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Rememberance Day Is Not Just On Nov 11

Matt Klein — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 06:42:50 +0000

March 3rd marks a day for somber remembrance. It’s a day that four young men died while in service for their country. One of them, Peter Schiemann, was a personal friend to all here at SomethingTV and that black day was one of the worst days of our lives. Peter, an RCMP officer, was a great man who loved to serve and he defended this county’s laws and its people with a quiet fierceness. He died standing up against corruption and crime and we must never forget the ultimate sacrifice he made for us. (Please refer to the RCMP Veteran’s page to get a brief background of Peter and the circumstances related to the Mayerthorpe shootings - http://www.rcmpvets.com/Honour/schiemann.htm )

Now that I have calmly paid my respects I must shout out my indignation to all those that haven’t got a clue and seem content to wallow in their ignorance. That’s pretty harsh to say - but I mean it. These sentiments of mine started when I happened upon CBC Radio’s ‘The Point’ which is a daily program that discusses the hot topics of the day (official website here - http://www.cbc.ca/thepoint/MT/2009/02/feb_23_rcmp_image_apostrophe_n.html ). The date was Feb 23, 2009 and the first topic discussed was “RCMP: Do they have an image problem?” As I was a friend of Peter’s, a past member, a friend with Craig, a currently serving member, and a brother to Chrissy, a soon to be recruit, I was quite interested to hear what the panel members’ had to say. Boiled down, it was the opinion of panelist Heather Mallick, journalist & author, that the RCMP were “nothing more than well dressed thugs”. She seemed to think that the RCMP were corrupt and out of control. [I must note here, that I am in 100% support of checks and balances. Accountability is crucial to any kind of public service if justice is to be served and if we, the public, think that the RCMP needs more of that then I will never stand in the way of such progress.] Yet, to state that the entire organization is corrupt, out of control and thuggish… well to be honest it screams ignorance to me and it got under my skin - especially since it came so close to the Mayerthorpe anniversary. I tried to let it go, to dismiss those crass remarks but they kept ringing around my head.

The final straw came when I went to watch a very nice memorial vid on Youtube (found here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8eecugcJo4 ). The video was awesome but then I went to check out the comments; read them if you will, not all of them are bad, but some of them made me so angry that I almost punched my computer screen and I won’t repeat them here. I could stand by no longer. You want corrupt?? You want out of controll?? You want fear, maljustice, rampant lawlessness?? Try talking to people that have lived in other countries around the world and have experienced real thugs who call themselves police. My own wife tells stories of how the Mexican Police will use any force necessary to get what they want whether it simply be a beating or even worse. She goes on to describe her fellow Mexican’s as having no hope for justice, no confidence in the law, and a fear of those that are meant to protect. “They know that they can do anything that they want because the government has no power to enforce the rules. You know the difference between Canada and Mexico? You are in the glory!”

We are in the glory! Most of us have zero concept of what it is like to live in a place where law enforcement has no accountability what-so-ever. Most of us don’t have a clue as to how good we really have it. We are so fortunate and so blessed that we have become complacent; ignorant of reality. Here’s a dose of that reality from around the globe found in recent news stories. Read them closely and then share them with others so that perhaps we as a society can start appreciating the ultimate sacrifices that have been made by real, bona-fide heroes like Peter Schiemann.

- 1000 of Bangladesh’s Border Security Force mutinied over pay issues killing up to 140 officers and approximately 20 civilians, and are also being charged “… with arson and looting of officers’ houses, there are also unconfirmed reports of rape and murder of officers’ family members” (here - http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1882554,00.html ) with photos of the mass funeral (here - http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_pictures/7919143.stm )

- In India police have “stormed into the compound of the Madras High Court on Feb. 19, destroying vehicles and assaulting lawyers, their clients, onlookers, court staff and even a judge. They also marched into the courtrooms and offices inside the court building and attacked people.” and have also been accused of being “actively engaged in human trafficking” (both found here http://www.upiasia.com/Human_Rights/2009/03/02/will_police_pay_for_attacking_court/5847/ )

- Racism dominates in some London police stations where “PCSO Peter Campbell said an inspector at the station drew up a hit list of black officers to be got rid of, and shared the list with white officers.” “A senior officer was overheard complaining about ‘fucking foreigners’” and it is alleged that “homeless people sleeping in the street were kicked in the stomach, and smuggled goods were traded in the station.” (here - http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2009/mar/02/police-race-tribunal-london-met )

