Saturday, March 3, 2018

DOES ANYONE GIVE A SHIT? By Joe Ingino


DOES ANYONE GIVE A SHIT?
   Pardon my french but really does anyone give a SHIT.  I say this so openly because we have become a society where anything justifiable goes.  After all if you don’t get offended by a woman on CNN wanting to ban the word ‘MAN’ from woman, to Bruce Jenner and his Yes penis No penis debate.  Me using the word shit..something we all do on a daily basis surely can’t offend.  Could I have used a different word.  Surely.  But It appears that we have become so confused that we can’t make heads from tail so hell this one is a shot from the hip and hopefully a shocking wake up for many.
Look at what is happening here in our beloved Oshawa.   The INTERNATIONAL FIRE FIGHTERS ASSOCIATION released a very profound and alarming warming to the City official.  It appears as it has become traditional at the City... to ignore those that are not outside the City’s inner guard.
The IFF claims that the City is putting the downtown public at risk. That the City is putting fire fighter attending calls at risk of injury.   The  breaker for the IFF was the recent fire that took life on Centre St.  How many more people must die before the city takes note and actually does something about it?
The City of Oshawa has a long standing reputation for being discriminatory, bias and prejudice when it comes to it’s bidding for contract process.   When it comes to land related agreements.
When it comes to it’s advertising budgets.  If the City or someone at the City does not benefit directly.  You are considered and outsider and excluded or ignored.
The IFF according to their top man denounces the action of Oshawa Fire Chief, the hand picked City Manager and other senior staff as responsible for the lack of cooperation towards meeting the guidelines stipulated in the FPA 1710.  An International ruler of sort that clearly mandates what each municipality must supply in order to keep it’s population safe.  It also is an important indicator for the safety of fire fighters.
Then the question is why... is the City so opposed to something that will benefit everyone?  It will lower liability and put many at ease knowing that in the event of a fire.  The best possible response and the safest for those attending.
What really gets me thinking is why do we keep voting the same people in?   DO WE NOT CARE?   HAVE WE GIVEN UP ON MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT?   Have we become so numb to the realities of our needs that we don’t question acts of ignorance by those elected.
How can we tolerate such injustice.   How can we grow as a society when we have such bias and corruption in our City Hall.    I say corruption possibly to loosely... as I mean... The good old boys club has to be eliminated in order for the system of democracy to grow.  Much like what Trump is doing in the U.S. dismantle the establishment.   The good old days are gone.  Now we govern by common sense and for the betterment of our people.  The City passed a 3% tax increase.  Not one word of concern.  We assume is business as usual.  Really?  Wow.
In my books it is not OK.  In my books we must put the best interest of the people first.  Safety, Housing, Economic development and general peace of mind should be the root of governance.

Saturday, February 24, 2018

Affordable Housing Affordable Housing

By John Mutton      
  Affordable Housing could be the biggest issue in Canada and very much so in the Greater Toronto Area with market values having doubled and tripled with wages barely seeing a rate of inflation increase.

Home ownership used to be an achievable dream, now it is basically impossible to save a 20 percent down payment and ongoing mortgage costs.

I myself am developing a plan for Durham Region and it's 8 area municipalities for Affordable Housing, development charge exempt areas. The idea is that where we already heavy services as in water and sewer and new growth capacity, we look at reducing the development charges on each home, which could result in $40000 in savings as a start toward affordable housing.

While existing home owners are benefiting from the equity in their homes and real estate agents are making unheard of commissions (the same 200-300 percent) we need to look at all variables that go into the price of a house.
Incentives to lower commissions through tax rebate incentives for real estate agents is a key area where the federal government can assist.

The solution is there, the coordination of incentives is what is most important. Development charge exemptions from the Region, Municipality and School Board, tax incentives to lower commissions and the provincial Ministry of Housing looking at smaller unit's within the building code are all what needs to be done. I look at areas in California, Las Vegas and in Europe where the plan is working, let's use their good examples and create a new level of housing in Durham, where owning a home is achievable for almost anyone.


Till next week
John Mutton
President and CEO
Municipal Solutions - Energy and Infrastructure

Greetings from Granville Anderson—MPP Durham

  Greetings from Granville
‘Major investments at UOIT’
By Granville Anderson—MPP Durham     

     Last week I was at UOIT with the Minister of Economic Development and Growth, Steven Del Duca, to make an exciting announcement: the province is investing $4 million to enhance the university's Automotive Centre of Excellence (ACE).

ACE is unlike any other testing facility in the country. There, researchers can create any weather environment, from freezing cold temperatures with 300km/hour winds to torrential downpours in extreme heat. It's been used for a number of unique projects, such as training elite skiers, testing motor vehicles, and filming television shows-soon, ACE will be able to do even more.

With this new partnership between the province and UOIT, a Moving Ground Plane (MGP), which stimulates a road moving under a vehicle, will be added to the centre. In combination with ACE's real-world weather conditions, this addition will significantly improve the student experience by providing even more incomparable experiences. Further, it will provide a location for automotive companies to build and test their new energy-efficient products.

When I learned about this innovative technology, I knew that I had to get involved. That is why, alongside my colleagues MPP Joe Dickson and Minister Tracy MacCharles, I have been working hard at Queen's Park to push for this investment. ACE is extremely beneficial to our students and our community, and I'm very happy that the province is supporting this gold standard research and development opportunity.

I know that our recent announcement will help to bring attention to UOIT, and to Durham as a whole. I look forward to the great opportunities that will result.

BROKEN CANADA By Joe Ingino

By Joe Ingino b.a.
Editor/Publisher

“I live a dream in a nightmare world”
  
