Profiling

Profiling

       Since 911, the topic of profiling has been documented in many articles, by many authors and condemned by the self-righteous.  When any individual or society is presented with a threat there is a normal response to that threat, whether it is realized or presumed.  Attribution is a concept in social psychology referring to how individuals explain causes of events, other's behavior, and their own behavior.   Attribution looks to three main types of information from which to make an attribution decision about an individual's behavior. The first is consensus information, or information on how other people in the same situation and with the same stimulus behave. The second is distinctiveness information, or how the individual responds to different stimuli. The third is consistency information, or how frequent the individual's behavior can be observed with similar stimulus but varied situations. From these three sources of information observers make attribution decisions on the individual's behavior as either internal or external.  Certainly there have been some documented misuses in profiling and we need to remain vigilant so that they do not become an accepted practice or the norm.  But, profiling works in identifying potential threats and curtailing them before they are realized. 

     Consider a robbery at a gas station or convenience store, where a 6' 8", white male, in a green hooded parka threatens an attendant with a knife, steals sixty dollars in cash and flees on foot in the downtown area.  When the police post the B.O.L.O.  or the “Be On the Look Out” for an assailant.  They do not look for female midgets, short Asian males or individuals cruising in Cadillacs in the West end.  They turn their attention to the specifics of the real threat.  This is profiling.  And, unfortunately it works because it is logical and it deals with the real threat; an armed man, who may commit more robberies, or actually harm or kill someone.   It would be silly and illogical to pretend that there are not people of certain origins, who do not hold to certain beliefs, do not despise us and do not threaten harm.  But, unfortunately there are individuals and even groups of such who threaten our freedoms with fear tactics.   Until these individuals are identified we should profile and identify all real threats with vigilance, within the law, being mindful of due process.

Rob Cheshire  

Truth

Truth

Storm victim left to freeze

Update:

Storm victim left to freeze

Neeland Rumble was dedicated to his family, job and was employed in a rural area near Ridgetown.  The 41-year-old set out from his home in Sarnia early Monday evening, heading to work as a Securitas security guard at a solar farm, as the snowstorm turned even more fierce, trapping hundreds in vehicles around southern Ontario.

A passing motorist found Rumble's bright yellow 2003 Cavalier -- a reliable car his family helped him purchase in October -- around noon Tuesday on a lightly travelled road.

Police say Rumble's frozen body was found nearby.

Emergency Management Ontario issued a Red Alert from Sarnia to London because of heavy blowing snow causing zero visibility. Lambton County Warden, Steve Arnold, declared a state of Emergency for the Lambton area at 9:45 pm Monday December 13th. OPP estimate over 360 vehicles are stuck on Highway 402 between Sarnia and County Road 22.

Rob Cheshire, resident of Windsor spoke to M.P.P. Bob Bailey (Sarnia-Lambton) on Wednesday about the Province’s delayed response and action to the situation and suggested that there might yet be fatalities.  Unfortunately his prediction was accurate.  Mr. Cheshire, says “this is totally unacceptable and we should be demanding answers!   We offer our sincerest condolences to the family in this sad and unnecessary tragedy”.

Some waited thirty-five(35) hours for rescue according to The Windsor Star and other media sources.   Cheshire said: “There is no way in hell that almost four hundred lives should have been put at risk.  This is absolutely unacceptable and totally unnecessary”.  Some are insisting that an investigation ensue as to why alerts, rescue and response were so slow.

Read more: http://www.windsorstar.com/Storm+victim+left+froze/3991076/story.html#ixzz18NGA8wod

Snow job

    Early, Monday December 13th snow squalls off Lake Huron blanketed Lambton County with drifting snow.   Hundreds of  motorists and truckers were stranded in their vehicles on highway 402 between London and Sarina, Ontario.  Over 300 people were left shivering in their vehicles for over thirty hours on the impassable highway.  A trucker, Mike Jones said “the situation was a disaster”.  Some of the snow drifts topped seven feet!  According to the London Free Press, the military was called in to help evacuate these motorists.  At least the federal government stepped in but why did the Province not act sooner?  Why were these people left stranded for so long?  I suggest to you that once again Premier McGuinty and his government are lax in their responsibility to this Province and this situation high lights that fact!  I believe that the Premier should answer why it took over 30 hours to rescue these poor people and why there was not a plan in place for such an event?   It is a wonder that no one perished in this horrific storm!  An American traveler from Michigan stated “ I thought I was going to die” awaiting a rescue, she “..thought would never come”. 

Rob Cheshire

British housewife speaks out

British housewife speaks out
Thought you might like to read this letter to the editor of a British national newspaper. Ever notice how some people just seem to know how to write a letter?. 
Here is a woman who should run for Prime Minister!
Written by a housewife, to her daily newspaper. This is one ticked off lady. 'Are we fighting a war on terror or aren't we? Was it or was it not started by Islamic people who brought it to our shores in July 2002, and in New York on 11 Sept 2001, and have continually threatened to do so since?
Were people from all over the world, not brutally murdered that day in London , and in downtown Manhattan , and in a field in Pennsylvania ?
Did nearly three thousand men, women and children die a horrible, burning or crushing death that day, or didn't they?
And I'm supposed to care that a few Taliban were claiming to be tortured by a justice system of the nation they come from and are fighting against in a brutal insurgency.
I'll start caring when Osama bin Laden turns himself in and repents for incinerating all those innocent people on 9/11 and 7/7.
I'll care about the Koran when the fanatics in the Middle East start caring about theHoly Bible, the mere belief of which is a crime punishable by beheading inAfghanistan
I'll care when these thugs tell the world they are sorry for hacking off Nick Berg's head while Berg screamed through his gurgling slashed throat.
I'll care when the cowardly so-called 'insurgents' in Afghanistan come out and fight like men instead of disrespecting their own religion by hiding in mosques and behind women and children.
I'll care when the mindless zealots who blow themselves up in search of Nirvana care about the innocent children within range of their suicide bombs.
I'll care when the British media stops pretending that their freedom of speech on stories is more important than the lives of the soldiers on the ground or their families waiting at home to hear about them when something happens.
In the meantime, when I hear a story about a British soldier roughing up an Insurgent terrorist to obtain information, know this:
I don't care.
When I see a wounded terrorist get shot in the head when he is told not to move because he might be booby-trapped, you can take this to the bank:
I don't care.
When I hear that a prisoner - who was issued a Koran and a prayer mat, and 'fed special food' that is paid for by my taxes - is complaining that his holy book is being 'mishandled,' you can absolutely believe in your heart of hearts:
I don't care.
And oh, by the way, I've noticed that sometimes it's spelled 'Koran' and other times 'Quran.' Well, believe me!! you guessed it ......
I don't care!!
If you agree with this viewpoint, pass this on to all your E-mail friends. Sooner or later, it'll get to the people responsible for this ridiculous behaviour!
If you don't agree, then by all means hit the delete button. Should you choose the latter, then please don't complain when more atrocities committed by radical Muslims happen here in our great country! And may I add:
'Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world.  Our soldiers don't have that problem.' 
I have another quote that I would like to add, AND.......I hope you forward all this.
Only Six defining forces have ever offered to die for you:
1. Jesus Christ
2.  The British Soldier.
3. The Canadian Soldier.
4. The US Soldier, and
5. The Australian Soldier
6  The New Zealand Soldier
One died for your soul, the other 5 for your freedom.

