Dead But Won't Lie Down

Have you seen "Monty Python and the Holy Grail"? Sure you have. There are several iconic and completely funny parts, namely King Arthur's fight with the seemingly invincible Black Knight. No matter how many times King Arthur tries to pass (even after cutting off a limb), the Black Knight steadfastly refuses to let him be. In the end, the Black Knight is rendered completely useless but tries to save face by calling the match "a draw". It's funny and it makes you think.

It makes me think of all the times someone has tried to explain how obstinate, unfeeling, thoughtless or just plain mean someone else has been yet won't admit it. I don't think it's quite pride that would get in the way (although I wouldn't rule it out) but the complete inability to accept the fragility of their situation. They are standing on lost ground and not realising it. They may go on about how they never said something or that if they did say it they never meant it. Even if sat next to and calmly spoken to, nothing gets across. It only gets worse when they drag other equally clueless people into the fray. You're watching a sinking ship of fools trying to plug a couch-sized hole with a one centimetre blob of putty and wondering why they aren't headed for the life boats.

One has to continue forward, however, because there is a holy grail to find. The Black Knight certainly won't get in your way.

Just some thoughts.

200

I wondered what I should do for my two hundredth post but it appears nature has done that for me.

With loitering step and quiet eye,

Beneath the low November sky,

I wandered in the woods, and found

A clearing where the broken ground

Was scattered with black stumps and briers,

And the old wreck of forest fires.

(“In November”, Archibald Lampman)

One must have a mind of winter

To regard the frost and boughs

Of the pine-trees crusted with snow;

And have been cold a long time

To behold the junipers shagged with ice,

The spruces rough in the distant glitter

Of the January sun; and not to think

Of any misery in the sound of the wind,

In the sound of a few leaves,

Which is the sound of the land

Full of the same wind

That is blowing in the same bare place

For the listener, who listens in the snow,

And, nothing himself, beholds

Nothing that is not there and the nothing that is.

(“The Snow Man”, Wallace Stevens)

Whose woods these are I think I know.

His house is in the village though;

He will not see me stopping here

To watch his woods fill up with snow.

(“Stopping By the Woods On a Snowy Evening”, Robert Frost)

Never we know but in sleet and in snow,

The place where the great fires are,

That the midst of the earth is a raging mirth,

And the heart of the earth a star.

(“A Child of the Snows”, G.K. Chesterton)

In the Early Hours

Two Afghan girls were blinded by acid while on their way to school. This sort of thing is not atypical where the Taliban still has control. Academic empowerment is, apparently, "a sin". Where is the outrage from feminists and human-rights activists? While I am sure there are those who care, the mainstream will ignore things like this. I cannot think why.

Also, this is very cool.

Remember

I know that I shall meet my fate
Somewhere among the clouds above;
Those that I fight I do not hate,
Those that I guard I do not love;
My county is Kiltartan Cross,
My countrymen Kiltartan's poor,
No likely end could bring them loss
Or leave them happier than before.
Nor law, nor duty bade me fight,
Nor public men, nor cheering crowds,
A lonely impulse of delight
Drove to this tumult in the clouds;
I balanced all, brought all to mind,
The years to come seemed waste of breath,
A waste of breath the years behind
In balance with this life, this death.

"An Irish Airman Foresees His Death", William Butler Yeats

I've Got Mail

Anonymous has challenged me to post his/her entire letter. Here it is, uncensored and unabridged:

Your entire blog is a complete joke. Why do you even bother?

When people comment on your blog, you post only those comments that either suit your agenda or that you feel you can easily discredit.

You never post any of the comments of substance that show rational points of view which disagree with your extreme left-wing rants.

You're constantly telling commentors to "do their research" and "check the facts", and yet when they do and post a rational argument, you choose not to post these comments.

It's ridiculous that only people who agree with you can comment on your blog.
I wonder what your agreeeable readers would think of your blog if they knew the truth...that you censor rational comments that contain no profanity, only facts.

Like I said, your blog is a joke.
Be honest, be real, stop censoring comments that should be posted.

Why don't you shock me and post this comment in its entirety?

If Anonymous would care to read this over to see if I have left anything out, then one can be satisfied in knowing that nothing has been left out for any reason.

Now if I may retort:

I assume the "joke" remark was meant to hurt my feelings. It has not. While I don't consider myself the cornerstone of civilisation, I do like blogging on various topics. I have something to say and I would like to say it. That is why I bother. If my blog bores or offends, one is welcome to ignore it.

As for the comments I post, I want to promote discussion. I am sure you would not speak with someone who shouts profanity at you or fails to give a reasonable reply. Such is the case with me. The people who type rather vile messages aren't interested in discussion. Rather, all they have is a mixture of anger and stupidity (an opinion I will not retract). If I ask a question about North Korea or trade agreements, the last thing I want to hear is "go f--- yourself". That kind of rudeness doesn't belong on my blog. Sure, I may re-print such comments with the cuss words blanked out but it is only to show how some people are incapable of being civil. If someone agrees with me, so be it. If you look around, there are people who've disagreed with me. As long as they were polite, I was glad to reply.

No one has given me an airtight counter-argument to any of my posts. When they do (and are civil about it), it will be here for everyone to see. This isn't the Daily Kos or the New York Times.

Left-wing? Where did that come from?

For Your Perusal

I have permission to post this piece about the president-elect everyone can't stop singing about (yet no one can tell me why). It is a well-researched and thoughtful piece. Read it and see.

Here is a bit of it:

Among his promises was one to cut taxes for the American middle class.
Barak Obama is buying the presidency. What's the cost? $500 per American. Given to non-tax payers. Paid for by hard working men and women. How many people would honestly say no to a man who shouted "Vote for me, and I'll give you $500." $500 that wasn't earned. At least, not by the intended recipients.
"Sharing the wealth" is nothing more than a euphemism for "wealth redistribution." What justification for this is there? Is it charity? Charity is voluntary. It is not a tax that the government can enforce. It certainly isn't voluntary when you target a particular group, especially when many CEOs think Mr.Obama will bankrupt the country.

Is this a government policy? Definitely. Is it welfare? Not officially, but for all intents and purposes, it is. It is a would be policy by a would be government, to take money that wasn't earned, from those who worked long and hard, and give it to someone who does nothing, for no reason. This ideal of paying everyone whether they work or not is another form of wealth distribution we all know, as socialism. Of course, communism being a more common form of socialism that we should recognise it as. This is not a scare tactic used by Obama's opponents. This is history tested fact.

Contrary to the warm fuzzy feelings we (or someone you know) may
have about socialism, here in our free countries, it is not an answer to poverty
and class division. Socialism is the cause of many ills in countries around the
world, as it tramples on our rights and freedoms. It diminishes our ability to
acquire wealth, property and ultimately, security.

Read it and tell me what you think. Please, don't send me a message screaming racism or how you are a closet woman-hater because I can promise you this: I will post your nasty screed everywhere I can until I get an intelligent answer from you. I welcome discussion. I really do, even if I don't agree with you.

