ONWARD JAMES

American budget cut suggestion by Woolery

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 19:13:00 +0000

Libertarian Chuck Woolery has made some valid points on his YouTube video about cutting the budget in America. He is also on facebook listed as a devout born again Christian.

Chuck Woolery on Budget Cuts
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=KV-RqPtT2PU#!

Chuck Woolery
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chuck-Woolery/112062702142318

However this is what Obama's budget proposes...

Obama budget proposes cuts in heating aid for poor
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20120219/GPG0101/202190644/Obama-budget-proposes-cuts-heating-aid-poor

Obama's budget cuts bacteria testing in produce
http://lubbockonline.com/business/2012-02-19/obamas-budget-cuts-bacteria-testing-produce

Obama’s budget: Winners and losers
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20120219/business/702199981/

GOP: 4 years of Obama and 4 years of $1,000,000,000,000 deficits - Andrew malcolm
http://news.investors.com/article/601692/201202181028/weekly-republican-remarks-obama-deficits-cathy-mcmorris-rodgers.htm

"You see, the president and his party have it all wrong. They believe they can grow the economy and create jobs by increasing government spending and raising taxes, including taxes on small businesses. But the American people know that the way to grow the economy and create jobs is by cutting government spending and keeping taxes low for all taxpayers.

"Unfortunately, the president’s budget continues on this wrong path. Instead of leading the effort to bring down our debt and make tough choices, the president is proposing that we spend more and more. All his wasteful spending puts us deeper in debt to China. All his tax hikes would destroy jobs and make it tougher to compete with China.

"If we keep on going like this, the consequences will be devastating. As we’ve learned from Greece and the European Union, no country can escape the costs of big government policies forever. The president’s budget isn’t a blueprint for America — it’s a roadmap to Greece." Andrew Malcolm

There are some good suggestions on the following link: Reduce Regulations; Tax Code Reform; Free Trade; Patent Reform; Visas for the Highly Skilled; FDA Product Approval; Energy Production; Reducing the Debt.

The House Republican Plan for America's Job Creators
http://www.gop.gov/indepth/jobs

"Washington has tied the hands of small business owners and job creators with onerous regulations and backward fiscal policies that have stalled the economy, slowed innovation and destroyed jobs. We need common sense, pro-growth policies to give small businesses and entrepreneurs renewed confidence in our economy and to remove Washington as the roadblock to job creation."

Regardless, many are saying the incumbent president will win. He has the majority of blacks for him, hispanics, probably Muslims, major unions, leftist teachers, students, socialists, of course the Democrats etc., and he has an awful lot of money to advertise and do what he can to win.

But I believe any of the republican candidates can give him a run for his money. And I am inclined to think that Rick Santorum, if nominated, could beat him. Perhaps Mitt Romney, too.

Thorium vs Uranium — and other alternative energy power...

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 20:38:00 +0000

Many of the great inventions and products have trickled down from NASA space exploration and the military, such as microwave ovens, computers and the Internet.

Scientists knew years ago that thorium was a much safer element than uranium for energy reactors, but the military influenced the government to pass, because plutonium from uranium was required for nuclear bombs and missiles. Of course there are other political reasons. And they didn't have the type of reactor required, I gather. Much of this is over my head but...

Nonetheless, thorium is easy to access and there's so much of it in the world.

China, evidently, is moving ahead with thorium power. The Chinese aren't the only ones... but not America , from what I am aware of, because Barack Hussein Obama's regime invested in and promoted solar energy, which is a bust for now.

Safe nuclear does exist, and China is leading the way with thorium - Ambrose Evans-Pritchard
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/comment/ambroseevans_pritchard/8393984/Safe-nuclear-does-exist-and-China-is-leading-the-way-with-thorium.html

Is Thorium the Biggest Energy Breakthrough Since Fire? Possibly.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/williampentland/2011/09/11/is-thorium-the-biggest-energy-breakthrough-since-fire-possibly/

Why didn’t thorium reactors happen?
http://energyfromthorium.com/

Why didn’t it happen?

Short answer–because all of the political, technological, and financial focus was on the liquid-metal fast breeder reactor. Later on, due to fears about non-proliferation, the US cancelled plans to commercially reprocess spent nuclear fuel to extract plutonium, and the case for the fast breeder reactor was toast. Because there were no fast breeder reactors to take all the plutonium that had been generated from light-water reactors, in 1982 the US government passed the Nuclear Waste Policy Act and started collecting a tax that would be intended to pay for what would eventually become Yucca Mountain.

If you have the time watch and listen to this video.

The Thorium Molten-Salt Reactor: Why Didn't This Happen (and why is now the right time?)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbyr7jZOllI&feature=player_embedded#!

Following is another interesting reason to consider thorium:

The Celente Solution: If Iran is sincere that it seeks only peaceful uses for its nuclear energy, the crisis can easily be defused.

The problem isn’t that Iran seeks nuclear power. The problem is that, like the rest of the world, Iran has made a poor choice of nuclear fuel.

Uranium, the fuel that runs the world’s nuclear reactors, is lethal even when it’s not packed in a bomb. It’s absurdly complicated to handle, its behavior is touchy and unpredictable, and its waste is fatal to humans for millions of years after we’ve wrung the small amount of energy from it that our technology allows.

Instead, Iran can follow the lead of China, India, Brazil, and other nations and turn to thorium…

…As is often the case, the current crisis is an opportunity. If Iran truly wants only peaceful nuclear power, it can choose thorium as its nuclear option … and the US, Israel, the EU and other nations can choose peace." Gerald Celente, Trends Journal Publisher and Trends Research Institute Director

www.trendsresearch.com

National Flag of Canada Day

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:10:00 +0000

Prime Minister Stephen Harper and government will honour National Flag of Canada Day. Though I salute the flag and country, metaphorically, I still prefer Red, White & Blue. There are many alternatives.

Canadian Flag debate
http://www.cbc.ca/history/EPISCONTENTSE1EP16CH1PA2LE.html

Flag Folly
http://www3.sympatico.ca/n.rieck/links/cool_canadiana.html#flags

Midnight in Paris - directed and written by Woody Allen

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 16:09:00 +0000

Midnight In Paris Movie Trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atLg2wQQxvU

Woody Allen wrote and directed a sophisticated and witty 2010 time-travel fantasy in Paris. It's obvious that Mr. Allen loves Paris, especially in the rain.

Gil Pender, the lead character, is a typical Allen nerdy-type with a sports jacket and Chino pants, a screenwriter who thinks he's a Hollywood hack and desires to be an author, preferably in France. He imagines the roaring twenties with Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Gertrude Stein, Cole Porter, Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, and a few more of the time. Pender's fiancée, Inez, and her parents think he ought to stay in Hollywood where he gets plenty of work as a script doctor.

