Let's Comment

(c) 2013  by Raymond Alexander Kukkee


Let's comment on the "news" just because we can, and not because we are delusional and think it will make any difference in the long run. "Governance" is what it is.  Let's keep in mind arbitrary abuse of power by government and bureaucracy is what ultimately causes failure of governments. How soon we forget.

35-50,000 gathers near the Washington Monument on Feb 17, 2013 to protest the Keystone XL pipeline

Let's comment on  Prime Minister Stephen Harper  visiting our American neighbors, looking desperate, while  'touting' the Keystone XL oil pipeline. Mr. Harper insists it is  "good" for the United States to approve the Keystone pipeline to enable pumping of  environmentally dirty and expensive oilsands heavy crude from Northern Alberta to refineries in the Gulf. To hell with pipeline disasters. The oil industry says 'it's safe'.  
 
"Sure it's good". And safe. Right. We 'believe our leaders and their "logic".

 A few temporary jobs.  We must ask why would Canada not build some refineries in Alberta  instead, and refine that oil in Canada for thousands more jobs? Permanent jobs. Construction jobs. Logical jobs. For Canadians.  Good economics.
Why would Canada insist on discounting and exporting oil to the US market which already has a glut of oil?  While Canada--at the same time--is stuck importing expensive foreign oil at world prices? 

Why should Americans be able to buy gasoline made from Canadian crude oil far cheaper than Canadians can buy this essential commodity?
   
 What?    Let's THINK about it.  



While we're Commenting... (  You'll LOVE this one  )

 
Let's Comment on the Atomic Energy Commission of Canada (AECL) currently "downplaying" an incident in which an 'operator' conveniently stupidly inadvertently pushed the 'wrong' buttons which subsequently just happened to stop the main cooling pumps from pumping cooling water to an active nuclear reactor at Chalk River. (2)  
 " Coincidentally, a senior AECL official was taking a visiting official from the World Association of Nuclear Operators through the control room for a peer review. He spotted the mistake and reversed the valves before the (valves)closed completely, but not before a "low-flow" alarm sounded, the Citizen said.   

Let's be realistic. No matter how the 'incident' occurred, there was potential for a major nuclear event. How AECL can "downplay" an incident of this magnitude is beyond comprehension and inexcusable. A 'senior' official happened to notice the error?  WHAT????
 
 Let's " Pay attention" to Chalk River's "safety record".
According to a 2011 article in the Guardian newspaper, there have been 33 serious incidents and accidents at nuclear power plants  since the first Chalk River meltdown in 1952. That one was rated a Level 5 incident on an ascending scale of 1 to 7.
Level 1 is classed as an "anomaly," the Guardian said, while Level 7 is Chernobyl, the only accident of its kind that's ever been publicly acknowledged. 


A level 5 accident. A full meltdown in 1952.   A senior official "happened to spot the mistake"........ What  "Nuclear Safety"?  
 
 AECL  is  "DOWNPLAYING"  this incident?  This is inexcusable --and irresponsible. 

The Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan isn't even on the list.  We have to wonder if AECL is downplaying that one too.  It was considerably worse than Chernobyl. And ongoing.  Have YOU heard anything about Fukushima lately?  Of course not. It is being "downplayed".
  


 
  Let's THINK about these issues.  And comment on them. 
 
 We deserve better from our leaders.


 
 #


Is that Incoming I hear? 

 




1.0   Photo Credit   Jmcdaid  Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 

2.0       http://ca.news.yahoo.com/blogs/dailybrew/atomic-energy-canada-playing-down-near-miss-ontario-185900047.html

Eternal Hope

Hope and Faith: May time heal All

The Boston Marathon Bombing   April 15, 20013

May those lost rest in peace, and may the families of the victims and  the wounded  alike  heal,  gain strength,  and find solace and understanding in their faith.

Here at IncomingBytes  we wish to pause and reflect on the recent senseless act of terrorism, loss of precious lives and hundreds of injuries that occurred so unexpectedly at the Boston Marathon tragedy on April 15th, 2013.

Our thoughts and prayers are with each and every one of you. We treasure and support our American friends. Let us be fearless in eternal hope and our resolve.   
May time bring those responsible to justice --and offer healing to all. 


R. A. Kukkee


Is that incoming I hear?  

The Fires of Waterland: Book Signing Event SUCCESS !

 

Books and Reviews !

The "Meet the Author & Book Signing Event"  that was held at the Nolalu Eco Centre to introduce  The Fires of Waterland  on Friday, April 12th was a great success!

In spite of terrible weather, a heavy snowstorm,  the event went ahead as planned.   The reading and book signing was well-attended by hardy souls who braved heavy snow and really bad road conditions to attend.

What a Surprise! The Fires of Waterland  is in PRINT!

