FROLITICKS

Satirical commentary on Canadian and American current political issues

Jun 6

Arms Trade Treaty – Canada Ready to Shoot Itself in the Foot Once Again

by bcurry

Recently, Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird invoked the country’s former long-gun registry as the Conservative Government refused to say when or even if Canada will sign a treaty aimed at stemming the flow of illegal weapons and ammunition around the world. His argument is that the proposed Arms Trade Treaty, approved by an overwhelming majority of countries in the UN’s General Assembly, would resurrect the long-gun registry “through the backdoor.” Remember, the Conservatives scrapped the national long-gun registry last February, claiming that the registry only hurt law-abiding sportsmen and law-abiding hunters and farmers. This despite the fact that a survey conducted exclusively in October 2010 for Postmedia News and Global Television found that public support for the registry stood at 66 percent nationally. As well, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police had unanimously endorsed a new national firearms policing strategy and had publicly pushed the need for the National Firearms Registry.

While this became Canada’s national policy, the proposed Treaty has nothing to do with domestic gun owners’ rights. Even U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry has stated that the Treaty will not undermine the legitimate international trade in conventional weapons, interfere with national sovereignty or infringe on the rights of American citizens, including Second Amendment rights. It is designed to prevent the illegitimate arms trade, particularly as it affects third world countries. However, should the U.S. administration sign the Treaty, it will still have to be ratified by Congress. Good luck!!!

Meanwhile, the current Canadian government openly fought the proposed Treaty as it now stands. This despite the fact that the previous Liberal government had been a strong proponent of the Treaty during preliminary discussions at the U.N. Ridiculously, the Conservatives are even pushing for language in the Treaty’s preamble affirming “respect” for the lawful ownership of firearms by private citizens. Specifically, Canada has asked that the treaty recognize the use of “firearms for recreational purposes, such as sport shooting, hunting and other similar forms of lawful activities.” Moreover, Canada today stands out as one of only a few countries — including Israel — pushing for recognition in the Treaty of lawful public ownership and recreational use of firearms.

Last March, newly released documents showed that Canadian officials had been instructed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s government to “play a low-key, minimal role” — and that their main objective was safeguarding Canadian gun owners’ rights. Now, what does this have to do with the illegal international trade in small guns and ammunition? Let’s face it, we’re not talking about hunting rifles here. The Treaty is all about trying to come to grips with the on-going trade in military-type weaponry. The landmark Arms Trade Treaty approved by the General Assembly on April 2, 2013, is aimed at regulating the international trade in conventional arms, from small arms to battle tanks, combat aircraft and warships. Yes, it would include the tracking by ratifying countries of all arms trade, including that from Canada. How such tracking provides any potential “backdoor” resurrection of a domestic long-gun registry is anyone’s guess!! Sorry, Canada. You may have just left the “front door” wide open to cries of hypocrisy and subsequent further international alienation. On this one, you’re up the proverbial creek in the eyes of your allies. For shame, for shame.

Arms Trade Treaty Canada w

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May 22

Leadership: It’s Not Only About What You Know, It’s Also About What You Don’t Know

by bcurry

“The buck stops here” is a phrase that was popularized by U.S. President Harry S. Truman, who kept a sign with that phrase on his desk in the Oval Office. Well, in the last few weeks, we’ve learned from President Obama and Prime Minister Harper that the buck appears to stop elsewhere. Sorry, but among the principal attributes of good leadership is setting the tone and establishing the culture for an organization, be it public, private or non-profit. This means that it isn’t always what a leader is aware of but what he or she is not aware of that is important.

In the case of President Barack Obama, it was his apparent lack of awareness of the pending release of the IRS Inspector General’s scathing report criticizing the IRS handling of claims by conservative groups for tax exemption as non-profit “social welfare” organizations. In the case of Prime Minister Stephen Harper, it’s his claims to a lack of knowledge about recent substantial monies gifted to Senator Mike Duffy by his own trusted Chief of Staff, Nigel Wright. Senator Duffy, a Conservative appointee, is involved in the Senate scandal about living and travel expenses, and now sits as an independent in the Senate. The PM apparently denies having any knowledge of what may very well have been a criminal act, and one resulting in the subsequent resignation by Mr. Wright. Now this is a PM who in 2005 vowed to run an accountable and totally transparent government if elected.

In both cases, these national leaders pledged to run ethical and transparent administrations. Thus, like any good leaders, their respective values should be reflected under their administration. In turn, they are accountable to their parties and to the electorate for any and all activities undertaken during their administration. It is not enough to simply deny knowledge of illicit activities and irregularities. Leaders should own up to their general responsibilities for good governance and ensure that those responsible are dealt with under the full force of the law if warranted. Simply making excuses does not cut the mustard!!! Ultimately denying responsibility is not an option, for as President Truman professed: the buck stops at the top.

