A new world of technology with Dell

This is my first "computer review" post in a very long time and I must say that I am very excited to be writing again. I took a long hiatus from this, but not by choice. Unfortunately, during the holidays last year, I ended up in critical condition with a rare virus that decided to aggressively attack my brain. Thankfully, I survived. I give tremendous thanks to the medical doctors, nurses and staff here in Windsor, Ontario, as well as my family and close friends. I am happy to be sitting at my computer in my new home, typing this story with my wife beside me and continuing with my on-going recovery.

I would like to also thank Dell's consultant, Melissa L. for not only providing me with new products to evaluate, but for also treating me with the utmost care and respect, as I continue to recover.

I had written about a whole bunch of new Dell computers, many of which I had had little experience at first, but which I became thrilled about after I started using them. In fact, by testing some of their computers, I learned how to use the new Windows 10 program!

I think Dell made a good decision to work with a non-technical computer person, like myself, so that I could present my experience to people like you, dear reader, who might be interested in learning how well a "non-expert" navigates through different computer technology and accessories.

From my experiences testing out various computers from Dell, I have been very satisfied with their superior performance, capabilities and ease of usage. I trust that my readers should be very excited about Dell's new products.

So is the Dell Inspiron 15 7000 series 2-in-1 computer worth being on this year's holiday shopping list? Read on!

I'm going to start off a little bit differently. It going to be very simple as well too. The Dell Inspiron 15 7000 series computer is strong and tough. It is not completely "lightweight" but still can be carried around easily, without much difficulty to lift or move. It is a very practical and portable unit that could withstand a lot of maneuvering to and from different locations.

Here is a key matter that one might want to consider in its structure. The Dell Inspiron 7000 computer is really 4 computers in one. That is phenomenal frankly. With a 15.6" screen, you have a standard portable laptop to use. But wait! It is anything but standard, when you can transform it into 3 different layouts, which I will continue to talk about below.

The 2nd option is the "tent" look. It looks like an upside down "V." I would recommend this setting when one wants to view something on the computer that doesn't need a lot of scrolling, perhaps a movie, podcast or tv program. Just sit in on a table or a flat surface and enjoy.

Moving along, the 3rd option is what they call the "stand" look. That is very similar to the appearance of the "tent" but it sits on the other half of the computer, which rests on a flat surface to get considerable balance and positional strength. It is very useful to use when working on a specific task that needs your full attention.

The final option is the "tablet" one where the computer completely folds up so you can navigate different websites with ease. That would be pretty good to use outdoors since there is very little glare from the screen, It would also be the perfect style to use when travelling on a short or long journey on a train or airplane.

Just what I described so far makes it very appealing as far as I'm concerned. All of those transitional features make sense and provide a good alternative for many consumers of all ages.

With all the features that it has, one of the best points about it is that the Dell Inspiron 15 7000 series computer is relatively light weight to carry around. That is something that I think is quite important with portable systems these days. Desktops are not practical with the on-the-go busy lives that we often lead. Computers need to be easily accessible and within a moment's notice, can be transported with someone for whatever activity is planned for the day. I hate the thought of something that feels too "light" because that worries me about possible damage down the road. The Dell Inspiron 15 7000 series computer feels pretty strong and I have had my share of moving it from different locations without any hassle.

Now about the colour quality. The colours themselves on the screen are quite crisp and clear. I have used computers before that had very poor quality colour, with that annoying fuzziness, which makes you wrongfully assume it is your eyesight or your glasses need to be cleaned again. It has a negative impact on watching movies or even just looking at photographs online. In comparison, Dell has really done a great job in this area, especially with their laptops. True Color display allows user to set their optimal preferences when it comes to colour schemes and you can really tell the difference in clarity.

Touch screens are also another added feature. Just touch the screen itself so that your fingers become the "pointing system," thereby reducing the need for a mouse. Personally, I think for certain tasks, a mouse would be good additional device because your finger may become tired.

The computer sound system is pretty good. I did not experience any muffling or static. I really can appreciate the surround sound feel, as I was listening to my favourite music.

In looking at the Dell Inspiron 15 7000 series computer material, it also uses a battery that can last up to 8 hours depending  on usage, something that is critical for portable units when it is not plugged into an electrical outlet. Experimenting with the battery life, I was able to use the computer for approximately 5 hours in total (I did not stay on the computer actively, but with breaks in between, so it also went into sleep mode) duration without any lagging or malfunction. A good battery capacity because I was using at my full operation!

If you want to get a lot more "technical information," then just go to the Dell website and you'll find all the specs and details. You can chat live with a Dell Expert from your computer, use the old fashioned way and pick up the phone to consult with a rep, or even have them call you. From my experiences purchasing Dell computers, Dell's customer service is excellent and they are always available to answer questions.

There you have it. I would highly recommend The Dell Inspiron 15 7000 series computer for those who are looking to uncomplicate their lives and move forward with a multi-functional product that can be accessed from your bedroom all the way to the sunny beaches of Florida, or many other places you are going to.

I hope you enjoyed my personal review and if you do purchase a Dell, let me know what you bought and how you like it!

My Everchanging Life

It is amazing how well I'm doing. Even some of my friends are still astounded with my progress after suffering from a very rare form of Encephalitis that is not only hard to diagnose, but even more challenging to deal with.

It is getting close to my one year anniversary, or whatever else one would call what happened to me. As you know, I suffered a major attack that impacted me greatly towards the end of December/beginning of January of this year, and still requires medical care. I was literally close to death but survived remarkably well so far.