"Midnight in Paris" is absolutely delicious, from the scenery to the plot and dialogue. There is no violence, and it's not depressing, although there are the usual relationship dramas. The only twinge I had about the movie is that I am a Conservative similar to his fiancée's parents, but Gil Pender is of the left. Nonetheless, I forgave the conflicted protagonist. The film is an adult comedy fantasy, which I highly recommend.

I have never been to Paris or anywhere in Europe. Most of my travels have been on this side of the pond — mainly because I became impecunious when I entered the entertainment world. Another story. Therefore books and movies are my form of imaginary travel; and Mr. Allen took me on a delightful trip. Furthermore, I can relate to the wannabe novelist, since I am on my third book attempt. The first two have yet to be published, but that will happen.

Perhaps one of the reasons I enjoy many Allen films is that we are both Sagittarius/Pigs (Chinese Year of the Pig, which I prefer to say Wild Boar). However, he has accomplished far more in his lifetime than I. But no novels.

And maybe, one day, when my books are published and I have made a few dollars I might be able to walk in the rain on the streets in the City of Lights.

Midnitght in Paris Soundtrack
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD128C2752111F327

If you have a few moments also watch the following video with photos as Edith Piaf sings La Vie en Rose (Life in pink) that will give you flavours of France in earlier days.

Paris the city of lights
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2u5h4jP354

Marion Cotillard plays Adriana in "Midnight in Paris", a mistress of Pablo Picasso. She also has a short fling with Hemingway, but adores the lead character Gil. Ms. Cotillard was brilliant as Edith Piaf in La Vie en Rose.

La Vie en Rose
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0450188/

La Vie en Rose - Edith Piaf
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1dlz2_edith-piaf-la-vie-en-rose_music

Edith Piaf: Ne Me Quite Pas
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTW8ORDb5Ww&feature=related

Edith Piaf - Non, je ne regrette rien
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKPvx38D4GM&feature=related

Edith Piaf touches me. I am a romantic, with failed romances in the end; hence imagination with a good movie or book.

Happy Valentine! — Edmund Onward Sagebrush Titanium James

Even a Panda from China appreciates Prime Minister Stephen Harper...

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 20:11:00 +0000

The Chinese Panda wants to shake hands with the great Statesman, as a diplomatic gesture. Of course, Right Honourable Stephen Harper is pragmatic and looks at the little Bear's eyes instead.

I wonder what the CBC had to say about that and the symbolism? I trust the Panda more than the leftists at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation.

Harper's China visit ends with panda pact
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2012/02/11/harper-china-saturday.html?cmp=rss%26cmp=AFC-I78V04166919

Giants Pandas return to Calgary
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BDpDN9H7js

Canada, China: Free Trade? Ethical Oil? Human Rights?

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 17:22:00 +0000

What does Canada want with China? (Facts & Opinion)
• Trade
• Oil business
• Tourism
• Immigrants
• Students & Scholar exchange
• Foreign Investment Protection
• Human Rights
• Copy Rights
• Freedom and liberty for citizens
• Less UN veto interference with security council and nuclear investigations

What does China want with Canada? (Facts & Opinion)
• Resources... such as... uranium
• Export of products, and Chinese people to Canada
• More investments in Canada, more ownership
• More students to Canada to learn what the West is up to
China’s preference:
• Leave things be in China, such as Human Rights
• More industrial and military information – hence spies if necessary
• Canada to become Chinatown

Accomplishments with China:

Joint List of Outcomes of Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Visit to China
http://pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?category=3&featureId=6&pageId=26&id=4641

Though 22 commercial agreements were accomplished, Right Honourable Stephen Harper also spoke about human rights to the Chinese leaders and Old Guard — fundamental freedom, and the Rule of Law.

However, with such a small army and old equipment the Chinese Old Guard scoff privately to themselves regarding Harper’s rhetoric.

America protects Canada. Alaska was a good purchase by the Americans long ago, smart foresight. But with President Obama in power there’s more bluster than hawkish action — except the assassination of Bin Laden in Pakistan.

Regardless, America’s hands are full with Muslim peacekeeping — Ha! — and economy. Furthermore, Obama is too busy campaigning to pay attention to foreign affairs. Purchasing most of the oil from Canada would make him look foolish. Perhaps the Chinese will wait until after the election since many think the incumbent shall win. The Year of the Dragon will be a win-win.

Panda politics: It’s trickier than you think - Terence Corcoran, National Post
http://opinion.financialpost.com/2012/02/10/panda-politics-its-trickier-than-you-think/

China officials, of course, love the phrase “strategic partnership” – it dominates every news report on Canada in Chinese media. Take that, America! China officials also repeatedly embraced the idea of a “free trade” agreement with Canada, although Canadian officials say such talk is premature – to say the least. Any genuine free trade deal would have to include propertyrights protection for foreign investment, respect for copyright, national treatment on trade and a host of other requirements that China does not now respect or could not possibly allow.

Multibillion-dollar deals ‘new level’ for Canada-China relationship
http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/02/09/china-and-canada-reach-deals-on-air-travel-oil-and-uranium-and-pandas/

China’s leaders say they are interested in exploring the feasibility of a full free-trade agreement. But Canadian officials accompanying Mr. Harper emphasized the ultimate goal is to deepen trade in key markets.

The China Daily newspaper reported Thursday Wen Jiabao, the Chinese Premier, had pressed Mr. Harper at their meeting on Wednesday for an early signing of the foreign investment protection agreement (FIPA) after negotiations are concluded.

Mr. Wen also told said the two sides “could step up discussions on the feasibility of a free-trade agreement,” the newspaper reported.

Canada, Hampered in U.S., Turns to the East - Brina Spegele, Wall Street Journal
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203315804577210953889264864.html

The trip is part of a broader strategic push by Canada to more closely align itself with China and reduce its reliance on the U.S. Mr. Harper aims to increase Canada's capacity to export oil and other resources to China, an effort that has intensified following the Obama administration's ecision to reject for now TransCanada Corp.'s Keystone XL pipeline, which would have shipped oil-sands crude from Alberta to the U.S. Gulf Coast...

Analysts say the trip is a somewhat tricky one for Mr. Harper, as he looks to promote deepening trade ties between the countries while not appearing too cozy with Beijing.

Christian Churches with a sense of humour...

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:11:00 +0000

Church Signs
http://www.chacha.com/topic/churchs/gallery/1342/hilarious-church-signs

"SHOGUN" — thirty-three years later for me...

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:04:00 +0000

James du Maresq Clavell was a successful producer, director, screenwriter, and novelist. He was also a war hero, carpenter, and political conservative who conversed with Roger Moore and corresponded with William F. Buckley. Clavell also contributed to arts and letters a bridge of understanding between the West and the East. Novels like Shogun enabled the West to gain an understanding and respect for Japan at a time when Japan was emerging as an economic world power.