Leadership Political Scandals Political Scandals

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May 17

IRS Scandal Is Really About Granting Tax-Exempt Status To Groups Participating In Politics

by bcurry

I’m not an American, but in reviewing the political system, one cannot help but notice the growing influence of large political-oriented bodies in recent elections. Big donors were given the green light to spend freely on elections by the Supreme Court’s 2010 Citizens United decision. Everyone remembers those infamous super PACs which ran many of the costly attack ads for both presidential candidates during the last election. Moreover, the 2012 presidential election broke the $2 Billion milestone in its final weeks, becoming the most expensive in American political history. Super PACs supporting Obama and Romney alone spent more than $500 million in media ads. Politically oriented organizations that do not have to declare their finances or identify their fundraisers have spent hundreds of millions on so-called issue ads. No other democratic country that I know of goes through such incredible campaign costs as do the presidential elections in the States, and allows so-called non-profit “social welfare” organizations to engage so extensively in political activities and continue to be tax exempt.

According to the U.S. tax code non-profit “social welfare” organizations are normally those that benefit the community. Such organizations should usually include religious groups, cultural, educational and veterans organizations, homeowners associations and volunteer fire departments. However in recent years, it appears that, partly as a result of the Supreme Court’s decision, more overtly political groups have been claiming non-profit status. Such status would allow them to keep their donor lists secret and to avoid paying taxes on certain income. Critics note that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) hasn’t done nearly enough over the years to rein in the subversion of the tax law by political groups claiming a tax exemption that is not legally permitted for campaign activity. Nor has it been able to enforce rules requiring that donors to those groups pay gift tax on their donations. This is just the way that big donors to political bodies like it, otherwise donations could quickly dry up.

Recently the IRS was alleged to be targeting the more conservative organizations, notably any incorporating names such as Tea Party, Constitution or Patriots. The IRS is accused of being “overly aggressive” in its handling of requests by conservative groups for tax-exempt status. At the same time, the IRS has been dealing with austerity measures that reduce or stagnate personnel and resources, while trying to deal with a backlog of tax-exempt claims involving hundreds of groups. So-called conservative groups represented but a third of recent claims. Consequently, criteria was introduced by the IRS providing a screening shortcut meant to help with the influx of applications following the Court’s decision. However, more extensive screening meant longer delays in the approval of claims, frustrating many of the groups, conservative or otherwise. All of this came out in the IRS Inspector General’s scathing report released earlier this month.

Republicans in Congress have jumped all over the report and called for heads to roll, claiming that the Obama administration was of course behind the IRS’s activities. Denying any involvement, the administration countered by blaming a few “rogue employees” in the IRS for abuses and bureaucratic mishandling of the process. Needless-to-say, the President called the agency’s misconduct was “inexcusable”, and the acting IRS Commissioner was forced to resign. U.S. Attorney General ordered a criminal investigation into the situation and informed a congressional hearing on the matter that investigators will look at the conduct of IRS offices nationwide. All this and more to come!

However, let’s go back to the beginning. What is the real problem? It would appear to me that the whole definition of non-profit “social welfare” organizations needs to be revisited and clarified. At some point the incredible amount of interest group funding to electoral campaigns and congressional lobbying on specific issues has to become accountable and reasonable. Greater transparency and public oversight has to be brought into the equation. Of course, no one wants to trounce upon anyone’s democratic rights, but the current subterfuge of beneficiaries of such tax breaks has to end. Simply blaming the civil servants who have a tough enough job to do is not the answer. Fix the system.

Conservative Political Groups US

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May 11

Recent Scandals Further Support the Need to Eliminate Canada’s Senate

by bcurry

Well, don’t say that I didn’t warn you! (See blog of March 3, 2013) Recent Senate scandals have simply further demonstrated that the so-called second chamber of sober thought is a waste of tax payers’ money and our political support. Let’s review. Three Senators — Marc Harb, Patrick Brazeau and Mike Duffy – have been found by a Senate committee to have filed improper travel and housing expense claims with a value worth tens of thousands of dollars. Although the same committee has ordered these three gentlemen to repay the amounts claimed, there are still others within Parliament who are calling for a police investigation into a matter — now viewed by many as a clear case of fraudulent conduct. One other Senator is also being audited for past travel expense claims worth thousands of dollars over a number of years. Heck, if it were you or me, we’d be in jail by now.

