Recently, Dr. Barbara Perry, Director of the Centre on Hate, Bias and Extremism at Ontario Tech University, wrote an essay for Maclean’s Magazine, “Far-right politics will fuel extremism.” [ See FAR-RIGHT POLITICS ]

Dr. Perry states the roots of right-wing extremism, and hate, in our society stem from a range of sources, from Donald Trump to COVID-19 to the rise of far-right groups. There is no disagreement with Dr. Perry’s claim but she may be too myopic in this claim. Her claim is based on the alarming growth of hate crimes within the last decade, the same period where the use of electronic devices and posting to social media also rose at a phenomenal rate.

The sources of hate are not the cause but are the leading age symptoms of this age of hate in which we live. Hate has been sown by people, parents, politicians and teachers. All these social factions have increased their use of technology and that use has given them the opportunity of publishing outlandish, polarized commentaries on social media, anonymously without repercussions or accountability. Social media became the Wild West of extreme opinions with no accountability, no answerability. In its early days, anyone could write whatever extreme view they wanted without worrying about defending themselves or justifying their position. Today some Internet-based companies are being called to question what they permit on their sites and with their apps.

The wild west of technology grew wilder! People wrote without regard for ethical considerations, moral gauging or social principles of justice, equality and fair play. The atmosphere on the Internet became open season for prejudicial racism and social denigration. The earlier days of social moderation of outlandish announcements disappeared. The parents, teachers and leaders who admonished such misbehaviour were gone. Those who taught the young behaviour based on respect and regard for authority were no more and youth will test the waters, and push the envelope to see what limits exist when unmoderated and taught.

Thanks to that changing atmosphere, those who respect authority with “Yes sir; no sir; I’m sorry; I apologize,” are the minority and diminishing in number with the rise of the use of technology. Where are the majority of teachers who taught courtesy, manners and decorum? The teaching of etiquette and manners died with Emily Post, ‘The American Mistress of Manners.’ Parents reprimanded children sent home for misbehaviour at school long ago. Today, the teacher is at risk of repercussions for reprimanding misbehaving students.

The seeds sown above grow deeper with the anonymity of the Internet. A remark of questionable offence that would not see the light of a second day in past times, today finds the critic of the remark chastised and criticized. No wonder the authors of Internet hate feel free to write as they please. Worse still, these same writers see themselves as independent, totally free of authority. They are independent autocrats without applicable social or political controls. They have total ownership of ‘free speech,’ saying what they want with total disregard for any moderation or limitation. Anonymity, the added bulwark to their free speech means unbridled autocracy under the guise of ‘personal freedom.’

The vicious circle grows as more volatile hate is spewed on the Internet. The leaderless vacuum in which this hatred is published has no parental or classroom controls imposed on the young minds that develop in this uncontrolled environment. Those who might speak out in defence of respect and decorum are intimidated and bullied into muted submission. 

Dr. Perry, take a closer look at the sources of right-wing extremism and hate in our society. There may be other more likely possibilities than those you claim

There’s an addendum to this article…see the end of the article.

Recently, a commentary written by Councillor Lisa Robinson was published in The Oshawa/Durham Central Newspaper. It is important that many people be informed about what the councillor wrote.

Councillor Robinson wrote: [The text of Robinson’s statement is published as is without editing]

IT IS NOT BLACK AND WHITE
By Lisa Robinson – Pickering City Councillor

We are amydst BLACK HISTORY MONTH. Celebrations plus more celbrations is all you hear. Politician after politician attempting to get Afro-Canadian vote, hypocritically championing a people’s contribution throughtout history.

I remember in school being taught history. Not black history. hispanic. euro. arabic, south east rim, oriental and lets not forget native. white and or any other mix of races.

Back then it was history. Yes. mistake were made. Yes mistakes at both ends of the color spectrum can be noted. The key here is why in this modern age we are so driven by color of skin instead of the human element.

I say the human element as we are all people. In the race to equality is not the celebration of one race over another in itself racist. And for those not of that race hypocritical?

Now before anyone goes getting offended. Take off the offended cap and put on the thinking cap. Someone not to long ago of status in the community and of color dare call me White priviledge’.

