Legion Stuff Again.

 I think I might be forgiven if I misunderstood the legion advertisement. It states that on Wednesdays they serve chicken wings from 1pm to 10pm. It also states in the add there is eat in only (.It doesn’t mention children not admitted). Now I realise I’m no longer a legion member but I’m a veteran and still expect to be greeted in a pleasant and courteous manner. We arrived at 1pm and headed down to the basement where it appeared the food was served. You will note the place was empty, just the barman behind the bar. I asked where the wings were being served? His response was, “no children allowed, this is a bar”. We had our 13 year old grandson with us. Now I’m sure he was correct regarding the liquor laws for this province. However, the way he confronted me was less than friendly, his attitude made me feel as though I should know better. He was decidedly unfriendly and blunt, while he could have so easily said ,I’m sorry folks, but children are not allowed.  We left and will probably never set foot in that branch again. The point I’m making is important and should be important to the branch. It is the height of the tourist season and we could have

chosen from one of many competing diners and cafes.  I decided on the legion from a sense of loyalty as a veteran, why not give this local branch some support. Unfortunately my concerns about the Royal Canadian Legion in general are now more firmly confirmed. All the talk at Dominion Command that legions should be friendly and inviting places,that visitors should be greeted an welcomed in a pleasant manner.

Regarding the law, I have phoned the Provincial Liquor Commission to ask about the laws governing clubs that advertise and serve food. One can enter almost any restaurant with a liquor license on PEI and children are welcome. I understand the dining areas should be separate from the bar but that should not pose a problem in most legions. If they are going to be in the food business then they need to meet the standards required. I’m still waiting to hear an answer from the Liquor Commission

God Bless and keep reading.

The Old Familar Promises!!!

I sit here wondering how many other people feel as I do about federal and provincial politics? I’m sure I ‘m not alone in saying I have become cynical of the actions of recent politicians. I think back to Ghiz with a degree of horror and when I look at our present premier I shudder. The scandals, payoffs ,backhanders, roundabouts! PNP, Geo Sweep, no transparency, broken promises and the list goes on and on. In fact its very difficult to remember all that has gone down in the last few years. That of course is what these politician hope for, that we will forget. The overwhelming question,what can we do about it, how can we stop it? Just recently we completed the federal PC’ leadership race and now have a new leader of the PCs’.  Andrew Scheer smiles and makes promises to change the way government is doing business?? Provincially we have a young politician seeking the leadership of the PC part,y Brad Trivers.. I know Brad well and I’m sure he means what he says, however, its what the back room boys want that counts. He is using a slogan “Back to Basic’s” not sure what that means? However, it doesn’t matter who wins what, in the end we are going to be subjected to the same broken promises. Nothing changes unless we the voters change it. We cannot continue voting in the same Red or Blue party’s because there is no way to distinguish between them. Locally, all that changes when a party changes power is the patronage goes to new people. In other words that is what is meant by going back to basic’s. Do the Island party’s really think voters are stupid? take the Party presidents as an example. The Liberal party president and the Conservative party president are work colleagues in the same law firm. How is that for being different???? Trudeau was full of new promises and we the voters were sucked in by him,” hey this will be the last FPTP election” he cried. I don’t need to tell you how that turned out. He is popular with young girls posing for selfies, wearing demims sleeves rolled up etc. But no real substance no real integrity, no real honesty and certainly no real commitment to make Canada better. He talks about the middle class? but never mentions, the working class, the homeless, the mentally ill, the veterans. Too busy with pipe lines, and helping terrorists with rich bags of money

If things are going to change we have to make the changes. I would never tell others how to vote I only ask that you consider the NDP or the Green Party in the next elections. I’m not ashamed to admit I shall vote Green all the way.

God Bless and keep reading

A New Camping Notion???

Not sure what we need or want? but guess a Boler would be my first choice. However, the Boler’s are few and far between, not forgetting they are usually expensive. A small trailer would be next, but like the boler they are hard to come by, they are either cheap needing work or good condition and expensive. That leaves the Pop Top or tent trailers, they are plentiful and prices are good. The problem here is the work involved in raising and lowering the camper? I have no experience what so ever, have never owned or even slept in one, so need advice. Anyone reading this blog who has experience (good or bad)with any of the above I would appreciate your insight/advice. Thanks in advance.

God Bless and keep reading

Outrage about the Khadr settlement

I believe this needs to be shared widely.

