Dog On A Root

Part I of a 3 Part Series on Names - jim Young “Who are you? Who, who, who, who?” - by The Who (of course) and more specifically, Pete Townshend.  At some point in your life you likely wondered where your name came from. For most of us, our last name was inherited through many generations, although for some it may have changed somewhat over time. For example, my great-great grandmother was a "Warnica" although her father was a "Warnick" and her grandfather was actually a "Werneck". But the history of your given name is much more recent. Your parents can usually take the credit for what you are likely most commonly known today; or the blame as the case may be. Many people, however, do not go by the precise given name that is recorded on their birth certificate. My birth certificate lists my given name as “James” while mostly I am known as “Jim” although I prefer “jim” . Over the years I have also answered to Jimmie (mostly by my mother and sisters), Jimb

- jim Young “I’d rather be living in Philadelphia.” W. C. Fields There’s nothing a politician likes better than to get his name in the news in a favourable light. So when an assassination attempt was recently made on Donald Trump, politicians in the U.S. and around the world were quick to have their say, send “best wishes” to Trump and offer indignant condemnation. Except Russia. At least Russia was not being hypocritical. Putin has no plans to call Trump to speak with him personally as so many other world leaders have and Maria Zakharova, spokesman for the Russian foreign ministry suggested, American lawmakers should employ the money they use to supply weapons to Ukraine "to finance the American police and other services which should ensure law and order within the United States.”  And while the rest of the world condemned the attempted assassination, I can’t help but feel many of them may not be as fully committed to the root problem as they might be. Here’s what some of them ha

 

- jim Young “The incestuous relationship between government and big business thrives in the dark.” - Jack Anderson Imagine reading the following story in your favourite newspaper. “Tim Hortons CEO J. Patrick Doyle announced today that starting next month, Tim Hortons coffee and donuts would be available at McDonald’s. The decision to allow McDonald’s to sell the Tim Hortons brand at a lower price than can be purchased at Tim Hortons was made in an effort to make it more convenient for Tim Hortons fans to access their favourite coffee and donut treats. Acknowledging there would be a significant reduction in their revenue, Doyle said, ‘The convenience of our patrons is more important than either our profits or the job security of our employees and their families.’” You would likely not be at all surprised to read this story in the newspaper the following day. “Tim Hortons shareholders are in an uproar over an irresponsible deal made with McDonald’s and demand the removal of CEO J. Patri

- j im Young 20240512 “What some people mistake for the high cost of living is really the cost of living high.” - Doug Larson I grew up in the 60s in a household that gathered together every night for a sit down dinner much like the Cleavers did. Each of us was encouraged to talk about our day. Everyone spoke and more importantly, everyone was heard. As an impressionable, young boy, I usually hung on every word my father would say when he told us about his day at work. My father and his brother were charter members of the IGA food chain in Stroud, Ontario. One of the things I find interesting is that, while there have been many changes in the grocery industry in the last 60 years, many things remain the same. Just like today, people would lament about the high cost of groceries even in 1965 and they weren’t shy about sharing those concerns with my father, their local grocer. In particular I remember my father thinking it odd that people were quick to grumble about paying $2.60 for a 2