Canadians & Canada Day

Canadians love Canada Day! It’s our chance to howl to the world that Canada is the greatest country in the world. As I sit with my family in a home that my parents could only dream of, I realize how truly blessed we are. Today I heard a stat about the Ottawa Police. Out of tens of thousands of incident calls, the police only had to actually discharge their weapons 43 times--and that was to put down injured animals. No humans were fired upon. This of course is a testament to the skills of the Ottawa police, but it is also a testament to the people of Canada and our society.

We can drink our water straight from a tap. We can eat our produce in safety. We can walk the streets at night and not be afraid. We can marry who we want, live where we want without government intervention, demonstrate on any issue and not be shot, and vote in our representation without fearing for your life. We have the cleanest air, the most fresh water lakes, and every type of climatic zone (except jungle) you can think of to enjoy. If you go to the Canada Day celebration on Parliament Hill, you will see a hundred thousand faces of every race, creed, and colour. Each one celebrating the fact they are Canadian.

It is this great celebration that reminds us how wonderful Canada is and how much we need to stand and protect this land. It is Canadians who are ultimately responsible for this country and Canada Day reminds us of what is at stake. God Bless Canada and her people. Be safe out there and hug a Canadian!

Photo credit: Bill Kent

Toronto Misses The Mark: Banning Bullets.

CANADIANS LOVE ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY.

Oops, looks like a hurricane...better grab my TOWEL.

Canadians love the concept of personal responsibility. If you rob a bank you don’t want to say to your cellmate that it’s your mother’s fault you turned out bad. Things will end badly for you. In the movies we love to hear the hero say “Cowboy up whiner!” or “Stand up and be a man!” Yet it seems that we are becoming a nation poisoned by excuseitis. We blame parents, teachers, bosses, anyone but ourselves for our problems. We have even started to blame inanimate objects for our mistakes. I was down in Florida on vacation with the kids. We went to the beach and there was a booth selling souvenirs. I picked up this towel and on it was a large tag with a safety warning. I am not kidding, it said “DO NOT USE AS COVER DURING HURRICANE”. No joke! But the real joke is what this tag really meant. It meant that some idiot used one of these towels as cover during a hurricane! Then rather than accepting responsibility for his own actions he sued the towel company for damages and they were forced to put this stupid tag on. One more thing that should shock is that some judge agreed with the plaintiff.

TORONTO MISSES THE MARK: BANNING BULLETS

ATTENTION: THIS IS IN JEST. STAY CALM.
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Now in Toronto there is an action starting to outlaw bullets within city limits. There have been a number of terrible shootings involving illegal handguns and gang violence. Now the authorities cannot stop the steady flow of illegal weapons reaching the gangs, so how can the police stop anyone carrying a bullet? Why would they want to? You still need the illegal firearm before you can fire the bullet. Yet there are people in Toronto who support stopping registered firearm owners from buying perfectly legal ammunition. That’s right. Gang members would have to be registered PAL licence holders to buy ammunition. Do you believe that gang members legally buy ammunition with a PAL licence? Sure if you believe gang members lined up to register their illegal handguns and automatic weapons before committing a crime. But the authorities need to be seen to be doing something so they try bans and registries. This goes back to passing the buck. You can’t blame the gang member so blame the inanimate object and create useless law that changes the lives of honest Canadians. Let’s say the bylaw passed. I can hear the gang leader now. “Well, we were going to have a gang war but I couldn’t buy ammo at the store. So we threw our illegal handguns into Lake Ontario and gave up our evil ways!” It’s laughable. They will just buy bullets from the guys who supplied the illegal guns.

If we continue to blame others or the inanimate objects around us for our woes we will never remove the real problems. Like poverty, family issues, cultural mores, poor education and the lack of teaching on personal accountability. That’s right Canadians lets bring back that thing we used to love so much: personal accountability.

What do you think?

Canadians and Gasoline: a mental exercise

Canadians like a fair price for a fair product. Its not that we are tight-fisted, but we do like to shop around. That is why we get so frustrated with gas prices. Where is the competition? Have you ever wondered why gas prices are at $1.20 or so in Canada and the price of oil is at $80 barrel, yet there seems to be no competition? To get the right answer you have to ask the right questions. Now I am not going to answer the questions. Because as the saying goes, “A man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still.” That is why you must come to the answer yourself. Here we go….

ASK YOURSELF ABOUT OIL PRICES:

Who owns the oil reserves?

Who owns the pumping stations and pipelines?

Who owns the oil tankers?

Who owns, and controls the number of oil refineries?

Who owns the oil storage?

Who owns the gas tanker contracts?

Who owns the gas stations?

Who owns the speculators who drive the prices up on the mere speculation of trouble in the world or good in the world?

Who tells you there is no more oil (remember the 70’s), only to magically find more?

Who tells you that the combustion engine has reached its maximum efficiency only to come out with cars that do 50 mpg?

