I wrote in a previous post Obama deserves a full term to fully be judged. Nonetheless, I still find CNN's report card fascinating.
Judging by these results, and we should keep in mind it's a poll, it seems Americans are less than impressed. In just 200 days?
To some, he's on track (personally, I don't think he is on matters of foreign policy and economics) and he should stay the course trusting the fruits of his labor and patience will blossom.
We'll see.
2009-08-07
2009-08-06
Influential Director Hughes Passes Away
Director John Hughes died today.
Even though I'm a child of the 70s, I was aware of my conscience in the 80s. Many factors and things contribute to this growing awareness including films.
Going to the movies was the main thing to do pre-16 years old. And in the 1980s there was a block of movies that literally defined a generation and they came from the director John Hughes. His list of movies goes on and on. Read the above link for details.
Anyone who was a teenager in the 1980s got hooked on films like 'Sixteen Candles,' 'National Lampoon's Vacation' 'Ferris Bueller's Day Off' and 'The Breakfast Club.' Possibly the most influential of all the teen flicks he made.
That movie had such an impact it infiltrated schools. Let me tell a true story. In junior high in 1985, which is when the film was released, I was 13. By then, I was already what is termed a "a bad student with great potential."
Whatever. My buddies and I were to busy being "cool." We frustrated teachers so much they tried everything to get us back on track. One in particular was our English teacher Ms. Molinaro. She got the idea one day of creating "A Breakfast Club" but with an added twist of getting us invloved in school. Every day, and I forget the time, we would meet and do something - I forget what. I think it was writing. Yeah, that's it. She wanted to expand our creativity because we exhibited quite a bit of it in class. Only this time, we weren't disturbing anybody.
I don't think it worked out well since I can't seem to recall what was accomplished. But in hindsight, she tried and we should be grateful. We liked her but we could never really get on track when it came to academics.
She enjoyed my writing by the way.
Another way Hughes' films influenced me is with the script I wrote. When I was asked who I would have play the parents in the family in the show, I felt Molly Ringwald and Judd Nelson would be the perfect candidates.
Hey, I can dream too.
Great Speeches By Abraham Lincoln Part II
The Presidential Question: Speech in the United States in the House of Representative, 1848.
Lincoln discussing General Taylor, Veto power and charges by Democrats about Taylor's lack of principles. He brilliantly turned the mirror on Democrats and reminded them of their own documented lack of principles. Read entire text here.
"...Gentlemen on the other side are unanimously agreed that General Taylor has no other principles. They are in utter darkness as to his opinions on any of the questions of policy which occupy the public attention. But is there any doubt as to what he will do on the prominent questions if elected? Not the least."
"...Now this is the whole matter. In substance, it is this: The people say to General Taylor, "If you are elected, shall we have a national bank?" He answers, "Your will, gentlemen, not mine." "What about the tariff?" "Say yourselves." "Shall our rivers and harbors be improved?" "Just as you please. If you desire a bank, an alteration of the tariff, internal improvements, any or all, I will not hinder you. If you do not desire them, I will not attempt to force them on you. "
"...My friend from Indiana (C. B. Smith) has aptly asked, "Are you willing to trust the people?" Some of you answered substantially, "We are willing to trust the people; but the President is as much the representative of the people as Congress." In a certain sense, and to a certain extent, he is the representative of the people. He is elected by them, as well as Congress is; but can he, in the nature of things know the wants of the people as well as three hundred other men, coming from all the various localities of the nation? If so, where is the propriety of having a Congress? That the Constitution gives the President a negative on legislation, all know; but that this negative should be so combined with platforms and other appliances as to enable him, and in fact almost compel him, to take the whole of legislation into his own hands, is what we object to, is what General Taylor objects to, and is what constitutes the broad distinction between you and us."
"If we run our eyes along the line of the past, we shall see that almost if not quite all the articles of the present Democratic creed have been at first forced upon the party in this very way. And just now, and just so, opposition to internal improvements is to be established if General Cass shall be elected. Almost half the Democrats here are for improvements; but they will vote for Cass, and if he succeeds, their vote will have aided in closing the doors against improvements. Now this is a process which we think is wrong. We prefer a candidate who, like General Taylor, will allow the people to have their own way, regardless of his private opinions..."
"...You Democrats, and your candidate, in the main are in favor of laying down in advance a platform--a set of party positions--as a unit, and then of forcing the people, by every sort of appliance, to ratify them, however unpalatable some of them may be. We and our candidate are in favor of making Presidential elections and the legislation of the country distinct matters; so that the people can elect whom they please, and afterward legislate just as they please, without any hindrance, save only so much as may guard against infractions of the Constitution, undue haste, and want of consideration. The difference between us is clear as noonday. That we are right we cannot doubt. We hold the true Republican position. In leaving the people's business in their hands, we cannot be wrong. We are willing, and even anxious, to go to the people on this issue."
"I repeat, I would not introduce this mode of discussion here; but I wish gentlemen on the other side to understand that the use of degrading figures is a game at which they may not find themselves able to take all the winnings. ["We give it up!"]
"Have no fears, gentlemen, of your (General Cass) candidate. He exactly suits you, and we congratulate you upon it. However much you may be distressed about our candidate, you have all cause to be contented and happy with your own. If elected, he may not maintain all or even any of his positions previously taken...he will never desert you till you first desert him."
"...But, as General Taylor is, par excellence, the hero of the Mexican War, and as you Democrats say we Whigs have always opposed the war, you think it must be very awkward and embarrassing for us to go for General Taylor. The declaration that we have always opposed the war is true or false, according as one may understand the term "oppose the war." If to say "the war was unnecessarily and unconstitutionally commenced by the President" by opposing the war, then the Whigs have very generally opposed it. Whenever they have spoken at all, they have said this; and they have said it on what has appeared good reason to them. The marching an army into the midst of a peaceful Mexican settlement, frightening the inhabitants away, leaving their growing crops and other property to destruction, to you may appear a perfectly amiable, peaceful, unprovoking procedure; but it does not appear so to us. So to call such an act, to us appears no other than a naked, impudent absurdity, and we speak of it accordingly. But if, when the war had begun, and had become the cause of the country, the giving of our money and our blood, in common with yours, was support of the war, then it is not true that we have always opposed the war. With few individual exceptions, you have constantly had our votes here for all the necessary supplies."
"The Democrats are keen enough to frequently remind us that we have some dissensions in our ranks...Some such we certainly have; have you none, gentlemen Democrats? Is it all union and harmony in your ranks? no bickerings? no divisions?...I have heard some things from New York; and if they are true, one might well say of your party there, as a drunken fellow once said when he heard the reading of an indictment for hog-stealing. The clerk read on till he got to and through the words, "did steal, take, and carry away ten boars, ten sows, ten shoats, and ten pigs," at which he exclaimed, "Well, by golly, that is the most equally divided gang of hogs I ever did hear of!" If there is any other gang of hogs more equally divided than the Democrats of New York are about this time, I have not heard of it."
Why We Have English Institutions In Quebec
I received a comment recently regarding my post about the OLF.
The poster asserted something I've often heard in the past and thought to discuss it here. Essentially, that the English-speaking minority is well-treated here, what, with our three English universities, hospitals and all that.
Let's tackle this claim in point form:
1) First off, to my interpretation, implied is that we should just be happy and shut up.
2) Second, does the person mention this in an effort to justify pitting one set of citizens (the majority) against another (minority)?
3) Third, as a counter point, the English have such institutions because they were far more advanced in terms of wealth and economic power. The Church (with aid from the Duplesis administration in the 1940s) basically kept French-Canadians on the farms. They were told to avoid engaging the greedy, immoral economic activities with the English. Naturally, they along with the Scots, literally built the city of Montreal with little resistance and once positioned it as the central metropolis in Canada. What happened after the Quiet Revolution I ask?
4) Fourth, the commenter is best to ask: Why do the minorities have the right to go to English schools? Why do they have their own institutions? Is it because Quebec was an open and tolerant society and accorded such rights?
How did it come to be that Italians, for example, spoke "anglais?" There seems to be a belief that immigrants freely chose this route. This is not necessarily accurate. Italians, since they were Catholic and Latin, actually wanted to go to French schools (while ensuring their kids learn English since this was the power language) but they were denied access. The success attained moving forward was not thanks to Quebec support and more with the commitment of all major minorities like the Irish, Jews and Chinese - to improve their lot mostly on their own.
Interestingly, when Quebec nationalists (and I'm sure there's more information on this somewhere) observed how fast minorities moved up the social ladder they attempted to force them back into the French system. Like the government did in the past, they were physically grabbing kids out of their class rooms! Italians in particular rebelled in what was known as the St. Leonard Riots (very little scholarship is available about this) and one of the results was the community was exempted from the draconian Bill 101.
Je me souviens has many faces, eh?
The poster asserted something I've often heard in the past and thought to discuss it here. Essentially, that the English-speaking minority is well-treated here, what, with our three English universities, hospitals and all that.
Let's tackle this claim in point form:
1) First off, to my interpretation, implied is that we should just be happy and shut up.
2) Second, does the person mention this in an effort to justify pitting one set of citizens (the majority) against another (minority)?
3) Third, as a counter point, the English have such institutions because they were far more advanced in terms of wealth and economic power. The Church (with aid from the Duplesis administration in the 1940s) basically kept French-Canadians on the farms. They were told to avoid engaging the greedy, immoral economic activities with the English. Naturally, they along with the Scots, literally built the city of Montreal with little resistance and once positioned it as the central metropolis in Canada. What happened after the Quiet Revolution I ask?
4) Fourth, the commenter is best to ask: Why do the minorities have the right to go to English schools? Why do they have their own institutions? Is it because Quebec was an open and tolerant society and accorded such rights?
How did it come to be that Italians, for example, spoke "anglais?" There seems to be a belief that immigrants freely chose this route. This is not necessarily accurate. Italians, since they were Catholic and Latin, actually wanted to go to French schools (while ensuring their kids learn English since this was the power language) but they were denied access. The success attained moving forward was not thanks to Quebec support and more with the commitment of all major minorities like the Irish, Jews and Chinese - to improve their lot mostly on their own.
Interestingly, when Quebec nationalists (and I'm sure there's more information on this somewhere) observed how fast minorities moved up the social ladder they attempted to force them back into the French system. Like the government did in the past, they were physically grabbing kids out of their class rooms! Italians in particular rebelled in what was known as the St. Leonard Riots (very little scholarship is available about this) and one of the results was the community was exempted from the draconian Bill 101.
Je me souviens has many faces, eh?
Dog On Death Row
The Yukon Supreme Court is set to over a verdict on dog's fate.
"The Yukon Supreme Court is to hear its first capital case in living memory when a judge decides the fate of the dog. Trevor was rescued from a home last January where he was so neglected, his tight collar had grown into his body."
Whitehorse hasn't seen this much action since Sam Steele patrolled the region.
"The Yukon Supreme Court is to hear its first capital case in living memory when a judge decides the fate of the dog. Trevor was rescued from a home last January where he was so neglected, his tight collar had grown into his body."
Whitehorse hasn't seen this much action since Sam Steele patrolled the region.
Loose Lips With Nazism, Taking Money And Cash For Clunkers
Have you heard about the recent uproar regarding Nancy Pelosi? She disappointed me. She ought to know better. And why isn't there an SNL character for her? Seriously. Palin and Pelosi aren't that different when you think about.
By the way, here's an interesting article about her father.
What's going on in American polity? How can American politicians stand up and charge each other and citizens of being "Nazis" the minute they disagree with one another?
Whatever. Are these people insane or just plain ignorant? Both? It's time this sort of destructive language (and it happens in Canada too) be tackled straight on. In our institutions of higher learning, in important intellectual magazines and in Congress and Parliament. It must END.
Few of these people are upholding the ideals, traditions and wisdom of their Founding Fathers. The actions of the Democrats and Republicans (in recent years) run less in line with these men of genius who bestowed upon them a great Republic to be molded in a new way never seen before and more with static European socialism.
***
I love this line by the President and Democrats, "we're putting money back in the hands of people."
I ask:
Why take it in the first place?
***
Cash for clunkers: I'm betting it'll go something like this. You get $4500. But the "unintended consequences and costs" (administrative costs, scamming for example) may cost people higher. So in effect, what you do is give in a car to save the environment but it will cost you money to do it. I'm curious to see how this plays out. I hope I'm wrong.
This is just a Canadian assumption because we see this all the time here.
By the way, here's an interesting article about her father.
What's going on in American polity? How can American politicians stand up and charge each other and citizens of being "Nazis" the minute they disagree with one another?
Whatever. Are these people insane or just plain ignorant? Both? It's time this sort of destructive language (and it happens in Canada too) be tackled straight on. In our institutions of higher learning, in important intellectual magazines and in Congress and Parliament. It must END.
Few of these people are upholding the ideals, traditions and wisdom of their Founding Fathers. The actions of the Democrats and Republicans (in recent years) run less in line with these men of genius who bestowed upon them a great Republic to be molded in a new way never seen before and more with static European socialism.
