Didn't know, but there is such a thing as the Community Well-Being (CWB) index, which measures a combination of income, employment, housing and education. In many native communities, the CWB is actually increasing, says Tom Flanagan, professor of poli-sci at the University of Calgary. The bad news is many native communities are falling behind.
The reason?
Those communities improving are those taking control of their own affairs and utilizing off ramps from the Indian Act with such initiatives as joining the land management regime, treating land and resources as a source of income, taking advantage of local opportunities to become self-supporting via own-source revenue and developing accountable governance practices that avoid secrecy and conflict of interest, while observing the rule of law.
The rule of law and accountability! Wow what a concept! Transparent fiscal management! The rule of law! Effort and capitalization on economic opportunities!
Those with falling CWB indecies? Communities that practice neither own-source revenue, nor initiatives to escape from the pervasive control of the Indian Act and Indigenous Affairs bureaucracy. Remoteness from urban locations is an obvious problem for those reserves with the most seriously declining CWB scores, notes Flanagan -- who also happens to have been former PM Stephen Harper's economics professor and mentor. Many reserves at the very bottom have no year-round road connection to a service centre, which is a big problem.
"Finally, government needs to continue what it has already done to some degree -- create opportunities outside the Act, thus making it easier for First Nations to improve their own standard of living. Both Ottawa and the Western provinces have caught on to the idea of First Nations owning pipelines so they can become players in the resource economy, not just suppliers of land and labour. Now, if we can just get those pipelines built," Flanagan concludes.
What have I been saying for years? Get off the reserves and integrate into mainstream society and economy. You can still keep and practice your culture and language -- like every other ethnic group does -- but start by being part of Canada.
Saturday, December 21, 2019
Wednesday, December 18, 2019
B saved $55,330
Reading 'Fortune' the other day, B came across an ad for VERY expensive watches. Taking a look, I saw one called an 'Audemars Piquet' for.....wait for it.....$55,400! I mean, seriously! B replaced his trusty 'Timex' a few days ago for....wait for it.....$70, meaning he saved $55,330. He gave his other "trusty Timex" to our grandson who was absolutely thrilled! An analog timepiece, it will now teach him to actually tell time, something you can't really do with the digital variety.
I have to add that B has a number of expensive watches, which I now wear -- including an antique Cartier, and Omega Seamaster -- but he prefers the Timex.
Here is the most expensive watch I have ever seen:
 |
| The $55,400 Audemars Piquet |
 |
| B's $70 Timex |
I rest my case.
Sunday, December 15, 2019
Her office?
When Trudeau shafted her, I had a little admiration for Jodi Wilson-Raybould. I now have none. Imagine the gall of her refusing to move out of the big, swanky office she occupied when she was Solicitor General! Not only does she sit as an independent on the back bench in a corner, but she is also a complete nobody and yet will not vacate the office designated for the SG.
Who does she think she is? But yet, when I realize she is a native, it all makes perfect, entitled sense. Has she no respect for the constitution and the role of Parliament? That is not "her" office. It belongs to the people of Canada. To me, she has shown her true colours and they are not pretty.
Another shock to me this past week was the revelation that the saintly Andrew Scheer has been dipping into party funds to pay for his five kids' private school education. WTF!? This has been a well-kept secret because everyone knows it's an outrage. I mean, the guy has a huge salary, lives for free in the official residence of the leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition, gets a clothing allowance, drivers, food, household staff and yet charges the party for this kids' catholic education!? Someone should tell him there is a very good separate school system in Ottawa (my daughter taught in it) and that he should bloody well send his kids there like the rest of the great unwashed.
So, not only is he weak and a loser, but he's also a bum. Time to straighten up and fly right, Andrew. And by the way, pay all the money back.
Remember Bev Oda's $16 glass of orange juice? That was enough to finish her off. Canadians don't like this sort of stuff.
Who does she think she is? But yet, when I realize she is a native, it all makes perfect, entitled sense. Has she no respect for the constitution and the role of Parliament? That is not "her" office. It belongs to the people of Canada. To me, she has shown her true colours and they are not pretty.
Another shock to me this past week was the revelation that the saintly Andrew Scheer has been dipping into party funds to pay for his five kids' private school education. WTF!? This has been a well-kept secret because everyone knows it's an outrage. I mean, the guy has a huge salary, lives for free in the official residence of the leader of Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition, gets a clothing allowance, drivers, food, household staff and yet charges the party for this kids' catholic education!? Someone should tell him there is a very good separate school system in Ottawa (my daughter taught in it) and that he should bloody well send his kids there like the rest of the great unwashed.
So, not only is he weak and a loser, but he's also a bum. Time to straighten up and fly right, Andrew. And by the way, pay all the money back.
Remember Bev Oda's $16 glass of orange juice? That was enough to finish her off. Canadians don't like this sort of stuff.
Saturday, December 7, 2019
Hahahaha!
Every day, 'The Globe and Mail' posts a "Moment in Time" feature. Today it was about the tabling of the Royal Commission on the Status of Women on December 7, 1970. Forty-nine years ago. It is to laugh because not much has changed.
Hailed as a milestone achievement in the fight for women's rights, it definitely fell short. The gender pay gap persists, domestic violence against women continues unabated, support for women released from prison isn't there, ditto for affordable child care and a whole host of other recommendations the report naively called for. Women like my mother and her ilk ignored it; young women like I thought it a breakthrough Trudeau senior was PM then and we all know what he thought about women, one word: Margaret.
Sigh. Here are the authors congratulating themselves:
Hailed as a milestone achievement in the fight for women's rights, it definitely fell short. The gender pay gap persists, domestic violence against women continues unabated, support for women released from prison isn't there, ditto for affordable child care and a whole host of other recommendations the report naively called for. Women like my mother and her ilk ignored it; young women like I thought it a breakthrough Trudeau senior was PM then and we all know what he thought about women, one word: Margaret.
Sigh. Here are the authors congratulating themselves:
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| Notice the men who had to handle its release. |
Friday, December 6, 2019
Nothing to see here, folks, move along
Incredibly, the federal government just released a study that says female workers who have children fall behind male counterparts financially and in career progression.
No kidding!
I have been saying this ever since I became pregnant with my first child in 1976. Because they have the biological function of child bearing, women are penalized in the workforce. When I had my first, I had to leave my post and go on unemployment insurance. When I returned six months later, I was given "a" job back, not mine. Someone else was sitting in my office doing my job. Same thing with my second in 1979. Only six months' UI, then back to "a" job. Of course I fell behind.
So, it takes the government 43 years to get this figured out. Duh! Clawing my way back and drawing on the talent God gave me, I moved on and up, but certainly the system didn't give a sh-t. What pisses me off are women who take up an expensive spot in an institute of higher learning, get a degree and then sit on their asses at home when they have a kid. Why do they think we went to the barricades? Why do they think it's OK? I have heard so many educated women say how fortunate they are to be able to stay home -- while some man finances them -- and take care of their kids. In reality, these are the "Real housewives of.....wherever....." Frankly, most join a "Mum's Club" and drink wine.
Sad. Their kids would be much better off in daycare with professionals looking after them instead of watching mummy drink wine on some neighbour's patio.
_________________________________
But back to what's happening here. Apparently, femicide is increasing. Of the 118 murders of women and girls so far in Canada in 2019 (apparently likely a low number, say authorities), 98 perpetrators have been identified. Of those, 98% were friends, family or acquaintances; only eight percent were strangers, says the report from the Women's Centre for Social Justice in Toronto.
In fact, the relationship between victims and killers was known in 77% of cases. Only eight percent were strangers. And where were the majority of these killings? Nunavut, Yukon, Manitoba and Alberta. And who were killed? Indigenous women and girls.
So, folks, we know who is killing these women and girls: Their own family members. No need for further inquiries into "Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women".
No kidding!
I have been saying this ever since I became pregnant with my first child in 1976. Because they have the biological function of child bearing, women are penalized in the workforce. When I had my first, I had to leave my post and go on unemployment insurance. When I returned six months later, I was given "a" job back, not mine. Someone else was sitting in my office doing my job. Same thing with my second in 1979. Only six months' UI, then back to "a" job. Of course I fell behind.
So, it takes the government 43 years to get this figured out. Duh! Clawing my way back and drawing on the talent God gave me, I moved on and up, but certainly the system didn't give a sh-t. What pisses me off are women who take up an expensive spot in an institute of higher learning, get a degree and then sit on their asses at home when they have a kid. Why do they think we went to the barricades? Why do they think it's OK? I have heard so many educated women say how fortunate they are to be able to stay home -- while some man finances them -- and take care of their kids. In reality, these are the "Real housewives of.....wherever....." Frankly, most join a "Mum's Club" and drink wine.
Sad. Their kids would be much better off in daycare with professionals looking after them instead of watching mummy drink wine on some neighbour's patio.
_________________________________
But back to what's happening here. Apparently, femicide is increasing. Of the 118 murders of women and girls so far in Canada in 2019 (apparently likely a low number, say authorities), 98 perpetrators have been identified. Of those, 98% were friends, family or acquaintances; only eight percent were strangers, says the report from the Women's Centre for Social Justice in Toronto.
In fact, the relationship between victims and killers was known in 77% of cases. Only eight percent were strangers. And where were the majority of these killings? Nunavut, Yukon, Manitoba and Alberta. And who were killed? Indigenous women and girls.
So, folks, we know who is killing these women and girls: Their own family members. No need for further inquiries into "Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women".
Thursday, November 28, 2019
Yes it has
"The PC revolution has devoured its children," writes John Robson in 'The National Post'. It certainly has and I am ashamed of today's wimpy, wishy-washy, constantly offended younger generation. Apparently, words of advice given Brian Mulroney by his father, now part of a tribute to the ex-PM at St. Francis Xavier University, were so offensive the president had to drop to full grovel mode and apologize.
