Tim Noirot (3rd. place), Anika Ahlstrom, Mikayla Ahlstrom, Keagan Peppard (2nd. place), Maggie Tims (1st. place), Amelia Ahlstrom (4th. place)
Sunday, May 17, 2009
KUB KAR RACERS
Tim Noirot (3rd. place), Anika Ahlstrom, Mikayla Ahlstrom, Keagan Peppard (2nd. place), Maggie Tims (1st. place), Amelia Ahlstrom (4th. place)
MOTHER'S DAY BREAKFAST
Courtesy of the Caroline Elks at the complex last Sunday, May 10. Some eighty people enjoyed a hearty breakfast and social interaction.
WEST COUNTRY DRUG COALITION MEETING
This group, dedicated to creating a drug-free West Country, through education, awareness, prevention and community participation, met at the Caroline Elks' Youth Centre last Wednesday, May 6. Some of those participating were: Darlene Hoschka, Maxine Blowers (Meeting Host from Caroline Neighbourhood Place), Ken Qually, Joan McDonald and Jean Hofman. Past initiatives were reviewed and the group was told that results of an extensive drug use survey of children in local schools will be released shortly. For more information about this group, contact Clearwater Regional FCSS.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
The Tragic Health Effects of Income Inequality Show the Need for a Basic Income Guarantee
by Richard Cook
From the April 30, 2009, edition of Nature comes a fascinating review of a book that shows a striking correlation among nations between large income disparities and poor health. The book is The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better by Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett (Allen Lane 2009).
The title of the review is “Why Inequality is Fatal.” The review states:
“Why are our chances of reaching a great age so affected by wealth and status? The obvious answer is that more income buys better health. But it is a lot more subtle than that, as shown three decades ago by the Whitehall Study, in which epidemiologist Michael Marmot examined the death rates of British civil servants. To the surprise of many, he found that his subjects — all in continuous paid employment and with equal access to health care — were more likely to die in any given year if they were in a lower- grade job than a higher one. Marmot concluded that the employment hierarchy itself created status-dependent stress that affected the workers’ health.
“In their new book, epidemiologists Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett extend this idea with a far-reaching analysis of the social consequences of income inequality. Using statistics from reputable independent sources, they compare indices of health and social development in 23 of the world’s richest nations and in the individual U.S. states. Their striking conclusion is that the societies that do best for their citizens are those with the narrowest income differentials — such as Japan and the Nordic countries and the U.S. state of New Hampshire. The most unequal — the United States as a whole, the United Kingdom and Portugal — do worst.
“Many measures of the quality of life, including life expectancy, are correlated with the degree of economic equality in each country. A variety of problems such as mental illness, obesity, cardiovascular disease, unwillingness to engage with education, misuse of illegal and prescription drugs, teenage pregnancy, lack of social mobility and neglect of child welfare increase with greater inequality. Violence, from murder to the bullying of children at school, follows the same pattern.”
The key word in all this is “stress.” We see everywhere around us a dramatic increase in stress during the current economic recession. Loss of jobs, foreclosure of homes, increased debt, absence of health insurance, families under pressure to meet rising costs for food and other necessities—all are taking their toll.
The review points out that stress “triggers the release of the hormone cortisol, which raises blood pressure and blood sugar levels, from which myriad health and social problems unfold. This seemingly hard-wired response has been well studied in social hierarchies of monkeys; low-status animals become predisposed to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Humans experiencing chronic stress exhibit similar symptoms, accumulating abdominal fat under the influence of a part of the brain associated with addiction.
“Cortisol overrides ‘feel-good hormones’ such as oxytocin, involved in establishing trust, and dopamine, the reward signal that reinforces memory, attention and problem-solving ability. Cortisol-induced stress predisposes some individuals to mental illness or violent behavior. It can hasten the arrival of puberty, which may prompt premature sexual adventures, providing a plausible explanation of the high prevalence of teenage pregnancies in the most unequal societies. Cortisol also transmits stress to a fetus, with lasting consequences for physical and emotional development.”
Within the United States, income disparities have become worse during the last generation, since the “Reagan Revolution” of the 1980s unleashed the predators of Wall Street and put the lords of high finance in charge of our society. Today, even life expectancy in the U.S. is declining.
Of course there are many things individuals can do to reduce their levels of stress, including exercise, dietary improvements, and meditation. But society also has an obligation to step in. We know many of the reasons the incomes of working and middle-class people have stagnated or declined, including the shipping so many of our good manufacturing jobs overseas and the payment of outrageously high salaries, including bonuses, to CEOs and financiers. We also know that the minimum wage is much too low and housing too expensive, even with the bursting of the housing bubble.
But books like The Spirit Level should also make it clear the benefits that could be realized from a basic income guarantee such as I have advocated through my “Cook Plan” and as groups like the U.S. Basic Income Guarantee Network promote. I explain the rationale in my book, We Hold These Truths: The Hope of Monetary Reform. Another example of a solid income guarantee program is Stephen Shafarman’s citizens’ dividend proposal in his book Peaceful, Positive Revolution. (Both published by Tendril Press: www.tendrilpress.com.)
A basic income guarantee would break the killer stress cycle even while more systematic remedies to income disparities are sought. A huge weight would be lifted off peoples’ shoulders if they knew that no matter what economic hardships they had to endure, the basic needs of themselves and their families would be met.
From the April 30, 2009, edition of Nature comes a fascinating review of a book that shows a striking correlation among nations between large income disparities and poor health. The book is The Spirit Level: Why More Equal Societies Almost Always Do Better by Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett (Allen Lane 2009).
The title of the review is “Why Inequality is Fatal.” The review states:
“Why are our chances of reaching a great age so affected by wealth and status? The obvious answer is that more income buys better health. But it is a lot more subtle than that, as shown three decades ago by the Whitehall Study, in which epidemiologist Michael Marmot examined the death rates of British civil servants. To the surprise of many, he found that his subjects — all in continuous paid employment and with equal access to health care — were more likely to die in any given year if they were in a lower- grade job than a higher one. Marmot concluded that the employment hierarchy itself created status-dependent stress that affected the workers’ health.
“In their new book, epidemiologists Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett extend this idea with a far-reaching analysis of the social consequences of income inequality. Using statistics from reputable independent sources, they compare indices of health and social development in 23 of the world’s richest nations and in the individual U.S. states. Their striking conclusion is that the societies that do best for their citizens are those with the narrowest income differentials — such as Japan and the Nordic countries and the U.S. state of New Hampshire. The most unequal — the United States as a whole, the United Kingdom and Portugal — do worst.
“Many measures of the quality of life, including life expectancy, are correlated with the degree of economic equality in each country. A variety of problems such as mental illness, obesity, cardiovascular disease, unwillingness to engage with education, misuse of illegal and prescription drugs, teenage pregnancy, lack of social mobility and neglect of child welfare increase with greater inequality. Violence, from murder to the bullying of children at school, follows the same pattern.”
The key word in all this is “stress.” We see everywhere around us a dramatic increase in stress during the current economic recession. Loss of jobs, foreclosure of homes, increased debt, absence of health insurance, families under pressure to meet rising costs for food and other necessities—all are taking their toll.
The review points out that stress “triggers the release of the hormone cortisol, which raises blood pressure and blood sugar levels, from which myriad health and social problems unfold. This seemingly hard-wired response has been well studied in social hierarchies of monkeys; low-status animals become predisposed to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Humans experiencing chronic stress exhibit similar symptoms, accumulating abdominal fat under the influence of a part of the brain associated with addiction.
“Cortisol overrides ‘feel-good hormones’ such as oxytocin, involved in establishing trust, and dopamine, the reward signal that reinforces memory, attention and problem-solving ability. Cortisol-induced stress predisposes some individuals to mental illness or violent behavior. It can hasten the arrival of puberty, which may prompt premature sexual adventures, providing a plausible explanation of the high prevalence of teenage pregnancies in the most unequal societies. Cortisol also transmits stress to a fetus, with lasting consequences for physical and emotional development.”
Within the United States, income disparities have become worse during the last generation, since the “Reagan Revolution” of the 1980s unleashed the predators of Wall Street and put the lords of high finance in charge of our society. Today, even life expectancy in the U.S. is declining.
Of course there are many things individuals can do to reduce their levels of stress, including exercise, dietary improvements, and meditation. But society also has an obligation to step in. We know many of the reasons the incomes of working and middle-class people have stagnated or declined, including the shipping so many of our good manufacturing jobs overseas and the payment of outrageously high salaries, including bonuses, to CEOs and financiers. We also know that the minimum wage is much too low and housing too expensive, even with the bursting of the housing bubble.
But books like The Spirit Level should also make it clear the benefits that could be realized from a basic income guarantee such as I have advocated through my “Cook Plan” and as groups like the U.S. Basic Income Guarantee Network promote. I explain the rationale in my book, We Hold These Truths: The Hope of Monetary Reform. Another example of a solid income guarantee program is Stephen Shafarman’s citizens’ dividend proposal in his book Peaceful, Positive Revolution. (Both published by Tendril Press: www.tendrilpress.com.)
A basic income guarantee would break the killer stress cycle even while more systematic remedies to income disparities are sought. A huge weight would be lifted off peoples’ shoulders if they knew that no matter what economic hardships they had to endure, the basic needs of themselves and their families would be met.
Adoption Fair
Presented by Region 4 - Central Alberta
Child and Family Services Authority
Open House
Sunday, May 31, 2009 - 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Black Knight Inn - 2929 - 50 Avenue, Red Deer
Information Session/ Adoptive Family Panel Presentation at 2:00 p.m.
EVERYONE WELCOME!!!!
Please join us to learn more about the children who are currently
awaiting adoption, your options surrounding adoption and the
community supports that are available. YOU can make a difference
in the life of a child.
For more information, call the Foster Care
and Adoption Recruitment Coordinator at
(403) 755-6104. For toll-free service,
dial 310-0000, then the number.
Child and Family Services Authority
Open House
Sunday, May 31, 2009 - 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Black Knight Inn - 2929 - 50 Avenue, Red Deer
Information Session/ Adoptive Family Panel Presentation at 2:00 p.m.
EVERYONE WELCOME!!!!
Please join us to learn more about the children who are currently
awaiting adoption, your options surrounding adoption and the
community supports that are available. YOU can make a difference
in the life of a child.
For more information, call the Foster Care
and Adoption Recruitment Coordinator at
(403) 755-6104. For toll-free service,
dial 310-0000, then the number.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Caroline School Students Recognized
MARCH—STUDENT OF THE MONTH/HARDEST WORKING
Student of the Month / Hardest Working
Gr. 1D— Hunter Ogilvie / Gr. 1D— Evelynn Bystrom
Gr. 1K— Ava Bardenhagen / Gr. 1K— Justine Norheim
G. 2— Brody MacDonald / Gr. 2— Shawn Evans
Gr. 3— Dana Roper / Gr. 3— Ryan Groves
Gr. 3/4—Darbi Cunningham /Gr. 3/4– Destiny Faithful
Gr. 4— Rachel Pengelly /Gr. 4— Brieanna Holman
Gr. 5— Sheldon Schnell &
Dallas Johnson / Gr. 5— Zackory Hensel
Gr. 5/6— Colton Oliver /Gr. 5/6— Cheyenne Larson
Gr. 6—Mackenzie Reierson /Gr. 6— Chanel Kamaleddine
APRIL—STUDENT OF THE MONTH/HARDEST WORKING
Student of the Month /Hardest Working
Gr. 1D—Ben Blowers / Gr. 1D—James Kelly-Bouchard
Gr. 1K—HJaley Twoyoungmen / Gr. 1K—Rachel Masse
Gr. 2— Mia Bardenhagen /Gr. 2— Cammie Smith
Gr. 3— Brittany Mercier /Gr. 3— Tanner Carter
Gr. 3/4—Dallace Smith / Gr. 3/4—Erin Willsie
Gr. 4— Calvin Fauville / Gr. 4— Gillian Berg
Gr. 5— Courtney Mercier /Gr. 5— Ryan Visser
Gr. 5/6— Molly Minor /Gr. 5/6— Tanner Denham
Gr. 6— Tiara Ogilvie / Gr. 6— Brittany Willsie
Student of the Month / Hardest Working
Gr. 1D— Hunter Ogilvie / Gr. 1D— Evelynn Bystrom
Gr. 1K— Ava Bardenhagen / Gr. 1K— Justine Norheim
G. 2— Brody MacDonald / Gr. 2— Shawn Evans
Gr. 3— Dana Roper / Gr. 3— Ryan Groves
Gr. 3/4—Darbi Cunningham /Gr. 3/4– Destiny Faithful
Gr. 4— Rachel Pengelly /Gr. 4— Brieanna Holman
Gr. 5— Sheldon Schnell &
Dallas Johnson / Gr. 5— Zackory Hensel
Gr. 5/6— Colton Oliver /Gr. 5/6— Cheyenne Larson
Gr. 6—Mackenzie Reierson /Gr. 6— Chanel Kamaleddine
APRIL—STUDENT OF THE MONTH/HARDEST WORKING
Student of the Month /Hardest Working
Gr. 1D—Ben Blowers / Gr. 1D—James Kelly-Bouchard
Gr. 1K—HJaley Twoyoungmen / Gr. 1K—Rachel Masse
Gr. 2— Mia Bardenhagen /Gr. 2— Cammie Smith
Gr. 3— Brittany Mercier /Gr. 3— Tanner Carter
Gr. 3/4—Dallace Smith / Gr. 3/4—Erin Willsie
Gr. 4— Calvin Fauville / Gr. 4— Gillian Berg
Gr. 5— Courtney Mercier /Gr. 5— Ryan Visser
Gr. 5/6— Molly Minor /Gr. 5/6— Tanner Denham
Gr. 6— Tiara Ogilvie / Gr. 6— Brittany Willsie
CAROLINE SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS ARE RECOGNIZED
These members of SPEAK, a social action group at Caroline School were recognized by Caroline Neighbourhood Place with a pizza lunch provided at the school last Wednesday, April 29: Siera Michalsky and volunteer for sports(reffing basketball), Kailey Fauville and volunteer for sports (asst. coach basketball, reffing basketball), Morgan Spooner and volunteer for sport, Jazmine Spooner, Brett Godwin, Corey Campbell, Jessica Morrill, Hayley Katona, Sierra Piesse (& coaching minor hockey goaltenders). Volunteers for sport teams: Shayna Ververda, Taija Graham, Kiera Price -student coaches, Katelyn Godwin - student coaches, Nico Gelderblom - Coaching Jr. Boys Basketball, Leonard McTaggart - Coaching Jr. Boys Basketball, Billi-Jean Johnston - Reffing Basketball, Sara Stevens - Reffing/Coaching Basketball, Melissa Keim- volunteer firefighter, Breanna Houghton - volunteer coach skating, Chetweynne Westergaard-reffing elementary intramaurals, Cole Watt- reffing elementary intamural, Katelyn Morrill - helped with Danta's annonymus and shopping for the Christmas hampers, Volunteers for music: Micha Turchet.
RURAL ADDRESS
These signs on county roads are being placed beside driveways to rural residents in Clearwater County at this time. They create a "civic address" akin to a street address for people living in towns. This sign is in the Crammond area
SUBDIVISION LOT SIGNAGE
The Cranberry Acres Subdivision at Crammond has been given internal lot signage by Clearwater County. This is part of an Alberta wide project to create rural signage
Monday, May 11, 2009
Pen Meets Paper May 11, 2009
Opinion by Helge Nome
A couple of days ago I watched a news item on the BBC World News website showing the May 8 celebration in Moscow's Red Square of the end of World War II on that day in 1945. Much of Germany lay in ruins, as did other parts of Europe and beyond.
I remember on that same day in 1965, when I marched as a Platoon Sergeant, behind a company of Royal Norwegian Air Force personnel on Karl Johan Street in Oslo, Norway, to celebrate the same event, and the inaugural Telstar satellite transmission of that event across the Atlantic to North America.
And I remember just recently watching video on YouTube of German occupation forces marching on that very same pavement, also in May I believe, in1940.
The following statement came out of the Moscow news article: “The Russian President Dmitri Medvedev has issued a stern warning to any countries considering what he called "military adventures"”.
It is just all too familiar: Build up of tensions, saber rattling and finally, war. The individual issues change from one century to the next, but the underlying process does not: The will to subjugate and dominate. It is as old as life itself. Territory and domination is always in the background and these issues are glossed over by the propaganda machines of all participants. And the winner is always right because the winner writes the history books and will invariably demonize the loser.
So what is the process used to prepare people for war; to believe that they fighting for a “just cause”?
First you demonize the enemy as someone who does horrible things to perfectly innocent people. That creates fear which is used as a motivator to solicit public support. If you want to start a big war, you create a financial bubble that has to burst, creating financial hardships for a lot of people. When they are at a point of desperation, an act of provocation by your enemies will conveniently take place and you print a lot of money and make it available for people who are willing to sign up as soldiers and play other roles in the whole effort. You crank up the propaganda machine about the “Great Cause”.
Everybody jumps on the bandwagon and those who see through the whole scam had better shut up, or else they are agents of the enemy!
In 1938, Europe was a divided checkerboard with Germany rearmed, allegedly as a buttress against the Bolshevik juggernaut to the east, the Soviet Union under Stalin (self proclaimed “Man of Steel”). However, when the power play got underway, ideological biases were of little consequence, territorial ambitions were everything for the few power hungry players that pulled the strings. And we all know the consequences.
Now the wheel has come full circle and the consequences are very predictable.
A couple of days ago I watched a news item on the BBC World News website showing the May 8 celebration in Moscow's Red Square of the end of World War II on that day in 1945. Much of Germany lay in ruins, as did other parts of Europe and beyond.
I remember on that same day in 1965, when I marched as a Platoon Sergeant, behind a company of Royal Norwegian Air Force personnel on Karl Johan Street in Oslo, Norway, to celebrate the same event, and the inaugural Telstar satellite transmission of that event across the Atlantic to North America.
And I remember just recently watching video on YouTube of German occupation forces marching on that very same pavement, also in May I believe, in1940.
The following statement came out of the Moscow news article: “The Russian President Dmitri Medvedev has issued a stern warning to any countries considering what he called "military adventures"”.
It is just all too familiar: Build up of tensions, saber rattling and finally, war. The individual issues change from one century to the next, but the underlying process does not: The will to subjugate and dominate. It is as old as life itself. Territory and domination is always in the background and these issues are glossed over by the propaganda machines of all participants. And the winner is always right because the winner writes the history books and will invariably demonize the loser.
So what is the process used to prepare people for war; to believe that they fighting for a “just cause”?
First you demonize the enemy as someone who does horrible things to perfectly innocent people. That creates fear which is used as a motivator to solicit public support. If you want to start a big war, you create a financial bubble that has to burst, creating financial hardships for a lot of people. When they are at a point of desperation, an act of provocation by your enemies will conveniently take place and you print a lot of money and make it available for people who are willing to sign up as soldiers and play other roles in the whole effort. You crank up the propaganda machine about the “Great Cause”.
Everybody jumps on the bandwagon and those who see through the whole scam had better shut up, or else they are agents of the enemy!
In 1938, Europe was a divided checkerboard with Germany rearmed, allegedly as a buttress against the Bolshevik juggernaut to the east, the Soviet Union under Stalin (self proclaimed “Man of Steel”). However, when the power play got underway, ideological biases were of little consequence, territorial ambitions were everything for the few power hungry players that pulled the strings. And we all know the consequences.
Now the wheel has come full circle and the consequences are very predictable.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
The Report from Iron Mountain Revisited by Richard C. Cook
What impresses me in the current financial crisis is the near-total failure of so-called progressives to appreciate the magnitude of what is going on or the level of intelligence behind it. How many will say, for instance, that the crash was deliberately engineered by the creation, then destruction, of the investment bubbles of the last decade?
When the financial system creates bubbles it drives up the cost of assets far beyond their true value in producing or storing wealth. When the bubbles burst the value of the assets plummets. Those with ready cash then buy them up on the cheap. When the dust settles more wealth has been concentrated in fewer hands. The rich get richer, and ordinary people are left in a deeper condition of indebtedness, poverty, and pressure to perform to the liking of the financial masters.
Progressives think the system needs to be “reformed.” Maybe the banking system needs to be re-regulated or even nationalized. Maybe it should be possible for families facing loss of their homes to get a lower monthly payment from a bankruptcy court. Maybe the government instead of the private sector should administer student loans.
What we fail to acknowledge is that the system itself is totalitarian. This means that it is designed to exert total control over the lives of individuals. We are accustomed to use this label when thinking of anachronisms of history like communism or fascism. We do not understand that globalist finance capitalism and the government which protects, enables, or even regulates it are also totalitarian.
What has happened in the last year as the financial system has seemingly gone belly-up, and is coming back only through massive government bailouts, is part of a pattern that has been around for decades if not centuries. How the controllers work was laid out in 1967 when Dial Press published a leaked copy of The Report from Iron Mountain. This was a study put together by a team of academics and analysts who met at the underground facility in New York that was home to the Hudson Institute.
The report began by identifying war as the central organizing principle of society. It stated, “War itself is the basic social system, within which other secondary modes of social organization conflict or conspire. It is the system which has governed most human societies of record, as it is today.”
The report said that, “The basic authority of a modern state over its people resides in its war powers.” It said that any failure of will by the ruling class could lead to “actual disestablishment of military institutions.” The effect on the system would be, the report said, “catastrophic.”
The appearance of the report caused a sensation when it came out at the onset of the Vietnam War. Officials within the government had no comment, and the report faded into history. But certain of its sections fit the situation in 2009 precisely.
This is because the report outlined the ways the civilian population of a developed nation could be controlled even in the absence of a large-scale war that disrupted their daily lives. One of these ways was defined as follows: “A…possible surrogate for the control of potential enemies of society is the reintroduction, in some form consistent with modern technology and political process, of slavery….The development of a sophisticated form of slavery may be an absolute prerequisite for social control….” (Cited in Rule by Secrecy by Jim Marrs, 2000.)
We see the development of such a “sophisticated form of slavery” today. What else can a system be called that subjects the population to skyrocketing personal and household debt, a widening gap between the rich and everyone else, constant warfare justified as necessary to fight “terrorism,” erosion of personal freedoms, constantly expanding power allocated to the military and police, pervasive electronic eavesdropping, complete lack of accountability by politicians for their dishonesty and crimes, a mass media devoted solely to establishment propaganda, etc.
None of this seems to be diminishing under the Barack Obama administration. Even the economic recovery Obama is attempting to engineer through massive Keynesian deficit spending is expected by economists to be another “jobless” one like that of 2002-2005. Of course the unemployed or those who fear unemployment are easy to control. And the permanent series of Asian land wars George W. Bush instigated for control of resources and geopolitical leverage against Russia and China continue unabated.
None of this is accidental. As The Report from Iron Mountain made clear four decades ago, it’s what has been planned all along.
Richard C. Cook is a former federal analyst who writes on public policy issues. His book “We Hold These Truths: the Hope of Monetary Reform” is now available at www.tendrilpress.com. His website is www.richardccook.com.
When the financial system creates bubbles it drives up the cost of assets far beyond their true value in producing or storing wealth. When the bubbles burst the value of the assets plummets. Those with ready cash then buy them up on the cheap. When the dust settles more wealth has been concentrated in fewer hands. The rich get richer, and ordinary people are left in a deeper condition of indebtedness, poverty, and pressure to perform to the liking of the financial masters.
Progressives think the system needs to be “reformed.” Maybe the banking system needs to be re-regulated or even nationalized. Maybe it should be possible for families facing loss of their homes to get a lower monthly payment from a bankruptcy court. Maybe the government instead of the private sector should administer student loans.
What we fail to acknowledge is that the system itself is totalitarian. This means that it is designed to exert total control over the lives of individuals. We are accustomed to use this label when thinking of anachronisms of history like communism or fascism. We do not understand that globalist finance capitalism and the government which protects, enables, or even regulates it are also totalitarian.
What has happened in the last year as the financial system has seemingly gone belly-up, and is coming back only through massive government bailouts, is part of a pattern that has been around for decades if not centuries. How the controllers work was laid out in 1967 when Dial Press published a leaked copy of The Report from Iron Mountain. This was a study put together by a team of academics and analysts who met at the underground facility in New York that was home to the Hudson Institute.
The report began by identifying war as the central organizing principle of society. It stated, “War itself is the basic social system, within which other secondary modes of social organization conflict or conspire. It is the system which has governed most human societies of record, as it is today.”
The report said that, “The basic authority of a modern state over its people resides in its war powers.” It said that any failure of will by the ruling class could lead to “actual disestablishment of military institutions.” The effect on the system would be, the report said, “catastrophic.”
The appearance of the report caused a sensation when it came out at the onset of the Vietnam War. Officials within the government had no comment, and the report faded into history. But certain of its sections fit the situation in 2009 precisely.
This is because the report outlined the ways the civilian population of a developed nation could be controlled even in the absence of a large-scale war that disrupted their daily lives. One of these ways was defined as follows: “A…possible surrogate for the control of potential enemies of society is the reintroduction, in some form consistent with modern technology and political process, of slavery….The development of a sophisticated form of slavery may be an absolute prerequisite for social control….” (Cited in Rule by Secrecy by Jim Marrs, 2000.)
We see the development of such a “sophisticated form of slavery” today. What else can a system be called that subjects the population to skyrocketing personal and household debt, a widening gap between the rich and everyone else, constant warfare justified as necessary to fight “terrorism,” erosion of personal freedoms, constantly expanding power allocated to the military and police, pervasive electronic eavesdropping, complete lack of accountability by politicians for their dishonesty and crimes, a mass media devoted solely to establishment propaganda, etc.
None of this seems to be diminishing under the Barack Obama administration. Even the economic recovery Obama is attempting to engineer through massive Keynesian deficit spending is expected by economists to be another “jobless” one like that of 2002-2005. Of course the unemployed or those who fear unemployment are easy to control. And the permanent series of Asian land wars George W. Bush instigated for control of resources and geopolitical leverage against Russia and China continue unabated.
None of this is accidental. As The Report from Iron Mountain made clear four decades ago, it’s what has been planned all along.
Richard C. Cook is a former federal analyst who writes on public policy issues. His book “We Hold These Truths: the Hope of Monetary Reform” is now available at www.tendrilpress.com. His website is www.richardccook.com.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Heading For The Stars
One of two F104 Starfighters left in the world on display in Innisfail, Alberta.
The version of these planes manufactured in Europe developed a reputation for killing their pilots and crashing for unexplained reasons. Possibly related to intermittent failures in the pilot's life support system.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Looking After The Flock
This guard dog, in a field near Markerville, Alberta, is making sure no predators will cause trouble.
A Sign Of The Times?
This branch of the RBC bank in Innisfail, Alberta has been wrapped up! Is this an indicator of things to come?
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
SPRINGTIME AT GLENIFFER LAKE
Debris at the North Dyke boat loading ramp indicate much higher dam levels since the last boating season. Gleniffer Lake is fed by the Red Deer River and is a popular recreation area near Spruce View.
HAPPY FISHERMAN REELING IN HIS CATCH
At the Trout Pond beside Dickson Point on the south west end of Gleniffer Lake on Saturday, May 2. A sign of spring in Alberta.
DUCKS ON THE WING OVER A PARTIALLY ICE COVERED GLENIFFER LAKE
These ducks are getting ready for the mating season. There is spring in the air in Alberta!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Landowners Overruled
(Rimbey, AB) The Alberta Court of Appeal ruled against landowner rights today, and upheld the Alberta Energy Utility Board’s (EUB) decision to license a private transmission line from Lethbridge, AB to Great Falls, Mt. The court’s decision was split against the landowners 2 to 1.
On August 12, 2008 the Montana Alberta Tie LLC (MATL), a private company, received approval from the Alberta government to build a private transmission line from Lethbridge, AB to the U.S. border. The transmission line was designed to eventually terminate in Great Falls, Montana.
Alberta’s regulator, the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO), had a very narrow and limited role in the approval process because private companies, such as MATL, are not required to meet any public interest requirement test, or economic ‘need’ test, in order to build a transmission line.
The Lavesta Area Group (LAG) contributed financial and legal support in an attempt to overturn the government’s decision that approved MATL’s proposal, because we firmly believe a developer’s dream for a private transmission line should not take precedence over a citizen’s dream of keeping his or her own home, property, or business.
LAG claims the Alberta PC government failed miserably in its responsibility to protect the rights of its citizens when it intervened to advance MATL’s private interests rights over the private interest rights of the farmers affected by the MATL proposal. The farmers directly and adversely affected by MATL’s proposal are innocent victims in a classic case of competing private interest rights. MATL’s proposal to build a transmission line has nothing to do with fulfilling any public interest need; hence government’s only role in this matter should have been limited to protecting private property from being seized to benefit another private interest.
The Lavesta Area Group takes the position that government should never encroach upon an individual’s private property rights unless there is an imminent and necessary public need. We will decide in the next few weeks whether or not we will appeal this decision to the Supreme Court of Canada.
Joe Anglin
(403) 843-3279
(403) 963- 0521 cell
On August 12, 2008 the Montana Alberta Tie LLC (MATL), a private company, received approval from the Alberta government to build a private transmission line from Lethbridge, AB to the U.S. border. The transmission line was designed to eventually terminate in Great Falls, Montana.
Alberta’s regulator, the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO), had a very narrow and limited role in the approval process because private companies, such as MATL, are not required to meet any public interest requirement test, or economic ‘need’ test, in order to build a transmission line.
The Lavesta Area Group (LAG) contributed financial and legal support in an attempt to overturn the government’s decision that approved MATL’s proposal, because we firmly believe a developer’s dream for a private transmission line should not take precedence over a citizen’s dream of keeping his or her own home, property, or business.
LAG claims the Alberta PC government failed miserably in its responsibility to protect the rights of its citizens when it intervened to advance MATL’s private interests rights over the private interest rights of the farmers affected by the MATL proposal. The farmers directly and adversely affected by MATL’s proposal are innocent victims in a classic case of competing private interest rights. MATL’s proposal to build a transmission line has nothing to do with fulfilling any public interest need; hence government’s only role in this matter should have been limited to protecting private property from being seized to benefit another private interest.
The Lavesta Area Group takes the position that government should never encroach upon an individual’s private property rights unless there is an imminent and necessary public need. We will decide in the next few weeks whether or not we will appeal this decision to the Supreme Court of Canada.
Joe Anglin
(403) 843-3279
(403) 963- 0521 cell
Monday, May 4, 2009
Pen Meets Paper May 4'09
Opinion by Helge Nome
“A shepherd boy tending his flock one night amused himself by shouting to the local villagers, "Wolf, wolf!" when there was none, just to see them come running. He repeated the trick and each time the villagers came to help, just to find the boy had tricked them again. Later that night a wolf really did come. The boy again called "Wolf, wolf!", but believing it to be another trick, no-one came, leaving the wolf free to kill all the sheep he wanted.”
World Health Organization officials have something to learn from this condensed fable by a rather famous writer called Aesop. They have been diligently appearing in front of cameras and microphones lately with their message of fear for the new(?) H1N1 virus (wolf). Last time it was the H5N1 “birdflu” virus (wolf again) that turned out to be a fizzer.
It is very gratifying for people who are not normally recognized to stand in front of the world media and cry “wolf!” so as to bring attention to themselves. It is equally convenient for the media to play along because of the “easy news copy” they obtain from the process. So we have a typical “collusion of interest” in operation. What none of these people seem to think about are the downstream consequences of their actions: They have unwittingly(?) created excuses for politically motivated actions against individuals and states, in the form of the closing of borders to products and restrictions on travel.
And right here in Alberta, the already stressed pork industry has received another blow on the nose, not unlike the BSE Panic which transferred a lot of beef producers farm equity into the hands of their bankers.
The other scary aspect of the behavior of WHO officials and the mainstream media people is that when a nasty virus does appear on the scene, people will not take any notice of their warnings: The real wolf will have his day!
“A shepherd boy tending his flock one night amused himself by shouting to the local villagers, "Wolf, wolf!" when there was none, just to see them come running. He repeated the trick and each time the villagers came to help, just to find the boy had tricked them again. Later that night a wolf really did come. The boy again called "Wolf, wolf!", but believing it to be another trick, no-one came, leaving the wolf free to kill all the sheep he wanted.”
World Health Organization officials have something to learn from this condensed fable by a rather famous writer called Aesop. They have been diligently appearing in front of cameras and microphones lately with their message of fear for the new(?) H1N1 virus (wolf). Last time it was the H5N1 “birdflu” virus (wolf again) that turned out to be a fizzer.
It is very gratifying for people who are not normally recognized to stand in front of the world media and cry “wolf!” so as to bring attention to themselves. It is equally convenient for the media to play along because of the “easy news copy” they obtain from the process. So we have a typical “collusion of interest” in operation. What none of these people seem to think about are the downstream consequences of their actions: They have unwittingly(?) created excuses for politically motivated actions against individuals and states, in the form of the closing of borders to products and restrictions on travel.
And right here in Alberta, the already stressed pork industry has received another blow on the nose, not unlike the BSE Panic which transferred a lot of beef producers farm equity into the hands of their bankers.
The other scary aspect of the behavior of WHO officials and the mainstream media people is that when a nasty virus does appear on the scene, people will not take any notice of their warnings: The real wolf will have his day!
NEW JAMES RIVER HALL
Built to replace the old hall that succumbed to flooding on June 18, 2005. It was officialy opened by local dignitaries on April 25 and there was an inaugural dance in the hall that night with Allen Christie and his band.
THE OLD JAMES RIVER HALL
During the flood of June 18 2005. The hall, located on the river flat on the south side of the James River, where the old highway crosses the river, has now been replaced with a new one.
INAUGURAL DANCE
Beny and Roland Weir were the first couple on the floor at the celebration of the opening of the new James River Hall on Saturday, April 25. Coincidentally, Roland Weir organized the last dance held in the old hall before it was flooded on June 18, 2005.
WILD ELK ON THE MOVE
During a spring snow storm at Crammond on Friday April 24. This herd has its territory between the Sundre and Caroline areas. 42 animals were counted in the herd
Village Council Notes
Mill Rate Reduced Due To Higher Property Value Assessments.
All councillors and CAO McKinnon were present at the regular Village Council meeting last Tuesday, April 7, at 3:20pm in the Village office where Council gave all three required readings to Property Tax Rate Bylaw 38/08. The residential tax rate decreased 1.5% from 2008 (7.2% from 2007) to 11.387 while the non residential tax rate decreased 1.4% from 2008 (6.2%) to 14.123. The reduction for both residential and non-residential properties is largely attributable to increases in the assessment for residential properties. Properties in the village were given a “Total Live Assessment” of $37,363,410. Municipal property taxes account for $348,660.50 (27%) of the Village's $1,269.517.40 operating budget for 2009.
Board Reports
Mayor Cudmore, reporting from the Library Board, spoke about ongoing heaving problems of the concrete pad in front of the library's main entrance doors.
Deputy Mayor Nielsen, reporting from Rocky Senior Housing noted a long standing waiting list of 30 people who are in need of accommodation. Expansion of existing facilities in Rocky is scheduled to begin in September.
She said that the Rocky Solid Waste Authority is looking at ways of dealing with the disposal of old toilets and cardboard waste. And, while Caroline's waste transfer station is in good shape, others in the area are not and are in need of maintenance.
Councillor Pryor, reporting from the Clearwater Regional FCSS Board, had attended a workshop setting goals for the next two years.
Ambulance Is Under Provincial Umbrella
The Village received a letter from the Caroline and District Volunteer Ambulance Service informing Council that the service is now operating under the umbrella of Alberta Health Services, canceling any written of verbal contracts or agreements with the Village of Caroline. Councillor Van Dijk asked questions about the ownership of the present ambulance building and municipal taxes. CAO McKinnon undertook to look into these matters.
All councillors and CAO McKinnon were present at the regular Village Council meeting last Tuesday, April 7, at 3:20pm in the Village office where Council gave all three required readings to Property Tax Rate Bylaw 38/08. The residential tax rate decreased 1.5% from 2008 (7.2% from 2007) to 11.387 while the non residential tax rate decreased 1.4% from 2008 (6.2%) to 14.123. The reduction for both residential and non-residential properties is largely attributable to increases in the assessment for residential properties. Properties in the village were given a “Total Live Assessment” of $37,363,410. Municipal property taxes account for $348,660.50 (27%) of the Village's $1,269.517.40 operating budget for 2009.
Board Reports
Mayor Cudmore, reporting from the Library Board, spoke about ongoing heaving problems of the concrete pad in front of the library's main entrance doors.
Deputy Mayor Nielsen, reporting from Rocky Senior Housing noted a long standing waiting list of 30 people who are in need of accommodation. Expansion of existing facilities in Rocky is scheduled to begin in September.
She said that the Rocky Solid Waste Authority is looking at ways of dealing with the disposal of old toilets and cardboard waste. And, while Caroline's waste transfer station is in good shape, others in the area are not and are in need of maintenance.
Councillor Pryor, reporting from the Clearwater Regional FCSS Board, had attended a workshop setting goals for the next two years.
Ambulance Is Under Provincial Umbrella
The Village received a letter from the Caroline and District Volunteer Ambulance Service informing Council that the service is now operating under the umbrella of Alberta Health Services, canceling any written of verbal contracts or agreements with the Village of Caroline. Councillor Van Dijk asked questions about the ownership of the present ambulance building and municipal taxes. CAO McKinnon undertook to look into these matters.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
West Country Drug Coalition Meeting
Purpose: to enhance awareness, provide education and prevention of alcohol and abuse in our community and schools within the County of Clearwater.
You are invited to attend a meeting
Wednesday May 6 at 1:00 p.m in the
Caroline Royal Purple and Elks Youth Center
located at 5014-48th street in Caroline
Everyone is welcome
for more information contact :
Maxine 403-722-3787 email: carnp@telus.net
Tracy 403-845-3720
You are invited to attend a meeting
Wednesday May 6 at 1:00 p.m in the
Caroline Royal Purple and Elks Youth Center
located at 5014-48th street in Caroline
Everyone is welcome
for more information contact :
Maxine 403-722-3787 email: carnp@telus.net
Tracy 403-845-3720
2009 BIG HORN RODEO PARADE
Saturday, May 16th, Main Street Caroline 10:30 am
“FUN FOR EVERYONE!”
CALLING EVERYBODY, EVERYWHERE SHOW YOUR SUPPORT; ENTER A FLOAT IN OUR PARADE!!!
The Caroline and District Chamber of Commerce and the Caroline Museum with the help of many dedicated volunteers have partnered and once again are organizing the Big Horn Rodeo Parade and Candyman Parade, to take place Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 10:30 am.
Please accept this invitation to mark your calendar and participate in the May long weekend parade in Caroline.
We are looking forward to a top notch parade and eagerly anticipate your entry. The theme this year is “FUN FOR EVERYONE!” What does fun mean to you, your business or organization? Use your imagination; let’s be kids again (just for a little while). Let our everyday stresses go for a few hours and have FUN!! It’s all about you!
The Red Deer Royals will be joining us again this year.
Build a float, have your children decorate their bikes, enter your antique car or ride your horses; almost anything goes. Get your Entry in soon!
OUR STAGING AREA WILL BE AT THE KURT BROWNING COMPEX. Make your way to the south side of town. Watch for the signs. The people who line up the participants in the parade will also be our judges. All entries must be lined up be 10:00 a.m. All entries will be judged and ribbons awarded with the parade on way by 10:30 a.m.
The format of the parade will continue as it did last year. There will be NO throwing of candy from the participants in the main parade. The Candyman Parade will precede the main parade with the Candyman and gaily decorated clowns throwing out candy and handing out balloons. With this safety measure in place, everyone can sit back and enjoy the parade.
If you require further information please feel free to call the Chamber Office. Please notify the Chamber of your intent to enter the parade so that we may forward an information package closer to parade day. Contact Information: Phone (403) 722-4066 (Please leave me a message if I am not there) or e-mail ccoc@telus.net. Check on line at www.carolinechamber.ca for updated information.
Thank you, we look forward to your participation!
Deana Knight, Manager – Caroline & District Chamber of Commerce
“FUN FOR EVERYONE!”
CALLING EVERYBODY, EVERYWHERE SHOW YOUR SUPPORT; ENTER A FLOAT IN OUR PARADE!!!
The Caroline and District Chamber of Commerce and the Caroline Museum with the help of many dedicated volunteers have partnered and once again are organizing the Big Horn Rodeo Parade and Candyman Parade, to take place Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 10:30 am.
Please accept this invitation to mark your calendar and participate in the May long weekend parade in Caroline.
We are looking forward to a top notch parade and eagerly anticipate your entry. The theme this year is “FUN FOR EVERYONE!” What does fun mean to you, your business or organization? Use your imagination; let’s be kids again (just for a little while). Let our everyday stresses go for a few hours and have FUN!! It’s all about you!
The Red Deer Royals will be joining us again this year.
Build a float, have your children decorate their bikes, enter your antique car or ride your horses; almost anything goes. Get your Entry in soon!
OUR STAGING AREA WILL BE AT THE KURT BROWNING COMPEX. Make your way to the south side of town. Watch for the signs. The people who line up the participants in the parade will also be our judges. All entries must be lined up be 10:00 a.m. All entries will be judged and ribbons awarded with the parade on way by 10:30 a.m.
The format of the parade will continue as it did last year. There will be NO throwing of candy from the participants in the main parade. The Candyman Parade will precede the main parade with the Candyman and gaily decorated clowns throwing out candy and handing out balloons. With this safety measure in place, everyone can sit back and enjoy the parade.
If you require further information please feel free to call the Chamber Office. Please notify the Chamber of your intent to enter the parade so that we may forward an information package closer to parade day. Contact Information: Phone (403) 722-4066 (Please leave me a message if I am not there) or e-mail ccoc@telus.net. Check on line at www.carolinechamber.ca for updated information.
Thank you, we look forward to your participation!
Deana Knight, Manager – Caroline & District Chamber of Commerce
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