Dear Younger Me

While waiting at a seniors home I noticed a copy of Our Daily Bread a daily devotional they used to distribute through the United Church. One heading caught my eye: If I Knew Then... "On the way to work, I listened to the song 'Dear Younger Me,' which asks: If you could go back, knowing what you know now, what would you tell your younger self? As I listened, I thought about the bits of wisdom I might give my younger, less-wise self. Most of us have thought about how we might do things differently—if only we could do it all over again. But the song illustrates that even though we have regrets from our past, all our experiences have shaped who we are."

The song the devotional refers to is quite nice and reiterates a discourse by Rev. Peter M. Wallace printed in the Huffington Post called 52 Things I Wish I Could Tell My Younger Self. Number 2 reads "It’s a good thing that we don’t know everything that’s going to happen to us. If I had known all the pains and heartaches I would encounter in life, even amidst the joys and victories, it would surely have been too much to bear." Truth. "For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow."

When I first read the devotional my cynical mind chuckled and I looked back on my life and could see myself eagerly interject "Don't walk down that road! Don't do it! Don't go there." Kind of like an avalanche warning on a ski hill. Yet the devotional is correct in that all our experiences have shaped who we are and above all, children are never a mistake. I am grateful for the experiences I have had but many of them I sure as hell would not like to repeat or relive.

The second half of the devotional gets religious and mentions the forgiveness of God which doesn't really concern me. Not to be sacrilegious but that's just not where I'm at right now. For me it's about being true to your own set of values and being at peace with yourself. Outlaws for life.

Sunday shootings in Surrey and West Vancouver

CBC is reporting that "Police in the Cloverdale area of Surrey and officers in West Vancouver are both seeking tips after bullets struck homes in the two communities Sunday morning. It doesn't appear that the two incidents are related, despite sharing similar details. In Surrey, in the 17200 block of 65th Avenue, police say that someone fired shots around 11 a.m. PT at another person in a vehicle. The vehicle was hit along with a nearby residence. No one was injured."

"Hours earlier, at around 3:30 a.m. in West Vancouver, a British Properties residence was struck with bullets in the 2600 block of Finch Hill. Police say multiple shots struck the home, resulting in damage inside and out. "​Fortunately, no one was injured despite several people having been at the home earlier for a house party," said a release from West Vancouver police."

Body found under Edmonton garage Identified

I Heart Radio is reporting that "A former Kitimat resident has been identified as the man whose remains were found buried under a garage in northwest Edmonton last week. City police there say 42-year-old Derek James Winnig had been reported missing back in May."

"Acting on a tip, police discovered the body last Friday, buried in a pit about two metres below the concrete floor of a garage. Police are treating the case as a homicide, but have not released the cause of Winnig's death." This case is dodgy as f*ck.

The Circle of Life

I just wanted to pause for a moment to ponder the solemnities of eternity. As I said, I've been busy multitasking several different things and have some family matters that are requiring me to spend some time to help see them through. As I do so my mind reflects on the circle of life.

I remember visiting my father before he passed away while he was in extended care. I was helping feed him his dinner and my mind visualized him feeding me pablum when I was a baby. Then it was my turn to feed him. The circle of life.

Now my mother is progressing to the point where she needs more care and we are trying to iron things out so she gets the care she needs. It's all about letting the elderly die with dignity. I'm not talking about euthanasia. That is a separate debate and I'm not going to dispute it.

Dying with dignity means comforting the afflicted. I've heard the term balm of Gilead. It was used in a metaphorical sense referring to how acts of compassion can be a healing balm to those who are suffering. Life does not end at death and what we do in life echos in eternity. Of that we can be sure. As I reflect on the circle of life music is my balm of Gilead.



2 B.C. seniors live in a van and struggle to make ends meet

CBC is reporting on two elderly women who are homeless and are living out of a van. Substance abuse is not an issue. They used to have a home in White rock. "Money troubles, disputes with landlords, family estrangements, and unlucky circumstances eventually led them to their current homelessness." Affordable housing is the problem especially in Surrey.