- Guinea-Bissau has earned the “distinction of becoming Africa’s first narco-state.” because “the army, navy, police and President Vieira’s government itself were all penetrated at the highest levels.” “Taking advantage of corrupt police forces and almost totally unguarded airspaces and coastlines, the drug rings have transformed West Africa into the crucial staging post for smuggling South American cocaine to Europe” (here - http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/guineabissau/4928379/Analysis-Guinea-Bissaus-links-to-drugs-trade.html)

- Chinese police officials have been charged with crimes “including corruption, selling visas to Hong Kong, taking money from owners of brothels and gambling public money in Macau”. Reporting these crimes in the media just isn’t safe to do either as this newspaper editor died “of complications from being attacked by 50 policemen last October after his paper accused them of charging illegal bicycle fees” (here - http://asiasentinel.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1716&Itemid=206 )

- US soldiers aren’t even safe against Iraqi police: “A local police source said two Iraqi policemen opened fire on U.S. soldiers in the city, killing four of them and an Iraqi interpreter, before they fled.” (here - http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-02/25/content_10892544.htm )

- Burmese police “signaled their determination to crush the pro-democracy movement by firing into crowds with automatic weapons and giving demonstrators 10 minutes to clear the streets or be shot.” At least nine were killed. (here - http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/261474 )

- The Police force in Mexico is ran and opperated through bribery. Money is the governing factor there going from the street cops as seen on this spanish video (here [money exchange seen near end of vid] - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqYuI3w0cdI&feature=related ) all the way up to its top anti-drug officals; “Noe Ramirez is accused of accepting bribes of up to $500,000 from the Sinaloa cartel to warn the group’s leaders of police operations against them, the Mexican attorney general’s office said on Sunday.” (here - http://english.aljazeera.net/news/americas/2009/02/2009216201045322452.html )

Remember!!!!!

To: You From: Me

Matt Klein — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 09:14:15 +0000

Well here you go - it’s from the bottom of my heart or should I say rather, from the top of a cow’s head. Either way it’s my valentine to you and I hope you enjoy it. Check it out here

Those silly Japanese, man they know how to love and care for a cow. Have you ever heard of Kobe Beef? Kobe beef is Japanese for $300 a pound. Here’s a quick purview of how these fine animals are cared for - Beer diet, Sake rubdowns, Massages to relieve the cow’s tensions. It’s good to be a cow in Japan!!

What does all this mean? Well with all this love in the air, I’d sure LOVE a burger right now. Happy Valentine’s Day <3

Hit ‘em where it hurts. (The Taliban that is)

Matt Klein — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 20:23:57 +0000

Poppy field

Is there a silver lining to be found somewhere in this economic crisis? Darn skippy there is and it makes me smile. It’s not just normal Joe or mister millionaire exec getting the screws now the Taliban are feeling the crunch too.

It seems that the jerks that make financial donations to the Taliban and it’s affiliats have been loosing money due to the “the subprime mortgage crisis” just like everyone else and now the pinch is on. You can read all about it here.

To add to their woes black market and copper prices are rising to the point where ammunition is moving beyond affordability - “a rocket shell that used to cost $20 US now goes for $100″.

Oh but that’s not all. We’re going to go after their drug money now. As defense minister Mackay mentions “there is no question that there is direct linkage between the funding of terrorist activity and the poppy crop and the funds that are elicited from that poppy crop.” (found here) It may seem odd to you that this stance comes now instead of forever ago but it was a rather large controversy among NATO nations as “international law forbids nations from using military force against criminals, including drug traffickers.” NATO has sorted themselves out and is now moving to remove yet another source of income and a large one at that.

What does this mean? Less money in the pockets of those that would seek to oppress, terrorize and subjugate. As a Canadian soldier this makes me smile and I say “hit ‘em where it hurts!”

Twitter is saving lives

Evan T. Adnams — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 23:05:35 +0000

The City of Oklahoma City, in the wake of being hit by a tornado, is using Twitter to disseminate information to its people. This is a great example of the practical uses that have evolved from the twitter platform. check out the screenshot below:

Please pass the juice!

Matt Klein — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 16:21:30 +0000

Gross.

Alex Rodriguez admits to the use of steroids. I’m right ticked and you wanna know why? Nothing is going to happen to the guy! Before you dismiss this as just another sports story let me set the stage a bit. This man is billed ‘the best in the game’ and is also the highest paid player in history. He has a nine year contract with the Yankees that will cost them, during this uncertain economic time no less, $250 MILLION freaking dollars. This man is a hero to countless children.

