Submarine Sandwich

Earlier this month French and British submarines collided.

Seems that the main concern is the potential for radioactive material to spill into the environment. I agree that this is a concern, but disagree with the insistence of some groups that NATO should scrap its nuclear fleet.

My concern is a little larger.

People unfortunately speculate (and I guess I am about to) that world war three, if it were to happen, would originate in Asia. This is a logical guess with India, Pakistan, China and Russia all fighting for regional supremacy. However, I believe that if left to their own devices, Europe would succumb the the desire to be the focal point of another global conflict. Third time's a charm.

I can come up with one reason that the two subs were operating that closely - that the captains were both acting stupidly because of the rivalry between France and Britain. Perhaps a bit far fetched, but you really can't come up with another reason that two subs can collide in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean.

Imagine what might happen if they weren't sworn allies.

Just speculation on my part. Britain, France and Germany have been trying to destroy each other for a millennium (good thing Germany doesn't have subs anymore). Hard to teach old dogs new tricks in the last 60 years.

Hopefully, the US can teach them some restraint.

Urban Beaver

I happened to be in Toronto on a motion this month and I saw something truely suprising.

Now since it is the big city, there are things that I would not be suprised to see such as (but not limited to):

a) a minor celebrity;

b)someone shot over a parking spot;

c)a drug deal in a church (during mass); or

d) a restuarant that does not serve meat.

However, I was shocked to observe wildlife, especially a beaver (pictured above - photo credit Graeme Stewart- and verified in photo 2), which was walking on the ice formed in the harbour. A strange sight in a highly developed urban area to be sure.

After a telling a friend in Niagara, he sent me an article from one of the local papers, entitled "Beavers Beware". Seems the town is paying a local trapper a bounty to hunt the famed rodent and Canada's national animal. The trapper gets a bounty of $50 per beaver and $15 per diem.

I have a theory for the Toronto beaver. I believe he is a refugee from the Great Niagara Beaver Genocide.

Toronto has historically acted as a safe haven for some of the world's most vulnerable people and they have once again opened their doors to this misunderstood animal.

Fine Corinthian Leather...

It was a sad day in geekdom as nerds everywhere mourn the death of Ricardo Montalban.

I cannot say that I say that I have seen him in anything but Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. However, it must have been his defining role. What else could possibly be better. His powerful overacting, up against the even more powerful overacting of William Shatner was movie gold. Khan sought to hunt his white whale, Kirk and results were legendary. I did not look it up, but the firm must have won no less than 8 Acadamy Awards.

"Surely, I have made my meaning plain. I mean to avenge myself upon you, Admiral. I deprived your ship of power, and when I swing around, I mean to deprive you of your life. "

Awesome

"To the last, I will grapple with thee... from Hell's heart, I stab at thee!
For hate's sake, I spit my last breath at thee! "

Further awesome

And finally the ultimate dramatic (read over dramatic) exchange:

"Kirk: Khan, you bloodsucker. You're going to have to do your own dirty work now! Do you hear
me? Do you?
Khan: Kirk? You're still alive, my old friend?
Kirk: Still, "old friend!" You've managed to kill everyone else, but like a poor marksman, you keep missing the target!
Khan: Perhaps I no longer need to try, Admiral. [beams the Genesis device away]
Kirk: Khan... Khan, you've got Genesis, but you don't have me. You were going to kill me, Khan. You're going to have to come down here. You're going to have to come down here!
Khan: I've done far worse than kill you, Admiral. I've hurt you. And I wish to go on hurting you. I shall leave you as you left me, as you left her; marooned for all
eternity in the center of a dead planet... buried alive! Buried alive...!
Kirk: KHAAANNNN! [echo] Kirk: KHAAANNNN!"

It is too bad that such wrath will not be felt again.

Advances in Catholicism

The Catholic Church is legendary for its reluctance to change with the times or become more relevant in the lives of its followers.

I was attending a funeral this morning and noticed the Church was giving it its best shot at being relevant. A sign posted on the confessionals read:

"Absolution will now be offered in English"

Take that Arimathean.

Guess they have finally forgiven those pesky English for starting that Protestant Reformation.

Fun with History

Recently, the Russian people were asked to carefully consider who was the greatest Russian of all time. Russia having a proud history has many great figures to choose from. Number one on the list was Alexander Nevsky, a 13th Century warrior-prince (and saint) who repelled German and once fierce Swedish Armies. Not a bad choice.

However, it is number three on the list that concerns me. Joseph Stalin (pictured above helping a small child into a train to take her to a forced labour camp in Siberia).

First of all he is not strictly speaking Russian. He is Georgian - yes that country that Russia invaded this summer. Though I will not hold that against them - in our top Canadian contest we adopted some out of towners as well - ie Alexander Graham Bell.

In his defence Stalin has accomplished some things, such as defeating Hitler's Germany - a good thing.

As well, he turned his country into a Superpower. However, in order to accomplish that feat, Stalin was responsible for the deaths of 20-30 Million Soviet citizens. Not such a good thing.

I realize that I cannot truly understand the Russian perspective on history, but come on. Can a nation truly forgive someone for the barbarous acts and terror that he inflicted on the Soviet Union?

His reign of terror was so great that his successor denounced him, which was unusual for the secretive Kremlin.

I also realize that you are asking for trouble when you ask the masses who are largely ignorant of history (and condemned to repeat it) to rise to the occasion.

But come on...

Stalin

Really?

Perhaps Germany should stay clear of holding a Greatest German vote.

Free Legal Advice

I must apologize to the few people that view this space on a semi-regular basis. Seems real life can affect one's time/desire to blog.

Not even a constitutional crisis, which would normally make this political nerd scream, could bring me to the keyboard to write. That being said.....

Like any God fearing individual I have the occasional nightmare. For whatever reason it usually involves snakes. However, I witnessed one (nightmare, not snake)...first hand and mercifully it happened to someone else.

At the conclusion of day four of a two day trial, opposing counsel and I were being chided by the trial judge (rightfully so) for grossly underestimating the time of trial. The judge suggested a date in February to continue the trial and an awkward silence befell my "friend."

He advised the court that a new lawyer would have to be found for his client. This did not impress the judge after four days of trial. My friend refused to tell the court why a new lawyer would be needed....this also did not impress the judge. They like their questions answered in a relatively prompt manner.

So in front the judge, opposing counsel, his client and on the record, he admitted he had been suspended by the Law Society. This is a nightmare on so many different levels.

Funny thing is that he still thinks he can beat me when trial resumes next year.

I imagine the free advice is - don't get suspended by the law society. Pretty solid.

The Contenders: Part VI

At the commencement of the race, all eyes turned to Michael Ignatieff (pictured above avoiding Koodies) as the front runner.

I am not sure if he rises to the top because he is the cream of the crop, or if he has the least baggage.

Ignatieff is an eloquent speaker and is smarter than you are. He may come across as a bit arrogant, but that hasn't hurt Stephen Harper.

His only baggage is the fact that he has spent most of his adult life living in the United States. Granted, that was as a Harvard Professor, but people like it when their Prime Minister lives in the country.

Ignatieff is likely the best choice at the moment, however, I am unsure if he can rejuvenate the party and solve the fundraising dilemmas that plague the Party. Though, Ignatieff is passionate and may be able to bring the party together - here's hoping anyway.