Another Useless Exercise!

I don't often get on the political band wagon, particularly that of a foreign country, but I feel compelled to have a say.

It is with with sadness that I watch the United States go down the path of long gun registration and confiscation that was tried , and failed, in Canada.

About 10 years ago, the government in power (the Liberals),patooeie, decided that all handguns were required to be registered (they already were) and that some with a short barrel were deemed prohibited, with a grand father clause. This meant that anyone that owned one, could keep it, but could not sell, or use it or pass it on to a son or daughter . Now, a lot of those guns were in the .32 caliber or less, which would not be effective against almost anybody. War time Lugers with a short barrel and .32 Smiths etc were in that category ,plus a whole bunch more.

All long guns including rifles and shotguns had to be registered, or their owners were subject to Criminal Prosecution. In other words, legitimate hunters, trappers, and shooters had to register or risk being denied access to the States  and other activities due to the criminal conviction.

The result of this was that a lot of people registered and a lot didn't. Very few criminals ( I wonder why) registered. It meant, when you asked around, that an unregistered fire arm sold at about twice it's normal price, while the registered ones dropped significantly in value.

After 10 years of this nonsense, the Conservative government won the election by a solid majority with a lot due to the pro gun lobby. In effect, the incoming government won by promising to do away with the Long Gun Registry and destroy the registration records. I questioned my member of parliament and was told that the registry was in fact destroyed. Of course, I believe him.  In Quebec, the Provincial Government is trying to keep their part of the registry active, which is the Province taking over Federal responsibility. To be fair,there were other reasons also that got the Liberals kicked out of power, including extreme arrogance and disrespect of the voting public.

However, the prohibitions on calibers below .32 and  on barrels below a certain length remain in effect.

The Long Gun Registry was proposed originally to cost $120 million. The costs approached $3 Billion by the time it was scrapped. You had to re-register every 5 years to keep an Acquision and Possession certificate. The last two times that renewal came up, they waived the fee because of its severe unpopularity. Now, in a country with a population of around 130 million, that $3 Billion could have done a lot of good had it been applied elsewhere.

The registry did no documented good in the 10 years that it was in effect! Criminals still had guns, Mentally challenged folks could still access guns, knives or whatever. Policemen still took suitable precautions ( if they were smart), whether a residence had a registered gun on location or not.

My words of advice to the US of A are "Don't do it, it can't work. (proven). Make criminal use of fire arms punishable by serious time in jail. Don't make criminals of your good citizens! and  learn from a failed attempt."
Finally " Wake Up America!"

I don't promote or condone the following, but the link gives the best summary of what is at stake that I have come across.

The D.C. Clothesline

If I was in Charge!

1. There would be a "Get out and vote" policy that said basically "It is both a privilege and a duty to vote in Federal Elections" or else, if you miss voting in 2 consecutive elections, you lose all rights as a citizen. That would include, government pensions, welfare benefits, Workman's Compensation and Old Age Security, plus a few other "benefits".

Sure there would have to be some exceptions, but only when authenticated as valid.

Why 2 consecutive misses? Well it would keep people voting in every election just in case one time they could not get out and vote. Who would want to take a chance?

2. Driving under the influence would result in immediate confiscation of the vehicle, permanently and it would be sold with the cash going to victims compensation. Who cares if it is a company vehicle, or Daddy's car? What is the company or Daddy doing allowing a drunk to drive? It is ultimately the driver's choice to drink and drive. Accept the consequences and quit the whining about not being responsible. You are!

3. Using a gun or knife or other weapon to commit a crime would result in a 5 year jail sentence. It might be a little more risky for law enforcement personnel, but they normally all exercise caution in any situation today. Sure, some don't, but I think that is their personal choice and they need to accept the consequences. Citizens would be allowed to defend themselves and their property without being treated as a criminal. If a firearm is involved in the defense, so be it. It is the criminals choice to attempt to rob somebody. Accept the fact that you could be shot dead. Never mind the excuses that you may have been abused, beaten, etc. as a child and that you don't consider yourself responsible. You are!