While I'm starting to think about what happened around this time a year ago, it is still difficult to fathom. For the first 6 weeks of 2015, both when I was admitted into hospital and then went home and was looked after by various medical people, the care I was given was amazing. Unfortunately, I can't tell you very much about any of it because those 6 weeks are still completely wiped out from my mind. I cannot remember a single thing from that time period, if you can believe that. It feels sometimes like I am watching a movie about someone else's life, but in fact, it is mine.

I don't really recall having any huge medical problems like this before. Obviously, I know a lot more about this particular illness because of all the information that I have been supplied with. The disease however is not known by many medical people anywhere to be direct. The whole episode is very frightening to me even now, no matter how well I continue to progress in recovery.

While I am not a strong religious person any more, I believe that God is an important part of this equation. Suffering in the intense way that I did was a sign that things needed to change. I believe that with the doctors' great intervention and with my spiritual beliefs intact, I can make a difference in people's lives and help them with medical issues. I have many years of experience and given the chance to continue on with life motivates me even more.

I am amazed at what has happened to me. Medically, while still suffering, nevertheless I have improved myself tremendously. I have lost about 40 pounds since this all started and have kept it off due to all kinds of great exercises that I do 3 times a day and eating healthy foods. I actively look for ways to keep myself strong, both physically and mentally. I am also here today to ensure that my family is well protected too. I try my best. I believe that I am a good husband and father.

Here is another thought I would like to share. I had no idea that so many people cared about me. I was never a real social butterfly, but still always enjoyed meeting new people and creating opportunities. After I got sick, I was told that my inbox was filled with good wishes, prayers and people asking how they could help. These were the people who were in constant contact with my family. Why, some of them even visited me in the hospital (I do not remember this, but was told by others), and have taken time to come and visit me in our new home. Then there are the people whom I may have corresponded with once or twice, but made a positive impact enough for them to send messages to my daughter, who was looking after my Facebook page. What a remarkable feeling. To be honest, the support I have received has helped me so much. Even though there are many unknowns, I am still very optimistic about my own future.

Going through such a traumatic experience, it brought back some memories of what I went through, back when I was in my mid-30s. I lost both of my parents at that time. Yet life carries on because it has to. I had a wife and two kids to take care of. I had a lot of stress on my shoulders, but I knew that I had to be strong.

My articles on my blog will be different than what I wrote before. Oh don't worry, I will be writing those "political" articles again because I like doing it. That's part of my nature. However, it is not the only reason that I will be writing articles here.

I'll be writing things about my life changing and my family's lives as well. I hope to provide some insight on how to deal with problems that you might face and offer good resources on who may be able to help.

This is a great outlet for me and you can feel free to click on my articles and read what I have to say. As I see others suffer, I want to extend my arms and help in whatever way I can. Life is precious and I enjoy each and every day. It is the best gift of all.

Is The Windsor/Detroit Border File Really Over Now

Of course it is, although it has not been officially announced yet by anyone formally. But then again, isn't that why you come to read my materials because I tell you what the reality is.  

What is going to happen is pretty much what I have suggested for years now and should have happened but for the people handling this matter from our Governments who had their own agenda. Fortunately, I think that a lot has now been replaced by something that should make much more sense and which should lead to a quick resolution between the relevant parties. Read on! 

There is material I read a few days ago published in Toronto's Globe and Mail that I thought was fascinating and in which I thought gave me the answer right away of what was going to happen.  It certainly was not the position that was being put forward by the previous Government of Canada being run by the Conservatives. I was rather surprised that no one else had written something similar that I had seen in the media.  I'll describe it shortly. 

Here's something that should interest you right away and give the foundation for what will happen here very soon I believe: 

"Mr. Trudeau said he was disappointed by the Keystone rejection, but respects Mr. Obama’s decision. This is a major change from the tone of the former Conservative government. The Liberals are trying to remove the pipeline project as an irritant between Canada and the United States. Mr. Trudeau had long criticized former prime minister Stephen Harper for hectoring the Americans about the pipeline, saying it hurt relations." (Steven Chase and Paul Koring The Globe and Mail Nov. 06, 2015, updated Nov. 07, 2015)

The dispute between Canada and the US with respect to Windsor/Detroit dealing with the border crossing here needs to be ended immediately to remove another irritant doesn't it! 

Of course it has to be ended quickly, although we do not know yet what the border change will be between Windsor and Detroit. Will it be the type of bridge put forward by the Ambassador Bridge Company or one that was being proposed by the previous Conservative Government and the Government of Michigan? More importantly, who is going to own it? 

Well the answer should be easy: the new bridge is going to be the Ambassador Bridge Company type of bridge in the location that it favours although the structure of it respecting the ownership and who will construct it and then operate it has not been finalized yet. Who knows if there even have been any conversations but they will come soon enough.  That is what will have to be decided eventually for the good economically for this country in many different ways. 

What that means in my opinion is the following. Will this new set-up be:  

1) the building of a new bridge that will be built by and owned privately only by the Ambassador Bridge Company as it is now,

2) a new bridge that will be built that will be jointly owned by the Ambassador Bridge Company and Canada and United States Governments, probably majority-owned by the Ambassador Bridge Company or

3) a new Governments bridge with payment being made to the Bridge Company to end their involvement in the border bridges, including their old one which will still exist, completely? 

Here is how I know that and it appears that not too many other people seem to know it. It is an interesting article written in the Globe and Mail by Barrie McKenna on November 18, 2015: 

"Liberals drop public-private requirement for infrastructure funding

The federal government will no longer require that cities and provinces look first at creating public-private partnerships before getting funding for major infrastructure projects.

