An Alanis Morissette Moment (for sandra46) by KatesFriend
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Description
In my country we would call this scene an Alanis Morissette moment. Ms. Morissette is a Juno award winning Canadian singer-song writer who is famous for (amongst many other things) a song titled 'Ironic'. A piece of prose which, ironically enough, touches on subject matter which is not particularly ironic. "Rain on your wedding day", that's not irony that's just bad luck. Read your Chinese calendar for crying out loud. But I digress.
As a society we continue to debate whether government is a force for the people to struggle against or a proper manifestation of the public will. Most Canadians support a government presence in the social contract, our tax supported public health care system being the most obvious example. Though there are those amongst us (including our current Prime Minister - hopefully not for much longer) who would love to change all that. These people often warn of the dreaded "socialist" and fret about the welfare of the "taxpayer" and their money. These people are pleased to call themselves "conservatives".
I myself resist using the expression "taxpayers' money". "Taxpayer" is all too often used as a false substitute for the word "citizen". This swap is a form of spin that suggests only those who pay into the system should have any say in government action and that some people (the wealthy) are more equal than others. It is an outlook which leads a society to the one-dollar-one-vote form of democracy - see Alberta PC Party. Which is no democracy at all. Therefore, I prefer the expression "public funds".
"Conservatives" also fret about the "moral decay" of society. To stem this tide they rally to the banner of "law and order". Which, of coarse, brings us to this sign. Commissioned, manufactured and posted by the municipal government of the City of Guelph (Ontario) - a small city about an hour drive west of Toronto. Clearly created at the behest of the "law and order" crowd. It reminds us all that illegal activity is well, "illegal". A breathless application of subtle logic to be sure but perhaps a tad redundant.
Now don't get me wrong, I believe redundancy is a good thing. It is the faculty that allows us humans to miraculously recover after being shot in the head. But I'm not a "conservative". Though cognizant of the need for reasonable accountability of public funds, I do not overly fret about "taxpayers' money" and its possible wasting. But when a function can be performed by fewer government agents - or better still, no government agents - "conservatives" usually jump at such opportunities. They like to call it "finding efficiencies".
Ironic then they would support the funneling of public funds to post a sign that warns the public that it is wrong to do things that are wrong. Where is Alanis Morissette when we need her?
Yes, I have been drinking.
I am dedicating this photo to Sandra (sandra46). Yet another gifted and very knowledgeable photographer here at Renderosity. I am always taken by the impressionist feel of her work as well as the detailed and insightful remarks she often provides. Her gallery is well worth the time for a visit.
Have a great weekend my friend.
Comments (26)
eekdog Online Now!
lot to say there Clayton, drinking eh? like your shot..
lyron
Cool!!!!
whaleman
I love the sign you found, it is a winner! I can't really relate it to Alanis though, probably because she has written many annoying lyrics, some of which will come back to bite her in her ever-enlarging bum, ha ha! I do enjoy most of her music anyway as she is an original.
PSDuck
LOL! I like the photo and your narrative. I go to parties (and informal get-togethers) about once a month, c/o a national group I belong to. Some hosts, in their invitations, post a "no guns" notice. This means that if you have a Concealed Carry permit, the hosts ask you to not bring your firearm onto their property. (Personally, it's their right to do so.) At one such party, I wore a medieval broadsword in jest. I left it on the coatrack when I came in, to a lot of laughter.
renecyberdoc
excellent depiction and lol @ allen psduck.
npauling
This brings a smile to my face, makes you wonder at the intellect of the writer. I hope you don't have too much of a hangover tomorrow.lol.
PHELINAS
It is really funny.Thank you for the story.Good day!
magnus073
Very nice work on this dedi Clayton, and so glad you did it for Sandra who is one of the kindest and most talented artists in the gallery. It was a pleasure as always to read your thoughts.
Faemike55
Great find and posting, Clayton! If I read this sign correctly then, I should be allowed to do legal activities, even if it is not my property? Wonderful dedication to Sandra
drifterlee
LOL! Funny!!!!
intro
Hilarious!!!) Reminds me of the Road signs that say"Do NOT ENTER except local access. So...DON'T Go here..UNLESS you want to GO here, in which case, it's okay.
flavia49
cool capture and interesting prose!!! excellent dedi!!
sandra46
I liked her performance as God in Dogma. Anyway, this looks like a tad redundant 11th commandment as if God (Uriah Heep's high and mighty ?)wasn't sure we were smart enough to understand the previous ones.... As for the Big State, I'm leaning toward neo-anarchist thinking. Thank you for your words about my work, I feel honoured!
pixeluna
Oh boy, there are just some signs like this that says what is quite obvious. It's just like seeing a chair on a park and there is a sign that says, "You may sit down." So silly. Thanks for sharing your images and your thoughts as well!
mgtcs
LOL.....Amazing narrative and photo, splendid dedication, I really loved it!
Thetis
lol, that's a very cool finding. that's what we call 'realsatire'
goldie
as this sign suggests, one thing this world is not short of is plain stupidity...and you know how i feel about the brainless crazies when it comes to public program issues...
MrGorf
Regarding the song "Ironic," you could more properly substitute the word "annoying." Isn't it annoying to have rain on your wedding day? Or be offered a free ride when you've already paid? Ironic would be a notorious coward contracting yellow fever just as he was getting over chicken pox! Rim shot, please...
tennesseecowgirl
What a wonderful tribute to Sandra and you are so correct she is an outstanding photographer, for her art alone tells a story, but then she adds such fabulous information and details to make it not just a visual effect but a learning one as well. Nice work. and hey CHEERS!!! lol
judee3d
This is such fun! Thanks for the laugh. :D
ACue
I just love this and your great and thoughtful mini-rant ....
1358
snerk... giggle... heeheehee.... or as we say (or at least those with a sense of humour) in Alberta Welcome to Harperland... please turn your clocks back 20 years
chimera46
I concur on your taxpayer vs citizen view, to a point... I believe I'm better than the business owner who uses tax loopholes to pay less tax than his secretary (a lament the Oracle of Omaha has made from time to time). I'm better precisely because I pay more taxes, at least relative my total income. If both our houses are on fire, the firetruck should come to my place first dammit!
Flixthe
Could this mean that illegal activities are allowed in PUBLIC areas of Guelph? Any French lawyer would stress on that point to defend drivers caught driving too fast or without their safety belt on.
myrrhluz
Great image, dedication, and narrative. I agree with you and I think the conservatives are even more extreme on this side of the border. Though I could be wrong. I'll admit to not being that savvy on Canadian politics. Do you have anything as irrational and self serving as the Tea Party? Love the image. I like Flixthe's interpretation of it. Your sign reminded me of the multitude of NO TRESPASSING signs I see whenever I explore the Hill Country, and of a verse from "This Land is Your Land" that is usually left out. "As I went walking I saw a sign there And on the sign it said "No Trespassing." But on the other side it didn't say nothing, That side was made for you and me." (Woody Guthrie)
Deane
Many of our perceived freedom's are gradually becoming eroded with or without our consent. Try taking pictures in London within the city inner financial district. Within minutes you will be approched by private security and asked to 'move along'. A sad and all too common occurence in many places these days. Nicely observed photo!