A Sad Monologue of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi

 

Poor Muammar. Now he's confused more than ever (if that's even possible). He doesn't

know, what to think:

---

"Why does everybody turn against me all of sudden? What have I done to deserve such an unexpected betrayal - this nasty hit below the belt? For past forty years or so, I've been a faithful leader of the the revolution, like Che Guevara or Mao Tse-tung, or the Spiderman, haven't I? My people love me (and rightfully so), because for all those years, I've been devotedly protecting them against..... against, you know... the bad things. Like terrorists, yes... and.... evil seven head dragons and invaders from Mars and Susan Boyle..."

"And what about my friends - those grotesque Westerners? We've always been good buddies for years. Well except for a few  petty quarrels, but in a healthy relationship, there's nothing wrong with it. Like, for instance, that time, in 1981, when I was considering assassination of Ronald Reagan. Or in 1986, when George Bush bombed Tripoli and tried to kill me. Awwww… so many fond memories. We had so much fun together. And especially for a past decade, we've really bonded together with my Western amigos. They often invited me to their parties, we joked and laughed together, and they gave me some wonderful gifts and toys. Not the newest ones, I'd really like to have, only those they didn't want to play with anymore. The older tanks and airplanes and the missiles, and such. They even let me keep my hard earned revolutionary money in their banks, you know... nothing major. Just three billions in Canada and a few more billions here and there all over the world. They called me Mad Dog of the Middle East, but they always stayed by my side and never objected, when I occasionally tortured or killed some of those pesky political opponents. Yes, that's what the good friends do - stick together for better or worse."

"So what's going on? Why am I a bad guy now? Maybe I should have taken it to my heart, when someone once warned me: Pray to the Lord not to protect you from your enemies, only from your friends".

---

Sorry Muammar, since the last month, you're not our buddy anymore, we un-friended you in our Facebooks and we'll probably kill you soon. But no hard feelings, it's nothing personal. It's just how it works. You've got to admire the fine art of the international politics and foreign diplomacy.

Your Loyal (no more) Westerner,

Milo.

Ted Menzies Hallucinations

Just a quick comment on the annual budget, which was released only a few days ago, but it is somehow irrelevant today, under the new political circumstances in Ottawa.

 

Just when I thought, no action or statement produced by any politician could surprise me, there comes the secretary of state for finance Ted Menzies with his brilliant quote. In the budget, there are some small, rather insignificant pittances, sprinkled all over the board, aimed to help the different causes and various citizen's groups. When asked about a monthly $50 pension increase for impoverished seniors, Menzies replied: "look, the opposition parties don't get it. These are the people who lived through the dirty thirties. To them, $600 a year is an incredible amount of money."

One couldn't make up a better example to illustrate a government's absolute detachment from the reality and hardship many of the low income citizens have to face day in and day our. Secretary's wife probably spends $600 daily shopping for a new pair of shoes or on a beauty parlor visits, but an extra $1.64 per day is "an incredible amount of money" for a senior? Well done, Mr. Menzies! You should really get off your high horse and try to walk for a while in regular folks moccasins. Only then you will be qualified to say how far an extra $50 per months really goes.

Milo.

 

 

The Three Stooges Finally Pulled It Off

 

The opposition parties leaders, Liberal's Michael Ignatieff, NDP's Jack Layton and BQ's Gilles Duceppe briefly mingled in a vicious pack and in unprecedented move brought down the Harper's five-year-old minority Conservative Government. Last time they've tried the same stunt, they failed miserably and despite their latest second attempt success, they will hardly gain or change anything this time either. The general election will be called for the first week in May and after its all done and the dust settles, the same, most likely even stronger Conservative minority (and perhaps even majority) government will be re-established. Nothing will be accomplished and the federal coffers will be lighter by the election cost of roughly 300 Million Dollars from the taxpayers pockets.

Never mind the desperate strategy and arguments used to topple the Conservatives - if a motion of no-confidence didn't work, they'd probably reached the same result by rejecting the annual budget, or they'd come with something else sooner or later. Let's make one thing clear, the whole charade is not about undisclosed costs of government's tough-on-crime bill, corporate tax cuts or plans to purchase fighter jets. Those are only the opposition parties red herrings and we will hear about those issues again, many times during their election campaigns. But the real and only reason they gave Mr. Harper the boot is much simpler and not so noble whatsoever. If you guessed it's all about a power and greed, you're absolutely right. Over and over again, for the millenniums of mankind existence, the history repeats itself. The potential leaders are so eager and thirsty for power, they can't conceal it even if they try.

