And Now There Are Two…

 

As in two candidates for next month’s PC Leadership vote in Ontario.

There were initially 5 seeking the mantle but as of this past week with Monty McNaughton’s withdrawal – there are but two left – Christine Elliott and Patrick Brown.

Makes one wonder if there is just too little interest in grabbing the leadership ring and maybe that is not all that surprising considering the Liberal’s 4 consecutive election victories.

Regardless – for the few of us who are actually interested in next month’s vote I wanted to share with you why I believe the Tory Campaign Rules forced McNaughton’s hand to withdraw.

The ballot was to be a ranked ballot meaning voters would have to state their first, second and third choices – so once the ballots are marked – it is marks the end of the voting.

No dropping off – no wheeling and dealing – no convention speeches to win delegates over – that results will already have been determined with the ranked ballots.

It really takes the fun and interest out of the process does it not?

With two candidates – the ranking of candidates no longer applies since one of the two is guaranteed to get a majority on the first ballot – unless in the unlikely event they both receive 50% of delegates’ votes.

So with Christine Elliott leaning left and both Brown and McNaughton leaning right – the only way for either Brown or McNaughton to influence the outcome was to withdraw before the delegates even voted.

And with Brown leading in memberships sold – it fell to McNaughton to take the plunge.

Will his strategy work?

We’ll soon know – but what had once looked like a coronation for Elliott – looks less so today.  Maybe Hillary Clinton should take notice.

What started out to be a boring campaign has degenerated into one of even greater boredom.

And you can thank the folks at the Ontario PC Executive for bringing this about.

Hopefully this does not signal another decade of Grit Rule for our once proud Province.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

Have We Got A Guard For You…

 

The Ceremonial Guard for Canada’s War Memorial here in Ottawa kicked off its season today.

As per last year, there will be two Ceremonial Guards posted at the Memorial and at its Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from 9 am to 5 pm – seven days a week until Remembrance Day, November 11th, 2015.

But this year the set-up is different, the two ceremonial guards themselves will be guarded by two of Ottawa’s finest police at a cost to the taxpayer of nearly half a million dollars for this part year assignment.  It does include a cruiser.

The extra security is due to the tragic shooting death of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo on Wednesday October 22nd. 2014 @ 9:30 am.

Cpl. Cirillo was cowardly gunned down by a lone Islamic Terrorist aficionado.

The guard was initially posted because some male had urinated on the War Memorial in late hours of Canada Day – July 1st 2006.

Do you see something amiss here?

A Guard was posted during the day light hours to protect the War Memorial from a vandalism that took place late at night at a time when most vandalism is apt to occur.

Typical Government.

This stupidity then directly was a factor in Cpl Cirillo’s death since most certainly had he not be on duty that day, protecting the nation’s main monument from unlikely acts of daylight vandalism, he would not be killed.

I am not for a minute suggesting that his special duty caused his death – it did not – the terroist did that all by himself.

Indeed even without the urination incident, I believe the War Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier should be guarded during the spring, summer and fall and I would extend the Guard 7 days a week – 24 hours per day.

What I am pointing out is how inept Government’s can be when they set out to solve a problem.

But now the Guards too are guarded by the Ottawa Police.

Why not really get into it.

Many believe the RCMP is the proper police force responsible for the War Memorial – so let’s add a couple of RCMP constables as well.  Just think what a draw they would be in their Red Serge.

And don’t forget to give them a cruiser too.

And while we are at it – let’s add the Ontario Provincial Police since if the City Cops are there and now the RCMP – should not the OPP be represented too?

And of course their car.

And you can’t leave Guards guarding Guards there on their own – replacement Guards will need to flow through to cover coffee breaks and lunches.

The Minister Responsible for Ottawa – Pierre Poilievre is quoted as saying they have adopted this new system of guarding the guards to send terrorists a message that we in Canada cannot be intimidated.

I find it quite the opposite – guarding the guards sends a message loud and clear that we are indeed intimidated.

So here is what I would do.

I would keep but the two ceremonial guards – one to guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the other armed to guard the perimeter of the War Memorial.

Extra cost – none.

Change in the former guard arrangements – none save for the fact that both guards will now be issued real bullets to protect themselves.

They are part of Canada’s distinguished army and are well equipped at protecting themselves.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

The Biggest Event In Town …

 

Begins tomorrow morning, in our nation’s fair capital – Ottawa.

I am speaking of course about the Mike Duffy fraud trial.

Many accounts that I have been reading put great importance on his trial, for numerous reasons.

In truth though, it is about one thing and one thing only.

And I will come to that.

But it does once again put the Senate on trial which I see as a needless waste of everyone’s time:

As I have said on countless occasions – the Senate is an undemocratic body populated by unelected ‘hacks, flacks and ne'er-do-wells’.

It should have been abolished years ago.

The trial will only serve to harden that view amongst the many who share it with me.

