LIKE FATHER LIKE SON...

 As in Pierre Elliott and His Son ...Young Justin

And As In November 11th

Canada lost 66,000 dead in World War One and an additional 45,000 in the Second World War.  Each Nov 11th, Veterans, their Families, Friends, Neighbours and Canadians generally come together at the nearest War Memorial to pay their respects.

Politicians too are well represented - so one would expect our Prime Minister to be front and centre tomorrow but you'd be wrong...Justin Trudeau is off to some minor event in SE Asia.

Justin never misses an opportunity to strut but I guess Nov 11th just doesn't measure up to his very low standards.  Do you think it has anything to do with the fact that while our men and women were dying overseas in the 1940s- His Father was tooling around the streets of Montreal wearing a German War Helmet?

If I were to bet, I would bet that this is the very reason the Little Twerp will be M.I.A. tomorrow.

I have to wonder if His Co-Prime Minister...the Head of Canada's once proud New Democratic Party will find the time to attend.  Wouldn't bet on that either.

If those 111,111 soldiers could come back to vote do think even one of them would vote Liberal?  I wouldn't want to bet on that either. 

As I See It ...

'K.D. Bell'

SONG AND DANCE MAN ...YOUNG TRUDEAU IS AT IT AGAIN...

 HE LOVES THE STAGE ... AND ANY STAGE WILL DO !!

HE MAY THINK THAT BUDGETS BALANCE THEMSELVES BUT WHEN IT COMES TO PERFORMING...THERE IS NO ONE BETTER.

TAKE HER MAJESTY'S STATE FUNERAL FOR INSTANCE:  TRUDEAU TOOK HIS GAS GUZZLING CRONIES ON A TRIP OF THEIR LIFE-TIME AND WHAT DOES THEIR HEAD WAITER DO AT THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY - HE ATTENDS A PIANO BAR AND PEFORMS KARAOKE.   A LITTLE LIGHT ENTERTAINMENT AT A TIME OF SORROW. NO.

The apple did not fall far from the tree since when Trudeau Sr. was introduced to the Queen - he silhouetted as soon as Her Majesty's back was turned. 

At least Trudeau the Younger did not wear a Nazis German Helmet this week as His Father did throughout the streets of Montreal during World War 2. 

In all of this, I think it is safe to say Justin Trudeau has little or no use for the Monarchy but you would not know that when the cameras are rolling. But in all things...Actions Speak Louder Than Words.

Rest Easy Your Majesty in the knowledge that this Twit will soon return to Canada to continue His Vacuous Life in our presence.

At least until the next Election. 

As I See It...

'K.D. Bell' 

 

 

POILIEVRE

As in Pierre..the winner of last evening's Leadership Contest for Canada's Conservative Party.

Two things surprised me not that PP won - I fully expected that from day one ...rather I did not see that his margin of victory would be so substantial.  I figured he would win on the first ballot - as he did but with a vote in the mid 50 % not in the high 60% range.

The other surprise I had was the low vote total for his major rival Jean Charest...a meagre 16% whereas I was expecting a total more in the mid 25% range.  Oh well I guess that is it for dear Jean.

Pollievre will be Canada's next Prime Minister likely with a massive majority similar to those gained by Brian Mulroney and John Diefenbaker in earlier days.

I say that not just because PP has earned the right but rather it will be due to the utter chaos Canada has experienced at the hands of our current playwright PM Justin Trudeau.  I won't get into the various and numerous missteps he has made since they are well and truly known by us all. 

Even the Toronto Star in a perverse way agrees with my analysis...in its coverage it states that Young Trudeau will now certainly stay on and run in the next election.   And when dear reader did the Star ever get anything right.  But hopefully for once it has it right since YT running again will only ensure a  vast win for PP.

So you as a Reader might ask at this point, if Trudeau is so bad how did he possibly win the previous two elections?  

The answer is quite simple - in those 2 elections he was running against two Milk Toasts - Andrew Sheer and Erin O'Toole ...both nice guys but you know what they say about nice guys.

Poilievre is a fighter ...he is fast on his feet and quick witted.  

No pushover He ...in fact get used to calling him 'Mr. Prime Minister'.

It has a nice ring to it ...don't you think.

As I See It ...

'K.D. Galagher'

 

JUST LISTENING IN....

 I had my first flat tire in many a year and fortunately it happened near my Service Garage.

While there, I went to their canteen for lunch and found myself seated beside a table with

8 male mechanics so what better to do than to listen in.

You'd expect they'd be talking about fast cars and women...if so you would be wrong.  They

were talking about Politics.  I too was surprised.  And they covered the ground.

First up - President Joe Biden and Nancy Pelosi who they pilloried in unison. It was agreed that the high cost of living in the United States was on them.

They then turned to Canada and had similar dismissive comments about our own inept Prime Minister.

What surprised me the most though was their outright contempt for Jagmeet Singh the Leader of our New Democratic Party.  They postured that Singh had destroyed the NDP and would be lucky, come the next Election, if his Party would even beat out the tiny Greens.

What surprised me equally though is the handle these fellows had on our Politics of the day.  It not only impressed me but gave me hope for our Democracy given the trials and travails we are facing today.

It also made me think of the olde saw ...if your Taxi Driver begins to give you stock investing advice it would be a wise get the heck out of the Market. 😊

Moral of the story ...if you are Biden, Pelosi, Trudeau or Singh look out since your days in office are numbered.

As I See It...

'K.D. Galagher'

Pelosi Got It Wrong...And Then

 SHE GOT IT RIGHT. 

AS IN THE ONE AND ONLY NANCY PELOSI - LONG TIME SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND THIRD IN LINE TO BECOME PRESIDENT AFTER THE V.P. AND OF COURSE AFTER THE PRESIDENT.

So Galagher...what did the poor lady get wrong?

She should never have agreed to go to Taiwan in the first place.  The reason being - the world is in enough upset now without creating more.

Okay - Galagher what did she do right?

She went to Taiwan.

I say that because once she stated she was going there - it would have been taken by China and its Thug Nation Supporters as a big sign of weakness.

The Bell on the Cat China needs to be wrung but now is not the time to do it with Russia's Presidential Dictator on the prowl.

Two other signs that in the end she did the right thing:

First, President Biden spoke out against her going.  Like our own Justin Trudeau - He never gets anything right to begin with.

The second reason is best summed up by a Chinese ministry of defence spokesperson..."The US-Taiwan collusion and provocation will only push Taiwan towards the abyss of disaster..."

In reality, the only thing that 'will push Taiwan towards the abyss of disaster" is if China invades it...which It has been threatening to do since is formation in 1949.  The only reason Taiwan continues to exist is due to its alliance with America.  

Russia ...like China, are the Bad Boys on the Block and we must never lose sight of that.

As I See It...

'K. D. Galagher'

THE WORLD IS FACING A CATASTROPHE OF BIBLICAL PROPORTIONS

The World Food Program estimated that 285 Million People Face Starvation...this even before the War in Ukraine.

Over 2 Billion People live in Water-Stressed Countries as a result of extreme climate and population growth.

In the Horn of Africa alone, over 7 Million Livestock have died due to an exceptional four year drought.  In fact, many parts of the world are experiencing the worst droughts in over 70 years

And what Dear Reader do we in the West concern ourselves with?

Covid, along with High Interest Rates, Food and Gasoline Costs.

That is not to say these matters are not important in and of themselves, but compared to mass starvation on the part of our Brothers and Sisters elsewhere in the World ...they pale considerably.

The World Must Act since this Catastrophe is unfolding as I am typing this Blog.

We need to Mobilize Now but I Fear this to be Most Unlikely.

How will we live with ourselves if we stand idly by in the face of this Pending Disaster?

Alone, there is not much either you or I can do but collectively we can make a difference.

For me, as a Catholic, I am going to contact our Church to suggest it mobilize its 1 Billion Followers to  to work together to see this Tragedy Averted.

I urge each of you to suggest the same to your Church, your Political Representatives and Societal Leaders in general. 

The Olde Saying Comes Readily to Mind...they came for (fill in the blank) but I stood silent, then they came for (again fill in the blank) and finally they came for me and there was no one left to help me.

We have the chance and opportunity to make a once in a lifetime contribution to the Welfare of the World and Its Peoples.  

Let's Not Blow It !!

"As I See It..."

'K.D. Galagher'

PTSD

 Post-traumatic stress disorder ... the 21st Century Must Have Ailment

That said, it was also prevalent during the First World War where it was usually a fatal condition because its sufferers were summarily shot.  

Now those men truly suffered from the Disorder. 

But I am talking about today...not over 100 years ago.

I have said many times that it seems to me that if someone runs over and kills a squirrel with their car...they contract PDSD.

Like the W.W. I'ers there are true sufferers even today and I do not want to minimize their suffering...but so many - it almost seems to the Complaint De Jour. Or should I say - De siecle  (aka century) 

But it appears there are some benefits with contracting this affliction ...who knew. 

