Quite a few people have expressed that while happy, were perplexed if not cynical it took the United States 10 years to get Osama bin Laden. Yeah well, they could only get Capone on tax evasion.
I say, he was the most wanted man in human history. He probably knew it and was skillful enough to elude justice with a little help from some friends. Beyond that, it is indeed possible some other factors came into play that we may or may not ever know about.
I'm sure there was some relief among the majority of Arabs too.
Mission accomplished as far as I'm concerned.
Good on America.
2011-05-08
The Conservatives And The Web
How will the Tories govern the internet?
As for the CRTC, I dream of the day that dated, unelected, paternalistic, anti-free market, organism is dismantled and thrown away into the abyss never to be seen or heard again.
"Daddy, who were the CRTC?"
"Well son, it was 2011. Daddy left for war..."
It will be one big party around here. People would be like, "what's going on?" and I'd be like, "The CRTC is dead! Wooooo!" And then they'd walk away perplexed.
As for the CRTC, I dream of the day that dated, unelected, paternalistic, anti-free market, organism is dismantled and thrown away into the abyss never to be seen or heard again.
"Daddy, who were the CRTC?"
"Well son, it was 2011. Daddy left for war..."
It will be one big party around here. People would be like, "what's going on?" and I'd be like, "The CRTC is dead! Wooooo!" And then they'd walk away perplexed.
2011-05-07
Take The Money And Run
Here's the thing about Gilles Duceppe's $141 000 pension: He's entitled to it.
Why? Because our system allows it. Simple as that.
Sucks. I know.
Philosophically of course, separatists who take the money and run really, when you think of it to its profound end, don't have honor. If they truly believed in their cause, they'd reject the money. Hate it? Grow a pair and put an end to it.
In the meantime, who in their right mind rejects cold hard cash?
It's like an athlete being overpaid. It's not the athlete's fault an organization inflates their pay cheque. Why would they turn down a massive contract?
Why? Because our system allows it. Simple as that.
Sucks. I know.
Philosophically of course, separatists who take the money and run really, when you think of it to its profound end, don't have honor. If they truly believed in their cause, they'd reject the money. Hate it? Grow a pair and put an end to it.
In the meantime, who in their right mind rejects cold hard cash?
It's like an athlete being overpaid. It's not the athlete's fault an organization inflates their pay cheque. Why would they turn down a massive contract?
Words From Melville
"...But if the doctrine of Fast-Fish be pretty generally applicable, the kindred doctrine of Loose-Fish is still more widely so. That is internationally and universally applicable.
What was America in 1492 but a Loose-Fish, in which Columbus struck the Spanish standard by way of wailing it for his royal master and mistress? What was Poland to the Czar? What Greece to the Turk? What India to England? What at last will Mexico be to the United States? All Loose-Fish.
What are the Rights of Man and the Liberties of the World but Loose-Fish? What all men's minds and opinions but Loose-Fish? What is the principle of religious belief in them but a Loose-Fish? What to the ostentatious smuggling verbalists are the thoughts of thinkers but Loose-Fish? What is the great globe itself but a Loose-Fish? And what are you, reader, but a Loose-Fish and a Fast-Fish, too?"
Henry Melville, Moby Dick. Chapter89.
***
Chapter 90
"Why should the king get the head and the Queen the tail. A reason for that, ye lawyers!"
Twitter Of the Moment
I don't use or follow Twitter but if there's one journalist I would follow on the issue of global terrorism it's J.M. Berger.
Al-Queda Confrims Osama Death
Good enough for you, Mr. Mulcair?
What about you douchebag conspiracy theorist?
***
They vow revenge. I think we knew that was coming. But it's really a Mossad-CIA plot.
What about you douchebag conspiracy theorist?
***
They vow revenge. I think we knew that was coming. But it's really a Mossad-CIA plot.
Bob Rae As Liberal Leader
Bad idea.
I speak strictly as a voter. I don't see how if the Liberals are to embark on a bottom-top soul searching mission as some have said, Bob Rae is the man to show them the light on such a spiritual journey. Interim or not.
Why? Because Chretien endorses him. The whole point is to distance themselves and erase the memory of their scandalous past.
I speak strictly as a voter. I don't see how if the Liberals are to embark on a bottom-top soul searching mission as some have said, Bob Rae is the man to show them the light on such a spiritual journey. Interim or not.
Why? Because Chretien endorses him. The whole point is to distance themselves and erase the memory of their scandalous past.
2011-05-06
Progressive Thinking
Ah, those nutty smart liberals.
Oooh, the unsubstabtiated, banal, insulting, hyperbolic claims, Madame Heather Mallick!
