Overrant

Take two Australian DJ’s, a pregnant Duchess of Cambridge and a nurse who is struggling with pressures in life and toss them in a blender. Pour the contents in frosted mug, top with a radio prank and serve with a side of a ‘Top Jock’ trophy and you can present your kids a MIXED MESSAGE.

Strangely enough, the Southern Cross Austereo network bestowed the ‘Top Jock’  award on its own Micheal Christian, one of the DJ’s involved in the prank phone call to the hospital where a pregnant Princess Katherine was admitted while battling morning sickness. Christian and his cohort, Mel Grieg, posing as the Queen and Prince Charles, were able to convince nurse Jacintha Saldanha to put the call through to the room of the princess.

The prank, however, stopped being funny once Jacintha Saldanha was discovered two days later. Dead. Suicide. A tragic event and an outcome that was never imagined.  The world was outraged, Christian and Grieg were pulled off the air, tears and apologies flowed and Christian went back on the air in February with little fanfare.

So thinking that enough time had passed since Jacintha’s death, the brass at Southern Cross Austereo network decided to give Micheal Christian the Oscar of Australian radio. The Top Jock award. Sure Micheal may have had a good year on the airwaves, but he is first and foremost ‘that guy’. Is that really the image Southern Cross Austereo wants to portray?

After the award was announced, Micheal Christian said, “That regardless of all that has happened the past few months, I am still at the top of my game. So it felt good to see my name at the top of the final leader-board.”

Settling into a seat in to escape reality and be engulfed in the  happenings on the silver screen is quite enjoyable; when the cinematic experience begins to translate into our everyday life, well that is another story that I don’t want to embrace.

The all to common occurrence at Queen’s Park in Toronto is reminiscent of the scene from The Godfather where Don Corleone states, “You ask me for a favor on this, my daughter’s wedding day, maybe one day you can do a favor for my family.” Who says that Organized Crime is dead? It’s alive and well and thriving in the Ontario government with two crime families have just formed an alliance that will continue a crime spree for another one to years.

Ontario NDP leader Andrea Horwath has been found (she was tougher to locate than Osama Bin Laden) in time to vote with the Ontario Liberals on the budget and thus avoid an election (the same Liberals who knowingly broke the law by wiping hard drives to cover up their wrongdoings…a little something they picked up from the good folks at Enron.)

Horwath is scratching the back of Premier Kathleen Wynne of the Liberal Party, keeping them in power to continue their Viking methodology of pillaging in political leadership. Horwath will expect a return favor but knowing this Liberal government she had better expect Premier Wynne to return from the restroom with a revolver in hand (it’s another reference from The Godfather, not a suggestion on my part.)

  The death of a person causes most people to exhale, frown and say, “I’m sorry to hear that.” The passing of a divisive figure however, usually brings one of two responses and your response is dictated by which camp you pitch your tent in.

The face of Canadian abortion, Dr. Henry Morgentaler passed away yesterday due to natural causes at the age of 90. Many are mourning the loss of a ‘true hero to women who was driven by his conviction’, which is contrasted by the many who celebrate the fact that ‘Morgentaler will now get it as he meets his Maker.’ I am hard pressed to think of a Canadian figure in recent history who brought a more divided response when his name was mentioned. You either loved this guy or you hated him…there was rarely a neutral reaction.

Even after Morgentaler retired from the sickening business of abortion, he continued to draw the ire of many by popping up in the news as his name surfaced in court cases from various provinces as abortion rights were challenged. Pro-choice crowds are still confused as to how the decision makers of the Order of Canada bestowed this prestigious award upon Morgentaler, causing some former winners to hand the medal back in protest. Some parents and students skipped university graduation ceremonies as Dr. Henry (and I use that term loosely) was asked to bring the key note address, which many are still shaking their heads at.

Political leaders need to gaze into the past, in this case to 1961, to gain some wisdom. In fact all people, regardless of position in life, could learn from President John F. Kennedy. It needs to be said that I am not a big fan of JFK, unless you are talking about the Oliver Stone film, which I did enjoy. But JFK did the unthinkable in the eyes of many politicians and his popularity soared. What did he do? He owned up to the truth.