What were the words? "The only way out of a paper mill town is through a university door." That's what Mulroney's father told him. But whoa, the offense taken by just one student was enough to make the entire administration eat a big handful of mud, rather than stand up and be proud of one of its illustrious graduates. (I wasn't a fan, but you can't deny his accomplishments.)
"As a social worker in training (of course, it's a social worker), I need to speak out against oppression and discrimination," said this silly girl. "Just because post-secondary education is your idea of success, that (sic) doesn't mean that (sic) it's everybody else's. Living in a paper mill town is not an obstacle that (sic) you need to overcome," she whined. Judging by the number of "sic's" I had to use in just one sentence, this ninny needs to spend more time cracking a grammar book than taking offence at nothing.
"Might I suggest this sentiment is just a tiny bit 'judgy'," writes Robson. "In fact, taken seriously this argument devours itself as well as its offspring," he adds. "In the brave new 'how dare you' world, everything and everyone is either offended or offensive. Nobody can prefer anything or dislike anything. Which makes them incredible quick to put everyone down, including erstwhile allies."
"The extreme sanctimony and narrow-mindedness of the PC movement, however cloaked in non-judgmental tolerance, means they are very good at tearing things down, including statues of Sir John A. Macdonald, but they are lousy at building anything because they're so angry and negative. It's grotesque," he concludes.
I wholeheartedly agree.
What were the words? "The only way out of a paper mill town is through a university door." That's what Mulroney's father told him. But whoa, the offense taken by just one student was enough to make the entire administration eat a big handful of mud, rather than stand up and be proud of one of its illustrious graduates. (I wasn't a fan, but you can't deny his accomplishments.)
"As a social worker in training (of course, it's a social worker), I need to speak out against oppression and discrimination," said this silly girl. "Just because post-secondary education is your idea of success, that (sic) doesn't mean that (sic) it's everybody else's. Living in a paper mill town is not an obstacle that (sic) you need to overcome," she whined. Judging by the number of "sic's" I had to use in just one sentence, this ninny needs to spend more time cracking a grammar book than taking offence at nothing.
"Might I suggest this sentiment is just a tiny bit 'judgy'," writes Robson. "In fact, taken seriously this argument devours itself as well as its offspring," he adds. "In the brave new 'how dare you' world, everything and everyone is either offended or offensive. Nobody can prefer anything or dislike anything. Which makes them incredible quick to put everyone down, including erstwhile allies."
"The extreme sanctimony and narrow-mindedness of the PC movement, however cloaked in non-judgmental tolerance, means they are very good at tearing things down, including statues of Sir John A. Macdonald, but they are lousy at building anything because they're so angry and negative. It's grotesque," he concludes.
I wholeheartedly agree.
Tuesday, November 26, 2019
The usual tommy rot from this woman
No sooner had Cindy Blackstock, children's advocate for natives, extracted $40,000 for every child taken into care since the beginning of the world, she was bemoaning the fact that the government was appealing the ruling. Does anyone realize how much money that is going to cost Canadians -- on top of the billions already given!?
Interviewing her, Joyce Napier asked where and when would it stop? That was a brave question, but Cindy just ignored it and moaned on about water. Huh!? As always I ask myself why were these children taken into care in the first place? That's a question no one dares ask because the answer would be unpalatable, to say the least, for the natives. Here's Cindy whacking away on CTV yesterday:
Interviewing her, Joyce Napier asked where and when would it stop? That was a brave question, but Cindy just ignored it and moaned on about water. Huh!? As always I ask myself why were these children taken into care in the first place? That's a question no one dares ask because the answer would be unpalatable, to say the least, for the natives. Here's Cindy whacking away on CTV yesterday:
The government has to appeal this because it will cost us more billions. This has to stop somewhere, but as long as Cindy and her ilk are gainfully employed in the "industry", it won't.
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| Do you think to feds will win this one? Gawd, I hope so. |
Wednesday, November 20, 2019
She'll be great. Not
So, Chrystia Freeland is to be named deputy PM and minister of inter-governmental affairs. You know what I think of her, a disaster. Just saw her strolling up the lane to Government House sporting her usual smug smirk, messy hair and too-short-too-tight outfit. Not a second thought about anything. Ever. Here she is, with Clown-in-Chief, in all her odiousness:
No she won't. Trump and Lighthizer hated her. Diplomatic skills? She apparently has none. To master such skills, one has to be mindful and respectful of the positions of others. She is not, which is why it took three years to tweak the agreement. NAFTA has yet to be ratified in the US and with only about 10 days left in the congress and senate before Christmas, it won't be. That's not me talking, it's people who know. They're too busy trying in vain to impeach Trump to bother with NAFTA. And speaking of the impeachment proceedings, I despair when I turn on both CTV and CBC and am faced with all-day-word-for-word coverage of these dreary and pointless hearings. But when I saw the sorry procession of ministers schlepping into Rideau Hall this morning, I actually switched to the hearings. Couldn't bear to watch the train of self-satisfied egomaniacs traipsing through the portals. Even 'The Real Housewives of.....anything' would be a welcome relief.
I might peak out from under the sofa to see this new, gender-equal, incompetent cabinet -- just to torture myself anew. The only positive thing about it will be for the bureaucrats who laboured in torture under the feeble, smug, inept and unimpressive Climate Barbie. They will no longer have to. Instead, they'll have a fresh, new mess to contend with.
Wonder what moniker Barbie will be given in her new portfolio? Since it's "infrastructure", I think I'll dub her "Concrete Barbie".
______________________________________________________
p.s. I have been saying this about Freeland for years, but finally a respected journalist has agreed. Read Konrad Yakabuski in today's Globe; finally a little truth and vindication.
 |
| The self-satisfaction is hideous. And don't get me started on Payette! |
 |
| No clue how badly she has messed up. |
Why would Trudeau -- or should I say Butts -- give her a portfolio in which she has to work with many other governments when she couldn't even close one file: NAFTA?! So now, instead of thoughtlessly bulldozing officials in one department, she will be a bull-in-the-china-shop with the others? "Well, she certainly honed her diplomatic skills with the Americans putting NAFTA together, so she'll be great in this new post," said one misguided wag on CBC radio this morning.
No she won't. Trump and Lighthizer hated her. Diplomatic skills? She apparently has none. To master such skills, one has to be mindful and respectful of the positions of others. She is not, which is why it took three years to tweak the agreement. NAFTA has yet to be ratified in the US and with only about 10 days left in the congress and senate before Christmas, it won't be. That's not me talking, it's people who know. They're too busy trying in vain to impeach Trump to bother with NAFTA. And speaking of the impeachment proceedings, I despair when I turn on both CTV and CBC and am faced with all-day-word-for-word coverage of these dreary and pointless hearings. But when I saw the sorry procession of ministers schlepping into Rideau Hall this morning, I actually switched to the hearings. Couldn't bear to watch the train of self-satisfied egomaniacs traipsing through the portals. Even 'The Real Housewives of.....anything' would be a welcome relief.
I might peak out from under the sofa to see this new, gender-equal, incompetent cabinet -- just to torture myself anew. The only positive thing about it will be for the bureaucrats who laboured in torture under the feeble, smug, inept and unimpressive Climate Barbie. They will no longer have to. Instead, they'll have a fresh, new mess to contend with.
Wonder what moniker Barbie will be given in her new portfolio? Since it's "infrastructure", I think I'll dub her "Concrete Barbie".
______________________________________________________
p.s. I have been saying this about Freeland for years, but finally a respected journalist has agreed. Read Konrad Yakabuski in today's Globe; finally a little truth and vindication.
Sunday, November 17, 2019
Women in the office
"Where do you fit in because I don't hear your name," said a DG of Personnel to me many years ago when he took over as my boss. Turns out, he was a real jerk. He didn't last, but I did. The first thing he did was build an outer foyer to his office so no one could get past his bulldog secretary and anywhere near him. I mean, seriously, this guy was head of HR and didn't want to deal with people?!
Totally political, his attitude and actions did him in. Me? I outlasted a lot of his type and managed to hang in until I got a nice pension. A few years after he disappeared, I saw him schlepping around the lawn-and-garden department of a local supermarket in Ottawa. I went up and asked him what had happened? He walked away; I was still employed, he was not.
That's what one did in the federal government. One kept one's head down, kept the field agents happy and did all the "beneath me" jobs no one else would. I volunteered as the Floor Warden and the Health and Safety rep, which afforded me a parallel network when my various (female) bosses were giving me a hard time. You should have seen me during fire drills, with my helmet, flashlight and high heels directing the evacuation of the building. Hilarious!
I remember once charging $14 to our cost centre for some health-and-safety signs and getting an officious email from my then manager (female) asking by what authority I had charged this? She wasn't actually "asking", she was informing me I had had no business charging $14 without her famous approval. What did I do? I forwarded her email to the ADM on the committee with me, who promptly sent me his cost centre number and told me to charge it to him.
She looked like the insecure b-tch she was and it was fun outing her. See, that's what I mean, I had a backdoor channel to this ADM because I did jobs no one else would. Every few months, for instance, I had to go to all floors with a device that checked the microwaves to be sure they weren't leaking. Stuff like that. You get the picture.
So, it was with mixed feelings that I read yesterday of the untimely death of one ADM (female) I worked for. Only 68, she had been parachuted in for various political and gender reasons, I presume. When she arrived, she held a now-hear-this meeting with all of us and then never spoke to me again. That was fine because I ran a field program and was just as happy to have no interference from her "type". She was just another example of a woman who didn't like certain other women, of whom I guess I was one. Years later, I used to see her at our golf club and she actually had no clue who I was?! Totally ignored me, as she had in the office. But I did post a notice on her obituary simply offering "condolences to the family".
Another woman for whom I worked in Fisheries and Oceans also died recently. She really hated me, to the extent that she ordered me to leave the office and never return. So, I had a two-month free holiday until I was picked up by an ADM at the Office of the Comptroller General to do an in-depth study on the value-added of the OCG. Not much, it turned out. What fun it was chairing meetings this woman had to attend about projects we were undertaking, but I guess not fun for her. Another RIP in order here.