Who tells you a lack of refineries is the problem, even though it’s has been decades since new ones have been built in number?

Who raises the price of oil as cars become more efficient to keep profits high?

Who keeps telling you there is no conspiracy to price fix the price of gas?

Here’s a hint. There is only one answer. Now if one group controls the oil then any excuse will do because not only do they control the system, they also control all the excuses. So the next time a fly farts in Brazil and the price of gas goes up you will know why.

What do you think?

Comment below, send an email; share your thoughts!

Canadians Love Dogs & Cats.

FURRED CANADIANS: WE LOVE OUR PETS.

Who doesn't LOVE puppies?!

Canadians love dogs and cats. Big dogs, little cats, little dogs, and cats so fat the calico ones look like monster versions of those summertime black and orange caterpillars. Dogs with jaws that could crush a sledge hammer, cats with one eye that have the hunting skills of a panther, dogs with stringers of drool you could skip with, we love them all! Dogs are part of our heritage. We conquered the north with them. Dogs protect us, work for us, but most importantly they love us. That may be why we love them. They love and understand the misunderstood Canadian.

Cats don’t love us; they simply allow us to serve them. We brush them, feed them, and love them, and in return they deem to share their/our home with them. On the upside I understand they make excellent eggrolls. (Just kidding…really). Cats are killers. They hunt not for food but for the thrill of the kill. So whether it’s the neighbour's escaped canary or your old sock, it’s hunting it down that thrills them. Ever watch a non-hunting dog catch a bird or a squirrel? It's like the first time you have to eat an oyster. You know it's supposed to be good but it just feels so damn weird! Cats, on the other hand, will bring you a decapitated mouse and stare at you like you’re an idiot if you don’t eat this fine meal that he deems to share with you.   Canadians love their dogs and cats.

What do you think?

The Cyclist Agenda: when laws get bent.

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CANADIANS BELIEVE IN THEIR LAWS; YES, EVEN FOR CYCLISTS.

Canadians are fierce believers in the law. You steal from someone and you go to jail. It’s simple and fair. But Canadians are growing impatient with the unfair application of our laws. Let’s use an example we all understand. According to the Ontario Traffic Act, bicycles are accorded the same rights and privileges as a motorized vehicle. 

There is also a list of laws and fines for each transgression. The ones in red (posted at the end of this post) I see broken on a daily basis: that’s over 50% of the laws in this section.  I travel approximately 14 kms to work. I’m dead serious; I see these laws broken every day and yet in 39 years and over 2.5 million kms of driving I have never seen a single police officer giving a ticket to a cyclist. Not one. If cars did this on a daily basis there would be total chaos. Also, if a car hits a cyclist, they are deemed responsible whether the accident was the driver’s fault or not. That means it’s in the best interest of drivers to have these laws applied.

ABSURDITY FROM THE POLICE: CYCLISTS GO UNTICKETED.

Last week our local police announced something that should shock all drivers: cyclists will not be fined if caught cycling while talking on a cell phone. Here is a simple question that might point out the danger of such folly: Is it safer to drive a car with one hand, or a bike with one hand? Forget the phone itself for the moment. Which is more dangerous? It’s basic physics. A car has four wheels, so a car is more stable; the proof is in the millions of people who drive a standard. Driving a bike, in traffic, with one hand, on Ottawa’s goat-path roads, is a death sentence. Now let’s add in the cell phone. It is considered so dangerous to drive a car with one that new laws have been written with steep fines. Millions are spent on advertizing against it. Socially you are considered a fool to do this. Does anyone believe that bikers are safer than cars while using a cell phone?

Ah, the perfect photo. Source.

Yet our police have told us that they will not fine cyclists. If bikes are the same as cars according to the law, then why the difference in enforcement? Why do our police acknowledge the existence of a law and yet choose not to enforce it? It’s simple: they are told not to. Our leaders have agendas that are affected by the application of the law. Whether it’s cycling laws or the ridiculous anti-smoking bylaws recently enforced here in Ottawa, the law is either too problematic to enforce or does not fit their agenda. Ottawa Councillors want more bikes on the road, so don’t scare cyclists off by giving them tickets and asking them to follow the law!

Canadians want equal and fair application of the law. They do not want laws bent or ignored because of who you are or what agenda is being pushed.

What do you think?

