Olympic logo

Is it true? The new logo, modelled after an inukshuk, is an Inuit directional marker meaning 'Stay away, danger' ?

Take a look - - -


Ilanaaq

The guy seems to be shouting, "Look out!" Well, they are saying it means 'friend' too. Maybe it means, "Stay away friend, you'll get ripped off here."? They say it represents all of Canada. Seems to look like that clunky stone guy in Sinbad the Sailor. Not too athletic.
There are no Inuit tribes in BC.

---

Here is the old logo - - -


Bid logo

Do you see a Maple Leaf? Canada. Do you see the sea? Do you see white capped mountains? Sea to Sky. Do you see flowing motion? Do you see British Columbia vibrancy?

Which do you like better?

Hmmmm .... Well doesn't this Inuit logo once again PROVE that Gordon Campbell and his cronies are totally AGAINST British Columbians? He awarded Mexicans the winning design logo representing the Arctic Territories. Why doesn't he just ban BCers from competing in everything?
Wait a minute .... I think he has ...

More dole for friends of friends?

Did anyone know this? BC Hydro has this contract for collections with a company called CBV Collection Services. This company's contract runs for 35 YEARS! Done in 2002. Recently revealed by BC Hydro spokesperson, Elisha Moreno. Wouldn't you like to know more about that kind of deal?
Who would solicit or sign such a long term deal? Why?
(Are the Campbell Liberals using the 990 year deal giving away BC Rail to foreigners as the gauge for acceptance?)
Already the CBV collections people are insulting the public and causing problems. As in the collector guy on the phone calling the straight guy on the other end a 'queer' while trying to get a bill paid.
So what if this company needs to be fired? Are we going to have to pay them off for 32 years of NON work? Is this a Paul Martin/Jean Chretien sponsorship scandal shaping up in our own BC Liberals?
Does Gordon Campbell have more 'friends' with this company?
What gives? 35 years is WAY too long to grant ANY contracts for ANY company.

Lebanon has a vial of deadly flu virus!

A deadly flu virus, the H2N2 pathogen, shipped from the USA to labs around the world, is being held in Beirut, Lebanon. Apparantly this virus was MISTAKENLY sent out by the College of American Pathologists, says the World Health Organization. Other samples of the virus which killed about 4 million people in 1957, have been 'reported' to have been destroyed.
Wha?
BEIRUT? Why in hell was it sent there? Where else did they decide to send a deadly virus? Iran? North Korea? Iraq? Sheeeez, they can't blame Saddam for this one. Did anyone get fired? I sure hope so but nothing has been said, so far.
In a time when ANY virus is a potential terroist aquisition, where was security? Forget the borders, Homeland Security, Mexicans are just looking for jobs, you've got stupid people sending death stuff from within your country? Many labs across the US also received this flu virus. And they haven't all reported destruction.
Don't pathologists study dead people?
Aren't we dying quick enough for them?

http://www.healthcentral.com/news/NewsFullText.cfm?id=1506135

World Championship & Todd Bertuzzi

Last time we had this World Championship, wimpy Wayne Gretsky wouldn't allow Todd Bertuzzi to play because he said, "He is under suspension by the NHL." At that time, many wondered if the NHL was controlling these so-called World Championships. Gretsky showed his loyalty to a professional organization instead of his country, Canada.
(Could it have had anything to do with Marc Crawford NOT putting Gretsky into that shoot-out scenario a few years ago?)
Now we have it again, and Steve Tambellini also would not choose Todd Bertuzzi for that team. Again because of a suspension by a league that is not, in effect, even there. Now we hear that Gary Bettman, the head of the non existant NHL, said that the tournament has nothing to do with the NHL. And they will have a hearing regarding Bertuzzi later. So Steve Tambellini must be able to allow Bertuzzi to play for his country if it has nothing to do with the non existant NHL.
Todd Bertuzzi should tell the NHL to take a hike, go and play in Europe where someone wants him. He could make a lot of money there, enough for anyone's needs. Everyone is positioning for the civil lawsuit that Moore and his lawyer parents will surely bring, but why wait? Everyone else is sucking up to the NHL, doesn't mean Bertuzzi has to.
Get on with your life, Todd, and leave the toadies of the NHL in your ice shavings. They chose Scott Walker over you.

Advertising silliness ... 6 - Shaw Cable

So they have this ad on TV right now, characters dressed up as Pop-up Guy, Spy Guy and Virus Guy, all trying to get into your computer system ... they are repelled by Shaw Cable's firewalls etc. At the end they show a house plugged into cable.
A little text over says, 24/7/365, denoting twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year protection for your puter with Shaw.
"Zo, " Oiving says, "Vhat is dat? On lip year on febuary tventy-nine, efry four yeahs, ve ain't gonna get no soivice?"

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Flag count

I live in a highrise apartment building right downtown. We can see at least a thousand buildings from our 25th floor. Last year I tried to count Canada flags flying from buildings. There was 1 (one) from the firehall below, and one other on a highrise. This year I recounted, although from a slightly different angle. It was 13 Canada flags and 2 British Columbia flags. I'm not sure if that is encouraging or not. Seems pathetic to me.
Is it the management of the buildings who don't want to buy a flag and fly it? Too expensive? Too much trouble? Too many foreign owned buildings? Is it a comment on our patriotism? Are we, here in our own country, following that silly line about not offending others? Are we proud of our Red Maple Leaf or not? It is a beacon of our sovereignty, and a statement that Canada is the greatest, a symbol of a free people, and an inspiration to artists, writers, poets, old soldiers, immigrants and perhaps a few lost souls treading our soil from sea to sea to sea.

Oh Canada!

Get with it people, get a Canada flag and fly it with pride that Canada is still going it's own way regardless of the so-called 'global' community pressures.
Be proud that the rest of the world looks up to us, because they do. And let the world know you are standing on guard for Canada.

Ex-conversation ...

