It's Difficult To Wave The Flag

Prelude

I must admit we do have some conditions to be thankful for in our liberal state of Canada. We're not a war torn nation. We don't have terrorists targeting our cities...yet. A high majority of citizens live a seemingly decent lifestyle and the country is basically free from disease, famine and natural disasters.

However, I believe a lot of people have the same opinion as I do. Most of the time, all three levels of government (federal, provincial and municipal) are thieving bandits. They are very dishonest, irresponsible and certainly enjoy dipping into our pockets...I call it government behaving disgracefully.

This spurious carbon tax (the actual tax isn't fake, it's real) in my opinion is a deceiving scam and nothing more than an enormous tax grab (more like a theft grab) from who else but our Liberal government...but we must remember they care so much about us, especially our children.

Our adolescent Prime Minister adores, and is "devoted" to his fellow Canadians but also to everyone as he said in a Toronto Sun article on April 21/17, "to those fleeing persecution, terror and war, Canada will welcome you, regardless of your faith. Diversity is our strength." I haven't any idea how diversity is our strength. The country's strength comes from people who own businesses and companies and from the folks who work hard for a living but Trudeau wouldn't know about that...he never worked a day in his life, and let's not forget guys and gals, he's never met a camera he didn't like..."won't you smile for the camera."

Our teenage big cheese undeniably advertised the country's open door policy on immigration with his diversity statement, and he doesn't care about the safety of Canadians and the security of the nation...here is proof. An article in the Toronto Sun May 25/17 titled "Canada has dozens of jihadists walking free, yet authorities won't charge them." The story stated there could be over one hundred jihadis because the heads of our security agencies say so. They have compiled lists, they have the names and have a sense where the radicals are but won't do anything about it.

Which brings me to another point. I was totally appalled when I read our proprietor awarded a terrorist with a Canadian citizenship. I believe it was in all the newspapers but my reference was written in www.NeverAgainCanada.com. The fanatic's name is Zakaria Amara and he is serving a life sentence (yea, right a life sentence)...he was convicted of terrorism. He came to Canada as a teenager and became a Canadian citizen. This is what the fucker had planned for innocent Canuks: detonate bombs downtown Toronto, co-ordinate shooting sprees at the C.B.C. (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) and the T.S.E. (Toronto Stock Exchange), planned to siege Parliament Hill in Ottawa, carry out executions and beheadings of politicians including PM (Prime Minister) Stephen Harper.

Under PM Harper this blood thirsty inhuman madman Amara's Canadian citizenship was terminated forever and after he had served his sentence he would be deported. But along came our bleeding heart Liberal crusader (you know him, the guy who's never worked a day in his life and is the ruler of Canada) and he reinstated the psychopath's citizenship. This mother fucker maniac wanted to kill a multitude of innocent Canadians...is our golden boy PM (who lived the life of Riley all of his life) exhibiting delusional behaviour?..I find his decision completely outrageous and disgusting.

Then we have the problem with the illegal border crossings that Trudeau and his gang don't have a clue on how to deal with, or maybe they do but they don't care. An article in the Toronto Sun March 17/17 stated Trudeau lifted the visa requirement for Mexican travelers in Dec. 2016 against the wishes of some immigration and border security experts. Since the new year, hundreds of Mexicans have been taking advantage of Canada's generous asylum program...of course they are, why wouldn't they? Remember, diversity is what makes Canada strong, not hard working Canadians.

The penalties for violent crimes in Canada is, putting it mildly, a fucking joke...you may recall my rant on Nov. 8/15 titled "Meet the Devil." Some vicious criminals don't serve their entire sentence because of an absolutely ridiculous title called Statutory Release Law. As soon as these criminals set foot inside prison, one-third of their sentence is automatically reduced.

How many time have we heard pedophiles, savage sex offenders and violent criminals are released from prison and living in half way houses...shadowing their prey very easily. Again Liberal thinking ass backwards...more caring about the offender than actual public safety, SHAMEFUL!!