Approximately thirty-three years ago, I purchased a paperback copy of "Shogun" for my holiday trip to Nassau, Bahamas. When I wasn't playing tennis or partying, I read the epic novel, which was a magnet; since imaginary time travel to a different country is a wonderful trip, especially when one cannot afford extravagant holidays or take time off from work.

I truly enjoy epic stories and historical fiction by writers such as James Clavell, Leon Uris, Ken Follett, and James Michener. As a matter of interest, I have written a historical novel, "Barbarians" a Mongol love and war story circa 1218 CE. Not published yet. And I hope I have come close to the above mentioned author's level of story-telling, at least.

In my Internet browsing I was pleased to have found out that James Clavell was politically conservative. I am a Conservative. In my novel attempts some of the protagonists and other characters are also conservative about politics. Perhaps a conservative agent, editor and publisher will help my cause. My two books, which have taken 8 to 10 years, off and on, are not published, yet.

Now about Shogun on TV: Years ago I avoided watching the TV mini-series on NBC, because after reading the epic book I thought that Richard Harris would have been the kind of star for John Blackthorne, the English ship pilot stranded in Japan. Author Clavell, evidently, desired Sean Connery who would have been grand, but Connery didn't do television. Oh well.

SHOGUN - directed by Jerry London
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0080274///

SHOGUN STUDY GUIDE
http://www.enotes.com/shogun

NBC executives wanted a star that TV viewers would accept and like — hence, Richard Chamberlain. Subsequently, I didn't bother watching it back then, for several reasons.

Months ago, I had noticed the TV series discs available at the library, but still avoided watching. Finally, curiosity won me over.

Frankly, after awhile I thought Chamberlain, although not beat up and rugged enough, did an admirable job for TV back then.

But to me, Toshiro Mifune was absolutely amazing, a scene stealer. And I missed the character of Lord Toranaga when he wasn't in the scenes. The love story didn't do for it for me, so I tended to go fast forward to the samurai stuff and subplots.

In my opinion, Ridley Scott who directed "Gladiator" and "Robin Hood" with Russell Crowe (who could play John Blackthorne in "Shogun") ought to direct two or three part film saga vis a vis Lord of the Rings.

However, though the TV series for Shogun wasn't up to my high standards, you may not realize that I once was a thespian, playwright and poet, I shall read the novel again.

Update (February 21, 2012):

I read the novel again. Not every paragraph and page this time. And to corroborate the TV mini-series opinion, Yoshi Toranaga intrigued me more than anyone. His traits reminded me of Genghis Khan, who was the greatest warrior-leader, in my opinion, even greater than Alexander the Great since he formed a nation of Nomad Warriors that conquered a major portion of the known world.

Nuclear Reactors in Iraq & Syria bombed precisely. What will happen in Iran?

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:31:00 +0000

Israeli Raid on Osiraq Reactor 1981 (short version)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cX-iUqyUhfY

Raid on Reactor (longer version)
http://video.google.ca/videoplay?docid=2295792449224502914#

HB e-mailed the video, which I never viewed. The Israeli forces are the best. They have to be since they are surrounded by cutthroat enemies.

Back then, Saddam Hussein wanted to be the Caliph, leader of the Muslim world and perhaps more. He deceived America and the United nations. Deception is written in the Qur'an.

What bothered me in the long version of the video was the business that Jean Chirac of France did with his buddy Saddam.

George H. W. Bush, then Vice President, condemned Israel for blowing up the reactor. Many of the Republicans did, because President Ronald Reagan had been considering Iraq as an ally. When Reagan was informed about the attack he was shocked, but then said, "Boys will be boys."

Ten years later George H. W. Bush attacked Saddam because of Kuwait. Imagine if the reactor hadn't been removed — they would have faced a Weapon of Mass Destruction, and Desert Storm wouldn't have happened, or not as easily.

Son George W. Bush didn't want Israel to bomb the reactor in Syria. He was still perturbed about the misinformation about WMDs in Iraq. Israel government didn't admit to the bombing.

Israel destroyed Syrian nuclear reactor in 2007, leaked cable reveals
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/12/24/israel-destroyed-syrian-nuclear-reactor-2007-leaked-cable-reveals/

Now... Iran.

But Israel likely will not attack, not until after the American presidential election, November 2012.

“Let there be no doubt: America is determined to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon, and I will take no options off the table to achieve that goal.” President Barack Obama.

Iran threatens action against U.S. - Reuters
http://www.reuters.com/video/2012/01/30/iran-threatens-action-against-us?videoId=229354533

After Japan, most nations utilize nuclear weapons as a political weapon, a tool for negotiations. However, I believe the Iranian mullahs and others might be crazy enough, fanatic martyrs, even if they are wiped out, to go further than just threats. The WMDs, maybe dirty bombs, might end up in the hands of terrorist organizations. Frankly, I believe no Muslim nation should have nuclear weapons. Theocracies are not democratic. Pakistan was a mistake.

National Arts Centre Orchestra salutes Canadian Military & Families

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:39:00 +0000

There are so many things I haven't done in my life, especially in my own country, such as going to a NAC concert. I love classical music. When I read and write I listen to CDs or the radio, mostly 96.3 FM the classical station.

It is absolutely grand that the orchestra played for the military and families. On Canada Day this year there will be free music by NAC available on the Internet. In the meantime if you wish to listen to a number click onto NAC Orchestra's 40th link.

NAC Orchestra salutes military and families
http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/land-terre/news-nouvelles/story-reportage-eng.asp?id=5711

Canadian Army
www.forces.gc.ca

Ottawa's NAC Orchestra puts music archive online
http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/music/story/2009/06/30/nac-musicbox.html

NAC Orchestra's 40th / 40iem anniversaire de l'OCNA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BU0jcpn9XNI&feature=related

National Defence and the Canadian Forces
http://www.forces.gc.ca/site/home-accueil-eng.asp

Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:51:00 +0000

WE THE PEOPLE
http://www.youtube.com/watch_popup?v=JVAhr4hZDJE&vq=medium#t

A patriotic message to President Obama in 2010, which remains truthful and powerful — Freedom; America the Republic; Liberty; Patriots.

HB e-mailed this to me. I think I saw and heard the video in 2010, but it is still timely. Over 10 million have viewed it on YouTube. If it continues to criculate one wonders... particularly why candidates in bothe parties are nto seriously vetted.

After I listened to it three times I looked up the Declaration of Independence. Following, I posted the link and a few lines drafted by Thomas Jefferson.

