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.

Time To Enjoy

Hi folks, Puritan here. It's almost time to set sail to 2016 and launch that year out to sea and welcome 2017 into our lives. I know for some people 2016 has been difficult and frustrating. The world's current events aren't encouraging either, full of misery...they appear as never-ending, very depressing and at times frightful.

Then we can gaze into our own backyard of Canada and Ontario and for the most part, we don't have any idea what out liberal "leaders" (Trudeau who praised and admired Fidel Castro and Wynne who is slick and conniving at the best of times) have up their sleeves for us in 2017. They do however exercise their control over the ordinary populace especially when it comes to misspending our money and creating and/or new taxes and fees.

Wynne, who is a year-round Grinch is intending to present every Ontarian a belated Christmas gift on Jan. 1/17...that will definitely make our lives more uncomfortable and awkward...typical liberal deception.

In spite of what I have just mentioned, let's try to forget how the country and specifically the province is mishandled and becoming ruined. The yuletide season is fast approaching...it is time to unwind, relax and take pleasure in the holiday traditions with family and friends.

From my E.A. (Executive Assistant) and myself, I hope all of you have a happy and wonderful festive season...don't worry, I refuse to accept political correctness, maybe rubbish is a more suitable and appropriate word...MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

The End
The Harvenut Puritan Project

Puritan will return in 2017

---

A Special Christmas wish from Uncle Block.

The soundtrack for the following joyful songfest was recorded in a townhouse somewhere in southwest Calgary, Alberta, on or about December 1980. The performers need no introduction.

Third Quarter On The Gridiron

Prelude

Wikipedia states Baby Boomers are a demographic group born during the post-World War II baby boom approximately between the years 1946-1964. This includes people who are between 52 and 70 years old in 2016 according to the United States Census Bureau.

I'm a baby boomer and all of my buddies are in the same category. My E.A. (Executive Assistant) and I hosted a barbecue at our home in September of this year. I could probably designate it as the second annual reunion of some of my "old" high school friends (male and female)...most of us attended Westmount Secondary School in Hamilton, Ontario. I also invited (via e-mail, got to be the greatest thing since sliced bread) two very good chums of mine who live in Calgary, Alberta, and Vernon, British Columbia. I knew the possibility of either one attending was a "slim to none"...it's not like Calgary and Vernon are a "stone's throw away"...sadly they were not present. I also invited a couple of other "buds" buy they were also no-shows.

Almost all of our guests were 60 years of age and older. The dude boomers (myself included) were exhibiting at least one sort of indication of ageing such as overweight, struggling with aches and pains, requiring glasses to read, grey or white hair and baldness, ingesting prescription drugs, for instance high blood pressure pills, regrettably some of our parents were deceased, sadly a few were diabetic and our children were in their late twenties or early thirties.

However most of the crew indulged in adult beverages and some folks still smoked...hopefully everyone ha a good time. My long time very good friend Uncle Block and I sat in my backyard drinking beer until 1:00 a.m. I was hung over for two days...another sign of aging.

I've said it many times, every now and then I find it difficult to believe that I have walked this earth for beyond half a century...six decades and counting. It's certainly not like the 1964 Rolling Stones song titled "Time Is On My Side", contrary to that, it seems time is moving swiftly.

Canada is in a similar circumstance that many other countries are experiencing...an aging population. The issue is of major importance and a critical problem for everyone, young and old and especially our mistrustful politicians.

An article in C.B.C. News Sept. 20/15 stated Stats Canada (Statistics Canada) affirmed there are more seniors 65 years and older than there are kids under fifteen. They also said there are 5.9 million or 15.9% of the population over 65 years of age. In fact, one out of every six individuals is over 64 years of age as of July 1/15.

Whenever I read or hear statements from Stats Canada I am always suspicious. I very seldom believe anything the government announces, constantly skeptical and dubious with their "information"...whether they have padded their numbers, only Stats Canada knows. Either way, I think the alarm bells should be sounding in Canuck land. Our questionable bureaucrats have a lengthy task ahead of them to combat this problem.

An article in C.I.C. (Citizen and Immigration Canada) Oct. 11/16 stated a new report from the Conference Board of Canada found immigration levels should increase to 413,000 per year by 2030 to strengthen Canada's economic growth. The report highlights the need for increased immigration in order to respond to challenges posed by Canada's aging population.

The report also said it is projected that without significant policy changes, including a substantial increase in immigration, the cost to support retirees could undermine the strength of Canada's economy in the coming decades.

Yet another article from C.B.C. News Oct. 19/16 stated a group of external advisors expressed targets of 450,000 immigrants a year but Immigration Minister John McCallum was quoted "it may be too ambitious"...ya, right, it should be an interesting aftermath from his statement,

The panel also said it has to sell the idea of higher immigration to the public...wait a minute, are you kidding me, is this an April Fools joke, when did the government ever sell any of their FUCKING SCHEMES to the citizens of Canada.

