It's Not About You, Sir

It was disgusting - entirely predicatable - that with all the beautiful fotos available from yesterday's Chinese New Year's Parade, the Sun would show Stephane Dion. (Between the two of us, we took over 100 pictures and we estimated that over 1,000,000 shots would be taken with such an enormous and enthusiastic crowd.)

In fact we actually said this would happen.

Is the Sun waiting breathlessly to anoint this faker, this Costume Boy, the next Prime Minister?

Clearly, Mr. Dion was extremely uncomfortable in his Chinese disguise. He probably has never met a Chinese, doesn't know a word of Chinese and can't eat with chopsticks.

How many times has this cold fool ever been in vancouver in his lifetime.

You could see the message clearly in his icy stare. "I am here becuase it is politically expedient. My handlers told me I must be here, but I don't like it."

To the Sun: This was not about Politicians. It was about the Chinese celebrating Spring Festival.

To the Parade organizers: Ban all politicians from participating. Tell those self-serving blood suckers to stay home with their families on a Sunday.

Parade Great. Politicians Not.

THIS AFTERNOON I SAW STEPHANE DION, GORDON CAMPBELL, SAM SULLIVAN AND WALLY OPPAL, AMONG OTHER INSINCERE FAWNING POLITICOS, PRETENDING TO MEAN SOMETHING AT THE GUNG HAY FAT CHOY ANNUAL PARADE THROUGH CHINATOWN.

WHAT FALSE NOTES THEY RANG. HOW TRANSPARENT THEY WERE. AND NOBODY CHEERED.

Be the Judge

The news that the North Shore is adding 6 officers who will focus on problems of alcoholism and addictions on reserves is welcome and not to be discounted.

These RCMP and West Van police are necessary and we can only hope that they will help.

But I know of no other way to put this gently.

Until aboriginal families abandon their "traditional" "non-judgmental" ways, these nightmares will continue.

Non-judgmentalism has been all the rage in almost every aspect of the dominant white culture for several decades now. Child rearing, education, psychology, every corner of society has raised the BE NICE flag.

Certainly yelling and screaming and criticising and beating each other and our children is downright bad and counter-productive.

But another meaning for judgment is care. Asking the one you judge to take himself to a higher standard. Having high and hopeful expectations.

Like, being clean and sober. Like, doing well in school.

White, urban, middle-class bores have long cited the admirable qualities of native non-judgmentalism.

Perhaps it's time for some aboriginals to notice with envy the demands that many other cultures put on their children to succeed and to be proud of themselves and their successes.

Yah, I know. This is a racist rant.

Right.

The Arrogant Bureaucrat Used to Be Lady Tattoo

Karen Petersen no longer remembers being a merchant. Unfortunatly she sold out her business just in the nick of time for construction on Granville street. Her CUSHY position at the Canada Line has obviously distracted her from her former life as the proprietor of a tattoo and body piercing shop. Which, apparently is a BETER business than maternity and baby stores, restaurants and framing stores.I guess her more "qualified" business experiences enables her to be considered an expert in the area of survival.Although, She was the president of the downtown business association, at one time lobbying for change and strength among merchants... she now has a different business. Amazing what a solid income and a nice office can do to change a person.Instead of working 12 hours a day on her own business, she might sit around her new office reading small business obituaries with the other girls while they give eachother free tattoos and do eachothers hair.(And as the following article quotes her) and saying "super hot"!!She can call consultation what she wants. She can say she doesn't work for the canada line directly, but she is still responsible for her part in destroying families, immigrants, single parents and other small businesses along the line...signed,Karen come over an watch my kids, I need to go to work now, because you took my business,Erin Broke-ovich

READ:Granville Mall gets overhaul Economic pressures will drive out less attractive businesses Wendy McLellan Province Sunday, April, 03, 2005

Even if city councillors agree on a design by early summer as planned, the street will be ripped apart for RAV construction -- including as many as three stations along Granville -- for at least 18 months."We've wanted a redesign forever," said Karen Peterson Ivanick, president of the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association and a longtime retailer on Granville Mall."A lot of people think having this main street in such disrepair is holding back the city. You can't build something in 1975 and then abandon it."Peterson Ivanick, who owns Anatomic Adornments body-piercing shop in the 800-block of Granville, said updating the street, along with the redevelopment under way, is gradually taking the area away from drug dealers and pawn shops and making it a safe, funky place in the heart of the city."There is real, serious change going on that is quite meaningful," she said. "Leases are up for renewal and retailers that can't get onto Robson are making the first couple of blocks of Granville the next best thing."That will push the smaller stores further south and pretty soon, there will be only good stuff going on. I think it could be a beautiful street. We're just a few years away from being super hot down here."

