Progressive Comrades

Someone reminded me about this thing.

2010-01-13T11:02:00.002-04:00

I suppose I should get back to posting once in a while. Given the political void Federally, there are no shortage of topics to pick that provide opportunity for a good rant.

Wot?

A little fun

2009-09-20T17:25:00.001-03:00

Had a brain f@rt earlier, and thought I would pass on this monster of an idea for a Liberal National Anthem. Would be great for the next leadership convention.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_e0RmoHb0Y

I reserve the rights of course, so better hurry before the Western Alliance adopts it for a Victory song after the next election. K?

On that note, was this really written for Peter McKay?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xm34ZLlIvQg&NR=1

Is Irving Oil firing a warning shot?

2009-09-16T09:02:00.002-03:00

Good morning Comrades, some interesting developments on the political front lately. Besides the antsy positions of a number of political entities, it appears Mr. Kenneth Irving has something for them to mull over. Below is a CBC article based on statements made by Mr. Irving at the New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers conference held in Saint John N.B. recently.

Read the article carefully and take particular note of Mr. Irving's position on how no-one can predict future energy trends. What is Mr. Irving trying to say exactly and who is it that he speaks for?

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2009/09/16/nb-irving-oil-energy-554.html

Taxation (To be continued......) and Attack Ads

2009-09-15T11:25:00.006-03:00

http://www.gilescartoons.co.uk/cartoon.asp?cartoon=527

Well maybe it's not quite that bad, but close!

On the subject of those putrid attack ads that both major parties seem intent on badgering our sensibilities with, I would like to offer some inspiration on the subject.

Now if you politickers have a sense of humor, imagine this picture;

Harper to one side in cap and gown, complete with tassle receiving a diploma from Paul Martin bearing the inscription "Liberal Economics 101"

Next to him is Ignatieff, complete with Beanie.... hugging his latest text, "Politicking for Dummies".

There is a little orangey colored dog yapping at their feet and a stately looking gentlemen with nice hair stands smiling while reaching for his paycheck. He is mumbling something about getting a pension for the rest of his life.

Now that's a political cartoon worthy of Giles.

Fred says, "Martha! Let's get us one of them new fangled 'lektric cars!"

2009-07-15T09:03:00.003-03:00

Old Fred then says, "Then mebbe we should invest in stock in some company thet makes 'stension cords. "

Heard the latest? Ontario plans some kind of grant of up to $10,000 for folks who purchase an electric auto.

http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2009/07/15/ont-electric-cars511.html

Better yet Fred, invest in security devices for external electrical outlets. heh...

Well, you know I'm all for anything even remotely positive regarding the development and use of electric vehicles, but I have a question. Considering the current state of supply and demand of electricity, brown outs and all that, how exactly is this all going to work?

Shouldn't we be thinking about buying another horse or two before going whole hog with the cart.....er car?

Yes Charlotte, there is more to life than just Real Estate. Woof Woof

2009-07-14T00:45:00.003-03:00

The title of this long overdue entry has nothing whatsoever to do with what I am about to post. The title is intended for those currently engaged in barking rather than meaningful blogging, and they know who they are.

The following I wish to post without commentary, other than to say it represents what was in one persons heart and mind at a given point in their personal journey.

May 28, 2006

Who Cares if A Soldier Dies?

Take a man and put him alone,
Put him twelve thousand miles from home.

Empty his heart of all but blood,
Make him live in sand, in mud.

This is the life I have to live,
This the soul to God I give.

You have your parties and drink your beer,
While young men are dying over here.

Plant your signs on the White House lawn;
"Lets get out of Iraq".

Use your signs and have your fun,
Then refuse to use a gun.

There's nothing else for you to do,
Then I'm supposed to die for you?

There is one thing that you should know;
And that's where I think you should go!

I'm already here and it's too late.
I've traded all my love for all this hate.

I'll hate you till the day I die.
You made me hear my buddy cry.

I saw his leg and his blood shed,
Then I heard them say, "This one's dead".

It was a large price for him to pay,
To let you live another day.

He had the guts to fight and die,
To keep the freedom you live by.

By his dying, your life he buys,
But who cares if a Soldier dies?

Where oh where do the tax $ go? Oh where oh where can they be?

2009-06-18T07:13:00.004-03:00

Have you, or someone you know had need of Medical and or Hospital services in recent years? If so, how would you rate the services and would you say they were satisfactory overall?

Having had considerable personal experience in this area over the course of some decades, I have come to believe that the following story from the CBC is indicative of many of the ills encompassed in the trough now known as Health Care in Canada.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/06/17/ehealth-ontario-mcguinty.html

A few highlights from yet, the latest scandal;

"Opposition parties continued their calls for Health Minister David Caplan's resignation due to his handling of the scandal, but McGuinty stood by his minister on Wednesday, saying he still has confidence in Caplan.

Meanwhile, the search continues to replace Sarah Kramer, who departed the agency more than a week ago after seven months as CEO and president. She received a severance package worth 10 months' salary, or about $317,000.

Kramer was lambasted for receiving a $114,000 bonus, more than double the amount allowed at the provincial agency. Hudson signed off on the bonus just four months after Kramer started.

Two reviews underway

The former CEO was also responsible for signing off on many of the untendered contracts during her first months at work. She defended the lack of a competitive bidding process, saying it was justified due to the urgency of the agency's work.

Under the old rules, provincial agencies were required to put contracts up for tender if they surpassed $100,000 unless they involve legal services, an urgent circumstance or a patented product unique to a single supplier.

EHealth expenses

Some of the consulting costs incurred at eHealth:

A $2,700-a-day consultant charging for a $3.26 muffin and tea.
A $300-an-hour consultant, charging for reading an article on electronic health records given to her by her husband, another consultant.
Two consultants serving as vice-presidents and flown regularly from homes in Alberta.
A $1,700-a-day executive assistant.
Consultants charging to watch an eHealth episode on TVO's The Agenda and "debriefing" on the Toronto subway."

And that friends, is only the tip of the iceberg based on my experiences. Check the comments section for some enlightened views on the matter. I read a few and most have something of value to add to understanding the nature of the problems. None that I read pointed directly to the reality that the problems stem from the top down. Those in the most senior positions running amok in the world of privilege they create for themselves, and the attitude of subordinates that this generates.

No one can do anything without authorization from above, and authorization takes forever largely due to several factors. The most significant of which being a lack of real commitment and posturing. These people do not spend adequate time and effort following up on the effects of their policies and are either largely clueless as to the effects, or are busy trying to cover up the truths and making themselves unavailable. The one thing they have an abundance of though, is excuses.

Another glaring problem is the non unionized administrative people have come from a University environment where a half days effort on the ground is the norm and they continue this approach on the job. This mentality permeates the unionized workers thinking and work ethic. On the flip side, the unionized workers have a set of clear rules which determine such things as hours of work, rate of pay and holidays. The non unionized administrative and medical personnel aspire to enjoy the same benefits, and many do. Both of these things work against efficient delivery of medical services and efficient use of tax dollars allocated to this most important of services.

There is a disconnect between the policy makers, the administrations and those on the floor doing the daily work. This is largely due to a lack of supervision by people such as middle managers whose days are spent just about anywhere but on the floor of the facilities they work in, supervising the personnel they are responsible for. The lack of co-ordinated training and the wide variety of methods being employed and base of knowledge of those actually delivering the Health services is evidence of this. Further, they do not come around after their daytime work day hours expire in order to determine exactly how all of their brain storming, and multiple meetings are working out at ground level. The responsibility for that is left to underlings whose main thrust is to maintain minimum standards, or in other words, whose goal it is not to rock the boat.

Last comment on this line of thought, way too many shingles with professional titles hanging outside of closed doors, the occupants of said offices rarely if ever being seen.

Given the challenges that the many obstacles present, it is especially important to discuss the efforts of those who are committed and manage to perform at an exceptionally high level. They deserve our gratitude and respect and we the Peebles should take care not to associate them with segments that are not gifted, committed and capable. It is unfair to tarnish these people with the short comings of others. They deserve all the praise we can offer not only for what they accomplish day in and day out, but for maintaining a consistent moving forward attitude, in spite of the difficulties that surround them.

It is hard to soar like an Eagle when you work with turkeys, but some do manage it. For them, we should be eternally grateful.

Is North Korea following the examples of Israel and the Palestinians?

2009-06-17T10:49:00.002-03:00

Good article here from Haaretz.com on the Israeli/Palestinian issues. In keeping with my personal thoughts, it suggests that those who squeak loudest receive the most attention.

"Over the years, Washington and the world have coddled both Israel and the Palestinians, whose behavior has come to resemble that of spoiled children.

Are they not deserving of sympathy? Of course they are. Never since the events of 1948 has the region seen a decade of such consistent violence, an extraordinarily high ratio of civilian casualties, and a universality of despair, as in the Second Intifada (2000-2004), the Second Lebanon War (2006) and the Gaza War (2008-9).

As with parents who become more and more indulgent the more clueless they realize they actually are - and the more out of control their kids get - Washington and the world have allowed Israel and the Palestinians both to run off the rails in whatever direction they happen to see fit at the moment.

Why? For the same reason that bad parents spoil their children:

They're afraid of them.

For generations, both Israelis and Palestinians have been snowing their respective allies, who have been afraid, either electorally or physically, of being perceived as not loving them enough."

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1086355.html

A topic

2009-06-16T18:42:00.003-03:00

Topics of the day;

So many to choose from. So many shrouded in smoke. How is an ode Country Boy to know which is worthy?

I know this, flogging the Horse known as Real Estate in perpetuity, represents little more than a Gypsy Queens efforts with her Crystal Ball.

The recent comings and goings in Iran has captured the Comrades spirit. I'm looking forward to Truth and Justice; over brutality.

Anyone can engage in brutality as in the case of Burma, . Only the gifted and truly devout, may speak clearly, earnestly and without thought for personal ambition.

I haven't picked a side there, but I'm hoping for the Ancient culture to show the World the way it's supposed to be done.

There's, is a truly Ancient culture that has traversed just about everything that a society could. So isn't it now time for them to remember?

I suppose it should be time, if it weren't for the ugliness of the souls of some many men; and women. If it weren't for the Zionists. If it weren't for age old Arabic/Persian realities?

And we in the New World have what attachment to all of that exactly?

I dunno, I'm just an ode Country Boy. Ask Mr. Harper, and Mr Ignatieff. They seem to be able to reconcile how it is that we, the Peebles of this Dominion of Canada, or New France, whichever one's preference may be, need to be involved in millenniums old conflicts and some very, very ugly and nasty goings on.

I note, neither were ever, ever front line Soldiers. Neither were ever, ever Medics attending to the dieing. I note these things.

I remember what it is to become involved in the hatreds of other peoples, other countries.

Albeit that I know little in the great scheme of things, this I do know. Pissing in other people's Worlds, just because you can, usually doesn't end well.

Many of the People, both in Iran and Canada and the rest of the this grand and most beautiful planet are speaking,. It is my hope, that good minds are listening.

Otherwise, I may well spend my last dollar in honor of those gone before me, and travel to the Volga, so's an ode Country Boy might piss into the the same river as did Men, far Greater than he.

Pro Patria

Only in America you say?

2009-06-16T13:12:00.002-03:00

Ohio residents receive tickets for parking in their own driveways.

Here I thought Guelph Ontario had to hold the title of Kings of Arseholery when it came to zealous pursuit of it's peasants for parking fines.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090616/koddities/us_odd_ohio_driveway_tickets

Canada's Federal Politicians once again, conspire to hide the truth

2009-06-13T13:22:00.001-03:00

Accountability Takes Another Hit with Changes to MP Conflict-of-Interest Rules

Posted June 10th, 2009

OTTAWA--The Green Party of Canada is stunned with the news that MPs approved changes to the House of Commons conflict-of-interest code after a secret committee meeting, with the result that cash and benefits they receive from political parties and riding associations will be exempt from public disclosure.

“This is bizarre,” said Green Leader Elizabeth May. “Money to public office holders from any source must be public. The potential for abuse in this new system is stunning.”

3,676 comments on latest Mulroney article, and then there's Rait

2009-06-10T18:38:00.003-03:00

Don't know if you caught the Mulroney article on Yahoo news yesterday, but judging from the extraordinarily high volume of comments still being made regarding this issue, I think the mob wants blood. I didn't read all three thousand six hundred plus, but the twenty something I did read, were sufficient to indicate the mood of the mob. Mulphoney (was the term one poster used) is becoming the Canadian poster boy for sentiment regarding the recent economics. Couldn't happen to a more appropriate person in my view.

The odd curiosity is, the public now seem to be highly favoring the lovable Black Forrest troll, Onkle Karl. How amusing wot?

Then there is the Lisa Rait debacle. Fer cripes sakes, know when to cut your losses. If der Harper can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, perhaps he should pay a tad of attention to the election results from Nova Scotia. The Peebles are in a foul mood, and defending the incompetent isn't an endearing activity.

I'm not posting links Comrades, as I'm sure you are sufficiently apprised of these situations by now.

I would give some attention to the Liberalies as well, if they had accomplished anything other than blustering while using correct vocabulary. I suppose the ineffective approach that continues to plague the Liberals, would only serve to embolden the Repenters, er Reformers; ... oh whatever. I can imagine that the thought of voters choosing the Libs who can't even manage to run a good bluff these days, would be a great source of amusment for Harper.

I wonder how much comfort there is in being seen as the least worst pick?

Later Comrades.

RCMP commissioner is 'very sorry' about Dziekanski's death

2009-06-02T11:06:00.002-03:00

Howdy Comrades. Long time no speak.

Was just browsing the current news and came across the following article at CBC. I found the comments very interesting so I thought I would post the link. It appears that many well spoken and articulate Canadians have some very strong feelings on this issue, the RCMP and it's Commissioner.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/06/01/rcmp-dziekanski.html#socialcomments

I wonder how long the Commish and the Government intend to continue their current approach?

Another story from today that definitely should thicken the soup;

"B.C. Solicitor General Rich Coleman ordered the province's RCMP service to pull all 578 of its older-model M-26 Tasers from service after testing showed the same models used by municipal police forces, sheriffs and corrections officers didn't meet the manufacturer's specifications 80 per cent of the time."

