As Ross the weekly Rambler in little old Niagara-on-the-Lake, I am usually hesitant to stick my toe into anyone else’s bath water. As I have attempted to age gracefully, it has been my long time policy not to speak or pontificate about subjects unknown to me.

When I have broken this policy, the results were often “not so good.”

Attempting not to spread my knowledge wings too wide has served me well, so I hesitate to take a big leap for this weekly edition of Ross’s Ramblings.

The Lake Report on Jan. 23 featured front-page reporting about the likely devastating effect of U.S. tariffs on Canadian wine (“U.S. tarifs on wine would be ‘devastating,’ says export manager“).

My colleague Julia Sacco quoted Jared Goerz, the export manager at Pillitteri Estate Winery on Niagara Stone Road, and his blunt comments were easy to understand.

Imagine if the world’s largest consuming market for Canadian wineries decided to slap tariffs on Niagara wines.

History bluntly tells us, “Folks, this is not new stuff. History will teach us, if we will study it.”

Calvin Sandborn is a retired professor who now writes about environmental and justice issues.  Specifically, in a recent copy of the Globe and Mail, he discussed the increased tariffs levied by U.S. legislators in the 1930s that destroyed global trade and poured fuel on the fires of the Great Depression (Jan. 20, “The U.S. tried Trumpian tariffs before — almost 100 years ago — and it was a disaster“).

Economic hardship was widespread.

Economists were alarmed, and many petitioned then-president Herbert Hoover to veto the tariffs, which they feared would drive inflation. Indeed, auto magnate Henry Ford strongly encouraged Hoover not to proceed with this “economic stupidity.”

Hoover turned a deaf ear and approved 20 per cent tariffs on thousands of imported goods.

And in 1890, President William McKinley increased average tariffs from 38 to 49 per cent. He earned the sobriquet “the Napoleon of protection.”

These examples remind us there is precedent to the theory of tariffs, and new President Trump is not inventing the wheel. Surely his advisors will do their best to educate him.

If the new U.S. president proceeds with his threatened tariffs, it will certainly be his biggest financial gamble since he took a lead role in Atlantic City casinos. History teaches us the results could again be dire, costly and uncomfortable.

For years, Atlantic City has been a very cheap place to enjoy an ocean-shore vacation. Lots of available hotel rooms, even at rock-bottom room rates. Magnificent ocean views, without a lot of sunbathers cluttering up the beach and the boardwalk.

Rambling way back to NOTL, and a reminder that some well worn suggestions are simply beyond belief. Last Saturday, I witnessed a very bad fall on the Queen Street sidewalk. It was a classic winter afternoon, with blue skies, no wind, cold weather, snow and some ice. A bewdy day during the Icewine Festival.

An older gentleman was enjoying some window shopping in front of NEOB Lavender, when just like that — crash! He was on the ground, looking up. He had slipped on a patch of ice that was under some white powder snow. I scurried over to assist.

Unbelievably, his loving wife was scolding him. “You should have gone limp, and not tensed up trying to break your fall.

Happily, he was shaken but not broken, and they continued on their leisurely winter stroll toward Cool as a Moose and points west. I reflected on this long heard advice. “If you are falling, and may break a bone or two, go limp. This will mitigate the damage.

Several times during my eventful life, I have slipped, tripped or fallen for another reason. Each time, I did my darndest to tense up and try to break my fall.

Several stiff wrists have resulted, and a stiff neck or two. Never did I slap the person who told me I should have gone limp. Was it not a natural reaction to tense up?

Frankly, I cannot imagine a sillier chunk of advice to offer to someone who has just experienced a fall. Or is about to fall.

In summary, let’s study history, learn from history, and avoid repeating many historical mistakes.

Our world will be a better place in which to spend time.

Neighbours, friends, enemies and countrymen, let’s be kinder.

And, be careful on your bracing winter walks in wintry Niagara-on-the-Lake.