My Prognostications for 2013

 

Once again my predictions … were in too many cases wide of the mark. 

Let’s start with Canada:

1. Trudeau will win the Liberal Leadership – check
2. Harper will earnestly move to implement his Party’s agend – X (the Senate Scandal intervened)
3. Native unrest will intensify – check
4. Chief Spence will emerge from her hunger strike in tact – check.
5. Canada will continue to lead the G-7 economically – check

     4 for 5 – 80%

The world:

1. Wars involving the West will diminish – no money left to fight – check

1 for 1 – 100%

The US of A :

1. Its debt as of January 3. 2012 was $16.3 Trillion and will exceed $17 Trillion dollars by Dec. 31/13 –as of December 26, 2013 it is $17,250,656,426,380.22 or some $56,778.00 per every man, woman and child – check
2. Debt Raters will downgrade the America’s credit rating.  Update – on Oct 15/13 Fitch issued a credit watch and on Oct 17/13 – Dajong Global reduced America’s rating from A to A minus and maintained a negative outlook going forward – check
3. Interest Rates will rise. Update – bond rates in the US have risen 1% over this year while Canadian Mortgages have seen a similar increase.  I had expected higher numbers so grade myself a – neutral.
4. Gold will reach $2,000 per oz by end of December 2013.  In fact it closed today at just a little above $1,200 per oz.  I blew it – x
5. Oil will not rise above the $85 – $90 range.   Today it was trading at just about $100 per barrel – another miscue – x
6. Feds will continue with quantitative easing (printing of $ without growth in GDP) - check

        3 for 5 with one neutral - - 60%

Ontario:

1. Sandra Pupatello will win the Liberal Leadership – wrong – x
2. There will be an election in 2013 and Hudac will win – wrong – x
3. The Teacher protest will spread to the rest of Ontario’s Public Service – wrong - x

        0 for 3 – 0%

China:

1. will continue to outperform the west – check

       1 for 1 – 100%

Europe:

1. will descend into recession / more civil unrest – it has done so but not by as much as I had anticipated – neutral

Middle East:

1. More Islamic Winter – check
2. Al Qaeda growth throughout Africa – check

   2 for 2 – 100%

Russia: 

1. will continue with its one man rule – check
2. its economy will suffer.  In fact it did – GDP stood at a respectable 3.4% for 2012 but declined to an anaemic 1.8% for this past year – 2013 - check

   2 for 2 – 100%

Iran:

1. The US will finally move in 2013 to wipe out Iran’s nuclear capability – it did not – x

        (this has been and will continue to be the biggest issue affecting the world for these past several years and will again in 2014)

   0 for 1 – 0%

Afghanistan:

1. the Taliban will continue to retake Afghanistan.  All reports indicate that the Taliban has increased its presence in Afghanistan throughout 2013 and have positioned themselves to retake the country once US Troops are gone next year.  - check

   1 for 1 – 100%

Syria:

1. Assad will be gone by year’s end.  The devil is still there – mark me an – x

    0 For 1 – 0%

So all in all I am not too happy with these results and will try to do better when my list for 2014 comes out shortly.

K. D. Galagher

 

The True Meaning of Christmas

 

If you guessed, like I did, that it is the birthday of Christ – as in ‘Christ Mass’, you’d be wrong.

No sir, the True Meaning of Christmas is “Santa Claus” along with his delivering gifts to children “to make them happy”.

Permit me to explain.

Our youngest grandson – Felix, was over earlier today – he is but 18 months old – but old enough for cartoons – which I watched along with him. 

(Just for the record, it is the first time that I have sat through kids’ cartoons since way back when – when Gordie the Pig was all the rage.) But I digress.

Today’s cartoon feature appeared on our Taxpayer funded Canadian Broadcast Corporation – CBC for short and when they announced that they were going to disclose the true meaning of Christmas I thought for a moment – a very slight moment – that ‘wasn’t that nice – to have this explained to Canadian Children on the very day before Christmas.

I then thought to myself ‘Oh Oh’ – this is CBC we are talking about  …what exactly will they tell these youngsters?

It soon followed with the Santa clap trap.

I guess CBC’s motto is to get them while they are young.

This only serves to reinforce my Christmas Wish that CBC be defunded.  If they are going to do such a disservice to the true meaning of Christmas – as least they can do it on their own dime and not yours and mine.

But this is not my only complaint at this holy time of the year – I also have a big problem with Christmas songs relentlessly played on both the radio and television.  You know, those greats such as jingle bells and Rudolph the red nose reindeer. 

That said, if I hear them played one more time, I fear I will be sick.

One guy even called in to say his favourite Carole was Elvis Presley’s ‘Blue Christmas’.

Whatever happened to the true Carols; the ones that up to recently had been sung for centuries at this special time of the year? 

Silent Night, O Little Town of Bethlehem, the Huron Carole and so on.  

They have all be replaced by Mummy Kissing Santa Claus.

Some say that Christmas is under-attack in this the 21st Century and to that I say humbug – it is not under attack, it has simply been neutered.

Merry Christmas to one and all.  In the true meaning of the word. 

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

As I see it…

 

What do Women and the Feeble Minded ..

 

Have in common?

They both are in need of State Protection.

Apparently.

This has been brought home this week by way of a couple of pertinent examples.

Most recently, was this past Friday’s 9 to 0 Supreme Court of Canada’s ruling that Canada’s Prostitution Laws are not valid since they do not adequately protect prostitutes from harm, most of whom are of course women.

The laws themselves were initially imposed in the same belief, that women prostitutes needed protection from powerful men.  That is to say, prostitutes were forced into the trade as pliable vassals of male overlords.

This is of course a prime example of women needing big brother’s protection, but it is not in isolation.

Another area where this need is apparently great is within the justice system itself.

Women more and more can rely upon abusive situations to justify their actions against their male cohabits, up to and including a free pass when committing homicide.  It is ever more accepted that the woman in a relationship gone bad is the victim at the hands of a violent man.

Who wouldn’t opt for a free pass especially since the real facts are too often only known to the woman and her alleged abuser.

And then there are those poor souls forced to wear the hijab, niqab or burka.  Of course they are only doing it because they are under the thumbs of their tyrannical male masters. 

Or are they?  Did anyone ask them?

The final example I would like to put forward is in regard to the Abortion industry – the Morgentaler clinics of Canada and America’s Planned Parenthood.

Women are sucked in – on mass to the abortion assembly lines and seldom given alternatives such as the possibility of keeping their child or giving the child up for adoption.

Imagine the concept of empowering women to think for themselves.

Obviously, in all of this, I am playing devil’s advocate here but sadly there is an element of truth in what these examples tell us.

As a message to my two daughters, my daughter in law and grand-daughter, I would encourage them to stand up for the following:

• Make prostitution illegal for the sole reason that it hurts and degrades all of humanity;
• Justice System – keep your special protections for those in need of them – as for me and my follow sisters, we can take care of ourselves;
• I will wear what I want – when I want free from the dictates of man or state; and finally,
• I view life of the unborn as precious and only ask expectant mothers to give serious consideration of all options available to them.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

SCC… Welcome To The World Of …

 

Krytocracy.

That is to say, the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision yesterday disallowing Canada’s laws against prostitution, is another step along the road to Government by the Judiciary aka Krytocracy.

With its decision the Supreme Court continues its tradition of making laws rather than interpreting them, the latter being its true function in a democratic state.  In other words – laws should be made by the people through their elected representatives. Period Full Stop

But, as you and I know, the really big issues affecting society today – are made by courts and not by you or I; whether we are talking about what constitutes marriage, common law unions, rights or more appropriately non rights of the unborn; rights of gays, environmental issues, native issues etc etc – and now – the rights of prostitutes to carry on their trade without interference, have all been defined by the Court and, accordingly, Society will never again be the same.

