With all the "sixties scoop" bs, I got to thinking about B's early childhood in India. When he was four, he was mysteriously packed onto a train with his man servant and shipped across the continent to live with his paternal grandparents.
He saw neither his mother nor sister again for 15 years. The "abuse" part, in my view, was that he was never told why he had been taken from his mother, who was never mentioned again. How does a little four-year-old grasp that? He doesn't. He started wetting his bed and tried to forget about his family. Unlike the "scooped" kids, he didn't get to visit her on holidays and he wasn't permitted to write to -- or even mention -- her again. At seven, his clan (B's grandfather used to call them 'The tribes of Israel') left India for England, finally settling in Montreal, where he grew up. We have four grandchildren under the age of 10 and when I think of their being torn from their mothers, I weep. It is so cruel.
After winning a scholarship to the London School of Economics, B left for England where he at last found his mother and sister and learned that the cause of his having been riven from them was divorce. His father won custody, but as a sea captain was only home about two weeks a year. So he rarely saw him and never his mother.
In my case, I was adopted at six weeks old, so don't remember my birth mother. My adoptive family became mine and I did not miss or remember anyone. His case was entirely different, but in spite of it all, B became a very successful and accomplished man in the private, public and sports sectors.
A few years ago, we invited past Ontario lieutenant governor James Bartleman to be guest speaker at the Royal Commonwealth Society's annual Humanitarian Dinner. I thought he would be interesting and have some wisdom to impart, but no. He wasted the entire talk wailing about his time at a residential (boarding) school and trashing the Canadian government. The whole time! I wanted to hide under the table, I was so embarrassed, because I had been the one who had suggested him. Last time I checked, James, were it not for your time at school and the education you received, you would not have become a successful lawyer and eventually lieutenant governor of Ontario with a big salary and fat pension to boot.
Don't bite the hand that feeds. My point it that no one needs to "drink the kool aid" and dine out on having had a rough or imperfect start. I'm sick of it.
Friday, June 29, 2018
Thursday, June 28, 2018
A narcissist and a sociopath
When you're both, all your actions and behaviours flow from those two traits. That's what we have in our Boy/King prime minister. That's why he does the things he does and that's why he refuses to take responsibility for groping and grabbing a female reporter in Cranston, B.C., in 2000. "I didn't know you were a reporter," he apparently said at the time. What difference would that have made?!
After ruining the careers, marriages and lives of two Liberal MPs, accused a few years ago by anonymous female NDPers of sexual assault, all he says is that he doesn't remember anything negative about the encounter. Well, of course he doesn't; all he remembers is how nice her ass felt. And just for the record, both the women who trashed and destroyed those two Liberal MPs said the sex was consensual. Whaaaaaat??!!?? How can it have been assault if you consented??!!??
(A little aside: Can't think of one NDP female MP with whom I'd even bother.)
Also, just for the record, when I worked for ministers on The Hill, being sexually harassed was a virtual part of the job description. Why do you think men run for Parliament? They run because of power and influence and that includes easy access to young, attractive staffers, of which back-in-the-day I was one. But I loved the job because it was fun. You worked hard, but you had many perks -- like trips in private planes, lavish parties, expense accounts and a high profile.
Too bad no one's having any fun anymore. But in this "#metoo" era, Trudeau needs to adhere to his own "zero tolerance" commitment, come clean and apologize because times have changed. Hypocrisy is not working. The "good old days" are gone and as long as he continues to stonewall, this won't go away. And neither will the swing set.
After ruining the careers, marriages and lives of two Liberal MPs, accused a few years ago by anonymous female NDPers of sexual assault, all he says is that he doesn't remember anything negative about the encounter. Well, of course he doesn't; all he remembers is how nice her ass felt. And just for the record, both the women who trashed and destroyed those two Liberal MPs said the sex was consensual. Whaaaaaat??!!?? How can it have been assault if you consented??!!??
(A little aside: Can't think of one NDP female MP with whom I'd even bother.)
Also, just for the record, when I worked for ministers on The Hill, being sexually harassed was a virtual part of the job description. Why do you think men run for Parliament? They run because of power and influence and that includes easy access to young, attractive staffers, of which back-in-the-day I was one. But I loved the job because it was fun. You worked hard, but you had many perks -- like trips in private planes, lavish parties, expense accounts and a high profile.
Too bad no one's having any fun anymore. But in this "#metoo" era, Trudeau needs to adhere to his own "zero tolerance" commitment, come clean and apologize because times have changed. Hypocrisy is not working. The "good old days" are gone and as long as he continues to stonewall, this won't go away. And neither will the swing set.
Friday, June 22, 2018
Finally
...someone else is speaking out about the ludicrous drain First Nations are making on the federal treasury. Tom Flanagan, senior fellow of the Fraser Institute and a professor of political science at the University of Calgary, has just released a report about this scandal.
Since 1974, Canada has forked out....wait for it...sit down....$5.7 billion to natives claiming some sort of "whatever". And that does not include the regular transfers to reserves -- another $19 billion a year. This was all part of a "specific claim" process set up in the seventies designed to redress historical grievances to be settled once and for all, but these stock claims have turned into a never-ending flow, writes Flanagan. The specific claims process has become a perpetual motion machine, dragging in all sorts of retroactive issues that arose more than a century ago, when this doctrine had not even existed.
"The first nations that get the money are simply those that can find a set of historical facts that fits conveniently into current legal frameworks," he writes. Thank you the late Jim Prentice who, when the minister responsible in 2008, put "reforms" in place and created a separate 'Specific Claims Tribunal' for a 10-year period. Repeatedly re-jigged to make it more favourable to first nations, the 10-year limit is now endless.
