Winter sun and sea

Ice cream
Sea, the sun

This Blog Desk has Projected that Newt Gingrich will Not Win the Republican Nomination

Last night's Republican debate in Florida was dramatic, snarly, funny, and fascinating. It also changes the tide, again, in Mitt Romney's favor this time.

All four candidates scored points at various times. Rick Santorum was notably forceful, but yet, needlessly long on some answers. Ron Paul was funny, but he does have an interesting vision of how to fix some problems for the country, like illegal immigration, and relations with Cuba. Gingrich does not project the most positive image or the most cheerful attitude especially when it comes to his main rival Mitt Romney. He and his campaign team have been digging plenty of research on Romney, but at one point Romney was prepared and shot back about Newt's similar dealings with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. It seemed to catch Gingrich off guard.

Romney was caught a few times as well, but his presentation, delivery and more positive spin on his perceived image as super rich man, was confident and well received by the audience. His delivery was to the point, without hesitation and energetic. He said that he isn't going to apologize for being rich, and more forcefully as he's done before, turned it into a positive. He held it as a success, which employed many others, and led by one who knows how to be successful. He framed it as an asset for the American people and the economy. It was hard to argue with that final word on that particular segment.

Gingrich appeared to be look foolish on another topic. He has promised that he would put a permanent manned station on the moon by the end of his eight years in office. With a $15 trillion debt, high unemployment, many home foreclosures, setting aside tens of billions more for a moon post, just don't seem like a priority, and Ron Paul in particular dismissed that idea. In fact, it was a gradiose idea, and nice maybe, in the future, but at this moment there are not a lot of people calling for employment on the moon. In ways Ron Paul appears radical, certainly not mainstream, but he often appears to possess great common sense.

Most of the exchanges were interesting to hear and see, but Romney did the best job of presenting himself strong, confident and avoiding a more sort of cantankerous debating style that Newt Gingrich seemed to embody.

One final point about why Newt Gingrich will not be the ultimate winner in this race - sadly for him and his supporters, there are big Republicans who have come out and voiced their opposition to him. Bob Dole, Nancy Pelosi, and others have made it clear that they are no Newt fans. Pelosi say that he will never be President.. ‘There’s Something I Know’. The press has been reporting that he does not have a lot of party support.

So, at this point, from this perch, it appears that unless divine intervention happens, Mitt Romney will be the Republican candidate to run against the Democrats in November. There are still many states to go yet, and things can change, so we will see if this prediction is correct.

An 'ice night

Chilly calm hours before a snow storm

An ice night

A cold, wet Winner's night

NL House of Assembly for Rent

Obviously there's not much to discuss or debate in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, since the HoA was only open for business 33 days last year.

That's been a trend for years now, a diminishing number of days open to discuss the issues facing the province. Thirty-three days is not even enough to talk about the pros and cons of the Muskrat Falls hydro development proposal itself.

It really does seem that that development is a given to go ahead in many representatives' minds. There are good arguments against developing it, and there are perhaps most of us who are just confused about whether or not it will benefit the people and our province, or whether it will create a much deeper debt hole.

Hmm, that's one major issue. There does not have to be a uncivilized brawl in the House of Assembly, and it doesn't have to be a debate for that matter, but more so a discussion, and objective discussion about the long-term benefits and negatives about this. At this moment, if it came to a referandum on that development, this voter would vote against that development because the argument to develop it is not appealling. The idea of us the people, having to service an even larger debt than our current $12 billion, is really non-sensical. Who are really the winners in this? Nalcor's people are kept busy and some rake in pretty hefty salaries, so higher hydro rates won't hurt them.

In todays Telegram, former finance minister Dr. J. Collins also wonders why Muskrat Falls seems to be shoved along without there first being lots of sober analysis, and answers to other issues: Here's part of what he had to say:

Does Nalcor accept that, worldwide, energy-generation and inextricable-linked politic-economic forces are presently in such serious turmoil that now is decidedly not the time for hugely expensive local commitments with probable irreparable consequence? (Especially so for the “bolt-from-the-blue” Muskrat Falls, left rudderless by its mentor.)

• More specifically, has enough weight been given locally manageable wind-energy possibilities? (Nalcor’s own consultant, Navigant, has said no).

• Has potentially available energy (minimum 530+ MW) from now-extant Labrador sources been investigated as thoroughly as has Muskrat Falls? (This includes Upper Churchill “recall power” of 170 MW, now exported south, Twin Falls 225 MW, Menihek 18 MW and unused CFLCo power, 120+ MW.)

