- Peaceful protests quickly turn violent across major US cities
- US cities announce curfews after protests turn violent
- Protests unfold across from White House
- Seven states now activating National Guard troops
Sunday, May 31, 2020
USA DESCENDS INTO CHAOS
Saturday, May 30, 2020
UNFAIR, UNJUST, UNWARRANTED
Randy Hillier, independent MPP of Ontario, discusses the afront to democracy occuring during this shutdown. Decisions are being made by unelected and unaccountable members of the Covid Command Table.
PM RESPECTS BOUNDARIES. UNTIL HE DOESN'T
Yet throughout the coronavirus crisis, Trudeau has called for or taken actions that step right across federal-provincial lines.
Think of Trudeau’s determined pledges to bring in wage top-ups for front-line or essential workers, commercial rent subsidies, or 10 days of paid sick leave for all workers.
Sometimes he has overstepped in areas that require provinces to kick in money before he’s brought them into the loop on what the plan is, or how much it will cost them.
Think of Trudeau’s determined pledges to bring in wage top-ups for front-line or essential workers, commercial rent subsidies, or 10 days of paid sick leave for all workers.
Sometimes he has overstepped in areas that require provinces to kick in money before he’s brought them into the loop on what the plan is, or how much it will cost them.
What is clear is that as the urgency of the past three months eases, some premiers are increasingly rankled about the blurring lines.
150 EXPOSED TO CORONAVIRUS; DR. SUSPENDED
A long-term care worker is among two new cases of COVID-19 in northern New Brunswick linked to a family doctor who contracted the coronavirus outside the province and didn't self-isolate when he returned.
That brings the cluster of active COVID-19 cases in the Campbellton region to eight — three of them health-care workers, Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Jennifer Russell announced on Friday.
The doctor linked to the seven other cases and who may have exposed at least 150 other people to the coronavirus has been suspended, the president and CEO of the Vitalité Health Network Gilles Lanteigne has confirmed.
TIME TO END PAPA TRUDEAU'S MORNING SHOW
The COVID-19 pandemic that has upended our lives has no single iconic image or moment that will be seared into our collective memories. But one thing has become part of the daily pandemic routine for many Canadians: press conferences by the prime minister.
Derided as a "morning show" by some of his critics, the tightly-controlled briefings were must-see TV for Canadians initially, with millions tuning in every morning.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held the first of what would be 26 consecutive days of press conferences outside his residence at Rideau Cottage on March 13, when Trudeau began his self-isolation after his wife, Sophie Grégoire Trudeau, tested positive for COVID-19.
CDC ADMITS COVID-19 DEATH RATE: 0.26 %
The mainstream media is ignoring the fact that the CDC has admitted the death rate for COVID-19 is actually lower than the flu. This is happening as the media admits that the antibody tests are wrong 50% of the time!
The scamdemic fear-mongering is ongoing and the propaganda is getting worse daily, even as their OWN DATA shows otherwise. Instead of giving the public the facts, the media continues to push for an extended lockdown, freedom trampling regulations, mass surveillance, and our permanent enslavement for their political overlords.
The scamdemic fear-mongering is ongoing and the propaganda is getting worse daily, even as their OWN DATA shows otherwise. Instead of giving the public the facts, the media continues to push for an extended lockdown, freedom trampling regulations, mass surveillance, and our permanent enslavement for their political overlords.
The CDC just came out with a report that should be earth-shattering to the narrative of the political class, yet it will go into the thick pile of vital data and information about the virus that is not getting out to the public. For the first time, the CDC has attempted to offer a real estimate of the overall death rate for COVID-19, and under its most likely scenario, the number is 0.26 percent.
Friday, May 29, 2020
USA SPLITS FROM WHO
President Donald Trump on Friday announced at the White House that the United States would terminate its relationship with the World Health Organization.
The president said that Chinese officials failed to report details of the coronavirus properly to the World Health Organization (WHO) and pressured the organization to mislead the world about the its dangers.
“Countless lives have been taken and profound economic hardship has been inflicted all around the globe,” he said.
The president said that Chinese officials failed to report details of the coronavirus properly to the World Health Organization (WHO) and pressured the organization to mislead the world about the its dangers.
“Countless lives have been taken and profound economic hardship has been inflicted all around the globe,” he said.
HUAWEI STILL HAS CANADIAN CHEERLEADERS
Huawei Technologies Co.'s push to become a leading supplier of 5G technology in Canada appears to be in jeopardy after the Chinese tech giant's CFO suffered a legal setback in a B.C. court, prompting an angry response from Beijing.
"The chance of them being a leading supplier is next to none. I think the chance of them being involved at all in the network is still up in the air," Jonathan Berkshire Miller, an expert in international security issues with the Macdonald Laurier Institute, said Thursday.
IDC Canada vice-president Lawrence Surtees agreed that the Meng case may have given the Trudeau government a way to defer its decisions on Huawei but noted that the main government agency involved with the decision, the Canadian Security Establishment, hasn't found a reason to block the company.
In addition, he said, excluding Huawei from Canada could be costly and complicated for some of the wireless networks building out their 5G networks, particularly the antennae and tower base stations that Huawei has installed in Canada for a decade.
"The chance of them being a leading supplier is next to none. I think the chance of them being involved at all in the network is still up in the air," Jonathan Berkshire Miller, an expert in international security issues with the Macdonald Laurier Institute, said Thursday.
IDC Canada vice-president Lawrence Surtees agreed that the Meng case may have given the Trudeau government a way to defer its decisions on Huawei but noted that the main government agency involved with the decision, the Canadian Security Establishment, hasn't found a reason to block the company.
In addition, he said, excluding Huawei from Canada could be costly and complicated for some of the wireless networks building out their 5G networks, particularly the antennae and tower base stations that Huawei has installed in Canada for a decade.
ACCUSING THE CRA OF ISLAMOPHOBIA
The Canadian Council of Imams is calling on the federal government to investigate their allegations of Islamophobia within the Canada Revenue Agency for making what they call “false” and “misleading” claims against two Muslim leaders.
The allegations come after the CRA stripped the charity status of the Ottawa Islamic Centre and Assalam Mosque in 2018 following audits that raised concerns about past guest speakers and “activities that promote hate and intolerance.”
The CCI said that the CRA published “defamatory” statements against two of its members, Imam Abdullah Hakim Quick and Imam Said Rageah, which “falsely” connected them to “hate, intolerance, and terrorism.”
The allegations come after the CRA stripped the charity status of the Ottawa Islamic Centre and Assalam Mosque in 2018 following audits that raised concerns about past guest speakers and “activities that promote hate and intolerance.”
The CCI said that the CRA published “defamatory” statements against two of its members, Imam Abdullah Hakim Quick and Imam Said Rageah, which “falsely” connected them to “hate, intolerance, and terrorism.”
PITCHING FOR A SEAT AT THE USELESS UN
There was a wonderful incongruity to Justin Trudeau’s latest pitch for Canada’s bid to win a temporary seat on the UN Security Council. It came on the International Day of the Peacekeeper, at a time when Canada’s contribution to a force it helped create in 1956 is at its lowest ever level.
Canada has just 35 personnel involved in UN peacekeeping, a number that compares unfavourably with Ireland and Norway, the two countries with which we are competing for the two spots to represent the Western Europe and Others group. Ireland has around 474 personnel involved in UN missions, while Norway has 65.
Trudeau has left a trail of broken promises in his wake, to the UN and domestic voters. One only has to look at his 2015 election platform — which promised that MPs “must be free represent their communities and hold the government to account” — and then contrast it to the vote this week that closed down Parliament until the fall. It sends the message that he is not entirely dependable.
Canada has just 35 personnel involved in UN peacekeeping, a number that compares unfavourably with Ireland and Norway, the two countries with which we are competing for the two spots to represent the Western Europe and Others group. Ireland has around 474 personnel involved in UN missions, while Norway has 65.
Trudeau has left a trail of broken promises in his wake, to the UN and domestic voters. One only has to look at his 2015 election platform — which promised that MPs “must be free represent their communities and hold the government to account” — and then contrast it to the vote this week that closed down Parliament until the fall. It sends the message that he is not entirely dependable.
TRUMP CONFRONTING POLITICAL BIAS OF SOCIAL MEDIA
President Trump has signed an executive order stripping social media companies of "liability shield":
Free speech is the bedrock of American democracy. Our Founding Fathers protected this sacred right with the First Amendment to the Constitution.
The freedom to express and debate ideas is the foundation for all of our rights as a free people.
In a country that has long cherished the freedom of expression, we cannot allow a limited number of online platforms to hand pick the speech that Americans may access and convey on the internet. This practice is fundamentally un-American and anti-democratic.
Free speech is the bedrock of American democracy. Our Founding Fathers protected this sacred right with the First Amendment to the Constitution.
The freedom to express and debate ideas is the foundation for all of our rights as a free people.
In a country that has long cherished the freedom of expression, we cannot allow a limited number of online platforms to hand pick the speech that Americans may access and convey on the internet. This practice is fundamentally un-American and anti-democratic.
Thursday, May 28, 2020
ENABLING IDENTITY THEFT THROUGH CELLPHONES
A well-designed system can prevent a lot of problems. Sadly, the opposite is also true. And a key part of our cellphone system, Canada-wide, is badly designed.
On Saturday evening, at 11:07 p.m., I received a text message from Rogers, my cellular provider. It said that Rogers had received a request to “port” (transfer) my cell number to another service provider. If this wasn’t the case, I should call the provided number immediately and inform them. I saw the text message 19 minutes after it arrived and called the number as soon as I could verify that the text itself wasn’t a scam. I was talking to a live human being within about half an hour from when the message was sent, and informed that person that any attempt to transfer my number to another user was not authorized.
Too late, I was told. My cellphone number, which I’ve had since I was 17 and will need to eventually be pried from my cold, dead hands, was already gone. Rogers could get it back, the agent told me, but not until the next day. In the meantime, I should hang up and start changing all my passwords, because the porting of my number wasn’t an accident. It was the start of an attempt to steal my identity.
On Saturday evening, at 11:07 p.m., I received a text message from Rogers, my cellular provider. It said that Rogers had received a request to “port” (transfer) my cell number to another service provider. If this wasn’t the case, I should call the provided number immediately and inform them. I saw the text message 19 minutes after it arrived and called the number as soon as I could verify that the text itself wasn’t a scam. I was talking to a live human being within about half an hour from when the message was sent, and informed that person that any attempt to transfer my number to another user was not authorized.
