Thomas Collins

A Hard Rain's a Comin'

A Hard Rain's a Comin'

Dalton McGuinty's Ontario Liberal government just got taken out behind the woodshed, courtesy of the Drummond Report. Here is the complete report, for you economics junkies.

I will not repeat the highlights of this report, that information is all over the Internet. I wish to pursue an angle that has yet to be reported, extensively.

What has me particularly concerned is my the growing suspicion that voters do not want to see widespread cuts. Perhaps governments have done such a good job at hiding the true nature of their financial train wrecks, that voters are simply unaware of the true nature of governmental finances. What is even scarier is that voters may well be aware of the problems but, are simply turning a blind eye to the situation. Denial or, more likely, a reluctance to give up their "entitlements." I am beginning to see increasing amounts of the latter.

Read more: A Hard Rain's a Comin'

Crocodile Tears

"Among other evils which being unarmed brings you, it causes you to be despised." Niccolo Machiavelli.

The office of the Dear Leader, Barack Hussein Obama, has just released a trial balloon, or should I say - lead balloon. In essence, he is proposing to reduce America's nuclear arsenal by 80%, to 300 warheads. Whaaaa?

This stunner can only be categorized as "galactically stupid." Rush Limbaugh calls it just the latest bolt-on to Obama's re-election "Campaign for the Stupid."

For the record, the purpose of an overwhelming nuclear arsenal is to deter the aggressive aspirations of other nations, it is not to use it.

Apparently, this logic is lost on the Progressives. You should not be surprised by this for, after all, liberals never saw anything wrong with Stalin or Mao (and the tens of millions of deaths they caused) or took any responsibility for the millions of deaths in South Vietnam and Cambodia, (by their withdrawal of funding and troops for the Vietnam War).

Never forget that liberals will always shed "crocodile tears," for the poor, the weak and the oppressed. They consistently wail about how big their hearts are. In practice, they wouldn't walk across the street to spit on people, or countries, in need - unless, of course, it was done with someone else's blood and treasure.

I only have one question, for today's liberal - if you don't think the United States should be the preeminent power, in the world - then who? The Russian Federation, The People's Republic of China, a mid-east Caliphate? Their silence speaks volumes.

Overreach

Generally speaking, I am a fan of the Canada's new federal Conservative government. That being said, I expect them to act in a fiscally responsible manner; I expect them to adhere to and advance the principles of free enterprise; and I expect them to stand up for the freedom of the individual.

It is the last point that has recently attracted my attention. The Conservatives wish to pass something called Bill C-30 (Protecting Children from Internet Predators Act).

Here is a good summation of the issues, courtesy of John Ibbitson, of the Globe and Mail.

For the record, I have no soft spot for child predators, pedophiles or the purveyors of "kiddie porn." But, a distinction must be drawn here between those who view such material and those who create such material - there is a big difference.

An individual who views such material may not be one of society's finest and a little creepy but, they are not criminals - they didn't create it, in the first place. The real target here should only be the creators - casting the net far and wide is a licence for governmental overreach.

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02-14-2012

London ON does it again!

Just when I thought that the Forest City couldn't possibly best its previous stellar achievements, as Canada's dumbest city...along comes this!

Courtesy of the Middlesex-London Health Unit:

"In the dark of the night, Sex City is in panic because of the terrible Sperminator whose sole mission is to infect all citizens with various sexually transmitted infections (STI). Who do you call? The Sex Squad! An elite team of superheroes dedicated to keeping the citizens of Sex City safe from sexually transmitted infections. It's up to you to help The Sex Squad stop The Sperminator and save Sex City."

Yup, straight from Canada's greatest Statist - Pierre Elliott Trudeau: libertarianism in personal behavior; socialism in everything else.

Well, it's sort of about love - the progressive variety, at least. Happy Valentine's Day!

Ron Paul is Right!