4. The judicial system would be overhauled. In Alberta you will likely suffer or pay more for injuring an animal than committing vehicular homicide. Continue the prison education, but get rid of the coloured TV. Learn a trade by building roads or whatever to earn the pay.

Put time limits on the period from arraignment to resolution. Why does it take 3 to 7 years for a case to go to court? Ridiculous! If a lawyer needs that much time to prepare, then the person charged needs a new ( efficient) lawyer. When judged, tighten up on the appeal system. A lawyer today can appeal, then appeal the appeal etc. If judged guilty by your peers, take the medicine!

I would also explore the possibility of getting elected judges. In other words, assign them some accountability, and keep the government in power from assigning who they want in.

Get rid of this concept of having time served ( or even worse) double time served while waiting in remand. Where is the incentive to get these cases resolved in the courts?

5. I would be looking at the auto industry with a close eye. Why does any vehicle today need 400 HP in it? With gasoline going up and up, should we not be downsizing our expectations in muscle performance? And be demanding more efficient, smaller motors rather than larger? There likely is a need for high power in some work vehicles, but not in all.  If power is needed, for high weight such as loads and pulling, then put a tamper free governor in the vehicle to prevent the waste of this power on the highway ( 165kph in a 100 zone).

6. Canada is a nation that was built on Christian Principles. Let's get back to these! If people want to immigrate and we want them to, then make one of the requirements that they must agree to follow these principles or apply to some other country. Christ is out of the schools, out of the holidays and out of the homes. Let's get back to teaching core values that are important to the Country. I have no problem with people of other faiths or callings, but I do have a problem when their beliefs cause mine to be removed.

7. The Young Offender's Act would be tossed out. As a citizen, I have a right to know who is committing crimes in my neighbourhood.  If somebody's future may be jeopardized, somebody may think twice about offending!

Reading this over, I guess these are seven  reasons why I am not running things.

 That's the trouble with cold winters on the Acreage, too much time to think. It may be a lively coffee session at A&W  Monday morning.

Who's Going to Miss It!

As the deadline for the big lock out looms (tonight), I ask myself "Just how greedy can things get?" 

Here are some of the highest paid athletes in the world from $400,000 per year up to 100+ millions saying that it's not enough, we want more. Sure, the career might be short, but not always. Properly managed, the financial earned in one or two years properly invested can set the player up very well for the rest of his life.

Then there are the owners. I really feel sorry for these millionaires. They are allegedly losing money. Ha! They have priced the family attendance to games out of this world.  Still, they want more!

The players union is a farce. They are not looking after the player's interests at all. They are on a power struggle with management to see who can "win". I have news for both parties. You both are going to lose in revenue, in fan loyalty and in reputation. 

I am interested in the outcome mainly to satisfy my inquisitiveness about how far this greed will go.

I lost interest in the NHL many years ago when it became obvious (to me at least) that the almighty dollar was more important than the game. Should the lock out occur, then maybe the networks will start carrying the World Tiddlywinks Championship events. It should be more entertaining than watching highly overpaid athletes parade around the rink.  

There are better things to do on the Acreage than watch that crap.

Prostitution Law Changes

This is a little off my normal trend, but it would appear that our Canadian government is proposing changes to the prostitution laws that would allow brothels to be operated in Canada. It also would decriminalize prostitution. It appears that Canadians have until the end of June to make their voices heard.

Below is a letter that I have written to my member of Parliament, The Prime Minister of Canada and the Justice Minister.  Write your own or in other ways voice your protest of these  changes.

I have seen where it will go, as stated in the letter, and should it pass, I feel that our Country is accelerating the slide into total depravity.




Dear Prime Minister Harper

I have been a voting Conservative since I was 18.

 

Yesterday I heard about the proposed changes that your government is proposing to the prostitution laws in Canada. I was appalled!

In 1986 I was able to see first hand where this legislation proposal will take Canada, namely the practices condoned in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. I had a 24 hour layover with a guided tour. This tour showed me the depravity that legalized prostitution can cause. I witnessed 20 year old women 90% naked on display like raw meat in a butcher shop. I also saw the side effects of uncontrolled pornography and legalized drug access. To say that I was disgusted would be an understatement!

