Identity Fraud in Social, Entertainment and Employment

Identification of an individual is supposed to be unique and useful for various transactions and interactions. It is often a photo, signature, date, number and a few have biometrics like a thumbprint, registered in government databases of its local citizens and foreign visitors. In Canada this is the SIN social insurance number and in America SSN social security number which allows a person to be employed and buy and sell information, services and products. In the Bible, this number to identify each person was known as a mark 'in the right hands (card) or foreheads (memories)...to buy and sell (business)'. Revelation 13:16-17.

A fake name and identity is sometimes used by some individuals for various reasons, especially in some industries and fields: entertainment and creative fictional professions like acting and writing, socialization in clubs and online social media, and even employment in call centers. Often this is done for protection of real identity because these are areas that are not taken as seriously as other areas like financial, banking, government and public services and other jobs and because it is meant to be fiction and fantasy or anonymous. One is allowed to pretend to be someone else as an author, actress, call center agent, avatar, user, etcetera. A fake photo and name protects the privacy and real identity from the public full of strangers who are also probably using fake or unknown names.

Note: fake identities are also used during wars to escape enemies or for spying to infiltrate inside their group.

But criminals unfortunately also use fake or steal someone else's real identity in impersonation for financial fraud to fool government, banks and law enforcers and scam victims in various methods of operations in lotteries, job and business opportunities, investments in real estate and credit cards. Governments and banks try to protect accounts and documents with security features in bank and credit cards, cheques,  passports, drivers licences, medical cards, and SIN and SSN cards. Each person among the seven billion persons on Earth is supposed to be unique enough that each identity should be used to match to that individual only. Science and technology are going to use blood and cell dna, genome mapping, eye and face recognition, finger prints in biometrics and digital security.

Refer to Revelation 13:16-17

Globalism and Internationalism Pros and Cons

With the internet information highway and social media infrastructure like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram installed in all countries that are modernizing telecommunications, the mindset and viewpoint is probably going to be trending towards internationalism. Human understanding can bridge races, cultures, religions, political and economic biases and limitations. Tourism and trade is increasing globally. People are searching online and thanks to search engines and gps mapping like Google, and tourism websites like TripAdvisor, and of course improved economies and exchanging currencies, more people are traveling for curiosity, fun, adventure. Some travel for more serious purposes like business, trade, investment, employment, education, and marriage. The world is currently at peace since World War 2 except for minor country to country disputes and Syria. Most countries are preparing for global peace and willing to agree to United Nations and other organizations membership agreements and commitments.


But of course sometimes diversity can be a cause for disputes due to differences of opinions and goals and can lead to eventually wars and genocide. Most wars are fought due to human differences by race, religion, politics, economics and territorial ownership. Foreigners sometimes have their governments branches the embassies and consulates in other countries but every hosting country has different laws and policies involving foreigners rights. People should really check before visiting a country whether that country is safe for foreigners to visit, study, work, trade and invest. Sometimes it seems safe under certain government leadership but with elections, a change in leadership can mean changes in laws and policies.


Currently, English American language is the most popular with foreigners because America and Canada allow immigration and even dual citizenship to others. But how long will this last if the other countries are not trying to make it easier as well for foreigners too? Some countries have cities which were influenced by European Americans trying to establish the Christian religion, democracy, education and trade but theses cities also tried to remove these influences: Hongkong China, Manila Philippines, Johannesburg South Africa, and splitting some countries into north and south Vietnam, Korea, Cambodia torn between western democracy versus eastern communism. There are also countries where genocide occurred such as Armenia and countries where smashed churches, castles and cottages remain as ruins such as United Kingdom.  Currently world peace returned and some governments are again trying to increase foreign tourism and trade in their countries and immigration to America and Canada.


