Quick Tour Aug. 6, 05

Poll--Vote on Tony Blair's actions to thwart terrorists -- ctv.ca

Results up to now: 81% or 5064 voters . . . .

It's a tough and necessary measure . . .

It will backfire if he goes ahead . . .

Was Transport Min. Lapierre in the House at all these last few years? Did he read Hansard if he wasn't? He seems not to know what has transpired.

Is it possible that he he one of the 50% of Canadians who have literacy problems? Impossible. So what is his problem in the face of the reality?

Ottawa plans to develop no fly list" -- Scheduling the no-fly list for 2006 -- after any would-be terrorists have made Canada their home? -- Is Minister Lapierre misguided, naive, or just plain dumb?



Canadian no-fly list part of travel security reforms Kate Rook, August 5, 2005

While Canadian officials insist there is no credible threat against Canada Transportation Minister Jean Lapierre announced a review of security at the country's airports, train stations, seaports and subways.

[. . . . ] In 2006, he said, the government will launch a program to assess air passengers — creating a list of individuals who might threaten aviation security.

Biometrics, such as fingerprints, will also be used at airports, he said. [. . . . ]

Locking the barn door after . . .



Peter Worthington speaks for all of us

Where is OUR leadership? Peter Worthington, Aug. 6, 05

Oh, we send soldiers to Afghanistan but our politicians fear for their political lives if casualties occur. But we continue to accept potential terrorists into Canada in the form of illegals who, when caught at the airport with phony passports, claim "refugee" status and can't be deported without years of appeals.

The Supreme Court has ruled that a refugee claimant is entitled to all the protections of citizens. [. . . . ]

Is Canada's PM still 'consulting' with the 'stakeholders' before he says anything substantive? Counting how many votes he and the Lieberal$ might lose if they cross the usual suspects? Getting approval for how to go about it from same?

A disastrous leader in need of a backbone transplant . . . IMHO.




Michael Coren: The sensitivity threat -- "take political correctness to an absurd degree"


Former anchorman sees anti-Tory media bias Aug. 4, 05

Toronto — A former national TV anchorman who plans to run as a Conservative in the next federal election says the media is biased against the Tories.

[. . . . ] We have to overcome, among other things, the apologists for the Liberal government in the Toronto media.” [. . . . ]

No half-mast flag at Parliament for Canadian war hero Judi McLeod, Aug. 5, 05

[Conservative] MP Betty Hinton, Kamloops Thompson Cariboo, was astonished to learn that flags on Parliament Hill were still flying at full mast yesterday, while Canada mourned the loss of Ernest "Smokey" Smith.

What's with our banks? Part 1 John Lawrence, Aug. 4, 04

Once upon a time, people lived within their means. Then along came banks, and before you could say "IOU", you were buying things on credit, that is, on a promise to pay the bank for whatever it just bought for you, as long as you would pay it usury, or interest as it is now called. [. . . . ]

What's with our banks? Part 2

This whole business of credit and debt is very short-sighted, even dangerous, particularly for young people starting out. They begin their adult lives owing money and they may never crawl out from under the debt load and its costs. It is time for parents and educational institutions to emphasize that the bill ALWAYS comes due and the costs of debt, despite its allure of easy and quick gratification, are steep and always mean one is in thrall to whoever holds that debt.



There are always articles on this site worth reading:

Henry Lamb: World Heritage Committee Blasted Aug. 3, 05

Henry Lamb is the executive vice president of the Environmental Conservation Organization (ECO), and chairman of Sovereignty International

In January, I learned that UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee would meet July 5 - 17, in South Africa. As chairman of Sovereignty International, Inc., I applied for credentials to attend this meeting as an NGO observer, as I had done nearly two-dozen times to attend other U.N. meetings around the world. This time, however, I asked for permission to video tape the proceedings.

Knowing that despite its claims of "transparency," the U.N. really doesn’t want the world to see how it conducts business, I . . . .

One already in the lineup for US immigration benefits blew his chance

ICE nabs two men in phony ID plot Jerry Seper, Aug. 6, 05

Two Guatemala natives have been arrested on the Eastern Shore of Virginia by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents on charges they produced and sold fraudulent Social Security and alien registration cards.

[. . . . ] ICE agents seized more than 1,000 blank Social Security and resident alien card templates [. . . . ]

Canada takes a kinder, gentler approach. Canada keeps them here and Canadians pay and pay and pay.





Mexicans pose Social Security drain Stephen Dinan, Aug. 6, 05

Allowing Mexicans who pay into U.S. Social Security to collect benefits would place a long-term drain on the system since Mexican workers are less-educated and tend to have more dependents, according to a new congressional report.

The report, released last week by the Congressional Research Service (CRS), looks at the effects of a "totalization" agreement with Mexico. Right now Mexican workers who are in the United States temporarily must pay into both the U.S. and Mexican systems but cannot get U.S. benefits.

Totalization would allow them to pay into just one system, and collect benefits based on the time they paid into the U.S. system. [. . . . ]

Read how a Mexican could benefit over a US citizen.

Search: the large number of Mexicans illegally living and working




Top cleric Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani: Constitution must respect Shariah -- Iraq -- concern among Iraqi women that their hard-won freedoms will be eroded Sharon Behn, Aug. 6, 05




New York City cabbie, returns forgotten jewelry to Montreal businessman Aug. 5, 05, WND

Hossam Abdalla taxi driver at LaGuardia Airport and Thierry Bellisha, co-owner of Montreal-based Crown Ring -- a great story. It renews ones faith in mankind.




Embedded Chip vs RFID Passports

What We Now Know -- Dangers of RFID [Radio Frequency ID] Passports week of 8/2/2005

[. . . . ] For some time, the Department of Homeland Security has been working to get other countries to agree on a standard for machine-readable passports with embedded computer chips. Countries whose citizens currently do not have visa requirements to enter the United States then will have to issue passports that conform to this standard, or risk losing their non-visa status. The embedded chip, much like a "smartcard," will allow the passport to contain a great deal more information than a simple machine-readable bar code, enabling passport officials to quickly and easily decipher the information.

This entails some loss of personal freedom, but it is probably as reasonable a response to the threat of future terrorist attacks as we're going to get. However, that's not all. The Bush Administration also wants to include RFID chips in the passports of the future, for both U.S. and foreign citizens, and that's far more troubling. Like embedded smart chips, RFIDs can hold lots of personal information, but the difference is that they can be read from a distance. A receiver can remotely access the chip, without any need for physical contact, and get whatever information is on it.

The fly in the ointment is that RFID chips are always on. . . .

[. . . . ] technology will inevitably make receivers more sophisticated over time.[. . . . ]

"It doesn't matter what the imam says inside the mosque because the young people don't understand. The real education goes on outside. In mosques our religious leaders are speaking in Urdu. The only people speaking in English are extremists like Abu Hamza and Bakri Mohammed. Youngsters do not get the real message of Islam."



The Sharecropper Society -- When Warren Buffett speaks, people listen

[. . . . ] Today U.S. corporations are arming China with all the financial tools necessary to challenge American hegemony, while government trade policies are allowing a massive transfer of manufacturing, intellectual property and American jobs to China. And if we try to backpedal from these policies, as Congress is attempting right now, we'll look like hypocrites, to say the very least.

So what's it going to be--put on a happy face and hand over our assets like good free-market sports? Or nipping the attempt in the bud, making a 180-degree turn from cheerleader of globalization to protectionist miser, thereby potentially triggering a trade war? Let's not forget the negative consequences of Smoot-Hawley in 1930.

Alternatively, people could stop asking the government to do, well, just about everything for them, reducing the size of the behemoth to a level where we don't need to go hat in hand to the rest of the world for our daily billions. [. . . . ]

"Eminent domain--the power of states and municipalities to take control of private property"

What Goes Around, Comes Around

Americans concerned with the preservation of their civil liberties and especially the right to private property have cried out in indignation when on June 23, the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that local governments may from now on seize people's homes and businesses for private economic development.

Heretofore the rule of eminent domain--the power of states and municipalities to take control of private property--only applied if it was for public use, for example to build roads or schools, or to revitalize blighted areas. [. . . . ]

. . . Logan Darrow Clements. . . . "faxed a request to Chip Meany, the code enforcement officer of the Towne of Weare, New Hampshire, seeking to start the application process to build a hotel on 34 Cilley Hill Road."

Incidentally, that is the home address of David H. Souter, one of the Supreme Court Justices who voted for the new law. [. . . . ]

See Weare Residents Start Ballot Initiative Drive to Support the Project and Circumvent the Board of Selectmen

Souter's high position should not allow him the privilege to be exempt from his own rulings.

Thanks to HM for this.