Should your government pass these changes, I can guarantee that I will not be voting conservative in the future, period.

I believe that you are a God fearing man, and that you are representing our Country in a good way, however, I can not condone these proposed actions.

I will be urging others to write and to say " No, enough is enough"!

Respectfully,

_____________ ( via e-mail)




Remember that for every form sent there are about 1000 other people that think the way you do, but don't write!




Contacts are: PM Steven Harper     stephen.harper@parl.gc.ca


Your MP can be found on             http://www.canada.gc.ca/directories-repertoires/direct-eng.html#mem

An Open Letter to Politicians....Response

Well, I sent my list to all the political parties in Canada (Federal). See link below.
The response was not what I expected. Maybe I'm an idealist, but only ONE party chose to respond, and that was in a very general "will take it under advisement". There was absolutely no response from any of the other parties! I would guess, that none of them could meet the requests for a representative. The election is now history, and so is my optimism.


http://wildwestfarm.blogspot.com/2011/02/open-letter-to-politicians.html

A Great Weekend!

Elaine has gone to summer camp with the grand kids so I kind of had a honey do list. However, yesterday, I played truant and saddled up Alpine. I figured she needed some miles on her, and I needed a trail ride. So, off we went. The gate was open to our neighbour's half section and the cows (bulls) weren't in there yet. Alpine was a little skittish at first, but settled down into a steady trot. Can that horse trot! Two hours later, she was still trotting on the way home. It was very difficult to get her to walk. She just wanted to trot! I am not sure if that is a trait of the Morgan horse or not. It took a good half hour to catch her rhythm, which appeared to be totally different from the other horses. I was tempted to go to a cantor, but decided as I was alone in the middle of 320 acres populated by deer, moose and whatever, it was probably not a good idea.

I hate to say it, but I think that I am a little out of shape, as my legs did not want to work very well after the two hours.

Boots came along for the ride and man, was his butt dragging by the time we got back! I could tell where he was in the hay field because there was a bow wave spreading out. Brooklynn started out, but disappeared about 20 minutes into the ride. I found her sleeping under the deck looking very comfortable. 

Today we have a high wind so it's back to chores. I trimmed some brush growing around  hiding the shed, transplanted my slightly root bound mint, weeded a garden and picked a half gallon of our raspberries. It looks like it's going to be a good crop! Last year we put 100 pounds in the freezer and will probably get the same amount this year. Now, all I need is a good recipe for raspberry crisp, or ?

Tomorrow its back to town to water the church plants (Elaine's job, normally) then over to check on the hay cutting/ baling. I am hoping my truck will last long enough to get the hay home. Fortunately, it is only about a 2 mile round trip times ten to get the 300 bales home. It turns out that I not only blew a plug, but lost a valve. The transmission is also starting to slip. I really like the truck, but it is a 2001 and how much money do you feed into it?  It's 16 hours labour at $80/hour plus the cost of a used motor. I haven't looked at the transmission cost . It is probably time to cut the cost and look at a good used replacement. Drat!

I hope all you folks in Canada had a really good long weekend, and that you folks in the U.S can get a working compromise regarding debt reduction. We don't need another world recession!

Is Big Brother watching?

YOU BETCHA!

This is SCAREY..BUT OH SO GOOD! AMAZING comes to mind..Check this out!

Check this out ...

This is the photo taken by PoMo photographer Ronnie Miranda that appeared in our Tri-City News last Friday (24-June).

When you open this up, check the left hand side where you can upsize the photo, and click on the Yellow print "view with GigaTag".

This is actually scary.  You can see - perfectly - the faces of every single individual - and there were thousands!

Privacy? 

THERE IS NO PRIVACY..

 http://www.gigapixel.com/image/gigapan-canucks-g7.html

  This was sent to me by a friend. If you think you can get lost in a crowd, think again!

I received this from a friend. I have tried checking with Stopes, but got no hits.

It does make you wonder, though.
What do you think, True? or Fake?

When someone puts things into simple English, it is so much easier to understand. And it makes sense, too!!!!!!!!!

