A broken lens, or how I only speak half truths

Nathen Gallagher did an exceptional job on his A Fragile Lens column this week, except for one glaring omission. He says nothing about the common denominator behind all our woes over the last dozen years or so. Otherwise, it was a very good article. It's just too bad he wasn't more honest and open with his assessment of our ongoing problems and saga with this current Mayor.

Buddy's letter in his editorial "... just that if the community is to advance, it needs fresh ideas, and the revitalization a new generation of leaders can provide."... should have given Nathen a clue (Buddy too!). But I see The Herald is stuck in the mud and just too busy giving Irwin all the photo ops they can, to allow the truth to get in the way with respect to why we are where we are, when the game plan is to get their man re-elected again so they can all continue giving us more of the same old same old.

At least these guys at the Herald are consistent i.e. same shit, different day. Or SNAFU. :-)


In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.

Welcome to Gulag Canada

They say the G8/G20 did not accomplish very much except to leave Canadians with an enormous bill. In my mind, it did accomplish one thing. It confirmed to most ordinary Canadians that for all intents and purposes we now live in a police state.

The abuse of power and money to instill in peoples minds that our rights and freedoms can be brushed aside at a whim is to tell people they do not count. What counts then in a democracy, if not the people?

Under the Harpercons, the party of law and order, who are currently pushing to build more super prisons while advocating for longer prison sentences while at the same time allowing and condoning the killing of innocents by their Taser toting Gestapo police who under orders by their political masters concentrate their oppression on ordinary citizens, treating them all as coming from the wrong side of the tracks, while going easy on the real criminals and exploiters in our society; protecting business (corporations/banksters/fraudsters (white collar criminals) by passing the bill onto you and me, is the order of the day from these people who are our present government.

You can discover what your enemy fears most by observing the means he uses to frighten you.




Note: It has recently been said in our local blogging world that Thunder in the Valley attracts 30-40,000 people with supposedly 5% of them being troublemakers. Based on what we have seen transpire in Toronto with the massive (over kill) police presence numbering in the thousands (if not tens of thousands) to quell civil disobedience by a couple hundred rowdies should we not too have a similar police presence here, rather than relying on the measly dozen or two that we have typically gotten by with in the past?

Not logical or necessary is it? Nor was it necessary in Toronto either. Unless you were wanting to send a message to the people of Canada to be afraid... be very afraid. We will tolerate no dissent, no civil disobedience, no outcry from the masses, otherwise we will throw the power of the state against you... and crush you into the ground.

I hear you Herr Harper! We got your message. Soon, we the people will send you ours...


All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.

Pork Barreling politics alive and well in Macleod

Got an interesting feed from my Google Alert last night which made me do a double take...

Government of Canada Invests in Southern Alberta Community Newspapers

Shared the above with my coffee buddies this morning and they too thought it disturbing that our local Member of Parliament, Ted Menzies, would be handing out government money (our money) to local weekly newspapers (some of which are owned by and belong to big business and rich corporations) in his riding of Macleod.

Knowing as we do our Reform/Alliance/Conservative mentality (remember the Big Cheques) I'm sure they see nothing wrong in what they are doing. But others do! This stinks to high heaven of being nothing short of pork barreling politics, designed to instill in these newspapers the idea of more largess to come on an annual basis provided you write nice things about those who feed you... your friends in the conservative government.

Using our money to feather their nest is what conservatives do best. Just ask Tony Clement or any of the other conservative ridings in Toronto where the $1.2B+ boondoggle they call the G8/G20 extravaganza is now taking place, in the midst of one of Canada's worst recessions with mind numbing budget deficits and record debt along with record unemployment coupled with fiscal restraints against the 'little people', and austerity measures/cuts that boggle the mind... with even more to come. "Let them eat cake" comes to mind, doesn't it?

Everything the conservatives have told us over the years about who and what they are and what they stand for has been proven to be lies. They are nothing more than crass opportunists who will stoop to any level in order to obtain an advantage. As it has been said before, "Conservatives do not believe that people can work together and help each other so they do not believe in government and law. Instead they believe in a dog-eat-dog, everyone on-their-own and out-for-themselves society where the strongest survive and it doesn't matter what happens to everyone else. So whenever conservatives gain power they abuse it and use it to get money for themselves and their friends."

But the above is certainly not something you will read about in your local print media, now is it? Why do you suppose that is? It wouldn't have anything to do with the following quote, now would it?


The press serves him who owns it. It does not spread “free” opinion – it generates it.