We have read about our military over the years and I think we all agree it's inadequate...unquestionably no disrespectfulness whatsoever to the men and women who serve, or have served in the Canadian Armed Forces. Years ago I read a very agreeable book titled "The Trouble With Canada" by William D. Gairdner Ph.D. Many of his points I found interesting, one in particular he stated, "beginning in the 1970's Canada abandoned it's historical foundations and fell under the spell of socialism." Looking at that comment forty plus years later, I think it's safe to say we are our brothers keeper.

Getting back to our military, Mr. Gairdner stated one of the real functions of government is to provide an armed forces for the protection of the country's citizens against foreign invaders...undoubtedly I concur. But for some mystifying reason our "commander" ignores our essential safety.

An article in the C.B.C. news on March 22/17 was about the 2017 Federal Liberal Budget, specifically the defence budget. It stated billions in defence equipment purchases were postponed until the 2030's...a fair chunk of change, $8.4 billion. These Liberals are promising to put the money back and spend it somehow over the next twenty years...are we really suppose to believe that tale?

So they want to save the money...SAVE IT FOR WHAT? Do these outrageous keepers of the state realize evil lurks and there are fucking lunatic such as North Korea's Kim Jung Un and I.S.I.S. who have a thirst for annihilating western civilization. Maybe Trudeau wants to welcome these people (who, by the way, want to kill us) with open arms into their Liberal fairy tale...L.O.L., we must remember "diversity is our strength."

I was extremely annoyed and angered (like many other Canadians) when our "loving, passionate" and "devoted" Justin expressed his sorrow and mournfulness towards the death of Cuban President Fidel Castro. He stated Castro was a larger than life figure and a legendary orator. Here we go again, Trudeau living in his own little fantasy world.

I couldn't believe our naïve PM refers to this tyrant like a popular and likable saint. Castro was an evil dictator ruling a communist state. He was a mass murderer and created brutal oppression, persecution, despotism, subjugation, and maltreatment among the Cuban people...supremely disgraceful on Junior's behalf.

We always hear about politicians saying Canada is a caring nation, but do we ever see THEM provide their own money or homes for refugees. Don't you find it strange Trudeau and Wynne preaching the Syrian refugee crisis like a Mississippi Baptist minister spreading the work of God, but neither of our two "thoughtful" and "considerate" Liberals offered their personal assistance or help (money and/or shelter) to the refugees. We may be a caring nation but the reason for that is the politicians manipulate our way of thinking and THEY receive all the glory and credit.

Remember all those years we were ABSOLUTELY FORBIDDEN to watch the American Super Bowl commercials during the game. Some how that has changed now and we've been given the honour and privilege to see the American commercials, however the Canadian way of competing still occurs. I always pondered when I'm watching a U.S. (United States) program on an American television station, I see Canadian commercials. This is a form of Canadian competition provided by the C.R.T.C. (Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission) and is called simultaneous substitution.

It's an American signal replaced with a Canadian signal. According to our supposedly impartial (I see them as a dictatorship) C.R.T.C. the reasons are to protect the rights of broadcasters, to promote local broadcasting and creation and to keep advertising dollars in Canada. As far as I'm concerned this is, as usual, extremely underhanded and devious trickery from the government. Think about it, it's total control by the government, telling us what we can and cannot watch, forcing us to view what the state thinks is good for our minds and wallets.

I will use this prime example. "The Price Is Right" is broadcast on C.B.S. Detroit and City-TV Toronto each week day at 11:00 AM. I select to watch the show on C.B.S. Detroit but I have to view Canadian commercials...the reason, simultaneous substitution, the product of the C.R.T.C. Here's my objection and gripe. If I want to watch Canadian commercials I'll tune into City-TV and if I decide to watch American commercials I should have the choice to do so...but I don't have any say in the matter. Again, government regulation and restriction...the vomitous undertaking of the C.R.T.C. has always infuriated me and it certainly seems it hasn't changed.

It always amazes me why it's so expensive to eat out at restaurants. Earlier this year my E.A. (Executive Assistant) and myself treated her parents for brunch...it was her mother's birthday. We ate at the Symposium Restaurant located on Rymal Road East, Stoney Creek mountain. Her folks had omelettes and we had hamburgers, hers with fries and mine with soup. Beverages included ice tea, coffee, water and get this, a four ounce glass of orange juice that cost $4.25. The final bill for our simple and straight forward chow was seventy dollars. Why is it when we see American family restaurants advertising their "grub" they cater to the consumer at a much cheaper price and the same of more quantity such as establishments like Applebee's, Bob Evans, Denney's, Longhorn Steakhouse and Perkins?