Want to know why the West is in such an economic mess? Got an hour and a half to spare? Got enough Canadian Club? It's definitely not for the faint of heart but, well worth the effort.

h/t to Captain Capitalism and Scribd. Whither Gold

02-12-2012

Happy Jamhuri Day

Do you know what day this is? Yup, Lincoln's Birthday is correct. But, that's not the one I had in mind - it is also Jamhuri Day - Kenya's National Independence Day!

What's the big deal about that, you ask? Well, according to Barry Soetoro's grandma, it should be celebrated at the White House. Grandma says he was born there...oops.

It won't be, of course; the boys and girls at Tammany Hall will see to that. After all, "Boss Barry" has more important fish to fry - like those evil, heartless Republicans. No sense in bringing up all those pesky issues, from his past - like Photoshopped birth certificates, Reverend Wright, Bill Ayers, Tony Rezko and a certain (environmentally sensitive) hemi-powered Chrysler 300.

So, Happy Jamhuri Day, everyone and, just think, only two days until Valentine's Day - can't you feel the love?

Read more: 02-12-2012

So Long, Caterpillar

I began writing this article to showcase, what I increasingly believe is, Canada's dumbest city - London, ON. But, as I was researching the story, I discovered something fascinating about Google. More on that later.

First the Caterpillar story:

South Western Ontario, once a powerhouse of Canada's automobile (and related) manufacturing, is a shadow of its former self. Since 2007, plants have closed in Windsor, St. Thomas, and London. Windsor and St. Thomas are now basket cases and London, apparently, sees no reason why it shouldn't join the same club, as well.

Read more: So Long, Caterpillar

Foxconn

I have always thought that manufacturing jobs migrated to Asia because the West couldn't compete with their low labor rates.

This article, from the New York Times, no less, blows a massive hole in that premise.

It's a pretty long read, but well worth your time - a real eye opener! Click on the image to connect to the original article.

Let's Recap

Here are two of the most important reactions on this planet. Do you see the connection?

Photosynthesis: Chlorophyl + Photons + 6CO₂+ 6H₂O --> C₆H₁₂O₆+ 6O₂

Respiration: C₆H₁₂O₆+ 6O₂--> 6CO₂+ 6H₂O + Energy

They are essentially two sides of the same coin - we need plants to provide our oxygen and plants need us to provide their carbon dioxide.

Let's continue:

• What is the major greenhouse gas? If you guessed CO2, you are in error - the correct answer is...water vapour. Yup, humidity! Do the climate change set say we must control that, too?
• If global warming is happening, and homo sapiens is responsible, what ended the last ice age, 11,000 years ago? Could it have been that thermonuclear reactor we rotate around? Nah, aliens must have teleported SUV's back in time!
• The Hockey Stick Graph. A Canadian researcher pointed out the flaws. Apparently, it's OK to use the information that proves your case and ignore that which does not.
• Climategate. Essentially, they cooked the books to hide the decline in temperature, during the last decade.
• What about volcanoes? This is a shocker:

  Read more: Let's Recap

Affordable Housing

If you had any doubts that this City is still being run by Progressives, consider this story, by Jon Willing, from the Ottawa Sun:

The City of Ottawa wants to use the bulk of a $25.8-million grant to build or buy new affordable housing units.

The city is receiving the housing money from the upper-tier governments over four years, starting in 2011. The housing services branch is recommending using $21.3 million for capital projects — rather than rent supplements and housing allowances — since staff believe it’s the highest demand in Ottawa.

More than 200 units could be acquired with the money, a city housing report says.

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Sustainable Development

First imposed upon us by environmentalists (who knew), governments, at all levels, now throw this term around like it's a "fait acommpli" Lately, the private sector has also picked up the habit - like children copying their parents.

Just to give you a taste of this syrupy tripe, here's a little something I picked up from the City of Ottawa's web site:

"This theme concept would incorporate environmentally friendly and eco-conscious art and design. This concept promotes an approach to materials and mediums that consider natural elements and environmental sensitivity of the Ottawa area." No further commentary is necessary.

Read more: Sustainable Development