The View from the top of the Chief

Growing up I always had a huge respect for the Chief. A mountain peak outside of Squamish. As a young child the sheer face seemed colossal. My martial arts instructor got into rock climbing and talked about climbing the face. I was like good luck with that. Then a few years ago someone said you know there is a trail to the top you can hike up around back. I had no idea so I decided to check it out. It's awesome. Second peak is a bit better then first peak. The hike is short and steep like the Grouse Grind and the view is indeed awesome. This is where I hiked again today.



When I first heard they were building a gondola at the Chief I thought it was going to suck. Instead of having to hike up you just take the gondola. However, the new Sea to Sky gondola doesn't take you to the top of the Chief. It goes beside it and far above it. So if you want all the breath taking views without the physical exertion, the new gondola is the way to go. It was packed on the long weekend though. If you take the gondola up there are still lots of hiking you can do. Sky Pilot is a good hike that is accessible from the top of the gondola. However several people have died doing it recently slipping on the steep snow pack. Even when there is no snow the summit looks pretty steep. Nevertheless, there are lots of scenic safe hiking trails from the top of the gondola.

Crime Blogs on the Internet

Now that things have settled back to normal on the blog I thought it would be appropriate for me to point out the obvious. There are millions of blogs on the Internet. Everyone and their dog has one. There are travel blogs, crime blogs, cooking blogs, blogs about every subject under the sun.

Michael Geist is a lawyer that blogs about free speech on the Internet. He is very credible and his blog is worth following. With all the gang violence true crime is a subject that is steadily gaining popularity in the book stores. Consequently there are many crime blogs on the Internet. Mine is just one of many. Kim Bolan is a local journalist that has a crime blog. I started my web site and blog shortly after she did in answer to a grieving mother's plea.

Long before Kim and I started, Leo Knight started a popular blog called Prime Time Crime. He is a former police officer. Mike McIntyre is a journalist with the Winnipeg Free Press that runs a blog called Mike on Crime. He has also written a book called True Tales of Law and Disorder summarizing 20 years of crime reporting. Chris Doucette is a crime journalist from Ontario that writes for the Toronto Sun.

The Borderland Beat is an excellent blog about the Mexican drug war. Wikipedia states Borderland Beat is a prominent English language narco blog which is considered a leading source for news on the Mexican Drug War. The blog was started in April 2009 by an anonymous individual using the pseudoynm Buggs, who remains the sole owner. The blog has been referred to and quoted in the New York Times, Small Wars Journal and the Houston Chronicle.

Of course we remember Felina - María del Rosario Fuentes Rubio. She was a courageous blogger who ran a facebook group highlighting missing persons in her community and exposed cartel members in Mexico. When the cartel found out who she was they murdered her and posted a picture of her dead body on her facebbok account. My plea to her follows was to continue posting pictures of missing people but stop posting information about the cartel. It's too dangerous. Like the serenity prayer declares we need to have the serenity to accept things we cannot change, courage to change the things we can and wisdom to know the difference.

When I first started my blog people thought I was Kim Bolan. I was like are you kidding? Kim is a lot nicer than I am. Now my identity has been released and people know who I am. The bottom line is who I am just doesn't matter. Belt Drive Betty and the Aging Rebel have their own blogs about biker issues. No one cares who they are. People just like to read what they have to say. The bottom line is if you don't like what I have to say, don't read my blog. There are millions of other blog out there you can read. So Dennis Watson runs Gangsters out.

Knowing that I was never a cop or a gang member sheds light on my background and perspective. I never sold drugs and I was never a narc. I was a Regional Coordinator with the Guardian Angels not the Hells Angels. I was trained in New York City and traveled around the world with the group starting up new chapters in Canada and the United States. When I was in New York City the first time I lived in a basement in Harlem and worked with Tut, the New York City Secret Weapon. When I came back to New York the second time I worked with Fox busting up crack dealers on the Deuce. Working with the community to get rid of crack dealers is what we did. I know what the New York model is because I was there. I saw it.