Here we have individuals, no-elected but appointed by the Governor-in-General on the recommendation of the Government of the day, earning close to a quarter of a million dollars a year in annual salaries, expense reimbursements and other benefits including access to huge pensions upon retirement. Referred to as “honourable members” of the Senate, up until now they have simply been allowed to submit all kinds of claims based on a so-called “honour system”. Talk about a sweet deal! On top of which Senators do not have to be in the Senate during all sessions, and attendance is not a prerequisite to being paid. Even a better deal.

Granted there are a few worthwhile honourable members, but the majority are political hacks appointed by the ruling party to quietly and quickly push its legislative agenda through the Parliamentary process. Given the growing power of and control by the PM and Prime Minister’s Office, the Senate increasingly is but a rubber stamping machine to the Executive’s wishes. Simply moving to an elected second house will do nothing really to correct this situation as long as committees of the House of Commons don’t have any real powers to revise or veto government bills. The provinces and other jurisdictions have managed quite well to legislate without the need for a second level of scrutiny. After all, that’s what the parliamentary opposition is for, and why the final say is given to the electorate. So come on Canada, get with it and save yourselves a few very needed bucks and scarce resources. Abolish the Senate and get on with some real Parliamentary reform, restoring accountability and genuine representation to our governing institutions. Let’s have our own Canadian tea party!!!

Canada The Senate

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May 6

After the Past Year, We’re Only Now Going to Seriously Talk About Climate Change!

by bcurry

Well, now that there have been enough serious accidents at the corner, let’s put up some traffic lights. So goes the continuing story of the human race in its often slow reaction to extreme events. The same can be said to our response to recent extreme weather events around the world, and especially in North America. Indeed, a recent survey reported on by Postmedia News indicated that of those Americans surveyed, 58 percent believe “global warming is affecting weather in the United States”. 85 percent of respondents claimed they experienced extreme weather during the last year. Even some Republicans surveyed now want action on climate change, although many continue to deny that it’s a scientific fact.

Scientists and non-scientists at least now fully agree that emerging weather patterns are proving to be consistent with climate-change predictions. So what’s the hang-up? Surely, it’s time for American and Canadian politicians to get really earnest about tackling what is the most important environmental and number one issue of our times and that of our children. Come on folks, climate affects everything societal, economic and political!!!

While we pay lip service to clean forms of energy and green technologies, we still continue to spew all kinds of crap into our air. In 2009, the Canadian government launched a plan to spend $1 billion over a five year period on clean energy research and demonstration projects, with an emphasis on reducing carbon dioxide emissions. At the same time, according to Climate Action Network Canada, the Federal Government yearly continues to give billions of dollars in tax breaks to the companies producing oil and gas. Analysis shows a total of $1.4 billion per year in federal subsidies, $840 million of which are special tax breaks, with a disproportionate share going to dirty fuels such as the Alberta Tar Sands. It is estimated that the oil and gas industry alone accounts for about 20% of all Canadian greenhouse gas emissions. Meanwhile, in the U.S., half of its electricity generation is still provided by coal-burning plants. As well, as indicated by various government reports, the American oil industry receives tax breaks averaging about $4 billion a year. There appears to be a contradiction in both approaches being taken here!

I’m no expert on climate change, and neither are the vast majority of politicians. However, the science speaks for itself, as well as our own everyday weather observations. It would seem that an increasing majority of citizens-voters believe that governments and industry need to do something sooner than later. We owe it to ourselves and future generations to get this one right.

Canada Climate Change US

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Apr 29

How Sequester Shows That Washington Doesn’t Give a Dam!

by bcurry

The media reported that as of April 1rst cancer clinics began turning away thousands of Medicare patients because of budget ‘sequestration’ spending cuts. Budget sequestration is a procedure in United States law that limits the size of the federal budget. Sequestration involves setting a hard cap on the amount of government spending within broadly-defined categories. If Congress enacts annual appropriations legislation that exceeds these caps, an across-the-board spending cut is automatically imposed on these categories, affecting all departments and programs by an equal percentage (e.g. 10%). As a result of sequestration and the inability of the Democrats and Republicans to resolve the nation’s current budget problems, Americans are suffering. For example, the recent flight delays of up to three hours or more resulted from the furloughing of air traffic controllers to the point where a reported 15,000 controllers were off the job at the same time at many of the largest U.S. airports. It’s as if Washington doesn’t give a dam about how much harm is being inflicted on Americans for blatant political gain. The situation with the cancer patients is just the latest and most alarming example of how sequestration has started to harm important government functions. Even as billions of dollars in taxpayer money are still being spent on hundreds of wasteful government programs – many of which have been documented by the Government Accountability Office.