Really? II that was not a racist statement I do not know what is. This same person is to champion equality across the board. But it seems that due to limited intellect. They confuse the meaning of equality with the attempt to denounce in the name of punishing everyone for their psychological insecunty stemming from race.

This scares me I am not prejudice nor discriminatory. I have friends off all nationalities and as an elected official. I treat everyone equal and without bias.

Now. back to being called ‘priviledged’ How does the color of my skin make me priviledged? I have had to work hard for everything I own. I endure economic hardships just like the many reading this.. like the many of all colors.

So much so that my own employer… city elect biasly and with extreme prejudice cut my pay for 90 days for exercising my freedom of speech.

Over a comment I made in regard to feeling like my council was treating me like a modern day slave.

Now, I feel I was persecuted and punished and that my rights and freedoms were violated to the point where I felt discriminated.

Then, how is it that this person dares tell me I am priviledged?

The problem we face is that in society there is so much hate. So much confusion and so many people in positions that they are not fit to hold.

For anyone to become upset or insulted over ‘MODERN DAY SLAVERY. The words. Is pure insanity on their part. A show of their limited intellect and their psychological scaring due to misunderstanding and lack of self esteem.

Now, let’s leave that for another column. The point here is that we are all of all colors ‘MOD-ERN DAY SLAVES-. We are led to believe that we have choices. That we have freedom and that we have rights.

In reality we are all slaves of our demise. Try not going to work for a month. See how that affects your rights and freedoms

Now back to slavery and color. First and foremost. Slavery is not a white and black issue. Today. in today modern world slavery in the traditional sense is still practice. Places like Saudi Arabia. Some of the South Pacific countries and in Africa itself.

So then why are we celebrating ‘black history month’ in Canada. We are so hung up on north American history and the historical trafficking of primarily African decent people that we have lost sense of time and period.

Back in those days society was very different. Today, we have come a long way. Even thought slavery is practices across the planet We do not have other nations race history in Canada Like the many that were brought from Latin America. the Orient.

Are we by celebrating in segregation not only reminding everyone of a very dark part in North American history.

Also, are we not in the name of equality showcasing prejudice?

If this is so. Then why is it that we continue to do it? Could it a political attempt to fool people? I say this because if we acknowledge our differences between all the races

Is that not prejudice in itself.

Why should the government have special programs for some races. almost excluding others as deeming this programs exclusive to one race.

Special black business programs. special black business loans.. Now, to add more interest to this intellectual conondrum.

When we speak of black and white. There are many shades of white. There are many shades of brown. yellow. red, black and so on.

As well, there is prejudice within the color spectrum. Then the question remains.

How are we to truly express our equality when it come to color differences. Is it beneficial for equality to be demanded by honoring indifferences?

What if it was ‘White history month’. Would that not be seen as prejudice? The argument is. Well the rest of the year is ‘white history month’. Well no. Because history in general never had color. Just episodes of history make references to the many conflicts and joint efforts of all color. Much like during the world wars. Soldier of all races and color fought for our freedom.. They sacrificed without thought or division based on color.

It scares me that in this modern society. We have people that would dare support such division by celebrating differences of color.

I support Afro-Canadian contributions to this great nation. I do not support the ‘BLACK HISTORY MONTH’ statement any more than ‘WHITE PRIVILEDGE’.

As both statement lack understanding and the intellect of the meaning of it’s intent.

God. made us in his image An image that is not superficial but one derived from one heart one love. We can’t ever be equal as long as we allow color to divide us.

_____________________________________

Mayor Ashe has published a statement on Councillor Robinson’s Black History Month Op Ed.

[The text of Mayor Ashe’s statement is published as is without editing.]

Mayor Ashe wrote:

Before concluding yesterday’s Executive Committee meeting, I felt compelled to address a recently published opinion piece by Councillor Robinson regarding Black History Month. The sentiments expressed in her article have sparked outrage and hurt within our community, prompting me to address this matter with the utmost urgency yesterday.

I believe that the recently published column is, in my view, racist, irresponsible, and unethical. We should not give it more attention than it deserves, except for the fact that it causes real harm. This does not represent the City and what we stand for.

