Hot Coffee

As I sit here eating my lunch, I am so glad for the warm privilege of being able to consume hot coffee. The heats not on in the building just yet, and its slightly, kind of, sort of cold. Its about 10 degrees so I can live with it. Its just uncomfortable being 10 degrees below room temperature. Anyways if it wasn't for a nice cup of Tim Horton's coffee, I probably would be shivering right now, or at the very least my tooth would be chattering, (which might be OK if I was talking, but since I'm typing and am not in the habit of talking to myself, that result appears unlikely)

According to Coffee Facts, the optimum temperature to brew coffee is 92-96 degrees Celsius. No wonder it warms a person up.

An I was hoping for a new team to cheer for...

Reports of second NHL team in Toronto 'nonsense'
NHL executive says idea has never been considered

If Toronto got a second NHL team their greatest ambition should be to at least tie eachother in the standings

To Drink or Not to Drink

The initial trial for an Ontario farmer attempting to sell raw milk to his shareholders is over, and the farmer awaits his sentencing. The Crown is asking for 53,000 in legal fees, and 5000 penalty. I'm not sure what the big issue is, if people want to drink milk straight from the cow let them, its a consumer choice.

Gun Owener Released after 3 months in prison

A 66-year-old Arizona man arrested at the border with an arsenal of loaded handguns in his vehicle was released from Sarnia jail Thursday after spending three months behind bars.

I'm a Bloc Supporter

There's a quiz on the Toronto Star website that has various questions, and depending how you answer them, it matchs up against one of the main political parties. The first party on the list is the Bloc followed by the Conservatives. If only I lived in Quebec and could vote for the party that I evidently agree with. But since I don't I'll have to settle on the Conservatives.

Lonnie Falls

Dollar suffers record one-day drop

The dollar fell more than 3 cents yesterday. Its nice to know that out dollars is tied to the oil index's on the major stock exchanges.

Hockey Starts Tonight!!!

Its the start of a short season for the Maple Leafs. A lot of sports columists say its going to be a long season, but I don't think so. When your season is finished in early April how can it be long?

My prediction for tonight

Detroit- 5
Toronto-2

And Toronto will make Kaberle Capitin before the end of the season.

Winning isn't Important

The new Maple Leaf headcoach is a man after my own heart when he said winning isn't important. Afterall there's is always a chance for a tie.

Merry Christmas

There is now only 81 days until Christmas. Today in Sunday School, I lead a Christmas song, and even wore my Christmas/Winter tie.

As I look at the calender I am content and realize I have 80 days before I have to worry about going shopping :)

Blessed Assurance

When we serve Christ we can have the assurance that He is ours, and we can be His. I am so thankful that we can leave everything in God's hands and live in His blessed presence.

(If you click on the link don't forget to have your sound on and you can here the hymn playing. Also there is a good story that talks about the song on the attached web page.)

Polls Mean Nothing

Remember polls in Canada mean nothing. Popular vote in not relevant for determining how a party is polling. Canada operates on first past the post system were only the seats or riding won matter not necessarily the percentage of voters who supported a given party.

Harper's lead in the poll means very little when he can't hope of winning some of the key urban riding's in Ontario. As it is always the case a majority government will be won or lost in the Province of Ontario. Harper will not win any Toronto riding's which will offset his lead in the opinion polls. Sure he's polling way up in the rural Ontario riding's but that means little since we do not operate our Federal elections on an American model.

Remember Canada is a Federal Constitutional Democratic Monarchy or something like that and is vastly different from a Federalist Republic.

Well its not $700 billion at least, well not yet anyways...

Bank of Canada pumps $12B more into markets

Economy Sound: Harper

“We have not been following the same policies of the United States. The economic and financial mess in the United States is disastrous,” said Harper. “The policies have been irresponsible. We’ve made very different choices in Canada.”


I thinks its safe to say that no one won the debate. Harper was too busy defending a platform that he may not have, Dion was busy trying to pronounce his english words, Layton was wondering what the Bloc guy meant that three of them knew they would not win... and May was busy trying to convince her audience that there is more to the Green Party than Green Ideas. In a tie I would have to give the edge to Harper who seemed to defend himself ok.

Election Prediction

Like My Brother, I too will give an election prediction, and just like my dear twin brother I won't give an explanation of my choices :)

Conservatives- 135 (35%)
Liberals- 96 (28%)
NDP- 27 (18%)
Bloc- 38 (9%)
Greens- 5 (9%)
Independents- 0 (1%)


A slightly stronger minority but still a minority for Harper's Conservaties, I can't go as far as to predict a conservative majority like the Canadian Perspective

Who really understands the credit crunch in the USA?

In church this morning the Pastor made a good point, well I mean all his points were good, I meant in reference to his comment asking how many people really understand whats going on with the 700 billion TARP payments in the USA.

I have to admit I really don't understand why the American government would provide long term loans interest free to corporations operating in a state of true capitalism. Why should the corporations that made poor business decisions be essentially given such a large amount of money. In one sense it will keep the American economy afloat for at least the next five years assuming the money is spent wisely, but sense its the government handing out this money, I have very little faith that it will be spent wisely.


I suppose in once sense I'm glad its not us Canadians that have to pay an extra 19,000 a head or what ever the 700 billion works out to.