In the Book 'The Power of Bad' the author quotes experts in this field as saying 80% of those who experience PDSD come out from the experience "stronger" and are more ready to face the challenges of life.  Again who knew. 

The ones covered by the Media though seem to go out of their way to focus on the other 20% - those who are forever adversely affected by whatever caused them this grief.

I like to focus on the positive aspect of this and while my heart goes out to those from the First World War who had every reason in the World to suffer from this disability - too many of our fellow citizens today appear to be using ...just because they can.

Before I close - we have all been following the horror show of travelling through our Airports.  Earlier this week I say an interview on television where the interviewee was asked if she would book another holiday in the future after her current efforts to do so failed miserably.

Her answer was that probably not given that she was now suffering from "PDSD".

She was joking of course...or was she ?

"As I See It..."

'K.D. Galagher'

IN MY TIME I DO NOT BELIEVE WE HAVE BEEN SO CLOSE TO ALL OUT WAR

 I say that because Iran has made it known it is very near to acquiring Nuclear Weapons.

We have two nut-bar Nations with the Nuke ...North Korea and Pakistan ...to add a 3rd now would likely prove to be disastrous.

I say that because Iran has vowed numerous times that it wants nothing more than to wipe Israel off the face of the Earth.

Added to that is the fact that just this week U.S. President Joe Biden in plain words promised to "use military force" if necessary as a last ditch measure to stop Iran from acquiring them.

And again add to this mix Dear Reader what is currently happening daily with the destruction of the Ukraine by its vicious Russian Neighbour along with China launching regular incursions into the territory of Taiwan. 

It doesn't get much worse than that dear friends.

The West needs to take Vladd the Destroyer Putin ...Out. 

The World has too much to lose otherwise.

As I See It...

'K.D. Galagher'

IS IT TWO STRIKES OR THREE ?

 As In Youuuu're Out !!

I had thought it was Two however distinguished Globe and Mail Columnist Andrew Coyne believes it to be Three (3) and he might just be onto something.

The Two or Three strikes relates our Federal Government in its infinite wisdom(?) wanting to regulate the internet.  Two of the Three concern actually regulating content which I, as a Libertarian, find to be anathema. It should also concern each of you if you have even the slightest interest in seeing Societies maintain their Democratic Way of Life.

Their Third Legislative initiative concerns forcing Internet Biggees like Google and Facebook to pay news organizations for the links they have to them.  I initially thought that this one made sense ...and I still do ...Butttt..  Coyne has provided me with some grist to mull over before I absolutely make up my mind and isn't that what give and take discussion is all about.

In His own words here is some of what Coyne had to say recently:

The premise that the problems of the newspaper industry can be traced to search and social-media platforms 'stealing' their content is utterly false.  Platforms like Google do not 'take' our sites...They link to them.  When a Google User links to one of our sites they are taken to to our sites. Indeed much of the traffic on our sites come from social media like Facebook. 

So the notion that these Biggees should be made to pay us for the valuable service they provide to us for free has things exactly backward. If anything, we should be paying them !!

And this Dear Reader from a prominent member of the Globe and Mail Newspaper Chain.  

If Andrew Coyne has it wrong you can bet your bottom dollar that he would soon find himself to be a 'former' Globe Editorialist.

Thank you Mr. Coyne ...you have given me something concrete to think about and maybe...just maybe it is indeed Strike Three for the Trudeau Liberals. In fact they seem to be striking out all over the place.

As I See It...

'K. D. Galagher'

FEELING LUCKI ?

 As in being Brenda Lucki ...our Commissioner of the RCMP .

Okay, let's pretend for a moment that You are She.  What would you have done in her place?

Everyone seems to be united in their belief that the Commissioner should Resign and the sooner the better for 'Interfering in the RCMP Investigation regarding the tragic killing of 22 innocents by the deranged Gabriel Wortman in 2020'.

But try to put aside for a minute the fact that as the Head of the RCMP it is Her job to do just that.

So instead, let's look at the facts before taking part in her Public Hanging:

The Government of Canada was about to launch its Campaign to outlaw Assault Weapons...the very kind used by Wortman to reek havoc across his Province.

Assault Weapons...you know the kind of guns that are not needed to gun down Bambi and her forest friends.

Lucki says...and I believe her..that she was in favour of the Government doing just that.  Indeed, although I do not find much noble in what our Federal Government does or plans to do but in this case I too was most sympathetic.

How about You?  Remember right now You have been appointed Her.  What would You think of this initiative?

If You too think it makes sense...In your current August Position would it not be the right thing to do to try to help our Government along?  She says and again I believe her that she was convinced this new legislation would save lives...including those of her Police Officers.

That being the case, I think and hope you do too that it would be a dereliction of Duty for Her not to get involved and if that meant...'Interference so be it. 

To me it comes down to identifying what is of lesser importance...was it better to keep the kind of guns under wrap or to release that info to help further the Government's efforts to get their legislation through.

It is a no brainer ...but that is just me and the Commissioner speaking - the question today is what do You think ...since again - You are Her for this Moment.

Maybe it is time to put the Rope away.

As I See It...

'K.D. Galagher'

 

 

DUMP TRUMP

 THE CURRENT JANUARY 6TH HEARINGS HAVE PROVEN TO BE QUITE INTERESTING.

Their is now no question that Donald should never ever be President again...the question now is whether or not the guy should go to jail.

When he ran in 2016 it was obvious that he was not Presidential material...His only savings grace was that he appeared to be somewhat better that Dear Hilary.

When he lost in 2020 and attempted to unduly influence Governors from Swing States to "Find" votes for Him... he went into serious Criminal Territory and should be punished accordingly through the Judicial System.

The Hearings underway now show that in addition to being a Criminal the Guy is also seriously Deranged.

It was obvious that He would not win in 2020 and it is also obvious that if He defies all logic and runs in 2024 He will lose again.

The Danger though is that if He runs as an Independent...it would split the Republican Vote and the Democrats would cruise to an easy win. Gawd help us another 4 years of Biden, his VP or Pelosi !!

The U.S. like Canada ...like the Western World is in desperate need of Leadership...Oh for a Clone or Two of Volodymyr Zelenskyy !!!

As I See It...

'K.D. Galagher'

I AM BACK...ONCE AGAIN...

 Oh No...How So Galagher ?

I Recently Found Out That My Great Daughter Natalie And Her Fine Husband Oli Had, Unknown To Me, Renewed My Blog Account For An Additional Five Years... So...

Looks like you are stuck with me for a while longer. 😀

That said, I am going to approach these Blogs a little differently:

• First, they are going to be intended for the general public;
• Second, I will try to keep them 'short and sweet'.

Today's topic though will be difficult to keep short but will try.

ROE  VS.  WADE

It seems that America is split into two in the aftermath of their Supreme Court throwing out this Landmark Decision.

As a practicing Catholic I am on the side of Pro-Life and believe that Life Begins At Conception.

I do though believe there is a Middle Ground to be found both here and in Canada if the Will and Common Sense would only prevail.

For instance, in Canada, a Baby can be Aborted when He or She is coming down the Birth Canal at the end of 9 months.  There are only a handful of such Nations that allow this including North Korea and Red China so we find ourselves in illustrious company. 

For Prochoice to say it is the Woman's Body and "Government Hands Off" is a bit rich given birth control and the morning after pill.  All she need do is take some responsibility.

You will hear Prochoice parrot the line that most Americans ...read Canadians too, approve of Abortion and they'd be right but also dead wrong.

For instance most would not support Abortion for reasons so Sex Selection, and most would Not support abortion during birth. In fact, polls show that most will not support abortion when they realize the fetus feels pain which happens early on. 

So with that out of the way, I believe both sides need to compromise ...that is to say, agree on a period of time when Abortions should be allowed to occur such as at 3 months or even 4 months.

More time and money needs to be allocated to help Pregnant Women who decide not to abort within the above suggested time frame.

Sadly in recent years we have become a Society of Death...this must stop and a good place to start would be here.

As I See It...

'K.D. Galagher'

A La Prochaine

 But no longer via these blogs.

Readership is down and since I have been writing these blogs since early July of 2009 the time has come.

Faithful readers know of where I am and those who have not followed me ...the loss is theirs.

Sadly most of my pitches have been in the negative but this my last will be anything but.

We - you and I have so much to be thankful about.

We have an abundance of food and clean water.  When we are cold we turn up the heat and when too warm - the air.

Roofs over our heads and homes that are the envy of all past generations and of many of the poor throughout the world today.

The best in Police and Fire Protection. 

And the best in health and dental care.  

Good paying jobs and benefits and for us older folk, rich pensions. 

We also receive Canada Pension and Old Age Security.  

We want for nothing.

We have excellent roads and transit.  Great Schooling and Day Care.

The latest in Cars, SUVs, Trucks.

As well as Boats and other expensive Land and Water Toys.

And speaking of Toys ...our young children have everything imaginable under the sun.

And don't get me going about Computers and Cell Phones...remember I am a luddite but do know never is history has society been so closely connected with anyone, anywhere, anytime.