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2009/06/01/bc-government-pulls-tasers.html

Capitalist arrogance

2009-05-07T09:34:00.002-03:00

"Food inflation in Canada is the highest it's been in 27 years, and most of the food retailers in Canada and around the world are showing pretty good (first-quarter results) - that's not a coincidence," Loblaw president and deputy chairman Alan Leighton said in a conference call with analysts.

http://ca.news.finance.yahoo.com/s/05052009/2/biz-finance-higher-food-prices-give-supermarket-chain-loblaw-73.html

Virtual Monopolies and collusion among the few as is the case with the grocery industry, produces predictable results. Banking, Oil, and Grocery clearly show the abuse by Capitalists and their political agents.

Big Brother says, "that's not a coincidence".

The People's Revolution must begin by first acknowledging the yoke, then making conscious efforts to shun it. Endlessly repeating the same tired old phrases changes nothing.

A made in the Region solution?

2009-05-03T10:21:00.002-03:00

"Sayed Jalal, a former child prodigy famous across the country for brokering talks between Iran and the Taliban around a decade ago, plans to run for the presidency in August 20 elections on a promise of bringing peace through diplomacy."

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/090503/us/international_us_afghanistan_politics_jalal

Interesting possibilities in this article that lend speculation to number of possible outcomes.

Pakistani military launch offensive against Taliban

2009-04-29T09:12:00.002-03:00

Apparently the move by the Pakistani government to allow Sharia law in Swat has only emboldened the Taliban. Big surprise. In the original article I read on this early today, a commenter suggested a relationship between Pakistan's desire for further substantial US aid and their handling of the Taliban. In short, the commenter suggested that the Taliban are good business for many in the Pakistani government. An interesting thought.

I wouldn't be surprised if a significant amount of that US aid finds it's way into the hands of the Taliban or it's sympathizers in the end. The US could well be financing both sides of the struggle to a large extent.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090428/wl_asia_afp/pakistanunrestnorthwestlead

Interesting article on Russia from Charlesius

2009-04-19T23:30:00.002-03:00

Misery loves company. Thought I would highlight this article as it does say a great deal about the state of affairs in the World today.

http://uk.reuters.com/article/gc07/idUKTRE53F52K20090416

I had a few moments earlier to absorb some of the affairs of the day and saw the PM and Obama at the latest conference.

I wonder if those many leaders can find a truly useful direction. Can an offer of an open hand actually bring forward the best in those who are positioned to lead?

There is the story of the American born Iranian journalist sentenced to 8 yrs. by a Fundamentalist Iranian court and their PM, making overtures toward making efforts to show some good will.

Will they put aside the antagonism, the Imperialism, the politics and apply their abilities for once in my lifetime, to move forward together?

Sometimes I walk through the Valley of fools. Sometimes I walk through a Valley of Angels.

The Human condition.

I won't be bloggin much for a while. Explanation to follow

2009-04-18T01:44:00.005-03:00

Just a brief note to explain my recent silence. My most immediate Family member has been severely injured in an accident.

I'll get by with a little help from my friends.. Part Two

2009-04-14T10:11:00.002-03:00

New Brunswick may have it's own version of the Mulroney/Shreiber show brewing presently. It appears a business person operating in N.B. is displeased with a certain connected individual who now holds the CEO's post at NB Liquor Corporation and feels he did not receive services for which he paid the CEO during past years. Seems it relates to fees concerning consulting/lobbying. Sound familiar?

"A well-known New Brunswick Liberal and close friend of Premier Shawn Graham is facing a hearing before a judge under the province's Conflict of Interest Act."

Something else that is familiar is those pointed to are not talking.

"Clendenning, a former executive director of the New Brunswick Liberal Party, has repeatedly refused to discuss O'Donnell's allegations. "I will not be giving interviews on this matter," he said in an email in December. He refused again when approached by CBC News during an NB Liquor event in March."

And;

"Greg Byrne, the minister of Business New Brunswick, refused to be interviewed. In September 2007, his spokeswoman, Sarah Ketcheson, said the department had been "in the process of gathering information from" O'Donnell when he closed the call centre.

Byrne was also Clendenning's lawyer during his business dealings with O'Donnell. Byrne ended his law practice in October 2006, when he was sworn into cabinet. He was not representing Clendenning during the period covered by O'Donnell's complaint."

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/cbc/090414/canada/canada_newbrunswick_nb_clendenning_conflict

Isn't it interesting how, when details such as these are offered, they almost always come from one of the once upon a time players who feels slighted?

Reminds me of my days working for the Railways, and how so often when thieves were caught it was because other thieves resented the competition or were angry that the other one got something they wanted, and would perform their civic duty and turn in the other thief. Also interesting that the thief once caught, and without recourse, was only asked to resign. I'm talking some major thefts here, some cases running into hundreds of thousands.

Not so for someone caught shoplifting food.

Makes me think of the code of Honor among the Cosa Nostra. Well, the used to be code of Honor.

What's the world coming to I ask, when there is no code of Honor among thieves?

heh...

Could this lead to justice for the Sins of the Fathers? Not likely, not in N.B. Not in the Maritimes. We not only gave birth to the Nation, the Lord's and Seigneurs also pioneered tranferring the European Feudal system to our shores.

This story stirs a lot of old memories of the crushing weight of political patronage, and how those who are not in the inner circles, either by choice or circumstance, are given no consideration. They are merely the peasant class, the chattering masses, to be used or abused at will. Justice of the few, by the few, for the few.

I wrote about this phenomenon on Gart's site a some considerable time back. About refined Feudalism and about how the Corporate entities such as the one's we have here in N.B., including the fiefdom of Irving, allow no newspapers other than the one's they control. There have been extensive commisions on this monopoly situation, only to find in the Lord's favor. The fact that they controlled every newspaper of any significance didn't represent a threat to access of information. Yet, the Irvings have been accused of allocating up to $1 million dollars to drive out a very small newborn independent newspaper. Which, I would add, no longer exists.

I wrote then, coming to a place near you.

Remain silent, you of the chattering class, or they will unleash the dogs, and further the cull.

Or choose to stand your ground. It is up to you. From one who could never fit in the round hole, I will tell you, it's not easy to be different. I suspect, that as things are unfolding, it's not going to be easy to be the same either.

Ask not, what your Country can do for you. And remember, from pain, comes wisdom.

Icelands investigators looking into dealings of dethroned elite

2009-04-13T19:45:00.003-03:00

"An investigation into “suspicions of criminal actions” has been launched, with institutions that attracted billions of pounds in deposits from thousands of UK citizens, businesses, local authorities and charities at its centre.

Amid mounting concern that illegal activity has occurred inside publicly-traded banks Gylfi Magnusson, Iceland’s business minister, has conceded there are similarities with the country’s banking system and failed US energy company Enron."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financetopics/financialcrisis/5145969/Iceland-banking-inquiry-finds-murky-geysers-run-deep.html

The article speaks for itself, but doesn't it seem a little odd that these practices were so widespread, in so many countries during the same period in time? If that is just co-incidence, then it's just simply amazing!

GM told to prep for bankruptcy

2009-04-13T07:51:00.002-03:00

There seems to be a prevailing thought process in Washington these days when it comes to how to fix that which is broke.

This being, separate the troubled areas from the profitable. Shuffle some papers and legal status, then create entity A which is solid and will remain in the hands of those who got it into the mess. Plus create entity B, which is little more than a dump for the problem assets, and liabilities which will be financed by taxpayers during disposition of it's assets. Sounds a lot like that privatizing profit, socializing risk that so many are talking about these days.

"A plan under consideration would create a new company that would buy the "good" assets of GM after the carmaker files for bankruptcy, the Times said.

Less desirable assets, including unwanted brands, factories and health care obligations, would be left in the old company, which could be liquidated over several years, according to the paper."

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/090413/business/cbusiness_us_autos_gm

Who says you can't have your cake and eat it too?

WARNING! The above described procedures are not recommend for little Piggies. It could be hazardous to their health and general welfare.

Sire, it's the Peasants again..

2009-04-11T08:33:00.002-03:00

All is not well in the land of Tigers.

"On Saturday, hundreds of red-shirted Thaksin supporters broke through lines of soldiers and invaded the media center adjacent to the summit venue, the Royal Cliff hotel, blowing whistles, waving flags and shouting "Abhisit Out."

RED SHIRTS V BLUE SHIRTS

Troops tried to stop them, but "red shirts" and soldiers came hurtling through a huge picture window at the media center in a furious scrum. Soldiers then bolted down the road to protect the hotel where Asian leaders were to hold a lunch.

After rampaging about the media center, the "red shirts" -- including a 90-year-old woman in a wheelchair -- were soon huddled with reporters in impromptu news conferences around the vast conference center. They denounced Abhisit's government as "anti-poor.""

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/090411/world/international_us_asean_summit

Good News Comrades! Kind of funny too.

2009-04-11T08:10:00.003-03:00

The following is an article about the future of General Motors and some of the new products they will offer in the very near future. One of these is supposedly based on a design that came from Korea. Once you read about it, think K Car.

"'The car that's going to save GM,' suggests automotive consultant James Hall, of 2953 Analytics in Birmingham, Mich., 'is the Chevy Cruze, and the derivatives that will come off it.'

The Cruze is a fuel-efficient compact designed in Korea that will sell in markets throughout the world. It goes on sale in North America in the first half of 2010. A small seven-passenger van built off the same platform, the Chevy Orlando, is expected a little later. By selling in huge volumes, perhaps as many as 1.7 million worldwide, the Cruze family could allow GM to be profitable on small cars for a change."

http://ca.autos.yahoo.com/p/1343/cars-that-can-save-detroit

The Black Swan

2009-04-11T07:57:00.003-03:00

Thought I would highlight this link provided by Dee, as it very much focuses on, and explains much of what I feel is necessary in order for much of the World to get it's feet back under it. The article also goes along with what I wrote at the bottom of the April 9th post. Environment, alternative energy and Small is beautiful.

One of the most wise thoughts offered here;

"3. People who were driving a school bus blindfolded (and crashed it) should never be given a new bus. The economics establishment (universities, regulators, central bankers, government officials, various organisations staffed with economists) lost its legitimacy with the failure of the system. It is irresponsible and foolish to put our trust in the ability of such experts to get us out of this mess. Instead, find the smart people whose hands are clean."

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5d5aa24e-23a4-11de-996a-00144feabdc0.html?nclick_check=&nclick_check=1

The Moral Compass. Which way does it point these days?

2009-04-10T11:16:00.000-03:00

As most are likely aware, Stylish Steve and Igghead have jousted recently over that Mulroney guy and in a response to reporters recently, the Stylish one made a reference to something being wrong with Igghead's moral compass. In this odd set of events, Harper did appear to have some foundation for his statements, unlike the other guy who never ceases to miss an opportunity to check to see if he can still fit his foot in his mouth. Still, it is rather humorous hearing Harper lecture on morality. I guess lying doesn't count.

But that's not what I wanted to write about this morning. It was the phrase Moral Compass that went together with something else that happened in my little corner of this Country that I thought worthwhile discussing. I could have titled this piece, The Confused Nation and it would have been appropriate too.

The Rest of The Story;

There seems to be a marked increase in the number of fights/violent incidents among youth/yutes (Joe Pesci) in our area in recent weeks, and I really don't know why that is exactly, I just know it is. It could be the result of being cooped up together for months in schools and looking for avenues to realease their frustrations, or it could just be instincts similar to male Deer or Bucks come rutting season. As I said, I don't know but that isn't really the basis of what I want to write about either exactly. My pondering is based on one particular incident, involving a group of yutes ranging in age from 15 to 18 yrs, a woman approx 35 yrs. and pregnant, plus an older guy of 50 plus.

A group of high school students are squaring off in the parking lot of a local burger joint located with walking distance of the school. They have grievances with each other apparently. Not far away are other yutes who are not involved, including the person who told me this story. It is lunch period so it is not uncommon for students to be in this area. What was uncommon was the aspect of a fight brewing there and especially at that time of day.

To complete setting the scene, the 50 plus year old guy is standing behind the burger joint, having a smoke. He works there. Someone goes into the restaurant and informs staff of the situation, and for some reason unbeknown to me, out comes the 35 yr. old noticably pregnant woman to deal with it.

The woman approaches the yutes, and words are exchanged and that is when it starts to get weird. A 15/16 yr. old becomes incensed, starts lipping off loudly and more words are exchanged. The yute proceeds to apply a very forceful push to the woman almost knocking her off of her feet. That is when the rather smallish 50 something yr. old male who was having a smoke and watching this unfold, springs into action. He rushes across the parking lot and delivers a blow to the head of the yute so forceful that said yute drops like a stone.

Uh Oh. Now we have a dilemna. Due to the actions of 50 something guy, the incident draws to a quick close. The yutes involved gather up the one on the ground and leave the area. What will come of this in the end, I don't know either. I don't know if the yutes will report this as an assault, which in all likelihood would go badly for 50 something guy. I don't know if the restaurant chain will end up being involved or not. The yutes may choose not to pursue anything out of embarrassment or fear of repercussions for their actions. That does not eliminate possible consequences for the adults though.

Unfortunately, the yutes have little deterrent from making an issue of this, as our system rarely does anything at all about this type of youth violence. I am aware of numerous incidents of vicious assaults perpetrated by students against other students in recent years and the perpetrators suffered little or no consequences. Police do little other than deal with immediate circumstances and offer the explanation that it is the Crown Prosecutors office which decides whether to pursue matters or not. If one accepts this, then apparently the Crown rarely chooses to continue, preferring to wait until the little dinks are fully cultivated violent members of adult society. So on to reality and choices.

As an old head with a grasp of the realities here, I will list some of the risks 50 something guy ran when he bolted across that parking lot;

1. Being charged with assault.
2. Being assaulted himself.
3. Loosing his job.
4. Being sued.

And what he could achieve.

1. Protecting a fellow employee and possibly a friend from potential injury.
2. Protecting an unborn child from possibly harm.
3. Ending a potentially dangerous situation where injuries might have been sustained by a number of persons.

Now the dilemma involved here is quite obvious I would think. Did he do the right thing? Did the situation warrant his actions? Was it wise of him to expose himself and his employer to these risks?

My personnel dilemma is further complicated as I had made considerable attempts to spur authorities to address the youth violence issues last year and have admonished and punished my own Son for allowing himself to become involved in fights. As a result, he asked me this question yesterday.

"Would you have been mad at me if I got into that fight to protect the woman?"

Sometimes kids ask really tough questions. What do you think? What is our moral compass in these modern times?

Comrades, I have no good news for you today.