I'll I can think of is the country of Canada represented by a sail boat in the midst of the Great American Ocean that is beginning to dry up and its only a matter of time before the Canadian economy represented figuratively by the sail boat will run aground.

DOWN IN THE VALLEY

Section 85 Rollovers

As I eat lunch I am reminded of the things that I studied last, night, which is a good thing since I should retain something.

Of course the main thing I can remember about Section 85 rollovers is that it gave me a headache :)

Of course everyone else knows that using the provisions of the income tax act (section 85) one can rollover the assets of a proprietorship, partnership, corporation to a new corporation. I wish the fun ended there, but then you have to consider the nature of the assets and liabilities transferred, the share and none share consideration received, how this impacts PUC, and the ACB of the share and non-share consideration received by the transferor.

Now I know why more and more computers are doing the work of analyzing the different scenarios and combinations of NSC and share consideration. It must save a lot of time, rather that computing the different scenarios manually, although is you've been doing it for a couple decades I suppose the information would eventually sink in :)

As I read the comment i feel i should point out i'm not really an accountant yet, so if using 85 when pod excceed the fmv, i suppose you don't have to second guess yourself, i was just commenting on my studies

Also although i aspire to be a CGA some day the letters in the blog link do not stand for the accounting designation but an acronym for something completely different

Yankees Play Last Game In Stadium

Well the last baseball game was played in Yankee Stadium. Its nice to here that the price for front row season tickets for a family of four are going to be so cheap, in the new Yankee Stadium. The price is about $2500 per game or $850,000 for a family of four to have season tickets. Now granted these are suppose to be the best seats in the house. I started to wonder who would even want these tickets. Well, Someone must because there already sold. Rats and thats what I was saving my money for :)

A Charge to Keep I Have, By Charles Wesley

The lyrics are based on Mat­thew Hen­ry’s com­ment­a­ry on Le­vit­i­cus:
"We have ev­ery one of us a charge to keep, an eter­nal God to glor­i­fy, an im­mor­tal soul to pro­vide for, need­ful du­ty to be done, our gen­er­a­tion to serve; and it must be our dai­ly care to keep this charge, for it is the charge of the Lord our Master, who will short­ly call us ac­count about it, and it is our ut­most per­il if we ne­glect it. Keep it “that ye die not”; it is death, eternal death, to be­tray the trust that we are charged with; by the con­sid­er­a­tion of this we must be kept in awe."

Taxation with Representation

As an exciting new Federal election approaches, we can take great pride in exercising our constitutional right of voting for our respective representatives. One may not like all of the decisions our respective leaders make, especially in regards to Federal spending, but with a 120 billion dollar budget, mismanagement is a fact of life, not necessarily an error. I know I sure wouldn't want the responsibility of operating such a large budget, thats why we should be glad the Stephen Harper wants to be Prime Minister again after all the media has had to say about him over the years, I suppose some people are a glutton for punishment. :)

An interesting Question

As summer approaches and the heat increases in my cubical, I am seriously pondering this question; should I wear short sleeves or long sleeves?

I'm sure everyone would agree that modesty comes before comfort, but then again does the sleeve length make you more holy or modest? The ideal answer to that question would be "no comment". I'm sure everyone would agree that the discussion of sleeve length would make a good topic discussion on myholiness, but then again its been so long since i visted that website, it probably has been. :)

JK

Happy Victoria Day

Its been many months sense I last posted.

I'm still enrolled in the CGA program of professional studies and passed my second exam "Advanced External Auditing". So now I have 2 to 3 years left in my professional studies before I can truthfully say that I am an accountant.

Right now I'm up in Kingston visting Joe and Clarissa, with Mom and Dad.

I guess I'll I have left to say is have a blessed Victoria Day, and God save her majesty, and long may she reign over us and defend our laws.

JC

Soon Canada will own it all?

The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board, (according to the Toronto Star), soon plans to own 40% of Auckland International Airport Ltd. They offered $2.69 per share a premium over other offers.

Evidently the Canadian Pension Board has 120.4 billion in world wide invesments. With that kind of money they could buy up the NHL and truly return the game of hockey to a Canadian game :)

It Does Work?

A few weeks ago I was talking to one of my dear american cousins. And She was right. Using newspaper instead of paper towels on your car windows does a better job, and more importantly does not leave streaks. So I would like to thank my new favourate cousin Valerie.

On another note, this time I selected Windex instead of CLR to wash my windows (that may have had something to do with the final outcome as well). The CLR product is good for most things, but evidently not for windows, carpet or household pets :).

Rise of the Canadian Dollar

Cents [:)] I last posted the Canadian dollar has grown in leaps in bounds, overcoming the American dollar as the true Western Currency :)

I would also like to Wish my dear Cousin Angies, a Happy Independence Day, Labour Day, Birthday and Thanskgiving, and Christmas, New Years, Easter...

Canada sets golden record

The coin weighs 100 kg, and is the biggest gold coin in the world worth about $1 million green, blue, red, brown-backs or $905,000 green- backs :)

Its also 99.99% real gold which must make it soft. Can you imagine the teeth marks you could leave in that coin. One question is the value of the coin tied to the gold or to its unique size and perfect texture? If someone did sink their teeth into it would that diminish its value?

Plagiarism at its Best...

This morning I was on the CBC website reading world news, and then visited my brothers website. I came to the startling conclusion that the CBC copies his articles. I can't understand why they would do that :)

Well in the spirit of plagiarism here's an interesting article from a certain unnamed website and the CBC website.

