Corruption at the heart of the United Nations

Aug 9th 2005
From The Economist Global Agenda

An investigation has concluded that the former head of the United Nations’ oil-for-food programme in Iraq took kickbacks to help an oil company win contracts. Another senior UN official is accused of soliciting bribes. The report is a severe blow to the organisation at a crucial time

FOR over a year, investigators have pored over questions of mismanagement and corruption at the United Nations. On Monday August 8th, they produced their firmest—and most painful—conclusions to date. An independent commission has found that Benon Sevan, the former head of the UN’s oil-for-food programme in Iraq, “corruptly benefited” from kickbacks while he was in charge. Another UN official, from the procurement office, is accused of soliciting bribes. The UN’s biggest-ever humanitarian undertaking seems to have become its biggest-ever scandal.
A harsh light began to shine on Mr Sevan after his name appeared on documents found in Iraq after the American-led invasion of 2003. Under the programme he ran, Iraq, though shackled by trade sanctions, could sell oil to buy food and medicine for its people. But the Iraqis negotiated the right to choose buyers and sellers in the programme. This gave Saddam Hussein’s government the ability to use oil concessions as a way to buy friends and influence. Among those alleged to have been bribed with oil vouchers are several European politicians.

But the charge that corruption may have tainted the top of the UN bureaucracy itself shook the organisation deeply. Mr Sevan denied any wrongdoing when his name hit the headlines. But the UN called for an independent inquiry, headed by Paul Volcker, a former head of America’s Federal Reserve. Mr Volcker’s first report, in February, showed that Mr Sevan had had repeated—and oft-denied—contact with the president of an oil company, AMEP, that received oil vouchers from Saddam. Mr Sevan also had around $160,000 in unusual bank deposits. He insisted that the money had come from an aunt.

This week’s report gives details of repeated meetings not only with AMEP’s president but also with Fred Nadler, a close friend of Mr Sevan’s revealed by the new report to be a director of AMEP as well. Mr Nadler controlled a Swiss bank account in a shell company’s name. Pennies off each barrel of oil sold by AMEP under the oil-for-food scheme went to the Swiss account, says the report, and money was withdrawn from it when Mr Sevan and/or Mr Nadler were in Geneva. Soon after, large sums of cash—mostly $100 bills—were paid into Mr Sevan’s American accounts. The Volcker committee thus claims a “reasonable sufficiency” of evidence that Mr Sevan was on the take. An American criminal investigation may now see if it can indict him. The Volcker committee has asked UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan to strip Mr Sevan of his diplomatic immunity, which he has said he will do. Mr Sevan resigned from his UN post on Sunday but continues to protest his innocence, saying that Mr Annan has “sacrificed” him under political pressure.

Another long section of Monday’s report examines the adventures of Alexander Yakovlev, an officer in the UN’s procurement department. The report charges that Mr Yakovlev solicited a bribe from Société Générale de Surveillance, an inspection contractor, in exchange for confidential bidding information. (There is no evidence that SGS paid any such bribe.) The Volcker committee also says it has evidence that Mr Yakovlev took hundreds of thousands of dollars from other UN contractors. He and Mr Sevan are now the first two UN officials to be directly accused of personally benefiting from corrupt activity.

Rotten timing

The report makes only passing references to Mr Annan, but he is personally connected to another affair still under investigation. The Volcker committee is looking into whether Mr Annan’s son Kojo, who worked for a Swiss inspection-services firm called Cotecna, used his UN connections to help Cotecna win a bid.

The committee’s last report, in March, accused Kojo of concealing the length and depth of his involvement with Cotecna. But the committee had no conclusive evidence that Mr Annan senior knew his son was currently being paid by a company bidding for a UN contract. Since then, in an e-mail that has appeared in press reports, a Cotecna vice-president at the time, Michael Wilson, tells of a useful meeting with the secretary-general “and his entourage” shortly before Cotecna won its bid. Mr Wilson denies that the e-mail is genuine. The Volcker committee promises a “definitive” report on the affair in September.

If direct links are drawn between the UN’s head and the oil-for-food scandal, Mr Sevan’s fall would seem comparatively trifling in its consequences for the world body. But even if Mr Annan is cleared of wrongdoing, the Volcker team has already highlighted extensive management failures that let so many things go wrong with oil-for-food on his watch. And all of this comes at a crucial time for the UN, as it begins to consider how to reform itself.

The exploits of Messrs Sevan, Yakovlev and others may have done more than just a terrible disservice to the wretched people of Iraq they were paid to help America has just sent John Bolton, a fiery critic of the UN in the past, to be its ambassador there. Those Americans backing the hard-charging Mr Bolton say that he is the ideal man right now, as the UN needs a good shake-up. Only someone not afraid to slaughter sacred cows, they say, can get the job done.
But the UN, rightly, turns some of the criticism over oil-for-food back to America (and its ally, Britain). First, while quite a bit of money went missing in the kickbacks and bribes detailed in Mr Volcker’s reports, much more misdirected cash went elsewhere. Saddam supported himself by selling oil illegally to neighbours including Jordan and Turkey. UN defenders say America turned a blind eye to this, since these two countries were its allies. And UN backers remind America that the UN Security Council, through its sanctions committee, approved every contract awarded under oil-for-food. That means that America and Britain could have vetoed any of the dodgy deals involving Mr Sevan and the others accused. But they appear to have been more concerned with potentially weapons-related “dual use” Iraqi imports than they were about corruption. A later Volcker committee report will look into the Security Council’s oversight failures.

So Mr Bolton’s arrival and the mutual acrimony over oil-for-food mean tense times between the UN and its most powerful member—all the more so given that this comes just before the world body is set to consider proposals to keep it relevant after the war in Iraq. These include adding new permanent members to the Security Council, defining terrorism more clearly, helping the UN to react more robustly to humanitarian disasters, and more. A high-level summit in September is meant to tackle these questions.

The big reforms require a two-thirds majority in the UN’s general assembly, and no veto by any of the five permanent members of the Security Council (America, Britain, China, France and Russia). But not even the claimants to new Security Council seats—including Japan, Brazil and India—can agree among themselves who, exactly, should get a place at the table. They now seem unlikely to convince America, grouchier than ever about the UN, to take their side. Some of the other worthy goals of September’s reform conference could also be caught in the crossfire. The exploits of Messrs Sevan, Yakovlev and others may have done more than just a terrible disservice to the wretched people of Iraq they were paid to help.

Obviously Bolton is in the right place at the right time. It would be a good outcome if Annan left his position since his integrity is in serious question now.

Regarding reforms for the UN's future, with the current voting structure it will be difficult to obtain any intelligent changes which would effect real change away from the backroom deal making that has plagued the UN since its inception.

All the same one can be hopeful and expect that Mr. Bolton will be able to make the organization more accountable and responsive to important members like the US in future.

Ramblings for today....

Regarding the bloggingtory story... I did receive annother email from BT and this one was a LOT NICER than the first one. I am not in the mood today to rehash this issue but will try to address it in the next few days. I thank Stephen for responding in a mature matter and you have regained my respect because of it.

Now onto my rant for the day...

Supreme Court Nominee John Roberts expressed great disappointment after learning the NEW YORK TIMES was poking around for details on his adopted children, sources tell the DRUDGE REPORT.

What can I say about this???

First of all, we all know that if the Democrats controlled the House, the White House and the Senate then they would have parachuted their choice in by now and it would be done with. But since the left cannot stand to lose... even the smallest battle anymore.. we are faced with some hypocrite exec., from the NYTimes investigating a Supreme Court Nominee. How low can you go? Furthermore, I'm going to stick my neck out here (not unusual I'd say..), and state that even if their were issues with these adoptions... who is hurt by this? What great crime has occurred other than some supposed infraction that opponents of logical and practical thinking can latch onto to destroy more people for their own advantage? Nuff said about this I think.

