Random Thoughts – Crossroads, Missed Messages, Political Weakness and More
July 2, 2021
1. I recently finished reading Crossroads, a book written by Kaleb Dahlgren, a member of the Humboldt Broncos team whose bus was involved in that tragic crash years ago. It was a good read, but like so many other hockey and sports books I’ve read, it included yet another reference to binge drinking as he threw in a nonchalant reference about what they used as a beer funnel. It would be bad enough with adults, but bear in mind these are 16- to 20-year-old kids. It’s one of things I just don’t get and I’m proud of that.
2. As someone who openly publishes my email address on my website, I continue to be astounded as to why so many choose to send me messages through Facebook instead. Seriously, is it not obvious enough? Do I need to put it in bigger font? Maybe have it in flashing red?
2a. If you are one of those people who prefer to dig around and find me on Facebook rather than read something that’s right in front of your nose, are you aware that most such messages are filtered unless we’re friends? I’ve missed many of those messages and if you’re nose is out of joint because I haven’t responded, I likely haven’t seen it.
3. As governments in Canada continue to wage war against their own people, the dangers of government monopolies have become glaringly obvious, most notably with health care. When the government pulled the rug out from underneath us, it highlighted how badly a private system is needed in this country. No, the American system isn’t perfect. But there’s no point in having “free” health care if your government won’t let you access it or if you end up dying on a waiting list.
4. As our politicians grow increasingly drunk on dictatorial powers, it also highlights the urgent need for constitutionally protected right of recall legislation.
4a. Care to guess as to how well Doug Ford would fare if there was a leadership review in his own party?
4b. If we are giving these “public health officials” government powers, shouldn’t they also be elected by the people just like the politicians?
5. During the last municipal election, the ghost of Jim Bradley cited the need for enough representation as the reason he opposed shrinking the number of politicians in Niagara. There’s certainly no shortage of politicians. But we have next to no representation at any level of government right now.
6. The onus should always be on your doctor to convince you as to why you should be taking a specified treatment or drug, not on you to defend why you’re not.
7. Spotted on Facebook: Imagine if there was a 99.7% chance you wouldn't get cancer, but you were forced to go on chemo, just in case.
8. Remember that the following were all once promoted as being “safe”:
- Smoking
- Asbestos
- Lead piping
- Silicone gel breast implants
- Knob and tube wiring
9. As we endure the greatest human-rights crisis in this country’s history, I don’t know what disgusts me more. The likes of Justin Trudeau and Doug Ford or the silence of the Conservative Party. Yes, Erin O’Toole and Krystina Waler, my local candidate, I’m talking to you. As she curls up in the fetal position, Krystina is doing more to ensure Chris Bittle’s re-election than anyone on his campaign team. Canada does not need a second Liberal party. We need a common-sense conservative option. Which is why I’ll likely be voting PPC in the next federal election. That is, assuming I’ll be allowed to vote.
9a. The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
10. Every time I remember that I actually shook hands with Doug Ford and Christine Elliott, I want to go wash my hands with Varsol.
11. Canadians will forever be indebted to the triumvirate of Randy Hillier, Maxime Bernier and Derek Sloan. In the words of Winston Churchill, never before has so much been owed by so many to so few.
12. Blind obedience is not a virtue.
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