Aerospace 10 - Bombardier CS300

The latest Bombardier CSeries aircraft, the larger CS300 variant made a successful flight from the Mirabel airfield in Quebec today.

http://cseries.com/#/category/videos

The flight lasted five hours and reached an altitude of 41,000 feet at a speed of 255 knots (470 km/h). “It was an absolute privilege to fly the first flight of the CS300 airliner and I’m absolutely ecstatic with how well it handled. It’s a pilot’s aircraft and handled exactly as predicted by simulation,” said Capt. Litavniks. “Pilots will find it easy to transition from the CS100 to the CS300 aircraft or vice versa, which will greatly reduce training costs for operators using both models”.

Bombardier is creating the future with its CSeries aircraft — the only 100% new family of airliners specifically designed for the 100- to 149-seat, single-aisle market.  Benefitting from a clean-sheet design that includes leading-edge technology and systems integration, advanced materials and latest generation aerodynamics, the CSeries aircraft offer a 15% cash operating cost advantage, a 20% fuel burn advantage, exceptional operational flexibility, widebody comfort and an unmatched environmental and noise footprint.

Bombardier has booked orders and commitments for 563 CSeries aircraft, which includes firm orders for 243.

The following link to a FlightGlobal magazine article is well-worth reading:

http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/analysis-is-air-show-debut-a-make-or-break-moment-for-412630/

Politics 15 - Annexation

A recent media article described a meeting of Russia’s Duma (Parliament) where a senior minister lectured those present (Not too many) that the West’s accusation of Crimea being described as ‘annexation’, could be compared to the annexation of East Germany by West Germany.  He went on to explain that 97% of the Crimean people were permitted to vote on becoming a satellite state of Russia ... something not awarded to East Germany.

Please bear in mind that I am just a bystander of this story.

This made me study the word ‘annexation’ together with the word ‘colonization’.  Basically, to annex, means to add to one’s own territory by appropriation, but comprises brutal words such as;  seizure, occupation, invasion, conquest, and takeover.  Whereas, to colonize, means to send a group of settlers and establish political control over an area.

Thus, this becomes, literally, an interesting debate.  I would argue that the Crimean scenario is truly an annexation based on the use of various sections of the Russian military, and the absence of an agreement of the vote by the Ukraine government.  One could also say (Perhaps tongue-in-cheek) that most of the pro-Russian Crimeans were, originally, Soviet (Russian) colonizers.  Having said that, sadly, it is a fait accompli.

It is too early to describe the situation in eastern Ukraine but, certainly, there is an attempt at annexation taking place, by Russia.  I feel that, in fact, Mr. Putin was testing the strength of Ukraine’s national will and, in that, failed miserably.  The king is alone with his bishop and pawns while, although the opposite side may have lost a castle, they still have their king, queen, and a few additional knights.

Perhaps, in summary, regarding word definitions;  it seems that annexation describes a brutal action of seizure and conquest, whereas, colonization (although unpleasant) describes necessary occupation and control.

Finally, this asks if Tibet and Mongolia have been annexed or colonized by China, and is is it too extreme to describe Guantanamo (Cuba) as an annexation.  

I am sure that there are a few other examples.  Please click Comments below if you agree ... or not.

Politics 14 - Pork on the School Menu

The following story was sent to me by a very good friend in South Africa (Yes!).  I feel obligated to copy it here:

MAYOR REFUSES TO REMOVE PORK FROM SCHOOL CANTEEN MENU ... EXPLAINS WHY

Muslim parents demanded the abolition of pork in all the school canteens of a Montreal suburb.  The mayor of the Montreal suburb of Dorval, has refused, and the town clerk sent a note to all parents to explain why.

“Muslims must understand that they have to adapt to Canada and Quebec, its customs, its traditions, its way of life, because that's where they chose to emigrate.  They must understand that they have to integrate and learn to live in Quebec.  They must understand that it is for them to change their lifestyle, not the Canadians who so generously welcomed them.

They must understand that Canadians are neither racist nor xenophobic, they accepted many immigrants before Muslims (whereas the reverse is not true, in that Muslim states do not accept non-Muslim immigrants).

That, no more than other nations, Canadians are not willing to give up their identity, or their culture.

And if Canada is a land of welcome, it's not the Mayor of Dorval who welcomes foreigners, but the Canadian-Quebecois people as a whole.

Finally, they must understand that in Canada (Quebec) with its Judeo-Christian roots, Christmas trees, churches and religious festivals, religion must remain in the private domain.

The municipality of Dorval was right to refuse any concessions to Islam and Sharia.  For Muslims who disagree with secularism and do not feel comfortable in Canada, there are 57 beautiful Muslim countries in the world, most of them under-populated and ready to receive them with open arms in accordance with Shariah.

If you left your country for Canada, and not for other Muslim countries, It is because you have considered that life is better in Canada than elsewhere.

Ask yourself the question, just once, “Why is it better here in Canada than where you come from?”

A canteen with pork is part of the answer.”