The reason I started my blog anonymously is because my blog isn't about me. I'm not trying to promote myself and run for office. I'm trying to promote a cause. Getting rid of crack dealers and the violent crime it brings to our community. I don't have beef with the Hells Angels collectively, I have beef with crack dealers individually. Selling drugs in clubs is none of my business. Giving crack to the homeless for free then beating the life out of them for payment is. That is exploitation. What they did to Janice Shore was wrong. Anyone who cannot see that is blind and heartless.

The other reason I started my blog anonymously is because the first thing these clowns do when they find out who I am is go after my daughter. That is low life. If you have beef with me, face me, don't go after my family. Blaze keeps posting my daughter's picture on the Dirty and repeats the same old lie over and over again thinking if he repeats the same lie enough times someone will eventually believe it. Then he calls me a liar. Blaze is the liar and is a false accuser.

My daughter has worked at various jobs sites over the last few years and tragically someone from each site usually recognizes her from what Blaze has posted on the Dirty. Other times the subject of my blog comes up and she's like F*ck my life. One time someone from her work came up to her and said those are some pretty mean things they are saying about your mother and she asked what things? About how she ran off with a member of the Hells Angels and left your father. She laughed and said that is so not true. My mother is afraid of her own shadow. My parents divorced years ago. The Hells Angels had nothing to do with it.

Burnaby Fentanyl drug lab busted

News 1130 is reporting that "Charges have been laid in relation to a counterfeit Oxycontin production facility. Riley Goodwin will be heading to court after the raid of a lab that was capable for producing 18,000 fake pills laced with Fentanyl per hour. Goodwin is charged with possession for the Purpose of Trafficking. Police found a pill press, a cocaine press, and $35,000 in the home the 26-year-old was renting in Burnaby."

VancityBuzz is reporting that "Police in Metro Vancouver have revealed that they have cracked down on a major fentanyl production operation in Burnaby earlier this year. According to RCMP, a counterfeit oxycontin production facility on the 5900 block of 10th Avenue in Burnaby was dismantled following the execution of a search warrant on January 7. In addition to the drug production equipment, police found a number of press stamp dies of “CDN 80,” the same stamp found on true oxycontin tablets. Pills recovered at the site marked with “CDN 80” have been confirmed by lab tests to contain fentanyl."

"RCMP began their investigation into a fentanyl production facility after the Canada Border Services Agency intercepted a pill press at Vancouver International Airport’s air cargo facilities in November 2014." Fake Oxy made with fentanyl. This is a big bust. Fentanyl is killing people.

Salmon Arm Bust - drugs and stolen property

Deja vu. The Salmon Arm Observer is reporting that "A stolen truck ended up leading the Salmon Arm RCMP to seize $420,000 worth of drugs and recover $300,000 in stolen property on Saturday. On Aug. 29, police received a report of a stolen F-350 with a camper from a residence in White Lake. As the investigation began, police received further information that a truck matching the description was seen traveling on the Trans-Canada Highway towing a black Wells Cargo trailer."

"The trailer was carrying a Harley Davidson motorcycle, which was later confirmed stolen. The motorcycle came loose and crashed into the ditch, while the stolen truck fled the scene. The truck was seen fleeing by Chase RCMP officers, who lost sight of it but was later observed by Salmon Arm members. The truck fled to a rural residence in Tappen with police following it."

"Upon arrival, police arrested the driver, but the other male suspect fled on foot into the woods. A third suspect was also at large and police began a search of the rural property. The search revealed a marijuana grow operation and a prohibited weapon. The second male suspect was quickly located and arrested. Upon searching the property, police located an ATV stolen from Alberta, the F-350 truck and camper stolen from Blind Bay, and a 2011 Kenworth logging truck stolen from 100 Mile House."

"As well as the marijuana grow operation, police seized a substantial amount of drugs including crack, cocaine, hash, heroin, crystal meth, amphetamine, psilocybin (mushrooms) and prescription drugs, as well as cash and drug trafficking paraphernalia. A few hours later, the third male suspect was located by police and arrested."

A stolen vehicle towing a stolen motorcycle that got loose and crashed in the ditch. The suspects ran from the police and led them to a grow op where more stolen property and a variety of drugs including crack cocaine and crystal meth. Who ran the last stolen car, boat and motorcycle ring out of Kelowna that was tied to Alberta. Only rats steal cars and motorcycles. Get off the crack. I wonder if they are friends of Uncle Joe. As Castanet points out "If you are running from police in a stolen vehicle, you may not want to lead them right to your property with a plethora of illegal things for them to find." Are you sure those guys aren't from Surrey originally?

