The Big Debate – Networks v Cable/Satellite

We’re now being inundated with ads on Canadian television regarding the fight between the networks (CTV, CBC, Global, A Channel) and the cable/satellite guys (Rogers, Earthlink, Cogecco, Bell, Star Choice). This fight pertains to whether the cable guys should be paying the networks a fee for broadcasting the basic local television channels. (Or something close to that!). The cable guys charge their consumers a fee for viewing these channels as part of their “Basic” package. Makes sense. They have to get that programming to the consumer using their equipment, and service that equipment when required.

It all boils down to a money grab, in my opinion, on behalf of the networks. With the onset of technology – YouTube, Apple TV, iTunes, etc. – a lot of people have found other ways to view their favourite television programs and movies and subsequently ad revenues have taken a nose dive for the networks. Being a little slow in catching up, the networks have found themselves in a quandry as to how to increase profits and maintain their viability. If this was such a thorn in the side of the networks why didn’t they ask for this fee over 40 years ago when cable was in its infancy??

I’m not saying the cable and satellite companies are free and clear in this whole debate. God knows, we’ve all had our problems getting service – satellite down during power outages, cable service being somewhat questionable, being on the phone on hold for hours when trying to get help, etc. – and we pay enough for the channel packages we want. Those “Packages” are a bone of contention with me – you always want a channel that’s packaged with a bunch of other channels you’ll never watch. We’ve tried to downsize our packages and that alone was a major fight with Bell Satellite. They kept insisting that if we ‘upgraded’ we’d get a better deal!! Why on earth would we upgrade when we don’t watch the channels we’ve got!!!! Plus we’re trying to save money not spend it!!!

I’m also having a problem with a lot of the specialty channels straying from their original mandate. Vision TV no longer broadcasts their religious shows – HGTV Canada and Food Network Canada constantly repeat their shows during the day and have nothing much new to offer – BBC Canada has also strayed from broadcasting nothing but BBC shows. I don’t want to pay for a specialty channel that’s going to air a show that should be on another specialty channel. This ’switching’ shows to another channel to hopefully get viewers is ludicrous and dumb. Plus the shows that have been ’switched’ are repeats!

I’m a firm believer that most of this debate began after Canwest bought up some channels and other businesses too fast, too soon and suddenly couldn’t handle the debt load. As a result Canwest is now in bankruptcy protection and I for one do not want to bail them out. Not my fault, not my problem!! If corporate executives and owners get greedy, they’re on their own!!!! The consumer should not have to pay for company mismanagement and mistakes.

If the CRTC (Canadian Radio and Television Commission) wants Canadian television networks to maintain “Canadian” content and the networks are unable to do so, then I say disband some of those specialty channels, improve the quality of television on their local and national channels and stop airing those annoying and insulting ads begging for money.  There should be a significant cost savings on stopping those bloody ads!! It’s also insulting that they’ve hired that You Tube guy that sang about his lost luggage. Suddenly now the networks want to look ‘hip’ and ‘with it’. Give me a break!!!!

What’s Wrong With This Picture?

The Canadian media has a lot to answer for, in my opinion. With two more Canadian soldiers dying in Afghanistan, the media saw fit to lead their nightly news reports with the Michael Jackson ceremony in Los Angeles. Even now, two days later, they continue to cover this story, despite the fact that the stories are now rumours, innuendos and mainly rating grabs. I, for one, do not care where the family is keeping Mr. Jackson’s body before his actual burial. Where does the media get this stuff!!!!!!

All too often, the Canadian media follows the American media lead – if it’s a big entertainer and will contain a lot of hype, they’ll begin their newscasts with that story. Whatever happened to covering Canadian content first? The families of the two fallen soldiers must have felt like they were slapped in the face, being upstaged in death by an American entertainer.