Too late, I was told. My cellphone number, which I’ve had since I was 17 and will need to eventually be pried from my cold, dead hands, was already gone. Rogers could get it back, the agent told me, but not until the next day. In the meantime, I should hang up and start changing all my passwords, because the porting of my number wasn’t an accident. It was the start of an attempt to steal my identity.
THE TIME FOR TALK IS OVER; FIX LTC HOMES
The province of Ontario is taking over more long-term care homes, speeding up the independent commission that will investigate what went wrong during COVID-19 and stepping up inspections of 13 other facilities having trouble dealing with the outbreak.
While the politicians are the face of the system and the homes provide the care, the bureaucrats who actually oversee the system are responsible for making sure it follows the rules and regulations.
Richard Steele is the deputy minister of Long-Term Care, but was only appointed in March 2020. A career bureaucrat, Steele only started in this department as the pandemic was hitting the homes.
The same can’t be said for Brian Pollard, assistant deputy minister, Long-Term Care Operations. Pollard has held senior positions in the department, under the Liberals and Conservatives, for several years now. As has Stacey Colameco, who heads up the inspections branch. Prior to being named Director of LTC Inspections, Colameco was a senior manager for compliance and enforcement.
While the politicians are the face of the system and the homes provide the care, the bureaucrats who actually oversee the system are responsible for making sure it follows the rules and regulations.
Richard Steele is the deputy minister of Long-Term Care, but was only appointed in March 2020. A career bureaucrat, Steele only started in this department as the pandemic was hitting the homes.
The same can’t be said for Brian Pollard, assistant deputy minister, Long-Term Care Operations. Pollard has held senior positions in the department, under the Liberals and Conservatives, for several years now. As has Stacey Colameco, who heads up the inspections branch. Prior to being named Director of LTC Inspections, Colameco was a senior manager for compliance and enforcement.
THE DAUPHIN REMOVES THE NON COMPLIANT
Justin Trudeau had me physically thrown from a press conference at Rideau Cottage.
It just happened to be the same day that Trudeau announced he would shut down Parliament for the entire summer during a pandemic.
Justin Trudeau has been hosting the Trudeau Morning Show from his front steps for months now. He has tried to convince the opposition that his press conferences are somehow an accountability replacement for Question Period.
It is not hard to understand why he thinks this way. The Prime Minister can’t pick and choose the questions he gets asked in the House of Commons, but on his front porch, he runs the show.
Wednesday, May 27, 2020
JUDGE REJECTS MENG WANZHOU'S ARGUMENT
China tech giant Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou will continue to face extradition to the U.S. from Canada on fraud charges, the B.C. Supreme Court ruled Wednesday.
Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes rejected Meng’s argument the process should be stopped because the accusations are political at heart and do not constitute a crime in Canada — an essential element under the extradition treaty.
“On the question of law posed, I conclude that, as a matter of law, the double criminality requirement for extradition is capable of being met in this case,” Holmes wrote in the 23-page decision.
Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes rejected Meng’s argument the process should be stopped because the accusations are political at heart and do not constitute a crime in Canada — an essential element under the extradition treaty.
“On the question of law posed, I conclude that, as a matter of law, the double criminality requirement for extradition is capable of being met in this case,” Holmes wrote in the 23-page decision.
CHINA'S HANDMAIDENS: LIBERALS, NDP & GREEN
China is trusting the pandemic will divert the free world’s attention away from efforts to expand its influence in Hong Kong and the South China Sea.
The Trudeau Liberals – along with their willing accomplices in the NDP and Green Party – gave Beijing a helping hand in the House of Commons this week.
The Conservatives brought forward a motion to allow the special committee on Canada-China relations to examine events in Hong Kong, where Beijing has introduced a national security law that has the potential to trample on rights and freedoms that have been protected under the “one country, two systems” formula.
However, the Liberals, NDP and Greens voted against the motion – a result that will have been cheered by the Chinese.
The Trudeau Liberals – along with their willing accomplices in the NDP and Green Party – gave Beijing a helping hand in the House of Commons this week.
The Conservatives brought forward a motion to allow the special committee on Canada-China relations to examine events in Hong Kong, where Beijing has introduced a national security law that has the potential to trample on rights and freedoms that have been protected under the “one country, two systems” formula.
However, the Liberals, NDP and Greens voted against the motion – a result that will have been cheered by the Chinese.
LIBERALS SHUT DOWN DEBATE
The Liberal government’s plan to extend the suspension of regular parliamentary sittings until September because of COVID-19 went ahead Tuesday with the support of the NDP.
The NDP also supported a motion to shut down debate on the extension, which was opposed by the Conservatives and the Bloc Québécois. The NDP voted with the government in exchange for a pledge to work with the provinces toward a new national system of 10 days of paid sick leave.
The Liberal-NDP deal is shaking up the political dynamics of the minority Parliament. The Bloc Québécois, which has supported the government on the two previous motions to suspend Parliament, lashed out Tuesday at the two parties.
“What’s happening now is a deal between the NDP and the Liberals to shut down Parliament,” Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet said. The Bloc Leader dismissed the sick leave proposal as a promise of “two weeks of vacation for everyone in Canada” – interfering in provincial jurisdiction over labour laws.
The NDP also supported a motion to shut down debate on the extension, which was opposed by the Conservatives and the Bloc Québécois. The NDP voted with the government in exchange for a pledge to work with the provinces toward a new national system of 10 days of paid sick leave.
The Liberal-NDP deal is shaking up the political dynamics of the minority Parliament. The Bloc Québécois, which has supported the government on the two previous motions to suspend Parliament, lashed out Tuesday at the two parties.
“What’s happening now is a deal between the NDP and the Liberals to shut down Parliament,” Bloc Leader Yves-François Blanchet said. The Bloc Leader dismissed the sick leave proposal as a promise of “two weeks of vacation for everyone in Canada” – interfering in provincial jurisdiction over labour laws.
COURT RULING RE MENG WANZHOU TODAY
No matter how the ruling goes today in the case of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou, it will have an impact on the fraught relationship between Canada and China.
A B.C. court is expected to issue a ruling today on the question of so-called "double criminality" in Meng's extradition case — whether what Meng is accused of in the United States would be a crime in Canada. The judge could end up ruling in her favour, although Canada could appeal.
Tuesday, China's foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian issued a warning to Canada in his daily news conference.
Tuesday, May 26, 2020
WEASEL WORDS WITH A BRITISH ACCENT
Michael Gove has said he is satisfied with Dominic Cummings' explanation for his 260-mile journey to Durham while his wife had coronavirus at the height of lockdown. Gove said Cummings was a 'man of honour and integrity' who had acted to limit the spread of the virus, and that he had not broken the law by driving 30 miles to a nearby town to test his eyesight
TOO TEMPTING FOR THIS GOV'T TO IGNORE
- It is sometimes difficult for everyday Canadians to grasp the size of the federal deficit— estimated at $26.6 billion for 2019-20—because of its sheer size.
- This bulletin, along with subsequent planned instalments, aims to give Canadians that context by calculating what the federal GST rate would have to be to in order for the federal budget to balance in 2019-20.
- If the federal government decided to raise the revenues it needed to pay for its spending instead of deferring those taxes to the future through deficits (i.e., borrowing), the GST rate (currently 5 percent) would have to rise to 9 percent.
PM'S DELAYING TACTIC RE HUAWEI EARNS A FAIL
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is staying mum on whether his government might join other allies in banning or restricting Chinese telecom giant Huawei Technologies from supplying gear for next-generation 5G wireless networks.
Leuprecht said Canada’s lengthy delay in a decision on whether to exclude Huawei appears to be an effort to discourage wireless firms from using the gear. “My guess is they were hoping ‘by creating uncertainty for the telecom firms, let’s hope they ultimately don’t use Huawei equipment,' ” he said.
But that has failed, Prof. Leuprecht noted, because both Bell and Telus have announced they intend to incorporate Huawei gear in their 5G networks.
Leuprecht said Canada’s lengthy delay in a decision on whether to exclude Huawei appears to be an effort to discourage wireless firms from using the gear. “My guess is they were hoping ‘by creating uncertainty for the telecom firms, let’s hope they ultimately don’t use Huawei equipment,' ” he said.
But that has failed, Prof. Leuprecht noted, because both Bell and Telus have announced they intend to incorporate Huawei gear in their 5G networks.
CHINA MUST BE TREMBLING....
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada remains concerned about a new Chinese bill that experts warn will destroy the last vestiges of the one country, two systems governance model for Hong Kong.
But he gave no indication his government is willing to act to protect the 300,000 Canadians living in Hong Kong or to protect its democracy from being dismantled.
“We put out a very strong statement with a number of our allies of real concern for the situation in Hong Kong,” Trudeau said when questioned on the introduction of the national security bill in China on Friday.
“It is going to be important for the Chinese government to engage in constructive conversations with citizens of Hong Kong to ensure we de-escalate the tensions and we look forward to a path that actually allows for prosperity in a way that the citizens of Hong Kong expect.”
But he gave no indication his government is willing to act to protect the 300,000 Canadians living in Hong Kong or to protect its democracy from being dismantled.
“We put out a very strong statement with a number of our allies of real concern for the situation in Hong Kong,” Trudeau said when questioned on the introduction of the national security bill in China on Friday.
“It is going to be important for the Chinese government to engage in constructive conversations with citizens of Hong Kong to ensure we de-escalate the tensions and we look forward to a path that actually allows for prosperity in a way that the citizens of Hong Kong expect.”
COVID RESTRICTIONS DEFY THE FACTS ON FARM
NORTH GOWER — Fruit and vegetable grower Mel Foster is annoyed by quarantine restrictions on farms during the pandemic.
As it stands, when foreign workers from Jamaica arrive at his farm, he has to house them, get their groceries and pay them for the two weeks that they self-isolate.
He does get compensation for paying the workers to hang out but he doesn’t understand why there needs to be a quarantine at all. It delays planting, doesn’t stop the spread of the virus, and the workers themselves don’t want to be cooped up in small bunk houses, although they can walk outside.
Test the workers for COVID-19, tell them not to leave the farm for 14 days and let them go to work, Foster says. “We are out in the middle of the country and there is a lot space here. The people making laws have no connection to the farm.” Foster is right and the research backs him up.
As it stands, when foreign workers from Jamaica arrive at his farm, he has to house them, get their groceries and pay them for the two weeks that they self-isolate.
He does get compensation for paying the workers to hang out but he doesn’t understand why there needs to be a quarantine at all. It delays planting, doesn’t stop the spread of the virus, and the workers themselves don’t want to be cooped up in small bunk houses, although they can walk outside.
