I have not written about the protest
movement underway by First Nations people here in Canada to date. One
reason is that this is a subject and topic that is so fresh and raw
at this time in the public discourse that one must be careful of any
off the cuff incendiary comments. There are many valid opinions being
expressed both for and against what the movement espouses. There are
as many stupid and ignorant and wrong opinions also being espoused.
I believe that a gentleman by the name
of Rex Murphy explained it well in the following article posted in
the Canadian version of the Huffington Post on line this week. Here
is the link:
I cannot properly articulate my
thoughts on this at this time. I do not want to say anything
disingenuous or just plain wrong on such a vital topic and movement
for the Canadian people, and I mean all Canadians, not just the First
Nations. One thing I will say is that this issue demands nothing but
the most honest and sincere efforts from all parties. The
consequences of status quo remaining is frightening.
Will real heroes emerge or will cowards
and self interested individuals rule the day?
So Lance Armstrong goes on TV and
admits he lied.
So?
Does this mean all will soon be
forgiven?
What about all those people whose lives
and careers he destroyed by his lies and his legal action against
them for speaking the truth?
And what of the rumoured 100 million he
amassed by winning those bicycle races and product endorsements?
Refund?
Doubt it.
Will he be another “celebrity” that
with phoney confessions, with fake tears to attempt to hide a cynical
expression of contempt for the general public be forgiven and
probably rewarded for such a brava performance?
And yet we have witnessed the passing
of a true American sports hero this week – Stan Musial at the age
of 92.
Look him up.
Lance Armstrong would not even be a
pimple on that mans' rear end.
One wishes Armstrong would just go away
– period.
American President Obama will soon be
sworn in for his second term. One wonders as to what the next 3 years
will bring. As with previous Presidents, the fourth and final year
will be spent trying to burnish his image for history and some sort
of grand farewell tour probably.
He seems intent on changing the gun
laws and culture of the land as well as further demoralizing and
minimizing the Republican Party. Somewhere along the line the fact
that the Government has been breaking the law of the land by not
passing a budget for a number of years now will become a thorn in his
side. As well, the fiscal cliff has been delayed and not prevented
and there still seems no potential solution as long as the Republican
Party is held hostage by its Tea Party element. Already stories and
reports are coming along and being trumpeted by “impartial” (HA!)
media sources of the impending devastation of the American economy as
a result of the looming defence budget cuts. Sadly, so deeply has the
military supported manufacturing industry entrenched itself into the
economic structure of the country that any reduction in funds ripples
through the whole land. The industry has, in the words ascribed to
the bank industry, become too big to fail.
Is this right?
So, it seems that the new Canadian $20
bill has an illustration of a non native Maple Leaf on it. Various
serious pointy head people – usually subsidized tenured professors
who could not get and hold a real job in the real world – have
moaned and wailed over this fact.
Like who really gives a damn?
Does it change the value of the bill?
Will it cause the country to fall
apart?
After all Canada has survived Celine
Deion and Justin Beiber quite well and dare I mention Bill Shatner or
Carly Rae Jepsen?
Maybe society should take a hard look
at the type of people instructing in Universities and the courses
that are being offered. We read litany after litany of woe from young
grads with degrees in the most idiotic fields who wonder where they
will get high paying jobs instead of the barista work they now have.
As my father said to me many, many (way
too many) years ago – having a trade may not be the most glamourous
thing in the world, but it will always pay the bills and look after
you, your partner and your retirement.
As true today as it was then.
Somewhere along the line people started
accepting and believing the nonsense that so called enlightened
intellectuals fed them.
You see the results today in the faces
of the over educated and undertrained and unemployed young workforce.
Tragedy.
March 10-11 will see yet another
referendum in the Falkland/Malvina (British or Argentinian version)
Islands whether the Islanders want to remain part of Britain or
become part of Argentina. If they vote pro British, will the
Argentine government accept the verdict? Or if they vote the other
way will the British government agree?
Either way I doubt it.
The same thing happened here in Canada
a couple of times in the province of Quebec where political forces
bent on the destruction of the Canadian union by having Quebec
declare itself a sovereign country having lost the referendum vote
declare that the results were not binding and no matter how many
times a new vote will be needed, they will accept only the one that
agrees with their myopic version of A Brave New World (apologies to
Mr. Huxley).
A hostage taking in Algeria and swift
government action to end the affair. Dead terrorists and many dead
hostages as well. Many will bemoan this but maybe world governments
are starting to grasp the seriousness and depth of the international
terrorist organizations like Al Quaeda and are starting to draw the
proverbial line in the sand and saying no more concessions –
period.
Many will agree and say that this is
the correct thing to do.
In Nicaragua, a court sentenced 18 fake
Mexican journalists to 30 years each for drug trafficking.
Interesting.
If more and more American states
legalize the use and possession of pot, some things will have to
happen. First off, some sort of tax structure will have to be put in
place. Then, as in the case of alcohol, there should be legal
penalties for driving under the “influence” of said product as
well as instruments similar to roadside Breathalyzers to detect
impairment. Also, as in smoking in public spaces with the documented
ill effects of second hand smoke, will non smoking laws also be
enacted? Health care premiums to reflect usage as is the case for
heavy drinkers and smokers of tobacco?
Food for thought.
In a good news story, German
authorities are happily confirming reports that say Dutch citizens
are crossing the border in record amounts to purchase massive amounts
of German beer and returning home with the fabulous suds. How
wonderful for the economy is that?
Well, that is it for this week. Next
week I will try to send you some photos from a different location
just to add some variety to the column. In other words – on
vacation!!!!
take care out there,
flatlander 52
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