THERE IS NOTHING THAT IRAN WILL NOT DO....

UPDATE:  I wrote this blog before Iran shot  down flight 752 with the  loss of 176 souls.  As I  had predicted, no retaliation has been taken by Iran against the Unite States, nor will there be.  Those demanding an inquiry can have mine free of charge: 'Iran deliberately shot down flight 752 killing all on board mistakenly believing that it was incoming ordinance'  Full Stop. 


AND THAT IS PRECISELY THAT... IT WILL DO NOTHING.

I am blogging today of course about America's killing of Iran's top general in charge of the infamous Revolutionary Guards' external operations.  Blown to bits late this week by missiles fired from an over-head Drone.

But if one listened to the world's henny penny media, its leftist politicians and / or its progressives, you'd be left with the impression that massive retaliation by Iran is on its way.

It is not of course, indeed Iran knows full well that in an out and out confrontation with the US, it would come out a very poor second.  Indeed, it would have the potential to bring about the end to the Ayatollahs' Rule.  And its main benefactor, Putin's Russia, has no stomach to see America engaged in such a fashion.

And what exactly is Iran crying about anyway?  Did it not recently wipe-out half of Saudi Arabia's oil fields and nothing was done to them in retaliation.

There is though one thing that the Progressives are saying which I agree with...that America and its allies need to get out of these Muslim based countries.  I have said for some time that the only solution here is to circle off these countries from the rest of the world.  If they are so determined to live in the middle ages ...well let's help them along.  That of course is my wish not that of the Progressives but again where we share approach is on the desire to see the West get out.   Boots on the ground just get mired in the mud.

As I See It...

'K.D. Bell'

I SAW MUMMY KISSING SANTA CLAUS....

AND OTHER SUCH 'HOLIDAY DRIVEL'....THOUGH SOME I ADMIT ARE CUTE.

I recently turned 71 and if you had told me in my 40s that such holiday tunes would have dominated the airwaves I'd have said you were high on drugs.  (BTW we did have marijuana back in those olden days).

My favourite, and according to my wife...our son Scott's favourite too is Silent Night.  To me that is the quintessential carol ever written.   But I guess today's media know better.

I do have to wonder why in this age of diversity, it is the olde traditions that keep falling by the wayside.  One gets the feeling that the only victim of diversity will be diversity itself.

Christmas is another example.  Happy Holidays is what has replaced it and the other day I saw even saw Happy December.  It stirs the soul....there I go again ...another bygone term.

So I'd like to wish each of you a very Merry ....?  Whatever.

As I turn on the radio for the latest number one Seasonal Song...Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You.  It doesn't get any better than that !!

Or Does It !!!

As I See It,

K.D. Bell

News' Flash: 'President Donald J. Trump Has Been Impeached'...

Would you Please pass the Poupon.

Wednesday saw the Impeachment of Donald Trump and Washington was in mourning.  Or at least the Democrats professed to be- they who brought it all about.

And there was their intrepid leader all decked out in black claiming it a sad day for America.

And the dear House Leader was for once correct.... the Country was in mourning- but not for Trump but for the way the Democrats have ruthlessly pursued Trump after he had the nerve to defeat their flag bearer of the day - Hillary Clinton in 2016.

Seldom have such a bunch of decrepit politicos come together to try to defeat the Will of the People.

And in this, they have failed miserably - so much so that their antics could very well propel The Donald back into Office for another 4 years come November 2020.

So I ask you again...Please pass the Poupon.  


As I See It...

K.D. Bell

STELLAR BLUEPRINT FOR A RETURN TO CONSERVATISM

UPDATE:   fyi. my letter ...see below, was the lead letter in today's (Dec. 17) National Post.  

This weekend, saw a brilliant Editorial appear in the Saturday Edition of the National Post concerning the desperate need (my belief) to return to conservatism.   The paper has recently printed a number of articles by various personages on what conservatism means to them, but this Weekend's effort captured it in its entirety.

I wrote to the Post thanking them for their insight... as per in italics below.  At least we appear to have one news outlet on the right side of the equation.

And even that is surprising since I cannot recall the last time Canada had a truly Conservative Party in Power, in Ottawa and I am in my early 70s.  During my time, we have had nothing but shades of Liberal Light and are now moving quickly to full-on Liberal.