The NDP’s unequivocal stance - that it will deep six the Red Chamber – is guaranteed to be an election favourite.

But that is all just a sideshow. It will not determine the winner of the upcoming Election.

The real issue is whether or not the Prime Minister lied when he told the country he knew nothing of his Chief of Staff’s gift of $90,000 to the Duffster.

I think Stephen Harper lied when he said that and I believe this will come out when said Chief of Staff, Nigel Wright gives his testimony in regard to this sordid chapter.

From all accounts – despite the ill advisedness of the gift, Wright is one of the few honourables in this sorry saga and he can be expected to tell the truth, under oath – whatever that turns out to be.

But should that truth differ from Harper’s recall – the Prime Minister will then be in the unenviable position of having been caught out lying to Parliament and to the public generally.

I do not see how he could then stay on, in such a circumstances.

What is totally sad about all of this is that it did not need to happen.

There was nothing to be gained by either Harper or Wright coming to Duffy’s defence.  Indeed it was the Government’s position that it too wanted the Senate reformed or gone.

So why get involved in the internal doings of such as dysfunctional body?

There was absolutely nothing to be gained by the Tories and everything to lose as Nigel Wright correctly prophesied in one of his last emails as Chief of Staff.

If Harper goes down, as I think he very well may, he will have the rest of his life to dwell on that question.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

Canada’s War On Terror…

 

Let me begin by saying that Canada’s War on Terror is just, though in a couple of important matters, it is misguided.

And also, despite the gloom and doom of the Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum Opposition Parties – our contribution to the war is most modest to the point of almost insignificant.

But it nonetheless is an important symbol.

Where I see us going off the rails first relates to Parliament’s (PM Harper) decision to join the USA in the bombing of Syria.

I say that because what is going on in the Middle East has little to do with Religion – rather it is about power.  The two largest Muslim Sects – the Sunnis and the Shiites are fighting it out to see which becomes dominate.

Whichever one wins out – it will result in misery for both their followers and for innocent bystanders such as the Christians and Jews.

So here we find ourselves about to bomb positions in Syria where these two bad guy groups are battling it out.  In such circumstances, who do we bomb?  And given that whichever one wins out – we lose – what in hell do we hope to achieve by supporting one over the other?

My solution for Syria is very simple; let them battle it out among themselves and then we will deal with the victor.

That said, we do need to help the innocents caught up in this senseless Syrian Slaughter by getting them out to safety and if that entails some bombing to help rescue them - so be it.  

The other mistake our Government is making is in regard to its Terror Bill C51.  As I have said in earlier Blogs – this Bill is so broad that if passed into law, could conceivably catch the Raging Grannies in its web.

Simply stated, we who love Freedom do not have need for a Terrorist Laws that applies to the general public.  Full Stop.

But since 9/11 the West – especially the States has become a virtual police state with numerous anti terrorist organizations tripping over themselves in a bid to invade our common privacy.

We have the criminal code to fall back on when the grannies get out of hand.

That is not to say we in Canada do not need Terrorist Legislation – we do, but solely to apply to those who we currently find ourselves at war with – the Extreme Muslim Groups such as ISIS, Al Qaeda, Boko Haram, etc.

When at war the niceties of Rule of Law must be modified*:

• those caught in acts of terrorism need to be locked up – without trial, until the hostilities cease;
• the same for those caught planning or about to carry out such acts;
• and the same for those who give comfort to the enemy including those who speak or write in favour of their twisted cause.  

*those claiming innocence can have their cases heard behind closed doors by specially appointed Judges and Prosecutors.

I envisage the Terrorist Law being a blanket law containing the above provisions and applying to those groups and members and sympathizers who have declared was on us.  A schedule to the Act, would be kept updated containing the names of the Extreme Muslim Groups at issue.

Some will say my approach is too harsh – but it pales in comparison to the beheadings, burning, raping and the burying of babies alive.

We are at war and we should act accordingly.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

Never, Never Land …

 

I found it on our recent holiday on Anna Maria Island in Florida.

A place where children never grow up.

The children in question did physically age but thanks to retirement and their Shangri-La on the Florida Gulf Coast, many have returned to the those glorious days of their youth.

Pulling wagons along the icing sugar sands, that I would have given my eye teeth for when I was four, they seem oblivious to what grown-ups would think about them back north.

Riding trikes – again the envy of anyone’s youth – with carefree abandon as they leave snake like tracks across the early morning’s pristine beach.

They spend hours building sand castles for their grandchildren, while said grandchildren look on disinterestedly.  

Kites fly overhead attached to strings played out by their elderly masters.

It is preschool days redux.

Some of these reminted youth look so old that they appear to virtually defy medical science to the point where the Grim Reaper would most certainly pass them by for want of a challenge.

But their activities on Anna Maria belie their years.

And off the island as well.

One evening, Anne and I went to a dance at a local park thinking that the music would be from our era of the 50s and 60s or likely earlier.  To our surprise, songs of the 70s and 80s prevailed but the crowd was definitly our vintage and older.