Weighing pros the positive versus the cons the negative effects, open mindedness and trust that for the sake of world peace and progress, and thanks to international organizations like United Nations, APEC, ASEAN, the pros outweigh the cons. Some countries do not make war armaments, bombs and guns, for potential wars in the future so would need to buy from those countries that do. A lot of developing countries also need to import technology and transportation. It would be much better to continue in peace and facilitate foreign tourism, trading and investment. Nationalism needs to cater to internationalism because of necessity and trading but it is not only products and information that matters, people too are important and we are all foreigners and should try to cooperate and respect other foreigners wherever we go. Even in the historical Bible some advice is still worth reading and analyzing:

"'When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them." Leviticus 19:33 or " Foreigners who live in your land will gain more and more power, while you gradually lose yours." Deuteronomy 28:43-53. Which view will determine a nation's laws for foreigners entering? Opportunities should be fair and equal but success of course is based on ability and skill and connections. Local versus foreigner rights and opportunities are dependent on each country but should be discussed in international meetings and agreements. Often rich business corporations are allowed easier entry, ditto rich foreigners but more middle and working class individuals are also joining the jet set. The past mistakes can lead to future wars so all nations should continue to assess and discuss what is fair for both local and foreign for opportunities and rights.


Refer to https://www.statista.com/topics/962/global-tourism/

Leviticus 19:33


Deuteronomy 28:43-53

Class Inequality in the Third World Versus First World

Third World Countries such as Philippines

Poor countries from a global perspective, usually depend on their own local currency only and production of goods which may still be either home crafted or even if factory made are priced so low that manufacturers probably underpay their workers.  For international trading, most developing nations are mainly agricultural based or industrial parts and assembly that the income generated certainly still does not gain workers a high income to achieve the modern middle class lifestyle.  To be middle class, a family has to have at least two wage earners from the educated professional or small business class and be allowed a house mortgage to become owners.  If they are lucky to have a family member migrate into the First World countries such as USA and Canada, the money remittances and dollar to peso conversions allow them a faster way to house ownership!

Without any or little Government and public welfare funding for development of low or no income groups, there are still many unfortunately living in poverty and temporary housing known as squatters.  There is public education available but without employment or underpaid employment, the families live in these crowded shanties and are probably malnutritioned as well.  One charity Gawad Kalinga is fundraising globally to train and build houses for poor, a responsibility which unfortunately the Government or Banks have not yet resolved nor allotted from public taxes nor loans.

Overpopulation of the lower class groups is another reason for poverty, due to the Catholic mentality:  against contraception and birth control methods such as the pill and condom, against abortion, and for having more Catholics.  Also poor people cannot afford the pill and condom, unlike the middle class and wealthy who can and do use these methods to prevent pregnancies.


Refer:
http://tacapamasshousing.com/the-project/site-study/
http://www.gk1world.com/home


First World Countries such as Canada

Canada however is one of the wealthier nations and belongs to the G8 Group of Eight top industrialized nations of the world and the G20.  These countries are probably the wealthiest and most developed with high standards of living, housing, employment, education, nutrition and their trading is mainly industrial machinery and technology to help the other less developed countries reach the modern age through cars, buses, construction equipment, airplanes, factory manufacturing machines, trains, etc.  Canada also has agricultural mass production using technology instead of manpower in farms.  As for Government public welfare, there is basic housing and food support for these individuals:  disabled, unemployed, retired pensioners, maternity, refugees.  The public services come from taxes paid by employed but all can enjoy:  education up to secondary high school level schools, medical treatment in hospitals and clinics, information in libraries, roads and highways, garbage and recycling maintenance.  The quality of living in Canada is very high and it is geographically vast and underpopulated but highly developed, so it allows immigration in even from poor countries such as Philippines.

Refer:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G8

Class Inequality

The various economic and employment classes from wealthy, middle and business, and poor have different ratios depending on the country.  A large middle class is probably the most stable of economies for both economic and political reasons.  Public services paid by taxes should include:  education, medical, dental, roads, information, garbage and recycling, and available for all groups.  Class inequality is more visible in less developed countries where the poor have no or little support from Government public funding.  The quality of living difference between the wealthy and the poor is a huge gap and causes human suffering.  The basic human rights set by the United Nations need to be met for survival:  Article 23 work, Article 25 for food, clothing, housing and medical and Article 26 for education, Article 17 own property, and above that even more for full human development per individual!

