So what do Old Men think about in the Spring? Yes, that, too, but also solving the great mysteries of life.
In fact, there I was, contemplating my navel, and telling The Missus the game plan about searching for the Bermuda Triangle and also the Dragon's Triangle.
Perhaps, it was one of those recent TV shows that tried to explain these mysterious triangles that stretch around the globe that had peaked my interest. But I started to remember that my interest in the triangles had begun shortly after reading and re-reading Charles Berlitz's best-selling book on the subject in 1974. It certainly was standard reading for every fertile brain during that period.
For the younger generation, this highly-popular writer was the grandson of the founder of the famous Berlitz language schools, but in his spare time he delved into some of the great mysteries such as the Bermuda Triangle (aka Devil's Triangle), Atlantis, UFOs and ancient astronauts.
However, Berlitz wasn't the only one to "explore" the area, which covers some 500,000 square miles and is located off the southeastern coast of the U.S. in the Atlantic Ocean and stretches from Bermuda to Miami to San Juan, Puerto Rico. And it is noted for the disappearances of at least 100 planes and more than 1,000 lives.
While Berlitz made the Bermuda Triangle notorious, it first came to the forefront in a February 1964 article in Argosy. In it, the magazine writer, Vincent H. Gaddis, began with these words:
"What is there about this particular slice of the world that has destroyed hundreds of ships and planes without a trace?"
Then Gaddis proceeded to tell about the tanker Marine Sulphur Queen, with her crew of 39, which was headed from Beaumont, Texas to its planned destination of Norfolk, Virginia. No trace of it was found except a life jacket and several bits of debris.
Then there was the case, as Gaddis wrote, of two KC-135 four-engine strato-tanker jets, which took off in clear weather from Homestead AFB, south of Miami, on August 28, 1963, with a crew of 11. Those planes vanished.
Gaddis even described about an internationally famous jockey named Al Snyder, and two of his friends sailing from Miami on March 5, 1948, to go fishing. They were never found.
Of course, the Bermuda Triangle isn't the only area known for such mysterious disappearances since there are about a dozen so-called "vile vortex areas," including something called the Devil's Sea, aka the Dragon's Triangle, or Formosa Triangle. It is located off the coast of Japan in a region of the Pacific around Miyake Island, about 110 miles south of Tokyo.
On a howstuffworks.com website, it reads: "Like the Bermuda Triangle, the Devil's Sea doesn't appear on any official maps, but the name is used by Japanese fishermen."
And so what is the explanation or explanations for such mysterious phenomena?
Some believe the disappearances could be attributed to inexperience of the navigators, either in the air or on the water, and also the areas off Florida and off Japan are known for violent and unexpected storms and weather changes. These vicious storms could include "waterspouts," or a tornado at sea, which could destroy a passing plane or ship. These freak waves have been known to reach 100 feet in height, according to the "Howstuffworks" site.
There are other theories such as concentrated methane gas hydrates, which is believed to be a potential energy source and then's the human element -- pirates, aka drug runners, who have been known to hijack cargo ships, etc.
And then there are far-fetched theories, ranging from aliens in flying saucers to Edgar Cayce's writings concerning the yet "undiscovered" city of Atlantis on something known as the "Bimini Road."
The "theories" also include "electronic fog," which causes compass malfunctions and blue holes and the list goes on and on.
***
BASIC CAYCE DIET: While "the sleeping prophet," Edgar Cayce might be best noted for his Atlantis "visions," he also offered meal planning for "healing and health maintenance." In it, here's a simple outline for a typical day's menu: BREAKFAST -- Either citrus fruit, or cooked or dry cereal ... LUNCH -- Raw vegetable salad with dressing or fruit salad ... DINNER -- Steam vegetables served with fish, poultry or lamb. As far as food preparation -- Steam vegetables in their own juices; never fry foods; use fresh, locally grown vegetables and fruits whenever possible; avoid aluminum cookware ... It sounds like a plan to me.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
It was supposed to be a secret
It was almost as if Garry Moore was standing in the wings and saying: "Whisper your secret to me, and we'll show it to the folks at home." After he said that the TV camera usually panned to the puzzled faces of the panel consisting of Bill Cullen, Henry Morgan, Betsy Palmer and Bess Myerson.
