A Tooth For The Killing...

Upper Left Mollar; First or Second One In.



When we were younger, visiting a Dentist was a 'one stop' activity.



My life long friend John will well remember our visits to olde 'Doc' Dunnett - what he lacked in bedside manner, he made up for in getting the job done. No shipping you out to some Specialist for him.



Sadly, this one stop shopping in Dentistry seems to be no more.



As Rodney Dangerfield would say; take my tooth for instance.



It all started some five years ago when I earnestly went about getting my teeth in good order prior to my Retirement. In those years I visited my Dentist 2x per year and had all my substandard teeth capped.



Not long after Retirement though, I visited my Dentist's Office for a regular cleaning and was told that a small cavity had developed under one of my new Crowns - 'First Mollar In - On My Upper Left Side'.



"We'll need to fix that one", proclaimed my Dentist.



"And how do you propose to that"? I enquired.



She proceeded to tell me that I would be sent off to a Root Canal Specialist and then I would return to her for the needed filling and new Crown. Point; Set; Match.



I told my Dentist that I was under the impression that these Crowns would preclude the likelihood of cavities but she disabused me of that thought; apparently one is more prone to cavities after Crowns are installed. A fine time to find that out.



My mind though was tranfixed on the cost. Some $1k had been spent on the original Crown and filling and now some scant years later, an entirely new Crown was being prescribed. Plus of course the Root Canal and the new Filling. It just did not seem to be worth the price.



"Pull It Out" I demanded.



Well you would think I told her ... Well anyway, the look of disbelief on her face was something to behold.



After some major negotiation we came to the following settlement:

• She would fix the cavity and work around the Crown to save it from replacement.

There was one small catch however.

I would have to go to a Special Dental Surgeon who would surgically prepare the gum to enable my Dentist to access the cavity and all the while preserve the Cap.

I wasn't too keen about this precondition but reluctantly went along with it. After all, my Dentist had met me more than half way by agreeing to fix the cavity without requiring either a Root Canal or the Destruction of the Crown.

So a few weeks later and in another part of the City I found myself in the chair of the Specialist Dental Surgeon.

"What Have We Here?" he enquires.

I bring him up-to-date and end by asking him how much 'surgery' this will entail?

Apparently quite a bit.

"Pull It Out" I demand.

This guy was a much cooler cat - he did not go into paroxyisms of disbelief. Maybe it had to do with the fact that as a Specialist he was above such common emotion.

Whatever, his response was to just let him 'take a quick look' and see if he could do the job with a minimum of time, bother and of course expense.

Needless-to-say, I was skeptical but reluctantly agreed.

The appliances in place and the work underway there was no time for me to enquire on his progress.

"All Done" he soon announced.

"What is all done - the quick look" I replied.

"The Surgery, you are now ready to have the cavity filled".

Foiled again. I try to make the best of it.

Could he not fill the cavity and I'd be done this very day?

Mr. Cool no longer. He explained to me that he does not do 'fillings' - in fact has never done a filling He is, after all a Surgeon. I thought of old jack-of-all trades Doc Dunnett.

Now back to my original Lady Dentist after having paid Specialist Surgeon some $800.

Original Dentist though is still arguing that I should first have a Root Canal and of course a new Crown.

"Pull It Out" I demand.

This time without the former dramactics she proceeds to work on the cavity. I get the feeling that when she injects the novacane she takes special delight in jabbing it in as hard and fast as possible. I refuse to flinch - but I do have a long memory.

Work done and another $200 paid, I leave her chair with her warning ringing in my ear that I will likely be sorry for not having agreed to the Root Canal - the one that she could not do herself in any event.

I decided then and there that it was time for me to engage a new - main Dentist. I figured I could not do worse and I was fairly philosophical about it - although down another $1,000 bucks - I still had my original Crown and no Root Canal.

As I see it.. part two to follow next...

"Galagher"

Shot Themselves In ...

their collective feet.

This week's vote on the gun registry was a disappointment to me but as pointed out by many pundits, it could be a boon for the Tories.

