The Green Bubble Will Never Burst

Prelude

Once upon a time there were Conservatives and Liberals. They would constantly quarrel and argue and oppose each other's ideologies. Then one day a new movement was born...crusaders called environmentalists. They hail from various backgrounds including welfare, unemployment, blue and white collar positions and even actors. Their primary principle is to save the planet from (so called) human destruction...for some, it is a supreme obsession. They object to technology that creates advantage and comfort to the populace. These reformers are extremely annoying and can be dangerous to people's every day lives.

Everyone has the right to form their own beliefs and voice their opinions. However, the sickening thought of environmentalists is how they persuade and convince politicians with their "green" convictions. What is even more putrid, is how most politicians jump on the band wagon and wave the Green Panther Flag.

One ruler that enters my mind is Ontario Premiere Mommy Wynne. I say Mommy because we all know how deeply she cares about Ontarians, just like her predecessor, Dalton "McGuilty"...they remind me of a loving father and mother couple. Mommy is so passionately concerned about the environment, she and her Liberal regime decided to fabricate, unleash and enforce a brand spanking new tax on Ontario tax payers...it officially commenced Jan. 1/17...Happy New Year.

Mommy and her flock call it a cap and trade or better known as a carbon tax. She slapped an additional 4.3 cents a litre on gasoline and folks who use natural gas to heat their homes will have $6.70 added to their monthly bill...we all know the latter is inaccurate...it will be a much higher cost...but Mommy loves us.

Meanwhile this hypocritical thief (most politicians are) is chauffeured to numerous locations throughout Ontario in a S.U.V. (Sport Utility Vehicle) Chevrolet Suburban which is equipped with a gas guzzling V-8 engine...talk about deceiving, but let's not forget she is a politician, a Liberal...Mommy knows best.

I continually ask myself what did we do (as tax payers) to deserve this repulsive thievery? We didn't commit any heinous crime...we've been good little boys and girls for Mommy...so why are we punished?

We shouldn't forget how this scam will affect the economy of Ontario. I wonder if it will be feasible for new companies to invest in "Mommy's World"? One thing is certain, existing businesses will pass on their tax increase to the consumer...more money out of our pockets.

Despite all that, there are some enterprises that don't have to play by Mommy's rules. According to the Hamilton Spectator, Dec. 29/16, Essar Steel Algoma Inc. in Sault Ste. Marie, Vales Canada nickel refinery in Sudbury, Petro Canada Lubricants in Mississauga and the Imperial Oil chemical plant in Sarnia have allocations.

Glen Murray, the Environment and Climate Change Minister, said these companies have made significant reductions already and need time to invest in new technology. Another reason was to protect Ontario jobs...why don't I believe this Liberal?

Murray also stated, Ontario "hopes to raise" $1.9 billion a year and $8 billion by the end of 2020 from this rip-off. Don't you "love" the phrase "hopes to raise"...it should be reworded with the real meaning, hopes to steal.

This is the section of the article which I found hilarious. They (Liberals) promise to spend all of their tax theft on programs that reduce emissions and help businesses and consumers adapt to a low carbon economy. Now this following statement wins the cigar...Murray also said the $8 billion will be going back into the lives and pockets of Ontarians. The Mountain News, Dec. 28/16, proclaimed the proceeds from the cap and trade program will be deposited into a new Greenhouse Gas Reduction Account.

If anyone believes this typical Liberal deception (remember when McGuinty introduced his Harmonized Sales Tax in 2010 and stated the tax would create hundreds of thousands of jobs?) where OUR money is headed towards? I know a lovely piece of land in Lake Okenfenokee, Florida and the Louisiana Bayou selling at a very cheap price.

Did you notice Murray's portfolio title has something added to it. It use to be plain and simple, Environment Minister but now it's Environment and Climate Change Minister...the rubbish never stops with these Liberals.

I'm not a physicist or scientist. In fact any form of science was an extremely complicated and a weak subject of mine while I was attending elementary and secondary school. My Grade 8 science teacher also knew my lack of knowledge of the discipline when I wrote a perfect score on a ten question quiz. He placed it in a nut shell and said, "when a guy like Harvenut Puritan gets ten out of ten on a science test, something is wrong somewhere"...I just happened to have the answers prior to the test.

I've never been a supporter of this so called Global Warming, or new age name Climate Change. To be truthful, I have been very ignorant on this phenomenon but after researching the subject I have a firm belief this Climate Change nonsense is nothing more than a con game...an ingenious method for our governments to bleed MORE money from tax payers.

Elmer Beauregard who writes for www.GlobalClimateScam.com wrote an open letter to U.S (United States) President Elect Donald Trump on Dec. 12/16 about the climate scam. Mr. Beauregard stated the U.S. spends billions of dollars annually on Global Warming but researchers only receive money if their study supports Climate Change.

He also said 99% of all scientists don't believe in Global Warming. His figures show that 31,487 scientists disagree with climate change and 375 agree. The names of scientists that oppose have their names on a petition. An article in www.YourNewsWire.com on Sept. 2/16 also stated more than 31,000 American scientists (to date) challenge climate change. Mr. Beauregard also wrote an interesting fact, Aug. 6/15, that all of mankind is only responsible for 3% of CO2 emissions annually...mother nature produces 97%.

On May 31/16 Larry Bell, a professor of Space Architecture at the University of Houston, wrote a column for www.Newsmax.com, and stated the polar bear populations are at a record high and the Antarctic ice mass has been steadily growing.

He also mentioned a fact I found truly fascinating. The U.N. (United Nations) Climate Chief Christina Figueres candidly remarked the true aim of the Paris Climate Conference (Nov. 30 - Dec. 12/15) was to change the capitalist economic development model that has been reigning for at least 150 years...I'm detecting a sense of communism from Figueres' statement.

An article in www.FriendsofScience.com, titled "Providing Insight Into Climate Change" - myths and facts, stated there has been no warming in the Arctic region since 2015 and current temperatures are the same as they were in 1943. The report also said ice cap thickness in Greenland and Antarctic are increasing.

A feature in www.Express.com, June 9/15 wrote John Coleman (co-founder of the Weather Channel) had stated Global Warming is the greatest scam in history and he continued to say the theory of man made Climate Change was no longer scientifically credible.

Mark Hendrickson, a contributor of www.Forbes.com had his article featured on Sept. 16/12 stating most of the carbon emissions are due to water vapor and factors outweigh CO2 in the global temperature including variations in solar systems and changes in the earth's orbit and axis.

He also stated during the cap and trade debates of 2009, America's CO2 emission reductions would shave a few hundredths of a degree off future temperatures. His article continued to say the U.N. published an estimated total planetary cost that could reach $552 trillion.

A story in www.DailyWire.com on Oct. 7/16 said N.A.S.A. (National Aeronautics Space Administration) declared 2014 to be the hottest year on record, despite they were only 38% sure about it...the latter was left out of their press release...I wonder why they did that?

A piece in www.YourNewsWire.com wrote about Mr. Environment himself, Al Gore, on Nov. 2/16. Their article expressed, since he embarked on his crusade his wealth has grown from $2 million in 2001 to $100 million in 2016 - largely due to investments into fake green tech companies and the effective embezzlement of numerous grants and loans. Very crafty but we all know individuals make millions of dollars from war, so why not do the same from this dishonest trickery.

You have just read some facts that Climate Change is a myth. I ask you, what would these websites and writers have to benefit and gain if their information, simply speaking, was a bunch of lies...I think they're stating the truth...the real truth. People will still believe Global Warming is a serious problem because the government has brainwashed countless citizens that Climate Change is a massive and crucial issue.

I was always under the assumption dinosaurs perished in the ice age. Regardless, I unearthed some theories on the death of dinosaurs, one in particular. The following is from www.HistoryChannel.com, "Why Did Dinosaurs Die Out".

Father and son scientists Luis (an inventor and pioneer in the field of radiation and nuclear research and a 1968 Nobel Prize winning physicist, 1911-1988) and Walter Alvarez (1940) discovered a very rare metal called iridium (commonly found in meteorites) in the 1980's. They claimed it was deposited after a large meteor, comet or asteroid collided with the earth's surface that destroyed the dinosaurs population...initially their theory didn't fly.

However, in 1991 iridium was found by scientists in a massive meteor crater, 110 miles in diameter, on the edge of the Yucatan Peninsula extending into the Gulf of Mexico. It was given the name the Chicxulob crater.

