A Few Miscellaneous Thoughts About Donald Trump's Candidacy

Boy is dear Hillary running scared ....in response to the ISIS attacks in the United States over the course of the last 48 hours.

Hillary called for an all out effort against ISIS.  To that point she - like her Boss - the little guy in the White House, has been loath to say who exactly was committing this Mayhem.

It was only recently - as you will recall, that they began even admitting that these acts were done by Terrorists. For most of their term they were calling these animals mere criminals.

Indeed, the Governor of New York's initial reaction was to state 'there is no evidence to assume these acts were committed by Terrorists'.  

To which I would have responded 'no evidence other than the fact that 10 out of 10 such attacks are committed by Muslim Extremists such as ISIS'

Democratic Governor Cuomo is apparently a very slow learner - thankfully, Hillary seems to becoming at last somewhat more aware. Do you think her conversion may have anything to do with the fact that she is in a tight race for President?

The Bottom-line in all of this has been and continues to be the fact that Muslim Extremists have Declared War on the West and until that registers with the Powers That Be ...we in the West will continue to flail at shadows.

All in all though the timing of these Terrorists attacks could not have come at a better time for Donald Trump ...watch his poll numbers continue to rise.

The Presidential Debates

Not surprisingly with the coming of September the American Electorate was able to focus on the 2 year extravaganza to elect their President.  And with that, Donald Trumps poll numbers began to compete with Hillary's.

Despite this and despite the timely affect of the ISIS attacks this weekend, the race for President is by no means over.

It will come down to who does better in the 3 Presidential Debates especially the first and most important is slated to occur on September 26/16.  This will be the most watch and critiqued of any debate in US History.  I can't wait for it.

I predict that whoever wins the most marbles on the 26th will be victorious in November.

As I see it.

'K.D. Galagher'

WHAT'S TO ENVY...

As in who in their right mind would wish to be a politician.

Take what is going on in the USA for instance....

Their every move is watch and their every utterance is parsed in hopes for a gaff.

By 'Their' I mean of course The Donald and The Hillary.

Donald Trump is not the dunce he is portrayed to be nor is Hillary the Crook she is thought by so many to be.

Day after Day, Month after Month their Presidential Campaign has been raging on - long flights, long hours and what do they get in return - abuse.  By the pundits, by the Press, by the Opposing Party and too often by Members of their Own Party.

You have to be a Masochist to get any joy out of this.

The only job I see worse is being a Royal and having to feign interest in inane ceremonies held across the Commonwealth supposedly in their Honour.  Plastic smiles anyone?

But it is not just the top politicos that get this treatment.

Recently our local Member of the Provincial Legislature (comparable to a State in the US) was chastised severely for telling a slightly off colour joke at an 'off the record gathering in support of a local charity).  Word has it that he was advised to lighten things with this joke by his wife.  I have known this chap for a long time and have never heard him so much as say 'damn'.

Anyway the poor guy lost all his Parliamentary responsibilities - was forced to take Politically Correct Sensitivity Training and then forced to apologize to his Political Colleagues.

I would have told the Party and its Leader to 'shove it'.

But this is the Politically Correct fishbowl our politicians are now living in.

A few years back a very senior Cabinet Minister in our National Government was forced to resign for jokingly saying he had a bomb on him.  He was wrong - dumb thing to say - but he was booted so fast from Cabinet ...  a little overkill is you ask me and just another example of fishbowl politics. 

So if you do not like the quality of our politicos these days ... this might just be one of the big reasons why.

As I see it...

'K.D. Galagher'

SOME THINGS DON'T MIX...

LIKE CARS AND BICYCLES.

Our city of slightly less than 1 million has had a rash of bicycle injuries and death of late ... indeed it seems that deaths of cyclists are occurring almost weekly.

This at a time when our city is going big on green (read more bikes, bike paths, bike lanes, more public transit) and of course ....less reliance on the dreaded automobile.

