Captain's Blog

William Shatner- Captain James T. Kirk himself- revealed in a letter to a fan that he would like to be Prime Minister of Canada. Taking this with however big a grain of salt you wish, how would the captains in the Trek universe (and their second-in-commands) rate?

Kirk: being transplanted from his home and native land for quite some time, Captain Kirk might find himself in Michael Ignatieff's position- a Canadian-born American with lofty goals playing second-fiddle to a more familiar face. While Kirk's devil-may-care attitude may win sway with green-skinned ladies, it won't work at G-8 conferences where there are no green-skinned people, period (I checked). Spock may be popular in Alberta, though, and his logical approach to matters might reduce certain political amateurs to tears. Chekov could be a problem if he toes Russia's line on Arctic supremacy. Nothing says "problems in the cabinet" like wayward Russians, whom we cannot show weakness in front of.

Picard: many Canadians might balk at yet another Frenchman as PM after the disastrous Trudeau and Chretien years but Jean-Luc Picard is continental French so he might just ignore Quebec altogether. His Shakespearean tones will be a most welcome euphonic change to the overly-drawled vowel sounds usually heard in the House of Commons. "I will NEVER raise taxes!" An empty promise has never sounded so lovely. His second-in-command, William Riker, is a native of Alaska, the freak state. Given the irrational reception of Governor Sarah Palin, Riker might well be immune from the Palin Syndrome (marked by misogyny, irrational fears, unfounded rumours and inability to wear knee-high boots) because he is a man. And can you imagine if Picard has Worf as Minister of Defense? That would be AWESOME! Threaten us now, bin Laden!

Sisko: Benjamin Sisko is like Shaft but more intergalactic. His chief engineer is Irish, which can only be a good thing. His security officer, however, tends to turn into something resembling maple syrup after a while. What would happen if a visiting diplomat mistook him for actual syrup and served him over pancakes? Trade agreements have been lost over less awkward things.

Janeway: Kathryn Janeway might look nice in a dress and even resemble Katherine Hepburn but if the Palin Syndrome is any indication of things, people just don't dig chicks in charge (don't look at me like that).

Archer: Jonathan Archer, of the last (so far) Trek incarnation, has a few things in his favour. He has a cuddly beagle, a smarter uniform with a cap to match (much more functional than some god-awful multi-coloured unitard that futuristic people are supposed to wear), a holographic friend to help him on his way and an intergalactic rawness some might find charming (hey- we put with Chretien, didn't we?). His second-in-command might draw in the Alberta AND supermodel vote. His chief engineer might rub some people the wrong way as some Canadians can't distinguish anyone from the American South or why they don't like them. However, the security officer is from England and- if Captain Picard has taught us anything- things sound nicer with a British accent.

Now, go out and vote- or something.

Didn't See That Coming

Activists- mainly from the one-sided Amnesty International- are "shocked" at Hillary Clinton's stance on human rights in China. Why? This woman wants to normalise relations with North Korea. Not only does North Korea's human rights record seem unworthy of discussion, Indonesia has some how been elevated to the status of "moderate" despite the Bali bombings and the killing of Indonesian schoolgirls.

Speaking of North Korea, analysts say it is going to test-fire more Tapdong missiles. I wonder what North Korea could want this time.

The failure to properly incarcerate human filth who torture the mentally disabled or freeze their children to death doesn't leave the average Canadian with faith in the justice system. All we need is ONE system that adequately punishes perpetrators of crime and helps victims recover. Is it too much to ask?

Finally! It's really refreshing to hear someone else talk about how poor writing, planning and character development really mess up what was once a watchable show. Those were the days....

Know When To Fold 'Em

President Obama's all too brief visit (five hours) to Canada in order to blow smoke at Harper discuss with Prime Minister Stephen Harper issues of mutual international interest might have stoked the dying embers of love from some of the more fluff-headed of his groupies but in the end proved to be nothing more than a PR stunt.



Harper remained his clear-headed and cool self to Obama's hem-and-hawing to the ever-loving media and gushed poetically about his "love" for Canada, the typical reaction of an American socialist who has never had to wait for six hours in a Canadian emergency room because he can't find a family physician (also has never had to shovel his drive way). Harper explained in the simplest words he knew to CNN's Wolf Blitzer how Canada is not completely drowning in the greed-induced recession and refrained (wisely so) from giving America any advice in stemming the oncoming tide of poverty. Obama, eager not only to rob Americans of their money in social programs that won't work and to bulk up support for a war in Afghanistan he hopes will be his grand military legacy, smiled and poured on the silken charm that some believe got him the highest office in the land.



Had Mr. Obama studied physics instead of "community organization", he would know that once up, there is nowhere left to go but down.

The love affair can't last forever.

With Little Effect

As much as the press tries to bulk up public confidence in the Obama administration, it is doubtful Hillary Clinton's trip to Japan will have any effect on North Korea.