Scientists believe it was 6 miles in diameter, struck earth at 40,000 miles an hour and released 2 million times more energy than the most powerful nuclear bomb detonated. The heat would have broiled the earth's surface, ignited wildfires world wide, and plunged the planet into darkness. Miles high tsunamis would have washed over the continents, drowning many forms of life. Shock waves would have initiated earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. On March 4/10 a panel of 41 scientists agreed the Chicxulob asteroid impact triggered the mass extinction.

You may be asking yourself, why is Puritan talking about dinosaurs? I find that theory very feasible and it genuinely intrigues me. There are many unanswered questions and unexplained happenings that occur in the solar system. If this so called climate change is transpiring at all, maybe it isn't man made whatsoever...it's resulting from space and it's beyond human control. Five will get you ten N.A.S.A. and our governments know a lot more than they'll ever reveal to the regular population.

The Industrial Revolution had outstanding economic growth characterized by the introduction of power driven machinery...machines replaced human labour, and over the years technology progressed and thrived. However, some people aren't fond of progression and advancement...they completely disapprove of technological development...these people are called environmentalists.

The automobile is a classic example. The way I see it, Ontario cities, specifically Hamilton where I live, frown on the automobile...I constantly see the wasteful spending by bureaucrats producing gridlock and enormous stress for drivers.

I recall a high school acquaintance who became an environmentalist a few years after his graduation. He was in disagreement with the automobile. He passed away at a young age. His death was ironic...he died in a car accident...R.I.P. and God rest your soul.

I remember listening to Toronto, Ontario radio station CHUM.FM (104.5) in the 1990's. The D.J. (disc jockey) was dwelling about how bad automatic garage door openers were for the environment. During his earthy pep talk he said, if someone has a bad back it's quite appropriate (for him or her) to use the device. On the flip side, he stated a healthy person should open their door manually.

Here's a busy-body telling people what they should and shouldn't do...it sickens me. It's called convenience...an easy and effortless way of life, but environmentalists find that almost intolerable. Hopefully he received numerous phone calls from his listeners and was told to stop preaching his foolish green nonsense.

Then we have meddlers who condemn gas powered snow blowers. If they want to shovel snow after and accumulation of 6,8,10 inches or more, all the power to you, so be it, but don't whine and cry because you've injured your back or even more serious, suffered a heart attack.

Some of these "save the earth people" will argue that electric snow blowers work just as well as gas operated units...putting it bluntly, electric snow blowers are a pain in the ass. The cord is extremely bothersome, limited snow can be cleared, the engine can short out and we all know water and electricity don't mix.

Battery operated blowers are just as inadequate. The battery time is limited, batteries are expensive and once again, snow removal is restricted.

I enjoy helping out my neighbours after a snow storm. I usually clean six sidewalks and three driveways. It would be impossible for me to complete my obliging tasks using and electric or battery operated appliance. I wonder why contractors use gas powered machines. Overall, it is very straight forward, the gas powered units are more sensible and functional.

My neighbour travels 35 km (one way) to work everyday. During winter months he activates his electric car starter (he doesn't have a garage) so when it's time for him to journey and earn a living his vehicle is warm and comfortable. I'm sure the green people would object to the idling, meanwhile the bureaucrats who attempt to manage Hamilton, Ontario have created unnecessary and escalating amounts of vehicle idling because of their installations of foolish and pointless bike lanes and 2-way conversions...political hypocrisy at it's best.

Many actors have attached themselves to the environmental parade. One in particular is Jane Fonda. On Jan. 11/17 the Toronto Star reported she arrived in Canada to bitch and complain about our teenage Prime Minister's decision on approval of two oil and sand pipeline projects.

Let's rewind this spoiled brat's outlandish behavior for a moment. She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth, and has made millions of dollars from acting and her various enterprises. She was also married to billionaire Ted Turner (1938- ) for 20 years.

In 1972 she visited Hanoi North Vietnam during the Vietnam War. She was given the nickname "Hanoi Jane". There are numerous pictures of this bleeding heart Liberal fraternizing with North Vietnamese military and government officials. One photo that received utmost publicity was when she was sitting on an anti-aircraft gun. She was also very direct stating that American P.O.W.'s (prisoners of war) were being treated fairly and humane.

Throughout her life she has spread her views on socialism and communism, but undoubtedly loved her capitalistic lifestyle...sounds like a politician. I have a suggestion for "Hanoi Jane"...criticize on what happens in your own backyard and never, never, ever set foot on Canadian soil again...NEVER...we have enough idiots in Canada.

Epilogue

According to www.Statista.com China and the U.S. are leaders in producing all CO2 emissions, 28% and 16% respectively...Canada is a mere 1.6, so why are our teenage Prime Minister and Mommy Wynne ramming their carbon tax down Ontarians throats? It's plain and clear another Liberal tax grab...it's what they do best, a very clever scheme to rob tax payers of their earnings. I will never be persuaded this climate change ordeal is real and more importantly factual. Nevertheless, as long as there are Liberals and environmentalists they will always be dipping into our pockets and attempting to control our lives into their 18th century thinking...there is no escaping these bandits and trouble makers. What's next, a new tax every time we cough or blow our nose?

The End

The Harvenut Puritan Project
Puritan will return with The Stars Above

---

Editor's Note

I, Uncle Block, was also in Mr. Puritan's science class at the time that the cheating on the test occurred, and I can testify to the accuracy of Mr. Puritan's report. I still chuckle when I recall that episode.

It reminds me of the time I inadvertently exposed some students in my organic chemistry class who had falsified their lab reports. (Mohawk College - Chemical Engineering Technician Program - 1981-1983)

It started when I noticed a flaw in the theory, or the math, that our teacher, Mrs. Aktar, had presented as the basis of the experiment. (I can't remember the details, this was almost 35 years ago. Mrs. Aktar was a decent, intellectually honest person.) I realized that something was off, and that the actual expected result from the lab experiment, as written, would be out by one or more orders of magnitude.

I recall debating the issue with her for most of the lab period, instead of working on the experiment. Back and forth we went. She would present her case, I would present mine. In the end, it turned out to be one of those rare occasions where I happened to be correct. All of a sudden, as if a switch had been flicked, she understood the error.

The next part was the funny part. All of a sudden, a look of anger came across her face. Then she marched over to her desk, where the completed lab reports had been piled, and fished out the reports that had already been submitted, and which she had given a high mark to, crossed out the previously assigned mark, and wrote a large "Zero" on them.

Once she understood the error, she also realized that these students could not possibly have obtained their results if they had actually performed the experiment as prescribed. It became clear to her, that they had not even bothered to perform the experiment, opting instead, to simply invent some numerical results that conformed to the erroneous theory.

At first I felt bad that my badgering had resulted in the exposure of these fake scientists. But then, I thought, fuck 'em, they got what they deserved. And the whole comedy of errors gave me a good laugh.

After reading Mr. Puritan's rant, I recalled this experience with a new perspective.

What if this kind of scientific cheating is not limited to the shenanigans of a couple of pot-heads in Mrs. Aktar's 1983 Organic Chemistry class?

Their motive was to attain a high mark. Their method was to steal it, rather than earn it.

What about all of the government money that has been sloshing around over the last three decades in pursuit of an answer to the question of man made global warming, subsequently recycled into the bet-hedging "climate change" meme? How much of that slush fund was made available to the skeptics, (nil?), vs. the fear-mongers?

If there were any incentive to cheat, would it have come from the skeptics? Or from those who knew that the grant money would abundantly flow into the pockets of those students who would plug the right numbers into the reports, thus assuring more government money, and more justification for criminals like Al Gore and Kathleen Wynne (and so on, and so on, ... ) to expand their power and influence over people's lives?

(Not to mention their own financial, and career security.)

I've been a "climate denier" since day one of this malicious hoax. I knew it was bullshit, not because I was up to date on the "science," but because I understood only too well what happens when crypto-communist politicians are given leeway to decide what kind of "science" shall receive the most enthusiastic support from conniving politicians whose true motives are not the truth, but their own base ambitions.

---

---

If politics were not so corrupt, the majority of the population would be able to enjoy the innocent pleasures of life without having to look over their shoulders to dodge the unwanted advances of the politicians who only want to fuck them.

Change Up

Prelude

As usual, like millions of other people I watched the 2017 Red Carpet Pre-Game Show of the Academy Awards. It's the event before the actual awards are presented. I enjoy seeing the actors looking debonair and especially the actresses wearing their luxurious wardrobes, glittering jewellery and lavish hairstyles. I didn't stay awake for the entire awards show so I missed a large segment of some of the presentations including the Best Picture. When I did find out what movie had prevailed, I was very confused.

