Only On The Walters Post

So, here we are again. All that noise, the finger-pointing, and the fearmongering—turns out it was just folks stirring the pot. Just like I said in earlier posts, the whole fuss over Trump, tariffs, and some made-up crisis between Canada and the U.S. was never anything more than a show. And a bad one at that.

People got worked up, shouting about annexation and acting like Canada was about to be swallowed whole. Come on. That kind of talk does more harm than good. Trump didn’t threaten us, didn’t try to take over anything. All he said, plain and simple, was that maybe Canadians would be better off under the U.S. system—lower taxes, better health care, no defense budget. Whether you agree or not, that’s a far cry from invading the country.

And yet, some folks—especially in the media and politics—just couldn’t help themselves. They twisted it all into a story of danger and drama, painting Trump like some villain and lifting up guys like Carney as heroes. Truth is, Carney played his part well, I’ll give him that. Sold a fable, scared some voters, helped the Liberals squeak by again. But don’t kid yourself—it wasn’t leadership, it was politics.

Same thing with Elon Musk and other straight-shooters. Some people just don’t like truth-tellers. They’d rather stir trouble, push an agenda, and bash anyone who doesn’t play their game. And the sad part? A lot of folks fall for it.

I say enough already. Let’s stop buying into these cooked-up stories and start focusing on what really matters—our country’s resources, our economy, our future. There’s real work to do and real opportunity, especially for Indigenous communities and for Canadians who’ve been left behind while the politicians play pretend.

The truth matters. And we owe it to ourselves and our kids to call out the nonsense when we see it.

Until the next time: Keep Your Minds Open & Your Stories Alive. GW

Only On The Walters Post

These are my own thoughts from what I’ve seen and lived through. I’m sharing them to spark some thinking and honest conversation, not because I have all the answers.

So here’s the thing — when I heard Donald Trump was talking about reopening Alcatraz, I didn’t roll my eyes like some folks might. In fact, I thought, well, that makes a lot of sense. What better place than an island surrounded by frigid waters and unforgiving tides to hold the worst of the worst? It worked before, didn’t it? You couldn’t exactly stroll off “The Rock” and into the nearest town for a coffee.

Now, I’m not talking about locking up some kid who made a mistake or someone caught with a bit of pot. I mean the ones who keep hurting others, again and again. The violent repeat offenders. The kind who have no interest in changing, who just cycle through the system, leaving a trail of damage behind.

Trump says he wants to rebuild and expand Alcatraz to house these criminals. He wants it to stand as a symbol — not of cruelty, but of law, order, and consequence. And you know what? Whether you like the man or not, the idea isn’t crazy. The prison’s already sitting there. The bones of it still stand. It’s got history. It’s got teeth, and most importantly, it worked — no confirmed escapes, not unless you count the three who vanished in ’62. Even then, chances are the ocean took ’em.

Now, here in Canada, I think we’ve got a different problem. We’re a little too soft on some things. I’m not saying lock everyone up and throw away the key — but I am saying if you’re doing time, you should be doing something. Productive. Useful. Working.

They used to put prisoners on road crews. Cleaning ditches, fixing fences, planting trees, along with learning trades. And giving something back to the community. But these days? Most inmates don’t do much of that. Sure, some have jobs inside — laundry, kitchen duty, sewing uniforms, or making license plates through CORCAN, the federal prison industry. But it’s mostly internal work, tucked out of sight. Rarely do you see a cleanup crew on the side of a rural highway anymore.

And it’s not mandatory. It’s voluntary.

Seems to me, if you’re getting free meals, heat, medical care, and a roof over your head at taxpayers’ expense, the least you can do is give something back. And here’s something worth mentioning — there are millions of people out here on the outside who can’t get a doctor when they need one. Meanwhile, inmates have a doctor on call anytime. It’s a glaring contrast that makes you think. We pay taxes for the system, but many of us are left waiting for care. It’s a reality check on fairness and responsibility. In fact, inmates have access to a full range of medical services, including primary care from physicians and nurses, mental health services with psychologists and psychiatrists, substance use treatments, and even specialized care from doctors and dentists. On top of that, they get pharmacy services, health screenings, and preventive care. All of this at no cost to them. It makes you wonder how much more people on the outside would benefit if they had even a fraction of that same access to healthcare.

I farmed a good portion of my life, and I’ll tell you, hard work never hurt anybody — in fact, it’s saved a lot of people and as my old dad used to say: Idle hands are the devil’s playground, and I believe it more now than ever.

