Vancouver Secrets

I’ve Always Wondered

Why, in Canada, does the term “right-wing” always precede anything that doesn’t fully agree with the left-wing viewpoint?

It’s so bad that whenever I don’t see the term in front of a news source or blog, I turn away.

It’s kind of like the funny way they describe disgraced politicians in the US… If it’s a Republican you’ll always see a big ‘R’ in front the name, but if it’s a Democrat it will always be absent.

I guess I should be honored...

Although I wish they called The New York Times a “left-wing rag”

Time To Level The Human Rights Tribunals

” The human rights regime will destroy your savings, your business and your life for no good reason. The verdict is irrelevant; the process is the punishment”.

Came across a great article by Mark Steyn about the kangaroo court system our “Human Rights” tribunals operate across Canada… and how they’ve become a weapon of the politically correct.

He makes the point that you cannot have a fair system where the accuser has unlimited resources vs. the accused. How a system can cause someone accused (most often wrongly-accused) of something vague being financially ruined, without actually being guilty of any crime.

This is true across Canada and happens far too often.

If Canada really believes it needs the human rights tribunals, it should at least level the playing field. The human rights tribunals should pay for the legal costs of the accused if proven innocent.

From Mark’s article “Well Hung”

The case of a pre-op transsexual – ie, still with the old meat and two veg, so not to be confused with the equally litigious post-op transsexual in the other great Ontario “human rights” transsexual jurisprudence landmark who demanded Dr Stubbs perform a labiaplasty on her.

In this case, the transsexual applied to join a fitness club in St Catharines and wanted to use the women’s area. At this point, she revealed to the owner, John Fulton, that she still had a full set of wedding tackle:

Fulton said he wasn’t sure what to do because his female clients might not be comfortable with a man in their changing room. “To me it was not a big deal, I just don’t know how my women would feel about having a guy showering with them,” he said. “He still hadn’t had his operation yet.”

So two years later here we are in Ontario “human rights” hell. The plaintiff is now a plaintifette, having had the operation and relocated to Ottawa. But back in St Catharines it’s John Fulton’s pound of flesh that she and the commissars are determined to extract.

… The tribunal, I think, needs to be brought within the codes and conventions of this country’s legal system. At the moment, it upends them. The burden of proof ought to be on the accuser. The accuser should not be allowed unlimited funds to frivolously torment people for no reason, beggaring them for something that serves no public purpose.

Whatever you think of the marijuana thing, it seems initially to arise from a defectively written law. But that great issue, the issue of where you can smoke medicinal marijuana-the burden of that should not be on Gator Ted. The transsexual labioplasty is perfect nonsense. Any sane person understands exactly what was going on when that doctor said that he was not willing to operate on these two transsexual women.

The idea that people should be essentially punished by a system that does not allow them equality with their accuser is a mark of great shame to this province. If there has to be a tribunal, it should be brought within the bounds of normal legal practice and this province’s 800-year legal tradition.

What will it take before Canada comes to its senses and rids itself of the embarrassing human rights tribunals.

photo credit: pierre pouliquin

Don’t Fear Islam – Fear The Left

We should pay attention in Canada, to this threat …

Expert Of The Speech Of Geert Wilders New York, Four Seasons

(Monday Feb 23, 2009)

Thank you very much for inviting me. And – to the immigration authorities – thank you for letting me into this country. It is always a pleasure to cross a border without being sent back on the first plane. Today, the dearest of our many freedoms is under attack all throughout Europe. Free speech is no longer a given. What we once considered a natural element of our existence, our birth right, is now something we once again have to battle for.

As you might know, I will be prosecuted, because of my film Fitna, my remarks regarding Islam, and my view concerning what some call a ‘religion of peace’. A few years from now, I might be a criminal.

Whether or not I end up in jail is not the most pressing issue; I gave up my freedom four years ago. I am under full-time police protection ever since. The real question is: will free speech be put behind bars? And the larger question for the West is: will we leave Europe’s children the values of Rome, Athens and Jerusalem, or the values of Mecca, Teheran and Gaza?