Refer:
http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/

Moralizing on Sex Tourism -- A Bedroom Dialogue

Sex tourism is tourism involving travellers, usually business men who visit a country and hire sex workers for sex.  In some Third World countries, the prostitutes may be poor children and teenagers.  This intriguing play by Erin Shields is set inside a hotel bedroom, probably in India because the young prostitute played by Miriam Fernandes is wearing a sari, and the married middle aged business man played by Derek Boyes is probably from Canada since his phone numbers which she found on his business card are Toronto area codes of 416 and 647.  The intimacy of the set, with the central bed and the setup of a typical hotel with dresser and chair, closet, gives the viewers an inside view of an experience, which although written about by news media and politicians is usually from a detached cold distance.  The dialogue between the play's only two characters personalizes the experience, although it probably does not happen that way in reality -- the argumentative, moralising tones to elicit guilt and conscience of what is wrong or right about their temporary relationship.  It would kill lust and they basically end up doing just that, talking themselves out of the possible sex encounter!  What both internalized are the rationalization against prostitution and the differences going against them, voices usually formed by outsiders who are critical and consider such immorality as evil, rather than allowing curiosity and adventure to take control and lead them into giving into temptation.  He would have been committing adultery with a female a quarter of his age (?), out of curiosity sparked by his co worker's previous trip and advice to 'take advantage' of the situation, ie. probably the poverty in Third World countries.  The first shock was when after his initial monologue of being tempted by his friend's stories, and his fascination for her differences in physique by age, skin, height, etc., she suddenly replies hostilely in English!  Yes, she can 'speak English'!  They end up arguing through most of the play, with her accusing him of being a pedophile rapist and he ends up accusing her of being a lesbian or virgin!  In the end, nothing happens.  

The audience laughed at some of the dialogue but everyone clapped in the end.  For those who are seeking such sex encounters while travelling, it would be advisable to watch this play and remember not to argue nor accuse each other as these two characters did, or else one would miss out on the possibility of enjoying a no strings attached temporary experience overseas.  As for those who are not seeking such experiences, all your arguments against it are mouthed by these two characters, which probably explains why the audience clapped instead of booed at the end.  Instead of getting it on with the titillating scandalous action, they both talk themselves out of it!  Everyone goes home feeling moral, having done the right thing, instead of immoral and doing the wrong thing...

Note:  a friend's advice 'hmmm... thought provoking, makes you think of or from a different perspective...'  So for curiosity seekers of adventures, this play can seriously make you think before you travel and give in to such temptation!

Immigration -- Free Room and Board Versus Free Ticket Home

North America offers better opportunities for education, employment, health care, political and religious freedom, sexual liberation, class system mobility, etc than most countries in the world. Therefore people are willing to become immigrants to start a new life leaving our birth countries and what they offer. The legal process to apply and be approved for entry in both Canada and the United States can take years of preparation and waiting for the millions trying to get in!  This can lead to feelings of frustration and desperation for the applicants. Some may even consider attempting fraud, bribery and smuggling into boundaries to accomplish their goals!

The Government of Canada has changed its policies regarding illegal aliens, those who entered by illegal methods. Supposedly to protect the Immigration Act, not immigrants and refugees who often come from repressive foreign Governments which persecute those against them, there is now detention ("free room and board") for illegal immigrants and imprisonment for smugglers and / or deportation ("free ticket back home") after.  Unfortunately since our own foreign Governments may persecute or punish us too, it becomes a tragedy for the desperate refugees whether here in Canada or there back in the home country. A catch 22 situation damned if you remain and damned if you return!

Lucky for me, I entered legally thanks to my parents who are both educated and middle class in the Philippines and achieved the same lifestyle eventually despite changes in employment and income. We left the Philippines because my father did not like the restrictions of martial law and dictatorship during Marcos term, even though he initially campaigned for President Marcos and was rewarded with Government positions and status. We all now have dual Philippine Canadian citizenship and some even have American too. But for the unlucky few who are escaping their birth countries, the recent change in immigration policy can be a prison trap defeating their goals of a better life and Society.  "Free room and board" in a detention center followed by a "free ticket back home" due to a deportation order does not help but harms them.

Refer to:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/refugees/reform.asp

http://www.solidarityacrossborders.org/en/solidarity-city/solidarity-city-journal/outsourcing-racism-bill-c-31-prison-expansion-and-the-detention-of-immigrants

http://rabble.ca/news/2012/06/passage-bill-c-31-threat-refugees-and-black-eye-canada

Drugs and Their Legal or Criminal Usage

Drugs have many types, forms and methods of usage.  Their various effects on a user, to make one 'high' stimulated and excited or 'low' sedated and relaxed are the two most common, on one's mental and physical states.  Some ways for drugs to enter a person are: inhaling through the nose in smoke or vapour, swallowing in the mouth as a solid pill or liquid syrup, and injecting in the flesh.