At the meeting, I urged Councillor Robinson to issue a public retraction and offer a sincere apology for the harmful statements that she had publicly made. Although she did not express willingness to do so at that time, I hope that after some reflection, she will promptly and decisively do the right thing.

In the interim, I offer a sincere apology to all members of the Black community. The City of Pickering was proud to partake in the recent celebrations across Durham Region for Black History Month, recognizing the outstanding contributions, achievements, and positive impacts of Afro-Canadians. We hosted hundreds of community members at the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex last week, and it is very upsetting that recent remarks would attempt to take away from that.

To dismiss the celebration of Black History Month is to erase the significant contributions of a people who, despite historical adversity, have left an indelible mark on the development, progress, and richness of our society.

I will be attending the next Pickering Anti-Black Racism Taskforce meeting, where I will take the opportunity to speak directly with leaders of our community. This dialogue is crucial for understanding the impact of recent events, and ensuring that their voices are heard.

While I firmly believe in the principles of free speech, I must remind Councillor Robinson of the sworn oath she has taken to respect and abide by the wishes of this Council. Our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion is a cornerstone of our values, and the sentiments expressed in the opinion piece run counter to the principles we have collectively championed.

On behalf of Council, staff, and residents, we remain steadfast in our commitment to building a future where every resident, regardless of background or heritage, feels not just recognized, but genuinely valued and unequivocally included.

Kevin Ashe
Mayor, City of Pickering

_________________________________________________

Once more, Councillor Robinson steps up to the plate swinging at “narrow-mindedness” in Council or in our society. Months ago, she published statements criticizing the exclusivity of flying the flag that represents the LGBTQ+ community. Her message implied that flying one flag was discrimination against all other community groups who did not have their representative flag flying.

It seems Councillor Robinson has again picked up the same bat implying the same message of possible discrimination: Black History Month is discriminatory as other groups lack any acknowledgement as that given to the Blacks.

Councillor Robinson may have justification for her statement if one takes her logic at face value: ‘acknowledging one group only is disacknowledging all other groups.’ The bare-bones logic of her statement may make sense and be logical. However, what is bothersome about her position each time is that she emphasizes injustices as if the institutions or organizations behind these incidents were trying to cause harm, denigrate certain factions, and discriminate against a social group. The Councillor is focussing on the problems in communication, in promoting messages. With all due respect to the Councillor, the institutions or organizations behind these incidents are doing the very opposite. They are trying to acknowledge and pay respect to specific or individual groups. They do not intend offence, insult or racial harm to the unnamed.

There are problems with Robinson’s most recent statement, problems with generalizations that have partial validity, and conclusions she claims are based on history but again are sweeping generalizations that deserve broader consideration, and wider discussion. There are sensitive issues at hand here and the actions that have taken place by the institutions or organizations behind them were not developed overnight in small group discussions. These actions took time, deliberation and much highly emotional discussion. The final goals of these deliberations, discussions and policy enactments were constructive, positive and well-intended.

To impetuously or impulsively criticize the well-intended efforts of our institutions and public organizations using the cudgels of racism and bias is much like the journalist muckrakers of the 1890-1920s. Worse, this kind of public discourse smacks of the political malevolence of the McCarthy era of the 1950s. 

Voters did not cast ballots to elect muckrakers or McCarthyites. They voted for responsible representation that eschewed social upheaval for social well-being.

___________

So you disagree with Councillor Robinson? Then read….

1. Toronto Star piece:  REMOVE FLAG
2. Toronto Star article:  BAN PRIDE FLAG

We invite your comments about this issue below:

Pickering residents’ lives continue to be endangered thanks to OPG and the City Council’s acceptance of its policies.

The Pickering Nuclear plant has been resurrected by the Government of Ontario resurrecting the same old endangerment to the lives of not just Pickering residents but residents of much of Southern Ontario.

This is how the nuclear waste is managed: “The deadly radioactive waste is stored in conventional commercial warehouses on the shores of Lake Ontario, the source of drinking water for millions of people. And that waste isn’t going anywhere for decades — if ever.” Angela Bischoff, Ontario Clean Air Alliance.

The OPG, manager of the Pickering nuclear plant just keeps on mismanaging this operation, over and over. 