When I think back, every, single woman I worked for did not like me. Often it was because they didn't like the ugly stench of truth which usually hung all over me. One incident in particular I remember concerned the disastrous 1-800 lines at the CRA. They were always busy and inaccessible back then, which was duly reported by field agents to the program I ran. Passing these realities up the line (I also had an agent in the deputy minister's office) often caused big trouble because no one -- Gawd forbid -- ever told the minister the truth about the latest eff-up in the field.
One Friday afternoon (Friday was always the day the report went up) I was called into our DG's (female) office to have a strip torn off me about the 1-800 line issues. Really? Really! Me!? Leaning over her desk I said, "Last time I checked, M, I was not responsible for the 1-800 lines. I neither designed nor installed them. You did. Is that all?" And I left. Sadly, another case of a woman trying to blame another for her own mess. Instead of helping female colleagues climb out of the stereotypical ditch, many women chose to stomp all over them as they tried to come out of it. Close to retirement, I was in a lovely "untouchable" position and thus able to say anything.
When I retired, I just walked out of the office, after saying farewell to colleagues I had loved working with. No party, no dinner. Nothing. But I was given a booklet with the most wonderful messages from many, many field agents, who had written heartfelt tributes to me for my work with them over the years. Now that was worth keeping.
What do I always say? Women are their own worst enemies.
Totally political, his attitude and actions did him in. Me? I outlasted a lot of his type and managed to hang in until I got a nice pension. A few years after he disappeared, I saw him schlepping around the lawn-and-garden department of a local supermarket in Ottawa. I went up and asked him what had happened? He walked away; I was still employed, he was not.
That's what one did in the federal government. One kept one's head down, kept the field agents happy and did all the "beneath me" jobs no one else would. I volunteered as the Floor Warden and the Health and Safety rep, which afforded me a parallel network when my various (female) bosses were giving me a hard time. You should have seen me during fire drills, with my helmet, flashlight and high heels directing the evacuation of the building. Hilarious!
I remember once charging $14 to our cost centre for some health-and-safety signs and getting an officious email from my then manager (female) asking by what authority I had charged this? She wasn't actually "asking", she was informing me I had had no business charging $14 without her famous approval. What did I do? I forwarded her email to the ADM on the committee with me, who promptly sent me his cost centre number and told me to charge it to him.
She looked like the insecure b-tch she was and it was fun outing her. See, that's what I mean, I had a backdoor channel to this ADM because I did jobs no one else would. Every few months, for instance, I had to go to all floors with a device that checked the microwaves to be sure they weren't leaking. Stuff like that. You get the picture.
So, it was with mixed feelings that I read yesterday of the untimely death of one ADM (female) I worked for. Only 68, she had been parachuted in for various political and gender reasons, I presume. When she arrived, she held a now-hear-this meeting with all of us and then never spoke to me again. That was fine because I ran a field program and was just as happy to have no interference from her "type". She was just another example of a woman who didn't like certain other women, of whom I guess I was one. Years later, I used to see her at our golf club and she actually had no clue who I was?! Totally ignored me, as she had in the office. But I did post a notice on her obituary simply offering "condolences to the family".
Another woman for whom I worked in Fisheries and Oceans also died recently. She really hated me, to the extent that she ordered me to leave the office and never return. So, I had a two-month free holiday until I was picked up by an ADM at the Office of the Comptroller General to do an in-depth study on the value-added of the OCG. Not much, it turned out. What fun it was chairing meetings this woman had to attend about projects we were undertaking, but I guess not fun for her. Another RIP in order here.
When I think back, every, single woman I worked for did not like me. Often it was because they didn't like the ugly stench of truth which usually hung all over me. One incident in particular I remember concerned the disastrous 1-800 lines at the CRA. They were always busy and inaccessible back then, which was duly reported by field agents to the program I ran. Passing these realities up the line (I also had an agent in the deputy minister's office) often caused big trouble because no one -- Gawd forbid -- ever told the minister the truth about the latest eff-up in the field.
One Friday afternoon (Friday was always the day the report went up) I was called into our DG's (female) office to have a strip torn off me about the 1-800 line issues. Really? Really! Me!? Leaning over her desk I said, "Last time I checked, M, I was not responsible for the 1-800 lines. I neither designed nor installed them. You did. Is that all?" And I left. Sadly, another case of a woman trying to blame another for her own mess. Instead of helping female colleagues climb out of the stereotypical ditch, many women chose to stomp all over them as they tried to come out of it. Close to retirement, I was in a lovely "untouchable" position and thus able to say anything.
When I retired, I just walked out of the office, after saying farewell to colleagues I had loved working with. No party, no dinner. Nothing. But I was given a booklet with the most wonderful messages from many, many field agents, who had written heartfelt tributes to me for my work with them over the years. Now that was worth keeping.
What do I always say? Women are their own worst enemies.
Monday, November 11, 2019
Don is right
Don Cherry was correct in admonishing any Canadian who doesn't wear a poppy on Remembrance Day. All Canadians must. Even if you don't want to, wear one because those who made the ultimate sacrifice did it so you could not wear one. (I know that doesn't make sense, but you get my drift.)
And will he walk it back? Bloody right he won't. B and I had many family members who served; some came back, others perished. Sportsnet was stupid to fire him because if they were trying to make it go away, it certainly won't now! The people who watch hockey and Don will remain loyal. As a matter of fact, viewership actually rises when he comes on and drops off when 'Coach's Corner' is over and the game resumes. Frankly, the only reason I watch out of the corner of my eye is to tune in when Don is on. Ron was a pussy to abandon Don and grovel. But, we all know the one with the balls is Cherry.
We know what he meant when he said, "You people." He meant people who clamour to get into Canada, but don't wear a poppy in gratitude. In fact, I did my own little unscientific survey at the Y this morning and found that what Don said was absolutely correct. In spite of the fact that people think Calgary is a cowtown full of white cowboys, it's not. Calgary is very multi-cultural and multi-racial. After my swim, I sat around for a while just to see who was wearing a poppy and who wasn't. I did not see one non-Caucasian wearing a poppy. Not one. If you are going to be a Canadian, adopt this practice and observe Remembrance Day with respect and gratitude.
Here are some of our family heroes:
And will he walk it back? Bloody right he won't. B and I had many family members who served; some came back, others perished. Sportsnet was stupid to fire him because if they were trying to make it go away, it certainly won't now! The people who watch hockey and Don will remain loyal. As a matter of fact, viewership actually rises when he comes on and drops off when 'Coach's Corner' is over and the game resumes. Frankly, the only reason I watch out of the corner of my eye is to tune in when Don is on. Ron was a pussy to abandon Don and grovel. But, we all know the one with the balls is Cherry.
We know what he meant when he said, "You people." He meant people who clamour to get into Canada, but don't wear a poppy in gratitude. In fact, I did my own little unscientific survey at the Y this morning and found that what Don said was absolutely correct. In spite of the fact that people think Calgary is a cowtown full of white cowboys, it's not. Calgary is very multi-cultural and multi-racial. After my swim, I sat around for a while just to see who was wearing a poppy and who wasn't. I did not see one non-Caucasian wearing a poppy. Not one. If you are going to be a Canadian, adopt this practice and observe Remembrance Day with respect and gratitude.
Here are some of our family heroes:
 |
| My father, Thomas Raymond Griffith, head of the rubber lab at the National Research Council. He was instrumental in inventing synthetic rubber -- vital to the war effort. He had 250 patents to his name, which made millions for the country. One of his patents was rubber shoes for prop planes which were electrically conductive so ice could be prevented from building up during flight. This saved countless lives. His work was so vital he was not permitted to go the the battlefield. RIP. |
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| B's great-grandfather, father (right) and great uncle. All served in India with the Irish Hussars. If they look tough, they were. |
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| My uncle, Major Roland Marcel Brousseau, who served in Italy in WW II. He made it home, I loved him dearly. |
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| B's uncle, Clive Desmond Marley-Clarke, a captain in KE VI's Own Gurkha Rifles. Killed by a sniper in Italy at 23. |
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| B's parents, Captain Ivan Frank William Marley-Clarke, and Diamond Iris Thelma Walsh. Ivan was torpedoed twice by the Japanese in the Indian Ocean. He would not ride in a Japanese car. I loved the man. |
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| Ivan was a Master Mariner of Canada. |
Friday, November 8, 2019
Tone deaf
That's Andrew Scheer. Instead of separating his religious beliefs from his political life, he doubles down. As a politician, you have to separate "church and state". But he didn't and he doesn't.
After a seven-hour caucus meeting, he emerged exactly as he had gone in. Sticking with the staff who had done him in and avoiding all questions about gay marriage and abortion. Sorry buddy, you can't win with those attitudes.
The other thing he said was, "My personal beliefs come first, then my family, then the party." Stupid. That may be what you think, but you can't have those priorities as the leader.
He has to go.
After a seven-hour caucus meeting, he emerged exactly as he had gone in. Sticking with the staff who had done him in and avoiding all questions about gay marriage and abortion. Sorry buddy, you can't win with those attitudes.
The other thing he said was, "My personal beliefs come first, then my family, then the party." Stupid. That may be what you think, but you can't have those priorities as the leader.
He has to go.
Thursday, October 31, 2019
Sweet
"Your table manners are so good," I said to grandson the other day, as he said, 'please, thank you, this is delicious and may I be excused from the table' and took his plate to the counter. "Mummy must have taught you well." "Well Grandma, you taught Mummy so she taught me," he sweetly replied.
Now, that's one compliment I will treasure. His sister is completely logical in her politesse. "I like this, but I don't like it, but I like it," she commented. Translated, this means, "I like this soup you made, but I like the other kind with the tortellini better, but I still like this one." Sounds logical to me.