The new Liberal government, which is preparing to roll out $5-billion a year in additional infrastructure spending, will work much more co-operatively with other governments to get the money out the door, Infrastructure and Communities Minister Amarjeet Sohi told The Globe and Mail."

So much for the nonsense that we have been suffering in this Country for so long with the old program put on by the Conservatives for setting up P3s in Canada that will build and operate major functions like the bridge here.

"The move suggests the new government may be less enthusiastic than the Conservatives about P3s, in which in which governments and private contractors share the costs and the risks of projects, everything from roads and transit systems to courts and schools."

This case is constitutionally just a Federal one involving our Federal Government only which means it does not have to deal with any of the other Governments municipally or provincially.  It structures the deal, probably excluding P3s, and would be the one who would own and operate the bridge with the party, probably a private one, that would actually build and operate the new bridge. That party could probably be the owner as well or at least a part owner with the Federal Government also being involved.  It is probably likely they would just be the builder/operator only over a period of years.

Of course, the situation in Windsor/Detroit is considerably different because the border crossing here is owned completely by a private party unlike other border crossings.  That is why it has to be handled differently as well.

"The move comes amid growing skepticism about P3 projects. Critics argue that P3s can cost governments more over the life of a project because private partners face higher borrowing costs than governments...

Alberta’s NDP government recently announced it is reviewing the costs and benefits of all P3 projects.

A 2014 report by Ontario Auditor-General Bonnie Lysyk found the province spent nearly $8-billion extra over the past nine years to farm out infrastructure-building to private companies rather than handling the projects on its own. Ms. Lysyk found the private companies paid significantly more for financing and received a hefty premium from tax payers for assuming risk."

What a waste of money for reasons that never made any sense!  One has to wonder then why they were done in the first place. Who knows!

The questions are easy ones on the border file here. Who needs to spend money in public–private partnerships that are a horrific waste of money where the private parties involved receive a "hefty premium?" Why not be dealing with the Ambassador Bridge Company in Windsor/Detroit whose budget for their project has been identified as about a quarter of what the former Federal Government was going to pay for the Detroit River Bridge project? That seems obvious to me.

So the answer really is that the border file should definitely be over finally here after all of these years.

Thank goodness that the people involved on the political side are no longer running it. We will have to be careful about the people on the governmental side and especially within the Civil Service about what they suggest given what I believe was there: an animosity with the Ambassador Bridge Company that had been going on for many years.

The end result will be quite easy from a budget perspective and can end very quickly if proper negotiations start soon so that our economy in this region starts improving rapidly. The Ambassador Bridge Company will either own everything as it does now or it will be involved with the Governments in the project and its ownership part of its ownership will be negotiated or it will be paid a huge sum of money and it will sell out its interest.

It's as simple as that!

 

The 3 Tenors

 

 

 

Forming the group, The 3 Tenors, these three gentleman; Plácido Domingo, José Carreras and Luciano Pavarotti have been performing worldwide for many years. These are the gentlemen to whom I owe so much. Through their magnificent recordings, they have helped bring my life back to as close to normal as possible, given the complex condition I have been dealing with for over a year now. I know in my heart that their music will continue to help me, as I progress more each day. 

I assume that only a few of my readers know about the 3 Tenors, as everyone has different musical tastes. Based on our conversations, they have probably watched the incredible concerts of the 3 Tenors on television or even purchased their performances on DVD. 

I thought it was time to let everyone around me know how inspirational and relaxing this music has been for me, especially during my days getting out of the hospital and recovering at home.  Music like this would be beneficial for others who are suffering tremendous illnesses too. Of course, it is something that I would recommend to everyone to listen to for relaxation and enjoyment. 

According to the Wikipedia data page, from 1990 to 2003, the 3 gentlemen held thirty-four 3 Tenors concerts. This news was unbelievable to me because I did not know that was the total number of concerts until recently when I started to research more about them.  

I know that I have been watching a number of their concerts on television programs over the years and have listened to those concerts on various recording materials as well. It is so beautiful even though I knew very few songs from the material that they had been singing. It didn't matter. I just sat there watching and listening and enjoying every musical second of it. 

Oh sure, I know that they have millions of listeners and watchers who, just like me, are wildly enthusiastic about them.  I'm sure that they have made a few dollars as well, not only performing but also selling copies of their performances on albums, tapes, CDs and DVDs, especially after various concerts took place. They are truly wonderful, not only because of their voices, but also because of the superb performances put on by the various orchestras that are part of the concert.  Many of the recorded performances are around an hour and a half long, but who would ever know that length because it just transports you to a serene place! 

 

 

I wanted to talk to you a little bit more about the concerts and why I have listened to them both from DVDs that were purchased for me and also from recordings on television from various programs.  You may find what I'm about to tell you completely shocking. Of course, I am still in a whirl-wind of confusion, as I never thought I would be alive to share my story. 

As you may or may not know, I suffered from a horrific medical problem starting on December 31, 2014. January 1, 2015 could have resulted in my death.  I believe that some of the medical staff at the hospital here in Windsor, Ontario, may have thought that I would be "gone" medically and would not recover. My illness, its background and what needed to be done were very challenging and still today remain somewhat of a mystery to the general medical community in this area.  I saw that the horrible rare encephalitis virus that can escalate to the brain, occurs in approximately 2 people out of 1 million. Many are suffering from this disease that live on but their quality of life is very poor. Others, can make huge progress in recovering (I think this is the case with me) so I am very grateful to the medical doctors who worked day and night to figure out what the best course of action would be.  