In the next thirty-six days we're going to witness all the involved parties throwing about everything in the book, the voters like to hear. The righteous, but empty promises about a health- and child-care improvement, securing a pension plan, focus on education, human rights, environment, reducing national deficit, building strong economy and re-establishing Canada's international prestige. The competing parties individual platforms are not so different from each other, in fact, they look like carbon copies. "We are here to listen to the voice of our great nation and we will sacrifice everything to follow the people's commands and wishes". There'll be a plenty of such cliches,catchphrases and claptraps, but primarily, we'll see no shortage of ugly mud slinging and slandering. After all, a negative advertising - a casting malicious slurs on the opponents has proved to be the most effective tool to discredit any of them.

To me personally, none of it matters, I never waste my time to go to the polls to cast my ballot. Never in the past, not this year and/or any time in the future. Some confused people say: "You have to vote, otherwise you have no right to complain about anything later". The hell I do! On this one, I'm in agreement with the great late George Carlin, who once quoted:

"If you vote, and you elect dishonest, incompetent politicians, and you screw  things up, then you're responsible for what they've done. You voted them in. You caused the problem. You have no right to complain."

Not that it really matters, who's the next party governing this country, but you can bet your bottom dollar, come this May, Stephen Harper will be back in the saddle of his high horse. And he knows. The other three, disillusioned, power hungry clowns don't get it. Without forming a coalition - which option is clearly out of the table - none of them stands the chance. And that's fine with me. At least on outside, Harper displays the old-fashioned, classy leadership qualities, paramount to succeed as a head of state: he's smooth and convincing, eloquent speaker, well groomed and always in control of his emotions. Is he a control freak, ruling with an uncompromising, dictatorship style? Perhaps. But without those properties, no lion can stay alive for too long.

Happy ballotage,

Milo.

Our (Canadian) Way

I must confess, I'm completely puzzled. What exactly is all that fuss about? The last week's news regarding a mass slaughter of 100 healthy dogs by the Whistler dog-sled company operator caused huge unanticipated and very vocal international commotion. But why? Doesn't the whole world know, this is our, Canadian way? We are nice people - kind, polite, considerate, but just like anyone else, we also have our soft spot. We like to kill things.

And especially those who can't defend themselves. So what? After all, those baby seals we enjoy to club and skin alive, just like those forementioned dogs or the polar bear cubs had that coming! Is it our fault, they're stupid, vulnerable and they can't fight back? And beside that, isn't it true the seals eat OUR fish and breathe OUR air? Someone needs to teach all those ignorant creatures who's in charge around here. Some naive, clueless pinheads proclaim, our ethics and civility are defined by the way we treat those who can't speak for themselves. Nonsense! Civility is measured only by the size of our bank accounts and the sophistication of our weapons. The wealthier and more powerful we are, the better and smarter we are.

 

And it simply happens, we, Canadians are quite rich and full-armed, so the rest of you, little weasels just watch out! Because if you piss us off, we may kill you too! Providing you're small and helpless, of course.

Milo.

 

 

  

 

My Relationship with Alcohol

It's been politely pointed to me, there are some indications, I am being obsessed with an alcohol. I have no need or a desire to explain myself, primary because I couldn't care less what somebody else thinks of me and beside that, I firmly believe, to take such a course is silly and completely necessary. That is to say, I subscribe to a notion, your friends don't need any explanation and your enemies won't believe it. However, an aforementioned remark inspired me to write a following account of my attitude toward alcohol.

 

First of all, rather then obsession, I'd like to call it a life-long lasting passion  Yes indeed, I
am not afraid to admit I admire alcohol, but just the same, I've been fortunate enough to avoid developing a physical dependence on it.

 

My intimate relationship with alcohol went through its phases over the years, but we never forsaken each other. In the beginning, there were my explorative times of an indiscriminate approach to alcohol, when I would drink anything, anywhere and any amount available (ahhh, those sweet, confusing days of  an innocent soul-searching, experimenting and discovering). Then, later on I became an occasional social drinker, still not particularly selective in terms of varieties (of both: the booze and the establishments I would consume
it). And finally, after all those happy years, our close-knitted partnership with my good old buddy alcohol evolved to its current refined form, the best described as: "quality over quantity". I learned and graduated to appreciate a significant distinction between a $20 bottle of commercially produced grain spirit and the unparallel depth and character of an agreeably tasting fine French cognac or a scrumptious single malt Scotch.

 

These exquisite times of a pure satisfaction, when smooth, soft and lasting flavour of Dalwhinnie rolls on my tongue are precisely those rare moments, that are worth living for. 

 

Milo.

 

 

If I only.....

 

 

Quite obviously, I've been uttered by some kind of curse that's been forcing me to follow the same crazy perpetual pattern: No matter what I do, I always find myself a couple of tiny steps behind. Not by much, yet far enough to miss every golden opportunity thrown in my direction.
Just take this latest example: I could have easily become a new Canadian Governor General, if I only (how embarrassing!) haven't forgotten to mail in my job application.