We are creatures of habit. If you're like me you have a regular routine when you awaken in the morning...mine and yours are probably like clockwork. I sit in front of the television with a black cup of coffee and a plastic bottle of tap water and view the sports highlights from the previous day and/or night. A while later I will proceed to our computer. Because I was very curious and eager about the Best Picture winner I googled the Academy Awards before reading my regular websites.

Considering "La, La Land" was nominated for 14 awards (the most ever) I thought the film would've had an excellent possibility of winning Best Picture. When I did read the winner I was surprised and truly puzzled..."Moonlight" had won Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.

My E.A. (Executive Assistant) and I had a dry spell last year watching movies at the theatre. In fact we didn't see any of the films that were nominated for Best Picture. Five will get you ten "Moonlight" is a superb and outstanding motion picture but the reason I'm perplexed is I've always been under the assumption when a movie wins Best Picture it should also be victorious in other categories such as Cinematography, Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, Original Screenplay, Adapted Screenplay, Film Editing and especially Director.

I'm certainly not a Hollywood expert but wouldn't you conclude if a movie wins Best Picture it should also win Best Director. I find it extremely difficult to understand how a film can win Best Picture but not Best Director. It bewilders me even more when a director will win for his/her achievement for directing but not triumph for their movie as "La, La Land" director Damien Chazelle experienced. It's happened before but very, very seldom...it's extremely uncommon. Take a look at a high majority of Best Picture winners over the years and you will see the director and other technical categories as award winners for that film.

During the Red Carpet Pre-Game Show one of the hosts mentioned the Academy (the full name is the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences) changed the rules this year because they wanted more diversity within the categories, specifically Best Picture and acting. The way I decode that is, not necessarily the best will win.

You may remember the controversial 2016 Academy Awards. The Afro-Americans were vastly upset and angry because they felt their achievements were misrepresented and had a lack of nominations. So, in 2017, the Academy Awards had a switch over. Three movies about Afro-American lives were nominated for Best Picture, two Afro-American males were nominated for Best Actor and three Afro-American females were nominated for Best Supporting Actress.

I'm by no means a racist. I've always been a firm believer, hire the best and if the product or service is good people will come...maybe I still live in that perfect world of mine.

Personally, I think the diversity idea and concern is unnecessary. There's plenty of gifted, talented and accomplished Afro-American male and female actors...Denzel Washington is one of the best. Spike Lee is supreme in his field of directing...two of my favourite movies of his are "Inside Man" 2006 and "Oldboy" 2013.

The movie "Hidden Figures" was nominated for Best Picture in 2017. It's based on a true story about three Afro-American female mathematicians working for N.A.S.A. (National Aeronautics Space Administration) in 1961. Octavio Spencer (who portrayed one of the women and was also a nominee for Best Supporting Actress) stated in a Red Carpet Pre-Game Show interview the movie is a true story and should be known.

I agree, 100% whole heartedly with Ms. Spencer. It's an important part of history...just not Afro-American history but American history as a whole. The movie illustrates a genuine and factual account how these ladies contributed to the United States space program during a time of racial discrimination and tension. A fantastic spectacle of patriotism and loyalty but is the movie worthy of a Best Picture nomination?

Epilogue

Don't you find it odd we don't see diversity in professional sports. It sounds to me Hollywood is spinning into a portion of a whirlwind. They have certainly succeeded with their mandate of more diversity, at least for these Academy Awards. I just wonder if the movie "Titanic" 1997 would have won Best Picture if it was released in 2016.

The End

The Harvenut Puritan Project

Puritan will return with "The Green Bubble Will Never Burst"

Hopeful Rebound

Prelude

Canada and the U.S. (United States) have comparable traditions, customs and practices. We speak matching languages, eat and enjoy the same food, drive identical vehicles, watch similar sports and our governments fundamentally function as a democracy which consists of conservative and liberal ideologies.

I have never been a world traveler but always took pleasure in journeying to the U.S. Throughout my life I have visited Austin, Boston, Buffalo, Cleveland, Daytona Beach, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Myrtle Beach and Rochester.

One of my favourite cities is Detroit...I know what some of you are thinking...is Puritan fucking nuts, DETROIT ? I can understand some folks shock and disagreement, especially if they read the article in www.infowars.com - "Detroit has gone from being the greatest manufacturing city in the world to a global joke." The story was significantly realistic and sad.

The write up mentioned "Motown's" population has greatly dwindled, almost 2 million to 700,000 in the past few decades. Thousands of abandoned houses have been torn down but still have tens of thousands of abandoned dwellings that remain standing, which some of them have sold for as little as one dollar...WOW!!

Close to half the population is functionally illiterate and 40% of street lights don't work. The Police Dept. has been reduced by 40% (five will get you ten the Fire Dept. is in that equivalent circumstance) and the average response time for police calls is 58 minutes...dam scary.

To make matters worse Detroit's Mayor Kwane Kilpatrick (2002-2008) was sentenced to 28 years in prison for a corruption scandal. In 2013 the "Motor City" filed for bankruptcy...$17 billion, which was the largest in U.S. history.

We all know "Hockey Town" has been struggling for a long time. I have visited "Motown" on a number of occasions and always had a pleasurable experience. Let's face it, every big city has it's "zones", some a good, some are not so good.

It all started back in the late 1980's and early 1990's when my ex-wife and I would travel to Dearborn Heights, Michigan to visit her aunt and uncle...R.I.P. and God rest your souls. Dearborn Heights is a small blue collar suburb fifteen miles west of "Hockey Town". At that time the population was approximately 60,000.

We would always cruise into "Motown" riding the "People Mover" (an above ground rail transit system) and visiting "Greektown" which is a historic commercial and entertainment district dominated by many Greek themed restaurants.

We attended sporting events such as a M.L.B. (Major League Baseball) game between the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago White Sox at the now defunct Tiger Stadium. I was amused by the urinals in the men's washrooms, they were long, white, horizontal troughs.

I recall watching an N.F.L. (National Football League) exhibition match between the Detroit Lions and Cincinnati Bengals at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan.

There were additional sporting events we could have appeared at but there weren't enough tickets for everyone. I remember one instance my ex-wife's cousin had great tickets for the Tigers and New York Yankees and the seats were awesome...along third base line. But again, only four tickets for six people. I could have seen the game but my attitude was...if all of us can't go, I'm not going either.

Even back in those days Detroit had considerable economic and urban blight...the city was quickly decaying...there were certain areas you could "tour" and different locations you would avoid. Nevertheless my ex-wife's relatives always showed us a delightful time...without fail, fantastic American hospitality.

The next time I set out for "Motor City" was for a three day "getaway" with my E.A. (Executive Assistant) in 2003. It was the American Thanksgiving and we "scored" tickets to the traditional Thursday Detroit Lions Thanksgiving day football game. To generate more excitement for myself, the Lions were hosting my favourite team, the Green Bay Packers at their new stadium Ford Field.

It is a magnificent indoor North American football facility replacing the Silverdome which was the previous home of the Lions. Ford Field opened in 2000 and has a capacity of 65,000. Directly across the street is Comerica Park, the home of the Detroit Tigers which also opened in 2000. The ball park also has the appearance of a beautiful sports complex. I haven't taken a seat there yet, but hopefully it will happen soon.

We checked into the Pontchartrain Hotel (now Hotel Crown Plaza) on Wednesday (they day before the game) around 12:00 p.m. It was roughly one mile from Ford Field across the street from Joe Louis Arena the soon ex home of the Detroit Red Wings of the N.H.L. (National Hockey League).

Since we had a small fridge in our room I inquired where I could purchase beer. Not thinking I could have probably bought beer at our hotel bar. Regardless of that, I was told there was a bar across the street behind the hotel that sold beer for take out...I was flabbergasted and amazed...I couldn't believe it, take out beer at a bar.

The first thing that entered my non-liberal mind was not as many stringent, ridiculous and authoritarian rules for alcohol in Michigan to what I'm used to in "McWynne Wonderland."

A very good friend of mine who lives in Calgary, Alberta told me some pubs in Calgary and British Columbia bars also have a take out policy on alcohol. What the fuck is wrong with this province, mind you alcohol is just one of many issues that need to be overhauled in this White Trillium territory.

I walked into the bar and it was crowded with customers who appeared to represent a combination of blue and white collar lunch time crowd. I purchased twelve bottles of Budweiser "pints", I can't remember the price but it was appropriate.