I was in the hospital for 2 weeks and had an entire medical team trying to figure out how to treat me and stop the inflammation in my brain. They sent a lot of blood work and information to a Toronto hospital, so they could make a proper diagnosis and start treatment right away. During that time, I was undergoing a variety of tests by the Windsor doctors trying to determine what was my true medical issue. It was very tricky because many other things had to be ruled out. Once my illness was figured out and tests results returned, it was confirmed that the form of encephalitis that attacked me was treatable, whereas the other kind would have been fatal. My kidneys began to fail due to the extreme potency and side effects of the anti-viral medication, which was helping to get rid of the swelling in my brain. I was supposed to be put on dialysis right away, which my family said would have caused me great discomfort and pain, but it would keep me alive.  By a miracle, my numbers went down overnight and my kidney functioning went back to normal. A real blessing.  I spent an additional 4 weeks at home under intense medical care, in which I had to undergo many treatments.  

As I will discuss later on in different Blogs, during those 6 weeks of time, I have no clue literally what was happening to me. I cannot remember anything that took place while other medical care was being carried on.  I didn't know that I would not eat and I lost so much of my memory. I could not remember my wife's name, nor my two children.  To be blunt, even now I still know very little about those 6 weeks. 

Even though it appeared that I had not "lost" out and was going to live instead, it literally took months before that seemed at all likely. From the middle of February probably until early May 2015, I spent most of my time sleeping in bed and being unable to leave the floor of my house, in which I was recovering. My recovery was very saddening to me, and still in some ways makes me sad today. However, I now have a positive attitude about recovering and am undertaking a number of projects to bring back my health. Of course, I'm doing considerable amounts of exercising and eating well. 

Of course, and you will find this difficult to believe, my own view is that one of the main reasons why I am feeling better is because I have been listening to the music of The 3 Tenors. That music has helped me relax to gain back the energy that I require. It made it much easier for me to stay in bed and sleep for all of the time needed. In fact, my wife told me that when a DVD finished its hour and a half of music, I called her and asked her to put it back on. She absolutely had to do it to make me feel comfortable.

However, I have not told you the real story about listening to this music that I'm sure you'll find almost unbelievable to hear, as I am about to share below.  

 

 

 

 

My daughter was the person who bought two DVDs for me. Sure they were both the same music but different layouts. One was a regular DVD of the music only and the other was a DVD with not only the music but a video of the complete concert that took place, so I could see the people actually performing. More importantly, I could see their faces and their reactions as they were performing while listening to the audience! 

Do you think that is shocking? Not really. What about if I tell you how many times I watched and listened using those discs. Do you think you can guess? I thought I knew until I found out the truth yesterday and was completely shocked by it. 

In fact, I was told that I listened to the music on my DVD player almost every day, from the time when I first returned home from the hospital until fairly recently. I would lie in bed and listen to the music from morning till night and then again from the night to the morning. Even now, I listen to the music when I get up in the morning and then just before I go to sleep at night. Sometimes, I will even listen to it during the day. Moreover, I have been able to get access to YouTube and can watch and listen to the equivalent of other DVDs that I first heard on their website too!  That's right, almost 9 months of listening to the 3 Tenors singers many times a day completely or just parts of it on various media outlets in my home! 

 

 

So that is my story. It explains why I listen to this music and why I have listened to it for so long. Believe it or not, I am interested in meeting the 2 gentlemen who are still alive, who are part of The Three Tenors.  Luciano Pavarotti who was one of my favourite singers, but has unfortunately passed away. 

I want to meet them personally if it is at all possible just so that I can say thank you to them and to thank them for being a huge part of enriching my life. Of course, I have to let them know how difficult it is for me to travel to see them because of my illness, but I hope that they can come and see me in Tecumseh.  What the heck, we could probably talk over Skype or another program, using some of the new technology, since travelling may be difficult for them too.  It is a nice thought that I hope could happen! 

Music like this has such a beautiful way of making one feel better. What I am learning should be applied to other people as well, especially if they are suffering with an illness that is causing any kind of distress. 

 

I am truly thankful to The 3 Tenors for helping to bring me back to life by their music.

Windsor and Detroit Border Future: What MUST Happen Next

Please excuse me, but there's no need for me to write a complicated article dealing with what should be done with respect to a new bridge between Windsor and Detroit especially after what happened in Paris, France a few days ago.  The answer is obvious and should be dealt with immediately, as I shall write about further down below. 

The solution is pretty clear with respect to the border in this incident, and remember that these are my own feelings about the situation.  

With a death toll of around 140 people who were in Paris during the attacks, there is a strong suggestion being made that the attacks were organized and put on by ISIS to kill people as a threat to the Governments involved and other business people in their countries. The attacks were meant to force them to agree to do whatever it is that the ISIS group wants or else suffer further consequences. 

Presumably, the idea was to terrorize not only the French but also their allies such as people in Great Britain, United States and Canada. Perhaps the feeling was that certain countries would help them out because they are afraid of what damage could happen to their citizens and therefore give into the demands of ISIS. 

What seems to be happening is that the Governments in these countries and their allies now want to destroy ISIS.  They are not afraid of ISIS representatives, but rather want to attack them and defeat them as quickly as possible. They do not want ISIS around anymore to terrorize their people. 

In my opinion, what happened is that this brutal attack by ISIS did not terrorize the Governments, but rather it provided the ammunition for them to destroy ISIS and put them out of business right away. It allowed them to talk to their own citizens who would then give the Government leaders the power to destroy ISIS staff as quickly as possible thereafter. That is what is being talked about now and I think will continue until the appropriate action is taken. 