The Liberal Record.....It Really, really Sucks!

The Liberal Record.....It Really, really Sucks!

    Windsor’s unemployment and lack of prosperity are truly an indictment of Dwight Duncan, Sandra Pupatello and our illustrious Premier.  Seven year ago, Premier Dalton ( many refer to him as, Pinocchio ) promised ‘no new taxes’, he even signed a document to prove his commitment to not lying.  Hmmm.  Shortly after his election, Dalton promptly reversed his position, downloaded services and introduced the ‘healthcare premium’.  Nice guy!  The supposed ‘healthcare premium’ is not really for anything related to ‘healthcare’ at all, because it goes directly into Ontario’s general fund, where it can be spent on absolutely anything ( I know Dwight needs some liposuction, yup!  ).  The term ‘premium’ does not apply either, because it is a tax! 

    Fast forward to 2010, and welcome Ontario’s ‘harmonized’ sales tax that is charged on absolutely every (fucking) thing you purchase.  There really is not anything ‘harmonious’ about getting your pockets picked (nope!).   This ‘harmonized’ tax is so popular that Ontarians are choosing to cross the border to avoid it.  This tax evasion tactic is probably not very good for Ontario’s retailers that are still struggling under the gloom of the recession.  But, hey, it looks like Mr. Pinocchio doesn’t really ( give a fuck ) care.   To add insult, to injury, more like sticking a switch blade in an open wound, McGuinty introduced an Eco-tax and taxed your hydro bill too!
Wow!  Gee, if this guy wasn’t such a skinny, pencil neck, he could be the anti-christ or Satan! 

Rob Cheshir

Municipal Election - Ontario

Municipal Election - Ontario

    This past Monday, October 25th, voters across the Province went to the polls in droves.
 Most polls recorded larger than normal turnout, which is a marked change from just four years ago.  Some Provincial polls recorded a fifty percent (50%) voter turnouts, compared to thirty (30%) turnout in 2006.   Voter turnout in Windsor was up twelve percent (12%) and in Essex County the turnout was up approximately twenty percent (20%).

     In the mayoral race in Toronto, Rob Ford,  former City Councillor defeated George Smitherman former Health Minister of Ontario and a Liberal heavy weight.  Ford is known for being unpolished and colourful with a his ‘shoot from the hip’ blunt retorts.   Ford’s media gaffes include: homophobic slurs, drunken outbursts, and referring to “Orientals” who “work like dogs”.  His comments seemed to only endear voters, especially the Asian community.  Some account Ford’s ‘likeability’ to the fact that he says what most people are thinking, but are afraid to verbalize.  He is seen as a ‘commoner’ not an ‘elitist’, and refuses to wear $2,000.00 suits. 

    How does a clumsy, conservative, under-dog become the Mayor of the largest, most ‘Liberally progressive’ City of Ontario?  People seem to be  fed-up with the polish, glitz and glam of politicians who promise what they will never deliver.  As the media attacked Ford calling him “fat” and “unruly”, his popularity and contributions only rose.  Macleans magazine, calls Ford “The Game Changer” and attributes his victory to “high taxation” and “anger over wasteful spending..”.  The voter shift and rejection of not only a Liberal, but a homosexual (Smitherman), could be a reversal and rejection of Liberalism, but also an embracing pro-family values.  A Vietnamese Community Leader, in the G.T.A., stated in Ford’s defense that: “..at least he was married to a woman”, “We will not vote for Smitherman!, it is against our culture..”.

    This re-engagement of voters in Ontario could signal the end to an ‘anything goes’, Liberal view, the demise of the McGuinty era and two majority governments.  Most voters have had enough of the taxation, that is driving an economic engine from one that ‘could’ to ‘can’t’.  At a Ontario Progressive Conservative policy meeting, one out-spoken and frustrated attendee called McGuinty “A big fat Liar”.  The frustration is evident even in coffee shops.  As Ontarians speak out, one unapologetic mother of two said, in reference to McGuinty: “I hate him!”.  Should this trend remain stable until next year, there could be a new majority government and a new Premier.  Tim Hudak, Leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party seems poised to accept this mantel as his policy of tax reduction appears to resonate with the electorate.  Ontario University and College Students are paying the highest tuition fees in all of Canada since the Liberal government removed subsidies for education to pay for special interest promises.  Ontario now has the highest taxation in the Dominion with taxes on: Health, Hydro, Eco and of course the H.S.T.

    Hopefully, students and youth will head to polls and take hold of their own destiny with regard to education and their own futures.  This is age group (18-25) is usually disengaged and unconcerned with casting ballots, but this next election could change all of that with a huge shift from the status quo.
Rob Cheshire,  Banana Belt Tories,  Contributor.

Calling it like I see it

Click picture

We are Conservatives!

We are conservatives, because we value hard work, not excuses, and the perpetual blaming of others for situations in which we find ourselves.  We adapt and overcome, therefore, we overcome.   We value the equality of all peoples, as equals, in the sight of a merciful God.  We do will not tell you how to worship, do not tell us how to either.  One should not attempt to alter, a process, and a government which has worked for so many, for so long.  If we seem protective of this nation.  It’s because we ARE!  We do not desire, want, nor covet what you have, we shall work for our own.  And, in the process we shall bring others with us. For a true conservative is generous with what he/she has.  We honour our fallen, for the freedom they died for.  We are conservatives, because we value what is ethical, honourable, and just.  And, we invite all who desire to live free and peaceably, to call Canada their home.   We are just people, like you, imperfect, but free.  We are Canadians and we are Conservatives!


Rob Cheshire

Water rates speech Ward 1

http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=5071887604595535895

Paul Miner get’s it Right.