How is this not "journalistic fear mongering?"
"The tasmanian devil (Harper) is on the loose!"
Oooh, the unsubstabtiated, banal, insulting, hyperbolic claims, Madame Heather Mallick!
How is this not "journalistic fear mongering?"
"The tasmanian devil (Harper) is on the loose!"
Census Us Or Else
The short-form census was mailed and received by every Canadian.
And like good sheep we have no problem disclosing personal information to unelected strangers. It's all perfectly normal especially the way they sell it. If you "choose" to not provide them with the requested information the world will basically end. Not only that, and it's clearly stipulated in bold, it's the law.
The questions were harmless enough: Name, gender, age, mother tongue, address.
What's the big deal? Just do it and shut up.
Here's the thing. If you're not into all the personal freedom stuff, then you may not consider this but some of us do.
The thing is, if someone of free will chooses to not answer the question they should not be threatened or coerced into doing so under any circumstance.
That's freedom.
Freedom's imperfections in its contract between citizens and their government is part of the deal.
Alas, this notion is but a mere minor belief these days. The Harper government was morally right, to me personally anyway, to have attempted to make the long-form census voluntary. Some people have reservations in revealing information about themselves. We should respect that no matter how important we deem it.
Nothing is worth much if it's taken by threat or force.
I passed it off to my wife to answer. She harbours no worries about such trivialities.
And like good sheep we have no problem disclosing personal information to unelected strangers. It's all perfectly normal especially the way they sell it. If you "choose" to not provide them with the requested information the world will basically end. Not only that, and it's clearly stipulated in bold, it's the law.
The questions were harmless enough: Name, gender, age, mother tongue, address.
What's the big deal? Just do it and shut up.
Here's the thing. If you're not into all the personal freedom stuff, then you may not consider this but some of us do.
The thing is, if someone of free will chooses to not answer the question they should not be threatened or coerced into doing so under any circumstance.
That's freedom.
Freedom's imperfections in its contract between citizens and their government is part of the deal.
Alas, this notion is but a mere minor belief these days. The Harper government was morally right, to me personally anyway, to have attempted to make the long-form census voluntary. Some people have reservations in revealing information about themselves. We should respect that no matter how important we deem it.
Nothing is worth much if it's taken by threat or force.
I passed it off to my wife to answer. She harbours no worries about such trivialities.
Bin Laden: Hypocritical Coward
Here's a surprise. Bin Laden orders his children not to become terrorists.
"The instruction to his 24 children not to fight jihad cites a precedent from the Islamic texts."
Reminds me of Quebec nationalists who by law (Bill 101 which is by the way supported by NDP screwballs like Mulcair) criminally tell Quebecers they can't go to English school but turn around and send their kids to English or American schools.
One of my comments lost:
From Tony:
"...and the procedure used by the provisions of bill 101 are, in places, word-for-word for the now-defunct Apartheid statutes of South Africa. Having to ask: Who are your parents and what is their classification in order to determine rights for an individual -- and then pass those rights down through heredity -- is used by both systems. It is a violation of the basic tenet of free and democratic societies: that all are equal before and under the law.
See chapters 2 and 5 of http://www.WhyCanadaMustEnd.com"
I agree.
No matter how you dice it, ITS PREJUDICIAL.
Any citizen , let alone a non-Francophone one, that agrees Bill 101 is a "good law" is a fool and anti-democratic. The law mocks the fundamental values of liberty we claim to have. You can't rationalize it any other way. You can't be free some of the time. Either you are, or you are not. In Quebec, we're not until we have a right to choose. Right to choose is not something that falls exclusively under abortion.
To me, it's a black mark on the Canadian landscape. Quebec can claim to be 'proud' of it all it wants. That's ok. They made the choice. Just don't turn around and tell me you're democrats.
They're looking at it from their own private parochial prism. But in the larger picture where we remove ourselves from the tribe and view our existence as sovereign individuals, then the law is nothing but paternalism hostile to our private interests.
"The instruction to his 24 children not to fight jihad cites a precedent from the Islamic texts."
Reminds me of Quebec nationalists who by law (Bill 101 which is by the way supported by NDP screwballs like Mulcair) criminally tell Quebecers they can't go to English school but turn around and send their kids to English or American schools.
One of my comments lost:
From Tony:
"...and the procedure used by the provisions of bill 101 are, in places, word-for-word for the now-defunct Apartheid statutes of South Africa. Having to ask: Who are your parents and what is their classification in order to determine rights for an individual -- and then pass those rights down through heredity -- is used by both systems. It is a violation of the basic tenet of free and democratic societies: that all are equal before and under the law.
