Bob Christie

Who Has Half A Brain?

In an earlier essay published in Canada Free Press (see An Issue For Debate: Universal Suffrage, March 13, 2016) I made the case for limiting the right to vote to citizens who had "skin in the game", meaning they had reached a stage in life where they had something of value at risk.

What A Difference A Year Makes: And Who Is Asking

A year ago, half the populace was demanding an orange jump suit and iron bars for Hillary Clinton. Then POTUS Obama felt a compulsion to come to her rescue and try to save her derriere. Obama made several public TV appearances on her behalf, one of which is printed below.

Chicago shooting victims

This data is compiled from reporting done by the Chicago Tribune Breaking News staff and is typically updated more than once per week. Therefore, the most recent shootings may not be displayed immediately.

Wordplay: Where Are We . . . and Where Are We Going?

An essay in the opinion section of the NY Times dated 4/28/17 and titled "America, From Exceptionalism to Nihilism", set me thinking and suggested the title I assigned to my essay in response, the one you are now reading.

A Blood Boiler

An article in the March 18 issue of the Toronto Star, a left-leaning publication, got my blood boiling! It is titled "Buying their way to the front of the health-care line." That is followed, in large bold lettering, by the question, "Should the wealthy be allowed to buy their way to faster health care at private clinics?"

You Might Not Be Granted The Courtesy Of A Hood Over Your Head

Americans should brace themselves for the coming failure of one of the biggest banks in the country that does not have the word "bank" in its title. And no impressive polished brass safe in the lobby either. Why should Americans care about this bank? Because they own it!

What's Not To Like?

Trump was targeted like no other new POTUS

Who Is A Pundit Anyway?

How does one get to be labeled a pundit? How much expertise is required? The dictionary describes pundit as "an expert in a particular subject or field who is frequently called on to give opinions about it to the public."

Could You Be More Specific Bill?

They just keep on coming . . . the reasons why The Donald is president-elect. Bill Clinton now goes on record blaming "angry white men" for Hillary's election loss. Hmmmm.

What are your intentions? I need the correct answer . . . or else.

A few years ago, returning from a few fun days at Santa Catalina Island (a 20 mile voyage from my then home port of San Pedro, California), in mid-channel I noted a blip on my radar screen a few miles ahead off my starboard bow. The "blip's" observed course was northwest. I scanned the horizon with binoculars and observed what appeared to be a navy ship approximately positioned where the blip was evident.

DEFCON "?"

DEFCON is an acronym for "defense readiness condition". It currently has five levels, the highest number "5" indicating relative calm and the lowest number "1" suggesting nuclear war is imminent. Presumably the next gradation is "Ground Zero".

We ain't Seen Nothin' Yet

Here we are just one month from November 8, voting day in U.S.A., and major bombs are dropping on the electorate to influence voting and bring a merciful end to the political conflict. When will the bombs stop? A history lesson seems appropriate.

In Round Numbers (to keep it simple)

During Obama's tenure in the White House the federal government collected $20 trillion in taxes. Oughta be enough to pay for all our stuff, you say! Unh Unh! Not so fast pilgrim!

Non-PC Types (Don't You Love them?) Can Also Be Hypocrites

In a recent article carried in Canada Free Press, I labeled my essay "PC= BS". According to comments, readers agreed that political correctness, particularly as practiced by pols, has exceeded its shelf life and should be relegated to the rusty dumpster out back.

PC = BS

The genesis for this brief essay is the recent event in Orlando and the attempts to understand how and why it occurred. In the coming days, weeks, months, there will be countless pronouncements on the subject from pundits, beginning at the top (President Obama), all the way down the ladder to bottom rungers like myself. One of us may stumble onto the real answer by chance, or maybe even by logical reasoning.

Why The Economy Is Like The Subway

When you venture beneath the city streets, go through or leap over the turnstile (not recommended . . . a consequence may be a fine, or a broken leg), stroll down the platform to the favored spot where your preferred car will stop, three things can happen.

Go To Jail, Do Not Pass Go, Do Not Collect $200!

There is an almost unanimous consensus among economists worldwide that the most worrisome disease infecting somewhat less than healthy and truly sick economies on almost all continents is low, non, or negative growth.

Canada's future population

Canada is the second largest country on planet earth . . . and one of the least populated. Density, the number of people per square kilometer, is 3.63, making it 230th out of 244 jurisdictions worldwide. It has long had a policy to increase its meager population. Since WWII, the government paid a "baby bonus" to women to birth children. I had no employer but contributed to the family income as a child. For decades immigration policies have attempted to bring in large numbers of peoples from foreign lands.

An Issue For Debate: Universal Suffrage

Most people recognize the expression "skin in the game" and accept that it means those persons who have something of value at risk have purchased a specific privilege or right deemed worthy of the gamble. Those without "skin in the game", non-players in effect, are not entitled to the same privilege or right. If you have ever played poker with your buddies you know you are not entitled to be dealt a hand and perhaps rake in a pot or two without having met the requirement to "ante up". It is speculated the phrase "skin in the game" draws its origins from William Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice in which the antagonist, Shylock, stipulates that the protagonist, Antonio, must promise a pound of his own flesh as collateral, to be exacted by Shylock in the event that Antonio's friend Bassanio defaults on the loan to which Antonio is guarantor. (Wikipedia)

Terrorists Notwithstanding, Our Own Idealogues Are Killing Us

The dictionary describes an idealogue as "one given to fanciful ideas or theories". Unfortunately the Department of Homeland Security is replete with such people. They are dangerous to our health and well being because of their fantasies, in particular the notion that one's social media activities are private and not subject to search.