2009-04-09T09:55:00.004-03:00

Our losses are mounting as I write, with no immediate end in sight. With a further 61,000 plus Comrades sidelined, or put out to pasture this past month, there is little light to be seen on the horizon. There has been a shift in which areas suffered the most, but that would be comfort to few.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090409/national/jobs

Yesterday I was bothered by the increasing focus of many who have the ability to speak out, choosing to use their voices for partisan sniping and focusing on issues that do nothing to bring forward constructive dialogue on matters relevant to these times.

Here in our little corner of Internet world, we have explored things such as the root causes of the failures of our economic system and likely have gotten as close as we could to determining who is in fact responsible. We now have some sense of these things, and are better prepared in our own personal circumstances and to speak to, and with others on these matters in order to share understanding.

For us, we can relate to summations of realities such as Comrade Herb's reference to Presidential Power and Hard Power. It certainly seems that Hard Power has triumphed in circumventing Presidential or Prime Ministerial power in many crucial areas, and these are the concerns best addressed openly by those who have the means.

Turning to the world of Canadian politics momentarily, I see the pundits discussing the seeming stagnant positions of the top two parties, and note that many seem somewhat surprised, perhaps even a little bewildered. Maybe this is because their noses are too close to the book of strategy to notice that to the rest of those who bother to pay attention, the two groups have become divided only by issues of lesser importance. I wonder if they consider that the reasons may well be that both entities appear pretty much the same, and employ the same strategies. Serve up hash, deliver some bash and chase after the money.

Which leads me to two of the most extraordinary statements from our political leaders this past week. One from Flaherty and the other from Iggnatieff.

Flaherty made reference to the fact that people are not facing challenges equal to those faced by our early pioneers. Ya think Jim? How long did it take him to come up with that assessment and how much did it cost?

Iggnatieff gave a statement voicing his admiration for Brian Mulroney. Imagine. Way to set yourself apart from the crowd Micheal.

Fella's, most know how interconnected we are with the US, and appreciate the significance, but it doesn't have to start and stop there does it? You guys need to put some fire in people's bellies, and swooning and crooning just doesn't cut it.

Have a chat with that Danny Williams guy why don't you? He has a knack for standing up at the right time and being heard on things that are really important to people. Danny's not afraid of the Big Bad Oil Companies, and he knows how to play a hand. Get out there and tell people you will help them to start small businesses. One person operations on up. Get your printing press behind the small entrepeneurs and don't worry about getting your take for CRA so much. It will all work out in the end.

In this wasteland of political moeofthesames, I tend to lean Green. Not so much as a party supporter, because they are in their infancy and I believe they need more input from older heads. But more because of their support for environmental concerns, alternative energy and that they understand that small is beautiful. One day those youngsters who make up the bulk of Greenies will grow up, and will draw together the foundations of all those good ideas they have, apply their learned experiences and the knowledge of politics they have gained along the way. Together with a new breed of Independents borne from the spirit of quiet political revolution, they will eat those two old dinosaurs alive.

Political Leaders commemorate 92nd Anniversary of Vimy Ridge

2009-04-08T21:18:00.002-03:00

I join them in Honouring all who participated in that Historic battle. I also wish to include a few thoughts based on memories and conversations I have had with those involved in, and those associated with those involved in campaigns of yesteryear. I selected an excerpt from a statement issued by Micheal Iggnatieff as a reference.

"We will forever honour the fallen of Vimy Ridge, Passchendaele, Ypres, and the beaches of Normandy. We celebrate the many achievements of these heroic Canadians who remain an inspiration in their selfless courage and dedication to our country. "

Link; http://www.liberal.ca/story_15717_e.aspx

My Uncle, Dad's oldest brother was at Vimy. My maternal Grandfather was a Calvaryman with the Hert's Imperial Yeomanry, stationed in Egypt at the beginning of WW 1, and subsequently sent to the Dardenelles. My Father was among the Canadian contingent at Normandy. His baby Brother went to Sicily, and became a career Soldier. I expect that had something to do with a scarcity of jobs in their home area, and that is one of the things I would like to point to.

I never learned much about Wars from members of my immediate family. I didn't hear about great battles, or great acts of courage. I didn't hear about their suffering from them. They never talked about those things. What I learned about their experiences, and the personal horrors, came from someone else many years after they passed. Someone close to both of them. And I heard from my Father, in the night, when the demons came. He didn't know what he was saying of course, those things were just memories that wouldn't leave him. The plight of the Citizen Soldier. The quiet intellectual who went to War not out of Patriotism, as I was told much later, but out of a sense of responsibility to his Family and to satisfy a sense of personal worth.

The reality of scarcity of jobs has often remained throughout the years, and likely explains the high percentage of Atlantic Canadians who are active in Military positions even to this day.

With time and experience, I came to understand why the Citizen Soldier didn't speak of their memories of Battles. Their memories of non combatants. Their memories of friends lost.

I have also come to understand why our Governments won't agree to the simple act of honouring Canadians lost in the Vietnam war during Remembrance Day ceremonies.

They are never mistaken.

Of our politiical leaders, I would ask deeper consideration, further reflection, and a fuller Remembrance.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning. We will Remember them.

Village idiots rule the land, and you pay the costs.

2009-04-08T09:09:00.002-03:00

I blogged about the following item some time ago, and this is an update. It is the story of a pre-teen girl in Quebec, and her issues involving parental discipline and the push pull of custody antagonisms. I'll harp more about this later, but the essence of my thoughts on this is that our system has become lost in a child like world full of childish notions brought about by mentally under developed person's holding positions they shouldn't have because they are endangering the fabric that holds a society together.

Idiots should not make the rules, nor should they tinker with them.

"Her punishment: she was banned from her Grade 6 graduation trip to Quebec City in June 2008, for which her mother had already granted permission.

The father — who had custody — withheld his written permission for the trip, prompting the school to refuse to let the girl go with her classmates.

That's when the girl asked for help from the lawyer who represented her in her parents' separation, and petitioned the court to intervene in her case.

"Going to court was a last resort," said Lucie Fortin, a legal aid attorney who represented the girl. "The question was that there was a problem between the father and the mother, and the child asked the court to intervene because it was important to her.

"The trip was very important to her."

Legal battle destroyed father-daughter relationship"

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2009/04/07/mtl-quebecgirl-sues-dad-0407.html

A final thought for now, if Legal Aid lawyers in the Province of Quebec, have time to spend on trivial complaints like this, they have too many Legal aid lawyers. Doesn't that Province receive the highest dollar amount of transfer payments from the Federal Government, year after year?

Another whack at the Long Gun Registry Piniata

2009-04-07T11:05:00.006-03:00

I submitted this post to a prominent liberal bloggers site recently, and it never appeared.

CENSORED, I guess.

"Much to do about nothing in the end, I expect, given the chances of finding enough support among the ranks of the opposition seems slim. Still, thanks for not using the big brush "GUN" Registry approach, as is so often the method preferred, and identifying the issue correctly as it pertains to Long Guns.

To present alternative views, first I say this has long been promised to the CPC members who favor this policy, and this is Harper's 2nd time around. It is also greatly watered down. Next, I would say that dismantling this process does not make Long guns immune to the rest of the checks and balances. There is still a matter of being licensed to own a gun and the procedures in checking ones personal records and history as well. Trigger locks, storage cabinets, restricted access to ammunition etc. Did you know they keep pellets and BB's in locked display cabinets?

If you have looked into the licensing process, you would realize that a law abiding citizen would really have to want to have a gun in order to go through all of that. It's not like just walking into Canadian Tire and picking your favorite model.

I often have the feeling this issue isn't so much about the Long guns as it is about political influence, one group trying to enforce it's will over another and a backward way of viewing democracy.

When a majority government makes laws such as these, without prior consultation with the public or it being a major campaign issue, then true democratic process hasn't taken place. Assessing the process that is ahead, seems far more democratic to me given the public understands a great deal more at this point, and the result will depend on a free vote in the house. For what that's worth.

There are also statistics to consider which don't support the contention that Long guns are a significant factor in cases of criminal activity.

Using the Police Chiefs as a reference is interesting as well, as I suspect if they were candid in expressing their views, they would favor no guns whatsoever except for themselves and the military.

I grew up with guns in my house, and was taught to respect them. Many of my neighbors had guns as well, all long guns. I can't remember a single incident of anyone shooting someone in the entire area, so what's wrong with modern society that this has become such an issue?

There are many areas where people lives are endangered that are addressed by laws and regulations, many of which result in more deaths and debilitating injuries than long guns. Often these are not utilized effectively, or are ignored for the sake of making the wheels go around.

Having said all that, a couple of years ago my Son went to school with a used, bent pellet in his pocket not realizing it was there. On discovering it, he took it out and began to fiddle with it and was spotted by a teacher. It was taken away and he was told he would be expelled if it happened again. That was in Southern Ontario, land of paranoia's. What was he going to do with a bent pellet and no pellet gun? Just an illustration. I'm glad it wasn't a stapler.

Don't taze me bro!"

-------------------

Today I found a liberal bloggers entry on this issue which suggests Conservative Party support and financing is the most likely reason for the CPC bringing the issue forward again.

Duh….

A finanical reason for the Cons. wanting to scrap the long-gun registry.

http://scottdiatribe.canflag.com/2009/04/06/a-finanical-reason-for-the-cons-wanting-to-scrap-the-long-gun-registry/

During recessions the MSM rarely writes about those who hurt the most,

2009-04-07T08:36:00.002-03:00

I was reading yet another article this morning based on the World's economic uncertainties, and the effects of the day on markets, investors outlook and banking industry overviews. Got me to thinking about how little anyone writes about the individuals caught under the wheels of the Bus with no where to go, but down.

All well and good to go about trying to fix things manipulating interest rates, but who does this hurt? Swamping the money supply by various means gets some attention, but does anyone talk about the effects being seen from the result of years and years of focus on growth, and the result of the extraordinary exit of investment monies from real estate growth into oil futures that we saw last year?

Most focus is on the peripherals, how it came to be, what happened during, but little is said about the pinch now becoming a grab, by many of those companies that were created or greatly expanded during the growth period, and what they are currently doing in the marketplace. An example of which can be found on the shelves of your local giant corporation owned grocery outlet. How many products spiked by an extraordinary amount supposedly due to increased transportation and production costs related to energy, only to have remained at that level or higher? What about the ruse employed by Oil giants concerning the cost of Diesel and home heating oil? Demand is down significantly, so why is Diesel still priced higher at the pumps than gasoline? Quick answer, because they can.

There are a lot of people who get caught between a rock and a hard place in times like these. We hear about those who lose their jobs, and many truly sympathize. Some know what it is like to be in similar circumstances. How much do we hear about those who worked for many years, encountered these or similar difficulties and approached retirement with some savings, perhaps RRSP's and largely relied on Government pensions, meager private industry pensions or combinations thereof, and hopes of some steady supplement from their savings? Not much I think.

Some say that housing and auto prices have declined, so overall we have deflation. Well, maybe if you are still active in that sphere of economic activity, it is significant. If not, things such as rising energy costs, grocery, property taxes and the like are priority concerns. These things are going up. In Ontario, and I expect other Provinces soon to be heard from, harmonized sales tax will grab you by both cheeks of your backside and squeeze you some more. So with the recent debacle in the markets destroying half of savings for many, and interest being virtually useless in regards to income, what are these people to do in order to cover these increased costs for the necessities of life? Many even have to pay their own medical and dental costs, plus eye testing and glasses. If you are desperate poor and don't have private coverage, most Provincial Gov's have programs to address this. Not easily accessed programs mind you, but they are there buried under lengthy bureaucratic process and mountains of paper.

Unfortunately though, those with Old age security and or CPP benefits plus a little bit of savings generally don't qualify, so they are in fact more poor than the poor, especially if they are ill or have disabilites that incur extra costs. Neat system wot?

Not to forget the officially government designated poor though, as they have similar concerns and are also extremely sensitive to the increases in costs for basic needs.

I can't remember the last time I read an article in a major media venue that brought these things out in the light and focused on it.

To the MSM, I would say kindly put some focus on these largely forgotten people. Not just the murders and other sensational news from the United States. Never know boys and girls, someday soon you too might be seen at the Food Bank hurrying with your bundles to your leased Escolade parked around the corner.

Here's the link that got that mini rant started;

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/090407/business/cbusiness_us_markets_global

We passed a Milestone today. Did you notice?

2009-04-05T20:18:00.002-03:00

It just dawned on me we topped 10,000 hits on the counter today. Not too shabby given we are not associated with an aggregate, nor make any focused self promotion efforts elsewhere. I have noticed some other bloggers hit numbers recently, with one prominent liberal blog which has existed a great deal longer showing 167,000 total hits, and another writing about increased traffic since joining Liberalsonline and having an average of 72 visitors per day. We are averaging 120.

Either we have a fair number of lurkers, or we are very popular with a few people for whatever reasons. So a message to our possible lurkers, quit lurking and speak up. Given that there is actually only about six of us who prattle on here, I have been considering giving the members of the collective a numerical designation.

Just call me One of Six.

Featured MSM ariticle of the day.

2009-04-05T18:25:00.005-03:00

This was featured at Kate's World today, and initially I thought what was written was hers as it was in keeping with the usual nonsense one finds over there. To my surprise, it comes from the Wall Street Journal. What is most amazing though, is that they printed it. If you have a rubber rain coat and galoshes, I suggest you don them, as the sh*t flies fast and furious in this one.

"It is not for nothing that rage has been turned on those wicked financiers. The banks are at the core of the administration's thrust: By managing the money, government can steer the whole economy even more firmly down the left fork in the road.

If the banks are forced to keep TARP cash -- which was often forced on them in the first place -- the Obama team can work its will on the financial system to unprecedented degree. That's what's happening right now."

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123879833094588163.html

Have they no shame?

2009-04-03T13:17:00.002-03:00

Britian's Sir Fred Goodwin claims he is entitled to his pension rewards, regardless of his dismal performance as head of Royal Bank of Scotland. The RBS ex chief executive is defending his right to not only a dubious payment amounting to 16.9 million pounds, but also a yearly pension amount of 703,000 pounds.

It is said that that he still takes the view that he is entitled to the money.

He should start a new career as Britain's version of Ed the Sock. Sir Ed, cigar?

"Goodwin's pension pot was doubled to £16.9m on the weekend the bank was bailed out by the taxpayer in October."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/apr/03/fred-goodwin-pension-rbs-agm

Where's Jack?

2009-04-03T10:08:00.002-03:00

Has anyone heard from the usually anxious to be seen and heard Jack Layton lately? I can't remember the last time I read an article about what Jack Layton thinks about such things as more stimulus, or the Auto Industry or G20 priorities or anything else for that matter. Maybe I'm just not reading the right sources, but it seems to me that Jack is unusually quiet. Especially for Jack.

