Is being laid to rest today.
A child asked his son and successor, Franklin, if it was true that his father was dead, he replied "no, his father had simply changed his address".
My wife Anne and I were fortunate to see Billy Graham in person several years ago at one of his 'revivals' in our home city of Ottawa.
As an aside, we were also privileged to see Mother Theresa in person and why I combine the two is that both were the leading icons for God and Religion over the course of the last half century and more.
Graham spoke from the heart or should I say 'soul'. He was one of the good evangelists who was not out for glory or money but to save as many souls as he possibly could. And boy did he save souls.
I saw a cartoon the other day of Billy Graham meeting Saint Peter at the Gates of Heaven where Peter said to him, since your preaching began we have had to open up a lot more spaces here.
He walked with Kings and Presidents and yet was comfortable with the common man and they with him.
Canada has a claim to Graham's success via George Beverly Shea even though Shea was known throughout as America's Best Gospel Singer. He was arguably the closet person to Graham other than for Graham's wife and was born some 25 miles south of Ottawa in the small town of Winchester.
With Religion under attack it is unlikely we will soon see the like of Billy Graham any time soon even though the need for such is greater than ever.
You served us well Mr. Graham, enjoy your new digs.
As I see it...
'K.D. Galagher'
Friday, March 2, 2018
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
TRUMP ON GUNS & ROADS
THESE TWO IMPORTANT ISSUES ARE IN THE NEWS OF LATE AND THANKS TO THE DONALD'S TWEETING WE KNOW HIS THINKING ON BOTH ...at least at the time of his respective tweet:
Let's address the lesser emotional one first...Infrastructure.
One of President Trump`s election promises was to spend great wads of money to restore America`s worn out infrastructure. As far as election promises are concerned this was a good one since quite frankly the roads, bridges and sewers and such, are desperately in need of upgrading.
But as I have pointed out in the past, his promise was Dead on Arrival simply because the Federal Government is flat busted broke. It`s Debt is larger than the annual GDP and sadly it continues to grow at a rate far exceeding inflation.
So Trump`s recent tweet that there will be Infrastructure if necessary but not necessarily Infrastructure, came as no surprise. In making this statement he turned the matter over to Congress ...where it rightly belongs but he also said that any Federal contribution to renewed infrastructure spending would pale in comparison to what he expects the States and Private Sector to pony up.
I knew from the outset, that he would wiggle out from under this election promise and all things considered, I believe he did a good job of getting out of it.
The second issue is Gun Control in the wake of the mass shooting of students and teachers in Parkland Florida.
President Trump has a real opportunity to reduce the chance of future such mass killings even though, by doing so, he will upset a core Republican Philosophy i.e. that the Second Amendment is sacrosanct. But Trump is in a unique situation since is not per se a Republican... the constituency he has carved out for himself is his and his alone. Plus he should be able to count on Democratic Support since this is one of the pet policy.
He has indicated that he will promote changes to gun procurement including raising the qualifying age, greater scrutiny of prospective buyers and a longer waiting period. All good, but really do nothing substantive to ensure the likelihood of future such tragedies are significantly diminished.
The one thing that would make a difference is if Trump came strongly out against Assault Rifles...that would really make a difference. But the likelihood of him doing so a slim to none.
So on the issue of Gun Control he is partially correct but it will be seen a mere window dressing. More problematic for Trump and the Republicans is that it will reduce their chances for electoral victory come this November.
As I see it...
K.D. Galagher
Let's address the lesser emotional one first...Infrastructure.
One of President Trump`s election promises was to spend great wads of money to restore America`s worn out infrastructure. As far as election promises are concerned this was a good one since quite frankly the roads, bridges and sewers and such, are desperately in need of upgrading.
But as I have pointed out in the past, his promise was Dead on Arrival simply because the Federal Government is flat busted broke. It`s Debt is larger than the annual GDP and sadly it continues to grow at a rate far exceeding inflation.
So Trump`s recent tweet that there will be Infrastructure if necessary but not necessarily Infrastructure, came as no surprise. In making this statement he turned the matter over to Congress ...where it rightly belongs but he also said that any Federal contribution to renewed infrastructure spending would pale in comparison to what he expects the States and Private Sector to pony up.
