Showing posts with label International Politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label International Politics. Show all posts

Monday, 22 April 2013

Boston Tragedy a Signal of a Society on the Edge


The Boston Marathon incident was a horrible day, for the runners, their friends and families cheering them on, those just hanging out to watch, and ultimately the whole Greater Boston Area.

But it signals a disturbing trend in North America, which if our politically-correct politicians in both Canada and the United States don’t take a stand on soon, things will get worse.

Canada and the United States of America used to be great places to live, work and play.

We had a sense of pride, living in the freedom to be anything you wanted, safe, and secure from the economic and political unrest which many other nations unfortunately suffer from.

However, that freedom was broken by the tragedy in Boston. When law enforcement officers have to shut down an entire major urban center, no longer can we say we are safe and secure from those political and economic demons which plague other nations.
When people are told to stay at home, and not answer their doors unless the person is in an official uniform from the state, we are living in a society on the edge of falling into the abyss of despair, and ultimately doom.

Governments across North America have dropped the ball, allowing political correctness usurp sound judgement in the running of nations.
Both the federal governments of Canada and the United States have let immigration policies slide to such a degree, anyone – even those who want to destroy us – are being warmly welcomed here.

Want proof?

Just look at those responsible for the death and destruction in Boston – they were Americans, born elsewhere, but now living in the States.

Not everyone coming to Canada and the States is happy to be here. Though most of these people aren’t going to blow up innocent people at a public gathering.

They come here for the better standard of living, but because they really miss home, they fail to learn any of our languages, don’t do business with anyone that doesn’t speak their native tongue, and don’t let their kids play with anyone that doesn’t look just like them.

Although the Boston incident was horrific, what’s worse on a greater scale, and ultimately more deathly to the foundations and principles of what makes any society, are those warmly welcomed into that society, that fail to actively participate in it.
This has been going on for decades in Canada, and is just starting to come to the surface in the States.

Recently, Canada’s largest bank, The Royal Bank of Canada(RBC) was in the spotlight, for importing contractors from other countries, having the Canadians in those jobs train those people, and then firing those Canadians, as the very people they trained took their jobs.

All of those imported workers came over through eased federal government programs, which enables them to live and work in Canada – despite the fact they were directly taking jobs away from Canadian citizens.

When big banks import workers, they bring people in at substandard wages, subsidized by the federal government.

So although these new immigrants have jobs, they don’t have the great salaries which once came with those jobs, so essentially they are tossed into a life of poverty in a first world country.
Yeah, I wouldn’t want to be in their shoes either – which is why most of these imported workers never learn English or French, so they can’t interact with Canadians, and they tell their kids not to play with Canadians.
They live in a society in which they feel as much an outsider as those Canadians that have to interact with them.

So of course they are going to be bitter, angry and unsettled in this nation – and this angst further erodes the core of what was once the very basis for our great land.

And those that become unstable, and decide to do harm will.

Hence Boston – and whatever follows next.

Unless our politicians stop, think and act.

Monday, 8 April 2013

The Iron Lady is No More


Former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher passed away from a stroke – she was 87.

I remember the Iron Lady – given that nickname by the tabloid British press for her unwavering stance on her economic policies which at the time caused protests in the United Kingdom, but were hailed as revolutionary and necessary changes by the leaders of Canada, the States and even the former Soviet Union.

Ah, the former USSR – or Soviet Union. When Baroness Thatcher was Prime Minister, the world was a very different place.

Thatcher’s Conservative Prime Minister reign ran from 1979 to 1990, right through the Cold War, and long before cell phones, smartphones, tablets and most of the mobile devices we take for granted today existed.

The Cold War was a frightful period for the world. It was a time when the world’s superpowers – The United States of America and the Soviet Union – were constantly at loggerheads over the way the world should be run, and at anytime, the world was ready to take cover from a nuclear strike by either superpower.

Or as ready as you could realistically be for the end of the world.

Fear over a nuclear holocaust was real. If you look back at the movies of the time, many were either about such a holocaust, or the fear of coming to the brink of such a holocaust, as the trigger-happy American’s edged closer to “DEFCON 1” – the codename used to signal the start of a nuclear war.

