Phonies, Frauds and Fanatics: The Tradition of Speakers for WE Day
I have a long standing rule. If it’s enough to make me uncomfortable; it’s definitely not for any child to see.
Not mine, not yours. I don’t need to wince. Well before that, I know if an issue or speaker might be inappropriate for a child.
It’s called having good judgment, and I’m exceedingly sorry to say, that the people behind WE Day are sorely lacking in that department.
And I suspect they don’t care.
I’m not talking about movies or video games. I’m referring to living, breathing examples of fraud, false morality and failure. I’m talking about exposing children to the kinds of individuals that are loathsome, not just for their errant positions on any number of issues, but for the manner with which those positions are delivered.
Perhaps I should have prefaced by comments by stating that I support the base purpose of WE Day. Making the world and certainly our immediately surrounding spaces better and more livable, are lofty goals, which I applaud. In addition, I think Marc and Craig Kielburger–the latter of whom I was pleased to meet years ago, are a credit to their parents and true citizens of the world. Their overseas charities alone have sponsored over 650 schools, which educate more than 55,000 children a day.
A day! And their efforts have resulted in clean water for 1,000,000 people in some of the poorest, most remote regions on this planet.
Remarkable accomplishments, to say the least.
But their judgment in choosing speakers for WE Day celebrations, to be brutally frank, stinks. Their inability to recognize the damage they are doing to the young that they claim to care so much about, stands in stark contrast, and, is made that much more mind-boggling, by their apparently willful disregard for the impression a speaker leaves on a child.
A speaker, not just the damn speech.
After his wife’s savage murder, O. J. Simpson spoke of reconciliation and eternal love til he was blue in the face. No one believed him.
When countless witnesses and several abused children went public with their frightful claims against him, Michael Jackson told the world that it was all about caring and compassion. No level-headed person believed him, either.
Their messages were wonderful. But one is a murderer and the other was, a child molester. What’s the bigger message?
It’s never just about the speech, but the speaker–for if it wasn’t, then why don’t the Kielburgers just have two homeless chaps stand on stage and have one read the ‘Gettysburg Address’? And the other, Churchill’s charge to his troops from the day of infamy; when Hitler trembled, just a little…the bastard.
Why the need for the high profile speakers? Most of whom are phonies, frauds and fanatics–and of the highest order!
In point of fact, this inconvenient truth about WE Day, leaves it reeking of the same politicization by offensive, yet powerful fronts, like the Tides Foundation, ACORN and other decidedly LIBERAL, left wing, activist groups that seek social change, and not always by the most upright methods.
Liberal, dogma-driven, alarmist, hooey peddlers and yet another expedient platform from which the inculcation begins.
No? Read on.
As I was perusing the list of speakers for this year, I was amazed–as I was appalled in previous years, at the chosen WE Day speakers. It’s a cornucopia of offensiveness.
Desmond Tutu? Is this man truly without sin? Or, moreover, someone that should be speaking to children about a better world? An Anglican Bishop, whose outrageous, POLITICAL and sometimes violent vitriol, buttressed by uncontainable outbursts, are not only legend, but run counter to the Kielburgers’ own mantra.
His Grace recently suggested that former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and President George W. Bush should be tried criminally–as war criminals, for their roles in beridding the planet of murderous thug and interminable international maggot, Saddam Hussein. No pollyanna, the good Bishop didn’t stop there, as he sought to try, convict and prepare Bush and Blair for execution, with every interview–a progressively more outlandish narrative with each camera roll.
Regardless of your beliefs one way or the other, is this the kind of man who should be preaching to children about a better world? Trying and convicting world leaders, in the press, as ‘war criminals’ because their actions berid the globe of a genocidal despot? Tutu has credibility in fostering a more peaceful planet, does he?
This is from the WE Day website.
Behold.
“Free The Children invites We Day speakers to share their messages as heroes of social change (emphasis added), not because of their religious or political affiliations. We Day guests are invited to the stage because they have shown that they believe in something greater than themselves (emphasis added), in giving back and in helping others.
We Day is secular and inclusive in nature, bringing together youth, speakers and performers from any and all faith traditions to promote compassion and service.
We Day is also apolitical and does not seek to promote or endorse a political party or affiliation (emphasis added). When a political leader speaks to the youth assembled at We Day, he or she may speak in an official capacity to bring greetings on behalf of his or her home city, region or country, but the only agenda advanced is one of youth empowerment and global citizenship (emphasis added).
Further, the content of guests’ speeches and/or performances reflects their personal views/opinions and does not necessarily represent the values or beliefs of Free The Children (emphasis added).”
Well, isn’t that lovely?
Translation: We choose the speakers but feel not a shred of responsibility to what they have to offer up to young, highly impressionable minds, regardless that the vast majority of our speakers are sanctimonious grief pimps and drivel jockeys, who don’t hesitate to whore themselves (to children, no less!) for whatever politically correct, liberal, doctrinaire nonsense that need be the order of the day. Just tell us how much you love us, thanks.
An odious display of devil-may-care, if there ever was one. But with children???
This isn’t a game or at all funny, boys.
Let me help:
Paul Martin: In that fine tradition of weak-kneed fecklessness that destroyed a political party before that party destroyed a nation. A Liberal.
Justin Trudeau: A charter member of ‘The Lucky Sperm Club’ whose sanctimonious and nauseating eulogy of his resolutely evil father–the latter of whom bankrupted tens of thousands of Canadian families in the 70s, lives on. Junior, a man whose greatest accomplishment in public life is to have beaten up an out-of-shape, loud-mouthed Senator from aboriginal Quebec, has a string of failures as a foul-mouthed parliamentarian and recently came out as suffering from a terminal case of prima donna complex, when being stupid enough to believe the flickering hype of an impossible run for leader of his corrupt party, launched a cross-country speaking tour. Dumb is as dumb was. Trudeau is neither inspiring or particularly compelling, seeking to reinvigorate his father’s ghost, with empty platitudes and unending miasma. If sophistry and bullshit were currency, young Trudeau would own his own bank. A Liberal.
Robert F. Kennedy: An establishment member of ‘The Lucky Sperm Club’. A man whose hypocrisy knows no bounds. Living off a multi-million dollar trust fund, and jetting the world over to save tiny streams and sensitive eco-systems, Kennedy–in that fine tradition of the Kennedys, is no more a climate change soldier than I am an Armani model. He’s the quintessential epitome of a plaster saint. A Liberal.
Mia Farrow: An American actress, famous more for two relationships than any thespian accomplishments. One was to Woody Allen, and the other to Frank Sinatra. Talk about extremes. Farrow has been at the front lines of picking up where Jane Fonda left off. War is bad, soldiers are murderers and baby killers. Let’s join hands and sing Kumbaya. Nausea-inducing, far-left bromide from a decidedly left-wing windbag. A true Liberal.
Martin Sheen: Another actor with a cause per day–and always a left wing cause. When interviewed by forever-wonderful James Lipton of The Actor’s Studio, some years ago, and asked to name one of his grandest accomplishments, Sheen leapt to attention and regaled for an astonished Lipton that he’d been jailed SIXTY FOUR TIMES for various protests. One wasn’t enough. No wonder Charlie’s such a mess. His father thinks violent protest and subsequently getting arrested is the way to register displeasure with one’s government. This is an example of giving back? Sheen should be speaking to kids, should he? For what? Counselling them that an orange jumpsuit and shackles are more impressive–or important, than civilized, educated, communicative protest? A far-left Liberal.
Jesse Jackson: This is one of my favourites. In 1984, he referred to New York as “Hymietown,” a despicable, crass, monstrous descriptive used in referring to the large Jewish population of New York City. Think about it: Since ’84 Jackson’s career has soared.Yet one of the world’s best filmmakers, Mel Gibson, in a drunken stupor (not that it matters), astoundingly referred to Jews as “the cause of all wars” and yet his career is over in a wisp of smoke. Only in Hollywood. Rev. Jackson, as well, has the distinction of, in an embarrassing ‘hot mic’ moment during the 2008 American election, suggesting he’d like to slice off the testicles of then presumptive nominee and future President, St. Barry of Obama. For good measure Rev. Jackson referred to Obama as “a fuckin’ half-breed nigger.” Simply marvelous. Isn’t this the kind of chap you want lecturing to your kids about a better world??? Oh, and lest we forget his fervent denials of a love-child in 2001. Only after it was revealed that he’d had a decade-long affair with a member of his staff (no wonder his foundation is called the Rainbow-PUSH Coalition) did he feel the need to a) tell his family or; b) everyone else. The same lying fraud that was counselling President Bill Clinton during his scandalous affair with Harmonica Lewinsky, was busy over-heating the sheets on his own. A moral exemplar, to be sure. A Liberal.
Al Gore: This man’s appearance defies any logic whatsoever. A lying charlatan, who’s viral fraud has been revealed to be the single greatest hoax of the last hundred years. Orlando, FL and Victoria, BC are not even close to being underwater. Kilimanjaro has neither crumbled, nor melted. The last decade has been a period of cooling, infact, the scientific evidence to show we are deep in climate peril, was found to be largely exaggerated, the rest, made up. His Academy Award-winning schlockumentary ‘A Convenient Lie’ (I’ve since renamed it) was discredited by the British High Court–with an ‘entertainment warning’ sticker now on copies being distributed to schools in the UK. As well, until 2007–when it was revealed his Tennesse mansion consumed 12 to 20 times the average American household energy bill and he was forced to make ‘green’ changes, Gore’s gargantuan consumption wasn’t an issue for him–all while he demanded the rest of us live out of cloth bags and flush our toilets once a year. He saw nothing of such jaw-dropping hypocrisy. The single biggest phony walking the planet today, his fraudulent, fanatical claims will make him, if they haven’t already, the first billionaire from hot air. A Smart-Meter loving, rape of river backing, windmill huckster. A living breathing snake-oil salesman, as per the Barnum circus circuit, the Kiellburgers love this horse’s ass so much, he’s back for a repeat performance in Toronto this year–after infesting Vancouver. And not exactly a lad you’d bring home to momma. The Oregon police file on his attempted rape of a masseuse remains ‘active’. Tell me again why I’d allow my children to attend WE Day and listen to such a man? Particularly my daughters? Another thunderous Liberal.
Anyone notice a pattern? Again, let me help. Each of these fanatics and frauds, is either a current or former speaker at WE Day.
Oh yes, and this year, a late entrant in the race for fraud supremacy.
