Dean Del Mastro, Conservative MP from Peterborough, you claim you are innocent of charges of illegal election spending? Numerous employees of a company were not paid $1050 so they could pay your campaign $1,000 donations? That you paid another company $21,000 and they reported only $1,500 as a campaign donation?
You deny theses allegations and all the employees are liars? Take a lie detector test. I dare you! Show an once of personal integrity. Man up instead of crying like a tiny little boy caught with his hands in the cookie jar.
You don't have a nut in your sac! If I was ever falsely accused of wrongdoing as you claim to be I would call a lawyer set up a lie detector test and publish the results. You wont do it because you're guilty. End of story! Don't cry anymore unless you resign your seat like a man with integrity.
Friday 27 September 2013
Tuesday 24 September 2013
Garth Wants His Pin Back
Canada rid itself of the Royal Honours system decades ago. You know it kills people like Brian Mulroney that he can't be Knighted by the Queen herself. Being Canadians we came up with a lessor way of honouring citizens that excel in their area of endeavour. The Order of Canada (OC). Not a big deal to the ordinary folk but for what passes for the "elite" in this country, they take great pride in wearing the OC pin on any item of clothing, even likely their PJ's should they be so inclined.
The media and political elite lobby hard and long for the day that they can display the OC pin. You can tell broadcaster Peter Mansbridge takes great delight in wearing the pin.
It is rare that an OC recipient is forced to return the medal and pin. Maybe only a handful of honourees have been asked to turn in the baubles for criminal convictions. Garth Drabinsky, lawyer and theatre Mogul, convicted and sent to prison for fraud and forgery is one such person. Drabinsky was in prison when his OC was taken away. He has since been released. He has hired counsel to win back the medal. Drabinsky wrote a 17-page letter and sent a copy of his biography while in prison to the powers that control the award. He doesn't believe that he got a fair hearing and is appealing to the Federal Court to reopen his file. As aside wouldn't the costs associated with this action be better directed to victims of the fraud, or investors that lost money in his productions?
You have to wonder if it is really worth the effort? Is it that valuable to wear the pin? The OC seems to be one of those odd awards that please the recipients far more than they impress the masses.
I recall that when Drabinsky was to be sentenced many prominent Canadians, many OC members no doubt, wrote letters of support to the judge to take it easy on one of their fellow members of the "elite". It was a credit to the judge that she did not treat him any differently than convicted criminals with a less impressive Rolodex.
If you go by the court of public opinion there is no way Garth is getting his OC back.
The media and political elite lobby hard and long for the day that they can display the OC pin. You can tell broadcaster Peter Mansbridge takes great delight in wearing the pin.
It is rare that an OC recipient is forced to return the medal and pin. Maybe only a handful of honourees have been asked to turn in the baubles for criminal convictions. Garth Drabinsky, lawyer and theatre Mogul, convicted and sent to prison for fraud and forgery is one such person. Drabinsky was in prison when his OC was taken away. He has since been released. He has hired counsel to win back the medal. Drabinsky wrote a 17-page letter and sent a copy of his biography while in prison to the powers that control the award. He doesn't believe that he got a fair hearing and is appealing to the Federal Court to reopen his file. As aside wouldn't the costs associated with this action be better directed to victims of the fraud, or investors that lost money in his productions?
You have to wonder if it is really worth the effort? Is it that valuable to wear the pin? The OC seems to be one of those odd awards that please the recipients far more than they impress the masses.
I recall that when Drabinsky was to be sentenced many prominent Canadians, many OC members no doubt, wrote letters of support to the judge to take it easy on one of their fellow members of the "elite". It was a credit to the judge that she did not treat him any differently than convicted criminals with a less impressive Rolodex.
If you go by the court of public opinion there is no way Garth is getting his OC back.
Who Are These People?
My employer purchased another company and is in the middle of merging the two operations. For the first time we met a small number of the "newcomers" in a neutral site. I find this very stressful, not because I'm worried about my job but because I have a hard time meeting new people. I find them all wanting. I assure you that the problem is mine, they are regular folks. I just find fault in all of them.
After 12 years I was just getting to know to my current co-workers and then they bring in this lot. I find people to be too eager to please and it forces them to lie. After painfully lame icebreaker exercises they asked everyone in the room to come up with one word to describe their feelings about the merger. "excited" "enthusiastic" "breathtaking" "exhilarating" "majestic". I was last to go: "angry". OK after a few room chuckles I changed it to "neutral". I was the only one that gave an honest answer. Most of them are deathly scared of losing their job. They seem like nice enough people had I taken the time to talk to them. An icebreaker for me is a couple of beers with them in a pub.