Paul Miner get’s it Right.

Early in the campaign Paul Miner candidate for the Mayor of Essex is quoted saying “there is no vision for Essex”.

One of Paul’s visions was a development of Colchester Harbour.

 “I can see an improved harbour with Town house condominiums development” Miner says.

Now in this week Essex free Press October 6, 2010 is being reported that the Colchester Harbour is in troubled waters.

Why?  “I can tell you- the hold up is the town of Essex” Watsa said.  The inaction on the harbour is doing, to the lack of really leadership in Essex.  “We need true leadership, excuses are useless” Miner says. 

What Essex needs is the right leader one that will work to get thing done.

In this election do what is right for Colchester Harbour; vote Paul Miner for Mayor of Essex.

Nine years ago.

Nine years ago.

2001 - Nine years ago Joan Flood was the Mayor of Essex.  She worked extremely hard

            To make the amalgamation work for all residence.  At that time she was making

            about $10,000.00 a year as Mayor.

2010- Today Ron “tout” McDermott is making $30,900.00 a year as Mayor of Essex.

I don’t know how he can justify such a LARGE INCREASE in his wages when so many people are unemployed.

I urge everybody to get out and vote for Paul Miner.  We cannot afford having our Tax Dollars given to Tout McDermott to benefit his wage increases.

Lets us make a difference vote Paul Miner for Mayor of Essex.

Concerned Tax Payer

C. Jubinville

Essex (Colchester North)

519-776-9872

Subject: Paul Miner gets it Right.

Early in the campaign, Paul Miner candidate for the Mayor of Essex, is quoted as saying, “There is no vision for Essex.”

Paul’s vision includes a development of Colchester Harbour.

  “I can see an improved harbour with a townhouses/condominiums development,” Miner says.

Now in this week, Essex free Press (October 6, 2010) has reported that the Colchester Harbour is in troubled waters.

Why?  

“I can tell you--the hold up is the town of Essex,” Watsa said.  The inaction on the harbour is due to the lack of real leadership in Essex.  

“We need true leadership. Excuses are useless,” Miner says. 

What Essex needs is the right leader: one that will work to get things done.

In this election, do what is right for Colcherster Harbour and vote Paul Miner for Mayor of Essex.

www.votepaulminer.com

  -30-

Best comment ever on Eddie Francis

I as a senior think Eddie Francis is a liar, self serving holy than thou attitude. He is corrupt and just this about the Windsor Star thing make me ill. I cannot believe this is happening in my city. Limoges will not have time to do too many new things as he has to undo all the knots in the last administration. To you my take on it, how is it right to not do an audit because it is too close to election time, how is it right to swap land with friends and the friend does not take ownership because he will have to pay taxes on it as was agreed. How is it right for Francis to give a tax break to his friend at the Tunnel duty free because he is going through hard times. How is it right for him to give himself and exhorbanat raise when this town is crying for jobs, How is it right for him to give management a 15% raise and force others out on strike. How is it that there was NEVER a derrogartory thing written in the newspaper for 7 years right his chief of staff.

http://www.windsorstar.com/news/Vander+Doelen+Voters+minds+made/3635039/story.html

Jeff Watson slams Rick Fryer

Read more: http://www.windsorstar.com/news/Watson+slams+Fryer/3628942/story.html#ixzz11agim1x
      When Jeff Watson was elected in June of 2004, it was an historical political event.  The Liberals had dominated the area for decades, even before the Trudeau era.  He was the first Conservative to be elected in 46 years within Essex County.  Watson had been outspoken about: the Members, federal pensions, the gun registry, and Liberal accountability.  He ran against Susan Whelan, the incumbent Liberal and daughter of popular Senator Eugene Whelan, a former Trudeau cabinet Minister and Member for the Essex Riding.  This young Conservative and former auto-worker had done what most thought was impossible! 
     Soon after his election Watson charged his former campaign manager, Nick Kouvalis with 'uttering threats' in 2005.  This case went to trial in Windsor and resulted in all charges being dismissed against Mr. Kouvalis, on June 24th 2007.  Justice Llyod Dean commented that the charge 'appeared' to be 'politically motivated' by Watson, his wife and Watson campaign workers. Dean cited testimony that the two witnesses spent five days discussing the alleged threat with family and friends, most in the Conservative party, and with Watson, weighing the pros and cons of having Kouvalis arrested, before reporting it to police.
He also cited Schnekenburger's testimony that she and Jonsson had collaborated on a written report about what happened before talking to police. They didn't tell police they had done this and told the court they had lost the report. 
     Jeff Watson made several announcements on moral issues including, condemning Dr.Henry Morgentaler receiving The Award of Canada, in 2008.  Watson in his written statement said the choice of Morgentaler, one of 75 people receiving the honour this year, is a “continuation of the sad legacy of the Paul Martin administration. Today, through his appointee for governor general, Mr. Martin has succeeded in politicizing the Order of Canada and in doing so diminishing its value and undermining our culture of life.”  Certainly, Mr. Watson's stance upon such ethical issues in the rural County of Essex has helped his career.
      Other issues and comments have placed Jeff Watson countering his own policies.   In 2007, a soon-to-be federal Reform party candidate, Watson described the pension plan for MPs as "filthy rich" and a trough for Liberals. In a letter published in The Star, he praised Reform MPs for acting with integrity by opting out of the plan.  On Friday, June 25th 2010 Watson said the plan has changed. "The pension plan was different then," he said. "There's no opt-out provision now." Pensions are also only one part of the benefits package, Watson said. "My benefits as an MP are less than what I had as an autoworker." Watson said a majority of federal politicians aren't in office long enough to qualify for a pension and those who leave politics will not necessarily find it easy to return to a former job or line of work. "There's no safety net." But as a member of the "Class of 2004," Watson finds himself in the crosshairs of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.   It is obvious that Mr. Watson's stance is less than credible, claiming his benefits are less than those of an auto-worker, especially when he ran on a platform against pensions.
       Now, Watson has weighed into municipal politics, slamming a candidate against an incumbent.  As a Member of Parliament his actions smack of interference in the democratic process.  "I don't think it's appropriate for the MP to stick his nose overtly into municipal politics," said Lloyd Brown-John, University of Windsor professor emeritus.  "I don't think he (Watson) has a grasp on what his role is," added Brown-John.  Dr. Brown-John also commented that: " Watson appears to think that he is The King of Essex". 
       Citizen comments in rebuttal to Watson's attack, on CKLW AM 800, were against his interference and deeply contaminative of his actions.  It is obvious that Watson is contributing to his own political demise, and his arrogance may not serve him well in a coming election.  Maybe there is an autobiography in the work here with a possible title of "My Own Undoing", by Jeff Watson, former Member of Parliament.

