Radical Thinking leads to Rational Thought

On one of those political listservs, NL Politics, I often engage in quite provocative exchanges and discussions with other interested parties. Whilst we don't always agree, out of debate (and yes, discourse) can sometimes come novel ideas worth sharing. This is one of those. What does this have to do with Labrador, the South Coast specifically, or Newfoundland and Labrador in general? Read, and decide for yourselves.

A New Energy Policy for N.A.F.T.A.

What's wrong with legislating an energy policy for the entire country?

One that sees a benchmark for domestic oil used for domestic production, for domestic consumption at $50 a bbl? And a formula that says for every $1 on a barrel of oil = 1¢ on a liter of any fuel?

It's a pretty simple idea: Set aside so much production for domestic consumption and legislate/regulate the price to protect the economy and prevent poverty: Seeing as energy is the catalyst for all aspects of life these days. Apply the same formula to natural gas and hydro.

Is this too radical an idea? Is governed capitalism too socialistic?

As for the carbon tax, after the benchmark for fuel pricing has been set, then add a carbon tax that is progressive in nature. A carbon tax on fuel hogging personal vehicles, but not on semi's and the like. A progressive carbon tax on electricity as well, no tax on your first $250 bill, but after that, incremental increases in the tax.

I realize this is all very Chavexian (new term coined, yay me!) in theory. I realize it's all quite a bit like it has been touched by the ghost of Karl Marx, but that isn't the case.

I believe economic stability and national security for both Canada and the United States, as well as Newfoundland&Labrador lies in energy stability. Why do you think there is such a push on to make Canada and Newfoundland&Labrador energy warehouses? Why? Because the primary interest of the USofA is National Security and that can only be achieved through economic stability, and central to that is stability in the energy market.

This is very much a capitalist approach, and the NAFTA renegotiation that Hillary dared speak of (let slip is more like it) is on the minds of all three present candidates in the great republic just south of us. Our cousins in the lower 48, Alaska and Hawaii. And certainly on the minds of PM Harper, Messrs Dion, Ignatieff and Ray, as well as Presidente Felipe De Jesus Calderon Hinojosa.

If our NAFTA economy can be planned and managed, in general terms, with economic stability in mind, then all countries win. If our NAFTA economy can be protected and thus our National security, then we must stabilize the one commodity that unites all: energy in all its various forms.

I believe that a new economic tenet has to be resolved in the hearts of all capitalists and governments in the new world first, and then adopted by other free nations: Basic commodities that are building blocks of human survival must be exempt from normal controls and also from free-for-all market forces. Such commodities must include, but not be limited to: energy, water, oxygen and soil... which just happen to be the main elements (Earth, Wind, Fire, Water).

Perhaps I'm getting a little loopy off my Jack & Coke. Perhaps I'm making sense.

Doctor's Visits

This came to me as a non-funny joke, from my good friend Dave Callahan, Mayor of St. George's on Newfoundland's west coast. I thought it was very worthy of publishing here, and I'm sure you will agree!

TWO DIFFERENT DOCTORS' OFFICES!!!



So true it isn't funny!





Boy, if this doesn't hit the nail on the head, I don't know what does!

Two patients limp into two different medical clinics, with the same complaint. Both have trouble walking, and appear to require a hip replacement.

The FIRST patient is examined within the hour, is x-rayed the same day, and has a time booked for surgery the following week.




The SECOND sees his family doctor, after waiting 3 weeks for an appointment, then waits 8 weeks to see a specialist, then gets an x-ray, which isn't reviewed for another week, and finally has his surgery scheduled, for a month from then.

Why the different treatment for the two patients?



The FIRST is a Golden Retriever.
The SECOND is a Senior Citizen.

Next time take me to a vet!

Happy Easter

I post this with respect to all those who practice a different faith, or choose not to practice any faith or religion. I am a Christian, and this post reflects my personal beliefs.

