The snow will not melt. The Bank of Canada has taken to lecturing the big five banks to stop freezing their lendings and gondolas are falling from the sky like gas prices at the pump.
How do you like it so far?
This may be one of the most challenging periods many of us have faced in our lifetimes.
Bundle up, don't be shy about wearing long johns, spend where you can and do whatever it takes to continue enjoying what bounties we can.
Pasquale Cusano, the owner of Montecristo Jewelers and the publisher of NUVO magazine, has a new mag out. It's called Montecristo, and it arrived in my Globe and Mail this morning.
Like NUVO, the new mag is big and colorful and beautifully presented.
I'm just not sure what this item is supposed to be about.
The inaugural issue features stories on what I guess are supposed to be much admired local heroes.
One such is Wally Oppal.
Here is the closing on that piece written by the editor, Jim Tobler:
"He takes the issues of community safety, multicultural awareness and justice very seriously. He is doing his part to make it work for everyone."
With this kind of in-depth analysis and accurate reflections of the world in which we live, the new magazine clearly has a great place in our hearts and minds.
Remember Lee Iacocca, the man who rescued Chrysler Corporation from its death throes? He's now 82 years old and has a new book, 'Where Have All The Leaders Gone?'.
Lee Iacocca Says:
'Am I the only guy in this country who's fed up with what's happening? Where the hell is our outrage? We should be screaming bloody murder! We've got a gang of clueless bozos steering our ship of state right over a cliff, we've got corporate gangsters stealing us blind, and we can't even clean up after a hurricane much less build a hybrid car. But instead of getting mad, everyone sits around and nods their heads when the politicians say, 'Stay the course.'
Stay the course? You've got to be kidding. This is America, not the damned, 'Titanic'. I'll give you a sound bite: 'Throw all the bums out!'
You might think I'm getting senile, that I've gone off my rocker, and maybe I have. But someone has to speak up. I hardly recognize this country anymore.
The most famous business leaders are not the innovators but the guys in handcuffs. While we're fiddling in Iraq , the Middle East is burning and nobody seems to know what to do. And the press is waving 'pom-poms' instead of asking hard questions. That's not the promise of the 'America' my parents and yours traveled across the ocean for. I've had enough. How about you?
I'll go a step further. You can't call yourself a patriot if you're not outraged. This is a fight I'm ready and willing to have. The Biggest 'C' is Crisis! (Iacocca elaborates on nine C's of leadership, with crisis being the first.)
Leaders are made, not born. Leadership is forged in times of crisis. It's easy to sit there with your feet up on the desk and talk theory. Or send someone else's kids off to war when you've never seen a battlefield yourself. It's another thing to lead when your world comes tumbling down.
On September 11, 2001, we needed a strong leader more than any other time in our history. We needed a steady hand to guide us out of the ashes. A hell of a mess, so here's where we stand.
We're immersed in a bloody war with no plan for winning and no plan for leaving.
We're running the biggest deficit in the history of the country.
We're losing the manufacturing edge to Asia, while our once-great companies are getting slaughtered by health care costs.
Gas prices are skyrocketing, and nobody in power has a coherent energy policy. Our schools are in trouble.
Our borders are like sieves.
The middle class is being squeezed every which way.
These are times that cry out for leadership.
But when you look around, you've got to ask: 'Where have all the leaders gone?' Where are the curious, creative communicators? Where are the people of character, courage, conviction, omnipotence, and common sense? I may be a sucker for alliteration, but I think you get the point.
Name me a leader who has a better idea for homeland security than making us take off our shoes in airports and throw away our shampoo?
We've spent billions of dollars building a huge new bureaucracy, and all we know how to do is react to things that have already happened.
Name me one leader who emerged from the crisis of Hurricane Katrina. Congress has yet to spend a single day evaluating the response to the hurricane or demanding accountability for the decisions that were made in the crucial hours after the storm.