As usual our governments enjoy controlling us and in this case it's the federal supply management policies, better known as marketing boards. The Supply Management controls (there's that word again) the price of milk, cheese, butter, eggs, chicken and turkey and are a shared jurisdiction between the Federal and Provincial governments. That's the reason why my E.A. paid thirty-six dollars for an Easter Butterball turkey of just under fifteen pounds...fucking absurd.

I read an article in www.Huffpost.com Dec.23/14 titled "The Real Reason Canadians Pay Higher Prices Than Americans For The Same Products." Besides explaining Supply Management the article also mentioned another interesting point why we get defrauded. Economist Ross Mikitrick found for large industrial users, electricity rates in Chicago, Illinois were 6.12 cents per kilowatt hour. Rates in Toronto, Ontario were double that figure and blames Ontario's rising electricity costs due to ill advised and expense feed-in tariffs for wind power and other expensive types of electricity...that was three years ago and the Liberals are "still putting it to us."

I read a very thought provoking and informative story in the Toronto Sun on June 9/17 titled, "Think June 9 is too late for tax freedom day? Just wait." The article was written by Charles Lamman, Director of Fiscal Studies and Miloagros Palacios, Senior Economist at the Fraser Institute. The feature was about the extortion, oh, I meant to say taxation in Canada.

Tax Freedom Day was developed by the Fraser Institute and is the day you start working for yourself. Prior to that day all the money you earned was taken by all three levels of government. The average Canadian family with two or more people will pay $47,135 in total taxes, 43% of their $108,674 annual income...this is highway robbery. Governments are spending $41 billion more than the taxes we currently pay...tax, tax, tax, these crafty so called managers enjoy the thievery...no wonder it's hard to get ahead.

McGuilty and Mommy Wynne's track records are far from mediocre, in fact they're disgusting: putting people's lives at risk during the winter on highways, giving OUR MONEY to teacher's unions, increasing and creating new taxes and we can't forget about the Ontario debt that continues to escalate and the scandals they produced were underhanded, corrupt and scheming...a couple of Liberal soundrels.

The rant wouldn't be complete without telling you how my City of Hamilton, Ontario Councilors mismanage our tax money. Senseless spending on bike lanes, two-way conversions and pedestrian crossovers and other idiotic projects but avoiding paying strict attention to public safety and infrastructure.

Some folks may be saying, well Puritan you're so negative on this country why don't you pack up your bags and move to your perfect kingdom. At 63 years of age it's not that easy to relocate especially when most countries are melting in to a Liberal cesspool.

Epilogue

There are plenty state of affairs at all three levels of government that are ill-advised, improper, undesirable or plainly said, WRONG. If these ludicrous "leaders" don't start making adjustments and reorganize their asinine spending this nation will proceed to decay...we might be on our way now. Canada is preparing to celebrate it's 150th birthday and numerous individuals will be partying and paying tribute to their homeland. In spite of all the hoopla, it's no big deal to me...it's just another day.

The End

The Harvenut Puritan Project
Puritan will return with Anytime, Anyplace

Disenchantment

Prelude

I always enjoyed playing, watching sports on television and attending the games live. I competed in North American Football (my favourite), hockey and baseball. My long time and very good friend Uncle Block suggested I write a rant about sports...I accepted his advice and here it is.

As a young boy and teenager I participated in organized sports in Hamilton, Ontario. I played three years of house league hockey at Inch Park Arena. My third year I was selected for an all star tryout...I was cut after the first practice.

Back in those days (early 1960's) the rinks weren't enclosed. Whenever I played the temperature was frigid and the wind was biting cold. I remember my father (R.I.P. and God rest your soul) taking me to my games at four and five o'clock on Saturday mornings...he would be frozen stiff watching his son compete.

I played two years of baseball, one year of fastball at Buchanan Park, the other year of hardball at Holbrook Park. I also partook in high school football, one year of junior and two years of senior at Westmount Secondary School.