There was a now legendary tale about how a flock of Canadian Geese raised the DEFCON threat levels, when they showed up on NORAD’s radar, but failed to identify themselves, despite the NORAD commander’s urgent calls on the radio.

Luckily, a couple of F-16 fighter pilots were dispatched, and once they saw it was a flock of birds and not missiles or enemy fighter planes, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, maybe even had a bit of a chuckle.

Yes, Margaret Thatcher’s Iron Lady stance governed through some very interesting times. She worked on the world stage with other charismatic characters, trying to balance the power while maintaining the peace in very uncertain times.

If a flock of Canadian Geese could set off alarm bells, it’s any wonder how we somehow managed to avoid a nuclear war.

Or is it?

Before the world of instant always on and always available communications, the true test of political leadership was character.

Back in Margaret Thatcher’s time, email, cell phones, smartphones and other mobile devices just didn’t exist. So what really made a leader a great leader, was compassion, empathy, honesty, and above all else, being charismatic and an exceptional communicator.

Margaret Thatcher certainly was on par with the other great leaders of the time – American President Ronald Reagan (who’s nickname was “the great communicator,”) and the deep voiced and chiselled chin Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, who’s sense of humor often stole the show at press events where all three were in attendance.

The ever prim and proper Margaret Thatcher was like the stern but loving mother, keeping President Reagan and Prime Minister Mulroney on track and out of trouble.

The Cold War has long since ended, and the type of leadership our world needs has since changed forever.

However, the compassion, empathy, honesty and charismatic communications of the Iron Lady will be missed, in our new world of social media, and always on digital communications.

Monday, 21 January 2013

America Isn’t the Great Country Everyone Thinks it Is


On the day when the first black American President is sworn in for his second term in office, all you have to do is re-read this sentence to see what is wrong with America.

When Barack Obama was first sworn in, he was jettisoned to instant rock star celebrity status. He made the history books, by becoming the first non-white man to lead the most powerful nation on our planet.

Today, he’s being sworn in for his second term in office, and although he has lost much of that rock star appeal, the most powerful country on the planet still can’t get over the fact that he’s not white.

Or at least that’s the image the rest of the world sees, when America makes more of a deal about their leader’s skin colour, than what he has accomplished.

Usually, when an American President is sworn into office – especially for the second time – the focus is on his past accomplishments, and possible future plans.
Although these are being discussed in Washington, DC, the media focus is once again on the colour of the re-elected leader.

Other countries may have rioting in the streets, extreme poverty where innocent children don’t get more than a stale piece of rock hard bread if they are lucky, for the whole day. There are other countries around the globe with brutal wars being fought, so the very thought of stepping outside for fresh air is a dangerous one.

Yet these places don’t make a big deal about the colour of their leader’s skin.

Perhaps the once thought of greatest country in the world, really isn’t so great after all?

There aren’t riots in the streets, extreme poverty, famine, disease, or brutal wars raging across America.

Well, there is one.

It’s that silent but deadly war called racism.

Because when the most powerful country in the world is more concerned with the colour of their leader’s skin, than what that person has done for their country, that brings to light the unspoken truth about America.

Despite all that American’s have achieved, they still are struggling with one of humanity’s most insidious traits.

Racism.

It’s a brutal battle in of itself. And it’s being played out on the world stage, by the very fact that despite having the same person in the White House for another four years, Americans can’t get over the fact that he’s not white.

Sad. 

Friday, 18 January 2013

Are We Ready for a Woman in Power?


Before Barack Obama became America’s first non-white male president, there was much debate which would American’s most likely accept – a woman president or someone that wasn’t white?

This debate continues in the strangest of places of sorts – on the airwaves in Canada. Earlier this week, a radio disc jockey in British Columbia was fired, for asking the female premier of that province what it’s like to be a MILF.

Shock-Jock Justin “Drex” Wilcomes, surprisingly got an answer from BC Premier Christy Clark: “You know, I take that as a compliment . . . better a MILF than a cougar.”

Wilcomes was fired, and has since apologized to the political leader of Canada’s most western province. Though he quickly got back on the air, he’s now working for another station in Vancouver, BC.