To quote my boss "D'Arcy, we like to take you out of your comfort zone" I don't want to leave my comfort zone. I like my comfort zone.
We even did a self-evaluation. Now if you think I'm hard on others, I'm pretty tough on myself. I had the lowest score in the room. I took a good look around that room and there is no way I should have had the lowest score. My friend Dawn gave herself a score in the mid-4's out of 5 in all categories. I wish we could get a glimpse of what she sees in herself. One of the "new" guys gave himself a perfect 5 out 5. I scored him a 5 in the annoying category. He must be taking a sabbatical from brain surgery to slum it in the insurance racket.
I remember the first day of every job I ever had. I hated that day because you didn't know anyone and you were the centre of attention. You could see the disappointment on the ladies faces. "I wasn't expecting much, but this guy couldn't even meet that low standard". You would sit in the cafeteria and the guy that was forced to take you to lunch looked like he had drawn the short straw. I even remember transferring schools in grade 7 in the middle of the school year. That was the worst experience. The kids were merciless. I still want to track down Janet D. and "scold" her 37-years later. I only take comfort that unless she married well she is likely clipping coupons somewhere.
I'm sure it will be OK after an adjustment period and we may even find a new Pub regular in the rabble.
After 12 years I was just getting to know to my current co-workers and then they bring in this lot. I find people to be too eager to please and it forces them to lie. After painfully lame icebreaker exercises they asked everyone in the room to come up with one word to describe their feelings about the merger. "excited" "enthusiastic" "breathtaking" "exhilarating" "majestic". I was last to go: "angry". OK after a few room chuckles I changed it to "neutral". I was the only one that gave an honest answer. Most of them are deathly scared of losing their job. They seem like nice enough people had I taken the time to talk to them. An icebreaker for me is a couple of beers with them in a pub.
To quote my boss "D'Arcy, we like to take you out of your comfort zone" I don't want to leave my comfort zone. I like my comfort zone.
We even did a self-evaluation. Now if you think I'm hard on others, I'm pretty tough on myself. I had the lowest score in the room. I took a good look around that room and there is no way I should have had the lowest score. My friend Dawn gave herself a score in the mid-4's out of 5 in all categories. I wish we could get a glimpse of what she sees in herself. One of the "new" guys gave himself a perfect 5 out 5. I scored him a 5 in the annoying category. He must be taking a sabbatical from brain surgery to slum it in the insurance racket.
I remember the first day of every job I ever had. I hated that day because you didn't know anyone and you were the centre of attention. You could see the disappointment on the ladies faces. "I wasn't expecting much, but this guy couldn't even meet that low standard". You would sit in the cafeteria and the guy that was forced to take you to lunch looked like he had drawn the short straw. I even remember transferring schools in grade 7 in the middle of the school year. That was the worst experience. The kids were merciless. I still want to track down Janet D. and "scold" her 37-years later. I only take comfort that unless she married well she is likely clipping coupons somewhere.
I'm sure it will be OK after an adjustment period and we may even find a new Pub regular in the rabble.
Sunday 22 September 2013
Interesting Developments at Bond Site
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| Look's like they added aggregate to base |
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| One week earlier |
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| It's like they are supporting east wall |
Saturday 21 September 2013
Swear Allegiance to a Foreign Queen
Go to love the Toronto Sun's ex-pat Aussie writer telling immigrants to Canada that they should leave this country if they do not want to swear allegiance to the Queen of England. The Australians got rid of that requirement by the way. I'm an immigrant to Canada and I served this country in the military. I'm not going to swear allegiance to your Queen and I'm not going to leave.
I challenge you to try and remove me from this country. This guy has been in Canada all of 2-years telling actual Canadians what to do.
By the way the Toronto Sun added a poll to their article with a question skewed to favour swearing the oath. The only problem is that the overwhelming majority voted against the oath. No matter how many times governments and courts want to convince us that the Queen is Canadian, the people aren't buying it.
I challenge you to try and remove me from this country. This guy has been in Canada all of 2-years telling actual Canadians what to do.
By the way the Toronto Sun added a poll to their article with a question skewed to favour swearing the oath. The only problem is that the overwhelming majority voted against the oath. No matter how many times governments and courts want to convince us that the Queen is Canadian, the people aren't buying it.
