Vancouver Secrets

How Could Anything Possibly Go Wrong?

UAW Would Own 55% of Chrysler Stock Under Deal

The United Auto Workers union would eventually own 55% of the stock in a restructured Chrysler LLC under the deal reached by the union and the auto maker, according to a summary of the agreement that was reviewed by the Wall Street Journal.

According to the summary, Chrysler will also issue a $4.59 billion note to the health care trust fund that the union will manage for retired workers. The agreement says Chrysler will pay $300 million in cash into the trust fund in 2010 and 2011, and increasing amounts up to $823 million in the years 2019 to 2023.

The trust fund will also own a “significant” amount of Chrysler stock and will be allowed to appoint a representative to Chrysler’s board, the summary says. In the future the trust fund will be allowed to sell the stock to other parties, it says.

The UAW accord is likely to provide the blueprint for deals at General Motors Corp., and possibly Ford Motor Co., said labor experts, dealing the union a broader setback. In addition to cuts in wages and benefits, the loss of members and their dues, due to the shutdown of union factories, will shrink the union’s clout, giving it less money for organizing and political operations. On Monday, GM said it would eliminate 21,000 hourly-wage jobs.

“This will make it more difficult to do the things that the union is known for: organizing, political action, bargaining and community development,” said John Russo of the Center for Working-Class Studies at Youngstown University.

The Government and the unions will pretty much own the car makers.

Kill them now, while there is still time.

If Adam And Eve Were In Vancouver

How To Scare A Couple Of Million People

Geniuses at work… You’d think they may have thought of advanced publicity to let people know?

Photo Opp Triggers Panic in Manhattan

A photo shoot involving a 747 used as Air Force One and two fighter jets flying at low altitude led to hundreds of frightened calls from residents and workers in Lower Manhattan this morning, triggering memories of 9-11 as many evacuated their offices. The president was not aboard.

Although the shoot was authorized, the normal system of public notification broke down, multiple officials said.

The FAA says military jets flying over Lower Manhattan this morning were part of an authorized military photo shoot and were no cause for alarm.

The Department of Defense had pre-approved the flight of a 747 and two F16 military fighter jets to fly around Staten Island and the Statue of Liberty.

UPDATE:

White House Apologizes for Air Force Flyover

Last week, I approved a mission over New York. I take responsibility for that decision. While federal authorities took the proper steps to notify state and local authorities in New York and New Jersey, it’s clear that the mission created confusion and disruption. I apologize and take responsibility for any distress that flight caused.

More here.

Another great example of the inept staff Obama has hired.

Swine Flu – What You Need To Know

Now that the Swine Flue has surfaced in Canada, let’s hope it doesn’t touch off a SARS panic… the cases are mild so far.

Makes me glad I get to work from home.

Federal health officials have confirmed six cases of human swine influenza in British Columbia and Nova Scotia and are warning more cases are likely in the near future.

Dr. Donald Low, the chief microbiologist at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto who played a key role in battling the SARS crisis in 2003, said:

What you’re seeing here is the makings of a pandemic,” Low said. “You’re seeing a new virus that we have no natural immunity to. You’re seeing a virus that can cause disease, and in causing disease, can transmit from person to person.

“All it needs to complete that equation is the recognition that it’s spreading over a wide geographical area. And I think that’s what we’re hearing this weekend, that it’s actually happening,” he said.

They’ve declared a public health emergency in the US:

As a consequence of confirmed cases of Swine Influenza A (swH1N1) in California, Texas, Kansas, and New York, on this date and after consultation with public health officials as necessary, I, Charles E. Johnson, Acting Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, pursuant to the authority vested in me under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. § 247d, do hereby determine that a public health emergency exists nationwide involving Swine Influenza A that affects or has significant potential to affect national security.

April 26,2009

Acting HHS Secretary Charles E. Johnson

From the Center For Disease Control:

Human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection have been identified in the United States. Human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) virus infection also have been identified internationally. The current U.S. case count is provided below.

Investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the infection and whether additional people have been infected with swine influenza viruses.

