Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
You Gotta Have Heart(s)
My bridge gang - we're all poster kids for good cardiac care.
We start playing at 10 am, play three rounds of 6 hands and then break for lunch.
Inevitably the medical rolls begins.
At 67, I'm the youngest at the table and with only 3 stents in various arteries and 2 angioplasties, I'm the least experienced under the knife.
All of which is to say that, before we even tick into the soup, we all agree that health care - and particularly cardiac care - in this province and this city is quite wonderful and amazing.
Each of us has "the best cardiologist in town," which makes for at least 4 great ones and counting.
Thus, it was a bit of a shocker to see this morning that Newfoundland Premier Danny Williams, one of the great modern sovereigntists of the age, is off to some undisclosed U.S. hospital for heart surgery.
The Globe has not one, but two stories on this matter and one opinion piece.
Williams is a fascinating and often most admirable guy.
He is a millionaire and nobody's fool and nobody's patsy.
He loves and protects Newfoundland - and donates his premier's salary to charity - and continues to have a voter approval rating above 80%.
The editorial argues that how Williams manages his own health is entirely his business.
I agree.
When faced with mortality, we will all do exactly what we can to survive.
But, that doesn't stop any of us from wondering what exactly is this circumstance or this medical condition that it cannot find timely and appropriate response right here on Canadian soil.
Nobody on the political stage, local or national, has been willing to criticize Williams over this decision. All wish him speedy and best recovery.
Still...
Is this some terribly arcane and delicate procedure known only to a handful of experts in, say, Boston, or New York?
If it is, then we will understand.
If not, why not take the cure in Vancouver or Winnipeg or Toronto where heart surgeries, if not a dime a dozen, are certainly performed with astonishing regularity?
VGH, for example, completes on average 20 angioplasties a day.
I don't know the numbers for open heart and valve jobs, but they are almost a matter of course these days.
In the meantime, we join all others in wishing Mr. Williams the best.
And we will look forward to learning the full story.
And to playing our next hand of bridge.
Monday, February 1, 2010
We are Fools and We are Played for Fools
More than 300 people who claimed to live at the same address in Mississauga are being investigated by the RCMP in what police suspect may be a massive case of citizenship fraud.
Suspect?
You think?
The fake common address is an office building in sunny downtown Mississauga called Palestine House.
Your government through Citizenship and Immigration Canada gave the centre $2.4-million of your tax money for English-language training in a multi-year agreement last April.
The building manager said he found brown government envelopes that came through the mail addressed to people who didn't live or work at Palestine House. He said the envelopes contained government cheques for the national child benefit, but the recipients weren't actually living in Canada.
In addition to the continuing shame and embarrassment of non-Canadians stealing Canadian tax dollars with fake tears in their eyes, we have the spectre of a Clouseauvian police force having certain"suspicions."
As American playwright David Mamet once reported that his father - an avid poker player, like Mamet himself - once said, "Son, if you're sitting at the table and wondering who the mark is, it's you!"
The photo, by the way, is off the Deputy Minister of Citizenship & Immigration...or someone posing cleverly as him.
From a Friend
Subject: A German's View on Islam
This is by far the best explanation of the Muslim terrorist
situation I have ever read. His references to past history are accurate
and clear. Not long, easy to understand, and well worth the read. The
author of this email is said to be Dr. Emanuel Tanay, a well known and
well respected psychiatrist.
A German's View on Islam
A man, whose family was German aristocracy prior to World War
II, owned a number of large industries and estates. When asked how many
German people were true Nazis, the answer he gave can guide our attitude
toward fanaticism. 'Very few people were true Nazis,' he said, 'but many
enjoyed the return of German pride, and many more were too busy to care.
I was one of those who just thought the Nazis were a bunch of fools. So,
the majority just sat back and let it all happen. Then, before we knew
it, they owned us, and we had lost control, and the end of the world had
come. My family lost everything.. I ended up in a concentration camp and
the Allies destroyed my factories.'