Monday 16 September 2013
Back on Fitness Trail
It has been a tough summer for me with poor eating and drinking habits. Rather than wait until January I'm starting now with proper eating and fitness goals. I returned to my sushi lunch and salad dinner tonight. I really let myself slip with the boat and all. I will only have sushi for lunch and salad for dinner unless I have a work function. Even then I will be careful what I eat. I wont give up alcohol until January but will try and cut back. I really have to get my act together all year.
I also booked my dermatologist appointment today for late October. Ten weeks from start to finish is disappointing but typical I'm afraid.
I also booked my dermatologist appointment today for late October. Ten weeks from start to finish is disappointing but typical I'm afraid.
Saturday 14 September 2013
We're Sorry Winnipeg!
We're sorry Winnipeg! I'm not sure what we did wrong but we apologise and promise not to do it again. We must have done something wrong as that is the only explanation I can think of why you sent Toronto your ex-mayor Glen Murray.
Murray is a train wreck. He finished last place in the Liberal leadership race and Kathleen Wynne felt an obligation to make him our Transportation Minister. How sad is it that our pathetic transit system is in the hands of Minister Murray, Rob Ford and Toronto hater Jim Flaherty? This will set back transportation another 20-years. Nothing will get done.
Murray runs roughshod over other levels of government and makes announcements about going it alone without consulting anyone. This is the same guy that threatened to rip up 20-years of transportation planning until Wynne reigned him in.
Quick somebody cut the City of Winnipeg a cheque for their Museum of Human Misery. Maybe it is not too late to take Murray back. Doesn't Nigel Wright, Harper's cheque writing former Chief of Staff, live in T.O.? He will write anyone a cheque. Do us a solid Nigel and get this Murray guy on the first flight back to Winnipeg.
The Toronto Star started the myth of Glen Murray. They trumpeted him as an urban guru who saved Winnipeg. It seems to me that the biggest promoter of Glen Murray is Glen Murray.
Murray is a train wreck. He finished last place in the Liberal leadership race and Kathleen Wynne felt an obligation to make him our Transportation Minister. How sad is it that our pathetic transit system is in the hands of Minister Murray, Rob Ford and Toronto hater Jim Flaherty? This will set back transportation another 20-years. Nothing will get done.
Murray runs roughshod over other levels of government and makes announcements about going it alone without consulting anyone. This is the same guy that threatened to rip up 20-years of transportation planning until Wynne reigned him in.
Quick somebody cut the City of Winnipeg a cheque for their Museum of Human Misery. Maybe it is not too late to take Murray back. Doesn't Nigel Wright, Harper's cheque writing former Chief of Staff, live in T.O.? He will write anyone a cheque. Do us a solid Nigel and get this Murray guy on the first flight back to Winnipeg.
The Toronto Star started the myth of Glen Murray. They trumpeted him as an urban guru who saved Winnipeg. It seems to me that the biggest promoter of Glen Murray is Glen Murray.
I Was Finally Called
I was called by the the dermatology department yesterday after 5-weeks of waiting. I'm desperate for treatment but I will not call them back. I know it is crazy but I have an unusual amount of integrity and decency. Treating people like dirt is not acceptable to me. I will wait for the second clinic to call me. I was told that wait may be 5-weeks as well. It has been 3-weeks so far. Even then I may have to wait an additional 2-months for treatment. My psoriasis has never been worse than it is right now. Do you think a member of Kathleen Wynne's cabinet would have to wait this long for treatment? The medical community in Ontario should be ashamed and embarrassed by the way they have treated me but we all know they don't give a shit.
Speaking of embarrassed and ashamed why wont Pamela Wallin and Mike Duffy resign their senate seats? It reminds me of renowned heart surgeon Senator Keon who was caught soliciting a prostitute in Ottawa. He threatened to resign his position in a cardiac surgery department but not his senate seat. It was the height on arrogance and entitlement. The perks and pension are too good to pass up. Wallin apologised to the people of Saskatchewan but not the people of her home province Ontario. Ontario has two disgraced senators, Wallin and Duffy. Two long time residents who pretend to reside elsewhere.
As a citizen of Canada I hereby demand the resignations of Senators Wallin & Duffy. I will give you until next Tuesday at sundown to resign after which I will hold you in contempt and induct you into my Hall of Dishonour.
