aphid

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Everything posted by aphid

  1. Cute, yes. But as a WJ client (only because they alone offer non-stops to AZ), I would prefer they focus their efforts on; - some freaking LEGROOM, - better on-time departures without the built-in 15 minute cushion, - address me as Mister or Sir, not "Hey John" - did I mention SOME FREAKING LEGROOM????
  2. Just when I believe I've already seen the bottom of the cesspool, insensitive and inflammatory posts like this establish that it's much deeper than I thought.
  3. I'm not weighing in on the debate, but I do wish to correct some continuing errors of assumption by our American friends Without knowing the reason you really can't make that statement with any validity. I did a study one day. I found that Countries with homogenous cultures normally had lower violence than Countries that had a mix of cultures and races. I took that and looked at several States and then Cities in the US and found that race has a lot to do with violence. Visible minorities in Canada, when added to the aboriginal and Inuit peoples amount to 23.4% according to census calculations as recent as 2011. (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demographics_of_Canada) By comparison, the USA census currently reports officially 20% visible minorities within their borders. (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_and_ethnicity_in_the_United_States#White_Americans) We are as racially and culturally diverse as you, such that your correlation would seem invalid. Actually, no we haven't. On two separate occasions (2002 & 2004), federal politicians have failed to decriminalize simple posession in modest quantities. "Challenges to cannabis laws at the federal level have not resulted in the deletion of the appropriate articles from the Criminal Code of Canada and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Police and prosecution services in other Canadian jurisdictions still pursue criminal charges for cannabis possession." (source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legal_history_of_cannabis_in_Canada) As mentioned above, I'm not weighing in on this very tiresome topic. I'll invite SkyDekker to validate his own opinion should he choose. John
  4. For a good overview of the US Customs mind-set, you could read their argument of defense in my ongoing lawsuit against the agency. It is a one-plank wonder: they continue to assert no court in the USA has the authority to review the actions by US Customs personnel. We are now at the oral argument phase of the Appeal when the initial finding agreed with that position. 4 years. $75K. Yeah, the folks at the border are oh, so special.
  5. And how does this stop a criminal? It doesn't. It doesn't prevent legitimate ownership either. It IS a nuisance. And there are a few who would foam at the mouth and rend their garments over such an inconvenience. Canada isn't an island of unfettered "gun-control", any more than Canada has "free" health care.
  6. As your northerly neighbor, we get this message beamed incessantly by your cross-border news broadcasts, TinselTown entertainment, and political talking-heads. For my entire life I've tried to decipher what constitutes traditional collective value(s) apparently embedded in the communal psyche of a nation of immigrants with disparate religious, social and political beliefs. Is there a list of these published anywhere? (Incidentally, I've been married to an American for over 35 years. Her family displays every range of the political, social, economic and now even religious positions. It seems from my perspective, their "traditions" began dying sometime around the Vietnam era.) As far as I know, no published list exists. It is an intuitive understanding of America in the 18th century. Thank you for the reply. 1700's? I'm sure glad I'm not a visible minority... although my newest American nephew, and my American daughter-in-law are. :(
  7. As your northerly neighbor, we get this message beamed incessantly by your cross-border news broadcasts, TinselTown entertainment, and political talking-heads. For my entire life I've tried to decipher what constitutes traditional collective value(s) apparently embedded in the communal psyche of a nation of immigrants with disparate religious, social and political beliefs. Is there a list of these published anywhere? (Incidentally, I've been married to an American for over 35 years. Her family displays every range of the political, social, economic and now even religious positions. It seems from my perspective, their "traditions" began dying sometime around the Vietnam era.)
  8. More recently, Argo, the 2013 Oscar "Best Picture" didn't go over very well at all in Canada.
  9. aphid