Indeed, if the Conservatives get their long sought after Majority in the coming Election - it will be due in large part to the position they have taken on the Long Gun Registry - that is to say it is a monumental waste of time and money.

I have covered the reasons why in a previous Blog but suffice to say, we here in Canada already have two gun registries and a third is simply not needed despite the protestations of the Three Opposition Leaders. Hunters are licenced, and Gun Owners, me included, must have an Acquisition Permit to buy both long guns and ammunition.

The Libs brought in this wasted registry following the Poly Tech massacre as a feel good measure that would not have stopped those deaths had it been in effect prior to that tragic event and would certainly not stop future such occurrences today. They simply wanted to be seen doing something despite the fact that it made absolutely no sense yet cost a King's ransom.

The Heads of Police are in favour of its retention - not to save lives - but to secure more money and create more police jobs. I know this may come as a shock to some but I have worked in the past in close association with the police and there is nothing they like more than increased budgets and personnel. But rest assured, the local constable - often a hunter himself - knows well the futility of the registry.

I get a particular kick out of Ignatieff saying that it is now time to "heal the Rural / Urban rift" - just after he and his anti long gun conferes poked the Rural Community in the eye by voting for the continuation of the Registry. Pretty galling to me !!

The long gun to the Rural is like the Watering Can to the Urban. They are simply tools to get the job done.

Enough said about that. But back to the Political Fall-out.

My guess is that 12 seats are now up for grab by the Tories given the naive position taken by the Opposition. Some left wing pundits state that the long gun issue will not last until the Election - "bread and butter issue of the Economy are what count".

These pundits are saying that from the comfort of their Urban sprawl - the long gun issue in the Rural parts of Canada, especially in the more northerly reaches, attains a religious zeal that is not soon apt to be forgotten.

Count me as one of those who believe that the Tories lost the vote but may well have won the coming Election.

As I see it...

"Galagher"

IT JUST MAKES GOOD SENSE....

How can one argue about government initiatives that 'just make good sense'. It is fool-hardy to even try.

As I have stated on previous occasions, It All Started With Seat Belts..

It really didn't, it started much earlier than that - but the Seat Belt Requirement stands out in Government's attempt and to date - successful attempt - to take us into the Nanny State.

As a Libertarian my major belief, outside of the Realm of Religion, is that Individual's should be free to do what he or she likes, unfettered by government control ..AS Long AS - his or her actions do not directly harm another person.

Back to Seat Belts.

If an Individual does not buckle up and is thrown from his vehicle and is injured or dies - it is that individual alone who suffers directly. I say, let him or her make that decision for themselves. The State has no role here.

The Elitist / Statist though would say, oh but if he or she is injured the cost associated with their care is borne by all taxpayers and hence "others do suffer" for that person's stupidity (i.e financially). And of course, It Just Makes Sense.

Now let's look at another situation where Libertarians more or less agree with the Politically Correct Class (PCC) - Drunk Driving. In this case, measures are needed to stamp out drunk driving because there is no guarantee that only the Drunk Driver will be killed or injured as a result of his or her stupidity. ( I do take exception to the very low .05 threshold that the PCC has established to infer that a driver is drunk but that is a matter for another time). In essence - their basic premise is sound because the actions of a drunk driver can lead directly to the suffering of others.

I remember saying at the time Seat Belts were made mandatory that soon we would have the State telling us what to eat. In fact, I thought this most unlikely. Silly me - since this is exactly what has been happening of late. "Junk" Food has already been taken out of our schools, Fast Food Outlets are now required to list the caloric count for their foodstuffs, and threats are now being made to force these Outlets like McDonalds to reduce the fat and salt content in their various products.

What the State is saying, is that it does not trust Adults, either for themselves or as Parents, to make the 'right decision'. That 'decision' of course is the one the State promotes.

I say let the People eat what they want and if they die of a heart attack - so be it.

But the Elitists / Statists would say, society is getting too fat, health care costs are skyrocketing and action needs to be taken to stop people from eating unhealthy foods. And of course, It Just Makes Good Sense.