I knew from the outset, that he would wiggle out from under this election promise and all things considered, I believe he did a good job of getting out of it.
The second issue is Gun Control in the wake of the mass shooting of students and teachers in Parkland Florida.
President Trump has a real opportunity to reduce the chance of future such mass killings even though, by doing so, he will upset a core Republican Philosophy i.e. that the Second Amendment is sacrosanct. But Trump is in a unique situation since is not per se a Republican... the constituency he has carved out for himself is his and his alone. Plus he should be able to count on Democratic Support since this is one of the pet policy.
He has indicated that he will promote changes to gun procurement including raising the qualifying age, greater scrutiny of prospective buyers and a longer waiting period. All good, but really do nothing substantive to ensure the likelihood of future such tragedies are significantly diminished.
The one thing that would make a difference is if Trump came strongly out against Assault Rifles...that would really make a difference. But the likelihood of him doing so a slim to none.
So on the issue of Gun Control he is partially correct but it will be seen a mere window dressing. More problematic for Trump and the Republicans is that it will reduce their chances for electoral victory come this November.
As I see it...
K.D. Galagher
Monday, February 26, 2018
AND THE WINNER IS....
OF ONTARIO'S PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE LEADERSHIP ..THAT IS.
AS WELL AS THE NEXT PREMIER OF THE PROVINCE...
Well first let's review the 5 candidates and a motley crew it is:
Patrick the recent leader Brown; Tanya the 1 issue Granic-Allen; Caroline the famous daughter Mulroney; Doug the less famous brother Ford; and finally, Christine two-time loser Elliott.
In that order then:
Brown - he should not have resigned as leader, he should not have entered this race and for his stupidity he will finish dead last..assuming current reports of him dropping out are not true.
Granic-Allen - surprisingly, has the best chance of winning it all if her social conservative followers voted for her enmasse. It will not happen though since she is an unknown and has not had the time needed to effectively mobilize her base. For her then, 4th place.
Mulroney - big name, no experience as was evident in the debates. Third for her, but if she gets elected in the upcoming General Election and hangs in there, she may earn serious consideration next time.
Ford - the only conservative in the race, will come in second, for that reason alone. And the winner is...
Elliott - it is a case of third time lucky for Christine. A compromise candidate, in every respite, who will go on to defeat the worst Government in the History of Ontario.
Sadly for the Conservatives the Big Guns never materialized which is most puzzling given that the winner of the March 10 Leadership Race will go on to be the Premier of the Province.
Could it be that after 14 years of Liberal ( read Progressive) Rule the state of the province is so bad that no one in their right mind would want the job of trying to restore it to its once vaulted place.
As I see it...
K.D. Galagher
AS WELL AS THE NEXT PREMIER OF THE PROVINCE...
Well first let's review the 5 candidates and a motley crew it is:
Patrick the recent leader Brown; Tanya the 1 issue Granic-Allen; Caroline the famous daughter Mulroney; Doug the less famous brother Ford; and finally, Christine two-time loser Elliott.
In that order then:
Brown - he should not have resigned as leader, he should not have entered this race and for his stupidity he will finish dead last..assuming current reports of him dropping out are not true.
Granic-Allen - surprisingly, has the best chance of winning it all if her social conservative followers voted for her enmasse. It will not happen though since she is an unknown and has not had the time needed to effectively mobilize her base. For her then, 4th place.
Mulroney - big name, no experience as was evident in the debates. Third for her, but if she gets elected in the upcoming General Election and hangs in there, she may earn serious consideration next time.
Ford - the only conservative in the race, will come in second, for that reason alone. And the winner is...
Elliott - it is a case of third time lucky for Christine. A compromise candidate, in every respite, who will go on to defeat the worst Government in the History of Ontario.
Sadly for the Conservatives the Big Guns never materialized which is most puzzling given that the winner of the March 10 Leadership Race will go on to be the Premier of the Province.
Could it be that after 14 years of Liberal ( read Progressive) Rule the state of the province is so bad that no one in their right mind would want the job of trying to restore it to its once vaulted place.
As I see it...
K.D. Galagher
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