Yesterday this blog turned from protest to some proactive ways we can all make more of what we’ve got. Save some tax. Grow some money. Make the future less scary, more secure. “Today,” I wrote, “resolve to do something positive…”
In response a poster named Jim responded with this:
Garth….dead from the vaccine….that would be positive.
He was not the only one who tried to post a comment asking me to off myself. There were others. A lot, actually. Unpublished, lest my wife strayed into the steerage section, read a few and then locked me in the bathroom for protection.
Also yesterday, in the wake of the trucker convoy and capital honkfest there were others who see the world in absolutes and accused me of selling out. Like Tom Black. Hs words were typical:
Let’s chat about the pandemic cash you received for playing your part in the promotion of the vaccine. That’s what we all want to hear about. Time for you to come clean, man up bearded one.
Of course, ad hominem arguments are the weakest. They stand in the place of logic and fact. Instead of attacking debate points, you attack the debater. It’s way easier. And personal attacks can be quick and vicious little shivs into a person’s soul. They don’t require much intellect, research or logic. So convenient.
Well, everyone is tired of Covid. Most of us long for its end, but have decided to get there by being vaxed, masked and compliant. This is 90% of Canadians. Some are afraid of vaccines and beaten down by the price they’ve paid for that fear, including vaxpasses and mandates. This is the remaining 10%. Some of the minority, in trucks, stormed Ottawa to demand public health measures be erased for their benefit. It’s a form of anarchy. Like ad hominem, it takes less skill. Just balls. Bullying. And air horns.
In doing this these folks absconded with our flag and the mantle of patriotism, seeking to persuade others the issue is about freedoms being erased. After two years of restrictions, lockdowns, quarantines and rules we all know the score. Most people complied. They did it to reduce deaths, protect others and ensure health care wasn’t overwhelmed by virus. That way the woman with breast cancer or the guy needing a new hip would not shunted aside.
The virus mutated, twisted, evaded and wormed its way everywhere, however. Too many died. Thirty-three thousand. The doctors and nurses, paramedics and caregivers were crushed anyway. That didn’t mean vaxing and complying failed. It meant the fight was harder and longer. And now we see an end to the war, just as the deserters drive to Ottawa and wave a white flag.
Ever since scientists with smarts came up with a vaccine, this blog has said it was the only door out of pandemic. For most of two years in this space I have battled the anti-vaxers, saying their fear and selfishness would only prolong the conflict with the pathogen. The numbers prove it. Serious outcomes and deaths have been much more prevalent among the unvaxed. Vaccines can’t wholly prevent infection, apparently, but they sure save lives and keep the system from blowing up.
So, no. Pfizer or Justin did not pay me to write anything. Nor is government the enemy. The vast majority of people, elected or not, have tried hard for two years to get through the first pandemic in a century. With nine of ten agreeing to be inoculated for their own and the common good, Canada is a beacon in the world. Makes me proud of my country. The people on the sidewalk voluntarily in masks. The brave retail clerks serving others in a viral storm. The exhausted people in scrubs and gloves, wheeling IVs and vents. Soldiers caring for elders in group homes. The teachers. The cops. The people struggling to make good decisions.
These are the patriots. Do not be deceived or falter. I shall not.
329 comments ↓
Garth, I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; this website, and your own sanity, would stand to benefit from ending the comment section. Very little of value is ever posted down here. Most of us come to read the blog, and steer clear of the comments.
Well….
You should read some comments from Europe saying Canadians can no longer say they are better than Americans and all that…
I hate you’ve been attacked but:
* Remember when 2 years ago someone recommended you shut down comments.
You said no, but eventually deleted all the antivaxxer garbage.
* Remember how many time people told you to stop publishing the [email protected] from that turner conspiracy theorist?
Well, the Ottawa plebfest lives off that kind of garbage.
Too bad when they cannot make a sensible or reasoned discussion some posters turn to threats.
On the other hand insiders tell me TD increasing rates tomorrow. First time in my 30 plus years of buying and selling I changed my VR to 5 year fixed…no regrets
Well said, as usual My Liege.
UK Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition makes one heck of a speech – politics their own business…
It’s the part about SACRIFICE that got to me – timely with what you wrote about today, WORTH a WATCH (starts at 1:00 min. +3.3M views):
https://twitter.com/lionelbarber/status/1488187564800499715
vox populi vox Dei
It’s not nice when people do things like that, but I got similar kinds of verbal attacks for being vaccine hesitant.
It seems to me both sides need to take a step back.
Thank you for all you do Garth and great that you have broad shoulders and a good set of balls!
That a boy, Garth. Well said on many levels.
Well, I agree with you, Garth.
The simplest thing: get the vax and wear a mask (for now), and the country/world gets back to business. The mental gymnastics to take away any other message from this is just mind boggling.
It seems lately, common sense has left the building.
“Also yesterday, in the wake of the trucker convoy and capital honkfest there were others who see the world in ab-”
“HONK! HONK HONK HONK HONK!HONK! HONK HONK HONK HONK!HONK! HONK HONK HONK HONK!HONK! HONK HONK HONK HONK!HONK! HONK HONK HONK HONK!”
Despite vox populi vox Dei…
Trudeau gets an “You can’t win for losing” earful today after his speech about Truckers.
India quid pro quo (revenge) with Trudeau:
https://twitter.com/stephen_taylor/status/1488537255983697927
Mad Max:
https://twitter.com/MaximeBernier/status/1488502057824931840
[2019 Press Gallery Dinner – Trudeau humor taken out of context – I wonder if he wasn’t serious after all?]
https://youtu.be/HYxxGTvQo-A?t=553
And Christian News Satire “Babylon Bee”, less kind yet than India or Mad Max, irreverent and satirical as ever, “Fake news you can trust.“:
Trudeau Tests Positive For Fascism
https://babylonbee.com/news/trudeau-tests-positive-for-fascism
Other MUST READS from them today:
– Groundhog Refuses To Emerge To See Shadow Until Rogan Banned
– Biden Promises To Replace Retiring Quarterback Tom Brady With A Woman Of Color
AND last, but NOT LEAST…
Trudeau Dons Blackface To Escape Capital Undetected
https://babylonbee.com/news/trudeau-dons-blackface-to-escape-capital-undetected
Well said. A standing ovation from me.
Man, people are undefeated when it comes to being disappointing. Thanks for continuing to write, Garth. Love, Dearest Divv
Speaking of ad hominem, would the opposite be subtract hominem?
Hope the blog is full of subtract hominems today!
I know one person who is more brave and patriotic than our dear Photo-op Minister: the bearded one running this blog sticks his neck out here daily, while JT plays PS5 in “isolation”. Go Garth Go! You are a real man.
Rock on Garth, rock on!
Many, MANY of the beloved 90% were coerced into vaccination. This was never so one sided.
600 billion and we never improved our fragile healthcare system. While 0% vaccinated didn’t bring hospitals to a halt, 10% can. What a waste of money.
Cancelling/censoring any dr or scientist speaking against measures doesn’t feel like someone promoting truth.
My goodness CBC actually said the Russians are the ones who organized the truckers. Does anyone actually believe that?!
I had a guy that worked for me. He owned a rig. I paid him 8 to 9 k a month. Guess what ? After his display this weak, he no longer works for me.
33 thousand in a population of 38 million with the average age of around 82 years old the (thus half older and half younger). Note the average life expectancy in 2019 was 83.
The original 2 week lock down was being toted with numbers like 1 in 20 falling to the virus… if this was even close we would have be arguing about where to burry the body’s not if we should wear masks. (my 2 cents)
The vax has been in play for a year, nearly 90 percent of the population has obliged… time to “shift gears” and end the lock down in my opinion.
Garth, thank you for all that you do!! :)
Ahh the blame game. A favorite of those who like to project their life’s perceived failures on someone else (called being way too insecure – THAT must suck). Narcissistic wannabees who think they are superior to others. There are a few in the steerage section, that’s for sure.
Newsflash a$$holes: You are flesh and blood just like everyone else. And you’ll die. Just like everybody else. Except you’ll be alone…and probably under sexxed.(that’s gotta suck, too)
Og
DELETED
War on Small Business, 2022 – we have a LONG list of NEW rules for eating within 4 walls with a roof. Including several medical procedures – fact.
You cannot just go in and sit down, order and eat. Noooo my friend. Those days are over.
If people eat indoors god only knows what might happen (The jabs were supposed to bring us normalcy!!??)
https://www.blogto.com/eat_drink/2022/02/rules-indoor-dining-restaurants-ontario/
— Everyone is on board with this. The stragglers have been punted. The globalists are doubling down on Kanada. We shall be punished for our recent protests I am sure.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/josh-guenter-mla-borderlands-covid-19-vaccine-mandate-trucker-convoy-1.6334431
Tory MLA pulled from role for not supporting COVID-19 vaccine mandates – Josh Guenter, the MLA for Borderland in southern Manitoba, went to a trucker protest at the Manitoba-U.S. border on Highway 75…
—
— …Which is why this stuff is, still going on. Normal!
https://insiderpaper.com/tonga-to-impose-nationwide-lockdown-two-port-workers-positive-covid/
Tsunami-hit Tonga will go into a nationwide lockdown on Wednesday after two port workers tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday in the South Pacific island nation.
Tongan Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni told a press conference on Tuesday evening that Tonga will begin a nationwide lockdown at 6 p.m. local time (0500 GMT) on Wednesday …Meanwhile, at least 96%, or 73,938 of Tonga’s eligible population, have received their first vaccine dose.
Mr. Turner,
You too are a patriot and Canada is lucky to have you. Thank you again for not just talking us all off the ledge when the markets get wild, but playing your part in encouraging our political discourse is civil and constructive. I don’t know how much it ripples out and changes thing positively, but I’m sure it must help.
Patriots indeed! When the chips fall, look for the people helping out and staying the course.. Those are the heroes.
When O’Toole is mopped up, the start of a search for a progressive should start.. Dorothy let you put your hat in the ring again?
#119 Sail Away on 02.01.22 at 4:11 pm
Fox News:
Bias: Right (duh)
Factual Reporting: Mixed
Credibility: Medium
I’m detecting a pattern.
Thanks again, Garth.
You are a real trooper, very wise and incredibly responsible.
Sorry that certain frustrated peeps chose to vent their angst on you. If those who left such lamentable views had even half your brain, the world would be a better place.
I don’t, but I’m at least aware of my limitations and try to follow the wisdom of kind, respectful souls such as yourself who provide generous guidance. You are a true beacon for some of us “sheep” and we thank you for it like loyal dogs ;-)
The real soldiers and HERO’s of this war against covid are the one’s who got vaxed to prevent the spread.
Those who refuses are spineless COWARDS!!
Well said, Garth!
All I can say is sorry Garth. Sorry that people cannot handle differing opinions without spewing hate and conspiracy theories. You don’t deserve that.
What’s more tenable people…that everyone is bought and sold, or that every single person is unique and therefore has differing opinions and values? Just because someone has a different opinion than you, doesn’t mean you should wish them death and harm. That shows all I need to know about these “freedom fighters” and how selfish and cruel they really are.
I’m with you, Garth. I’ll never be swayed. Neither will anyone I know. I got together with family this past weekend. Not a single person agreed with what is going on in Ottawa. Not one. And we’re not government shills. We’re regular blue collar people. If our opinions make you wish harm on us, you need to get help. Seriously.
Thank you once again Garth.
Must be exhausting putting up with such comments…I commend you and Dorothy for protecting you!
Please don’t let a few rude and nonsensical comments bring you down…the vast majority in this blog love you and appreciate your work.
Thank you again Garth!
“But, why do I have to get vaccinated if I can still get COVID while vaxxed?”
Because you are far less likely to get gravely ill or die.
And, from a public health standpoint, you are are far less likely to share the virus. Maybe more importantly, the virus has a much smaller chance of mutating. The fewer mutations, the faster the pandemic ends or COVID reaches endimicity.
You seem to assume that only the Unvaccinated are against the mandates! You can’t be further from the truth, most Vaccinated my age only did because they were forced to be able to work or take their kids to extra curriculars, I fall in the later. We’re at what 90% Vaccinated is getting to 95% going to make any difference? The vaccine doesn’t prevent spread it never did. Sick of the lies, end the mandates. If the media stopped talking about Covid no one would even know it existed.
(Long Time Lurker)
Its a shame you have to put up with the comments section.
Thank you for your blog and dedication.
https://www.gocomics.com/pearlsbeforeswine/2022/01/30
Some of the unvaxed can not be due to on going medical conditions. Please don’t forget them.
My spouse works in healthcare, frontlines important role. Vaxed and boosted. Mid Nov. in our province covid patients were no longer centralized. First patient landing on the floor my spouse spends most of their time, triggered a wave of infections. From patients to RNs. By Dec, testing scaled back as did contact tracing.
We know as covid came to our home end Dec., 12-16 hr days and understaffed at all times will do that. Spouse waited 4 days to be tested, came back positive and was then told to report back to the hospital. 5 days after initial symptoms and you’re good to go.
Me, non vaxed due to genetic issues, suffered 3 days of a bad cold.
Has the system been improved, no. Have we learned anything, no.
Have we seen human nature at its rawest, yes.
Fear does do that, sad.
BC_DD
Garth,
I’m with you.
Seeing what’s going one in my home countries, Austria and Germany and the rest of Europe.
I’m very proud of being a Canadian.
Almost a million dead from COVID in the States.
Over 30k in Canada.
Those numbers speak for themselves.
No debate needed.
Bravo!
Honestly, I am all for peaceful protesting and am pretty open-minded.
But I would feel dirty associating with people waving nazi flags, defacing Terry Fox’s statue and desecrating memorials of our fallen soldiers. Most of you lot occupying our capital are looking increasingly like traitors to this beautiful country. Shame on you.
“Love breaks through in unexpected places”
Thank you Garth&Dorothy!
God Bless!
DavidR
Well said Garth!
Personal anecdote, the Covid ward area at the general here in Ottawa appears to be getting larger (I’ve been watching).
Reading of covid positive people livestreaming from the protests, shouting, unmasked, unvaxxed, and noisy.
Go home truckers, your anger has been noticed, persisting until the people of the city turn against you will not help your cause.
Stay safe.
Jim and Tom,
Presuming neither of you know how to spell D I G N I T Y and R E S P E C T.
You will never denote either.
Funny thing is, the redneck brigade in Ottawa will likely get credit when they decide to drop covid restrictions.
One thing to their credit – if/when the world starts to dissolve into anarchy, these will be the survivors. They at least get off their computers and are willing to go out and fight for what they think is right.
Kilt
The vast majority of people, elected or not, have tried hard for two years to get through the first pandemic in a century. -GT
Sensible readers of this blog realize that Garth has provided a great service (for free) to many people who visit the blog for multiple reasons, not the least of which is finding some fellowship from people in this country and around the world as we all try to work through this crisis.
Pretty sure he has helped keep many sane. There’s a lot of great information here. One can read and try to understand another point of view, respectfully and thoughtfully. We sometimes don’t agree with others, but the end result shouldn’t be anger, mean spiritedness, and the tactics of ‘Jim’ and ‘Tom’. What losers. They remind me of the professional protesters who show up at the personal residences of public officials, or yell and make a scene like the guy who harassed the Mayor of Toronto last summer when he was having a private dinner with his wife.
