July 29, 2006: Various

Ottawa poised to axe scholarships Graham Fraser, Jul. 28, 2006. 05:15 AM

OTTAWA—The Harper government is poised to cancel federal funding for Canadian international academic programs, including Canadian participation in the Fulbright program, one of the most prestigious international scholarships.

[....] Programs at risk include: $5 million for Commonwealth Scholarships; $600,000 for the Fulbright Foundation; support for the Canada-China Scholars Exchange Program; a program encouraging Mexican students to study in Canada; and all funding for Canadian studies programs abroad. [Does anyone see anything Liberal political about some of these ... or is it just me? I'm thinking of one linking UNBSJ with Beijing, e.g. Fujian and agriculture. I wrote about it in Jan. I think.]

[....] University of Toronto political scientist Stephen Clarkson called the decision "a radical shift" in Canadian policy. [Isn't he the ex-husband of Liberal Adrienne Clarkson, ex-GG? ....]

As well, [Senator Hugh] Segal said, "the Commonwealth scholarships ... link for Canada — not only to the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand, but also to the developing world, India and Pakistan."

Perhaps Canada should re-think certain programs. Is it time to ask why the taxpayers, the little people--the carpenters, plumbers, electricians, shop owners, clerks, etc.--are funding academics for travel and study, anyway. Do they get a say in this ... or does their vote open the taxpayer money vault to whatever Industry Canada decides to fund? I love the idea of travelling and studying ... have done a little of it myself and paid for it myself ... but I wonder if taxpayers find this funding entirely fair to them and their own children who must go into debt to get a first degree. When does it stop? Who gets these perquisites?



This has come from more than one source (thanks, W and J), a letter from Mike in Manitoba. He said to pass it on.

I just had to write this to get it off my chest. You may or may not agree with my sentiments however they are my opinions.

I was watching CBC news coverage this morning of the events concerning the returns of Lebanese-canadians. You'll note I did not capitalize the word Canadians when referring to these people as it was evident by their comments that they consider themselves to be Lebanese first and Canadians second. The more I watched the madder I got and I ended up turning off the television.

A host of the returnees to Canada were complaining about the Canadian Governments and its slow response. Some of the returnees commented that Canada should be ashamed of itself for it's slow response in getting them out. One person complained about taking 11 hours to get to Cyrpress and also complained about the sandwiches that they were given. I was stunned at the ingratitude of the people being interviewed. Considering the logistics involved in getting thousands of people out of Lebanon I think the Canadian Government and other governments did well.

I got to thinking about the situation and came to the conclusion that Canada now seems to be a land of opportunists, not opportunity. The only two people in my family who got a free trip to Europe were my dad and my uncle Charlie who were shipped overseas to serve in World War 11. No-one asked most of these people to go to Lebanon so a free trip back with minor inconveniences is a good deal. Better than being dead I suppose

Here is the deal. I will arrange to pay for a trip back to war torn Lebanon for any Lebanese- Canadian ingrate who agrees to the following.

If you feel ashamed of Canada and it's response you should renounce your Canadian Citizenship, pay back the government of Canada for the free services you received when you came here such as medical, dental, education, job start programs, housing, ESL classes, business venture grants etc. and for those going back to live in Lebanon give up your CPP benefits ( a great many Canadians are ignorant about the programs your tax dollar is paying for). As I stated earlier Canada seems to be the land of opportunists. I wonder what the percentage would be of these ingrates serving in our Armed Forces?

Now, you might view me as a radical and a bigot. That is your opinion. The above is mine. I am one of many CANADIANS who are just fed up with the ingratitude of some and the milking of our government by others. It's about time that people stood up and said enough is enough. Political correctness is a way to stifle people from speaking how they feel and in some cases speaking what is the truth. Affirmative action is nothing more than reverse discrimination. As I stated earlier I am fed up with the hyphenation of Canadian citizenship. You are either a Canadian or you are not one.

I intend on sending this letter to my M.P. and anyone else I can think of. If you agree with me please pass this on, if not, then press delete.

Mike Crawford
A Canadian from Winnipeg Mb.

"Entitled"

Lorne Gunter's Blog: The evacuees are STILL ungrateful
www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/comment/blog/gunter.html?post=3982

[....] It is obvious most of these evacuees have drunk too heavily from the fountain of entitlement that has gushed in Canada for immigrants and native-born citizens alike over the past 40 years. They now just take it for granted that a) they have a right to have everything go right all the time, regardless of where they go or what they do, b) that government has an obligation to correct everything that goes wrong, c) immediately, and d) that someone else will pay for all their personal choices and mistakes.

Have these evacuees never seen or read anything of the millions who fled Europe in advance of the Nazi or Soviet takeovers? [....]

Is anyone surprised?

U.N. Employee Is Charged With Drug Smuggling -- khat Joseph Goldstein, NY Sun, July 27, 2006

A U.N. employee used U.N. diplomatic pouches to smuggle illegal drugs as part of a ring that brought 25 tons of contraband into New York in the past year and a half, federal prosecutors and the FBI said yesterday.

[....] Prosecutors say Mr. Osman Osman, a Somali citizen who had been employed at the United Nations for 29 years, was an important cog in the largest khat trafficking enterprise America has known. Forty-four defendants were named in yesterday's indictment, and 14 were still at large, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's office said.

Khat is an evergreen shrub grown along the Horn of Africa. Chewing the leaves has long been a custom in the countries of the region. Immigrants have brought the habit to America, where the active chemical in the leaf is as illegal as heroin. The trafficking ring exposed yesterday was responsible for importing more than $10 million worth of khat since the end of 2004, according to the indictment. A portion of the proceeds were sent back to Europe and the United Arab Emirates, in order to repay khat producers, according the indictment. [....]

Jed Babbin: Media Miras July 27, 2006
www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2006/07/media_miras.html

[....] As the fervency of the media's liberalism increases, the number of people who comprise their audience shrinks.

[....] The media is a culture, not a conspiracy. They are precisely what they claim they are not: political activists, not journalists. [....]

The Spirit of Man: Photos -- Pro Israel rally in Toronto -- Video

thespiritofman.blogspot.com/2006/07/pro-israel-rally-in-toronto-photos.html

www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQBGQsduNQ0

[....] I talked to some Rabbis and told them I am an Iranian supporting Israel in its war against evil forces and I did explain to some fellows and Rabbis in the gathering that not all Iranian people support these terrorists and they were really surprised to find that out. [....]

"Family class"

DNA testing increasingly common for U.S. immigration applications -- e.g. to prove they are related July 27, 06
cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Science/2006/07/27/1706178-ap.html

[....] Genetic tests are playing a larger role in the U.S. immigration process. In some cases, the government is asking for DNA proof of a family connection; in other cases, applicants are offering to be tested in hopes of speeding up a process that often takes years. Either way, the applicant must bear the cost.

Though U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said it does not track how often DNA testing is used in immigration and citizenship cases, testing companies said in recent years they have seen a sharp increase.

Generally, U.S. citizens can petition to bring spouses, parents, children or siblings to the United States, while legal permanent residents can apply for spouses and unmarried children. [....]