You may argue that is a good thing – ie that societal changes in these areas are good and maybe so – but I believe that these are decisions for the population as a whole and not to be left to the determination of a few – too often – left leaning judges.

That said, it would certainly be cheaper to move entirely to Krytocracy – dismantling Parliament and scrapping elections would save us billions.

And dear reader – sadly not all that much would be lost since our Democratic Leaders continue to get bogged down with the minutia and are very much complicit with the Courts in letting them do the heavy lifting.

Pathetic … but that is where things have come to.

So what to do about yesterday’s decision?

If I was Harper I would tell the Court to take a flying leap and would do so by injecting the Notwithstanding Clause.

Either Prostitution is inherently wrong … or it is not.  And most of you out there, like me, believe the former.

So make it all illegal instead of the current state (at least for the next year) where prostitution itself is legal but all activities surrounding it are not. It is to laugh.

This case has all the hallmarks of the Morgentaler Abortion Case.  There the Court struck down Canada’s abortion law and gave the Government time to draft a new one.  Nothing was done so abortion on demand was no longer illegal.  It did not, as some believe, and too often say “unresticted abortion is the law” since the fact is, there is no law applying to abortion.

That could happen here as well. The SCC has given Harper and company 1 year to draft a new law dealing with the issue of prostitution.  He could let the time go by and the current law would simply die by default.  Or he could impose the notwithstanding clause as I recommended above.

What I think he will do is move on new anti prostitution legislation if for no other reason than his base would support that and again on this issue the majority of Canadians would support him.

Moreover it would provide him with an excellent wedge issue to favourably distinguish his party from both the NDP and the Liberals.

The sad thing is this is that should Harper move on new legislation it would be politically motivated rather than an attempt to retake Parliament’s rightful for role from the Courts.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

will happen here.  That is to say, the Court there too gave Government time to amend its legislation which it did not and abortion on demand came about by default.

 

Too Young To Die …

 

The papers have been full lately of efforts by various governments to introduce or extend euthanasia.

Belgium’s Senate just passed a Bill that would extend the procedure to children by a vote of 50 to 7 and it now goes to their House for final vote.

Quebec has its Bill 52 which is intended to just kill adults but it is recognized that the Belgium experience plays heavily in Quebec so children will no doubt be added to the list of the doomed in due course.

Quebec always seems to lead the Rest of Canada in such things and for that we can be thankful – thankful that most of us do not live there.

Euthanasia is just another word for cheap – it makes life cheaper.  And don’t think governments will not jump at the chance of easy outs – so to speak – with an ever growing aged population.

There are stories on both sides – those wishing to be prematurely set free from life and those that treasure life and are in no hurry to die.  I am especially moved when I read the stories of the disabled – those who are so vulnerable, worrying that someone will come along and pull the plug on them without their consent.

Sadly they have good cause to worry.

A mother once mentioned to me that she had a girl baby that was seriously disabled and spent all her life in an institution.  She could only communicate with her eyes and one day her mother mentioned to her grown up daughter by then – that it would probably have been best had she not been born.  The daughter made it known to her mum that she was horrified at the thought and it reduced our friend to tears.

A few years later my wife and I attended the daughter’s funeral and it was a celebration of her life.  Many of the staff and residents gave witness of how full their lives had become because of knowing this young woman.

One of the biggest complaints given by those proclaiming for euthanasia is that they fear the pain that comes from the latter stages of dying.

They need not – our family has been heavily involved in Hospice and Palliative Care for many years and advances in medicine in these important areas have brought pain, as well as other discomforts, fully under control. 

So let the euthanasia debate begin.

Fortunately the issues are simple and clear forward -

Either life is sacred or it is not. 

If the former wins out – it is euthanasia that should die.

Should the latter prove victorious – bring it on but life will never be the same.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

 

 

 

JAKE EPP

 

Say it isn’t so Jake !!

Christina Blizzard, Queen’s Park columnist, interviewed the Honourable Jake Epp, Chairman of Ontario Power Generation and provided the following account of their meeting:

Blizzard – “First off, what amounts to an outrageous abuse of ratepayers and taxpayers did he want to apologize them at a time when people can barely pay their bills.”

Epp – “I think first of all you should define ‘outrageous’ and I would be glad to answer it.”

Blizzard said she was gobsmacked by his cavalier reply.

I was even more so.

Epp, I thought was a quintessential Tory.

He was a minister in Joe Clark’s ill fated government in 1979 and served as Minister in Mulroney’s Governments from 1984 to 2003.

As such, he is entitled to use the pre-fix Honourable.

But little honour can be found in his response to Blizzard.

I am embarrassed to say that it was only with last week’s release of the Ontario Auditor General’s Report that I discovered Epp was the Chairman of the Board and moreover, has held that post since 2004 having been appointed by the infamous Dalton McGuinty.

Had anyone informally told me that Epp was Chair – I would have thought them wrong since I would  have trouble envisaging someone with Epp’s credentials and reputation within the Tory Party – taking on such a corrupt mess.

Had I been aware from the start – i.e. back in 2004 that he was Chair – I would have still been surprised but would have given him the benefit of the doubt thinking that he had taken the job on to clean things up.

But 10 years have gone by under his stewardship and things have only gotten worse.

I used to work for a chap who later became Epp’s Chief of Staff and he waxed eloquent on many occasions about what a great guy Jake Epp was. A True Conservative, who despised waste and big government.

If an honourable man like Jake Epp can get wrapped up in such a mess … I guess anyone can.

Pity.

As I see it …

‘K.D. Galagher’

 

Breaking Scandal…

 

Two more Tory Cabinet Ministers have been found ordering gold embossed business cards.

This follows earlier disclosure that Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird had done the same – all three cases dating back to the Spring of 2011 but the two recent cases were just discovered through the industrious efforts of the Canadian Press via Access to Information.

This past Sunday the Toronto Star breathlessly reported the following:

“At least two more key Conservatives got gold-embossed business cards contrary to long standing government rules against fancy stationary”.

I guess one could argue whether business cards fall under the category of “stationary” but what cannot be argued is the scale of this transgression.

When Baird was caught out he indicated the cost of the enhanced cards was some $$424.88 whereas standard issue was but $197.75.  So the additional cost was over twice the going rate.  Outrageous.

I can just imagine the press conference the Leader of Her Official Opposition will have:

• We on this side of the House are simply livid with such arrogance…where will it end?  I am calling for both Ministers to resign forthwith.
• Question follows from the reporter representing the Gopher Tribune from Puddle Jump Saskatchewan --- ‘is it not true sir that these transgressions, serious as they are, took place some 3 years ago’?
• Your point? 
• ‘Well I was just wondering how something that occurred 3 years ago can be considered breaking news, especially since this issue has already been thoroughly dealt with in the case of Minister Baird’?
• Arrogance is arrogance and waste is waste whenever it happens.
• ‘And my understanding is that these two Ministers long ago repaid the cost of these cards from there own pocket’.
• Well that technically is true but it leads us to conclude a Duffyesque cover-up is afoot.  How else can you explain politicians repaying the taxpayer from their own pocket.  It simply is not done.
• ‘And now you want both Ministers to resign.  Wouldn’t that result in new business cards having to be ordered and paid for’.
•  
• Chump change in the scheme of things.
• ‘And is it not true sir that the cost to the taxpayer for Canadian Press’ Access to Information Request far exceeded the cost of the gold embossed in the first place’?
• Wrongs should not be discouraged simply because there is a cost attached.
• ‘And just one final question sir, what is wrong with Canadian Minister’s having gold embossed cards’?
• At last a sensible question from you.  We in Canada are known throughout the world as being bland… just think what type of message gold embossed cards will give.  We simply cannot have it.
• Now let’s get a question from someone else – yes you there from Canadian Press.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

The Usual Suspects …

 

I attended yesterday’s rally called in protest of the Ontario Government’s wildly expensive green energy program.

