Reader Tips

Umm, just a glass of water for me, please:

A local brewery went rogue to find yeast for a new batch of beer. Rogue Brewery used a sample from the beard that Brewmaster John Maier has been growing since 1978….

Juh-juh-juh...gee, that's good beer!

“I think people are going to be excited about it,” said self-described Rogue Mad Scientist John Couchot. “I mean this really is the needle in the haystack, and to find it on our brewmaster is phenomenal.”

A great voice, I loved Andy Williams mellow romantic voice. Moon River was a Mississippi Riverboat trip during the 1850s (before the Civil War), in my imagination. A great loss to all of us.

He had beautiful blue eyes, much like Paul Newmans! RIP Mr. Williams, I an certain that God's Angels will love your lovely voice too.

Ewww,That is gross,butI suppose that we can be thankful that the brew master was a guy.

I didn't think he was going to sing "Moon River" and then BAM! second encore!

Cool science thing. Slightly unfortunate title.

This was put up on the muslims of Calgary site on the 24th of this month. It is informative.

" How to Make Your Wife Happy?"

Admirable Jealousy

- Ensure she is wearing proper hijab before leaving house.
- Restrict free mixing with non-mahram men.
- Avoiding excess jealousy.
- Examples of this are:
1- Analyzing every word and sentence she says and overloading her speech by meanings that she did not mean
2- Preventing her from going out of the house when the reasons are just.
3- Preventing her from answering the phone.

Correcting her Mistakes

- First, implicit and explicit advice several times.
- Then by turning your back to her in bed (displaying your feelings). Note that this does not include leaving the bedroom to another room, leaving the house to another place, or not talking with her.
- The last solution is lightly hitting (when allowable) her. In this case, the husband should consider the following:
a) He should know that sunnah is to avoid beating as the Prophet PBUH never beat a woman or a servant.
b) He should do it only in extreme cases of disobedience, e.g. refusing intercourse without cause frequently, constantly not praying on time, leaving the house for long periods of time without permission nor refusing to tell him where she had been, etc..
c) It should not be done except after having turned from her bed and discussing the matter with her as mentioned in Qur`an .
d) He should not hit her hard injuring her, or hit her on her face or on sensitive parts of her body.
e) He should avoid shaming her such as by hitting her with a shoe, etc.

And of course,
" - Avoid attacking her for the bad cooking of the food as the Prophet PBUH never blamed any of his wives for this."

http://www.muslimsofcalgary.ca/data.php?s=5&action=3&id=2003&ts=43

Talk is cheap, actions speak louder than words: Barack 0 talks with Ben Swan about NDAA:

http://youtu.be/kOM85tx8OJE

Mit R is also in favor of NDAA - could help explain why American Patriots don't like him any better than they do Barack.

EBD, 10:07p.m. --

Mr. President:

Most secret --

National Ineglligence Estimate (Friday, September 29, 2012):

1. There is no evidence available to suggest that the material in question has been resident on the individual so named since 1978.

2. There is, at best, imputed and circumstantial evidence only that the material in question came from the canine companion of the individual so named. In our estimate, as the canine companion appears to be alive and well (please see our photograph, labelled Exhibit 1 attached above), it appears that the material in question is not likely to have been transferred to the individual so named from the slaughtering of the canine companion for human consumption, although this practice has, apparently, become more acceptable in nearer time (there remains doubt, of course, as to the origin and date of the photograph indicated).

3. There remains the possibility that the material in question may have been recently transferred to the individual so named as a result of other activities among himself and other human participant(s), but only a basic majority of our analysts who have been studying the question, considering the probabilities involved, believe that the species of the material involved could then be turned into a fermentable beverage of the sort described. Others are more optimistic, including the author.

4. Regardless, it seems that that material involved is both innocuous and its presence is unlikely to be relieved by the consumption of fresh water.

I remember watching SCTV and their take on Mr. Williams - Mr. Relaxation. Joe Flaherty was phenomanal as Mr. Williams.

Well Andy, Relax in Peace big guy. Love you.

National Post, Thursday, Sep. 27.

York students' union thinks mandatory "equity" classes will prevent sexual assaults on campus:

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/09/26/robyn-urback-york-students-solve-sex-crimes-with-mandatory-womens-studies/

Even though the man charged in previous assaults is not a York student, and the suspect in the current attacks is not believed to be one either.

Globe and Mail, Friday, Sep. 21 (one week ago), Chrystia Freeland.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/technology-and-the-shrinking-middle-class/article4557823/

"One of the paradoxes of our age is that we are simultaneously living through a time of positive economic innovation and also a time of the painful erosion of the way of life of many middle-class families."