________________________________________
With the deluded Greta stumbling boringly around the world, I got to thinking about how our parents' and grandparents' generations recycled before recycling was invented! Like this:
Now, that's one compliment I will treasure. His sister is completely logical in her politesse. "I like this, but I don't like it, but I like it," she commented. Translated, this means, "I like this soup you made, but I like the other kind with the tortellini better, but I still like this one." Sounds logical to me.
________________________________________
With the deluded Greta stumbling boringly around the world, I got to thinking about how our parents' and grandparents' generations recycled before recycling was invented! Like this:
- Paper bags only, used for other things such as covering school books
- Waxed paper, no plastic wrap
- Beer bottles taken back
- Milk bottles picked up by the milk man
- Water from a fountain
- Frozen juice mixed in the same container
- Clotheslines
- No canned soft drinks
- Cloth diapers
- Ironing
- Paper straws
- Cotton and cardboard tampons
- Leftovers used for soup or casseroles
- Visiting the shoemaker regularly (I still wear pairs that are 30-40 years old)
- Making one's own clothes
- Saving and re-using wrapping paper, ribbon and string
- Wearing hand-me-downs from older siblings and cousins
- Pens and inkwells at school
- Fillable fountain pens
- Push lawnmowers
- Saving screws and all sorts of other hardware items
- Knitting.......
Tuesday, October 22, 2019
So depressing
Reading 'The Globe and Mail' this morning and listening to the political talking heads all day, I was confronted with the following:
So depressing.
Also depressing that Climate Barbie has been re-elected. And to listen to Scheer, Singh, May and Bernier talk about how each "won" last night is ludicrous. Especially Bernier, who not only lost his own seat, but also failed to win any for his "People's Party".
So, "Sock Boy" is back. Whoa, what a mess.
- Dived
- Shined
- Less seats
- The Conservative party are...
- Theirselves
- Humbleness, and
- Re-incentivise
So depressing.
Also depressing that Climate Barbie has been re-elected. And to listen to Scheer, Singh, May and Bernier talk about how each "won" last night is ludicrous. Especially Bernier, who not only lost his own seat, but also failed to win any for his "People's Party".
So, "Sock Boy" is back. Whoa, what a mess.
Monday, October 21, 2019
Why is he there?
Watching CBC coverage of this painful election, I saw a fat guy in the group of commentators and said, "Gee, that looks like Nenshi, but it can't be because he's mayor of Calgary and we are in a mess and he's obviously here at city hall pounding a calculator and pouring over the numbers, trying to fix us." But guess what!? It was Nenshi.
OGM!
It's unbelievable to me that our mayor jets off to TO to "comment" on the federal election. He is so incompetent. Why would he do that? Oh, I forgot, hubris. Or maybe the cheeseburgers are better in TO?
The other reason I can't watch CBC is that they have levitated Pastor Mansbridge out of the grave and planted him in front of a camera. I also can't stand the "always-right" Rosemary Barton. However, I would like to watch CBC because they have the brilliant Marie Heinen on as a commentator and I have enormous respect for her. Too bad she is seated by the corpulent Nenshi. Switched to CTV.
Could Trudeau get another majority? I fear he is on his way to one. How can it have happened?
OGM!
It's unbelievable to me that our mayor jets off to TO to "comment" on the federal election. He is so incompetent. Why would he do that? Oh, I forgot, hubris. Or maybe the cheeseburgers are better in TO?
The other reason I can't watch CBC is that they have levitated Pastor Mansbridge out of the grave and planted him in front of a camera. I also can't stand the "always-right" Rosemary Barton. However, I would like to watch CBC because they have the brilliant Marie Heinen on as a commentator and I have enormous respect for her. Too bad she is seated by the corpulent Nenshi. Switched to CTV.
Could Trudeau get another majority? I fear he is on his way to one. How can it have happened?
Thursday, October 17, 2019
Unconscionable
What have I always said? Natives do not identify as "Canadian". The airwaves have been belching out the ravings of native leaders bragging about how they never vote in "Canadian" elections because they are "nations".
Please.
No, they are not nations. They are culturally different, but they are not nations. "My people do not vote in Canadian or American elections because we do not recognize any "nation" but our own," said one ignorant chief. (I am using "ignorant" in the proper way, i.e., does not know what a "nation" is.) But this same chief takes millions from "Canadians" every year. "I have never voted in any election and my people won't either," he helpfully added. In one reserve area of 8,000, only 56 souls actually voted.
WTF??!!
I find it disgusting that natives in this country are content to rifle through the pockets of hard-working Canadians, yet refuse to participate in elections. But, of course, why would they? They will get their millions regardless of who wins.
It is so wrong. You can't take money from a country and then not only refuse to account for it, but also refuse to vote for those who fork it over. I have two status friends, one who lives here, and I find it disheartening and dishonest that neither publically comments on this issue. Why is that?
And does the media call them on it? Of course not. So wrong.
Please.
No, they are not nations. They are culturally different, but they are not nations. "My people do not vote in Canadian or American elections because we do not recognize any "nation" but our own," said one ignorant chief. (I am using "ignorant" in the proper way, i.e., does not know what a "nation" is.) But this same chief takes millions from "Canadians" every year. "I have never voted in any election and my people won't either," he helpfully added. In one reserve area of 8,000, only 56 souls actually voted.
WTF??!!
I find it disgusting that natives in this country are content to rifle through the pockets of hard-working Canadians, yet refuse to participate in elections. But, of course, why would they? They will get their millions regardless of who wins.
It is so wrong. You can't take money from a country and then not only refuse to account for it, but also refuse to vote for those who fork it over. I have two status friends, one who lives here, and I find it disheartening and dishonest that neither publically comments on this issue. Why is that?
And does the media call them on it? Of course not. So wrong.
Wednesday, October 16, 2019
Three or four times a year.....
....we go to The Palliser Hotel downtown for lunch. I love that place because of its old-world elegance and charm. I also, now and then, love to put on the war paint, high heels and get dressed up. It also reminds me of my EXPO '86 days, when I travelled all over Canada with a co-worker, who became -- and remains -- my best friend. The antics up to which we got! Some repeatable, others not so much. Like the time in Vancouver, when we........oh dear, never mind!
When in Calgary, we always stayed at The Palliser and hit the lobby bar. I love lobby bars because they afford the best people-watching spots you'll ever come across. Recently renovated, The Palliser is really gorgeous with its trompe l'oeil and gold columns everywhere.
But you never know what kind of people will show up, which is part of its charm as well as not. Sitting there, sipping a $20 vodka martini, I overheard a man complaining about his $12 beer. Dressed in old jeans, worn shirt and with his gut hanging out, he complained, to no one in particular, "That's ridiculous! Twelve bucks for a beer!" Hey, buddy. Don't go to The Palliser, go to a dive and order a draft. Look around, how do you think this elegance is paid for? Calgary could do with a lot fewer of these boor-types.
But what I really want to talk about is "Clipboard boy". What a complete jerk. If you have ever watched 'The Kids in the Hall', you will remember the character with all the cheap pens in a plastic pouch in his shirt pocket -- the guy who kept losing one and running around yelling, "My pen, my pen!" Well, that's "Clipboard boy" at the Y. He walks around the pool deck with his famous clipboard and an earpiece stuck in his ear, I guess in case the mayor or the premier need to get hold of him. He sometimes leads the aquasize -- and I do mean "size" -- class and takes down everyone's name as they arrive. You now have to sign up in advance -- for no reason -- and woe betide if you haven't! "Clipboard boy" practically calls the police! "I don't have you down here," he officiously frowns to some poor slob trying to flop into the water. "Well, I'll let you take the class just this once, but you have to sign up in advance next time," he admonishes some two-ton Tessie.
There is no point to this because anyone can take the class, so taking attendance is just another of "Clipboard boy's" made up duties. As I am swimming laps in the only two lanes left open I hear, "Well, welcome everyone. No, it's not Monday, it's Wednesday. Can everyone hear me? Yes, including those of us who don't want to. How's the music? Too loud? Do you like this song? Let's warm up with a little water-pushing, push, push that water. For eff's sake! I took an instant dislike of this boob the first time I laid eyes on him, with his special shoes and special shorts.
Gawd!
When in Calgary, we always stayed at The Palliser and hit the lobby bar. I love lobby bars because they afford the best people-watching spots you'll ever come across. Recently renovated, The Palliser is really gorgeous with its trompe l'oeil and gold columns everywhere.
But you never know what kind of people will show up, which is part of its charm as well as not. Sitting there, sipping a $20 vodka martini, I overheard a man complaining about his $12 beer. Dressed in old jeans, worn shirt and with his gut hanging out, he complained, to no one in particular, "That's ridiculous! Twelve bucks for a beer!" Hey, buddy. Don't go to The Palliser, go to a dive and order a draft. Look around, how do you think this elegance is paid for? Calgary could do with a lot fewer of these boor-types.
But what I really want to talk about is "Clipboard boy". What a complete jerk. If you have ever watched 'The Kids in the Hall', you will remember the character with all the cheap pens in a plastic pouch in his shirt pocket -- the guy who kept losing one and running around yelling, "My pen, my pen!" Well, that's "Clipboard boy" at the Y. He walks around the pool deck with his famous clipboard and an earpiece stuck in his ear, I guess in case the mayor or the premier need to get hold of him. He sometimes leads the aquasize -- and I do mean "size" -- class and takes down everyone's name as they arrive. You now have to sign up in advance -- for no reason -- and woe betide if you haven't! "Clipboard boy" practically calls the police! "I don't have you down here," he officiously frowns to some poor slob trying to flop into the water. "Well, I'll let you take the class just this once, but you have to sign up in advance next time," he admonishes some two-ton Tessie.
There is no point to this because anyone can take the class, so taking attendance is just another of "Clipboard boy's" made up duties. As I am swimming laps in the only two lanes left open I hear, "Well, welcome everyone. No, it's not Monday, it's Wednesday. Can everyone hear me? Yes, including those of us who don't want to. How's the music? Too loud? Do you like this song? Let's warm up with a little water-pushing, push, push that water. For eff's sake! I took an instant dislike of this boob the first time I laid eyes on him, with his special shoes and special shorts.
