Ex-bennie's Jerks . . . .

'Ya gotta love it when the Race for the Ruby Slippers includes the mafia, anti-mafia and raids in the diocese of one of the favourites to replace bennie.  Not to mention infighting amongst the pious pompous old men in fancy dresses.

As The Guardian reports today, there's a a bit of a wrench being thrown into the proceedings:

Roman Catholic cardinals have been urged to overcome divisions at a special mass ahead of the papal conclave, just hours after anti-mafia investigators carried out a string of raids in the diocese of the leading candidate.

In a homily before thousands of pilgrims and the most senior figures in the church, Angelo Sodano, the dean of the college of cardinals, made a last-ditch attempt to banish infighting, as he extolled the virtues of unity amid diversity.

But even as preparations for the mass were being made, Cardinal Angelo Scola, the archbishop of Milan – and reportedly the hot favourite to be the next pope – suffered a swingeing blow.

Anti-mafia detectives swooped on homes, offices, clinics and hospitals in Lombardy, the region around Milan, and elsewhere.

And we haven't even gotten to the sure-to-be-forthcoming Altar Boy Chasing Escapades Version 2.0 release.





Time to get the popcorn ready, ya'll . . . .

Makes Me . . . .

Proud to be a supporter of Freedom of the Press Foundation.

Today they released the full audio of Bradley Manning's court statement to the world.





Good on 'em and Good Luck to Bradley in the hardest battle of his military career . . . .

Quotes from Hugo . . . .

Compliments of today's Toronto Star:

“The hypothesis is not absurd ... that those towers could have been dynamited,” Chavez said in a speech to supporters. 

“A building never collapses like that, unless it’s with an implosion.” [Chavez in 2006 reacting to a television report investigating a theory that the U.S. government was behind the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers] 

“He is a donkey.” “Hitler would be like a suckling baby next to George W. Bush.” [On former president George W. Bush, 2006] 

“The devil came here yesterday,” said Chavez, who then crossed himself and looked skyward. “It smells of sulphur still today.” [Again on Bush Jr., addressing the U.N. in 2006] 

“I sting those who rattle me. Don’t mess with me, Condoleezza.” 

“I am sorry I am too busy to marry you.” [To U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in 2006.] 

“Go right to hell.” “You are a pawn of imperialism.” [To British Prime Minister Tony Blair in 2006] 

“ ... The poor thing, you have to feel sorry for her. She is a beauty queen that they’ve put in the role of a figurine. Forgive her, for she knows not what she says.” [Addressing Sarah Palin after she called him a dictator in 2008] 

“Contrary to reports, Charlie Sheen is not welcome in Venezuela. There are limits.” [Chavez in 2011 on why he will not condemn Gadhafi but actor Sheen is not in his good graces] 

“Would it be strange if they had developed a technology to induce cancer and no one knew it?” [Chavez in 2011, shortly after having a tumour operated on, questions whether the U.S. government could be plotting to kill him off]

My two personal faves are those referring to condescending rice.

RIP, Hugo . . . .

bennie's "Story" Just That . . . .

As we suspected, it appears there's much more to bennie's resignation than he originally led the faithful to believe.

From The Guardian today:

A potentially explosive report has linked the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI to the discovery of a network of gay prelates in the Vatican, some of whom – the report said – were being blackmailed by outsiders.




Looks like the holy father may have been caught in a rather large lie.

Who's he gonna confess his major fib to, eh ? ? ? ?

Matt on Drone Murder . . . .

Matt Taibbi weighs in on the drone murder policy of The Excited States:

The news that the executive branch had claimed for itself the power to assassinate Americans managed to very briefly raise the national eyebrow, but for the most part, the body politic barely flinched. I got the sense that most of the major press organizations sort of hoped the story would go away quietly (aided, hopefully, by the felicitous appearance of some distractingly thrilling pop-news/cable sensation, like Chris Dorner's Lost Weekend). 
_______________

Meanwhile, it also recently came out that the New York Times, among other papers, sat on knowledge of the existence of a drone base in Saudi Arabia for over a year because, get this, the paper was concerned that it might result in the base being closed.
_______________

What the Times proposes is the same sort of thinking. In their minds, the problem with our drone program isn't that we're murdering masses of people, it's that we're doing it without the appearance of legality.

