The Ultimate Disease: Too Many Rats in a Cage

What catastrophic event could end all lives on this small planet? Some say nuclear war; others, another pandemic worse than the current one that’s caused over 700,000 deaths just in North America. Still others, the failure to tackle the problem of climate change. But here’s a surprise. The ultimate disease is a population time bomb that keeps ticking every second of the day – and we all ignore it. It took 123 years for the human population to grow from one to two billion people. Then, only 40 years to reach six billion, and now the population is 7.8 billion. This year, 82 million people will be added to an already packed planet. It’s like adding another city the size of Richmond Virginia, or Buffalo, New York, to our planet every day! Increased population is now causing huge health and migration problems. Recent years have seen enormous waves of refugees fleeing conflict in desperation using any means to get somewhere better. We’ve all seen the gut-wrenching images of flimsy boats in the Mediterranean, and now hundreds are attempting to cross the English Channel from France in the same manner. The U.S. southern border with Mexico offers more scenes of chaos. All need housing, food, and health care. In nature, if too many deer, wolves kill them. But humans have a different problem. Too many of us, and the threat arises of our own makings: poor quality air, water, land and sea. What is going on is frightening. Climate change is just the start. This year, the heat dome in western Canada caused 446 deaths in British Columbia. Floods in Europe and China ravaged entire villages. Massive fires destroy forests and choke the air with smoke. Polar bears can’t find the sea ice needed to keep alive. A seminal experiment years ago provided an important lesson about animal behaviour. Two rats were placed in a cage. They survived without hostility. But with the addition of another rat or two, the fighting began for space. Similarly, humans do not fare well in confined settings when resources are lacking. Conflict inevitably ensues, not peaceful rethinking and behaviour change. We have always been a waring species. Like too many rats in a cage, we turn on each other. So while you are reading about carbon taxes so complex they are impossible to understand, think about what’s causing the root problem. There will be more people on this planet. Projections suggest the global population will level out at 11 billion around the year 2100. That’s about 3 billion more people we need to accommodate. To do so, will we keep cutting down trees, demanding more energy, tossing more plastic in the sea? Very likely, yes. Some good people will do all they can to find solutions. But efforts to fix those problems will have little impact if we keep behaving like rats. We can all do some finger pointing. It’s easy to find somebody else who is making things worse. We can all disagree about solutions too. But we have got to get better, and quicky, at living together without conflict every time we don’t see eye to eye. Yet, we couldn’t do it where there were only 1 billion on the planet. We aren’t doing it now with 9 billion. Squeezing in 3 billion more, what’s our plan for getting along? We must take care of the planet. But we must also start taking better care of each other. Or are we going to be like rats in a cage? Follow us on Instagram @docgiff and @diana_gifford_jones Sign-up at www.docgiff.com to receive our weekly e-newsletter.

Commenting on LinkedIn Will Get You Noticed

By Nick Kossovan If you're searching for a job, your priority needs to be having, and maintaining, an employer magnet LinkedIn profile. This includes, but isn't limited to, a current profile picture, a summary that compellingly tells your career story, plenty of quantified achievements (In business numbers are king.), uploaded projects, articles, and videos-anything that clearly demonstrates the skills, experience, and possible results you can bring to an employer. Your LinkedIn profile, which employers will read through to decide whether you're "interview worthy," needs to answer one question: Why should I take a risk hiring this person? Once you have a WOW! LinkedIn profile, your next step is to get employers, hiring managers, recruiters, human resources managers and executives to view your profile. Unless your profile is getting views, it's simply floating around on LinkedIn among the hundreds of millions of other profiles. The more views your profile receives, the greater the odds you'll receive reach outs regarding job opportunities. While there are several ways you can influence the number of views your profile receives, the easiest method is to comment on LinkedIn posts. Before you start commenting, you need to realize not all comments are created equal. You want your comments to stand out and create engagement with the comment's author and the other commentators. So, before hitting the "comment" button, consider the following: 1. Mention/Acknowledge the author. When commenting, the golden rule is to mention (reference or acknowledge) the post's author, to get their attention. To mention the author (or anyone on LinkedIn), type the '@' symbol (at sign) and begin typing the person's name, which will show in a dropdown box. Important to note: Just typing the author's name will not notify them they've been mentioned. When using the aforementioned method, the person's name will be bold, thus indicating they'll receive a LinkedIn notification you mentioned them. Example: "Nick Kossovan Depends on your position. Higher in the hierarchy? Don't do it!" You can also get the attention of other commentators by mentioning them, thus keeping the conversation going. Example: "I agree with this completely, Nick Kossovan. Many folks kept their communities afloat with volunteer work, which I know Jughead Jones, and Archie Andrews can attest to. They may not be getting paid for their efforts, but they're gaining and enhancing skills that can benefit employers." 2. Read the post. Comments such as "Great post!", "Thanks for sharing.", "I completely agree." and "You nailed it!" in no way shows you actually read the post, understood it or why you agreed/disagreed with it. Take two to five minutes to read the posts and give thoughtful feedback. Example: "Nick Kossovan, I understand what you're saying. From my experience, some employers are hiring based on who they know for jobs that pay at least $21 per hour. If employers were only hiring based on educational level and qualifications, I would have already gotten a job that pays at least $21 per hour at my educational level." Example: "Thanks for sharing, Nick Kossovan! Indeed, job seekers need to show who they are professionals in a way that sells their skills and abilities. You mentioning in business numbers are king resonated with me." 3. Ask a question. The most effective way to bond with someone is to ask them questions. Also, asking questions shows you're open to learning, which is a turn-on with employers. Is there anything you didn't understand, you would like to know more about, or you feel could be viewed from a different angle? Ask! Example: "Nick Kossovan How were you able to increase your call centre's customer satisfaction score from 72% to 94% in less than 8 months?" Choosing the best posts to comment on is critical-choose strategically. (e.g., posts by executives of companies you want to work for). Look for posts that have a high number of comments, and therefore popular. Commenting on popular posts increases the likelihood other commenters will read your comment and engage with it. TIP: Research who the thought leaders are in your profession and industry. Find them on LinkedIn and start building a relationship with them by commenting on their posts and comments by their followers. (Many of whom will be in a position to hire.) Make commenting on LinkedIn posts part of your job search and career management routine. Aim to comment on three posts in the morning and three in the evening, and you'll start seeing your profile receiving more profile views, which can do wonders for your job search. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nick Kossovan, a well-seasoned veteran of the corporate landscape, offers advice on searching for a job. You can send him your questions at artoffindingwork@gmail.com

THANK YOU DURHAM REGIONAL POLICE SERVICES

By Joe Ingino Editor/Publisher “I live a dream in a nightmare world” I knew it was none of my business. But I thought I watch from afar. After all the bad press the police receive. I thought to see first hand police in action. Most of the international media tend to take particular incidents and blow them out of proportion. Sensationalize them in order to keep ratings up. Well on thursday October 28th 2021 at about 9pm or so. On Simcoe St. South. At the old BMO location. Three individuals laid on the entrance way of the empty building. I looked at these folk with a broken heart as any one of us could end up there. Maybe not today nor tomorrow. But if life was to get real hard. That is not a real possibility. Sure I can hear the inflated egos claiming. Never me. If I had a dime every time I hear that. Never me - will i get sick. Never me - will I loose my job. Never me - will social unrest drive me to no food or shelter. I can hear international Never me - in Syria when over taken by foreign forces. Never me - in Afghanistan as the Taliban take control. Never me - as one nation after the other keep falling to COVID. The point here. NEVER EVER SAY NEVER.... As I looked at these three individuals. One of them began shaking uncontrollable.... The other two did nothing to help. Just as I was about to pull out my cell. A Durham Regional police cruiser appeared. He stopped and got out of his car. He attempted to talk to the woman and two men. She seemed lifeless at times. The officer and you could see in his face that he was concerned. I truly believed that this officer cared for those people and carefully was analyzing the situation. Personally I think that the officer showed great character. The smells, the filth, the risk to his health. As the officer attempted to talk to this woman. She was obviously under the influence of some sort of drug. As the officer interacted. You could tell that he was flustered but kept his cool and tried to give as much assistance as possible. Even asking if she needed to go to the hospital. The woman refused. The officer stood there and kept an eye on things. I was overwhelmed at the patience and the professionalism of this officer. My thought kept running to all the negativity the police get. How their profession in many cases becomes politicized and used as a tool to spearhead budgets. People if anything the consideration of cutting police should never be part of the budgetary process. Look at all the U.S. cities that have cut back. Crime rates have gone through the roof. We need to treat our police like we do our professional athletes. Policing is not an easy job and one that is crucial to our civility. Cutting the police only means slower response times. Limited resources in a time when we need all hands on deck. The police can’t become pieces picker uppers. They can’t become after the fact collectors. I give praise to the officer in Oshawa and all police doing a very difficult job. It is not about doing a difficult job it is about the people respecting and appreciating a very difficult job that most would not qualify to do. We need to teach our children respect for authority and to appreciate the fact that police are human also. That if we all do our part we all end up having a great day.