Transclunk Board Criminal

Clearly Mike Harcourt has lost his last remaining marble.

He has approved a 500% pay hike for the new Transclunk board, all of whom are already well-heeled execs.

They will now get $1,200 per meeting, even if they are not physically present in the room.

A commentor has already beat me to the punch and said on my "Hoax" blog a little further down this page what I will repeat herein.

Not only should this pay raise not be allowed, THEY SHOULD ALL BE VOLUNTEERS. THEY SHOULD BE DOING THIS TO HELP THE COMMUNITY THAT HAS MADE THEM SUCCESSFUL.

U Waste - The Joy of Sax

Below is one of the greatest musical pieces ever heard, John Coltrane's take on the simple Rogers and Hammerstein tune, "My Favorite Things" from "The Sound of Music." How 'Trane took this c-major children's folk melody and turned it into a mystical, eastern hymn is unknown and amazing.

But in keeping with insanity of what passes for science and academics, physicists at the University of new South Wales in Sydney have been studying how saxophone players make noise.

Public money pays for this.

Revel in Coltrane and others. Don't try this at home and don't try to understand the mechanics of how it is done.

Unless you're an academic with time and public money on your hands.

John Coltrane -' My Favourite Things'

THE DRUG BEAT

ITEM: UBC is sponsoring a series of pblic discussion called "Drug Policy - Public Health or Criminal Justice Issue?"

The only problem is that the speakers are THE USUAL SUSPECTS...Larry Campbell, Phillip Owen, Centre for Addicitons Research, Fraser Institute and so on.

Good luck on hearing a thought that isn't part of the accepted wisdom.

ITEM: Doctors Pan Mayors Drug Plan. Yes, as they should. And we needn't dwell on the obvious. But there is one telling little moment in this story. NAOMI - the hateful experiment where addicts are given free heroin is described as providing "heroin to long-term addicts, along with intensive counselling and support.

Now this little gem exemplifies how little any of these geniuses know or care about addictions.

YOU CANNOT COUNSEL SOMEONE WHO IS TAKING HEROIN, AS YOU CANNOT TALK TO A DRINKING DRUNK. YOU ARE NOT TALKING IN THESE INSTANCES TO A PESON. YOU ARE TALKING TO A CHEMICAL.

The entire premise is false and the enterprise is doomed.

Do I Ask You to Abandon Jesus?

“Let us pray for the Jews. May the Lord Our God enlighten their hearts so that they may acknowledge Jesus Christ, the savior of all men.”

So translates a new version of Good Friday prayer that the Pope has sanctioned.

That's really going to help.

To find yourself hurtling backwards through time to the Dark Ages, read this NY Times story here.

Theh take a bath.

THIS IS NOT A HOAX

From a regular contributor...

OUTRAGEOUS.
The TransLink Board has justed voted itself a raise in its meeting honoraria - for $200 a meeting to..........$1,200/meeting!!!!!!!!! - whether or not they are physically present at the table. They get it if it's just a teleconference!

While fares rise - while families face financial ruin along the Canada Line - behind closed doors the TransLink Cabal votes themselves this gluttony
and flips the people of BC the bird.

This is beyond all comprehension.

THE HEIGHT OF ARROGANCE - BUREAUCRACY RUN AMOK

What follows is perhaps the rudest letter imaginable from Little Ms. I'mAlright to yet another Cambie merchant whose business has been ruined by the Canada Line. It's a classic. But WARNING - YOUR BLOOD MAY BOIL.

