Our world changed when the largest, strongest, most strategic military power on the planet – pulled out from Afghanistan – overnight. There became a sudden vacuum of power.

Opposing 'nation-state actors' have stopped asking – "what will the US say? what might they do?" As a result, we’ve all become less safe. The Protagonist of our good, to that which we see as their evil, is absent from the stage. Gone. In a night. Leaving their one-time allies, including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy and Canada to wake up next day and say ”they did what?”

Despite the weird ones who want to defund local police – Our World is safer with a big, bold and revered US bully for freedom (despite their present internal nuttiness) balancing the thought and action patterns of the “other” bullies.

This is a moment for the world to regain the advantage of a strong US, to recapture, the “what would the US say? what might they do?” Factor. Let’s pray that not just for Israel, but for self-interest, for world-interest, for our grandchildren – that the US becomes exactly what Richard Nixon was in 1973 – more than firm, more than resolute.

As you read the following, update the words Soviet to newer players of Russia, China & Iran. Recognize the power the US could exert, and as important, regain, by ensuring through brute force of presence, even if only to park the Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, in case bad actors stick their heads up on the north or east boarders, so as to contain the fight for Israel to Hamas on the west. So that maybe Israel could leapfrog for itself, and for the whole world - deal with Iran too.

Our world changed when the largest, strongest, most strategic military power on the planet – pulled out from Afghanistan – overnight. There became a sudden vacuum of power. Now “opposing nation-state actors” have stopped asking – what will the US say? what might they do? We’ve all become less safe. The Protagonist of our good, to that which we see as evil, is gone from the stage. Gone. In a night. Leaving their one-time allies, including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy and Canada to wake up next day and say ”they did what?”

Despite the weird ones who want to defund local police – Our World is safer with a big, bold and revered US bully for freedom (despite their present internal nuttiness) balancing the thought and action patterns of the “other” bullies.

This is a moment for the world to regain the advantage of a strong US, to recapture, the “what would the US say? what might they do?” Factor. Let’s pray that not just for Israel, but for self-interest, for world-interest, for our grandchildren – that the US becomes exactly what Richard Nixon was in 1973 – more than firm, more than resolute.

As you read the following, update the words Soviet to newer players of Russia, China & Iran. Recognize the power the US could exert, and as important, regain, by ensuring through brute force of presence, even if only to park the Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea, in case bad actors stick their heads up on the north or east boarders, so as to contain the fight for Israel to Hamas on the west. So that maybe Israel could leapfrog for itself, and for the whole world - deal with Iran too.

Israel wins. The US regains what it lost. The world wins balance back at the Table of Power.

Joe Biden - you've done what politicians do - used words of support. NOW, please do what Richard Nixon did - "ACTIVATE ACTIONS".

Following are excerpts from www.nixonfoundation.org.

Richard Nixon’s role, and that of those within his Administration, in the Yom Kippur War has been credited with literally saving Israel from an onslaught of potentially devastating attacks. The President recognized the threat that an Arab victory posed, the “threat of victory by Soviet arms,” according to author Conrad Black. The Soviet government was the Arab world’s chief supplier of munitions, and was strategically attempting to spread its influence throughout the region.

RN knew that the only way to end the crisis and push out the Communist influence was to provide American arms to the Israelis in order to defeat Russian arms in the hands of the Syrians and Egyptians. Both Secretary of State Henry Kissinger and the President wanted to conduct the airlift, but according to CIA Director Vernon Walters, “Nixon gave it the greater sense of urgency. He said, ‘You get the stuff to Israel. Now. Now.’”

RN summoned the Washington Special Action Group, consisting of the Secretaries of State, Defense, National Security Advisor, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and CIA Director, and ordered that the U.S. military be put on a higher level of alert. Air Force strike units were readied for attack and two aircraft carriers were redeployed to the Mediterranean as war with the Soviet Union came to its closest point since the Cuban Missile Crisis eleven years earlier.

“Those were momentous events in world history,” noted historian Stephen Ambrose. “Had Nixon not acted so decisively, who can say what would have happened? But whatever the might-have-beens, there is no doubt that Nixon… made it possible for Israel to win, at some risk to his own reputation and at great risk to the American economy.

