Stop the Bull!

I'm not the smartest guy in the world...

2012-02-09T09:26:00.000-08:00

Not even close, but sometimes I feel pretty adequate compared to some of the other turkeys I hear or read about. Take this dumb-ass politician, MP Sana Hassainia, who is bent out of shape because she was asked to remove her kid from the House of Commons chamber during a session.

Now the rules of the House clearly state that no unelected person is allowed on the floor during a session, and a baby is clearly unelected, but this MP is obviously one of those people who think that having a kid not only gives them carte blanche over rules, but also other people’s rights–i.e. quiet enjoyment of a meal.

In fact, I can’t begin to count the number of meals I’ve had ruined–even in expensive restaurants–by someone’s obstreperousness kid screaming its lungs out or even playing tag while the parents looked on, admiringly of their little darling(s).

Equally culpable in my opinion are those types, generally women, who, upon see a sleeping baby have to “coochie-koo” it until they get it all hyper. Then, apparently satisfied, they go one chatting while the kid screams its lung out.

No, compared to insular thinking like that I fair fairly well in the IQ department–if only because I can think in two dimensions; what suits me and what suits others. It’s called enlightened self-interest. I can also manage 360-degree thinking at times, which is something that politicians like Sana Hassainia (et al) haven’t mastered yet.

As an example of modern parenting, however, Ms Hassainia is a sterling model (which is not a compliment).

Amzon: A good reason to keep Barnes and Noble as a viable alternative

2011-08-23T14:06:00.000-07:00

You can generally tell when a company reaches monopoly status, or very near it, when it starts to loose contact with the people who helped carry it to the top—the suppliers and clients. Another indicator is when that company looses sight of its understood mandate (i.e. to serve the public—meaning all the public) and starts to act cavalierly. That, in my experience, describes Amazon.

My first experience came when I published my second novel, Journey to Big Sky, through CreateSpace (a subsidiary of Amazon Corp.). However, when it was listed on both Amazon.com and Amazon-Canada there was no product description—the kiss of death for any novel. I pointed this out to CreateSpace but got no where, and, of course, there is no way you can contact Amazon apart from their carefully controlled means (which doesn’t include complaints of this nature).

To be truthful I didn’t press it because I wasn’t really satisfied with the way I had written the story, and so I reworked it from beginning to end and published it as Nor All Thy Tears: Journey to Big Sky—once again through CreateSpace.

This time around it did get listed on Amazon.com with an all important product description, but Amazon-Canada listed it as “Unavailable,” which, if anything, is worse than no product description. Moreover, Amazon.com has yet to include it under “Canadian gay fiction,” even though it is about a Canadian politician set it Toronto and Ottawa. In other words, it couldn’t be more Canadian if it was wrapped in the flag and drizzled with maple syrup!

Meanwhile, it is rated #3 on Barnes and Noble`s “Romantic Fiction” list of approximately 64,000 titles—of all genres. I conclude therefore that the novel is not without merit.

Needless to say I’m biased in favour of Barnes and Noble as my book carrier of choice, but I believe it is in every writer’s interest to keep B&N as a viable alternative. Mine is not the only novel listed on Amazon without a product description. I’ve come across quite a number in my search for stories to review, and because of it the authors have lost the exposure I could have given his/her novel.

So, given that one can’t complain to Amazon, what can be done? Well, I’ve redirected all my “Go here to purchase” links to Barnes and Noble. Admittedly this isn’t going to drive Amazon into bankruptcy, but if everyone did the same it could make a difference in Amazon’s attitude—for the better one hopes.

Please think about it.

There are about 2,700 Landed Immigrants on Canada's "Most Wanted" list

2011-08-18T12:10:00.000-07:00

These characters are accused of crimes against humanity in their home countries--i.e. muder, torture and rape, etc. [See 680 news item, "Ottawa expands Canadian Border Services Agency's fugitives list."]

Of course, the first question must be: How did they get into this country in the first place? Second, these are only the 2,700 we know of, so how many more are there out there?

A possible answer to the first question might be Canada's fixation with multiculturalism, to the point that it puts out the welcome mat for all and sundry with a foreign address. However, we are improving in that department because we at least know who these 2,700 goons are.

Mind you, that doesn't help so long as the prevailing practice is to leave the door open for more of these thugs to freely walk through it--collecting full social benefits along the way. It also doesn't help that the prevailing attitude about Canada is that, culturally speaking, it doesn't exist.