First of all, North Korea is a patrilineal dictatorship run one of the most morally corrupt people on the planet. Famines wipe out the North Korean populace while Kim Jong-Il and his military attaches eat well. Indeed, one of the chief complaints of North Korean refugees is dental problems, their teeth having fallen out due to malnutrition. Psychological problems are also a concern. Their cousins to the south should be attentive to these health problems as they may one day have to deal with them on a grand scale.

Secondly, North Korea has never adhered to any treaty, promise or law. Clinton's anger over North Korea's launching of missiles falls flat. Of course it is illegal to fire missiles. That has not stopped it before.

Third, North Korea rattles its sabre when it wants something and gives nothing in return. Any aid given to it by South Korea, the US, Japan or even China ends up in the hands of a rag-tag military and not where it is needed.

Fourth point, North Korea has yet to admit its full complicity in kidnapping not only Japanese citizens but South Korean citizens, as well. The fate of these people is largely unknown. As no one can enter North Korea and North Korea has no track record of honesty, anything could have happened to them.

Professor Sung-Yoon Lee outlines the problems dealing with North Korea here.

Why Hillary Clinton can even think she can make headway with the North Koreans when the South Koreans have been largely unsuccessful is beyond belief. Why she thinks she can- or should- normalise relations is just morally repugnant. What more can be said about a country that props up a father-son/cult-of-personality regime and where people starve to death?

A Very Good Reason Not to Repatriate Omar Khadr

This image says it all.

WARNING: this image is extremely shocking and graphic. If such things bother you, beware.

No terrorist should be granted refuge in Canada for any reason.

Surprise, Surprise

The Chosen One, whose stimulus package can only be described as mortgaging America's future for some socialist pipe-dream, has taken a dip in ratings. I thought it laughable when his approval rating went up before he was even inaugurated but chalked it up to the ridiculous pop-psychology experiment of congratulating a kid for doing nothing in an effort to boost his self-esteem. The dip shows the American public's confidence in him is waning. They may very well be waking up to the fact that they voted in a complete amateur instead of scrutinising his every move and word. Yeah, well, reap what you sow.

And now for one of the most satisfying smackdowns in television history. On Monday evening on the Michael Coren Show, viewers witnessed what I suspect many of them waited for for a long time. Ezra Levant, former editor of Western Standard, defended his decision (there are quite a few of them, actually) to print an edition of his magazine with the allegedly offensive Mohammed cartoons. Andrea Calver, a self-styled social activist (READ: unemployed busybody), accused him of vilifying Muslims. What followed was a thing of beauty forever. Mr. Levant called her- and I quote- "a clown".

Now a quote from me: it's about DAMN time. I respect Mr. Coren's right to have guests of opposing views on his own program. However, this should never include people as rude, pompous, self-righteous and completely obtuse as Miss Calver is. If one has ever watched the show, one would see that she interrupts people, never answers a question outright, sputters absolutely unfounded nonsense and then finishes with smug little smirk. This woman has defended some of the most odious offenses in the Western world simply by being too proud and stuck-up to see where liberalism has failed- sharia law, anti-Catholicism, abuse of women, censorship and fanaticism. Seriously. She is usually on the show on Monday evenings. Watch her worm out of answering a simple yes or no question or curl her pouty little lips up when some injustice happens to someone less liberal than she. If her self-righteousness doesn't bother you, than you are stronger than me.

Saint Paul Miki (Feast Day)

(A statue of Saint Paul Miki on the cross; the photo was taken at the Twenty-Six Martyrs Shrine in Nagasaki, Japan)

Today marks the feast day of Saint Paul Miki and the other Japanese martyrs who along side him.

Christianity took root in Japan with the arrival of Saint Francis Xavier, a Jesuit missionary from the Basque region of Spain. He arrived at Kagoshima in late August 1550 and moved on to Hirado to evangelise. Christianity started to flourish in this secluded country. Indeed, the first Christmas Mass was celebrated in 1552. Other missionaries such as Father Cosme de Torres and Brother Luiz de Almeida spread out as far as Nagasaki converting Japanese people and building churches.

At the time, Nagsaki was the only port open to the West. The Japanese authorities- namely Lord Hideyoshi Toyotomi- were hostile toward Christianity and Christians, even Japanese ones.

It was this world Saint Paul Miki and his friends were born into. Saint Paul Miki was born into an affluent family. His father was the military leader Miki Handayu. Saint Paul Miki was called to religious life and entered the Jesuit order in 1580. He continued his evangelist mission, even as he marched to his death after Lord Hideyoshi passed an edict against Christianity. He was martyred on Nishikaza Hill on February 5th, 1597.

Christians were persecuted and forced underground until 1873.

Here is the sermon Saint Paul Miki delivered from his cross. He makes it clear that though he is Japanese, he is also Christian. He wants to convince those witnessing (or partaking in) his death that he is not a foreigner- whom the Japanese feared at the time- but a Japanese like them whose only crime it was to accept Christ.