Premier Christy Clark (A Liberal). She’s going to speak to children about a better world?! Right, a woman, who, ten years ago, launched a full-scale war against the teaching profession in this province–a relentless, visceral attack, that has now turned into an ugly, massive serpent seeking to choke public education in British Columbia; public education, our greatest asset. Right, when Minister of Children and Family Development, Clark began the first round of devastating cuts that, to this day, have the Ministry operating on relative fumes–a Ministry responsible for helping the most vulnerable in this province. Right, as Premier, she oversees a government that has the heart-stopping distinction of being facilitator of British Columbia’s greatest ignominy: NUMBER ONE PROVINCE FOR CHILD POVERTY IN CANADA.
To the Kielburgers: Tell me again, lads, which countries did you visit to help stop poverty? Which countries did you save with running water and better schools? Where did you make the biggest change?
Not in Canada.
Because you sure as hell don’t give a flying damn about the incredible, breathtaking hypocrisy you’re peddling (yes, the TWO OF YOU run your bailiwick), or the lying frauds, fanatics and phonies that you willfully promote.
You really believe in a better world, do you? Really?
FOR SHAME!
_________________________________
TO PARENTS: DO NOT ALLOW YOUR CHILDREN TO ATTEND ‘WE’ DAY UNTIL ORGANIZERS AND PROMOTERS CLEAN UP THEIR ACT. THEY CLAIM NO POLITICAL AGENDA AND YET THE VAST MAJORITY OF SPEAKERS NOT ONLY HAVE ONE–A DEVOUTLY LIBERAL ONE, BUT PROMOTE IT TO THE HILT.
I WOULD BE NO LESS APPALLED IF IT WAS JUST A CONSERVATIVE AGENDA BEING PROMOTED. POLITICS AND CHILDREN ARE A BAD MIX. VERY BAD. ALWAYS BAD.
SEND THE LINK TO THIS POST TO EVERY TEACHER AND EDUCATOR YOU KNOW.
STOP WE DAY UNTIL THEY REFORM.
_________________________________
I’ll be back next week with my impressions of the rapidly imploding BC Conservative Party and some inside intel on the Premier’s mysteriously short trip to China–and the continuing strife inside her party, specifically over her leadership–or lack of it.
Stay tuned!
Enjoy your weekend.
Be safe.
God bless.
So the Liberal party is far too busy to sit down in the Leg. and do their job this fall?
De Jong stands in front of cameras and cries no money in a year of union job action. A political tactic to foment division between union and non.
Christy no where to be seen?
Pathetic, lazy, self serving, lying Liberals.
[Translate]
That last line is redundant, a number of times…
[Translate]
Christy can only function when all the doors are covered by “her” people. She cant debate, she can only spin – and usually not well. She has no support and doesnt want it to show. She has no agenda, yet Mr Morton thinks that its best she hide for the next six months. What a bunch of useless shills. .
She chickened out of a sitting so we all cant see how ‘udder’ly useless she is.
[Translate]
Can’t you just wait for the Election Debates — assuming the Dummy doesn’t say something profound to decline the opportunity, like “who needs ‘em. Folks know what the issues are. I’m sure folks would rather watch American Idol anyways, eh?”
Cheers!
[Translate]
It appears to me like you cherry picked only the known Liberal speakers from the list. Do we know the political stripes or affilliations of the entire speaker list. Surely Mikhail Gorbechev is not a Liberal.
[Translate]
The strong majority are all of the same persuasion and the outrageous hucksterism is astonishing.
You don’t agree, good for you.
[Translate]
I did not say wether I agree or disagree with you opinionn of the personalities you listed,I am merely saying that it appears you picked these particular people from the entire group to convey the impression on your readers that the We Day organization is a politically biased group, and that my friend is a Fox News/ American Republican tactic,which has no place in Canadian Conservatism,with a small”c” of course.
[Translate]
Total horse shit. Run down the list and name the people on the other side of the political ledger that would be the balance!
Name them. Who? Shaq and Magic???
Give it a rest while yiure behind.
[Translate]
I had no previous knowledge about anything called We Day. I have heard of Kielburger and that he did a lot of very good things to help poor people in poor parts of the world.
No need to necessarily tarnish his efforts because his organization picks people who are hypocrites of a sort (you are bang on with Gore and Kennedy in that category, but I am left scratching my head wondering what you have against Tutu — are you going to attack Nelson Mandela too?)
Maybe you can’t find any on the “other side” because none of them give a tinker’s damn about the issues of concern.
Cheers!
[Translate]
Nice try.
The speakers are by invite only. They make no effort to balance off and you know it. Cut the spin.
[Translate]
Behind! never happen cuz I don`t play party politics.
[Translate]
I’m still waiting for the list of non-liberals.
[Translate]
Refer to weaverof dreams_2000 above. Noboby is criricizing your portrayal of any of the speakers,well maybe Tutu as stated above,but why malign an organization that does so much good work for strictly political reasons because you are going through a politically creative dry spell. You are better than that,and you know it..Be patient,she will come out of hiding eventually. I have a feeling Justin son of Satan will provide you with sufficient fodder soon. Take care.
[Translate]
I don’t have to refer to anyone.
(1) Please quantify “so much good.” How do you know that their efforts with WE Day have made such an appreciable difference? Their efforts overseas have produced great fruit, but domestically, give me the specific numbers. You see, you can’t tell me because they dont exist.
(2) I am in support of WE Day as a concept. Perhaps you missed that. But I’m not prepared to take the chance and have our children indoctrinated into any political camp. They’re children. Again, this is also lost on you.
(3) I take umbrage with your insulting characterization of a “creative dryspell.” Let me tell you something: I worked right through my summer and even on days off, just so you could come back here as often as you’d like and while hiding behind some moniker lob insults at me and generally play ‘Happy Asshole’. I don’t bitch or complain about what I do. And attach my name to it everytime. But in case you think.I’m just sitting around here’s this week’s play: I attended court to listen the issue related to why an Auditor General need take his own govt to court; helped my aging father understand he’s not getting younger but older; comforted a friend about her sons suicide; dealt with four delinquent tenants; chased down three different stories on the provincial govt and one about Vision Vancouver; attended Meet the teachers; chased down a federal story; meet with three different media colleagues about Basi-Virk; met with my youngest’s cardiologist–only to discover shes going in for surgery on Monday; and still find time to come here and put up with people like you who make the same point three times in the comments section of one stream, I guess thinking that I will either capitulate to your absurd ramblings or bend to supporting the political indoctrination of children.
To top it off, you insult me. If yiure think I’m having a dry spell or my work is sub par, then leave. No one is forcing you to be here.
[Translate]
Hi again, Alex.
I don’t think you are going through any dry spell (that would aptly apply to the weather we have had the last few weeks, though — summer seems to arrive later and later every year).
Two thoughts, though:
1) I’m surprised you picked this topic for your thoughts of the day, given the decision yesterday to cancel the Fall sitting of the legislature, along with the freezes and all the rest announced. What’s up with cancelling the previously promised sitting? Is this just a ploy to push through LDB privatization (and goodness knows what else) without having to explain themselves to the opposition in a formal arena? Maybe I am too cynical.
2) After reading your post I went and checked the WE Day site. According to it, none of the whoremongers you referenced in your post are appearing in Vancouver, with the exception of Tutu (still don’t get your problem with him). The stars of the bunch (Gore, Sheen, Trudeau) are scheduled for Toronto. So perhaps less of a threat to the impressionable youth of Vancouver, at least. Don’t see the Dummy listed either, but she has an amazing ability to pop up in the strangest places (BTW, doesn’t she kind of count as “the other side”, or at least “the Dark Side”?).
Cheers!
[Translate]
(1) I wrote it before the announcement.
(2) Youth are everywhere and I never said I was simply concerned about Vancouver only.
(3) I wrote about how these were past or present speakers and I also mentioned that Gore was a return speaker after infesting Vancouver.
You need to read more carefully.
[Translate]
Magic Johnson is a Dem. pals around w/ Obama even.
[Translate]
I am well aware. That’s why I wrote that. And Shaq has voted for both although identifies as a Republican.
[Translate]
Gorbechev NOT a Liberal…he’s a Communist for God sake! How Liberal (and leftist) can you get?
[Translate]
Maybe you want to lead a movement to criticize or boycot the sponsors of the October 18 WE Day in Vancouver? They can be found listed at:
http://www.weday.com/event/vancouver
[Translate]
I’m not an activist. I’m a writer and commentator with a massive following. There’s a reason for that. While CTV is busy showcasing these phonies as speakers, I’m telling you that they aren’t worthy of a second at any mic!!!
[Translate]
You know Alex, this is why me and my wife come here. I am a long time reader who is a teacher and I voted NDP in the last four elections. I am not happy with We day for the reasons you wrote about here We complain about the tea party and other events you have criticised yet the Keilburgers are allowed to do this. Christy is a speaker this year is she?
At least we know we can always get the truth from you Alex, even if we don’t always agree politically.
Cheers and keep up the great work. You are always an enjoyable, informative and entertaining read.
Have a nice weekend with your family.
[Translate]
Many thanks!
[Translate]
Wow what a list – I guess Michael Moore was busy that day or he’d be in on that action for sure!
[Translate]
Suzuki must have been busy saving another planet.
Excellent as usual many thanks for the truth once again..
[Translate]
You’re most welcome.
[Translate]
“inside intel on the Premier’s mysteriously short trip to China”
some wild guess’ as to why the trip was cut short
1- she was met at the airport by a chinese official with pom pom’s and a cheerleader outfit and asked if she wanted to go kite surfing
2- she found out in china they have control of the media and she would not be getting any photo oppurtunities, no matter how stupid she made herself look
3- hamish found a friends parent who said they supported CC, so she rushed home to get them to sign a liberal party membership card.
4- upon arrival, she was informed china exports plastic and does not import.. so pammy was not going to be allowed to enter the country
5- china found out half of her delegation was comprised of convicted assasin’s, who she had vouched for
6- she was finally informed that it was not just alberta she is screwing with on the pipeline issue… its china that wants that oil.
7- harry bloy was having crisis of concience and was considering pulling his support from cc. she came back right away to shore up her support within the liberal party.
8- there was a rumor in china that AGT’s site had gone down and it would be a few days before it would be back up, she came home to try and relax for a few days while she could.
[Translate]
not so modest, an armani model. I think you look just swell in that tux. some of the other pics not so much, but the tux, just fine.
Some of the people you mention, yes they have faults, some big ones & yes they are self serving. On the other hand some have done good work along the way. As to speaking to children, if they can deliver a message which might help those kids, why not. Most kids dont’ know anything about the past of these people.
Would I suggest others who might be better for the list, of course. Most of the people you mentioned are actually a little long in the tooth to be the speakers at a kids day function. Kids do react & take notice of “media stars” so if you need to get a message through……..