Entertainment news, again, in my opinion, should not be a lead story in any televised newscast. I tune into the news to be informed of  what’s happening in Canada first, and then the rest of the World. Yes, I understand the Michael Jackson story was certainly big enough and had to be covered, but day, after day, after day, the lead story was first and foremost about Mr. Jackson. With his initial death being unexpected and a shock to the whole world, it was understood when the media led with that story. But it didn’t stop there. How he died, why he died, where he died, when he died, who was with him when he died and on and on and on, including viewings of inside his home. It continued with abandon and then to add insult to injury, the Canadian media (CBC and Global National, to my knowledge) had to ask their viewing audience if the coverage was over-done!!!! They asked that you go to their web sites and give them feedback. Please!! If they had to ask ….!!!!!

Michael Jackson was a product of his own environment, making and multi-million dollar industry. But he was still an ‘Entertainer” and when did entertainment news become more important than dying Canadian soldiers and other important world issues?

Following the CRTC rulings of late, especially concerning the required ‘Canadian’ content that Canadian broadcasters are required to cover, I’m beginning to think that maybe the CRTC should start looking at ‘Canadian’ content in news coverage.

You’re Kidding Us, Right??

Dalton, Dalton, Dalton!!! This isn’t funny anymore. Yes, you’ve taken responsibility for this whole eHealth fiasco, and yes the head guy has stepped down, but it’s all too late – the money’s gone, never to be retrieved! Seriously, though, $2800./hour for consulting fees, along with coffee, donuts, Christmas party planning and God knows what else. I’m only sorry we poor taxpayers weren’t invited to this party – after all we paid for the damn thing!!

It truly amazes me that Premier McGinty in his infinite wisdom created this department and did not think things through. No insight, no fine-tuning and especially no watchdogs looking over certain shoulders and asking for accountability. There should be accountability in each and every government department, but I’m sure more money has fallen through the cracks in the taxpayers’ wallets than we’ll ever know about.

It’s ironic that there was plenty of money to go around for the employees of eHealth, and now suddenly there’s going to be even plenty more money to establish full-time kindergarten – or at least they’re going to find some!! Gee, they can find money for the kids but they can’t find any to maintain smaller hospitals in the Region which help the injured, sick, disabled, seniors and the like!! It seems like Mr. McGinty has found a magician’s hat and is going to pull money out for any establishment except hospitals.

Shame on you, Mr. McGinty. You’re priorities are all screwed up – or is it that you’re just looking for the younger vote in any up and coming election? I suppose you’d better count on the younger generation, ’cause the ever-growing seniors population ain’t gonna give you another chance!! It’s bad enough the goons were sent into Fort Erie while certain officials snuck in unannounced and removed equipment and supplies from our only Hospital, along with smacking around a protestor and even our Mayor. Yes, no money for hospitals but I suppose you don’t have to worry about that. You have access to the biggest and best within your community. And that’s the only thing that counts.

Funny, I use to be a happy-go-lucky sort. But I’m getting older and bitter when it comes to politics in this country. Being a transplant recipient I’m also very familiar with hospitals – I’ve been in and out of them all of my life. I can’t say enough wonderful things about St. Joseph’s Hospital in Hamilton. The staff, the doctors, the care – it’s all top-notch. Same with the Hotel Dieu Hospital in St. Catharines and West Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Grimsby. Although portions of “The Dieu” will merge with the newly built hospital in St. Catharines, we’ll still loose some of the good staff and great care that was given. I, for one, will miss them. It’s a struggle for my husband and I to constantly travel to Hamilton, but we do so, because it’s my life-line. So I can understand why a whole community is up in arms about traveling to and from St. Catharines when that new hospital is built. No one will understand the familiarity, comfort and hope that comes with going to your own “community” hospital until they’ve been in that situation. It means so much to each and everyone of us. (We’re all familiar with that phrase May the Force Be With You from Star Wars.) Well, Premier McGinty you’re going to need more than “The Force” to get you out of this one!

Why, Media, Why???

For the longest time I’ve wanted to ask any journalist/reporter/news guy why on earth do they stick a microphone in a “suspects” face and ask “Did you kill (so and so)?” Do they really think that the “suspect” is going to turn around and respond “Yah,  I did it!!” What the hell is that reporter thinking!!!!