Test the workers for COVID-19, tell them not to leave the farm for 14 days and let them go to work, Foster says. “We are out in the middle of the country and there is a lot space here. The people making laws have no connection to the farm.” Foster is right and the research backs him up.
GOV'T SPENDING: TRUDEAU A RECORD BREAKER
- This essay updates the previous 2020 measure of per-person program spending by prime ministers, adjusting for inflation, since 1870. This essay focuses on the potential level of spending in 2020 based on the government’s response to the COVID-induced recession, up to April 24, 2020.
- Per-person federal program spending will reach an estimated $13,226 in 2020, by far the highest level in the history of the country. This includes $3,920 in per-person spending related to responses to the recession and COVID-19 more generally.
- Even the pre-recession planned spending for 2020—$9,306 per person—would have been the highest in Canada’s history, increasing 3.2% from 2019, which was itself then the highest level of per-person spending on record.
- Indeed, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has recorded the three highest levels of per-person spending (2018, 2019, and 2020) in Canadian history.
COVID-19: LIKE IT WAS DESIGNED TO INFECT HUMANS
"In other words COVID-19 could have been created from that recombination event in an animal host or it could have occurred in a cell-culture experiment."
In January, Petrovsky began modeling the virus to try and create a vaccine candidate. According to the report, he then began to explore "what animal species might have been involved in the transmission to humans" in order to better understand the origins of the virus, when he discovered how well it infects humans over other species.
"We found that the COVID-19 virus was particularly well-adapted to bind to human cells and that was far superior to its ability to bind to the cells of any other animal species which is quite unusual because typically when a virus is well-adapted to an animal and then it by chance crosses to a human, typically, you would expect it to have lower-binding to human cells than to the original host animal. We found the opposite so that was a big surprise," he said.
In January, Petrovsky began modeling the virus to try and create a vaccine candidate. According to the report, he then began to explore "what animal species might have been involved in the transmission to humans" in order to better understand the origins of the virus, when he discovered how well it infects humans over other species.
"We found that the COVID-19 virus was particularly well-adapted to bind to human cells and that was far superior to its ability to bind to the cells of any other animal species which is quite unusual because typically when a virus is well-adapted to an animal and then it by chance crosses to a human, typically, you would expect it to have lower-binding to human cells than to the original host animal. We found the opposite so that was a big surprise," he said.
Monday, May 25, 2020
VIOLENT, SHOCKING, SUBVERSIVE ART
What I am describing here is Monkman’s new painting Hanky Panky, an image of which, I am hoping, accompanies this column. (For reasons described below, certain other media outlets are treating it like those 2005-era Muhammad cartoons that were originally published in Jyllands-Posten. But I give my own National Post editors marginally more credit.) The thing is classic Monkman: violent, shocking, subversive and brutally original. It also fulfills that trite but true definition of art as that which makes you think. And much will be thunk by those who gaze upon dozens of Indigenous women laughing hysterically as sallow white patriarchs from out of Canada’s past look on at the MeToo-ing of a none-too-pleased-looking Justin Trudeau.
Sunday, May 24, 2020
PANDEMIC A HOLIDAY FOR PUBLIC SECTOR
With the implementation of the economic shutdown in March, government employees should have been sent home on 60 per cent pay.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau thinks it is reasonable for laid-off private-sector workers to subsist on government aid of $2,000 per month.
Why weren’t public-sector workers told the same thing and given the same amount? It would have saved the federal government tens of billions of dollars, and it would have been logically consistent in the way various workers are treated.
CHINA's PANDEMIC POWER COUPLE
Last week, Dr. Anthony Fauci of the White House coronavirus task force came out against opening up the American economy and sending the kids back to school in September. That touched off pushback from Sen. Rand Paul, a medical doctor, and President Trump, who for the first time publicly disagreed with Fauci. The president and his supporters, particularly those still unemployed due to Fauci’s lockdown policies, might check out Dr. Tony’s take on World Health Organization director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
“Tedros is a really outstanding person,” Fauci said in late March. “I’ve known him from the time that he was the minister of Health of Ethiopia.” Trouble was, the worshipful Dr. Fauci provided no detail on Tedros’s fascinating back story.
“Tedros is a really outstanding person,” Fauci said in late March. “I’ve known him from the time that he was the minister of Health of Ethiopia.” Trouble was, the worshipful Dr. Fauci provided no detail on Tedros’s fascinating back story.
A CURE FOR PEDOPHILIA
Mattieo Condoluci never lost his taste for molesting children.
The 64-year-old pedophile had been jailed twice, most recently for raping a 13-year-old girl in Bellevue, Nebraska more than 10 years ago.
But Condoluci won’t be hurting any more children.
The 64-year-old pedophile had been jailed twice, most recently for raping a 13-year-old girl in Bellevue, Nebraska more than 10 years ago.
But Condoluci won’t be hurting any more children.
BIDEN CHARITIES HIDE DONATIONS FROM CHINA
What we do know, however, is that the University of Pennsylvania received a 300% increase in donations since the Biden Center's soft opening - from $31 million in 2016 to $100 million last year, according to records from the Department of Education. The largest contributor? China - which contributed $61 million in gifts and contracts between March 2017 and the end of last year. In the preceding four years - before the Biden Center opened, Penn took in just $19 million from China.
The donations included a $502,750 "monetary gift" in October 2017 from the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, a Chinese government agency that helps administer the regime's "Thousand Talents Plan." Federal prosecutors claim the program is linked to Chinese espionage operations at American universities and have prosecuted academics for hiding their involvement in it. Other contributors included China's Zhejiang University, the China Merchants Bank, and the China Everbright Group, a state-owned investment group, according to federal records.
The donations included a $502,750 "monetary gift" in October 2017 from the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, a Chinese government agency that helps administer the regime's "Thousand Talents Plan." Federal prosecutors claim the program is linked to Chinese espionage operations at American universities and have prosecuted academics for hiding their involvement in it. Other contributors included China's Zhejiang University, the China Merchants Bank, and the China Everbright Group, a state-owned investment group, according to federal records.
INEPT JUDGE IN FLYNN CASE HIRES MOUTHPIECE
The Obama-appointed activist judge holding up the dismissal of the Michael Flynn case can't be bothered - or simply doesn't have the skillset required, to defend his decision not to grant the Justice Department's request to drop the case.
In a reminder that the 'swamp' has many tentacles, the Post (tentacle-ception) a Saturday report in the Washington Post that District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan has retained Beth Wilkinson to represent him after the U.S. District Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ordered him to explain what on God's green earth he's up to, after refusing to grant the DOJ's request to drop the Flynn case in light of evidence revealing that the FBI obtained a guilty plea as part of a scheme to entrap the former Trump Director of National Intelligence.
In a reminder that the 'swamp' has many tentacles, the Post (tentacle-ception) a Saturday report in the Washington Post that District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan has retained Beth Wilkinson to represent him after the U.S. District Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ordered him to explain what on God's green earth he's up to, after refusing to grant the DOJ's request to drop the Flynn case in light of evidence revealing that the FBI obtained a guilty plea as part of a scheme to entrap the former Trump Director of National Intelligence.
Saturday, May 23, 2020
COMIC GOLD IN COVID COMMONS
Rex Murphy: So what does he do, what arrow does he draw from his tactical quiver, to bring Trudeau to heel on the Bloc’s latest demands? What menace can he present to the prime minister, what scourge so fearful, that Trudeau must succumb to his, Blanchet’s, pleadings?
Well, (can the Sergeant-at-Arms do a drumroll, please) here it is:
“The Bloc Québécois is threatening to support a resumption of in-person sittings of the House of Commons five days a week if the Trudeau government doesn’t agree to a number of demands.”
Well, (can the Sergeant-at-Arms do a drumroll, please) here it is:
“The Bloc Québécois is threatening to support a resumption of in-person sittings of the House of Commons five days a week if the Trudeau government doesn’t agree to a number of demands.”
Allow me to savour the comic high point: The Bloc, the separatist juggernaut, is “threatening” a resumption of the in-person sittings of the House of Commons. Gold, I tell ya.
ISLAM'S SEXUAL FANTASIES
Speaking under the pseudonym of “Ella,” a British woman recently revealed that her Muslim rapists called her “a white wh*re, and a white b*tch,” during the more than 100 times she was raped in her youth by the mostly Pakistani grooming gang.
“We need to understand racially and religiously aggravated crime if we are going to prevent it and protect people from it and if we are going to prosecute correctly for it,” she said in her recent interview. “Prevention, protection and prosecution -- all of them are being hindered because we are neglecting to properly address the religious and racist aspects of grooming gang crimes… It’s telling them that it’s OK to hate white people.”
That there are “racial” and “religious” aspects to the epidemic of Muslims raping Western European women cannot be overstated. Put differently, the males of a particular religion tend to fantasize that the females of a particular race are nymphomaniac masochists who are hot for being degraded and abused. Consider a few earlier examples:
“We need to understand racially and religiously aggravated crime if we are going to prevent it and protect people from it and if we are going to prosecute correctly for it,” she said in her recent interview. “Prevention, protection and prosecution -- all of them are being hindered because we are neglecting to properly address the religious and racist aspects of grooming gang crimes… It’s telling them that it’s OK to hate white people.”
That there are “racial” and “religious” aspects to the epidemic of Muslims raping Western European women cannot be overstated. Put differently, the males of a particular religion tend to fantasize that the females of a particular race are nymphomaniac masochists who are hot for being degraded and abused. Consider a few earlier examples:
BIDEN: VOTE FOR ME OR YOU AIN'T BLACK
Former Vice President Joe Biden (D) declared Friday morning that if black Americans are unsure whether to support him over President Donald Trump in the November election, “then you ain’t black.”
Biden made the unsolicited racially-charged remark as he departed his virtual interview with Breakfast Club co-host Charlamagne tha God.
From Biden’s mouth, the words are racist, condescending, patronizing, and generally awful. That’s why they make a great sound byte. Maybe, though, we should worry more that Biden spun a web of lies to millions of young blacks who don’t know Biden’s history or that his policies, whether social, economic, or criminal, harmed blacks rather than helped them.
Biden made the unsolicited racially-charged remark as he departed his virtual interview with Breakfast Club co-host Charlamagne tha God.
From Biden’s mouth, the words are racist, condescending, patronizing, and generally awful. That’s why they make a great sound byte. Maybe, though, we should worry more that Biden spun a web of lies to millions of young blacks who don’t know Biden’s history or that his policies, whether social, economic, or criminal, harmed blacks rather than helped them.
