War does not determine who is right - only who is left.

Bertrand Russell once said that, “War does not determine who is right - only who is left” and with those cold words one is left with a chilling proposition; ‘Good does not always prevail over evil.’ Sobering thoughts because modern society is indoctrinated to believe that when faced with true evil, good will prevail. This indoctrination takes place through pop media. We see it in our movies, Saturday morning cartoons and pulp fiction. Every action hero of the silver screen that fights the bad guys, in the end they either walk off into a lonely sunset secure in the belief that everyone who witnessed the action are pumped for the next sequel, or, they get the girl, while the villain lies vanquished.

Four generations have passed since World War II, and another since The Great War, and in this country where military service is optional, many people today just don’t have the appreciation or the understanding of what the foot soldier has given them.

Jane Fonda, the half naked “Barbarella” of the 60’s and daughter to Henry Fonda, was only a child when World War II broke out. She lived through the threat of Nazi expansionism and the threat that Hitler and the death camps promised. But even though she had the opportunity to at least read and see in “Film Reels” these threats, she rallied her celebrity status to openly denounce not only the wars of the day, but the also the individual soldiers fighting. In an open rally she is quoted as saying, " If you understood what Communism was, you would hope, you would pray on your knees that one day we would become Communist.”   Later she would regret many things she said in the face of veterans. She asked for forgiveness when she said, "It hurt so many soldiers. It galvanized such hostility. It was the most horrible thing I could possibly have done. It was just thoughtless." Today at 72 years-old she speaks a different tune, "When you can't remember why you're hurt, that's when you're healed."  But the influences of like-minded individuals and the softening of the society has a way of diminishing or even trivializing what the war veteran means to society.

And there you have it!  As Fonda said,“When you can’t remember why you’re hurt.” This is precisely why we must don the poppy and take at least a day out and gather in remembrance.

Many people do not remember the fear of a world at war, and for that matter my generation does not live with that memory. Only recently with our Canadian military fighting in Afghanistan, do some families feel the effect of war, but the consequences of a military failure today has not been made very clear to each Canadian.

The veteran whose failure would have had dire consequences has either been killed in action, lived out his life or is languishing in a nursing home.  Very few people even take the time to ponder an alternate history, where men and nations run by despots would have won the largest military conflict the world has ever seen.

There were many villains in the theater of World War II. Our foot soldiers fought longer and harder than their American counterparts since that country stayed neutral for the first three years of the conflict.  By the time the Americans woke up to reality and joined the Allies, Germany's expansionism and doctrine of hate had spread to neighbouring nations.  Their sights clearly aimed at England and their submarines patrolled off the coast of Newfoundland.  Everywhere they went, they gathered citizens and interned them to labour or death camps.  And, it was our foot soldiers that were fighting and dying in battles slowing the progress of Nazi policy that was being executed by the Wehrmacht.

Time was not on the foot soldiers side, and every man that jumped out of an airplane, or landed on a beach knew that they were running headlong into their doom.  To say that the foot-soldier does not feel fear is naive.  They were put into a situation where they had to overcome their fears with a sense of purpose and duty.  War is not glamorous for when a mother nurses her baby, she looks lovingly into the child's eyes with no knowledge that in a short 18 years that same child would be fighting for it's life and the livelihood of people he had never met.  The war veteran is just that.  Someone's son, grandson or even father.  The war veteran is a person who has given so much and yet was given so very little. The war veteran is the soldier that made it home, while they live with the memories of their friends calling out to them from the mist of a battlefield in agony. They live with the understanding that when they left for war as a innocent teenager, they came back only a few years later with their innocence ripped from their soul.

So when you see a senior citizen pushed in a wheelchair dressed in their uniform, remember not only their sacrifices, but what that veteran has tucked away in their minds.  When you shake their hands and thank them for giving us this soft life, remember that in order to do that, the veteran had to shake off all that made him human and become something that his own mother didn't even see. For in the end, the war could have been been lost, for war does not determine who is right - only who is left.