When I read a link from the Toronto Star by Chantal Hebert provided by Dee earlier, I got to wondering why we aren't hearing from him? That article points to a poll done by Leger, which indicates Canadians coast to coast largely agree on something for a change. No bailout for GM and Chrysler. According to Hebert, only 15% of Canadians support bailing them out, and even in Ontario there is only 17% who support it.

So, back to my thought, why aren't we hearing from bouncy Jack?

Searching for an intelligent debate re: Long Gun legislation

2009-04-02T12:06:00.002-03:00

This is a pet peeve of mine. I have read a number of items from people who oppose abolishing the Long Gun Registry, and have never found any of them to be convincing. In fact, most of the time they rely on catch phrases, rhetoric, bias borne from swishing down contemporary urban thought process with pints of spittle and other misc. tidbits which they cannot support thoroughly with numbers.

This bill does not propose scrapping the entire gun registry. It does not propose changing the status of firearms that are currently illegal. Kalashnikov's will still be illegal. It does not propose ending the very time consuming and intrusive process involved in obtaining a license to own a firearm or any of the other laws associated with that.

What it addresses is, ending the record keeping arm of the bureaucracy which is related to Long guns. Such things as hunting rifles, military rifles (non automatic) and antique rifles.

At the heart of this, is a clash of cultures, era's and political pandering. What we have in essence, is a time warp of sorts. The cities have lot's of trouble's these days with drugs, drug dealers, assorted criminal elements and they also have noisy special interest groups. The issue of the Long guns has become a crutch for those who haven't the courage to admit where the real source of their troubles comes from. That being themselves, their daily habits and weaknesses and dull wits. Oh look, there's a new bandwagon to jump on! Hurry!

At the core of my gripes is another consideration, that being the lack of public input and regional representation involved when these laws and regulations were initially implemented. I don't remember any public discussions in my area. I don't remember this being an important election plank. I don't remember the government of the day giving consideration to a long established right, and the weight of past practice involved. What I remember is the arrogance of a majority federal government who as usual, acted based on what was politically expedient at the time.

I don't presume to have basis to tell Ontario, Quebec or B.C. what to do about the problems that have been created, largely in their high population areas. If they can't address the drug issues, without encompassing laws covering ownership of guns, then that is something for them to deal with. And that is who I think should deal with it. I think most of the responsibility for gun legislation should rest with provincial governments. Perhaps incorporating municipal government where warranted. Situations such as what is experienced in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver would suggest that might be sensible. It would localize controls on an as needed basis, plus costs as well.

But this one size fits all routine, sticks in my craw. I live in the outbacks, I don't want the troubles of the cities, and I don't need no steenkin' Big Brother telling me whether I's growed up enough to own a gun. Sometimes I wondered if Big Brother is all growed up?

Harper unexpected no-show at G20 family photo

2009-04-02T10:05:00.002-03:00

This should be fun! Besides reminding me of Dion's little problem with showing up late for an interview during the last election campaign, I am looking forward to the Cat's and Dogs going at it over their interpretations. Given some conflicting reports on Harper's recent statements on stimulus, and the push pull on economic policy among the G20 leaders that has been reported, some room for speculation has emerged. Add to that, Mark Carney's recent back peddling and seeming contradictions of Harper's latest statements re: leaders should over act, (more power to the engines Mr. Scott!), I'm wondering whazzup?

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090402/world/g20_summit_harper

And the rain rain rain came down down down, but the markets went back up again

2009-04-01T15:21:00.003-03:00

Just a quickie post. I noticed both the TSX and the DJIA are up about 150 points today. Based on what, I have no clue. Nothing but bad news on the economic front, economic growth numbers and projections all down, employment numbers are frightening and the Peasants in London England are referring to it as Fortress London this week.

What do those investment people read anyway? Winnie the Pooh?

Silly Wabbits.

Frank Valeriote, MP for Guelph, cries foul on Auto deal

2009-04-01T12:02:00.003-03:00

For those who don't know who Frank is, he's a newly elected first time MP and a Lawyer from the little burgh of Guelph Ontario. Guelph is home to Linamar Corp., a company heavily involved in providing parts for the Automotive Industry. Apparently, Frank is the Liberal member on the Subcommittee on the Automotive Industry of Canada, which is a bit curious given his background, but I suppose this type of thing is common place in Otterwa.

I read the roughly 4 page document put out by the Liberal Party on their concerns regarding the Industry, the gist of which appears to be to recommend a North American working group to discuss strategies for the ailing auto industry. All very well and good I suppose, except for the realities of the Big 3 being American companies and that it most definitely appears to be a high priority item for the Obama admin at this time. So what exactly Frank and Co. think at this point is quite likely not very high on the Obama peoples agenda.

The concern that stood out in the great long 4 pages or so, was this;

“This government has been completely negligent in defending Canadian interests and Canadian jobs,” he said.

This was made particularly evident last week, when General Motors told the auto subcommittee that it had committed all of its worldwide assets, including its assets in Canada, as collateral for U.S. loans to keep its American operations alive, Mr. Valeriote said.

“That may mean that this government's loans to GM Canada are going to be unsecured and Canadian taxpayers are going to be on the hook,” he said.

Political rhetoric aside, Frankie is a Lawyer, and I expect can easily understand loan documents and whether or not the government of Canada and thus it's citizens are properly secured in regards to the loans he refers to. Maybe getting some facts/terms would be more useful than writing up 4 pages plus on things that are largely irrelevant at this time?

The US government is going to do whatever it's going to do regarding GM and Chrysler. I don't think Canada's concerns will get much attention at this time, so better to expend your efforts clearly understanding our position than to speak only to be heard. I know a large number of Frank's constituents depend on the Auto Industry for their living. Not just the Linamar employees but the many who travel that awful highway every day to jobs in Milton, Oakville and the GTA, and I expect they want to hear that their guy is doing something. In keeping with that, my suggestion would be to learn all you can about the legal position, as quickly as possible, and to help make preparations if the bomb is dropped. Otherwise, you might be an MP with a very short term of service.

Liberal Party release below;

http://www.liberal.ca/story_15699_e.aspx

Hold the Presses! Iran offers to help U.S in Afghan..

2009-04-01T09:44:00.001-03:00

Wa'll, it just might be good news. It might be just another shiny lure too. I have written earlier that I liked what Obama says, not so much what he has done. I am especially wary of his Bush era associates. I have also said, that for very many years, I tried my best to ignore American politics. Alas, that is no longer possible for me, once again, nor the rest of our Canadian citizens, who at the end or the day, don't care much about good intentions.

That said, and I could write a great deal more, but won't right now, I haven't given up on Obama's admin yet. I do reserve the right to try to understand the challenges of satisfying the many sucklings. As Abraham Lincoln once said, "Too many pigs, not enough teats". Extraordinary fellow their Mr. Lincoln. Not perfect. Many horrible things took place on his watch, but he had purpose and understanding and that provided him the gift or curse, of wisdom.

To the article;

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/mar/31/iran-afghanistan-obama

Having consumed that, I wish to add some thoughts. Is Iran finally feeling the pinch of the World Economic Crisis in a way that is so powerful that even they cannot resist an open hand?

Is there actually some, who hold wisdom within the admin/foriegn departments of the United States?

Can they find, the upside of down and make it work for the greater good? Perhaps we should also consider if this is in fact, the end game. For now.

Or is this yet another ruse? Another diversion. Another load of the oft delivered feel good medicine that has made those of us, who have experienced the true spirit of corrupted Democracy, so hardened?

It seems Garth Turner is still in the hearts and minds of Halton area Conservatives

2009-03-30T19:25:00.002-03:00

While perusing the blogosphere yesterday, I happened upon the site called Angry in the Great White North, which is run by a guy who has long had an, er...interest in Garth Turner. It seems his interest hasn't waned, and now he is concerned with the reputation and fortunes of the Liberal Party as well. Very kind of him.

It seems his latest focus, stems from Garth's soon to be released book entitled Sheeple, which if I understand correctly, is to be an account of an insiders view of political activity and Party goings on. Mr. Angry is apparently concerned about what might be revealed, how damaging these things might be and whether the book will actually be worth the coin that he or other members of his association will undoubtedly lay out for it within minutes of it becoming available.

After perusing some of the comments accompanying the blog, and noticing some familiar handles, I quickly tired of the usual bashing, much of it mindless drivel and chose to click a few of the links within the body of the post. Which led me to another entry about Mr. Turner, or Gart as I often refer to him as. That's just to remind him he's not thet high and mighty. Heh.. To continue; the second link delved into such things as how some people miss Garth Turner. This went on to examine in some depth the how's, why's etc. and was again followed up by the chorus of booing from the faithful.

After reading these pieces, I reflected momentarily, and thought what was the point of all of that? Slow day in the blogging world maybe? More shiny things to amuse the fishies? Umm.....no, I wasn't satisfied with that exactly, so what then? Certainly there was a sense of fascination, almost begrudging respect in some of the words, but that wasn't what seemed hidden in the depths of the thoughts overall. Was it merely 24/7 politicing? Perhaps. Was it fear? Ah Watson! You might be on to something there.

Have a look if you have some spare time. You will find Hairy and East of Eden there too, as well as a host of other colorful characters.

http://stevejanke.com/archives/285076.php

http://stevejanke.com/archives/284975.php

As an old Sun newspaper guy, I expect Garth will appreciate the publicity. Probably won't translate into very many book sales with Mr. Angry's readers though, as in the Conservative spirit, they will likely share a couple of copies until the covers fall off, and the binding separates.

How do you get taxpayers to sop up 93% of banks toxic assets?

2009-03-30T18:16:00.004-03:00

Well, it appears Tim (The Rim) Geithner has a plan. When I read Geithner's plan to offer financing for investors and auctions designed to market bundled toxic assets, I could see some logic in it. At first glance it appeared that other than the heavy stake taxpayers would have in the financing of this project, the concept had some merit. That being, by encouraging investors to bid on these assets via providing extraordinary financing opportunities, the investors would be encouraged to pay higher amounts for the assets, and thus provide a leveraging of the money loaned to them and help recapitalize the banks at a lower immediate cost to taxpayers.

I guess I approached this trying to understand it with my gotcha meter on low, and was trying too hard to look for the good in the plan. Below is a link to a simplistic description of how this is designed to not only provide liquidity for the banks, but could well result in them having both the cash, and end up owning the assets in question as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-arbfLTCtI&feature=player_embedded

Talk all they want to, but a proof is a proof...

2009-03-30T14:07:00.002-03:00

Longevity of financial rally undermined by data

"Financial exchange-traded funds have seen outflows since March 6, when the current rally in the broader market got going. Short interest positions in financials are running high this month. And hedge funds tracked by one large investment bank are selling their financial stocks.

These signposts belie heady advances made by the largest banks after deep losses during the first two months of this year, though bank shares gave up some of those advances Monday."

http://cxa.marketwatch.com/TSX/en/Market/article.aspx?guid=http%3a%2f%2fsystem.marketwatch.com%2fnewscloud%2fdocguid%2f{B89863EC-C5DC-4224-BE11-D3C0F9DB3F03}

It's a proof. A proof is a proof, and when you have a good proof, it's because it's proven . JC.

Future mortgaging woes and the Shadow Banking Industry

2009-03-29T12:50:00.002-03:00

"Throughout 2007 and 2008, one hedge fund after another failed and investment banks like Bear Stearns Cos. followed, and the system began to shut down.

The plunge in credit was precipitous. Investors bought $900-billion (U.S.) of securities backed by car loans and other consumer and small-business loans in 2006. By 2008, that had plunged to $150-billion. And in the first three months of 2009, before TALF, investors were willing to buy a measly $2-billion.

In Canada, the disappearance of the market for riskier mortgage-backed bonds means that companies like Xceed Mortgage Corp. are unable to renew mortgages for many customers. That could leave as many as 25,000 borrowers unable to renew their home loans."

http://business.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090327.wrcover28/BNStory/Business/home

David Dodge and others as well, weigh in on the issue of regulating the Shadow Banking Industry. Many seem to be of the opinion that TALF may not achieve it's desired effect due to greatly reduced demand for credit.

"It's the wrong way to go if we think that encouraging people to borrow more and leverage up more and to spend more will get us out of this mess, because that's what got us into this mess in the first place," Ms. Tavakoli said.

It's far from clear that people who are struggling with the recession are even willing to step up to buy new cars and consumer goods, no matter what the governments in Canada and the U.S. do to try to get people borrowing and spending again.

"The demand for credit is way down," said Bill Dunkelberg, chief economist for the U.S. National Federation of Independent Business. Mr. Dunkelberg is also chairman of a small community bank in New Jersey, where he said he sees a big decline in loan applications. Because of that, he said, the Fed and the Treasury may be "pushing on a string" with TALF."

More from around the World. Japan on the brink of deflation.

2009-03-29T10:41:00.002-03:00

"We calculate that the deflation risk is higher than ever," Macquarie Group economist Richard Jerram said in a report published today. "The Bank of Japan makes matters worse in its tolerance of deflation, both in comments from officials and in its policy framework, as this reinforces expectations that it will be allowed to persist."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/mar/27/japan-economy-deflation-brink

I'm wondering if tolerance is the correct assessment, or if there is no more wiggle room?

Sire, the Peasants are grumbling again..

2009-03-29T10:29:00.002-03:00

"About 35,000 demonstrators marched through central London on Saturday ahead of next week's summit for the Group of 20 nations in Britain's capital."

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/03/28/g20-london.html

Yesterday, I read a piece on demonstrations being planned for the upcoming G20 meeting in Great Britain. Organizers are predicting up to 100,000 protesters to show up. One of the main organizers, an ex British MP, is being quite provocative in his statements about this and warning authorities not to use rough up tactics etc.

I've spent some time this evening hobknobing with Liberals?

2009-03-28T22:20:00.002-03:00

To be continued. Someone has to have the sense of purpose to help them understand, what that phrase means.

In the meantime, more Radio Okie for the troops;

George Strait-Amarillo by Morning

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZlN9ZMgiR8&feature=related

Faith Hill-There you'll be

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhpFwpu0mGw

Sometimes I think them sumbitches don't understand nothin' at all.

It's all about balance, and even the righties ain't wrong all the time. They have their story too.

And here I am, clowns to the left of me, jokers to right, stuck in the middle with you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DNeoYbTvN8

The Afghan National Army

2009-03-28T12:41:00.002-03:00

Below is a link to a clip I found on the Guardian.UK site which discusses some realities of the readiness and worth of the ANA. How long have we been there now?