CDC is working very closely with officials in states where human cases of swine influenza A (H1N1) have been identified, as well as with health officials in Mexico, Canada and the World Health Organization. This includes deploying staff domestically and internationally to provide guidance and technical support. CDC has activated its Emergency Operations Center to coordinate this investigation.

Laboratory testing has found the swine influenza A (H1N1) virus susceptible to the prescription antiviral drugs oseltamivir and zanamivir and has issued interim guidance for the use of these drugs to treat and prevent infection with swine influenza viruses. CDC also has prepared interim guidance on how to care for people who are sick and interim guidance on the use of face masks in a community setting where spread of this swine flu virus has been detected. This is a rapidly evolving situation and CDC will provide new information as it becomes available.

Swine Flu

What is Swine Influenza?
Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Swine flu viruses cause high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in humans. The classical swine flu virus (an influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first isolated from a pig in 1930.

How many swine flu viruses are there?
Like all influenza viruses, swine flu viruses change constantly. Pigs can be infected by avian influenza and human influenza viruses as well as swine influenza viruses. When influenza viruses from different species infect pigs, the viruses can reassort (i.e. swap genes) and new viruses that are a mix of swine, human and/or avian influenza viruses can emerge. Over the years, different variations of swine flu viruses have emerged. At this time, there are four main influenza type A virus subtypes that have been isolated in pigs: H1N1, H1N2, H3N2, and H3N1. However, most of the recently isolated influenza viruses from pigs have been H1N1 viruses.

Swine Flu in Humans

Can humans catch swine flu?
Swine flu viruses do not normally infect humans. However, sporadic human infections with swine flu have occurred. Most commonly, these cases occur in persons with direct exposure to pigs (e.g. children near pigs at a fair or workers in the swine industry). In addition, there have been documented cases of one person spreading swine flu to others. For example, an outbreak of apparent swine flu infection in pigs in Wisconsin in 1988 resulted in multiple human infections, and, although no community outbreak resulted, there was antibody evidence of virus transmission from the patient to health care workers who had close contact with the patient. More »

The Competition Goes In For The Kill

This kind of marketing means the end of GM, Ford and Chrysler.

100 Days Of Epic Failure – How Obama Is Tanking America

As the Obama Administration approaches the hundred day benchmark, the “Obama owned media” will make sure their audience is oblivious to just how badly he’s failing as a leader… the Obama drool squad are too busy turning his presidency into the longest campaign in history.

The MSNBC poll is going off the rails and probably reflects the real opinion of the man.

Here’s my perspective on his term so far… starting with the understatement of our generation:

“Mark my words,” the Democratic vice presidential nominee warned at the second of his two Seattle fundraisers Sunday. “It will not be six months before the world tests Barack Obama like they did John Kennedy. The world is looking. We’re about to elect a brilliant 47-year-old senator president of the United States of America. Remember I said it standing here if you don’t remember anything else I said. Watch, we’re gonna have an international crisis, a generated crisis, to test the mettle of this guy.”

In the first three months they’ve been tested…

Picking His Adminstration:

1) Picks Nancy Killefer for First Chief Performance Officer — to police government spending. A tax lien was slapped on her DC home in 2005 for failure to pay unemployment compensation tax on household help. She withdrew.

2) Picks Bill Richardson as Secretary Of Commerce – withdrawn after it was discovered a criminal investigation involving David Rubin, who had donated over $110,000 to Richardson’s campaign committees and had also profited from $1.5 million in contracts from the state government.

3) Timothy Geithner nomination as Secretary of Treasury and given the job despite the fact that he failed to pay $34,000 in Social Security and Medicare taxes. He also employed an illegal immigrant as a housekeeper.

4) Annette Nazareth for Deputy Treasury Secretary – withdrawn after a probe into her taxes.

5) Adolfo Carrion confirmed Director of White House Office of Urban Affairs – despite allegations that he accepted thousands of dollars in cash from developers whose projects he approved.

6) Tom Daschle as Secretary of Health and Human Services – until it was discovered he had failed to pay income taxes. More »

Saturday Night Torture

A great example of the CIA new torture methods they’ll need to follow… compliments of the Spanish Inquisition.

