BLACK DAY IN JULY

 

My apologies to Gordon Lightfoot who wrote and began singing this song in 1968 concerning the Black Race Riots in Detroit of the previous year.

Today his song would be simply be called …

                           DAY IN JULY.

The term ‘Black’ now being verboten.

I write this Blog in the aftermath of the shooting in Toronto where 23 people were shot and 2 killed by two black opposing gang members.

The Media would have you believe that these shootings were committed by a “certain ethnic group” living in “ghetto areas” and in “single parent families” (read single mother) - sadly this cowardly language is being used even by some of the commentators on Sun T.V. which prides itself on ‘calling it like it is’.

The Sun Lady I was watching did such a job of tying herself in knots - avoiding the use of the word ‘Black’ - I thought she was going to do serious injury to herself.

And do you know what else, at the end of her piece she declared that the cause of the shooting, as well as of the 3 or 4 other recent Toronto shootings, was the Weather. ‘It is just so hot these days …it brings out the worst in these gang members’.

Makes one sick to the stomach.

Even Ottawa’s CFRA morning call in host, who too has a bit of a reputation of telling it like it is, said today that he did not like it when ‘Colour’ was mentioned in regard to these shootings since he believed that to be “a non-issue”. 

Actually dear sir, it is the only issue.

And this in Ottawa where there have been 27 shootings already this year – that averages one per week and most committed by gangs with members originating from North Africa.

As an aside, the police came out to say they needed stricter handgun controls even though we have had very strict controls since the 1930s.  They also said – get this – gangs get 50% of their handguns smuggled in from the States and the other 50% are stolen from private collections here in Canada.  Merde de Torro.

A recent access to information request shows that less than 3% of handguns are stolen from collectors and that most of that 3% are stolen from police and military sources themselves. Even the police had to eventually acknowledge that their ‘50% assertion’ was merely a guesstimate. But it is much easier for the authorities – police & politicians, to blame guns, than it is to actually address the underlying problem.

And that is precisely why I believe race needs to be divulged in these cases.

It is the only way in which to begin protecting the Black Community who live in these ghettos; since it is they who are most often the victims of such gun and gang violence and it is they who live life in constant fear.  The two dead in Toronto were both Black – a young girl of 14 and a young man in his 20s; both innocent victims who were in the wrong place at the wrong time. 

So if there is racism attached to all of this – it is Society’s failure to get involved and take steps necessary to stamp out the problem.

And Dear Reader – it can be stamped out if there is the Collective Will.

So what to do:  First lock up the gang members.

We in Canada have the power now under the Criminal Code to lock up Gang Members for up to 14 years.  We need though, in the case of the Urban Gangs, to make it a mandatory 5 year sentence – not to a jail but to a reformatory where they can be taught the skills needed to integrate into society – skills that have alluded them all to date.

In the case of Toronto, the Police say they already know who the members of such gangs are and that  they total some 2,000.  Gather them all up and send them to an isolated area for Reform.  Teach them how to respect themselves and others and provide them with education and work skills.  It will be expensive and time consuming – but overall, Society and the Minority Societies in particular, will benefit greatly.

The second prong is to then go into the Minority Communities and work with the parents and their children to insure they get the life skills necessary to become contributing members of Society at Large.  With the Gangsters out of the Way – it will produce a Receptive Environment for this Message.  Again the costs will be high but not as high as the loss of such large numbers of people from contributing society. 

Plus, the bottom-line here is that it is the right and human thing to do.

This approach will in the end work – I have no doubt; but at the same time, I very much doubt that our Leaders will have either the foresight or the courage necessary to do it.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

 

TIMING IS EVERYTHING …

 

This just in: – earlier this evening Ambassador Horace Bullwinkle – our man in Topongo, was killed by a 25 foot crocodile while swimming in the Topongo River.  Details are few at this time…

Next Day: – we now have more on Ambassador Bullwinkle’s tragic passing, apparently he was with a non-swimming aide at the time of his death and the aide had seen the crocodile leave the river bank and head in the direction of where his Ambassador was swimming.

But folks this is where it gets interesting.  The Aide had along his trusty Blackberry and managed to fire off a message to Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird minutes before the attack actually occurred.

This leads to naturally to the question, ‘What Did Minister Baird Do When He Received The Pre-Attack Message?’  In other words, could Ambassador Bullwinkle have been saved if Baird had reacted more promptly?

We turn now to Opposition Leader Thomas Mulcair for comment:

“This is just another in a series of recent tragic events where senior Government officials have had knowledge of impending trouble and have blatantly failed to act quickly enough to resolve them”. 

“We are all aware that the Government knew about the shenanigans going on at the Iranian Embassy a week or two before it became public.  And then we have a senior official in Premier Clark’s bureaucracy being advised 2 or 3 hours in advance of a potential avalanche, and now this”.

