Shabby Treatment By Leon's Furniture Store

"Make your product easier to buy than your competition, or you will find your customers buying from them" - Mark Cuban

There is a furniture retailer in Burnside, Nova Scotia that could benefit greatly from a training seminar by Mr. Cuban who is well known as one of the "sharks" on the popular television show, Shark Tank. I'm sure Mr. Cuban or any of the "sharks, would be appalled by what I'm about to write.

I love shopping for furniture. Over the last twenty-five years my preferred furniture retailer has been Leon's Furniture. I have happily handed over thousands of dollars to Leon's in the span of a quarter century and earlier today I was just as eager to hand over a couple more. I and my husband were on a mission - we needed a new kitchen range. As we drove into Leon's parking lot we were delighted to discover that they were having a "Customer Appreciation" event.

We made our way directly to the appliance section and quickly chose the range we would purchase but I had no intention of leaving before having a nice look around so off we went. We would return to appliances later and finalize the deal.

My husband decided that he wanted to check out the reclining chairs since the one at home in his man-cave was just about ready for roadside pick-up. We made our way into the Bargain section and he actually found the perfect chair. It was marked "As Is" and marked down to $299.00 so my husband called over the nearest sales associate. The chair, he explained had been a display model and although the reclining features were electrical the actual power unit was gone. He went on to say that they would find another power supply for us if we were interested in buying the chair.

We were interested in seeing what happened when the power button was depressed so I asked the associate if he could get that power supply he had alluded to so my husband to give the chair a test drive. The associate refused, saying he couldn't do that but the same chair was out in the retail section if my husband wanted to test drive that one. But wait I'm thinking, we aren't buying that one, we're buying the discounted chair and that's the chair we want to make sure is working properly. I explained this to the associate and his response was, "it works, trust me". Really? We should just trust him that a discounted "as is" electrically run unit works even though he doesn't seem to want to prove it? 

I again told him that we wanted to make certain there was nothing wrong with the chair in question and the associate simply unhooked the retail model and plugged it into the marked down chair, just as easy as pie. Remember, when we first requested that he find a power supply to test drive the chair he refused, saying he couldn't do that. Well apparently he could do that. And quite easily too. But by this time he was obviously feeling put out.

At this point I don't want to deal with this man any further. But my husband wanted the chair so we told him we were purchasing a range as well and made our way back to appliances. 

Just as another associate was making his way to get the necessary paperwork for the range, Mr. Trust Me approaches us and asks us if we will be taking the chair with us. What? It's a large heavy recliner, customers don't usually throw one of these in a shopping cart and then toss them into the trunk of their car. So we told him that it could be delivered along with the range. 

(FYI - Leon's offers free "local" delivery but we knew from experience that we were not considered "local" and would pay a delivery fee.)

No, said Mr. Trust Me we do not deliver items from the bargain section under any circumstances. But wait we say, the range is being delivered and we're paying for the delivery so what possibly could be the problem with loading the chair on the truck as well? We understand why delivery would be a problem if we were only purchasing a bargain item but we were buying a thousand dollar range as well! 

Then Mr. Trust Me unsealed the pending deal when he stated that he had a customer who was spending over $8,000 dollars (in other words lots more than us) plus one bargain item and they would not deliver that item. That was enough for us. We bought neither and left the store. Even worse? They let us go. 

We drove directly to Sears and bought a better range at a better price from not one but three extremely accommodating, helpful and friendly sales associates who obviously attended the training seminar entitled, If It Wasn't For Customers There Would Be No Sears. 

Lessons learned: 

• We were treated very shabbily by Leon's during a Customers Appreciation Event causing me to be very grateful that we didn't go to Leon's on just a regular day. I'm confused about Leon's definition of "customer appreciation". I believe Mr. Trust Me is too.

• Sears was not having a Customers Appreciation Event but it felt like they were. Enough said.

• Leon's has lost a previously loyal customer. The sad part? They no doubt couldn't care less.

• When I am impressed with the way I'm treated in certain circumstances I enjoy spreading the word, extolling the virtues, sending my appreciation for a job well done.

When I am treated like I was today I believe it's my duty to spread that word as well because really, there was no need of it. And spread the word I will via this blog, on Twitter and Facebook. 

Leon's you really screwed up today. I'm about to spread the word.

Foreign doctors working in walk-in clinics

No doubt what I'm about to write is going to upset some people. They will huff and puff and go all holier-than-thou and accuse me of blatant and intolerant racism. But guess what? I no longer care because this has to be said. I live in Nova Scotia Canada and over the last several years more and more so-called walk-in medical clinics have opened up in part to address the long wait times of hospital emergency departments.

The theory behind clinics is a sound one - a patient with a sore throat shouldn't be seeking treatment at an ER. Non-emergency ER visits have clogged up the system for as long as I can remember and no one wins. The reasonable alternative is the walk-in. Unfortunately for that person with the sore throat, these clinics are more and more being staffed with immigrant doctors. Let me make this clear - it is not the immigrant status that I have a problem with. I do however have a huge problem with:

--an increase in immigrant doctors who do not have a working knowledge of the English language;

--an increase in immigrant doctors who do not have a working knowledge in the practice of medicine.