A bas-relief sculpture of the twenty-six martyrs killed on Nishizaka Hill. Inside the building is a church and museum with artifacts relating to the missionaries and martyrs.

These statues stood in front of Urakami Church in Nagasaki. They are of Saints John and Cecilia respectively. They were scorched but not wholly destroyed by the atomic bomb.

What remains of Urakami Church after much of it was destroyed by atomic bomb dropped on August 9th, 1945.

Urakami Cathedral as it stands today.

(information retrieved from A Guide to Pilgrimage Sites and Churches in Nagasaki, published by Nagasaki Bunkensha. The photographs were taken by me.)

Holy Smokes! It Was How Big?!

The "titanaboa" that once slithered in the rainforests of Colombia was 13 meters (42.7 feet) long and weighed 730 kilos (1,600 pounds).

How would prey escape such creature?

The Cracks Beneath the Surface

Not even a month into his presidency, Obama has performed the way one would expect an inexperienced civil servant with a completely undeserved sense of importance would perform. Now remember- his experience consists of being a “community organizer”, a law lecturer who has neither written anything substantial nor added insight to existing laws, and a senator whose sole achievements are arriving on time and voting against a measure countering one of the most pernicious acts in the land. Now, it appears Obama- the “Chosen One”- is buckling under the pressure. Take the economy, for example. Now, to be fair, it wouldn’t be a cakewalk for any politician but handing the reins of fiduciary power over to a champagne socialist is like giving control of a bus to a monkey (with the exception of Curious George). The stimulus package, which some believe is just some hype to print money that won’t actually help, has already bothered America’s neighbour to the North. The “Buy American” policy didn’t work in the Thirties and will only put Canadians (and probably more Americans) out of work. Whither the love affair? I have no doubt in my mind that Obama will pass the “Buy American” resolution in the stimulus bill no matter how hard he tries to sell his “disgust” and will blow smoke at Harper when he comes for a visit this February. His efforts to backtrack after hearing the outrage in Canada (and the EU) only shows the grave insecurity he possesses. Way to bulk up the confidence of a nation by flip-flopping, at least in words. How will Obama stoke the flame of love with Canadians after he reduces them to poverty? I don’t know. It’s hard to love a man who took all your money and then walked out on you. Not that any of this would matter because no one in the Great White North voted – or ever will- for him.

Then there’s the failure to vet his non-tax-paying aides, Biden the idiot, Pelosi, the girl-Biden, whose outrageous claims of five million jobs lost a day can’t possibly be correct even in Zimbabwe, the land-brokering deal of Kashmir and the money for eugenics programs overseas because the size of your carbon footprint can be determined by how black or Asian you are (don’t look at me like that- if it was up to me, it would be fair-trade, not eugenics). And let’s not forget the ingratiating apology to the very Muslims who hate the West and who have completely forgotten how the US has done so much good for the Islamic world that they should be embarrassed to even lift their heads and shout “Allah Akbar!” In fact, the US has done so much for the world that people should welcome them and their precious money wherever they are.

I don’t know what offends me more- that Obama is such a complete glory-hound or that people can’t (or won't) see what a total fraud he is.

(sigh)

Speaking of brain-trusts, the very thought of stopping Sarah Palin from doing anything is just anathema to me. So you could imagine my surprise when I found out that some extremist group wants to rid the world of Sarah Palin because she hunts wolves. First of all, I don’t approve of hunting wolves, or any other animal, unless it is necessary. I also don’t approve of giving anyone a carte blanche to wipe out a species because their ancestors may have walked the land before anyone else built a bungalow on it, nor do I approve of people who, under the guise of protecting the environment, are actually doing more harm than good. Enter Ashley Judd. There is a reason why she is an actress and not a scientist working for NASA. In fact, if she did work for NASA, one might say: “Hey! We should listen to her because she sends guys to the moon!” Instead, her claim to fame is a string of crappy movies with hunky, brooding and/or fantastic actors in them. For her or Matt Damon or any other leftist Hollywood celebrity completely divorced from reality to even think they have the requisite knowledge or moral compass to tell others how to live is just appalling. If the real world needs help drinking excessively, doing drugs, yelling at their kids, hating the country that made them disgustingly rich and getting away with crimes, then we’ll let you know. When will there be an act of government for them to lose ninety percent of their earnings and property? It’s socialism, baby, and it’s fair- at least for the people who pay eight bucks to watch their self-congratulatory crap.

As for the masses who cannot define a reason or articulate their intense dislike for Sarah Palin but slag her behind the cyber-mask of anonymity, there is a way to vent your misery: walk up to her and tell her what you think of her. You’ll be met with one-hundred and ten pounds of niceness or moose-wrestling fury. If you can put aside your crippling cowardice and give your displeasure some actual volume, only then will you know cloying magnanimity or Kryptonian fury.

And yeah- she knows how to rock a pair of knee-high boots. How many mothers of five can do that? Soak that up, why don’t you?

A Very Important Announcement

JIN'S ALIVE!

They better not try to kill him again.