Give Stephen Harper An ‘Atta Boy’

Just so Kate’s prediction is wrong…

Not bad performance for the Canadian Government considering the worldwide financial meltdown… and if this gets any press, the Liberals and NDP will be in a tizzy.

Let’s hope Harper stays the course and resists the far-left cry for massive spending. It’s great to see program spending being under control in these results.

Canada Posts A Budget Surplus!

February 2009: budgetary surplus of $0.8 billion

There was a budgetary surplus of $0.8 billion in February 2009, compared to a surplus of $3.0 billion in February 2008. Budgetary revenues were down $2.7 billion, or 11.9 per cent, from February 2008, largely reflecting lower corporate income tax and goods and services tax (GST) revenues. Program expenses decreased by $0.1 billion, or 0.6 per cent, compared to February 2008, largely reflecting lower operating expenses of departments and agencies. Public debt charges decreased by $0.4 billion compared to February 2008.

April 2008 to February 2009: budgetary surplus of $1.3 billion

For the first 11 months of the 2008–09 fiscal year, there was a budgetary surplus of $1.3 billion, down $11.3 billion from the $12.6-billion surplus reported in the same period of 2007–08. Budgetary revenues decreased by $6.0 billion, or 2.7 per cent, primarily reflecting lower corporate income tax and GST revenues, partially offset by growth in personal income tax and other revenues. Program expenses were up $7.4 billion, or 4.2 per cent, due to higher transfer payments, Crown corporation expenses and operating expenses of National Defence. Public debt charges were down $2.0 billion on a year-over-year basis, reflecting a lower average effective interest rate on the stock of interest-bearing debt.

Pandemic?

Interesting article from BBC’s site –

BBC Readers in Mexico describe the sense of fear gripping Mexico as a result of a flu virus outbreak – The Swine Flu-  which has so far claimed up to 68 lives.

The World Health Organization says the virus has the potential to become a pandemic.

Here’s details of the disease.

I work as a resident doctor in one of the biggest hospitals in Mexico City and sadly, the situation is far from “under control”. As a doctor, I realise that the media does not report the truth. Authorities distributed vaccines among all the medical personnel with no results, because two of my partners who worked in this hospital (interns) were killed by this new virus in less than six days even though they were vaccinated as all of us were. The official number of deaths is 20, nevertheless, the true number of victims are more than 200. I understand that we must avoid to panic, but telling the truth it might be better now to prevent and avoid more deaths.
Yeny Gregorio Dávila, Mexico City

The situation in Mexico City is really not normal. There is a sense of uncertainty that borders on paranoid behaviour in some cases. At this very moment, Mexican TV is showing how military forces are giving masks to the people in the streets. Moreover the news is sending alarming messages for the audience. Really, the atmosphere in the city is unsettling, a good example: pubs and concerts are being closed or cancelled and people don’t haven thorough information. In this city (and country) there is an urgent need for assertive information, no paranoid messages from the government or the Mexican media.
Patricio Barrientos and Aranzazu Nuñez, Mexico City

Massive events have been cancelled at the National Auditorium – Mexico City’s largest indoor venue with capacity of 10,000 – which has been closed. Two soccer games have been cancelled at the Olympic Stadium. A sold out game with 70,000 expected attendance will be played behind closed doors. Another game at the famous Azteca Stadium that would draw an attendance of 50,000 will also be played behind closed doors.
Juan Carlos Leon Calderon, Mexico City

Yesterday in my office it was a bit surreal walking in to see all in blue masks with deep cleansing of computer equipment and surfaces going on. Let’s hope it is contained and does not escalate. The local news is reporting 200 fatalities and reports of flu spreading from areas outside of Mexico City. Given the volume of daily commuter traffic on cramped busses and trains, this may not have to be too virulent to be disastrous in human terms. I wonder what controls there will be on flights in and out.
Will Shea, Mexico City

I work for the government as a head of a computer infrastructure operations department. At work we are doing several actions to try not to expose workers. We sent several home. I support the Pumas football team and the very important match with the Guadalajara team will be played behind closed doors. My family and I are going to stay home all weekend. We feel a little scared and confused with the feeling that we are not given being told the truth. Many people think the numbers of dead people is higher than we are being told.
Marcos, Mexico City

This is worth paying attention to – it is starting to remind me of the SARS outbreak.

