Clean it Up

There are no less than three separate stories in the sports section today about the possible involvement of various National Football League players in major crimes, each with the added attraction of violence.

This is to date a taboo subject.

I have yet to see or read or hear a major journalistic piece covering what has become common and unhappy knowledge.

There exists in the NFL, and perhaps other major league sports, a criminal subculture that can barely contain itself in public.

The NFL is the most successful sports league in America if not the world. I believe the Dallas Cowboys franchise was listed recently at a book value of $1Billion US.

Little wonder then that the league is not rushing to air its dirty linen. But air it, they must.

Of course, steroid use is commonplace and has been for decades. That goes without saying.

But now, a great many players are gun-packing punk hoods and the NFL might want to give a good thought to how much they want this kind of citizen representing them.

Quote of the Day, #2

"We respect [Right to Play's] vision, mission and mandate and greatly admire the work they have done around the world," said Cobb.

We just don't respect them as much as we respect General Motors.

And those guys, well, WE REALLY RESPECT THEM!

This was VANOC trying to do the double shuffle on trying to keep a charitable group out of the Olympic Village because the group had the audacity to be sponsored by - gasp - Mitsubishi.

Just wait until the Olympic Village itself becomes a charitable cause.

And we thought it was all about sport and effort and glory and accomplishment...

Appoint them...but give them no teeth

Not a good sign when your watchdog says he can't do his work.

David Loukidelis says he has received numerous complaints about lobbyists that he cannot investigate because he simply does not have the legal power to do so.

"Because of my restricted mandate under the [Lobbyist Registration Act], I am unable to gather information from unwilling parties or to impose corrective measures or sanctions even if I were to believe that a person has engaged in unregistered lobbying."

The Sun report in this morning's paper concludes thus:

"Attorney-General Wally Oppal was not available for comment Tuesday evening."

Stump

Friends,

I know what it's like to be special.

I grew up in Greystones Manor.

My horses and dogs loved me.

So did my Mom and Dad and my dresser and my presser, Bertie and Birdie.

My tennis coach, Tyron, never once said a discouraging word to me and that's probably why I won more matches than anyone in Club history.

When a very poor kid I knew who had somehow won a scholarship to Ole' Miss was drafted and went to fight in various odd wars around the globe, I was devastated.

So I know what it's like to be truly American. That's right. I do.

The White House won't scare me like it might scare some others. To me it's just like a Howard Johnson's only without a coffee shop with those really good pancakes.

Thanks for your attention tonight and God bless.

More Olympic Village Thoughts

To the Editor - Re: Olympic Village way over budget - Province Oct 7/08

Imagine that.
Another Olympic mega-project with a fixed completion date, and assurances
from the government that it will be completed "on time, and on budget".

"We don't see that there is a risk with taxpayers". Millennium's Athlete's
Village.

"Risk will be transfered to the private partner". Canada Line (P3).

(The Trade and Convention Centre.....and so on)

Both projects are grossly over budget, with Canada Line by all accounts at a
BILLION dollars over the budget that was cheerfully and firmly stated as
"not a penny more" by TransLink.

The City owned land at 2nd and Cambie was not in the original RAV proposal,
but it was sold to Millenium at a price well over market value, and soon
became the site for the Athlete's Village/Shopping Mall.
Recently it was discovered that Canada Line, like Millennium, had also
invested it's surplus
operating funds in sub-prime backed paper - and lost it.

According to reporter Jeff Nagel, "ABCP investments were backed by U.S.
residential mortgages but suddenly stopped trading last summer when the U.S.
real estate market began
to melt down and heavy mortgage defaults began.

Individual Canadians, corporations and agencies (pension funds) have $33
billion tied up in ABCP that so far can't be redeemed."

Gordon Campbell, who once worked for Millennium, agreed to bail Canada Line
out with $56 million - just like that. Is this just the beginning?

Of course, it was Premier Gordon Campbell, after the failed 2nd round of
voting on the RAV/Canada Line project that said "the Province will assume
the overall responsibility for completing the RAV project".

Sounds a lot like the "doomsday plan" for the City to step in and fund the
Millennium
project as well. And just like TransLink, these decisions are being made
behind closed doors.

Peter Ladner wrings his hands, and calls this situation "distressing", as if
the writing was not on the wall on his watch.
Something else that is distressing is losing your personal life's work due
to the negligence of a government funded and driven project, as the small
businesses all along the Canada Line have. The precedent this abuse of power
is setting is an ugly one.

Where is the "doomsday plan" for the families along the Canada Line?

Gregor Robertson is calling for a "transparent process. The public has a
right to know".
Millennium could not - or is that, would not - be reached for comment.