“Clearly Our Senior Government Officials- from the Prime Minister down - are no longer in control”, blustered Mulcair.

In closing his piece, the announcer did allow that the Aide was asked why he had not dialled 411 to which he responded, “I thought of that, but knew they could not get there in time to save my Ambassador”

Of course.

As I see it …

‘K. D. Galagher’

 

Great Minds Think Alike …

 

Or Do They ?

This past weekend, while sitting under a sun umbrella trying to escape the oppressive heat, a family member casually mentioned to me that our Premier – the renowned Dalton McGuinty, deserved a lot of credit.  “How so” I naively asked?

‘Well we have gone through multiple plus 30 degree days recently and not one blackout nor even a brownout has occurred.’

“And why do you think that is” I responded?

‘It is due to Green Energy of course’. 

And with that statement, he and I were in total agreement – as we usually are on most of life’s great issues.

But as you can imagine dear reader, in this particular instance, we agree for diametrically opposed reasons.

He, like millions of others, has bought into McGuinty’s claim that Green Power has been one of his signature successes when, in actual fact, it has been an outright failure.

But that said, we have indeed been spared from power disruptions during this ongoing extended heat wave and it is indeed due in great measure to Green Energy. 

The money wasted on Green Energy and the meagre amount of energy it has produced – about 2% of the total - has resulted in skyrocketing energy costs.  Businesses have flown out of our Province in search of cheaper power jurisdictions.  For instance, with all the charges imposed on our monthly power bills, we are paying over .20 cents per k.w.h. whereas, just across the border in Quebec and New York, users pay about 6 cents per.  Triple the cost and rising.

Individuals too have changed their power usage habits – the poor – those on fixed incomes etc., are using less since it often comes down for them to using power or having enough to eat. 

As a result – power usage is way down in Ontario and we have Green Energy to thank for it.  Not because it has been such a spectacular success, rather, because it has been such a spectacular failure.

Today, we are using 15% less power than we did seven years ago despite the fact that our population has increased over that same period by about the same per centage.

Not all of the problem can be laid at the feet of Green Energy but a great deal of it can.  Seven years ago we were heading into Recession – so usage of power was bound to go down.  But what is surprising is that it has not recovered to those pre 2005 / 06 year levels.

If the Province had focused on supplying cheaper energy sources rather than spending .80 cents per kwh for Solar Power – think how much cheaper our power would be for us all – businesses and individuals alike.

So there you have it – Green Energy has kept our electricity usage down – has avoided the dreaded Blackout and we have dear Mr. McGuinty to thank for it.

The guy’s a genius.

As I see it ..

‘K.D. Galagher’

 

Another Day….

 

Another Editorial.

The other day I commented negatively on Marni Soupcoup’s editorial critical of the Tory’s recent initiative to stop innocent women coming into Canada to be enslaved into a life of stripping and prostitution.

It is now David Brooks’ turn.  Mr. Brooks, writing in the National Post, implores Americans ‘Not To Whine’ over Chief Justice’s John Roberts Jr. bizarre ruling giving the Court’s proponents a 5:4 victory for Obama’s Health Care Law.

Some background.

Last year, Obama passed universal health care which contained a very contentious clause compelling Americans to purchase health care coverage whether they wanted it our not.  Rather like forcing non-drivers to buy car insurance.

Not surprisingly, this did not sit well with many States, as well as individuals.  They viewed this particular measure unconstitutional since, to that point, citizens were deemed to be free from such an arbitrary demand on the part of their government.

There were a couple of other reasons why the majority of Americans did not and do not like the law, namely that with a $15 Trillion Dollar Debt, they believed their country could not afford it at this time and second, with universal health care would come a poorly functioning system such as we experience in Canada.

But let’s forget those two latter concerns and focus on the government’s attempt to force Americans to buy health care whether they want it our not. 

The President and his legal advisors relied upon the Commerce Clause in the Constitution to give them this power.  The majority of American Legal Scholars disagreed with Obama and said that this clause could not be used to make the purchase of health care obligatory and the Supreme Court was left to make a final determination.

In the lead-up to its decision, the smart money was  on the forced purchase of insurance being deemed unconstitutional for both legal and practical considerations.  Legal because this measure is truly unconstitutional and practically speaking, since the Court is divided 5 to 4 in favour of Conservative Thought.

And indeed the Court did rule 5 to 4 however it was in favour of Obama Care in all its aspects.

What happened?

Simply stated, Chief Justice John Roberts voted with the minority liberal element of the Court. 

A well known conservative, Roberts was appointed by the “evil conservative” George W. Bush.

But even Roberts could not find that the Commerce Clause enabled the Federal Government to legislate mandatory health insurance coverage.  He tapped danced around the issue by declaring in his Majority Judgment that what the Feds had really done was to enact a health care tax – when the Feds had not not argued this before his Court and to this day, vehemently deny that a tax was levied.