And have these payouts done anything to improve the lot of reserve natives? Of course not. In fact most claimants are not getting any money because their leaders keep it. The US created such a claim system in 1946, but put a five-year time limit for filing claims and went out of business a long time ago.
Not so here. You'd think that 44 years would have been enough time to review what had happened and pay out claims. But no, after settling 450, the tribunal is still dealing with a growing backlog of approximately 400 cases, with another 130 currently in litigation. It has to stop, but won't. "The Assembly of First Nations won't like it," says Flanagan. No, of course the AFN won't like it because it will finally stop a ceaseless flow of money into its coffers. I know personally of one status native who brags about perpetuating the "injustices" he believes have been done with his children and grandchildren. How are future generations going to get over it all and integrate? They won't with this guy's attitude.
With this government, no one dares upset the natives. In fact, yesterday I gagged as I listened to Indian Affairs Minister Jane Philpott go on about the plight of native children who comprise the majority of children taken into care. She seems to think that money will change this. It won't.
Hurl yourself into the real world Philpott. Wake up.
Since 1974, Canada has forked out....wait for it...sit down....$5.7 billion to natives claiming some sort of "whatever". And that does not include the regular transfers to reserves -- another $19 billion a year. This was all part of a "specific claim" process set up in the seventies designed to redress historical grievances to be settled once and for all, but these stock claims have turned into a never-ending flow, writes Flanagan. The specific claims process has become a perpetual motion machine, dragging in all sorts of retroactive issues that arose more than a century ago, when this doctrine had not even existed.
"The first nations that get the money are simply those that can find a set of historical facts that fits conveniently into current legal frameworks," he writes. Thank you the late Jim Prentice who, when the minister responsible in 2008, put "reforms" in place and created a separate 'Specific Claims Tribunal' for a 10-year period. Repeatedly re-jigged to make it more favourable to first nations, the 10-year limit is now endless.
And have these payouts done anything to improve the lot of reserve natives? Of course not. In fact most claimants are not getting any money because their leaders keep it. The US created such a claim system in 1946, but put a five-year time limit for filing claims and went out of business a long time ago.
Not so here. You'd think that 44 years would have been enough time to review what had happened and pay out claims. But no, after settling 450, the tribunal is still dealing with a growing backlog of approximately 400 cases, with another 130 currently in litigation. It has to stop, but won't. "The Assembly of First Nations won't like it," says Flanagan. No, of course the AFN won't like it because it will finally stop a ceaseless flow of money into its coffers. I know personally of one status native who brags about perpetuating the "injustices" he believes have been done with his children and grandchildren. How are future generations going to get over it all and integrate? They won't with this guy's attitude.
With this government, no one dares upset the natives. In fact, yesterday I gagged as I listened to Indian Affairs Minister Jane Philpott go on about the plight of native children who comprise the majority of children taken into care. She seems to think that money will change this. It won't.
Hurl yourself into the real world Philpott. Wake up.
Monday, June 18, 2018
Connect the dots....please
A few years ago, B had to physically restrain me from standing and asking a question of a speaker at a dinner we attended. The topic was "child poverty". That subject is back in the news following the release of a report on child poverty rates by federal riding. "The government (that's you and me, by the way) needs to legislate an end to child poverty," said some idiotic head of some advocacy group on TV today.
Seriously?! How can you legislate an end to poverty? The poor will always be with us, said some sage; it still holds true. But one of the major causes of child poverty is unwed teenage mothers selfishly keeping their babies. That's a big problem and what I was going to ask the speaker about when B held me back. I am sorry I hadn't. Why is this such a taboo? Why can no one point out that your average teenaged girl is not equipped to support a child -- especially when the father is not around? It's the supreme act of selfishness and usually done by self-involved girls who, by keeping their babies, get some respect from "the system".
Don't get me wrong, I am not talking about self-sufficient women who are able to support their children. I am supportive of women who can fend for themselves, but not for those who can't. I am a typical example of how that doesn't work. The offspring of an 18-year-old unwed teen, I was put up for adoption before I had even been born. Arranged in advance of the birth, my adoption was a text-book case about how the practice benefitted everyone -- the mother, the adoptive parents and society in general. Having found my birth family, I am eternally grateful I had not been raised by them. Instead, I was given a wonderful mother, father and large extended family -- something which would not have been possible had my birth mother not selflessly given me away.
Every time I see a teen pushing a stroller, I feel very sorry for the child who will have been robbed of advantages he/she might have enjoyed had he/she been adopted. Couples desperate for a child would not have to travel to Romania or China, Canadian babies would be placed in a good home and the young mothers would be able to get on with their lives.
Seriously?! How can you legislate an end to poverty? The poor will always be with us, said some sage; it still holds true. But one of the major causes of child poverty is unwed teenage mothers selfishly keeping their babies. That's a big problem and what I was going to ask the speaker about when B held me back. I am sorry I hadn't. Why is this such a taboo? Why can no one point out that your average teenaged girl is not equipped to support a child -- especially when the father is not around? It's the supreme act of selfishness and usually done by self-involved girls who, by keeping their babies, get some respect from "the system".
Don't get me wrong, I am not talking about self-sufficient women who are able to support their children. I am supportive of women who can fend for themselves, but not for those who can't. I am a typical example of how that doesn't work. The offspring of an 18-year-old unwed teen, I was put up for adoption before I had even been born. Arranged in advance of the birth, my adoption was a text-book case about how the practice benefitted everyone -- the mother, the adoptive parents and society in general. Having found my birth family, I am eternally grateful I had not been raised by them. Instead, I was given a wonderful mother, father and large extended family -- something which would not have been possible had my birth mother not selflessly given me away.