Read this . . . there's room for thought!!! Professor Ian Plimer (a member of the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Adelaide. He is also a joint member of the School of Civil, Environmental and Mining Engineering) could not have said it better! If you've read his book you will agree, this is a good summary.  Are you sitting down?

The Ant and the Grasshopper

THE CLASSIC  VERSION:  The ant works hard in the withering  Heat all summer long, building his  House and laying up supplies for the  Winter. The grasshopper thinks  he's a fool, and laughs and dances  And plays the summer away.  Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed.  The shivering grasshopper has no food or shelter, so he dies out in the cold.  THE CANADIAN  VERSION:  The ant works hard in the withering  Heat all summer long, building his  House and laying up supplies for the  Winter. The grasshopper thinks  he's a fool, and laughs and dances and  Plays the summer away.  Come winter, the ant is warm and well fed.  So far, so good, he?  The shivering grasshopper calls a press    Conference and demands to know why  The ant should be allowed to be warm    And well fed while others less fortunate,  Like him, are cold and  starving.  The CBC shows up to provide live  Coverage of the shivering  grasshopper,  With cuts to a video of the ant in his  Comfortable warm home with a  Table laden with food. Canadians are stunned  That in a country of such wealth, this poor  Grasshopper is allowed to suffer so while  Others have plenty.  The NDP, the CAW and the Coalition  Against Poverty demonstrate in front  Of the ant's house. The CBC,  Interrupting an Inuit cultural festival  Special from Nunavut with  breaking  News, broadcasts them singing "We Shall Overcome."  Jack Layton grants in an interview with  Mike Duffy that the ant has gotten rich off the  Backs of grasshoppers, and calls for an immediate tax  Hike on the ant to make him pay his "fair share".  In response to polls, the  Liberal  Government drafts the Economic  Equity and Grasshopper  Anti-Discrimination Act, retroactive to the beginning of the summer.  The ant's taxes are reassessed, and he  Is also fined for failing to hire grasshoppers as helpers.  Without enough money to pay both the  Fine and his newly imposed retroactive taxes,  his home  Is confiscated by the government. The ant moves to the  US and starts a successful agribiz company.  The CBC later shows the now fat grasshopper finishing  Up the last of the ant's food, though spring is still months    Away, while the government house he is in, which just  Happens to be the ant's old house, crumbles around him  Because he hasn't bothered to maintain it. Inadequate  Government funding is blamed, Bob Rae is appointed to  Head a commission of enquiry that will cost $10,000,000.  The grasshopper is soon dead of a drug overdose, the Toronto  Star blames it on the obvious failure of government to address  The root causes of despair arising from social inequity.  The abandoned house is taken over by a gang of immigrant spiders,  Praised by the government for enriching Canada 's multicultural  Diversity, who promptly set up a marijuana grow op and  Terrorize the community.  THE END

Now and Again, a Guy can Win One!

Before Christmas I took offense at a commercial , that to me, was offensive. I wrote to Advertising Standards Canada voicing my complaint. Some time later, I received a reply that the ASC disagreed with me, but that I could ask for a review by the Consumer Response Council. As I still felt very strongly about the message being aired, I requested the review.

This review was done by a council of advertisers, advertising agencies, the media and members of the public. These are all volunteers that spend their time reviewing complaints such as these.

Today, I received an email from the Advertising Standards Canada, saying that the commercial had been reviewed, and my concerns were justified!

They also stated that the commercial is no longer being aired!

What I learned from this:

1. One small voice can make a difference!

2. There is a Government system that actually seems to work!

3.Big Companies can be challenged successfully at no cost!

4.What we see, and do not like, can, in some cases, be corrected!

Having said all this, I will be watching to see if this type of advertisement resurfaces.

Unfortunately, I cannot post the response without written permission from the Advertising Standards Canada, as it is deemed privileged, confidential, and is copywrited. I am satisfied that the commercial is off air, hopefully, permanently.

So, for all those out there that are cheesed off, write the letter, write the e-mail or contact your government representative, as they are there to help.

An Open Letter to Politicians

Once again the sabers are rattling, and it appears that we are heading for a spring election.