Happy Easter everyone. This is likely my last post for about a week, as I'm taking a short family vacation to warmer and sandier climes. I wish you all the best and hope you might share in the joy of knowing Christ is risen!

God bless you all,

Ward

Election? What Election?

This is one of those posts that is bound to make some folks uncomfortable, and bound to cause me grief for daring to stand up and tell the truth. If there's anything I've learned, it's that you don't dare go against the Old Boys' Club. So here I go... I'm going against the Old Boys' Club! Again.

I just finished reading an interesting article in McLean's online:

Click Me!

I think you'll find it interesting. It would seem that no one has an appetite for, at least not any political party per se. The Liberals, badly in debt, cannot really sustain the cost of a hard-fought election right now. The recent results from their 4 bi-elections would also give them pause before attempting to crash Harper's bizarre. (sorry, I had to beat Peter Whittle to that one)
... but they are certainly doing their best to crash Harper's Party! There really is a Blue Majority in Ottawa now, even though I should call it "The Purple Majority" as there are so many Liberals propping up Harper's government. It makes one wonder!

Here is a party with a large crew of Lieutenants on hand: Martha, Bob, Iggy and yes, Stephane. And no one seems in a rush to challenge the electorate for their opinion on who should govern us and Canada. Makes you wonder! I wonder what is on the go? I wonder is there a leader in that bunch?

And indeed I do wonder, especially when I hear of an MP get up and give a long poetic speech in the beat stylings of Dr. Seuss's "Green Eggs & Ham", who I hear is the single biggest hold-up to any Canadian Government investment in Labrador... why? Because they can't get along with him! I used to only hear this from Conservative MPs, hacks and cronies, and insiders...but now I get phonecalls from Liberals in Labrador (and St. John's, Labrador's present capitol, since it's no longer Battle Harbor) telling me "You know, if it wasn't for him, we'd have those soldiers here now. We'd have massive developments. But how on earth do you get a long with someone who votes against everything you do, everything you say... calls the Prime Minister of the land an outright liar in the face of parliamentary rules and now starts spouting Doctor Seuss in the House of Commons!" All that was missing was a beret, a drummer and stand-up bassist and a lot of smoke...man...

Enough is Enough. Maybe it is time for an election after all, something to shake things up. We need something better for Labrador. We need more. Labrador seems like Canada's Tibet, at least in treatment... and we certainly are not helping ourselves!

Political Reconciliation & Randy Simms.

Hi all,
Just a little update. In my last disposition on the gripes and grudges of now unemployed or underemployed former Liberal Staffers... I wasn't taking any broad sweeping shots at individuals I know and speak highly of. It's just a point of reference to a cultural phenomenon we see in politics: "Everything the other guy does is wrong!"

Speaking of which, my good friend Peter Whittle at his blog "Paradox and Polemic" writes an interesting post about Randy Simms' latest column in the other newspaper (http://wwww.thetelegram.com). It's worth reading and I think you'll find that Randy Simms' last editorial is not unlike my posts here.

Let's try to mend some fences and build allies wherever possible. Mr. Loyola Hearn is far from our enemy. He is locked in what seems to be a grudgefest as to whom is the more powerful NL politician with those we have elected to represent us in St. John's.

Time for some Political Reconciliation

You know, nothing bugs me more than commentary that is so politically charged by personal grievance and agenda that all issues and judgment are clouded.

Look at the take from LIEberal blogs. Every FIBeral out there has lost a job, a promotion, ground, reputation, pride, privilege and ENTITLEMENT thanks to the election of the Conservatives in Ottawa and the Progressive-Conservatives in St. John's. So what's the job at hand?