Rob Cheshire

Banana Belt Tories, Windsor

Letters to the editor - Cultural Hub Bub

    A canal with no federal grant monies, an airport hub with no investors and now a cultural hub or Center??  Did not the W.S.O., have to ask for a financial bail out last year?   And, The U of W. is cash strapped after increasing professor’s salaries 30% last year.  Where on God’s green  earth is 30 million dollars for this fantasy ‘cultural hub’ going to come from?  It appears that our elected officials will attempt to paint a prettier picture than reality, when it comes to election time and saving their own jobs, benefits and pensions.

    Imagine a ‘cultural hub’ in a lunch bucket town, that has lost it’s lunch.  Windsor is well known, notorious even, but not for it’s culture.  It is known for it’s strip bars, crime, casino, massage parlors, prostitution, numerous bars, gambling and street fights.  Now, who in their right mind would imagine ‘culture’ in a city infamous for: vomit, vagrants, and violence?  Windsor is well known, far and wide, as ‘Sin City North’ and it’s an embarrassment!   Our glorious City of Roses licenses prostitutes, pimps and has more bars per square mile, per population density than Las Vegas and New Orleans!  Windsor’s idea people, may want to rethink their marketing.

    The status quo is not working, and neither is Windsor.  If Windsor does not change direction, it will soon become the Flint, Michigan of Canada!

Sincerely,

Rob Cheshire
2815 Virginia Park
Windsor, On N9E 2B8
519 9

 

Matt Ford is a candidate for Windsor council.

Photograph by: Courtesy of Matt Ford, The Windsor Star

Matt Ford
3449 Longfellow
N9E 2L8
Phone: 519-551-5414
Website: www.MattFord.ca
E-mail: fordleadership@gmail.com

© Copyright (c) The Windsor Star

Read more: http://www.windsorstar.com/news/municipal-election/Matt+Ford/3333186/story.html#ixzz0yPFLXOc8

Vote Sam Drakich School Board Trustee

   

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vote-Sam-Drakich-School-Board-Trustee/155266764489342

Ward 1 candidate pushes incentives for small businesses

BY FRANCES WILLICK, THE WINDSOR STAR AUGUST 26, 2010 8:02 PM COMMENTS (4)

A new candidate for Ward 1 says he wants to provide more opportunities for business in the area and privatize more public services.

Matt Ford, 34, has owned a small restoration business in Windsor for the past four years. Before that, he worked at Wal-Mart.

Ward said business owners are burdened by high taxes, licence fees and too much red tape.

“If you make it hard for people to open businesses and make it hard for them to stay in business, you’re not going to have businesses,” he said.

Making business a bigger priority on council will help boost the area's employment rate, he said. “Let’s put our eggs in the basket of small business and business investors,” he said. “You’re not going to create jobs by taking government money and having ribbon-cutting ceremonies.”

The candidate said he’d push for further privatization of public sector jobs, including city landscaping positions. “I’d like to see a lot more contracting out to our taxpaying businesses and citizens. If they are good enough to fund your government with their taxes, then they should have a shot at the work.”

If elected to represent Ward 1, which is bordered by Dougall Avenue, the E.C. Row Expressway and the town of LaSalle, Ford said he’d work to lower water rates, place a moratorium on construction of new subsidized housing units and rein in spending on “wacky” and “irresponsible” expenditures such as the downtown canal proposal and new police services building.

Ford’s website also promotes a voluntary 10 per cent wage reduction for councillors, the termination of benefits for councillors, and no pay increases for municipal employees.

© Copyright (c) The Windsor Star

 

http://www.windsorstar.com/homes/Ward+candidate+pushes+small+business+incentives/3447273/story.html 

Hotel Dieu - Grace Hospital

Found this gem to be most fitting.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-5zEb1oS9A&feature=player_embedded

ABE - Anybody but Eddie

Windsor has the highest unemployment rate in Canada, yet our Mayor is the second highest paid mayor in all of Ontario, and he thinks that a channel is a cure for Windsor’s ills.  What jobs are attracted by a ditch in a decaying downtown?   Francis promised only two terms, and now he is running for a third.   The placement of the W.F.C.U. Center, outside any benefits to downtown businesses, restaurants, hotels and motels is disturbing.  What is even more troubling is the fact that not only the Mayor, but all of City Council is being sued by The Bridge Company and we the tax payers will be forced to pay their legal fees!  City taxes, W.U.C. rates, service fees, fire and policing costs are on the rise in a City deep in recession and unemployment.  Where is logic and common sense to fiscal restraint?  Sad to add, that during this recession both the Mayor and all of Council took pay increases, benefits and pensions, for a part-time job.   There is only one solution and that is: “Clean House”.


Rob Cheshire

The Plight of Afghan Women: A Disturbing Picture

Our cover image this week is powerful, shocking and disturbing. It is a portrait of Aisha, a shy 18-year-old Afghan woman who was sentenced by a Taliban commander to have her nose and ears cut off for fleeing her abusive in-laws. Aisha posed for the picture and says she wants the world to see the effect a Taliban resurgence would have on the women of Afghanistan, many of whom have flourished in the past few years. Her picture is accompanied by a powerful story by our own Aryn Baker on how Afghan women have embraced the freedoms that have come from the defeat of the Taliban — and how they fear a Taliban revival. (See pictures of Afghan women and the return of the Taliban.)
I thought long and hard about whether to put this image on the cover of TIME. First, I wanted to make sure of Aisha's safety and that she understood what it would mean to be on the cover. She knows that she will become a symbol of the price Afghan women have had to pay for the repressive ideology of the Taliban. We also confirmed that she is in a secret location protected by armed guards and sponsored by the NGO Women for Afghan Women. Aisha will head to the U.S. for reconstructive surgery sponsored by the Grossman Burn Foundation, a humanitarian organization in California. We are supporting that effort. (Watch TIME's video on photographing Aisha for the cover.)
I'm acutely aware that this image will be seen by children, who will undoubtedly find it distressing. We have consulted with a number of child psychologists about its potential impact. Some think children are so used to seeing violence in the media that the image will have little effect, but others believe that children will find it very scary and distressing — that they will see it, as Dr. Michael Rich, director of the Center on Media and Child Health at Children's Hospital Boston, said, as "a symbol of bad things that can happen to people." I showed it to my two young sons, 9 and 12, who both immediately felt sorry for Aisha and asked why anyone would have done such harm to her. I apologize to readers who find the image too strong, and I invite you to comment on the image's impact. (Comment on this cover.)
But bad things do happen to people, and it is part of our job to confront and explain them. In the end, I felt that the image is a window into the reality of what is happening — and what can happen — in a war that affects and involves all of us. I would rather confront readers with the Taliban's treatment of women than ignore it. I would rather people know that reality as they make up their minds about what the U.S. and its allies should do in Afghanistan. (See the cover story "Afghan Women and the Return of the Taliban.")
The much publicized release of classified documents by WikiLeaks has already ratcheted up the debate about the war. Our story and the haunting cover image by the distinguished South African photographer Jodi Bieber are meant to contribute to that debate. We do not run this story or show this image either in support of the U.S. war effort or in opposition to it. We do it to illuminate what is actually happening on the ground. As lawmakers and citizens begin to sort through the information about the war and make up their minds, our job is to provide context and perspective on one of the most difficult foreign policy issues of our time. What you see in these pictures and our story is something that you cannot find in those 91,000 documents: a combination of emotional truth and insight into the way life is lived in that difficult land and the consequences of the important decisions that lie ahead.
To learn more about Aisha and her reconstructive surgery in the U.S., visit www.GrossmanBurnFoundation.org and www.WomenForAfghanWomen.org.
Comment on this cover.