WHITE WASHING SAUDI ARABIA's BIN SALMAN
It's being slammed as a "parody of justice" - but what should we really expect out of the 'kingdom of horrors' - whose leadership (which has all but admitted to the state-ordered murder and dismemberment of a well-known journalist) was long ago re-embraced with open arms by both Washington and Wall Street after a brief one year period of semi-isolation?
"The son of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi has released a statement via Twitter forgiving his father's killers," Al Jazeera reports. "In the statement, posted on Friday, Salah Khashoggi said his family pardons those who took the reporter's life in 2018 when he visited Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul."
And yes, in Saudi law this has significant and direct legal ramifications: "Under Islamic law, death sentences in Saudi Arabia can be commuted if the victim's family pardons the perpetrator, but it is not clear whether that will happen in this case," explains Al Jazeera further.
"The son of murdered Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi has released a statement via Twitter forgiving his father's killers," Al Jazeera reports. "In the statement, posted on Friday, Salah Khashoggi said his family pardons those who took the reporter's life in 2018 when he visited Saudi Arabia's consulate in Istanbul."
And yes, in Saudi law this has significant and direct legal ramifications: "Under Islamic law, death sentences in Saudi Arabia can be commuted if the victim's family pardons the perpetrator, but it is not clear whether that will happen in this case," explains Al Jazeera further.
COURT DECISION IMMINENT RE MENG WANZHOU
The British Columbia Supreme Court will release a key decision next week in the extradition case of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou.
The court says Justice Heather Holmes will release on Wednesday her ruling on the issue of so-called double criminality.
The legal arguments on double criminality centre on whether what Meng is accused of in the United States would be a crime in Canada.
Friday, May 22, 2020
TIME TO CANCEL PM's MORNING SHOW
There is a greater divergence of opinion when it comes to the Liberals’ handling of the economy and of the national debt, where disapproval rises to 30 per cent and 38 per cent respectively.
But the situation has evolved beyond the initial acute stage of the pandemic – at least for this wave – and the lack of parliamentary accountability must come to an end too.
The government owes it to Canadians to get back into the House of Commons and introduce a fiscal update, so that citizens can appreciate the extent of the mess we are in.
But the situation has evolved beyond the initial acute stage of the pandemic – at least for this wave – and the lack of parliamentary accountability must come to an end too.
The government owes it to Canadians to get back into the House of Commons and introduce a fiscal update, so that citizens can appreciate the extent of the mess we are in.
THE MASTER WANTS ITS PUPPET TO INVESTIGATE
China’s ambassador to Canada told Global News in a recent interview his government is willing to participate in an inquiry into the COVID-19 pandemic, as long as it’s conducted by the World Health Organization.
Given Tuesday’s interim report on the pandemic by the WHO, it’s not hard to see why Ambassador Cong Peiwu wants the United Nations health agency in charge.WH
Given Tuesday’s interim report on the pandemic by the WHO, it’s not hard to see why Ambassador Cong Peiwu wants the United Nations health agency in charge.WH
DETROIT HAS 30K INELIGIBLE VOTERS
“I do think it’s fair to kind of raise eyebrows and some alarms at what’s happening in a state like Michigan … of course, we want people to be able to vote without imperiling their own health,” Eggers said. “But it’s the problems with the voter rolls. The fact remains that many of the voter rolls in this country, 1-in-8 according to the Supreme Court, 24 million voter registrations are wrong or partially inaccurate.”
“In the city of Detroit … according to a lawsuit filed just last year, the city of Detroit itself has over 30,000 more registered voters than citizens of legal voting age,” Eggers continued.
Detroit has more than 2,500 dead people on its voter rolls, 4,788 registered voters who have been flagged as having potentially registered to vote twice or even three times, and about 16,500 registered voters allegedly do not have dates when they actually registered to vote, according to a lawsuit filed by the Public Interest Legal Foundation.
“In the city of Detroit … according to a lawsuit filed just last year, the city of Detroit itself has over 30,000 more registered voters than citizens of legal voting age,” Eggers continued.
Detroit has more than 2,500 dead people on its voter rolls, 4,788 registered voters who have been flagged as having potentially registered to vote twice or even three times, and about 16,500 registered voters allegedly do not have dates when they actually registered to vote, according to a lawsuit filed by the Public Interest Legal Foundation.
JODI WILSON RAYBOULD WOULD DISAGREE
During a daily media briefing at Rideau Cottage, Trudeau was asked by the executive producer of Global’s The West Block about a recent interview on the program in which Chinese ambassador Cong Peiwu denied the country’s detention of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor is a case of hostage taking.
Cong then proceeded to directly raise the Meng case.
“We have seen Chinese officials linking those two cases from the very beginning,” Trudeau said when asked about that direct linkage.
“Canada has an independent judicial system that functions without interference or override by politicians … China doesn’t work quite the same way and doesn’t seem to understand that we do have an independent judiciary from political interference.”
Cong then proceeded to directly raise the Meng case.
“We have seen Chinese officials linking those two cases from the very beginning,” Trudeau said when asked about that direct linkage.
“Canada has an independent judicial system that functions without interference or override by politicians … China doesn’t work quite the same way and doesn’t seem to understand that we do have an independent judiciary from political interference.”
WHO: #1 HEALTH THREAT IS CLIMATE CHANGE
THE health establishment was looking away when the coronavirus struck; it had other priorities. If you look at the World Health Organisation’s list of health threats, number one is climate change. Pandemics were down in third place, behind ‘non-communicable diseases’ such as diabetes and obesity.
Wherever you look, you will find some of the biggest names in the public health establishment declaiming on the risks of climate change to world health. On the eve of the outbreak, the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene declared that we would be seeing ‘mass migration, emerging infectious diseases such as dengue and a shortage of food’. As the first people fell ill in Wuhan, the WHO announced that in ten years we would be seeing 250,000 additional deaths per year from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoea and heat stress as a result of global warming. Epidemiologist Professor Andy Haines told readers of the Telegraph that ‘climate change is a threat to global and national security that is costing lives and livelihoods right now’.
Wherever you look, you will find some of the biggest names in the public health establishment declaiming on the risks of climate change to world health. On the eve of the outbreak, the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene declared that we would be seeing ‘mass migration, emerging infectious diseases such as dengue and a shortage of food’. As the first people fell ill in Wuhan, the WHO announced that in ten years we would be seeing 250,000 additional deaths per year from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhoea and heat stress as a result of global warming. Epidemiologist Professor Andy Haines told readers of the Telegraph that ‘climate change is a threat to global and national security that is costing lives and livelihoods right now’.
Thursday, May 21, 2020
TRUMP SPLITTING DEEP STATE WIDE OPEN
There has been no other president that has had the guts to expose the Shadow Government and Deep State like Donald Trump has. What has the Deep State done? They have gone after him with a vengeance. Why would the Deep State attack their own with attacks to try to destroy him and his family if he wasn’t threatening to expose the Deep State? No, he’s not a Deep State president. He’s not perfect. We all know that. There are members of his cabinet that we are concerned about with connections to some of the central banks. We all know that, but Donald Trump is not Deep State. He is splitting the Deep State wide open.
CANADA'S OPEN CLOSED AIRPORTS
The federal government has imposed travel restrictions for foreign nationals entering Canada by air. But an order in council in late March extended a number of exceptions from the ban — 19 of them, in fact. They include temporary foreign workers, foreign students and family members of Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
There are also likely to be a number of travellers who are in transit to other countries — again CBSA does not break out the number.
But it is entirely possible we are continuing to import the disease.
The question about a lockdown that is not a lockdown is particularly relevant as restrictions start to ease. Transmission of COVID-19 from travellers and those exposed to travellers constituted more than 90 per cent of cases in mid-March, before community transmission took hold.
There are also likely to be a number of travellers who are in transit to other countries — again CBSA does not break out the number.
But it is entirely possible we are continuing to import the disease.
The question about a lockdown that is not a lockdown is particularly relevant as restrictions start to ease. Transmission of COVID-19 from travellers and those exposed to travellers constituted more than 90 per cent of cases in mid-March, before community transmission took hold.
TIME FOR DR. THERESA TAM TO GET THE BOOT
Lilley: Dr. Theresa Tam needs to go.
There is no question about it: Canada’s top doctor, the chief medical officer and adviser to the government in the midst of this pandemic, has been wrong more often than she has been right, and for that reason, she needs to be relieved of her duties.
There is no question about it: Canada’s top doctor, the chief medical officer and adviser to the government in the midst of this pandemic, has been wrong more often than she has been right, and for that reason, she needs to be relieved of her duties.
CANADA BASHING BY USA & CHINA
Ottawa got a glimpse of the troublesome future it’s heading towards when Washington and Beijing both decided this week to indulge in a bit of Canada bashing.
On the one hand we had Joe Biden, presumed Democratic presidential nominee, declaring that he’d trash the Keystone XL pipeline project should he win the U.S. election in November.
On the other we had another in the apparently bottomless supply of blustering Chinese frontmen delivering one of the fierce scoldings for which the communist government has become renowned. Foreign Minister François-Philippe Champagne was denounced for “gross interference in China’s internal affairs” after tepidly revealing Ottawa is “concerned” over arrests in Hong Kong. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney then earned his own verbal assault for questioning China’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and criticizing the arrest of Martin Lee, a long-time pro-democracy campaigner.
On the one hand we had Joe Biden, presumed Democratic presidential nominee, declaring that he’d trash the Keystone XL pipeline project should he win the U.S. election in November.
On the other we had another in the apparently bottomless supply of blustering Chinese frontmen delivering one of the fierce scoldings for which the communist government has become renowned. Foreign Minister François-Philippe Champagne was denounced for “gross interference in China’s internal affairs” after tepidly revealing Ottawa is “concerned” over arrests in Hong Kong. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney then earned his own verbal assault for questioning China’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, and criticizing the arrest of Martin Lee, a long-time pro-democracy campaigner.
Wednesday, May 20, 2020
A KNIGHTHOOD FOR £33MILLION FUND RAISER
Captain Sir Tom Moore said he was "overawed" to hear that he will be knighted.
"To get this honour is so outstanding that I really can't say how different I feel, but I certainly feel I've been given a very outstanding honour by the Queen and the Prime Minister," he told BBC Breakfast.
"I thank them all very much. I'm certainly delighted and I am overawed by the fact that this has happened to me."
Sir Tom added he was "looking forward" to receiving the honour The Queen, but hoped she wasn't "heavy handed with the sword as I’m a weak soul", he said.
"To get this honour is so outstanding that I really can't say how different I feel, but I certainly feel I've been given a very outstanding honour by the Queen and the Prime Minister," he told BBC Breakfast.