The owner of the bar and I started to "drum up" some conversation and he asked me if I wanted tickets to the game. I replied I already have a pair. He showed me his tickets...they were better seats than mine. He displayed a seating plan of Ford Field and my seats were high corner end zone in the upper deck...you could say the nose bleed section. His tickets were on the five yard line and twenty-five rows up. I gave him forty dollars and we exchanged tickets.

I arrived back at the hotel with twelve cold "Buds" and new, improved and upgraded game passes. Strangely enough the owner of the bar was Canadian...he lived in Windsor, Ontario,

The game was scheduled for 12:30 p.m. but we arrived at the stadium via taxi an hour and a half before kickoff. The reason we appeared that early is quite simple. I coached football for numerous years at different levels. I basically taught myself about the x's and o's of the game. Whenever I attended any professional game I would always be there early to watch both squads warm up and performing the pre game drills. I would try to pick up some tips I could utilize for the team I was coaching at the time.

Fox Television Network N.F.L. Sunday was televising the game. James Brown, Terry Bradshaw, Jimmy Johnson and Howie Long were the pre, half time and post game analysts. It was "cool" watching the maquillage artists "touching up" the celebrities make-up and assuring their hair and wardrobe was neat and proper during television commercial breaks.

A 16 oz. plastic bottle of Labatts Blue beer was (as I recollect) around six dollars. According to Forbes Aug. 20/14 a twenty oz. bottle of beer is $8.50...the Lions and the Dallas Cowboys are the most expensive in the N.F.L. when it comes to buying beer.

I still find that fairly reasonable for a sporting event considering how we are taken advantage of and gouged, any which way but right in this frightfully nerve racking province called "Yours To Discover."

We saw a Green Bay touchdown pass right before our eyes. Although the Packers lost 22-14 it was still a splendid game and I witnessed Favre and "The Pack" live.

When I think of it now my E.A. and I had a splash of naivety after the game. We couldn't locate any taxis so we walked back to the hotel. It was 4:00 p.m. and the streets were desolate and deserted...like a ghost town...we were the only people in the area.

The locality was classified as downtown and there were a considerable number of buildings that were dilapidated...story goes the city was in an urban renewal phase. Anyway, it was enlightening and we returned to our hotel safe and sound.

The hotel prepared a lovely and absolutely delicious Thanksgiving dinner for their guests...an all you could eat buffet. The menu consisted of oven roasted turkey, creamy mash potatoes, homemade dressing/stuffing, thick brown gravy, kernel corn, sweet green peas and baby carrots, macaroni salad and cole slaw and warm soft rolls. For desert there was pumpkin pie and chocolate cake...all that for $20 a person.

A meal like that in Ontario, and for that price, I really have to laugh out loud in an unsavory fashion and then say NEVER...only in our dreams. The overbearing and inflexible marketing boards and selfish and power hungry politicians who operate this empire won't allow it...the tax payers NEVER get a break.

A few times we would be sitting in our hotel bar taking pleasure in drinking our adult beverages and smoking cigarettes...sadly the state banned smoking in all restaurants and bars in 2010. However an article in Michigan Radio Jan. 27/14 said State Representative Tom McMillin wants to loosen Michigan's smoking laws, allowing smoking on patio bars and other outdoor area.

During our last night we were very surprised to encounter folks from Youngstown, Ohio in the hotel lounge. You are probably saying, so what, big deal Puritan. It was a big deal. My E.A. lived in Youngstown for three years back in the seventies...her ex-husband received a full ride football scholarship to Youngstown State University.

We drank together, traded some stories and had a few laughs with the Youngstown bunch. Unfortunately they stated that the one time working class, university and steel town had also deteriorated like Detroit.

Nevertheless "Motown" is making a slow come back. Several new hotels, restaurants and art galleries have been established for the revitalization program for downtown.

An article in Yahoo News (Dec. 17/14) said businessman Dan Gilbert moved his company "Quicken Loans" headquarters to the city and has more than 12,500 team members working in the downtown sector. He has also invested $1.5 billion in restoring downtown.

The Detroit Red Wings will be moving to a new arena in 2017 called Little Caesars Arena. Besides the rink there will be a 650,000 square foot sports and entertainment district. It will also include mixed use neighborhoods and new residential and retail outlets, located just a few blocks from Ford Field and Comerica Park.

The Detroit Pistons of the N.B.A. (National Basketball Association) are contemplating moving their team into the downtown area also. They presently play at Auburn Hills which is a suburb thirty four miles north of "Motown."

The District Detroit (April 28/16) reported the Little Caesars Arena will be a cornerstone of the District Detroit, a $1.2 billion live, work and play development fueling the city's redevelopment.

My last visit to Motor City was 2003. You might conclude I'm writing this "piece" for Detroit's tourism...I wish that was the case...there would probably be some sort of gratuity for my editor "Uncle Block" (who created and designed my blog) and I for our effort.

I would really like to see "Motown" make a comeback. The regeneration of the city won't happen immediately...it will be a substantial lengthy process for the metropolis to achieve their once proud culture again.

Epilogue

Detroit isn't for everyone...obviously it's not a tropical paradise. Some individuals say it's unfavourable and distasteful because of the municipality's deterioration over the years...I think it's a great place to visit and if you have friends or relatives residing there, even better. It is a superb sports town and has numerous attractions and lovely restaurants. Hopefully the city will make an abundant, thorough and full recovery.

The End

The Harvenut Puritan Project
Puritan will return with Changeup

A Tragic Blunder

Prelude

"I have asked Commanding General Westmoreland what more he needs to meet this mounting aggression and he has told me. And we will meet his needs...we don't want an expanding struggle with consequences that no one can foresee, nor will we bluster or bully or flaunt our power. But we will not surrender and we will not retreat."

President Lyndon B. Johnson, July 28, 1965.

Before President John F. Kennedy was assassinated I recall one of his statements in a speech that has been incorporated in my mind for numerous years. I will paraphrase what he said: America isn't going to send young people to fight a war in Southeast Asia. Well, we all know that Johnson didn't follow through on Kennedy's pledge. In 1965 there were 184,300 American troops in Vietnam and by April 30/69 543,000 military personnel called Vietnam their "home".

I'm neither a historian nor an expert on the U.S. (United States) involvement in Vietnam. But for some odd reason, it has always intrigued me, probably because my generation was constantly exposed to the war by the media. We were made aware of it every night in our living rooms on the six o'clock news with Walter Cronkite. I also remember watching the Bob Hope Christmas specials where he and other celebrities would entertain the American military stationed in Vietnam.

I look back on two incidents that still remain in my mind today...both were on T.V. (television). On Feb. 1/68 South Vietnam's Chief of National Police, Nguyen Ngoc Loan executed a handcuffed V.C. (Viet Cong) prisoner...he pulled out his pistol and shot him in the head...his prisoner instantly dropped to the ground...dead.

The other clip was on June 8/72. A screaming and crying nine year old South Vietnamese girl was running nude on a road...she was hysterical. Her name was Phan Thi Kim Phuc and her back was severely burned due to a South Vietnamese napalm attack. They dropped the bomb on her village of Trang Brang because it had been attacked and occupied by the N.V.A. (North Vietnamese Army). Some how she survived and lives in Ajax, Ontario today.

I think most people who watched both happenings on T.V. would agree, it certainly opened up our insight and intellect about the horrors of war...something we had never seen before.

The war certainly took it's toll, all wars do, on the U.S. The following are some grisly facts from Vietnam Warfacts, Stats and Myths - US Wings: combat deaths - 58,220, injured - 304,000, severely disabled - 75,000, 100% disabled - 23, 214, 5,283 lost limbs, 1,081 underwent multiple amputations, 61% of those killed were younger than twenty-one years old and over 2,000 are still M.I.A. (missing in action).

It certainly wasn't any "tip toe through the tulips" for South or North Vietnam. According to the website "Ask" figures released by Vietnam in 1995 claimed 2 million civilians died on both sides, 1.1 million N.V.A. and V.C. and between 200,000 and 250,000 South Vietnamese soldiers were killed.

Vietnam was a combat spot for years prior to the U.S. involvement. The French-Indochina War began Dec. 19/46 and ended Aug. 1/54 when the French surrendered to Vietnam shortly after the brutal defeat they encountered after a fifty-six day siege by the Viet Minh forces of Ho Chi Minh on May 7/54 at Dien Bren Phu. However, Vietnam was divided with the North's ideology of communism and the South's political belief, republic.