Can I Offer You a Shot?

As a society we tend to send out mixed signals. Are we as a society; afraid, startled, concerned or indifferent over the H1N1 pandemic that has been slowly crawling across North America?  The reason I say this is that in light of the arrival of the H1N1 Flu Vaccine, many people I personally polled say that they have no intention of getting inoculated. “If you don't have a compromised immune system, then your O.K.,” Yvonne said to me.  And, “I'm not getting it!  It will only make you sick.” said Christina.  These types of responses are not out-of-step with many others in Alberta.

I really can't say that I blame them for taking this position.  Over the past decade we have seen the pharmaceutical industry treat the sick like a open marketplace, and the perception for many is that doctors dispense a broad range of chemical treatments too frequently rather than just treating the illness. The increase in homeopathic treatments and people self diagnosing themselves using the internet is at an all-time high.

But we are a very fickle bunch.  In the face of what has become a true health threat we snub what can actually be a treatment for the prevention of contracting H1N1.  This is rather ironic when one thinks that when the biggest “Prank” on society was running amok before the turn of the century.  That being another type of pandemic foisted on the masses, the Y2K computer virus.  People in that so-called-threat were all abuzz.  Prevention was not just a quick shot in the arm, it was an elaborate system of transferring money and sticking it in a can.  Many frantically developed corporate crisis policy to be implemented on New Years Eve, which in many cases included filling your bath tubs full of fresh water just in case it was last time the water would flow.  Everywhere you turned people either had an opinion or had heard of somebody who had prematurely come down with it and lost all their lifetime data!  It was pandemonium!
 

But in a recent survey in the U.S., clearly 40% of parents said that they would not have their children inoculated, and here in Canada the reception is not any different.   One headline in the U.S. stated, “Military People Will Soon Be Forced to Take Poisonous H1N1 Shot.”  With this jaded perception of the pharmaceutical industry and  media hype, it is no wonder why people are shying away from taking the H1N1 vaccine.
 

But let us at least step back and look at this without the jaded eyeglasses.  Alberta has now reported it's   ninth H1N1 death, and as of late August we had over 180 people in the hospital with the disease.  It is speculated that many have the virus at some level but have not needed hospitalization. 
 

Alberta is now in what has become the ‘flu season’ and we expect a higher level of flu cases. As an indicator of what is 'acceptable' for Alberta, the schools are normally required to report any absentee rate over 10% on any given day,  which when you look at that number is extremely liberal.  If, for instance, a school had a student population of 450, then if 45 students reported in sick or failed to come to school, it is considered serious enough to require the Principal to report that incident.  Would those numbers indicate that a school may have an influenza problem?
 

Well, last week in St. Albert, the Ecole Secondaire Sainte Marguerite d'Youville with a student population of 450 reported a one day absentee rate of  33%. That represented 148 students home sick.  In light of these numbers and what we are now seeing reported in Edmonton,  is it fair to say that perhaps the odds are better that you and I will get a serious flu or even H1N1, than winning the lottery?  And yet, in hopes of winning more people will buy lottery tickets than get in line to take a shot in the arm.
 

At some point we need to put aside our preconceptions caused by a particular mindset long enough to see if we may be wrong.  At least in that instance.  My skepticism is still in tact, but if it looks like poop, smells like poop, and feels like poop, then perhaps its not a Hershey’s bar.
 

So aside from the fact that it may be a good idea to get the H1N1 Influenza Shot, we are told that we  can practice four simple common-sense steps to stave off the virus. They are: frequent hand-washing, keep your  "Hands-off-the-face" and out of your nose, gargle twice a day,  and boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C.   The H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat and nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms.
 

So should we be taking the H1N1 vaccination?  In light of of how the disease is spreading, unless you  have a medical precondition preventing you, it would probably be a good idea.  And, before you say that you had the previous Swine Flu Vaccination and you are immune,  think again, that previous shot will not prevent you from getting H1N1. You see my reasons for discussing this here is purely selfish.  I just don't like losing readership. 

