Friday, February 22, 2008

Canadian Politics and Astrology

Strange signs are in the air.
Recebtly we had a total eclipse of the moon. One minute a full bright moon, the next in the centre of the sky an ominous red disk.
It could be a signal that global warming is going cosmic and that the great apocalypse some of its more excited partisans have propounded is dawning.
More likely it's a kind of Shakespearean signal, an astrological cue, that the House of Clinton, once ascendant is now in decline, and that planet Obama has emerged from the cusp of Platitude and entered constellation Oprah.
And if that doesn't make you shiver, well up here we have a Budget next week. The budget may not portend a new age, but it may be a crossroads moment in Canadian politics.
Stephane Dion is facing a really big choice.
Mr. Dion has not had a happy run of it since he became Liberal leader. His leadership has been in a long spluttering stall since a few days after he won it.
The Tories have dive-bombed him with attack commercials, he's sometimes outperformed in the House both by Mr. Harper and his own lieutenant and chief rival, Mr. Ignatieff, and the NDP have taken to tagging him as enabling a Harper majority. The Harper-Dion coalition.
This is a tag he can't afford to wear. He cannot keep decrying the harsh, secretive, bullying, misguided "little America" Harper government, and remain, effectively, its prop in the House of Commons.
On Afghanistan, because it is so sensitive and complex an issue, some compromise is not only expected. It's wise. Maybe on the Crime Bill, something less than a vote to bring down the government may be explained as well.
But there does come a point when an Opposition opposes, when the rhetoric of its critics and its leader has to be substantiated in an actual vote. Last fall when the Tories brought in what we were pleased to call their Mini-budget - with its GST cut - the Liberals decried it, said it was a misguided policy, in effect condemned it, and then abstained.
Battles are not won with abstentions. Stirring speeches followed by a courageous sitting on one's hand when the vote is called will not inspire either his party or the country. So, next week when the Budget comes down what is Mr. Dion to do? I do not think he can continue to bridge the Harper minority's hold on power, and simultaneously warn the country of its many mischiefs and deficiencies.
The old saying "fish or cut bait" and some others that are less elegant come to mind.
Mr. Dion has variously warned that he will bring down the Harper government if he thinks that it is in the interests of the Canadian people to do so. Those warnings dwindle in force every time a fresh one is uttered. I expect the Liberals and Mr. Dion are only too keenly aware of that consideration.
Hence, even if the most recent poll offers no great comfort to the Liberals, next week's budget - whatever the order of the heavens or the state of the moon - will be a critical moment in deciding whether, to the frosts of this bleak February, we will add the glooms of a winter election.
And they said astrology was a decayed science.

My thanks to Rex Murphy, CBC

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Le crime et la Punition, la Partie Trois


This cartoon appeared in the Jamaica Observer a few months ago, and I am using it to present my point of view. This is my third diatribe on the Jamaican crime situation. The situation is not getting any better, and it appears, to this blogger, that the the inhabitants of this island have given in to the rampant crime. I get the impression that the adage of "it does not affect me, so it is not true" is being adhered to by all who live on Jamrock.
If I am incorrect, then why is it that in 40 days since the beginning of the year, there has been 151 murders?
(do the math and projest it for the rest of the year)
In the Gleaner today (Feb. 12,2008), there was a letter to the editor, which further serves to embarrass the country and any decent human being. Please take the time to read the article "here"

Is Jamaica being overrun by termites or domestic terrorists?

May God help us all.

Peace
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Saturday, February 9, 2008

Smart Meter


We have seen the culprits, and it is us. The effects of climate change is affecting the way we live, work and function.

The picture shows the old meter on the right, and the new "Smart Meter" on the left. These devices will be installed in every household and commercial building, in Ontario, before the end of 2008.

What are "Smart Meters"? ... good question. I will try to put it into layman terms and then refer you to pages with more details.
Smart Meters control how and when you use electricity. If you use too much in the "peak" period, the distributor can remotely cut off your electricity for period of time; also they will charge you higher amounts depending on your TOU (Time Of Use).

Highest price - refers to when demand is highest
Mid price - refers to when demand is moderate
Lowest price - refers to when demand is lowest


Day of the Week Time Price Period Price(cents/kWh)
Weekends & Holidays All day Lowest price 3.0
Summer Weekdays(May 1 - Oct 31) 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Mid price 7.0
11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Highest price 8.7
5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Mid price 7.0
10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Lowest price 3.0
Winter Weekdays(Nov 1 - April 30) 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Highest price 8.7
11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Mid price 7.0
5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Highest price 8.7
8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Mid price 7.0
10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Lowest price 3.0

To meet this criteria and pay less, ALL residents MUST change their useage habits. We now have to think about the TOU in terms of Time of Day, by day of week and by season.

Shift your electricity usage to periods when the prices are lower
Do laundry on weekends and wash in cold water
Turn the dishwasher on after 10 p.m. and select the Economy setting and air dry cycle
Lower your electricity usage during periods when the prices are higher
Set the air-conditioning a few degrees warmer during the afternoon
Turn appliances such as the computer, radio and TV off when they're not in use
Most common but sometimes forgotten, turn lights off when not in use

Reference:
"here"
"here"
"here"

Big Brother is watching.

Peace


The days of UNlimited electricity use is over and we now have to pay the piper.
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Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Blog Etiquette

Since I strated doing this blogging, some attitudes have come to be noticed.
I am no expert at blogging, however, the thought of some simple guidelines was interesting to find out some more on the topic of "blogging etiquette".

These are two that I thought should be shared, and ask that you read both.

"Don’t blog about something that will get you fired, or cause you to lose a relationship. Unless, of course, you’re fine with losing said job or relationship"

and

"Our goal, is for people to talk and discuss together what we are sharing and thinking."


Peace

Saturday, February 2, 2008

February is Black History Month


The month is here that we (as a people) celebrate Black History.
Some object to this as tokenism, and it should be seen as a reason for permanent change and to embrace the richness of what black people have brought into this country.
I am NOT going to delve into slavery and what is supposed to be the legacy OR what some see as retribution that is owed ... that subject is NOT the topic of this session.
It is a month of celebration, intrepreting our history, learning from our history and exposing others to our rich and vibrant culture.
To find out what is happening within this community, I ask that you read these three articles.

"This year’s theme, Minding Our Health, Building a Community, promotes the importance of health towards building a vibrant, productive community"

"Every year Canadians are invited to take part in the festivities and events that honour the legacy of Black Canadians, past and present, during Black History Month"

"– February is Black History Month, and in Ottawa there are all sorts of things happening to mark the occasion. Library and Archives of Canada is host to a number of free events, starting with the opening ceremony on February 1."

Take Pride in your roots and culture.

Peace

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