The U.S. campaign in Vietnam started in 1961 when President John F. Kennedy sent four hundred American Green Berets Special Advisors to South Vietnam to train South Vietnamese troops. I've read a few articles on why the U.S. entailed with South Vietnam. To summarize, the U.S. was very worried and concerned that North Vietnam would invade and conquer South Vietnam and sooner or later the entire Southeast Asian theatre would be a communist sanctuary. Was it that plain and simple or did the politicians have another plan with a trick card hidden up their sleeves?

Are the assassinations of South Vietnam President Ngo Dinh Drom on Nov. 2/63 (carried out by his generals) and U.S. President John F. Kennedy on Nov. 22/63 just coincidental...I find them remarkably unusual and perplexing.

The Gulf of Tonkin incident on Aug. 2/64 in my opinion, is what kick started the Vietnam War. The U.S. "claims" that North Vietnamese torpedo boats fired on a navy destroyer the U.S.S. Maddox. Over the years there has been plentiful and overwhelming evidence that the event was false, in fact never occurred. Nevertheless, it granted the U.S. government the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution and gave President Lyndon B. Johnson the authority to use conventional military force in Southeast Asia...welcome to "The Nam" America.

In Jan. 1965 the U.S. draft (conscription) had 5,400 individuals called and by December there were 45,000, and the monthly draft call increased 17,000-35,000 people. If Americans refused the draft there would be harsh penalties. Heavyweight Boxing Champion Muhammad Ali found out about conscription. In 1967 he refused to participate in the Vietnam War because of his religious beliefs and was sentenced to five years in prison (which he never served), fined $10,000 and couldn't fight for nearly four years.

One of my favourite All In The Family episodes is titled "The Draft Dodger" Season 7, Episode 15, 1976. Mike's friend is visiting the Bunker household at Christmas time. Canada was a shelter for some U.S. draft dodgers, one unofficial estimate was 30,000-40,000. I recall Rochdale College in Toronto, Ontario located on Bloor Street West just west of Yonge St. in the 1960's. The facility was an educational institution but was also a haven for some draft dodgers who sold illegal drugs to the community...you could say it was an illegitimate Shoppers Drug Mart.

According to C.B.C. News, Nov. 10/15, 20,000 Canadians enlisted to engage in the Vietnam War and 134 were killed in action. When I was in Grade 8 at Westview School in Hamilton, Ontario I found out one of my classmate's older brother had died in the Vietnam war. I didn't offer my condolences towards him. I was familiar with this war (the media drummed the "conflict" into our minds) but I thought, oh well it's just another war...I was a young and stupid 13 year old kid. Now I wish I would've shown some solace towards him.

I discovered the following information about my fellow classmate's brother from Talking Proud Archives. He was a private in the U.S.M.C. (United States Marine Corp) and began his tour of duty on Oct. 24/67. He died on Feb. 8/68 in Khe Sanh at an outpost called "Hill 64". Like a lot of soldiers who perish in wars, his was a gruesome and horrible death. An explosive device struck his bunker and his head had been blown off from the base of his skull to his forehead. His name is inscribed on The North Wall - Canadian Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Windsor, Ontario and The Canadian Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

When I was in Grade 12 in 1972 at Westmount Secondary School I recall a good high school buddy (we are still friends today) said to me he had considered enlisting to fight in the Vietnam War. I asked him, "why" and he replied, "to fight communism". Lucky for my friend he procrastinated on his decision...the war was quickly winding down and coming to an end.

I read two excellent books about the horrors and awfulness of the Vietnam War, 'Charlie Company: What Vietnam Did To Us' by Peter Goldman and Tony Fuller and 'Everything We Had' by Al Santoli. Both novels are true accounts of numerous G.I.'s experiences in Vietnam. I noticed an interesting comment in the paperback 'Everything We Had' on page 151, which has Al Santoli saying "It wasn't the N.V.A. that beat us, it was our own politicians." How many times did we hear that after the war...bureaucrats poking around in affairs they don't have a fucking clue about.

Over the years Hollywood has done a spectacular task and effort of producing Vietnam War movies. Here are a few: Coming Home - 1978, The Deer Hunter - 1978, Apocalypse Now - 1979, Friendly Fire - 1979, A Rumor of War - 1980, Born on the Fourth of July - 1984, Purple Hearts - 1984, Full Metal Jacket - 1987, Good Morning Vietnam - 1987 and Hamburger Hill - 1987.

I can't leave out one of my all time favourites, the 1986 masterpiece 'Platoon', winner of four Academy Awards including Best Picture. This classic shows what took place in that war. The heat, the bugs, booby traps, friendly fire, firefights, the V.C. tunnels, drinking, drugs, how important body counts were, soldiers raping young Vietnamese girls and innocent villagers murdered are all highlighted in this first rate movie. The opening credit of the film reinforces how young the soldiers really were, "Rejoice O young man in thy youth" - Ecclesiastes. The 1985 song titled 'Nineteen' by Paul Hardcastle also strengthens the fact a lot of the troops were less than twenty years old.

On March 16/68 the horrifying My Lai massacre occurred. Over five hundred villagers (men, women and children) were murdered by American soldiers. U.S. Intelligence reported My Lai was a suspected headquarters of the Viet Cong 48th Battalion but as it turned out, they were wrong. After the slaughter it was covered up to be a savage firefight. The following excerpt is from the website Digital History: women were raped and other civilians were clubbed and stabbed to death. Some victims were mutilated with the signature 'C Company' carved into their chests. One soldier testified, I cut their throats, cut off their hands, cut out their tongues and scalped them.

Six months later a twenty-one year old soldier wrote a letter to General Creighton Abrams and described what really happened. He also sent letters to thirty members of congress. After a thorough investigation twenty-six soldiers were initially charged but William Calley, a second lieutenant was the only person found guilty. He was convicted of murdering twenty-two unarmed South Vietnamese civilians. On March 31.71 he was sentenced to life in prison with hard labour at Fort Leavenworth. One day later his sentence was reduced to a house arrest. After serving three and one half years of his house arrest President Richard M. Nixon gave him a presidential pardon and Calley was a free man.

In my opinion My Lai wasn't righteous and certainly not justified. Wrong information, mistaken identities, revenge for the U. S. troops, who knows...it's no myth, there are no rules in war. We all have knowledge that the V.C. would blend in with the villagers so who could the Americans trust...they only sureness they had was with each other. We have all seen pictures of American troops walking through farmers' fields with many of the villagers harvesting and tending their crops or maybe they were N.V.A. or V.C. ready to wipe out an entire platoon. If it was me in that situation I would be a fucking paranoid basket case...again who could you have faith in?

Hollywood director Oliver Stone has been planning to produce another Vietnam War movie since 2007 titled 'Pinkville'. It's about the My Lai massacre. Some of the actors rumored to partake in the film are Nicholas Cage, Woody Harrelson, Shia Labeouf, Michael Pena, Michael Pitt, Channing Tatum and Bruce Willis. The word Pinkville meant an area identified with particular danger. I have a 'gut feeling' the movie will not be created or released and the U.S. government is the reason for that. Either way you examine the massacre, it was a shameful, disgraceful and embarrassing event for the U.S. and America doesn't want to be reminded of what happened on that day at My Lai.

President Richard M. Nixon started to withdraw troops on June 8/69 and The Paris Peace Accord on Jan. 27/63 brought 'so called' peace to Vietnam. The U.S. withdrew all their remaining military personnel but North Vietnam violated the agreement for the next two years continuing it's conquest on South Vietnam...the U.S. was finished in Vietnam, never to return.

On April 30/75 the last Americans departed Saigon and the N.V.A. and V.C. troops swarmed into Saigon and encountered little resistance...the V.C. flag was raised at the Presidential Palace, and North Vietnam had finally conquered South Vietnam.

I remember that day watching Saigon collapse on television. Frantic and hysterical people fleeing the city because the N.V.A. and the V.C. were only an hour or two away and viewing U.S. military personnel pushing $250,000 (at that time) "Huey" helicopters off U.S. aircraft carriers to make space for South Vietnamese refugees...the war was absolutely and undoubtedly concluded.

The American politicians biggest phobia and worry was, if North Vietnam wasn't defeated, all of Southeast Asia would be under a communist regime...their mandate was simple, destroy communism. As of today, of the eleven countries that compose Southeast Asia, Vietnam is the only communist nation.

President Johnson had considered using atomic bombs on North Vietnam as the U.S. did on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan Aug. 6 and 9, 1945 respectively but decided against it fearing he may start a nuclear war. Myself and a lot of other people probably thought the same thing...just fucking nuke North Vietnam and the war would be over...of course "shooting from the lip" is very easy to do. I realize now, maybe not a good idea.

