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| Alright, I'm sure many of you have heard of the trickle down effect, most people don't support it, but you know, some are rich and whatever, they probably do... Basically it's the idea that by giving big companies a break on taxes and such, by giving them that ability to make even more money you in turn have that money trickle down all the way to the lowly workers... So, trickle down, take the money, give it to the rich and powerful, and somehow it'll get down to the weak and poor... I don't know about you, but you can always have more money right? The more I make the more I spend, I've doubled my income in 2 years and I still feel like I'm scraping. So honestly, why would a rich man give money to the poor? To ease his conscience? maybe, some people do that... but nah, not to the degree that would really make the trickle down effect work.
Economics defy gravity, money does not trickle down, it trickles up... In Alberta, this black oil country I call home, our premier gave us all 400$ last year, just for fun. He gave it out in march (I believe) one of the slowest months in terms of retail sales... thanks to these lovely cheques, the retail sales did not dip and in fact were on par with the high spending months. Obviously we all know what happens when sales are up for big companies, they make more money. So in fact, by giving money to all the average citizens, you took steroids and injected them into the economy and that money ended up trickling up to the top dogs, while in the process helping out all the small guys.
I'm not a left wing liberal or any of that none sense, but unfortunately, when it comes to government spending, especially in a place where a natural resource like oil is so bountiful, we should be doing these silly cheques.
Alaska gives it's tax payers dividends cheques every year off the interest from the heritage fund (buncha money from oil revenues saved up for a rainy day), and it's great because it's like free money... Free money is the best way to prevent economic collapse (well, it helps if we all have jobs, but, to have jobs we need to spend money to create those jobs). So, I say we start introducing the trickle up effect, in a place like Alberta where the economy is red hot, 5 jobs to every one person and all that... the word bust is starting to become a little more common a word, and the word is what will bust the economy... If people believe the market is going to take a turn for the worst, they will start saving and hiding their money and not borrowing and spending on this or that, when spending stops, jobs disappear, when jobs disappear recessions and depressions are not far behind. How do we stop these terrible words!? Well, simple... Give the tax payers money, free money for them to spend as they please... And since we were all raised as consumers, lets face it, we'll spend it on junk... but that junk will help to economy, so it's all worth it... Government spending in this way would be an incredible way to help combat those horrid words like bust and recession.
With that said, the youth also play a huge roll because those lovely little people work, and they don't pay bills... So what is there to do with all that money? SPEND IT! On nothing essential... perfect  . A shining example to the older people, don't be stupid, manage your finances for sure, but also, don't start the bust ball rolling...
Enjoy
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| Alright, I'm not going to make jokes or anything like that because lets face it, loss of life is a serious thing and the closer to home the more it shocks us and scares us.
However, we have a rather serious issue here, a guy comes in and kills a bunch of people and we turn around and make him out to be a crazed lunatic, a monster, a crazy killer.
He became a killer when he killed those people, before that, he was the person you pass on the street. By coming out and labeling him with these derogatory names distances us from this issue, and I mean, I suppose it'll make you feel better, but it doesn't help... It's running from the problems, this guy wasn't some psychopath, he was just another guy. I don't like the upper class either, I'm all for the revolt, lets help the lower class and get rid of the upper class! for sure! Does that make me a crazy killer? No. Does it mean that I will ever become one? No.
Yes, he took that extra step, he went out and killed people. But no, he wasn't someone special or exceptionally demented, we can't start thinking like that. Take what you see and learn from it, let it change how you treat life and treat those around you.
Or, do what the media is doing, label him a psychopath and never allow the cycle to break, that's a typical response, no point in changing it right?
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| Alright, two topics, completely unrelated, but it's friday and I feel like writing about both, so whatever.