BROKEN CANADA
   Much like Trump.  Our Prime Minister takes his share of ridicule and insult.  I guess that comes with the job.   As an educated voter we must look beyond the discontent of the people and judge him on his achievement and on merit.
I am sure the position of Prime Minister has it’s unknowns and for someone of the stature of Justin Trudeau one has to wonder how many time he has to push that ceiling of intellectual aptitude.  On the surface he is a text book Liberal.  Going around championing the people and their rights and freedoms.  I praise him for that.   He has taken the role of championing causes.  Causes that at times may end up not in favor of all Canadian but a selected group.
After all if Justin last name had been SMITH.  Would the people of Canada had voted him in on his intellect and or credentials?   Personally I think Justin is a breath of fresh air to Canadian politics as he is clearly a candidate from outside the political norm.   I just wished he would embrace this opportunity to truly use his power to benefit all Canadians.  His father was a Canadian political icon.  I think that Justin will be in office for a long time coming and he should rethink his social priorities as average Canadian need  him to champion them before any other.
They say that with power comes responsibility.  With power comes commitment and understanding that there can’t be no hidden agenda other then that of serving the people you represent. In Canadian politics we have seen time and time again that it is not the case.  It appears that in Canada power corrupts.  That leadership is a group effort.  A communal committed of sort that looks for their self preservation first and the interest of the people at large second.
Look at the recent trip our PM took to India.   Like really, a  trade trip?   You got to be kidding me?  What could we possibly trade with India?  As it stand many of our Canadian based corporations are taking our jobs to India, due to the lower wages and less regulations pertaining to labor laws.
It has been posted that India to Canada trade will be in the realm of 250million.  Canada to India $750million.   Is this good trade for Canada?
The PM has been quoted this past week as wanting to give back to Canada’s native community.   He feels that it is Canadians fault that their living conditions are what they are.   Now don’t get me wrong.  I know that there are problems within the native community.  You do not have to be a sociologist to figure that out.    But you need to have some sort of comprehension that passing the buck is not the answer.
Giving up wealth or money to the native community is not the answer.   The native community  pointing fingers and blaming is far from the answer also.
I believe that we as Canadian people can’t feel guilt for what history has dealt the world.  We should not be made as anything is owed to anyone.  I think what we need to do when looking at the native situation is invest more resources so that those in remote and no to remotest part of Canada have access to the basic necessities.  Hell, we fly supplies to foreign lands to assist  people we have no association with in times of civil war.  So why not put aside resources to assure that all Canadians have access.  As for the land rights and sovereignty.... the right to self govern.   It is Canada. One country under one flag.   Our strength is our unity.  Much like Quebec.  Native Canadians have no justification as Canadians to want to divide a country.  If so then is that not anti patriotic and deemed an enemy of the state?
We need to make Canada what it was and what it is.  Our PM has to be recognized for wanting to be the people’s champion.  In the same breath.  You have to appreciate the PM limited understanding and his bleeding liberal heart.
To surrender out of passion to a particular cause is not rational as passion is an emotion that sways rationality. In my opinion Canada is broken.  We as a population are emotionally bankrupt.  We have lowered our standards so low that we accept anything and anyone's cry.    For example.  The fact that our PM is considering changing parts of our Canadian government to be more inclusive of our native Canadians will only open the doors for other slowly growing groups in Canada to want the same privileges and rights.   If we set the precedent and allow a people to have special priviledges over others.  Are we not being counterproductive to the betterment of all.  Is that not prejudice in it’s own right?
History is just that.  A book of lessons that we should all learn from.  It is not as book of possible wrong to be made right.  It is a book to learn from.
Imagine for a moment....  We are 35 million strong.  Imagine if the government issued a 1 million dollar cheque to every Canadian every five years.   You may say... are you crazy Joe?
Well, maybe but that is for a different column.  Think of the boost it will give the Canadian economy.   Think of the boost it will give to the quality of life for all.    Think of the millions we waste on foreign aid.  Think of the millions we waste on all kinds of project that benefit others in the world.  WOULD IT NOT MAKE SENSE TO INVEST IN OUR PEOPLE?
Why can’t this happen?   Well, it is because thinking outside the box is something that needs some understanding of the fundamentals of the human mind.   Power and Politics are blinding factors that intoxicate our minds with causes and not solutions to real problems.  As it stands in Canadian politics it is a constant race to assure votes and to keep those that scream the loudest happy.  Is this our Canada.  Should our PM be chasing causes and in the process slowly eroding what made this country great?  It is not about Liberals, Conservatives or NDP as they all have the same symptoms of incompetency.  I say this because they are all in self preservation mode.  They are all wrapped on political satire and are far from interested in caring about the little guy.  The modern day slave that works 14hr days or the guy that has two or three jobs and has problems paying his/her bills.   The guy that is in a rut job and has no way out or possibly light at the end of  his tunnel... or even the pigeon holders... those that sit on a hefty wage but are limited by the anchor of commitment to a job that may not be there for eternity.
In my Canada no one goes without.  In my Canada, we take care of all our people.  In my Canada we stand united.  In my Canada everyone count.  Canada is broken. Let’s fix it.

IMPROVE YOUR BLOATING AND BRAIN FOG WITH THIS DIET

Healthy Eating
from Marissa Liana
 Certified Nutritional Practitioner/Health Coach
Specialized in Applied Holistic Nutrition from the Institute of Holistic Nutrition.  b.a. (Honours) in Kinesiology from UOIT.
IMPROVE YOUR BLOATING AND BRAIN FOG WITH THIS DIET

Do you experience symptoms such as bloating, constipation and/or diarrhea, mental fog, low energy, cravings for bread, alcohol and sugar, fungal issues, or yeast infections? If you answered yes to many of the above, you may really want to consider following an anti-Candida diet.

What is Candida? Candida is a type of yeast that naturally resides inside of us, but can become overgrown due to many factors such as a diet low in fiber

What can you do if you think you may have Candida? Working with a nutritional professional such as myself to develop an anti-candida diet is a great first step. I take many of my clients through gut-healing protocols which remove certain foods in the diet while focusing on the proper foods and supplements to consume. Typical foods to avoid are high sugar foods, starchy carbohydrates and fungal-type foods such as peanuts and vinegar. Supplementing with a probiotic such as Genuine Health Advanced Gut Health Probiotic and eating natural food sources of probiotics such as Tonica Kombucha will help to reestablish a healthy balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut. I have written an ebook titled. Bikini Bod Beat the Bloat which includes a two-week digestive healing meal plan and supplement guide to help you get started. Visit www.marissaliana.com for more information.
Until next week,
Stay well.
Marissa.
www.marissaliana.com
and high in sugars, refined carbohydrates and processed foods, overprescribed or recent use of antibiotics, hormonal birth control pill, and lack of natural sources of probiotics in the diet (kombucha, sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir). With these conditions, Candida can proliferate uncontrollably causing horrible digestive symptoms and additional symptoms listed above.

Last Call from Wayne & Tamara

Direct Answers
from Wayne & Tamara
Last Call
   I have been married to my husband for over 30 years.
  He has never been a man to touch, caress or kiss outside lovemaking. His interest in maintaining a sexual relationship with me waned shortly after we stopped having children. Pornography meets his needs in that area.
Nothing is allowed to come between him and his drinking. This, he tells me, is his right after a hard week’s work, and besides, everyone drinks don’t they? Of course he tells me he rarely gets drunk no matter how much he drinks.

Slurring your words, being unsteady on your feet, and being belligerent seemingly don’t count as being drunk. It hurt me deeply that, in the context of binge-drinking, he tried to bed my niece.
After a huge drinking session with his sister, they stayed overnight in a local park. I am told he wanted to have sex with her there. He denied both incidents saying, the women involved were both drunk too. But he admits he himself was too drunk to know what actually played out.

He and his sister have now formed a suicide pact. That much he does own.
I supported my husband through depression and cancer. After 30 years and five lots of marriage counselling, I want to call it quits. But he is refusing to budge and will not leave my bed. He says he can turn it all around.

I would appreciate your advice. But I think you will tell me I have enabled all this by staying so long.
Bonnie

Bonnie, the pact your husband and his sister made is often called emotional blackmail. More accurately, though, it is hostage-taking. Instead of grabbing someone off the street, they took themselves hostage and sent you a ransom note.

What a simple-minded plot. Your husband thinks it will keep you from leaving while not requiring him to change. But your solution is easy. Don’t pay the ransom. Enough is enough.
There is one part of enabling you need to own. Your husband should have had his comeuppance years ago. Letting people get away with inappropriate behavior doesn’t help them, it hurts them. Your husband won’t think, “I can’t believe I got away with this for 30 years.” He will think, “I want to get away with this for the rest of my life.”

He’s been able to act without consequence, except for some counseling which he ignored. Alcoholism runs in his family. You can’t believe wild claims of “I can turn this around” from someone who is a blackout drunk.

If the only consequence for speeding was a fine and higher insurance premium, some wealthy people might speed all the time. It’s taking away their driver’s license that stops them. Similarly, your husband’s marriage license has never been in jeopardy before. Expect him to be angry.
So you must do two things. First, determine how to part from him in a safe way. That in itself can make you feel your life is out of control.

Second, you must set up new mileposts. That means formulating new plans and engaging in new activities. At a minimum that means getting advice from a lawyer, a social service agency or women’s center, and perhaps law enforcement.

Your husband’s way of coping with just about anything is, I’d rather be drunk. Your way of coping must be different. Decide on concrete steps to take. Determine how to part from him with the assets and emotional support you will need to stay on your new path.
Without a detailed plan you will founder.
Wayne & Tamara
Send letters to: DirectAnswers@WayneAndTamara.com

Breast Feeding By Dr. George Traitses

HEALTHY LIVING
By Dr. George Traitses
D.C., B.Sc.(Hon.), M.Sc., C.H.N., C.N.M., A.C.R.B. 3, C.R.A.
Member of the Ontario Chiropractic Association
Why Breast-Feeding Is So Good for Your Baby (and You)
Breast-feeding has made the national headlines of late, but not necessarily for the right reason; after all, the most important issue isn't under what circumstances women should breast-feed (the when and where), but why.

