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Fidel Castro’s “attack-essay” on Stephen Harper! Pure Gold!
Full Text of Reflections of Fidel Castro:
I think –and I do not intend to offend anyone- that this is how the Prime Minister of Canada is called. I deduced it from a statement published on “Holy Wednesday” by a spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry of that country. The United Nations Organization membership is made up by almost 200 States –allegedly independent States. They continuously change or are forced into change. Many of their representatives are honorable persons, friends of Cuba; but it is impossible to remember the specifics about each and every one of them.
During the second half of the twentieth century, I had the privilege of living through years of intensive erudition and I realized that Canadians, located in the northernmost region of this hemisphere, were always respectful towards our country. They invested in areas of their interest and traded with Cuba, but they did not interfere in the internal affairs of our State.
The revolutionary process that began on January 1st, 1959, did not introduce any measure that affected their interests, which were taken into account by the Revolution in maintaining normal and constructive relations with the authorities of that country where a significant effort was being made in the interest of its own development. Thus, they were not accomplices of the economic blockade, the war and the mercenary invasion that the United States launched against Cuba.
In May of 1948, the year that witnessed the foundation of the OAS, an institution with a shameful history which did away with what little was left from the dreams of the Liberators of the Americas,Canada was from belonging to it. It kept that same status for more than 40 years, until 1990. Some of its leaders visited us. One of them was Pierre Elliott Trudeau, a brilliant and courageous politician who died prematurely. We attended his burial on behalf of Cuba.
The OAS is supposed to be a regional organization made up by the sovereign States of this hemisphere. Such an assertion, like many others which are made everyday, involves a great number of lies. The least we can do is to be aware of them, if we are to preserve the spirit of struggle and our confidence on a more decent world.
The OAS is supposed to be a pan-American organization. Any country in Europe, Africa, Asia or Oceania could not belong to the OAS just because it has a colony, as it is the case of France in Guadeloupe; or the Netherlands in Curaçao. But the British colonialism could not define the status of Canada and explain whether it was a colony, a republic or a kingdom.
The Head of State of Canada is Queen Elizabeth II, although she vests her powers upon a Governor-General appointed by her. Therefore, we could ask whether the United Kingdom is also part of the OAS.
Likewise, the Honorable Foreign Minister of Canada does not dare to say whether or not he supports Argentina in the thorny issue of the Malvinas Islands. He has only expressed beatific wishes for peace to prevail between the two countries. But Great Britain has there its biggest military base outside its territory in violation of Argentina’s sovereignty. It did not apologize for having sunk the ‘General Belgrano’ cruiser which was sailing outside the jurisdictional waters that they themselves established which led to the futile sacrifice of hundreds of youths who were doing their military service. We should ask Obama and Harper what stand they will take in the face of the fairest claim by Argentinato be given back the sovereignty over the islands so that it is no longer deprived of the energy and fishing resources it so much needs to develop the country.
I was really amazed after I made a much deeper analysis of the activities carried out by Canadian transnationals in Latin America. I knew about the damage caused by the Yankees to the people of Canada. They forced the country to look for oil by extracting it from huge extensions of sand that are impregnated with that fluid, thus causing an irreparable damage to the environment of that beautiful and extensive country.
The incredible damage was the one caused to millions of persons by the Canadian companies specialized in the mining of gold, precious metals and radioactive materials.
An article published by the website Alainet a week ago, signed by an Engineer on Environmental Quality, which provides further details about an issue that has been identified innumerable times as one of the main scourges that affect millions of persons, stated that mining companies, 60 per cent of which are financed with Canadian capital, worked following the logic of maximum yield at a low cost and in a short time; and that these conditions turn out to be all the more advantageous if in the places where they are stationed, tax revenues are minimal and there are very few environmental and social commitments…
According to the article, the mining laws in our countries […] do not include any obligation or methodology to control environmental or social impacts; the tax revenues that mining companies pay to the countries of the region are, as an average, no more than 1.5 per cent of the revenues received.