"I've Got A Secret" was one of the most popular shows from an earlier era, however, it was the first thing I thought about when writing today's column about so-called "secrets."
Just in the past few days, the Net has been ripe with a supposed "secret" and that's the Americans will launch a "sneak (aka secret) attack," called Operation Bite, against Iran on Good Friday, April 6th. And now it's no longer a "secret."
Of course, when Webster G. Tarpley, the well-known conspiracy advocate, echoed Russian journalist Andrei Uglanov's writings to the world about the "secret" attack, I had doubts and I was about to toss such information into File 13 when Jim Krane's Associated Press report caught my attention:
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- The U.S. Navy on Tuesday began its largest demonstration of force in the Persian Gulf since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, led by a pair of aircraft carriers and backed by warplanes flying simulated attack maneuvers off the coast of Iran. The maneuvers bring together two strike groups of U.S. warships and more than 100 U.S. warplanes to conduct simulated air warfare in the crowded Gulf shipping lanes.
Of course, the U.S. Navy brass denied the maneuvres were in response to the capture of 15 British sailors, who were seized by Iranian forces in recent days.
However, Tarpley's rewrite on Sunday of Uglanov's piece in the Moscow weekly, Argumenty Nedeli, starts to gain some credibility when combined with Krane's report.
The essence of the initial Moscow report was "the long awaited U.S. military attack on Iran is now on track for the first week of April, specifically for 4 a.m. on April 6, the Good Friday opening of Easter weekend." It's supposed to last for 12 hours, according to Uglanov, from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time and has been code named Operation Bite.
According to Uglanov, about 20 targets -- uranium enrichment facilities, research centres and laboratories -- have been targeted, however, the Bushehr nuclear plant reactor would be spared because Russian engineers are working there.
In addition, according to the Russian journalist, the U.S. attack would be aimed at wiping out the headquarters of the Iranian armed forces; sinking the fleet of Iranian warships in the Gulf as well as "degrading" the Iranian air defense system.
The attack, supposedly, would be carried out from the aircraft carriers (re: Dubai report); from the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean and the missile-laden B-52 bombers from the island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.
While much of Uglanov's report might be pure speculation, it has been reprinted by Russia's well-known news agency, RIA-Novosti, who asked retired Colonel General Leonid Ivashov to confirm its "essential features."
"I have no doubt that there will be an operation, or more precisely a violent action against Iran," Ivashov was quoted as saying.
If such an air attack by the U.S. against Iran does take place on April 6 or on any other date in the near future, it could have grave consequences considering the close military ties between Russia and Iran.
One of those "military" ties could involve a supersonic Russian-built missile, known in the West as the "Sizzler," which may have found a "home" in Iran and could be aimed at the pair of U.S. aircraft carriers now in the Persian Gulf.
In a March 23 article on the Bloomberg.com website, reporter Tony Capaccio stated that the U.S. Navy, "after nearly six years of warnings from Pentagon testers, still lacks a plan," for defending the carriers against such a missile.
Later in Capaccio's article, Capaccio quoted U.S. chief of naval operations, Admiral Michael Mullin, as saying, "(The Sizzler) is very fast and it has maneuvring characteristics that are of concern ..."
Apparently, this Russian-built missile has been "shopped around" at international arms show.
***
WHAT'S NEXT? While Tehran has been fairly silent except to say the British Marines are being treated fairly, there's 'a secret' surrounding their seizure. According to Western intelligence sources and Brian Ross' ABC Investigative Unit it was for "retaliation" after the Americans grabbed five Quds (Jerusalem) Force officers from the Iranian consulate in Irbil, Iraq on Jan. 11 ... Quds force, according to sources, answers to the Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.and not Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
"I've Got A Secret" was one of the most popular shows from an earlier era, however, it was the first thing I thought about when writing today's column about so-called "secrets."
Just in the past few days, the Net has been ripe with a supposed "secret" and that's the Americans will launch a "sneak (aka secret) attack," called Operation Bite, against Iran on Good Friday, April 6th. And now it's no longer a "secret."
