Black Day In July…

 

Or to be more precise, in January, as in January 31st, 2014.

This was the Day that Lord Black was stripped of his Order of Canada.

If Black was a country he would be Israel since few seem to like the guy.

Ostensibly his defrocking was due to criminal charges laid against him in the great United States of America.

But dear reader, it really goes back to 2009 when Jean Chretien forced Black to renounce his Canadian Citizenship in order to clear the way for his acceptance of Peerage in Great Britain.

What’s that?

“Didn’t Chretien himself receive one of the highest orders – The Order of Merit – from Queen Elizabeth herself?’'

“And are there not numerous Francophone MPs who have French as well as Canadian Citizenship?”

Including the current Leader of the Opposition Mulcair and does not former Liberal Leader Dion have such dual citizenship?

Well yes they do.

But Black is different …why he is a Conservative don’t you know.

Black was setup in the States otherwise if had really been guilty, he would have been charged here in Canada under our own Security Laws.

The recommendation for his Order of Canada stripping originated from an 11 member advisory panel consisting Chaired by the illustrious and left leaning Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada.

It was then endorsed, on the recommendation of our Prime Minister, by the Governor in General.

Harper should have shown some intestinal fortitude and turned their recommendation down.  But alas.

And where is this distinguished panel when it comes to dealing similarly with such luminaries as Henry Morgentaler – may he Rot in Hell. 

Canada is a small country and with each generation we produce few giants that tower head and shoulders above the rest of us .. Conrad Black is one of those but there are those who cannot rest until they cut him down to size.

Fortunately, Black has shown time and again that this is not to be.

As I see it …

‘K.D. Galagher’

 

 

SMART MOVE >>>

 

DUMB  DECISION !

As in Young Trudeau’s move to kick all Liberal Senators from his Caucus.

Smart, in the sense it happens just ahead of the Auditor General’s Report on the hanky panky that has been going on in the Senate, some of which will no doubt involve involve Liberal Senators.

Now YT can say, with his hand over his heart, that he has nothing to do with these former caucus members.

Cute, but effective.

It also provides him at last with a stand on the future of the Senate – something he and his Party have lacked heretofore:

The Tories are on record as wishing to make it an Elected Body while the Dippers have consistently stood for its abolishment.

Again points to the Liberal Leader.

So again – smart move on his part.

But it is dumb, nonetheless:

We are said to live under a Constitutional Democracy – Democracy being defined as the form of government where the people choose their representatives by voting.

The Tory position is consistent with these democratic values since it would turn the Senate into an elected body.  The NDP position similarly is consistent with democratic ideals in that it would deep six this unelected archaic institution.

The Grits position however is entirely inconsistent with democratic principles – it not only promotes the continuation of an unelected body – it makes the situation worse since it frees former caucus members from party discipline.

So prior to Mr. Trudeau’s action, we had Liberal Senators free from accountability to the voter and now we have them free from accountability to their own Party.

From Bad to Worse.

So the bottomline remains – an Unelected Senate is anathema to Democratic Traditions – either it needs to be elected or abolished – my preference being the latter - but Trudeau’s approach is not only unhelpful, it makes no sense whatsoever.

Save for himself.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

 

Quebec Has One …

 

Why don’t we have one too?

As in our own Pension Plan.

The Liberal Government for Ontario has come out in favour of establishing our own made in Ontario Pension Plan.

It has even hired on former Prime Minister Paul Martin to shepherd it through – the one and the same who is on record as stating such an initiative would be a job killer.

Oh well, who needs consistency when politics are at issue.

What disturbs me more is that the McGuinty / Wynne Liberals have proven themselves time and again to be unable to arrange for a 1 car funeral procession.

But maybe this time they will get it right…and yes dear reader as we sit in minus 27 degree weather let us all ponder the dangers of global warming.

