That And A ….

 

‘Warm Bucket Of Spit’.

So said, John Nance Garner, FDR’s VP, in describing his esteem for the Office of the Vice President of the United States.

So how does this relate to today’s topic of Quebec’s Independence?

Permit me to explain.

Much has been said lately about the trials and tribulations which would result should Quebecers actually vote to leave the Canadian Confederation.

Federalist point out with pride that our top court – the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) has ruled that Quebec can only begin negotiations to leave Canada after having voted to separate on a clear question and supported by a clear majority. 

That is to say – fuzzy wording, as appeared in the 1995 Referendum would not be allowed nor would a 50% plus 1 vote be deemed sufficient to go.

Given that current levels of support for separation in Quebec is at most 40%, the Supreme Court Ruling would seem to indicate that the Separatists will have little chance of successfully carrying out a split. 

Moreover, Federalists point to the Clarity Act which was passed in the days following the SSC judgment. The Act puts into legislation the salient provisions of the Court’s decision.

From my readings what this amounts to is as follows: a Referendum to be legal must have a clear question – i.e.  Do you wish to have Quebec separate from Canada and establish its own country? … Yes or No. 

If yes – a vote of at least 60% would be needed to satisfy the ‘clear majority’ requirement.

So tough stuff given that there remains in Quebec a sizable non-francophone presence which will vote nearly 100% to remain in Canada.

And there dear reader comes the Russia / Ukraine moment.

As my recent Blogs have so clearly indicated, there is nothing standing in the way of Russia taking over the Crimea and indeed all of Ukraine despite the international laws it is breaking.

If the West through NATO is not prepared to expend blood and treasure retaining Ukraine – and they are not, Russia is in the driver’s seat.  Yelling, screaming, and sanctions just won’t stop them.

Sadly, the same applies to Canada and Quebec.

If Canada is not prepared to send in the troops – and I do not see that happening since Canadians living outside of that province no longer care whether Quebec stays or goes. 

Ergo – like Russia – Quebec is in the driver’s seat.  It and it alone can decide what is sufficient to see their Province leave Confederation. 

I would even suggest that if Quebec held and received a majority vote for separation amongst francophones only – there would be nothing anyone outside of Quebec could do to prevent it.

So you can have all the Supreme Court Rulings and  many other laws such as the Clarity Act as you want, and they will not make one iota of difference in preventing Quebec separation.

In that light – such Rulings and Laws are but a warm bucket of spit.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

In For A Penny …

 

In For A Pound.

As in the Ukraine and Vlad Putin.

The West is in the process of slapping Vlad’s hand for taking the Crimea from the Ukraine.  And dear reader, it is not coming back – as I have pointed out in earlier blogs.

The issue now is what happens to the rest of the Ukraine and in that regard, nothing stands in Putin’s way from taking it all, save for the possibility of another hand slap.

So my question to you is – why would he not take   the whole enchilada?

Precisely.

Either way, the West will huff and puff and impose sanctions on Russia … as well as – are you ready for it … boot Vlad and his country out of the G-8. 

Makes one tremble.

But bear in mind that Putin is on record as saying the greatest geo-political mistake of the last 100 years is the breakup of the USSR.  He would like nothing better than to see it restored.

That being the case – pretend you are Vlad Putin – what would you do?

I am not sure of your answer but I know if I was he – I would take it all.  (just for the record – I am not he and hence would not take such action – but again – he is he and hence is most likely to entertain the thought … if you get my drift.

The West does not have to be such a milquetoast, it could step up to the plate and go to the brink of war to save the Ukraine – planes – ships and troops to flood the region. If it did that, Putin would back off.

But we in the West have already said we will not do that.

So what is left?

Surprisingly, there remains a step we could successfully take.

We (NATO) could put boots on the ground in the Rest of Ukraine – not to fight, since that will not be necessary – but rather to provide moral support to the beleaguered Ukrainian army.  In the face of this, Russia will not move further than where they currently are …i.e. the Crimea.

I proposed this action in a recent blog and since then Red Tory Hugh Segal has come to the same conclusion.  (This may be one of the rare occasions where Hugh Segal and I agree).

That said, there is no indication that NATO will take even this modest step.

Accordingly, whether or not the rest of the Ukraine stands or falls rests solely with the Vladster.

Embarrassing n’est pas?

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

Pierre Peladeau and I have something …

 

In Common … no, sadly, we are not both billionaires.

We Are Though Both Separatists.

If I was resident in Quebec, I too would vote for separation from Canada.

Canada and Quebec, since our history began, have been – as they say – like Chalk and Cheese.  We are simply too different, in too many ways.

Canada has the English common law while Quebec – the French Civil Law.