The answer, of course, is that ample evidence suggests breast-feeding is enormously beneficial to both mother and child. Here are a few examples courtesy of Womens Health. gov, a U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Office on Women's Health project.
1. Unparalleled nutrition: Although formulas mimic breast milk more closely than ever, there's still a big difference when it comes to nutrition. The first breast milk produced during pregnancy and just following birth contains colostrum, which is rich in nutrients and antibodies. Colostrum then changes into mature milk, a thinner milk that still contains a vital blend of protein, fat, sugar and water.
2. Disease protection: Breast milk has been shown to protect against disease, with breast-fed babies developing asthma, respiratory infections, type 2 diabetes, obesity and even sudden infant death syndrome compared to formula-fed babies. Breast-feeding also appears to reduce health risks in mothers as well, including type 2 diabetes, breast cancer, ovarian cancer and postpartum depression.
 3. Emotional bonding: The act of breast-feeding requires a closeness between mother and child unmatched by formula feeding. The physical contact is important for the baby, making them feel safe, warm and secure; it can have the same effect on the mother while also allowing her to relax, something she may not choose to do while baby is formula-feeding.

4. Safety: Ever wonder what you'd do if disaster struck and your ability to feed your baby were compromised? If you breast-feed, you can relax; after all, a safe, balanced food supply is readily available. Contaminated water supply? No problem. No hot water to sterilize baby bottles? No problem. No baby bottles at all? No problem.
Talk to your doctor of chiropractic for more information about how to ensure your health and the health of your child, and visit WomensHealth.gov to learn more about the many benefits of breast-feeding.
For more information on health and safety please visit www.toyourhealth.com and the Ontario Chiropractic Association web site at www.chiropractic.on.ca or call 1877-327-2273. Dr. George I. Traitses of Infinite Health practices traditional chiropractic, advanced nutrition and anti aging therapy and has been serving the Toronto and Markham communities since 1981. You can reach him at 416-499-5656 or www.infinite-health.com.
 Web site at  www.chiropractic.on.ca or call 1877-327-2273
Dr. George Traitses, 416-499-5656  www.infinite-health.com

Surviving a Toxic World By W. Gifford-Jones M.D.

 The Doctor Game

By W. Gifford-Jones M.D.
Surviving a Toxic World
          How many of us would like to live like a hermit? I doubt that many would decide to give up the comfort and pleasures of civilization. But we pay an increasing price for comfort. Today, it’s impossible to escape fumes from cars, radiation from computers, earth’s depleted ozone layer, foods that have been over-processed, pesticides sprayed onto crops, to mention a few. It’s no wonder that so many North Americans suffer from toxic inflammatory diseases. But there’s a natural way to boost the immune system to decrease the risk.
Dr. John Wilkinson, Senior Herbal Medicine Lecturer at Middlesex University, London, England, says the answer is plant sterols which, like vitamin C, cannot be made by the human body. Studies show that plant sterols reduce inflammation, which decreases the risk of atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries), often requiring by- pass surgery. This explains why plant sterols have been called nature’s “immunologic scalpel”.
But plant sterols are not only for the number one killer, cardiovascular disease. Every year North Americans, on average, suffer six common colds due to weakened immune systems. Such infections become more dangerous as we age. For instance, during early life, influenza is rarely fatal. But later, when it strikes an exhausted immune system, it results in the deaths of thousands of seniors every year.
          Today’s stressful life is also not kind to our immune system. Chronic stress triggers the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines which increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and auto-immune disorders such as psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, along with aching muscles, fibromyalgia and constant fatigue.
          It’s estimated that in North America there are 30 million allergy sufferers. Some people have acute anaphylactic attacks that are life-threatening. But the majority are affected by pollen, animal dander, dust mites in bedding, and molds that collect in showers, window moldings, and damp basements. All can cause inflammatory reaction in the body’s airways.
          Another threat today is exposure to radiation. In addition to X-ray and CT scans, we’re constantly exposed to home-radiation from cell phones, microwave ovens, transmission towers, along with radiation from long hours of looking at television. And unlike an infection that goes away, radiation never does, accumulating more year by year.

            Fortunately, our own immunity system works 24/7 against toxins that enter the body and trigger allergic reactions. Without this natural defense our bodies would decompose in a few days due to microbes, parasites and toxins.

So can we increase the amount of plant sterols to boost our natural immunity against so many diverse diseases? It’s easier said than done. For instance, 3 ounces of unprocessed plant food contain 4,200 milligrams (mg.) of sterols. But after processing it into flour, 90 percent of the sterol is lost! This is the high price we pay for civilization!
          But we can all get more plant sterols by eating more grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes and seeds. Research has also shown that regular exercise can bolster the immune system by stimulating the body’s natural killer cells.

A natural remedy is also available in Health Food Stores, called ImmunoCare. This product helps to restore balance to the immune system. One capsule contains 400 mg. of plant sterols along with a potent antioxidant. Antioxidants help to detoxify free radicals, the waste products of an aging metabolism. And to assure that the capsule is not destroyed by the stomach’s acid, it’s coated to allow absorption in the small bowel.
The dosage of ImmunoCare is one capsule daily taken with water or fruit juice 30 minutes before a meal. Women who are pregnant, nursing or diabetic should consult their doctor before taking this supplement.
An added benefit is that ImmunoCare, when taken before a meal, blocks the intestinal absorption of cholesterol, resulting in decreased bad cholesterol and increased good cholesterol.
          To learn more about the incredible benefits of plant sterols, look for the book “Immunity, Thrive in a Toxic World”. It is available in some health food stores. 
Online docgiff.com Comments info@docgiff.com

Saturday, February 17, 2018

COKE OR PEPSI?
CANADIAN POLITICS NEW CHOICES

By Joe Ingino b.a.
   Please someone pinch me and awaken me from this horrible Canadian politics nightmare.   We have lowered our standards so much that we might as well vote for either COKE or PEPSI to lead us.   At the least these corporations have global leadership in their ranks and are profit driven.
I say this because, in Canada it appears that we are bankrupt when it comes to true red blooded leaders.   No matter where you look.  Greed and the usual me first mentality prevails.   The good old boys club is even corrupt to the point that it is not a good old boys club.    The code of honor and decency has been compromised.   In today’s good old boys club it is all about kissing ass in hope to  be pushed up the feeding chain. This is predominant in all political parties.   It is not about doing what is best for the country.  It is not about doing what is best for the people of the Country.   It is all about looking good in the eyes of a phantom perception of democracy, freedom and rights.
We lack anyone taking back what is great about this nation.   That being our people.  The hard working folk that all they want is to make a living and raise a family.   These folks are used as peons in a game of political/social chess.   Their values and priorities are constantly on a rollercoaster of popular opinion. For all that people like to say about TRUMP.  He has put his foot down and he has clearly shown he has the character to turn a nation around.   Don’t give me the bleeding heart crap.  Name one politician that was perfect?  Name one politician that did not have a controversy.
Then stop the bitching and lets learn from our friends to the south.   During the last election, the liberals had no one that stood a chance.  Who ever the liberal strategist is.. my hat off to you... as you truly revived in a sublime way old Pierre’s salute to the nation by coming up with the formula to pull the carpet from underneath all voters by bringing into the spot light the Trudeau name again.   The name raised from the death of the Liberal party to once again reign supreme with an individual that if his last name had been Smith.  Would not qualify to greet you at the local Walmart.
Look at what is taking place among the Conservatives.   Another dieying horse with no real agenda nor leader.   Come on quick who can name the leader of the Conservative party without having to think about it?   Ok so you got that one on two thoughts a burp, and a fart and a personalize rude message to the Gods.  Tell me what is the Conservative party agenda?  Forget about the burp and the fart... for this one you require a playboy and have eaten alot of Taco Bell.  In my opinion they do not have a platform.  I say this because.  You talk to any of the so called delegates and they all point a different direction.  Is this unity and leadership.  Please. Now not to forget the NDP.   They are stirring the pot of delusion and attempting to create a concoction from the Liberals ‘WE WELCOME ANYONE TO CANADA’ platform and a m ix of the conservatives, ‘WE THINK WE CAN, WE THINK WE CAN’. mentality...
So what is their end product.  A visible minority that by his presentation and his demeanor clearly has the  best interest of his racial profile people.   One thing about Obama.  He was American first.  Afro American second.     With the NDP’s Singh.  He is Indian first and Canadian second.
Don’t get me wrong this is not being prejudice.   This is calling a spade a spade.  Why is it that if you walk into their environment you should not offend and show respect.  Yet, the man that is supposed to represent all Canadians lacks the decency to show respect for those that do not support foreign culture being forced to be accepted.  Mutliculturalism is one thing.  But force acceptance of a foreign culture is prejudice in itself.   So no matter if you vote COKE or PEPSI. Once that seal is broken.   It is all cola to me.  Let’s turn politics corporate
#metoo
By John Mutton      
  As we see the #metoo campaign hitting elected officials across Canada and the USA in droves I decided to talk to some folks and delve into possible prevention vs only having reactive measures to deal with accusations both real and fictitious such as the Patrick Brown accusations that he has cleared his name on.

