Another Missing Native Girl…

 

And this time the system is behind it.

The young girl I am speaking about is of course 11 year old Makayla Sault a member of the New Credit First Nations of Ontario.

Little Makayla died yesterday of leukemia.

She need not have and there is much blame to go around.

Last year, her parents successfully challenged the Children’s Aid in the Society’s in its attempt to keep Makayla on chemotherapy, which her doctors said would save her life.

I am not going to criticize Makayla’s parents here since they have suffered enough with the loss of their child.

I do think the Children’s Aid Society did not try hard enough to get this little girl the proper medical help she needed but I save my main criticism for the Judge who inexplicably allowed Makayla to reject further treatment.

The Judge we are talking about is Ontario Justice Gethin Edward, himself an aboriginal.

He sided with the family wishes to see their youngster receive “traditional native medical treatment” in place of the tried and true chemo.

Most bizarrely, this traditional medical treatment turned out come from some hockus pokus white man’s clip joint in the southern USA.

Traditional Native Medicine be damned.

When this case first came up last year, I said then, in one of my Blogs, that the Judge would have to live with his faulty decision for the rest of his life.

The time has now come and I hope it rests heavily on his shoulders.

His decision undercuts once again the claim by - Native Leadership that they know what is best for their Band Members.

There is a serious disconnect here and sadly little Makalya Sault has just paid the ultimate price for it.

As I see it …

‘K.D. Galagher’

 

The War Against Christmas has …

 

Finally been won.

So say the pundits.

Even I noticed - on those rare occasions when I ventured out Christmas shopping - that clerks and other shoppers seem to go out of their way to wish everyone within earshot – a “very merry Christmas”.

In past years, the phrase ‘Happy Holidays’ was much more prevalent.

But just to confirm this great victory over political correctness, I checked with ‘very close friends’ to see what type of Christmas card receipts they received this past December.

These ‘very close friends; had received 35 Christmas cards – much reduced from years gone by – but with postal rates peaking at a buck a card, one can understand that volumes are down.  

Of the 35 cards 25 mentioned the word ‘Christmas’.  Sorry, rather, 25 mentioned ‘Seasons Greetings’. (I guess by ‘Seasons Greetings’ these 25 cards are referring to the Winter Season so can we expect a similar offering for Spring, Summer and again in Fall?” )

Four (4) mentioned Christmas but did not deal with its significance.

Six (6) could be considered religious in nature but only 3 of those included an actual religious picture and only one of those portrayed a traditional Christmas scene – baby Jesus with mother Mary.

So maybe – just maybe, the war against Christmas has not been won.

In fairness to those who sent cards – I found it virtually impossible to find traditional Christmas cards for sale. 

So although the vendors have now instructed their staff to ‘Merry Christmas” away – their products remain just as politically correct as ever.

The War against Christmas continues and we as Christians need to demand that Christmas be put back into our Cards as we did with Christmas Greetings at the cash.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

To Call or not to Call… that is the issue

 

Will Prime Minister Harper await the statutory election date in October or go as early as this Spring?

And that dear reader, is the question.

I mentioned in my recent New Year’s Blog that I thought he would go to the polls this March and I have believed this ever since the trial date for Mike Duffy was set for this coming April.

Most pundits still predict an October vote but I find it interesting that of late, a number such as John Ivison – now tend to agree with me.

There have been a number of recent signals for an early election including the dumping of Julian Fantino as Minister of Veterans Affairs.  But I can tell you what will really seal the deal is when Harper fills the 17 vacancies in the Senate. 

If there is to be a March election, these appointments will have to happen soon and I predict it will occur just after the introduction of the Tories Spring Budget which the Minister of Finance just stated will come down in April but I believe it is more likely to occur next month – in early February.

With the dropping price of oil and its threat to the Tories’ balanced budget, I cannot see Harper delaying the general election until the Fall.  The longer he holds off, the worse the economic news is likely to be.

But the real reason I see for an early vote goes right back to the Mike Duffy Trial.

