Decline Cometh Before A Fall

By: The National Bacon

The Roman Empire was the original European cultural, economic, and military power house, eventually stretching from Britain to Mesopotamia at it's greatest height of power.  The Roman civilization was so powerful and long lived that even today the echo of her cultural impact is palpable in the institutions, language, and customs of the modern Western world.  Apart from these cultural echos and the artifacts that amuse the visitors in museums, the Roman world once so powerful, vibrant, and vital is long gone.  The tale of the decline and fall of the Roman world serves as one of history's great lessons; nothing, not matter how large and influential it once was, is guaranteed to be permanent.

Many factors led to the decline and eventual fall of the western portion of the Roman Empire, however one salient factor was the failure of the Roman state to repel the continuous invasions by Germanic tribes and the slow yet continual conquest of Roman territory

An excellent read for those interested in the decline and fall of Rome is Rome's Barbarian Mercenaries by David G. Frye.  I highly recommed it for anyone interested in how a civilization that loses interest in defending itself, its own culture, and its territory opens itself to destruction.

For civilizations that no longer fight for their own interests and survival, all roads lead to Rome in the end.

Up In Arms

By: The National Bacon

Whever an accident claims a human life it is an undeniable tragedy; however when that death involves a firearm it has the potential to become a national (even international) event.  The recent death of Arazona shooting instructor Charles Vaca due to the handling of an Uzi by an unidentified 9 year old girl he was instructing has resulted in a rising of debate of the handling of firearms by children and has fueled the continued debate of firearms ownership in Canada.

While shooting related accidents are quite normally picked up by media outlets, the fact that this incident involved a child has caused considerable more sensation and has been grasped upon by both anti and pro-firearm political factions.  A recent story from the CBC about Justice Minister Peter MacKay wearing a pro-firearms advocacy t-shirt was met with commentary postings claiming that Canada is in danger of such accidents as that which resulted in Vaca's death and that Canadian firearms advocates cannot wait to introduce automatic weapons like the Uzi for legal ownership and then place them into the hands of children.  Such claims are highly dubious and play upon generating irrational fears that firearms ownership will necessarily result in rampant shootings and reduces Canadian firearms owners and advocates to the level of Hollywoodized clichés who not only desire to own the most powerful of automatic weapons but be able to carry them at all times.  This of course defies thoughtful reason and ignores the fact that the majority of Canadian firearms owners abide the law, follow safe practices when it comes to firearms ownership, and advocate for safe firearms use; you will not find people more eager to admonish a unsafe shooter than at any Canadian shooting club facility. 

A child shooter using a semi-automatic .22 cal rifle at a shooting range.

It may be shocking to some people that children under 18 years of age are involved, and have been involved for generations, in sport shooting and hunting in Canada.  Some may also be shocked to learn that Canadian law also requires such shooters to be supervised by a licenced adult and that Canadian shooting clubs require children to complete a safety course before shooting.  In the wake of stories about Vaca's death the CBC also produced a video report about the legality of children shooting firearms in Canada.  The report was mostly an overview of the law when it comes to Canadian children using firearms, however a possible negative undertone could be interpreted from some of the comments and images shown in the footage.  Unfortunately where there is fear there is sensationalism, and where there is sensationalism there is news.

The fact that the incident which claimed Vaca's life involved a female may also be the cause of further sensation; the traditional narrative of many news media and anti-gun advocacy groups primarily being that women are the victims of firearms, not the users of firearms.  This could not be further from the truth however, as women are currently the most actively growing sport shooter and hunting demographic in North America.  There still remains an active bias however; women and especially young women and firearms are not a natural mix.  Such taboos do not seem to be deterring many Canadian women from shooting however; the number of Canadian women enjoying hunting and other shooting sports is on the rise.

The overwhelming majority of Canadian firearms owners, hunters, and sport shooters would not advocate for the use of firearms by children without significant training and adult supervision.  The same majority would also likely agree that allowing a child to handle a firearm like an Uzi is not the most sound of ideas.  We must also remember that automatic weapons such as the Uzi are prohibited in Canada and such firearms are owned only be a shrinking number of people who were 'grandfathered' through a prohibited licence, which is provided for under The Firearms Act.  Because of Canadian firearms laws children will not have access to the firing of an Uzi.  The majority of sports, be they football, hockey, swimming, ATV driving, or shooting, have the potential to result in injury or death.  Proper instruction, training, and supervision however mitigate these risks (but will not totally eliminate them.)  Shooting accidents are rare (accidents involving children and Uzis are almost unheard of) and we should not let a tragic event result in irrational fear mongering and the condemnation of all law abiding Canadian firearms owners.  