Three Time’s a Charm

Would it be safe to say that  Alberta will always be right?  The polls have always showed that any left thinking politician is pounding an upward climb in this province.  Until the last year, I would never have even given a second thought to a provincial Liberal governing body in Alberta.  But since Stelmach and his Tory cabinet have entered the slippery slope of popular opinion polls, it makes one ponder.

But then again we Albertans are not completely in love with any party based solely on the Conservative name.
The world is changing, and with it so does the political landscape.  For almost 36 years the Social Credit Party ran this province until Peter Lougheed displaced then Premier Harry Strom in 1971.  Nobody would have predicted that the Social Credit Dynasty would have crumbled under the pressure of the Progressive Conservative campaign.

History has a way of repeating itself, and now in light of the fact that the Wildrose Alliance Party has finally showed some life and voted in the new party leader, Danielle Smith, the next election will indeed be a must see.  So once again Alberta has two right-wing parties to choose from.

History records that the undoing of the Social Credit Party was their inability to adapt to the changing social climate of the day.   The rural based Social Credit Party was slow to adapt to the changes brought about as a result of the urban influences of Edmonton and Calgary.  The province was beginning to shift its economic center from agriculture to oil, and the Social Credit was still on the rural fence.  So much so that Strom timed the election to ensure that the farming community was not out working the fields.  With 36 years under the Social Credit power-belt, they became complacent.  This was demonstrated when Peter Lougheed's Progressive Conservative party promised free health care for all Albertans over 65.  Strom countered that offer with “almost-free” health care.  Strom was only going to charge the seniors one dollar a month.  Yes, the Socreds were completely out-of-touch with Albertans.

So today, we have Ed Stelmach running a huge deficit budget, after they had voted themselves a 35% pay increase.  When the people began to voice their displeasure with the deficit, the out-of-touch Tory government decided to offer a voluntary freeze of “new” wage increases.  The 'big' move was to rolled back the Premiers income by 15% and the cabinets by 10%.  Naturally this really didn't do anything for the confidence of the people because it will not touch the bonuses and allowances and still leaves them with a huge raise.  It sure smells like a one-dollar a month out-of-touch political gesture to me.

A recent poll has shown that Ed Stemach's approval rating has fallen.  Sixty-one percent of Albertans believe that Stelmach is moving in the wrong direction.  Twenty-two percent of Albertans strongly disapprove of Stelmach's performance.  In the same poll the upstart Wildrose Alliance Party received 22 percent of Albertans support.  Interesting since the Wildrose Alliance has yet to do anything.  It speaks volumes of what can be seen as impending doom for the Progressive Conservatives.

Stelmach had a great opportunity in his recent address last Wednesday to show Albertans that the Tory government had a plan.  But instead of outlining a detailed fiscal strategy to offer some economic hope to Albertans over the next few years, he offered up a weak four point plan.  They were; Freeze wages, spend savings to cover off revenue shortfalls, invest in public infrastructure and ensure the energy sector remains competitive.  There it is in a nutshell.

Albertans are voicing their displeasure for this weak response in the media.  The Edmonton Journal quotes a Paul Ferguson of Edmonton as saying, “We started out with Peter Lougheed being the cream of the crop.  Now, we have the dregs of the Conservative barrel in power.  For the past 20 years, I have watched with dismay the disintegration of democracy in Alberta.”

Ferguson is just one working stiff that has tossed in his two-cents worth. Stelmach may not be fully responsible for the recent displeasure of the masses.  Both Ralph Klein and Don Getty have had their hand in the weakening of the Progressive Conservative’s armour. However, he certainly has done nothing to turn opinion around.

But what Ferguson did say is revealing  when he referred to Lougheed as the “Cream of the Crop.”  More than anything the young lawyer from Edmonton, Peter Lougheed represented change, and he had a flair for innovative thinking.  Lougheed may not have been a knight in shining armour, but he represented the change that Alberta wanted and today the rumblings of the Alberta electorate of late are screaming for change.

