Christmas Gift Ideas: Chretien Book-Grow-Op Game, Gambling-Suicide, Feds-Nfld Oil $$$ to Third World?-Read Fine Print-UN Law of Sea, 'Heritage'

Gift Ideas -- a Book and a Game

'Disgusted' by Chretien -- Greg Weston

Like the rich, the politically powerful are different.

'Disgusted' by Chretien Greg Weston, Dec. 9, 04, Sun Ottawa Bureau

If the ethical lapses of Jean Chretien & Co. weren't enough to shock and appall ordinary Canadians, now we have allegations that the former PM tried to speed up his son's release from prison.

The incident is detailed in a revealing new book by Willie Gibbs, the highly respected former head of the National Parole Board.

Michel Chretien, the former PM's son, was 21 when he was sentenced to three years in federal prison for sexually assaulting a woman who was drunk and passed out. After barely 18 months behind bars, the younger Chretien was eligible for a parole hearing in July 1996.

But even that wasn't fast enough for the then-prime minister, Gibbs writes in The Cons and the Pros. [. . . . ]

And there is more! This is one gift I would love to get and to give for Christmas. Then, there is the next gift idea.

Game Gift: This bud game's for you! Dec. 20, 04, CP

VANCOUVER -- Forget Monopoly, forget Scrabble -- the hot new Christmas gift in Canada this year is a board game that lets the player run their own "B.C. Bud" marijuana grow operation. It's called The Grow-Op Game.

Creators bill it as an educational board game that highlights the perils involved in the pot business and cautions would-be growers about the high stakes. [. . . . ]

I suggest you not give anything to do with gambling as a gift; gaming seems to be getting out of hand.




Gambling suicide stats in question

Gambling suicide stats in question Dec. 20, 04, CP

[. . . . ] A recent study, by Robert Williams of the University of Lethbridge, showed that 450,000 Ontario adults, or 4.8%, have a moderate to severe gambling problem. They contribute 35% of the province's gambling revenues; the national average is 23%. [. . . . ]

RCMP arrests federal immigration official


Add this to Stripper-gate -- or could we term that whole program to bring in strippers Hooker-gate? Would that be too . . . . . . blunt?

Remember, they booted out Cpl. Read when he made an attempt to try and clean things up at only one place -- i.e. Hong Kong. This has been going on for years. The Immigration system was basically an open door for those with influence -- political influence, as well as money, at a guess.

How many crooks and terrorists slipped in over the years while the government was ignoring the problems and still are. One swallow does not a season make. Unfortunately, there were many swallows that flew in under the decrepit radar screen.

RCMP arrests federal immigration official -- story continues CTV.ca News Staff

The RCMP has charged five people, among them an Immigration Canada official, with corruption and fraud after several morning raids in Ottawa Thursday morning.

[. . . . ] The arrests are the culmination of an investigation that began in January. There will likely be more arrests, the RCMP said. [. . . . ]

Feds, Nfld. in oil-cash dispute -- "A section of the UN law requires that up to 7% of oil revenues from areas beyond the limit be shared with developing countries."

Feds, Nfld. in oil-cash dispute -- UN Law of Sea angle Dec. 20, 04, CP

[. . . . ] The dispute arose when Canada ratified the UN Law of the Sea Convention on Nov. 6, 2003. Among other things, the convention allows Canada to claim sovereignty over any parts of its continental shelf that lie beyond the current 200-nautical-mile limit. [. . . . ]

Read the fine print. Ah, after UNSCAM, what next? Which UN kleptocrats will get that money if Newfoundland and Labrador does not?

Hang tough, Premier Williams. Do you think that money going through the UN . . . . . Ah, fill in the blanks for yourself. Newfoundlanders need that money!





West Block exodus to start next June -- Progress on $1.5-billion renovations slowed by turf wars between Commons Board of Internal Economy and Public Works: Brison -- "the deteriorating condition of the historic West Block"

Of course, 'Heritage'! As with Heritage Language(s) and flags . . . . Government doesn't spare the $$$ when it comes to 'Heritage' does it? There is an asbestos angle too.

Ah, a billion here, a billion there -- and pretty soon, you're talking real money.

West Block exodus to start next June -- 'Heritage' Buildings The Hill Times, Dec. 20, 04, Paco Francoli

The federal government says it plans to begin moving MPs and their staffers out of their West Block offices on Parliament Hill and into temporary transition space starting in June, with the ultimate aim of having the entire historic building vacated within two years, if not sooner.

Meanwhile, a turf war between the powerful Commons Board of Internal Economy and the Department of Public Works and Government Services is threatening to slow the government's massive $1.5-billion renovation project to overhaul every building within the Parliamentary precinct. [. . . . ]