Welcome to John Stall’s World On Line
Hi there, and welcome to my official personal website that is separate and distinct from other sites with which I am proudly affiliated. www.680news.com
This is the on-line home that combines John Stall Communications, my communications consulting practice with my current and past radio broadcasting/online life. John Stall Profile
This site is designed to preserve the past Jack Layton & Stall back in the day - 1998 and to share the present as we move forward online.
I've posted some archived pics, audio clips and full length radio interviews like this one with the cantankerous late former Leaf's owner Harold Ballard who would never let Russian Hockey in MLG , or field reports from some pretty unusual places. Globe Trotting
So welcome to " Stall's World On Line " and "John Stall Communications". Look around the site. I hope you find some of the audio/visual clips to be educational, Meech Lake Accord interesting, entertaining, The most moving rendition of " Danny Boy" you will ever hear or just plain fun like this question I put to Toronto Mayor Ford during the election campaign.
I also invite you to share and respond to the blog thoughts and tweets I'm posting as well @johnstall_radio & Stall680news.
As for Consulting Services, the John Stall Communications portal speaks for itself. I'm happy to help.
Welcome
Re-post of political predictions made on Last day of 2010
My political predictions for 2011
Well, as we know, a week is a long time in politics, where anything can happen to change the dynamic, but here’s how I see things shaping up in 2011 as we break for Christmas.
Based on the way Rob Ford has charged into his new job as mayor of Toronto, I sense he will continue being a “stone in shoe” of city staff, union leaders and left leaning members of council into the new year. his legacy to the city will be as a “change agent,” and that most of his new found political capital will be used up over the next 12-18 months, resulting in a 2012 city budget and collective agreements with city unions that will bear his and his brothers signature. I think the Ford honeymoon will be well over by the middle of 2012 and that his further value to the city will be limited.
I also think that Ford will be a significant factor in next year’s provincial election. He has the McGuinty government in a good place at the moment when it comes to extracting benefits for Toronto. His political personality (not unlike Mel Lastman’s), will be to publicly and loudly reveal any resistance he encounters from Queen’s Park and to urge election retaliation by the voters of Toronto. I sense Ford will endorse and lend his political family organizational muscle to some Conservative candidates running in the GTA, including possible candidates like Rocco Rossi, who is looking for a political home at the moment. Rossi remains somewhat disappointed that McGuinty’s Liberal door was closed to him during the mayoral race in favour of George Smitherman, so could return to his early Conservative roots to help the Tory’s try to kick McGuinty to the curb by running for an Etobicoke seat with Ford’s help.
I think the McGuinty government is very vulnerable to election loss because of the HST and a general sense that after two terms in power, it has lost touch and has become insensitive or unaware of the economic burden the average person lives under in Ontario. The HST is a killer expense. I don’t think the McGuinty Liberals were or are aware of how angry people are that it was triggered. Unlike in British Columbia, where recall legislation gave voice to the public backlash, the Ontario government has not yet felt the full force of the hurricane like blowback that I think will confront them at election time. I think they would definitely lose the election if the opposition Conservatives had a stronger or more well-known and well-defined leader. My prediction is that the Liberals in Ontario will end up with a minority government because the Conservative alternative is undefined.
On the federal scene, I think we will have and election in late spring/early summer, but not for the right reasons. I think Liberal Leader Micheal Ignatieff will try to trigger an election, not because the country needs one, but because he and his party need one to get on with the rest of their lives. You may remember that it was at this time last year during pre-Christmas holiday gatherings that the Liberal leader caught wind of sub-surface whispers that his caucus wished there was a way to replace him or that he would step down himself. He lashed out at the Toronto Star journalist who chose to write about the liberal mood before taking off to Europe to spend Christmas with his wife’s family. Not much has changed since last year at this time, except that Iggie spent the summer travelling the country in preparation for the next election.
No Liberal leader has stepped down or been thrown out by the party until they fight at least one election, so it is time for Iggie to be tested. A victory makes him prime minister. A loss gives him an exit path onto a new senior role in life and clears the way for a leadership race, which would likely put Bob Rae in the leader’s office.
I think the Harper Conservatives will win another minority government if we do go to the polls in 2011.
That’s it that’s all for and from me this year. I am now officially off the grid until the new year. Hope you have a peaceful holiday season. Talk to you in the new year
Political Paranoia
That was a head shaking memo that the Toronto Star got a hold of this week from some disgruntled Liberals at Queens park urging/warning them not to accept any invitations to TIFF events.
The memo was written by the Premiers chief of staff Chris Morley who essentially indicated that it was more important for them to be seen on the the campaigne trail than schmoozing at fancy TIFF receptions. I would suggest that given the world attention that gets focused on Toronto/ONTARIO, the amount of economic activity it generates and the number of jobs it creates – Senior government officials ( cabinet ministers ) and the Premier himself should be front and centre at TIFF showing the Ontario flag and using the opportunity to sell Toronto and Ontario as best they can because at the end of the day – it is about the economy ________!