 

The whole issue surrounding a governor's significance (or rather a lack of), is a classic case of this proverbial huge elephant in the room. Everyone sees it, but not a soul would dare to say it loud. Lets be honest and admit, that we, Canadians never express our opinion, if
there is just a slight risk we may sound impolite or inappropriate in any sense. We're simply not carved that way. And guess what - I also am the Canadian (occasionally even a proud one), but I've never been able to shake off that trace of my vulgar unsophisticated European origin. Therefore, I don't mind to raise my voice for all the others:

 

Yes, and there you have it: No matter how hard you rack your brain, you won't find a job as worthless as the Canadian Governor General.

 

No dispute there. However, since I've been involved in many pointless activities in my past and this one (unlike the others) comes with a very generous paycheck, I would, for the good of our country, lower my ethical standards and take the gig. Am I sufficiently qualified for the job? Please! What kind of question is that? If that woman from Haiti was capable to pull it off, then who wouldn't? It's just a matter of getting there, but that nut might be a bit tough to crack. My English is almost bad as hers, so I could score some points there, but realistically viewed, should I compete against someone like her, I'd probably won't stand a chance. Who am I kidding? A black female from developing country - who can beat that three-combination?

 

Well, it doesn't matter now, the job is taken and a David Johnston already has moved to his office. But that's fine, let him have it, I've never liked a desk job anyway. It's just another addition to a high pile of my missed opportunities. I haven't become a celebrated ballet dancer either, have I? Well, that's another story altogether. But, since I mentioned that, I must add, just for the record, I've never excelled in any physical activities, probably due to my clumsiness and a hopeless body and limbs motor discoordination, and not to mention I don't fancy a ballet at all. So, in a way I consider my failure to become new Baryshnikov a lucky break. I'd be most likely quite miserable going to work every day, should I succeed. 

 

Milo.

The End of the World

It is no secret our present universe will be annihilated on December 21, 2012, when 5,125-year-long cycle in the Mayan Long Count calendar reaches its completion. There are some meaningless speculations, whether the Earth perishes due to collision with a passing planet, disappears being sucked into a black hole, or rather burns to the ashes with the arrival of the next solar maximum. Nobody knows exact circumstances inducing this event, but after it's all over, the actual causes will bear hardly any relevance to us. Yes, we're doomed and there's nothing in our power we can do to influence or alter the final outcome.

However, it is not all so hopeless, as it seems. We still have a plenty of time on our hands and we'd better use it wisely. As for me, I've got my priorities set. In 2012, instead of waiting for my presents till the Christmas day, I will open them the very latest on December 20th and I suggest to everyone to follow my example. Otherwise, we'd never know, what we got and it would be really sad.

Milo.

Summary Paper Bill Fee

Aha! There we go again!

It never fails to amaze me how perseveringly inventive they prove to be. By "they" I mean all those faceless and soulless institutions, (private and state alike) who are tirelessly trying to dig deeper into our pockets.

Just today, I've noticed a brand new extra $2.00 charge on my last Telus Mobility monthly statement. As usual, they've justified a new form of the rip-off by disguising it as a noble initiative. In this case, so called "Summary Paper Bill Fee" is according to Telus "an attempt to reduce paper waste and save the trees". Please, at least spare me of your fake concern and bogus noble-mindedness!

Apparently, it was Fido who introduced a paper bill option for a $2.00/month cost as oppose to free online billing and quite predictably this example was soon followed by Bell Mobility and now Telus as well.

All right, I know. You don't get much for your two bucks these days, so why even bother? But that's not a moot point here. This is yet another obtrusive hidden fee, which the hundreds, perhaps thousands of subscribers won't even notice on their bills and that's what I truly loathe. Those companies wager on people's stupidity and submissive indifference and at the end of the day, they always make the big time!

Milo.

Knee

For a week or two I've been experiencing a strange sensation in my left knee. Hardly anything even close to an intolerable pain, but rather a slight discomfort, that prevents me from running, let alone playing a football.

Fortunately, I don't care for running and I have never in my entire life participated in a single football game. Thank heavens for that! I'd be really frustered if I have.

Milo.

