This War of Whatever we can fight.......more of my zany comments

To be a savvy Canadian, I have found some holes in our media's reporting that I felt the requirement to fill them in on. The current humanitarian crisis in Sumalia, caused by these so-called rebels labelled "terrorists", is a snake eating it's own tail. That snake? The Us government. Why snake? Hehehe...... guess who supplied all the $60 million weapons purchase for the "rebels" or "terrorists" to attack the struggling civilization in 2006?

The Sumalian civilization was 6 months into receiving social services from it's government prior to this so-called terror attack. The people were eating.

So I called the CTV.ca department at CTV, to gently nudge them into fair reporting. The operator assured me they would inform the editor.

I would recommend Googling "Somalia Weapons Purchases". The first and only entry down the first page? US Government. Scary to think the FBI & CIA as now running equally amok in their own adventures.

Immoral behavior breeds...........(gee, more of the same? I think so)

Ah......the first day that I have not had any cigarettes. Yesterday I had 1, in the morning with my coffee. Instead of a tobacco cigarette today, I've replaced them with ganga cigarettes. Ganga does not impair my desire to breath clearly, like cigarettes. I can take a deep breathe without hearing all the flem coming up from my throat. I feel healthy, and cigarrettes have nothing to do with it!

Good ol' Steve, as bushie likes to call him, is defending Afganistan again. Look, the only reason any military are there, regardless of where they are from, is to secure the petrol pipe dream of the US nazis. I can already tell by history that 9-11 was planned, an inside job, so what officially justifies our military presence in a 3rd world country?

I know! We've increased our beloved Tim Horton's franchises in Afganistan. No citizen in Afganistan can afford the prices at Tim Horton's, so yards away from the fast-food chain there are citizens literally starving. Well, at least we did something in the 5 years we've been there!

Keep the pressure on Stephen Harper to explain himself. He's just going to look like another neocon that is planning something to scare Canadians into thinking that we need increased "security"? If any "terrorist" bombing, explosion or demolition, we know exactly who to blame.
Here's your hint: it won't be a 3rd world country.

Day 10 of quitting smoking..........

Feeling better today, not too much to be angry about so I think the Zoloft is working. The only downside to Zoloft is the sleep problem. I've been sleeping very badly, before I discovered something as old as time: ganga!

Ganga is illegal, for what reason I am not sure. The government says it's a dangerous drug, but I haven't seen the science. What I do know about ganga: lowers blood pressure, ceases heart attacks in progress, and we just found out that it reverses the effects of alzheimer's. Does anyone really think anymore that smoking ganga is detrimental to one's health?

For people with Crones disease, it is the only lifesaver. Imagine having to painfully digest everything for the rest of your life, due to a condition which is no fault of your own. For people with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, are they really going to care what the government says, when they can't even get out of bed without inhaled ganga!

If ganga were sold like KNOWN KILLERS such as tobacco & alcohol, would there really be a mad rush to the counters to get some??? hahaha......if anyone knows a stoner, that just doesn't happen!

Let's cut the crap - the origin of the cannabis plant coming to North America was in New Orleans, in the black jazz crowd. Harmless crowd, eh? This was a "black drug". Do I need to explain the racism here, folks??

Well, for the record, I like cannabis. I act like it's legal. I smoke ganga in my house, on the street AND IN THE CAR! Yes, in a driving car. Fuck the police and their "testing methods" to now "know" how much THC is in your system.

THC lingers in the average body for approximately 1 month. How do they get an accurate reading on site? They ask you to spit into a cup and then what??

Mandatory sentencing is being introduced by the Conservatives for drug charges. This has got to be the laziest position I can think of. Abusing your body, which I'm not condoning, is your choice. Therefore, seeking treatment in the medical establishment is a way of learning about what the condition is and the appropriate ways of delivering that treatment. This is the most PROACTIVE solution to drug problems!

Ah the conservatives......I don't even feel like giving them a capital at the beginning of the name! Another lazy issue? The Environment. Yep, we're going to be ready by 2050. I sent a very expressive email to Rona Ambrose about her representation at the Kyoto Summit. I thanked her for leaving the responsibility to the next generation. Has she even studied up on the different car makers that have starting producing hybrid vehicles, and are now ahead of the game and not losing money into the billions like GM & Ford? I don't think she has...... What exactly did she accomplish for the Environment during her short tenure? She managed to blame (and lie about!) the previously elected government, and that' all folks!

The grand left representatives in the Commons did accomplish something this year! Same-sex marriage is in now stone! Yay! Thanks to the NDP, Liberals, and even some Conservatives! Like James Moore in my hometown of Coquitlam voted against opening up the issue again. The Conservative crony in my riding wanted to waste our taxes by opening up the debate. Shame on you Laurie Hawn! Congrats on doing the RIGHT thing, Moore!!! Now, let's just leave our gay & lesbian people alone now, shall we?

Ah....feels good to bitch! I hope anyone who is reading this is at least entertained by my ranting! If you are - HAVE A GREAT DAY!

Love Becca

Oh, what adventures!

Today is one of the wreched days of which I am quitting smoking. I'm not seeing my family this year for Christmas in Vancouver, and I am between jobs until Jan 15th 2007. After almost half my life of smoking, years of being victim to tobacco, I finally have the time and the Zoloft to take responsibility for the damage I have done to my lungs. I picked up that cigarette back in 1989 where I used to work, and haven't looked back since now. Wow, all the things I figured I would have done differently, especially since I was a workout fanatic.

Strangely enough, it feels like my mind is running through all the years that I have smoked now that I have quit. I think this is the enursia from discontinuing smoking. I know that it doesn't last forever, but it's fucking hell to get through. When you are a smoker, that special "feeling" or craving is always in the mail, when the nerves in your brain feel like they are not getting what they "need" to calm YOU the fuck down. I could go on & on about the benefits of quitting smoking, but compared to this urge to have just 1 more, the more immaterial it seems to become. That's where Zoloft comes in.

This product is the pharmacology answer to quitting smoking. I've never tried it before, so this is quite an experiment to behold. This stuff is a mood stabilizer, so that it covers up the cravings of quitting smoking. The dose for me is 2 pills per day. I have already taken 2 by 1pm today. Hopefully I will be okay until bedtime.

I think I need to get out of the house. Go get some preparations for this weekend. Having some friends of Tyler & I over for some Christmas cheer this weekend! Everyone that's coming over is a non-smoker, so it will be easier to get through this without having to blow through second-hand smoke. No gifts, gifts are for kids, just lots of food, some drink and lots of ganga. How about some MJ butter on some of those mashed potatoes?! Mmmmmmmmmmm..............paradise........