You might have to start the video, let it jerk along for a minute then pause it for a minute or so to let it buffer and feed. Depends on the speed of your computer.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/video/2009/mar/27/obama-afghanistan-military

Poor Baby. Bring your hankies for this one..

2009-03-27T14:17:00.002-03:00

I drifted over to the dead zone again, just to keep up on any new propaganda efforts and found them deeply involved in nothingness, as seems the norm lately, but there was one item of interest. They are still weeping for the poor at AIG.

"On March 16 I received a payment from A.I.G. amounting to $742,006.40, after taxes. "

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/25/opinion/25desantis.html?_r=2&pagewanted=1

How do you fix a busted Ponzi scheme? Why, create an even bigger one of course!

2009-03-27T10:11:00.005-03:00

Remember what I said earlier about Mark to Market accounting changes? Well it appears the U.S. monkey brains are about to have a go at it. The basis of their thinking can be summarized by saying they are going to let the investment industry have it's way and just make shit up.

Although the financial and government gurus would have you believe this is complicated and love to use big words and ass backwards phrases to make it appear complicated, it isn't. They are just doing that to confuse you and make you fuck off. Remember Obama's great indignation about leveraging 30 times in one of his speeches? Heh...

Something is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. If no one wants to buy it, it's worth what they are willing to pay, right? That is nothing. So the essence of the changes the monkeys want to make will allow industries to set a value on these otherwise worthless assets and allow them to represent that value on their books, thus falsely representing the true overall value of the company. In a worst case scenario, a company could have many times more worthless assets on it's books than those with value making the company very risky if not insolvent in real terms, yet still able to represent itself as a viable entity to investors and stock market purchasers. Neat wot?

Reminds me of a line from an old song; Something for nothing and your chics for free...

Oh, and wasn't it just a week or so back that Bernanke said no to this? Next thing you know, he will be saying, "My friends, trust me"..

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/03/26/new-rule-would-allow-bank_n_179489.html

Thanks for the link Charles. Because of you, I'm having Pepto Bismal for breakfast this morning, instead of Crumpets and Spam.... lol

The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away.

2009-03-27T00:55:00.003-03:00

"Exempt books, children’s clothing and footwear, diapers, children’s car seats and car booster seats and feminine hygiene products from the eight per cent provincial portion of the tax."

http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/english/budget/ontariobudgets/2009/budhi.html

The article above is about Ontario's budget and entry into the "Have not Province Club". It also introduces the phenomenal benefits to governments that are afforded by implementing the Harmonized Sales Tax. I outlined the exemption in order to point to the true benevolent nature of those who reveled in the benefits of Nafta, etc. The wise, the Honourable and the caring.

Sorry Ontario, I know your work ethic is very good. I also know many of you live, just to exist, and for many, the highlight of the day, is walking their best friend, and lovingly clasping the excrement they leave behind, grocery bag in hand. I know that Municipal Governments have come to realize the importance of this to you, the importance of your last, best friend, and have even provided special receptacles in the parks and municipal workers to pick up your best friends poop. I know you are subject to those whose fixation on exerting control over you would stymie the independent spirit of even those of stoutest of heart. But I can't offer you much help. Unless of course you would like to talk about my Quiet, Bloodless Political Revolution. During the course of which, we would take back the daylight, as well as the night.

Otherwise, just Ben Dover, again.

The problem with opening Pandora's box.

2009-03-26T23:47:00.002-03:00

It's just so hard to get the lid back on.

http://www.jkcook.net/Articles2/0381.htm#Top

From the Ministry of Good News

2009-03-25T09:20:00.002-03:00

I would like to offer a pointer to a site and a blogger who I think is heads and shoulders above the crowd. Someone who speaks out on matters of importance based on logical assessments rather than Party line or self interest. I don't generally direct people to other sites, but I wanted to point out to our little group that I read this blog regularly. Below is a link to one of the best thought out and articulately expressed posts I have read. Perhaps the best of the best actually, and that has to be in the category of good news, wot?

Okieville presents the Disaffected Lib, aka Mound of Sound;

http://the-mound-of-sound.blogspot.com/2009/03/stuck-on-wide-open.html

With 73 million Americans in prison, on parole or under probation,

2009-03-25T08:51:00.002-03:00

states spent $47 billion in 2008, the study said. Yup, you read it right. I had to reread this 3 times before I could reconcile it somehow. You know there is a problem when......almost one in four of a countries population are undergoing some type of behavioral correction process that involves the criminal justice system. I have read such things as the number of persons incarcerated in the US has increased in the past 30 years by threefold. From one in 300 to one in one in 100, but that's not all of the story. Here is an excerpt and the link;

"When state budgets are flush," said Barry Krisberg, president of the National Council on Crime and Delinquency, "prisons are something that governors and legislators all support, and they don't want to touch sentencing reform. But when dollars are as tight as they are now, you have to make really tough choices. And so now things are in play."

http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/03/24/america/prison.php

When Oliver looked into his bowl this morning,

2009-03-24T13:06:00.004-03:00

he said "not enough". Gee willikers, what does it take to keep Oliver's bowl topped up satisfactorily? Yesterday was of course a winner on the Stock Markets, in response to the announced $1.15 trillion in goodies money from the US Fed, but today it's back to more Grimm tales.

-----------------------------------------

Not much to report so far today. Some talk about the $60 million our gov. is spending to stream line EI and extend benefits by 5 weeks, which is good given the bad. The blogging liberals were of little inspiration today as many are focused on their outrage over some dumb show on Fox network. Sheesh, no end to the shiny things. I did find what seemed like an interesting discussion on Red Tory's site about government programs and incentives to scrap older cars and buy new (ish), but that degraded into a scrap over building a realistic Canadian auto manufacturing reality. Another site got all uppity over some comedic treatment of a particular Religious group. Saints preserve me. There was one article based on an article Iggnatieff did for the New York Times recently. The only thing outstanding about that was how unremarkable it was and that it somehow got published in such a major newspaper.

That's zit for now. Later Gators.

Added;

Here's the link to the NYT article by Ignatieff.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/23/books/23igna.html?_r=1&hpw

Just another John

2009-03-23T07:29:00.003-03:00

Bet you thought I was going to write about pros-t-toots er sumthin'. Well I'm not. I'm just going to offer a quote for the day. Some guy named John wrote this over at yahoo, and I thought it worth repeating.

"The money powers prey upon the nation in times of peace and conspire against it in times of adversity. It is more despotic than a monarchy, more insolent than autocracy, more selfish than bureaucracy. It denounces as public enemies all who question its methods or throw light upon its crimes. Corporations have been enthroned, and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people "

Hallelujah Brother, and pass the pitch forks!

Don't worry, I didn't suddenly get 'ligion, but I did hang around the mother of all right tard sites for a bit last night just to see what propaganda they are spewing lately. Well surprise surprise! They were making a lame attempt at defending the AIG execs who live in a wealthy area of Conneticut. This segment of the downtrodden masses have been voicing their concerns for their personal safety lately, in the wake of claims of death threats etc. So says they. So in swoops the dead animal leader and throws a big shiny lure into the water and takes attention off the real issues and onto some great satan like entity called Acorn and of course Obama. It's all his fault you know.

Upon hearing the splash, and then seeing the shiny lure, the trout immediately assembled to give pursuit. Gawd have mercy.

I suppose it is more difficult to see properly when one is looking up through water as it would obscure things a bit, but I wish these fishies would come up for air more often and see the world as it really is. So jump little fishies. Jump for your life! While there still is clean air and sunshine to be had to help clear your little fish sized brains.

The full quote from which the excerpt above was taken, is below.

"The money powers prey upon the nation in times of peace and conspire against it in times of adversity. It is more despotic than a monarchy, more insolent than autocracy, and more selfish than bureaucracy. It denounces as public enemies, all who question it's methods or throw light upon it's crimes. I have two great enemies, the Southern Army in front of me and the Bankers in the rear. Of the two, the one at my rear is my greatest foe.. corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money powers of the country will endeavor to prolong it's reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until the wealth is aggregated in the hands of a few, and the Republic is destroyed. Abraham Lincoln

In search of the Big Dog

2009-03-22T16:12:00.002-03:00

Well, while I was busy trying to wet appetites enough to get folks to read all 8 pages of this "MOST" interesting article from Rolling Stone Magazine, some guy named Mike scooped me. Ah, well, no matter. What matters is reading this piece as it begins to address the depth and scope of what has happened and is still happening. Who is identifiable so far, and much more.

I titled it as I did, because if you remember I wrote earlier that those who masterminded this, have many buffers built in to protect themselves. In the quest to establish this, they have focused considerable effort on having laws changed so that their agents cannot be prosecuted. Then there is the really interesting part on bypassing the US Congress and funneling Trillions directly into the banking/investment hole. In addition to these whistle wetters, I'll post an excerpt that stirs the troops.

"The bonuses are a nice comic touch highlighting one of the more outrageous tangents of the bailout age, namely the fact that, even with the planet in flames, some members of the Wall Street class can't even get used to the tragedy of having to fly coach. "These people need their trips to Baja, their spa treatments, their hand jobs," says an official involved in the AIG bailout, a serious look on his face, apparently not even half-kidding. "They don't function well without them."

"The most galling thing about this financial crisis is that so many Wall Street types think they actually deserve not only their huge bonuses and lavish lifestyles but the awesome political power their own mistakes have left them in possession of. When challenged, they talk about how hard they work, the 90-hour weeks, the stress, the failed marriages, the hemorrhoids and gallstones they all get before they hit 40.

"But wait a minute," you say to them. "No one ever asked you to stay up all night eight days a week trying to get filthy rich shorting what's left of the American auto industry or selling $600 billion in toxic, irredeemable mortgages to ex-strippers on work release and Taco Bell clerks. Actually, come to think of it, why are we even giving taxpayer money to you people? Why are we not throwing your ass in jail instead?"

But before you even finish saying that, they're rolling their eyes, because You Don't Get It. These people were never about anything except turning money into money, in order to get more money; valueswise they're on par with crack addicts, or obsessive sexual deviants who burgle homes to steal panties. Yet these are the people in whose hands our entire political future now rests."

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/26793903/the_big_takeover/1

Please read carefully.

What's wrong in America? Here's a hint.

2009-03-21T17:32:00.002-03:00

I picked up this article at a blog called Curiosity Cat, and as I read along I could understand the goals and methods involved in U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner's plan to ease the toxic debt situation that is supposedly holding up the flow of credit in the U.S., and was seeing some logic to it. Then I read a paragraph toward the end that I thought speaks volumes about what is really wrong in America. See if you can pick it out. I did give you a hint. Right?

"http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/21/business/21bank.html?hp"

Another story of how feeding the corporate dream destroys our way of life.

2009-03-21T13:31:00.003-03:00

Also, how tinkering with the way things have been done for decades doesn't necessarily make it better.

I used to own a small herd of purebred Hereford cattle, and some Commercial Shorthorns as well. Easy keeps I used to call them, as they required little attention in comparison to many of the new more exotic breeds. Grass, hay a little feed, ample clean water and rough shelter for the bad winter months was about all they needed and the amount of finish (fat content) was variable, depending on how much feed you could afford, and the market you were serving.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2009/03/19/ns-beef-grass.html

Having spent a good part of my life standing in shit up to my ankles, one way or another, I have a deep attachment to the old ways of animal production, and I believe absolutely that we not only squander tremendous resources and employment opportunities with the Corporate Agricorp dream, but we also contribute greatly to the overall waste of fuel and to polluting our environment. The main problems as I see them are as listed below;

1. We have concentrated production in Western Canada and are reliant on huge production and processing facilities there, which on the production side, require few employees due to the size and mechanization techniques used. These also rely heavily on chemical, hormonal and pharmaceutical means in order to achieve their output levels. Everything from the range of chemical means to control crop issues to antibiotics administered either in the feed or direct injection and implants of all sorts of odd things. There are supposed to be controls over that, but if you think they are adhered to, well you know the story about waterfront property in Arizona.

2. The processing facilities that are concentrated in Western Canada have big problems finding workers so they rely heavily on low paid immigrants. Many of whom are temporary of sorts. These immigrants require housing and services and companies such as Cargill have gone to great lengths to provide company facilities to satisfy this. Sound familiar? Think back to the Company towns of yesteryear.

3. I see more and more U.S. beef and pork products appearing which are usually packaged in bulk, and I expect a type of dumping. Regardless, they add nothing to the local production and employment scenario and are subject to USDA standards, not Canadian.

4. The Western and U.S. meat products are shipped thousands of kilometers in freezer/refrigeration units either on trucks or rail cars, thus adding to the strain on infrastructure and diesel fuel supplies which supposedly justifies the high retail pricing of diesel these days. Plus this contributes greatly to emissions concerns and carbon production. Even the refer units run on diesel or propane generally, so it's not just the trucks and locomotives.

5. Bypassing local production has caused great expanses of once productive farm land to lay dormant and become grown over with bush, alders and misc. varieties of evergreens etc. When I go back to the area where my old farm is, I see approx 1,500 acres of what used to be actively used as farm land, now dormant. There is perhaps 150 acres total being used in the general area. This doesn't include the other side of our river, where I grew up and the story is pretty much the same over there as well. The rest of the local area is similar, as small farms have all but died out, as indicated in the article above.

6. Searching for employment figures this a.m., I find info such as the southwest shore of N.S., a typically rural based area for the most part, and see unemployment having raised in the 3% range. I know other areas have suffered similarly, and I can't help but think about the rising costs of groceries and the wasted employment and Ag production opportunities. Then there's all that wasted fuel and what comes with that.

So back to the type of animals used in the region for a moment. The new exotics finish much bigger than our old standard breeds, therefore in order to get them to market in the same time frame they need a great amount of feed. Their carcass weight is much higher, but they cost too much to finish given the availability of local grains. Grain used to be available in high quantities in this area, largely because potato farmers in PEI used a three crop rotation. One yr. potatoes, one grain and one grass. In recent decades, due to the influences of the McCain and Irving Empires in the potato business, many growers cut corners and cycled only two crops, thus reducing availability of grain. So, now we need to look at market trends. The market wants leaner meat, not fatter, so this plays well for the standard breeds. The easy keeps as I called them. As the article points out, relying more on the natural offerings of wild grasses and cultivated hay crops can make these breeds viable again. Should have been all along, but the pressures from agricorp, the processing and retail giants and the meddling influences of government agencies who were hell bent on pushing the small farmers out of the picture, have succeeded.