However, the war was unwanted, a waste of time, effort and money and most of all the cost of HUMAN SUFFERING AND LIVES. The U.S. should have continued to have their military advisors assist and counsel the South Vietnamese armed forces...their maximum involvement in the war should have never happened. But in retrospect, it's extremely simple for me to "shoot my gate off"...especially half a century later.

Epilogue

It had to be a total devastation for my classmate and his family to receive the dreadful news of their son's and brother's death as well as all the families whose loved ones died in the Vietnam War. Sadly, the memories will never be erased for them as well as the men and women who did make it home. I have watched the 1986 Academy Award Winner for Best Picture, "Platoon" on thirty five occasions. Each time the movie finishes I always say to myself, "I thank whoever, I didn't have to serve in the Vietnam War.

The End
The Harvenut Puritan Project

Puritan will return with Hopeful Rebound

---

Continuous Failure

Prelude

I have lived in Hamilton, Ontario most of my life. It never ceases to amaze me how our city councilors and senior staff, at City Hall control this metropolis once called "The Ambitious City." Quite often they will devise, introduce and/or recommend foolish and crackpot ideas which turn out to be nothing more than absolutely wasteful spending of tax payers money.

Let's start off with the L.R.T. (Light Rail Transit) manifesto. The L.R.T. is a disaster waiting to happen. Supporters of this farce should come up for air once in a while. Ward 7 Councillor Donna Skelly stated in the Mountain News on Dec. 14/16 the L.R.T. operation could cost the city millions.

The information was very upsetting and disturbing if this asinine, needless and irrational undertaking occurs. A report to Toronto, Ontario council Nov./16 said the L.R.T.'s (Toronto has more than one line) will cost the city over $180 million in operational costs, an expense politicians said was unexpected.

So the Provincial government gives Hamilton $1 billion but guess what, SURPRISE, we're responsible for the operational costs like "hog town".

To summarize, (this soon to be catastrophe), WE DON'T NEED IT!!! A city the size of Hamilton can function quite simply without it. I can only imagine the nightmare that will develop if our councillors approve this nonsense.

Once the construction starts it will be an outright mess. The traffic congestion. delays and idling (mind you the city enjoys that irritation to drivers) are only some of the negative factors that have been predicted. Businesses will severely suffer, sadly some will claim bankruptcy, so a handful of people can commute the 13 km route, again...WE DON'T NEED IT!!!

I had to chuckle when I read an article in the Mountain News on Sept. 1/16 titled "City orders super-sized signs to remind drivers of speed limit". The forty-five new signs (measuring five feet tall and four feet wide) were erected along the Red Hill Valley Parkway and the Lincoln M. Alexander Expressway...the maximum speed is 90 km/h at both locations.

A report stated many drivers were coming from the 100 km/h Highway 403 and Q.E.W. (Queen Elizabeth Way) and that was the reason why a lot of motorists drove over the speed limit. My, oh, my, as if these new magic signs are going to "curb" drivers from speeding.

Why don't our "leaders" realize there are an abundance of high speed drivers and they will completely disregard these magic signs. There will always be idiots who drive dangerously fast...I see it, you see it, we all see it every day. There will always be reckless vehicle owners driving on both Parkways, no matter how humongous the signs may be.

However, I have a suggestion that may reduce the high speeds on both Parkways, install 12 foot by 12 foot signs every three hundred feet of nude male and female models. Photo radar may be a deterrent...the city is seriously considering that possibility.

I also had to laugh as I read two separate articles in the Mountain News on Aug. 26 and Sept. 22/16 pertaining to our city council wanting to make Upper James Street pedestrian friendly.

The street is a 5.5 km stretch of commercial and business enterprises located in Ward 7 on the "mountain". The mountain has an estimated population in 2011 of 103,615 but continues to grow in population and expand with businesses. Upper James has four traffic lanes (2 northbound and 2 southbound). The middle of the street has a twittle, a center turning lane. It is also a primary route to downtown and John C. Munroe Hamilton International Airport.

An estimated 30,000 vehicles travel the thoroughfare every day. I have driven on Upper James plenty of times and very seldom do I see pedestrians. Even Ward 2 Councilor Jason Farr said (in regards about pedestrians and cyclists on Upper James) "very rarely do I see one".

Ward 7 Councilor Donna Skelly wants to see added tress, boulevards and other amenities to make Upper James more safer and welcoming. She said "it's almost frightening to walk along the street because there is so much traffic, it's full of concrete." I don't know why she is so worried about pedestrians safety...they are few and far between and every store and business has ample parking for their potential customers vehicles...I can't recall any pedestrian fatalities.

She will be asking city staff on how Upper James can be urbanized without impacting traffic flow, including the possibility of bike lanes. OK, wait a minute, TIME OUT!! Is she talking Upper James in Hamilton, Ontario or Upper James in Timbuktu?

First of all there isn't any space for bike lanes and secondly if the officials have the foolishness and insanity of including bike lanes (they've done it before throughout the city) it will certainly and unquestionably have negative ramifications for drivers...the traffic flow will be sluggish, time consuming and bumper to bumper. However, the city gives me the impression they thrive on gridlock. Thirdly, correct me if I'm wrong, I thought Upper James was already urbanized.

The City's Master Transportation Plan promotes walking and builds active communities while reducing peoples dependence upon cars. The plan states that a successful Pedestrian Network Strategy allows for a safe travel area for vehicles and pedestrians by expanding pedestrian facilities that advocate transportation such as cycling.

So there is the hard core evidence on how these bureaucrats have a thirst and craving to smother the entire city with bike lanes...more of a priority than public safety and infrastructure which don't even appear to be in their "ball park."

The laughter always emerges...I will refer to an article I read in the Hamilton Spectator on Dec. 7/16. Ward 1 Councilor Aidan Johnson asked his colleagues to support a study of the implications of preventing bottled water sales in arenas, parks and other city facilities...WOW, a real serious and critical issue...this same subject was debated in 2010, why do they dwell on past matters? He said it will preserve fresh water reserves viewed by some environmentalists as increasingly under threat. What Johnson was really trying to say is, PROHIBIT bottled water altogether at all city owned premises.

Maybe someone should have reminded him about the boil water advisory on Brigadoon Drive in the west mountain in Sept./16...240 homes were affected. The warning was lifted on Sept. 26/16 a week later after the original complaint. A home owner complained about the smell of their tap water. According to the Hamilton Spectator Sept. 26/16 our so called water wizards couldn't pinpoint the exact reason for high levels of bacteria taken from a fire hydrant...now that is disturbing and very scary.

Should we also jog Johnson's memory or a small town called Walkerton, Ontario and their horrific nightmare they experienced in May 2000. All that happened there was their water supply was contaminated and seven people died and thousands were sickened...FUCKING SHAMEFUL!

Johnson's concern is also environmental (it's a band wagon every politician jumps on) but his interest is geared to citizens drinking city tap water so his gang can raise our water rates...wait a minute, L.O.L., they increase our rates either way, every year...another carved in stone tax.

During hot and dry summers bureaucrats "ask" home owners to conserve and reduce our water consumption. Most of us oblige their request but the end result is always the same...the Ivory Tower group always increase our water rates...we just can't win.

An article in the Mountain News Dec./16 titled "Council mulls bottled water ban" had my blood boiling. Ward 3 Councilor Matthew Green said earlier in the year he wants more drinking fountains in city parks to discourage youths from drinking sugary drinks.

Who the hell do you think you are. Green should mind his own business. It sickens me when I hear politicians that come across caring and concerned about children...they exploit and use them as pawns for their own political advantage. The administrators tend to conveniently forget that parents are responsible for their kids actions...not manipulating politicians.

City council agreed to raise water rates by $30 stated the Mountain News on Nov. 24/16. The average home owner's bill will be $660.95 a year. Most members felt comfortable supporting the increase...why would they have any other feelings, their desire to take our money.

Politicians believe providing safe clean water is an essential service to residents...a very health conscience way of saying we want more money...tell that to the folks on Brigadoon Drive. Ward 4 Councillor Sam Merulla said "water is sacred". Is Merulla suggesting we attend church and praise this holy H2O?

The debate on tap and bottled water has been going on for a long time and I think it's far from over. Most of us have gulped down tap water for numerous years and never had any bad repercussions. However the incident on Brigadoon Drive may have a lot of tax payers angry and anxious and questioning our 20th century technology when it specifically arrives at diddly squat for the cause of this frightening and possible deadly problem.