A testing of the nuclear alarm system in late 2023, went awry when no alarms were heard throughout Pickering. An executive at the nuclear plant explained that the system did not sound throughout all of Pickering but just in some selected areas. What kind of test is that if only selected people are supposed to hear it?

The evacuation procedure for Pickering has never been tested, no idea how such can be tested but the procedure has not been updated for more than ten years. A sure way to make residents feel secure, isn’t it?

So if there is an nuclear accident at the Pickering plant, the lives of the populace within close proximity are at serious risk. Take your idodine pills folks !

Recently, Yuthika U. Girme, Associate Professor, Dept. of Psychology, Simon Fraser University, wrote a commentary in the Toronto Star asking readers to consider the cancellation of Valentine’s Day. [Read the Toronto Star article at “CANCEL“]

This commentary is about as valid or valuable as saying let’s cancel worldwide efforts for PEACE. After all, it isn’t working in the world, or like saying let’s cancel all cars because people die in car accidents.

There is another view to take in opposition to the stand taken by Girme. She is throwing out the baby with the bath water. Throw out Valentine’s and you throw out a special day that is there to remind you about loving someone and acknowledging that person.

What Valentine’s means
Valentine’s is a day to celebrate love or caring for another person. It is a day that reminds us to love someone besides ourselves. It’s a day when we are reminded we love other people and can demonstrate this with a gift.

Girme whines about the billions of dollars spent on Valentine’s gifting. In that light, should we do away with Christmas for the same reason? Birthdays? Anniversaries? Where would we stop?

Cause of anxiety and stress
Girme claims people become stressed about the gift giving with “a lot of pressure on people.” Why feel any pressure? Maybe due to cost? Who says you have to spend lots of money? Who says any money has to be spent? How about just recognizing and acknowledging your Valentine with special words of love, affection or admiration? No one says you have to spend money or give a gift.

Single people are victimized
“Valentine’s Day can also be damaging for single people.” This claim may be true if the single person has security issues and has some kind of skepticism about themselves. There is nothing existentially wrong or bad about being single. Rather there are many constructive reasons why people are single: choice, preference, and dislike of socialization, and opposed to the demands a relationship entails. 

On Valentine’s Day, a single person can choose to acknowledge this celebration of love with a Valentine’s gift to themselves, be it a purchased gift, a card, or even just words of love spoken out loud, perhaps to the mirror. These people can love themselves without feelings of anxiety, undervalue, or diminished self-worth.

Generalizations without value
Girme loves making generalizations that may be of questionable value if any at all. “Every day can be Valentine’s Day” has about as much sense or value as saying that every day should be Christmas. We label certain days of celebration to mark the event as special. Making everyday “special” makes no sense. 

Valentine’s Day is a special reminder
Valentine’s Day is a special day of reminding, reminding me I love someone besides myself; reminding me to acknowledge that special person that I love; and reminding me I have a special someone that I love, cherish or admire. I admire, love and cherish that person every day but Valentine’s Day is a day where I take a moment to think about it, be reminded about it and pause to give that love a prompt…”I love you!”

Too bad we aren’t hearing them! The world is turned upside down. Kids run the schools as they wish. Cops are publicly denigrated for doing their job. Parents are accused of child abuse in gender use. Nations are accused of genocide as they fight to survive. What kind of world is this we’re living in?

Reading today’s Tor Star, 1-27-24, is to read the confirmation that we living in a world that is upside down. Read Rosie Dimanno‘s excellent column regarding the World Court ruling against Israel implying that the country is on the verge of being guilty of genocide. Do these people use only one eye when reading their research. Hamas, over and over and over, has stated their goal is the ‘total annihilation of the Jewish state.’ Who’s guilty of advocating genocide? Duh!

Crazier? The Arab League, a conglomerate of non-Jewish nations, Arab, one would think that as critics of Israel and supporters of Gaza’s populace, has not given refuge to one single Palestinian. Duh!