Never a big fan of ex-mayor David Miller but he has it right about TFC soccer team. MLSE took the most rabid fans in the MLS and frittered it away with inept management a complete disregard for the in game experience. I honestly believe that MLS should take over the team, suspend it for a couple of years and bring in new ownership. Fold it up and start from scratch. One day they may field a winning team but they will never recover the fan base that they alienated. They are gone forever.
Speaking of embarrassed and ashamed why wont Pamela Wallin and Mike Duffy resign their senate seats? It reminds me of renowned heart surgeon Senator Keon who was caught soliciting a prostitute in Ottawa. He threatened to resign his position in a cardiac surgery department but not his senate seat. It was the height on arrogance and entitlement. The perks and pension are too good to pass up. Wallin apologised to the people of Saskatchewan but not the people of her home province Ontario. Ontario has two disgraced senators, Wallin and Duffy. Two long time residents who pretend to reside elsewhere.
As a citizen of Canada I hereby demand the resignations of Senators Wallin & Duffy. I will give you until next Tuesday at sundown to resign after which I will hold you in contempt and induct you into my Hall of Dishonour.
Never a big fan of ex-mayor David Miller but he has it right about TFC soccer team. MLSE took the most rabid fans in the MLS and frittered it away with inept management a complete disregard for the in game experience. I honestly believe that MLS should take over the team, suspend it for a couple of years and bring in new ownership. Fold it up and start from scratch. One day they may field a winning team but they will never recover the fan base that they alienated. They are gone forever.
Sunday 8 September 2013
Let Me Tell You This About That
It is Ana Maria's birthday today. We had a great turnout at her party on the roof top patio of the Tap House. The H family recounts a story that Ana Maria was such a beautiful baby that people from far off villages would travel to see her like the Baby Jesus. People would stop her mom in the streets to stare at the perfect baby. Apparently M did not attract the same attention as a baby. It's controversial!
M is considering converting to Judaism. She has observed that the Jewish people tend to punch above their weight class in the financial world. I tried to advise her that it was not quit that simple, but it would open up contacts in the business community. Plus she would get a few extra holidays. It reminds me of the Seinfeld line when his gentile dentist converted to Judaism, "He converted for the jokes".
M asked me if there were any fashion restrictions for Jewish women, I stated that I did not think so but you would be expected to wear sensible shoes. This may be an issue.
The Scientologists opened an anti-psychiatry exhibit next door to my condo. They are starting to make a lot of sense to me. I told them that I would convert if they opened an anti-dermatology booth.
M is considering converting to Judaism. She has observed that the Jewish people tend to punch above their weight class in the financial world. I tried to advise her that it was not quit that simple, but it would open up contacts in the business community. Plus she would get a few extra holidays. It reminds me of the Seinfeld line when his gentile dentist converted to Judaism, "He converted for the jokes".
M asked me if there were any fashion restrictions for Jewish women, I stated that I did not think so but you would be expected to wear sensible shoes. This may be an issue.
The Scientologists opened an anti-psychiatry exhibit next door to my condo. They are starting to make a lot of sense to me. I told them that I would convert if they opened an anti-dermatology booth.
Saturday 7 September 2013
Con Job
Sue-Ann Levy of the Toronto Sun defence of Conservative finance critic Peter Shurman is so pathetic that she should change her job title from Queens Park columnist to Conservative Party shill. Invoking the Jewish holidays into her defence is mind numbing.
Peter Shurman represents the Toronto suburb of Thornhill and yet collects a housing allowance to rent a Toronto apartment. That is wrong pure and simple. The fact that he bought a home in Niagara-on-the-Lake and claims that is his primary residence should offend the people of Thornhill. The taxpayers of Ontario should not pay for his Toronto apartment. That he is the Cons chief finance critic effects his credibility. Hudak signed off on the scam which challenges his claims as a watchdog on financial issues. They were gaming the system to line their own pockets. People know that the purpose of the subsidy is that an MPP from say Thunder Bay can keep his home in T-Bay while maintaining an apartment in the capital Toronto. It is not for local MPP's to buy retirement homes on the Niagara peninsula while the taxpayers pay for your local apartment.
It has been 5-weeks since I was first referred to a dermatologist and 2-weeks since I went to second clinic for a referral. I am still waiting for a phone call to set up an appointment. Some people think I'm paranoid to think there is a conspiracy to blackball me in the dermatology community because I dared to criticise them. I'll let you know if I receive a call back.