Captin of Team Canada

Only in a Canadian political scene could they waste taxpayer money to debate in Parliament the validity of Hockey Canada's choice of of Shane Doan as captin of Team Canada. I sure hope my American cousins understand why they would do this because I sure can't :)

Bank of Canada to Loose Dodge

David Dodge is leaving the Bank of Canada, as he said he will not be seeking a second term at the helm of Canada's central bank.

Now, I wonder, does this action mean that he is tired of the job and the pressures that it entails, or was he told behind the scenes that a second term would not be made available to him?

Well, I guess will never know until his autobiography comes out :)

The Church For Men

I heard about this church on AM800 on my way to work.

It seems kind of weird.

They time the minister's sermon on a basketball shot clock and have a rock band perform instead of singing hymns. The members are so dedicated that they only have service once a month. :)

Canada's Greatest Victory

Today marks the 90th anniversary of Canada's greatest military accomplishment, Vimy Ridge. The victory was a defining moment that would help Canada become a world leader. No, not in military, economics and politics but in 'spirit and nationalism'. There is something significant if not strange about a Canadian nationalist who at the same time is reserved and almost ashamed to admit that he or she is proud of what great things have been accomplished in the past.

And Can it Be, That I Should Gain

And can it be that I should gain
An interest in the Savior’s blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?
Amazing love! How can it be,
That Thou, my God, shouldst die for me?

’Tis mystery all: th’Immortal dies:
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.
’Tis mercy all! Let earth adore;
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father’s throne above
So free, so infinite His grace—
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam’s helpless race:
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!
’Tis mercy all, immense and free,
For O my God, it found out me!

Long my imprisoned spirit lay,
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray—
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
My chains fell off, my heart was free,
I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him, is mine;
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
Charles Wes­ley

Leafs Win?

Now I do feel like Al Gore, after earlier admiting defeat. What a game for both Montreal and Maple Leaf fans. Either way, the important thing to remember is "its not whether you win or loose, but its how you play the game" :) UPDATE-- I take it all back... as the Islanders won, which means that the Leafs are out of the playoffs. For your favourite team, it does matter whether they win or loose. Oh well at least Montreal fans can look back on 1993, I can't even say that the Leafs have won the Stanley Cup in my life time... So after saying that, hats off to Montreal fans, who at least have had something to cheer about in the last two decades. I wish all the Canadian hockey teams well in the playoffs....except Ottawa of course :)

Throwing in the Towel

I feel like Al Gore, admiting defeat before the ballets are counted. But lefts face it the Maple Leafs will be missing the playoffs for the second straight year. So in defeat, I submit this picture for my Montreal Canadian friends. :)

Striped Rabbit Spotted Again?

The rare Sumatran striped rabbit was spotted for the first time since the year 2000, in an Indonesia rainforest.

Could it have something to do with the Easter Bunny? :)

Are You Near the Top?

Workpolis has put out a survey to find out which jobs ranked highest in terms of job satisfaction. Did your job top the list?

Mine didn't even top the top 20 jobs in Canada. I wonder why?

1Year Anniversary of "An Accountant's Perspective"

Isn't it amazing! Time sure passes you by. Its hard to believe that I've been blogging to my 4 daily readers for over a year. Two hundred and thirty six posts later, 2659 hits, a feud with Ezra, some copied news articles, a editorial on George Bush (that got me in trouble with one American reader), 1059 spelling errors, and a month I forgot to blog, all help mark the first anniversary of the Accountant's Perspective. Well Great things have to start somewhere :)Yes I know, this blog doesn't have BBB numbers. But everyone can't be registered on the holiness web directory :)

CRA- News Release

Ottawa, Ontario, April 4, 2007... Carol Skelton, Minister of National Revenue, today announced the appointment of Mr. Robert J. (Bob) Healey to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Board of Management. Mr. Healey was nominated by the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

“Mr. Healey's breadth and depth of accounting experience, including the wide range of audit and consulting services he provided for more than 30 years, make him a valuable addition to the CRA Board of Management," said Minister Skelton. "The Board is an integral part of the Agency's unique governance structure, and Mr. Healey's skills and experience will clearly be an asset to the Board and to the Agency overall.”

While the Minister of National Revenue retains full accountability to Parliament and to Canadian citizens for all CRA activities, the Board of Management is responsible for overseeing the organization and administration of the Agency and the management of its resources, services, property, personnel, and contracts. The Board brings a forward-looking, strategic perspective to the CRA's operations and fosters sound management and service delivery.

The Act to establish the Canada Revenue Agency specifies the establishment of a Board of Management. The Board comprises 15 members, 11 of whom are nominated by the provinces and territories and appointed by the Governor in Council. The Act requires that each director nominated by a province or a territory must be selected by the Governor in Council from a list of nominees submitted by the minister responsible for revenue administration in the province or the territory, or by another minister that the province or the territory designates.

• I thought this article was interesting. Well, maybe not as much as the BBB article about Ezra, but its probably at least 6.99 out of 10 ---JK

Top 10 Tech Wish List for Tax Season

1. Notebook PC2. Compact Desktop PC
3. LCD monitor
4. Notebook PC case
5. Earphones
6. Navigation system
7. iPod accessories
8. All-in-ones
9. Smartphone mobile device
by Rick Telberg
10. High-speed intenet (JK)

The Bridal Shower March 30, 2007

The Cake cutting, one of the most important events. (mainly because it comes right before the cake eating)

The Canadian Bridal Shower Sermon

At this point of the Shower, Cousin Austin told Joe to speak up (when they were thanking the gift givers). Joe's reply was that during his sermons he often spoke louder when someone said amen. So Cousin Austin then proceeded to amen each gift.