Of course, when Webster G. Tarpley, the well-known conspiracy advocate, echoed Russian journalist Andrei Uglanov's writings to the world about the "secret" attack, I had doubts and I was about to toss such information into File 13 when Jim Krane's Associated Press report caught my attention:
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- The U.S. Navy on Tuesday began its largest demonstration of force in the Persian Gulf since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, led by a pair of aircraft carriers and backed by warplanes flying simulated attack maneuvers off the coast of Iran. The maneuvers bring together two strike groups of U.S. warships and more than 100 U.S. warplanes to conduct simulated air warfare in the crowded Gulf shipping lanes.
Of course, the U.S. Navy brass denied the maneuvres were in response to the capture of 15 British sailors, who were seized by Iranian forces in recent days.
However, Tarpley's rewrite on Sunday of Uglanov's piece in the Moscow weekly, Argumenty Nedeli, starts to gain some credibility when combined with Krane's report.
The essence of the initial Moscow report was "the long awaited U.S. military attack on Iran is now on track for the first week of April, specifically for 4 a.m. on April 6, the Good Friday opening of Easter weekend." It's supposed to last for 12 hours, according to Uglanov, from 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time and has been code named Operation Bite.
According to Uglanov, about 20 targets -- uranium enrichment facilities, research centres and laboratories -- have been targeted, however, the Bushehr nuclear plant reactor would be spared because Russian engineers are working there.
In addition, according to the Russian journalist, the U.S. attack would be aimed at wiping out the headquarters of the Iranian armed forces; sinking the fleet of Iranian warships in the Gulf as well as "degrading" the Iranian air defense system.
The attack, supposedly, would be carried out from the aircraft carriers (re: Dubai report); from the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean and the missile-laden B-52 bombers from the island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.
While much of Uglanov's report might be pure speculation, it has been reprinted by Russia's well-known news agency, RIA-Novosti, who asked retired Colonel General Leonid Ivashov to confirm its "essential features."
"I have no doubt that there will be an operation, or more precisely a violent action against Iran," Ivashov was quoted as saying.
If such an air attack by the U.S. against Iran does take place on April 6 or on any other date in the near future, it could have grave consequences considering the close military ties between Russia and Iran.
One of those "military" ties could involve a supersonic Russian-built missile, known in the West as the "Sizzler," which may have found a "home" in Iran and could be aimed at the pair of U.S. aircraft carriers now in the Persian Gulf.
In a March 23 article on the Bloomberg.com website, reporter Tony Capaccio stated that the U.S. Navy, "after nearly six years of warnings from Pentagon testers, still lacks a plan," for defending the carriers against such a missile.
Later in Capaccio's article, Capaccio quoted U.S. chief of naval operations, Admiral Michael Mullin, as saying, "(The Sizzler) is very fast and it has maneuvring characteristics that are of concern ..."
Apparently, this Russian-built missile has been "shopped around" at international arms show.
***
WHAT'S NEXT? While Tehran has been fairly silent except to say the British Marines are being treated fairly, there's 'a secret' surrounding their seizure. According to Western intelligence sources and Brian Ross' ABC Investigative Unit it was for "retaliation" after the Americans grabbed five Quds (Jerusalem) Force officers from the Iranian consulate in Irbil, Iraq on Jan. 11 ... Quds force, according to sources, answers to the Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.and not Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Remembering a tower of strength
Bill Stevenson was the strongest man I have ever met. And it's fortunate for the world that accompanying that brute strength was a smile as wide as the Grand Canyon.
He was one of those characters from the "unforgettable" category that so seldom crosses one's path.
Every once in a while over the past 25 years or so, I have looked at a photograph of Stevenson as he manhandled heavy iron in his "newly-opened" Edmonton fitness center.
And at that time he was also giving sage advice to another "incredible bulk," who was planning to work out before re-entering the carnival wrestling ring as a villain in a flick called "Running Brave."
But besides Stevenson's photo there was also a column, which I wrote for the Edmonton Sun, and it started this way:
"The Marquis de Sade would feel right at home. Long John Silver would look longingly at the racks. Captain Bluebeard would admire the bars, for there are more in this place than on New Orleans' Bourbon Street or Sing Sing.