Everyone's hunkering down, fingers crossed, hoping it doesn't happen again. Now, that's just crazy. Storms happen. Deal with it. Make a plan. Figure out what you're going to do the next time.
Name me an industry leader who is thinking creatively about how we can restore our competitive edge in manufacturing. Who would have believed that there could ever be a time when 'The Big Three' referred to Japanese car companies? How did this happen, and more important, what are we going to do about it?
Name me a government leader who can articulate a plan for paying down the debit, or solving the energy crisis, or managing the health care problem. The silence is deafening. But these are the crises that are eating away at our country and milking the middle class dry.
I have news for the gang in Congress. We didn't elect you to sit on your asses and do nothing and remain silent while our democracy is being hijacked and our greatness is being replaced with mediocrity. What is everybody so afraid of? That some bonehead on Fox News will call them a name? Give me a break. Why don't you guys show some spine for a change?
Had Enough? Hey, I'm not trying to be the voice of gloom and doom here. I'm trying to light a fire. I'm speaking out because I have hope - I believe in America. In my lifetime, I've had the privilege of living through some of America 's greatest moments. I've also experienced some of our worst crises: The 'Great Depression,' 'World War II,' the 'Korean War,' the 'Kennedy Assassination,' the 'Vietnam War,' the 1970's oil crisis, and the struggles of recent years culminating with 9/11.
If I've learned one thing, it's this: 'You don't get anywhere by standing on the sidelines waiting for somebody else to take action. Whether it's building a better car or building a better future for our children, we all have a role to play. That's the challenge I'm raising in this book. It's a "Call to Action" for people who, like me, believe in America'. It's not too late, but it's getting pretty close. So let's shake off the crap and go to work. Let's tell 'em all we've had 'enough.'
Make your own contribution by sending this to everyone you know and care about. It's our country, folks, and it's our future. Our future is at stake!!
I really wish doctors would stick to treating the sick and encouraging health.
I wish they would walk away from alcoholism and addictions where they often cause more harm than good.
Dr. Perry Kendall is the provincial health officer. In his latest dictum, he urges the government to tax booze more so that the millions raised could be put to work treating alcoholics.
Someone aught to tell this expert that the single greatest treatment program in the world for alcoholics is AA and it is free.
Millions of dollars raised in more booze taxes will be spent on bureaucrats and their desks and ipods and cells and memos and committees and on medically run programs that are statistically no where near as successful as AA.
Does the government want to help?
Fine.
Buy lots of TV ads that say, "HEY, STUPID. GET YOUR SORRY ASS TO AA TONIGHT. IT WORKS!"
Last night I had the misfortune to catch a moment of Gordon Campbell and Gregor Robertson on the evening news making their joint announcement about homelessness. This excellent piece by my friend Victor arrived several hours before that TV soap opera. I don't know why, but I just felt a little sick watcing these two honorable gentlemen talking about homelessness and showing us their deep concern. I fear I have become dreadfully cynical now about politicians in general and these two in particular. Anyway...read Victor...it's good for you.
Is it not amusing how quickly and unabashedly "Global Warming Gord"
has jumped into the homeless rescue plan with dire mutterings about
record cold temperatures. Seems like only weeks ago he was warning us
that the world was warming at disastrous rates.
This kind of cynical exploitation by politicians explains a lot of the
reason why charities are telling us that donations are down. It isn't
because of the recession. Restaurants are full and you can't budge in
the afternoon traffic. I suggest there are three reasons.
1. Political Posturing
The last 4 Mayors, including Robertson, have portrayed themselves as
champions of the downtrodden. Council has functioned with an obsession
for the Downtown East Side for 10 years. If all of that government
preoccupation and money has only resulted in the situation becoming
worse, why would people be inclined to add their own cash? Compassion
in the absence of common sense is neither laudable nor practical.