The Declaration of Independence
http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/document/

"When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security. — Such has been the patient sufferance of these Colonies; and such is now the necessity which constrains them to alter their former Systems of Government. The history of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute Tyranny over these States. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a candid world. " Thomas Jefferson to the King of England

The Declaration on History Channel
http://www.history.com/topics/declaration-of-independence

Life, liberty and pursuit of happyness is under assault - Rush Limbaugh
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kZ42fGUEmEU

Rush Limbaugh CPAC Speech (Part 1 of 4): Rush Wants America to Succeed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bPgRk4qKwCQ

Rush Limbaugh CPAC Speech (Part 4 of 4): I want the country to survive
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r84TQuiNmrU&feature=related

Canadian friendship & bond with Israel

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 16:31:00 +0000

Canada-Israel, 60 years of friendship
http://www.canadapost.ca/cpo/mc/personal/collecting/stamps/2010/2010_Canada_Israel.jsf

The above stamp was issued in 2010. A Jewish forum member, who I support since I am pro-Israel and pro-Zionism, reminded me that the majority of Jews respect Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Conservative government, even if some are left-leaning.

http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/israel/index.aspx?lang=eng&view=d

http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/israel/bilateral_relations_bilaterales/index.aspx?lang=eng&menu_id=10&view=d

In October 1996, America and Israel launched the "Hanukkah Stamp" — the first stamp to be jointly issued.

In 2001 U.S. postage stamps to commemorate Islamic holidays: Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha

US Postal Service Islamic Holiday Stamp
"Muslim Stamp" Honors Islamic Holidays Amidst Protests
http://islam.about.com/od/holidays/a/uspsstamp.htm

In 2011 Canada Post released 2 stamp designs to celebrate Eid al-Adha.

Online Muslim magazine
http://iqra.ca/2011/send-eid-greetings-with-special-stamp/

However, I like the statement Canada made on the top stamp with a Maple Leaf, Jewish Star and the two flags together. In his speeches, our bold Prime Minister has made it clear that Canada stands behind Israel.

Just recently, Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird made it clear: "Baird is working to entrench Canada as one of the world’s most unbending supporters of the Israeli government."

Canada to Palestine: forget UN statehood bid
Baird urges Palestinian leaders to restart direct talks with Israel
http://www2.macleans.ca/2012/01/31/canada-to-palestine-forget-un-statehood-bid/

Statement by Prime Minister Stephen Harper at Davos, Switzerland...

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 19:09:00 +0000

"...our number-one priority as a government is prosperity, that is, economic growth and job creation." Prime Minister Harper, January 26, 2012

Our Conservative government is facing the realities of over-spending in the areas of services and entitlements during the slow recovery of the world financial crisis.

In order to grow Canada requires businesses to lead the way, not government. Entrepreneurs with start-up companies, or with existing businesses that desire to expand, need less red-tape. Low tax rates help the cause.

A forthcoming serious problem is Old Age Security. We live longer and healthier than the generations before us, and the number of people nearing 65 has increased. I will be turning 65 in November 26, 2012. And thought I am generally an impecunious, unpublished novelist, I do not go after hand-outs or grants. if the Old Age Security is raised to 67, I can live with it. Frankly, I am an entrepreneurial writer.

A Montreal Gazette (Postmedia Network) journalist stated that Harper was bragging. I wouldn't say bragging; it was more as if we are no longer a light-weight in economy, at least, which is fine by me.

I am proud to be Canadian. Proud of the Right Honourable Prime Minister Stephen Harper and the Conservative Party of Canada for coming through with election promise and then some to make Canada a place to desire to do business in and live a prosperous life.

Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada at the World Economic Forum
http://pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?id=4604

The National Post is also owned by Postmedia Inc. and several liberals have infiltrated the newspaper columns and editorials, to balance the readership. The journalist did not laud the Prime Minister and Conservative government, but immediately brought up the OAS.

‘Major transformations’ coming to Canada’s pension system, Harper tells Davos
http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/01/26/major-changes-coming-to-canadas-pension-system-harper-says-in-davos-speech/

What is Palestine? Who are the Palestinians?

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 16:50:00 +0000

I am having an exchange, on Political Forum.com about the invention of Palestine, with people who use pseudonyms and avatars that have become repartees rather than debate. I am equally to blame, since I am pro-Israel and pro-Zionism — and a satirist — but not Jewish. However, my ripostes are far better, more scholarly than the anti-Semites and/or limited morons. I posted the following link, because another one was closed off after 55 pages or something like that.

Arabs invented Palestine
http://www.politicalforum.com/middle-east/221235-islam-arabs-invented-palestinians.html

The next link on YouTube, sent to me by Mr. H. Bendor, is about 7 1/2 minutes and requires reading.

The History of "PALESTINE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MHgVMC38YLg&feature=youtu.be

The Arabs invented a special national entity in the 1960s (rather than a geographic delineation) called the Palestinians, specifically for political gain. They brand Israelis as invaders and claim the geographic area called Palestine belongs exclusively to the Arabs.

The word Palestine is not even Arabic. It is a word coined by the Romans around 135 CE from the name of a seagoing Aegean people who settled on the coast of Canaan in antiquity the Philistines. The name was chosen to replace Judea, as a sign that Jewish sovereignty had been eradicated following the Jewish Revolts against Rome.

The Palestinians are Part of the Old Arab Order
http://www.imra.org.il/story.php3?id=55204

~Prof. Hillel Frisch, Senior Research Associate at the Begin-Sadat (BESA) Center for Strategic Studies - Arutz-7, January 8th, 2012

The Palestinian Arabs are part of the old Arab order because time and time again they have aligned themselves with the worst dictators of the Arab world. Their own governments in the West Bank and Gaza are cut from the same cloth as the regimes of the old Arab order; they are one-party police-states where the opposition and the media are suppressed. They demand the right to self-determination for themselves but deny it to others.

They are also part of the old Arab order of terrorism.

Many have wondered since the beginning of the Arab upheavals why the Palestinian Arabs have not taken part in the hoped-for 'Arab Spring.' The answer is that with the positions they hold today, the Palestinian Arabs are an integral part of the old Arab order, and therefore are unable to participate in a democratic, tolerant Arab renaissance.

The Palestinian Arabs are part of the old Arab order because time and time again they have extolled the Arab leaders who make up the old Arab order and aligned themselves with the worst dictators of the Arab world.

With overwhelming Palestinian public support, PLO leader Yasser Arafat, risked international isolation and condemnation for himself, his people and his movement in order to support Saddam Hussein’s occupation of Kuwait. Saddam was the most brutal leader of the old Arab order. (After their liberation from Saddam, the Kuwaitis expelled over 100,000 Palestinian Arabs in retaliation for eager Palestinian cooperation in suppressing Kuwaiti citizens.)

This is the same Arafat, the same PLO, and the same 'Palestinian People' who today rail against Israeli 'occupation.'

Take for example, Azmi Bishara, the former Israeli-Palestinian Member of Knesset who called himself as a democratic liberal. He defied Israeli law forbidding the visiting of an enemy state in order to eulogize Hafiz al-Assad, the strongman of Syria, after his death in 2001. Assad was one of the most murderous of Arab leaders.