Now onto the battle of Creationism vs Evolution in the US...

Meteor strikes may have aided early life-study

http://cnn.netscape.cnn.com/ns/news/story.jsp?id=2005080818290002018849&dt=20050808182900&w=RTR&coview=

My second attempt at this thanks to the wonders of Google's Blogger...

I will attempt to reduce this debate which has gone on for hundreds of years (more probably millenia that is...), to a level that I believe a child can understand. Aided of course by this article and such that indicate that life as me know it in the universe is really quite mobile even without alien intervention.

First of all, it is a disservive to humanity to be intellectually dishonest or to only consider part of an issue or to limit debate on an issue especially for political or selfish reasons.

That is why the debate of whether creationism or intelligent design as it is often alternately called MUST be taught in all schools to all young people as a COMPLIMENTARY theory to explain the origin and adaption of all life as we know it.

To do otherwise would be to limit the capability of our own scientific mind and our ability to reach to the highest levels of spiritual enlightenment. To shut off the debate to a narrow path such that young talented minds are limited in how they think is not only discriminatory but criminal in my opinion as it limits the asperations and inclinations of all humanity.

Now on to the facts... this article referenced indicates that life has for millenia travelled countless distances in our universe to see and share and yes intermix wherever it has ended up. You could consider these travelling bodies computer viruses that infect worlds where the new or adapted life can take hold and influence what currently exists.

Stand aside if you do not believe in intelligent design in this universe and if you prefer a scientific rationale for all animated matter that you experience if in fact it really is real that is... but do not ignore the potential for intelligent lifeforms to go out and seed such travelling bodies in the knowledge that such life will spread, like weeds in the wind. Either way the argument that all life on earth originated here in some puddle struck by lightening and from whence all we know came from seems retarded to me. Also, consider the efforts of humans to reach out and explore in a limited fashion their own celestial backyards and the probable long-term effects of such contaminations in other places.

The time has ended for evolution as a complete stand alone theory to explain what exists... even a child with a smattering of imagination can see what folly this is... so why the hell can't an educated man or woman? Sometimes kids are smarter than we are.

Blogging Tories: Comments on my threatened Expulsion and subsequent decision to leave!

Here is the text, unedited as sent to me by Stephen Taylor via my email re: posts that I have recently made and comments attached to them. Stephen and some of his weak-kneed friends at the Blogging Tories found great offense to some of this material (which I let stay on the blog for everyone to decide for their self as to its merit and your perusal to let me know if I am in fact a bigot or a racist as some a-holes found fit to call me). There is again, nothing illegal or wrong with any of the statements made, although they are controversial in this liberal day and age, and as such may offend some people. I have chosen to let these statements stay because I believe in free-speech and NOT CENSORSHIP unlike Mr. Taylor.

As you can see by the tone of this email, I am an embarrasment to the BloggingTories and threatening to destroy them and the entire Conservative Party according to Stephen and his buddies. Of course since Stephen hangs in Ottawa at any opportunity to ingratiate himself with any politico he can latch onto, one wonders if his pronouncements on behalf of the CPC are to be taken with a grain of salt? Either way, I respect the LITTLE EMPIRE he is building for himself and certain of his LIBERAL MINDED friends and I will go my own way as I state in my response below:

Brian,

as you're likely aware, your most recent post has caused quite a furor in the blogosphere.

While your post is a slightly 'controversial'criticism on immigration, it is the comments on that post have me (and some other Blogging Tories) ashamed of your association within the group.

Discussions of the "white race" and decrying intermarriage/"race mixing" have absolutely no place in any organization with even a remote association with the Conservative Party of Canada.

I have discussed with Craig (the other Blogging Tories admin) and some
other Blogging Tories what should be done.

We recognize your right to free speech, however, we also recognize our
right to determine what group of individuals we want associated with
our group.

As such we see two possibilities,


a) You can purge the comments section of your latest post on
immigration (all comments) or
b) Continue to express your opinion, unmolested, but realize that we
cannot continue to endorse you as a member of Blogging Tories.
Please note that you are free to choose your own path here, but we are
also free to choose ours. If you choose to continue your association
with Blogging Tories, please be advised that a similar notice in the
future will not be forthcoming in response to a similar incident and
that we will choose in favour of your removal from the blogroll.

Sincerely,

Stephen Taylor
Craig Smith

Now my response:

Stephen:

After some deliberation on my part, I have decided that 'I no longer want anything to do with the blogging tories.' Thus you can remove me from the roll and I will delete any mention of the bloggingtories from my blog.

I do not see what I have done to bring shame to the blogging Tories and nothing that you have mentioned in your email indicates where I have. In regards the comments, I'm not aware that any of them are illegal, hateful or unfair. I do not advocate anywhere for anyone to belong to any group nor do I belong to any group other than a political party (which I may be considering the wisdom of in future). Furthermore, if I choose to favour my own kind and stand up for them and be concerned for their future survival whilst you think it is not important at all, then obviously we have entirely differing views of the future, the present and even what politics is about.

In regards racial mixing, please point out to me what I said that is so offensive or wrong if I even said anything?

You also speak as though you are some expert on what views the conservative party of Canada has... I guess your meetings with a few MP's in Ottawa has gone to your head apparently...

If you wish to cave into globalism/liberalism and still continue to call yourself a conservative without any thought to questioning the status quo and all accepted ways of thinking then I do not wish to associate with the bloggingtories any longer. This is what is best for everyone. It appears that the blogging Tories for the most part are a group of 20 somethings with little real world experience that are idealistic and in some cases opportunistic and I have little in common with such people.
Frankly, many of the members remind me more of liberals than any kind of conservative anyhow.

If this is the face of the NEW conservative party then it is starting to remind me too much of the old PROGRESSIVE CONSERVATIVES.

All the same I appreciate the opportunity to express my views let me know if you disagree with anything I have said but I doubt you will lest you enter into an argument that you cannot win.

I wish you luck in the future,

yours truly,

Brian

MacLean’s magazine: Liberal propaganda; part II.

Brian Walsh

Continuing from part I, a few days ago coverage of MacLean’s August 1, 2005 issue hi-lights as seen by a real conservative:

Then there is this other Liberal missive on page 40, where many natural health products must now bear health Canada’s stamp of approval. Further it is revealed that Ottawa is facing a huge backlog in its review process whereby Jen Cully an owner of a supplements based company call this fiasco: “It’s another gun registry.”

Later, I see this screaming out at me: “A lot fewer white people.” First I thought that liberals wanted to murder us all but then I see that it is an article about cadet corps at CFB Borden this summer. Still I think the Liberals want to see most white people disappear all the same.

Pages 64 to 67 are an orgy of Liberal photographs by some guy that is a photographer with MacLeans. I don’t see any conservatives in the bunch so I just write this down as more Liberal bias in this obviously Liberal biased magazine.

Debauchery Liberal style starts on page 68 as I see “Rosie’s Love Boat.” I don’t dare read the article because I know it is about that Rosie and about pushing the gay agenda but I do note the subtitle though: “So much for debauchery. O’Donnell’s gay cruise ship champions family values.” I’ll let the reader try and figure that one out.

When I get to page 69 I’m not surprised to see that NYC’s top hooker is a former tap-dancer from Montreal and they show a picture of her gracing NEW YORK magazine even. I’m not sure what the merits of this story are except that Paul Martin and the Liberals are talking about legalizing prostitution I hear. Apparently, this woman scored a record 17 straight 10/10 scores on a popular escort-ranking website. Gee this magazine is starting to remind me of the National Enquirer.