The Presentations

In this picture Clarissa was trying to hide from one of the many cameras :)

Here, Joe was trying to impress Clarissa with his show of strength

Joe & Clarissa's Bridal Shower

The Bridal Shower Cake [I just learned something the picture you want first has to be posted last... oh well with dial-up internet its time consuming to go back and put the two pictures on again :)]

On the left is Dr. Joseph Krohn Sr. (at least that's what he goes by on the holiness message board) and on the right Clarissa Krohn

A Successful Budget??

The budget was introduced today by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty. Read about it in the Toronto Star and on the CBC website.

2007 Budget highlights
- $4.4 billion new spending, $3 billion tax cuts this year
- $14.1 billion surplus last year, $10.4 billion projected this year
- Federal debt cut $9.2 billion last year, $3 billion this year
- Tax credits for fuel-efficient vehicles; levy on gas guzzlers
- New $2,000 child tax credit means up to $310 per child
- Pension income splitting for seniors
- $1.5 billion more to poorer provinces
- $1.2 billion more for health care
- $250 million to provinces for daycare spaces
- Extension of gas tax for cities
- $4.2 billion for environment: greenhouse gas reduction, biofuel production, clean water plan
- $300 million for national HPV program to protect women against cervical cancer
- $64 million for anti-drug strategy, $80 million over 2 years for "national security"
- Hike in capital cost allowance for manufacturers

Why Not Pay More Tax?

Who wouldn't want to contribute more tax dollars to the provincial and federal government? However no one would want to pay more munciple taxes would they?

Well its another reason not to live in Toronto, with the extra taxes. The extra taxes includes a munciple land transfer tax that would earn $300 million dollars to the city budget, enough to pay for the Toronto City Fire Department.

CONrad INNOCENT OR GUILTY?

The question will be decided in his Chicago trial. Is Conrad a victim of changing times? US legislation has pushed for increases standard setting, whih have made men like Lord Black on the hook for what they did before the new laws came into effect. I fail to see a lot of the point of this trial... the judiciary appears to want to make an example of Black ... the man owned 70% of his company... I think a lot of the money he received in non- competition agreements is perfectly acceptable... they may have him on the US tax evision issue... how can a US court uphold a warrant in a Canadian court and add it to the American charges against him... Just a few thoughts on a a former Canadian who aspired to an American rags to riches story...

Taxpayers told not to send in tax returns...

Ottawa orders halt to online tax filing

Check out the big yellow alert box on the Canadian Revenue Agency's website. I bet their gratefull it didn't happen around April 30th :)

To Be or Not to BEE

Honeybees Vanish, Leaving Keepers in Peril

Maple Leaf blames ethanol for losses

Thats a new reason why Toronto will miss the playoffs. Afterall if Maple Leaf foods can't make a profit how can the Maple Leafs make the playoffs. :)

The Canadian Beaver

Which is better the beaver or the hawk? One animal preys on others were as the other stays busy and out of trouble. The national animals of the USA and Canada are quite fitting to each respective nation. Anyways for more impressive facts about the beaver go to this website.

Just think if it wasn't for the beaver North America may never have been settled. Afterall the ambition of the fur trade brought most of the Europeans to a land bitterly cold in the winter and sometimes too hot in the summer :).

Pennies to be nickled and dimed out?

According to a Desjardins Group said in a research report Canadians would be better off without the penny. They claim that of the 30 billion pennies issued since 1908 almost 10 billion are in childrens piggy banks or at the bottom of some body of water.

Today on the news Prime Minister Harper said that his only attachment to the penny was as a long time coin collector, which could mean the penny could be dropped out of circulation.

Whatever will happen to the saying a "penny saved is a penny earned"? They'll have to change it to a dime saved is a dime earned?

They claim that prices won't be adversly affected. Amounts coming to 3 or 4 cents wil be rounded up to 5 cents and amounts at 1 or 2 cents will be rounded down to 0. The Canadian consumers will pay for it in the long run as I would imagine that most prices would raise because of this action.

Just think if a large corporation made purchases of one billion dollars which every 100 dollars was increased by 2 cents the gross cost would be $200,000 increase (due to two cent increases). Who said a few pennies aren't worth anything.

Harper to pick judges by ideology!

Its almost comical hearing the Liberals complain about this. Its not like they didn't try to stack the federal superior courts when they were in power. The liberal leaders complaint would be like the Democrat house leader complaining that President Bush isn't appointing enough Democrats to the Supreme Court. Only in Canada, would the opposition except to have the power to rule.

Splitting Up Familes part of Government Budget?

The proposed family income tax splitting will save a family on average around $1000-2000 in taxes each year. But the tax cut in favour of families will depend heavily on the fate of the finance ministers economic report. If its in the next budget, Harper will be betting on a spring election. If the Conservatives can hold off until the Fall, I think they'll save the tax cutting measure until then (give the Canadian voters something to think about... The conservative party who gives tax cuts versis the liberal party who spends your tax dollars).