Every time I see a teen pushing a stroller, I feel very sorry for the child who will have been robbed of advantages he/she might have enjoyed had he/she been adopted. Couples desperate for a child would not have to travel to Romania or China, Canadian babies would be placed in a good home and the young mothers would be able to get on with their lives.
Everything else has failed
The US has had absolutely no success in preventing illegal migrants from entering its southern borders, so now the draconian measure of separating children from their parents -- regardless of age -- has been adopted. Maybe it will actually work? Maybe people will stop trying it if they know they will lose their children.
By charging all entrants as criminals, the law allows officials to take the children. Actually, it requires the state to take them in criminal cases, so that's how they're doing it. Here in Canada, we're doing the opposite. We're encouraging illegal migrants to cross into Canada, effectively jumping the queue and making it longer for those following the rules and obeying the law. Do you think we could get our educated, employable Scottish nephew into Canada a few years ago? Not a chance. Same for B's elderly mother. She had to die alone in a nursing home in England while all we could do was wait for the call. At least we have her ashes -- those we were allowed to import -- and she is with my parents and brother in Beechwood Cemetery, where B and I will eventually be planted.
Thank you Justin Trudeau for being such an irresponsible dope. Nigerians and Haitians are flying into the US -- designer luggage and all -- and simply strolling across unmanned border points right into waiting tents, free medical care and food. The trick here is that the regulation that would force them to be turned away only applies at legal crossing points, not through fields and back lanes.
It's outrageous and the government has no plan to do anything about it. Duh!
Europe also has its own horrendous migrant problems. Is the entire continent of Africa simply emptying out? (See "Africa, a stupid continent" 17-11-2017.) Seems like it, as hundreds of thousands of illegals flee name-any-country. Frankly, I would not want to live anywhere in Africa, because every country is a warring, poverty-ridden dictatorship, but there has to be some way to stop this chaos. There is, but it would not be pretty.
The G7 did nothing about any of this. It cost $700 million and accomplished zip. The incompetence and ineptitude of world leaders is breathtaking.
By charging all entrants as criminals, the law allows officials to take the children. Actually, it requires the state to take them in criminal cases, so that's how they're doing it. Here in Canada, we're doing the opposite. We're encouraging illegal migrants to cross into Canada, effectively jumping the queue and making it longer for those following the rules and obeying the law. Do you think we could get our educated, employable Scottish nephew into Canada a few years ago? Not a chance. Same for B's elderly mother. She had to die alone in a nursing home in England while all we could do was wait for the call. At least we have her ashes -- those we were allowed to import -- and she is with my parents and brother in Beechwood Cemetery, where B and I will eventually be planted.
Thank you Justin Trudeau for being such an irresponsible dope. Nigerians and Haitians are flying into the US -- designer luggage and all -- and simply strolling across unmanned border points right into waiting tents, free medical care and food. The trick here is that the regulation that would force them to be turned away only applies at legal crossing points, not through fields and back lanes.
It's outrageous and the government has no plan to do anything about it. Duh!
Europe also has its own horrendous migrant problems. Is the entire continent of Africa simply emptying out? (See "Africa, a stupid continent" 17-11-2017.) Seems like it, as hundreds of thousands of illegals flee name-any-country. Frankly, I would not want to live anywhere in Africa, because every country is a warring, poverty-ridden dictatorship, but there has to be some way to stop this chaos. There is, but it would not be pretty.
The G7 did nothing about any of this. It cost $700 million and accomplished zip. The incompetence and ineptitude of world leaders is breathtaking.
Sunday, June 17, 2018
Alarming
Don't know what's happened to Client Services at the Canada Revenue Agency since I left, but things have tanked. Jamie Golomber wrote a piece in 'The Globe and Mail' the other day about how bad accuracy and accessibility now are. Just to get into the queue, callers have to try 3.3 times and agents blocked more than half of calls received, meaning clients reached neither an agent, nor an automated line.
I remember when the 1-800 system went on line. Although everyone clapped themselves on the back, it was a disaster, which is why the CRA is adopting yet another telephone system to inform callers of wait times -- something everyone else has been doing forever. (Another case of "The Emperor's New Clothes.)
But here's the kicker, when clients did reach an agent, they were given incorrect information 30 percent of the time. Thirty percent! As well as the Problem Resolution Program, I was also in charge of the accuracy surveys when I was there and I don't recall rates being as dismal as that. From what I understood from the article, accuracy surveys are no longer regularly carried out. Big mistake, in my view.
Who's in charge over there? Why does it take a boot in the a-se from the auditor general to make the CRA pull up its socks?
I remember when the 1-800 system went on line. Although everyone clapped themselves on the back, it was a disaster, which is why the CRA is adopting yet another telephone system to inform callers of wait times -- something everyone else has been doing forever. (Another case of "The Emperor's New Clothes.)
But here's the kicker, when clients did reach an agent, they were given incorrect information 30 percent of the time. Thirty percent! As well as the Problem Resolution Program, I was also in charge of the accuracy surveys when I was there and I don't recall rates being as dismal as that. From what I understood from the article, accuracy surveys are no longer regularly carried out. Big mistake, in my view.
Who's in charge over there? Why does it take a boot in the a-se from the auditor general to make the CRA pull up its socks?
Can't stand them
If I hear, or have to look at, that metrosexual creep advertising 'Sure Health' one more time I'm going to smash all my TVs. Same goes for Kurt Browning, his ugly kids and all those loser couples advertising the 'Chip reverse mortgage'.