Let me talk about Canada and United States, two of the countries in the world who could be leaders in destroying ISIS now. 

Let me also talk about these countries in light of what is going on in the border file between Canada and United States in the Windsor/Detroit area, as far as setting up a new border crossing is concerned.

 

First, here is what is obviously happening. The President of the United States and the Prime Minister of Canada have no choice but to work together, and along with their allies destroy ISIS, whether they really want to or not. They really do not have an alternative. They have to play the role as leaders and take the appropriate action.  

It is not unreasonable to believe that both countries may well be subject to attack by ISIS fighters, if they do not do anything. The leaders may hope that the focus will be on Europe only and therefore feel no need to react now.  

In my opinion, this is wrong.  Surely they cannot be that naive!   

The stories in the newspapers suggest that ISIS is prepared to go worldwide to destroy their opponents. Our Leaders must be proactive to ensure the safety of our citizens, as we are all targets in one way or another.  We must be leaders now to destroy ISIS or we will experience similar outcomes, as we can see happened in France. 

So what must be done in respect to the second issue. Very simple. Figure out a way to take down ISIS so negative consequences will not occur in North America and work together.  

There is no doubt in my mind that the 2 Governments will not be able to form alliances with others in order to defeat ISIS. They will get allies just by asking others, especially those who are considered potential enemies of ISIS.  These 2 Governments also need people who are experts in the area and who have strong ideas about how to react. 

In Windsor/Detroit, the obvious party who can help the 2 Governments as a key player is the Ambassador Bridge Company! I'm sure that this would not surprise you at all, whether you are a pro or an anti-Ambassador Bridge Company type. The Governments and the Bridge Company have to work together as quickly as possible to come up with a solution that will protect the biggest border crossing in North America between Canada and United States. 

Here are a few of my thoughts. Presumably the Governments and the Ambassador Bridge Company are viewed as enemies that hate each other. It certainly seems that way doesn't it? How many times has the Canadian Government attacked the Bridge Company over the last 10-15 years or so and vice versa in some of the nastiest of ways? Well, whatever the answer is, it all has to change with the 2 sides now working together with other relevant partners.  It has to take place in this area because it is the number one border crossing between Canada and United States. However, it has to happen all over other parts of North America as well with many other border companies involved.  

In this area, what must be done is easy to figure out. The parties have to work together co-operatively to fight and defeat totally our opposition. It may seem to be difficult to accomplish but that can be handled in a relatively easy manner as well by the various parties.

First of all, let us stop this nonsense about trying to put the Ambassador Bridge Company out of business or to force them to sell out as quickly as possible and at as low a price as possible. It's just not going to happen and has not happened so far. The Governments and the Bridge Company have to understand each other's position and resolve their differences. The fighting between them over the last excessive number of years has really not achieved anything of great significance from either side's position other than wasting millions of dollars and creating divisiveness. 

Next, in order to achieve this, the parties must sit down together and work out how they will operate the border crossing between Canada and the United States in the Windsor/Detroit area. They have to learn how to co-operate with each other in the most positive of manners.

For one alternative as a suggestion, the parties could now become co-owners together of both the old bridge that would be fixed up and a new crossing that would be built. Each of the parties would have shares in the new structure, although I would expect that the majority would still be owned by the Ambassador Bridge Company.

Another alternative could be that the Ambassador Bridge Company would remain the exclusive owner of the new bridge and be able to combine it with its older bridge. In other words, the crossing will now be 2 bridges right beside each other. It will look very much like a number of the other border crossings today between the 2 countries. They don't have separate border crossings several miles apart with competition between the Governments and a private company.

In my opinion, I don't anticipate major problems between the Ambassador Bridge Company and the US government because I think that they can work together to come up with the best workable solution. I also believe that the new Liberal Government can work a lot easier with the Ambassador Bridge Company than the Conservative Government could ever have done with the animosity between those 2 organizations in Canada over so many years. 

If I am right, after some negotiations that should not last a very long time. In my opinion, the 2 Governments and the Ambassador Bridge Company should be able to work out an appropriate border crossing solution and re-establish a positive relationship amongst the parties that should last for a very long time.

Next, the parties are going to have to deal with how this project is going to be financed and who will put up the money. The Bridge Company talked about their project costing about $500 million while the Governments' cost is said to be at least $2 billion. Is it not obvious which one should be considered at this stage because of the lesser amount of money involved! Who will put up the cash as well has to be considered and there are a variety of ways that it could be done. 

Those are the major issues that have to be resolved. It should not be hard to do and could be done very quickly. Clearly, the parties also have to settle all of the outstanding differences between them, such as the lawsuits, but I expect that too can be resolved in a friendly manner and in a very quick way as well.

There you have it. There is a lot of work that needs to be done in a very short period of time. It should be easy to accomplish amongst the key parties involved in Canada and United States, as the largest and one of the most advanced border crossings between us.

Another Nearby Construction Mystery

More amazing work being done at the Tecumseh major housing construction site, this time very close to my place. It is being done right near my backyard.

 

I do have a problem though. I have no idea what it is for. Is it for a new house or two construction in this particular area? Could it be for work that is needed for the underground as seems to have happened recently? Is there another reason for all of this?

 

Hopefully, I will find out one day unless someone knows now and can tell me.  If that happens, I will  immediately inform you, dear reader.