Now combine the two and there exists the potential for disaster. You're feeling unwell - you have a head cold, a sore throat and a headache. It's the weekend. Or a holiday, Or after hours and you can't call your own doctor if you're one of the increasingly lucky few who actually do have their own GP. Your symptoms are not an emergency but you're feeling miserable enough to seek the advice of a physician. So you go to the nearby walk-in clinic.

The doctor assigned to you has a very broad accent and you're suddenly having a difficult time understanding what she is saying to you but even more worrisome, she doesn't seem to be understanding you either. You find yourself repeating many words to her and you even resort to hand signals before she finally understands you're telling her you have a very sore throat.

A couple of times during the consultation she becomes so frustrated with the obvious language barrier that she actually lashes out at you in anger. You end up leaving in considerable frustration of your own without having received any medical attention.

The above scenario did not actually occur in one visit but each point that I describe did, as reported to me by others during several visits to several different walk-in clinics and several different doctors. One doctor with a language barrier is an anomaly but several different doctors with the same problems is a pattern. A disturbing pattern that has been developing in this province over the course of a few years.

The original viable alternative to non-emergency visits to ER departments has gone very, very wrong. The very same patients who have tried doing the right thing by using walk-ins are again ending up back in the ERs thus clogging the system once more. Eventually we will be right back where we started from because the powers-that-be are not monitoring and overseeing these clinics. Or they are but are looking the other way.

The pen is mightier than the sword every time

A few days ago I was verbally assaulted by a group of kids. They were between the ages of 10 and 12 probably and had a ring leader who was the same age but physically bigger than the rest - the head bully. They decided I was fair game for singling out and I was assaulted with a barrage of foul words and not-so-subtle threats. What did I do to deserve their wrath you may ask - I was driving my car and stopped so they could cross the street in front of me. The head bully thanked me for giving them the right-of-way with words that no child should even be aware of their existence - "f***ing white bitch"...."f***ing c**t".....more "f****ing bitch"...just while he and his lapdogs were crossing in front of me.

Apparently I made the mistake of making eye contact with the kid with the golden tongue. My second mistake was rolling said eyes, an action eagerly pointed out to him by one of his lackeys. The head bully faced me, put his hand into his pant's pocket, slowly drew it out again and raised his hand toward me - the hand was now shaped and positioned like a gun - and said to me, "you dead, bitch".

At that point, there was a break in traffic and I was able to drive on. These kids screamed obscenities at me until I was out of earshot.

The experience left me a tad shaken but I found the entire incident quite disconcerting. I was left with the impression that they were more angry with my gender than my race even though they used street language for both. I was left wondering where they had learned such misogyny...such disrespect. The answer is glaringly obvious: they've learned all this behaviour from watching and hearing and seeing how the male elders in their lives treat the mothers of these kids and their sisters and maybe their grandmothers.

So like I said, I was left with a feeling of consternation but they didn't manage to hurt me. After all, they were just kids....right?

But then earlier today someone did manage to hurt me with words. He didn't resort to gutter-speak like the kids did but what he wrote to me was certainly the adult equivalent and so much more cutting than any child could manage. The kids were strangers...he is someone I had come to respect and admire. The kids' attack confused me and will be eventually forgotten....his attack saddened me and will stay with me for a long time.

Words, eh? They can make you soar and they can cut you in half...

What happened to intelligent debate?

I'm a conspiracy theorist. Yeah that's right, I'm a nutjob, a moonbat and I'm intellectually challenged. Oh and I suffer from a mental disorder. At least that is what I've been called of late by others who are of the opinion that their particular thoughts and beliefs must be shared by all. It seems that fewer and fewer people want to debate and discuss and even argue a contentious topic, they just move directly to the ad hominems.

Example: I do not accept the official government line surrounding the events of September 11. 2001. There are a plethora of unanswered questions along with "official" explanations that simply do not add up.

I run a discussion board which centres on current events and topical issues. Recently a topic was started by a member of this site that eventually merged into a discussion about 9/11. Suddenly other members of the board who already entertain conservative viewpoints on most subjects, begin posting with insults and threats of actually leaving the site altogether if this topic is not ended immediately.

They spout the official line verbatim and will not tolerate any dissenting or alternative viewpoints. Some even go so far as to compare people like me to holocaust deniers.

I have to wonder if this attitude of censorship by threat and intimidation is limited to a small number of people or is this attitude reflective of a larger segment of society - those who are falling hook, line and sinker for the widespread suppression of our freedoms and rights as it pertains to expression and thought.

Or maybe I'm just hanging out with the wrong people. After all, they do worship at the alter of Stephen Harper.

'Nuff said.

Deadbeat Sperm Donor Psychopathic Stalkers

I refuse to call them deadbeat "dads". Dads love their kids, provide for their kids, protect their kids and would put down their lives for their kids; dads do not abandon their kids.

When a man will only work under the table or for cash so he doesn't get nabbed for child support, he's not a "dad".

When a man places his child in peril in order to get to the mother, he's not a "dad".

When a man doesn't even send a card to his child at Christmastime, he isn't a "dad".

When a man is heard shouting, "I don't give a fuck about him!", he definitely isn't a "dad".

