What??!!

"The problem isn't the UN, it's the member states," said soon-to-be ex Canadian Ambassador Bob Rae on 'Question Period' this morning.

What the h-ll, Bob!?  The UN is its member states.  So, ergo, if the problem is the member states, the problem is the UN itself because without the member states, there is no UN.  So duh, yes Bob, the UN is the problem.  It's moribund, ineffectual and incapable of doing anything to solve any conflict anywhere.  And if it can't solve anything because of its own charter and members, why does it even exist??!!  I'm with Trump on that one.

Bob has always been the master of "word salads", hence his successful transition from an NDP Ontario premier who destroyed the province's economy to a guy who landed a cushy $250,000 job in New York.  Not a bad gig, Bob.

Bob's brain at work.

(Just had to jot this down, but now back to the brilliant David Starkey on YouTube.)

   

Insufferable

I just have to put it out there, in my opinion, Andrew Coyne is insufferable.  He's there, on the inside front page of the 'Opinion' Section of 'The Globe and Mail' every Saturday in all his stupefying verbosity with four columns of superfluous opinions and thoughts that go on forever.

A typical Coyne column -- never-ending!

Reading him reminds me of the stream-of-consciousness novels by Virginia Woolf I studied in university.  Every thought that comes into his head he puts down, yet he never gets to a point.  Sometimes, in the very last paragraph, he'll make one, but boy, you have to really hunt to stumble upon it!

He's also a fan of unnecessary words and complicated punctuation.  Here's a perfect example:

"The ruckus began, you'll recall, over the federal government's intervention in a case now before the Supreme Court of Canada involving a legal challenge to Bill 21, Quebec's infamous law banning the wearing of religious symbols across much of the public service, which for some religions is tantamount to a hiring bar."

Phew!  That was one sentence!!  The italics are mine, where these words are not needed.  But he loves to add them all over the place as they pop up in his tumbling head!  Here's another:

"To be sure, it would have no legal effect."  What's with the "To be sure"?  Just make your point.

I learned tight editing when I laboured under the ruthless red pen of the late Mrs. Jean Portugal at Maclean Hunter in the early seventies.  Back then, we used hot type, so every word cost money and Mrs. Portugal (never Jean!) cut out so many.  She was always correct and the work she handed back was much better than what I had submitted.  It was tight, clear and concise and I imitate her when I read columnists today who stick words willy-nilly into every piece. 

The peerless Mrs. Portugal on one of her exotic travels with her husband, Felix.

Coyne seems to be trying to show off his education and many degrees.  Doesn't work.  Ever seen him on 'At Issue' on Thursdays?  What a bore!  Talk about taking yourself inordinately seriously!  And to boot, he has no sense of humour, a sin in my world.  If you can't laugh at yourself, you're hopeless.

He can't.

He went to the London School of Economics and obtained an MA in Economics.  B got an MA from there too, but he went on a scholarship; Coyne didn't.  Guess from whom I take my economic advice?

So, that's my take on Coyne -- just my opinion, so don't sue me, but what I wouldn't give to be his editor!  His columns would go from four to one or two at the most.  Now and then I toy with the idea of sending him an edited version of one of his, but since I have many letters in there, I don't want to upset the apple cart.  

Andrew, if you're reading this, for Gawd's sake red-pen yourself!   

 

I agree with Poilievre

Carney is proving to be worse than Justin Trudeau, if that's possible.  Poilievre said it would be unfair to Trudeau to compare him to Carney because, "Carney's even worse," said the leader of the Opposition.

So far, that's correct.  He was elected as some sort of economic guru who was going to be the only guy capable of bringing Trump to heel on the tariff file, but so far that has backfired spectacularly.  Did he think going to Mexico to unilaterally cook up some deal with them just ahead of CUSMA negotiations was a great idea?  If so, dumb and if so, fail.

Did he think going to Poland and Ukraine on his own was a brilliant move?  If so, dumb and if so, fail.  Did he think recognizing a Palestinian state was going to stop the war?  If so, dumb and if so, fail.  

Hamas real purpose in continuing the war is to make Israel a pariah state and on that, it's winning handsomely.  Canada did not have to join this charade.  Most European nations are not granting recognition, including Germany and Italy; neither are Singapore, South Korea and Japan.

Every time the guy makes a move it's to stick a fork in Trump's eye.  That's a recipe for disaster, as Trump outlined in his tirade at the United Nations yesterday.