Now, what I am looking for in a politician is:

1. Someone with high moral and ethical standards that can serve as a role model for us and the future generation that may be voting for the first time.

2. Someone that will listen to the electorate and vote as they advise, NOT as the leader, or party whip dictates. This is a democracy, where representation is supposed to be by  the people.

3. Someone that will stand up for what is right, preferably in alignment with the Word of God.

4. A person that  will state what he is going to do for the good of the Country, Constituency, and individual

5. A person that can be distinctive in their goals to the end that they are different from their opponents.

6. Someone that will fight for the rights of a democratic country.

7. Someone that will go to bat for the little guy to the point of taking the power away from some parts of the civil service and getting back to responsible government.

8. Accountability for campaign promises.



What I am not interested in:
1. Name calling and opponent bashing. The party that does the least of this is likely going to get my vote this election. Watching would- be leaders trash talking, personally attacking, and disrespecting their opponents does not meet my criteria (see 1 to 8 above). I want to hear why YOU are best suited to being MY elected representative, NOT what a scumbag your opposition is.

2. Party policy. Democracy is based on representation by the people, and voting the party line and being punished for voting the way the constituency desires, is undemocratic and in effect is dictatorial.

3. More bureaucracy. When I lived in my home town there were something like 3 government agencies. When I left, there were 41.

4. More government regulation. At this time, the government is over regulating the individual.

5. Vague, wishy-washy promises. Tell me what your game plan is with clear, concise goals and objectives!


Please let me know if you can meet these criteria, and you likely will get my vote!


emails have gone out to:  Stephen Harper, Michael Ignatieff, Jack Layton, Rob  Merrifield, Green party
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A Response to "The Old Geezer"

The question was "Where did common sense go"? Here is the answer! An Obituary printed in the London Times - Interesting and sadly rather true Today we mourn the passing of a beloved old friend, Common Sense, who has been with us for many years.  No one knows for sure how old he was, since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He will  be remembered as having cultivated such valuable lessons as: - Knowing when to come in out of the rain; - Why the early bird gets the worm; - Life isn't always fair; - and Maybe it was my fault.  Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don't spend more than you can earn) and reliable  strategies (adults, not children, are in charge). His health began to deteriorate rapidly when well-intentioned but overbearing regulations were set in place.  Reports of a 6-year-old boy charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate; teens suspended from  school for using mouthwash after lunch; and a teacher fired for reprimanding an unruly student, only worsened  his condition.  Common Sense lost ground when parents attacked teachers for doing the job that they themselves had failed  to do in disciplining their unruly children. It declined even further when schools were required to get parental consent to administer sun lotion or an  aspirin to a student; but could not inform parents when a student became pregnant and wanted to have an  abortion. Common Sense lost the will to live as the churches became businesses; and criminals received better  treatment than their victims.  Common Sense took a beating when you couldn't defend yourself from a burglar in your own home and the  burglar could sue you for assault.  Common Sense finally gave up the will to live, after a woman failed to realize that a steaming cup of coffee was  hot. She spilled a little in her lap, and was promptly awarded a huge settlement.  Common Sense was preceded in death, by his parents, Truth and Trust, by his wife, Discretion, by his  daughter, Responsibility, and by his son, Reason.  He is survived by his 4 stepbrothers; I Know My Rights I Want It Now Someone Else Is To Blame I'm A Victim  Not many attended his funeral because so few realized he was gone. If you still remember him,  pass this on. If not, join the majority and do nothing.

One Heck of an Idea!

Payback is fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WRITE IT ON THE BACK OF YOUR ENVELOPES or front

WE THINK THIS IS A GREAT IDEA. WE'LL START WRITING IT ON THE

  FRONT OF OUR ENVELOPES, TOO! ----------Including Bills

Stimulus Package

This was sent to me by a friend who is a better economist than I am!

 Governments of all level are always talking about and promoting “Stimulus Packages”. Most people do not know how a “stimulus package” works, so outlined below is a good example.

