Long time, no posts...

And I really don't have anything profound to say... I'm just using the old blog to test an embedded HTML code for my favourite webcomic... http://www.daybydaycartoon.com/ So far, the test is somewhat successful in that I managed to get the link into the main template on the right side... but the embedded link doesn't open to a new tab for the appropriate website (noted above)...

Long time, no blog...

To say the very least, it has been a long time since I paid any attention to my blog... What can I say? Life is busy... I'm no longer a married man. I have profoundly mixed feelings about that. A very traditional part of me wasn't happy since marriage was supposed to be until death did us part and all that jazz. Perhaps if my ex-wife had remained the person who she appeared to be when we met, dated and moved in together... even when we married... but that didn't happen. Part of me appreciates the freedom. At this point, I believe the person who I feel in love with and married was an artificial construct, a persona that acted as bait for the trap. It is never easy to admit to having been thoroughly and completely taken in by someone but such was the case. I was never particularly interested in psychology but now I find I'm reading about Narcissistic Personality Disorder and other so-called "Cluster B" disorders and seeing my ex-wife's various aberrant behaviours in a new light... an unpleasant light... The line between Narcissistic Personality Disorder and full-blown sociopath isn't all that thick or all that well-defined. I can't say I'm going to suddenly start blogging regularly but perhaps I won't stay away quite so long... In the meantime, relax...

May 2012?

I'm not sure what led me to check on Enigmac today. I was running through my emails and saw a note from another blogger who I've always enjoyed (shout-out to Sharondippity) who encouraged me to post a picture or something. My last post was over a year ago (thanks for the note, Don) but my sign-in still works... and no spam messages awaiting my attention! Life continues on. The wife is still the wife and she isn't complaining about my computer time nowadays. She found other things to complain about, of course, but no surprises there... The kids aren't kids anymore. They're both legally adults now and a joy to be around! One is well into his university career and the other is about to start her post-secondary in the fall... The nest isn't empty yet but it's quieter than before... I find my passion for political blogging is pretty much exhausted. I still read the newspapers and try to keep abreast of who is stabbing whom in the back but the spin on all sides gets pretty depressing. This should be a fun time since it's an election year in the Excited States. The rhetoric for and against Obama is already heating up but I find that I'm not particularly interested. Mitt doesn't appeal to me. Anyway, hi to anyone who reads this! Enjoy the summer!! -Mac

2011? How can that be??

For those who didn't notice, I've pulled back from political blogging altogether... Basically, I've been trying to salvage my marriage. One of my wife's objections was how much time I spent plunking away at my computer (like that's a bad thing?) so I had a choice: step away from the computer or my marriage. I realize now that such ultimatums are actually just manipulations but that's a whole different story.

As life rolls forward, perhaps I will have more time to play but, for now, I'm focused on getting my kids through school, doing my job (yes, I have one of those too) and taking care of myself. Since I stopped trying to make my wife happy (aka Mission Impossible) and started taking care of me, things have improved.

I can't promise I'll be back to political blogging anytime soon but I'll keep this blog alive for a while. I continue to write for my own purposes and perhaps I will share some of those thoughts... or not... I'm a bit of perfectionist when it comes to writing and I tend to want to push out completed works rather than individual thoughts.

Fun!!

Hmm.... I just got notification of a new post on an older thread. The characters were in Chinese (or similar) characters. I deleted it, just to be safe. Just what the world needs... foreign spam!!

Hmmmm....

It almost bedtime and I decided to sign in and see what (if anything) has changed on Blogger's dashboard so I don't forget completely how to blog.

It's been a busy summer and I'm hoping for a quiet fall... Time will tell...

How's everyone doing? Does anyone still check in here? Just asking... I wouldn't blame you if everyone abandoned the world's slowest blogger...

Damn...

I don't know it's because I'm lazy or too distracted... I still have a couple of posts half-written but I can't seem to find the mojo to finish 'em... Meh...

Doesn't it just make you want to spit?

As I usually do, I sat for a few minutes this evening and read a few emails, then I read & commented on a few threads on the Blogging Tories forums. Then I went digging around to see what the media have to say for themselves....

I stumbled across this little gem on the CTV website... Budget to put cash into people's pockets, says PM and I was delighted to think of such an idea. Getting to keep some of the money which I earn is a life-goal of mine...

It was going too well. I should have pushed away from the computer with a warm glow but no... foolishly, I read the comments section. There were the usual partisan snarling comments but the one which really got me was this one....

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Mile Zero Victoria BC

Tax is not a dirty word. Quite the contrary taxes are good.

It's not tax cuts I want; but rather a stimulus to the economy by appropriate spending on green infrastructure programs such as public transit, investments to auto companies that will introduce green products ASAP and public housing geared to income among many other programs.