Like most boys during my childhood and teenage years I was athletic...active and energetic, but just an average kid when it came to possessing any real talent. It was safe to say there wouldn't be any sports team scout knocking on my door wanting to recruit me.

Since my preferred sport was the grid iron pastime, I decided to endeavour coaching football...the year was 1972. As it turned out, I coached the pigskin sport for thirty-two seasons at various levels. In the spring of 1985 I travelled to Austin, Texas to watch the Texas Longhorns (my favourite college football team) practice for a week. The purpose of that trip was to acquire any ideas for my coaching betterment.

I have many wonderful memories of my amateur career, but three occurrences were absolutely remarkable and outstanding. In 1977 I was Head Coach for a peewee (12 and 13 year olds) team for the Hamilton Minor Football Association and we won the city championship...it was a very dramatic season since our record was 4 wins and 4 losses before we entered the playoffs.

I received the Seymour Wilson Award presented by the Hamilton Football Officials Association for service and contribution to amateur football in 2005...it was an exceptional and magnificent honor.

In 2006 I was Defensive Co-ordinator for the Steel City (Hamilton) Ironmen Junior Varsity team (ages 14-16 years old) of the Ontario Varsity Football League and we won the Ontario Provincial Championship. Winning both championships has sensations some coaches would never experience...to say it mildly, extreme joy, elation and ecstasy.

My last year of coaching was 2006. I contemplated returning to the Ironmen grid iron in 2008, but my conscience kept saying, you went out a winner and have a championship ring.

I did consider coaching high school football a few years ago. However, I thought I can do without being present at the practices and games freezing or saturated from a cold rain...my days were finished...I put my time in. Oddly enough, now, I don't miss coaching at all.

I have appeared at a good deal of Professional sporting events throughout my life. I have been present for many Hamilton Tiger Cat games of the C.F.L. (Canadian Football League), watching the Detroit Lions of the N.F.L. (National Football League) square off against the Cincinnati Bengals and the Green Bay Packers and the Buffalo Bills, also of the N.F.L. play the Dallas Cowboys.

Major League Baseball (M.L.B.) was always pleasurable. I witnessed the Toronto Blue Jays in their initial years and saw a Detroit Tigers game at their old ballpark, Tiger Stadium. I had a marvellous and fantastic time taking weekend trips to Cleveland, Ohio with four good friends (sadly one is no longer with us...R.I.P. and God rest your soul you left us way too early) and watching the Indians...oops, is that racist, oh well. We did that venture twice, one year for the New York Yankees and the next year for the Blue Jays.

I travelled to Buffalo, New York on an organized bus trip in 1976 and watched the Buffalo Sabres of the N.H.L. (National Hockey League) take on the Soviet Wings of the Soviet Union...the final score was 12-6 for the Sabres.

Myself and some of my buddies would journey to Toronto when the Chicago Black Hawks (oh, oh, racist sweaters) of the N.H.L. would check in for a Saturday night game. We stayed overnight at a five star hotel located in the heart of downtown...we did this more than once.

A very good friend (still great friends today) of mine's uncle was the manager of the beautiful, upscale and luxurious building. If I remember correctly, there was no fee for our overnight lodging. When we returned to our rooms there would always be a tray of snacks and beer on ice...absolutely without a doubt, a complete and total class act. Sadly enough my friend's uncle passed away some time ago...R.I.P. and God rest your soul...you were a super nice guy.

The number of games I have viewed on television or listened to on the radio is a considerable amount. My favourite professional sports teams were the Chicago Black Hawks (N.H.L.), Green Bay Packers (N.F.L.), New York Yankees (M.L.B.) and the Ottawa Rough Riders (C.F.L.)

The last hockey game I watched in it's entirety was a 1985 Stanley Cup Playoff game between the Chicago Black Hawks and Edmonton Oilers.

Some folks have stated the league has "cleaned up" the game, from what it use to be in regards to fighting and cheap shots. Every morning I lay on my couch with my coffee and my bottle of tap water and watch the sports highlights from the night before and still see players brawling and/or inflicting inexcusable and unsportsmanlike physical actions on each other.