More than 100 seniors living on Surrey streets

The Surrey Now Leader is reporting that "Final data from this year’s Metro Vancouver Homeless Count reveal that there are at least 114 seniors living on Surrey streets. Although that number is likely even higher, as the survey is largely recognized as an under-count. Surrey’s homeless seniors make up 23 per cent of the region’s total of 503 in this year’s Metro Vancouver Homeless Count, conducted in early come March." This needs to be addressed.

Evicting tenants from good homes in Clayton Heights is not the answer.

The Edmonton "Attack" and Project Argus

With regards to the recent Edmonton "attack" that has been completely overshadowed by the Las Vegas shooting I'm going to point out one simple odd coincidence. I have a source that claims higher up RCMP and 911 dispatch workers from all over were having conferences at the Coast plaza hotel in Edmonton while this "terrorist attack" occurred. The hotel was front and center to the whole 3 block quarantine area the attack occurred in.

I've already mentioned how the timing of this attack is somewhat suspicious given the fact that after Bob Paulson's exit interview, it looked like all the RCMP officers that were taken off organized crime might finally be put back where they belong. I've also mentioned how terrorist attacks without motive are also suspicious. Every crime has a motive.

Another odd coincidence is the fact that Edmonton was prepared for a terrorist attack and was on high alert. Who tipped them off? The confidentiality agreement everyone who participated in the RCMP / 911 dispatch seminar signed is also suspicious.

The National Post is reporting that "It’s entirely possible that Edmonton could have been the victim of the worst Canadian terrorist attack since the 1985 Air India bombing. On a night with crowds packing sidewalks to enjoy one of the last snow-free evenings of the year, a man got behind the wheel of a U-Haul with an intent to kill as many of them as possible. Instead, due exclusively to the efforts of Edmonton Police, he killed none. 'They did a terrific job, and as good as anywhere,'” said Chris Phillips, a British counterterrorism expert and consultant."

Comparing this unarmed lone wolf to the Air India bombing is somewhat extreme. It almost sounds like a PR event to get more funding before their billion dollar a year budget gets cut. Since they did mention Air India we need to reiterate that CSIS were the ones that provided the explosives for that heinous event and had an asset on the field that helped plan that attack.

Chris Phillips, a British counterterrorism expert and consultant said the Edmonton Police did a great job. Just who is Chris Phillips? He is a former cop from England who runs a terrorist training consultation firm that participated in Project Angus which was a three hour multimedia simulation to help various agencies learn how to deal with terrorist threats. The next question we need to ask is, was this staged attack in Edmonton a training simulation like project Argus? Please advise. Follow the money yo.

Combating Terrorism and Organized Crime

The Vancouver Province Spins for Linda Hepner

Well this is rather bizarre. Front page of today's Vancouver Province spins for Linda Hepner's insane plan to put LRT down 104th Avenue between Guildford mall and Surrey place. That is obscene. I can tell you two things. No one who lives in Guildford wants an onground train running down 104th Avenue reverting 104th avenue to a single lane of traffic each way.

That is not progress. No one who lives in Guildford wants a road going through Hawthorne park. Right through the best water park and children's playground in the city. No one who lives in Guildford wants a road going right through Hjorth road elementary schools' field. That is not progress, That is absolute insanity. Linda Hepner's defiance is proof she needs to be replaced.

Linda Hepner claims she prefers LRT because it is cheaper than Skytrain. I can tell you right now NOTHING Linda Hepner or Dianne Watts does has absolutely anything thing to do with saving money. Everything they do is about spending money and raising taxes. Everything.

Linda Hepner claims that SkyTrain would cost about $950 million more to build and the operating costs are 40-per-cent higher than LRT. I can tell you right now that is a Bold Faced Lie. Her plan at first estimate costs $2.6 billion. That's just the first estimate. There is not a snowballs chance in hell extending the track for Skytrain to Newton and if needs be along Fraser Hwy and 100th Avenue to Guildford would cost $950 million more than $2.6 billion. The Vancouver Province just printed a bold faced lie in their front page article.