We are told again and again by 'experts' and 'talking heads'
that Islam is the religion of peace, and that the vast majority of
Muslims just want to live in peace. Although this unqualified assertion
may be true, it is entirely irrelevant. It is meaningless fluff, meant
to make us feel better, and meant to somehow diminish the spectra of
fanatics rampaging across the globe in the name of Islam.
The fact is that the fanatics rule Islam at this moment in
history. It is the fanatics who march. It is the fanatics who wage any
one of 50 shooting wars worldwide. It is the fanatics who systematically
slaughter Christian or tribal groups throughout Africa and are gradually
taking over the entire continent in an Islamic wave. It is the fanatics
who bomb, behead, murder, or honor-kill. It is the fanatics who take
over mosque after mosque. It is the fanatics who zealously spread the
stoning and hanging of rape victims and homosexuals. It is the fanatics
who teach their young to kill and to become suicide bombers.
The hard quantifiable fact is that the peaceful majority,
the 'silent majority,' is cowed and extraneous.
Communist Russia was comprised of Russians who just wanted to
live in peace, yet the Russian Communists were responsible for the
murder of about 20 million people. The peaceful majority were
irrelevant.
China 's huge population was peaceful as well, but Chinese
Communists managed to kill a staggering 70 million people.
The average Japanese individual prior to World War II was
not a warmongering sadist. Yet, Japan murdered and slaughtered its way
across South East Asia in an orgy of killing that included the
systematic murder of 12 million Chinese civilians; most killed by sword,
shovel, and bayonet.
And, who can forget Rwanda , which collapsed into butchery.
Could it not be said that the majority of Rwandans were 'peace loving'?
History lessons are often incredibly simple and blunt, yet for
all our powers of reason we often miss the most basic and uncomplicated
of points: Peace-loving Muslims have been made irrelevant by their
silence. Peace-loving Muslims will become our enemy if they don't speak
up, because like my friend from Germany , they will awaken one day and
find that the fanatics own them, and the end of their world will have
begun.
Peace-loving Germans,Japanese, Chinese,Russians , Rwandans,
Serbs, Afghans, Iraqis, Palestinians, Somalis, Nigerians, Algerians, and
many others have died because the peaceful majority did not speak up
until it was too late.
As for us who watch it all unfold, we must pay attention to
the only group that counts; the fanatics who threaten our way of life.
Lastly, anyone who doubts that the issue is serious and just
deletes this email without sending it on, is contributing to the
passiveness that allows the problems to expand. So, extend yourself a
bit and send this on and on and on! Let us hope that thousands, world
wide, read this and think about it, and send it on - before it's too
late.
Emanuel Tanay, M.D.
Street Talk
A university student writing in a campus newspaper back east a few days ago attacked the Harper government for trying to shut down Insite, The student held up the facility as a great modern boon to practically everything.
Our good friend, Al Arsenault, who worked the DTES as a city cop for a great many years, has a slightly different take.
Hi David
I have a hard timer reading the drivel coming from people who know absolutely nothing about drug addiction as well, but every once in a while I have to pen a few words: this is what I told the author:
As a long-time DTES beat officer who was walking those mean streets of
All sanctimony aside, no one dies from OD’s, nor does anyone ever get a drug-related disease, in good treatment. Why? Because, by definition, they separate the addict from the drug. Period. Look up the Therapeutic Community Treatment Model. How’s that for life-saving measures? How about the so-called ‘
The sad reality here is that the rich get treatment while the poor get harm reduction.
After over two decades of HR, you might have a live addict but most likely a diseased addict. Imagine what could be accomplished with just a few good years of treatment. If you look closely at those poor souls down there, those with one foot in the ditch and the other (if they still have their other leg) in the grave, you might see someone badly in need of treatment. They really don’t need a box of needles and a place to shoot up. Heaven forbid we judge their drug-related behaviour as per the HR mantra. But we do owe it to them to do just that- not to judge WHO they are as people, but to show how their drug use is costing themselves, their families and the community at large. The junkie industry thrives on the pandering to the whims of those too sick to ask for help (can they get help in a timely fashion in the shadow of HR?).