I remember when, with a heavy heart, I threw in the towel as I realized I couldn't be any more efficient than I already was, and I couldn't justify the investment of time and money only to make $100 per calf per year. That was for the live ones. There are some losses that can't be avoided.

When I read things such as Herb's comment on T Bone steak being $28 a kilo in Ottawa, it reminds me of just how badly the forces of the above named co-conspirators are in fact fleecing the general public, and harming our natural ability to create local employment and work toward more self sufficiency.

I did notice that our gubbermint has budgeted an amount to encourage such things as local farmers markets, and I commend them somewhat for the thought, albeit it's a token amount. It is by supporting alternative market outlets, that governments can aid in returning some of the power of the individual back where it belongs. The power that they have worked diligently over many decades to take away from us. This Great Country was built on the strength of this, not corporate gouging control freaks.

So smarten up eh?

CUPE and insulating the Civil Service

2009-03-21T11:37:00.002-03:00

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/cbc/090319/canada/canada_newbrunswick_nb_labour_nursing_home

I have picked up a few figures recently that are relative to considering who has the proper view on this matter, and I think it is significant given the times. This is just a mini snapshot perhaps of a much greater picture, but I am curious how people see this overall.

Firstly, N.B. has a population of approx. 729,000. Secondly, they have 47,000 Provincial civil servants including nurses and teachers. Wages alone for the civil service consume 40% of New Brunswick budget. The best estimate I can find at the moment indicates there are roughly 350,000 people with jobs in N.B. Those figures include a youngster working 5 hours a week for a burger joint and a paper boy who receives a cheque for his services. Even short term work, that only lasts days or weeks gets counted, so the real figure of substantial jobs is difficult to nail down. I went searching this a.m. and employment statistics from Gov. of Canada websites are not currently available. Down for maintanence apparently. Ooops!

The next consideration would be the amount of Federal and Municipal Civil Servants in this area. We are quite heavily slanted with the Federal variety as the God's in Ottawa have been kind to us in that regard. I don't know the numbers, but I know they are significant. I think it wouldn't be too far off the mark to assume Fed and Municipal would equal the Provincial numbers, and that would bring the total to somewhere around 100,000. Real full time jobs are probably somewhere in the 200 to 250,000 range. That is just an estimate, but you see where I'm going with this?

If you can dig up hard figures anywhere, please post them as I'm trying to get a reasonably accurate view of this.

Now this is how to Rant! Corporate Pirates.

2009-03-20T11:10:00.002-03:00

Over at Ledaro blog, there is a video of Keith Olbermann ripping the great corporate ones a "hole" new orifice.

I loved every second of it!

http://ledaro.blogspot.com/2009/03/corporate-pirates-special-comment-by.html

Lobster, the new bologna

2009-03-19T15:10:00.002-03:00

I guess they must be talking about grocery chains in my area. I have never seen such high prices for bologna anywhere else.

http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2009/03/19/pe-lobster-marketing.html

Let me start my little rant on this by saying I agree with little that is in the above article. Having lived a good part of my life in the Maritime provinces, I know something about lobster, lobster fishers and the lobster industry.

First rule of thumb when a lobster fisher complains about prices. Smile a wry smile and walk away. Most of these folk, only fish lobster these days because they do well enough with just that. Some fish crab if they are in the right areas and some will fish their own bait, but not many bother with ground fish anymore.

Back in the nineties, the average income from lobster fishing was $100,000.00 Not to shabby really, especially when you consider they can only fish one season, and that is about 6 weeks long. Add time for preparing and repairing traps and gear and maybe a weeks fishing for bait and the time investment is about 2 1/2 months to 3 months. Plus boat maintenance. Now it doesn't stop there, as these fishers are about the only Canadian's I know of who can be self employed and still draw EI. Not only that, for many many years they would employ son's or daughters and the wife, on paper usually, so they could draw EI as well. Now that's no shabby EI I'm talking about here. It's the maximum allowed. It didn't end there either for many, as what they did with themselves the rest of the year was up to them. Many worked under the table as they say, so their yearly incomes were really ok. They weren't hurting.

To be fair, I will say those getting into the industry in recent years did have to pay a hefty amount for a fishing license, something in the area of $100 grand. Those who have been at it for a long time didn't have to pay that. Plus they had to pay for the boat and expenses. And it's not everyone who wants to be on the water at day break ready to fish regardless of whether it's cold, rainy or whatever.

Still, add it all up and they do ok, in fact much better than most. Excluding civil servants of course. Remember, the Maritimes is not Calgary or TO and certainly not Vancouver. Houses and land are reasonable here, and it doesn't take $75 G's annual income just to have the norm.

The last thing I will say about the fishers, is that many of them are their own worst enemy. By that I mean they take too much catch, and are notorious for sneaking under sized lobster into the cook pot onboard or stashing it in feed bags tied to booeys to be retrieved after dark. They are also supposed to throw back females with visible eggs, but many don't. They just knock off what can be seen and keep them anyway. All of this contributes to reduced stocks and damages the long term health of their industry.

Enough of the lash for the fishers, now I'll turn my attention to the corporate marketeers and the governments.

Once upon a time, not so long ago, large amounts of lobster and other seafoods were sold directly from the processing plants to small entrepeneurs who busied themselves going into all the nooks and crannies of the region selling these goods to operators of all sizes. Everything from Joe's Fish and Chip stand and Mary's Corner Store to upscale Restaurant establishments. This provided not only exposure that products such as frozen tinned lobster, aka Cold pack, wouldn't have had otherwise, it also gave incentive for retailers to run specials using these products and taking advantage of the price reductions that came from dealing directly with sellers whose overhead costs were small. Now enter the Corporate Giants. They didn't like this as it cut into their markets so they used their considerable influence to disuade processors from selling to these small entities. It worked of course, and the little guys selling a truck load of seafood every few days went the way of the Dinosaurs. As did the extra market capacity they encouraged.

So, now they have a major problem with excess inventory due to the recession and the answer to that is ?????? Bring in the government tardmuffins of course. Do I hear bailout??? Another $500,000.00 pissed down that gigantic hole we like to call assisting private enterprise. Yah right. Assisting the politically faithful is more like it.

Am I ranting yet? I hope so.

Here's the way it should work, the way it used to work. This isn't our first recession and the phrase "hard times in the Maritimes" was coined for this reason. Tell the processors to discount this inventory. Call for private tenders on large lots and set a floor price based on volume for cash and carry type purchases. Let the little guys and gals take this stuff and run with it at discount prices and I guarantee they will leave no stone unturned in finding and promoting market.

Besides that, go on a drive with the Giant retailers and their Commercial food service supply arms. Get some deals and some private advertising bucks to work and see how fast this inventory cleans itself up. It's not like there isn't market for it at the right price.

Oh yes, almost forgot. That comparison between lobster prices and bologna was irresponsible anyway. Bologna may well be $3.50 per pound but that is the price at the wharf. Few people can buy from the wharf.

Rant over.

How to cut complaints about the RCMP

2009-03-19T13:21:00.003-03:00

Just cut the budget for the Commission for Public Complaints by about half. That was easy.

http://www.liberal.ca/story_15682_e.aspx

And the Prestidigitizer goes hummmm.....

2009-03-19T11:24:00.003-03:00

WOW! U.S. $1.15 Trillion in "quantitative easing". Neat term that.

Can you hear yourself think over the roaring of the printing presses? First came the U.K., now the U.S. Next up? If you guessed Canada, you would be correct.

http://business.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090318.wfed0318/BNStory/Business/home

Can mark to market changes be far behind?

Oh yes, and Gold spiked $60 an ounce since yesterday. Somebody a little nervous?

Who knew???

2009-03-18T14:28:00.003-03:00

I didn't know nuffin about it! Honest Ma!

"All the factors that created the market's collapse were hiding in plain sight in brokerage firm 10-K filings and news reports about the housing and mortgage markets. Hundreds, if not thousands, of individuals knew the risks in the collateralized debt obligations and credit default swaps marketplaces. Many of them even work in one place -- New York City," said Colas."

http://cxa.marketwatch.com/TSX/en/Market/article.aspx?guid=http%3a%2f%2fsystem.marketwatch.com%2fnewscloud%2fdocguid%2f{D20C36CA-47D0-48DC-A2E8-1A4D6CA9924A}

I see nothiiinnng!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34ag4nkSh7Q

Grifters.

2009-03-18T08:28:00.004-03:00

In keeping with what I wrote yesterday, here are some videos of interviews and statements made by a seasoned economist named Micheal Hudson. This guy pulls no punches, and doesn't seem to target a particular political entity, so I'm thinking partisanship isn't his thing. It appears his main interests are to explain what is going on, how it happened, why and what to do to fix it. Plus gain a little profile, in all likelihood. Hey, somebodies got to do it..

------------------------

$450 Trillion in derivatives? Did I hear that right?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pwAFohWBL4

Last year he said this;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TfuTc1ZlvKE

Once in a lifetime rip off;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdsnIYurpSM

I picked up the first video from a blog post Red Tory has up. http://redtory.wordpress.com/2009/03/17/renegade-economist-michael-hudson/ Red comes up with some very interesting stuff at times. Isn't the internet wonderful??

First Buffet does CNBC, then Bernanke does 60 minutes. Thursday, Obama does Leno.

2009-03-17T10:02:00.006-03:00

What's next, holographic images of JFK?

http://www.cbc.ca/arts/story/2009/03/16/leno-obama.html

I realize all of this is intended to create some confidence and aid in big money's quest to re-inflate the stock market, and in their wisdom, the world's economies. But here's the problem as I see it. They are asking people to gamble their money with the very same bunch of people who sat at the controls while these grandest of all ponzi like schemes were being perpetrated. It's all about saving banks and big institutions, while at the same time these same people display time after time that they are unrepentant. i.e. bonuses and blackmail. Pay to re-inflate my bubble, or I'll burn your house down.

I don't see where the "fundamentals" have changed significantly. I see that the sources of cash that funded much of the irresponsibility have thrown the brakes on and are cautious and looking inward more than they were. But I don't see the wonderful, splendorous circumstances evolving that would encourage me to think that there is a basis for an imminent revival. Just an attempt to re inflate the confidence bubble using as much private money as they can lure out of hiding.

One thing I find really curious is how gainers have substantially outpaced losers on the US markets the past few days, yet the overall average is stalled or losing slightly. This indicates money shifting within the exchanges perhaps, but not new money coming in. I'm not sure, but I suspect large institutional investing agents are moving money about to create the aura of an up market. This might also be partly due to big investment moving around to better position itself.

But there are other factors as well, like GE being down graded by the debt rating agencies, and their stock going up just about every day since. Go figure. Too much going on that defies logic to make me believe this is anything more than another manipulation.

The Unforgiven

2009-03-16T09:38:00.003-03:00

Ben Bernanke speaks;

http://www.businessinsider.com/watch-ben-bernanke-on-60-minutes-2009-3

I'll get by with a little help from my friends,

2009-03-15T13:24:00.002-03:00

I'll get high with a little help from my friends..

Millions in AIG bonuses fuel political storm.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/afp/090315/business/us_politics_us_insurance_company_public_aid_aig

Woodstock 1969, Joe Cocker

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQDakdp5WZ0

Some headlines of the day

2009-03-15T10:47:00.002-03:00

U.S. trade deficit lowest in 6 years.

http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2009/03/13/us-trade-deficit.html

Canadian trade deficit approaches $1 Billion.

http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2009/03/13/trade-deficit.html

G20 officials say one thing;

http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2009/03/14/g20-horsham.html

The first two articles are fairly straight forward, not good news but easy to correlate. The last article on the other hand, leaves me with the distinct impression that there are very differing mindsets on fixing the world's economies. That makes the statement "whatever action necessary" a little dubious.

Last letter

2009-03-14T19:26:00.003-03:00

Part one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oa3i1GYFdeA&feature=PlayList&p=36EBB05E9F346E12&index=35

Part two.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ukkgui_G50

Vic Toews waves his hand and alludes to that which never was.

2009-03-14T12:04:00.002-03:00

"Conservative MP and president of Treasury Board Vic Toews said the government sympathizes with Canadians who have lost their jobs but suggested the situation would be much worse had Canadians voted for the carbon tax plan the Liberals championed during the last federal election."

Yeah, that's helpful Vic, and it addresses so many relevant issues doesn't it? Bay Street liked the plan Vic. Remember? Forget about the shiny thing Vic, we have. Now what about those 83,000 jobs lost in February?

http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2009/03/13/unemployment-february-998.html

The Starship "Enterprise"

2009-03-13T11:33:00.002-03:00

Re: the Markets;

MORE POWER MR. SCOTT! SHE'S IN DANGER OF FLOUNDERING!

BUT Cap'n, I'm geein' her all she's GOT! MORE DI LITHIUM CRYSTALS, CAP'N, I NEED MORE CRYSTALS!!!!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RsiJupvEYs

This one for those newly besieged with guilt;

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e0EQlQXoEo&feature=related

Radio Okie, over and out.

Repent! Jon Stewart takes on CNBC

2009-03-13T08:36:00.004-03:00

"Average people trusted financial advisors who told them to pour money into market-oriented accounts for the long term, Stewart said, and those people lost their money when Wall Street used those savings to generate short-term profits.

Stewart said financial reporters like Cramer and others on CNBC should have taken the time to uncover financial shenanigans and not have been so quick to trust business executives and government officials."

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/090313/entertainment/centertainment_us_stewart

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wWn7_ih9jew

Cramer says....."He lies to me, lies to me, lies to me".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuTTHELTyE4

I really liked the part where Stewart points out the essence of the game. Creating the aura that investing in the Stock market et al, is expecting your money to grow by unreasonable percentages while at the same time, you do nothing tangible for it. The basis of every good con game is offering pie in the sky. It's what Carpet baggers do.

So now it's time to Repent. Repent all you sinners! All of you who made off with everyone else's cash, life savings and dreams of a pension and peaceful retirement. Heh..

The next Ponzi scheme McFly wants to make fly...