Status of 'blighted' areas challenged disputed Pat Beall, Paul Lomartire, Palm Beach Staff Writers, Aug. 5, 05, via wnd.com

RIVIERA BEACH — Whispering two words — eminent domain — in Riviera Beach these days is like screaming "fire" in a packed multiplex.

[. . . . ] The issue is so hot now because this long-beleaguered city with an ocean view is closing in on a deal to allow developers to build a 250-room, 27-story Marriott hotel and 250 time-share units at the city beach on Singer Island. The $200 million project replacing the Ocean Mall's ragtag collection of shops and eateries is the first solid sign that the long-discussed, long-troubled $1.2 billion plan to reinvent this city is finally starting. [. . . . ]

Another Attack -- links to articles on gangs and violence via Newsbeat1

Would curfew curb gang violence?

Mentors try to quell gang violence

Expert: How to keep your kids out of gangs

How about ending the puff-ball sentencing? Or are we all supposed to feel guilty?



Benon Sevan’s Finest Hour -- Late in the day, former Oil-for-Food chief demands the U.N. open its books Claudia Rosett, NRO, Aug. 5, 05 via Newsbeat1/Instapundit.

[. . . . ] Worst of all, Volcker has parked himself for more than a year atop U.N. records that might have helped outside investigators crack some of the Oil-for-Food schemes involving ties to terror, organized crime, arms rackets, and political bribery, all of which are salted among the more than $110 billion of Saddam Hussein’s deals administered by the U.N. under Oil-for-Food. [. . . . ]

In Israel's vacuum, al-Qaida moves in to Gaza -- Jerusalem draws up battle plan for all-out war on bin Laden

WASHINGTON -- As Israel plans a unilateral withdrawal of all Jews from the Gaza Strip this fall, al-Qaida operatives are reportedly ready to move in.
Al-Qaida's presence, in the name of "The Jihad Brigades in the Promised Land," was announced on an Islamic website known to be friendly to Osama bin Laden's terrorist network. [. . . . ]

Search: "According to Farkash, al-Qaida is in the process of shifting its operational interests from Pakistan and Afghanistan,"




Al-Qaida nukes: Why wait? Keep up with latest on bin Laden's 'American Hiroshima' plan July 26, 05



Where bin Laden is,
why he's still alive -- Author: Boy Scouts could get terror chief who's still planning 'American Hiroshima' Paul L. Williams, Aug. 6, 05

[. . . . ] Osama is almost always surrounded by fawning attendants who hail him not as Sultan bin Laden or Emir bin Laden but rather as "awaited enlightened one," the title reserved for the Mahdi."

The Mahdi is the rightly guided caliph who will appear during the last days of human history. His coming is foretold by the Haddith, the sacred teachings that supplement the Quran. In such writings, the Mahdi is depicted as the figure who will bring forth the "Day of Islam," when all people throughout the world – believers and unbelievers alike – will fall in submission before the throne of Allah.

[. . . . ]

Search: "among the Uighurs in China." , annual Soldier of Fortune convention , shabnamas or "night letters" , Peshawar , Pakistan, with its arsenal of strategic nuclear weapons,




WHAT TO DO IF A NUCLEAR DISASTER IS IMMINENT! NukAlert.com

Download the .pdf, check the supplies you should buy and more . . . just in case . . .



Terror fears spark car searches -- Combing for bombs to start at Bay St. undergrounds

[. . . . ] In 1993 a truck with a fertilizer bomb exploded in the underground parking garage of New York City's World Trade Center, killing six people and injuring hundreds.

That attack was a precursor to the 2001 terrorist attack with hijacked jets that destroyed the World Trade Center with the loss of almost 2,800 lives. [. . . . ]

Blood Scandal



Clinton & the killer blood Articles from the Progressive Review, MAY 2005
I have no knowledge of this site; read and come to your own conclusions. There are excerpts from several articles.

[. . . . ] "Later after a promotion, an inmate who became my clerk told stories of events that took place when he was assigned to the plasma center, including things like the refrigeration going out for hours and the plasma being refrozen later and shipped.

[. . . . ] NATIONAL POST - In exchange for a guilty plea under the federal Food and Drugs Act, the Crown withdrew charges of criminal negligence causing bodily harm and common nuisance.

[. . . . ] The Liberal government denied compensation to those infected before 1986, claiming that no test was available before then. That now turns out to be false. Paul Martin was on the board of the Canadian Development Corporation from 1981-1987, during the time hemophiliacs were infected with tainted blood. The CDC was the holding company for the private company, Connaught Laboratories, the major supplier of blood products in Canada, specifically Factor VIII used by hemophiliacs. . . . [MURRAY DOBBIN, GLOBE AND MAIL, 2003 ]

Topic: China, Nukes, Clinton CNEWS Forum, 8/05/2005




Khrushchev's Words Return to Haunt -- "Communism will dance on the grave of the capitalist and we will sell you the rope you use to hang yourself." Rachel Marsden www.rachelmarsden.com , August 4, 2005

Toronto-- When Chinese general Zhu Chenghu threatened that China would use nukes if America interfered in the defense of Taiwan, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld-- [. . . . ]

[The] American government must figure out where it stands on China. Either it’s against human rights abuses, and the military and economic buildup of a communist power--or it’s in favour of cheap Happy Meal toys, trading with communists, and the selling of America to Chinese state-run players, starting with the recent bid for U.S. energy giant, Unocal. [. . . . ]

---

Updated: The New GG 'appointment' -&- Liberal propaganda: your tax dollars at work

Updated: links and comments added

Excellent article: Micaelle Jean as Lord Byng? I think not Bruce Garvey, Aug. 5, 05, National Post


Editorial: Give the new GG a chance National Post, Aug. 5, 05

There are already questions about the suitability of the Governor General whose spouse has made a film judged by some to be sympathetic to Quebec's separatist movement . . . Ms. Jean's own public pronouncements, notably highly controversial and inappropriate statements linking the 9-11 terrorist attacks to U.S. foreign policy, are more problematic.

Note: I had no time to post Bud's post so I have changed the tenses. On Micaelle Jean's appointment as our next Governor General, Bud had noted that Monique Begin lacked the one qualification necessary, perhaps, a stint at the CBC. Well . . .



Martin's "democratic deficit correction" report card sports another F.

Despite the Prime Minister's promise before a Quebec City audience that he would forego blatant political appointments to the Senate, he is at it again. Most of his appointments Tuesday were Liberal backroom boys or Red Tories like Hugh Segal. The selection that distinguished itself was that of Larry Campbell, the mayor of Vancouver. The men elected on a genuine democratic basis by Alberta were once again passed over. Just to show how shallow his commitment was, the rumour [had it that it was] Ms. Monique Begin as the frontrunner for the Governor-General's position. She was a Trudeauite minister and a loyal Quebecois foot soldier. This political appointment simply [would have shown] that Martin [had] no intention of abandoning his old patronage ways. The only thing missing for Martin from Ms. Begin's CV was a stint at the CBC.

Well, hush my mouth. Before I could even send this, Begin was out of the picture ( Martin's little joke on that meany-mouthed Chretienite toady), and by jingo, there is Michaele Jean, a CBC appointment. Boy, Paul is loyal to the media outlet that is his unofficial mouthpeice. Martin runs a large country; however, he can seem to fish only from a tiny pool. This is the third? fourth? CBC personality picked for the job. Nevertheless, Ms Jean fits so perfectly into that whole lefty-liberal 'stakeholders' category. Curiously, she managed to somehow get to anchor both The Passionate Eye and Roughcuts. I always asked, "Whose girlfriend is she?" Now it turns out to be Paulie. How politically correct. A Haitian-Canadian takes over from a Chinese-Canadian, both from the CBC. Doesn't get more multicult than that does it? At least, it wasn't Ali Hindy--posssibly his second choice.

© Bud Talkinghorn--How many Haitian / Quebec votes will that appointment garner?



Comment:

I'm waiting for next political "appointee" GG, burqa clad, sporting a red pom pom (toolie?) like the ones the Irish or Scots regiments wore as they marched off to war.

There will be those thrusting forward an Inuktitut and French speaking Quebec Inuit candidate for that same position.

Paulie getting all bases covered before the election? Which of all these would garner more votes in Quebec? As soon as the PM finds out, well, you have the next in the "appointee" lineup. NJC





Next governor general to reach out to youth

She was a regular contributor to CBC Newsworld's The Passionate Eye and Rough Cuts documentary programs and is a documentary filmmaker herself.

[. . . . ] Martin said he hasn't spoken to Jean about potential constitutional problems, saying she can make her own decision with the help of her own advisers.