The rally took place outside of the Liberal Energy Minister’s Bob Chiarelli’s Constituency Office here in Ottawa and about 250 souls braved the cold to hear a number of speakers dis the high cost of electricity brought to you by the current Government and Ontario Power

I did a recent blog on this so I do not see the need in rehashing here how Ontario consumers – i.e. all of us – are paying through the nose for our lights and heat – some 4x more than our neighbours across the river in Quebec.

These costs have a knock on effect since businesses pass on their extra costs to us or they simply move out of Province.

The situation is reaching critical status – but enough about that…  I want to deal today instead with yesterday’s Rally.

I entitled this piece ‘ the usual suspects’ since the ‘crowd’ consisted of the usual complainers – the Johns and Marys; the Jims and Joans who regularly attend such rallies.  I do not for a minute want to demean their efforts since I consider myself amongst their numbers – indeed, there is lots to protest about this current government … indeed, it is the worst government I can ever recall.

But it is always the same people here in Ottawa who turn out for these protests – be it the Ornge fiasco, the gas plant debacle …what have you.

I was expecting lots more – 500 to a 1,000 given the importance of the issue.  New faces and a greater determination to see these rascals at Queen’s Park called to account.

But alas it was not to be.

Same old – despite their just complaint.

No wonder voting numbers are in serious decline. We seem to be living in a state of apathy.

I did though take away a few things yesterday – mostly issues of concern.

First, while I was there, there were no MPPs in attendance.  Unbelievable.  (Update: apparently Lisa MacLeod – the Conservative’s Energy Critic spoke before I arrived)

On a postive note, in a backhand way, Tom Black spoke – Black is the head of the Ontario Landowners Association and his message to the group was to caution them not to trust any politician regardless of Party.  Perhaps surprisingly, this comment drew loud applause from the mostly card carrying Conservative crowd.

They are obviously disappointed in their own leadership … as I am.  (As an aside, I have come to the conclusion that Tim Hudak needs to go but I realize this will only happen in the most unlikely event that Hudak himself comes to the realization that he is not the man to become Premier.  He needs to do this soon if a leadership change at this point has any chance of succeeding. I won’t hold my breath).

And to prove the point – a Tory Candidate in waiting – namely Randall Denley did speak and when asked what the Conservative Plan is when it comes to Power – he said it is with “Nuclear … they would be building new nuclear facilities.”

I was dumbfounded – I too am a proponent of Nuclear Power but it has its time and place and right now and for the distant future, Ontario does not need more power…nuclear or otherwise.

We suffer from too much power – so much that even at half capacity we have to sell power at a steep loss – some $1.2 Billion over the last 10 months alone.  Chiarelli calls it the cost of a cup of coffee per Ontarian – I would hate to buy my coffee where he does.

So here we have the McGuinty and Wynne Liberals having wasted $billions and $billions on nonsensical green energy and if what Denley says is true – the Ontario Tory’s want to come into power and spend $billions more on nuclear development for power we do not need.  Is this not Alice in Wonderland?

No wonder Black warned the rally not to trust politicians of any stripe.

Heaven Help Ontario…its politicians do not seemed inclined to.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

 

The Draft Reform Act

 

Conservative M.P. Michael Chong, as we know, is about to table his draft Bill which if passed, will change forever the workings of Parliament.

I support it … subject to amendment.

Chong as you may also remember resigned from Cabinet in 2006 on a matter of principle – he was opposed to Prime Minister Harper and his fellow cabinet colleagues recognizing Quebec as a distinct State.

In this Chong, is the only member that I can recall in recent Parliamentary history to resign on a matter of principle.

He is therefore is most unique and someone who I believe is deserving of our respect.

Now back to his draft Bill:

• it would enable 15% of a Party’s ‘MP Caucus’ to call a leadership vote which oblige all Caucus MPs to vote and if a simple majority – that is to say, 50% plus 1 vote for a change in leadership – the Leader is history.  We saw such take place with the late Margaret Thatcher.
• it would return the power to select candidates for election to the individual riding associations instead of the current system where the candidate is required to obtain the Party Leader’s authorization. finally,
• it would allow the caucus to determine chairmanship for the various House Committees.

A general comment first.

The late Prime Minister Trudeau once famously said, that “MPs are nobodies when they are 50 yards from Parliament Hill”.

He was correct but since then even more power has devolved to the Prime Minister’s Office so an updated version of Trudeau’s statement would classify MPs as nobodies even when they are on Parliament Hill.

From my perspective, anything that can be done to return power to the Member of Parliament is well worth doing and is democracy in action.

Some argue though it is the reverse … that it would be undemocratic to have a relatively small and select group – i.e. the Party’s MPs - decide whom their Leader should be, in the place of the Party’s general membership.

I take the attitude that life is a trade off and better to give the ordinary MP more power than see it reside in the PMO.  After all, the MPs are elected in theory to do their constituents'’ bidding. 

So bring it on.

That said, some amendments are in desperate need.

First off – the 15% requirement for a leadership vote needs to be increased – I would increase it to 50% of all Party MPs outside of Cabinet.  I would then increase the vote needed to vote out a sitting Leader to two thirds and it would be by secret ballot.

The 50% numbers would rule out a cadre of rogue MPs who are simply just trying to cause trouble / disruption. The two third vote needed to change leadership would ensure that sitting Leaders are only replaced in exceptional circumstances; otherwise the system would apt to bog down in chaos.

Finally I would add provisions to the clause that would allow caucus to nominate and appoint their own Committee Chairs.  A mechanism is needed to see that the Committee deliberations and recommendations can go forward and be voted on in the House of Commons.  That is to say, they could bypass Cabinet indorsation.

This latter amendment would require thought and thus I would suspect it should await further study. Perhaps it could go to the Committee on Parliamentary Procedure for consideration?

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

We Just Cannot Take Much More Of This …

 

Good News.

Ontario’s Minister of Energy … the Honourable Robert (Bob) Chiarelli stood up at Queen’s Park yesterday and laid out his Liberal Government’s long term plan for energy usage.

It consisted of one good news item after another:

1. Although energy costs will rise 43% over the course of the next five (5) years … “it could have been worse”.
2. One of the reasons Ontario has a surplus of power generation is thanks to the reduction of ‘old style manufacturing’.
3. Ontario has saved its taxpayers billions of dollars due to the Liberal Government’s decision to cancel plans to build new Nuclear facilities.  It will though continue with the building of windmills and solar. finally,
4. We in Ontario are raking in millions of dollars through the sale of our excess power to neighbouring provinces and states.

Does it get any better?  I ask you.

Let’s take these good newsies one by one:

1. Energy costs will only rise by 43% over the next five years.  We already pay two to three times more than most other jurisdictions in North America.  Another 43% rise will add another $100 per month to the median monthly electric bill.  Not chump change.
2. We have surplus power generation thanks in part to the reduction in old style manufacturing – eg stelco, car manufacturing, canning factories, refineries etc etc.

     See my Blog of October 31/13 where I point out that it is these old fashion manufacturers that hire thousands of workers and pay fair wages.  Ontario’s manufacturing base is being hollowed out and Chiarelli finds this to be all for the good.

          Moreover, we are paying electrical generation facilities to stand idle – the annual costs for same total in the multi billions per annum.  Chiarelli does not even bat an eye.