So l looked at some Code of Ethic policies for the municipal elected officials and while some are very strong with items pertaining to "gifts" and "conflicts of pecuniary interest", they were all virtually silent on Human Rights and issues of racial, gender or sexual harassment. While our Ontario Human Rights Act does cover this off, I believe we can go further.

What I am going to propose is a complete overhaul of the Code of Ethics polices and engage a process that not only outlines that racial, gender specific or sexual harassment is not tolerated by anyone including elected officials, but to put in a formal process that will immediately outline the steps if a complaint is launched. This way we have clarity around the victims rights and the path and process that will be automatically followed for anyone accused of a violation.

My goal is to establish a working group of industry experts to draft the gold standard, best practice policy that all other regions and municipalities will follow. One thing we have seen is that without a standardized process, the victims remain afraid to come forward for fear of reprisal.

Not many know this and I won't go into it in this column, but I speak on this issue from deep knowledge. Yes I was a #metoo that used the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal to deal with a sexual harassment by a former employer on me. Yes, bodybuilder and competitive fighter me was serially harassed and I would not wish this on anyone. I for one thank the Ontario Human Rights tribunal for helping me cope being a victim. In fact, to this day, I believe I am one of the only men that has brought their complaint to the tribunal and been made an award against a female employer at the time.

The time for a clear policy and complaint mechanisms is now, our staff and residents deserve it.
Till next week
from Marissa Liana
 Certified Nutritional Practitioner/Health Coach
Creating a healthy immune system starts in your gut
Creating a healthy immune system doesn’t mean just supporting it during cold and flu season. It is an ongoing process that creates a sustainable, internal environment to protect us from short-term illness and long-term diseases. One of the best ways to ensure a healthy immune system is to ensure the health of our gut! But why?
You should start to think of the gut as being the barrier that protects us from the outside world. It is also important to know that approximately 70% of our immune system resides in our gut. Our “gut-associated immune system” and the gut lining is highly selective and designed to only allow properly digested amino acids, fatty acids, simple sugars and certain molecules through the gut wall into the body and bloodstream. When the gut lining is inflamed (due to food sensitivities, bacterial imbalances, medications, antibiotics, low stomach acid, poor diet and low digestive enzymes), unwanted and improperly digested food proteins bypass the damaged gut lining and make their way into the bloodstream. This triggers an immune reaction and eventually over time leads to the development of allergies and autoimmune conditions (the attack on our body’s own healthy tissue)
If you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, celiac, type 1 diabetes, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's/colitis), lupus, psoriasis, or eczema, you are going to love the newest ebook I am writing, Managing Autoimmunity through Digestive Healing. I am working with an alarming number of clients lately who have presented these conditions, and I knew this was a much-needed book to release to help you guys. Stay tuned to my Instagram page @marissaliana and my website www.marissaliana.com for the launch of this ebook.
By W. Gifford-Jones M.D.
A Great View, But Will it Kill You?
 What is the greatest threat to having a heart attack, the nation’s number one killer? Ask this question and most people will answer it’s having high blood cholesterol. Or they respond, it’s due to hypertension, obesity, diabetes, or a stressful lifestyle.

But suppose you ask what things will improve the chance of surviving coronary attack? I’d predict that after some hesitation the answer will be having someone nearby to administer cardio-pulmonary respiration (CPR).  But how many will know it depends on the floor you’re living on in a high rise building? And what should you know about the 26th floor?

I’ve now been living for 35 years in a high rise condo in Toronto. But my wife and I never considered that whether we chose to have a view of Lake Ontario or the city might be a lethal decision. Now, a report in the Canadian Medical Association Journal by Ian R. Drennan, an advanced care paramedic and his colleagues, says the floor you live on can be a matter of life or death.

 Their study shows that more than 400,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur every year in North America. They add that, “in spite of continued attempts to increase resuscitation care, survival to hospital discharge in most communities remains below 10 percent.”

They continue, “rapid defibrillation and high quality CPR are essential to survival, with an absolute decrease in survival of 7 to 10 percent for each minute of delay to defibrillation!”
Today, and in the future, an increasing number of people will be living in high rise condos. For instance, over a five year period in Toronto there’s been a 13 percent increase in those living in high rises. Moreover, 40 percent of homeowners over the age of 65 reside in high rise buildings, the very ones who are at higher risk of cardiac arrest. This will result in an increased number of 911 calls from high rise condos.     

 So what can go wrong? Drennan and his colleagues outline a number of obstacles, some just lacking in good sense. For instance, the majority of studies consider the time it requires from the moment a 911 call is placed to how long it takes for help to arrive at a residence. But with a condo, ambulance and fire-fighters face either a flight of stairs or an elevator.

 The CMAJ reports elevators pose a significant problem. Barriers to elevators are the main cause of delay. Elevators may be in the process of moving a new resident in, or moving one out. Or it may be rush hour in early morning or late afternoon causing an increase in wait times.

          I found it disturbing to read that in 67 percent of cases the ambulance stretcher could not fit into the elevator!  In a similar number of cases, an entry code was needed for access, or doors to the building were locked. Or a lack of directional signals occurred in 82 percent of cases. Finally, no one was available to quickly escort medical personnel to the patient.

            So who survived? This is not a reassuring story. For those living below the 3rd floor the overall survival rate was 4.2 percent. It was 2.6 percent if you lived above this level. But suppose you had purchased a condo above the 25th floor with an eye-catching panoramic view of the city. At this high level there were no survivors!  

          What’s the message? Life is a game of chance at any time and in any location. But this study shows you may pay a price for a lofty view, namely your life, when chest pain suddenly strikes.    

          So if you live in a high rise condo, or plan on moving to one, find out the number of barriers that will delay first responders to your floor. See if there are any   automated external defibrillators at specific locations nearby that would increase survival. Then learn about instruction for personnel to learn how to use them. The study revealed that bystander use of them was low.