Clothes...we have an abundance and of good quality. So much so, the second hand stores are booming.

We have the latest technology for stoves, refrigerators, washers and dryers. Anyone remember wringer washers and clothes lines?

Did I mention in door facilities - many of our homes have a least 3.  I remember growing up with but one for 5 of us.  Now we have toilets for each.  I also remember outhouses still in use - though not for us and my aunt and uncle with a hand pump for water in their kitchen.  And they were one of the happiest couples I knew.

I could go on and on but add all the above together and we still have something that even beats all of those - we have each other ...Family and Friends.  

No generation has been blessed as much as ours and I am truly grateful for having known each and everyone of you.

A La Prochaine.

'K.D. Bell' 

WHERE IS ADAM SMITH WHEN YOU NEED HIM?

 Adam Smith as in the author of the 'Wealth of Nations' which He published in 1776.

 Smith was a great proponent of Capitalism and had many things to say about it including:

That by giving everyone freedom to produce and exchange goods as they pleased (free trade) and opening the markets up to domestic and foreign competition, people’s natural self-interest would promote greater prosperity than with stringent government regulations.

As I have written many times of late, Capitalism as Smith knew it in His Day is under attack.

Governments of all types and kind have taken over and in so doing have grown like Topsy.

Let's take the current housing shortage as a prime example here. Homes are selling on average for well over $800,000 if you can even get one let alone afford the steep cost.  These are not Mansions by any stretch of the imagination - plain houses.  One such home sold for over $800,000 above the asking price of well over a million dollars and looked on t.v. like a dump.

Our Federal Government came out with a Budget yesterday which contained some provisions to address lack of housing which will only exacerbate the problem.  A bit of money to the Municipalities which will do spit and a little to first time home buyers which will only serve to jack the cost of housing up even more.

What is needed is for Governments at all levels to get out of the way...cut out the red tape ...let the builders build and increase the housing supply dramatically which in turn will bring down prices and make homes available to all who wish them at a reasonable cost. 

I remember when I was a kid and t.v.s first came out - they were small - 17" and they were very pricy. Only the rich could afford them.  However governments were small in those days so mass production occurred much like Henry Ford and His Model T...so product cost fell to reasonable levels and product quality vastly improved.

Same would happen today with Housing if Government would just keep to minding its knitting.

Another big budget initiative was in Health Care ...again - like Housing a Provincial Responsibility and should not be included in a Federal Budget.  In today's National Post one of my favourite writers Philip Cross points out in detail the many contradictions yesterday's budget contains.  I would urge you all to read it...it is excellent.

In regard to Health he rightly points out that the Feds should steer clear of Health not only because our Constitution opposes it but because the initiatives the Feds are putting forward conflict with the objectives of the Provinces when it comes to healing Health Care.

The Feds want money spent on child care, dental care and pharmaceuticals.  The Provinces again the ones responsible for Health Care have identified as their priorities - Long Term Care...it is in shambles...lack of Doctors...lack of Hospital Beds ...lack of PPE and so on and so on.   The bottom line here is that since Health Care is on a respirator already, the supposed help from the Feds will only make it worse.  Everything in Health Care cannot be a priority.

Anyway Cross deals with these subjects and many more..please read it if you get a chance. 

And next time a Leftist Progressive disses Capitalism be prepared to set them straight if for no other reason than the fact that Capitalism is the only ISM that actually works.

As I See It...

'K.D. Galagher' 

Everything But What The Ukraine Initially Asked For...

 I watched a Press Conference earlier today given by America's Secretary of State along with the Head of NATO.  

Two things struck me about it...First, all the talking was done by the Sec State and all the questions from the Press were directed only to Him.

So what then exactly is NATO doing in all of this as in Great Britain, France and Germany?

No one asks and no one appears to be concerned or interested about it.   Rather Bizarre don't you think?

The other thing that struck me is that the Sec State Antony Blinken promised everything under the Sun ...more Sanctions and much more.

What He did not promise though was Fighter Planes for the Ukraine -- you know the ones they asked for right from the beginning and the ones they desperately need to stop the Russian pillage and destruction that is currently taking place.

Again, no one asked Him about this glaring omission.  Why So?

Russia needs to be stopped in its tracks and the innocent Ukrainians need to be protected. 

To Do This Ukraine Needs Planes...Provide Them Now !!

Blinken mentioned several Allied Nations that were helping out by Name ...Never once mentioned the name Canada.  Another sign that we have become a Non-Entity on the World Stage.

As I See It...

'K. D. Galagher'

Like Elon Musk...I Am A 'FREE SPEECH ABSOLUTIST.

 In an article about Musk taking a major position in Twitter, he is quoted as saying  that He is a Free Speech Absolutist.  I am not totally sure about Musk generally but must admit He appears quite successful in what He takes on but I unquestionably support This Proclamation.

Either there is Free Speech or there is not ...there is no in-between ...kinda like either you are pregnant or you are not... there is no partly. 

Simply Stated, Freedom of Speech is the first and foremost requirement for Democracy.

Which brings me for the reason of today's Blog...in our Liberal Government's infinite wisdom it is going ahead with Regulating the Internet via Bill C-11 and by so doing, protect Free Speech by Limiting It.  Half Pregnant anyone?  

In His article today, Lorne Gunter of the Ottawa Sun sets out in great detail why our Government's action is so dangerous.  It is a must read. His ending sums up exactly why Canadians need worry about this Bill... 'Free Speech is too important and too subjective to leave in the hands of regulators'. 

In earlier Blogs I have pointed out that True Democracy is under attack here in Canada and indeed throughout what's left of the Free World.  If Bill C-11 becomes Law ...as it likely will with the undemocratic union between the Grits and the Dippers..it will represent another nail in our Democratic Coffin. The olde Coffin can't take many more. 

I say 'undemocratic union' not because it has come about post election but because both the Liberals and New Democratic Party campaigned on the promise not to conclude an Alliance once the election was over.  

Again it brings back to me one of my favourite sayings...you can always tell when a politician is lying ... His or Her Lips begin to Move.  

Lets hope Elon can make a difference via Twitter.  We will all be in His debt. 

As I See It...

'K.D. Galagher'

THEY ARE THROWING THE BUMS OUT...

Update: Now I know where Joly got her marching orders from ...our juvenile delinquent Prime Minister.  Trudeau is quoted today saying that he is opposed to throwing the Russian Bums out for fear they will do the same to our Embassy Folks in Moscow.  Does He not realize our embassy staff should have long ago departed Russia and our Embassy there Shuttered.  What a dip we have for PM.  

As in Russian Embassy Staff along with their In-house Spies.

Included...The United States, Italy, the Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium, Spain, Sweden,  Denmark, Germany, France, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia...the List Goes On and On.

And no wonder so many countries are doing this... as each hour passes another atrocity comes to light in what the Russian Forces are doing to innocent Ukrainian Women  & Children and Civilian Men.  I would recite some of this but it is simply too sickening to repeat.  You though know full well the despicable things Russia is doing.  

Their Brave President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke to the United Nations Security Council earlier today and filled them in on the War Crimes occurring in his beleaguered country at the Hands of Vlad the Barbarian Putin.  (I still cannot get over the fact that President Biden has taken so much criticism for wishing Putin gone.  Has the Free World really gone that far off course).

And never forget - Russia is a member in good standing on the UN's Human Rights Commission.  In fact, it appears that many of the World's Bad Actors are nicely ensconced in this Prestigious Sinecure. 

Question From The Back?

"I noticed your list did not include your own country Canada...I take it that that was simply an oversight"?

Actually not, Canada has yet to throw these bums out and our Distinguished Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly indicated earlier today that She has no intention of doing so.

Only in Canada You Say.

As I See It...

'K.D. Galagher'

AND ANOTHER POPE APOLOGIGES...

Update:  In my Blog below, I mention the fact that the real issue in all of this is the quest for more money.  This was confirmed in today's Nat'l Post (April 5th) in an article by Anna Paperny where she writes "Pope Francis' long-awaited apology ....should be followed by millions of dollars in compensation...".  If money was the answer to the Aboriginal Issues / Problems, they would have all been solved many, many years ago.  Victimization only begets more Victimization. 

Second Update:  I often wondered whether Canada's Natives were cultural misappropriators.  I always knew that many American Indian Tribes wore Feathered Head-Dresses but did not think our own Natives ever did.  So I looked it up... especially since several of the Canadian Aboriginals who came before Pope Francis last week wore such Head Pieces.  Sure enough it is well documented online that Canada's Natives did not get into Feather Head-Dresses until modern time.

I AM LOSING COUNT. 

But Priest and Writer Raymond De Souza has kept count:  the most recent before Francis was Pope Benedict XVI.

Sad to say but the real reason I believe that fuels this industry is the quest for more money...but more on that another time.

I was pleasantly surprised though by an article in the weekend paper by Claudette Commanda a member of the Algonquins' and a self professed Indian Day School Survivor - not quite sure how that differs from the Residential Schools but must assume it too was a terrible place to be.