Let’s look one more time at initiatives they took on and turned to ruin:

• the billion dollar plus electronic health care project;
• Orange Ambulance that saw patients die for want of flight and another $billion down the drain;
• excess power plants built generating way below capacity but paid as if they were churning it out at 100%…$billions more;
• cancellation of the two gas power plants to save a couple of Grit Seats…another $1.2 Bill.
• their Green Program building unneeded solar panels and wind mills and paying their owners obscene rates – whether they generate power 1 kwh or not.  Multi-billions $ wasted.
• their paying other jurisdictions to take excess power off our hands;
• their jacked up power rates beggaring the poor and forcing business to flee our Province.

And now dear Reader – Wynne and Martin want us to trust them to establish a made in Ontario Pension Plan.

No thanks – we simply cannot afford it.

We are looking more and more like Greece but at least if we were living there, it would be much warmer.

As I see it …

‘K.D. Galagher’

You Won’t Have Nixon To Kick Around Anymore…

 

So said, Richard Milhous Nixon when he “resigned” from Politics on November 7, 1962.

He had just suffered electoral humiliation losing his bid for Governor in his home State of California and this just 2 years after losing the Presidential Election to an upstart Catholic by the name of John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

I think back to those days when writing today’s Blog about the future of our own Prime Minister, Stephen Joseph Harper who like Tricky Dick, did not have a loving relationship with their Nation’s media.

There has been much speculation of late that Harper will not run in the Federal Election scheduled for October 19, 1915.  Indeed, I too think that there is a very good chance of that although I would not bet the farm on it.

But I believe if Harper does take a ‘walk in the snow’ it will be because he has lost his joy for the job and a good part of that is due to our merciless press.

So dear Reader, if such came about …what should we expect if the Tories are replaced by either the NDP or the Liberals?

• The Federal Government would grow bigger;
• Public Service Unions would grow stronger;
• Canada’s economy will cease to lead the G-7;
• The Green Energy Fiasco would become de rigour;
• Taxes would climb;
• As will our Debt / Deficit;
• Exploration for oil, gas, minerals and the like would wither at the hands of self appointed ‘environmentalists’ and mischievous natives;
• Pipelines would rust out for want of use;
• Transfer payments to the Have-not Provinces would be greatly enhanced;
• As would Federal Subsidies to Provincial Health Care;
• The CBC would secure an expanded mandate;
• Israel would be in need of a new best friend;
• Russia, China and Cuba would gain a new  friend, as would the Palestinians;
• The Charter would reign supreme;
• Quebec would be wooed ($) every which way but Sunday as both the Dippers and Grits see their future anchored to that Province or should I say State;
• Ontario would become a fully bilingual Province despite its tiny Francophone population – 4%;
• We would return to Governor General appointments where the appointee believed themselves to be the actual Monarch;
• We’d see an even more open season on the young and the elderly;
• The attack on the Family would go into high gear;
• Western Canada would return to isolation;
• The promotion of our History would likewise return to the dustbin of history;
• Law and Order will become an empty catch-phrase;
• Drugs will reign Supreme.

Richard Nixon came back as President in 1968 but don’t expect a similar resurrection for Harper; once he is gone …he will be gone forever.

Pity.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

 

There Must Be Something In The Water…

 

Update – one other example and that pertains to Rob Ford being the first out of the gate to run for Mayor …again – in Hog Town.  “Ford more years”. In my New Year’s Blog I indicated that he would run again or at least for the time being is in the fray – but that he will not win.  A few wrote in to inquire if not Ford who?  The answer of course is Olivia Chow …if she decides to run and if she does not – then it will go to John Tory.  In the latter case – it might be just as well if Ford won …but he won’t.

 

Do you ever get the sense that everything is going topsy turvy?

Some recent examples:

1. News out of Israel that former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is in “critical condition” …”life threatening in nature” and so on and so on …the outlandish adjectives just keep coming and coming.

     Reality Check – Sharon for all intents and purposes died some 8 years ago when he suffered a debilitating stroke and slipped into a permanent coma.  What is now taking place is that his body is simply being released from its living death.  Nothing critical nor life threatening about it.  For the past 8 years he has had no life. 