2009-03-12T10:14:00.002-03:00

" I think importantly, improving balance sheets and income statements through changes to accounting treatments would result in many less sophisticated investors assuming a business that does not mark its assets to market is in better financial shape than it is; "

and;

" the Blackstone Group LP Chairman, the American Bankers Association, and 65 lawmakers in the House of Representatives urged that mark-to-market rule be suspended last September"

http://www.stockresearchportalblog.com/2009/03/mark-to-market/

Some reflection and some unbiased analysis

2009-03-12T08:20:00.001-03:00

I liked the approach in this article, so I thought I would post it.

http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2009/03/10/f-pittis-column.html

Unhelpful

2009-03-11T13:36:00.003-03:00

"U.S. Secretary of State of State Hillary Clinton criticised the home demolitions and settlement expansion plans as "unhelpful" during her recent visit to Israel. "

http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46046

Freeman Withdrawal Marks Victory for Israel Lobby

"His withdrawal is likely to be viewed as a significant victory for hardliners within the so-called Israel lobby," who led the movement to scuttle his appointment, and a blow to hopes for a new approach to Israel-Palestine issues under the Obama administration."

http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46059

How does one go about making the less than likable Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad appear to be the reasonable one?

Mr.Harper says.........much gobble de goop.

2009-03-11T11:59:00.002-03:00

As if it weren't bad enough listening to little Jim's hypocritical yipping about time being of the essence yesterday, we also had to listen to Harper's revisionist historical accounts a little later in the day.

I hope it didn't cost taxpayers a bundle of money to hear from the Prime Revisionist yesterday, because what he did was embarrassing grand standing and it was void of class. In the midst of crises, we do not need to hear a load of half truths, convenient selection of portions of facts and a generalized political whining session. Oh Oh Canada, my home and native land, what has become of you?

Idiots to the right of me, idiots to the left. What's left but to charge the Cannon?

Jim, you guys called an unnecessary illegal election, then presented a poison filled budget, then went whining to that Ms. Jean lady and left the country hanging in the midst of crises for better part of 6 months. The Country wanted action and you took a holiday. Have you forgotten?

Stylish Steve, when the Country is in trouble, a Prime Minister is supposed to act like a Prime Minister, not someone with a bad memory. Nor someone who plays loose with facts, history and the truth. Additionally, your sense of urgency rang hollow as well.Then there was your untimely and unnecessary political whining. You said the opposition wouldn't let you pass your budget. Gee, I wonder why? I see you still take no responsibility for having delayed action on the economy and are trying to blame everyone but yourself. You said the opposition wouldn't present options for the budget. That's not what I read, but hey let's not be confused by facts. Regardless, in the end it is the governments job to present the budget.

Lastly, for now, enough of the political side show. You come across as a whiner when you address the people on National TV and focus so much time sniveling about the big bad opposition and trying to lay blame for delays especially given your parties recent record on that.

Quit it with the Ren and Stumpy show already will ya? If I want to watch cartoons, I have Teletoon.

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm916951552/tt0101178

Contemplation

2009-03-11T00:09:00.004-03:00

"Marcus Aurelius: There was a dream that was Rome. You could only whisper it. Anything more than a whisper and it would vanish, it was so fragile."

"Gracchus: But the Senate IS the people, sire. Chosen from AMONG the people. To speak FOR the people.
Commodus: I doubt if any of the people eat so well as you, Gracchus. Or have such splendid mistresses, Gaius."

"Proximo: So Spaniard, we shall go to Rome together and have bloody adventures. And the great whore will suckle us until we are fat and happy and can suckle no more. And then, when enough men have died, perhaps you will have your freedom."

"Marcus Aurelius: Tell me again, Maximus, why are we here?
Maximus: For the glory of the empire, Sire.
Marcus Aurelius: Ah yes. Ah yes. I remember now."

"Quintus: People should know when they are conquered.
Maximus Decimus Meridius: Would you, Quintus? Would I?"

Their back!!! Have you ever been abducted by Aliens:??

2009-03-10T12:14:00.002-03:00

No? Well now's your chance.

In case you haven't noticed, there is a big push on. The Oracle spoke for 3 hours on CNBC yesterday and said his Banks are ok. Bernanke garbled on for an hour this morning and actually only said 2 things that matter. The Chief of Citibank sent a letter to everyone he could think of to say they made money during the last 2 months, notwithstanding certain toxic assets. Little Jim donned his platform loafers, mustered up his game face and went to the Senate Committee this morning and Stylish Steve is to make an appearance later today in support of calming the twitching, grumbling, sweating masses of calamity sticken citizens. Yesterday, he told us how much better off we are than other peons. Plus a number of other players are working their way through into the limelight with various schemes and dreams seemingly intent on parting people with what money they have left, or in the abscence of that, reaching further into the big government pocket in order to use your money for their gain.

So, are you ready for your Excellent Adventure? Your first ride on a Starship?

FULL POWER TO THE ENGINES MR. SCOTT!!!!

So, like I said recently, they are coming to get what you got left. The above is all in an effort to prise loose private money and get it back into the market and to justify the bailouts both past and future. In case you missed Bernanke, basically he said we need to make changes. Changes we should have made 3 yrs ago. Blah Blah. Then he said we must save the banks. 19 times over, because there are 19 of them that are on his list. Plus he turned down the mark to market changes that the schiesters were looking for. Well, for now anyway. Maybe he thought that was a bit to much to sell all at once. People are still smarting from the other ponzi schemes.

Well there you have it folks. That's what the great minds have been up to. I'm not sure if it's the arrogance or if it's the blackmail that's bothering me most. Regardless, the stock markets are jumping to life today, just like a hungry trout after a shad worm on a nice spring day. Gold dropped under $900, and Oil is herky jerking around trying to find another crises to attach itself to.

The King is dead, long live the King!

Does anyone remember this? E.F. Hutton says....

2009-03-09T12:09:00.003-03:00

Time for a trip down memory lane. Seems that greatest economic machine that's ever been created, which Warren Buffet referred to, has some dark moments in it's past as well as it's present.

Perhaps it's time to take a hard look at the past workings of Corporate America, the Banking Industry and Government involvement without the blinders on. Time to consider whether the History is one of a glorious rise of Free Marketeers or a litany of deceit.

Here is an overview from Wiki;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E.F._Hutton

One of the books written on this subject is entitled, "Burning Down the House: How Greed, Deceit, and Bitter Revenge Destroyed E.F. Hutton.

http://a9.com/0671709011?a=ob

Warren Buffet says....

2009-03-09T11:49:00.002-03:00

Quite a bit these days. Among other things he said this;

"What is required is a commander in chief that's looked at like a commander in chief in a time of war,"

He also said; ""Everything will be all right. We do have the greatest economic machine that's ever been created." That will be the basis for my next post.

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090309/business/buffett_economy

Further to my earlier comment today, I found this;

2009-03-08T14:37:00.002-03:00

Printing money is the right way to get us out of this mess.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/mar/08/will-hutton-recession-money

Along with discussion on the wonders of printing money, this article also suggests the following;

"In the budget, the chancellor should announce two measures to encourage borrowing and spending. There should be income contingent mortgages, so that repayments automatically adjust to borrowers' fluctuating incomes and home equity can be insured. And he should also announce a job guarantee for every unemployed individual out of work for more than a year.

In other words, come what may, there will be work and you will be able to service your mortgage. Do all this and the economy will stabilise next year. But what a price we have all paid for bankers' freedoms."

To bitch or not to bitch, that is the question.

2009-03-06T16:48:00.002-04:00

Travelling around the world of Liberal blogging pundits recently has been less than gratifying as most seem intent on garbling on about one bit of nonsense or another, except for the Mound of Sound guy who has done some earnest pieces on Afghan.

As many of the rest avoid anything that could be seen as even remotely relevant, to anything at all, some have chosen to have a yak about Stylish Steve's latest comments on the Afghani situation. Well, it seems ole Stevie buddy said we ain't a gonna win that there war by military means alone. Ya ok Stevie, anybody who knows his ass from a hole in the ground, knew that you don't win no war like that. The West only intended to fight another limited engagement action from the bastions, supplemented by occassional forays.

So what's the big surprise and why the whoopla? Every real Liberal has criticized Canadian involvement in Afghan, so why make a fuss when the Stylish One sends a signal that they are somewhat ready to stop lying to Canadians on this issue?

Don't criticize him, commend him here. Tell him, yes Denny, youse been a good boy. Your nose won't grow today.

Looking down the road, it appears that the Afghan pipeline scenario isn't such a high priority any longer. Neither are all those other lofty aspirations that were held out as justification. Well they never were actually, so let's just dispense with the bullshit once and for all.

Now, it's time to posture appropriately. Let Stevie posture us out of Afghan. Someone has or will load appropriate data before loosing him on the minds of mush.

Iggy will need his wife to orchestrate the vagueness of something of a position, and market her Stately commodity. She's got him this far. Sure as hell ain't his accumen, accuracy and astute powers of observation and analysis.

The Wheel World

2009-03-06T13:17:00.004-04:00

Sheesh, it's getting hard to find things to blog about that actually present a worth while view point. Ya, we know about GM and John Tory, both leaky ships in the bay baye. We now know about the latest job losses in the US and how they compare to "1983". And we know that the Stock markets are as nervous as a lone mouse invited to a convention of Cats. What we aren't hearing a lot of is what comes after the nuclear winter? You know, once the Squirrel is all gone.. after the kids have licked even the smell of the Oppossum stew from their bowls. What then?

Well fellow scavengers and rodent hunters, then comes the inevitable; restructuring.

Prophet of Doom at the Motor Show

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/mar/04/europe-car-industry-mergers

Having absorbed that bit of shoulda woulda maybe coulda, I have something a little different to add. Instead of all these car companies dreaming about being the ever larger wheel, maybe it's time for them to rethink their objectives. What I mean is, do they consider that they have become too big? Isn't that the basis of their problems? Without ever increasing sales volumes these companies become financially unmanageable and begin to self destruct at some point.

If car manufacturers were more focused on domestic markets, and those pulling the strings of globalization had real foresight, these companies and the products they sell might well be better for it. Better to be smaller and more resilient than the wounded behemoths that many are now.

Even built in obselence couldn't achieve the goal of ever growing markets. Only a rethinking of the nature of these companies diluting each others base markets will eventually bring continuity and stability.

Who do the Voodoo?

2009-03-05T12:31:00.003-04:00

When are assets worth more than current market price? When Charlie Brown says so of course. Good Grief Charlie Brown!

Investors look for lift of mark-to-market accounting.

http://cxa.marketwatch.com/TSX/en/Market/article.aspx?guid=http%3a%2f%2fsystem.marketwatch.com%2fnewscloud%2fdocguid%2f{21E57831-FECE-449B-823F-7BA81DDD9B0A}

Sorry Jack, no plum in your Chinese pie today

2009-03-05T11:18:00.004-04:00

"Wen told the National People's Congress that government spending would increase by a quarter to hit the target of 8% growth. However he stopped short of a pledge to boost the country's 4tn yuan (£4bn) stimulus package.

Stockmarkets rose yesterday amid speculation that such an announcement would be made, and many fell back today after it became clear that no new package was forthcoming. The FTSE 100 dropped 63 points, or 1.75%, this morning.

The boost in expenditure will see the Chinese deficit balloon to its highest level in 60 years, from 0.4% of national income last year to 3% this year. But the 950bn yuan deficit is still small in comparison to other countries, such as the US, where the deficit is more than 12% of income."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/mar/05/china-economy-deficit

Note Chinese governments intention to increase spending by 24% in order to meet it's growth projections.

There comes a point when;

2009-03-04T10:40:00.003-04:00

The bad news seems overpowering. When the words of pessimism ring everywhere and permeate the soul. When all seems lost to so many. In times such as these, positive indicators are often lost on the masses or at least drowned out in the din of the howlings from the salivating horsemen.

For your enjoyment;

http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2009/03/03/f-canada-banks.html

So when does Captain Kangaroo get the message?

2009-03-04T09:31:00.002-04:00

When do those responsible for the RCMP come to realize the damage they are doing to it's reputation?

The CBC have been running daily articles on the Braidwood public inquiry into the death of Robert Dziekanski, and for anyone following along, the extent of this travesty is evident.

The RCMP made claims that the video evidence didn't reveal all the facts of the case and they were right. It's worse than what the video could show. Below is a link to the latest article.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/british-columbia/story/2009/03/03/bc-taser-inquiry-millington.html

Just what the Doctor ordered

2009-03-04T09:21:00.002-04:00

"A prominent Canadian doctor has begun to recycle unused prescription drugs to homeless people in Ottawa because he says they could not afford them otherwise, CBC News has learned."

http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/03/03/prescription-drugs.html

Memo to Otterwa; try some common sense. Every little bit helps.

While Peter McKay and Harpie fuss over IFB's, Identifiable Flying Bears,

2009-03-02T10:06:00.004-04:00

Other folks are thinking about what's wrong, how it came to be and what should be done. Below are some interesting thoughts from a former US Assistant Secretary of the Treasury. His name is Paul Roberts and according to Wiki, was instrumental in the creation of Reaganomics. Known for criticizing both Dem's and Repugs, I thought it worth a read.

“The next step is for holders of the swaps to short the asset in order to drive down its value and collect the guarantee. As the issuers of swaps were not required to reserve against them, and as there is no limit to the number of swaps, the payouts can easily exceed the net worth of the issuer.

This was the most shameful and most mindless form of speculation. Gamblers were betting hands that they could not cover. The US regulators had abandoned their posts. The American financial institutions abandoned all integrity. As a consequence, American financial institutions and rating agencies are trusted nowhere on earth.”

--------------------------------------------

“As a former Treasury official, I am amazed that the US government, in the midst of the worst financial crises ever, is content for short-selling to drive down the asset prices that the government is trying to support. No bailout or stimulus plan has any hope until the uptick rule is reinstated.

The bald fact is that the combination of ignorance, negligence, and ideology that permitted the crisis to happen is still present and is blocking any remedy. Either the people in power in Washington and the financial community are total dimwits or they are manipulating an opportunity to redistribute wealth from taxpayers, equity owners and pension funds to the financial sector.”

http://dandelionsalad.wordpress.com/2009/02/24/how-the-us-economy-was-lost-by-paul-craig-roberts

Shell Shock, Hero to Bum and other misc. thoughts

2009-02-27T10:07:00.003-04:00

In these difficult times we are inundated with opinions, analysis, explanations from experts and heaping helpings of bad news and propaganda. It's tough to achieve firm understanding with so much conflicting information. Especially when one considers the very real aspect of disinformation that swirls about constantly. People like the Soro's and Mr. Rogers of the world may be very smart in their own right, but when it comes to delivering a convincing argument in support of their ambitions, they should farm that out to the PR guru's, because their motives are transparent . Some others, not so much. A good deal of the doom and gloom that is reported everyday needs to be taken with a huge dose of salt, as it is just as easily manipulation of investment buying and selling trends as it is sound and concerned efforts to inform. As my own personal level of shell shock has increased regarding the current scenario, I have come to be much more resistant to the gloomers prophecies, and more attuned to what I know, what I have experienced and what I hear in the streets.

