UP
After some astute moves such as dramatically curbing illegal immigration and substantially reducing corporate and individual taxes, Donald Trump now appears to go out of his way to do dumb things.
For instance, the specific tariffs he has placed on steel and aluminum, and the tariffs he is contemplating to levy on a host of other products against U.S. major trading partners such as China which also happens to be their Banker.
The cashiering of a number of his closest advisors all the while speaking publicly about dumping more. Thus, I had to laugh when a Trump spokesperson said they were assured by his Chief of Staff, John Kelly, saying there were no more firings planned for the time-being. Yuk, Yuk, Yuk...since there has been much speculation that even Kelly is on the chopping block.
Me thinks The Donald still believes he is hosting The Apprentice rather than being the President of the United States.
If I suspected I was on such a firing squad list, I'd be out of there faster than you could say "you're fired".
And then to add insult to injury, Trump via his Attourney General Jeff Sessions, fired Ex-FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe yesterday and by so doing denied him his pension.
How mean spirited. And Sessions too is one of the top candidates to be dumped next by Trump. Had I been Sessions I would have told Mr. Trump, 'I will not fire McCabe' while handing him my own resignation'.
There appears to be a consensus that McCabe may well have been engaged in illegality and if that turns out to be the case, criminally charge him and let the courts decide. But to take away his pension is simply much too much.
And we won't even get into his planned face to face with the lying, murderous Young-un of North Korea.
The Republicans of late have lost two election races in Congress they should have easily won.
If Donald Trump keeps up with his erratic behaviour between now and November, both Houses of Congress could well end up back in Democratic hands.
As I see it...
'K.D. Galagher'
Saturday, March 17, 2018
Tuesday, March 13, 2018
ONTARIO'S TRUMP LITE
The Ontario Conservative Party elected a new leader this past weekend and his name is.................
DOUG FORD.
I can just hear some of my American readers saying ...that name rings a bell....wasn't he the out-of-control cocaine using former Mayor of Toronto?
And for that you'd be close... but no cigar. Rather it is the out-of-control cocaine using former Mayor Bob Ford's older brother ...Doug, who won this past Saturday.
Both men were on Toronto City Council and both kept the local media occupied with their antics of the day. Many of those antics, especially on the part of brother Rob, made the headlines south of our border in the United States.
Rob Ford died of cancer in early 2016 or he might very well have run and won last week's Conservative Leadership. Another historical what-if?
Anyway, back to Doug.
Like his deceased brother, Doug is a populist...he speaks for the common people much the same way Donald Trump does. Indeed, his campaign was styled in the Trump mode.
His literature stated that he was the only conservative running in a field of 4 candidates and in that he was right. We in Canada have lost Real Conservationism... all our parties have become different shades of Liberal. And we are paying a dear price for it.
Under Liberal-type leadership our Debt and Deficits have swollen, government has grown to unimaginable size, millions of manufacturing jobs have been lost, politicians have drunk of the green coolaide, interest groups - such as the public service unions are controlling the politicians and our health and education systems are on life-lines.
We desperately need a Conservative at the helm and hopefully Doug Ford will be the man for that job. Time will tell.
But for the Opposition Parties that think their prayers have been answered with Ford's election permit me to put the record straight.
The next General Election in Ontario must be called by June 7th of this year, when the dust settles, it will be Premier Doug Ford at the helm of Ontario.
Ford hails from the City of Toronto which historically has been a core constituency for the Liberals. But given his popularity there, he will take a good portion of that away from them. Rural parts of Ontario historically go conservative and these two factors combined will ensure his electoral success come June.
As a reminder to all, it is no coincidence that I call my Blog ...Real Conservatives.
As I see it...
K.D. Galagher
DOUG FORD.
I can just hear some of my American readers saying ...that name rings a bell....wasn't he the out-of-control cocaine using former Mayor of Toronto?
And for that you'd be close... but no cigar. Rather it is the out-of-control cocaine using former Mayor Bob Ford's older brother ...Doug, who won this past Saturday.
Both men were on Toronto City Council and both kept the local media occupied with their antics of the day. Many of those antics, especially on the part of brother Rob, made the headlines south of our border in the United States.
Rob Ford died of cancer in early 2016 or he might very well have run and won last week's Conservative Leadership. Another historical what-if?
Anyway, back to Doug.
Like his deceased brother, Doug is a populist...he speaks for the common people much the same way Donald Trump does. Indeed, his campaign was styled in the Trump mode.
