Everywhere I go I hear people talking about the weather. In the Doctors office everyone was complaining not about their problems but the weather. We better get used to this as climate change and extreme weather is going to be the norm for the next few years. Australia is burning like never before, California is in a state of drought which has no match and looks to devastate the 20 billion agriculture industry. Fires are burning out of control and the fire season is months away.
Canada has this winter experienced unprecedented cold waves and in the fall rain flooded the west causing tremendous damage to huge areas. All over the world we are seeing the same pattern of violent weather events. One thing is for sure is we must begin planning for these natural disasters with earnest and be prepared for here to for water issues which cause the greatest loss of life and property damage.
When the Weather Channel began it's broadcasting little did we know that it would have a vast audience and perform such a vital task in keeping people informed and safe. This has produced a huge industry and here in Oakville the actual headquarters for this station we have seen an expansion of large proportions already and I am sure that there will be more to come. So keep talking about the weather and stay safe during our future natural disasters.
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Why Now???
Canada does not have a foreign policy but it does have a prime minister who has no thoughts representing the Canadian feelings so grasps the Jewish friendship with their leader and calls it his own. Such a terrible mistake to take 200 conservatives to Israel and pretend that this is Canada's foreign policy.To deflect the problems at home with all the scandals and corruption in the PMO , Harper thinks that this love in with Israel will win the affection of the Canadian people and the world community is a joke.
Canada has very poor world currency in the field of world opinion because of the performance of this government during the past 8 years. Its stand on the war in Iraq, the asbestos problem, the stand on the environment and backing out of the agreement with the world leaders makes us look like very lightweights in the world of diplomacy. We couldn't even get elected to the security council in the UN and before we were world leaders in the UN activities.
Most Canadians have some good feelings for the state of Israel but think that other Middle East peoples have some rights as well. Israel is not exactly a model of democracy and civil rights when we look at their record of the past 20 years.For Harper to go over there with a definite , public stated unequivocal love and support for Israel leaves little room for having productive talks with other states in the area.
Taking almost 200 people with him at taxpayers expense and not one member of the other parties in Parliament is a disgrace as they represent 60% of the population of Canada. All we will get out of this party in the East is a large financial bill for a partisan photo op.
Israel has been propped up by American and Canadian money and resources over the years from 1948 until the present day. It could not exist one year without the backing of the USA armed support and the other neighbors know this. Canada has few friends in Palestine and other Arab states because of our narrow foreign policies. Do we not think that these people have a right to their homeland which was taken from them in 1948 by the Allies after WW11? This looks a little like the home policies of the Harper Government in their treatment of our Aboriginal Nations.
Canada has very poor world currency in the field of world opinion because of the performance of this government during the past 8 years. Its stand on the war in Iraq, the asbestos problem, the stand on the environment and backing out of the agreement with the world leaders makes us look like very lightweights in the world of diplomacy. We couldn't even get elected to the security council in the UN and before we were world leaders in the UN activities.
Most Canadians have some good feelings for the state of Israel but think that other Middle East peoples have some rights as well. Israel is not exactly a model of democracy and civil rights when we look at their record of the past 20 years.For Harper to go over there with a definite , public stated unequivocal love and support for Israel leaves little room for having productive talks with other states in the area.
Taking almost 200 people with him at taxpayers expense and not one member of the other parties in Parliament is a disgrace as they represent 60% of the population of Canada. All we will get out of this party in the East is a large financial bill for a partisan photo op.
Israel has been propped up by American and Canadian money and resources over the years from 1948 until the present day. It could not exist one year without the backing of the USA armed support and the other neighbors know this. Canada has few friends in Palestine and other Arab states because of our narrow foreign policies. Do we not think that these people have a right to their homeland which was taken from them in 1948 by the Allies after WW11? This looks a little like the home policies of the Harper Government in their treatment of our Aboriginal Nations.
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Littliest Turkey
Just before Xmas we were buying groceries and were attracted to the bin of turkeys which were on sale for $.67 per pound. We bought a couple of small ones and saw this turkey at a cost of $2.50. I could not believe my eyes so picked it up. It was a small bird for sure but larger than the chicken we also had in our basket at $9.25.