But what do you call "a man" (and I have been using that word very loosely) who is of the deadbeat variety but who has further devolved into a stalker of the child's mother? "A man" who will plead, cry, promise and when all else fails, threaten, to get back into the mother's life? Not for the child but because he has become obsessed with owning/controlling her?

What do you call someone like that? Psychopath comes to mind.

And who gets hurt when someone like that decides that it's his life goal to make life as miserable as possible for all involved? Who gets hurt the worst?

The child. Not right away but eventually when he discovers that many of his friends in school have dads and he doesn't and no matter how the child's mother might white-wash the reasons for his absence, that child will conclude that his "dad" left him behind. The child will ask himself, "what did I do to make my "dad" abandon me?"

This is the legacy of deadbeat sperm donors - all the children who will wonder what they did wrong...

But do deadbeat sperm donor psychopathic stalkers care about the child? Of course not. To a deadbeat sperm donor psychopathic stalker, the child is merely a means to an end. To a deadbeat sperm donor psychopathic stalker the most important person in their life is THEM.

So please, let's all stop calling them deadbeat "dads".

DL's Book of Assholes

What kind of people toss their trash out the car window? Were they raised by wolves? Almost daily I see McDonald's bags strewn on the roadsides and even smack dab in the middle of the road. Then there's the ubiquitous Tim Horton's cups just about everywhere except where they're supposed to be - in the garbage.

I would love to talk to someone who feels they have the absolute right to throw their trash out their vehicle windows. I'd like them to try to explain to me what goes through their heads as they finish off that hamburger and drain the last drop from that large pop, stuff all the packaging back inside the bag, roll down the window and just toss.

Until then, people who throw their garbage out their vehicle windows are number one in my Book of Assholes.

Come to think of it, I don't want to talk to a garbage tosser....there's nothing they could say that would shed any light on the workings of their tiny brains.

Apartment for rent - ants & vermin included at no extra cost

One and two-bedroom apartments for rent. Fridge/stove included - not necessarily in proper working order. Sporadic heat/hot water included. Close to schools and shopping. Safe community - we have a permanent paddy wagon patrol! Starting at $550. We offer several "little extras" including:

*Pharaoh ants
*Silverfish
*Bedbugs
*Rats & mice
*Broken window glass - provides a lovely breeze in summer!
*Sporadic heating & hot water - you have to get up early if you want that hot shower!
*Mold- don't worry, it's inside the walls - no visible unsightly stains!
*Open door policy -many unit entry doors are missing locks.
*Overflowing dumpster bins - perfect for bird watching! Seagulls and crows in abundance.
*Absent smoke detectors, sprinklers and fire extinguishers - no annoying & time-consuming battery changes!
*Non-working electrical outlets - usually one per unit is working - hey, we do what we can for the environment!

Would you live here? What if you had no choice? The above classified ad is fictional but the rental units are real and are located on Churchill/Roleika Drive in Dartmouth Nova Scotia. Most of the people living in this cluster of buildings believe they have no other choice. They of course are not told about the "little extras" when viewing the units but soon discover every one of them as they settle in. The more obvious "extras" are explained away - 'we're having trouble with our trash collector but that is being resolved as we speak' or 'there will be locks on the door and window replacement as soon as we can'.

For the less fortunate in our society the fact that there's a roof over their heads can be the main attraction and they place their trust in the owners to actually follow through on the promises. They sign the lease and move in. It's July so they do enjoy a nice breeze through those broken windows
but they also acquire an ample supply of flies, mosquitoes and hornets. The odd cat if one lives on the ground floor.

They have spotted a couple of silverfish in the bathroom but they convince themselves that most bathrooms have at least a few of them. Later on the tenant will be awakened one night with an itchy arm and discover an extra large silverfish is the cause.

As the season changes to the cooler months they begin to spot the odd ant but these ants are like nothing they have ever seen. They seem to be almost transparent. And they're very aggressive. The tenant has been biten a couple of times by these creatures.

As far as the promised locks on the entrance door are concerned, well they're still waiting for that. In the meantime they do their best to secure the apartment by wedging a chair under the inside doorknob and inserting several kitchen knives between the door and the framing.

One night a tenant was expecting a visit from her boyfriend so she didn't secure the door. She decided to indulge in a hot bath while she waited. Granted, her decision wasn't a wise one considering where she was living but we've all made stupid decisions in our lives. She heard the door open and someone moving about in the apartment. She called out her boyfriend's name but there was no answer. The bathroom door began to inch open and standing there gaping at her was a local well known drug addict male who lives in the neighbourhood. Fortunately he left quickly when the tenant started screaming.

Having locks on apartment doors comes in handy in situations like that. Locks tend to keep the riffraff out.

November starts with a vengeance and the days and nights have become downright frigid. The broken windows that provided a nice breeze in July are now allowing cold air into the apartment and of course, warm air out. But the tenant has more important things to worry about. Those odd
transparent ants that were no more than a nuisance in summer are now taking refuge inside the building because they cannot tolerate the cold.

After some research and discussions with fellow tenants it is discovered that the building is overrun with Pharaoh ants. They can be seen entering apartments in long lines. Once inside they like living behind walls with a preference for electrical outlets. Their numbers become so numerous that they are eventually everywhere - kitchen cupboards and perishable food, bathtubs, beds...everywhere that is either warm or moist or both.

