Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on May 10, 2017 22:10:46 GMT -8
Can't remember the last time I felt so little mystery about an electoral outcome. I think the Liberals are going to win this fairly comfortably, with the Greens eating into NDP numbers. I'm not expecting much joy tonight, but I will be utterly delighted if I'm wrong. What the pollsters got SO wrong last election, they got SO right this time around. Andrew Weaver must feel like he's just won the lottery! With 3 seats at present count, and the balance of power, pretty heady stuff to wake up to on a Wednesday morning. Neil, you must be feeling a wee bit delirious this morning, all that angst disappearing faster than a Liberal majority. Nope, no satisfaction yet. The riding to the north of me, Courtenay-Comox, is leaning NDP by a margin of nine votes, so that is still essentially a toss-up with a recount, and absentee votes still to be counted. Christy could till get her majority.
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Post by Queen of Nanaimo Teen on Jun 1, 2017 5:46:31 GMT -8
I am surprised that no comments have been made about the recent development of an NDP Green coalition government. What kind of consequences/benefits do we see for BC Ferries in the future? I recall the NDP talking about bringing it back into government control in the past, but I believe (correct me if I'm wrong), that that rhetoric was absent from this latest election. Thoughts?
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on Jun 3, 2017 22:35:04 GMT -8
I am surprised that no comments have been made about the recent development of an NDP Green coalition government. What kind of consequences/benefits do we see for BC Ferries in the future? I recall the NDP talking about bringing it back into government control in the past, but I believe (correct me if I'm wrong), that that rhetoric was absent from this latest election. Thoughts? I hope that no one is holding out hope for some sort of revolutionary re-think of ferry services with this very tenuous new government. There are limited funds and competing needs and demands around health care, education and other fields. Personally, I'd be somewhat satisfied with some sort of 'mission statement' that coastal communities have been short changed since the current BC Ferries operating model was put in place in 2003, and that there was going to be a new awareness of the value of helping these communities to thrive, along with, of course, some correction of the worst cuts in service and capacity. Ferry system ridership has, in a lot of cases, bottomed out, and is improving. The new government needs to build on that, as best they can.
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Post by Dane on Jun 9, 2017 23:28:01 GMT -8
I also find it hard to imagine any government would want to inherit BC Ferries' debt back to the province's account.
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Neil
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Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on Jun 17, 2017 22:14:06 GMT -8
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Post by Low Light Mike on Aug 31, 2017 12:55:39 GMT -8
That moment of enlightenment when you realize that the oldest ship on Route-1 is actually the newest.
Deep.
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Post by Starsteward on Sept 1, 2017 5:58:28 GMT -8
That moment of enlightenment when you realize that the oldest ship on Route-1 is actually the newest. Deep. Early morning confession here. The old incandescent light bulbs that usually shine enough light into the recesses of my memory obviously need replacing with new L.E.D.'s as I can't even find the 'memory room' much less come up with the solution to Mr.Horn's proclamation, so with my 'knowledge knickers' hanging just above my ankles...............puuleeze educate me as I must go grocery shopping this afternoon and would dearly love to be properly attired.
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Post by Mike on Sept 1, 2017 7:04:38 GMT -8
That moment of enlightenment when you realize that the oldest ship on Route-1 is actually the newest. Deep.    Early morning confession here. The old incandescent light bulbs that usually shine enough light into the recesses of my memory obviously need replacing with new    L.E.D.'s as I can't even find the 'memory room' much less come up with the solution to Mr.Horn's proclamation, so with my 'knowledge knickers' hanging just above    my ankles...............puuleeze educate me as I must go grocery shopping this afternoon and would dearly love to be properly attired.  It makes more sense if you imagine "newest" as two words "New west"
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Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 1, 2017 7:05:52 GMT -8
That moment of enlightenment when you realize that the oldest ship on Route-1 is actually the newest. Deep. Early morning confession here. The old incandescent light bulbs that usually shine enough light into the recesses of my memory obviously need replacing with new L.E.D.'s as I can't even find the 'memory room' much less come up with the solution to Mr.Horn's proclamation, so with my 'knowledge knickers' hanging just above my ankles...............puuleeze educate me as I must go grocery shopping this afternoon and would dearly love to be properly attired. A series of leaps: Queen of New Westminster New West NewWest Newest
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Post by WettCoast on Sept 1, 2017 11:11:36 GMT -8
Perhaps also, the New'est is the Nice'est ship on Rte 1.