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2007269,00.html#ixzz0vOh9zfjc

'Methadone Clinics'

Some four years ago, numerous agencies in Windsor/Essex, both non-governmental and governmental, set-up what is known as: The Windsor/Essex Drug Strategy.  There were many interested parties and many well meaning people.  But the 'The Drug Strategy' was flawed from it's inception, because it included what is known as; 'The Four Pillar' Model, or approach. These 'Four Pillars' are: Prevention, Treatment, Enforcement and Harm Reduction.  Personally, having been involved in the Windsor/Essex drug Strategy and opposing the 'Harm Reduction Pillar', or Model, I do believe that there were, and are individuals that had agendas, lacked knowledge and emotionalized the issue to be of any real help or direction.  Harm Reduction, provides the means to use drugs 'safely'. If there is such an animal, I know it not!  Individuals who use drugs need treatment, not enabling, because in the end they wind-up DEAD!  Anyone that tells you there is kinder, gentler, softer way is misinformed and inexperienced.

Methadone 'treatment' is part and parcel to 'The Harm Reduction' model.  Methadone was invented in 1939 and was used extensively in the 1960's and 70's to aid Veterans of Vietnam to over-come Heroine and Opium addiction.  The ambition was not completely successful, as many died, both veterans and civilians.  Now, what is 'old' is 'new' again, and there are what I perceive as profiteers engaging in the wholesale methadone ideology as a 'cure-all' for every addiction, including alcohol!!!  Individuals who endorse such a course are flawed.  Any person who is addicted to any 'addictive' substance need to realize change and that should be done in a 'Treatment' setting.  Unfortunately, monies that could and should be used for treatment have been put towards 'Harm Reduction' and at present the Province of Ontario only provides a 21-day program, even for Cocaine and Methamphetamine.  Where is the logic??  I have been to Queens Park on this issue twice in the last year, attempting to persuade individuals to put monies into 90-day programs. 

An unfortunate side effect is 'Methadone Clinics' springing up all over the country with little supervision, or knowledge about there function and affect on an area.  These 'Clinics' are notorious for destroying neighbourhoods, escalating crime and drug litter, including methadone dispensing bottles, cups and used needles.  Methadone is very addictive and lethal to non-opiate addicts.  Children especially the very young should be kept as far away as possible from any methadone contact. 

Rob Cheshire C.A.C. II
Chemical Dependency Counselor
Celebrate Recovery     

Windsor council being sued by the bridge is a real blow to Windsor residents.

Windsor council being sued by the bridge is a real blow to Windsor residents.

Whether you like the fact that Matty Moroun owns the bridge, or that he wants to build another bridge, this doesn’t excuse the behavior that led up to the lawsuit being filed against Windsor councilors .

It was plain to see from all the residents I spoke with that council was abusing their trust and authority by using the heritage designation against a private citizen to prevent, obstruct,  and disrupt the legal pursuit and of the development of one’s own property.

Not only did council obstruct a private company, they also told private citizens who sold their homes (not under some crazy government expropriation scheme, but willingly to the bridge) that they made the wrong decision. They then put your neighbours at risk in by allowing these homes to stand boarded up and dilapidated.

These citizens were irate and council dismissed them.

Some citizens couldn’t even make existing repairs or additions to their homes because of council’s charade.

It is plain as the nose on our faces what went on. It is my belief a judge just may see it the same way.

With the legal department costs at city hall already on the rise and Windsor running a budget deficit, the news of these lawsuits have Windsors residents wondering if these councilors are going to leave Windsorites footing the bill for the dozen or so lawyers needed to defend the actions of council and the possible judgment awarded?

With DRIC falling apart by the hour because our governments weren’t smart enough to get an agreement with the Americans in writing, it looks as if the bridge will win the battle at the end of the day.

What Windsor residents should be concerned with is the image that our councilors sent out to prospective businesses who were thinking about locating here in Windsor.

The true cost of city councils recklessness may never be known.

I offer a challenge to city council, tear down those houses, and do what is necessary to move in the direction of progress.

Matt Ford
Ward 1 Candidate

Eco fees

Much is being said about Stewardship Ontario so I went to the website and did a little digging.

The governing board consists of representatives from major companies who according to Stewardship Ontario set eco fees on products.

Their names are Jim Quick from Canadian Paint and Coatings, Gordon Meyer of Proctor and Gamble, Brian Pendergast  of Recochem Incorporated, Reg Mcklay of Canadian Tire, Sylvain Mayrand of Lassonde Juice, Mark Malo of Clorox, Calla Farn of MCain Foods, Ron Davidson of Apotex Incorporated, Rob Chant Loblaw, John Coyne of Unilever Canada, Tamara Burns of  Sears Canada, Dianne Brisbois of Retail Council of Canada, Debbie Baxter of Loyality One Inc. and finally your C.E.O. Ian Anderson of CKF Inc.

http://www.stewardshipontario.ca/sites/default/files/docs/Scrutineer%20report%202010%20_%20with%20appendicies_bm_june%2018_F.pdf

Stewardship Ontario’s website claims that  only associations of business that pay  10 million dollars or more in  access “fees” by contributing to Blue Box or the Municipal Hazardous or Special Waste Program can gain access to the governing board of Stewardship Ontario .