***
I love this line by the President and Democrats, "we're putting money back in the hands of people."
I ask:
Why take it in the first place?
***
Cash for clunkers: I'm betting it'll go something like this. You get $4500. But the "unintended consequences and costs" (administrative costs, scamming for example) may cost people higher. So in effect, what you do is give in a car to save the environment but it will cost you money to do it. I'm curious to see how this plays out. I hope I'm wrong.
This is just a Canadian assumption because we see this all the time here.
2009-08-05
Some Links: Conspiratorial Wackos, White House Paranoia, CNN Grades Obama, Canada Bored Stiff
The NRO's take on how the right and left have been invaded by extremists. The "Birthers" on the right and Truthers on the left. From The Corner segment.
***
My friend sent me this straight from the White House blog:
There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov.
Wow. Para-NOID! So. Let's see. Hm. Debate is to be discouraged? Citizens should snitch on one another?
Wow.
***
For those interested on such things. CNN is conducting a report card on Obama's Second 100 Days. Personally, while I get you can judge early on a path a leader may take, I still prefer to wait it out and see how it plays out.
Sure, I don't think his bail out plan is all that smart - yeah, right. The economy is recovering and it's because of the stimulus package. Sure - but let the guy settle in a little.
I hear this in sports all the time. A new coach is barely a few games in and the media asks fans about the performance. Doesn't he deserve the full season?
***
Man, with Parliament not in session, there's not a whole lot of shaking goin' on here in Canada.
***
My friend sent me this straight from the White House blog:
There is a lot of disinformation about health insurance reform out there, spanning from control of personal finances to end of life care. These rumors often travel just below the surface via chain emails or through casual conversation. Since we can’t keep track of all of them here at the White House, we’re asking for your help. If you get an email or see something on the web about health insurance reform that seems fishy, send it to flag@whitehouse.gov.
Wow. Para-NOID! So. Let's see. Hm. Debate is to be discouraged? Citizens should snitch on one another?
Wow.
***
For those interested on such things. CNN is conducting a report card on Obama's Second 100 Days. Personally, while I get you can judge early on a path a leader may take, I still prefer to wait it out and see how it plays out.
Sure, I don't think his bail out plan is all that smart - yeah, right. The economy is recovering and it's because of the stimulus package. Sure - but let the guy settle in a little.
I hear this in sports all the time. A new coach is barely a few games in and the media asks fans about the performance. Doesn't he deserve the full season?
***
Man, with Parliament not in session, there's not a whole lot of shaking goin' on here in Canada.
Conservatism As A Dirty Word And Are The Americans Looking To Copy Canadian Socialized Medicine?
It's a bizarre thing really.
I'm amazed at just how misconstrued and hated conservatism has become. I'm not sure when and where this happened but I fear it's become unhinged. Are a few bad apples giving conservative thought a bad name? I mean, the founding fathers had no trouble with conservative thought, right? Awesome Abraham Lincoln was a Republican - well, a Whig at first but hey.
***
I've been watching the health care reform debate in the U.S. with interest because, well, it's interesting and it indirectly implicates Canada (and Europe) since the Americans are considering some form (exactly what is unclear) of socialized medicine.
To my observation, I think both sides are using our system to fit their needs and arguments. The left paint waayy to nice a picture and the right waayy too bad a picture. Regardless, I'm not so sure Canadian style medicine is what the Americans want. So it makes little sense to really compare it to us. I think President Obama is not explaining his case well. True, some conservative ads have gone on the offensive with dubious allegations but the left does that too.
That doesn't mean the right aren't asking some valid questions - the Canadian system is indeed under severe strain. Anyone arguing otherwise is either blinded by lofty rhetoric or denying rising evidence pointing to this. I would hope this is considered by Americans.
Nonetheless, I'd be surprised if Obama rams a one-size fits all nationalized program. Although the White House claim that "disinformation" is derailing his plan is a bit rich. One thing I learned in life. When you fail the first person who should be staring back is you.
Now, whether this is just a precursor to that I don't know. It can.
If I'm American, I ask a loooootttttt of questions. A lot.
I'm amazed at just how misconstrued and hated conservatism has become. I'm not sure when and where this happened but I fear it's become unhinged. Are a few bad apples giving conservative thought a bad name? I mean, the founding fathers had no trouble with conservative thought, right? Awesome Abraham Lincoln was a Republican - well, a Whig at first but hey.
***
I've been watching the health care reform debate in the U.S. with interest because, well, it's interesting and it indirectly implicates Canada (and Europe) since the Americans are considering some form (exactly what is unclear) of socialized medicine.
To my observation, I think both sides are using our system to fit their needs and arguments. The left paint waayy to nice a picture and the right waayy too bad a picture. Regardless, I'm not so sure Canadian style medicine is what the Americans want. So it makes little sense to really compare it to us. I think President Obama is not explaining his case well. True, some conservative ads have gone on the offensive with dubious allegations but the left does that too.
That doesn't mean the right aren't asking some valid questions - the Canadian system is indeed under severe strain. Anyone arguing otherwise is either blinded by lofty rhetoric or denying rising evidence pointing to this. I would hope this is considered by Americans.
Nonetheless, I'd be surprised if Obama rams a one-size fits all nationalized program. Although the White House claim that "disinformation" is derailing his plan is a bit rich. One thing I learned in life. When you fail the first person who should be staring back is you.
Now, whether this is just a precursor to that I don't know. It can.
If I'm American, I ask a loooootttttt of questions. A lot.
Broward County Sexual Assault Case
Dunno.
Just find this article interesting.
Jonathan Bleiweiss, an (apparent) upstanding gay Deputy and model citizen was arrested for allegedly well, you read part of it:
"Prosecutors and public defenders are reviewing at least 15 pending criminal cases -- an attempted murder case among them -- that may depend on the testimony of accused Broward Sheriff's Deputy Jonathan Bleiweiss.
Broward Public Defender Howard Finkelstein said Wednesday that his staffers also are looking at recently closed cases. He said they have been getting unconfirmed reports that the deputy might have been physically abusing homeless people."
Just find this article interesting.
Jonathan Bleiweiss, an (apparent) upstanding gay Deputy and model citizen was arrested for allegedly well, you read part of it:
"Prosecutors and public defenders are reviewing at least 15 pending criminal cases -- an attempted murder case among them -- that may depend on the testimony of accused Broward Sheriff's Deputy Jonathan Bleiweiss.
Broward Public Defender Howard Finkelstein said Wednesday that his staffers also are looking at recently closed cases. He said they have been getting unconfirmed reports that the deputy might have been physically abusing homeless people."
In Search Of Individual Liberty In Quebec
Does it exist?
In light of my recent post about Quebec's OLF, I'd like to make clear something. My issue is with its usefulness to a society beyond language and culture. Disassociated from both, one can muster a sober assessment of how it makes people feel.
To me, it's not right. There is no justification for it I reiterate.
As for the United States, it has itself abandoned large tracts of its intellectual heritage its magnificent founding fathers left them. They have their own issues. However, their writings live on and I do believe they can still be applied to all freedom loving peoples on earth. They left a legacy of such priceless brilliance, it would make us fools to not listen.
The question I pose then: Is Quebec balancing individual liberty (if they care about such intangible and universal notions) and protecting its culture? Can it be mutually inclusive?
I don't see how laws designed to protect the collective can be such.
Alas, I leave it to people to enlighten.
In light of my recent post about Quebec's OLF, I'd like to make clear something. My issue is with its usefulness to a society beyond language and culture. Disassociated from both, one can muster a sober assessment of how it makes people feel.
To me, it's not right. There is no justification for it I reiterate.
As for the United States, it has itself abandoned large tracts of its intellectual heritage its magnificent founding fathers left them. They have their own issues. However, their writings live on and I do believe they can still be applied to all freedom loving peoples on earth. They left a legacy of such priceless brilliance, it would make us fools to not listen.
The question I pose then: Is Quebec balancing individual liberty (if they care about such intangible and universal notions) and protecting its culture? Can it be mutually inclusive?
I don't see how laws designed to protect the collective can be such.
Alas, I leave it to people to enlighten.
2009-08-04
Mass Tax Revolt Possible In The U.S.?
Was listening to the Dennis Miller Show earlier today. Hey, I'm interested in hearing everyone's point of view. He said something that piqued my interest and got me thinking about my many trips to Italy and France.
In discussing the Obama administration and its lofty and expensive plans, he asserted that at some point there will be a tax revolt in the United States.
This is when I began to recall conversations I had with cousins who own businesses in both aforementioned Latin countries. Italy and France, by all accounts once added up, are socialist in orientation. To what degree they're efficient on the matter is hard to say. I would guess France is far more functional than Italy. Regardless, both share a common trait: Each have high numbers of tax evaders and both have substantial black markets. Italy's economy in particular is said to be around 35% underground!
Now I can't speak for the Scandinavian countries (increasingly under duress when it comes to paying for their generous welfare states), or Germany or the United Kingdom but according to people I spoke with in France and Italy, they squarely blame excessive government intervention and intrusion for why this is the case. The bureaucracy in Italy is psychologically abusive to the point where the pragmatic Italian mind finds ways to circumnavigate it. My cousin in Milan freely admits (and proudly) he outwits the government. If he doesn't, they take everything he claims.
My cousin in Paris has a similar story. While he feels France is far more organized, the state's addiction to taxes is no less gross.
Speaking at my cousin's restaurant over a bottle of wine with many a person, at the local and personal level, there was real outrage about the state of their country. The complaints weren't all that different than what we have here. I've always loved the French and their argumentative abilities. It is in his restaurant I learned many of our perceptions of the French are unjustified if not misunderstood - and vice-versa I might add.
They feel the welfare state is bleeding them dry but seem paralyzed when it comes do turning thought into action. They spoke as though they had no liberties left but weren't ready to flat out say it. The legacy of 1789 and their contribution to establishing a free republic in the United States in 1774-1776 seems forgotten.
In my cousin's assessment, he argues if he doesn't be "careful" with his incomes taxes, l'etat can literally take up to 87% of his income! I had no way to verify this but this was his claim.
The French and Italians have revolted - by going underground.
At the pace the U.S. is going, this is possibly how they're going to revolt. Canada accepts tax increases without much fight. The U.S. is not like Canada. They're not apathetic. They're action oriented much like their counterparts in Europe.
We'll see.
In discussing the Obama administration and its lofty and expensive plans, he asserted that at some point there will be a tax revolt in the United States.
This is when I began to recall conversations I had with cousins who own businesses in both aforementioned Latin countries. Italy and France, by all accounts once added up, are socialist in orientation. To what degree they're efficient on the matter is hard to say. I would guess France is far more functional than Italy. Regardless, both share a common trait: Each have high numbers of tax evaders and both have substantial black markets. Italy's economy in particular is said to be around 35% underground!
Now I can't speak for the Scandinavian countries (increasingly under duress when it comes to paying for their generous welfare states), or Germany or the United Kingdom but according to people I spoke with in France and Italy, they squarely blame excessive government intervention and intrusion for why this is the case. The bureaucracy in Italy is psychologically abusive to the point where the pragmatic Italian mind finds ways to circumnavigate it. My cousin in Milan freely admits (and proudly) he outwits the government. If he doesn't, they take everything he claims.
My cousin in Paris has a similar story. While he feels France is far more organized, the state's addiction to taxes is no less gross.
Speaking at my cousin's restaurant over a bottle of wine with many a person, at the local and personal level, there was real outrage about the state of their country. The complaints weren't all that different than what we have here. I've always loved the French and their argumentative abilities. It is in his restaurant I learned many of our perceptions of the French are unjustified if not misunderstood - and vice-versa I might add.
They feel the welfare state is bleeding them dry but seem paralyzed when it comes do turning thought into action. They spoke as though they had no liberties left but weren't ready to flat out say it. The legacy of 1789 and their contribution to establishing a free republic in the United States in 1774-1776 seems forgotten.
In my cousin's assessment, he argues if he doesn't be "careful" with his incomes taxes, l'etat can literally take up to 87% of his income! I had no way to verify this but this was his claim.
The French and Italians have revolted - by going underground.
At the pace the U.S. is going, this is possibly how they're going to revolt. Canada accepts tax increases without much fight. The U.S. is not like Canada. They're not apathetic. They're action oriented much like their counterparts in Europe.
We'll see.
Quebec Must Embrace Liberty
From Whoweare.ca I present this video titled "Quebec fails its minorities."
I must, again, remind of my position whenever I'm confronted with an issue discussed in the video. Namely from the perspective of liberty.
So any comments about "how hard can it be to post bilingual signs" (I wish it were the case. The OLF can visit you for far less than this) miss the point and merely tolerate draconian laws that don't value civil liberties. Detach yourself from the parochial side of the coin for a second and look at it from a larger picture; one that goes beyond cultural nationalism. I recognize this will ruffle some language nationalists (I'm aware how serously some take it) but my intention is to point out there are consequences for such actions. Those consequences are rarely, if ever, discussed here.