Reporter - "Mr. Chretien, some people are saying you might be involved in this so-called Sponsorship Scandal, have you anything to say about it?"
Chretien - "I am glad you ask me about dat scandal t'ing. I am hopin' Mr. Martin will get to bottom of dat Brian Mulroney scandal."
Reporter - "Excuse me, Mr. Ex-Prime Minister, but I was talking about the Liberal scandal, not the Conservative one."
Chretien - "If you notice, Mr. smart guy Reporter, dat Mr. Ex-Prime Minister Joe Who, endorse the Liberal party one time before. Even he was ashamed of Mr. Ex-Prime Minister Brian Mulroney's behaviour."
Reporter - "I think you mean Mr. Joe Clark."
Chretien - "Who?"
Reporter - (pause of perplexion) "But Sir, you are ignoring the current Liberal problems, with the testimony of Mr. Brault and all his allegations of corruption using taxpayer’s money.”
Chretien - "We don't had no alligators in Canada."
Reporter - "Pulease."
Chretien - "First t'ings first. People are also wondering where Mr. Ex-Prime Minister Mulroney has been getting all dat money for high living."
Reporter - "But Mr. Chretien, I wanted to ...."
Chretien - "Call me Mr. Ex-Prime Minister .... and everyone wondering if Mila goin' to return dat furniture."
Reporter - "Mr. Ex-Prime Minister, are you denying you have any involvement in this latest scandal?"
Chretien - "I did not say fuddy-duddy, like Mr. Ex-Prime Minister Trudeau. I did not grab Iona Campagnolo's ass like Mr. Ex-Prime Minister John Turner, who did fall into a hole when Mr. Ex-Prime Minister Mulroney appear on da scene. And no one follow Mr. Ex-Prime Minister John anymore. And Mr. Ex-Prime Minister Bordon get all dat war time scandal."
Reporter - “That was in 1917!”
Chretien - “See? I tol’ you so.”
Reporter - “And John Diefenbaker is dead.”
Chretien - “Oui. He die every day on da floor of Parliament.” (chuckle)
Reporter - (sigh) "Sir, er, Mr Ex-Prime Minister, they say that Prime Minister Martin will sacrifice you to hang onto power for the Liberals and ...."
Chretien - "You might as well start calling him Mr. Ex-Prime Minister Martin."
Reporter - "So do you think he'll last as long as Ex-Prime Minister Campbell?"
Chretien - "He was Prime Minister?"
Reporter - "KIM Campbell. SHE lasted almost 6 full months. She had no time to get into a scandal."
Chretien - "Merde. Damn Westerners."
Reporter - "She might have been honest."
Chretien - "You know, I am proud I send Mr. Ex-Prime Minister Campbell to work wit’ dem morons sout' of da border."
Reporter - (bigger sigh) You aren't going to answer anything about the current scandal, are you Sir?"
Chretien - "Montreal Canadienne not doing too good dis year."
Reporter - "Yes, I hear Serge Savard is even implicated. And there IS no hockey this year.”
Chretien - “Dat is not hockey. Dem new guy still got all dere teet’.”
Reporter - "One last question, Sir ...."
Chretien - "Mr. Ex-Prime Minister."
Reporter - "Mr. Ex-Prime Minister, when Mr. Martin falls in disgrace, who will be the next leader of Canada?"
Chretien - "Gilles Duceppe."
Reporter - “Thank you Mr. Ex-Prime Minister.”
Chretien - "Mercy."

9 out of 10 prefer Liberals

In a recent study undertaken by ourselves, we discovered 9 out of 10 groups prefer the liberal government of Gordon Campbell for many reasons.
The question: Who can say they'll fare better with another liberal government in British Columbia?
The answers:
1 - Maximus. This American corporation will continue to do well with more Gordon Campbell. Through a Canadian subsidiary, they have access to all our MSP and Pharmacare records, including medical reports, psychological reports, family status and history, date of birth, income, financial history and employment income, etc ad naseum. This will keep them in good stead with Homeland Security in the USA.
2 - Accenture Ltd, an American company operating in Hamilton, Bermuda (to avoid American taxes) will also do better with Gordon Campbell because they stand a good chance of getting Gordon to privatize more of BC Hydro, and they'll be running it and be able to put prices up to 'global levels' ignoring the fact that British Columbians, who once owned BC Hydro should benefit from having the lowest cost hydro power in North America.
3 - Flensburger Shipbuilding, the German company which has the contract to build 3 new ships for BC Ferries will continue to do well from BC Liberals, who are spending 500 million dollars on those ferries, of which, not one penny will go to British Columbia ship workers and their families to spend in BC. Premier Campbell of course ignoring the fact that the former ferries, fast or not, were built by local BC shipbuilders.
4 - Mystery company in Poland, which evidently has the contract to build another ship for BC Ferries. It will of course, be announced AFTER an election because, as even a liberal said, "It just don't look so good." They will do better with Gordon Campbell.
5 - Out of Province owners of BC Rail, (the name probably soon to be changed so that BC people won't think they still own it, as what happened to BC Gas = Terasen Gas, also involved with Accenture) They will continue to do well under Gordon Campbell because they'll be able to discontinue services for small BC towns while hooking up with America at Alaska, consequently giving the Americans what they've wanted for years; the ability to ship "goods" from Alaska to America without allowing inspection of freight travelling through British Columbia.
6 - Unethical large employers who can now use a training wage of $6.00 per hour with a minimum 2 hour day, instead of the minimum wage of $8.75 and a 4 hour minimum to 'test and train' employees for suitability for employment. Except of course that it seems none of them ever work out when the deadline arrives to pay them higher amounts and they have to be let go. Those companies are thanking Gordon Campbell.
7 - US Homeland Security and the Patriot Act will continue to do well under Gordon Campbell as he sends more private data about British Columbians to American companies. And there's more privatization in the works. Under the US Patriot Act, no company can withhold information about you, nor does this clandestine branch of the US Government have to reveal they even recorded your information.
8 - Foreign Fish Farm owners will do very well with another Liberal government and Gordon Campbell. They'll be able to continue ignoring any reasonable scientific reports on the dangers of fish farm salmon or the devastation of BC wild salmon stocks and get on with growing pen-fed Atlantic salmon which is advised not to be eaten by children or pregnant women. Did you know it was coloured? Sort of an "Agent Orange" colour.
9 - The Federal Liberals will be happy with Gordon Campbell's provincial liberals remaining in power. They'll be able to continue to send more "organizers" to BC from the Federal ranks, including any new suspected crooks that may be part of Paul Martin's secret cadre right now.

---

10 - And the group who will NOT fare better with another Liberal government; These remaining poor souls were part of the remainder of people who are unlikely to do well under continued management of Gordon Campbell and his "Anybody but BCers" policy =
- Senior citizens that may need long term care and would like to spend their remaining time together
- students and poorer people who need to have hope for better lives
- women in general who are on Mr Campbell's hit lists
- anyone who dares to believe the people of BC have the intelligence, skills, enthusiam and work ethic to make BC the greatest place on earth for PEOPLE and not political friends and foreign corporations.

- unscientific study but feel free to copy and post anyway -

Wondrous accomplishment!

I made a green light at Main and Terminal today.

Pope John Paul II

I am not a Roman Catholic, but I liked the Pope anyway.
Almost as soon as he took the power of his religeon, he began changing the world, Karol Wojtyla who knew peril as a young man at the hands of the Nazis, went right back into Poland and courageously stuck religeon into the face of the communists. And confronted with such a resolute adversary as this single Holy man, they never recovered. Yet he was shot for his efforts by a Turk, supposedly put up to it by the Soviet KGB, who could see that he was a dangerous man challenging their future.