Comment:

Journalists are not so sure. I think it is Bruce Garvey who explores the implications of this today in the National Post, but there are several articles on the wonders of our PM's kingship, the fact that now we do not have to go through the messy business of democracy--all that thinking, considering and voting--now that Canada has one person rule. Should a problem ensue on the constitutional front with need for the GG to make a decision which could go against Paulie's government, all the GG has to do is check with the PMO and call for another fine bottle of wine from the well-stocked cellar at the vice-regal mansion to celebrate the end of the crisis. No worries, mate.




Liberal propaganda: your tax dollars at work John Turley-Ewart, National Post, Aug. 5, 05

Does this qualify as non-partisan news? I doubt that's the way it would strike the people of New Brunswick, where the federal government refuses to make a deal with Premier Bernard Lord, who wants to ensure that parents who choose to stay at home and raise their children receive the same benefits as those who choose to place their children in daycare.

But flip the flyer over and things get worse: The pretense of non-partisanship evaporate entirely.

[. . . . ] This is not only a partisan statement, but also patently false. [. . . . ]

Honour . . .

---

Gangs & Responses "when we've finally absorbed all the guilt", Robert Spenser: "The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades)", UNSCAM

Update: Gang problem in Toronto

Follow the links here, Aug. 5, 05 -- One excerpt stands out -- in a Toronto Sun editorial

"police laid a whopping 58 charges against the suspect in the child's shooting, including eight of attempted murder (three adults were wounded in the same drive-by)." . . . .

"some 25% of the thugs police arrest for gun crimes already have a record for similar offences.

WHY ARE THEY BACK ON THE STREET?"

Chief's tough talk needs tough action

Almost a quarter of people cops apprehend with guns are already prohibited from carrying firearms as a result of a previous conviction, Blair said.

[. . . .] That's the kind of lawlessness we're dealing with. That's why the billion-dollar boondoggle that the gun registry became is such a travesty. People who carry guns to commit crimes aren't going to register them.

Another here

But, surely society caused their tender pink psyches their problems . . . didn't it?

We have been conditioned by our government(s), courts, and the helping professionals, along with lefty political types at the municipal level such as mayors, to believe that these poor young men cannot be responsible for their own actions. Now, this? Don't confuse us, the products of liberal social engineering. We are now successfully feeling guilty over what we haven't done for all the world's troubled . . . Over these gun toting thugs. Over racism. Over not hiring them because we thought they just might be--perish the thought--ill-educated, pot-smoking, likely drug-dealing criminals who might rob us blind. We've been conditioned not to believe what is before our eyes -- the "diversity" and "multicultural" and "peaceful" you-know-what.

Don't tell us we were right all the time . . . when we've finally absorbed all the guilt and feel ashamed to be . . . well, whatever we are. Too much! Do you suppose we're right about a few other things? Think about that and keep reading.



Scroll down for a post on Calgary and its police chief. Search: "Calgary police refuse to name violent gangs" in All bluster and spin -- on Calgary Chief Constable Jack Beaton and on the drug gang problem -- the gangs which the police won't name for some strange reason




The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades) by Robert Spencer ISBN: 0895260131 -- This book gets five stars and this review by Bob Munro, Aug. 1, 05, who terms it "The Most Important Book You Will Ever Read!"

An absolute must-read for those interested in the so-called War On Terror, shows step-by-step, with historical accurracy, how Islam is not the Religion of Peace that President Bush claims.

With an exploding Muslim population in Canada this book should be a wake-up call for an end to high immigration laws.

Via Newsbeat1 and Diana West, in this article: PC war on terror -- "people want facts — hard, non-PC, and vital to their understanding of what we're really up against." Aug. 5, 05

[. . . . ] Maybe all the side-stepping euphemisms, from struggle to fatwa, don't matter as much any more. Elites on the left and the right, in the government and in the media, can persist in their PC babble, all of which seems to translate to "Better Dead Than Rude" (slogan attributed to John Derbyshire). But maybe some people — the ones Ronald Reagan always trusted and Abraham Lincoln said you couldn't always fool — are starting to figure things out, and without the help of elites. There is intriguing anecdotal evidence that non-pol, non-pundit citizens are looking for the kind of debate that is beyond the ken of the most prominent officials and journalists.

[. . . . ] Regnery's PIG series (Politically Incorrect Guides) [http://www.regnery.com/ -- See below.], Mr. Spencer's book arrives in the marketplace with an identity, if not an attitude: The reader knows he is going to get the story as it is never told in the mainstream culture. Mr. Spencer, on whose expert analysis at www.jihadwatch.org I have come to rely, seems to have provided a book people are hungry for—a book that explains, as the president and all his men (and Condi) cannot, why it is that the sharia-spreaders and the murder-bombers and, as Oriana Fallaci vividly labels them, "the head-choppers" do it all for "the religion of peace." [. . . . ]

Oh, but there is more to read in that article.


Regnery Politically Incorrect Guide -- Let us count the things your "teacher never told you"

Islam expert Robert Spencer takes you on a fast-paced politically incorrect tour of Islamic teaching and Crusades history that will give you all the information you need to understand the true nature of the global conflict America faces today. The Politically Incorrect Guide™ to Islam (and the Crusades) reveals Islam’s ongoing, unshakable quest for global conquest and why the West today faces the same threat as the Crusaders did—and what we can learn from their experience. [. . . . ]

Download a free chapter here; you may order the book here, as well.

Robert Spencer is the director of Jihad Watch and an Adjunct Fellow with the Free Congress Foundation. He is the author of four books on Islam, including Islam Unveiled: Disturbing Questions About the World’s Fastest Growing Faith (Encounter) and Onward Muslim Soldiers: How Jihad Still Threatens America and the West (Regnery), as well as eight monographs and hundreds of articles. He lives in a Secure, Undisclosed Location.




U.N. OIL BOSS GOT 160G IN 'KICKBACKS' via Newsbeat1, Aug. 5, 05

According to Lewis, the committee will find that a small trading company, African Middle East Petroleum Co. Ltd. Inc. (AMEP), paid Sevan in exchange for his helping it win oil contracts from Saddam's regime.

It will say that he acted "in concert" with a friend named Fred Nadler, the brother-in-law of former U.N. Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali.

You just know there is more . . .

Search: Louise Frechette

Portus-KPMG, CNOOC-Talisman, UN Cronyism, Kate of Small Dead Animals -- Search: "All the Secretary-General's Men: the Tangled Web of U.N. Cronyism" Claudia Rosett, July 21, 05, NY Sun" -- and Louise Frechette is mentioned.


I just tried searching with both Technorati and Pico to no avail, but I used Google and found it.

---

Ringing Endorsements for Conservative Public Transit Policy

The Policy: excerpts

Conservative Party: Transit Policy Questions and Answers 04 August 2005

1. DETAILS OF OUR PLAN

Why has the Conservative Party introduced a tax credit instead of investing directly and more heavily in public transit systems? . . . .

What is the cost of this program, and where will the money come from? [. . . . ]

How will the average commuter benefit from this program?

• For the average commuter paying $80 per month for a transit pass, this will mean $153 savings in transit costs. For users of more expensive commuter services, like GO Train in Ontario, this tax credit could mean up to $485 per year. . . . .

2. PUBLIC TRANSIT STATISTICS

What effect do you think this will have on overall public transit rider-ship? Do you have any statistics to back up your claim? [. . . . ]

3. ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS

How does this policy fit within your overall climate change strategy? What other steps is the party taking?

• The Conservative Party has always supported initiatives that have a real impact in making the air cleaner for Canadians to breathe. [. . . . ]

Why does the Conservative Party not support the Liberal Climate Change Plan?

• The Liberals have dedicated money towards buying hot air credits from other countries – instead of dealing with pollution and other causes of smog here at home; they’ll simply pay other countries for the right to pollute in our country. Everybody knows that this is buying time instead of providing real solutions.

• Instead, the Conservative Party will provide concrete action that tackles pollution and actually improves the air Canadians breathe. We are committed to Made in Canada solutions that reflect our geography, our history and our own needs as a country.

4. CONSERVATIVE URBAN POLICIES

How does this fit in with the Conservative Party’s overall urban policies?

• The Conservative Party is developing policy options that will benefit Canadians wherever they live. In this context, we have been leading the way in promoting policies that benefit Canadians who live in large and small municipalities.

• We were the first party to support transferring the gas tax revenue to cities, so that they could build better infrastructure to serve their citizens.

• We advocate lower personal and corporate taxes.

• We are developing a child care plan that offers choice to parents.

• A Conservative Government will provide long-term funding for the clean-up of federal contaminated sites, and remove roadblocks that discourage the private sector from cleaning and developing contaminated sites and brownfields.

• We will work cooperatively with provinces and municipalities on policy relating to settlement support for immigrants as well.