The article adds that the social struggle against mining, particularly metal mining, has been growing as long as entire generations are becoming aware of the environmental and social impacts it causes.
It states that Guatemala has put up an admirable resistance against mining projects, thanks to the indigenous populations’ awareness of the value of their territories and their natural resources, which they consider a priceless ancestral heritage. However, in the last 10 years, the consequences of that struggle have been felt in the assassination of 120 human rights’ activists and advocators.
This article also describes the current situation in El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica, with figures that make us meditate very deeply about the seriousness and harshness of the ruthless pillaging that is being carried out against the natural resources of our countries, thus mortgaging the future of Latin Americans.
The presence of Dilma Rousseff, who made a stopover in Washington while traveling back to her country, will serve to persuade Obama that although there are some who take great delight in making slushy speeches, Latin America is far from being a choir of countries begging for alms.
The guayabera shirts to be worn by Obama in Cartagena has become one of the main issues covered by the news agencies: “Edgar Gómez […] has designed one for the US President, Barack Obama, who will be wearing it during the Summit of the Americas”, said the daughter of the designer, who added: “It is a white, sober guayabera, with a handiwork that is more striking that usual…”
Immediately after that, the news agency added that the Caribbean shirt was first made by the banks of the Yayabo River in Cuba; that is why they were originally called yayaberas.
The curious thing about this, dear readers, is that Cuba has been forbidden to attend that meeting, but not the guayaberas. Who could hold back from laughing? We must hurry up and tell Harper.
Fidel Castro Ruz
April 8, 2012
Helpful Tips For Kids About Strangers
In the wake of this afternoon’s possible abduction attempt here’s a few things you may want to go over with your children:
1) Teach your child to memorize important information: Have your child memorize important addresses such as their home address and important telephone numbers –their parents’ work numbers, home numbers, or a number of a trusted neighbour – and go over these on a regular basis… so they know who they should call if they find themselves lost or in need of help.
2) Dial 911 – Instill in your children that 911 is the number to call if they feel they are in danger.
3) Talk about what a stranger is: Reinforce for your child that strangers come in all shapes and sizes – even those who act friendly. For younger children, start by telling them who is not a stranger first, and then explain that everyone else is.
4) Tell your child what to do if a car approaches: Tell your child that adults rarely go to a child to ask for directions or to help them. Teach them never to approach a stranger’s car and to move away from a car that pulls up beside them. If they think they are being followed, they should run to the nearest store to ask a cashier for help or to another public place, such as a postal office, to seek assistance. Talk to your child and share a “secret password” with them. This password should be used any time that you cannot meet your child when agreed upon. If a stranger seeks to tell your children that “their mom asked him to pick them up” the children can ask for the password to assure themselves the request is legitimate.
5) If a stranger attempts to abduct a child: Teach your child that if a stranger ever attempts to grab them against their will, they should drop to the ground and throw a tantrum: kick, bite and scratch, scream, scatter their books and repeatedly yell “This is not my mother/father” to get noticed.
6) Tell your child to report any such incidents to their parents and then ask them to tell their parents to notify police.
2012 Juno Awards Nominations
Here’s the full list of 2012 Juno nominees:
JUNO FAN CHOICE AWARD
* Arcade Fire
* Avril Lavigne
* City and Colour
* Deadmau5
* Drake
* Ginette Reno
* Hedley
* Justin Bieber Universal
* Michael Bublé
* Nickelback
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
* City and Colour | Fragile Bird
* Hedley | Invincible
* Johnny Reid | Let’s Go Higher
* Nickelback | When We Stand Together
* The Sheepdogs | I Don’t Know
INTERNATIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR
* Adele | 21
* Coldplay | Mylo Xyloto
* Lady Gaga | Born This Way
* LMFAO | Sorry For Party Rocking
* Rihanna | Loud
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
* Avril Lavigne | Goodbye Lullabye
* Drake | Take Care
* Justin Bieber | Under the Mistletoe
* Michael Bublé | Christmas
* Nickelback | Here And Now
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
* City and Colour
* Deadmau5
* Drake
* Feist
* Michael Bublé
GROUP OF THE YEAR
* Arkells
* Down With Webster
* Hedley
* Nickelback
* Sam Roberts Band
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
* Alyssa Reid
* Dan Mangan
* Diamond Rings
* JRDN
* Lindi Ortega
NEW GROUP OF THE YEAR
* Braids
* Hey Rosetta!
