The World According to Glissando

Blog

  • Vaccines

    Polio. It was all I needed to know to understand that vaccines work and the science behind them is valid. Polio killed, paralysed and maimed countless people before the advent of the polio vaccine, first developed by American doctor and medical researcher, Jonas Salk, in the mid-1950s. Former United States President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was a high profile victim of this very dangerous and highly contagious illness. I could shock you with some of the effects this illness had on people, but, I will spare you the gratuitous, graphic disseminations.

    My point…I’m a regular person and even I understand how and why vaccines work. Easy to explain in general terms, incredibly difficult to develop. Vaccines, in general, save countless lives and much misery. Their effectiveness cannot be denied. Yes, very occasionally, someone does have an adverse reaction to one, but, nothing in life is 100% certain. I like my overwhelming odds, though, that vaccines will help me. Beats the “hell” out of injecting bleach into by body.

  • Acknowledgement

    I would like to personally thank the many companies and people you would see on the panels, inside, near the main entrance of the Grace Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. You are profoundly helping people receive exceptional health care at the Grace Hospital. In case you are wondering, I am just a regular person who appreciates goodness and those who contribute to the betterment of our world. Again, thank you.

  • 27th

    January 27th marks the 80th Anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration and extermination camp, Auschwitz. It is a very bittersweet day. On the one hand, liberation took place, but, on the other hand, the day marks the very worst in human behaviour. Why do people hate? The reasons are many and they are all inexcusable. Jealously on so many levels, ethnicity, avarice, belief of self-superiority, the seeking of power, and on and on.

    Sadly, human history is filled with countless examples of intolerance and hate. Will we ever learn? I doubt it, but, I am still hopeful, nevertheless, because you cannot ever give up on hope. It is a cornerstone of change, especially if it ultimately results in a world filled with peace, caring, and love for one another. The North American hippies of the 1960s had this part right.

  • DEI

    United States President Donald Trump and his administrative co-conspirators (the reason why I use the term “co-conspirators” will become apparent) are working diligently to eliminate all diversity initiatives. One of the sad components of this undertaking is the encouragement to inform on colleagues who might in some way still be harbouring DEI intentions. Furthermore, if you don’t inform, you, yourself, could be subject to adverse consequences.

    This type of manipulation is a legendary element of authoritarian regimes like Russia, China and Nazi Germany. Spy on your neighbour or colleague, you get rewarded. If you don’t, you will be punished. Whether or not you support DEI does not matter as it relates to what I am talking about. I am talking about the use of secrecy, intimidation, punishment and mistrust as the methodology being used to eliminate DEI.

    This is a disturbing development. Remember, this is not just Trump we are talking about; it is also about the people in his administration supportive of this methodology. This is why I refer to them as “co-conspirators.”

    It is important to always remember that whatever Trump says, he is not just speaking for himself, but also for his political cadre and general public supporters. As I said, this is a disturbing development.     

  • O

    O my. O Canada. Canada’s sovereignty is under threat from the United States, whose North American expansionism desires are coming to the forefront under the Trump administration. Trump has repeatedly, and seriously, stated that he wants to make Canada the fifty-first state. He and his cabal are also eyeing Mexico, as well as Greenland and non-North American country Panama. Control the Panama Canal and you control a major component of shipping.

    Canada and the United States have had a long, very friendly and mutually respectful relationship. Unfortunately for Canada, a change in this relationship was not totally unforeseeable, given past world history and the nature of humankind. Coveting something another person or country possesses has provoked invasiveness since the beginning of time, and Canada has much to covet.

    In light of these developments, I have written brand new lyrics, with a sympathetic leaning toward Canada, for their national anthem, O Canada. The lyrics are written in conjunction with the melody of the anthem. Indeed, O Canada.

    O Canada

    Now the fifty-first state

    This cannot be right

    It must be a mistake

    With saddened hearts we see thee fall

    The true north no longer free 

    From far and wide O Canada

    Subjugated from sea to sea

    God why did you let us become Yankees

    O Canada we’ve been unlawfully seized

    O Canada we’ve been unlawfully seized

    Copyright Glenn Hansen 2025

  • Beware

    Walmart is not in my good books right now. A couple of months ago, I decided to order online a travel cribbage game that was posted at a supposed online only low price of $8.97. When I went to the cart though, there was an added $5.00 handling fee. So the real price was $13.97. Some would call this, at best, a deceptive practice. The next day, I decided to go to an actual Walmart store. Guess what, the price at the store was the exact same price as the online only low price. Some would call this, at best, a deceptive practice.

    The other day, I checked Walmart online for some “coin” batteries for my car fob. A two-pack was priced at $5.84. Again, when I went to the cart, there was an additional $5.00 handling fee. I decided to go somewhere else in person to buy the batteries.

    Yesterday I was on my way to visit a friend in the hospital, and decided along the way to quickly purchase a few food items. One of the items, which I usually got somewhere else, was well-priced, so I picked up the item.  Walmart has long since switched to self-checkout. To encourage you to do this, they only had one cashier checkout open, which is pretty standard in business these days. As I was self-checking, the item I picked up that I thought was a good deal was not the price posted on the sign by the product, but, a little bit higher priced. Now, the difference was only around a $1.30, so I just made the purchase. However, because it was a self-checkout and very busy, I really had no recourse on this item unless I wanted to hang around for ten to fifteen minutes, which I didn’t. If this was through a cashier checkout, it would have been addressed immediately.