3.  Nuclear is producing nearly 50% of all Ontario power and is the most efficient / economical.  Given our vast generation capacity, new nuclear plants are not needed – but for the Liberals to continue with their green energy program – and costly inefficient wind and solar power construction is simply criminal.  and,  

 4.  “Ontario makes millions selling our excess power” is the biggest whopper of them all.  Just today it was announced that in the first 10 months of this year – Ontario lost 1.2 Billion Dollars by having to sell its excess power way below cost.  So Chiarelli says we make millions on the sale – whereas in truth we lose billions as per the report of the Province’s Auditor General.

The Grit Green Energy Program has to go down in the annals of government history as the biggest scam ever played on the hapless Ontarian. And this said about a Government that wastes billions of dollars with everything it touches.

Front men like Chiarelli would have made Nazi Propaganda Minister Goebbels proud.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

Rest Easy …

 

So say the Libs …for crime is way down.

No need for mandatory sentences…no need for stricter sentencing … no need for more prisons.

The Tories are simply wrong headed and wasting money.

But wait, in today’s paper is an article that states from the period October 31st to November 13 – a period of only 14 days … some 8 armed robberies took place involving pedestrians … that is over 1 every second day.

All but one of the 8 robberies involved hand guns.. the 8th – a knife and mostly cell phones / wallets / purses were the object of the thefts.

These are not cases of businesses or banks being robbed – rather it is pedestrians who are being targeted … many taking place in the early evening.

And the Ottawa police stick out their collective chests proud as punch that they have collected numerous grandfathers’ attic 22s in their recent campaign to have law abiding citizens turn in their guns for gifts.

All the while more than a dozen separate gangs control the streets and terrorize the citizenry.

Just this past week – two separate victims came forward to say they were sexually assaulted in city cabs.

And the police continue to look for a serial rapists who they fear has raped at least 5 women over the course of the last year.

No wonder a study in that same paper claims today that Ottawa women living in areas frequented by gangs “fear for their safety”.  Indeed some 71% of the 40 women canvassed felt this way.  Some said they refuse any longer to go out at night.

So the left can go on saying that crime is down and that the Tory get tough on criminals is a waste of time and money but I suspect the women fearing for their safety and the 8 armed robbery victims over a mere 2 weeks …would beg to differ.

The cops can go on collecting grand dad’s olde shot gun and give out treats.. but you and I know this will do nothing to address the real problem .. that is to say, gangs armed with hand guns.

I have said the best way in which to deal with thugs like this is to declare membership in gangs illegal – where it is in many places and them swoop down and arrest them all.  Place them in work camps in the hope of rehabilitation but safe in the knowledge they are off the streets.

And then work with the pre teenagers in disadvantaged areas to ensure that they have lives before them that do not include gang membership.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

 

I Had A Dream …

 

Last Night …But Not That One.

Rather, I dreamt I was teaching a first year law class about the deterrent effect of Canadian Criminal Law.

In particular the subject surrounded Liberal M.P. Ralph Goodale’s Bill currently before Parliament that would enhance the penalty against those who would assault city bus drivers.

I was waxing eloquent about how stiff penalties worked to deter others who might wish to participate in similar illicit actions … in this case assaulting defenceless bus drivers and was pointing out that more stringent sentencing would in all likelihood result in reduced assaults on this vulnerable group.  

I even had this to say, ‘ finally a politician has his head screwed on straight and a liberal politician notwithstanding.’

I then noted with great enthusiasm that efforts were currently underway to bring in a special provision for cases where police dogs are seriously injured or killed.

It was at this point when a hand shot up from the very back..

‘Professor Galagher’ if bus drivers and police dogs are in need of special laws to protect them…what about jail guards and bouncers in clubs.  Are they not too worthy of extra code coverage?’

I had to allow that ‘yes they are’.

‘And Professor’ is not the real problem the fact the current judiciary does not render out severe enough penalties in the first place’? 

‘Now you seem to be getting into the area of minimum mandatory sentences’, I said. 

‘And if the penalties suited the crime …as they should …would that not alleviate the need for minimum penalties and for special protection for special groups like bus drivers and police dogs’.

I was at a loss for words …but finally managed to offer my place at the podium for in fact the young chap was right…all victims should be treated equally under the law.  Madame Justice is in fact blind and thus there is no need for her to know the colour of the victims skin or their occupation.

Apply the law to the set of facts – if someone steals a loaf of bread be prepared to show mercy, and if someone beats on a defenceless bus driver …through the full weight of the law as is – without getting in to special status penalties.

It rather reminds me of my earlier rants against preferred parking …it started out as special parking for handicap (whatever that was intended to mean) it advanced to special slots for pregnant women, they women with children to be followed by men with children, and more lately to certain fad green energy cars. 

Fewer and fewer spots are left for the healthy or those who refuse to call themselves disabled.

As a citizen your life is just as valuable as anyone else’s and the law should not try to rank its value which is precisely what is going on here.

If a cop or jail guard gets murdered on the job …throw the book at them…give the offender life and through away the key.

If the dishwasher at McDonalds is similarly gunned down during a robbery …the same penalty should be meted out.  Full Stop.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

Mandatory Sentencing …

 

And the like.

Media reports abound about Judges dissing Tory efforts to get tough on crime.

These stories relate especially to minimum mandatory penalties; for instance, section 85 of the criminal code provides for a minimum 1 year sentence – rising to 3 year in subsequent convictions – for those who use a gun in the commission of an offence.  Those terms are to be served consecutively to any other sentence rendered.

If anything, I think the mandatory minimum here should be 5 years since any use of a gun when committing an offence implies that the gunman was fully prepared to cause injury or death through its use.

But that aside, some judges are doing their best to defeat even modest mandatory penalties.

Justin Trudeau has come out to say that he trusts the Judges ‘to do the right thing’.

I don’t, as is evidenced by their past failures to consistently mete out stiff enough penalties.  

We all are aware of examples - save I guess for Young Trudeau,  but may favourite one is the case of the death of a young man –whose brother had worked with me -  who was shot for refusing to buy a scum bag another beer. 

I think I have mentioned that case in an earlier blog but the fact is the s.b. received only a 4 year sentence and was out in two.

Moreover, from his prison he was allowed to telephone and harass the victim’s family.

That said, there have been cases cited recently that show that there are a few cases where a mandatory sentence would be too severe and Judges have rightly turned to the ‘cruel and unusual punishment’ provisions of the Charter to grant the defendant relief.

But those types of cases are few and far between; the ultimate goal, of having the punishment fit the crime, remains.

Another trick Judges are using is in regard to imposing victim surcharges which the Tory Government has introduced to help assist the victims of crime.  One report today had a Judge ordering the payment but spreading it over 50 years.

That Judge and Judges like him should be dismissed from the Bench.

Unless it is a constitutional matter, Judges should confine themselves to imposing the law rather than their personal opinions.

So, in the important area of crime and punishment – Harper is where he should be …on the side of the law abiding public.

As an aside, more and more people are speaking about the need to have our judges elected as many are south of the border.  I am not so sure, but I do know that mechanisms need to be put in place to ensure that the public has its say when judges go rogue (i.e. similar in operation to the public police commissions).

As I see it…

‘K. D. Galagher’

 

White Poppies & RED CHINA…PT. 2

 

Now that you have had a chance to mull over my defence for the White Poppy …let’s now turn to Red China.

In particular, to Young Justin’s admiration for it.

We all know that at a recent speaking event, Trudeau was asked which country he admired most other than Canada.

I had expected him to say Quebec* but like you was surprised when he said the following:

‘You know, there’s a level of admiration I actually have for China because their basic dictatorship is allowing them to turn their economy around on a dime,,,’

And you know what …the kid’s right.

But before I get into that, let’s spend a minute on why I thought he would mention Quebec before all others.

