Kudos to Star for digging up this information on the abuse by police force members of the taxpayer’s - funded Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund. Our police are well paid, with benefits that far surpass a majority of workers, many in equally hazardous jobs. To call a policeman injured on duty a “victim” of crime is beyond the pale and stretches credulity to the limit. The police are paid to face work-related risks, and to “serve and protect”. I didn’t think this included lining up at the public trough, while real victims are waiting in line behind them.
In some ways, I cannot blame them for taking what is there for the taking. It should be the task of government to write the law in such a way that this abuse will not happen.
This is not something the public would be aware of –perhaps not even most MP’s. Thus you are performing a much needed public service with your muckraking; whether it is the police or some other organization abusing public money and trust.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Friday, September 18, 2009
Ottawa lets Nortel slip from our grasp –Star Friday, September-18-09
I suspected the Conservatives were reluctant to get involved since Nortel had most of its work force outside the country, and thus did not represent many voters. Ericsson has in fact more workers domestically than does Nortel. The earlier investments the government (or we) has invested in the firm is history, or sunk costs as the accountants would say; and won’t be recovered by handing Nortel to RIM. In our global economy, corporate ownership is fluid and ephemeral. Canada has lost many of its old corporate names to foreigners – Stelco and Falconbridge just two of several.
Nortel has had several corporate name changes in its long history in Canada. It started out as part of Bell Telephone, incorporated as Northern Electric in 1895 and later became part of Western Electric and AT&T in the US. In the sixties, Bell Canada & Northern Electric was separated from US Bell and Western Electric by government decree, and in 1972 it became Northern Telecom getting involved in the electronic switching market as well as manufacturing telephones and combined research with Bell Canada.
Thus, Nortel‘s origin was what we used to call a “branch plant” of US industry, making the nationalist argument rather weak. It never was a “national treasure”, and in the recent past, their CEO’s have all been Americans. Thus, I find it hard to believe that Nortel’s sale to Ericsson would in any way be “injurious to national security; any more than was the sale of Stelco et.al.
There are always at least two sides to every story. There is Nortel’s, and then there is RIM’s.
In this case I think we should, to paraphrase an old metaphor; just “let the sleeping dog lie”.
Nortel has had several corporate name changes in its long history in Canada. It started out as part of Bell Telephone, incorporated as Northern Electric in 1895 and later became part of Western Electric and AT&T in the US. In the sixties, Bell Canada & Northern Electric was separated from US Bell and Western Electric by government decree, and in 1972 it became Northern Telecom getting involved in the electronic switching market as well as manufacturing telephones and combined research with Bell Canada.
Thus, Nortel‘s origin was what we used to call a “branch plant” of US industry, making the nationalist argument rather weak. It never was a “national treasure”, and in the recent past, their CEO’s have all been Americans. Thus, I find it hard to believe that Nortel’s sale to Ericsson would in any way be “injurious to national security; any more than was the sale of Stelco et.al.
There are always at least two sides to every story. There is Nortel’s, and then there is RIM’s.
In this case I think we should, to paraphrase an old metaphor; just “let the sleeping dog lie”.
“Different leader, same scenario for demise”. –Chantal Hebert, Sept 18th.
It’s indeed Dion redux. Ignatieff is an English-speaking version of the former. They are both brilliant academics in their fields, but it just proves, again, that intellect and education alone will not a politician make; no matter how sincere and dedicated they are. You need bravura as well as brains, and in our age of instant TV news clips and the YouTube, you need a certain amount of élan and verve; eloquence and joviality. They had just such a candidate in Bob Rae, but they chose the bland and jejune over vivacity and eloquence. The Liberals ought to have learned that lesson with Dion, but no, they went after another academic.
As they say in baseball: three strikes and you’re out!” They’d better hope that Harper self-destruct, because I don’t think that Ignatieff is up to the task.
As they say in baseball: three strikes and you’re out!” They’d better hope that Harper self-destruct, because I don’t think that Ignatieff is up to the task.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
THE READING MOTHER
THE READING MOTHER
Strickland Gillilan
I HAD A MOTHER who read to me
Sagas of pirates who scoured the sea,
Cutlasses clenched in their yellow teeth,
"Blackbirds" stowed in the hold beneath
I had a Mother who read me lays
Of ancient and gallant and golden days;
Stories of Marmion and Ivanhoe,
Which every boy has a right to know.
I had a Mother who read me tales
Of Celert the hound of the hills of Wales,
True to his trust till his tragic death,
Faithfulness blent with his final breath.