     2.   Kathleen Wynne …our distinguished Premier is busy these days handing our $100 food voucher cards to her constituents otherwise known at those living in the downtown Toronto core.  These poor folks like countless others, suffered through a few days of power blackout around Christmas.  No effort was made to ensure the downtowners who received these vouchers actually suffered a power loss and no effort was made to ensure recipients received but one card each.  Reports indicate that some recipients were brandishing multiple cards – one seen to have 4 separate cards worth $400.

Reality Check – loss of frozen foods is an insurance issue and not a Government issue.  This smacks of more of the same – that is to say – cancel power plants to gain popularity – has been replaced by handing out free food stamps.  The sum is lesser in the latter case – probably to come in at around $1 million rather than $1 billion – but the principle is the same.  And Wynne continues to tell us that she has learned her lesson from the politically motivated gas plant cancellations.  And I am a monkey’s uncle – – well maybe I am, but that is another story.

3.  And the last example for today also relates in part to the gas plant closures but directly concerns our very principled Leader of the NDP Andre Horwath.

Dear Ms. Horwath has come out today saying in effect that she and her Party may continue to lend their support to Wynne and Company.  She will of course “consult with the people” first.  But the last time she did that – surprise , surprise, the ‘people’ told her to support the Grits – which she did and which in turn led to her Party supporting the Wynne / McGunity Budget.  Oh yes – and her price for doing so – she said – was to get the Government to roll back car insurance premiums by 15%.

  Horwath was not through though.  She also announced today that the time had come to put the gas plant scandal “behind us”.  Can you believe it?

   Reality Check – the last issue first – the gas plant cancellation.  Over a $billion dollars (I would say over $3 billion when you take into account the 20 year contracts offered to produce no power) were flushed down the toilet to save 2 or 3 Liberal seats.  It was politics run amuck and no one – not one single person - has been found responsible for this outrage.  And Horwath wants it put behind us?  What has the dear lady been drinking?

And then her price for supporting the Liberal budget – the 15% reduction in car insurance.  I can tell you my car insurance has not only failed to decline by 15% but it has actually increased.  And so too for many others I am acquainted with. 

Has your car insurance gone down?

So I guess Horwath may well decide that the people she talks to this time will demand of her that she continue to support the Grits.  Wink wink – nudge – nudge.

And what will Ms. Horwath then demand of Wynne that she will have no hope in hell of attaining.  This list is endless and we can each plug in all the dead- in–the-water suggestions we can think of.

But why is Horwath conducting herself so bizarrely? 

Two reasons dear reader – first her party is mired in distant third place and if an election was held now they could expect to elect less members than they currently have.

Second reason is the fact that her natural constituency – the Unions – do not want an election for fear that Hudak’s Conservatives would win – which they likely would and one of the first things the Tories would do is to clip those self same Union’s wings.

I said in my New Year’s Blog that I see an election in the offing for 2014 but with this latest result – I am no longer so sure of it.  I still think the pressure will be on Horwath to do the right thing eventually– but fearful Unionists can be a powerful motivator.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

2014

 

As I was saying…

As I see it, most of my predictions for this past year – too many of which sadly missed the mark – will be the same again for this coming year.

As in past year’s, I will focus on political and economic rather than social issues but just for the record – socially - our societies are just as sick – nay – even sicker.

Before I restate my prophesies for 2014 – the following background concerning where I see ourselves situated may prove helpful:

Since the Great Recession of 2008, Western governments have been encumbered by sky high debt and unemployment rates that are far too high – especially for our youth.  Simply stated, Asian economies – especially China – are ‘eating our lunch’ and becoming our bankers while doing it.

In addition, Pensions, social programs are underfunded to such an extent that it makes our budgetary debts look like ‘chump change’.

To address their decline, western nations have run from reeling in their out of control expenditures and instead, are printing money with abandon while continuing to rack up record indebtedness.