His literature stated that he was the only conservative running in a field of 4 candidates and in that he was right. We in Canada have lost Real Conservationism... all our parties have become different shades of Liberal. And we are paying a dear price for it.
Under Liberal-type leadership our Debt and Deficits have swollen, government has grown to unimaginable size, millions of manufacturing jobs have been lost, politicians have drunk of the green coolaide, interest groups - such as the public service unions are controlling the politicians and our health and education systems are on life-lines.
We desperately need a Conservative at the helm and hopefully Doug Ford will be the man for that job. Time will tell.
But for the Opposition Parties that think their prayers have been answered with Ford's election permit me to put the record straight.
The next General Election in Ontario must be called by June 7th of this year, when the dust settles, it will be Premier Doug Ford at the helm of Ontario.
Ford hails from the City of Toronto which historically has been a core constituency for the Liberals. But given his popularity there, he will take a good portion of that away from them. Rural parts of Ontario historically go conservative and these two factors combined will ensure his electoral success come June.
As a reminder to all, it is no coincidence that I call my Blog ...Real Conservatives.
As I see it...
K.D. Galagher
Sunday, March 11, 2018
BIKER BAR.
On a recent trip to Florida my friend Pat and I went shopping for prescription glasses.
We arrived at the optometrist's office shortly after 12 noon only to find out that it was closed over the noon-hour.
So to kill some time as well as to fuel up, we headed out to find a nearby restaurant that served sandwiches. Being a commercial district, it did not lend itself to much (anything) in the line of restaurants but we did stumble upon a Bar....a genuine for real Biker Bar and in we went.
There was absolutely no one there save for the barmaid who introduced herself as Genie and said that she had been tending bar since 'before the war.' We were both polite enough not to inquire as to which one.
We asked Genie what type of sandwiches they had.
"We do not have Food of any kind" she pronounced, "it's Booze or Nothing".
So Booze it was, we both ordered a Beer.
To keep the conversation going I asked her what she thought of The Donald?
"We don't talk politics in here...only Sex" she impishly replied.
And by the decorations that adorned every square inch of the Bar, one could readily see the truth of her statement.
At that point 2 Biker Patrons roared into the Bar's Parking Lot on 3 wheeler's, albeit Harley-Davidson's.
They dismounted with obvious discomfort, with one even pulling out a cane from underneath his seat.
They had to be in their 80s if they were a day.
They then cozied up to two bar stools and ordered their drafts.
They turned out to be the nicest guys imaginable. Whatever happened to the fearful Hell's Angels or even the lawless Satan's Choice?
Then in came 3 more, one of whom rode a real bike. Again, all three were most gentlemanly and were most interested in the fact that Pat and I came from Canada.
"We road with some Canadians in our day" they allowed, "wonder if any of them are still alive."
I then asked Genie what was her most busiest time?
"Commemorative Days by far" she opinioned.
You mean like the 4th of July?
"No, I mean when one of our boys gets needlessly killed on the road by those irresponsible, inattentive blankedy blank drivers."
She went on.
"We had one just yesterday, the Bar was packed"
I looked around, the place was quite small so by "packed" I guess she was talking at the most 20 patrons.
I also wondered whether these 'Commemorative Days' had more to do with the Bar's bottom-line than it did for commemoration of the recently deceased Biker... but kept those thoughts to myself.
Pat then piped up and asked Genie how long did her shift last?
"I'm here till closing each and every day" she offered.
What time is closing then?
"7 p.m."
A Biker Bar that closes at 7 p.m. !!
"These guys are not as young as they once were" she quickly responded.
Those assembled merely nodded their heads in agreement.
Well after-all this is Florida.
As I see it...
'K.D. Galagher'
P.S. When we finished our beers we returned to the Optometrist's office which had now reopened. The Optometrist turned out to be a veteran of the Vietnam War and for the next hour or so regaled us about his War Experiences. At one point I asked him if he had ever come across a Barmaid over there by the name of Genie? He said he had not but that there was a cute young thing by that name who tends bar just down the street...
We arrived at the optometrist's office shortly after 12 noon only to find out that it was closed over the noon-hour.
So to kill some time as well as to fuel up, we headed out to find a nearby restaurant that served sandwiches. Being a commercial district, it did not lend itself to much (anything) in the line of restaurants but we did stumble upon a Bar....a genuine for real Biker Bar and in we went.
There was absolutely no one there save for the barmaid who introduced herself as Genie and said that she had been tending bar since 'before the war.' We were both polite enough not to inquire as to which one.
