Simply Impossible to Understand

Prior to the G8 and G20 meetings that were held in Ontario last week, the official opposition milked the press core over the enormous cost of security that the federal Government was spending.   NDP foreign-affairs critic Paul Dewar went on record and stated, “when you can spend a billion dollars to send out sound cannons on protesters in Toronto, the least you can do is provide $1.4 billion over a couple of years to provide front-line health services to woman in the Congo. It's a no-brainer.”

Speaking of no-brainers, the best response came from Michael Ignatieff, when he suggested that instead of spending so much government money on security in Toronto during the G20 summit, he would rather see money spent on reducing students’ tuition or even improving broadband internet access for rural Canadians.  Ingatieff stated that the spending was “off the charts” and he said of the security spending, “It's simply impossible to understand.”

This is the man that has designs on becoming our next Prime Minister.  A person who stands before the populous and says that he 'simply does not understand.'

Micheal, do you understand that prior to the G20 summit, the United States issued a travel advisory to U.S. citizens telling them to stay out of the core of Toronto due to credible threats gleaned from intelligence?  No! I believe Stephan Harper understood!

Micheal, do you understand that  Canada and our allies are fighting a war stemming from terrorist activities and that this year alone homegrown US terrorists have targeted New York and shot up a Texas barracks?  Does anyone harping about the cost of security remember that a Nigerian terrorist tried to blow up a transatlantic flight, and Al-Qaeda double agent suicide bombers killed several U.S. Agents in Afghanistan.

Micheal, do you understand that when it had become common knowledge that several peaceful protests were planned during the G8 and G20 summits, a group of black-clad anarchists identifying themselves as adhering to the ‘Black Bloc’ philosophy had openly advertised the fact that they would be descending on the summit.  No! I guess Harper understood.

With last minute security preparations complete which included increased police presence in the form of Toronto-Metro, RCMP, and Police officers gathered from across Canada, a security buffer was set, and military leaders were on stand-by.  A thirty-foot security fence was erected around the summit meeting location, the money was spent.  'What a waste of money' was probably ringing between the ears of the likes of Ignatieff.  'If only every Canadian could enjoy high-speed internet.' was the position publicly conveyed by the honourable opposition.

In what now has become probably the best example of a political 'I told you so,' the Black Bloc did descend on the peaceful protesters, and in true fascist anarchist fashion they started a riot on Queen street.  Four police cars were set on fire, store-fronts were destroyed and before television cameras and reporters from around the world, Canada began to look like a third-world country.  While employees of retailers lining the war-zone cowered behind their cash registers, the Mayor of Toronto went before the cameras and in a brief press conferences was asked questions like; “Do you believe the amount of police presence caused the riot?”  “Are the police doing enough to control the protestors?”  The level of frustration on the Toronto Mayors face was only out-done by the terse response to a press who like Ignatieff, simply just does not understand.

The opportunity to host important international summits like the G8 and the larger meeting of the G20 is an important opportunity for Canada and speaks well of how Canada is seen as a global partner.  

The amount of money spent to secure not only the delegates of several nations but also the Canadian soil these summits occupy is necessary.  In the state of world affairs only a fool would host a world political meeting without taking every measure possible for security.

The question has been raised that if the security was in place, how could the violence erupt in the first place.  Maybe a better question would be, how did the Toronto-Metro police arrest 500 hooligans, essentially restoring peace in relatively short order?  Because that is precisely what happened.  The sheer amount of law enforcement that descended on Toronto was able to arrest the Black Bloc without instigating onlookers to erupt in an all-out free-for-all.

As a result of the riot, Toronto has incurred losses due to property damage, lost wages, and lost business earnings.  The wisdom of whether Toronto was a proper venue for the G20 summit will probably be the hot-topic from the opposition for months to come.  I suspect no matter how plainly Prime Minister Stephan Harper explains it, the opposition will find it simply impossible to understand.