Of 20 business associations that applied only six associations qualified and signed a slate of 14 Candidates.

 They were all but rubber stamped.

Stewardship Ontario claims that they don’t set the eco fee but it is determined by the retailers and manufacturers.  

They also claim while there is no set eco fee feel free to browse the fees we charge?

Oh and if your feel you are being overcharged on these ‘eco fees” that we don’t set we would like to know about it.

....What??  http://www.stewardshipontario.ca/consumers/what-we-do/mhswenvironmental-fees

So the retailer can charge nothing and they would be O.K. with that?

Where is the money going?

Can these board members set fees?

 If so can they use their position to put competitors at a disadvantage by assigning their competitors  higher “ECO FEES”?

Reading their website leaves more questions than answers.

Matthew Ford

Anticipation

Power Outage

Last year Dwight Duncan was in Tecumseh to make an announcement regarding placing expensive tax payer subsidized solar panels on a government building.

Impressionable school children were brought in for the photo op at which time Dwight Duncan said that people want to question the financially feasibility of projects like this but we have to do them no matter what the cost. He labeled us as naysayers to be dismissed Dwight proudly cut the ribbon and kissed the closet available baby.

Fast forward to yesterday’s news from his own Liberal Energy Minister Brad Dugui’s announcement that they were cutting the generous taxpayer subsidy to Solar and we now have a totally different outcome for solar projects in Ontario.

Dwight your own government is questioning the feasibility.

To say the solar companies are mad is an understatement. 

This government including Dwight Duncan and all other political parties that dismissed legitimate concerns about the long-term feasibility of these fantasy laced Green energy projects at a time when Ontario has an abundance of energy should be ashamed of themselves for being so reckless with tax dollars.

To those that supported this nonsense in the Liberal, N.D.P.  and the Conservative party you should be ashamed of yourselves.

Maybe next time you will pick up a book and read up on  the 40 year history of these green energy schemes and to some who knew and said nothing, next time have some courage to take a stand.

Matthew R. Ford.

Protesters' point falls short

Hooded masked terrorist criminals, financed to destabilize the world, wreaked havoc upon Toronto.
The correlated link with black-clothed enemies of democracy setting a police car ablaze and destroying property all in the name of world poverty is quite clear -- so a punch to a wheelchair-bound invalid's head is a blow for global warming.

Whose your daddy?

Seoul McGuinty

Oh my !

Pinocchio, Snow White, and Superman are out for a little stroll in town one afternoon enjoying the sunshine. As they walked, they  come across a sign: "Beauty contest for the most beautiful  woman in the world." ......"I am entering!" said Snow White.


 After half an hour she comes out and they ask her, "Well,  how'd ya do?" "I won First Place !," said Snow White.
 They continue walking and they see another sign: "Contest for the strongest man in the world."......."I'm entering," says Superman. After half an hour, he returns and they ask him, "How did  you make out?"
 "I won First Place too," answers Superman.. "Did you ever have a doubt?"


 They continue walking when they see a third sign:
 "Contest! Who is the greatest liar in the world?"


  Pinocchio quickly enters the contest. After half an hour he   returns with tears in his eyes.

 "What happened?" they asked.
  "Who the hell is Dalton McGuinty?" asked Pinocchio.

Hey Jack you can keep China!

http://www.businessinsider.com/15-more-mindblowing-facts-about-china-economy-2010-4#dont-miss-16

Bastard !

Invitation

 

Tim get over yourself and do something!

AMBER ALERT !

AMBER ALERT !

Our leader November 1, 1967 (1967-11-01) (age 42), Tim Hudak, is missing.
He has been missing for now one year
Maybe if everyone passes this on, someone will see this leader.
By circulation
Of his picture on TV. The Internet circulates even overseas,
South America, and Canada etc.
Please pass this to everyone in your address book. ..
'I am asking you all, begging you to please
Forward this email on to anyone and everyone
You know, PLEASE.
It is still not too late. Please help us. If anyone
Knows anything, please

Contact Us

The Ontario PC Party
401-19 Duncan Street
Toronto, Ontario
M5H 3H1

Phone: 416-861-0020
Toll-free: 1-800-903-6453
Fax: 416-861-9593
Email: comments@ontariopc.net

PC Ontario Fund
401-19 Duncan Street
Toronto, Ontario
M5H 3H1

Phone: 416-861-3085
Fax: 416-861-1760  

It only takes 2 seconds to forward this.
If it was your leader, you would want all the help you could get!!

NDP Democracy

Sandra Pupatello bashing Big Pharma.

    Sandra Pupatello uses tax payer money to run attack ads and bash independent pharmacists.  She takes a strong stand against the generic brands, which help individuals save money, in the supposed interest of saving money. But her stance is less than honest, according to Elections Ontario data base on Sandra’s 2007 Constituency financial returns show large pharmaceutical companies funding her re-election. Listed are the non-generic pharmaceutical companies that donated to her campaigns: Pfizer, Astra Zeneca, Altana Pharma Inc., Eli Lilly Inc., Glaxo Smith Kliene, Medical Pharmacies Group Inc., Merck, etc..  Who do these companies have in their back pocket?   And, after the Liberals are done, I guess the real question is; ‘what do your have left in yours?’

 Check it out:(http://www2.elections.on.ca/stats/07files/annual/ar1/07lib103ar1.htm )
Pupatello, Hoy, Duncan, Croszier, and McGuinty all have to go!  Help them they way they have helped you and give them their pink slips in 2011!.
Rob Cheshire

...READ CAREFULLY....

This is so Unbelievable.....   

 In Houston ...
Harwin Central Mall: The very first store that you come to when you walk from the lobby of the building into the shopping area...

  Had this sign posted on their door. The shop is run by Muslims. 

 

Imam Ali flew one of the planes into the twin towers.
Nice huh?

 Try telling me we're not in a Religious war!

Picasso works stolen

Dalton McGuinty has shown great contempt to Ontario’s future

Dalton McGuinty has shown great contempt to Ontario’s future, bankrupting the province for future generations not yet born and destroying hope of employment with his dreaded HST.  The food service and hospitality industry is an essential means of employment for Ontario’s youth to pay for their education, which costs have increased under McGuinty. The restaurant industry is a stepping stone for most, allowing them to further their education, secure a career, wages and security.  This industry is challenging even in the best of times, now it faces yet another threat, the HST. Many will close their doors leaving employees out on the street with limited options of employment and owners with heavy financial burdens, taxes and bankruptcy costs.
     McGuinty, your reckless governance is the worse in the history of all governments in Canada! You betray only arrogance and ignorance towards the people of Ontario and the rest of Canada, demanding more equalization payments as you squander billions upon special interest groups that secured your accession to power degrading Ontario to a “Have Not” province. Liberals be warned that the people of Ontario, especially its youth will turn their backs on you as boycotts will arise against the very interest groups and individuals that are party loyal. This is not your standard electorate. We are an internet savvy electorate that will post all your lies, broken promises and scandals online with a list of your supporters to bring you down.