WCK, Hinton
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Post by Starsteward on Sept 1, 2017 15:37:06 GMT -8
Early morning confession here. The old incandescent light bulbs that usually shine enough light into the recesses of my memory obviously need replacing with new L.E.D.'s as I can't even find the 'memory room' much less come up with the solution to Mr.Horn's proclamation, so with my 'knowledge knickers' hanging just above my ankles...............puuleeze educate me as I must go grocery shopping this afternoon and would dearly love to be properly attired. A series of leaps: Queen of New Westminster New West NewWest Newest Someone on this here forum has a waaay too much time on their hands. Ok, I'm just jealous, but can't decide if I need more free time or just wished I could have my damn English major to better use. Must have been at the cafeteria bridge table when this lesson was scheduled. So. Goal scored by Mr.Horn, assisted by Mike and WettCoast.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Sept 1, 2017 17:13:24 GMT -8
Someone on this here forum has a waaay too much time on their hands. Not a matter of time on my hands, but just a different way that my brainwaves are wired.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on Oct 3, 2017 21:41:54 GMT -8
Watching Donald Trump's performance in decimated Puerto Rico today, where he 'joked' about how a category 4-5 hurricane had "thrown the budget out of whack", and heaped praise on his administration's response, which from virtually all sources was woefully late and inadequate, and blamed local authorities for inhibiting recovery, even mentioning truck drivers supposedly unwilling to travel...
...just made me wonder, once again, how the greatest and most dynamic nation on earth could have elected this creature. How could tens of millions of people have so little respect for their country that they could turn it over to a vulgar, arrogant, ignorant game show host who sees no difference between truth and lies aside from what suits the advance of his personal agenda, and how his enterprises might profit post presidency.
I don't know how this happens. I don't know how intelligent human beings vote for something so reprehensible. Everything that was suggested about a Trump presidency is coming true, even though it sometimes sounded outlandish at the time. And then there's that maniac in Pyongyang, who Donald seems to think he can intimidate by the size of his ... nukes.
Maybe Tillerson and Mattis and Kelly can keep America's path from being directed by a clown who doesn't read, doesn't understand history, and only reacts in a way that he thinks will glorify himself to his 'base'. These days, it sometimes seems that's the only hope we have.
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Post by WettCoast on Oct 4, 2017 8:34:00 GMT -8
Watching Donald Trump's performance in decimated Puerto Rico today, where he 'joked' about how a category 4-5 hurricane had "thrown the budget out of whack", and heaped praise on his administration's response, which from virtually all sources was woefully late and inadequate, and blamed local authorities for inhibiting recovery, even mentioning truck drivers supposedly unwilling to travel... ...just made me wonder, once again, how the greatest and most dynamic nation on earth could have elected this creature. How could tens of millions of people have so little respect for their country that they could turn it over to a vulgar, arrogant, ignorant game show host who sees no difference between truth and lies aside from what suits the advance of his personal agenda, and how his enterprises might profit post presidency. I don't know how this happens. I don't know how intelligent human beings vote for something so reprehensible. Everything that was suggested about a Trump presidency is coming true, even though it sometimes sounded outlandish at the time. And then there's that maniac in Pyongyang, who Donald seems to think he can intimidate by the size of his ... nukes. Maybe Tillerson and Mattis and Kelly can keep America's path from being directed by a clown who doesn't read, doesn't understand history, and only reacts in a way that he thinks will glorify himself to his 'base'. These days, it sometimes seems that's the only hope we have. A little more than a week ago I journeyed over to Terrace to listen to Gwynne Dyer speak on this very subject. Basically, he said that 'anger' among millions of Americans is turning them to vote against what they see as the 'status quo' They believe