Solidarnosc (Solidarity) was born because John Paul II provided daring leadership and gave his people hope and power, and consequently, oppressed people everywhere shared in that new power. It was not only about religeous freedom, but liberty for all humanity.
In the ensuing years the momentum from that historic and gutsy visit caught hold. He started the chink in the wall that brought down the Iron Curtain and freed most of Eastern Europe from the oppression of a generation of forced communism.
Pope John Paul II gave the people of Poland a new respect while using his religeon for the highest purpose. He gave hope to people of every country. We all owe him big time.
And no one tells Polack jokes anymore either.

Vilma Westerholm 1911 - 2005

Vilma Westerholm, (nee Andersen) died at 93.

Vilma was born Vilma Jensine Dahl in Bodø, Norway, April 21, 1911. After the death of her mother she was separated from her twin sister and at 9 years old she came to Canada with her uncle and beloved aunt, Jette Andersen.
She established her life in Vancouver, attended Strathcona, General Wolfe and John Oliver High Schools. An artist and songwriter and she had several poems published. Vilma married John Westerholm in 1930. She drove a truck during WW II and joined the BC Electric company as a street car conductor in 1944. Vilma became the first female trolley bus driver in BC and was assigned the first regular route, leading the way for other women to follow her success at BC Hydro. Many Vancouverites will remember her ever present camera and her cheerful attitude while piloting the huge electric bus on the Stanley Park run for years.
Vilma was known as loving, loyal, a valued friend and a fiercely independent woman. She embodied the Norwegian spirit of tackling anything and loved Vancouver. She was also recognized as a Vancouver Pioneer. After a 70 year search Vilma was finally reunited with her sister, Olga, in Bodø, Norway in 1987, escorted there by her grandson, Christopher. Vilma enjoyed good health and a lengthy retirement, driving her own car well into her 80s.

Remembered fondly by many including her sons, Robert and Albert, daughter Jane, grandchildren Chris, Tracy and Sonny, and great grandchildren Jesse, Jordan, Conner and Sarah.

If there’s a bus going to Heaven, Vilma will be driving it.

Today's beautiful girls ...

Hey, you young fellers. You need to thank us old guys for today's girls and their attitudes and attributes.
A recent study showed that teenaged girls consider that giving their boyfriend oral sex is little more than kissing. Wow, these young women certainly have a different attitude. And they're all having their breasts augmented, aren't they? Attributes enhanced. And what about those ultra low rider jeans? Tummys invoking tumescence. Bikini waxes mostly mandatory. The prudes of yesteryear when a glimpse of stocking was something shocking are gone. You know why don't you? We older guys CREATED these modern women.
It is because all us guys spent our most productive years praying for this. It was a mass mental wishlist.
You young men have no idea how many desperate pleadings went on at drive-in movies. Or how we flattered and fawned for a little fellaplay while helping our girl babysit. And you couldn't hear those fervent voices out in the ether asking for bigger boobs, but they were there, bouncing off the planets like pinballs, flashing every light in the galaxy until the message was received and understood. Mass prayer works. The dreams of your preceding generation were answered. You owe us big time.

Too late for us oldsters mind you, these attitude adjusted young women are no longer interested in grizzled, shaky veterans of the sex wars. But you could say a thanks whenever you see an old man leering over a soft downy belly, or watching the heft of a lusty pair of boobs float past.

It didn't all work out though because we only got Viagra as an answer to one of our prayers.

(editors note: Drive-in movies were places where you could stay in your car in the dark with your girl and watch a movie at the same time. Pray for their return)

Found on the web ...

This is a poster. Hard to read here but it says - Re-elect Gordon Campbell,
the only liberal leader to have a booze named after him.
The other picture is of Gordon's Gin. The captions under Gordon's pic are - Holiday picture - Me in Maui - - - under the gin bottle pic - Holiday picture - Me at the beach.
Among the comments are - "I am not stepping down, I will continue to do what I was doing to the people of BC." and - "Any Americans want to buy BC, I am selling it you know."
Gordon's favorites = writer - Steve Martini - song - Wasn't that a Party - food - pickled eggs.
Gordon's NON favorites = Old people on busses - BC Rail, BC Hydro and women in general.
On the very bottom it states - Paid for by the 'Elect anyone but Gordon Campbell committee'.
(find the poster on Kazaa or WinMX)

Goodbye Quebec

When Quebec had its last vote on separation a few years ago, Prime Minister Jean Chretien kept quiet, waiting precariously on the sidelines for the results. He allowed Quebeckers to continue to believe that as a separate country, they'd still have their jobs in Canada; They'd still sell their products into Canada; They'd still use our Canadian dollar; They'd still send MPs to OUR parliament; and they'd still get the largess of our taxpayers money. It was a deadly gamble for Chretien. Canada was barely held together by the slimmest of margins.
Many thank our Native Canadians in Quebec for standing up and being counted, for declaring war if the separatists won the vote, saying they wanted to remain Canadians and would fight for that right. They said this themselves before that last vote - 95% of Inuit are against Quebec sovereignty. In the event of a "Yes" vote on Monday October 30th in the Quebec election, Inuit will not be part of a new country called Quebec. Inuit will assert their legal and aboriginal rights to the region called Nunavik, and take the necessary steps to ensure that the region remains part of Canada.
Some people believe that Chretien had secretly hoped for the separation of Quebec because he would be able to say to Quebeckers that he did not stand in their way to becoming independent and would be seen in effect, as the Father of their country.
It was AFTER that critical vote that Chretien and Mr. Dithers poured millions into Quebec companies under the pretense of glorifying Canada.
Of course if we are aware at all today, we know that the Sponsorship Scandal is front page news right now in Quebec. One radio station is covering the commission's daily events, and its ratings are so high that another has started parallel coverage. The hearing is hugely popular!
Quebeckers are angry. They know the rest of Canada is looking on them like the crooks of those companies who stole money from taxpayers. One company got $130,000.00 for delivering a check from the federal government! Taxpayer's money went into the liberal coffers for re-election. And it goes on and on. The inquiry is finding too many of these instances.
John Charest, the present liberal premier of Quebec is finished. The liberals ARE to blame. There is no separation of liberals from provincial to federal. (Evidenced right here in BC with the shady doings of the federal liberals who were employed by Gordon Campbell's liberal government.) John Charest's government will fall in the next election. No doubt, no contest.
There will be NO voice for Canada in the succeeding Quebec provincial government. The Gomery Commission is inadvertantly throwing fuel on the flames of separatism each day. (Chretien has tried repeatedly to have Justice John Gomery removed as being biased) Quebec separatists will see the opportune time for another vote, and no amount of cash to crooks or maple leaf flags can correct it now. Paul Martin will fall. Charest will fall. Chretien has fallen. They will all retire in Quebec.
Chretien will be the father of his country albeit by malfeasance.
Most countries need a civil war to emerge from. One images the dust clearing and Good standing over Evil. But this is not the first time a country has been born of deceit, lies, conniving politicians and stealthy agendas.
Yet perhaps, if those Inuit in Northern Quebec still feel the same way about Canada, there'll be a war yet.

see below - Saturday, Feb. 05, 2005 - Liberal sponsorship scandal in Quebec

High cost of dying ...