Something similar happened again today regarding the Victoria Stafford news report. The anchor of the news show asked the field reporter if the Stafford parents were in Court and how did they look. Are you kidding me!!!!!!! First of all, it’s none of the publics’ business and second of all they’re grieving parents – how on earth does the media expect them to look!!!!

It’s also ever so aggravating to watch as the media stick a gazillion microphones in, around and under any suspect’s face as he/she’s being dragged by the police into an awaiting vehicle. Please – this isn’t a Hollywood paparazzi thing!!!! Let the police do their jobs!! If the media thinks that the suspect is going to give a news conference while being shielded by his/her coat then they’re sadly mistaken. I think it’s about time that the police cordon off any area to the media whenever they have to transport a suspect. Keep those pesky journalists/reports/cameramen in a pen and don’t let them loose!!!

News reporting ain’t like the old days – Who, What, Where, When, Why and How – none of this “How are you feeling” and “Did you do it” nonsense. Just give the public the facts. We’re a pretty intelligent bunch of people – we can figure out the rest!!! Investigative journalism has gone too far.

GM and McGinty – Tell Me No Secrets, I’ll Tell You No Lies

You wouldn’t believe how disillusioned I’ve become in the political parties of late. More and more I’m finding myself distrusting Prime Minister Harper because of his secrecy and keeping his Ministers away from the press and public scrutiny. Now, our latest and greatest Provincial Liberal leader, Dalton McGinty, has lied to us again. From the very beginning with that immortal phrase “Read my lips, no new taxes”, he’s done nothing to make me trust or believe anything that comes out of his mouth. From the very day he took office, he’s continuously ladened each and every resident of this Province with some sort of new tax – sales taxes, gas taxes, cigarette taxes (albeit he can have that one, now that I’ve quit) and now the new Harmonized Sales Tax. Mr. McGinty has also informed Ontarians that they’re going to get a new “Smart Meter” (for water consumption) and can save energy and water by doing their laundry 3:00 in the morning. I’d love to ask him if that’s the case in his household!! I’m willing to bet not, and I’m willing to bet his laundry and housecleaning is done by some service – after all his salary has increased more than once since this man took office!!!

We won’t even begin to get into the Niagara Regional Hospital situation, which is another fiasco that the Provincial government has allowed to run amok and allow a certain few to earn a great wage while closing down local vital hospitals that even Doctors disagree with.

I’m also willing to bet that the Premier does not drive a car / limo made in Canada. If he does, I apologize, but for now prove me wrong! I’m also willing to bet that any taxes this man pays are minimal. Mr. McGinty will have access to the best tax accountants and lawyers in the business who can find a deduction around every corner and, in anticipation of any new tax laws about to come into affect, can quickly rework his tax deductions to conform to such law. At least he’s got extra money for donations and other tax deductions!

With the latest GM woes and guffaws, Nat and I have been sitting on tenderhooks waiting for the latest update. We’re worried, frustrated and now very angry at Mr. McGinty and his gang of Liberals for breaking their recent agreement with GM and making the CAW go back to the bargaining table to make even further cuts. We understand cuts need to be made – and they were – an agreement was signed to that effect and again, Mr. McGinty sees fit not to keep his word. Remember the “no new taxes” line that everyone fell for!!!!! I no longer trust or believe anything this man says. Mr. McGinty is going to allow GM Canada to go into bankruptcy without blinking an eye and I’m willing to bet it’s already a done deal.

Within our household alone, the tension has skyrocketed, the stress level has risen and I’ve noticed my hair has thinned considerably in the past several months. I can’t even carry on a conversation involving GM without coming to tears, because I’ve seen that “look” in Nat’s eyes whenever GM is mentioned on the news and later when I catch him staring into space worried about what is going to happen next and whether his pension will be reduced. I’m truly worried about Nat’s worries. How much more mental anguish can Mr. McGinty inflict on GM employees and retirees. How much more blood can be squeezed from those dedicated men and women who were fortunate enough to get a good-paying job with benefits. Men and women who did their 30 years and retired with well-earned full pensions or men and women who did what they could for GM at the time and took early buy-outs but continue to do part-time work or retired at a reduced pension. For times like these I truly wished I lived in another Province. Anywhere but Ontario where one man and his party have seized power, earn a great wage – with benefits – lie, continue to break promises and is turning citizen against citizen in their views of GM, and has absolutely no worries about his ‘guaranteed’ pension when he retires!!!!