I said when this issue first arose that never in Canadian Politics has so much rested on the antics of one ambitious and ethically challenged individual .. the Duffster.

But to me the truth of the matter is that Harper had to have known about the $90,000 payment from his Chief of Staff – Nigel Wright – to Duffy and yet he not only denied such – he threw his loyal aide under the Bus.

Many behind the scenes have to know this and I cannot see Wright going under oath and claiming otherwise.

What then becomes of Harper?

Probably a resignation since he certainly would not want to go to the polls in October under such a cloud.

Hence my belief that if Harper truly wants to remain as Prime Minister – his only hope is to get the vote done before the trial starts.

I do not relish in any of this since I truly believe that Harper has been the best Prime Minister in many, many years… perhaps the best ever.

He has been able to at least partially meet the needs of Canada’s diverse regions and peoples. Former Prime Ministers have tried – often successfully - to play one region or one set of peoples against the others. 

Harper is what you see - you get and does not appear to have favourites albeit he rightfully hues to the centre right but even for me he is sometimes too ready to lean left.  Another example of having something for everyone.

But Canada is a difficult country to run and he has run it better than most.

I hope that he goes for the March Vote and that he wins it since we will be poorer without him despite his great mis-step in the Duffy Affair.

If the Grits bitch, as they will – one need only remind them that Jean Chretien swore up and down that he never said he would ‘scrap the hated GST’ despite the fact that time and again during that election he did just that.

Whether I am right or wrong – it will be an interesting year in the life of Canadian Politics – as it more than not is.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

 

2015 Predictions / Possibilities Part 2

 

Okay, so for this year, much of the world will continue on its journey to hell in a hand-basket.

That is not a prediction as much as it is a statement of fact.

The other night, I was watching Peter Mansbridge and a CBC panel dealing with countries / areas at risk for this coming year and the number identified was simply staggering.  Indeed, there appears to be more at risk than those like Canada which enter the year in fairly good shape.

All I can say is thank God we live here.  We are most blessed.

So let’s now look at what is specifically likely to happen this year in reverse order to my list in Part 1.

Ottawa

The election is over so not too many entrails to paw over.

Gang Shootings are the big issue though – nearly 1 per week – an all time high last year and likely to continue for 2015.

The Police say that if only they assign more officers to their guns and gang unit – the problem will lessen but as one distinguished defence lawyer said – to double down on what has not worked in the past will only insure continued failure in the future and he is correct.

So I predict the problem will persist.  I do have a suggestion for the City and the Police on how they should really be dealing with Gangs, guns et al and that will be the subject of one of my very next blogs.

Ontario

Again the election has passed so little to comment on.

And no doubt you are getting tired of my saying this is Ontario’s worst government in history but sadly I truly believe it and thus nothing of substance will likely improve in 2015.  Again not a prediction but a statement of fact.

One of the only predictions I will make is in regard to May’s Tory Leadership Vote – Christine Elliott will win but she would not be my pick.  With Elliott in place, Ontario will have 2 liberal parties – the Tories and the NDP and one NDP Party – aka the Liberals.

I think the group of candidates is wanting but my choice from this meagre list would be Monte McNaughton if for no other reason than he is the only candidate of the 5 or 6 to come out strongly against Wynne’s pornographic sex education plan for our young public schoolers.

The Tories should have used this time to lick their wounds – give the Grits a chance to self destroy and beat the bushes for some really good candidates – John Baird anyone?

The only other prediction I will make in regard to Ontario is with respect to our economy.  With the drop in oil and the drop in our dollar – economic activity will pick up – (it cannot get any lower given the Grits’ devastating policies that have caused business to flee the Province). It will not though be as robust as it should otherwise be and it will not enable the province to escape its ‘have-not’ status.

Canada

The big news here will be the upcoming Election.

I believe Harper will call it before the Duffy Trial this coming April.

If he does not call it and awaits the statutory date in October I think there is a very good chance Harper will not even be at the helm then.  I will explain in a moment.