We asked Genie what type of sandwiches they had.
"We do not have Food of any kind" she pronounced, "it's Booze or Nothing".
So Booze it was, we both ordered a Beer.
To keep the conversation going I asked her what she thought of The Donald?
"We don't talk politics in here...only Sex" she impishly replied.
And by the decorations that adorned every square inch of the Bar, one could readily see the truth of her statement.
At that point 2 Biker Patrons roared into the Bar's Parking Lot on 3 wheeler's, albeit Harley-Davidson's.
They dismounted with obvious discomfort, with one even pulling out a cane from underneath his seat.
They had to be in their 80s if they were a day.
They then cozied up to two bar stools and ordered their drafts.
They turned out to be the nicest guys imaginable. Whatever happened to the fearful Hell's Angels or even the lawless Satan's Choice?
Then in came 3 more, one of whom rode a real bike. Again, all three were most gentlemanly and were most interested in the fact that Pat and I came from Canada.
"We road with some Canadians in our day" they allowed, "wonder if any of them are still alive."
I then asked Genie what was her most busiest time?
"Commemorative Days by far" she opinioned.
You mean like the 4th of July?
"No, I mean when one of our boys gets needlessly killed on the road by those irresponsible, inattentive blankedy blank drivers."
She went on.
"We had one just yesterday, the Bar was packed"
I looked around, the place was quite small so by "packed" I guess she was talking at the most 20 patrons.
I also wondered whether these 'Commemorative Days' had more to do with the Bar's bottom-line than it did for commemoration of the recently deceased Biker... but kept those thoughts to myself.
Pat then piped up and asked Genie how long did her shift last?
"I'm here till closing each and every day" she offered.
What time is closing then?
"7 p.m."
A Biker Bar that closes at 7 p.m. !!
"These guys are not as young as they once were" she quickly responded.
Those assembled merely nodded their heads in agreement.
Well after-all this is Florida.
As I see it...
'K.D. Galagher'
P.S. When we finished our beers we returned to the Optometrist's office which had now reopened. The Optometrist turned out to be a veteran of the Vietnam War and for the next hour or so regaled us about his War Experiences. At one point I asked him if he had ever come across a Barmaid over there by the name of Genie? He said he had not but that there was a cute young thing by that name who tends bar just down the street...
Friday, March 9, 2018
USA TO SEND NORTH KOREA THE LATEST IN NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY AND EQUIPEMENT
Alright, a headline for the future albeit only a week or so down the road.
Permit me to Explain:
Donald Trump campaigned on no further negotiations with North Korea...'they haven't worked for countless Presidencies and they most certainly will not work now. The only thing the current occupant of North Korea's throne understands ...Kim Youg-un ...is force'.
And dear reader, Republican Contender Donald Trump was most correct in his assessment.
An elected Trump, feeling even more invincible, proclaims he will bury the Yong-un and his bunch of thugs... bragging that he - Trump - has the bigger button (nuclear).
Then in the face of countless provocations on the part of North Korea, President Trump dramatically changes his tune... 'negotiations are now the way to go'.
What the hell happened?
Now today we learn that dear Donald has even promised to meet the Yong-un face to face for negotiations before the end of May.
So what's next... my headline for today's Blog?
And what exactly does Donald Trump expect to achieve from face to face negotiations with a proven liar whose dynasty has never once lived up to its promises?
And that was before the North acquired nuclear capacity.
Now that it has, there is absolutely no incentive for them to scrap the program.
Should Trump not come to his senses and scotch this upcoming meeting with the Yong-un, and even though it would be a most interesting event, you can rest assured that nothing substantive will come out of it certainly as it pertains to America.
The only party to gain from such a meeting, in the most unlikely event it happens, is the North since it will have bought more time for itself while the Donald will be left with egg on his face.
As I see it...
'K.D. Galagher'
Friday, March 2, 2018
BILLY GRAHAM
Is being laid to rest today.
A child asked his son and successor, Franklin, if it was true that his father was dead, he replied "no, his father had simply changed his address".
My wife Anne and I were fortunate to see Billy Graham in person several years ago at one of his 'revivals' in our home city of Ottawa.
As an aside, we were also privileged to see Mother Theresa in person and why I combine the two is that both were the leading icons for God and Religion over the course of the last half century and more.
Graham spoke from the heart or should I say 'soul'. He was one of the good evangelists who was not out for glory or money but to save as many souls as he possibly could. And boy did he save souls.