"What makes today’s political economy so hard to come to terms with is that the thrilling innovation and the hollowing out of the middle class – the progress and the poverty – aren’t two inimical trends. They are, instead, opposite faces of the same coin."

False. This column is just the old technology-kills-jobs canard that was thoroughly debunked about a century ago.

If technology killed jobs, the unemployment rate today would be around 99.99%.

The reason for the hollowing out of the middle class is that an awful lot of people are taking money out of the economy but not putting anything back into it, i.e., not producing. This includes regulators and many (but definitely not all) government employees, as well as anyone who is subsidized by government. The number of unfortunates who are truly "needy" is probably a small fraction of those who are actually getting something for nothing, but the inevitable result of interventionist policies is to cause unemployment. This of course is part of the leftist agenda to destroy capitalism and the West's standard of living. Cloward-Piven.

Bill Whittle’s After Burner: A Great Future Behind Us

http://www.therightscoop.com/bill-whittles-after-burner-a-great-future-behind-us/

Thanks for the Moon River song.

RIP Andy Williams.

Globe and Mail, Friday, Sep. 21 (one week ago). Right under the previous article.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/economy-lab/will-trade-become-the-next-economic-stimulus/article4556934/

"Want a sure indicator that that global economy is facing a tough slog? Politicians and business lobbyists are starting to talk about trade as economic stimulus."

"With governments broke and the world economy sputtering, signing new trade agreements is 'one of the only avenues we have to improve growth,' John Manley, president of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives, told an audience in Washington on Thursday. Canada’s trade minister, Ed Fast, made similar comments Wednesday during a visit to the U.S. capital."

The entire economy is about trade, which is the voluntary exchange between individuals of goods and services for mutual benefit, based on their respective personal judgments of the value of items up for trade. If you want to improve your economy, what you have to do is to remove any impediments to the voluntary exchange between individuals that benighted governments of the past (including the one that featured John Manley) may have put in the way.

"Trade" does not mean merely "trade agreements with other nations", although the latter may be part of removing protectionist impediments to trade among individuals from different nations.

"It’s odd to think of trade negotiations in terms of economic stimulus. Certainly, the reduction of trade barriers multiplies the movement of goods and services, boosts productivity and increases jobs. But stimulus, at least as we’ve come to understand it over the past few years, is something that jolts economic activity quickly."

There is nothing that can "jolt" economic activity better than doing it right: remove the impediments to voluntary trade and the economy will take care of itself. As quickly as it can. In that sense, trade is the only possible "economic stimulus".

Only idiots believe in magic wands.

Globe and Mail, Friday, Sep. 21 (one week ago).

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/industry-news/the-law-page/competition-commissioners-parting-shot-targets-domestic-champions/article4558031/

Outgoing Competition Bureau chief Melanie Aitken takes a shot at "domestic champions". On this point alone, she is correct. Not on much else.

Among other things, she recently stepped in to threaten the BCE takeover of Astral Media - even though the CRTC is already looking into that transaction.

Not that the CRTC is any more rational than the Competition Bureau. But if regulation were necessary, then ONE regulatory body must suffice, not dueling empire-builders and monument-builders.

As for cranking out "domestic champions", that usually involves government favouritism - which means that the state is dishing it out with one hand and (were the Competition Bureau to get involved) taking it away with the other. That is completely irrational, but one gets the impression that half of government policy these days consists of similar situations. And all of it costs taxpayers money wasted by parasites who produce nothing.

National Post, Friday, Sep. 21 (one week ago). Terence Corcoran weighs in on Aitken's departure:

http://www.nationalpost.com/Aitken+leaves+classic+form/7276283/story.html

A good read, as his columns usually are, as are those from Peter Foster, William Watson, and others on the FP comment page.

Thanks for the great song, RIP Andy Williams.

Globe and Mail, Saturday, Sep. 22.

https://secure.globeadvisor.com/servlet/ArticleNews/story/gam/20120922/RBNATIONALCHAMPIONSMCKENNAATL

"Mr. Manley said he and other industry ministers spent decades working to nurture 'national champions,' and for good reason. 'We do need companies that can play globally,' he said. 'It's to our benefit.'"

Wrong. Once again: an economy is based on the voluntary exchange of goods and services for mutual benefit by individuals who use their judgment regarding the values involved. There is no place for government coercion favouring certain businesses over others. Consumers, not government ministerial morons, should have the economic say.

Manley's thinking puts the cart before the horse. Consumer choice may result in large companies that do well internationally. But you can't help the economy by creating or encouraging large corporations by government fiat and requiring consumers to deal with them.