No, we're not talking about the latest in torture rooms, but Little Bill Stevenson's house of repute, also known as the Edmonton fitness centre.
You know Stevenson? He's the guy with the time zones. The one who's laughter has been known to shatter champagne glasses ala Ella Fitzgerald. He's also been known to shatter a few beer glasses as well.
Bill Stevenson is a free spirit. He's one who knows how to work hard. This Eskimo -- football variety -- also is one who doesn't take himself too seriously. In his company, the Mona Lisa might crack a smile (to use a line from the super writer Jim Murray).
Stevenson and his friends have their grand opening today and if you notice him huffing and puffing it's because he's still moving in the furniture and machines into the centre, which undoubtedly will be in a class by itself.
This is the elite of sweat centres, one which comes equipped with hydragym cylinders, Nautilus equipment, a racquetball court, swimming pool, whirlpools and saunas and the major selling feature is that it is co-educational."
Later in the column from Friday, Jan. 16, 1981 I wrote:
"Little Bill, whose main responsibilities will be promotion and "seeing people keep coming back," has already interested fellow Eskimos such as Angelo Santucci, Tom Towns, David Boone and Dan Kepley ... Stevenson, who has given up his horse-breeding interests, is so enthused about his fitness project that he intends to move his family of a wife and two small children into the city from their present abode nine miles west of this hamlet (Edmonton).
A few days ago, CBC sportscaster John Wells indicated Stevenson was 45 pounds overweight. However, Little Bill took affront to this and I hope for Wells' sake that he doesn't run into Stevenson for he looked mean as he bashed a piece of his new machinery.
"I'm going to be in the best shape I've ever been in," grimaced Stevenson, contemplating the 1981 CFL season. I believe him."
After a stellar career at Drake University, Stevenson was drafted by the NFL Miami Dolphins, but chose to join the Memphis Southmen of the World Football League for the 1974 and 1975 seasons. Then he came home -- to Edmonton -- and became a mainstay with the Eskimos for 14 seasons from 1975 to 1988.
He first proved to be a tower of strength on the vaunted Alberta Crude defensive line with Dave Fennell, Ron Estay and the late David Boone, and then he shifted to protecting his old quarterback Tom Wilkinson on the offensive line. During his tenure in the CFL, he and the Eskimos claimed seven Grey Cups.
He, seemingly, would be around forever with his love for life and his smile as wide as the Grand Canyon.
However, earlier this week, Bill Stevenson, after apparently going outside for a smoke, fell down some stairs at his mother's home and was taken to Edmonton's Misericordia Hospital where he died at the young age of 56.
He was one of those characters from the "unforgettable" category that so seldom crosses one's path.
Every once in a while over the past 25 years or so, I have looked at a photograph of Stevenson as he manhandled heavy iron in his "newly-opened" Edmonton fitness center.
And at that time he was also giving sage advice to another "incredible bulk," who was planning to work out before re-entering the carnival wrestling ring as a villain in a flick called "Running Brave."
But besides Stevenson's photo there was also a column, which I wrote for the Edmonton Sun, and it started this way:
"The Marquis de Sade would feel right at home. Long John Silver would look longingly at the racks. Captain Bluebeard would admire the bars, for there are more in this place than on New Orleans' Bourbon Street or Sing Sing.
No, we're not talking about the latest in torture rooms, but Little Bill Stevenson's house of repute, also known as the Edmonton fitness centre.
You know Stevenson? He's the guy with the time zones. The one who's laughter has been known to shatter champagne glasses ala Ella Fitzgerald. He's also been known to shatter a few beer glasses as well.
Bill Stevenson is a free spirit. He's one who knows how to work hard. This Eskimo -- football variety -- also is one who doesn't take himself too seriously. In his company, the Mona Lisa might crack a smile (to use a line from the super writer Jim Murray).
Stevenson and his friends have their grand opening today and if you notice him huffing and puffing it's because he's still moving in the furniture and machines into the centre, which undoubtedly will be in a class by itself.