Well, I was doing some digging on this whole mid-east war, connections with the Butcher Bushies and dictators. Michael Moore is only touching the iceberg on this one, and on a daily basis. This crime family has been the lifeblood of the Illuminati for over a century. This family is responsible for the deaths of some very famous people and thousands of not-so-famous people. I did some investigating on the murder of JFK Sr., and for the head of the CIA, a government career was set after the horrible incident. Who? George H.W. Bushie. Is that who he had to murder to gain access and privledge to the society he was affirmed member?

Gee, let's see if history can repeat itself. Who did George Jr. have to murder to gain access and privledge just like daddy? JFK Jr would just logically follow suit. Georgie Jr is and was the next manchurian candidate ladies & gents. Just like Adolph Hitler was the manchurian candidate for the Nazi Party during WW2. In fact, the funds came from Bush Grandaddy, Preston Bush, to fund the Nazi movement in Germany, making it seem to the Germans that there was only 1 political choice for them after WW1.

After WW2, the governing body of the United Nations was created by the Illuminati. So was the League of Nations. Gee......let me think......someone's looking for 1 world government somewhere. What Bush is going to be blamed for when history is written, is WW3. When again, the Illuminati is looking for a One World Government.

Will they succeed? What crisis would they need to pursue to get everyone afraid again? Another tower demolition, poorly disguised as a terror attack? When the Nazi tradition be stopped is anyone's guess. Perhaps there is a way to bring these people to justice for the century of war crimes they have committed, without any justice being served.

These are big fish to fry, and in my opinion, there are some people that should be put to death to be returned to their obviously pathetic maker.

Canada is in the unique position to fry the fish, even temporarily, when the bushies demand something from us. Uh.....no. How about Bushie Jr. Announcing to the Canadian media that we should be on board for the Missile defense System that has never passed testing. Nice going Mr. Martin! Nice burn from the Great North! We could go back to the war of 1812 again, Mr. Bushie!

Also, the evil DEA coming into Canada to arrest a non-violent seed seller. They've called Marc Emery the biggest drug kingpin in the world............for selling seeds that have never killed anyone ever. The US nazi gov't, want him to spend the rest of his days in jail. While CIA Drug Cartels run cocaine & commerce out of Columbia because the money is so fucking good, but the DEA looks the other way. This makes me sick.

What is Canada going to say to the Nazi US Government in May when the final attempt for extradition charges are brought to the Supreme Court? Um........no.

Wow, I do feel better! Getting all that nasty research out of my system has allowed me to feel a certain sense of clarity. Ah.....

Edmonton is sure a city of Champions

Oilers one win from Finals

The Oilers are one win away from the Stanley Cup Finals. Edmonton built a 4-0 lead in the third period, but was forced to hold off Anaheim's rally for the 5-4 win. The loss at Rexall Place is the Mighty Ducks' 13th straight in Edmonton, the site of Thursday night's Game 4. ...more

Hey

I don't mean that in a literal sense.....just a figurative. thanks

I believe it's time to stampede our MPs in Alberta!lol

Friday, May 12th, 2006Oh No, Canada!
By Cindy Sheehan
I like to believe that people in the long run are going to do more to promote peace than our governments. Indeed, I think that people want peace so much that one of these days governments had better get out of the way and let them have it. Dwight D. Eisenhower
The day that the apparently reformed war-monger, President Dwight D. Eisenhower, envisioned decades ago has finally come. It is time for governments to get out of our way.
I have had a chance since Camp Casey in August to travel the world. I have had the honor of meeting hundreds of fellow souls who are just plain sick and tired of the way BushCo is cavorting around the world and comporting themselves as fledgling 3 rd Reich tyrants (Hitler didn't need warrants either) who are threatening the way of life of every person who inhabits our world. I was only just in Canada and got to meet many of our brothers and sisters north of the border.
From Italy to Canada to Great Britain and everywhere in between, our brothers and sisters who live in these nations are extremely tired of their governments who support BushCo in their war crimes and crimes against humanity. PM Berlusconi of Italy recently paid the price for his support of BushCo's policies by being uninvited back to his position. I knew he was going to be defeated by just traveling around Italy and hearing and feeling the frustration and fear for their democracy that Berlusconi's neo-Fascist rule was destroying.
By many accounts, Stephen Harper was put in place as leader of Canada by the collapse of weak coalitions and scandals that led to this man now leading a minority government there. He is wildly unpopular from coast to coast up north and there is a growing sense of unease about his emulation of a very unpopular person in the USA but even more in Canada: George Bush.
Canadians have to be the healthiest looking and most polite citizenry that I have encountered in my travels. The British people that I have met are very polite but nowhere near the graciousness of Canadians. Canadians are truly civil, and they mean it. Canadians have been proud of their country's role of world peacekeeper and as the beacon of peace and hope and refuge for us Americans who feel that our country's aggressive militarism endangers us and harms our reputations and souls. Now Canadians need to wake up to the fact that their new minority, disliked government is leading them down this same slippery slope to the fascistic militarism of their immediate neighbors to the south.
The first day that I was in Canada, their defense minister, Gordon O'Connor, signed the extension of the NORAD Treaty with the Bush Regime without any debate or votes in Parliament. The citizenry was outraged in their courteous way. Not so coincidentally, Gordy just so happens to be a former defense industry lobbyist who has been using his position to promote the " Canada First " position which ultimately removes Canada, once and for all, from their world peace keeping role. With Canada's support of the Haitian Government's overthrow and support of BushCo's travesty in Afghanistan, Canada was already heading down this path of destruction.
Canadians are distressed that defense spending rose by 5.3 billions of dollars (roughly what the US spends for 2 weeks in Iraq) while the preschool budget is being cut and college tuition is rising. This increase in military spending coincidentally correlates with a push to recruit thousands of more soldiers who are still be told by the Canadian recruiters that their country only does peace keeping missions. This manipulation of facts and the exploitation of fear and false patriotism is being fueled by the Canadian media who seem to be turning, for the most part, into propaganda tools of their government a la our rightwing 4th estate.
However, with Canadian soldiers dying in combat, the citizens of the country are starting to question their Bush clone of a PM and his Bush-style cabinet. Recently, the PM said that if he sends troops into combat, he expects the people of the country to support them; which really only means that he expects the people to support him and his loose interpretation of the facts. Also, Bush One and Two style (with a brief Clinton break), the Canadian media is now banned from showing images of the flag draped coffins: Allegedly to not cause the families any more pain. But, as the mother of a soldier who came home that way, trust me, it causes far more pain to have your child KIA in a pointless war then it does to see the military honor guard treating our children with the care and respect not afforded to them by their own misleaders.
The recent polls in Canada show that the people there are starting to wake up by the truckloads with support for their administration's support of BushCo's war slipping 14 percentage points in two months! Canadians are seeing that the war in Afghanistan is not righteous and that when Canada sends troops there, it frees American troops to be illegally and immorally deployed to Iraq. Canada needs a Cindy Sheehan to go to the PM's residence and demand to know what noble cause her child died for, or is still fighting for.
Even more of a struggle right now to Canadian peace coalitions, besides Canada's seeming slumber, is that the government won't support war resisters who flee the American military because they don't want to go over to Iraq and kill innocent people or die for the war profiteers. So far, two soldiers have been denied asylum. I was told by members of a few of their political parties that the asylum is being denied for two reasons: first of all, because our soldiers are "volunteers" now and, secondly, because if our kids refuse to go to Iraq and go to prison instead: our prisons aren't that bad.
Well, like I have said and written about before, if our kids volunteered, then they should be free to "un-volunteer" if the mission of the organization changes. I have belonged to several volunteer organizations and when I disagree, or when I just feel like it, I leave: and I am not threatened with prison, or execution, which is an option for our children in times of war.
Most of our kids did not volunteer to go to Iraq to guard special contractors or kill innocent people to cushion the retirement of the CEO of Exxon. And, newsflash, our recruiters are still lying to our young people telling them that if they enlist they won't have to go to Iraq and other despicable lies. When the recruit signs on the dotted line, the contract becomes binding only on him/her: those kinds of unilateral contracts are not even legal.
Our young soldiers, if they are refugees fleeing an organization that does not reflect their values, should not have to go to prison, no matter what the conditions are. With Amnesty International saying that violations are rampant in "enemy" combatant detention centers, then why should Canada think that our soldiers are any better off in a place that they should not be in the first place.
Please, dear Canada, wake up before it is too late and you wake up in a country that you don't even know anymore. We here in America fell into an exhausted sleep of denial after Vietnam and we are reaping what was silently and deviously sown by the neocons who have been working for an overthrow of our government for over 30 years. If we didn't learn the lessons of Vietnam, we will never surely forget the lessons we learned at the feet of BushCo that have cost so many so much.
It's okay to copy our baseball and the huge hearts of the American people who never wanted to picture the country that we have become. But don't copy, or let your government be willing partners in crime with our public enemy number one: BushCo.
A Canadian minister was being grilled by their press after a press conference that I conducted with the Canadian War Resister's League and finally in frustration he blurted out: "We're not going to allow an American woman (me) to dictate our policies." And you know what, he's right, but with support rapidly dwindling for both wars (with Iraq never being popular with the people of Canada) and with support for Canada allowing asylum to our young men and women of conscience, it's time for their government to listen to its people. It's also time for our government to listen to us.
George and Steve and Tony and the rest of you war mongers: Get out of our way, we the people, want peace. We will have it.