What’s most galling about all this is that despite the real harm the sequestration cuts are causing, wasteful government spending has continued unabated. Yes, monies are being wasted outrageously on such important studies as to why fruit flies fall in love, the sex life of snails, recepies for foods which astronauts could prepare while visiting Mars, the improvement of golfers’ putting by imagining the hole is bigger, how to get your pet’s fur to smell better through the better use of pet toiletries, etc. etc.

As Washington continues to show disdain for its citizens and taxpayers, Americans increasingly are demonstrating disdain and cynicism towards Capital Hill. Surely, Congress and the President can work out their differences before something really bad happens, especially in areas related to public health and safety! It’s time to stop this farce and insanity and get on with running the country in some rational and reasonable manner. I am certain that the majority of Americans would support all sides working together at this important time in their history.

Sequestration US

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Apr 24

Terrorism and the Culture of Fear – Where Do We Go From Here?

by bcurry

Once again, the recent horrific bombings during the Boston marathon and the latest arrests of two suspected terrorists in Canada have raised the spectre of terrorism in North America. To be certain, since 9/11, both the American and Canadian authorities have performed reasonably well in containing possible terrorist attacks – whether home grown or internationally driven. However, there has also been an unfortunate side-effect. A culture of fear surfaced and was deliberately or inadvertently promoted by both governments post 9/11. Remember the constant yellow, orange and red alerts!!! Entire communities were subjected to greater public scrutiny and prejudicial activities based solely on their ethnicity or religious beliefs. No one can condone what any terrorists have done or will do, but we must not let the politicians make hay at the expense of our civil liberties. Let’s not be too hasty at throwing people into jails simply on the basis of suspicion.

Bill S-7, referred to as the Combatting Terrorism Act, is currently before the Canadian Parliament. While similar legislation was around since 9/11, this bill if enacted allows the authorities to throw someone in jail for up to 12 months without the usual benefits of due process of law, simply on the basis of “suspicious” activity. Yes, the Government claims that there are supposedly checks and balances in place, but are they sufficient? Will the authorities respect them during a perceived crisis? Surely, panic in the moment must not be the governing factor. Clearly, without undue political interference, normal evidence building and case development procedures must be first followed to avoid wrongful accusations and imprisonment. This means ensuring that the authorities have the necessary resources to carry out adequate investigations and in turn can effectively and impartially prosecute to the full extent of the law.

However, both American and Canadian agencies responsible for such scrutiny and investigations are currently suffering from budgetary and resource restraints as part and parcel of government cutbacks. On the one hand, while it appears that one has adequate legislation and policies to deal with terrorist threats, it is less certain that sufficient resources are available to realistically tackle the problem in a timely and fair fashion. On the other hand, recent events have demonstrated that the general public is still very resilient and important in the face of such threats. Indeed, wide-spread and continuing citizen vigilance may be our best weapon to prevent and respond to terrorism. Furthermore, as citizens, we must go about our daily business in our usual way, without creating an environment of constant fear and helplessness. As in the aftermath of 9/11, we cannot and must not allow the terrorists to win by halting all normal activity, be it travelling, parenting, working, entertaining, socializing, etc., etc. At the same time, I want to be able to go about my normal business without the fear of unwarranted breaches of my privacy and rights to independent political thought and free speech. Failure to do so also means that the terrorists have won.

Canada Terrorism

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Apr 18

Politicians and Illicit Drugs Don’t Mix

by bcurry

For decades now, governments in the U.S. and Canada have called it the “war on drugs”.  During that time, North American societies have been steadily loosing the war.  Oh, once and awhile the authorities will declare publicly that they have won a battle or two with splashy media announcements about some large drug bust — all the while privately admitting that such seizures realistically represent only the tip of the iceberg.  Still, politicians ramble on that putting all the illicit drug pushers in jail will resolve everything.  Last fall, the Canadian Government’s new drug laws came into force. The measures, part of the so-called Safe Streets and Communities Act, provide for a mandatory six-month jail term for growing as few as six marijuana plants.  Hell, I knew a guy in college who would use this amount alone as his personal stash just to help keep away the heebie-jeebies while in school. 

We all can agree that the many consequences of substance abuse are tragic, including those leading to incidences of violence, including child abuse, spousal abuse, homicides, rape, suicide, and close to 100% of date rapes.  Indeed, if you compare the illegal drugs to prescription drugs and alcohol, a lot more people die today from prescription drug and alcohol abuse.  Our crowded prisons are already full of persons incarcerated for crimes committed while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.  Some have estimated that eighty percent of kids in the juvenile justice system are there because of problems related to substance abuse.  Yet politicians, in their usual myopic way of short-term thinking, still turn to the ineffectual use of mandatory sentencing. 