Just read it.

Coming Out of the Woodwork

After Iranian president Ahmadinejad congratulated Obama on his victory, North Korea, too, has expressed willingness to meet with the president-elect.

First, this comes as no surprise given Obama's previous declarations. North Korea may be seeking appeasement and they just might get it.

Secondly, who knows who is running Chinese and Russian-backed North Korea. Obama may meet with military officials or Kim Jong-Il's second-in-command (even that, I think, is in play).

Thirdly, North Korea, who has time and again betrayed their neighbour to the south, will no doubt expect something and offer nothing in return. They have a history of betrayal, deceit and violence, none of which they were ever held accountable for.

This is yet another test for the president-elect, one I doubt will have positive results.

Even More Mail

Brave anonymous people keep sending me messages, even ones with things that can't be printed for community standard reasons.

Anonymous #1: writes:

No one cares what you think, look at the feedback you get. Give up, go
get ***** or something.

On the contrary, Anonymous #1. People do care what I think or they wouldn't send me some rather peculiar messages. I don't know what you think about the possible re-negotiating of trade agreements between the US and Canada but when you do have an opinion, let me know. So far, all I can see is that you took the time to expose your misogyny. You actually took the time to send this message to me. Think about it.

Anonymous #2:

RACIST!

Are you referring to the poster who said 'yay for abortions'? I think it's just a matter of semantics. It could have been written better, for sure.

Not Good For Canada?

I believe I mentioned this but no one listened.

Whether Canadians (who don't really understand Americans or their politics, and vise-versa) believe it or not, a Republican president encourages trade whereas a Democrat president tends to be more protectionist. This does not bode well for border states who depend on one another.

I've Got More Mail

Wow. Oppose Obama and you become famous! I might even have my own star on the Walk of Fame one day.

And for all those who think profane language or even threats bother me- give it up. It's just sad. I mean, really. Am I supposed to be shocked or something? I still laugh at you.

Anyway, more stuff:

Rebecca says:

I agree with Anonymous #1. You do sound like a right winged crazy racist to
me!! =S

Explain how. Seriously. Write back and outline every little detail to me. The only thing I can gather is that I oppose a socialist with no experience or conscience who just happens to look black. If it makes you feel better, I don't care for Joe Biden, either.

Anonymous says:

Wow Lady. You are crazy!

Is that like a good crazy, or seeing things crazy? Again, please be clear.

That's it so far.

I've Got Mail!

I love when I get mail. I get to expose really ignorant things people say because they can't absorb different opinions or deal with facts. I could waste my time arguing these ridiculous bits of fiction but time is always of the essence. I will not censor these letters, save some nasty choice words. What you see here is what you get.

Anonymous #1:

It sounds to me like you hate African Americans... Anyone else agree that you
are a RACIST?

It must be racist to question the character and qualifications of the leader of the free world. Perhaps Anonymous #1 should visit Michelle Malkin's site and see how some rather ignorant people treat her simply because her parents are Filipino and she refuses to tow a line of victimhood and entitlement.

Anonymous #2:

You are f------ retarded. First off, Obama doesnt do Christmas OR Birthday
presents - this isnt because he doesnt believe in either, its to "teach the
girls limits" as is really quoted. AND the girls DO get presents - because the
daughter is quoted by saying "Malia says, I know there is a Santa because
there's no way you'd buy me all that stuff."So get your facts straight first -
you stupid dirty c---. Looks like you need to get laid, or a husband or dog or
something. Why do you write a blog anyways? No one comments on your bull----. I f------ wish your mom believed in abortion, there would be one less stupid
person on this Earth.
HURRAY FOR ABORTIONS!!! ABORTIONS FOR ALL WHO WANT THEM!!! YAYYYYY!!!

Wow. Anonymous #2 has so much to say. Where do I start? Why do I write this blog? I do it because I believe in free speech and expression. I have something to say and I would like to say it. I also believe in laughing at people like you, Anonymous #2. The fact that you took the time to misspell words and shout out insults is laughable. You could have ignored this post, or the blog entirely. You could have countered my arguments with something airtight and plausible. Instead, you showed me- and the world- your complete ignorance and malice.

The preceding is the crux of liberalism. Ignorance, malice, fear, anger and an undeserved sense of entitlement.

Apparently, I'm the one with the problem.

An Answer To "The End"

Anonymous doesn't think Obama's presidency will be marked by anything nefarious. I will re-print the letter and dissect piece by ill-informed piece.

Really? You really think so? Christmas hating, infanticide supporting,
tyant coddling liar... Those are very very strong words, and how dare you use
your words as weapons.

Yes, those are strong words and I meant everyone of them because they are true. I may be emphatic at times but I do not print things that aren't supported.

Just because someone doesn't celebrate Christmas, doesn't mean they
hate it. It just means their religious views are different than those of
Christanity, and thats ok, because God teaches us to love one another, even
through our faults.

A lot of cultures do not celebrate Christmas and those who observe it often do so without any understanding of what Christmas truly means. I was referring to Obama's unwillingness to give his daughters Christmas and birthday presents. Personally, I can't back a guy who would do that. He always wavered between Islam and Christianity- whichever one suited him at the time- but somewhere in between he should have found some time to buy a present for his kids. I shouldn't be surprised seeing as his aunt lives illegally in a housing project in Boston, his half-brother lives in a shack and Obama the grand communicator, gives one percent of his earnings to charity. God does teach us to love one another, not ignore their hypocrisy (remember the widow's mite?).

Infanticide supporting. Wow, again, very strong words. Just because he is
prochoice, and will allow a woman control of her body, does not mean that he is
a dirty baby killer. Shame on you my dear, as a Christian you should show
compassion, you are not God, when its his time he will not answer to you for his
crimes against humanity.

Obama is radically pro-abortion, not pro-choice. A dead baby is still a dead baby, an offense to whichever god you claim to adhere to. Obama has voted against keeping aborted babies born alive from getting medical care (remember- that once out of the womb, a baby is legally a person, therefore making it infanticide). That is pretty much the only thing he has done consistently during his tenure as senator. Should I have compassion for a man who would allow an act so monstrous? That doesn't strike me as Christian, or any other religion that holds human life so dear. Let's not forget how he said he would hate to have his daughters "punished with a baby". Punished? Babies are punishment? Wow. What a human being.

He will answer to God, and you are not he. It's Gods commandment that
you should not judge others, its not your place. Your place is to love, and
honour. You are not on this earth to win souls for your savour Jesus Christ, you
are here to live your life as a good example for others, so others will walk in
your foot steps, so make your life a shining example of the love that is
Christanity.

