Grunt Groan Rant Rave

2007-11-04T20:26:00.000-08:00

Daylight Savings Time.

This nonsense has got to stop! Why is this done? Growing up, we were all told it was for "the farmers". Years ago Saskatchewan voted not to springforward/fallback (so when I call family I have to quickly figure out if their 1 or 2 hours ahead but thats no hardship), but "the farmers" don't move their clocks so we can't blame them. I blame Benjamin Franklin for thinking to much, yes you can think too much. Let's stick with one time all year and let everyone else deal with it. Seriously, how can we stop this. It makes me crazy every October er, November and April, I mean March or is it May? AArrgh!

2007-07-15T19:33:00.000-07:00

Peace, Order and Good Government.

Buried in the British North America Act of 1867 is the national motto of Canada: Peace, Order and Good Government. Seemingly mundane but so essential in the federalism battles occuring around the world. The world needs more Canada.

2007-05-18T09:21:00.000-07:00

Air India Inquiry.

It's not surprising just how incompetent (yet again) the RCMP and CSIS were in the lead up to the bombing of Flight 182 on June 23, 1985. Sadly, I don't think there's a "conspiracy" to cover-up what went on before and after 329 people, most canadian citizens, were murdered, but racist indifference. I recall when this terrorist attack happened a general perception was that it was "An Indian Problem". The public inquiry into this bungled investigation will hopefully fix some of the myriad of problems with the RCMP and CSIS.

2007-04-10T13:59:00.000-07:00

Vimy Memorial.

I've seen pictures in the past, but the recent media attention accompanying the re-dedication of the Vimy Memorial in France were, for me, quite striking. It is as an impressive a memorial to honour fallen soldiers as I have ever seen. It made me proud to be a Canadian for the government to restore it. It will be mandatory for me to go there the next time I'm overseas.

2007-03-20T12:57:00.000-07:00

Conservative Budget.

Well, well, well its amazing what a little over a year of being in power will do. I can't believe how far they've moved to the centre since forming the Government. I would have reduced the GST to 5% a little sooner, put a little money towards Olympic Athletes training, allowed spousal income-splitting--not just for seniors, happy to see a big payment on the federal debt, but this 'fiscal imbalance' crap sucks. The Conservatives have succombed to the Seperatists propaganda about hard done by Quebec is. Hopefully the Charest led provincial Liberals will do well in the election and the PQ will continue to self destruct. This past week we had yet another example of how a significant portion of French Canadian nationalism is racist. The PQ leaders racist statements about Asian students in university wouldn't be tolerated any where else in Canada but its ok in Quebec.

2007-03-05T12:14:00.000-08:00

Shooting the Messengers.

The recent media reports on Al Gore's house and what vehicle David Suzuki drives shows how desperate those who haven't woken up to sustainability are. I'm not completely sold on Global Warming-we have only been keeping verifiable weather records for a little over 100 years, but we all can do better on the pollution front especially Canadians (the worst polluters per capita in the world). Critics don't want to address the message so they go after the messengers. In a way it shows they are starting to get an audience.

2007-02-14T13:18:00.000-08:00

Auto Sector.

The announcement this morning by DaimlerChryslers' Chrysler division that some 13000 jobs, 2000 in Canada-er, Ontario, are going to be cut is worrisome indeed for the North American Auto Sector. The so-called big 3 (Ford, GM, Dodge) are all in serious trouble. Billions of dollars in debt, facing huge losses somethings gotta give. They should bounce back with large scale re-organizations, embracing 21st Century thinking and getting better at anticipating and delivering on niche vehicles. The companys that welcome change are succeeeding, just look at Toyota. The Big 3 have become dinosaurs and we all know what happened to the dinosaurs.

2007-01-16T13:16:00.000-08:00

Greeniness.

To paraphrase Stephen Colbert's word of 2006 in analysis of Mr. Harper and Mr. Dions' out greening each other on the eve of yet another (possible) election in the only growth area for both the Conservatives and Liberals: Quebec. The Conservatives had their chance just a few short weeks ago when, now ex-Enviroment Minister, Rona Ambrose revealed the much hyped Conservative 'Enviromental Plan' to subsidise big oil for another 44 years. The Conservatives just don't get it and I doubt they ever will. The enviroment will be THE issue for the next 100 years. The ways and means of wealth needs to adapt to the new paradigm. Mr. Dion doesn't have a lot of creditability on this issue either, he was the Enviroment Minister under the Liberals and other than passing the Kyoto Accords really didn't show any leadership on this issue. Though, admittedly he's trying to make up lost ground. The NDP doesn't have all that much to offer other than the same ol' hippy leftist rant. The Green Party has part of the solution by placing clean air and water into the Constitution. This gives the Supreme Court a big bat to mediate the inevitable conflicts.