So what’s with John Roberts Jr. ?

To me he is a Sell-Out – a Pretend Conservative; a lover of Big Government.  And even worse from my perspective, a Non-Libertarian. 

But before I continue permit me to insert my usual disclaimer:

I am not opposed to the extension of health care coverage to those who cannot afford it, indeed I welcome it – but I would rather see the new health care law directed to include the 30 or so million disadvantaged Americans into the club rather than saddling the entire 330 million population with what will inevitably become inferior care.

Now to go on: there is another major reason why I am so disappointed with the Roberts’ decision.  It once again displays blatant judicial activism even though the Chief Justice tries to portray his decision as being most democratic.

Roberts states that it is not up to his Court to decide whether Obama Care is unconstitutional – it is up to the people and if they don’t believe in the Law – then their remedy is to vote Obama out in November’s Election.  Makes an American want to put his or her hand over their heart and pledge allegiance to the Flag.

But Roberts is wrong – dead wrong.  It is the Court’s duty to Rule on Constitutionality.  That is to say, to Interpret the Law – not to Make Law.  When he stated that the Commerce Law does not give the Government the Power to Force Health Care Purchase – he was correct and was fulfilling his Duty.  But when he goes on to say that this is simply a Tax – when he knows full well, as does everyone else, that it is not – he is Making Law – which is Beyond the Role of the Court.

The bottom-line here is that Judges are acting more and more like Politicians (Legislators) and, not surprisingly, are more and more being held in contempt.

As I see it ..

‘K.D. Galagher’

SHE KNOWS NOT OF WHAT SHE SPEAKS …

 

In today’s National Post, on the Front Page no less, appears a Column by one Marni Soupcoup entitled ‘Tories leave women more exposed’.

As I am about to explain, Ms. Soupcoup is talking about Strippers, so I do not know whether it is she or her Editor that came up with this most amusing title.  Not !

It does not matter though; the issue here is that Ms. Soupcoup is out to lunch, so to speak.

Now the story:

Jason Kenny, Canada’s most able Immigration Minister, came out earlier this week to denounce foreign workers – mostly women – being lured into Canada to work in the Sex Trade. He has promised to put a stop to this.

But Soupcoup sees only evil coming as a result of his initiative.  Let’s look at her own words -

The difference is now they (foreign strippers) will be forced to take a shady underground route that makes exploitation and trafficking much more likely to happen’.

On the face of it, she seems to make some sense, but let’s go behind the scenes and you decide for yourself who is correct.

At the outset, let me say I have some knowledge – indeed, extensive knowledge of this subject.  I personally know someone who worked for Immigration on this very topic. 

Beginning with the fall of the USSR, many young women were made vulnerable to solicitation on the part of unscrupulous elements in the West – Canada included.  Ads were placed for waitresses, dancers and the like but what really awaited them was stripping and prostitution.  The employers were often criminals and to a great extent biker gangs.

When these young women came to Canada expecting legitimate work, they found instead the above activities awaiting them.  Their passports were taken away, and if they protested, they were shot up with drugs.  And if they continued to protest – worse befell them.

They did not go to the police since in their countries of origin, the police could not be trusted.  They were and continue to be – on their own. 

So to go back to Soupcoup’s profound statement that the ‘exploitation of these women will now go underground’ – it begs the question - how so? 

Right now Canada willingly approves the entry of these poor souls – knowing full well their destiny.  Once Canada shuts that door, there will be no underground for them to access.

Unfortunately, I cannot say that this initiative will signal the end of these establishments but what I foresee happening is that these clubs will then try to attract local women who thankfully will be more knowledgeable about their rights and will not hesitate to involve the police.  As such, the working conditions can be expected to dramatically improve.

I also know that the days of sentencing these immigrant women to a life of sex slaves will now come to an end at least here in Canada.

Finally, Jason Kenny wondered out loud why someone before him had not moved on this important initiative.  I can tell Mr. Kenny that my good contact tried to do just that but the Bureaucracy would have none it – better not to rock the boat than protect the young and vulnerable. 

Another example of the real power resting with the Civil Service rather than with our Politicians. 

Now that you know the ‘rest of the story’ – you decide who has it right – Kenny or Soupcoup.

As I see it …

‘K.D. Galagher’

Andy Griffith Dead @ 86

 

It was with sadness and much nostalgia that I read yesterday of Andy Griffith’s passing.

The nostalgia though relates to a much younger Griffith since in recent years he had become an outspoken member of the Looney Left – constantly bashing all things Republican and not surprisingly, a great admirer of Barack Obama.

The Griffith I so fondly remember though is the ‘unarmed’ Sherriff of Mayberry, North Carolina - Andy Taylor, who along with his side-kick, Barney Fife, kept the peace in their one horse town.