This isn’t the first time the female politician has taken a ribbing for her female charms. Late last year, eclectic billionaire-business tycoon Sir Richard Branson went kite surfing with a beautiful naked woman on his shoulders while visiting the province. After the media stunt, he said if the premier wants a similar ride, she should call him, but she must be naked to ride.
Branson too caused a public outcry, and eventually apologized to the female premier.

But these incidents raise the question – are North American’s really ready and accepting of women in powerful positions?

If Hillary Clinton became was elected president of the United States, would she have quickly attained the rock star status that President Obama achieved when he first was elected?

Or would she also go through the growing pains of being sexualized such as the premier of BC?

There have been women in high powered positions. In the 1980’s who could forget Margaret Thatcher, Prime Minister of England, known for her iron-glad stance on the economy?

Canada briefly had a woman prime minister, but she was more of a scapegoat for the outgoing prime minister Brian Mulroney. Kim Campbell was handed the rings to the Canadian prime minister key chain, by the outgoing Mulroney. The press quickly labelled her just a female version of the outgoing prime minister, and she lost the election, because Mulroney’s popularity had slipped so much so, he wouldn’t have won had he remained in office.

Campbell was never sexualized like the current premier of BC, but she didn’t last long in power.
Have we grown-up beyond our own prejudices?

Why should it matter whether America’s president is white, black or brown? Why should it matter if that person is a man or a woman?

Why indeed?

Despite our amazing advances in technology over the years, our society may not be advanced enough to recognize that a person’s race or sex has little to do with their leadership abilities.

Until our society crosses that threshold, we are still a primitive society. We just have a lot of nice tech gadgets to occupy our time.

Wednesday, 16 January 2013

American’s Just Love Their Bang-Bang


US President Barack Obama has been spouting off about making his country safer, since the horrible tragedy of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting last month.

President Obama even went so far as to announce what he calls the most aggressive stance on gun control legislation ever.

His proposed changes aim to reduce the amount of high-powered assault weapon ammunition packs – called “clips” that American’s may own, calls on civil servants to be more thorough with background checks of applicants requesting gun permits, and even calls for the prohibition of certain types of automatic assault weapons.

Nice.

Notice anything missing?

What about just banning the bang-bang in the first place?

The reason Americans shoot each other is because they can. It’s in their constitution – just ask the National Rifle Association (NRA), they harp on that very fact every time someone dare’s suggest banning the public’s right to fire arms.

Banning high-powered assault weapons is a start – one must question the safety and sanity of a nation where the general population believes it’s normal to own military-grade weapons.


Yet in the good ‘ol USA, you can walk into a Wal-Mart and purchase enough fire power to create your own army.

If President Obama really wanted to make his country safer, he should ban the sale of guns to the public period.

Police, the military and other law officials that have been trained in the correct maintenance and use of these dangerous tools should have the right to carry guns, as it’s part of their job.
However, when a cute thirtysomething teacher on the NBC Nightly News is firing off rounds of ammunition at a gun range, and says on the broadcast that she’s practising so she can protect her students, we know there is something wrong with American society.

Deathly wrong.

That’s all that guns are for.

To kill.

Sure, we’ve all seen in the movies some snarky special agent shooting to slow or injure a criminal in some flashy action movie.

Hollywood rarely imitates real life. In the heat of the moment, when your typical beat cop that’s never had to pull his gun out in the line of duty suddenly does, he’s not going to be so precise.

And we’re assuming a police officer has had years of training. Your average American that owns a high-powered assault weapon probably hasn’t had the training that a cop has.

If President Obama really wanted to make his country safe, he’d ban guns period.

Guns don’t kill people.

People with guns kill people.

Tuesday, 8 January 2013

The Politics of Democracy


You’d think political influences in a democratic society would be – well – democratic, right? 

Not if you’re a citizen in Canada’s largest city, where democracy rests in the hands of the well-to-do.

Just before the Christmas holiday season, Toronto Mayor Rob Ford was brought to court, under a conflict of interest charge. He lost. Not only did he lose the case, he lost his job. The court ruled that the Mayor had shown so much disregard for the laws governing governance, he didn't belong in the mayor’s chair.