The Endorsements

REALITY CHECK - Conservatives’ public transit announcement receives ringing endorsements from experts, commentators

Sent: Thursday, August 04, 2005 3:07 PM

Office of the Leader of the Opposition

OTTAWA – Conservative leader and Leader of the Opposition Stephen Harper announced the Conservatives’ Public Transit Policy in Toronto, Ontario today, but even in days leading up to the announcement, the endorsements started pouring in…

“I think it’s a very good move on the Conservatives’ part.” (Sierra Club Member, John Bennett – The Province, August 3, 2005)

“It’s a good step.” (Toronto Budget Chief, David Soknacki – Toronto Star, August 3, 2005)

President of the Canadian Urban Transit Association, Michael Roschlau, ‘welcomed the proposal.’ (The Province, August 3, 2005)

“It’s one the measures that we defended for many years.” (Transport 2000 Chair, Jean Leveille – Montreal Gazette, August 3, 2005)

“Stephen Harper’s Conservatives are said to be considering a neat little trick that would help build municipal transit systems’ ridership without stepping on provincial toes and without creating yet more lucrative work for constitutional lawyers.” (Montreal Gazette editorial, August 3, 2005)

“Seriously, kudos to Harper… it’s to his credit that he’s trying to make clear to urbanites – particularly in the GTA – that he’s interested in their concerns.” (National Post columnist, Adam Radwanski – http://www.adamradwanski.com/blog.html, August 2, 2005)

Real policy speaks for itself.

---

Security, Calgary Gangs, Islamist Extremism and Student Visa Waiver Program

Gov't to launch transportation security review CTV

CTV News has learned the following measures are under consideration:

Surveillance cameras on all subways and buses in major cities

More dirty bomb detection devices at ports

Biometric or eye scans of frequent airline travellers

Stronger monitoring of hazardous cargo moved by rail or truck.

[. . . . ] Ottawa will also initiate steps to screen all air cargo -- including mail.

"No one is checking the mail that is going on our aircraft in Canada today," Kenny noted.

[. . . . ] If the government was serious about confronting terrorism, it would create a foreign spy service, set up a ports police force and beef up the coast guard, he said.

Other items on the CTV site:

Official rebuts MacKay's claim Nfld. port unsafe [Scroll down]
Canada considering cameras on transit systems
McLellan says no threat on Canadian soil
Critics say new Great Lakes Patrols not enough
Canada is potential terrorist target: Hillier



All bluster and spin -- on Calgary Chief Constable Jack Beaton and on the drug gang problem -- the gangs which the police won't name for some strange reason July 31, 2005

Reference: National Post, Aug. 5, 05, A8, Calgary police refuse to name violent gangs Why? Why? Why?

[. . . . ] Calgary has had a "gang" problem for a number of years now. Ask any police officer. Indeed, ask any police officer involved in organized crime investigation in either Edmonton or Vancouver and they will tell you of the triangle of organized crime between those cities.

It' s all about drugs and it's all about the power and money that go hand in hand with drugs. To suggest, as Beaton does in the story, backhandedly that the police will easily handle the problem is naieve in the extreme. To further claim that they will do it as they handled the Hells Angels is frighteningly ridiculous. [. . . . ]

One of the people commenting on the article suggests: "Calgary needs to put more front-line officers in high-crime areas to hammer these thugs; not create more special "gang-enforcement teams" that . . . . "

I have posted before that the gangs are moving into the North, particularly trying to hook people on drugs in the diamond mining area. (I posted this some time in June 2004; Do a search using the searchlets from Technorati or Pico for the post.)




The question of how best to secure Canada's coastline is an extremely complex issue. MacKay called into question the dissolution of the Ports Canada Police in 1997, when security of Canada's ports was handed to the port authorities. Jul. 28, 05

Search: Port Authority President and C.E.O. Sean Hanrahan




CRS Report for Congress -- Islamist Extremism in Europe -- pdf Order Code RS22211, July 29, 2005, Kristin Archick, Specialist in European Affairs (Coordinator), John Rollins, Specialist in Terrorism and International Crime, Steven Woehrel, Specialist in European Affairs Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division

Summary

Although the vast majority of Muslims in Europe are not involved in radical activities, Islamist extremists and vocal fringe communities that advocate terrorism exist and reportedly have provided cover for terrorist cells. Germany and Spain were identified as key logistical and planning bases for the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States. The March 2004 terrorist bombings in Madrid have been attributed to an Al Qaeda-inspired group of North Africans. And UK authorities suspect four young British nationals with possible Al Qaeda ties of carrying out the July 7, 2005 terrorist attacks on London. This report provides an overview of Islamist extremism in Europe, possible terrorist links, European responses, and implications for the United States. It will be updated as needed. Also see CRS Report RL31612, European Counterterrorist Efforts: Political Will and Diverse Responses in the First Year after September 11.

[. . . .] Some U.S. officials and Members of Congress, however, remain concerned about the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP), despite steps taken to tighten passport requirements for participating countries. The VWP allows for short-term visa-free travel to the United States from 27 countries, most of which are in Europe. Critics point out that Islamist terrorists who hold European citizenship have entered the United States on the VWP (UK-born Richard Reid and French citizen Zacarias Moussaoui being two notable examples).

---

Poll and Fiscal Responsibility, Fun & Free Lunch -- & More

Voter support for federal parties is holding steady, with the Liberals maintaining a slim lead over the opposition -- Paul Martin's support has declined steadily over the year, while Stephen Harper's support is inching upward. July 28, 05

Liberal party support has gone down from 39% in April 2004 to 34% in June-July 2005 while Conservative support has risen.

As best choice for Prime Minister, Paul Martin's rating has gone down 9% (41 % to 32%) while Stephen Harper's has gone up.

The percentage of Canadians who approve of the job being done by Prime Minister Paul Martin has continued its steady year long decline and now stands at an all-time low of 41 percent. Over half of Canadians (56%) now disapprove of Paul Martin.

Check the site for tables of information.

What I find unfathomable is that Jack Layton's support has risen -- the Jack who would give away the store for votes, a true friend of Paul. Do Canadians really believe that they can get something for nothing? That the bills for everything Jack would like to give away won't come in? Every parent whose child wants . . . and wants . . . and wants . . . faces the hard decision in the best interests of the family's staying financially viable to say NO. My assessment of why this is, is that if you raise a generation to expect something for nothing, that anything is 'FREE!!!', you can expect this utter stupidity. What a dumbing down of society. Governments have increased the gambling component in society and the advertising for gambling and the idea of easy reward, easy money, chance are touted as "fun". What is the end result?

Every NDP government which has run a province has driven it deeper and deeper in debt, but so have the federal Liberal governments and provincial governments. Politicians are afraid to say no for fear of losing votes.

Of course, what can you expect of a society like Canada's? Think of this. If a country allows vast numbers, proportionately, of immigrants, refugees, and particularly, undocumented aliens to enter the country, provide them with medicare, welfare and other perqs they have not earned, what does it teach them? What does it tell undocumented aliens who are allowed to enter Canada, let loose to roam through our society and given the same perqs as if they had entered legally? Then, since, overwhelmingly, they settle in the most urbanized areas such as Toronto, they vote for more of the same and urge their relatives and friends to come for the handouts. They, in turn settle in the urban areas and voila! -- Liberal voters.

Canadians have been gulled. Their governments simply play on the idea of "free" whether it is daycare, public housing, medicare or something else . . . all to garner votes. When are people going to grow up, fiscally? There is no free lunch.



Or is there?

Magna Entertainment to keep core assets July 25, 2005, CP

TORONTO — Magna Entertainment Corp. will hang on to the major gambling properties it believes have the most potential to generate earnings and will look to auction off others in a strategy to achieve profitability.

The horse racetrack operator said Monday it has identified five key properties in which it intends to invest heavily. [. . . . ]

Hodgson said the company will also “aggressively pursue alternative gaming opportunities” such as slot machines and satellite distribution of races at Remington Park in Oklahoma, the Meadows in Pennsylvania and Gulfstream as well as “others over the next two to three years.” [. . . . ]

Search: The favoured five , spinoffs of Frank Stronach's Magna International , HorseRacing TV cable network , the Racetrack Television Network , Magna Racino track


U.S. Supreme Court nomination fight reveals shortcomings in our system Paul Jackson

"I will put competent judges on the bench who will strictly interpret the Constitution and will not legislate or use the bench to write social policy"

-- U.S. President George W. Bush

[. . . . ] Coincidentally, the quote above is precisely the antithesis of what the Liberal hierarchy in our own country expect from our justices -- they actually do want them to circumvent Parliament and our elected representatives and legislate from the bench.

It's a mockery.

Scroll down for "WHERE IS THE OUTRAGE?"