Also on my list of "never agains pleeeeease" are the stairlift ads hauling fat slobs upstairs, the Revitalist abominations and the ads for a new bathtub..."right over your old one". And while we're at it, how about that ridiculous ad for Midas Muffler?! At the end, whatever "King Midas" touches falls apart. How would that induce people to get their cars fixed there?
It's all so pain-inducing and mind numbing. What has the advertising industry come to?
Also on my list of "never agains pleeeeease" are the stairlift ads hauling fat slobs upstairs, the Revitalist abominations and the ads for a new bathtub..."right over your old one". And while we're at it, how about that ridiculous ad for Midas Muffler?! At the end, whatever "King Midas" touches falls apart. How would that induce people to get their cars fixed there?
It's all so pain-inducing and mind numbing. What has the advertising industry come to?
Wednesday, June 13, 2018
Here's a fresh approach....
This was written by a young Saskatchewan woman. Have a read:
|
"Now this
is the truth of the matter ....read to the end. Three cheers for this young
woman!
Gotta love
the Saskatchewan people........wish more Canadian/American and Brit
politicians had some intestinal fortitude and would wake up!
"This was written by a 21 yr. old female from Saskatchewan who gets it . She's worried about the future and this is how she feels about the social welfare system that she's being forced to live in! These solutions are just common sense in her opinion. "The problems we face today are there because the people who work for a living are outnumbered by those who vote for a living". "Saskatchewan population is 48% native. "Put me in charge of food grants . I'd get rid of cash for potato chips or chocolate, just money for 50kg bags of rice and beans, blocks of cheese and all the powdered milk you can haul away. If you want steak and frozen pizza, then get a job . "Put me in charge of Healthcare . The first thing I'd do is to get women Norplant birth control implants or tubal ligation. Then, we'll test recipients for drugs, alcohol, and nicotine and document all tattoos and piercings. If you want to reproduce or use drugs, alcohol, smoke or get tattoos and piercings, then get a job . "Put me in charge of government housing . Ever live in a military barracks? You WILL maintain our property in a clean and good state of repair. Your "home" will be subject to inspections anytime and possessions will be inventoried. If you want a plasma TV or Xbox 360, then get a job and your own place. "Put me in charge of compulsory job search . In addition, you will either present a cheque stub from a job each week or you will report to a "government" job. It may be cleaning the roadways of trash, painting and repairing public housing, whatever we find for you. We will sell your 22 inch rims and low profile tires and your blasting stereo and speakers and put that money toward the "common good.." B"efore you write that I've violated someone's rights, realize that all of the above is voluntary. If you want our money, accept our rules. "Before you say that this would be "demeaning" and ruin their "self-esteem," consider that it wasn't that long ago that taking someone else's money for doing absolutely nothing was demeaning and lowered self-esteem. "If we are expected to pay for other people's mistakes we should at least attempt to make them learn from their bad choices. The current system rewards them for continuing to make bad choices. "AND while you are on Govt subsistence, you no longer can VOTE! Yes that is correct. For you to vote would be a conflict of interest.....You will most likely vote for a 'welfare' government, so you must voluntarily remove yourself from voting while you are receiving a government welfare cheque. If you want to vote, then get a job. "Now, if you have the guts - PASS IT ON..." |
No clue
Obviously, Clerk of the Privy Council Michael Wernick skipped all the classes on public admin when he went to university. Otherwise, he would never have dared criticize Auditor General Michael Ferguson because he would have known Mr. Ferguson was an Officer of Parliament and public servants do not criticize them. Under any circumstances.
But there was the egomaniacal Wernick denying the Phoenix pay system was, as Ferguson had described it, "an incomprehensible failure". Hello Mike, buddy! With tens of thousands of public servants being over-paid, under-paid, or not paid at all for the past three years it is definitely an incomprehensible failure. This clown said it indicated "pervasive cultural problems in the federal public service" and that the chapter dealing with Phoenix in the auditor general's report was an "opinion piece".
After calling it an "opinion piece", meaning Mr. Ferguson basically had no clue about what was happening with Phoenix, the brilliant Mr. Wernick went on to say that the auditor general hadn't offered any solutions. Whaaaat?! If he only had "opinions", how could the AG suggest solutions? And last time I checked, that's not his job, it's yours.
OMG! This guy is delusional! Talk about "The Emperor's New Clothes" this guy's entire wardrobe is missing. And by the way, how do "cultural problems" eff up a pay system?? And also by the way, as head of the PCO, you're supposed to shape the culture to ensure it doesn't cause such huge problems. But conversely, Wernick actually said public servants needed to be willing to take risks and become "more nimble". Does taking risks mean deputy ministers should authorize the roll out of new pay systems before any trials or pilots have been undertaken? Because that's exactly what these highly-paid dopes did to the peril of thousands.
Shocked MP David Christopherson summed it up when he said either the clerk has his head buried in the sand, or the auditor general is off the rails. Frankly, it can only be one or the other and it's obviously the former. Just to confirm his nonsensical explanation, Wernick summed the still-not-fixed mess up this way:
"I think you have to look very deeply at the incentive structure, which is the one in which human beings act, and culture is shaped by incentives and disincentives. And there are opportunities to create incentives and disincentives which reward innovation, creativity, or stifle it."
A gold star to anyone who has any clue what that gibberish means.
Ministerial accountability should have seen the minister's ass out the door long ago, with her deputy right behind it. Sadly, the clerks under whom this would never have happened include Arnold Heney, Bob Bryce, Norman Robertson and Gordon Robertson. Since their tenures, it has been a long line of flunkies, political appointments and know-nothings.