 

Here are pics taken early in the morning and then some taken around 11 AM.  I am taken aback by  all of this fantastic work.  We'll all see what it accomplishes soon I would  guess: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Remembrance Day Ceremony at L'Essor High School

Marsha and I attended the L'Essor High School Remembrance Day ceremony near our house this morning.

It was truly an amazing experience to witness. Everyone was quiet listening to the speeches and enjoyed the songs that took place.

One would have to say that just about everything was perfect there during the ceremony.

Let me post a few photos that I took of what went on today, just so you can tell how proud I am of this event.

A great crowd today at L'Essor High School

Showing respect

A day of honour

New Tulip Garden For L'Essor High School

Another group from the L'Essor High School is doing a magnificent job by planting a new tulip garden on their property!

The reason for this new development is to praise Canada for helping out those in the Netherlands during WWII.

The garden is said to have 700 bulbs of red and white tulips and will be open to the community to view.

Hopefully, the tulips will bloom brilliantly next Spring so I can take a picture for my readers.

The beginning stages here in Tecumseh

Lots of great work is being done

Shop safe online for the holidays

I am again with Dell and enjoy partnering with them by working with and then talking about their equipment.  Here are some tips they also provide to their readers that I thought might interest  you, dear reader.

These tips were written by Joe Stewart, director of malware research for Dell SecureWorks and sent to me for reader observation.  It is Dell’s Safe Tips for Online Shopping.

I trust that this interests you and will be  helpful.

Shop safe online for the holidays

What could be more up your tech-savvy alley than doing your holiday shopping online this Cyber Monday? Ensure you have a safe and secure online shopping experience with tips from Joe Stewart, director of malware research for Dell SecureWorks.

1. Make sure your computer’s anti-virus and malware detection software is patched and up to date. Also, keep your browser and browser plug-ins (document viewers, music and video players and rich content applications), patched and up to date. 
2. Type the web address of your favorite shopping websites into your browser. “Online ads and emails may direct you to bogus sites designed by cyber criminals to extract personal information.”
3. When making online purchases, look for HTTPS in the URL window. The extra “S” after HTTP lets you know the website provides a layer of security.
4. Watch for websites, online ads or unsolicited emails with free offers or big discounts. “Also, be sure NOT to click on the links or attachments, which could infect your computer with malicious software.”
5. Make online purchases using a credit card with a small credit limit. This limits your potential exposure.
6. Be wary of holiday greetings, news and pictures, with links or attachments. Verify first that the correspondent sent you the email. “Your friends could have had their email address book hijacked by hackers.” 
7. Never respond to emails from your bank or any financial institution that ask for updated information. “Financial institutions rarely ask customers to update information via email, and they never ask you to disclose sensitive information via email.”
8. Avoid using weak or default passwords for any online site. Use a different password for each site; store your passwords securely and auto-generate new, strong passwords with a passport management tool like LastPass or KeePass.
9. When possible, use a computer dedicated solely for accessing financial accounts, online purchases and paying bills. “This computer should not be used for surfing the Web or for emailing, the primary vectors for infecting your computer.”
10. If possible, it is recommended that users not jailbreak their device and  avoid using third-party app stores.

Is Keystone PL The Model For The Proposed New Windsor/Detroit Project

The future for the Keystone PL in Canada has changed rather dramatically hasn't  it!  How many are still really shocked by the US decision on it that has effectively killed it forever or for at least a significant number of  years.

It certainly seems that the decision by the US President has effectively killed it for a very long time even if it is decided one day to build it after all.  That certainly won't happen until a new US President is elected who will be in favour of constructing it and who will  have the consent of  Congress to do so.  That will take some time too before it happens if it ever does.

Of course, in my opinion, it provides a model to be considered in Canada by the Government here  for our crossing in Windsor/Detroit and by the US Government in its country.

Considering how long the Windsor/Detroit construction exercise has been going  on---even longer compared with the timing fiasco in Alberta---can one make the argument that its conclusion will be similar to the one in Alberta?  In other words, a Government Bridge will not be built. 

Of course BUT rather, consider that a second Ambassador Bridge will be allowed to be built by the Ambassador Bridge Company very soon in my opinion right near the existing one as it has been trying to do for many years.

There is an interesting question that will have to be decided between the Ambassador Bridge Company and whichever Governments are ultimately involved.  Who will own what percentage of the new bridge or rather perhaps, the entire number of bridge crossings here.  Now THAT should be an interesting decision shouldn't it.

How long will that take too? 

I thought you might want to read part of this article that brings this type of question public.  So far the question has not officially risen for a Windsor/Detroit crossing but will it be soon?  Then what will the parties negotiate to get this key bridge project built immediately to support our region's future and how long will it take:

http://www.canadianbusiness.com/blogs-and-comment/what-really-killed-keystone-xl/

"What really killed Keystone XL? The economic case simply faded

Michael McCullough 1 day ago Canadian Business 

What are we to take away from U.S. President Barack Obama’s formal rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline project on Friday? Is there anything proponent TransCanada Corp. and the Canadian government could have done to change the outcome? 

Probably not. This was overwhelmingly a U.S. decision made for social and political reasons out of their hands, and without a sufficiently compelling economic argument to override it. There was a window in Obama’s first term, when Hillary Clinton was the Secretary of State overseeing the process, when the economic case was stronger—including a 10% unemployment rate across the U.S.—and KXL’s opponents had not yet marshaled their forces to equate the project with continued dependence on planet-killing fossil fuels in the public’s mind. But that window closed and the political calculus for the pipeline only worsened thereafter.