See chapters 2 and 5 of http://www.WhyCanadaMustEnd.com"
I agree.
No matter how you dice it, ITS PREJUDICIAL.
Any citizen , let alone a non-Francophone one, that agrees Bill 101 is a "good law" is a fool and anti-democratic. The law mocks the fundamental values of liberty we claim to have. You can't rationalize it any other way. You can't be free some of the time. Either you are, or you are not. In Quebec, we're not until we have a right to choose. Right to choose is not something that falls exclusively under abortion.
To me, it's a black mark on the Canadian landscape. Quebec can claim to be 'proud' of it all it wants. That's ok. They made the choice. Just don't turn around and tell me you're democrats.
They're looking at it from their own private parochial prism. But in the larger picture where we remove ourselves from the tribe and view our existence as sovereign individuals, then the law is nothing but paternalism hostile to our private interests.
Canada Asked For American Help
Canada asking for the Americans for help in the event of a nuclear attack?
Not surprising. Anything related to security and the military in a serious scenario would lead to our asking for outside help. A friend of mine in the RCMP believes Canadians are woefully unprepared for a terrorist or nuclear attack despite credible threats. Not only that, as I've written in the past, if Canada were to ever be attacke, psychologically it would shock and change Canada forever.
The link comes by way of Wikileaks.
Not surprising. Anything related to security and the military in a serious scenario would lead to our asking for outside help. A friend of mine in the RCMP believes Canadians are woefully unprepared for a terrorist or nuclear attack despite credible threats. Not only that, as I've written in the past, if Canada were to ever be attacke, psychologically it would shock and change Canada forever.
The link comes by way of Wikileaks.
Fiction Friday
My latest surreal piece at The Warehouse.
Slightly edited and expanded, it was originally sent in to a local sports radio contest for a trip to Wrigley. The only reason why I did was because the hosts were babbling on about how they wanted creative entries and that out of hundreds they received only a handful were fit to qualify for a lousy t-shirt at worst and tickets to watch the Cubs.
Me, being the literal cat I am, set to write something "creative."
I kinda knew it was a long shot but I put my faith in their commitment to creativity. I like to push our natural tendency to cater to the lowest common denominator.
So much for faith.
Entry after entry was nothing but typical, banal "top 10 lists," "I drive my wife crazy" and "I'm a big baseball fan" stories.
I must admit I was perplexed by my omission. If you call for "creative" writing remember that some of us out there take it seriously.
Anyway. Read it for yourselves. Catch the symbolism, history and pop culture references, alliteration and foreshadowing if you must.
I think that was the Nike "swoosh" sound I just heard.
***
You know. In a way, it's good shows like American Idol are on. Before, all judgement rested on the minds of a few. Now, an entire nation gets to decide.
They should do one for writing.
Slightly edited and expanded, it was originally sent in to a local sports radio contest for a trip to Wrigley. The only reason why I did was because the hosts were babbling on about how they wanted creative entries and that out of hundreds they received only a handful were fit to qualify for a lousy t-shirt at worst and tickets to watch the Cubs.
Me, being the literal cat I am, set to write something "creative."
I kinda knew it was a long shot but I put my faith in their commitment to creativity. I like to push our natural tendency to cater to the lowest common denominator.
So much for faith.
Entry after entry was nothing but typical, banal "top 10 lists," "I drive my wife crazy" and "I'm a big baseball fan" stories.
I must admit I was perplexed by my omission. If you call for "creative" writing remember that some of us out there take it seriously.
Anyway. Read it for yourselves. Catch the symbolism, history and pop culture references, alliteration and foreshadowing if you must.
I think that was the Nike "swoosh" sound I just heard.
***
You know. In a way, it's good shows like American Idol are on. Before, all judgement rested on the minds of a few. Now, an entire nation gets to decide.
They should do one for writing.
2011-05-05
Daycare Permit Scandal
It's simple.
There are scandals in daycare because the government is doling out the permits and makes the process so long (average 18 months) that people find ways to, you know, live.
It's not friggen complicated.
Article is in French but worth translating.
There are scandals in daycare because the government is doling out the permits and makes the process so long (average 18 months) that people find ways to, you know, live.
It's not friggen complicated.
Article is in French but worth translating.
That Didn't Take Long
In honor of the special "Here Come the 'DP At The Comedy Cellar" I write this post in orange.
Before we begin, recall that this one of the NDP's most experienced politicians!
Not a fan and never will be a fan of Thomas Mulcair. Nonetheless, with all the scrutiny being placed on the fact four university students and fraudster are heading to Ottawa to earn 150k, Mulcair didn't exhibit much wisdom.
