Some thoughts; Mandela and Moses, severe weather, politics trumps political direction,Trade/ support/ protection from the USA/ Ford embarrassment.
So much is happening everywhere in the world from the Nelson Mandela situation, Canadian and American political upheavals, the northern hemisphere in an early winter deep freeze, with snow battering some areas worldwide. It is difficult to find a single subject that is not filling the media with news reports and analyzing by every pundit from every nation.
Starting with the Nelson Mandela celebrations or mourning depending on the point of view, the man’s life virtually parallels the bible story of Moses. Beginning life as a rebel and changing Moses purportedly lead the Israelites out of Jordan across the parted water of the Red Sea. The Lord hasn’t enacted anything that dramatic for the recently departed Mandela but history has a habit of recording events long after they actually happen. The bible after all was supposedly written a minimum of 400 years after the actual events. It will be interesting for future generations to reflect back to the 21st century to observe what is documented. Thousands trying to see Mandela’s body lying in state before the upcoming Sunday burial is an unbelievable event and leads to wondering if mankind has really advanced that much over the past 5000 years give or take a millennium or two.
The weather temperatures and storms are something that not much can be done to change. The financial markets and people with control of all the world’s economy are the only sector that can change treatment of the atmosphere and reverse storm patterns if that is the reason for the different weather phenomena the world seems to be encountering. History tells mankind the people in control of the economy will not change direction until something is defined that could create uncontrollable havoc. The same historical writings also point to the fact that change is inevitable and usually driven by people in control not listening to the needs of the majority. Is it the need for oil or the uncontrollable desire for individual wealth that will eventually lead to future changes?
More locally there is a strong indication that Canada’s governing party might be contemplating major changes in an attempt to recoup some of the lost voter support reported daily in the media. With the upstart new Liberal leader Trudeau gaining momentum while the surprising election surge by the NDP seems to be fizzling the Conservatives should be languishing in the realization of another majority government mandate in a couple of years. However, most Canadians are more than reluctant to allow the changes the current administration is enacting as swiftly as the party can make those changes take place. The country has gone almost entirely political with future planning and the ability to boast about significant major accomplishments almost nonexistent. There is a great deal of boasting about insignificant legislation but very little with respect to any substantial new initiatives that would gain at least partial support from opposition parties. There is little doubt politics today trumps anything of substance that might appeal to the majority.
Is Canada at some sort of crossroads? The Americans that we need so desperately as trading partners, since recently 95% of our manufactured goods were USA bound, are having economic troubles that are crossing the border and affecting our present and future economy. Canada’s political leaders that in the past were pro American seem to be attempting to be more independent at a time of great upheaval in America and the world. With the most recent announcement from Russia regarding Arctic resources and the need for China to establish a wider resource base it might better serve Canadians to stay in close proximity to our neighboring super power rather than ignoring their plight while pressing for inter nation change. We need their military power to protect our borders since it has been traditional for the Americans to place a significant part of their military spending for defending Canadian boarders to protect their own country. However technology has changed a great deal of that tradition will change the relationship between the two countries in the future. Canada could be in serious trouble with respect to sovereignty if the situation changes dramatically.
Then to end this Mercer type rant a mention of the Rob Ford fiasco, or whatever, must be mentioned. The entire situation that the major media seems to think is a great news story is rather embarrassing to Canadians. Embarrassment is the right word if the international media circus created is considered. Until recently Canadians were considered some of the most solid, friendly and intelligent people in the entire world. Since the mayor of the largest city began to reflect that all was not as suggested when meeting and dealing with travelers from Canada, the image is apparently less favorable. Of course deserting some of the United Nations committees and taking sides in some Mid East situations that did not even require a declaration certainly did not help the country’s image abroad or for that matter on this side of the ocean.
Starting with the Nelson Mandela celebrations or mourning depending on the point of view, the man’s life virtually parallels the bible story of Moses. Beginning life as a rebel and changing Moses purportedly lead the Israelites out of Jordan across the parted water of the Red Sea. The Lord hasn’t enacted anything that dramatic for the recently departed Mandela but history has a habit of recording events long after they actually happen. The bible after all was supposedly written a minimum of 400 years after the actual events. It will be interesting for future generations to reflect back to the 21st century to observe what is documented. Thousands trying to see Mandela’s body lying in state before the upcoming Sunday burial is an unbelievable event and leads to wondering if mankind has really advanced that much over the past 5000 years give or take a millennium or two.
The weather temperatures and storms are something that not much can be done to change. The financial markets and people with control of all the world’s economy are the only sector that can change treatment of the atmosphere and reverse storm patterns if that is the reason for the different weather phenomena the world seems to be encountering. History tells mankind the people in control of the economy will not change direction until something is defined that could create uncontrollable havoc. The same historical writings also point to the fact that change is inevitable and usually driven by people in control not listening to the needs of the majority. Is it the need for oil or the uncontrollable desire for individual wealth that will eventually lead to future changes?
More locally there is a strong indication that Canada’s governing party might be contemplating major changes in an attempt to recoup some of the lost voter support reported daily in the media. With the upstart new Liberal leader Trudeau gaining momentum while the surprising election surge by the NDP seems to be fizzling the Conservatives should be languishing in the realization of another majority government mandate in a couple of years. However, most Canadians are more than reluctant to allow the changes the current administration is enacting as swiftly as the party can make those changes take place. The country has gone almost entirely political with future planning and the ability to boast about significant major accomplishments almost nonexistent. There is a great deal of boasting about insignificant legislation but very little with respect to any substantial new initiatives that would gain at least partial support from opposition parties. There is little doubt politics today trumps anything of substance that might appeal to the majority.
Is Canada at some sort of crossroads? The Americans that we need so desperately as trading partners, since recently 95% of our manufactured goods were USA bound, are having economic troubles that are crossing the border and affecting our present and future economy. Canada’s political leaders that in the past were pro American seem to be attempting to be more independent at a time of great upheaval in America and the world. With the most recent announcement from Russia regarding Arctic resources and the need for China to establish a wider resource base it might better serve Canadians to stay in close proximity to our neighboring super power rather than ignoring their plight while pressing for inter nation change. We need their military power to protect our borders since it has been traditional for the Americans to place a significant part of their military spending for defending Canadian boarders to protect their own country. However technology has changed a great deal of that tradition will change the relationship between the two countries in the future. Canada could be in serious trouble with respect to sovereignty if the situation changes dramatically.
Then to end this Mercer type rant a mention of the Rob Ford fiasco, or whatever, must be mentioned. The entire situation that the major media seems to think is a great news story is rather embarrassing to Canadians. Embarrassment is the right word if the international media circus created is considered. Until recently Canadians were considered some of the most solid, friendly and intelligent people in the entire world. Since the mayor of the largest city began to reflect that all was not as suggested when meeting and dealing with travelers from Canada, the image is apparently less favorable. Of course deserting some of the United Nations committees and taking sides in some Mid East situations that did not even require a declaration certainly did not help the country’s image abroad or for that matter on this side of the ocean.
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