Members of Saudi team that killed Khashoggi received training in US

AFP is reporting that "Members of the Saudi team that killed journalist Jamal Khashoggi received training in the United States, the Washington Post has reported, revealing other new elements in the death of the newspaper's former contributor. A critic of the Saudi regime, Khashoggi was killed and dismembered October 2 in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul by a team of 15 agents sent from Riyadh. His body has never been recovered."

"After having denied the murder, Saudi Arabia said the operation was carried out by agents who were out of control. A trial of 11 suspects opened earlier this year in Saudi Arabia. But much of the case remains shrouded, beginning with the role of Saudi Arabia's powerful crown prince and de facto ruler, Mohammed bin Salman. The US Senate, after a closed-door briefing by the CIA, adopted a resolution naming the crown prince as "responsible" for the murder, while President Donald Trump has refused to publicly take a stand."

So there it is. After the CIA murdered the journalist they blamed it on the crown prince.

The Washington Post article is reporting that "Some members of the Saudi Rapid Intervention Group that was sent to Istanbul received training in the United States, according to U.S. and Saudi sources. The CIA has cautioned other government agencies that some of this special-operations training might have been conducted by Tier 1 Group, an Arkansas-based company, under a State Department license. The training occurred before the Khashoggi incident, as part of ongoing liaison with the Saudis, and it hasn’t been resumed."

Tier 1 Group - another privatized mercenary training center like Blackwater. Tier 1 Group is run by Stephen Feinberg. Privatized Military Organizations are NEVER a good thing. Erik Prince was an arms dealing mercenary who murdered whistleblowers. War profiteering is a conflict of interest.

However it could be the CIA are throwing Stephen Feinberg under the bus because he opposed Hillary's drug trafficking and they don't want him in charge of US Intelligence. If the CIA are against him, that would be a good thing. The CIA is the world's largest criminal organization.

Safe-injection sites are NOT needed in prisons

The Vancouver Sun is reporting that "Canada’s prisoner service is considering opening overdose prevention sites as it expands a needle-exchange program that is now offered at a fifth institution for offenders who inject smuggled drugs. In a statement, the Correctional Service of Canada says it “is in the early stages of exploring overdose prevention sites as another harm-reduction measure option for inmates.” Proponents say Drumheller Institution in Alberta is being looked at as a potential site, which would allow offenders to use illicit drugs under medical supervision. The correctional service did not respond to inquiries to confirm that." AYFKM?

This is the prime example of everything that's wrong with this country. Don't get me wrong. I think Canada is a great place but it is far from perfect. Harm promotion is a forest fire burning out of control and needs to be restrained. If we can't enforce the law in prison then we are completely and utterly useless. We can do better. Letting prison inmates use illegal drugs on purpose is complete insanity. I'm all for prison rehabilitation. This is not it. This is a pharmaceutical fraud.

Vancouver's drug strategy has been a disaster. Be very wary of emulating it.

2 dead after 10-hour hostage-taking at Surrey home

CBC is reporting that "Two people are dead after a hostage-taking that began late Thursday and ended Friday morning at a home in a residential neighbourhood in Surrey, B.C. Surrey RCMP were called to a house in the 13300 block of 98A Avenue around 9:30 p.m. PT on Thursday. Officers arrived to find "a barricaded male and female hostage" inside the house, according to a statement released late Friday morning.

The statement said officers tried through the night to resolve the situation, but entered the home at 7:30 a.m. Friday. "A confrontation with the barricaded male ensued," the statement said. "The male sustained a fatal gunshot wound and was pronounced deceased at the scene."

A woman was also found with serious injuries and later died in hospital. Ron MacDonald, Independent Investigations Office of British Columbia's chief civilian director, said it's believed the man and woman knew each other. MacDonald confirmed shots were fired, but it's unclear how the man and the woman died.

The Peace arch News is reporting that "MacDonald said he can’t say 'definitively at this point' if the suspect fired any shots." Let's hope the police weren't the one's that shot the woman after they stormed the house in a hostage taking. Not a very smart move either way. Two dozen police vehicles, as well as an armoured vehicle, surrounded the home in a residential neighbourhood and forced their way into the home during a hostage taking. Is that really standard procedure?

The video of the entry looked pretty standard. I guess it's a no win situation. If you storm the house without a clear shot of the hostage taker, it is unlikely the hostage will survive. After reviewing the taser incident at the Airport it's pretty clear negotiation is not one of our strengths.

Mass migration of painted-lady butterflies headed for genocide in Surrey

The Vancouver Sun Province is reporting that "An unusually large migration of painted-lady butterflies has been turning heads near Los Angeles, and there’s likely to be more sightings in B.C. this summer as well, according to local insect experts." Well isn't that nice. Just in time to be exterminated by the BTK Gypy moth spraying in Surrey. BTK kills all butterflies and moths.

