The people have spoken! Well, three of them at any rate. Nonetheless, I have listened and change my blog from a pirate-like white on black to the regular everyday white on black of those with the soul of an accountant (my apologies to any accountants – and the people forced to hang out with them). This change does not fill me with regret or a deep remorse, but now I’m just like every other blogger…I mean except for the eye-patch and sword. Fine, you can have those too…but I’m keeping the parrot! You can’t have Polly!
Alleged photo of the author
Writing the monthly “Ship’s Log” is a little more enjoyable than my weekly articles as there’s less research and less of a stressful self-imposed deadline feel to it. I don’t have to resent people for wanting to do things on the weekend.
“What? No, I can’t ‘do stuff,’ I have to write! Fine, I’ll write in a pub, but it better be dark and dank, I don’t want to lose my natural ghostly paleness?”
My more relaxed approach to the log doesn’t mean I don’t care though; it just means I get to play around with what I want to say and how I want to say it. I do however want to keep improving it. With that in mind I’m going to add a section touching on what I think were the most important news items of the month. I’m also going to put a plug in for my other blog, “Trapped In Our End” which I’m writing with my son Alexander. So here it is:
Come on over and experience the joyful love of a couple of hockey fans…and if that doesn’t get you there’s always the forlorn despair of a couple of long-suffering Ottawa Senators fans. Go Jackasses! (that’s not the teams real nickname but probably should be)
What’s in the News
The 24-hour news cycle means you could spend your entire day reading and watching the news and updates on stories. Some of it is mindless ideological crap, like the CBC. Lol, just kidding…or am I? 🤨
Here are some of the stories I’ve been following:
As pro-Israeli and pro-Palestinian protesters take to the streets around the world it would be easy to conclude that support for the two sides is equally divided. Polling tells a different story. In Canada “75 per cent, hold Hamas (33 per cent) or Iran (42 per cent) responsible for the Oct. 7 attack” while 59% of Canadians “approve of Canada’s support for Israel” and only 18% disapprove. The story in the US is much the same with 41% expressing support for Israel versus 13% for the Palestinians.
Efforts to brand individuals, groups, and right of center political parties as “far-right” appear to be increasing. In a story describing the recent Argentinian elections, the BBC recently referred to Javier Milei, the President-Elect as a “far-right outsider” without feeling the need to explain why. Similarly, NPR used the November victory of the Party for Freedom in the Netherlands to remind its readers that “far-right politics are gaining support in Europe.” Meanwhile in Canada, in the face of catastrophic polling, Liberal politicians continue accuse Conservatives of “far-right rhetoric” and importing “MAGA style” politics.
In the wake of riots by “far-right” – there’s that word again, thank you NPR - “hooligans,” following the stabbing of 3 children by an Algerian-born man in Dublin, the Irish Government has proposed legislation which would criminalize “hate speech.” I have written at length on the problems with hate speech (see the link at the end of the article) so will not delve into it here. More concerning however, is the jettisoning of hundreds of years of legal tradition by eliminating “innocent until proven guilty,” in favor of a presumption of guilt.
It appears that my prediction that Canadians would eventually sour on high immigration rates is coming to pass. Recent polls indicate that “three-quarters of respondents agreed the increase in immigrants is adding strain to both the housing market and health-care system,” while “63 per cent, said the volume of newcomers is also adding pressure to the country's education systems.” Despite this, and their collapsing poll numbers, the Liberal government continues to maintain that immigration “is critical to addressing labour shortages and aging demographics” and “that newcomers can help build the homes that Canadians desperately need.”
The Ottawa Senators fail to fire their coach despite him having the coaching skills of a banana. Yes, this probably belongs in my other blog but dammit, you people need to start caring more about this.
Coming “Soon”
This section is a challenge. Many of these topics have been on here since I started writing. However, I need a place to record my ideas even if I might not remember why I put some of them on the list in the first place. Suggestions are always welcome.
On Deck
Canada’s Revolving Dictatorship
How far is “far?” The media and it’s obsession with the “far-right.”
Mystery topic that will derail my December plans.
The Case for Optimism
Why I’m a PhD Drop-Out
Researching
Basic Finance – You can learn a lot just from some old sayings.
Charity Begins at Home – Why the government should be concerned with Canadians first.
Fixing Democracy - Part III – The Role of the Executive and a Bicameral Legislature – this has been her forever so I may need to go back and rehash my entire plan for this series.
That 70s Show – Progressive Policies and the return of inner-city crime.
Taxpayer Sovereignty
Just an idea
Equity vs Equality
Immigration – How much is enough?
Racism – Why the Left’s Narrative is Simplistic and Wrong
Simplistic Thinking
Societal Norms/Moral Decline
The Victim Games – Merit vs. Gamification
Truth and Reconciliation
Top 10 Postings
You can find all my posts in my archive.
Comment of the Month
The “award” this month – sorry, no cash – goes to Zephareth Ledbetter. It’s a long one so click on the link to read it in full:
AYPWIP?
Good writers borrow. Great writers steal.
-- T.S. Elliot
I’m not great yet, but I’m working on it. 😉
I encourage you to join my subscriber chat or comment on this post and let me know your thoughts.
Final Thoughts
I tried a few little experiments last month that didn’t exactly work out. Ok, they were colossal failures. The first was a poll in last month’s “Ship’s Log.” It got 3 votes. Ok, class participation isn’t your thing. No problem. Next, I threw out a 20% off on annual subscriptions Black Friday deal. Thud! No problem, I won’t push it, you’ll come around when you come around. 😊 Finally, I posted one of my son’s hockey articles as an extra post in the middle of the week and the response was…not bad. So, extra articles seem to be the way to go. I’m going to need some help though. So, on that note, I’d like to make the following offer: do you have something to say but lack a platform? Or do you already have a platform but want to reach a different audience? Maybe we can help each other. Send me an article or reach out to me at HTBF1968@gmail.com and we can discuss publishing what you have to say on my Substack.
Have a good month and enjoy the holidays everyone!
Go Jackasses!
Phil
Hey Alice, thanks for the comment. Glad you like the new scheme.
I've always thought I had the soul of an accountant since nothing makes me happier than tracking things in spreadsheets. ;)
Ha, ha, one of the accountants here! Shiver me timbers, it is a big improvement on the readability, arggh!