Yes, Obama one day will answer to God but right now he answers to the American people. As a Christian, I answer for my soul and I am responsible for those around me to some extent. Should I teach children it is okay to smoke? Should I ignore a co-worker who steals from the company? While everyone has free will, that does not mean I ignore goings-on. I think your mentioning Christ is only a way to shield Obama from legitimate criticism, which everyone has every right to offer. People often invoke the Name of Christ when they have nowhere to go. It's sad that Jesus must be used in such a way but that is what happens when facts go out the window. If Obama does something evil, we should not forget it. I reply to your weak-willed shills: get behind me, Satan.

We will have to see what the next 4years brings. You cannot predict, like a
psychic that the US will face economic and political depression. So my dear,
live your life in good example of how your Creator and Savour would want you to
live it. Remember that being the Judge is Gods job, not yours nor mine. Also
remember that your words can be harmful and hurtful weapons. They hurt people.
Please don't hurt people.

Don't tell me how to live my life. I know what I must do and right now it is to continually point out how Obama is an enormous mistake given that he has no regard for human life or the common good. If this "hurts" people, then they had better acquire a thicker skin. Legitimate criticism is what we have to balance the actions of men.

Anonymous, the facts are out there. Research them. See for yourself if Obama is worthy of so "ungodly" a tongue lashing. If he proves to be an incapable leader- which I believe he is- then that would be the least of his worries.

Russia's Renewed Aggression

Russia is deploying short-range missiles near Poland in an effort- no doubt- to counteract Bush's plans to set up an anti-missile defense system. One of the first challenges of the new president (the same one who waited while Russia attacked Georgia) is to see how long it will take him to be a Neville Chamberlain.

The End

Who would have thought that the Americans would have been duped into voting for a Christmas-hating, infanticide-supporting, tyrant-coddling liar?

Who would have guessed?

Get ready for four years of economic and political depression. We deserve it for buying into his- and others like him- crap.

Election Night

Whoever is elected must deal with this serious economic issue.

I just hope they are up to the task.

Signs of Our Times

Do you watch Mad Men? Sure you don't. It's a well-written drama with complex characters and intriguing plots based in an environment where illusion meets disappointment. It's a great little show, really.

Anyway, while surfing around, I came across these comments on the second season finale. They concern not only the characters on the program but the posters themselves:

Babies are tragedies when they're unwanted. They aren't blessings, they're
burdens. A baby is actually kind of icky, without the love to make it a
"miracle." They drool constantly, they wallow in their own waste, you have to
change their diapers and they wet the bed...people would not keep a pet that
required as much care or that was as gross as a human infant. And when every
time you look at your child you're looking at the reason you're not a model
doing the NY-London-Paris circuit, you're going to hate that child. Especially
if that child is also the reason you're stuck in a marriage with a guy you
pretty much think is a pig.

But if God is so all-powerful, why doesn't he just fix the damn
road?

Because he enjoys watching people slide into the ditch? Because it's boring
out there in immortal omniscience land, and watching people slide into the ditch
is about the only fun he has? Dunno.

Though probably not as upsetting as being dead. Or having no choice
over your own future. Abortion comes with terrible side effects for most women,
regardless how they feel about it at the time. Depression, anxiety, PTSD, even
guilt, to name a few (I've been and have worked with abortion survivors for
years). Betty didn't go through with it - only thought about it - which strikes
me as completely normal for her situation. She'll be better off in the long run,
and the child will certainly be better off, even if the family completely
disintegrates. At least s/he will have an opportunity to make his/her own
choices, and Betty (considering her character) will be spared decades of
suffering.

That second comment strikes me as a very large generalization about both
the outcomes of abortion and Betty. I've had an abortion before and I've known
other women who had an abortion before and most of us haven't suffered greatly
for it. I think that how women deal with the aftermath of having an abortion
really hinges on how they view abortion beforehand. If they view it as a woman's
choice, they're likely to make peace with themselves afterward. But if they're
in an environment where they're considered evil/terrible/selfish for not having
a child, of course they'll suffer more. (And on that note, I have to admit I
admire Betty for being in that second environment and still deciding that she's
going to press for an abortion, and even try and induce one by herself if
necessary. There's a lot of talk about her being a passive person on other
boards but she really has a set of clangers that could ring like steel.)

In any case, I hardly ever think about my abortion now unless it comes up
and when it does, I'm glad I had the choice to get a safe, legal, easily
available abortion that Betty and a lot of other women (Peggy, anyone?) didn't
have. My life would have been a lot harder right now if I had had a child as a
teenager, just as Betty's life will likely be a lot more anxious now that she's
having a child with a husband who's proven that he's more than capable of
abandoning her and her children without any warning. Children, especially
infants, are a real strain on a marriage.

These comments- at least to me- serve as a stark reminder of the selfishness, impracticality, materialism, hopelessness and complete lack of feeling for God or man that runs in the fabric of the Western world. Those who have the guts to counter the posters who air their dirty laundry on a public board get drowned out by the transparent need for someone to accept an act the roots of which are trapped in selfishness. Why any of this was brought up, I don't know. I thought people were just talking about a TV show, not their personal lives and why they are train wrecks.

Just my thoughts.

Reunification?

A well-known yet often undiscussed fact of North Korean life is how political prisoners are treated. North Korean defectors talk about the abuses they suffered while in prison camps- executions, beatings, torture. There are things too horrible to even discuss. Nevertheless, these things are facts of life for North Koreans and will most likely remain so until some things are resolved.

One- South Korea must decide if it truly wants to be reunited with North Korea. My questions to South Koreans about this matter were always ambiguous. The older generations want a united Korea and that is the default answer to any questions about reunification. However, would a reunited Korea happen? Since the end of the Second World War and the Korean War, North and South Korea have been divided militarily and perhaps culturally and socially. Would a blended Korea even be possible?

Secondly, how can China and Russia be removed from the equation? China and Russia aided North Korea during the war and stand as impediments to reunification now. Any conflict on the Korean Peninsula would be between China and the US. I've never believed the US has ever been bad for either Korea as the US has never sent unarmed men in waves toward their own deaths, nor have they withheld vital support to a country it really has no vested interest in supporting. Russia and China, on the other hand, have aided Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il in maintaining their grip on North Korea. The consequences for the people have been dire, to say the least.

Thirdly, would the rest of world assist North Korea in its adjustment to the free world, in whatever state it is in? Such a proposition is costly, never mind awkward.

I cannot answer any of these questions now. The crisis on the Korean Peninsula has been ongoing and it is doubtful it will change in the next year.

The Ayers Connection

I cannot stress how utterly mind-numbing it is for Barack Obama to align himself with a man whose horrifying vision it is murder those who don't believe in some radical philosophy.

William Ayers was a terrorist, is a communist and supports Obama. Obama will use Ayers- and anyone else he sees fit- to get ahead. How on earth could the American electorate support this:

I asked, “well what is going to happen to those people we can’t reeducate,
that are diehard capitalists?” and the reply was that they’d have to be
eliminated.

And when I pursued this further, they estimated they would have to
eliminate 25 million people in these reeducation centers.

And when I say “eliminate,” I mean “kill.”

Twenty-five million people.