Police seize guns and crack in Langley

News 1130 is reporting that "Three Surrey men suspected of trying to sell drugs have been busted by Langley Mounties after they decided to smoke some pot outside their car loaded full of weapons and drugs." I told you Surrey criminals aren't very bright.

Innocent bystander shot to death in Abbotsford

News 1130 is reporting that a 74-year-old innocent bystander was shot to death in Abbotsford. HomicideTeam taking over the case. Police searching for suspects." Officers found a vehicle struck with several rounds. "MacDonald says it appears the man was just standing by a fence when a targeted shooting happened in the adjacent driveway. He says several homes in the area have security cameras so it’s hoped that footage will help with a suspect description."

Justice for Hudson Brooks

Finally the Hudson Brooks story is making it's way into the main stream media. Front page of today's Vancouver Province. The headline reads: "Devastated mom demands justice in police shooting death of 20-year-old Hudson Brooks in South Surrey. Jennifer Brooks vehemently disputes the claim that her son was suicidal, calling it completely untrue and a false accusation.” In fact a witness confirms it.

The Vancouver Province explains: "According to the police, a call for service was received shortly before 2:30 a.m. regarding a man who was suicidal, screaming and in significant distress in the 1800-block 152nd Street. Officers who were in the detachment responded, located Hudson Brooks, a struggle ensued and shots were fired. Hudson was shot multiple times and did not survive. An officer sustained a non-life-threatening gunshot wound and was treated and released from hospital the same day. The only physical evidence recovered from the scene was police-issued equipment."

Imagine that. A police officer was shot, the suspect was shot dead and the only guns they found were issued by the police. Do the math. As I explained previously, this case was a tragic accident that has been completely covered up. More power to his mother to find answers on the record. That's not going to happen because of the legal liability that would incur. Perhaps the only way the truth will come out is in a wrongful death suit. The mother at least needs to file a Freedom of Information Act request for documents in the police report.

Hudson was a skateboarder leaving Bakerview park at 2:00 AM. The same park that was a known hang out for youth where Dario Bartoli was assaulted and murdered last December. A witness woke up to sounds of Hudson screaming hysterically "Help me they're trying to kill me" as he was running away from the park towards the cop shop. The witness saw him running and was going to get dressed to see if he needed help. Then heard six or seven gunshots and went back inside.

It is clear that this was not a suicidal youth trying to commit suicide by attacking a cop. This was a young kid hysterically running to the police for help because someone was chasing him. He wanted to live. Another sourced claims a rookie cop pulled out their firearm when the terrified youth failed to obey their direct commands and shot themself by accident while pulling out their gun. This shows the inherit problem of Depot. Brainwashing new recruits into believing that civilians have to obey their direct command at the snap of a finger or else. That has to stop. The police are supposed to serve and protect civilians not control and oppress them.

The public has a right to know who shot the police officer because it was not Hudson.

Two Sisters to be raped as punishment

Amnesty International is reporting that "On 24 May, 23-year-old Meenakshi Kumari and her 15-year-old sister fled the village for fear of reprisals for their brother’s actions – he eloped with a married woman from a dominant caste (Jat). Shortly after they left their house was ransacked. On July 30, members of a village Khap panchayat – an unelected all-male village council – ordered that Meenakshi Kumari and her sister be raped and paraded naked, with their faces blackened, as punishment for the actions of their brother. Punishment was not ordered for male family members – a common practice in this part of India, where village councils are known to order sexually violent punishments against women and girls. Ordering sexual violence against women and girls is caused by deep-rooted gender discrimination and must be stopped."

News on the East Coast

A big shout out to the East Coast. I haven't forgotten about ye. There were two smaller stories that I missed while I was preoccupied with local drama but they weren't big stories. Just Bacchus complaining about being discriminated against and a new Gate Keepers clubhouse. I didn't want to give those clowns any more attention but I realize we do have readers from Eastern Canada that do like to see their news posted as well.