To end, let me make it clear that I believe qualified immigration is fine, I also believe multicuralism is fine--so long as it doesn't supplant those traditions which make this country uniquely Canadian--i.e. the RCMP's stetson-style hats, and respectfully removing one's hat in a Legion.

Otherwise, it must be seen as an insult to the pioneers who made this country great.

There's very little "Canada" left in "Canadian"

2011-08-15T14:31:00.000-07:00

I first began to notice this with the so called “Canada Day” celebrations, this year. The airwaves were full of self-congratulating promoters touting the various multicultural events that were planned. However, there wasn’t even a single mention of our pioneer nation-builders who built this country with the sweat of their brows, and who lie forgotten in its soil. Indeed, from all the multicultural hype one would get the impression that Canada—at least culturally—began with the first plane load of immigrants to land at Pearson International Airport.

Nor did these Canada Day celebrations mention all the Canadian accomplishments for which we can be proudly Canadian. For example: The longest street in the world (Yonge Street, 1187.1 mi) was built between the 1790s &1812; the discovery of insulin was a Canadian accomplishment; the standardization of time was also a Canadian innovation; as was the game of basketball. The list goes on and on, of course, but the point is that things Canadian get swept under the carpet in favour of foreign imports, and this just isn’t right. In fact, it is downright shameful!

Multiculturalism is fine, but it isn’t Canadian. It is what it implies, i.e. an amalgam of various cultures that are being superimposed over an indigenous Canadian history and culture by a few effete, trend-setters, who view anything imported a being terruhbly chic. Meanwhile, Canadian history and traditions are being superseded in school curricula to the point where they will soon be forgotten altogether.

My personal gripe has to do with my latest novel, Nor All Thy Tears: Journey to Big Sky. It is a story set in the farming community of Pefferlaw, Ontario, as well as Toronto, Ottawa, and the ending includes Big Prairie Sky Country, Saskatchewan. In other words, it couldn’t be more Canadian if it was wrapped in the flag and drizzled with maple syrup. Yet, I had to go out of the country to have it published, and presently Amazon-Canada has it listed as “Currently unavailable.” [It’s available on Amazon.com].

I’m not arguing the merits of the story here—although it has received a five-star review—but at least offer it for sale in the author’s home country and let the readers decide.

If you are prompted to download Microsoft Internet Explorer 9, Don't!!

2011-06-30T09:03:00.000-07:00

This supposed “upgrade” is about as helpful as a screen door on a submarine. It has literally taken over my machine, dictating what websites I can access or not, and many of these webs are ones I use in connection with my business–including my business stats. For example, if IE9 doesn’t like a website it simply shuts down, and then to add insult to injury it pops up with a message to say, “Internet Explorer has shut down.” No kidding! The other annoying quirk it has is to shut down in the middle of a cruicial function–like uploading files to my publisher.

Moreover, there is no way you can turn its so-called DEP (“Damage Protection”) off. Nor is there any way of contacting Microsoft about anything outside its own parameters–which do not include complaints of any kind. In fact, trying to contact Microsoft is like trying to e-mail the Queen or Barrack Obama, directly.

So it’s off to the IT guy to get rid of this accursed program–at my own expense of coursse–while Bill gates, behind his walled fortress, laughs all the way to the bank! May his name go down in infamy!

Addendum

While trying to post this blog, Microsoft arbitrary shut down. Is Big Brother watching?…

Ryan Field: Some of My Top Favorite Romance Review Web Sites

2011-04-18T18:46:00.000-07:00

Ryan Field: Some of My Top Favorite Romance Review Web Sites

The overlooked side of multiculturalism

2010-10-13T17:16:00.000-07:00

A very disturbing column recently appeared in the Sun Newspaper [Sunday, October 10th edition] under the heading “Gay-bashers thrive in modern-day Netherlands” by Ezra Levant. Levant attributes this as follows:
“Amsterdam isn’t gay. Now it’s Muslim, too. A million Moroccans and Turks have immigrated to the Netherlands, and sharia law rules the streets.”
He goes on to say:

“If you doubt it, then you haven’t been paying attention. Actually that’s not fair. Gay bashing is front-page news only when it’s committed by a straight, white male.

“The media is terribly uncomfortable writing about gay-bashing by minorities. It’s the same reason why Canadian feminists are so eerily quiet about honour killings of Muslim girls.”