The only reason Linda Hepner has dumped Skytrain is because she knows we will freak if she gives the contract to SNC-Lavalin. Giving the contract for the Evergreen line to SNC-Lavalin was a criminal act. The only reason Linda Hepner is pushing LRT is because they are paying her campaign contributions. That is the only reason.

Think about it, Skytrain is already in place. All they have to do is extend the track along King George Hwy to Newton. They already have the cars and storage space for the cars at night. Extending the track and buying a few extra cars will not cost 950 million more than $2.6 billion. That is a lie and completely fails the test of believability.

Skytrain currently ends at King George Station on 100th Avenue. They are currently widening the road on 100th Avenue. They could put the Skytrain track right along the middle of 100th avenue and keep two lanes each way. It would be a beautiful ride through Green Timbers. Reducing 104th Avenue to a single lane is complete insanity. Wake up to reality.

However, we don't want Skytrain to Guildford. We have park and ride in place. If you want to bring the social problems on the Surrey Strip to Guildford you can go f*ck yourself. First you need to fix the Surrey strip before you bring Skytrain to Guildford. People say it's about getting people out of their cars. No one has the right to say I am not allowed to drive a car or ride a motorcycle. Especially if it's an electric care or propane vehicle. I have that right.

People with cars prefer Skytrain because Skytrain doesn't impede traffic. People with cars have a say because they pay Translink a billion dollars a year in a 10 cent a litre regional gas tax above and beyond regular federal and provincial gas tax.



This scathing piece of misinformed propaganda was brought to you by the one and only Harold folds like a cheap tent Munro chief editor of the Vancovuer Sun / Province. Thanks for nothing.



Recent News: Pedestrian wearing earbuds struck and killed by Edmonton LRT

Second Shooter in Vegas Attack

I'm busy multitasking several things at once on the homefront but I just wanted to mention some conflicting reports that are coming in about the Las Vegas shooting. The first thing I want to emphasize is that what happened was horrific. There is no way to dispute or minimize that. Notwithstanding that fact we are hearing conflicting reports of a second shooter.

I'm just going to throw it out there for people to look into. I understand that Infowars posted a video of a second shooter and "debunkers" claimed it wasn't a second shooter it was a strobe light. I find it hard to believe that it was a strobe light. That's kind of like saying the Thermite residue Professor Steven Jones found in the 9/11 ruble was due to chalk. Not likely.

I'm looking for confirmation of a police radio call that confirms a second shooter. There is also conflicting evidence as to whether or not he was alone in his room or had visitors from Blackwater with him that night. A room service receipt shows he had two guests. I'll look into it later.

Another Mass Shooting in the US

Tragedy strikes Vegas last Sunday and the song by U2 Bloody Sunday comes to mind. A black guy stabs a cop in Edmonton and it's a major terrorist attack. Yet a white guy shoots 59 people dead and injures 500 and it's just another mass shooting. I certainly don't want to minimize the trauma of Sunday's tragedy in Vegas. It keeps being replayed in the news over and over again and hits home given the fact that Canadians were killed even one man from Maple Ridge.

CNN is reporting that "According to data compiled by Mother Jones magazine, which looked at mass shootings in the United States since 1982, white people -- almost exclusively white men -- committed some 64% of the shootings. The examples are infamous. Roof and the Charleston church massacre. Lanza and the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut. Holmes and the slaughter inside an Aurora, Colorado, movie theater."

"Black people committed close to 16% of the mass shootings Mother Jones looked at, while Asians were responsible for around 9%. People identified as either Latino, Native American and unknown rounded out the study."

Again the most baffling question in the Vegas shooting is the motive. No one knows a motive. No religious or political affiliation. No connection to the victims. Nothing. Every crime has a motive. A kid gets bullied at school and comes back to shoot the bullies and the kids who condoned it. Insane logic but a motive nonetheless.