Carney's foreign policy.

Trump's right, of course.  The UN is an unmitigated disaster, incapable of settling anything on any file in any country.  It was long ago taken over by Arab countries, with an agenda to wipe Israel off the face of the earth.  All the aid the UN sends to Gaza is highjacked and never reaches those who need it.  Now he's musing about sending troops to Gaza and even Ukraine.  Why?  That would be another disaster.

Carney said Canada will conduct its own foreign relations policies, "For the benefit of Canadians."  Of course, he doesn't say what those policies are because so far they're not turning out too well.

So, another brilliant move by our wonder boy prime minister.  Hang onto your hats.

He's a despot

A rogue prime minister.

I'm talking about Carney.  He has just announced that Canada will officially recognize a Palestinian state.  Really??!!  On what authority?  Certainly not Parliament's.  He just unilaterally announced Canada will formally recognize Palestine as an official state.

Firstly, what is Palestine?  It currently is not a state.  It's a territory stuck in between Israel and the Jordan River to the Mediterranean sea.  It's not actually a country or a state, it's a territory with a terrorist head, so, how can it be recognized?  Hamas runs Gaza and Hezbollah the West Bank.  What exactly would he be recognizing?  He'd be dealing with terrorist organizations.  Brilliant!

Carney earlier said he would only recognize it as an official state (which was ludicrous) if Hamas agreed to immediate elections and that no Hamas leaders would be in the government.  As I have blogged, the guy running Gaza has not had elections since 2005, so obviously won't hold any now.  But Carney jettisoned that condition today by recognizing it.  Abas is head of an officially-recognized terrorist organization!  And Carney recognized him as Head!!!!

Right after Carney's announcement, Hamas executed three people in the public square for alleged ties to Israel.  Wow, so civilized!  Then Trump tweeted that it would be very difficult to get a deal with Canada, now that Carney has done what he's done.  Remember, dealing with Trump was Carney's hallmark position?  He was going to handle Trump.  WTF!  Now that's definitely off the table.  

How dumb!?

Who is advising him?  He is a rogue prime minister doing whatever he wants with absolutely no Parliamentary oversight.  Remember, 40 percent of Canadians voted Conservative, but Carney went ahead and announced he would recognize Palestine anyway??!!

This is criminal and he has to be stopped.  Now he's off to New York and the UN, which is why he made the announcement he did when he did.  He had no authority to do this.  He has been acting as a despot and it has to end.  As an aside, why does his wife tag along on every state visit?  No one voted for her, yet there she is beside him on panels blabbing away.  Please.      

I told you so

Hate to say it, but I did.  I said Mark Carney would not be able to withstand Poilievre's relentless and brilliant criticisms and interrogation of him in The House and he couldn't.  Off Carney desperately fled to Mexico after just one day -- ONE DAY -- in Question Period.  That was it.  He abandoned his post as "leader" of the country after only a couple of hours of actually doing his job responding to Opposition questions.

Carney in Mexico avoiding doing his job in The House.

I told you it would happen.  The worst of it was his smirking and laughing when being questioned about the shocking loss of jobs and the fleeing of billions in capital from this country.  We get it, Mark, you're a billionaire so you don't care about the millions of Canadians who have to choose between putting food on the table, or paying the rent?!  Hey, what me worry?!

Again, to all of you who voted for him -- especially those of you in the cocooned Ottawa Bubble -- I hope you're starting to realize what a colossal mistake you've made.  He ate the Conservative's lunch the minute he got into office.  That was tragic for the Conservatives, but Pierre is still hanging in there and is on his case.

What has he accomplished in Mexico?  He's signed a "strategic partnership agreement", in other words, NOTHING.  It's going to be a rough ride for all Canadians and it's all our own fault.  And what's to negotiate in Mexico anyhow?  The entire economy runs on only two things:  Tourism and drug cartels.  That's it.  

The only thing he's done that makes sense is dump the odious Freeland, Lametti, Wilkinson, Guilbeault and Blair.  Finally!  I was shocked when he re-appointed so many of the tired, old Trudeau clubhouse gang, but at least they're gone -- to nice, cushy postings -- but out of The House and out of sight.  Now get rid of Anand, Joly and Hajdu -- all disgraces to their gender -- and a few more freeloaders and hangers-on and real progress might be made.  