Canada is composed mainly of Anglophones while Quebec is composed mainly of Francophones.

Canada’s main language is English, while in Quebec, it is French.

Canada’s mother country in England, and for Quebec, France.

Basically what the two have in common is that they are uncommon to one another.

As an aside, my Grandfather emigrated to Canada at the turn of the last century from Scotland, and if I was living there now, I would be voting for separation from England in their upcoming Referendum.

I put a great deal of importance into history and how it effects our future and to ignore the former is to do so at the expense of the latter.

And speaking of history, Canadians have had to ignore their history since the 1960s and it is only latterly, with the rise of Stephen Harper, that an attempt has been made to reverse this.

But it is too little, too late.

So I’d vote along with PKP if and when a Referendum on Quebec Separation comes along.

So for the record, just who do we blame – if blame is the word – for this current state of affairs.

Why the Federalists of course.

Let’s take a quick look down memory lane:

Pearson refused to block Quebec’s blackmail of Newfoundland in regard to the Churchill Falls Power fiasco despite the fact that interprovincial transmission of power fell within federal responsibility and not provincial.

Trudeau introduced a new blackmail vehicle – the transfer payments - especially tailored for Quebec.  Today some $9 billion dollars go Quebec’s way each year for that alone. (No wonder they can disregard matters affecting their abysmal economy…the feds (other provinces) as always, are there to pick up the slack).

And over the years since – the Feds have given Quebec the authority to have its own transportation, pension and immigration systems.

Indeed with respect to the latter – much of their preoccupation today about heritage and laws to protect it, have be borne out of the fact that Quebec allowed thousands and thousands of immigrants from French Speaking Countries in Africa and from Haiti and now have seemingly come to regret it.

But there is more – health transfers and the like along with the transfer payments noted aboue, mean that Quebec receives over $20 Billion a year in subsidization from the Rest of Canada.

Even our current Prime Minister recently passed a motion in the House of Commons recognizing Quebec as its own State.

Hard to go back on that one.

So they are truly to blame for the current state within which we find ourselves.  That does not mean that a successful referendum is in the offing.

First, the PQ must win a majority vote in next month’s general election and I would put that happening at about 50%.

Then, assuming they get their majority, – they would have to convince 50% + 1 to vote for separation and with support for separation currently running at mid 30% – that would take some doing.

But don’t forget – separation is an emotional issue and polls especially those against separation can change rather quickly.

I would put it all at 50 – 50 – for this time – and please note - if not successful now – it will rear its head again at some future time – you can rest assured.

And in that case, I wonder what the Feds will offer Quebec?  Hard to imagine more than what they have already handed over but that said, there seems to be no limit to their generosity.

And imagine how generous that will be should we elect another Prime Minister from the once Belle Province.  

Throughout it all though, I will be routing for Quebec in the knowledge that this will be best for all concerned; things can only return to normal, once the knot is cut.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

 

Let’s Pretend …

 

That You and I and the next Guy are appointed to run a Royal Commission on the disappearance of Young Native Women.

At the outset, let me assure each of you that I am not belittling the issue whatsoever, I am though belittling the thinking that a Royal Commission would add anything to this sad issue.

I say this since many Indian Associations, as well as a number of left wing organizations from society generally, have put forward the notion that a Royal Commission would prove able to get to the root cause of the problem.

As an aside, and not surprisingly – one of these, the Tyendinaga Mohawk tribe, outside of Belleville Ontario – better known as ‘the Tribe which can never find a protest it does not support’, just again this past week blocked rail traffic through the busy Montreal / Toronto corridor.  Heroes all.

Plus the costs of such Commissions are not insignificant – for instance, the Royal Commission into the Liberal Sponsorship Scandal cost Taxpayers a cool $100 million dollars.

But all that aside – You and I and the Next Guy will form the Commission’s Membership – You be the Chair.

And, we will all must wear our Politically Correct hats.

So we begin with setting up our empire, hiring staff, renting and furnishing offices – travelling from one end of the country to the next, first class in both travel and in accommodations.

You get the idea.

Plus money is paid out in droves to Native Professional Lobbyists to enable them and their hangers on to attend the many cross country hearings.

So now let’s pre-empt things and pretend our work is done and that we have written and published our following recommendations:

First – and foremost, more money will have to be spent on native affairs.  (can’t you just imagine Attawapiskat Chief Theresa Spence pulling up in her cadillac escalade to help herself to some of the cash).

Second – more money will need to be spent on enhanced social programs – counselling and the like for young natives.

Third – more money will need to be spent on better education for native youth.

Fourth – Dedicated Police Resources must be allocated to this issue.  (this one might even makes some sense).