Well, for starters there's the constant shots at everything even PM Harper or Pm Williams does. Let's face it, Danny and Steve are not friends and will probably never meet for morning prayer, afternoon golf, and an evening poker game...not literally, anyhow. But each in his own capacity has become one the greatest leaders in his own domain. "Steve" is quite frankly the best Prime Minister for Canada in about 40 years. Now, he's a terrible Canadian PM for Newfoundland and Labrador, pretty bad for Saskatchewan too, and despite their delusions, very poor vis-à-vis Nova Scotia too. But for most every other corner of Canada, he's just what the doctor ordered. Beleagured and incompetent Premier of Ontario, Dalton McGuinty, may feel otherwise, but there's incredible calm in QC NB ON, PE, MB, SK, AB, BC, NU, NW and YK. Good for them... not so good for us.

Williams is not without his strengths and faults either. We see great abundance in the capitol region, and in Lab West. Some signs of prosperity seem to flow forth from Nunatsiavut and HVGB... and Come By Chance/Southern HArbor/Arbold's Cove to Clarenville, but just like NL is LEFT OUT of the Canadian Federation, so are many parts of NL. There is no plan in place for the Labrador Métis homeland of Southern Labrador, certainly no the straights or the Northern Pen of NL, nor Bay St. George...Corner Brook has it's fingers crossed, Grand Falls-Winsor is turning from Industrial pride to sleepy little retirement community and the same is true for the vast majority of municipalities in our fair land (and once proud country).

So do these FIBerals offer something for these less blessed areas of Labrador and Newfoundland that the CONservatives do not offer?

Sure, a different set of broken promises and more lies, lies and damned lies.

So where's my point in all that preamble? Where's my 'word of wisdom' arising from all that rhetoric. Well, I wouldn't claim I offer much wisdom, just a knack for the obvious.

PM Harper, "Steve" as his pals call him, is trying to make peace with the Canadian Liberal Party, giving just credit to the LPC for understanding how to govern and fight a war, and giving Stephane Dion, the other "Steve", a chance to stand-up and develop into a good political leader all for the general benefit of governance.

It is now high-time for NL Politicians of all stripes and addresses (postal codes starting with A or otherwise) to mend some fences, stand together on issues that matter.

It shouldn't take Afghanistan to set an example, it can start right here, in Newfoundland and Labrador...and perhaps it can start with political pundits present and currently unemployed (or underemployed, as they lick their wounds in opposition), and spread to communications directors and politicians.

Email me: wardpike@gmail.com if you think I'm off base.

READ ANY GOOD BLOGS LATELY?

Hey folks, just over to the right of this here block of white text is a list of links...and whilst there are some interesting blogs, there're also a couple of them I would like to describe as:

Bondpapers = Ed Hollett. Former Liberal staffer under Tobin- Grimes era. This poor soul is so full of resentment and jealousy it's enough to really make you pity him. He used to work for me at the Independent (indirectly as he was a columnist reporting to the Interim Editor at the time), and he is not quite as vapid in person as his writing is... but it's really close!

His latest swipe at Ron Ellsworth - a self-made bayman who's done well for himself, has a heart of gold and does more selfless acts to help others than I can name, well Ed's latest swipe from his ivory tower is pathetic.

Labradore = Wally J Maclean. Former Liberal staffer for Lawrence O'Brien, and curently employed in some sort of unqualified capacity for Todd, to do "research" which I (and many many others) are convinced is nothing more than to surf the internet all day long and read other peoples' blogs, keep secret lists of free-thinkers, like the gestapo, and take out his HATE AND LOATHING on the Premier or anyone in Newfoundland at any time. Wally is so full of hate, he should be promoted to honourary Canadian President of the KLU KLUX KLAN. Just go ahead and read his filth, if you need proof.

So what's worth reading? A new blog from my friend (and sometimes political enemy) Peter L Whittle. http://www.polemicandparadox.com/
This is worth reading. Another bayman, like myself and Ron Ellsworth who actually wants to make a difference... whether or not his bay is Fortune Bay, Gander Bay, or (in my case) Goose Bay. And by that, make a difference in the capitol of Labrador and Newfoundland: St. John's.

Kindest regards, beware the bitterness and hatred mentioned above!

Latest Newfie Jokes...

So, there seems to be a lot of controversy "manufactured" "Created" and exaggerated by some folks who want to do nothing more but take shots at Loyola Hearn for any reason!