Student Finds $10,000

And turns it in!?

Top Tax Software

1) QuickTax Canadian Tax Software

• User Friendly
• Interview is in plain English
• Tax Planning scenarios
• Many versions to suit your needs

2) TAXWIZ Canadian Tax Software

• Similar to QuickTax, but limited to Windows users (but what else is there besides Microsoft Windows:)

3) TaxTron Canadian Tax Software

• Used to be called GriffTax
• User friendly and completely bilingual
• Is supported by Macintosh OS or Windows
• T1 and T2 returns

4) GenuTax Canadian Tax Software

• Purchase this software once, and all future updates are free
• No limit to the number of tax returns
• Can't be used for Corporations in Quebec

5) UFile for Windows Canadian Tax Software

• Can only do T1 returns
• Can be used in Quebec
• Online tax preparation and filing

Tax Software

NASA Looses Moon Walk Taps

I bet NASA officials are asking themselves "how could you loose the original documentation of the 1969 moon walk?

It gives the conspiracy theorist some leverage in claiming that there was no moon walk. Oh well I guess the lack of the original footage will mean that other nations like China or Russia can claim to have landed on the moon first (if they ever get there).

Can't "Trust" the Conservatives?

Some Canadian and American investors are complaining because the Canadian Conservative party cancelled the tax free trusts (October 31 announcement, not to be put in effect until 2010).

Finance Minister John Flaherty said that he won't back down from the planned cancellation of the tax free status of income trusts saying that "You have to act in the interest of the whole country.”

At least Politicians are returning to the grass roots of caring for the interest of the majority of the population. It almost seems like their preparing for an election :).

Canadian Charter: Bid at $7,800

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms copy is currently available at a bid of $7,800 on Ebay. And some people said that the Charter wasn't worth the paper it was written on. I think Cousin Angie should buy it to preserve Canadian history :)

Ford Sets Record

Ford lost a record 12.7 billion dollars in 2006 . At least the shortfall in one of the worlds leading automakers wasn't the largest in 2006, the US Government's 2006 budget deficit.

The Japanese Automakers are setting records too. The only difference is the colour, red or black.

History to be Auctioned off on EBAY

I've come to the conclusion that eBay is evil. Montreal publisher Robert Davies is auctioning off a signed copy of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (the first Canadian amendement to the British North American Act). It doesn't have the queen's signature, but it does have the long reigning Liberal Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau's signature. People will sell anything on eBay, even a piece of Canadian history for a few dollars.

WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?

There’s a voice that whispers

To the willing heart,

And its words so tender

Joy and peace impart;

When in doubt or trouble,

To your heart be true,

Hear the Spirit saying:

What would Jesus do

What would Jesus do?

What would Jesus do?

Hear the Spirit saying:

What would Jesus do?

When some strong temptation

Holds you in its pow’r,

When a fear of failure

Haunts each waking hour,

You can end the conflict

And your fears subdue,

If you heed the message,

What would Jesus do?

Refrain

Then no longer falter,

Then no longer fear,

Ev’ry path of duty

Will be bright and clear;

If you pray for wisdom,

It will come to you,

While the Spirit whispers,

What would Jesus do?

Refrain

Lan­ta W. Smith

It happened on January 21

• 2002 - Canadian Dollar sets all-time low against the US Dollar (US$0.6179).
• 1793 - After being found guilty of treason by the French Convention, Louis XVI of France is guillotined.
• 1907 - The Kenora Thistles win the Stanley Cup, representing the smallest town (Kenora, Ontario) ever to win ice hockey's ultimate prize, or any major North American sports title.
• 1908 - New York City passes the Sullivan Ordinance, making it illegal for women to smoke in public, only to have the measure vetoed by the mayor.
• 1921 - The Italian Communist Party is founded at Livorno.
• 1924 - Vladimir Lenin dies and Joseph Stalin begins to purge his rivals to clear way for his leadership.

Japanese Cancels trip to Moon

First the Japanese trip to Mars was cancelled and now the trip to the Moon. Whats next? Cancelling the trip to the Canadian Arctic?

They are evidently offering their technology to Russia. Maybe it will allow them to catch up to the USA space program that has lagged for decades after landing on the moon.

Canadian's Admit to being Racist

In a Léger poll, 47% of the 2092 Canadians surveyed admited to having some racist tendencies.

Throughout Canada the one ethinic group that the majority of those surveyed felt racist against were the Arabs (50% in Quebec), I wonder why?

THE GLORIOUS GOSPEL TRAIN

Are you at your station ready,

For the near approaching train?

Are you fully contemplating

That a pass you will obtain?

Is there some important matter,

You have left behind undone,

That will keep you hesitating,

Till too late to make the run?

Refrain

O be ready for the glorious Gospel train,

Quickly make your preparation,

And your passport have in hand;

O be ready for the glorious Gospel train,

It will take you safely over,

To the glory spirit land.

Has your title been recorded,

That no question can be made?

Does your preparation warrant,

That you shall not be delayed?

When you see the headlight gleamings,

As around the curves they climb,

Have you any fears and doubtings,

That you’ll not get in on time?

Refrain

Are your garments nicely fitted,

That accepted you may be,

As a guest on board for Heaven,

Trav’ling for eternity?

Do you hold the bloodstained banner,

Of Emmanuel in your hand,

With your claims inscribed upon it,

And a ride for Heav’n demand?