Wikileaks - Part 2

A few people responded to my previous Wikileaks article portraiting Mr. Assange as a brave, honest advocate for freedom of information and a whistle blower, who's been unselfishly uncovering evildoers among the elite and powerful ones. Sure. Possibly, he's also a compassionate family man and a cat-lover. No wonder Michael Moore likes him so much. However, it is not my place to judge him or his motives, yet once again, as for his latest adventure with the embassy cables, I cannot call it anything less than outrageously impertinent, if not downright criminal. Of course, if you arm yourself with the convincing arguments, you might be able to justify a murder, but no matter what, you still can't make it right. The Wikileaks fans suffer with disillusion, they do the right thing for the right reasons, but in fact, they don't even do the wrong thing for the right reasons - it is simply all wrong on all levels. They need to wrap their heads around the fact, that IT'S NOT OK to take anything they like, just because IT'S THERE. But I realize, that's probably too much to expect from this selfish instant and easy gratification generation.

The private correspondence is private because it is exchanged confidentially between close group of two or more people and no one uninvited into the conversation has any right to read it, hear it, and far from sharing it with public. Let's say, for the sake of argument, that I send you an e-mail, where I offer you my opinion on our mutual acquaintance Mr. H. and I add some unflattering remarks on his account. (And by the way, many of these cables reportedly contain exactly this - embarrassing or insulting remarks about some third party person). At some point, you might decide to post my message (that was intended for your eyes only) on your Facebook Wall and make it accessible by everyone. And you know, it is only a matter of time, before Mr. H., about whom I have spoken unkindly, get chance to read it. Now, let's examine, what you have actually achieved by taking this action:

1. You managed to upset and disappoint me, perhaps so much, I will never trust you again.

2. You've hurt and embarrassed Mr. H., who would from now on dislike and distrust you (and me), and might even think or actually proceed with some sort of retaliation.

3. You certainly won't gain any respect for yourself among your Facebook social circle, because everyone will be very cautious to take you (and me) into their confidence.

I believe, this is a classic lose-lose scenario and making public some mocking comments by one diplomatic figure on another will accomplish nothing, except of needless awkwardness, embarasement, shame and mutual tention.

Milo.

WikiLeaks

Unless you just woke up from a coma or you've spent a past few weeks in a cave, you have certainly heard about the WikiLeaks. There's not much to add to the ongoing discussion, the whole affair has been over-analyzed, many contending points of view have been made, all possible angles have been examined. Surely, as in many other controversies, there is a growing tendency to complicate the matter more than necessary. This is a strategy so often exercised by people with some sort of a hidden agenda, in order to confuse or manipulate the public opinion in one or the other direction. Whether it might be also the WikiLeaks case, that I don't know.

Those recent events, strangely enough brought back the memories of my mother. She was a simple, uneducated woman of a few words, but anything she had to say always held a strong underlined message of wisdom and common sense. For instance, she would believe, that in many arguments people tend to draw their elaborate conclusions, while overlooking the basic and the obvious at the same time. With provision for this notion, my personal take on the WikiLeaks issue is quite plain and rather unsophisticated.

The vast amount of the classified, private documents (never intentioned for the public record) have been obtain illegally, to be afterwards gradually released on line.The actual content of the materials is irrelevant and I doubt anyone reads them anyway. The very bottom line remains, Bradley Manning have stolen thousands of private letters (embassy cables, if you will) and another crook, Julian Assange is now making them public. By definition, both of the gentlemen have committed the criminal acts, the first one is a theft and as for Assange, his contribution is nothing but a clear violation of a constitutional guarantee on the privacy of correspondence. It is no different than steeling the private mail from the postal truck, opening it and posting the copies on the Internet.

Predictably, it did not take too long before the army of hackers offered their computer expertise to either post the stolen materials on their mirror sites or to attack some legitimate businesses who distanced themselves from the WikiLeaks charade. Those "freedom of information activists", consisting mostly useless freeloaders living in their parents basements are confusing the law-breaking with some kind of moral right for a free speech. What they don't understand is the fact, they're becoming the accessories to the theft and fraud. In the simple terms - the common criminals, just like their admired heroes Manning and Assange.

Milo.

Prescription drug dispensing fees

If you happen to be like me and don't visit your local pharmacy on regular bases, you may get caught surprised by paying relatively high extra charge on your prescription drugs in form of the dispensing fee. Yesterday, I had my prescription medications prepared by the Rexal Pharmacy in Vancouver. The combined cost for two different drugs was $11.79, however the total at the register came to $31.79. Why? The dispensing fees in amount of $10.00 have been applied to each prescriptions.

 

I haven't been able to find an information comparing those fees in Vancouver pharmacies, but I'm sure it would be very similar to the one bellow from Victoria. The amounts of the dispensing fees are apparently quite comparable across Canada, ranging from $9.00 - $12.00, but according to my research, the Costco stands clearly as a winner with more than 50% lower dispensing fees than any other competitors.

Milo.

