Category Archives: PEOPLE

IRANIAN DRONE ATTACKS ON ISRAEL

Posted on April 14, 2024 by bilyreid

Last night Iran launched a sustained drone missile attack on Israel. At this hour, reliable information is scarce but it would seem that most of the drones have been neutralised by the Israeli Air Force with the help of RAF … Continue reading →

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GRAND NATIONAL 2024

Posted on April 13, 2024 by bilyreid

Today is the running of the Grand National Race at Aintree, England. The spectacle will be viewed by 600 million people round the world. The race was introduced to a North American audience by the film National Velvet, starring Mickey … Continue reading →

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FRANK STRONACH

Posted on March 22, 2024 by bilyreid

I attended a briefing at the Macdonald Laurier Institute by legendary Canadian businessman Frank Stronach. Still going strong at 91, he gave a detailed and passionate plea for an Economic Charter for Canada. Mr. Stronach regrets that the empire he … Continue reading →

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KILT SKATE DAY

Posted on February 19, 2024 by bilyreid

The Rideau Skateway is suffering another sorry season of poor weather. Skating has only been allowed for a few days and limited to just a short stretch of the old Rideau Canal. Nevertheless, today is the great Kilt Skate day … Continue reading →

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THE FEAST OF SAINT STEPHEN

Posted on December 27, 2023 by bilyreid

Today on certain religious calendars is St. Stephen’s day, ie. the day Good King Wencelas and page marched through a snow storm to provide a surprise feast for a lowly peasant.  ST. STEPHEN’S GATE, TEMPLE MOUNT, JERUSALEM According to legend, … Continue reading →

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IN THE BLEAK MIDWINTER

Posted on December 24, 2023 by bilyreid

Christmas Eve  2023 A time for counting one’s blessings and thoughtful reverence  for the true spirit of Christmas.   A time for reflecting on Christmas eves past which in my case go from the sublime to the ridiculous. First the sublime. … Continue reading →

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TUNNEL WARFARE

Posted on October 30, 2023 by bilyreid

With all the talk in the news of potential tunnel warfare in Gaza, I thought it timely to post a picture of myself in the Cu Chi tunnels during a tour of Vietnam a couple of decades back.   These … Continue reading →

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KIBBUTZ MISGAV AM EVACUATED

Posted on October 16, 2023 by bilyreid

Misgav Am, population 385, is the most northern kibbutz in Israel just metres from the Lebanese border. I visited back in 2018. Under threat of rocket and artillery fire, Misgav Am along with 38 other northern kibbutzim has today been … Continue reading →

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HELL BREAKS LOOSE IN ISRAEL

Posted on October 7, 2023 by bilyreid

On the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur war, Hamas has struck a massive and highly coordinated attack on its Israeli neighbour.  1,400 Israeli civilians have been killed and over a hundred hostages taken back to Gaza. This horrific event … Continue reading →

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BRETHERN IN CHRIST

Posted on September 10, 2023 by bilyreid

The BIC was founded by my 6th great uncle, the Reverend Martin Beam back in Pennsylvania in the 1770s. The Reverend Otterbein heard him speak and rushed forward to clasp him in greeting, saying “We are Brethern,……. Brethern in Christ!”. … Continue reading →

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