Toronto Star, Saturday, Sep. 22.

http://www.thestar.com/sports/hockey/nhl/article/1260870--boogaard-family-sues-nhlpa-report

"TMZ.com reported Friday night that [Derek] Boogaard’s family is suing the union to collect $4.8 million remaining on the contract for their son, who died last year, plus $5 million in punitive damages."

"According to TMZ, the suit says the players’ association failed to take proper steps to help collect the money left on Boogaard’s deal with the New York Rangers when he died from a mixture of drugs and alcohol in May, 2011."

If I'm an NHL player, I don't want any of my earnings lost to "punitive damages" because of the possible incompetence of union officials that I have no option but to deal with as a result of idiotic labour legislation that takes away freedom of choice. That I may help elect those officials is not relevant - perhaps I don't want to be "represented" by anyone other than myself.

A similar issue arises with regard to any government-run business. What if it is sued? Why should taxpayers be on the hook for its incompetence? A private business knows the risks and acts accordingly; it may go belly-up as a result of an unfavourable legal situation, but no one else is to blame and no one else loses out.

Just another reason why socialism is both immoral and impractical. In other words, that coercion must be removed from the economy in every instance.

Mark Steyn on the false prophet Obama:

http://www.ocregister.com/opinion/future-373028-belong-obama.html

National Post, Saturday, Sep. 22.

http://www.nationalpost.com/Ontario+stop+court+blocks+extradition+aboriginals/7283302/story.html

"Ontario's top court ruled Friday that two men should not be extradited to the United States to face drug charges because of their aboriginal status."

"'It would be contrary to the principles of fundamental justice' to send the men to the United States, where their heritage would not be factored in to sentencing, the way it is in Canada, the appeal court ruled."

On the face of it, this is an outrage and a disgrace. This is the extra-territorial application of Canadian law - a no-no.

"The federal justice minister didn't properly take [the infamous Gladue factors] into account when he ordered Zachary Leonard and Rejean Gionet extradited, and for that he was wrong, the court ruled."

This is not quite the same thing. The first two excerpts claim that the men cannot be extradited because they are aboriginal. The last one merely says the minister didn't take certain factors into consideration.

"Mr. Leonard, a 24-year-old member of the Rainy River First Nations with no criminal record, was arrested at a U.S. border crossing in 2006 when the van in which he was a passenger was found to be carrying 46,000 ecstasy pills."

This makes it sound like there's a chance he could be completely innocent. The article also states that he may face 19 years in jail in the US but due to lack of a criminal record, peripheral involvement in the crime and steps taken to rehabilitate himself, he may not face any jail time in Canada. Fair enough, but if he has had to rehabilitate himself already, doesn't that imply he's guilty of something?

"Mr. Gionet, a member of the Ginoogaming First Nation, was allegedly involved in importing oxycodone into the U.S. from Canada in 2003 and 2004."

"In the U.S. he would face six or seven years if he pleaded guilty and up to 10 years if convicted after a trial. In Canada, the sentence range is three to five years and he has already spent 3 1/2 years in custody."

There are certain legal situations for which the more lenient punishment is chosen from among more than one option. This may or may not be one of them.

It sounds like the latter suspect was more involved in the crime than the former, yet the former faces much longer jail time. That doesn't look too good on the US justice system.

"Gladue, a Supreme Court of Canada decision from 1999, states that factors such as dislocation and high unemployment combined with bias and systemic racism have contributed to the 'grossly disproportionate' incarceration of aboriginal people."

The Supreme Court embarrassed itself on that one. It is not the Court's job to try to fix perceived social problems, or even to point them out (which is a political issue that the Court is supposed to avoid). The Court's job is to dispense justice.

Since most of the victims of crime by aboriginals are other aboriginals, lenient punishments may give rise to the perception that aboriginal lives are not held in high regard by the powers that be (not to mention the complexities of, and differing attitudes toward, the Indian Act).

"It does not amount to reverse discrimination in the form of automatically lighter sentences or a 'get out of jail free' card, the appeal court said."

I could kick the judge in the butt and claim that that does not amount to assault and battery, but I would be wrong too.

"But the courts in Canada must consider aboriginal heritage as a factor in sentencing because equality does not necessarily mean equal treatment, the court said."

Riiight, "equality does not necessarily mean equal treatment". As Orwell put it, some are more equal than others.

"Justice Minister Rob Nicholson 'refused to apply the Gladue principle,' the appeal court ruled and quashed the extradition orders."