Life in Edmonton, Part 2

I get overstimulated in the grocery stores here. I spend .25 cents and go get a buggy. Then I enter into my grocery store knowing exactly what I need: flax seed bread, oh so faithfully. Then I scour the store in search of the essentials, and that takes me the entire store, in about 15-30 minutes. My boyfriend gets annoyed at my grocery antics, but I can't seem to stop it!lol I simply must get the essencials, and then browse around. We usually go at night or during the day when there's a nice, lower population. I love all the stuff in another grocery store, Superstore. In the mornings? Great! There is SO MUCH STUFF in that bloody store. Overwhelming! Look! The lowest price in town! I don't know if I'm convinced of their lowest prices. Hey, you can get a tv (made in a 2nd world labor warehouse!) for $50. China? Wow, that's all shipping! Some are getting rich buying in bulk, that's all. Currently, China is booming. It's still a rather oppressive communist gov't, what, with the whole Falun Gong religion. Lots of business, but when it comes to well-being, the gov't fucks it up a bit. I wish for the Chinese people protesting outside of Parliament Hill, asking the Canadian gov't to put pressure on the Chinese gov't regarding Human Rights. Stockwell Day spoke to the media May 2003, at a Falong Gong protest in front of Parliament. He promoted their religion as we all honor as Canadians, freedom of religion. He spoke eloquently regarding evangelical worship, and honored the protesters. I'll always remember that day in Ottawa!

Let's see how they got this way - click on me

PLEASE CLICK HERE

U.S. Building Its Largest Embassy in Iraq

The mark of Rome is now in Iraq, right at the centre of civilization. Completely wrapped around it is a high security wall seemingly far away from the violence, poverty & chaos abounding in Iraq. The spokeswoman's name is Roberta Rossi, when asked about the facility.....get this.....: "We can't talk about it. Security reasons". What a job!

I want her job!

Happy Libra Full Moon

That fuckin' explains it! Today, the last day of a waxing moon, went mother full. I went to work, there was an Easter potluck in the afternoon. After eating a nice, big full plate of food; my hands get shaky and I shake almost reach unconsciousness. My coworker then turned to me, wide-eyed and worried asked me if I was okay. I asked for a hospital!

The manager of the Technical Service dept, drove me up to Misacordia Hospital, did a CTscan, and found nothing. They've scheduled a MRA scan, so I think I'll go along with it.

Quite a serious thing, the fucking head. If we are not in control of our looks & intelligence, life can get rather hectic. By the way, today I received a letter from Stockwell Day assuring me that the government will NOT ban hand guns and that I shouldn't worry. Here it is:

Dear Ms. Bodo:

Thank you for your correspondence to the previous government in relation to its proposed handgun ban. Please be assured that our Government has no intention of proceeding with a handgun ban.

As you know, our Government has committed to removing and eliminating the registration requirement for long guns and reallocating the funding from it to the enhancement of front-line policing throughout Canada.

The Government is also committed to ensuring appropriate controls on the ownership of restricted and prohibited firearms are in place, as well as focusing efforts jon those who use any firearm while committing crimes. We will also work toward reducing the administrative and financial burden on Canadian owners of non-restricted long guns. You may be assured that we will keep your comments in mind as we conduct our review of the entire Firearms Programs.

I appreciate having had the opportunity to respond to your concerns.

Yours sincerely,
Stockwell Day, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Public Safety

In my opinion, Stockwell Day is a hot motherfucker. I saw the whites of this beautiful man's eyes, May 2003, House of Commons & speaking at a Falun Gong protest outside for the media. I may not agree with most of his conservative policies, as anyone can tell I'm a raging Lefter (ndp/lib)! I submitted a query to Anne McClellan regarding a change to the gun laws, criticizing it. I guess Mr. Day just found my inquiry somewhere and has made contact. Some of them MUST be getting quite a sarcastic sense of humor from this.

Happy Full Moon!
(crazy shit today!)