These people are like attack dogs, but always from the shadows. They wear banderas over their faces so they can’t be identified. Pathetic doesn’t begin to describe them.
Thanks Garth. For all you do and for being inspiring. Thanks also to Jason Kenney and Dr. Deena Hinshaw in my province. (who knows.?.maybe they are blog dogs).
I cannot imagine the stress on both of them these past two years, trying to make the most difficult decisions of their lives with so much at stake and without a playbook or a lifeboat in sight. Relying on advice from experts in their fields, but taking all the blame when something goes offside.
You can like or dislike Jason Kenney, but he works like a dog for this province. I don’t care why he does it, only that he does. I for one am grateful.
Amen.
Do not be deceived or falter. I shall not.
I stand along with you
The People Are Revolting!
Every day I see comments online in various places showing how bitter and frankly horrible some people are. How they blame their situation on others rather than working to improve their situation. Hopefully they are a minor lunatic fringe and not the “majority of ordinary Canadians” that they and their two buddies think they are as they foam at the mouth about Trudeau, the United Nations, the media, banks, the Laurentian Elite, Vaccines or whatever.
No one, least of all Garth on his own highly useful and addictive blog deserves their vitriol. Freedom of speech has its limits – like all freedoms as has been mentioned.
I feel sorry for them.
after reading the first couple paragraphs i could almost hear, in the voice of, one of my newfie buddies saying ‘..bye the world is some full of idiots ain’t she’. Your a strong man Mr. Turner, thankful for your resolve, and the kickass advice to boot
Yesterdays blog post was a source of sound and timely financial advice which I shared with my family. Thank you for publishing it free of charge. Suggest you consider charging a subscription fee (say $5 per month) to join your community. And have all posters identify themselves by the name on their credit card. That should clean up the steerage section. I would gladly pay for the advice you and your partners share.
Mr. Turner:
I am appalled and deeply sorry for you that individuals trying to post on your blog would wish you any harm. I would also wish to state that any mention of you obtaining any personal gain from promoting Covid-19 vaccinations is beyond belief. As most rational people, you are following and advocating the science and the science is real. The vast majority of us that follow your blog know that you are above reproach. That some would attack your integrity is farcical. I would suggest to those mean spirited individuals that they refrain from their unsolicited and hateful comments. I would hope that you ban them.
This past couple of years has been a real study in human nature. I’ve revised my opinion of several family members and friends and have changed my behaviour accordingly. If these people aren’t willing to do very basic things to protect the people they supposedly love, things that have been widely accepted in society for many decades as common sense and easy to do to contribute to community health, how can I trust them with more difficult decisions and considerations in our relationships?
I don’t know why some people feel that they can behave as louts and without any common decency at this point. And I don’t care to “understand” them or try and excuse them. I can, however, refuse to support their businesses, go to their events, contribute to their interests, or even take their calls. My contact list is being systematically culled and I no longer have any social media accounts, and I’m finding that my life is becoming much richer and happier as a result.
I am also volunteering for organizations and participating in groups that actually enrich people’s lives, as I have much of my life. You know, the kind of things that a mature adult does.
A group of unsupervised toddlers would have behaved better than the so-called adults in Ottawa this past week.
Turn off the comments section Garth. It’s not worth your time.
Thank you for all of your work educating the public on personal finance!
I got two vaccines and didn’t get sick OR pass anything on to the rabble who remain unvaxxed as they pass it back and forth.
The internet has become a cesspool of falsehoods and paranoid , screeching idiots on electronic soap boxes.
The same people that protest the sky isn’t “up” just for the sake of arguing.
A pox on them all …..and they will hopefully decline a vaccine
Online trolls are the worst humans on the planet. This is the one thing I just hate about social media. Unfortunately, there’s a group of people who have nothing better to do than hate, bully, are rude and disrespectful. They hate rules, the rule of law and government. I’m sure if they came face to face with you, Garth, they wouldn’t have half the balls to say it to your face.
Rates up tomorrow….
Lots of love Garth, please don’t let the steerage section get to you.
Love the vax (thanks Trump, have two myself), but I’ve got to wonder with a 90% vax rate, why there hasn’t been more focus on increasing hospital capacity.. If we can’t keep schools and gyms open at 90% vax rate, is another 2-3% going to make a difference?
It’s unbelievable watching packed concerts and stadiums in the US, while up here a triple-vaxxed young person couldn’t visit a gym, even while wearing a mask.
Hear! Hear! (Again.)
A major repercussion from this pandemic is the idiot fringe making stupid juvenile comments to Garth and posting here. I enjoy Garth’s common-sense commentary, and wish politicians had the character that seemed to depart Ottawa when Garth left.
BUT, in reality this is a financial blog. Maybe these anti-vax idiots are the reason this blog should axe the comment section. Getting too big of a distraction from the main focus.
“Do not be deceived or falter. I shall not.”
I also, Stand With You.
Thank you for your voice of reason.
Why is it in the vaxxed non-vaxxed debate, the vaxxed seem to be the ones who have followed all the rules for two years and the other ones are doing whatever?
If people followed the health recommandations to stay away from other people, all the time, the virus would not pass from one person to the next, POINT!
Enough with the finger pointing of who is more responsable or irresponsable, stop getting the virus from people and stop passing it forward. That should be easy; no “it is more contagious”, just stay away from people and this pandemic will pass.
Yes Garth, of course I …uh….did not …uh…uh…pay you anything.
Just don’t…uh….forget….to bring Dorothy and your…uh…free tickets…to the Aga…uh…Khan’s…island…with me this month.
(Hey Garth, I’m jokin’, LOL!)
Who benefits from blockades at Coutts, AB? Not truckers. They need martyrs ASAP.
Excellent blog today Mr. Turner your words “attack the
debate points NOT THE DEBATOR”. Mocking our elected people is not respectable. Your last paragraph is
THE BEST also your words “THESE ARE THE PATRIOTS”.
Canadians do not need a code of conduct it is part of our
DNA.
Lot’s of pressure in society, a shift away from a property owning middle class.
Lot’s of division in society, group identity over individual identity being encouraged.
it’s a really bad idea to have such a high and growing wealth inequalities in society, even if society overall is getting wealthier.
The stakes are getting higher, we are moving towards a winner take all society.
Increase tensions, increase in identification with “my group” and “my side” create further divisions in society.
When there is less and less water in the trough the horse’s begin to look at each other in a different light.
“political polarization and the rise of leaders who are happy to undermine democratic norms and institutions are a consequence of “public distrust” and “the failure of governments to deliver equitable and sustainable economic and political progress” throughout the world’s democracies.” – Terry Glavin
Frankly Garth, I’m surprised you haven’t thrown in the towel given the attacks directed in your direction which seem to only be increasing every day. I can only offer you words penned by one of my favourite writers:
“Let us be thankful for the fools. But for them the rest of us could not succeed. ”
I got two vaccines, then caught Covid and soundly defeated it.
Maybe the vax is like oysters since last week I ate a dozen but only four of them worked.
100% Garth.
Just because a group makes a lot of noise does not mean that they are right.
#32 Mudguy
This has been a very deliberate and purposeful conflation in media for the last year, even Garth repeated it several times, because ad hominem is just so much easier I guess.
CSA has free courses for Ontarians available.
https://promo.csagroup.org/Training-for-Ontarians
Just completed Medical Gas myself, and the respirator slide in the administration to patients section was most pertinent last night while hearing horns.
Reminder to those who use the ‘vaccine doesnt work’ response without the slightest bit of research.
Omicron has too many mutations for the antibody profile of the normal vaccines (Omicron vaccine is undergoing testing) but the boosters STILL provide T-cell response so you are less likely to get VERY ill or hospitalized. Stop getting your health information from talk shows.
Garth,
For every @**hole that disses you…There are at least 100 cheering you on! Do not be discouraged. I would recommend this, Make a post on Friday and then turn off the comments until say Monday noon. Then kick back, enjoy a weekend by training that new pup of yours or go have a date night with Dorothy. Life is too short Amigo…
Mr Happy
“The exhausted people in scrubs and gloves, wheeling IVs and vents.”
They are far from exhausted, as any ER patient or other type of patient knows. Especially in the past two years. You see them stroll around in the hospital taking their sweet time while you writhe. Come on, they are relaxed and have time to make Tik Tok videos. They are not busy and even when they should be (when the ER is clogged with patients), nurses and docs come FIRST. They treat themselves as their number one, always and forever. The patient is a distant second. For if the patient came first, the “wait times” issue would have and could have been solved decades ago.
If the private sector had an issue as easy as “wait times” to solve and it took them 3 decades to try to find a fix with still no resolution in place, they would be bankrupt. But not our publicly funded healthcare sector. They have waste baked into their system and their unionized selves like that just fine.
Take off the rose coloured glasses and be real. They talk to patients like a JK teacher speaks to her misbehaving students.
Garth – The individuals making personal attacks are not worth your time.
However – One cannot throw 10 % of the population under the bus and not expect some pushback.
Ungrateful people should not stop this blog from existing. Yes, the truckers make the case for freedom weaker, by making Liberals look better. This blog speaks for legal, reasonable ways to fight back.
I think a lot of Canada’s problem is that average Canadians have lost faith in the Federal election process. Particularly from Manitoba West. The latest results show how far from ” one person , one vote ” Canada has become. No system is 100 % democratic, but Canada seems to be especially bad.
People of many stripes give up on working within the system .
Agree or disagree, the sentiment behind the movement cannot be dismissed as fringe view after approaching donations of nearly $10M in less than a week. That’s a lot of grass-roots support.
Citizens had every right to participate and every right to protest.
Just don’t block my highway, although, unfortunately, Tesla’s ‘protester’ mode only works in Florida and Oklahoma.
Let’s see where the cash goes. To the separatist Maverick Party (Tamara Lich) or good causes. We can only hope. – Garth
It has always and will always be easier to fool somebody, than to convince them they have been fooled.
Humans are like that. And most will think it is true of others, of course. They themselves are immune to confirmation bias.
Grew up in apartheid era South Africa, endured teargas, bird-shot, baton charges, sjamboks, rubber bullets and detention without trial for weeks on end for speaking out, I have some first hand knowledge of tyranny at play.
It is enabled by a standard playbook of puppet media stoking fear and cheering on the economic and social jackboots, stifling discussion and dialogue and sowing division, to promote, as every tyrant or oppressive regime in history has done, the “greater good”.
Mandela and friends tried to talk for years. They were rebuffed, scorned, marginalized, branded as fringe extremists and ungrateful for the society they lived in.
Then in desperation, resorted to blowing up infrastructure to make their voices heard.
Nova Scotia’ s $10000 fines for supporting a protest? Just how petrified are those officials of criticism?
Whatever the issue. without dissent, real discussion and strong disagreement, the pendulum will swing too far one way and amplify all mistakes.
It would seem a lot wiser for our absent leadership to get off their high horse and pay attention.
> Most of us long for its end, but have decided to get there by being vaxed, masked and compliant.
How’s that working for you?
Garth, many of the protestors and their supporters are part of the 90% vaccinated crowd. These people are anti-mandate, not anti-vaxx. I have no idea why this is so hard for you to understand. Also, it should be fairly apparent that vaccinating the remaining 10% would only improve the hospital numbers marginally. BTW, I’m triple vaxxed if that matters
If inoculation for Covid were universal the blunt instrument of mandates would be unnecessary. – Garth
I’m not familiar with The Parlament Hill area.
But I think no vehicles should be allowed to park within a certain parameter.
Just simple security common sense security measure.
If these truckers are too close, have an emergency counsel meeting and pass the appropriate bylaws and then deal with them in a lawful way.
Apparently, the Go Fund me fund has been suspended.
Now they can pay out of their own pockets for any parking violations.
See how long they last.
re #68: One cannot throw 10% of the population under the bus
Who threw them under the bus? Did they not make their own choices to remain unvaccinated?
I’ve been reading this blog all along and we waited till Nov to get vaxed. We weren’t interested in doing so but has been proven to be effective, but also irritating that’s it wasn’t a bug killer straight up.
2 years of Gov filp flop has also been tiring.
I have a niece that was working as an X-ray tech and also blood work clinic in Seattle. She seen it all and we heard the stories…there is no question that you should bloody go get it done even if your not 100% aboard.
#71 Sail Away on 02.01.22 at 5:44 pm
Agree or disagree, the sentiment behind the movement cannot be dismissed as fringe view after approaching donations of nearly $10M in less than a week. That’s a lot of grass-roots support.
“Let’s see where the cash goes. To the separatist Maverick Party (Tamara Lich) or good causes. We can only hope. – Garth”
——–
Of course good causes would be best. But that’s tomorrow’s issue.
Today, the enormous response shows strong, strong support for the convoy-ers actions. This is important to recognize.
Most people have no idea what they’re really donating to. So many clever politicians have made money by pitting ‘us’ against ‘them’. – Garth
Garth – Thank you for your broad shoulders. Living in Alberta makes me feel like there are more of them than us, but you give hope.
Plus, I am forever in your debt for all of your awesome advice, which has made way better off financially than I would have been.
hey Garth–
if we all take this vaccine will it all be okay, man beats the the little bug?
you dont know, of course, and neither do the scientists
is my post considered ‘selfish’, or ‘ insensitive’, lol. Your nonsense is getting old . Give Denmark and England a call– opening up, sorry. And yeah people will die…they do every day..that’s life.
One of the more irksome things is to be told that to support vaccine mandates or mask requirements is “an insult to those who fought for our freedoms.” This is such an abandonment of logic it’s not even funny. Let’s leave aside the fact that no Canadian ever died in a war so you wouldn’t have to put a mask on when entering a Safeway or get a little poke in the arm to keep your job. That has ZERO to do with any freedoms they might have been fighting for. The main problem with that argument is that it totally misconstrues what even happens in a war. Many of those men were conscripts. Some volunteered. The rest were voluntold. Forced labour or worse was in store if they refused. The only reason we won those wars is because millions of young men did what they were told, whether they believed in it or not. They followed orders even if it meant certain death. In other words, the very opposite of resisting government orders.
Twice, I’ve had half-wits respond with some version of “Well maybe we wouldn’t have had those wars if all those young men had resisted their government instead of mindlessly following orders.” Seemingly unaware that just seconds earlier they were making the exact opposite argument when feigning reverance for those same men because they “fought for our freedoms”. That’s what they call cognitive dissonance I guess. War heroes can be instantly demoted to mindless sheep, in the same argument. But I’m the one who’s insulting vets dead and alive because I support vaccine mandates. You can ascribe many faults to the “muh freedoms” crowd; being overly concerned with logical consistency isn’t one of them.
Agree or disagree, the sentiment behind the movement cannot be dismissed as fringe view after approaching donations of nearly $10M in less than a week. That’s a lot of grass-roots support.
Citizens had every right to participate and every right to protest
……..
u betcha. The self-righteous can kiss my butt.
So saddened to hear you have to read comments like that. Thank you for showing all of us there are reasons to believe in people, and the future!
Your comment section illustrates why Conservatives will never form government in this country for at least another 20 years. There are smart, decent, reasonable ones like you, but the public face of the movement has become juvenile, anti-social, and comical/pitiable to the majority of well-adjusted Canadians.
“Garth….dead from the vaccine….that would be positive.”
Jim is an ass.