We were all Mayberry’s back then in the 1960s – just like the real one – or should I say the Hollywood version, we all felt safe and secure.  Even those who lived in large cities came under the Mayberry Spell, since they grew up in their own little Mayberry neighbourhoods.

In addition to Andy and Barney, were Aunt Bee, Opie, Floyd, Gomer, Goober, Helen, Thelma, Otis (the town drunk), Howard and many more.  They all became honourable members of our own families.

They represented the times and those times were good.

I remember many of the shows today just as they appeared some 50+ years ago, but there is one in particular that is quite fitting for this Blog.

A stranger came into Mayberry one day and called all the folks he met them by their first names.  He knew all about each of them and he knew everything there was to know about Mayberry. They on the other-hand did not have any idea who he was.  Finally, Andy took the initiative and confronted this chap admitting to him that they did not have a sweet clue who the fellow was.  The guy then quickly apologized and admitted that this was his first visit to Mayberry and yes, he had never met any of the folks.  He had served overseas with Gomer, as I recall it, and Gomer had told him so many stories about Mayberry and the town’s people that he had simply come to believe he personally knew each and everyone of them.

I think we all identified with the Stranger – we too would have acted in this fashion had we been able to find this mythical place.

I will leave you with one other story I read about which I believe to be true.

In one episode, the storyline had ended with a few minutes to spare.  The Director suggested that Andy and Barney simply sit on Aunt Bee’s porch step and talk out the final minutes out bout nothing in particular.  The minutes were quickly used up but they continue to chat.  The crew then packed up and left the lot – leaving them talking and believing that neither was aware that the filming had ceased.

I like to thing of them now – sitting on that stoop talking about things of interest to them, such as an upcoming double date with Helen and Thelma Lou.  It brings me peace.

As I see it...

‘K.D. Galagher’

To Jaw Jaw ….

 

Is Preferable To War War

So said Winston Spencer Churchill in 1954.

And he knew a little bit about both.

There has been much wringing of hands of late concerning the sorry state of the United Nations…not only here in Canada – but in the United States as well.

As Canadians, we are still smarting from UN observer criticism of the “third world conditions” many of our natives are living in and the charge of “human rights abuses” against those spoiled little brat students in Quebec.

So is the UN dysfunctional? 

Of course it is.  One need only look at the Tyrant Leaders heading up or having membership on the UNHCR – the organization’s Human Rights Section.

And the recent appointment of Zimbabwe's Mugabe as the UN’s Tourist Ambassador – he, who is banned from visiting many of the world’s nations.  (I guess he will have to satisfy himself with brochures).

That does not even deal with the UN’s massive fraud and corruption nor does it include the Body’s complete failure to Keep the Peace around an ever more violent world.

Okay Galagher – ‘why hold on to this expensive charade’?

Because Churchill had it right – talking trumps fighting – most of the time.  There does come a time when action is needed but for the most part the need for action (war) can be averted / delayed through negotiations.

To do that you need to have a forum where these characters come together – and fortunately we have one – the same United Nations.  We also have 3 Countries on their Board of Directors with absolute veto power – the US, Britain and France.  Not a bad thing to have when dealing with the UN’s large number of corrupt and tyrannical member nations.

From my perspective then, if the UN did not exist – one would need to be formed, if for no other reason than to allow all the nations of the world to come together and sound off regardless of how bizarre some of their rantings may be.

The one thing countries like Canada must refrain from doing is putting up the lion’s share of the cash to fund this circus.  We need to be frugal in our offerings because we know that our donations will be misdirected and often wastefully spent.

Even though there is value in retaining a dysfunctional organization like the UN – that of course is not the whole answer.  We need a world organization that has greater merit than merely providing a place to talk.  We desperately need an Organization of Democratic States (ODS) which need I have touched on in earlier Blogs.

There are two primary reasons for this need:

First, to counterbalance the once again growing influence of the Dictatorships – China, the Middle East, Pakistan, and even Russia.

The second and perhaps of greater importance, is the need for a Body that actually makes decisions that will benefit all mankind.

In recent years the G 7-9 group of nations has been performing that function – but this group needs to be expanded and formalized.

It would contain an exclusive group of nations that not only promote Democracy but also the Rule of Law since you cannot have one without the other. That is why I would not allow Russia into the club – they purport to be Democratic but when it comes to the Rule of Law they are found lacking.

With strict adherence to that definition, the ODS would begin by being an Exclusive Club.  But over time, it would foster other nations – Associate Members -  in developing their institutions so that they too would one day qualify for full membership.  The Mugabe's of this world would be left to look in from the outside.

Everything we strive for – freedom, social rest, strong / vibrant businesses and a healthy environment, – would blossom and one day even China will welcome the opportunity to join the club.

 As I see it …

‘K.D. Galagher’