that the status quo is responsible for their current lot in life, so rather than make intelligent, rational democratic choices they vote instead for "I don't care WTF happens" just so long as its not the status quo. Mr Dyer said that an astonishing 16 % of 'Democrats' who voted in support of Bernie Saunders in the 'Primaries' voted tRump in November. Why the anger? Years of unemployment and becoming 'third world' citizens of the richest country on earth. These are people once employed in the industrial heartland of America, now being referred to as the 'Rust Belt'. Gwynne said they believe that their hopes and dreams have been lost (& lost permanently) to 'damn foreigners' in Mexico & the far east (i.e. where all those jobs 'went'. Mr. Dyer went on to say that in fact 80% of those jobs were lost to automation and tRump will NOT be bringing them back. Further, Dyer says that so far automation has displaced for the most part 'blue colar' workers who did predominantly repetitive work. He says that we are now on the cusp of huge job losses for semi-skilled type workers where automation is about to sweep in. He mentioned the 10 million Americans who currently 'drive' for a living, driving trucks, buses, taxis, etc. Driver-less technologies are about to sweep them aside. Basically, desperate people do desperate things. Mr. Dyer said that the factors that led citizens of the UK to vote in favour of 'Brexit' is largely the same. So too is the current infatuation of so many voters in France, Germany, & so on, with very right wing parties in those countries. In fact historically it was similar 'anger' that permitted Hitler to rise to power. I did find Gwynne Dyer's presentation to be very much 'food for thought'. I am still digesting it and not entirely sure if he has figured it all out. He says the only viable solution is more equitable distribution of wealth. He sees the 'Basic Universal Income' concept as a possible solution. In response to a question from the audience re the possibility of nuclear weapons being used between the USA & North Korea, he said he is not lying awake all night worrying about it. He is assured that there are 'adults in the room' with the children (tRump & his North Korean counterpart). If you get a chance to see Gwynne Dyer speaking in a community near you, do so.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Oct 4, 2017 9:49:01 GMT -8
I did find Gwynne Dyer's presentation to be very much 'food for thought'. I am still digesting it and not entirely sure if he has figured it all out. He says the only viable solution is more equitable distribution of wealth. He sees the 'Basic Universal Income' concept as a possible solution. Thanks for these posts here, Wett Coast and Neil. I also enjoy the food-for-thought from these posts. I'm interested in the topic of "inequality" be it economic or otherwise, resulting in marginalized groups of people. And when inequality is too vast, the people revolt, and the Trump election is an example of that.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on Oct 10, 2017 21:40:55 GMT -8
Watching Donald Trump's performance in decimated Puerto Rico today, where he 'joked' about how a category 4-5 hurricane had "thrown the budget out of whack", and heaped praise on his administration's response, which from virtually all sources was woefully late and inadequate, and blamed local authorities for inhibiting recovery, even mentioning truck drivers supposedly unwilling to travel... ...just made me wonder, once again, how the greatest and most dynamic nation on earth could have elected this creature. How could tens of millions of people have so little respect for their country that they could turn it over to a vulgar, arrogant, ignorant game show host who sees no difference between truth and lies aside from what suits the advance of his personal agenda, and how his enterprises might profit post presidency. I don't know how this happens. I don't know how intelligent human beings vote for something so reprehensible. Everything that was suggested about a Trump presidency is coming true, even though it sometimes sounded outlandish at the time. And then there's that maniac in Pyongyang, who Donald seems to think he can intimidate by the size of his ... nukes. Maybe Tillerson and Mattis and Kelly can keep America's path from being directed by a clown who doesn't read, doesn't understand history, and only reacts in a way that he thinks will glorify himself to his 'base'. These days, it sometimes seems that's the only hope we have. A little more