This is what video blogger Pat Condell said in one of his latest you tube appearances. He says: “If I talked about Muslims the way their holy book talks about me, I’d be arrested for hate speech.” Now, Mr Condell is a stand-up comedian, but in the video he is dead serious and the joke is on us. Hate speech will always be used against the people defending the West – in order to please and appease Muslims. They can say whatever they want: throw gays from apartment buildings, kill the Jews, slaughter the infidel, destroy Israel, jihad against the West. Whatever their book tells them.

Today, I come before you to warn of a great threat. It is called Islam. It poses as a religion, but its goals are very worldly: world domination, holy war, sharia law, the end of the separation of church and state, slavery of women, the end of democracy. It is NOT a religion, it is  an political ideology. It demands your respect, but has no respect for you. More »

Thursday Night Gun Fun

Gun fun for everyone.. now I know why gun sales are up 200% in the US.

Who Decided We Need Czars?

In an obvious oxymoron, BC announced they are solving our gang problems by appointing a special someone to take on the challenge:

‘Bureaucrat named crime czar to lead fight against gangs’

Vancouver Sun: The B.C. government has named a senior bureaucrat as the province’s first crime czar to lead the fight against gang- and gun-related crime.

In an internal memo Tuesday, Jessica McDonald, head of the public service, announced that senior bureaucrat David Morhart has been named the province’s first public security commissioner.

Solicitor-General John van Dongen said Wednesday that Morhart’s role will be to oversee all elements of the province’s response to gang violence, and specifically to “deliver on the guns-and-gangs strategy the premier announced on Feb. 13.”

czar

zahr, tsahr] noun

2.	(often initial capital letter) the former emperor of Russia.

Ever since that Obama guy decided he needed Czars for everything, the term frightens me. It means that we will spend a fortune that is sure to be unaccounted for, or that we ‘re solving a problem by making people feel better because such an important person has been crowned to take on the task.

In the end, it means we get little other than a press release to reassure us that the government is looking after us..

Wait and see if this new czar makes any difference…

photo credit: mharrsch

Iggy Must Really Need The West.

Now that National Geographic has done an essay on the oilsands, Iggy, our new Liberal friend, has quickly come to our rescue.

While the Edmonton Sun calls the story a ” gruesome cover story“, Ignatieff defends oilsands as ‘world leader’… sort of.

Puzzling, to say the least, as the Liberals have used the oilsands as a lightening rod for their Green Shift plan and demonized Alberta for generations.

Elizabeth May must be choked.

First Ignatieff accuses the federal government of having “done nothing” to clean up the oilsands and describing it as barely sustainable. Par for the course so far.

Then he praises the industry as one that makes him proud.

“This is a huge industry. It employs Canadians from coast to coast. We have oil reserves that are going to last for the whole of the 21st century. We are where we are. We’ve got to clean it up and we’ve got to make it a sustainable place to work and live, not only for the aboriginal population, but for the workers who live there,” Ignatieff said.

“My concern is that, at the moment, it’s barely environmentally sustainable, and it’s barely socially sustainable. The Conservative government has done nothing about this. We need to move forward. But am I proud of this industry? You bet. It’s a world leader. We just need to make it better. But I don’t take lessons from the National Geographic.”

Not fooling us Iggy…

Here’s the reality:

Canada as a whole produces roughly two per cent of the world’s greenhouse gases. Of that amount, about 23 per cent is generated by the energy industry. That includes the oilsands.

That’s not a whole heck of a lot when you consider the daily greenhouse gas production of major polluting countries such as China, India, Mexico and, of course, the world’s No. 1 producer of greenhouse gases, the United States.

Suffice to say, the United States produces significantly more greenhouse gases in one day than the oilsands do in one year.

When the Americans realize that we are their main source of oil, and that the oil sands could replace Middle Eastern oil imports, they’ll come around. Despite the Democrats.

Funny how $40 oil changes things… not sure that it will change the feelings that Canada’s western provinces have for the Liberals though.

Keep trying Iggy. It’s fun to watch.

photo credit: ItzaFineDay

Captain Kirk As Prime Minister of Canada

William Shatner is planning to make a dramatic career change and help lead his native country.

In response to a letter from a fan who urged him to put himself forward for the Governor General of Canada, Captain Kirk had this to say:

“My intention is to be Prime Minister of Canada, not Governor General, which is mainly a ceremonial position”.