True compassion lies not in giving an addict what she/he WANTS, rather it is based upon the sober, connected, and compassionate gift of what he really NEEDS- decent treatment.
KIng on his Court
Thanks for asking, but no, I did not stay up to watch Federer take the Aussie Open handily the other morning.
But that's why G-d invented the VCR, right?
I taped it and watched over morning tea.
Lovely...
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Do the Right Thing, Mr. Harper
Omar Khadr may or may not be a murder, a terrorist, and a sonofabitch who is mean to babies and dogs.
But what is the point of fighting and winning wars and skirmishes in the name of fairy-tale notions like democracy and freedom and justice if we abandon all such in the execution of the battle?
Now, the Supreme Court of Canada has clearly and cleanly thrown down the gauntlet to the Harper government, challenging Canada to bring Khadar back from the legal and moral black hole of Guantanamo Bay.
In a 9-0 ruling, the court effectively dared the Harper government to ignore its finding that Canada and the United States are violating Mr. Khadr's right to life, liberty and security under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
A government is expected to take action when the court rules it has violated some one's rights.
This is not a question of being kind to criminals.
It's all about the principle, stupid.
Dream Final?
Sunday's men's final down under may present for the first time in living memory the prospect of two real court artists facing each other in a battle of speed and touch and sublime shot-making.
It's true that there have been many great and memorable moments in Grand Slam finals through the years.
When I first got hooked on the game, the rivalry of Borg and McEnroe was something special to behold. The Slugger and the Wizard. Borg was driving shot after shot as straight arrows while Johnny Mac was dipping and diving and massaging shots at hadn't previously been imagined.
But now...
Now, suddenly, we have Roger Federer and Andy Murray, the two deftest players in the game today. They are both faster than any two or three other players put together. They both can serve and volley as well as Stephan Edberg did in his prime and they both have hands apparently made of butter. In one instance in yesterday's victory over Milan Cilic, Murray actually looked exactly like McEnroe on a touch volley four feet from the net. He barely bent his knees at all (as we are all yelled at to do by our teachers), simply dropped his racquet to the floor and let the ball ping up and across the net for a sure winner. Pure McEnroe.
This may or may not be a great final. But it should be.
If both men can forget their nerves and fight like the dogs that they truly are, if Murray can get past his intimidation by Federer, if Fed can push past his own too-often too-cool and growl, we may have one of the best face-offs in a long, long time.
Who will win?
Search me.
Federer, the number one player in the world and the holder of more singles slams than anyone else in history has played flowing flawless tennis these past two weeks in Melbourne. He'll be the favorite.
But make no mistake.
Andy Murray is primed to take this one. He could do it.
Let's get serious. Super Bowl 44 isn't until next week, no one will be watching the strangley timed Pro Bowl, and this choice tennis match may be one for the ages.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Which Way is Up?
The war is ending...
But first, we will have to rejoice in killing many, many more bad guys.
Uhuh.
This was the morning take on Afghanistan.
The Taliban are joining i n the peace talks...
And we're getting ready for a big new offensive against the Taliban.
O.K.
I'm naive and stupid when it comes to little things like war and international diplomacy.
This is probably how the real world works.
But is it OK if I stay confused and bewildered?
Sorry is the Cheapest Word
I have friends who are police.
I like the police.
I am getting tired of watching the police disgrace themselves.
Here are two headlines from this morning's press:
Man beaten by Vancouver police to sue
Second Surrey Six Mountie investigated
The two stories are unrelated in specifics, but they are united by an unhappy common theme - police are straining our necessary sense of trust and good will in their motives and behaviour on and off the job.I appreciate that police are human and like me and you they make mistakes every single day.
I appreciate that as police you are often, more often than not, dealing with garbage and crap.
Probably it could be safely argued that your job is tougher than many other employments.
O.K.
But please...let's get you out of these kind of headlines.
