Saturday, 24 May 2014

Rosario Marchese Local MPP


Rosario Marchese

I lived in Trinity Spadina riding for 5-years before I knew who our local provincial MPP was. I'm politically engaged and I had no idea who represented our riding in Queen's Park. Rosario Marchese is the NDP local MLA. If you have never heard of him that is not a reflection on you. This guy could not be more invisible. If we sent an orange  pylon to Queen's Park we would be better off. A rainbow butt monkey would be of more use. At least it would be entertaining.

I worked with a guy that was once an assistant to a Windsor Liberal MLA. Fellow Liberals had a nickname for the former Liberal MPP for Trinity Spadina, Tony Ianno, the name was The Empty Chair. Rosario Marchese is less engaged than Tony Ianno.

The fact that we can't elect a person better than Rosario Marchese is a disgrace. We deserve better. I'm asking local Italians in my riding not to vote for a guy because he is an ethnic Italian. Every single Italian Canadian that has represented us has been a disgrace. Tony Ianno, Joe Pantalone, Rosario Marchese, all of them empty suits, men without substance and a solid work ethic. Invisible reps that collect a paycheque but do nothing for the riding.

I'm begging you Italian Canadians to look beyond the ethnic background of the local candidate and vote for competence. Rosario Marchese is not good enough to represent you or me at Queen's Park. We can and should do better.

Saturday, 17 May 2014

Cardinal Sin

I note that Toronto's Catholic Cardinal is calling out Justin Trudeau on his abortion stand, just as I predicted. I haven't heard the Cardinal's position on helping the poor or disadvantaged. Don't know what his position is on the state of aboriginal reserves in northern Ontario.

Another elitist Catholic icon, living in a Rosedale mansion, fighting the only issue that matters to the western Catholic Church. The poor in developed countries will have to find another champion.

Do me a favour Cardinal Collins, let me know who you support in every Toronto election, so I can know who not to vote for.

The Queen's Beaver

The original name for my boat was going to be The Queen's Beaver. A tribute to two icons of Canadiana. It was only my timid nature and fear of a backlash from Royalty worshippers, that misread the name, that prevented me from naming the boat. I'm sure that our closeted Foreign Minister John Baird would be appalled. The addition of the swim platform this year will allow me to rename the boat. I will affix The Queens Beaver to the swim platform this summer. I have ordered the name today.

I'm a home town hero. My hole-in-one was mentioned in the Hamilton Spectator. While I left Hamilton 30-years ago I'm sure mention of my name aroused some derision and groaning in The Hammer. "I remember that loser, whatever became of him?". As is typical of my experience in Hamilton, my rare sporting triumph was one-upped by a local Italian dude. He claims that he hit a hole-in-one on the same hole, with the same 6-iron club, but from 30-yards further away. Listen I'm not questioning the veracity of his claim, but my experience going to school with Italian males from The Hammer is that exaggeration and stretching of the truth is not unheard of. I'm sure his feat is legit, just not as sure as my own hole-in-one.

My friend Dawn an Italian lady from The Hammer, which is far more credible, has another friend that makes trophies. Through her I have commissioned a hole-in-one trophy. I was thinking of a 4-foot tall mega trophy, but was talked down from that idea. An understated yet elegant 6-inch trophy may have to do. As I intend to bring the trophy with me as I travel I don't want something that will be difficult to carry.

Sunday, 11 May 2014

Justin Trudeau & the Catholic Vote

I think Justin Trudeau made a mistake by only allowing pro-choice candidates to run for his Liberal Party. He underestimates the bully pulpit of an increasingly right-wing Catholic church run by cranky old priests who push the anti-abortion issue over all others, including advocating for the poor. I don't know how many parishioners listen to their priests on how to vote, but there is enough of them to swing  a few ridings.

One of my co-workers was talking about her daughters upcoming confirmation into the Catholic church. I brought up my longstanding view that confirmation should take place as an adult when a a person can make an informed decision about whether they believe in the tenants of the church.

I do not believe in the Catholic church, Christianity or any other religion. I note that the majority of people I know do not believe in any organised religion or even God. The more we know about science,  the 13.5 Billion year old universe, 4.5 Billion year old earth and the fact that humans have lived on the planet for such a short time, any clear thinking person should question that man was made in God's image, or is a chosen life form of a creator. The Catholic church still counts me as a member, as you can not resign from the church in their minds. It doesn't help their numbers.

The more a read about old style Liberals like Tony Ianno and Warren Kinsella whine about Trudeau preventing Christine Innes from running in Trinity-Spadina the more I think I will vote Liberal in the by-election. I'm not a fan of Adam Vaughan but I would like to see the Liberals take the riding.

KJ's Wedding Queen St. Venue & Cake



Sunday, 4 May 2014

Eventful Weekend

We put the Irish Brawler back into the water Saturday morning. We then attended a TFC soccer match only to learn that the Brawler had a leak. The matter was taken care of and the Brawler is now safe and seaworthy. The repairs that were made over the winter required a new part that was ordered and the boat is ready for summer cruising when the weather turns.

While two golfing holidays this Spring failed to improve my game, I played my first round in Canada on Sunday. I'n pleased to report that I made my first ever hole-in-one on the 13th hole at Willow-Valley Golf Course in Mt. Hope, ON. The hole was playing 155 yards with a stiff wind. I shot the ball onto the right side off the green and it trickled into the hole. My brother Brian was the witness. We reported the event to the pro-shop. This course adds names to a plaque in the clubhouse. My name will be featured in the local Hamilton newspaper. I saved the ball and will have it mounted onto a tasteful trophy stand. I am considering a neck tattoo to commemorate the feat.

The Brawler is Back in Business