I want you to imagine sitting in a room with 25 people, most of which
have graduate degrees, from Columbia and other well-known educational centers,
and hear them figuring out the logistics for the elimination of 25 million
people.

And they were dead serious.

Why can't people see that this is a huge problem?

A Blatant Attempt at Sympathy

Should we pull out of Afghanistan?

Fine- we'll leave, and in so doing, we'll abandon this puppy and others soldiers have been good enough to befriend.

Are we monsters?

Repeating Myself

I know I keep saying these things but they bear repeating.

This site here has some well-known and very valid reasons for not voting for Obama. Everything ranging from abortion, infanticide to taxes and foreign policy is listed there. After seeing and reviewing that material, there can be no good reason why anyone would elect that man.

I will re-print here a simple explanation on how socialist tax policies (like the ones Obama and the NDP espouse) work or don't work:

Our Tax System Explained: Bar Stool Economics
Suppose that every day, ten men go out for beer and the bill for all ten comes to $100. If they paid their bill the way we pay our taxes, it would go something like this:

The first four men (the poorest) would pay nothing.The fifth would pay $1.The sixth would pay $3.The seventh would pay $7. The eighth would pay $12.The ninth would pay $18.The tenth man (the richest) would pay $59.

So, that's what they decided to do.The ten men drank in the bar every day and seemed quite happy with the arrangement, until one day, the owner threw them a curve. 'Since you are all such good customers,' he said, 'I'm going to reduce the cost of your daily beer by $20.' Drinks for the ten now cost just $80. The group still wanted to pay their bill the way we pay our taxes so the first four men were unaffected. They would still drink for free. But what about the other six men - the paying customers? How could they divide the $20 windfall so that everyone would get his 'fair share?' They realized that $20 divided by six is $3.33. But if they subtracted that from everybody's share, then the fifth man and the sixth man would each end up being paid to drink his beer. So, the bar owner suggested that it would be fair to reduce each man's bill by roughly the same amount, and he proceeded to work out the amounts each should pay.

And so:The fifth man, like the first four, now paid nothing (100% savings).The sixth now paid $2 instead of $3 (33% savings).The seventh now pay $5 instead of $7 (28% savings).The eighth now paid $9 instead of $12 (25% savings).The ninth now paid $14 instead of $18 (22% savings).The tenth now paid $49 instead of $59 (16% savings).

Each of the six was better off than before. And the first four continued to drink for free. But once outside the restaurant, the men began to compare their savings.'I only got a dollar out of the $20,'declared the sixth man. He pointed to the tenth man,' but he got $10!''Yeah, that's right,' exclaimed the fifth man. 'I only saved a dollar, too.

It's unfair that he got ten times more than I got' 'That's true!' shouted the seventh man. 'Why should he get $10 back when I got only two? The wealthy get all the breaks!''Wait a minute,' yelled the first four men in unison. 'We didn't get anything at all. The system exploits the poor!' The nine men surrounded the tenth and beat him up.The next night the tenth man didn't show up for drinks so the nine sat down and had beers without him. But when it came time to pay the bill, they discovered something important. They didn't have enough money between all of them for even half of the bill!

And that, ladies and gentlemen, journalists and college professors, is how our tax system works. The people who pay the highest taxes get the most benefit from a tax reduction. Tax them too much, attack them for being wealthy, and they just may not show up anymore. In fact, they might start drinking overseas where the atmosphere is somewhat friendlier.

David R. Kamerschen, Ph.D.Professor of Economics University of Georgia

Sarah Palin, the oft-attacked yet visually stunning vice-presidential candidate, still makes the rounds trying to convince voters not to make any tragic mistakes like voting for Obama. Governor Palin's stint on the desperately unfunny Saturday Night Live scored huge ratings yet Tina Fey, who bears quite the resemblance to her, wouldn't even look Governor Palin in the eye. That must say alot about someone who would still put on a happy face even though the people around her can't articulate what they don't like about her. No, I don't mean Tina Fey. I meant Palin. The misogyny and outright meanness comes from the same people who don't have a problem with sharia law and- let's be honest- probably don't care for children. Were I a voter in the American election, I wouldn't want these people to speak for me.

Why We Can't Leave Redux

The Taliban provide the greatest reasons why we should not pull out of Afghanistan until its time. No, their fighting prowess is not superior. It is their complete lack of humanity. The murder of an aid worker whose mission to help the Afghan disabled is solid proof of that. We are not dealing with people we can reason with and bargaining should be out of the question.

Remains of the Day

It really has been a news-rich day.

The American Heart Association declares that the Bee-Gees' disco hit, "Stayin' Alive", could really help you stay alive (I am not making this up). The association calls for chest compressions to be given at a rate of 100 per minute in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The song, "Stayin' Alive", has 103 beats per minute. Catchy and life-saving.

al-Qaeda has not been affected by the economic meltdown, analysts say. They rely on other means to move their state-sponsored funds. And we were worried. One note: the zakat, the Muslim system of charity, has not helped bridge the gap between rich and poor. Again, Obama and terrorism are wrong.

The Chinese dairy industry is eager to regain the public's trust. They can do it by not selling milk ever again.

Christians in Iraq do not need blankets. They need to live without fear. As long as there is Islamofascism, no religious minority will be safe. We cannot bat our eyes and gloss over the problem. If Iraq wishes to partake in the community at large, and not the willing bigots in the Middle East which would condone such violence, it has to prove there is great social change.

North Korea is almost predictable in its relations with South Korea. It has again threatened to freeze ties with its neighbour. I don't know what else South Korea can offer North Korea. One should hardly expect the soft-sell "Sunshine Policy" to continue as it will only prolong the conflict. Kim Jong-Il, in whatever state he is in, is a bully and a tyrant. Kidnapping Japanese and Korean citizens, arresting people in the middle of the night, mass starvation and murder cannot continue forever.

In conclusion, spread the joy by high-fiving your friends.

Joe the Plumber

Currently the hottest ticket in this election isn't Obama, McCain or Palin but Joe the Plumber, a member of the working class who takes issue with Obama's tax plan.

Joe Wurzelbacher raises an important issue- the taxation of success. While Mr. Wurzelbacher does not disagree with being taxed, he does have a problem with being over-taxed because he is successful at his job. Small businesses and families are eaten alive because of socialist notions that success equals "unfair distribution of wealth". Why distribute what one has worked so hard for? Would it not be better to encourage people to make it on their own, create jobs and/or build up their communities and take care of themselves and their families instead of taxing them to death, running them out of business thereby creating joblessness, despair, mass migration out of once-successful cities and towns and making them dependant on the state?

Joe earned that money. It's his. Let him keep it. We don't take birthday presents and re-distribute them. Entitlement should be earned, not given out because of some romantic notion of "sharing".

Obama's Extremist Stances

Though this has been reported before, this article outlines Obama's promises for abortion and unethical stem cell research should he ever be elected. This should give any voter compelling reasons not to vote for him.