Town Talk Review

Having just read Gail Sygutek's Town Talk in which I expected to have my you know what roasted over the coals, so to speak, I was quite surprised and delighted to find that I was treated as no more than an... after thought. :-)

Some of my observations:

• Loved Gail's questioning whether Oliver sleeps in the semi-trailer when it is parked in Frank? :-}
• Gail's absolutely right on the CPP issue. People better watch this one like a hawk and remind themselves that the government is not your friend. In fact, governments world wide, because of their gross incompetence and/or culpability in (mis)managing our finances are looking at more ways than you can shake a stick at in clawing back, if not eliminating, their commitment to the the social contract that people until quite recently have taken for granted, and come to expect (Greece is a perfect example with Britain following close behind on their heels).
• Noticed Gail and the Herald of late are taking every opportunity to give plugs to their man Gary Taje, as if at this late stage in the game people have short memories and will forget or forgive his and the Mayor's many transgressions and shortsightedness against this community and its people.
• I noticed Gail, once again, finds fault with our present councillors but never with her good buddy the Mayor, who has made such a mess of things in this community. A quote Gail should keep in mind with respect to John: "Remember that you are more free if you change your opinion and follow those who have corrected your mistakes, than if you are stubborn about your mistakes." Gail needs to stop being a dumb stooge and grow herself a pair with respect to her Machiavellian Master.
• Nice tribute by Gail to Hugo and the loyalty he has maintained over the years to his team the Chicago Blackhawks.

In closing, I missed Gail and 'Elvis' at this year's Bellecrest Days. Truly, its just not the same without you guys! :-) In this regard, and as I have stated in previous posts over the years, I think it's scandalous and shameful that councillors continue to not make the effort to be in our parade, as only Larry did. Taking the public (voters) for granted is a sure way not to get re-elected. Even the Mayor has good political sense and makes sure he is in everyone. In fact, this year he walked the parade. No doubt trying to portray himself as a 'commoner', although still decked out in his three piece suit. :-) I hear he even attempted to kiss some babes... young and old alike. :-0 :-)

Kudos's to MLA Evan Berger for taking the time and making the effort to share our once a year celebration and festivities. Good for you Evan! Your participation was duly noted, as was the absence of those others I just mentioned who live and serve right in our community and do not have to travel great distances, as you did. Thank you!

The very purpose of existence is to reconcile the glowing opinion we have of ourselves with the appalling things that other people think about us.

PM and Liberal Zionist stooges call for Libby's resignation

Some years back when I lived in Vancouver, I knew Aldermen Libby Davies and her husband to be tireless supporters of the poor and downtrodden in that city, who had been marginalized by society. Since then, as a member of parliament, she has continued that role of standing up for those who could not stand up for themselves. Recently she has stood up for the Palestinian people. She has been a real modern day 'hero' to many in her community and to those in this country, deserving of respect and admiration.

When Israel recently massacred innocent peace activists on the Gaza Flotila our PM and Liberals were silent and voiced no indignation or condemnation. Libby did, and even attended a demonstration to voice her concerns against the atrocity that was done against these activists, and the ongoing genocide (my chose of words) that is being perpetrated against the Palestinian people. I saw the YouTube tape and believe she may have stated some of her facts and opinions wrongly. But 'words' do not kill, bullets do. But for these misspoken words, the PM and Liberals are now calling for her resignation...

Prime minister, Liberals demand Libby Davies resignation

Let me get this straight, Israel commits murder and our Prime Minister and Liberals say nothing, and in essence are accessories to murder by their silence, while Libby who speaks out against these murders and Israeli policies, is to be sentenced to be crucified. Only in Zionist controlled Canada, you say?

This is so outrageous and unfair as to be something that only a Nazi regime could come up with. When a hard working and effective 'peoples' parliamentarian is being forced to resign while gutless Zionist stooges remain in power, speaks volumes to how far Canada has descended into being a morally and ethically corrupt nation.

If we lose Libby, we as a nation will be the poorer for it. As the disenfranchised peoples of this country will have lost one of their greatest champions.


"You measure a democracy by the freedom it gives its dissidents, not the freedom it gives its assimilated conformists." - Abbie Hoffman

The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions, that I wish it always to be kept alive. - Thomas Jefferson.

I never did give them hell. I just told the truth, and they thought it was hell.
- Harry S Truman

WANTED: New Community Centre with an Indoor Swimming Pool

Dean Ward has a good tread going on his blog with respect to this community's need and desire for a new multi-faceted Community Centre with an indoor swimming pool. Check it out here.

Below is my comment on his blog in regards to this subject that I believe is worth repeating here, for the record:

With respect to our community getting a new community centre. I think the answer here is so obvious that it goes without saying. As someone stated earlier, "we cannot afford NOT to have one".