2. Phony Data.
The "homeless industry" has virtually lost credibility with
progressively alarmist releases. The one that stands out for me is
Covenant House. (ConJob House). They have an ad claiming they
supported 1900 homeless youth last year. That's 5 a day, or a lot less
if some of those "homeless youth" stayed more than a day. Hardly an
epidemic. And what counts as a homeless youth/? If a snotty 17 year
old has a tiff with his parents and stays out for two nights, is he
homeless?
3. Misreading Polls
The media routinely tell us that homelessness is a major concern in
all polls. Municipal Politicians have interpreted that concern as the
public telling them that they want government housing provided
indefinitely to anybody from anywhere who is on the street for any
reason. Why isn't that question asked? I suspect that much of the
"concern" registered with pollsters is a concern about being unable to
park a car without having it robbed. Irritation is being misconstrued
as compassion.
I expect there are some, who upon reading this, will conclude I'm a a
hard-nosed neocon. To them I would say that I make a living helping
First Nations struggle out of poverty. To them I would ask " What has
your fat ass done for the oppressed lately besides chat to pollsters
and drop change in the hat of a meth-head?"
Victor Godin
If the tab for the auto bailout runs somewhere around $100 Billion, we can expect the Canadian version to cost about $20 Billion +.
Nice.
Further, it is not just the taxpayers who are exposed. Turns out BMO and Scotia Bank are also seriously leveraged in this case. All of which makes for more bad news.
It has now become a daily exercise in opening the paper - How bad can it get? How low is low?
Meanwhile...
One has to live.
More, one has to enjoy life a little each day.
Yesterday we saw two coyotes roaming the Langara Golf Course. Not necessarily a happy moment for these hungry critters but fun for those of us who don't live in Lac La Hache.
Children in Safeway check-out lines are still funny and inquisitive and excited about practically everything.
Hold onto your cash, your gold and your sense of humour, Kids. These are rocky times and we will need all the fortitude and laughter we can preserve.
As the temperatures crash like icicles falling from your eaves, the Saviours of the Homeless are much on the march.
Or, at least, their PR people are.
Let me take you back about 12 years to a little pre-Christmas Story for the Ages.
A man who had previously been a Vancouver City Councillor and I went to visit Dr. Hedy Fry. Yes, she's been in office just about since confederation.
We had a modest proposal.
We would get the City behind it, if she would kindly drop a word of encouragement in the ear of the current Minister of Defense.
The idea?
Let's open the Seaforth Armouries at the corner of Burrard and First Avenue for the 12 days of Christmas to the homeless.
The temperatures were plummeting and the Armouries had (has) the following amenities: a roof, heat, hot water, a kitchen, showers, cots, blankets and hundreds of cadets marching back and forth about nothing in particular.
Here's what Dr.Fry had to say to us.
1. Our research tells us that the homeless don't want to be anywhere except where they are.
I told her that at the time I lived in a pretty fancy apartment building right on the water beside the Burrard St. Bridge, and that only the day before, I had spoken with three homeless men who were living under the bridge. I has asked them if they would go the Armouries for a few days to get in out of the cold if it were available. Of course, they said, "Yes!"
But that didn't fit Hedy's "research" or her world view.
2. Dr. Fry told us, "This is only a band-aid. It won't solve poverty."
I confess.
Normally swift of tongue, I had to retrieve my jaw from the floor of her well-appointed office.
This was my slightly delayed reply.
"Dr. Fry, I a not a Christian. I am a Jew. But was it not Jesus who said, 'the poor shall always be amongst ye?' No one will ever solve poverty. People who want us to believe that they have a silver bullet should shoot themselves with it. Yes, this is a band-aid. That's how good deeds usually happen. One little reaching out, which may or may not lead to other reachings out."
Out being the operative word.
We were quickly back on Denman Street shaking our heads in disbelief.
As you know, I have been an enormous fan of the good Doctor Fry ever since.
Now, please be advised that several days ago I phoned one of the current city councillors and left a voice mail.
I suggested that while the new mayor's new homelessness gang, HEAT, is casting about for places and spaces, they might have a look at the Seaforth Armouries.
