Be Scared, Really Scared
Federal Transport Minister John Baird and Liberal Senator Colin Kenny did something unusual the other day.
They decided to behave like interested responsible citizens.
Fearing the worst about lax security at Canada's largest and most expensive airport, Pearson International, they wandered through an unlocked doorway somewhere around the back end of things and strolled right onto the tarmac.
Four plain clothed RCMP officers accompanied them. These officers are now being suspended and many are shrieking in their highest voices at the two politicians for being reckless and "stunt-driven."
All of those reactions are, of course, way beyond the point and the pale.
The real issue is that you and I must take off our Clarks and reveal to the world our favorite brand of Aquafresh and aftershave and not buy (the latest environmental devil) bottled water, while crazy people could simply walk through unguarded side doors to terror.
If this is the case at Pearson, what about YVR and every other airport in the nation?
YVR, of course, is an exception. In this case, one need only be concerned if one is suddenly seized by the irrational urge to staple something.
We have - do we not? - the world's longest, largest, coldest, iciest coastline. And exactly how guarded is that? Last we looked the so-called Coast Guard couldn't put out a barbie fire on the back deck of an Evinrude runabout if lives depended.
The Minister and the Senator have done us a solid. They have dramatically pointed out a gaping inadequacy that needs fixing.
Thank goodness we are such a placid, harmless lot. The maniacs who live to strap bombs to their bellies don't often think Canadian.
But they will in time.
And who will stop them?
4 comments:
Canada has become a 'sort of' Lotus land, where huge sums of money are spent on needless and trivial things, yet where the security of the nation is concerned, nothing.
The Canadian army has now a mercenary force in Afghanistan, there at the behest of the USA, while they fiddled with Iraq and Iraq oil.
The RCMP have tuned into cowards, afraid to be real police officers.
Politicians have become utterly corrupt because they know no one can or will check up on them. And if the stench of corruption is so great and if the case goes to court, it will be dragged out for years, if not decades.
Gangsters have taken over, as the 'rule of law' has become laws for the rich and laws for the poor.
We are in a sad, sad state, where the mainstream media has become an "Orwellian' appendage of the government and even the blogs on the Internet are at risk.
The once great ship of Canada is on the verge of floundering and the captain and officers have their well padded lifeboats at the ready; alas for the passengers - hungry sharks!
I think a society that yawns at corruption among the powerful as we do gives license to impatient youth who prefer the quick riches of crime over years toiling honestly for small reward. Gordon Campbell's friends and their ilk enrich themselves by working the system - the one they shape and control - for rewards of treasure.
BC Rail is an example. A company with social and regional economic purpose, built over decades by public money, becomes a profitable linchpin of its client communities. Therefore, it is sold, not to the highest bidder, but to friends of the chief insider.
Robert Dziekanski is one of hundreds killed by badly trained and supervised police officers using a device sold by an aggressive company that purchases "research" to obfuscate dangers and offers treats to purchasers who help further promote the product. But our authorities can't admit to that, they must righteously defend their tactics in any way possible, even if they wickedly defame the victim. Look how the establishment gains from this individual's tragedy. Instead of someone in authority admitting the obvious truth and consoling the mother, we hold a formal inquiry that may take two years and will cost between 5 and 10 million dollars. I counted 15 lawyers - not including their assistants - involved in the Braidwood affair. All will be paid by taxpayers. The commission apparently sits morning and afternoon but each day totals barely three hours of testimony. Even at that snail's pace, they can only do three or four days each week and need 14 day breaks every 14 days. Of course, the participants do not aim to establish facts and alter the future, they intend to earn substantial fees by extending the considerations as long as possible.
Our community is victimized by steroid pumped drug selling street youth but also by the people who wear nice suits, drive luxurious cars and enjoy the finest wines.
You know it is really,really scary when a Conservative and a Liberal get together and show how lax the security is.
David, the comment of mine above may have left you wondering where it came from because it is not particularly responsive to your initial blog entry.
I don't subscribe to newspapers any more but read daily through many web commentaries written by people with fresh insights and interesting dialogue. Often, I open coexistent browser tabs with writings from Berner, Willcocks, Tieleman, Eaves, Bula, Oberfeld, etc. My comment here was muddled with thoughts stimulated by other readings at that moment. Oh well, I used to be able to walk and chew gum at the same time.
By the way, why not run an entry where you list web sources that you value and invite commenters to add to the list of worthy information sources.
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