I wonder what BC Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver thinks about that. Oh right. He doesn't care about the environment. He only cares about getting elected. F*cking idiots.

Fatal single car crash in Surrey deemed suspicious

The Peace Arch News is reporting that "A mother and her two sons have been identified as the three people found dead after a car crash in South Surrey that’s now being investigated by the RCMP’s homicide team. Police were alerted to a single-vehicle crash on the 32 Avenue Diversion, under the Highway 99 overpass, at approximately 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. They arrived to find a badly damaged grey sedan, debris scattered across the road, and the three bodies. The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team was called in after Surrey RCMP determined the circumstances of the deaths were suspicious."

Update. It's a tragic tale so it is. The Vancouver Sun - CBC.

Thousands of bystanders caught in Toronto police sweep of cellphone data

The Toronto Star is reporting that "Toronto police and RCMP officers deploying controversial Stingray surveillance technology over a two-month period swept up identifying cellphone data on more than 20,000 bystanders at malls, public parks and even a children’s toy store."

Last year the Toronto Star exposed the fact that the Toronto police were using Stingray antennas after they denied they were using them. These are the same antennas outside Surrey pretrial and the East Vancouver courthouse the police use to capture all cell phone data without a warrant.

These are the same stingray antennas the police have set up outside my house and all over Surrey at numerous intersections beside the new surveillance cameras. The problem isn't just that they collect innocent bystanders data when they are looking for specific criminals. The problem is they conduct warrantless surveillance of citizens who are not accused of criminal activity for their political affiliations. Edward Snowden: The whole kingdom Snow White

Clay Roueche appeals sentence under 782 amendment

Kim Bolan is reporting that Clay Roueche has appealed his absurdly long sentence under the 782 amendment also known as the 2014 Drug Amendment. Gee, I wonder who told Kim that Clay was filling an appeal? It's pretty obvious it was the same person who told her about Hal Porteous offering to help people apply for medicinal marijuana licenses on facebook, Andy Richards.

Andy Richards was in a complete conflict of interest in that case because he and another former cop from Ontario are involved in the legal marijuana business. They are trying to eliminate rivals in their new trade. It doesn't get any sleazier than that.

Clay's arrest was illegal. He wasn't charged and extradited like they should have. They diverted his flight to land in the US for an unscheduled stop and arrested him at the airport. There was no Charter Rights. There was no respect for due process. Their mistreatment of him was puntive.

Needless to say I totally support Clay's appeal to get a reduced sentence for numerous reasons. Freeway Ricky was the crack Kingpin of LA in the /80's during the US crack epidemic. He was originally sentenced to 20 years in prison and had that sentence reduced to 16 1/2 years after an appeal. What Freeway Ricky did was WAY worse than what Clay Roueche did. Clay was accused of smuggling pot into the United States which is now legal in Canada and several US States. Basically that is all he was acused of doing in the US. Yes he was accused of bringing cocaine into Canada but he was never accused of selling cocaine in the United States. Ever.

Clay spent almost two years in solitary confinement. In Canada that's illegal. That alone is grounds to have his sentenced reduced or receive two for one credit. So what happened to him in solitary? He wrote a powerful and inspirational book called the Book of Indomitable Virtues complete with all his own art work. I found it deeply moving because of my previous studies in martial arts philosophy. Clay always had integrity. As Liam Neeson said in the movie Rob Roy, that's something no man can give you and no man can take away.

I've been writing about the Vancouver gang war for many years now. I have never condoned the sale of drugs. My past history has always been on the other side of that battlefield so to speak. Nevertheless, right from the beginning I noticed that Clay was different from the local scum bags who preach L & R (Love and Respect) but do the exact opposite. In real life, they have no honour. Just greed and betrayal. The UN did not start the beef between them and the Bacon brothers. The Bacon brothers under the direction of the Hells Angels did.

The UN never said no one is allowed to do business but us. They simply asserted their right to do business. They stood up to a bully. That was their crime. Take a look at Clay's picture. He looks like Clark Kent for God's sake. Don't get me started on the fact that the current BC Gang Task force is completely compromised and has assisted the BC Hells Angels obtain and maintain a monopoly on the local drug trade. Randy Jones has not been extradited and never will because the RCMP are giving his drug dealers police protection to sell drugs.

In Kim Bolan's article she states that "Roueche argued that he should get the sentence break because he has been a model inmate, “demonstrating leadership and encouraging prisoners to transform their lives.” He has earned 50 certificates while incarcerated, which he says “is an indication that I will live a crime-free productive life.” That is absolutely true.