The east coast is awesome. It's a lot like the west coast only better. Less noise, less traffic and less pollution. You don't see too many covered bridges on the west coast. We don't get that much snow but they are a historic tradition on the east coast. Here are some nice pictures from a local blogger. As I said before, although I was born in North Vancouver and raised in Surrey, my mother was born in Amherst and my father's mother was a librarian from Woodstock. She became a nurse during the war. That's how she met my grandfather when he was wounded in the trenches. Local villain David Giles is from Halifax so crime on both coasts are tied together.

RCMP charge Syrian officer in Maher Arar torture

CBC is reporting that the RCMP have laid a charge in absentia against a Syrian intelligence officer accused of torturing Syrian-born Canadian Maher Arar, the first-ever charge of its kind in Canada. Arar's lawyer, Paul Champ, said in Ottawa today that RCMP will attempt to extradite Col. George Salloum to Canada to face a charge of torture, which RCMP later confirmed. A Canada-wide warrant and Interpol notice have been issued for his arrest.

I'm a little bit confused about jurisdiction but this certainly opens up Pandora's box and is no doubt driven by Stephen Harper's election campaign. The question we need to now ask is are we going to charge the United States government for torturing a 15 year old Canadian boy and all the others in Guantánamo bay as well as in all the other black CIA torture sites around the world? When George Bush came to Surrey there were many protesters calling for the RCMP to arrest him. Well how about it? Can we do that now finally? Can the RCMP charge Stephen Harper for knowingly handing over prisoners in Afghanistan to be tortured? Please advise.

According to Wikipedia, "Maher Arar is a telecommunications engineer with dual Syrian and Canadian citizenship who has resided in Canada since 1987. Arar was detained during a layover at John F. Kennedy International Airport in September 2002 on his way home to Canada from a family vacation in Tunis. He was held without charges in solitary confinement in the United States for nearly two weeks, questioned, and denied meaningful access to a lawyer. The US government suspected him of being a member of Al Qaeda and deported him, not to Canada, his current home and the passport on which he was traveling, but to Syria, even though its government is known to use torture. He was detained in Syria for almost a year, during which time he was tortured, according to the findings of a commission of inquiry ordered by the Canadian government, until his release to Canada. The Syrian government later stated that Arar was "completely innocent."[8][9] A Canadian commission publicly cleared Arar of any links to terrorism, and the government of Canada later settled out of court with Arar. He received C$10.5 million and Prime Minister Stephen Harper formally apologized to Arar for Canada's role in his terrible ordeal."

So here's the deal. Here's a Canadian with dual citizenship returning home from a holiday in Africa. The plane stops over at JFK on it's way back to Canada and he is unlawfully detained for two weeks. He asks for a lawyer and is told he does not have a right to a lawyer because he is not a US Citizen. That is satanic. I got into the same argument myself with US Border Agents who claimed Canadians randomly detained at the border unlawfully don't have a right to a lawyer because they are governed by Immigration law not the Constitution. That is a heinous lie.

The US Constitution says "No State shall deny to any person within it's jurisdiction equal protection of the law." The US Constitution says all people not all citizens. To claim that Canadians in the US don't have a right to a lawyer because they are not US Citizens is false. That's a Sarah Airhead Palin misinterpretation of the Constitution. The problem is, they disagree and a corrupt court upheld them. God help us. Oath keepers arise.

Homicides in Edmonton, Calgary and Vernon - Update

Prime time Crime is reporting that there has been recent homicides in Calgary and Edmonton. The Edmonton Sun is reporting that Nadine Skow, a 38-year-old employee of the YWCA in Lethbridge, was found stabbed to death in her suite at 104 Street and 106 Avenue in Edmonton this week. CBC is reporting that her ex-boyfriend has been accused of her murder. CBC is also reporting that a dead man was found lying on the road early this morning just off 118th Avenue. Homicide detectives were at the scene investigating what they're calling a "suspicious death."

The Calgary Sun is reporting that Gunfire claimed the life of a man outside his northwest Calgary home Thursday in the city’s third murder in less than a week. The Calgary Herald is reporting that "the man gunned down on a northwest Calgary street was a longtime, influential underworld figure once responsible for bringing large volumes of illegal drugs into the province."