But if you think the World Court has slipped up…professionals, educated and experienced lawyers myopic in their concluding decisions, examine the Convoy incident written about in the Insight section at “Emergency Act.” Five letters oppose the truck convoy vs one supporting it. The nay writer speaking on behalf of a law firm, Alexander Boissoneau-Lehner, Johnstone and Cowling LLP. Consider the event, a group of demonstrators holding a city hostage to its cause, regardless the impact on people who have nothing to do with the cause. The freedom to demonstrate, free speech, free congregation of association notwithstanding, a relatively small number of people can disrupt life and business for an entire city. Add insult to injury, the court ruled that the government violated rights. The government with its departments loaded with legal professionals overlooking the possibility of rights violations. Duh!

Then the United States, home of liberty, freedom and equality, bastion to democracy. Without going into the Trump saga, teetering on the verge of national debt bankruptcy, polarized politically where national leaders are denigrated to extremes, where a national candidate incredibly leads the polls even though he is fighting nearly a hundred indictments for criminal offenses. Where a national leader walks out from his trial as the prosecution is presenting closing arguments; where a judge has to chastise and reprimand an adult defendant regarding proper courtroom decorum; where the same defendant, has totally disregard proper court respect:  “In closing, [Judge] Kaplan referred to the posts and comments about [E. Jean] Carroll that Trump continued to make during the trial, noting that Trump made his “most reprehensible statement of all last Thursday.” Trump tore into Carroll after saying these words: “I’ll say it again, a thousand times.” That a defendent can show such disregard and disrespect for a sitting judge in an American court and not be jailed for contempt. The world is upside down. Duh!

We no longer abide or respect any authority. We bully our way independently as if we are the definitive authority itself. We question authority ceaselessly defending our right to do so not because we may be right or wrong, but because we feel we are autonomously independent authorities unto ourselves. No one has the right to tell us what to do! No parent, no judge, no policeman, no court, no government. After all, we have rights and those rights trump every authority around us.

“Sir,” “Madam,” “Thank you,” “Please,” “May I,” the lexicon of a bygone era. In fact, when such a phrase is heard nowadays, it jars us into surprise. What? Huh? Strange-speak! Surprising words!  The world is upside down. Duh!

And the battle is not even regarded as such as we deal with racism, mysogeny, anti-Black incidents, discrimination, xenophobic events, graffiti and vandalism all in the view of freedom and rights. The world is upside down. Duh!

There is no compromise,  reconciliation, accommodation, concession or understanding. It’s my way! FULL STOP. The world is upside down. Duh!

And we live in this world…a world that grows more anxious, more stressed and more disrupted every day while we pay lip service to amelioration and rectification, social services and mental health platitudes. The world is upside down. Duh!

The world is upside down. Duh!

It is tiring to continually whine about political leaders and governments failing in some way but it seems to be a never-ending process.

What it the reason for this continual failure? Do the minds of politicians begin to degrade the moment they win an election? Do they become inept or incapable the moment they take office? How many problems do citizens continue to suffer that politicians should have resolved long before? Pick one….

Impaired driving
Recently a British Columbia driver was charged with impaired driving for 21st time? 2o previous charges and he was on the road again? Durham region police charged twice as many impaired drivers as the same time last year. Are people not getting the message of the seriousness of the offence? Can’t the court impose a penalty that would slow the offender down in repeating the offences? Jail time? Destroy his vehicle? 

Driving while using a cell phone? Stupidity? Why not add to the penalty, the complete destruction of the phone and deny permission to use a cell phone while driving again for months? Sure they can go buy another phone. Destroy it when the culprit is caught. Keep doing it without making it a singular act of pursuing this character only. Instead, if he is caught within the same period, destroy that property. Again, repeat destroy.

These kinds of driving offences put people at risk and the offender needs to get that message: endanger the public, lose your property as part of the penalty. The public does not want to diminish the life of any citizen but it wants to ensure that it and all others are as safe as can be expected.

Another example of government and political incompetence once elected: the nation’s housing crisis. Does the housing ministry have ostriches in office who bury their head in the sand when problems occur? Didn’t a ministerial expert not recognize that the pace of home building was inadequate to solve the problem of a housing shortage? This isn’t rocket science. Or do politicians simply work with eyes on re-election rather than proper and effective public service? A related example: housing shortage and unrestricted immigration. Is it a leap of intellectual capability to see that permitting more immigrants into the country exacerbates the housing problem? More people, more housing need…now. Let the immigrant in, to move to any city and let that city deal with the housing issue for that immigrant. Now there’s a solution right out of Ottawa.