The Bay of Pigs Invasion was an utter disaster from the American standpoint, but instead of spinning the news in an attempt to be shielded from the scorn of Americans, JFK got on television and addressed the nation and said that he made a mistake. The valuable lesson of ‘Tell The Truth…Tell It Early…And Tell It Yourself’ rode the airwaves that evening as Kennedy came clean with the western world.

Did Nixon learn from it? Certainly not. How about about Bill Clinton? Not a chance, but he did live to see another political day. Evidently Barack Obama, Stephen Harper, Dalton McGuinty and Kathleen Wynne believe that ‘Tell The Truth…Tell It Early…And Tell It Yourself’ doesn’t apply to their administrations.

With Obama, there is the need to come clean on Benghazi, the IRS and AP phone records. Harper has to address the Canadian Senate (although with this scandal, most Canadians have now come to the realization that we have a Senate), although Harper’s larger problem is the Robo-Call coverup during the last election. Premiers McGuinty and Wynne have the greatest mountain of evidence against their leadership lies, but they seem to permanently reside in the state of denial.

Hire 16,000 additional IRS agents……….Check

Have the IRS target Tea Party groups….Check

Audit company that makes my iPad……..Check

Everyone needs a checklist, and after sorting through the White House trash the other day, this reporter found this one that originated in the Oval Office.

The world’s richest enterprise, Apple, made their money by being innovators who can market their product and by utilizing a highly creative tapestry of global companies to hide their profits and thus avoid paying the taxman. In other words, Apple is following the lead of Bono (who never enjoyed giving the Irish government one cent) and Frenchman Gerard Depardieu, who turned in his French passport to secure new Russian documentation, thus saving millions as French socialism comes harder after the rich then John Pinette at a buffet.

Now granted, Apple pays $6 billion in taxes each year to the IRS and who can blame them for wanting to save a few dollars here and there. But the shine is quickly coming off the Apple as early investigation is showing Tim Cook hid $74 billion from the IRS between 2009-2012. That my friends, is a lot of iCoin!

After Obama and company get the current iRS scandal rectified, the revenue agency will surely turn their guns on Tim Cook (he is scheduled to appear before Congress shortly) and demand some answers and some money. After all, someone has to pay for the new computers that will make Obamacare hum.

What would Monday morning be without the latest gossip at the watercooler? Although, I admit, it is proving more difficult to worm my way in there with all the Secret Service agents hanging around. Sit back and enjoy the latest comments…

President Barack Obama on his constant ‘this is the last straw’ with Syria – “Do you think if I keep drawing these red lines with Syria that I will get an endorsement deal with Sharpie?”

Michelle Obama, after she told grads to seek out those with different beliefs – “Just like I did in marrying a young Muslim socialist from Kenya.”

IRS agents, after admitting to targeting Tea Party groups for audits – “We suspected  the Tea Party was plot orchestrated by the Queen in retaliation for that whole Boston Harbor thing.”

TSA agent after his explosive-sniffing-dog bit an innocent woman in the stomach - “He thought she had a bomb in her belly button.”

Mobster Vito Rizzuto, after word got out that he ordained non-Italians as made men – “It was my attempt at a United Nations version of organized crime.”

Evidently the woman  known for the ability to make anything, can’t in fact, fabricate everything. Martha Stewart has posted on Match.com a profile with the hope of finding that ‘someone special.’ Ms. Stewart is 71 years old and ready to hit the dating scene, whether it be Club Macanundo on the Upper East Side or the 3 PM Seniors Buffet at Reggie’s outside the La Boca Vista Retirement Community. After a successful business career where she has compiled a net worth of $638 million, Martha has decided it’s time to settle into a relationship. Match.com is still hush-hush on whether they are compensating Martha for her choosing their relationship site.

Every man need not apply, as Martha has some specific attributes that she desires (as we all do, with the exception of Bill Clinton that is.) Ms. Stewart is looking a for man with a graduate degree and a minimum salary of $150 K (there will be no gold-digging here) My guess is that there is a pre-nup agreement in the top drawer of her desk if the relationship moves to the marital commitment stage (and why not, $638 million is nothing to sneeze at).