His son Bashar is presently suppressing Syrian citizens with great brutality. (Bishara later fled Israel and resigned from the Knesset after being questioned by police on suspicion of aiding and passing military information to Hezbollah during wartime).

Another Palestinian-Israeli Arab Member of Knesset, Ahmad Tibi, led an entourage of Israeli Palestinians to pay homage to Muammar Qaddafi, the fallen Libyan dictator, just before the outbreak of the revolution that led to Qaddafi’s downfall. In neither case were these Palestinians forced to act as they did. They did it out of love – for the 'old' Arab dictators and their regimes.

Palestinian Arabs are also part of the 'old Arab order' for supporting Arab nationalism, which in retrospect, was clearly an ideological smokescreen for Sunni Arab domination over the minorities in the Middle East. As mentioned above, the Shiites of Iraq drove the Palestinians out of their midst for collaborating with the Ba‘thi regime in suppressing the Shiite majority and the Kurdish minority in Iraq – in the name of Arab nationalism.

More recently, no Palestinian Authortiy leader, faction, or ‘human-rights’ organization has had anything critical to say about the brutal suppression of Shiites in Bahrain, just as they were silent in years past about the wrongs and atrocities against minorities in the Arab-speaking world.

The Palestinian Arabs are part of the old Arab order because they demand the right to self-determination for themselves but deny it to others. The Palestinians supported Saddam’s regime against Kurdish self-determination; they support the Moroccan occupation and colonization of Western Sahara (which denies the indigenous peoples a right to a state of their own); and they support the Algerian regime in suppressing Berber/Amazight language and culture.

Both Mahmoud Abbas’ Palestinian Authority and the Hamas government in Gaza are cut from the same cloth as the regimes of the old Arab order. They are one-party police-states whose main line of business is suppressing the opposition, incarcerating political prisoners, and denying media freedoms to the opposition. The rump parliaments in both the West Bank and Gaza have been moribund since the outbreak of Palestinian civil war in 2006.

The PLO itself is the ultimate example of the old Arab order. The dozen or more factions that constitute the PLO are over forty years old; yet in none of them has leadership change taken place except through the natural or unnatural death of the leader. The same can be said of the relatively younger Islamist Jihad al-Islami and Hamas movements. There is no internal democracy in these groups.

Remember: More than anything, the Arab upheavals of the past year are about instituting a change of leadership in the Arab world. The Palestinians are having none of that.

The Palestinian Arabs are also part of the old Arab order of terrorism. The Palestinians, who introduced wide-spread and indiscriminate terrorism to the world, served as an inspiration to Hizbullah and al-Qaeda terrorism, presumably the movements hurt most by the would-be Arab spring. The Palestinians continue to take part in this old Arab terrorist agenda through indiscriminate missile attacks and conventional acts of terrorism.

Does all this mean that the Palestinian Arabs are doomed, and barred from the promise of an Arab spring?

Not necessarily. Palestinian Arabs could begin a promising journey towards a democratic renaissance by acknowledging the rights they demand from Israel and the world to others. They could, for example, support the right to self-determination of the Kurdish, the Berber and the Jewish peoples, including recognition of Israel as a Jewish state. Palestinian Arabs could and should take a stand against the oppression of Egypt’s Copts.

They could and should renounce Arab national movements that betray these principles. They could and should become a voice for civil rights if and when the new Islamist regimes in the Arab world begin to deny these rights to their minorities.

Without question, the journey to a Palestinian democratic spring is long and arduous.

Fortunately, the Palestinians have an example nearby of a democratic and prosperous state worthy of emulation – Israel.

BESA Center Perspectives Paper No. 158, January 5, 2012

Mandate for Palestine - Eli E. Hertz
http://www.mythsandfacts.org/Conflict/mandate_for_palestine/MandateN2%20-%2010-29-07-English.pdf

“When it is asked what is meant by the development of the Jewish National Home in Palestine, it may be answered that it is not the imposition of a Jewish nationality upon the inhabitants of Palestine as a whole, but the further development of the existing Jewish community, with the assistance of Jews in other parts of the world, in order that it may become a centre in which the Jewish people as a whole may take, on grounds of religion and race, an interest and a pride. But in order that this community should have the best prospect of free development and provide a full opportunity for the Jewish people to display its capacities, it is essential that it should know that it is in Palestine as of right and not on sufferance. That is the reason why it is necessary that the existence of a Jewish National Home in Palestine should be internationally guaranteed and that it should be formally recognized to rest upon ancient historic connection.” Winston Churchill, British Secretary of State for the Colonies, June 1922

Myths and Facts
http://www.mythsandfacts.com/

http://www.mythsandfacts.com/article_view.asp?articleID=162&order_id=1

What unites Palestinians has been their opposition to Jewish nationalism and the desire to stamp it out, not aspirations for their own state. Local patriotic feelings are generated only when a non-Islamic entity takes charge – such as Israel did after the 1967 Six-Day War. It dissipates under Arab rule, no matter how distant or despotic.

China's hardline party leaders and President Hu Jintao are concerned about ruling...

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 21:01:00 +0000

Flag of the People's Republic of China

"Is China at war with the West? Hu Jintao, China’s leader, evidently thinks so, and to go by his recent words and actions, the greatest threats are blockbuster movies and reality TV. While the state has been increasing its restrictions on outside cultural products and keeping old barriers in place—limiting the number of foreign movies to 20 a year, for instance—Hu brought the scaremongering to a new level in a recent essay. “We must clearly see that international hostile forces are intensifying the strategic plot of Westernizing and dividing China, and ideological and cultural fields are the focal areas of their long-term infiltration,” he writes in Qiushi, the leading Communist Party magazine...

... What he misses is that the root of the problem isn’t foreign infiltration, but China’s own repressive government, which has forfeited its claim to soft power by acting increasingly repressive at home and belligerent abroad." Gordon G .Chang, Forbes.com.

There are so many internal issues in China (280,000 mass incidents in 2010) and, of course, Taiwan, which is setting a difficult example of democracy, hence Paramount Party Leader Hu Jintao goes after the West. To stand up for the Chinese communist culture.

Why, bash and ridicule the West, since China requires resources and countries such as America to export goods to.

Gordon G. Chang, author of "The Coming Collapse of China", who writes for Forbes and many other periodicals and Internet sites, and who I listen to on John Batchelor's American talk radio program (WABC AM770, New New York) in the evening, articulately concluded in his article:

"Hu Jintao’s off-key broadsides against foreign culture, then, are not an aberration, but a real reflection of a regime fearing for its “cultural security.” They are best viewed as a ruling group’s desperate salvo in a fight to regain the authority it correctly feels slipping from its grasp."