I had a Mother who read me the things
That wholesome life to the boy heart brings-
Stories that stir with an upward touch,
Oh, that each mother of boys were such.
You may have tangible wealth untold;
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be --
I had a Mother who read to me.
Strickland Gillilan
I HAD A MOTHER who read to me
Sagas of pirates who scoured the sea,
Cutlasses clenched in their yellow teeth,
"Blackbirds" stowed in the hold beneath
I had a Mother who read me lays
Of ancient and gallant and golden days;
Stories of Marmion and Ivanhoe,
Which every boy has a right to know.
I had a Mother who read me tales
Of Celert the hound of the hills of Wales,
True to his trust till his tragic death,
Faithfulness blent with his final breath.
I had a Mother who read me the things
That wholesome life to the boy heart brings-
Stories that stir with an upward touch,
Oh, that each mother of boys were such.
You may have tangible wealth untold;
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be --
I had a Mother who read to me.
The battle of the Plains of Abraham
A battle to remember –Star editorial Sept 10th.
There is a difference in re-enacting the battle of the Plains of Abraham and a historical documentary about the same battle. It did happened, and it is history.
Re-enactment is akin to the Orange parade held annually to commemorate William, Prince of Orange’s humiliation of the Irish. It’s like waving a red flag before the bull, and serves no good purpose.
A factual rendition of the Plains of Abraham battle in a documentary is another matter. You don’t have to watch it if you don't like it. While it is true that the Americans are planning to “celebrate” the battle of Gettysburg, there is a difference: Theirs was a civil war, not a foreign nation against another. It ultimately led to uniting the states; and it did not perpetuate their difference by giving the South their own language and religion. Even so, there is still a social/emotional difference between the North and the South; even after all these years.
We should be mindful of Quebecker’s sensitivities and not unnecessarily "kick sand in their eyes”. Desmond Morris has put a positive spin on the conflict. The willingness of the British to grant the defeated their own language, religion and civil law is a positive that should be stressed; but not by enacting the defeat of Quebeckers –now our countrymen, in their own home.
There is a difference in re-enacting the battle of the Plains of Abraham and a historical documentary about the same battle. It did happened, and it is history.
Re-enactment is akin to the Orange parade held annually to commemorate William, Prince of Orange’s humiliation of the Irish. It’s like waving a red flag before the bull, and serves no good purpose.
A factual rendition of the Plains of Abraham battle in a documentary is another matter. You don’t have to watch it if you don't like it. While it is true that the Americans are planning to “celebrate” the battle of Gettysburg, there is a difference: Theirs was a civil war, not a foreign nation against another. It ultimately led to uniting the states; and it did not perpetuate their difference by giving the South their own language and religion. Even so, there is still a social/emotional difference between the North and the South; even after all these years.
We should be mindful of Quebecker’s sensitivities and not unnecessarily "kick sand in their eyes”. Desmond Morris has put a positive spin on the conflict. The willingness of the British to grant the defeated their own language, religion and civil law is a positive that should be stressed; but not by enacting the defeat of Quebeckers –now our countrymen, in their own home.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Friday, September 4, 2009
Genuinely loved for his many faults –Andrew Coyne, Sept.14th.
In Maclean's extensive coverage of Ted Kennedy (commemorative issue), they describe him as “American icon”. I hate to be an iconoclast, but I really do not think of him as such.
This is the man who rode the cottontails of his brothers and the Kennedy name; had all the advantages of fame and fortune without having to do much. Andrew Coyne says of why Ted Kennedy ran for president: “because it was his turn”. For someone born with a silver spoon in his mouth, nothing less would suffice.
Yet, he worked hard to destroy himself and those with him. Mary Jo Kopechne did not deserve to die in the muddy Chappaquiddick River. Kennedy was likely drunk, and craven enough to run home to mamma and wait until dawn to call the police, while Mary Jo was drowning in the river.
He got off lightly. Someone else would likely be serving hard time for homicide; or at last criminal negligence causing death. Ted Kennedy got off easy, because who he was. Ditto his clear culpability in the William Kennedy Smith case, not to mention his drinking and whoring on a spectacular scale. Falstaff does well in comparison.
Andrew Coyne writes “...the true measure of life is how many show up at your funeral.” I beg to differ. People show up at funerals for a variety of reason, not the least the “fame (or infamy) and fortune” of the deceased; whether deserved or not. People show up at all kinds of things, to be part of the crowd, to see and be seen; perhaps catch a ray of the proverbial sunshine.