Sounds like a fair, legal ruling – logical down to the core.

Though the people responsible for bringing down Canada’s largest mayor weren't those who elected him into power – or at least not the majority of ‘em.

One man, wealthy enough to hire one of the best criminal lawyer in the country, brought the charges to light against Mayor Rob Ford.

You can smell the stink of political poop buried within – why would a criminal lawyer be tasked with a non-criminal case? Yes, the Mayor disobeyed the rules of conduct for his job – but that’s not a felony. It’s no different than you or I being late for work – one doesn't get a criminal record for that!

When you can afford the best lawyer in the game, you win – just look at murderer-or-not O.J. Simpson’s dirty gloves.

Clearly, this case brought against the mayor of Toronto was a politically motivated act, by someone that had it in for the person, not for what he did.

Rob Ford, a veteran politician, should have known better than to vote on a matter in council where he was in direct conflict. However, he shouldn't be forced out of office because one wealthy individual doesn't agree with his politics, his attitude, or his very being.

Yesterday, three judges heard both sides to the sordid tale, as Mayor Rob Ford appealed the ruling which threw him out of office.

He’s still the mayor during the proceedings which continue today, and as of this writing says he’ll run in a re-election if council votes to have one if his appeal fails. Council can vote for a by-election, or simply appoint someone, however a vote has yet to be tendered on which direction to take.

Either way, the politics of democracy isn't very democratic in Canada’s largest city. One well-to-do person shouldn't have the power to remove a person elected to lead by the majority of the citizens.

Yet in our so-called democratic society, money seems to buy one the power to control that democracy – and that certainly isn't democratic.

Regardless of whether you agree with a politician’s policies, performance or person, if that person has been elected into power, you alone shouldn't be the one to take away that power.

Because in a society where one can arbitrarily determine the fate of who ultimately makes decisions for the whole, that democracy ceases to exist.

Tuesday, 1 January 2013

Welcome 2013 – We’ve Been Waiting


Happy New Year to our regular readers, fans, friends and followers.

May the New Year bring personal and professional prosperity, growth, and happiness – and may the lessons learned in the previous year carry you through the challenges of the new one.

Technology is an amazing thing – already there is a Wikipedia entry on 2012 – and yet it is just seconds into 2013 as of this posting.
However, for many of us, 2012 couldn't end soon enough.

It was a year of economic, personal and professional tragedies of global proportions due to a failing economic system, and political and business ideals and values which are out of touch with reality in our ever shrinking global economy.

Let’s work together to make 2013 a change for the better.

Happy New Year!

Monday, 31 December 2012

Good-Bye 2012 – You Were Quite the Year


As the end of one year ends, and another begins, many of us reflect on the past, as we look towards the future.

For me, 2012 was a challenging, trying and at times epic year of life altering experiences.

As our economy continues to teeter on the brink of collapse, and business and political leaders continue to apply outdated, old school, band-aid solutions in a rush to keep us all from falling over the fiscal cliff, it’s time for us to re-think our world, and our way of living in it.

The fiscal cliff isn't just an American catchphrase for economic pot holes – it’s a good way of describing the new economy of an ever more frightening world in which to live.

Major corporations, once the cornerstone for economic prosperity and security in most of the world are no longer that stable or secure employer they once were.

One used to graduate from high school, get an entry level gig at one of these big major corporations, such as General Motors, General Electric, IBM, Proctor & Gamble, American Express, even McDonald’s, and over time, work one’s way to the top.

Not anymore.
A job for life at a big American company, with benefits, and regular salary increases to keep pace with the cost of living isn't the American Dream – it’s just a dream.

Although the economy is growing globally, it’s actually shrinking in the process. Companies may offer their products and services all over the world now, but few of them are hiring people at decent wages with quality benefits anymore.

Gone are the days when you could get a job where your employer actually gave a damn about your quality of life. All they care about is their own bottom line – regardless of the fact that a staff constantly worried about paying their bills, doesn't do their jobs as effectively.

When I worked at one of the largest financial institutions – one of the top five banks in Canada – I saw just how employee loyalty does not go both ways.