The landlord has been notified several times of the ant situation which has apparently been a problem for quite some time and well before this tenant took residence. The landlord has never addressed the problem. One reason? It would cost too much to have the buildings exterminated.

So the landlord keeps his distance because it just wouldn't do to carry a couple of these little buggers to his home in the wealthier suburbs. He knows all about these particular ants because they hail from the same part of the world he does - Egypt. He also knows that these ants are
particularly difficult to completely eradicate. The insecticides available in this part of the world have no effect on Pharoah ants.

But he does nothing.

It's January of a new year now. The Pharaoh ants have taken over in the tenant's apartment. Taking a bath or shower is now impossible as one must compete with the ants for space and actually share the bath or shower with them if one is brave enough. Perishable food cannot be brought into the unit at all. If something perishable is brought in, the item must be stored in the refrigerator. The tenant is running out of free space in the fridge as all foods are stored in there.

The tenant can no longer relax and watch TV or listen to music or even sleep without being assaulted by ants. That bite. This tenant has lost the battle and will soon be moving on. This tenant is one of the few lucky ones - others in the building don't have that option and are at the constant mercy of a card-carrying slumlord.

But now that the decision has been made to leave, our tenant faces a new dilemma - Pharaoh ants love to hide in the most unlikely of places..how does one move their belongings without bringing along some of the ants? These ants are adept at starting brand new colonies from almost
nothing. Our tenant fears that they will be forced to leave all possessions behind and escape literally with the clothes on their back.

Our tenant is still one of the lucky ones. Escape from this cesspool is imminent. The same cannot be said for the unlucky ones who have no other choice but to live there and suffer at the hands of a cold-hearted slumlord.

How have we as a society allowed this to happen?

Find out about Pharaoh ants here: PHARAOH ANTS

An Increasingly Insular America

Today we'll examine the self-appointed protectors against Canadians taking advantage of the US job market A.K.A the United States border patrol: according to a CBC news item, a U.S. Customs and Border protection spokesperson said "there is an increased demand on border guards to be very thorough with NAFTA applicants" after it was discovered that one Canadian who has been working and living in Utah for over ten years was suddenly denied entry into the United States by US border guards.

Kevin Gibbons who is a highly educated and equally qualified telecommunications specialist took his wife home to Canada last year for a visit. As they attempted to cross back into the US, Gibbons was refused re-entry by an over-zealous border guard who took his valid work visa, tossed it aside and referred to the documents as "garbage". Gibbons said, "I was told they were of no use for the classification that I was seeking that I had had for 13 years".

A US border patrol spokesperson explained, "We do have a commitment at the border to protect the American job market....we also have an obligation to make sure that we only allow those people in that should be allowed in". Until this incident, Gibbons had no problem crossing the border for 13 years. Nothing changed on his part so why all of the sudden is he labeled an undesirable?

As of this writing, Gibbons and his wife are still in Canada, basically homeless as they try to straighten out this mess. He was allowed to re-enter the US for a short period of time to sell his home and his belongings.

Wow! Americans are such a generous lot, aren't they...?

Why did this happen? Unfortunately Gibbons' predicament is merely a sign of the times. Since September 11, 2001 the United States has become so paranoid and suspicious of anyone who doesn't blindly pledge allegiance to the stars & stripes, that they are constantly cutting off their collective noses to spite their collective faces. The word "insular" comes to mind as a perfect way of describing the psyche of the American powers-that-be. Is it too much of a stretch to suggest that sometime in the not so distant future, the entire geographical area of the United States will be protected by an invisible force field? Their scientists and techies are probably working on it as I type.

And here we are in Canada, literally stuck with them and suffering the further misfortune of having a prime minister who admires and emulates the current US administration and no doubt secretly pledges allegiance to their flag in the basement of his temporary home on Sussex Drive in the dead of night when the media have all gone home.

Strange days....

Canadian Defence Minister Announces Funding to Re-Open CFB Cornwallis - Or Does He?

Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor at a news conference at CFB Cornwallis:

I’m thrilled to announce today the re-establishing of CFB Cornwallis Canadian Forces Recruit School (CFRS).

Over the next two decades we estimate that National Defence will invest 200 million dollars in the operation of the Recruit School. Among other things, the number of students, instructors and military personnel will be increased.

I realize that the destiny of this prestigious school has remained an unfulfilled dream for so many of you here today, as it has for our greater Canadian military family.

I want to pay tribute to the determination of the elected municipal officials for their unfailing, unflagging love for and belief in their CFRS.

Like you, we want to restore the CFRS to its former pride and glory, as it deserves. From now on, this will be a place of learning of the highest quality, one that is dedicated to the instruction of our future soldiers from all over Canada who want to study in English.

This reopening is significant for a number of reasons. For one thing, because the Canadian Forces are growing. Recruitment is going very well, especially in The Atlantic Provinces. And for another, because we are serious in our intention to comply with the Official Languages Act as it pertains to English.

The CFB Cornwallis Canadian Forces Recruit School, in addition to contributing to the noble tradition of developing English and French officers, will offer at some point next year a two-year college-level training program.

But above all, this reopening makes it possible to restore military tradition to CFB Cornwallis.

The Canadian Forces Recruit School at Cornwallis is not picking up where it left off in 1994; this is a new beginning that will enable it to develop over the years to come.