I have been advocating for this for at least 10 years... and for an indoor swimming pool as well.

If I run again, and once elected, I would look at River Run/Bridgecreek with a fine tooth comb and would use the power of the Mayor’s office to make them shit or get off the pot, so to speak. If in arrears, or if because of their inability or unwillingness to move forward with this project I would look seriously at trying to take back this land and/or working cooperatively with the group that broke away from Bill Bradley.

Over the last few months, I have been in contact with some of these people and as recently as last week had an email exchange with the head of this group in which I stated I look forward to working with them in the near future.

I believe a development incorporating a park, senior housing, affordable housing, and low-income housing are ideally suited for this site. A community within a community, having a multi-faceted community centre is doable here, and desperately needed.

As it has been said, 'where there is a will, there is a way'. All it takes is getting like-minded people together having a vision, plan and leadership, and it will get done. Things this community has been sorely lacking for far too long.

An idealist is a person who helps other people to be prosperous.

2010 Municipal Election Contract Opportunity: Returning Officer

I see from this week's Crowsnest Promoter that the municipality is looking to hire a Returning Officer for our upcoming election in October.

In this regard, I hope they do a better job than they did the last time around. If my memory serves me right, in the last election we had 377 municipalities, villages, towns & cities that went to the polls in Alberta. Of those 377, a handful (5) did NOT conduct their elections as the others did in our province.

Our municipality was one of those 5. As a result, we had so many 'irregularities' that it left a cloud of suspicion in many peoples minds as to the legitimacy of our municipal election here in the Crowsnest Pass.

Irregularities, such as:

• no voter's list
• no proof of I.D. required
• no guarantee people did not vote more than once at any of our 5 voting polls
• changes in procedures (voting stations did not bring their voting boxes to the municipality for counting, which is how it has been traditional done but instead were counted at the individual polling stations, with the results phoned in to who knows where?)
• the Mayoralty race had a separate ballot yet it took well over two hours after the polls closed for the results to appear? Even then the results came in sporadically?
• results for at least one councillor who was way behind in votes throughout the night, 'magically' appeared near the head of the pact with the last update?
• etc., etc., etc.

Because of how our last Returning Officer conducted our municipal election many in our community feel the results were 'tainted' if not outright 'questionable' as to their legitimacy. I know I do!

I hope this time council ensures our election is run like others in our province, rather than being the unusual 'exception' it was last time around. After all, democracy cannot be advancing if its parts are autocratic, fixed or tainted.

UPDATE: (June 19) Along with this post, I sent a letter of concern to the municipality's CAO and his Executive Assistant Lynne Cox, and subsequently received a letter back from our Director of Finance and Systems Marion Vanoni informing me that she and Lynne will be in charge of recruiting our next Returning Officer.

Knowing Marion is in charge of this important task of hiring the right person to ensure we have an honest and fair election is good enough for me. I feel reassured now, that this time around that is what will happen. Good!


Democracy is something a sociopath loathes, because it represents public constraint by 'little people' on his autocratic power.

The Queen of Mean Strikes Again

Having just read Gail's rant against me in the Pass Herald I was horrified at her venomous attack. What did I do but speak the truth and for that I was accused of being a liar and bullshit artist, while she once again portrays herself as Joan of Arc, the saviour of the Pass. Benefactress to Mr. & Mrs. Joe Taxpayer. (sic)

Unfortunately, the truth be told, as quoted by way of comment on an earlier blog post of mine Take Cover! Gail's Back!!! (which was the cause of her diatribe against me) "Gail does not run for the good of the community because she never did it any good."

Truer words were never spoken. The only thing she has ever done for this community is to tear it apart, divide neighbour against neighbour, rant and rave and to unfairly use her paper in a cowardly way to launch 'personal attacks' against any who disagree or oppose her.

Her years of tyranny have come to an end, although it seems she is the last to know this? Because of the Internet and specifically blogging sites her victims now have a medium from which to defend themselves... and the means to counter attack as well.

In this regard, all bloggers should stand up and speak out by way of blogging comments and letters to the editor, saying in a united and loud voice for the world to hear, "we are fed up and we're not going to take it anymore! We are tired of your BS and your dragging our community down into the depths of depression and decay. You and your rag newspaper are a pox on our community and a relic from the past that is no longer needed or wanted. Return to the dust pile of history where you belong, and leave us be!!!


When a woman is wrapped up in herself, she makes a pretty small package.

JUNKYARD DOG TACTICS MUST NOT WIN!