Anyway, I was prepared to dislike her article but found myself agreeing with much of what she wrote:

1.  "Pope Francis' apology feels like a box checked from the 94 calls for action by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission".  I too feel that way.

2. "We're still wards of the Crown...we're still under the Indian Act".  Once again Commanda is bang on.  

3.  And finally "You need to hold these sexual perpetrators accountable".  Exactly.  For some reason the Church and our Governments are withholding the documentary evidence that would prove or disprove that abuse was widespread.  I say - get it out ...get it all out and expose those who committed crimes that are now dead and charge criminally any and all who are alive and who lowered themselves to do such evil. Put them behind bars and throw away the key.

If the documentation release shows widespread abuse I too will apologize to our Aboriginal Brethren.

As I See It...

'K. D. Galagher'

LIFE IS STRANGER THAN FICTION...

 As I continually tell your Mother.

Take today's National Post for instance:

Under the Heading 'Canada Tries measuring the meaning of life'.

Our esteemed Department of Finance launched a program to determine "people's sense of meaning and purpose..."

What in Sam Hill has this issue got to do with Finance - better with Health and Welfare but even then I would not personally or as a taxpayer want some bureaucrat meddling in my life.  Disgusting.

The question that arises though is how much did this nonsense cost?

That said, there is one question Finance could have asked and in fact should have as in 'If taxes were lowered would your sense of well-being - a) improve, b) stay the same, or c) decline.

You and I of course know the unanimous answer but given the stupidity of their initiative it is not at all that clear Finance would. 

The Other Bone Head Idea ...Canada to pay $290 Million for but Five (5) Soccer Games

You got that right ...Chris Selley writes that given the United States, Mexico and Canada have been awarded (?) 2026 World Cup of Soccer.  Toronto Mayor John Tory is committing $290 Million for the honour...for 5 games.  What possesses these politicians to spend taxpayers money with such abandon.

It is Election Year for Tory and His Ilk and hopefully someone will come along to represent the plain folk and throw these bums out.  Where is Rob Ford when you need Him.  

You can't make this stuff up. Indeed, every day it seems that similar boondoggles are but common fare.

As I See It...

'K.D. Bell'

 

UPSIDE DOWN AND BACKWARDS...

In my most recent Blog I made mention of the fact that President Biden had called for Butcher Putin to be ousted from office.  

Since then, His White House has gone into damage control and the Progressive Media is beside itself in their condemnation.

Regime Change...don't you know.

As I said in my recent Blog...I seldom agree with Biden but in this case He is bang on.

Only in Today's Woke Environment would this even be questioned.

Putin is a killer, he has invaded a neutral country ...killed thousands of its Citizens and displaced millions more.  He does not allow any freedom in his own homeland - but heaven forbid if someone suggests He needs to go.  Of course He needs to go and the quicker the better.

I have said from the outset of this Invasion that Putin's days are numbered - and I stand by that.  With His Nuclear Stockpile this makes things much more dangerous.  But it will not change the outcome...Putin is a Dead Man Walking and even He knows it.

In the unlikely event that He escapes a purge from within, He will eventually go on Trial at the World Court for Gross Crimes Against Humanity and will spend the rest of his life behind bars.  Hopefully this will send a message to the other Dictators of the World for which there are far too many. 

As I See It...

'K. D. Galagher'

 

BACK IN THE SADDLE...

 Home from holidays and nothing has changed.

This Blog will deal with the continued invasion of the Ukraine.

Ukrainians  continue to hold off the Hun at great cost.

Biden's visit to Poland this week should have included a meeting on his part with his Ukrainian Counterpart. That he did not shows him to be once again a man of poor Judgement ...if not a Coward. 

He did say one thing though that was Brilliant...'Putin is a butcher and should be replaced...'.

But then the White House immediately began backing down from His statement.  How absurd...since Putin is indeed a Butcher and is indeed in need of replacement.  Only in this time of  The Woke would such a valid statement be criticized. 

It is obvious too that NATO has continued to fail to provide the Ukraine with the wherewithal to properly defend itself.  Thank goodness for the spirit and determination of its Citizens.  

It is reminiscent of London's Bravery during the early part of World War 2.  Then equipment and material were provided by the United States to England even though the US was technically neutral.

Canada's biggest air field was less then 10 miles from my home town of Brighton and stories told by our veterans saw American Planes fly in ...their Pilots walk away and our own Canadian Pilots hop on board and fly them over to Britain's beleaguered Capital.  

In fact, during the crucial Air Battle of Britain ..., Canadians counted for 25% of the crews.

Without American Planes and Canadian Pilots it is more than likely that the Nazis would have prevailed. 

And now reports our out that the Ukraine may have to sue for peace...with this Butcher Vlad and if that does come about ...NATO will be to blame.

As I See It...

'K. D. Galagher'

  

 

TAKE'N A BREAK ...

 BACK'N APRIL ...GALAGHER. 

I AM ABSOLUTELY BLOWN AWAY...

 With the Courage and Determination and Patriotism the Ukrainians  have shown in the face of Russia Putin's Naked Aggression.

Not only does its President stay in His Country to defy the onslaught and risk injury and most likely death...but the ordinary folks are defiant in their Resistance.  The Stories of such valour keep coming and coming - one among these many is that of a Soldier who voluntarily died when He Blew Up the Bridge he was standing on to stop an Armada of Tanks about to cross it.  Incredible. Bless His Soul. 

And speaking of their President staying put...forgive, but I cannot see even one Western Leader being willing to do the same.  A sad commentary but I fear true.

Related to this is my belief that we in the West have gotten soft since World War II - we no longer appear to have the grit and resolve needed that my Father, my wife's Father and many other of our Ancestors had in spades those many decades back.  In attacking the Ukraine, Putin picked the wrong target.

And with each news conference these Western Leaders promise nothing more than imposing more sanctions.  Putin quakes in his size 6 shoes.  He could probably save money if he wore kids shoes ...but I digress. 

The Outcome is I believe still predetermined...I do not think the Ukraine can successfully repel Russia - but by Gawd they are giving it a hell of a try and Who Knows...

But most certainly, in the longer term, Putin's goose is cooked.  He has finally mobilized the Free World against Him and this will ultimately end in His imprisonment or death.   Count on it. 

One threat that I have yet to hear from the West is the promise to charge Him Crimes Against Humanity and take Him to the World Court ...with the end result being His Incarceration for Life.  That is even if he lives long enough to stand trial since I suspect his Rich Oligarchs will themselves send  him to Hell  as the Sanctions more and more take hold.  

Bye Bye Vladimir... It has not been nice knowing you. 

As I See It...

'K.D. Bell"

IT WAS INEVITABLE...

 I AM SPEAKING OF COURSE OF RUSSIA'S INVASION OF THE UKRAINE.

BUT IT REALLY WASN'T... AS REGULAR READERS OF THIS BLOG WELL KNOW.

IT CAME DOWN TO A FAILURE ON THE PART OF NATO AND SADLY...THAT FAILURE CONTINUES.

So permit me to recap.

All NATO had to do was first - admit the Ukraine into its Club years ago.

Even having failed to do that,,,it still could have flooded the Ukraine with Troops - lots of Troops.

The fact that it did not ,,, gave the Green Light to Putin to walk right in,

As for Sanctions and the Threat of Sanctions one Wagg correctly summed that up today as "handing out parking tickets to Russian Tanks".

Putin's Objective is patently obvious ...He wants the return of the olde USSR.

The West's Objective is much less clear.  Our Democracies are in Decline and the Will to fight for Freedom in recent years has become more and more impaired.  Added to this is the fact that several European Countries most notably Germany relies on Russian Oil and Gas and this has made them timid in their opposition to this Dictator.  It has become most apparent that their reliance on Green Energy has been pure folly.  They failed to realize that if they chose to shutter their Oil and Atomic Facilities Bad Guys like Putin and Xi would not do likewise.  I suspect this will be the beginning of a Rethink on Green - sadly too late for the Ukrainians. 

The Only Thing President Biden came out strongly against yesterday was stating categorically that US Troops would not be dispatched to the Ukraine.   (Justin Trudeau made the same declaration but in His case ithas understandable due to the fact that He is having trouble finding our one and only Soldier to send off to War.)

But seriously speaking ...they are both Wrong...Dead Wrong in fact but from a practical point of view they are merely echoing the wishes of their Citizens. 

And in the case of America you can almost understand their feelings - the Korean War ended in stalemate.. in fact it is technically ongoing even to this day.  Vietnam was an unmitigated disaster...as was Afghanistan.   

They did beat Saddam Hussein and Iraq but that too was a failure on 2 fronts - first, was the reason for that war ... was to abolish Saddam's Weapons of Mass Destruction which it turned out never existed.  Second and even more importantly - Iraq was an effective buffer against an even worse Evil Empire ...Iran. So they won the battle but lost the war ...so to speak.