Holocaust Deniers

Holocaust Deniers

    If one were to table topics such as: the holocaust, ethic cleansing or human enslavement and trade, all would publicly denounce these as genocidal.  But, what about the genocide upon our own soil here in Canada?   What genocide, you may ask, after all this is Canada, where is there a genocide here!  And, if there was one would not the ‘good’ Canadians rise-up and demand rights for such?  No!  I would state that Canada’s human rights history paints a record of unclean hands anyway.

     The systematic, unrestricted, surgical summery executions of the unborn, which conservatively records the losses at 17 million human lives, all supported by provincial and federal governments and funded by tax monies. Some state the womb, in Canada is the most dangerous place to exist, as there are absolutely no restrictions on abortion in any stage of pregnancy.   Should not the most voiceless, defenseless and innocent Canadians have some right to the most basic and common of rights, life?  Supposed Liberal minds say no and state their ‘choice’ advocacy rhetoric.  But what ‘choice’ does the baby have who had no choice in their own conception.  I am sure they would assert their intent to live if they would be heard.

    Beyond the ambivalence, rhetoric and political posturing there are real human lives in the balance.  They are no less human than yourself, your child, or grandchild, as D.N.A. reveals.  A common theme that Planned Parenthood, ( an oxymoron) and other ‘choice’ groups suggest is the ‘rape’ scenario.   Well, I have friends who are the product of rape and they are just as human, just victimized and just as innocent as the mother.  Truly, if we want to end rape why not invoke the penalty given to the unborn upon the real criminal.   I have two daughters, I am not compassionate to the violence or mistreatment of women, I whoever incensed by the insensitive, cold and callous murder of innocent babies and so should you.  Another typical argument akin to silencing debate is the: ‘my body, my property’ theme which is historically rooted in slavery, property rights, ownership, torture and murder of individual humans. I will suggest that Canada is a nation of holocaust and genocide deniers happening upon it’s own sovereign soil.

Pro-Life and Proud!
Rob Cheshire

Memo: from Dalton McGuinty

 

Official Liberal Party

 for your eyes only!

Memo: from Dalton McGuinty

To all members of the Liberal caucus.

We need to get these Wind Turbine Projects approved and rammed through under our Green Energy Act before the public becomes aware of the dangers of Wind.

I have enclosed the following images they must not allowed to be viewed by the public.

Bruce, Sandra and you too Fatty Arbuckle Get R Done.

Sincerley,

Dalton McGuinty

Premier of Ontario

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppLh5pGX3qQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2x7u4GAqPc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbCs7ZQDKoM&feature=related

LAKE OF THE WOODS - KENORA, ONTARIO CANADA

Lake of the Woods - Kenora, Ontario Canada

Another minnow...


This is a darn interesting picture and story even if you aren't into fishing, but please show it to anyone you know that likes to fish.

Fyi:  this sturgeon is still alive, just worn out from the fight.
As the sports fishermen they are, they turned him loose after
the photo.

 This sturgeon was caught on the Lake of the Woods, Kenora, Ontario two weeks ago.
It weighed out at over 1,000 lbs and measured out at 11'1".
It was 56" around the girth and took over 6 and a half hours, and 4
dozen beers, for the 4 guys taking turns at the reeling it
in.

Any sturgeon over about five feet has to be released unharmed and cannot be removed from the water.

They are brood / breeding stock and probably older than most of us.

Always thought it to be Pine Sol.

OPCP Strategy

Attention liberals: Not all your critics are religious extremists

Attention liberals: Not all your critics are religious extremists

You don't have to be the Pope to oppose abortion

Kelly McParland, National Post

Areader emailed recently to suggest I must be a religious fanatic, because I don't support abortion.

He explained that the vast majority of people who oppose abortion are fundamentalist religious wackos who believe there's a "spirit" in the fetus, and that's why they object to aborting it.

News to me. I told him I hadn't been to church in years, and religion had nothing to do with it. I just think it's wrong to take someone else's life without their consent. And I can't convince myself that the roundish tendency you'll notice among pregnant women results from something other than a life growing inside them. You don't have to be the Pope to believe a person's life is his own, and the rest of us should keep our hands off.

He wasn't buying. He'd convinced himself anyone opposed to abortion is a religious nut, and that's all there was to it.

I got the same sense from reading John Moore's Tuesday column on the recent Ontario climb-down on sex education ( "Hide your kids. The liberals are coming").

The Ontario government was planning to introduce a program that would expose grade school pupils to more explicit sexual references. Grade 1 students would be taught the correct names for body parts; Grade 3 students would learn about sexual identity and orientation, while kids in Grades 6 and 7 would deal with terms like "anal intercourse" and "vaginal lubrication."

The changes had been available on a government website for several months, but no one noticed until recently. When a sudden outcry resulted, Premier Dalton McGuinty quickly reversed course, embarrassing some of his Cabinet members who had been dutifully defending the changes. Now he's being attacked from the opposite direction, for caving in to fundamentalist nutbars. Because if you get a bit queasy at the notion of Grade 6 kids being tutored on masturbation, you must be a fundamentalist nutbar, right?

"Religious conservatives came out swinging," wrote Moore.

"The message was ... that the policy had been developed by activists with an agenda and with no consultation. None of this was true, but that doesn't matter in a political world that now runs not on a daily news cycle but on one that goes hour by hour.... The premier was defeated by talk radio, sound bites, Twitter and Facebook."

I'm a bit puzzled by that last line. Mr. Moore makes his living as a talk radio host, so why is he disparaging opinions formed from listening to talk radio? Is he saying that if we hear him on the radio we should disregard anything he has to say, but if he writes it in the paper, that makes it legit?

But mainly what bothers me is the notion that, once again, anyone who opposes programs favoured by liberals and their friends must be religious extremists bent on imposing fundamentalist views on the nation. The Canadian Taliban, in action. It's true that opposition to the sex program originated with some conservative religious groups that were first to notice it, but why assume every parent who subsequently expressed alarm must therefore be a card-carrying member of the lunatic fringe?

