Security Information TMI

This blog follows on my earlier theme of Fear being Unamerican.

Today we learn the CIS has intercepted communications between Osama bin Laden and Zarqawi, whereby Osama bin Laden has instructed Zarqawi to expand his terror attacks beyond Iraq, includind the US. The intercepts are credible. However, there was no specific information on what attacks are being planned. That was released by the Department of Homeland Security.

What good is this information to the public? Really, what are we expected to do with this information. This is Too Much Information. I am glad to hear the CIA is doing their job. Then again they were doing their job in 2001. It is not important that I know or anyone knows what Zarqawi may be planning, if anything. This news release does not allow us to be anymore secure. Instead, it spreads fear. It basically says...we are the CIA and look we are doing our job. Or perhaps, the Homeland Security Department is saying....see how the CIA are doing their job, now.

Well thanks for the info, right now, I am delaing with a snowstorm. Maybe the Homeland Security Department can shovel my driveway. They appear pretty good at shovelling other items.

Being Good Neighbors

The headlines have read Canada is opting out of NORAD. Primie Minister Paul Martin is caving in to his constutuency. These are very strong words. I am a Canadian. I live in the U.S. Here is my viewpoint. Canadians want NORAD the North American Radar Defense. I doubt Canadians want back out of it. We know it remains necessary. Prime Minister Paul Martin is suggesting Canada should be at the table when a missile is launched in protection of any incoming missiles. Expecially, if that missile is fired over Canada. The prime minister is claiming Canadian sovereignty. Is the prime minister playing politics...no. He is reflecting the desire of Canadians, myself included.

So exactly what is happening here? Canada is standing up to the US... perhaps. Whenver I start these discussions, I have to add... Canadians do not hate Americans. In fact, we like Americans. So, let's not start with any anti-Canada demonstrations. In a nutshell, Canadians see a resident and an administartion that cannot be trusted with the button. They are pretty nervous especially when this missiles fly over our country. This would never have been an issue if Clinton or Kerry would be president. Canadians see a president who launched into a war on less than credible information, dare I say fudged. This administration is intent on launching another war. Canadians do not view President Bush as being very stable. Can you blame us for saying before you begin lobbying nuclear missiles over our country, we would like to be sure you ahev all your ducks in a row.

Canadians recognize the US has right and a duty to protect itself. Canadians would horrified at what happened on 9/11 and would do everything they can to see it never happnes again. They have always recognized its role in the defense of the United States continent. That is why NORAD exists. The prolem is not with NORAD. The problem is with the current administration. The problem is not with the American people.

An aside... President Bush spent last week trying to mend fences. He received a lukewarm reception. Nice words. Europeans saw a president who is losing the support of his greatest ally and neighbor, Canada. Perhaps is he spent more time regaining the trust of Canadians, he may find a better reception in Europe.

Hockey Lives,,,the game survives

http://www.cbc.ca/story/sports/national/2005/02/20/hockey-record050220.html

My disappointment the NHL could not reach an agreement is pretty high.

However, in looking for good news about hockey, I came across the article above. It speaks volumes. Forty guys playing hockey for 240 consecutive hours...to raise for money for charity. This is the spirit of the game.

The NHL may be saved

In my last blog, I was pretty high on the possibility of the NHL returning. You could well imagine how I felt this past Wednesday and Thursday. To rub salt in the wound, I just happen to be in Montreal, the real home of the NHL, on business. My office was in the same building as the NHL offices. Today, it appears the season, at least part of it will be saved.

I was somewhat consoled y the headline in the Canadian National paper. There was a picture of a boy playing hockey out doors on a lake. The headline in bold print read "The Game Survives". That is how I felt. Despite the fact, the seaon may be cancelled, the game will continue.

Today, it appears after all the brinksmanship, there may be a season. When Bob and Gary could not get a deal done, who assumed the role of mediators, no less than two of the player's greatest players, Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux. Behind the scenes, they set aside their pride and as team owners, they knew the season needed to be saved. They are hockey players. Two of the games gratest rivals set aside their differences and worked to save the game. I hope they do it. They will do it. There is no NHL player who has not looked up to these two. Every player knows the reason they are being paid as well as they are is due to the popularity injected into the game by Wayne and Mario. Indeed, it took hockey players even, as owners to broker a deal. They love the game and are grateful for their playing career. They are also Canadian. They saved their game.

After all this, the owners should fire Gary Bettman and the players should fire Bob Goodenow. They should elect Wayne Gretzky as commisioner. Wayne is a leader. He has earned the respect of both players and owners. As for the NHLPA, their next representative should be a former player. Wayne Gretzky is a good businessman. NHL has never needed Wayne more. As for Mario, he had a great careers cut short y injuries, including cancer. Mario Lemieux has earned my admiration and respect. These two may only a high school diploma. They never went to college, foresaking it for a career in hockey. Next time you hear Mario speak, keep n mind, he only began speaking English when he moved to Pittsburg. They are both very articulate, straightforward and frank. The NHLPA and NHL can have all the MBA's and Harvard grads in the background. The faces of hockey, though, should be Wayne Gretzky and Mario Lemieux.

Let's have a hockey season

This blog is for hockey fans, only. Reason being, I doubt anyone else cares. So, your opinion on this matter means nothing. The non-hockey fans have already let it be known they do not care if there is a hockey season. They have that opinion whether or not there is a strike.