This led to Their Failure in countries like Syria and the Middle East generally.  It has been one disaster after another, no wonder Americans are not at all anxious to get involved in another foreign war,

But they of course need to so, as does the whole of Europe, otherwise no country there will be safe and it will only be a matter of time when Putin acts again as he will. 

And guess who else is watching these events with utter glee?  Why Xi Jinping ...China's Dictator for Life of course.

And in His sights is the tiny island of Taiwan.  If I was them I would get out of Dodge...which of course they cannot do.  And Xi will most certainly do this ...just as it was preordained that Putin would do what he did.  I will go further...I can just hear Xi's Advisors telling Him to go into Taiwan now while the Free World is otherwise occupied with Ukrainian Invasion. 

Although I fully realize that I am wasting my time - if that same Free World...what is left of it - wanted to prevent the loss of Taiwan - all that would need to be done is for countries like the US, Japan and South Korea to flood the waters around Taiwan with War Ships.  That would stop China in its tracks but again - as in the case of Putin ...this will not in all likelihood happen.

Maybe the lesson for us in all of this is that maybe the time has come to take up learning Chinese and Russian...we may soon need it.

As I See It...

'K.D. Galagher'

SOMETHING HAPPENING HERE...WHAT IT IS AIN'T EXACTLY CLEAR...

 MY APPOLOGIES TO BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD FOR QUOTING HIS 1966 RESISTENCE SONG...

I AM OF COURSE REFERENCING THE CURRENT WIND-DOWN OF THE TRUCKERS' FREEDOM CONVOY..SOMETHING MOST DEFINITELY IS HAPPENING HERE IN CANADA AS WELL.

I WELL REMEMBER THE MID 60S WHEN SPRINGFIELD PENNED AND SANG HIS DURGE.  IT WAS A MOST TRANSITIONAL TIME ...DRUGS, FREE SEX, OPT OUTTERS.

MY FEET AND HEAD WERE IN THE STAID 50S AND I FOUND THE RADICAL RAPID CHANGE MOST TROUBLESOME.

I HONESTLY BELIEVE THE SAME THING IS OCCURRING HERE TODAY IN CANADA. 

AND I AND MANY OTHERS ARE SADDENED BY WHAT THE POLITICIANS AND POLICE HAVE DONE EVEN THOUGH THEY - ESPECIALLY THE COPS - HAD TO ACT.  THE POLITICIANS ARE ANOTHER MATTER ENTIRELY ...OVER THE LAST HALF CENTURY THEY HAVE BROUGHT OUR ONCE GREAT COUNTRY DOWN.

The Fact that a ground roots protest rose up is simply incredible.  I did not predict it and indeed am still in shock.  It represents the first time such a ground-swell of ordinary folks have said 'enough is enough' in Modern History and I do not believe it will be the last time.

But first an apology ...I never thought that the Protest would become violent but I read where it did ...the RCMP said violent attackers attacked with Axes and Fire Sticks...the Private Security was physically attacked and " millions of dollars" of damage was done.  Who'd have thought.

Oh Yeah ...this was not the Truckers but alt left  Eco Terrorists attacking a British Columbia Gas Line. 

Not a word though from the Lame Street Media. 

I could not resist pointing the above out.

Back to my Thesis though - We Canadians are now in a New World ...it will not be comfortable but hopefully the days of Left-Wing Progressive Politicians telling us all what to do and how to do it ...are about to come to a refreshing end.

Saddened but Hopeful, 

As I See It...

'K. D. Bell' 

NOW LET ME GET THIS STRAIGHT...

The Ottawa Police Service has time and again said it needed an additional 1,800 officers in order to quell the Trucker Protest.

Reports say the Trucker Numbers total no more that 150 - and those numbers are the ones provided by the Enlightened Media such as CBC so of course they have to be correct ...certainly not over-stated.

But let's say for argument sake that they do not take into account the trucker kindergarteners and lets give that a guesstimate of 50 for these kiddys.  That means the protestors number an even 200.

Now the Ottawa Police Service has on the average day 1,900 officers - add to it the bolstered additional 1,800...that gives the cops a total of 3,700 to deal with a peaceful enemy of but 200 or some 18.5 officers per mischief maker.

No wonder the Media is saying the cops vastly outnumber the demonstrators.

Do you get the feeling that the Ottawa Police Force had all the resources it needed from the very beginning to do the job?

Plus Trudeau promised faithfully that he would not call in the army but we have been told by friends that members of their family in the armed forces have indeed been called into Ottawa.

I am not suggesting that dear Justin would for one minute tell a whopper ...

Plus I heard one breathless account from a media type talking about breaking glass - I pictured some out of control trucker smashing street level windows...but not to be ...it was the police smashing a truck's window to get at the driver.

Brian Lilley in his op ed today said that about 66% of Canadians approve of Trudeau invoking the Emergency Measures but he believes that they are confusing it with Emergency Measures that are often called upon but they of course are implemented to bring emergency help in situations of catastrophe such as flood, fire and tornadoes.  

I wouldn't be surprised.  

As I See It ...

'K.D. Galagher'

ALT RIGHT WHITE MALE NAZIS, MISOGNISTS, RAPISTS...

UPDATE:    February 18 2022Coastal GasLink site in B.C. left with millions in damage after violent attack by masked assailants wielding  axes'

AXES. 

In one of the most concerning acts, an attempt was made to set a vehicle on fire while workers were inside,' said RCMP ... Read More ›

AND WORSE.

IF YOU BELIEVE THE WOKE MEDIA AND OUR LEFT WING LOONE POLITICIANS.

AND YET...THE THREE PEACEFUL ARRESTS I HAVE SEEN ON TV SO FAR INCLUDE A BLACK, AND INUIT AND A WHITE WOMAN.  AND THEY ARE BEING DESCRIBED AS PART OF THE TRUCKER LEADERSHIP.

DO YOU THINK THEY ARE IN DISGUISE OR IS IT JUST JUSTIN WHO DRESSES UP AS BLACK?

AND DURING THE MOST IMPORTANT DEBATE ON THE RECENT EDITION OF THE WAR MEASURES ACT ...TRUDEAU SHUTS DOWN PARLIAMENT.  ANOTHER THING THAT HE IS GOOD AT.

I HAD NO USE FOR HIS FATHER BUT CAN TELL YOU HE WOULD NOT HAVE SHUT ANYTHING DOWN IN THE FACE OF A FEW PROTESTORS.  UNLIKE FATHER AND SON.

AND DID YOU HEAR:

ABOUT THE TERRORIST ATTACK IN BRITISH COLUMBIA YESTERDAY BY ANARCHISTS...ARMED WITH AXES, SMOKE BOMBS AND FLAMING STICKS. APPARENTLY THERE WAS A SUBSTANTIAL GAS LEAK THAT RESULTED BUT OUR PROGRESSIVE MEDIA HAS BEEN SILENT IN BRINGING THIS DISPICABLE ACT TO OUR ATTENTION.

PLEASE  KEEP THIS IN MIND AS YOU WATCH THE EVENTS UNFOLD HERE IN OTTAWA TODAY.

As I See It...

'K. D. Galagher'

OTTAWA POLICE CHIEF RESIGNS...

 AS IN PETER SLOLY...AND I AM TRULY SADDENED BY THAT.

I am not a fan per se of Chief Sloly but I do support him in the way he went about keeping the peace in connection with the downtown truckers protest.  No one hurt, no one killed no property damage.

He said time after time that he did not have the resources ...that is to say the number of cops needed to do more than they were doing.  Experts - real experts have consistently backed him up in that.

The fact that both Trudeau and Ford felt the need to bring in Emergency Measures reinforces that Sloly was right. 

If going forward the situation changes - in that there are injury and worse ...it will be on other heads than the former Chief's.

What was missing in all of this...from the very start...was any attempt to Negotiate with the Truckers et al.  None.  Why our Hidey Hole Prime Minister was MIA.  

To prove that ...just the other day, Jimbo Watson finally did a bit of negotiation ...he sent a letter to the Protestors ...hope he did not use Canada Post. Poor way to negotiate but it worked. He asked the Truckers to move out of the Residential Parts of Downtown and low and behold they did.

Just think what Trudeau and Ford could have done if they too stepped up and done likewise.

In time it will sink in that Sloly was right I just hope nothing untoward happens between now and then,

As I See It...

'K.D. Galagher'

LIKE FATHER LIKE SON...

As In Trudeau Sr. invoking the War Measures Act in 1970 ...some 52 years ago to deal with a few Bad Actors known as the FLQ ...  Front de libération du Québec.

Trudeau the Younger has just imposed a similar law on an unsuspecting populace to deal with a handful of Partying Truckers.  

He though is not alone in this Folly...in fact he has come in third ...behind His Dis-Honour The Mayor of Ottawa, followed by our Lock-im Down Premier.  This despite the fact that there is no legal authority for what these gentlemen are doing... much the same as there was none back in the day of Trudeau Sr. 

These Little Dictators could not care less. 

