Today is the anniversary of John F. Kennedy's famous speech in West Berlin, where he proclaimed "Ich bin ein Berliner" (I am a Berliner), to show solidarity with the people of the city divided by the Iron Curtain.
What is often missed, however, is that to a German, a berliner is a jelly donut. So the quote is really "I am a jelly donut!". Really? What flavour? I bet there were more than a few people trying to control their laughter that day.
Also today, Paris Hilton was released from jail. Sad coincidence. Paris, all I can say is this: "du bist ein berliner!" (you are a jelly donut!)
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Airport Security and Canada's No Fly List
From Margaret Wente’s column in the June 19/07 Globe and Mail on airport security and Canada’s no-fly list:
“As Canada's very own no-fly list goes into effect, I'm glad my name isn't Mahmoud Mohammad Issa Mohammad. For that matter, I'm also glad my name isn't Patrick Martin…That's because there is, or was, another suspicious character named Patrick Martin. There also are, or were, suspicious Kennedys, Thompsons and Williamses.
The American no-fly list has 44,000 names on it, many of them common Anglo-Saxon ones. It includes everyone who was ever connected to the IRA and a lot of people who are dead. But it does not include the would-be terrorists who were rounded up in Britain last August, even though they'd been under surveillance for a year. That's because putting their names on the list could have tipped off the wrong people.
Thankfully, our made-in-Canada no-fly list will be much, much better than the American one, the authorities say. For example, many of the names on it will come from the RCMP, which, as we know, is among the most reliable and best-run security forces in the world. If you're on the list by mistake, you can even appeal to something called the Office of Reconsideration (although not in time to make your flight).
No doubt, our no-fly list will deter terrorists as effectively as our long-gun registry deters criminals. It will work especially well in intercepting terrorists who forgot to acquire fake IDs and are travelling under their own names, just as the long-gun registry has helped catch thousands of criminals who shoot other people with their own legally registered firearms.
Going through airport security today is like going to the theatre of the absurd. None of it makes sense, but everyone takes it seriously….As far as I know, there are no Margaret Wentes on the no-fly list. But my metal hips mean that I'm always pulled aside for the full pat-down. What happens when every aging boomer has a beeping artificial part is a question without an answer.
Sometimes I ask my sister, who's in the airport-security business, if all of these precautions make us safer now. She always laughs and tells me how easy it is to get access to a plane. Drug smugglers have no problem; they just hire airport workers who handle cargo…
But the nature of bureaucracy is to be literal and dumb. It can't imagine an event that's never happened.”
Exactly.
“As Canada's very own no-fly list goes into effect, I'm glad my name isn't Mahmoud Mohammad Issa Mohammad. For that matter, I'm also glad my name isn't Patrick Martin…That's because there is, or was, another suspicious character named Patrick Martin. There also are, or were, suspicious Kennedys, Thompsons and Williamses.
The American no-fly list has 44,000 names on it, many of them common Anglo-Saxon ones. It includes everyone who was ever connected to the IRA and a lot of people who are dead. But it does not include the would-be terrorists who were rounded up in Britain last August, even though they'd been under surveillance for a year. That's because putting their names on the list could have tipped off the wrong people.
Thankfully, our made-in-Canada no-fly list will be much, much better than the American one, the authorities say. For example, many of the names on it will come from the RCMP, which, as we know, is among the most reliable and best-run security forces in the world. If you're on the list by mistake, you can even appeal to something called the Office of Reconsideration (although not in time to make your flight).
No doubt, our no-fly list will deter terrorists as effectively as our long-gun registry deters criminals. It will work especially well in intercepting terrorists who forgot to acquire fake IDs and are travelling under their own names, just as the long-gun registry has helped catch thousands of criminals who shoot other people with their own legally registered firearms.
Going through airport security today is like going to the theatre of the absurd. None of it makes sense, but everyone takes it seriously….As far as I know, there are no Margaret Wentes on the no-fly list. But my metal hips mean that I'm always pulled aside for the full pat-down. What happens when every aging boomer has a beeping artificial part is a question without an answer.
Sometimes I ask my sister, who's in the airport-security business, if all of these precautions make us safer now. She always laughs and tells me how easy it is to get access to a plane. Drug smugglers have no problem; they just hire airport workers who handle cargo…
But the nature of bureaucracy is to be literal and dumb. It can't imagine an event that's never happened.”
Exactly.
Monday, June 18, 2007
Cineplex - prepare for a New One!
I did something on the weekend that I rarely do – I went to see a movie. Now I want to Rip a New One for Cineplex and every other major theater chain.
Is it too much to ask that the movie actually start at the advertised time? This isn’t a live event, where delays could affect things. Weather is not a factor. It is not the occasional ‘equipment malfunction’. This is a regular, steady occurrence. And I am not alone! When the movie finally started (only 15-20 minutes late), someone in the show shouted “Finally!”.
I have come to accept pre-show advertising. Trailers for upcoming movies are OK too (they often confirm my desire to NOT attend). If the theater wants to put something on their screen before the movie, they can do that. But surely I am entitled to my time and schedule, and if I plan on a movie starting at 3:35 is it too much to ask that it does? We wouldn’t accept this for other scheduled appointments (although doctors, hairdressers, etc. are dealing with situations that can take longer than planned). The theater knows how long the movie is, there is no excuse for this!!!
Is it too much to ask that the movie actually start at the advertised time? This isn’t a live event, where delays could affect things. Weather is not a factor. It is not the occasional ‘equipment malfunction’. This is a regular, steady occurrence. And I am not alone! When the movie finally started (only 15-20 minutes late), someone in the show shouted “Finally!”.
I have come to accept pre-show advertising. Trailers for upcoming movies are OK too (they often confirm my desire to NOT attend). If the theater wants to put something on their screen before the movie, they can do that. But surely I am entitled to my time and schedule, and if I plan on a movie starting at 3:35 is it too much to ask that it does? We wouldn’t accept this for other scheduled appointments (although doctors, hairdressers, etc. are dealing with situations that can take longer than planned). The theater knows how long the movie is, there is no excuse for this!!!
Monday, June 4, 2007
Role Models can be Good OR...
"I'm really scared but I'm ready to do this," she added. "And I hope that I'm an example to other young people."
With those words, Paris Hilton checked into a ‘special needs’ jail, to start serving a sentence for violating the terms of her probation for a drunk driving conviction.
If young people want a role model - for narcissism, lewd behaviour, believing you are above the law, living off family money, having no skills other than the ability to film your sexual escapades, and being as dim as a 10-watt bulb – then yes, you are quite the role model.
What scares me is that there really are young people who think she IS a role model.. Let’s hope a few weeks in jail straightens her out, but I am not holding my breath.
With those words, Paris Hilton checked into a ‘special needs’ jail, to start serving a sentence for violating the terms of her probation for a drunk driving conviction.
If young people want a role model - for narcissism, lewd behaviour, believing you are above the law, living off family money, having no skills other than the ability to film your sexual escapades, and being as dim as a 10-watt bulb – then yes, you are quite the role model.
What scares me is that there really are young people who think she IS a role model.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)