Unfounded Claims Will Haunt Obama

During last night's debate, Obama claimed he was attacked not only in ads run by McCain but even maligned and threatened at GOP rallies. He claimed that at a Palin rally someone shouted: "Kill him!" However, this is not true. See the portion of video here as well.

This man will lie, cheat and steal to get ahead. What a man to lead the American people!

McCain vs. Obama: the Semi-Finals

I have to offer some quick thoughts on the last presidential debate. Obama was rattled by McCain who appeared stronger than before. McCain was quick to call Obama on his unworkable tax plans, his partiality to judges with certain agendas and his comfort with infanticide. Obama at one point tried to paint himself as the victim of some unfair characterisations but I think any voter paying attention would see that as a childish move on his part (RE: Palin, Sarah; RE: Obama, liar). Whether this turns the tide, we shall see.

Reflection Upon the Election

The Conservatives won with a stronger minority than before, even ending up with seats they had never had before. The Green Party has no place to sit and Jack Layton still sits in office (shame on all of you who voted for him. Shame.)

That's it, really. Confidence in the Liberals is at an ebb not seen in recent memory and Canada won't go as far left as the NDP or the Green Party would like.

Thanksgiving

Summer ends now; now, barbarous in beauty, the stooks arise

Around; up above, what wind-walks! what lovely behaviour

Of silk-sack clouds! has wilder, wilful-wavier

Meal-drift moulded ever and melted across skies?

I walk, I lift up, I lift up heart, eyes,

Down all that glory in the heavens to glean our Saviour;

And, éyes, heárt, what looks, what lips yet gave you a

Rapturous love’s greeting of realer, of rounder replies?

And the azurous hung hills are his world-wielding shoulder

Majestic -- as a stallion stalwart, very-violet-sweet!

--These things, these things were here and but the beholder

Wanting; which two when they once meet,

The heart rears wings bold and bolder

And hurls for him, O half hurls earth for him off under his feet.

"Hurrahing In the Harvest", Gerard Manley Hopkins

Mark Steyn "Acquitted"

Mark Steyn has been found not guilty of inciting hate speech.

Though this is a great vindication of Mr. Steyn and the right to free expression, the ruling lays bare some rather disturbing things. There is no absolute right to free speech (RE: the Canadian Human Rights Act, section 13, 1) meaning what some appointed judge thinks is "hurtful" can land someone in serious legal difficulty. Furthermore, any party may come up with a frivolous claim. Even if the party loses, the accused must pay for all legal costs. The process to defend oneself is both legally, financially and emotionally exhausting. Anyone can attempt to stop free speech and expression. Anyone can be above criticism and the Crown will see it to it that it stays that way.

Nevertheless, it is a relief to one chapter of this nonsense over.

Further Down the Rabbit-Hole

Stephen Harper proves once again that he is a coward. He will not have a referendum on abortion, will not protect pregnant crime victims and has now agreed to fund objectionable movies at the Canadian taxpayers' expense. What. A coward.

Speaking of cowards, Governor-General Michelle Jean will give abortion quack Henry Morgentaler the Order of Canada. I use "abortion quack" deliberately because I don't feel Morgentaler deserves to be recognised as one who labours to save lives but rather snuffs them out.

The removal of North Korea from the Axis of Evil is premature as it is wrong. North Korea, since the invasion of its neighbour to the south, has never done anything to merit good will. North Korean spies have kidnapped both Japanese and South Korean nationals, committed acts of assassination and terrorism and have repeatedly made hostile gestures ranging from threats to missile launches and reviving its nuclear program. It's bad enough that South Korea has made little headway in dealing with its wayward cousin but for the United States to make the error of trusting North Korea would only further the already tense situation on the Korean Peninsula.

Was anyone aware that the press has largely ignored Obama's terrorist ties and that he has benefited from Freddie Mac? Oh, that's not really news and no one cares as voting for the afore-mentioned candidate is akin to jumping in front of a speeding bus. However, some CEOs believe Obama would be "disastrous".

Israel tries to help an Iranian boy. Iran still wants Israel eliminated.

Despite attacks by Hindu nationalists, India may get its first female saint.

Russia calling Ukraine a "criminal" is quite rich. Putin met with his counterpart, Ukrainian prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, and accused Ukraine of supplying weapons to Georgia (before or after Russia attacked Georgia is unclear). Russia, in this instance, is in its usual victim mode. Someone else must be to blame for its aggression towards a former satellite. It would be quite pathetic if the West did not largely ignore Russia's contempt for human life or freedom.

In these closing days of the election (both Canadian and American), we are faced with difficult choices. There are no good choices in Canada given the candidates. In the US, one can either vote for a veteran whose embattled running mate should win alone on the "Looks Stunning In Evening Wear" ticket, or a liar.

I believe the options are clear.

You can vote for this one. You can vote for this one. But you cannot vote for anyone else.

Just my thoughts.

There Is No Face Like a Happy Face

Lawyers for families afflicted by the Chinese milk scandal have been urged to drop cases.

But...but...I thought the government cared!

For the Last Time....

If anyone is of voting age and actually cares whether or not they can travel to another country or trade with the US, understand this:


Obama is not your candidate.


Yes, the idea of voting for Obama sounds radical but really it's just a recipe for disaster.


Cases in point:


Obama voted against keeping pornography away from churches and schools and against Internet filters in schools. He certainly used his voting privileges well in these instances.


While speaking at a Planned Parenthood meeting (the same Planned Parenthood that will not report child abuse to the authorities), he advocated sex education for kindergarten students.


Obama went where even Hillary Clinton would not go. He voted for partial-birth abortions and against keeping babies who survived abortions alive. The man voted for infanticide. It doesn't get any more monstrous than that.

Obama served on a board with American terrorist, William Ayers. Obama denies this but it is true. One of Ayers' crimes can be read about here.

Obama has openly admitted to wanting to meet with dictators like Ahmadinijad without any pre-conditions. This legitmises the dictatorship and crumbles any possibility of furthering human rights.

His insistence on creating public healthcare and "spreading the wealth" comes at a time when Americans are holding on to their wallets for dear life. Where will Obama get the money for these "promises"? Through taxation, the bane of any voter.

He has promised to withdraw troops from Iraq and perhaps, if his promises about being tough on Pakistan and Afghanistan are to be believed, place them in another hot zone. Not being a military tactician, I would say that this can only be unsettling for America's enemies who may think they've beaten the great American giant. Isn't emboldening enemies counter-productive?

He has made gaffes about Americans' inability to converse with the world. Perhaps he has miscounted the number of English speakers on the globe.

Canadians can't even vote in the American election but there is very good reason why notions of voting for Obama shouldn't even be entertained. Canada enjoys good economic relations with the US. Granted, we have been terrible neighbours, we are still profitable to them. Now- imagine a traditionally-protectionist Democratic president who raises tariffs, adds tighter trade restrictions and re-structures previous trade agreements. Let's not forget boundaries and fishing rights. The "who is to blame about NAFTA" fiasco earlier in the campaign made Canada look like a villain. Is that the kind of trading partner we need?