By all accounts given that two-thirds of Ontarians lean to the left, Harper et al should have no chance of forming the next government.  That said, I predict he will win and by a slight majority.  I say this because neither the Dippers nor the Liberals have staked out policies that resonate with the voters and this coupled with my prediction of a March election should be enough to carry the Tories to victory. 

If the election is in the Fall, the dirt that comes out of the Duffy trial will plaster the Prime Minister and he will be lucky to personally survive let alone win an election.  I say that because I believe he mislead the public by saying he had no idea that his Chief of Staff paid out $90k to Duffy and if he did, it will all come out at the trial.

The Keystone Pipeline will not get the okay from the little man’s in the white house.  Congress will need a two thirds vote to over-ride his veto and the chances of this happening over the course of this new year are about 50/50 and accordingly does not count as a prediction.

Oil will rebound this year – it cannot get much lower.

The Feds will have to slash even more in staffing and programs to keep its budget balanced – many because of the lost oil revenue.

Harper will use his about to be introduced Bill to fight terrorism as an excuse to go the public early – i.e. an Election in March.

The World

Russia – Putin is wounded – e.g. falling oil prices is causing havoc to the Russian economy and thus he is more dangerous than ever.  That said, I think 2015 will see Russia withdraw back into its borders primarily because NATO has shown at last that it is  prepared to stand and fight him.

ISIS – too will continue to decline (but by no means disappear) in importance throughout the middle east - again because the West has called its bluff especially with its very successful air campaign.

The EBOLA scourge will finally come under control as Western Countries like Canada send the needed resources to fight it.

Greece will leave the EU with Germany’s blessings.

Iran will not be stopped in its ongoing efforts to develop and establish a delivery system for the Atomic Bomb.

Israel -  Netanyahu will win this coming March’s election.  His popularity is being given a big boost by the region’s terrorists. 

Israel will sadly not though launch an attack against Iran despite Obama’s continued dithering.

UK – Cameron will win the May 17 General Election.  Like Netanyahu – he is being helped by the greater aggression on the part of terrorists.

So that’s it – otherwise 2015 will be business as usual – terrorists will continue to terrorize – innocents suffer, the USA will dither, China bully, the world’s economies will languish although cheaper oil will help somewhat.

2015 will be a replay of last year.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

 

My 2015 Prognostications …

 

As I mentioned earlier, I will come at this differently from previous years – more along what are the possibilities and less on concrete predictions.

But first I would like to set the stage by reviewing how things are continuing to go in the international, national, provincial, and municipal spheres which sadly are more or less the same as the way they were in 2014:

1. International

Iran remains the world’s number one issue as the US continues to diddle around, making no significant attempt to force Iran to roll back its atomic program.  When Iran is able to ‘deliver’ its bombs all bets are off for peace in our time.

Russia will continue to threaten the former USSR nations.  With the drop in Oil / the Ruble, Putin is a wounded bear and is more dangerous than ever.

ISSIS will remain the beasts they are throughout Iraq and Syria.

Terrorists will continue to stalk the jungles of Africa preying on the innocent – mostly girls and young women.

The fires of the Middle East will continue to burn brightly.

Europe will continue to struggle economically.

The US will continue to be led by its most inept President in its history and since he cannot seek re-election – he is at his most dangerous.

Another $ Trillion will be added to the US debt.  The Government is on life lines.

Black militancy will continue to threaten.

International foes will continue to not fear the States and friends will continue to realize that they can no longer depend on America as it once did.

2.  National

Canada will face an election this year which at this point will likely end in minority government.

The plunge in the value of oil will severely dampen the economies of Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia and as such will put pressure on Canada’s ability to balance its budget.  It will also put a strain on the equalization program.

We will continue to be involved militarily throughout Eastern Europe and the Middle East.

Pipeline construction will continue to idle.

3.  Ontario

Will continue to be governed by the worst government in its history – the McGuinty / Wynne Regime.

Our debt will continue to rise with no balancing of the budget in sight.

Public Service Unions will finally start to be told ‘no’ or perhaps ‘maybe’ but it will be at the margins and will have little effect on the ill state of the Province’s finances.