For the time being the only thing Nat and I can do is to NOT spend any money – or at least as little as possible – until we’re finally satisfied that his pension won’t be slashed or reduced and I have to go back to work. We’ve been wanting to do renovations around this house and perhaps take advantage of the new renovation tax credit, but that doesn’t seem likely. If boosting the economy is what the Prime Minister and the Premier want then don’t look to GM retirees. The money just won’t be there, the lines at the employment office will get longer, and the cost to the hospitals will increase because of high blood pressures and stress related illnesses.

The irony in all of this – I use to be a dedicated Liberal party voter – having only voted against that party once.

Worried Times and GM

Not too long ago, Nat and I were living a fairly good life. We’re not rich by all means but we were able to take a good trip once a year – the east coast, across Canada, Florida, and even home to Scotland once or twice. We did so without too much financial worry but still had to dip into our mutual fund account. We knew that such “dips” would recover themselves sometime afterwards and we continued to live our lives accordingly.

However, with the new year settling in and General Motors having its economic woes, our emotional and financial state is being stretched to the limit. We continuously watch the news for the latest update on GM and whether it will actually declare bankruptcy or pull a huge financial miracle out of its hat.

Things of late have become worse. We’ve both become very depressed and worried, especially Nat. If GM decides to declare bankruptcy and retirees’ pensions are reduced, our lives will be turned upside down and one, if not both, of us for certain will have to return to work. It’s not an option we want to consider, but we’ll have to do whatever it takes to keep our heads above water. I’m sure we won’t be alone in this as there are several thousand GM retirees in the Province of Ontario alone and their lives will be just as topsy turvy as ours.

Nat did all the right things. He took a buyout when offered, despite the fact that he hadn’t completed his 30 years, he invested what he could and has always been a dedicated GM employee. He’s never even looked at other vehicles to buy except GM products. And it’s now that we’re beginning to question our loyalty. Growing up around the Niagara Region it was always a young man’s dream to get a job at GM – the security, the stability and a good wage with benefits. All the things you were taught to raise a family and make a good home. “GM” households are scattered all across this Region, with fathers, sons, daughters, husband and wife, and possibly grandsons all working shift work to make a half decent living.

That dream no longer exists for anyone and so many “Others” (non-GM workers) have now forgotten that each and every one of those men and women are taxpayers too. They’ve contributed to the local economy, they’ve donated to charities, they’ve held fundraisers and they’ve volunteered whenever necessary. Above all, they’ve more than paid their fair share of taxes – local, Provincial and Federal. So when “Others” declare “just let GM go bankrupt”, I get indignant. It’s not their wages that will be cut, it’s not their pensions that will be reduced and it’s not their families that will suffer. They will, however, notice a huge difference in their local economies when those GM retirees can’t pay their taxes, can’t pay their mortgages, can’t pay their utility bills or shop for little extras that everyone seems to now take for granted. Things will only get worse when the HST comes into effect and utility bills get higher, food and household items get higher and even the cost of being buried will increase substantially. I wish for one day that “Others” could know the stress and worry that is going on in “GM” homes across this area. May they never have to wonder where their next dollar is coming from! This is a major case where those that give uninformed opinions know not of what they speak.

P.S. To American Ignorance

I have a bee in my bonnet and need to get it out, so I’m adding this P.S. to my blog post of last evening:-

You don’t insult a nation at the same time it’s bringing home another dead soldier that was fighting a war not created by his own country.

I’m passionate about Canada and I truly believe that every Canadian should travel across this great nation from Pacific to Atlantic and everywhere inbetween. We’ve got stunning scenery and countryside unmatched by most other countries – albeit Britain, Scotland, Ireland and Wales are just as stunning and awe inspiring.