My team’s Project Manager had been with the bank for over 35 years – for some that is a lifetime. She was exceptional at what she did, I considered myself very lucky to have her on my team. At the end of a bank-wide project, her boss told her that her services were no longer required, and they’d give her six-months to find another role within the bank, and then they’d just give her a severance package and send her on her way.
This was the way the bank forced people that cost too much out. Obviously my Project Manager wasn't going to find another role at the same pay scale she was used to – when have you ever seen a job posting requiring 35 years of experience?

And even if she bit the bullet, and was willing to accept a lower pay just to keep a job for a thankless employer, hiring managers would look down at her, and wonder how loyal she would remain, doing the same thing for a fraction of what she previously was being paid.

This was how one of the largest banks in Canada, retired my team’s Project Manager. And its how many big businesses force long-term employees to retire.

Loyalty.

That’s a tricky word in today’s business world.

Used to be if you worked hard, went the extra mile to impress your boss, then over time, you’d get promoted, not retired.

I've known many people that had dedicated most of their adult lives to one big corporate employer, only in the end to be let go, simply because they got promoted too often and became too expensive to keep.

2012 was the year that I learned the hard way just how hard work, dedication and loyalty to your employer doesn't matter. In the end, you really are just a dollar figure to your boss.

The bean counters think it’s only a matter of dollars to replace someone with years of experience, contacts, and know-how with a recent college graduate.

And that’s why our economy is really falling apart. Studies show wages continue to fall, while the costs of living continue to rise.

Especially as our population ages, and more of those long-term, dedicated and loyal employees find themselves dumped by their disloyal employers.

The new kids they replace long-term employees with don’t make enough to make major purchases to keep the wheels of the economy moving.

How many twenty-something’s do you know have their own mortgage?

In order to get over the fiscal cliff, big businesses need to get over their fear of paying people what they are worth. They need to stop seeing their staff as numerical figures on a balance sheet, and start seeing them for what they really are.

The very same people that keep the economy moving – earning a decent living, and spending that living – well – living. 

Thursday, 20 December 2012

Guns Flying Off Wal-Mart Shelves


Only in the most influential country in the world can you buy deadly assault weapons in one of the world’s largest retailers.

And only in the most influential country in the world, would they be flying off the shelves days after a crazed gunman went on a killing spree in an elementary school in small town America.

According to several news reports, mega-retailer Wal-Mart is running out of automatic assault weapons, similar to the m16s used by armies around the world – including the American military. They are also running low on high capacity “clips” which store excessive amounts of ammunition – just in case you happen to run out.

If this were a joke, it might be in poor taste. But it’s just a sad fact of life the United States of America.

As funeral processions line the streets all week, to lay to rest the innocent, incomplete lives of very young children, and their heroic teachers that tried to save them, politicians and interest groups clash over gun control.

As the debate rages on in the political offices from the White House to local congressional leaders, people afraid they won’t be able to legally arm themselves are running out, and stocking up on military-grade weapons like kids stock up on candy.

You’d swear these people were stocking up to take over another country, but instead for the most part, they claim it’s for self defence.

From what? Mexico? Canada? The Former Soviet Union?

It’s a sad day in world history, when the sale of military-grade assault weapons outsells bread and bottled water combined.

Yet that is what has and is happening as you read this.
Whatever happened to the American dream – the ideals that anyone that put in the effort and hard work could make it there?

Ah, the elusive American dream – a house, with a white picket fence, a family, a dog, and a career which furnishes all of the necessities of life, and then some.

Since the industrial revolution, many countries the world over have set their standards to achieve by that elusive American dream.

Stock markets around the world are still compared to the American ones, and countries measure their capital by comparing it to the all mighty American Greenback Dollar.

Perhaps it’s time to re-consider which country to set the barometer for economic and social success?

Because if the American dream includes being armed to the teeth, I don’t know about you, but that’s not any dream I want to be a part of.

Wednesday, 19 December 2012

Cigarettes and Mass Murders – Why Both Will Always Kill in the USA


Cigarettes are a lot like hand guns in the United States. Both give off smoke from a heated barrel. Both are lethal. And both are completely legally bought and sold in the United States of America.