This is the elite of sweat centres, one which comes equipped with hydragym cylinders, Nautilus equipment, a racquetball court, swimming pool, whirlpools and saunas and the major selling feature is that it is co-educational."
Later in the column from Friday, Jan. 16, 1981 I wrote:
"Little Bill, whose main responsibilities will be promotion and "seeing people keep coming back," has already interested fellow Eskimos such as Angelo Santucci, Tom Towns, David Boone and Dan Kepley ... Stevenson, who has given up his horse-breeding interests, is so enthused about his fitness project that he intends to move his family of a wife and two small children into the city from their present abode nine miles west of this hamlet (Edmonton).
A few days ago, CBC sportscaster John Wells indicated Stevenson was 45 pounds overweight. However, Little Bill took affront to this and I hope for Wells' sake that he doesn't run into Stevenson for he looked mean as he bashed a piece of his new machinery.
"I'm going to be in the best shape I've ever been in," grimaced Stevenson, contemplating the 1981 CFL season. I believe him."
After a stellar career at Drake University, Stevenson was drafted by the NFL Miami Dolphins, but chose to join the Memphis Southmen of the World Football League for the 1974 and 1975 seasons. Then he came home -- to Edmonton -- and became a mainstay with the Eskimos for 14 seasons from 1975 to 1988.
He first proved to be a tower of strength on the vaunted Alberta Crude defensive line with Dave Fennell, Ron Estay and the late David Boone, and then he shifted to protecting his old quarterback Tom Wilkinson on the offensive line. During his tenure in the CFL, he and the Eskimos claimed seven Grey Cups.
He, seemingly, would be around forever with his love for life and his smile as wide as the Grand Canyon.
However, earlier this week, Bill Stevenson, after apparently going outside for a smoke, fell down some stairs at his mother's home and was taken to Edmonton's Misericordia Hospital where he died at the young age of 56.
The Ark, the Prince and obsession
It's an obsession. Something flaring and at other times lying dormant within one's soul.
Since 1990, the obsession has been to search for the original Ark of the Covenant, which has taken me from the depths of the African nation of Ethiopia to being a resident in the Jerusalem neighbourhood of Abu Tor, where according to the Bible, King David, brought the Ark.
However, although I've done a 10-part series called The Glory of the King and probed the minds of such scholars as Graham Hancock (The Sign and The Seal), it wasn't until Monday of this week , the obsession grew into a flame again.
It came in the form of an e-mail from an Ethiopian in Virginia, who said that Prince Stephanos (Stephen Mengesha), the once "pet" great-grandson of the late Emperor Haile Selassie I, was trying to track me down. The writer claimed the Ethiopian prince was on a temporary visit to Canada.
Then after reading and re-reading the e-mail, I decided to look through my past files concerning Mengesha, for he was the one, who first made me aware of Ethiopia's claim it possessed history's most important historical, powerful and religious artifact in the small northern town of Aksum.
In the third of a five-part series entitled The Searchers for World Net Daily, this is a condensed version of what I wrote:
***
"If it's found, and if it's such a sacred item for the Jewish faith, what's to stop Israel from waging war to get it back? It's not a matter of diplomatic negotiations or going to the United Nations. This is something the world Jewry around the globe believes it's necessary to build the Third Temple and if that's how important it is, the chances of Israel going to war to get it (are greatly increased)." -- Prince Stephanos (Stephen Mengesha), April 6, 1990.
He was unpretentious.
A smiling, affable man, who introduced himself as Stephen Mengesha, was a Toronto car salesman.
"Steve's my name."
In early 1990, while doing research for a series of newspaper articles on the Ethiopian famines, he became a friend, and would relate that the Ark of the Covenant was the Horn of Africa nation's greatest treasure.
It was a blockbuster.
Of course, I'd earlier read in Grant Jeffrey's paperback, "Armageddon - Appointment With Destiny," of his conversations with Prince Stephanos, the favorite great-grandson of the late Emperor Haile Selassie, who was murdered by dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam and his thugs in 1975.
He also related to this investigative reporter of how the original Ark, constructed by Moses' chief carpenter, traveled from Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem to Ethiopia with one of Solomon's offspring, Menelik I. It has been in Ethiopia ever since, according to the Ethiopian royal chronicles, and its holy book, the Kebra Negast.