Gay high school opens to cheers and jeers

Gay.com / PlanetOut.com Network

TODO More by Gay.com / PlanetOut.com Network
-->
published Monday, September 8, 2003
A controversial public high school for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students opened in New York on Monday, with both supporters and protestors mobilized outside the building.
About 100 students are enrolled in the Harvey Milk High School, which is the first of its kind in the United States. Each teen applied for admission, which is granted not on the basis of sexual orientation but on experiences of harassment that may put the student at risk of dropping out.
Nearly 200 supporters of the school cheered on Monday as the students arrived for classes, CNN reported. Leading a group of nearly 10 protestors was Fred Phelps, an anti-gay minister from Kansas who has picketed at the funerals of gay men.
The school grew out of a 20-year, two-classroom program sponsored by the Hetrick-Martin Institute (HMI), an agency that serves GLBT youth. Last year the city's Board of Education voted to expand the program, which is now bankrolled jointly by the city and HMI, Reuters reported.
Named for the San Francisco politician who was assassinated in 1978, the Harvey Milk school has been a lightning rod for controversy since city officials announced its opening in July.
Last month, Bronx state Sen. Ruben Diaz joined forces with Liberty Counsel, a Florida-based conservative legal group, to file a lawsuit against the school for discriminating on the basis of sexual orientation.

Postcards from New York, cont.

Grasshopper: Sorry, cut off on our last phone session. My time concluded on the phone card, you dig. Dropped Census man a card. Had been a while. Going to get my taxes fixed in a couple. Fine article about booming Alberta in Times. Will send, Joey Postcards

"Beach Four, Olympic National Park, Washington"
Not too far from Grasshopper's home. Laughing as usual talking to you last nite (3-26-06). Phone card ran out. I love your humour & political astuteness and shit! think you know more US politics than the whole boat load of caribbean bus operators & mechanics in the yard. Hope this reaches you by 4/4/06, Monday excatly 1 week's time. So, you're on the guy's side this time. Have a good hang!!! Joey Postcards 3-27-06

Gay Marriage

So, you know, people don't know gays, so they are against gay marriage. Unbelievable. I mean, after 9/11, that's something that you're gonna fuckin' worry about now? You need a hobby! Because of the list of things we need to worry about gay marriage is on page six right after, "Are we eating too much garlic as a people?" Boy, it freaks our PM Harper out, the gay marriage thing. Oh! He went around the corner! "Son of a bitch, this can't happen! And if they think, if these provinces think that they are gonna allow gays to get married, we're gonna make a Bill of Rights amendment that says exactly what marriage is. Marriage is between a man and a women. Son of a bitch!" And I thought, "You're gonna make a Bill of Rights amendment, you shithead! What are you fucking thinking?"
It's a collection of extraordinary sentences and paragraphs and you're gonna go "Hooda hooda phlbbbb"?! Why not stick to the legislation that says that people have a right to health care, even if they DON'T HAVE A FUCKING DIME?!!!!!!!

Unbelievable. The reason that people don't believe gays should get married is because of what? The Bible, okay? And what book of the bible does that come from? The Old Testament. Who wrote the Old Testament? My people.... The Jews wrote the Old Testament, and then Christians come along and read it and they fuck it up from time to time. Because they don't come down to the Temple, do they? Look, there's a reason that it was written in the Bible, because it was written thousands and thousands and thousands of years ago, when we were savages at best. We were ten hairs away from being a baboon, for fuck sakes. Ya know, these people were out of control, so the elders of the village got together and came up with the idea of a God. And not the Christian God, who's kind of a loving God, no, we had a God: "I CAN SEE EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO AND I'M GONNA KICK YOUR FUCKING ASS!" Not really a happy God, kind of a god that seemed to be a raging alcoholic in a lot of ways."You wanna fight, asshole?!" And that's what they had to come up with, this mythical figure, ya know, that was present that could keep these people in line because they were crazy! They'd do anything! That's the way God is, God is everywhere.....and he sees everything you do, and if you fuck up, he knows it, and he will smoke you....

And that kind of got the message across. But then they needed rules, because alot of these guys were wandering in the desert, looking for shit. They'd be gone for days, and one would come back, and he'd have a camel with him. He'd go to the elder and say, "I met her in the desert. She looked at me in a special way, and I love her. Will you marry us?" And the elder goes, "Look in the Bible, you fucking idiot! See what it says? Marriage is between a man and a woman, and that's it! If you think that you're gonna marry this camel, God's gonna GET YOU. And the guy's crest fallen, because he's in love. So the elders said, "well, okay, marry a woman, but keep the camel on the side."

That's what I'm afraid of, thousands and thousands of years from now if we have that Bill of Rights amendment, someone will come along and unearth our culture, look at the Bill of Rights and read it and go "Wow!" Then get to the part that says marriage is between a man and a woman, they'll go, "Look at this! Canada, those people were so fucked up, that they actually had to write down what marriage was so they could remember it!"

And so I watched the Janet Jackson dancers, and thought of all of that. Because I was afraid if I kept my focus on them, I would have a breakdown.

Let's see what the Justice Critic will have to say

Dear Sue Barnes, MP:

Hello, I've recently enquired to my local MP regarding the construction of the new facility to hold individuals currently being held on Security Certificates without due process. Here is what his office had to say in regards to my inquiry:

"""Dear Ms. Bodo:Re: Email inquiry dated February 22, 2006

We have researched your inquiry about a new facility in Kingston to house individuals being held on security Certificates. Although you may already have them, attached are several news items obtained from the Library of Parliament.The facility is in response to a request by the Ontario Government and the location was selected by Corrections Canada.There is always a balancing act when it comes to National Security and there will always be disagreement on each side of the issue. Our Government will take both National Security and Human Rights seriously and work hard to get the balance right.Operational issues such as this would not come to a vote; even though the border issues could certainly be the subject of Parliamentary debate.Although you will not agree with what is taking place, I want to thank you for expressing your concerns.Your truly,Laurie Hawn, MPEdmonton Centre"""

My only question here is: What happened? My MP seems reluctant to represent my enquiry. He just assumes that I won't agree with what is taking place. What seems odd to me is that Corrections Canada will release a violent offender within 5 years, but foreigners only suspected of terrorism are locked up without due process without even question to the theory of Security Certificates. Since this falls under Corrections Canada, I am making an inquiry to you, the Justice Critic. Please advise. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Rebecca Bodo

Guantanamo North: Bath, Ontario

I can't believe we live in a country that allows rapers, murderers, and child porn producers out of jail & into communities after a couple of years; we hold people from impoverished countries in our jails without charge. Canada has now violated the Geneva Conventions, and by default, no longer abide by this International Treaty. What happened?

Mohamed Harkat was indefinitely jailed more than three years ago on suspicion of being a foreign terrorist. His current conditions are less than ideal, but at least in the general population of his maximum security unit, he has company. The construction of the new facility in Bath, due for completion on March 31, will hold Security Certificates in isolation.

He still remains detained without charges. This transfer will simply replace one set of unacceptable circumstances for another. He will be 3 hours away from his family.

Since he hasn't been charged with anything, his lawyer thinks he should be allowed out on bail, at the very least.

This is shocking that the four Arab nationals are going to be placed behind the bars of maximum-security Millhaven even though they haven't been charged with a criminal offence and the basis of the Security Certificate has not been challenged. We have been criticized by the United Nations Committee on Arbitrary Detention for the length detentions to which the four men have been subjected to.