Outrage about the Khadr settlement | Indignation au sujet du règlement de Khadr
Posted by Webmaster on July 16, 2017 at 6:44am
Some of the reasons why veterans, their families and Canadians might feel outrage about the Khadr settlement
By Sean Bruyea
Fierce and passionate responses surround Omar Khadr’s reported $10.5 million settlement. Some have compared the amount to what Canada begrudgingly gives its soldiers injured and killed in the line of duty. We should listen to them.
Calculations to arrive at settlements for both Khadr and veterans occur in the world of tort law. The Supreme Court of Canada noted that, “general principles underlying our system of damages suggest that a plaintiff should receive full and fair compensation, calculated to place him or her in the same position as he or she would have been in had the tort not been committed, insofar as this can be achieved by a monetary award.”
Although we don’t know the details of Khadr’s settlement, it was likely calculated according to “our system of damages”. Awards for wrongful convictions have used this approach. The trailblazer in the fight for justice for the wrongfully convicted, Donald Marshall Jr., was imprisoned at the age of 17. After 11 years of imprisonment, he continued to suffer the lasting damage from a system of judges, lawyers, police and bureaucrats embedded with racism and incompetence. He would never recover from this miscarriage of justice. He was awarded $1.5 million.
Steven Truscott was sentenced to hang at the age of 14. He spent 10 years in jail and almost 50 years with the stigma of a convicted murderer until that conviction was overturned. His award: $6.5 million.  The judge advising on the matter acknowledged this amount was comparable to $250,000 per year of incarceration and $100,000 per year of parole.
David Milgaard was wrongfully imprisoned at the age of 16 for 23 years wherein he suffered a violent sexual assault amongst other horrific indignities. He received $10 million.
For injured veterans, the “system of damages” covers both economic loss like wages as well as non-economic loss such as level of disability and life impairment. Comparing Khadr’s settlement to that of veterans’ has focused upon the maximum of $360,000 for injured veterans. Ten years into the program, only 570 of 60,000 injured veterans received the maximum lump sum for pain and suffering. The average: a mere $44,500 per lump sum awarded with few veterans receiving additional monetary assistance.
Injured veterans, if unable to work in their previous capacity, are entitled to lost wages until age 65. A large number of these severely injured veterans are receiving the minimum of $45,000 annually with some supplemental allowances. Whatever the lost wages, the government deducts military pensions, CPP disability and other payments, including any work undertaken to give their life meaning.
Courts consider previous lost income, past suffering, previous medical costs, and maltreatment by public officials in calculating settlements. Veterans are denied such compassion.
Court settlements account for lost potential to receive promotions and the accompanying raises as well as pension benefits to accrue from lost capacity. Veterans receive no such consideration. Their wage loss is calculated at no more than 90% of their last military income (nominally adjusted for inflation) resulting in veterans financially frozen in a lifetime prison of lost human potential.
A completely disabled veteran, aged 28, leaving the military as a corporal would collect from all government sources, in 2017 dollars, approximately $4.3 million over the next 52 years. Remember, 95% of  this money is taxable and reflects an exceptional case of a most severely injured veteran who atypically was treated very well by the system. Very few of Canada’s 90,000 Canadian Forces veterans with lifetime disabilities receive such respect and recognition. As for the remaining 500,000 veterans, they receive no assistance from Veterans Affairs Canada to rejoin civilian life.
Court awards are non-taxable. Whatever monies are received or capacity recovered after the settlement does not affect the settlement. Veterans are subjected to yearly scrutiny to prove they still no longer have their legs or, that their minds and spirits are still decimated.  Should they try to seek the most modest of employment, any income is deducted, dollar for dollar. There is no incentive to offer meaningful contributions to society.
In a telephone conversation, eminent criminal and civil litigator Laurence Greenspon emphasized that the case of Khadr cannot be compared to either wrongful convictions or injured veterans. However, he recognized what most Canadians are coming to realize: “The kind of money that veterans are getting is bad enough on its own. You don’t need to put it up next to the Khadr settlement to demonstrate that veterans’ settlements are just not adequate. They are inadequate.”
Khadr’s settlement at the very least provokes conversation so that veterans do not have to suffer in silence. Maybe, politicians and bureaucrats will likewise comprehensively settle with veterans and their families. Only then will all those cosmetic words of sacrifice, dignity, and respect for veterans transcend inept figurehead ministers. Maybe then, real action can make veterans and their families somewhat whole again.
Sean Bruyea, vice-president of Canadians for Accountability, has a graduate degree in public ethics, is a retired Air Force intelligence officer and frequent commentator on government, military, and veterans’ issues.