The Eco-Indulgence

“As soon as a coin in the coffers rings, a soul from purgatory springs.”   Johan Tetzel (from Martin Luther's Ninety-Five Thesis)

The act of offering indulgences by the Catholic Church was originally put into practice going back to the Council of Epaon in 517AD.  It was a method of replacing severe canonical penances with something new and milder.  In those days it replaced severe penances and it became customary to commute practices to less demanding works, such as prayers, alms, fasts and even tariff penances.   It fell into abuses by what became known as professional “pardoners” in the Middle Ages, which came to a head in 1517AD when Pope Leo X offered indulgences for those who gave alms to rebuild St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.   It was then that Martin Luther nailed his Ninety-Five Thesis protesting what he saw as the purchase and sale of salvation, thus sparking the Protestant Reformation.   He wrote in Thesis 28 the words of Johan Tetzel, Pope Leo X's aggressive indulgence marketer, “As soon as a coin in the coffers rings, a soul from purgatory springs.”

Of course, money would never had been raised for the rebuilding of the Basilica if people did not want to be absolved or even lessened the punishment for their sins.  Pope Leo X and Tetzel knew that they could prey on the guilty feelings of the weak. All it took was a charismatic personality, Tetzel, and the authority of the Papacy, to push ahead.

Today we have the same dynamics at play on the masses, where Eco-Indulgences are being paid by individuals in order to reduce their guilt from sins acted on 'Mother Earth'.  In order to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions individuals, instead of countries can purchase carbon credits. The money raised is claimed to be used towards environmental programs such as reforestation, new technologies to reduce CO2 emissions, and social programs such as 'adopt-a-bicycle.'  People who drive gas guzzling SUV's, Hummers, sports cars and motorcycles can off-set their gaseous ways by calculating their carbon footprint and pay their way out of eco-purgatory.  The funds collected by private companies adhere to a voluntary set of standards and practices, which is not regulated, or vetted by any governmental (that's you and I) organization.  The standards by which these companies run under are created by two people sitting in a private office in Washington, D.C. Their organization VCS (Voluntary Carbon Standards) provide a stamp of approval for many other private companies that are popping up on the internet selling 'eco-indulgences.'

One such company from  Australia, WesternField Holdings Inc. stands accused of defrauding $3.2 million dollars in a carbon investment scam.  The company would sell carbon credits for investing, and the buyer would monitor their carbon investments in a website held by CTR Limited (carbontrustregistry.com)  Carbon Trust says on its website that it is a registry for credits issued by Voluntary Carbon Standards (VCS) Association.  However, VCS has since advised that Carbon Trust is not an authorized  VCS registry.  Examples such as this wreaked of a need for regulating the private sector in an area where peoples gullibility is open to exploitation.

But is Canada protected from this wholesale of 'eco-indulgences.'  Not to be outdone, several Canadians have started online companies in an effort to raise funds

At one such website, I was able to calculate my individual carbon footprint based not so much on any detailed personal habits but only on the size of my house, and the brand of my vehicle, it quickly advised me that I could off-set my existence by paying them $487.86/year.  This Canadian website proudly advised that they were members  of the Voluntary Carbon Standard (VCS) Association. Just as I was looking at an “Add to My Shopping Cart” I read the following.  “You can buy with confidence knowing that you are protected by our no hassle returns policy.”  Emphasis theirs.

How in hell does anyone get a refund on a carbon footprint? Based on this little nudge, I should be able to call them up half way through the year and say.  “You know I got rid of my Chevrolet and bought a Prius.  Please calculate a credit of my credit and credit my credit card!”

What was even more frustrating is that nowhere on this website, or any other that I found selling carbon credits, did it provide any scientific reasoning being the carbon-credit calculation.  Nor did these sites actually detail how the money was being spend.  They did however, advise that we are killing the planet and causing global warming, and that the money will be used toward new technologies to reduce mankind's impact on the planet.