Intuitively, it makes no sense whatsoever ... but surprisingly, our governments have, in too many instances, been able to get away with their gross mismanagement so far.

To compound this economic uncertainty, radical Muslims have been growing ever stronger in their determined effort to undermine non-Muslim societies. We in the West are losing this battle as well. 

So from my perspective, these are the two greatest issues facing us again, this coming year and I suspect for many years to come. 

So here we go…

My Predictions For 2014:

The World -

1. War will remain widespread but limited in areas – the middle east and many parts of Africa.  Western nations for the most part will be able to sit back and idly watch.
2. China, as its financial power continues to grow will continue to flex its military muscle but will avoid war for foreseeable future.
3. As mentioned above, Islamic terrorism will continue with renewed vigour and this will negatively impact all of us –including Muslims given the animosity that exists between their various sects. Christians and Jews though will continue to be especially targeted. 
4. The ‘experts’ predict that Gold will continue to decline in value over 2014. I disagree for the reasons set-out in the above background.
5. Oil will move sideways as economic recovery will remain fragile and as the United States provides more and more of its energy use from internal sources.  Today’s price is $95 pbl.

The United States -

1. Obama’s approval rating now in the mid 40s will continue to decline.
2. The Republicans will gain control of both the House and Senate in November’s Election.
3. The US debt now $17.3 Trillion will exceed $18 Trillion by year’s end.
4. Their GDP will surprisingly rise – but not by the 4% that financial experts are now predicting. (It is most difficult for me to see their GDP rising at all but I do bow to the ‘experts’ here.  This growth will be fuelled by the private sector which was hammered in 2008 and is simply in a bit of a recovery mode now).
5. Interest rates will continue to rise over 2014.
6. US diplomacy across the world will continue to misfire. Its enemies – Iran, Russia, China, North Korea, the Taliban, Al Qaeda will grow more brazen in thumbing their noses at America.  US allies, in contrast, will watch on in disbelief and will take greater steps to protect their own interests, abandoning their hereto dependence on the USA.

Canada –

There were four major non anticipated occurrences last year here at home: 1. Mayor Rob Ford; 2. The Senate Scandal going rogue; 3. the Alberta Floods and 4. the Lac Megantic rail disaster. Only the Senate Scandal will continue to have legs although whether it should is open to debate.

1. With respect to our dollar the ‘experts’ say that it will continue to decline in comparison to the US sawbuck. It won’t. (as of today it is worth 96 cents).
2. Obama will turn down the Keystone Pipeline construction. for two reasons – one, as mentioned – America is making good progress in its goal of attaining energy self sufficiency; and two – he would be loath to let down his cadre of left wing loonies.
3. Pipeline construction / use generally will pick up across Canada but it will continue to be hampered by efforts of environmentalists, natives at every opportunity.  There will as always be violence mostly on the part of our natives.
4. As stated above, the Senate Scandal will continue in the news but at the end of the day will have little effect on next year’s – (2015) Federal General Election.
5. The Future of the Senate itself will also be a major issue for 2014 as we currently await direction from our left leaning Supreme Court of Canada.
6. The Tories will make hay on several wedge issues – issues that distinguish the Conservatives from both the Liberals and the NDP.  The major ones being the legalization of marijuana, prostitution, and tough on crime issues generally.
7. Although I am not predicting it – Harper may decide to pack it in this year.  He seems to have lost his lust for power and I suspect he is not too happy with himself for the way in which he put several of his former friends and colleagues under the bus – not the least being nice guy Nigel Wright.  I suspect he has a little trouble these days looking at himself in the mirror.  If I had to bet I would predict he will not resign this year – but it he did – it would come as no surprise me. My prediction though is he will be in harness at year’s end. 
8. The Tories will balance the budget by the end of this year as well.
9. Michael Chong’s private member’s bill to reduce the power of the Prime Minister will be approved if it is allowed to go to 3rd and final reading.