Don't die. It'll cost you a fortune. Do they turn away dead people at cemetaries?
My dear old Mom died. She paid Ocean View Cemetary well ahead for her funeral, didn't want to cause concern or financial burdon to her family. We went to the funeral home to finish the arrangements.
Met a very nice man in black, with black hair. ALL the guys in there had black hair too. Maybe it's one of the Back Arts. All that was missing were the pencil-line mustaches. The guy tells me that people regularly pay 25 to 35 thousand dollars to die! We felt like we were in a huckster's tent. And while we, the grieving family, were in this with the guy, he took 5 (FIVE) phone calls! Some compassion for distraught family!
Mom had her urn engraved before, except of course, for her death date. Now we have to engrave that final date upon her urn ... well we have to pay them $180.oo to OPEN that lil glass door where the urn is sitting right now. Then they take the urn out, (without Mom in it of course) and send it away to the engraver to write 11 more letters on it. Just the date. Eleven letters. ELEVEN letters! $450 dollars more! There's a 'setup' charge from the engraver! You have to pay GST on all this too. They tried to sell us the ceremony too which she had already paid for, but if we wanted food for our guests, that would have been extra. I didn't need to buy a supermarket and Mom didn't want a ceremony so we passed on that. We were completely mortified and got out of that mortuary with having to put the $750. charge on our credit card. And they didn't like the idea of me putting a coin slot on that glass door for donations. There was a man picketting the cemetary outside. Hmm.
Then we wrote a nice farewell message on her behalf to all her interested friends. She happened to be the first female bus driver in BC. We thought she was proud of that and would like to see it in print. Went to the Sun/Province. Tell me I am crazy. I thought a simple obituary notice would cost us like, maybe $100. tops and I wanted a picture of my Mom in her bus driver's uniform. Many of her old passengers would recognize her and remember that tiny woman piloting a huge trolley bus. The girl at the classifieds desk, (with a straight face) said it would cost $600. for the OBIT! SIX hundred dollars! I wasn't looking for a display ad. I am not trying to SELL my old Mom, just want to let people know she won't be calling them again.
And all the while on the newspaper clerk's desk is a late copy of the Province with a headline about a breathing sleeping woman getting sent to the mortuary alive! I think I need to go back and check on my old Mom again! She might have simply been BETWEEN breaths! Sheeez.
No wonder Norman Bates kept his old mom rocking in front of that window all those years, everything was just fine until Janet Leigh comes in and screws everything up! No wonder he got pissed off with her.
Don't die, It's too expensive ... and they treat your family bad after you leave.
Bye Mommy, I love you.

addenda: June 25, three months later, Ocean View Cemetary still has not forwarded an insurance policy cheque that we were told would take about 4 weeks. And they placed the urn in the WRONG niche! And now it has to be moved again! This has now gone way beyond incompetance.

Cool BC Parks of the future

NEWS ITEM: Leaked secret documents show Gordon Campbell's Liberals to allow major expansion of private lodges in BC Provincial Parks.

A family arrives at a BC Provincial park for camping ...
BOY: Wow Dad, look at that, a big pink building!
MOM: What IS that, Hon'? This was all trees last time.
DAD: One of the new American style lodges, I didn't think they were here yet.
GIRL: Cool, a Ferris wheel and look, a Brittney Spears arcade!
BOY: Dad, can we get a slurpy at the Seven-Eleven?
MOM: My goodness. What happened to our wilderness park?
DAD: This was in that secret Liberal plan for our parks that Gordon Campbell had hidden.
BOY: The parking lot is way flat and I didn't even bring my skateboard.
MOM: Is that skinny thing a bear in a cage?
DAD: Yeah, it says 'No Hiking. See a raccoon here.'
MOM: That lodge is huge. The flashing lights for the bar are kinda bright.
SON: Where are we gonna camp, Dad?
GIRL: Dad, no tenting on the parking lot.
DAD: I see that. It's $10 an hour to park here anyway.
BOY: This is cool, Dad, just like the city. And there's gonna be a water park here soon.
DAD: Don't they know there's a LAKE out there?
GIRL: I like Gordon Campbell, he's changed everything.
(Dad starts to openly cry)
MOM: Aw Hon, don't do that, she can't vote yet.
DAD: She needs retraining. Whatever happened to seeing the wildnerness?
MOM: Whatever happened to Supernatural British Columbia?
DAD: There was no money in it for the Liberals.
(Dad continues sobbing as a flock of starlings crap on his car on their way to the new McDonalds.)
GIRL: Da-ad, Jimmy's breathing all the air again!


Future BC Provincial Park

http://vancouver.cbc.ca/regional/servlet/View?filename=bc_parks20050223

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BC newspapers and news.

Just in case you were reading ... although most people I know prefer to get their info from the Web, but those who don't mind their news three days old, might consider the slant of the newspapers they are reading in BC.
So many of these newspapers are owned and controlled by single entities that the intention of what they are writing is suspected to be less news and more instruction. CanWest Global's line up of media for instance, is impressive, or depressive, depending on what POV you are coming from. CanWest Global, the Asper corporate vehicle, is the largest owner of newspapers in B.C. In the Lower Mainland it owns the Sun and Province, twelve community papers, plus papers in Nanaimo and other centres. Take a look at this list:
Vancouver Sun
Vancouver Province
Metro Vancouver

Abbotsford Times
Burnaby Now
Chilliwack Times
Coquitlam Now
Delta Optimist
Langley Advance
Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows Times
North Shore News
New West Record
Richmond News
Surrey Now
Vancouver Courier

Wow, and all influenced by the Asper family ... Liberals through and through. And we're not including radio and television control!
The Metro newspaper is the newest propaganda piece to assault readers in Vancouver. Although the Metro is apparantly going to be targetted on the younger readers, 18 to 49. Rick Camilleri, President of CanWest MediaWorks, said "Metro is a natural complement to the CanWest MediaWorks portfolio of assets, especially in Vancouver, a city that will undoubtedly embrace the Metro concept and product. Maybe. Maybe not.
It's free by the way.
Meanwhile other media sources of information like the Westender and The Georgia Straight, need to be perused carefully for contrasting comment and independant opinion. Just the very fact that Gordon Campbell tried to shut down the Georgia Straight is enough reason to read Bill Tieleman's articles in the Straight.
(Bill Tieleman can now be read in the new paper, 24, also free around Vancouver. )
The Metro says it condenses your news to make it easier and quicker to read. Easier to believe. Easier to promote the political line. Easier to control your thinking. Do you like this comment? - - - "Owners have every right to direct their operations in terms of both content and ideology." — Gordon Fisher, CanWest's president for news and information.