Guys the Pandemic is over...there no longer is any need for the shut-downs...the passports...the divisiveness.  Premier Ford even came out earlier today and admitted this with his announcement that the Covid Mandates here in Ontario are soon headed for the Bin of History. 

So Why the Emergency Measures?

Well all Three are just too Proud to admit the obvious and would rather keep at this nonsense than appear to give in to the Protestors.  

History will not be kind to them and this will only give a future Prime Minister another excuse to Apologize...I wonder if it will come with a monetary payout?  One thing for sure...the then PM will not come from this Three Man Posse. 

I want the Protests at the Borders to end asap even if force is needed and as well as see the Ottawa Downtowners pack-up and go home.  They have made their point.

But wouldn't it be nice if the Fearless Threesome would say to the Truckers and Their Friends:

We hear you,,, you have sacrificed greatly and  indeed all Canadians have gone thru hell these past 2 years ...go home - hold your heads up high - the Covid Mandates are coming down now - hug your love-ones ..let's get on with life and put all this in the past.  

As my late Dear mother often said... If Ifs and Ands Were Pots and Pans, All Beggars would be Tinkers. 

As I See It...

'K.D. Bell"

WHAT WE'VE GOT HERE IS A FAILURE TO COMMUNICATE...

From the Classic 1967 Movie Cool Hand Luke starring Paul Newman.

I am speaking of course about the Freedom Convoy and its likely last days.

Communication ...aka Negotiation has been sorely lacking.

What We've Got Here are thousands of ordinary Canadians leaving house and home and travelling thousands of miles to their Capital City ...in the dead of Winter and one would think they were the Plague. Pathetic.

Our Esteemed Prime Minister - supposed Leader of all Canadians has shown nothing but contempt for them.  Our Premier has imposed Emergency Measures as has our Mayor...none of them nor even the Police have made any attempt to negotiate a settlement which would save face for the Protestors and allow things to get back to some state of normal. The Media by and large has been biased by projecting its Progressive / Woke Commentary.   Makes one embarrassed to be Canadian. 

John Diefenbaker famously said...everyone is against me but the people ...how apropos to today. 

I keep saying in these Blogs that this is not about Covid Mandates though the straw that broke the camel's back was admittedly tied to this issue.  After 2 years of allowing Truckers to pass freely into Canada without proof of being vaccinated our petulant and scheming Prime Minister invoked this requirement.  He knew, like everyone else, that these are the dying days of Covid but His motivation was to one more time place a wedge between His Government and the Conservatives... the Truckers were simply a convenient vehicle to use.

Fortunately, it backfired spectacularly on Him to such an extent that his Prime Ministership is in real jeopardy of being lost.  And He has once again proven how unfit He is for office.

So if not the Mandates ..what are the real reasons for the discontent.  Well 2 years of Covid alone has taken its toll and that admittedly is not the fault of the Politicians or anyone else for that matter.  It is a once in a century occurrence that we are getting through the best we can and quite frankly we have done a fairly good job of dealing with it.  The Irony in this though is that our Truckers, until quite recently, were hailed as Heroes in that they were key in our collective efforts to get through this.  

So the Plague cannot be blamed on the Politicians nor on their Health Advisors but their indecision, miscues and holier than thou attitudes have turned many off and have literally bankrupted the service industry.  All the while they continue to get spectacular salaries - with raises, benefits and pensions...and then have the nerve to profess that We are all in this together...

In fact the underlying reasons go back over 50 years when Trudeau Senior pirouetted through the Halls of Parliament.  His Leadership...like His Son's, can best be summed up as being Divisive.  He too distained the West.  He too became the Sole Centre of Power...even declaring that a Member of Parliament was simply a "no-body 50 feet off Parliament Hill".  In the years since, this can still be applied to all Members of Parliament including Cabinet Ministers but now even while they are on the Hill.

The Prime Minister's Opinion is the only one that matters with the only exception being when the Court and its unelected and unaccountable 9 Justices... in their finite wisdom... make the law rather than interpret it as they are too often inclined to do.

And sadly, this is not peculiar just to Canada, throughout the World Democracy is in decline and its Pillars teetering.  The Rise of Dictatorships has been pronounced and the Freedoms we once so readily enjoyed are being taken from us by an ever growing Progressive Left which is all for Free Speech if the Speaker agrees with their Woke Position.  

Time / space precludes me from dealing with this in more detail but to end with this...

If we collectively as Canadians do not have room in our hearts for our Country's Blue Collar Workers...if we allow our Politicians / the Media / and the Progressives to denigrate them and call them names such as racist, misogynists, uneducated...we do not deserve the country our forefathers fought and spilled their blood for ....   Better to let it go which is what appears is happening.  

The Truckers need to call it quits now ..go back to their homes.  The Conservatives need to take up their Cause and See the Return of Democracy to our once proud country.  Members of Parliament must return to representing their constituents...and not be simply a mouth piece for their Party's Leader.  Parliamentary Committees must be separate from the Prime Minister's Office and exercise real power.  The Courts need to get back to interpreting rather than making the law and every time they attempt to do the latter...invoke the Notwithstanding Clause.

And of course,  we desperately need the Triple  'E' Senate...Equal, Elected, and Effective if we are ever going to get rid of 1 Man or 1 Woman Prime Ministerial Rule. 

Finally, if the Conservatives are not up to the Challenge which is likely, then we need to return to the Reform Days but this time with a Real McCoy Reform Party and not the namby-pamby Reformers under Preston ...Same Old...Manning turned out to be.  

Anyway, I could go on and on but you get the idea ...as the Freedom Convoyers so proudly state ..We Need To Take Back Canada before there is nothing left to take back.

As I See It...

'K.D. Galagher'

 

IF RIP VAN WINKEL HAD WOKEN UP TODAY

After His 20 year Siesta ...He would have been Shocked !!

There was NDP Leader Andrea Horwath being Interviewed and demanding that the Truckers from the Freedom Convoy lose their driving licences which would of course impoverish both them and their families.

The Dear Woman was not through though ...She spoke approvingly of Liberal Leader Del Ducca's suggestion to Seize and Confiscate their Rigs.

You see in defence of Van Winkel, when he went to sleep the NDP Party was the Champion of the Little Guy - the Worker and Truckers were at the Top of Their List in those needing the Party's protection.

What Van Winkel did not know...and how could he since he has been asleep for two (2) decades is that while he slept the NDP morphed into a Party that now caters to Unions for the Rich Bureaucrats...the University Professors and such and we all know why.  

It is because those most fortunate folks can afford to pay much more in Union Dues than the poorer ...much poorer and unpensioned blue collar worker could ever imagine doing.  

Nice to be able to jettison one's Principles so easily. 

So take away their livelihoods and to Hell with the Hindmost. 

It makes one sick...and speaking of that...:

Hidey-Hole Trudeau popped his Head up briefly last eve to unload more invective against the Truckers.

Wimpy Willie Watson our thankfully retiring Mayor eagerly joined the fray...demanding 1,800 more cops to add to the countless hundreds on the ground.  They much be quickly reaching the point where there are more police than protestors.

To date there have been no injuries no deaths but that is not due to either Trudeau or Watson and I fear that to add more police to the mix that just might spark it.

Negotiations with the Protestors is what is needed but sorely lacking. 

In that light - no pun intended.. Joel Lightbound a Liberal MP from Quebec and the Quebec Caucus Chair called a Press Conference this morning.  I received a call from my friend since childhood - Johnny asking me if I was watching CBC.  'Now Johnny' I said, when have I ever watched CBC but he quickly told me about Lightbound's Presser and I went to the TV Guide to find CBC's Channel.  Sure enough there was this most articulate young chap deploring the divisive and tone deaf ways of his leader ...Hidey-Hole Justin.  He acknowledged that this action on his part could cost him his Caucus Chair Role and very likely get him kicked out of Caucus ...but finally a Liberal has stood up for Values that have been missing.  Bravo Mr. Lightbound.

Hopefully this might signal the beginning of a movement to oust one of the worst Prime Ministers this Country has ever endured.  

Before closing one humourous note...during all of this an interview took place with a Reporter on the Street ...next to the Truckers.  There was a constant cacophony of horns blaring.  Was it not just yesterday that the Court Ordered an Injunction to Stop Such?  Did the Judge not realize such a Declaration would have no effect...everyone else seemed to understand that.  

But I guess there is hope that this horn honking will stop if Del Duca plan to Seize and Confiscate all offenders.

A Pox on all their Houses ...the Houses of our Delusional and out of control Politicians.

Tomorrow a Blog on a tragedy that nearly occurred in the midst of all of this.

As I See It...

'K.D. Galagher'

 

THE IRONIES OF IT ALL...

Update Note:  in this Blog I did not mention the role played by Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly and I should have.  He has been a steadying force -- cautious and non-confrontational and deserves my credit for the fact that the Freedom Convoy has remained mostly peaceful.  Well Done Chief Sloly. Before writing this update I checked to see if it was the Ottawa Police or Ottawa Bylaw that has been issuing parking tickets in the hundreds and discovered...as I had thought...it was Bylaw.  This ticketing is plain stupid and it is a wonder that it has not led to violence and this is all on Mayor Watson.  Take a Bow... Jimbo. 