Martha describes herself as a social drinker; I trust she is not too social as that can lead to some substance abuse issues and speaking of substance abuse, Martha describes herself as very liberal. That narrows the field considerably, and sad for Martha, it also narrows the field intellectually. D.C. is the natural prowling ground for Martha to head to as its a town full of liberals with graduate degrees and a cocktail party (sometimes 2 or 3) every night. And while Martha is in town, maybe she could come up with a recipe for out-of–control governmental spending.

Ah, the office gossip. It’s my favorite Monday morning exercise…to hang around the watercooler and hear the comings and goings of my peers. Not to worry though, we quickly disperse when Casino Marg (as she spends her weekends at the blackjack tables, or as she calls it ‘me-time’) gives us the signal that the boss is coming down the hall. The following was overheard this week.

Mark Zuckerberg on his upcoming tax bill – “IRS agents have LIKED me over a billion times on my Facebook page.”

Chelsea Clinton after interviewing the Geico Gecko on NBC’s Rock Center – “I tried to get him to cry during my interview…you know, like Oprah can do.”

Mitt Romney on being pursued for President of the San Diego Olympic bid - “It’s not the White House, but it pays a lot better.”

Prime Minister Stephen Harper, after Canada was accused by China and Iran of human rights violations - “Hey, we work hard to ensure that every Canadian is no more than two minutes from a Tim Horton’s”

President Obama, after attending the opening of the George W. Bush Library - “I especially enjoyed their selection of Kenyan Immigration history.”

Sylvester Stallone, regarding the upcoming Rocky musical on Broadway – “If Zac Efron don’t get the lead, I’m gonna to lose it.”

Conan O’Brien, after emceeing the White House Press Dinner - “I could have been funnier, but the Secret Service threatened to shoot me if I mentioned the words Birth Certificate.”

It was on this date, April 30, 1789, that a spontaneous uprising gathered on Wall Street in New York City, not to protest but honor, a member of the 1%. In fact, instead of picketing against capitalism, this group came to cheer the first leader of a capitalistic society. And it happened on Wall Street. Truth be told, the gathering of cheering throngs began before Wall Street, the crowds were lining the rivers as General George Washington made his way into town to the first Presidential Inauguration.

As the ‘spontaneous’ modern day Occupy Wall Street movement began (from it’s HQ in Vancouver, B.C.) to rise up against the 1% of people who own everything, the 1789 Wall Street gathering grew to see likely the richest person at the time. General George Washington was worth over $500 million in 2013 currency. He was probably the 1% of the 1%, and he was beloved. There was no hate amongst the 1789 Occupy Wall Street crowd, no angst; just simple gratitude for a leader among leaders who entered the position with an attitude of humility.

After the inauguration, Washington addressed Congress in New York City’s Federal Hall and he admitted that he could not foresee what the extent of power or what the true duties of the presidency would include (Obama had similar feelings; the difference being that Washington was already a proven leader)

When Washington left office after two terms he gave four pieces of advise … 1 – Stay Unified (no class warfare…ouch!)  2 – Stay out of other people’s business (missed that one.) 3 – Heed the Constitution (if it works for you…wink, wink.) 4 – Avoid a national debt (what’s $16 trillion? China knows we’re good for it.)

What a day it was 224 years ago on Wall Street…I don’t suppose the Occupy movement will take notice.

In 1946 the great parenting pioneer, Dr. Benjamin Spock released his book and he quickly became known as the expert in the field. When someone a little more contemporary was needed, the British Super-nanny burst on the scene spewing advise to stumped parents. But it was difficult to take counsel from someone who was chauffeured around in a Smart Car, so a new a well of parental wisdom was needed to draw upon. Thankfully, the White House has stepped up to give parents proactive tips on how to dissuade their children from heading down the wrong path.

This past week the President weighed in on how he and the First Lady got in their daughter’s faces and warned them what would happen if they ever came back to 1600 Penn with a tattoo. While on the Today Show, Barack Obama said, “I have told 14-year-old Malia and 11-year-old Sasha that if they ever decide to get a tattoo then “mommy and me” will get the same tattoo in the same place on their bodies and show it off on YouTube as a “family tattoo.”