But there was the egomaniacal Wernick denying the Phoenix pay system was, as Ferguson had described it, "an incomprehensible failure". Hello Mike, buddy! With tens of thousands of public servants being over-paid, under-paid, or not paid at all for the past three years it is definitely an incomprehensible failure. This clown said it indicated "pervasive cultural problems in the federal public service" and that the chapter dealing with Phoenix in the auditor general's report was an "opinion piece".
After calling it an "opinion piece", meaning Mr. Ferguson basically had no clue about what was happening with Phoenix, the brilliant Mr. Wernick went on to say that the auditor general hadn't offered any solutions. Whaaaat?! If he only had "opinions", how could the AG suggest solutions? And last time I checked, that's not his job, it's yours.
OMG! This guy is delusional! Talk about "The Emperor's New Clothes" this guy's entire wardrobe is missing. And by the way, how do "cultural problems" eff up a pay system?? And also by the way, as head of the PCO, you're supposed to shape the culture to ensure it doesn't cause such huge problems. But conversely, Wernick actually said public servants needed to be willing to take risks and become "more nimble". Does taking risks mean deputy ministers should authorize the roll out of new pay systems before any trials or pilots have been undertaken? Because that's exactly what these highly-paid dopes did to the peril of thousands.
Shocked MP David Christopherson summed it up when he said either the clerk has his head buried in the sand, or the auditor general is off the rails. Frankly, it can only be one or the other and it's obviously the former. Just to confirm his nonsensical explanation, Wernick summed the still-not-fixed mess up this way:
"I think you have to look very deeply at the incentive structure, which is the one in which human beings act, and culture is shaped by incentives and disincentives. And there are opportunities to create incentives and disincentives which reward innovation, creativity, or stifle it."
A gold star to anyone who has any clue what that gibberish means.
Ministerial accountability should have seen the minister's ass out the door long ago, with her deputy right behind it. Sadly, the clerks under whom this would never have happened include Arnold Heney, Bob Bryce, Norman Robertson and Gordon Robertson. Since their tenures, it has been a long line of flunkies, political appointments and know-nothings.
Sunday, June 10, 2018
Canada is besieged
Just listened to Jagmeet Singh blather on about solar and wind energy instead of pipelines. "A leaky old pipeline might employ workers for the summer or a few years, but we should be putting that money into wind and solar," he raved.
OMG! He cannot be serious! Sadly, he is. I have never been an NDP supporter, so I don't care because the guy is unelectable and only won the leadership by signing up thousands of Sikh members five minutes before the leadership race. Naturally they all voted for him en block. I feel sorry for old work horses like Charlie Angus who are now totally effed. Every time you see poor Charlie he looks like a deer in the headlights. "Wha happened??!!"
The latest issue of 'Corporate Knights' contains a list of the top 50 corporations in Canada. Here's bulletin for Trudeau and Singh: They are virtually all in the oil, gas and communications sectors; not a wind or solar company to be found. So, good luck trying to turn that Queen Mary around. The carbon price rabbit-in-the-hat stunt has failed miserably and with Ford about to chuck it, he'll have determined allies in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
The Gospel today was Mark 3.20-35 and it made me think of the disaster that is Trudeau. "If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand." That's exactly what this fool Trudeau is doing to Canada. Federalism? What's that? He has no clue. As I have said, somebody need to toss him a copy of The Constitution Act of 1982 and force him to read it.
Thought it perfect that Trump called Trudeau meek, mild, weak and a liar. Frankly, he's all of the above. If he and Freeland think they can salvage NAFTA, they've got another think coming. The first thing they have to do is get rid of all those subsidized marketing boards because you can't object to US tariffs when you are protecting certain industries to the tune of almost 300%.
OMG! He cannot be serious! Sadly, he is. I have never been an NDP supporter, so I don't care because the guy is unelectable and only won the leadership by signing up thousands of Sikh members five minutes before the leadership race. Naturally they all voted for him en block. I feel sorry for old work horses like Charlie Angus who are now totally effed. Every time you see poor Charlie he looks like a deer in the headlights. "Wha happened??!!"
The latest issue of 'Corporate Knights' contains a list of the top 50 corporations in Canada. Here's bulletin for Trudeau and Singh: They are virtually all in the oil, gas and communications sectors; not a wind or solar company to be found. So, good luck trying to turn that Queen Mary around. The carbon price rabbit-in-the-hat stunt has failed miserably and with Ford about to chuck it, he'll have determined allies in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
The Gospel today was Mark 3.20-35 and it made me think of the disaster that is Trudeau. "If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand." That's exactly what this fool Trudeau is doing to Canada. Federalism? What's that? He has no clue. As I have said, somebody need to toss him a copy of The Constitution Act of 1982 and force him to read it.
Thought it perfect that Trump called Trudeau meek, mild, weak and a liar. Frankly, he's all of the above. If he and Freeland think they can salvage NAFTA, they've got another think coming. The first thing they have to do is get rid of all those subsidized marketing boards because you can't object to US tariffs when you are protecting certain industries to the tune of almost 300%.
Saturday, June 9, 2018
Not I
Everyone is bemoaning the suicide of Anthony Bourdain. Not I. Frankly, I deem killing yourself -- especially if you have young children -- the supreme act of selfishness and cowardice. It was also irresponsible and not in keeping with proper behaviour in a civil society. The mature act it to endure, not kill ourselves. He had an 11-year-old daughter, who will be forever scarred, thinking it was her fault, that she somehow should have helped save daddy.
