Looking at that gift horse
Here’s a question for you. What do children with rich relatives and our local politicians have in common?
Consider the case of Johnny, who for his birthday received a really nice sweater and dress pants from the aunt. Yes, he’s grateful (this is a polite child, well brought up by caring parents). At the same time, he would really have preferred to receive money. You see the difficulty here.
Now swing your view over to the local leaders, who received largesse from the rich Ottawa uncle this week. Money for the airport. Money for the airport (along with a statement of accounts, listing all the other presents given over the past few years). Nothing for the amphitheatre that fuels the dreams of his mayorship.
It’s hard to be bitter when the money is coming in, but the locals would love to get the federal level onside with their hockey fever. I’m just a taxpayer.
Today I decided to learn a little more about how nuclear reactors break. I mean, if we’re due to get some extra rads in our diet, better to understand the why and wherefore. Happily, the AEC (Atomic Energy Commission) have prepared a document that explains why Canadian technology is safer than that used in other jurisdictions (particularly Chernobyl, but perhaps Japan). A bit self-serving although a decent read over lunch hour.
I still remember the Heavy Water Plant (two of them) from Cape Breton, and now I have a Wiki level knowledge of why water might be heavy. And in passing, the Russian epic fail had nothing to do with Homer Simpson and everything to do with budgets.