“He knew that his enemies… would never give him credit for saving Israel. He did it anyway.”

[ And that is why Golda then always referred to him as “my President”.]

Justin, the for now PM, on April 2 2019 said "...Civil Wars within parties are incredibly damaging because they signal to Canadians that we care more about ourselves than we do about them..."

You got it BACKWARDS Mr Prime Minister. Absolute and Demanded Peace within Parties signals AND confirms that you actually do care more about yourselves than the people. Your demanded loyalty, no matter the issue - confirms it.

Civil Wars within parties reveal to Canadians there are disagreements at play. Some about political leanings, some about leadership and others about ethics. This Civil War has 2 of 3 at the head. And disagreements are good - they signal "thinking" "progress" "change". Same-old, same-old is how this mess, and others grow in dark closets and continue to play without change, without challenge.

Kudos to Jody Wilson-Raybould and later Jane Philpott for standing up, for coming out, for paying the cost of disclosure. Taping a call, as The PM says, brings into the daylight what the "party" so desperately seeks to deny and hide.

I see and support Jody Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpott as heroes of disclosure at a time when the word "transparency" is so horribly misused by politicians that feel, act and walk, as if immune. Go get'em ladies.

This new iOS for iPhone is slow, clunky and messed up where I go and how I get there. I’m likely on my way to Android. Thanks Apple. Who thought this one out for you – the people at Android?

Remember what Palm’s success was – Number of Taps to Function!
Then HP bought them. Oops.

To get more (money) first, Modify Behaviour.
Don’t raise prices. (yet). First limit supply. Create fear of “can I get some?”
Then raise the price. Consumer’s will happily pay, just thankful they can get supply.

Even Swiss Chalet runs out of chickens – sometimes. Just bad planning.
But running out of gas during a market of oversupply? Part of the plan to get back to “nice” margins.

We live in complex world that only wants to hear simple & happy answers.
The trade-off is more risky complexity.

Its reported that for 2013 -
Apple paid 8.4 in audit fees on revenues of 170.9 Billion
Wal-Mart paid 16.6 million in audit fees on revenues of 476.3 Billion
Canadians paid 23.6 million in audit fees to audit 80,000 Senate transactions.

That’s an incredible $295 for each line entry of a transaction - aka: receipt.

I don’t care how much they found in wrong expenses. The real issue should be the COST of the Audit.
It’s been like a Magic Show,” look here, while I do the trick there... look, look...”

Mr. Harper, gain a 1,000,000 lbs of political capital on Wednesday – call on the Premiers for a unanimous vote – to ‘shut it down'. And the fire whoever allowed the Audit Invoice.

Oh m'gosh

Where does Apple keep its Departments? In Silos. Oh... so 90's.

One wasn't sure about the Apple magic - were they Hardware Makers, Systems Inventors, or Magical Blenders of each to one.

Apple Pay will be disruptive. So too will Google Pay, and some even still think Bitcoin has a place.

One thing I know - Apple is becoming compartmentalized and internally dysfunctional. No longer is the phone experience - wow. No longer can one call get an answer to - so I bought an "X" but....

Present experience: One order, complete confusion between 'departments'. No longer is it one Apple. Today, it's many Apples. Your bushel is showing. Your middleware is a mess.

For as smart as Apple was, Google owns tomorrow. Or maybe, have you heard of Hound?

If she really does believe that Hydro1 will be better managed as a "more" privatized Company, then why oh why is she about to have Public Sector duplicate existing Federal expenses by creating an Ontario Pension Plan?

In fact, if we follow her logic - and she follows her belief - maybe she will/should abdicate her chair and sell the whole of the province....

See any benefits to a Driverless Car? Or maybe you have concerns? The FBI certainly brings forward the most logical concern I've heard, or maybe just the oddest - this new technology could allow 'bad guys' with guns to use both hands to hold a gun while shooting more a gun more accurately as they "escape the scene" using a driverless car.

Ya' know, that was my first worry too. But then, then I realized - it's a "computerized car" - so it probably won't start just as they need to 'escape the scene".

Note to FBI - Killer Drones - a reality. But Killer Google Cars? Comm'on its Google. That like saying Cat In The Hat is evil. Just not so.