Upon browsing Kinsella's site today I saw a video of some Wall St. guy ranting on about the travesties of bailing out dead beat homeowners. The irony of it all. In time many people will become conditioned to the arseholery, and self centred sales pitches, and develop something similar to shell shock. A layer of armor so to speak, that surrounds the senses and automatically tunes out much of the fear and grief and brings a settling into the parameters of a frame of mind that is comfortable for them. That can vary greatly, and I think we are seeing an amount of this already. On one side of the spectrum there are the forces of the weirdosphere squeaking ever louder and gaining legitimacy in some peoples minds. The counterbalance is the objective thinkers. There seems to be a growing firming up of the positions of the two. Which will emerge dominant, I can't say but I know it takes far less effort and ability to let others tell you what to think. Either way, in time the words from the other side become largely irrelevant to the chosen view.

Which brings me to Hero and Bum. I mentioned this in regards to Obama around the time of his election, and am watching this scenario and how it is being worked by various self interests. Like the Wall St. dude mentioned above. Those shell shocked into hearing only his rant without questioning his hypocracy are an ever growing number. The circle the wagons mentality people, who never bother to consider the consequences of their narrow views. The leaders of the Wagon people don't reflect upon the regular people whose money and futures they themselves, and their employers lost in their quests for self satisfaction. Unfortunately these types must be tolerated. These are the collective I refer to as Carpet Baggers. As things progress, we hear more and more from this group as they go about criticizing things such as the program to help homeowners while they stand measuring the porridge in their bowls and crying that it is not enough. Still, they take the porridge anyway. Thoughtful of them. Now we hear them screeching but do we hear real alternatives from them? I haven't. What I have heard is endless simplistic attacks, that appear intended simply to oppose Obama's administration, and cast negativity. Or more to my theme, turn Obama from Hero, to Bum in the minds of the people. Continuous politicking it would seem.

In the words of their fallen shiney face, "There's a time for politics".

If anyone thinks that fixing the monsterous mess that is the American economy is an easy task, then I suggest much more reading. If they think that waving a magic wand over the problems in the meddle east, (that's not a typo) is possible, then I suggest they are too dumb to reason with. The sheer complexity of the many issues that Obama is expected to address effectively is, beyond the level of most people's personal education, experiences and understanding.

I believe the World is the victim of a fraud the scale of which has never been seen before. Dealing with those who are complicit either wittingly or unwittingly is not something that can be accomplished in a matter of mere weeks, nor months for that matter. Undoing the structure that has been put in place to perpetrate this fraud will be an extraordinary battle, which will meet extraordinary resistance, and would require extraordinary determination.

Some monsterous battles will need to be fought, and not on a battlefield spilling the blood of boys, and non combatants but in the halls of Governments. The Regulatory bodies. The battle ground of common sense, and sense of purpose. Stock markets and investment vehicles have outgrown their original purposes, and have to be completely revamped. Companies who produce frankenseeds and prey upon the World's poor must be stopped dead in their tracks. Significant steps have to be taken to deal with intransigent States that depend on foreign aid. Huge Energy conglomorates have to be reined in and made to act as responsible citizens of the World, not merely self interested Corporate entities. Governments, such as our own must focus on setting an example of responsibility, instead of one of expedience.

In order to begin, perhaps someone could start an organization called Greedaholics Anonymous.

Hi, my name is _________, and I am a Greedaholic. I am prepared to embark on a 12 step program to cure my wanton soul.

That said, I have another bit of perspective to add. From an article about Latvia;

"In Latvia, people seem genuinely shocked at how quickly the rug was pulled out from under them and how hard their country is falling. But Vanags says Latvia has been through tough times before and will survive this crisis.

"If you take older generation people who lived through the Soviet Union, through the breakup of the Soviet Union, through the Russian financial crisis, I think they're very fatalistic about it."

For them, he says, "it is just another crisis."

But for younger people, who have never seen this, who have grown up in a market economy in Latvia, I think it is much more of a shock. They thought that wages would go on rising forever. Well, they're not."

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/02/26/f-rfa-parry.html

Caught with their mitts in the cookie jar

2009-02-26T15:31:00.003-04:00

Red Tory has a story up entitled Fall of the Wall Street Wizards, and it's about 4 investment type folk getting caught doing the naughty. These infractions appear to be in the millions, rather than the billions/trillions, so small fish I suppose, but the story begs some questions. The impression is given that they were caught because people tried to get their money out of the investments the scamsters had set up, and couldn't.

Nothing to do with any regulatory body. They didn't find it. Nooooo..... So, why not? What exactly have those people been doing in recent years? Why didn't we hear from the politico's and those representing the financial conscience? I suggest the very same reasons they are currently ass kissing the money folk.

Then there was that Conrad Black thing. The millions that became $1 million, and a healthy company that made people money, now gone and even the remnants are in tatters. Why is that, one has to ask? So how come these regulatory bodies were so diligent in that case? Oh right, they were sending a message to Corporate America and their derivatives. It took them how long to react to Madoff?

I suspect ole Bern was a master of the game taught by his ancestors. Don't forget the little people. Spread the grease far enough, and things get slippery for everyone.

Comrade Pistoff

Making nice with the Taliban

2009-02-26T13:01:00.003-04:00

That's the title of a CBC article that skirts some of the issues surrounding Pakistan's initiative to allow the Taliban to have Sharia law in their northwest region called Swat.

Apparently there is another proposal. The Provincial Government has suggested arming the local population with 30,000 rifles as a way of empowering them. If you had to choose, which idea would you favor?

http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2009/02/25/f-vp-fatah.html

So.... what have our Government representatives been up to lately?

2009-02-26T07:54:00.002-04:00

Here's one item of truly National interest;

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/montreal/story/2009/02/25/plains-debate.html

Then there's this;

"Minister of Veteran Affairs Greg Thompson accused Carolyn Bennett yesterday of making some sort of 'unacceptable' and 'embarassing' gesture toward Helena Guergis, the Minister of State for the Status of Women."

Apparently Ms. Bennett made blonde joke gestures. Imagine.

Were they done yet? Nope.

"The so-called Catgate scandal just won't seem to go away. Conservative MP Lois Brown raised the issue again in the House of Commons yesterday in another feeble attempt by her Party to score a political point or two. She also sided with avowed racist Kathy Shaidle and defended her right to appear on national television."

Catgate refers to Warren Kinsella making some remarks regarding a restaurant in Ottawa. Like who cares?

I have just one word for all this. Clusterf*ck.

The Great Recession

2009-02-24T13:02:00.002-04:00

Some interesting views from Harvard economic historian, Niall Ferguson. Among other things, he refers to this little spot of troubles as the Great Recession which he indicates may well last for better part of a decade. Besides discussing things like possible civil wars in some less stable countries, he does have some positive things to say. I agree with much of his analysis and thought I would pass it along. I picked it up over at Squirrels r Us.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090223.wferguson0223/BNStory/crashandrecovery/home

Britain's Northern Rock to pay bonuses to managers

2009-02-23T21:15:00.003-04:00

"On a conference call with journalists, Gary Hoffman, Northern Rock's chief executive, said that an undisclosed number of senior managers could also receive a deferred bonus payment, even though the bank's losses grew through 2008. It is expected to make another hefty loss this year."

"I don't think all banks are the same, and I don't think that all bankers are the same," said Hoffman, adding that Northern Rock had failed in 2007, although it was not nationalised until early 2008.

"Pay for performance is not a bad thing … I'm pleased that we can reward our frontline staff."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2009/feb/23/banking-northernrock?commentpage=2&commentposted=1

Can you see the man in a Toga, fiddle in hand?

Canwest close to collapse, CBC report

2009-02-23T17:48:00.002-04:00

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/manitoba/story/2009/02/20/mb-canwest-bankruptcy.html?ref=rss

"Failing to find investors could lead to the collapse of the Winnipeg-based media empire and cost the Asper family control of the company founded by their late father, Israel Harold (Izzy) Asper, the newspaper states."

Hmmm.... Calamity or investment opportunity? Oh right, it's not election time. That narrows it down some.

Ontario hopes to create 50,000 Green jobs

2009-02-22T14:14:00.002-04:00

I was reading along in the article linked below, thinking this sounds pretty good. Some good things in the overall intentions I would think, but coming to the end of the article there is discussion on eliminating coal fired electricity production by the end of 2014. How realistic is that?

Interesting position on potential complaints regarding locating of renewable energy sources;

"Premier Dalton McGuinty has warned activists and municipalities that the province won't tolerate any objections to new wind turbines or solar panel farms that aren't based on safety or environmental concerns."

http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090222/national/ont_green_energy_act

It is also interesting how quickly some people will complain when wind farms etc. are located in their area. The Snow Bird song lady comes to mind as she was quite outspoken about how a development close to her Pictou County N.S. summer home was going to inconvenience her and lower her property values.

"They are imposing structures and not the sort of thing one would wants to see from a golf course," Murray wrote Tuesday in a commentary published in a Halifax newspaper.

http://www2.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=f0be972d-06fb-480c-a4e1-9b5274408830&k=19640

" The turbines would generate 30 megawatts, enough power for about 15,000 homes. The development is proposed to be online in 2009."

The Gamblers

2009-02-22T13:21:00.003-04:00

Reposted;

The link below is from one of Charles' posts, and it's quite extraordinary. I have yet to read something so comprehensive, yet easy to follow describing the current economic situation. I agree with a great deal of what is written here. What I don't agree with is the conclusions at the end, and the use of broad brush protectionism terminology. That is too frequently used in that manner, and does not address the equalization powers of fair trade and common sense. I will argue those points indefinitely. Taking into consideration the rest of the article, which is good as I have said, the concept of ploughing ahead as is regarding free trade is in itself the greatest counter argument to the overall points made in this article regarding failed globalization. My pointing out the 147% increase in ocean shipping rates substantiates my point of view, and that is also supported by the extraordinary amounts of fuel required, much of which comes from troubled regions, and concerns over global warming. Anywho, it's a long read but it's a very good one. Even CB could get into this as it discusses neoliberalism, marxism etc.

http://www.newstatesman.com/economy/2009/02/financial-crisis-china-banks

"Yet what if such a crisis were to be no longer confined to the peripheries of global capitalism but instead struck at its heartlands? Now we know the answer. The crisis has enveloped the whole world like an uncontrollable virus, spreading from the US and within a handful of months assuming global proportions, at the same time mutating with frightening speed from a financial crisis into a fully fledged economic crisis. In so doing, it has undermined the foundations on which the present era of globalisation has been built, namely scant regulation, the free movement of capital, a bloated financial sector and immense reward for greed, thereby bringing into question the survival of globalisation as we now know it."

And this, it becomes more current with every passing day;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tu5W9G8s9YQ

Afghanistan, and The Crown of Thorns

2009-02-20T11:42:00.002-04:00

I don't know exactly why I feel compelled to blog about this again, maybe because of Obama's visit and the message on Afghan I took from his words, or whether it's recent statements that not only display that it is far from decided what role Canada will play after 2011, but also that there is no clear obtainable objective at this time.

Few would put much stock in Harper's claims that the combat mission ends in 2011, Iggnatieff is all over the board with his statements, (big surprise) and Obama has indicated that date is not carved in stone as far as his admin is concerned. Further to that, both Iggster and Obama have made statements in recent weeks, seemingly confirming that there is no discernable mission parameters or objectives that can be clearly explained. I'm trying not to button hole these statements but will leave it to you to interpret what is in the links below. An excerpt;

"How would you like to be sent to a war, the point of which no one knows, including the commander-in-chief who sent you to kill or be killed?"

The first link is one of Charles' from another post, and starts off with economic issues then turns to discuss Afghan about half way through. Among other things, it discusses the US Military estimates of troops requirements to be in the vicinity of 650,000 in order to be effective. A far cry from the 60,000 Obama plans to employ, plus the Nato contingent.

http://www.counterpunch.org/roberts02092009.html

Then there's the Igg. First the flip;

http://www.canada.com/news/Khadr+cross+border+issues+Ignatieff+chat+with+Obama/1298446/story.html

Then the flop;

http://1anxiousliberal.wordpress.com/2009/02/20/ignatieff-backtracks-on-afghanistan/

I had a brief exchange recently with an Iggnatieff supporter and prominent blogger, who wrote about Igg's recent statement on Afghan saying "we are lost right now". The blogger was trying to put this forward as a positive questioning of the situation. I thought it an odd perspective given Igg's supposed level of knowledge in the areas of history and world affairs, so I engaged the blogger briefly. Once I had put forward an overview, some past, some present said blogger exiting stage left with due haste.

All of the news and opining out there right now is making me very uncomfortable. It's as if the entire scenario is being handled by people who don't understand it. People who can't correlate things like the Cambodia factor, the size and diversification of population from which the militants can draw. Their traditions, ignorance and the essence of their culture if that's what one wishes to call it. It's no less a culture than our version I suppose. Then there is the Religion, the Pakistani factor and a not so pleased Bear sitting above all this, watching and meddling whenever opportunities arise. Some payback and some tree scratching as well. For those who don't know, that's one of the things Bears do to mark there territory.

The reality is really quite simple. There will be no victory this way. Overcoming centuries of shifting loyalties, lawlessness by our standards, and Tribal mentality is not going to be accomplished by sitting in the Fort, and sometimes conducting forays into the wilds. They did that in Vietnam during the quiet times, and the North just used these periods to rearm, re-supply, rebuild and recruit.

There are 3 options, in reality. One, maintain the status quo (and that includes Obama's extra 30,000 troops) Two, fold your tents and get out. Three, give the military what they want and go to War.

With the first option, there will be no end in sight. The second is unnaceptable to the U.S. at this time. The third, in my opinion, would have fairly quick results. What those would be exactly, is difficult to assess given the possible variables, and perhaps even more difficult to contemplate.

For sure, everytime some crazy eyed whack job cuts the head off of a foreigner and posts it on youtube, they strengthen the resolve of the foreign occupiers. Besides that, they provide even more fodder for the proponents of the military solution. These are cowardly acts committed in the name of righteousness, and no thinking person is fooled by their rhetoric. Merciless gangsters commit acts like these. As they cry for Holy War, I would suggest they be careful what they wish for, given the state of the world at the moment.

They should also remember how fast their loyal allies can betray them. The Great Warriors so called, of that region fully understand the CYA principle, and their homegrown version of Capitalism too.