Would other speakers be better, you betcha. Like some of the people who have worked overseas for NGOs. They may not have had big names but I’m sure their message will resonate much better with the kids. People who have accomplished something in their lives who are local. I’d rather Jimmy Patison did the speech in B.C.
There are any number of people who lived good lives, made a differance to their community or the world at large. They would make much better speakers.
Hipocracy lives & it isn’t going away. Its a good time to have a talk with kids about not believing everything people say or believe them to be good, just because they did something which some consider good.
[Translate]
I much prefer the photo in casual attire — and cool beard and moustache — that looks like its taken down by the Convention Centre.
[Translate]
One of your best comments ever! Was never too aware of the whole Kilburger set up, sounded too schmaltzy, and I tend to be wary of secular “charities” at the best of times. The fact that these guys are promoted by the MSM also made me suspicious. There may be some good names associated with them, but every single one you mentioned makes my hair stand on end!
[Translate]
When it comes to protecting and providing for our children one can never be adequately prtepared. I have learned something today and I would like to thank you Alex G. Tsakumis for that. It is not so much that I believe in every word that you speak, but I am a free thinker and when something makes sence my ears perk up and I listen. Thanks Alex
[Translate]
With pleasure.
[Translate]
For what it’s worth, in our household we chose to let our children hear from all sides, liberal, conservative, lunatic fringe etc. and let them make up their own minds. We were just happy they chose to join in the discussion. We always figured our kids were smart enough to come to their own conclusions.
I’m more concerned that a man of your standing and intelligence would be advocating people boycott an event of this type. This is how we engage young people and it gives parents or caregivers an opportunity to talk about it afterwards at which time we can balance out what they heard.
[Translate]
Unfortunately it has been my experience that young people can be influenced by the glitz and hype of rock star status..
This event is engineered to activate the hormonal surges of the youth..
the shiny lights hypnotizing, loud cheering crowds.. almost a televangelism effect.
Most kids aren’t in large events like this often..so the experience can be intoxicating to a captive audience..
Agenda 21…
[Translate]
So this means that in the late 1960 to mid 1970s we all wanted a Yellow Submarine, or a 1957 Chevrolet multi coloured school bus for the family to ride around in or a Monkees hot rod?
and that Keith Partridge and Johnny Bravo had the answers for everything??
That Tiger Beat was THE magazine to read and not U.S. News and World Report or The Economist?
[Translate]
AGT, I must say, the paragraph on Al Gore, had me rolling in the aisles.
And not because I did not agree, far from it, but because the narrative was spot on, and your verbal barbs just kept hitting the mark.
Quote:”Gore’s gargantuan consumption wasn’t an issue for him–all while he demanded the rest of us live out of cloth bags and flush our toilets once a year. He saw nothing of such jaw-dropping hypocrisy. The single biggest phony walking the planet today, his fraudulent, fanatical claims will make him, if they haven’t already, the first billionaire from hot air. A Smart-Meter loving, rape of river backing, windmill huckster. A living breathing snake-oil salesman, as per the Barnum circus circuit”
Bloody brilliant and spot on!
Once again, the “star power” of the liberal left rears it’s ugly head, and sadly, at such an important event.
They call conservatives (small c and big C), as well as Right Wingers, bible thumbing crazies, and some may be, but their own hipocracy knows no bounds.
November is going to be very interesting……….
[Translate]
Hm, nobody I admire on that list. Speaking of the Liberals,B.C. version, while Rome is burning,the Party seems to be drinking the wine of mass delusion.
At a local LPBC bash here a short while back, Christy Clark was lauded and cheered by MLA’s and Party members like she is a sure winner next May!
Perhaps there ARE parallel dimensions in which the Liberals live, because she sure as hell isn’t going to win in THIS one!
[Translate]
Thank you for this very informative piece, Alex. I’ll be looking into this at my school, although, I’d love to see her have the nerve to actually speak to high school students who are politically savvy. They’d tear her hypocrisy to shreds in a matter of moments if given a chance to have their say.
[Translate]
I can see that anger and outrage is an appropriate response to these kinds of things, but I can’t help but feel very sad too. Children today are shielded from life’s lessons so much that they haven’t any idea what is real or fiction, and instead are “taught” such things by people not seaking to educate, but rather to sell some thing or some idea. Now that is just plain sad. But it’s also very wrong on many levels. Parents need to be aware of these people’s aims and act accordingly. At least while they still can…
[Translate]
Alex just how pathetically incompotent is the ministy of finace withing this (so called ) government? Within the last 2 -4 months we had Falcon do a 180 degree flip flop on the staus of BC and the budget. One day on NW hes reporting doom and gloom, then, within a month or 2 hes reporting how the Liberals will balance the budget and things are not as bad as they though.
Now we have DeJong’s report to BC of how they wont balance the budget and clain its due to the cost of natural gas globally. WTF is wrong with these absolute idiots? Do they not talk to each other before and after are report to the public? Does one not remember what the other just announced in a 4 month period? And is Fat face herself not overseeing who and what is being said? What a group of mismanaged, unqualfified, incomoptent & lazy morons! Imagine running a corperation that way with share holders, talk about losing complete confidence from the people of BC.
Why cant they forecast whats happening globally early enough and adjust spending accordingly. The economist for this provine should be sent back to acounting 101. And here we have dummy herself off to China for 4 days to do what!!!! Oh sorry she did a sight seeing stint on the great wall of China and god knows what else…Just what on hells half acre does she expect to do in 4 days in China seeing as ther is about 2 days of jet lag to get through…..What a fucking waste of time and money & time while our province is bascically going bankrupt….get ur ass home and lead like a leader is suppose to do insead of running to any nook and cranny available to as not to fave the wrath and angst of the public you god damn fraud!
Im livid beyond words….
[Translate]
So am I. But please stick to the topic and we can discuss this later.
Thanks, pal.
[Translate]
sorry alex but off topic.
i must give a big thumbs up to stewart
hit it on the head
WTF !!!!????
cheers
[Translate]
Agreed, but I want to stay on topic here. Too many tangents in previous posts and I received piles of complaints from readers.
With the breaking chaos of the provincial Conservatives and BC Liberals there’ll be lots to rage about next week. Early too!
[Translate]
What happens if the Crappy Curmudgeon Cummins gets 75% plus of the leadership review vote? A little birdy tells me that there are enough troglydytes to ensure he comes out fine. What then, wise sage (meant sincerely — I love your inside dope)?
Cheers!
[Translate]
The party dies. Five percent increase for BC Liberals. Still nowhere close enough of a turnaround to win. The rest is still protest vote and Tories who will NEVER go back as long as Christy is at through helm. It just won’t happen.
As for Cummins specifically, he’s done. I understand he’s getting the push to leave next Saturday. That would be a good thing.
[Translate]
Maybe she is trying to shore up some deals on selling the Chinese natural gas so that they can include these in making sunny projections in the February Budget
Cheers!
[Translate]
UMMM…..the lng plants are not built yet… how does that make it into next years budget weaver?
oh wait… liberal accounting practices…. guess its possible.
[Translate]
Quite a list.. Makes me think about something.
Are ya ready?
A political direction evolves and after an election, Canada does not
the next morning wake up to see a Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
They see a Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (with Mulcair as the Leader of Her Majesty’s Loyal Opposition – the NDP). Mark Marissen is Chief of Graft in the Prime Minister’s Office.
Hedy Fry is made Deputy Prime Minister (and is also a member of the Treasury Board). Plus Minister of Health and Minister Reponsible for Multiculturalism.
now, turn around and face south an election is held a year after ours in the United States.
peek over the border.
The Americans have elected President Jesse Jackson,
with a majority of Democrats in Congress.
Al Gore is given Ambassador to Canada representing the United States.
Robert Kennedy is appointed to be the head of the Department of The Environment.
[Translate]
Are you okay???
What have I ever done to you that you insist on providing me with such nightmarish visions…???
[Translate]
great post alex.
with all of the liberals on the we day list i was expecting christy clarks name under paul martins remember family first
[Translate]
LMFAO!!! Well done.
[Translate]
A skewed left-leaning lineup for sure. Thankfully Christy will be there on our behalf to balance things out and save us from those socialist hordes.
But honestly, another photo-op… there is one character who sticks in my mind as being infinitely more deserving than Christy of being present at historical events, and that character is, well…
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109830/
[Translate]
It’s not the socialist hordes that have given BC the highest, or near highest, child poverty rates in the country the last decade.
Marty
[Translate]
Everyone knows that. But they didn’t do much before the BC Liberals either. We were still close to last.
So much for socialist utopia. More like union utopia.
[Translate]
Never said things were perfect in the 90′s nor anything about utopia. But one gets tired of the constant din of how bad things were back then. Funny, in my little neck of the woods, we are seeing the same exodus to Alberta that the righties complained about in the 90′s. Am I a lefty? Nope. I’m part of that mass in the centre that can’t stomach the see saw nature of politics in this province. I want to see a party that is in the middle, that has balance. While I was no fan of the Socreds, I did like what old WAC said once..”Not neccessarily socialism, but socialism when neccessary.”
Marty
[Translate]
I’d buy a vowel…
[Translate]
” … we are seeing the same exodus to Alberta that the righties complained about in the 90′s”
Stats Canada confirms this (the exodus, not the complaining). In 2011 we started losing people … again. They probably couldn’t wait for social justice any more and moved to Alberta or Saskatchewan to get it.
[Translate]
oo2, most of the people (younger mostly) i know that are leaving are leaving for work.
its not that its impossible to find work here… its impossible to find work that pays enough to justify continueing to live in BC.
[Translate]
The problem is that a lot of the businesses opening up in BC is in retail where the jobs produced either need a funny hat, a name tag or a hairnet. We need a government that will find and nurture big businesses and corporations to produce the better jobs.
Right now I cant say the Liberals are doing what it takes and from what I can see Adrian Dix is going to scare away the corporations so new workers better start making sure their hairnets fit right or move to Alberta.
[Translate]
NOTE TO READERS: SUPERB COMMENT–REQUIRED READING.
[Translate]
“We need a government that will find and nurture big businesses and corporations to produce the better jobs.”
ummm… big business and corporations pay as little as they possibly can to most workers. i agree we need business to produce better paying jobs, but if what the liberals just gave them over the last 11 years is not nurturing enough… its never going to happen unless they are forced to pay people half decent wages.
what nurturing do you think they need at this point?
more tax breaks??
laws that make it easier to get rid of unions that at least secure decent wages and benefits?
a free pass on paying taxes on any new investment?
maybe we should lower minimum wage back to 6$/hr?
i understand what you are saying and agree to some extent, but the liberals tried giving massive favours to big business… all BC got out of it was a massive debt and the loss of most of its assets.
