WhatFinger


Guest Column

Items of notes and interest from the web.

Most Recent Articles by Guest Column:

The U.S-Iran ‘Maximum Pressure’ Campaign: A new proxy war in the Middle East?

The United States has hurled its first airstrikes in nearly a decade against Iran-backed militia forces in Iraq and Syria. The U.S-Iran ‘Maximum Pressure’ Campaign: A new proxy war in the Middle East?Cloaked under the umbrella of a ‘maximum pressure’ campaign, whereby draconian U.S economic sanctions compel Iran to more worthwhile enterprises at the table of negotiations, it now seems evident, that, this ‘political betrothal’ is now steering the US into a new proxy war in the Middle East.
- Monday, January 6, 2020

Nancy Pelosi has overstepped her place in our government.

Nancy Pelosi has overstepped her place in our government. Who does she think she is to be refusing to send the Articles of Impeachment to the Senate for trial? She did her job, she got the votes to impeach, now it is time to let the Senate do its job. If she didn't think the Senate would do the job it is tasked to do, then perhaps she should not have agreed to start the process on such weak charges. Regardless of what has transpired and why, the process must forward to a conclusion.
- Thursday, December 26, 2019

If you are a logically minded Republican, Democrat or Independent, one questions should be on the tip of your tongue

If you are a logically minded Republican, Democrat or Independent, one questions should be on the tip of your tongue. Why would a multi-billion dollar, international, holding company pay a totally unqualified (by his own admission) individual to sit on the board of directors? A little research shows that neither the company nor the board member had very good track records. With a pool of people out there who are knowledgeable in oil exploration, why would you chose Hunter Biden? There is only one possible answer to that question-quid pro quo. Any other conclusion is naïve. Large, multi-national corporations do not put washed up drug users on their boards for no good reason. All other investigations aside, this one should have bipartisan support.
- Tuesday, December 10, 2019

I am beyond tired of being painted as heartless because of my political views

I am beyond tired of being painted as heartless because of my political views. I am not uncaring because I believe able bodied people should work, or at least try to find a job. With unemployment at a 50 year low and the economy booming, jobs are available. And, it is no secret that self sufficiency gives people pride, confidence, and a degree of independence. So, contrary to the liberal spin on the newest Trump "welfare reform", the modest changes to the current system are a positive step to giving able bodied recipients (without dependents) the incentive to stand on their own two feet. Nobody will go hungry. All that is required is to take a job, if one is not available you must, take some retraining, perform community service or prove you are looking for work. Must I remind everyone that Pres. Clinton did the same thing with overwhelming suggestions and broad support.
- Monday, December 9, 2019

The essence of the struggle in this country

I just read a heated back and forth exchange on facebook that is absolutely the essence of the struggle in this country. Individual number one was saying how sad it was that socialism is viewed as a positive thing by so many millennials even though it has failed every place it has been tried. Individual two responded that millennials face crushing school debt, too high medical costs, etc. In a diatribe that went on for quite some time, neither acknowledge the concerns of the other. The first person was correct, socialism is not the answer. And the second person was also correct, something needs to change. But, my goodness, if 2 people who have family connections cannot have an adult discussion about very real concerns, what hope is there for our country?
- Monday, December 9, 2019


The complete nonsense that comes out of the mouths of the Democrat candidates is stunning

The complete nonsense that comes out of the mouths of the Democrat candidates is stunning. I watched Bernie Sanders tell a veteran that VA benefits and a single payer healthcare system are different because the VA benefits are paid by the government. He seriously said that. First of all, the single payer he talks about IS the government making both systems the same. Second, the government has no money. It is us, we will be paying. The use of the term, single payer, is a ruse. It is a government take over of the healthcare system. While we need reforms like selling insurance across state lines and regulation of drug prices, this is not the answer. Obamacare has been a failure which created another massive government machine. Why would we think that the government is capable of running anything efficiently and in the patients best interest? Ironically, the VA system proves that point.
- Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Alleged witness/whistleblower who is at the center of the so called impeachment probe