And boy did they dance – crutches, walkers, canes and leg braces cast aside on the edge of the dance floor as the newly minted youth went wild.

It was a sight to behold.

Anne asked me to dance but I joked that the danger from flying false teeth was just too great.

She prevailed though and I was pushed, shoved and knocked around as if we were dancing to 70s acid rock – which to think back – we were.

Will we go back?

Most certainly; it certainly beats growing old with dignity … too boring.

As I saw it…

‘K.D. Galagher’

I almost felt sorry for the poor guy…

 

The guy in question is Jerry Dias, head of Ontario’s new and powerful Union …UNIFOR.

Poor Dias was on local radio bemoaning the fact that he is worried that General Motors might pull out of Ontario and taking with it some 30,000 good paying automotive jobs.

The thinking is that if this was to happen, the likely benefactor will be Mexico with its much cheaper labour force.

Mr. Dias did not sound at all angry but more despondent.  He also felt betrayed by GM for taking Ontario and Canadian Taxpayers’ dollars in the multi billion dollar bailout fallowing the financial collapse of 2008.

Is there no honour?

Well no Jerry there isn’t.  I have said time and time again that ‘Capitalism has no heart – it has no soul’ and will gravitate to where it can make the most money.

And in our case, this could very well be Mexico which already has a growing and robust car industry thanks mainly to a cheap labour supply.

I have for a long time now been an opponent of Corporate Welfare made first famous in the General Election of 1972 by NDP Leader David Lewis.  If I was not a fan of his position then – I certainly soon thereafter came on board.

First off, a welfare payment to one corporation is unfair to other businesses engaged in the same product lines.  Why should one corporate taxpayer be advantaged over another corporate taxpayer by their  same Government?  The answer is of course – they should not.

And second, the loyalty of the corporate welfare bum lasts just as long as it takes to pocket the Government’s cheque.

So why is the Unifor Chief so shocked.

After all, this is what it always comes down to.

This is not said to disparage Big Business – Capitalism, despite the thoughts of the loony left – is the best economic system going. 

Simply stated – despite all its flaws – it is the only system that works.

So let’s go back to 2008 and the Big Business Bailout for the Auto Guys – I was opposed to it – see reason’s First and Second above.

I also knew that what would really work is the following:

• Cheap Hydro Rates … like we used to have;
• An abundant well educated work force;
• Clean, abundant water;
• A safe and clean place in which to live;
• Rule of Law;
• Excellent infrastructure etc etc.

And now add, as we have, – a 20+ % discount on the dollar of our largest customer – the United States of America.

These items will beat handouts 10 times out of 10.  It is just too bad, thanks to the folks at Queen’s Park, that we have lost one of our greatest advantages – cheap hydro power.

As I see it…

’K.D. Galagher’

 

You Have To Hand It To Ontario’s Liberal..

 

Government, it is becoming more and more Transparent.

Though just as underhanded and sneaky as ever; but so blatant their actions, they are obvious to all but the most dimwitted.

I am of course speaking of the Grit’s announcement this week to subsidize the hydro bills of low income Ontario households.

But it is not Government which will be doing the subsidizing – rather it is all the rest of us hard-pressed taxpayers. 

Quite the trick if you can get away with it.

And I can just imagine the discussion in Cabinet that took place in the lead up to this week’s announcement. 

It would have gone something like this:

Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli would have led off by saying ‘the time has come to assist low income families in coping with their high hydro bills’.  (Bills which have increased over 300% in the last 10 years.)

Other Members would then have voiced concern that having the Government subsidize rates would likely focus public attention on their mismanagement of the energy file.  (You know the non-performing Green Energy, the endless sunshine list of Hydro Managers and Employees etc.)

‘Not to worry’ come-back Bob would say – it won’t be us – the Government doing the subsidization – it will be all the other hydro users.  

A few Other Members would still voice concern that such an admission has the potential of turning voters away from our Party.

‘Not so’ would say Bob – we have been elected, re-elected 4 times and there is no reason to suspect that the electorate will be any less gullible come the 5th time.

Chortling all around.

Before I leave this topic and leave come-back Bob, one more thing.

Chiarelli boasted that maximum savings for low income hydro users would be up to $500 Million Dollars per year knowing full well that it will never come close to that number though the cash grab from the more well off users may very well reach that height and more.

A family of 4 making less than $28,000 can expect but $38 dollars of subsidy per month and for a family to get the maximum $50 dollar discount they would have to total some 7 members – almost enough to field a baseball team.

If, as Chiarelli has said, it often comes down to a choice between eating and heating – all thanks of course to their twisted green energy policy – sadly this week’s subsidy will do little to reduce the latter in favour of the former.

It will though screw more money from the hapless taxpayer into the coffers of Ontario’s incompetent Government.

As I see it…

‘K.D. Galagher’