[Translate]
oh and by the way the people im talking aobut leaving the province are proffessionals. they just dont see a way to lead a comfortable life here compared to other provinces after what the liberals have done.
they do not work in retail or the service industry.
[Translate]
Agreed:
Personally, I am aware of at least 8 young men on their way to Alberta for various jobs.
[Translate]
Why would they want to leave for $6 an hour?
[Translate]
No, they didn’t. They gave massive cuts to industries that don’t necessarily produce the jobs all three of us are wanting and have identified as most valuable.
The stock market, real estate and banking industries don’t produce the jobs we’re talking about–not in the numbers we need. Nor does the resource sector. Nor IPPs.
We need professionals. Doctors, researchers, lawyers, nurses, all types of professionals from everywhere. But we barely have jobs for our own people.
This government swung the pendulum too far in the opposite direction of the NDP policies of the 90s. Huge mistakes. They started off alright, but deteriorated rather quickly.
[Translate]
Talk about a bunch that deserve each other. The only one I have any time for is Martin Sheen who I’ve always found to be a brilliant actor but in real life, Charlie has more sense. Loved your comments on Jesse Jackson, the racist fraudster. I’m surprised his pal Clinton isn’t bellied up to the trough.
[Translate]
There is no question that Martin Sheen is one of the finest actors of our time.
But he’s a joker, otherwise.
[Translate]
Just because they entertain people doesn’t mean that Circus Bears have anything useful to give society. That’s the way I view flakes like Al Gore, Madonna and Bono.
[Translate]
I have to agree. It makes me laugh every time an actor is lauded for some political leaning or opinion. Who cares?
When you look at the drug addicted and alcoholic Hollywood types running in and out of rehab with their family life an abject mess. Why would we even take advice from them on anything.
[Translate]
Or listen to anything they have to say unless it’s about acting.
[Translate]
Exactly, actors are not role models. It still amazes me that people think these Hollywood fools actually are real. THEY ACT, that’s it. The world needs to get back to the basics.
[Translate]
[Translate]
[Translate]
Instead of keeping your child away, explain to them what ChristY is really all about and send the little darlings in with “What About BCRail Christy?” signs or shirts.
[Translate]
Actually, your idea sounds kind of shameful and I find it personally offensive. Children must not be used to convey political messages of any sort, full stop. You will have your chance in May or sooner.
[Translate]
Well good for you. Another BCLiberal is upset.
I feel sorry for any children in your life that you feel are too incapable of listening and understanding a reasoned explanation. I find the fact that you think children should not be brought up understanding politics or at least having been invited to the conversation offensive. The poor children in your world are not given any discussion in morality? Shame, shame on you.
Your views and attitude are offensive to a free and democratic society.
[Translate]
The most precious thing we have in this life is our children. Nothing else comes close.
They are to be cherished, protected and nurtured, and not subjected to the extremely harmful musings of hypocritical psychopaths who would do anything, including using a child, to further their own political and philosophical agendas.
And those predators come from all points of the spectrum.
But what baffles me beyond belief is how the organizers of this upcoming event can even consider inviting Christy Clark to speak. The damage she has done to our children, in so many ways, is indefensible.
Are these Kilburger people so uninformed so as not to know the premier’s track record and such basics as child poverty and education? Or are they indifferent, blind or in the pockets of someone?
Absolutely astounding to think they would subject children to such a disingenuous parasite.
[Translate]
SUPERB COMMENT!
[Translate]
The funny thing about Christy Clark is that nothing seems to stick to her, at least not as far as she is concerned. She seems totally unaware of the fury and fiasco that follows her everywhere. She sallies forth whimsically, wistfully, seeming to be untouched by any controversy, and unshaken by tempests.
For some reason, she reminds me of Sally Bowles in Isherwood’s Berlin Dairies – which became “Cabaret”. The world is her oyster and no one, is going to rain on her parade. She needs must think that she will never come a cropper, but come a cropper, she will!
[Translate]
You can bet on it.
[Translate]
It is sticking to her. She just doesn’t believe it — or, perhaps, simply refuses to reconcile with that reality.
I believe the technical term for this behaviour is “cognitive dissonance”.
Cheers!
[Translate]
Absolutely right on the money.
[Translate]
Inviting the Dummy to speak to a crowd like this is like inviting Jesse Jackson to a KKK meeting. She could drive turnout — and increase sales of rotten tomatoes
Cheers!
[Translate]
A bribe for funding.
[Translate]
Agreed, thank you for saying that.
Fools should never be allowed near our children. These people wouldn’t get within eyesight of my children. But I enjoyed the comment someone made about sending the kids with “What happened to BC Rail” shirts. Priceless!
[Translate]
You can respect the office without respecting the person. CC has been a disaster, but if you can get someone like the Premier to speak at your event you probably do it, no matter how unpopular they are.
[Translate]
Complete nonsense.
You clearly illustrate why we have problems in our schools and in society in general: It’s not just about the message, but the person, too. Having Clark speak anywhere, might as well be an endorsement of, for example, her decade long, vicious attack on public education in BC.
[Translate]
Whether one might agree or disagree with you can not abrogate your right to express yourself. Express away, Alex. We wouldn’t be here if you didn’t do it so well.
[Translate]
Thank you. Much appreciated.
[Translate]
I found Alex’s column to be rather understated.
Please tell us what you REALLY think, Alex!
Cheers!
[Translate]
WE Day kinda reminds me of Comrade Layton and 787 Dundas St W … outsourcing in lieu of doing something yourself, and still feeling good about it.
BTW: I’m assuming that getting dead is a pretty official event and thus Comrade should be used.
[Translate]
LMFAO!!!!!!!!! A CLASSIC!!!
[Translate]
seymour forest if you are going to make comments like that please do it in the morning. I have just read the “list” & I’m going to have nightmares, if I can even get to sleep after reading the “scenario”.
Its not nice to “dream” up these types of things some of us are sensitive. How did you even come up with this “scenario”.
I’m not even a right wingers & it gives me the creeps. anyhow it was funny.
[Translate]
I sat with Christy in the legislative buildings…… pleading that my elementary school should not close.
She was the Education Minister….I was the Parent Advisory Council chair.
The tiny Durrance Elementary school was built by my mother( when she was chair of school district 63)…….for the rural toddlers in our neighborhood..
This small school on a good year enrolled 90 young soles. (as intended)
To be fair..some elementary schools were experiencing enrollment declines.
Durance was full to the brim.
The property and building has since been sold and now belongs to the “Lion of Judah”….a religious cult.
She could have been more helpful if she wanted to.
[Translate]
If legislature is not sitting for the fall session why on earth do we need to pay a consultant $250,000+ to do nothing especially when he screwed up the first time? Sorry Alex, still ranting from yesterday. Cheers, enjoy a beautiful weekend.
[Translate]
I don’t blame you. It is rather galling, isn’t it?
Enjoy your weekend, too. Be well.
[Translate]
Priceless letter to Christy
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2012/09/15/pol-the-house-open-letter-to-christy-clark.html
[Translate]
WOW!
Readers in the comments section have cut her to pieces – not one comment in favour of Crusty; she’ll be lucky if she has any seats left after the next election – that’s if she’s even still there!
[Translate]
if she runs in kits again i doubt she will win.
she was just barely elected in the by-election… and im pretty sure the people their are getting sick of being called idiots for electing one.
[Translate]
Hi Alex, wow the passion and concern in. your writing is what hooked few years back when I first stumbled onto ypur site.
This article is another case in. point as to why your one of my favorite writers. It reminded me very much of a f Jack Webster/Raif Mair style of writing.
The commentary is first rate and just as thought provoking and insightful as yourself Alex.
With that said I offer a challange to your loyal readers….
Alex the other day you replied to a comment stating that would be open to having a regregular spot on ‘ NW
So if your not opposed, I plan on asking CKNW for the Alex Tsakumis show, it’s an obvious winner itt would be an instant boost to their ratings with the solid readership numbers you have it begs the question why hasn’t it happened sooner??? A monthly readership at over 200,000 + (correct me if I am wrong)
I think back to those great afternoons listening with great aanticipation to Jack Webster tearing someone a new one, or Raifs unwavering stand on an important issue
Damn I am out of power…
Fellow readers pleaae join me, call, e_mail, write CKNW
and ask for a dailey Alex Tsakumis show!!
[Translate]
You’re very kind.
Anywhere I go I come with my own huge following. Over a quarter millions readers per month. That’s staggering (and humbling) considering the beating I take at the hands of so many in the msm. Publicly and privately.
I am flattered you wish to contact NW. But I’m going to leave that up to you and the rest of my readers.
I’m here and quite happy.
[Translate]
Sid,
What a great idea.. here are the email addy’s
Tom Plasteras at tplasteras@cknw.com
Ian Koenigsfest at ikoenigsfest@cknw.com
in that order,
I suggest everyone send an email, with the election season coming, I personally would love to hear another voice out there.
Each media personality has a different take on things… with Alex I expect we would get a spirited debate… which is something I enjoy ..
Great idea Sid.. lets start a movement to get Alex on air, to ask some tough questions!
We know he will, as he fears nothing.
The question is does CKNW have the courage to have such a hard hitting straight shooter on the team?
Lets find out.. that is, if Alex is willing…
[Translate]
great idea george,
just think what great radio it would be,
on his own or teaming up with somebody doing a point counter point.
[Translate]
I don’t remember when I was in such a total agreement with someone as I’m with you about the characteristics of this pathetic phonies’ parade. Blake’s comment comparing them to circus bears is also superb. Thank you for sharing your talent and astute observations in such an intelligent way.
The only reservation I have, however, is your comment about the Ministry of Children and Family Development. Their operating annual budget is almost $1.4 billion and its operating cost a bit above $300 million. Over one billion (the selling price of BC Rail) goes out ANNUALLY to courts, lawyers, “shrinks” and other “consultants” aka “whores of the court”. Had that billion been distributed to the poorest families with the help of competent and registered social workers paid anyway within the aforementioned 300 million, perhaps a few thousand legal aid lawyers, psychologists etc. would have had to start honestly work for individual or corporate clients or seek career changes, but the child poverty rate would have dropped significantly as well as the propensity of the MCFD to remove children from loving but in most cases poor families.
Thanks again for one of your best pieces! God bless!
[Translate]
My pleasure.
Christy began cuts to programs that were necessary. The total budget and operating amount is totally misleading. Go ask Mary Turpel-Lafond. She’ll recount the nightmare that Ministry is, in detail.