    Finally, I have been trying to unsubscribe to Walmart sales e-mails, not because I was mad at them, but, I have been unsubscribing to prune the number of selling emails I was receiving from businesses in general. The Walmart emails did not stop initially. It took a few “un-subscribes” to get them to finally stop. As well, I came to realize Walmart sends out emails through other, different email address, so, I had to unsubscribe from those multiple times.

    These practices by Walmart are not unique; they have become the norm in business in general in many cases, and that’s the point. Purchasing products, whether online or in-store, is often not what is presented, so it is still “buyer beware.” Yet, in the beckoning less regulated world, we are supposed to trust companies and their commitment to business integrity. I have some doubt.

    Finally, this is not about asking for a consumer boycott of Walmart. Walmart is usually a reputable business to purchase items from, often at very attractive prices, so don’t stop shopping there. I won’t. I’m pretty sure the food item price snafu was unintentional. I was talking more about resolution of the price discrepancy.

    The point is this…in today’s multi-faceted selling environment, the adage “buyer beware” is more true than ever before. And, in this environment, it makes trusting businesses harder, not easier. Someday I’ll talk about online commerce and the word “free.”           

  • Hostage

    We are being held hostage by the computer world. For example, I have used a certain brand of inkjet colour printer for many years now when I have a printer, but there has been a big change in using it. Now, the only way I can use the printer is by permanently connecting online with the manufacturer. It used to be that you would buy a printer and use it independently without constant need for the internet. Not so anymore. The only way I can activate and use my printer is via this continuous online connection.

    The problem is, virtually all computer equipment and apps now require internet connectivity in this manner. You are totally at the whims of the manufacturer or program owner. You may have purchased the item, but you don’t control it, and the company has reams of information about you which can be used in any manner they wish. It’s all buried in the legal jargon fine print.

    Personal freedom continues to be taken from people in the online world. You may think you have control, but you don’t, and the transgressions are constantly rising. Is the online world convenient…sure. That’s the whole idea. To get control of you, usually to make more money. But, the cost for this convenience is ever increasing personal invasiveness. We cannot use the computer independently anymore. We are being held hostage by the manufacturers and apps.   

  • India

    There is a fast rising star in the east…India. The now most populated country in the world is well on its way to becoming the next world superpower. India has long been a source of mystical adventure for western culture due to its past British rule, but the mysticism is becoming less shrouded. It is on course for this achievement due to a number of factors.

    These include a very fast growing economy, the result of rapidly increasing personal income across the population; and ever-expanding participation in international economics. It has made remarkable progress in the scientific fields. For example, the country is now a player in space exploration. One cannot overlook the fact that India is part of the world’s nuclear weapons club.

    And, of course, there is India’s massive population. There is strength in numbers. The country has over one billion people, an enormous resource for the country under the right circumstances; and the circumstances are becoming right.

    Yes, India does have major problems, just like every other nation in the world. However, it is the new China, an awakening giant. It can no longer be ignored by the current world powers and the world in general. The rising potential and power of this awakening giant must be acknowledged and respected.

  • Unpredictable

    January is often a particularly difficult time for someone inflicted with a mental illness. The often seemingly overwhelming battle and pain can be devastating. But, hope lives…always. The following lyric poem tries to convey to you a sense of what life sometimes feels like living with a mental illness. So, always be kind to others and help those who are struggling. We all strive for peace within.

    It’s unpredictable like a hurricane

    I never know when it will strike again

    I get battered by the wind and rain

    I don’t understand, I can’t explain

    But here it comes, my world of pain

    It was stalking me when I was a kid

    Hiding in my head just off the grid  

    I long for those days of youthful bliss

    Didn’t know my life would be at risk

    And here it comes, my world of pain

    I won’t let it defeat me

    I’ll never give in

    It will always release me

    In the end I’ll win

    It’s unpredictable like a hurricane

    I never know when it will strike again

    I get battered by the wind and rain

    I don’t understand, I can’t explain

    But here it comes, my world of pain

    Copyright GS Hansen

  • Capitol

    Today is Inauguration Day in Washington, D.C. Donald Trump has now been sworn in as President of the United States of America for a second term. The next four years will be very unsettled for many Americans, regardless of politics, and the world. Economics does not like unpredictability either. What will happen? Many fear what may develop. Others greatly anticipate what may develop.

    As I look at this seeming conundrum, I think what will occur will land somewhere in the middle. Sure, there will be change, and people do not like change, again, regardless of politics. But, the only constant in life is that it is always changing. Embrace change, and do what you think you must do to move the United States in the direction you want.

    The people have spoken. This is what democracy is all about, as imperfect as it is. Don’t like what is happening, work to change it. As far as I know, America is still a democracy. If you are on the wrong side of this past election, don’t hype-ventilate. Instead, roll up your proverbial sleeves. If you are on the right side of this past election, don’t think it will be clear sailing from now on. Arrogance breeds overconfidence which breeds a quick and sometimes painful fall from power.

    In the end, no one knows the future, not even billionaires (pending trillionaires?) like Musk, Bezos and others of that ilk. That is the reality of life. So, hang loose and let’s just see what happens. It may end up nowhere as bad as you think or nowhere as good as you think. Life, people, countries, economics, and politics are complex and very interdependent. Change at the Capitol and the Oval Office does not guarantee anything. The next superbug could be lurking just around the corner.