---------------------

Prescription drug dispensing fees - Victoria, BC - November 2010:

Costco $4.49

Save On Foods 9.10

Wal Mart 9.60

London Drugs 9.60

Zellers 9.60

Bahrs 9.60

Medecine Shoppe 9.60

Thrifty’s 9.60

View Street Pharmacy 9.60

Safeway 10.60

Rexall 11.10

Shoppers 11.60

Peoples 11.60

Pharmasave 11.99

Perception

Our life opens in front of us many surprising paths with scores of intersections and multiple alternative directions to choose from. In many instances, a course of events runs beyond our control, but not so when it comes to adopting our own principal point of view. The choice is ours. You may opt to have a pessimistic world outlook and live a miserable, despondent life, or - like me - to cross to the sunny side of the street and embrace more rewarding, sanguine attitude.

Yes indeed, I am clearly a person perceiving my proverbial glass always as half full. Which, by definition makes me an optimist, no doubt. Incidentally, just as a marginal comment, it needs to be noted, my glass contents exclusively a lethal dose of poisonous, infectious, hallucinogenic, psychotic, highly caloric, morally corrupted, cholesterol loaded, decadent, foul smelling and politically correct Molotov cocktail.

Nevertheless, it feels truly satisfying to carry such a positive philosophical view and I'm not afraid to say it loud - it's great to be a HAPPY GUY!

Milo.

My Lucky Break

I heaved a sigh of relief at my luck!




Why, you ask?




Well, because I haven't flown to London for X-Mas this year, that's why.




What a mess over there, eh?




But then again, I never go to Europe anyway. So..... I guess, it's not such a biggie for me after all.

Milo.

Business as Usual (From the Ticklish Files)

It is shocking and a little bit embarrassing, that I, healthy male in my late fifties have never in my life purchased (or sold, for that matter) any sexual services in any form and shape. When I think of the excuses for my irresponsible behavior, all I can come up is a lack of an opportunity. Certainly, I do not despise or condemn any adult people who negotiate a business contract, involving engagement in consensual physical act and in compliance with their previous (usually verbal) agreement, the transaction is finalized by monetary compensation of one of them. To me it's a legitimate business affair, just like shopping for any other daily life necessities. After all, if a selling is legal and a sex is legal, then where's the rationale in proclaiming selling sex as an illegal activity?

As I stated beforehand, I am not talking about the scum bags exploiting some enslaved helpless human beings, but about the decent adult people, acting of their own free will and in their privacy, out of the public view. Naturally, some self-righteous prudes would argue, that prostitution should be banned, prosecuted and completely uprooted, because the so called "sex industry" is associated with all kinds of negative social and cultural impacts, such as the human trafficking, slave trade, physical violence, substance abuse etc. Yes, of course, these are very serious issues, deserving a full public attention and some immediate remedial measures. However, the sex itself (whether performed totally free of charge or in exchange for a fee) is not to be blamed as a cause of these adverse social aspects. It would be just like identifying walking as a dangerous procedure, because there is a remote possibility to fall and sustain an injury. There's also a misconception about prostitution, based on assumption, the sex trade workers always enter their profession solely due to a lack of the other opportunities. But the same could be said about a maid, a bus boy, a street cleaner or a general laborer, yet, there's nothing shameful or derogative about their occupations. Lets remember, not everybody is predestined to become a banker, a doctor, or a hereditary millionaire. Beside that, it is my believe, that many of these professionals, especially the high end call girls and escorts (females or males) enjoy their line of work, in particular the lavish lifestyle affiliated with it. And good for them! They deserve to be fairly compensated not only for providing such an important, invaluable public service but for being constantly stigmatized and looked down upon.

Milo.

About Plagiarism

Apparently, from the legal stand, there's a fine line between theft and appropriation, but the problem is, nobody knows where one ends and the other one begins. A few months ago a well known the New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd became a headline news, because she copied a paragraph from an article published on-line by Josh Marshall, one of the sharpest bloggers around and pasted it without any changes, word for word into one of her columns. Clearly, on her part this was nothing but a mix of a laziness, arrogance and stupidity. She underestimated intelligence of her readers a critics, assuming nobody would notice. Surely, a writer of her format, so popular, well connected and VERY generously paid must be aware she's under the scrutiny all the time and she can never get away with anything like this. If she made just a little tiny effort and simply attributed those statements she borrowed to their original source, there would be no issue and therefore nothing to discuss. This way however, she found herself in a hot water for nothing and the whole thing got quickly overblown out of the proportions. She was called a fraud and a looser, some people demanded her immediate resignation, others asked for an apology, while some folks were ready to forgive her under the condition, she'll be using only "her own words" from now on.