I saw a cartoon the other day of Billy Graham meeting Saint Peter at the Gates of Heaven where Peter said to him, since your preaching began we have had to open up a lot more spaces here.
He walked with Kings and Presidents and yet was comfortable with the common man and they with him.
Canada has a claim to Graham's success via George Beverly Shea even though Shea was known throughout as America's Best Gospel Singer. He was arguably the closet person to Graham other than for Graham's wife and was born some 25 miles south of Ottawa in the small town of Winchester.
With Religion under attack it is unlikely we will soon see the like of Billy Graham any time soon even though the need for such is greater than ever.
You served us well Mr. Graham, enjoy your new digs.
As I see it...
'K.D. Galagher'
A child asked his son and successor, Franklin, if it was true that his father was dead, he replied "no, his father had simply changed his address".
My wife Anne and I were fortunate to see Billy Graham in person several years ago at one of his 'revivals' in our home city of Ottawa.
As an aside, we were also privileged to see Mother Theresa in person and why I combine the two is that both were the leading icons for God and Religion over the course of the last half century and more.
Graham spoke from the heart or should I say 'soul'. He was one of the good evangelists who was not out for glory or money but to save as many souls as he possibly could. And boy did he save souls.
I saw a cartoon the other day of Billy Graham meeting Saint Peter at the Gates of Heaven where Peter said to him, since your preaching began we have had to open up a lot more spaces here.
He walked with Kings and Presidents and yet was comfortable with the common man and they with him.
Canada has a claim to Graham's success via George Beverly Shea even though Shea was known throughout as America's Best Gospel Singer. He was arguably the closet person to Graham other than for Graham's wife and was born some 25 miles south of Ottawa in the small town of Winchester.
With Religion under attack it is unlikely we will soon see the like of Billy Graham any time soon even though the need for such is greater than ever.
You served us well Mr. Graham, enjoy your new digs.
As I see it...
'K.D. Galagher'
Wednesday, February 28, 2018
TRUMP ON GUNS & ROADS
THESE TWO IMPORTANT ISSUES ARE IN THE NEWS OF LATE AND THANKS TO THE DONALD'S TWEETING WE KNOW HIS THINKING ON BOTH ...at least at the time of his respective tweet:
Let's address the lesser emotional one first...Infrastructure.
One of President Trump`s election promises was to spend great wads of money to restore America`s worn out infrastructure. As far as election promises are concerned this was a good one since quite frankly the roads, bridges and sewers and such, are desperately in need of upgrading.
But as I have pointed out in the past, his promise was Dead on Arrival simply because the Federal Government is flat busted broke. It`s Debt is larger than the annual GDP and sadly it continues to grow at a rate far exceeding inflation.
So Trump`s recent tweet that there will be Infrastructure if necessary but not necessarily Infrastructure, came as no surprise. In making this statement he turned the matter over to Congress ...where it rightly belongs but he also said that any Federal contribution to renewed infrastructure spending would pale in comparison to what he expects the States and Private Sector to pony up.
I knew from the outset, that he would wiggle out from under this election promise and all things considered, I believe he did a good job of getting out of it.
The second issue is Gun Control in the wake of the mass shooting of students and teachers in Parkland Florida.
President Trump has a real opportunity to reduce the chance of future such mass killings even though, by doing so, he will upset a core Republican Philosophy i.e. that the Second Amendment is sacrosanct. But Trump is in a unique situation since is not per se a Republican... the constituency he has carved out for himself is his and his alone. Plus he should be able to count on Democratic Support since this is one of the pet policy.
He has indicated that he will promote changes to gun procurement including raising the qualifying age, greater scrutiny of prospective buyers and a longer waiting period. All good, but really do nothing substantive to ensure the likelihood of future such tragedies are significantly diminished.
The one thing that would make a difference is if Trump came strongly out against Assault Rifles...that would really make a difference. But the likelihood of him doing so a slim to none.
So on the issue of Gun Control he is partially correct but it will be seen a mere window dressing. More problematic for Trump and the Republicans is that it will reduce their chances for electoral victory come this November.
As I see it...
K.D. Galagher
Let's address the lesser emotional one first...Infrastructure.
One of President Trump`s election promises was to spend great wads of money to restore America`s worn out infrastructure. As far as election promises are concerned this was a good one since quite frankly the roads, bridges and sewers and such, are desperately in need of upgrading.
But as I have pointed out in the past, his promise was Dead on Arrival simply because the Federal Government is flat busted broke. It`s Debt is larger than the annual GDP and sadly it continues to grow at a rate far exceeding inflation.