As an aside, I find it interesting when these PCCers point to the costs associated with a heart attack and how much it burdens the health system. They imply that society would save all kinds of money if everyone was more healthy. I am not so sure that an objective study would support this. Indeed, most health care dollars are spent on end of life care - the care of seniors who linger months and years in bed long after their minds and bodies have worn out. Quebec and Holland are currently looking at ways in which to remedy this.

Cigarettes. If someone smokes and ends up ill because of their smoking - he or she is the direct cause of that illness. It affects no others. Libertarians are all for their smoking. They are after all - Adults and in a free society have the right to make their own decisions even if those decisions run counter to their health.

In come the Statists / Elitists - smoking is bad for you and if you are too stupid to realize it we will bring in measures to curb this activity. No smoking in or near public buildings - private or government- it makes no difference. Tax the living daylights out of tobacco - make it too expensive for the average Joe. (I do not agree generally with the illegal activities carried out by Natives in this country but I do agree with their efforts to smuggle smokes and booze because State Taxes are merely a back door attempt to ban these substances. If Government truly thinks these items are in need of banning - then be above-board and bring in legislation to do just that. (As I recall, the USA did just that in the 1920s).

In any case, there is no doubt that smoking is harmful to an individual and that any steps taken by the Government to stop this activity - Just Makes Good Sense.

I could go on and on.

And by the way - have you heard that the Ontario Government wants to ban barbs on fishing hooks. I can see they will soon want to ban gun powder in rifle shells In any case, It Just Makes Good Sense.

I can foresee the day when a future Government will require all of its citizens to enter into a plastic bubble before leaving their homes to venture outside. It will only Make Good Sense since studies will show that citizens outside of plastic bubbles are exposing themselves to injury and even to death. You certainly cannot argue with that.

As I see it...

"Galagher"

To Burn or Not to Burn...

That has become the Question...But, with respect, it is not the Issue.

As we all know by now, a man in Florida calling himself a Pastor and his merry band of but 30 followers is threatening to burn copies of the Muslim Koran on the anniversary of 9/11.

That this chap is a nut bar is beyond question - indeed even as a self styled Libertarian, I would have no difficulty in seeing him charged under Hate Crimes if he goes ahead with his plan, which at this point, it appears may not, given all the negative press.

But I believe the issue itself goes deeper than it has been portrayed in the media and by the politicians and even by senior military.

Their initial reaction is - 'you must not burn the Koran since that will only incense radical Islam to cause death and injury to many innocents'.

I concur with their analysis since it will indeed result in innocent maiming and death. But the fight for freedom over the years has resulted in much more loss of life and injury and is too precious to relinquish without a fight.

And that is what this issue comes down to - Preserving our Freedom.

When we restrict our actions for fear of what Radicals may do to us, we are trading our Freedom for peace. Chamberlain, as some of you older readers will remember, tried that without success.

In fact, if it is not a Koran burning - the Radicals have shown themselves quite adept at finding other reasons to rant and rave and kill and injure.

Moreover, if those same Radicals threatened to burn the Bible or the Talmud it would be met with a collective yawn on the part of Christians and Jews alike around the world. They would not like it, but they would consider the source and would dismiss the act as the ravings of idiots.

Real Rage should be reserved for vile acts such as those continually demonstrated by Extreme Muslims - beheadings, hanging of 7 year olds, stoning of women, bombings and the like.

To go back to our misguided 'Pastor' - it is my hope that common sense will prevail but if he goes ahead - I will keep it in perspective that it so sorely deserves.

As I see it...

"Galagher"

Glenn Beck...

No Longer A Voice Crying In The Wilderness....





Earlier in the year, I said that Saturday August 28, 2010 would be an important date.





And it was.





Glenn Beck spoke to his followers - some 500,000 middle Americans - at the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Never before in US history have so many middle of the road Americans come out in such fashion. All worried that their once great country is quickly going off track and thanks in large part to Glenn Beck they finally have a voice.