What was the Yankee’s response? “…we realize that Alex, like all of us, is a human being not immune to fault.” (found in the artice - As Rodriguez Delivers His Admission, the Yanks Offer Support) Well isn’t that nice. Makes me feel better; how about you? His team will not punish him and neither will the law (as explained in this video ). Why? because of the wonderful statute of limitations. That means that he cannot be held accountable for anything he admits from over 5 years ago; which is the exact time frame our friend admits to. Is that a real law in the states?!?

Alright, lets bring this story down to earth. What does that mean to you and me? According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse indicates that in 2002 at least 4% of all american grade 12 kids have used steriods. That’s a huge number of KIDS and it’s only growing. And don’t pretend that it’s not here in Canada, I’ve known users in almost every job I’ve ever had. I guarantee you that you know somebody who is juicing; cause it’s everywhere and high profile “heroes” that use and get away with it just make it all the more attractive. It’s a $250 million dollar advertisement that’ll have our kids saying “please pass the juice”. The full confession vid can be viewed here (30 mins) - where you’ll hear such nice things as “it was such a loosey goosey era” and “there was a lot of people doing a lot of things” and so on. I’m glad you apologized Mr. Rod but there has to be some sort of real live consequences here.
We can’t let this stuff continue! We need to take a stand!

Bushfires in Victoria, Australia Pictures

Evan T. Adnams — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 19:34:15 +0000

Family members react after learning that their parents Bill and Faye Walker and disabled brother Geoffrey were killed in wildfires in Marysville, north of Melbourne, Monday, Feb. 9, 2009. (AP Photo)

Bushfires in Victoria, Australia - The Big Picture - Boston.com.

Thoughts and prayers to the families and workers involved. This is a horriffic event. Arson? Mass murder.

Joining the Team

Matt Klein — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 02:32:03 +0000

The cat hated him, but we love him!

Greetings all. This be Matt Klein and I am honored to report that I have been invited to contribute to the blog. That was an invite I could not pass up yet it made me nervous because I did not want to let anyone down. However, as Nero Wolfe would say, “phooey”! And with that I decided to go for it. So, just before I go for the gusto let me, very quickly, give you a small background on myself.

I attended Concordia once upon a time where I majored in sociology and minored in religion and almost music. Because I am a silly human being, I never did finish my degree but only have 3 classes remaining. I have work experience in almost any sector you can think of from working in the patch to being a care giver in a group home. I am currently serving in the military as a combat engineer with long term goals of finishing my degree, going to seminary and becoming a Padre in the military. I have known Paul and Evan for a very long time now and they are among the small group of individuals in this world that I call true friends and a year ago I asked them to stand up at my wedding. (someday either Paul of myself may even explain what it means to be a HSLP) Evan, Paul, thanks!

Science brings the fantastic to reality!

Matt Klein — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 02:31:42 +0000

You know! Like in Star Trek!

If it was Star Trek that ignited our imaginations, it was The Fly that really put the fear in us. Undeterred, however, science moved onward in an attempt to bring the fantastic to reality. Quantum teleportation! It’s pretty heady stuff as this scientists exclaims “if you think you understand quantum mechanics, you don’t understand quantum mechanics.” I think that by that definition I should understand most of it. Alas, it is not to be but this article does break it down fairly nicely.

I am fully aware that this may be my first and last post because I’ve just sited a link to fox news. Normally I would never have done such a regrettable thing but it was a good article. However, if that’s not enough here’s another article for you http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090122141148.htm.

What does it all mean? Well it’s just the first major step of many but… Quantum computers with brain boggling speed and computing power? Quantum internet where the transfer of information is beyond ‘plaid’ (Spaceballs ref)? What about the eventual and now inevitable transportation of humans from one place to another? Ya that’s something to be excited about! Let me know what you think.

Bill Gates Releases Mosquitoes During Malaria Speech

Paul Ney — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 17:43:17 +0000

Microsoft Founder and Malaria activist Bill Gates tried an interesting stunt to draw people’s attention to the devastating effects of Malaria in poor countries. Saying, “…there’s no reason only poor people should have the experience,” he released a container-full of mosquitoes into the audience - reassuring people that they weren’t infected. Malaria infects more than 500,000,000 people every year and more than 60% of those cases are in Africa. Check out Gates’ video after the jump (Mosquito part is about 5 minutes in).

ZOMBIES AHEAD!

Evan T. Adnams — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 16:29:00 +0000

Recently theere has been an outbreak of hacked electornic road signs in the USA. This is due to a really simple security flaw. No one has changed the default password! Furthermore, it is incredibly simple to reset them to the default password.

I think that if the city is too oblivious to change the password, they have it coming… Of course, this could all be a coverer for REAL ZOMBIE INVASIONS!

Wanna do it yourself?
Inside Programmable Road Signs.