Yes, Ted Kennedy no doubt did some good work in the senate. But, that work did not qualify him for redemption, and most of his personal adversity was self-induced.
From those who much has been given, much is expected. Ted Kennedy just did the minimum.
This is the man who rode the cottontails of his brothers and the Kennedy name; had all the advantages of fame and fortune without having to do much. Andrew Coyne says of why Ted Kennedy ran for president: “because it was his turn”. For someone born with a silver spoon in his mouth, nothing less would suffice.
Yet, he worked hard to destroy himself and those with him. Mary Jo Kopechne did not deserve to die in the muddy Chappaquiddick River. Kennedy was likely drunk, and craven enough to run home to mamma and wait until dawn to call the police, while Mary Jo was drowning in the river.
He got off lightly. Someone else would likely be serving hard time for homicide; or at last criminal negligence causing death. Ted Kennedy got off easy, because who he was. Ditto his clear culpability in the William Kennedy Smith case, not to mention his drinking and whoring on a spectacular scale. Falstaff does well in comparison.
Andrew Coyne writes “...the true measure of life is how many show up at your funeral.” I beg to differ. People show up at funerals for a variety of reason, not the least the “fame (or infamy) and fortune” of the deceased; whether deserved or not. People show up at all kinds of things, to be part of the crowd, to see and be seen; perhaps catch a ray of the proverbial sunshine.
Yes, Ted Kennedy no doubt did some good work in the senate. But, that work did not qualify him for redemption, and most of his personal adversity was self-induced.
From those who much has been given, much is expected. Ted Kennedy just did the minimum.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
SOMETHING ROTTEN IN QUEENS PARK
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
TheStar.com Opinion Where did civil service ethics go?
Sep 03, 2009 04:30 AM
Something rotten at Queen's Park,
Editorial, Sept. 1
Yes, indeed, it stinks. It does not seem to matter which party is in charge, civil servants will find a way to feed at the public trough. Perhaps the time has come to appoint a special auditor for such government agencies – an expert in forensic accounting.
It's all so disheartening. Yet, there is a silver lining: we live in a country where even top civil servants and politicians are subject to scrutiny by a free press and opposition parties. That gives us some succour.
Sigmund Roseth, Mississauga
TheStar.com Opinion Where did civil service ethics go?
Sep 03, 2009 04:30 AM
Something rotten at Queen's Park,
Editorial, Sept. 1
Yes, indeed, it stinks. It does not seem to matter which party is in charge, civil servants will find a way to feed at the public trough. Perhaps the time has come to appoint a special auditor for such government agencies – an expert in forensic accounting.
It's all so disheartening. Yet, there is a silver lining: we live in a country where even top civil servants and politicians are subject to scrutiny by a free press and opposition parties. That gives us some succour.
Sigmund Roseth, Mississauga
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
“Bryant’s deadly duel”
We ought to be careful in pre-judging this situation. Michael Bryant is entitled to due process, regardless of his high profile.
I am not sure how I would have reacted, had a crazed, drunk and possibly drugged person on a bike grabbed hold of my open convertible and refusing to let go.
Yes, I know; Bryant should have known better, and he should have stopped the car. But, perhaps he panicked.
I am sure all will come out in the court. In the meanwhile, Bryant has all ready received much of his punishment, and let us await the court’s decision before we hang him.
I am not sure how I would have reacted, had a crazed, drunk and possibly drugged person on a bike grabbed hold of my open convertible and refusing to let go.
Yes, I know; Bryant should have known better, and he should have stopped the car. But, perhaps he panicked.
I am sure all will come out in the court. In the meanwhile, Bryant has all ready received much of his punishment, and let us await the court’s decision before we hang him.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
“Something rotten at Queen’s Park” –Star Editorial, Sept.1st
Yes, indeed –it stinks. It’s e-Med redux. It does not seem to matter which party is in charge –civil servants will find a way to feed at the public trough. In the last two instances, women were at the head of the organization, but it seems they are just as venal as the men-folk.
Perhaps the time has come to appoint a special auditor for such government agencies. He should be an expert in forensic accounting!
It’s all so disheartening. Yet, there is a silver lining: we live in a country where even top civil servants and politicians are subject to scrutiny by a free press and opposition parties. That gives us some succour.
Perhaps the time has come to appoint a special auditor for such government agencies. He should be an expert in forensic accounting!
It’s all so disheartening. Yet, there is a silver lining: we live in a country where even top civil servants and politicians are subject to scrutiny by a free press and opposition parties. That gives us some succour.
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