[Translate]
Complete agreement Alex. IMHO austerity needs to start from the top down. We can not sustain the useless, bloated upper level mismanagement, make work, feel good, projects that feed the rampant political patronage and nepotism that has been going on for far too long. We just can not sustain the waste and entitlement that goes on and we don’t even know the half of it.. It is thanks to you, Alex, that the public is made aware. It is across all ministries and crown corporations.
[Translate]
Mary Turpel-Lafond is one of the most decent figures in this corrupt provincial administration but, unfortunately, she’s got almost always one, and very often both hands tied behind her back. She is also bound, as a former judge, to accept at face value most reports submitted by the MCFD corrupt administration that is only interested in bloating their budget. We both remember all too well her fight taken through the whole BC court system in order to obtain critical data needed for the completion of her report. We need an ombudsman with teeth who would have the necessary powers to monitor and challenge the MCFD operations on a daily basis. The first step in the right direction would be the legislated obligation to have all social workers employed and acting on behalf of the MCFD registered with either the BC College of Social Workers or the BC Association of Social Workers as a prerequisite to apply for employment there as well as make them officers of the court which would make lying on the witness stand more dangerous for those who do so now.
[Translate]
It’s easy to tell a conservative in the crowd, you just look for the halo.
[Translate]
There is an easier way … they’re the ones that don’t have their hands in your pockets.
[Translate]
thats because they are in everyone else’s…….
[Translate]
Much easer way..
They’re the ones that are working to build the province while the socialists are complaining and whining about everything wrong with the province.
[Translate]
The common everyday citizens are the ones “working” to make this a great province, only to be constantly punished for their efforts via high taxes, tolls and the like, all the result of a political system, that in my opinion, is managed extremely poorly.
[Translate]
So why would there not be a common Conservative such as they exist out there?
Your common everyday citizen may very well be your next door neighbour, the teacher who is Conservative (and yes they do exist, I know quite a few teachers who would never put an “X” next to an NDP candidate’s name) and works just as hard as the Left Wingers do.
One thing that is irritating about the Left is that they figure they represent everything except the Corporate Board Room and the early morning deals that go on Howe Street.
The NDP themselves have rarely put themselves into a positive
go get ‘em position. Much of the commentary from NDP candidates
and many others are complaining to the point that a few become additions for the offerings of BC Whine. You can see alot of examples
on The Tyee.
Example: The NDP makes many references to “working British Columbians”. A rather oblique reference to those who work within
unions. Same as the label used within Conservatives, “social Conservative”, which originally meant being fiscally conservative yet socially responsible as in suppporting the social programmes such as health and welfare for those who need a hand up not a hand out.
Anyone who works for a living be it the CEO of a large
company, the owner of the local corner store, the office receptionist,
the plumber, logger anyone is a working British Columbian. Heck
even Alex here is a working British Columbian even though you wouldn’t see him in old jeans bent over looking into the pipe below the
kitchen sink, and what you see is a “plumber’s crack”
If you figure the political system is manageed extremely poorly well get out there and become a part of it. Join your local riding association and participate. I’ve done it (and managed to get a few
changes made in the groups I was a part of amongst other things).
[Translate]
Shell gets it. Bang on.
[Translate]
thats BS.
conservatives,liberals and ndp all want a more prosperous province for all of us, they just have different ideas on how to get their.
the problem at the moment is we dont have liberals in charge of the province, we have a corporate wellfare party that is giving all our assets away.
would the conservatives sell off everything we own to make a budget look good? would the NDP? HELL NO.
i dont give a damn if its the cons or ndp in power after the next election as long as the liberals are GONE.
of course i have my preference as does everyone else… thats why we get to vote.
[Translate]
Actually they are the ones signing the front of the cheque.
[Translate]
Left! Right! Left! Right! Left! Right! Left! Right! Left! Right!
Hut! 2, 3, 4! Hut! 2, 3, 4! Hut! 2, 3, 4! Hut! 2, 3, 4!
The leader of MY party, has a bigger one than the leader of your party!
No he hasn’t! The leader of your party is a bigger one than the leader of my party!
Yawn!
It’s about RIGHT & WRONG!!!
The left vs. right ploy – is just blind mindless dogma inflicted onto gullible party joiners who, once they are true indoctrinated believers, proceed to knock on the doors of their friends and neighbors and annoy the hell out of them until their friends and neighbors finally subject themselves to a mercy buy of some left bull shit or some right bear shit, just to get rid of these pests – these party ideologues!
Amway Party anyone?
Or maybe The Jehovah Witness Party?
Why not? They couldn’t be worse than what we have now – The Crash Test Dummies Party!
[Translate]
Jehovah Witnesses do not vote in elections.
Your next stop is the Christian Heritage Party.
Right there..
*pull*
(bus slows down and stops, the rush of release air from the brakes are heard, the ruffling of the two leaves of the rear doors is heard as they open)
passenger gets out..
(two quick rushes of release air is heard, the rear doors snap shut bus pulls away and the sound of the diesel engine fades..)
[Translate]
Many thanks for sharing your thoughts on We Day. As a teacher, I’ve refused to attend WE Day since the beginning and have challenged admin to rethink sending students to this screaming spectacle. I will definitely be sharing some of your points at our upcoming We Day committee meeting. This is a meeting I’ve refused to attend for the past two years as opposing voices have always been silenced. in the case of our district, this event is enthusiastically and officially embraced by our School District so even school-based admin who oppose the event have their hands tied.
The great majority of participants who volunteer to attend are more interested in seeing and cheering for the so-called “stars and celebrities” recruited by the Kielburgers rather than pushing for meaningful change in their community and beyond. Besides political indoctrination, this event includes an unnecessary bombardment of corporate advertisements. It’s just another platform for corporations to push for brand/product recognition.
[Translate]
COMPLETE AGREEMENT.
[Translate]
“The only cost to youth is their commitment to lead global change”
Sounds like a “Burden WEE Ones with Adult Created Global Problems” day to me.
[Translate]
It’s a pretty huge accomplishment to overshadow this band of misfits by throwing The Dummy into the mix.
WE Day should be renamed WTF Day.
[Translate]
His Grace recently suggested that former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and President George W. Bush should be tried criminally–as war criminals, for their roles in beridding the planet of murderous thug and interminable international maggot, Saddam Hussein.
==================================
Are you trying to be funny?
Next thing you will be saying is you support that rogue state Israhell err Occupied Palestine.
Know your history Pal ????? ..I SERIOUSLY doubt it
[Translate]
ACTUALLY I FULLY SUPPORT ISRAEL!
Only a NUT would decry her right to exist.
“Occupied Palestine???”
You need SERIOUS mental help…
[Translate]
It is quite clear you are a clueless shill for a warmongering base.
Have any clue about History , or was you major Creative Writing ?
Know what Hasbara and Sayanim means, you fit the profile.
HELP is what you need PAL , you are as bad as those you accuse
[Translate]
Listen, you imbecile, anyone that believes the deep, disproved conspiracy of an illegal Zionist-driven occupation of land that belongs to Israel–and no one else, needs serious psychological help. You’re a headcase, who’s well beyond help, I’m afraid.
I’m well aware of what Hasbara and Sayanim refers to. I’m not either. But I am someone who despises Islamofascism and anti-Semitism–which often go hand in glove.
You’re a hater. You’re one of them. Do not come back here. Sick bastard. If you have any balls, use your real name. Why are you hiding?
[Translate]
Yes Alex because YOU are ALWAYS right. NO ONE is allowed to question anything YOU don’t approve of. We are all sick hating bastards because we question the fact that quite coincidentally jews own and run everything…….
Some journalist you are……..a one sided one obviously……
Well when those jews start WW3 by NUKING Iran I hope your happy. They have already destroyed the world’s economies and you and your kids (and my kids) will feel the consequences of it for decades.
And lastly……I guess ONE HUNDRED PERCENT of the 1000 pages of the following sites are ALL ONE HUNDRED PERCENT BULLSHIT right Alex? Yes yes….I know I’m banned from your site for being a sick hating bastard. A billion dead people at the hands of jew bankers in the last 1000 years don’t mean nuthin…………good day to you sir.
http://www.zioncrimefactory.com
http://www.iamthewitness.com
http://www.jewwatch.com
ALL 100% bullshit. Nothing in those sites is correct. All made up. All fiction.
[Translate]
I’m allowing this comment to go forward because people like this, my dear readers, people as sick as Richard, actually exist.
I weep for gallant Israel. Surrounded by haters like this idiot above.
Every bit of information that supports such frightening hate, is, in fact, evil–not just fiction.
[Translate]
Thanks Alex. For holding feet to the fire. Whether it is Clark, the liberals or other pedlars of bull shit. This is the only news site I trust anymore.
[Translate]
Not one of your better posts Alex.
[Translate]
Need to be more specific. Parts of it are fine, other parts are egregiously uninformed. Constructive criticism needs to include evidence.
[Translate]
Go get stuffed. Who are you to speak down to anyone?
Use your real name and attach some evidence otherwise hit the road. I was always uncomfortable with your attitude, but only until I repeat the fraud of global warming do you take flight.
This is a bullshit free blog.
No wonder you’re uncomfortable.
[Translate]
This is a bullshit free blog.
Geez.. I though this was a free blog sometimes served with bullshit..
Or maybe I’m wrong. Ah got it..
This is a free blog written by a guy who knows his shit.
No wonder we’re comfortable.
[Translate]
Hello, teacher here. The first time I read this post I was puzzled and annoyed at an attack on We Day. It has pure motives and generates important discussions among teenagers (sorry, but star-power is exceedingly useful for this). However, after I read the comments and re-read your article I am ready to acknowledge that the speakers definitely favour the Left of the political spectrum and that is a problem when they claim to be apolitical. I have huge problems with any argument that minimizes the effects of global warming, but that is probably a debate for another board. As always, I enjoyed the post and the discussions you generate. Beating up on CC is easy. Taking an unpopular position against saintly do-gooders is not. Keep up the good work.
[Translate]
There in lies the problem “star-power”. Maybe, it is time to redefine what a star is. Most of these speakers have done very little, sure they are in the media and on television but so are a lot of misguided individuals. I am troubled by the fact that you use the teacher credentials. Maybe our teachers should introduce real stars, how about the folks helping the homeless, para-Olympians, nurses, doctors, community leaders, mom and dad and yes the teachers who go out of their way to ensure our children can take part in extra-curricular activities.
My post was not intended to attack anyone…so before it is misread, shut off the tv and think about who is a real star. Until then my children will not be attending such a phony event. They couldn’t brain wash adults now they are trying our children. This pisses me off to no end. Ms. Clark is certainly not a hero, role model or someone that should be speaking to children.
[Translate]
Perfect. Letter perfect logic.