 

It is a slow day in the small Saskatchewan town of Pumphandle and  streets are deserted. Times are tough, everybody is in debt, and  everybody is living on credit.       A tourist visiting the area drives through town, stops at the motel, and  lays a $100 bill on the desk saying he wants to inspect the rooms  upstairs to pick one for the night.     As soon as he walks upstairs, the motel owner grabs the bill and runs  next door to pay his debt to the butcher.       The butcher takes the $100 and runs down the street to retire his debt  to the pig farmer.     The pig farmer takes the $100 and heads off to pay his bill to his  supplier, the Co-op.     The guy at the Co-op takes the $100 and runs to pay his debt to the  local prostitute, who has also been facing hard times and has had to  offer her "services" on credit.     The hooker rushes to the hotel and pays off her room bill with the hotel  owner.      The hotel proprietor then places the $100 back on the counter so the traveler will not suspect anything.     At that moment the traveler comes down the stairs, states that the rooms  are not satisfactory, picks up the $100 bill and leaves.     No one produced anything. No one earned anything... However, the whole  town is now out of debt and now looks to the future with a lot more  optimism.     And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how a "stimulus package" works.

Two Standards?

I was watching the news the other night and heard (again) that smoking is bad for your health, that it is a direct link to cancer and other nasty ailments. It appears the Canadian Government is concerned enough that they are talking about putting more vivid pictures on the packages, as people are getting complacent about the old ones.

They are also concerned about the cost to our medicare system in the future, that it will be a horrendous burden on the taxpayer.

The Government folks are also talking about increasing the tax on cigarettes to again discourage people from smoking.

Now, every time that you finish a pack in Canada, you have just smoked up a $10 bill so to speak.

If they increase the price to $15 per pack, will it stop people? History says "not likely".

The part that gets me is the government makes tremendous revenue from the sale of tobacco. Now, how can they push push people into quiting, yet enjoy the tax revenue?

How about hiking the tax way up AND put all revenue from the sale of tobacco into the Medicare system to help offset the cost of treatment? After all, to smoke or not to smoke is a choice that the individual makes. In other words, let the user pay!

Did I ever smoke? Yes, but I chose to quit cold turkey 36 years ago.

What are your thoughts about this social problem?

I Don't Believe This is Possible..But it is

On the local news at noon today out of Edmonton, it was announced that some person(s) had challenged a law as being unconstitutional and against the Freedom of Rights. A judge has ruled in favour of this challenge. The law? Anything pertaining to the curtailment of prostitution! The law was challenged in Toronto.

Now, The Freedom of Rights has to be the worst law that the liberal party ever put into effect for a whole bunch of reasons.

The judge ruling is most likely a liberal judge, appointed, not elected by the liberal party. Canada appoints judges so there is a roaring old-boys-club at work.

Now, being a guy that looks for alterior motives, I suspect that this will be tied somehow to a government make work program. In the next election, coming soon, I hope, I can just see the liberal banners flying.

Government makes work... A brothel on every corner.

Well folks, not only is this ruling dead against what is said in the Bible, but it is also against any concept of common sense that I can imagine! It is time for every God fearing Christian and those from other callings to write their MP's and demand that this nonsense stop!

I read somewhere that MP's take letters seriously, as for every one received, there are 400 to 500 that feel the same way, but are too apathic to write.

If you think that having crack houses, drug dens in your neighbourhood is bad, just wait 'till the brothel shows up!

Please write!

WORKING JOE vs. WELFARE JOE

You have two families: "WORKING JOE " vs "WELFARE JOE ". Both families have two parents, two children, and lives in Canada.

WORKING Joe works in construction, has a Social Insurance Number and makes $25.00 per hour with taxes deducted.

Welfare Joe does not work, has a Social Insurance Number, and gets paid $15.00 per hour "without leaving the house".

Ready?

Now pay attention...

Is Democracy Dead?

I'm afraid if it isn't, it's close to dying! In Canada we have had a very contentious law put in by the Liberal Party that required every person to register their long guns. This program cost the country an estimated $2 billion dollars in the time that it was in place. Criminals are going to obtain weapons from whatever source they can. The law abiding farmer is tied up with paperwork! Refusing or omitting to register automatically makes one a criminal!

It boils down to two sides, rural Canada vs Urban Canada, or in other words Toronto ( the centre of the universe in their own minds) against all others.

