Candid Conversations - 2024 How Did This Blog Do?

 

First, let me take this moment to wish all of you a Merry belated Christmas and a soon-to-be Happy New Year. I hope you have a wonderful time with family over the holidays and in 2025 joy, peace and all that is good will come your way.

2024 has come to its end and this year was a bit of a busy one re the blog, sort of. On average, one article per month was posted. Except for December, so a total of 11 posts were uploaded. The number one post for the year is my commentary on the Governor General's relevance, the article published in November has 737 views, making it the number one post of the 11 posted this year. The lowest in February was a comment on the use of Nitrogen to execute a man in the US. It got 412 views.

A look back shows that the blog did really well, getting 16K in views. The breakdown looks like this.

— Average monthly page views, 1300 views.
— Average Unique visits per month, 1000
— First time visits, 1000 per month
— And about 3 returning visitors per month


September was the best month.

2,503 Page views 1,744 Unique Visits 1,741 First time Visits 3 Returning
Visits to the site broke down as follows:

First Time Visitors    12,350
1-5 Returning Visits        19
6-10 Returning Visits        1
10+ Returning Visits         1

The time spent on the blog is very critical, and I am happy, to see such good results.

Hits      Session Length

9313     Less than 5 secs

1163     From 5 secs to 30 secs

2013     From 30 secs to 5 mins

5           From 5 mins to 20 mins

1           From 20 mins to an hour

1           Longer than an hour

2013 From 30 secs to 5 minutes is right in the middle. The so-called sweet spot. This metric points to the fact that people are actually reading posts. Looking at the 20 minutes as well as the longer than an hour stat could mean many things, like people parking and leaving the site up, or possibly, someone scraping the site.

Most of the visits were from the US. In fact, the bulk of them were.

90% of the 16k views were from the US.
Canada, a mere 36 views accounting for less than 1%
Here is the kicker, the next largest view ratio 3% is from the Russian Federation with 488 views total.

So, to say the least, the blog has done very well. And I am pleased to say that the growth continues. 16,000 is the largest so far since launch in 2009. To date, the blog has over 51,000 views. I can thank everyone enough for making Candid Conversations a success.

So what is next? The blog format has changed. As you can see, it's now more comments oriented, and that will be the direction going forward. The interviews are now done on Candid Conversations Zoomed In and Video Comments. The comments will be more or less changed to focus on interesting facts and will even be re-titled. More on that when I do my next post on the site. You can visit the channel via this link.

Thanks again for being a part of Candid Conversations, I hope you will come back soon, and I wish all of your happiness in 2025.

Candid Comment - The Governor General - Relevant or Not?

Canada is a modern country with old traditions attached to its political systems, namely the office of the Governor General. Since 1867, Canada has had a Governor General representing the king or queen of England as head of state and the armed forces. There are lieutenant Governor Generals in each of the provinces of Canada. That said, let's just focus on the federal GG, shall we? 

The question of relevance is popping up as there has been some controversy surrounding the current and last Governor General of Canada. Julie Payette had to step down from the role after an audit found that she had created a toxic work environment. The current, Mary Simon, cannot speak Canada's second official language very well, French has been her issue, and it's not pretty when events are cancelled because you cannot speak one of the official languages. Now I will say my French is not perfect, it is pretty basic to be honest, but I am not the GG. Mary Simon is, and apparently her French is horrid. To be fair, she is much older and as one ages, things like a new language are challenging to pick up. But, it has been 3 years and not much progress has been made, and it's a glaring issue. You have to know French to be in the role. This is the same for many government positions, especially at the federal level.

The question begging to be answered is as follows. Does having a Constitutional Monarchy matter in our modern era? Many Canadians feel that it is time to leave the Commonwealth and ditch the King and with him the Governor General. Opting to become a republic and having an elected head of state is a question that has been asked, and polling suggests that a large number of Canadians do want to see a change. Many see the monarchy as antiquated and irrelevant, a waste of money and time. It does not help that in the last two Governors General have had a significant controversy follow them. Payette with the toxic attitude, Simon with the inability to grasp French.

There is one slight problem with leaving the monarchy in our dust here in Canada, that is the fact that our constitution is deeply connected to the crown. In an article by CTV News, the following quote was made.