For statistics on accident related Canadian firearms fatalities go to: 

http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/csj-sjc/jsp-sjp/wd98_4-dt98_4/p6.html

For a well written op-ed by Professor Gary Mauser on long gun safety and criminal activity go to: 

http://fullcomment.nationalpost.com/2012/12/11/gary-mauser-why-the-long-gun-registry-doesnt-work-and-never-did/

By: The National Bacon

Few Canadian organizations can boast a century of continuous national service while being subjected to some of the toughest conditions that a person can endure.  The Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI) turns 100 this year, having been formed in August 1914 for active service in the battlefields of the Western Front, where they earned the distinct honour of being the first Canadian infantry unit to go into action during the First World War.

For 100 years the PPCLI has fought in two World Wars, the Korean War, numerous Peacekeeping missions, Afghanistan, and provided countless aid to Canadians during times of crisis and disaster.  The regiment boasts numerous battle honours, decorations for gallantry and leadership (including two Victoria Crosses), and embraces a heritage of bravery and commitment to service that has earned them the distinction as one of the Canadian Army's premier fighting units.

So it is with heartfelt appreciation and respect that I say congratulations and best regards to the soldiers of the PPCLI, past, present, and future, who have signed up for service and brought honour to the Ric-A-Dam-Doo.

Fracking Hysteria

By: The National Bacon

The issue of Hydraulic Fracturing (commonly known as fracking) has been a hotbed of activity for environmental activists, energy producers, and politicians over the past few years.  The issue of the application of this natural gas capturing technology has resulted in passionate debate, sometimes bordering on the hysterical, regarding the use of the technology in Canada.  Recently federal Liberal leader Justin Trudeau has weighed in on the issue of fracking in the province of New Brunswick and interestingly his comments were neither an endorsement nor a condemnation of the process.  Trudeau, in his usual fashion, called for more study into the technology, however there is far from a lack of scientific data available to consult on the relative safety of the process.

Hydraulic fracturing is a process that uses drilling and the application of high-pressure fluids (mostly water) in order to extract natural gas deposits from shale beds deep underground.  Despite its recent popularity in the news the process has been is use for over half a century and wells have been drilled in many areas around the world.  In fact the Royal Society in the United Kingdom has published an in depth report, based on decades of scientific study and data from practical application of the technology, that states hydraulic fracturing is a technology that can be safely applied with minimal risk. 

Burning RCMP vehicles at an anti-fracking protest in Rexton, New Brunswick

 When it comes to the popular anti-fracking movement, the most often cited source of concern stems from the ‘documentary’ Gasland, which is narrated by actor Matt Damon.  The sequence most commonly referenced is the portion of the film that shows one of the individuals interviewed dramatically igniting the water from his faucet.   What the film’s director, Josh Fox, failed to include was the fact that the methane gas in the groundwater from which this particular well was drawn had nothing to do with fracking.  Additionally, Fox was confronted by filmmaker Phelim McAleer at an event and was forced to admit that he left out details, supported by historical records, that locals have been able to ignite natural occurring gas seepage from so called ‘burning springs’ long before the practice of fracking was introduced to the area.  Fox apparently believed that those details were unimportant to reveal.  Further information was unearthed after the film’s release that the film was partially funded by a company from the United Arab Emirates, a nation which has a very lucrative natural gas industry and would face economic threats from a large scale increase in international natural gas production.  Regardless of these details and the questionable validity of many of the film’s claims, it has been used as a tool to perpetuate the fear of fracking.

On Trudeau’s part, neither endorsing nor condemning the process of fracking is a very politically convenient manoeuvre, as he does not have to commit support to either side of the issue and risk alienating large numbers of people on either side of the debate.  And while politicians play politics New Brunswick languishes as one of the poorest provinces in Canada with record unemployment coupled with a declining population as a result of New Brunswickers leaving to seek better opportunities (ironically usually in western Canada’s oil and gas industry.)  New Brunswick needs viable and well paying employment opportunities and the safe application of fracking technology appears to be an option worth pursuing.  This should not be an issue of science versus the environment; it should be one of proven science working with understanding environmental concerns and with proper oversight for the benefit of Canadians.