“I must, with my deepest thanks, turn down your honourable intent to advance me as Governor General. Besides which, I don’t have time to be Governor General.”

Despite his busy schedule, the actor is confident he has what it takes to run the country, explaining: “As Prime Minister I can lead Canada into even greater exploits.”

Maybe he can run for Premier of BC?  He’d be right at home here.

photo credit: bob07024

How to Short The TSX

You may have noticed that every time Obama speaks the market tanks. Looks like his big speech may cause the Dow to fall in the 6,000 range.

The TSX seems to be a day behind.

You might want to try a ’short’ strategy around this.

Seems like a safe bet.

The Latest Acorn Victim – Uncovered

We’ll probably see this in Canada by year’s end – as property values continue their sharp decline, the foreclosures will start.

While it’s sad to see anyone foreclosed upon, the left’s use of these “victims” for their own agenda is appalling.

Thankfully, Acorn  in Canada isn’t making too much headway… but they need to be stopped before they do.  (Not to be confused with Acorn Canada).  Acorn has already managed to soak one foundation in its startup attempt.

It’s all a good example of what Ann Coulter’s new book is about – where “they viciously attack all while wailing that they are the true victims.”

“Liberals always have to be the victims, particularly when they are oppressing others. Modern victims aren’t victims because of what they have suffered; they are victims of convenience for the Left. There’s no way to determine if an action is offensive by looking at the action. One must know who did it to whom, and whose side the most powerful people in America will take.”

Today Michelle Malkin does a great job of uncovering the truth about the Acorn home invasion program.

Here is what the MSM won’t be telling you about the so-called “victim” in that case, ACORN worker Donna Hanks — all based on public records and court documents. More »

All This At $10 A Pack

Smokers have it bad all around in Vancouver. First, it’s a small fortune for cigarettes. Then, following the letter of the law, you should be smoking in the middle of the road.

There’s little patience for smokers as demonstrated in this video. The anti-smoking Nazi goes after a guy who’s smoking outside of a spot where they smoke pot without interruption.

You need to be 6 meters from a doorway to smoke… or, oddly enough, inside the Amsterdam Cafe.

If you really want to smoke, you’ll be safer taking in the Vansterdam Pot Tour

From the good’ ol days…

CBC Taxpayer Abuse

The CBC is losing advertising revenue quickly and will be heading to the trough… story here.

Now is the time for the government to force the CBC into accountability – they could use a page from the Democrat’s bailout of the auto makers and banks.

1) No bonuses for executives – CBC execs are public servants. Kill the million dollar bonus.

2) Deal with the unions. CBC employs 10,200 people paying out $771,074,000 in salaries and benefits. This means that the average payout per employee at the CBC is $75,595. Cut the salaries by at least 10% and freeze hiring.

3) Show a plan of profitability (or a year-by-year reduction of government cash). If you’re selling ads against the other networks, you should at least level the playing field.

4) Provide programming that produces ratings in the top 30 Canadian shows – and the only show CBC has that anyone watches – HNC – doesn’t count. (Actually HNC could probably be sold for a small fortune)

Better yet, Harper should tell them to go to hell… wait until their party gets back in power.

Let’s have a referendum on the CBC – decide if they are even relevant anymore. CTV and Global seem to be getting all the viewers.

I say lets split the billion we give to the CBC and award it in proportion to the ratings of Canadian networks we watch.

Seem fair?

More on the CBC taxpayer abuse story here..

And the BCB is looking to playing games with the government.

Plus – an ad that needs to run:

photo credit: Graham Ballantyne

Saturday Night Video

Best Jumbotron video ever…

Be honest – you’ve always wanted to do this.

Bonus:

What’s Wrong With This Picture?

On Thursday we had another “gang related” accident – a guy somehow fell off a 4th floor balcony.

It was the apartment of Daniel Lovric – a guy that has had more than a few run-ins with the law.

Vancouver Sun: Daniel Lovric, the resident of the apartment in the 400-block of Westview Street, is “well known to police agencies in the [Lower Mainland],” Thiessen said.