I wonder how much taxpayer money, and pension funds Fortress Investment
Group has in sub-prime backed paper? I wonder how many other government
projects are tied up as well.

This Liberal government has failed the people of British Columbia.

Susan Heyes
3190 Cambie Street
604 687-0721
___________________________________________

Had to Share This...Had to...

Johnny Depp's Pirate bounty

Johnny Depp is to earn $61 million to appear in the fourth 'Pirates of the Caribbean' film, the highest upfront payment in film history.

(BANG) -

Johnny Depp is to earn $61 million for the fourth 'Pirates of the Caribbean' film.

The staggering sum is the largest upfront payment in film history and will see Johnny, 45, move to the top of Hollywood's rich list - overtaking Will Smith - when he reprises his role as Captain Jack Sparrow.

A source said: "It's a hell of a lot of money for one movie but there's only one man who can play Captain Jack Sparrow - and that's Johnny Depp.

"Pirates just wouldn't be the same without him, so they were more than willing to smash the record books to land Depp again. He's been the star of the show every time."

Earlier this year, Will was named the highest earning actor in Hollywood by Forbes magazine after he grossed $76 million in one year.

However, Johnny's new deal will see his earnings soar to $137 million.

The source added: "He's laughing all the way to the bank. Not only is he probably the biggest heartthrob in Hollywood, he's now going to be the richest."

Johnny's co-stars in the first three films in the franchise, Orlando Bloom and Keira Knightley, are unlikely to appear in the latest installment.

Tonight

In this evening's McCain-Obama debate, we can look for at least these three elements:

- Who will say something useful and constructive - if such is possible - on the economy and the desperate need in America for decent jobs?

- Who will envision a new welcome role for America on the world stage?

- Will the vicious personal attacks be abandoned in favor of policy?

Famous Last Words

"We don't see there is a risk with taxpayers."

This gem follows this headline:

Olympic Village way over budget

Athletes' housing already faces extra expenses of $60m to $65m

Read the Province story here, and then count the days till the penny drops.

Let me give you a hint.

This $1 Billion city project in False Creek East is based on the stability of a New York hedge fund.

I may Have to sell the TV

I just saw something so horrifying, so unwholesome, so frightful I can only wonder why it is allowed on television at 8 in the morning.

You may not want to hear this. Warning...

What I saw was...

STEPHANE DION HUGGING HEDY FRY!!!

Yes, and to add to the terror, one of the Trudeau boys and Raymond Chan and apparently hundreds of adoring fans cheering and weeping with the sheer joy of Liberal togetherness.

You may think, "Oh Dave, this was merely an early morning nightmare. Open your eyes, it will all go away."

Let me assure you...nobody calls me Dave.

And I actually saw this.

Perhaps the demons who manipulate TV screens created all this in a photo-lab, I don't know.

Certainly there can be no reasonable explanation for cheering on the WORST PARLIAMENTARIAN IN HISTORY and the MAN DESTINED TO LOSE THE ELECTION AND HIS JOB and THE PARTY THAT STOLE MILLIONS IN TAXPAYERS DOLLARS AND NEVER REPENTED.

Chuck 'n Bruce

When did I become "Dave?"

Political photo ops herald season of windy pies and airy puddings

Dave Berner, The Province

The Province

Monday, October 06, 2008

Tis the season of the photo op. The premier is in full election mode. As my mother used to say, "It's all windy pies and airy puddings." Let's examine three recent announcements: community courts, home care and tolls.

With great fanfare and considerable hope, Judge Thomas Gove and Wally Oppal, who poses regularly as B.C.'s Attorney-General, announced the opening of the Downtown Community Court.

Anybody who has ever given a moment's thought to the failures of our criminal justice system had to applaud. Let's stop the useless cycle of incarcerations that lead only to better equipped criminals and sociopaths. Let's divert these addicts and others into treatment.

Ah, if only. Unfortunately, this is a house of cards.

Retired Justice Wallace Craig put it best in his recent column in the North Shore News.

"Set in a sterile and disused pre-trial jail behind the Criminal Court at 222 Main Street, the Downtown Community Court will be a revolving-door court for drug addicts, a finger-in-the-dyke experiment that lacks the critical support of detoxification and residential treatment premises." Another in the long line of silver bullets meant to save the DTES in a thunderclap. Won't happen. Not until the real resources are there to complete the picture.

The same song was hauled out when Mary Polak, B.C.'s Minister of Healthy Living and Sports, stepped before the cameras to announce the government will expand home care for seniors.

Again, a welcome and overdue notion. It is not only more cost effective to serve many elderly patients in their homes, but it adds considerably to their sense of independence and quality of life.

A no-brainer, apparently -- until you examine the fine print.