To make it worse, politicians were told to toe the party line, never mind what their constituency says. Ie. The NDP and Liberals voting to defeat the bill to abolish the registry. Where is the democracy at work in this? It is not a vote to bring down parliament or anything that grandeous, but two out of touch leaders playing their own agenda. Several politicians changed their votes after declaring their public stance. Did cash change hands? Or were future favours involved? We probably will never know for sure.

I dug out my old hat from many years ago and will likely start wearing it. If Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal etc. want wheat, oil etc let them come buy it. from The Republic of Western Canada.

The bill to abolish was defeated by a margin of two! Beware the poitician that says " I will listen to the people, but then will vote as I see fit"! The next election is not that far away!

Job Loss = Grudge? Or?

When you lose a job, it can be devastating as a lot of you know. I lost my first job after 22 years with a company. I had worked my way up to middle management, was happy with the work and was thinking that I would probably retire from the company someday. My family was third generation in the area, and my Dad had put in 25 + years with the same company. Management changed and I found myself disagreeing with the path that the new guy was taking, based on a sound, scientific basis. Needless to say, I should have seen the writing on the wall! I worked for a year in a very high stress level and finally the axe fell. I was devastated! I was #16 of 24 management people that either quit or were fired in that year.

I was able to settle for a constructive dismissal as I had kept every performance review ever done, including a commendation from the president of the company. What really hurt was the reaction of the people that I had worked with for all those years. It was as if I no longer existed. I was, in effect dead!

For many years I hated that man and a few of my co-workers. I guess it was a pride issue.

When I became a Christian about five years ago, one of the things I had the most problems with was the issue of forgiveness. We, as Christians, are commanded to forgive! After much thought and contemplation, I started to look beyond the pride issue and look at the positive side of what the act of forgiveness meant to me.

If I had not moved from the comfortable life that I was leading in a very secure job, I likely would have continued what I was doing which overall was fairly meaningless, although great at the time.

The move took me right out of my comfort zone and challenged me in a whole bunch of ways. I developed expertise in whole new fields that I would not have considered previously. It allowed the family and me to meet some really nice people right across Canada, but most important, the circumstances led me to the Church and a close relationship with my Saviour Jesus Christ.

They say that hindsight is a great virtue, and never wrong. With what I know now and have learned since, I should have thanked that man, not hated him. The Bible says that the Lord will give us tribulations or troubles in our life, but nothing that we can’t handle in order to make us grow in the Spirit. In my case, it lead to a long route to finding the Lord.

Had this not happened, I would not have witnessed Elaine’s miraculous cure; would not have experienced God’s hand in saving me when the tractor rolled; would not have experienced God’s healing of my back and would not have been at peace the way I have been for the last 5 years.

All I can say is “God is Great!”

What about you and your loss of job security? Was it a learning experience? A growing experience? Or are you still bearing the anger and hate that I experienced?

What is Going On?

For weeks now, I have been following the news on the big oil spill from the deep ocean floor well, kind of wondering "What is going on with these guys?" First they tried to put a caisson over the well pipe and planning on pumping the oil to the surface. Problrem solved, right? Not so, they forgot about the hydrates.

The key issue was to recover the oil, not cap the well.

Next was to insert a tube into the well and try to pump the oil out. Problem solve, right? Not so!

There was a technique used in Kuwait, and elsewhere, where a tapered steel rod was inserted into the well pipe causing a complete stoppage. It seems that if they can put a 20 tonne concrete caisson over the well, then put a tube down the pipe ( at a depth of 5000 feet, then they should be able to combine the two and effectively cap the dude!

Now they are trying to pump cement and mud into the well, hoping to seal it off, or from the pictures, recover the oil.

Now it appears to this complete idiot, that the efforts are to maintain the well in production and recover the oil.

Now, BP, is the issue to stop the flow of oil into the environment, or to recover the oil? So far from the above, I see a priority on recover the oil, not stop the disaster.

What am I missing?
What are your thoughts?
Are we being hosed?
Is Obama simply doing lip service? Or is he actively getting world wide help?