First off, suicide bombers, this little blurb is spurred on because of the resent deaths in Afghanistan. It's difficult really, because the number of attacks hasn't increased this year, it's right on par, their attacks are just luckily hitting properly and killing our Canadian soldiers. All the opposition parties are obviously saying this is bad we must pull out, because in reality, that's what the opposition does, the oppose anything if they think it'll win them votes... But we have this happening where people strap themselves with explosives and go kill others, this idea that killing yourself while killing your enemy is this great noble thing that gets you to heaven with a buncha virgins, or something like that. I hate to say it, but I look at this and think, and I almost feel myself repeating a little bit of what Bush is saying, sick I know, I'm not for bush at all, but, this is nuts... We've got people strapping bombs to themselves. It's not a new thing, I mean Israel's been dealing with it for ages, but none the less it is still just, mind boggling... What are we to do against this kind of person? Are they are enemy? Yes, I'm sorry to all the feel good people out there, but these people are our enemy, not because they are "against democracy" or something foolish like that, I'm not saying they are the first worlds enemy, or America's enemy, I'm saying basically, if you aren't a Muslim fanatic (and you have to be fanatic, because most Muslims are really quite reasonable and not like this, people who deserve as much respect as the next person, many times more because at least they have a faith and follow it) heh side track.... If you are a Muslim fanatic, you are an enemy of these suicide bombers... This isn't the way any of us want to conduct ourselves, it's not the way any of us want to live, it's probably almost the exact opposite. And that's really why they are an enemy.
Now I'm saying they are the enemy, not that we should go declare war, because I mean, how do we really win? Fine, fight your war if you must, but while you fight your war, please at least have some people out there trying to figure out how to stop this, because I don't think killing them is the solution, they are happy to die, so that's not a deterrent. I'm just ranting out, trying to figure out what we should do. Canada has a junk military in regards to equipment (or so's the story) but we are proud of our men and women, we are very proud. We fight hard, and we win, but, how do we win this one? I'm not saying we can't, I'm not saying pull out, I'm saying, it's been a while in Afghanistan and we still have a long way to go, so what should we do to win this one? Iraq looks like a lost cause, screw it, we aren't there anyways, but in Afghanistan, we are in it, we committed, so how do we win it? I don't know yet, maybe one of you has an idea, please do tell me...
Okay, I'm done with suicide bombers.
SNOWBOARDING
Now for a lighter subject, snowboarding, they great winter pass time (along with skiing and telemarking). It's almost over here in Alberta... We have just over a month left with Sunshine Village closing on May 21st (or maybe a few days after). Once again we must pay tribute to the wonderful world for giving us our snow and mountains to enjoy. For those of you who live near the mountains and have never bothered to learn any of these sports... What's holding you back? Give it 4 tries, if you don't like it quit. Well unless you are poor, then just, wait till you have more money because it is expensive. Okay, lets get onto what I was saying, not sure if I was even saying anything, think I'm just shooting off a little more...
This year I probably spent one day out sober which is a drastic change from most years, normally I ride and enjoy myself, goof off, don't drink much or do anything mind altering. This year I probably got out about 20-30 times, sober once. Reflecting on the year I can't say I regret it at all, although I can't say I'll do it again next year, save some money from the liquor fund and put it to heliskiing trips for sure. I'm curios if there are any snowboarders or skiers reading this, are you a completely sober kind of rider? and why? Or the exact reverse, are you a drunkard, and why? I think for me the reason I was always drunk this year was simply because the mountain had been beat. I mean, I'm not saying I'm going to go ride farside or the shoulder at sunshine with my eyes closed, but I am saying, I rode every run at sunshine drunk, that includes turn 61 on wawa chair. So I mean, altering your state just adds to the experience, changes it... It's actually a wonderful way to spend a day, just don't ski beyond your abilities or push yourself too far because you are impaired and you don't want to be getting injured. But heading up the gondola, taking a few shots before you get to the top, a few shots up the first chair, stop for a smoke on the way down... Makes for a wonderful day, you aren't there to get 50 runs in, you aren't there to make this massive backside seven or anything either, you are there to hang out, piss around on the hill, sure piss around on the blacks and doubles, but it's still pissing around. It takes the social aspect of the ski hill and amplifies it to an extreme degree (for those who go to sunshine, ummm, if you don't know what I'm talking about, start by drinking at the bar, after a few days on the bar stool you'll meet the right people who will introduce you to it.) So anyways, that was my year, spent a lot of time at sunshine or course because sunshine is a wonderful mountain, I love the way it is run, I love the staff, it's a very local feel. And if you want something difficult, go to kicking horse, well, provided delirium and wild west and all that doesn't do it for you, even if they do, kicking horse is just beautiful, made it our there a few times, looking at a season's pass there next year... A wonderful mountain, steep, deep, and long... Is there anything more you'd want? Maybe a good restraunt at the top? mmm, they have that too. Good chutes? Some trees? Bowls? Oh yeah, it's got all that. Greens and blues? ummmm, well not so much, they have them, but I don't think you should bother going there just for that. :)
Alright, I'm done.