Robin Williams did the same thing and left children, so did Kate Spade. Even though the latter left a suicide note telling her daughter it wasn't her fault, the daughter will never believe it. In Bourdain's case, just heard an interview from CBC 2010, in which he claimed to have been at the lowest point and was on the verge when a song came on the radio and he snapped out of it. If a song can turn you around, hey, play it all the time! Frankly, he should have done it then, when his daughter would only have been three. At least she would not have the memories she now must carry around. I wonder what made him snap? A soufflé that crashed? (Sorry, but you get my drift.)
eople who commit suicide are obviously thinking only of themselves, not of the people they will leave grieving for the rest of their lives. I know, I know, people will claim I have no idea what it's like to be depressed, but I have had my share of dark and difficult moments. Divorce, no child support, a re-marriage and two additional children with an impossible mother hanging around, job loss, alcoholism and drug abuse in my family and a brother who committed suicide at 32. My brother was self-absorbed, but at least had no children. He only left our bereaved parents and me, but no one else to haunt. I was actually relieved he did it because he would no longer be tormenting my mother.
Read somewhere that people who take their own lives don't want to die, they just don't want to feel they way they do. Why don't they get help? Too proud? Too famous? It's all so boring.
Robin Williams did the same thing and left children, so did Kate Spade. Even though the latter left a suicide note telling her daughter it wasn't her fault, the daughter will never believe it. In Bourdain's case, just heard an interview from CBC 2010, in which he claimed to have been at the lowest point and was on the verge when a song came on the radio and he snapped out of it. If a song can turn you around, hey, play it all the time! Frankly, he should have done it then, when his daughter would only have been three. At least she would not have the memories she now must carry around. I wonder what made him snap? A soufflé that crashed? (Sorry, but you get my drift.)
eople who commit suicide are obviously thinking only of themselves, not of the people they will leave grieving for the rest of their lives. I know, I know, people will claim I have no idea what it's like to be depressed, but I have had my share of dark and difficult moments. Divorce, no child support, a re-marriage and two additional children with an impossible mother hanging around, job loss, alcoholism and drug abuse in my family and a brother who committed suicide at 32. My brother was self-absorbed, but at least had no children. He only left our bereaved parents and me, but no one else to haunt. I was actually relieved he did it because he would no longer be tormenting my mother.
Read somewhere that people who take their own lives don't want to die, they just don't want to feel they way they do. Why don't they get help? Too proud? Too famous? It's all so boring.
What's that all about?!
Last time I checked, the G7 consisted of seven countries:
In trying to appear "international and savvy", Trudeau has once again demonstrated he has no grasp of what it means to be a prime minister and the leader of a G7 country. He is a total embarrassment. And as I said, the unemployed Sophie only adds to the problem. Someone should tell her that today, 72% of women with children under 16 work outside the home and with two fulltime nannies, she should get a real job and be an example to women, not a liability.
- Canada
- France
- Germany
- Italy
- Japan
- The UK, and
- The US
- Argentina
- Bangladesh
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Kenya
- Marshall Islands
- Norway
- Rwanda
- Senegal
- Seychelles
- South Africa, and
- Vietman
In trying to appear "international and savvy", Trudeau has once again demonstrated he has no grasp of what it means to be a prime minister and the leader of a G7 country. He is a total embarrassment. And as I said, the unemployed Sophie only adds to the problem. Someone should tell her that today, 72% of women with children under 16 work outside the home and with two fulltime nannies, she should get a real job and be an example to women, not a liability.
Friday, June 8, 2018
You knew that was going to happen
Or at least I did. I was right about Trump's cutting out early from the G7 (See "Let them eat cake", 06-06-2018). Actually, I wondered if he would show at all, but he did -- presumably to intimidate everyone and let them know he had no intention of backing down. But he's leaving before Climate Barbie has her "plastic" day tomorrow. Can you imagine him sitting through that???!!
Don Martin just interviewed Miss CB on 'Power Play' and she was in full "Barbie" mode: dyed blonde hair hanging in hanks. Was she concerned about Trump's snub? Not at all, she claimed. "Look, Canadians want carbon taxes and they know climate change is real," she claimed. As a matter of fact, "Look (you idiot)" was her answer to every question asked. How instructive, Barb, thanks.
She should check with Doug Ford, Jason Kenney and Premier Moe about that climate change pie-in-the-sky bit. It's all "going for a burton" very shortly. Didn't work because no one in Upper Rubber Boot Saskatchewan (as B calls the sensible average Canadian) could connect the dots?! And as for the baffling cap-and-trade? Forget about it. So basically, Bob's your uncle on that file.
Barbie also actually said, "Ecspecially," at one point. Really? So 'not credible' in her smug denial stance.
What I noticed was that Trump shook hands with all the fawning women who greeted him at the plane, but actually embraced and kissed the statuesque blonde, whoever she was -- not Barbie, I should add. He is nothing if not predictable. And let's remember, the guy didn't write "The Art of the Deal" for nothing.
Here's what I didn't get: Trump debarks and is greeted on the tarmac by, wait for it.....Sophie!!?? Last time I checked, she was neither an elected figure, nor the PM, so what she was doing standing there as if in charge of something was beyond me?? She is part of the cohort of well-educated women who don't work for a living and those of us who did don't like that. Today, 72% of women with children under 16 work outside the home, so Sophie should get a real job instead of hanging around the G7 greeting world leaders who couldn't give an sh1t about what she thinks about anything.
A lot of sound and fury signifying nothing.