Reading: The Fires of Waterland

I wish to offer special thanks to:

•  Jacomyn Gerbrandy, hostess  at the beautiful Nolalu Eco Centre for so generously hosting this milestone event on my behalf, 

and 

• Wendy O'Connor, a fellow writer,  for her kind words of introduction,  

and 

•  Wendy K.,  Jane, Wendy O., Dodie, and Jacomyn for providing coffee, snacks and baking for our guests!  Lots of cookies! 

Most notably,  I would like to extend a special thanks to our determined and brave guests, who negotiated absolutely terrible road conditions and heavy snow to attend.    

Some of our hardy guests in  the ensuing book discussion

  

 Book Signing --The author with Wendy O'Connor

Your interest in my writing efforts and The Fires of Waterland is much appreciated!   I do thank each and every one of you! Again, thank you, everyone!  Your kindness will not be forgotten.

 
Sincerely,
Raymond  

Is that Incoming I hear? 

Book Signing Event

 Another Milestone!

Here at Incoming Bytes, I am always delighted to announce milestones, and show signs of progress.  Spring is upon us--it is time to move forward fearlessly. It is time to be bold. It is time to get excited! Dear loyal readers, you are all invited to this auspicious occasion--whether in body or in spirit to help celebrate this milestone!  

The Fires of Waterland  Book Signing Event

 

        YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED !

 
             MEET THE AUTHOR  & BOOK SIGNING EVENT
              WHEN:   Friday, APRIL 12, 2013 3:00-5:00PM          Doors open 2:00-6:00

 

 

                                                                                 

  WHERE :       NOLALU  ECO CENTRE
                 50  FIRST RD.
                  NOLALU, ON

The Event:

Raymond Alexander Kukkee will present his newly-released novel The Fires of Waterland and offer a brief reading and discussion about this 5-star work of fiction. A limited number of copies will be available for purchase and signing at this event.

For further information contact the author by email at:  rkmywest@gmail.com

Is that incoming I hear?

Get Used to it, Jack

The Light is Upon Us

Wake up!... er....what?   "Get Used to It, Jack!"


Well, it's time to wake up,  after all, these echoes are also  IncomingBytes, are they not?
As a boy- child once said when  he woke me up, little fingers prying open both eyelids for me,  "Sun's up, so get up!"
I wipe the sleep from my face. The blue eyes are only two inches away from my own. "Wake up!"

How can we sleep with that kind of sunlight in eyes pried wide open?
Smart kid. Action, reaction, and satisfaction. Persistence pays. "eh?" er...-that would be "huh?" in American.   

Get used to it, Jack!  The boy pokes the muse, and the muse insists.  We are the bored... tired.   We cannot escape. We will be assimilated.  Beam me up, anyone!  *Note for future reference: "beam me up" is not synonymous with "wake me up"  or "get me up" ..... lazybones.  
 We shall get to  enjoy those technical disparities  whilst snoozing for another five? Another..two? 

Well, not...quite. The  child is insistent, and the sun is getting stronger,  fast.  It is incredibly bright but still -20C according to the thermometer just outside the window.   Joking. It's balmy....only -17C.  That's much better isn't it?   Fact is, we still have 3' of snow in Northwestern Ontario, but ---who's measuring? The sun is the color of daffodils.

I get up with the sun. Most of the time. It's a lifetime habit. Assisted by growling, once in a while, I must admit. Reluctantly, quite often, I must admit.
 I can smell the coffee already too. That's a good excuse.  The brain registers. Coffee. Hot. That does it every time.  Hit the deck.  Get used to it, Jack!  Cold red oak wakes the feet up in no time.


 It seems that here on Incomingbytes.blogspot.com  we have been procrastinating,  playing hookey, m.i.a. , absent on a bit of a hiatus, or...something,  a sabbatical,    'taking some time off -well, not intentionally, you understand, just doing something else which is supposed to be as good as a rest, or so they say.  Who is 'they' anyway? 
 .....I wonder which goofy tired blog-person first said that whilst the eyelids were propped up with toothpicks?
 Do you feel like that sometimes?  If so, you, too, cannot resist. You, too-- shall be assimilated. 
We have been busy, assimilated by life itself.  Working on my new website, incomingbytes.com ,  including blog and author portfolio. 

We have also  been launching The Fires of Waterland,  my hot new novel published by Redmund Productions. We have been admiring the first hands-on paperback copy, of The Fires of Waterland-- which is now the first signed edition, a milestone for any published author.

We have been writing press release sheets. And that doesn't include handouts, setting up book signings,  amusing Tilly the Tall and Ebony the Short  (T.T.S. and E.T.S, the resident pups) or planning (dreaming about) the garden.
  
I can tell, I need some more sleep already...Wake up!


Is that Incoming I hear?