Appointments to the Senate

Prime Minister announces appointments to the Senate
NEWS RELEASEAugust 2, 2005


Prime Minister Paul Martin announced today that Her Excellency the Governor General has agreed to summon Andrée Champagne of Quebec, Dennis Dawson of Quebec, Hugh Segal of Ontario, Larry W. Campbell of British Columbia and Rod Zimmer of Manitoba to the Senate. [. . . . ]

Paulie is obviously trying to revive the Quebec-based, Quebec-guided, centre of Canada, Red portion of the Tories. If he succeeds, he need not worry about the West. . . . until they decide they have had enough, and do something Quebec has been threatening to do. PM skipped over that part of the West which is conservative, I notice. That man is a disgrace to politics; he is so blatant.




Air America and the race hustlers Michelle Malkin, Aug. 3, 05

[. . . . ] If a conservative radio network had been entangled in a scam to steal from black children to line the pockets of wealthy white con artists, Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton would already be staging hunger strikes in protest. But both have hefty political and financial stakes in Air America's success -- and the big mouths aren't about to badmouth their friends.

Air America's flagship New York City station is housed on Park Avenue at WLIB-AM, owned by Inner City Broadcasting. The company shunted aside its black-themed talk format at WLIB to accommodate Air America. [. . . . ]

Dafydd: Imminent Domain




Topic: Margolis on Trudeau rosemarie59, 8/03/2005 08:18:20, CNEWS

"Pierre Elliott Trudeau asked Cuban Communist dictator Fidel Castro be a honourary pallbearer at his funeral. Castro -- the man who turned his nation into a slave state, and tried to sneak Soviet nuclear missiles aimed at the U.S. and Canada into his island fortress -- obliged.

"But then, why not?

"Trudeau also idolized Chinese Communist dictator Mao Tse-tung -- who slaughtered 20 million men, women and children -- and backed the Soviet Union against the U.S. as he ignored the plight of 200 million people in the vassal states of Eastern Europe. . . .

" Sadly, the greatest toy given him was our own nation, which he also squandered. [. . . . ]

$576 billion national debt is Trudeau's real legacy: Eric Margolis, Toronto Sun, October 8, 2000

TROC has the memory of an elephant.

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Whither goeth Saudi Arabia? Canada's First Islamic Terrorist, Our shameful IRB

Whither goeth Saudi Arabia?

The passing of King Fahd in Saudi Arabia has allowed his step-brother. Abdullah, to step out from his semi-official trustee position to become the real ruler. Fahd had been incapacitated by a stroke. The question now is what will Abdullah do with this supreme power? Oil and terrorists figure large in our interests about this succession. Will he align himself with the Wahhabi-influenced members of his extended tribe, or will he follow the moderates, who know that democratic changes must come--and soon?

To a large degree, the Saudis have been perfidious friends. They are almost solely responsible for the deluge of radical imams in the West. They have funded Wahhabi preachers, who spread their extremist messages amongst vicious criminals in prisons. John Mohammed and his little buddy systematically shot eight people, irregardless of age, race or gender, murdered because they were the infidel enemy. Did you notice that there was liitle examination of that case, once they both were convicted? Another question: Was it sheer coincidence that Prince Bandar's wife sent money to the Muslims in San Diego, who were sheltering some of the 9/11 terrorists? It must be remembered that this royal family includes over 7,000 princes, some of whom--like the Minister of the Interior, have been aiding and abetting jihadis for years. This money has spawned demons who hate the West, but who also hate the palatial lifestyle of these royals. This has forced the royals to make some effort at suppressing al-Qaeda at home.

Perhaps the most frightening aspect is that most ordinary Saudis despise the Americans--with one poll showing only 10% approval. That fact that America saved their butts from Saddam's 1991 rampage into the Arabian peninsula has been forgotten. Many even support the Saudi jihadis, who launch Iraqi suicide attacks on GI's, Shi'ites, and fellow Muslims who desire democracy. King Abdullah has to placate these fundamentalists also. One of the unexpected consequences of their enormous oil revenues is that the average Saudi is coddled from birth to death. Almost every occupation and the work is done by ex-patriot workers. Added to this are the large numbers of young Saudis who pursue degrees in Wahhabi religious studies. There are few occupational openings for these graduates, thus inducing bitterness. Instead of teaching them how to better their society, the religious schools preach a regression to the some glorious past. Also the Wahhabi imams have perfected the conspiracy theory that Jews and Westerners are the reasons they feel powerless. Even the more infamous al-Qaeda terrorist attacks are said to be the work of Mossad and/or the CIA. Thus indoctrinated, they make the perfect cannon fodder for al-Qaeda suicide missions. How King Abdullah will handle these shifting cross winds of modernity and retrogression will be decisive for everone.

© Bud Talkinghorn



Canada's first Islamic terrorist attack--Goodbye Marc Lepine, hello Gamil Gharbi

What was the motivation that prompted Gamil Gharbi, the Algerian-Canadian, to slaughter those women at the Montreal university? Well, the feminist movement didn't take long in answering that question. For them it was the essential evil that lurks in the hearts of all men. It was a giant guilt club to whack us with. The media dropped Gharbi's name in favour of Marc Lepine, which he didn't take on until age 16. Forget that his father was a brutal misogynist, who had contempt for all women.

The efforts of the feminists to lay that atrocity at the feet of all men never worked very well. I notice a change of expression when I tell some Montreal massacre ribbon-pushers that the guy who was always labelled Marc Lepine, really wasn't Joe Quebecois. The same impulse to murder women was seen every day in his ancestral homeland. In Algiers, educated women dressed in Western styles were targeted by the fundamentalists. Whole villages were raided by Islamic militant militia. Most of the villagers were hacked to death, while the young women were kidnapped, raped, and murdered, their bodies thrown down the village well.

Sorry, got a little sidetracked there. But it was to point out that the toxic religious brand peddled by the fundamentalists has taken root not just in Algeria, but here as well. There are Wahhabi imams here and in the United States, who would give their blessings to both Gamil Gharbi and John Mohammed's violent acts. It is time that the government clamped down on these radicals.

© Bud Talkinghorn




Our shameful IRB

And as with Mr. Hamdi, a.k.a. Osman, captured in Rome proved, who got into Britain on a fraudulent documents, anyone can get into this country with a fake name and a fake country of origin. When Canada allows people with no documentation (or fake ones) to enter the country, I'm sure such people here are quite numerous. Long ago the IRB dropped the ball with its refugee policy. Through laxity or fuzzy-minded intent, they allowed welfare cheats, gangsters, and terrorists to get not only residency, but to evade deportation if they had committed fraud or violent crimes while here. Ahmed Ressam, a classic example of this, was arrested by police on credit card theft, along with his Algerian co-criminals / terrorists; yet he was free to plan all sorts of terrorist attacks in Montreal. Many on the IRB board are simply Liberal appointment hacks--and with some of them carrying heavy left-wing ideological baggage. This Augean stable must be cleansed. Could Harper play Hercules?

However, the Liberals have ruled for so long they don't think there is anything to reform. If they thought it up, it must be true to Canadian values. They are still allowing that albatross, the Gun Registry, to continue, despite it ballooning costs and general uselessness. Still, the people must awaken to the fact that there is a 'reality show' in the works, one that they won't want to see
© Bud Talkinghorn. Believe me, the Liberals really, really don't want to see it either. They will have so much to answer for.

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Freedom of Speech: Dangerous Territory, BC Teachers Assn. & Chris Kempling

You do not have to be a practising Christian, even a believer, to realize that this is moving into very dangerous territory. Read these and then think about it.

If you are a believer, then you must realize, already, where this is moving. Chris Kempling could lose his livelihood for expressing his personal views. It happens to be on same sex marriage but what will happen to you when it is on another topic about which you feel strongly.

"First they came for the Jews . . . " will become "First they came for the Christians . . . " and those who are not Christian will be relieved that they were not involved . . . and then . . .

Before you scoff, read on.




Provencher MP Vic Toews on Chris Kempling's Appearance at the Invitiation of the House of Commons Committee on Bill C-38 in June, 2005

Mr. Ed Napier
Superintendent of Schools
School District #28 (Quesnel)
401 North Star Road
Quesnel, BC V2J 5K2


20 July, 2005

Dear Mr. Napier;

It has been brought to my attention that Mr. Chris Kempling, a suspended employee of the Quesnel School District, has been sent a letter expressing the district’s intention to investigate his appearance and testimony before a House of Commons Committee on Bill C-38 in June, 2005.

I would like to advise you that it was my suggestion that Mr. Kempling be requested to appear before the committee, and was formally invited by the Clerk, Mr. Jean-Francois Pagé, after the committee members unanimously approved the suggestion.

In fact, the committee agreed that Mr. Kempling would bring a unique perspective to the issues that arose during our studying of same-sex marriage legislation, particularly as his case with the school district pertains to freedom of conscience and freedom of religion in Canada.