First, he has said so in the past – that he greatly admires Quebec and if push came to shove – i.e. separation – he would opt to take Quebec citizenship in a heart beat.

He has also told us that his late father – told him that Quebecers were better than the rest of us.  So hence no surprise to me if he went with Quebec over China.

One more point – even the control freak Stephen Harper declared Quebec to have nation state status in a Motion he presented to Parliament and passed on November 27, 2006.

So had Trudeau picked Quebec, as I have said, I would not have been the least surprised but had he done so …he would have been wrong.  There is very little to admire about that Province save for its proficiency in getting others to pay their bills.

But I digress.

The fact is he picked China and I fear dear reader he is on to something.

At the time the Communists came into power in the late 1940s, China was a 4th world country with 90% of its population comprising of poor peasants.

Today, it has a middle class larger in size than all of the United States and within a year or two will surpass that nation in Gross Domestic Product.

That is simply astounding.

There is another side to China – as we all know – one that flagrantly abuses human rights and refuses all efforts at democratization.

And that is a side of China no reasonable person would or should admire.

In the 1960s and older friend of my father’s told me that we needed to watch China because the day would come when its economy would be on top.  Scotty Broughton was his name and he went on to say that China would then move to democracy and human rights protections because at that point its people would demand nothing less.

Put yourself in the poor peasant’s place in the 1940’s – he or she worried where the next meal would come from – rather than weather or not they were entitled to vote in an election.

So China took the first step and unlike the USSR moved to implement capitalism.

They did it most successfully and for that they deserve our admiration.

Now they must move on implementing democracy, the rule of law, and human rights protection.

Once they do that, China will be entitled to our full admiration without qualification.

Scotty – you called it right over 50 years ago in regard to the first step …let’s hope your insight carries forward to step two.

As I see it…

K.D. Galagher’

The White Poppy and The Red China …

 

Two Separate Topics:

I write these two mini blogs with some trepidation since my intent will likely be misconstrued by some.  I will do my best to try to avoid that. 

First, the White Poppy with the Word ‘Peace’ in its Centre.

A big kerfuffle is making the rounds in regards to  the Rideau Institute’s plan today to distribute White Poppies at the Ottawa Cenotaph.

I have little knowledge about this Institute but it appears to be a ‘left wing organization’ and if that is the case, they are likely using the White Poppy to promote peace at any cost which is a price freedom loving people are not prepared to pay.

Given that, one has to be most suspicious about buying in to their plan to distribute White Poppies.  But that said, even if their intention was less than honourable it may be time to look at its possible use more closely.

Let’s look first at the Red Poppy.

An American Woman by the name of Moina Belle Michael is credited with the launch of the Red Poppy as early as November 9, 1918 – 2 days before the end of the First World War.

In doing this, she was inspired by Canada’s own – Lt. Col. John McCrae’s poem In Flanders Fields.

The Poppy is the most propitious flower to commemorate those who sacrificed their lives so others may live in freedom …it’s seeds can lay dormant for years and years – and it blooms in great abundance, in Flanders, when the ground is disturbed, as it was between 1914 to 1918.

Originally it was a sign to commemorate those who lost their lives in war.  Over time, it has extended to all those who served in the defence of freedom.

The White Poppy too has been around a long time – since 1933 and was first promoted by a pacifist group known as the Women’s Cooperative Guild.

But this has got me thinking – why not co-opted the White Poppy to our own purposes?

Indeed it seems to me that the White Poppy does not detract from the Red Poppy …indeed a case could be made that they complement one another.

Permit me to explain.

We would not have the peace we all enjoy today, had it not been for the sacrifice and service of our brave military – most of whom were volunteers from the cities, towns and villages across our great land.

So while the Red Poppy would continue to honour this sacrifice – as it most certainly should, the white poppy could help us rejoice in the freedom their sacrifice paid for (i.e. perhaps the Red Poppy does all of this on its own …thank you very much).

Maybe this then is a bit simplistic and if so I apologize.

But let me continue.

When I wear the Red Poppy and attend Remembrance Services, I find myself thinking exclusively about the sacrifice our men and women made.  Perhaps this is due to the fact that many of my family served in Canada’s volunteer armies?

As a result, I know that I do not give enough thought about the Peace we enjoy today – the peace, as I have said, that has come about due to our military’s service.

The fact is, I have never had to volunteer to fight – as my father did – nor have my children – nor hopefully will their children.

The White Poppy with the word Peace in its centre, may help us all to focus on that.

So why do we fear the colour White – it is a symbol of purity?

And why do we fear the word Peace – it is after all what we all pray for?

And why do so many of us condemn the White Poppy out of hand as being disrespectful to our veterans.

I wish my father was alive today so I could ask him what he thought.

But maybe the time has come for two poppies – one to commemorate our veterans’ sacrifice and the other to give thanks for peace. 

It seems to be all in a worthwhile cause.

Part 2 – Red China … to follow.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

I TAKE FULL RESPONSIBILITY…

 

The other day, while channel surfing, I came across a leader making the above statement.

I was gobsmacked.

This was totally uncharacteristic.

Can you guess the name of the leader whom I am referring to?

If you guessed Ford, McGuinty, Harper, or Wynne, you’d get part marks, since I can readily see where you are coming from.

But no..

The correct answer is .. the little guy who currently occupies the White House – he who has made avoiding responsibility a dark art.

So what was the little guy referring to – I asked myself at the time – numerous possibilities raced through my mind … but for want of space I will spare you.

The issue the little guy was generally referring to was the screw up currently going on with regard to the roll out of Obama Care.

But he wasn’t apologizing for the screw up … as well he should have, rather he was apologizing for a future possible screw up which I will get to in a minute.

But first in regard to Obama Care itself – the problem with it is not the failure in its launch – indeed this may turn out to be a blessing.

No the problem with it is that it is going to cost America trillions of dollars to implement at a time when the Good olde US of A is broke.

I am not opposed to assisting those misfortunates who need care – however the focus of Obama Care should have been on them – rather than on revamping their entire health care system as was done.

Added to that great expense, businesses are now in the process of jettisoning employees in an attempt to mitigate their increased health care levies.

Less taxes, more unemployment payouts …greater debt.

But is the little guy embarrassed or worried by this?

Not at all.

So what dear reader did the little guy apologize for?

He apologized for a future occurrence and in this I think the guy has actually invented something.

He said he ‘would fix the current roll out problems and if he failed …he would take full responsibility’.

How does one apologize for a hypothetical screw up?

Why does he not apologize for the real one currently underway?  Does the buck not stop with him?  Is he not the President?

And I fully expect, if difficulties arise in correcting the current problems, the little guy will return to form and find someone else to blame despite his kind and disingenuous offer to do otherwise.

He has to be the worst president of the United States in modern time. ( I was going to say since Jimmy Carter but even Carter would not await his first apology on something that has yet to happen).

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

 

While the Senate Fiddles …

 

The Prime Minister Burns*

Credit David Aiken for the title’s wording.

But I would like to add a clause of my own:

And All The While, Ontario Continues To Hollow Out

You will all likely know that it was announced today – after 113 years of operation, Stelco of Hamilton will no longer manufacture steel, as of the end of this December.

At its peak in the 1970s, Stelco had over 25,000 employees – with the coming shutdown, there will remain less than 900 and none of those will produce steel.

The cause for the shutdown can be placed at the feet of our Liberal Provincial Government and its stupid, dumb, foolish, ludicrous, brainless, inane (you get the idea) … Green Energy Program.

The very program that pays landowners to produce unneeded power via solar and wind – at a cost of upwards of 82.5 cents per kwh when the wholesale rate is but 2 cents per.

Stelco is the not the first and will not be the last manufacturer to be struck down by these unbearable rates.