I wondered just how it would look in a pan so today when we are having a turkey dinner for three we decided to cook this little fellow. When I thawed and washed this turkey I realized it was perfect except it was small. I am sure it will taste OK and I am sure I will never ever see one for sale again at $2.50.
I wondered just how it would look in a pan so today when we are having a turkey dinner for three we decided to cook this little fellow. When I thawed and washed this turkey I realized it was perfect except it was small. I am sure it will taste OK and I am sure I will never ever see one for sale again at $2.50.
Olympics
Canadians are getting excited about the winter olympics to be held in Russia. Our young people have been training for four years to try to match their medal winnings held in Vancouver. The forecast for our team looks like it could do even better.
Olympics are supposed to be an individual contest with the finest from every country coming together to compete. These games brings the countries of the world together and fosters the very best feelings between athletes which translates into productive world unity.
Canada always supports its athletes and this year there already is a growing pride in our country and our representatives who will represent us on this world stage. With only a month to the games we will see many stories and accounts of feats past and present to boast our pride.
Olympics are supposed to be an individual contest with the finest from every country coming together to compete. These games brings the countries of the world together and fosters the very best feelings between athletes which translates into productive world unity.
Canada always supports its athletes and this year there already is a growing pride in our country and our representatives who will represent us on this world stage. With only a month to the games we will see many stories and accounts of feats past and present to boast our pride.
Free Gift For The Oil Industry From The Taxpayers
Can you imagine receiving a 22 million dollar gift from the taxpayers to advertise your business. Well this week the Harper government announced the gift of $22,000,000 for advertising the benefits of our dirty tar sands oil for use in the south east Asia and European regions.The oil extracted from the tar sands costs Canadians in many ways.
To extract the oil in a process requiring tremendous use of energy and the multinationals use clean natural gas in the process. This natural gas in itself is a valuable resource. The transporting of this dirty oil is dangerous and the residue from the process causes the largest environmental black eye for Canada that we have. All this is bad but to use our money to market the product while these companies become wealthy using our natural resources is ludicrous as the profits from this industry are not even Canadian. We do have a Canadian content but by in large the money invested and profits earned are multinational in scope.
Remember it was this government that two short years ago was supporting with our taxpayers money a dirty industry in Quebec which produced asbestos and sold it to Africa and India. This asbestos was responsible for numerous deaths in these countries. Canada and two other countries were the only people in the whole world who would not sign an agreement to declare asbestos as a dangerous substance. Thankfully world pressure forced the government to back off and abandon its support for this industry.The loss of three Conservative seats in the area may have played a part.
Just who in this government is making these decisions and for what purpose? It would seem that the focus on Alberta oil interests trumps all other needs. Last quarter Ontario lost 32,000 jobs in the manufacturing area. Is this not a concern of this government?
To extract the oil in a process requiring tremendous use of energy and the multinationals use clean natural gas in the process. This natural gas in itself is a valuable resource. The transporting of this dirty oil is dangerous and the residue from the process causes the largest environmental black eye for Canada that we have. All this is bad but to use our money to market the product while these companies become wealthy using our natural resources is ludicrous as the profits from this industry are not even Canadian. We do have a Canadian content but by in large the money invested and profits earned are multinational in scope.
Remember it was this government that two short years ago was supporting with our taxpayers money a dirty industry in Quebec which produced asbestos and sold it to Africa and India. This asbestos was responsible for numerous deaths in these countries. Canada and two other countries were the only people in the whole world who would not sign an agreement to declare asbestos as a dangerous substance. Thankfully world pressure forced the government to back off and abandon its support for this industry.The loss of three Conservative seats in the area may have played a part.
Just who in this government is making these decisions and for what purpose? It would seem that the focus on Alberta oil interests trumps all other needs. Last quarter Ontario lost 32,000 jobs in the manufacturing area. Is this not a concern of this government?