 

Ontario -

As I have said many times previously – this current Liberal Government is the worst that I can ever recall save for the possibility of the Duplessis Government of Quebec in the 1930s,40s and 50s.

1. There will be an election this year and the likelihood is that it will occur in the Spring.
2. Tim Hudak will win but one has to question why he would want to after the severe damage done by the Liberals over the course of the past 10 years.
3. Rob Ford will not win the Toronto Mayoralty in this fall’s election. (I said above the Ford story will no longer have legs – that is not to say it will not be in the news – it simply means no one will give a damn if it is nor should they).

E.U. -

1. Will for the most part be a non-issue in 2014 the only significant issue will be the continued rise of the extreme right against Jews and refugees.

 

Russia -

1. There will be no terrorists attacks at next month’s Sochi Games.  Security will just be too tight.
2. Putin has consolidated his power over 2013 and thus is well positioned to continue with his dictatorial ways over 2014 and likely beyond.
3. Russia (Putin) will continue to try to upstage the USA but the fact is Russia’s days as a world super power is over.
4. Russia’s fight to more closely ally itself with the Ukraine will continue over the year but it is doomed to failure as the Ukraine will eventually become part of the EU – not this coming year though.  Until things are settled, violence will be prevail. 

China -

1. It will continue to grow economically by leaps and bounds and will continue to beef up its military capacity.
2. It will not seriously engage in military action.

North Korea -

1. Something is gravely amiss in the North.  Dear Leader is in trouble and will be fortunate to survive although I believe with the execution of his uncle – he has bought time to survive at least until next year.

The Middle East -

1. The chaos that is the middle east will continue unabated.
2. Afghanistan will a) see the Taliban’s continue  retake this poor nation and b) America will fashion a last minute deal to keep its troops there for at least another year.
3. Iran will remain the biggest story of the year  – in other words, the question remains will it be allowed to continue with its building of nuclear weapons?   I do not see America having the commitment under Obama to take the steps needed to stop them.
4. Israel – a) is surrounded by Muslim Countries on fire and the fallout is encroaching upon their territory. Things will only worsen over 2014. b) The biggest threat to Israel and indeed to the middle east is the danger posed should Iran successfully develop the bomb.  That being said – Israel would – if it has US backing – knock the heck out of Iran’s nuclear program.  But since it does not have America’s backing the question for this year – is will it go it alone? For me – it depends on whether or not the current agreement with Iran – the US et al is resolved successfully.  If it breaks down – I can see Israel going it alone against Iran in 2014. c) a proposed agreement, currently under discussion between Israel and Palestine – and brokered by the USA – will crash and burn like all those before it.
5. Syrian - leader Bashar al Assad has been able to reinforce his position over the course of last year and accordingly will not be defeated in 2014 … the civil war will though continue unabated. The only thing which could have tip the balance against him would have been the entry of NATO which did not / will not happen.
6. Egypt – The Military will continue its just war against the Muslim Brotherhood.  Violence will continue in their streets but this is the best thing to have have happened in the Middle East in a long time.  The Military has identified the enemy and has taken the measures needed to address Muslim Terrorism.  This has the best chance for resulting in a peaceful middle east hopefully sometime in the not too distant future.

That’s it – if I think of anything else or if any of you have any suggestions for me – please let me know.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

 

1.  

 

My Prognostications for 2013

 

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

Let’s start with Canada:

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

     4 for 5 – 80%

The world:

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

1 for 1 – 100%

The US of A :

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

        3 for 5 with one neutral - - 60%

Ontario:

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

        0 for 3 – 0%

China:

1. will continue to outperform the west – check

       1 for 1 – 100%

Europe:

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

Middle East:

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

   2 for 2 – 100%

Russia: 

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

   2 for 2 – 100%

Iran:

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

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

   0 for 1 – 0%

Afghanistan:

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

   1 for 1 – 100%

Syria:

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

    0 For 1 – 0%

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

K. D. Galagher