There is something drastically wrong with how we are being governed if the political leaders refuse to see the forest for the trees, and refuse to initiate legislation that ameliorates the problem regardless of emotional trauma which may be caused.

Something smells in the state of Denmark and the same whiffs are drifting from our governments and we seem to be tolerating it without much more than a whimper or a whine.

Is your life becoming too busy? Are your days filled to the brim with things that need doing? Do you feel there just aren’t enough hours in the day? Are your days just too busy? Are you getting overloaded with information? Swamped with news and activities all around you? Non-stop…just too much. Do you feel overloaded?

Maybe it’s time to distill your life and make it simpler. You don’t need to make a list of what to do. You don’t need to write down all the things you need to get done, now, today! Instead, just reduce and simplify your life. Forget about trying to cover everything, doing it all, covering all the bases.

Keep It Super Simple
Make your life Super Simple. Eliminate extraneous things in your life. Use just one news source. Listen to just one radio station. Watch just one TV network. Shop just once a week. If you don’t have it, do without it. You don’t have to do it all. For a day, do just what you must do, no more.

Make time for YOU every day
Make some time just for YOU today, now…just for you. Sit back, alone, close your eyes and think of where you would like to be relaxing for a few minutes. Maybe a beach somewhere; maybe hiking in some favourite forest trail/a nature reserve park. Skip going out to Timmy’s for a coffee. In fact, skip the coffee. Just close your eyes and enjoy the calm with whatever mental image that works for you.

Make life simpler for yourself…even if it’s just for a few minutes…off you go…relax!

JR.’s not really as worried as he looks but he is very troubled.

First, he recognizes that his Liberal Party is as low in the polls as it can be. However, he’s been on the political ropes a number of times and his experience tells him it’s too soon to panic. 

The federal election is at least a year away, JR. recognizes some things need to be done. Hence, he visited the Durham-Pickering-Uxbridge ridings recently, definitely a sign that there is some concern in the West Block. Additionally, to reinforce that point, JR. had ministers Anita Anand and Francois Philippe Champagne visited the Burlington-Oakville area. These kind of visits are not vacations. The man is concerned.

Take note, JR is troubled by many more things than the polls. Malicious gossip, as is normal, is castigating him for his separation. Why, who’s at fault…who cares. It’s still a troubling experience that takes its toll on his peace of mind. And he has practical custody of his 3 kids, an additional stress in his life.

Then, the leader is ‘long in the tooth’ as politicians go. Two terms, just under a decade, old in the political arena, not because he is chronologically old but because the electorate become bored with any leader who has been around for ‘too long.’ 

Next, conflicts with provincial leaders, no matter whether justified or not, these pockets of discontent are problems. Alberta and Saskatchewan premiers are balking at his policies. His seeming electioneering favouritism of the Atlantic provinces is polarizing the country into regions that feel cheated, deprived and rejected.

Next, Jagmeet Singh is a ‘fair weather partner’ who is needed because the Liberals are a minority government dependent on the NDP to remain as the government. But support for Singh is not stable and strong. He is being criticized for being a hypocritical or opportunistic socialist who likes the trappings of capitalism. Additionally, he has not moved the NDP party on the support spectrum in the years as leader. There’s that boredom factor again.

Speaking of boredom, the talk about a leader change just doesn’t go away for the Liberals. There’s no definitive assurance that there will be a leadership change. Trudeau has demonstrated his power as a campaigner, especially when he looks like he’s on the ropes. Party big whigs undoubtedly recognize his value as a powerful campaigner. But a significant faction also interpret the writing on the wall as ‘it’s time for a leadership change.’ Besides, there are a number of possible leadership candidates likely chomping at the bit: Chrysta Freeland obviously but not likely as she is a woman, strident in style and questionable in charisma; federal foreign minister Melanie Joly, low key but steadfast, close to the leader, too close claimed by malicious gossipers. Joly has a quiet manner that has served her well throughout her political career. Anita Anand, again a woman which is a strike to too many voters still but this politician has handled challenging portfolios….Foreign Affairs, Defence, strong candidate for leader. Besides these strong women candidates, there is one male minister who might be in line as potentially a leadership candidate, Francois Philippe Champagne, internationally known, not a household name but better known than others in the cabinet. Rule out the other possibilities based on questionable performance in their ministries or not elevating themselves as publically known, Bill Blair, Harjit Singh.