Fifth – Canada’s Criminal Code needs to have greater penalties for offences against natives and lesser penalties for natives who commit offences.

Sixth – sensitivity training needs to be funded and given to non-native society.

That’s it – indeed with these 6 recommendations we have just saved the Canadian Taxpayer from the $100 million cost of a Royal Commission.

The left wing crowd – i.e. those that attended all of the hearings will be ecstatic …at least till next time.

You and I and the Next Guy, take a bow and go for a drink.

Over drinks:

After several in fact – The ‘Next Guy’ opinions that we – our Commission – really has not addressed the root of the problem-

“You and I know, the root cause dates back 150 years when natives lost their culture – they have been on hold in their lives ever since.”

‘I’ then pipe in “especially those on the reserves – where most of the tragic cases originate, they have nothing profitable to do with their lives – drugs and alcohol abuse across generations – high school drop out rates – lack of self worth. No wonder their young women get involved in dangerous activities.”

 And then ‘You’ add, “what is really needed is to have the reserves disbanded, especially those in remote areas but imagine if we had actually said that in our report, we would have all been lynched”.

Royal Commission anyone?

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

 

 

The Crimea …. Let It Go.

 

This may surprise many of you but I think the best thing to do in regard to the present situation in Ukraine is to see the Crimea return to Russia.

It was Russian territory until transferred to the Ukraine in 1954 by then Russian Premier Nikita Khrushchev.

It provides Russia with its only year round Port.

70% of its population is Russian.

With the growing influence of Europe / NATO, Russia is understandably worried about western influence encroaching on its ever reduced sphere of influence.

The fact is, I feel a bit sorry for the once proud Bear…not though for its current henchman leader Vlad Putin.

Was Russia right in the way it invaded the Crimea?

No.

Is the Crimea worth the expenditure of the West’s treasure and blood?

No.

But what we need to focus on is the balance of the Ukraine – the real Ukraine.

Europe needs to bring Ukraine into the EU as soon as possible, as does NATO.

Russia needs to be told that if it has expansionist ideas, they end with the return of Crimea any further attempt at unilateral expansion needs to be stomped on.  Full Stop.

And Obama needs to proceed immediately with the missile shield it had originally planned for the protection of the former States of the USSR.

Having said the above, I know that there are many parallels with Hitler’s annexation of Czechoslovakia in 1938 and I can see much clearer now why the folks back then strove for peace in the face of Churchill’s demand for military action.

There is no doubt in my mind that Churchill was correct then, but those striving for peace were not so very wrong either and in the case of Crimea today, some 65 years later, the facts do not add up to drawing a line in the sand over it. 

Let Crimea Go.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

Build Up That Wall …

 

Apologies to the late Ronald Regan.

If I were a megalomaniacal, dictatorial Leader like say Vladimir Putin, I would walk into Ukraine and take it over and then plan my next victim, all in the knowledge that the West will do absolutely zilch to resist.

Putin believes that the capitulation of the USSR in the 1980s was one of the world’s greatest tragedies and he would like nothing better than to head up its re-establishment – walls and all.

In the face of this, Obama is a paper tiger, as I have pointed out since the beginning of his Presidency when he went out of his way to apologize to the Muslim World for the military actions of his home country.  All, despite the effort by the USA, to bring peace and protection to the free world.

His pandering continued until a much more glaring example of Obama’s ineptitude in the case of Syria and his continually drawn ‘Red Lines’ in the sand – allowing Syria to descend in a civil war hell which is ongoing today.

And now Ukraine.

Not only does Obama lack the stomach to do what is needed – comparable I believe to the Young Trudeau, he has also reduced the size of America’s Army to pre-WW 2 levels.

And this dear reader is for two main reasons – other than in regard to his lack of intestinal fortitude:  first, the States, as I continually point out, is flat dead broke; and second, even in the face of bankruptcy, Obama is committed to spending tens of trillions of dollars on ineffective social programs that only serve to make dependents out of more and more Americans.

In view of this, I have said the time has come for NATO and its member countries to pick up the slack and in that regard – it should move its troops into place beside Ukraine’s forces.  This would ensure that Putin would not advance beyond the Black Sea and in so doing would save most of Ukraine from the heel of the dictator.  We have the relatively recent example of when we failed to take such action – Germany invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1938.

NATO troops could stay in place until relieved by UN troops with the hope that Russia would eventually pull out its troops from Eastern Ukraine.  

You might well say that this latter scenario is most unlikely, and you would be correct – so NATO stays put for as long as it takes.

But do not hold your breath in anticipation that truth, honour etc will prevail. Europe needs Russian gas and oil and is most unlikely to rock the Russian boat.