Refrain

’Tis the only signal, brother,

That will make your passage sure,

That will stop the mighty engine,

And a seat to you secure;

That will give you close connection,

And a never failing hand,

That will take you safely over,

To the glory spirit land.

Frank­lin L. Ei­land

Happy New Year

As the editor of the BBB put it so gracefully, 2007 has arrived without a post from the editor of "An Accountant's Perspective". Its sad that now I have only one more post than Ribs in this new year. Oh ya, I also want to wish my Cousin Angie a Merry Christmas :).

On a more important note, last Thursday, January 11, 2007, was John A. Macdonald Day. The day is in recognition of the birthday of the first prime minister of the great nation of Canada. Don't forget, Sir John A. was Conservative (which could be considered Republican for my many American readers).

NHL Considers Realignment

Only in Canada would this be a major news story :)

NHL weighs major changes

Christmas Tree Back in Court House

Attorney general enters holiday fir fight

Jesus Found!!!!

In the same day my mother found Jesus and her church. Earlier this week my mother was putting up Christmas decorations. She went to put up the manger scene and found that baby Jesus was missing. She said "whats the point of a manger scene without Jesus". And she's right Jesus is the reason for the season. OF course after consulting a noted blog writier she found baby Jesus. He was already in the manger scene hiding behind the hay loft. And in the same day mother also found her church scene (Joe was cleaning the up stairs and had managed to move everything around). Now all we need to do is put up the Christmas tree and we can have Christmas. :)

Justin Trudeau... A future PM

The Liberal Party is starting to look ahead (instead of behind them at there past failures). The party can only improve with the election of Dion. I heared the speeches on friday night on CBC Radio. Justin Trudeau opened for Kennedy. He is a skilled orator, and speech maker. One radio analysis said that if you closed your eyes you could almost hear his father talking. Afterall I'm sure everyone agree that under Trudeau's guidance Canada was better off :).
In regards to the Liberal leadership results, Harper needs to be careful against Dion. Dion is a fresh face, and possess battle scares from promoting Canadian unity in the 1995 referendum in Quebec. It was interesting to see that his supporters wore green scarfs at the convention. This possibly symbolized his connection to the Kyoto Accord (well, he did name his dog after the accord, so he must be serious about the environment and what the accord can offer).

Liberal Leadership

The Accountant Perspective, after endorsing the Democrats in the US election will step out on a limb and endorse the next Libereal Prime Minister of Canada. Stephane Dion is the best canadidate that the Liberals can hope for, he is from Quebec, can speak some English and he is also just left of centre in the political ideology spectrum. He reminds me of Jean Chretien, when he first took the lead of the Liberals in the early 1990's. Dion will have to work on his English for the rest of Canada, but he should fair fine in the next election. With the Liberals on a surprise rise in the polls, they could win a February election. Dion is the only leadership candidate that can keep them ahead of the Convervatives. Kennedy has no federal experience, Rae may not fair to well in Ontario and Quebec (key areas that he must win), and Ignatieff is too Republican to fair well in Canada (I don't know why he didn't join the Conservatives). Ignatieff's comment that every young person should do a tour of duty in a foreign country has not been too popular. In closing Dion will win the leadership race and be the next Prime Minister of Canada. The government is Harper's to loose, and Dion's to gain.

Canada to be debt free by 2021?

Its a nice proposition for the Conservative government. But with the federal portion of Canada's looming national debt being $480 billion that's 32 billion dollars a year.

There appears to be a misconception about the debt reduction. Evidently the debt will not include amounts owed against the Canadian Pension or Quebec Pension Plans. Which in the words of Liberal leader Billy Graham "is manageable". The calculation involves calculating net debt. Which means taking all liabilities and subtracting the governments assets. The value of the CPP is around 98 billion. I'm not sure what the value of the QPP is. But as you can see the overall debt reduction strategy is marginalized with the offset of net pension assets. This makes the debt reduction payments just undo 20 billion versus 32 billion. Its still a significant portion of the taxpayer's coin... But in the long run it will save your great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great, grandchildren money a few years into the future. :)

World's biggest rubber band ball

Steve Milton, of Eugene, Oregon, created the ball out of more than 175,000 rubber bands.
Guinness accepted it as a record breaker after it tipped the scales at 4,594lbs at a Chicago weigh-in.

BLESSÈD BE THE NAME

All praise to Him Who reigns above
In majesty supreme,
Who gave His Son for man to die,
That He might man redeem!

Blessèd be the Name! Blessèd be the Name!
Blessèd be the Name of the Lord!
Blessèd be the Name! Blessèd be the Name!
Blessèd be the Name of the Lord!

His Name above all names shall stand,
Exalted more and more,
At God the Father’s own right hand,
Where angel hosts adore.

Refrain

Redeemer, Savior, Friend of man
Once ruined by the fall,
Thou hast devised salvation’s plan,
For Thou hast died for all.

Refrain

His Name shall be the Counselor,
The mighty Prince of Peace,
Of all earth’s kingdoms Conqueror,
Whose reign shall never cease.

Refrain

Words: Wil­liam H. Clark; re­frain add­ed by
Ralph E. Hud­son

My Mother's Cats

My Mom, took this picture of all her cats. The seem to like sitting on the furnace. It must be the hot steam coming from the heating system.