As a citizen of Quebec, I must admit I am shamed by our behavior. There's no excuse on any level, be it moral, cultural, legal, (of course, we have found ways to justify it) to ever enter a person's place of business to make them feel like they're the enemy. I have friends - both French and English - who have been visited by L'Office de la Langue Francaise (the dreaded language police). If only the average citizen knew the anger and disgust felt by citizens after being visited by these - Commentator watch your language!
As one person put it to me, "I felt like I was in 1933 Germany. I needed to take a shower after the stench of intolerance was so strong. If I could do it over I would move." Ironically, this person was half French and employs 35 French-Canadians! Not good enough apparently.
Parochial organizations like the OLF have a negative effect on a population; in particular the non-French speaking one. It's not a myth - we DO leave and MANY do cite the politics as a reason. The Montreal diaspora roams the continent in search of new hopes and dreams. They find peace of mind elsewhere. It's not enough to say, "hey, even with the political climate we still live great here." You can live great in many places minus the OLF.
Quebecers need to ask themselves: How would they feel if there was an English language police harassing them at their place of business? Not so long ago, they knew what it felt like yet...yet they see no contradiction in causing such heart ache on their fellow citizens based on...language.
Sad.
And don't look to the Quebec Liberals for intellectual guidance on the issue. They plan to hire more inspectors to infringe on our civil liberties.
After viewing the video, I suggested to the person who sent it to me to ask the film maker to expand on the story. To collect and document the indiscretions of the OLF shared by Ms. Plamondon. There's more than enough material (I know of six off the top of my head) to make a 90 minute documentary. I would then present it to an international film festival exposing Quebec's tolerance for anti-democratic institutions like the OLF. The question is: Is there the will to fight for individual liberty?
By speaking from the perspective of the citizen, perhaps we can have a real debate about the issue.
I must, again, remind of my position whenever I'm confronted with an issue discussed in the video. Namely from the perspective of liberty.
So any comments about "how hard can it be to post bilingual signs" (I wish it were the case. The OLF can visit you for far less than this) miss the point and merely tolerate draconian laws that don't value civil liberties. Detach yourself from the parochial side of the coin for a second and look at it from a larger picture; one that goes beyond cultural nationalism. I recognize this will ruffle some language nationalists (I'm aware how serously some take it) but my intention is to point out there are consequences for such actions. Those consequences are rarely, if ever, discussed here.
As a citizen of Quebec, I must admit I am shamed by our behavior. There's no excuse on any level, be it moral, cultural, legal, (of course, we have found ways to justify it) to ever enter a person's place of business to make them feel like they're the enemy. I have friends - both French and English - who have been visited by L'Office de la Langue Francaise (the dreaded language police). If only the average citizen knew the anger and disgust felt by citizens after being visited by these - Commentator watch your language!
As one person put it to me, "I felt like I was in 1933 Germany. I needed to take a shower after the stench of intolerance was so strong. If I could do it over I would move." Ironically, this person was half French and employs 35 French-Canadians! Not good enough apparently.
Parochial organizations like the OLF have a negative effect on a population; in particular the non-French speaking one. It's not a myth - we DO leave and MANY do cite the politics as a reason. The Montreal diaspora roams the continent in search of new hopes and dreams. They find peace of mind elsewhere. It's not enough to say, "hey, even with the political climate we still live great here." You can live great in many places minus the OLF.
Quebecers need to ask themselves: How would they feel if there was an English language police harassing them at their place of business? Not so long ago, they knew what it felt like yet...yet they see no contradiction in causing such heart ache on their fellow citizens based on...language.
Sad.
And don't look to the Quebec Liberals for intellectual guidance on the issue. They plan to hire more inspectors to infringe on our civil liberties.
After viewing the video, I suggested to the person who sent it to me to ask the film maker to expand on the story. To collect and document the indiscretions of the OLF shared by Ms. Plamondon. There's more than enough material (I know of six off the top of my head) to make a 90 minute documentary. I would then present it to an international film festival exposing Quebec's tolerance for anti-democratic institutions like the OLF. The question is: Is there the will to fight for individual liberty?
By speaking from the perspective of the citizen, perhaps we can have a real debate about the issue.
2009-08-03
Democracy Is Just A Word
...An empty shell.
It's what you fill it with that gives it meaning. More, a soul.
Let me borrow an analogy from the financial industry with Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP. Equivalent to a 401k in the U.S. as I understand it).
An RRSP onto itself is just a savings vehicle in the abstract if empty. It comes with one built-in advantage: It's tax sheltered. It can't do anything for you if you don't invest in something. What you invest in will determine your financial picture in the future for better or worse. You must be wise and prudent in your assessments and decisions. You miss and the tax-sheltered advantage of an RSSP is all for not.
A democracy is only as valuable as what you put into it. Its built-in feature is voice to the people. It must also entail liberty. If you permit yourself to be unwise and imprudent, dismissing the people's aspirations for example, what you may have then is a democracy in name only. You can rightly claim it's a democracy; but in reality it's nothing but a mistake; a foul corrupt version of a noble idea.
It's what you fill it with that gives it meaning. More, a soul.
Let me borrow an analogy from the financial industry with Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP. Equivalent to a 401k in the U.S. as I understand it).
An RRSP onto itself is just a savings vehicle in the abstract if empty. It comes with one built-in advantage: It's tax sheltered. It can't do anything for you if you don't invest in something. What you invest in will determine your financial picture in the future for better or worse. You must be wise and prudent in your assessments and decisions. You miss and the tax-sheltered advantage of an RSSP is all for not.
A democracy is only as valuable as what you put into it. Its built-in feature is voice to the people. It must also entail liberty. If you permit yourself to be unwise and imprudent, dismissing the people's aspirations for example, what you may have then is a democracy in name only. You can rightly claim it's a democracy; but in reality it's nothing but a mistake; a foul corrupt version of a noble idea.
2009-08-02
A Chilling Reminder Of Why Freedom Of Speech Is On The Run
I'll be monitoring this situation carefully.
President Obama recently appointed his Harvard contemporary (seriously, is Harvard but a mere rag now seeing the type of thinkers coming out of its ranks?) Cass Sunstein to help crackdown on bloggers who are "out of control." Read more about this here at Project World Awareness. It would be interesting to know if such a draconian measure extends outside the United States. Can they, if they deem it so, ask me to remove this post because of the image to the left of this paragraph?
Every single day, Orwell's 1984 becomes more and more a reality.
What's the difference between Black shirts, Brown shirts and this new breed of White shirts? They (and both parties in the U.S. have much to answer for regarding this) may not physically harm the people but their actions equally amount to a declaration of war on civil liberty.
Perhaps we can amend von Clausewitch's dictum 'War is politics by other means' to 'War on freedom is politics by other means.'
How grossly lamentable these actions by the President are - and Julius Grey the Montreal constitutional lawyer mentioned in an earlier post. I bring up him up because it's a reflection on how government and lawyers are increasingly willing to attack the press and bloggers.
Bloggers should not go down without a fight. Leaders increasingly do not reflect the aspirations and needs of the people. They reflect their own petty, arrogant and disconnected ideals.
If we're not careful and vigilant, we'll become dead spirits flowing dishonorably among the dead souls of leaders.
If we can't stand up for our right to speak, then what are we good for?
"You're A Crappy Blogger Who Likes To, Well, Crappily Blog"
Oh, I was just reminded of something I heard over the radio while driving in Delaware and want to post about it before I forget.
It was a political show (don't know the name) and a person (I really can't remember who) was being interviewed by a reporter. All I remember is that it was a serious subject matter relating to Afghanistan.
The female interviewer (yes, I'm specifying gender for the heck of it), opened with this:
"You've succeeded, in well, being successful at...blah,blah,blah."
Aside from my eyebrow raising to the top end of my forehead, it surprised me how no one spotted this in the editing stage.
Oh well. I guess the reporter, well, was reporting so I should cut her some slack. It seems you can't criticize anymore without someone saying stupid things like "well, why don't you try and do this job!" or "we all make mistakes" and "it's not that serious an error relax."
Bah.
The art of perfection is dead.
It was a political show (don't know the name) and a person (I really can't remember who) was being interviewed by a reporter. All I remember is that it was a serious subject matter relating to Afghanistan.
The female interviewer (yes, I'm specifying gender for the heck of it), opened with this:
"You've succeeded, in well, being successful at...blah,blah,blah."
Aside from my eyebrow raising to the top end of my forehead, it surprised me how no one spotted this in the editing stage.
Oh well. I guess the reporter, well, was reporting so I should cut her some slack. It seems you can't criticize anymore without someone saying stupid things like "well, why don't you try and do this job!" or "we all make mistakes" and "it's not that serious an error relax."
Bah.
The art of perfection is dead.
Mutual Funds Fees 101
Some of my friends, not all since I probably lack credibility in their eyes - the bastards -ask me my opinion on investments from time to time.
For example, somebody asked me about fees in mutual funds and what they represent. I thought this would be a good topic to post about here for novice investors on The Commentator - sponsored by nobody. Incidentally, if you want to advertise on this blog please contact me at 555-4242. That's 555-haha.
I sponsor myself. I answer to no one.
Ok. Moving along.
The fees (known as Management Expense Ratios (MER)) on mutual funds are an important consideration when buying them. They can significantly impact your return on investment. In a way, an MER serves as a reoccurring tax on your return because they're expensive and you pay them on a yearly basis.
When a mutual fund is considered, there are three popular choices to purchase it:
1) Front-end (you pay up front and are not on a schedule giving you the option to sell anytime), 2) Back-end (you defer the payment. Choosing this option puts you on a schedule. Usually five years. If you decide to sell such a fund you will be subjected to a deferred sales charge or redemption chargers based on the original amount invested or the Net Asstet Value (NAV) of the fund at the time of redemption. As your schedule date draws nearer, the sales charge diminishes along with it)
3) No-load typically sold by banks and management companies.
Of course, there are other types but mentioning these is enough for our discussion on MERs.
On top of this, are the MERs charged - not including a broker commission if you use one. More on this later regarding tralier fees and distribution charges.
ADVICE: ALWAYS READ THE PROSPECTUS provided to you. Be careful, while it may seem logical to go with a no-load fund, other factors come into play. For instance, a no-load fund may not be as good as a performer as, say, a front-end one. You have to do your homework. Moreover, no-load funds can (and often do) charge higher MERs. Someone has to pay the broker's trailer fees. What God giveth he taketh.
Dad, what's a trailer fee? I told you son, I paid that trailer 100 bucks now go haul wood chips! Seriously, a trailer fee is a commission paid annually by mutual fund companies to sales representatives for on-going services to the client. They generally range between 0.25% and 1% based on the assets of the customer. They're paid out from the MER or through something called a "Distribution Charge" which can be paid out quarterly or yearly. Either way, they both impact your returns. You can debate whether a trailer fee is necessary (conflict of interest between broker and company immediately springs to mind) amongst yourselves. As a point of interest, investment advisors can earn a living of these residuals alone.
Back to MER's. What? You thought that was it? So young. So impressionable.
Uusally, as a very rough rule of thumb, the best way to view an MER is to subtract it from the annual return of a particular fund. If a fund claims it returns 8% and the MER is 2.5%, you reduce it by this amount. In this case, you're left with 5.5% return.
Life is all about context, at this point you have to compare what that 5.5% return represents with other forms of investments like real estate and bonds. But that's not the point of this post. Given how MER's are calculated (generally on the asstes held in an entire management portfolio and not the performance), if you have an underperforming fund, the combo between fees and bad returns can be devastating in the long-run.
What does the MER pay for? Stuff like the mutual fund manager's salary, legal and custodial fees, audits and commissions as mentioned earlier. It costs money to run things, you know.
MER's charged are higher in Canada than in the U.S. (surprise, surprise) and run anywhere from 1% to 3%.
In the past, I have spoken to mutual fund reps about any plans to cut MER's. All of them admitted they were high and that companies were working towards lowering them but according to them, the costs of running a fund are extremely high.
Hope this helps. If it doesn't, buy my murder-mystery book and DVD titled "Who Murdered My Returns?"
For example, somebody asked me about fees in mutual funds and what they represent. I thought this would be a good topic to post about here for novice investors on The Commentator - sponsored by nobody. Incidentally, if you want to advertise on this blog please contact me at 555-4242. That's 555-haha.
I sponsor myself. I answer to no one.
Ok. Moving along.
The fees (known as Management Expense Ratios (MER)) on mutual funds are an important consideration when buying them. They can significantly impact your return on investment. In a way, an MER serves as a reoccurring tax on your return because they're expensive and you pay them on a yearly basis.
When a mutual fund is considered, there are three popular choices to purchase it:
1) Front-end (you pay up front and are not on a schedule giving you the option to sell anytime), 2) Back-end (you defer the payment. Choosing this option puts you on a schedule. Usually five years. If you decide to sell such a fund you will be subjected to a deferred sales charge or redemption chargers based on the original amount invested or the Net Asstet Value (NAV) of the fund at the time of redemption. As your schedule date draws nearer, the sales charge diminishes along with it)
3) No-load typically sold by banks and management companies.