So dear Mr. Putin, a clear field to you.  Can’t wait to see where your next wall goes up.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

THE INQUISITION.

Last evening I was the victim of a 5 member Inquisition Panel.

The event occurred at a friends’ party, a home where we have frequently been entertained over the past many years.

Two of the panel, a husband and wife, were known to me in passing, the other three I met for the first time last night…another couple and a single female - I will call the single female from here-on-in, as Madame Defarge of French Revolution fame.

My wife and I arrived at the Party at about 6 p.m.  and being on the introverted side, I headed for the living room where there were fewer people and the volume much less.

A fire was blazing in the hearth and two couches faced each other, one contained the 5 member panel, so I took the empty one facing them.

We talked pleasantries as one might expect whereupon Panel Member 3 directed the following question to me:

“I suppose you are a Harper supporter”.

No, I said, I like much of what he stands for and admit he is best of the lot but I have some issues with him so the word ‘supporter’ may be too strong.

Not to be deterred, she followed up with “well then, what do you think of his lack of support for the environment”?   All 10 eyes were upon me.

I could immediately see where this was going so jumped in:

“If you mean his lack of support for the CO2 nonsense, I am all for him.”

Why, you would have thought I just called them all liars and cheats, with Madame Defarge extending a scowl my way which would have withered an oak.

They then fired at my direction, saying it was proven science that CO2 causes Climate Change!

I countered by saying it was nothing of the sort and then reviewed the following history:

First, you guys warned that the ozone layer was disappearing and we’d all burn up from cosmic rays;

When that was proven false, you migrated to Global Cooling, we were all going to freeze in our beds;

With that was debunked you went on to Global Warming and again it came to nought.

And now Climate Change.

“And with that, I am in agreement … climate has been changing since the beginning of time”.

Not to be deterred, they fought back, so you do not see Climate Change originating from the actions of man?

Not particularly, I responded.

You could see their collective blood pressures rise.

I went on, “I am more concerned with pollution generally … in our water, our air and in the food we eat – have you seen the smog affecting the big cities of China – that is not CO2 per se – it is ash, soot, dirt, and a cocktail of chemicals ---that’s what really needs to be cleaned up”.

“To spend $trillions on a colourless, odourless gas seems to be a monumental waste of money – money which could better spent elsewhere”.

They looked at each other in utter disbelief.  Madame Defarge retained her glare.

Then Panel number 1 spoke up.  “You will though, have to agree with us that Monsanto controls the world’s governments”.  Full Stop.

I thought to myself what in the heck does Monsanto have to do with Climate Change but took it in stride and said, “that may be a slight exaggeration”.

Panel member number 1 went on..”don’t tell us that you are not aware of the fact that there are mass protests against Monsanto on a daily basis around the world?”

I allowed that I was not aware of such – and queried where today’s demonstration had occurred. Number 1 was silent.  Or for that matter, where did one occur within the last week.  More silence.

I told number 1 that I read 3 newspapers per day and listen to the daily news and for the life of me, could not recall a Monsanto protest within the last year. Could he?

More silence.  At that point, panel member number 1 got up and left the room never to return.

Panel Member Number 4 then entered the fray…”Then I suppose you are not aware of what Monsanto did in India?”

Visions of dead people lying in the streets ran through my mind – stricken by genetically modified carrots.  But in for a penny …”No I am not aware of this, what happened?”

Well the farmers in India were having trouble with their crop productivity and invited Monsanto to provide them with GM seeds. 

“So what happened”, I asked, fearing the worse.

“They had bumper crops”.

Bumper Crops?

Yeah, bumper crops.

And that’s bad?

Well no, but the following year Monsanto made the farmers buy their seeds from them again.

And that’s, wrong?

Of course it is, the farmers should have been able to keep their left-over seeds and grow them themselves.

What about all the Research and Development that Monsanto put in to its seed development?  Should it not get a decent return on its investment?

Where were these folks from …Mars?

So let me get this straight, farmers in India were having trouble growing their crops, Monsanto sold them seeds which gave them an abundance and then wanted the farmers to buy seeds from them in the future i.e. from the profits realized on the sale of their produce.

Is that not what Capitalism is all about?

Apparently not for this crew.

This had gone on for over an hour at which point Anne came in to the room – Anne being more extroverted than me and said she had heard I was causing all sorts of trouble. 

The Inquisition was over.

On the way home I said, you know Anne, that was fun, let’s go to that party again next year.

I then chuckled, why I even called Panel Member Number 4 the ‘Chief Flat Head’.

You did what?

It was only after he led off his first question by calling my the ‘Head Flat Earther’.

Oh well, in that case you did the right thing.

I just smiled.

People can be funny.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’