Meanwhile, I'll continue to read the Web and Bloggers for my fresh news, I just don't trust these guys any more.

http://www.radicalpress.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=1140

http://www.yourmedia.ca/modules/canwest/overview/overview.shtml

http://www.straight.com/section.cfm?id=172

Russell Crowe targetted by al-Qaeda

News that al-Qaeda planned to kidnap actor Russell Crowe. The FBI warned him about the plot and protected him. What?
The al-Qaeda idea was apparantly about taking iconographic Americans out of the picture as sort of a cultural destabilisation plot. I thought Russell was an Australian?

Well he was born a Kiwi and went to Oz at 4. Doesn't the naive al-Qaeda know these Auzzies are tough? They grow up with dingos, crocodiles, Great White sharks, asps and funnel web spiders and STILL wander around the outback in bare feet and swim everywhere! Not to mention that Russell can be a surly bastard when aroused. You don't get between an Auzzie and his Fosters! And besides, one has to wonder what culteral destabilization would result in removing Russell anyway? Sounds less like Osama Bin Laden and more like Idi Amin! You just don't want to kidnap Russell Crowe!
I can just see Russell as the kidnapee, saying "G'dai Mite," while tearing off their heads and chewing their ears! Hmm, there's a movie in here somewhere.
Meanwhile, Russell only said, "Who is this Al guy anyway?"

Russell in a GOOD mood.


http://www.keralanext.com/news/indexread.asp?id=144566

Mount St. Helens

The volcano blew up again yesterday, emitting clouds of gas, steam and smoke up to 35,000 feet in the air. It was accompanied by some small earthquakes and there was even some orange lava flow seen inside the crater.
The scientists had no idea it was going to blow. They've been studying it intensely since May 18, 1980 when it last blew. The scientists have NO friggin idea when volcanoes are going to blow. They even LOST 3 seismographs in the process! They put a new one on the rim today. Should we keep funding these guys? They're no further ahead than when Vesuvius buried Pompeii!
Scientists have easy work. Sort of like weather forecasters who say there's a 40% chance of rain. Is it going to rain or isn't it? Where can I go to be in the 60% chance that it won't rain? I was on Kilauea once, right on the edge of the pahoehoe flow where the red hot lava streams into the sea. You can't do that anymore because it broke off and sent some people into that moving magma! The volcano guys didn't know what Pele was pissed off at.
Is Mount St Helens going to blow or not? What did the volcanologists tell the Italians on Aug 23, 79 AD? Go to sleep everyone, it's only a 40% chance that it'll blow?
I figure if we stop paying and funding these seismologist/geologists/vulcanologist types they'll tend to hang out around the craters anyway, all we need are some cheap microphones up there so we can hear their screams.
Either that or ask a dog what's gonna happen.

ICBC profits and Gordon Campbell's friends

ICBC made something like 389 million dollars profit this year. (325 million for 2003) Many are calling for refunds. The decision has not been made yet, they say. Will they do it? ICBC is SUPPOSED to be a non profit enterprise. This public corporation is controlled by Gordon Campbell's liberals. They want to keep ICBC rates as high as possible. Why? Because Gordon Campbell wants to give some of this largess to his friends.
If private insurance companies want to come into BC, our rates are presently too low for them, they cannot compete and make profits ... so ... Gordon needs to keep ICBC rates UP, so that the private companies can be seen to be good for us. So they can come in and be lower than ICBC rates ... IF ICBC rates are artificially kept up.
They will of course, play by their own rules, and try to cherry pick the best clients. They will have no obligation to do otherwise. Which in turn would leave ICBC with all the bad risks. For instance, if Toyota Camrys are the choice of car thiefs, a private company can simply exclude Camry owners as clients. The result of course, will be higher rates at ICBC while the private companies reap high profits without any concern for British Columbians. And you can be sure NONE of those profits will go back into accident research, safe driving programs or such things as bait cars against crime.
Based on Gordon Campbell's record of working against the people of BC, does anyone trust him anymore? Is there a secret document somewhere outlining his plans for his foreign friends? (Like the information that recently came to light showing that the liberals are going to allow private lodges in our public parks?)
At least we have hope that somewhere, somehow, someone ... some liberal who still believes in British Columbians, will leak another document to us.
Sure ICBC is a monopoly, but comparing exact coverage across Canada, no private insurance company can match the rates.

Beamers and Bimmers

Get it right, please, when defining BMW vehicles. Beamers are BMW motorcycles, and Bimmers are BMW automobiles. They are not interchangeable. Even the factory acknowledges the difference.
Don't embarrass yourself in front of auto enthusiasts, especially GERMAN auto enthusiasts.
Beamers have TWO wheels, Bimmers have four. You RIDE a Beamer. You DRIVE a Bimmer. Both are wonderful experiences.
But being a passenger on a Beamer and calling to the controller that you like his Bimmer might cause him to do a wheelie and throw you off. Being a passenger in a Bimmer and complementing the driver on his Beamer might cause him to swerve to avoid another Munich product and cause an accident.
Both UNwonderful experiences.
Bummer.

UBUs for all binners

A UBC design student is getting lots of publicity for creating a design for binners (formerly known as Dumpster Divers) called a UBU (Urban Binning Unit)
These UBUs will be quiet so as not to wake us fortunate people from our sugar plum dreams and warm and cozy beds.
Will the UBU go the way of the 'cardboard houses' for the homeless that some bright enterprising person 'invented' a few years ago? That inventor didn't take into account that certain people, police, authorities etc, didn't WANT cardboard boxes set up on every street corner or even every alleyway. (I think the price was $700.!)
So the UBU might have rubber tires? (perhaps those new pneumatic inflateables) Built in storage for personal possessions? Bottle collecting attachment bins? Perhaps a small ladder so the binner doesn't have to climb into the bin? Maybe an umbrella? What will these Urban Binning Units cost? $3000 dollars? $1000? $500? I guess these poor people will be able to get that money if they don't have to pay the fines for begging a buck on the streets. Where DO binners get money anyway?
Oh yes, from collecting bottles and stuff. I brought a huge trunk load of bottles and cans to a depot recently; I got $5.40. How many miles would I have had to walk to collect them if I was a binner? I'm giving them away from now on.
Personally, when I am tucked into my bed, and I hear a binner passing in the night, it reminds me that there are many people in this city who are far less fortunate than I am. For whatever reasons. What are we trying to do? Hide them from our awareness?
Why not just make a special 'invisible potion' that we could give to binners (dumpster divers) to make them invisible.
Then we could get back to sleep and get on with life without thinking of them.
Meanwhile, that rattle you hear at 3 am should be a reminder that not everyone gets their fair share of sugar plums.

Obscenity rules ...