The CFRC is a jewel in the crown of our military heritage. It will contribute, as it did once before, to the growth of the Canadian Forces and to the region of Nova Scotia's beautiful Annapolis Valley.

CFB Cornwallis and the CFRB are back!

Thank you.
Gordon O'Connor
Minister of National Defence
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The next day:

New Release from Prime Minister Stephen Harper:

Dear Nova Scotia,

Further to Minister O'Connor's announcement yesterday regarding the reopening of CFB Cornwallis.....

PSYCH! You didn't seriously think that we were going to give you wankers in Nova Scotia 300 million smackeroos now did ya? God you people are so freaking gullible.

Regards
Steve

P.S. If Rockin' Rod reads this - SNAP!

The Grays - They Really Are Here - Deal With It

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Earlier today I reluctantly finished reading a book that has managed to re-kindle my curiosity and fascination with a topic that if brought up in polite conversation will undoubtedly and irrevocably set you apart from the crowd as an oddball.

The book - The Grays written convincingly by Whitley Strieber, an author whose works I haven't read for more than a decade. Strieber is a renowned expert on the subject of alien abductions and believes that extraterrestrials or as he refers to them, "the visitors" have been visiting earth for centuries. Himself an abductee, Strieber describes his experience in the best-seller, Communion published in 1985.

Strieber describes The Grays as "fact-based fiction" and is a culmination of Strieber's extensive research findings as well as his own past experiences. For the non-believer the novel will no doubt entertain, perhaps even spark a bit of self-doubt that maybe they should re-evaluate their positions on the existence of ETs. For those of us who at one time belonged to the group of believers, The Grays will re-kindle the once burning questions-with-no-answers that helped make life just a tad more interesting but eventually gave up after buying into the whole mantra that anyone who believed in extraterrestrials were simply nut cases.

I belonged to that category. I wanted to believe that extraterrestrials were among us but life sort of got in the way and I grew away from the notion. The constant government denials of any extraordinary event occurring in New Mexico in 1947 had succeeded over the years in convincing me that aliens were simply a figment of our overactive imaginations.

But how could I turn my back on my own experience with an extraordinary event? I actually encountered something that can only be described as an unidentified flying object - a UFO - when I was no older than seven or eight. How could I possibly convince myself that the encounter didn't really happen? The government propaganda machine has always been very well oiled and maintained....

Thank god for people like Whitley Streiber and Stanton T. Friedman, another notable Ufologist. They never wavered in their beliefs and they never allowed the government to wear them down. They know the truths and they will never give up. They have me back.

I grew up in a tiny village that bordered Canadian Forces Base Gagetown in New Brunswick Canada. Our family would partake of a few annual community events organized by civilians in the town of Gagetown and one of those happened to be a Gagetown Fair which took place in the late summer of either 1959 or 1960. I have no distinct memories of the Fair but I remember quite vividly the drive home.

There were four of us in the car heading back to Welsford on the lonely two-lane highway bordered on both sides with forest. The sun had dipped below the tree line - it was dusk. My parents were in the front seat - my father behind the wheel. I and my younger brother were in the backseat and I, seated behind my mother on the passenger side of the car was looking out the side window at nothing in particular. My brother suddenly indicated to our parents that he had to "go" so Dad slowed the car and pulled over to the side of the highway. He put the car in park and turned off the ignition.

As was the norm in those days when one of the kids needed to "go" when in a car out in the middle of nowhere, my mother got out of the car, left her door open and opened the back door on her side, leaving that open as well. My brother scrambled out of the car, relieved himself within the "privacy" of the two open doors. But while he was in the process of zipping up, I saw something in the sky just over the tree line beyond where our car was temporarily parked. I watched it for a moment...it seemed to be moving slowly but I heard no sound.

I told my mother and pointed. She took one look and scurried us back in the car immediately. I can remember sensing that she was suddenly afraid. My father by now was aware of this strange object and after making sure we were all in the car and the doors were closed - and locked for the first time that evening, he hurriedly pulled the car back on the road and sped away. But not away from the flying object.

As we drove along that dark highway the object appeared to be shadowing us. It never came any closer to the car but kept up at the same speed as the car. It remained just over the treetops to our right. The object was long and shaped like a big cigar. I remember pretty lights that went along the length of the object. It never ever made a sound or noise like one would expect from a flying craft.

It shadowed us almost the entire way back to Welsford. Then suddenly as we were coming up on the turn into the village, it was gone. I didn't see it speed away...it was just gone. Our family never discussed the event until years later, I don't know why.

Later when we did start talking about it, my mother told me that she felt fear because she sensed fear in my father. My father was not a man who would scare easily so for her to sense fear from him was alarming. During the event I remember no feelings of fear. I was very young and felt more....in awe I guess is the right feeling. My brother was too young to remember the event at all. My father refused to ever talk about it and eventually took his emotions from that night to the grave.

And that was the end of that. It was the first and last time I witnessed an extraordinary event like that. As I grew older into my teens I realized the magnitude of what we had seen - a UFO. I felt rather special that I was the only girl in my circle of friends who had ever seen one.