Canada - the road ahead

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU E. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East With Fall upon us and a new federal government sworn-in in Ottawa, Canadians have been set up for the road ahead. With inflation at a record high and the pandemic still lingering in the background, are we all set to face winter with the usual winter blues? Let's take a look at the instruments of survival put in place for us by the newly elected government. It looks like we have a lot of new and inexperience people in ministerial portfolios. This is not the relevant news, however, because we should be used to unqualified people running ministries by now. The bad news is that people with a record of openly opposing Canada's resource based wealth are now in charge. This does not bode well for an optimistic future. Steven Guilbeault, who was one of Quebec's most prominent environmentalists before entering politics, is now in charge of Environment and Climate Change Canada. He can be expected to bring an unusually activist perspective to a ministry that, among other key responsibilities, will soon be tasked with making good on the Liberals' campaign promise to impose greenhouse gas emissions caps on the oil and gas sector. Jonathan Wilkinson, who has a history of more than 20 years of promoting green technologies, has been shifted to Natural Resources, the department primarily responsible for relations with fossil fuel producers. He is clearly being sent there to make changes in a department that has been relatively deferential in that relationship, and has slow-rolled the many components of the Liberals' climate agenda for which it is responsible. The Natural Resources shake-up, in particular, is a bold and probably necessary move if the government is to have much chance of meeting its new commitment to a 40-per-cent reduction in GHG emissions from 2005 levels by 2030. And Mr. Guilbeault's new role in the Environment Portfolio will be well received at COP26, the two-week United Nations climate summit bash set to begin in Glasgow in just a few days. As a result, we can expect new and rapid increases in gas prices both at the pump and at home. But never mind, this government continues to print money. However, it occurred to me, that all this green financing might be a new way of recycling dirty money; this time generated by clean energy projects and climate change excuses. Just look at the facts and consider… A recent report commissioned by the United Kingdom (host of COP26 in Glasgow Scotland) and prepared by then Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson (our current Minister of Natural Resources) and his German counterpart, Jochen Flasbarth, documents the progress richer countries have made to date in financially supporting less affluent countries with climate change mitigation efforts. It notes that the 2009 goal to deliver $100 billion US a year in support by 2020 was almost certainly not met and more aggressive action is needed over the next half-decade to spur change. The $100 billion annual commitment was first made more than a decade ago at COP15 in Copenhagen, Denmark, based on the recognition that the developed world is largely responsible for producing climate change-causing emissions that have now disproportionately affected poorer countries. What developed nations are bringing to the table is not nothing: an OECD report in July estimated that the richest countries contributed $79.6 billion in 2019 to support climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts in lower-income countries. And Wilkinson and Flasbarth's report estimates that the annual total will reach $100 billion in 2022 or 2023. But that's not what those countries promised in 2009 when they set the goal of reaching $100 billion in annual funding by 2020. Affluent nations obviously have the desire to help poorer countries mitigate climate change, while developing nations, are being asked to forgo some of the high-polluting activities (such as using coal for power generation) that helped developed nations get rich in the first place. So for the sake of fighting climate change and reducing global instability, the wealthiest nations have both a moral and a practical stake in the developing world's mitigation and adaptation efforts as many pundits contend. In November 2015, just three weeks after being sworn in as prime minister, Justin Trudeau went to Paris and announced a commitment of $2.65 billion over five years for developing nations. That promise still fell short of what some groups consider Canada's "fair share." But this past June, Trudeau announced that commitment would double to $5.3 billion over the next five years. The report also states that developed nations were far too optimistic about the role of private finance when they released a "roadmap" for reaching the $100 billion goal in 2016. At the time, it was suggested that private funds contributing to the cost of fighting climate change would account for $33 billion annually by 2020. However according to the OECD report, private sources only provided $14 billion in 2019. With all this money spent, mostly by the taxpayers of the developed world (including $5.3 billion by Canada) the question is, where did it all go and how was it spent? We have people howling for more money for climate change projects but it seems to me that no accountability exists. In this situation it might serve us to remember that Al Capone was also a great contributor to charities. As all these billions of dollars seem to be going down some bottomless pit, apparently without anyone knowing where, or how it is used, might it not be time for spenders to beware? Is the time not ripe to find an Environmental Eliot Ness who will identify the culprits and hold them to account? Best of luck.

from Wayne & Tamara Fish On A Stringer I need advice on how to get over a married man I have been seeing for six years. I fell deeply in love with him and he loves me, too. He is almost to the point of being obsessed with me. I am tired of the charade. If he loves me like he says, then I want him with me not with someone else. He comes up with all kinds of excuses why he is still with her… “Now is not the right time. I’m working on it. I have to be sure it will work with us. I’m getting older and don’t want to be left with nobody.” I want him to be here with me when things are going bad in my life. I want to spend holidays and vacations with him. I know I never will, but it hurts to lose him, so what am I to do? I can’t go through life like this. What if I don’t find anyone else, then spend the rest of my life alone? Cheryl Cheryl, the easiest way to get over something that is not good for you is to shine a true light on it. You have been looking at this man through the lens of your own want, needs, loneliness, and desire. When you see him in the right light, you’ll realize the object of your desire is anything but desirable. Who is this man? A guy who cheats on his wife and strings another woman along for six years, using the word “love” to trap her. If he loved you, he would want to make you his own and you wouldn’t be in this position. He is not obsessed with you. He is obsessed with himself and his own future. He is like a fisherman who has caught two fish—you and his wife—and is still fishing. He has both of you hung over the side of his boat on a stringer, controlling your lives. He doesn’t know who he will keep in the end—you, her, or someone else. All he knows for sure is that he is not going to end up in your position. For the last six years, you have been unavailable to available men because of a man who is himself unavailable. Your eyes have been closed to the possibilities around you. If you want to get married, if you want someone of your own, you need to look for someone who wants what you want. The hurt you feel is from investing six years in a man who never married you. The pain you feel is from finally acknowledging your mistake, the wasted time and energy, the feelings of being used because the next steps never occurred. Nothing good will happen for you until you trust that the happiness other people have found can be yours as well. You need to choose the uncertainty of the future over this known wrong. Not long ago we received a note from a woman in Oregon. She wrote: “People told me I was waiting for a fairy tale. So I lowered my standards and almost settled for something that wasn’t going to make me whole. I almost married the wrong man because I was lonely. I’m glad I listened to the warning signs and backed away.” About the man she eventually married, she said: “People at our wedding commented on how different it was. They felt the sincerity of genuine love in the air. Neither of us has ever felt so whole in our entire lives.” Cheryl, the way you get more in this life is by not settling for less. You have pinned your hopes on a liar and a cheater. He has kept you like a fish on a stringer. He doesn’t deserve another day of your time, or another moment of your trust. Get off his stringer and set yourself free. Wayne & Tamara Wayne & Tamara write: Directanswers@WayneAndTamara.com