Gawd!
Friday, October 4, 2019
Ludicrous
The 'Globe and Mail' devoted its entire two-page folio to Chrystia Freeland today. Why? In G-d's name, why?! CBC also had a long interview with her to which I could not listen.
Not only is she rude, but she's also so full of herself as to be rendered oblivious to everyone else. She is sure she is right. All the time. About everything. As I have pointed out before, here we have a foreign minister who is not only proud of being agenda-driven by her Ukrainian background, but also barred from entering Russia because of it.
Does she not notice she is foreign minister of Canada, not Ukraine!?! To top it off, the Globe article claims she is the "obvious" successor to Trudeau. OMG! I guess it's "obvious" because she is as dumb as he.
______________________________________
The other thing I want to rave on about is Indigenous child welfare leader Cindy Blackstock bleating on that native children need the same benefits as other children. Well, of course they do. But the money is less because native bands are given billions via another channel, so they don't get the same as the rest of Canadian children who don't get that extra funding. In fact, I bet native children get more money, but it may be siphoned off by their leaders and doesn't get to them. Hence, Cindy's whining. Why doesn't she go after Indian leaders?
Of course, not one interviewer asks about this. As an ex-journalist, I would be asking that question right up front and I would have the numbers.
Not only is she rude, but she's also so full of herself as to be rendered oblivious to everyone else. She is sure she is right. All the time. About everything. As I have pointed out before, here we have a foreign minister who is not only proud of being agenda-driven by her Ukrainian background, but also barred from entering Russia because of it.
Does she not notice she is foreign minister of Canada, not Ukraine!?! To top it off, the Globe article claims she is the "obvious" successor to Trudeau. OMG! I guess it's "obvious" because she is as dumb as he.
______________________________________
The other thing I want to rave on about is Indigenous child welfare leader Cindy Blackstock bleating on that native children need the same benefits as other children. Well, of course they do. But the money is less because native bands are given billions via another channel, so they don't get the same as the rest of Canadian children who don't get that extra funding. In fact, I bet native children get more money, but it may be siphoned off by their leaders and doesn't get to them. Hence, Cindy's whining. Why doesn't she go after Indian leaders?
Of course, not one interviewer asks about this. As an ex-journalist, I would be asking that question right up front and I would have the numbers.
Friday, September 27, 2019
Misplaced priorities
So says Bjorn Lomborg, professor at the Copenhagen Business School about society's obsession with climate change (whatever that is?). "If we prioritize climate change above our duty to tackle poverty, health, education and nutrition, most of the world's young will never forgive us," he writes in 'The Globe and Mail'.
He also calls out the ridiculous Greta Thunberg, saying that her claims are fundamentally misguided. "Yes, global warming is real and human-caused, but her vision of climate change as the end of the world is unsupported," he says. "Plentiful energy, mostly from fossil fuels, has lifted more than a billion people out of poverty in just the past 25 years. This is not 'evil' -- it is quite the opposite."
Yes, correct. And we now know that Al Gore is financing the lost Thunberg, by the way. Of course he is.
"Ending global fossil-fuel by 2028 is a flawed plan because green energy is simply not in a place in its development where it can take over what fossil fuels leave behind. A hard by-hook-or-by crook transition would cause a real, global catastrophe, sending most of us back into back-breaking poverty. That's why developing countries, especially want more fossil-fuel power, not less; they want to lift more people into comfortable lives."
Are you listening Elizabeth May? Definitely not.
For most of humanity, getting rid of fossil fuels is not an option. So, once again, be quiet, Greta, and go home. And here's a bulletin for our kids someone sent me via email (no idea who wrote it, but it's dead on):
Amen.
He also calls out the ridiculous Greta Thunberg, saying that her claims are fundamentally misguided. "Yes, global warming is real and human-caused, but her vision of climate change as the end of the world is unsupported," he says. "Plentiful energy, mostly from fossil fuels, has lifted more than a billion people out of poverty in just the past 25 years. This is not 'evil' -- it is quite the opposite."
Yes, correct. And we now know that Al Gore is financing the lost Thunberg, by the way. Of course he is.
"Ending global fossil-fuel by 2028 is a flawed plan because green energy is simply not in a place in its development where it can take over what fossil fuels leave behind. A hard by-hook-or-by crook transition would cause a real, global catastrophe, sending most of us back into back-breaking poverty. That's why developing countries, especially want more fossil-fuel power, not less; they want to lift more people into comfortable lives."
Are you listening Elizabeth May? Definitely not.
For most of humanity, getting rid of fossil fuels is not an option. So, once again, be quiet, Greta, and go home. And here's a bulletin for our kids someone sent me via email (no idea who wrote it, but it's dead on):
To all the school kids
going on 'strike' for Climate Change:
You are the first generation who have required air-conditioning in every classroom.
You want TV in every room and your classes are all computerised.
You spend all day and night on electronic devices.
More than ever, you don't walk or ride bikes to school but arrive in caravans of private cars that choke local roads and worsen rush hour traffic.
You are the biggest consumers of manufactured goods ever and update perfectly good expensive luxury items to stay trendy,
Your entertainment comes from electric devices.
Furthermore, the people driving your protests are the same people who insist on artificially inflating the population growth through immigration, which increases the need for energy, manufacturing and transport.
The more people we have, the more forest and bushland we clear and more of the environment is destroyed.
How about this...
Tell your teachers to switch off the air-con.
Walk or ride to school. Switch off your devices and read a book.
Make a sandwich instead of buying manufactured fast food.
No, none of this will happen because you are selfish, badly educated, virtue signalling little 'princesses', inspired by the adults around you who crave a feeling of having a 'noble cause' while they indulge themselves in Western luxury and unprecedented
quality of life.
Wake up, grow up and learn to research facts and think for yourself and not blindly accept the words and thoughts of others - I don't think you formulated this action plan all by your self - suspect you may have had some influence and 'guidance' from
those you trust ....a word of warning, be cautious of the influence of the 'left' because there may be a time in the future that you will be the ones left out...
You are the first generation who have required air-conditioning in every classroom.
You want TV in every room and your classes are all computerised.
You spend all day and night on electronic devices.
More than ever, you don't walk or ride bikes to school but arrive in caravans of private cars that choke local roads and worsen rush hour traffic.
You are the biggest consumers of manufactured goods ever and update perfectly good expensive luxury items to stay trendy,
Your entertainment comes from electric devices.
Furthermore, the people driving your protests are the same people who insist on artificially inflating the population growth through immigration, which increases the need for energy, manufacturing and transport.
The more people we have, the more forest and bushland we clear and more of the environment is destroyed.
How about this...
Tell your teachers to switch off the air-con.
Walk or ride to school. Switch off your devices and read a book.
Make a sandwich instead of buying manufactured fast food.
No, none of this will happen because you are selfish, badly educated, virtue signalling little 'princesses', inspired by the adults around you who crave a feeling of having a 'noble cause' while they indulge themselves in Western luxury and unprecedented
quality of life.
Wake up, grow up and learn to research facts and think for yourself and not blindly accept the words and thoughts of others - I don't think you formulated this action plan all by your self - suspect you may have had some influence and 'guidance' from
those you trust ....a word of warning, be cautious of the influence of the 'left' because there may be a time in the future that you will be the ones left out...
Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Why not tomorrow?
All those running to win the election are promising absolutely ridiculous zero carbon targets. Twenty years? Thirty years? Might as well be tomorrow. Not going to happen. The entire world runs on the automotive industry and the oil that fuels it.
It's not just the car makers, it's all the support industries that feed and rely on it. Think about it, it's all of us. One of my sons works in retail automotive and his business is expanding like crazy. He travels all over Canada opening new stores and trust me, they're not going to close in the communities in which they are situated. Is the world going to shut down in 20 or 30 years so emissions can be eliminated? No. Do people actually believe this and do politicians actually believe they do? Seems so.
And the money, the billions they are all promising to hand out, all the while cutting taxes, is ludicrous. We already have billions in debt and deficit, so it's only going to get worse. Right now, no one trusts the inept and crooked Trudeau, no one has warmed to the beige Scheer, no one likes the hysterical May and no one wants Singh (for a lot of reasons). Where does that leave us? I predict many voters won't because they can't bear to.
I will and so will my children because it's a civic duty we have drummed into them. The whole thing is a crap shoot.
It's not just the car makers, it's all the support industries that feed and rely on it. Think about it, it's all of us. One of my sons works in retail automotive and his business is expanding like crazy. He travels all over Canada opening new stores and trust me, they're not going to close in the communities in which they are situated. Is the world going to shut down in 20 or 30 years so emissions can be eliminated? No. Do people actually believe this and do politicians actually believe they do? Seems so.
And the money, the billions they are all promising to hand out, all the while cutting taxes, is ludicrous. We already have billions in debt and deficit, so it's only going to get worse. Right now, no one trusts the inept and crooked Trudeau, no one has warmed to the beige Scheer, no one likes the hysterical May and no one wants Singh (for a lot of reasons). Where does that leave us? I predict many voters won't because they can't bear to.
I will and so will my children because it's a civic duty we have drummed into them. The whole thing is a crap shoot.
Hilarious
Of course, it's completely non-politically-correct, but B said the other day, "Blackface matters." I nearly drove off the road. As I said, costume party hijinks mean nothing to me, nor should they to anyone else. Trudeau, with all his incompetence, was simply showcasing his narcissism by showing up in blackface.
I don't care, people. Get over it. There are bigger fish to fry in this country and election.
The other person I have no time for is that ridiculous Greta Thunberg. What the h-ll is she doing traipsing around the world giving everyone sh-t?! Obviously, her parents are behind all this because what sixteen-year-old would dream this publicity stunt up all by herself? Poor old Maxim Bernier was pilloried for saying she was disturbed, but she bloody well is. She's another one who should be quiet (was going to say "shut up", but am trying to be fake-polite) and get back to school.
