Aries rising (along with gift limits), a big purchase on the horizon, and BILLIONS

The Colossally Irrational Report - So far from reality and it's only January

My Scottish/Irish ancestors arrived on the east coast of so-called “Canada” in the late 1700’s or early 1800’s and were part of several waves of genocidal colonization of the Indigenous people who were already here. I like to start every new post by explaining my family’s history and keeping this foremost in my mind (and my writing) at all times. I know I have benefited as a result of colonization, and I find the history deeply troubling. It is what motivates me to understand the true history and advocate for real reconciliation. As a child in the 1970’s, I moved west with my family and am grateful to be writing this newsletter in Moh’kinsstis, and the traditional Treaty 7 territory of the Blackfoot confederacy: Siksika, Kainai, Piikani, as well as the Îyâxe Nakoda and Tsuut’ina nations. This territory is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3 within the historical Northwest Métis homeland. I recognize that the land I now work and live on was stolen from these nations (truth) and I support giving the land back as an act of reconciliation.

Imagine the start of the new year as we are told it should be celebrated. A room full of glittery people and decor, the cheering and popping of champagne corks, endless trays of mystery food you’re too polite to refuse even though you have no idea what it is, cheerful music counting down the past year’s hits in the background, and the comforting small talk of social occasions where nothing you say is heard or remembered.

I’m sure that’s just what everyone’s New Year’s eve was like, right?

Sigh. I know. 

On the other hand, if you watched a movie on Netflix, ordered DoorDash, snacked on potato chips and perhaps downed a high ball for the heck of it (or not), all while trying to stay awake until midnight, but failing…. There are illusions and there is reality.

In Alberta, we are big on illusions. Reality is not so much a thing. We don’t like to talk about the way things really are because we’d rather believe we’re glittery, bubbly and mysteriously cheerful. We have fine traditions of never refusing what is served to us, and when looking back over the past, we don’t face the music, or even listen to what was said. Alberta is like that imaginary New Year’s Eve party that no one really goes to anymore but we like to tell ourselves still exists.

In the spirit of illusions, let’s start off the year with some advice for Alberta’s premier, based on astrology.

I had to conduct a LOT of in-depth research for this piece. I sleuthed extensively to uncover the details of our premier’s date of birth (in other words, I checked Wikipedia) and found out it is April 1, 1971.

{Nope, I’m not going to point out the significance of this day. That’s too easy, but feel free to take that information and run with it elsewhere. You have my blessing.}

That makes Danielle Smith an Aries. According to the stars, she is:

“Passionate and independent, Aries will never do something just because everyone else is doing it—a Ram needs to be 100 percent committed to the task at hand.” 

Watch video here: http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/2277169219771

That tracks.

“An Aries sign will always tell you what they're thinking, with a frankness that may occasionally border on rudeness.”

Definitely ram-like.

So, what does 2024 hold for Smith? Let’s take a look at the prediction for Aries from an impeccably accurate resource, cafeastrology.com

Gifts, boosts and special bonus to double in value (at least)

“The year 2024 is a period for boosting your comfort and security, building and expanding, dear Aries, as well as branching out, learning, and connecting.” 

“Financial boosts are likely in the first months of the year, although managing spending can be in order for this to last long term. Existing projects can enjoy handsome payouts or there can be special bonuses. Feeling more comfortable, stable, and secure is a goal–and it’s more achievable than ever!”

Well, this is certainly prophetic, given that Smith’s government passed a bill in early December allowing the cabinet to change limits on gifts for elected officials. Then, they quietly published the new limits three days before Christmas, doubling the value of non-monetary gifts that can be given. And that limit can be exceeded if reported to the ethics commissioner. 

What a relief the government found a way to squeeze this little benefit in before year-end. I’m glad someone is thinking of those poor MLA’s and the free gifts they’re allowed to accept. 

I can’t wait to see how this plays out in 2024.

Cafe Astrology adds: “There can be a strong emphasis on comfort and enjoying simple (and sometimes not-so-simple) pleasures.”

Indeed.

Press “play” on renewables, or will we get stuck in “pause?”

The stars may have have something to say about the planned lifting of the moratorium on renewable energy project approvals on February 29. At least that’s what the schedule calls for, but that gives the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) just two months to review the many filings (at least 250) they’ve received about the regulations, as well as design the new regulations.

At the Pembina Institute’s Alberta Climate Summit this past October, NDP Leader Rachel Notley responded to a media question about whether the moratorium would be lifted in February saying, “I am deeply concerned that this ban on renewable energy is going to go well past February, as will the uncertainty that we're seeing in the investment community.”

Tim Weis, a professor in the University of Alberta’s engineering faculty told The Canadian Press in December that the AUC has another month after that (February) to complete an inquiry into the industry.