• Has upgrading on island hydro electric capacity been considered in detail? (Current capacity is 57 per cent utilized — Bay d’Espoir itself only 51 per cent.)

• Has possible acquisition of liquified natural gas for Holyrood oil replacement been given the in-depth attention it obviously deserves? (Jurisdictions elsewhere are actively doing so.)

• What are the details (if any) of negotiations with Hydro-Québec concerning added purchases from Upper Churchill? (Hydro-Québec now sells to Ontario, the Maritimes and into the U.S.)

• What possible use can a 35-year-old, low-capacity sub-sea link to Nova Scotia be for our province upon ownership in 2053, 12 years after Upper Churchill power contract’s final termination? (Twin Falls and lines were shut down upon advent ohttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.giff the larger Upper Churchill in 1976; will this be the fate of Muskrat Falls — and Gull Island — when superceded by access to Upper Churchill power?)

These (and other) concerns are not quixotic but aim squarely at the core of the matter. Nalcor (and government) ignore them at their peril.

If the House of Assembly will only be open for provincial business for only a month again this year, perhaps the chamber can be rented out to other groups for profit.

Why not make some money on this, to at least pay for the heat bill there. Perhaps it could be rented to say, another economist like Prof. James Feehan, who thinks that developing a multi-billion dollar Muskrat Falls hydroelectricity project is not necessary, and imprudent. Incidentally, according to Dr. Collin's letter to the editor, James Feehan will be hosted by The Harris Centre (no date given at this point) to give his views on the whole development.

Newt Takes the Gloves off for Mitt

Some people are sports junkies, and some are political junkies. A party leadership race is very much like a sport. There are many competitions, lots of critical numbers involved, and timing is a key technique to score points. This blogger has a partial addiction for both, sometimes. One of those times is now, during the U.S. opposing party's election primary process.

Boy, it's scary how fast time flies. Seems like only the day before yesterday that the world was wondering if Barack Obama could actually win the Democratic nomination, let alone become the first black president. Here's the big picture presently: It is four years since then, and it's the Republican's turn to select a party leader to run against President Obama next fall.

The U.S. election process just seems like a continuing process that never really ends, from one election to another. The Republican party has been forever whittling down its list of candidates since last year, and talk about potential candidates began years ago.

There were 9 candidates in the fall debates, and between debates, scandals, polls and state primaries, there are now four left. One of those will battle Obama in the new "election of the century" in November. They all (that is, Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, Rick Santorum and Newt Gingrich) have their humanity points, i.e., strong and weak points. Romney appears strong on the economic side, largely due to his multi-millionaire success status. Gingrich comes across as a sharp, thinking man who has decades of political experience, and a politically savvy set of antennae that can sense and know the feel of the state electorate, the media, and thus, mentally prepare passionate attention-grabbing responses. Such was the case on Wednesday night's debate when he was asked by CNN's moderator John King, about his alleged "open marriage" suggestion to an ex-wife.

Ron Paul is bold and in some ways a bit radical, for a conservative Republican candidate. In the debate Wednesday, he quipped in one response, that the media, CNN, is run by a corporation.. meaning that CNN and others, have a certain agenda which is of interest to a big profit driven system. Rick Santorum is not so familiar so far to this observer, but he seems to have a clean slate. LIke the others, he is unapologetically a faith-based candidate and who not infrequently invokes a God/religious or moral reference. Personality and speaking-wise, he is not as interesting as the other three.

Wednesday's debate was the big lead-in to Saturday's primary vote in South Carolina. These are still early days and the magic number of number of delegates needed to win is 1144. Up until Monday, Jan. 16, Mitt Romney had the most momentum, but in the last six days, the political veteran Gingrich's political prospects are, like Lazarus, being strongly resurrected. A small miracle? Maybe. Gingrich was Speaker of the House of Representatives for four years during Clinton's presidency, and was close to Ronald Reagan's presidential office back in the 1980s. He has certainly had a big share of the limelight, and been a major influence on American politics and its economic policies. So one could think perhaps he has spent his political energy and already peaked.

Several months ago, other candidates regularly got their share of attention. There were the debate gaffs.. like the time Rick Perry on live tv, could not remember a 3rd federal department he had alluded to a few seconds prior. Then there was the charismatic, millionaire pizza expert Herman Cain, whose alleged marital infidelities created too much heat in the kitchen, and Cain could only offer half baked excuses. For him, "it' had been a slice" as they say. Michelle Bachmann of the Tea Party was always one to watch, partly because some of her past statements, like the time she suggested that the HPV vaccine caused mental retardation, were ripped to shreds.