That said, let the truckers honk their horns. They can have the freedom to be unvaxxed with all the inherent risks, it is very little sweat off my back. It is the deal they want; so let them have it. End the public mandates. (Private mandates are another matter.)
The fact of the matter is there will always be the non-cooperative. There is a reason Canada never had the draft, yet we still fought the wars. We must remember that 50% of the population is below average IQ. And 50% of that population (so 25% in total) is below 90. It is a waste of time to try and force enlightenment on them. They won’t get anything right. They are capable of scoring a zero on a multiple choice test. But force is not the answer when it comes to things like vaccines.
(There is a difference between deterrent laws (thou shalt not) and mandates (thou shalt), so don’t use the drunk driving example on me! It won’t work.)
(Disclaimer: I and my whole family is vaxxed. I wear my mask and appreciate when others do too if for no other reason than that most people look better that way.)
Your
vox populi vox Dei
Blog today Garth was…a hit with us Plebeians.
So GOOD to read the Comments today.
Brought a smile to my face.
Thank you for that Garth and fellow Plebs.
The haters and trucker convoys will be my petri dish.
Bless you all. You make me more powerful.
This whole, “We need to listen to both sides” or “Both sides are equally to blame” narrative is just ridiculous. That would be true if both sides were fairly equal on the sanity scale.
It would be like requiring a reporter interviewing NASA about a rocket launch to also interview a flat Earther so that “both sides are can be heard”.
It’s totally unacceptable that you received those threats Garth, just as it’s totally unacceptable to deface public monuments. The folks doing this sort of thing need to get a grip, and a good dose of perspective. There are lots of poor arguments out there. Just because vaxxed people can get and spread COVID, doesn’t mean that it doesn’t help prevent the spread – it prevents infection for some people. And just because a small number of vaxxed folks succumb to hospitalization or death doesn’t mean the vaxx isn’t highly successful in preventing hospitalization and death.
I do agree though that the lockdowns need to end. By all means let’s continue to encourage vaccination, mask use, etc. And let’s put a priority on protecting the most vulnerable. But at the end of the day, the data available to-date seems pretty clear that the risk of severe outcomes for most age cohorts is very low, especially when vaxxed. We can’t all live in bubbles forever – we’ll all end up going crazy, and the government just can’t afford it.
#71 Sail Away on 02.01.22 at 5:44 pm
Agree or disagree, the sentiment behind the movement cannot be dismissed as fringe view after approaching donations of nearly $10M in less than a week. That’s a lot of grass-roots support.
*****
Well, to be fair, at the rate of the Bank of Canada is keeping inflation low and stable, $10M will have a couple hundred bucks worth of spending power before you know it.
#78 Sail Away on 02.01.22 at 5:56 pm
Today, the enormous response shows strong, strong support for the convoy-ers actions. This is important to recognize.
“Most people have no idea what they’re really donating to. So many clever politicians have made money by pitting ‘us’ against ‘them’. – Garth”
——-
Perhaps. But that makes it even more interesting, since 90% of the ‘news’ reported about the convoy in this country is negative. Why have donations maintained pace, and even picked up steam with negative reporting?
The donaters are saying something. Worth listening to decipher what it is.
Meh – I find people as a whole pretty boring – at least these people got fired up about something they believe in – most people in this country are about as apathetic as you can get – if people woke up and realized just how short life is, maybe, just maybe they would get off their boring butts and get fired up and passionate about something themselves – you live once don’t be boring
Garth, it is futile to try to convince certain segments of the population to take the vaccine and accept vaccine mandates. Raising the issue of patriotism is not going to do it. Two different groups in my own extended family have refused it. My grown daughter (who earns a good living) is as new-agey as they come; absolutely no drinks or pot ever, grows her own organic vegetables in a co-op of like-minded, and would never put any vaccine in her body (gets this from my ex). Nothing to do with patriotism she tells me, as it is her body and her choice. Some inlaws of mine in the oil-field are the typical anti-T2 types, and completely distrustful of Gov’t decrees; want nothing to do with the Gov’t.
Now that omicron has crested, the Gov’t better have some clear plans on slowly undoing the controls over the next month to six weeks. Keeping in place plans to protect the most vulnerable (in LT care), but undoing the regulations for most of us. If they are slow to act, there will be more protests and from an increasingly larger segment of the population. Denmark and the UK have already relaxed all their COVID rules, with Denmark keeping in place that travellers to that country should be double-vaxed. Very reasonable conditions. Perhaps scrap the molecular tests at the border soon for Canada. What is the point of these expensive tests at this stage?
“The call comes after U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnston told the House of Commons on Wednesday that pre-departure tests for people travelling to England would no longer be required, arguing that existing travel restrictions meant to contain the spread of the virus are now meaningless due to the prevalence of the Omicron variant.”
If some more ethal variant emerges from some other country, then of course we would need to put more stringent border controls and other measures back in place.
There are no mandates forcing people to get vaccinated. None. Everybody is free to choose. Do their own cost benefit analysis and choose accordingly.
Thank you for the positivity, Garth. Shoulders back…moving forward.
Now, could you please give the Comments section the Truth on the utter shambles that is Canadian conservatism?
Hmmm…. Please?!
I find anti vaxxers to be scientifically dumb. Perhaps illiteracy and innumeracy is to blame:
https://www.cbc.ca/radio/costofliving/let-s-get-digital-from-bitcoin-to-stocktok-plus-what-low-literacy-means-for-canada-s-economy-1.5873703/nearly-half-of-adult-canadians-struggle-with-literacy-and-that-s-bad-for-the-economy-1.5873757
Many of us struggle with trying to decipher the message. It’s not the lack of tools so much as it is, the lack of resources. It’s not that we aren’t smart enough to get it, it’s that we are not “trained” enough.
But back to the point, anti vaxxers I find, at least empirically and anecdotally, are scientifically dumb.
Take for an example what you said Garth, about vaccines being the only door out through this pandemic. That’s true to a point. We can also strengthen our immune systems through better diet, supplements, more rest, less stress, more exercise etc. , there’s plenty we can do on our own to stay healthy outside of a jab. Data reflects this well, Covid has a long 2 year history of going after weak immune systems. (Comorbidity, obesity, malnutrition etc.)
When I tell antivaxxers this, they agree quickly (confirmation bias right?) but when I question them as to how to be immune healthy, what foods or supplements to take, they don’t know. They are quick to agree to anything other than a vaccine, but the large majority don’t know the science behind how to keep immune systems healthy or something as simple as why one should both to wear an N-95 mask.
Like I said, scientifically dumb.
We can wear masks and be smart about airborne transmission, there are other ways to remain healthy through Covid but this also takes some basic level or degree of science. Hence, anti vaxxer is also an anti masker seeking confirmation bias from others like themselves or politicians exploiting illiteracy (or part of it) and media fringe to support their views… or basic lack of science.
But lets empathize for it’s not easy being dumb. Ask a Liberal who’s economically dumb or a Conservative who’s socially dumb, there’s an evolution to it. I mean, rule of thumb for example in modern folk etymology alleges (I can’t say with certainty, not from the 17th century) that alleged rule under English common law permitted wife-beating provided that the implement used was a rod or stick no thicker than a man’s thumb.
This rule has since morphed into “if you can measure it with your thumb”… what I’m trying to say is, it’s not easy being dumb. Growing up in dumb environments… therefore, we should express empathy for illiterates and the numerically challenged and in good jest, give anti vaxxers a break. :D
The pandemic has exposed a lot of closet case authoritarians… I didn’t realize there were so many.
GO TRUCKERS!!!
Garth – I believe the vast majority who read your blog really appreciate the work you freely provide to the public. They just don’t rant. They’re quiet hardworking folks with families who just want an out – out of financial despair, out of the Covid era, out of the social disruption we’ve had the past couple of years. I for one REALLY appreciate your hard work. I’ve never learned anything from anyone who agreed with me. That’s the beauty of an open society, and if the ranters ever became the majority voice in this country it would mean rule by the “sons of anarchy”. I know some of them – narcissistic, self centered and conspiratorial. No point in talking or convincing because they are too busy reloading their oh so clever comments while moving the goal post one more step further from all logical thought. As Mark Twain commented, “Never argue with an idiot. They will bring you down to their level and beat you with experience.” Every day health care workers are risking their lives, and to see the unvaccinated fill the ICUs and hospitals, cared for by non judgemental doctors and nurses who sadly know this is preventable, while cancer patients are having their surgeries cancelled is just heartbreaking.
OK, got it. You are happy to put our rights aside in the face of a virus safety concern.
Simple question: what is the minimum percentage or quantity of people in Canada who when sick, you feel should override charter freedoms? Be specific. Saying “whenever public health says so” does not cut it in a free society. So 30k have passed from Covid. What if it was 15k, would that be enough? What about 5k? I’m sure you see where I’m going. If you are going to advocate for the loss of our rights – you and the corrupt Ford government – ought to be clear what the threshold is. Then people can decide if they wish to stay in live in a country with that level of authoritarianism.
Let’s hear it.
What rights? – Garth
Thank you TurnerNation for your valuable posts!
Honk. Honk.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VZSnbdo-fuo
Ad hominem attacks on Garth are not welcome!
And the overall tone of agressive yelly-ness combined with a propensity to wave Nazi flags around is not a good look for those trying to make some kind of “point” about freedom. That’s not tone-policing by the way, it’s just holding the mirror up to nature. Read some Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau before posting if that’s your bent!
The politicians mutated, twisted, evaded and wormed their way everywhere!
Once a politician always a politician!
Now your a broker/Banker!
Yes, you should off yourself, and leave the preaching to the Catholic church! (HA HA HA HA…)
#62 Sail Away on 02.01.22 at 5:33 pm
I got two vaccines, then caught Covid and soundly defeated it.
Maybe the vax is like oysters since last week I ate a dozen but only four of them worked.
//////////////
Your wife rated you a 4 out of 10?
Hmmmmm
Gotta wonder who’s got their grubby fingers in those GoFundMe millions… and the millions moving around that aren’t public knowledge
And you wonder why we want to divorce you……
#78 Sail Away on 02.01.22 at 5:56 pm
#71 Sail Away on 02.01.22 at 5:44 pm
Agree or disagree, the sentiment behind the movement cannot be dismissed as fringe view after approaching donations of nearly $10M in less than a week. That’s a lot of grass-roots support.
“Let’s see where the cash goes. To the separatist Maverick Party (Tamara Lich) or good causes. We can only hope. – Garth”
——–
Of course good causes would be best. But that’s tomorrow’s issue.
Today, the enormous response shows strong, strong support for the convoy-ers actions. This is important to recognize.
Most people have no idea what they’re really donating to. So many clever politicians have made money by pitting ‘us’ against ‘them’. – Garth
///////////
So you are saying they is dumb.
They is duped. – Garth
#71 Sail Away on 02.01.22 at 5:44 pm
…donations of nearly $10M in less than a week. That’s a lot of grass-roots support.
“Let’s see where the cash goes. To the separatist Maverick Party (Tamara Lich) or good causes. We can only hope. – Garth”
—
Or, much more likely:
A fool and their money are soon parted
Those 9/11 ‘truthers’ never had to explain anything with sound logical arguments. Just hyperbole and more questions. And people bought their nonsense.
Same with anti vaxxers and the loud-mouths with their soap-boxes screaming all sorts of conspiracy theories. It would be nice if we had a collective ability to ignore the wackos, but it’s hard in the new world of ‘social’ media…
You forgot to mention that the truckers worked just as hard as teachers, cops, soldiers etc. during the pandemic.
You may not have written Trudeau speech, but the fact that you came up with exactly the same points says a lot about you.
Yes, that I represent the majority view. For a reason. – Garth
Imagine what Ottawa would look like if the vaccinated arrived waving flags and tooting horns promoting their choice…. the crowds would stretch all the way to Montreal and Toronto dwarfing the minority 10%. In the end, they will not matter.
@#85 Nonplussed, we most certainly did have the draft. We called it conscription. A draft by any other name.
Tomorrow we bury the Conservative Party of Canada and I will mourn along with you. It’s all Preston Manning’s fault.
“if we all take this vaccine will it all be okay, man beats the the little bug?”
The vast majority of cases and people in hospitals are fully vaccinated, so what do you think?
I got three shots myself but am under no illusion that I will never catch this thing.
Even our “brilliant” PM came to defend his immoral mandate after testing positive after three doses. You just cant make this up!
#46 Basil Exposition on 02.01.22 at 5:09 pm
Suggest you consider charging a subscription fee (say $5 per month) to join your community…
———–
Hey dude, I know you!
Aren’t you the same guy who used to remind the teacher that he hadn’t assigned homework for the class.
Disclaimer: Just kidding
I sometimes wear my mask on the sidewalk because Canadian winds are cold. I mean, I do it for the virus as well.
I am a construction worker in our nation’s capital.
Today my commute was a full two hours longer because of the bridge closures between Gatineau and Ottawa as police of all types control the flow of traffic around the trucker induced gridlock of downtown.
The job site I was delayed getting to is located on a large government campus. We are building fancy new things for the “green-ing” of HVAC systems for all govt-type buildings along this part of the Ottawa River.
Adjacent to our job site is a laboratory. A very large laboratory. So important is this facility that we are only allowed to drill and blast on certain days.
Our construction activities disturb the animals and related science things that happen across the street.
It is a Covid lab.
This battle is not over.
But true patriots fight on.
(Thank you for all of your service, Garth)
Hi Garth,
Normally I do not leave a message. Thank you for your blog. Thank you especially for messages of the last few days. It’s WE not Me we are all in this together. Proudly vaccinated and boostered. Fear of getting a needle is what this protest is all about. Enough already!
All I hear from the anti-mandate, anti-vax crowd is a lot more suspicion and whole less patience. Not something to be proud of.
Imagine if during WWII people rose up against ration books because “the war was taking too long and they wanted more milk.” Embarrassing.
Anyway…there should be a period of relatively economic calm with the inflation until about November of this year.
This post says it all and elegantly.
thank you.
Long time reader, first time commenter.
Lucky to have you as a beacon of reason and valuable perspective in these dark times.
Being abroad for the last 15 years, and absorbing the polarized media and off-the-cuff conversations, it feels like Canada has gone CRAZY!
Keep up your good work. The Greater Fool had changed, or should I say, reminded me, and many others I’m sure, of what being a Patriot is all about.
Got my booster shot today. Don’t mind saying, the person doing it was so smooth with that needle I had to ask if he had actually injected me… those persons those long months ago… enthusiastic… but perhaps less experienced
But it’s all good
On the eve of the Winter Olympics we have this op-ed piece from that bastion of Democracy ….Hong Kong’s newly revamped version of the South China Morning Post.
Where, if the newspapers write anything critical of the mainland communist party and the glorious ” Xi Who Must Be Obeyed”,
The newspapers are closed and the staff arrested.
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3165408/racism-and-winter-olympics-are-just-tip-white-privilege-iceberg?module=opinion&pgtype=homepage
The Winter Olympics are a continuation of Western colonialism, racism, white privilege, etc etc etc ad nauseum.
Which begs a few questions.
Why did Beijing want to host it?
Or
Is this op-ed an excuse for China’s expected performance (unbelievably bad) in the upcoming Winter Olympic events?
Ok so health care workers have the right to work unvaccinated, but not truckers (excluded from restaurants and alone in their rigs)!
And people deserve to lose their livelihood over this, really?
These guys aren’t going anywhere, desperate people do desperate things, I guess entitled Trudeau never learned that lesson yes, well he’s about to…
@#92 Mathew, and 90% of those truckers are vaccinated and still working hard, bringing us the goods we need, and picking up the slack for the other 10%. I am grateful. Go truckers!
#74 Lloyd on 02.01.22 at 5:50 pm
Garth, many of the protestors and their supporters are part of the 90% vaccinated crowd. These people are anti-mandate, not anti-vaxx. I have no idea why this is so hard for you to understand. Also, it should be fairly apparent that vaccinating the remaining 10% would only improve the hospital numbers marginally. BTW, I’m triple vaxxed if that matters
If inoculation for Covid were universal the blunt instrument of mandates would be unnecessary. – Garth
—
That’s completely false and you know it. We have already reached a sufficient level of vaccination to lift all mandates and yet they remain. We are one of the most vaccinated countries in the world and yet here we are, meanwhile England, Ireland, Denmark, etc. have lifted all mandates. I have been a loyal reader of this blog for 7+ years and your posts the past few days have done a great job of dividing your reader base, much the same way Trudeau’s “fringe minority, unacceptable views” comments have divided the entire country. It’s very disheartening to see.
So don’t renew your blog subscription. Oh, wait…. – Garth
I gave a donation to a worthy group of patriots … the shelter ambushed by deserters in Ottawa.
http://www.sghottawa.com/
#92 Penny Henny on 02.01.22 at 6:38 pm
Thank you TurnerNation for your valuable posts!
Honk. Honk.
————————–
Honk if you’re an idiot.
I think they should fine them for illegally paking, and for noise pollution.
Hate those noisey and smelly trucks.
In Europe, they have to drive in the night.
And thanks for this site Garth, and for all that you are doing. I believe the silent majority that visit this sight appreciate your unvarnished no nonsense demeanor. Thank you, thank you, thank you ….
#127 Lloyd
So, you want him to shut up and keep his opinions to himself so your feelings don’t get hurt?
I like the posts where we discuss finance.
But for how long are willing to try the same solutions? You did 1 mask x 3, 1 lockdown x 3 and 1 vaccine x 3?
When do you admit that you need to try something else?
Maybe even welcome some natural immunity?
Maybe you are going after a set of unvaccinated that are already fully immune?
Honestly, you guys had full control of this thing for 2 years straight, and have produced NO results. Time to try something new.
Everyone I know who got it, said it was the sniffles. I’m willing to do the sniffles if it ends this madness. So is my son. We refuse to follow any of these outdated, ineffective rules.
Thankfully, so is most of the world.
Canada will be left behind soon if it doesn’t try something new.
33,720 people did not get the sniffles. Gawd, you are selfish. – Garth
Canada is D.I.E. Diverse Inclusive & Equitable. Thats why I know my fellow patriots are happy that I’m happy. Happiness is Canadian deplorables driving across the country in the middle of winter to keep the effete Ottawa elite up all nite with air horns. Happiness is pissing on our parliaments lawn. Happiness is watching a weather vane masquerading as a leader get the boot. Happiness is watching said useless leader hanging on by his fingernails & destroying the Conservative Party. Happiness is knowing you got what it takes to survive in this harsh land without the government teat, & your enemies don’t.
Anonymous comments are the most cowardly. Forcing them to link to some other platform (Facebook, Apple, Google… something!) would force some kind of accountability.
Hey anti-vaxxers. You are the problem.
I support the vast majority of truckers and other front-line workers who have rolled up their sleeves and gotten the jab, worn their masks, and followed public health guidance for their own health and well-being, that of their families and the greater society.
For the unwelcome law-breaking selfish troublemakers and thugs who persist in trying to make life miserable for those in Ottawa and those trying to cross the border at Coutts I say bring in the bulldozers, tow-trucks, and paddy wagons.
Here is an excellent opinion piece on why these deluded provocateurs should not be ignored or pandered to:
https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/2022/01/31/Where-Convoy-Trying-To-Drive-Canada/
I’m so sorry you had to endure all the abuse Garth. It’s really disturbing what social media has done to polarize our society. Were we always this selfish before and just failed to notice?
Number 121″ GREATFUL IN VICTORIA” WE HAVE THE CHARMED LIFE HERE.
#137 Odif
Struggle brings out the worst, and best, in people.
Moreover, there are certain segments of society for which the vaccine mandate is largely moot. My unvaxed daughter (who is 32) told me on the weekend that it hasn’t changed her lifestyle one iota; she is not the bar hopping/restaurant type (as one would never know for sure if there is MSG etc..etc..), and she doesn’t give a shite about sporting events or concerts. As long as she can go hiking with her dog, play her guitar with her like-minded people in a private setting, and keep her well-paying job, she could easily last it out. There are many people like her. I don’t agree of course, but I accept it.
For our little family, I have used my vaccine card exactly 4 times since September to eat out… once a month… and could easily give all of it a miss…. So if the Gov’t thinks that vaccine mandates are restrictive to all of us, they need to think again.
It’s blowing up at the border here. They must fine or prosecute them to the full extent of the law. Disgusting behaviour.
https://ca.yahoo.com/news/frustration-mounts-blockade-snarling-access-200450153.html
First the rail blockade, now the border blockade. Time to send in the troops.
#131 A J on 02.01.22 at 7:31 pm
#127 Lloyd
So, you want him to shut up and keep his opinions to himself so your feelings don’t get hurt?
—
If you think mandates should remain in place until we reach Covid zero or whatever threshold you feel is reasonable, be my guest, share those opinions. It’s another thing entirely to completely misrepresent a massive group of people. FWIW an Angus Reid poll just released shows that 54% of Canadians want mandates lifted.
We all want them lifted. We all want to be taller and younger. Policies cannot be set through opinion polls without consequences. – Garth
My Brother In Law wants to kill me over a piece of real estate.
People on here want you to kill yourself.
Should I just take a shovel over to where your great grandparents are buried and dig two more graves?
The second one won’t take as long, you’re a little bit shorter than me…
M47BC
Garth , you had me in your corner, you were presenting a well-thought-out column today.. we really need people to be critical thinkers.. look at both sides before making an informed decision on facts presented, in a mature, respectful way..reading through the postings, I see people set in their opinion, right or wrong , it is their right to stand for what they believe in, thinks it’s called DEMOCRACY. Then you post this reply to Chris L…
‘33,720 people did not get the sniffles. Gawd, you are selfish. – Garth’…and poof..you lost all credibiltiy. What did you say in the column about nasty emails?
Those who seek to trivialize the deaths of many so they can go to Walmart without a mask are, in my view, selfish. – Garth
33,720 people did not get the sniffles. Gawd, you are selfish. – Garth
All of those deaths were due to variants that are now extinct in Canada, 99.9% displaced by the nothing-burger known as omicron.
Sorry, but the pro-mandate argument disappeared along with Delta.
Garth – once again I thank you for all you do and for all the crap you put up with. It is very difficult to get the advice and perspective you dole out daily – and you do it for free. Reasonably intelligent people understand that.
Sadly, the old cliché is true “you can’t fix stupid” and there will always be some of those among us – what keeps the penal industry (and all the associated jobs) in business.
The brave are those who are taking the “big risk” of getting vaccinated – the sissies and cowards are…, well we all know who they are.
Maybe your calling wasn’t on “the hill” – you have quite likely helped more people in more ways with what you’re doing now, and isn’t that what really matters?
Yes, that I represent the majority view. For a reason. – Garth
………………………………………………………………
Not really Garth, because if you did, no one would read your column. Ah. The madness of crowds.
Local pet stores selling hamsters in Hong Kong are now allowed to resume business, the government said on Saturday, following an order to close and the culling of thousands of small animals over concerns they could be carrying the coronavirus.
https://www.theepochtimes.com/pet-shops-selling-hamsters-in-hong-kong-to-resume-business-after-governments-mass-cull_4246732.html
The mandates were poor and lazy policy making.
The 600B could’ve been MUCH better spent.
A lot of us vaccinated want the silly mandates to end. Its time. We all know it is.
We have all had enough. Lets open it all up.
Well said.
Makes me proud of my country. The people on the sidewalk voluntarily in masks – Garth
These people don’t make me proud at all, but I do respect their right to wear a mask or two, even outside, even when there is no one around.
I only hope that my respect of their rights will be reciprocated, and they won’t tell me what to wear on my face.
All the drama, and now grumblings in the Conservative Party. Collateral damage or just part of a back fire of some sort.
I get people are tired. We are entitled to say the least, some more than others. The manner in which this demonstration was planned was stupid to say the most. Dumb stupid! Have some respect.
FFS!…we have bigger problems to deal with.
Let’s chat about the price of oil at $90 and the new record prices in gasoline. Gas prices increasing in the US as well. Remember when oil was $140?
Or the UK PM who lied and is now in damage control.
33,720 people did not get the sniffles. Gawd, you are selfish. – Garth
_______________
Expecting everyone to walk around on egg shells to protect you is selfish. Doing things to protect anyone else from something we can not protect you from is foolish.
This measures failed to work – and Omicron is not delta.
Nothing you tried worked. I’m sorry they didn’t. We tried. I can not hole up my 12 year old son from hockey, school, and a social life because some people might get sick (inflated numbers too…they’ve all been revised down in every country by a factor of 7 or higher)
I can live in hole for the rest of my life. But it’s not ok to make that life for my son.
Have some empathy and look at the world through the lens of someone who missed their entire University experience, or a child who never saw smiling faces at school born into a pandemic that doesn’t affect them.
Listen to a child cry because they can not visit their friends, and are in isolation for months from all contact.
Selfishness is NO excuse for what you have done to people who will not, or have not, been affected.
We all feel bad for this tragedy, but we can’t continue like this. It doesn’t work, and it’s harmful for people’s well being – for their sanity – their mental health – their development. Entire milestones have been missed – for what??
You look at this from an older person’s perspective. As a young maverick, YOU WOULD NOT HAVE COMPLIED.
I used to watch you on tv – business channel waaaaaay back when I was a kid. Your tone, logic, whatever, drew me to you. There is a zero percent chance that you, then, would have followed all these orders. No kids do, they hide it from prying adult eyes. And guess what? Nothing is any different. They catch it, recover from it, then they are immune until next season.
Garth, your zero approach to this is outdated. This is not delta. Please take some time to watch Dr. John Campbell on YT…he’s already said, get vax, get booster, then get exposed. Omicron IS the vaccine we hoped for.
Again, I don’t give a rats behind about me. I fight for my son. He’s had enough.
Stop calling people who are antimandate selfish. We are not. We are thinking about the whole problem – we know what you tried, did not work – and it’s time to move along before we break something we can’t fix.
#141 the jaguar on 02.01.22 at 7:47 pm
It’s blowing up at the border here. They must fine or prosecute them to the full extent of the law. Disgusting behaviour.
++++++++++++++
Four guys with a picnic table and a case of beer shut down the cross country CNR rail line for a few weeks in 2020. Where was the full extent of the law then? Perhaps these protesters should have a few weeks grace as well.
The way these protestors are going about things they are an embarrassment. How would they feel if someone parked outside their home, was blaring horns at all our of the day and night, intimidating them, blocking essential service from getting through, preventing them from leaving their home or others reach them? These aren’t protests. They are terrorizing and intimidating people. They should be charged accordingly.
Thank you for being the voice of reason, Garth. I stand with you.
A lovely photo of a gorgeous dog.
Maybe US-Russia tensions over the Ukraine lightening up? Vlad did put a call in to Mario today and openly advertised it on Twitter:
https://twitter.com/KremlinRussia_E/status/1488518001297137664
Maybe why F15s came out to play after a hiatus? I tracked 5 UK based US F15s this morning. One would disappear over NL and then reappear over the N. Sea, in 1 sec.
https://i.imgur.com/jnzujUt.jpg
They did that a lot, to confuse Vlad et. al. (and me)?
https://i.imgur.com/VQRcEJA.png
They must of had fun, hitting high speeds, Mach +1.4:
https://i.imgur.com/FAeAMd4.jpg
F16 SHARK01 from NL came out to play too – I liked the callsign:
https://i.imgur.com/vO5WoOb.jpg
Happy the US F15s made it home safely:
https://i.imgur.com/3nEgEuF.png
This evening CET, BEL F16s refueling courtesy of Uncle Sam:
https://i.imgur.com/1Q2YT0S.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/TxeCluP.jpg
AVB finally showing an F16 and some No Name jets, REBELs & HAMMRs:
https://i.imgur.com/Edjy0dE.jpg
They’ve been buzzing around all night near Pordenone, another No Name jet that sounded a whole lot like an F16 taking off, about 2028 h CET (also the new Italian F-35 Lightning II Stealth fighters train at AVB):
https://i.imgur.com/4MZfVqB.png
[VIPER callsign…Top Gun “Cmdr. Mike “Viper” Metcalf” lives on]
Or, was VIPER over Ramstein 1 sec before and not AVB?
Uncle Sam’s not telling. And I’m good with that.
—————————
If you think I’m bad with tracking MIL aircraft then take a look at this kids* aircraft tracking obsession:
“In DM exchange Tesla boss offers $5,000 for takedown but 19-year-old replies: ‘Any chance to up that to $50K?”
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/jan/31/teenager-seeks-50k-delete-twitter-bot-tracking-elon-musk-private-jet
View before the kid shakes down Elon for the $50K:
Elon Musk’s Jet
https://twitter.com/ElonJet
Of course I follow the kid (and vicariously Elon…and his jet).
yeah TSLA.
——-
* Jack Sweeney @JxckSweeney & https://www.instagram.com/jxck.sweeney/
US tops greatest COVID death rates among wealthy nations:
https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/02/01/science/covid-deaths-united-states.html
Top slot courtesy the Derp State. This is the harvest of what the “muh freedoms” crowd in the US sowed starting in March, 2020 and throughout Trump’s unhinged press briefings. I saw it coming and was ridiculed here by many who have now changed tack (good on them) and others who won’t.
I recall driving to Oregon at the end of February, 2020 for my sister’s birthday and listening to “The Daily” podcast. The public health reporter stated clearly that this pandemic would result in just about everyone in the US being at most two degrees separated from a deceased loved one. A typical human’s social circle is thought to be 150 people (rough number of names, faces, facts the brain stores for close relationships — Dunbar’s theory). In the US, the number of death’s is approaching one in 300 people. Unfortunately, a bang on projection two years later.
I agree that WWIII started around Mar/2020. So far it has been tactical, but I see the armed conflict coming. In the past, WW’s have taken time to escalate.
Freedom First
Gee.
perhaps some good may come out of the Ottawa Truckers protest after all.
https://torontosun.com/news/politics/otooles-day-of-reckoning-how-the-conservatives-got-to-this-point-in-less-than-18-months
#146 When Will They Raise Rates? on 02.01.22 at 7:55 pm
…due to variants that are now extinct in Canada…
—
Uh, nope. In fact, the prevalence of Delta is increasing as a share of cases (although cases are dropping overall). Couple that with the short period of immunity an infection or vaccination confer and it ain’t over.
https://health-infobase.canada.ca/covid-19/epidemiological-summary-covid-19-cases.html#VOC
To heck with rates, when are they going to raise IQs?
@#144 Floppie
I didnt figure you as a “boxed and planted” kinda guy.
A world traveler like you should consider this….
https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=DChcSEwjJxbiL8t_1AhVij2gJHYXeDj8YABAAGgJ3Zg&ae=2&ei=heH5YeSOEpK7gwef5rG4AQ&sig=AOD64_1ExK4U3WhxpMh-JxeTwtylvBne7A&q&sqi=2&adurl&ved=2ahUKEwik5bCL8t_1AhWS3eAKHR9zDBcQ0Qx6BAgCEAE
@136 hurtin albertan
EXCELLENT WRITE UP! Says it all perfectly. Thank you.
Huh
#148 Burnaby Boy on 02.01.22 at 7:57 pm
Yes, that I represent the majority view. For a reason. – Garth
………………………………………………………………
Not really Garth, because if you did, no one would read your column. Ah. The madness of crowds.
***************************
WHAT? People love to read what they already agree with. Confirmation bias.
How many of us will read two pages of something that starts out with a view we don’t share in the first few lines?
#91 Sail Away on 02.01.22 at 6:22 pm
The donaters are saying something. Worth listening to decipher what it is.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
It would be much more illuminating to know WHO the donaters are.
Another great heartfelt post Garth! I think you write your best when you are passionate and sincere about the subject matter, which you obviously are.
I was “disgusted” by JT’s telling of the situation in Ottawa. He doesn’t speak for all Canadians. His exaggerated story painted the movement based on two nut jobs who were probably planted (and yes, it has happened).
Why not have a balanced view and a portfolio!
Time to rebalance.
Quebec scraps planned tax on the unvaccinated
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/vax-tax-nixed-1.6334828
Quebec Premier François Legault says his government will not go ahead with a proposed tax on the unvaccinated, in order to protect “social cohesion” in the province.
Daily reminder, HEART DISEASE kills more Canadians every year (77,000 annually, on average) than the sniffles virus has in 2 years.
Anyone proposing continuation of lockdowns, masking or experimental medical procedures need to be put into a straight coat and committed.
Heart disease is not contagious. – Garth
Liberals are up for discussion, and in the case of the Democrat liberals to our south, will even roll over and play dead because they wish to be fair about things.
Conservatives on the other hand, are people who are born right, always are right, and are not open to consider a change of opinion because their opinion is right before any discussion begins.
The clear reason the conservative party keeps imploding is; because it has too many conservatives members!
All it took was a virus to get anti-abortionists to gleefully chant “my body, my choice”, right.
I’m not a PC, so I may be wrong.
Facebook Fact,
10% of all Canadians were dropped on their heads as babies.
#144 Flop… on 02.01.22 at 7:52 pm
My Brother In Law wants to kill me over a piece of real estate.
______________________________
Pretty ironic that you may end up dying over RE, in your least favorite RE city.
Got my full support.
And Go home to where you came from omnicronvoy!
I don’t get how these and the ones in Alberta haven’t been towed away yet. Why don’t I block someone’s driveway and honk all night, well it’s my right to protest? No?
One benefit of your Patience is we get an idea of How people really feel, as they express their opinions. I for one come to this Blog, since it is often provides links, which are helpful, as they, are quite informative.
In my opinion there is a disconcerting Media Left oriented bias, and I would champion the fact that this blog, permits, most view points, regardless of how difficult some of the ideas are to comprehend. Cheers to you Garth for being the Editor you are! Honorable behavior could get a lift these days…Cheers! Canada!
#127 – A week ago I saw a trucker being interviewed, said the truckers have to support each other even if they are not in agreement with the protest against mandates. They can’t afford to be devided…. and more but can’t remember all that was said. Even their transport minister isn’t in agreement with the protest.
On the Economic Lockdowns:
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2022/jan/31/lockdowns-had-little-or-no-impact-covid-19-deaths-/
“Lockdowns in the U.S. and Europe had little or no impact in reducing deaths from COVID-19, according to a new analysis by researchers at Johns Hopkins University. The lockdowns during the early phase of the pandemic in 2020 reduced COVID-19 mortality by about 0.2%, said the broad review of multiple scientific studies.
—
—A Canadian Vignette. You have to view this mayhem.
Farmer avec tractors, and truckers, blast though a state road block, taking to to ditches and storming the line.
I don’t have a side in this skirmish, would rather things go back to normal. But we know that’s not in the plan
Enjoy the entertainment for now?
https://gab.com/TylerLRussell/posts/107724854142142507
— Health Care Workers. Point of comparison. Many health care workers in the UK, two years hence, do not seem altogether worried.
https://www.nursingtimes.net/news/coronavirus/government-confirms-u-turn-on-mandatory-vaccination-policy-31-01-2022/
The government is seeking to “revoke” its mandatory Covid-19 vaccination requirements for health and care staff in England, it has been confirmed
But last week it was suggested as many as 77,000 NHS staff remained unvaccinated – though not all of these individuals may have been covered by the scope of the mandate.
@146 : And how many people died today in Canada? Grow up.
Hmmm, seems like some real engineers have self driving figured out well enough to unleash it fully driverless in San Francisco (not the easiest city to drive BTW).
https://twitter.com/Cruise/status/1488557825773158406
So, was it a lie when Elon promised a million robotaxis by the end of…. 2020? I think, by definition, yes. Yes, it was.
Proud of the country inhabited by automatons.
These truckers just ensured another Liberal victory, maybe a couple more. Are they that dense they can’t see that radical actions only hurt their cause?
As soon as the Nazi flags and confederate flags came out, game over. Every rational, fair minded Canadian was appalled.
As always Garth, thanks for the level headed commentary.
Well said Garth, you continue to be the most sensible voice in the country on this matter
#164 crowdedelevatorfartz on 02.01.22 at 8:43 pm
@#144 Floppie
I didnt figure you as a “boxed and planted” kinda guy.
/////////////////////////
Garth’s Great Grandpa is buried 500 meters from my house, remember?
I could go over there, dig a grave, and let my Brother in law dong me over the back of the head with the same shovel.
That’s pretty economical, isn’t it…
M47BC
Quite the dilemma you have written about today. Have you considered not writing and posting your personal views about a subject that has divided the country??
Good evening,
Time to make a clean cut and a fresh start just about now.
Can we move on and return to finance and occasional real estate topics please?
Let’s refer to the p word only in the context of portfolio risk management.
May be a good idea to have Guest bloggers do a transition post so commentators can stop piling on Garth.
Otherwise I am telling Dorothy.
Thank you.
Garth, sometimes its exhausting scrolling past the deadbeats in here. don’t know how you have the patience dealing with them day-to-day-everyday.
Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel as they say.
#173 The Dude on 02.01.22 at 9:08 pm
Facebook Fact,
10% of all Canadians were dropped on their heads as babies.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
See this is a fine example of same top-down stupidity on full display for the last 2 years.
Do look at your provincial vaccination site, you’d assume as did I that the existing almost mandatory routine vaccines with little controversy would be near 100% levels. But you’d be WRONG, reality shows 70 to low 80 per cent levels – yes the CV19 vaxxes are the most administered on living population to date.
Even vaxxed folk as myself are fed up of the idiotic political coercion measures like vaxpasses which are hugely degrading, discriminatory and un-scientific.
This garbage needs to end now, or never will be.
The truckers didn’t break Confederation that happened when the provincial border crossings went up.
@#166 Shawn on 02.01.22 at 8:47 pm
Huh
#148 Burnaby Boy on 02.01.22 at 7:57 pm
Yes, that I represent the majority view. For a reason. – Garth
………………………………………………………………
Not really Garth, because if you did, no one would read your column. Ah. The madness of crowds.
***************************
WHAT? People love to read what they already agree with. Confirmation bias.
How many of us will read two pages of something that starts out with a view we don’t share in the first few lines?
–
I peruse this comments section agreeing with maybe 20% of whats said on most days.
Has great entertainment value, probably why Garth keeps it going.
#154 Chris L. on 02.01.22 at 8:13 pm
—-
I thank you and feel for those who do not appreciate the logic, beauty and sincerity of this comment.
TurnerNation – your posts are great, I continue to be a big fan. Keep it up! Always look for them when Garth posts something. Straight and raw. The sides of stories that many people are unaware of or don’t consider. We should all constantly be in questioning mode about everything- especially the Covid saga. Cheers!
Garth,
The comments that are sent your way are in large part your own doing. I have told you this time and time again but to no avail. You think you are right about everything because you have your very own bought and paid for “echo chamber”. You frame everything in terms of absolutes… as if everything was black or white. Then you wrap it up and bake it in a sugar-coated one-line, zinger before delivering it with equal coatings of condescension, arrogance and disdain for those who choose not to agree with you!
You rarely, if ever, admit that there can be two or more perspectives or look into why people have such beliefs.
In a nutshell, most/many of your steerage has a vested interest in you being right about their financial well-being so they choose not to openly disagree on other matters of less importance to them. Part of their confirmation bias at work!
It’s never too late to change who you are …but as I mentioned, you are staunchly entrenched in yourself and what is the Garth Turner empire. Changing now would show weakness and bring other things into question. Only “big men? are open to changing their ways, no matter how old they may be.
Tomorrow is a new day … one can only hope!
What did I say about ad hominem? – Garth
They say trust the science but some say science made this virus and accidentally released it.? Now trust the science to cure you but they won’t be liable for injury or death from vaccine. Is something wrong here ?
” Do not be deceived or falter” – the things you always appreciated in a trench mate…
There is a lot of noise and false bravado out there in our land of “canada”.., bad reactions from all of those who are weak of spirit – protesters and politicians both…
My heroes are local – the guys I know who are volunteer firefighters/soldiers – the doctor and healthcare aide next door – honest people. Trying to make life better.
Yes, they get upset and tired at the restrictions – but they persevere.
I understand the frustration of the “truckers” – but lines have been drawn. Cross them with full knowledge of the consequences if caught… and don’t whine about it. If you decide to go rogue… you live with it.
Nearly every cop/firefighter/soldier/plow driver/nurse/doctor/janitor/clerk / dog walker construction person/etc.. I know gripes… but lives with it.
Serious discussions about healthcare / public health and actual national emergency response need to take place very soon — or the honk fest and border blockades is the least of our worries.
DELETED
#112 Victor Maitland on 02.01.22 at 7:01 pm
@#85 Nonplussed, we most certainly did have the draft. We called it conscription. A draft by any other name.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conscription_Crisis_of_1944
A conscription where you can’t send those registered to war isn’t really the same thing. It’s more of a list.
#152 Pandemic Is Over on 02.01.22 at 8:10 pm
Makes me proud of my country. The people on the sidewalk voluntarily in masks – Garth
These people don’t make me proud at all, but I do respect their right to wear a mask or two, even outside, even when there is no one around.
I only hope that my respect of their rights will be reciprocated, and they won’t tell me what to wear on my face.
**********
You will get what you give.
Chin up Garth. Loved the post the other day. Love you sticking up for yourself and for the 90%. Hopefully we can start repealing the provincial restrictions in the next couple of months. I came for the financial advice, stayed for the morality, wisdom and humanity!
Garth, your advice has created me over $250k in the last ten years. I think you’re actually a good man, not because of me making money, but because of what you say. Screw the idiots.
#192 MF on 02.01.22 at 10:14 pm
TurnerNation – your posts are great, I continue to be a big fan. Keep it up! Always look for them when Garth posts something. Straight and raw. The sides of stories that many people are unaware of or don’t consider. We should all constantly be in questioning mode about everything- especially the Covid saga. Cheers!
*******
knew you would be back…good break?
Garth I urge you to run a simple survey to do with how many of us bloggers have indirectly or directly been affected by the Corona virus…
I for one have lost two first cousins tragically, family members at least fifteen that incudes my son and spouse many family members of varying ages from toddlers to grandpa age 84 who thanks to the vaccine were fortunate to have weathered the virus.
Not to forget at least 5 to 7 Friends and acquaintance’s who have recovered.
It would make interesting exercise in common sense.
#54 cramar on 02.01.22 at 5:22 pm
Hear! Hear! (Again.)
A major repercussion from this pandemic is the idiot fringe making stupid juvenile comments to Garth and posting here. I enjoy Garth’s common-sense commentary, and wish politicians had the character that seemed to depart Ottawa when Garth left.
BUT, in reality this is a financial blog. Maybe these anti-vax idiots are the reason this blog should axe the comment section. Getting too big of a distraction from the main focus.
**********
Garth’s just chumming the ocean. No doubt to illuminate the matter.
I get a good laugh when Garths on the JAZZ.
DO NOT THREATEN OR ABUSE THE BEARDED ONE!
Hard to believe people would come to Garth’s free blog, and waste their time with ad hominem attacks. Time to kill the comment section, oh bearded one. Nothing would be lost.
The truckers are like Jokovic.
And they will learn to line up like everyone else.
Canadians hate queue jumpers.
These truckers that I saw on TV said on camera that they have up to two months worth of food supply and that they are not leaving Ottawa until they meet with Justin.
This is the first time in history that the failure of a drug or injection is being blamed on those who didn’t take it !!
3 Hooked, lied and stinker! on 02.01.22 at 10:14 pm
“Then you wrap it up and bake it in a sugar-coated one-line, zinger before delivering it with equal coatings of condescension, arrogance and disdain for those who choose not to agree”
How ironic…that sounds just like you. You sure you aren’t projecting?
It’s a privilege to come to your daily blog. Your writing is powerful and responses to idiotic comments are bang on. We are all so done with this covid. The latest trucker protest is another layer of “me first & bullying tactics”. Our government needs to hold strong and not give in to their anarchy. I agree that the majority of people comply despite how frustrating these 2 years have been
My Dad and Grandfathers were part of this group. They volunteered and obeyed orders, trusting, their determination, and Elected Leaders.
In all, some 1.1 million Canadians served in the Canadian Army, Royal Canadian Navy, Royal Canadian Air Force, and in forces across the empire, with approximately 42,000 killed and another 55,000 wounded. The 1.1 Million were Volunteers.
Only 12,908 conscripted soldiers, disparagingly known as zombies, were sent to fight abroad. This was a tiny number compared with the hundreds of thousands of Canadian volunteers, including French Canadians, who fought overseas. Different now Eh!
Well articulated and inspiring Sir. Thank you.
If vaccines killed, I’d still rather die with the type of people that took the vaccines, than live with the types of people that wouldn’t
I wonder if Garth will finally give Trump his due for being a part of the Warp Speed operation to get the vaccines up and going.
I think we all owe Trump more than we realize.
Your last paragraph says it all.
Thank you for this blog Garth!
Upenuff
perhaps some of the antivaxxers are coming from a place of past fear and anxiety:
a new study funded by Public Health Wales and published in the journal BMJ Open suggests that Covid-19 vaccine hesitancy may be linked to childhood trauma.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/feb/01/covid-vaccine-hesitancy-could-be-linked-childhood-trauma-research
I respectfully disagree with your views on the protests in Ottawa. When the history books are written several years from now, I’ll find out if my opinions had me on the right side of history. This is the side that sees freedom and personal choice prevail above dishonest politicians and their bought and paid for propaganda machinery. Or perhaps I’m the fool in not believing in the untold wonders of totalitarianism.
Hard to see and hear about the nurses and cops who got fired for not getting the vax, even though they have natural immunity, hugging and thanking truckers for standing up for freedom, and true science, not junk science.
Unless you’ve been hurt financially by the government shutdowns ( so many have NOT), or your children’s lives destroyed (mostly poor kids), it’s hard to understand the anger.
History won’t be kind to the shutdowners. Many parts of the US doing just fine without them. Kids in schools doing even better!
If the government gave true statistics and tailored the shutdowns accordingly, there wouldn’t be so much anger.
The anger you’re not seeing from well-looked-after civil servants will come later, when they want raises to cover inflation from the economy they destroyed.
“Nor is government the enemy.” – Garth
____________________________________
Really? Here in Ontario, Doug Ford…
1. Closed small businesses to “save us” while letting Costco, Walmart, etc stay open. Pls explain how this helps having everyone go to fewer stores?
2. Wanted police to randomly stop people and question them with NO cause – just to randomly stop them.
3. Close down all playgrounds for Covid “safety” because I guess being outdoors is very risky with Covid?
4. Closed down small restaurants at a moment’s notice so all their food spoiled.
5. Told everyone we would reopen when we got to 75% vax rates, then 80%, then 85%…but STILL not open.
6. Told everyone to stay home, then proceeded to go to his own cottage – just like Boris Johnson ignored his own rules.
Time for Doug Ford to GO!!!
Hi Garth,
My first post in the comments. I have been quietly listening to your thoughts for five years. Haven’t missed a day since I started. Thanks for sticking up for us. I’m one of the ones in scrubs. Although what you are saying isn’t new, this one felt like a pat on the back. Thanks.
Thanks Garth. I totally agreed. Well said.
Deceived is the word. I live in Calgary and noticed pastor on tv leading anti-vaccine. Shouldn’t religious leader suppose make their follower become a better person and their best interest?
Like Trump fellowers, they called themselves patriot but act against their only country.
Here, they carry Canadian flag, freedom convoy and people call them hero. But in fact they are acting against our society interest. Not sure why those fear of jabs, selfish people can call hero.
Everyone remember what your mother told you when you were young. You must stand up to bullies or they will walk all over you. These truckers are bullies. Stand tall.
The Police officer who was a hero on Fox News because he would not get vaccinated died of Covid. Fox News coverage of his death ..crickets.
So is this a Darwin Award candidate?
https://youtu.be/Yf-G6TUv3ck
#163 Faron on 02.01.22 at 8:41 pm
#146 When Will They Raise Rates? on 02.01.22 at 7:55 pm
…due to variants that are now extinct in Canada…
—
Uh, nope. In fact, the prevalence of Delta is increasing as a share of cases (although cases are dropping overall). Couple that with the short period of immunity an infection or vaccination confer and it ain’t over.
https://health-infobase.canada.ca/covid-19/epidemiological-summary-covid-19-cases.html#VOC
To heck with rates, when are they going to raise IQs?
———–
The new omicron variant BA.2 lacks a spike deletion that differentiates delta from the original omicron variant BA.1 in PCR tests.
In terms of transmissibilty, omicron BA.2 > omicron BA.1 > delta.
So genius, is it more likely that delta is making a comeback or that new cases of omicron BA.2 are getting put in the delta column?
According to some experts, this Covid-19 is not the “big” one. Big one is in the future.
My God, if we are now fighting over mandates, masks, vaccines… what will happen when the “BIG” one comes?
I am proud to be Canadian, but for those out there who are demonstrating in the name of ” Liberty, freedom” makes me sick. They don’t know what a hell they are talking about.
For example, for the last five years I am getting my flu shot every year. For what you ask? Not because I am not going to get one, not because I will not pass it on another, or feel lousy. I am doing it to prevent me from getting lung infection, and other serious health issues that could cause my life to be at risk. There are NO guarantees, but you want to lower your risks of becoming very sick.
I am just wondering how many of those ” truck supporters” are going to get Covid-19 this time around.
How many of them are going to get seriously sick, even death. Well, they have made their choices. Our hospitals should have only so many beds dedicated to those who do not do their part. Rest of them should be put on waiting list. We should not place their health above the rest of us.
False hood that being vaccinated will end this pandemic when there is an entire world out there which will
Not be vaccinated in due course. Too important to protect those patents on vaccines that were originally back stopped by the USA government.
I guess you didn’t read the latest John Hopkins report showing lockdowns for the bullshit that they are. I guess John Hopkins will Know be deemed fake news as it doesn’t fit the liberal laurentian elite narrative .
As of 11pm PST I have scrolled through 198 comments and only read 140 yvr lurker and 160 Faron fully.
Neither comment insulted anybody. Well, maybe Faron insulted Trump just a bit.
I’ve showed my vax card once.
Or this Garth…
Matthew 6:24
No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon
How did we treat our “Heros”
Being asked to not wear their uniform in public places as these “heros” make regular people uncomfortable/scared
Nurses being refused shelter( when the landlord realized new tenant was a nurse, rental rescinded)
Banks asking “heros” to use drive thru and not to come into bank as people did not want to be around them.
People not wanting their children to play with the “heros” children.
Heros who did not get vaccinated dismissed from employment and refused government financial assistance.
After the pandemic ends these “heros” will likely go back to nursing at around 32 hrs a week so that they do not get fulltime benefits as well.
They paid store clerks a “hero” wage through the worst of the pandemic, how much extra are the medical “heros” getting for being at ground zero.
The nurses and care aids that are in my family and relatives have all had these experiences of shunning by our population and after this is over will be like a lot of their coworkers, changing careers.
One good thing has come out of your comment section. We have had a former Minister of the Crown admit that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms is a joke. Easily side stepped at any time by the Government of the day.
We may as well dispense with the Supreme Court of Canada and the Senate, while we are at it, if the current Prime Minister, whom ever that is can operate a dictatorship.
Almost two years into this crisis, with a large percentage of people vaccinated and healthcare capacity not significantly altered.
It may be folly for the media and the people in ivory towers to ignore the frustration of the people. Each protest, pipelines, railways, and now border crossings and the Federal Capital has got bigger and bigger.
Canada was founded on Peace, Order and Good Government which has worked fine when the leaders have integrity.
The charter is real. Those who pretend it is a constitution are the joke. – Garth
We should keep things closed down until everyone gets a 4th shot. Then we should stay 50% open until the 5th and 6th shots roll out. This will satisfy Garth’s need for safety. Anyone who doesn’t have these doses shouldn’t get to have a job, travel by plane or train, or even take their kids to public place. The people who don’t go along should be isolated and chastised 24×7 in the media like we have today. This would of course would 100% not be violating any charter rights, just like Garth says. Man, Garth is a great comrade. So free.
Garth, you are a good Canadian. I don’t always agree with your antics, but that keeps me coming back. 90% is an A+ I say let the loud, under-educated, freedom fighters make nose – as a whole, there is so much to be proud of about how Canada and Canadians have dealt over the last two years. The 1/10 canadians that still choose to make a scene have access to all the same information that the 9/10 do. They’ve prolonged the pandemic and harmed others, but at this point I don’t see fighting them with logic as a good use of time.
Hi Garth – really appreciate ur post today – it’s well said! I’ve mostly stopped reading the comment section and I can see why your wife is so protective (mental health!). Want to add some positivity before the next wave of ‘you don’t know any better’ comments ;)
#187 KLNR
Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel as they say.
‐———————————-
No, second last. Last is religion.
So many similarities between Freedom Truckers and the protests in Hong Kong a few years back. Follow the funding, find the truth.
Thanks Garth. Hope Canada stands strong because enough is enough.
Ground Zero, Hong Kong.
Garth,
Thanks for being a voice of reason. It is unfortunate there are a significant number of people who weren’t raised properly. Thanks for being a true Canadian.
It says a lot about a person who comments on the blog of a person that they don’t like.
Why come here at all? Don’t you have better ways of using your time?
Makes no sense to me.
Bravo. (trying to provide balance to the deluge of ridiculousness that is the comment section). Most people line up. a few grumble. A very tiny minority are featured on /r/public_freakout. They don’t almost everyone else.
@#180 Faron
“So, was it a lie when Elon promised a million robotaxis by the end of…. 2020? ”
++++
Apparently ALL the Major tech companies are jockeying for dominance in the “next big tech wave”
Amazon owns 20% of Rivian and has ordered 100,000 vehicles.
Apple, Meta, etc have invested billions into AI and self driving tech.
A high percentage of young people aren’t interested in car ownership OR learning how to drive ( or leaving Moms basement).
Ownerless, driverless cars in the next 10 years ?
Taxicabs, truckers, Amazon delivery serfs, bus drivers, forklift drivers, car dealerships, Barret Jackson Auctions ….take note.
Greatly said sir. Appreciate your writings each morning. Wish you nothing but the best this year
#32 Mudguy “If the media stopped talking about Covid no one would even know it existed.”
Bingo!
13 people and their families would yesterday. They died. – Garth
The main cause of these problems Mr. Turner, is the canine idolatry too often on display on this blog. This attracts haters and low IQ humans at a dreadful rate.
On the other hand, each day you post a cat photo and otherwise show respect to this superior species, the IQ of your average reader increases by over 50%, and the likelihood of threats against you drops by 99%.
Patriotism.
They say that patriotism is the last refuge to which a scoundrel clings.
https://quoteinvestigator.com/2020/06/14/scoundrel/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A2mE80miKdk
“I’m very proud of being a Canadian.
Almost a million dead from COVID in the States.
Over 30k in Canada.
Those numbers speak for themselves.
No debate needed.”
______________________________
Age and obesity related illness is the number one reason for Covid deaths. There is zero debating that. This is also obvious in countries that have a higher level of obese people like the US, Canada, and many parts of Europe.
“The known underlying health conditions that put one at greater risk for COVID-19 includes diabetes, hypertension, asthma, chronic lung disease, severe heart conditions, chronic kidney disease, obesity or a weakened immune system.”
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/guidance-documents/people-with-disabilities.html (please note the bulk of the issues listed can and usually are obesity related)
Lockdowns and other silly mandates do squat for stopping Covid. But, exercise and diet do. Rather than close gyms, the government should have forced people to lower their BMI. That would never happen though. The Covid loving fearmongers hate to be inconvenienced and politicians are more concerned with votes.
Natural immunity is a thing of the past I guess.
Signed,
Recovered naturally from Covid because I take care of myself.
For continuously trivializing deaths and blaming the perished for their own demise, you are banned. – Garth
One wonders when the Mayor and citizens of Ottawa will say enough to having their streets, roads and lives disrupted and start arresting and towing.
My guess is this weekend.
While everyone else is occupied digging out from major snowstorm #4.
The arrests and tows cant come soon enough.
Has O’Toole been given the boot yet?
#172 Wrk.dover on 02.01.22 at 9:05 pm
Liberals are up for discussion, and in the case of the Democrat liberals to our south, will even roll over and play dead because they wish to be fair about things.
Conservatives on the other hand, are people who are born right, always are right, and are not open to consider a change of opinion because their opinion is right before any discussion begins.
The clear reason the conservative party keeps imploding is; because it has too many conservatives members!
________________________________
I’m surprised this didn’t get misconstrued and I had to take some heat for this.
For the record, I wasn’t aiming criticism at Garth being a conservative. He was against govt. Covid restrictions, for about 48 hours two years ago. Then he saw the light that blinds the majority of MCGA Tories.
Garth Turner, almost alone within his fractured party.
A considerate, compassionate Canadian Conservative that realizes the necessity of a certain measure of socialism, regulation and Nanny rule.
Respect for the man pure of mind, and his stance, is due.
#238 crowdedelevatorfartz on 02.02.22 at 8:06 am
@#180 Faron
“So, was it a lie when Elon promised a million robotaxis by the end of…. 2020? ”
++++
Apparently ALL the Major tech companies are jockeying for dominance in the “next big tech wave”
Amazon owns 20% of Rivian and has ordered 100,000 vehicles.
Apple, Meta, etc have invested billions into AI and self driving tech.
A high percentage of young people aren’t interested in car ownership OR learning how to drive ( or leaving Moms basement).
Ownerless, driverless cars in the next 10 years ?
Taxicabs, truckers, Amazon delivery serfs, bus drivers, forklift drivers, car dealerships, Barret Jackson Auctions ….take note.
____
Definitely a change working its way down the pipe. Lots of them actually.
Think of all the things suddenly on the table if Starlink successfully provides 100+Mbps reliable internet anywhere on earth, if long distance drone freight networks become established, when 50+% efficiency solar panels become cheap, and the grand-slam – when the electrical storage question is finally answered, and made cheap. Might only be 3 decades away for all this to be in place. Things are changing fast, and new tech is set to give us radical new lifestyle options we’ve never had before, and we’re raising two generations currently that would love to explore a new way of living rather than buying a new pickup (IMHO).
Our governments better get a plan in the works to quadruple our national electricity production or they’re going to be holding everyone up.
#224 Jennifer
” Our hospitals should have only so many beds dedicated to those who do not do their part. Rest of them should be put on waiting list. We should not place their health above the rest of us.”
Agreed. Maybe the protestors would agree to this in return for their freedumb from public health policy. Yeah…right. They seem to think Trudeau dictates provincial health policy.
The charter is real. Those who pretend it is a constitution are the joke. – Garth
____________________________________________
Ad hominem for thee, not for me!
None in that comment. The charter of rights is not the US Constitution. This is a totally bogus position. – Garth
#216 Jon B on 02.02.22 at 1:03 am
I respectfully disagree with your views on the protests in Ottawa. When the history books are written several years from now, I’ll find out if my opinions had me on the right side of history. This is the side that sees freedom and personal choice prevail above dishonest politicians and their bought and paid for propaganda machinery. Or perhaps I’m the fool in not believing in the untold wonders of totalitarianism.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
You forgot to mention the vast majority of public health leaders world wide who were also fooled by the “propaganda”. Sheesh! Give your head a shake!
#193 Hooked, lied and stinker! on 02.01.22 at 10:14 pm
Garth,
The comments that are sent your way are in large part your own doing. I have told you this time and time again but to no avail. You think you are right about everything because you have your very own bought and paid for “echo chamber”.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Echo chamber?? LMAO! Have you been here long?
@#185 canuck on 02.01.22 at 9:54 pm
Quite the dilemma you have written about today. Have you considered not writing and posting your personal views about a subject that has divided the country??
–
lol, who made you the arbiter of what Garth writes on his own blog? the gall of some people.
divided the country? vocal minority is just having a hissy fit.
BANNED
Great post today, Garth. Thanks for coming in everyday and adding to the discourse (and swatting away some dung flies). Unfortunately Covid is not over, this will go on for a few more years. Too much of the world is still unvaxxed and the virus will keep mutating. Saying that we are done with Covid does not mean anything. The virus is physics, chemistry and biology. Its nature itself, red in claws and teeth, and its not done with our species.
John Hopkins University: Meta-analysis of the effects of lockdowns on COVID-19 mortality: ‘While this meta-analysis concludes that lockdowns have had little to no public health effects, they have imposed enormous economic and social costs where they have been adopted.’
I know, I know you are better and smarter than these people and Trudeau govt epitomizes the intelligent actions that we saw accross the western world govts for the last two years.
Can u please stop cheering for the govt.
There are currently no lockdowns in Canada, and have not been since 2020. But thanks for the irrelevant info. – Garth
BANNED
There are currently no lockdowns in Canada, and have not been since 2020. But thanks for the irrelevant info. – Garth
_____________
We just lost school and businesses for a month. Garth, do you know what it’s like to be a child and lose school for a month? It’s like locking a dog in a house without anyone home. Children need their community and friends, they need certainty. Many children will never fully recover from this and will carry this for their lives. The amount of anxiety in children is astronomical. And it’s not because they might get sick, it’s because health officials told them they might die. Or worse, that they might kill their grandparents.
You and your kid are alive. Stop moaning. Tens of thousands are dead. Selfish. – Garth
The truckers have become the official opposition to government sanctioned medical tyranny in Canada and around the world.
Hold the line, for good people and future generations.
God bless you all.
#62 Sail Away on 02.01.22 at 5:33 pm
I got two vaccines, then caught Covid and soundly defeated it.
Maybe the vax is like oysters since last week I ate a dozen but only four of them worked.
*****
At your age that’s pretty good!
Thinking of organizing a “freedom convoy” of tow trucks to go to Ottawa to put an end to this nonsense.
Something for the the goldbugs to have to hedge against inflation.
https://www.mint.ca/store/coins/pure-gold-diamond-shaped-coin-%E2%80%93-forevermark-black-label-round-diamond-%E2%80%93-mintage-125-2022-prod3810030
Anyone buy into GXE.TO- up 47% in the last three weeks. BTE also up 25% in the same time frame.
#155 Yukon Elvis on 02.01.22 at 8:18 pm
#141 the jaguar on 02.01.22 at 7:47 pm
It’s blowing up at the border here. They must fine or prosecute them to the full extent of the law. Disgusting behaviour.
++++++++++++++
Four guys with a picnic table and a case of beer shut down the cross country CNR rail line for a few weeks in 2020. Where was the full extent of the law then? Perhaps these protesters should have a few weeks grace as well.++++++++++++
Respectfully, I think the full extent of the law should have been applied in that case as well. Many Canadians were infuriated by rail lines being blocked. Our PM wasn’t quite so critical of those actions at the time and it predated the Residential School findings at Kamloops.
I’m all for peaceful protest, but you don’t get to block border crossings and isolate small communities ( Coutts). If you haven’t read the article referenced by Hurtin’Albertan above, it really lays out my read on it perfectly.
Still mostly scrolling.
NASDAQ creeping up as of 750am pst. R2000 heading down – now 18 percent off last year’s high.
Now back to the s#$tshow.
As you said, the vaccine is the only way out of this. Ok–so 90% of Canadians are vaccinated, most of which are boosted.
And the lockdowns persist. Taxes on the unvaxxed. Restrictions on movement.
I’m honestly surprised you are so easy-going about the encroachment on civil liberties and the smearing of disagreement with accusations of racism and misogyny. I’ll say it again–this past summer you were attacked for merely flying the flag. Do you need see a parallel at all?
Disappointing.
There are no lockdowns. No taxes on the unvaxed. Restrictions are easing. Stop bitching. – Garth
I know you can’t teach empathy, but many of you are completely ignoring the human cost of this pandemic. The million of lives lost. Acting like these people don’t matter. And I think you need to read things like this….(if this doesn’t help, then there’s no hope for you)….
https://steady.substack.com/p/heroes-lost-heroes-remembered?fbclid=IwAR2Zj8JOREReIouFwezfN_b46YIiDWLhadI3we5dUI5_ppK1HO9LfseL_ZM
Yes, that I represent the majority view. For a reason. – Garth
Majority view is mostly deadly wrong during the history.
@#258 Rosco P Coltrane on 02.02.22 at 10:39 am
The truckers have become the official opposition to government sanctioned medical tyranny in Canada and around the world.
Hold the line, for good people and future generations.
God bless you all.
–
lol
No taxes? Didnt they just lift the tax in Quebec yesterday? I wonder why they did that…?
The lockdowns just ended. The reason people are fighting is because they dont want lockdowns to return.
I appreciate the work that you do, and felt terrible about what happened to you this past summer.
On this topic, we’ll have to agree to disagree.
Respectfully,
Marvin.
No lockdowns since 2020. Try to keep up. – Garth
The real hero truckers are those that throughout the weekend continued to do their job and deliver the food and other goods that Canadians need.
54% of Canadians want all restrictions lifted: https://torontosun.com/news/national/majority-of-canadians-want-covid-restrictions-lifted-poll
I believe in Democracy. Garth, do you?
A sampling of 1,500 people with no consequences or context is not democracy. – Garth
No “lockdowns” since 2020?
What was that was just in place in Quebec? Pardon me. A curfew.
What did Ontario just experience?
You can play these semantical games all day long. Doesn’t change the fact that people are rightfully fed up with capricious restrictions and mandates. As I said before, if the vaxx doesn’t prevent transmission or infection, what is the value in mandates and social exclusion for those who don’t vaxx? We’re supposed to follow The Science, Right?
Take care Garth.
I understand Garth’s position. I disagree that the current restrictions and mandates are perfectly calibrated to the threat. Maybe if we had even stricter health measures we could have reduced the 30,000 count. Or maybe if didn’t shut down schools the outcome would be the same. There are many reasonable EU countries that had less restrictive public health measures with similar mortality figures to Canada. I think that is a debate worth having. Should we push people into unemployment if they resist the jab? Especially since the national figure is already at ~80% vax rate? That’s a debate worth having. What will we do if Someothercrap-22 emerges, can we take on even more debt? Another question. But in the last 2 years that did not happen. Partly because anyone who publicly voiced disagreement with public health measures were thrown into the crazy camp. Look at the Joe Rogan saga – perfect example of a reasonable debate being chucked into the antivax crazies territory. So here we are.
The anti-mandate trucker protest is hard to support because they have no clear policy alternative + vandalism (and lack of condemnation of it) makes them suspicious looking. Obviously, removing all restrictions would be dumb. But that’s what you get, when you don’t have a debate – you get a fight.
Garth made a very revealing comment “government is not the enemy”. That’s at the core of antivax and partly anti-mandate sentiment! It is NOT the understanding of science, level of education, etc. People who distrust the gov – distrust it’s mandates. Just as an example, In the former USSR countries where people famously distrust the government the vaxx rate is abysmal. Now, on one hand this blog had many paragraphs about the incompetence of gov related to housing bubble, interest rates, T2, etc and on the other “Canada public health measures are 100% good, don’t question them”. Kinda hard to reconcile those two points of view. Especially since public health measures are created by politicians and we all rely on their level of scientific understanding.
Thank you for your patience – moan over. I will now retreat to lurk and absorb free financial advice )
Listened to the hiding cowards speech about the protest. It is like a text book reading on propaganda. It is complete and deliberate misrepresentation of what it was actually about. It is no accident, it is calculated and evil.
“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
138 cuke and tomato
Number 121″ GREATFUL IN VICTORIA” WE HAVE THE CHARMED LIFE HERE.
um sure as long as your well off – ask the people on pandora how “charming” their lives are
@#257 Christel
“. Children need their community and friends, they need certainty. Many children will never fully recover from this and will carry this for their lives. The amount of anxiety in children is astronomical.”
+++
Perhaps if we didn’t raise the little petrie dishes as fragile snowflakes they would be better prepared to survive in the cruel reality that is …real life?
Or you can look forward to antisocial, catatonic, video game experts/addicts living in your basement in their 40’s…
@#260 Ponzie’s Push and Pull Parade
“Thinking of organizing a “freedom convoy” of tow trucks to go to Ottawa to put an end to this nonsense.”
+++
I’d kick in some money to send you to Ottawa.
#221 Jane24 on 02.02.22 at 1:30 am
Everyone remember what your mother told you when you were young. You must stand up to bullies or they will walk all over you. These truckers are bullies. Stand tall.
——–
The truckers are not the bullies. They are the little guy/the underdog fighting back against the bully.
David vs. Goliath. That’s why they have attracted so much support.
The truckers do not have the enormous resource base that the State has backing them, so they’re fighting back with the tools that they have, community, trucks and balls.
True courage is standing up to a bully who you know you have little to no chance of defeating.
How often in life have you done that?
#269 Front Yard Carver on 02.02.22 at 11:12 am
The real hero truckers are those that throughout the weekend continued to do their job and deliver the food and other goods that Canadians need.
——–
Doing one’s job does not necessarily confer hero status.
Hey, let’s erect a statue to truckers. Oh, what a double entendre!
Then crazies of all persuasions could righteously defile it. The symbolic whipping boy, if you will.
#247 IHCTD9 on 02.02.22 at 9:29 am
#238 crowdedelevatorfartz on 02.02.22 at 8:06 am
@#180 Faron
Yeah, sounds rad. If automation becomes any more dominant there will need to be a UBI.
One of the best posts you ever done Garth! Thank you for being a beacon of light in this storm. Also, I learned what ad-hominem means! Thanks!
The charter of rights is not the US Constitution. This is a totally bogus position. – Garth
Exactly. Lougheed et. al. insisted upon the Notwithstanding clause precisely because they did not want the Charter to become absolute in the way various amendments to the US constitution had. That clause was a vital – though totally inadequate – bulwark against judicial intrusion into rights issues that were, up to that point, intricately balanced between the common law and elected governments.
For the 38 years pre-COVID, the right wing in Canada justifiably resented the Charter and the judicial overreach that it spawned. Suddenly they’re in love with it, and want us to believe that it represents the absolute law of the land.
Thanx Garth.
@#279 faron,
“Yeah, sounds rad. If automation becomes any more dominant there will need to be a UBI.”
****
UBI may fly with the Latest generation but if CERB is any indication .
UBI will create an entire generation of sloths, dullards and whiners.
Perhaps preparing the youth and the job obsolete for the impending crash of “buggy whip” manufacturing type skills would be a better start than teaching them to rely on govt handouts from an increasingly bankrupt system.
OR
Make UBI contingent on people upgrading their skills.
Sort of like a student loan.
Retrain for something while on UBI or you will live on poverty level welfare forever.
Your choice.
Sitting around for generation after generation waiting for Ottawa to give out more cash…is the death knell of a society.
Well said Garth – Ditch the comment section, I assume this is only for your own personal pleasure. I can’t imagine reading some of this crap day in & day out and still be willing to offer up your free financial knowledge to these clowns.
#279 Faron on 02.02.22 at 12:09 pm
#247 IHCTD9 on 02.02.22 at 9:29 am
#238 crowdedelevatorfartz on 02.02.22 at 8:06 am
@#180 Faron
Yeah, sounds rad. If automation becomes any more dominant there will need to be a UBI.
____
I watched a vid with Musk talking about future tech, and he said the same, UBI probably will be needed in some form.
I’m not hanging my hat on that just yet. The cost of consumer goods are going to get ridiculously-cheap in the future. The potential for home based real world functional solar power is on the way. Everything will be smaller and more efficient. Consumption will drop as lifestyle choices evolve. Life in the west will probably be basic, low-key, childless, efficient, mostly indoors, super-cheap and highly mobile. Not a lot of money will be needed. The real question is how will governments in the West collect revenues? They’re definitely going to drop off a cliff and stay there.
#279 Faron on 02.02.22 at 12:09 pm
#247 IHCTD9 on 02.02.22 at 9:29 am
#238 crowdedelevatorfartz on 02.02.22 at 8:06 am
@#180 Faron
Yeah, sounds rad. If automation becomes any more dominant there will need to be a UBI.
———-
Of course automation will progress. Continually and eventually almost completely.
Most jobs already are essentially unnecessary in the grand scheme. Implementing large-scale efficiencies a la Elon Musk for agriculture, transportation and resources could easily create a cashless society where all actual necessities are provided.
UBI is an unecessarily complicated distraction, but probably more likely than alloting rations.
Think in terms of a giant anthill or termite mound with the workers being robots and robot maintenance techs and almost everyone else lolling about in indolence… or bird hunting, for the more refined.
180 Faron:
Hmmm, seems like some real engineers have self driving figured out well enough to unleash it fully driverless in San Francisco (not the easiest city to drive BTW).
https://twitter.com/Cruise/status/1488557825773158406
So, was it a lie when Elon promised a million robotaxis by the end of…. 2020? I think, by definition, yes. Yes, it was.
………..
There are essentally two methods of simulating self driving . GM Cruise, Waymo and all other systems ,other than Tesla, use a Lidar/Radar based system. A Lidar System pulses a light and by sensing the time of the returning photons per pixil in the camera , obtains a 3D scan of what is in front of it. A more integrated image is obtained by rotating the cameras and merging the scans . A previous street image scan is in the self driving memory, and by comparing the scan the car obtains from the cameras to the memory scan, the car can deduce where it is fairly precisely. This is called Geo Fencing. If the car is in an area that has not been previously scanned, It cannot function because ther is no Geo Fence that allows it the determine where it is. This sytem requires constantly up to date Geo Fence data , reasonbly expensive and bulky rotating Lidar camera systems. The advantage is ,it is reasonbly easy to install and get something working
Tesla is using a camera only system similar to humans . The system has to be taught what curbs , stop signs, speed signs etc are and how to react to it’s surroundings. The analogy I use is: With Lidar and Geo Fencing, a blind car can navagate similar to a blind man navigating using a white cane. With Tesla’s System, a once blind car can ‘See”. The advantages are enormous.
Section 6, Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Canadian Citizens have the right to enter, leave and move within Canada.
Except now if I am unvaccinated against COVID 19 and refuse to take a test to prove I do not have the virus.
Again, tell me how “real” the Charter is.
No right is absolute, especially in a pandemic. Our charter is not like the US Constitution, which truck people cannot grasp. – Garth
#276 crowdedelevatorfartz on 02.02.22 at 11:59 am
@#260 Ponzie’s Push and Pull Parade
“Thinking of organizing a “freedom convoy” of tow trucks to go to Ottawa to put an end to this nonsense.”
+++
I’d kick in some money to send you to Ottawa.
—————
I am a licensed truck/bus/coach driver. Let me know if I can help. Just spent another $150 for a medical to keep it in good standing, just in case my services are ever needed for an event like this.
Sorry, I don’t own a tow truck.
#173 The Dude on 02.01.22 at 9:08 pm
Facebook Fact,
10% of all Canadians were dropped on their heads as babies.
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
See this is a fine example of same top-down stupidity on full display for the last 2 years.
Do look at your provincial vaccination site, you’d assume as did I that the existing almost mandatory routine vaccines with little controversy would be near 100% levels. But you’d be WRONG, reality shows 70 to low 80 per cent levels – yes the CV19 vaxxes are the most administered on living population to date.
Even vaxxed folk as myself are fed up of the idiotic political coercion measures like vaxpasses which are hugely degrading, discriminatory and un-scientific.
This garbage needs to end now, or never will be.
____________________________________________
One of the 10% I see.
I didn’t think it would be so easy to bait the ignorant.
Too funny.
#279 Faron on 02.02.22 at 12:09 pm
#247 IHCTD9 on 02.02.22 at 9:29 am
#238 crowdedelevatorfartz on 02.02.22 at 8:06 am
@#180 Faron
Yeah, sounds rad. If automation becomes any more dominant there will need to be a UBI.
—————.
Let there be UBI.
And there was UBI.
The idea is becoming more fashionable, even among the right.
The former Chancellor of Austria is/was one of them.
The question of patriotism is pointless in a “post-national” state.
Most Canadians wouldn’t pay their taxes if they could avoid them (and many do, legally or illegally). To think the vast majority would be willing to die for a country they treat as a convenience is laughable.
Exactly what values would they be fighting for anyway? It’s clearly obvious that there is no consensus on that anymore, if there ever was.
So good riddance to “patriotism”. Like religion, more evil has been performed in the name of one’s God and country than most other motivations.
It’s official, O’Toole is out.
Now watch the knives come out for the next sorry soul who wants to be leader.
Purge the wingnuts from the party, please!
wondering what socon replaces otoole.
leslyn lewis? curious how many steps backward
they take.
#291 Ponzius Pilatus on 02.02.22 at 1:18 pm
#279 Faron on 02.02.22 at 12:09 pm
#247 IHCTD9 on 02.02.22 at 9:29 am
#238 crowdedelevatorfartz on 02.02.22 at 8:06 am
@#180 Faron
Yeah, sounds rad. If automation becomes any more dominant there will need to be a UBI.
—————.
Let there be UBI.
And there was UBI.
The idea is becoming more fashionable, even among the right.
The former Chancellor of Austria is/was one of them.
******
The former corrupt one? The golden child seems to have established his own UBI.
The New York Fed Has Quietly Staffed Up a Second Trading Floor Near the S&P 500 Futures Market in Chicago
Why is that a bombshell? Because it suggests to Wall Street savvy readers that the New York Fed may be planning to use the futures markets to try to engineer a soft landing in an attempt to get itself out of the very serious mess it’s made that Leonard explains very convincingly throughout his book.
https://wallstreetonparade.com/2022/01/the-new-york-fed-has-quietly-staffed-up-a-second-trading-floor-near-the-sp-500-futures-market-in-chicago/
No right is absolute, especially in a pandemic. Our charter is not like the US Constitution, which truck people cannot grasp. – Garth
Define a PANDEMIC for us please!!
Can you?? I bet you can’t. Idiotic govts panicked and acted irrationally and now the charade is COMING to its logical conclusion…
Trudeau, Freeland and the Liberals debt, deficits binge will prolong Canada’s money and fiscal problems for generations and this is the real economic, financial pandemic that nobody wants to admit and take responsibility to.
I am sick and tired of the left, socialists, NDP, liberals, Green Party etc. that say are the party of no limits but want to put in UBI. JUst give everyone millions of dollars each and let’s see how your crappy, MMT, utopia money system works out. UBI is BS and every socialist idea is a big mess, disaster. UBI and what ever they want to call, free stuff, money never works, never will work and never did work.
My dad (now deceased) was very scared of needles. If he HAD to have one, he would become very rude and belligerent. Of course, he would end up permitting it, but not without a couple of drinks and a monologue.
Of course, some of the convoy protesters are just bad actors looking for some attention and a party, but I wonder how many of the remainder are like my dad.
And I also wonder how many are going to get sick after this adventure.
Always enlightening to see mob rule. Never works out as intended and it wont this time either. Intellectually limited grandees looking for their 15 min. Pathetic.
Start arresting the DT Ottawa “protesters” time to take out the trash
#270 XGRO and chill on 02.02.22 at 11:29 am
54% of Canadians want all restrictions lifted: https://torontosun.com/news/national/majority-of-canadians-want-covid-restrictions-lifted-poll
I believe in Democracy. Garth, do you?
A sampling of 1,500 people with no consequences or context is not democracy. – Garth
——
Give it a few weeks.
https://twitter.com/PremierScottMoe/status/1488688130291077121?s=20&t=lCqsXejAu1ytq5IiBU2yLQ
@ #297, a pandemic is an epidemic on a global scale. There, defined it for you. That was easy.
re: corn and stuff.
MY wife tried renewing her prescription for insulin pen this morning and was told it is back ordered!
Thankfully she only take a tinny bit so should be ok for few day, hopefully it’s only few days. But not everyone is as fortunate. Hopefully it is just a local issue and a short term issue for the people that need it.
Has anyone notice if the cost of insulin has gone up much? I have not been keeping track.
Like all the other stuff that inflation is affecting.
due to things like energy cost plus government tax on it.
I guess the long global supply chain will ‘balance itself’ like the national debt, via inflation. or has pointing out inflation is an issue now become ‘an unacceptable view’ for the ‘peoples’ to be having too.
BLM ok to meet with but ordinary people and truckers bad, give me a break.
The fascist emperor and his court up in the towers has no cloths, only thin sheep skin blanket, should try standing out in the cold.
Saw a report with at least one MP out and about in the smiling crowd talk to people, imagine that.
I’m still hopefully some apples in the barrel are ok, seems there are some. Fingers crossed.
I’m starting to pray lately and I’m not even a church goer.
So when can “the before times” happen again, didn’t they say just two weeks to, just … a bit longs.
Recall that, 9 out of 10 … prefer camels cigarettes.
Believe us this time, again, and …
Don’t even try looking behind the curtain.
Squeeze a bit, ease off, squeeze a bit harder, ease off…
Hoping it’s wrong.
re: Corn,
that is used for food and to feed animal, make corn starch, ethanol…
A few have been pointing out for a while now the raise cost of all farm inputs, like diesel, fertilizer and seed or that they can’t even find any thing like soya seed they want to plant instead this year, dew to the rising input cost to grow corn.
For those that can it might be good year to plant a vegetable garden or even have a couple chicken running around. Some edible nut and fruit trees is worth thinking about longer term too, if your able. Just in case.
If your able to grow some food at least your grocery bill might not go up as much some month of this year.
and still have some health food for your families and neighbours.
My finders are always crossed it’s a good grown season for everyone.
#302 XGRO and chill on 02.02.22 at 2:21 pm
#270 XGRO and chill on 02.02.22 at 11:29 am
54% of Canadians want all restrictions lifted:
—
Also polled: 100% of Canadians would rather be in the tropics right now.
This is always how reduction of freedoms starts.
Then someday it is you standing at the border to Canada and the Government of the Day has decided there is some reason for you not to enter.
Not that it maters to you but here are the stats of deaths per 1000 people in Canada since 2000.
Why is there panic?
https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/CAN/canada/death-rate
#295 DON on 02.02.22 at 1:41 pm
#291 Ponzius Pilatus on 02.02.22 at 1:18 pm
#279 Faron on 02.02.22 at 12:09 pm
—
UBI is just tax policy. Nothing more. Nothing less.
@ #297, a pandemic is an epidemic on a global scale. There, defined it for you. That was easy.
You can have a pandemic of dandruff, Covid 19, Spanish Flu, Ebola.
Do you notice the difference, it’s in the excess deaths. No matter how much spin the controllers put on it, the pandemic needle tilts towards dandruff not toward Spanish flu bc of world level excess mortality.
Go to STATS Canada OFFICIAL govt site and look for annual number of deaths between 2010-2020. And now for 2021..
There you shall find the surprise of your life..
Me thinks we are about to find out why that harmless, not necessary at all, bail-in legislation was introduced.
O’Toole a loser. Who would have figured? Oh well, I guess it is the party he poorly tried to represent
#297 – Garth is absolutely right. You need to apologize. Certain rights are over ruled in a public health emergency.
Educate yourself.
Social Networks & Ending the Pandemic with Neil deGrasse Tyson & Nickolas Christakis… Youtube.
While after hours of BS and 2 PCR tests costing oh prolly $600 for 2 of us. What a cluster F.
If there’s ANYONE that can make something more complex and expensive as hell its your government!!
These companies doing testing are making BANK.
So passed the first test in Birch Bay…..NP for both of us.
If one person had covid its a pretty dam good bet your bed buddies got it.
Ahhhh Nope, you need to do test 2 when you get home within 24hrs or else we are coming for you.
Here’s the stupid thing. We were 15 minutes across the boarder in our own car, stayed in a private home with my family ALL double vaxxed. Returned home.
So IMHO all handled very poorly.
AND all these companies have all my private information now.
Pisses me off.
Waaaay overkill…
Oh! Fedex is here to pickup our test!
#287 R on 02.02.22 at 12:54 pm
I know what LIDAR is bud.
Thank you for the outline of autonomous driving options out there. You don’t understand the technology and that’s what scares me the most, for it shows you and people like yourself will confidently utilize it at too early a stage and eventually kill or injure someone.
Google undeniably has some of the smartest people in the world working on problems like this and they have been banging their heads on the problem for decades. In almost everything Elon says or writes, he shows he has almost no grasp on the tech he hires people for (he’s a business person, not an engineer). That’s fine, but it indicates that the smarts are coming from engineers within Tesla and I find it highly unlikely that they have found a novel approach that works. And, the results show that to be the case. A Tesla without a driver will hit a snag within a couple of miles and will either crash or stop and sit there. Useless, pointless and dangerous.
Single condo building towers. Whole towers.
Each $1 Billion plus in value on southwestern BC.
Vancouver area rea estate worth more than the entire candian stock market now.
# 301 WTF
“Always enlightening to see mob rule. Never works out as intended and it wont this time either. Intellectually limited grandees looking for their 15 min. Pathetic.
Start arresting the DT Ottawa “protesters” time to take out the trash”
Carefull. The world is watching very closely and Trudeau knows it.
Yay! A discussion on UBI! And nobody got pissed. Well maybe 299 Jay.
I agree to consider it if we regard it as an economic solution and not a matter of “social justice”.
#308 Statistics is a bitch Mr. Maitland on 02.02.22 at 3:02 pm
Maybe look at some data and then decide if you want to try to mislead us.
https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/coronavirus-excess-deaths-tracker
One of several studies that are showing global excess deaths are underestimates by a factor of 2 to 4. So, your ranking should be:
dandruff < ebola < typical flu < COVID < Spanish Flu
Based on data instead of your feelings and rancour.
Also, excess deaths in Canada are relatively low because this country is less a shambles than others in their response. All of the things you despise have kept the numbers low so that you can then complain about the “lack of pandemic”.
We here are with you and the other ninety percent . We’ve had our copy of “ The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. A guide for Canadians . The 1984 edition. Perhaps it should be more widely distributed. I’m very proud of the work done on it back in 81 , 82 , and still am . Thank you Garth !
I kinda liked O’Toole, for the most part he wasnt too extreme. I didnt like that he tried to desperately jump in with the anti-vax cowards though.
I dread to think what sort of wingnut they’ll put in to replace him.
It is a free financial blog, right? How do you make enemies?
Too many people have an opinion that aren’t worth anything. Nothing. Space. Waste.
If you want your opinion to be heard you have to find yourself in a position of power. Go! Then form an alliance? Cooperation over condemnation if you want change.
Under this principal we’ve flourished. Anything else will be our demise.
#316 Dr V on 02.02.22 at 3:25 pm
Yay! A discussion on UBI! And nobody got pissed. Well maybe 299 Jay.
I agree to consider it if we regard it as an economic solution and not a matter of “social justice”.
—
Sure, but it’s pretty hard to disentangle a move to an effectively more progressive tax policy, like UBI, from improving the lives of lower income people. I’m going to woke you here, but intersectionality is the buzzword.
I agree though that it shouldn’t be so much frames as who is “deserving” and therefore who justly should receive UBI. The need for it will increase in the imagined future where there are too few jobs for the number of people who seek them in a non-recession economy. i.e. not now under that criteria.
Regardless, it’s effectively an increase to the standard deduction such that it’s refundable.
#313 Faron on 02.02.22 at 3:19 pm
#287 R on 02.02.22 at 12:54 pm
———
Probably a good time to review Elon’s accomplishments:
Paypal- wildly successful
SpaceX- wildly successful
Tesla- wildly successful
Starlink – successful
Boring company – functional
Solar roofs- functional
Richest person in the world- yep
Household name- yep
Awesome dude- indubitably
Faron, maybe you could share a link of your company so we have some metrics to compare against Elon. Thanks.
#285 IHCTD9
“The cost of consumer goods are going to get ridiculously-cheap in the future.”
…………………………………………………………………………………………………….
This is very true, but only with regard to the most non essentials in the coming inflation/stagflation recession/depression economic malaise. The essentials needed to survive will eventually gravitate upwards…even skyrocket in prices … exactly becoming the deadly opposite.
DELETED
#322 Sail Away on 02.02.22 at 3:51 pm
#313 Faron on 02.02.22 at 3:19 pm
#287 R on 02.02.22 at 12:54 pm
———
Probably a good time to review Elon’s accomplishments:
Paypal- wildly successful
SpaceX- wildly successful
Tesla- wildly successful
Starlink – successful
Boring company – functional
Solar roofs- functional
Richest person in the world- yep
Household name- yep
Awesome dude- indubitably
Faron, maybe you could share a link of your company so we have some metrics to compare against Elon. Thanks.
Xxxxx
Which is all wonderful. What does the succession planning look like?
DELETED
No right is absolute, especially in a pandemic. Our charter is not like the US Constitution, which truck people cannot grasp. – Garth
What a condenscending comment! If I were a trucker I’d accidently drive it into a former bank (of Montreal).
I guess you are better versed on the Charter than Brian Peckford (who helped draft it in 1982). He sees plenty wrong with how the Liberals have been handling the plandemic and is suing the Federal Gov’t. for violating severals statutes. Perhaps you should listen in.
Dictator in waiting Chrystia Freeland, the truckers want freedom, well
they will get Freeland. Will she buy lots of shoes?
Slight rate increases won’t have any real effect on inflation. (not good)
Slight rate increases won’t affect the greater stock market much. (not too harsh)
Slight rate increases won’t affect 10 year bond values or yields much either way affecting mortgage rates to any significant degree. (a reprieve for now, but read on)
Slight rate increases won’t cause a recession. (good for a little longer)
Slight rate increases merely come too little too late and won’t steer inflation but will add more fuel to the inflation fire. (not good)
Rising inflation left to run wild without substantial interest rate increases can and will put risk on for a bond market sell-off. Slowly at first, accelerating the pace later with the dollar steadily being devalued.
Inflation is a bond’s worst enemy. It erodes the purchasing power of a bond’s future cash flows.
The Fed won’t get serious about reining in debt either and cringe at the very prospect of a taper later in the year regardless of announcing they will.
This wavering around the reining in of spending poses a mounting credit risk in showing without it, scheduled interest and/or principal payments to bond holders won’t likely be met.
With this ever growing risk in itself , investors will soon enough demand a higher interest rate in exchange for assuming the risk .
Soon enough, in that unprecedented rising US debt is already an unsustainable debt monster and is growing more out of control.
And a pressure game on for higher rates that in turn reflect on higher mortgage rates.
Obama himself stated 13 years ago, the National debt is unsustainable. Since then $19 trillion more has been added to it with no end in sight. The US national debt is now over $30 trillion. …but the end will come with the ultimate end of the US dollar and 300 million plus Americans with their heads buried in the sand when it does.
So what can be done…Is there any kind of viable solution in the mean time.
There can be only 2 outcomes now …Bad and Worse…Much Worse…and they’re already kicking that can down the road into 2023 and beyond.
Choose Bad now and survive or wait for things to get much worse.
Much Worse it will be , because nobody this day and age wants to believe anything bad or negative can happen to them or their country and the Fed will play right into that…nothing bad can ever happen…that’s for other people in other parts of the world …not me…no it can’t affect me…not to me it can.