Unfortunately, those who spend too long in the political bunkers inevitably loose perspective.
Carolina ( back ) on my mind
“In my mind, I’m going to Carolina” … and what my mind sees is a 25-foot sailboat laying on her port side in the middle of an intersection about a mile up from the ocean. The hull has been almost sliced in half by the remnants of a couple of pine trees. The boat isn’t the only debris in the intersection, it is littered with twisted metal, more fallen trees, cars with no windows and even a dead dog. The air not just humid, its wet, saturated with the pungent aroma of fresh pine – the result of acres of pine forest decapitated by the hurricane force wind.
This is what my mind sees as I write this post, about 24 hours before Hurricane Irene slams the Carolina coast. It’s a memory I have from covering the last monster storm to ravage the region 19 years ago, when Hurricane Andrew ripped through the exact same path leaving me and thousands (who did not evacuate) stranded for three days without food, water, power, or gasoline. ( click to hear what it takes to get gas, or to lose your house )
I feel sorry for those living in the Carolinas who are 20 years old or younger. It will be the first major hurricane of their lives, and they have no idea what is about to hit them.
God bless.
Jack & Me – back in the day
I think we all who saw and heard Jack Layton reveal that he was dealing with another form of Cancer last month, knew from the way he looked and from the way he sounded that he wasn’t going to make it. The cancer mask that so many of us have seen before, likely in the final days of our own loved ones dying from the disease – had set into his facial muscle, trumping the ruddy complexion, , piercing blew eyes and slightly receding hairline that defined him physically in this video watch?v=ioX7L2EaQXA&feature=player_detailpage
This was vintage Jack circa-1997. I was substitute hosting an episode of Ralph Benmergui’s live studio TV talk show on CBC’s Newsworld. The show was exploring and examining the Promise Keepers Men’s Movement. I remember turning into the studio audience to see Jack Layton as co-founder of the White Ribbon Campaign which is the largest effort in the world of men working to end violence against women. He quickly of course became part of the live cross country debate.
This was long before he became leader of the federal NDP and long before Cancer robbed HIM of his vitality.
Perhaps it was a premonition that I came across this video last night just about 7 hours before he died. I just wanted to pass it along today as another reminder of how healthy he was and looked back in the day – before the cancer mask took hold.
R.I.P. Jack
Now THIS is edge walking on the CN Tower!
I pulled these pics out of the notebook vault a couple of weeks ago during the buzz over the CN tower’s new Edge walk attraction. These are my notes and pics from about 1972 when I was invited along with Toronto Star photographer Boris Spremo to climb hand over hand on a ladder through the narrow concrete shoot onto the highest platform of the tower ( the one above the restaurant level). It was still under construction of course so we signed our life away through waivers for the chance to walk across the 2 x 6 ( ? ) flooring. We could see the expressway beneath us through the cracks of the wood. The only barrier along the edge was a rope. No straps , no harness, no chance.
What looks like a white line in one of these pics ( with my boot toe showing as perspective ) , is actually the expressway that can be seen in the gap between the boards. The other shot is looking down from our perch to the restaurant level.
The lightening shot I think is the very first photo ever published of the tower being struck. I took this shot from the control room of CKEY radio which was on the penthouse floor at # 1 Yonge. Of course I was working on the morning show with Keith ric and the vantage point gave me gave be a birds eye view of the tower going up from the time the first shovel went into the ground.
Yes, it was a dark and stormy early morning. lightening was flashing all around. I just left the shutter open on my 35 mm camera on the chance that a bolt would strike the tower tip. Unlike today’s instant digital viewing, I had to bring the film into the Toronto Star dark room lab to learn if we had anything.
Welcome to the Trudeau Years – Part 2
Not that there was ever any doubt, but now that Mark Garneau has concluded there is no way he could overcome Justin’s lead in the Liberal leadership race, the younger Trudeau will take the helm on the 14th of April. I’ve been on record since I saw and heard him deliver his father’s eulogy that he would become leader of the Party and would some day lead the Country. Not because of a particular vision or Policy playbook, but simply, for better or for worse because of his charismatic character. There hasn’t been as compelling a political figure in the Nation since the mania that enveloped his father Pierre. He can fill any size room with his mere presence. It is quite a sight to witness. Say what you will about his lack of experience, intellect, vision or policy, but to ignore or dismiss his presence on the National stage is to be niave. I spoke earlier today with his father Pierre’s former press secretary Pat Gossage about Justin’s jaunt for leadership. http://bit.ly/WJDqgF
Why Ottawa has little choice but to fly the F-35, despite opposition politics
The debate over weather Canada should join other NATO Countries in the purchase of next generation F-35 fighter jets ramped up ( or down ) again today with the release of a Pentagon report finding more flaws with the stealth fighter. If you are interested, you can read some of the detail here :
To summarize, opposition parties say the Harper government should drop the F-35 from its search to replace Canada’s CF-18 fleet because this report contains critical comments from test pilots that suggest a list of flaws in the F-35 ( including a rear visibility restriction ) put pilots at risk of being gunned down in a dog fight.