On the other hand, some might argue that substance abuse and addiction are symptomatic of an increasingly sick society; one in which such factors as poverty, inequality of opportunity, illiteracy, high unemployment, homelessness, etc., etc., are pervasive.  As in other areas of social policy, some would see a greater need to tackle many of the underlying causes by applying our limited resources and commitments to seriously addressing these socio-economic issues.  There is also a desperate need for more treatment facilities, particularly those designed to treat juveniles and assist affected families.  An estimated 9 out of 10 drug addicts start substance abuse before the age of 18.  Addiction is a disease, it is both preventable and treatable.  If only we could get the politicians, national and local, to recognize this fact.  We just might then begin the long process required to get a real handle on this important issue.

War on Drugs

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Apr 15

Why Has The US Media Forgotten About Iraq?

by bcurry

It’s April 15, 2013, and Forbes is reporting that bombs hit several cities across Iraq, killing at least 20 people. In a recent survey (Washington Post, March 18, 2013), Iraqis said they felt better about their security but worse about economic and political stability since the U.S. military left in late 2011. The Iraq decade-long war is reported to have cost the U.S. the loss of 4,400 U.S. service personnel and 32,000 wounded, as well as a couple of trillion dollars of taxpayers money. Not to mention the deaths of an estimated 120,000 Iraqi civilians over the same period. Today, religious and ethic divisions continue to pervade much of Iraq, threatening to set the country back again. Current Shi’ite Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki’s political muscle will be severely tested against Shi’ite and Sunni rivals in a scheduled parliamentary election in 2014. While the U.S. continues to pour millions into the strengthening of security forces and the restoration of the country’s infrastructure, the mainstream American media have for the most part chosen to virtually ignore recent developments in Iraq. Perhaps this is because all the attention is being given to Syria and the rise of terrorists’ factions in Africa. Indeed, the Iraqi government very likely prefers it this way. Whatever the reason, one can only hope that more media attention will be paid to the seriousness of the Iraqi situation — even though some Americans may rather choose to forget the unfortunate history and outcomes surrounding this decade-old conflict.

Iraq Today US

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Apr 14

Let’s Not Play Politics With Tragic Suicides Like that of Rehtach Parsons

by bcurry

Once again, I’m astounded that Canadian politicians would politicize such tragic events as that of 17-year-old Rehtach Parsons.  Allegedly, her suicide was driven by repeated bullying stemming from an apparent sexual assault by several young boys in 2011.  Allegedly, pictures were taken during the incident and subsequently posted on the Internet.  This in turn led to her becoming a victim of bullying at school and elsewhere in her Nova Scotia community.  Following an investigation by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) of the alleged sexual assault, the prosecution determined that there was insufficient evidence to lay charges against the attackers.  Needless-to-say, while this case is indeed sadly another symptomatic example of cyber and other forms of bullying leading to a tragic ending, we need once more to take a hard look at surrounding causes.  We need to look at possible prevention and assistance elements in such cases.  However, once again we have politicians who are singling out one unfortunate case to promote some kind of a political agenda.  Prime Minister Stephen Harper should have stopped his media comments at his words of condolences for the family and friends of Rehtach Parsons.  Recognizing it for its tragic circumstances.  Instead, he continued on to frame certain alleged events in the context of criminal acts, stating that the very word “bullying” cannot be used in cases where a criminal act has taken place.  Yet, we have in place a justice system that is based on evidence and the principle that persons are innocent until proven guilty.  The system is driven by adherence to the Canadian Criminal Code, and is meant to be impartial and without undue political interference.  Yes there was a public outcry in this case and even the threat of vigilante actions both from within and outside the aggrieved community.  Interestingly, the investigation into the original assault has since been reopened by the RCMP, apparently based on new-founded information.  My point however is simple.  On the one hand, the justice system has to be allowed to function independent of any outside pressures, political or otherwise.  On the other hand, the whole matter of “bullying” in this country has to be approached in a much broader social context in order to develop good proactive prevention strategies and effective assistance programs and campaigns.  Let’s not confuse the two.  The suicide rate among young people in Canada is far too high as it is.  Suicide is the second-leading cause of death for Canadians between the ages of 10 and 24. According to Statistics Canada, 25 people in Canada aged 10 to 14 committed suicide in 2008.  Bullying may be one contributing factor, but not the only one.  However tragic each youth suicide is, each is one too many.  Let’s not play political games when real solutions need to be continuously examined.

Canada Youth Suicide

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