"I think it would be very difficult, "Allan Hutchinson(opens in a new tab), a legal theorist and law professor at York University, told CTVNews.ca." Any change in the arrangements around the Crown would require the unanimity of all provinces and the federal government. The chances of getting that are not good."

Provinces like Alberta are very pro-Crown, while Quebec is not, which in turn means the Governor General is really liked in Alberta and in Quebec, not really. So the notion of just going ahead and ridding ourselves of the Crown will not be realized for quite some time, if at all. The key question is this, is the Governor General and the Crown really relevant in Canada, and can Canada make due without them? The answer is no and yes. No, the crown is really not relevant in Canada, the Governor General has a minimal but, important role in Canada. The most significant of the powers they have is to give Royal assent to laws and to dissolve and offer the winner of an election the right to form government. Outside of these and a few other things they do, the role is ceremonial in nature. So we could generally do without them. As for relevance, mostly historical and ceremonial. Canada, like many nations, has traditions and ties back to their origin and Canada's origins are from Britain as it was once a colony of Britain. The Crown and Governor General are not just leaders but role models, and it's an expectation that they will lead by example and provide a means for Canadians to unite behind ideas specific to national unity. So in this case there is relevance in their role. The problem is tarnished reputation due to bad behavior or lack of skill, not to mention a dislike of some members of the Royal Family. Divorces, the death of Dianna Princes of Wales, the feuding between members of the Royal Family do not help with relevance. Add to that what happened with Julie Payette and the fact that our current GG has trouble with French. Along with the fact that some previous GGs have more or less phoned it in does not help the image re relevance of the office. 

So how do we change that, outside changing the Constitution and electing our GG? The best thing is for the Prime Minister to start thinking about who really fits the role. The person they select should be mature enough to handle the job, speak both official languages, have a desire to serve and be humble enough to realize that while they have an important role. They are there to showcase Canada and the people of Canada to the world. And lastly, they are to be frugal with the government's purse. Remembering that Canadian taxpayers foot the bill for them, so they should respect that and bring value to the role as well. 

The Governor General will be around for quite some time, so they must remain relevant, focused and well-rounded people willing to serve and equipped to do so. The PM did not make a bad choice in selecting Mary Simon to be the GG. But, was it the best choice? I would say not really. The poor woman has been plagued by nasty comments, and having to defend her lack of French has not helped. A nice idea that essentially kind of makes the office of Governor General look stupid and out of touch with a fundamental value. That is that we operate as a diverse society, and this includes being able to at some levels speak both French and English. Having to deal with this ruins the fact that she is indigenous and is very well-rounded and skilled in many facets, including diplomacy and advocacy. Mary Simon has an interesting backstory and actually could have done even better in this role had she picked up her French language skills. She will probably go down as one of those GGs that was not great but, not terrible. That will affect the view of the office of the GG for some time unless the next person to hold the office really brings the A game to the role. But, it starts with the PM who chooses the next GG, he really sets the tone and can elevate or deflate the office with that choice. In turn, making the office of the Governor General relevant or not. 

I have a video on my YouTube Channel, Candid Conversations Zoomed In and Video Comments, that explains the role of the Governor General. Simply titled The Governor General.

There have been lots of scandals in royal circles, History.com has some of the biggest of all including but for our purpose you can dive into ‘Annus Horribilis’: Why Queen Elizabeth II Called 1992 a Horrible Year. The Governor General of Canada at that time was Ramon John Hnatyshyn. Never heard of him until now but, I bet he was not happy with what was going on with the Crown at the time. Remember a GG represents the Crown, so ya it looked bad in 92 for both the Crown and GG.

CTV News Article: Why it would be 'virtually impossible' for Canada to drop the monarchy

Ipsos did a poll on the question of the relevance of the Crown, which also goes to the relevance of the Governor General by association. Canadians Conflicted on Future Role of Monarchy, as Half (54%) Say Canada Should End Ties to Monarchy.

Candid Comment - Hubcaps Why? Why Do We Need Them?

I do not know why this subject popped in to my head it just did, but it is a good topic. Why do, what is the purpose and the reason for hubcaps? Well, let's explore this topic, it's fun, and it's also informative because, as I found it out, there is a good reason for having hubcaps on your car's wheels. 