This could prove to be an effective strategy (if for some reason the secret service aren’t able to tackle the ink artist before the deed is done) but it could backfire and then the President would have to renege on another promise (remember Gitmo and transparent government on C Span?). It’s a little known fact, but Teddy Kennedy used the same argument with his kids with alcohol and the next thing we knew there was that whole Chappaquiddick thing. Maybe if YouTube was around back then it could have been avoided, but that remains to be seen.

The White House needs to consider adding Parenting Tips to the President’s Saturday morning Radio address. This week’s topic….How To Get Your Teen To Clean The Oval Office.

Buried deep in a current bill that is making it’s rounds at the U.S. Capital is the answer to the question of, “How is the U.S. of A. going to pay for securing the border along Mexico?”  It’s the rather simple (and may I add, quite brilliant) idea of, “Hey, let’s make Canada pay for it!”

That’s correct. In the near future American lawmakers will vote on whether to start charging Canadians an entry fee for crossing the border. I know, we already do that and so do Americans. It’s called a toll and it pays for bridges and staff and drug-sniffing dogs named Killer. This entry fee would be an additional cost. At this point it remains to be seen if the charge would be per person, per carload and whether only Canadians would be charged or returning Americans as well (although an American only comes to Canada when they are wanting a good doughnut or a better view of Niagara Falls.)

The bottom line is that the U.S. government is starting to watch the bottom line. With Obama’s deficit climbing faster than John Pinette at a buffet line, there is a call for additional revenue streams. Evidently, some short-sighted backbencher in Congress came up with the idea of an admission fee. Really? We already pay $85 to get our kid into Disney, now I have to pay to enter the country as well?

With this kind of logic (having the opposite end pay for something) the possibilities are endless in generating additional monies to pay for government initiatives such as Obamacare. Why not tack an exit fee on funeral costs to help offset pediatric care on the front end of life? Are you a high school dropout? Well guess who is going to pay more in taxes for the educational system? We need to fight terrorism in the Mid-East, so lets first take over Australia and their Gross Domestic Product to pay for it.

Sound foolish? Well, it’s par with what is coming out of D.C. right now.

When one reaches the apex of being a headliner for any kind of event, one can take some pride in that. Assuming one has a conscience. President Barack Obama will headline the Planned Parenthood Gala this Thursday evening in D.C. after spending the day in Dallas at the opening of the Bush 43 library.

Planned Parenthood likes to showcase their cause with fundraising and there is no one better to raise a buck than a liberal in the White House, and BHO is more than happy to oblige. Word on the street is that Dr. Kermit Gosnell was the first choice to give the keynote address but HE IS CURRENTLY ON TRIAL FOR MURDER while botching abortions. Strangely enough, President Obama has refused to comment on the Gosnell trial. After all, why would the leader of the free world comment on darkest side of a revolting practice which he endorses? Such a comment would bring unwanted, but warranted, criticism to one who certainly does not like to be challenged.

The President is certainly walking into the line of fire as the headliner for an organization that performs 350,000+ abortions a year. Timing is everything and the White House’s judgement should be questioned as the social conscience of the USA is being pricked by the Gosnell murder trial. As is often the case, President Obama name drops Bill Clinton when he needs to wiggle out of a tight spot.

President Obama, “What I can say is this: I think President Clinton said it pretty well when he said abortion should be safe, legal, and rare.” Really Mr. President? Abortion may be legal but when Planned Parenthood enters the picture it’s certainly not safe (as babies are murdered) and at 350,000 abortions a year, you can’t say it’s rare.

Stay in Dallas on Thursday Mr. President and  pay homage at the Sixth Floor of the School Book Depository.

It’s amazing the information that one can pick up while hanging around the watercooler. It’s not that I’m lurking…or stalking; I just get thirsty and find myself constantly getting a drink and crossing paths with some big names.

President Obama complaining about his wife – “Let me be clear, ever since Marniss’ book came out, Michelle won’t let me get anywhere near 4/20.”

Justin Trudeau after winning the Liberal leadership of Canada – “Not only did my dad not win on the first ballot, but I have better hair.”

George W. Bush on announcing his first grandchild – “The baby is a girl…although I’m told there was more than a 50% chance of it being a boy.”