In conclusion, I would like to express my deep concern about the possibility that Mr. Kempling could be disciplined for complying with a formal request of the committee to attend these hearings in Ottawa. Please keep me informed of further developments in this case, and feel free to contact me if you have any questions on this matter.

Sincerely,



Vic Toews, MP for Provencher
Conservative Justice Critic

cc: Members of the Special Legislative Committee on C-38
Mr. Irwin Cotler, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
Mr. Chris Kempling

Thank you, MP Vic Toews for this and for standing up for justice. NJC



Background:

There is a suggestion that Chris Kempling could lose his licence to teach.

Columbia Parents and Teachers for Life -- Standing up for Parents' and Teachers' Rights -- or particular posts, such as:

A Summary of Events Related to the Chris Kempling Case (last updated June 14, 2005)

The British Columbia College of Teachers (BCCT), in May of 2002, pronounced Kempling, a public-school teacher and counsellor, guilty of "conduct unbecoming a member." His "offence"? Criticizing aspects of the pro-homosexuality program of the British Columbia Teachers' Federation. This criticizing had been done in his own time outside of the school setting.

Check for the rest.



Teacher Suspended Three Months for Defending Traditional Marriage



Religious Freedom in Canada -- DR. CHRIS KEMPLING


Analysis of Kempling case

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Late Tour

I just heard that two more bomb related suspects had been picked up by London, UK police.



Buying a new car?

Malcolm Bricklin, of the gull-winged Bricklin and infamy in NB, went on to introduce the Subaru into North America. Now, he's going to be promoting the Chery out of China.

Is it treasonous to North America's automobile industry to even consider buying. How much of this car was stolen via high level Chinese who owned part of or worked at GM? You do have a choice. You may pull a car-buyer's lowest price WalMart shopping spree

OR

You may consider the implications and reconsider price as the most important value. It is your country, your choice, and down the line, maybe your job on the line. I choose not to feed the Dragon.



Look ma, no hans CBC, Martin O'Malley

"with global warming threatening – promising? – to transform the High Arctic into northern versions of Florida and Louisiana, places like Nunavut, Greenland and Hans Island are beginning to look like solid investments in the future." [. . . . ]

Pot grow ops may be considered a 'scourge' to Min. Anne McLellan, but not all agree.
Newsbrief: Mountie Murders Shift Canada Marijuana Debate Rightward Even Though Grow-Up Link Tenuous 3/11/05

http://stopthedrugwar.org/chronicle/378/mounties.shtml

Public Safety Minister Anne McLellan said it might be time to crack down on marijuana grows. She and Justice Minister Irwin Cotler will "want to take a look at whether we have the right resources being used in the right ways and whether we have the right laws."

Under current Canadian law, marijuana growers can face up to seven years in prison. But in reality, few are sentenced to prison. Under the government's pending decriminalization bill, penalties for grows would be doubled, with some growers facing up to 14 years in prison. Sentiment now appears strong to pass that portion of the legislation, or even strengthen it, though a backlash to the use of the Mounties' death to push an anti-marijuana position may be growing. [. . . . ]

Let the army bust the grow-ops Martin O'Malley, CBC, Mar.4, 05

At least one generation of Canadians knows the line, "The state has no business in the bedrooms of the nation." Pierre Elliott Trudeau made it famous, but the line belongs to Martin O'Malley . . . .

[. . . . ] The grow-ops clearly are out of control and the police do not have the resources to handle it.

[. . . . ] If Toronto Mayor Mel Lastman could bring in the army to clear snow from Toronto streets in 1999, can't we expect at least as much effort to clean up an illegal operation that is raging out of control and growing exponentially across the country? [. . . . ]

The product is illegal; if police ignore the illegal grow-ops or are too underfunded to do what is required, what does that do for the idea of law and order? Which province is more pro-pot than the rest? Which province looks upon criminals more as societal victims than as law breakers? Which province has determined the scizoid response to justice? The puff-ball sentences? The catch and release actuality?




"of Pakistani origin but born and brought up in this country"
London faces lockdown to thwart third terror Aug. 1, 05, Times Online, via wnd.com,

THOUSANDS of police marksmen will be on London’s streets and rooftops again today after warnings that another team of suicide bombers is plotting a third attack on the capital. [. . . . ]

Chertoff warns of nuclear terror -- Homeland Security secretary sees WMD threat as major concern Aug. 1, 05, wnd.com

[. . . . ] U.S., Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said there are far worse security problems facing the country than bombings of mass-transit systems.

In comments during a visit to Lawrence Livermore Laboratory in California this week, Chertoff said the foremost concern for the nation's security now is the threat of a larger chemical, biological or nuclear attack. [. . . . ]

Last month WND and its sister publication, Joseph Farah's G2 Bulletin, reported increasing evidence suggests al-Qaida not only has nuclear weapons in its arsenal, but has smuggled them into the U.S. along with thousands of sleeper operatives

Make a guess on the mosque mentioned. . . . No! You don't say! Impossible!

Check for links to this on WorldNetDaily.com -- another informative and up-to-the-minute news site.

Previous stories with links:

Nunn sees nuke terror threat
White House 'concerned' about al-Qaida drug link
How Osama bought bomb
Bin Laden did it, say terror experts
Al-Qaida's U.S. nuclear targets
Who shorted British pound?
Russian WMDs hidden in U.S.?
Tancredo to request al-Qaida nuke briefing
Al-Qaida nukes already in U.S.
Al-Jazeera to look at open U.S. border
Mexico's blind eye to al-Qaida activity
Non-Mex illegal crossing surge
Mexican army escorts border drug-runners
Islam on march south of border
FBI chief warns of aliens from al-Qaida-tied nations
FBI chief warns of aliens from al-Qaida-tied nations
Al-Qaida runs own travel agency
Financial squeeze pushed al-Qaida south of the border
Al-Qaida south of the border?
Terrorist base south of the border
Terrorists active in U.S. 'backyard'
A Mexico cover-up of U.S. terrorist threats?
Defector: Chavez gave $1 million to al-Qaida

StatsCan puts bad numbers on site - twice Dean Beeby, Aug. 1, 05

OTTAWA (CP) - For the second time this year, Statistics Canada has released erroneous trade numbers on its website, further undermining the credibility of federal statistics.

And the agency knew about the latest batch of bad numbers more than 10 days before it alerted the public and media to the problem, according to documents obtained by The Canadian Press.

[. . . . ] Trouble is, the so-called corrected numbers were themselves incorrect [. . . . ]

They've had the problem for more years than you might realize: Topic: 1940's Liberal Lies "See the LIEberals were lying and breaking promises bigtime back then also." tweetypie, July 31, 05 -- and down the same page a bit, rosemarie59, 8/01/2005

This is the whole problem with our Constitution. It was written by lawyers. Oh, sure, popular thought has it that it was 'written by Canadians', but it was Canadian LAWYER politicians, and politicians told by lawyers what to write that wrote it. Lots of work for lawyers is the outcome of that piece of garbage called the Constitution.

After my own heart.



Legislator wants to reward female virgins with university education 20/07/2005, msn.com

KAMPALA, Uganda (AP) - A legislator is offering to pay university fees for girls who are virgins when they graduate from high school, partly in hopes of fighting AIDS. [. . . . ]

Hey, capitalism works!


Only in Canada, you say? What and why "an 800-kilometre detour before it finally moved into Alberta."?

2005 07 11 WFP: Redekop: Farm couple try to earn their living on Clear Lake Jul 12, 2005. Scroll down for it -- via LookSmart's furl -- The ECrampton Politics: Canada Archive

Could have been a chapter out of Atlas Shrugged....

They started a wild-boar-hunting farm in 1997 "as a last-ditch effort" to save their farm. [. . . . ]

It's a hoot! Defend Democracy.org, Foundation for the Defense of Democracies.

What's In a Name? "The W-word is apparently out." -- "Struggle? Fabulous! It'll be a real hit with the "Arab Street" we are so obsessed to impress with our pluperfect sensitivity."

Do not miss the last two paragraphs.


Trade burgeoning: It's the "deep sleep" that interests me -- "produces feelings of excitation and euphoria, inane laughing and eventually a semi-coma or deep sleep"

I love the Western Standard / Shotgun. There are such good writers. McCarthy was right, er, correct . . . again Burkean Canuck, July 31, 05, via Shotgun, and another here, Puts Adscam into perspective



Excuse du jour -- "Toronto has been ablaze with gunfire for days. . . . " Ezra Levant, Shotgun, July 31, 2005 -- Trackback

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Canada: Political "Refugee" Connected to Bomb Suspect, UN: Bolton, Friedman: Drugs, Natives, North & Language, Bud: Film Review

Bomb suspect has brother in Canada: police CTV.ca News Staff

[. . . . ] Osman Hussain, an Ethiopian-born British citizen, has a brother living in Canada, according to Italian police.