Gingrich has been confident, outshone by others, but this wise politician's timing seems to be dead on. His rise is taking away the silent, yet hesitant assumption of many that the younger and richer Mitt Romney would win the Republican nomination. In fact, Gingrich convincingly won the state of South Carolina on Saturday night, and the most recent debate was a strong factor because Gingrich slammed a couple of home runs that night.

This political race is getting closer, and like the marathon the process is, Newt is definitely a marathon runner, and has paced himself to catch up with the leader Romney, and is now poised to overtake him. The next meet is in Florida on Jan. 31, but all athletes will be working out, their strategies, lines, solutions, and ammunition. As they all said after the South Carolina results came in, this fight is going to be long.

As it stands now, the two frontrunners are Romney and Gingrich, and they will likely be the last two standing. The present score of delegates are: Gingrich - 25; Romney - 14; Paul - 10; Santorum - 8. This week was a game changer for Newt, but it's too early to say who will ultimately win first place. It's getting more dramatic and lots more drama will happen as we see other political heavyweights join candidates' team, and determine the plays and the score.

Merry Christmas Happy Holidays Seasons Gre frig it, Merry Christmas

Actually I don't care what phrase is used, but, it's still a free country which includes all, which includes atheists, and different faith believers. Have a nice holiday, Christmas or whatever, .. but mainly understanding, peace and love (who doesn't want that).

Am not surprised at the death of N. Korea's Kim Jong, he's been il all his life.

One less heartless dictator in the world, this has been one bumper year for the demise of evil VIPs.
But Kim was not taken out with a drone attack or Navy Seals, instead his heart failed him.. It was probably due to stress. All that worry over his own people, and how he could stop the starvation (while building up nukes and a massive army), and the stress over the 200,000 political prisoners who were so unjustly locked up. This chronic worry is not good for one's heart, and in the end, their Dear and caring dictator died of a broken heart.

In fact the peoples' hearts are now broken. You should see the reaction to his death, just the same as it was for his father's. These people are sealed within the confines of this prison state, and whether most realize it or not, their suffering continued under Kim's reign. Perhaps people are too fearful to react in any other way, but to show hysteric emotion of a 69 year old mad who apparently died of natural causes. See the clip.

But what kind of puppet will Kim's successor, his son, Kim Jong-un be? The ruling party and military generals basically will run the show, and probably his actions and utterances. Let people hope, especially the suffering ones in North Korea, that the young un, will have a bit more level headedness and try to feed the starving, stop tortures, and try to mend relations with much of the world. In case any of the North Korea leadership is reading this blog, is it possible still to choose a leader with a different name? I mean, come on, this will be the 3rd Kim in a row. How about a Fred Jong il, or a Scott Jong il, or even Ross Jong il. Time to change a lot in that country.

The Color of Christmas

Write for Rights: Human Rights Day Dec. 10 - Amnesty International

We see it on the news every day, many people in the world have their rights violated regularly, in fact many are brutalized, despite peaceful intentions.

On December 10th, the world writes for rights. Click here to read cases to write for.

Across Canada individuals and communities will be gathering on Human Rights Day to call for justice, and write words of encouragement, solidary and hope to defenders around the world, locked in the struggle for universal rights.

This is one story to write about, and demand peoples' rights:

NORTH KOREA: Demand the closure of an inhumane prison camp “An estimated 50,000 men, women and children are currently held in Yodok political prison camp in North Korea. Yodok is one of six known camps in the country. They hold about 200,000 political prisoners and their families without trial or following grossly unfair trials. Prisoners, including children, are tortured and forced to work in dangerous conditions. The combination of hazardous forced labour, lack of food, beatings, inadequate medical care and unsanitary living conditions results in chronic illness. Many prisoners die in detention or soon after release. The North Korean government denies that any political prison camps exist, even though satellite photographs and testimony collected by Amnesty International from former guards and former prisoners confirm their existence. The government imprisons officials perceived to have performed their job inadequately, critics of the government or the ruling family, and people suspected of engaging in “anti-government” activities, including listening to TV or radio broadcasts from South Korea. All the camps have “total control zones.” Prisoners in those zones are rarely released. Babies born in total control zones are imprisoned there for life. Yodok’s “revolutionary zones” imprison people who the government believes have committed less serious offences. Prisoners here serve up to 10 years before release. Executions take place in Yodok both in public and in secret, by firing squad or hanging. Inmates can be executed for stealing food or for breaking other prison camp rules. Family members of those suspected of crimes are also sent to Yodok. This system of “guilt-by-association” is used to silence dissent and control the population through fear. When Oh Kil-man requested political asylum in Denmark in 1986, he was forced to leave his wife and two daughters behind. The government sent his family to Yodok in 1987 after Oh failed to return to North Korea. Oh received letters from them in 1988 and 1989, and photographs in 1991. He is the only person known to have received this kind of information from inside the camps. A former prisoner claims that authorities later moved Oh’s wife and daughters to Yodok’s total control zone. Please write to North Korea’s leader. Start your message with Dear Chairman. Describe who you are and what concerns you about the conditions in Yodok prison camp. Ask him to release all prisoners of conscience held in the camps, including relatives held on the basis of “guilt-by-association,” and to close Yodok without delay. Call on him to end all executions and abusive forced labour, torture and other ill-treatment of detainees in Yodok and in any prison camp in North Korea. Address your message to: Kim Jong-il Chairman, National Defence Commission Pyongyang Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Postage: $1.75 Please send a copy to: Note: Your copy will go via the Amnesty office in Geneva for forwarding to Ambassador So-Se Pyong. Please make no mention of the Amnesty office in your letters or emails. UN Ambassador of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to the United Nations in Geneva H.E. Mr. So-Se Pyong C/o Yodok Action Amnesty International 22 rue du Cendrier – 4th floor 1201 Geneva, Switzerland Postage: $1.75 Email: Geneva-Yodoc@amnesty.org”

Here are a few FAQs about Write for Rights:

What is the main goal of Write for Rights?

The purpose of the Write for Rights is to mobilize thousands of people around the world on Human Rights Day. The main goal is to use the power of letter-writing to help bring about the release of people who have been wrongfully detained and to influence world leaders to protect individuals or people whose human rights have been denied.

Who can participate?

Everyone who is interested! You do not need to be a member of Amnesty International to participate. Amnesty welcomes all those who are keen to keep shining the light on human rights. Whether you plan to participate as a letter-writer, event organizer, or sponsor, we’d like to think that the world would be a better place if everyone was a member of Amnesty International.

Does letter-writing work?

Yes, it does! Amnesty has found that your letter-writing efforts have led to positive results in approximately one-third of the cases. But we’ve also learned that it takes persistence: some countries can be more responsive than others; and some high profile individuals, such as Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi have been repeatedly arrested.

Check out some of our good news stories.

Cheers to John Lennon

One of my many favorites of the Beatles, written mainly by Lennon, is the catchy, upbeat, stinging musicality of the superb number 'Hey Bulldog'. It was spring of 1968, and despite cooling relationships among the group, their creativity just kept on growing. In the video below, they were in studio to make a promotional film for 'Lady Madonna', but they were recorded while performing an equally brilliant piece of music. It's been said by their engineer Geoff Emerick, that this was the last time that "featured a team dynamic with enthusiasm from every member". He went on to say in his book Here, There, and Everywhere, "Paul's bass line was probably the most inventive of any he'd done since Pepper, and it was really well played. Harrison's solo was sparkling, too--one of the few times that he nailed it right away."

Lennon's voice and humour are also evident, not to mention his buddy Paul's as well. They both harmonize naturally, and engage the listener. McCartney remembers it this way:

"I remember (it) as being one of John's songs and I helped him finish it off in the studio, but it's mainly his vibe. There's a little rap at the end between John and I, we went into a crazy little thing at the end. We always tried to make every song different because we figured, 'Why write something like the last one? We've done that.' We were on a ladder so there was never any sense of stepping down a rung, or even staying on the same rung, it was better to move one rung ahead".

Here it is as this tribute to John Lennon, and the Fab Four.

Light travel

Just as cave ancestors said goodnight to the setting sun we are sad to see it leave, and realize our eternal worlds revolve around the light, energy, and fuel, and source of life. Evolved sources of light expand the days and still we are searching, to find, use, and get energy, and, ultimately, to stop searching, be at peace, and enlightened.

Kellie JOYce and natural beauty

Mother nature splendid bubbling dreamy smooth full of life life giving us children of nature humility contentment energy wonderment.. peace

Morning at Pouch Cove

Launch of the NL Thrombosis, Blood and Immune Disorder Research & Education Project

From The Hemoglobin Mail blog,

The Hemoglobin Mail blog is now open for business

This is just a small shout out to a new blog just created called The Hemoglobin Mail. It will from time to time post news about blood and immune system disorders like leukemia. While there won't be a daily posting, there will be news on interesting, useful, and/or promising research. As a blogger who was stung by the bite of this cancer, you may also see posts on stem cell transplants, and post transplant side effects known as graft versus host disease.