Here is what I wrote:

As a life-long social / fiscal conservative, I was simply blown-away with your weekend editorial. Bravo.

I would encourage all those who believe themselves to be conservative to read it.

With the Leadership Race just getting underway, there will be numerous opportunities

to meet the various candidates locally and I would hope Tory members will share copies of this

editorial with their fellow attendees as well as question the Candidates themselves on whether or not

they are in agreement with it.     Sincerely,   Keith Bell

One unofficially declared Candidate has already voiced her unequivocal support of the Editorial ...Michelle Rempel..

Good for her and our job is to ensure that she really means it ...should she end up actually seeking the role.  

As per my letter to the Post we also need to grill the other Official Candidates to see if they too are prepared to 

follow the Post's Blueprint realizing that deep down most (all?) may not have the faintest intention of doing so.

As I See It...

K.D.  Bell

I AM STARTING TO FEEL SORRY FOR ...

JUSTIN TRUDEAU.  AT LEAST, INSOFAR-AS THE FOLLOWING IS CONCERNED.

Long time readers will know that I seldom follow the crowd - thankfully and many of you have indicated that this is one of the main reason you read my blog.

The following then may surprise you, not because I do not follow the crowd here, but rather, I suspect more than a few of you will find yourself in their camp.

How is that for a confusing beginning.

Today's Issue concerns Prime Minister Trudeau's recent visit to the NATO Conference in London England where he was caught 'gossiping' about The Donald.  May the Saints preserve us.

I say that knowing We All Gossip and having worked in the political field for many years, there is nothing Politicians and their Minions like better than good gossip and this goes for the 4th Estate...The Media, as well.

Those who express shock at 'Trudeau's antics' are ... pardon the expression...being gossipy.

I am embarrassed to say that I was listening to CBC Radio the other day; in my defence, the headphones I was wearing could only pick up the Mother Corp and thanks to its over $1 Billion Taxpayer Subsidy its signal was strong enough to reach even my my dime store device.

The topic on air was Teenagers and their proclivity to gossip.  It was presented as if this was a passing phase and that when they grew up ....   But I thought to myself 'That is not likely to happen'.

And then a day or so later came the tape of Trudeau speaking (gossiping) off the cuff with some of his NATO colleagues including the Queen's very own daughter Anne.  (As an aside, as time goes on I feel sorrier and sorrier for Members of the Royal Family having to stand in in bore-fests like that).

Anyway, it would have been the non-even of non-events save for the fact that the subject of his scorn (?) was no other than Donald Trump.  And what pray tell did Young Trudeau have to say.

He first commented on his lateness to the gossip fest on the basis that Trump went overtime on a Press Conference.  The event went a shocking 23 minutes and should have concluded earlier.  I know it doesn't get much worse than that. But hold on ..there is more...much more.

Trudeau then went on to spill the beans that Trump's entourage's collective jaw dropped...And Why?  Because Trump had announced that next year's NATO gabfest would take place at Camp David.  If there is anyone out there that did not know this, beforehand, I sincerely apologize to you and only hope that someone nearby you has some smelling salts or something even stronger. 

Trudeau, belatedly realizing the error of his ways, quickly tried unsuccessfully to cover-up by saying how pleased he was that next year's event would be held there... but you and I know, a guy like Trump will see through this subterfuge like a hot knife through butter. 

So there you have.   Demands for Trudeau's Head were ubiquitous.   NAFTA lay in ruins, as did the Steel and Aluminium Tariffs, there was no limit to the vengeance Trump was gong to rain down on Canada's Head.

 Oh, what's this?  Just in... 'It was just announced that NAFTA has been signed and Tariff Agreements re Steel and Aluminum have been entered into.'

So what was all the kerfuffle?

Oh, word has it that John Diefenbaker is coming out of Retirement to Lead the Hapless Conservatives.  Well it is about time.


As I See It, 


K.D. BELL

ANDREW SHEER ....HE'S TOAST.

