MECCA

The non-religious definition of which is as follows:

• a place that attracts people of a particular group or with a particular interest
  
  

In that light, our country is a Mecca for Islamic Terrorists.

Non-Canadian Readers will find it hard to believe what I am about to tell you.

The going rate here in Canada for a confessed Islamic Terrorist is Ten Million Dollars.  This is what our country paid to Omar Khadr who confessed to killing an American Medic and Blinding one of his Comrades in a firefight in Afghanistan.

Why so you might well ask?

A Canadian Judge ruled that Canada marginally participated in an illegal interrogation of Khadr when he was a prisoner at Quantomino Bay in Cuba. It was enough though to warrant our Government to shower largess upon this Terrorist Killer.

Other similar big payouts have occurred here based upon equally suspect reasoning.

Too bad some of those windfalls did not reach the hands of those Allied Soldiers who were injured or to the families of those who lost love-ones at the hands of these inhuman jihadists.

But things are not getting better.  With the collapse of the ISIS Caliphate their fighters are like rats leave the sinking ship...so to speak and are returning to their native lands.

Including Canada.

Where we should be arresting them and keeping them from harming our citizenry, Canada welcomes them with open loving arms ...offering them rehabilitation and substantive living benefits.

But this does not surprise us Canadians since our soft on terrorists Prime Minister had the gall to chastise the previous Conservative Government for referring to Female Genital Mutilation as being a Barbarous Act...at that time he cold -heartily proclaimed that such language "did not convey responsible neutrality".

As you enter New York Harbour you find the Statute of Liberty which contains the famous quotation by Emma Lazarus:

“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed, to me."

The following could well be posted for the ISIS Returnees to Canada:

"Give us your ISIS baby killers, their rapists and their choppers off of heads, and we'll welcome them with open arms and most generous hospitality".

Only in Canada ....Pity.

As I see it...


'K.D. Galagher'

IS CHINA A WORTHY FREE TRADE PARTNER ?

JUST INCLUDING THE NAME CHINA IN A HEADLINE ENSURES THAT THAT COUNTRY BECOMES A MAJOR COUNTRY OF ORIGIN FOR MY BLOG'S READERSHIP.

IT IS ALWAYS GOOD FOR MY NUMBERS WHICH RECENTLY SURPASSED 120,000.

NOW BACK TO TODAY'S TOPIC.

No Group of Seven Nation has entered into a Free Trade Agreement with China though our country's Leader, Young Justin Trudeau made an unsuccessful attempt to do so this past week.

In fact, YT was sent home packing by Chinese President Xi King-pin with his proverbial tail between his legs.

What did the Young-un do to attract such a negative reaction from Xi...why he insisted that if a Free Trade Agreement was to be agreed upon between Canada and China, a host of Human Rights Provisions would have to be included.  

Trudeau was right to have tried to obtain an Agreement with China or with any other country for that matter since it leads to better products at cheaper prices and a general rise in employment in the Exporter and Importer Country alike.  This is especially vital to us since 85 % of our  Export Trade is with the United States and that country, under The Donald, is retreating into isolation. 

So we here in Canada desperately need to branch out and seek other world markets.

So it defies logic that Trudeau would attempt to add matters related to Human Rights when he knew or ought to have known that his demands would doom any such Free Trade Agreement with China  to failure.  YT did the same thing earlier this year at the launch of Free Trade Renewal between Canada, the United States and Mexico and not surprisingly, those talks are going very poorly.

This Fall, he inexplicably snubbed the Trans Pacific Free Trade Negotiations.  He is making Trump look like a piker when it comes to seeking isolation for his country.


Maybe this is because Trudeau, like his father before him, has not one tittle of business acumen flowing through his progressive veins.

You and I know, as the world grows smaller, freer trade has been instrumental in raising millions out of poverty. I will not though belabour explaining further why Free Trade is so advantageous to exporter and importer alike.  Nor will I get into stating again what true Free Trade consists of, rather, I wish to focus the balance of this Blog on why it is wrong to burden Free Trade Talks with Human Rights Issues and the like.

Admittedly, there is no doubt that China is one of the most evil nations when it comes to abusing its citizenry rights and Trudeau received much criticism at home here for even trying to negotiate with such an evil entity.

But, if Canada and the other Group of Seven Members were to only trade with fellow Democratic Countries that honour the Rule of Law, they would be limited to a number less than 30 bearing in mind there are nearly 200 member countries in the United Nations.

The West has to keep in mind that when people are starving, the last thing they worry about are their Human Rights... Trade though provides the way and means to raise those peoples out of poverty.  Then and only then can they concern themselves with the Rights and Freedoms we here in the West take for granted.  

And it is certainly working for China...

It is the world's number one exporter and in but a few years, their economy will be number one too, surpassing that of America's. 

And estimates state that its Middle Class now exceeds the entire population of the United States and as it continues to grow, China  will be forced to jettison its totalitarian ways.

So for the benefit of all, more Trade... not less is the answer to greater Prosperity and for greater Protection of Rights and Freedoms. That is not to say, that we in the West need twiddle our thumbs awaiting Free Trade to work its magic.  Indeed, it is being complimented by a host of other means to get recalcitrant bad actors to give up their evil ways. 