Don Martin just interviewed Miss CB on 'Power Play' and she was in full "Barbie" mode: dyed blonde hair hanging in hanks. Was she concerned about Trump's snub? Not at all, she claimed. "Look, Canadians want carbon taxes and they know climate change is real," she claimed. As a matter of fact, "Look (you idiot)" was her answer to every question asked. How instructive, Barb, thanks.
She should check with Doug Ford, Jason Kenney and Premier Moe about that climate change pie-in-the-sky bit. It's all "going for a burton" very shortly. Didn't work because no one in Upper Rubber Boot Saskatchewan (as B calls the sensible average Canadian) could connect the dots?! And as for the baffling cap-and-trade? Forget about it. So basically, Bob's your uncle on that file.
Barbie also actually said, "Ecspecially," at one point. Really? So 'not credible' in her smug denial stance.
What I noticed was that Trump shook hands with all the fawning women who greeted him at the plane, but actually embraced and kissed the statuesque blonde, whoever she was -- not Barbie, I should add. He is nothing if not predictable. And let's remember, the guy didn't write "The Art of the Deal" for nothing.
Here's what I didn't get: Trump debarks and is greeted on the tarmac by, wait for it.....Sophie!!?? Last time I checked, she was neither an elected figure, nor the PM, so what she was doing standing there as if in charge of something was beyond me?? She is part of the cohort of well-educated women who don't work for a living and those of us who did don't like that. Today, 72% of women with children under 16 work outside the home, so Sophie should get a real job instead of hanging around the G7 greeting world leaders who couldn't give an sh1t about what she thinks about anything.
A lot of sound and fury signifying nothing.
Wednesday, June 6, 2018
Let them eat cake
As if it isn't bad enough that Marie Antionette, a.k.a. Michaelle Jean, charged hundreds of thousands in renovations, repairs and a $20 K grand piano to the beleaguered Canadian taxpayer, she then pens a self-congratulatory piece in 'The Globe and Mail' today about how great she is and what a fabulous job she's been doing! Even though the majority of Francophonie (with emphasis on the "phonie") is not supporting her re-election, she's bound and determined to shamelessly flog her vacuous candidacy.
The nerve of some people. Right on cue, Canada is supporting her to be re-named -- another dumb, tone-deaf move by our hapless and inept Boy King.
Of course, she is egged on by her husband, Louis XVI himself, to grab everything she can get her mitts on. A number of years ago, the Royal Commonwealth Society hosted an essay competition for Canadian youth. B went and reported in horror that guests were treated to a 45-minute, all-in-French hectoring by this clown. Not the GG, her hanger-on! Last time anyone checked, the Commonwealth did not have any Francophone countries, so French was completely inappropriate -- except for a vain Frenchman like Louis.
"As a result of my commitment, the Francophonie has become an inescapable global partner, earnestly solicited and eagerly expected to take action," she opined. Really? Not so anyone has noticed. "I made the pledge that women and youth would be pillars of our work and take their rightful place as vectors (now there's a pompous word for you) of peace and agents of development." Just ask the oppressed and abused women of most member countries how that's working for them.
And speaking of women, our child-PM has announced that not the recent crippling tariffs, but gender issues and plastic bags will be the priority for the upcoming G7. Wonder how The Donald will feel about that brilliant move on two of his favourite files? How dumb can you be?! Is Sophie setting agenda? I predict Trump will either not attend at all, or turn up for five minutes and leave as quickly as he can.
We'll see if I'm right.
The nerve of some people. Right on cue, Canada is supporting her to be re-named -- another dumb, tone-deaf move by our hapless and inept Boy King.
Of course, she is egged on by her husband, Louis XVI himself, to grab everything she can get her mitts on. A number of years ago, the Royal Commonwealth Society hosted an essay competition for Canadian youth. B went and reported in horror that guests were treated to a 45-minute, all-in-French hectoring by this clown. Not the GG, her hanger-on! Last time anyone checked, the Commonwealth did not have any Francophone countries, so French was completely inappropriate -- except for a vain Frenchman like Louis.
"As a result of my commitment, the Francophonie has become an inescapable global partner, earnestly solicited and eagerly expected to take action," she opined. Really? Not so anyone has noticed. "I made the pledge that women and youth would be pillars of our work and take their rightful place as vectors (now there's a pompous word for you) of peace and agents of development." Just ask the oppressed and abused women of most member countries how that's working for them.
And speaking of women, our child-PM has announced that not the recent crippling tariffs, but gender issues and plastic bags will be the priority for the upcoming G7. Wonder how The Donald will feel about that brilliant move on two of his favourite files? How dumb can you be?! Is Sophie setting agenda? I predict Trump will either not attend at all, or turn up for five minutes and leave as quickly as he can.
We'll see if I'm right.
Tuesday, June 5, 2018
So impressive
I'm talking about that tough-as-nails Sarah Huckabee Saunders, Trump's press secretary. I watch her often and can't believe how she handles herself in front of the toughest gang in the world. She brucks no bullsh-t. Stands her ground and presses along. Can you imagine how daunting that is!?
But what I wanted to go on about today is the reality that NAFTA is dead, but poor old Freeland didn't see it coming. And now that Trudeau is still pushing keeping Mexico in, neither did he. B said 10 years ago that the only deals any country can negotiate are the bilateral ones. Harper got that, but this bunch?! No clue. Trump has announced he wants separate deals with Canada and Mexico, which is the only way to go. Hello! The original Free Trade Agreement, of which I was proud to have been a part.