If anything, Obama is good at inflating himself. "Change", "hope" and all those other by-words cannot mask that when the time comes, if elected, he will stab us in the back.

Election-Mania!

Well- not really.

While straddling between the much-anticipated vice-presidential debates and the English-language debates here in Canada, I can conclude one thing- nothing is what one expected.

The vice-presidential debates went off better than the presidential debates did, in my opinion. While it was expected Governor Palin would be a train wreck, she was (as I predicted) very well-spoken. She was able to hold her own with Senator Biden, a politician with over thirty years experience. However, his experience did not sway my feelings of him raising taxes and making things miserable for the average American should he ever - God forbid- get elected.

While in Canada, we saw the five major parties quarrel over who would best stick it to the tax-payer. However one may feel about Stephen Harper, he runs the country as an economist, thereby watching every penny instead of frittering it away. Elizabeth May eviscerated whatever good mood was in the room by declaring she would run every aspect of Canadians' lives and by attacking Harper at every turn. If my dad is right- and he sometimes is- she will split the Green Party/NDP vote. Jack Layton, with his champagne-socialist demeanor, did not allay my fears of moving jobs to China and raising taxes. Gilles Duceppe, a man incapable of happiness, struck a particularly iresome note when he said- and I quote- "Canadian and Quebec troops". He doesn't see Quebec as a part of Canada, yet he is allowed to have his own party whose mandate it is to separate Canada. It was Stephen Dion who came off as the nicest but this nice guy will finish last.

Is Anyone Fed Up Yet?

Is anyone tired of their kid's toys and candy being laced with lead and/or melamine? Anyone? Is anyone completely frustrated with the lack of locally-made products? Has anyone figured out that we've never gotten rid of slavery, just moved it to another continent?

I just recently had an interesting conversation with a store-owner. Her freight charges are 30% more than what she would pay if she didn't have Chinese garbage flooding her store. Believe me, the way the gas prices are going, expect prices to climb. Products will be more expensive and businesses will go under. It's economic suicide. Why we would commit it is beyond me.

The Chinese hate their own people.

They hate the Koreans.

The Chinese will not buy their own toys.

Melamine is not meant for human consumption.

Neither is lead, nor uranium.

Here is a list (one of many) of things that will eventually kill your kids- thanks to China.

If anyone can tell me why corporations and governments continue to kow-tow to materialistic warlords, I would be grateful.

Here is someone else who is tired of melamine in her food.

These people are also tired of "Made in China".

Places like De la Terre , Pan Cafe and Ten Thousand Villages are among the very few businesses with consciences and great stuff to buy and eat.

"Toronto 18" "Youth" found Guilty

Having found neither his youth, his feelings or his stupidity material, a judge found one of eighteen men accused of conspiracy to commit terrorist acts guilty.
Good.

Sarah, Palin and Tall

Sarah Palin can boast of one astounding yet none-too-surprising accomplishment- turning liberal armchair pundits into astoundingly prudish hypocritical snobs. Sure, her vocation of being a mother of five uniquely named children, particularly one with special-needs (hats off to everyone with a special-needs child), is remarkable but no one cares about that these days. Her brief tenure as governor of Alaska (being a small-town mayor before that) has shown she has necessary administrative skills but Alaska is just a freak state- or an extension of Canada (depending on where you live). However, her ability to galvanize the Republican Party and have heaping amounts of scorn from obviously desperate leftists is her crowning achievement.

Sarah Palin is happy. She has been married to the same man for twenty-four years and has five children of whom she is proud. She supports her oldest daughter during her pregnancy, having said before abortion is “an atrocity”. She has been an achiever in her youth and has, in her words, “shaken up” things. Now Governor Palin will have the monumental task of being the second-most powerful person on the planet and the most powerful person in her household. Feminists hate her. How could she be married? How could she have children, especially a disabled one? How can she balance a career and family? Isn’t this the twenty-first century? Indeed. Perhaps the world has awakened to the fact that feminism, like communism, is a colossal failure. Women can’t have it all (don’t worry- neither can men). However much has changed, some things remain the same. Feminism- in all its work, work, work and no-baby glory- doesn't cut it for women these days. Women are rejecting tenets of radical feminism in favour of other ideals. Most women prefer staying at home. Women can raise their children to be smart, respectful, self-sufficient beings without relying on day-care which some studies suggest is detrimental. Women do see abortion as a moral quagmire and not as something “liberating”. Western societies have lived with single mothers for decades so why Democrats gasp at Bristol Palin’s situation is beyond imagination. How Victorian of them! Perhaps it is a matter best left alone as no one is voting for Bristol, anyway, but her mother. To top it all of, she. Looks. Awesome. She does. It’s shallow and unrelated to whether or not she can balance a budget but to catty women (be honest- women are catty) but feminists hate when a woman can look her best.

And there are other reasons why Governor Palin is an “atrocious” choice of vice-president. Her being Christian and pro-life (a double threat if you live in the cowardly political climate of Canada), being a hunter, being a woman. The list goes on. Smart fact checking has punched holes in the most recent controversies but like the anecdotal woman with a bag of feathers, it’s hard to contain the claptrap that spreads through the nerve endings of the Internet. Being Christian in a largely secular society and having pro-life views in a world that is disgusted with things like eugenic and sex-selective abortion but accepts it anyway is something some would rather not acknowledge but live with. She increased funding for special-needs students, not decreased it. The people of the twenty-first century might be out-of-touch with their hunter-and-gather roots but huge segments of the world’s population, including in the US and Canada, still live that way (Premier Paul Okalik enjoys fishing and hunting. I doubt someone will raise issue with that, unless they also hate his golfing). So what? Hunting an animal is not as barbaric as hunting Afghan schoolgirls. One of Sarah Palin’s first acts as governor was to build a natural gas pipeline that Alaskans had clamouring over for years. She can make good on a promise. She has promised to drill off-shore and use alternative forms of energy. Whether these plans will be feasible I cannot say for sure but if drilling off-shore decreases domestic reliance on foreign oil AND cheeses off the House of Saud, I say good. Sarah Palin has come under fire for allegedly banning books in the town in which she was mayor. What had happened was this: she asked a librarian if she was comfortable banning certain books. Nothing was banned or burned. I can say from my experience working in libraries that a book may not be included in a collection for any number of reasons. There are rumours of Sarah Palin being someone’s real mother or not, just some disgusting insinuations that are not worth going into.