* Mother Mother
* The Rural Alberta Advantage
* The Sheepdogs
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR
* Dallas Green
* Dan Mangan
* Feist
* Jim Cuddy
* Ron Sexsmith
COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR
* Doc Walker | 16 & 1
* High Valley | High Valley
* Jason McCoy | Everything
* Jimmy Rankin | Forget About the World
* Terri Clark | Roots and Wings
ADULT ALTERNATIVE ALBUM OF THE YEAR
* Cuff The Duke | Morning Comes
* Feist | Metals
* Jenn Grant | Honeymoon Punch
* Jim Cuddy | Skyscraper Soul
* Ron Sexsmith | Long Player Late Bloomer
POP ALBUM OF THE YEAR
* Avril Lavigne | Goodbye Lullaby
* Down With Webster | Time To Win Vol. II
* Hedley | Storms
* Lights | Siberia
* Marianas Trench | Ever After
ROCK ALBUM OF THE YEAR
* Arkells | Michigan Left
* Matthew Good | Lights of Endangered Species
* Sam Roberts Band | Collider
* Sloan | The Double Cross
* The Sheepdogs | Learn & Burn
BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR
* Bill Johnson | Still Blue
* David Gogo | Soul Bender
* Harrison Kennedy | Shame The Devil
* MonkeyJunk | To Behold
* Suzie Vinnick | Me ‘n’ Mabel
JACK RICHARDSON PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
* Bob Rock
* Brian Howes
* David Foster
* k.d. lang
* Noah “40” Shebib
List of NHL All Star Events Around Ottawa!
Thursday, Jan. 26
2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.
NHL Trophy Procession
Rideau Canal Skateway from Waverly St. to the Ottawa Convention Centre
All the NHL Trophies including the Stanley Cup®, the Hart Memorial Trophy, the Conn Smythe Trophy and the Vezina Trophy will travel down the Rideau Canal Skateway to officially commence the All-Star festivities. The Trophies begin the procession at Waverly St. and will exit the Skateway on Daly Ave. to enter the Ottawa Convention Centre marking the opening of the Scotiabank NHL Fan Fair™. Fans of all ages are encouraged to line the Skateway between Waverly St. and Daly Ave. to watch as these historic trophies make their way down the Rideau Canal Skateway.
3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Scotiabank NHL Fan Fair™
Ottawa Convention Centre
The official fan festival for the 2012 NHL® All-Star Weekend, the 2012 Scotiabank NHL Fan Fair™ will offer three days of family-friendly interactive games and attractions, special appearances, trophy and memorabilia displays, live TV and radio broadcasts, music, food and dozens of other dynamic activities.
Tickets are available online at CapitalTickets.ca or via phone at 613-599-FANS (3267) or 877-788-3267; in-person at the Scotiabank Place box office or by visiting participating Canadian Tire locations within the Ottawa area. Tickets purchased after Jan. 25 and at the door to Scotiabank NHL Fan Fair will be $15 per person. Children under the age of two will be admitted for free. Once inside, fans may enjoy all the attractions for no additional cost. For more information, fans can visit nhl.com/fanfair.
8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
2012 NHL All-Star Fantasy Draft™
Théâtre du Casino du Lac-Leamy
The NHL All-Star Fantasy Draft™ is back by popular demand, allowing the players to draft their own teams in a televised event for the second year in a row.
