Bernard Callebaut and Social Media

I know this is off the topic of my normal boring political blog, but after attending the launch of Papa Chocolat, I was intrigued enough to comment on it.

As always, I was watching tweetdeck when I saw a very odd hash tag being #bernardisback. I couldn't help but notice more and more of the people I follow were raising the excitement level of it. Out of curiosity I contacted @chett12 to get the details on what exactly this was about. This is when she informed me that Master Chocolatier Bernard Callebaut was launching his new company Papa Chocolat.

Now I am far from a huge fan of chocolate, but the Callebaut name is known everywhere. After contacting Chett again, I was invited to the launch. My goal was not to go as a chocoholic, rather looking for an investment opportunity. This is where Podium Ventures comes into play. Podium is the company solicited to promote Papa Chocolat, and in my own opinion the did quite well. The most intriguing thing was the way in which they got the word out. Not only do they use the traditional forms of communication, but also had a social media team to get out the word. Now I don't know if all the hype on social media means these people will buy the product or not, but it definitely got the word out. The venue was packed and there was more media than a political convention. Did it pay off the have social media as a tool? For me yes as I plan to get in on the offering memorandum.

Now as an investment I have a different reason for doing so than the promotion Podium generates for the Papa Chocolat name. My whole reason for being there was to learn about the Callebaut's and what the plan going forward is. We all know that the last Callebaut company went into receivership and was taken over by another group of investors. I am sure many of you wonder why I would take the risk on this venture. Simply put...Passion. As I listened to Bernard speak, he was a very humble and excited man. The way he spoke of his current hardships and what he wanted to do was heart warming. Surrounded by his family he spoke from the heart about his love for making chocolate, and it was sincere and passionate while he spoke which you could see in his eyes. Once all the talking was finished, the chocolate came out and it was delicious.

Later in the evening I had the opportunity to chat with the Callebaut's. Not only are they a very genuine couple, but were completely overwhelmed by the support of fellow Calgarians. Will they succeed in business this time? I just can't see how with past experience and passion they can't!

The Fear Factor

I have to admit that the partisanship in politics lately has left me without desire to blog for quite some time. This session passed however has had some interesting political shit storms.

Raj Sherman the MLA for Edmonton-Meadowlark, was suspended indefinitely from the Alberta Progressive Conservative caucus for various comments regarding the state of our AB Health. At first he assailed the premier, cabinet, and super board in which he was forgiven for speaking out. Lucky for us it didn't stop there. Dr. Sherman continued his attack on AHS and Energy Minister Ron Liepert (former health minister) calling Ron "rude and offensive" to medical workers.

Now I understand that the comments made to the premier etc.. were forgiven, but the attack on the fellow caucus member is a fair reason for discipline. Suspending him from caucus though is not the route I would have taken. Having a practicing Dr. as a parliamentary assistant is truly a blessing for any party, at least until the frustration level and knowledge that the current government can not fix it takes over. Then to add insult to injury your self professed friends call causing an investigation that may impact your medical licence. It simply stinks of a smear, intended or not, although I find it hard to believe the outcome was unknown. Still the soap opera in the ABLEG continued on with a record setting filibuster emergency health care debate, followed up by the firing of the cookie monster Duckett. Four others resigned from the board citing too much govt. interference.

While the AB PC's rolled out their 5 year plan, the Liberals and NDP were playing the fear card of privatization. Now let's get real...NO...I mean NO party would ever go to a completely privately delivered health care. I personally believe though, that it is not sustainable to keep running as we are. The NDP and Liberal plan of lets throw more money at it will not help. It is simply time to try something new and different, and a PUBLICLY FUNDED public and private health care delivery system is an excellent start. With newer technology we will be able to eliminate the wait times and reduce costs. I also believe that if we allowed private funded clinics it would also be a benefit. This could give our Dr.'s incentive and the ability to earn more $$. This would be easily done and you could legislate that they must practice a minimum of four days a week in the public sector. Yes the rich would use it, you know what...who cares! It opens that many more slots in the public system. We also may be able to attract business to Alberta to keep them busy, much the same as the Mayo Clinic in the US, after all how many AB's have already been there?

So if we are to ever have a sustainable health care system in our province, we have to get past using reforming health care to scare Albertans. We need fresh and new ideas, a government not scared to try them, and all parties to sit down and work together to make it better. Our elected MLA's were elected to represent Albertans, not play partisan politics in the ABLEG! The sooner they realize this the sooner we can make things better, after all we deserve it! For MLA's to play the fear factor is not cutting it.

Hypocrites?

As a proponent for free speech, stories like this go to show how we are losing the rights to voice our opinions.

I have known Tom for a few years now, and he is probably one of the best political minds I have met. Now he is being put through the ringer for speaking his mind when asked what his thoughts were by CBC, in which Flanagan said he thought Assange "should be assassinated, actually. I think (U. S. President Barack) Obama should put out a contract and maybe use a drone or something."

Now there are those that support Wikileaks right to free speech, but try and stifle the right of Tom to do the same. The hypocrisy of free speech just never ends. Some things to consider are does Prof. Flanagan really have the political clout to have someone across the globe assassinated? Were his comments even close to hate speech? I don't believe he was trying to get Assange assassinated....good lord, give me a break. Incitement to murder? Yeah right!

Lets take a look at Assange. Refused bail for sex crimes, hmm I won't state my opinion on Assange and what I think should be done to those of his ilk. (only because I we are not permitted I guess) It is however much the same as my thoughts on Bin Laden.

When we have to worry daily about the comments we make, it makes me wonder where our freedoms really lie. Canada is obviously losing sight of it, and I hope this is fought, after all isn't that what our soldiers are dying for, our FREEDOMS?