Wait a minute! Her own words? Is there a such thing? Doesn't everybody use the same words as the other people do? Granted, the utilized vocabulary vary from person to person, for instance, a farmer may not need to know more than 500 or 600 words to carry on throughout his whole life, but not so a novelist or a scholar. Nevertheless, either one of them goes to the BAKERY to buy a loaf of BREAD and asks for a glass of WATER when they're THIRSTY. Nobody's got "their own words" for any of these things and if they had, they wouldn't be too much help within the context of their conversations.

From our earliest age, as soon as we start talking, all we do is copy what we hear around us. What other options do we have? We don't understand the word's meaning and we have no clue, how to construct the sentences. So - does it mean by using our parents language and thoughts we're acting dishonestly and committing an academic fraud? After all, we are stealing their intellectual properties and representing them as our own. Or are we? Just as the count of words in the English dictionary, that's the million dollars question.

And as for me - even right now, when I express my thoughts and it feels so strongly, these are all my ideas, I know better than that. Knowingly or unintentionally, I may be using or closely imitating the language and thoughts of the others. Perhaps I do, perhaps I don't. However, I can make one claim for a certainty - in my daily communication I NEVER opt to use my own words. Instead, I'd rather resort to the commonly accepted vocables from the English dictionary, the ones everyone else knows and understands their meaning. If it be to the contrary, I believe, my expressions would certainly come to nought. But hey! Why don't I try to close my meditation using MY OWN WORDS:

"Loofr nacous rauqsa adiloh bdiluig!!!"

Comprehend? Didn't think so... and neither do I.................... ((((:

M.

Here They Come

So, the first one is here and I reckon, many more will follow before we know. A couple of weeks ago, the rusty boat loaded with 490 illegal immigrants from Sri Lanka docked at the Canadian Forces Base Esquimalt. To be accurate, it's not the first migrant smuggling ship that arrived at the coast of Canada; a number of them have got here the same way sporadically in the past. The significance of this one is, as the Public Safety Minister Vic Toews admitted, the MV Sun Sea should be considered a “test boat” to probe Canada’s receptiveness to ship-borne refugee claims – part of a wider human smuggling operation with designs on sending more illegals here.

Not to long ago, I got engaged in a discussion on a subject of US and Canadian immigration problems. My friend suggested, that unlike in the United States, there are virtually no illegal immigrants on this side of border, claiming the Canadian immigration agency IRB has situation firmly under the control. To support her assertion, she said, that everyone enters the country with the valid travel documents and the incomer's identity is thoroughly examined by the Canadian border and immigration services. Unfortunately, this inconclusive presumption might only apply for us - the naive, law-obeying immigrants, who had followed the required regulations and patiently waited for months, some of us even the years to be legally admitted to Canada. But it is quite different story for the host of the others, who for one or another reason choose to jump the queue or to bypass the legal immigration requirements altogether. And make no mistake, those people are well familiar with all the tricks in the book. Needless to say, they know the first and the most important one: once a person arrives to Canada, either by the land, the sea or the air and applies for the refugee status, under the Canadian law he/she cannot be turned down. Whether they present valid travel documents, some other type of ID, or none at all is not an issue at this stage. Therefore, those who have no desire to reveal their true identity simply destroy their documents prior arrival and fabricate some heartbreaking tale about fleeing persecution and seeking asylum. After a few days or weeks in detention, they're free to go and while awaiting their case to be decided by the immigration agency (which might take as long as 15 years), they are entitled to receive a full government financial assistance and social benefits. And of course, as you might have guessed by know, many of those newcomers (perhaps the hard core criminals or members of various terrorist groups) will fall off the radar and their whereabouts are unknown. There is no credible information available on illegal immigration in Canada but a 2008 report by the Auditor General Sheila Fraser stated that Canada has lost track of as many as 41,000 illegal immigrants. The actual number is probably at least three times higher - according to some estimates up to 120,000 "lost souls". A former head of the Canadian Immigration Service James Bissett sees the problem roots in the lack of any credible refugee screening process, combined with a high likelihood of ignoring any deportation orders, which results in tens of thousands of outstanding warrants for the arrest of rejected refugee claimants, with little attempt at enforcement. Unlike in the U.S., refugee claimants in Canada do not have to attempt re-entry to learn the status of their claim. Bisset also suggested that the number of illegal immigrants will increase drastically with the expiration of previously issued temporary employer work permits, which won't be renewed in many cases because of the shortage of work due to the recession.

You can draw your own conclusions from the above, but in my opinion we can only hope "God will keep our land glorious and free", but sorry, Oh Canada, we certainly don't stand on guard for thee.

Milo.