Tiger Woods talking to 14 year old Chinese golfer Guan Tainlang – “Look kid, you’re going to want to delete those text messages.”

Anthony Wiener, disgraced former Democratic congressman who is considering getting back into politics – “I’m thinking of changing my name to Tony Frankfurter.”

Bill Clinton on returning to the White House – “If Hillary is elected President in 2016, I’m hoping she will make me Secretary of the Interns.”

Joe Biden on the Jackie Robinson movie - “I thought the movie was called 42 because of that Coldplay song.”

Prime Minister Stephen Harper on Justin Trudeau’s first gaffe – “It’s about time Canada had a Joe Biden equivalent.”

The city of Boston was seized up yesterday because of one word…hate. Millions of people were holed up in their homes, under orders from local authorities, locking their doors and staying away from school, work and play because of hate. Four lives were lost in a Boston Marathon week because of hate. Countless others woke up missing body parts because of hate. Hate is the reason why some marathoners will run their next race on an artificial limb, proud of how they battled back but saddened for what was taken from them. Hate.

The smiling face of Tamerian Tsnaraev gives the impression of young man who could be trusted to watch your kids, yet it seems that a hatred had infiltrated his DNA, moving him to devastating acts. Along with his younger brother Dzholkhar, Tamerian brought the eyes of the world to Boston because of hate.

It is easy to sit a thousand miles from Boston, shake my head and judge how hatred moved two young men. It is difficult, and uncomfortable, to inspect my own life and search for similar characteristics. I’m not implying that any harbored hatred I have would be the catalyst to such events, but what I am suggesting is any hatred I may embrace will rob me of the joys of this life. I propose that we all take a moment and vow to F.I.G.H.T. the hatred in this world, by starting with ourselves.

F – Forgive. Admit it, we all have at least one person that we hold a grudge against. Whether it’s a spouse, parents, boss or former friend, by not addressing this you are simply allowing bitterness be an underlying force each and every day.

I – Ignition. How are you starting your day? By taking a few moments and filling yourself with a positive theme, you are headed for a day of optimism. If you are a spiritual sort, then read Scripture and pray to God; maybe you just want a healthy dose of Tony Robbins. but however you do it, make it more than coffee and a doughnut.

G – Gripes. We all have things to do in our day that we dread. Every conservative wakes up knowing they have to go and fix the problems caused by liberals, but this needs to be seen as an opportunity to make this a better world, not a challenge that we complain about or shy away from.

H - Help. Identify one person you can help each day. By doing so, you take the focus off yourself and your issues and serve others.

The iconic lyrics to the theme of Cheers, set in Boston, have never held more meaning and truth. As the city seeks answers to the unanswerable, as they mourn in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombings, their internal wiring draws them to a place where the Cheers lyrics ring true.

The Boston events of April 15 are, however not restricted to that geographical region. Granted, the blood is on their streets but this was not only a local and national tragedy but one that branches out into the international community as well. I had a conversation last evening with a friend who was still trying to catch his breath some five hours after the first explosion. His son and daughter-in-law were both running in the Boston Marathon, in fact his daughter-in-law had just crossed the finish line seconds before the first explosion was set off behind her. His son, who had finished earlier and was waiting for his wife, was swept away in the exodus of the crowd as the streets turned into a scene from a movie. For three long hours he was unaccounted for as he was lost in an unfamiliar city that was scrambling in the wake of a presumed terrorist attack. With cell service shut down, a city in chaos as a net was thrown over the region, it became a season of high tension as family waited in two countries for him to surface safely. Prayers of thankfulness were offered when he was finally able to contact loved ones.

In the midst of trials, each one of us seek the comfort and support of someone who knows us. If we can’t find that person, then often we wander to hollow substitues that ultimately will fail us. Yesterday world leaders and authorities stood once again before the cameras to offer condolences and guidance, stating that our prayers are with those touched by this tragedy, yet they didn’t take a moment to pray.

Let’s do that right now, and at the risk of offending my readership, we will pray to the only God who knows your name.