The Vernon Morning Star is reporting that the body of a male in his 40's was found in Vernon at Poulson Park Wednesday morning. Infotel is reporting that police have identified the body as 42-year-old Jason Thomas Hardy, and believe foul play was involved in his death. Hardy has some history with police and was residing in the Vernon area.

Update: The Calgary Sun is reporting that Phillip Tu, who was gunned down in Calgary last week, had a brother named Donny Tu who was killed in like manner May 3 2010.

The Vancouver Province is reporting that police have two suspects in custody already for the Vernon murder - an 18 year old and a 14 year old. Castanet is reporting that the 18 year old is Brandon Joseph Clayton Wellington and that police believe the attack was targeted.

Scientist suspended for expressing political opinion

Once again we have re entered the Twilight Zone. CBC is reporting that Tony Turner, a scientist with Environment Canada, has been suspended from his job and is being investigated because he wrote and performed a political song on Youtube called Harperman. Sounds like something Putin did not long ago. Firing someone for expressing their political opinion. That's not the same Canada I grew up in. MaCleans ran the story as well as The Guardian. This is the video and petition.

Canadian Hells Angels convicted in Spain for smuggling 300 kilos of cocaine

OK so there are two separate cases in Europe involving Canadian members of the Hells Angels that we are following. One is the 300 kilo of cocaine bust in Spain where two full patch members were arrested along with two associates from Haney and Mission City chapters. The other case involves the three full patch members from Edmonton and Red Deer that were charged with beating a guy in Greece to death because they were sitting on his motorcycle and he asked if he could have it back so he could leave. It was deplorable.

One of my blog readers also reads Kim Bolan's blog. He claims that someone commented on Kim Bolan's blog claiming that the Canadian Hells Angels charged in the Spanish cocaine bust are back in Canada already. Kim then confirmed that they are indeed back and cited a Spanish news report which stated:

"The Audiencia Nacional (AN ) imposed four years and seven months in prison on Chad John Wilson, Jason Cyrus Arkinstall, Scott Ryan Smitna and Michael John Drybourgh – four Hells Angels and Canadian citizens arrested in August 2013 in Galicia, when they moved to pick up a shipment of 300 kilos of cocaine. In addition to establishing a fine estimated at 5,250,000 euros, the decision specifies that no convicted would serve their sentences in prison, but they will be expelled from Spain and may not return for a period of seven years."

They were convicted of smuggling 300 kilos of cocaine but didn't have to serve their time, instead they were kicked out of Spain and banned from returning for seven years. That is absolutely bizarre. Let's hope Greece does a better job for murder.

Agent K responds to a Troll

Some obscure troll who looks like a meth head made a video on youtube "calling out" Agent K. It obviously isn't worth my time but since they did ask a question I will answer that question and point out the obvious. As Fat Joe said to 50 Cent this is a one time response only. I aint gonna argue with an idiot. In the video the troll asked me how my court case is going.

Fine. Actually it's over and I'm still here. Defamation is a serious issue. So is free speech. Be advised that false allegations of defamation constitute defamation. All I'm allowed to say about the court case is that a mutual release was entered into by both parties and the matter is resolved. It cost me $1,500. One thousand dollars was raised by private donors. The Gofundme page is still there. I just took down all the posts talking about the trial. My responses are in the court file.

It is pretty obvious that free speech is under fire. Ontario had such a problem with Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation that they enacted legislation to combat frivolous law suits designed to censor free speech. I don't see that happening in BC because there isn't the political will to address the problem within the Christy Clark government. I don't see federal legislation responding to the problem either because Stephen Harper's supporters are the worst offenders.

The whole youtube video doesn't make sense because it doesn't call out Agent K at all. Its big revelation is that Agent K from Gangsters out is Dennis Watson. Very good, Did you read that in the newspaper or did someone have to read that to you? The troll claims that they are not affiliated with any gang yet at the end of the video they claim they have given my name to the "boys" which is a common reference to the Hells Angels. What am I supposed to do? Shake and tremble? Not likely. First of all, just because you buy crack from the Hells Angels doesn't mean you are allowed to use their name to threaten me. Who are you to use the name of the Hells Angels?