Canadian Environmental Tax Fraud

Here’s how imposing taxes on anything under the banner of the environmentalism gets out of control.

BC has perfected the system – taxing us for throwing out a TV 10 years ahead of time (the disposal tax), a double tax on bottled water (deposit and environmental taxes), a tax on the environmentally safe replacement for Roundup, and the list goes on…

Now we see how we were duped into the continent’s first test of a carbon tax:

First, we have a tax that is revenue neutral – the Carbon Tax – sold to the people of BC by bribing them with a cheque of $100:

From the government website:

On July 1, 2008, subject to approval by the legislature, British Columbia will begin to phase in a fully revenue-neutral carbon tax with built-in protection for lower income British Columbians.

The purpose of the carbon tax is to encourage individuals and businesses to make more environmentally responsible choices, reducing their use of fossil fuels and related emissions. The tax has the advantage of providing an incentive without favouring one way to reduce emissions over another. Business and individuals can choose to avoid it by reducing usage, increasing efficiency, changing fuels, adopting new technology or any combination of these approaches.

A propoganda support site for the tax pops up…

For months we’ve been touting the British Columbia carbon tax, and for good reason. Not only is BC’s carbon tax the highest by far in North America ($10 per metric ton of CO2 this year, rising stepwise to $30 in 2012), but the rollout of the tax has seemed to be handled with great intelligence.

And now we have the mayors clamoring to get at the revenue generated…

Metro Vancouver’s 21 mayors kicked a $300-million political football into the B.C. election campaign yesterday, calling for carbon-tax revenues to be put toward transit shortfalls.

“This money has already been collected and needs to be redistributed,” said Diane Watts, who chairs the Mayors Council on Regional Transportation. “We don’t need any more taxation.”

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, a former NDP MLA, praised the mayors’ decision as a “bold step.”

So, a tax that was to be revenue neutral will soon morph into a new way to fund an out of control transit system.

Keep this in mind next time your province wants to levy a tax on your behavior… BC has become the poster child for the fraud called Global Warming.

The Day After Earth Day

Quote of the Day – Great logic from the prairies:

Mark L  says:

Why Canada is worrying about global warming is a mystery to me. Maybe they are afraid that if Canada warms up (and becomes more livable as a result) it will get invaded.

Plus this gem:

I am shocked at the amount of people that are doing nothing for earth day. Don’t get me wrong I am far from a tree hugger, but we all have to do our part to reduce waste and conserve energy. As for global warming and receding glaciers I feel that this is just a natural cycle and we just happen to be caught in the warming phase of this cycle. 10 million years from now the glaciers will probably be growing again.

You can take the poll here…

Another Casualty Of The Housing Crisis?

Freddie Mac Acting CFO David Kellermann Found Dead

April 22 (Bloomberg) — Freddie Mac Acting Chief Financial Officer David Kellermann, 41, was found dead early today in his home in the Washington suburbs, police said.

There were no signs of foul play, and the death is under investigation, Fairfax County, Virginia, Police Officer Shelley Broderick said. Broderick said early reports from others in the department indicated Kellermann’s wife reported a suicide, though the cause of death hasn’t been determined.

“He was a hard worker, good guy and had a positive attitude,” said David Stevens, a former Freddie mortgage executive who left the company in 2005 and was recently nominated to run the Federal Housing Administration. “Either way, it’s a tragedy,” Stevens said, referring to the reports that the death may have been a suicide.

The Securities and Exchange Commission and the Justice Department have been questioning executives about Freddie’s accounting practices, according to company filings. McLean, Virginia-based Freddie and Washington-based Fannie Mae, the mortgage-finance companies seized last year by U.S. regulators, reported in September that they were under investigation.

Kellermann, who joined Freddie in 1992, was promoted from controller to acting CFO after the government takeover in September, which was prompted by record losses amid the worst housing slump since the Great Depression. As controller, Kellermann was the principal accounting officer, dealing with financial statements and disclosures, according to Freddie’s Web site.