The alleged witness/whistleblower who is at the center of the so called impeachment probe has so many documented biases that it seems like a prosecutor in the private sector wouldn't touch the case with the proverbial 10-foot pole. Yet, the Dems soldier on. He is a registered Democrat, worked for Obama and Biden, openly criticizes the President, helped launch the collusion probe and was fired from the National Security Council. I don't think that most of us would base a case on this person. No wonder Americans have little faith in the process and are sick of the Dems incessant attacks on the President. They tout the impeachment inquiry as protecting the integrity of the system. News flash, it doesn't seem that way to us. We would like to see the Congress actually doing the work of the people. Let's pass a budget that moves toward balance. Let's pass lasting immigration reform. Let's pass legislation that brings down drug prices. Let's start making our students competitive on the world stage. And the list goes on.
- Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Endless, ad nauseum, coverage of the gleeful Impeachment exercise

In the endless, ad nauseum, coverage of the gleeful Impeachment exercise to which we are being subjected, facts appear to be unimportant. I say this because, it is a fact, that we have an agreement with the Ukraine for mutual assistance in criminal investigations. It was signed by Pres. Clinton in 1998 and ratified by a Congress, including Nancy Pelosi, is 2000. The text can be found here. I encourage everyone to check for themselves.
- Tuesday, November 5, 2019

The Dems have long label the Republican Party of being the party of old, white guys.

The Dems have long label the Republican Party of being the party of old, white guys. Yet, their own voters and supporters have propelled 2 old, white guys to the top of the list of candidates for their party's nomination. Sure there are women and a few minority candidates who can't get traction but the top tier is old, white and predominately male. The reasons for our Presidents, with a few exceptions, to be older, white males, would be an interesting study. Are they father figures, or familiar names and faces, or have they demonstrated a track record of personal success and effective leadership? Do we perceive older candidates as more stable, more controlled in their decisions, wiser? Older candidates certainly have life experience on their side. I wonder what are the other commonalities? If either side figures it out they will have a distinct advantage going forward.
- Tuesday, November 5, 2019

What are Justin Trudeau priorities helping Alberta's oil industry or going surfing

What are Justin Trudeau priorities: Helping Alberta's oil industry or going surfing? Well, it seems that going surfing is more important, while Encana, another oil company this year announced its planned move to the U.S. right after Trudeau was re-elected, meaning more western jobs will be lost. The first company to leave this year was Trans Canada, which became T C Energy. Right after the liberals were reelected Husky Oil went into layoff mode, with hundred of jobs lost.
- Sunday, November 3, 2019

Climategate: Ten years later

Climategate: Ten years later

This month marks the tenth anniversary of “Climategate” – the release of thousands of emails to and from climate scientists who had been (and still are) collaborating and colluding to create a manmade climate crisis that exists in their minds and computer models, but not in the real world. The scandal should have ended climate catastrophism. Instead, it was studiously buried by politicians, scientists, activists and crony capitalists, who will rake in trillions of dollars from the exaggerations and fakery, while exempting themselves from the damage they are inflicting on everyday families.

- Saturday, November 2, 2019

Reports of Trudeau soliciting ‘advice’ and/or ‘aide’ from Western Premiers

Reports of Trudeau soliciting ‘advice’ and/or ‘aide’ from Western Premiers was interesting. However, he is already aware of what the Premiers expect from the federal government. Doesn’t like it? Well, now he’ll go fishing for support from Mayors of the larger cities, in particular, Mayor Nenshi was mentioned. I would suggest to PM Trudeau, that while he is mending fences across Canada trying to gain support, he should plant some of the millions of trees he shouted out that was in HIS policy. That should keep him busy for some time and out of our hair, while real politicians get Canada’s house back on track.
- Monday, October 28, 2019

Alberta - a province without a country

Alberta - a province without a countrySince Trudeau took office there has been a slow miasma of division in Canada due to very poor policy decisions. He has no economic experience, just drama, yet he controlled the direction this once great country was going. It has not only divided us, but economically destroyed us.
- Monday, October 21, 2019