    ACA

    In 1996, Ontario's provincial legislature created the Consent and Capacity Board, a body with the power to make the final decision when doctors and families disagree on keeping a patient alive with continued treatment or pulling the plug, a conflict that can result in endless legal battles. At issue in the Ontario case was the fate of Hassan Rasouli, a retired engineer who suffered complications following brain surgery three years ago and has been in a vegetative state in a Toronto hospital ever since. Doctors say there is no hope of recovery but the family doesn't want to turn off life support. The court ruled that the doctors could not overrule the family's wishes, but are able to appeal to the Consent and Capacity Board, which could. Contemplating end-of-life decisions for a loved one must be a terribly disturbing emotional undertaking for those to whom the responsibility has fallen. This ruling only affirms that in cases of continued lengthy disagreement between the parties charged with the individuals care they have a vehicle for arbitration. It should be noted however any decision rendered by the Board can still be challenged in court. Cost-Benefit analysis is not allowed in appeals for consideration by the Consent & Capacity Board. If you choose however, like Ms. Palin does, to view life (and death) in monochomatic black & white, there is nothing that can be added to convince you otherwise. Incidentally, the video blogger you linked? You might want to advise him that at 5:21, he could possibly choose less anachronistic terms for some foreign nationalities.
  10. If you think Canada's socialist healthcare system is good, you might be interesting in a beach front time share opportunity in Bangladesh I would like to sell you during the Spring. I hear the view is to die for. And dealing with our health care system significantly and personally the last 2 years, I am of the opposite opinion of you.
  11. It appears your assessment has been spot on. http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2013/10/22/michael-sean-stanley-arrested-seattle_n_4143632.html He's all yours.
  12. "Edmonton police say Michael Sean Stanley, 48, was able to enter the United States on Monday evening. The American-born Stanley appears to have crossed the border despite the Canada-wide warrant that had been issued for his arrest last week, when he cut off his electronic monitoring bracelet and went on the run." "Edmonton Police Service Det. Chris Hayduk said American authorities were aware of Stanley’s situation when he was allowed into the country. He crossed from British Columbia into Washington at the Blaine border crossing. Asked why American authorities let the wanted sex offender into the country, Hayduk said he didn’t know." Source: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Edmonton+police+counterparts+apprehend+offender+Michael+Stanley+with+video/9021992/story.html Well, he probably didn't have any Kinder Eggs.
  13. Gray comes from a broadcasting background (where I first crossed paths with him). What most folks, even locals don't know, is he's a pretty religious guy.
  14. I didn't see a straight answer. Did you see one?
  15. Good question. Deserving of a lucid answer.
  16. Solution: Send up more Canucks like Chris Hadfield.
  17. If it's a significant amount you should probably hire a pro to hold your hand. Either a good CPA with experience in the matter or a good attorney that handles will and trusts. I would be a little careful about the latter as probate is pretty lucrative for attorneys so you'd want to back yourself up with their advice. In either case it shouldn't cost you more than a few hundred to a thousand bucks. You do want to make sure this is handled properly as the IRS does not have a sense of humor or a forgiving nature. Using myself as an example, my estate would be probated in Canada, has been prepared by a proficient attorney, and would be primarily subject to our tax laws. The tax ramifications for a US beneficiary just occurred to me after reading the other thread on a similar topic. However, securing a US CPA or attorney regarding this specific question is not as easy as it might seem from our side of the border. J
  18. (Mod's, feel free to move this to a different forum if appropriate) For the solicitors/tax accountants - I'm familiar with this only domestically in Canada. In the event you are bequeathed a stated sum, say a couple of $100K for example, are inheritance taxes (or any kind for that matter) levied against the amount by the IRS? If the benefactor is from outside the USA, does that change anything? Are there additional taxes charged by the State, or is it simply the IRS who would be interested? John
  19. In Memoriam: David Hodge Dear Members, It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of David Hodge, former Executive Director, President, and IT Chair of CSPA. David passed away peacefully on Friday, September 27, 2013. Friends will be received by the family on Friday November 8, 2013 from 2-4pm and 7-9pm at A. Millard George Funeral Home, 60 Rigout Street South, London Ontario. A memorial service will be held in the chapel at the funeral home on Saturday, November 9, 2013 at 11:00am. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that donations be made to the Canadian Mental Health Association, in honour of Dave. Details for contribution will be available in due time. Blue Skies Dave, you will be missed. CSPA http://www.cspa.ca/en/information/recent/latest-news/274-in-memoriam-david-hodge
  20. Here's what I have: It should be available as a CR 13929 (Chicago Rawhide) Imperial measures: ID - 1.375" OD - 2.879" (NB: that's what makes it so rare) Depth - .313" Great Plains is a royal pain. None of their dealer network seem to have stock as it appears it's only used in 2 applications and yours is one of them. The CR seal runs about $28 CDN here, but surely you'd be able to find a supplier in España now that you have a number that they'd recognize? J ETA: If the above isn't correct, if you provide metric measurements via a micrometer, I'll see what I can do to source CR, National, or Timken seals.
  21. Mes oui. Shared a few Otter rides with him some years back.
  22. In a past-life, I owned a couple of Deere dealerships and still have a few contacts in the business in western Canada. (BC & AB) The local MF/Kubota store deals in LandPride which is a division of GreatPlains and likely have parts access to their seeding lines too. Anything I can help with? John
  23. Here's a heads-up for Canuckian skydivers... "Is there a culture of anti-Canadian, anti-immigrant attitudes among some U.S. Customs and Border Protection members?" source: http://www.peacearchnews.com/news/225409002.html “Jessica wasn’t breaking a law when we tried to cross. We weren’t carrying anything, there was nothing in the truck. The way this was dealt with, the way we were looked at, we might as well have been serial killers.” source: http://www.bclocalnews.com/news/223382721.html And a news story from television: http://bc.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=1004904