And how can we expect our manufacturers to compete against other non-ontario jurisdictions where retail power costs are 5 to 6 cents per kwh when their costs are approaching 20 cents per.

They can’t and moreover they won’t – either they will move or they will shutdown.

Simple as that.

It makes the Senate shenanigans look like small potatoes.

Let’s quickly look at the numbers…

In the early 1980s there were over 1 million Ontarians employed in manufacturing – the ratio to the then population (1982 / 8 million) – 1:8

Now flash ahead to 2013 – Ontario’s population is  13.5 million and yet the number now employed in its manufacturing sector is 770k – for a ratio of 1:17 – a reduction of over 50% in a little over 30 years.

Is it any wonder then that Ontario is now a have-not province?

Nor is it any wonder that our provincial debt is nearing $300 billion – far worse than California which has triple Ontario’s population and considers itself bankrupt.

But with the antics in Ottawa and the Fords in Toronto – the Ontario Grits get more or less a free ride.

Ever heard the term – going to hell in a hand basket?

Things could be done to mitigate the situation – especially in the case of Stelco – ever heard of pipelines?

Had the green light been given – they would have been produced in Hamilton – and Stelco would have survived at least for another day.

You would think under these circumstances that the NDP would be fighting tooth and nail to see these pipelines produced …but no they are totally against them.

I guess unless you are a fat cat government worker the New Democratic Party is not interested in you.

And the Ontario Liberals are most certainly not interested in protecting its fragile manufacturing sector.

I guess we had all better brush up on flipping burgers – at least until the Chinese develop a robot that can do it for us.

As I see it …

‘K.D. Galagher’

 

 

REQUIEM FOR THE PRIME MINISTER

 

When the Mike Duffy kerfuffle first broke, I said in a Blog at that time that it was not plausible that the Prime Minister had not known in advance of Nigel Wright’s $90 k gift … but as no one other than Wright and the PM appeared to know otherwise – the benefit of a doubt should be extended to him.

That slight strand of benefit was then stretched even further when it was subsequently determined that a ‘cast of thousands’ knew beforehand of the Wright / Duffy gift. 

But again, I was prepared to give our Prime Minister the benefit of the doubt … much more reluctantly though.

Now that it has been revealed by Duffy that the PC Party even went so far as to pay his not so insignificant legal bill – some $13k plus, it causes me to conclude that our Prime Minister was in on all of this from the very beginning despite his protestations to the contrary.

The strand broke.

And as I have previously said, should this day ever come, Harper would have no other choice but to resign since his credibility would be irreparably impaired.

The Tory Convention taking place this weekend in Calgary would provide a proper forum for him to announce it…after-all, it is the folks in the Party that he has so badly let down.

Will he do so?  I don’t know since he certainly cannot be pushed out, but I do think his resignation is coming soon – within days or weeks…not months.

“Why do you think that Galagher?”

Because despite the fact that he has lied to us, Harper is at heart an honourable man.

If we were speaking of someone like Chretien, my thoughts of course would be otherwise.

And the irony in all of this is that Harper’s lie was to ensure that tax payer’s money was returned to them.

This has got to be a first in politics and most certainly will be studied in the classes of Political Science for years to come.

But I can just hear the lefties now:

‘Harper lied to us; we can no longer trust him (not that they ever did). What will he do next?  Lower taxes? There is no end to what this guy might do’.

Bizarre.

Brought down by pygmies.

And we’ll all be the poorer for it.

Count on it.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

 

One Man’s Plan For A Reformed Senate…

 

After reading my recent Blog – The Three Stooges, an acquaintance of mine … Parliament Hill Harry (PHH for short) contacted me for the purpose of sharing his plan for a Reformed Senate.

The Plan itself is amazingly simple – in more ways than one – it allows for Members of Parliament, having been elected in five or more General Elections, to sit in a Reformed Senate – for life, which not too long ago was the accepted standard.

Anyway, PHH’s thinking is that it is non-politicians who come in and continually screw things up – so why not appoint only former politicians – “the guys and gals who have actually had to fight in the trenches” so to speak.

When he initially called me, he asked if I could live with his plan given my general distain for the institution and I had to be honest with him by saying no – ‘any unelected legislative body is doomed to failure’.

But PHH was not to be deterred – he said he had run the plan by a current member of the esteemed chamber (aka A Senator) and received some promising feedback.  He included with his plan a transcript of that feedback.

Here is how it went:

PHH… ‘You were once a successful politician who was elected several times to the House of Commons, would you not agree with me that the Senate would be a much better place if membership was confined to former M.P.s?”

A Senator… ‘You are on to something here Harry – its those darned former media types who come into this place (Senators continually refer to the Senate as this place as if there is really any danger of it being confused with the other place – the elected House of Commons …but I digress) and royally ball things up – they do not know how the game is played.  Simple as that.”

PHH…’So you could live with my plan?’

A Senator …’Maybe, but I do find one aspect of it troubling and that relates to the life term.  Now don’t get me wrong – I like the idea of an appointment for life (why wouldn’t he – he is currently 73 and will be obliged to leave the Senate upon attaining his 75th birthday) but we have to be practical here … what if a few of us come down with serious afflictions before we die – say dementia for instance?”

PHH… ‘That is all covered in the addendum to my Plan – should an Honourable Senator become incapacitated, his or her vote would automatically be considered cast for the Party he or she represents.’

A Senator …’Well that’s certainly thinking ahead there young feller’.  But what if there were instances where we wanted to vote against our own Party – I know if never happens.. but just what if..’.

PHH..’Can you provide me with a for instance?’

A Senator… ‘Well what if your own Party wanted to reduce the term of Senators – or God forbid, actually do away with the Senate – I would want my vote to be cast against it’.

PHH..’If you will read the small print in the same addendum it states that Honourable (sick) Senators can have their votes cast against their own Party if they have made instructions in advance of their affliction, that is to say, while they were fully compos.

So in the cases you suggested, all you would need do is let the Speaker of The Senate know in advance that should your mental health deteriorate on your way to 100, and should such an item come up for vote …your vote would be cast as a Nay – even if it was your own Party sponsoring the vote".’

A Senator..’Well Harry you have thought of everything, and in so doing you have preserved the role of the Senate as the place of sober second thought.  Congratulations.

I am all for it and I can assure you my fellow former House colleagues will be as well.

Now, should we adjourn to the lounge for a libation or two?  The Senate will of course pick-up the tab.

PHH .. ‘Capital idea Senator’.

So Galagher do you think my plan has legs?

Well Harry, if it has any chance for success you will need to win the Media over to your side and there is only one way you can do that.

PHH ..’Appoint Media Types to the Senate for life’.

Fraid so. 

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

 

LARRY..MOE..&..CURLY

 

As In:  Patrick, Mike and Pamela

When I was younger …okay much younger, I used to watch the Three Stooges on television.  It drove my mother crazy … I can still hear her say “Keith how can you watch such drivel”.

My answer was always the same…’I find them funny’.

I find Patty, Mikey and Pammy just as funny.

Here we have three characters given the appointment of a lifetime – to the Senate of Canada – no real work and RESPECT from the great unwashed …i.e. those who pay for the Stooges’ inflated salaries and for their considerable perks such as free travel passes for rail and air.

You would think that would be more than sufficient compensation for them …but no… the three have been caught with their collective hands in the taxpayers’ pockets grasping for more.

This is all sad of course and in this they do not resemble the famous three comedians.

No, the funny part – indeed the hilarious part – is that they are all appealing for ‘due process’ before their perks are taken away from them.

Where was the due process for the lowly taxpayer as they padded their expense accounts? 

So to watch them beg for justice is a bit rich.