Let us see what happens, shall we?
1. In a Canadian first, Fozani Group Ltd. (SportChek) CEO, Bob Sartor, has told that he's changing their approach to retailing. "cleaner, better-merchandised stores and helping the customer."
Apparently he had to tell his conference friends twice because they didn't understand what he said.
Let's see now. The last tme I had someone in a department store or chain store in Canada try to help me, I was so startled I thought she was a crook and I called security. I think that was 1959, I think. Or maybe 1961.
2. Daniel Laikin, the CEO of National Lampoon, Inc. has been charged with conspiracy and securities fraud.
You cannot write comedy material like this. Can't wait to see Chevy Chase in the movie.
3. The quote of the week belongs hands-down to that great stand-up comedian, Stephen Harper, who doubles on occasion as Prime Minister of the country. He said,
"I'm very worried about the Canadian economy."
I don't often watch "60 Minutes" these days.
But what's a fellow to do when Dallas is beating the Giants and they keep cutting to beer commercials?
What I learned through sheer Sunday sloth (Don't you just LOVE it!) was frightening.
Ever hear of NINJA loans?
No Income, No Job or Assets.
Yet these are exactly the buyers who big banks and other responsible lenders "qualified" for 100% mortgages on stacks and rows and entire neighbourhoods of new condos and homes in the USA.
One fellow has a job. He empties 20 apartments a day of its furnishings so that real estate agents can try to sell on these foreclosed units. Twenty a day, and his business, one of hundreds, is booming.
What happens to the furniture?
It is stacked on the front walk and the vultures, formerly known as friends and neighbours simply walk over and cart off TVs and couches and coffee tables.
I learned that many of these houses and condos were sold in a kind of circus atmosphere with fake paparazzi snapping fake pictures and party girls and boys and balloons and booze and flashy cars at the curb adorning the event.
Stupid, often young, greedy and anxious people snapped up the opportunity to live by the sea in South Florida or up the road in the desert from the glamour of Las Vegas.
And they were encouraged to do all this by real estate operators right out of Glengarry Glen Ross, mortgage brokers and bankers and hedge funders right our of Rikers.
The failure and repossession rate of these "units" has surpassed a million and we are told that the next big tsunami will be even higher when it hits about a year from now.
This is not just about real estate or losing a few dollars or an investment. It is about the most venal criminality, about a cancer eating away at the fabric of neighbourhoods, about people's hopes and dreams and avarice and stupidity.
But mostly it is about a model of enterprise that is more than deeply flawed. With little or no regulation or oversight, money lenders have been able to create a house of cards that is collapsing a huge chunk of American life.
Now, of course, with great hindsight, Washington, led by the very people who were at the steering wheel of the runaway bus in the first place, is coming to the rescue of banks and lenders and others with taxpayers money.
The circumstances in Canada may not be quite as ugly or as bad, but do not forget that the US is our first and primary trading partner and you can be guaranteed that we will feel the heavy splash of the American tidal wave over the coming months or years.
Kudos to David Beers, editor of thetyee.ca, for his first rate piece in this morning's Globe on transportation and transit issues in Metro Vancouver.
The guest column is entitled "Rethinking the need for Speed," and it spells out the arguments for LRT over SkyTrain.
Read it and then circle your calendars for Wednesday, January 21, 2009 when THE LANGARA DIALOGUES, the monthly debate series held at the downtown Library will feature this topic:
Resolved: Skytrain has run its course; LRT is the way to go.
Mike Harcourt and Patrick Condon will lead the discussion.
On Saturday, under the heading "Reasonable & Necessary," I commented on the decision by the crown to not press charges against the four RCMP officers whose actions resulted directly in the death of RObert Dzienkanski at YVR.
Please now read Gary Mason's excellent column in this morning's Globe on the same subject, "Police Stoop Low," and then read four letters ( Stephen Spencer, Scott Nelson, Michael Skrzypczak, and Cathie Pym) to the editor, each in its own way deploring this latest fall from grace for a once admired force.