My floor number is not above the 25th. But I admit this was not good planning, just good luck.
Castaway
by Wayne & Tamara
   I’ll get right to the point. Lately my best friend Matt has been blowing me off left and right. I have no idea why.
We used to hang out every night. Now days go by and I don’t see him. Not that he’s really doing anything. He’s usually home, and sometimes people come over and hang out at his house, but I have no idea why he doesn’t ask me.
One thing I should tell you is that we were friends with this guy Jacob, and then Jacob and I had a huge fight and no longer speak. Matt feels stuck in the middle. I don’t know if that has anything to do with this or not. But I know if Jacob is around, Matt won’t even call me because Jacob’s there.
I’m hurting bad because Matt’s my best friend and I feel I’m losing him. I’ve tried everything. I’ve blown him off for a couple of days, hoping he’d realize what he’s missing, but he’s stubborn, just like me, so that doesn’t work.
I can’t “talk” to him, because you know how guys are, they can’t talk about their feelings. I want to save this friendship more than anything, and I need advice. I’m at a loss.
Rob

Rob, in Daniel Defoe’s famous tale, Robinson Crusoe finds himself shipwrecked, alone on a deserted island. In despair he cries out, “Oh that there had been…but one soul saved out of this ship…that I might but have had one companion…to have conversed with!”
Loneliness is one of our worst feelings. As the song says, “One is the loneliest number.” It calls up a primal fear and the memory of waking in our crib, believing we are solitary in the universe.
You don’t know why Matt cut you out of his life. It could be a preference, an unintended slight or a miscommunication. It could be he takes Jacob’s side. Or it could be Matt does not even see what is going on. But you will never know until you ask.
Perhaps Jacob wants to take your spot. Perhaps he is a person who plays two against one or a person who seeks revenge. But even if it is a guy thing not to talk about feelings, you should be able to have your say.
If you accidently did something, you need a chance to make it right. If it’s just a matter of liking Jacob better, that shouldn’t put you completely on the outs. But the more time that goes by the less chance there will be to remedy this.
When we feel we have been wronged, we can’t let things go. You can’t let the clerk shortchange you or the bank rip you off. You have a right to say, “Hey. This isn’t the correct change,” or “I think there is something wrong with my bank balance.”
We are not telling you to protest aggressively, we are telling you that you have a right to question. Think of it not as a confrontation but as a plea for information. Why did this happen? Can it be mended?
We fear the unknown as much as we fear loneliness. If you continue not knowing, it will only compound your problem. Robinson Crusoe said he felt condemned to “silent life.” You don’t have to choose the same fate.
Wayne & Tamara

Friday, February 16, 2018

 H. J. Rogers
Harvard Law School '66
  "And the L-rd set a mark upon Cain . . . . "   Gen. 4-15.      

        It's been well over 50 years but I can remember the haunted look in Tom Cronk's eyes.  To borrow from Audie Murphy, another WW II vet, they were the eyes of a man who had been "to hell and back".  For Cronk it had been the South Pacific, Iwo Jima and all that.  The only physical scar that was visible was the absence of four fingers and half of his throwing hand.  At his trial they said that he had held onto a hand grenade a little to long. So instead of a fist he had a thumb and a piece of hard bone at the end of his forearm.  Rather than being handicapped, according to Dr. Chuck Kelly, late of the Benwood Clinic (and at last report stretched out insentient  on his back at Peterson Place), Cronk was able to deliver a near lethal blow with the "hand".
        "Some guy was hassling Tom at this dive bar on the Island.  They say Tom just sat there on the stool with his back to him.  The guy was running his mouth, challenging Tom to fight him.  Suddenly Tom spun around and hit the guy across the face with that bony hand and absolutely cold-cocked him.  Then he spun back around, finished his drink, and and got up and left. The guy still laying there on the floor.  They say he didn't move 'til the E-Squad showed up and carried him out on a stretcher."
        Late one afternoon in the middle 50s, Cronk killed three people with a .45 in center Wheeling.  A fellow named Dennis who used to hang around AA and drive the old vets to the VA hospital in Pittsburgh told me how he was playing in the courtyard with some other kids that day.  Cronk just showed up with the gun in his good hand and then BOOM, BOOM, BOOM!  "It just sucked up all the air.  We sat there for the longest time.  Then I could hear the sirens a long way off.  It seemed like it too them forever to get there."
        When Cronk woke up in the Ohio County jail the next morning he thought the cops had arrested  him for drunk driving again.  He asked the Deputy when he came by with the breakfast wagon "Hey, when am I going to get out to post bail?"  He would tell me this years later one night in the guard's dining hall at the old West Virginia prison in Moundsville.  He said that the guard stared at him for a long minute before he said "Tom, you ain't gonna get to post no bail.  You killed three people last night."
        As a high school sophomore at Shadyside [Ohio] high school, I had attended Cronk's trial.  It was pretty much cut and dried with the only questions being whether he would get the death penalty or a life sentence.  As I used to put it when I would tell this story to a fellow drunk, Cronk killed everyone except the personal he should have killed, his estranged wife.  He killed her mother, father, and, as I recall, an aunt or a younger sister.  The defense lawyer made much of Cronk's WW II record, his Purple Hearts and the rest of his medals, which is how the prosecutor spun it.  Even to my untutored ear, this made him sound more like a cold-blooded killer than a man suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.  Back then, of course, members of the Greatest Generation (my Father was an infantry lieutenant and spent 3 and 1/2 years in North Africa and Italy) were supposed to suck it up when they got back into mufti.  Unless you were "shell-shocked" with that 1000 yard stare, no one was going to cut you any slack (and then not very much, especially if you self-medicated with alcohol.)
        As I recall, after Cronk was convicted, there was no pre-sentence investigation, no witnesses for the defendant, nothing.  With little or no argument from the attorneys, the judge sentence him to die in the electric chair.  [The electric chair passed out of style years ago.  Americans have long obsessed with a "humane" way to kill a human being.  I think that the Chinese have attained the "state-of-the-art" in the death business, i.e. the offending wretch lies prone on the ground and the executioner---whose face may or may not be "well-hidden" in compliance with the words of the Nobel Prize winner for literature---fires a small caliber bullet into the base of the skull.  I have read that a surgical team then "harvests" the saleable organs in the best tradition of hillbilly hog butchering.  Nothing is wasted, my grandfather said, except the squeal.
         When I showed up as prison guard in early 1963, I soon spotted Tom Cronk (along with 3 fellows from my hometown of Reader which had a population of c. 500.  So it's a small world, right?)  I was surprised that he wasn't on death row.  When I asked the record clerk, he said that the Governor had granted a partial pardon of sorts, which somehow had cut the sentence to that of 2nd degree murder.  Back then, that carried a 5-18.  Cronk's father owned an IGA Grocery store in south Wheeling (within earshot of the murder scene, which means that he may have heard the gun go off.)   The governor, W.W. Barron, who would later go to prison himself, probably sold the family a pardon.  Unfortunately, for West Virginia, this was just "chump change" compared systemic looting of the State than occurred during that administration. 

         [As an item of full disclosure, I got my job at the prison by paying "social calls" on the Democratic chairman and the district committee man and woman.  I then took the application to our State Delegate Herbert Schupbach and the next day the governor's office called and told me to report for work.  TO THE VICTOR BELONGS THE SPOILS !!!]
        The prison administration depended on Cronk for maintenance work and I had to get him out late one night to work on an electric problem.  By the time he was done, it was two or three in the morning and I could see that he was wide awake and in no hurry to back to his cell.  I took him over to the guard's dining hall and I fried up some eggs and bacon while he made a pot of coffee.  Then he started talking about his drinking and what had happened to get him in prison.  This is when he told me about asking the jail guard about when he could post bail.  HE HAD BEEN IN AN ALCOHOLIC BLACKOUT WHEN HE KILLED THREE PEOPLE !
        He wasn't trying to con men or excuse himself.  The recitation was cold and factual.  Later I would think about the trial.  There had never been a hint about him even drinking before the murders, not a suggestion about him being literally unconscious while he killed his wife's mother and father and another relative.  All that I remembered the defense trying to do at the trial was to generate some generalized sympathy because he was a veteran.  Besides, most people, even if they believed a story about an alcoholic blackout, would not consider it exculpatory.  Very few judges would give an instruction that voluntary intoxication could even be considered as a mitigating factor.

        Still later I would think "Did he remember me being at his trial?  Is he trying to send me a message?"  I had started to drink on a nightly basis after I went to work at the prison.  I soon had my first blast of alcoholic ecstasy---that one glorious drunk that alcoholics have and spend the rest of their lives trying to recapture.  And I clearly remembered it.  So I may have been feeling a little guilty.  However, the more I thought about it, the less likely it seemed that he would connect the face of the young guard with the high school boy at the trial.
        What Tom Cronk did for me was to plant in my mind something like the tuning fork in 2001: A Space Odyssey, so that when the blackouts started coming fast and furious 20 years later, I knew that I was in big trouble.  I loved to drink, I loved guns, and I had a short fuse.  I remember thinking "If I do kill somebody, I want to know who it was and why I did it."  I had my last drink on 25 May 1982 and by the grace and mercy of G-d and the fellowship of the men and women in the 12-step programs I have not found a reason to drink or use any mind-altering chemical over the intervening years.
        Tom Cronk made parole and returned to Wheeling.  I learned that he attended some 12-step meetings but we never met again.  I would later read in the paper that he killed his son but was not charged, because it was deemed self-defense.  The son had made some sort of home invasion.  I owe Mr. Cronk a debt of gratitude.  Thank you, Tom.   