World on fire....More than one person can handle....

No Thanks Mr. Hawn

I finally received a response from my MP, your Hon. Laurie Hawn regarding "individuals" being held on Security Certificates. Here's what his office had to say:

Dear Ms. Bodo:

Re: Email inquiry dated February 22, 2006

We have researched your inquiry about a new facility in Kingston to house individuals being held on security Certificates. Although you may already have them, attached are several news items obtained from the Library of Parliament.

The facility is in response to a request by the Ontario Government and the location was selected by Corrections Canada.

There is always a balancing act when it comes to National Security and there will always be disagreement on each side of the issue. Our Government will take both National Security and Human Rights seriously and work hard to get the balance right.

Operational issues such as this would not come to a vote; even though the border issues could certainly be the subject of Parliamentary debate.

Although you will not agree with what is taking place, I want to thank you for expressing your concerns.

Your truly,
Laurie Hawn, MP
Edmonton Centre

Things that the media cleanses for me, so I think I may be ignorant

I literally force myself sometimes to think of the lives overseas in the Middle East. I can only reflect disgust that there are people out there that will destroy lives because, hey, poor people don't seem to really have lives. That assumption has taken place in what used to be the best country in the world.

I am occasionally surprised by some real people out there trying to making a difference when the odds are overwhelming. This time however, I believe my tears of hope go to seven Iraqi women that are going to speak to Americans about their experiences. The delegation will be speaking with Cindy Sheehan, member of Gold Star Families that have lost their children in Iraq.

These women from Iraq will be starting the Women Call For Peace Movement at great risk to themselves entering the United States. They will start in glorious New York City and travel the country. These experiences were granted to 7 women, but 3 visas were rejected because they have no family to return to in Iraq. Officials are urging Americans to contact their local State Department to let them on the Tour & let them in.

The Americans need to hear this. Period. They need to hear about the abuses too dire to mention on my blog. They need to take control. I predict Peace or impeachment is not far off for the 'President'. The abuses of Iraq, Katrina have carried on. Do I believe Canadians would be so complacent that Manitobans would not have received flood assistance due to us being at war? The Feds even called an election during the flood, and they still won.

Wandered off there, but I believe that these women can make a world of difference. Check it out:

Nadje Al-Ali is a writer researcher specializing in women in the Middle East. She is a founding member of Act Together: Women's Action on Iraq and mother of a 3-year-old daughter.

Faiza Al-Araji is a civil engineer, blogger afamilyinbaghdad.blogspot.com, religious Shia with a Sunni husband, and mother of three. After one son was recently held as a political prisoner by the Ministry of the Interior, the family fled to Jordan.

Souad Al-Jazairy is a writer, journalist and TV producer. Souad is a very active member in the Iraqi Women's League.

Eman Ahmad Khamas is a human rights advocate who has documented abuses by the US military in Iraq. She is a member of Women's Will, and is married with two daughters.

Dr. Entisar Mohammad Ariabi, a pharmacist at the Yarmook Teaching Hospital in Baghdad, has documented the deteriorating health system. She is married with five children.

Dr. Rashad Zidan, a pharmacist, works in Baghdad and Fallujah with the Women and Knowledge Society to aid victims of war, especially orphans.
Sureya Sayadi, a Kurdish woman born in Kirkuk, is an activist for human rights in the Middle East, particularly for the Kurdish people. She now lives in the United States, but her family is dispersed in Iraq, Iran and Turkey.

Postcards from New York, cont.

Feb 14
Happy Valentine's Day Grasshopper. Thanks for writing, you rascal, you!! Major storm scheduled for Sat. afternoon here. Peace. Bye from New York.

Feb 17
Grasshopper: Hope that you are alive, well, and on top of your very tricky game. Stayed at work Sat. nite so I wouldn't have to fight the record storm for the next morning in order to reach church. I'm writing Brett/Fatty today. Haven't heard from him in months. Hope your Valentine's Day went well?!!!
Love J Postcards

Thanks Averil

February 24, 2006

Thank you for your email. I will show it to Mr. Hawn when he returns from Ottawa.

Averil, Executive Assistant
to Laurie Hawn, M.P.
Edmonton Centre
----- Original Message -----

Thank you Mr. Hawn, MP

Hi Rebecca,
Thanks for the e-mail. Let me get a bit of information on this facility before I give you a reply.
Thanks,
Laurie Hawn
----- Original Message -----
From
Rebecca Bodo
Date
Wed, 22 Feb 2006 00:16:45 -0700
To
"info@lauriehawn.ca"
Subject
Hello from 157th St. NW

Kewl to Bitch!

Your Hon. Laurie Hawn MP,

Please respond to the creation of a correctional facility based in Kingston, ON that will hold four Arab nationals that have currently served for five years already. Is Canada starting a "Guantanamo North" to hold suspected foreign nationals without charge?

I think Canada's role for our foreign policy should express greater compassion for the people pulled into circumstances via war, poverty, disease. Placing "prisoners" into correctional facilities while ignoring their right to be proven guilty or innocent flies right in the face of the Geneva Conventions. As a Canadian, I do not wish this country to go down that route. Please advise when there was a vote for the contruction of the facility.

Thanks for your attention,
Rebecca Bodo

I will decent

Under our current Conservative government, Corrections Canada is building a facility in Kingston,ON which will detain foreign nationals via "security certificates" violations. This facility is being dubbed "Guantanamo North". Are we bending to US pressure to create a torture centre? Hmmmm...

I think it's time to bitch to my local Conservative MP...........stay tuned.....

Total transparency by our PM

Well, well, well......as the Conservative party campaigned with the ideology of transparency, our media seems to have problems trying to figure out what our PM is talking about to various world leaders and what will be discussed with Jean Charest. Isn't this example of a direct turn around from what the former Liberal government would entertain with?

Come on, Steve.....let us in on your secrets........

Thanks Mr. Savage (via Savage Love)