Canada is a nation of peacekeepers and had that reputation up until President Bush took office and insulted any nation that wasn’t going to join him in squashing Iraq (his “axis of evil”). History may prove that de-throning Saddam Hussein and his sons was a good thing in the end, but for the wrong reasons and at the wrong time, and at a huge cost of American, British, Canadian, French, Australian and other nations’ soldiers. I truly believe that President Bush and Vice-President Cheney saw an opportunity to fulfill their ideologies and took it – whatever the cost. Afterall, they didn’t have to fight the fight. They never lost a family member. They suffered no ills.

It was only after the election of Prime Minister Stephen Harper that suddenly we were in Afghanistan in full force, and to this day I believe that most Canadians disagree with that decision, but we’re there now and will support our troops to the end. Our troops certainly deserve more than they’re getting. They’re using antiquated machinery, guns, tanks and other equipment. Our military budget has never been as big as the United States and many other nations, because of our peacekeeping missions, but they’re in Afghanistan fighting the good fight as best they can with what they’ve got to use. Canada’s commitment in Afghanistan has gone above and beyond what Americans expected (those that knew we were there) and should be entitled to “take a break”. Our men are exhausted, underfunded, ill-equipped and mentally fatigued. Giving them a break is the least we can do. Americans should have been in Afghanistan right from the start looking for those responsible for 9-11, the reason for going to war in the first place.

Canada is frequently the butt of many American joksters and we’ve got broad shoulders and can take it, but when you hit at the heart and soul of this nation then you’re attacking everything that Canada stands for and believes in. We’ve been snubbed by President Bush and his cronies during his presidency, and it’s now obvious that the ill-informed and uneducated pranksters in the U.S. are taking up his slack. If Canada or any other nation was to make any kind of joke regarding the U.S. military and their presence in Iraq, American citizens would be down our throats faster than you could say “Jack Rabbit”. We, of course, wouldn’t even consider such a thing, we have higher morals – even despite the fact that we’ve lost a couple of our soldiers to “American friendly fire” and American news networks totally neglected to cover such events. Another reason Americans are ill-informed regarding international issues. American news networks fail to cover any major stories that take place in Canada because Americans take no interest in such events. Canadians, on the other hand, know more about what’s happening in the United States than Americans do. To a fault, Canadian news networks cover most, if not all, major events in the United States, including Presidential press conferences that may concern Canadians. We can name every U.S. State and its capital, along with major criminal events that have taken place over the years, whereas most Americans would be pressed to the limit if they had to at least name 3 Provinces or even the name of our Prime Minister.  I couldn’t blame them about the Prime Minister. Sometimes I like to forget his name, too!!! If we had a “Prime Minister Barack Obama” we’d be a bunch of happy campers. Intelligent, fun-loving, humorous, good looking, people person and not afraid to speak the truth – what more could you ask for in a leader. Take heart America, you’re finally being led down the “right” path – now just go out and get better educated about the international World around you!!

American Ignorance

It’s with great disgust that I’ve just heard about the Fox News show that made ignorant jokes on behalf of Canada and Canadians. Their lack of knowledge of Canada is appalling and for some sort of news show (if that’s what they call it) they should at least do research before airing their ignorance in front of millions of people. Their lack of knowledge about the 118 Canadian soldiers that have died fighting a cause their former President Bush started is just bloody ignorant. For a news show why don’t they keep up with the news – the international stuff, if they know what that is!!!! These so-called people on that panel have probably never traveled outside of the U.S. borders, have no knowledge of where either the Atlantic or Pacific oceans are and should all be fired for their stupidity. This just goes to show where the Fox News Network stands – narrow-minded, bigoted and ultra-conservative views that are out-dated, uninformed and naive.

I’m also appalled at their description of our police forces – yes we have more than one!!  At least we have a “Canadian” police force – the RCMP – that serve with distinction, valour, bravery and courage. Those Fox News idiots have no idea what it’s like to police this vast country and should take note of what’s happening in their own backyard with their lack of gun control, extensive violence in their City streets and to add insult to injury, they’re sending all of their crap across our borders. The United States should take note of our police forces – or even that of Britain’s**- maybe they could get a tip or two!