Amazingly a book review on pages 74-76 whereby the author named Clare Asquith, points out that Shakespeare’s plays were in fact topically political in his day and hint at his support of the Catholic church at the hands of protestant reformers in England at that time. I was surprised to see that a hatchet job wasn’t done on this book.

The lowest point in the magazine is on page 77 where a review of some obscure film laden with many talentless comics (such as the Liberal loved Jon Stewart), talks about the filthiest joke ever told called the ‘Aristocrats.’ I won’t even repeat the joke, but what this has to do with a magazine like MacLean’s I have to wonder. More Liberal filth.

The most interesting article of all is on page 88, where Paul Wells complains as to why Canada gives people from certain eastern European countries and the Baltics, trouble in obtaining Visa’s for travel to Canada. I’ve already covered this issue: certain people here do not like the fact that some eastern European countries and the Baltic states had ties to the Nazi’s during WWII and they feel that these countries should still be punished for this. Why doesn’t Wells ask them why there are VISA restrictions??

Stay tuned for future dispatches on Canada’s Weekly LIBERAL MAGAZINE OF NOTE, MacLean’s.

Liberals using immigration to destroy Canada

Just annother in many stories to date and many more to come in regards the liberals using immigration to destroy what Canada has been and is.

This story was linked from the Drudgereport and contains some inside comments from Joe Volpe our esteemed immigration minister:

"OTTAWA (Reuters) - Canadians can put away those extra welcome mats -- it seems Americans unhappy about the result of last November's presidential election have decided to stay at home after all.

In the days after President Bush' won a second term, the number of U.S. citizens visiting Canada's main immigration Web site shot up sixfold, prompting speculation that unhappy Democrats would flock north.

But official statistics show the number of Americans actually applying to live permanently in Canada fell in the six months after the election.

On the face of it this is not good news -- Canada is one of the few major nations seeking to attract immigrants -- but Immigration Minister Joe Volpe was philosophical.

"We'll take talent from wherever it is resident in the world. I was absolutely elated to see the number of hits and then my staff said 'You know what? A hit on the Internet is after all just a hit'," he told Reuters on Thursday.

"I guess I'm happy Republicans and Democrats have found a way to live together in peace and in harmony," he said.

Canada generally tilts more to the social and political left than the United States.
Data from the main Canadian processing center in Buffalo, NY shows that in the six months up to the U.S. election there were 16,266 applications from people seeking to live in Canada, a figure that fell to 14,666 for the half year after the vote.

A spokeswoman for Canada's federal immigration ministry declined to speculate on the reasons for the drop.

Toby Condliffe, who heads the Canadian chapter of Democrats Abroad, did have an explanation of sorts.

"I can only assume the Americans who checked out the Web site subsequently checked out our winter temperatures and further took note that the National Hockey League was being locked out and had second thoughts," he told Reuters.

Last year, Canada, which has a population of about 32 million, accepted 235,808 immigrants from all over the world.

Gee how this country has fallen... they will take anybody but have no interest in developing a lot of the people that are already here. The backstabbers!!

It is time for Canada to swing right.

MacLean’s magazine: Liberal propaganda; part 1.

by Brian Walsh

MacLean’s magazine dated August 1, 2005, a publication ultimately owned by the Roger’s Media conglomerate and past employer of John Tory arrives at my home with the mistaken impression that I am a subscriber.

Well a past room-mate was apparently but that likely had more to do with his working for Rogers Inc., than his caring about MacLean’s magazine as a source of entertainment nor enlightenment.

Anyways… looking inside I find early on while ambling towards page 10, an anti-Harper cartoon, showing a cloud over his head as he embarks on his cross country tour for the summer. This is the same magazine that John Tory’s prior employer owns and for which the so called Progressive Conservative’s views could be associated.

Then only on to page 12, I find a small blurb about gay marriage in a section called mysteriously ‘UPFRONT.’ For some strange reason despite all the controversy in Canada about this legislation… the very short blurb mentions that Canada becomes only the fourth country in the world to recognize gay marriage.

On a more positive note I see an article about the resurgence in the economy in Bratislava in Slovakia which with it’s 19 percent flat tax on everything… is destined in a few years to home to more automobile manufacturing per capita than any other country on earth.

On page 32 I see a good quote, which makes we wonder why liberals push immigration so strongly and cheer so much when foreign auto-makers setup shop in Canada. Martin Bruncko an advisor to Slovak Finance Minister Ivan Miklos: “Probably we’ll stay competitive for the next 10 years. But in the long term, it may not be sustainable. Countries will be successful because they create innovative value, rather than cheaply producing goods created elsewhere.”

A story on population growth on page 34 says that the increase in Canada’s population is from immigration, not procreation. It goes on to state that Canada’s fertility rate is 1.53 per cent while a fertility rate of 2.1 percent is needed to maintain a countries population. The article does not mention any downfalls of using immigration as a method to shore up a countries population nor whether Canada must do something to reverse the declining birth rate. More Liberal wrong headedness.

On page 37, it appears that MacLean’s is looking for not one but three editor’s, so be sure to tell your liberal friends about it. I know they don’t hire conservatives there that is for sure.

Jim Dinning called the heir apparent to Ralph Klein in Alberta says on page 38, “Alberta is now too important to Canada’s economy to be ignored. Alberta doesn’t want out, it want’s in.” While that may be true, with Liberals running Ottawa, I think they still want out.

Tomorrow will continue with part II...

Bush installs Bolton at UN

President Bush taking a lesson from hard-core socialists and communists installed Bolton as the US rep at the UN. Did this statement scare you? It needened be because Bolton was by far the best choice to voice America's growing concern with the corruption and incompetence at the UN. Bolton a no nonsense kind of guy will get the UN cleaned up.

Sadly, Bush had to take lessons from his hard-liner socialistic critics in order to get Bolton into the position. Not that Democrats or Liberals (up in Canada here...), are above doing what they want when they have the power to do it without regard for the views of the opposition. We are in a time when this has become the norm and Mr. Bush must be prepared to do the same in order to install John Roberts onto the supreme court.

As a conservative you know you are doing the right thing when your opposition hates what you are doing... witness today's Toronto Star story as an example of the bleating and bawling by the left at the very thought on Bolton going to the UN to kick some ass.

Next we need somebody like Roberts at the Supreme court and hopefully their will be as many as two more nominees to fill during the remainder of Bush's term. I can only hope that is the case.

How to build conservatism in Canada.

Here are some brief pointers for suggestions of how to build conservatism into a force in this country once again...

That is why we have to do the following as I have been advocating for sometime now:

-find powerful sponsors that truly support our political views-find out who our real supporters are in the system and stay loyal to them

-campaign for change at the CRTC

-push for change to media laws in Canada re: NAFTA, Washington and any international agreements or influence that we can must... cause change from outside rather than inside (which is rotten from liberal corruption and influence..)

-do it ourselves... build an infrastructure for conservative views built by conservatives

-lastly win an election where we will be in a position to legislate actual change.

Muslim punks keep up the pressure!

NETHERLANDS: VAN GOGH'S SON ASSAULTED


Brussels, 28 July (AKI) - The 14-year-old son of controversial film director Theo van Gogh, slain by an Islamic extremist last November, is said to have been threatened and assaulted by Moroccan teenagers in Amsterdam and insulted by his classmates. The allegations were made during an interview the boy's grandparents gave to the Dutch television channel Nova.

Amsterdam police have not confirmed any threats or aggression against Lieuwe van Gogh.The family lawyer, Gijs de Westelaken, specified that after the murder, which profoundly shocked Dutch society, Lieuwe was attacked by some young Moroccan youths while he was walking the dog. The boy is said to have suffered bruising, but only spoke about the incident to his mother and did not lodge a police complaint.On another occasion he is said to have been threatened with a pistol by two young men of North African descent in the neighbourhood where his father had lived. Neighbours called the police but when they arrived the attackers had fled. According to his grandparents, Lieuwe was also subject to harrassment and insults at school, and was forced to change class after various classmates told him "it is a good thing your father is dead". An Amsterdam police spokesman said that in the aftermath of the murder of the filmmaker, they were in frequent contact with the boy's mother and that Lieuwe had been under police protection for a period.