I don't particularly care about grade school kids being taught the realities of sex and their bodies at a young age. Most of them will learn all about it from the Internet anyway, well before a teacher raises the subject in class. But I can understand that many parents would prefer to handle the subject themselves, and don't want to be usurped by some bureaucrat at Queen's Park working to an artificial schedule that assumes every kid hits the same maturity level at the same magic moment.

Maybe it makes liberals feel better to write off opponents as religious nuts. That way they don't have to give serious thought to any opinions that differ from their own. It's a lot easier on the brain, and leaves more time for listening to talk radio.

http://www.nationalpost.com/story-printer.html?id=2963380

Right Green

 Right Green


      In Ontario’s race to “go green”, the government has turned to wind power as one of their alternatives for “clean and free” sources of electricity. The promotion and construction of these vast wind farms gives private companies generous subsidies and regulatory support through the “Green Energy Act”. On the surface, wind turbines appear to be a viable solution to the problems related to greenhouse emissions and radioactive waste produced by conventional electricity plants. Some of the wind power advantages cited by organizations such as Canwea.ca, Biofuelswatch.com, and whywind.org are that wind turbines:
1.      Provide sustainable income for local farmers who receive substantial royalty income for hosting them on their property;
2.      Provide jobs in the procurement of material and services during construction;
3.      Improve infrastructure like roads because they are upgraded to facilitate construction;
4.      Provide clean energy without generating pollution like CO 2 and SO 2 or radioactive waste;
5.      Can be used to produce electricity to homes as well as for the power grid, and
6.      Do not consume any non-renewable resources, like coal, natural gas, or oil.
The promoters of green energy alternatives present a strong case, but are wind turbines without their own set of problems?

The Cost of Going Green
     Looking to countries who have been utilizing wind turbines for over a decade, one might argue that wind power does not live up to the claims made by its proponents.
Norway commissioned a study of Denmark’s wind power project (which includes 6000 turbines that produced electricity equal to 19% of what the country used in 2002) and concluded that wind power has “serious environmental effects, insufficient production, and high production costs.” Because wind power is varying and intermittent, no conventional power plants had been shut down. (The explanation for that is when the wind dies down or rises, most plants cannot be simply ramped up or down to offset the wind turbines.) When the wind was blowing adequately for the turbines, the power they generated was surplus and had to be sold off to other countries at a discounted price or the wind turbine itself was turned off.
     The subsequent years of study on Denmark touted similar findings. In 2003, 84% of wind-generated electricity was exported at a net revenue loss and only provided 3.3% of Denmark’s electricity (David J. White, The Utilities Journal, July 2004). And in 2004, Denmark exported 70.3% of its wind production.
     Across much of Europe and the U.S., the findings are similar. The wind turbines generally underperform unless ideal conditions exist (winds at 50 km/h). In high winds, turbines must be turned off because they are easily damaged. Dead bugs, salt and dirt build-up tend to reduce the average power generated by 20-30%.
     Therefore, as wind turbines become less efficient, emissions from conventional power systems increase. For example, “a coal plant will be part-loaded such that the loss of a generating unit can swiftly be replaced bringing other units on to full load. In addition, to increased costs of holding reserve in this manner, it has been estimated that the entire benefit of reduced emissions from the renewable's programme has been negated by the increased emissions from part-loaded plants under NETA (New Electricity Trading Arrangements—the U. K.’s deregulated power market)” (David Tolley, Head of Networks and Ancillary Services, Innogy—keynote address, January 15, 2003). Furthermore, “Wind farms capital, maintenance and operating costs are their only contribution to electricity supply” (Richard S. Courtney, www.aweo.org). A German study released in 2005 concluded that lower emissions could be economically achieved by affixing filters on existing conventional power plants. Given these statements, it should be no surprise that Denmark’s electricity costs are the highest in Europe.

Environmental Concerns
     Besides the economic concerns, there are environmental concerns to contend with as well. The improved infrastructure required for construction may be a benefit in some areas, but consider the impact of fortified roads in heavily treed areas, mountainous areas, or fortifications in lakebeds. FPL Energy (Florida Power and Light) has said, “although construction is temporary, it will require heavy equipment, including bulldozers, graders, trenching machines, concrete trucks, flatbed trucks, and large cranes”.
     In the case of the Essex County Pigeon Bay wind turbine controversy, this project has the potential to affect the Union Water System intake during and after construction due to the placement of deep foundations required in the lake bed and porous limestone bedrock. The release of pollutants and sulfur water could adversely affect the quality and safety of our drinking water (John Kehoe, Manager, Union Water System).
    Guidelines from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service state that wind towers should not be near wetlands or other known bird or bat concentration areas or in areas with high incidence of fog or low cloud ceilings, especially during spring and fall migrations. A 2002 study in Spain estimated that 11,200 birds of prey, 350,000 bats, and 3,000,000 small birds are killed by their wind turbines and power lines each year.
     Closer to home, one of our own bald eagles has succumbed to the intrusion of a wind turbine in Norfolk County. As well, Peter Meisenheimer of the Ontario Commercial Fishing Industry Association has stated that wind turbines placed in the water will adversely affect the growth, maturity, and abundance of perch and pickerel in Pigeon Bay and the rest of Lake Erie.

 Local Concerns taken to Action
     For many of the reasons stated above and many more, different groups across Ontario have formed to petition the government to place a moratorium on wind turbines to no avail.
     In Essex County, many municipalities have pledged to contribute to a research fund (totaling $250,000). ERCA has been contracted to produce the scientific data to allay or support their concerns about wind turbines being placed in Pigeon Bay.
    CALEWT (Citizens Against Lake Erie Wind Turbines), a local group who supports the proper location of wind turbines (NOT in Pigeon Bay), has already initiated a concerned citizens pledge system to raise the necessary funds to take their case to court if necessary. Other groups from across Ontario protested the Liberal government at Queen’s Park on Wednesday, April 28, 2010. This is no small movement and deserves attention.

 Still More to Consider
     This article highlights only some of the data available on wind turbines, their advantages and their disadvantages. The initial costs, their continuous maintenance, their tendency to be struck by lightning, the thousands of litres of hydraulic fluid housed inside of them, the blinking beacons, noise and vibrations concerns have not been addressed.
     When searching for green alternatives, it is paramount to get on board with the right green bandwagon, to use common sense, and to proceed wisely for the sake of all of us who share space on this planet. When considering wind turbines, there is much more to consider than what meets the eye.

Cheryl Brooks Ford