 

Keystone’s backers didn’t win themselves any friends with their arrogance and sense of entitlement, however. Former prime minister Stephen Harper’s characterization of the pipeline’s approval as a “no brainer” showed no respect for the other side (including opponents in Canada) and left them no opportunity for a graceful concession to defeat. Moreover the Conservatives’ lack of a substantive climate change strategy gave the Obama administration nothing to answer the environmental wing of its voter base for approving the project.
 

Meanwhile TransCanada’s insistence on business as usual—relying on the courts to clear its right-of-way for KXL’s southern leg (which was indeed built)—showed a similar lack of emotional intelligence and served to create enemies even in the traditionally oil-friendly state of Texas.

 

If there is a lesson for Canada’s oilpatch it is the dangers of its own insularity. So much of the oil and gas industry is concentrated on a few blocks of downtown Calgary that dealmakers don’t have to leave the Plus 15 system of indoor walkways to make all their meetings. They mostly come into contact with like-minded people and as a result misjudge or don’t register the societal shifts taking place in the broader population—even it their own province, as evidenced by Alberta’s provincial election result this year."

The Only New Border Crossing With Any Hope Now----The PRIVATE One In Windsor/Detroit

Read this story now and you will discover that the petroleum industry between Canada and the US  is in an awkward stage right  now...except for the private business owned by the Moroun Family  between Windsor, Canada and Detroit, Michigan.

 

Funny, no one seems to be talking about that business right now except  me.  And I am of the view that a second Ambassador Bridge Company bridge can be built here and in the US right away to  Windsor's benefit. 

 

With our poor economy and high rate of unemployment, it is something this area absolutely requires for our future success:

 

http://www.msn.com/en-ca/money/topstories/after-keystone-xl-where-canada-goes-from-here/ar-CC3k9v?li=AA54rW 

After Keystone XL: Where Canada goes from here

Maclean's

Jason Markusoff1 day ago

© Used with permission of / © Rogers Media Inc. 2015. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

"When the sword finally swooped down Friday upon Keystone XL, reaction ranged from “extremely disappointed” (Conservative interim leader Rona Ambrose) to “disappointed” (TransCanada Corp. CEO Russ Girling and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau) to rather ambivalent but disappointed in the fact Barack Obama characterized Alberta oilsands as “dirtier” crude (Alberta Premier Rachel Notley).

 

But there was not much surprise in the White House’s bad-news Friday announcement. TransCanada’s eleventh-hour bid for a stay of execution, and Washington’s quick dismissal of that bid, only made the decision appear more imminent and gloomy.

 

But while some in Canada cried over the politics of it all—and the hypocrisy, given the 3.9 million daily barrels of oil that currently flow south of the border—Obama’s decision does let all players hit the reset button and try with success on other pipeline projects, as well as another bid for an expansion of the energy sector’s southbound capacity...

 

As some of those negotiations on oil shipments to the much-needed non-U.S. markets work their way through the system—National Energy Board begins hearings on Trans Mountain are slated for December—there will also come time, sooner rather than later, for TransCanada or another industry player to try breaching the 49th parallel again, with a pipeline that’s a vastly safer and more affordable alternative to expanding rail shipments."

More Senior US Rejection Of Keystone

Here is an additional key statement concerning Keystone's rejection by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.  It  appears as if he is the key decision maker.

Consider as well that a decision about rejecting a multi-billion dollar investment in Canada re building a "Government" bridge would be very similar in its logic.  That's why only a second border crossing to be paid for by the Ambassador Bridge Company is all we need and why we need it now:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/transcript-of-john-kerrys-statement-on-the-keystone-xl-pipeline/article27165847/

"After a thorough review of the record, including extensive analysis conducted by the State Department, I have determined that the national interest of the United States would be best served by denying TransCanada a presidential permit for the Keystone XL pipeline. President Obama agrees with this determination and the eight federal agencies consulted under Executive Order 13337 have accepted it.

Executive Order 13337 delegates to the Secretary of State the President’s authority to issue or deny Presidential Permits like the one sought for the proposed Keystone XL pipeline. In reaching my decision, I evaluated information provided by TransCanada, the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, the views of other federal agencies and nearly five million public comments...

Our analysis makes it clear that the Keystone XL pipeline would not be the economic driver it is heralded to be...

As Secretary of State, I fully recognize the importance of this project to Canada, one of our closest strategic allies and energy trading partners. We consulted with our Canadian friends and I spoke with Foreign Minister Dion today regarding this decision. While we understand the impact of this decision on Canada, I am confident that our close and long-standing relationship with Canada will continue to grow stronger in the years ahead."

The US President's Speech Re His Rejection Of The Keystone XL Oil Pipeline

The  Americans have killed Keystone but also believe that they can have a solid relationship with Canada on energy matters.   We will see if that is true especially when dealing with the  Windsor/Detroit oil project.

Here is what US President Obama said as reported in Newsweek:

http://www.newsweek.com/read-full-transcript-president-obamas-speech-rejecting-keystone-xl-pipeline-391609

"The Full Transcript of President Obama's Speech Rejecting the Keystone XL Pipeline

By Polly Mosendz 11/6/15 at 1:13 PM

                             

U.S. President Barack Obama speaks about the Keystone XL oil pipeline at the White House in Washington November 6. Obama on Friday rejected the proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada in a victory for environmentalists who have campaigned against the project for more than seven years. Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

 

President Barack Obama rejectd the controversial Keystone XL pipeline on Friday during a press conference at the White House.

The pipeline has been a point of contention for the last seven years, as politicians argued of its economic benefits and environmental drawbacks. The pipe TransCanada hoped to build would have been 1,179 miles long between Alberta, Canada, and Steele City, Nebraska.