_________________________

A word about Danielle Smith's government and its decision to have drivers' licences include the citizenship status.  If you're a Canadian citizen, you will have a "CAN" stamped on it.  I think it's high time, but, of course, the workery are up-in-arms.  Why, I have no clue?  Why shouldn't your status be readily and visibly available?

I have said for years that currently there is no way to ensure voters are Canadian citizens when they go to the polls.  All you have to produce is a driver's licence, which shows your address -- not proof you are a citizen.  That means you can just go ahead and vote, which is against the law.

"Don't you have to ask for proof of citizenship when people show up to vote?" I asked a scrutineer during an election.  "Oh, no, we trust you."  How dumb!  You have to wonder how many non-citizens have been voting illegally for years in municipal, provincial and federal elections.

Who's voting?  No clue??!!

So, if you're not a Canadian, you can't vote.  Plain and simple.  I'm all for proof.    

 

 

This is the guy who runs the public service

 

Incoherence at its finest.

"The public service's job is to be disciplined and concentrate, resist distractions from the prime minister's missions.  (This is incoherent because what he is saying is "Don't be distracted by the prime minister's missions," instead of what he means is, "Don't be distracted from what the prime minister's missions are."  Who's writing this stuff?) Be organized, but intense.  Be in a hurry, but better organized and done with the public service and not to it," wrote PCO Clerk Michael Sabia to all deputy ministers.

Huh??!!

What does that even mean?  He then goes on to say, "There is always the risk that following the process is so time-consuming that everything slows down at a time when we need to speed up because the world is moving as fast as it is.  (I'd say, "...the world is moving fast," but I digress again on such bad writing.) When standard operating procedures just don't work anymore, rigorous debate is the best path to the best decisions."

Huh??!!

I still have no clue what he is saying?  Is it, speed up, but risk the process will break down?  How would that get anything done?  Will he be playing by Queensberry rules, or is it playoff hockey -- or even a barfight?  

Then he goes onto accountability:  "It is divided into two key elements:  senior-manage-informed structured decision-making and personal accountability based on commitment and initiative."  What the hell does that even mean?  It's totally incoherent.  

Then he closes with this:  "Diversity in thought is certainly important, but is nevertheless a departure from the recent emphasis on the representational aspect of diversity."  Huh??!!  More incoherence.

"Listening to the open and honest debates is what the public service needs in order to capitalize on the differing perspectives of diversity," he concludes.  Complete gobble gook.  His mother, Laura, was insane, so I guess the apple didn't fall far.

Where I a deputy minister reading this, I'd throw up my hands.  It's a no-win mandate.  Do I debate, or do I lead?  Do I have to be open to diversity, but not too open?  Do I follow process, or do I throw it out the window and start a barfight?

It's all bullsh-t.  And this from the guy who is going to lead the charge.  Man, am I glad I'm retired.

It's official

As you know, thanks to DNA, I learned two years ago who my birth Father really was and that I had five sisters and two brothers. It was such a shock, but a welcome one! I had found my birth Mother pre-internet 40 years ago through dogged research and sleuthing, but sadly, she had died at 49 (yikes!) the year before I discovered who she had been.

I was told who her boyfriend was at the time and assumed for the next 35 years that he was the father.  But lo and behold, DNA revealed that someone named William Doyle was my genetic father.  As I say, this led to the revelation of five sisters and two brothers; Bill Doyle was one of them.  

My niece, one of his daughters, sent me the obituary, below, and I shocked to see I had been mentioned as one of his sisters too!  When you're adopted, you are not part of the "official" birth family circle, but thanks to Maureen and Nora, I was actually added to the obituary.  Although I never met brother Bill, I am there as a sister.  What an honour and I thank my niece, Kristin, for sending his obit to me.  Here it is:

_________________________________ 

My late bother, Bill Doyle II

William "Bill" P. Doyle II, 75, of Watertown, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by loved ones on September 10, 2025.

Born March 4, 1950, in Potsdam, NY, he was the son of the late William P. Doyle and Mary Keegan Doyle. Bill graduated from Immaculate Heart Central School in 1968 and attended Jefferson Community College before beginning his professional career at Century Housewares, where he advanced through the company to become a district manager. He later retired from WWTI TV 50 as a sales executive, where he was respected for his dedication and strong work ethic.