The shock and awe news value and political ammunition for the opposition, is: OMG, these warnings actually come out of the mouths of fighter pilots who’ve flown and tested the aircraft! – which in the opposition’s view should be more evidence ( in addition to the cost of buying and servicing the plane) why the Government should turn away from the purchase of F-35’s and seek an alternative.
Well, I happen to have a close relationship with an active F-18 fighter pilot at the Canadian Forces College here in Toronto, so I flipped him a copy of the report for his assesment and this was his response to the findings :
John,
Operational Test & Evaluation reporting is the process whereby combat pilots use the equipment (in this case the F35) and provide feedback on what needs to be improved before it is ‘accepted’ (paid for) by the military. We do this all the time and it is the normal mechanism for the military to ensure the contractor knows the deficiencies and that it needs to make further modifications. The scathing wording is quite normal for reports such as this and can be translated into “Hey Lockheed Martin, you need to fix A, B & C before we buy the jet”.
This whole F35 issue is quite surreal now. It’s pretty simple really:
If a nation decides it’s going to run a fleet of fighters for 30-40 years (as countries like Canada tend to do) then the purchase cost is a relatively small percentage of the overall costs. Operating costs (fuel, wages etc) form the bulk of the cost associated with running a fleet of fighters- I’ve been told it’s between 60-80% of the total cost of the aircraft over it’s life. The bottom line being that regardless of which jet is chosen, the operating costs are going to be roughly the same.
The choice therefore, (in my humble opinion) for Canada comes down to three options:
- Go with the F35 which is likely to be in production until mid 2030’s and offers the only 5th generation, upgradeable, truly US interoperable capability on the market. Ie. Something that will (once they’ve ironed out the problems) be survivable in ‘tomorrows’ environment and minimise risk to Canadian pilots; or
- Go with any of the other options which, while good now, are all currently coming to the end of their design life (E.g. Super hornet production line closes in two years). These aircraft are survivable in ‘todays’ environment but probably not in ‘tomorrows’ environment. A big call when you’re likely to have the aircraft for 30-40 years; or
- Go the way of New Zealand and say “What do we need fighter jets for. Someone else will take care of all that”.
My 2 cents:
National debate about whether or not the country should have a fighter jet capability is totally understandable. In contrast, to argue that a country like Canada can’t afford F35 is garbage. Personally, option 1 or 3 are the only options that make any sense for Canada, which is why I find the argument over which jet it should be too be so strange!
Ps. I do not work for Lockheed Martin, nor am I sold on the F35… Just trying to give you my perspective on the problem which is that in ten years time (If my professional golf career hasn’t taken off and I’m stuck flying fighters) there’s only two aircraft I would be comfortable going to war in: The F22 raptor which is prohibited from export by the US and is no longer in production anyway, or the F35.
What he doesn’t point out is something that I have been told by military Commanders recently is that ” The days of Canada relying Solely on U.S. forces are over “
So, if Canada wants/needs to defend itself or its’ Sovereign territory with an Air force and if the alternatives to the F-35 are going to be out of production, What choice does the nation have?
"The Big Shift"
Darrell Bricker and John Ibbitson sure know how to get media attention for their just released book “The Big Shift”. 
The preface pulls no punches by urging readers to stop listening, watching or reading political commentators because they are talking rot. They claim university professors are teaching their students nonsense and that authors and playwrights and poets and musicians sing of a country that doesn’t exist.
Bricker & Ibbitson call the above a small group of “Laurentian elites” who no longer matter as they both exit from the same elite class they themselves have dominated!
I know, like, and respect both authors Although their characterization of the Country is obvious to anyone who travels it regularily, I find the tone too brainy and too brash. For a sample of thier assumptions, you can eavesdrop on this chat I had with Darell Bricker for 680news.com http://bit.ly/YXIyZa
Hollywood can't trump real life
I was torn between hoping Argo would win the Oscar for best picture and hoping it, Ben Affleck and George Clooney were denied the International lift fueled by the Oscar because of the distorted record of history it exploits.
No question I am excessively sensitive because of a personal friendship I enjoy and treasure with Ken Taylor, whom I first met along with his wife Pat 30 years ago while covering the America’s cup race in Newport Rhode Island. The Taylors’ were at the height of American adulation for their role in the crisis and I witnessed it first hand. The friendship and respect has endured over time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVV2c7k36n0Taylor and Canada thanked in acceptance speeches.
American thanks through Wolf Blitzer.
What did you expect Ben ?
There is a major Canadian documentary currently in production incorporating all of the above. Camera’s have been following Taylor around for months. It will launch in the Spring. The Doc is based on Canadian Author Robert Wright’s recent book ” Our Man in Teheran “
Ken is cool with the outcome & post Oscar coverage of Argo, telling me on 680 news that the Oscar and back-lash attention to the Canadian role by former Pres. Carter and CNN has helped educate a whole generation of young people between 18-26 yrs. old who would otherwise not be aware of the pivitol moment in history.
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