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#1257 March Apr 5th., 2006 Page 2
Introduction
Introduction
It's Hard Out There for a Leader in the West says David E. Sanger in his recent piece in the New York Times Week in Review . Nowhere has that been more evident in recent days than in France and the United States.
The Sauvé Scholars
As many Wednesday Nighters are aware, the Nicholsons are great fans of the Sauvé Scholars Programme which was established in November, 2002 by the Jeanne Sauvé Foundation to bring together in Montreal, a maximum of 14 young, highly motivated people with leadership potential from throughout the world. The scholars share a wonderful house on Doctor Penfield with the Trudeau Foundation while enhancing their leadership skills, their understanding of world cultures, as well as their education. These are bright young people who have the potential to change the world, and national attitudes within it The program is most selective, accepting a maximum of fourteen candidates each year. Each scholarship has an approximate value of thirty thousand dollars. This year, the Sauvé scholars include candidates from Bhutan, Canada, Denmark, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, People’s Republic of China, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Thailand and Uzbekistan.
Even in relatively sophisticated world countries such as Canada, we sometimes tend to relate to people socially, economically and racially similar to ourselves, possibly as much due to the selectivity of news received from unfamiliar parts of the world as because it serves our national pride to denigrate nationals of unfamiliar countries less naturally endowed than ours. Programs such as the Sauvé Scholars have the capacity to develop future world leaders who have the education, knowledge and wisdom to look beyond the prejudices of the older generation and thus the capability of enriching our lives as well as those of their fellow nationals.
Such is the Scholar from Bhutan , a small monarchy with a population of under two and a half million, located between China and India. Bhutan boasts of one radio station and one television station, a literacy rate of under fifty percent, and virtually no exports apart from hydro-electricity, produced largely thanks to subsidies from India. Its citizens are otherwise no different from people everywhere. Although in a sense unique, Bhutan is a microcosm, albeit a gentler, kinder version of the world around it. Its population has the same intellectual capacity as that of any nation to contribute to world well-being, in part, thanks to television and the ever increasing popularity of the Internet. However, these also represent a threat to old ways and culture, especially as local programming content is somewhat limited.
Vienna-based sometime Wednesday Nighter, Colin Everard, has written a lively aviation-related novel about Bhutan "Safe Skies", which was introduced to WN in September 2005 . Although it raises important issues regarding aviation safety in the developing world and the problems of developing nations in the implementation of international safety standards, Safe Skies is also a loving look at Bhutan, its people and the dangers of introducing too much modernity too fast.
Advertising on the Web
The ubiquitous nature of the Internet is evident in the estimated ten hours a week that are spent by each of us surfing and researching, which leads to increasing competition with television for advertising dollars. While virtually all Internet users claim to consider web advertisements a nuisances, they appear to have the advantage that their repetitive nature leaves a residue of subliminal messages to a widespread and ever increasing audience.
Petroleum and politics
Petroleum remains somewhat of a national concern to both U.S. and Canada, as Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez appears to be attempting to expand his sphere of influence in South America at the expense of the U.S., and as many Canadians appear to be somewhat wary of China’s involvement in the development of petroleum production in Canada. While oil supply is a valid concern, it is highly unlikely that it will result in undue cause for concern in either country. The world is changing geopolitically and in the short term, North America’s concern about Venezuela and China is probably valid but in the longer term, the direction in which the world is evolving is no longer within the capacity of any single nation to control.
[Editor's note: President Chavez is certainly not taking a particularly conciliatory approach to the U.S. as evidenced by the recent incident "U.S. Ambassador Motorcade in Venezuela Pelted With Eggs, Fruit" ]
Medicine - computerized tomography
Advances in the medical and surgical treatment of disease in the last half century have occurred at an unprecedented rate, making accurate diagnosis even more critical as well as economical, in successful treatment. Diagnostic radiology, to this day an important diagnostic tool, was invented at the turn of the twentieth century. It enables physicians to view flat images of organs, aiding greatly in the diagnostic process. For approximately a quarter century, computerized tomography , combining computer and radiological technologies, has enabled diagnosticians to view transverse slices of the organs. By taking multiple slices and viewing them in fairly rapid sequence, a three dimensional image is created. The most exciting advance has been sixty-four slice computerized tomography introduced by Siemens and General Electric. This has led to dramatic non-invasive rapid, accurate diagnosis and subsequent treatment, especially important in the field of cardiovascular disease. Happily, governments in this country, recognizing the importance of this technological advance, have not been lagging behind other countries in implementing it.
Medicine – organ donation
What seems at first blush to be a great idea sometimes loses its lustre when examined in depth. A recent story celebrated in much of the media relates to the mutual live donation of a kidney from one member of a family to the spouse of another unrelated family member. It sounds like a great win-win idea. However, the system currently in place in Canada allocates available kidneys on the basis of most urgent need. Permitting some less critical patients to jump the queue potentially deprives a more critically ill patient of receiving a life-saving implant. It remains another ethical dilemma of individual freedom versus collective good. The obvious solution is greater participation by Canadians in the organ donor programs through the simple signing of a donor card.
