Category: government

Clown alert: Janet Napolitano

On By Rick McIn governmentLeave a comment

A lone traveler on the American Terrorist “Watch List” flies from a Muslim country without luggage … and he was not flagged at any airport.

What does the Czar of Homeland Security have to say?

With commentary by (with great photoshop work) Michelle Malkin.

Clown alert: Janet Napolitano says the “system worked

… one thing I’d like to point out is that the system worked. …

So the whole process of making sure that we respond properly, correctly and effectively went very smoothly.

Janet Napolitano is the United States Secretary of Homeland Security.

She later went on NBC’s Today Show with host Matt Lauer and appeared to change her view to reflect that the security system had indeed failed.

OK, she misspoke. Anyone can do that once …

I’d forgive her if she hadn’t previously blundered about my country:

… “Yes, Canada is not Mexico. It doesn’t have a drug war going on,” Napolitano said. “Nonetheless, to the extent that terrorists have come into our country …it’s been across the Canadian border.” …

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano is not fit for position, recent events prove

Loose lips sink ships, Janet.

One terrorist, once, tried to cross from Canada to the U.S.A. … One of your astute border guards caught him. Your system worked, that time.

Obama will lose in 2012

On By Rick McIn economics, government4 Comments
Michael Williams of Fannie Mae, top, and Charles Haldeman of Freddie Mac will each receive up to $6 million for two years.

I was a big supporter of Obama very early on in his bid to become President.

He’s still likely the very best man that’s ever held the job.

But let me go on record very early on to say he won’t win a second term.

On Dec. 24th the Democrats delivered a Christmas present:

… significant new financial support to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the beleaguered mortgage giants, no matter how badly they perform in the next few years.

The announcement came as the government approved cash compensation for the companies’ top executives of up to $42 million for their work this past year. The largest payouts will go to the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac chief executives, who each will receive up to $6 million over two years, according to financial filings made Thursday. …

NY Times

I know $6 million, even $42 million is chump change. That corporate fat cat salaries is a specious issue.

But a number of talking points like this one makes Obama a sitting duck for any Republican who runs on a platform of fiscal responsibility.

The American voter has no stomach for increased taxes. That means the next President of the U.S.A. will be the Republican who runs on decreasing the Federal budget.

And how do you decrease budget spending? It’s obvious …

Whatever Republican candidate with the guts to bring American troops home soon can beat Obama. The U.S.A. can no longer afford to be policeman to the world.

That graph’s old and an oversimplification. There’s a more detailed breakdown of the 2009 budget here.

WIN the War On Drugs – legalize marijuana

On By Rick McIn anti-smoking, economics, government, health & fitness2 Comments

In the 40 years since U.S. President Richard Nixon declared a “war on drugs,” the supply and use of drugs has not changed in any fundamental way. The only difference: a taxpayer bill of more than $1 trillion.

A senior Mexican official who has spent more than two decades helping fight the government’s war on drugs summed up recently what he’s learned from his long career: “This war is not winnable.” …

… Growing numbers of Mexican and U.S. officials say—at least privately—that the biggest step in hurting the business operations of Mexican cartels would be simply to legalize their main product: marijuana. Long the world’s most popular illegal drug, marijuana accounts for more than half the revenues of Mexican cartels.

“Economically, there is no argument or solution other than legalization, at least of marijuana,” said the top Mexican official matter-of-factly. The official said such a move would likely shift marijuana production entirely to places like California, where the drug can be grown more efficiently and closer to consumers. …

Wall Street Journal – Saving Mexico

California is one of 14 states that have legalized medical marijuana, anyway. It’s easy to be prescribed legal dope there.

Assembly Bill 390: The Marijuana Control, Regulation and Education Act … is the first bill ever introduced to regulate the sale and use of marijuana in the U.S. state of California. If passed and signed into law, marijuana would be sold and taxed openly to adults age 21 and older in California. …

Proponents are trying to take that to a statewide vote sometime in 2010.

I’m sure Arnold is thinking about it. An estimated $1.3 billion in revenue to the empty California tax coffers.

But the U.S.A. is one of the most conservative (backward) nations in the world. The romantic comedy “It’s Complicated” got an R rating, … “which experts say could limit the box-office potential of the Universal Pictures film — … largely from a sequence in which Steve Martin and Meryl Streep smoke marijuana.”

Producers have appealed.