Of course, there are other types but mentioning these is enough for our discussion on MERs.
On top of this, are the MERs charged - not including a broker commission if you use one. More on this later regarding tralier fees and distribution charges.
ADVICE: ALWAYS READ THE PROSPECTUS provided to you. Be careful, while it may seem logical to go with a no-load fund, other factors come into play. For instance, a no-load fund may not be as good as a performer as, say, a front-end one. You have to do your homework. Moreover, no-load funds can (and often do) charge higher MERs. Someone has to pay the broker's trailer fees. What God giveth he taketh.
Dad, what's a trailer fee? I told you son, I paid that trailer 100 bucks now go haul wood chips! Seriously, a trailer fee is a commission paid annually by mutual fund companies to sales representatives for on-going services to the client. They generally range between 0.25% and 1% based on the assets of the customer. They're paid out from the MER or through something called a "Distribution Charge" which can be paid out quarterly or yearly. Either way, they both impact your returns. You can debate whether a trailer fee is necessary (conflict of interest between broker and company immediately springs to mind) amongst yourselves. As a point of interest, investment advisors can earn a living of these residuals alone.
Back to MER's. What? You thought that was it? So young. So impressionable.
Uusally, as a very rough rule of thumb, the best way to view an MER is to subtract it from the annual return of a particular fund. If a fund claims it returns 8% and the MER is 2.5%, you reduce it by this amount. In this case, you're left with 5.5% return.
Life is all about context, at this point you have to compare what that 5.5% return represents with other forms of investments like real estate and bonds. But that's not the point of this post. Given how MER's are calculated (generally on the asstes held in an entire management portfolio and not the performance), if you have an underperforming fund, the combo between fees and bad returns can be devastating in the long-run.
What does the MER pay for? Stuff like the mutual fund manager's salary, legal and custodial fees, audits and commissions as mentioned earlier. It costs money to run things, you know.
MER's charged are higher in Canada than in the U.S. (surprise, surprise) and run anywhere from 1% to 3%.
In the past, I have spoken to mutual fund reps about any plans to cut MER's. All of them admitted they were high and that companies were working towards lowering them but according to them, the costs of running a fund are extremely high.
Hope this helps. If it doesn't, buy my murder-mystery book and DVD titled "Who Murdered My Returns?"
Two Wolves And A Chump: A Fraudulent Business Venture Lands Man In Jail
If you're sleeping at the switch, or want something so bad (usually for most people that would be money) to the point of clouding judgment, you're vulnerable to immoral hacks, hustlers and criminals.
What follows is a true story about how innocence and ignorance are not a good combo in the face of fraud.
Someone close to the family, let's call him Max, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his (unwitting) part in fraudulent activity in the United States. In a nutshell, while on vacation in the U.S., he befriended two men. Soon enough, a rapport was established and he was offered a partnership in a business venture in computer equipment.
Flag 1: Two men you barely know in a foreign country offering you a part in a lucrative business should raise your defense mechanism.
Looking for a chance to make a quick buck, Max did no such thing and jumped head first into it. The two men found their pawn - or fawn. They told him to not worry about anything; that they were well capitalized. All they needed him to do is cover a couple of things.
Flag 2: When two strangers start telling you specifics on how to open a bank account or register something, in this case he was told to make sure the account was 10 years-old, it might be wise to walk away.
Following their instructions, the plan was executed. Essentially, they were to sell equipment they never owned to companies in order to pocket the money. Unknown to Max but discounted in the minds of the criminals (which is why they're, well, criminals and needed a fall guy) was that the FBI was monitoring the situation. I don't know what led them to track these guys but they were.
Next thing Max knows - BUSTED!
Max truly believed he was getting involved in a legitimate business. Max wasn't all that successful in his life and was pushing 50. I assume he felt this was his last shot at financial glory. Interestingly, his father-in-law (not exactly the most moral of guys himself) is wealthy enough to support his three children and their entire families. I'm sure this was all fine and dandy to Max but he obviously wanted to do it on his own.
A court date was set, and the trial ensued. By now, Americans know that Max was as good as toast as Americans take fraud (and crime in general) extremely seriously. Canadians have grown accustomed to a more lax justice system. It should not surprise people most believed there was a chance he could get off seeing he was used extending the logic to he being a victim of fraud himself.
In the present immigration climate in the U.S., Max was easy pickings for the prosecutor. Max was painted as an illegal foreigner who came into the country to steal money off the backs of good, hard working Americans. Next thing he knows, he's sentenced to 10 years in jail.
Which brings me to the question of whether justice was served. I'm not sure. I may be wrong but the analogy of arresting a drug user as opposed to the pusher strikes me as appropriate here. Sure, Max was stupid for what he did and deserves to pay the price (we're all accountable for our actions) but the fact that the two ring leaders were never to be found and presumed to have escaped, makes me wonder if any message was truly sent.
They didn't nab the bad guys, instead what they got was a fool. Which makes them look like fools in the eyes of criminals.
Now Max leaves behind a wife and three children back home. A sad story indeed.
What follows is a true story about how innocence and ignorance are not a good combo in the face of fraud.
Someone close to the family, let's call him Max, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his (unwitting) part in fraudulent activity in the United States. In a nutshell, while on vacation in the U.S., he befriended two men. Soon enough, a rapport was established and he was offered a partnership in a business venture in computer equipment.
Flag 1: Two men you barely know in a foreign country offering you a part in a lucrative business should raise your defense mechanism.
Looking for a chance to make a quick buck, Max did no such thing and jumped head first into it. The two men found their pawn - or fawn. They told him to not worry about anything; that they were well capitalized. All they needed him to do is cover a couple of things.
Flag 2: When two strangers start telling you specifics on how to open a bank account or register something, in this case he was told to make sure the account was 10 years-old, it might be wise to walk away.
Following their instructions, the plan was executed. Essentially, they were to sell equipment they never owned to companies in order to pocket the money. Unknown to Max but discounted in the minds of the criminals (which is why they're, well, criminals and needed a fall guy) was that the FBI was monitoring the situation. I don't know what led them to track these guys but they were.
Next thing Max knows - BUSTED!
Max truly believed he was getting involved in a legitimate business. Max wasn't all that successful in his life and was pushing 50. I assume he felt this was his last shot at financial glory. Interestingly, his father-in-law (not exactly the most moral of guys himself) is wealthy enough to support his three children and their entire families. I'm sure this was all fine and dandy to Max but he obviously wanted to do it on his own.
A court date was set, and the trial ensued. By now, Americans know that Max was as good as toast as Americans take fraud (and crime in general) extremely seriously. Canadians have grown accustomed to a more lax justice system. It should not surprise people most believed there was a chance he could get off seeing he was used extending the logic to he being a victim of fraud himself.
In the present immigration climate in the U.S., Max was easy pickings for the prosecutor. Max was painted as an illegal foreigner who came into the country to steal money off the backs of good, hard working Americans. Next thing he knows, he's sentenced to 10 years in jail.
Which brings me to the question of whether justice was served. I'm not sure. I may be wrong but the analogy of arresting a drug user as opposed to the pusher strikes me as appropriate here. Sure, Max was stupid for what he did and deserves to pay the price (we're all accountable for our actions) but the fact that the two ring leaders were never to be found and presumed to have escaped, makes me wonder if any message was truly sent.
They didn't nab the bad guys, instead what they got was a fool. Which makes them look like fools in the eyes of criminals.
Now Max leaves behind a wife and three children back home. A sad story indeed.
2009-07-31
Post-Comment On President Obama The Shark Jumper
In an earlier post, I asked if Obama had "jumped the shark." I meant this to be strictly policy on a policy level.
I acknowledge the grand importance of what he represents in American political and cultural life. He does represent the unfulfilled dreams of an entire race and does confirm the belief "anything is possible" in America.
Moving forward, any criticism I may have of him is not based on race or what he symbolizes (this should already be discounted in the minds of people) but through the prisms of decision and policy making as Commander-in-Chief.
I acknowledge the grand importance of what he represents in American political and cultural life. He does represent the unfulfilled dreams of an entire race and does confirm the belief "anything is possible" in America.
Moving forward, any criticism I may have of him is not based on race or what he symbolizes (this should already be discounted in the minds of people) but through the prisms of decision and policy making as Commander-in-Chief.
Cultural Map Of The World
By Ingelhart-Welzel.
Link to World Values Survey explaining the map further.
Source: Ronald Inglehart and Christian Welzel, Modernization, Cultural Change and Democracy. New York, Cambridge University Press, 2005: p. 64 based on the World Values Surveys.
Just Some Stories And Thoughts To Tell
Lucky youz.
-Well, I'm once again installed here in Montreal after a two-week trip to Washington D.C. and Delaware. What did I learn? For starters, I look smashing in a tan. Vain, vain, vain.
Aside from this, while walking and trolleying around D.C., I thought about Alexis de Tocqueville - that brilliant observer of 18th century America from France best known for his work in Democracy in America. Specifically, I wondered about how different political life was back then to what it is now. Was it "easier" to observe American politics and its connection to the people back then? In other words, were the two closely tied? When one reads speeches from that time, it feels as though there still was such a thing as "being responsive to the people." As I walked around, it was clear people still want to connect to the political heritage, but it was hard to pinpoint to what degree democracy was being practiced. Were they there to merely witness Lincoln in his chair or Jefferson standing both majestically looking towards the world? Or were they there to rediscover their sense of public and duty to the republic? As time goes on, as societies grow, as the government apparatus grows, the distant chord between the people and government gets wider and wider...and wider.
***
-I discovered on this trip that my daughter has a career in selling insurance policies waiting for her. Man, the gift of gab this chick has never ceases to amaze me. While we shopped for fresh food at a private farmer's market, she managed to hustle a free Italian ice from a oerson (I believe she was an owner) who had just purchased a container for her kids. My sister was watching over her and tried her best to manage etiquette with disbelief. Even after 45 years of life and three kids (one with Turrets), she was unsure how to handle 'Lil Bif. The lady told Lauren, "but this is for my kids, love." To which she quietly but firmly answered, "but I want it." The lady being of high character and knowing she wasn't going to dissuade a committed four year-old, smiled and asked, "Root beer or mango, hon?" The yung'un replied, "Mango."
On the drive back we stopped at Wendy's in Broome County, NY. As we approached the counter, my daughter, who has all the premium social skills and graces of her mother and none of her father, assertively walked up to the cash and began giving her order and an explanation as to why she was ordering it as a bonus. Just behind the cashier stood a man. He popped his head, listened to Lauren, smiled and disappeared once again. Generally, I let my daughter babble until I sense an awkward moment or she peters out - which ever comes first. She petered out on this occasion and gave my order. "$5.81 please." In my head, I knew the amount was too low for what I ordered so I retorted, "this includes the small chili?" "Yes" she replied. And then, "the manager paid for the kiddie meal."
Wow. I never experienced this at a fast food place. Ever. A manager with such a sense of class and touch of humanity? Never.
We were and are so grateful. The price of the meal meant nothing to us but the gesture was priceless. His name was Ron and we thanked him for his kind act. Lauren reminded him of his grand daughter "who never lets her grand parents snooze."
Note to Wendy's in Broome County: Promote Ron!
***
We took I-81 (through the picturesque Thousand Islands region, the 401 and eventually highway 40) back to Quebec. It never ceases to amaze me how highway safety signs are posted bilingually in parts of NY state, Vermont and Ontario. I've made mention of this in the past (and again here) because I feel this shows respect for Quebec motorists. Politics should not be above safety. It's a shame we don't return this sensible way of looking at it. Instead, the minute we hit Quebec the signs are unilingual. Safety is not above politics here.
One can counter, perhaps, the English language is not in jeopardy so posting French signs anywhere in North America is not an issue. By contrast, we believe, here in Quebec, give the English language an inch and it will take over the French language. I'm not heavily invested in the French language or of the opinion that language is a means to an end in defining a culture. I think we take it to extraordinary heights in being vigilant to protect a language- often at the expense of but one language. It's so aggressive it keeps me disconnected from it. Weird. I know but the truth.
Is this a sign of weakness? Strength? Reality? To me, by posting English signs projects confidence not the other way around. I believe French can survive being kind to English on important matters relating to law, health and highway safety. Alas, what do I know?
-Well, I'm once again installed here in Montreal after a two-week trip to Washington D.C. and Delaware. What did I learn? For starters, I look smashing in a tan. Vain, vain, vain.
Aside from this, while walking and trolleying around D.C., I thought about Alexis de Tocqueville - that brilliant observer of 18th century America from France best known for his work in Democracy in America. Specifically, I wondered about how different political life was back then to what it is now. Was it "easier" to observe American politics and its connection to the people back then? In other words, were the two closely tied? When one reads speeches from that time, it feels as though there still was such a thing as "being responsive to the people." As I walked around, it was clear people still want to connect to the political heritage, but it was hard to pinpoint to what degree democracy was being practiced. Were they there to merely witness Lincoln in his chair or Jefferson standing both majestically looking towards the world? Or were they there to rediscover their sense of public and duty to the republic? As time goes on, as societies grow, as the government apparatus grows, the distant chord between the people and government gets wider and wider...and wider.