Lord Jesus, we are grieved by the events of the Boston marathon and our hearts ache for those who have lost loved ones and for those whose injuries have changed their lives. We ask for the Holy Spirit to overwhelm this situation and these lives with peace, strength and comfort. We ask that the Holy Spirit would draw hearts to Jesus,  as people are confronted with their mortality, grief and their spiritual condition. We pray for changed hearts, for those hurt by this and for those who initiated the events. We ask for wisdom for those who will lead in the aftermath. Amen.

Disclaimer: There are no punchlines here, this blog content is based on tragic circumstances.

The silencing of a liberal benefits all; the exception being of course, is when that silence is at the expense of a child’s life. Currently in the Philadelphia court system is an alleged serial killer, Dr. Kermit Gosnell, who is on par with the Boston Strangler, Clifford Olson, Jack the Ripper, Jeffrey Dahmer and Ted Bundy. Surprisingly though, media coverage of the Gosnell murder trial outside of the greater Philly area is close to non-existent. (The Philadelphia Inquirer has extensive coverage of the charges and trial of Gosnell…the details are too gruesome to be repeated in this blog.)

How can a man on trial for 8 murders not garner any media attention? Quite simple really..Dr. Gosnell (and I use that title loosely) committed these atrocities while running an abortion clinic. Liberal media outlets would never consider exposing the practice of infanticide, for in doing so they would never again be able to condemn a conservative who dares to speak out against abortion. Nor could they sing the praises of Planned Parenthood, the number one abortion provider in the United States. Why were seven children murdered by Gosnell? To be blunt, these children were murdered because Gosnell botched their attempted abortions. Seven children beat the odds of being aborted , only to gain constitutional rights outside of the womb and die at the hands of Gosnell. The eighth murder victim was a 41-year-old mother who desired to end her baby’s life; normally the press would saturate news cycles with a story like this but it doesn’t fit the agenda of the candidates they choose to endorse.

Sickened yet? Just wait…it gets worse. Eight of Gosnell’s team have already pleaded guilty to various charges and one former employee (who witnessed but didn’t engage in Gosnell’s methods) claims to have seen approximately 100 live babies murdered after being born because of failed abortion attempts.

Surely President Barack Obama would speak out against the methods of Kermit Gosnell. After all, the President has a heart that bleeds compassion and he desires to leave a legacy that betters the lives of each and every person that is alive (outside of the womb). Yes, the President could do that BUT IT WOULD COUNTER THE FACT THAT HE VOTED FOR INFANTICIDE WHILE A STATE SENATOR IN ILLINOIS!

It’s time the liberal camp awaken and began to show the compassion they claim to have cornered. It’s also time the conservative camp adapt liberal Rahm Emanual’s mantra of “Never let a crisis go to waste.” This is a crisis and an opportunity to blow the doors off of Roe vs. Wade…and save lives in the process.

It is quite startling how uninformed the populous is that surrounds us. By simply stealing a smart-phone and watching a news app for a few minutes a day,  one would keep up to date and be able to communicate intelligently in numerous scenarios. Sadly, just yesterday I crossed conversational paths with a young liberal who was supporting Justin Trudeau and I tried to break the ice with current events.

Me: “Well, I was saddened to hear of the passing of The Iron Lady.”

Young Grit: “Yeah, I heard she died yesterday. She was an original Mouseketeer.”

Me: “I mean Margaret Thatcher.”

Young Grit: “Margaret Thatcher was a Mouseketeer?”

Me: “No, you’re speaking of Annette Funicello. She was…”

Young Grit: “…the British Prime Minister, I know,  when King Frankie of Avalon was the monarch.”

Me: “Listen…Thatcher was the Prime Minister and Annette was the Mouseketeer. Frankie Avalon was the beach kid in the surfer movies. They both died on the same day.”

Young Grit: “Frankie Avalon died? Really? …and Thatcher was the PM? Was she any good in office?”

Me: “We loved her in North America. Her approval rating was off the charts…because she thought like the Gipper and kicked tail in the Falklands.”

Young Grit: “What did Justin’s dad, Pierre think of her?”

Me: “He hated her because she broke up unions and smashed socialism. Well, that and she mocked Pierre once, maybe twice. Actually, he was usually the butt of her joking with the Queen.”

Young Grit: “Queen Latifah?”

Me: (Taking a deep breath at this point) “Hey kid…Who’s on first?”