By the way, in the first case quoted...mistaken identity. Oops, we're sorry may not cut it.
When Will We Learn? When Will We Care?
Terry Naugle of Nova Scotia was convicted of drunk driving in 1978, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1988, 1989, 1989 again, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2006 and, most recently, 2009. He never received a lifetime driving ban, at least until the 2009 charges, for which he is being sentenced next month.
Above is the first shocking paragraph of an editorial in yesterday's Globe.
Apparently, we continue to believe that driving a car is some god-given right in this country and no matter how dangerous and demented our behaviour, we may do so ad naseum.
Apparently, we continue to believe in this country that drinking booze badly is just an amusing side-bar to real life and it is to be chuckled at while we have another.
Apparently, we have no balls, no values and no political will to get real on this subject.
J.D. Salinger
"If you really want to hear about it..."
One year I traipsed around the winter campus of the University of Manitoba in my tweed great coat. I called it my Holden Caulfield.
"The Catcher in the Rye" is and was and probably will continue to be a monumental success in so many ways - as a piece of literature, a publishing gold mine and a mysteriously alluring cultural icon.
Today when students from other countries ask me what book they should read, I buy them a copy of "Catcher."
Is there a course at any school in North America that doesn't have this slender volume on its required reading list.
A few more books and short stories and then the famous retreat.
Hidden in the woods somewhere in New England, J.D. Salinger became even more famous and more sought-after.
Here is the N.Y. Times obit.
What's Your Sine?
Subject: Teacher Arrested
A teacher was arrested today at John F. Kennedy International Airport as he attempted to board a flight while in possession of a ruler, a protractor, a compass, a slide-rule and a calculator.
At a morning press conference, the Attorney General said he believes the man is a member of the notorious Al-Gebra movement. He did not identify the man, who has been charged by the FBI with carrying weapons of math instruction.
'"Al-Gebra is a problem for us," the Attorney General said. "They derive solutions by means and extremes, and sometimes go off on tangents in search of absolute values.." They use secret code names like 'X' and 'Y' and refer to themselves as "unknowns", but we have determined that they belong to a common denominator of the axis of medieval with coordinates in every country.
As the Greek philanderer Isosceles used to say, 'There are 3 sides to every triangle'.
When asked to comment on the arrest, President Obama said, "If God had wanted us to have better weapons of math instruction, he would have given us more fingers and toes." White House aides told reporters they could not recall a more intelligent or profound statement by the President. It is believed that the Nobel Prize for Physics will follow.
At a morning press conference, the Attorney General said he believes the man is a member of the notorious Al-Gebra movement. He did not identify the man, who has been charged by the FBI with carrying weapons of math instruction.
'"Al-Gebra is a problem for us," the Attorney General said. "They derive solutions by means and extremes, and sometimes go off on tangents in search of absolute values.." They use secret code names like 'X' and 'Y' and refer to themselves as "unknowns", but we have determined that they belong to a common denominator of the axis of medieval with coordinates in every country.
As the Greek philanderer Isosceles used to say, 'There are 3 sides to every triangle'.
When asked to comment on the arrest, President Obama said, "If God had wanted us to have better weapons of math instruction, he would have given us more fingers and toes." White House aides told reporters they could not recall a more intelligent or profound statement by the President. It is believed that the Nobel Prize for Physics will follow.
Victor Has Room to be Peeved
I'll try to be brief.
I do contract work for Aboriginals. As part of this, I often bring
some of them to Vancouver for discussions. Many don't have credit
cards so they can't reserve hotels. No problem. I put their rooms on
my personal credit card and the Federal government pays me after. I
don't charge the Feds for this credit service. I've been doing this
for 9 years. But each time I book a room for a Native , the hotel
requires me to send a photocopy of my credit card, front and back, via
fax. These are hotels where I've done this umpteen times. No fax, no
room. If I offer to read my credit card number over the phone , the
hotel ( I could name a dozen in Vancouver) says that I could be
anybody. Ditto for trying to do it on-line. Like I said, 9 years.