[Translate]
Back in the good days of television and movies, a star was one who actually had talent. A person who could actually act a role seamlessly.
With a few exceptions back then, most TV shows actually told a story rather than sell a product or one specific person. Same with movies. Quite a few TV shows lasted not more than 3 months, but actually 3 years.
Movies were memorable for the story and the plot plus the music and cinematography, not computer generated special effects or the watered down overpriced drinks and heavy salted popcorn at the counter.
Seems today’s “stars” are a product of overhype and the agents who make their money selling mediocre talent to any studio or production company that endures the sales pitch.
One song with nothing but no more than 4 words to the lyrics does not make one a star or a hero.
Like many including Alex here, there are actors and actresses who actually act and are worthy of seeing again in a movie as there are
TV shows that are worth watching Season 2 and even Season 5.
Americans have gotten into star worship for a very long time. Does it really matter what name of star is doing now? Does it?
A real hero is one who goes the extra mile (or kilometre) to make a difference under difficulty. Rick Hansen is a hero as is Terry Fox.
Justin Bieber? Er… no…
[Translate]
What is troubling about my teaching credentials? I wasn’t really aware that I was using them for anything. The students at my school get to meet the ‘real stars’ as you define them quite regularly. All of the examples you cited have visited my school and spoken to my students at one point or another. We’re glad to have guest speakers and the kids get a lot out of those visits. That doesn’t mean that We Day isn’t beneficial as well. Without exception our students return feeling they are part of something bigger. They feel galvanized, ready to talk about world issues and ready to take action. Alex acknowledges that We Day as an idea is not without merit. I believe it is working well.
[Translate]
I’m happy to acknowledge that WE Day is a worthwhile endeavour, but the preponderance of ONE type of speaker, with one dimensional, political identities, is obvious–and troubling.
[Translate]
Well, I acknowledged that part earlier. So I guess we’ll agree on that and respectfully disagree on other things. I’m sure there will be no shortage of students to take the places of the ones whose parents don’t allow them to go.
[Translate]
I’m sure.
[Translate]
off topic alex, my apologies
http://www.cknw.com/news/vancouver/story.aspx?ID=1774557
looks like we wont get any info on the Basi/Virk pay out until well into next year.
im guessing the liberals will contest any decision made by the court to push this back past the election next year.
[Translate]
Let’s see about that.
[Translate]
Alex you’re at your best when you’re tearing Christy a new one, and exposing the frauds and BS involved in BC politics.
I’m not even going to address most of this article except for your repeated hate and vitriol spewed against anyone who attempts to educate people about climate change. You are truly, willfully ignorant if you choose to believe that because Victoria isn’t “underwater” that therefore you, Alex G Tsakumis, have disproven climate change.
You never give any reasons why you think the whole field is a fraud, despite mountains of evidence in support of the theory. Have you ever spoken to a climate scientist? Have you ever read a reputable publication on the topic, or do you just stick to asinine propaganda pieces which support a do-nothing approach?
You have a responsibility – many readers read you and believe what you say. You really need to educate yourself on this issue if you want to post about it, otherwise you just look like an absolute clown. And I say this as someone who reads your blog regularly and enjoy your pieces on BC politics. You seriously sound like a complete, unmitigated fool when it comes to this issue, and it’s impossible to even correct you as you just assert your position as fact with no evidence whatesoever to back it up.
I, and many of your readers, expect better of you.
[Translate]
I won’t blame you for your ignorance since you’ve only commented here since May 22 of this year (And this is your 25 comment since then).
I’ve been blogging since November of 2009.
Since then, I’ve written over a dozen and a half posts on the crime, and it IS a CRIME, of global warming alarmism. Three were cited by national newspapers and one was cited in an international, global warming (debunking) periodical.
As well, you’ll notice I qualify my argument. Alarmism, of anything, is the root of all inaccuracies. And so it is with global warming, conveniently switched by your ilk, to climate change, in order to mask the rapidly revealed fraud being perpetrated by people like Gore.
And you.
“I’m not even going to address most of this article except for your repeated hate and vitriol spewed against anyone who attempts to educate people about climate change. You are truly, willfully ignorant if you choose to believe that because Victoria isn’t “underwater” that therefore you, Alex G Tsakumis, have disproven climate change.”
Firstly, WHO THE HELL ARE YOU to “address” anything??? Why is it that out of hundreds of regular commenters on this blog, YOU and only YOU, come across as the most sanctimonious, egotistical asshole? Now, that’s something coming from me, but I digress; you really are off your rocker if you think I, or anyone else here, awaits your reviews from upon high.
Secondly, in those posts and columns I’ve written about climate change, I’ve either cited credible sources of skepticism or news articles which raise the same concerns. An Obama-backing professor and climate scientist, just this year, resigned from a climate science think tank because it’s director claimed that the science supporting global warming is “incontrovertible.” No it’s not! Not for that decent fellow, or for me. Nor should it be for any free-thinking, logical human being. Carbon isn’t the problem you ninny! Water vapour is.
Here, let me try to help your rattled pea:
http://www.ihatethemedia.com/25-anti-global-warming-videos-al-gore-does-not-want-you-to-see
Some of the videos have been removed due to copyright, but others are still there and BANG ON!
http://www.skepticalscience.com/argument.php
Lastly, you don’t know my readers. I do. Well, the vast majority of them. And a majority of THEM, don’t believe in climate change hooey. You do; lovely. Regardless of the gargantuan amount of evidence showing that the alarmism is not justifiable; prominent climate change scientists fudged their data, and other made it up out of whole cloth. To be specific, Gore’s schlockumentary has been discredited by THOUSANDS of climate scientists that range in opinions from believing it’s an entertainment piece that is a gross exaggeration or that he’s completely full of shit. The British High Court confirmed it, to the extent that the movie, that Gore’s foundation SELLS to schools, comes with an ‘entertainment warning’ intimating how his claims are questionable. Name another documentary in the last hundred years that has been so assailed? And with such accuracy!
Your critique of my work rings as hollow as your arguments in support of climate change lies.
[Translate]
Alex,
I enjoy your blog. It’s always interesting. I don’t always agree with everything written, but I do like the give and take of opposing views. I like to try and have an open mind, although sometimes it’s hard as I am locked into certain views.
I have never totally bought into the climate change model, however, I think we are having some kind of effect. Shooting shit up into the atmosphere really can’t be all that good. I understand the water vapour being the big problem, but adding other gases seems to increase what’s called the water vapour feedback loop. I look forward to reading more research on the topic. I think it’s important to listen to what scientists find, both for and against. I’m not a proponent of things like cap and trade, at least not yet. But, while my time here is not long, I do worry about my grandaughter’s future.
Just the ramblings of an older guy that would rather err on the side of caution.
Marty
[Translate]
(1) I think it would be quite a problem if we all agreed on everything. No discussion, no democracy.
(2) I, too, have an open mind, that’s why I don’t believe in climate change alarmism. There is no question we are experiencing climate change of some sort, but the notion that it’s our carbon footprint that’s driving it, or that the evidence to support that very argument, is unadulterated bafflegab. NOTHING in scientific climate discovery is incontrovertible. I’m not playing with words, it’s a fact.
(3) We compost, turn the lights off, use GPS to get to our destination in the quickest time possible and generally try to conserve wherever possible. But the replacement of plastic bags with cloth ones is pure hokum. As is the bottled water argument. Particularly, when considering the carbon spewing jets and diesel buses used by hypocrites like Gore and Suzuki. If the want us all to believe in what a fruit fly biologist and failed politician have to say, then they should give up their multiple residences and live carbon free.
(4) Cap and trade is bunk.
(5) I appreciate your always thoughtful comments. You are the kind of reader I always enjoy. It’s a pleasure having you here.
Bless you.
[Translate]
I guess you’re more interested in flying off the handle than in educating yourself on this particular issue.
I have no idea why you posted a link to the skeptical science blog – the whole purpose of that site is refuting fallacious arguments that “disprove” climate change. As for the issue of whether a scientific consensus exists, the answer is 100% YES, by anyone who is credible. Citations from two of the most well-respected scientific journals on the planet, and from the very blog that you yourself cited:
http://www.skepticalscience.com/global-warming-scientific-consensus.htm
http://www.sciencemag.org/content/306/5702/1686.full
http://www.nature.com/climate/2007/0709/full/climate.2007.48.html
The degree to which man-made climate change will be a problem can be debated, and tinkering of the model can happen, but you would be laughed off the stage if you spouted these views among any crowd with any sort of knowledge on the topic. Any of these “credible skeptics” only receive that title because denialists like yourself place it on them.
Your blog is entertaining; this is why I read it. And as I said, I check it regularly to see what news you have regarding the Liberals and all their nonsense. I like your blog because you call a spade a spade – which is why I am doing you the same curiosity here.
Your ignorance is faint-inducing on this topic. There is no other way to put it. You will not present real arguments against climate change because you simply don’t have them; rather you’ll spout half-baked ideas which have been thoroughly refuted.
If you DO have some sort of evidence by all means present it; you’ll win a Nobel prize and be one of the most influential thinkers on the planet. So prove me wrong.
[Translate]
It is not my intention to engage or inform someone who is willfully ignorant enough, to fall for climate change alarmism.
Nor will I allow you to hijack this post. You believe what you want. You’re wrong, and the planet itself is proving you wrong.
I’ll simply offer you these three from my own global warming file, that I stock every time more evidence pours in about the fraud of arguments like yours. The only person flying off the handle is YOU.
Faint-inducing? Yeah, that’s evidence that you can’t take the smell of your own bullshit.
Here, and then move along.
Scientists whose opinions mirror mine.
▪ Khabibullo Abdusamatov, mathematician and astronomer at Pulkovo Observatory of the Russian Academy of Sciences
▪ Sallie Baliunas, astronomer, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
▪ Ian Clark, hydrogeologist, professor, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Ottawa
▪ Chris de Freitas, Associate Professor, School of Geography, Geology and Environmental Science, University of Auckland
▪ David Douglass, solid-state physicist, professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Rochester
▪ Don Easterbrook, emeritus professor of geology, Western Washington University
▪ William M. Gray, Professor Emeritus and head of the Tropical Meteorology Project, Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University
▪ William Happer, physicist specializing in optics and spectroscopy, Princeton University
▪ William Kininmonth, meteorologist, former Australian delegate to World Meteorological Organization Commission for Climatology
▪ David Legates, associate professor of geography and director of the Center for Climatic Research, University of Delaware
▪ Tad Murty, oceanographer; adjunct professor, Departments of Civil Engineering and Earth Sciences, University of Ottawa
▪ Tim Patterson, paleoclimatologist and Professor of Geology at Carleton University
▪ Ian Plimer, Professor emeritus of Mining Geology, the University of Adelaide.