Our Moral Duties

Sometimes, the boundaries between right and wrong are kind of hazy and not so easy to define. That's why all of us have our own and unique set of values, bundled into some sort of personal policies - the guidelines how to approach the individual issues, if you will. Whatever would be fine and perfectly justifiable for one person, might be completely unacceptable for another. With any new experience we are subjected to, our horizon expands and this freshly acquired information allows us to perceive and understand reality from a little bit different perspective. And those are usually the turning points, when we recognize, it's about time to reevaluate our "old" moral and social codes. For example: a little boy does not know, how to deal with any of the new challenges live puts in front of him, therefore he completely relies on the advice and guidance of his adult guardians. He was born with a blank memory "drive" and any experience is new for him. He is not capable to compare, evaluate, analyze and draw conclusions. That's why he needs to turn for help to those who know the answers. But, therein lies the rub - the advice he gets might often be completely misguiding. He might be told by the older brother, the policemen are the arrogant pigs and he takes this prejudice piece of information at the face value and stores it in his database. Then, later on he gets separated from his parents somewhere in the shopping mall and all of sudden, there is a policeman, who takes him by the hand, talks to him kindly and reunites him with his parents. Now he's puzzled: wait a minute, this policeman was actually nice person and he does not look or act anything like an arrogant pig. He needs to re-write his records and make a new entry into his files: "Not all the cops are bad". Just like most of us, I've done the similar little corrections in my own personal database many times in the past and will undoubtedly do it on a few occasions again. In regards of one particular instance, however, my opinion has always been solid, has never, under any circumstances changed and it never will.

There's my beef: I truly loathe people who intentionally (or in some cases - perhaps due to their selfish ignorance) abuse the most vulnerable ones - the animals and children. Those who mistreat and take advantage off the innocent creatures without their own voice and any means to defend themselves. I know a hatred is a very strong and often self destructive emotion, but I can't find within myself a single grain of forgiveness for such repulsive acts of evil and injustice. And I'll go even farther than that: If there was only one criminal misconduct serious enough to implement the hardest punishment, it would certainly have to be this one. I sign and seal this motion any time.

I know I've said it many times before, but I'll repeat it over and over again:

It is our highest moral obligation to help and protect the innocent, weak and underprivileged ones among us. Without this simple, yet fundamental philosophy, the whole human race is not worth a plugged nickel and does not deserve a place on Earth.

Go ahead, laugh your head off at my expense! Call me an old fool, if you like, but that's where I stand.

The Wall of Legends

This unique wallpainted artwork brilliantly portraits the most significant giants of human race, representing world culture and science from the second half of the 20. century until now. The masterpiece can be seen daily in Newton, BC.

It's Hard To Be Humble

Equality Misconception

It strikes me as both - sad and amusing at the same time. I am referring to an amazing fact, that some people to date still believe in equality. Wait a minute! Are you actually one of them? Well, if that's the case, let me put things in perspective for you.

Would you like to be equal to those 3 billion people in the world who struggle to survive on US$2 per day? Maybe not quite that equal, eh? Or a bit closer to home: how about that deadbeat guy, living down the street? You know - the junkie with the criminal rap sheet a mile long. Would you like him to live in the same nice house just like yours and drive the same fancy car like you, even though he never held the job? I didn't think so. But I bet he wouldn't mind! See, and that's exactly how it works. Only the underprivileged or those oppressed or discriminated ones cry for the equal rights, abundance and social status. But there's a truly interesting phenomenon to be observed in this context: as soon as those activists reach their goal and they either individually or as a group become accepted as "equal", all of sudden it doesn't seem to be enough. Now they want more, so they promptly start to solicit all kinds of privileges and never stop pushing till they hit the mark. No need to be specific, I'm sure you too could think of one or two such examples.

And that, my friends, is the essence of a human psyche: NOBODY actually wants to be equal. On contrary, we all yearn to belong in some highly exclusive club, with formal boundaries, where a member can join "by invitation only" and the organization is inaccessible to the others. And not necessary it must be a prestigious high class private club - because it's not always just about a tangible wealth. This sociological concept is more about the "in-group" versus the "out-group", or in other words, "inclusion" and "exclusion". Being "in" provides a selected few with a unique sense of identity and also gives them the power to exclude those undesirable ones, whom they don't want inside their closed social circle.

So, the next time you hear some pitiable goof ball preaching about "freedom, equality, fraternity", please advise him to stick his shenanigans where the sun don't shine.

Milo.

From Recycled Quotes Files - Life Is...

Gruesome Awakening

In the middle of the last night I woke up petrified, all covered in cold sweat. Hardly awake I leaped out of my bed, didn't waste any time turning on the lights and as fast as humanly possible I staggered downstairs to the living room. Down here I flipped the lights on and then, still holding my breath, in a trice I yanked the hatch door wide open.... What a relief! It's here. In the liqueur cabinet, right in the front row I got a glimpse of nearly full, elegant, dome-shaped bottle of the Captain Morgan Special Reserve, the finest 15 year old rum, made in Puerto Rico. This time everything turned out well. But can anyone even imagine if it was for real? In my grisly dream the same bottle appeared to be almost empty! Thank heavens, it was all just a nightmare.