The Doctor Game W. Gifford-Jones, M.D. and Diana Gifford-Jones Are You Taking Too Much Medication? Many diseases can be effectively managed thanks to therapeutic treatments involving pharmaceutical drugs. But have we gone too far in popping pills for every ache? Or even for serious health conditions, has your doctor put as much thought into how to get you off prescription medications as has gone into putting you on them? The statistics are alarming. A study of drug use among seniors in Canada in 2016 found that 2 out of 3 Canadians over the age of 65 were taking at least 5 different prescription medications and over a quarter took at least 10 different prescription medications! In the U.S., a 2018 national survey found that 48.6% of the entire population used at least one prescription drug in the month prior to the survey. Some of these statistics are certainly made up by people who are taking medications they no longer need. Among adults aged 60–79, the most commonly used drug types in the United States were lipid-lowering drugs, antidiabetic agents, and beta blockers; in Canada, they were lipid-lowering drugs, analgesics, and proton pump inhibitors. How should you proceed if you want to reduce the numbers of medications you take? First, take all your medications to your doctor and have a discussion. But don’t expect miraculous answers, as doctors are known for writing more, not fewer, prescriptions – and sometimes, for good reasons. About 50% of those prescribed medications for chronic conditions stop taking them within the first year of starting therapy. This non-adherence can further deteriorate health. More hospitalizations result, costing an estimated $300 million in avoidable expenditures per year About 1 in 5 individuals prescribed antidepressants who stop medication can suffer a host of problems, collectively called discontinuation syndrome. But there are many situations where less medication is not such tricky business. Sleeping pills, for example, should only be for short-term use. Allergy medication should only be used when allergens cause symptoms. Stopping blood pressure medication needs your doctor’s endorsement. But one way to manage hypertension and get blood pressure into the normal range is to lose extra weight. Finding natural alternatives to strong, addictive painkillers is another smart move. It’s also highly advisable to have a strategy for reducing cholesterol medicines, known as statins, which can have devastating side effects, including liver damage and memory problems. Has your doctor made you aware of all your choices? If you’ve read this column for years, you’ll know that high-dose vitamin C could be a life-saving option for reducing the rick of heart attack or stroke. A special note about those who are very elderly or frail. These individuals can be more susceptible to medications, particularly when considering the extent of inappropriate polypharmacy (i.e., too many drugs, unnecessary drugs, and/or doses that are too high) that they are often taking without adequate oversight. If you are, or know someone, at risk, then be careful to ensure that the doctor has full information about all medications and that the patient understands benefits and harms of medication and gives consent. Socioeconomic factors are also noteworthy. Seniors living in long-term care facilities, low-income neighbourhoods and rural/remote neighbourhoods used more drugs, with one study showing 21.4% of seniors living in the lowest-income neighbourhoods were prescribed 10 or more drug classes, compared with 14.3% of seniors living in the highest-income neighbourhoods. Finally, if you have been able to make reductions, how should you dispose of all the unused or expired medications? Most jurisdictions have drug take back sites. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has a “Flush List” of those medications that can be disposed of in the toilet. Whatever your means of disposal, remember that drugs pose a huge hazard to unsuspecting children or pets. Dispose of them safely. Follow us on Instagram @docgiff and @diana_gifford_jones Sign-up at www.docgiff.com to receive our weekly e-newsletter.

Vegas Has Its Odds, so Does Your Job Search By Nick Kossovan Job seekers mentally carry one of 2 narratives. The first narrative is that "isms" (e.g., racism, ageism, nepotism) stack the odds against them. Fueled by a sense of entitlement, this is the limiting belief narrative the "I'm a victim!" crowd carries. This narrative is easy to adopt. It absolves the job seeker from networking, being responsible for how they present themselves to employers and acquiring the necessary education and skills to be competitive in today's job market. The second narrative, which few job seekers embrace, is that you're in complete control of your odds of finding a job that ticks off most of your "would like to have." This narrative empowers job seekers. Okay, "complete" may be an exaggeration. However, you have more control over your job search odds than you think you do. Here are four ways you can stack the odds of landing your dream job with your employer of choice in your favour: 1. Non-negotiable: Create and maintain a professional network. My current job, and my previous three, presented themselves to me via my professional network. The most obvious way to stack the odds of finding a great job in your favour is to NETWORK! A professional network will serve you well during your job searches (You'll likely conduct several throughout your working life.) and your career. Those who network land the jobs you envy you'd have. Desirable jobs (aka. "plum jobs") and C-suite executive and above positions are rarely advertised, thus the existence of the "hidden job market," which I'm sure you're aware of. Don't know how to network or where to start? I suggest you read the following two books: - Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success, One Relationship at a Time, by Keith Ferrazzi - Taking the work Out of Networking: An Introvert's Guide to Making Connections That Count, by Karen Wickre 2. Deal with the hiring manager. Sitting at home applying online is fooling yourself, believing you're "seriously job hunting." I equate applying online to playing the lottery; you're hoping (fingers-crossed, praying) that a stranger will hire you. Why would you expect someone who doesn't know you to hire you over those in their network, referrals or from within their company? Keep in mind, if the job opening is your dream job, then it's also the dream job for at least 100 others as well, who are just as qualified as you. Therefore, as much as possible apply directly to the person who can say "yes" to hiring you. Find out who the hiring manager is (I know this isn't always possible, but often it is.) and apply directly to them. Not being part of the 100s, sometimes 1,000s, of applicants applying online for the one job opening increases your odds significantly. Ideally, you're able to leverage your professional network to be referred to the hiring manager. However, supposing a referral isn't possible, then I suggest you apply online and send the hiring manager a brief email along the lines of: Dear [NAME]: I recently submitted my application for the role of [POSITION], which I'm very interested in, as well as joining [COMPANY]; therefore, I wanted to send you a copy of my resume. I would greatly appreciate the opportunity to discuss my [2-3 REQUIRED SKILLS LISTED IN THE JOB POST] skills related to the position. I look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, [YOUR NAME] 3. Look for your tribe. The advice I give most often to job seekers: "Search for your tribe!" Seeking employers who'll most likely accept you, where you'll feel you belong, will significantly increase your odds. Think: "I'm not looking for a job; I'm looking for my tribe!" Before approaching an employer, ask yourself, "Will I (holistically) be a fit?" 4. Create a results-oriented résumé and LinkedIn profile. In 2021 every employee needs to be an undeniable asset to their employer. Your résumé and LinkedIn profile need to answer the question all hiring managers have: What value did this person bring to their employers? (READ: How did this person positively impact your employer's bottom line?) Employers want to see a job seeker's potential value and therefore gravitate to job seekers who clearly communicate how their results positively impacted their previous employers. In Las Vegas, there's one certainty: The house always comes out the winner in the end. That's because all casino games are designed to provide the house with odds in their favour. Design your job search activities so the odds are in your favour. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nick Kossovan, a well-seasoned veteran of the corporate landscape, offers advice on searching for a job. You can send him your questions at artoffindingwork@gmail.com

UNGRATEFUL PIGS

By Joe Ingino Editor/Publisher “I live a dream in a nightmare world” This week I came across a story I just had to share. It read: Haiti gang demands US$17M for kidnapped Canadian, American missionaries: reports A wave of kidnapping prompted a protest strike that shuttered businesses, schools and public transportation in a new blow to Haiti’s anemic economy. How dare they attack innocent people in their country doing good for the people of Haiti. They want 17 million. Here is what I would give them in exchange. I would pull all foreign aid and workers from that country. See how quickly those kidnappers be found by the local militia. No instead we are there to do good and we get played. This has to stop. I really don’t care the reason. The thinking or the excuse. How dare any Haiti national stand for this. What kind of people are these that they can’t run their own country and are at the hands of generosity from other nations and they allow this to happen. Disgraceful. Despicable and we the rest of the world should not tolerate it. An island that has 90% of the population infected with Aids. 95% of the population living in poverty. 60% living in filth with no running water and or electricity. A population that has rationed power systems. Why should the rest of the world help them. It is obvious that the people of Haiti do not appreciate it and or recognize the gesture of foreign aid. Cut them out. Do not send a penny to them and let see how long they will survive on their own? We the west have to stop thinking that the world likes us... that they are like us... that they hold the same moral code we do. The don’t. Look at the fiasco with the Haitian's crossing the Mexico/U.S. borders. We must say enough is enough. We have people on our own streets that need help. Walk downtown Oshawa and see. If the people of Haiti do not appreciate all the aid they have in a collapsing economy. I say cut them off. I bet Haiti president does not live in a shack? I bet the top government official are all frequent flyer to Florida and New York. FREE OUR PEOPLE YOU UNDESERVING PIGS.