Alright movie buffs and cinephiles. I have a question.
How did the dripping, snarling, coiling mother-creature from Alien (1979) become the default monster for all sci-fi horror flicks forever after?
Bad genre film after bad genre film has the same snarling, coiling, dripping body-eating mother-creature at the bloody heart of the story. These creatures all always female. What does that say about the nut jobs who write and produce these things? And they all came from the same rack in Costumes and Species Effects.
Is it simply that there are so many left-over parts in various trucks and crates that you move the one eye from one side of the scaly head to the other and hope no one notices?
Come on, Kids. 'splain me...
"It’s a wonderful time, a great evangelistic opportunity for us. When people are shaken to the core, it can open doors."
THE REV. A. R. BERNARD, pastor of New York’s largest evangelical congregation, on the economic downturn.
So Judy Rogers is gone and Dr. Penny Ballem is the new City Manager.
There may or may not be very specific reasons for this sudden change at 12th and Cambie. We may or may not ever learn of these deep, spooky reasons, if such ever exist.
But a more likely read is this.
The Vision team, whether you like them or not, whether you voted for them or not, is quickly proving to be the best prepared and most highly focused and organized groups ever to swoop into public office locally. It is my perception that Judy Rogers is, after 20 years at City Hall, 10 of those as City Manager, gone for no other reason than the Vision team want their own people at key positions. This move was probably in their sights six weeks ago.
It is true that Rogers had a reputation for being a tough cookie. But what would you have in that role with the likes of Larry Campbell and Sam Sullivan running amok?
Dr. Ballem will be more than competent and she will be nobody's patsy as the Visionaries will soon discover. No doubt relationships will largely be collaborative and collegial. But let the new Lords of the Manor never forget that Ballem said Sayonara to Gordon Campbell when she could no longer stomach the Liberal style or agenda.
In the meantime, we must give the New gang full credit for moving ahead on several important files at once.
I will hope that Gregor Robertson can in fact do something substantive about homelessness. Like you, I won't expect the miracle of eradication, but bringing down the numbers of people sentenced to the streets will be accomplishment enough. Unfortunately, his HEAT team doesn't impress me one bit. Robertson has gathered all the Usual Suspects into a blue ribbon panel. Problem is they are all the folks who have been in position to do something all along.
No. I'd be more encouraged if Gregor found a handful of new young energized world-beaters who would get out there and bring in some real change. Buy some buildings, lease some armories, get huge donations of beds and blankets now, today.
That said, Robertson and company are to be congratulated for taking their new roles seriously and pointing their collective noses into the wind.
May they actually leave some real legacies. May they not suffer the fate of the '72 Barrett reign - arrogance, over-stepping boundaries and quick return to the benches.
We will watch with hope and interest.
Three British Columbia Auditors-General in a row have examined the provincial books and concluded that the present administration is not being entirely forthcoming about the true cost of the 2010 Olympic Games.
Really?
I'm in shock, gob-smacked, blown away, disappointed, let down, in tears.
John Doyle, the current AG, agrees with his predecessors that enormous amounts of money spent on Olympic related buildings, projects and activities (initiatives that simply would not exist without the Games) are not included in the published budgets.
I believe Seneca, or was it Euripides, who first fudged public accounts. No, I'm wrong. It may have been Job or Moses.
Yes, Reb Moishe's final tally for crossing the desert with two million souls was 900 drumkas or thereabouts, give or take a goat or two. Climbing the mountain, private consultation with The Big Guy, xeroxing 2,000,000 copies of the Commandments, those never got shown in the published records.
None of this is to diminish the Rebbie's great contributions, of course, or to tarnish his well-deserved reputation in any way. It's just to point out that Gordon Campbell is following ancient and honored traditions.
And, you know vat keeps us together, don't you?
TRADITION!