The Dutch director - a descendent of the painter Vincent van Gogh - caused controversy with his film 'Submission', broadcast in the Netherlands last August, which criticised the treatment of women in Islamic society. He was murdered as he cycled to work in Amsterdam last November. The assailant shot Van Gogh and slit his throat. A letter was also pinned to his chest with a knife, quoting the Koran and threatening the Dutch-Somali MP Ayaan Hirsi Ali, who wrote the script for the film.A young radical Islamist was on Monday given a life sentence for the murder. Dutch-Moroccan Mohammed Bouyeri, 27, had confessed to the killing during his trial and told the court he would do it again if he had the chance. Van Gogh's killing shocked the Netherlands, which is known for its tolerant attitudes and laws, and sparked attacks on mosques and ethnic unrest around the country. Bouyeri was born and raised in Amsterdam, and there is no clear information on how and why he turned to radical Islam.

Gee most would get the message by now but not radical Islam... we are defiant and we want a World War III with the west and Christianity. Just who is behind the black curtain pulling the strings of radical islamism anyways?? Several guessess...

Transgender Golfer Still Faces Barriers

After Forging Identity, She Struggles With LPGA Policies and Critics of Her Unusual Sexual Identity

July 27, 2005 -- A year ago, Mianne Bagger made history by becoming the first transsexual woman to ever play in a professional golf tournament.
"That was huge," she told "Primetime" correspondent Jay Schadler of her appearance in the 2004 Women's Australian Open. "It's like I get there and I'm on the course side of the ropes. I'm here. I'm playing. It was like, wow!"

Watch Jay Schadler's interview with Mianne Bagger on "Primetime" on Thursday, July 28 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on ABC.

Around the same time, the Olympics and the Ladies European Golf Tour opened the doors to athletes like her, changing their rules to allow transgendered athletes.

However, the Danish-born 38-year-old still has obstacles to face: The LPGA, the body that governs the American tour, won't let her play. It says only natural-born women are allowed.
Ty Votow, the LPGA's outgoing commissioner, says the rule is based on the belief that allowing transsexuals to compete against natural-born women "would create an unfair effect on the competition."

A Radical Change

However, Bagger says the physical advantages she had as a man have actually disappeared thanks to the female hormones she has taken since before undergoing gender reassignment surgery. She actually has less testosterone in her body now than many women, she said, and she has to rely more on accuracy and less on strength.

"The physical changes are, you lose muscle mass and testosterone," she told Schaedler. "You lose overall strength … I certainly wouldn't be out there playing if I felt I had an unfair advantage."

Bagger, who refuses to divulge her birth name, said she never considered herself a male, even when she was still a teen. She didn't tell anyone about how she felt until she was 18, but she says the experience was unbearable.

"I got thoroughly depressed. I got suicidal," she says.

She had gender reassignment surgery in 1995. She had no doubts, she said. "That feeling of laying on the hospital bed just going in for surgery was like, 'My God, I can't believe this is finally about to happen.'"

Supporters and Critics

The LPGA membership is currently reconsidering its policies on transgendered athletes.

Just to show everyone that I am not a bigot... I believe this person is gender confused, certainly on a mental and possibly on a psychic and soul level.

All the same... it is not going to be easy to reconcile her as a true woman in every endeavour that she decides to undertake.

I'm happy that this person decided to make the change once she became an adult... better than a recent Red Star story that touted a person in Toronto in their teens toying with the same idea.

Gay and transgendered rights should never be allowed to trump the status quo... that is unfair and it goes against 1000s of years of tradition and history. Where possible accomodation should be allowed provided it is a mutually agreed to process.

Canada to soon be thumped by the Danes??

I see that our fearless Minister of Defense (the oft rumoured gay blade himself.. Bill Graham), has caused quite the spat with Denmark by his dancing on an ice cap on some indescriminate island near Greenland.

Here is the summation of the event from the article linked above at the Gay & Married (Gobe&Mail), newspaper:

"But Hans Island, a barren knoll in the high Arctic, is now the centre of a full-fledged diplomatic tiff after Defence Minister Bill Graham quietly set foot there last week to the chagrin of the government of Denmark."

Gee is Kanada going to go up against the Vikings in a war?

Me thinks we are gonna get our arses kicked!!

Toronto the retarded

By now most of you have heard of the retarded efforts displayed by city hall in Toronto to appeal in greater part to American Tourists (not that anybody picked up on the anti-American slant of a left-wing city hall btw... or our weasel move to avoid the Iraq War et all..), by a massive $4 million rebranding and advertising campaign.

I won't get into the details here because it would be repeating the BS of the left wing media and city hall and as you readers of this blog know (is infrequent these days unfortunately...), I always like to slag the Toronto REd Star newspaper. But, the obvious 'King has no clothes on syndrome here..' is far too obvious to just be ignored I think.

Will the intelligent citizens of Toronto wake up and rid us of this lefty gang aka Mr. Miller next election? or will they continue to pursue the good life and higher property values and not give a shit about anything?

It's not nice living in a city that makes one long for NYC when it comes to mom and apple pie and a tear in your eye!!

Are we a lion or a lamb?

Since I have not watched TV once in two weeks, I have probably seen less of the horror that has been unleashed in London than most of you. I know London fairly well, having been there on several occasions and having spent several weeks there as a tourist. In London I walked everywhere rather than take a bus or tube train as I wanted to see the city. I thought the subway system was a bit constricted in places and the hugh crowds on the frequent and fast moving buses during rush-hour would give one cause for concern. But I am not shocked at what happened... was expecting it actually. Will such a thing happen in Canada? Or are we in the back pockets of the terrorists.. the liberals that is? My condolences to the British, a fierce, strong and proud people that know what tragedy is despite the heady heights of their recent empire. May God bless them and allow them to show the resolve that has always stood them in good stead in past. Funny but I think of the weak kneeded weasels running my country and my knees start to shake...

Have we been invaded yet?

To understand what his happening today, one must understand certain military tenets of warfare. These include:

-Infiltrate the enemy country with advance forces and spies.
-Pre-position supplies close to the anticipated battleground.
-Destroy the enemy’s will to resist.
-Destroy the enemy population’s morals and morale.
-Sew confusion among the enemy population.
-Cut lines of communication.
-Create diversions.
-Control all information and media outlets.
-Attack on many fronts.
-Destroy the enemy’s capability to wage war.
-Reduce or destroy enemy’s military bases.
-Strike only when ready and when enemy is at his weakest.

In the intelligence world, what we do is take pieces of information, like pieces of a puzzle, and “put them on the wall and see what picture develops.” Lord Wellington of Waterloo once said “I’ve spent my entire military career wondering what the chap on the other side of the hill was doing.” In intelligence circles, information gathering is chief among tasks, followed by “okay, what are they up to?”
-the guy who wrote this was fearing for the future of the US vis a vis China/Russia. But if he looked at Canada he really would be horrified.

More Gay Perversity from Torstar Corp.

A thigh is quite a thigh, as Pride goes by
Rosie Dimanno

"Horny?'' asked the T-shirt, worn by a particularly good looking piece of male eye candy.
-high grade journalism here eh?

Yes, actually, but what can you do about it.
-you are in the right place Rosie

Pride Week in Toronto is a time when straight women can fill their eyes — if not their arms — with luscious, lip-licking, libidinous masculinity, running the entire gamut from he-man to girly-man variety.
-are you weird Rosie? Still a catholic?