UPDATE:   Yesterday, Andrew Sheer did the right thing and announced that he was stepping down as the Leader of the Conservative Party.  Although I agree with his decision as per below, I am yet saddened by it...Politics is a dirty albeit interesting business. Now the real fun begins.  Many pundits are already predicting that a large number of candidates will seek the Tory Crown and moreover, that the Tories are most likely to beat Trudeau when the dust from the next election settles.  Not so fast say I.  The majority of those pundits are predicting that the Party will move further left so rather than the Liberal Lite Party we now have...my words...the Tory Party will be full-fledged Liberal.  So what does one gain when one sells out?  Stay Tuned.


I say this with a certain amount of sadness since I believe Mr. Sheer is just  too nice for politics.  As I have told my wife on several occasions (to her chagrin, she is my sounding board), Speakers of the House, do not usually make good Leaders.  The only exception might be the retiring Speaker of the British House, but it is a sure thing, we'll ever know that for sure.

At this point, for his own well-being and that of his family's, he should resign and perhaps he could even do so on his own terms which I will come to shortly. 

My wife and I both had votes for the Leadership Contest that saw Sheer win in May of 2017.  Neither one of us voted for him despite his apparent Social Conservative credentials and this in spite of the fact that we are both strongly of that persuasion.  We simply believed, even then, that he was too weak & too silent on the social issues of concern to us both.

So why, so close to the end of this October's Canadian General Election, do I believe he needs to go??

Simply stated, he ran a very poor campaign.  If you cannot beat Justin Trudeau after his first term of miscues and shenanigans...it just ain't going to happen.

Related to this, is the fact that no-one supports him ....not the Social Conservatives, not the Red Tories, and certainly none of Society's Progressives which make up between 65 and 70 % of the voting public.  The way I have it figured is that Andrew may be able to count on his family voting in his favour at this coming April's Leadership.  Okay, I exaggerate a bit but you get the idea.

If I was advising Andrew Sheer I would encourage him to resign but to insist that he stay on as Interim Leader until a successor has been voted in at at full blown Leadership Convention. I would also insist that that  Leadership Contest be delayed as long a possible to help ensure that some good candidates come out of the woodwork.  Too often quick Leadership Contests results in limited ...B and C level contestants.  The Tories are in desperate need of an A Leader.  John Baird and Pierre Poilievre come readily to mind.  But delay is needed in case there  are others of that ilk.

Admittedly, these decisions do not rest with the Leader of the Party but rather with the Party President and if I was that person, I'd take the offer.  A failed Leadership vote in April would only expose more division and embitterment throughout the Party.  And it would be a win / win for both Sheer and the Party.  Sheer is young and has lots of years left to serve the Party and our Country in Parliament.  And he is not the type to pose a threat to whomever comes out victorious. Sort of like another Joe Clark but even better.  And he'd make a great Party Statesman.

So say the Tories get a good Leader...how should he / she lead?

Well is it not obvious?  With up to 70% of the voting public left of centre - of course you would want to move the Tories to the left as well ....indeed this is what past Tory Leaders have done consistently including, Stanfield, Clark, Mulroney, Harper and currently Sheer.  The only trouble with this very sensible approach is that it does not  work.  More government intervention, more debt, issues of genuine import get ignored with the unelected courts only too glad to step in to fill the void.

We need a truly Conservative Government.  Small Government, Balance Budgets, and Social Issues such as open season on Abortion get addressed.  For instance, in the case of the latter, a reasonable term limit could, I believe, be negotiated such as 3 or 4 months.  With modern birth control there is absolutely no reason a baby can be aborted right up until the time of birth and sadly despite the denial of left radicals, this does happen.  In this atrocity we are right up there with the North Korea and Red China.

We also need a society consisting of more givers / more doers and less takers.  That is what made the West Great and that is why billions around the world are so anxious to reach our shores.  Sadly though and by example of our resident progressives, immigrants and refugees are now too often coming to receive rather than contribute.  And who can blame them!  Religion is under attack, Capitalism is discredited despite the fact that is has literally raised billions out of poverty.  We have become morally bankrupt and the world economy is listless and heading down.

So how did we get here?  Well in the case of Canada, The Right -  Conservatives and Libertarians have failed to sell the need for values at the core of Conservatism, Rather they have adopted Liberalism over the course of the last 50 years so no wonder the electorate has been brainwashed wth liberal / progressive thinking.