I recall a game on Nov. 15/16 where Johnny Gardreau of the Calgary Flames was deliberately slashed with a stick by Minnesota Wilds Eric Staal...the end result, Gardreau received a broken finger,

I don't doubt if for one second, Canada owns hockey...it's the country's game and Canucks are the best in the world. Many Canadians will insist and persistently argue that fighting is part of the game. I've always tried to comprehend, what component of the game?... I have never agreed with that rationale.

When a fight occurs at a hockey game a multitude of fans behaviour transforms into a state of euphoria...they have an extensive and vast pleasure watching two players physically assault one another or better known as beat the shit out of each other...I just can't understand the mentality.

When two people engage in a physical altercation their objective and full intention is to SERIOUSLY INJURE each other and nothing less...is that amusing?

I wonder if anyone has ever asked Don Sanderson's family or friends if they support fighting in hockey. On Dec. 12/08 Sanderson who was a 21 year old defenseman for the Whitby Dunlops of the Allan Cup Hockey League was in a fight with Brantford Blast forward Corey Fulton. Sanderson's helmet fell off and he dropped to the ice hitting his head. He was in a coma for almost three weeks and died Jan. 2/09...HOW FUCKING AMUSING IS THAT?

Chris DiDomenico, a player with the St. John Sea Dogs of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League was quoted in the Star Jan. 3/09 (a day after Sanderson's death) and said, "I don't think there's anything wrong with fighting. If two guys want to drop the gloves it's totally up to them."

A player has just died from an unnecessary and pointless incident and he still thinks fighting is O.K.? I wonder if he would "change his tune" if a family member or close friend died from a hockey fight? I guess his generation is what we call desensitized.

It's horrific when parents experience the loss of a son or daughter, but lose a loved one in a hockey game due to senseless and idiotic fighting is DOWN RIGHT FUCKING WRONG!!! You may say it's only happened once...once is TOO MANY! Tell me, is death due to fighting part of the game?

My E.A. (Executive Assistant) any myself watched the third period of the gold medal hockey game of the 2010 Winter Olympics between Canada and the U.S. (United States) on television...to say the least, it was sheer entertainment...a true classic.

The game had a soaring calibre of skill and artistry...it was spectacular with continuous end to end action...an outstanding and splendid extravaganza...Canada won 3-2. Undeniably, there wasn't any fighting or cheap blows...the way hockey should be played.

Keeping with hockey, I find it very odd players don't wear full protective face shields, such as a steel cage or plastic visors. The risk of receiving a puck, stick or skate into the face is highly probable as Sidney Crosby experienced on Dec. 14/16 in a game between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins. Crosby received a puck and a stick in the face on two separate occasions. Some forums I "surfed" stated the N.H.L. prohibits full facial protection unless for medical reasons. An article in the Hockey Writers on Dec. 14/15 stated in the year 2015 alone there were an incredible number of injuries suffered from pucks, sticks and even skate blades to the face.

If full facial protection is actually outlawed by the N.H.L. I find it truly absurd. It's really strange that there is a lack of health and safety rules for players about full facial protection.

Our eyes are a precious, priceless and vital feature of the human anatomy. Occupations like firefighters, construction, road and factory workers (to name a few) are regulated by law to wear their full and proper protective apparel and abide by the health and safety mandates.

Other reasons I have read for the absence of full facial protection, they are uncomfortable, players have a harder time controlling the puck and the cameras can't acquire a clear shot of the player's face...now really, is this a photo shoot or a hockey game?

The full cage or visor doesn't appear to hinder the performance of the Canadian Women's Hockey Team...they just keep on winning world titles and gold medals...they are the best on this earth.

I was an avid C.F.L fan for many years. When the league expanded in the 1990's with some American teams and the Ottawa Rough Riders franchise collapsed in 1996 my enthusiasm (didn't have to be curbed) was basically shattered and ruined.

For some time now C.F.L. teams have had sponsors on their sweaters...they are located on the upper front by the players' shoulders. I find it completely amateurish. Hold on a minute now, before you start screaming, I am not calling the players amateur, on the contrary the players are excellent athletes...polished and talented. When I see the advertising on the sweaters it reminds me of the jerseys of a tyke or peewee minor football team.