▪ Nicola Scafetta, research scientist in the physics department at Duke University
▪ Tom Segalstad, head of the Geology Museum at the University of Oslo
▪ Fred Singer, Professor emeritus of Environmental Sciences at the University of Virginia
▪ Willie Soon, astrophysicist, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
▪ Roy Spencer, principal research scientist, University of Alabama in Huntsville
▪ Henrik Svensmark, Danish National Space Center
• Jan Veizer, environmental geochemist, Professor Emeritus from University of Ottawa
All skeptics of global warming alarmism. The most prominent on the planet. Quite a few from Canada. We’re in the midst of a natural cycle.
Here, is a link to a column I’d love to see you or your ilk refute.
http://www.forbes.com/sites/peterferrara/2012/05/31/sorry-global-warming-alarmists-the-earth-is-cooling/
And finally, here is a website with real data the the mainstream, left wing press won’t print.
http://www.climatedepot.com/
You refuse to accept the truth because you are so heavily invested in the lie. Good for you, but don’t expect any mercy from those of us with some intellect.
[Translate]
1. All scientists in “climategate” were completely exonerated, although public opinion of climate science was tarnished. Shows facts don’t matter I guess.
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/08/science/earth/08climate.html?_r=1&src=mv
2. Your sense of scale is way off. Most, if not all of those scientists have been effectively refuted, but in the interest of time I’ll quickly focus on Ian Plimer, as he is one of the most famous denalists and is trotted out every time someone in Australia wants to complain about their carbon tax. Here are some fun links regarding our friend Plimer:
http://www.skepticalscience.com/Plimer-vs-Plimer-one-man-contradiction.html
http://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2009/08/plimers-homework-assignment/
http://www.climatechange.gov.au/en/climate-change/understanding-climate-change/response-to-prof-plimer.aspx
You could have posted those names for two reasons. One, you are trying to appeal to authority by saying “my non-existent argument is supported by all these people, therefore it’s true!” Well if that’s the game we’re playing then do I really need to list the 1500+ contributors to the IPCC panel? Should I list the ~930 articles with 2000+ authors reviewed by the 2004 study in Science, NONE of which found anything close to contradicting the fundamentals of this process? (and for which a rebuttal was withdrawn, because all it cited was letters to the editor and not real research?) Should I list NASA, the US military, every major science organization in the world, all of whom acknowledge climate change and the fact that it’s caused by human activities?
Second you could be trying to make their arguments by proxy, but since denialists with credentials are so few and far between (and so sought after) when each one comes up with an idea it tends to get a lot of press. The refutations tend not to, and a quick Googling of many of those names reveal that most bring nothing new to the table, and their arguments have been soundly refuted.
You don’t understand how things work in science – this is the bottom line. If these folks could put together a coherent, scientifically sound refutation of climate change they would – and it would be published in the highest journal on the planet (currently Science or Nature) and they would win a Nobel prize. Other than discovering a fundamental law, there is NOTHING more prestigious than proving a major theory wrong.
You’re entitled to your opinion, even if it’s dead, flat-out wrong. But just as you educate people about the realities of BC Rail, corruption, and the internal workings of the BC Liberal party, I am going to educate you about science and climate change – even if you’re not prepared to listen. You can call that “sanctimonious” if you want, but if you’re going to tell whoppers on your site then you’re going to get called out on it.
[Translate]
Once again, only your megalomania is speaking.
(1) The British panel reviewing ‘Climategate’ was a total fraud. From the review, we discover:
“The report, which was commissioned by the university after the Climategate scandal broke, did criticize researchers at East Anglia for failing to show the “proper degree of openness” to critics and skeptics of global warming studies.”
Oh, but then why would they not exonerate their brethren? You are so full of shit, it’s incredible.
Read some real facts. The panel was loaded with like-minded idiots. Two had to resign because they were already PUBLIC in their views, PRIOR to appearing on the panel. Isn’t that convenient???
http://www.climategate.com/inquirygate-official-british-climategate-e-mail-review-falling-apart
(2) Going into the nonsense about how they were all discredited without citing one shred of unbiased critique is typical of the left. OF course you like my criticisms of the BC Liberals. It, you hope, helps your friends in the NDP.
(3) Pretending to know why I posted those names–and thoroughly manipulating my intent, suits your argument–but not the truth. Nice try, again. The number of scientists, you fool, is irrelevant. Copernicus stood alone. As did Pasteur. As did Einstein. You are a complete fraud. I haven’t seen arguments this week since my son tried to get out of taking a bath post soccer practice. He was five at the time.
(4) You keep naming the Nobel prize. Strange, since it’s completely discredited after awarding Gore and Obama empty plaques and lest we forget Arafat. A well known, left wing institute. Nice. Good one, again. I haven’t laughed this hard in years.
(5) The notion that you are going to educate anyone, most particularly me, is laughable. You’re not qualified to run a donut stand at the PNE. You are, in the main, an apologist for faulty science, and, frankly, fraud. The sites you cite and the sources you claim are so biased in favour of global warming that it’s painful to think you could be this daft.
If I administered an enema to your argument, I could walk away with any residual value in the head of a thimble. Go away.
[Translate]
Thought of The Day
“Re. Global Warming/ Climate Change/ CO2… the majority of people have good intentions based on very bad information. That’s all! ”
IAmNotImpressed … sadly, you are one of them. What are you going to advocate for or perhaps peddle, next… banning of the Dihydrogen Monoxide?
Cause it’s going too far. It’s this nasty chemical that is now found everywhere, in lakes, reservoirs, rivers, bad corporations are using it in huge amounts, nuclear reactors are dependent on it, now some manufacturers are spraying our fruits and vegetables with that, main know secondary effects are excessive sweat and urination, the plastic industry are hiding it inside their product bottled product…
Don’t get me started on the banning of the safe DDT and the direct link to foreign aid vs. legislation in favor of banning, in the third world countries.
FWIW, Royal Society’s motto says “Nullius in Verba” (Take nobody’s word for it), not that they cared much for their own motto anyways, as it is clearly shown hereafter:
“The next IPCC report should give people the final push that they need to take action and we cannot have people trying to undermine it.”
- from Sept. 2006 statement by Royal Society of London demanding that those who disagree with them… stop.
Talk about “academia” credibility when the “politics” get to take over the “message”.
I wrote extensively on this subject (including a LIST of #Top100BooksOnGlobalWarmingAlarmism providing links to REAL SCIENTIFIC papers/ books/ texts on my Twitter account. Join in, educate yourself, but most importantly cut the crap, and remember…
“Nullius in Verba”!
Nuff said.
Alex, for some time now, I was contemplating of starting a #SaveTheCO2 Campaign (CO2 being such an underdog ,and actually a nice fellow if you keep in mind that he’s the sugar that puts our beer on the table, and the green in our real greens, if you catch my drift ) You in…
?
We live in Vancouver and this keeps us busy.
[Translate]
Mea Colpa!
Next time I’ll do an edit before I “submit” … but “unimpressed”‘s shtick kinda’ pissed me off. Funny thing, in the past month I had at least one dozen of controversial chats on this subject. I throw scientific data/ academic texts/ peer reviewed books at them … nawwww… Al Gore gang knows best, by simply looking out the window.
In my all fairness, I admitted to them that I don’t know either… the science is not settled, it’s too complicated, too many variables, too unpredictable, and all there is … can qualified as an educated guess based on man-made computer models whose margin of error varies by 300%. With that kind of error, is like sending the Mars module to Mars and landing it on Saturn!
But hey, I get it!
It’s hard for them to let the 30+ years old bone, go. Still juicy after so many years. And they didn’t even reached the bone marrow!
GR-eetings
[Translate]
Jessus … bad Glissando!
“and all there is … can be qualified”
“they didn’t even reach”
Unimpressed.
[Translate]
Hey I am unimpressed! Shit Head!
Focus on Me……Mr White……Leave Alex Alone. This is His House.
Here is The Real Climate Change. YOU!. It is This Day, that the Voters and the all around general public say NO! to the lies and stupidity.
Come on, let’s have a conversation about your lies.
Tell me and my Family when ………….things will just be O.K.
How much of that is true? None of it.
“Your blog is entertaining”””””””””””””””””””””””””’”This is why I read it”.
Dear Alex. Thank You.
Mr White.
[Translate]
Wanna buy some carbon credits? They are printed on nice paper and available in a wide range of denominations.
[Translate]
For my copy of the form do I use carbon paper or carbonless paper?
[Translate]
Good news. All those polar bears that drowned have been found. By some miracle they undrowned themselves.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/manitoba/story/2012/08/21/mb-polar-bear-dens-manitoba.html
[Translate]
I know. The embarrassment of these climate change nutbars is truly remarkable.
[Translate]
It’s the sanctimonious holier than thou condescending attitude that turns me off..
I just stop listening..
Glissando I was watching the night you started posting your 100 books..interesting indeed..
[Translate]
I know. Quite unbelievable, but climate change doomsterists are all the same. They’re pathetic individuals.
[Translate]
LOL – Global warming – the newest invention to tax the masses and put the proceeds into general revenue.
[Translate]
The mother of all lies.
[Translate]
I agree Alex, 100% just another way to screw the taxpayers.
[Translate]
Of course! The funny part is that they don’t understand that it hurts the most economically vulnerable. No one covers that inconvenient truth.
It’s all quite pathetic.
[Translate]
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and I respect that this is your blog. I would like to say that I have taken students to WE DAY.
Like many others here, I did not know much about the foundation or the purpose of the day until I was asked to chaperone a group of children. I did my research before I took the group and must say that I was still not certain what to expect. On that bill, we did have Al Gore, Martin Sheen, and Jesse Jackson. Rick Hansen was a highlight for many of the students.
When we returned to the school, I met with the kids and asked them each to explain the message they heard. They did not hear ‘left wing or right wing’ politics. They came back with the belief that they can make positive changes for others. This group of Grade 5 students chose to help with the leadership in supporting an African School that the school had supported for years. They organized a food drive for our local food bank. Several of them decided to ask for food on Hallowe’en instead of treats for themselves.
If this is what happened in even one quarter of the schools – what an amazing effect it had on the students and the possibilities for our future!
To: Peter Paul Mary :
You said, “You know Alex, this is why me and my wife come here.” As an educator, you should know that the correct English would be “why my wife and I come here”.
[Translate]
I noticed that myself but thought that it might have been a slip. Besides, we all make mistakes like that from time to time. Some people write as they speak. I find less mistakes happen when you’re writing. I hardly think criticism of an educator is necessary because of such a slip. If it were a formal essay, then I completely understand.