***
-I discovered on this trip that my daughter has a career in selling insurance policies waiting for her. Man, the gift of gab this chick has never ceases to amaze me. While we shopped for fresh food at a private farmer's market, she managed to hustle a free Italian ice from a oerson (I believe she was an owner) who had just purchased a container for her kids. My sister was watching over her and tried her best to manage etiquette with disbelief. Even after 45 years of life and three kids (one with Turrets), she was unsure how to handle 'Lil Bif. The lady told Lauren, "but this is for my kids, love." To which she quietly but firmly answered, "but I want it." The lady being of high character and knowing she wasn't going to dissuade a committed four year-old, smiled and asked, "Root beer or mango, hon?" The yung'un replied, "Mango."
On the drive back we stopped at Wendy's in Broome County, NY. As we approached the counter, my daughter, who has all the premium social skills and graces of her mother and none of her father, assertively walked up to the cash and began giving her order and an explanation as to why she was ordering it as a bonus. Just behind the cashier stood a man. He popped his head, listened to Lauren, smiled and disappeared once again. Generally, I let my daughter babble until I sense an awkward moment or she peters out - which ever comes first. She petered out on this occasion and gave my order. "$5.81 please." In my head, I knew the amount was too low for what I ordered so I retorted, "this includes the small chili?" "Yes" she replied. And then, "the manager paid for the kiddie meal."
Wow. I never experienced this at a fast food place. Ever. A manager with such a sense of class and touch of humanity? Never.
We were and are so grateful. The price of the meal meant nothing to us but the gesture was priceless. His name was Ron and we thanked him for his kind act. Lauren reminded him of his grand daughter "who never lets her grand parents snooze."
Note to Wendy's in Broome County: Promote Ron!
***
We took I-81 (through the picturesque Thousand Islands region, the 401 and eventually highway 40) back to Quebec. It never ceases to amaze me how highway safety signs are posted bilingually in parts of NY state, Vermont and Ontario. I've made mention of this in the past (and again here) because I feel this shows respect for Quebec motorists. Politics should not be above safety. It's a shame we don't return this sensible way of looking at it. Instead, the minute we hit Quebec the signs are unilingual. Safety is not above politics here.
One can counter, perhaps, the English language is not in jeopardy so posting French signs anywhere in North America is not an issue. By contrast, we believe, here in Quebec, give the English language an inch and it will take over the French language. I'm not heavily invested in the French language or of the opinion that language is a means to an end in defining a culture. I think we take it to extraordinary heights in being vigilant to protect a language- often at the expense of but one language. It's so aggressive it keeps me disconnected from it. Weird. I know but the truth.
Is this a sign of weakness? Strength? Reality? To me, by posting English signs projects confidence not the other way around. I believe French can survive being kind to English on important matters relating to law, health and highway safety. Alas, what do I know?
Report On Squatters In Liberia
Heard this report on NPR radio. It's about squatters (some of which are former soldiers for Charles Taylor) in Liberia living in an abandoned building nicknamed the "Titanic." If you have the time, give it a listen. It probably runs about 10 minutes or so.
Paul Wilkinson left a comment in a previous post discussing politics about how a politician's tenure and whether it's successful or not can be "relative."
With this report, you see that life is a series of "relative" moments. For example, one person said he was happy for "how far he'd come" from the point he was (a soldier). While what he had wouldn't even make the poverty line here, it was progress for him.
Paul Wilkinson left a comment in a previous post discussing politics about how a politician's tenure and whether it's successful or not can be "relative."
With this report, you see that life is a series of "relative" moments. For example, one person said he was happy for "how far he'd come" from the point he was (a soldier). While what he had wouldn't even make the poverty line here, it was progress for him.
2009-07-29
Great Speeches By Abraham Lincoln Part I
It's hard to make a case against Abraham Lincoln being America's greatest President. His speeches alone were and are something to behold.
Over the next little while I'll be posting excerpts from his greatest speeches as well as links to their entire texts.
The following was one his earlier speeches: The Perpetuation of Our Political Institutions. Barely making it as an attorney he spoke at the Young Men's Lyceum debating society in passionate defense of the rule of law in 1838 following the rise of violence against black slaves and their sympathizers:
"I know the American People are much attached to their Government;—I know they would suffer much for its sake;—I know they would endure evils long and patiently, before they would ever think of exchanging it for another. Yet, notwithstanding all this, if the laws be continually despised and disregarded, if their rights to be secure in their persons and property, are held by no better tenure than the caprice of a mob, the alienation of their affections from the Government is the natural consequence; and to that, sooner or later, it must come.
Here then, is one point at which danger may be expected.
The question recurs "how shall we fortify against it?" The answer is simple. Let every American, every lover of liberty, every well wisher to his posterity, swear by the blood of the Revolution, never to violate in the least particular, the laws of the country; and never to tolerate their violation by others. As the patriots of seventy-six did to the support of the Declaration of Independence, so to the support of the Constitution and Laws, let every American pledge his life, his property, and his sacred honor;—let every man remember that to violate the law, is to trample on the blood of his father, and to tear the character of his own, and his children’s liberty. Let reverence for the laws, be breathed by every American mother, to the lisping babe, that prattles on her lap—let it be taught in schools, in seminaries, and in colleges;—let it be written in Primmers, spelling books, and in Almanacs;—let it be preached from the pulpit, proclaimed in legislative halls, and enforced in courts of justice. And, in short, let it become the political religion of the nation; and let the old and the young, the rich and the poor, the grave and the gay, of all sexes and tongues, and colors and conditions, sacrifice unceasingly upon its altars."
Questions: Did Lincoln aid in hastening the growth of American government? If so, was his idea of what the role of government was different than our idea of it?Lincoln concludes:
"...They were the pillars of the temple of liberty; and now, that they have crumbled away, that temple must fall, unless we, their descendants, supply their places with other pillars, hewn from the solid quarry of sober reason. Passion has helped us; but can do so no more. It will in future be our enemy. Reason, cold, calculating, unimpassioned reason, must furnish all the materials for our future support and defence. Let those materials be moulded into general intelligence, sound morality and, in particular, a reverence for the constitution and laws; and, that we improved to the last; that we remained free to the last; that we revered his name to the last; that, during his long sleep, we permitted no hostile foot to pass over or desecrate his resting place; shall be that which to learn the last trump shall awaken our WASHINGTON.
Upon these let the proud fabric of freedom rest, as the rock of its basis; and as truly as has been said of the only greater institution, " the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."
It's interesting to note back in the 19th century Americans were worried about the state of the Republic.
2009-07-27
Has Obama Jumped The Shark?
I like Reason Online's (and the comments section is interesting as well) take on the whole pathetic Gates affair here and here. Was it racially driven? Just One Minute describes the events here.
Conservatives are going stir crazy while liberals are putting a predictable spin on things. The American Thinker is taking it one step further by tackling his intelligence.
Did Obama forget how valuable "I don't have all the facts therefore I can't comment" can be?
Conservatives are going stir crazy while liberals are putting a predictable spin on things. The American Thinker is taking it one step further by tackling his intelligence.
Did Obama forget how valuable "I don't have all the facts therefore I can't comment" can be?
Montreal Blogger Sued
I can't believe Canadian bloggers haven't scrutinized this story further. Julius Grey is suing a blogger on behalf of three Hasidic Jews.
So much for his reputation of defending civil liberties.
I found it on Coolopolis via their comment section.
So much for his reputation of defending civil liberties.
I found it on Coolopolis via their comment section.
2009-07-26
Not The Best July On Record For Some Places
Some interesting weather information and patterns at AccuWeather.com.
July has been a pitiful month for most cities/states/provinces on the east coast and mid-west. Not so for parts of the west coast and south.
July in Montreal is notorious for hot humidity. The average is 30 degrees c but we're nowhere near these temperatures this year.
There's also been an overall drop in temperatures globally.
How this fits into the global warming thingy is not for me to say. But it's interesting nonetheless.
July has been a pitiful month for most cities/states/provinces on the east coast and mid-west. Not so for parts of the west coast and south.
July in Montreal is notorious for hot humidity. The average is 30 degrees c but we're nowhere near these temperatures this year.
There's also been an overall drop in temperatures globally.
How this fits into the global warming thingy is not for me to say. But it's interesting nonetheless.
2009-07-25
United Crashes While Singer Soars
David Carroll is my kind of guy.
I heard about the following story a couple of weeks back but never got a chance to post about it. It's the story about how United Airlines refused to take responsibility for breaking the guitar of Canadian musician Dave Carroll. His Byzantine-like trials and tribulations with the unresponsive airline is something most people can relate to. I know I've had to deal with irresponsible indifference when it came to customer/company problems. Incompetent workers are a reflection of a bad company - plain and simple.
What made this story all the more stunning is that United decided to do the right thing...only after Carroll's creativity led him to post a music video on youtube. The video is up to 4 million hits and not wanting to face bad publicity the company decided to act.
If only they had shown initiative one year ago when all this happened!
Seriously, how hard can it be to do the right thing? How arrogant and daft does one have to be to not handle this case properly? My how low our standards have dropped! It doesn't take a genius, a management degree or 10 years experience to know how to deal with such problems. You just have to have some empathy and match it as best you could with company policy.
These are the sort of stories that angered me during my years at the bank. The same type of bullocks happened there when managers (in title only) consistently made assholic decisions that ran contrary to their hypocritical "customer is first" rhetoric.
I heard about the following story a couple of weeks back but never got a chance to post about it. It's the story about how United Airlines refused to take responsibility for breaking the guitar of Canadian musician Dave Carroll. His Byzantine-like trials and tribulations with the unresponsive airline is something most people can relate to. I know I've had to deal with irresponsible indifference when it came to customer/company problems. Incompetent workers are a reflection of a bad company - plain and simple.
What made this story all the more stunning is that United decided to do the right thing...only after Carroll's creativity led him to post a music video on youtube. The video is up to 4 million hits and not wanting to face bad publicity the company decided to act.
If only they had shown initiative one year ago when all this happened!
Seriously, how hard can it be to do the right thing? How arrogant and daft does one have to be to not handle this case properly? My how low our standards have dropped! It doesn't take a genius, a management degree or 10 years experience to know how to deal with such problems. You just have to have some empathy and match it as best you could with company policy.
These are the sort of stories that angered me during my years at the bank. The same type of bullocks happened there when managers (in title only) consistently made assholic decisions that ran contrary to their hypocritical "customer is first" rhetoric.
2009-07-24
In The "Yawn" Category
The media and bloggers are asking if the honeymoon is over for Obama.
Reason Online has this to say:
The irony is that people who demanded citizens be critical of Bush have decided to abandon this wise advice when it comes to Obama.
Reason Online has this to say:
The irony is that people who demanded citizens be critical of Bush have decided to abandon this wise advice when it comes to Obama.
Canadians Have A Weight Issue Too
I'm so fed up of hearing Canadians say blanket statements like, "Americans are obese!"
It's annoying because Canada ain't exactly a model for healthy diets and exercising. Quebec in particular does a great job pointing its fingers at everyone else except itself on a myriad of issues.
Quebec, truth be told, has chronic high unemployment, among the highest high school drop out rates, highest number of smokers, lowest number of people who exercise, highest union membership, high poverty, and yes, a weight problem not just in Canada but in North America.
But go ahead. Blame 'la federale' and the evil Americans for our social ills.
Read a Parliamentary Information and Research Study titled, "The Obesity Epidemic in Canada" report here.
***
As you know, I'm dancing my way 'round Delaware. Reheboth Beach to be exact. Even crossed the long Cheseapeake Bay bridge to get here. Interesting state this Delaware. One thing it has, like all states, is its wonderful assortment of wines and spirits (I won't even get into the gorcery stores). I mention this because in Quebec (not Alberta from what I hear) alcohol is controlled by the government through the SAQ. They determine (and not the market) what we get to drink. Clearly, our selection is inferiour to anything I've seen in the U.S. over the years - and yes, we pay too much for our wines.
It's annoying because Canada ain't exactly a model for healthy diets and exercising. Quebec in particular does a great job pointing its fingers at everyone else except itself on a myriad of issues.
Quebec, truth be told, has chronic high unemployment, among the highest high school drop out rates, highest number of smokers, lowest number of people who exercise, highest union membership, high poverty, and yes, a weight problem not just in Canada but in North America.
But go ahead. Blame 'la federale' and the evil Americans for our social ills.
Read a Parliamentary Information and Research Study titled, "The Obesity Epidemic in Canada" report here.