Ukrainian Connection

We can start the Ukrainian Connection discussion with this: Many high level people from both parties (or their family members) had or have business dealings in the Ukraine.Hunter Biden was one of them. His father, Democratic Presidential candidate, Joe Biden threatened to withhold American money as a weapon to insure the firing of a Ukrainian prosecutor, who was investigating the company where Hunter held a board seat. He admitted it, even bragged about it. Nobody batted an eyelash. Another thing we know is that the United States has reciprocal investigative agreements with the Ukraine and other countries. We can ask for their help investigating crimes that have happened in their country or involve their people. Given those agreements, wasn't the President carrying out his duties to ask for help getting to the truth? Two things stand out in the current political climate. The first is that we do not apply our laws or even our morals uniformly. The second is that had neither Biden nor Trump been in politics, the dealings in the Ukraine would have slipped under the radar into obscurity, proving that the whole matter is politically motivated on both sides. The difference is that President Trump is within his rights, as President.
- Saturday, October 12, 2019

An Election that is Shaping Up to Be Too Close to Call

Re: Cons 36, Libs 33, NDP 14, Greens 10, BQ 5, PPC 2 (2019-09-22). Minority gov'ts are not all that bad. It forces parties to work together. Also when leadership is weak like we have now, it forces parties to look at their leadership. Also, it does not give any one party a free hand in policy drafting and radical measures introduced are sure to be defeated. On the other hand a minority govt can make it difficult to get legislation passed, even good legislation.
- Monday, September 23, 2019

Electricity in the realm of the Lion King

Electricity in the realm of the Lion KingHydro power is a good way to generate electricity. In most political circles, it is considered environment-friendly because it does not produce carbon dioxide, and it is not complicated. Norway has extensive hydro and can claim to have very green energy, which Norwegians do.
- Saturday, September 21, 2019

Democrats should do their homework before lining up behind Sleepy Uncle Joe

I'm sorry, but if your best candidate for President has to be given a script to read and a less rigorous campaign schedule, you have to wonder how he could handle speaking off the cuff with foreign leaders or the intense demands of a national crisis. I understand the allure of the elder statesman. But Joe Biden is not the smart choice. I don't dislike Joe and I am in his age bracket. I understand my limitations. And, yes I realize, the President shares our approximate age. I'm also a big enough person to acknowledge that some age quicker than others. Genetics, life time experiences, stress, and health issues all factor in. The President is blessed (though some would argue) with extraordinary energy. The President has vast real world experience in negotiations and problem solving. Joe Biden has been a politician for the last 47 years. A lot of his voting record seems to align more with Republicans than with Democrats. Democrats should do their homework before lining up behind Sleepy Uncle Joe.
- Sunday, August 25, 2019

Can we all agree that the deficit is too high?

Can we all agree that the deficit is too high? We should be able to. Under Obama the Republicans bellyached. Now under Trump the Democrats are sounding the alarm. Both sides can be blamed for a lot of spending. The difference, as I see it, is how the money is spent. Under Obama we were subsidizing electric car manufactures that ultimately failed. We heavily invested in a healthcare plan that doesn't work, including big insurance company subsidies. We either prematurely or unnecessarily gave Iran 1.7 Billion dollars. And the list goes on. President Trump is spending money to rebuild infrastructure, strengthen our military, fix the Veterans Administration and to improve the lives of everyday Americans. The question is-do Democrats think those fixes are not necessary?
- Sunday, August 25, 2019

We need to have a clearer picture of the proposals regarding any red flag laws or any limits on weapons

We need to have a clearer picture of the proposals regarding any red flag laws or any limits on weapons. A red flag law sounds like a good idea but don't we already have that? Someone expresses concern about erratic behavior, it gets investigated. Local police generally know which individuals to keep an eye on. Schools identify young people who are struggling. It seems this is a proposal that the Dems could chalk up as a win and then use it as a campaign tool but which has no teeth. It is a feel good measure. Think about it. The first time the law would be used to investigate anyone other than a white male, the outrage would be harsh and swift. I'd like to see how it would be implemented on the ground, some statistics on estimated effective rates and a price tag at the local level. I'm a proponent of doing a test case before it becomes a country wide law. Perhaps Chicago would be the perfect place to start.
- Tuesday, August 20, 2019

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