Friday, January 10, 2014
Calculated Stupidity
This is my week to become angry at stupidity.Sometimes things are done that turn out to be stupid. Sometimes people are stupid and do stupid things. In both of these cases one can forgive the action. As we speak there is an act by the Harper government that defies all senses when it comes to stupidity.
Canada prides itself as being a maritime country with roots to three oceans and numerous lakes. Canada has kept accurate records of the discovery and mapping of these oceans and lakes and has kept them in libraries for people to view and use for research.
There are 11 main Oceans and Fisheries offices in Canada. with libraries and the government is closing 7 of them. They are not only closing them but destroying all the records, maps and charts that they hold. People who work in these libraries cried when their beloved materials were carried away to be burned, shredded or put in landfill sites.
These documents are a valuable asset for Canadian Historical References and should have been treated in a proper manner. This government has been waging a war on science and people in the field and have tried to muzzle the findings of these scientists. A quarter of the people working for the federal government have been told to hold findings that they have concluded if they do not support the governments position. This is specially true when it comes to the environment and we will pay in the future for their ignorance. Studies of our lakes and their health was to be disbanded because their findings were negative to some of the environmentally sensitive industries. It was only when private money was given to keep this department open.
Our Canadian decisions regarding the environment should be made on the basis of science and not on political bias. The effort of this government to curb the scientific evidence is an affront to reason but it is being done on a daily basis.
Destroying our libraries and burning valuable records smells like some of the actions of a very unpopular despot who came to a sad end. Maybe we can avoid this from continuing by learning the facts about our scientific community and supporting them so they may do their studies for the benefit of all Canadians without interference from politicians with an agenda which is un Canadian.
Canada prides itself as being a maritime country with roots to three oceans and numerous lakes. Canada has kept accurate records of the discovery and mapping of these oceans and lakes and has kept them in libraries for people to view and use for research.
There are 11 main Oceans and Fisheries offices in Canada. with libraries and the government is closing 7 of them. They are not only closing them but destroying all the records, maps and charts that they hold. People who work in these libraries cried when their beloved materials were carried away to be burned, shredded or put in landfill sites.
These documents are a valuable asset for Canadian Historical References and should have been treated in a proper manner. This government has been waging a war on science and people in the field and have tried to muzzle the findings of these scientists. A quarter of the people working for the federal government have been told to hold findings that they have concluded if they do not support the governments position. This is specially true when it comes to the environment and we will pay in the future for their ignorance. Studies of our lakes and their health was to be disbanded because their findings were negative to some of the environmentally sensitive industries. It was only when private money was given to keep this department open.
Our Canadian decisions regarding the environment should be made on the basis of science and not on political bias. The effort of this government to curb the scientific evidence is an affront to reason but it is being done on a daily basis.
Destroying our libraries and burning valuable records smells like some of the actions of a very unpopular despot who came to a sad end. Maybe we can avoid this from continuing by learning the facts about our scientific community and supporting them so they may do their studies for the benefit of all Canadians without interference from politicians with an agenda which is un Canadian.
Thursday, January 9, 2014
Great Keepsakes
Daughter Lynda has been to Africa several times and each time brought me a special object. The first one was the talking stick which was used in tribal meetings where by the person holding the stick had the floor and was to speak without interruption This would be useful at our family gatherings as the conversations sometimes get out of hand. This stick is made of wood completely covered by tiny bead work. There are literally thousands of beads in the cover and the workmanship is perfect. The ladies of the area specialize in the use of beads in decorative designs and their work is beautiful.
The second item was a Masai warriors knife.My interest in knives and guns was sparked when I received this knife. The knife was not too large but was encased in a hand made cover made of wood, leather and bound by bands of leather and iron.
I will probably never get to Africa but knowing the use and story behind these gifts brings me closer to that culture.
The second item was a Masai warriors knife.My interest in knives and guns was sparked when I received this knife. The knife was not too large but was encased in a hand made cover made of wood, leather and bound by bands of leather and iron.
I will probably never get to Africa but knowing the use and story behind these gifts brings me closer to that culture.
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