Funny, how the supposedly best country to live, you can kill yourself – or others – using legally obtainable items.

Since the massacre of children and teachers in Newtown, CT, the issue of gun control has reared its all too common head south of the border.

This isn't the first mass murder by a crazed lunatic in the States – and it won’t be the last.

Every time some nut goes on a shooting spree in the States, the media, politicians and religious leaders express horror and sympathy, while questioning why?

It’s because, like cigarettes, American’s can legally obtain fire arms you dummy – that’s why.

Yes, you have to apply for a permit to legally buy a gun in the States. And they check for any criminal background, to ensure you won’t go and knock off your local McDonald’s and scare the poor teen-aged burger flipper with your amateur use of a recently purchased Colt-45.

But that’s about it – all American citizens have the right to own weapons of mass destruction.

Cigarettes will never be banned because the American smoking lobby is too powerful. Yes, we all know it’s a bad habit, but the hand that offers you a smoke is the same one selling you a patch to quit. Most smoking cessation programs are owned or in some part funded by the cigarette companies.
No wonder it’s so hard to quit?

The same thing – ironically – goes for guns. The National Rifle Association is the most powerful, grassroots lobby group in the States, fighting for the right to continue to bear arms. 

The NRA supports gun clubs, shooting ranges – oh – and donates to support groups of violent offenders, many of which have injured or harmed others with guns.

No wonder it’s so hard to – wait – didn't we just say that. Am I repeating myself?

Yes, we are.

Every time some nut goes on a shooting spree in the States, we all ask why?

Maybe it’s time to stop circling around the issues, and asking the questions we already know the answers to and make the tough decisions, which really aren't that tough.

Banning assault weapons and extra large bullet clips is an idea in the right direction currently being discussed, in the wake of the Newtown, CT shootings.

However, your average American isn't going to miss their pistol, or any gun for that matter.

Anyone that feels the need to own a weapon to the point that they actually will miss it needs therapy.

And people that need therapy shouldn't own fire arms in the first place, now – should they?

Monday, 17 December 2012

Newtown Shooting the Media and You


Horror, shock, disgust, anger, rage, sympathy, sadness.

These are some of the many feelings we all went through, as news of the tragic shooting of innocent little kids in small town America spread.

The president of the United States cried as he responded live on television to the mass murder in Sandy Hook Elementary School, in Newtown CT.

Last night, parents, families, friends, and neighbours all gathered in a small school gymnasium, while local religious leaders offered words of hope and prayer during the public memorial service for the victims of another act of random violence in America.

American President Barack Obama gave a solemn message of hope, saying that we cannot go on allowing this sort of thing to happen. This isn't the first time the American president has addressed parents and families of a school shooting.

World leaders issued statements, expressing their horror over the incident, and offering their condolences for the families and friends of the victims.

Parents all over the world echoed thoughts of hugging their children extra tight that night on all the major social networks.

Today has been labelled “Hug Your Kid Today” to encourage parents to hug their children, and tell them they love them.
Maybe tomorrow will be “Bring an Apple, Not a Gun to School” day?

When I was a kid, the most violent thing anyone ever witnessed was the occasional fist fight between two jocks trying to woo the same cheerleader.

Back then, it was too much testosterone and the foolishness of a youthful mind which occasionally caused someone to get a black eye.

These days, social pressures on our youth – and us all – build up until we explode. Most just punch a pillow, write a nasty blog, or maybe snap at their spouse.

Then you get those with access to guns.

They shoot people.

Innocent people.

People going on about their daily lives, not aware that today is their last day on Earth.

Over the next few hours, days and weeks, as the victims are laid to rest, the media will focus on the never-ending question about gun control in the land of the free and the home of the brave.

The American Constitution’s Second Amendment tells citizens of that once great land, they are not only allowed to carry fire arms, but encourages them to use them to defend their freedom.
That fine piece of legalize – which is defined as the Supreme Law of the United States of America – was written in May of 1787, and adopted in September of that year by the Constitutional Convention. The law of the land was ratified by the then 11-member states, and went into effect on March 4, 1789.