It’s because of idiots like those on that Fox News show that give Canadians a bad taste for Americans and all that they believe in. The American gun-toting, shoot ‘em up, holier than thow attitude, is archaic, out-dated, ignorant and unintelligent. Yes, I realize that the U.S. was attacked – but their former President went the wrong way, didn’t he!!! Now the Americans have at least come to their senses and elected a new President that has to clean up eight years of a mess that may never be undone, along with a faltering economy that has practically ruined millions of lives around the world. President Obama also has a huge, major task of trying to restore any respect that Americans once had around the world. Trust me, that may be his biggest task!!!

Yes, I’m doing this post in anger and I don’t apologize for any of it. I’ve got a huge distaste for certain Americans that think they’re better than the rest of the world and don’t take the time to look around their own backyard before they start throwing stones across the Street. Bullies in the schoolyard should be punished!!!

**for Mr. Gutfeld and his ignorant panelists, “Britain” is an island country across the Atlantic ocean and believe it or not has also been helping you guys in the war in Iraq.

Brrrr, Brrrr, Brrrr

Okay, this isn’t funny anymore!! The Arctic freeze that seems to have settled over these parts has made its point and can now move on. Now I realize this is nothing compared to what those poor people are feeling across the prairies and beyond, but still, for us, this is pretty damn cold.

Having said that, and as I’ve never had to leave the house this week except for my doctor’s appointment on Monday and again tonight for my grandson’s birthday, I know I can count my blessings. Those poor shmucks that have to crawl out of bed in the morning, don their boots, hats, ear muffs,  coats, scarves, gloves, etc., then try and start their cars or wander to the bus stop in order to get to work, reverse the whole process upon arrival and then repeat the whole process to go  home, have my deepest sympathy. I’m retired now and truthfully don’t give a damn because I’ve been there, done that, even in Edmonton, Alberta where come winter time you could swear you actually live in Fort McMurray or beyond!!! Those hearty Albertans will tell you, “but it’s a dry cold and you don’t feel it”. Well, they were wrong!! You know it’s cold in Alberta when you see car heater hook-ups everywhere you look and snow chains on practically every vehicle.

I have nothing against the winter time, and in fact, consider myself a “winter” person. I’ve skied in Banff and Jasper, Alberta, I love to ice skate and toboggan and especially love to curl up in front of a good fire or snuggle under a down duvet anytime!! However, I’m now five years from being classified as a “senior” and this body has had enough. Despite the fact that this body of mine has “settled” a bit (yes, that means I’ve gained a pound or two),  I still feel the cold and can only imagine it will get worse as I get older. I’ve worked in a Seniors’ Home and know that air-conditioning is a no no to a lot of them so I can only imagine how they feel when they’re exposed to cold weather 24/7. I’m getting to that stage faster than I want to.

In school we were taught that Southern Ontario was on the same latitude as Northern California, and even though they experience snow to a certain degree, why don’t we get some of their warmer weather at this time of year?? Hell, even Alberta gets those Chinook winds where you can ski in your bikini! I’ve experienced that and trust me, it’s pretty cool!!! Couldn’t do it now, however. Too old, and if I were to put on a bikini now (provided I could find one that fit), the other skiers and snowboarders would run for the hills (despite the fact they’d be on one). I suppose I shouldn’t speak too loudly as I understand they were getting a good amount of snow in December in Los Angeles and God knows Alberta is getting it’s share of frigid weather. But then again, the whole weather system has been wacky of late and no one can truly put their finger on the exact cause of the problem. So we’ll just have to grin and bear it as best we can. From the Northwest Territories and British Columbia right down to beautiful Prince Edward Island – happy skiing!!!!

Something Good Came Out of It

As a P.S. to my previous posting, it turned out to be a pretty good Saturday Night without a Leafs’ game. Hubby and I ended up watching a Christmas cooking special on Food Network Canada and as luck would have it one of the recipes was on our dinner plate tonight. Along with a moist and tender turkey breast, we prepared roasted potatos that were tender on the inside, buttery crunchy on the outside and absolutely delicious. Just proves it, something good can sometimes happen on a Saturday Night without a Leafs game!!