APPENDIX: THE HIGHWAY TRAFFIC ACT: BICYCLE LAWS

HTA 144/136 - Traffic signals and signs

Stop for red lights and stop signs and comply with all other signs. Set fine: $85.00

HTA 153 - One-ways streets

Ride in the designated direction on one-way streets. Set fine: $85.00

HTA 147 - Slow moving traffic travel on right side

Any vehicle moving slower than the normal traffic speed should drive in the right-hand lane, or as close as practicable to the right edge of the road except when preparing to turn left or when passing another vehicle. Set fine: $85.00

HTA 142 - Signalling a turn

Before turning, look behind you and signal your turn. Cyclists can use their right arm to signal a right turn. Set fine: $85.00

HTA 140(1) 144(29) - Crosswalks

Yield or stop for pedestrians at crosswalks. Set fine: $85.00

HTA 140(6)/144(29) - No riding in crosswalks

Walk your bike when crossing at a crosswalk. Set fine: $85.00

HTA 166 - Streetcars

Stop two metres behind streetcar doors and wait until passengers have boarded or departed and reached the curb. Set fine: $85.00

HTA 175 (12) - Stopped school buses

Stop for stopped school buses when the upper alternating red lights are flashing. Set fine: $400.00

HTA 62(17) - Lights

A bike must have a white front light and a red rear light or reflector if you ride between 1/2 hour before sunset and 1/2 hour after sunrise and white reflective tape on the front forks and red reflective tape on rear forks. Set fine: $20.00

HTA 75 (5) - Bell

A bike must have a bell or horn in good working order. Set fine: $85.00

HTA 64(3) - Brakes

A bike must have at least one brake system on the rear wheel. When you put on the brakes, you should be able to skid on dry, level pavement. Set fine: $85.00

HTA 218 - Identification

Cyclists must stop and identify themselves when required to stop by police for breaking traffic laws. The police officer will ask you for your correct name and address. Set fine: $85.00

HTA Reg. 630 - Expressways

Bicycles are prohibited on expressway / freeway highways such as the 400 series, the QEW, Ottawa Queensway and on roads where "No Bicycle" signs are posted. Set fine: $85.00

HTA 178(2) - Passengers

Passengers are not allowed on a bicycle designed for one person. Set fine: $85.00

HTA 178(1) - Attaching to a vehicle

You are not permitted to attach yourself to the outside of another vehicle or streetcar for the purpose of "hitching a ride." Set fine: $85.00

HTA 104 - Helmets

Every cyclist under the age of eighteen must wear an approved bicycle helmet. Parents or guardians shall not knowingly permit cyclists under sixteen to ride without a helmet. Set fine: $60.00

HTA 179 - Dismounted bicyclist

Cyclists are required to ride on the right-hand side of the road. If you are walking your bike on a highway where there are no sidewalks, you are considered a pedestrian and you should walk on the left-hand side of the road facing traffic. If it is not safe for you to cross the road to face traffic, you may walk your bike on the right-hand side of the road. Set fine: $35.00.

For more information on the rules of use for these types of vehicles, please visit www.mto.gov.on.ca.

Canadian Money Pits: Green Programs

CANADIANS ARE PRACTICAL.

Buy the right tool once. Winter tires are a way of sorting the practical from the dull-witted. Canadians are always looking for a deal because we realize that there is a limited amount of money in the account. That is why Canadians get so upset when the government, at any level, does not take our practicality with money into account.

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THE GREEN BIN PROGRAM: A COMPOSTABLE MONEY PIT

Here is a classic example. Here in Ottawa, Canada's capital, we have been forced by the municipal and provincial government to recycle kitchen waste. We are told that this is to slow down the filling of our local landfill. Now, ignore the fact that less than 5% of our garbage is pork chop bones and coffee grinds. Ignore fact that the only true biodegradable garbage is kitchen waste and it actually aids in the breakdown process in the landfill. Forget that the people of our city have been trapped into a multimillion-dollar, 20 year contract to dispose of  kitchen scraps, with a quota (by volume) that we cannot possibly meet. Forget that the city is paying 20 times the disposal rate for yard waste by blending both wastes and they still cannot reach that quota. Go back to the initial reason for the project: we want to keep our landfill from filling up. Here is the problem: the landfill takes shipments from other cities! The Councillors answer: cut back on garbage pickup, and without even cutting the fees to citizens.

PRACTICAL ISN'T POLITICAL.

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Our roads are goat paths; our premier tourist area is filthy and full of drug addicts; we are flooding our sewage directly into our water supply; and we are still spending tens of millions on recycling pork chop bones? We have an obtrusive bike lane recently painted into the core of downtown--a lane that two thousand taxpayers signed a petition to get rid of--and the only thing I heard a Councillor respond with, “I like riding my bike there.” What?! Do you know how hard it is to get two thousand people to sign anything? This bike lane has caused traffic problems and safety issues, and is putting businesses along the street in peril because customers can't park, yet City Hall refuses to deal with the petition. I would say Ottawa is upset, and no one is listening!

Living in this city is like living in a house with a caved-in roof, and your spouse spends the roof money on a new Porsche. And worse yet, s/he doesn’t see what the problem is! If the Councillors would just face the real issues, move the money from their money-sucking projects and spend it wisely, our city would be sparkling for the 150^th anniversary of Canada. We could be a place that the people of the world would remember and come back to. In my city, it seems the remains of pork chops are more important. 

What do you think? Comment below or send us an email!