I know your liberal heart means well, Dan, but the response you gave to SAUDI typifies much that is wrong with Western attitudes toward the Middle East.While SAUDI is partially to blame for having the poor judgment to ask you about sexual ethics, your statement, "Unlike the country you left behind, there are no morals police in the part of North America where you live" smacks of haughty, imperialistic condescension. You totally ignored the fact that the values he was taught as a Muslim have a deep and completely valid cultural context that needs to be considered when dispensing advice. You reduced the conundrum of a devout man experiencing serious cultural conflict to the influence of the "morals police," and in quite a smirking tone. I don't care how progressive Canadians are. It is incredibly offensive to imply the superiority of morals in Canada to values taught in Saudi Arabia. To paraphrase Gandhi, have some goddamned cultural sensitivity, man.
Sick Of Stereotypes
Did I imply the superiority of morals in Canada to values taught in Saudi Arabia? Jesus H. Christ, SOS, I feel just terrible about that. So let me set the record straight: I never meant to imply the superiority of morals in Canada over values taught in Saudi Arabia. I meant to state, loudly and clearly and for the record, the absolute superiority of morals in Canada over values taught in Saudi Arabia.Let us count the ways in which Canada is superior: equality of the sexes, political and religious pluralism, a little thing called democracy, and, of course, the radical notion that consenting adults are free to have sex with other consenting adults without having to worry about being lashed or beheaded in public. Canada's also got vodka tonics, BC bud, and pornography going for it, along with Tim Hortons, pork-sausage gravy on fries, and a just and equitable social-welfare system. Is Canada morally superior to Saudi Arabia? You bet. It's also morally superior to the United States of America.But back to the big SA: Unless you believe that cutting off the heads of homosexuals has a "deep and completely valid cultural context," or that men treating women as their property is a "value," you have to acknowledge that Saudi Arabia practices and promotes a thoroughly fucked-up brand of Islam. Furthermore, Saudi Arabia's state-sanctioned "morals police" are not, as you imply, an imperialistic fantasy of mine. They are, sadly, a fact of everyday life for Saudi Arabian women, gays, atheists, moderate/non-Wahabi Muslims, and anyone else who fails to live up to the pinched, sex-negative, deeply psychotic brand of monotheism practiced there.To paraphrase the U.N.'s Universal Declaration of Human Rights, I believe that human rights are universal, man. As Saudi Arabia exists in this universe, I think that the humans there—Muslim or not, liberal or conservative, male or female, gay or straight—are entitled to their full human rights. Until that day comes, SOS, I'm going to go right on thinking that Canada kicks Saudi Arabia's ass when it comes to morals and values. And bud.

Well sung Propellerheads....hehehe!

The word is about, there's something evolving,
whatever may come, the world keeps revolving
They say the next big thing is here,
that the revolution's near,
but to me it seems quite clear,
that it's all just a little bit of history repeating.

The newspapers shout a new style is growing,
but it don't know if it's coming or going,
there is fashion, there is fad
some is good, some is bad
and the joke is rather sad,that its all just a little bit of history repeating..

and I've seen it before.. and I'll see it again..
yes I've seen it before.. just little bits of history repeating

Some people don't dance, if they don't know who's singing,
why ask your head, it's your hips that are swinging
life's for us to enjoy
woman, man, girl and boy,
feel the pain, feel the joy
aside set the little bits of history repeating..

just little bits of history repeating.. and I've seen it before.. and I'll see it again.. yes I've seen it before.. just little bits of history repeating

Love this country, okay?

Louis Riel was an MP that never assumed his seat in the Commons. Elected to Parliament, he continued to live in the U.S. and raise a family with 3 children. He was known as the Father of Manitoba, and moved to Saskatchewan in 1884 to represent Metis grievances to the Canadian Gov't. Without success. The North-West Rebellion began, and ended in his arrest, trial, and eventual execution for treason. He is known for his controversial role in Canadian politics in Ontario, but when you get out West, the attitude takes on a more dramatic change. Much of this early rebellion history still exists today in our political landscape with the Social Credit, Reform Party and finally Conservatives. The West has risen out of the money pockets of Alberta but I don't know if it's a clean. Maybe we can trust this Western governing body with our federal coffer's, or maybe there will be another Meech Lake Deal.
I find that in Canada in general, Native peoples face discrimination everyday. I can see how that is an easier reaction for non-Native people to express; however, I do not deem this as necessary. How can we personally judge the circumstances of whatever the self governing Chiefs chooses? If there are third world conditions in Canada that find people getting sick from the water on their reserves, drug/alcoholism or living in absolute poverty, I would have a few questions for the people responsible for government transfer payments from the Royal Bank whom holds most of these accounts that are supposed to be administered to Native peoples.
I certainly hope the comment expressed by Stephan Harper on The National regarding Native issues, "Look, I don't know what the problem is..." means that he will try to learn? Can this mean easy cuts of funding to the Native Affairs department for this new government? Don't mind me, but I think it's just a little bit of history repeating just a bit....

Dear Grasshopper: Postcards from New York

December 2005
Grasshopper: Sorry I didn't follow up with the call to you when I was in Denver. Hope that you are well. Talked to Fatty while I was in the mountains. I'm on the mend health wise. Weather is still holding out. You guys catch hell (ICE COLD) every month, no? Love Joseph

Jan 6, 2006
Grasshopper: I didn't call you back from Denver. Was in a totalling relaxed, devil may care mood. Talked to the Fat Girl (Brett). Gave me his new address etc. Watching USCL texas Rose Bowl game. I hate anything Texas.

Jan 31, 2006
Becca: Where is you girl? I'm well, in the rotten apple. Tell me about your new PM!!! Getting ready for Super Sunday. I know I know Pro Sports is Big Business & a huge male fantasy but I do have fun with it!

Jan 30, 2006
Heard about the transit strike here in the evil apple (NYC)? Well, the rank and file turned a rather good contract down. Now the draconian taylor law which says that NYC Municipal employees cannot strike is being applied. No union dues check offs, for every strike day we owe the city two, etc. But there are fine points, estoric and arcan legal ties that must be addressed. Stay tuned.

Feb 2006
You are indeed a very episodic and excentric woman. I dig you very much anyway, you see. Our Union turned down, what I though was a good conhtract which gave us health insurance after retirement for the first time. Will keep you posted. A new breeze in your country w/a conservative PM. WOW. Stay well Grasshopper......

Thank you Sting

Finding the world in the grain of sand
And holding infinities in the palm of your hand
And Heaven's realms in the seedlings of this tiny flower
And eternities in the space of a single hour

Send your love into the future
Send your love into the distant dawn

Inside your mind is a relay station
A mission probe into the unknowing
We send a seed to a distant future
Then we can watch the galaxies growing

This ain't no time for doubting your power
This ain't no time for hiding your care
You're climbing down from an ivory tower
You've got a stake in the world we ought to share

You see the stars are moving so slowly
But still the earth is moving so fast
Can't you see the moon is so lonely
She's still trapped in the pain of the past

This is the time of the world colliding
This is the time of kingdoms falling
This is the time of the worlds dividing
Time to heed your call

Send your love into the future
Send your precious love into some distant time
And fix that wounded planet witht the love of your healing
Send your love

There's no religion but sex and music
There's no religion but sound and dancing
There's no religion line and colour
There's no religion but sacred trance
There's no religion but the endless ocean
There's no religion but the moon and stars
There's no religion but time and motion
There's no religion, just tribal scars

Throw a pebble in and watch the ocean
See the ripples vanish in the distance
It's just the same with all the emotions
It's just the same in every instance

There's no religion but the joys of rhythm
There's no religion but the rites of Spring
There's no religion in the path of hate
No prayer but the one I sing

Send your love into the future
Send you precious love into some distant time
And fix that wounded planet with the love of your healing
Send your love

There's no religion but sex and music
There's no religion that's right or winning
There's no religion in the path of hatred
Ain't no prayer but the one I'm singing

Send your love

I'm sorry this is all I can do guys

This is what our neighbors to the South have been dealing with lately. Sure glad to be Canadian most days.......