Some people consider the rules of obscenity as pictures of bare naked women.
Others think the killing of soldiers with depleted uranium bullets is obscene. (they make the target disintegrate)
Yet others have a new description for the word: Bank profits.
It's not like banks have big research and developement programs, say like automakers, who spend years developing the new model cars and invest millions in safety features alone, because they know the buyer will demand them when that model comes out. Banks have nothing but a little evil-eyed man in a darkened room whose job is to think up ways of sneaking more money out of your account and into theirs.
The Royal Bank of Canada, now prefering to be known by the hip advertising name of RBC, has just anounced profits of 1.43 BILLION dollars! With a straight face. The highest profit figure in Canadian history. The other banks followed close with similar figures.
Have you ever tried phoning a bank and asking for a list of charges that could be debited to your own account? My gawd, if you want to see serious evasiveness, try it sometime. Some liken these arrogant bankers as secretly smirking like those cigarette company execs who tell us how good smokes are for us. Some people think they are obscene. Many working stiffs know what immorality is too.
It's enough to drive millions to Credit Unions.
We envision the bank people as solemn faced when the cameras are around, then in the privacy of their lofty palaces, shouting gleefully with their fists in the air, "Obscenity? Obscenity RULES!"

http://www.ottawabusinessjournal.com/282701433672152.php

Canada turns down chance to blow up countries ...

The Americans are floored. Canada announced that it would NOT participate in the US Missile Defence Shield. God help me, I am beginning to like Paul Martin!
The US cannot understand why we would turn down a chance to shoot at other countries!
Americans already viewed Canada as very much involved in the project. They're astounded Canadians don't want to be there to launch a missile strike. Hmmm. Don't we know how much fun that can be? Do they ever look north of their border? Do they ever see that we are not a warmongering nation? Do they ever consider that perhaps, just perhaps, no one wants to blow up Canadians so why would WE launch missiles at anyone else?
Maybe all the rhetoric the Americans are using to call us wimps is working in OUR favour? Maybe all those terrorist countries that hate Americans so vehemently see that the Americans don't like Canadians much either?
Who would we launch a missile strike against? (and don't say Quebec, they're still on our side at last view) And will America carefully diagnose that incoming missile to see if it might actually hit Canada and then leave it be? Would North Korea send a missile toward Los Angeles by the long route over Canada?
The truth is, that any missile launched with the intention of blowing up something in America will more than likely be launched from WITHIN America. Many Canadians see this whole Missile Defence Shield thing as a huge public relations exercise to make middle Americans keep their nose to the grindstone and think they are safe.
Of course they are pissed off with us from Paul Cellucci, the US Antagonizer to Canada who seems to have his nose stuck permanently into our business, to President Bush who thinks we are part of North Kansas. We're expecting Condoleezza Rice to threaten a pre-emptive strike against us at any minute. They have the same old, "If you're not for us, you're against us," mentality, and one wonders if they should try understanding friendship instead of practicing overbearing bullying.
At any rate, the decision to pass on the US Star Wars program is a popular one with Canadians. Now let's see if Martin continues to piss them off by decriminalizing maryjuana?
Ah .... life can be good at times.

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Canada/2005/02/24/941484-cp.html

BMW factory conversation

In the BMW factory showroom with the newest designed car ready for final approval. Two technician designers, Hans und Helmet ....

Hans: Jah, Helmet, you see ve haf here da new BMW.
Helmet: Oh, Hans, it is vunderful, da bosses vill be zo happy mit dis autocar.
Hans: Helmet, und are they coming now for their first view?
Helmet: Jah. Coming down hallway .... Wait, vas is das?
Hans: (worried) What Helmet, what are you lookink at?
Helmet: Oh My God, Hans, you haf forgotten a trunk on dis new auto!
Hans: (gasping, face flushing) I haf what? (walks around to the rear of the car) Oh NO! There ist no trunk!
Helmet: Hans, I t'ink I hear da bosses comink now!
(Helmet and Hans run to and fro with arms flailing in panik)
Helmet: Dey gonna make us tourist guides at sausage factory Hans! DO somet'ink!
(Hans rushes outside, returns with a bulbous sheet of metal, forces it onto the rear of the brand new BMW. The big bosses arrive, gasp and grin at the frontal beauty of the new BMW. Hans drapes himself over the rear of the car, pretending to hug it. Just as the bosses start to walk around the car, Hans starts wailing with anxiety and fear. The bosses look around, puzzled by the horrible sound. Helmet seizes the opportunity!)
Helmet: Air raid siren, quick into da basement eferyone!
( The bosses rush out of the showroom. Helmet stamps APPROVED on the approval form.)
Helmet: Hans, is that not da trunk lid for your 1978 Datsun?
Hans: (quivering) Ja, Helmet, I haf not'ing in my trunk anyvay, looks very bustenhaltenfarven, don't you t'ink?
Helmet: Ja. (smiles) Start production.

Pete Rose and Barry Bonds

Pete Rose cheated baseball. It gave him a wonderful career. He cheated by betting. He says he never bet on his own game. He should never be in the Hall of Fame.
Barry Bonds has been under suspicion of cheating for years. He set records. Or so he thinks. He berates reporters because they won't stop asking about his steroid use. That's behind me, he says, you guys need to move on, he says. Quit asking old stuff, he says. I just want to play baseball he says. Some trainer gave me stuff and I just used it, didn't know if it was steroids or not. I was innocent. I still didn't know when I started gaining all that muscle. I still didn't know when my hair started disappearing.
There should be two sets of records, one for the old time greats who had no access to strength enhancing drugs, and one for these guys who are cheating. Their records mean nothing.
Quit chearing for the cheaters.
Keep asking questions. The first one might be; it is right for athletes to cheat?
Those that do should have NO records recorded.
They should be in the Hall of Shame.

UPDATE: March 19 - after the most recent hearings where most of the baseball players being questioned seemed to regress to naive children whenever steroid use was questioned, and where they all pointed the finger elsewhere, and where they seemed to try to rationalize their cheating, Tommy Lasorda, the venerable manager of the LA Dodgers and a baseball icon, who got fat, thin and fat in front of us all, said if these guys cheated they should all be tossed out of any records books, because it takes away from the REAL players who set the records without cheating!

Sounds too crazy but could happen department ...

Feb20/05 - Rooters
Today the Federal Liberal Government announced their 'Ultimate Equity Tax Plan'. This initiative is designed to make the tax system fair for all, a Liberal spokesperson said. Beginning next year, everyone will simply have their total earnings paid into the government bank accounts and the government will dole out dollars to Canadians based on what they think you need.
Don't worry about your money, Dagwood's boss will be looking after it.
A liberal spokesman, when asked about the new plan, simply played a loop recording from a mini tape recorder (Recently issued to all federal Liberals) . . . "Mr. Dithers has no idea about anything to do with taxpayers' money, he was only Finance Minister."