 Ottawa's Leftist Loonie City Core Councillors are beside themselves with the "invasion" of the Freedom Convoy...they want more police on the ground and more action from them.

Question For You.  Are these not the Self-Same Councillors who mere months ago wanted to see these self same Police Defunded...less money...,much less money for Policing and more spent on Social Workers?

I guess the olde expression That Was Then and This Is Now applies. 

If you've noticed - urban city councillors tend to be Left Wing Loons and as you move out from the Centre, Councillors become by magic almost ...more conservative.

But that does not account for their sudden liking for the Cops.

In this vane, Our Mayor 'Wipper Watson' has come out declaring a State of Emergency for our Nation's Capital City...reminds me of Toronto City when then Mayor Mel 'the Swell' Lastman called in the Troops to deal with a few inches of snow.  Did he not know when he ran for this once prestigious office that it often snows in Canada during Winter? Guess not, anyway he obvious didn't think that over staffed City couldn't handle the job. 

Anyway, Ottawa Sun Columnist Brian Lilley summed this up better than I could in his column today:

   This Action will do little to remove the protestors, their trucks, their bouncy castles or their saunas.

And this reminds me of your comment Patrick (our wonderful straight 'A' grandson) when I showed him pictures of students in Ottawa huddled under their desks in case of Atomic Attack during the Cold War..."why grandpa that would protect them for 2 minutes or so".  His Grandma Anne - a student in Ottawa those days, was one of the under 'deskers'.  

All weekend long our Papers have published oodles of pictures of the goings on downtown and not one ...not one... showed any one committing damage or injury to others. Indeed, they show what Anne and I experienced yesterday when we walked those precincts...people determined but having fun...more Carnival than Ruthless Occupation.

You would not know that however if you got your News from our totally Woke T.V and Radio Media - they see danger at every corner and breathlessly report their distortions far and wide.  

Here is another take from the Weekend Sun:

    It is kind of fun to watch the progressive politicians and lib-left media light their hair on fire over the  trucker rally. But claims of widespread lawlessness were quite simply untrue.  Indeed, preliminary data from the Ottawa Police show there was less crime in the neighbourhood around Parliament Hill than in a typical week.   The Columnist goes on to highlight other accounts of the Woke that were equally untrue. 

One Turban Wearing Sikh was quoted ...with a smile on his lips, as saying that given his involvement that he must now be a White Racists too. 

Other accounts noted the friendliness between the Protestors and the Police.

Admittedly one thing lacking in the Ottawa Rally is the no one is trying to negotiate a settlement.  Officials in other Cities, including Winnipeg, Toronto, Quebec and Halifax report that things have gone much more smoothly in their cities because they were able to negotiate and find common ground with one another. No such attempt in our Capital City.

If the Rot starts at the Head then I blame our 'Hidey Hol' Prime Minister for this - the only time he pops up his head is to spew vitriol against the masses.

Second in line is our Mayor who too is missing in action when it comes to seeking a truce.  His answer, as noted above, is to call in the troops and in the meantime ticket every and all Convoy Vehicles they can.  If he is seeking a peaceful conclusion that... Dear Sir ... is not the way to do it.  This puts in even better light his recent decision not to run for re-election in the Fall. 

Last but not least are our wingy Inner City Councillors - no mention from them either om the need to negotiate...quite the reverse. And looking forward to October's Municipal Election so far only candidates from this radical cadre have thrown their hats.  We here in Ottawa stand to have an even more Woke Mayor in Office post October.

As I have said before, these protests are not about the anti-vaxxers though this issue set things off.  Rather, it is about Politicians, Health Officials telling us - the common folk - how you and I should live our lives and we have the added pleasure of paying higher taxes and greater costs of living for the privilege. 

Sadly, despite the best efforts of the Freedom Convoy things will not likely change.  Most Canadians hail from the Progressive Left and our Politicians for their selfish political interests cater to them.  The United States is now heading in the same direction.  

We need better Leaders ...much better Leaders and a return to Democratic Values but despite the best efforts of these Ordinary Canadians ...we are not likely to attain that.

As I See It...

'K.D. Bell' 

  

ONE DOWN TWO TO GO...

 Although I have been blogging for Erin O'Toole to step down ...virtually from the time he won the Conservative Leadership I do not take any joy in his loss today in fact I am sad for both he and his family.  Politics is a dirty business as we all witnessed earlier today.

What I am though is relieved but only wish he did as his predecessor Andrew Shear did and resign on his own rather than to have been humiliatingly defeated by his own caucus. 

For me the olde Adage paraphrased applies here...Why Vote for the Imitation when you can vote for the Real McCoy as in Justin Trudeau the Left Wing Progressive Woke to his very Core.

Trudeau called an unnecessary Election during the height of a once in a century pandemic in his lust for Majority Government.  His focus is on anything but Canada's flailing Economy and for the sake of us all he needs to go. 

Right after that Election I predicted all Three (3) of the Major Party Leaders would be gone before the Next Election comes round.  So Mr. O'Toole is but the first.

Trudeau should be next to go for the reasons I have stated above but Liberal Members of Parliament are not known for their Courage.  So we'll have to cross our fingers and hope for the best.

That leaves Jagmeet Singh and the New Democrats.  Despite thinking he is the best Leader of the Three, the NDP gained but one per cent more in the recent Contest ...from 16 to 17% and but 1 more seat ...from 24 to 25.  Should an Election be held today the results would be similar.  Hardly anything to write home about.  The main fault against Singh is that he is Trudeau's Water Bearer...Yes Man and again the above Adage comes into play.  Why vote NDP when you can vote Liberal and get better results.  Singh needs to go and with Members in the Wings like Charlie Angus that Party could do so so much better.

So let's clear the decks ...these 3 have been distinct failures in their own right.  

Let's bring on Pierre Poilievre and get the next Election underway.

As I Continue To See It...

'K.D. Galagher' 

THE POOR LITTLE DEARS...

 I AM SPEAKING OF COURSE ABOUT THE FAINT OF HEART MEDIA AND THE TRUCKER PROTEST.

Just before coming up to my computer I turned on the news which I have been studiously avoiding due to its flagrant distortion of what is happening right now on Parliament Hill.

They ...are left wing looney progressive media has labelled the Truckers as a bunch of Right Wing Fascists.

All I can say is thank Gawd for the Truckers - at least they were in the front lines during these Covid 2 years while these media bozos pontificated about stuff and nonsense.  I used to think Democracy was dependent on a free and independent press ...and I still do..but it is no thanks to most of the current batch.

Anyway the Reporter on the Ground was complaining about members of the Trucker Crowd coming up and yelling at him and are you ready for this...blocking his camera.

With all the negatives the Media has spewed forth I think the guy got off lucky ...and I am not suggesting for a minute that violence would be in order but certainly a bit of calling these condescending know-it-alls out seems fair and proper.

There are idiots in any significant demonstrations ..on the Right and on the Left but for the most part these folks are decent and represent the heart and soul of what it is to be a Canadian far more than most of the guys and gals behind the microphones.

I'd say to the Chap on TV ...buck up - you and yours stirred the pot with your over-the-top rhetoric now you are reaping the consequences...take it like a man or in this time of Progressives is that too much to ask and to expect.

As I See It...

'K.D. Galagher'

 

HERE COME THE TRUCKERS

 AND FROM THE REACTION OF THE LEFT...THE PROGRESSIVES... YOU'D THINK IT WAS THE END OF THE WORLD.

They have called them every low-life name imaginable...even some well known Tories have joined this Chorus.

If the Truckers were Native, or Racialized, or Antifa...left wing anarchists...there would be not a word said in criticism from the Justin Trudeau's of this world.

Last Summer Antifa Terrorists took over whole American Cities and even their Mayors came out in support of them.  Barf.

The problem here is that the Truckers are viewed as coming from Right of Centre so they have to be bad and therefor condemned. Ottawa's Chief of Police is warning of violence which I would be very surprised to see happen.

Our Left Wing Media has been interviewing shop owners who express fear that their windows will be smashed and their contents stolen.  Horsefeathers. 

If I was a shop owner downtown I would welcome the Trucker Crowd since it will be the only crowd to seen downtown in over 2 years.  Ottawa is a Government Town and Government Employees are working at Home...downtown has become a ghost town. 

And this is not about Vaccines.  Even longtime Grit Backroomer  Warren Kinsella admits this in today's Ottawa Sun ...he correctly chalks it up to Anger on the part of Truckers and indeed more and more of our citizens who are fed up with needless lockdowns and scare tactics on the part of our Politicians and their backstop Doctors. 

The issue did though start off with vaccines and that fact that 10% or so of our International Drivers were and are unvaccinated.  They sit alone in their cabs and during Covid have struggled with an Impaired Supply Chain ... with their loss this will only get worse...much worse.