A Little Sunday Humour.

A small church had a very attractive big-busted organist, Linda, and her breasts were so large that they bounced and jiggled while she played the organ. Unfortunately, she distracted the men in the congregation considerably.
The very proper church ladies were appalled. They said something had to be done about this or they would have to get another organist.
So one of the ladies approached Linda very discreetly about the problem, and told her to mash up some green persimmons and rub them on her nipples and over her breasts, which should cause them to shrink in size, but warned her not to taste any of the green persimmons, because they are so sour they will make your mouth pucker up, and you won’t be able to talk properly for a while.
The voluptuous organist reluctantly agreed to try it.
The following Sunday morning the Minister walked up to the pulpit and said, “Dew to thircumsthanthis bewond my contwol, we will not hab a thermon tewday.”

God Bless and keep reading

Apparently they are working on it???

In January 2016 at the regular legion branch meeting I raise the issue of a double standard for veterans. I had learned WW2 and Korean vets and their wives dined free at the yearly Remembrance day banquet. All other veterans had to pay for their wives! This was not about the money, indeed we only have a handful of WW2 and Korean Vets,and we only have a handful of other vets too. It couldn’t possibly break the bank! This should have been rectified at the meeting, but it was noted as the next remembrance day was eleven months off there was apparently no rush. To add insult to injury a branch member who is also member of Provincial command decided to share his wisdom. He gave us the Dominion Command definition of who qualifies as a veteran!. Gee what a relief to know I was qualified!!! That was the last straw for me and the last time I would be in the branch. I have not been back since and  in 2017 did not re-new my membership.

Yesterday I was out walking the dog and met up with the branch president. He said, Oh! we haven’t seen you for a while? I explained I had dropped my membership over the discrimination of some veterans at the branch. He said, they are working on that? I can’t imagine what work was needed, it was a simple matter of changing the policy. He also added the branch is much better now? Well maybe it is, but that’s not the impression I got from this brief encounter. We are working on it????????  It is also worth a mention, the only contact I have received since January 2016 was a membership reminder which I ignored. No one called to ask why I had not renewed my membership or why I stopped attending meetings??

God Bless and keep reading

Lazy Naval Dentist???

Back in 1960 I was serving aboard the submarine Taciturn as a 21 year old Able Seaman rp3 Whilst at sea I had a bad tooth ache and on the weekend the Jimmy arranged for me to see a dentist on Saturday morning at Dolphin. It wasn’t his concern for my pain so much as sailing on Monday short handed. The sick bay as best I remember it was located on the left just outside Blockhouse. I arrived at 10.00hrs and was directed to the chair by a amazon type Wren. The dentist was an over weight Commander, he was pissed because I had spoiled his weekend. He did a very cursory inspection and said right, that tooth has to come out. My mouth was sore for a couple of days after the extraction,  we were back at sea before I realized I still had the same tooth ache. The following weekend, same routine, arrived at the sick bay, same Wren, same pissed off dentist. No apology offered just another quick inspection and out came my second tooth. At the time I was naïve, young and although this dentist was either lazy or incompetent, probably both, I was too scared to complain. I had just lost two perfectly good teeth. There is no doubt in my mine all that was required was a filling, but that would have taken this lazy bugger too long, pulling a tooth was quick and he was out of there fast. At the time I respected the fact he was an officer, however he had no respect for me. Today, I have only a few teeth remaining and thinking back to the loss of those two perfectly good teeth makes me mad. If this happened today I’d have that dentist’s license. Alas. its too late now and the sod is probably dead anyway. If the meat is tough to chew I will just have to remember that fat Naval Commander (Dental) and use a few choice words.  Yours Aye   Irishrover!

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What if he’s not Guilty??