"I thank them all very much. I'm certainly delighted and I am overawed by the fact that this has happened to me."
Sir Tom added he was "looking forward" to receiving the honour The Queen, but hoped she wasn't "heavy handed with the sword as I’m a weak soul", he said.
LIBERALS' CHINA APPEASEMENT NOTED BY ALLIES
The Conservative party’s outgoing leader, Andrew Scheer, said on Tuesday that the Trudeau government has been following a “policy of appeasement” regarding China.
For any observer not fully drinking the Trudeau Kool-Aid, it would be hard to argue with him.
Beyond Justin Trudeau’s refusal to call out China for its role in the COVID-19 pandemic, there are countless examples from his cabinet ministers.
Trudeau’s foreign minister recently had trouble saying the word “Taiwan” when asked if he would thank the democratic nation for their donation of medical gear to Canada.
For any observer not fully drinking the Trudeau Kool-Aid, it would be hard to argue with him.
Beyond Justin Trudeau’s refusal to call out China for its role in the COVID-19 pandemic, there are countless examples from his cabinet ministers.
Trudeau’s foreign minister recently had trouble saying the word “Taiwan” when asked if he would thank the democratic nation for their donation of medical gear to Canada.
FEDS DEMAND OWNERSHIP STAKE OR CASH EQUIVALENT
Recipients would also have to agree to limits on executive compensation, dividend payments and share buy-backs, as well as show they are contributing to the Liberals’ goal of reducing greenhouse-gas emissions.
Loans would start at $60 million with no upper limit, Morneau says, and be targeted at firms with earnings of at least $300 million.
Morneau says the loan program for Canada’s largest corporations is so they can stay open and keep employees on their payrolls and to avoid bankruptcies of otherwise viable firms, wherever possible.
Loans would start at $60 million with no upper limit, Morneau says, and be targeted at firms with earnings of at least $300 million.
Morneau says the loan program for Canada’s largest corporations is so they can stay open and keep employees on their payrolls and to avoid bankruptcies of otherwise viable firms, wherever possible.
UK GOV'T FORCED TO REPORT ETHNICITY OF RAPISTS
The British government has announced that it will finally publish a report on the “characteristics” of offenders in grooming gangs, following pressure from voters and MPs after accusations the Home Office tried to bury the report from the public under the guise of providing a “safe space” for lawmakers to consider policy.
In July 2018, former Home Secretary Sajid Javid had commissioned a report into the ethnic and cultural backgrounds of grooming gang rapists who have abused victims on an “industrial” scale in cities like Rotherham, Rochdale, and Telford since the 1970s. The phenomenon has been reported on multiple occasions to involve the dynamic of Muslim, Pakistani-heritage rapists targeting mostly white, working-class underage girls.
In July 2018, former Home Secretary Sajid Javid had commissioned a report into the ethnic and cultural backgrounds of grooming gang rapists who have abused victims on an “industrial” scale in cities like Rotherham, Rochdale, and Telford since the 1970s. The phenomenon has been reported on multiple occasions to involve the dynamic of Muslim, Pakistani-heritage rapists targeting mostly white, working-class underage girls.
USING A VIRUS FOR A GLOBAL POWER GRAB
Now imagine the lies which secure your position are suddenly and violently challenged. Imagine Yellow Vested protests in the streets of Paris, an independence referendum in Catalonia. Anti-globalists, on the left and right, surging in popularity all around the world.
Imagine Brexit and Bitcoin and PirateBay and the myriad tiny ways people won’t do what they’re told.
What you’re suffering from is a loss of control of the narrative. What you need, really, is a new story. Something to instil everyone with a sense of common purpose. To frighten them, and distract them and keep them busy.
Here are the 10 steps you should employ, if you want to turn an unthreatening virus into a global power grab.
Imagine Brexit and Bitcoin and PirateBay and the myriad tiny ways people won’t do what they’re told.
What you’re suffering from is a loss of control of the narrative. What you need, really, is a new story. Something to instil everyone with a sense of common purpose. To frighten them, and distract them and keep them busy.
Here are the 10 steps you should employ, if you want to turn an unthreatening virus into a global power grab.
Tuesday, May 19, 2020
MEMO TO TRUDEAU & MORNEAU: STOP SPENDING
For more than 50 days the prime minister has held daily briefings at which he avoids answering direct questions while unveiling the latest plans for blanketing the country with borrowed money.
In the early days of the pandemic there was a certain logic to this. No one was quite sure what we were facing, how serious it would prove to be or how long it would last. The economy looked to be in serious danger of cratering. Millions of jobs were at risk. Unprecedented measures were needed.
Now, into our third month, we have a better grasp of the situation. Far from perfect, but better. Several provinces are already moving into a cautious reopening. Yet the prime minister is still turning up at every opportunity to distribute new largesse hither and yon.
Sometimes it’s only a few hundred million. Other times it’s a billion or so. Occasionally it’s tens of billions. Often there’s little evident rhyme or reason to the numbers or the recipients. And there’s no sign Trudeau is prepared to stop. His approval ratings have soared as the spending piles up. A chart in The Economist this week indicated he’s the world’s second-most popular leader, just behind Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison (who just a few months ago was being heckled in public for vacationing while the country burned). No surprise that he wants to keep spending, but still, it’s time to quit.
In the early days of the pandemic there was a certain logic to this. No one was quite sure what we were facing, how serious it would prove to be or how long it would last. The economy looked to be in serious danger of cratering. Millions of jobs were at risk. Unprecedented measures were needed.
Now, into our third month, we have a better grasp of the situation. Far from perfect, but better. Several provinces are already moving into a cautious reopening. Yet the prime minister is still turning up at every opportunity to distribute new largesse hither and yon.
Sometimes it’s only a few hundred million. Other times it’s a billion or so. Occasionally it’s tens of billions. Often there’s little evident rhyme or reason to the numbers or the recipients. And there’s no sign Trudeau is prepared to stop. His approval ratings have soared as the spending piles up. A chart in The Economist this week indicated he’s the world’s second-most popular leader, just behind Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison (who just a few months ago was being heckled in public for vacationing while the country burned). No surprise that he wants to keep spending, but still, it’s time to quit.
COMMISSION TO REVIEW ONTARIO LTC SYSTEM
Ontario is launching an independent commission into the province’s long-term care system.
Long-Term Care Minister Merrilee Fullerton says in a statement that the commission will start in September, and in the meantime the government will be finalizing terms of reference, leadership and timelines.
She says “an independent non-partisan commission is the best way to conduct a thorough and expedited review.”
Long-Term Care Minister Merrilee Fullerton says in a statement that the commission will start in September, and in the meantime the government will be finalizing terms of reference, leadership and timelines.
She says “an independent non-partisan commission is the best way to conduct a thorough and expedited review.”
MANHUNT FOR TRUCKER WHO KISSED A WOMAN
A police force in the UK faced humiliation after trying to enlist the public’s help in a manhunt for a trucker who committed the dastardly crime of kissing a woman on the cheek.
However, the force asserted that the incident was a crime under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and that the female ‘victim’, a woman in her 70’s, was “very distressed, especially at a time when close contact with strangers is to be avoided.”
However, the force asserted that the incident was a crime under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 and that the female ‘victim’, a woman in her 70’s, was “very distressed, especially at a time when close contact with strangers is to be avoided.”
PRESIDENT TRUMP BLASTS WHO
President Trump fired off a scorching letter to World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus Monday night detailing 14 ways the WHO failed the world while kowtowing to China, and made clear that countless lives could have been saved had the organization refused to lie for Beijing.
"On April 14, 2020, I suspended United States contributions to the World Health Organization pending an investigation by my Administration of the organization's failed response to the COVID-19 outbreak," the letter begins.
"This review has confirmed many of the serious concerns I raised last month and identified others that the World Health Organization should have addressed, especially the World Health Organization's alarming lack of independence from the People's Republic of China."
"On April 14, 2020, I suspended United States contributions to the World Health Organization pending an investigation by my Administration of the organization's failed response to the COVID-19 outbreak," the letter begins.
"This review has confirmed many of the serious concerns I raised last month and identified others that the World Health Organization should have addressed, especially the World Health Organization's alarming lack of independence from the People's Republic of China."
CHINA'S BID ON ARCTIC GOLD MINE A THREAT
China’s growing control over strategic minerals could be a threat to Canada’s national security, a former head of CSIS says, and Ottawa should recognize this when it reviews a proposed takeover of an Arctic gold mine by a Chinese state-owned conglomerate.
Shandong Gold Mining Co. Ltd., one of the world’s largest gold producers, is paying $207.4-million to buy TMAC Resources Inc., the latest struggling Canadian junior miner to be swept up by a larger and better-capitalized company.
The deal will be among the first pored over by Ottawa after it announced in April that it would bring “enhanced scrutiny” to bear on acquisitions by foreign state-owned investors in a period where the COVID-19 pandemic has driven down the value of companies. China is the largest producer and consumer of gold in the world.
Shandong Gold Mining Co. Ltd., one of the world’s largest gold producers, is paying $207.4-million to buy TMAC Resources Inc., the latest struggling Canadian junior miner to be swept up by a larger and better-capitalized company.
The deal will be among the first pored over by Ottawa after it announced in April that it would bring “enhanced scrutiny” to bear on acquisitions by foreign state-owned investors in a period where the COVID-19 pandemic has driven down the value of companies. China is the largest producer and consumer of gold in the world.
SCRATCH FIGHT IN THE GREEN PARTY
The head of the Green Party of Quebec is accusing outgoing leader Elizabeth May of consolidating her power within the party through her position as parliamentary leader, and through her husband's new position on the party's federal council.
"People have said that the Green Party is a one-person party. The reality is that over the years, the Green Party of Canada has been run top-down by Elizabeth May," said Alex Tyrrell, the leader of the Green Party of Quebec and a candidate to replace May as national leader.
"[May] is continuing to go in that direction, and consolidating power at a time when she's recently stepped down from the leadership makes it so that the Green Party will be continually dependent on Elizabeth May."
BIDEN VOWS TO RIP UP KEYSTONE XL APPROVAL
Joe Biden's campaign lobbed a spanner into Alberta's post-pandemic economic recovery strategy Monday with a promise to rip up U.S. President Donald Trump's approvals for the Keystone XL pipeline if the former vice-president succeeds in taking over the White House next year.
Campaign officials finally ended the presumptive Democrat nominee's months of self-imposed silence on how he would handle the politically sensitive expansion project, an ambitious, 1,900-kilometre heavy-oil line that would move 830,000 barrels of Alberta bitumen each day over the Canada-U.S. border to refineries on the U.S. Gulf Coast.
