Family

Tuesday June 19, 2018

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday June 19, 2018

Trump admin’s gyrating story on separating families at the border insults our intelligence

September 8, 2017

Don’t blame us. In response to growing public outrage over family separations at the border, the president said on Friday that he wasn’t responsible for the policy. “I hate the children being taken away,” Donald Trump said. “The Democrats have to change their law. It’s their law.” His sentiments have been echoed by top administration officials and leading Republicans.    

The problem is that such statements are at best misleading and at worst flat out lies. The family separations at the border are a byproduct of decisions by the Trump administration. It speaks volumes that the president and some of his allies are unwilling to own the policy of separating children from their parents — let alone offer a sound legal basis for it.     

December 8, 2015

The president has repeatedly claimed that Democrats are responsible for the family separations that have become a national scandal. But as news outlets such as The Associated Press have pointed out, this is not true. It is Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ “zero tolerance” policy, which requires that nearly all unauthorized border crossers be criminally prosecuted, that has led to families being split apart. 

Because minors cannot be sent to adult jails, there are now nearly 11,000 immigrant children <https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/surge-migrant-children-government-shelters-trump-admin-pushes-zero-tolerance-n878601> in government custody without their parents.

January 13, 2018

Yet on Sunday night, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen tweeted, “We do not have a policy of separating families at the border. Period.”

This statement defies reality — especially given that Homeland Security has published guidelines on its website outlining how such separations take place.

Sadly, prominent Republicans have followed the president’s lead in assigning blame for this inhumane policy. “What is happening at the border in the separation of parents and their children is because of a court ruling,” House Speaker Paul Ryan said at a news conference Thursday. That same day, Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, tweeted, “I want 2 stop the separation of families at the border by repealing the Flores 1997 court decision requiring separation of families + give DOJ the tools it needs 2 quickly resolve cases.” (Source: USA Today) 

 

 

 

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Saturday May 20, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday May 20, 2017

Americans are camping in record numbers, but they still want Wi-Fi

According to a report released by Kampgrounds of America (KOA), a group of privately held campgrounds, more and more Americans are now spending their leisure time camping.

July 2, 2008

Since 2014, the percentage of campers of who say that they take three or more camping trips a year has increased by more than 36 percent. Infrequent campers (those who go just once a year) have simultaneously dropped by 10 percent. In 2017 half of all campers surveyed said that they’re planning to spend even more time camping this year.

More than half of millennials surveyed (51 percent) said that they planned to go camping more often in 2017. Millennials also mark the age range to most enjoy the activity in large groups–10 or more travelers.

But neither millennials – nor campers in general – are completely cutting the cord. According to the study, 95 percent of people who go camping bring some sort of technology with them while 37 percent of campers said that some sort of tech was actually required for their trip in order to spend more time outdoors. About half of survey respondents indicated that least free Wi-Fi was a big factor when deciding where to stay.

And when it comes to sleeping, conventional tents were the most popular, according to the study. But the number of campers electing to use RVs or cabins is also increasing. (Source: Fox News) http://www.foxnews.com/travel/2017/03/21/americans-are-camping-in-record-numbers-but-still-want-wi-fi.html

long weekend, holiday, camping, family, campground, gadgets, devices, social media, Internet, technology, tradition, vacation, media, laptops, addiction (Source: Fox News)

The Western Star, Corner Brook, Nfld., May 23, 2017

Saturday May 13, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday May 13, 2017

The Worst Mother’s Day Gifts Ever Given

Mother’s Day is here once again, and you know what that means…

May 12, 2001

A lot of moms are going to be getting some really terrible gifts on Sunday morning.

Young kids come home from school with gifts that moms, in their heart of hearts, really do appreciate, but what is a mom really supposed to do with a big old lump of clay that’s supposedly a dog but looks more like a rock?

May 11, 2008

Older kids maybe too busy being self-involved or hormonal to think about giving good gifts. And other times, it’s Dad who drops the ball.

If you’ve ever had a bad Mother’s Day, you may take comfort in knowing that you’re certainly not the only one. These 11 not-so-great Mother’s Day gifts, as shared by Reddit users, prove it. (…Continued)

 

Thursday March 2, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday March 2, 2017

Premier Kathleen Wynne to cut hydro rates by 25 per cent

Premier Kathleen Wynne will slash electricity rates by 25 per cent this year, the Star has learned.

In a dramatic move to be finalized at cabinet Wednesday, Wynne’s government is poised to unveil sweeping measures to rein in the soaring hydro bills that currently have the Liberals’ popularity plummeting.

August 17, 2016

Sources say the massive reduction in rates will come mostly by “smoothing out” the financing costs of electricity generation contracts over longer periods.

It’s the equivalent of refinancing a mortgage to enjoy lower payments over a longer time on nuclear reactors, natural gas-fired power plants, and wind turbines.

Wynne’s office refused to confirm details of the 25 per cent solution Tuesday night.

But cabinet ministers are expected to approve the plan during a noon cabinet meeting at Queen’s Park with an announcement coming as early as Thursday.

The 25 per cent reduction includes the 8 per cent rebate of the provincial portion of the harmonized sales tax that took effect on Jan. 1.

While the provincial Liberals have not convinced Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to eliminate the 5 per cent federal share of the HST on hydro bills, they have found other savings.

“We’re taking it to the next level,” Energy Minister Glenn Thibeault told the legislature during Tuesday’s question period.

“We do recognize the system that we built — eliminating coal, rebuilding the grid — that cost billions of dollars. We know that cost actually came at the expense of many families,” he said. (Source: Toronto Star) 

 

Tuesday July 21, 2015

Tuesday July 21, 2015Editorial cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday July 21, 2015

Harper tells MPs to tout child care pay out in letter to caucus

In a rare move, Prime Minister Stephen Harper sent out a letter to the Conservative caucus Sunday calling for support to promote the expanded Universal Child Care Benefit.

Almost $3 billion in UCCB payments will be sent out Monday.

According to a copy of the letter obtained by CTV News from a senior government source, the “enhanced” UCCB payments will provide the biggest one-time direct payment in federal history, writes Harper in the note.

“Our Conservative government has always stood up for the financial interest of middle class families,” says Harper.

In the letter, Harper also stresses to his colleagues the importance of touting the child care benefit.

The government had previously provided Canadian families monthly payments of $100 for each child under six. But the new changes will see the payments jump to $160 a month. Parents with children between the ages of six and 17 will also now receive $60.

The increased payments are retroactive to Jan. 1, 2015, so millions of Canadian parents will receive a cheque covering benefits from January to June of this year.

The roll out of the increased UCCB comes as the Oct. 19 federal election approaches.

Opposition leaders have been hyping the perks of their party’s child care platforms.

Tom Mulcair is kicking off an eight-day tour in the crucial battleground of Ontario on Monday.

If elected, the NDP leader has promised to spend $5 billion a year to create 1 million daycare spaces that parents could access for no more than $15 a day.

Meanwhile, Justin Trudeau and the Liberals have proposed a “Canada Child Benefit,” which would offer thousands of dollars annually to families depending on their income. As much as $6,400 would be available for every child under six, and up to $5,400 for children aged six to 17. (Source: CTV News)

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