The other bush-t underway is the extension of the MMIGW (or whatever it's called). They asked for another two years and $50 million. Two years! To do what?! Listen to more crying and teeth-gnashing for nought? Carolyn Bennett gave them six months, which is still waaaaaay too long, to "Get to the bottom of the systemic problems facing indigenous women," she proffered. We all know what the problem is: The reserve system that traps people in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do except drink, take drugs and kill women.
All so effing useless.
But what I wanted to go on about today is the reality that NAFTA is dead, but poor old Freeland didn't see it coming. And now that Trudeau is still pushing keeping Mexico in, neither did he. B said 10 years ago that the only deals any country can negotiate are the bilateral ones. Harper got that, but this bunch?! No clue. Trump has announced he wants separate deals with Canada and Mexico, which is the only way to go. Hello! The original Free Trade Agreement, of which I was proud to have been a part.
The other bush-t underway is the extension of the MMIGW (or whatever it's called). They asked for another two years and $50 million. Two years! To do what?! Listen to more crying and teeth-gnashing for nought? Carolyn Bennett gave them six months, which is still waaaaaay too long, to "Get to the bottom of the systemic problems facing indigenous women," she proffered. We all know what the problem is: The reserve system that traps people in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do except drink, take drugs and kill women.
All so effing useless.
You don't do that
If you've never read Cathal Kelly in the Sports section of 'The Globe and Mail', do yourself a favour and start. I stumbled across him a few years ago, when reading something by my old Maclean Hunter colleague, Roy MacGregor. Kelly is a brilliant writer -- a cross between a modern day James Joyce and the late Tom Wolfe.
I now look eagerly for him every day, even though I have zilch interest in professional sport. He's funny, intelligent, insightful and makes me realize I am not that good a writer. Really. Anyway, yesterday he had a brilliant piece about the visceral hatred between Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova. Even though Williams consistently beats Sharapova, there is something about the latter that spooks the former. I had no idea, but what do I read today? Williams has pulled out of The French Open just before her fourth-round match with the confident and daunting (to her) Russian.
Frankly, I think Williams was rattled by the impending battle and called a press conference to cite some vague pectoral muscle strain as the reason -- even before the "injury" had been looked at, diagnosed or MRI'd. So, Sharapova won that one without having to step onto the court.
In the "old days", no one would ever duck out of a match for a pulled muscle. You entered the match and you played until you were beaten. She had just won a decisive victory over someone-or-other and then announced she had to withdraw because of a hangnail. It's complete BS.
As someone wrote the other day, tennis is now very boring. Gone are the days of the volatile Ili Nastase, the tempestuous Jimmy Connors and the unpredictable John McEnroe. Now everyone is a boring, wooden-faced Bjorn Borg or Milos Raonic. We have a wonderful book by a couple of Aussie players entitled "Tennis for the Bloody Fun of It'. No one's having any anymore.
I now look eagerly for him every day, even though I have zilch interest in professional sport. He's funny, intelligent, insightful and makes me realize I am not that good a writer. Really. Anyway, yesterday he had a brilliant piece about the visceral hatred between Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova. Even though Williams consistently beats Sharapova, there is something about the latter that spooks the former. I had no idea, but what do I read today? Williams has pulled out of The French Open just before her fourth-round match with the confident and daunting (to her) Russian.
Frankly, I think Williams was rattled by the impending battle and called a press conference to cite some vague pectoral muscle strain as the reason -- even before the "injury" had been looked at, diagnosed or MRI'd. So, Sharapova won that one without having to step onto the court.
In the "old days", no one would ever duck out of a match for a pulled muscle. You entered the match and you played until you were beaten. She had just won a decisive victory over someone-or-other and then announced she had to withdraw because of a hangnail. It's complete BS.
As someone wrote the other day, tennis is now very boring. Gone are the days of the volatile Ili Nastase, the tempestuous Jimmy Connors and the unpredictable John McEnroe. Now everyone is a boring, wooden-faced Bjorn Borg or Milos Raonic. We have a wonderful book by a couple of Aussie players entitled "Tennis for the Bloody Fun of It'. No one's having any anymore.
Sunday, June 3, 2018
Ontario is still.....
....basically very conservative which is why people don't like Kathleen Wynne. Her problem is that she married a man, had kids and then came out as a lesbian. Small-town Ontarians and traditional, family-oriented immigrants don't like that and they certainly didn't like her "wife" campaigning with her. I see she has stopped that, but it's too late. I don't care what she is, but that's all I can think of for the personal dislike most have of her.
Of course, after 15 years, the Liberals have outworn their welcome. Her other problem is she should have resigned a year ago, when it was clear people had a personal dislike of her. But she didn't and insisted on leading the party into a soon-to-be disastrous election for her party. Even Dalton McGinty knew when to go. And didn't he land on well-heeled feet! He's now a handsomely-paid professor at Harvard! (Remind me never to go there.)
Watching all the coverage on the Sunday morning political shows a couple of other things are clear to me: Tonda MacCharles needs to lose that ridiculous eighties hairdo and Elizabeth May needs to get her teeth fixed.
Of course, after 15 years, the Liberals have outworn their welcome. Her other problem is she should have resigned a year ago, when it was clear people had a personal dislike of her. But she didn't and insisted on leading the party into a soon-to-be disastrous election for her party. Even Dalton McGinty knew when to go. And didn't he land on well-heeled feet! He's now a handsomely-paid professor at Harvard! (Remind me never to go there.)
Watching all the coverage on the Sunday morning political shows a couple of other things are clear to me: Tonda MacCharles needs to lose that ridiculous eighties hairdo and Elizabeth May needs to get her teeth fixed.
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