For instance, although the United Nations has taken much criticism in recent years for being ineffective, it is making progress in the promotion of Human Rights. And there are many other other World Forums dedicated to this as well including such NGOs as Amnesty International.

So back to our two Isolationists ...Trudeau and Trump and their race to the bottom.  Trump has an edge over us...the USA has the biggest domestic economy in the world.  Canada is tiny in comparison.  We'll hit bottom long before they do.

As I see it...

'K.D. Galagher'

I WOULD JUST LIKE TO THANK....

DO YOU TOO NOTICE THAT WHENEVER TRAGEDY STRIKES THESE DAYS FROM THE MAYOR ON UP, THE SAME TIRED SHIBBOLETH'S ARE PARROTED, REGARDLESS THE CIRCUMSTANCES:

'I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THOSE BRAVE FIRST, SECOND, THIRD (AND SO ON), RESPONDERS' etc. etc.

Take the one that just occurred in New York City where the hapless Muslim Terrorist prematurely blew himself up.

Maybe all and sundry public officials should have led off by saying 'I would just like to thank the Terrorist for being an inept dolt when it comes to building pipe bombs'.

Or the Serial Killer in Tampa Florida who stupidly turned his gun over to a colleague in a Fast Food joint who then immediately took the gun to a police officer chowing down on doughnuts in her shop.

' I would just like to thank the brave McDonald's worker who, by turning her work colleague in, successfully put an end to the hunt for this totally deranged and indiscriminate killer'

Or back to New York and the recent murder of 8 cyclists by another Muslim Terrorist who was stopped when he drove his truck into an unsuspecting school bus.  So here we go...

'I would like to thank the Terrorist for being such a lousy driver and of course the driver of the school bus for being at the right place, at the right time'.

So just for the heck of it let's do a pretend scenario:

Setting- Mother and 3 year old Daughter are in their kitchen when the Mother notices that her daughter is about to touch a hot stove burner.

Mother acts quickly to block young Daughter's hand from being burned.

Word of this 'hits the streets' whereupon the following occurs.

Mayor - I would like to thank the first responders, including fire, ambulance, para meds and city police for their brave and rapid response in preventing what would likely have been a very tragic occurrence. Next,

Governor - I too would like to echo the Mayor's sagacious words but would be remiss if I did not especially single out the State Police, etc.  Next,

President - And don't for a minute forget the essential role played by the FBI, Homeland Security, the CIA and of course our dedicated and courageous Military.

Did you notice who is missing in all of this? 

The Mum of course.

There is no political mileage to be made by promoting her.

As I see it...

'K.D. Galagher'

HE'D HUFF AND HE'D PUFF AND HE'D BLOW HIS HOUSE DOWN...

THE HE IN THIS STORY IS NONE OTHER THAN DONALD TRUMP AND THE HOUSE OWNER IS NORTH KOREA'S RULER FOR LIFE KIM ...the YOUNG-UN.

And I guess from recent events, Young-un Kim's home must be made out of brick because for all Trump's huffing and puffing, his house is still standing.

When The Donald was on the campaign trail and even well into his Presidency, he was regularly quoted on what he was going to do the Young-un if he did not cease and desist from perfecting Nuclear Tipped ICBMs that could reach the United States.

Why he was going to tear the Young-un limb from limb...totally destroy his war making ability and that was just a start.

But as they say, that was then and this is now.  'Now' meaning North Korea has recently shown itself able to successfully launch such dreaded ICBMs.

So what does President Trump's latest threats to the Young-un consist of?  Why there are going to be more sanctions imposed on North Korea, more harsh resolutions emanating from the United Nations and most recently Trump has ....are you ready for this...added North Korea to the list of countries that sponsor terrorism.

I think you will no doubt agree with me that these new measures will likely cause Kimmie to collapse with spasms of paralytic inertia.

Or you just might say, if threats of bodily injury and death did not make a dent in his determination to acquire these dangerous weapons why would hollow threats about ineffective sanctions and resolutions and laughable sponsor lists have any greater effect?

And a good point you'd make.

Trump, if you can believe it, is even talking about more negotiations with China and with North Korea even though heretofore he rightly pointed out that such negotiations were worthless since they have been ineffective throughout past decades and several American Administrations of various stripes. 

So what gives?

I am not sure but I do know that if North Korea is permitted to have nuclear weapons this will extend to Iran and a new nuclear armament race will be launched the likes of which we have never  seen before.

And I know something else as well.  If President Trump persists in this weak line of attack against North Korea, his credibility will be critically diminished.

As I see it...

'K.D.  Galagher'

Doesn't Trump Realize That This Will Jeopardize These Delicate Negotiations ?

The Delicate Negotiations I am of course referring to are the Negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians on the latter's right to Nationhood.

What was Trump thinking ?

At least that was the position taken by all 20+ attendees at our weekly discussion group yesterday morning ...save for one ...yours truly.

I kindly pointed out to all and sundry that there were no "Delicate Negotiations" underway..in fact, there were no Negotiations period and there have not been for a long time.