Clay had a black belt in Taekwondo before he went into prison. While in prison he trained with many other martial artisits and boxers and created his own martial art called the Combined Combat System. One of his students in prison went on to open a martial arts school in Clay's memory and launched a Little Phoenix program which has the endorsement of a local pastor. As I said before, Clay Roueche continues to Shine.

I have always said, no matter what your past, you have a spotless future. I have always supported rehabilitation. Privatized prisons have no mandate for rehabilitation. That's why Norway has a far better prison model. My father spent years volunteering on the prison alternatives program in Matsqui. Clay Roueche is the guy you want to speak to youth not these loser crack addicts the compromised gang task force sponsors. Kids will listen to Clay. I gave one at risk youth I'm close to a copy of Clay's book because it's something he can relate to.

The whole concept of rehabilitation is embodied in Clay's paining of the Phoenix which is profound and inspiring. I have a copy of the print on my wall beside my dining room table. Most of us are familiar with the Phoenix from Harry Potter. The Phoenix is always portrayed as a fiery bird of rebirth. Yet Clay's painting goes far beyond that. The colours are astounding.



It has the wings and claws of an Eagle, the head of a Thunderbird and the tail feathers of a Peacock. It is powerful and elegant. It reminds me of a friend who left the life years ago and never looked back. It forms the basis of a non profit group Clay started called Phoenix Reborn. It's primary focus is on misguided youth, recovering addicts, military veterans, victims of abuse, and positive re-entry for prisoners returning to society. This is exactly what the world needs.

If Canada ever went to war I would serve beside Clay Roueche in a heartbeat. His ancestors are war heroes as are mine. The world needs more people like him. Word.

The #MeToo Gravy train vs 50 Shades of Abuse

Keith Fraser is reporting that "A Hollywood screenwriter is being sued for allegedly sexually assaulting a teenage extra on a movie set in B.C. in 1994 and then luring her to Nova Scotia and Los Angeles where the alleged exploitation continued." Lured?

The law suit claims that “In one year, (the plaintiff) went from being an innocent 17-year-old high-schooler with no significant sexual experience to an alcohol-addicted sex worker,” says the notice of civil claim. “Mr. Stewart’s predation was the intervening factor.” AYFKM? Define significant?

A star struck grade 11 student dreaming of becoming an actress shacks up with a screen writer then follows him to Nova Scotia and then LA to further her career. Don't get me wrong. 17 is way too young for an adult to be having sex with but give me a break. She claims she was "sexually assaulted" on set in Vancouver then knowingly and willingly went to Nova Scotia and LA to be sexually assaulted again. That sounds pretty consensual to me.

I have no doubt Harvey Wall banger is a complete sleazebag who used his position to take advantage of many women aspiring to become rich and famous. I also realize that there are many women who slept with him to strategically advance their career. It's a no brainer.

In this case the guy was 54. That's pretty f*cked up. I'm 53. I will not date anyone my daughter's age and she is 27. A 54 year old hooking up with a 17 yer old is dirt bag sleazy. However, I will point out that The Scarlet Letter was not a Disney production. It was a R rated movie about an affair between a young woman and a pastor.

"Stewart, who wrote the screenplay for the movie The Scarlett Letter, which featured actress Demi Moore, first approached her when she and other extras were asked to go topless in the background during the filming of an outdoor scene, says the suit. He brought her a blanket to cover up and stay warm during filming and for about a week showed her increasing attention."

She went to a party where she was given alcohol even though she was under legal drinking age. She chose to drink. A lot of kids use fake id to drink under age. I don't want to minimize it or dramatize it. A 54 year old with a 17 year old is indeed creepy as f*ck but her going to LA and Nova Scotia for more meant she was trying to advance her career. Unless he was pimping her out, I don't think she can blame him for becoming an alcohol-addicted sex worker. I think her aspirations was partly to blame for that.

My point is the extremism of the #MeToo mob mentality. Everyone is on a which hunt obsessing over trivial things while at the same time everyone is condoning the absurdity of the Fifty Shades sexual abuse. It is a colossal contradiction. S&M is not erotic. You people are insane.

Lisa Thompson from the National Center on Sexual Exploitation

A college student from the UK can see it why can't you?

Fifty Shades Darker Isn't Empowering, It's Abuse

Alberta premier steps down April 16

The Canadian Press is reporting that "Alberta Premier Rachel Notley has called an election for April 16." Thank God. Time to get rid of that raging lunatic once and for all. Ding Dong yo ho.

James Vidal shot dead in Chilliwack

The Chilliwack Progress is reporting that "The RCMP’s Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) has identified the victim of Sunday’s murder in Chilliwack as James Edward Vidal. The Chilliwack RCMP responded to reports of a shooting in the 45700-block of Alexander Avenue at approximately 6:30 a.m. on March 10."

"Vidal is well-known to police and his murder is believed to be targeted."