INTRODUCTION

I am starting this blog because I believe I have insights, views and opinions which are not expressed elsewhere, whether in the media or by other commentators. My main items of interest are:

• Climate change
• Current events
• Economics
• Canadian Issues

Future topics on this blog include:

• Does Brexit doom London as a Financial Centre?
• Understanding Jeremy Corbyn
• Where will Putin strike next?
• What does the data say about global warming?
• The elites in the West are under attack – what are the issues they are not addressing?

The following describes my attitudes and credentials on the main topics:

CLIMATE CHANGE

My scientific credentials are such I can assess the science without recourse to self-styled experts:

• Scholarship to Cambridge to study Physics
• M. Sc. In Nuclear and Elementary Particle Physics from University of London (UK)
• Ph.D . in X-Ray Astronomy from the University of Calgary
• 30+ years working in computer modelling

On climate change, people are usually categorized as “True Believers”, “Skeptics” or “Deniers”. I am neutral. I have not been able to devote much time to the subject while I was working and am not current with the accepted ideas. My aim is to convince myself one way or the other and pass my findings to a wider audience.  My expertise in computer modelling allows me to assess the computer models being used for climate predictions – most commentators stop at “extremely sophisticated computer models” and assume that they are reliable.

I am open to several criticisms:

• I am not a “climate scientist”. Climate science is the application of the physical sciences to the world’s climate. During my career I have shown that I can successfully move from one area to another in the physical sciences (what could be more different than elementary particles and astronomy?)
• My computer modelling expertise comes from modelling oil and gas fields in the oil industry. This opens me to accusations that I am a paid troll of the oil industry. I have never been paid by the oil industry for advocacy work or to promote any objective. I am now retired and am doing this for my own edification

One thing I have noted is that there is considerable intellectual dishonesty on the part of the “True Believers”. However, this does not mean that they are necessarily wrong.

CURRENT EVENTS

Several topics I would like to comment on include:

• Brexit
• Chinese Imperialism
• Russian Aggression
• Refugees, migrants, immigrants
• Middle East issues

My bias is to try to avert the decline of Western civilization which I see happening both through external developments and internal weakness

ECONOMICS

I do not consider myself either left-wing or right-wing (though most ideologues would also claim that). Above all, I do not believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Different times and circumstances require different solutions. I do not claim to understand economics fully, but everybody else, including Nobel Laureates in Economics, are in the same boat.

For example:

• Greece – the austerity imposed is necessary for Greece to set its finances in order
• Canada – the spending on infrastructure announced by Baby Trudeau, and the resulting budget deficits, are the right call for Canada at this time to counter-act the slump caused by low oil prices.

In general I believe in aiming for the greatest good for the greatest number. As a result I am skeptical of actions that favour one group of another.

CANADIAN ISSUES

Having lived in Canada for most of my adult life, and being Canadian by choice, I am passionate about Canada progressing both economically and culturally. Unfortunately, in my view, this is hampered by a lack of confidence, both with respect to other nations and, internally, with respect to the “First Nations”.

In particular, resource development is Canada’s “comparative advantage”. It is currently being strangled by a combination of nimby’s and First Nations on environmental grounds. They do not seem to make the connection between industry and prosperity.