Use your brain. How do you think the newspaper found out who I am? They sent a process server to my home and I blogged about it. The boys already know who I am dumbass. You telling them isn't going to make a difference. The bottom line is I don't like crack dealers. I don't care if they're bikers, bankers, politicians or wall street investors, they're all equally to blame for the murder of Janice Shore. If you support that then we have nothing more to discuss. A Dieu.

Don't even get me started on 50 Cent and his Justin Bieber Unit. No one on the street in LA or New York City listens to 50 Cent. His followers, like Justine Bieber, are yuppies from the suburbs. Bieber is rich too. That doesn't make him a G. Gansta you not toy soldier.



The other day I bumped into a guy in Surrey wearing a Wu Tang Clan shirt. I look at him and say ah... Wu Tang Clan. He responds with oh, so you know what's going on. (For an old guy) I'm like yeah they're from New York. He nods then I add, come to think of it, Drake is popular in New York now. That's kind of surprising for a Canadian. He's like don't get me started on Drake. I'm like yeah I know. My daughter likes him. Well that's OK then he says as I nod.

I heard a track of Drake and the Game the other day. Two very different styles. The Game is like hard core inner city while Drake is smoother like a Tribe Called Quest but different. I like a Tribe Called Quest. They're from Queens. I knew a guy from Queens when I was in New York. He was very smooth.

I'll have to admit that Drake's Meek Mills diss Charged up is pretty good. In his second track Back to Back he asks is that your world tour or your girl's tour. Referencing the fact that Meek is the back up band for Nicki Minaj and is riding off her coat tails. In his first track he compares their relationship to Maria Carey and Nick and counsels Nicki to get a prenup. I aint gonna diss the father of Nicki's child. I'll just say that Drake hit him hard and clean. Hats off to Meek though. He's the one that won the Queen of Anaconda's heart. That treasure is priceless.

Body dumped in Prince George

The Vancouver Province is reporting that the body of a 35 year old man was dumped in Prince George. "A police officer found the body of Ian Matthew Begg at the end of Haldi Lake Road at about 8:40 a.m. on Sunday morning."

Canadian lawyers laundering money

Here's an interesting one. Today's Vancouver Province claims "Money laundering experts say there is no way for Canadians to know how much dirty money is being laundered in Vancouver real estate through Canadian lawyers. As a Province investigation revealed Monday, Canada’s financial intelligence unit Fintrac has ramped up an audit of Vancouver’s booming property market because of concerns that realtors may be turning a blind eye to money laundering."

We're going to have to start an online pool. How long do you think it will take Christie Clark to disband Canada’s financial intelligence unit? Historically, every time a police task force found organized crime, a government body disbanded that police task force. They claim "Canada's dirty money detection system broken all the way through." So instead of fixing the broken system what do you think the odd are that they';ll just get rid of the task force that came up with the report? Judging from their past history, I'd say it's guaranteed. So let's have a pool to see who can guess how long it will take.

Shooting in Richmond

CBC is reporting that "a man is in hospital following a serious incident Friday night in Richmond, but police are revealing few details. The incident began around 11 p.m. PT Friday near Number 2 Road and Westminster Highway and closed down nearby Dover Park for hours. A trail of blood could be seen leading from the park to a nearby Chevron gas station. Numerous evidence markers covered the scene."

Yes I remember the Dover Park shoot out in 2007 well. It was before I started the blog. I tied white balloons around the park and held a press conference on site calling for a cease fire. It was a park in the middle of a residential housing complex with a day care on site. A local Persian gang were targeted by another group with automatic weapons.

Update: News 1130 is reporting that "Police say a shooting in Richmond on Friday night appears to be targeted and gang related." The man who was shot is well known to the police, has gang ties and is not cooperating with the investigation.

Surrey Shooting

CBC is reporting that there was a shooting in Surrey 9:00 PM last night. "According to police, witnesses called 911 to report that the drivers of a silver Honda Civic and a Ford Mustang were chasing each other, with gunshots being fired between the cars. Officers located the Mustang, detained its three male occupants and found at least one bullet hole in the car."