Of course one could say that living so close to CFB Gagetown, there might be all sorts of experimental vehicles out and about. True but for one important point - this was the late 1950s/early 1960s....they may have been testing new airplanes but they certainly did not have the knowledge to actually fly one of these things for miles without making a sound. It had no wings, no props, no chem trails. Just pretty lights on a very large cigar. Which followed our car for miles. And then....went poof.

So I'm back. Call me crazy...that's fine. Call me a conspiracy theorist if you must but I prefer conspiracy factualist. The object I and my family saw that night is a fact...the conspiracy was and continues to be perpetuated by those who don't want us to believe our own eyes....by those who will do whatever it takes to continue to deny that we are not alone....

ET came to us eons ago and have stuck around.

It's now up to us to find out why....

Hey Stephen Harper! When Are You Going To Newfoundland?

There's a whole lot of people down east in Atlantic Canada who are taking bets on whether you have the gonads to travel to Danny Williams country A.K.A. Newfoundland so you can make yet another one of your very important (but previously released) federal announcements and get your picture taken by gullible CP photogs who don't have the intestinal fortitude to boycott your constant craving for control.

People down here are wondering if you'd snub Premier Williams like you've snubbed Nova Scotia Premier Rodney MacDonald. We'd all like to see you try, I can tell you that. Come on Mr. Prime Minister, take a little jaunt to the Rock so you can get your picture taken standing in downtown Dildo. Now that I think about it, you should commission an artist to create a statue of your grand self and then have it erected in the Dildo town square.

I can't think of a more appropriate setting for a life-sized statue of Your Royal Lowness.

Summer 2007

Six Canadians Soldiers Killed in IED Attack

Six Canadian soldiers have been killed in the Panjwaii district of Afghanistan along with their Afghan interpreter. The soldiers were approximately 20 kilometres outside their base in the Panjwaii district west of Kandahar city when their armoured vehicle was struck by an IED or improvised explosive device.

The identities of the six soldiers are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Task Force Afghanistan commander Brig.-Gen. Tim Grant expressed sadness at the loss of six more "great young Canadians" but went on to stress the military's resolve and "determination to bring to Afghanistan a peaceful land for the children of this country."

Canada has lost 66 men and women in the Afghanistan war since 2002.

Robert's American Gourmet Veggie Tings Crunchy Corn Sticks Can Make You Sick!

Seems like every day brings news of yet another food product that's been contaminated with one toxic organism or another and today is no different.

Wednesday's poisoned food is Robert's American Gourmet Veggie Tings Crunchy Corn Sticks and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public that the popular snack food may be laced with Salmonella. This particular snack food is a product of the United States and reports indicate 54 cases of salmonella poisoning in 17 U.S. states after eating the veggie corn sticks. No adverse effects have been confirmed in Canada so far.

The recall affects all sizes and codes of Robert's American Gourmet Veggie Tings Crunchy Corn Sticks which are available for purchase nationally as well as through the internet, phone orders and mail orders.

This recall is an expanded version of the original issued on June 28, 2007 which focused on Veggie Booty snack food after it was determined that a seasoning made with imported Chinese ingredients was contaminated with Salmonella.

For more information, Canadian consumers and industry can call the CFIA at 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).

Liz Claiborne Dies

One of my favourite fashion designers and environmentalists has died. Liz Claiborne died today at the age of 78 following a courageous battle with cancer. Not only was she the founder of Liz Claiborne Inc. which catered to the professional woman, she and her husband Art Ortenberg were active in environmental and charity work and founded The Liz Claiborne and Art Ortenberg Foundation to provide support for protection of the wilderness.

Ms. Claiborne was honoured in 2000 for her continuing efforts in helping to fight the killing of African elephants for their ivory tusks.

U.S. College Students Reminded To Watch out For Terrorist Activity

Various alternative news sources on the Internet, otherwise known as the only news you can believe are reporting recent activity by the FBI visiting several American universities and technical colleges in a stepped-up effort to further their role as Big Brother Brown Shirts to students.

Armed with a set of guidelines to assist American youth in their role as individual terrorist watchdogs, whistleblowers and stool pigeons, college and university administrators have been supplied with thier own copies and told in no uncertain terms that it would be in their best interests to abide by the contents. It's a matter of national security, you see..

Titled "Your Role in Combating The Insider Threat", the guidelines stipulate rules that will prevent American secondary education students from:

• travelling abroad without seeking permission from the proper authorities

• showing an interest in their colleagues' work

• having friends outside the United States

• working late at the campus

• engaging in independent research

• making extra money without the prior consent of the authorities.

The guidelines explain how to spot a suspected terrorist in a set of "Suitablity Issues" which are intended to heighten one's awareness of suitability factors and potential espionage indicators. Suitability factors include this from the guidelines: “one-fourth of known American spies experienced a personal life crisis (such as a divorce, death of someone close, or a love affair gone awry) in the months before they decided to attempt espionage.”

In other words, the FBI wants American college students to believe that their best friend who is in mourning following the death of a parent should now become suspect because that friend now has a high possibility of being recruited by a terrorist group.

Other indicators that your friend or colleague just might be a terrorist include:

• Drug or alcohol abuse.

• Repeated irresponsibility.

• An “above the rules” attitude.

• Financial irresponsibility.

• Repeated impulsive behaviors.

• Extreme immaturity.