Canada the start of the obvious

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU E. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East As the Covid-19 pandemic still plagues us, and all levels of government, particularly the Federal Government, with the hearty cooperation of the Bank of Canada in printing more money, engage in the liberal spending of taxpayers' money, we can expect to see tough economic times in the very near future. With pundits and experts looking in your pocket and spinning (il)logical explanations and surrealistic futuristic visions, the reality is that the inflation last month was 4.4 per cent - the fastest annual increase since February 2003. Statistics Canada had predicted the annual inflation rate would be 3.5 per cent, but had excluded gasoline prices from its calculation. How brilliantly accurate. Since Canada is a vast country and people and goods need to be moved across it, what could we possibly need gasoline for? In fact, much of the driving force behind the overall rise in the consumer price index were prices at the pumps. Consumers paid 32.8 per cent more last month for gasoline than they did in September 2020. We are not set up to move by solar or wind power. So the recent tendency of politicians to cancel oil and gas pipelines, can only push prices higher and higher, as supplies are eliminated. Wait and see what happens when significant portion of the population who now work from home have start to commute to work again. Food prices have also risen by 3.9 per cent year-over-year, compared to the 2.7 per cent recorded in August, mostly due to higher prices at the store. Meat prices rose at their fastest annual pace since April 2015, pushed higher by double-digit increases in the cost of chicken and beef. Bacon prices were up 20 per cent. An obvious source of price increases has been global supply-chain bottlenecks that have driven up transport costs, which are being passed on to buyers. Could this be another connection to oil and gas prices increases? Just wait until the cozy Canadian winter, a well known commodity, increases our demand for heating gas and oil. I wonder what the pundits will find to say then? Apparently September marked the sixth consecutive month that headline inflation clocked in above the Bank of Canada's target range of between one- and three-per-cent, something that hasn't happened since a six-month stretch that ended in March 2003. So will the Bank of Canada print more money? Aren't they running out of ink yet? Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem said from his ivory tower, that recently bottlenecks have proven more persistent than first believed, but recent inflation readings are "transitory," or a temporary issue. Wait till the inflation tsunami crashes on our shores. Will the spin they spew then still be in line with their masters, the reining Liberal Federal Government? Still thinking that they can spend more money than they have, on phantasmagoric projects under the guise of response to the Covid 19 pandemic? As we sink further and further into debt, it seems that nobody is looking to the future. Sooner or later the interest rates will have to increase significantly, and then both foreseeable and unforeseeable crashes will occur as everything spins out of control. Some people will then be playing the fiddle while the economy crashes and burns. Can you imagine who that might possibly be? As the turmoil continues the leadership vacillates, asking a false Shakespearian Hamlet kind of question; 'to keep or not to keep the generous and often abused economic subsidies?' Meanwhile, the real economic situation of ordinary people is becoming more and more uncertain. Let's take the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS), the $111-billion pandemic benefit that is scheduled to expire this coming week, but which may yet get a reprieve and extension by the Liberal government. The savvy Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will soon announce what comes next, after CEWS, the Canada Emergency Rent Subsidy, the Canada Recovery Benefit, the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit and the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit all wind down on October 23. She told the government mouth piece, the CBC, that significant uncertainties remain, thus implying that some benefits will be extended. More money wasted in principle. Few people begrudge temporary, targeted relief to fellow citizens in need. But, according to an attentive examination of CEWS, the wage subsidy program was a big failure and would likely not pass the most desultory cost-benefit analysis. CEWS was introduced in late April 2020, with the aim of maintaining the ties between workers and employers. According to budget 2021, it has since accounted for nearly 40 percent of the $286 billion in pandemic relief. The gurus of the program's designers, the science quoting, scientifically illiterate public service servants, ignored three fundamental economic lessons - CEWS did not address fixed costs like rents, that actually determine whether a business closes; it did not recognize that a subsidy directed towards payroll can be shifted to other purposes; and, it was not targeted at the margins where it would have been most effective. On top of this they were inflexible, sticking to an initial plan without a realty check. That does not explain, however, why CEWS criteria were not tightened when abuses emerged. As the Financial Post revealed, 68 publicly traded companies continued to pay out dividends to shareholders while receiving CEWS. With all this said, I need to conclude that if the Liberal Government continues to spend like a drunken sailor, we have very little hope of a brighter future. This will soon become clear, as the winners of the 44th Canadian election make further announcements on the post pandemic economy. Do not be surprised if your taxes increase significantly. Best of luck, we will need it.

“Dreamhousing”

from Wayne & Tamara

My wife and I met in college and dated four years before we married. We have been married for three years. In many ways Jane is a wonderful person, but we have totally different outlooks on life. I am ambitious and want to savor life. I want to taste everything the world has to offer. She, on the other hand, doesn’t want to change or grow. She would like to take a still photograph of our lives and freeze things just as they are. Jane would be content if 20 years from now we are living in the same house, eating the same food with the same friends in the same town. I can’t picture that. Looking back I see we were both too inexperienced when we married. Our marriage feels more like “playing house” than the real thing. To tell you the truth, I wasn’t happy with our relationship after the first year of dating, but I thought things would get better. Finally, I thought marriage would fix our problems. I told Jane I want a divorce and she seems to accept it. She may even be relieved. I would like your comments and advice on how to make parting less painful for both of us. Kellen Kellen, some time ago Tamara and I noticed how many couples get a divorce right after planning a dream house, building a dream house, or moving into their dream house. It’s as if they think a dream house can fix what is wrong with their relationship. “Dreamhousing” takes different forms for different people. For some people it is getting married, for others it is having a baby or moving to the country. You and Jane tried to dreamhouse your problems away with a wedding, but the problems that were there before the wedding are still there now. Now that you know marriage was not a cure for your problems, you understand where things went wrong. There is no need to point fingers or hurt each other. Understanding lessens the pain. Wayne True North My girlfriend and I fight about only one thing. Marriage. She thinks at my age I should want to get married. I’m 31, single, and still live at home. I feel like I’m not sure what I’m going to do with my life, but I would like to keep dating her until I decide. She is 22, lives at home, and has a young child. I like her, but whenever this topic comes up, it ends in ultimatums from her and threats from me. I don’t see why she wants to rush things. We have only been dating six months. Randy Randy, your girlfriend is dating to find a husband, a father for her child, and a home of her own. You are dating without preconceived plans or expectations. You don’t know where you want to go, and she knows exactly where she wants to go. In six months you haven’t experienced feelings which make you want to move forward in this relationship. It is not a wife you seek, but a life you seek. Adding other people to your life now isn’t a substitute for finding your own path. As children, most of us have a sense of what we like and want. As we age, many of us lose this sense of direction. Our internal compass no longer points true north. We can’t separate what we want from what other people want for us. If you can’t figure out what you want in life, then you need to reconnect with yourself. Perhaps for now, all you can see is that one thing is a little better (or maybe not quite as bad) as something else. Always choose what’s better. Apply this to everything around you. Unless you know where you want to go, you’ll wind up somewhere else. Tamara Wayne & Tamara write: Directanswers@WayneAndTamara.com

Reversing Pre-Diabetes with Glycemic Control

W. Gifford-Jones, M.D. and Diana Gifford-Jones The Case for Vaccination is Clear What helped to shape my career? As a small child I became spell bound when I read Paul de Kruif’s book “Microbe Hunters”, published in 1926. It offers a sweeping history of the earliest microbiologists and immunologists, dating back to the discovery of microbes in the 17th century. Louis Pasteur features prominently as the researcher who discovered how to make the vaccine that neutralizes the microbe that causes rabies. Scientists were producing vaccines to treat many other viral diseases. It became my burning desire to be a doctor. Vaccines have saved countless lives. This is clear. Three years ago, my column discussed vaccination. I explained that, as a surgeon, I could never guarantee that operations were 100 percent free of complications. I also stated that several billion dollars had been awarded to families due to severe complications following vaccination. My message was to be informed about vaccination and discuss it with your doctor. Some critics accused me of being against vaccines. How far from the truth! They missed my message to weigh the risks. For instance, scientific reports indicate that there are complications including deaths from COVID vaccines. But these adverse reactions are infrequent, and deaths are a very rare tragic exception. The risk is so, so, minimal versus the risk of dying unvaccinated. So, it is utter madness and so frustrating to see ill-informed people waving signs and blocking entrances to hospitals in condemnation of vaccination. The Pasteur Institute in Paris is home to Pasteur’s tomb. It is an awe-inspiring experience to read the engravings of his discoveries on the walls. Fortunately, Pasteur lived to see his success against rabies and anthrax recognized around the world. Moreover, his early discoveries set the stage for finding the germs that cause tetanus, pneumonia, diphtheria, typhoid, tuberculosis, cholera and gonorrhea. Pasteur would tell thick-headed, anti-vaccine people that prior to this discovery there was no treatment for these fatal diseases. How fortunate that today people around the world can be free of these infections. My father, dearly loved, always advised me that when annoyed, I was to calm down and wait 24 hours to reply. I’ve waited too long to respond to my critics. For decades I have written weekly medical columns. I know I have expressed controversial opinions on some social issues. But let me state clearly, I have never been against vaccination and proven science. I am honoured to be on the editorial board of the Orthomolecular Medicine News Service, associated with the International Society for Orthomolecular Medicine. This professional association is comprised of professors, researchers and experts on viral diseases from around the world, and their research offers compelling evidence that to fight this and future pandemics, preventative measures involving daily vitamins and nutrients can arm our body’s natural immune functions. For instance, I recommend taking 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C three times a day (because it is water soluble and we lose some by urination), plus 5,000 IU of vitamin D, 400 milligrams of magnesium, and 50 micrograms of zinc, all once daily. This combination supports the body’s natural defences against viral infections and is safe, inexpensive, and available at health food stores. This preventive strategy, along with vaccination, will decrease the risk of developing an infection, and if infected, the risk of complications involving hospitalization or dying. Paul de Kruif’s book is still available and still a great read. I hope this clarifies my views on vaccination. As a young child no one could have changed my opinion about the Microbe Hunters. And no critics can change my opinion today. My message. Get your vaccination NOW! For comments, contact-us@docgiff.com. Follow us on Instagram @docgiff and @diana_gifford_jones Sign-up at www.docgiff.com to receive our weekly e-newsletter.