Gordon G. Chang
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Gordon-G-Chang/108156309212185

"The coming collapse of China" - FoxNews (August 17, 2010)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh1ONCtAv5w

Chang on CNBC
http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000061734

Gordon Chang appreciated the suggestion to read "Prisoner of the State: The Secret Journal of Premier Zhao Ziyang". He thanked me for informing him.

CHINA is "rule of men" not "rule of law" — said Premier Zhao Ziyang.
http://onwardjames.blogspot.com/2011/01/china-is-rule-of-men-not-rule-of-law.html

Regardless...

I wish for all the decent Chinese people freedom, individualism, democracy, rather than Statism and Rule of Men, and a happy and successful "Year of the Dragon".

The New White House with President Mickey Barack Hussein Obama Mouse...

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 16:20:00 +0000

Disneyland is a preparation for the presidency of the United Nations New World Order? Actually, rather than Mickey Mouse, President Obama is more like a Rat able to squeeze through any hole, because the left allows him and the mainstream media praises him. The majority of uneducated black people, even the educated, as well as guilty educated whites, and academe, think he is omnisicent.

But where are the shovel-ready jobs?

Morning Bell: Obama’s Magic Kingdom of Joblessness
http://blog.heritage.org/2012/01/20/morning-bell-obamas-magic-kingdom-of-joblessness/?utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=Morning%2BBell

Had the President approved Keystone, a 1,700-mile pipeline would have been extended from Alberta, Canada, to Texas refineries — lifting up the U.S. economy with private-sector investment, putting people to work, and helping increase the supply of energy to lower prices when fuel costs are through the roof. Despite a finding by the State Department that the pipeline would pose minimal environmental risk, environmentalists were still up in arms and lobbied the President to say no to the plan.

The President’s decision is so out of line with fact and reason that The Washington Post strongly condemned it in an op-ed yesterday, saying the “pipeline rejection is hard to accept” and “We almost hope this was a political call because, on the substance, there should be no question.” As the Post explained, even without the pipeline, Canada will still export its oil–but across the ocean to China, instead. Meanwhile, the United States will continue importing crude oil from the Middle East. In other words, the environmental lobby might have stanched the flow of oil from Canada, but it’s being diverted onto the seas, and fossil fuel consumption will necessarily continue.

"Obama’s Keystone pipeline rejection is hard to accept," said the Washington Post editor.

"Obama short-sighted on Keystone Pipeline," said Dewey Bartlett, Tulsa Mayor.

"A stunningly stupid thing to do,” declared Newt Gingrich.

"Obama Blames Congress," New York Times [Majority Republicans didn't give him enough time to evaluate.]

"Rejecting the Keystone pipeline is an act of insanity... All it tells us is that Obama is so obsessed with his reelection that, through some sort of political calculus, he believes that placating his environmental supporters will improve his chances," stated Robert Samuelson who writes a weekly economics column for the Washington Post. He was a columnist for Newsweek magazine from 1984 to 2011.

Act of Insanity
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/rejecting-the-keystone-pipeline-is-an-act-of-insanity/2012/01/19/gIQAowG6AQ_story.html

This is a stunning (though not unexpected) decision. At a time when unemployment remains unacceptably high, Iran is threatening the Strait of Hormuz, and Canada is looking to take this oil elsewhere, it is difficult to understand how the president could say no to thousands of jobs and an increase in energy supply from our ally," wrote Nicolas Loris, National Review.

Obama’s ‘Forced’ Keystone Decision Rejects Jobs, Energy, and Logic
http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/288490/obama-s-forced-keystone-decision-rejects-jobs-energy-and-logic-nicolas-loris

This two-faced arrogance might be one of the major issues that brings Obama down. Even many unions are flabbergasted. Evidently Democrat policymakers and senators have sent letters and voiced their opinions. Obama has czars to take care of all that, because he is doing more important things: he's too busy campaigning. Major decisions can wait, they can be put on the shelf until after the election in November 2012.

Of course, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver will explore other avenues.

And with those shovels that Obama has ready his czars and bureaucrat staff can remove the pile of manure they created.

Assassinations of Nuclear Scientists…

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 20:09:00 +0000

Mullahs of Iran and their President must be discombobulated because of explosions at their nuclear facilities, computer viruses, and the assassinations of the scientists.

Is Israel, which some consider a rogue state, on their own or are the CIA and American military, such as the NAVY SEALs, covertly involved?

Who Assassinated an Iranian Nuclear Scientist? Israel Isn't Telling
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2104372,00.html

Wednesday's attack followed the pattern of previous operations planned by Mossad and carried out over the past two years by Iranians trained and paid by Israel's spy agency, according to intelligence sources. The targets were chosen from the ranks of scientists seen as crucial to Iran's nuclear effort — the country's top physicist, Majid Shahriari, was killed by a magnetized bomb in October 2010 — then shadowed for weeks to determine their routines and points of vulnerability.

'CIA, MI6 behind Iranian nuclear scientist's death'
http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=253578

Iran Supreme Leader: CIA and Mossad Behind Scientist’s Assassination
http://pjmedia.com/tatler/2012/01/13/iran-supreme-leader-cia-and-mossad-behind-scientists-assassination/

“This cowardly act of terror, whose perpetrators and plotters will never dare to confess to their dirty and hideous crime or accept responsibility for it, has been carried out with the planning or support of the CIA and Mossad intelligence services, like all other crimes of the network of international state terrorism.”

The Ayatollah added that the assassination attempt verifies that “the global arrogance, spearheaded by the U.S. and Zionism, has reached a deadlock in the confrontation with the determined, devout, and progressive nation of Islamic Iran.”

Iran threatens U.S. and U.K.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-01-16/iran-threatens-u-s-u-k-israel-after-assassination-of-nuclear-scientist.html

The regime in Tehran threatens ships in the Straits of Hormuz in the gulf and major retaliation, which reminds me of Baghdad Bob.

Of course, there are those who believe that Iran isn’t building nuclear weapons and the actions have been outrageous.

However, when Ahmadinejad continued with his verbose comments about Israel at the United Nations, more than once, the Iranian regime is learning the lessons: if one is going to be deceitful, then keep the mouth shut or stop threatening and reform thyself.

Since Osama bin Laden was assassinated in Pakistan, near a major military base, the ayatollah has to be somewhat discomposed since that could happen in Iran – preferably the wild president with loose lips. But President Obama is relying on sanctions and a revolution of the people. The attacks must be the Israelis’ Mossad with Iranian revolutionaries’ assistance or paid spies and mercenaries.

Undoubtedly, the combination of assassinations, destruction at locations including computer interference, and serious sanctions are unnerving, unless it comes closer to war which will incite the brotherhoods and other Muslim nations, regardless if they are Shi’a or Sunni or derivatives. Zealots desire martyrdom and paradise; therefore annihilation. But with no nuclear weapons they might have to go chemical.