Peter Shurman represents the Toronto suburb of Thornhill and yet collects a housing allowance to rent a Toronto apartment. That is wrong pure and simple. The fact that he bought a home in Niagara-on-the-Lake and claims that is his primary residence should offend the people of Thornhill. The taxpayers of Ontario should not pay for his Toronto apartment. That he is the Cons chief finance critic effects his credibility. Hudak signed off on the scam which challenges his claims as a watchdog on financial issues. They were gaming the system to line their own pockets. People know that the purpose of the subsidy is that an MPP from say Thunder Bay can keep his home in T-Bay while maintaining an apartment in the capital Toronto. It is not for local MPP's to buy retirement homes on the Niagara peninsula while the taxpayers pay for your local apartment.
It has been 5-weeks since I was first referred to a dermatologist and 2-weeks since I went to second clinic for a referral. I am still waiting for a phone call to set up an appointment. Some people think I'm paranoid to think there is a conspiracy to blackball me in the dermatology community because I dared to criticise them. I'll let you know if I receive a call back.
Thursday 5 September 2013
Harper Economy
The Canadian economy is lagging behind the US in growth under Harper. Canada's GDP retracted in June and has been growing at 1.7% compared to 2.7% in the US under Obama's leadership.
Harper and Flaherty are complete failures when it comes to the economy. They squandered a $13B surplus left to them by Paul Martin prior to the recession and have ran up record deficits since then.
As an investor I have watched the NYSE reach record levels while the TSX has never fully recovered from the crash of 2008. The TSX was 2,000 points ahead of the NYSE but now lags 2,000 points behind.
We are led by socially conservative, fiscally incompetent, tea sipping, crumpet eating losers in Ottawa. The corporations that they favour with tax breaks are hoarding cash while consumers prop up the economy by spending and increasing personal debt. The tar sands oil is selling for a huge discount on the open market over $30 a barrel. Most Canadians are unaware that oil from the tar sands sell well below the Texas crude benchmark.
I can't wait for the next election when we send Harper's paper thin cabinet off to their taxpayer funded retirement.
Harper and Flaherty are complete failures when it comes to the economy. They squandered a $13B surplus left to them by Paul Martin prior to the recession and have ran up record deficits since then.
As an investor I have watched the NYSE reach record levels while the TSX has never fully recovered from the crash of 2008. The TSX was 2,000 points ahead of the NYSE but now lags 2,000 points behind.
We are led by socially conservative, fiscally incompetent, tea sipping, crumpet eating losers in Ottawa. The corporations that they favour with tax breaks are hoarding cash while consumers prop up the economy by spending and increasing personal debt. The tar sands oil is selling for a huge discount on the open market over $30 a barrel. Most Canadians are unaware that oil from the tar sands sell well below the Texas crude benchmark.
I can't wait for the next election when we send Harper's paper thin cabinet off to their taxpayer funded retirement.
Tuesday 3 September 2013
Labour Day Weekend
I was on the Brawler 4-times this weekend including a trip out with my parents and 3 brothers, the entire D'Arcy clan on Friday. It was great to get the parents on board before they head out on an Atlantic cruise, piloted by a much more competent Captain. The lake was in the roughest condition when the parents were out forcing us to BBQ at the dock.
I did learn a valuable lesson on Tuesday. It is a good idea to take up the anchor before leaving an anchored position. The anchor chain became tangled into the area below the starboard props. I appear to have avoided damage to the propellers. I was forced to dive into the water to untangle the chain. At first I could not start the engine but later I was able to get it started.
We had to cut away the anchor rope but we did save the anchor and chain. I was able to get to the marine store and order a new rope to be spliced into the chain. It could have been a lot worse.
Some people were on me for not having swam in Lake Ontario, well now I have taken a dip and it was a working swim as I untangled the chain 3 feet below the waterline. The water temperature was 21C so not too cold.
I did learn a valuable lesson on Tuesday. It is a good idea to take up the anchor before leaving an anchored position. The anchor chain became tangled into the area below the starboard props. I appear to have avoided damage to the propellers. I was forced to dive into the water to untangle the chain. At first I could not start the engine but later I was able to get it started.
We had to cut away the anchor rope but we did save the anchor and chain. I was able to get to the marine store and order a new rope to be spliced into the chain. It could have been a lot worse.
Some people were on me for not having swam in Lake Ontario, well now I have taken a dip and it was a working swim as I untangled the chain 3 feet below the waterline. The water temperature was 21C so not too cold.
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