None of whom, alas, gives a toss about us.
-so women support this as some kind of porn fantasy?

The old adage that the best-looking guys are all gay never feels truer than during this annual celebration of all things queer.
-based upon your ball-breaking views over the years I cannot see how many real men would find you attractive

Or, to be more formally inclusive and gender-permutated about it, all things LGBTTIQ: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, transgender, intersex and queer. We don't know what intersex means, to be honest, but we like the sound of it.
-you do, why?

And we must not take it personally when, standing this close to a fellow who is completely naked save for his combat boots and penis jewellery, we fail to get a rise out of him, despite all our coquetry.
-really why not Rosie? btw, since when is it legal to parade around in the nude in public?

On another day, this gentleman might have got himself arrested for lewd conduct because it's still not quite acceptable to walk around in the buff, even on Church St. But on this afternoon, Totally Naked Toronto — a group of nudity proponents who fought to make Hanlan's Point a clothing-optional venue — has set up their campy hutch just yards away from the OPP information kiosk, without a whiff of disapproval.
-really, maybe the OPP is full of gays too then?

"As long as I'm wearing shoes, it's not considered total nudity,'' explains Peter Gray. "But I did have one cop come up to me last night asking if I realized this was a family event.''
-lol, family event? I cannot believe they allow this?

Twenty-five years after Toronto's first "Gay Day Picnic'' at Hanlan's Point — the predecessor to Gay Pride parading — this is what the occasion has become; a fully integrated and utterly mainstream family event, appropriate for children, driven less by political activism than sheer entertainment, and pumping an estimated $80 million into the city.
-Rosie, how is public nudity related to sexuality family entertainment and appropriate for children? Do you have a psychological problem? In regards the $80 million, I would like to see the estimate because I do not trust you, the media nor governments (which love gayness), to tell the truth.

If anything, yesterday's parade could have used a shade more rude, lewd and crude.
-really Rosie, well I got news for you, I'm betting that it only gets worse in future. But what would it take to shock somebody like you by the way?

Not to promote stereotypes, but Pride Parade — that's the correct term for it, nowadays, as we are reminded by a glossary of terms contained in the Office Pride Dictionary included in our media package — has grown up so much, become so mature, it is verging on the downright PG-rated conventional.
-are you psychotic? what about this parade resembles PG themes? Nice to see that the media is doing all it can to 'sell this shyte' to the public as wholesome and innocent. The office pride dictionary in the media package- gives you talking points on the parade and tells you how to think does it?

At times, as the 158 groups involved in the silver-anniversary celebration set out from their launching point on Bloor St., it looked and felt almost like a Labour Day parade, or something equally conformist.
-oh you mean like socialist or communist do you? is that who is behind this decadence?

All the major unions had their own floats, as did the earnest community organizations, faith-based associations, health care agencies, sports leagues and assorted ethnic clubs. The million or so spectators who lined the route were reminded — as if reminding were needed — that there are gay Latinos, gay African-Canadians, gay Jews, gay Muslims, gay Lutherans, gay students, gay parents, gay environmentalists, gay anti-war protestors, gay fat men in combat fatigues and even Gay Geeks.
-what faith based associations... would like to see a list of them. You say one million observers, then what is with the 125,000 number mentioned in your newspaper and in the Globe & Mail?

So non-controversial has the parade become that Toronto's new police chief Bill Blair was at the very head of the marching affair, walking alongside Mayor David Miller and other municipal politicians, just behind scout cars draped with the rainbow flag. Blair is the first cop ever to participate, and he didn't look in the least bit uncomfortable.
-maybe Blair is gay? secondly if the parade was so mainstream as you suggest then why was he the first top cop to be in it?

His presence was warmly applauded, testament to the reconciliation that has occurred between a police force and a queer constituency that has been harassed by the law in the past. It was the infamous bathhouse raids in 1981 — 301 men taken into custody in Canada's largest mass arrest — that forged a politicized entity out of Toronto's homosexual community. That was also the year that Lesbian and Gay Pride Day Toronto was legally incorporated.
-the bath houses were places of homosexual orgies and likely prostitution in non-private places, clearly against the law. Obviously, gays want to be able to do what they want when they want and the gay infested police and political realm supports them.

"I was invited,'' Blair said simply, adding that the parade was yet another outward indication of the city's noble diversity. "I couldn't be any prouder than to be here today.''
-noble diversity? what is noble about people that only have sexual differences and perversity as their defining uniqueness?

He did, though, look a mite spit-polished and over-dressed for the occasion, even in casual uniform. When it was suggested that he might want to at least undo his top button, Blair dead-panned: "The one tucked under my buckle is undone."
-yeah Blair, dress like the other gays you wimp!!

There's no arguing the pride parade is one of the most well-behaved, unthreatening, love-is-all-around big public events. Parade marshals were endlessly patient in the blazing heat, and even apologetic when the march started 20 minutes late. "We're on dyke time, okay?'' said one woman as she semaphored floats into position.
-dyke time, as in union government employee time? Gay pride is not a love-in, it is a sex-in and a flaunting of gay power in the faces of civil society and a reminder and threat of what is to come.

What was missing though, if one might be so bold, is a dash of the eccentricity and outrageousness that were hallmarks of the parade in years past. So few men in leather codpieces and bondage gear, not as many drag queens in fishtail dresses and stiletto heels, not even a good soaking to be had from high-power squirt guns. One woman in a bikini bottom, her small breasts bared, looked more sheepish than in-your-face defiant as she led around a skinny stud-trussed acolyte on a leash.
-gee since when is bondage suitable for families and kids to observe?

Perhaps they no longer have to make fun of themselves to court acceptability from society because they've moved beyond all that. After all, the key political issue in 2005 is not police bullying or fag-baiting but same-sex marriage, which will surely be proclaimed by Parliament before it rises for the summer.
-they have the power because our PM loves gays for some reason and will do anything to help them it appears. Now gays do whatever they want it seems when the rest of us can't. You do seem really confident about gay marriage though, too confident I would say.

"It's changed a lot, but that's a good thing,'' argued Colin Irving, who was dressed in exact look-alike ensemble with his partner, Bert Nyboer, down to the yard-long braided beards (hair extensions). "When the parade was smaller, it felt like everybody knew one another. Maybe now, it's a bit more corporate. But I think that shows the acceptance and tolerance that's grown in the city.
-corporate? I thought that business was not obcessed with sex and public policy?

"It used to be a lot more about sex in the old days. I think that was because of the anger that we felt. We were made out to be deviants and sex molesters. So it was like, `we'll show you'. Now it's like, just leave it in the bedroom. We don't have to be so explicit about sex any more or run around wearing a jock strap.
-if that is the case then why the S&M and nudes running around? Besides who asked you to be explicit? The idea of that was to appeal to your own kind and to openly defy the system. It was not at all about creating dialogue or inviting reasoned debate between yourselves and society.

"Take a look. There are gay men pushing their babies in strollers. Those are families. That's who we are.''
-where did the kid come from? A family can be what you define it to be but not society that has existed for at least 10,000 years?

Just so. But there should also always be room for those fearless superheroes, Pansy Man and Sissy Boy, who had their own message yesterday.
"We're here to save Pride from heterosexuality.''
-who is going to save heterosexuality from Pride?

IN conclusion, annother puff piece from the corporate MSM, trying to sell the homo dream to the mainstream, primarily using monetary benefit as the real reason for acceptance. The glossing over of the sexuality here and the perverse anti-family and anti-traditional views espoused here make Dimanno look like somebody that hates where she came from, even though I'm willing to bet that she has a great life and probably doesn't deserve it.