Last month, Lovric, 26, had five gun charges against him stayed, according to court records. Those included: unauthorized possession of firearm, occupying a vehicle in which there is firearm, possession of a prohibited/restricted firearm with ammunition, defacing a firearm serial number and careless use of a firearm.

The Vancouver Sun has learned that Lovric is associated with one man wounded during a wild shootout at Richmond’s Dover Park in January 2007.

Lovric was also charged Dec. 12, 2008 with breaching conditions, but that charge was stayed Jan. 23 — the same day the firearms charges laid in January 2008 were dropped.

His associate, Sahand Askari, was one of three men shot during the Dover Park battle of 2007, during which more than 150 rounds from automatic weapons were fired in a popular neighbourhood green space by at least six suspects who had gathered. No one was ever charged, though police traced some of the guns back to a company with a licence to rent guns as movie props.

A suspect in the Dover Park case, Matin Pouyan was targeted in a Kitsilano shooting Feb. 8. He survived despite being hit six times in the parking lot of a Marketplace IGA about 11 p.m. that night — just as the store was closing.

Pouyan pleaded guilty to a gun charge in September 2007 after being caught with a gun in a car two weeks after the Dover Park incident.

So the gun laws we have in Canada that our judges refuse to enforce, haven’t slowed down these creeps at all. Why doesn’t it translate into jail time? Why do our judges continue to grant bail and drop charges?

You could make the case that our court system is aiding and abetting gang activity.

Right now our police Chief  is pushing for a “30 strikes and you’re out” law. Vancouver police are currently monitoring 379 chronic offenders, including 27 “super chronics.” The top 25 per cent have more than 54 convictions and the top 10 per cent more than 77. Six offenders have more than 100 convictions.

You’d think that after 5 or 10 convictions, maybe even 20,  you’d at least get a visit to jail.

You can thank Liberal Restorative Justice for the current situation we face in Vancouver.

photo credit: I am I.A.M.

The Winter Olympics Just Got More Expensive

Vancouver’s credit status drops to lowest recorded level

Globe and Mail: A prominent credit-rating agency has downgraded Vancouver’s credit status to its lowest level since the firm started assessing the city in 1994.

DBRS said the one notch dip in the city’s rating from AA (high) to AA was a direct result of its decision to begin borrowing money to bail out the beleaguered, billion-dollar Olympic Village project.

Downward pressure on Vancouver’s new rating could continue for another 12 to 18 months, the agency added.

The city has already coughed up more than $450-million and is currently negotiating with Canadian banks to provide as much as another $400-million or so to finish the development in time for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

A report released yesterday by Moody’s predicted that the city’s debt will increase to about 120 per cent of operating revenue during the next two years because of financial obligations to the Olympic Village development.

Add in the billion dollar security oversight, and we’re now into some real trouble.

The games are projected to cost over $6 Billion now. Say hello to higher property taxes for years to come.

The National Post has a great article on the cost of the games here.

photo credit: TravisTruman

Saturday Funny – Ad Of The Week

This should catch on in BC, where we spend more than any other province.

Acorn Moves To Breaking And Entering

The Obama Voter’s mooching is now moving to a new level. Acorn has turned to outright thuggery, and is now breaking into foreclosed homes.

The video of Bertha Lewis, Executive Director of the New York Acorn branch demonstrates how irrational these folks are.

Acorn, and the democrats that enable them, are at the root of the home crisis.

Encouraging  break and enter tactics is their next product, as forcing banks into giving mortgages is no longer an option.

This will come back to bite them, hopefully forcing them out of existence.

More at Flopping Aces

That Other Tiger Woods Guy

Thankfully the real Great One is returning. And not a moment too soon.

I think it’s awesome,” Kenny Perry said Wednesday. “The economy is down. We need something to boost us up.”

Woods downplayed his role as “a stimulus package” for golf.

“This was the time to get back and play again.”

Woods, who is scheduled to play Australian Brendan Jones on Wednesday, cited not only recovery from knee surgery but also family concerns for the timing of his return.

I wanted to make sure the family was all good,” he said while admitting he might have come back earlier if not for the birth Feb. 8 of Charlie Axel Woods, the second child for him and wife Elin.

Welcome back Tiger…

photo credit: stevenjude