I don't care, people. Get over it. There are bigger fish to fry in this country and election.
The other person I have no time for is that ridiculous Greta Thunberg. What the h-ll is she doing traipsing around the world giving everyone sh-t?! Obviously, her parents are behind all this because what sixteen-year-old would dream this publicity stunt up all by herself? Poor old Maxim Bernier was pilloried for saying she was disturbed, but she bloody well is. She's another one who should be quiet (was going to say "shut up", but am trying to be fake-polite) and get back to school.
Sunday, September 22, 2019
The root causes....
....are the parents. All the talking heads blabbing about the partial gun ban are completely missing the point. One young woman-of-colour said youth gun violence was the result of the cutbacks to social programs aimed at young men, who then join gangs and kill one another.
No.
As I just said, the "root causes" are the parents. Period the end. Does it occur to no one but me that the parents have been delinquent here? If you're a responsible, law-abiding parent, you would make sure your kids didn't buy guns and join gangs. It's the same with the natives. They all blame "the government" for the sad state of Indian reserves, but it's the families living there and their leaders who are the root cause and the problem. G-d knows "the government", i.e., you and me, give them lots of money because they insist on staying there...to get the money, by the way....but they completely mis-manage it causing their people to live in squalor simply because they insist on managing the money themselves. Duh!
Remember Tina Fontaine? (See "With their faces hanging out," Sept. 24, 2014) Everyone and their brother -- including her parents, who were living in the same city at the time and went on tv -- blamed "the system". What was she doing in care in the first place? Ya, right. That was a rhetorical question.
Now celebrity native Jodi Wilson-Raybould has penned an OpEd piece in 'The Globe and Mail" which made my eyes bulge. "The key reason I ran for office was the desire to help create the legal and political space for Indigenous peoples to be self-determining, including self-governing," she writes. Really? No society can be self-governing and self-determining while pocketing billions from an outside source. How could you miss that obvious truth, Jodi? Ah, but Jodi only speaks "her truth," sorry I forgot.
Frankly, I can't think of another group funded by the taxpayer that gets off as scott-free as the natives. Accountable to no one, they also expect to follow none of the rules the rest of us do -- like generate their own wealth, defend their borders, raise an army, raise their own children, etc., etc., etc. In other words, they're not actually "nations". It's all getting a tad tiring, but I did expect a little more intelligence from Wilson-Raybould.
Seems all natives spout the same complaints. Do none speak for themselves? I guess if they don't go along with Perry Bellegarde and his gang of merry men they wouldn't dare say it out loud in the public thoroughfare.
And don't even get me started on Cindy Blackstock.................!! (See "She's done it again," Sept. 8, 2019)
No.
As I just said, the "root causes" are the parents. Period the end. Does it occur to no one but me that the parents have been delinquent here? If you're a responsible, law-abiding parent, you would make sure your kids didn't buy guns and join gangs. It's the same with the natives. They all blame "the government" for the sad state of Indian reserves, but it's the families living there and their leaders who are the root cause and the problem. G-d knows "the government", i.e., you and me, give them lots of money because they insist on staying there...to get the money, by the way....but they completely mis-manage it causing their people to live in squalor simply because they insist on managing the money themselves. Duh!
Remember Tina Fontaine? (See "With their faces hanging out," Sept. 24, 2014) Everyone and their brother -- including her parents, who were living in the same city at the time and went on tv -- blamed "the system". What was she doing in care in the first place? Ya, right. That was a rhetorical question.
Now celebrity native Jodi Wilson-Raybould has penned an OpEd piece in 'The Globe and Mail" which made my eyes bulge. "The key reason I ran for office was the desire to help create the legal and political space for Indigenous peoples to be self-determining, including self-governing," she writes. Really? No society can be self-governing and self-determining while pocketing billions from an outside source. How could you miss that obvious truth, Jodi? Ah, but Jodi only speaks "her truth," sorry I forgot.
Frankly, I can't think of another group funded by the taxpayer that gets off as scott-free as the natives. Accountable to no one, they also expect to follow none of the rules the rest of us do -- like generate their own wealth, defend their borders, raise an army, raise their own children, etc., etc., etc. In other words, they're not actually "nations". It's all getting a tad tiring, but I did expect a little more intelligence from Wilson-Raybould.
Seems all natives spout the same complaints. Do none speak for themselves? I guess if they don't go along with Perry Bellegarde and his gang of merry men they wouldn't dare say it out loud in the public thoroughfare.
And don't even get me started on Cindy Blackstock.................!! (See "She's done it again," Sept. 8, 2019)
Thursday, September 19, 2019
Shut up
That's what Andrew Scheer, Jagmeet Singh and Justin Trudeau need to do about this ridiculous "blackface" thing. So the guy went to an Aladdin-themed costume party dressed as Aladdin with his face blackened. Who cares? I couldn't give a sh-t. I have been to a number of costume parties dressed as a football player and any number of other bizarre identities -- including a winding road with signs stuck all over me -- but that doesn't mean I am insulting football players or road signs. B has also gone dressed as a woman, but that doesn't mean he is demeaning women. WTF?!
And while we're at it, let's have a talk with the makers of 'Aunt Jemima' syrup, or 'Quaker Oats'. Seriously. All the blather about "cultural appropriation" needs to stop.
The media has gone berserk, as was to have been expected. If they wanted to have said anything, Scheer and Singh should just have said, "The pictures speak for themselves," and then shut up. The moral indignation of Scheer and the offense-taking of Singh are ludicrous. These people claim to be able to lead Canada, yet they are stuck on costume-party highjinks. Get over yourselves. And, by the way, Trudeau should just shut up too. He apologized (frankly I would not have grovelled as much as he) and now needs to move on. (Note: I am not a fan of Trudeau and have no time for him.)
Sadly, the majority of indignant talking heads the media is interviewing are visible minorities. Kind'a colours (sorry) their opinions, in my view.
______________________________________________
But what I really want to talk about is Sidney. We frequent a local establishment in Bowness run by a most charming and gregarious young man. Watching him walk around, I went out on a limb and asked him yesterday if he had every studied ballet? I knew this was a weird question, but the way he walked struck me. He strode with authority and purpose. Guess what? Yes, he had been part of a ballet company for 12 years. I knew it! He was amazed, but I always remember what my own ballet teacher said many years ago, "Girls, you can always tell a ballet dancer by the way they walk." That is Sidney. His back is ramrod straight and his head held high. "I can just see you strutting onto stage," I told him. Here is he is:
And while we're at it, let's have a talk with the makers of 'Aunt Jemima' syrup, or 'Quaker Oats'. Seriously. All the blather about "cultural appropriation" needs to stop.
The media has gone berserk, as was to have been expected. If they wanted to have said anything, Scheer and Singh should just have said, "The pictures speak for themselves," and then shut up. The moral indignation of Scheer and the offense-taking of Singh are ludicrous. These people claim to be able to lead Canada, yet they are stuck on costume-party highjinks. Get over yourselves. And, by the way, Trudeau should just shut up too. He apologized (frankly I would not have grovelled as much as he) and now needs to move on. (Note: I am not a fan of Trudeau and have no time for him.)
Sadly, the majority of indignant talking heads the media is interviewing are visible minorities. Kind'a colours (sorry) their opinions, in my view.
______________________________________________
But what I really want to talk about is Sidney. We frequent a local establishment in Bowness run by a most charming and gregarious young man. Watching him walk around, I went out on a limb and asked him yesterday if he had every studied ballet? I knew this was a weird question, but the way he walked struck me. He strode with authority and purpose. Guess what? Yes, he had been part of a ballet company for 12 years. I knew it! He was amazed, but I always remember what my own ballet teacher said many years ago, "Girls, you can always tell a ballet dancer by the way they walk." That is Sidney. His back is ramrod straight and his head held high. "I can just see you strutting onto stage," I told him. Here is he is:
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
The family just got bigger
It seems my late ex-husband had another child no one knew about. Turns out he had had an affair with a young lady after we broke up and fathered a daughter. I met the woman back then, but had no clue!? This "baby" is now 34 and looked up her brother and sister (my kids) and eventually contacted me.
I was delighted! But he must not have been because he refused to sign on as the biological father. I also contacted the mother and ex-girlfriend and we have exchanged very informative emails. She told me things I had no clue about and I her.
The other daughter is married with three lovely young children, so Bob actually had three kids and five grands. Amazingly, this unknown daughter ended up in the same profession with the same talent as her father. The apple doesn't fall far.....and all that.
So, the circle is squared. She has also been in touch with Bob's brothers, at least one of whom has welcomed her into his life. We are all thrilled -- at least I am. As an adoptee, I know how important it is to find your roots. This woman still has her birth mother; sadly, by the time I found mine, she had died a year earlier. Ah well, at least I know from whence I came.
I was delighted! But he must not have been because he refused to sign on as the biological father. I also contacted the mother and ex-girlfriend and we have exchanged very informative emails. She told me things I had no clue about and I her.
The other daughter is married with three lovely young children, so Bob actually had three kids and five grands. Amazingly, this unknown daughter ended up in the same profession with the same talent as her father. The apple doesn't fall far.....and all that.
So, the circle is squared. She has also been in touch with Bob's brothers, at least one of whom has welcomed her into his life. We are all thrilled -- at least I am. As an adoptee, I know how important it is to find your roots. This woman still has her birth mother; sadly, by the time I found mine, she had died a year earlier. Ah well, at least I know from whence I came.
Tuesday, September 17, 2019
Kevin and David
Out the other night, B and I met two young men. We always sit at the bar because that's where you meet people. We sat in between the two, one 37, the other 34, and started to chat. They had not been talking to each other, but when both started engaging with us, everyone joined in.
Naturally, I started calling them on their BS, which was legion. They wanted to talk politics, women, children....the works and the more I set them straight -- I thought -- the more they liked it. B just sat there laughing. He's heard it all before. David had just returned from Fort Mac, where he had earned $10,000 for a week's work, so he insisted on paying our bill. I tried to argue to no avail.