Just like the turning point on church indulgences imposed by Pope Leo X can be traced, 'eco-indulgences' can be linked back to Al Gore and “An Inconvenient Truth”.  Released in 2006, the film has been used as the canon document of the global-warming movement and is the weapon of choice by the newly converted. Al Gore has become the new eco-prophet of our time.  So was there anything that Gore needed to build?  Co-Founded by Al Gore two years before the release of “An Inconvenient Truth”, was an eco-investment company called General Investment Company.  Followed up by his company called the Alliance for Climate Protection, these companies seek investments into new eco-technologies.

As long as people are led to believe that every mile they travel is a sin against our planet, people will throw away their family trust buying carbon credits from private companies to relieve their guilt.  It took 500 years for the Church to mend their ways. When will a new-age Martin Luther start another reform?

Lacking Pride

“Watch what people are cynical about, and one can often discover what they lack.”  
General George S. Patten

Back in December I received a comment from a reader that I found myself brushing off my shoulder.  It was one of those comments that you consider the source and then move on placing little credence to it.  Then two weeks ago during a conversation with a stranger, they discovered that I worked at the Pipestone Flyer, and immediately stated, “That's a pro-war newspaper right?”  There it was again.  It was one of those moments when your brain goes back into search mode and tries to put yourself in the shoes of the person you are facing.  Being the editor, I control what and what does not go into the newspaper, and I tried hard to understand what I had published that made the Pipestone Flyer 'pro-war', or better yet appear war mongering.

As weak as it was, all I could come up with was that nearly every week we have placed a banner advertisement in our newspaper at our cost promoting a website that  honours  War Veterans from Millet.  A website that we build, host and maintain.  I have also written editorials supporting all veterans for what they have provided Canada in past and current conflicts.  Yes, it would be fair to say that I am proud of Canada's international role it has played and is playing in regards to our military deployment. I am not proud of the losses that we have felt, but I have a deep understanding of the significance of the soldiers that have sacrificed their lives for not only their country but for their families.

But, the comment from this stranger ended in a discussion that unfortunately put me on the defensive as what turned into a political rant from this person where my position could not be intelligently conveyed.  In her mind, I was a warmonger and The Pipestone Flyer was guilty by association and she was a peace loving Canadian and I therefore was the opposite, period!  It turned into a group discussion that criticized my conservative views on many fronts. We parted that day agreeing to disagree.

My pride in our military comes from two distinct but related sources. First and foremost, I do not love war.  Like many, when CNN started to broadcast the USA bombing Baghdad into the 'stone-age' in their 'shock-and-awe' campaign, I, like many North Americans, was glued to the television, only to suffer from depression from the day to day coverage. It did not thrill me to see the start of the conflict, but as a living human I was interested in what is happening on this planet.

So, when our then Liberal government committed Canada to the Afghanistan war which has now endured nearly a decade, I was proud that Canada was not just sitting back asking Britain to represent us, but that we had an international policy to support.  It also speaks well of Canada that our current federal government is honouring the spirit of our international commitment and has not pulled out our troops prematurely in spite of our losses in Afghanistan and the liberal opposition.  So on an international scale I am a proud Canadian and proud of the important role our military is fulfilling.

Secondly, on a personal level, I am a member of a military family.  That means that when there is a Canadian loss in the field of battle, I felt the loss on a personal level.  Because as with the Bosnian conflict, the Afghanistan war had a member of our family fighting side-by-side with other Canadians.  My sister's husband, a man I am proud to call my brother, served in Afghanistan for a tour of duty.  I saw the stress on my sister's face when he was not there for Christmas.  I listened as my sister talked not only with pride but with fear in her voice whenever she mentioned Paul's name in conversation.  I felt rather insignificant because the only role I had to play in Paul's mission was connecting closer to his sons while their father was risking his life.

Yes, it is true that I am proud of our Canadian military past and present.  I am so, because of what we as Canadians represent in the world.  I am so because of the brotherly love and pride I feel for Paul.  That pride did not subside, especially when last week my brother-in-law, Col. Paul Bury, was chosen as the  Commander of the 41 Canadian Brigade Group taking over the reigns from the outgoing Commander, Col. Thomas Putt.