People are Crazy...PS3 Released

PS3 was released and promptly sold out. I can't imagine anyone wanting a game or whatever it is, at a costs of over $600.

There is one thing I would like to point out. According to newspaper reports, there were shootings and muggings in the USA, but in Canada people stood in an orderly straight line patiently waiting for the retail doors to open.

I guess Canadians have learned a lot more about having patience. It must come from having the USA as a neighbour :)

Whatever the reason, Canadians do appear to be more well-behaved and liked in the world. Maybe its because we don't say anything that might offend someone else. An execption being a recent, post made before the American election.

Reader's Digest Sold

Read about the Reader's Digest sale in the TorontoStar

Sanders first Face seen from Space

KFC has the honor to be the first brand to be visible from outer-space, according to company officials. The 87,500 square feet logo was created by tiles placed in the Nevada desert, near the super secret Area 51. The stunt marks the revamp of the KFC logo, which now features a more streamlined image of Colonel Sanders.

Giuliani tests presidency waters

Former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani has taken a key step towards running in the 2008 US presidential election.

Tis a Glorious Church

Do you hear them coming, brother,

Thronging up the steeps of light,

Clad in glorious shining garments,

Blood washed, garments pure and white?

Refrain

’Tis a glorious church without spot or wrinkle,

Washed in the blood of the Lamb;

’Tis a glorious church without spot or wrinkle,

Washed in the blood of the Lamb.

Do you hear the stirring anthems,

Filling all the earth and sky,

’Tis a grand, victorious army,

Lift its banner up on high!

Refrain

Never fear the clouds of sorrow,

Never fear the storms of sin.

We shall triumph on the morrow,

Even now our joys begin.

Refrain

Wave the banner, shout His praises,

For our victory is nigh!

We shall join our conqu’ring Savior,

We shall reign with Him on high!

Refrain

-- Ralph E. Hud­son

Jesus as Santa Claus?

This advertisment was in the paper last week. I think its just a advertisment from the United Church to make people think of the reason for the season.

November 11

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved, and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

-John McCrae

Spectacular storm rages on south pole

The dark eye of the "hurricane" spans about 8000 kilometres and is surrounded by rings of clouds that tower about 30 to 75 kilometres above it.
"It looks like a hurricane, but it doesn't behave like a hurricane," says Andrew Ingersoll, a member of Cassini's imaging team at Caltech in Pasadena, US. "Whatever it is, we're going to focus on the eye of the storm and find out why it's there."

It is unclear how long the storm has been there because Cassini has never before seen the pole at such a high resolution. And scientists are still puzzling over how it formed.

8,000-calorie burger

The Quadruple Bypass Burger has four slabs of beef weighing 2lbs, three cheese layers, four bacon rashers, lettuce and tomato.

The Heart Attack Grill in Tempe, Arizona, has wheelchairs to carry customers out of the restaurant.

Customers can also order the smaller Triple Bypass Burger and Flatliner fries cooked in pure lard.

A spokesman said: "You have to be a real man to dine here."

Study finds facial expressions are inherited

Scientists have found that family members share a facial expression “signature”—a unique form of the universal facial expressions encountered worldwide. In a rare study taking into account blind subjects, Gili Peleg, et al. have discovered that family members were identified by their facial expressions 80% of the time, giving scientific support to the observation that a child “has his mommy’s smile.”

Canada Not too Corrupt

The corruption perceptions index (CPI) published by Transparency International places Canada 14th on the list for the least corrupt country. Sadly our American friends are way back in 20th spot, only 140 spots ahead of Iraq. Isn't it good to leave in a almost corrupt free state, not like some of those other states that appear to disenfrancise their citizens. I guess in the least corrupt states, they have more bureaucrats to hide the corrupt nature of their politics while those less fortunate countries on the bottom of the index are more transparent. Long live the Dominion!!

(Domion of Canada, for those who don't remember their Canadian history, i guess its an inside joke)

Saddam's Death will spark a new kind of war.

The execution of Saddam won't solve the problem in Iraq. He will go down as a martar to his people. His ethinic group are already saying that they will avenge his death. The US should pull out now, they will not be able to contain the destruction and violence that could come as a consequence of this ruling.

I found Bush's commements about the verdict disturbing. I haven't heard a recorded leaders commements so blood thirsty since Hitler's commements regarding his prisoners. The Bush tactic of using an execution in an attempt to hold onto both houses in the election on tuesday could back fire on him.

He should have submited Saddam to the Hague in the Neverlands (International Criminal Court). There the maximum penalty is life in prison. There it would be impossible for him to become a martar. But George W. Bush has once again shown his lack of ability to percieve international affairs, which could spark a massive conflict in the middle east that the World cannot contain let alone the US military.

Saddam verdict won't heal wounds

Enjoy your fish... because it won't last!!

There will be virtually nothing left to fish from the seas by the middle of the century if current trends continue, according to a major scientific study. Stocks have collapsed in nearly one-third of sea fisheries, and the rate of decline is accelerating.

There is only one solution to this... eat more beef!!! :) McDonald's here we come!!

Whatever happened to the Bluenose II

• The Bluenose was Canada’s fastest ship
• Launched on April 26 1921 from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia
• She won the International Fishermen’s Trophy for straight four years
• Sold in 1942 she was used to ferry freight in the Caribbean where she perished on a reef off Haiti
• Canada's fastest ship forever remembered on the Canadian Dime

Bye Bye to Income Trusts...

