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The Personal Pendulum Swings

  It has not-so-gently been pointed out that I’m quickly becoming one of those rage farming, self important, opinionated, judgemental goons I held in such low esteem not so long ago. Here’s the difference though. Not so long ago I was one of those dyed-in-the-wool Southern Alberta better dead than red Conservative partisan supporters. It was bred into me from a couple of generations of right-wing descendants who exemplified the brand. I was strongly urged to continue on with the Conservative tradition because all that was evil and hateful lived under the Liberal banner. As soon as I reached the age of majority, I was carefully guided to mark my ballot and continue the proud heritage that beat the socialist and progressive dragons back into their lairs. My X would ensure that the Sr. Trudeau wouldn’t march his jackboot minions west of the Great Lakes and impose some sort of martial control over our oilpatch and nationalize our beef industry. I still recall the look on my fathe...
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Enemies' Enemies

                          The enemy of my enemy is my friend. An ancient proverb originating in Sanskrit about 4 th century BC. Most often applied in Christianity to the ongoing discord between the Sadducees and the Pharisees who came to an agreement over a common hatred. That of Jesus Christ. The relationship is described in the Gospels although both groups were admonished for their hateful ways.             Today’s application of that proverb is complicated.             I prefer to add a qualifier – “The enemy of my enemy is not necessarily my friend.”             Unfortunately, the social environment that has propagated the tendency to label others as “friend” or “enemy” is a result of the divisive, tr...
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Jubilee Address by Senator Daniel E. Riley July 1, 1927

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  Jubilee Address, High River July 1, 1927 Senator Daniel E. Riley       Today in every village, town, and city in Canada from ocean to ocean the people are gathered together just as we are gathered here to celebrate the signing of an agreement which joined the scattered provinces of Canada together under one Central Government. This event took place on July 1 st , 1867, sixty years ago, and in the light of those years it may truly be called – The Birth of a Nation.         I deeply appreciate the great honor you have done me in having me speak on such an historic occasion as the present.         Only in the briefest way do I intend to mention the early history of our country.         The name Canada comes from the Indian word “Kannata” meaning “the settlements” and this name written down by Cartier as “Canada” is the name our Dominion from Atlan...
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Grassroots and Common Sense

  Common Sense. Grassroots. Both terms bandied about by the populist crowd that imply a connection with a pool of knowledge gleaned from generations of pioneers and builders who laid foundations of societies. Often held up by those who insist that there’s a huge disconnect between the governors and the governed. Both terms are now being manipulated by those governors in order to appease those disenfranchised by that very disconnection. Weaponized, in fact. There’s no denying those characteristics that built our societies were important. Stubborn resolve, ingenuity, independence, and straight up mettle met some real life or death circumstances face on. Never say woah in a tight spot, my dad would say. When faced with adversity, that foundational knowledge pulled them through. When times were hard, communities pulled together to spread the load. When faced with gaps in knowledge to tackle new challenges, they sought advice from professionals who had that knowledge. The problem ...
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Letter to your UCP MLA

  I’m writing you this letter to voice my deep concerns about the United Conservative Party’s activities. In no particular order: I’m strongly opposed to the UCP’s push to create an Alberta Pension Plan. We’re being misled by the notion we’re over-contributing to the national plan. We’re being well served by the Canada Pension Plan – one of the world’s best performing pensions and are contributing at the same rate as every other Canadian. It is well managed and diversely invested to ensure stability and reliability. Relying on AIMCO to manage our retirement savings is risky given its poor performance and heavy reliance on fossil fuel investments. The world is decarbonizing and we’ll be saddled with a pension with no foundation. The money spent on promoting this venture (my tax dollars) should have been put to use in more urgent places. I’m also opposed to the moratorium on renewable energy projects – a multi-billion dollar hit to our provincial economy and an equal visible hit ...
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Convicted by Conviction

              It has been a constant stress.             On my life, my marriage, my every waking moment. I’m reminded throughout the day by the change in my sense of smell that I was infected by a virus with long term consequences. I do consider myself lucky that this is the only lasting problem I have – so far.             Except my real long covid ailment is psychological and persistent.             Early in the pandemic I took a stance that aligned with the “all in this together” crowd that valued expert opinion and community responsibility. I sought information from accredited sources with evidence-based research. This quickly put me at odds with most of my community and indeed, my family who quickly jumped on the bandwagon that suspected Covid 19 was som...
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Selective Freedom

  Curious why the honkers haven't mustered up a fleet of lifted, flag adorned half-tons, minivans, and Peterbilts to cruise downtown YYC in protest of mandatory treatment for addicts. Seems in the groove for their freedom bent. After all, they were pretty revved up about how their freedom to choose not to be vaccinated or put a mask on wound up having consequences that seemed to them to be an affront to their liberties. But hey, addicts made their choices, right? So they have to live with the consequences, right? Hmm.. so, where's the outrage, the bullhorns, the bouncy castles? If there's a disadvantaged group that needs an advocate, wouldn't addicts who depend on their substances like the rest of us depend on air qualify? Or is it a measure of character when freedom fighters are silent when it's not about their freedoms? Go ahead, bring it up at a coffee shop near you where the Convoy supporters chat. Suggest that addicts shouldn't be mandated to enter co...
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