So, is the Pipestone Flyer pro-war? No, it just happens that it's editor is a proud Canadian. One that is not afraid to express pride in our military and all organizations in this country and our community that ensure that we don't forget the sacrifices our military have made everyday under our flag.

No truer words were ever voiced when U.S. General George S. Patten stated,  “Watch what people are cynical about, and one can often discover what they lack.”

Only an Insult Will a Penny Buy

For a few months now I have had a friend on my payroll. It's not that he actually works for me, it is quite the opposite. Unlike many today, my friend just cannot ignore one of these.  My inside joke has been that every time we go to a meeting or event, I surreptitiously drop a shining penny in front of his drivers door, or somewhere in his path. If he sees it, he always, without fail, bends over to pick it up. Of course for political correct reasons  I really can't fill you in on why I was doing this. However, until this moment he did not know I was the source of his new found wealth. In all I guess that I have paid him a total of 60 cents for his efforts.

What many have discovered is that the penny, or as the Canadian Mint refers to them as “one-cent piece,” has no real value. In fact they have become a nuisance to the average consumer. Many empty their pockets of change and sort the larger coins and leave the pennies stuck in a pickle jar. If you wish to find out just how much the penny is treated with contempt, take that pickle jar full of pennies into a bank someday and try to deposit it. They have such little value, that nowadays almost every store or restaurant has a rubber dish on the counter that states, “Need a penny, take a penny. Got a penny, leave a penny.”  How I wish when I was 5 years old to have that option in front of me. I could walk out of the store with 5 Mojo candies for every penny I tendered. Nowadays, you can't buy anything for a penny. Even the average 5 year old Kool-Aid stand is offering a glass of hand stirred cherry drink for a buck a glass. The penny buys you nothing, unless you consider interrupting a stranger in a park and say, “Penny for your thoughts?”  Yes, only an insult will a penny buy.

It has been over two years since Winnipeg MP Pat Martin submitted a private members bill calling for the one-cent piece to be taken out of circulation, and it appears that our government has ignored this submission.

It is estimated that over the years there have been 30 billion Canadian pennies in circulation, of which it costs our federal government 1.5 cents per coin to produce. In other words, stuck in jars, under beds or hidden in the top shelve of  kitchen cupboards, Canadians are holding $300M from circulation, which costs estimated $450M to produce. I think the honourable member of parliament may be onto something here!

Every year Canada issues an average of 25 pennies for every Canadian, which is costing $130M a year to keep in circulation. I truly believe that if the federal government wanted to cut costs, the elimination of the penny should be something we need to implement. In two surveys conducted, strong arguments were put forth in favour of crushing the penny.

In a study conducted by the Desjardins Group it was successfully argued that the penny has “so little purchasing power that Canadians increasingly refuse it as change.”  The study stated that, “It (the penny) is kept in circulation solely to facilitate cash payments (with bank notes and coins) to the nearest cent.”

The Royal Canadian Mint and the Department of Finance prepared a study by Altitude Marketing Research which revealed that 67 percent surveyed were not against the elimination of the one-cent piece. With 42 percent in favour, 33 percent were against and 25 percent were neutral on the subject. Unlike my penny-pinching friend who cannot pass up an abandoned one-cent coin, 64 percent of those surveyed stated they would not chase after a penny lost in a couch while 71 percent perceive the penny as part of the Canadian heritage.

The perception of the penny as a Canadian heritage is what many would refer to as an irrational affinity. A weak kneed reason to hang onto an obsolete tool of society that is costing the tax payer millions of dollars each year to hang onto. Money that could be spent more effectively toward social programs, health care, or housing for those who huddle in the streets stuck in a mind-set that makes them societal burdens. If everyone who hoards this copper coated steel coin would take their jars down to a charity of choice they could donate millions of dollars overnight. This would in turn push these missing-in-action 300 billion coins into the banking system, giving our government the opportunity to pull them from circulation.

New Zealand and Australia have already done away with the penny, leaving a five-cent piece as their lowest financial token. They have done so with no ill effects, and at the same time have weaned their people from any irrational attachment they may of had to this “piece of heritage.” It is time Canada joined their ranks.