One purpose of Hubcaps, they complete the look of the vehicle, they decorate and give the vehicle a finished look. Decorative, they make the vehicle look complete and ready to go no matter whether it is a car, van, truck or bus, the hubcap is the final touch that completes the process of building the vehicle. However, they are more than Just Aesthetic accessories. Hubcaps actually serve a purpose.

When most people think of hubcaps, it’s easy to dismiss them as mere decorative elements of a vehicle. However, their purpose extends far beyond enhancing a car’s aesthetics. Hubcaps, also known as wheel covers, are essential components of a vehicle’s wheel system that serve both functional and aesthetic roles. So here we go with a bit of dive into the reasons hubcaps more than things to pretty up the ride.

1. Protection from Debris and Damage

One of the primary functions of hubcaps is to protect the wheel assembly from dust, dirt, and debris. They act as a barrier, safeguarding the wheel, lug nuts, and brake components from road contaminants that could cause corrosion, rust, or damage over time. This protective feature is especially important for vehicles subjected to harsh driving conditions, such as off-roading or areas with significant road construction. Not to mention climates that are arid or wet. One prime example of the risk of damage that can be caused is having to drive in Canadian winters. The snow, and salt that is mixed in to clear ice as well as snow can damage the wheel system, so the hubcap minimizes that.

Additionally, hubcaps can help prevent damage from small rocks and other debris that might otherwise chip or scratch the surface of the wheel. By providing this layer of protection, hubcaps can contribute to the longevity and durability of the wheel assembly.

2. Aerodynamics and Fuel Efficiency

Hubcaps can also play a role in improving a vehicle's aerodynamics. By creating a smoother surface for the wheel assembly, they reduce air resistance as the vehicle moves. This reduced drag can translate to improved fuel efficiency, especially in larger vehicles or those designed for performance. Manufacturers often consider the design of hubcaps alongside the overall aerodynamics of the vehicle to maximize fuel economy and performance.

3. Heat Dissipation

The performance of braking systems is critical for vehicle safety, and the design of hubcaps can contribute to effective heat dissipation. The materials used and the configuration of ventilated hubcaps can help channel airflow around the wheel, assisting in the cooling of the brake components. This is particularly important for high-performance vehicles that generate significant heat during braking. Think of trucks, buses, ambulances, fire, and police vehicles. Unlike your car, unless you drive for Uber, these vehicles are constantly on the move, and in some cases endure conditions that can cause damage to the wheel assembly, especially the braking system.

4. Visual Appeal and Customization

While functionality is vital, there is no denying the aesthetic aspect of hubcaps. They are available in countless designs, colors, and finishes, allowing car owners to customize the look of their vehicles. From sleek, modern designs to classic, vintage styles, hubcaps can reflect the owner’s personality and preferences, enhancing the overall appearance of the vehicle.

In some cases, car manufacturers release special edition vehicles with unique hubcap designs to celebrate anniversaries or partnerships, further emphasizing the significance of hubcaps in branding and visual identity.

5. Concealing Brake Components

Hubcaps can also serve to conceal brake components, including calipers and rotors, which can be visually unappealing. By covering these parts, hubcaps contribute to a cleaner, more uniform look for the wheel area. This is especially important for vehicles where aesthetics play a critical role, such as luxury cars and sports coupes.

6. Cost-Effective Maintenance

For car owners, hubcaps can also provide a cost-effective solution for wheel maintenance. Instead of purchasing new wheels to replace damaged ones, a new set of hubcaps can provide a fresh look and extended protection to the underlying wheels. This can be particularly beneficial for budget-conscious drivers looking to maintain their vehicles without incurring significant expenses.
Conclusion

hubcaps are often treated as decorations, nothing more, nothing less by most drivers. But as noted above, they do have a practical application. They offer protection from damage, enhance aerodynamics, assist in heat dissipation, and play a significant role in customizable vehicle aesthetics. 