• Willingness to violate the rights of others to achieve one’s own ends.

• Accumulating or overwhelming life crises or career disappointments.

• Willingness to break rules or violations of laws and regulations.

In other words, every last teenager in the United States. Read the guidelines here:
http://www.ncix.gov/archives/docs/Your_Role_in_Combating_the_Insider_Threat.pdf

Go to the FBI page on Academic Alliance:
http://www.fbi.gov/page2/april06/academicalliance040506.htm

Stephen Harper - The Classic Political Bully

When we hear the word 'bully' we associate the word and the subsequent behaviour to children and teenagers who exert their power over other children in the schoolyard, those they see as weak. But there is another form of bullying that although no more or less damaging, is more difficult to address and to overcome.

It's called Political Bullying and although relatively rare in today's society, the world is seeing examples of the behaviour in pockets throughout the globe. There are two distinct forms of Political Bullying, the first involves bullying by the head of a government toward other nations. An excellent example of off-shore Political Bullying would be the current American Bush administration. The second is much more insidious - bullying by a nation's leader of his or her own people. This second form of in-country Political Bullying is my topic for today.

Canada, early in 2006 elected into power a man who promised to change the way the federal government does business. Relying heavily on an opposition political party who had remained in power for well over a decade and subsequently became mired in arrogance and corruption, Conservative leader Stephen Harper based his election campaign on promises of openness, fairness and accountability in government to a voter demographic who were so fed up with the long-ruling Liberals that they granted Harper a minority government.

During the campaign Harper had his critics, who accused him of a desire to become fully integrated with the United States while others issued warnings of Harper's secret agenda to further involve Canada in the wars of either Iraq or Afghanistan. Both warnings have since proven correct which have been reflected in Canada's participation in the Bush-initiated Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America and our country's ongoing commitment to the war in Afghanistan which since 2002 has claimed the lives of 60 Canadian soldiers.

Of late another side of Stephen Harper has been emerging that could lead to a devastatingly divided country as he pits one part of Canada against another. I speak of course of the Atlantic Accords, signed, sealed and delivered between the previous federal government and the provinces of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland/Labrador. A contract that Harper himself promised during his campaign, not to touch.

The prime minister however went back on his word earlier this year when his finance minister introduced his annual federal budget. One specific section of the budget in effect canceled the Accords and forced both provinces to choose between a new formula for equalization. They could opt to keep the Accords but millions of offshore revenue dollars would be clawed back by the feds if they did. The federal government under Harper's leadership broke the contract.

The first hint that Harper is afflicted with Political Bullying came in a statement to the press after a reporter asked his reaction to Atlantic Canada's assertion that he had illegally broken a signed contract. In a nutshell, Harper with arrogance accompanied by a barely concealed sense of malice invited the provinces of Nova Scotia and Newfoundland to "sue me". This writer had visions of Nelson Muntz, the bully on The Simpsons pointing his finger at Atlantic Canada and uttering his famous "Ha Ha!".

Confirmation of Harper's Political Bullying came just yesterday during a short trip to New Brunswick. Harper came bearing millions of much-needed dollars to bestow upon that province's infrastructure. In his presentation speech Harper declared his Political Bullying personality by sending a message to Nova Scotia and Newfoundland that the New Brunswick example is what happens when one cooperates with the feds.

So what is a Political Bully? As we know, bullying occurs when someone conducts themselves in a manner which exerts power over others whom they perceive as weak. Bullying methods include:

*demeaning their victims
*isolating victims from groups and/or manipulating their allies
*ignoring them
*threatening them
*causing feelings of discomfort and/or anger
*taking and/or damaging their possessions
*making them participate in activities against their will.

As you can see, 100% of the above bullying methods have been practiced by Stephen Harper against Atlantic Canada. But why, you might be asking do some people bully others. The answers of course are complex and wide-ranging but the majority of Political Bullies see their methods as a way of making them look assertive and in charge. Other reasons behind the Political Bully's tactics include their constant need to be the centre of attention and to be admired (if not feared) by others.

Political bullies surround themselves with more political bullies. Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty is a perfect example of a Subordinate Political Bully. They are almost never heard from unless they feel the need to remind the primary Political Bully that they're still behind him and usually a short loud burst of "yeah, what he said" will be sufficient in securing their seemingly exalted position in the pack. But a puzzling scenario emerges as we witness the number of non-bullies who will align themselves with the pack. These non-bullying entities see themselves as weaker than the Political and Subordinate Bullies and therefore vulnerable to becoming targets if they refuse to go along. Examples of weaker powerless non-bullying entities would be Peter MacKay and Gerald Keddy.

So as you can see Stephen Harper displays the classic characteristics of a Political Bully. Specific to the Harper model is a new trait that will no doubt be attributed to Political Bullies of the future, specifically the emergence of a seemingly cold lack of human emotion. Harper demonstrated this characteristic early on in his tenure when as he escorted his two young children to school, instead of a warm embrace he shook the hand of his young daughter in what could only be described as a cold and stilted demonstration of an emotion he finds puzzling - affection. In retrospect this incident should have been the first red flag that Harper wasn't what he appeared to be.