Police say Abdulahai Isaac, one of the suspect's four brothers, went to Canada in 1996 from Italy. He was reportedly given landed immigrant status as a political refugee. [. . . . ]

Canada's undocumented aliens don't lie or use false documents

. . . so we're safe.

No checks as fugitive fled UK -- Hussain Osman aka Hamdi Isaac. . ." Robert Winnett and David Leppard, July 31, 05

Britain's border controls were under fire last night after it emerged that one of the suspected July 21 suicide bombers fled abroad five days after the attempted attacks.

[. . . . ] The Italian interior ministry said Osman, who lived in London with a girlfriend and three children, had an Italian residence permit that had expired in 1996. On the form he had specified his nationality as Ethiopian. Ethiopians are not normally eligible for asylum in Britain. [. . . . ]

Unfortunately, Britain had stopped checking the passports of those exiting.




John Bolton: Bush makes US Ambassadorial Appointment

Tough? A straight shooter? Going to work to reform the UN? All reasons for the Parrish mouth to open and CBC to criticize? Check the reports today. Also, check Claudia Rosset's latest news on the UN.




Milton Friedman on Drugs July 30, 2005 -- an excerpt of the interview published in The Queen's University Journal: ("Friedman and Freedom") Shotgun

The War on Drugs

Peter Jaworski: In a 1972 Newsweek article, I'm shifting topics here, you compared alcohol prohibition to the current prohibition of drugs. Now you wrote then that the War on Drugs has caused more problems than it's solved, and that drugs should be legal. Do you still feel this way?

Milton Friedman: Absolutely!

PJ: Even hard drugs—cocaine, heroin? [. . . . ]

See the comments, for example, (Legalizing dope in an otherwise out-of-control-welfare state . . . . When cocaine and opium were legal)

There should be honest, open debate, not an effort to buy votes by appealing to those, mostly youth, who would like marijuana decriminalized.

Just for the record Michael Cust, it was the Democrats in the US and the Liberals in Canada who made marijuana a criminal offense in the first place.

[. . . . ] This is the History of Marijuana Prohibition Law in the US and it's [sic] motives:

http://www.druglibrary.org/schaffer/History/whiteb1.htm

Liberty on the long weekend Stephen Taylor, July 31, 2005 and there are several comments worth reading.

[. . . .] I remember thinking, when I was younger, that stores that sold items promoting marijuana use (pot lighters, pot t-shirts) should face sanctions. After all, these stores, in my opinion, were promoting a lifestyle that is arguably detrimental to society. When I grew up, I realized that individual choice (of adults) in a truly free society trumps what any tyrannical child might impose otherwise. In the end, if we wanted to benefit society, the government would raise our children in state-run daycares, give us all government jobs, ban alcohol and caffeine, and would mandate daily exercise. But then in what kind of country would we live? It all sounds rather socialist to me. . . .

Sounds like Canada, to me. The government just hasn't got around to banning alcohol yet. Give them time.

A comment from maz2, July 31, 2005 from the Shotgun

All's not equal in realm of religion

When Canadian Islamic leaders called a press conference at the Masjid Mosque in Toronto last week to issue a joint statement denouncing terrorism, the woman who is president of the Muslim Canadian Congress was prohibited from entering the mosque by the front door...

So much for women's equality, even in Canada. Then, of course, there is the fact that women cannot become RC priests. I have heard an explanation -- that women don't have to join the RC Church if they don't agree; however, women lose their families when they choose to go their own way, in many cases, just as Muslim women do. Then there is the "death" in the family which comes after some Jews choose to marry non-Jews; I believe this is limited and does not apply to all Jews. For Muslim women today and for Roman Catholic women of the past, leaving the family's church and beliefs means losing the family and community in the sense of one's social group. It's more complicated for those with children.

For some, it has been worth it. There's nothing like a little spate of no family and no community to put one's priorities and liberty into perspective. It's not necessarily a loss; some discover the advantages of the solitary life when they realize what "belonging" to anyone or any group entails. . . in rounding one's corners.




Advantage, China -- In This Match, They Play Us Better Than We Play Them James McGregor, Sunday, July 31, 2005; B01

[. . . . ] Chinese pity comes from their belief that we are a country in decline. More than a few Chinese friends have quoted to me the proverb fu bu guo san dai (wealth doesn't make it past three generations) as they wonder how we became so ill-disciplined, distracted and dissolute. The fury surrounding Monica-gate seemed an incomprehensible waste of time to a nation whose emperors were supplied with thousands of concubines. Chinese are equally astonished that Americans are allowing themselves to drown in debt and under-fund public schools while the media focus on fights over feeding tubes, displays of the Ten Commandments and how to eat as much as we can without getting fat.

China is all about unity, focus and leverage. Chinese officials and business executives are obsessed with a single question: What advantage do I have over you? No surprise then that Chinese officials are delighted to be funding ever larger portions of America's budget deficit. [. . . . ]

Failed marriage costs man $10,700 a day -- 'Good investment' for women: lawyer July 30, 05, Catriona Davies The Daily Telegraph

You just have to read it. Unbelievable. The moral of the story is: to protect your wealth, don't marry, and forget about having anyone live with you. It's all the same now.

Mr. Miller's lawyer said his client would have been better off if he had knocked her down with his car. "If she had suffered severe injuries -- brain damage and losing the ability to have children -- at the most the damages would be (ps)2-million [$4.3-million]," Lewis Marks told the court. [. . . . ]

Activist justices not in Canada alone, it seems. Remember the case of a man forced to support a disabled or severely ill ex-wife? A father (doctor?) forced to pay for expensive schooling after a divorce when the case was re-visited. Nothing ends, now. Check on the details but divorce and even parenthood have responsibilities long past the end of what you thought was a clean-cut divorce or a child had reached majority. Then there are the natives . . . . .


Update: Yesterday, I posted

Arctic Sovereignty, Self-Government in the North, Climate Change Migration, Political Correctness & Security -- Hans Island the tip of iceberg in Arctic claims -- "what's really at stake is Canadian sovereignty over more important sites in the Arctic." CTV.ca News Staff -- and related items

http://frosthitstherhubarb.blogspot.com/2005/07/
arctic-sovereignty-self-government-in.html

See:

climate change-driven migration

natives' "self-government" under "The Return of the Vikings -- New Challenges for the Control of the Canadian North" by Rob Heubert Ph.D

I wonder how much native programs are costing Canadians, as programs burgeon.

Language -- Nunavut . . .

Innovation -- Aboriginal Literacy Programs -- Learning Aboriginal Languages -- Inuktitut in Paris? June 29, 05

As for the revival of northern native languages--those implemementing this have had to search for elders and the few who still speak them, even prepare dictionaries. What is the purpose and for whose benefit? Is it expected these will better the lives of natives in the face of the horrors particularly for the children of lives that begin surrounded by drink and drugs? Follow the language czar and the language industry. Then, there is the development of the North.

In the section: "Security: Food & Pandemic, Torture, China Spies--Threats & Intimidation in Canada -- Kyoto-North, PM, Business -- Inuktituk & Global Commerce? & More" search Inuktituk & Global Commerce?, see articles:

"Canada's North and Security Global warming opens Northwest Passage Levon Sevunts, Washington Times, June 13, 05"

Canadian Research in the North -- "international cooperation"

CHAPTER 8 - SUPPORTING SCIENTIFIC, EDUCATIONAL AND CULTURAL COOPERATION IN THE ARCTIC

The Canadian North: Embracing Change -- pdf -- Centre for Research and Information on Canada (CRIC) -- Search: "promoting of the Inuktitut language and culture"

You might want to look at the photos linked to from: "Would you do business with these guys?" while you're at it.

Canada's Aboriginals:

Another Idea Killing natives with good intentions editorial, Feb. 27, 2004 with links to other articles.

On Tuesday, bureaucrats announced $10-billion in additional federal spending. Among the increases: $800-million for aboriginal programs, bringing the total native allocation to $8-billion. [. . . . ]

Quit terror war base, Uzbekistan dictator orders US special forces Alec Russell in Washington (Filed: 01/08/2005)

Tashkent has given American forces 180 days to leave the Karshi-Khanabad base, a key staging post and hub for American troops fighting in Afghanistan and trying to track down al-Qa'eda fighters. [. . . . ]

Canada accepted dozens of Communist defectors Jim Bronskill, via Newsbeat1

Canadian officials did not agree on a formal definition of a defector until 1958.

It was decided that a Soviet or satellite bloc citizen who, "without the knowledge and approval of his government," sought admission to Canada and was deemed to have "considerable intelligence value" could be accepted as a defector - either to exploit his knowledge or as a means of co-operating with a friendly intelligence service. [. . . . ]

Does this have relevance in the situation of the defectors from China in the last month or two?




