Stray Thoughts:

Move to centre
Re: "Grits, NDP deny reports of merger," Herald Online, June 9.
If the report of denial is true, the leaders of these parties must give a reason why Canadian voters have to choose between two very similar slightly left-of-centre platforms (three in Quebec) who make a poor opposition and have no chance of forming a government against a now-united right. A united centrist party in opposition will keep the Conservatives more in line with what Canadians want and when they form the government, will be similarly constrained by the Conservatives. It is clear from recent government fiascos that the current system is not providing Canadians the government they deserve. (Calgary Herald June 12, 2010)

Killer can take a hike
So, Vince Li is “ready to leave the facility for hours at a time so long as he is accompanied by two special constables.” (“Critics pan bus killer’s walk pass,” June 2.) Pray tell, who will pay the constables. Not me, thank you. (Calgary Sun, June 6, 2010)

The $1-billion summit
The argument is not whether the money is being spent carefully but whether it is being spent wisely ($1-Billion For G20 Security Not A Blank Cheque – May 29). An event that needs security of this magnitude should have a demonstrable payoff, which the Olympics perhaps did and few others can claim. I am sorry, but a three-day meeting with unenforceable agreements – if there are any agreements at all – that have already been reached among bureaucrats does not qualify for a substantial portion of the federal budget deficit for the year.

An apt description
While reading the review of Kent Nagano and MSO performance of Mahler Ninth, I thought of the words of Alex Ross in New Yorker about the last few bars of the great symphony, "a whisper of love at the edge of the grave." I have never seen a more apt description of a work of art and I am not likely to if I lived a thousand years.

Pause on new drilling
The knee jerk condemnation of industry by environmentalists and other anti oil groups in response to the spill is expected but one would hope for well considered reactions from the President of the U.S. New drilling in the Gulf and other deep sea locations is necessary to produce oil for the rapacious consumers all over the world. To stop exploration in prolific areas without any sensible steps to reduce consumption is a recipe for sky high prices of crude and of the gasoline at the pump. I shudder to think what it will do to our already shaken economy.

Proportion and the G20
I will bet $900-million of other people’s money that Osama bin Laden is laughing in his cave at all the gyrations our leaders go through in the name of security (G8/G20 Security Costs Could Reach $900-Million – May 25). Sept. 11, 2001, was a triumph for al-Qaeda because it terrorized our leaders so much that they have lost all sense of proportion when it comes to spending taxpayers’ money for their ego trips. (Globe and Mail, May 26, 2010)

Not less but more and efficient
While the principle of limited government may have been fine a hundred years ago, it was largely the tough regulation of financial institutions that saved Canada from the last economic crisis. It is not less of, but more efficient government that is needed. So long as we get more of the services citizens need for what we pay in taxes without incurring budget deficits, we will prosper. Efficiency and competence are the keys, not the cutting based on outdated ideology.

Reverse Prejudice:
The tolerance of Jihadism of Islam and support for extremist violent movements like Tamil Tigers in SriLanka and the separatist Sikh groups in India among liberal elites in the West is nothing but reverse prejudice. It is similar to patronizing the immigrant professionals who provide poor service even though one could switch to the competent ones of the same community next door. It is dangerous and needs to be discouraged although I would take it to the vicious prejudice I have come across albeit rarely.

Why models are white
An artist always starts with a white sheet, whether he is a painter or a dress designer, irrespective of what he finds more attractive; brown or pink.

Mulroney’s place in history
Ever since the Tory leadership battle between Jo Who? and Brian Mulroney, many Canadians did not like what they saw behind the Irish charm. The smiling eyes had something shifty about them and all that concern about public perception looked like the fear of being found out. The identity of true Mulroney will always be an issue and his place in history a much debated point.

U.K. and Afghanistan
U.K. Defense Secretary Liam Fox is quoted (National Post, May 22) to have said, “We are not in Afghanistan for the sake of the education policy in a broken 13th – century country. We are there so the people of Britain and our global interests are not threatened.” Well Mr. Fox, till the citizens of Afghanistan and their kin elsewhere are brought kicking and screaming into the modern age, Britain and its global interests will remain threatened. The two are intertwined even more than the Conservative and Liberal-Democrat parties in the government you represent.

Loudest is heard
The plea of Preston Manning (Our unruly question period, May 21) must be truly heartfelt. As Mr. Manning knows first hand, the loudest is heard not only in the House of Commons but in the public domain as well. Mr. Manning made numerous sensible suggestions during the 1993 campaign which were shouted down by the ruling party. Fortunately, Mr. Chretien and Mr. Martin were listening while making sure no one else did and made it their policy in the next government. The result! Canada can boast today of a sound financial system while the rest of the world is floundering.

Voters angry
Re: “American voters ready to oust anyone who’s in,” (May 17).
Lisa Van Dusen is right. American voters are angry. They are angry because either they personally, or people close to them, have lost jobs and/or homes and there is no respite in sight. They need someone to take their anger out on and who else but the elected officials to take the blame. (Calgary Sun, May 19, 2010)

Inheritance will save the day
Ms. Wente greatly exaggerates the shock. There are two groups of Canadians who have not saved for their retirement: One group is poor and have had hard enough time making ends meet; they will find the Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security adequate. The other group is the people who have earned a lot and spent even more. A large majority of them are children of savers like Ms. Wente; they will inherit the Earth just around the time they are due to retire.