Posts

English Cucumbers

Just got back from the grocers and had this thought: Do the English really have long cucumbers? Apparently they are seedless as well. Why cover them in plastic then? Let me know what you think about what you have just read. Please and thanks!

Politics Needs a Reboot

It has been a long time since I have written something here.  I feel a need to get things off my chest so I decided to use this platform to get my thoughts out. There are many reasons as to why I want to complain about the state of politics.  The reasons have all arisen over the last week of reading about various events happening around the world.  From wars to much less dreadful topics. Election results.  Decisions taken locally and others globally.  They have all reinforced a belief which I have and which I am frustrated to have.  I don't really know how to address the issue as I do not see a solution. The issue at hands is politics.  More specifically the issue is politicians.  The issue is the kind of person that is attracted into serving their country and how they might change once elected. Ever since I was a young boy I have always had a negative outlook on politics.  I grew up in the Province of Quebec in Canada.  When I was a child politicians used language to divide people

Banning Russian Teams and Athletes

Speaking Tuesday to legislators in London about Wimbledon, British Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said: "Absolutely nobody flying the flag for Russia should be allowed. Many of us would be willing and able to [allow them to] compete as non-aligned, non-flag-bearing entities. But I think it needs to go beyond that. We need some potential assurances that they are not supporters of Vladimir Putin and we are considering what requirements we may need to try and get some assurances along those lines." (source =  https://www.cbc.ca/sports/tennis/wimbledon-british-government-in-talks-about-russian-players-1.6386102 ) The invasion of Ukraine by Russia has sparked much debate in the world of sports.  Should Russian teams be banned from competing?  Should individual Russian athletes be banned?  Should teams of athletes be allowed to compete but without flag, uniform, country name, anthem, etc.? Some athletes have said that it is unfair to mix politics and sports.  They rightly state t

Russian Sanctions - Keep Them!

The hiring process for an employee into a company typically relies on a network of opinions and advice from people.  Before hiring references are checked, education levels confirmed, typically referrals from colleagues help, background check are completed.  Even once hired typically a 3 to 9 month probation period exists during which a dud higher can get the boot.  You want to minimize the risks. Why then is it that the UK is already talking about removing certain sanctions against Russia? (sources:  https://www.thelondoneconomic.com/news/uk-lift-sanctions-russia-these-conditions-putin-ukraine-317482/  and  https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2022/03/26/crippling-sanctions-could-lifted-russia-withdraws-ukraine-says/ ) Is it good enough that Russia withdraws from Ukraine and commits to no further aggression?  Do we trust the Russian government? Have they historically shown their ability to behave properly towards their citizens and their neighbours? I think it is time for countries to

Ash Barty

The news that Ash Barty has taken the decision to retire at the age of 25 has caused many people to react.  Some understand, others question, others accuse.   Her decision has touched off a few ideas of my own. When is enough actually enough?  When do we decide we have enough?  When can we stop and just be content with what we have? At 25 she has achieved so much.  I have seen words accusing her of lack of character, of quitting or of not having the mental fortitude (one person I saw was wondering what was wrong with women's tennis?)  I think none of these people can really speak with any authority.  First of all most of these people, writing the drivel, can hardly speak from a place of success.  How many grand slams have they won?  How many tens of millions of dollars have they earned, how many weeks at number one have they spend and how well known are they in the world?   At some point, enough is enough.  I respect Ash Barty for taking a personal decision.  She has enough.  She h

Ukraine - The Entire World is Complicit

The world is complicit.  The entire world is complicit.   Of course Vladimir Putin is the man responsible for causing so much of the human pain and physical destruction going on in Ukraine at this moment.  However the rest of the world is complicit. For too many years (for all of history one could say) we have turned a blind eye to the negative actions of one person, organization, company, country and allowed economic benefit to rule over, to take precedence over, good behaviour.   For years the world has allowed Putin and Russia to do as they please as it was deemed to be to the benefit of the world to turn a blind eye and choose to see but ignore their despicable behaviour.  While we purchased oil, gas and wheat from Russia we sold them all manners of goods and services. We even invited the bastards from The Kremlin to believe they were part of a world order.  Too many pictures have been published with the assholes from the Kremlin shaking hands and smiling with the leaders of the wo

Ukraine

Ukraine. It am writing this on March 2, 2022.  The invasion of Ukraine by Russia is now in its seventh day.  I have so many conflicting thoughts and emotions.  What should the nations of the world do?  What specifically should NATO and the EU do?  What would I do? The animal in me, the emotional me, the me who might live in Ukraine or have Ukrainian blood would want the world to launch a full-scale assault of Russia.  I would want these nations to impose a no-fly zone over Ukraine, stop all Russian airplanes and missiles from overflying Ukraine, bomb Russian positions and go after the bastards in the Kremlin.  I would feel that those people sitting in the comforts of their homes, watching and commenting on the destruction of my country, are hypocrites and complicit.  While sanctions have an impact they will take months, if not years, to have an impact.  They will not stop the bombs and the deaths.  I would be mad, angry, disappointed, pissed, annoyed, frustrated.  I would feel left dow