Back in the 1700’s one could understand the logic of allowing people to own and use guns to defend their property. It was a very different time, long before the microchip.

The world was an unsettled place – a global wild west. The French Revolution began with the fall of Bastille on July 14, 1789. The Spanish captured the British schooner ‘Northwest America’ near Vancouver in June of that year.

It was the same year that Benjamin Franklin wrote: “there is nothing certain in life, except death and taxes.”
It was a time when governments were battling each other for land.

No wonder the founders of the United States of America wrote into law, the right to carry and use guns.

Times really have changed.

Wars still exist – but not in the land of the American dream.

Or do they?

Every time a crazed gunman goes on a killing spree in the States, the media, politicians and others raise questions about whether or not the law of the land should be amended, eliminating the right to bear arms.

And every time a crazed gunman goes on a killing spree in the States, the largest political action group in that country – the National Rifle Association (NRA) goes quiet at first – they took down their website today pending a slew of media attention and anti-gun lobbyists. Then the NRA enlists famous American cowboys to continue the fight for the right to carry and use guns.

It’s no longer a war over land, but over the right to shoot someone.

The NRA argues that guns don’t kill people, people kill people.

But it’s people with guns that kill people – often without guns.

It’s time the American constitution was amended to keep in touch with the reality of our modern times. We no longer need worry about someone coming onto our land to try and take it from us. The wild west is no more.

Monday, 10 December 2012

Look – It’s The Queen – In 3D!


You know technology has made it to the big time, when even the stodgy old Royal Family, used to ancient horse drawn carriages, starts to embrace it.

The annual Christmas Day Message from her Royal Highness, the Queen of England, will be recorded in three-dimension high definition – this is the first time a member of the Royal Family will be in 3D.

The BBC offered to broadcast the recent wedding Prince William to Kate Middleton, but the Royals declined.

Although the annual Christmas Day Message is usually brief – lasting under 30-minutes if that – and usually about the same things – a call for world peace, environmentalism, hope and prosperity for the coming year – perhaps this sudden change towards new technologies means a new fresh message from The Queen?

Perhaps we’ll have a more pragmatic, practical and realistic message, with tangible themes, instead of the usual call to the impossible world peace?

The notion of peace around the world is a nice pipe dream, but that is all it ever was and will be.

So long as we human beings have free will, free thought, and freedom of choice, we will constantly battle one another to express that free will, free thought and freedom of choice.

The constant never-ending war in the Middle East is based entirely on two diametrically opposed cultures expressing their ideological and political thoughts. This battle ground – which began in the 1960’s – has the occasional cease-fire, when the two sides appear to be getting along and moving towards peace.

But peace in the Middle East will never happen – so the notion of a world at peace is a fairy tale. Perhaps that’s why The Queen’s Annual Christmas Day message always includes this notion, because the life of fairy tales and fiction makes up much of the history of the Monarchy?

However, modern day technologies like HD 3D TV are far removed from the world of fairy tales. Technological marvels may start out as a mental image, a figment of one’s imagination, but soon become reality as soon as a method of creating that fiction for real is invented.

That’s just what the Royal Family – and other world leaders need – a way to turn the ideas of fiction such as world peace – into reality.

Then these annual messages from The Queen of England, the Pope, and other world leaders won’t appear so artificial and meaningless.

Tuesday, 4 December 2012

North American VS European Cities – A Tale of Green Greed


On a day when Toronto, ON. Canada was ranked one of the top fifteen cities in the world to live in, the cost for getting around that city increased.

That is if you are an environmentally-friendly commuter. The city’s politicians approved a fare hike for the Toronto Transit Commission, the city-run public transit service which averages about 450 passenger rides every year, making it one of the busiest transit systems in the world.

Also on a day when the largest city in Canada was placed on this top livable cities list, the provincial transit service – GO for Government of Ontario Transit – announced plans to also increase it’s prices.

Human resources consulting firm Mercer supposedly considers transportation, along with government stability, crime rates, banking, health care, pollution levels, housing and recreation when they create these lists.

Although there are far worse places in the world to live, there are far greener cities in the world to live than Toronto -- or any North American city.