That Sarah Palin has to suffer indignities that a male politician or radical feminist would not go through is a testament to the double standards present in North American politics. Had Sarah Palin been pro-abortion and secular, would anyone say the utterly misogynist things they’ve been saying about her? I think not. Liberals must make sense of a world that is complex, raw and often black and white. Established norms of right and wrong can’t apply. It’s childish but that’s the prevailing attitude of liberalism. Moral relativism is just one example of liberal stupidity. Wife-beating is wrong in a WASP neighbourhood but Sharia law, in all its tribal cruelty, is acceptable. Race is irrelevant but is brought up constantly. One’s black friend precludes one from being racist, no matter how one might justify soul-crushing treatment of “those yellow people” who apparently don’t mind working for $1.27 CDN a day. The pro-life ethic is especially telling of one’s attitudes towards everything from women’s rights to race to the environment, even though there is not one iota of proof to suggest that accepting life from conception to natural death equals antiquated notions of hatred. Conservatives are greedy and heartless while liberals are giving. There are no numbers to suggest that. It’s just something said when facts don’t conform to the theories. Whatever. In the end, it all shows how racist, chauvinistic, hypocritical, and ill-informed liberals can be.

And the fact that they are attacking Sarah Palin shows that they are desperate.

Why We Can't Quit

I am not going to pretend the conflict in Afghanistan is fraught with glory or the deaths of ninety-seven men are marginal. Any loss is keenly felt in the world. There is nothing glorious about war, only about the men who serve in it. To leave Afghanistan now would be disastrous politically and nationally. As a country, we promised to help the Afghan people. Our presence makes it possible for girls to be educated, for women to have some form of dignity and for a fledgling democracy to take flight. Maybe Afghanistan will never be like North America or Europe but that does not excuse our moral abandonment.

Consider:

-the War of 1812 was hard fought when the numbers weren’t in our favour. Upper Canada- now the province of Ontario- had a population of only 80,000 people whereas the US had a population of 7.5 million.

-the bloodbath that was World War One cost Canada 60,000 lives. Initially enthusiastic about the war, Canadians enlisted in droves. As the lists of maimed and dead grew higher, support for the war waned. A conscription crisis ensued and Prime Minster Borden needed pro-conscription support. Women (only WASPs with sons overseas) could vote for the first time in a vain attempt to save their sons.

-more than 6,000 Canadian soldiers were wounded or killed after the chlorine gas attacks at Ypres on April 24^th, 1915.

-only 68 Newfoundlanders out of 790 survived the Battle of the Somme (Newfoundland was not yet a province of Canada. It would become so in 1949).

-Vimy cost Canada 3,600 men. Canada captured more ground and guns but lost thousands of men.

-Passchendaele (there is now a movie which bears this name) cost 15, 654 soldiers out of a predicted 16,000. It was considered a victory.

-on September 10^th, 1939, Canada, for the first time in its history, declared war on its own. It was already offering support to Great Britain (American black airmen, who could not train their own country, trained in Canada. Their efforts helped end the war). 1,200 Canadians died in the Battle of the Atlantic. The Japanese killed 550 men after the fall of Hong Kong on Christmas Day 1941. 6,000 were killed in Italy. It was the disastrous raid at Dieppe that cost Canada 3,300 casualties, 900 of whom died. Had Canada pulled out they would never have achieved their objectives during a more successful amphibious landing- D-Day- and destroyed the Nazi war machine.

-though the war is technically not over, the Korean War resulted in the deaths of 516 Canadians (I have seen their names in the War Memorial in Seoul). I had the great pleasure of meeting a Canadian Korean war vet at the Canadian War Museum a few years ago. This down-to-earth fellow could not believe the place South Korea had become thanks to him and others who gave their lives.

We have made our place in history for the benefit of others. Nothing ends perfectly. I don’t think we will ever have that. That does not mean we surrender. The men who gave their lives deserve more than that. We must promise it to them.

The Canadian Election

In what appears to be the most boring election in decades, here is a breakdown of parties partaking in this ludicrous semblance of democracy.

Conservatives: also known as the Tories. Their cowardice and duplicity notwithstanding, they’ve managed to stave off the economic ruin the Liberals have tried so hard to put us in.

Liberals: even weasels can’t trust them. There were the god-awful Trudeau years, the gaffes, AD-scam, Chretien and his fat mouth. The Green Shift threatens to bankrupt us all. If there is a Santa Claus, this won’t happen.

Bloc Quebecois: like the Liberals but more French. Separating the country is their aim.

NDP: the New Democratic Party loves taxing people, just like the Democrats like taxing people. Taxes go to services that don’t work.

Green Party: like the NDP but more environmental.

There are others but really- I can’t force myself to care any more.

All the News That Fits Like Print

Like a glove I say!

McCain chooses Alaska governor, Sarah Palin, as his vice-president. She is a working mother with political experience, is pro-life, hard-working and can rock a pair of high-heels. Ha! In your face, Obama! Choosing some guy who doesn't know what the Church teaches. Yeah, that will win voters over.

If anyone still doubts al-Qaeda's homicidal tendencies and willingness to use innocent people for their twisted aims, please read here. For the record, they are not desperate, they are evil. This is not progressive, it is murder.

When an arbiter ruled against Cuban athlete Angel Matos, he kicked the said arbiter in the face. Fidel Castro, ever wont to preserve the image of the gracious communist, defended the athlete's actions, saying that Matos' kick to the face was "heroic" in the presence of wealthier athletes (but Michael Moore said Cuba was a "paradise). Is that so? I assumed Matos assaulted the man because he was a spoiled bully who didn't get his way.

I often wonder if artistes even know who Hitler is. In order to make an adequate comparison of someone or something, there must be a resemblance. How Stephen Harper and George Bush resemble the infamous Austrian dictator, I do not know, but refusing to fund certain artists can hardly be considered oppressive or a case of censorship. If I was Stephen Harper, I would milk this. I would say: "This is why you're not getting funding. You can't even tell me who Hitler is, let alone produce a taxpayer-funded work that someone will pay $8 to see." Childish mud-slinging is a refuge of the scoundrel.

This makes me mad. The Vancouver Gold Club in Coquitlam, British Columbia has has decided to enforce an English-only policy. Many of its Korean members did not have adequate English skills to participate fully. The management had to draw the line somewhere. Good. Having spent four years teaching in Korea, something I enjoyed and do not regret, I wonder what my efforts were for if my students wouldn't use what was taught to them. Furthermore, Canada, having established language laws, should not have to cater to those whose sole reason for not adapting is because they would rather not. Also, it puts strain on those who work at the golf club because they cannot properly assist their clients. On a very personal note, I am surprised at this kind of thing from Koreans who impressed me with their willingness to learn and engage others from other parts of the world. I sincerely hope this is an isolated incident and not typical.

What the Hell...?

Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden are lying sacks of something. They must be desperate to even consider the possibility of Catholic voters being so stupid as to accept the nonsense that abortion is within Catholic Church social teachings.

Here is what the Catholic Church says about abortion:

It is evident that the determination of what is right or wrong in human
conduct belongs to the science of ethics and the teaching of religious authority. Both of these declare the Divine law, "Thou shalt not kill". The embryonic child, as seen above, has a human soul; and therefore is a man from the time of its conception; therefore it has an equal right to its life with its mother; therefore neither the mother, nor medical practitioner, nor any human being whatever can lawfully take that life away.