But surprisingly, many are falling for their collective charade – some even want them totally pardoned – others, would be content to have them go on paid leave.  And good luck getting of that pay back when the eventual findings go against them –as they will, since the only issue now outstanding is the scale of their greed.

And the guy who defends the right to have taxpayer monies respected – our Prime Minister, is vilified in some quarters – most notably the left leaning media – for being too mean spirited.

It is to laugh out loud.

But there is something in all of this that is forgotten.

We are not dealing with common criminals or the falsely accused – who granted, would be entitled to the Rule of Law and all it can offer.

Rather, we are dealing with Politicians – where optics is in many respects more important than the truth itself.

Robert Stanfield – the best Prime Minister Canada never had – lost out many say because he was caught on camera eating a banana.

Joe Who – lost his luggage – and never lived it down.

Politics is not ordinary life – much depends on perception – for instance if a Party has members who are viewed as being too extreme – for the benefit of the rest – a Leader needs to distance the Party from them.

If you have members who are viewed as being too extravagant with the taxpayer’s dime – they too need to be cut loose a.s.a.p. for fear that the rest will end up being tarred with the same brush – e.g. Bev Oda and her $16 glass of orange juice.

Bevy did not receive ‘due process’ but as a politician, she got her just desserts.

When it comes to humour, the original Three Stooges are amateurs when up against the likes of Patty, Mikey and Pammy. But the three disgraced Senators are not alone – I suspect many of the Senate colleagues are shaken in their boots for fear that their own returns will sooner or late be exposed for audit.

Given the tears of laughter generated by the Senate Three – just imagine the hilarity that would result if up to 100 of their co-frares were also implicated. 

That said, long time readers will know my opinion of the Senate – a place for Hacks, Flacks and Ne’re-Do- Wells.

Patty, Mikey and Pammy have lived up to my low expectations of them.

And while our media is transfixed with their antics, the Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight – McGuinty / Wynne et al continue fleecing Ontarians out of Billions of Dollars.

The laughter continues and as the original three would have said…

YUK, YUK.

As I see it…

“K.D. Galagher’

 

Who Speaks For Canada?

 

Answer – it is the Canadian Cabinet along with her Majesty…the latter in more of a ceremonial sense.

How many voices does the Cabinet have?

But one.

The principle of Cabinet Solidarity is engrained in our Constitutional Monarchy system of Government.

So what gives with Denis Lebel, Federal Minister of Infrastructure, Communities, and Intergovernmental Affairs saying this past Monday that he is okay with Quebec separating on the basis of a bare majority – that is to say 50% plus 1 vote?

Does that not contradict the position of Prime Minister Harper and the rest of Cabinet?

It most certainly does – in fact Canada’s Cabinet is on record as recognizing a referendum result that is clear – which presumably would not entail a simple majority of 50% plus 1 -  and in that regard is in keeping with the Clarity Act which calls for “a clear majority” result.

This language is admittedly vague but can be argued that it does not allow for the bare majority vote supported by Minister Lebel.

So who speaks of Cabinet in this case?

Lebel or the rest of Cabinet?

A rhetorical question.

But Lebel’s stated position seriously undermines the Federal Cabinet – especially since he is also Harper’s Quebec Lieutenant.

So what to do.

Usually in such serious circumstances the offender is asked to step down from Cabinet.

More often, the offender himself has the integrity to do this without prodding as was done by Michael Chong when he resigned from Cabinet when it decided to recognize Quebec as a distinct nation.

What is obvious here is that Lebel’s personal belief mirrors that of the NDP Party more than it does his own.

If push comes to shove – with Quebec’s independence quest, things are going to get messy and we now know, the separatists have a friend on the inside.

And another reason for Cabinet Solidarity.

It would not be surprising if many of you were not aware of this – given the important Senate disputes occupying the time of our politicians and the media.

Heaven for bid – issues of real concern to our country receive our attention.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

 

 

Harper’s Nemesis

 

Mike Duffy.

And the “Duff” will likely take him down.

In all of this, it is passing strange that Stephen Harper – one of Canada’s greatest critics of the Senate, could well end up falling on his sword for appointing Duffy and a few others as Senators.

After all, it was Harper who desperately wanted the Senate to be either an elected body or go the way of the Great Dodo. (The Provinces blocked him in the former while the Liberals stood against him in the latter).

From the very beginning Harper pledged Senate Reform and even promised not to appoint another Senator unless he or she was elected in their province of origin.  When but a couple came forward, he was forced to get into the appointment business since to do otherwise would leave his party’s agenda at the mercy of Liberal Senate Majority.

So from my perspective Prime Minister Harper has the cleanest hands of all when it comes to doing something with the current Senate and its bunch of ne’er-do-well hangers-on. 

That leads me back to the Duff.

Today he came out to blame his female staffer – “suffering from post partum depression” as the reason his accounts were improperly filed.  I am not speaking about his housing expenses – since I concede that there is much ambiguity surrounding that issue.

Rather I am speaking about his apparent charging both the Conservatives and the Senate for his travel expenses at the time of the last election.

I am also referring to his “disabled friend” whom the Duff paid $65k for in the words of that friend “doing nothing”.

Many are coming out now in defence of Duffy saying he is being scapegoated – the same who said just a week earlier that Harper had to get rid of Duffy et al to restore the integrity (?) of the Senate.

You cannot have it both ways – you cannot stand in Harper’s way when he initially set out to reform the Senate and then later demand he jettison certain wayward Senators – and once done – be critical of the doing.  It is absurd. 

It unfortunately, is also the way politics works.

And Mike Duffy knows this fully as well as the fact that one is appointed for political purposes and can be summarily dismissed for those self same purposes.

I suffered a similar fate earlier in my governmental career but I was dumped for the sole fact that I was deemed to be a Tory when a Liberal Government came in.

I digress.

As I have said in an earlier blog – I think Mr. Harper may have slipped up.

He announced soon after it was revealed that he had no prior knowledge that his Chief of Staff had given Duffy the tidy sum of $90k to repay the Senate.  (You remember this – Duffy first telling the media that it was his own money and that he and his wife had decided to voluntarily pay back the Senate etc etc).

As I said in my earlier Blog – I find it difficult to believe that the Prime Minister did not have advanced knowledge of this questionable loan.

I said then and I stand by it, Mr. Harper is entitled to the benefit of the doubt.

I fear though that given subsequent revelations that several in his office knew in advance – along with Duffy’s now apparent vindictive attitude, we may be on the verge of a startling revelation.

One that could very well spell the end of Harper’s Prime Ministership.  

It would be too bad since, in all of this, Harper – despite what you may think of him on a personal level – is one of the very few good guys left on the Hill.

And I will tell you something else – if worse does come to worse for Harper – he too knows how the game is played – and I predict he will accept his fate without a whimper.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

Who’s On First ?

 

I have had an arrangement with a local chiropractor here in Ottawa and part of that arrangement is that he bills directly to my one and only and seldom used credit card.

Well the chiropractor did such a good job that most of my aches and pains have vanished so I decided to discontinue treatment.

Given that I do not trust computer programs etc. I thought that it would be safe to call my credit card provider and ask them to de-authorize this monthly charge – i.e although I trust my chiropractor – it would not surprise me in the least if further charges inadvertently got charged to my credit card account.

With that brief background, let’s now listen in on my call to the Credit Card Company:

Nice lady answers the phone and I explain that I wish to de-authorize the regular monthly payment to my chiropractor.

Nice lady responds “No can do”.

“Why not ?” I reply.

“Because you have an agreement with your chiropractor to make these monthly payments” she informs me.

“But that agreement is between my chiropractor and myself and has nothing to do with your credit card company”.

“Sorry” she says.

“Okay then – let’s just cancel my card – I can at least do that, can’t I ?”

“You most certainly can sir but it won’t stop the monthly deductions” she asserts.