Fat People Causing Climate Problem

Fatties cause global warming

THE rising number of fat people was yesterday blamed for global warming.

Scientists warned that the increase in big-eaters means more food production — a major cause of CO2 gas emissions warming the planet.

Overweight people are also more likely to drive, adding to environmental damage.

Each fat person is said to be responsible for emitting a tonne more of climate-warming carbon dioxide per year than a thin one.

It means an extra BILLION TONNES of CO2 a year is created, according to World Health Organisation estimates of overweight people.

The scientists say providing extra grub for them to guzzle adds to carbon emissions that heat up the world, melting polar ice caps, raising sea levels and killing rain forests.

The environmental impact of fat humans is made even worse because they are more likely to travel by car — another major cause of carbon emissions.

So there you have it – and I wonder why the numbers of “climate change” believers continues to drop….

One Last Tea Party Video

Meet Katrina Pierson – who should run for president.

She describes the reasons behind the Tea Parties perfectly. She stands for everything the left hates, and is trying to get rid of.

Katrina, please visit Canada soon.

The First Question Is: Why Did They Even Show Up?

Iran’s president slams Israel, sparking Western walkout at UN racism conference

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad accused Israel of being the “most cruel and racist regime,” sparking a walkout Monday by angry Western diplomats at a U.N. racism conference.

Ahmadinejad, in a rambling speech, accused Israel of being the “most cruel and racist regime” and pointed the finger at the United States and Europe for helping to establish the country after World War II “under the pretext of Jewish suffering.”

That prompted a walkout by some 40 diplomats from European countries such as Britain and France, which had threatened to leave the conference if it descended into anti-Semitic or other rhetoric harshly critical of Israel, which marred the U.N.’s last racism gathering.

The boycotting countries expressed concern that Muslim countries would drown out many issues with calls for a denunciation of Israel and a global ban on criticizing aspects of the Islamic faith.

“As soon as he started to address the question of the Jewish people and Israel, we had no reason to stay in the room,” said French Ambassador Jean-Baptiste Mattei.

Speaking directly after Ahmadinejad, Norway’s foreign minister said the Iranian leader’s comments “run counter to the very spirit of dignity of the conference.”

Best part – a wigged protester shouting “Racist! racist!” threw a soft red object at Ahmadinejad, hitting the podium and interrupting his speech.

Want to place bets how long until Israel takes out the Iran nuke sites?

Stuart Smalley Wins!

Exclusive: And Now, an Important Message from Sen. Al Franken

Because I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people (at least in Minnesota) like me!

Rest here…

The Masters Of Propaganda Working Overtime

Obama Team has swarmed the net and media with a new message to counter the Tea Parties:

Search this “Obama economic plan that cuts taxes for 95 percent of Americans

Then do a blog search “Obama economic plan that cuts taxes for 95 percent of Americans”

It’s obvious how they synchronize the talking point of the day – and have the full support of their newspaper and TV lapdogs.

Liberal Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) kicked off the propaganda by releasing the following official statement:

The “tea parties” being held today by groups of right-wing activists, and fueled by FOX News Channel, are an effort to mislead the public about the Obama economic plan that cuts taxes for 95 percent of Americans and creates 3.5 million jobs. It’s despicable that right-wing Republicans would attempt to cheapen a significant, honorable moment of American history with a shameful political stunt. Not a single American household or business will be taxed at a higher rate this year. Made to look like a grassroots uprising, this is an Obama bashing party promoted by corporate interests, as well as Republican lobbyists and politicians.

Now it’s become the central left-wing talking point regarding the Tea Parties.

Schakowsky understands “despicable” and “shameful,” – her husband steals on a smaller scale, having been imprisoned for a check-kiting scheme.

Smart Americans see that what Obama is doing, and know that taxes must soar to pay for Obama’s mad rush to not miss the opportunity to spend his way into a socialist utopia.

Now the left is doing their best to get people to believe that they have cut taxes… and forget about what that little deficit of 3 or 4 trillion really means.

Enjoy your tax cut America – it soon will be a distant memory.