This is a polarizing issue in a nation already split between Democrats and Republicans. It would be a gutsy move for Arnold to allow legislation to go ahead … if Californians vote to legalize. I think he should.

Suddenly the world hates Canada

On By Rick McIn bad news, government1 Comment

That’s the title of a great article by Jonathon Gatehouse in Macleans:

How did a country with two per cent of the world’s emissions turn global villain?

As a traveller, I’ve always benefited from the halo effect of being Canadian. Worldwide Canada has been admired, whether we deserve it or not.

Seems the shoe is on the other foot now.

… As scientists, activists, diplomats, and political leaders gather in Copenhagen for the United Nations’ 15th convention on climate change, Dec. 7 to Dec. 18, the northern hemisphere’s “helpful fixer” is undergoing a radical—and unrelentingly negative—image makeover. Canada “is now to climate what Japan is to whaling,” George Monbiot, a columnist for the U.K.’s Guardian newspaper, thundered late last month, citing the Harper government’s go-slow negotiating stance as “the major” obstacle to a new global agreement on curbing greenhouse gas emissions. “Until now I believed that the nation that has done the most to sabotage a new climate change agreement was the United States,” wrote Monbiot, a green campaigner and bestselling author. “I was wrong. The real villain is Canada.” …

read more – Suddenly the world hates canada

Canada was named “Fossil of the Week” by the 450 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Copenhagen for its efforts to “block or stall” climate negotiations. Actually, this was the 3rd year in a row we’ve been given the dubious citation.

Our Prime Minister, from Alberta, is literally the poster bad boy.

… ad campaign in the Copenhagen airport in preparation for the Copenhagen climate negotiations that start on Dec. 7. They’re a series of ads featuring Photoshopped images of sad-looking world leaders, apologizing for not addressing climate change when they had the chance. Canada’s Prime Minister looks like the saddest hockey coach in the land.” …

Certainly this is a Public Relations nightmare for Canada. The Harper Government could fall over this issue.

But are the charges fair?

They are as fair as that poster. Do you really believe that Copenhagen had any chance to prevent “Catastrophic Climate Change” if sad Canada had only supported the proposals of the Maldives?

Should Canada support the Maldive bid for the 2024 Olympics, as well?

The charges against Canada are emotional and overblown.

Alberta should not shut down the oil sands despite the environmental issues. That would be foolish, long-term.

Bangladesh, one of the nations most affected if sea levels rise, will not reduce carbon emissions. It’s more important that Bangladesh bring clean water, education and medical care to their citizens.

What’s the solution, then? Assuming that humanity is capable of altering climate.

I’d put all the money we can get from all sources into research. Let’s try to find a scientific way to reverse the effects of Climate Change. And to find ways we can help nations adapt to the possible changes.

… To be honest, I’d personally spend $0 researching climate change. I’d put it towards things I care about MORE than global warming.

Many more intelligent and researched than I, disagree. Feel free to vent in the comments.

Canada does something RIGHT

On By Rick McIn good news, government, internetLeave a comment

The Supreme Court of Canada transformed the country’s libel laws Tuesday with a pair of decisions that proponents say will expand the boundaries of free speech.

The court ruled that libel lawsuits will rarely succeed against journalists who act responsibly in reporting their stories when those stories are in the public interest.

It also updated the laws for the Internet age, extending the same defence to bloggers and other new-media practitioners. …

“Freewheeling debate on matters of public interest is to be encouraged and the vital role of the communications media in providing a vehicle for such debate is explicitly recognized,” Chief Justice McLachlin said in a pair of 9-0 decisions. …

Globe and Mail

more news stories on this topic

Our politicians ususally blunder when drafting legislation around new media, clinging to flawed, outdated models. But the Supreme Court is to be praised. Click through if you want to see their names.

I’m proud to be a Canadian today … after being so disappointed this week in the lack of transparency, accountability and fiscal responsibility of our Ministry of Indian Affairs,

my next JOB …

On By Rick McIn bad news, government, humour2 Comments

The chief of Peguis First Nation in Manitoba.

… Documents provided to CBC News by the advocacy group the Canadian Taxpayers Federation show that the chief and four councillors of the Peguis First Nation were paid between $206,000 and $310,000 each last year.

The community is home to about 7,200 people and is located about 200 kilometres north of Winnipeg.

CBC…

Here’s the guy I’ll be replacing. (He’s caught up in some sort of scandal.)

