Friday, February 23, 2007

Patronage

In case you haven't heard, the so called "New Government of Canada" under the leadership of Prime Minister Harper is now involved in numerous patronage appointments. Personally, I don't have a problem with patronage appointments as long as the appointments are necessary and the appointees are qualified for the job. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.

The more interesting thing about Harper making patronage appointments after only a year in government is that he consistently condemned the liberal government over patronage appointments when he was the leader of the official opposition in the House of Commons. It is even more interesting when you consider that it was patronage appointments by the liberals that contributed to the Sponsorship scandal that was blamed for the defeat of Prime Minister Paul Martin and the liberal government.

It has always been said that you can't defeat a government because they always defeat themselves. Will this be the case for Prime Minister Stephan Harper's "New Government of Canada?"

Friday, February 09, 2007

Home Pride

We live in a country that offers as much or more freedom than anywhere else in the world. We have a quality of life in Canada that many parts of the world have never heard of.

We have a comprehensive health care system, an abundance of food, resources like mining, oil, gas, lakes and rivers, an abundant supply of water and a diverse and beautiful landscape with sunsets that are a photographers dream come true.

Saskatchewan is a province that is experiencing an economic boom that is solid, steady growth that our citizens can plan around. We can succeed in life with all that we have in Saskatchewan. It is a place where you can live and raise a family in a relatively safe and secure environment.

Regina is our provinces capital city that offers economic development that has spawned major construction projects, development in the field of education and the arts, culture, sport and entertainment. Regina is on the move lead by a young and inspiring Mayor with the support of strong city councilors. We have a water and sewer system that works and the challenge of smooth streets is an ongoing effort by the City.

We host major events here in Canada, Saskatchewan and, of course, the City of Regina. We have a vibrant tourism industry as people visit to experience the greatness of our land. By any measure, I wouldn’t live anywhere else in the world. As the saying goes, this is as good as it gets.

Is it perfect here? Of course not, and there are many people working hard to make it even a greater place to live work and raise a family.

You have two choices in life. You can be actively involved or stand about and watch it go by. If you missed out on life, then you now know why.

We have a lot to be proud of here and we should all be grateful to all those leaders in life that have built this great place we call home.

Have a Great Day and a Great Life.

Friday, February 02, 2007

Hillary Clinton Questioned?

Recent reports that Hillary Clinton, US Democratic Party Presidential candidate, wants the US troops out of Iraq, but with an increase of 2,000 US soldiers into Afghanistan is questionable. She claims that the war will be lost to the Taliban if the US doesn’t bolster their support of Canadian and NATO soldiers who are currently winning in their battle against the Taliban. Yes, it is a difficult battle and many good young men and women have sacrificed their lives to fight for Canada and freedom in Afghanistan and around the world. History tells us that Canadian soldiers are as tough as it comes and they don’t quit.

Hillary Clinton leaves the impression that if the US doesn’t more heavily get involved in Afghanistan then the Canadian and NATO forces will lose. I know this much. I wouldn’t bet on Canadians losing in any war and nor should Hillary Clinton. Canada has been calling for other nations to increase their commitment in Afghanistan and 2,000 more US soldiers would be welcomed in the fight to defeat the Taliban.

You have to ask if Hillary is only taking this position for her own political gain? Is it simply a means of getting the US out of Iraq? Many believe the US is unfortunately losing in Iraq and it is time for them to pull out. President Bush’s popularity is down the tubes over the war in Iraq. Hillary Clinton wants to capitalize on that, get out of Iraq and into Afghanistan where she thinks the US may claim victory.

I support Canadian and US soldiers in their courageous efforts without question. On the other hand, I question the motives of Hillary Clinton and the decisions made by politicians who send our troops out to battle.

Thursday, February 01, 2007

Doomsday Clock

We all know that we live in a dangerous world. We also know that it is more dangerous now than ever in human kind. Add to this the “Doomsday Clock” that was apparently created in 1947. It considers two main factors leading to the absolute demise of human kind and our planet earth, as we know it today. One is a nuclear catastrophe and the other is the eventual impact of climate change. Either one is considered a major threat, but both together, which is a real possibility, would be an unimaginable disaster threatening our human civilization. The experts who study all this have concluded that climate change is nearly as big a threat as that of a nuclear disaster.

A group referred to as the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists was formed in 1945 and they are the apparent keepers of the “Doomsday Clock.” The catastrophic hour is midnight and two ticks to read 11:55 PM recently advanced the clock. It is reported that this recent setting of the clock is only the fourth time it has been reset since the Soviet collapse in 1991. The good news is that it was set to 11:53 PM in 1947. At this rate most of you who are reading this letter should be dead or almost dead before the clock hits midnight, but hold on this is not your normal clock. It has been as far away as 17 minutes right after the fall of the Soviet Empire. So this clock can go either way. The closest it came to midnight was 11:58 PM in 1953 when the US successfully tested a hydrogen bomb.

So what is the “Doomsday Clock” really telling us? In short, human kind will be the masters of their own demise, but we also have the ability to slow down the process. Many of us do that on a regular basis by exercising and living healthy life styles. Equally as many people have bad habits like smoking, drugs, alcohol and eating too damn much of all the wrong foods.

For my part, I can tell you that my “Doomsday Clock” will hit midnight long before the world’s “Doomsday Clock.” That’s why I live each day as if it were the last and I would suggest you do the same. Life is good. What is the point in worrying yourself to death about how you live? I was once told that those who run everyday would live five to ten years longer than those who don’t. The problem is that in a lifetime they will spend most of that five to ten years running. It may be better to kick off a little early and save your breath.

It is your choice because ultimately we will be the masters of our own demise. I know I am on the last chapters of my “Book of Life.” Regardless, I intend to read on until I have read the last word on the last page of the last chapter. God willing, I may even close the book and set it away forever.

Have a Great Day! Life really is Good.