Yes Sir, No Sir, Three Bags Full Sir.

 

Meaning you are in the Army now and yours is to follow orders whether you are a Buck Private or a top General.

So that brings me to General Andrew Leslie and his infamous move from one Rockcliffe home to another smaller one…at taxpayers’ expense.

Many are up in arms (pun?) especially the Government in Power who see this as a blatant waste of money.

But I submit to you that this is not the main issue here.

That said, what I do find strange is that the person focused on – General Leslie (ret’d) – is a Liberal and not a Conservative since most of these types of stories relate to the latter…thanks to the left leaning media.  But in that I have digressed.

There are two other issues of more importance.

First relates to the policy itself:

The policy is designed to move military personnel once they retire – should the military person wish to move that is. When you and I think of this we think of some poor soldier based in Victoria whereas he grew up and joined the military in Halifax.  So the policy is designed to return this chap home after his military career comes to an end.

We do not think of this occurring in the same town – as in Leslie case, where he took his last move to move from one home to another home virtually down the street, at a cost of some $72 grand.

But Leslie, like many other in the military, had many moves throughout his career – indeed some 18 moves.  He had no choice in that since he was military and went where ordered.  And I submit he would have the same mindset re each of those 18 moves – that is to say, they were not a permanent move and that and the end of his days, he would make a decision as to where he wanted to live out his days.  Indeed his move, although just down the road, was a down size move to a smaller home more in keeping with retirement.

Ergo – if there is a problem here, it is with the policy – it was and continues to be the Government’s responsibility to reform it.  For instance, cut out ‘in town moves’,… if that is their wish.  (For me, I would leave it alone for my reasons given).

Therefore the fact that General Leslie and countless others followed the policy is really not the issue.

To me, the most important issue here is that this is just one more ‘got u’ moment.  Our politics, I submit, has sadly descended into this.  Politicians of all stripes and all media seem to relish in catching folks out in what I would call misdemeanours while the real issues go unresolved or are left to the Courts and / or to the Auditors General etc. to deal with. I have come to believe that this is just a ruse for them to ignore having to do anything of importance to the electorate.

To me this is what is transpiring with General Leslie  – another piddling issue to distract the masses.  When are we going to demand better from our leadership – be they Tory, Grit, Dippers, Green, White of Purple?

No wonder less and less get out to vote.  It is all the same old.

Switzerland makes great use of Referenda.  Maybe the time has come for us to do likewise and show Parliament, the Courts, the Quasi Courts, the Officers of Parliament…who really is in charge.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

 

What Would George Hees Have Done?

 

Arguably, the best Veteran Affairs’ Minister in Canadian History, the late Mr. Hees would have been truly dismayed to view the antics going on recently in regard to his beloved Department.

These antics culminated this past week in the closing of several their District Offices and the sorry confrontation between the current Veterans’ Affairs Minister Julian Fantino and a number of Second World War Veterans bedecked in their military campaign medals.

These were most certainly pathetic moments in the history of Veterans’ Affairs, especially regarding Fantino’s personal antics.

So it got me thinking, how would our old boss have handled things?

I believe the best way to determine this is to go back to the time in September 1984 when George Hees was appointed Minister.

That time mirrored those of today in the sense that Veterans then were also up in arms with then outgoing Liberal Government and things had gotten so bad, a Commission of Inquiry had been struck to look into their complaints.

The first official act of George Hees though was to shut down that Commission saying he did not need an expensive inquiry to tell him what is wrong with Veterans Affairs – ‘I know what needs to be done’ . And he went on to do it.

He contacted all of the veterans’ leadership.  As a decorated wounded World War 2 Vet, Hees had an immediate rapport with them and that soon translated into becoming their best friend in Government. 

As a former Grey Cup winner with the Toronto Argos, his approach was always a team approach and he employed that to win over …’depoliticize’ …his dealings with the Opposition Party Critics. ‘We are in this together’ he told them,  ‘our common objective is to do what is best for Canada’s Veterans’.

He then found ways to communicate directly with our Veterans telling them that they were the most special of Canadians in that they risked having their arms, legs and heads blown and that too often they suffered just that.

He then told Veterans Affairs Staff that they too were special and that next only to Canada’s Veterans, they were deserving of our thanks for the great work they were doing on behalf of their clients.

Hees also paid special attention to the various Parliamentary Committees both in the House and in the Senate ensuring that their respective memberships were fully briefed on what was happening at Veterans Affairs and more importantly, why.  He was ever open to their comments and suggestions telling them with a smile that he ‘was not above stealing and implementing good ideas’.

Long time observers of Veterans Affairs were heard to say in the early days of Hees’ Administration that he would lose interest.  But he did not; George Hees continued to push himself and his employees to achieve, in the end, what was considered an amazing turnaround.  At his final speech to the Royal Canadian Legion in 1988, he received numerous standing ovations in recognition of what he had done for Canada’s veterans in the space of 4 short years. 

That, dear reader, is what I know George Hees would do again today if he came back to life and was once again given the chance.

With that in mind, let’s overlay it on the issues affecting veterans today and let’s assume that George Hees was appointed Minister of Veterans Affairs at the beginning of this past week:

First, in regard to the ugly confrontation we witnessed this week between the old vets and the current Minister – here is how George Hees would have handled the same situation. (He would not have come an hour late to the meeting.  In fact as a former military man, Mr. Hees was punctual to a fault). He would have entered that room and would have gone over immediately to the War Veterans and placed his arm over their shoulders saying ‘you guys are all heros, thanks so much for coming to see me.  Now guys step into my office and let me know what I can do for you’. Full stop.

Second item of business, Hees would have Reversed the District Office Closures. Forgetting for a moment whether or not it was the right thing to do, the fact remains it was poorly implemented and done without proper consultation and for those reasons alone, he would have objected to it. 

Third, over and above retaining the District Office setup, he would have taken the extra step of insuring extra special service to our veterans of WW 11 and Korea on the understanding that these veterans, now averaging 90+ years should not be expected to seek out government offices – rather they would be entitled to visits by departmental counsellors in the comfort of their own homes.

Fourth, after first determining the Veterans’ Leadership positions on various issues of concern …especially in regard to the controversial new Veterans’ Charter, he would call a Round Table Discussion composed of the veterans’ leaders and Chaired by himself.  He would then follow this initial meeting by instituting regular semi-annual follow-ups.  Items such as the Veterans’ Charter would soon be controversial no more.

Fifth, regarding the issue of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder he would understand that this issue crossed both the departments of Veterans Affairs and DND and as such he would work toward establishing a Committee Co-Chaired by both Departments and composed of Membership from the Veterans Community as well as by Experts from the area of Mental Health.

He would ensure that this Committee held Regular Press Conferences to update the public and where the Mental Health Experts would act as Chair and committee members from the veterans community would be available to respond to any questions. PTSD would no longer be an issue of us versus them.

George Hees worked so hard to get the support of veterans; where has that devotion to duty gone today?

Some people become politicians, only a very few  were born to it, as in the case of the late and great George Harris Hees.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

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’