Why Should an Employer Give You a Chance?

Why Should an Employer Give You a Chance? By Nick Kossovan In the back of their mind, your interviewer is asking themselves: Why should I hire this person? (Give you a chance.) When you're sitting in front of your interviewer, they're asking themselves several questions: - Will this person fit in with the current team? - What will my boss, and the current team, think of my hiring this person? - Can this person hit the ground running? - Is this person manageable? - Is this person a flight risk? An interview is a sales meeting. If you hope to make the sale (get hired) as the seller (job seeker), you're going to need to provide several benefits why the buyer (the employer) should

buy what you're selling (your skills, experiences, ability to obtain results). Every professional salesperson knows the adage, "Features tell, benefits sell." Numbers, whether your results (revenue generation, process improvement), savings (money, time), increasing profit margins, reducing inventory shrinkage-whatever results you achieved for your employer that positively impacted their bottom-line-are the benefits (you're able to achieve results) of hiring you. In the business world, numbers are king. Numbers are how success and failure are quantified. (e.g., profit vs. loss, customer satisfaction scores, monetary savings, retention rate, share value increasing or decreasing, percentage of market share) Therefore, when selling yourself, you need to be talking numbers-the language of business. As much as possible, use numbers to quantify your skills, experience, and, most importantly, your results. You want to give your prospective employer a semblance of what can expect from you-what their ROI from hiring you will probably be. Providing numbers that quantify has many benefits when it comes to selling yourself. - Gives credibility - Paints a clear picture of your previous work environment and your results. - Numbers have an equivalency of being tangible. Numbers aren't merely your opinions. (Employers hire to achieve results. They don't hire opinions.) - Offers a sense of what ROI the employer can expect from you. There's a huge difference between a candidate who says, "I'm a team player." versus "For 6 years I was part of a team of 8 inside sales reps collectively responsible for reaching an annual sales target of $15 million. Last year I exceeded my sales target of $1.875,000 by 20%, ending the year with $2,250,000 in sales. The average medical device Medicado sells for around $1,500, which means I sold approximately 150 medical devices." Which candidate gives a better picture regarding what an employer can expect from them as an employee: Candidate A: "I took calls from customers." Candidate B: "I took on average 50 to 80 calls daily from existing Wonka Industries customers. I'd say approximately 40% of the calls were complaints, which I would rectify. However, the other 60% of the calls were from customers looking to know more about Wonka's products lines. These calls were a chance for me to sell the caller on our many product offerings rather than for the caller to go to our competitors. Last year I sold over $2.6 million, which was the highest sales out of 15 CSRs in my call centre." How about this comparison: Candidate A: "I was the top salesperson for my division for 3 years." Candidate B: "In 2018, 2019 & 2020, I was the top salesperson for Pinkbridge's Quebec and Atlantic provinces region, which comprised of 5 salespeople. I had to make good use of my French speaking skills. In the fourteen years I was with Pinkbridge, there wasn't a year when I didn't exceed my sales quota by less than 30%. Last year I brought in $9.3 million in direct revenue." You can see how using numbers greatly enhances how your interviewer can envision your achievement(s) and the expected results you'd bring to the business. This is how you sell yourself! It goes without saying, without a healthy revenue stream, a business will not exist; therefore, the only number that counts in business is revenue. So, as much as possible, quantify how the results you achieved for your previous employers impacted their bottom line. This can be in the way of revenue generation, savings or process improvements that enhance productivity. Here's a tip: When wrapping up your next interview, say something along the lines of, "As my resume indicates, I did over $5.5 million in revenue (or insert whatever results you achieved) for JBonded Inc. I know I can do the same for Rivertronics." Using numbers is how you answer the interviewer's question: Why should I hire this person? ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nick Kossovan, a well-seasoned veteran of the corporate landscape, offers unconventional real-world advice on searching for a job. You can send him your questions at: artoffindingwork@gmail.com.

The Vaccine Passport saga

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU E. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East Here we are with many provinces in Canada having decided on a vaccine passport, at least the most populous ones. In Ontario comrade Ford has decided that it is necessary to control you as much as possible and fine you at his leisure. In Alberta comrade Kenney, reneging on his own words, has done the same. Just two weeks ago he was very confident that a few weeks of masking and some early bar closings were all that was needed to stop the fourth wave. Now, in a complete reversal of stance, all people are supposed to work from home again, indefinitely. And no way, never, ever would there be passports. Now passports are the key to semi-normal life. It seems the weather vane syndrome is contagious. It's not just Erin O'Toole suffering from it anymore, but Ford and Kenney have also been contaminated by it. Maybe Doctor Faucci with the blessing of Dr. Tam should propose that a vaccine against weather vane syndrome be developed and administered to these politicians as quickly as possible to prevent future spread of the disease. But wait a minute the vaccine passport was first initiated and proposed by the reigning liberal Prime Minister Trudeau. The question is why these Conservative copy cats have embraced it at both the provincial and the federal level? Are they manipulated by a sanitary and pharma lead mafia? Now coast to coast and sea to sea Canadians will be divided into two parallel societies; the vaccinated and the non vaccinated, with different rights and obligations. Moreover, a new police will be created, the sanitary police, checking on you and asking for your ID and proof of vaccination. But this is only the beginning of the limitations on your basic freedom. New restrictions will be in place on your freedom of speech, choice and movement in the name of the magic Covid delta and all the following Greek alphabet pandemic series to come. Already some sanitary wakos are imposing new rules on your freedom and asking neighbours to report you. Here is the example from our own Durham Region's medical officer of health. If you thought your home was the one place where you could relax without worrying about getting fined over pandemic rules, think again. As reported by Anthony Furey of the Toronto Sun on September 15, Durham Region's top doctor has quietly passed new rules mandating that all residents must conduct contact tracing of anyone who comes to their house for a "social gathering." This is regardless of how many people are in attendance, how well they know each other, and the purpose of the visit. If someone is found not complying, they can be hit with a $5,000 fine. Dr. Robert Kyle, Durham Region's medical officer of health, issued this as a Sec. 22 class order under the Ontario Health and Protection and Promotion Act that came into effect on Sept. 10. The new rule means that coffee dates with a best friend or a play date between toddlers must now be documented and handed over to the regional health department upon request. An official fact sheet clarifies the rules for residents of the Greater Toronto Area neighbourhood: - Maintain a list of full names and contact information (including phone numbers) for all attendees at the social gathering, regardless of age, in a private dwelling and/or commercial premises and, upon request, shall provide Durham Region Health Department (DRHD) with this information within 24 hours of the request, or other time specified. - Maintain the list of names and contact information (including phone numbers) for attendees at the social gathering for a period of at least one month. The fact sheet specifies that "(a) social gathering is a gathering of two or more people who do not reside in the same household. This means that private residences in Durham now face similar rules as public-facing businesses. It also means the government is now setting rules for private social interactions. They claim that most people already voluntarily hand such information over, and that the new order is because of "some who do not cooperate." The health department further explains: "This class order was issued as a result of an increase in the numbers of people contracting COVID-19 in Durham Region and the importance of timely and efficient case and contact management in order to reduce transmission in the community." While the number of cases has gone up slightly from where they stood in July, they are still at some of their lowest points of the year. The Durham Region daily case count currently hovers in the 20s and 30s and they had 36 cases on Sept. 10, the day the new rule came into effect. Dr. Neil Rau, an infectious diseases physician based in Oakville, calls these rules "extreme" and doubts they will even accomplish anything. "Any order that's calling for contact tracing like this is moving backward rather than moving forwards in terms of our evolving towards an endemic (live with it) response," says Dr. Rau. "I don't think it has much value in terms of disease containment." One lawyer familiar with COVID-19 rules notes that those who object have the right to challenge the new rule. "Anyone affected by the order, including homeowners who disagree with it, have the right to appeal the order before the Health Services Appeal and Review Board, and have the right to a hearing within 15 days," explains Ryan O'Connor, a partner at the Toronto-based Zayouna law firm. "It is notable that the province currently permits indoor social gatherings in private residences but does not mandate the collection of guests' personal information," O'Connor adds. "This is another instance of a local public health unit imposing orders above and beyond the province's COVID-related restrictions." So now we are ruled by local sanitary despots overruling weak politicians, in complete disregard of the rules of the land, the constitution, freedom and democracy. This marxisistic individual should be relieved of his duties and disciplined by the medical profession for overstepping his jurisdiction. This is a blatant limitation of your personal freedom and is similar to that practiced by totalitarian regimes. This must end. Sanity should rule again and democracy must be reinstated. When will politicians at all levels act? Where is their leadership? Are they slaves of a maleficent and incompetent sanitary establishment? Is it time for a change in the political leadership? What do you think? DON’T LET THIS HAPPEN IN AMERICA...