Legal drugs are usually for medical purposes prescribed by a doctor and sold by pharmacies. Many drugs are either plant based and grown in farms and gardens or synthesized chemicals created in a laboratory. Governments usually control and monitor their production, trading and marketing, even its consumption by the public.

Illegal drugs are the opposite, that non-Government groups and individuals control their production, trading and marketing, selling to the public, some who are considered addicts with uncontrollable need for drugs. Sometimes even the same drugs, but in different forms and for recreational or self-destructive purposes not medical!

Opium as an example has legal forms available:  as painkillers such as morphine, laudanum and codeine, incense sticks for aromatherapy and meditation, and decorative poppy seeds on bagels. But it is also used illegally as heroin injected in flesh and smoked in a pipe! It can cause drowsiness and sleep. Google search 'opium' and see old photos of public opium dens with people smoking and laying down on the floor. It caused the British Chinese Opium Wars when tea and opium were traded for silver, but destroying its addicts in China. Whether legal or criminal, this drug is made from the same poppy plant!  Why do people buy illegally when they can try the legal versions and sources instead? Or why cannot the Government legalize its recreational usage and allow opium smoking dens in Canada the way China did before criminalizing it after?

Maybe it would become like alcohol controlled by the LCBO sold by licenced locations only:  LCBO stores, bars, clubs, halls, restaurants, and hotels to adults 19 or 21 years old with proof of I.d.? And of course also inside homes of adults. Because drugs are addicting and their consumers develop a demand which can eventually lead to over use and abuse of its effects on the minds and bodies of users, it makes sense why the Government wants to control drugs. It is to protect the public and help consumers control their consumption, and to prevent a consumer from becoming addicts without any control over their habits. Although unfortunately there are alcoholics despite Government licencing, advice and programs.

This brings to mind the current scandals involving Toronto's Mayor Ford who has supposedly been seen with crack cocaine drug dealers and users. A video in a cell mobile phone is now in the hands of Toronto's Police Chief Blair. Both are in powerful authority positions of Government and Public Office. Crack cocaine is produced in home labs mixing powder cocaine with baking soda. But addicts are not usually the criminals but potential victims, if they end up so addicted to destroy their minds and bodies, even committing suicide or maybe crime when under the influence!  Maybe The Police Chief Will help The Mayor before it is too late, when social recreational use becomes self abuse from addiction, before the drug affects his professional public life and his responsibility towards the citizens of Toronto who deserve a leader worthy of respect? Or instead, maybe like other drugs opium and marijuana, cocaine will be legalized for medical, then recreational social purposes as alcohol and tobacco have? If addictions develop then psychiatrists and social workers will help the addicts recover...

References
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opium
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocaine
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crack_cocaine

http://www.camh.ca/en/hospital/care_program_and_services/addiction_programs/Pages/addiction_programs.aspx

Religion or Science? God or Mother Nature?