The 2016 Grey Cup was held in Toronto on Nov. 27/16 at B.M.O. (Bank of Montreal) field. The Grey Cup is a championship trophy awarded to the best team in the C.F.L.. The Ottawa Redblacks defeated the Calgary Stampeders 39-33 in overtime.

The seating capacity at the B.M.O. field is 26,500 but was expanded to 35,000...attendance was over 33,000. It was the first outdoor Grey Cup game for Toronto in 34 years. I do question the decision of having the game at B.M.O. field and not the Rogers Center. Since 1976 the Grey Cup attendance has been over 50,000 at every game and the Rogers Center, it seats 52,000 plus.

The Grey Cup is a prestigious event...it is the highest honour and privilege a C.F.L. team can obtain. Players and coaches work extremely hard and diligently all season to play in that classic. It's unreasonable teams should have to play the most important game in their life in the cold, rain or snow.

It never ceases to amaze me Wynne's Ontario has foolish and ridiculous rules and the 2016 Grey Cup followed suit. The Toronto Sun on Nov. 24/16 reported the Calgary Stampeders mascot (a horse called Quick Six) was forbidden on the field for the game. The article also stated the Ottawa Redblacks mascot team, the chain saw crew (they slice a touchdown "cookie" from a log) were also disallowed on the field. I'm really "shocked" the authorities didn't ban both teams' cheerleaders.

The Calgary Stampeders were also prohibited from practicing on the B.M.O. field...they rehearsed their game strategy at an indoor complex. Considering the magnitude of the game, coaches and players want to get "a lay of the land" or in other words familiarize themselves with the actual field for the greatest game of their lives.

I find it highly peculiar that the three largest populated cities in Canada which are also homes to C.F.L. teams, have below average attendance. Montreal Alouettes and B.C. Lions (Vancouver) is just over 20,000 and the Toronto Argonauts is 16,380. Toronto used to play at the Rogers Center but moved to B.M.O. field for the 2016 season...my guess, they couldn't afford the Rogers Center.

The C.F.L. has lost some of their traditions. For many years the Hamilton Tiger Cats would host the Ottawa Rough Riders every Thanksgiving afternoon...it was a huge and notable rivalry...for some reason it no longer happens. Each C.F.L. team would play four pre season games, now there are only two...dam difficult to assess and judge their talent. Even though teams have free agent camps we must acknowledge squads have a large number of athletes competing for positions...the Ottawa Redblacks 2016 roster was 84 players.

A few years ago the New Orleans Saints of the N.F.L. were found guilty of placing a bounty on opposing players. Their coaches, specifically Defensive Co-ordinator Greg Williams paid out bonuses to Saints players who would intentionally injure opposing teams players.

This is FUCKING REPULSIVE and DISGRACEFUL These "unworthy coaches" are supposed to be advocates of the game and act as decent and respectable professors of the sport...true role models...what does that teach our kids. On March 21/12 Head Coach Sean Payton was suspended for one year and Williams was suspended indefinitely, however, Williams' penalty was overturned a couple of years later.

As far as I'm concerned the staff that was involved in this putrid and sickening escapade should be banned from coaching forever...never to coach again, any where or at any level. It reminds me of my high school senior football Head Coach announcing to the team at one practice, "if you're not out there to hurt someone, you shouldn't be playing this game"...absolutely deplorable and shameful.

Epilogue

My interest in professional sports has dwindled immensely. Free agency certainly doesn't help...favourite players are here today and gone tomorrow. Free agency started with baseball in 1969. Curt Flood of the St. Louis Cardinals was the first player to "test the waters" and in 1993 the N.F.L. commenced their journey into free agency. Numerous players jump from team to team to team for the almighty dollar. I've been disconnected with my favourite teams for quite some time...I just can't get excited any more. Notwithstanding that, I continue to watch the sports highlights every morning and still have a "grip" on professional sports. I can summarize my feelings on professional sports with the 1970 Gordon Lightfoot song titled, "If You Could Read My Mind", with the lyrics, "but the feelings gone and I just can't get it back."

The End

The Harvenut Puritan Project
Puritan will return with, It's Difficult To Wave The Flag