Dec 31
And so another year goes into the books. The economy is in the tank, the Middle East is in turmoil, I’m fed up with the snow, and the Maple Leafs are out of a playoff spot. Kind of like a lot of other years.
I’ve been thinking about the length of a year - I’m so [...] [...more]
Posted: under Uncategorized.
And so another year goes into the books. The economy is in the tank, the Middle East is in turmoil, I’m fed up with the snow, and the Maple Leafs are out of a playoff spot. Kind of like a lot of other years.
I’ve been thinking about the length of a year - I’m so glad this one is over! I don’t honestly think I could deal with another month of 2008. There comes a point where my soul yearns to leap ahead into another fresh year, like a blank page. No regrets yet, no mistakes made with family, wife, children, work associates, etc. Only bright prospects as I imagine all the good things upcoming.
What would I do without seasons? The thought of Spring keeps me sane (until I get there and yearn for summer and the great outdoors!). This year is worse than usual as I’ve re-discovered motorcycling and my gorgeous Triumph sits under its cover, de-batteried, until the roads become suitable for riding.
This year brings a marriage in May for my oldest son and a youngest daughter’s 18th birthday, God willing (I never realized how many birthdays for girls were “special”). Time flies by and the world gets busier. Memo to self: take time to smell the roses.
To my readers (if any) may you have a great 2009 and God Bless!
Dec 18
It doesn’t matter what any expert says. No government minister, university professor, business analyst or talking head “expert” can possibly have any idea of the ramifications of letting the Big Three automakers fail (i.e. reap what they have sown). No-one has any clue exactly how many jobs are tied to the auto industry, but I [...] [...more]
Posted: under general.
It doesn’t matter what any expert says. No government minister, university professor, business analyst or talking head “expert” can possibly have any idea of the ramifications of letting the Big Three automakers fail (i.e. reap what they have sown). No-one has any clue exactly how many jobs are tied to the auto industry, but I can guarantee you it is less than the aforementioned gaggle make out.
For years we have been threatened with the death of the auto industry - the CAW and UAW have made their members rich off of the fear its failure. Politicians have tried to buy votes and poured millions into the industry only to watch as plants have been shuttered while the fat execs at the top have grown smug off of huge compensation packages.
The most efficient way of dealing with the whole situation is to let the companies fail. Anyone thrown out of work gets (Un-)employment Insurance. That means money is going to those who actually need it through a system that is already in place.
What will happen next? Take a look at the 401 any time of the day or night. People need cars. They need car parts. They need their cars serviced. There will be entrepreneurs by the hundreds lining up to purchase the assets of the Big Three and start turning out cars, parts and signing up dealerships.
Let’s face it, when a business fails and it has been providing a necessary service or product to the economy, another will rise to take its place. There will be some temporary pain and dislocation, but for every Bargain Harold’s that goes out of business (Bankrupt in 1992) a Dollar Store rises to take its place.
The auto industry is failing because it has been run badly and inefficiently, not because people don’t want or need cars. Let these three go under and one or two modern, responsive, customer-friendly alternatives rise in their place.
We’ll all be better served.
Dec 04
Here are some of the funniest things I have heard or read over the past couple of days:
“The Governor-General is like a hood ornament - everyone has one but it shouldn’t do a darn thing!”
“Stephane Dion is like a French “Manuel” from the Tv series Fawlty Towers.”
“Jack Layton’s so puffed up, if you stuck a [...] [...more]
Posted: under general.
Here are some of the funniest things I have heard or read over the past couple of days:
“The Governor-General is like a hood ornament - everyone has one but it shouldn’t do a darn thing!”
“Stephane Dion is like a French “Manuel” from the Tv series Fawlty Towers.”
“Jack Layton’s so puffed up, if you stuck a pin in him he would explode.”
A comment on a live blog from the scene at Rideau Hall when the residence doors were opening and closing and everyone was anticipating the exit of Prime Minister Stephen Harper; “Are the door opening and closing in a manner that suggest prorogation?”
lol
Dec 02
I know it’s hard to believe that Dion is not actually installed in 24 Sussex yet based on the gleeful reporting of most of the media, but it might be worth while just slowing down a bit and contemplating what would have to happen before that could take place.
Michaelle Jean, who received her symbolic position [...] [...more]
Posted: under general.
I know it’s hard to believe that Dion is not actually installed in 24 Sussex yet based on the gleeful reporting of most of the media, but it might be worth while just slowing down a bit and contemplating what would have to happen before that could take place.
Michaelle Jean, who received her symbolic position through an unelected patronage appointment, would have to conclude that a coalition depending on support from a party sworn to dismember Canada would be the only, and best, choice.
That, I believe, would be impossible for her to conclude.
If she decided that was her only recourse I venture that the life of the symbolic arrangement that keeps the Queen of England as our head of state would be over within hours, days or weeks.
I don’t believe Canadians, who just demonstrated through the ballot box exactly how they want the country run, would put up with the Governor General deciding that those votes do not count.
It’s worth remembering that the media on parliament hill a) don’t really have lives, and b) are almost 100 per cent liberal in their outlook, if not actually socialist. Thus we are treated to breathless news reports filled with words like “In The History of Canada” “Unprecedented” and “Never before Seen” which only means that the news media haven’t reported on such a thing for at least a year.
It’s too easy to look at the media and conclude that this trumped up naked grab for power by two of this countries’ most desperate politicians (and one shrewd yet amoral one) is a fait accompli. But I believe that when the first polls hit the streets we will find out most Canadians would far rather have another election than stand for this abuse of our parliamentary system.
The most sensible advice I’ve yet heard is this: Prime Minister Stephen Harper should go the Governor General tomorrow and request that she ask Stephane Dion to form a government.
This coalition of the wounded won’t last more than a few days or weeks. No one, not even Saint Obama, has any control over the current economic crisis. It will become immediately apparent that Dion is as inept at running a government as he was a campaign.
And Canadians will realize that as fun as minority government is to watch, we need a majority Conservative government to get on with the business of running the country.