***
As you know, I'm dancing my way 'round Delaware. Reheboth Beach to be exact. Even crossed the long Cheseapeake Bay bridge to get here. Interesting state this Delaware. One thing it has, like all states, is its wonderful assortment of wines and spirits (I won't even get into the gorcery stores). I mention this because in Quebec (not Alberta from what I hear) alcohol is controlled by the government through the SAQ. They determine (and not the market) what we get to drink. Clearly, our selection is inferiour to anything I've seen in the U.S. over the years - and yes, we pay too much for our wines.
2009-07-23
Lost Religious Movements
Did you know the great philosopher and mathematician Blaise Pascal practiced Jansenism?
I didn't.
What is Jansenism? See for yourself here
and here.
Quick teaser here:
"A school that developed in the Catholic church during the 1600's and 1700's analogous, oddly enough, to Calvinism. The movement took its name from Cornelius Otto Jansen (1585-1638). The Jesuits fiercely opposed Jansenism and eventually it was dissolved."
I didn't.
What is Jansenism? See for yourself here
and here.
Quick teaser here:
"A school that developed in the Catholic church during the 1600's and 1700's analogous, oddly enough, to Calvinism. The movement took its name from Cornelius Otto Jansen (1585-1638). The Jesuits fiercely opposed Jansenism and eventually it was dissolved."
Time To Get Tough On Fraud And Overspending
Been seeing a lot of Sen. Tom Coburn (R- Oklahoma) lately and boy do I like him. I Watched him in on C-Span 2 speaking in the U.S. Senate for about 30 minutes and found it so riveting I couldn't change back to the Red Foxx Show.
He speaks my language.
There's no way for me to summarize it here (I hope it will end up on youtube soon) but his point was 1) the slow, quiet growth of bureaucracy is destroying freedom 2) bailouts without prudent follow ups amount to stealing from the people and 3) fraud, corruption and inefficient behavior is rampant at the government level. Some of the figures he cited from public records include:
- Medicare fraud: $80billion
- Social security disability fraud: 2.5 billion
- Spoke about GAO contract frauds.
- UN peacekeeping fraud. $2 billion and the lack of transparency with the UN.
- Total fraud he cited: $184 billion - on a conservative estimate.
He wonders if Federal programs are in the red why in the world take on a massive project like health care without first cleaning up what's already there?
I've always looked at life that way. Before embarking on a new project, make sure you have your shit together.
There it was. An American politician standing up and speaking out. Calling out the spending madness.
I wish Canada had the guts to tracks its own corruption and fraud. There's no doubt in my mind our government mismanagement would be a cause for shame.
There's not enough transparency here. It makes it hard for citizens to be vigilant; a necessity if our democracies are to be functional, and fiscally responsible.
He speaks my language.
There's no way for me to summarize it here (I hope it will end up on youtube soon) but his point was 1) the slow, quiet growth of bureaucracy is destroying freedom 2) bailouts without prudent follow ups amount to stealing from the people and 3) fraud, corruption and inefficient behavior is rampant at the government level. Some of the figures he cited from public records include:
- Medicare fraud: $80billion
- Social security disability fraud: 2.5 billion
- Spoke about GAO contract frauds.
- UN peacekeeping fraud. $2 billion and the lack of transparency with the UN.
- Total fraud he cited: $184 billion - on a conservative estimate.
He wonders if Federal programs are in the red why in the world take on a massive project like health care without first cleaning up what's already there?
I've always looked at life that way. Before embarking on a new project, make sure you have your shit together.
There it was. An American politician standing up and speaking out. Calling out the spending madness.
I wish Canada had the guts to tracks its own corruption and fraud. There's no doubt in my mind our government mismanagement would be a cause for shame.
There's not enough transparency here. It makes it hard for citizens to be vigilant; a necessity if our democracies are to be functional, and fiscally responsible.
2009-07-21
Travels In Washington D.C.
I found of couple of minutes to write this post.
I'm currently soaking in the beaches of Delaware, but prior to arriving here, we visited Washington D.C. for a couple of days.
The perception of Washington, naturally, is that it's a government town. True enough, but it's also what I regard as a world class town. It reminded me of Boston but with a southern twist. The amount of amazing things and places to see puts it right up there with any of the great cities in the world.
Driving in D.C. is not easy, something about the state of Virginia confusing things thus dividing the town into northeast and northwest divisions. It takes some getting used to. Which is why, if you're visiting for the first time as we were, take the trolley around to get a sense of things.
We stayed in Georgetown so we were a little far from all the main monuments and the trolley, though a tad expensive ($35 per adult, $18 per child over three) well worth it. Two trolley's (the one we chose anyway - I forget the name) take you through two different routes.
Two days in Washington is simply not enough. I couldn't get to most of the monuments and had to settle for the more popular ones. Next time I visit, I plan to hit, among others, any of the Smithsonian museums, the Library of Congress, Arlington Cemetery, Capitol Hill which was closed and Jefferson Memorial.
From what I was told, Washington underwent quite the face lift. For example, the area around Ford's Theater (where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth) was run down once upon a time. Now, it's been re-done and is decorated with hip cafes and the sort. Though it makes you wonder about what we lose in terms of a rustic heritage when we clean things up.
***
For our first stop, we decided to get off at Union Station. Not knowing the city, and being close to lunch, we figured why not just eat at the Union Station food court? Next, we went to Lincoln Memorial. It was quite the majestic experience walking up the stairs towards a marble sculpture of Abraham Lincoln sitting in his chair. To the left and right of him are two of his famous speeches engraved on the walls; The Gettysburg Address and Emancipation Proclamation. Like people around me, I simply absorbed the Lincoln legacy; the man who saved the union.
With time working against us, we visited both the Vietnam and Korean memorials.
If one wants to get a human feel for the toll Vietnam exacted on the American psyche, a visit to the memorial is a must. As I walked along staring at the names with no faces; of people I didn't know, the sheer numbers slowly began to overwhelm. You could tell who were the family members of a lost one as they stood in front of a name or placed their hands on it with their heads down or laid down a wreath.
At one point, a discreet crew were filming a lady and I over heard her say, "he was my mother's first cousin. I used to play with him when I was a kid." Right then and there, it hit me about the lasting memories and scars wars leave on people. Imagine the stories left behind the Great Wars!
Fully entrenched in American political folklore, we hopped on the trolley and headed to The White House (we applied to visit it over five weeks ago but our embassy never heard back from the TWH) and hung around Lafayette Square and watched people engaging in their various causes.
It was nice to see people do still believe in democracy.
America, is a runaway democracy in that it's getting farther and farther away from the reach of the people. Of course, they're not alone. Europe (and Canada) has essentially given up on freedom and individual liberty opting for a massive government structure to watch over their lives. Interestingly, most of the comments I heard over and over by almost everyone was their concern about where American democracy is heading. The expansion of government, it turns out, isn't just a concern of this blog but of people close to the pulse of the world's most powerful nation.
2009-07-16
Just A Note...
...To let you all know I will be posting intermittently as I'm officially on vacation. I need to recharge myself. A lot has happened in the last couple of weeks - some of it writing related and some of it business. I also bought a new house - to the point my brain has simply not been able to keep up.
The Commentator you've all come to "lub and 'ate" will be back bigger and better than ever shortly. Like I said, if I get internet connection where I am I will post. Wait, I didn't say that in the previous paragraph. See? I'm tired. Mind you, I just ran 6ks (3.8 miles).
Anyway, where I'll be remains a mystery. Scooby-Yabba-Dabba-Doo!
Hurls computer over head and yells "The internet shall be mine!"
The Commentator you've all come to "lub and 'ate" will be back bigger and better than ever shortly. Like I said, if I get internet connection where I am I will post. Wait, I didn't say that in the previous paragraph. See? I'm tired. Mind you, I just ran 6ks (3.8 miles).
Anyway, where I'll be remains a mystery. Scooby-Yabba-Dabba-Doo!
Hurls computer over head and yells "The internet shall be mine!"
One Man's Immaturity
So. Guy Bouthillier explained in a letter to the editor the other day he became a sovereignist because he was taunted and called a "pepsi" and "pea soup."
Hm.
Scratches head.
Um.
Sensitive guy, that Guy. He forgot "frog" and "Joe Louis" and "pepper" and "mangeurs d'hot dog."
Let's see. What about when it's reversed? French-Canadians are masters of coming up with racial slurs. Just ask an Italian or Jews who had to face Quebec-style antisemitism or any other minority. I wonder what he thinks about "maudits importees," "wops" and "tetes carres." The very idea of labeling citizens as "francophone," "anglophone" and "allophone" is a Quebecois invention and is filled with pathetic racial overtones. I reject those titles outright. I also reject all Quebec laws - designed to protect one segment of a population at the expense of others - that trample on civil liberties.
All we've done is justify and tolerate subtle racism in the name of cultural nationalism.
What specious (and brave I might add) logic asserted by this man. At some point, he has to get over it. I don't mean to demean what he faced (nor do I think he speaks for all Quebecers), but my point is we've all had to confront such ignorance.
And if this is the general intellectual make up of the sovereignist or independiste (or whatever they call it) movement it's no wonder it's a failure and has no real merit to it. If people who keep looking back, they can never look forward.
I would also like to recall: He who lives in glass houses shouldn't hurl stones.
As I've written in the past, both Quebec and Canada have some growing up to do.
Hm.
Scratches head.
Um.
Sensitive guy, that Guy. He forgot "frog" and "Joe Louis" and "pepper" and "mangeurs d'hot dog."
Let's see. What about when it's reversed? French-Canadians are masters of coming up with racial slurs. Just ask an Italian or Jews who had to face Quebec-style antisemitism or any other minority. I wonder what he thinks about "maudits importees," "wops" and "tetes carres." The very idea of labeling citizens as "francophone," "anglophone" and "allophone" is a Quebecois invention and is filled with pathetic racial overtones. I reject those titles outright. I also reject all Quebec laws - designed to protect one segment of a population at the expense of others - that trample on civil liberties.
All we've done is justify and tolerate subtle racism in the name of cultural nationalism.
What specious (and brave I might add) logic asserted by this man. At some point, he has to get over it. I don't mean to demean what he faced (nor do I think he speaks for all Quebecers), but my point is we've all had to confront such ignorance.
And if this is the general intellectual make up of the sovereignist or independiste (or whatever they call it) movement it's no wonder it's a failure and has no real merit to it. If people who keep looking back, they can never look forward.
I would also like to recall: He who lives in glass houses shouldn't hurl stones.
As I've written in the past, both Quebec and Canada have some growing up to do.
Close The Canadian Human Rights Commission
It doesn't take a genius to figure out that Canada's Human Rights Commission is a national failure and embarrassment. Even to casual observers who have a small concern for individual freedom the HRC is run by a bunch of idiot cowboys (one of its evil members is Richard Warman who spends his time on neo-Nazi websites. Now that's Orwellian irony or what!) without an ounce of integrity. Just follow what they've been up to.
They're unaccountable to the people and they're a menace to liberty.
The head of this unelected body is Jennifer Lynch. I have no idea who she is but I know I did not and would never support such a person.
Ms. Lynch stand up and face the people. I demand that you step down and leave never to bother the Canadian people again.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper. You speak of leadership. Now is the time to show it. It's necessary, sir, you step in and put an end to this immoral, intellectually bankrupt and illegitimate organization and the people who litter it with taxpayer money.
They're unaccountable to the people and they're a menace to liberty.
The head of this unelected body is Jennifer Lynch. I have no idea who she is but I know I did not and would never support such a person.
Ms. Lynch stand up and face the people. I demand that you step down and leave never to bother the Canadian people again.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper. You speak of leadership. Now is the time to show it. It's necessary, sir, you step in and put an end to this immoral, intellectually bankrupt and illegitimate organization and the people who litter it with taxpayer money.
2009-07-13
Toronto's Garbage Strike Stinks
Seriously, fire them and use private services. Awful and unacceptable.
The Great Thinking Of Montesquieu
From Standford's Encyclopedia of Philosophy on one of the Enlightenment's greatest thinkers: A discussion on Baron de Montesquieu's The Spirit of the Laws:
"Democracies can be corrupted in two ways: by what Montesquieu calls "the spirit of inequality" and "the spirit of extreme equality" (SL 8.2). The spirit of inequality arises when citizens no longer identify their interests with the interests of their country, and therefore seek both to advance their own private interests at the expense of their fellow citizens, and to acquire political power over them. The spirit of extreme equality arises when the people are no longer content to be equal as citizens, but want to be equal in every respect. In a functioning democracy, the people choose magistrates to exercise executive power, and they respect and obey the magistrates they have chosen. If those magistrates forfeit their respect, they replace them. When the spirit of extreme equality takes root, however, the citizens neither respect nor obey any magistrate. They "want to manage everything themselves, to debate for the senate, to execute for the magistrate, and to decide for the judges" (SL 8.2). Eventually the government will cease to function, the last remnants of virtue will disappear, and democracy will be replaced by despotism."