The Right needs to finally enter the debate and I can assure each and every one of you that the task will not be an easy one.  In fact, we will likely suffer more defeats along the way but at least - at long last - the voter will be given a real choice.  Less Big Government, more Independence and we can do this with our heads held high in the knowledge that Socialism Simply Does Not Work !

The only country left where the battle between left and right  continues is the United States of America but the division lines are split 50 / 50.  Unless the world's democracies get their respective acts together the day is quickly coming when we will see American numbers reflect our own miserable figures.

Here in Canada we need to get started and the opportunity for that begins with the Tory Leadership Vote in April.


As I See It...

K.D. Bell

TEACHERS

My most recent post was not about Teachers...this one though most certainly is.

I cannot recall any teacher I did not like...well maybe there was one - he liked to fire his male students across the class-room floor.  Indeed in some cases I even love them - my daughter Natalie, my Sister Linda and he son...my nephew... Michael.  With not a biased bone in my body I can say all three were (my Sister is retired) or are, great at their chosen profession and their students were / are lucky to be taught by them.

And all of us no doubt have our favourites from our school days.  I have three -my grade 6 teacher - Robert 'Bob' Raymond, my grade 9 english teacher Miss Joanne Jones and my grade 11 geography teacher Nancy Stantial.  In the case of the latter, at a parent-teacher evening she told my parents that I was most definitely "university material" and being that no one in my family had ever gone to university her statement had a greater impact on me than she could ever imagine.

Bob Raymond was nothing but a character ...from Toronto, fresh out of Teachers' College. For instance, he would hand out detentions like they were going out of style and then permit the offenders to work them off by picking pick weeds in the playground.  Our Public School had the most weed-free lawns around.  He also roamed quietly around the classroom with a pointer and would sneak up on the unsuspecting student who exhibited poor posture.  A sharp stab in the victim's back was all it took.  Can you imagine what would have happened to this novice teacher had he tried to do that in today's progressive environment?

And Miss Jones had the ability to read passages from varied literary offerings that would take the listener directly into those pages.  What a gift.  It was most certainly the beginning of this sport's minded boy's interest in the beauty of literature.

I have never asked my Daughter or my Nephew who their favourite teachers were but will be sure to do so when I see them next.  I do though believe I know who was my Sister's or at least who one of them was ...Ms McAuley ... her kindergarten teacher.  Am I right Linda?

And you know what - I don't even know my wife's favourite.  Better get on that a.s.a.p.

Anyway the bottom-line here is that Teachers perform a very great service to society and even they I suspect, do not always realize what a positive lasting impact they have on the lives of their students.

A Sincere Thank You From The Bottom Of My Heart To You All !!!

Now for a humourous story ...or Not.

In my day, grades 7 thru and including grade 9 were the most eventful and dramatic.  Blame it on hormones, if you will.

So here I am sitting in Mrs. Gibson's Grade 8 Class minding my own business when all of a sudden I was hit by a flying piece of chalk or an erasure.

I looked around and there with a big smirk on his face was the Class Troublemaker (C.T.).  I won't name him to save the guilty but I suspect my childhood friend Johnny will quickly know who this culprit was..  Of even greater note, C.T. was the first in our class to refuse to stand for God Save The Queen, an essential part of the day's opening.  I was shocked more with that than with the chalk...but I digress.

Anyway, I picked up the chalk and was just about ready to fire it back at him when Mrs. Gibson yelled "STOP"...and I did.  This was the same woman who could not catch a cold in mid-January but she caught me that morning.  C.T. was beside himself with guffaws and what should have been over in a matter of minutes...was not.  It went on for months.

Permit me to explain:

Johnny and I grew up in a small town where everyone and I mean everyone, knew everyone else.  As it happened then, Mrs. Gibson's son was married to my father's secretary and for the next several months the 'chalk throwing incident' was the prime talk at our table.  Well you would have thought I had punched C.T. out ...which between you and me I could have easily done.

In closing, if you have any reminisces about how your teacher(s) positively affected you or any humourous stories from your day to day classroom life, please just let me know and I will try to cover them in one of my future blogs.

In the meantime,


As I See It,

K.D. Bell