than a week ago I journeyed over to Terrace to listen to Gwynne Dyer speak on this very subject. Basically, he said that 'anger' among millions of Americans is turning them to vote against what they see as the 'status quo' They believe that the status quo is responsible for their current lot in life, so rather than make intelligent, rational democratic choices they vote instead for "I don't care WTF happens" just so long as its not the status quo. Mr Dyer said that an astonishing 16 % of 'Democrats' who voted in support of Bernie Saunders in the 'Primaries' voted tRump in November. Why the anger? Years of unemployment and becoming 'third world' citizens of the richest country on earth. These are people once employed in the industrial heartland of America, now being referred to as the 'Rust Belt'. Gwynne said they believe that their hopes and dreams have been lost (& lost permanently) to 'damn foreigners' in Mexico & the far east (i.e. where all those jobs 'went'. Mr. Dyer went on to say that in fact 80% of those jobs were lost to automation and tRump will NOT be bringing them back. Further, Dyer says that so far automation has displaced for the most part 'blue colar' workers who did predominantly repetitive work. He says that we are now on the cusp of huge job losses for semi-skilled type workers where automation is about to sweep in. He mentioned the 10 million Americans who currently 'drive' for a living, driving trucks, buses, taxis, etc. Driver-less technologies are about to sweep them aside. Basically, desperate people do desperate things. Mr. Dyer said that the factors that led citizens of the UK to vote in favour of 'Brexit' is largely the same. So too is the current infatuation of so many voters in France, Germany, & so on, with very right wing parties in those countries. In fact historically it was similar 'anger' that permitted Hitler to rise to power. I did find Gwynne Dyer's presentation to be very much 'food for thought'. I am still digesting it and not entirely sure if he has figured it all out. He says the only viable solution is more equitable distribution of wealth. He sees the 'Basic Universal Income' concept as a possible solution. In response to a question from the audience re the possibility of nuclear weapons being used between the USA & North Korea, he said he is not lying awake all night worrying about it. He is assured that there are 'adults in the room' with the children (tRump & his North Korean counterpart). If you get a chance to see Gwynne Dyer speaking in a community near you, do so. Way late on this reply, but anyway... I think Gwynne Dyer is bang on with his assessment of the unrest in the working classes of America who have felt forgotten, if not betrayed by the ruling class, and I think he's also very insightful in his judgement of the likelihood of Trump alleviating any of their concerns. And that's what really amazes me. How could any laid off steelworker or coal miner put their faith in a disgusting billionaire charlatan like Trump? He manufactures a number of Trump branded products in third world countries, he builds his buildings partly with Chinese steel, and he has never demonstrated the slightest empathy with American working people before he decided to target them for his bid on the White House. Populism, and an ill-defined and phony antagonism against the merchant class that he personifies, was simply a stance he adopted to further his brand in the election. The only thing that explains it is that there were millions of people who were hurting, who had lost jobs, sometimes communities, sometimes marriages and family, who basically felt like this was a lottery ticket that they might take a chance on... your last hundred dollars won't secure your future, so why not put it into a 'hail mary'. What's left to lose? This sociopathic con artist targeted the most vulnerable segment of the electorate. And now he sits in his golf resort in his pyjamas at six o'clock in the morning tweeting out brain farts goading another cretin in North Korea into a contest to see who has the itchiest finger on the nuclear button. I'm not sure those coal miners in Appalachia really wished that for their children's future when they voted.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Apr 2, 2018 9:58:56 GMT -8
World Autism Awareness Day happens on April 2nd every year, and that is today.
To the awesome ferry-forum members who happen to be somewhere on the autism spectrum, know that you're a big wonderful part of this ferry forum and that you are appreciated.