There’s a year at least before the election, time for many things to change, for much to devolve and Junior’s keep his cards close to his vest. The economy is in flux, inflation is remains steady, prices for everything are still too high, unemployment numbers vary depending on the source and their slant, immigration may be too unregulated, but overall, many people feel life in Canada is fairly good.

Finally, Poillievre is too high in the polls which is worrisome if you are a Liberal. Another reason why Junior is not eager to enter into any campaign, just yet.

This politician is an outright threat to democracy in the United States. Anyone supporting him needs to do some serious introspection and self-evaluation.

Dan Rather, American news and columnist emeritus continues his efforts to report the news and defend America’s democracy in his co-written column “Steady” It is essential reading if you want to read well-written and intelligent commentary about American politics.

His most recent column, “Trump 2.0” is excellent. It is on the mark in its clarity about the threat to American democracy posed by T**** .  This level to which this man will stoop knows no limits. Heaven forbid the possible state of deprivation the US would be in were it not for the safeguards of its laws and constitutional guarantees. T**** declares openly how he would violate and crush American safeguards in his vindicative vengeful attacks on his opponents.

Read Rather’s outstanding description of the threat T**** poses to American democracy. The Rather piece is based on researched authentic facts. They can be found on the Internet and in media records. Pity the United States…they are on the precipice of another civil war and in their gun-toting environment, it may escalate beyond being a verbal battle. It could be an armed battle. 

Fairport Beach Neighbourhood Association is an example of a neighbourhood association that is a real benefit to the city and to its neighbourhood.

Neighbourhood associations are groups drawn together to help improve life in their community. There are numerous activities they can carry out to achieve these worthwhile goals. Here’s one example of a community association that not only works for the benefit of its own neighbourhood but also for the benefit of the larger community, the City of Pickering.

Click IMAGE for the DETAILS

The Fairport Beach Neighbourhood Association has been actively working to improve liveability within its neighbourhood and with the city at large for many, many years, approaching 100 years. The association’s president, Paul White, who’s not approaching 100 years, has been dynamically and energetically involved in the community in many ways and for many years. He attends council meetings, town halls, political rallies and charity events, always with an eye on how it may be of value and benefit for his neighbourhood and for the larger community. He has even been involved in politics, campaigning municipally.

The City of Pickering would gain substantially with more associations like FBNA, an association that provides real and concrete contributions to the community.

Read more about the FBNA at —> FBNA

Canadian competition on the decline: To virtually no one’s surprise, business competitiveness has been on the decline for at least the past 20 years, a new report by the Competition Bureau finds. Consumers are paying the price across a host of industries — the report doesn’t name names, but virtually every Canadian knows it applies to telecom services, air travel, banking and groceries. The government, a few months from voluntarily approving the largest telecom merger ever between Rogers and Shaw, says it is modernizing Canada’s competition laws in response. It sure feels like they should doing far more than that, doesn’t it?

Global News Link
Competition Bureau report Link

This is classic BBB (Bulls**t baffles brains material. The government wants us to believe it is working on our behalf with claims such as that they are working on our behalf. Well, if the government controlled our mortality, we would like live forever, or die immediately.

As the Greenbelt people did in their campaign efforts against Doug Ford, successfully ousting three government executives who were guilty of irresponsible execution of their political office duties…we should be going after the minister in charge of competition and pricing, Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne, but unfortunately Canada does ot have a ministerial recall process as do countries like Australia or New Zealand. We elected them, we’re stuck with them.

Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne constantly makes statements that his ministry is doing something about high prices or that it is about to do something. “OMG” talk about BBB 

Increasingly poorer Canadians forced to bite the bullet, accept the BBB, and pay more. The government seems to be emitting a lot of smoke and fog to cloud up the message. But the outcome is very clear….”Canadians, DIG DEEPER INTO THAT WALLET and PAY.”