Friday, Jan. 27
10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Scotiabank NHL Fan Fair™
Ottawa Convention Centre
7 p.m.
Energizer® Night Skate™ at NHL® All-Star
Rideau Canal Skateway
Energizer®, the NHL and the Sens Foundation will host the first-ever Energizer Night Skate, a one-of-a-kind 5KM skating event on the Rideau Canal Skateway that will benefit the Sens Foundation. Under the blanket of the night sky, families, friends and hockey fans will don headlights that will light up the evening as they skate the Rideau Canal Skateway to raise money to construct future outdoor ice rinks in eastern Ontario and western Quebec.
Entry to participate in this event requires registration and is $20 per person or $15 for those aged 12-and-under. All entrants receive an Energizer LED headlight and an Energizer Night Skate commemorative toque for their participation and donation. To register, visit
www.energizernightskate.ca.
Saturday, Jan. 28
9 a.m. to noon
2012 Canadian Tire NHL Junior Skills™ National Championship
Rideau Canal Skateway
The Canadian Tire NHL Junior SkillsTM Competition was a program launched in September to find the most skilled hockey players between the ages of seven and 12 in Canada. This nation-wide competition culminates in Ottawa, as finalists from the regional competitions gather on the Rideau Canal Skateway to showcase their skills in fastest skating, shooting accuracy, puck control and passing accuracy in front of a national audience during All-Star Weekend. The championship will feature a special guest and NHL alumni and will be taped for a segment on CBC that will air as part of the All-Star coverage. For more information, visit canadiantirehockeyschool.ca/nhljuniorskills
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Scotiabank NHL Fan Fair™
Ottawa Convention Centre
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
2012 Molson Canadian NHL All-Star Skills Competition™
Scotiabank Place, (CBC, RDS, NBC Sports Network)
The NHL All-Stars show off their skating, puck-handling and shooting skills in the Molson Canadian NHL All-Star Skills Competition™.
Sunday, Jan. 29
4 p.m.
2012 Tim Hortons NHL® All-Star Game®
Scotiabank Place, (CBC, RDS, NBC Sports Network)
The League’s mid-season spectacular concludes with the 59th annual NHL All-Star Game. Live television coverage of the event will be provided by CBC and RDS in Canada and NBC Sports Network in the U.S.
NHL, the NHL Shield and Stanley Cup are registered trademarks and the NHL All-Star Game logo, NHL All-Star Fantasy Draft, NHL Fan Fair, NHL Junior Skills and NHL All-Star Skills Competition are trademarks of the National Hockey League. All Rights Reserved.
Canadian Tire® and the Canadian Tire logo are trademarks of Canadian Tire Corporation, Limited. Used under license.
Fantastic Marriage Joke!!!!
I heard this one while my backpacking travels took me through The Isle of Skye in Northern Scotland, and in honor of Robbie Burns Day I thought I’d share it with you!
- Jamieson
Angus wakes up one morning with a huge hangover. As he forces himself to open his eyes, the first thing he notices are a couple of Aspirin and a glass of water on the side table! As he sits up to take them, he notices that the room is completely clean and his clothes are folded neatly on the chair waiting for him. On top of the clothes is a note from his wife that reads “Good morning honey! I left early to go shopping and there’s breakfast waiting for you in the oven. I love you!”
Confused as hell, Angus goes to the kitchen and sure enough there’s a hot plate & coffee, beside the neatly folded newspaper! As he sits down to eat, Angus looks at his son and asks “Son, what happened last night?”
His son looks up and says “Well! you came home after 3am drunk and delirious. Broke some furniture, puked in the hallway and gave yourself a black eye tripping over the cat!”
Now (even more confused than ever) Angus asks “Then why is everything so clean and WHY was breakfast waiting for me?!”
Smiling, his son replies, “Oh that! Mom dragged you to the bedroom and when she tried to take your pants off you screamed ‘Lady! Leave me alone, I’m married’ “!!!!!
Happy Robbie Burns Day
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