Our bureaucrats have decided to start suffocating the city with new pedestrian crossovers. According to the Mountain News on Sept. 22/16 a basic crossover costs about $3,000 and a crossover with lights and overhead signs, meant for higher traffic areas, costs between $12,000 and $15,000. The city is looking at about 200 locations to install the crossovers.

I read an article in CBC News on Sept. 19/16 and almost puked...Hamilton officials had a ribbon cutting ceremony for the first pedestrian crossover...I'm surprised there wasn't a $300 a plate dinner after the formality for what they consider a gala affair. A picture accompanied the article which I found laughable. The photograph showed Hamilton Ward 6 Councilor, Tom Jackson, and three extremely high priced city senior managers walking behind each other crossing the street at the new crossover.

I suspect the image is trying to resemble the Beatles 1969 album cover Abbey Road. Funny, HA, HA. F.Y.I. the group in the photo, (who found time for this momentous event) are worth well over $500,000.

What ever happened to sound and good judgment when crossing the street. My long time and very good friend Uncle Block mentioned in one of his rants to Ward 6 Councilor Tom Jackson, maybe pedestrians should take a course with Elmer the Safety Elephant.

Crossing the street is a very simple task...look both ways then proceed when it's safe...elementary my dear council. However, in their minds they have to spend a lot more than a few million dollars of tax payers money for what I think is nothing more than make work programs.

Furthermore, I believe it's another underhanded scheme to promote their mandate...their crusade against the automobile. Not a very good one, nevertheless enough to annoy and irritate drivers and especially tax payers.

Then we have the yearly budget. An article in the Mountain News on Nov. 24/16 stated councilors are facing what some are calling the toughest budget fight they've had in nearly a decade.

This is nothing new...it's an ongoing occurrence every year...a real dramatic movie. They whine, cry and even panic about the exorbitant preliminary figures (for 2017 was 5.65% for the average home owner) but all of a sudden an astonishing chain of events happens and the budget is "knocked down" below 2%.

These bureaucrats make themselves look like financial geniuses, miraculously the budget has been reduced to 1.8% or 1.9%. In fact they actually applauded themselves one year because the budget was finalized at under 2%.

Supposedly over the last five years Hamilton has had some of the lowest tax increases among similar municipalities...average is 1.7%. However their taxation on home owners could be a lot less if they would eliminate their ridiculous spending.

Finally the Claremont Access is in urgent need of repairs. The access is a vital artery that connects the downtown area to the mountain. The down bound lanes were closed for a prolonged period of time because of a loose retaining wall. The access was also closed for four days in 2012 because of a landslide.

Gary Moore, Hamilton's Director of Engineering told the Mountain News on Dec. 14/16 "the cost to fix this problem will be tens of millions of dollars". I think we all agree without a doubt this problem has to be properly rectified with no makeshift repair whatsoever. It's going to cost a wealth of money. Hopefully the officials can forgo their witless bike lanes and pedestrian crossovers and spend our money on much needed requirements such as infrastructure.

Specifically bike lanes and pedestrian crossovers are sweeping the province...sadly it's not a fad, they're here to stay. It reminds me of the British Music Invasion in the 1960's and how it engulfed North America. The city (whether they admit to it or not) will proceed with their aggressive campaign...the war against the internal combustion engine.

Epilogue

You would think common sense would prevail among politicians (at all government levels) when the deficits and debts are at an alarming and astronomical amounts. They don't have the money but they spend, spend and spend on idiotic projects...it appears to be customary behavior, an endless infectious disorder that won't disappear. I was going to suggest if you live some where other than Hamilton don't let this fatal virus happen in your neighborhood, but chances are, it already has. I would love to own a Mercedes Benz but putting it bluntly, I can't afford it and do I really need an expensive vehicle...NO!!! Why can't politicians, particularly the Hamilton crowd abide by logic.

The End
The Harvenut Puritan Project

Puritan will return with A Tragic Blunder

The Chosen Few

Prelude

On Oct. 19/15 Canada held a Federal election. Elections Canada stated more than 68% of eligible voters cast a ballot, meaning 17,546,697 Canadians voted. Justin Trudeau became Canada's Prime Minister and the Liberals obtained a majority government with 184 seats in the House of Commons.

Our teenage P.M. (Prime Minister) has certainly journeyed the seven seas since he entered office two years ago. He has also traveled a vast amount throughout the "great white north" spreading his self-styled "good word" throughout the land.

Evidently, he enjoys Gay Pride Parades, participating in spectacles in Toronto Ontario, Vancouver British Columbia, and Montreal Quebec. I think it's quite obvious the L.G.B.T.Q. (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer or Questioning) community thoroughly loved his presence and in return (five will get you ten) they will be liberal supporters...almost as phony like shaking hands and kissing babies.

He also ventured to the Calgary Stampede, Vancouver City Hall, Tofino British Columbia for a vacation (maybe he was burnt out after the Pride Parade in Vancouver) and the Yukon. Just recently he had another vacation to the Bahamas. He is definitely a globe trotter on behalf of taxpayers money. He also visited a mosque and partook in a ceremony as reported by the Toronto Sun Sept. 12/16. Let's not forget, he has never met a camera he didn't like.

For a guy who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and never really worked a day in his life, undoubtedly he has a passion to spend OUR MONEY especially giving it away to foreign countries.

The Libertarian reported on Nov. 28/15 in Trudeau's first month of office he "donated" OUR MONEY to various overseas countries:

(1) $2.65 billion to aid developing nations to combat climate change. My comment, I believe climate change is a fallacy and if it isn't, keep OUR MONEY for Canada. (2) $13 million to Vietnamese farmers. My comment, let that communist country look after their own people...they fought for communism, now they have it. (3) $15 million for job training in Africa. My comment, again reroute those funds for job training in Canada. (4) $14.25 million for infrastructure in Indonesia. My comment, how many times do I have to say this, retain OUR MONEY in Canada.

An article in the Toronto Sun, Nov. 18/16 stated the Trudeau regime announced it would send $25 million to the U.N.R.W.A. (United Nations Relief and Works Agency) to provide relief and social services to Palestinian people.

The article continued to say the U.N.R.W.A. has, according to various experts, been infiltrated by Hamas members and sympathizers. Hamas is an Islamist terrorist group designated by the Government of Canada. If this is true and it wouldn't surprise me if it is, it's disgraceful, scandalous, disgusting and FUCKING CRIMINAL!!

While I was writing this rant I received an e-mail from a very good friend of mine. It was an article from the National Post Nov. 14/16 titled "Mega sized Canadian delegation in Morocco for this year's United Nations climate change conference. Without a doubt an enormous number of representatives, 225...party hearty, eat, drink and be merry...what a fucking joke.

On Nov. 14/16 C.B.C. News published a story about Trudeau had selected twenty-one senators...the positions had been vacant for a long time for that exclusive boys and girls club.

The Canadian Senate was established in 1867. There are 105 members and they must retire at 75 years of age. A Senators yearly salary is $132,000 and overall the Senate costs taxpayers $106,264,100 per year. They are appointed by the Governor General of Canada on the advice from the P.M....as if the Governor General is going to dispute or disagree with the P.M. selections. The Senate is also referred to as the Upper House or Upper Chamber.

Since Senators aren't elected they represent their own self-interest and party loyalties. Trudeau promised a Senate reform for a less partisan house. All the individuals he did appoint were independent Senators. Hmm...I wonder, of the twenty-one new appointees, how many are Grits?

I browsed more than a few websites and observed a Senator's job description is extremely smooth and polished and their job duties are lengthy. It's quite evident that most employees beef up and boost their job function and responsibilities...in all probability, it means additional income.

Some of their apparent tasks are to provide Parliament with a second chance to consider bills before they are passed, representing groups often unrepresented in Parliament such as Aboriginal, visible minorities and women and offer regional representation of Senators from across the country.

"IN THEORY" any piece of government legislation must be approved by the Senate. Other words or expressions to describe the term "IN THEORY" are supposedly, hypothetically, on paper and in an ideal world. I think what they are really trying to mention, it doesn't happen too often, if at all.

I don't recall the Senate squashing too many bills, however, I did find one proposal they vetoed. An article in the Globe and Mail Sept. 10/12 stated the Senate killed an N.D.P. (New Democratic Party) climate change bill that was passed by a majority in the House of Commons. Fifteen Liberal Senators were absent...I wonder where they were? Nevertheless maybe a blessing in disguise.