Now for the fans of the greatest game on the world. I say we save the season. Will the season be meaningful, my response is yes. The format is 28 regular season games followed by a complete playoff. I may have preferred say a 40 game season followed by a truncated playoff. Instead of 16 teams there would be 8 teams. So let's examining the format presented...28 game full playoff. That would be a 1/3 regular season. Typically the season starts in October and ends in in late June. That is a nine month season. This season would be 4 and one half months. I would say this is enough time to indeed declare a Stanley Cup Champion. So let's go for it.

The 28 game sprint to make it to the next round sets up another dynamic. For one thing, every game will count more. That cannot be a bad thing. Now, let me add, you do have to earn a spot playoffs. There are 30 teams and 16 make it. That is a little over then half the teams. That is about the same rate as in pro basketball. If you consider March Madness, aout half the eligible college teams make it. So, hockey is not alone in its so called generous policy of allowing teams to compete for the ultimate prize. And for all you purists, when there was 6 teams, 4 made it or 2/3.

The other dynamic are pocketbook issues. Players will be paid 1/3 of their salaries. If you are making Jarogmir Jagr or Chris Pronger money, you lose a lot but you are still doing OK. Now what about the player who makes the $450K minimum. You will earn $150K for playing 28 games. Here were the payouts last year for teams who qualified for the playoffs. The assumption is twenty players per team.....making it to the first round, $13K, second round $22.5 K, Semifinal $50K, Final $80K, Stanley cup Champion $120K. Every player's dream is to win the cup. That is aove all else. However, this season, moving on in the playoffs becomes that much more important for players earning the minimum salary. I expect the format will provide for an intense 28 game sprint followed by a more intense playoff , as players will be less tired. It may not be a representative season, but I still believe we can crown a Stanley Cup Champion. That team could say they have earned. Let's face it, once those blades and sticks hit the ice, we will be at the games, glues to our TV sets and just happy to see the boys on the ice, again.

I have to add one thing. As a hockey player, I remain pretty upset at the league, the owners and the players. Did we have to go this far to learn that the players would accept a fair hard cap provided it was not linked ot revenues? Really, we could have been at this point in August. The owners and players should have sat down and worked on what could be done to improve the game, i.e. increase revenue. That is the central problem. Instead they bickered over the meat left on the bones. The game is great. Ask anyone who has played it. I am pretty much disgusted at the executives on both sides on the table. However, I do not intend to punish the sport. So, let's drop the puck and get on with it.

Un-Social Security

Our generous and benelovent president has devised a plan that will not only save social security but in all likelihood save your retirement and guarantee every American a turkey at Thanksgiving. One month into his lame duck term and the man is pursuing his legacy. Apparently, spreading freedom to every country is simply not enough.

What do they say about a man earing gifts? It seems to apply to Dubya more than others. His grand plan involves allowing every American to invest 2% of their income set aside for Social Security into private accounts. A whole 2%... now there is a plan. He will also save you from those unsrupulous brokers, his friends, from overcharing you brokerage fees. Apparently, his messianic charm will convince them not to charge you any money. Also, Dubya will have a list of save places to invest your money. The man is Godlike in his ability to guarantee a positive return on yout money, better than T-bills, for example. Dubya is well known for his business acumen. Heck, he ran several oil companies into the ground and has never appeared to lose a cent of his own money. As you can see, how can his plan go wrong?

Let's start with some simple facts. 1) His plan will allow one at most to invest $1600. per year in private accounts. Yes, once you reach the social security limit, aout $76,000 in wages you are capped. So, $1600.is generous. Now, find me the broker who would be excited about $1600. There are not many. Especially, when you invest every pay period. They would practically have to waive their fees to make his plan work. 2) Social Security is a social program by definition. This is the equivalent of saying you may defer paying taxes if you could do a better job on your own of protecting the country, waging a private war, fixing the streets or policing the neighborhood. I am fortunate enough I may not have to rely on Social security for retirement. What right do I have to squirrle away private funds? Not much.....

One only has to understand the radical agenda, here. The one Dubya and his firends really have in mind. They do not want to partially privatize Social Security. They wnat to privatize it all. Once that happens it no longer exists. In fact, you are now cut loose and completely on your own. I hope your kids love you. If he really wants to save social security, he ought to do what Clinton suggested..invest the surplus in the market in higher returning funds. That would make sense.

Let's pretend for a moment Dubya really cares about your retirement. After all that is what Social Security is all about. The first step he can take is easy. Encourage young people to begin saving. Yes, encourage saving instead of consumption. All he has on the table is 2% of your salary. If you are in your twenties and cannot begin setting aside 2% of your salary, there is a problem. You do not need to wait to retire to be poor. You are poor, now. Now, I max out my social security contribution. Why should I be allowed to set aside $6000 into what amounts a tax free retirement account. I earn more than the cap. Why not allow everyone to increase their contriution to the maximum level, tax free. Think about it. Most Americans do not take full advantage of 401 K's. That is a problem right there. Again, encourage saving at a very young age...discourage consumption....

His plan is tepid and like every other plan masks the real agenda. So, beware of the man bearing gifts. Social Security is not in trouble, not yet....let Dubya have his way, not only will Social Security be in trouble but so will your retirement.