On Saturday, April 28, 1990, the Prince spoke about the searches for the Ark, which have ranged from Mussolini to the Israelis:
CORBETT: What's the importance of the Ark?
PRINCE: The building of the Third Temple is the cornerstone of the Jewish faith and the coming of all Jews to Israel. Finding the Ark of the Covenant is paramount for this to happen and the coming of their Messiah. So even though it's unspoken, they're on the look out for it, and many times they have explored the possibility of the Ethiopian claim. It has been pursued by various people throughout history prior to the Italian occupation (through the auspices of the Roman Catholic Church), and after the restoration of the Emperor to the throne (in 1941). Even today, they're still looking for it.
CORBETT: Is it possible there's an Ark on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem?
PRINCE: The lack of an Ark being mentioned in the book, "In The Shadow of the Temple," isn't evidence the Israelis don't care about it. After all it's the cornerstone. If you're going to build a temple, you have to have something to put in it and no where in the Jewish traditions does it say that God is going to bring it down from heaven. There's nothing of that nature being mentioned in prophecy. The building of the Third Temple I just mentioned requires the Ark inside it or else it would be a meaningless building.
CORBETT: I've read, probably in one of Grant Jeffrey's books, that during the excavations underneath the Temple Mount that they've spotted something that looks like the Ark. Is this a duplicate.
PRINCE: There is a duplicate Ark. The rabbinical council knows about it.
CORBETT: There are lots of duplicates around. Isn't that true?
PRINCE: Yes. Finding the original Ark of the Covenant is an interest by the Catholic Church and the Pope during the 1936-1940 Ethiopian occupation by Italy and Mussolini and there's good indication that the Catholic Church was looking for it.
CORBETT: Was that one of Mussolini's aims?
PRINCE: Not Mussolini's, but he was persuaded by the Pope and, of course, the Pope has been criticized for blessing Mussolini's mission to Ethiopia because of that.
CORBETT: Describe the church where it's supposedly buried?
PRINCE: I have been to the church, but I haven't been to the basement, in fact if there's a basement, which contains the Ark, that would be a secret.
In 1993, Prince Stephanos returned to Aksum and was able to photograph the stairwell leading to the Ark.
Even though others have claimed to have seen the Ark, such conjecture is certainly untrue.
Since 1990, the obsession has been to search for the original Ark of the Covenant, which has taken me from the depths of the African nation of Ethiopia to being a resident in the Jerusalem neighbourhood of Abu Tor, where according to the Bible, King David, brought the Ark.
However, although I've done a 10-part series called The Glory of the King and probed the minds of such scholars as Graham Hancock (The Sign and The Seal), it wasn't until Monday of this week , the obsession grew into a flame again.
It came in the form of an e-mail from an Ethiopian in Virginia, who said that Prince Stephanos (Stephen Mengesha), the once "pet" great-grandson of the late Emperor Haile Selassie I, was trying to track me down. The writer claimed the Ethiopian prince was on a temporary visit to Canada.
Then after reading and re-reading the e-mail, I decided to look through my past files concerning Mengesha, for he was the one, who first made me aware of Ethiopia's claim it possessed history's most important historical, powerful and religious artifact in the small northern town of Aksum.
In the third of a five-part series entitled The Searchers for World Net Daily, this is a condensed version of what I wrote:
***
"If it's found, and if it's such a sacred item for the Jewish faith, what's to stop Israel from waging war to get it back? It's not a matter of diplomatic negotiations or going to the United Nations. This is something the world Jewry around the globe believes it's necessary to build the Third Temple and if that's how important it is, the chances of Israel going to war to get it (are greatly increased)." -- Prince Stephanos (Stephen Mengesha), April 6, 1990.
He was unpretentious.
A smiling, affable man, who introduced himself as Stephen Mengesha, was a Toronto car salesman.
"Steve's my name."
In early 1990, while doing research for a series of newspaper articles on the Ethiopian famines, he became a friend, and would relate that the Ark of the Covenant was the Horn of Africa nation's greatest treasure.
It was a blockbuster.