Sunday traffic jam on 401

Were you caught in that terrible gridlock today, trying to come into Vancouver heading west before the Port Mann bridge? You were? Do you know what caused the traffic jam from Gagliardi Way to 176th Street on the "freeway"?
It was ONE RCMP Traffic cop who had his tripod radar setup in the CENTER of the freeway, in one place where the concrete medians sort of twist apart a bit. He had his car parked in between the HOV lanes and was stopping cars right there. NOT on the side of the road, but right there in the middle of the *#%@& 401 Trans Canada Highway!
What is WRONG with these guys? He was creating his own dangerous traffic hazard for many others! Was his quota so far behind that he was desperate to write tickets? That is insane. Do these policemen not get any guidance? Any training in common sense? Do they think that no one would dare crash into them because they have that uniform on? They need to realise that everyone is not as attentive as they should be, and the officer could easily have been run over.
Besides causing a 20 mile traffic jam, the RCMP should consider the potential of such a dangerous situation.
Too bad I just forgot my digital camera today or you'd have a picture about it.

Conspiracy theory 3 ... Microsoft

Wasn't it a few years ago that the US Government threatened Microsoft under antitrust laws? And didn't that interest disappear suddenly? Then it came back and they threatened to dismantle Microsoft into 3 separate companies? They feared Microsoft had way too much power because of their monopolistic position in the computer market?
Wait, wouldn't a monopoly be a GOOD thing if a government wanted to control its people and identify where they were and what they were saying and doing and thinking and the road was headed to everyone owning a computer? And most likely to have the Windows Operating System? Isn't Windows on 98% of all computers and XP on virtually every one?
When you go to a website, and then delete or clear all your cookies, and then go back to that website some time later, and they know who you are ... er, didn't Microsoft put a unique number into your operating system under the hype that it was a GOOD thing? Then under waves of protest from the public say that they wouldn't TURN ON that unique identifying number? Or at least YOU could turn it off? And doesn't your hard drive have a unique number too?
Didn't the FBI come out with a sneaky computer spy system called 'Carnivore' a few years ago, that could read the contents of any computer it wanted through your server? Then they changed the name because it seemed too ominous and scary and 1984ish? It could see every single email you sent to whoever and every word you typed into your hard drive or internet browser? Including every password you ever used? And didn't all this happen at about the same time as Microsoft introduced Windows 98? And didn't the US hold these server companies hostage by threatening to shut them down unless they installed Carnivore into their systems without telling anyone? Without telling their customers?
Doesn't Homeland Security have the power to do anything they want without telling anyone about what they are doing? To fight terrorism? Hmm.
Isn't Microsoft starting to add things now to updates of its software without making clear to technical people exactly what those updates are or what they do? In Windows Media player some technicians have compared Media Player 9.0 with Media Player 10.0 and can't find any differences? So why the automatic update?
Would the US government and Bill Gates have made a deal to allow Microsoft to continue as one company, so long as the Justice department had access to the Windows Operating System?
I don't know ... would they?

Er ... would the US government be that sneaky? Oops, never mind, I was here in the sixties.

Back to Top

Sheila Fraser is to Liberals as garlic is to vampires

Well she's at it again. Finding fault with the control over the taxpayer's money by the Liberal government. And they are cringing. She can't last much longer, can she? Who appoints her? Who could fire her? Would Paul Martin dare?
We had 100 million dollars of OUR money disappeared into the sponsorship scandal, now it seems we have 7.7 BILLION dollars gurgling its way down the drain into secretive foundations set up by the Liberals.

Taxpayer's Question - Who in the Liberal government set up these 'foundations'?
Liberal Answer - We're not sure who it was.
Taxpayer - Who controls them?
Liberal Answer - We're not sure.
Taxpayer - Can't parliament just get information?
Liberal Answer - We don't think so
Taxpayer - Can't Sheila Fraser find out stuff?
Liberal Answer - She can't audit them.
Taxpayer - Why not?
Liberal Answer - They weren't set up to be audited.
Taxpayer - Can't we see what's happening to our taxpayer's money?
Liberal Answer- Treasury Board President Reg Alcock said he's satisfied with internal audits done by the foundations.
Taxpayer - So they audit themselves?
Liberal Answer - Yes.
Taxpayer - Are you joking?
Liberal Answer - Ahem. No.
Taxpayer - Can't we just withdraw our money from wherever it is?
Liberal Answer - We might not be able to, we're not sure where it is.
Taxpayer - Can we trust whoever runs these foundations?
Liberal Answer - They are independant corporations.
Taxpayer - Set up by the Liberals.
Liberal Answer - Umm. Yes.
Taxpayer - Are Chretien and Guite in there somewhere too?
Liberal Answer - Paul Martin was only in charge of the money. He doesn't know nothing about where it went.
Taxpayer - Hmm. Exactly. Can we trust Paul Martin?
Liberal Answer - He's a Liberal isn't he?
Taxpayer - Thank you very much.
Liberal Answer - Wait a minute, you know what I meant.
Taxpayer - Sure, and I know what I meant too.
Liberal Answer - Just think of Paul Martin as the Daddy looking after his family.
Taxpayer - Exactly, 'cept I don't think I'm part of his family.
Liberal Answer - (mumbling) damn Sheilarmm Frasmermmmn.
Taxpayer - What was that?
Liberal Answer - Nothing.

http://www.metronews.ca/reuters_national.asp?id=56384

NHL season is over ... is not ... is so ...

The NHL season will be over January first if we don't get a deal.
Salary cap.
No salary cap.
The season is finished by the fifteenth of January.
Fans can't afford tickets.
Play in Sweden.
We need to start training.
No salary cap.
Salary cap.
By the end of January there won't be any season.
Play in Europe.
Play in AHL.
February first is it for sure.
Fire Bettman.
No cap.
Cap.
February seventh deadline for NHL season.
Fire Goodenough.
Play in beer leagues.
Sunday midnight, February 13th ... or else.
Wednesday, February 16.
Final.
Cap.
No cap.
Noon.
3 pm.
ok 5 pm.
Is that your final answer?

(insert your time/date here)

... never mind. kerplunk.

Junior hockey is the best sports entertainment bang for the buck anywhere. There is a team near you. The puck drops on schedule. The players try hard. You don't need to be a CEO to buy a ticket. Go ahead, go to a game. It'll be fun.