On geography:
"Montesquieu believes that the climate and geography of Asia explain why despotism flourishes there. Asia, he thinks, has two features that distinguish it from Europe. First, Asia has virtually no temperate zone. While the mountains of Scandinavia shelter Europe from arctic winds, Asia has no such buffer; for this reason its frigid northern zone extends much further south than in Europe, and there is a relatively quick transition from it to the tropical south. For this reason "the warlike, brave, and active people touch immediately upon those who are indolent, effeminate and timorous; the one must, therefore, conquer, and the other be conquered" (SL 17.3). In Europe, by contrast, the climate changes gradually from cold to hot; therefore "strong nations are opposed to the strong; and those who join each other have nearly the same courage" (SL 17.3). Second, Asia has larger plains than Europe. Its mountain ranges lie further apart, and its rivers are not such formidable barriers to invasion. Since Europe is naturally divided into smaller regions, it is more difficult for any one power to conquer them all; this means that Europe will tend to have more and smaller states. Asia, by contrast, tends to have much larger empires, which predisposes it to despotism."
On Commerce:
"Commerce, by contrast, has no such disadvantages. It does not require vast armies, or the continued subjugation of other peoples. It does not undermine itself, as the extraction of gold from colonial mines does, and it rewards domestic industry. It therefore sustains itself, and nations which engage in it, over time. While it does not produce all the virtues -- hospitality, Montesquieu thinks, is more often found among the poor than among commercial peoples -- it does produce some: "the spirit of commerce is naturally attended with that of frugality, economy, moderation, labor, prudence, tranquility, order, and rule" (SL 5.6). In addition, it "is a cure for the most destructive prejudices" (SL 20.1), improves manners, and leads to peace among nations."
"Montesquieu describes commerce as an activity that cannot be confined or controlled by any individual government or monarch. This, in his view, has always been true: "Commerce is sometimes destroyed by conquerors, sometimes cramped by monarchs; it traverses the earth, flies from the places where it is oppressed, and stays where it has liberty to breathe" (SL 21.5)."
Quotes:
-It is not the young people that degenerate; they are not spoiled till those of mature age are already sunk into corruption.
-Liberty is the right to do what the law permits.
-Luxury ruins republics; poverty, monarchies.
-The reason the Romans built their great paved highways was because they had such inconvenient footwear.
2009-07-11
The Enduring JFK Story
Do you enjoy reading about the JFK presidency? The Mary Ferrell Foundation may be the place for you. Ferrell was a historian and researcher who amassed an incredible database in regards JFK's infamous assassination.
I'm not one for conspiracies but sometimes I wonder where there's smoke there's fire. Did John Fitzgerald Kennedy pose a threat to the "establishment?"
I'm not one for conspiracies but sometimes I wonder where there's smoke there's fire. Did John Fitzgerald Kennedy pose a threat to the "establishment?"
Dr. Horrible's Sing-A-Long Blog Makes Me Want To Sing - And Take Over The World As A Mad Scientist
I already blog so, singing and devising a sinister plot to conquer the planet is all I need to cover.
I'm one of those guys who walks right past the blockbuster releases in a video store and into the mercurial world of independent flicks and B-movies. I look for the diamonds in the rough so to speak.
In the past, I would just go to a repertoire video but parking in the city is annoying and Montreal's traffic has become unbearable. It's "Guess which street we closed down!" every time I get behind the wheel. A place that normally takes 20 minutes to get to can now reach 35.
Still. I should renew the membership as regular places like Blockbuster don't always cut it for me.
With all this useless backdrop firmly planted in your minds, I can now get to my point. I rented a film called "Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-long blog." Man, woohaa, it was entertaining stuff. While most would not think of Neil Patrick Harris as being funny, lemme just say he's brilliant. Dare I say under rated in the comedy genre?
The film was made during the WGA writers' strike in 2008 and was distributed to an internet audience. Amazing what can be produced in times of uncertainty, eh?
I enjoyed the scene with Penny and Doc at the 'Coin Wash.'
I'm one of those guys who walks right past the blockbuster releases in a video store and into the mercurial world of independent flicks and B-movies. I look for the diamonds in the rough so to speak.
In the past, I would just go to a repertoire video but parking in the city is annoying and Montreal's traffic has become unbearable. It's "Guess which street we closed down!" every time I get behind the wheel. A place that normally takes 20 minutes to get to can now reach 35.
Still. I should renew the membership as regular places like Blockbuster don't always cut it for me.
With all this useless backdrop firmly planted in your minds, I can now get to my point. I rented a film called "Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-long blog." Man, woohaa, it was entertaining stuff. While most would not think of Neil Patrick Harris as being funny, lemme just say he's brilliant. Dare I say under rated in the comedy genre?
The film was made during the WGA writers' strike in 2008 and was distributed to an internet audience. Amazing what can be produced in times of uncertainty, eh?
I enjoyed the scene with Penny and Doc at the 'Coin Wash.'
Examining The 47 Million Figure Further
Lew Rockwell.com asks, 'Are there really 47 million Americans who can't afford health insurance?"
The magic number used to be 44 million a couple of years back but I digress. Whenever I'm confronted with blanket "there are X-amount" of this and that not doing that and this, I generally skim off 50% off the figure right off the top. I then go out and look at the source of who or which organization pushes a particular agenda. In other words, follow the yellow brick road.
Here in Canada, naturally, we cling on to that 47 million figure without thought because it serves our nationalist impulse just fine. It's a way to prove we're a more compassionate society - which is nonsense to me.
If the Canadian system was smooth, efficient and truly offered the best care in the world, then I'd suggest the Americans look at us. But it doesn't.
Why not just tailor the system to that portion of society without insurance rather than creating a whole one-size fits all bureaucratic mess?
Then again, I'm bias since I'm not a fan of the "one-size" fits all strategy/option in clothing. I have a slender, thin frame and never benefit from those things.
The magic number used to be 44 million a couple of years back but I digress. Whenever I'm confronted with blanket "there are X-amount" of this and that not doing that and this, I generally skim off 50% off the figure right off the top. I then go out and look at the source of who or which organization pushes a particular agenda. In other words, follow the yellow brick road.
Here in Canada, naturally, we cling on to that 47 million figure without thought because it serves our nationalist impulse just fine. It's a way to prove we're a more compassionate society - which is nonsense to me.
If the Canadian system was smooth, efficient and truly offered the best care in the world, then I'd suggest the Americans look at us. But it doesn't.
Why not just tailor the system to that portion of society without insurance rather than creating a whole one-size fits all bureaucratic mess?
Then again, I'm bias since I'm not a fan of the "one-size" fits all strategy/option in clothing. I have a slender, thin frame and never benefit from those things.
2009-07-10
Saku Koivu Moves On
And good for him I say. He left everything on the ice, game in and game out. Which is more than you can say than some Habs players over the years including Alex Kovalev who fans obsess over for some reason.
The way parts of the media treated this guy he's better off on a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. I will be pulling for Anaheim this year. Well, I do have three Ducks in my keeper pool so...
***
I haven't been impressed with the Montreal Canadiens (classiest organization in hockey my foot. They know how to throw a good ceremony though) all that much in recent years. For me, the best sports organization in Montreal are the Montreal Alouettes. The Als are like the Texas Rangers (the top organization according to Baseball America. Reminds me of the Montreal Expos) and Detroit Red Wings combined in that they're proactive and always properly develop, scout and sign the right players.
Speaking of signing the right players, it remains to be seen if the bold 360 Bob Gainey has pulled will pay off.
2009-07-09
Where's Your Library Card?
Came across a podcast about Ancient Libraries and Libarii at Historytimes.com.
We tend to under estimate the importance of libraries in society. So I snooped around for more information about libraries. This link talks about "The 7 Most Impressive Libraries Throughout History." Naturally, Alexandria is included as are the Library of Congress, Celsus and Sankore.
Of course, it's not restricted to these as the world (from Persia to Athens to Rome; from Islam to the Middle Ages in Europe) has had its share of famous and/or important libraries.
We tend to under estimate the importance of libraries in society. So I snooped around for more information about libraries. This link talks about "The 7 Most Impressive Libraries Throughout History." Naturally, Alexandria is included as are the Library of Congress, Celsus and Sankore.
Of course, it's not restricted to these as the world (from Persia to Athens to Rome; from Islam to the Middle Ages in Europe) has had its share of famous and/or important libraries.
Hey, Why Not Helmets While You Work?
Here's a letter to the editor that caught my eye:
"Helmets would also protect drivers and passengers in cars. There are many more head-injury victims from car accidents than bike accidents. We could save many more people if helmets were required in cars and trucks."
Is this person for real?
"Helmets would also protect drivers and passengers in cars. There are many more head-injury victims from car accidents than bike accidents. We could save many more people if helmets were required in cars and trucks."
Is this person for real?
2009-07-08
Free Federal Hand Outs Total $5.8 billion
Here are the top 100 Federal bailouts courtesy of the Canadian Taxpayer Federation.
While you're at it (and assuming you're not an NDP supporter), lend your support to the CTF.
Check out the federal debt clock. (You need flash plug-in version 6 to make it work.)
While you're at it (and assuming you're not an NDP supporter), lend your support to the CTF.
Check out the federal debt clock. (You need flash plug-in version 6 to make it work.)
You Can't Defend The Indefensible
Bernie Ecclestone is a douche.
Heck, he's even an asshole.
Let's settle for an ignorant douche asshole just for thinking like he does and having the balls to make it public.
With that out of the way, sadly his recent retarded statements about Hitler having done some good (or something to that effect) is not restricted to the Eccle-creep.
I've read similar comments on blogs and letters to the editors or heard on radio shows people assert the same type of garbage when claiming "Hussein kept Iraq under control." Somehow, claiming some good can come of something so evil is considered critical thinking. Look, it's simple people: NOTHING GOOD (for humankind) came from Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany - or Maoist China or Stalinist Russia or Franco's Spain or Castro's Cuba for that matter.
I still can't get around the fact people actually believe Mussolini made the "trains run on time."
Hitler was evil. Defending him is reprehensible on moral, intellectual and legal grounds.
Always ask yourself when you dare defend the actions of deadbeat murderous thugs: Would you live under such a regime?
Heck, he's even an asshole.
Let's settle for an ignorant douche asshole just for thinking like he does and having the balls to make it public.
With that out of the way, sadly his recent retarded statements about Hitler having done some good (or something to that effect) is not restricted to the Eccle-creep.
I've read similar comments on blogs and letters to the editors or heard on radio shows people assert the same type of garbage when claiming "Hussein kept Iraq under control." Somehow, claiming some good can come of something so evil is considered critical thinking. Look, it's simple people: NOTHING GOOD (for humankind) came from Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany - or Maoist China or Stalinist Russia or Franco's Spain or Castro's Cuba for that matter.
I still can't get around the fact people actually believe Mussolini made the "trains run on time."
Hitler was evil. Defending him is reprehensible on moral, intellectual and legal grounds.
Always ask yourself when you dare defend the actions of deadbeat murderous thugs: Would you live under such a regime?
Killer Ringleader Of The Achille Lauro Hijacking Expelled From Italy
I came across this interesting piece of news at the Skeptical Bureaucrat blog.
Remember the hijacking of the Achille Lauro and the subsequent murder of American passenger Leon Klinghoffer? I do and I was barely a teenager and the image of that terrorist act still remain with me. The principal mastermind behind the attack was Youssef Magied al-Molqui and he's being expelled to Syria after serving 23 of his 30-year sentence in an Italian prison.
The Americans should indeed demand he be sent to face justic in the United States for killing an American citizen.
Remember the hijacking of the Achille Lauro and the subsequent murder of American passenger Leon Klinghoffer? I do and I was barely a teenager and the image of that terrorist act still remain with me. The principal mastermind behind the attack was Youssef Magied al-Molqui and he's being expelled to Syria after serving 23 of his 30-year sentence in an Italian prison.
The Americans should indeed demand he be sent to face justic in the United States for killing an American citizen.
2009-07-07
Robert McNamara Dead At 93
Former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara passed away on July 6.
He had the misfortune of dying right at the height of the Michael Jackson death-craze. It's a shame because through him, one can learn a lot not just about American culture and political history but what it's become.
I first learned about McNamara in the amazing documentary "The Fog of War." I don't think I've ever seen any public figure be so emotionally candid as he was in that significant film. I don't carry the emotional baggage that is Vietnam, but there's no doubt to McNamara, who was hired by JFK and later worked under LBJ, being a controversial figure.
Here are some links discussing his legacy here and here.
***
Everything is about "systems" now. In sports, the "in" coaches build systems in which players are forced to comply with its designs. The individuality of the athlete is often rooted out. The smart coaches remain fluid and flexible. They learn everything about their athletes on a personal level and find a way to fit them into their overall strategy.
I've met a few Robert McNamara types in my life. Pegged as "geniuses" yet when you sat and listened you wondered what the fuss was all about.
We have a technocratic society that's lost its sense of individual flair and ability to critically think about issues.
He had the misfortune of dying right at the height of the Michael Jackson death-craze. It's a shame because through him, one can learn a lot not just about American culture and political history but what it's become.
I first learned about McNamara in the amazing documentary "The Fog of War." I don't think I've ever seen any public figure be so emotionally candid as he was in that significant film. I don't carry the emotional baggage that is Vietnam, but there's no doubt to McNamara, who was hired by JFK and later worked under LBJ, being a controversial figure.