Current News and Comments

New U.S envoy plans "to listen"
BETH GORHAM
CANADIAN PRESS

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1119796986288&call

_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154&t=TS_Home

— South Carolina politician David Wilkins, who starts this week as the new U.S. ambassador to Canada, seems determined to avoid the pitfalls of his predecessor.

Where Paul Cellucci fast developed a reputation as a blunt advocate for President George W. Bush, jumping smack in the middle of bilateral rifts like Canada's defence capabilities and its position on the Iraq war, Wilkins is playing it safe.

-gee nice welcome... first words are he 'plans to listen.' I wonder if those are orders? Actually while we are on it, what about Canada's defence capabilities and its position on the Iraq war?
-nice to see a CP story with a name on it too, normally they are cowards and you have no idea who they are.
-oh yeah I forgot to tell ya David, see up here in Kanada, the media runs everything, ya gotta do what dey want see, dey is the boss.

When Matt became Jade
LESLIE SCRIVENER
TORONOT STAR
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1119736210469&call

_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154&t=TS_Home

Many at Northern Secondary School were surprised when Matt H. announced last year that he was running for student council president. A somewhat lonely boy, he didn't fit the model of the popular, extroverted student leader. Everyone seemed to know the outgoing president. Matt was more reserved — he liked playing on-line games and writing. He was on the ninth revision of a fantasy novel.
-okay so he wants to branch out right?

Everyone told him he didn't have a hope of winning. But he got the signatures needed for a nomination. For his election campaign that spring, he made a funny video, an instant teenage classic that showed him drinking a smoothie made from everything in his refrigerator.
-uh being cool is more important than offering something...

On stage at an assembly, where he stood tall, at 6 foot, 4 inches, wearing a Hawaiian shirt, he made a short satirical speech that parodied campaign promises: "I'll prevent a gigantic meteor from crashing into the school," he boasted. He won a standing ovation. It was a narrow margin — 16 votes — but he won the election.
-gee he must been running against a buncha losers

In December, just seven months later, students and teachers saw an entirely different school president. The acting principal, Tony Kerins, sent teachers a letter saying that Matt had made a "gender presentation decision" and would soon be dressing as a girl at school. For the rest of the year, Matt would be known as Jade.
-whoaahhh Nelly!!! but the star's gotta push this story right??

The staff wasn't asked to prepare students. The thinking was that Jade should not be seen as an exhibit and exposed to an open forum about her change. "We have this person who is one of us," Kerins said, "and we are not going to have that person hurt or embarrassed."
-but he errr she errr whatever is an exhibit...

Just before the Christmas break, Jade chose her outfit for her first school day as a girl — a ruffled knee-length black skirt, pink T-shirt and black jacket and a dark wig that flipped up at the ends. The next day, she began life as Jade.
-wow is that all it takes? who is she dating? is she a cheerleader yet? I bet she can play on the ladies basketball team though...

She was escorted to her classes by Dale Callender, a counsellor from Delisle Youth Services, a dropout-prevention centre at the school that's expanded into many parts of student life.
-what? I assume that Dale, helped to engineer this too?? what other shyte is Dale up to btw? I'm wondering if Jade would have won the vote without the gay, bisexual, trisexual or whatever support?

Callender, a neat, compact man, in his mid-30s, is a respected figure, immersed in school culture — he's like an icon here, one student said — and there's usually a gaggle of teenagers waiting outside his third-floor office.
-here's the media build-up now... immersed in school culture what does that mean, he's dating the kids?
-hate to be so insensitive but if you want to read more then go to the story at the link above... I wonder if the kids voted for a girl when they cast their vote for Matt? Why didn't this person wait until they left high school and went on their own... I think that Callender is running this show and he is out to make a statement just like the media is doing.

Glittering parade
PAUL CHOI
CANADIAN PRESS

http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1119823809507&call

_pageid=968332188492&col=968793972154&t=TS_Home

Decked out in green beads, pink angel wings, bright purple dresses or very little at all, more than 125,000 revellers locked down Toronto's downtown core to celebrate one of the world's largest gay and lesbian festivals today under a blistering sun.
-not that big of a crowd compared to what they have claimed in the past

Partiers laughed, cheered and danced their way through the streets at the 25th annual Pride Parade, which featured dozens of glittering floats and countless writhing bodies.
-nice family entertainment

"It can get pretty hot in this dress," said 54-year-old Terry Cook, also known as Divine, who cross-dressed in a velvet red gown, a thick blonde wig and applied cakes of makeup for the occasion. "But it's not that hot if I don't think about it."
-why don't you just get a sex-change Terry and get it over with?

Cook and those who lined the route got some relief from the heat from the many parade-goers toting water guns — a signature of the event.
-gee I could bring a bucket and throw it on some of them

The nearly three-hour extravaganza showcased flamboyant floats and colourful motorized trams sponsored by various groups, including the Ontario Provincial Police, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, and several diverse ethnic groups.
-what about the nude guys waltzing down the street? OPP's what do they have to do with this??

"I absolutely loved it," said Anastacia Scannel, 19, who was part of a train float sponsored by VIA Rail. It was her first parade.
"It was an absolutely great experience and I'll be sure to be here next year."
-what does VIA Rail have to do with this? why taxpayer's dollars on this?

The celebration of sexuality featured plenty of skin, with many parade-goers skimping around in nothing but shorts — or less. One man wore only the barest of red buttons over his nether-regions.
Spectators clambered onto rooftops, light stands, and newspaper stands in order to get a better view of the floats and dancing performers. Some even balanced dangerously on window ledges, blowing bubbles and throwing condoms into the crowd.
-why is the taxpayer supporting a fest celebrating often perverse sexuality? and in the open no less?

Among the many officials who took part in the parade was Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair, who donned his uniform to become the city's first top cop to participate.
-hopefully the last if I had my way

Several politicians were also on hand, but Conservative Leader Stephen Harper, who is visiting the Toronto area, did not attend the festivities.
-bravo Stephen. Nice to see all the other brown-nosers out there.

Ryan Johnson dressed up in army fatigues to protest war with the War Resistor Support Campaign. His group received one of the loudest responses from the crowd today as they walked the route.
"It was great, we got a really great response from people," Johnson said. "There was a lot of cheering, people blowing horns and clapping."
-what the hell does this have to do with gay pride?

Another of the standout showcases featured a man dressed in an elaborate peacock-shaped costume painted in hues of red, yellow and purple.
-standout showcases... wow you had to reach for that one didn't you?

Organizers estimate the city's Pride Week festivities, which began in 1981, attracted about one million people to Toronto this week.
Police reported no major incidents.
-really? then why were they not at the parade then?

Tom Riley, 58, a spectator who has attended the parade every year since it began, said he was disappointed Harper did not make an appearance.
-gee are you gay Tom? or is it biased to ask that now?

"I heard he was supposed to be with his son," Riley said. ``It's disappointing he's not here, but that's his choice I guess."
-of course it is, it still is a free country last time I checked. I have lived in Toronto for 26 years and I am proud to say that I have never attended the gay pride parade.

Today, Harper spoke against same-sex marriages while attending a religious convention in Mississauga, just east of Toronto.
-good timing too

The House of Commons begins debate this week on same-sex marriage legislation.
-more like a show down I would say

"It looks like it's going to go through and hopefully it will," Riley said.
-yeah I was right... Riley is gay. Why can't the RED STAR say so??

Harper brings image improvement tour to Toronto

(How the GAY & Married newspaper keeps stabbing conservatives in the back on a daily basis...)

Saturday, June 25, 2005
Updated at 5:32 PM EDT
Canadian Press

Toronto — Embattled Conservative Leader Stephen Harper took a break from parliamentary follies to open Toronto's International Dragon Boat Race Festival.
-what no insults yet? what is taking so long?

He cracked jokes about a quick rescue if he were to dive into Lake Ontario to escape the stifling heat.
-what no insults yet? what is taking so long?