 
Not to worry, tho, 'cuz barry announced yesterday he was going to be more open and forthcoming with his "kill list" operation.

Feel better now ? ? ? ?

A Tale of Two Countries . . . .

The Excited States via Salon.com.


Canada via The StarPhoenix.



Advantage:  Canada.* 


 *This time, anyway . . . .

bennie and the Jets . . . .

Methinks there's another altar boy scandal about to break . . . .

Shazzaaammm ! ! ! !

From the Associated Press today:

Actor Jim Nabors, partner marry in Seattle

 

HONOLULU -- The actor best known for playing the TV character Gomer Pyle in the 1960s has married his male partner of 38 years. Hawaii News Now reported that Jim Nabors and his partner, Stan Cadwallader, traveled from their Honolulu home to Seattle to be married Jan. 15.



Congrats to the happy couple . . . .

Canadian Health Care - (Re)Revisited . . . .

'Twas time for my annual physical exam with our family doctor.

Left home at 8:45, caught the bus to the subway and then walked the three blocks to the doctor's office.

The receptionist checked me in and directed me Exam Room #2 immediately.  Our doc arrived about a minute later and went over my recent blood test results, general medical questions, reviewed my activities, gave recommendations, etc.  I had a list of "queeries" with me which we went over and he answered all of them.  After a check of all the basic bodily functions, the mandatory prostate exam, my next lab test requisition  and prescription refill in hand, I was out the door.

'Nuther walk, subway ride and bus ride home and it was 10:02.  Yup, a total of 77 minutes!  I still had 23 minutes left on my transit ticket, fer krissakes!

Total out of pocket cost to me:  The $2.10* transit fare, as I had purchased a book of Fare Saver tickets previously.

So, the next time someone negatively compares our health care system to that of our neighbours down south, think about it.  When a politician down there postulates:  "You don't want the system they have in Canada for your health care!"  I would vigorously argue:  "Yes, you do!"





*To be fair, "drf" and I as a family of two pay $120.50/month for our total family BC Care Card health care premium.  Readers in the US, you read that right:  That's $60.25 each, per month.  No deductibles, no co-pays.

Polar Plunge 2013 . . . .

It's been awhile since I've been or posted photos of Vancouver's English Bay Polar Bear Plunge.

Here's this year's crop of photos:

 Brrrrrr . . . .

American Empire - The Film . . . .

Coming soon to a theatre near you?   Sure hope so! 




From the YouTube page:

AMERICAN EMPIRE two words that don't fit together. The definition of Empire has not changed, but the definition of American has.This film examines the causes of what is destroying America and the illusion of freedom that we have been indoctrinated into by corporate media. Beginning with the founding of the Federal Reserve, a private banking cartel that controls debt and inflation, an economic empire has been created that is dedicated to destroying our planet and all its natural resources in an effort to amass money. Our food is produced to maximize profit despite the fact it is lacking in nutrition, is filled with pesticides (cide+to kill), and is causing diseases of epidemic proportions. Our medical industry is geared to maximizing profit as opposed to creating health. Our financial industry is a giant monopoly game where people who create nothing amass huge amounts of money at the expense of the middle class and the poor. All of this is orchestrated by a state, not a government, that is ruled by Wall Street.

Limited release starts later this month . . . .

Our Four-Footed Child . . . .

Since you've shared in a big part of her life, we thought you should share in this, too. 

 

My first night on "The Island" after being adopted from P.A.W.S in Ft. Walton Beach, FL.  I look like a "Beagle Mix" as advertised, right?
 

My personal pool on "The Island."

 

  

My favorite after dinner drink on "The Island."

My BIG ride across the continent barking at every large mammal that moved. 

  My first snow - EVER - in Vancouver.

 

 My favourite trip - Tofino, BC - this past summer checking out a natural pool.