Vienna, Zurich, Munich and Frankfurt all ranked highest on the list – which says something about European versus North American cities when it comes to being the best places to live.

Europe has embraced alternative modes of travel to gas guzzling cars. It isn't uncommon for people in these places to take public transit, bike, or even car pool if they do have to drive.

Toronto – which ranked 14 on the list and Montreal – which ranked 23—both have excellent public transit systems. However, in both cities – actually many North American cities – there appears to be a stigma associated with taking public transit.

Those who take public transit in major urban centres in North America are often seen as the working poor, the trailer-park-trash of the urban jungle. The rift-raft that can’t afford a car.

That’s why public transit is so poorly funded in North American cities. It’s all in the head. Or at least the heads of the people that live there.

In Europe, the costs of operating the public transit systems are paid for largely by local and federal levels of government. It’s not considered a working poor rift-raft using service – it’s considered a necessity for the people and the good of the city.
Europeans don’t attach silly stigmas to those who take public transit. They realize that if it weren't for the public transit system, they’d spend hours in traffic just to get to work each day. If it weren't for public transit, they’d sit in traffic jams inhaling horrible fumes each day just to see their friends and family. They know they’d be contributing to global warming every time they went to the corner store.
Oh wait – we know all these things here in North America too.

So why do we attach idiotic ideologies about those taking public transit in Canada and the United States?

And worse, because of those idiotic ideologies, we force the costs of public transit onto the backs of those who take it – instead of using the tax-base to pay for it – which furthers that mentality because if the government doesn't think paying for public transit is a good thing, why should the average citizen?

And as we always complain about high taxes, governments always cut funding to the least popular government services – which usually means public transit because of this silly mentality North American cities have about the green way to travel.

So governments continue to under-fund transit in North America, increasing costs to riders, which translates into fewer people taking transit – ultimately pushing more people into their cars, creating enormous traffic tie-ups, pumping toxic fumes into the air we breathe, while increasing the amount of greenhouse gasses in our environment.

Which begs the question – how’d any North American city even make the top livable cities in the world to live in?

Monday, 3 December 2012

The Holidays -- It’s a Wonderful Time of Year


I’m not a religious person, but even I enjoy the holiday spirit this time of year.

All the coloured lights, the decorations, even the holiday music which is over played on radio, in malls and just about anywhere you go these days.

No matter how rough and tough, or awesome a year it has been for me, the holidays always make me smile.
And laugh.

Perhaps I've become cynical as time goes by, but I always laugh as the Queen, the Pope and other world leaders always send out their repetitive messages for world peace, love and joy in the coming New Year.

It would be nice if these so-called world leaders were a little more worldly, and actually said something different for a change.

Oh – occasionally they mention the conflict in the Middle East, the need to be more environmentally-friendly, and something or other about prosperity and good will towards all.

They’ll probably say the exact same things again this year – as they have every year.

Every year around this time, television stations run holiday movies. My favourite Christmas Vacation, with Chevy Chase – that’s a true Christmas classic, guaranteed to bring some laughter and fun to even the most Scrooged – another great holiday movie with Bill Murray.
As we get closer to the New Year, we’ll look all be bombarded with commercials trying to get us to join gyms, join weight loss programs and to use smoking cessation patches, pills and ointments. It’s the time of New Year’s resolutions, and the most common are getting into shape, losing weight and quitting smoking.

I never make New Year’s resolutions. I set goals all the time, why should I wait until the end of the year to make new ones?

And deciding to do something while one is slightly inebriated after toasting in the New Year probably isn't the best idea.

Who’s idea was it to make a New Year’s resolution in the first place?
As the New Year rolls ever closer, television stations will remind us of all the famous people we lost this year, as they honour celebrities that have passed on.

It’s an interesting phenomenon, we are looking forward to the New Year, but are reminded of the past.

It’s probably part of being human – no matter where we go in life, our past always influences our present, and directs our future.

That’s not a bad thing. It’s good to reflect on past successes, failures, joys and sorrows, so that we can learn and grow from them.

So as you’re smiling through your holiday shopping, enjoying a rare opportunity to sleep in over the holidays, or just watching your favourite classic holiday movies, look forward to the future, as you reflect on your past.