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Post by dofd on Apr 12, 2018 3:15:58 GMT -8
The Gate again
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Post by Balfour on Oct 6, 2018 20:56:22 GMT -8
Just a quick post to let everyone know that I'm still alive and a little teaser for what is in store for me until next Winter (Summer). I haven't done a #liveferryday since that time I took a ferry in Australia from Perth to Rottnest Island. At the moment I'm just a week away from finishing my ski season on Mt. Ruapehu in New Zealand. Since June I have been living, working and playing in Mordor. I can even see Mt. Doom from my doorstep Mt. Ngauruhoe by Jordan Whiteside, on Flickr The last four months have been full of adventure with good people. Mt. Ruapehu is and active volcano located in Tongariro National Park which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I have now hiked into the crater of this volcano twice now. It is easily accessible from the top of the highest lifts of the two main ski fields, Whakapapa and Turoa. I've been teaching at the North-West facing Whakapapa side of the mountain. Kiwis are some of the nicest people on the planet. Down to earth, laid back and a love of being outdoors. While New Zealand is a different country, there are a number of similarities between it and BC. Similar landscape, laid back vibes and lots of rain. While the culture here is very British in a lot of ways (The early evening meal is often called "Tea"), New Zealand has far outdone Canada in how the indigenous people, the Maori's, are treated. There is no system of "Maori reserves" and the Maori language is an official language. Maori culture and traditions are very much celebrated and respected. Next week I'll be embarking on an epic campervan adventure around all of New Zealand. From Cape Reinga in the far North, across the Cook Strait ferry, and all the way down to Invercargill at the South end of the South Island and points between. I did a big upload to Flickr today so I'll be posting some of my last Ferry photos from BC, taken way back on a Live Ferry Day in April, as well as an assortment of photos from Perth, and Parts of New Zealand from my travels back in May.
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Post by dofd on Oct 9, 2018 1:37:16 GMT -8
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on Nov 30, 2018 22:43:51 GMT -8
Anybody else out there feeling genuinely saddened and wistful at the news of George H.W. Bush's death?
I have to admit that six years ago, I might not have given it a passing thought. Both Bushes were beholden to corporate interests, militaristic, lenient on torture, and seemingly oblivious to so many aspects of the political and economic culture that led to chronic disparity.
But then this Trump creature came along, apparently motivated by absolutely nothing aside from a pathetic narcissism and a keen sense of how the Presidency might enhance his family's corporate brand. Our great neighbour to the south is increasingly reviled worldwide because of what Trump represents, and the auto industry, steel workers, coal miners, and other manufacturing sectors must be feeling (one would hope) completely conned by the lies he told them, despite the ongoing strong economy that he inherited from Obama, and the temporary sugar high from his tax cuts. The true reckoning is coming.
Once upon a time, a Canadian could look at American Republican leaders and, despite their faults, not get the sense that they were motivated purely by greed and ego. Trump is the grasping, pathetically insecure carnival barker who's changed that.
Even the Bushes shine in comparison.
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Post by Low Light Mike on Dec 1, 2018 9:55:01 GMT -8
Anybody else out there feeling genuinely saddened and wistful at the news of George H.W. Bush's death? My Facebook tribute to #41 (for the 50 people that might briefly see it) was that he had a dignified life of service. Being able to carry yourself with dignity used to be taken for granted, but now it has become a rare and refreshing thing. Not only in the USofA Presidency, but also in local arenas such as with Nanaimo's city council.
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Neil
Voyager
Posts: 7,175
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Post by Neil on Jan 30, 2019 23:16:45 GMT -8
Phew... Nanaimo, you scared me for a bit. First results on Global's coverage of the by-election had 'ferry friend' Tony Harris way out front. I thought maybe it was the first step back to a regime that would re-establish the view that ferry dependent communities are just over entitled drains on the public purse.
Governments don't usually win by-elections. Both the NDP and Liberals ran strong candidates, and it wasn't a nail biter. Andrew Weaver can't be happy; most voters apparently saw the importance of voting for someone who could actually win, and it may be that the strong showing of the Greens in the last provincial election was due to disaffected Liberals who couldn't quite stomach going over to the NDP.
Darryl Plecas might be sleeping a bit easier tonight. He won't have to break ties in the legislature as often as he might have feared he would.
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Post by paulvanb on Apr 1, 2019 17:19:35 GMT -8
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Post by WettCoast on Apr 26, 2019 20:43:55 GMT -8
Some time ago on this forum we had a discussion about the tradition of referring to ships & other water craft as being feminine (i.e. she, her, etc). I am not sure if that discussion can be found in the back pages of this very thread, or elsewhere. I do recall Neil playing a part in that discussion ... At anyrate, I thought that Neil & others might like to revisit the topic, but first you have to go to this, from CBC Radio
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