Folks, that's what happens when to chat to people at the bar. I learn more that way than any other.
Naturally, I started calling them on their BS, which was legion. They wanted to talk politics, women, children....the works and the more I set them straight -- I thought -- the more they liked it. B just sat there laughing. He's heard it all before. David had just returned from Fort Mac, where he had earned $10,000 for a week's work, so he insisted on paying our bill. I tried to argue to no avail.
Folks, that's what happens when to chat to people at the bar. I learn more that way than any other.
Sunday, September 8, 2019
Still true
Someone sent this to me, so true today! I love #'s 3 and 4:
_____________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________
Will Rogers, who died
in a 1935 plane crash in Alaska
with bush pilot Wiley Post, was one of the
greatest political
country/cowboy sages
this country has ever
known. Some of his sayings:
1. Never slap a man who's chewing tobacco.
2. Never kick a cow chip on a hot day.
3. There are two theories to arguing with a woman. Neither works.
4. Never miss a good chance to shut up.
5. Always drink upstream from the herd.
6. If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.
7. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back into your pocket.
8. There are three kinds of men:
2. Never kick a cow chip on a hot day.
3. There are two theories to arguing with a woman. Neither works.
4. Never miss a good chance to shut up.
5. Always drink upstream from the herd.
6. If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.
7. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back into your pocket.
8. There are three kinds of men:
The ones who learn by
reading.
The few who learn by observation.
The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves.
9. Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
10. If you're riding ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it's still there.
11. Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier'n puttin' it back.
12. After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring.
He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him.
The moral : When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.
The few who learn by observation.
The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves.
9. Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
10. If you're riding ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it's still there.
11. Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier'n puttin' it back.
12. After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring.
He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him.
The moral : When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.
ABOUT
GROWING OLDER...
First ~ Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age
and start bragging about it.
Second ~ The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for.
Third ~ Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me; I want people to know why I look this way. I've traveled a long way, and some of the roads weren't paved.
Fourth ~ When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to youth, think of algebra.
First ~ Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age
and start bragging about it.
Second ~ The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for.
Third ~ Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me; I want people to know why I look this way. I've traveled a long way, and some of the roads weren't paved.
Fourth ~ When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to youth, think of algebra.
Fifth ~ You know you are getting old when everything either
dries up or leaks.
Sixth ~ I don't know how I got over the hill without getting to the top.
Seventh ~ One of the many things no one tells you about aging is that it's such a nice change from being young.
Eighth ~ One must wait until evening to see how splendid the day has been.
Ninth ~ Being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable and relaxed.
Tenth ~ Long ago, when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks, it was called witchcraft. Today it's called golf.
Sixth ~ I don't know how I got over the hill without getting to the top.
Seventh ~ One of the many things no one tells you about aging is that it's such a nice change from being young.
Eighth ~ One must wait until evening to see how splendid the day has been.
Ninth ~ Being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable and relaxed.
Tenth ~ Long ago, when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks, it was called witchcraft. Today it's called golf.
She's done it again
But in a bad way. Cindy Blackstock, executive director of the first nations child and family caring society, has just secured a $2,600,000,000 payday for native children taken into care after January, 2006.
Yep, that's two billion six hundred million bucks for about 54,000 children. It's insane! The Human Rights Tribunal said the federal government discriminated against Indigenous children living on reserve by failing to provide funding for child and family services.
Really? Canadians give natives between $10 - 17 billion dollars every year. This is money transferred via The Indian Act for on-reserve natives -- on-reserve so their leaders receive money. How can so many kids be neglected? Because they live on a reserve, where there is nothing to do and virtually no work for the parents who get involved in dangerous lifestyles that impede their ability to take care of their children. That's why.
"This is a major victory for fairness and justice," squawked the ever-bellicose, fact-allergic AFN chief Perry Bellegarde. "It's about the safety of children and their right to be with their families," he opined. Does anyone really think these kids would have been taken into care for no reason? It's all about money and since looking after foster kids costs a bundle, it's not done for no reason.
Native leadership complains constantly about conditions on reserves, yet does nothing about it. What do you think these kids will do with their payday boondoggle? Go to university? Not enough of them have a proper education to do so even with all the special programs and incentives afforded them. No, most drift back to the reserve when legally able and what hope have they there?
Canada is a country of human rights, charter rights, apologies, payouts.....and on....and on. We never really accomplish anything meaningful to the world. We used to, when the National Research Council was adequately funded and Canadian scientists developed lucrative patents sold all over the world. My own late father was head of the rubber lab there and responsible for about 250 patents that made billions for the country. If you want to know how important synthetic rubber is to the world, google it. Now we're a country of people who do each other's laundry.
Natives need to get off the reserve and integrate into mainstream society. But they won't. Folks, this is an insoluble problem.
Yep, that's two billion six hundred million bucks for about 54,000 children. It's insane! The Human Rights Tribunal said the federal government discriminated against Indigenous children living on reserve by failing to provide funding for child and family services.
Really? Canadians give natives between $10 - 17 billion dollars every year. This is money transferred via The Indian Act for on-reserve natives -- on-reserve so their leaders receive money. How can so many kids be neglected? Because they live on a reserve, where there is nothing to do and virtually no work for the parents who get involved in dangerous lifestyles that impede their ability to take care of their children. That's why.
"This is a major victory for fairness and justice," squawked the ever-bellicose, fact-allergic AFN chief Perry Bellegarde. "It's about the safety of children and their right to be with their families," he opined. Does anyone really think these kids would have been taken into care for no reason? It's all about money and since looking after foster kids costs a bundle, it's not done for no reason.
Native leadership complains constantly about conditions on reserves, yet does nothing about it. What do you think these kids will do with their payday boondoggle? Go to university? Not enough of them have a proper education to do so even with all the special programs and incentives afforded them. No, most drift back to the reserve when legally able and what hope have they there?
Canada is a country of human rights, charter rights, apologies, payouts.....and on....and on. We never really accomplish anything meaningful to the world. We used to, when the National Research Council was adequately funded and Canadian scientists developed lucrative patents sold all over the world. My own late father was head of the rubber lab there and responsible for about 250 patents that made billions for the country. If you want to know how important synthetic rubber is to the world, google it. Now we're a country of people who do each other's laundry.
Natives need to get off the reserve and integrate into mainstream society. But they won't. Folks, this is an insoluble problem.
Wednesday, September 4, 2019
The elephant in the room
With all the columns and opinions about why the NDP is in the toilet, no one mentions the obvious: Jagmeet Singh wears his religion on his sleeve, so to speak. Governments are secular institutions, not religious, and the essential principle of the "Separation between Church and State" is sacrosanct.
Citizens must not know the religion of a political leader or public servant when accessing a public service, i.e., a service paid for by the public. Google it, it's all there. Such services are to be dispensed objectively and without any indication of what religion the employee holds. That is why the historic crucifix in the Quebec Assembly has been removed. It's also why the bill passed by Quebec bans the wearing of hijabs, niqabs, kirpas and burkhas by teachers, nurses, driver examiners....you name it. They cannot be worn.
With the NDP leader, this is not the case. We know his religion and we should not. Did everyone skip that class in high school?! And it has nothing to do with one religion or another. Church and State must be separate. Until very recently, Quebec was run by the Catholic Church, which also, for all intents and purposes, ran the government. No longer. But in spite of this, Singh has doubled down on his religion by appearing in ads with his hair exposed and donning a turban. The whole campaign will be dominated by the fact he is a Sikh.
How dumb and undemocratic. I told you a while ago that he was elected leader of the NDP by Sikhs who joined the party just before the leadership convention, got him elected and then buggered off. Too bad they didn't fill the party's empty coffers before they headed for the hills because the party is bankrupt.
Singh may not even win his seat and I predict the NDP will not even get official party status in this election. Traditional NDPers like Charlie Angus and Nathan Cullen are effed. Cullen isn't even going to run, along with scores of others. In fact, the NDP can't even find candidates in half the ridings.
_______________________________________
Speaking of politicians, I agree wholeheartedly with British PM Boris Johnson, who vows to leave the EU without a deal. Everyone is up-in-arms and Parliament is in chaos, but Johnson knows he will never get a deal with the EU, so why bother. Theresa May tried three times to get one through and failed, so there is no way he will succeed. Whether there is a snap election or not -- I predict "not" because the only thing worse than Johnson would be Jeremy Corbin -- Britain will have to negotiate bilateral trade deals with every EU country. That's what's going to happen.
Citizens must not know the religion of a political leader or public servant when accessing a public service, i.e., a service paid for by the public. Google it, it's all there. Such services are to be dispensed objectively and without any indication of what religion the employee holds. That is why the historic crucifix in the Quebec Assembly has been removed. It's also why the bill passed by Quebec bans the wearing of hijabs, niqabs, kirpas and burkhas by teachers, nurses, driver examiners....you name it. They cannot be worn.
With the NDP leader, this is not the case. We know his religion and we should not. Did everyone skip that class in high school?! And it has nothing to do with one religion or another. Church and State must be separate. Until very recently, Quebec was run by the Catholic Church, which also, for all intents and purposes, ran the government. No longer. But in spite of this, Singh has doubled down on his religion by appearing in ads with his hair exposed and donning a turban. The whole campaign will be dominated by the fact he is a Sikh.
How dumb and undemocratic. I told you a while ago that he was elected leader of the NDP by Sikhs who joined the party just before the leadership convention, got him elected and then buggered off. Too bad they didn't fill the party's empty coffers before they headed for the hills because the party is bankrupt.
Singh may not even win his seat and I predict the NDP will not even get official party status in this election. Traditional NDPers like Charlie Angus and Nathan Cullen are effed. Cullen isn't even going to run, along with scores of others. In fact, the NDP can't even find candidates in half the ridings.