In a decision that will affect millions of investors, Flaherty announced late yesterday that Ottawa is taking steps to discourage corporations from converting to income trusts, a trend that would otherwise have cost the federal government close to $1 billion a year in lost taxes.

Ottawa shuts tax loophole

New Glowing Mushrooms Found in Brazil

Like a black light poster come to life, a group of bioluminescent fungi collected from Ribeira Valley Tourist State Park near São Paulo, Brazil, emanates a soft green glow when the lights go out.
The mushrooms are part of the genus Mycena, a group that includes about 500 species worldwide. Of these only 33 are known to be bioluminescent—capable of producing light through a chemical reaction.
Since 2002 Cassius Stevani, professor of chemistry at the University of São Paulo; Dennis Desjardin, professor of mycology at San Francisco State University in California; and Marina Capelari of Brazil's Institute of Botany have discovered ten more bioluminescent fungi species—four of which are new to science—in Brazil's tropical forests.The work, Stevani says, has increased the number of glowers known since the 1970s by 30 percent.

Interesting...whats next the arrest of Chretien?

Ex-Chilean dictator Pinochet ordered arrested

(of course I'm being factitious about the Chretien comment)

Here is one of Chretien's all time quotes:

"A proof is a proof. What kind of a proof? It's a proof. A proof is a proof. And when you have a good proof, it's because it's proven."

Trudeaumania is back...

Justin Trudeau, speaking at Ridley College in St. Catharines last night. A lack of a Trudeau family endorsment could make or break Michael Ignatieff's Liberal leadership hope. Could Trudeaumania be coming back within the next decade? Could Trudeau's son become the youngest Prime Minister in Canada's history? For my dear American readers, Perrie Elliot Trudeau was Canada's communist friendly Prime Minister at the height of the cold war. What ever he might have been politically and morally, Canada never has had as much nationalistic pride than under his leadership. Under Trudeau's reign Canadians became proud of who they were, and then quickly forgot who they were. To this day the question remains are we Canadians or Americans? A cultural mosaic or a global village?

IPod Popular among Natives

Google Earth spotters have discovered a strange rock formation in the prairies of central Canada that resembles a native American in headdress listening to an iPod.
The rock formation is in Alberta, Canada about 300km southeast of Calgary, near the border with Saskatchewan.

Cheaters never prosper

Well in this case I hope they do. Wouldn't it be nice to see the Tigers win (especially after by strong endorsement)? A team that is a few years away from 100 loss season going on to win the World Series a few years later will give teams lik .389 Royals and the .500 Jays some glimmer of hope at the end of a long but bright rainbow. I'm sure Kenny Rogers didn't mean to cheat. Afterall it could have just been mud from his flower bed or from all that mud and grease in the Tiger bull pen :).

Any ways all make one more branding assertion, Tigers win in game 7.
Mark on hand combination of `mud, resin, spit'

La Russa down on 'dirt'

U of Windsor Advances to Playoffs

A big win on the weekend secured a home playoff game for the lancers. AN unlikely 38-29 victory over the 5th ranked CIS football team in Canada to advance to the playoffs in 3rd place. In the opening playoff round they will be facing the University of Western Ontario (10th ranked in Canada, although Windsor finished at 6-2 and they only finished 5-3) This might be the year the the lancers win a playoff game. Go Lancers!

Mackey calls Stronach a dog...

In the Canadian legislature yesterday, Conservative Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay called his former Liberal girl friend (who sits across the legislature as a member of the opposition) a dog. According to reports a Liberal member of Parliament yelled over to Mackay asking him about the dog he doesn't own, and seeing Stronach's chair empty, muttered back "she isn't here" Now that isn't a very nice thing to say, and the Liberals demanded an apology; but this is the same person that broke up Tie Domi and his wife. So obviously she lacks certain moral and ethics regarding the family. I bet the Conservative Party is glad that she switched to the Liberals after breaking Peter's heart. :) Any ways judge it for your self by reading the article in the Toronto Star.

Tigers To win World Series

Usually I like to remain completely unbiased. I don't like to tell who I vote for although I must say the voting results on the political ideology poll look very good. Any ways this blog would like to take this time to endorse the Tigers for President, oh no I meant to say they'll win the Stanley Cup, wait I meant the Grey Cup, no thats not right, how about the World Series (you'll have to forgive me its been the longest time sense a Canadian baseball team has made it to the playoffs one kind of forgets that there is other sports besides Canadian Football and hockey :)).

The Tigers will win the first game, mostly because of tired pitching staffs of either the Mets or Cardinals. They will win it six games, afterall the National Leaue Champions will at least win 2 in their own ball park.

I would just like to say one more thing go Tigers!!! (one thing for sure you can never get me to say go Red Wings or Go Habs)

The Test

I think that Kim Jong-il thinks that the USA is just sabre rattling and that the UN will back down, once he has a workable nuclear missile. At least China seems to be fully aware of the situation

China pressures N Korean leader

Official Residences In Canada

Sussex Drive

• Prime Ministers official residence, 24 Sussex Drive on the Ottawa River
• Built in 1966 by lumber baron Joseph Currier as a wedding gift for his wife
• 1940 the government bought the property which served briefly as the Australian embassy
• 1951 it became the PM’s official residence (Saint Laurent)
• 1.6 hectare, 4.9 million market value