They Live to Die Another Day

OK, like many I hope they do like Charlie Chan and wrap it up with a superior conclusion.

“Great Customer Service” the holy grail of the 90’s. If you shipped FedEx, bought an 'anything at the Art Shoppe,r Nordstrom, or even Amazon, in the mid to late 90’s you likely experienced a wonderful and informed engagement. Best-in-class.

“We” the Consumer have reinvented Customer Service to mean, “no matter how wrong I am – you will fix this, take it back, exchange, and you will do it for free and with a smile.

Then, We the Consumer, added a term – “Compensation”. We order a widget, not a widget we need, just a widget.

The Merchant says “out of stock. But we will order for you this one single widget and have it by Tuesday. They call us Friday and say there will be a delay until Wednesday, so please don’t come till Thursday so we can be sure. “TWO MORE DAYS!” This is outrageous (remember for a widget we don’t even really need) “I want compensation” the retailer is told. “For what” the retailer politely asks…. “For your absolute failure to manage my excitement and for completely flattening my week”. “ummm” says the retailer. “Don’t umm me…I now expect it for free, plus a credit-note for 2 more”.

We have flattened our own experience. When something does not work (as advertised), stops you from actually performing – then go get ‘em. But today, we, the consumer, have in so many cases turned simple good intentions into often unobtainable expectations. We sometimes fight just to win. Too often we lose sight of “what is right”. I’ll even by-pass “reasonable” and allow the bar to be set at “right”. We don’t look at right, wrong or even reasonable – we just want to win, at anybody’s cost, except our own. And that has little difference from sport hunting.

According to a statement made by the President of Canada Post: “the cost of just selling [a single stamp] alone is over 80 cents,....” Really? Well he ought'a know.

On the other side of the road (quite literally) - The Canadian Mint said:
- the Penny cost 1.6 cents to manufacture. and that,
the new $100. bill is only 19 cents to make.

So how is it that stamping precious metals into a coin, or printing a polymer, foil and laser imaged bank note about 38 times the size of stamp - are each produced at a mere fraction of the cost?

Looks like Canada Post has OPG and OLG syndrome. Passing off this management boondoggle to the Canadian Consumer gets more cash, as a grab, but will not change a fundamental management problem at the Post Office. But it will be the undoing of the Post Office.

Credibility Mr President - Participaction Stamp, 80 cents to make a stamp? Me thinks there are logic gaps in your thought process, maybe facts that are distorted... 'cause for me - its just too scarey to believe your numbers are real. I mean the Post Office may be a mess, but that big a mess? Will raising prices fix costs?

Before its undoing - should the infrastructure cost not be more closely scrutinized first?

Yes - we'll call it the Gabllions of Wynnember. After struggling for so long, in too many many ways with such small piggly amounts, that our budgets seemed wiggly - that Charlie the Souss was excited to find that he marginalized those before him known as George & Ernie and Dwighty too - they only had a billion here, a billion there to play and make fire that ignited our ire, but now he in the month Wynnember, he Charles of Souss could have Gabillions to burn, when finally he gets to rule as King of CCPganurl.

The Genius & Ethical Team now wants to run the CPP. That causes two thoughts:

Now instead of Ottawa having a well paid force to run the CPP, Ontario will hire an "alternate" team to run what they might call the OPP....

...and why not? Ontario Leadership has done so well over the years at bamboozling. confounding and wasting billions. Let's see, of recent thought:
eHealth - thanks George
Ornge - George again
The failed Wind-Farms - George (again),
and lets not forget -
The Gas Plants
OLG
OPG
Ontario Jockey Club and the fine wages and bonuses at Woodbine
The PanAm Games

And the OOMG - that's the - Ontario Oh My Gosh. Or as said by so many of the current geniuses on Queen's Park - "Ontarioan's have a right to expect better. [But there is nobody and no law that says we have responsibility to deliver]."

Can Ontario run a better pension? Does it matter? They'll run through billions in the mess to, maybe, get there.

The Bank of Canada Gov pointed his finger at "retail' for the lack of inflation. And of course with no inflation he can't raise rates. Or in other words - reality check - the economy still sucks (more politely - its flat).