It wouldn't be the first time that Biden has stood in the way of the Calgary-based TC Energy expansion. As vice-president, he was a key member of Barack Obama's administration, which slow-walked the project — championed by the former Conservative government — throughout Obama's second term before finally blocking construction outright shortly after the Liberals were elected in 2015.
Monday, May 18, 2020
HOPING FACE MASKS LEAD TO TOLERANCE OF NIQAB
Three years ago, Warda Lacoste was at the centre of a fight against Quebec’s attempt to ban religious face coverings for people who were giving or receiving public services.
Lacoste said she would love it if wearing a mask during the COVID-19 pandemic would eventually shift the discussion around religious face-coverings in Quebec, as well.
She likened the feeling of being stared at and judged for wearing, or not wearing, a mask these days to what Muslim women often feel when they go out in public wearing a niqab or headscarf.
Lacoste says she stopped wearing a niqab last August for practical reasons — to make it easier to find a job and a new apartment — and for her own security, but she said she still believes women should have the right to choose what they wear.
ECONOMY ON ITS KNEES; TIME TO HIKE CARBON TAX
Rex Murphy: Quoting Trudeau, “Our plan on pricing pollution puts more money upfront into people’s pockets than they would pay with the new price on pollution.”
I am tempted to offer any reader who can decipher this all the Canadian Tire money I have in the home safe. And all the Air Miles, now that the planes are not flying, I have collected at Sobeys. Does it say anything, does it bump into coherence, even by chance, at any point? Is this some form of code?
He goes on. “We’re going to continue to focus on putting more money in people’s pockets to support them right across the country.” And how do you keep “putting money in people’s pockets” by imposing a tax hike on those people? A tax — here’s an insight — takes money out of people’s pockets. It cannot be passed back to them in a greater amount than it takes out, or it is a subsidy. If that was the way taxes worked, that you got more back than you paid in, well, in the words of the world’s most illustrious economist — “Hit me baby, one more time.”
I am tempted to offer any reader who can decipher this all the Canadian Tire money I have in the home safe. And all the Air Miles, now that the planes are not flying, I have collected at Sobeys. Does it say anything, does it bump into coherence, even by chance, at any point? Is this some form of code?
He goes on. “We’re going to continue to focus on putting more money in people’s pockets to support them right across the country.” And how do you keep “putting money in people’s pockets” by imposing a tax hike on those people? A tax — here’s an insight — takes money out of people’s pockets. It cannot be passed back to them in a greater amount than it takes out, or it is a subsidy. If that was the way taxes worked, that you got more back than you paid in, well, in the words of the world’s most illustrious economist — “Hit me baby, one more time.”
GAINING EXPERIENCE BEHIND THE WHEEL
Clutching the steering wheel he remarked that it was just safer for everyone this way.
CHINA'S DISAPPEARED HEROES
Three Chinese internet activists have disappeared and are believed to have been detained by police. They have reportedly been charged with preserving articles that were removed by China's online censors. Chen Mei, Cai Wei and Cai's girlfriend went missing on April 19.
A few days earlier, Beijing police formally arrested retired professor Chen Zhaozhi for "picking quarrels and provoking trouble" in a speech about the pandemic. The former Beijing University of Science and Technology professor had posted comments online, including that "Wuhan pneumonia is not a Chinese virus but Chinese Communist Party virus". In addition, Wang Quanzhang, a Chinese human rights lawyer, who ended his prison sentence after more than four years for "subversion against the state", immediately after leaving the penitentiary, was placed in "quarantine", meaning under arrest.
These are just the latest Chinese dissidents who were concerned about the virus that began in Wuhan, the ground zero of the Covid-19 pandemic, who have vanished. They were evidently "disappeared" because they were searching for, and telling the truth about what happened, as well as the Chinese regime's attempt to bury it.
A few days earlier, Beijing police formally arrested retired professor Chen Zhaozhi for "picking quarrels and provoking trouble" in a speech about the pandemic. The former Beijing University of Science and Technology professor had posted comments online, including that "Wuhan pneumonia is not a Chinese virus but Chinese Communist Party virus". In addition, Wang Quanzhang, a Chinese human rights lawyer, who ended his prison sentence after more than four years for "subversion against the state", immediately after leaving the penitentiary, was placed in "quarantine", meaning under arrest.
These are just the latest Chinese dissidents who were concerned about the virus that began in Wuhan, the ground zero of the Covid-19 pandemic, who have vanished. They were evidently "disappeared" because they were searching for, and telling the truth about what happened, as well as the Chinese regime's attempt to bury it.
Saturday, May 16, 2020
QUEBEC EPICENTRE OF COVID 19 IN CANADA
While the number of infections and deaths due to COVID-19 change hour by hour, what they consistently show is that ground zero for the pandemic in Canada is Quebec.
With only 22.6% of Canada’s population, Quebec recorded as of Friday morning 61% of all COVID-19-related deaths in Canada (3,351 of 5,499), and 55% of all cases (40,724 of 73,837).
Quebec’s mortality rate of 395 deaths per million of population is 169% higher than Canada’s at 147 deaths per million and 49% higher than the U.S. rate of 265 deaths per million.
With only 22.6% of Canada’s population, Quebec recorded as of Friday morning 61% of all COVID-19-related deaths in Canada (3,351 of 5,499), and 55% of all cases (40,724 of 73,837).
Quebec’s mortality rate of 395 deaths per million of population is 169% higher than Canada’s at 147 deaths per million and 49% higher than the U.S. rate of 265 deaths per million.
ANOTHER PELOSI GEM
Pelosi claimed on Thursday that Trump’s recent antagonism toward China merely serves as a diversion from his coronavirus response.
A COLLECTION OF ODDITIES
Perhaps the mere idea of highlighting the acts of failed criminals, deviant drug users, and lonely sex addicts is beneath a great and free people. Perhaps, next week, and every week after, we should devote ourselves to the spiritual, to the uplifting, to human acts of warmth and goodness, both small and great, wherever they may be found…
Naaaaah.
Naaaaah.
THREATENING THE OBAMA LEGACY
The key message is that for years the Obama administration was mining the incomparable database of the National Security Agency (NSA), which captured virtually all electronic communications – emails, text messages, everything – launched into the ether. The potential for abuse is breathtaking. Everything that political enemies said to each other, except in private in-person conversations or in snail mail letters, could have been spied upon. And now it looks like staggering numbers of intercepts were monitored. Dyer makes that case.
Friday, May 15, 2020
MUST HAVE BEEN THE BEARD
While Trudeau continues to reside at Rideau Cottage, Gregoire is now residing with the couple’s children at Harrington Lake, the Prime Minister’s wooded retreat outside of Ottawa. Sources tell The Chronicle that Gregoire has been living at Harrington Lake for the last several weeks.
The Trudeaus have been experiencing marital trouble since the weeks leading up to last October’s federal elections. The couple has not publicly acknowledged the rift, despite widespread speculation regarding the status of their marriage.
BATS DID NOT STOP WIND FARM CONSTRUCTION
There was always something suspicious about Ontario Environment Minister Jeff Yurek’s decision in December to stop a $200-million wind farm in the countryside south of Ottawa. Yurek’s reason for the last-minute cancellation: potential harm to bats, including some on Ontario’s Species at Risk list.
Wednesday, three Ontario Superior Court judges — in polite legal language — agreed an ill wind was blowing. They reversed Yurek’s order, saying he was being unreasonable with his intervention and had no authority to suddenly raise the issue of bat mortality when it wasn’t central to the appeal from a local opposition group.
This week’s ruling was a bitter blow for the Concerned Citizens of North Stormont, a grassroots organization that has fought the 100-megawatt project for five years, raising and spending in excess of $100,000 to oppose the project.
Wednesday, three Ontario Superior Court judges — in polite legal language — agreed an ill wind was blowing. They reversed Yurek’s order, saying he was being unreasonable with his intervention and had no authority to suddenly raise the issue of bat mortality when it wasn’t central to the appeal from a local opposition group.
This week’s ruling was a bitter blow for the Concerned Citizens of North Stormont, a grassroots organization that has fought the 100-megawatt project for five years, raising and spending in excess of $100,000 to oppose the project.
LIBERALS' COVID-19 DEBT BINGE
Justin Trudeau is certainly making the government’s response look easy, disbursing billions of dollars hither and thither. This is a government that relishes spending, after all.
Even people supportive of his efforts to help two million low-income seniors raised their eyebrows when he extended the largesse to all seven million over-65-year-olds, many of whom protested on social media that they didn’t need the money. Seniors are already subject to a means-test: the Guaranteed Income Supplement is given to those with income of less than $18,600. A more prudent government would have directed the $2.5-billion package their way.
The apparently limitless nature of federal spending was on display again on Wednesday, with another $962 million in relief to be dispensed by regional development agencies to companies that have “fallen through the cracks” of other programs. Debt-to-GDP levels could crack 50 per cent this year, a level not seen since the 1990s, when it peaked at 68 per cent.
Even people supportive of his efforts to help two million low-income seniors raised their eyebrows when he extended the largesse to all seven million over-65-year-olds, many of whom protested on social media that they didn’t need the money. Seniors are already subject to a means-test: the Guaranteed Income Supplement is given to those with income of less than $18,600. A more prudent government would have directed the $2.5-billion package their way.
The apparently limitless nature of federal spending was on display again on Wednesday, with another $962 million in relief to be dispensed by regional development agencies to companies that have “fallen through the cracks” of other programs. Debt-to-GDP levels could crack 50 per cent this year, a level not seen since the 1990s, when it peaked at 68 per cent.
SHODDY GOODS FROM CHINA; THERE'S A SURPRISE
A Chinese-made mask approved by Health Canada is the subject of a counterfeit warning issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the U.S.
All masks approved for use in U.S. hospitals must have a Testing and Certification (TC) number issued by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The CDC has warned that the TC number issued to the Shanghai Dasheng Co. for its masks — TC 84A-4329 — has been misappropriated by other Chinese makers seeking to sell substandard products in the U.S. market.
Concerns over the quality of PPE and test kits have arisen outside North America as well. Several European countries have had sometimes acrimonious disputes with China over the quality and reliability of shipments.
All masks approved for use in U.S. hospitals must have a Testing and Certification (TC) number issued by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The CDC has warned that the TC number issued to the Shanghai Dasheng Co. for its masks — TC 84A-4329 — has been misappropriated by other Chinese makers seeking to sell substandard products in the U.S. market.
Concerns over the quality of PPE and test kits have arisen outside North America as well. Several European countries have had sometimes acrimonious disputes with China over the quality and reliability of shipments.