As for your WE Day experience: The politicization may not necessarily begin with an innocuous lovefest or some idle rambling by hypocrites. The bottom line is, those kids may go back to the internet, look up Jackson or Gore and read some fawning tribute to such phonies, leaving them with the impression that these men are worthy examples to live by or are at all worthy of an audience.
THAT’S the problem.
Star power being used to send several messages. Not a good recipe for a better future.
[Translate]
Alex, I am not trying to be overly critical but I hope that is not the way that particular teacher speaks. The modelling we do for our students has far more effect than any formal lessons we teach.
I guess I would not find students googling any of the speakers as a negative. Hopefully (since the majority of the students in attendance are Grade 8-12) they have or are developing critical thinking skills that allow them to look at all sides of a question. They hopefully are in tune with current events and therefore have probably heard the majority of the names previous to WE DAY. The other critical piece to this internet research issue is that I hope they are developing the skills to know what is valid and what is not on the internet. (Did you know martinlutherking.org is owned by a white supremest group?)
I would want students to be reading MSM, blogs such as yours and Paul Willocks, The Tyee, The Straight, and more. That is the way we can create an educated electorate for the future. That is the way to get our young people to the polls and perhaps raise the caliber of our politicians. Educated and involved youth will hold them accountable.
[Translate]
You are probably correct that this particular individual uses that phrase in oral language. However, we teach more to our students through modelling than in formal lessons. Correct oral English is essential.
If the students went to the internet and looked up Jesse Jackson or Al Gore, this would be a learning experience. Since the majority of attendees are Grades 8-12, they should be expanding their horizons and developing their own beliefs. We don’t want them to believe everything they read on the internet, MSM, of blogs such as this. They need to develop critical thinking skills to be able to evaluate the information – which we are hopefully giving them at school.
[Translate]
Agreed on both counts. However, there is no value in anything people like Gore or Jackson have done, against the backdrop of their thunderous, appalling hypocrisy, and subsequent failures.
That’s my bigger concern.
[Translate]
I agree in part. Students at that level should be developing their own beliefs… but after they develop critical thinking skills. While they are developing their skills they should not be subjected to misguided individuals using “star-power” as an attraction. Example: Gore should be replaced with a panel of scientists.
If the media is not going to filter the good stars from the bad, then parents, teachers and community leaders must. I would not waste my child’s time goggling any of the “Magnificent Seven” that AGT mentioned above, sorry forgot the other diva, late entry. I’m trying to forget about her.
[Translate]
” However, we teach more to our students through modelling than in formal lessons.”
I get it – you’re saying that all the innumeracy we see in students was modeled by their teachers.
[Translate]
Didn’t know my partner (kbc) was going to post here but she has thankfully chosen a different topic than I have.
Being a reasonable guy and open to all sorts of opinions I thought I should have a look at the link to videos that Al Gore doesn’t want me to watch. Firstly – I am not an Al Gore fan but have seen his film sometime ago. Secondly – I did not watch every minute of every video.
Okay, 25 videos. Actually there are 32 but 9 are empty.
video 1: John Coleman – weatherman with a 1957 journalism degree. Critics of Colman’s have questioned his lack of academic credentials, journalism degree, and charge that he has not conducted actual research in the area of climate change.(Wikipedia)
video 2: Global warming doomsday called off. Please see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Global_Warming_Swindle.
video 3: “The debate is not over”?Please see Skeptical Science link provided by AGT and refer to numbers 20(Al Gore got it wrong), 4(There is no consensus), 36(Polar bear numbers are increasing), 11(CO2 lags temperature) on the list. This video is classic disinformation.
video 4: empty – supposed to be Glenn Beck. Empty is a good description.
video 6: Fox News picking on Al Gore, paleoclimatologist Ian Clarke and the Vostok ice core graph – please see Skeptical Science link #11 again. I stopped watching this one when it stated that “volcanoes produce more CO2 each year than all the factories and cars and planes and other sources of man made carbon dioxide put together” which is absolutely untrue.
videos 10 and 11: Freeman Dyson – although obviously very intelligent, has done no climate research to back up his stance on climate change.
videos 12 to 18: Christopher Horner, lawyer, no climate research and quoting from DeSmog Blog’s research database “According to a search of Google Scholar, Horner has not published any peer-reviewed articles on the subject of climate change.”
video 19: This is an interesting one to be included. Sir David Attenborough saying ” So there you have it. There seems little doubt that this recent rise, this steep rise in temperature is due to human activity.”
video 20: Picking on Al Gore again. Sigh. Please see Skeptical Science link and go to #20 on the list. Then the talking head repeats the old ice-core-CO2-levels-trailing-temperature argument. Next we’re told that the Pacific Research Institute has a documentary on global warming. That’s fine except the talking head forgot to tell us that they are funded by the Koch brothers. I need not watch any more of this nonsense.
12 more videos of the same spin and disinformation that is easily debunked using the Skeptical Science website.
These are the videos that Al Gore doesn’t want us to see? Any critical clear thinking person wouldn’t be bothered.
[Translate]
Apart from your interesting (my charity is on display) descriptions of each person in those videos, perhaps you can tell me then, why we should be listening to Gore (a failed politician) or Suzuki (a fruit fly biologist)? They are the two most cited climate change experts in North America. Both have had peer-reviewed successes. but neither has any formal credentials in climate science.
Isn’t that frightening to you, too? LMAO!
Sadly, you could easily find the THOUSANDS of climate scientists on the web that are legitimately and rightly skeptical, as many of us. But that doesn’t suit your argument. Climate change is happening. But there is no need for panic or hyperbole, and unfortunately, that’s what the entire argument on your side is consumed by. I, frankly, believe we’re in a natural cycle, and our consumption levels, while troubling, are meaningless in the greater scheme of things. We’ve already made great changes that should be lasting. And entire industry of ‘clean energy’ has spawned great advance. I’m quite hopeful.
And what does “peer-reviewed” really mean anymore, after ‘Climategate’? They couldn’t find the statistics to back up climate change so one professor insisted that they make it up. Remember that? The University of Anglia mean anything to you? HE was a climate scientist first rate and fully credentialed. Oh, but he wanted to make things up…oops! LOL!
C’mon. Be serious, please. How much more of these lies do you think the public will put up with?
Empty bike lanes and windmills to nowhere. Hooey. Made up or exaggerated fluff.
[Translate]
Thought of The Night
“I have noticed a disturbing trend. With each passing school year, my children are more convinced that humans and technology are bad for the planet… while teachers are helping to insure a “greener” future. I do not think they understand that my children may infer a condemnation of humanity.”
- letter from a concerned parent to the New York Times, after dealing with the fallout of one too many “Earth Days” … Oct. 1989
Thank God that parents in Vancouver/ BC didn’t have to worry about that for one full scholar year as the teachers & BCTF were “on leave”, and who knows, they might still until next year’s Provincial election when their newly anointed NDP buoys, will take a good look at their “Trial” collective agreement and do some sensible modifications, here and there.
Now don’t start jumping up and down just yet, us Vancouverites were not that lucky during that said time, we had Vision Vancouver taking care of business.
After pushing for separated bike lanes, parking fees increases, advocating for an oppressive, immoral Carbon Tax, an “in your face” war on cars campaign, now it’s the bread crumbs, chicken bones and pizza leftovers time.
Not long ago they lifted a Richmond idea, and photo-opted it in a beach setting, a Binners Paradise, Ladies and Gents… The Gregor gave us the (insert drum rolls here…) Selective/ Green colored/ See Through ‘Bin We Can” Bottle/ Garbage sorting, Recycling Bins Extraordinaire!
One thing though. No one, I repeat, no one presented us, the taxpayers, a Costs vs Benefits analysis, after all the City is supposed to be run like a business, right?
Green or not, bottom line is… the directors of a Corporation are liable to its shareholders/ taxpayers, am I right?
Generally speaking, what I’m saying is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaiSHcHM0PA
I would very much like to hear from an independent Auditor looking into how healthy the City’s finances really are…
“The next IPCC report should give people the final push that they need to take action and we cannot have people trying to undermine it.”
- from Sept. 2006 statement by Royal Society of London demanding that those who disagree with them… stop.
BTW, FWIW, the Royal Society’s motto is “Nullius in Verba” (Take nobody’s word for it), not that they cared much.
That Alex, was for the Green Agenda 21 bluffers!
As for the “WE Day”… or the “WE Con Day” the way I like to call it… I could kiss you (respectfully) on your forehead for that!
That I am appalled that this kind of consumerism pedophilia brainwashing is going on in BC, and with the full cooperation of our educators… that would be an understatement.
WE Day is a shameless orgy of a self appointed cult of BS and Consumerism, financed by both the Philanthropic & Corporate Worlds.
Paradox!
The same people that some are trying to usurp, are providing the venues the sponsorship and the goodies while the others are putting a number of pathetic act of feel good speeches that are 0 Calories or at the best sweetened with Aspartame.
The atmosphere inside any of this detox raves feels just like one of Tony Robbins power seminars less the barefoot fire walking and the steep admission fees.
‘Cause, Ladies and Gentlemen… the WE Day Show is completely… FREE!
Anyone wonders why?
Let me paint you a picture;
First the event takes place at ROGERS Arena… as if the place was the temple of learning, and not named coincidentally after a Cable/Wireless… Company.
In order to get in you’ll have to go through Nature’s Gate… LOL, another sponsor and green all green and natural food company.
Then as you walk to your seat, the bombardment starts from the left and from the right, Telus, Shaw, Attira, CTV, Aviva, Global, Happy Planet, Coca Cola, Molson Beer, Disney… and of course, hush hush on the QT, dressed inconspicuously… the politicians, the Liberals, the NDPs, the Visions, the Robertsons, the Tides…
I am old enough to not get fooled by this kind of crowd. Been through too many, read too much, seen a lot…
But to pry on young minds, and for teachers to shepherd them like a herd in one big room and close the doors on them, same way the Davidian Cult did it to their own followers, is unacceptable.
What are these kids going to be thinking after this mass hypnotic event?
That their “Me to We” power lies within their role as consumers not citizens?
Nuff said.
We live in Vancouver and this keeps us busy.
PS.
Alex, I will tweet this story over and over , that’s a guarantee.
GR-eetings!
[Translate]
Nice to hear from you, my friend. Many blessings.
Entertaining, provocative and thoughtful…as always.
[Translate]
That is a big WOW!
I have many Questions about Her.
Mr White.
[Translate]
Is it possible the more left minded folks are the ones willing to speak for free? And that is why you wind up with an unbalanced list?
[Translate]