The new PM – so far so good?
Prime Minister Harper’s short term in office has served as a lesson in how to attain national objectives while attempting to make the dramatic shift from minority to majority government. One of his most dramatic initiatives has been to move to closer relations with the United States without giving away the farm (Harper, Bush agree to new softwood talks )
or, as has been said, proving that he can disagree without being disagreeable. This view is not, however, universal as the critics note the lack of any notable progress on the passport issue, believing that Harper caved in to the U.S. President and abandoned Canada's fight against the new American law that will require a passport or similar document to cross the border. Bush's claim that he can do nothing about an initiative from Congress, is greeted with considerable scepticism on this side of the border Harper caved to U.S. on passports
The U.S. economy [See also JACQUES CLÉMENT'S REPORT
]
In 2007 a trillion dollars worth of residential mortgages will come up for renewal in the U.S. in the face of increasing interest rates, decreasing personal savings rates and increasing debt repayment. Savings are negative for the first time since the great depression. The housing market has already been affected. New home sales have been declining and housing inventories are rising but so far, there is no sign of a bursting bubble.
Financial markets
On the financial markets, the bull market persists. It is interesting that with the market up eighteen hundred points, investors are bearish, recalling only the drops. After six years of generally strong growth, a bear market can be anticipated at the end of this year or in 2007. The fifteenth or seventeenth of this month should see a low which should be seen as a buying opportunity, followed by a recovery. Gold and oils should continue to rise.
Previous Videos
The economy
See JACQUES CLEMENT: REPORT ON THE ECONOMY
Notes by Herb Bercovitz OWN
Editor: Diana Thébaud Nicholson OWN
Radio, the long-lasting treasure
intro Wed1257 | Wed1257 slide show
Oil
Note
Wednesday-Night creates charts and follows stocks, including timely related financial news items, in which Wednesday Nighters are interested and in order to demonstrate a service that could eventually be developed and marketed. Wednesday Nighters are invited to participate and help to test the service.
see Wednesday-Night.com Flip charts
QUOTES of the EVENING from recent
Wednesday Nights
2006
-
From #1257 Apr 5th.
- “Diagnosis is not just pattern recognition.”
- “If you’re a small country next to a giant, it’s politically expedient to exaggerate the differences and grievances.”
From #1256 Mar 29th
- “There is an age at which you should learn that life is not fair.”
- “I have the impression that there is something deeper, that is, the law ( in France to permit the unrestrained dismissal of young employees within two years of hiring) seems to be a totally different approach to the past; that is that the corporation is not there to serve the interest of the nation.”
- “The (French) students are just fodder for the unions to attain their own ends.”
- “All nations in the world act in their own interest.”
- “Nations tend to give more weight to rulings that favour them than to those which do not.”
- “I would feel much better if countries built dispute regulation institutions based on the rule of law.”
- “If they (illegal immigrants) were not there, the economy would suffer.”
From #1255 Mar 22nd
- One consistent … the Conservative government appears to be catering to blue collars … hockey, games, et cetera
- (Stephen) Harper is going to surprise you. There is a lot of paranoia around him
- I look at Stephen Harper in the same way that I look at George Bush
- What is unique about Montreal and Québec is that there is a realization that Bombardier is driving Montreal
- As important as the arts are, the government will recognize that the arts don’t drive the economy
From #1254 Mar 15th
- “(The successes of the Charest government were) overwhelmed by a bunch of small items.”
- “The real clash will come when promised pensions cannot be paid.”
- “Banks have become so concerned about wealth management that they have forgotten people without wealth.”
- “Eleven percent of the people who read newspapers, read editorial and op-ed pages.”