Your government, on the basis of outrageous lies, is waging a murderous and utterly illegitimate war in Iraq, with other countries in their sights.
Your government is openly torturing people, and justifying it.
Your government puts people in jail on the merest suspicion, refusing them lawyers, and either holding them indefinitely or deporting them in the dead of night.
Your government is moving each day closer to a theocracy, where a narrow and hateful brand of Christian fundamentalism will rule.
Your government suppresses the science that doesn't fit its religious, political and economic agenda, forcing present and future generations to pay a terrible price.
Your government is moving to deny women here, and all over the world, the right to birth control and abortion.
Your government enforces a culture of greed, bigotry, intolerance and ignorance.
People look at all this and think of Hitler — and they are right to do so. The Bush regime is setting out to radically remake society very quickly, in a fascist way, and for generations to come. We must act now; the future is in the balance.
Millions and millions are deeply disturbed and outraged by this. They recognize the need for a vehicle to express this outrage, yet they cannot find it; politics as usual cannot meet the enormity of the challenge, and people sense this.
There is not going to be some magical "pendulum swing." People who steal elections and believe they're on a "mission from God" will not go without a fight.
There is not going to be some savior from the Democratic Party. This whole idea of putting our hopes and energies into "leaders" who tell us to seek common ground with fascists and religious fanatics is proving every day to be a disaster, and actually serves to demobilize people.
But silence and paralysis are NOT acceptable. That which you will not resist and mobilize to stop, you will learn — or be forced — to accept. There is no escaping it: the whole disastrous course of this Bush regime must be STOPPED. And we must take the responsibility to do it.
And there is a way. We are talking about something on a scale that can really make a huge change in this country and in the world. We need more than fighting Bush's outrages one at a time, constantly losing ground to the whole onslaught. We must, and can, aim to create a political situation where the Bush regime's program is repudiated, where Bush himself is driven from office, and where the whole direction he has been taking society is reversed. We, in our millions, must and can take responsibility to change the course of history.
Acting in this way, we join with and give support and heart to people all over the globe who so urgently need and want this regime to be stopped.
This will not be easy. If we speak the truth, they will try to silence us. If we act, they will to try to stop us. But we speak for the majority, here and around the world, and as we get this going we are going to reach out to the people who have been so badly fooled by Bush and we are NOT going to stop.
The point is this: history is full of examples where people who had right on their side fought against tremendous odds and were victorious. And it is also full of examples of people passively hoping to wait it out, only to get swallowed up by a horror beyond what they ever imagined. The future is unwritten. WHICH ONE WE GET IS UP TO US.
The World Can't Wait! Drive Out the Bush Regime!

Thank you Eddie Harris

I love to lie and lie to love
I'm hangin' on, they push and shove
Possession is the motivation that is hangin' up the God damn nation
Looks like we all might end up in a rut -- everybody now
Tryin' to make it real -- compared to what?

Slaughterhouse is killin' hogs
Twisted children killin' frogs
Poor dumb rednecks rollin' logs
Tired old ladies kissin' dogs
I hate the human love of that stinkin' mutt -- I can't use it
Try to make it real compared to what.

President he's got his war
Folks don't know just what it's for
Nobody gives us rhyme or reason
Have one doubt, they call it treason
We're chicken-feathers, all without one nut -- God damn it
Tryin' to make it real -- compared to what?

Church on Sunday, sleep and nod
Tryin' to duck the wrath of God
Preachers fillin' us with fright
They all tryin' to teach us what they think is right
They really got to be some kind of nut -- I can't use it
Tryin' to make it real -- compared to what?

Where's that beat and where's that honey
Where's my God and where's my money
Unreal values a crass distortion
Unwed mothers need abortion
Kind of brings to mind ol' young King Tut -- he did it now
Tried to make it real compared to what!

So there's a Conservative minority in our Commons

There it is, the mosaic conclusion of our grand country is has taken a change in course. The Conservatives crafted a very tricky, slick election campaign accompanied by a smiling Stephan Harper advertising their slogans. I will give them credit for winning the top job by playing on the fears of Western alienation and therefore give the West some political results. The Bloc also came back from slumber with a greater amount of seats in the Commons to the credit of the eastern left, and then our King & Queen of the NDP party: Jack Layton & Olivia Chow have taken their seats in the Commons along with 8 other NDP seats. Another extreme credit to the federal left!

The final analysis is that the left side of the spectrum has alot of power. This is all about positioning. I think the only thing they will be passing threw the Commons are budgets, 1st & foremost, however the issues surrounding same-sex marriage & abortion should not tie up the process due to the diversity of progressive leftist seats within the Commons and how much they out number the Conservatives.

I think I can exhale, because this last election had me proudly voting in my 4th consecutive province. The Liberals can heal for awhile, but I certainly hope he takes our PM to task to expose where they fuck up. The Conservatives certainly aren't perfect, but then, such is life!

Yes, some influential people have some power of my opinion......

It seems that not only young people are going to the polls Monday, but some enthusiasm from the south has also drawn my attention. I have to publish this, even if no one reads it! Here's what Michael Moore had to say on the issue of our Federal Election efforts:

"Oh, Canada -- you're not really going to elect a Conservative majority on Monday, are you? That's a joke, right? I know you have a great sense of humor, and certainly a well-developed sense of irony, but this is no longer funny. Maybe it's a new form of Canadian irony -- reverse irony! OK, now I get it. First, you have the courage to stand against the war in Iraq -- and then you elect a prime minister who's for it. You declare gay people have equal rights -- and then you elect a man who says they don't. You give your native peoples their own autonomy and their own territory -- and then you vote for a man who wants to cut aid to these poorest of your citizens. Wow, that is intense! Only Canadians could pull off a hat trick of humor like that. My hat's off to you.
Far be it from me, as an American, to suggest what you should do. You already have too many Americans telling you what to do. Well, actually, you've got just one American who keeps telling you to roll over and fetch and sit. I hope you don't feel this appeal of mine is too intrusive but I just couldn't sit by, as your friend, and say nothing. Yes, I agree, the Liberals have some 'splainin' to do. And yes, one party in power for more than a decade gets a little... long. But you have a parliamentary system (I'll bet you didn't know that -- see, that's why you need Americans telling you things!). There are ways at the polls to have your voices heard other than throwing the baby out with the bath water.
These are no ordinary times, and as you go to the polls on Monday, you do so while a man running the nation to the south of you is hoping you can lend him a hand by picking Stephen Harper because he's a man who shares his world view. Do you want to help George Bush by turning Canada into his latest conquest? Is that how you want millions of us down here to see you from now on? The next notch in the cowboy belt? C'mon, where's your Canadian pride? I mean, if you're going to reduce Canada to a cheap download of Bush & Co., then at least don't surrender so easily. Can't you wait until he threatens to bomb Regina? Make him work for it, for Pete's sake.
But seriously, I know you're not going to elect a guy who should really be running for governor of Utah. Whew! I knew it! You almost had me there. Very funny. Don't do that again. God, I love you, you crazy cold wonderful neighbors to my north. Don't ever change. "
"Michael Moore "

We all stick our foot in our mouths sometimes.....