A 1 metre (mol 1 yard) rule was recently enacted by our Progressive Province which requires cars to be at least that distance from a cyclists when passing.  No such constraint is placed on the biker.  This despite the fact that in 10 times out of 10 when a car / truck collides with a bicyclist, it is the latter who sustains injury.

Just this past week a foreign student was tragically killed by a dump truck on one of our city's busiest downtown roads.  Cyclists are up in arms even though severe criminal charges were laid against the hapless truck driver.  

Note to irate cyclists ....It was an accident.  He was turning right and could not see the female cyclist in his blind spot. There was no criminal intent.

The road in question was only recently retooled to allow for bikes. As mentioned, it is one of our city's most busy ... and that is with cars.  But in their wisdom, City officials reduced driving lanes and replaced them with bike lanes.  Plus don't forget the 1 metre requirement.  (Lots of room for bikes - less so for cars).

Cyclists now say the work there was flawed ...new expensive studies are needed to determine once and for all how bikes and cars can coexist on the same pavement.  City officials are onside and promise that no amount of money will be spared in solving this problem.

Except dear Reader, the Problem of course cannot be solved.

Anytime a roadway is shared, the big guy ...aka the car / truck...is going to win out.

The other problem that tends to go under-mentioned is the fact that the cyclists themselves are in many cases terrible at adhering to the rules of the road.  They cut in and out of lanes, ignore traffic lights, and generally make a pest of themselves when in the presence of cars.

If auto drivers behaved like that - they would have had their licences suspended long ago.

Bicycles do not even have to be licences - nor do they pay the heavy gas taxes that car owners do.  

I am not opposed to bicyclists in fact I admire them for their ? to keep fit.  I just have trouble with the stupidity attached for them to get from A to B in the presence of cars.

So I try to come up with a solution in cases like this....Keep Bikes and Cars apart.

Brilliant n'est pas?

Okay - quite elementary but that is what is comes down to.  Build Bike Paths that do not come in contact with cars or a lesser fix...split sidewalks in 2 - one side for pedestrians and one side for bikers.

In the latter case it is true that some pedestrians will unfortunately be injured but I can guarantee you the number of fatalities will significantly decline.

As I see it...

'K.D. Galagher'

WHAT TO DO WITH KIM JONG-UN ...

Why put a cruise missile through his bedroom window of course.

This Jerk is on his way to obtaining the ability to successfully launch long range nuclear missiles.

The guy, like his father and grandfather before him, is certifiable...he fiddles with Nukes while his Countrymen Starve.

His weakness stems from the fact that his control over North Korea begins and ends with himself.  Take him out and his people are free.

That said, I am not one to usually condone State Sponsored Execution - save for in time of war - but in Kim's case I gladly make an exception. 

The Stakes are just too high as evidenced by this week's major underground nuclear test which even the dysfunctional UN Security Council was quick to unanimously condemned.

Even the usually passive President Obama allowed that he would never allow North Korea to become a Nuclear State which may strike some of us as odd since it already is.  (Supposedly he was referring to it getting long range capability).

But keep in mind that the little guy in the White House has been known to draw 'red lines in the sand' before only to then run and hide.

If the little guy had a smidgen of smarts he would take out this Terrorist for two reasons:  first, the Jong-un is universally hated so no one, not even the Chinese, would mourn his loss and second, his popularity at home would soar and would continue well into his presidential retirement.

So ...just maybe.

In our weekend newspaper appears a front page picture of Kim asking whether or not he is the most dangerous man in the world.

He's not of course - that title still rests with the leadership of Iran. With the help of the United States - with money and the green light to continue to build their nuclear arsenal - this is where the real danger lies as it has for many years gone by.

Maybe it is time to give the green light to the Israelis to get rid of that threat as well.....

But don't count on that happening any time soon.

In the meantime dearest Leader - don't sleep too soundly and keep one eye open to the bedroom window. 

As I see it...

'K.D. Galagher' 

Professional Columnists vs Us Amateurs

Let me be Quite Honest .... I have been Lazy of Late - Blame it on the End of One of the Most Glorious Summers that I can Ever Recall !!