What ever happened to Bill Murray?--Somehow his acting got lost in the translation.

I gave Bill Murray one last chance when I watched Lost in Translation. "Two thumbs up!" was the general tenor of the numerous critics, who touted this complete yawn of a movie. One did say, "Murray is even better than he was in the Rushmore film. That should have been a tip-off, as that frilm was a bigger fraud than this one. They did have in common the same stupifying performance by Murray, but the plots were totally different--albeit as devoid of energy as the wooden Murray. Forget Murray (see, that was easy) and realize that Tokyo was the star. Draped in neon, the city took on a surrealistic aura. It was like a being inside a giant pinball machine. Occasionally, Scarlette would visit some nook of tranquility to remind us that this was the home of Zen. Nevertheless, her big scene was her bouncing around in her panties. Damn good thing too, as her acting was as vacuous as Murray's.

So how did a movie that should come with a health tag saying: "Video may also be used as a sleep aid.", gets such great critical hype? Were all those critics as jet-lagged, and besotted as Murray? Or are their own lives so top-heavy with ennui, that it seemed like the story of their lives? Did they all have crashing hang-overs when they reviewed it, and give it accolades because it contained no nerve-jangling tension whatsoever? It can't be that they could read any drama into the film. The shots of Murray being directed by the Japanese guy were mildly amusing, but not much to hang a movie on. I would like to make some cuttting edge comparisons between Lost in Translation and Rushmore. However I can't, because the latter film left not a trace of its plot; only the vague memory of a deadpan Murray saying nothing of interest. I consider myself a chap who can get some of the nuances of a "subtle" film. However, a mockumentary of insomnia is not nuanced. Moreover, I've had more jet-lagged symptoms in Honolulu than Murray displayed in Tokyo (I've been jet-lagged there too). Jet-lag where your waking hours are 4 p.m. to 6 a.m -- By the afternoon, the rains had ruined the beach scene, but you sure get to observe some strange folk at 3 a.m. in Waikiki. Anyway, Murray looked more bagged than jet-lagged to me.

I am now much more leery of the "Ten best movies of the year" lists. Some are complete duds. The latest (and my last) Murray film is an example of a frightful trend in the arts. It was right up there with the last Turner Art Prize, where the winning "artist" rigged up a light bulb that went on and off in a bare room. The year before it went to a a woman who showed us an unmade bed after a wild sex romp. The Turner Prize is the art equivalent of the Academy awards. -- My final critque of Lost in Translation. "Two thumbs down! Way down!"

© Bud Talkinghorn--If you are terminally bored and want imaginary company, than rent this movie. If you really enjoyed it, then let me recommend that classic eight hour Warhol movie, Sleep.

Comment

I wish another film would come along as evocative of the era as "The Last Shooting Party" set in a UK country house pre-World War 1 -- but my taste still is stuck more in the nineteenth century, along with twentieth century gems such as this one. Many of the best films I watch are on the History Channel, Vision TV (yes) or a product of Bollywood. Try "Monsoon Wedding". I loved "Bend it like Beckham" which is not Bollywood -- simply delightful. -- A young UK Indian woman who wants to be a soccer player, a really good one, and her family who want her to be a traditional woman, marry in a traditional wedding . . . the usual parental wishes, with the clash of cultures that ensue and a melding of the two. NJC

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Arctic Sovereignty, Self-Government in the North, Climate Change Migration, Political Correctness & Security

Hans Island the tip of iceberg in Arctic claims -- "what's really at stake is Canadian sovereignty over more important sites in the Arctic." CTV.ca News Staff

[. . . ] If sea ice continues to thin due to climate change, the Northwest Passage will eventually open up as a major shipping route. More and more, the U.S. and other countries believe that the Arctic waters are international waters -- as is the case in the Antarctic.

[. . . . ] The fact that Canada hasn't had the resources to conduct surveillance in the area, and track down these submarines, diminishes the Ottawa's claim to sovereignty. [. . . . ]

Search: unidentified submarines , about to change



Related:

CSIS: Climate Change, Migration and Security by Robert McLeman and Barry Smit, Winter 2003 (CSIS: March 2, 2004, COMMENTARY No. 86)

Based on previous experience, the hockey stick graph, for example, I would like to know what other scientists think of the information and graphs. These might be of interest:

6. Forms of climate change-driven migration
9. Characteristics of climate change migrants
10. Implications for the security and intelligence community
11. Illustrative cases: Climate change and migration patterns in China and Pakistan

How long do you suppose it would take the government to sell out to the highest bidder and promises of votes? Maybe in return for . . . well, read on; then think about it.



The Return of the Vikings -- New Challenges for the Control of the Canadian North By Rob Heubert Ph.D, (Originally Published in Vol VII, No. 21, Winter 2002/2003 edition of Starshell)

Dr. Rob Heubert is a member of Calgary Branch, and an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Calgary. He is also the Associate Director of the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies.

[. . . . ] First, Canadians need to be concerned about the precedent that will be established by an unfavourable resolution of this dispute. Most Canadians may believe that the territorial integrity of Canada is complete and without challenge. This is not true. There are now two other current boundary disputes (not counting Hans Island) and one potential boundary dispute in the Canadian north. The United States still maintains that the Northwest Passage is an international strait and not internal waters as Canada claims; and the northern maritime boundary between Alaska and Yukon is disputed. The possibility also exists that Canada and Russia may have overlapping claims for the continental shelf in the high Arctic. [. . . . ]

N.W.T. park expanding Updated Sun, 31 Jul 2005, CBC News

Tuktut Nogait National Park in the Northwest Territories, centred on tundra where 100,000 caribou bear their young, will expand by 1,800 square kilometres on Monday.

[. . . . ] Tuktut Nogait, 170 kilometres north of the Arctic Circle, totals 16,340 square kilometres, the Parks Canada website says. [. . . . ]

What does "self-government" mean? Who makes decisions? Natives only or does this include non-natives living within the territory? Where does decision-making / self-government fit into the federal, provincial, municipal or districts outside the cities? Is it another level of government? If so, subject to whom? To what level of government . . . or is that something that will be handled outside Parliament, perhaps by the PMO?

Who pays? If taxpayers, does this ever end? Who owns the subsurface resources? Do the rest of Canada and Canadians have any input to make or is this one of those deals that didn't come before Parliament like the latest one made by Min. Andy Scott with one or more groups of natives?

Self-government usually means you earn, as well as decide how to spend, your income.



N.W.T. band moves closer to self-government Aug. 24, 03, CBC

[. . . . ] "The agreement, building on the Sahtu Dene and Métis Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement signed in 1998, gives the community law-making powers in several areas, including education, health, social services, justice, language and culture."

Think about the implications. I have posted previously on promotion of natives' languages. Is this the most important use of time and resources when the lives of natives are so abysmal, from all reports? Will this help them succeed nationally or globally? Economically?

Apropos of nothing . . . or perhaps not, why was Dyane Adam, Minister of Official Languages visiting China -- a year or two ago? Surely not checking on the use of French in Canada's embassy in Beijing alone. Ms. Adam is the minister taxed with language which usually means enforcement and promotion of French -- Is her mandate about to expand? Has it already? Note the Quebec and Paris connection in promotion of native language(s) in Labrador. It began years ago. I posted on it within the last three months. Think about it. Do you see a further breakdown of anything unifying Canada? To whose benefit?




B.C. truck companies to vote on tentative deal Aug. 31, 05, CBC

It includes an immediate increase in hauling rates and a fuel surcharge. It also proposes rate hikes again next year.

Did Paul Martin praise you for taking a stand against terrorism? -- Is loyalty not normally the job of a citizen? Walking on eggs, Paul?



The Problem with Political Correctness.....When the Profile Fits the Crime Paul Sperry, published July 28, 05, New York Times, posted by Joan C

IN response to the serial subway bombings in London, Mayor Michael Bloomberg prudently ordered the police to start searching the bags of New York's subway riders. But there will be absolutely no profiling, Mr. Bloomberg vowed: the police will select one out of every five passengers to search, and they will do so at random, without regard for race or religion.

In that case, the security move is doomed to fail.

Young Muslim men bombed the London tube, and young Muslim men attacked New York with planes in 2001. From everything we know about the terrorists who may be taking aim at our transportation system, they are most likely to be young Muslim men. Unfortunately, however, this demographic group won't be profiled. Instead, the authorities will be stopping Girl Scouts and grannies in a procedure that has more to do with demonstrating tolerance than with protecting citizens from terrorism. [. . . . ]

Search: young men praying to Allah and smelling like flower water , why two grandmothers were chosen for a pat-down (in a letter below the article)

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