The Gladue "principle" is supposed to apply to sentencing. I would have to check the legislation to find out whether it applies to extradition proceedings too.

All in all, this does not make the Canadian justice system look good.

The plague of phony "human rights commissions" is spreading to the United States. New Mexico to be specific:

http://www.christianpost.com/news/court-to-hear-case-of-nm-photographer-fined-for-refusing-to-film-gay-ceremony-80205/

An article about this appeared in the National Post on or about Sep. 18, but I couldn't locate it with a search.

Omar Kadhr is on his way to Canada.
Get ready to lock and load.

Omar Khadr on his way back 'home' to Canada...cbc orgasmic!

Omar Khadr on his way back 'home' to Canada...cbc orgasmic!

Omar Kadhr is on his way to Canada.

nv53 @ 2:15 am, "Mr. Manley said he and other industry ministers spent decades working to nurture 'national champions,' and for good reason. 'We do need companies that can play globally,' he said. 'It's to our benefit.'"

"Wrong. Once again: an economy is based on the voluntary exchange of goods and services for mutual benefit by individuals who use their judgment regarding the values involved. There is no place for government coercion favouring certain businesses over others. Consumers, not government ministerial morons, should have the economic say."

Exactly. This economic socialism is precisely what Hayek was talking about in "The Road to Serfdom". Ultimately it leads to government controlling consumer choices.

I have been thinking about the September 11 attacks on the US embassies in Egypt and Libya. They must have been planned and organized by Salafists or Al Queda operatives, and were absolutely not spontaneous outbursts of outrage over a film which insulted the founder of Islam. However, in Egypt especially, the film Innocence of Muslims was chosen as the pretext for the attack because it had been made by Copts. The Libya attack (probably perpetrated by a different group, but coordinated with the Egyptian attack) just used outrage over the same film as a convenient excuse and cover for the deadly terrorist attack. Subsequent rioting and mob attacks in other countries were simply piling on by demagogues who pass for clerics and politicians in those countries, most of the people rioting would never have seen the film, the fact that someone had insulted “The Prophet” was enough.

The choice of the film as the pretext for the Egyptian attack is because expat Egyptian Copts were involved. This would give the Salafists and Muslim Brotherhood leverage and further excuses for ratcheting up persecution against Copts. The American President and State Department foolishly and cravenly continued to insist the violence was a result of this crude, insulting film. By doing this, they betrayed the principle of free speech, as well as unwittingly abetting the diminishing of human rights of Egyptian Christian Copts.

Free speech must not be curtailed by threats of violence. In America, Canada, and other Western countries, our rights must not be compromised by ill-conceived acquiescence to demands made by frothing zealots.

Why you shouldn’t use Student Loans to Pay for College

http://goo.gl/utYiN

http://www.yousaytoo.com/the-student-loan-scheme-%7C-why-you-shouldnt-use-student-loans-to-pay-for/1716613

Kudos to SNN for referring to Khadr as a "convicted terrorist" in their reports, which is what he is, as stated by Toews in his presser. As opposed to the state broadcaster, saying "Guantanamo detainee" Khard returns to Canada.

Reported this morning that a certain left loving piece of excrement is back in Canada on his way to Millhaven.
May the spirit of Specialist Spears haunt him till the day he dies.

Killer Kadr HAS returned to Canada...
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/News/Canada/Khadr+back+Canada+Media+reports/7320172/story.html

Killer Kadhr HAS returned to Canada...
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/News/Canada/Khadr+back+Canada+Media+reports/7320172/story.html

Thomas Sowell, "Barack Obama is not the first leader of a nation whose actions reflected some half-baked vision, enveloped in lofty rhetoric and spiced with a huge dose of ego. Nor would he be the first such leader to steer his nation into a historic catastrophe."

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2012/09/27/obama_versus_obama_part_iv_115591.html

Socialism's Ghost Cities.

...-

"Valencia: the ghost city that’s become a symbol of Spain’s spending woes"

"Valencia's extravagant spending over the past few years epitomises all that has gone wrong with Spain"

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9573568/Valencia-the-ghost-city-thats-become-a-symbol-of-Spains-spending-woes.html

...-

"The ghost towns of China: Amazing satellite images show cities meant to be home to millions lying deserted"

"These amazing satellite images show sprawling cities built in remote parts of China that have been left completely abandoned, sometimes years after their construction."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1339536/Ghost-towns-China-Satellite-images-cities-lying-completely-deserted.html

Isn't Omar Khadr an unlawfull combatant?

Globe and Mail poll, re. Omar Khadr.

Hot topic: Omar Khadr

Should Omar Khadr have been returned to Canada?