Refer to the stances Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, Baha'is and other Christian sects respectively hold:

"Hinduism teaches that abortion, like any other act of violence, thwarts a
soul in its progress toward God.

Under the first of the five Buddhist precepts--to refrain from taking life,
from insects on up the evolutionary ladder--abortion is proscribed. Life is
deemed to begin as soon as consciousness arises, and fetuses are seen as having
consciousness. The Buddha's rules for his community of monks also forbade anyone
from recommending abortion. Some practitioners of Japanese Zen who have had a
miscarriage or abortion honor or make an offering to the deity Jizo, the god of lost
travelers and children. It is believed that Jizo will steward the child until it is reborn in another incarnation.

Muslims consider a fertilized ovum that is attached to the womb a living
being that has the potential of reaching its full formation. A developed fetus
is considered a human life and is subject to the laws of inheritance to the
extent that if the mother is sentenced to capital punishment, her life should be
preserved because she is carrying another human life.

And just as any person may not voluntarily do harm to his or her body, a
woman may not voluntarily abort a fetus.

"Baha'is believe the soul becomes associated with the body at conception, and the deliberate taking of human life is generally not permitted. Baha'i writings clearly state that abortion merely to prevent the birth of an unwanted child is
forbidden.

The Orthodox Church teaches that abortion is the killing of a child. Grave
questions like these are settled by the Holy Spirit's guidance, which is found pre-eminently in Scripture, and other writings and community decisions must be consistent with Scripture. From the earliest years, Christian writings have instructed "Do not murder a child by abortion or kill one who has been born" (The Didache, c. 70-80 C.E.).

According to the Southern Baptist Convention's official statement, "At the
moment of conception, a new being enters the universe, a human being, a being
created in God's image. This human being deserves our protection, whatever the
circumstances of conception."

Now that the beliefs of the world's major religions have been established, although briefly, maybe politicians everywhere can refer to them instead of yanking the electorate's collective chain.

Backlog

It’s about time I clear this backlog before this blog expires.

Recent events have shown two ways in which history repeats itself- Russia does something and the West does nothing.

Russia’s invasion of Georgia (it was Russia who started it, for the record) was not its first incursion into a former Bloc country's sovereignty, as the attempted assassination of the Ukrainian president and cessation of heating gas to Ukraine and the quarrel over Russian “war heroes” in Estonia proves. Putin (he never did leave power no matter what the puppet Medvedev may have you believe) has stepped up his attempts to discredit Georgia’s president, Mikheil Saakaashvili, and nothing shows a leader’s powerlessness than invading his country (with its vital oil pipelines and ports) while he pleads in vain for the West to help him. The West has done its best to wag its fingers at the recalcitrant Russia (which is still present in Georgia, thus, confirming what political analysts have known since the beginning of this mess). Poland, wasting no more time deciding what was best for it, has allowed the US to build a missile defense system which would ward off possible attack from Iran’s burgeoning missile growth, but might not help if Russia decides to attack Poland, which it has threatened to do. Poland, Russia believes, has arrogantly put a wedge in relation between the countries. So it believes.

The facts are simple yet forgotten. Russia has been expansionist even in its tsarist days but especially during the dark days of communism under which several million perished. When murder and gulags could not achieve the effect of silencing dissent, exile worked just as well. Exile seems, in retrospect, a two-pronged strategy: it removes an offending Russian only to plant him in a territory that may prove strategic later on. This is why Russians are found in places like Kazakhstan and Georgia. A Russian’s residence, however, makes him no more a Kazakh or Georgian than a Canadian living in the US makes him an American. Russians are culturally, linguistically, politically and socially different from the Ukrainians, Poles, Georgians, Ossetians, Abkhazians, Tartars, Kazakhs, Hungarians, Czechs, Koreans and every other people on whom Russia has “exerted” its influence. Russia has never kept promises, observed local rites, customs or languages, nor has it apologised for past atrocities (pogroms, the Holodomor, Katyn forest massacre, killing students in Prague and Hungary, causing WWII or the gulags) and has gone so far as to claim they are the victims, if they could deny the facts no longer (remember- Putin has made claims that 2,000 people were killed by the Georgians yet the claim is incredible). Russia, angered that Georgia and Ukraine could gain independence, has tried to destabilize the countries in various ways. Putin issued Russian passports to Ossetians and Abkhazians in 2004. If the said nationalities wish to distance themselves from Georgia, then acquiring passports from a country notorious for its violent assimilationist policies could prove their undoing. The West would be glad to have this swept under the rug, just as Russia would be, but if the Ossetians and the Abkhazians truly trust Russia, then they will sign a pact stating that no matter happens, the West will never help them. Russia looks after its own.

The next time I hear Canadian athletes complain that their government doesn’t fund their efforts to legitimize a communist country- I mean- participate in the Olympics, I would like to point out Afghanistan’s first medalist. Sure, it’s just a bronze but it’s no ordinary bronze. It’s a “work-my-butt-off-and-nobody-funded-me” bronze.

Steve Coogan is a funny man. However, his newest film, “Hamlet 2”, isn’t so much offensive as it is unoriginal. Making fun of Christians, Christianity, Jesus and William Shakespeare has been done before, in varying nauseating degrees. In order to shake the ground these days one would have to make a comedy about pro-abortionists (have you read their blogs? The material writes itself), cartoons and books about Mohammad (yes, that, too, has been done before but the only thing widespread was the damage not the coverage) and a musical about homosexuals. That would be bold. “Hamlet 2” is just the same old joke told over and over.

The Tories have "bravely" skirted Bill C-484, a bill that would punish the harm or murder of a pregnant woman and her unborn child. What would the courts and government of Canada like victims of violent crime to do? They do the bare minimum for victims, anyway, and now the assault or murder of a pregnant woman and her child can carry on with impunity. If no one is going to be punished, then why do anything at all?

The Conscience of Russia

Let your creed be 'Let the lie come into the world, let it even triumph, but not through me.' "
-Alexander Solzhenitsyn

Alexander Solzhenitsyn, author of The Gulag Archipelago and Cancer Ward- both scathing novels dictating the evil of communism- passed away this past Sunday (please read here). Described as the "conscience of Russia", Solzhenitsyn merely wanted to be a voice heard rather than The Voice. The Soviet Union, with the help of people like Walter Duranty and weak-willed Western politicians, could not recover from Solzhenitsyn's Gulag. Having failed to get rid of all the witnesses, all the Soviets could do was exile Solzhenitsyn, which they did in 1974. Praise and pardon for Solzhenitsyn came from Gorbachev and Putin but such hollow gestures merely expose the Russian tendency to deflect blame, something that puts Russia behind other nations politically and spiritually. In the end, younger Russians, who would have benefited from Solzhenitsyn's works, cast him aside. Maybe his death might restore the interest in him and let the Lie be exposed once more.