After the recent earthquake in Bohol Philippines and the world's worst typhoon Yolanda Haiyan also in Central Philippines, the media noticed how certain holy Christian statues survived these cataclysms, which killed thousands of people and destroyed houses and churches.  This miraculous phenomena makes both believers and skeptics puzzle about why these holy Christian statues escape destruction and damage?  Usually those of Mother Mary, the mother of Jesus, and Jesus himself are able to remain intact after such cataclysms:  earthquake, typhoon, tornado, tidal wave, fires and bombs!  How to explain this in religious or scientific terms?  In the Holy Bible Old Testament, the idea that God punishes Mankind:   in Genesis Chapters 6 to 9 He sends The Flood to Earth to correct our evil corrupted souls but saves good righteous men such as Noah whom He advised to build an Ark for his family and animals; The Tower of Babel Genesis Chapter 11 He scatters (probably a strong hurricane) and confuses Mankind who were speaking one language and building a city together; and Sodom and Gomorrah Chapter 19 He sends burning sulfur from the Heavens, (probably a volcanic eruption) to destroy the wicked cities.  The term 'Acts of God' is used in insurance as unavoidable natural circumstances.  For scientists who are agnostic or atheistic, nature is explained in weather conditions due to geography such as proximity to water bodies, or differences in high to low pressures, and temperatures, or the hot molten core of Earth exploding, or solar flares, etc.  There is no mention of God punishing Mankind with natural disasters.  But despite the advancement of Mankind in science and technology, how to explain that these Holy Statues remain intact undamaged by nature's energy and force, whereas churches and people do not survive?  The rare devout person, such as the 4 German Jesuit priests who survived the bombing of Nagasaki in Japan in World War II remain to puzzle us with the possibility that being good, devout Christians will allow us to survive a nuclear bombing, but this was caused by Mankind.  Some even talk about global warming and carbon pollution as the cause for many of these natural disasters. But for religious people, it makes one think that perhaps being good and devout and having such Holy Statues at home may be a protection from future cataclysms?  Although there are scientific explanations too for these weather calamities and most people survive but lose their homes, for devout Christians, maybe God also does test and strengthen our faith by the survival of these Holy Statues of Mother Mary and Jesus as Saviour.  We can follow their example and pray and devote our lives to obeying God, our Creator and perhaps save ourselves from further corruption and such destruction? (But for those who remain corrupt or anyone believing scientists, moving to a safer area may be the way to live longer without punishment from God and natural disasters... Even devout people such as Noah, Abraham and Lot escaped by forewarning from The Lord!)

Note:  Photos copied and pasted from Google search online and links below.
References:

EARTHQUAKE
Bohol Philippines
http://worldwar42.blogspot.ca/2013/10/mother-mary-in-ruins-of-maribojoc.html

http://monkshobbit.blogspot.ca/2013/10/miraculous-survival-virgin-mary-picture-amidst-destruction-bohol-churches-reply-filipino-freethinkers.html

http://globalvoicesonline.org/2013/10/18/photos-hundreds-dead-historic-churches-destroyed-in-philippine-quake/

http://news.asiaone.com/news/asia/archbishop-manila-find-faith-midst-ruins

Dubrovnik
http://www.dubrovnikcity.com/dubrovnik/attractions/st_blaise_church.htm

Peru
http://enperublog.com/2009/04/11/cuscos-senor-de-los-temblores/

http://www.city-data.com/forum/religion-spirituality/926952-statue-christ-survived-1970-peru-earthquake.html

Haiti
http://www.flixya.com/photo/2253714/HAITI-EARTHQUAKE-MIRACLE-OF-GOD-CHRIST-STATUE-PHOTO-gfb


TYPHOON 
Haiyan
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/11/15/jesus-statue-typhoon_n_4284415.html?utm_hp_ref=religion

USA
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Virgin-Mary-Statue-Storms-Dover-New-Jersey-Fallen-Trees-158448835.html

TORNADO
Oklahoma USA
http://catholicphilly.com/2013/06/us-world-news/national-catholic-news/tornado-victims-receiving-overwhelming-outpouring-of-prayer-support/

TSUNAMI TIDAL WAVE
Matara, Sri Lanka
http://www.dailymirror.lk/opinion/172-opinion/35030-the-church-of-our-lady-of-matara-celebrates-the-annual-feast.html

VOLCANO
Las Manchas
http://www.tenerifemagazine.com/lifestyle/the-miracle-of-chinyero.htm

BOMB
Japan Nagasaki Bomb
http://www.shrineofsaintjude.net/home1345.html
Spanish Civil War
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_the_Pillar
Philippines WWII
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Manaoag

FIRE, EARTHQUAKE, BOMBING
http://www.philippinecountry.com/philippine_festivals/black_nazarene.html

http://www.sspxasia.com/Newsletters/2001/Oct-Dec/Our_Lady_of_the_Rosary.htm


STATUES SURVIVE
http://www.spiritdaily.org/stuffsurvives.htm

STATUES RESTORATION
http://clericalwhispers.blogspot.ca/2012/11/gallatin-parishioners-restoring-tornado.html
____

Buddhist Monastery Bomb
http://www.news.com.au/world/bomb-blasts-at-bodh-gaya-buddhist-temple-complex-two-monks-hurt/story-fndir2ev-1226675648949

_____

ACTS OF GOD, INSURANCE
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Act_of_God