According to an “offender study” by the University of Amsterdam, there were 201 reports of anti-gay violence in that city in 2007, but researchers believe that for every reported case there were 25 unreported ones. Moreover, Two thirds of the predators are Muslim youths.

In addition the violence is committed in the heart of the city, and often in broad daylight. “It’s a direct date to the Dutch government to show who rules the streets,” Levant writes.

“In 2008, 10 Muslim youths broke into a fashion show, dragged gay model Michael du Pree off the stage and beat him bloody. Last month, several lesbians were hit by beer bottle thrown at their heads as they marched in a parade to protest violence against gays."

Ten years ago Pim Fortuyn sounded an alarm bell when he said, “I don’t hate Islam. I consider it a backward culture.” In 2002 Fortuyn was assassinated.

Next, Theo Van Gogh, a descendant of artist Vincent Van Gogh, made a movie about Islam’s treatment of women. A 26-year-old Moroccan shot him eight times and left a dagger in his chest with a letter threatening Western governments and Jews.

To both Sociologists and Political Scientist it has been trite knowledge for as long as these disciplines have existed that immigrants bring with them their “cultural baggage,” for better or worse. It has also been trite knowledge that immigration moderates the labour supply and modifies wages; ergo it is good for business. It goes without mentioning, as well, that immigrants get to vote the minute their Canadian citizenship is declared, and politicians are well away of this ‘happenstance.’

However, as in the Amsterdam experience, these paltry benefits may come at a cost to even those who promote Canada’s Alice-in-Wonderland version of multiculturalism as being the “Kingdom of Caring” (á-la-The Care Bears).

Along the lines of ‘culture,’ hands-up all those who have heard of the “Avro Arrow;” Louis St. Laurent; D’arcy McGee; or Samuel Steele. Hmmm, so much for Canadian history.

It's confirmed: The Eagle of State is really a turkey

2010-10-07T12:38:00.001-07:00

I admit that I don’t understand metric, and haven’t since Pierre Trudeau introduced it back in the 1970s. In my opinion it was merely an underhanded concession to the major oil companies so that we wouldn’t understand $5 dollar-a-gallon gasoline [at the time gasoline was around 34¢ per gallon].

Moreover, can you imagine the confusion this causes our American cousins south of the border. It can be 80 degrees Fahrenheit down there, and the minute they cross the international dividing line it drops 54 degrees to 26 degrees Celsius!

Oh, and there’s a deception regarding the weather, too. For example, the meteorologists are all saying that it is 20C out there today (68F), but with the wind it feels more like 15C (60F). My take on weather forecasting is this: 1) If they are forecasting good weather they’re generally wrong; 2) If they’re forecasting bad weather they’re generally right; 3) The good weather is always coming ‘tomorrow,’ and; 4) When it gets here it’s never what we expected [see above].

And speaking of ‘dumb’ things. Yet another politician has proven that the unemployment stats are short one otherwise unemployable. This jerk is proposing that it should be illegal for teenagers (under 19 years) to possess or light-up a cigarette—as if we need another stupid law or more regulation in our lives.

But seriously folks, has this myopic pipsqueak given any thought regarding enforcement? Already the majority of teens have said, “Good luck,” to it, and at that rate there aren’t enough jail cells in the entire system to accommodate them all—and at what cost? It is obvious therefore that 360-degree thinking is not big at Queen’s Park or on Parliament Hill.

Drop by my FaceBook page and leave a message on my wall. (I feel so ‘modern’ saying that!)

Oh dear! Another "Jones" nut case!

2010-09-10T09:23:00.000-07:00

I refer of course to Henry(?) Jones, the religious nut case who is/was/is threatening to burn the Koran in Florida. This religious 'leader' is head of a congregation of 12 people--which proves, I suppose, that there are at least a dozen people who will follow anyone regardless of how demented they happen to be.

The name "Jones" rings a bell, however. Do you remember Jim Jones of the "Jonesville" infamy? For those that don't, he was the religious crackpot who was responsible for the death (suicide/muder) of over 900 people in Jonesville. Guyana. [November 18, 1978].

I presume it is just a coincidence, but it is no coincidence that religion is at the bottom of many violent acts throughout history--witch hunts, the inquisition, the so-called, "Holy Wars," etc.

Ironic, isn't it?

And speaking about publicity hounds...

That member of the Ontario Legislator who wants to double the fine for tossing cigarette butts to $1,500. I mean Really! Where is the perspective? This is not 'an eye for an eye,' it's an eye and an ear and a left knacker!