Linda ( I presume)
I am an independent operator. I have a contract with Canada Line to manage the projects of the Business Liaison Committees. I take my directives from the committee members and my Independent Chair. I will not be passing your rhetorical question on to the CEO of Canada Line for you.

As you know, there is no mandate for Canada Line in their contract to provide compensation to businesses. What Canada Line did in that absence, was to create communications and programming resources available through the Vancouver and Richmond Business Liaison Committees. You have two representatives for this area which are on the Committee, Mr., Leonard Schein of Festival Cinemas, who operates the Park Theatre just up the street from you, and Ms. Heather Grant who works with Shato Holdings, owners of numerous properties including White Spot. These two individuals do a great job of representing the interests of Cambie Village at our table and provide input as to ways to bring customers to Cambie Village. In fact, they have secured a great deal of programming for the area in addition to that funded through the Committee. I know they will both continue to champion for Cambie Village.

Mr. Schein and Ms. Grant also serve on the volunteer Board of Directors for the Cambie Village Business Association. You have the contact name and number for Rania Hatz, your BIA coordinator who you have cc’d in the email. Please speak with Rania about ideas you may have for events, marketing and programs in the Cambie Village area or to find out what programs are currently being planned so that you can participate.

I believe I have done all I can for your business in my capacity. Canada Line has provided one-on-one consultation from the Retail Consultant, who also gave you a personalized sign program template on cd and new logo to work with. I know that there were many ideas and suggestions presented to you and it is up to you how you move forward. With the closure of all the Regis Framing stores, you now have less competition in this area. The City Square location has closed and you could go into the mall and hand out your cards to the other merchants to let them know that people looking for framing can now call you. Perhaps offer a referral program.. It might be a good time to make some photocopies of flyers, or rearrange the store. Urban Source on Main street just north of 16th sells recycled materials for pennies and will provide an environmentally friendly supply of neat things to make displays with. There are many constructive things you could be doing.

I am wondering, too, why after running the business for about 20 months you speak about the last 17, 20 and now 24 years of business. Having met the previous owners, who themselves bought the business from someone else, it seems the business has changed hands a number of times in the last few years alone. Along with your inconsistent operating hours, it is my own personal onion that you may have some consumer confidence issues to work on. Traditionally, retail sales are very low this time of year. Add snow storms and traffic congestion and you do really have a very compounded situation. I have never said otherwise. But I honestly believe you need to make more effort in your business for it to grow. Sending emails such as the attached, and some of the others you have copied me on, will not help you unless you feel it is beneficial to vent at someone. If that is the case – why not type the email out and then delete it? That way you see, you don’t offend people who have done a lot to try to help you in the only way that they are able to or have control over.

I wish you well,

Thanks,

Karen Peterson
Independent Project Director
Business Liaison and Communications Committees
Do You Shop the Line?
Canada Line Direct: 604-639-8723
Cellular 778-327-8383
karenpi@canadaline.ca http://www.canadaline.ca/
483 West 16th Avenue
Vancouver BC V5Y 1Z2

TEACH THE CHILDREN

VICTOR WANTS THE FULL TREATMENT

Hi Mensche:

This city needs a dialogue on treatment; maybe a Langara dialogue.

I am tired of the obfuscation.

On a daily basis I hear bloated talk show hosts admonish us because treatment is not available for addicts. But they never define or discuss treatment.

Similarly, newspaper columnists bring the scientific weight of their two-year journalism diplomas to the call for treatment. But they never define it. Never analyze the efficacy of any treatment protocols.

I am tired of being preached to by these moralizing intellectual sophomores.

We need a dialogue around the following question:

TREATMENT: WHAT WORKS ?

WHAT DOES ' IT WORKS' MEAN?

WHAT WILL IT COST?

Question one.