2007-01-16T09:57:00.000-08:00

JAMES BROWN.

I was saddened by the passing of music legend JAMES BROWN last month. He managed to live to 73, which in musician years is like 118. He had his personal problems and apparently was a tyrant to work for but his musical legacy i.e. funk, disco, rap will live til the sun goes supernova .

"Can I Hit it and Quit?"

2006-12-12T14:22:00.000-08:00

Iraqi TV.

Saw this documentary about programming by Iraqi based independant TV Producers on CBC Newsworld last night and it was the most heartening thing I've seen about Iraq in a long while. A key thing I learned is that because of the curfew induced by the security situation their is, literally, locked in viewers. It seems that Iraqi actors, composers etc. etc. are busier than ever. It is, certainly, a hazardous trip to set, but at least they are working. They are producing, among others, a political satire, home rebuilding shows, soap operas and 'Iraqi Star' an American Idol clone. I can't believe American 'Intelligence' organizations arn't using this form to fight the insurgents by showing Iraqi's to themselves--laughs, warts and all.

2006-12-05T18:03:00.000-08:00

Stephane Dion.

I (much like you) dismissed Mr. Dion as a real contender for the Liberal Party leadership. He seemed too cozy with that ol' crook Chretien for me. Someone needed to run from Quebec and he seemed the only honest Quebec MP left after the Sponsorship debacle. I thought Ignatieff or Rae had it, though personally I was for Ken Dryden, outsiders via academia and provincial NDP. I also thought we should take a break from party leaders from Quebec and all the baggage that brings. Anytime there is a real surprise at a leadership convention I feel thats probably a good thing. He also brought in the Clarity Act. But he now sits in the chair inhabited by Laurier, King, Pearson and Trudeau and those are some big glasses to fill. If or when he becomes Prime Minister he has to renounce his French citizenship. The Prime Minister of Canada can only be a Canadian citizen.

2006-11-20T11:31:00.000-08:00

Water.

A few days into the boil water advisory for the Lower Mainland of B.C. and my thoughts are of the big problems we in Canada have with our water infrastructure. This is going to take billions of dollars to fix. It is a huge endeavour to solve a problem we never really properly addressed in our history. We haven't addressed it yet because we've had it easy for years. We are the OPEC of water, we have more than any other country and it will become more and more important as we march futher into the 21st century to safeguard this vital resource.

2006-10-27T21:35:00.000-07:00

Anti-Canadian Republican Ad.

The irony that PM Harper is launching a complaint because of the Anti-Canadian Republican ad used in Tennessee is beyond belief. The embarrassing anti-american hysteria that has gripped Canada most of my life is so pervasive that most canucks arn't even aware of their prejudice. It borders on the pathalogical. I work with an American and since 'they' can hide amongst 'us' in the course of our time working together we've had to listen to some long anti-american diatribes, I'm no fan of Bush, the son, but c'mon the response far outweighs the stimulus.

2006-10-12T21:27:00.000-07:00

North Korea.

The 'apparent' nuclear test by North Korea is ultimately a Chinese Government failure. They want to be a world player and they can't even control crazy uncle Kim next door. I'm trying to decide if they're doing it on purpose, let America be the target of the world's scorn (some of it truly deserved) while keeping their machinations in the dark. Or are they truly incompentent because the Communist Party is choking on their own greed?

2006-09-29T22:13:00.000-07:00

Afghanistan.

I support our mission in Afghanistan. It's UN sanctioned, Afghani supported and NATO commanded. We should see our commitment through and then pass the torch. We are a middle power and this is really about as much as we can do. I'm saddened every time I hear of another death, Canadian soldier or Afghani civilian, but that shouldn't deter us from our peace keeping mission there. Too many people link Afghanistan with Iraq and lump it with the foreign policy mistakes of the current Bush Administration.