Monday, February 12, 2018

What Do You Think? by Wayne & Tamara

from
What Do You Think?
  Before I ask you this question, I need to give you a little background information. One of my gifts from God is crunching numbers and analyzing investments. I model my approach after the master himself, Warren Buffett.
I've done well enough that I will be able to retire a few years sooner than most. I had a triple on one stock and a double on some others. I also pulled a one year quadruple out of the Canadian medical marijuana stocks. I pass word along to friends and family.
My mom's older sister pulled out of her investment group because they would not take my picks. She now invests on her own based on my advice. She will call and ask, "What have you got for me, son?" My aunt said the pot stocks made for interesting conversation at her bridge tournaments.
Now for my question. My cousin asks for advice. I give it to him. He will tell me he bought some pot stocks, but not the ones I told him about, and lost money. I will be like, "Too bad. The ones I gave you are up 24% this year."
Why are there people who ask for advice, but don't want to take it? Why would losing but doing it his way be better than making money from my picks?
Cameron

Cameron, there’s a short video on YouTube called “It’s Not About the Nail.” A man and a woman are sitting on a couch. We see a close-up of the lower part of the woman’s face as she talks about the pressure she is under. She despairs that it will never stop.
As the camera pans to the man’s face, he says, “You have a nail in your head.” And she does. The camera shows a nail sticking out of her forehead. But the woman replies, “It’s not about the nail. Stop trying to fix it. You always try to fix things when all I need you to do is just listen.”
The woman then explains she’s not sleeping very well and all her sweaters are snagged. At that point the man stops trying to fix things and empathizes with her. They go to kiss and she recoils in pain when the nail in her forehead bangs into his forehead.
The video is about gender differences, but it raises an interesting question. What makes you think people asking for advice are asking for advice? The two biggest reasons for seeking advice we see are: people wanting to confirm their own opinion and people collecting advice about a problem they will do nothing about. Some people simply want a sounding board. Others are just making conversation or schmoozing. And some people want a shoulder to cry on. A woman with a cheating husband may not want to hear, “Kick him to the curb.” She wants someone to tell her, “Oh, you poor dear. Everyone has their troubles.” Don’t be angry with your aunt’s investment club. It’s about deciding as a group. And your cousin? For him, it may be about proving he has more talent, brains and acumen than you do. Unfortunately for him, it’s not working out.
Often when people ask for advice they are a little desperate. They are not in the frame of mind where they can take it in. Like suggesting a fire safety plan to someone whose house is on fire.
People need to hear advice with the right example, the right metaphor, at the right time for it to register. Until that happens, it’s not about the nail.
Wayne & Tamara
Send letters to: DirectAnswers@WayneAndTamara.com
Wayne & Tamara

The Right Answers about Flu Could save Your Life By W. Gifford-Jones M.D.

By W. Gifford-Jones M.D.
 The Right Answers about Flu Could save Your Life
          “Get the shot”, is the message now the flu season is here. But how effective is the vaccine? What is the chance of a mismatch? Are there serious complications? Should you get your shot at the local pharmacy? Or treat yourself with over-the-counter products? Should you rely on natural remedies? The right answers could save your life.

How Effective is the Vaccine?
          Australia’s flu season, during its winter and our summer, usually predicts what happens in North America. And during Australia’s past winter, there were 215,280 cases.
          Dr. Ralph Campbell, reporting in Orthomolecular Medicine News Service, says this increase was most likely due to a vaccine mismatch. In effect, it was the wrong vaccine for the current virus. But suppose researchers achieve a good match. Campbell says the vaccine’s effectiveness still only provides 40 and 60 percent protection. And with a mismatch, the protection can be as low as 10 percent!
          So why is it so difficult to find the right vaccine for today’s virus? Because the flu virus is clever. It has the ability to undergo rapid change, known as mutation, making itself resistant to the vaccine.
What Kills Most People?
          Influenza can be a mild or fatal illness. But people don’t normally die of influenza. Rather, death is the result of a secondary infection, such as pneumonia. This is often related to poor health and a weakened immune system, particularly in the young and elderly.
So How Do You Develop a Healthy Immune System?
          Dr. Campbell says a good start is to take a daily multivitamin pill. This ensures you’re not lacking in the B vitamins, zinc and selenium. He also suggests daily amounts of vitamin A 10,000 IU, and 400 to 1200 of vitamin E, and in the winter months 1,000 to 5,000 IU of vitamin D.
          A report in the publication, LifeExtension, says that as we age our blood and immune cells contain less vitamin C. And that stress decreases the amount of C. For example, diabetes patients and those suffering from gastritis have half the amount of C in their blood. Cancer and arthritis patients one third the amount, and following a traumatic accident or surgery, levels can drop as low as 10 percent! We are also under stress when influenza hits like a10 ton Mack truck!
          Few people realize that during an acute infection, immune cells contain as much as 100 times more vitamin C in their blood than under normal conditions. So it’s important to keep a reservoir of C in the blood at all times in case it’s suddenly needed. One way to do this is by taking a least 4,000 milligrams of C daily.
How Do You Treat The Severe Infection of Influenza?
          Dr Campbell says that vitamin C, if started early, can prevent the worst flu symptoms, a dose of 1,000 to 3,000 milligrams with each meal. Or 1,000 milligrams an hour until loose stools occurs. But, if pneumonia develops, large amounts of intravenous vitamin C can fight both viral and bacterial infections. I often wonder how many patients die of pneumonia each year deprived of intravenous vitamin C.
What Not To Do
          Dr. Campbell reports a drive by pharmaceutical companies and doctors for patients to take anti-viral drugs when flu is suspected. These can result in a slight decrease in duration of symptoms, but 10 percent of patients develop side-effects, some of which are serious. He also suggests that if you decide on a flu shot, get it from your own doctor who knows your medical history. And never make the mistake of treating yourself with over-the-counter drug store products as some   cause severe liver injury.
Remember
          I’m not your doctor and only he or she can decide on the value of a flu shot. But I fight infection by taking 10,000 milligrams of C daily. I use Medi-C Plus, a powdered form. Several brands are available in health food stores.
          Why10,000 mgs? Because I’ve had a heart attack and C also fights hardening of arteries as well as infection. But for others 4000 mgs. is adequate unless the flu strikes. It’s then imperative to increase the amount.  
Dr. Campbell is the author of the book, The Vitamin Cure for Infant and Toddler Health Problems.
Online docgiff.com Comments info@docgiff.com

Will eating vegan/vegetarian eliminate midsection weight gain? from Marissa Liana

from Marissa Liana
 Certified Nutritional Practitioner/Health Coach
Specialized in Applied Holistic Nutrition from the Institute of Holistic Nutrition.  b.a. (Honours) in Kinesiology from UOIT.
 Will eating vegan/vegetarian
eliminate midsection weight gain?

This is an interesting question and a common concern of many people! Firstly let me start by saying that any diet, whether that’s vegan, vegetarian, ketogenic, or Paleo can be amazing for you OR horrible for you (and your midsection) if done incorrectly. The quality of your food and where it comes from is probably more important than any “diet” you are following #KeepItSimple.

With that being said, I DEFINITELY think that a proper plant-based diet (just eating MORE PLANTS - which is very common when you follow a vegan or vegetarian diet) can decrease midsection weight gain! But why?