With respect to question #1, surely we have the right to put the treatment regimens under the bright light of scientific scrutiny. We do this for every other health issue. So what works? The question is particularly important given the claims by VCH that treatment can be effective for dual-diagnosed addicts. OK? The procedures manual for the Psychiatrists Association lists 300 mental disorders. There are a dozen different addictive drugs at least. That's thousands of combinations. Do we use the same 'treatment' for all of them? Does the manic depressive addicted to heroin et the same treatment as the violent cocaine addict? Who gives the treatment? Somebody with an undergrad degree in sociology? What is the regimen? Yeah, I know, psychiatrists are scorned, even though they have medical degrees, but given that addiction is a health issue, dare I ask for the credentials of treatment advocates? And if addiction is not a health issue, but a lifestyle issue, get it away from my taxes. I don't pay for botox failures.

Question Two.

What do we mean by" treatment works"? Does this mean the 34 year old meth addict stays clean for 2 years? One year? Gets a job? Who defines success? Every six of months or so I stop shaving for 4 days, put on my garden clothes and walk East Hastings. Try it. I get away with it because I am a cripple and I limp badly. I ask myself whether any of the lost souls I encounter could ever cross over to civilian street. Could they clean up? Get a job. Eat right. Yes, I'm aware of the heartfelt stories about the ex meth addict who now sorts bottles at a charity. But we need to face the fact that even, and I stress, even of we clean up the estimated 7000 addicts in the GVRD, they will be on the dole for life. Bloated talk show hosts and columnists flog the notion that somehow, these denizens of despair will clean up, join the Rotary, wear sensible shoes and eat organically.

Assume society accepts the cost of cleaning all 7,000 dual diagnosed addicts. Surely we should discuss the cost of housing, feeding and caring for the bulk of them, and those who will replace them, in perpetuity.

Question three. The cost.

Everybody dances around this. I have only one number as a reference. The facility in Keromeos, the one that will "treat" (that word again) 40 addicts a year, has an operating budget of $2 million. That's operating costs of $50,000 per addict, not including capital costs. They claim a high success rate although, success isn't defined. (see point 2). But assuming the Keremeos facility "Works" that translates into $350 million a year for the 7000 addicts on the downtown east side. That doesn't include capital costs. Let's put capital costs for 7000 units at $150 million, which is a bargain.

So we have a figure of $500 million a year. (Plus support for the rest of their lives). That's before the WCF (World Crackhead Federation) descends on Vancouver for 2010.

Can we at least, as Charles Dickens said "do the sums".

God forbid all those earnest advocates puzzle their sincere minds with accountability.

But, it as been said, "Earnest is another name for Stupid that went to university."

v

FRIDAY'S PROVINCE COLUMN

Though winter is far from out the door, the election season seems just around the corner.

Already, the signs are jammed into the cushy lawns of Vancouver Quadra for the March 17 byelection caused by local MP Stephen Owen’s decision to move on to a more relaxing job at the University of B.C. And almost daily, Prime Minister Stephen Harper threatens to exploit political rifts over Canada’s role in Afghanistan and roll the dice on a federal vote.

Civic contests arrive in mid-November. Then, a provincial election is slated for May 12 of next year. And there’s not much we can do about it. Under the Constitution Act, the date has been fixed.

But what do you want from the political leaders you elect? Management or inspiration? Experience or hope?

In the United States, Democrat candidate Hillary Clinton sees the position of president as that of a CEO who must “manage and run the bureaucracy.” Rival Barack Obama’s vision is a world apart.

In the classic call-and-answer style of the rural churches of the southern U.S., Obama is drawing new and old voters alike with his rallying call: “Yes, we can!” In debate, he is often shaky and thin on detail (which is exactly where Clinton shines).

But put Obama in front of an echoing crowd, and the Martin Luther King within him rises to the surface. I confess the man had me in tears.

On the Republican side, in a stirring clash between character and cunning, John McCain marches to confirmation, now that slick Mitt Romney, the millionaire Mormon, has suspended his campaign.

Which brings us back to our less-than-colourful election campaigns back home.

Vying to become City of Vancouver mayor are Gregor Robertson, Raymond Louie, David Cadman, Peter Ladner and, of course, Sam Sullivan. Oh, and from his 15 years on the parks board, there’s Allan De Genova. Lord help us.