Goodale commentary:

Not long ago, a Conservative Senator (Nancy Ruth) warned women’s groups to “shut the (F… obscenity) up” or face retaliation from Stephen Harper’s government.

Before that, a Conservative cabinet minister (John Baird) told municipalities worried about crumbling infrastructure that “they should (F… obscenity) off”.

This past week, a Bailiff scoured Ottawa to find the Prime Minister’s press secretary, and other Conservative staff members, to serve them with warrants for failing to testify before House of Commons committees.

Mr. Harper’s government continues to flout a subpoena, issued by Parliament and reinforced by the Speaker, that requires the Conservatives to be honest about what they know about torture in Afghanistan.

They also continue to cover-up the illicit lobbying of former Conservative MP and Caucus Chair, Rahim Jaffer. And they’re stonewalling questions about the sudden expulsion from cabinet and caucus of Jaffer’s spouse, Helena Guergis, who stands accused by Mr. Harper of doing something much worse than her husband.

These are the low standards to which political life in Canada has sunk under Stephen Harper – mean, vulgar, even contrary to low.

And sadly, it’s not by accident. The junkyard dog tactics of the Harper government are deliberately calculated to appeal to the extreme elements among his right-wing supporters. It turns them on. They’re motivated by negative, personally abusive behavior.

But Mr. Harper also counts on something else – he hopes those same tactics will de-motivate his competition.

He wants people in other parties or with no particular affiliation to become increasingly disgusted and wash their hands of politics altogether. He wants them to believe it’s all a grubby game and walk away.

Why? Because it suppresses the NON-Harper vote. It gives the Conservatives an easier ride.

Nothing contributes so much to the triumph of wrong-doing than for good and decent people to do nothing!

Ralph Goodale, M.P.


"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." ~ Albert Einstein ... "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere" ~ Martin Luther King Jr.

Gary Taje is all about Power

It seems Gary Taje is all about power these days... power lines that is.

His crusade to stop the relocation of electrical transmission lines in Frank is finally a position I can agree with him on. After his disastrous positions on the Crowsnest Centre and Community Standards Bylaw it is a relief to know he is not wrong on every issue.

Good work Gary! I'm with you all the way on this one.

p.s. Gary, you must still be awfully busy because I am still waiting since Christmas when you said you wanted to do coffee in the New Year? Now I realize, I should have asked what year? as I was assuming you were talking about this year. :-) Dean is another one, and Choppy too... is it something I've said boys that keeps you all from sharing? Or is it something you're afraid, I might say? :-o :-)


When you are right you cannot be too radical; when you are wrong, you cannot be too conservative.

Dean, Dean, why are you so mean?

Well it seems everywhere you go these days Dean's name is in the news in more ways than one, with none of it being good. What was he thinking in taking on the Blairmore Fire Department... and the local Masons? Looks like he has kissed his chances goodbye for a shot at the Mayor's chair, and maybe even a council seat as well?

Pity, because he did nothing wrong! But everybody now claims he did with no prove to back it up except innuendo. Attacking a man for doing his job, speaking the truth, and laying facts & figures on the table seems to be par for the course in the Pass. Speaks volumes for our small mindedness and control of the many by the few. I thought I was the only victim of that manipulative treatment by the powers that be, but now I see Dean is the latest victim.

We eat our own here, don't we?


Speak the truth, but leave immediately after.

International War Criminal Israel strikes again

Is there no end to Israel's madness and atrocities? Do Harper and Obama have no shame? No balls? No moral integrity? Does MONEY turn all democracies into ineffective stooges to the tyrant? Can no one put an end to this insanity? (Gaza flotilla massacre)

Questions no one seems to want to deal with, especially Zionist political blogging sites such as Liblogs which normally have plenty to say about the other guys, but are quite silent when it comes to their guy, as are the other 'official' Canadian political blogging sites. And of course our mainstream media is not touching this with a ten foot pole. Gutless, self-serving, Zionist controlled, hypocrite wonders all!

The day of the tyrant is upon us and the West is beside themselves trying to figure out how they can still justify their support of a rogue nation that has gone mad... and which also has nuclear weapons. The West created this monster and the West needs to destroy it before it destroys all of us. Stop supplying it with money and weapons and reign in this evil. Do it now!!!


UPDATE: (June 05)

Letters from MP's Alex Atamanenko and Libby Davies, and NDP Leader Jack Layton

note: there are four pages in total so keep scrolling down after each page.

UPDATE02: (June 07)
Helen Thomas speaks out on Israel and their occupation of Palestine


The absence of alternatives clears the mind marvelously.