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/hot-topic-omar-khadr/article4577045/%3bjsessionid=FYQ3QnXVGVtDnLqLmsdGlJQ0JpvzWgrNdQ2GRFsHQnLxv0hyrbb3!-1650176897/

http://www.cjme.com/story/regina-police-taking-precautions-occupy-stadium/77446

Anyone else see a riot coming?

Note to Leo G. at 1:30 a.m.
That wasn't Andy Williams in Joe Flaherty's old SCTV tribute to the most relaxed man in show biz. That was Perry 'comatose' Como; in comparison to whom Mr. Williams came across like Johnny Rotten on speed.

Note to Leo G. at 1:30 a.m.
That wasn't Andy Williams in Joe Flaherty's old SCTV tribute to the most relaxed man in show biz. That was Perry 'comatose' Como; in comparison to whom Mr. Williams came across like Johnny Rotten on speed.

Sign of the times.
Pssst....wanna buy a cheap Ferrari?

http://directorblue.blogspot.ca/2009/09/things-are-tough-all-over-luxury-cars.html

"Greek Electricity System Faces Collapse

Posted on September 29, 2012 by Anthony Watts

From the GWPF and Dr. Benny Peiser

New Solar Installations Banned

Greece, aiming to stave off a fresh energy crisis, plans to support its main electricity market operator through a temporary tax on renewable power producers and by extending an emergency loan, a senior official said on Friday. The electricity system came close to collapse in June when market operator LAGHE was overwhelmed by subsidies it pays to green power producers as part of efforts to bolster solar energy. Greece has slashed the guaranteed feed-in prices it pays to some solar operators and is no longer approving permits for their installation."
Continue reading →"

http://wattsupwiththat.com/

Herman G - ARGH! yup you're right. Sitting here with egg on my face. Oh well I do enjoy Mr. Williams almost as much as Mr. Relaxation.

PET Cemetery Report: Our new leader has landed. Vote Mohammed.

...-

"Convicted war criminal Omar Khadr has been repatriated to Canada"

"A famous name and pretty face won't make Trudeau Liberal leader"
(N-P)

Gee,...sounds almost like Germans are not embrasing the Muslim culture.

http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/merkel-urges-more-tolerance-of-muslims-in-germany-a-858288.html

Lawrence Solomon, "The gasoline-fueled passenger automobile, the veteran of the fleet, is vindicated and it vanquishes all."

http://opinion.financialpost.com/2012/09/28/lawrence-solomon-why-gasoline-wins/#more-24868

Thanks, David (1:43 AM). Haven't laughed that hard in a long time...

Peter Foster nails it regarding Cap and Trade and Carbon Taxes, "Cap and trade is in fact a parody of a market, since it involves buying and selling a phantasmagorical non-commodity created by bureaucratic fiat, and is thus open to infinite corruption and abuse."

And with, "Not only is the global policy process in utter disarray, but the “technologies of the future” towards which carbon taxes and/or cap and trade were meant to be nudging us have all been expensive flops. Wind and solar have proved to be budgetary sinkholes from Bonn to Beijing. Biofuels have created starvation. Carbon capture and storage is another commercial non-starter, as the massive government subsidies required to get the Shell Canada-led Quest plant going in Alberta confirm."

http://opinion.financialpost.com/2012/09/27/peter-foster-bald-faced-%C2%ADclimate-policy/#more-24845

And, the Wheat Board is now voluntary.

William Watson, a little pork with your bacon? Government policy delivers the pork. "Fifteen years ago, the OECD tells us, Canadian policy raised prices to consumers by 11%. On average between 2009 and 2011, it raised them 16%."

http://opinion.financialpost.com/2012/09/26/william-watson-a-little-pork-with-your-bacon/#more-24827

Somewhat of an uplifting story of that famous British stiff upper lip... via Colombo Sri Lanka ...

"For the past six months, he has been running the very small - you can barely move behind the counter with all the parcels, papers and Jiffy bags - but very busy Post Office in Sneinton, a particularly multicultural area of Nottingham.

He also flies enormous Union Jack flags from his home and Land Rover Discovery and, earlier this week, admitted he had introduced a rule for his customers - 'No English, no service.'

If they can't even be bothered to learn English, he tells them, they must go away and learn it, or come back with a translator."

...

"So what is his love affair with Britain all about?

'Ever since I was a boy - growing up in a village outside the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo and learning English at school - I have loved Britain and everything that the British left behind."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1163633/The-Postman-Patriot-Hes-facing-sack-insists-wont-pro-British-stance.html