When we pool our resources, our taxes, we can make a bigger impact. By putting a few dollars in my pocket a year, that does little. I prefer to donate to the larger cause and thus prefer to pay taxes for beneficial programs for all Canadians and beyond.

Don't buy my vote with the promise of tax cuts, do what is right.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

There is no doubt in my mind whatsoever that this was written by a Dipper; no other party (except possibly the Maxist-Leninist Party or perhaps the Bloc but I digress) would be attractive to such a collectivist. It's got all the markings.

Well, Mile Zero... if you prefer to donate to the larger cause, bully for you. I would like to suggest you contact Revenue Canada and voluntarily double the amount of taxation you pay. Go ahead... Put your wallet where your mouth (or keyboard) is... For such a principled Dipper (oxymoron?), a tax cut would never buy your vote so don't interfere with tax cuts to everyone else... Instead, do your little bit!! Pay double taxes... do what is right!!

If you and all of your Dipper friends start paying double their current rate of taxation, chances are it won't have much of an impact since I doubt any of you pay any significant taxes. There isn't much money in being a professional protester and welfare cheques aren't subject to income tax.

For the rest of us who work for a living, we'd like to keep the money we earn and spend (or save) as we see fit. You see, we're capable of making mature choices and don't need a nanny state to take care of every little thing. Maybe when you grow up, you'll be the same.

-Mac

an old sailor's opinion...

A letter forwarded to me from a good friend who knows the author...

-Mac

To:	Lunn - Gary MP , "Martin, Keith - Riding 1"

Gentlemen,
As you both may be aware I contributed financially towards your recent
re-election - not because of your Party affiliations but because I know
and respect both of you.

Regretfully, I am too old now to serve Canada in any political
capacity.  However, I did serve faithfully  for 38 years in the RCN and
the Canadian Armed Forces - including in NDHQ, as a Rear Admiral and
Vice Admiral,  where I had  the honour to serve both under  Liberal and
Conservative Ministers of National Defence. In every  instance they
received  my complete respect and  loyalty regardless of Party.

My father also served in Canada's Navy  for 37 years from 1909 to 1946.
He commanded several RCN ships and both coasts, and was ultimately  the
Commanding Officer Pacific Coast during the last three years of World
War II.

His father was Speaker of the House of Commons, during  the Laurier
Government, then was Minister of Inland Revenue, then Minister of Marine
and Fisheries (in which capacity he became the founding Minister of the
Royal Canadian Navy), then served as Justice of the Supreme Court of
Canada, and ultimately died in office as Lieutenant Governor of Quebec.
He devoted his entire life to Canada.

On behalf of three generations who have devoted their lives to Canada, 
I  unequivocally condemn the power grabbing  political charade now
taking place in Parliament.

We are witnessing a deplorable and juvenile scene which demeans  its
participants, and also further erodes  the residual  prestige of a
Canada which in both World Wars  achieved greatness and international
respect. Politicians and their sycophants delude themselves  into
believing that Canada  has influence and prestige in the modern world.
Compared to the Canadian  international influence and prestige I
witnessed in the 1950's we have become moralizing nonentities who are
recognizably no longer even capable  of constructing our own warships,
submarines  and military aircraft; and will soon become totally
dependent on other nations for even our means of defence.

When a terrorist crisis hits Canada  - and someday it undoubtedly will 
- the politicians will scurry about seeking who to blame for lack of
capability or preparedness. I can save them  the trouble - look in the
mirror! Make it a long look if you come from the NDP - the political
party which has consistently opposed defence spending over the past
three decades!

So this obviously dysfunctional consortia is about to approach the
Governor General  seeking her concurrence to form the next government?
Ask yourselves  how Her Excellency will be able to reconcile the fact
that Canadian soldiers, of whom she is the Commander-in-Chief, are
fighting,  and dying for Canada in Afghanistan; while Canadian
politicians are obsessed with  power grabbing.  Our military are not
stupid - how long can they be expected  to put their lives on the line
under those circumstances?

There was a stunning contrast yesterday between the statesmanship
displayed by President-Elect Obama with  his National Security Team and
the complete lack of statesmanship in Canada's Parliament.  A great many
Canadians will have noted that contrast and be disgusted with  Canada's
politicians.

I realize that you are only two Members of Parliament among many. I can
only hope that my words and my respect for you may assist you in
bringing your colleagues to their senses.
                                        Sincerely
                                        Nigel Brodeur

Ezra hits another one over the fence...

I can't say it nearly as well as Ezra himself... The Jewish Exemption... but I would argue that it wasn't the fact Ezra is Jewish that makes the different. It's the fact Ezra isn't afraid to challenge the HRCs and point out their hypocrisy in a highly disciplined legal manner.

I've never had the pleasure of meeting Ezra Levant but I salute him!!