changing ways, knew similar occasions, though limited to evening lectures. Think one is flying when one is just bumping the ground.

Students caught on to colleague, and thereafter university caught on. Sensitive employer, recognizing an illness, put him on disability. Out for six months or so. Came back, losing forty pounds or so, with blood drained from face, and completely stopping drinking. New start.

Soon after he got back, things collapsed again, this time permanently. He could be a mean drunk. Showed up for an 8:30 class, with major alcohol fuel, and started disparaging the students. End of the end. He ended up as a night accountant in a retirement home, as I recall. Not seen by residents, during the day.

Seems like many don’t appreciate the significance of a second chance, and the need to follow through. More like got away with it, the first time. So will get away with it, the second time. No second chance: