Freddie P's Blog

November 2, 2008 @ 10:16

The Iraq war is costing the United States of America roughly 12 billion dollars a month, and by the end of the year it will have cost the country one trillion dollars.

It's an expenditure that can't be sustained and it provides an extremely valid reason why Barack Obama wants to "sit down and talk."

During the current American election campaign Obama has been vilified by the right for even suggesting that talking to America's enemies might be better than bombing them.

It's an interesting phenomenon.

As children we're told not to fight. We're encouraged to communicate and resolve disputes through the spoken word, not the broken bone. But for some reason, those rules change as we get older.

There's no doubt there are several "wing nut" countries throughout the world and several barbaric organizations like Al Qaeda. Some will argue that you can never negotiate with these people and surely never reach what the vast majority of us want - world peace.

But what's the alternative? Under the current plan, by the time the United States pulls out of Iraq and Afghanistan they will have spent three trillion dollars and from all accounts, they simply can't sustain such expenditure. It will literally cripple the country and we've already seen evidence of that.

There's an element in the United States that prefers to write Barack Obama off as some kind of a socialist crack pot.

Is he that, or is he a realist?

To remain adversarial may or may not have prevented terrorist acts in the United States over the past five years, but we'll never know. And it's that unknown that nagging.

It's not Republican policy to sit down and talk, or to show any kind of weakness or conciliation when it comes to the so-called bad guys, so if John McCain becomes president we can expect more of the same. More war and more billions spent.

However, if Barack Obama becomes President, then maybe, just maybe the United States has the chance to change direction.

To stand up in the United States of America and propose "talking" to the enemy is dangerous territory. It's not the American way. Crushing things is the American way.

But Barack Obama doesn't care and to me that doesn't show weakness, it shows immeasurable strength.

Category: Politics

November 2, 2008 @ 09:39

McCain's campaign of opportunities lost

Category: Politics

November 2, 2008 @ 08:57

MONTREAL- A Quebec comedy duo notorious for prank calls to celebrities and heads of state has punked Sarah Palin, convincing the Republican vice-presidential nominee she was speaking with French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Category: Politics | Video

November 1, 2008 @ 22:16

It was early in the third period last night, before the Maple Leafs remarkable comeback against the New York Rangers. A thought ran through my mind and then I made it verbal to Neighbour John.

"The Leafs better not bring Mats Sundin back to this team."

Even though the Leafs were losing 2-0 at the time, they were still playing a pretty good game, the type of game that's become standard so far this season, hard work and perseverance.

The Leafs have exceeded expectations to this point, and who knows, within a couple of weeks they could be mired in a horrible slump. But that doesn't matter, because either way they can't lose.

If the Leafs continue to play well, we've been entertained, but if they go into the dumper that's OK too, because it means they'll get a decent draft choice.

But regardless of what unfolds in the next few weeks, one thing is certain, the last thing they need is Mats Sundin.

If the over-rated former captain returned, he would probably have an adverse affect on the team. Like he did on a few playoff series where he was injured and then returned only to have the team play worse.

Good or bad it's a new era for the Leafs. They've dumped some baggage and taken on a new "culture" and whether they make the playoffs this year or finish dead last, it's something they have to do. Go forward and not look back.

They're a new team with a new direction with new leadership. The last thing they need to do is get stupid and think that re-signing Sundin will take them to a new level or make them into something they aren't.

Sundin screwed the team last spring by not accepting a trade, and he's currently screwing around with several teams by not making a decision about a return.

It bothers me that the Leafs haven't named a new captain yet. They're naming monthly captains and right now the title belongs to Nik Antropov. I have the feeling they won't commit to a full time captain because it's in the back of somebody's mind at MLSE that Sundin might return.

Let's hope not. It would be a giant step backwards.

Category: Sports

November 1, 2008 @ 12:51

The following line was written in the attached article by Andrew Chung: Trained as a lawyer at his father's alma mater, Université Laval, he has become used to the limelight over the years and has honed his skills as an adept, funny and engaging public personality.

Excuse me?

Mulroney wedding a small, elegant affair

Category: Show Biz | Stuff

November 1, 2008 @ 11:17

Zamboni driver faces impaired charge

Category: Stuff