I noticed a website titled JJ's Complete Guide to Canada. A columnist wrote the most common speech heard in the Senate is "Why the Senate Is So Important"...of course, everyone thinks their job is of high priority, why not Senators.

The site also stated a lot of Senate work revolves around ensuring the institution maintains a positive, and respectable image in the minds of Canadians...I think that means try to justify your job and make sure you cover your ass at all times.

Quite a few years ago I read an article in the Toronto Sun about a Canadian Senator. His picture was on the front page. He was wearing a bathing suit in front of his beachfront home...he lived in Mexico for nine months of they year...our tax money at work.

The Upper Chamber has had some dishonest and devious individuals. Mike Duffy had 31 criminal charges brought against him...I still find it mind boggling that he was acquitted of all offenses.

Patrick Brazeau was charged with assault and sexual assault and suspended from the Senate in 2013. He pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of assault and possession of cocaine...the sexual assault was dropped because the crown didn't have enough evidence. He returned to the Senate in Sept. 2016 after charges of fraud and breach of trust were withdrawn by the crown.

Pamela Wallin and Mac Harb were charged with misuse of their expenses. Harb repaid all of his $231,649.07 he claimed in living expenses in 2005 and criminal charges were withdrawn. Wallin had her charges dropped by the R.C.M.P. (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) due to the absence of evidence.

Raymond Lavigne was charged with breach of trust on improper use of taxpayers funds using cash for personal use. He served six months in prison and six months house arrest...WOW, such a harsh and bitter sentence.

Pierre Hugue Boisueno repaid funds he stated were mistakenly claimed...L.O.L., we all make that mistake. Retired Senator Terry Stratton also repaid funds for his fraudulence.

With the exception of Lavigne (he received actual jail time) the rest of these "decent" people escaped serious retribution. It certainly reminds me how bureaucrats are bomb proof such as Dalton McGuinty and Kathleen Wynne...different strokes for different folks.

Epilogue

The Senate members and government may justify the Upper House existence. In my opinion, it's just more bureaucracy...pointless and unneeded. A lot of their duties are duplicated into the same tasks MP's (Member of Parliament) perform. Canada should be able to govern without additional legislation. We elect our politicians to accomplish the correct decisions for the electorate...sadly, quite frequently their resolutions are illogical and absurd. Every so often we will hear gibberish about abolishing the Senate but it's nothing more than cheap gossip. Whoever the P.M. is, he or she will always recommend, then demand their favorite buddies for the Upper House.

The End

The Harvenut Puritan Project

Puritan will return with "Continuous Failure."

Reality Check

Editor's note: this rant consists of the contents of a letter sent to a local Hamilton politician.

Hello Donna, hope you had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I received your Xmas newsletter in December of last year. I don't think I'm the only Ward 7 taxpayer who felt frustrated and annoyed after reading the section titled "2017 Budget Crunch". I will refresh your memory of what you said.

We are facing an extremely challenging task, as we begin debate on the City of Hamilton's 2017 operating budget. It would take an extra $42 million just to maintain 2016's level of service, which would increase your taxes by 4.2% or around $140 for the average taxpayer. Clearly, that is not acceptable. Instead, Hamilton City Council have directed staff to come back with a maximum of 1.8%. That means we can't hire additional staff or expand department budgets. We hope to have the final budget approved by early March.

Here are my thoughts. When you say no additional staff will be hired and department budgets won't be expanded, well, let me just say, I'll believe that when I see it. We all know government loves to flourish with employees and thoroughly enjoys spending tax payer's money.

May I suggest City Council stop playing Santa Claus and cease donating our money to various special interest groups such as Boris Brott and his Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra, the Art Gallery of Hamilton, Supercrawl and Theatre Aquarius.

I know one of the city's past practices has been funding to certain arts groups as the article in The Record, April 10/13 stated City Council passed the 2013 budget and $1.9 million will be forwarded to seven arts groups.

Obviously, most of these groups are having a lot of trouble attracting clientele to their functions and performances and can't operate or survive without government assistance. Maybe these organizations should re-evaluate their programs and objectives and pinpoint the problem why they need government handouts...I've always had the attitude if the product or service is good no matter what the cost people will come.

Getting on with more wasteful spending, I would hope you and your colleagues would terminate the senseless bike lanes, 2-way conversions, and pedestrian crossover programs. It's very evident to me and many other Hamiltonians, the city has declared war on the "horseless carriage". Your associates appear to thrive on annoying, irritating and inconveniencing vehicle owners.

Your city hall crew would certainly save a large amount of money if you would abort the pointless and needless bike lanes and 2-way conversions...all they do is exasperate drivers. For the life of me, I still can't comprehend the logic of making traffic flow slower and continuously aggravating folks who journey to and from work or drive for a living.

Since I'm on the topic of the city infuriating drivers, discontinue installing those three-foot high plastic yellow delineators that are located throughout the city especially on Barton Street, east of Ruth Street, they are completely fatuous.

Now the city has a new fad and fixation with pedestrian crossovers. The Mountain News, Sept. 22/16 stated pedestrian crossovers can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $15,000 and the city is looking to install about 200 at various sites.

I think it would be an extremely reasonable and sensible notion to squash this misuse of taxpayers money...you specifically stated that council is in a budget crunch. Whatever happened to good sound judgment of crossing the street...it's a remarkable simple task, look both ways and proceed when it's safe...quite elementary.

I read another article in the Mountain News Aug. 25/16 that said you want to make Upper James more pedestrian friendly with the possibility of bike lanes...are you talking Upper James in Hamilton, Ontario or Upper James in Timbuktu? This is where we have to call time out,

I have driven Upper James (Hamilton, Ontario) on numerous occasions and completely agree with your colleague Ward 2 Councillor Jason Farr when he stated (regarding pedestrians and cyclists on Upper James) "very rarely do I see one". It's safe to say pedestrians and cyclists are few and far between.

I was absolutely amazed when you stated the possibility of bicycle lanes in the article...where would they be located? There is, by no means, any space unless this is another chapter of the city's aggressive campaign of the war against the internal combustion engine.

If somehow that does happen (nothing surprises me anymore) the ramifications for drivers will be hellish. The traffic flow will be bumper to bumper and time consuming but then again it appears to me the city enjoys (for some bizarre reason) gridlock...I can't help but think the persistent crusade against the automobile.

The added trees, boulevards and other amenities you would like to see on Upper James (again the city is supposedly in a budget crunch) is more waste from taxpayers pockets.

I realize you didn't hold office until 2016 but the article I read in the Hamilton Spectator Sept. 16/14 placed me in a mode of shock and disbelief. The story stated the City of Hamilton had no money for pot holes...to this day I still can't believe it...completely absurd.

Another report from the Hamilton Spectator Feb. 12/15 said "City passes budget that leaves little room for road repairs," as well as claiming the city is about $120 million behind what is needed for road repairs. Who are these individuals finalizing the budgets? Unbelievable, a very sad state of affairs.

Road repairs are a huge priority and a major component of public safety. One of the functions and responsibilities a municipality has to their taxpayers is to preserve and maintain safe roads. However, council gives me the impression they judge bike lanes, 2-way conversions, and pedestrian crossovers are more pivotal and urgent.

I hope you and your associates don't procrastinate and neglect the Claremont Access problem. I think you would agree this dilemma has to be rectified immediately with no makeshift repairs...it's infrastructure.

A budget is a budget. It doesn't matter what type of budget exists, operating, capital, rate or departmental. The end result is the money will be spent from the same source...tax payers pockets.

I will conclude with the following: concentrate on public safety (fire, police, paramedic service) and infrastructure and terminate meaningless and aimless programs specifically (I know I'm repeating myself) bike lanes, 2 way conversions and pedestrian crossovers...I don't consider them infrastructure. That said, I do sense I'm spitting into the wind.

Respectfully yours,
Harvenut Puritan

---

Uncle Block's Two Cents Worth

You're not just spitting in the wind, you're pissing in the wind.

The current crop of politicians who have been given decision-making authority in the City of Hamilton have to be the most incompetent bunch in the last half century. It's not hard to imagine that if the city were being run by a bunch of juvenile delinquents the results would be much different.

What this city needs is sober people with a clear understanding that their main responsibility is maintaining the roads, getting rid of the garbage and sewage, and little else. Above all, their job SHOULD NOT BE trying to impose some hippy-dippy "vision" where the population skips through fields of daisy's, and gazes in wonder at subsidized art, blissfully unencumbered by crude trivialities like earning a living and getting back and forth to work.