WE CAN FILL A STADIUM BUT WE CANT FILL A RESTAURANT!!!

By Joe Ingino Editor/Publisher “I live a dream in a nightmare world” This past week the Official Opposition NDP Leader Andrea Horwath demanded to know why Doug Ford is treating small, local businesses differently from the big players — again — after the Ford government announced a change that puts local business at a disadvantage. “Small business owners from restaurants to bowling alleys are working hard to keep their head above water and keep paycheques coming for working folks,” said Horwath. “But again and again, Doug Ford gives the big fish a big advantage over small and local businesses. He did it when he shut local businesses down but allowed big box stores to sell anything. And he’s doing it now by saying burgers and pop in an arena are safer than burgers and pop at a local family-owned restaurant.” the Ford government announced that some big businesses, like stadiums and theatres, can now operate at full capacity. Meanwhile, family-owned restaurants and other small businesses are forced to operate at a far lower capacity. Are you yet not tired of being confused? Lied to and mislead? Like really. We can fill a stadium as long as you can show a bogus paper that says you are vaccinated but you can’t fill a local restaurant that depend on every nickel they get in order to stay a float. It is like that old saying. “Money talks”. The ultra rich team owners said enough, so the government finds a way to let them fill their pockets at the expense of the average tax payers health. People, just because you are vaccinated it does not mean you are bullet proof. You can still catch it and you can still carry it. Then why are we being fed the line that those that not vaccinated are the problem? Even if you catch it. You get better. You get the vaccine. You can still catch it again. You can carry it. The governments talk about trusting the science. But fail to enforce trusting the common sense and question the rationale of opening stadiums to thousands and not allowing capacity at local restaurants when the risk factor is greater at the larger venues. Not to mention the restrictions placed on gyms and other places. Has feared blinded our common sense? We are being forced to trust a science that is constantly changing a government that has no real understanding or grasp of what to do. Those not vaccinated are now the evil spreaders and those vaccinated are the riteous, conscious and civil minded amongst us. Really. What next flu shot passports? Could it be that those vaccinated have surrendered their ability to think freely and rather ride on the side of popular thought and opinion so it makes it easier to pin the blame on the pandemic on non vaccinated? Just today they came out with a dine in mask... it only covers your nose. Like come on folks where will we draw the line on stupidity. As it stand with this new APP the government has come out with. Technically they can catalogue and monitor your every move. No more privacy, no more confidentiality. The app has many applications... many that the government will never reveal. Much like when emails first came out. People were reluctant due to privacy issues. Today, emails are sold and bought much like cell phone numbers. In today’s society there is no such thing as privacy. Ever since the introduction of smart phones for stupid people was introduced... kiss away your privacy. Now with this app you can kiss away your individuality. We are being catalogued without consent. Are we at the eve of the new social order?

The new order in Canada

by Maj (ret'd) CORNELIU E. CHISU, CD, PMSC, FEC, CET, P. Eng. Former Member of Parliament Pickering-Scarborough East We are now over a costly election that did little to change the political structure in the House of Commons. However, new issues are arising, particularly regarding the economy, and relations between Provincial governments and the Federal Government are not always as harmonious as might be expected. Certainly we can affirm that all three levels of government in Canada seem increasingly eager to control you as much as possible. Your life, your movements and your jobs. They have discovered that the Covid pandemic offers a unique opportunity in this regard. Let us take the issue of the vaccination passport. In vacillating on this, the provinces have their own ideas, but sooner or later they need to come to an agreement, to allow citizens to move both internally and internationally. With the Federal government responsible for interprovincial and international travel and expressing strong decisions on the rules governing federal means of transportation, the provinces responsible for the administration of vaccinations, will be forced to adopt a common standard for the new document; the vaccination passport. There is some confusion however, about how Canadian cocktail vaccinations will be accepted internationally. It seems that there is a problem there, carefully hidden from the public eye by a subservient media, which tries to minimize the importance of this issue. The land border between Canada and the US is still closed for some undisclosed reason, which I presume to be exactly this. The US does not accept cocktail vaccinations (i.e. where the first and second dose of vaccine administered are not from the same manufacturer) as proof of being fully vaccinated. There are other countries who take the same opinion. However, you cannot keep the land border between Canada and US closed much longer and a slim hope for Canadians arose when the US said that they would lift the restrictions to fully vaccinated Canadians by November. But fully vaccinated means one thing for the US and something else for Canada. So what is the solution for people caught in this quandary? The Liberal government is silent and so is the press. Is it any wonder? Economic recovery is not proceeding at an encouraging pace either. Some recent, controversial decisions made by the Province of Ontario certainly won't speed things up. How does it help small business or even make sense, to allow 100% capacity at sporting events and theaters while keeping restaurants at a strict 25% capacity? How much more social distancing can you practice in the stands at a sporting event, or a theater auditorium than in a restaurant where tables are spaced? Lately it seems that politicians have become puppets. They have increasingly succumbed to an incompetent and unconscionable public service advisory which invariable finds excuses for their actions. If they make a mistake they are promoted to another position as a reward. They are never held responsible for their actions even when they cause serious damage. Does that seem fair or make any sense to you? Never mind. We are experiencing the curse of 'living in interesting times'. It seems that what was once prized as common sense has now become a liability. How can you rely on anything when the powers that be can change the rules overnight to suit their whims? In order to flourish a society needs steadfast rules that are upheld and respected by everyone. Just like science needs to be based on reproducible results. If someone tries to tell you that at standard pressure pure water freezes at other than zero degrees Celsius or boils at other than one hundred degrees Celsius, you know that you are dealing with uninformed opinion, not science. They may try to force you to believe it, you may even have to pretend to agree, but the truth will out eventually. And a society, like science, cannot be based on lies and expect to have meaning. With common sense lost, a flourishing dark ages science mentality and an inquisitions type of governing rules, we will be hard pressed to face the next crisis which is already brewing on the horizon and will not be nice. That is the rampant increase in the price of oil and gas, signaling an upcoming economic crisis which will hit Canada very hard in the very near future. The inevitable collision between 30 years of global warming hyper activism characterized by the howling and barking demonization of available proven energy resources of Canada and reality, is now coming upon us. An atmosphere of semi-panic is brewing as many of the countries most committed to "getting off" oil and gas and turning their economies over to wind and sun and no nuclear of course, find winter approaching. Environmentally virtuous as they are, they are wondering if they will have enough oil and gas or even coal, to get through it. The chorus of reassuring voices that nothing catastrophic will happen is particularly strong here in Canada. However, we face a different reality at the pumps. The weather is still balmy as I write this in early October, but inevitably winter will come, despite the global warming enthusiasts, reality will kick in. The U.K. is already tasting the first fruits of petrol shortages, inevitably followed by inflation. Even the U.S., under the sage guidance of the super-alert Joe Biden, is thinking of unlocking its emergency oil reserves. In view of this wise guidance of the leaders of the developed countries, including our own more then savvy Prime Minister, OPEC has a stronger whip than at any time since the '70s. Watch the upcoming sequence of developments closely. They will impact our economy and our lives, sinking us into a quick and cold depression.There was a time when societies and nations looked back at their pasts, at the work and hardships and deprivations of previous generations, and gave thanks that those generations vaulted succeeding ones into new realms of comfort, security, ease of life, and stability. That philosophy no longer seems to hold. We now have a political and activist force built around a philosophy of ingratitude for the privileges we enjoy, and the means by which those privileges were earned. There is a furious determination to bring the whole house down and to quickly establish a new world order based on fantasies of utopia. The climate for a woke change is particularly frenzied in Canada. It is millenarian in intensity and vision, demanding that we unharness our economy and well-being from the one, proven, established means, based on our natural resources. It is the malaise of a rudderless society that has allowed, even enabled, its careless and unthinking detractors to rule without any reaction or effort to salvage sanity. As the harsh Canadian winter is just around the corner, be prepared for a freezing economy. The iceberg is heading for the great Canadian ship and the Titanic syndrome is alive and well. It will be the new pandemic that provides the government with excuses for controlling our lives, replacing the already known and well established Covid -19. What do you think eh….?