From #1253 Mar 8th
- Stocks cannot bail out pension funds. In the long term, the market goes up to reflect the increase in resources in the economy
- Pension funds can only grow with generalized prosperity
- The boomers will make it happen (reform of pension plans) because they have the votes
- The problem with demography is that it not only takes a long time to recognize it, but longer to fix it
- India will become one of the three points of the world compass
- Many people tend to think that everything is separate from everything else, but how can we keep growing the economic pie with a shrinking demographic situation. If there is no prosperity, there won’t be anything to distribute … we have to keep creating wealth
From #1252 Mar 1st
- It is against the self-interest of pharmaceutical companies to provide low cost drugs
- We’re sympathetic to a Canadian who loses his job to someone in China. Africans deserve the same consideration
- For 30 years we have allowed African agriculture to rot
- Money is power, distribution is power. What is most frustrating is how you move from sympathy to implementation
- The best measures we have (in aid to Africans) are little projects, modern equipment, where the social fabric is maintained
- The principal activity (in many parts of Africa) is going to funerals. Doctors, nurses, teachers are dying
- In the end, everyone has the belief (in Canada) that they will be treated and they are treated
- How many jobs do you know of where an individual with 30 years of experience is paid exactly the same amount as the new graduate? This is the case for doctors here
- Medical unions favour surgery
- My sense is that there is probably enough money to make the (healthcare) system work, but there isn't enough management to do so
- Let's not forget that the best speech given at the 1968 Liberal Convention was delivered by J.J. Greene [www.agr.gc.ca/bios/]
- Voice radio was invented by Reginald Fessenden a Quebecker from Knowlton [Editor's note: if you don't believe it, see: 03d_supp_002_e.htm]
Past Quotes Best or All
W-N Links for #1257
nyt Audio Clips: (mp3)
• 'Blue Rondo à la Turk' by Dave Brubeck
• 'Now's the Time' by Charlie Parker
• 'Dedication' by Andrew Hill
• 'Tired Trade' by Andrew Hill
2006 Notes for #1257
Monday Apr 24, 2006 nyt Young Officers Join the Debate Over Rumsfeld
WASHINGTON, April 22 — The revolt by retired generals who publicly criticized Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld has opened an extraordinary debate among younger officers, in military academies, in the armed services' staff colleges and even in command posts and mess halls in Iraq.
 stort
Apr. 10, 2006
- Who Gets to Be an American?
-
- Cover Story: Should They Stay Or Should They Go? As the divisive national debate on immigration heats up--security, identity and wealth all at
issue--every side can agree on just one thing: the system is broken
Friday Mar 31, 2006 Legalize the 'Illegals'
There is no immigration crisis — other than the one created by a small but vocal stripe of opportunist politicians, media demagogues and freelance xenophobes. So it has always been throughout the history of this country when anti-immigrant hysteria periodically reigns during low ebbs in our national sense of security and vision.
Thursday Mar 30, 2006 French Students and Workers are Right
More than a million people in France have taken to the streets against their conservative government's attempts to change the country's labor law. Here in the United States, these strikes and protests are generally seen as another example of France's inability to come to grips with the reality of "the global economy."
According to the conventional wisdom here, "Old Europe" is in need of serious economic reform. But will the reforms currently on the European political agenda actually help most Europeans? see W-N on France
The premier of British Columbia, Gordon Campbell, had his first meeting on Monday with Stephen Harper since he became prime minister in January. Mr. Campbell urged him to press U.S. President George W. Bush for a solution to solve the bilateral dispute over imported Canadian softwood when they meet later in the week in Mexico with that country's President Vicente Fox. Mr. Campbell says he's encouraged that the U.S. hasn't appealed the latest adverse international ruling in the dispute. Last week, a binational panel convened under the rules of the North American Free Trade Area found that the punitive tariffs imposed on the imports by the U.S. government are unjustified. Washington still has three weeks to appeal. The U.S. has ignored previous adverse rulings both by NAFTA and the WTO. The U.S. imposed the tariffs in 2002 on the grounds that Canada's forestry industry is subsidized, which Canada denies. see W-N on this
Friday Mar 31, 2006 “.maisonneuve.org/ THE NATIONAL:
“Shaping
the future: Israelis vote; Who wins? Who loses? And what
now?”
CTV NEWS: “One on
One: An exclusive one-on-one interview with George Bush; How he feels about
border security, softwood lumber and strained relations between Canada and
the US”
GLOBE AND MAIL: “Canadians
turn more sour on US”
NATIONAL POST: “Israel chooses partition”
(not available online)
TORONTO STAR: “Israeli
centrists score shaky victory” (top non-local)
LA PRESSE: “Israelis
vote without enthusiasm” (top non-local)
OTTAWA CITIZEN: “Canadian
killed in Afghanistan”
THE STRAIGHT GOODS:
Issues of continental co-operation rise to the fore as
Harper, Bush and Fox prepare for this week’s summit in Cancún, Mexico.
Israel’s centrist Kadima party wins the most seats in the Knesset while
Likud is reduced to an also-ran. Two Conservative staffers capitalize on a
loophole to leave the Hill and become lobbyists.
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Bombardier Earnings ,
Bob Fay, transportation analyst, Canaccord Capital
Duration: 4m 52s 
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Bombardier Earnings ,
Jacques Kavafian, VP, Research Capital
Duration: 6m 22s
Saturday Mar 25, 2006 ec
Stockmarkets continued the year's bullish run. The FTSE index closed above 6,000 for the first time in five years and the Dow Jones Industrial Average traded over 11,000. The star performer was the Bombay Stock Exchange's Sensex index, which touched 11,000 for the first time, just six weeks after topping 10,000.
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