Here's the offensive joke:
So there's this tourist travelling across Canada, and he decides to visit one church in every province that he stops in. So he gets off the plane in British Columbia and visits a church, and they have a phone line directly to heaven that costs 100 dollars to use. He doesn't use it, of course, because that's an obscene price for a phone call, period. So he heads out to Alberta and finds that at the next church they have the same line to heaven, but this one costs 80 dollars. Thinking there might be pattern to this, his next stop is a church in Ontario and sure enough, there's another phone line to heaven and it costs 50 dollars. He heads to New Brunswick next, where it costs 20 dollars, and finally he runs out of room to head east in Canada and makes his last stop in a church here in Newfoundland, where he discovers that the line to heaven is only 25 cents - the reason being, of course, that he's already there.

While he's stopped over in Newfoundland he hears someone mention that they've got the same thing over in Ireland; so obviously, he jumps at the chance to continue his investigation of these bizarre heavenly phones. Of course, when he gets there, he realises they have a totally different pricing scheme on the other side of the pond, and he's told that it'll cost him about 300 pounds to use their line to heaven. Naturally, he makes the call and then leaves his wife behind.

Dear Joan Burke: Get your head straight! You weren't even there, and there's nothing offensive about this in any way shape or form. Funny how women tell husband jokes all the time from stages and we all laugh? Honest to God, nothing looks funnier than you right now!

Dear Lorraine Michaels: 300 pounds refers to 300 pounds sterling, not your weight...or any one else's. You know what's offensive? Your obvious lack of any grip on reality.

but finally...
Dear Yvonne Jones;
KUDOS TO YOU!! You were right, there's nothing offensive here. We need to get on to bigger issues.

If there was ever anything that made me wake up and take notice it was Ms. Jones' common sense comments. I am truly impressed.


now if we can just get the stick out of society's arse...

But in all fairness...

In all fairness to other parties running in this election, there are certainly reasons to vote otherwise than by party line. How do we elect individuals who can actually make a difference if we only vote by old conventions, long-held biases and opinions and steadfast beliefs that we have to support the party we have always chosen?

There are examples of two other ways to vote in this election:
1. Vote to elect the best MHA for your area. Perhaps in the current district you are in, the person who represents it makes a great cabinet minister or adds diversity to government but is the pits of an MHA. Consider how connected to the people s/he is but also consider how effective the individual is when it comes to actually achieving something for the district without driving nuts all others connected to the reins of power. Exanmple? Kevin Aylward when he was MHA for Stephenville. Party affiliation meant little to Kevin in the grand scheme of things, Kevin was all about his district, his people and building bridges to achieve what he could for his constituents and really put himself lower on the list of priorities.

2. Vote to elect someone who can make a real difference. IN this instance, an individual who brings something to government or at least the House of Assembly (or Parliament) that is desperately needed. I think a great example of this is the former leader of the Liberal Party in Newfoundland who had the knife driven in and twisted in his back by the elite of his own Liberal party. I speak of Jim Bennett, of course.

"Now Ward" you say "These are clearly two Liberals, and you are clearly anti-Liberal". Not exactly correct. I am anti mantra, anti Kool-Aid. I am clearly against hatred voting and getting caught up in the BS I'm hearing coming out of this campaign.

Here we have the greatest Premier in our history, not Bond perhaps, but one of the closest since. And he's being attacked on issues that are minute in comparison to great things that have been achieved by his government.

Should there be ample Labrador power available to all Labradorians? OF COURSE! Clearly a terrible mis-speak or omission in the releases that came forward concerning the new Energy Plan. But this is easy to address, and redress is hardly even necessary as it will be a part of the implementation. The Lower Churchill power has to run on the Provincial Power Grid, not an isolated transmission line with the words "Nyahh ne Nyahh nyah, no soup for you!" adorning banners strewn from it.

Be well! Vote for the future, not based on past grievances.