It is safe to say that those on the pro side of the fracking debate are not advocating for rashly undertaking the process; often forgotten is that in places like New Brunswick many involved in the industry would have to live with any severe negative consequences of fracking.  To assume that pro-fracking advocates are cackling villains eagerly wringing their hands and hoping to cause as much damage as possible is cartoonish and contrary to reason and common sense.  Hydraulic Fracturing is a technology that though is not devoid of any risks, has the potential to be implemented safely and with due diligence for the benefit of Canadians.  The potential for Canada to utilize this technology effectively and with maximum safety in mind is also bolstered by the existence of bodies to provide oversight, laws regarding safety, a free and open press, a legal system that pushes the issue of a accountability, and the existence of technologies and expertise that can be applied to the conduct of fracking operations. Do not give into closed-minded hysteria my fellow Canadians; the extraction of energy resources through technology such as fracking is not a choice between environmental paradise or ecological doom.

For King And Empire

With the centennial of the beginning of the First World War upon us it bodes well to remember the events that shook the entire globe beginning in 1914.

This six part documentry by Canadian historian and author Norm Christie provides an excellent primer to the events of the First World War with a particular emphasis on the war from the point of view of the Canadian Corps.

Frontline: Losing Iraq

For those who are interested in the current situation in Iraq and Syria and the rise of the Islamic State, this Frontline Documentary is food for thought.

Click the photo below to view the Frontline Documentary:

The Darker Paths of Globalized Extremism 

The changing nature of global conflict: Transnational recuitment and funding
for groups like the Islamic State (IS) have led to some uncomfortable revelations
for Canadians.  For a nation that prides itself as upholding strong human rights principles
and has heavily invested in the Peacekeeping mythos, the video below is a sobering reality
check as to what is currently happening and what dark paths the future may hold.
                                                                                                                 

Love Thy Neighbour

In a less than shocking admission, the UN finds that both ISIS and the Assad government are responsible for crimes against humanity.

The Islamic State's HR Department

The dramatic rise of the Islamic State (IS, ISIS, ISIL) illustrates the dark side of globalization and the growing evolution of transnational warfare.  Canada, along with many other Western nations, seem to be part of their general recruitment intake of late.

The Trudeauian Love Affair

By: The National Bacon

Does celebrity obsession create celebrity politicians or do celebrity politicians create celebrity obsessions?  It is a question that more or less borrows from the ancient chicken or egg line of inquiry and yet as with the age-old argument there are no easy answers.  Justin Trudeau is the current political darling of the moment on the Canadian political scene and overwhelmingly fawning media and yet a salient question remains: Why?

All things considered Justin Trudeau doesn’t seem like a bad sort of fellow; however in the grand scheme of things he doesn’t seem to be a particularly amazing one.  He often comes off as a privileged playboy who sees the job of Prime Minister as at best his birthright and at worst a pleasant distraction from an otherwise less than remarkable career. His much-touted intellectual achievements are on examination somewhat  lacklustre and not much different than those of tens of thousands of other average Canadians.  Aside from his obviously pre-orchestrated ‘election’ to Liberal party leader his political career has been rather bland.  Essentially other than being the son of a well-known Canadian Prime Minister he has few credentials to bolster his case for national leadership.

He certainly hasn’t done much to earn the heaping amounts of candied praise drizzled upon him by his most ardent of supporters.  The recent op-ed written by Toronto Star staff writer Heather Mallick carries this praise to new levels of the absurd.  Mallick’s appraisal of Justin reaches seemingly new heights of the ridiculous and resemble the saccharine ramblings of an obsessed pop star fan rather than those of a staff writer for one of Canada’s largest circulating newspapers.  Of particular hilarity is this amusing sentence: “…I look at Trudeau dancing with his wife, his ease with his fellow humans, his best wishes for his — and our — children, the feeling that I am back in a world of plausibility, sanity, arts and science, good cheer.”  A line that is so ridiculously doe eyed that one could almost mistake it as intentionally satirical.

Canadians should have taken note of the dramatic rise and fall of Barack Obama’s political capital in the United States, however there is a seemingly large segment of our population that have missed the lessons of voting for celebrity over substance. We live in a time of both tremendous opportunity and tremendous turmoil; a time which requires more than a movie star look and likeability for a leader.  Like Obama before him, Trudeau has accomplished pretty close to nothing that would lend well to the running of a nation; a person cannot govern with personality alone.