"Don't be a sheeple"

This is likely a copyright violation because reprints aren't allowed.
But I'll ignore that because this blog isn't monetized...I have nothing to gain but to share an important opinion I read from the publisher/editor of Okanagan Life magazine.

It was his editorial "Paul's Voice" that awakened some of my long-felt feelings.
Maybe others will agree.


"It was March 19, 2003 and Operation Iraqi Freedom was 'shock and awing' prime-time television audiences all over the world.  Yes folks, this was it.  The USA's 24/7 news media was "fully embedded" with the troops and they were reporting the first ever made for TV, invasion of Iraq--live!  The news hawks, sparrows and dragonflies were perfectly outfitted in full battle fatigues, rooming with the troops, perched just outside of Bagdad(sic) overlooking the Tigress, reporting to you live and in colour, the first ever Super Bowl War.

I know this because 15 years ago, I penned an editorial in Okanagan Life titled, Positively Embarrassed (see Paul's Voice at okanaganlife.com)
I had watched the carefully choreographed violence unfold from my couch, on every station available.  I remember thinking that this coverage is astonishing, it's captivating, even scintillating.  How did the CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS and "Faux" news reporters find such perfect locations to witness and record this extraordinary bombardment?

It didn't matter to me because I was a sheeple.  I had also watched the news:  Saddam had "weapons of mass destruction," had gassed his own people and looted billions from his people.  He regularly held hands with Osama Bin Laden and he caused 9/11.  Case closed.

That year, I penned my editorial in condemnation of our Canadian prime minister for not supporting the invasion of Iraq, because I believed everything I was told.  Today, I praise Canada's current leader for staying out of an illegal war.

I made a mistake.  I believed all the Pentagon talking points that were vetted, rehearsed and broadcasted for the war-loving, shoot-em-up, gun-loving American citizens.  Everything Bush and Cheney said, did, rehearsed and orchestrated was a pack of lies.  There were no weapons of mass destruction; Saddam did not gas his people.  He didn't cause 9/11.

Can any one of us honestly say or think today that US leaders are leaders?  They are NOT leaders--they are psychopaths.  Noam Chomsky declares openly that all recent US presidents should be on trial for war crimes against humanity.  They all claim they're fighting for freedom and democracy, but that is an illusion.  The fight is for money and the endless wars that fill billionaires(sic) bank accounts to overflowing.

Do the math:  America has been at war for 94 per cent of its very existence.  Almost 80 per cent of all war-related sales, funnels through Wall Street, and flows to plutocrats.  The only thing that trickles down is fear.

Today, history is repeating.  Trump is bombing Syria, because (supposedly) Syria bombed Syria.  So, to warn Syria that they shouldn't bomb Syria, Trump bombs them.

Don't be like I was.  Updated your beliefs.  Read, learn, question, think and above all--emote.  Unconsciously, we all know how perverse the Pentagon, the White House and Wall Street has become.  Fifteen years and more than one million Iraquis are dead and no one held responsible.  Don't be a sheeple."

John Paul Byrne,
publisher/editor
paul@okanaganlife.com

Misguided Politicos

Misguided?
Actually they're being totally absurd, asinine and idiotic.

Seems some Vernon councillors--during the reported growth of homelessness in our area, and the resulting increase in crime, as well as the issues many people's properties face during recent floods--are blathering on and on about Vernon's "Welcome" signs needing to have more colourful bases.

Huh?
More colourful concrete bases?

After they themselves approved the design (at only heaven knows what cost) several years ago?
It was reported the signs were 30 thousand dollars over budget.

Yup.

These people need to get over themselves and end their incessant pontificating.

And actually achieve something.
Anything but this nonsense about more colourful bases for the welcome signs.

"Perhaps Fall elections will thin out the herd of idiots," Kia would've said.

We can only hope...

Horgan the Hooligan

That's basically what he is...
The leader of B.C.'s government is indeed a troublemaker...a part of a gang.

I'll let Mike Smyth tell it...the story of B.C.'s (and Vancouver's) gas prices.
Because I'd use expletives if I tried to tell the story.