Before that happens they will topple within by their people and some outside assistance. It's happening at this moment, bit by bit.

As Foreign Policy and Iran expert Michael Ledeen, who believed Iran should have been a top priority in the war on terror, would say, "Faster, please!"

But he doesn't mean all out bombing until necessary. There are many ways to defeat the Shi'a Islamists as stated above.

Iran in Convulsion (the death spiral continues) - Michael Ledeen, January 2, 2012
http://pjmedia.com/michaelledeen/2012/01/02/iran-in-convulsion-the-death-spiral-continues/

Big news today from Iran, confirming once again that the hapless regime in Tehran proceeds down its death spiral. The first is the spectacular collapse of the national currency, which has lost 35% of its value since September. The second headline, in an extraordinary press conference by the effective commander of the revolutionary guards, is the admission that the incarcerated leaders of the green movement have so much powerful support that the regime dares not prosecute them...

...There are stories from Tehran about people desperately trying to buy commodities, from gold to steel, about people selling cars and motorcycles to get cash they can convert to hard currency, and, inevitably, about people offering their kidneys for sale (a story we’ve heard about desperate people everywhere from Africa to China. Is it true?).

So the regime is failing to meet the basic needs of the Iranian people (nothing really new there; strikers at the Shiraz Telecommunications Factory haven’t been paid for 26 months), and the people don’t like it.

Happy 70th Birthday Muhammad Ali formerly Cassius Clay...

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 18:41:00 +0000

Spider Jones, once a Golden Gloves Champion, now a mentor for youth, called to inform me that it was Ali's 70th birthday on January 17th. Because of Spider, I met The Greatest, and wrote him a haiku-style poem.

Check the following link for more detail.

Muhammad Ali
http://onwardjames.blogspot.com/2010/03/muhammad-ali-george-chuvalo-spider.html

Land For Peace?

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:31:00 +0000

Caroline Glick concluded in her article that land-for-peace, Sinai to Egyptians, Gaza and other areas to Palestinians, is a con and Israel is the dupe.

Hamas won the last Palestinian elections in 2006.

And Hamas's leaders - like their counterparts in the Muslim Brotherhood - make no bones about their intention to destroy Israel. Two weeks ago at a speech in Gaza, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh proclaimed, "We say today explicitly so it cannot be explained otherwise, that the armed resistance and the armed struggle are the path and the strategic choice for liberating the Palestinian land, from the [Mediterranean] sea to the [Jordan] river, and for the expulsion of the invaders and usurpers [Israel]... We won't relinquish one inch of the land of Palestine."

The land-for-peace hoax
http://www.carolineglick.com/e/2012/01/the-land-for-peace-hoax.php

The issues are complicated, but could be made easier — victory first then peace — with force if there was a strong Republican President such as Ronald Reagan rather than Obama, who seems to be more pro-Muslim nations than pro-Israel.

Candidly, if I were in such power I would give the forked-tongue, deceitful Muslims options. Palestinians in the West Bank, Gaza, and Sinai have one option to move to other nations, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, or Saudi Arabia. If they decide to stay the lands would be ruled by Israel with American military bases. Of course, they would be Israeli citizens if they behaved as civil citizens.

Why so harsh?

The Middle East will never be Utopia, or close to it. Israel, however — a democratic ally, as well as a Zionist nation, rightly so, considering — has tried it’s best to live decently in a good place, which they developed, surrounded by zealots and Saladin dreamers of the Golden Years of the Caliphate. The Israelis have tried to be reasonable.

Yet, many nations and citizens think that Israel is the rogue state. And, they are doing everything possible to weaken the Jewish country.

Hence, I would assist in strengthening Israel instead of making it weaker, which is what the United Nations seems to desire.

As I stated, first victory then peace: it worked in Germany and Japan. Now, they are democratic countries, and allies, to a point.

For you interest read the content of this link, brilliant irony about Israel at a Cambridge debate.

Israel is a Rogue State — debated proposer Gabriel Latner at Cambridge University
http://onwardjames.blogspot.com/2010/11/israel-is-rogue-state-debated-gabriel.html

Hachikō - such a Loyal Dog

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 15:22:00 +0000

At my local library I picked up the movie “Hachi: A Dog’s Tale” based on the true story of Hachikō in Japan, directed by Lasse Hallström who is a master of subtlety and beauty. Though Richard Gere and Joan Allen were listed as the stars, the real stars are the dogs and trainers.

Professor Parker finds a puppy at a train station. So he keeps it until somebody claims it. His wife didn’t want a dog. But, they all fell in love with Hachi, evidently the name meant Good Fortune.

The Asian dog reminded me of our new family dog, Sunshine, which we call Sunny. He’s the same colour as Hachi, but part Collie and Shepherd.

Rather than discuss the content, I strongly suggest you watch the superb film. I was touched so much that tears welled up in my eyes. Afterwards, I brought some treats to old, black and white Lucky Maduro, part Border Collie part something else, and Sunny. I rubbed them and they licked my face.

Such loyal creatures. Loving.

Our previous dogs were part Collie and Shepherd and similar colours as Sunny and Hachi. Fergie used to walk with my father along the dock to keep him from falling in when he had a few drinks. Caesar was his puppy and followed me everywhere he could. His tail wagged with joy whenever he saw me. In his old age, he developed cancer, but I didn’t want to put him to sleep.

For his last night, I bought a sirloin steak and fried it just right. However, he wasn’t in the mood. Probably in pain. So I left the steak in his bowl.

The next morning the steak was gone and so was he. He disappeared. Caesar ate his last meal and walked off into the forest to die as a natural animal. He must have found his spot because we never found him.

We were so fortunate to have Fergie and Caesar. Lucky was a pup when Caesar was healthy and was trained by the older dog. The same thing continues with Sunny and Lucky.

Indeed, good fortune.

Hachikō
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hachik%C5%8D

Hachi: A Dog's Tale (2009
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1028532/

SUNSHINE
http://onwardjames.blogspot.com/2011/10/some-say-i-am-was-loser-anti-social.html

LUCKY MADURO
http://onwardjames.blogspot.com/2008/03/death-interrupts-all-that-is-mortal.html

Artist & Activist Ai Weiwei of China — Runner-Up of the Year — Time Magazine...

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:05:00 +0000

In 1981 you left China with no plans to return, but you came back. Why?

Before, I had seen my father and other people criticized or struggled against, but I was not directly involved. Then you see your generation being crushed. You see that this power has no intention of telling the truth. On the one hand it is ruthless, but on the other hand it is so weak.

When you are 20-something years old, you realize the only way to protect your dignity is to leave rather than to be damaged by this big machine. You see in your generation people who are destroyed. So I decided I had to leave.