Shortly after Obama's announced, House Speaker Paul Ryan called the decision "sickening."

 

 Here's the speech Obama gave, as transcribed by the White House:

 

Good morning, everybody.  Several years ago, the State Department began a review process for the proposed construction of a pipeline that would carry Canadian crude oil through our heartland to ports in the Gulf of Mexico and out into the world market.

This morning, Secretary Kerry informed me that, after extensive public outreach and consultation with other Cabinet agencies, the State Department has decided that the Keystone XL Pipeline would not serve the national interest of the United States.  I agree with that decision.

This morning, I also had the opportunity to speak with Prime Minister Trudeau of Canada.  And while he expressed his disappointment, given Canada’s position on this issue, we both agreed that our close friendship on a whole range of issues, including energy and climate change, should provide the basis for even closer coordination between our countries going forward.  And in the coming weeks, senior members of my team will be engaging with theirs in order to help deepen that cooperation

Now, for years, the Keystone Pipeline has occupied what I, frankly, consider an overinflated role in our political discourse.  It became a symbol too often used as a campaign cudgel by both parties rather than a serious policy matter.  And all of this obscured the fact that this pipeline would neither be a silver bullet for the economy, as was promised by some, nor the express lane to climate disaster proclaimed by others.

To illustrate this, let me briefly comment on some of the reasons why the State Department rejected this pipeline.

First:  The pipeline would not make a meaningful long-term contribution to our economy.  So if Congress is serious about wanting to create jobs, this was not the way to do it.  If they want to do it, what we should be doing is passing a bipartisan infrastructure plan that, in the short term, could create more than 30 times as many jobs per year as the pipeline would, and in the long run would benefit our economy and our workers for decades to come.

Our businesses created 268,000 new jobs last month. They’ve created 13.5 million new jobs over the past 68 straight months—the longest streak on record. The unemployment rate fell to 5 percent. This Congress should pass a serious infrastructure plan, and keep those jobs coming. That would make a difference. The pipeline would not have made a serious impact on those numbers and on the American people’s prospects for the future.

 Second: The pipeline would not lower gas prices for American consumers. In fact, gas prices have already been falling—steadily. The national average gas price is down about 77 cents over a year ago.  It’s down a dollar over two years ago. It’s down $1.27 over three years ago. Today, in 41 states, drivers can find at least one gas station selling gas for less than two bucks a gallon. So while our politics have been consumed by a debate over whether or not this pipeline would create jobs and lower gas prices, we’ve gone ahead and created jobs and lowered gas prices.

Third: Shipping dirtier crude oil into our country would not increase America’s energy security. What has increased America’s energy security is our strategy over the past several years to reduce our reliance on dirty fossil fuels from unstable parts of the world.  Three years ago, I set a goal to cut our oil imports in half by 2020.  Between producing more oil here at home, and using less oil throughout our economy, we met that goal last year -- five years early.  In fact, for the first time in two decades, the United States of America now produces more oil than we buy from other countries.

 Now, the truth is, the United States will continue to rely on oil and gas as we transition—as we must transition—to a clean energy economy.  That transition will take some time.  But it’s also going more quickly than many anticipated.  Think about it. Since I took office, we’ve doubled the distance our cars will go on a gallon of gas by 2025; tripled the power we generate from the wind; multiplied the power we generate from the sun 20 times over.  Our biggest and most successful businesses are going all-in on clean energy.  And thanks in part to the investments we’ve made, there are already parts of America where clean power from the wind or the sun is finally cheaper than dirtier, conventional power.

The point is the old rules said we couldn’t promote economic growth and protect our environment at the same time. The old rules said we couldn’t transition to clean energy without squeezing businesses and consumers. But this is America, and we have come up with new ways and new technologies to break down the old rules, so that today, homegrown American energy is booming, energy prices are falling, and over the past decade, even as our economy has continued to grow, America has cut our total carbon pollution more than any other country on Earth.

Today, the United States of America is leading on climate change with our investments in clean energy and energy efficiency.  America is leading on climate change with new rules on power plants that will protect our air so that our kids can breathe.  America is leading on climate change by working with other big emitters like China to encourage and announce new commitments to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions.  In part because of that American leadership, more than 150 nations representing nearly 90 percent of global emissions have put forward plans to cut pollution.

America is now a global leader when it comes to taking serious action to fight climate change.  And frankly, approving this project would have undercut that global leadership.  And that’s the biggest risk we face—not acting.

Today, we’re continuing to lead by example.  Because ultimately, if we’re going to prevent large parts of this Earth from becoming not only inhospitable but uninhabitable in our lifetimes, we’re going to have to keep some fossil fuels in the ground rather than burn them and release more dangerous pollution into the sky.

As long as I’m President of the United States, America is going to hold ourselves to the same high standards to which we hold the rest of the world.  And three weeks from now , I look forward to joining my fellow world leaders in Paris, where we’ve got to come together around an ambitious framework to protect the one planet that we’ve got while we still can.

If we want to prevent the worst effects of climate change before it’s too late, the time to act is now.  Not later.  Not someday.  Right here, right now.  And I’m optimistic about what we can accomplish together.  I’m optimistic because our own country proves, every day—one step at a time—that not only do we have the power to combat this threat, we can do it while creating new jobs, while growing our economy, while saving money, while helping consumers, and most of all, leaving our kids a cleaner, safer planet at the same time.

That’s what our own ingenuity and action can do.  That's what we can accomplish.  And America is prepared to show the rest of the world the way forward.

Thank you very much.