"Mike Smyth: Breaking down where your gas money goes

Columnist Mike Smyth writes about soaring Metro Vancouver gas prices.

Mike Smyth

160.9 is the posted price for regular gas in Surrey today. 
 Richard Lam/PNG / PNG

It’s always cringe-inducing to hear Premier John Horgan plead with the federal government to do something about soaring Metro Vancouver gas prices, the highest in North America.

Horgan was at it again Monday, blaming the feds for a lack of fuel-refining capacity in B.C.

“Let’s make more (refined gasoline) here, creating more jobs here and relieving the enormous pressure on the travelling public,” he said.

Say what? He’s worried about pressure on drivers? At the same time he jacks up the carbon tax on every litre of gas sold in B.C.?

Unbelievable.

The Horgan government increased the carbon tax on April 1, and it now stands at 7.78 cents per litre. On a typical 50-litre fill-up at a gas station, you’re now paying nearly four bucks in B.C. carbon tax alone.

The carbon tax used to be “revenue neutral” meaning the government was legally required to lower other taxes to offset it.

The NDP changed the law, and now the entire carbon tax flows directly into the coffers of government with no neutral offset required.

The provincial bite at the gas pump doesn’t end with the carbon tax.

There’s also the B.C. Transportation Financing Authority fuel tax of 6.75 cents a litre. And the general B.C. Motor Fuel Tax of 1.75 cents a litre.

Then in Metro Vancouver, you have the whopping TransLink fuel tax: another 17 cents a litre, or $8.50 per fill-up.

And now Horgan wants the federal government to ease your pain? Good grief.

Of course, the federal taxman has to get his piece of the action. So you also pay the federal fuel excise tax of 10 cents a litre.

The sour cherry on top is the five-per-cent federal GST, which is charged on top of your total gas purchase, including all the other taxes.

That’s right: You pay tax on your gas taxes.

Would refining more fuel in B.C. ease prices? Sure, but publishing tycoon David Black has been trying for six years now to get his refinery project off the ground with no success.

Now Horgan says he’s in talks with Washington Gov. Jay Inslee about expanding refinery capacity south of the border.

Yes, this is the same Washington state that refines million of barrels of diluted bitumen pumped through British Columbia from Alberta via the Kinder Morgan pipeline.

No wonder Horgan says he would continue to allow 22 million tonnes of bitumen to flow through B.C. a year, at the same time he says the stuff is dangerous to the environment and human health as he fights the pipeline’s expansion.

The hypocrisy — like the price at the pump — is breathtaking."

Breathtaking...
That's not what I'd call it...

Typical NDP...
Oh...and I'd also like a DETAILED breakdown of where the Carbon Tax money goes.
Don't hold your breath waiting for that either!

 

Pipeline or No Pipeline

The B.C. government's stance closely resembles a Dumb and Dumber script.

This letter to the Vancouver Sun editor--by a resident of Seattle--was sent on April 18th, 2018.

"Thanks to the citizens of B.C.,

 who seem once again to have blocked

 an oil pipeline to the coast.

  Those of us living south of the border

 will continue to enjoy

 importing your oil at substantial discounts

 while exporting our oil

 from gulf ports at world-market prices.

  Your gift to us, around $100 million per day Canadian,

 is greatly appreciated.

  We marvel at your generosity while doubting your sanity.

  All of this will have zero impact on global climate, of course." 

Adam Lloyd, Seattle."  

Sidenote:    It's interesting to note that the Cherry Point Refinery located 7 miles south of Blaine, currently gets Alberta crude from the branch line that runs from Abbotsford to the refinery.  There is signage around the refinery saying "Don't close Cherry Point - Save jobs".  I suspect without the $20-30 per bbl. discount they wouldn't be competitive as all of a sudden they'd have to pay market price for a portion of their feedstock.  They also get Alaska crude by tanker 7 miles south of the border which are not tethered bow and stern or accompanied by two tugs.  Currently they refine the Alberta crude and sell it back to BC.  That's why the Governor of the state is publicly supporting Horgan. 

You couldn't possibly make this stuff up.