Atlantic Canada can expect to be on the receiving end of Political Bullying tactics for some time. This particular region of the country has been historically perceived by Political and Secondary Bullies as a prime target and proof of that is demonstrated in our ongoing "have-not" designation. Our struggles to rise up from that negative status in an effort to join the wealthier and more powerful "haves" is seen by Political and Secondary Bullies as extremely threatening.

And we're all learning the consequences of threatening a pack of Political Bullies.

The Brainwashing of America is Almost Complete. Now What?

Ever wondered why there hasn't been a terrorist attack on U.S. soil since September 11, 2001? It's certainly not the result of finely-tuned Homeland Security efforts. They couldn't even contain one TB patient.

Is the average American citizen fearful of being attacked by terrorists using dirty bombs or biological agents or even both?

How many times has U.S. President George W. Bush warned his fellow citizens of an impending "second 9-11"? How many times does one have to be told something before they begin to believe it?

What about "al Qaeda"? How does the average American citizen visualize them? Have they, in one's mind's eye morphed into a 10-foot tall hulking fire-breathing entity who live and breath nothing beyond their inborn compulsion to kill Americans?

And why doesn't the American administration talk about Osama bin Laden anymore? He's still a wanted man, according to official doctrines. He's still the "mastermind" behind 9-11, according to those same doctrines. He was the reason the U.S. went into Afghanistan immediately after 9-11 on their search & destroy mission to find him. So why is he no longer important? Could he be dead? Could the U.S. admin know that?

As you try to answer the above questions, imagine a scenario whereby 350 million people have been continuously manipulated, conditioned, led by the nose, lied to and terrorized by their own government. How would it feel to suddenly realize that everything you have come to believe and fear in the last five years wasn't real? Wag The Dog, indeed...

Ready for some reality? Click this. http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=viewArticle&code=CHO20070624&articleId=6134

Ellen DeGeneres Greeting Card Collection!

If you love Ellen DeGeneres, you're really going to love her newly launched signature line of greeting cards. Debuting today (Monday) across Canada in stores carrying Carleton Card products, the ellen collection(TM) will offer consumers a variety of greeting cards for several occasions which will offer the lucky recipients a glimpse into the quirky and hilarious mind of one of the most beloved media personalities today.

The 32-card ellen collection will feature the comedian's own designs along with her observations about ordinary, daily life situations. Selections will be available for birthdays, friendship, thank you and encouragement. The cards show DeGeneres in many of her trademark fashions, like crisp white pants, argyle sweaters, button-down shirts and Chuck Taylor-like sneakers. Her love for animals is also incorporated into several designs that show her with "Pig," her famous white French bulldog.

One of the thank you cards shows Ellen and Pig on the front, and says, "Wow. Thanks. Does this mean I have to do something nice for you now?" A birthday card in the ellen collection(TM) shows Ellen dancing while Pig looks on. The message on the front says, "Your birthday makes me wanna dance!" while the inside explains, "...which is weird because I'm in line at the DMV and now everyone's staring at me. Enjoy your day."

Cards in the ellen collection(TM) are available across Canada at participating drug, department and grocery stores that carry Carlton Cards for $3.59 each. Carlton Cards and American Greetings stores in Canada and the U.S. will also carry the full 32-card line.

I'll Be Back..But In The Meantime..

I haven't disappeared forever. A mysterious illness has knocked me on my ass...

In the meantime and for your continuing viewing pleasure I include in its entirety a short welcoming speech by U.S. President GW Bush as he and Laura kick off a garden party on the south lawn of the White House. Bush must have forgotten his morning meds....again.

President and Mrs. Bush Host Congressional Picnic
South Lawn

8:10 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Thank you all for coming. Laura and I welcome you to the South Lawn. This is an opportunity to thank the members of Congress and their families for serving the United States.

First, I want to recognize the Speaker. Madam Speaker, thank you for joining us. It means a lot that you've come. I appreciate the leadership of the House and the Senate who have joined us. For all the wives and husbands, thank you for standing by your spouse. It's not easy to be in public office. It's a lot easier, though, when you have somebody who loves you to help you do your job. And so Laura and I want to thank you all, in particular. We're proud to be serving with you. Occasionally we might have our differences, but one thing we all agree on is we represent the greatest country on the face of the Earth. (Applause.)

I want to thank our Chef, Paul Prudhomme, from New Orleans, Louisiana -- one of the great chefs in America. Thanks for coming, Paul. (Applause.) I thank Tony Snow and his bunch of, well, mediocre musicians -- (laughter) -- no, great musicians. Beats Workin, thanks for coming. (Applause.) Kermit, come up here. Kermit, we're proud to have you.

MR. RUFFINS: Well, thanks for having us.

THE PRESIDENT: Kermit Ruffins and the Barbeque Swingers, right out of New Orleans, Louisiana. (Applause.)

MR. RUFFINS: Thank you. Thanks for having us. We're glad to be here.

THE PRESIDENT: Proud you're here. Thanks for coming. You all enjoy yourself. Make sure you pick up all the trash after it's over. (Laughter.)

God bless you, and may God bless America. Thanks for coming. (Applause.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile back at Bush's hobby otherwise known as the complete and utter destruction of an entire nation and its people, take a gander at what's going on there as the elite in Washington nibble their cucumber sandwiches and sip their champagne:

http://www.uruknet.de/?s1=55&p=33919&s2=22