“Let me get this straight – I can cancel my card with you but you will still honour the monthly deduction”.

“Precisely” she states.

“Dear lady I have a contract with your credit card company – I decide to whom I want you to make payments and in return for that I pay your monthly statement.  Why I have decided that you cease making payments to my chiropractor is quite frankly none of your company’s business”.

This is met with silence.

“Make I speak with your manager”

In due course her manager comes on the line.

“May I help you”.

I explain what I had earlier explained to their lady agent and her manager begins with the following …

“Your agreement with your chiropractor has nothing to do with us”.

“Finally” I reply – “we are in agreement”.

“So what I can do for you?” manager inquires.

“De-authorize the monthly payment”

“No can do” he responds.

“Why not” says I.

“You have approved the monthly deduction” he states.

“Yes I have and now I want de-approve it”.

“You have to cancel it with them first” he responds.

“Okay then, just cancel the card”.

“Won’t do you any good since we will still honour the monthly charges as they come in”.

“You have to be kidding – as you stated at the beginning my contract with the chiropractor and my contract with your company are two distinct contracts… they have nothing to do with one another.”

“You are quite correct but we will still process the monthly charge”.

“Even when my card is cancelled”.

“Correct”

“Well sir, you can go ahead and do that – just don’t expect me to pay your monthly statement”.

“Your credit will be damaged sir”.

“And I will let the Credit Bureau know of the stupidity leading up to it”.

Silence.

“Okay how do you see this being handled” I asked with frustration.

“Cancel your contract with your chiropractor and then let us know at which point we can de-authorize the monthly charge to your credit card”

“And how do you suggest I go about cancelling that contract”

“That is entirely between you and your chiropractor … your contract with him has nothing to do with us”.

“But you just told me to cancel that contract and then you will de-authorize the monthly payment – so I just want to make sure I cancel it in a way in which your company finds acceptable. For instance, can I cancel the contract by telephone?”

“Yes you can”.

And then I call you and tell you the contract has been cancelled”.

“Precisely”

“But how can I prove it has been cancelled other than by my telling you it has?”

“We will ascertain at that point whether or not a telephone cancellation is sufficient”.

“So it may not be sufficient”

“Precisely – we will have to involve another department here to determine that.”

“Can I speak to that other department now – so I can avoid any mis-steps”.

“No – you must first cancel your contract with your chiropractor”

“And this is the contract that your credit card company has no interest in”.

“Precisely”

“Have you ever watched the skit between Abbot and Costello called ‘Who’s On First’ ?”

“No – I do not see how it would be relevant to our discussion Sir”

“Just listen to it”

As I see it …

‘K.D. Galagher’

Finally … A Politician With Some Common Sense.

 

As in British Prime Minister David Cameron and his plan to drop all those under 25 years from the roles of the dole and unemployment insurance.

Rather, he wants these loafers to either get a job or continue in school / job training & apprenticeship.

What a novel sensible idea.  If allowed to be implemented, it would - with one fell swoop – end what too often ends in a life time of dependency on the State.

I can just hear the left wing now moaning and groaning about how inhumane this would be, but in fact, it would restore their dignity and self reliance. 

It would also save the Treasury a great deal of money.

In contrast, food stamp usage in the United States has ballooned to over 50 million citizens under the current occupant of the White House and those on Government Assistance exceeds 100 million – 1/3 of America’s population.

In order to have a healthy vibrant society, we need to have as many as possible positively contribute and PM Cameron’s proposal will go a long way indeed to ensure that this happens.

In the current Nanny State Mentality evident here in Canada and in the West generally, it is difficult to see this happening.

Too bad; especially for those for whom they are intended.

As I see it…

‘K. D. Galagher’

 

Spitting into the Wind …

 

I would have preferred stronger language however …

Am of course speaking of the little guy currently occupying the White House and his about to be released attack on Syria.

It will do nothing nor mean anything.

There was a time a couple of years back when it would have been timely – i.e. topple an enemy leader and show the world that the West has no time for truly bad guys.

Now positions have hardened so in the fields of Syria we find two bad guys – tweedle dee and tweedle dum as it were – aka the Government of Syria along with extreme Iranian backed thugs on one hand and on the other side – Al Qaeda backed extremists.

You have to wish that both sides lose at this point.

So here is where the dear little guy enters the picture.  So what should he do?

But first let’s take a step back:

The west, led by the United States, has declared war on Al Qaeda this despite the fact that the little guy who currently occupies the White House refuses to define who exactly Al Qaeda consists of.

In addition there are three nations which are bitter opponents of the West  - namely, Iran, Syria and North Korea.  (China and Russia are in line to join this select group).

Given this we in the west should be doing everything in our power to defeat these 3 countries and this one terrorist group.

So this takes us back to the situation in Syria.

When the trouble started there two or so years ago – the U.S. should have taken President Assad out – rather than Libya’s harmless clown Gaddafi.

It would have shown to the world – especially to muslim terrorists and to the other 2 rogue states that it does not pay to plot and scheme against Western Democracies.

The opportunity was squandered by the little guy who currently occupies the White House in his mistaken belief that he could befriend these psychopaths.

Moving ahead today – he finds himself drawn into a conflict where both sides are his stated enemies.

Some say – including many of our distinguished military that we should sit on our hands and let the two devils go at it.

Humanitarians amongst us say we have to do something because Assad has stooped to using chemical weapons.

Obama has let it be known that he wants to do a 1 to 3 day surgical strike – meaning an air strike to diminish Syria’s ability to strike the rebels from the sky – e.g. by planes / missiles.

If he goes ahead with that plan – after the surgical strike – things will return to normal – and the current conflict will be guaranteed to go on and on.

Hence the title of Spitting into the wind.

So Galagher, what should the West do?

As I have said, Assad should have been taken out at the very beginning … before the current positions hardened.

Failure to have done that – leaves only the solution of imposing a no fly (no missile) zone over Syria for the remainder of the conflict – similar to that imposed by NATO on Libya.

This will even the match and reduce civilian causalities including the horrendous gassing of Syrians that we just witnessed.

The Little Guy’s surgical response will come and go. 

Eventually though the no fly zone will be imposed.

By all means – a boots on the ground approach should never happen ever.  We have seen plenty of evidence in this new century and last – that it no longer works especially in non-democratic countries such as these.

Regardless though of what action is now taken by us – evil will be the eventual winner in Syria and the real losers will be the Syrian people themselves.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

 

 

Young Trudeau is now 2 for 2

 

I am shocked …he is the only federal leader who has unequivocally come out against Quebec’s plan to legislate against basic religious freedoms.

Do you suspect their reticence has anything to do with the fact that 77% of Francophones are four square in favour of these proposed restrictions?

If you don’t believe that you are likely members in good standing in the flat earth society.

But the fact is, Trudeau is the only one with the courage enough to come out in favour of religious freedom despite the fact that it could hurt him electorally in his home Province.  He has said publicly that Quebec’s position makes it the laughing stock of the world. 

(Something his late father would have said despite my personally dislike for his policies generally).  

Indeed, Trudeau’s chances for success rest upon his doing well in that very province: – simply stated, if he does not take away a large number of those Quebec seats currently in the NDP column he is most unlikely to come victorious.

So what gives?

I am not sure but the fact remains – he has taken a righteous stand while the rest duck and hide.

Another poll shows that over 40% of Canadians generally support Madame Marois and her PQ cronies.

It is hard for me to imagine how quickly we in Canada and indeed in the West are so quick to give up our hard earned freedoms.

So mark me two for two for Young Trudeau.

If he keeps this up …who knows what the future holds.

As I see it …

(next blog – what should NATO do in regard to Syria)

‘K.D. Galagher’