So, as Desi would ask " splain this". I travel a lot. I can give my
credit card number to the reservation person in Toronto and arrive
with the assurance that my room will be waiting. I can book a plane
to Dubai on line with my card and swan up to the desk at the airport
with total assurance. Why, if I am trying to do this for somebody
else, does the hotel require a fax with photocopies of my card and
signatures WHICH ANY DRUNK IN THE LOBBY COULD STEAL?
Is it because the people are Natives? What is the risk. You can't
steal a goddamn room and sneak it past the concierge.
The hotels tell me they are only trying to protect me. From what? I
always send a signed fax stipulating that my card will only cover one
room for one night. If I have paid in advance, why do they give a shit
about who actually sleeps in the bed? They're covered for Chrissakes?
Ok. I'm done.
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Techo-Warp
Technology!
I recorded and thought that I uploaded almost 5 minutes.
What you get below is only 2:12.
Go explain.
What should follow should be obvious.
The message is that evil such as this cannot be forgotten. Nor is it to be forgiven.
It is to be clearly and painfully remembered.
Do not denigrate words by calling a local politician a "Hitler."
Hitler was unique.
There is evil before and after him, but no one like him.
And the ordinary citizens who helped him carry out his mad plans are you and me.
The Holocaust calls for vigilance and remembrance.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Eye Opener
David;
My wife's employer is shutting down the office for two weeks during the Olympic event because customers are afraid to drive to town; afraid to find parking and are now canceling appointments en mass.
This means the practice will be closed and the 6 employees including the owner will not be paid wages, yet rent is still due and bills must be paid.
This means our family will not have holidays this year, nor will we be able to afford such niceties as swimming lessons for the children.
Our family are not the only ones affected.
So when those many politicians take taxpayer paid for tickets to watch a taxpayer paid for event, think of the thousands of taxpayers who have been negatively affected by the games.
Does VANOC have a conscience at all; does Furlong give a damn? Does Gordo?
Olympic Update
1) Of course, many cities and municipalities are spending tax dollars on tickets for their councillors, employees, friends and family members.
Of course, this is wrong.
Read the story here.
2) Don't know how to smile?
No problem.
Vancouver has produced a 128-page etiquette guide.
Hahahahaha...
The world's coldest, most unfriendly city is going to huggy-bear, kissy-face up overnight with a Warmth for Dummies manual.
Hahahaha...
Someone worked for months on this idiocy.
Someone paid for it.
You!
On Monday, I smiled at a woman who was standing on a corner in my neighbourhood and daringly said, "Good morning."
She glared at me, as she was obviously assaulted by an unsolicited greeting.
Look it up in the criminal code.
Violation 32B11-14.
I added as I passed, "I am truly sorry for saying good morning."
She probably wrote the guide.
3) A friend told me yesterday that she knows someone who is being paid by VANOC to be a sort of traffic cop in BC Place.
Ready for the wage?
$45/hour.
Yes, that's correct.
$45/hour.
Multiply that by a few zillion employees and you'll begin to understand why the Games are so expensive.
The amateur sporting games.
Oh, there is more.
Just because BC Place isn't quite ready for the throngs just yet, don't think that our friend's friend is not being paid.
She is.
She is now being paid $45/hr. to stand by.
4) And finally, the good news.
A friend has forwarded the following:
See below for a list of free or low cost events and exciting venues to check out.
Contributors
I cannot find the photo on the Globe's website.
Thus, all I can do is report what I saw this morning.
On page S3 in the Globe BC section, the paper is carrying a story about how Vancouver police will not be rushing to arrest too many people for smoking marijuana during the famous Games.
O.K.
But was it truly necessary to run a half-page photo of someone smoking a joint?
No doubt this is highly amusing and knowing for everyone.
It is also irresponsible and destructive.
Ha ha ...pot is so cute, so benign, so acceptable.
Heck for many it is a cause and a life's devotion and they are seen as cultural heroes.
This half-page photo is simply a small and thoughtless part of the whole ugly drug story.
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