To many, Glenn Beck is still an unknown. Let me first tell you a little bit about who he is not:

• He is not a religious fanatic



• He is not a bigot



• He is not a Democrat nor even a Republican



• He is not a politician nor will he ever become a politician

Who is he then?

He is a concerned citizen worried to death about where his once great country is headed. (Many of us in Canada share his concerns for our own country).

Beck also has his own program on Fox News every night at 5 pm est and through the vehicle of television has developed a huge following among Middle Class America. Dare I say, he has become the most popular person in all of the US. At the same time, he has become his country's most unpopular person. Revered on the Right; hated by the Left.

As noted in earlier Blogs, the United States is split 50 / 50. The Leftist Elites and their unquestioning followers on one side and ordinary Americans - the ones who work 9 to 5, raise their families, pay their taxes and go to church on the other side.

In Canada, I believe the same breakdown to be closer to 66 /33 given our more Socialist bent.

Okay - Why all the doom and gloom Galagher? We have it pretty good here in Canada and in the United States -do we not? Food on the table, decent jobs, good roofs over our heads, kids well educated and so on. Why the Scare Tactics?

I concede that we do in fact have life pretty good and indeed it is my fervent wish that it remains so.

But - here it comes - the BIG BUT - my big concern is that everything of importance which we have known since the end of the Second World War is turning itself upside down and inside out. What was Black is now White. What was Right is now Wrong and so on. The question for me becomes can we hold on to what we have gained over the last 200 years and more or are we doomed to lose it like the Romans did in their time.

Let's look as some of these important changes:

• Nuclear Proliferation is probably the most important change since its inception in 1945. Nut Bars like China, Russia, Pakistan, North Korea and too soon - Iran- have the Bomb. It is only a matter of time before one of the lesser lights in that sterling line-up push the button to eventual oblivion.

• Related to the first, will be Al Qaeda getting its hands on enough radio active material to launch a hand-held nuclear device. You can bet that New York City and London will be their Targets of Choice.

• Governments, at all levels, are getting larger - much larger. They are intruding into most aspects of our lives to the point where we are losing our independence. I like to say, it started with Mandatory Seat Belt Wearing. Whatever, the Cradle to Grave Philosophy now so apparent in the West, has seriously diminished our independence and has impaired our ability to challenge the Ruling Elites.



• Taxes are ever increasing to pay for this grossly expanded Government and its various follies (e.g. the Green Movement). The ordinary person has come to his or her wits end with taxes, fees, taxes on taxes and related charges and sur charges. This has only served to indebt the individual to Government even more and in so doing has emasculated the population in general.



• Terrorism of all kinds is running rampant throughout the world; Genocide is being carried out with impunity in Africa; Drug Lords Rule; Human Traffickers and Smugglers are coddled; Petty Little Dictators prey on their own People while We in the West stand helplessly by. We have lost the Will to do what is needed to put a stop to these Tyrannies.



• Freedom has indeed become another word. In Truth, it has become Lost. Security Measures following 9/11 have only been successful in treating all of our citizenry as criminals. Kangaroo Human Rights Courts stomp on the very Human Rights they are there to protect. We are constantly being poked and probed. Legislation, Regulations, Rules and Policy have piled up so fast that it is difficult for us to Breath. Courts have assumed the Role of our Guardians and have used the Charter of Rights to replace Government. Government by the Majority has been replaced with Government by the Minority.



• Government Debt has gone off the Charts. In reality, the US is flat broke. Some Wag is quoted as saying that even Canada - should only be described as the Healthiest Horse in the Glue Factory. Harper and Co. have also run up greater deficits than at any time in our history. His program spending in the few years he has been in power has doubled. What Pray Tell are we to do when our money is worthless? Gold is not going to record levels for nought and don't think for a moment that Gold is the answer - when Gold replaces Paper Currency and it most likely will, there will be Hell on our Streets.