SPINELESS EU BETRAYING EUROPE RE CHINA
As the EU, by constantly capitulating to Beijing's demands, has shown it is totally incapable of protecting the interests of member states, the governments of Europe are finally waking up to the reality that, in order to defend themselves against China's bully-boy tactics, they will have to look after themselves.
Thursday, May 14, 2020
PARDON MY SKEPTICISM
Researchers are still racing to find out the origins of the coronavirus and a recent study out of China suggests there’s a natural connection between the virus and bats.
Scientists have found a close relative of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in bats along with so-called insertion events, or mutations into genomes, that show the virus’ make-up can change naturally.
“Since the discovery of SARS-CoV-2 there have been a number of unfounded suggestions that the virus has a laboratory origin,” Shandong First Medical University microbiologist Weifeng Shi says in an article about the report, published on the ScienceAlert news website.
Scientists have found a close relative of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in bats along with so-called insertion events, or mutations into genomes, that show the virus’ make-up can change naturally.
“Since the discovery of SARS-CoV-2 there have been a number of unfounded suggestions that the virus has a laboratory origin,” Shandong First Medical University microbiologist Weifeng Shi says in an article about the report, published on the ScienceAlert news website.
PITY THE SJWs UPSTAGED BY COVID-19
Rex Murphy: Please during this strange and anxious time, spare a thought and say a prayer for unemployed activists of all stripes, the one-timers, the full-timers, the masked and the unmasked, the blockaders and the street-marchers.
Starbucks is closed, so what is the point of smashing its windows? Not much point either in staging a “die-in” (the term itself should be seriously avoided considering the nature of the crisis we’re in) in front of a fried-chicken outlet. There will be no one there to look at your mock mortality. And if you’re the kind of social justice warrior who’s up a-night worrying about, I quote, “the oppressed bodies of the chicken,” then these are melancholy times. “Dream of feathers and flocks, my young friend — better days will emerge, the Cock will crow and the fast-food chains await your return.”
Starbucks is closed, so what is the point of smashing its windows? Not much point either in staging a “die-in” (the term itself should be seriously avoided considering the nature of the crisis we’re in) in front of a fried-chicken outlet. There will be no one there to look at your mock mortality. And if you’re the kind of social justice warrior who’s up a-night worrying about, I quote, “the oppressed bodies of the chicken,” then these are melancholy times. “Dream of feathers and flocks, my young friend — better days will emerge, the Cock will crow and the fast-food chains await your return.”
Wednesday, May 13, 2020
NAME OF 9-11 HIJACKER SUPPORTER REVEALED
WASHINGTON — The FBI inadvertently revealed one of the U.S. government’s most sensitive secrets about the Sept. 11 terror attacks: the identity of a mysterious Saudi Embassy official in Washington who agents suspected had directed crucial support to two of the al-Qaida hijackers.
The disclosure came in a new declaration filed in federal court by a senior FBI official in response to a lawsuit brought by families of 9/11 victims that accuses the Saudi government of complicity in the terrorist attacks.
The declaration was filed last month but unsealed late last week. According to a spokesman for the 9/11 victims’ families, it represents a major breakthrough in the long-running case, providing for the first time an apparent confirmation that FBI agents investigating the attacks believed they had uncovered a link between the hijackers and the Saudi Embassy in Washington.
The disclosure came in a new declaration filed in federal court by a senior FBI official in response to a lawsuit brought by families of 9/11 victims that accuses the Saudi government of complicity in the terrorist attacks.
The declaration was filed last month but unsealed late last week. According to a spokesman for the 9/11 victims’ families, it represents a major breakthrough in the long-running case, providing for the first time an apparent confirmation that FBI agents investigating the attacks believed they had uncovered a link between the hijackers and the Saudi Embassy in Washington.
TIME TO RETURN TO FUNCTIONAL DEMOCRACY
(QUEEN'S PARK) – MPP Randy Hillier yesterday refused to support the further extension of the State of Emergency that was started in late March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In refusing to give his unanimous consent, the government was compelled to introduce a motion and have a debate. During the debate he decided to give a voice to his constituents and the many unseen tragedies which have been forgotten during this crisis.
"I was shocked at the ease at which my colleagues agreed to abdicate their responsibilities to the autocratic rule of Premier Ford," says Hillier. "By extending the State of Emergency, MPP's decided to ignore the concerns of their constituents."
RCMP KNEW OF SHOOTER's VIOLENCE & WEAPONS
HALIFAX — A former neighbour of the gunman behind last month’s mass shooting in Nova Scotia says she reported his domestic violence and cache of firearms to the RCMP years ago and ended up leaving the community herself due to fears of his violence.
REFLECTING HIS OWN LACK OF INTEGRITY
Lilley: We could be sending out as much as $400 million per month in fraudulent emergency payments but the federal government isn’t doing anything to stop it.
Instead, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is attacking those asking questions.
Citing government sources familiar with the program, the Post says there are 200,000 people receiving CERB even though they don’t qualify.
Instead, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is attacking those asking questions.
Citing government sources familiar with the program, the Post says there are 200,000 people receiving CERB even though they don’t qualify.
POST PANDEMIC GOVERNMENT MUST SHRINK
Governments around the world, Harper says, have been rolling out “wheelbarrows” of cash to fight COVID-19 — the International Monetary Fund in April estimated spending world-wide will top US$3.3 trillion, with another $4.5 trillion in loans and contingent liabilities. That’s going to necessitate smaller government going forward, since money just won’t be there.
As soon as the Ontario government is done dealing with the current public health crisis, its focus should turn to cutting public sector employment to restore the state of the province’s finances.
As soon as the Ontario government is done dealing with the current public health crisis, its focus should turn to cutting public sector employment to restore the state of the province’s finances.
CHINA NOT TRUSTED WITH SENSITIVE EVIDENCE
U.S. lawyers prosecuting Huawei Technologies Co. for alleged Iran sanctions violations said the company shouldn’t be allowed to share more than 21,000 pages of “sensitive” evidence in the People’s Republic of China because it could be “misused.”
Prosecutors warned that if the information is released outside the U.S., it “could fall into the wrong hands.” They cited a recent New York Times report that five former Huawei employees were jailed by Chinese authorities after they engaged in a WeChat conversation in which one said he could “prove Huawei sold [equipment] in Iran.”
“If true, the allegations in this news article indicate that the People’s Republic of China government may take actions to intervene on behalf of Huawei in the context of this criminal case,” they said in a letter filed late Monday.
Prosecutors warned that if the information is released outside the U.S., it “could fall into the wrong hands.” They cited a recent New York Times report that five former Huawei employees were jailed by Chinese authorities after they engaged in a WeChat conversation in which one said he could “prove Huawei sold [equipment] in Iran.”
“If true, the allegations in this news article indicate that the People’s Republic of China government may take actions to intervene on behalf of Huawei in the context of this criminal case,” they said in a letter filed late Monday.
MAY: NOT WORTH INVESTING IN ALBERTA OIL SANDS
Elizabeth May: We absolutely must invest in Alberta. Public funds must assist in the diversification of the Alberta economy. We need to be prepared to support the workers and communities that are impacted. Yet the reports that have been released in the last week alone make a compelling case that no federal bailout funds should go to trying to keep the existing oilsands sector afloat. One from the International Energy Agency noted that all fossil fuels were facing unprecedented drops in demand.
Oil’s not yet dead, but it’s on life support. It’s time to move it to palliative care. The federal government should invest in Alberta, for sure. But it should place its bet where it is more likely to pay off for workers, communities and investors.
Oil’s not yet dead, but it’s on life support. It’s time to move it to palliative care. The federal government should invest in Alberta, for sure. But it should place its bet where it is more likely to pay off for workers, communities and investors.
INACTION OF CANADIAN LEADERS
Three years ago, Amnesty International Canada and the Canadian Coalition on Human Rights in China warned the federal government about Chinese intimidation and harassment of Canadian human rights activists on home soil.
Nothing happened.
On Tuesday, they tried again, releasing an update that warns of “an urgent and deteriorating situation” and “a confusing and piecemeal system” where individuals have largely given up asking Canadian authorities for protection.
Nothing happened.
On Tuesday, they tried again, releasing an update that warns of “an urgent and deteriorating situation” and “a confusing and piecemeal system” where individuals have largely given up asking Canadian authorities for protection.
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
VIRTUE-SIGNALLING, MEDDLING PM
The Trudeau government has finally released its plan to backstop big businesses hit by the COVID crisis.
It should have been a moment of consensus, a rare instant of accord when all Canadians agreed that the federal government’s ability to borrow money cheaply should be used to provide bridge financing to the country’s major employers.
But the Liberals couldn’t resist the opportunity to grandstand on environmental policy. By inserting a requirement for qualifying companies to prove their sustainability, they have used an emergency as cover to pander to their political base. The implication is that businesses deemed insufficiently green won’t get government funds.
It should have been a moment of consensus, a rare instant of accord when all Canadians agreed that the federal government’s ability to borrow money cheaply should be used to provide bridge financing to the country’s major employers.
But the Liberals couldn’t resist the opportunity to grandstand on environmental policy. By inserting a requirement for qualifying companies to prove their sustainability, they have used an emergency as cover to pander to their political base. The implication is that businesses deemed insufficiently green won’t get government funds.
ONTARIO'S DEFICIT AT $41 BILLION
Ontario is facing its largest deficit ever — $41 billion, a new fiscal watchdog report says.
The annual operating shortfall is now estimated to be almost four times larger than projected prior to the COVID-19 crisis.
Over the next two years, the province that already had the largest subnational debt in the world is expected to add an extra $78 billion in red ink.
The annual operating shortfall is now estimated to be almost four times larger than projected prior to the COVID-19 crisis.
Over the next two years, the province that already had the largest subnational debt in the world is expected to add an extra $78 billion in red ink.
FEDERAL WORKERS TOLD TO IGNORE THE CHEATING
Federal employees vetting the millions of applications for emergency and employment-insurance (EI) benefits during the pandemic have been told to ignore most potential cases of cheating, despite reports of widespread fraud.
If employees detect possible abuse they should still process the payment and should not refer the file to the department’s integrity branch, says a memo issued last month by Employment and Social Development Canada.
It’s unclear whether anyone would be available to investigate the questionable cases, anyway. The memo says the department has suspended “compliance and enforcement” of the EI program, which is helping manage Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) payments.
If employees detect possible abuse they should still process the payment and should not refer the file to the department’s integrity branch, says a memo issued last month by Employment and Social Development Canada.
