Phollow the phones?

The person who purchased the scammer phone used in Guelph used the puerile pseudonym "Pierre Poutine".   It is likely that if other phones were used, similarly insulting aliases were used.  Would it not be a fruitful endeavour to get a list of the names these phones are sold to and look at the purchasers names?  This increases the chances of uncovering the trail.

And if the only people who use these phones are drug dealers, Tony Soprano and (as seems likely) Conservatives why are they allowed?Recommend this Post

Harper is to Canada like a tequila binge is to you

Whither Canada?*  There have been a lot of posts and editorials of people despairing of the future of Canada recently. They aren't hard to find.  Here is one.  This C30 business will only exacerbate things.  While I share the disdain for Harper and his cretins and I do sink into despair at times, I realize the real Canada will rise again.  Tyrants often seem strongest right before their fall.  And there is a parallel in that one time you really over imbibe.

You know what I mean.  Normally you shut it down after a couple of drinks.  Every once in a while you slip a bit and have a couple of Margaritas (sort of like electing Mulroney).  Some embarrassing things might happen but nothing unforgivable.  The humbling you receive is actually good for you.

But there is that one time.  You don't quite know why but an evening that starts out normally enough goes off the rails and you find that you have almost finished an entire bottle of Mescal.  You know this won't end well.  But you keep going and finish the bottle.  You know it is the worst thing you can do but you do anyways.  You see yourself doing things you would never do when sober.  Normally you are polite.  Perhaps overly so.  But under this evil influence you act rude and uncouth.  You are profligate with your money.  You gross everyone out and everyone reconsiders their opinion of you.  You see yourself doing these unforgivable acts and you can't believe this is happening.

But the effects don't last forever. The next day you begin to sober up.  You have the worst hangover.  Ever.  And you swear that you will never drink that evil liquor again.  And you don't.  You make the rounds.  Make sincere apologies to those you insulted.  And you work all the harder to make amends and reinstate your good reputation.  And everyone forgives you.

That is what will happen.

Now you may say to yourself: "why CV, what a great metaphor.  I am ready to keep fighting the evilness of the Harper regime.  But where do the worms at the bottom of the bottle fit in?"

You diodn't think I would forget, Baird, Van Loan, Poliviere et al. did you?

*Fun tid bit: "Wither Canada" is the title of the first episode of Monty Python.Recommend this Post

Just take the phone lines away from the Harperians

While I was at home, preparing for Burns Night, I received an interesting couple of phone calls last week that I would like to relate.

Call number 1 was from a woman claiming to be calling on behalf of the Calgary Centre Conservative Association.  I told her there was no way the Conservative Party would ever see a penny from me.  I also pointed out that unless they were incredibly incompetent, the people who gave her the calling list should know that I reside deep in the heart of Calgary Southwest.   I told her that I wanted no part in whatever pushy poll type call process they were engaged in and hung up.

I soon after received call number 2 from a chap claiming to be calling on behalf of the Liberal Part of Canada and asking about my membership.  I informed him this was the second call from a political party that  evening and that I was uninterested in talking to either one and hung up again.

Thing is; the call from the "Liberal Party" was not to the phone number I used on my registration.  So I am very doubtful that this was a legitimate call.  An inference can be made that the first call led to the second call.  I am not overly surprised that their paranoia leads them to database those who object to the antics of the Harper regime.  But in the heart of the Party stronghold?  Are they that insecure.  Have they identified me as an Enemy Of The Party?

In any event, it was an interesting pattern.  Perhaps Conservatives would be more well adjusted if they stopped monkeying around with the Machiavellian stuff and put their energies into governing the country the way the people want.Recommend this Post

Steady on, Montreal Simon

Montreal Simon draws his bead away from Captain Anti-Canada for a post defending the  honour of the world's greatest poet from a senseless and uncalled for slight..  He does a great job and the fact that the passion for his homeland matches that of his home shines through.

I usually refrain from responding to such attacks since they are usually the manifestation of jealousy.  After all, only one nation could have invented whisky.  But it does seem that to a large segment of the population gratuitous attacks, that would be unthinkable directed at any other ethnic group, are widely accepted.  Such as being "Scotch" is a synonym for cheap.

Perhaps as a middle way, we can ask those who feel the need to expiate their feelings of inadequacy by maligning people of Scottish descent to refrain from doing so on January 25.  When it comes to the rest of the year, fill your boots for all I care.  But have show some respect for Robert Burns and Scotland on this one day.

Please.Recommend this Post

One thing I don't understand about Harper and his ilk

I get that he is a wee petty man full of hate. I understand that he would benefit more from spending his spare time on a professional's couch then writing a book about hockey (snerk). I recognize that although he is smart enough to be tactically cunning, he isn't intelligent enough to understand the historical background to the structure Canada and the rest of the modern world is built upon. What I can't come to grips with is why he is following his agenda. I could see why George W. Bush favored the rich. He is the scion of wealth and privilege. Harper's father was an accoutant for Imperial Oil. In other words; solidly middle class. But not at the upper end of that demographic. The destruction of the social safety net doesn't benefit those close to him. He will, of course, be richly rewarded by being named to several boards when his work is done. Until those markers are overshadowed by his inability to play with others. But in the end, having destroyed Canada in the services of interests other than those from his own background he will have no reward. The same goes for all of the people railing against taxes while claiming they support expanded Medicare. And on and on. I just don't get it.Recommend this Post