“If (it has) announced that we need another two or three years to figure out the rules, that’s going to add to the uncertainty,” Weis said. Affordability and Utilities Minister Nathan Neudorf said the pause would be lifted at the end of February "no matter what."

Smith may need to consult with the Cafe Astrology because according to the planetary indicators, she doesn’t have much time. The vibes are only good until the end of May.

“Until May 25th, you’re continuing a trend in which you can build and grow your material resources. It’s a time of abundance on some level – you might acquire or purchase something of value that you’ve always wanted, invest, or enjoy an increase in business and income.”

Embracing socialism or taking pleasure in growing a business - you decide

Then again, could the stars be pointing to Smith’s promise (or threat) that the government take ownership of the means of production, er, I mean, of a natural gas power company? In a year-end interview with her former employer, Global Television, she said:

“I can’t guarantee that we’re going to have new baseload power come on. So, yes, the federal government is responsible for that. So that’s why we have to make sure that in our market we continue to bring on baseload power and we’re going to do that, even if it means we have to be the generator of last resort.” 

So I guess we continue to invest oodles of cash into fossil fuels while the rest of the world is betting on renewables.

“You can take great pleasure in growing a business or enjoying a relationship. You attract the right people and resources during this period, and encounters with others work to your advantage.”

Speaking of attracting the right people, it looks like the Premier is consulting the heavens instead of looking at what is actually happening here on the ground. On New Year’s Day, she announced the 2024 return of the “Alberta is Calling” marketing campaign designed to attract even more people to the province. 

This is despite the fact that last year’s largest influx of people since 1980 resulted in skyrocketing rental costs, an affordable housing crisis, and a backbreaking strain on the healthcare system. 

It’s all good, though. We are not dismantling Alberta Health Services at the same time. And the emergency department in Red Deer isn’t McGyvering extra space for patients with tarps and duct tape. No, there’s nothing to see here according to the government spokesperson. This happens every year during the respiratory illness season. 

Don’t worry. Everyone will have a family nurse if no doctors want to come to Alberta. And we can always round up more naturopaths. Thank goodness.

Smith is assertively authentic in her dislike of Guilbeault

Finally, the prediction for Aries in 2024 indicates some personal development may be on the horizon for Smith. 

“Navigating a more authentic life path is the goal. You could be in a shift stage professionally as you analyze your next steps.”

It appears Smith’s most authentic priority for 2024 is calling for the resignation of the federal Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Steven Guilbeault, a politician who brings out her fiery-tempered Aries qualities. There’s something disturbing about the way Alberta’s premier is fixated on Guilbeault. 

I did some checking and according to astrological compatibility guides, these two should be great together. Guilbeault was born June 9, 1970 about a year before Smith and under the Gemini sign. The best aspect of the Aries-Gemini relationship?

“Their ability to work together as a single unit. Together they can learn much more than either Sign would alone.”

I’m not sure what to make of this apparent error in the predictive abilities of astrologists on-line. But one thing is true, Albertans would be better served if Smith were to “shift stage professionally” (whatever that means) away from personal attacks and work with Guilbeault on a plan to transition away from fossil fuels.

Unfortunately, that’s not charting out since Smith wants everyone to send their carbon to Alberta (via pipeline) so we can store it for them. In a year-end interview with the Tyee, she said:

“We have mapped out our entire basin for doing carbon sequestration, which should allow us to store up to or more than 100 BILLION tonnes of emissions.”

She wants to turn Alberta into the carbon dioxide Storage Mart of the future. With pipelines everywhere leading into the province. Never mind the fact that no one wants these pipelines running through their communities. Has she learned nothing?

There’s another problem too. The math doesn’t compute. In 2022, then Premier Jason Kenney enthusiastically told American officials that Alberta would capture 20 million tonnes of carbon emissions a year by 2030 and bury them underground. 

We went from talking about 20 million tonnes to 100 BILLION tonnes in less than two years. But we still can’t even consider meeting our net-zero targets for the electricity grid before the latest possible deadline - 2050.

In reality, Alberta currently has two carbon capture projects that sequester 1-2 million tonnes/year.

But not to worry, the Cafe Astrology has this “you go, girl” prediction for Aries is:

“Some of the greatest joys and challenges this year come through exploring your independence, self-assertiveness, and personal courage. You’re coming into your own in 2024!” 

Oh Smith is definitely “exploring independence.” She’s not backing down on plans to exit the Canada Pension Plan (CPP). She continues to woo separatist voters with constant attacks on federalism, claiming falsely Albertans have “overpaid” into the CPP, Ottawa is trying to destroy the province’s economy, and with threats to ignore federal regulations she considers unfair.

“Coming into her own” for Smith appears to be about blossoming into a new age dictator, hanging out with Tucker Carlson, and running her own state-owned gas company.

Note: This “horrorscope” of Smith’s upcoming year is all in fun (with a little bit of fear mixed in!).