GERMANY’S ANGELA MERKEL…

 

THE IRON CHANCELLOR.

Is the Iron beginning to Rust?

A number of issues have arisen of late which appear to have tarnished her reputation – two of which can be considered major:

First, the bailout of Greece seen by many Germans as a continued drain of their Treasury to the absolute benefit of Greece.

Second, and more importantly, Merkel’s promise to settle 800,000 of the Middle East’s Refugees.  As a daughter of a Lutheran Minister, her compassion is quite commendable however it is not resonating all that well with all of her countrymen. 

For instance, Germany has a population of only 80 million whereas the United States, 4 times its size, has taken in but 1,500 refugees this year and promises to absorb another measly 10,000 over the course of 2016.  

Moreover, leaked reports indicate that the actual number Germany is planning to accept is nearly double Merkel’s public figure or up to one and half million.

And Germany is not necessarily the poster child for such a humanitarian initiative – especially when it comes to foreigners. It was only in the 1930s when Hitler came to power promoting the superiority of the Aryan Race – blonde, blue eyed only need apply. (Does beg the question how Hitler himself qualified?)

Polling also shows that a streak of thought still permeates German Society to support the believe that natural born citizens are superior.  This, coupled with the natural fear of trying to accommodate so many dislocated, is frightening not only its citizenry but also the citizens of its neighbouring EU Partners. 

In the last two months, Chancellor Merkel’s popularity has dropped 14 points – and now stands at 54%.  If the slide continues - as it likely will, she will soon be in minority territory.

Added to her difficulties is the fact that while her numbers are dropping significantly, her most outspoken critic – Horst Seehofer (Chairman of the Christian Social Union – CSU) has seen his popularity rise of late to 39%.

The CSU is also partner with Merkel’s own Party – the Christian Democratic Union and together, in coalition, the two Parties garnered 41.5% of the vote; close but not quite a majority in their Parliament. 

At this point, I would not bet money on the likelihood of Merkel’s survival – especially once the onslaught on some Million and A Half Refugees begin arriving in earnest. 

If this does in fact bring down the Iron Chancellor – not only will it have long term implications for Germany but will have an even greater impact on the European Union as a whole.

More on that in a future blog.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

 

ONE IS THE LONELIEST NUMBER…

 

AS IN ISRAEL, SURRONDED BY 21 ARAB NATIONS.

To be more specific, Israel has a population of only 8 million souls – not much more than were butchered and gassed in the infamous Nazis Concentration Camps.

This tiny oasis finds itself in the midst of over 200 million Muslims, a number of whom would love to see Israel obliterated from the face of the earth.

I call this Blog – one is the loneliest number for a reason; until last week, Canada was arguably Israel’s only true friend and ally left.  But with the election of Liberal Justin Trudeau, we now can no longer be counted upon. 

Before Canada, support came from the United States but that too deteriorated with the 2008 Election of President ‘Baroque’ Obama.

The bottom-line here is that the Israelis are now truly on their own.

And where to they find themselves?

The Middle East continues to burn while the neighbouring Palestinians have just launched another one of their infamous Intifadas. Innocent Israelis are being knifed and gunned down in their own streets. 

And Heaven forbid if an Israeli strikes back – the anti sematic world has a hissy fit.

The United Nations then issues a raft of censures.

But dear reader, that is not the worst of it.

Thanks to ‘Baroque’, Iran now has a clear flight path to development of its long worked on Bomb.

To complicate things further, Iran’s ally on the ground – Russia is now securing Syria to become one of the new satellites and soon the Russian – Iranian Axis will control all things in that very volatile part of the World.  At least until other Arab States successfully arm themselves with Atomic Weapons themselves.

And I haven’t even mentioned ISIS and the numerous other Islamic Terrorists groups that roam about almost at will.

And standing alone in the midst of all this is Israel -the Region’s only functioning democracy.  They have taken a desert and transformed it into a garden; if the Arabs would only do the same, there would be peace in this very troubled part of the world.

Students of the Bible know that the Good Book predicts that the end of the World will begin with death and destruction in the Middle East – much like today.

No?

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

1 + 8 = …

 

What might have been.

As in what we did not see accomplished over the course of the past 10 years by the Harper Tories, Non-Conservative… but rather Liberal Light – Government.

And I say that as a Real Conservative …aka  Libertarian Conservative.

First though I know I promised you that I would not do any more Blogs on Canadian Politics until the whole mess comes tumbling down – but I need to make an exception here for the edification of my target audience; my three adult children and their families. 

They of course did not experience the beginning of the drift in countries like Canada starting in the  1960s.  I created this Blog in an attempt to provide them with a better understanding of why current society is what it is and where we are likely headed.

That is not to say that I do not appreciate other readers – I most certainly do and hope that you hang in there with me.  Indeed, from past Blogs where I have dealt with international topics of interest, readership has greatly increased and expect will again given my new focus.

Again, I am pleased with that but realize my target audience remains the same.

So back to the Blog … how does 1 + 8 = what might have been?

This is the number of main areas where I had hoped Harper and company would have acted decisively.

There are of course 9 in total but the first one outweighs the others in importance and for that reason needs to stand alone.

Number 1

Each year over 100,000 babies die in this country from abortion; in that, Canada finds itself in rather unsavoury company with the likes of China and North Korea – all of us having no limits on when an abortion can take place. Polling shows that the majority of Canadians favour the imposition of reasonable limits but even given that, the Harper Conservatives failed during their 10 years in power to act.  He will have to live the rest of his life with that on his conscience.

The Other 8 In No Particular Order

#1.  The CBC

Failed to cut the $1 Billion Taxpayer funded subsidy.

#2.  Sun T.V. News

Failed to ensure its viability even though it was the only television provider that provided a voice for conservatism.

#3   Nortel

Failed to ensure the survival of this jewel of high technology – the worst decision of its kind since the scuttling of the Avro Arrow.

#4  Huge Debt/Deficit following the 2008 American Financial Meltdown

Failed to turn back the Opposition Parties’ demands that it incur massive unnecessary debt (nearly $200 billion).  Our Banks – thanks largely to the stewardship of Finance Minister Paul Martin were in no danger of failure.

#5.  Marriage Redefined by the Supreme Court

Failed to invoke the Notwithstanding Clause on the SCC’s decision to open up the definition of marriage.  Whether one supports the concept or not – this is a matter for Society to deal with and not by 9 unelected jurists.

#6.  NATO’s Request for the expenditure of 2% of GDP

Failed to meet this modest target and in doing so consistently spent less than 1% GDP on our Military.  If Canada cannot achieve this modest level of support how can we expect other lesser NATO countries to do so and how can we expect to stand up to an ever growing evil throughout the world.

#7.  Human Rights Commissions

Failed to abolish these kangaroo quasi judicial bodies which are neither promotes rights nor freedoms.

#8.   Isolated Indian Reserves

Failed to begin the process of winding up isolated reserves which only serve to keep our native children in worse than 3rd world conditions.

So there you have it.  If Messr. Harper was not prepared to address any of these important areas you can bet your bottom dollar that Young Trudeau will most certainly not either.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’