Politics of the Pork Barrel

As the Canadian election kicks off the parade of politicians spewing ridiculous campaign promises has begun. Mulclair came to Vancouver and promised more money for Transit. Then he came to Surrey and promised more money for police. Likewise Harper and Justin are promising the moon. I think voters in BC and more specifically here in Surrey, don't want to hear a political promise they are going to spend more money on anything. I think they want politicians to be fiscally responsible and lower taxes for everyone not just for the rich and not just for the poor. When the government is fiscally responsible and taxes are low for everyone, business prospers and tax revenue increases.

Think about it. Many years ago Ireland was poor. Then the government had an idea. They figured that 80% of nothing is nothing while 10% of something is something so they offered a tax incentive to corporations. They gave large corporations huge tax breaks. As a result, large corporation moved in and started doing business in Ireland. The Shannon Industrial Park opened up and all of a sudden all these high tech industries set up shop right beside Paddy and Mic's sheep farm. They began to prosper.

Alberta is an excellent model. It's just unfortunate that Stephen Harper had destroyed that model when he went to Ottawa. Alberta has no sales tax. As a result, businesses are attracted to that province. This creates jobs and tax revenue because people working at those jobs pay income tax. Alberta even went one step further. They were doing so well financially they started paying everyone's medical insurance premiums. That almost a socialist idea yet Alberta is very conservative. For them it's just good business and that it is. It just makes sense.

I like Thomas Mulclair because he's a good guy and he's the only one supporting the Canadian Charter of Rights in defense of civil liberty. That is my primary election issue. However, I recognize that no political party is perfect. The Neo Cons keep parroting the same old stereotype that the NDP will tax and spend. Yet Harper has done a far worse job of spending tax dollars then any NDP government has ever dreamed of. Harper was the driving force behind the HST in BC that voters rejected. That is why Harper gave his buddy Gordon Campbell that offensive job as a high commission. Taxing things that are normally tax exempt is not a reduction in taxes. The HST killed a lot of local restaurants before it was finally over turned.

Conservatives are supposed to support small business and the free market. Stephen Harper does not. Harper supports big business and corporate monopolies which gouge consumers destroy the free market. Stephen Harper is no a conservative. He is a Neo Con and that is something very different as Ron Paul has clearly pointed out.

Yet when Thomas Mulcair comes to Vancouver and promises more money for Transit I'm like hold the door. That might be fine in Ontario but in BC Translink is a fiscal disaster. They already are over budget a billion dollars every year and suck that much money up in a regional gas tax above and beyond all the other gas tax. Consumers pay for the gas tax because everything we buy in stores gets shipped there on trucks. In BC we just had a referendum on raising sales tax to pour even more tax dollars into that fiscal nightmare and the voters said no. So promising more money for transit isn't going to win votes here. Forcing Translink to balance their budget will. The fact that SNC-Lavalin got the contract for the Evergreen line was a criminal act all on it's own.

So Thomas comes to Surrey and offers more money for police. Well that's nice but even Surrey's Worst has promised that finally. We have seen that more police officers is indeed helpful but that is not the solution in itself. If we start arresting crack dealers outside the Front Room in Whalley and in Newton then that would certainly make a huge difference to the violent crime in Surrey but that's not going to happen as long as Bill Fordy is in charge. He needs to be transferred out of the City before we can start finally addressing the violent crime in Surrey like we should. Peace.

Margaret Atwood's Hairgate

Margaret Atwood ran an amusing editorial in the National Post mocking Stephen Harper's attack adds on Justine Trudeau which seem to focus on an obsession with his hair. The controversy arises in how much the National Post ended up editing her article. The editing doesn't seem to be too extreme and has me wondering if it ties in with the subject of SLAPP law suits. Newspapers don't like to waste money on lawsuits. Perhaps they were simply covering their ass so to speak.

In her article she asks: Let’s try this hair quiz:

Of the three national male leaders, which one travels with a personal grooming assistant -lavishly paid for in whole or in part by you, gentle taxpayer—so that none of his hairs will ever be out of place, supposing they are indeed his and not a wig, as some have supposed? (Hint: Initials are S.H.) Which leader, on the other hand, doesn’t need such an assistant because his hair is “nice” enough already? (Hint: initials are J.T.) And which one wouldn’t know what a personal grooming assistant was if he fell over one? (Hint: Initials are T.M.)