1) When you eat more plans, you consume more fiber! Fiber is SO important to bind and eliminate excess hormones like estrogen, which is associated and often the culprit of midsection weight gain. Cruciferous plants also contain indole-3-carbinol which improves liver detoxification and removes excess estrogen/hormones from the body which contribute to weight gain and estrogen dominant conditions.

2) More plants = more food for our body’s beneficial bacteria. Plants and fiber are PRE-biotics which feed our PRO-biotics and keep them healthy. Healthy probiotics help to regulate inflammation and hormonal balance for an overall healthy hormonal profile and fat distribution.

3) When you lessen animal protein in your diet, you remove an added source of hormones and antibiotics if you’re eating factory-farmed animals. This one speaks for itself for creating a healthier hormonal profile in the body!

If you want help doing the same and you’re looking for a total hormonal detox and diet refresh, I recommend checking out my Fresh Start 14-Day Holistic Detox on marissaliana.com
www.marissaliana.com

Another 3 - 6% by Joe Ingino

Another 3 - 6%
    How do you like them apples... after all is said and done.   It appears that the City of Oshawa may be facing another 3 - 6% tax increase.  Thanks to the great leadership from our phantom municipal elect.
The question here is have our municipal elect done their jobs this term?   In my 20+ years at the newspaper I can tell you that this council has operated in total silence.   No rocking the boat. No questioning direction and no leaks.
Is this good leadership?  Or is it just a synchronization of the good old boys club?   In my opinion Oshawa city council is prejudice and bias.  They have shown time and time again clear bias and prejudices towards business people in our community wanting to do business with them.
I remember not to long ago.  Having a conversation with a major Toronto developer.   In conversation I asked why he did not initiate any of his projects in Oshawa.   He looked at me and said, “as long as Oshawa has that type of government, I will not waste my time or money.”
From the hefty charges for permits to the endless red tape.  I have a question for our development department... why is it that the same ghetto  builders keep getting approved.
I have a question for council.   What are  you planning on doing with our lake front property that that the Feds so generously allowed you to have to develop?
What gives with the airport?  A new tower, a repaired run way and no customs? 
Personally I believe that the city has missed it’s opportunity for major changes in Oshawa.  They keep giving up prime farm land to Ghetto builders.   We need to refocus our development.  We need to revamp our downtown by flattening out what we have and build new and modern structures to bring in industry and trade.
Under former administrations.  The giveaway of our downtown to the College/University has proven to be another mistake.
We need to work with investors and world class developers to rebuild our core.  To attract the right folk that will invest in the future of our city.
Under the Johnny duo dormant reign... of John Gray and John Henry.  Their biggest accomplishments are a Walmart a Costco and a few third rate buildings that when summed up together don’t add up to a bag of beans in comparison to the billions we could generate from working with investors and developers.
During the last election some may remember that I ran for the office of Mayor with the intention to bring a world class structure to our lake front.   Some called it to advanced, aggressive for Oshawa.
Yet here we sit.  Last year Oshawa taxpayers got hit with a 3% tax increase.  This year with another 3 - 6%.  No real explanation.   No real direction... It is as if our city elect have followed some game book pre-set by a former administration.
As a tax payers and citizen. I hold every city official responsible for the lack of jobs, progress and the tax increases.
I as a community leader have yet to see one major development.  I have yet to see one person walk up to me and comment on how better life is due to their efforts.
Then the question is.   Should they be voted back in?
Can we afford another 4 years of nothing to show for?   Or is that what  the tax payers want?
Otherwise why would you keep voting the same incompetents in?
Interesting questions that are left in the wind of “I don’t care, they are all crooks anyway” mentality.  Sad, as our children will pay or our negligence.

Local budgets By John Mutton

By John Mutton      
Local budgets are being passed across the Region this past week with many touting low tax increases or trying to say it will cost a cup of coffee a week type of spin play.
If you look at the budgets and factor in that they have approximately 3 percent in assessment growth, consider that is the increase on top of what the tax increase is. This means that the growth did not pay for the increases in the City.
Budget increases have become way too easy across the GTA. We pay for services that are not mandated or required under the Municipal Act and the money that should be set aside for Infrastructure renewal is not. That money is gobbled up by special interest groups, Councils trying to be all things to all people and funding hospitals, colleges and universities that the Provincial government should be funding.
I was reading another local publication that went after Oshawa City Council bigtime for not setting aside dollars for Oshawa's public infrastructure deficit and the crumbling, degradation that will ensue.

This is not an Oshawa only issue, but an issue that exists in all older towns and cities. I would liken this problem to needing a new car. You know you will need one desperately in 5 years, however you decide to spend the money on frivolous items until the day comes that you need the car and you are now screwed.
It is possible to put aside money and significant money for infrastructure renewal and hold the line on taxes. You won't see that happening around Durham, but I have several of Canadian examples of municipalities that are doing this.
My message to our taxpayers is to look well to the future, someone has to.
Till next week
John Mutton
President and CEO
Municipal Solutions - Energy and Infrastructure

Monday, February 5, 2018

Give me your interpretation of two scenarios from Wayne & Tamara

Direct Answers
from Wayne & Tamara
Give me your interpretation of two
scenarios

First, I have a younger cousin I will refer to as Ed. Until just a few years ago, we were tight, more like brothers. You would like my cousin, though you would never get close to his hot buttons like I do. For example, he gets into disputes with the Boys Club and YMCA over how they administer his son's sports leagues. It's not so much the wins and losses, but his way of doing things is always the more sportsmanlike way to go.
Ed and I and his brother picked football games for years. The arrangement was that Ed would collect our picks and keep up records. You could change your picks until right before the game started. All you had to do was call or send an email, and all parties would be notified of all changes.
Recently I beat my other cousin on a game. Ed tells me "Kevin" changed his pick before the game. I received no notification so I did not accept it. Ed accused me of being a bad sport. Ed would have held me to the letter of the law, but to do so with him was just not sporting.
Second scenario. Two days after Christmas I had a wreck on the way home from work. The trooper ticketed me. I told her I would fight the ticket. I knew I was in the right. In addition, the trooper was talking with the other guy, an ex-cop, about people they both knew on the force. She almost ignored me, other than to keep changing the reason why I was at fault.
Though she advised me not to, I fought and beat her ticket. I called the top ranking trooper. He was most concerned about my allegations of favoritism.
The original trooper comes to our house to apologize, tells my wife and me an amended accident report would be issued, and a ticket issued to the other guy. She assured me it was an honest mistake and not favoritism. What lessons can be learned from this craziness?
Gavin

Gavin, someone said life is the only game where the point of the game is to figure out the rules. Both incidents illustrate that point. Ed’s behavior follows a simple rule. We often judge others by a strict standard and ourselves by a more relaxed standard. When Ed sees others bend the rules, he thinks they are of bad character. When he bends the rules, he thinks the situation justified his actions. In psychology this is known as the actor-observer bias. The trooper story involves the same rule enlarged to a grand scale. We protect people in our group and expect them to protect us in a similar situation. The phenomenon often goes by the euphemism “professional courtesy.” The doctors’ code of silence about colleagues’ professional mistakes is legendary. It’s also well-known among police officers. But the practice of protecting your own extends to bishops, street gangs, the military, and you-name-it. Like actor-observer bias, it is self-protective. It shields people from something they would rather not face. The consequences. In every group some do what’s right in every case. Others follow the cultural norms of the group. It is to our advantage to understand this wellspring of human behavior, rather than falling for platitudes like, always think the best of others.
Life is the only game whose purpose is to figure out the rules. We didn’t sign up for the game. Our parents signed us up. Now that we’re here, we should understand how things work.
Wayne & Tamara
Send letters to: DirectAnswers@WayneAndTamara.com

The Nitric Oxide Key to Prevent Heart Attack By W. Gifford-Jones M.D.

 The Doctor Game

By W. Gifford-Jones M.D.
The Nitric Oxide Key to Prevent Heart Attack
          Ask anyone what causes a sudden coronary attack and they will say it’s the result of high blood cholesterol, lack of exercise, obesity or smoking. Now, a report in the publication “LifeExtension” says doctors must start thinking “endothelium”. I’d bet few readers could even spell this word. So why is it so vital? And what natural remedies make it healthy?