Goods and services as provided by or "regulated" by any level of Government seem to have automatic inflationary increases.Yes,in the Basket of Consumer Goods - about the only items that have cost increases over the past few years are those we trust our Government, at any level, to manage. Canada Post at 35%, Electricity in Ontario it seems at about the same percentages as Canada Post, Highway 407 tolls. In Ontario the Gov cut a deal with car insurance providers for rates of return based on 80's style interest rates - only it was 2012

I'm about to endorse anarchy - not because I support or believe in it - but because its about to ensue as the Country splits into 2 - those on the Gov's payroll at any level - and those of us left to watch. The affected and the unaffected.

And out children are inheriting a system of debit we have willfully and passively allowed our leaders to build so that we could just live without having to talk about the 'ugly stuff'. This new debit will reshape the world more than technological changes of the past 2 decades.

Cliff, 2 miles ahead, that way.

Mike, Pam, for years you stuck microphones in the faces of people - and asked the tough questions. You then joined the golden bull and rode it, for all, plus more, than it was worth. Anywhere other than the Senate, your poor use of your employers money would be grounds for termination - plain, pure, simple and fast. But it seems in your "most honourable house" we tip-toe and reference your schemes as "inappropriate". You schemed and in a word - stole, from me, my neighbours and my children. Then you look into the cameras and say - "I'll be deprived of money, benefits and pension, what should I do now?" Here's an idea how you can maintain all that stuff - do what may easily be done to others - jail. Garth, Conrad and legions of others went there for less than either of you. I won't say - stand tall, take it with a stiff upper lip. But your pitiful, self absorbed worry, display and affirm your total sense of self entitlement. One word for you both - icch.

Mr Harper, do what you should have done - close that Honourable House now. As disappointed as many are with you today - I'd bet that in the midst of this stinky mess, you'd have support, or at least a stand-by silence that condones the action.

Two Gas Plants. 1.270 Billion Dollars ....and 'she' Miss Wynn - apologizes. I think her words were - I've apologized and now I'd like to move on.
Yes. Move on. Please. How about away, far, far away. You've been there, and had your hand on many of the tillers during these boondoggles. You'll get a sweet pension, just to really rattle the cage. But still, please do - move on.

Hey Tim, oly oly en-free, come out from wherever you are.

Not that I should start on the US, but "they" just passed a bill for "furloughed" workers to receive back-pay.
So if the workers are being paid - then there's not really a shutdown at all. Just lots of people told to take time off - while boys at the top of the shop fight it out.

Or am I missing something really obvious?
I mean they're on shut-down, but still paying rent, heating and electric charges on the Government leased spaces, lease costs to the photocopy companies etc etc. - right?
They just told offices to shut cause people won't be paid. But now, the people are being paid -- so - "what shutdown?". What am i missing?

...but I'm forced to hand it Wynn for comments re Executive spending on the Pan Am Games. The Torie's Finance Critic...makes the now in hiding Tim HuDat... look like an animated speaker. And he ain't. And HuDat ain't.

Tea, Coffee and costs for relocating a pet from the West Coast to Pan Am Heaven...? This isn't just too much" from an over-tapped taxpayer, as the Tories blurted. Instead its a lack of respect, and a blatant lack of fear for optics. At 1.4 billion the Chairman says ...no problem, we're within budget.... Yes likely. 900 Million for what the games should cost...and 500 million for Party money.

Now Wynn being upset does have some humour....it was her party that struck the Pan Am games deal,,,,,another Mr McGuinty leave-behind......

Add did you hear about Woodbine and the Ontario Jockey Club.... please please let me into the Club.

And the Tories with Mr HuDat...so quiet.... so busy working on...working on what? Does anybody care?

Tim - I'm looking for a Hero, but you got'a get on stage. And animate! You got a great smile, and such nice teeth. Now bite!

On Peter Shurman.... See my writings of Jan 3 2012, below.

Peter you didn't care then..... and you seem as bull right now....and I think I quote you when you this week said..."I don't game the system". You certainly do Sir. You played it like a toy train.

And Hudack's latest mistake.... you should have been removed from Caucus, not just dismissed as Finance Critic.

And speaking of Mr. Hudack, see below
Oct 1, 2012
April 3, 2013