But he wasn't laughing about his party's embarrassing defeat Thursday on the NDP-inspired budget bill.
-finally an insult...why was this defeat embarrasing? because the liberals are cheating weasels?

Mr. Harper accused the Liberals, Bloc Quebecois and NDP of using procedural trickery to pass the bill, which the Tories had said they would defeat to bring down the government and force an election.
-well did they or not? you are the third-party non-aligned journalist, you tell the public the truth?

He deflected questions from reporters about whether his leadership had been damaged by the episode.
-why should he answer your biased questions when you can't answer questions you pose to your own readers by your own hand?

He says it's the Liberals who have an image problem after such backhanded deal-making.
-finally some truth...

"Canadians are going to be concerned to see the government having a deal with the socialists and the separatists," he said.
"I don't think that's the kind of coalition the public voted for."
-especially since the MSM have been ragging on conservatives for any involvement with the Bloc and now the liberals and NDP do it for convenience purposes

The budget bill was whipped through Parliament late Thursday night after Liberal strategists calculated enough Conservative MPs had left for the weekend to allow it to pass. The Liberals, Bloc and NDP colluded to approve a rarely-used measure to cap debate at one hour and then adopted the bill by a five-vote margin.
-yes and where is the moral outrage or condemnation here from the media that is supposed to put Canadians first?

NDP Leader Jack Layton, still aglow from Thursday's victory, also helped to open the boat rate festival on Centre Island in Toronto harbour.
-what victory, from a bunch of cheaters? you the Canadian Press are supporting this?

Mr. Layton shrugged off Mr. Harper's accusations of trickery, saying MPs are expected to be in their seats to vote. He said he's had nothing but positive feedback about the move.
-Jackal the man of ethics and inside socialistic maneouvers, we will see if you get what you want on election day Jackal

"Everybody I've talked to is very happy that the budget is through."
Mr. Layton welcomed hundreds who had gathered to open the festival with several lines of Cantonese and was rewarded with a hearty round of applause.
-really? I know lots of people that are not happy about this

Mr. Harper took his nine-year-old son Ben to the amusement park on the island following his public appearance, the second stop on his so-called image improvement tour.
-what you arn't attacking his son too? Who called it his so-called image improvement tour anyways besides you commies in the media?

The two then had plans to spend the rest of the afternoon at the Hockey Hall of Fame.
-good choice

The Conservative leader will remain in the Toronto area Sunday, but said he will be spending time with his son rather than attend Toronto's world-renowned gay pride parade.
-world renown? really? since when do most people give a shit about gay parades?

An example of extreme media bias and hatred towards conservatives in Canada.

Paul Martin, EINSTEIN, PISACCO AT PEARLY GATES

Paul Martin, Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso have all died. Due to a glitch in the mundane/celestial time-space continuum, all three arrive at the Pearly Gates more or less simultaneously, even though their deaths have taken place decades apart.The first to present himself to Saint Peter is Einstein. Saint Peter questions him. "You look like Einstein, but you have NO idea the lengths certain people will go to, to sneak into Heaven under false pretenses. Can you prove who you really are?" Einstein ponders for a few seconds and asks, "Could I have a blackboard and some chalk?" Saint Peter complies with a snap of his fingers.The blackboard and chalk instantly appear. Einstein proceeds to describe with arcane mathematics and symbols his special theory of relativity. Saint Peter is suitably impressed. "You really *are* Einstein! Welcome to heaven!"

The next to arrive is Picasso. Once again Saint Peter asks for his credentials. Picasso doesn't hesitate. "Mind if I use that blackboard and chalk?" Saint Peter says, "Go ahead."Picasso erases Einstein's scribbles and proceeds to sketch out a truly stunning mural. Bulls, satyrs, nude women: he captures their essences with but a few strokes of the chalk. Saint Peter claps. "Surely you are the great artist you claim to be! Come on in!"

The last to arrive is Paul Martin. Saint Peter scratches his head. "Einstein and Picasso both managed to prove their identity. How can you prove yours?"Paul looks bewildered, "Here is a present for you Saint Peter he says while handing over a thick brown paper envelope." Saint Peter looks at him and says "Arn't you that SOB that passed SSM against the will of God?" "Yes," replied Paul Martin and he continued, "but don't the gays need somebody to love them too Saint Peter?" "Yes they do Paul, but you SOB who the hell are you to try and pay me a bribe to get into heaven?" Saint Peter bellowed. "What are you going to do to me Saint Peter?" Paul began to cry now... "Off with you Paul, you have been condemned to purgatory..." hissed Saint Peter. "Where is that Saint Peter, I don't wanna suffer.." Paul barely bawls out. "Purgatory for you Paul will be a life as the gay assistant to Scott Brison"...screached Saint Peter. At this point a smile began to come across Paul Martin's face as he began to think this was not really a punishment at all, he thought that he would like this actually as he had admired Scott for many years now... But then as he turned to walk away to his fate, Paul could hear Saint Peter say in the background "There is one thing I forgot to tell you Paul, your new name is going to be... Paula" ....laughed Saint Peter as he disappeared into the light!

Goodbye Shapiro: you are incompetent!

Ethics commissioner says he learned lesson from Judy Sgro investigation

John Ward
Canadian Press
Friday, June 24, 2005

OTTAWA -- Ethics Commissioner Bernard Shapiro, the target of some opposition MPs who want him fired, says he learned lessons from his first investigation and will apply them from now on.
Shapiro said his inquiry into the actions of Judy Sgro, the former immigration minister, was his first and it was a learning experience. He testified at the Commons ethics committee as MPs on the committee clashed over how they could question him. Opposition MPs tried to zero in on the Sgro inquiry, but were deflected by the chairman, who kept questions focused on general process, not specifics.
-sorry not good enough; this is like a judge making mistakes... not acceptable, he goes!!

"This is not a court of appeal," said chairman David Tilson.
New Democrat MP Ed Broadbent has said he wants to bring a motion of non-confidence in Shapiro before the committee, but that hasn't been done yet.
-but he just admitted that he made mistakes...

The MPs decided in camera that they would consider such a motion next week, if the Commons is still sitting.
Shapiro told the committee he will do some things differently in future.
-like start looking for annother job..

For instance, he said, he found it's important to sit down with all the principals in an investigation right at the start and discuss the issues.
-why did they hire this guy? whose ass did he have his head up?

"It cuts away the brushwood," he said.
He also said it's important to sort out what complaints he can deal with and which ones should be directed to other agencies.
Shapiro sent Sgro a letter on the investigation before issuing his report. She cited the letter as exoneration, although the final report did chide her for the actions of her staff.
-typical media denials

Shapiro said he sent letters to people who were subject to critical comment in the report and asked them to comment on matters of fact. He said he doesn't know if he would do that again.
-why not?

The Sgro investigation took seven months and Shapiro said he could probably shorten that in future cases. "You learn things," he said. He said it took time to get his operation running, hire a staff, arrange for offices.
-not an excuse in my opinion, we had other people doing this

He also complained about what he called a culture particular to the capital: "There seems to be a culture around in Ottawa that makes admitting a mistake a mistake instead of a learning experience."
-actually liberals make many mistakes and get away with them but a conservative never does

Shapiro also said he'll look into the actions of Tim Murphy, chief of staff to the prime minister, in the controversy over the case of secret tapes involving Tory MP Gurmant Grewal and will "likely" look at the prime minister as well.
-yeah and I'm staring at my navel right now too... so what?

"I expect . . . that I will find it appropriate to widen the examination to include either the prime minister and-or anyone else who seems to have a material relationship to the examination in question."
-you will find it appropriate to keep your job no matter what like all other liberals

He said Murphy won't be the formal target of the inquiry, but will be looked at. "He's so central to the issue that I would intend to include him."
-I expect that you two will be spot on for lunch eh chap??