The only problem with democracy is that it provides jobs for some people who would be considered incompetent at anything else.

BTW, I wonder if he waded through the Tim Horton's empty coffee cups to make his observations?

Beam me up, Scotty!!

The Canadian Government Department of Passport Aggravation!

2010-08-17T12:07:00.000-07:00

If it didn’t involve government I wouldn’t believe it. I will start by saying that a passport is a form of government sanctioned identification that basically says ‘you are who you are’ (i.e. Canadian, etc.) to other governments.

In this regard I can trace my family back five generations on my father’s side, and twelve generations on my grandmother’s side, so how much more ‘Canadian’ do they want? Moreover, I am recognized internationally as a Canadian author, and if you ‘Google’ my name it will come up with about approximately 12 pages of recognition.

“Not good enough,” the faceless bureaucracy in Ottawa insists, “You’re not you or Canadian until we say you are.” Ergo, I am required to get a ‘guarantor’ to attest that they know who I am both. [In my case I got a first-generation guarantor, so that was quite acceptable.]

Then, there was a difficulty about the acceptability of the form—not what was on it, but the form itself. It seems that if you call it up on the internet and push “print,” the resulting copy is acceptable. However, if you scan the government’s form and push “print,” it’s not.

Only in government, you say. Figures!

McGuintyisms - Get 'em while they're hot!

2010-07-21T14:37:00.000-07:00

Want to be the first in Ontario with the latest buzz phrases? Well, here they are:

• When someone attempts to pull the wool over yours eyes and you’re not buying it, say: “Yah, right, McGuinty!”*
• When someone gives you less for more, it’s a McGuinty deal.
• When someone promises to do something and then reneges on that promise, that’s a McGuinty promise.
• When something is obviously screwed-up royally, it’s oh, sooo McGuinty.
• When someone tries to bafflegab you into believing that a fee (…like “green fees”) isn’t really a tax, that’s McGuinty Bullshit!

Dalton “Trust Me” McGuinty is the premier of Ontario, but these handy buzz phrases can be modified for any political leadership. Help yourselves.

Suggest your own. Send suggestions to: squireb@ils.net

And you can quote me...

2010-02-23T17:47:00.000-08:00

Since coming to Queen's Park Dalton Mcguinty's administration has been to Senior Citizenry what a Lamprey Eel is to a Lake Trout!

Make 'em pay - The first thing he did upon taking office was to rescind a seniors' property tax emption already passed into law by Ernie Eves.

Keep them in the dark - The second thing he did was to remove the kph ceiling on hydro electric power, thus increasing heating costs by double in come cases.

A bitter pill to swallow - The third item was to introduce a so-called "Health Premium"--read "Health Tax," making my generation of seniors the first to pay for health benefits after the age of 65. PS. I recently sat 8 hours in EMS to get a prescription!

Our 'Hero' ...? - And who can forget his courageous stand in apposition to the auto insurance companies to limit premium increases to 10%--or else! The 'or else' was that they would get to share in some generous benefits which McGuinty was holding out to them. Some 'or else,' considering that the insurance companies had already raised premiums about 30% in the previous three-or-so years!

More to come when I can find the time.

Government ... Errrgh!

2010-01-13T15:25:00.000-08:00

No new snow, and the town didn't come around to bury my driveway, so I managed to get out for breakfast this morning. What a treat!

As some of you know I'm handicapped, and in my part of Canada you need a special permit to park in a handicap zone. Of course, this requires an application process, supported by a physician. No problem. I had my surgeon sign my application and submitted it to the government minions. Ergo, problem.

Because this particular bureaucrat couldn't decipher the surgeon's signature--ever seen a doctor's signature you could decipher?--she wouldn't accept it. This, notwithstanding that I was stuggling along with the assistance of a walker (which, as everyone knows, I romp around on as a lark!). A quick call to my doctor's office resolved the problem, but otherwise I'd be walking blocks to my destination.

To err is human, but to really screw things up it takes a 'helpful' government official.

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What's new?

2010-01-09T10:32:00.000-08:00

Stop The Bull Blog, that's what's new. Ever want to sound off to the world about something? It's great therapy. Actually I was blogging under this domain name for years before I knew it was called "blogging." So, since I already own the name, I have resurrected it as a blog page.

But hey ... it's a two way deal by which you can have your say as well. Be my guest to comment on anything--whether or not the topic is up for discussion. Let others see your opinions, too.

We'll call it our "Scream Room!"

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