2006-08-26T08:58:00.000-07:00

Pluto.

I was disappointed to hear that the International Astronomers Union voted to demote Pluto from its planetary status. I understand the dilemma that modern technology has raised in finding other Pluto-like objects orbiting the sun, but demoting Pluto is not the answer. The new objects should be called "Plutons" recognizing what kind of objects they are, but don't make them planets. This elevates Pluto, which, like Ringo Starr has never got the respect it deserves. In 2016 the 700 million dollar space probe finally reaches Pluto and after we have some pictures of Pluto, ideally with methane based snowpeople waving a welcome with primative tools, then maybe this kind of decision can be properly debated. I think the astronomers are over thinking this in a forest for the trees scenario. For example, the fact that we could land a space ship on Pluto but not on Jupiter illustrates that one set of criteria won't define what a Planet is. Also, ". . . according to the science. . ." our planet should be called Water, not Earth. An aside, if/when the aliens come and they ask why we're called Earth when its over 70% water, my response would be " Well, that's human Irony ".

2006-08-03T20:03:00.000-07:00

The Latest War in an seemingly Endless Spirial.

Talking about the Middle East, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in particular, is boring. As long as the killing goes on, all of it so frustrating needless, I really can't be anything but bored. I've been sad, angry, hopeful about it all my whole life. The Palestinians more radical elements have found a way to get at their enemy with a powerful army. Suicide Bombings are effective. In southern Lebanon, still recovering from its civil war, Hezbollah and its Militia have been allowed to grow strong and arm themselves with rockets. Israel has decided to use this moment to rid Lebanon of Hezbollah the way they kicked out the PLO 25 years ago. It was the same logic the UN and the UN Security Council used for going into Afghanistan. Its heart breaking to hear about the civilians dying. So, how can the 'West' combat this new weapon, this so-called smart bomb. Now comes the time of the Diplomats. Engage all parties diplomatically. Hezbollah and Hamas have political wings. The British Government engaged with Sinn Fein and we have an ongoing truce, cease-fire or de-arming with the IRA. Someone needs to step up and start this ball rolling. The Isreali Goverment needs to grant right of return and address the plight of the returning refugees either with land or money. Make Jerusalem the new home of the UN. Let New York join Vienna as important satelite city. Then Jerusalem isn't the capital of Palestine or the the capital of Israel--its the world capital. All those diplomats and support staff are going to want their dry-cleaning and lattes and blah & blah. Talk about job creation. The very first thing of course is bringing true democracy to the region. I really don't care who they vote in as long as 4 or 5 years later they get to have another vote. Beacause I believe 66% of the world is moderate and if they get a chance to express their will it'll be either centre-left or centre-right, anyway, more or less in the middle.

2006-07-30T09:26:00.000-07:00

Crises.

The reaction of foreign governments to the evacuation of their citizens from Lebanon has been quite surprising. You'd think after 9/11, the Boxing Day Tsunami & Hurricane Katrina that governments would be better prepared. Hasn't billions been spent on emergency preparedness? As an aside, I don't think the Liberals would have done any better than the Conservatives. It just embarrassing when all the Government can do is offer excuses. The very nature of Crises is you don't know where or when they'll occur but after all the money thats been spent you'd hope the government would be able to respond quickly and decisively. Or at least be seen to be doing something.

2006-07-18T21:09:00.000-07:00

C. Olsens Parole Hearing.

Its tough to again be reminded of the sex-torture crimes this unremorseful child killer did 25 years ago. I can certainly sympathize with the pain the families continue to deal with. He was rightly denied parole and off he goes back to his cell til the next time he's eligible. A few years ago he triggered an up-roar because he applied for early parole under the 'Faint Hope' clause and the Government over reacted and changed the law. I know sometimes under our justice system we just have to grit our teeth and bear it. A thousand years ago we put criminals in jail and since theirs still crime--jails alone don't stop crime. A big part of our current system is rehabilitation and how are authorities like the Parole Board supposed to know if someone's made an honest effort to better themselves. By mandating periodic checks on everyone, including psychotic bags of shit.

2006-06-08T19:43:00.000-07:00

Abu Masab al-Zarqawi.