"It's not good enough," said Conservative MP Tom Lukiwski. "I want a definitive statement. One of the problems we have with the ethics commissioner is that he seems, much as in the manner of the prime minister, to dither on a lot of issues.
-yes finally some truth, somebody that says it like it is...
Frankly I couldn't read any more of the shyte in that article so I leave it up to you to go to the link above and read the rest..

Canada.com webpoll not going so well?

POLL on front page of Canada.com today asks:

The Liberals used a procedural tactic to pass their contentious budget amendments late Thursday night, leaving the Conservatives fuming. That's just:

Results so far:

82.49 %Martin and his buddies up to their old dirty tricks.

7.92 %Evidence Harper's Tories aren't really ready for the big time.

4.35 %Good news, the money is badly needed.

5.25 %A shame, we need tax relief not social spending.

Seems that the liberal loving Aspers might not like this result...
If you get a chance check out the poll and vote, I did and I'm sure you know how I voted.

Liberals Cheat to win once again!!

Liberals win surprise budget vote
MPs vote to delay summer break,
which will allow vote on same-sex marriage
CANADIAN PRESS

OTTAWA - Paul Martin's Commons corps dusted off a rarely used procedural tactic just before midnight Thursday to bamboozle furious Conservatives and pass contentious Liberal-NDP budget amendments.
-HA HA HA! so funny, look at the criminals cheat to win!! Rarely used procedural tactic... LOL! You f*cking b%st*rds, have the liberals ever played fair?

The Conservatives could only sputter and fume after their unofficial partners in the Bloc Quebecois deserted them to join the Liberals and the NDP to cut off debate on the budget and move up a vote on same-sex marriage.
-So knee slapping funny how the dark side has to cheat to win, I'm laughing my guts out right now as I type this...

The realization of what had occurred only dawned on the Tories as they gazed around the shuttle buses that normally ferry MPs back to their offices and realized there wasn't a Liberal in sight.
-The weasels cheated... which is something that conservatives don't like doing nor are they used to playing dirty pool like liberals

Every available Liberal MP was cloistered in the Commons lobby waiting to spring into a vote to cut off debate. The Liberals, the Bloc and New Democrats made extraordinary use of a rule allowing for cutting off debate on the budget if they agreed the Conservatives were being obstructionist.
-gee 50% or more of the public just lost their voice for no good reason.

Conservative Leader Stephen Harper poured scorn on the alliance.
-yeah just annother example of the angry guy...

"When push comes to shove the Liberals will make any deal with anybody," Harper said after he was forced to rush back for a midnight vote. "And it doesn't matter whether it's with the socialists or with the separatists or any bunch of crooks they can find."
-Stephen you forgot to mention the devil... oops they already made that deal didn't they?

Though the Bloc stood with the Tories in the midnight budget ballotting, the Liberals still mustered five more votes than the Tory-Bloc alignment; several Conservative MPs were absent.
The Liberals were taking a monumental gamble. A loss on the vote would force the prime minister to dissolve Parliament and call a summer election.
-did the liberals know something that we don't?

But Liberal strategists were confident they had caught the Conservatives unawares and decided to risk their government for a decisive victory.
-who did the liberals buy now?

"I hope they can count," Liberal MP Shawn Murphy said of Liberal strategists as MPs milled around before the vote.
-who can count? the sell-outs with the parachutes?

The Tories, who had boldly predicted they could topple the Liberal government on the budget vote, were suddenly complaining they had members missing.
-well they would have won if the liberals didn't cheat but damn they shoulda expected this... school yard bullies 101

A few Conservatives were missing from their seats in an earlier vote Thursday evening. More could been seen racing back up Parliament Hill when news broke of the impending budget showdown.
-who were the missing MP's, you mean that you don't know?

They reacted with unfiltered rage.
-can't say I blame them, this is a new low for the liberals which keep digging deeper and deeper

Conservative deputy leader Peter MacKay described his foes as a ménage a trois between separatists, socialists and power-hungry Liberals.
-funny that the Bloc would support the liberals on this vote? very strange indeed.

Liberals claims of making the minority Parliament work was "all just one big, fat stinking lie" and then went further, comparing the Liberals to one of Hollywood's most heinous homicidal cannibals.
"We have to start thinking that Hannibal Lecter is running the government and they'll do anything they have to do to win."
Liberals could barely contain their glee in response.
-the idea of parliament is to discuss legislation and consider the will of the people, which the liberals had no interest in doing here

"Its not surprising that Hannibal Lecter should spring to mind for Mr. MacKay given the growing number of Conservatives who believe the party should soon eat its own leader," said Scott Reid, the prime minister's spokesman.
-what are you saying? most conservatives support Harper, I think that Martin is gone if he doesn't win annother majority next time

The Liberals handily won the earlier vote to extend the sitting of this session of Parliament after they promised to bring their controversial same-sex legislation to a vote.
-big deal, they had to do this and their was no consequences to the vote, conservatives wanted the extension

It was the first such extension since the free-trade debate raged in the dog days of 1988.
-yeah and the liberals were against that one btw

The Bloc Quebecois threw its weight behind the extension vote after extracting a promise from the Liberals that same-sex legislation will be dealt with before the session ends.
-why is the Bloc in a rush to deal with this? The liberals want this passed because they believe it will help them win seats in Quebec... why would the Bloc want to help that?

MPs are expected to adopt the same-sex bill by a healthy margin.
It passed second reading last month in a 163-138 vote and is already the law in every jurisdiction except Prince Edward Island, Alberta, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories.
-so now it will be forced on to those regions by virtue of the liberals cheating

Both the Bloc and the NDP support it, overwhelming the Tories and three dozen or so Liberal backbenchers who oppose it.
-why do 3 dozen liberals oppose it... no answer?

The Liberals carefully gauged the absences in the Commons before pulling their surprise move Thursday, knowing where their opposition stood and mindful of their close shave last month when they survived a Tory-Bloc non-confidence move by only one vote.
The Tories and the Bloc have said all along they would vote against the amendment, which would add $4.6 billion in social spending to the budget.
-looks like some conservative MP's have some splaining to do...

Earlier, several Tories said privately they don't want an election, don't expect one, and have no desire to topple the government right now.
-who are they? name them. Nice job of spin though Red Star, because you know and I know that the liberals would bleed in an election right now

It would be novel political strategy for the Tories to trigger an election now - 12 points behind the Liberals in the latest Decima poll released Thursday, and threatening to send the country to the polls in August for the first time since 1953.
-why don't the liberals dissolve the house and call an election then if they are confident that 12 points ahead (where except for Toronto????), means majority government?

Even an election-hungry Bloc - which is poised to sweep Quebec - seems more anxious to hit cottage country than the campaign trail.
-depends, polls can always change... better to get the bird in the hand than two in the bush

"For the moment I don't intend to order the (election) machine kick-started again," Gauthier said.
-so are you insiders in the Bloc now too at the STAR??

"Personally, I'd prefer to go for my vacation soon and maybe the fall would be a better moment for a general election.
"But I am always ready."
-ha ha, there you go..

It was the Bloc's co-operation that made an extension possible. The Commons had been scheduled to start its three-month summer break Thursday.
-yeah nice to see that most of the politicians in this country are socialists if one happens to like that of course

Initially lukewarm to the idea, the Bloc changed its tune after an exchange of letters between Gauthier and Liberal House leader Tony Valeri.
-how much money?

Valeri promised "that C-38 would be dealt with at all stages before the House would adjourn."
-how can he do that?

That was good enough for the Bloc - which had said it wanted a written guarantee that C-38 would come to a vote if there were an extension.
-nobody understands why Quebec wants gay-marriage? If you know then please explain it for me.