As vehicles continue to evolve, the design and functionality of hubcaps will remain relevant, serving both the driver’s needs and the creative vision of automotive designers. Understanding the diverse purposes of hubcaps can help you as a driver. By understanding that they are more than mere decorative features of a vehicle, you will be able to make a more informed decision about what car is most suited to your needs. A car is more than just it's engine and good gas mileage, those are important. But you should consider, comfort, reliability, safety features and yes, efficiencies and the maintenance of the vehicle, including the wheels. Hence, making sure that you have a good set of hubcaps on the wheels to ensure that the wheels are protected and maintain aerodynamics, as well as completing the look of your ride. 

Weirdness in Politics - Quirky Characters And Their Antics Impact - This Edition of Candid Comments

 

Politics has always been a stage where in certain circumstances dramatic personalities and eccentric behaviors are seen. Across the ages, various individuals emerge, each bringing us their unique flavor to the political landscape. While many politicians strive for professionalism, there is a substantial number of so-called “weirdos” who’ve made a mark, shaking up the norms, bending rules, and occasionally sending observers into fits of laughter (or bewilderment). These characters prove that politics can be as unpredictable and colorful.

The Eccentric Politician Archetype

Historically, the world of politics has been filled with figures who defy convention. From Henry VIII’s notorious excesses to the flamboyant oratory of Winston Churchill, the quirky nuances of these leaders often become a part of their legacy. But what constitutes “weirdness” in politics? Typically, it is defined by the actions and words of politicians who operate outside the typical boundaries of political discourse or engage in unusual behavior that captivates public attention in humorous and horrific ways.

Take, for example, the case of the late Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who was as well-known for his controversial reality TV shows as he was for his political manoeuvres. His brash comments, penchant for drama, and larger-than-life personality exemplify how a so-called “weirdo” can dominate headlines, for better or worse.

The Rise of Outsider Candidates

Lately, the rise of outsider candidates has redefined our perception of political oddities. Figures like Donald Trump in the U.S. and Boris Johnson in the U.K. have thrust themselves into the political limelight, not for their adherence to traditional political norms, but for their outlandish styles and often inflammatory statements. Their unpredictable behavior and unconventional approaches have appealed to disenchanted voters seeking change, illustrating how “weirdness” can garner significant support by bucking tradition.

Social media has only amplified this trend. Platforms like Twitter and TikTok have become the breeding ground for political antics, making it easier than ever for politicians to share their offbeat thoughts, whether they’re making bizarre memes or engaging in improbable debates. This new political landscape blurs the lines between celebrity culture and serious governance, inviting a wider array of personalities into the ring.

The Comedic Touch

Sometimes, weirdness in politics takes a comedic turn. Many political figures employ humor—not always successfully—to connect with their constituents. Take former U.S. Senator Al Franken, who famously transitioned from a successful comedy career on “Saturday Night Live” to politics. His humor initially gave him a unique platform but also contributed to his swift fall from grace amidst allegations of misconduct.

Then there are politicians like Kenneth “Ken” Livingstone in the U.K., known for his peculiar yet amusing quotes, which have led to both laughter and outrage. His unconventional approaches and unapologetic honesty transformed the perception of what an elected official could be, highlighting the balance between serious governance and an engaging public persona.

The Consequences of Weirdness

However, it’s not all fun and games. The rise of eccentric characters in politics can have significant consequences. Sometimes, the tweet that goes viral leads to personifying serious issues in ways that undermine meaningful discourse. Politicians risk trivializing critical subjects through humor or oddity, diverting attention from actual policy discussions. Additionally, the normalization of bizarre behavior may lower the standards for political decorum.

Moreover, the phenomenon of so-called “weirdos” can lead to polarization. Politicians who thrive on shock value may further entrench divisions within societies, appealing to the “us vs. them” mindset. This tactic risks abandoning pragmatic solutions and fostering animosity, which ultimately can destabilize governance.

Conclusion

“weirdness” in politics represents a fascinating mix of innovation and unpredictability. Whether those who are offbeat are shaking up norms, offering comic relief, or creating controversy, these figures play a crucial role in shaping the political landscape. Their impact can ultimately drive voter engagement, inspire change, and challenge conventional wisdom. Yet, as society embraces the quirks and oddities of political personalities, it’s essential to remember the importance of accountability, integrity, and substance in governance. As we navigate through the peculiar politics of our time, it’s vital to discern the line where eccentricity enriches discourse versus where it detracts from the serious challenges that face our global society.