When is a Flu not a Flu.

This morning I sat in stunned amazement while a spokesperson from the World Health Organisation talked about Swine Flu. He actually didn’t say a single thing for at least ten minutes. Finally CBC NewsWorld went back to the anchor desk, realizing that he was talking in circles and not really giving any information other than they (WHO) were aware of Flu outbreak.

I am not joking, this spokesman using a well modulated monotone to keep the world from freaking out over Swine Flu never said a thing. He managed to call it a Swine Flu but then said it was not Swine Flu. This is not a Pandemic but is like a Pandemic. What is that? The fact that there were multiple cases in Canada, USA, Mexico and symptoms in a couple of other countries doesn’t mean it is a Pandemic. The fact that there has been about sixteen deaths apparently does not seem to matter. The American Centre for Disease Control had tested patients and had confirmed that these were “Swine Flu” like symptoms. Canada and Mexico have done the same.

What I keep wondering is when will the World Health Organisation actually give us lowly plebes a straight answer? I can understand their concern not wanting to spread hysteria around the globe but why set up a news conference to spread a bunch of double talk. Leave that to the professionals, our elected officials.

I sat there fixated on this spokesman, wondering if I was listening properly. When CBC cut away in the what appeared to be the middle of his talk, I could tell that the News Anchor and I were both hearing the same thing. Absolutely nothing at all was being said. The Anchor appeared as annoyed as I had become.

It really reminded me of an old comedy skit about CNN. The camera is set up with a microphone at a closed screen door. CNN keeps cutting to a live feed on the door because something or someone may make an announcement. Nothing ever happens but they keep cutting back to over and over again.

I have to give credit to CBC for cutting away and not wasting our time. I look forward to actually get some real information on the “Non Swine-Swine Flu”.

Greed, Corruption & the LifeBoy Bonus

I have watched with interest over the past months as the economy of world has fallen victim to greed and corruption.

It has affected us all, no matter what age we are. Here we are coming up to tax time and I have noticed a lack of information coming our way on regarding our retirement savings. Our advisors have fallen silent.




This does not really surprise me, the concept of Freedom 55 is not for the general public.

Freedom 55 is for financial planners and not for common working folk.

Just when the situation seemed beyond ridiculous, along comes the story of AIG bonuses. Call me old fashioned but I thought you received a bonus when you performed well and did work beyond your basic duties. A bonus is for excellence or it was until the new AIG definition.

I'm not saying that these people didn't deserve to get paid, they were after all working and just "following orders" from their leaders. Haven't we heard that before, say back in the late thirties in Germany. Now that may be considered a harsh comparison after all these workers aren't Nazis but really why didn't anybody stand up say "Hey what's going on here is wrong!" Didn't we learn the lesson last time?

Nobody spoke up back in Germany. Nobody spoke up when these financial institutions started to screw the pouch and let Greed rule the day. Our results are not as harsh as those in the thirties but Millions of people have been injured by Greed. To add insult to injury NOW they are using Tax dollars to bail the Greedy Buggers out and supply them with Bonuses. Shame!

I like happy endings, but I'm not counting on one this time. The pouch has been screwed and most of the workers have been given a LifeBoy bonuses.