Hey where are we going with this!

By Rosaldo Russo Allow me to begin this column by thanking the newspaper for allowing me the opportunity and access to the press. Not to many if any allow an average person like me to tell the world what I see and think. My name is Rosaldo Russo. I came to this great country to make a better life for myself and my family. I thank Canada for everything it has allowed me to do and earn. I worked construction all my life. I know the value of hard work and honesty. I remember as a boy my father always telling me to work hard and buy land. So I did. I remember days when I did not have enough to eat. I go to work... but I did not wait for hand outs. I rounded up my pride my skill and my determination to succeed and went to work. In those days the only benefits we received was the fact we were employed. Before retiring I was the owner and operator of local material supply company that allowed me to retired without worry. Now that I have time to enjoy life. I look around me and have some concern for future generations. I see that the world is finished. Look at the gas prices... is it just me or are we heading back to the pre- Trump days. How is it that one man can come into politics take down the oil cartels become energy self generating and force the price of gas at an all time low? Trump was so strong that he ended up buying from Saudi Arabia at dirt cheap rates per barrel as Saudi Arabia’s oil market had stop to exist. No more Saudi Arabia the great oil power. Trump was an American leader like no other. Believe me in my life I have seen all kinds. During the war years of WWI and WWII. The struggles and the sacrifices. Trump I think stood for that time in our history. A tough leader with direct winning goals. Hey, maybe that is why he was not elected. He bit into the Saudi hand and you know the old saying ‘money talks’. He went against the drug cartels, the oils cartels. Money, money, money... I think that is why he lost. America was on the rebound and it never had it better. Sad that in our modern society we punish success and reward loosers. Loosers that have no conscious of our best interest. Please all you educated know it all types... How can you rationalize the gas prices going through the ceiling? We are back to the Obama era when in the U.S. some places paid up to six dollars a gallon. I look up to the sky and thank God that i am the age that I am. That I lived through an era of real opportunity. Today everyone seems to go around thinking that they are owed something. They lost respect for authority and the elders. They say that it is not their responsibility. I guess that in part this is why the Chinese have it right. No one is welcomed. No one is special. You do what your told or else. Live your life within your parameters. Ask for nothing that you won’t work for. Most importantly never go against what the government tells you. Boy is that starting to sound familiar? Now I supported at one time the Liberals with my heart and soul. Today, I like to think I am confused as I see no benefit for the people as if anything we are a shadow of America. An America that has no real direction and corrupted by greed, wealth and collusion within the system. Oh Canada, how long can we stand for thee?

Being Desperate is a Turnoff with Employers

By Nick Kossovan I've always gravitated towards candidates who show high confidence, pushing towards arrogance, thus why the classroom scene in Top Gun (1986 film) resonates with me. Viper (Tom Skerritt): "Do you think your name will be on that plaque?" Maverick (Tom Cruise): "Yes, sir." Viper: "That's pretty arrogant, considering the company you're in." Maverick: "Yes, sir." Viper: "I like that in a pilot." Job seekers aren't doing themselves any favours when they come across as desperate, which I often see and sense. They're aching to be in any employer/employee relationship as long as the employer passes basic muster. (Basic muster being defined as an employer willing to hire them.) Regardless of the type of relationship you're looking to form (friendship, romantic, business, employer/employee), desperation is unattractive. When it comes to job hunting, you can't be in a mindset of desperation when going after the job you want. People sense desperation. Neediness and lack of confident eye contact are considerable distinctions. A confident person is attractive and therefore memorable. A desperate person not only shows they're lacking confidence, they're also off-putting. Having literally conducted 1,000s of interviews, I can sense a candidate's desperation-that they just want any job-which never sits well with me. While easier said than done, you need to empower yourself as a candidate, which in turn will boost your confidence. Empowerment is achieved by positioning yourself as a solutions provider (READ: problem-solver), which is contrary to being just another job seeker. Think of the difference between "I need the job you're offering." and "I want to help you." Which is more attractive? The distinction is powerful. It'll be noticeable to the hiring manager. The average job seeker goes into an interview simply looking to fill an open position to collect a paycheck. Conversely, a solutions provider approaches an interview as a fact-finding mission to determine how their skills and experience align with the problem(s) the hiring manager is trying to solve. What problem(s) Nick? The problem(s) the job exists to solve. For example, sales positions exist to solve the employer's problem of creating and maintaining revenue flow. Accounting positions exist to solve the employer's problem of managing the money coming in, making sure government taxes are paid and minimizing financial waste. The next time you read a job posting, ask yourself: - What's the main objective(s) of the job? - What tasks of the job have the most impact on the company? - What suggestions can I offer that'll improve the role itself? - What is the employer's most significant challenges currently? (This'll require research on your part.) - How can you, in the role, address those challenges? Having answers to these questions changes the dynamics of the interview. Now you're approaching the interview as a problem-solver, which creates more of a consultative conversation and puts you in control. Candidate: "Nile, from what you've told me and what I've read online, Vandelay Industries has been trying to break into the eastern Canada market for quite some time. I know Cyberdyne Systems is giving you stiff competition-your market share growth hasn't been as robust as you'd like." Interviewer: "Yes, Cyberdyne Systems is a formidable competitor, which is why we're looking for a new business development manager to oversee the Atlantic provinces." Candidate: "I faced a similar situation when I was with Wayne Enterprises. My advice isn't to go head-to-head with Cyberdyne Systems comparing prices, which your marketing material does. Based on my experience, my discussions with potential clients would revolve around Vandelay Industries being Canadian and nimble-not a foreign oversize bureaucratic organization they have to navigate. Have you ever thought of being more forthcoming about Vandelay Industries' history, being founded in 1908 in Waterloo? Vandelay is a rare Canadian success story which you should tell more aggressively; it would build confidence in the market." Imagine how this conversation continues. Who'll be in the driver's seat? The candidate isn't looking to simply "take a paycheck" from the company; they're looking to be an employee looking after the company's best interest. Holistically a job interview boils down to you asking for a chance. Therefore, the candidate who projects the confidence they can solve the problem(s) the role exists to solve will most likely be given a chance. Approaching your interviews with confidence and as a problem-solver will tip the scale in your favour-being desperate will do the opposite. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Nick Kossovan, a well-seasoned veteran of the corporate landscape, offers unconventional real-world advice on searching for a job. You can send him your questions at: artoffindingwork@gmail.com.