Polak told reporters the province has developed four cornerstones: developing "age-friendly communities," supporting volunteerism, promoting healthy lifestyles and supporting older workers. I guess that's like The Four Pillars and we know how successful that has been. Sounds very nice, but where are the real teeth and the real dollars? Let me assure you from doing years of volunteer work with seniors that home care IS essential, but it costs money. You must pay nurses and home-care workers to come to Ben or Gail's apartment and help them with bathing, groceries and house cleaning. That takes real budgets for the workers and the support staff who organize the clients and their needs.

There is nothing in this fatuous announcement that speaks to the real delivery of real service.

This leads us finally up the "Coke" to the now abandoned toll booths. One commentator called this latest "B.C. blacktop politics at its best." It's a transparent sop to Kelowna voters and the trucking industry, this does not sit well with city folk and those who will soon pay tolls on the newly-twinned Port Mann Bridge.

Turn off the bubble machine.

david@davidberner.com

© The Vancouver Province 2008

The War that can't be Won

The Vancouver Sun's new and much-touted make-over may or may not be the next best thing; time will tell.

But if their two stories on Afghanistan in the new "Canada & World " section is any indication, this change is most welcome.

In the first story, a British general states flatly, "We are Not going to win."

In the second, marking the 7th anniversary of America's military action in the region, analysts insist that we must "stay the course."

Very Funny

"Burn After Reading," the Coen Brothers latest movie is not their best (Nothing will ever top "Fargo," a movie for the ages.) but it is very, very funny.

It is the kind of movie you don't want to examine too deeply or it will slip through your fingers, but with this huge stellar cast and its raw satire of contemporary morals and government ineptitude, it keeps you laughing from start to finish.

Malkovich is at his best, especially in the opening scene, which, unto itself, is a lesson in acting.

And while Clooney and Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, Richard Jenkins and the rest of the gang are all first-rate, it is Brad Pitt who steals the show right from under their talented noses with his completely perfect impression of a goofy fitness instructor.

This one will play on TV and on DVD for years and we will watch it.

Uncanny

Late Night Music Club with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra featuring the Marcus Roberts Trio | Crooks and Liars

Late Night Music Club with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra featuring the Marcus Roberts Trio Crooks and Liars

Am I feeling more safe now?

Why has the City of Vancouver - especially during a lame duck period leading to a general election - voted to hire more private security guards in their silly "Ambassador" program?

Why is this contract UNTENDERED?

Who owns Genesis Security?

This is not a good, clean family story, kids.

Look deeper.

Read more.

Revenue Neutral? No such.

Here's something that nobody has mentioned yet.

If Gordon Campbell's famous carbon tax is supposed to be famously "revenue-neutral," then what is the cost of administration of close to $2 Billion and the alleged tax cuts that are alleged to offset it?

This is like the old idiocy of Victoria or Ottawa spending nine dollars to send you a $1.35 refund on something.

Why should we spend millions on the paper work to bring in money that will be returned in some other way?

Is there aything about this hair-brained scheme that isn't patently smoke?

Out of Control

"Palin says Obama friendly with terrorists"

If that headline doesn't make clear the narrow, shallow guttersnipe character of this appalling candidate, what ever will?

Perhaps she and McCain are desparate.

Even so, they abandon all dignity with this kind of attack.

This abomination speaks clearly about their fitness for high public office.

The entire story from this morning's Province can be read here.

Go ahead, defend her. Defend this. Good luck.

Reports Link Karzai’s Brother to Afghan Heroin Trade

The White House says it believes that Ahmed Wali Karzai is involved in drug trafficking, and American officials have repeatedly warned President Karzai that his brother is a political liability, two senior Bush administration officials said in interviews last week.

Hahahahahahahaha....

Lovely.

If you can handle it, read the whole sickeningmess here.

It is for this that Canadian soldiers are dying?

Gone, but not for cheap...

The Provincial by-elections being held on October 29th in Burrard and Fairview present a good object lesson in civics.

The Burrard seat has been vacated by Lorne Mayencourt so that he can run for federal office, the Fairview seat by Gregor Robertson so that he can run for Mayor of Vancouver.

Both are honorable men and may in time serve their communities well, as they may have already.

But...

As a principle, I always find this move suspect and unattractive.

The simple truths are these:

The Jenny Kwans, Stephen Owens, Lorne Mayencourts and Gregor Robertsons vacate their elected offices entirely for reasons that are selfish and ego-gratifying.

These people have been elected by their public and neighbours and are honor-bound to fulfill the terms of their offices.

By-elections cost upwards of $300,000 per seat. Do any of these wanderers offer to pay the tab?

It is fascinating to watch the public by and large forget all of these concerns and get caught up in The New Thing.

But how is it possible to take seriously the fresh promises?

And yes, I have Abandonment Issues.

Hahahahaha...