Years ago the phrase going postal became common in the US due to a toxic work environment. A guy gets fired from the Post Office and comes back to shoot his manager and his coworkers. Completely insane but the connection reveals a motive. In this case there's nothing.

Steven Seagal once said that he feels many of these mass shootings are engineered. Without diminishing the solemnity of the tragedy I have to agree. Not all mass shootings are staged but I do believe some are. In this case the number of inconsistencies is concerning. Right now the renewed call for gun control in the United States appears to be the only motive on the table.

Acts of heroism emerge from the chaos

Sonny Melton from Tennessee died shielding his wife Heather from bullets during he shooting. Greater love hath no man than this yo. Compare that to the Montreal Hells Angel who used a waitress as a human shield durirng a shooting.

Jordan McIldoon was from Maple Ridge and worked in Surrey. The Vancouver Province is reporting that "McIldoon’s parents Angela and Alan provided an emailed statement to media Tuesday describing their late son as a fearless and compassionate young man who lived a life full of adventures. They said he grew up on the family’s acreage in Maple Ridge. He enjoyed playing hockey and snowboarding, as well as BMX and downhill mountain biking. He drove a Harley Davidson motorcycle and enjoyed NASCAR and country music. He “was rarely seen out of his cowboy boots,” the family said.

Jordan McIldoon was on track to complete his heavy-duty mechanic apprenticeship in one month and loved working for Jacob Bros. Construction, the McIldoons said. They said their son was living on the family’s property with his girlfriend Amber Bereza, who was with him at the concert Sunday. “Jordan did his best to make sure Amber was safe and we know he would have helped others had he not been injured himself,” they said. “We choose to focus on love over hatred and are moving forward knowing that Jordan was so incredibly loved by many. His was a life well lived. He was our only child and no words can describe our pain in losing him.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family mourn and prepare for their son’s funeral.

Stopping the Evictions in Clayton Heights

Turns out Dianne Watts' protege Linda Hepner is rallying one coalition against her after the other. The latest group of angry voters to rally against Linda Hepner is Clayton Heights. All the homeowners and renters. They were at the Surrey City Council meeting tonight.

Metro Vancouver is reporting that "Tenants and homeowners are getting organized to fight an order from the City of Surrey that could see 300 people evicted from their homes this January over parking congestion - even as the municipality faces a rental housing crisis."

Right in the middle of a housing crisis Linda Hepner decides to evict 300 tenants from nice homes over parking restrictions. The woman is insane. On one side of the city, Linda Hepner is providing police protection for the drug dealers on the Surrey strip yet in Clayton Heights Linda Hepner is evicting renters over parking restrictions. That is unequal protection of the law.

Jagmeet Singh wins leadership of federal NDP

Well this is interesting. Rising star Jagmeet Singh won the leadership of the federal NDP on the first ballot. This is the guy who tactfully dealt with the racist heckler not by saying I'm not Muslim but by saying hate is wrong.

CBC is reporting that "Jagmeet Singh is the next leader of the federal New Democratic Party of Canada, taking more than the 50 per cent of the votes in the party's federal leadership contest. In total 65,782 votes were cast, with Singh taking 35,266 on the first ballot. The Ontario provincial politician beat northern Ontario MP Charlie Angus who won 12,705 votes, Manitoba MP Niki Ashton who won 11,374 votes and Quebec MP Guy Caron who won 6,164 votes to claim the federal NDP's top job."

Jagmeet received 35,000 votes and the next closest received 12,000. That is significant. CBC is also reporting that "When the membership sign-up deadline passed in mid-August, Singh's campaign quickly announced that they had signed-up more than 47,000 members, representing about 57 per cent of all new members signed-up in the course of the campaign and 38 per cent of the 124,000 members eligible to vote."

New members and a new face. Let's see where this goes. I don't know much about him but I like his style. I'm not sure if I'm in 100% agreement with his Old Age Pension reforms but I do think he is a good person. That's hard to find in politics.