We go more than 20 years with no additional action in potash in this province, other than the expected existing mine expansions and then suddenly, we have announcement after announcement about new mines that are all expecting to be on stream by 2015. What's going on here?
The last time I checked, various companies are announcing different forms of potash recoveries in Punnichy, Wynyard, Foam Lake, Young, Jansen, Moose Jaw and Melville. How many of them will actually get to a production stage is a good question, but we have to assume that at least a couple will turn into viable projects.
As my friend in the know informed me Monday, "Potash trumps oil in Saskatchewan these days." And oil is not in any kind of slump either.
Speaking of oil and that controversial pipeline deal, me thinks it would be a good idea for Canada to refine more of it and then we wouldn't have to worry about shipping the so-called "dirty oil" south to the American refineries. We don't have to send all our raw commodities elsewhere do we?
On to something more important ... reality television episodes.
I have been a fan, but interest in some shows is quickly fading. We have too many of the junky kind now. But I have a solution.
The shows about hoarders can be immediately partnered with the shows about junk pickers and storage warriors. All they have to do is eliminate the middle man and you'll have a new reality show entitled Hoarders and Pickers versus Storage and Auction guys versus Pawn Stars and Starlets. The pickers get to go straight to the hoarders' houses and do their magic and the storage and auction guys get left out of the game because the pickers can then take their booty directly to the pawn shop stars.
The hoarders are left to clean up the season by consulting with Dr. Phil about their obvious obsessions and Kim Khardasian can marry the chubby guy on Pawn Stars for the obligatory 72 days, creating a new reality series. Sarah Palin will officiate at the marriage ceremony in Alaska.
The season finales will be all about binge buying, purging, picking, buying, selling, trading and quitting.
But really, I don't have an answer for those swamp woodcutters and gator guys or the gold diggers and the ice truckers and cold weather pilots, nor do I know what to do with the 87 real estate shows populated by people who seem to never know what they're doing. Some are moving, some are buying, others selling. Some are renting, some are renovating either extremely or not so extremely and others are decorating which, apparently, is different from renovating. Then there are those brides who are ear-and mind-splittingly crazy.
I say let's get back to more sensible television drama, like remakes of Gilligan's Island, Green Acres, F-Troop, Dukes of Hazard and Beverly Hillbillies ... you know, something sensible.
If you can even remember what the F-Troop was, you are invited to e-mail Park at normpark@estevanmercury.ca One hint: F-Troop is not about the RCMP working out of Regina. That's F-Division and while some of the antics may be similar, it's not the right answer. Also, if you remember F-Troop, we know how old you are, and your dubious sense of taste and decorum, so be careful!