Here are some links discussing his legacy here and here.
***
Everything is about "systems" now. In sports, the "in" coaches build systems in which players are forced to comply with its designs. The individuality of the athlete is often rooted out. The smart coaches remain fluid and flexible. They learn everything about their athletes on a personal level and find a way to fit them into their overall strategy.
I've met a few Robert McNamara types in my life. Pegged as "geniuses" yet when you sat and listened you wondered what the fuss was all about.
We have a technocratic society that's lost its sense of individual flair and ability to critically think about issues.
2009-07-06
Schemes' N Scams
Ok, so Bernie Madoff got his just deserts and was sentenced to like, a lot of years in prison. Screw him and his ilk.
Here's a list of other famous Ponzi schemes.
Social security is a form of Ponzi scheme too:
"Well, not exactly, but Social Security does have a few similarities to a Ponzi scheme. But first, a little about Social Security. In 1935, President Roosevelt introduced a controversial "social insurance" to prevent the crushing poverty that hit many Americans in their old age during the Great Depression. As part of his New Deal, Social Security provided benefits to retirees and the unemployed, financed by taxes on current worker's wages. The details have changed over the years, but the basics remain the same: just like in a Ponzi scheme, money from new investors (taxpayer) is used as payout to older investors (retirees). From 1937 to 2005, Social Security has taken in more than $10.7 trillion in taxes and other income. In the same time period, it has given out more than $8.9 trillion (Source). The program is actually taking in more in taxes than it gives out in benefits (and invested it in Treasurys - this in itself is a complicated issue because it's akin to the government giving itself an IOU)."
And in moments of great embarrassment masterpieces are written as was the case with President Ulysses S. Grant, himself a victim of a pyramid scheme, who left an important piece of work with his memoirs.
***
Which brings me to a story about my experiences with scams. The question usually asked whenever someone "so smart" can be scammed is, well, how could a person so smart get scammed?
A buddy of mine considers himself a swift and street smart individual. More than a few years back a few of us went down to post-Bernard Goetz but pre-Rudy Giuliani New York City. So the Goetz-Giuliani axiom had yet to have a positive effect on the crime rate in NYC which at the time was still a rough place to visit.
We stayed at the Chelsea Hotel in the room where Madonna photographed one of her useless erotica books. None of us gave a shit. The hotel agent obviously had to use it as a selling point but we were desperate since the hotel we originally booked was disgustingly dirty. Chelsea wasn't that much better but for two nights it was passable. To us suburban realists, cleanliness was far more important than Madonna or anybody else who happened to inhabit the famous halls and rooms of the Chelsea.
Anyway, during those days, the streets of Manhattan had its share of hustlers. One type of operation prevalent on many street corners was the one where a guy set up a game on a pathetic looking table (that closed up quickly to help avoid the cops) with three coconut looking cups. The name of the game was to simply choose the right cup with the tiny "ball." Of course, this wasn't a one man operation.
We split up in two groups of two and agreed to meet up later on. My friend and I walked around with our ears and eyes open while enjoying the marvel that is NYC. Getting back to the game, we observed and determined it often involved at least three people. The person moving the cups around, the person in front of the them pretending to be a client laying down cash (and winning), and a lookout person.
It was clearly a scam.
We took it for granted what seemed painfully obvious to us was so for others of likemind. As agreed, we met up with the boys but one of them was missing. "Where's Fishmonkey?" I asked. "He's playing a game," my friend answered.
Note: Name has been changed to protect the gullible.
Next thing we knew, Fishmonkey (the smart guy I mentioned off the top of this story) came at us in a panic, more like a raving gambling degenerate, demanding 80 bucks.
"What are you fucking burnt?" I said.
"Come on! I have this game figured out! I lost 160 but can get it back!"
"Get the fuck outta here, Fishmonkey!" my buddy said.
Now Fishmonkey is really in a rage.
"Come on, guys! I only have 40 left!"
"Don't worry. I'll spot you," I replied hoping to shut him up and move on with his life.
"Fuck it, I have my ATM card."
"So what are you worried about?"
"I can beat them!"
"They're laughing at you!"
"No they're not!"
"I can see his gold tooth from here."
"Fishmonkey, listen. Take your loss and run. You were hustled. And if you think I'm going to give you MY* money to lose you're not the person I thought you were."
And so the conversation went on a NYC street corner. We eventually convinced my buddy to walk away with his bruised ego and lighter pockets.
I don't remember what he did for cash (it's not like he was poor or anything. He made good cash as a pro tennis instructor) for the rest of the trip.
"I can't believe I got hosed that way" my friend later said in a moment of quiet reflection on the drive home.
I just thought I should share that story.
*This would be a form of bail out. It would reward irresponsible stupidity.
Here's a list of other famous Ponzi schemes.
Social security is a form of Ponzi scheme too:
"Well, not exactly, but Social Security does have a few similarities to a Ponzi scheme. But first, a little about Social Security. In 1935, President Roosevelt introduced a controversial "social insurance" to prevent the crushing poverty that hit many Americans in their old age during the Great Depression. As part of his New Deal, Social Security provided benefits to retirees and the unemployed, financed by taxes on current worker's wages. The details have changed over the years, but the basics remain the same: just like in a Ponzi scheme, money from new investors (taxpayer) is used as payout to older investors (retirees). From 1937 to 2005, Social Security has taken in more than $10.7 trillion in taxes and other income. In the same time period, it has given out more than $8.9 trillion (Source). The program is actually taking in more in taxes than it gives out in benefits (and invested it in Treasurys - this in itself is a complicated issue because it's akin to the government giving itself an IOU)."
And in moments of great embarrassment masterpieces are written as was the case with President Ulysses S. Grant, himself a victim of a pyramid scheme, who left an important piece of work with his memoirs.
***
Which brings me to a story about my experiences with scams. The question usually asked whenever someone "so smart" can be scammed is, well, how could a person so smart get scammed?
A buddy of mine considers himself a swift and street smart individual. More than a few years back a few of us went down to post-Bernard Goetz but pre-Rudy Giuliani New York City. So the Goetz-Giuliani axiom had yet to have a positive effect on the crime rate in NYC which at the time was still a rough place to visit.
We stayed at the Chelsea Hotel in the room where Madonna photographed one of her useless erotica books. None of us gave a shit. The hotel agent obviously had to use it as a selling point but we were desperate since the hotel we originally booked was disgustingly dirty. Chelsea wasn't that much better but for two nights it was passable. To us suburban realists, cleanliness was far more important than Madonna or anybody else who happened to inhabit the famous halls and rooms of the Chelsea.
Anyway, during those days, the streets of Manhattan had its share of hustlers. One type of operation prevalent on many street corners was the one where a guy set up a game on a pathetic looking table (that closed up quickly to help avoid the cops) with three coconut looking cups. The name of the game was to simply choose the right cup with the tiny "ball." Of course, this wasn't a one man operation.
We split up in two groups of two and agreed to meet up later on. My friend and I walked around with our ears and eyes open while enjoying the marvel that is NYC. Getting back to the game, we observed and determined it often involved at least three people. The person moving the cups around, the person in front of the them pretending to be a client laying down cash (and winning), and a lookout person.
It was clearly a scam.
We took it for granted what seemed painfully obvious to us was so for others of likemind. As agreed, we met up with the boys but one of them was missing. "Where's Fishmonkey?" I asked. "He's playing a game," my friend answered.
Note: Name has been changed to protect the gullible.
Next thing we knew, Fishmonkey (the smart guy I mentioned off the top of this story) came at us in a panic, more like a raving gambling degenerate, demanding 80 bucks.
"What are you fucking burnt?" I said.
"Come on! I have this game figured out! I lost 160 but can get it back!"
"Get the fuck outta here, Fishmonkey!" my buddy said.
Now Fishmonkey is really in a rage.
"Come on, guys! I only have 40 left!"
"Don't worry. I'll spot you," I replied hoping to shut him up and move on with his life.
"Fuck it, I have my ATM card."
"So what are you worried about?"
"I can beat them!"
"They're laughing at you!"
"No they're not!"
"I can see his gold tooth from here."
"Fishmonkey, listen. Take your loss and run. You were hustled. And if you think I'm going to give you MY* money to lose you're not the person I thought you were."
And so the conversation went on a NYC street corner. We eventually convinced my buddy to walk away with his bruised ego and lighter pockets.
I don't remember what he did for cash (it's not like he was poor or anything. He made good cash as a pro tennis instructor) for the rest of the trip.
"I can't believe I got hosed that way" my friend later said in a moment of quiet reflection on the drive home.
I just thought I should share that story.
*This would be a form of bail out. It would reward irresponsible stupidity.
Facing Reagan's Legacy Head On
We all know to conservatives, of all philosophical stripes, revere Ronald Reagan. Like with any President, there's an amalgamation of pluses and minuses, pros and cons to tabulate. Assessing credit or blame and determining a legacy is not clear cut since history, politics and life as a whole is highly fluid. I like to use the analogy of a spinning ball rotating on a stand. In order to get some sense of both the past and present, historians essentially have to stop it with both hands bringing it to a grinding halt.
Has there been an honest discussion reflecting on Ronald Reagan's Presidency? Not as thorough as it should according to Matthew Dallek in an essay published in The American Scholar titled, "Not Ready for Mt. Rushmore."
To most who follow political history closely, the article is standard stuff and it does make an overall important point. The anger and love on both sides of the Reagan story should be somewhat calmed so as to allow a sober assessment of Ronald Reagan.
I will only add that much is made of "deregulation" destroying our economy. In fact, the real culprit is over-regulation. The problem with Reaganomics and the offshoots that may have followed was it never truly was "free-enterprise." As far as I can tell, it was deregulating a small portion of an entire governmental apparatus. Look at it this way, it's not deregulation if other parts of the economy are tightly regulated and burdened with bureaucratic red tape. It's not surprising trying to deregulate was doomed to fail if it was operating in a sea of red tape. All we had was a system by which renegade capitalist were in cahoots with government officials. The criss-crossing of the worst of both worlds.
Has there been an honest discussion reflecting on Ronald Reagan's Presidency? Not as thorough as it should according to Matthew Dallek in an essay published in The American Scholar titled, "Not Ready for Mt. Rushmore."
To most who follow political history closely, the article is standard stuff and it does make an overall important point. The anger and love on both sides of the Reagan story should be somewhat calmed so as to allow a sober assessment of Ronald Reagan.
I will only add that much is made of "deregulation" destroying our economy. In fact, the real culprit is over-regulation. The problem with Reaganomics and the offshoots that may have followed was it never truly was "free-enterprise." As far as I can tell, it was deregulating a small portion of an entire governmental apparatus. Look at it this way, it's not deregulation if other parts of the economy are tightly regulated and burdened with bureaucratic red tape. It's not surprising trying to deregulate was doomed to fail if it was operating in a sea of red tape. All we had was a system by which renegade capitalist were in cahoots with government officials. The criss-crossing of the worst of both worlds.
2009-07-04
2009-07-03
Fake Culture And Gamblin' Gainey
Hm. I've been slow these days. My brains feels like it's in a rut. But I always have something up my sleeve so here's a post I wrote over at Who We Are about Canadian subsidies in the arts. I wonder if it produces anything of real value. While you're at it, may as well read my thoughts on dual citizenship in sports.
I could say I'm taking the easy way out by linking away but not really since I wrote the fricken pieces of junk.
***
Hey, would have thought Bob Gainey is a degenerate gambler! Inside joke to hockey fans. For his recent moves I honor the Gamblin' Ramblin' Man with:
I could say I'm taking the easy way out by linking away but not really since I wrote the fricken pieces of junk.
***
Hey, would have thought Bob Gainey is a degenerate gambler! Inside joke to hockey fans. For his recent moves I honor the Gamblin' Ramblin' Man with:
2009-07-01
To Coup Or Not To Coup In Honduras; Rasmussen Reports
It'll be interesting to find out why President Obama is willing to intervene more vocally in Honduras (I keep typing Hinduras. Very annoying) and not in Iran. According to the National Review, they argue the removal of Zelaya was not a coup d'etat but approved by the Supreme Court to preserve democracy there.
The Nation, not surprisingly, takes a different view.
Personally, it grrrrates me to no end to read a writer assert that because one supports "free markets" they're labeled "free-market ideologues".
What nonsense.
***
Rasmussen Reports, erm reports, in their daily polls that 33% of American disapprove of Obama's performance to 31% who approve. Overall however, 54% somewhat approve to 46% - but he seems to be losing traction.
The Nation, not surprisingly, takes a different view.
Personally, it grrrrates me to no end to read a writer assert that because one supports "free markets" they're labeled "free-market ideologues".
What nonsense.
***
Rasmussen Reports, erm reports, in their daily polls that 33% of American disapprove of Obama's performance to 31% who approve. Overall however, 54% somewhat approve to 46% - but he seems to be losing traction.
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