On the provincial level, I don’t know anybody who would accuse NDP Leader Carole James or Premier Gordon Campbell of the kind of leadership that would encourage you to raise your knickers and wade across the river for the gold.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper is one lace less exciting than a pair of rental bowling shoes. And federal Liberal leader Stephane Dion is the guy who walked backwards into the propeller wash of politics.

So, what kind of leaders do we really want? And why can’t we get them?

A friend says that it’s fine to know how to run the shop, but people hunger for more. He argues that Obama is finding his constituency precisely because of that raw emptiness in the collective American gut. And he asks: “Where are the Canadian Obamas?” Where are the men and women of vision? Where are the souls who will awaken our own souls to callings higher than real estate?

The bar has been set so low in recent years, who would want the damn job?

No Brothels for Sam. Boo Effing Hoo

Co-op brothels will not happen any time soon.

That's the welcome announcement from Federal Justice Minsiter, Rob Nicholson.

"We are not in the business of legalizing brothels."

This was another of The Nutty Mayor's sweeping grand schemes to prettify Our Town for the Olympics.

Like all of his ideas - drug substitution, silent fire trucks - it's a No Go.

Shocking Walking

I like SFU's new "walking generator."

Wear a small brace on your knees and while you walk, you create enough juice to power your music box.

If this gets more people walking, I'm all for it.

Zoo Breaks

Some of the following may be prohibited from public use or display in Vancouver:

Sloths

Skunks

Weasels

rats

Reptiles

Snakes

What havoc this will play with the next election.

Who's left?

DEATH VAN IS ENTIRELY THE GOVERNMENT'S FAULT

It's good to know that the owner of the van that overutned last year, killing three farm workers and injuring 14 others, will be faced with a big fine.

But that's not even the beggining of cleaning up this mess.

Three days after that sickening and completely avoidable tragedy, that same company was yelling at its female immigrant employees at 6am to get into another completely unsafe van.

You won't read about that in the paper. I know because a friend of mine was standing there observing this atrocity.

The bc government has no laws requiring such vehicles to be inspected or carry seatbelts or have their tire pressure checked and any other simple safety procedure.

I lay this monstrocity entirely in the uncaring laps of the Olympic mistresses who call themselves our government.

Two seatbelts - 14 passengers....what gulag are we living in I ask again?

Oh I forgot...they are women and they are immigrants and they are in the valley out of view.

If only they were snowboarders or board of trade members.

David Marley on Policing

As you know, Metro Vancouver is currently involved in a debate over the desirability of "regional policing". Yesterday, SFU hosted a conference on the subject, one that drew a great many local politicians amongst other interested individuals. During the event not a single person mentioned that the RCMP "provincial services agreement" with BC expires in 2012. Yet, later in the day, the federal minister of public safety, with a beeming mayor of Surrey at his side, announced that construction will begin next year on a new headquarters for the RCMP's "E" division, to be built in "Green Timbers", Surrey.

Here we have yet another flagrant example of bureaucratic absolutism. It matters not that the people of BC have to date had no opportunity to debate the relative merits of keeping the RCMP in the role of municipal police force throughout BC post-2012. The federal bureaucracy, apparently with the active compliance of various provincial and local officials, is moving full speed ahead to spend vast sums of taxpayers' money on constructing a facility, presumably to create a fait accompli with respect to the RCMP's future in our province.

In 1950, the Attorney-General of the day, Gordon Wismer, effectively abrogated our country's Constitution by administrative fiat when, for dubious short term financial gain, he signed away BC's obligation to discharge the administration of justice insofar as the all important policing function is concerned. Today, the chief law officer of BC maintains direct control over a mere eleven so-called "independent" police forces across the province. By far the majority of communities are policed by a federal para-military force, run from distant Ottawa, one that is increasingly of late under the microscope for totally unacceptable behaviour of one sort or another.

We need a vigorous debate in BC, up to and including the May, 2009 provincial general election, as to whether to keep the RCMP as our dominant police presence. I believe we would be wise to encourage regional policing wherever numbers warrant in urban and suburban centres and, as for the balance of the province, we ought to resurrect a "British Columbia Constabulary".

I hope you will use your "bully pulpit" to promote such a necessary province-wide debate.

Canon in D by Johann Pachelbel