But it is not just that - The News seems to be going in endless circles - Killings by ISIS and Their Ilk, the Never Ending Presidential Campaign etc etc.

Nothing is new anymore - same old, despite the fact the issues continue to be some of the most serious we've faced since the time of the Second World War.

For instance, on the US Presidential Election front - Trump continues to make stupid statements while each day's revelations regarding dear Hillary make it obvious the dear woman belongs behind bars.  That said, the Mafia Bosses were able to run their Empires while in Jail - so why couldn't Hillary run the Country from there as well?  If anyone could do it ...she could.

Us Amateurs have the luxury of taking a break from this 'same olde' ... the Pros do not.

Imagine having to be required to write weekly or even daily columns during this time of inertia.  Those poor devils.

They have to be the best self-motivators going.

So allow me to highlight those whom I believe are the best of the best both here at home and in America.

Andrew Coyne is by far and away the best here in Canada.  His ability to write and his insightful analysis is a pleasure to read.  His father, by way of interest, was the Governor of the Bank of Canada during Prime Minister John Diefenbaker's Government in the late 50s and early 60s.  Indeed the feud between these two luminaries was instrumental in bringing the Olde Chief down. 

Andrew is middle of the road and cannot easily be pegged as either Conservative nor Liberal which I believe is an essential attribute for a columnist to have. 

Our second best is Rex Murphy a Newfie, whose ability to manipulate the Queen's English is unparalleled.  The Guy is Hilariously but Yet Seriously Funny. 

At an earlier time, I would have added Journalist Chantal Hebert but over the course of the last several years she has retreated to her Quebec roots and now spouts analysis based on a parochial bias. 

That leads me nicely to the Best American Analyst ... Charles Krauthammer.  Krauthammer is a medical doctor, come psychiatrist come columnist / analyst who I find to be the Best of the Best. 

He rarely follows the crowded field of fellow pundits but follows his own insightful logic that seldom if ever fails to impress.  BTW, he obtained his medical degree after an accident which left him nearly quadriplegic.  The guy must have an IQ of 202.

But like our dear friend Chantal - he too has a human flaw - he despises Donald Trump ... no doubt rightfully since Trump turned his caustic tongue on Krauthammer in the latter part of last year.  

Accordingly, when Krauthammer comments on The Donald, his opinions are needlessly jaundiced for reasons that date back to the insult.

That said, he is still the Best out there - but he could be better - as Chantal Hebert could be better, if they left their personal prejudices aside in the interest of fair commentary.  

I would - if I could add a second pick from the American side - but none appear to warrant that selection. 

Maybe you have some suggestions and I would love to hear them.

Anyway - Summer is winding up and hopefully I will get back to some writing but am thankful that we have the Pros out there - day in and day out. They deserve whatever they are paid.

As I see it...

'K.D. Galagher'

TRADITION VS. ACCOMMODATION....FREEDOM VS. DISCRIMINATION

But first... Do you get the feeling that we in the West are becoming immune to the daily onslaught of killing and raping going on throughout the world - most notably, but not exclusively, in the Middle East and Africa.

Each day it seems the newspapers contain many articles documenting the atrocities carried out by ISIS - a 100 there, 50 here, 30 somewhere else. These stories have something in common - beside the fact that they relate to the Barbarism carried out by ISLAMIC Extremists - they all are buried deep in the paper itself. What should be front page stories no longer warrant that coverage because they have become so common place. 

It reminds me of the olde saying:  First they came for the Jews etc etc.

Now Back to today's Blog:

As a Democrat and a Libertarian I believe that wherever and whenever possible, accommodation be made to incorporate minorities.

Take for instance our own Royal Canadian Mounted Police decision this week to allow Female Muslims to wear Hijab as part of their uniform.

A similar decision was made by the RCMP 25 years ago when they decided to allow Sikhs to wear Turbans.

