Wednesday On Turtle Island

11 Replies to “Wednesday On Turtle Island”

1. I DO realize that the K-12 education system has changed dramatically from when I was in school over 60 years ago. But I remember distinctly my Grade 5 Science in which the teacher told us that Earth’s climates depended upon the latitude, the spin of the planet AND our Star, the Sun. As well, we were taught that CO2 was a prime driver in plant growth. I am pleased to read about the Nitrogen also adding to the greening of the planet. A few years ago, I read with interest that the southern edge of the Sahara Desert was greening and causing that part of the desert to shrink.
   As George Carlin said in one of his comedy monologues once, perhaps the Planet “needed” plastic, “needed” oil and gas and mankind was able to liberate it.

2. Ref bobblehead’s train.

   A week or two ago there was a news story that eight or ten of blubber douggie’s Eastern Ontario MPPs had sent a letter to bobblehead objecting to deficiencies in the public consultation process of the ALTO rail project. The headlines made it sound like tough talk, but in reality it was just another pro forma exercise to give the impression that blubber douggie & Co. were fighting the good fight right alongside the communities that would be victimized by the project – a true paper tiger. We can safely draw that conclusion because there were no concerns raised about the horrendous costs of a completely unnecessary transportation system at a time when health and security systems are collapsing and borrowing costs are crippling. In other words, “Just spend a little more time on your laughable public process Mr. Carney, and we won’t stand in your way.”

   If it wished to do so, the Ontario Government has the power to immediately stop this nonsense dead in its planned tracks – what is missing is the incentive to do so. And that can only come from the rural populations that will be bulldozed by this ridiculously wasteful project if it is allowed to continue.

   The polls are showing dissatisfaction with blubber douggie, and his tenure is heavily dependent on the rural vote. That is his achilles heel – and the only chance of stopping the stupidity. If all the folks who object to this madness would take 10 minutes and write a short letter to their MPP saying, “If you allow this rail line to go through, you will lose my family’s support next election”, that would activate the reverse thrusters. Something so simple and easy.

   But I won’t hold my breath, because sadly, this being Canada, there are a few things that conspire to make it unlikely that this will ever happen: comfort (too lazy to write a letter), and cowardice (too chicken-shit to sign it).

   1. Any wagers that the cost will balloon to CA$270 billion before any tangible work is completed? However there will be numerous politicians, bureaucrats and crony capitalists building summer mansions in the Caribbean.

   2. I know my MPP is an idiot.
      I also know they’re not a Con.
      I’ve given up on emails.
      I know the Forever Government hates my fcking guts.

      1. True. Emails just get you an auto response. Pretty well a “got it” and nothing else.

         A letter however, is quite different. It has to be opened, read, and responded to. So if numerous letters come in saying the same thing, they get the message … unlike an email that isn’t even looked at.

         Letters to MPs, MPPs, and MLAs don’t require a stamp.

3. CA is one giant flaming tire pile.
   Gotta get OUT of here before I buy my next set of tires.

4. Re California green tires; do wooden tires qualify?

   1. I have now read 7 articles about our new green tires, including the CEC Press release … yet not a single word has been written about the actual reformulation of the rubber. I can only imagine the tires are less “grippy” … and ultimately more dangerous. Of course they CLAIM otherwise.

      As to all the projected gasoline and pollution saving? I would argue that any of those gains could be accomplished (or undermined) by proper/(improper) tire inflation.

      Shit! Now I have to drive to Reno to get my tires changed … SMH

      1. They’ve figured out that they can’t really stop ICE cars, or any car actually, so they are making it more difficult to own, operate and maintain. Shadow banning, so to speak.

         Better hurry on the “get the hell out” plan or you won’t even be able to get a U-Haul. Hope it’s not too far to a border for your handcart. Covered wagons opened the west, may be the only way out of the west 🙂

         Note: Ontario is getting pretty bad. Waiting for a couple of changes here and looking at Lethbridge, AL. Some nice properties (profitable exchange on pricing now), decent golf courses, mild weather, close to mountains, though missing open water.

         1. …looking at Lethbridge, AL.

            Bridge City isn’t terrible, depending on what part of town you live in. It used to have much more of a big small town atmosphere, but that’s changed some. Some of the smaller surrounding towns may be a decent choice, too, if you’re trying to get out of the city.

            As to water, there’s lakes in Waterton & Crowsnest Pass.

         2. I’ll just put everything in a storage container in a wildfire ripe area of CA … then collect the insurance settlement when it all goes up in flames. My money will go further in TN anyway … and I’ll get some nice new stuff. No U-Haul needed.