Couple of quotes I stumbled across today - "I hold the maxim no less applicable to public than to private affairs, that honesty is the best policy." -- George Washington, 'Farewell Address', 1796 - now, I was just thinking, after the endless lies of George II - what has truth come to in our (sorry - I have to say - "so-called") civilisation??

- and - "I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it. -- Voltaire" - this one occurred to me concerning the recent re-appearance of Ernst Zundel in the news - apparently he's about to be deported to Germany or something, because he has been casting doubt on the veracity of WWII history - there has been a growing trend in our society the last couple of decades about 'thought-crimes" - and that, as far as I can see, is Mr. Zundel's main problem. I very much disagree with all of this. I don't especially doubt that Jews were targeted by Hitler and the Nazis - but what I think isn't really imporrtant, here - what counts is Zundel's - or anyone's - right to say what they want, about pretty much anything. He should be allowed a regular space in the newspapers to say what he wants - if he (or anyone else) spouts off idiotic views - well - most people will know that, and before long he (or she - there are women out there too with fairly idiotic views (sorry if that's just TOO un-PC!!) will just stop trying to get publicity because no-one listens anymore. But for some kind of gatekeepers to try to suppress his views - well, how can you possilby justify that, in a democratic, civilized society? Actually, when you think about it, it's kind of scary - the only people who really want to suppress ideas are those who are afraid of the truth that might be lurking in such ideas.

Let 'er roll!

RM Comments:
Mel Hurtig is one of the great Canadians of the era - note the word "Canadian" - that should mean something, something like proud of the country, caring for the country, wanting to maek it better, wanting to look after ALL of our people, and take a benevolent interest in the affairs of the world where we can help, that sort of thing - there are a few around. This, of course, would not include a great many people who pose as Canadians, the better to betray us all - people like Brian Mulroney, for instance, or Conrad Black (c'mon Connie - sue me!) - people who care primarily about their own advancement, and if that means selling the rest of us down the river, that doesn't concern them. A lot of these people - think of your braindead rightwing nespaper columnists like Terrence Corcoran or Diane Francis, for instance - are little more than pathetic sycophants, slurping merrily away at the boots or other unsavory parts of those with big money - and then there are the truly evil kind, like Black and Mulroney - Mike Harris and Ralph Klein in a smaller sense - any of these people who pretend to want to do good things, and yap about it incessantly, while, at the behest of their corporate masters, work away at taking apart this once great country. They are elitists, in the worst sense of the word - they believe there are a small groups of truly superior humans - themselves - and the rest of us are little better than dogs, with no feelings or real lives they need concern themselves about. Truly - they are the sub-humans, not appreciating the amazing gift of life we all have - a retro-breed of humans, some parts of their reptilian brain stems over-developed, and the human cortex, the actual thinking part, under-developed, but unfortunately all too often, with their cunning reptilian instincts, free from the natural human morality that causes most of us to consider the effects of our actions on others, clawing their way to positions of power, and using it as they do - for their own selfish ends. Until more of us understand what they are doing, and work together to stop them, it will continue to be so.

That's why we need Mel Hurtig, and more like him - to speak up for Canada, to give others a place to rally around, to let the corporate overlords know that their attempt at world hegemon will, ultimately, fail - although, like Sauron and his trolls, they will undoubtedly cause great grief and disaster along the way. Already have - what am I thinking?!?!
But a hand for Mel, everyone, for this book, and his others, and his work over the years to save this country - and then get off your butts and get out there and help!!

Tory's remark stuns nurses

Staff shortages 'surprised' him SARS underlined growing problem THERESA BOYLE QUEEN'S PARK BUREAU Toronto Star May. 7 original Star link Health Minister Tony Clement says he was astonished to learn during the SARS outbreak that so many Ontario nurses have been working in multiple hospitals because they are employed on a casual basis. "I was surprised to discover the extent," he admitted yesterday to reporters on his way into a Tory caucus meeting.

The RM archive copy - read it all here if the original link has problems

RM Comments: Well, just pointing out the obvious really - if this gazoo is really shocked that there is a nursing shortage in Ontario, only two explanations are possible - either he is that much out of touch with the consequences of his government's decisions that he has no business whatsoever being in government, let alone being a cabinet minister in that government - or he is plain stupid - there have been problems for years with understaffing, and hospitals, nurses and doctors, and people needing treatment have been complaining for years about staff shortages. Either way - is this man worthy of the trust of anyone? Or maybe, I suppose, he is still jetlagged after his little junket to Switzerland a few days ago, and not really watching what he is saying? Or then again - maybe this is his way of saying - "Who gives a fuck, suckers? haha." Well, people - you get what you vote for. Do you want this crew back for another few years? geezus.

RM Comments: Here they go again attacking Patrick Watson - one of the best journalists this country has ever produced - and his proposal that we need an independent newspaper in this country, supported by the government. These people are absolutely terrified of any kind of major media in this country that is not controlled completely by Big Business, and promoting that same Big Business agenda (essentially, dog-eat-dog, we win, fuck you - modern american elitist-capitalism-fascism, in other words) - thus the mad-dog-like attacks every time any mention of it gets anywhere near the public. Anybody paying attention (there's at least 10 or 20 of us, I think) would know this Robinson character from previous writings as the chief or whatever they call themselves of the Taxpayer's Association of Canada (somewhat ill-named - "wealthy" taxpayer's association would more accurately reflect who they stand for - the Crap-alliance leader, Stephen Harper, was the last leader of this group, so you can generally figure from that where they are politically - Republican would be a better description of them than any Canadian name. but I digress).