          The endothelium is the ultra-thin, one cell thick, innermost lining of arteries. It produces nitric oxide. And it’s ironic that just this single layer of cells, if unhealthy, results in decreased blood circulation, hardening of arteries, and is a major cause of the big killers, high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.  
          During our early years, a youthful endothelium is due to nitric oxide (NO). But as we age, our body’s production of NO decreases, and any of the three big threats can prematurely end our lives.
          Researchers report that the typical North American diet ingests daily 4 to 5 grams of arginine, an amino acid. These are broken down in the body by a number of enzymes, one being nitric oxide synthase eNOS, creating nitric oxide.
           During this physiological process, endothelium is constantly exposed to oxygen-rich arterial blood. Without oxygen we would die, but oxygen also produces a metabolic reaction, called oxidation, that destroys some eNOS.
          So how can we boost the production of NO as we age and decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease? Until recently, this presented a challenge for doctors.
          A good start is to eat dark leafy vegetables such as spinach, drink apple juice and eat small amounts of dark chocolate. If you enjoy a glass of red wine with dinner this also adds to the amount of nitric oxide. It’s also prudent to take a brisk walk daily as this has the same effect. There are also a couple of natural remedies.
          Researchers at LifeExtension report that both laboratory and human studies show that pomegranate extracts can lower blood pressure, triglycerides and improve HDL, the good cholesterol.
          Equally important, pomegranate has also been found to protect the eNos enzyme from the oxidative chemical stresses that damage it. This results in increased levels of nitric oxide which can shrink atherosclerotic plaques, increase blood flow and decrease hypertension.
          Since I had a heart attack at 74 years of age, I’m always looking for ways to boost my level of nitric oxide. So I’ve added a small amount of pomegranate concentrate to my diet. I don’t have a weight problem but since pomegranate extracts contain sugar, this is the last ingredient many North Americans need if they’re fighting obesity. In addition, researchers do not yet know the exact dose of pomegranate needed for cardiovascular health.

            So for several years I’ve also boosted nitric oxide by using a safe, easy, natural remedy, NEO40. Dr. Nathan S. Bryan at the University of Texas, a world authority on nitric oxide, says NEO40 is effective because it contains L-citrulline, vitamin C, beet root and hawthorne.

          For years doctors have known that nitroglycerine eases coronary pain by dilating arteries. But the mystery was why arteries expanded. Three Nobel Prize winners have now proven it is due to the miracle molecule, NO.
          Why a “miracle molecule”? Because NO also helps to decrease the risk of diabetes complications by increasing circulation, easing nerve and joint inflammation, Researchers at the University of Calgary also report that patients suffering from depression show significantly lower levels of Nitric Oxide.
          Since NEO40 increases blood supply to all organs in nanoseconds, it’s also helpful for those suffering from erectile dysfunction. And, if you’re planning a trip to a high altitude region, you will be less likely to be affected by high altitude sickness if you start taking NEO40 before leaving.
          For all problems, one tablet, slowly dissolved in the mouth in the morning and at bedtime for two weeks will help to establish a blood level of Nitric Oxide. Later, one tablet should be taken every morning. NEO40 is available at Health Food Stores.

Next week:  How knowing the right answers about the flu can save your life. . 

Online docgiff.com Comments info@docgiff.com

We can learn from our peers By John Mutton

Regional Talk
By John Mutton        I spent most of the week in LA on business and I am astounded at the constant traffic issues in Los Angeles County. Indeed we are closing in on that type of a problem here. While congestion only used to occur at rush hour now we have congestion on Saturdays and Sundays, very similar to Los Angeles.

We have so many people travelling one person and one car and given the transit alternatives this will continue. Transit improvements are essential to Durham and the entire GTA, but how do we afford it.

Judging by the amount of empty buses driving around Durham, I am not sure if we are properly deploying our routes and money. Peer reviews of our system by some of the top transit providers in the world should happen so we can get it right from the get go. Light rail is an option I would like to see looked at as we had a great system in the Greater Phoenix Area when I lived in Arizona. It was a simple system, however it worked fantastic and gave good options to all public to travel the major urban centres.

We can learn from our peers, let's not repeat mistakes and let's look at those that have done the trial and error to get our transit system right and maybe, just maybe we will get more people out of the car. A transit ride needs to be easy to understand, clean, safe and faster than a car. These are some of the things that must happen for the public to embrace public transit and support the cost. We can't run empty buses around and be fiscally responsible at anytime.

Till next week
John Mutton
President and CEO
Municipal Solutions - Energy and Infrastructure


Technology 101 By Joe Ingino

Logic
By Joe Ingino b.a.
Editor/Publisher

“I live a dream in a nightmare world”
  
Technology 101
    I remember when the internet was nothing short of a blip on a phone line.  I remember being one of the first to buy at what at that time was top of the line.  It came with a huge monitor.  A huge card reader...paper cards.  An apparatus with an actual old type phone.  It was ‘turbo’ charged... At that time it was the thing to have.  You turn on the computer and the screen was blue with yellow letters.  The applications were very limited.  Mostly typing and accounting.   I remember the printer with the perforated paper...
How far we have come.  I remember we were the first internet provider in Durham.  Could not sell one client.  NO one had a computer.  We would give away free emails. Again no one even knew what that was.
Today, the population has been educated.  The population has evolved...and who does not own a computer and or a smart phone?  Well, let me correct that.   A smart phone for a dummy.  I say this because in our ignorance we give up many civil liberties.
Allow me to explain.  Your smart phone is a tracking device.  A listening device and an image gathering portal.
I was a licensed private investigator many moons ago.   We had to do surveillance the old fashion way.  A good camera.  A lot of coffee.   Listening devices in those days was so primitive.   In today’s world.  A different story.  Many law enforcement services hire surveillance companies to monitor individuals as they can’t due to laws.  The old get a judge to sign for it days... are gone... unless it has to be official.
In today’s world.  As long as your phone is near.  Anyone with the right knowledge of the technology can listen in. Watch you and monitor you 24/7.   You turn off the phone.  No problem.  As long as the battery is attached to the phone it is as easy as pie.  If you remove the battery.  The battery leaves a residual of about 48 hours that can still extract information of the phones surroundings.   You take the phone chip out and the batteries.  Well now you turned the surveillance into a real challenge.  As long as you have the chip.   A signal can be sent to a phone tower as a distress.  The chip will not send a signal back as it has no power... but it can be found by a simple mathematical triangulation formula.
I will explain.  It is like looking for a ring in a sandy beach... The technology is like a big metal detector.... in this case the signal sent over the tower... picks out the card.
In the works, there is a new technology that will utilize a contact lens to project information directly to the back of your eye.  This technology will allow you to make calls, run all your aps and store information in a device behind your ear or in your ear. 
It is a new bio/electronic technology that uses the body natural elements to conduct information...
Talk about the ultimate infringement on your privacy.
I am still at awe... as how technology is nog being challenged by religious scholars.
After all the mark of the devil in society is not one of the great fears? 
In one way or another we are all catalogued.  From your birth certificate to your social security card.
Now electronically we are all assigned a name that  bares all our information including ample DNA.
Some may read this and wonder...  REALLY!!!
Technology for the past 60 years has been developed with only one intention.   To control and monitor the population at large.   Think about it for a moment.   Governments at the highest levels biggest threat is revolt of the people.   Anarchy has to be prevented, predicted and monitored.   In the event of a global incident.  Is it not in the best interest of the elite to be able to control the masses?
Look at what took place in Hawaii not to long ago.   Someone pressed the wrong button and millions of messages went out warning people of a possible nuclear attack.  Was it an accident or a real time monitor of how people would behave, react and or respond.   That in my opinion was a glimpse at the power of technology and how it can be used on a drop of a hat to influence the mobilization of a population not to mention the crafting of public opinion and or thought.