Bill proudly served in the Army Reserves and was an active member of his community throughout his life. He was a 46-year life member of the Elks Lodge 496, a member of Morning Rotary, and a devoted member of the Watertown Golf Club for more than 30 years. An avid golfer and bowler, Bill also loved cheering for his favorite teams-the Boston Red Sox and the Dallas Cowboys-and never missed an opportunity for a spirited football debate with his son-in-law over the annual Michigan vs. Ohio State rivalry game.

After high school, Bill married Christine Clement, and together they shared two daughters: Amy J. (Patrick) Thompson, Woodside, Queens; and Kristin (Scott) Doyle-Edmondson, Concord, MA. He later married Debra Platko in Saginaw, MI, and together they shared a son and a daughter: William P. (Amanda) Doyle III, Massena; and Shannon DeMarco, Watertown. He is also survived by six beloved grandchildren: Skylar, Emily, Aidan, Madelaine, Landon, and Samuel; and two great-grandchildren: Charlotte and Brynlee.

In addition, he is survived by his six sisters: Nancy Marley-Clarke, Cochrane, Alberta; Dr. M. France Doyle, Rochester; Margaret Doyle, Rochester; Eleanor Goldfarb, Rochester; Dr. Nora M. Doyle, San Antonio, TX; and Maureen Doyle, Rochester; as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Along with his parents, he was predeceased by his brother, Theodore Michael "Tim" Doyle.

As per his wishes, Bill is donating his body for science. A Memorial Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church on September 23 at 10:00 a.m. Following the service, a luncheon will be hosted at Art's Jug in Watertown, where family and friends are invited to gather in his memory.

Arrangements are entrusted with Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Watertown, and online condolences may be posted at www.cummingsfuneral.com (http://www.cummingsfuneral.com/). In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to support a scholarship fund established in Bill's name to: Northern NY Community Foundation, 131 Washington Street, Watertown, NY 13601.

Bill's warmth, sense of humor, and love of life touched everyone who knew him. He will be remembered for his generosity, his easy laugh, and the countless friendships he nurtured over the years.

__________________

Rest in Peace, brother Bill.

Is it brilliant, or dumb?

I think Machiavelli has taken over the prime minister's office because Carney's latest move is definitely modeled on the late philosopher's devious tactics.

Niccolo Machiavelli

This one involves establishing an Indigenous Advisory Council to steer the "big, bold, projects" gang on how to deal with treaty rights in order to accelerate the projects.  And he's put one of his biggest critics, Trevor Mercredi, in charge.

What a cute trick.  Presumably, Mercredi will be given a big wad of cash to do the job, something no self-respecting native would ever turn down, but how's Mercredi supposed to oppose anything with one hand while pocketing the dough with the other?

Trust me, he'll manage because Indigenous leaders have been taking cash and bashing governments who dole it out for generations.  It may, however, be a little trickier this go 'round because he's tasked with getting stuff moving on a file natives have traditionally resisted and fought FOREVER.  "Touch one blade of grass or one tree on our traditional lands and we'll aggressively oppose it every step of the way."  Ya, that file.

"We expect the Major Projects Office to genuinely listen to the council's opinions," said Chief Terrance Paul of the Membertou First Nation in Nova Scotia.  What Chief Paul needs to understand, however, is that listening and vetoing are two different things.  Unfortunately, the natives think consultation equals a veto.  It doesn't, but that won't stop the hysteria.

And how long does "consultation" have to go on?  That's another mystery.  Again, Carney is banking on his meeting-and-consulting-and-consulting-and meeting M.O. to carry him through the next four years, when I predict he will throw in the PM towel and move on.  But never mind, he'll have the top job on his resumé forever, which is the only reason I think he wanted it in the first place -- not to help Canadians, just to pad his overblown credentials.

But sit back and enjoy the theatrics when the House resumes and Poilievre rises to pound him.  What fun awaits!

  

      

Why???

Someone needs to remind Mark Carney that he is the prime minister of Canada.  Obviously, he's forgotten what his job is because he's now going to host a gaggle of speakers and ministers from the G7 countries here for a meeting.  

Right after that, he'll be hosting another bunch of ineffectual G7 foreign ministers for yet another expensive gabfest.  And right after that, he'll be meeting in Edmonton with his caucus.  

Another meaningless meeting.