Liberal sponsorship scandal in Quebec

Don't say I said it, but aren't all of the crooks in the Federal Liberal government sponsorship scandal from Quebec? (notice I said Federal there, because all the crooks in the BC Liberal government are not from Quebec)
Is this something new to you? Can we generalize that Quebec government officials are always corrupt? I didn't say that.
Alfonso Gagliano, sure, sounds Italian but his only connection with Italians is his alleged link with Eastern Mafiosi; Jean Brault; Chuck Giute; Pierre Tremblay; Brian Mulroney; Jean Carle, who admitted to creating a paper trail to hide money! And Jean Chretien's lawyers are continuing the counter-attack on Justice John Gomery by saying his remarks about Carle's recent bombshell revelation are 'inappropriate use of words' after Comery commented that if it were a drug deal, it would be like laundering money. Hmmm, what about inappropriate use of taxpayer's dollars? Of course we should consider Jean Chretien and Paul Martin in there too. (ok an English SOUNDING name but don't believe Martin is anything other than a Quebecker) Those lawyers will be pounding harder to end the scandal inquiry. Does anyone know if they are being paid from taxpayer's money?
Gagliano said he's been wrongly pictured as guilty ever since the scandal erupted, even though he did nothing wrong. (sic) "It affected my family, it affected my career," he told reporters, "It's a year I'm back from Denmark, I couldn't find a job ... "
Aww, poor crook. Oops, did I say the 'c' word again? Aren't there any WalMarts in Quebec?
Wait, is that Brian Mulroney's name up there too? Well he musta done somethin'. Wow, we thought Brian would be in there somewhere, especially since Stevie Cameron (who wrote On the Take) is wondering out loud where he got all his money.
So, it's confirmed then, yes? ... all the crooks in Canada's 'government' are Quebeckers.
I thought you'd agree.

http://www.canoe.ca/NewsStand/WinnipegSun/News/2005/02/05/921183-sun.html
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/groupaction/timeline_origin.html

One law for you - one law for the rich. (2)

Well, another example of dual criminality surfaces.
(Read down for the 'Whitney Houston' law.)
It seems the authorities in LA aren't going to lay felony charges against Paris Hilton, the hotel heiress cum porn star. They quoted a lack of evidence in the case. Hmmm .... even though the incident was caught on tape of Paris stealing the video of her own sexual performance which was on sale at a newsstand, while all the time hurling insults at the newsvendor. Perhaps that tape will make the internet too.
I guess the DA wanted a hotel rate on his next vacation. One can hardly imagine the skinny little airhead as a porn star anyway. Wonder if she'll have a red-light room in all Hilton hotels when she takes over the chain? Maybe a mistress room at the Paris Hilton? Could be a money-maker if they make Ron Jeremy the hall porter. Ah, it's a simple life, isn't it?
Don't they charge 50 cents per toilet flush in Hilton hotels?


[always wear seat belts while driving in convertibles. always wear a condom if Paris is in the car]

WARNING: doing a Google Images search for paris hilton sex tape may bring up pictures of Rick Soloman, who now looks scared after having sex with her, President Bush who seems to be saluting her, and a police officer pointing a flashlight into your window and asking how much you've had to drink tonight.

Do I see Leona Hemsley in here somewhere?

I am CANADIAN ... er... what?

Or I am AMERICAN! .... or .... um .... CANAM .... or AMCAN .... maybe MuriCANadian eh? .... or .... yo? or .... ah, something in between?
We know the smooth Belgian Stella Artois will tickle our tonsils on the way down. And no one needs tell us der Warsteiner is German. The Corona Extra cools the heat of salsa and is definitely Mexican. Ole! And could there be any doubt about origin of Kilkenny? Begora, the Irish brew has conjured up many a lovely lass after midnight. And Boddingtons compels us to get out the darts and be English.
Hmm ........... but just what IS Moldsons now? Moors? Coolsons?
There's just something wrong about a beer with no identity, isn't there?

http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~33~2684797,00.html

Groundhog Day.

As Groundhog Day falls on February 2nd, and the official first day of Spring in BC falls on February 1st. It doesn't matter if the creature sees his shadow or not, does it?

Spring - February 1

Private BC liquor stores.

So now after the public said they don't want them, Gordon Campbell's BC Liberals are setting them up left and right. Your neighborhood could have one soon. Liquor stores are huge profit makers, the people of BC get the direct benefit of this largess. 3.1 BILLION in profits! AND 1.5 billion in sales and excise taxes. So why would anyone want to change it?
Aside from the emotional arguments about privatization of the sale of liquor in British Columbia, and the arguement recently introduced about organized crime becoming involved, and the fact that liquor prices went way higher in Alberta after privatization, and the fact that the employee in a BC liquor store has nothing to lose by refusing to sell a minor a case of beer and the private guy doesn't want to lose the sale, er ... well ok I am getting carried away. But let's look at the profit arguement only.
Say a bottle of Scotch costs $5 and the BC Government Store sells it for $10. Leaving $5 gross profit to play with. After deducting all operating costs, part of which are minimized because of central distribution and management, let's say we have $1 left in NET profit. That dollar goes to the people of BC through the government. WE get 3.1 billion of those each year!
So in a private operation, lets assume the same costs of that bottle of Scotch. $5. (quit drooling this is THEORETICAL!) Now that private liquor store operator has to import it himself, HUGE higher costs. But he counteracts that by paying minimum wages to his employees ... lower labour costs. (Some say at the expense of knowledgeable employees.) So let's just say the private operator ALSO comes out with $1 in net profit. Hmm good for him. If we could assume the same gross sales from private entrepreneurs, that means the 3.1 billions in profit goes wherever those liquor store owners want to spend it. Yes, WE as the people of BC still get the 1.5 billion in taxes, but we LOSE 3.1 BILLION DOLLARS!
Back to the above question; So why would anyone want to change it?
Why would Gordon Campbell want to take dollars away from the people of BC?

Again.


$10 Scotch? Where?

Texas Bubbas teaching RCMP how to do it!

Did you get that news item? A TEXAS patrol officer pulled over a guy in CANADA, to accuse him of being a drug smuggler! Evidently he was TRAINING an RCMP officer on 'profiling techniques' used in TEXAS to catch drug smugglers! The poor guy who got pulled over apparantly had twitches which are the marks of drug smuggling according to the Texas policeman. They think he might have been smuggling drugs between New Westminster and Langley. They had to let the guy go after searching his car throughout, because he had NO DRUGS! (Maybe they realised there's no border between New West and Langley) Are we losing it in Canada? Whoever decided to do this in the first place? People need to cry out with outrage at this imbecillic decision!
So Bubba from Texas, does it that way down there? What they do is pull someone over under the pretense that he was speeding, and then identify the driver as a smuggler. The Texas Rangers think that's the way we do it up here too. The RCMP (who should be thoroughly embarrassed) said they had 'probable cause' to pull the guy over. What? Perhaps we need to differentiate between Texas and British Columbia. Perhaps even between America and Canada.
I am completely AGAINST drug dealers. And we can in Canada, have complete confidence that our RCMP are a fair and uncorrupt police force who follow our laws faithfully.
Seems to me that the Texas Patrol officers should be coming to Canada for training and maybe a little 'attitude adjustment.'
Meanwhile drive calm .... don't twitch.