26Jan 2010 by R&O 1 Comment

Where the money should go

Olympics, Politics, Rants
When undergoing an MRI scan, you're asked to change into a prerequisite hospital smock before the procedure. A sign in the change room asks you to bring your valuables with you to protect them from theft. But it really doesn't do much good if you're trying to protect your money from VANOC because they always have access to your wallet. That's why it took many, many months to have your MRI scan in the first place. As reported previously on this blog, various public sectors have spent over $3 million for top-quality Olympic tickets, the city of Vancouver recently spent close to a million bucks on dorky banners and over a billion bucks on the Olympic village. We're all aware of the ongoing waste, the inconvenience, the upheaval, the non-refundable…
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14Jan 2010 by R&O No Comments

The Israeli Method

Business, Observations, Of Interest, Politics
Air travel security is reaching a level of absurdity and everyone is paying the price except terrorists and upper-tier politicians. We're being subjected to probes, scans, pat-downs, interrogation and intimidation just because we have chosen to travel by air. Every new terrorist incident results in more and more ridiculous rules and procedures at our airports but the sad fact is that it's grossly inefficient and target the innocent passenger rather than the dedicated Jihadist pin-head that make air travel scary and unpredictable. Our governments hire an army of sub-literate, socially inept security personnel who root through our personal belongings, scan our bodies and send us to interrogation rooms if we act remotely suspicious or have the audacity to complain. It's time something was done but who can do it and…
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21Dec 2009 by R&O No Comments

A KGB Christmas

Of Interest, Politics, Rants
So Vancouver's own ex-KGB agent Mikhail Lennikov has found himself on the front page of today's Province newspaper. Nice work Mikey. Perhaps our hapless bureaucrats will finally give in and let you stay even though you were once a member of The Soviet Union's Commitee for State Security, the same fun-loving guys that were responsible for the torture and deaths of countless perceived Soviet 'dissidents'. Yeah, that's the guy I want living next door or working in my office. I mentioned the story of Mikhail Lennikov back in June and it looks like his people are ramping up the coverage just in time for Christmas. The people that make decisions about people like Mr. Lennikov are more likely to decide in his favour if it's Christmas, right? Unfortunately, that may…
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17Dec 2009 by R&O No Comments

Beautiful Bill

Of Interest, People, Politics
He's back in the spotlight and enjoying the support of a majority of B.C. taxpayers. Yes, Bill Vander Zalm is shining pretty these days as he rallies his troops to fight the dastardly HST. Who would have thought that the man of questionable business ethics, a documented distaste for the media (remember the 'fly' editorial cartoon lawsuit?) and a guy that would promise cheap beer or anything else to get elected, would have the love of British Columbia taxpayers washing over his expensive suit in 2009? He's a new guy and he's on a mission. I should mention that I always thought Mr. Vander Zalm was a bit of a weenie but enjoyed his encounter with demonstrating deadbeats and his over-the-top challenge for them to do some real work by…
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