Lefties laugh at that and pretend it is all stuff and nonsense but of course they are wrong...dead wrong.

My wife Anne sent me to a nearby Loblaws Superstore the other day for Celery and Romaine Lettuce.  There was but one beaten up stalk of celery left which I grab before anyone else could do so.  The Romaine Lettuce was missing entirely. These items as we all know are mainstay staples. 

When I check out the cashier told me that in all her years working there the back storage rooms were always chalk-a-block full ...that morning she said there was not a stick of anything there to be had.

You have to pick your fights and for this one it was not the time to do it.  The Only Reason for it ...I Say again the Only Reason for it - was because it gave our Esteemed Prime Minister another opportunity to bad mouth Conservatives.  He has shown Himself over the course of His 6 years in Power that He never passes up and opportunity to Diss the Right.  And to Hell with the consequences. 

When you go looking for the missing Lettuce and missing Celery at your nearest grocery store ...be sure to keep this in mind.

As I See It...

'K.D. Bell'

 

IT FEELS LIKE THE CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS ALL OVER AGAIN...

I am speaking of course of the massive Russian buildup on the eastern border of the Ukraine.

But though there are indeed some similarities between these two crises, they are by and large not the same.

So back to the Missile Crisis...Over the course of the middle parts of October and November 1962, when I was a mere pup of 14, the World literally held its collective breath expecting nuclear war to break out at any moment.  School Children throughout North America held drills consisting of hiding under their desks.  My lovely grandson Patrick and I saw a picture of this in Canada's War Memorial and in his owns words summed up what it was "that would protect them for up to two (2) minutes Grandpa".  I am not sure it would even protect them that long but he was bang on about the ineffectiveness of it all. 

I believe this had a lot to do with the fact that World War Two had not long ended plus the horror of Nagasaki and Hiroshima were still fresh visions in everyone's'  minds. 

A brief background...America discovered that Russia had placed nuclear weapons on nearby Cuba only some 250 nautical miles off the coast of Florida...well within range of the entire US Coast and even Canada.  President John Kennedy was in the second of his first 4 year term...a term that he tragically would not finish.  His Top Generals urged him to invade Cuba asap and blast the heck out of these Russian Soldiers and Their Deadly Weaponry.

To Kennedy's credit he did not follow their advice and in his thinking had the help of Brother Bobby who he had made Attourney General.  I say thankfully, since after the fact it was confirmed that the Russian Soldiers embedded in Cuba had strict orders that if they were fired upon they were expected to return fire with their nuclear arsenal.

Instead, Kennedy had a blockade established that surrounded Cuba and stayed the course while Russian Ships with reinforcement and more weaponry ploughed through the waters of the Atlantic toward them.

Who would blink first was the thought and worry of the day.

Fortunately Russia did under the Leadership of Nikita Khrushchev.  The Russian Fleet turned back, their Nuclear Weapons were returned to Russia and the rest, as they say, is History. 

So what is different this time?  First off it does not appear to have caught the attention of the man in street.  Most certainly reports from the United States suggests most view this as a European matter so why should we get involved.  

But this feeling is not just an American phenomenon... it is prevalent in Europe as well.  Germany is more concerned with offending the Russian since it could very easily jeopardize their gas supplies.  France has expressed similar concerns.   And British Boris Johnson is up to his neck in alligators and those gators have nothing to do with either Russia or the Ukraine.

NATO's response has been simply anemic and as I have said since before the time that Russia seized Ukraine's Crimea in 2014, they should have flooded the Ukraine with both troops and weaponry.  They have done neither and that remains the case right up to now when no better authority than America's own President Joe 'the Schmoe' Biden says that he expects Russia to soon invade.  (I know...I just couldn't resist).

Last week, I listened to Biden's first Press Conference held in eons - I can hear your surprise given that I am known to consistently turn the channel when I first see a Politician's Lips begin to move...I know they are lying and moreover know it too. So why did I endure over 2 hours of bafflegab?  Chalk it up to Ghoulish Curiosity...I had heard so many comments about Biden being in the early stages of Dementia I wanted to see for myself.  But in the end,  no real signs of Dementia but it was the most bizarre Q & A , I have ever witnessed.

For instance, He allowed that Russia was likely to invade the Ukraine and even posited that it would likely come down to "which side of the bed Putin woke up on" on any given morning.  He did not leave it there saying that it might be quite okay if Russia was to undertake "a minor incursion" whatever that would amount to.  And this with the knowledge of what Russia did with regard to the Crimea.

How did this Guy ever get to be in the highest most powerful office of the World?  

And sadly,  Leadership is also lacking in all other Democracies as well.

Okay, so much for the differences, I began by saying there are some comparisons to the Cuban Missile Crisis ...so what are they?

Not many but the main ones the two major antagonists are once again Russia and the United States.

The other similarity is the fact that Nuclear War is at risk but this time around it would be far worse than it would have been some 60 years ago.  Indeed, an all out conflagration could very well spell the end of mankind.  

I said at the beginning that there are lots of differences between these two crises...the current one is by far and away the most dangerous and it is not all due to the Nuclear Danger.  For a better understanding of what I mean, I refer you to my recent Blog ...dated January 9th and entitled 'NATO'.

As I continue to See It...

'K.D. Bell' 

THE APPLE DID NOT FALL FAR FROM THE TREE...

 AS IN TRUDEAU SENIOR AND HIS SON JUSTIN.

BOTH HAVE UTTER CONTEMPT FOR THE ECONOMY WHICH IS NOT SURPRISING WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE FACT THAT BOTH WERE TRUST FUND BABIES.

The Irony in this is that Pierre's father and Justin's Grandfather made his money...the source of their Trust Fund - from the now discredited oil and gas industry. 

In the late 70s / early 80s Interest Rates topped out at 22%.  I was a practicing lawyer in Northumberland County and had clients losing their homes and their farms.  I was also heavily involved in the County's Conservative Politics and due to that it did not take much to convince me to go to work for the Federal Progressive Conservative Party to help in seeing an end to dear Pierre Elliott.  The General Election that followed saw Pierre's Liberal Party go down to one of the biggest defeats in Canadian History...Pierre Himself ducked the vote...took a Walk In The Snow and thus avoided the ignominy of defeat by the skin of His teeth.  

What upset me so much about the Sr. was His total non-interest...almost distain for all things related to the economy.  In one of his few trips out West he insulted our hard-working Grain Farmers telling them "Why Should I Sell Your Wheat"?

Instead His total preoccupation was all about the Constitution and in His opinion it needed to be repatriated from Mother Country England.  Cold comfort for those losing their properties due to the staggering high cost of living. 

And that brings me to the Son ...the apple that did not fall far from the Tree.  

Trudeau the Younger, if it is even possible, has more distain for the Economy than His Father did - He  believes "Budgets Balance Themselves" and during the recent Election had the temerity to say "if re-elected ...you'll forgive me if I don't think about Monetary Policy". 

I can believe that ...But it gets even worse ...much worse.

The real tragedy in the way the Younger runs Canada is that in every way ...including the economy we should be doing better...much better.  We have a relatively small population living in a vast country with oodles of resources...minerals, oil and gas, forestry and agricultural ...we should be the richest citizens on earth but in that we come in at 19th...Luxembourg is number one with well over twice the income for each of their citizens compared with Canada.  What is it with the Trudeau's who worked and currently work so hard to see our Economy Falter? 

Since first elected a mere 6 years ago, He has wrung up massive Deficits and our Debt stands right now at $1,200 Billion...double the $612 Billion it was 2015.  Incredible.  Canada's debt / deficit problems began with Sr. and as you can see have been greatly exacerbated under the tutelage of the Younger. 

His Father said 'why should I sell your Wheat' while the Son says Why Should I Sell Your Oil and Gas. But of course it is much worse than just mere words ...Trudeau has done everything he possibly can to shutter this Industry which is so important to the Economic Welfare of our Entire Nation.

Related to this is the Total Folly of His Green Energy Program.  It is doomed to failure and yet is contributing as well to the beggaring of our Economy. 

And as each month goes by, the Cost of Living rises ..today's number came in at 4.8% the highest it has been since 1991 and for food it is a staggering 5.7%.  Economists believe those numbers are headed higher.  

So at a time of much higher food prices we are experiencing Empty Grocery Store Shelves due to the breakdown in the Supply Chains.   And to add insult to injury He has imposed Mandatory Vaccination on our Truckers.  So if you think shelves are empty now and prices too high..you ain't seen nothing yet.

As an update...in today's Ottawa Sun the President of the Private Motor Truck Council of Canada had this to say:   Governments are supposed to provide clarity and calmness ...and what has gone on is nothing but chaos and confusion.

If I was still living in Brighton I would be tempted once again to come to Ottawa to help defeat the Son but sadly know that unlike 1984 if an Election was to be held now...Justin would likely win again. 

Unbelievable but True.

Apples anyone ? ...assuming they are available and are affordable. 

As I See It...

'K. D. Bell'