As usual, interesting government propaganda. Do I believe it...maybe to a small degree but I believe the government can battle the subject of aging population differently...take a look in our own backyard!!

I really don't have a problem with immigration but it appears that government miscalculates their net result when they vocalize about migrants appearing on Canadian soil. In fact, it seems habitual that anything the government undertakes they either bungle or notoriously complicate matters...they do it with proficiency.

With all these newcomers the government wants to escort into Canada, I wonder if they have jobs to enter. You can't tax people (to help pay for our aging population) if they don't work. However they will utilize our social programs they haven't paid anything into...is it really a win-win situation the government claims it to be? Maybe it is, it's inevitably more votes for these "considerate and thoughtful" liberals.

An article in the Hamilton Spectator on Oct. 24/16 titled "Young Canadians should get used to precarious employment" almost made me puke. Finance Minister Bill Moreau (another liberal who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth like our teenage Prime Minister) calls it a job churn meaning short-term employment and a number or career changes in a person's life.

He also stated we have to think about how do we train and retrain people as they move from job to job to job...oh, REALLY!! These liberals always say they will develop work training programs or better still where are all these jobs they forecasted, like Ontario's ex-Premier McGuilty pledging 400,000 plus jobs after implementing his dreadful H.S.T. (Harmonized Sales Tax) on July 1/10.

We knew this was going to transpire. The affluent Moreau also said people aren't going to have the same pension benefits as in generations past. I wonder if he is incorporating himself and his gang's pensions into that proclamation...somehow I doubt it.

Let's face it this country has a lot of unemployment. The jobless rate was 6.9% as reported by C.B.C. News Aug. 15/16 via, of course, Stats Canada. I think most of us have said this at least once in our lives, the hell with immigration and let's get our fellow out of work Canadians reintroduced to the workforce and then MAYBE, MAYBE, we will consider foreigners having access to Canada.

The bureaucrats are always saying bring in more skilled workers...I wonder how many skilled workers are sitting idle in this country...probably a lot more than we realize. If they're not skilled then train them.

The government is always preaching how concerned and sincere they are about training programs for the unemployed. But for some mysterious reason, we have a great many people who are jobless and the people who "work" in the House of Commons and mismanage this country are obsessed with immigration...I wonder why, golly gee, would it be votes?

Speaking of people sitting idle maybe our absolute ruler of Ontario should pass legislation and force welfare recipients (a.k.a. lazy fucks) into the workforce. I realize that some people require welfare and I'm O.K. with that...I suppose I have some socialist blood in my veins. However, we all know (including Wynne and her bunch) there are numerous fraudulent, dishonest and lying scammers (hmm, remind you of some huge administration) that receive this government aid and are quite capable of working. But for some inexplicable motive liberals don't want to deal with this fraudulent issue.

In addition to the negligent fiasco we have in Ontario, McGuilty and Wynne World discarded over $1 billion in the gas plant scandal. The heedless Wynne who constantly "throws" money away should reconsider furnishing Hamilton, Ontario with $1 billion for a L.R.T.  (Light Rail Transit) system...straight forwardly,  WE DON'T NEED IT!!!

The two plus billion dollars these underhanded and corrupt liberals have already wasted or going to misuse could have been applied for more important strategies...unemployment and our health care system.

An article in the Globe and Mail Sept. 14/14, "The Upside of Canada's Population" stated the C.P.A. (Chartered Professional Accountants) of Canada said Canada's aging population will bankrupt pension plans, overburden health care systems and force an ever shrinking pool of workers to pay the bills...the liberals are doing that now.

In the same article, it stated an international team of researchers looked at Germany as a case study and found five areas where countries could age like wine.

(1) Better Health - people living longer and staying healthy...my opinion, they will still be collecting C.P.P. (Canada Pension Plan) and Old Age Security for a longer period.

(2) Increased Productivity - aging populations tend to have higher education levels which could help offset the decline of the labor force...my opinion, quite simple, I don't understand this.

(3) Sharing the Wealth - people will become older when they inherit money and will be better equipped for their own retirement...my opinion, an inheritance of 20, 30 or 40 thousand dollars just won't cut it. A six digit figure legacy would be sufficient...decent and respectable nursing homes are very expensive.

(4) Good for the Environment - changes in age structure and a shrinking population are associated with reduced consumption of energy and intensive goods and lower carbon dioxide emissions...my opinion, seniors are prone to use more heat and air conditioning and will still be driving vehicles.

(5) Quality of Life - leisure time will increase...my opinion, some reports say free time won't expand because seniors will work longer.