Green Energy will continue to get the green light despite the fact that our Auditor General just told us that since the Grits came to power, Ontarians have paid $50 Billion more for hydro than we should have.

Our Health and Education Systems will continue in decline.

4.   Municipal

Ottawa will continue to spend too much on its operations, too much of it is wasted on too many expensive employees and too many pet projects not aligned with the city’s core service responsibilities.

The biggest issue in that regard is with respect to garbage collection as residents continue to be subjected to only twice monthly pick up of real garbage.

Gang Shootings which reached a record level last year, will continue unabated.

The above are not predictions as much as they are just statements of fact - that is to say it is just a rehash of how things were last year and will continue to be in 2015. It takes no genius to identify them.

My next Blog will though contain some predictions and some possibilities …. Stay Tuned.

As I see it …

‘K.D. Galagher’

I Am Into New Year’s Predictions ….

 

NOT RESOLUTIONS

But before I deal with some Predictions for the coming year I do want to deal with the most popular New Year’s Resolution this year and in years past and that pertains to dieting / losing weight.

And I have the diet or should I say ‘non-diet’ for you.

I have my daughter Natalie to thank for the information I am about to impart and she in turn, I know, would thank Dr. Yoni Freedhoff founder and Medical Director of Ottawa’s Bariatric Medical Institute.

Dr. Freedhoff is also the author of the much read and applied book The Diet Fix.

If Natalie was writing this blog she would quite rightly go into heaps of explanation and background on what Freedhoff’s method is but since I am a bottom-line type of guy … I will keep it very simple for you.

In essence it is all about counting calories.

I can hear you now – hey Galagher isn’t that what most diets are all about?

And they are, but the truth of the matter is – if you take in more calories than your body needs, you will gain weight. Full stop.

But counting calories is where the similarity ends.  And you do not have to exercise!

So here are the 5 Steps:

1.  Figure our how many calories your body needs per day – data for this can be found on the internet.  For me it is 2,000 per day –  For a woman it would be around 1,500.

2.  Subject to step 5 – try not exceed your daily allotment.* 

3.   Break up your eating into breakfast (350 cal); mid morning snack (200 cal); lunch (450 cal); mid afternoon snack (200 cal); and supper (800 cal). (note if female, reduce these numbers by 25%).

4.  Try to include protein with each snack / meal.  Protein keeps you satisfied and that, with the numerous food breaks, keeps you from craving more than your daily allotment.  For instance, for a break you could have a protein bar many of which have 200 or even less calories.**

5.   If at the end of a day you have ‘blown it’ ***– simply dust yourself off and begin anew the next morning.  I find that any weight you gained will come flying off.

Notes:

* When I say have whatever you want – that’s true but realize your body needs its fair share of fruits and vegetables many of which are low in calories anyway.  

** I am now aware of how many calories are in the foods I eat – and give as an example my shopping for hamburgers – regular PC hamburgers each have 400 calories while its ‘blue box’ hamburgers have but 200 calories and taste better !  Yogurt has much less calories than regular ice-cream and so on.

*** Eat what you want regardless of how many calories but just be aware of how many calories you are consuming.  That knowledge itself, along with the frequent number of meals / snacks will lead you to the promised land.

I would normally end with saying Good Luck to you – but you won’t need it. 

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

 

 

My Predictions for this Past Year–2014

 

 

Lead in -

I have marked after each prediction three possible results in bold italics– a) check (ck) which means I am okay with what I predicted; b) blew it (b-i) which means I goofed; and c) explanation (ex) where I see my prediction as being neither correct nor wrong. 

