PONDERABLES
How big a star would Buddy Holly have been had he not died sixty-four years ago yesterday in a plane crash at age 22?
JUSTIN TRUDEAU PONDERABLES
How come he got his shorts in a knot over Ontario using the notwithstanding clause once, but hypocritically remained silent during Quebec’s long series of enactments?
And speaking of the notwithstanding clause, isn’t it somewhat hypocritical of him to be asking the Supreme Court to review its constitutionality when the purpose of the clause is to avoid going to the Supreme Court?
How long will it be before his unbridled spending necessitates a massive income tax increase?
Doesn’t he realize that Parliament (which he clearly disdains) is the lifeblood of democracy?
THINGS I FIRMLY BELIEVE
Jake DeArruba is the most annoying Jeopardy! contestant in the history of the game.
If former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley, runs for the presidency in 2024, she’ll win.
TWO MORE TANTALIZING COUNTRY SONG TITLES
I’m A People
You’re Out Doing What I’m Home Doing Without
DOUG FORD MUST BE BUOYANT
Ontario premier Doug Ford must have trouble wiping the smile of his face these days. First, the NDP had only one person, Marit Stiles, interested in being its leader, and now the Liberals are so hapless they’ve invited one-trick-pony, Green Party leader Michael Schreiner, to become their leader. And Schreiner, by saying he’s considering their request, has proven to be indecisive at best and unprincipled at worst.
MPs VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION IN PARLIAMENT
Allowing MPs to virtually participate in parliament in any way whatsoever is absolutely repugnant. Their minimum salary is $185,800 and is handsomely topped up for committee membership. Also, after a mere six years an MP qualifies for a gold-standard pension at age 55. Get thee to Ottawa!
REMEMBERING BOBBY HULL
Bobby Hull, who passed away this week at age 84, was my client for many years. (Hockey historians have written that the $100,000 per season salary I negotiated for him with the Chicago Black Hawks in 1968 was the first six-figure annual salary in NHL history). Bobby was the best ambassador the game has ever had. The Black Hawk airport bus was always delayed while he patiently signed autographs and chatted with fans, always sporting his dazzling smile. Bobby was also a friend for many years. He came to Toronto for my wedding, and future postings of my blog series, Random Anecdotes, will include some of our shared experiences. But without giving me any warning or reason, he decided to have a Chicago lawyer negotiate his 1972 contract with the Winnipeg Jets, and I neither saw him nor heard from him after that. Like his legion of fans, I was shaken by the revelations of his abhorrent behaviour, all of which clearly must have happened after our relationships ended.