When the Iraqi Prime Minister announced that al-Zarqawi had been killed, those in the room cheered. Which is something I don't usually condone, but I'll make an exception in this case. Simply put, he was a murderer. He wasn't a freedom fighter, he doesn't have a cause exactly, he has killed too many innocent Iraqi's for reasons that arn't entirely clear for me to care. It won't stop the killing in the short term, but in the long term a smart, chrismatic, warrior and recruiter for the Jihadist cause is now dead and that will help Iraq along the road to democracy and peace.

2006-05-30T18:33:00.000-07:00

Fixed Election Dates.

With all that needs to be worked on in Canada, this is one of the least important, but it is a Conservative Party election promise. So the, still awkard, Prime Minster is learning how to govern. This idea of Fixed Election Dates is one that really has no downside, so it'll probably pass. I think that's too bad because it seems to give the advantage to the government, but not as much as you'd think. It has entrapped a few governments(ie Mulroney's PCs and Dosanjh's BC NDP). I didn't like it when Chretien called the 1997, 2000, 2003 elections, but those really don't happen that often. The Axiom says: To protect their legacy, leaders like to stay elected as long as possible with the minimal amount of elections. Hint, Hint, China et al - they're called "elections", but I digress. The Canadian Parliamentary Election system was also, to me, a Tradition that worked well for over 138 years. Fixed Election Dates do hang like a Sword of Damacles, er... sort of, so in a way it is a mild form of accountability. Mr. Harper is trying to seperate himself from the stench of the Liberal Party Sponsorship Scandal and look like a lawful and ethical government but for every step forward he takes two steps back. Oh well he's still learning, right?

2006-05-20T18:42:00.000-07:00

Iran.

This is a very complicated case. It will take subtle and not-so subtle diplomacy by the International community to make sure the Iranians do not devlop nukes. I've expressed views since the "Liberation" of Afghanistan and Iraq that its always been about Iran. Both countries border Iran and there could be a two pronged invasion. The Shah was so awful that the Ayatollah looked good but a generation on it seems to me that the fundamentalist weaknesses are becoming fairly obvious. So they create an enemy to distract the populace from their mistakes and with a modern infrastucture they can support just about any kind of research including the weaponization of Nuclear energy. The leader of the UN atomic watch dog likens atomic weapons to slavery. That a time needs to come where we are embarassed that they were invented and used. We don't need them, we need to get rid of them and the so-called superpowers were working on getting rid of theirs when the ol' USSR imploded. Right now I consider Iran a rogue nation and they certainly might reap what they sow. . . but'll probably start with economic sanctions.

2006-04-30T20:49:00.000-07:00

The Harper Government.

Well, Mr. Harper has been PM for severals weeks and he's gone to Afghanistan, pissed off the Press Corps, dressed like a tourist in Mexico and empowered the ethics commissioner to compel Lobbyisyts that talk on the phone to tell him and brokered a so-so softwood lumber deal, now how big a role did Mr. Emerson have? His first budget will be quite telling and machinations to get it passed should be interesting.

2006-04-30T20:32:00.000-07:00

God is an Iron.

I'm in the middle of training for a new job and when I received my first paycheque I noticed that my union dues go to the CAW. The first union I've ever joined has Buzz Hargrove has its president. Maybe, one day I'll get a chance to address Mr. Hargroves on some of these issues.

2006-03-21T17:41:00.000-08:00

State of Unions.

Buzz Hargrove spoke last week at a university and a newspaper published some of the remarks and what a bunch of crap. We can agree on one thing Unions are in trouble. And only a portion of the problems are linked to 'globalization'. The problem starts with the unions themselves. They have become too institutionalized, too set in their ways and with any bureacratic system they eventually seek only too support themselves. Several years ago I was stuck on the frontline of increasingly bitter labour dispute and I kept telling all the stakes holders, including my boss, that there was too much money at stake and "Commen sense will prevail". Management made some bad choices sure, but I never and I mean never got the sense from the union that they had their members best interest at heart, it was about the lifestyle to which They had become accustomed to. After the strike was resolved, with the union loudly claiming "victory", I had to work with the members and after awhile I'd bring it up and when they truly understood what was being offered they wished they'd been informed at what Managements offer had been. Certainly, the Union had its own agenda, but when several dozen members express disappointment on how it was resolved it does become apparent what was really going on. Anyway, Unions need to leave the 1976 production model behind and finally join the 21st century. It's hard to see sometimes but Labour needs Management just as much as Management needs Labour.