The social and economic climate in this province is ripe for a change of the guard.  Once again we are seeing a shift in economic realities with the pressures for change in the energy sector, environmental issues and the aging voter population.  Could it be that with 38 years of holding power in Alberta a political upset is in the making?  Yes, history does have a way of repeating itself.  

We have had two different right-wing parties holding power since 1921.  Maybe three times is a charm.

The Ass in the Lion's Skin

An Ass once found a Lion's skin which the hunters had left out in the sun to dry.  He put it on and went towards his native village.  All fled at his approach, both men and animals, and he was a proud Ass that day.  In his delight he lifted up his voice and brayed, but then every one knew him, and his owner came up and gave him a sound cudgelling for the fright he had caused. And shortly afterwards a Fox came up to him and said: "Ah, I knew you by your voice." Aesop’s Fable

Two weeks before the February 1st deadline for Noble Prize nominations Barack Obama was elected the 44th President of the United States.  By deadline Obama, according to his nomination, had already deserved recognition for a Nobel Peace Prize nod.

Like a silver tongued orator, his election night speech, “Yes We Can.” raised the hopes of many.  He has spoken out against nuclear weapons and in other speeches has called for peace between Israel and Palestine.  The Obama fervour began to dwindle after a short honeymoon period.  So other than pretty speeches, what has Obama really done.

Since his election Obama has committed an additional 21,000 troops to Afghanistan, continued the occupation of Iraq, launched deadly counter-terror strikes in Pakistan and Somalia, committed a 15 billion dollar military build-up in Guam, had 61 Peace Protestors arrested outside the White House and has humbly accepted the Noble Peace Prize.  It’s been a great run thus far.

According to the Nobel Committee that chose to honour Obama, he won the prize for "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples".  What did Obama do that was beyond what is ordinary or usual in the two weeks after his election or even between Feb. 1st and now?

Has he released all the prisoners at Guantanamo Bay?  He may have signed the order to close the prison within a year, but even before be took power the number of prisoners held had reduced from its peak population of 779 to 245 suspected terrorists.  Was this extraordinary, continuing a process started by the Bush administration?

Has he pulled his troops from Iraq?  Has he declared peace with terrorism? As absurd as that sounds, it is terrorism the United States had declared war on in the first place.  No, he has done none of these things because as the President of the United States is nothing more than the ‘ass’ in ‘lions’ clothing.

The good people of the Nobel Committee have done nothing but confused the international community, and I dare say Obama himself. "I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many transformative figures that have been honoured by this prize,"  he said. "I will accept this award as a call to action, a call for all nations to confront the challenges of the 21st century."  Did you catch that?  He accepted the prize on behalf of all nations."  Apparently Obama sees himself as the leader of the world.  Interesting for a man who is the leader of the most warring nation on the planet.

His own words admit that he does not deserve the prize, and upon accepting the honour, felt it necessary to take actions to deserve it.  A ‘call to action’ is what he promises the international community.  Words from a man who is serving two masters.

In identifying himself as a universal citizen and virtual leader of a world under globalization.  He promises peace while America marches on with a foreign policy that is in direct opposition to a peaceful existence.

Obama is stuck between a rock and a hard place, and if the man is genuine as we all hope he is, his tenure in office will be anything but glorious.

So does Barack Obama deserve the Nobel Peace Prize?  Many would agree that at this point it is premature.  I tend to agree with Former Polish President Lech Walesa, who won the prize in 1983 when he said of the Obama‘s award, "So soon? Too early. He has no contribution so far. He is still at an early stage. He is only beginning to act."

Its too bad that Prime Minister Stephan Harper does not get an award for something he did not do.  But then again he is in the running for a Grammy for thrilling an audience with his duet with Yo-Yo Ma when he sang The Beatles' "With A Little Help From My Friends."  Harper was not going to let Obama show him up.