• Our Media is mostly controlled by the Left - at least America has Fox News. It used to be that CBC took any flack there was from the right but now, from my perspective, CTV is just as bad or even worse. In sum, our population is being brainwashed daily by our major outlets. (Oh to have the Toronto Telegram and the Ottawa Journal back). So our Governments and our Courts no longer work for us the People and our Media no longer provides a desperately necessary arms length, objective perspective.



• To top it off, we have become a Social Welfare State - bought by our own money. Stats indicate that one in six Americans receive government assistance, unemployed receive benefits for up to 2 years. I am not sure of the numbers on government assistance here in Canada but I suspect, given our Socialist Nature - they would be even higher. And this only serves to promote lethargy and takes needed money away from an economy in desperate need of it to create more jobs and more wealth.
• And then we have migration. Stats from the United Nations state that upwards of 50 million persons are on the move around the world to find a better country in which to live. Canada, per capita, accepts the more refugees by far than any other Western Nation. Average numbers total some 40 to 50 thousand per year. This is in addition to the 200,000+ that come to Canada via the normal immigration channels. These immigrants and refugees for the most part come from the third world and tend to congregate in our major cities. They are causing a net drain on our country's GDP. I fully understand the moral issue that is attached to immigration but it is also important that Canadians understand the economic issues as well. Simply stated, if these numbers continue, our standard of living will be negatively affected. The answer is to revamp our Immigration System to ensure that those coming to Canada are a net economic benefit and through this, we will be able to provide more help to those in need throughout the world.

To me though the scariest part of our moral and economic decline is in regard to the Rest of the World. For Centuries Great Britain maintained world order, since WW I, America has performed this role. We all have benefited from this. Now though we are experiencing a transition. America's days of being number one are ending. As noted above, America is broke, and ever increasingly lacks the will to do what is necessary to retain the mantle of World Policeman. Soon it will be replaced by the powers in South East Asia - notably China and to a lesser extent India.

Glenn Beck offers us the chance to delay that Transition.

As I see it...

"Galagher"

Solzhenitsyn...A Most Unappreciative Guest

First, I apologize to you in advance for another rather 'heavy duty' Blog.







This may surprise you; I do try to avoid 'heavy' but there seems to be no escape from it - the world as we used to know it back in the 'good olde 60s' has completely turned on its head. What was right then is wrong now.








What got me started on today's rant is an article I came across recently about the late Russian Writer & Philosopher Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. Solzhenitsyn, as you will recall, exposed to the world the Russian forced labour camps through his two most famous writings - The Gulag Archipelago and One Day In The Life Of Ivan Denisovich.






At the end of WW II he was imprisoned in these forced labour camps for being critical of the way in which Stalin conducted the war. He was not released until 1956 - some 10 years later.





As such, I believe it is safe to say that he was an expert on Totalitarianism.



To make a long story short - at least this portion of the story, he visited the USA for an extended period of time in the late 1970s and in 1978 was the recipient of an honourary degree from Harvard.





In his commencement address that day, his topic was 'A World Split Apart' and students and faculty alike sat back prepared to listen to him castigate the Soviet Union. To their amazement the subject of his scorn was the very United States which had welcomed him to its bosom.





Here are some of his comments from that day long ago:

• The Western World has lost its courage and its Leadership is mediocre;





• The West is guilty of blind arrogance, of material abundance coupled with spiritual poverty;





• That Security, brought about by Western Capitalist Welfare States, is both addictive and enervating;





• He pointed out the Mendacity of our Media and the Decadence of our Art.

In sum, he bemoaned the fact that the gift of freedom had been abused and debased in the West.

Those present had not expected this from their guest - indeed, they had thought he would be thankful for being granted time in their great country. They were sadly mistaken.

Looking back from our vantage point today it is not surprising that Solzhenitsyn spoke out the way he did. Here was a man who had looked into the Jaws of Hell for 10 long years and accordingly, was not about to sugar coat his beliefs for the sensitivities of his Host Country.

The only question I am left with is just what he would think of the state of things today - some 30 years later?