My new house will have fast internet. The “Band” will pay for it. And by “Band”, I mean the Canadian Taxpayer.

It sucks to be a taxpayer. That’s why we don’t pay taxes on the Peguis First Nation.

What a sweet gig!

I’m so happy the white man invaded North America. Winnipeg’s mayor and Manitoba’s premier will make less than me. And they’ll pay taxes. Ha.

In fact, after he pays taxes (sucker) I’ll make more than Prime Minister Harper.

Of the 600+ recognized First Nations governments or bands in Canada, I want to be the highest paid. That’s my goal. I’ll decide my own salary once I get into power.

Please email Chuck Strahl, Minister of Indian Affairs, and lobby him on my behalf.

… If anyone else figures out what’s going on in that Manitoba First Nation, I may have competition for the job.

Worst case scenario? I’m screwed if the Feds decide to reveal the pay of Band leaders online.

what do you know about Bangladesh?

On By Rick McIn economics, government, Islam, travel, uncategorizedLeave a comment

I thought I was “worldly”, … yet I knew almost nothing about Bangladesh before going there as a volunteer this Fall.

Bangladesh

The first thing people talk about in the capital Dhaka, is the traffic.

You might average 20km/hr. Walking is sometimes faster.

Actually, if you can get off the road, the countryside is green and lush. It’s one giant flood plain.

Bangladesh is a fast growing economy (growth 6-7%/yr), devoutly Muslim … but with few security problems. The nation is focused on economic growth, looking to bring millions out of poverty. Agriculture and clothing manufacture are the main industries.

It’s surprisingly progressive, the first Muslim-majority country to establish an all-women United Nations peacekeeping force. They have a woman Prime Minister.

Instead of blaming problems on the U.S.A. as a distraction, leaders in Bangladesh are “seeking five billion dollars of foreign investment for power and gas projects to end a chronic energy crisis”.

I think they’ll get 5-10 billion. Bangladesh is a good long term investment.

Happy Victory Day, Bangladesh!

Bangladesh celebrated Victory Day Wednesday, heralded by a 21 cannon salute that rang through the capital at dawn, while the president laid a wreath at the National Memorial in Savar to commemorate those who gave their lives for independence.

On this day in 1971, the Pakistan army surrendered to the allied forces of Bangladesh and India at Ramna Racecourse Maidan in Dhaka, ending the painful nine-month war that saw a new nation emerge.

National Parliament building (Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban)

more Bangladesh photos

Geoffrey Canada is my hero

On By Rick McIn education, government, product endorsementsLeave a comment

Geoffrey Canada’s Harlem Children’s Zone is one of the few success stories I’ve heard in American education.

The USA made the mistake of not offering children an equal chance of success by inventing a system where some schools are good. Some are bad.

No wonder the USA has the world’s highest percentage of prison inmates. China ranks second with only about 18% of the US incarceration rate.

… Is that too big a leap? … Bad schools mean more kids will fall into crime?

Geoffrey Canada it trying a radical approach. He has 1200 inner city students and guarantees ALL of them they will go to College. Though it costs $5000/yr/student, his school is free to the kids.

Is that expensive?

Prison costs $60,000/yr. Reform school $100,000/yr.

Watch The Harlem Children’s Zone from the December 6, 2009 edition of 60 Minutes. Canada is a man who simply will not be denied.

60 Minutes also posts a text version online. It’s titled Harlem’s Education Experiment Gone Right.

Nepal cabinet meeting on Mt Everest

On By Rick McIn government, hiking1 Comment

November 11th.

How are they going to get up there?

FLY.

Dumb, dumb idea. This will never work.

The meeting will be held later this month, just ahead of December’s Copenhagen climate change summit, at a base camp on the world’s highest mountain.

The Himalayan glaciers – known as the world’s third ice-cap – feed some of the region’s greatest rivers, including the Ganges, the Yamuna and the Brahmaputra. They also irrigate farmland in Tibet, Nepal, Bangladesh and India. …

Nepal’s ministers will now follow the lead of ministers in the Maldives who staged a cabinet meeting under water to highlight the risk of the tropical islands being submerged by rising sea levels. They will meet later this month at a base camp at 5,300 metres where mountaineers begin their final ascent of Everest. …

Nepal to hold cabinet meeting on Mount Everest

north_face_mt_everest

Update: Nepali cabinet meeting at base camp of Mt. Qomolangma uncertain