After 12 years in New York, I was 36. I heard a lot about how China was different. My father was ill. I wanted to go back to China and pay my last respects.

Ai Weiwei: The Dissident
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,2101745_2102133_2102331,00.html

Ai Weiwei — incarcerated artist in China
http://onwardjames.blogspot.com/2011/05/ai-weiwei-incarcerated-artist-in-china.html

Chinese Artist Ai Weiwei has written an essay about Beijing, China — basically the Chicoms...
http://onwardjames.blogspot.com/2011/09/chinese-artist-has-wriiten-essay-about.html

Prime Minister Stephen Harper accepted an invitation from the Government of China led by President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jibao to visit China in February. These visits require fine "statesmanship" because there are touchy situations, such as human rights and more transparency.

But, evidently, China is Canada’s second-largest merchandise trading partner. Nonetheless, I believe that Right Honourable Stephen Harper will not kowtow to the Chicom elders of the Old Guard.

Doubtful, that our Prime Minister will bring up Ai Weiwei, because there are so many other serious problems in China... follow the money.

Indeed, A Wonderul World says Attenborough and sings Satchmo...

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 21:11:00 +0000

David Attenborough - Wonderful World - BBC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8WHKRzkCOY&feature=share

Mr. Attenborough speak-sings "A Wonderful World" in his raspy, elderly British voice. When I watch and listen it uplifts me and makes me think it is all worthwhle.

Thank you, trumpet player Marty, my musical cigar friend, for e-mailing me the reminder.

The Life Series
http://www.davidattenborough.co.uk/

The Blue Planet
http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/blue-planet/blue-planet.html

Louis Armstrong-What A Wonderful World
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJrzlapymI8&feature=related

The great Satchmo sings and plays his trumpet, and it's still the best.

New Hampshire Republican Debate on Meet The Press

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 19:13:00 +0000

New Hampshire debate with Jon Huntsman, Ron Paul, Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich, and Rick Perry moderated by David Gregory.

I enjoy radio, often more than TV, even live TV debates, because I listen carefully to the content and tones. Right from the start David Gregory of Meet The Press (MSNBC) started with an attack question to Newt Gingrich about Mitt Romney... is he basically electable. However, Romney did well, sounded presidential.

Frankly, all the candidates, except for Ron Paul, are strong potentials to run America, regardless of the criticisms mainly from the mainstream media who state that there are no serious candidates with possibilities. They all sounded effective and prepared, able to answer questions with impromptu answers. There was humour mainly from Perry and Romney.

Watch and listen to the debate on the following link to judge for yourself...

New Hampshire Debate - Meet The Press - NBC
http://www.facebook.com/MeetThePress?sk=app_201387976576727

Obama and his regime ought to be worried that he will be the next one-term Democratic President. But the rest of America should be relieved — even more so if the GOP wins the two houses, as well.

Republicans in NH: Breaking the rules
http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/general-factotum/2012/jan/8/republicans-nh-breaking-rules/

Wild Bill for America makes sense about Islam (Islamists) and the Jihadis

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:44:00 +0000

http://wildbillforamerica.com/index.html

Bill grew up in the Colorado Rockies and had a successful career in law enforcement, serving as both a Deputy Sheriff and a Deputy U.S. Marshal. He is a graduate of the Colorado Law enforcement Academy, the Federal Law Enforcement Academy and the U.S. Marshal’s Academy. Prior to law enforcement Bill served with the U.S. Marines as a Corpsman

Jihad American Style
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cc4luAiDoyA&feature=related

Islam's Greatest Invention
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XpVJAX0Yp0&feature=related

A Real Mid-East Peace Plan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=AGSlAt3x7Gw

Wild Bill makes sense about several things, particularly about the Midde East and Palestine... the Palestinians, from what I have learned, are Trans-Jordanians, now called Jordan. But the Arabs continue to use this ridiculousness as a scapegoat, reason to blame Israel and allies.

"ALEXANDRIA'S SHELL" - Novel by Edmund Onward James

noreply@blogger.com (Edmund Onward James) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 20:37:00 +0000

Years ago an old rowing teammate and friend suggested I should write something about rowing in high school for a movie, since I attempted screenplays at the time.

I went to the Argonaut Rowing Club in Toronto (www.argonautrowingclub.com) to see if there was a possibility. I watched a girls' rowing team and thought that might work better, because there have been movies about male rowers.

After I completed the script "Alexandria's Shell" I decided this might be my first novel, instead. Second novel was "Barbarians" a Mongol love and war story.

http://onwardjames.blogspot.com/2009/05/barbarians-novel-for-literary-agents.html

Third novel attempt is "Aeron Rowan Teague: Art Crime Detective". Teague is a homicide cop assigned as head of the small Art Crime Unit, because he's also a bona fide artist. His works sell in major galleries. Sometimes he goes undercover globally, requested by Interpol.

ALEXANDRIA'S SHELL is a novel about Alexandria Shaftesbury, a conflicted high-school teacher of history and literature, who some think is armoured with a better-than-thou attitude. In a shell. However, “shell” is also a rowing boat with a thin casing.

Sometimes she likes to be called Alexa, her second husband called her Alex, even Lex. Alexa is considered to be too aloof, too in love with the written word rather than students. She has some money and can afford lawyers; hence they transfer her to the ethnic school in the heart of the city: Jarvis Collegiate High School. Perhaps her last stand, and then maybe she’d finally quit.

At the entrance of the school there's a crest on the wall with the Latin phrase, "Nil decet invita Minerva." Translated to: "Do not refuse the invitation of Minerva." The Roman Goddess of wisdom was once mythically in charge of overseeing the arts and crafts, as well as being the thunderbolt, if she lost her temper.

Because Alexa is divorced twice, turning forty, childless, and ends up at Jarvis, she concludes life's opportunities have bypassed her. When she notices the Minerva plaque she thinks maybe she’s actually cursed.

Her divorced mother, who introduced her to the great books as well as her second ex-husband, wants her to retire and join the renovation business. Her remarried doctor/father, who introduced rowing to her, has Alzheimer's and is basically out of touch.

During a contemplative walk Alexa spots young women rowing in a racing shell. Later, she wonders about starting a girls' rowing team to challenge the private school that didn’t hire her. A daunting task. The sport is expensive and time consuming, but she envisions the bonding of the Jarvis girls to challenge the prestigious Branksome Hall, the Canadian Secondary School Association Girl’s Eight Champions, in an exhibition race.

During her small odyssey she meets attractive and successful Kareem O'Shea and slowly falls in love once more; but when things look bright tragedy happens...

Regardless, Alexa finishes the year with a race at the high school regatta in St. Catharines. Then she leaves for a trip to the east coast, and then Sedona, Arizona to visit her grandmother, to consider joining her mother’s business, or move on to a university, or even return to Minerva's school.