Milo's Laid-Back Observations: Sunday Evening Prayer

Milo's Laid-Back Observations: Sunday Evening Prayer

Sunday Evening Prayer

Sunday evening. Unless a next few hours provide me with some unanticipated surprise, it will be able to declare this past weekend as an uneventful, but quite pleasant and relaxing one.


Let's hope the upcoming week rolls round in a similar spirit, avoiding any potential head-up collision with a dumb-ass.

And I'd like to extend these warmest thoughts and wishes to you too! Hope you don't mind.......... Milo.

Milo's Laid-Back Observations: The Man's Nature

Milo's Laid-Back Observations: The Man's Nature

The Man's Nature

Should you decide to read a following few lines, you'd better be prepared to learn possibly the most shocking revelation, you've ever heard in your entire life. I'm going to share with you a staggering secret, carefully guarded for millenniums, a sacred truth, known by the long forgotten ancient nations from the dawn of civilization. This concealed knowledge originates possibly as far as 35000 years ago, when the Cro-Magnon man first invented a woman.

I will present you a factual conclusion about a predestined human condition disguised so masterly, it's been constantly misinterpreted (amazingly enough) by both genders alike. Women, at least their romantically inclined overwhelming majority, are immensely delighted by the little random acts of chivalry, occasionally performed for them by men and they love them for it. Needless to say, the guys gladly accept any credit that comes their way, for anything they might have done, either knowingly or not and this instance is not an exception. So it seems, everyone involved in such a social interaction feels always somehow uplifted - gallantry works like a magic. It considerably boosts a man's ego and a woman's self-confidence at the same time. But beware! You know, what's really hiding behind your cavalier's courtly gesture, when he opens the door and let's you go ahead, or when he slams on the brakes of his vehicle, so you can safely cross the road in front of him? Or why he's always behind you when you walk upstairs, providing a safety net in case you trip and fall? Well, in a plain reality, your prince charming does it solely because he wants to check and evaluate your curves from behind.

Why do we do that? An irresistible enchanting parable comes to my mind:

There is a fable about a scorpion asking a frog to carry him across a river. The frog is afraid of being stung, but the scorpion reassures him that if it stung the frog, he would sink and the scorpion would drown as well. The frog then agrees; nevertheless, in mid-stream, the scorpion stings him, dooming both of them. When asked why, the scorpion explains, "I could not help myself. I'm a scorpion; it's my nature."

When you notice a gentleman pausing, turning his head and gazing at the passing dame's rear, don't judge him harshly. He just needs to make sure, she's equally good going, as she's coming. He just can't help himself. He's a man. That's his nature.

M.

Milo's Laid-Back Observations: Accidental Fatalities

Milo's Laid-Back Observations: Accidental Fatalities

Accidental Fatalities

(From Milo's Uncomfort Zone Files)

I realize, this subject might be a bit uncomfortable for some sentimental, traditions loving folks, but I can assure you, the following comments are not written with an intent to disrespect anyone's beliefs or to deride anyone's feelings.

It is always heartbreaking to follow the news about another Canadian soldier coming back home from his or her deployment in a flag-wrapped metal casket. And I for one readily endorse, those fallen soldiers deserve to be honored a remembered. However, no matter how I look at it, I can't find a striking difference between these and any other workplace fatality. After all, is anyone really buying into the notion, those young people are joining the army for the love of their country? At least not in this day and age, when for majority of them the enlisting is strictly a career choice. For some, its a solid opportunity to receive a quality education, and for others to get a well financially compensated job with great benefits and a generous pension plan. So, lets face it - in a case of becoming the unfortunate war (or a peacekeeping mission, as we like to call it) casualty, they don't die for their country, but rather for their paycheck.

Now, now, I can see you shaking your head and calling me an insensitive prick, but before you crucify me, ask yourself a question: Is a death of a military member more regrettable then the one of a truck driver, miner or a construction worker? Did you know, that over 1000 Canadian workers die every year as a direct result of a workplace accident? That's four people every working day! Just how many of them have received an ostentatious state funeral and their mourning families personal condolences from the PM? And - have you ever seen a profile of killed industrial worker running on the national prime time television newscast? Or his or her picture published on the front page of your daily newspaper? Me neither.

If you're still mad at me for not giving any preferences when it comes to these sad affairs, please, answer me this: How would you convince the killed logger's widow, her husband's life was not as equally important as the one of a soldier who died the same day on his job somewhere in a faraway land? I'd really like to hear that argument.

Milo.