According to the Huffington Post Jan. 14/16 titled "Nova Scotia Nurses Union Says Long Term Care System in A Crisis", stated the average age in long-term facilities is 88 years old and seniors account for 18.9% of the population. It is expected to grow to 30% in the next 22 years.

The union says the system is plagued by understaffing, excessive workloads, demoralized workers, unsafe work environments and workplace violence. The union also said it's happening throughout the entire country...I certainly believe that statement...by the way, did I mention Nova Scotia is controlled by a liberal authority.

In 1989 I was employed at Macassa Lodge located in Hamilton, Ontario. It was a long term seniors facility operated by the Corporation of the City of Hamilton. I worked in the Special Care Unit which was located in the rear of the building. There were over sixty bedridden occupants "living" on the ward...all had acquired Alzheimer's disease or Dementia.

My only job duty was to change residents diapers...it was a tedious and degrading occupation...without a doubt, it was further demeaning and humiliating for the inhabitants.

I and an R.N.A. (Registered Nursing Assistant) would make three rounds in an eight-hour shift. Our method of changing a soiled diaper with a new one was very simple...exactly the same technique as changing a baby's diaper. Some folks demonstrated some resistance...can you blame them, life wasn't supposed to end this way for these ailing and confused individuals. There was a long waiting list for admission to the unit and that was thirty years ago.

However, there is one incident I will never forget. A woman, in her nineties, was moaning for assistance. It was after dinner and she was nude sitting up in her bed. I dashed to her aid...I was by myself. I entered her room and she was covered in feces. She had also been digging her fingers into her rectum trying to "scoop out" additional waste. I helped her out of bed and sauntered her to the closest shower.

I admit I wasn't thinking too straight (as I would find out later), the only thing on my mind was to pursue the closest shower, wash and clean her up. I didn't conceal her bare body in a blanket...I walked her to the shower naked.

Fifty feet away I noticed my female head nurse watching the entire ordeal...never offering to help me...maybe that was below her egocentric, selfish and self-important personality. I showered the woman, changed her sheets and returned her to bed...the seemingly endless trauma was finally over, for both of us.

The following day after report (a verbal account on any eventful activity on the ward during the previous shift) I was told to proceed to the Director of Nursing Office...for what reason, I had no idea. The female supervisor didn't hesitate for one second and immediately verbally ripped me to pieces...taking multiple strips off my self-esteem...she was furious.

Her condemnation was about how I handled the situation about the lady who was smeared with excrement the previous day. Essentially the administrator let me know in her irate and livid mood I did not manage the occurrence in a professional manner. She harped on how the Lodge shows respect and dignity for the residents on a continuous basis...I should have covered the lady with a blanket or sheet.

Even to this day I still have an extensive bitterness and limitless resentment for that fucking head nurse...the spineless and gutless phony was the one who registered the complaint about me. Maybe things might have been different if she would have "got off her high horse" and provided some help, so much for teamwork...fucking conceited back stabber.

I worked for a laundry company and some of my deliveries were to convey bed linen to privately owned retirement homes throughout the city of Hamilton, Ontario. At one time these properties were two and one half and three story single family residential homes and later renovated into old age facilities.

Depending on the size of the dwelling the number of residents would vary, anywhere from ten to twenty. From what I understand, it wasn't too difficult to obtain a license to operate these lodgings. All those types of homes were under the jurisdiction of the provincial government as of now the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

These "homes" appeared to have very little stimulation for the elders. A lot of them looked very frail and sat in a bit of a daze watching television. Five will get you ten their cognitive skills and perception were rapidly decreasing also. A very depressing and sad way to spend the autumn of their life years.

The Japanese culture has always intrigued me with their longevity. My oriental neighbours across the street are both 93 years old...he continues to cut his lawn. Yasutaro Koide, Jirbemon Kimura and Misau Okawa lived full lives passing away at 113, 116, 117 years old respectively.

Keiko Fukudo passed away in her 100th year. She was a master of judo, holding a tenth-degree black belt, the highest possible rank. She was still teaching the discipline, three times a week prior to her death.

It's despairing and tragic to see some of the elderly who are ill and weak...you could almost say life is over. The lyrics in the 1969, The Doors song titled "The Soft Parade" states what life is all about, "All our lives we sweat and save, building for a shallow grave."

Epilogue

Our clocks are ticking and the aging population will continue to soar. The cost of health care, including prescription drugs, will escalate and some boomers may experience some sort of ailment if they haven't already. Wouldn't it be marvelous and satisfying if the government rehabilitated themselves from their obsession and addiction of misusing and wasting tax payers money? (L.O.L.) Well, we can dream. The bureaucrats say they have a solution but we all know that regime is seldom correct...making suitable decisions regarding issues directly related to the innocent tax-paying citizen, just isn't in the cards. The near future may become very costly and truly frightening.

The End

The Harvenut Puritan Project