Huh??!!  Why??!!  All he has done since he was unfortunately elected by dumb Canadians -- yes, I'm talking about all of you who bought into his smarmy banker bullsh-t -- is run off to Europe for gatherings and meetings.  What a pompous ass.  

Canada is in tatters on so many fronts and all he does is run to, or hold, meetings.  It's a disgrace.  He hasn't travelled anywhere in Canada and he's running the country!

This latest vain and pointless powwow will be discussing:

• The challenges facing legislators worldwide;
• The importance of parliamentary democracy; (uppermost I am sure in the minds of embattled, dead and dying Ukrainians);
• The threat of disinformation (there's a laugh, he's an expert at it!);
• Fostering respectful debate in a climate of polarization; and
• Violence against lawmakers (I predict we'll be seeing a lot more of this.  Mélanie Joly won't be the only minister needing 24-hour protection). 

Another meeting of the "Coalition of the Shilling".

He's also including the Ukraine in his meetings.  I wonder how many of the topics on the agenda will end the war?  And how many times do we have to see Zelensky in his "battle" fatigues appear in one country after another?!  He's the guy who said, "The war will not be over until I decide it's over."  So, that'll be never because he's out on his ass when it ends.  

So, congratulations to all of you who drank the Carney Koolaid!  We're in a sour pickle for the next four years.  

Another gathering of the same old, same old

Well, here we go again.  All 634 Indigenous chiefs will be gathering this week in Winnipeg to plot how to foil any and all project proposals the Federal government dares put forward.

Frankly, Carney has done absolutely nothing so far, so there may be nothing to protest and block, but if there is, they'll be on auto-block immediately.  They're calling it "consultation", but it's really a plan to get yet more money out of the Canadian public purse.

As I say, another gathering of the same old, same old.

If you're interested in finding out what colonialism is really all about, have a read of Oxford professor Lord Nigel Biggar's book 'The Myths of Indigenous History'.  I listened to an excellent broadcast yesterday, where he echoed what I have been saying forever, that contrary to their claims, the Indigenous have not been here since time immemorial.  They came across the land bridge that used to link Asia and North America in the northwest.

"They are not Indigenous," says Biggar.  "And they were not peaceful tribes.  They were violent and waged continual war on each other, taking over territory by non-stop bloodshed.  They are not First Nations, as they claim, because they do not fit the definition of a nation.  They don't support themselves, generate wealth, support their citizens or protect their borders," he adds.

Yes, contrary to popular belief and myth, they were not pastoral tribes who sat around weaving blankets and growing corn.  They were warriors and routinely killed and kidnapped each other in murderous raids.

Chief Tyson Bear, of the Flying Dust Reserve, has put forward a resolution asking for more money for  schools, roads and health care facilities.  He figures the natives need about $349 billion to bring reserves up-to-snuff.  $349 billion more!!!!

Of the $32 billion handed to the Indigenous every year, Flying Dust was recently handed another $55 million in some settlement or other -- and this for a population of 592!  A quick look at their latest financial statements shows that Flying Dust had $11,243,153 in its bank accounts before the additional $55 million went in.

Clearly, Chief Bear is delusional, but he's right in line with every other chief who is also demanding more money.

"We find ourselves in a unique, challenging, but opportune time to have really deep-dive discussions on economic development, economic opportunities and land issues that we all want," said AFN Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak:

Cindy on the hunt.  "Economic" translates as "money".

Yep, more money.

Thanks to the breathtakingly inept Justin Trudeau, Canada signed onto the "free, prior and informed consent" provision of the 'UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples' in 2021.  That little slip of the pen has been translated into a hard "right of veto" by Canadian Indigenous leaders.  And, folks, therein lies the rub.

Trudeau, you will remember, was the guy who cancelled the Accountability Act that required Indigenous leaders to account for the money they were given.  Introduced by Harper, it was the first thing Trudeau did when he was elected.  He cancelled it!  Just ask Charmaine Stick, of the Onion Lake Band, if she's ever been given an account of what her elders have done with band funds.  They block her at every turn.  It's outrageous.

As I have blogged many times, native chiefs don't care if anything gets built or not; their funds flow regardless.  Nevertheless, they want Canadians to foot the project bills, while they take a huge percentage of any profits that flow.

You and I both know that Carney simply isn't up to the task of reining them in, so sit back and watch how many "projects in the national interest" get built via Bill C-5.  My bet is zero.