Tommy, this ain't Kansas anymore. You're now part of the official opposition. Your party won a baffling 102 seats. Act like it. People will actually critically assess your comments. Unlike the language crap you pull here in Quebec. A Quebec sports writer can be prejudicial because no one can read French or much cares on the continent but not you anymore. You big time now, got it?
About Bin Laden and the Americans hethinks:
"I said that’s the decent thing to do, but on the other hand, it doesn’t get rid of the fact that if there are other things that can prove or disprove whether or not there was a weapon and whether or not there was an issue of self-defence as opposed to a direct killing, then that also becomes germane with regard to international law and American law.”
Are you fucking kidding me? One of the most important manhunts in the history of American politics and military for a murderous jack off terrorist and he's worried about whether he was "pulling for a gun?"
Get ready for gratuitous anti-American gibberish from the NDP. If you think the Liberals under Chretien weren't anti-American enough, wait 'til this bunch talks without thinking. It's likely a little George Galloway lives in all of them.
In fact, a little sovereignty too. I think it's a no-brainer that Quebec has the NDP in its back pocket.
***
And then there's Maud.
Ruth Ellen Brousseau. Fraudster.
Even being told she can't talk to the media. Transparecny, democracy, honest politics? Blah, blah, blah.
What's worse is the people of Berthier Maskinonge actually voting for here. No excuse for that either.
Sttteeeeee-rike TWO!
***
Man, I have so many scripts in my head ready to be written the NDP are GOLD!
Before we begin, recall that this one of the NDP's most experienced politicians!
Not a fan and never will be a fan of Thomas Mulcair. Nonetheless, with all the scrutiny being placed on the fact four university students and fraudster are heading to Ottawa to earn 150k, Mulcair didn't exhibit much wisdom.
Tommy, this ain't Kansas anymore. You're now part of the official opposition. Your party won a baffling 102 seats. Act like it. People will actually critically assess your comments. Unlike the language crap you pull here in Quebec. A Quebec sports writer can be prejudicial because no one can read French or much cares on the continent but not you anymore. You big time now, got it?
About Bin Laden and the Americans hethinks:
"I said that’s the decent thing to do, but on the other hand, it doesn’t get rid of the fact that if there are other things that can prove or disprove whether or not there was a weapon and whether or not there was an issue of self-defence as opposed to a direct killing, then that also becomes germane with regard to international law and American law.”
Are you fucking kidding me? One of the most important manhunts in the history of American politics and military for a murderous jack off terrorist and he's worried about whether he was "pulling for a gun?"
Get ready for gratuitous anti-American gibberish from the NDP. If you think the Liberals under Chretien weren't anti-American enough, wait 'til this bunch talks without thinking. It's likely a little George Galloway lives in all of them.
In fact, a little sovereignty too. I think it's a no-brainer that Quebec has the NDP in its back pocket.
***
And then there's Maud.
Ruth Ellen Brousseau. Fraudster.
Even being told she can't talk to the media. Transparecny, democracy, honest politics? Blah, blah, blah.
What's worse is the people of Berthier Maskinonge actually voting for here. No excuse for that either.
Sttteeeeee-rike TWO!
***
Man, I have so many scripts in my head ready to be written the NDP are GOLD!
2011-05-04
Chicago Principal Oversteps Her Boundary
I know I'd be pretty pissed off at this if they forced me to not send my kid with her own lunch to school. Forcing parents without their consent (is there any other way?) to pay for lunches is plain wrong.
Pure bull shit it's about the "health of the kids." This has more to do with paternalism encroaching in the private lives of people. To say nothing of the suspicious monetary interest involved. Cui bono? indeed.
It never ends does it?
What do you expect when you give up some of your liberties to the public interest? Your kids become "our" kids.
Pure bull shit it's about the "health of the kids." This has more to do with paternalism encroaching in the private lives of people. To say nothing of the suspicious monetary interest involved. Cui bono? indeed.
It never ends does it?
What do you expect when you give up some of your liberties to the public interest? Your kids become "our" kids.
Sad Ending
For Jolene Riendeau who went missing in 1999 when she was 10 years old. Police found her body.
2011-05-03
Ignatieff Resigns
He just took over a Liberal party that was a shell of its former self. I voted less against him than the party itself.
He was, however, hopelessly misguided in calling this election. But it had to take this shake down for the Liberals to hopefully reform and reshape their visions. That they were possible suitors with the NDP in a leftist merge showed they had become less "centrist" and shifted left. That lost me.
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