My happy face . . . .

Our little girl is gone - From this place, anyway.  Too many recurring tumours with a not-good prognosis.

We bet she's going to finally catch that squirrel she's been after all these years!

As her vet in Florida told her on her first visit while looking at us and then at her:  "You're gonna have a good life, Darlin'!"

We like to think she did . . . .

Julian, Amy and Juan . . . .

Fascinating interview Amy and Juan have with Julian Assange on today's Democracy Now!:



 
Julian has views regarding the use of Facebook, Twitter and Gmail on the Internet ("A viscious dog that has suddenly spotted its own tail and had gone after it," indeed!), Bradley Manning and info on the sleazier-than-sleazy STRATFOR outfit. 

Definitely worth 38 minutes of your time . . . .

The Final Hurdle . . . .

Hi, Gang. It's been awhile and I've been lying low while my Canadian citizenship application was in process. Today, the process is complete!

Yup - West End Bob's a brand new Canadian! One more vote against stephen harper and his ilk. To tell the truth, the Canada today is vastly different one from the one "drf" and I began the immigration process to back in 2005. It's amazing how much damage one person/party can do to a nation in such a short period of time. I only hope the citizenry wakes up soon and restores Canada to the great nation it once was - It's not too late.

That aside, the ceremony itself was a wonderful, touching experience. Myself ("drf" doesn't have the required residency status for his citizenship yet) and 80 others from 23 different countries gathered in downtown Vancouver for the roughly two-hour ceremony.
The female judge gave a very uplifting and inspirational talk to us and interjected bits of humour, too. All in all, a great experience - I highly recommend it!

 Now for what's next on the agenda: Apply for my Canadian passport in a couple of days, join the BC Civil Liberties Union and The Council of Canadians.

Time to get to work on restoring Canada to its former position of respect in the world - pre-stephen harper . . . .

"This Is What Democracy Looks Like . . . ."

in the Excited States of America:




Pitiful, isn't it ? ? ? ?

Canadian Health Care - Revisited . . . .

It's been quite some time since I reviewed a personal experience with the Canadian health care system.  You know:  The one the "wrong"-wing in the Excited States refers to as "You don't want a system like they have in Canada, do you?!?"

Today I had a 10:00 am appointment with my dermatologist.  Left

the strata at 9:15 to catch the bus to the train.  Got in the exam room at 10:03 and the doctor arrived 7 minutes later.  He did his exam, sprayed a few areas with liquid nitrogen, made a follow up appointment and I was out the door.  On the way back to the train I dropped by Homo Depot to check on a couple of things and got back home by 11:00 am.

Total cost:  $2.10 for the transit fare and 1 3/4 hours of my time.

Yeah.

"You don't want a system like they have in Canada, do you ? ? ? ?"

Happy Birthday, Julia . . . .

In honour of Julia Childs' 100th birthday, PBS had this remix created:


"Bon Appetit" ! ! ! !

Those Were Good Times . . . .

Too bad they're gone . . . .

Chris Hedges on Moyers & Company . . . .

Commentary from me is unnecessary.

Suffice to say:  Moyers' questions are pointed, and Hedges' responses are powerful.


Watch.

Think.

Act . . . .

Here Comes the Bride . . . .

From Seattle/Tacoma's NPR  KPLU.org yesterday:

Angela Marie Vogel, a local activist with ties to #MicCheckWallSteet and a initiative campaign to nullify Citizens United’s effects in Seattle, used a figure from an art installation in a downtown Seattle park to marry “Corporate Person.”

 “The purpose of the wedding is to highlight the insidious concept of corporate personhood – and its damaging impact on our community and the autonomy of our city council's legislative powers,” according to a press release of the event.

 The ceremony was conducted by Pastor Rich Lang of University Temple UMC and was staged by Envision Seattle, the group behind Initiative 103. If enacted, the initiative would provide a community bill of rights which strips corporate personhood and other judge-made constitutional "rights" such as free speech within the city of Seattle, the group said.

The happy couple is registered at all the usual corporate retail establishments, no doubt . . . .