So here goes -

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.  CK
2. China, as its financial power continues to grow will continue to flex its military muscle but will avoid war for foreseeable future. CK
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.  CK
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. CK (gold was $1,225 an ounce on Jan.1/14 and closed this year at $1,200)
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.   B-i

The United States -

1. Obama’s approval rating now in the mid 40s will continue to decline. CK – it is now in the 30s
2. The Republicans will gain control of both the House and Senate in November’s Election. CK
3. The US debt now $17.3 Trillion will exceed $18 Trillion by year’s end. CK – it is now 18,048,085,863,422.40 and by the time the little man leaves the White House it will be well passed $20 Billion.  Something for the children and grandchildren to deal with.
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). CK annual increase for 2014 was 2.7% although by year’s end it was starting to move higher.
5. Interest rates will continue to rise over 2014. B-i – they did not rise but if anything dropped slightly from 2013.
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.  CK

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).  B-i – it most certainly declined and it looks like it has room to go down further as we head into this new year.
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. CK
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. CK
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. EX – the senate scandal is still live as we await the AG’s audit on this most austere assembly.  Plus it will have an effect on this year’s election with the coming trial in April of the Duffster. Plus I suspect, unlike most other pundits that Harper will go to the polls in March to avoid the April trial.
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. CK –and not surprisingly the SCC said changes to the Senate would require the support of the Provinces so it looks like we are stuck with it for some time to come.
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. CK and as we leave this past year – Tory fortunes are on the rise in part to these issues.
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.  CK – but if, as I suspect, it comes out in the Duffy trial that Harper knew about Nigel Wright’s agreement with Duffy in advance – he will be forced to resigned assuming he does not go to the polls in March of course.
8. The Tories will balance the budget by the end of this year as well.  CK
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. CK – although it was much watered down.

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.

          There will be an election this year and the likelihood is that it will occur in the Spring.

1. 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. B-i
2. 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). EX – I was correct that Ford did not win – but of course I had no idea he would contract cancer – but even had he not withdrawn I believe now that Tory would have beaten him.  What I failed to see and hence the EX designation is the fact that the Ford saga continued to have legs.

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. CK

Russia -

1. There will be no terrorists attacks at next month’s Sochi Games.  Security will just be too tight. CK
2. Putin has consolidated his power over 2013 and thus is well positioned to continue with his dictatorial ways over 2014 and likely beyond. CK
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. EX – Russia continues to upstage the US and I do believe its days of Super Power status are over but it is making a strong attempt to regain its glory days of the USSR.  In that they will fail but much damage can result in the process.
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.  CK

China -

1. It will continue to grow economically by leaps and bounds and will continue to beef up its military capacity. CK
2. It will not seriously engage in military action. CK – it is threatening to do so but has not yet engaged in doing so.

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. CK

The Middle East -

1. The chaos that is the middle east will continue unabated. CK
2. Afghanistan will a) see the Taliban’s continue  retake this poor nation CK and b) America will fashion a last minute deal to keep its troops there for at least another year. B-i – the Yanks for all intents and purposes have pulled out.  Whether or not the Taliban is ultimately successful in retaking all of the country will depend on Pakistan.
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. CK
4. Israel – a) is surrounded by Muslim Countries on fire and the fallout is encroaching upon their territory. Things will only worsen over 2014. CK  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. EX – the US and Iran have extended their ill fated negotiation so things have just moved into 2015.  It does not look very promising.  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. CK
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. CK – NATO has finally intervened but it is difficult to know exactly whose side it is on.
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. CK

Overall I am quite happy with the outcomes of this past year’s predictions and certainly believe they were better than the ones I had for 2013.

I will do something for 2015 but I am going to take a different approach.

Before closing I would like to just make some general comments in regard to this upcoming year.

First, the Middle East will continue to burn.  Russia will continue to threaten their former members and the threat will rise now that Putin’s leadership is threatened by falling oil prices.

The Little Man in the White House – will continue to reign as the worst president in American history and will be even more dangerous given that he is not restricted by needing to be re-elected.

Closer to home – the Wynne Government – the worst in Ontario History will not disappoint as they continue to make our Province the basket case of Confederation. 

And on the national scene – it is too early to tell how the votes will fall out in this year’s upcoming election.  All that we know now is that both the Tories and the Grits are competitive and the Dippers appear to be on a downward trend – but as they say – a week is a long time in politics making 10 months a life time.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’