This is a common argument over Omar Khadr, “what if he’s not guilty?” Not unexpectedly these arguments come mostly from those who have never served in a war zone, indeed most have never served period.  Unless you have faced a dangerous situation where an enemy wants to kill you, your opinions really have no validity. In a war zone one does not have the time to ask the age of the person trying to kill you. Whether a 15 year old or 25 year old it makes no difference, both are deadly. Using the excuse his father forced him or his father took him to Afghanistan at age 9 really isn’t an argument. He was there and that should be the end of the story. He was not there   sightseeing, he was not there as a tourist. To claim he was just a child and was forced by his father is not a believable excuse. He was armed, he was dangerous, and he was intent on killing.  Whether he did the actual throwing of the grenade or not, is probably impossible to prove in this situation. In war no one can be sure of who kills who and no one has the time to worry about it,  the only important issue is survival. The huge sum of tax payers money he has been handed rates up there with a Lotto Win.

I was in the Royal Navy at age 15,( granted my father didn’t make me join), I had a mind of my own and I made my own decision. I was just one of many 15 year old serving in the Navy. We understood why we were there and what we were being trained for. Boys my age had just lived through the blitz and deprivation of six years of World war. We were seriously patriotic,  proud of our uniform and our flag. The military may no longer accept 15 year olds, nevertheless the young men and women serving today are I’m sure, just as proud and patriotic.

The attached photo is of me at age 15.

 

God Bless and keep reading

Its the Twelfth of July!!!!!

Its the 12th of July once again and the streets of Belfast and other Ulster towns will be

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filled with people out to see the Orangemen Parade. The music of the ‘Sash My Father Wore” will be heard everywhere and repeatedly . I once thought of this as an exciting time, and indeed I was filled with pride. Nowadays I cringe at the thought of more violence and trouble in the streets.

Back in 1987-88 I was fund raising to bring 12 Irish Children out of the sectarian violence and troubles. On one occasion I visited the Orange Lodge in Charlottetown to ask for their support. They were gentlemen, did not appear in anyway to be fanatically protestants. Indeed they did supported our program with a generous cheque.

 

However, I found myself in a rather awkward situation when they invited me to join their order. I tried to be very tactful explaining how busy I was and could not possibly give my time to working for the club. (it is long gone now)

The other side of this coin unfortunately remains very much as an opposing club or order. The benevolent Irish Society”  a Catholic organization.  I also went there to fund raise and they too provided me a generous cheque. However, no awkward situation here!! I was not invited to join. Old beliefs and habits die hard eh!!! Later we received a letter from the then president George O’Conner, he complained that we were only using protestant chaperons ,some of whom were Ulster Police personnel. I didn’t respond.  What Mr O’Conner failed to grasp was, we were trying very hard to avoid the very issue he was raising. I had travelled to Belfast twice at my own expense to find chaperons, a difficult task. Not too many people can take four weeks off in the middle of the summer. But even more importantly for me as a protestant it was difficult to even enter Catholic areas. Most of the recruiting of the children was done through the schools, they too were separate systems. It was dangerous times and one had to be very careful.  I couldn’t hid the fact I was from Belfast nor hid the fact I was protestant. We were trying very hard not to take sides regarding the religions of the chaperons as George O’Conner was suggesting, we brought six boys, six girls, six Catholic’s and six protestants. On arrival they were two separate groups, going home they were one group of good friends,  just normal twelve happy children

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I sincerely hope that today’s parade goes off without any serious incidents or injuries.

God Bless and keep reading

The 11th Night and 12th Parade.

The 11th night and the 12th day of July, Orange Celebrations are probably the most dangerous and provocative in the Ulster calendar. My own experiences took place back in 1952-53, I was fascinated by the colourfully decorated streets in the city. Particularly Malvern St on the Shankill Road, they really did go to work. Archways, banners, streamers and hundreds of Union Jacks, the street was a sea of red white and blue. In those days I really didn’t understand the amount of hatred that existed between the Catholic’s and Protestants. For me it was just a big celebration, the bonfires were exciting and the parade impressive. However, today I look back and wonder why I didn’t ask what it was all about. I recall going to the Lisburn Road with my father to watch the parade.  It was an endless parade of Orange Lodge members and their drum and flute bands. There were a few bagpipes and other instruments, but mostly flute and drum and the most heard music, the Sash!! The bands were not turned out in particularly smart uniforms nor were particularly good musicians! I was more impressed when I saw a boy marching whom I knew from school. Someone claimed it was the largest parade in the world, and of course I believe him. Now old and wiser I would like to see this questionable celebration ended for good. I hope this years events will be peaceful with no similar violence that has been the recent history.

God Bless and keep reading