I think Mt Buzz Hargrove has stuck his foot in his mouth this time 'round. I think his suggestion that Mr. Harper is a separatist is entirely propaganda-ridden and it's the same way that he chose to isolate the West and Quebec. I'm going to be highly critical here because I think he said some ignorant comments in his press conference with Paul Martin. Our Prime Minister had to catch himself in making sure that his statements were entirely complimentary to Mr. Harper and acknowledged his federalism at the same time firing any attempt to suggest Quebecors to vote Bloc.

This is getting ugly and the more people I speak with in Edmonton, they all think the Liberals suck huge ass. I listen to stories of the federal government taking money from public coffers and sticking it to their friends. This was very irresponsible of our government, but I don't see the alternative of a Conservative govn't who may try to adjust the GST at will, when they put it there in the first place. This bit of history mysteriously is gone from our federal & local media outlets, and for some reason, people don't care about it.

I remember studying in grade 10 Social Studies about the federal election taking place back in 1989, and reading Conservative NAFTA propaganda that promised more jobs and greater prosperity for Canada partners with the US & Mexico. Did that come true for all of Canada? Let's not reiterate this statement to loggers in small BC communities that had the bottom fall out because of softwood lumber issues with the U.S. Hmmm...and remember when there wasn't a tax on fast food? The gold 'ol GST is a wonderful memory that still exists today.

Hmmm....the NDP has very good intentions with wanting to stick up for the underdog, supporting students, immigrants, social programs for Canada's kids, etc. but the thought of spending a lot more money then our current federal gov't and possibly spending into deficits could negatively impact our nations' economy. I like Jack Layton, as he is very charismatic but I don't think I'd like NDP as a federal government entirely for fiscal reasons. (8 years of NDP in BC was my experience!)

The lesser of evils perhaps? Or a democratic balance someday, when the choices are greater and not just what the media tells us to care about. How about the Green Party? Let innovation take us into the 2100s century by taxing corporations that pollute, you get huge federal tax breaks for owning environmentally responsible items such as a e-car or scooter. Give the car companies tax breaks for contributing to Canadians this way.

Like John Lennon said, "I'm just a dreamer"..........

I digress.

I know it's been a while but........

Well, I haven't written for awhile, but I've needed some time to get out into that Edmonton world of mine............ :) Next week is the federal election and I've finally received a response from your Hon. Anne McLellan in the mail from when I sent her an earlier email, close to the start of the campaign trail. Here is what she had to say:

"Dear Ms. Bodo:

Thank you for your correspondence of November 28, 2005, regarding the situation in Iraq and same-sex marriage. I appreciate you taking the time to share your considered thoughts on this matter with me.

Please be assured that the Government of Canada considers the safety of Canadians abroad a top priority. Foreign Affairs Canada regularly issues travel advisories about countries with political, environmental or health issues and maintains a searchable database of these notices. Canadians are encouraged to consult this service before and, it possible, during travel to any country in order to keep informed of changing conditions. If you are interested in learning more about this service, you may wish to visit the Consular Affairs website at www.voyage.gc.ca.

Regarding the current situation in Iraq, Canada will continue to assist the Iraqi government in its efforts to implement the new constitution and to build democratic and effective governing institutions, in collaboration with the United Nations and the international community. The Government of Canada has established a $300-million development fund to support the development of a stable, self-governing, democratic, and prosperous Iraq.

Like you, I believe that the Civil Marriage Act helps a society that strives for respect and understanding, and I am happy that you share my belief in the importance of tolerance and inclusion. The discussion about revisiting this legislation worries me and I can assure you that if re-elected, I will continue to work on behalf of all minorities to ensure that their constitutional rights are protected.

Again, thank you for bringing your thoughts on these issues to my attention. I greatly appreciate your kind words of support and wish you all the best this New Year."

"Yours sincerely,
****signed*****
A. Anne McLellan"

Well what the hell... Now, did anyone just read this and think that they were being sent a line or two please raise your hands. I dunno.... I almost feel blackmailed that if I don't vote for her, minorities are going to be f*cked over by the Conservatives. The letter itself is nice, with a beautiful stamp to send it with ( on all our money people!). Now a prompt email sent to me would have been wonderful, but the letter is nice for the first time. The two reasons above are the main reasons I won't vote Conservative. Sorry, but I think Christmas campaigning was a burden also, let alone minority rights and combined war mongering with the country to the south. Sorry Alberta......I just can't decide. :(

I like to work our democratic process by getting these MPs of ours to be accountable to all of us, and that means asking questions until to truth is found out. Some ppl don't like to be questioned but our MPs certainly deserve our free market scrutiny. It's good to be a tough customer in this country!

Anyhow, it's super warm in Edmonton, only -4 to -8C which is awesome for this time of year. Have a super MP3 player that plays my favorite music for my 20-minute walk to work. Don't worry, I just bought a humidifier to keep that BC glow going hopefully!!!

Good luck at the polls people,
Take care,
Becca

Jealosy

Jealosy is sinfully sweet. We cannot seem to get enough of it. I think that when you have been biten once, jealousy moves in for the kill. What I mean by that, is when you have been betrayed somehow, physically or mentally, when you lose trust in someone, jealousy moves in permanently. It brings in its toothbrush and takes the spare room. You hear it in there at night watching Leno. "Need anythin before I go to sleep?" it calls. "One last reminder of how weak you are???" I hate the feeling of helplessness, the feeling of being jealous.

You have to believe in yourself. Bit by bit, you have to believe in your goodness and your grace. You have to convince yourself of your worth, which is so great, it is not countable. You have to let go of your fears and worries and live a freer life. You have to get over being afraid of being alone. We are all alone; to find comfort in that will make you live longer. It's not that we don't WANT each other, but do we have to NEED each other so much? I think that is where the haze sets in. Needing makes the boat rock.

You WANT the right person; you NEED the wrong person. You want someone you can be alone with. Being alone together, that is the tricky part. That would be perfect really. There is an old sock for every old shoe. I believe that. If you don't trust someone, there is no point in being with them. If you are tied to someone else as you climb up the mountain, don't you have to trust them completely?? Why would you even bother climbing up in the first place if you didn't? You have to completely trust that they will not let you fall, period. See what I mean? Trust. It's a hard thing to win back once it's spoiled. Not trusting is mixed in with jealousy and fear, so make sure you have it all sorted out before you say the wrong thing.