In that regard, the Palestinian situation is similar to North Korea where the charade of negotiations has played out by various US Administration with 'zip all' to show for it.

The bottom-line here is that if Arab nations really wanted the Palestinians to have their own Statehood, it would have happened years and years ago.  The cruel fact is that most Arab States want  to see things unsettled on Israel's border with Palestine. 

The other fact in the mix is that Israel is the only Democratic Nation in the Middle East and it is time that they were allowed to get on with their lives including determining the location of their capital city.

President Trump made it official yesterday that the US would henceforth recognize Jerusalem to be their capital as per their wishes.  

I see Trump's action as a step in the right direction which will hasten the Palestinian march to statehood.  I say that because when Palestine / and its other Arab neighbours see Israel moving on without them, they will realize that further stalling, foot-dragging will no longer be in their interests.

So back to our group.  I suspect much of their criticism of Trump yesterday was due to their overall dislike for the man and not so much with respect to his declaration regarding Jerusalem.  Indeed, I think this applies to much of the criticism surrounding Trump...it is knee-jerk reaction rather than thought out positions and policy.

As I see it...

'K.D. Galagher'

BIG 'EXPLETIVE' DEAL

So said potty mouthed Joe Biden in a loud whisper to President Obama at a Press Conference to announce the passage of Obama's Health Care Legislation a few years back.

But today's 'Big Expletive Deal' pertains to the passage of Trump's Tax Reform Bill(s) in Congress.

The Democrats, to no ones surprise, dismisses this accomplishment by saying the legislation:

• favours the rich
• increases taxes on the middle class, 
• pampers Corporations and, 
• will add $ Trillions to the Debt.

But here is the truth.

1. The rich will benefit but only marginally.  And bear in mind the top 10% of America's income earners pay over 70% of all income taxes each year.  I'd say they are due for a modest break.

2.  The vast majority of middle income earners will see a sizable drop in the income taxes.  Only a small exception will see their taxes rise and that raise will be modest.  Again it is important to keep in mind that American's are not overtaxed to begin with...figures from 2015 show that their income taxes are but 26 % of America's GDP whereas the average for other developed countries hovers at around 34%.

3.  The US has one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world ...at 35%.  In our own country Canada, for instance, the rate is but 15%.  The new Trump Tax Reform Legislation will reduce their rate to 22 and perhaps to even 20%.  This will give American Companies an important edge to better compete with an ever growing world economy. Americans of all stripes have been complaining bitterly about losing jobs off-shore, this will work to stop and even reverse that flow.   And, 

4.  Finally the claim by the Progressives that the Debt will have to increase by at least 3 Trillion Dollars per year to account for lost tax revenue.  This is rather rich coming from the Left who in the last 8 years doubled the Debt from $10 Trillion to $20 Trillion.  The fact is, from previous experience, when income taxes were reduced, the debt did not increase, rather it decreased as more economic activity resulted in greater revenues for the Government. And this will happen this time as well to the chagrin of the Left. 

So there you have it....a Big 'Expletive' Deal...and America has Trump and the Republicans to thank for it.

If this keeps up, The Donald may well be re-elected in 2020.  Maybe they will run Hillary against him..

As I see it...

'K.D. Galagher'

GUESS I WAS WRONG ABOUT PRESIDENT TRUMP NOT COLLUDING WITH RUSSIA IN LAST YEAR'S ELECTION !

NOT !!

But boy would the Progressives out there like to hear people like me admit to such in light of this week's charges against Michael Flynn (Lt. Gen ret'd).

But dear reader, those charges have nothing ...zilch... to do with anyone seeking Russia's help to defeat Hillary in 2016. All they prove is that Flynn, like countless others in Washington, on all sides of the aisle, are lobbyist first and foremost trying and usually succeeding in filling their pockets with tons of other people's money. In fact, the biggest knock against the American Political System is that it is funded / controlled by Big Money.

And, as to the charges...hold your breath, they are for 'lying to the FBI', the same cops who continually lie to each other, to others in related security agencies and even to their politicians.  I classify these charges as Martha Stewart Charges since that was all they were able to pin on her.  It is all so pathetic. 

And all the while, the only real proof of an Election Candidate seeking the help of Russians is with respect to dear Hillary.  And yet no investigation there.  

It is nothing but a Witch Hunt ... or should I be politically incorrect and call it a Warlock Hunt in the case of The Donald?

As you know, from the very beginning I have called these assertions against Donald Trump to be wishful thinking on the part of the Dems.  They still are and will always continue to be so.

But there is something even more sinister happening here and it is not about either Donald Trump nor even Hillary Clinton since, in the scheme of things, they are merely bit players. Rather it is the Socialist Left's (a.k.a. the Democrats) fear of Parties of Capitalism, which, for the most part, the Republicans continue to be although even that is being tested in today's Progressive Climate.  

They will stop at nothing to discredit Capitalism even though that is what made America great, has pulled the majority of the world's peoples out of poverty and despair and today is being employed most successfully by heretofore communist nations and their like.

To paraphrase Winston Churchill, capitalism is the worst basis for economic development save for all the rest.

As I see it...

"K.D. Galagher'