At that time, I was opposed to this for reason of Tradition.  The RCMP dates back to 1873 - 6 years after Confederation and although its distinctive Stetson was not officially adopted until 1903 - it was its unofficial head-dress for many years prior.

You cannot get much more Canadian Authentic than the RCMP Red Serge - with Stetson and Sam Brown Belt.

To  me - Tradition is so important because it binds past, present and future generations and to tamper with that can cause the unraveling of our Identity. 

That said, I am not opposed to the Force's recent decision in the case of the Hijab because the precedent has already been made in the case of the Turban.  

So if Tradition did not trump Accommodation in 1990 why should it be any different in 2016.

The other issue in the news of late relates to what has been dubbed the 'Burkina'.   And this relates to the second part of today's blog - Freedom vs. Discrimination.

Several parts of France have banned the Burkina from their beaches - preferring as it were - half naked women in bikinis to fully covered Muslim Women in Burkas.

Imagine.

My philosophy - as I believe everyone else's should be - if your activity does not interfere with the rights of others - do not interfere with it.

In other words in the case at hand - if you like swimming in a bikini - go for it and by the same token if you are more comfortable covering up - so to speak - that's okay too.

That does not mean there is no place for exceptions. For instance, I believe a teacher should not be clothed in a Niqab since it impairs the learning experience.  Same for giving testimony in court - it is imperative that the Judge and or Jury are able to determine credibility and that cannot be done properly when a person is masked. 

So there you have it - Traditions are important to societies and should, unless there are very good reasons to the contrary be maintained.  Freedom is even more important and should not be restricted unless the reasons for restricting it is self evident.

As I see it...

'K.D. Galagher'

To Keep The Peace And Be Of Good Behaviour...

Many Jurisdictions have provisions whether it is for Bail, or Parole or a Bond - to allow individuals to be at large on their promise to 'keep the peace and be of good behaviour'.

And it works ... so long as the individual is a person of peace.

It is not so effective for those like sociopathic husbands who kill their wives for reasons of control or jealously nor is it effective for Zealots such as Islamic Jihadists.

On average, 3 women are killed by their male partners each day. 

Do you think for one moment that their undertaking to keep the peace etc. makes one bit of difference in their decision to the kill their spouse?  Hardly.

But today I am focusing on the second group - the Raging Jihadists and the effect such undertakings are likely to have on them.

We in this country just witnessed a case this week where a 24 year old male blew himself up even though he was subject to a Peace Bond. The Bond had been issued because of his online support of all things ISIS.  

Due to the excellent undercover work of the FBI - our RCMP was able to intercept this Terrorist as he was setting out to detonate two bombs destined for a nearby metropolitan area.  The Police caught him as he was entering a cab at which time the young chap blew himself.  No doubt his last thoughts were of the 70 virgins awaiting his entry into the hereinafter. 

Sweet Dreams Chump.

• (We got lucky here - but from news reports around the world we know that too often that is unfortunately not the case). 

The issue that has emerged in our particular case is whether or not promises on the part of Jihadists to keep the peace .... is of any value.

And I think you will agree with me - that it is not.

The only way such promises will work is if the Police place themselves on 24 hr - 7 day watch of these disturbed and ruthless bozos but of course all that is lacking is the manpower and money to do it.

This takes me back to earlier Blogs I wrote where I provided the only solution....lock them up.

We are at War with ISIS and their ilk and in a war situation the only effective measure to stop 5th columnists is through confinement. Full Stop.

And how long should that confinement last?

Until the War has been Won !!

When I wrote this before I knew it was the only solution but I also knew that it was highly unlikely - in our Politically Correct World where bad is good and good bad - our wimpy politicians would ever deign to do this.

But the times dear Reader are a changing and more and more persons in authority are beginning to vocalize this very solution.

Sooner or later our anemic leaders will have to admit we are indeed at War with Islamic Terrorists and once that is done - the rest will follow.

Until then the domestic carnage will continue unabated.  

As I see it...

'K.D. Galagher'