Although Solzhenitsyn is no longer with us I did come across two columnist of late who I believe may just be able to speak on his behalf albeit without the Great One's forcefulness.

David Warren in his Article 'Before the Deluge', speaks about an "impending catastrophe in almost every direction". In the "World at Large" he notes, "tyranny is almost everywhere advancing ...while our ability to rise to each potential crisis is diminishing".

His article then goes on to examine the terrible financial state that our Free World Leader - America finds itself. These Debts and Deficits have not only resulted in Big Government, but more importantly, he notes, has resulted in its Citizens having become mere vassals of the State - so dependent on its Welfare that they have lost the ability to Act and Think Independently.

The Second Article I would like to Reference is by Ken Gray entitled 'The New Abnormal'.

Gray continues on the same Theme. "If people ever begin worrying about the $13 Trillion public debt, it might not hurt to start patrolling the edges of your property with a rifle".

He continues with a review of the terrible financial stats.

• US Debt is 89% of GDP



• it has been increasing annually by $500 billion since 2003



• in 2009 alone it increased by $1.9 Trillion

Sooner of later he notes that both government and individuals will have to get their "debt under control" but this will mean an end to artificial stimulus. And this coupled with the Boomer Retirement will mean that economic activity will tank for many years to come.

So what does all this mean for you and I?

The US will no longer be able to fulfill its role as World Leader. That Role will pass by default to China.

The West has been unable to contain Terrorism to now - under the New World Order it will be less and less able to even try.

There is an answer though and it lies deep inside each of us. A return to basic values of truth, honour and integrity. We have seen an example of this - this past weekend where Glenn Beck brought half a million ordinary Americans to the Lincoln Memorial to pray for the courage to do just that. It is a start - indeed a bid start and I will be writing more on this in later Blogs.

Suffice to say, Beck has been universally put down by the liberal left but then again, Christ was the subject of scorn some 2,000 years ago. I am not for a minute equating Beck with Christ - I am only pointing out that to be scorned by the Leftist Elites

Death of the Long Gun Registry....

It looks as though a final vote will taken within weeks on the Tory Private Member's Bill designed to kill the Long Gun Registry and put it out of its misery.

This issue comes down to the Rural / Urban Divide. Rural Canadians want it - Urban Canadians do not. As a resident of Ottawa - albeit Rural Ottawa, I fall into the former camp. I also own firearms.

Firearms for Rural Canadians are simply tools - like pitch forks and tractors. Even here on the outskirts of Ottawa we co-exist with coyotes, wolves, fox, fishers and the odd bear. It is nice to have a weapon to help dispatch them if they get too bothersome. A couple of years ago a deer got caught up in one of our fences and badly broke its leg to the point that it could no longer walk. At the time I owned just a 22 cal rifle and I was not sure it would do the job of humanely putting the animal out of its misery. I called a local hunter who was fortunately home and did the deed. We had also called the humane society, the vet, the police and the conservation officers first - but none were willing to get involved.

So to me there is a need.

But more important, there is not a need for the Registry itself. It is just a monumental waster of taxpayers' money.

Gun owners are already Registered. In order to purchase long rifles and ammunition - you must first have an Acquisition Permit and as such - you are registered. So when the Police Chiefs say they need to know if firearms are present before they enter a residence - this information is and has been available to them for some time. The registration of firearms is, in other words, a redundant activity.

It is also a very emotional topic. Born out of the Polytech Massacre in 1989 - it was a knee jerk - feel good initiative designed simply to placate the residents (voters) of Montreal. In so doing it rang up over $2 billion in costs. Police Chiefs say today that the costs are a mere $4 million a year to run the program and if you believe that I have a swamp....

The average cop knows the folly of the Program and if truth be told - so do their Chiefs. But may I suggest that their Leadership's position is less about safety and more about bulking up their resources from the public purse (i.e. in much the same way as their war on drugs which they have been losing from day one).

At this point it looks like enough NDPers will support the Tories in 3rd and final reading and hopefully this boondoggle will be behind us all.

As I see it..

'Galagher'