Today is just a launch, and in the days to come, we will christen site with details of a another launch on Nov. 9, of the Thrombosis, Blood and Immune Disorder research project, to be held at the Geo Centre at 7:30 p.m. More details to follow.

Seizin' Changes II

Fall awakening

Up for Fall

Probably the favorite time of year at this blog spot. This years autumn weather wise is easily better than the pseudo-summer we endured. At around 20 C yesterday, it was a gift from above, above being the warm, and slightly humid air. Despite not a whole lot of colorful leaves, winds earlier this fall gave many an early send off, but lots more to fall from others, there are some around, and more to come. Below are some snaps from an outing yesterday.




Rusted leaves

Determination

A Boring Election but resulting with interesting markers

A striking result of this election is the surge in the NDP representation in the House of Assembly, and in the popular vote in the province. From one seat to five is a major rise in Newfoundland and Labrador's politizicape.

One could relate the national NDP rise to the official opposition, and/or the American "Occupy Wall St." movement, to a provincial rise in a feeling that yes, there are a great many who feel that current economic rewards are not fairly distributed in society. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer phrase is often repeated but unfortunately, there is a case in point. The NL NDP has had a clear voice for the less fortunate, in leader Lorraine Michael. She has been a well-spoken, and sincere proponent for the political left.

Michael has been been re-elected, defeating a respected and former Auditor General John Noseworthy. It's a pity that he elected to run in her district, since his image of justice and trust, is perhaps one less such MHA elected to represent people of the province.

This election is not an earth-shattering election at this time, since there were other female provincial leaders, but it is the first time one was elected through an election in the province, and congrats to Premier Kathy Dunderdale for her personal efforts of achievement.

Well, she has the province's welfare to administer and direct while in term, and two major considerations are the province's debt, and the prospective economic potential of Muskrat Falls Hydro development, and/or a "fuller" Lower Churchill Falls development, including Gull Island.

An election campaign is only enough time for short optimistic visions that are mostly dreamy at the time. The reality sets in afterwards of how beneficial a major project/natural resource development is. Even this year, there are doubts about the economic benefits of the proposed Muskrat Falls Hydro-electric development is. The idea is nice - using a non-Quebec route to deliver the power, but really, there are major doubts about the immediate and yearly provincial and personal benefits that this power plan will yield for people in Newfoundland & Labrador.

From this blog spot, Premier Dunderdale can still win favoritism by proceeding with caution on the Muskrat Falls development, and ensuring that the province will not lose out on future hydro development, which might include a more complete "Lower Churchill" (including Gull Island) development. People here will never want to see a Churchill mistake II.

Restless calm

Overpowering forces
beyond control
demote us to spectator
Overpowering forces of nature
beyond control
emote us, the spectator

Is the famine over in East Africa?

Wow, thank the world that we heard the last of the famine in East Africa! I mean, it's over right!? Sure, there were spurts of news reports over the summer, after the Royal Wedding, and the Casey Anthony trial, but now it seems to be fixed. There must no longer be 1000's dying of starvation each week because such a tragedy would be at least mentioned by major networks, right?

Hmm, no one will ever forget what happened on this day a decade ago, and the innocents who were mindlessly cremated alive. In fact the events and aftermaths are still fascinating in the unbelievability factor alone. The documentaries are riveting. But I can't help but feel frustrated by being helpless to help out the currently, dying, skeletal looking children of East Africa, lying on the ground, gasping for water, food, care, love, life and a morsel of hope from anyone.

Canadians have indeed donated millions, as have the government, and others in the world. Unfortunately, a cruel group of militants in Somalia have been preventing food and aid from getting to their country men, women and children, and would rather that they die. It's so senseless, and typical of those extremist nutters, they love hate, and death. Lately there are signs that their power is dwindling, and they have eased up on restricting food relief getting through.

It is quite possible that 790,000 will die of starvation, yet it is rarely mentioned in the news. It is also a wonder where the Arab League are when people of their own faith are perishing. How can many of those countries, saturated with wealth, just let it happen? Where the devil are they? What kind of brotherhood is that? Amidst the anniversary coverage this week, it would be informative if the national media would keep the public informed about the millions facing starvation right this minute.

No, we will never forget the hideous and hateful actions committed to innocent men, women and children, but there appears to be a forgotten and very needy population of our brothers and sisters in Africa.

When will they be remembered?