So yeah, bring back Alcatraz if you’re serious about stopping the cycle of violence. And here in Canada? Maybe it’s time we rethink our approach, too. Not out of spite, but out of simple, honest common sense.

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Until the next time: Keep Your Minds Open & Your Stories Alive. GW

Only On The Walters Post

These are my own thoughts from what I’ve seen and lived through. I’m sharing them to spark some thinking and honest conversation, not because I have all the answers.

So here’s something most folks haven’t heard about yet, but it’s fast approaching. On May 20, Canada’s new import system (CARM) kicks in. If importers aren’t registered and bonded by then, their goods might get held up at the border. That means you and me could be the ones feeling it on the shelves and at the checkout.

Here are just a handful of things that might slow down if this rolls out rough:

🛒 Groceries

• Cereal, flour, canned goods
• Juice, soda, and bottled water
• Pet food

🥩 Fresh & Frozen Foods

• Fruits, vegetables, meat, seafood
• Dairy and eggs
• Anything perishable — delays mean spoiled loads

🛠️ Everyday Essentials

• Cleaning supplies, hygiene products
• Clothing and footwear
• Hardware, tools, light bulbs

🚗 Auto & Farm Supplies

• Car and truck parts
• Tractor and equipment pieces
• Shop supplies

🏗️ Building Materials

• Lumber, steel, drywall
• Paint, adhesives, fasteners

And here’s the kicker: when the delays hit, I can just about guarantee some folks will start bellyaching, saying “This is Trump’s tariffs again!”
Well — it ain’t.

This has nothing to do with Trump or tariffs. This is a Canadian policy rollout that importers have to comply with, or their shipments won’t clear. Period.

So before the blame train gets rolling in the wrong direction, let’s get the facts straight. It’s not politics — it’s red tape. And unless it’s smoothed out quick, working folks are going to feel it the hardest.

Until the next time: Keep Your Minds Open & Your Stories Alive. GW

Only On The Walters Post

These are my own thoughts from what I’ve seen and lived through. I’m sharing them to spark some thinking and honest conversation, not because I have all the answers.

Honestly, I think this is a great move, as these days, most of the movies and shows coming out of other countries are just plain awful. Same plot lines, same acting style, same everything. My wife and I can usually guess what’s going to happen before the scene even finishes. There’s no real story anymore—just recycled themes with no heart.

We’ve found ourselves turning back to the old classics, shows like Becker, The Bob Newhart Show, and Gunsmoke—those had something special. The writing was sharp, the characters had personality, and even the animals seemed to have a sense of humor. And the kids? Well hell, they could really act, not just pose for the camera.

And for the record, I’m from Canada—and I’ll say this, we could use some fresh, good-quality shows and movies made here too. Truth is, most of what’s coming out of Canada these days isn’t much better. Not much substance, nothing that sticks with you.

So yeah, if this tariff brings focus back to real storytelling, solid acting, and something original for a change, I’m all for it. Hollywood used to have soul, maybe this is what it needs to find it again.

Until the next time: Keep Your Minds Open & Your Stories Alive. GW

Only On The Walters Post

These are my own thoughts from what I’ve seen and lived through. I’m sharing them to spark some thinking and honest conversation, not because I have all the answers.

I farmed for a good portion of my life, and like many others out in the country, I believed in voting. But truth is, it’s getting harder to feel like it matters much anymore.

Canada’s set up so that each riding gets one seat in Parliament, but the ridings are based on how many people live there, not how much ground they cover. So cities, where the population is stacked in tight, end up with more ridings. That means more votes in Parliament, and more say in who forms the government.

In the federal election we just had, most of the rural areas voted one way, but the cities swung things the other. You could see it plain as day on the map—huge stretches of blue across the countryside, but that didn’t tip the scales as the cities made the call.

Now we’ve got another minority government. That means the leading party didn’t win enough seats to go it alone, so they need support from another to stay in power. Right now, the Bloc is backing them, and like always, there’s a deal involved. They’ll want something in return—funding, programs, whatever lines up with their goals.

Meanwhile, farmers—both out west and here in Ontario—just keep at it. We grow the food, mend what’s broken, and carry the load. But when it comes to shaping the future, we’re not at the table.

This isn’t about stirring things up. It’s just calling it what it is, the system’s tilted, and until that’s fixed, rural folks won’t get the voice we deserve.

Until the next time: Keep Your Minds Open & Your Stories Alive. GW