Last but not least, pictures from 2006/2007 season. :) It's not over, obviously I'll be adding photo's from slushcup and such this year.
http://s138.photobucket.com/albums/q277/VanishingRationality/Snowboarding%2006-07/
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| Alright, so this is mostly short, I think, we'll see when I'm done I suppose.
Terrorism is a big thing, they are out to get us all... you all need passports otherwise, we are in trouble if we are going to the states...
Lots of planes fly over the states though, on their way to mexico for example, without ever touching down in american soil...
A flight just like that was going over the united states of paranoia and it had to make an unscheduled stop in the USA, so it made it's stop, but unfortunately for one passenger, they were arrested on suspect of being a terrorist and are now held by america as a terrorist... the age of this person? 9 years old... yes, NINE.
that's grade 3, before we learn about adam smith and carl marx, before we learn about WWI and WWII, before we really learn much about politics and ideals and learn much in the way of dying for a cause...
Anyways, that's my thing for the day, creepy how scared we get... I doubt it's fear this time, I can't figure why you'd arrest a 9 year old, seems crazy.... but hey, they know best... and if I don't shut my hole, I might be joining him when I go down to Mexico in december :( couldn't have that, so I'll try and keep quiet..
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| Alright, so we are back to the lovely topic of global warming, a few interesting facts/theories/events have been brought to my attention so alas I had to say something.
First off, we need some events happening. We have the UN councel saying that temperatures will rise between and 5 degrees (alas I'm horrible and forget the time period) simply put, if it raises 2 degrees, we lose almost all the bread baskets of the world, they become deserts. We are already supporting an amazing amount of people in the world, our food production is already pulling out miracles to feed the populous... Now most of the world has brought their child birth rates down enough to stop growth, but, it'll take decades before it makes a difference because we need to have the death rate balance it too (maybe that's why we are having wars? population control?). So I am butchering this, but bear with me. Basically, our population will still grow for another... 50 years. Which is dangerous because we don't really have any places to get food for this increase (unless we take out the meat section of our diets and replace it with grains... cows take too much land). If global warming is true, and the temperature does increase even 2 degrees, we lose something like 40% of food production. Water levels rise, whatever, it takes time and we can adapt, but food loss, you can't obtain production at near the same rates in a desert, we are hooped. So! in response to this forecast the lovely British government decided to update their military, strengthen their defense... Because lucky for them, being and island and all, their food production will still be sustained, along with countries like Canada and Russia and northern France... far northern and southern countries will survive this... The American's midwest is toast. So here we have this military creating policies and preparing for a theory that many believe isn't even true. It's gotta be at least a little credible if a government is actually taking military steps because of it.
Now, on to the great part, why Canada doesn't have to worry... Well as most know, we are cold, (or so they say, I don't even see four months of winter) if global warming hits, our farmland should be okay (it might be growing tropical fruit or something of that nature, but producing a lot none the less) and even better, the tundra would be at a place where we could develop it for farmland (would take some work as right now we just kind of sink into it when it's warm, but it's doable). Wonderful don't you think? Canada will increase food production if the world raises two degrees. Now our only problem is that those greedy yankies won't just want our oil and power and lumber, they'll want the whole bloody country. So maybe we should join the mother land, maybe we need some serious military updating, we have the training, just not the big guns...
So next time you see a protester in Canada saying that global warming is going to kill us all, just remind him, Canada will be fine, in fact we'll be even better off. And considering that protester is probably one of the hippie apple pickers from the Okanogan, just remind him that he'll also have a job all year round so he won't have to protest, he can just smoke dope and pick apples. 'Course he probably won't know what you are talking about, much like those protesters who demand that Canada meets Kyoto. On a tangent for a second... Vancouver got labeled the protest capital of Canada... their response? They protested this label... Now do you understand why I don't respect protesters?
Okay, sarcasm aside, I do think global warming is an issue and we should do something about it, I won't pick up a sign because most the people with signs look educated but aren't, and that just pisses me off. Not to say I am educated, I just know a few things that poke holes in their arguments (much like I'm sure people know holes in my arguments, hell, even I know holes in them.) So, back on topic, global warming aint so bad, once again, the great north prevails over the evil of this world! Long live Canada, Long live the mother land... Canada and Britain shall not fail! haha.
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