It’s unclear whether anyone would be available to investigate the questionable cases, anyway. The memo says the department has suspended “compliance and enforcement” of the EI program, which is helping manage Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) payments.
OBAMAGATE
Why is former President Obama calling forth all his defensive resources now? Why did former national security advisor Susan Rice write her CYA letter? Why have republicans in congress not been willing to investigate the true origins of political surveillance? What is the reason for so much anger, desperation and opposition from a variety of interests?
In a single word in a single tweet tonight, President Trump explained it perfectly - with help from Fox News' Tucker Carlson's detailed breakdown" "OBAMAGATE!".
In a single word in a single tweet tonight, President Trump explained it perfectly - with help from Fox News' Tucker Carlson's detailed breakdown" "OBAMAGATE!".
Monday, May 11, 2020
ITALY: CHINA's TROJAN HORSE IN EUROPE
Italy has a government coalition led by the Five Star Movement, an extremely pro-Chinese party, whose founder Beppe Grillo has been spotted frequently at the Chinese embassy in Rome. As the European Council on Foreign Relations reported, "in Italy business and political lobbies for China have been on the rise". The former PM Matteo Renzi has visited Beijing for conferences.
Five years ago, China National Chemical Corp bought Pirelli, a 143-year-old Italian company, and the world's fifth-largest tire maker. A study published by KPMG before the Pirelli deal revealed Chinese acquisitions in Italy have totaled 10 billion euros in five years (in a total of 13 billion euros investments). A third of foreign purchases in Italy are Chinese. The goal is to turn Italy into "Europe's top destination for highly coveted investment from China".
Now, China is trying to dominate southern Europe's infrastructure. China was already granted a license to run Greece's largest seaport, Athens' Piraeus harbor, which Beijing plans to turn into Europe's biggest commercial harbor. Then China started to project its expansion in Italy's ports, where four major ports are also in line for Chinese investments. Zeno D'Agostino, the president of Trieste's northern port, says that "China is opening because it feels strong".
Five years ago, China National Chemical Corp bought Pirelli, a 143-year-old Italian company, and the world's fifth-largest tire maker. A study published by KPMG before the Pirelli deal revealed Chinese acquisitions in Italy have totaled 10 billion euros in five years (in a total of 13 billion euros investments). A third of foreign purchases in Italy are Chinese. The goal is to turn Italy into "Europe's top destination for highly coveted investment from China".
Now, China is trying to dominate southern Europe's infrastructure. China was already granted a license to run Greece's largest seaport, Athens' Piraeus harbor, which Beijing plans to turn into Europe's biggest commercial harbor. Then China started to project its expansion in Italy's ports, where four major ports are also in line for Chinese investments. Zeno D'Agostino, the president of Trieste's northern port, says that "China is opening because it feels strong".
APPLE SHIFTS FROM CHINA TO INDIA
A perfect example of this is Apple's quiet transition away from China and into the country that is emerging as the next labor superpower: India. According to Inc42, "Apple is looking to move nearly a fifth of its iPhone and other electronics production capacity from China to India to get benefits under the Indian government’s production-linked incentives (PLI) scheme", which was launched to incentivize local handset manufacturing and exports.
According to the report, With this move, Apple is planning to produce iPhones worth $40BN through its contractors Foxconn and Wistron, and essentially diversifying its production out of China, and set India as a base for manufacturing and export. The move is in line with Apple’s plans to reduce its reliance on China as a manufacturing hub as it looks to dodge the negative impact of the US trade tariffs as well as the current coronavirus pandemic, which had forced all production in China to come to a halt.
According to the report, With this move, Apple is planning to produce iPhones worth $40BN through its contractors Foxconn and Wistron, and essentially diversifying its production out of China, and set India as a base for manufacturing and export. The move is in line with Apple’s plans to reduce its reliance on China as a manufacturing hub as it looks to dodge the negative impact of the US trade tariffs as well as the current coronavirus pandemic, which had forced all production in China to come to a halt.
Sunday, May 10, 2020
NCC COVERUP OF HARRINGTON LAKE RECONSTRUCTION
“It sounds like they have effectively built the Prime Minister a new waterfront mansion while his old mansion is renovated. And they are trying to cover it up with complicated stories about how they have just moved the caretaker’s derelict cottage up the road,” he said.
“What they should have just said is the Prime Minister needs a lakeside mansion while his existing one is renovated and we’re going to spend $2.5-million to build one.”
NDP MP Charlie Angus criticized the NCC for trying to hide the fact that it had built an entirely new building as a guest house.
“What they should have just said is the Prime Minister needs a lakeside mansion while his existing one is renovated and we’re going to spend $2.5-million to build one.”
NDP MP Charlie Angus criticized the NCC for trying to hide the fact that it had built an entirely new building as a guest house.
NO MAGICAL ENERGY TRANSFORMATION FOR CANADA
There are two things we can say about “renewable” energy: It seldom produces more energy than it takes to capture and release its energy – meaning many renewable projects have energy deficits. And renewables almost always cost more tax dollars than they bring in; meaning budget deficits.
Ontario’s 10-year “green” energy experiment under the former Liberal provincial government proved that. At least $50 billion in added debt, doubled electricity bills and tens of thousands of manufacturing jobs lost to the States where energy inputs weren’t so pricey.
Yet somehow the True Believers of the Ecocult – the Greta-nistas – have convinced themselves Canada stands on the verge of a magical energy transformation. We can pivot out of this pandemic into a world without fossil fuels.
Ontario’s 10-year “green” energy experiment under the former Liberal provincial government proved that. At least $50 billion in added debt, doubled electricity bills and tens of thousands of manufacturing jobs lost to the States where energy inputs weren’t so pricey.
Yet somehow the True Believers of the Ecocult – the Greta-nistas – have convinced themselves Canada stands on the verge of a magical energy transformation. We can pivot out of this pandemic into a world without fossil fuels.
VIRTUE SIGNALLERS MISREAD THE REAL CRISIS
One of the most infuriating blunders of Canada’s political class in the ongoing pandemic was obsessing about alleged massive societal racism against Canadians of Chinese origin, when the real crisis was the looming carnage of COVID-19.
Politicians and public health officials overestimated the threat posed by racism, while underestimating the threat posed by the coronavirus, in particular the threat to the elderly in long-term care homes.
Politicians and public health officials overestimated the threat posed by racism, while underestimating the threat posed by the coronavirus, in particular the threat to the elderly in long-term care homes.
The problem with our politicians is that they’re so obsessed with seeing racism everywhere that, like someone who only has a hammer, they treat every issue like a nail.
ELECTIONS CANADA INVESTIGATES ANTI-ABORTION GROUP
An anti-abortion group consisting of just two employees has received notice from the federal elections commissioner that it is being investigated for violating federal campaign laws. The investigation is looking into Ottawa-based RightNow’s role in helping connect anti-abortion campaign volunteers with like-minded candidates during the 2019 federal election.
The group’s lawyer, Albertos Polizogopoulos, has since launched formal complaints on RightNow’s behalf against six major labour unions, alleging that they also provided volunteers to 2019 campaigns. It demands that the federal election commissioner also investigate Unifor, the Public Service Alliance of Canada, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, and the United Steel Workers for assisting Liberal or NDP candidates to help defeat Conservative candidates.
“If investigations (into the unions) aren’t opened, we’ll be demanding to know why,” Polizogopoulos said.
The group’s lawyer, Albertos Polizogopoulos, has since launched formal complaints on RightNow’s behalf against six major labour unions, alleging that they also provided volunteers to 2019 campaigns. It demands that the federal election commissioner also investigate Unifor, the Public Service Alliance of Canada, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, and the United Steel Workers for assisting Liberal or NDP candidates to help defeat Conservative candidates.
“If investigations (into the unions) aren’t opened, we’ll be demanding to know why,” Polizogopoulos said.
Saturday, May 9, 2020
ALBERTA STILL KEEPING FEDERAL FINANCES AFLOAT
- In studies published in 2017 and 2019, we measured Alberta’s net contribution to Canada’s economy during the most recent economic boom in the province. The first of these studies showed that when it comes to overall economic growth, job creation, or business investment, Alberta made a substantial contribution to the health of the Canadian economy from 2004 to 2014, a contribution significantly disproportionate to the size of the province’s population.
- Since 2014, Alberta has struggled and much has changed. However, Alberta continues to punch well above its weight in at least one critically important respect—its net contribution to federal government finances. Our 2019 study measured this contribution in the years during and since the recession. This research bulletin updates that work with the latest available data.
- Even through the recent recession and uneven recovery, Alberta has remained the largest net contributor to federal finances by far.
PUT UP OR SHUT UP, HOCKEY STICK MANN
Steyn: This week Judge Anderson further focused the case. Responding to a motion by my co-defendants the Competitive Enterprise Institute and Rand Simberg, the Court has now ordered Mann to cough up his income records from 2007 along with any evidence of reputational damage. If m'learned friends will forgive a zippy generalization, when you sue for defamation, there are various kinds of damages: "Defamation per se" commands damages in and of itself without evidence of actual losses; on the other hand, compensatory damages requires evidence that you lost 27 grand here and 49 bucks there. Mann had argued that, as he was claiming defamation per se, he didn't need to show evidence of monetary loss. Judge Anderson has now reminded him that that's not what his statement of claim actually says:
Plaintiff [Mann] is, in fact, seeking compensatory damages that require proof. At the end of the Amended Complaint, Plaintiff "demands judgment against Defendants for compensatory damage in an amount to be proven at trial." (Amend. Compl. at 25.) In each paragraph that alleges damages, Plaintiff states "as a proximate result of the aforementioned statements, Dr. Mann has suffered and continues to suffer damages in an amount to be determined at trial" (Amend. Compl. ¶ 56, 92, 110), which is a clear call for compensatory damage because it includes causation and a determinable amount. Plaintiff must undertake the required burden of proof associated with compensatory damages and submit evidence which for Defendants are then entitled to challenge.p
Plaintiff [Mann] is, in fact, seeking compensatory damages that require proof. At the end of the Amended Complaint, Plaintiff "demands judgment against Defendants for compensatory damage in an amount to be proven at trial." (Amend. Compl. at 25.) In each paragraph that alleges damages, Plaintiff states "as a proximate result of the aforementioned statements, Dr. Mann has suffered and continues to suffer damages in an amount to be determined at trial" (Amend. Compl. ¶ 56, 92, 110), which is a clear call for compensatory damage because it includes causation and a determinable amount. Plaintiff must undertake the required burden of proof associated with compensatory damages and submit evidence which for Defendants are then entitled to challenge.p
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