There Was A Time In This Fair Land

When Gordon Lightfoot was a renowned singer / song writer.

Sadly, the same cannot be said for his parenting skills - presumably then or now.

I can remember when I was attending Queen's University in the late 60s, early 70s when Lightfoot was at the pinnacle of his success. He came to Queen's yearly and I never missed his concerts. I can still sing many of his songs - word for word - hence the lead-in to this very Blog.

In recent years, Lightfoot has more or less disappeared from the public stage but he was back in the news this past Tuesday, attending the Occupy Toronto Protest to lend them his support.

In particular, he was there to support his seventeen (17) year old daughter, who was living in the squalor of Occupy's tent city.

Lightfoot, oblivious to the sexual assaults and shooting ups going on in the park, praised his young daughter's 'strength, stoicism and bravery'. Rather, he should have been commenting upon his own Stupidity.

The fact that his child had contracted pneumonia while at the Site, seemed of little interest or concern to the once famous singer.

What Parent in their right mind would allow or even support their 17 year old child, - especially a girl - to camp out at such a lawless venue?

These days, barely a day goes by when I despair at the crazy things that our artistic (leftist) idols say or do.

This week - Gordon Lightfoot added his name to my infamous list of such fallen idols.

As I see it...

'K.D. Galagher'

Mayor Jim Watson...

Is Doing A Good Job.

No I am not having you on.

Admittedly, I did not vote for Jim Watson, nor do I intend to vote for him in the future - he is a Liberal and I am a Libertarian - that is to say, right of the Conservatives.

But Mr. Watson has done an admiral job of effectively running the affairs of our great city.

He is spending more - but is keeping those additional expenditures within reason.

The main reason though that I have become a bit of fan, is the fact that he has restored civility to the operations of City Council. During his term, we have been spared the antics displayed by individual and groups of councillors so much in evidence during the administration of previous Mayor Larry O'Brien.

I voted for O'Brien - the first time, since I thought we needed to bring some 'business' discipline to reign in Ottawa's out of control spending. Although I stand by my desire to see business discipline applied to government, I soon realized that O'Brien was out of his depth. He was a good businessman but a very poor politician. When he needed to encourage unity, he sowed dissent.

I misunderestimated the importance of candidates having a political background.

This lack of background has been evident lately at other levels of government, indeed even at the highest level in the entire world. Barack Obama came into the Presidency after only a brief stint in the Senate. He too has reaped dissent when he should have been encouraging unity.

His main tactic is to criticize anyone and everyone who he sees as not sharing his particular vision at the time. He should instead be trying to form bridges to such groups to better the chances of overall success.

One of the leading Republican Candidates is Pizza Mogul Herman Cain. A nice chap with some good policies but he too lacks the needed political background. He is running for a job that does not lend itself to on the job training.

Indeed, in regard to the Presidency, to be effective - a successful candidate must intimately understand the intricacies of how government works in the most important and powerful country in the world. It is not something you can learn from a book - it is something you need to be steeped in.

One of the most effective politicians in recent history was Lydon Johnson who, up until the time he became President - he had spent a lifetime in Congress learning the ropes - its secrets, and forging alliances.

Obama should never have become President and hopefully Cain never will.

We need politicians to make government work.

Now if only we can keep them from lying every time they open their mouths.

As I see it ...

'K.D. Galagher'

Women Politicians, like their Male Counterparts...

Seem to have something in common ...







That is to say, when they open their mouths, they too lie.







Take for instance, recently elected Premier of Alberta, Alison Redford (at the Tory Leadership).







In the contentious Leadership Race this summer, Ms. Redford was most clear in several key positions as follows:

1. She was going to immediately move to eliminate notorious section 3 of Alberta's Human Rights Act. The section that prohibits the publication of material 'deemed discriminatory' - ( i.e. the infamous 'Hurt Feelings' clause.) The most famous example of a prosecution under this section is Ezra Levant's publication of the Danish 'Mohammed' Cartoons. Levant was successful in his defence, but it cost him over $100k in his success;






2. She would call Parliament back at the earliest opportunity, i.e. this Fall 2011 and would move quickly to enact a Fixed Election Day - beginning March 2012 and every four (4) years thereafter. This, she trumpeted, would not only legitimize her appointment as Premier but would take politics out of the calling of their Provincial Elections.






3. And her Third main Plank; she would immediately call a Judicial Inquiry into Alberta's Health Care 'Queue Jumping' Scandal.

That was of course Then, during her campaign to replace Progressive Conservative and then Premier Ed Stelmach.

And This is of course is Now - post her successful bid to be appointed Premier.

So what's changed in her 'cast in concrete' promises?

Let's look at where the above three (3) Key Promises in reverse order:

Alberta's Health Care Scandal -

• Accusations have been circulating for the better part of a year that some individuals, within the Province of Alberta, have been receiving special treatment when it comes to accessing the Province's Health Care System. Former Premier Stalmach asked the Province's Health Quality Council to look into these accusations and report later on their findings. During the recent Leadership Campaign though - candidate Redford stated unequivocally that an internal investigation such as to be carried out by the Health Council was not sufficient and that a full blown Judicial Inquiry was needed to get to the bottom of things. Now though, she has second thoughts - and recently announced she will await the findings of the Health Quality Council's Report, expected this Spring and will then decide if a Judicial Inquiry is required.

An Early Calling of the Legislature and a Fixed Election Date -

• This particular promise, as you can well imagine, was supported by voters of all political stripes. And yet, barely upon her being crowned Leader / Premier, than she balked on calling back the Legislature. Instead of this Fall, it has now been postponed until the Spring 2012. What happened to her concern regarding her lack of legitimacy to hold the office of Premier? And in regard to Fixing An Election Date for this coming March, and for every Four Years thereafter - silence.

Abolition of Section 3 of Alberta's Human Rights Act -

• More silence from the distinguished new Premier on whether or not she intends to proceed with this major plank from her Leadership Campaign. Only a month or two ago - it was a given - and now it too is in doubt.

So much for following through. It is enough to make even our Premier - Dalton McGuinty blush.

I have a feeling and I would be willing to bet money on it. Her new office has been bequeathed to her from two recent premiers - Ralph Kline and more lately Ed Stelmach. Neither gentlemen strike me as being avant garde when it comes to office decorating. I suspect that dear Alison had some definite ideas on how to redecorate the Premier's Office long before she became Premier and I further suspect that those decorations are either completed or well on the way to being so. No waffling or procrastination here. Just a guess on my part, but again one that I would be prepared to put money down on it.

There is one thing I do know however and that is if Ms. Redford continues with her gamesmanship, there will be another woman who will be most pleased and that is Wildrose Party Leader Danielle Smith.

And it will be interesting to see, should Ms. Smith eventually become Premier after Ms. Redford, will she too be found to suffer from the illness of open mouth lying?

As I see it...

'K.D. Galagher'