So Trump`s recent tweet that there will be Infrastructure if necessary but not necessarily Infrastructure, came as no surprise. In making this statement he turned the matter over to Congress ...where it rightly belongs but he also said that any Federal contribution to renewed infrastructure spending would pale in comparison to what he expects the States and Private Sector to pony up.
I knew from the outset, that he would wiggle out from under this election promise and all things considered, I believe he did a good job of getting out of it.
The second issue is Gun Control in the wake of the mass shooting of students and teachers in Parkland Florida.
President Trump has a real opportunity to reduce the chance of future such mass killings even though, by doing so, he will upset a core Republican Philosophy i.e. that the Second Amendment is sacrosanct. But Trump is in a unique situation since is not per se a Republican... the constituency he has carved out for himself is his and his alone. Plus he should be able to count on Democratic Support since this is one of the pet policy.
He has indicated that he will promote changes to gun procurement including raising the qualifying age, greater scrutiny of prospective buyers and a longer waiting period. All good, but really do nothing substantive to ensure the likelihood of future such tragedies are significantly diminished.
The one thing that would make a difference is if Trump came strongly out against Assault Rifles...that would really make a difference. But the likelihood of him doing so a slim to none.
So on the issue of Gun Control he is partially correct but it will be seen a mere window dressing. More problematic for Trump and the Republicans is that it will reduce their chances for electoral victory come this November.
As I see it...
K.D. Galagher
Monday, February 26, 2018
AND THE WINNER IS....
OF ONTARIO'S PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVE LEADERSHIP ..THAT IS.
AS WELL AS THE NEXT PREMIER OF THE PROVINCE...
Well first let's review the 5 candidates and a motley crew it is:
Patrick the recent leader Brown; Tanya the 1 issue Granic-Allen; Caroline the famous daughter Mulroney; Doug the less famous brother Ford; and finally, Christine two-time loser Elliott.
In that order then:
Brown - he should not have resigned as leader, he should not have entered this race and for his stupidity he will finish dead last..assuming current reports of him dropping out are not true.
Granic-Allen - surprisingly, has the best chance of winning it all if her social conservative followers voted for her enmasse. It will not happen though since she is an unknown and has not had the time needed to effectively mobilize her base. For her then, 4th place.
Mulroney - big name, no experience as was evident in the debates. Third for her, but if she gets elected in the upcoming General Election and hangs in there, she may earn serious consideration next time.
Ford - the only conservative in the race, will come in second, for that reason alone. And the winner is...
Elliott - it is a case of third time lucky for Christine. A compromise candidate, in every respite, who will go on to defeat the worst Government in the History of Ontario.
Sadly for the Conservatives the Big Guns never materialized which is most puzzling given that the winner of the March 10 Leadership Race will go on to be the Premier of the Province.
Could it be that after 14 years of Liberal ( read Progressive) Rule the state of the province is so bad that no one in their right mind would want the job of trying to restore it to its once vaulted place.
As I see it...
K.D. Galagher
AS WELL AS THE NEXT PREMIER OF THE PROVINCE...
Well first let's review the 5 candidates and a motley crew it is:
Patrick the recent leader Brown; Tanya the 1 issue Granic-Allen; Caroline the famous daughter Mulroney; Doug the less famous brother Ford; and finally, Christine two-time loser Elliott.
In that order then:
Brown - he should not have resigned as leader, he should not have entered this race and for his stupidity he will finish dead last..assuming current reports of him dropping out are not true.
Granic-Allen - surprisingly, has the best chance of winning it all if her social conservative followers voted for her enmasse. It will not happen though since she is an unknown and has not had the time needed to effectively mobilize her base. For her then, 4th place.
Mulroney - big name, no experience as was evident in the debates. Third for her, but if she gets elected in the upcoming General Election and hangs in there, she may earn serious consideration next time.
Ford - the only conservative in the race, will come in second, for that reason alone. And the winner is...
Elliott - it is a case of third time lucky for Christine. A compromise candidate, in every respite, who will go on to defeat the worst Government in the History of Ontario.
Sadly for the Conservatives the Big Guns never materialized which is most puzzling given that the winner of the March 10 Leadership Race will go on to be the Premier of the Province.
Could it be that after 14 years of Liberal ( read Progressive) Rule the state of the province is so bad that no one in their right mind would want the job of trying to restore it to its once vaulted place.
As I see it...
K.D. Galagher
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