_______________________________________
Speaking of politicians, I agree wholeheartedly with British PM Boris Johnson, who vows to leave the EU without a deal. Everyone is up-in-arms and Parliament is in chaos, but Johnson knows he will never get a deal with the EU, so why bother. Theresa May tried three times to get one through and failed, so there is no way he will succeed. Whether there is a snap election or not -- I predict "not" because the only thing worse than Johnson would be Jeremy Corbin -- Britain will have to negotiate bilateral trade deals with every EU country. That's what's going to happen.
Thursday, August 29, 2019
Calgary is not Montreal
Which is why we visit at least once a year. Just got back to cattle country from five days at the Hotel Bonaventure, my favourite of all I have visited. When I worked for Maclean-Hunter in the late sixties and early seventies, we used to stay there on trips from Toronto. Sitting in the lobby bar (where else?!) I could still see my publisher, John Downey, across from me. Long dead, he was a non-stop smoker/drinker, but a great journalist, and taught me everything I know about the publishing business. He also bought me a lot of clothes and spoiled me rotten....just....because. He was a great guy, RIP.
The Bonaventure is a fascinating place. It is two floors of hotel atop eight or so stories of convention halls and features an inner courtyard of ponds, waterfalls, streams, ducks and fish surrounded by magnificent trees and foliage. I have always wondered how they hauled all that up there in 1967, when it was built? What an undertaking and one that would never be duplicated today. But it is unique. You cannot believe you are atop a convention centre in downtown Montreal. Feels more like a country inn surrounding a natural pond.
Sitting at the bar, as I always do, the bartender told me that the water doesn't freeze so the ducks stay in the pond all year 'round. The fish, however, are moved to a tank. He also told me that during migration season, ducks flying over often land and take up residence while other permanent residents will sometimes fly off with their wild cousins and new boyfriends never to be seen again. When they die, they are given to butcher shops. Hey, here today, dinner tomorrow!
One day at lunch at the Sofitel -- another place we always frequent -- a very distinguished and handsome gentleman entered and sat next to us. Listening to our conversation, he joined in and we discovered he had worked for the Quebec government in Ottawa during the tumultuous Levesque days, when separation was all around. B and he shared stories, secrets and rumours of that period, when B worked in the Privy Council Office in federal/provincial relations. Why their paths had never crossed beat me?!
They both agreed that without Alberta and Toronto -- i.e., $$$$ -- there would be no Canada. He also agreed with me when I said that for Legault to brag about Quebec's having balanced its budget was pure BS. It was balanced thanks to transfer payments from Alberta!
Hotel guests were primarily French/French, British and American. In fact we met no other Canadians. There is a beautiful pool on the roof, where people lounge all day long. I would never get into such a pool, bathers flopping in fully greased up and all. Definitely a "yuck" for me. One thing I did find jarring were young French girls going topless. Even though they weren't more than eight or ten, you could see little breasts budding and it alarmed me. Ah, the French are so annoyingly "French".
Also alarming was how fat many guests were and wouldn't you know it, the women all wore bikinis. Even walking through the lobby! Please. And everyone drinks all the time. As for shoes, all depressingly ugly.
One evening we were dining at the hotel bar/restaurant and in barged about 10 "Ugly American" young men. Our table was next to the bar, but they paid no heed and just boorishly stood around with their asses in my face, laughing and roaring at how amusing and clever they were. We finally de-camped to another spot.
As a common, garden-variety wine drinker, I nonetheless loved reading some of the wine descriptions. "Dry, fruity with a final note of berries"...."Very pleasant finish with a slight lemon flavour," read a couple. Must have been written by the same gang that writes greeting cards.
I did enjoy speaking French again and was pleasantly surprised that it was all still there, even after eight years in the Prairie wilderness and many years since my retirement from the bilingual public service.
Montreal, we will be back.
The Bonaventure is a fascinating place. It is two floors of hotel atop eight or so stories of convention halls and features an inner courtyard of ponds, waterfalls, streams, ducks and fish surrounded by magnificent trees and foliage. I have always wondered how they hauled all that up there in 1967, when it was built? What an undertaking and one that would never be duplicated today. But it is unique. You cannot believe you are atop a convention centre in downtown Montreal. Feels more like a country inn surrounding a natural pond.
Sitting at the bar, as I always do, the bartender told me that the water doesn't freeze so the ducks stay in the pond all year 'round. The fish, however, are moved to a tank. He also told me that during migration season, ducks flying over often land and take up residence while other permanent residents will sometimes fly off with their wild cousins and new boyfriends never to be seen again. When they die, they are given to butcher shops. Hey, here today, dinner tomorrow!
One day at lunch at the Sofitel -- another place we always frequent -- a very distinguished and handsome gentleman entered and sat next to us. Listening to our conversation, he joined in and we discovered he had worked for the Quebec government in Ottawa during the tumultuous Levesque days, when separation was all around. B and he shared stories, secrets and rumours of that period, when B worked in the Privy Council Office in federal/provincial relations. Why their paths had never crossed beat me?!
They both agreed that without Alberta and Toronto -- i.e., $$$$ -- there would be no Canada. He also agreed with me when I said that for Legault to brag about Quebec's having balanced its budget was pure BS. It was balanced thanks to transfer payments from Alberta!
Hotel guests were primarily French/French, British and American. In fact we met no other Canadians. There is a beautiful pool on the roof, where people lounge all day long. I would never get into such a pool, bathers flopping in fully greased up and all. Definitely a "yuck" for me. One thing I did find jarring were young French girls going topless. Even though they weren't more than eight or ten, you could see little breasts budding and it alarmed me. Ah, the French are so annoyingly "French".
Also alarming was how fat many guests were and wouldn't you know it, the women all wore bikinis. Even walking through the lobby! Please. And everyone drinks all the time. As for shoes, all depressingly ugly.
One evening we were dining at the hotel bar/restaurant and in barged about 10 "Ugly American" young men. Our table was next to the bar, but they paid no heed and just boorishly stood around with their asses in my face, laughing and roaring at how amusing and clever they were. We finally de-camped to another spot.
As a common, garden-variety wine drinker, I nonetheless loved reading some of the wine descriptions. "Dry, fruity with a final note of berries"...."Very pleasant finish with a slight lemon flavour," read a couple. Must have been written by the same gang that writes greeting cards.
I did enjoy speaking French again and was pleasantly surprised that it was all still there, even after eight years in the Prairie wilderness and many years since my retirement from the bilingual public service.
Montreal, we will be back.
 |
| When the menu in Calgary says, "Montreal smoked meat," this isn't what you get. This was in 'Reuben's'. Unreal! |
 |
| Who walks into the lobby of the Bonaventure with smelly takeout and sits their ass down right next to the restaurant and eats?! What a nerve. |
 |
| Me somewhere.... |
 |
| The Sofitel for dinner. |
 |
| What did I say about "French" women wearing bikinis? |
 |
| Birks is now a hotel and restaurant, but they have retained the marvellous bas relief. |
 |
| Our friends at the hotel. |
 |
| PEI oysters, fabulous! |
 |
| Entitled Americans with their asses in our faces. |
Wednesday, August 14, 2019
Now you know.....
....that my dishwasher is "on the blink", as my late uncle used to say about everything that stopped working. This is why my drain board is in this shape:
I remember growing up, doing dishes by hand was the way we did it all the time. In fact, when my late mother moved to a condo with a dishwasher, she refused to use it. We had no dishwasher at the cottage when our kids were growing up either, so they broke out into teams and took turns. There is an art to doing dishes by hand and it's all come back to me.
Bought a 'Bosch', on the recommendation of one of my swim buddies who works at 'Home Depot'. "Whatever you do, don't buy an LG or a Samsung," he warned me.
So I didn't. Ah well, $1,200 later and all's well that ends well.
I remember growing up, doing dishes by hand was the way we did it all the time. In fact, when my late mother moved to a condo with a dishwasher, she refused to use it. We had no dishwasher at the cottage when our kids were growing up either, so they broke out into teams and took turns. There is an art to doing dishes by hand and it's all come back to me.
Bought a 'Bosch', on the recommendation of one of my swim buddies who works at 'Home Depot'. "Whatever you do, don't buy an LG or a Samsung," he warned me.
So I didn't. Ah well, $1,200 later and all's well that ends well.
Monday, August 12, 2019
Gordon Fairweather.....
.....is turning in his grave, as Trudeau announced another $27 million in legal aid funding for refugee claimants. When formed 30 years ago, the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) was a quasi-judicial entity mandated to determine if a claimant was, or was not, a refugee as per accepted UN criteria.
"This process is not to be lawyer-driven," said Mr. Fairweather adamantly at the first member-training session held in Ottawa. What a laugh that all seems today! The reason I know all this is because B was the first Director of Training for the IRB and responsible for the edification of all members. And although political appointments by Mulroney, they were not made without merit because each member had relevant background and experience. No one was a flake -- well, maybe one or two. But I digress.
The other driving principle was that there was to be no appeal. Were a claimant rejected, he/she was out of the country. I remember when B came home one day and reported that one claimant had arrived with a lawyer. He was dismayed. Well, that was the beginning of the end and it's been all downhill for Canada since and uphill for the lawyers and refugees who have dined out on that folly since.
So, folks, now you know. I mean, why have an IRB with competent members if the courts ultimately rule on decisions? Just another dumb political move.
"This process is not to be lawyer-driven," said Mr. Fairweather adamantly at the first member-training session held in Ottawa. What a laugh that all seems today! The reason I know all this is because B was the first Director of Training for the IRB and responsible for the edification of all members. And although political appointments by Mulroney, they were not made without merit because each member had relevant background and experience. No one was a flake -- well, maybe one or two. But I digress.
The other driving principle was that there was to be no appeal. Were a claimant rejected, he/she was out of the country. I remember when B came home one day and reported that one claimant had arrived with a lawyer. He was dismayed. Well, that was the beginning of the end and it's been all downhill for Canada since and uphill for the lawyers and refugees who have dined out on that folly since.
So, folks, now you know. I mean, why have an IRB with competent members if the courts ultimately rule on decisions? Just another dumb political move.
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