First Amendment

A King for the People by Alex King I submit, for the people, a short yet necessary take on the

that doesn't get enough traction. As described in the Bill of Rights, the first safeguard our founders prescribed to dam the natural flow of government toward tyranny was this: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances. So…what exactly does that mean, and furthermore, how should it matter in a context that also promotes belief, speech, journalism, and petitions? If we buy into lazy notions about free assembly when it comes to a political nature, then we are likely to equate the expression of our First Amendment rights with only two, limited actions: debating and then voting…or voting and then debating, depending on how you determine to view that political chicken-and-egg conundrum. Sadly, too many of us have even come to accept the falsehood that there is something wrong with holding a debate. So many of us remain silent and allow power structures to speak for us. Somehow, we have become afraid to hold the necessary arguments with those around us, and we would rather place important decisions in the hands of a higher authority. Because we have for too long assumed that discussions about the things that govern our lives will cause division and bitterness-rather than accepting the inverse that those discussions are entirely necessary to unity at large-we have lost too much control of the world directly around us. The inability and unwillingness to engage in peaceful dialogue has allowed our largely appointed and unelected power structures to hold that dialogue for us. In other words, rather than us speaking for government, government has begun to speak for us. It is therefore my personal belief that only the decentralization of power can bring our local communities back to life. By putting more choices in the assembly of those around us, who are by proximity more accountable to us, then we will have a greater opportunity of experiencing a government not only run by the power of THE people but instead by the power of OUR people. So… how do we accomplish this feat? The most impactful way to inspire change is by truly utilizing our freedom to assemble. And when I say "assemble," I'm not limiting that assembly to the notion of simply coming together for conversation. I'm advocating for people to agree upon, work together, and enact peaceful tactics and strategies that will, little-by-little, reach a desired conclusion. If we are upset with the status of things around us, then we can unite with other likeminded individuals, strategize together, and put our plans into action. Peaceful resistance should always be the goal, but that is not to say that we cannot be peacefully creative with our approaches. It's all about making a diplomatic statement that moves the dialogue forward, not backwards (although it will often be necessary to discuss history). While we should obviously understand the sentiments of our forefathers, we should also accept that the sacrifices of many throughout history have provided us the tools to carry out change without the need for the violence of the past. And although many of us rightfully feel that the force being thrown at us is violence, we cannot permit any excuse for the increasing gaslighting perpetuated by media and government to paint us as extremist despots in response. The greatest threat to our freedoms is not force, after all, but instead the overwhelming acceptance that our individual liberties are not inherently ours. In other words, as long as we believe in and adhere to the values of liberty, then it will never truly be lost.

MEMORY FUC%$@G LANE

By Joe Ingino Editor/Publisher “I live a dream in a nightmare world” I am all for giving people a chance. No matter your political inclination. Some place in your common sense realm you must have wondered how did the Democrats pull it off. Trump cried foul but let the people down in proving it. A careered “YES MAN” is elected president. A man that has shown more signs of mental compromise than one can even name. A man that has been a civil servant for most of this adult life with little or no real accomplishments. Then there was Trump. A non-politico. A business man with more battle scars that one can count. A man that knows the value of a dollar and the struggle of the common folk. A man that worked for the people and gave back all his pay to charity. Yet, he was a womanizer an embezzler a tax evader and the worst. But one thing about Trump. He put a stop to the ‘TERROR’ game by the middle east. He tamed the dragons lurking in the far east. He put a stop to jobs going overseas. He stomped the oil producing nation to the point that the oil producers had no real market. Trump went as far... as filling his national reserves with oil bought at an all time low. American economy was booming. Gas prices at an all time low. Oh Trump how we need you now. But wait. That is an unfair statement. Let’s look at all that came out of the Obama administration. As soon as he took office. All major car manufacturers cried bankruptcy... Remember the billions that Obama gave to the industry only to have them take it off shore. Remember the millions he gave to terrorist nations? Remember the never ending gas prices going through the roof. I remember just before he left office gas up to almost $6.00 in some states. It is not about being a democrat or a republican. Traditionally when democrats are in office it is open season for industry to cry wolf as they know that democrats are about spending. Democrats cry the we are for the people line but in reality the people continue to not afford housing, food and adequate medical care. Republicans are no saints. They are pro industry, pro business and leave it up to the individual to make something out of the opportunities the republicans create. Different way to approaching the problem. On the one hand under the democrats. It is hand out and charity due to the lack of jobs and prosperity. As industry cries wolf and threaten lay offs and closures if they are not helped. On the republican side. It is about getting you out to work. Getting people to earn a living so that they can work on their American dream. Either way. The people are left to fend for themselves. As it stands with Biden. The American people are worst off than they were with Obama. As today Biden is to deal with COVID. A silent/ghost killer from the orient. I wonder how Trump would have dealt with it. I predict that by now Trump would have demanded retribution for the damage China caused the world. I doubt that the spread and or release of this virus was accidental. Trump stepped on to many toes. He took out the Arabs in the oil game. He kept the orient in check. The world had a new leader. What better then to throw him off... China releases COVID on the world. Where is Biden investigation on the point of origin he had started. Why did the finding not make headline news? The world has a ‘YES MAN’ as a leader and to boot it is obvious Pelosi, Harris and others call the shots from the blind side. Please someone explain how it could be that since Biden took office. The gas prices are on a never ending surge. Explain how the economy is in such a dire state. Yes, it is easy to say COVID. But enough is enough. Under Trump. The vaccine was developed in record time. Today the American people are being left to booster. Soon the anniversary of all those that received the vaccine will come due... and they will have to be re-vaccinated. Has Biden planned for that before he is giving million of doses to foreign nations. America is in such a downward spin that it baffles the educated mind. The ignorant keep grinding their teeth in the hope that something good will come out of it. Much like in the Obama era. Nothing did. On the republican side. Their renaissance is coming soon. Hopefully they learned from their mistakes and they can make improvements. It is not about remembering the bad or the good of any administration. It is about how they have touched America. America is divided and will always be. As that is freedom. Those who try to unite us by shame, force or fear are not true Americans as this nation was built on the contributions of our differences. We are not a one people nation but a proud nation of a people that come together when the need/call arises. We must stop allowing other nations influence our democracy. As democracy is being challenged as all the other world “isms” have been through history. We can remember and learn or we can remember and look the other way. That train of reality is coming either way. We can say FUC% our memory or come togther as a nation and do something about it, for positive change.

Would You Like To Top It Off???

Would You Like To Top It Off??? By Joe Ingino Editor/Publisher

“I live a dream in a nightmare world” This week I came across a very interesting news release. It read: McDonald's Canada is removing plastic cutlery*, stir sticks and straws by December 2021 TORONTO, Oct. 7, 2021 /CNW/ - McDonald's Canada today announced that it will introduce wooden cutlery*, wooden stir sticks and paper straws to its more than 1,400 restaurants across the country by December 2021. The removal of these single-use plastics* in its restaurants supports McDonald's global commitment to source 100% of McDonald's primary guest packaging** from renewable, recycled or certified sources. On the surface... oh how environmentally conscious they are. They save the environment and it ends up costing the consumer convenience. McD - decides to cut back on portion size but not price. Oh how nutritional conscious they are and we end up paying. McD want to look like they care about the community. They introduce the ‘TOP UP’ program... Oh how much they care. In reality they don’t. They make their patrons pay. I HAD ENOUGH. McDonald portion are small for the price. The quality of food is cafeteria/frozen line. I can’t stand it. It appears that no matter the place they all are following suit. The consumer comes first. Their corporate pockets come first. Have you see the size of a “BIG MAC”? You have to watch you don’t bite your fingers. I remember a Big Mac was a nice size sandwich. But wait, McD has a conscious as they have come out with the GRAND BIG MAC. The actual size BIG MAC. But now they charge you 11 dollars for a combo instead of eight dollars. The rip off is out of control and we the consumers are nothing but suckers. The other thing that really bothers me is how companies like McD have the balls to ask the consumer to donate money in the name of a cause. McD and corporations alike have no shame. They make millions if not billions a day and they have the balls to ask the patrons to donate. These corporations should be made to donate a percentage above any revenue sales over 10 million a day. Every known charity would be taken care and every cause satisfied. No instead they expect the patrons to donate and in turn they put their corporate name as a donation from McD. What kind of society are we living in where we have no voice. We are led by misinformation and preconceptions. Corporations make billions a month and we the little guy are forced to comply or else. In the case of McD. Either buy the burger or not. Simple. The choices that we are given in modern society are not choices but two option with the same outcome. We are fed the perception as we have choices but we don’t. We are fooled into believing that we are contributing or acting in the better good of causes that tug at our good nature. We are not free will thinkers but instead we are a society led by misinformation and fear of social reprisal. The Good vs Evil battle in the human conscious no longer exists. Today battle is between defiance and confomity. Social outcast vs social acceptance. Sad that when we think that top it off is the right thing to do only re-enforces wrong behavior by those that manipulate what we should be thinking.