Of course, I'd earlier read in Grant Jeffrey's paperback, "Armageddon - Appointment With Destiny," of his conversations with Prince Stephanos, the favorite great-grandson of the late Emperor Haile Selassie, who was murdered by dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam and his thugs in 1975.
He also related to this investigative reporter of how the original Ark, constructed by Moses' chief carpenter, traveled from Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem to Ethiopia with one of Solomon's offspring, Menelik I. It has been in Ethiopia ever since, according to the Ethiopian royal chronicles, and its holy book, the Kebra Negast.
On Saturday, April 28, 1990, the Prince spoke about the searches for the Ark, which have ranged from Mussolini to the Israelis:
CORBETT: What's the importance of the Ark?
PRINCE: The building of the Third Temple is the cornerstone of the Jewish faith and the coming of all Jews to Israel. Finding the Ark of the Covenant is paramount for this to happen and the coming of their Messiah. So even though it's unspoken, they're on the look out for it, and many times they have explored the possibility of the Ethiopian claim. It has been pursued by various people throughout history prior to the Italian occupation (through the auspices of the Roman Catholic Church), and after the restoration of the Emperor to the throne (in 1941). Even today, they're still looking for it.
CORBETT: Is it possible there's an Ark on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem?
PRINCE: The lack of an Ark being mentioned in the book, "In The Shadow of the Temple," isn't evidence the Israelis don't care about it. After all it's the cornerstone. If you're going to build a temple, you have to have something to put in it and no where in the Jewish traditions does it say that God is going to bring it down from heaven. There's nothing of that nature being mentioned in prophecy. The building of the Third Temple I just mentioned requires the Ark inside it or else it would be a meaningless building.
CORBETT: I've read, probably in one of Grant Jeffrey's books, that during the excavations underneath the Temple Mount that they've spotted something that looks like the Ark. Is this a duplicate.
PRINCE: There is a duplicate Ark. The rabbinical council knows about it.
CORBETT: There are lots of duplicates around. Isn't that true?
PRINCE: Yes. Finding the original Ark of the Covenant is an interest by the Catholic Church and the Pope during the 1936-1940 Ethiopian occupation by Italy and Mussolini and there's good indication that the Catholic Church was looking for it.
CORBETT: Was that one of Mussolini's aims?
PRINCE: Not Mussolini's, but he was persuaded by the Pope and, of course, the Pope has been criticized for blessing Mussolini's mission to Ethiopia because of that.
CORBETT: Describe the church where it's supposedly buried?
PRINCE: I have been to the church, but I haven't been to the basement, in fact if there's a basement, which contains the Ark, that would be a secret.
In 1993, Prince Stephanos returned to Aksum and was able to photograph the stairwell leading to the Ark.
Even though others have claimed to have seen the Ark, such conjecture is certainly untrue.
Resurrecting a most worthy project
Ted Byfield, the Canadian publishing icon, was once described by one of his admirers, Steve Hopkins, as imaginative, compassionate, generous and charming as well as "stubborn."
However, "determined" and "crusader for what's right" could certainly be added.
Two years ago, Byfield's most ambitious project, the much-anticipated $5 million, 12-volume Christian History Project, collapsed and there were those who were ready to give it a proper burial.
However, Byfield wasn't about to give in to circumstances.
In a May 30, 2005 column, I quoted the project's then president and CEO Bob Doull as saying he suspected a technician (with possible Muslim ties) of tampering with the expensive computer system on Dec. 28, 2004. Based in Edmonton, the 'puter "housed" the volumes, artwork and all the customer records. Edmonton police, apparently, looked into the incident.
To make matters worse, on Feb. 13, 2005, CHP was struck a second time; this time it was less devastating as the criminal(s) attempted to "take down the telephone system."
Doull said he had "set up a couch outside the server room" to watch for the culprit(s), however, the two incidents had sent the project into a tailspin even though added security systems were in place. "It paralyzed our customer service," stated Doull, admitting about $700,000 would be needed to restore a workable system. He then added he intended to return to being a community newspaper publisher.
All hope seemed lost, for a letter on March 1, 2006 from spokesman, Brian Lehr, read, in part: "We wish to inform you that the Christian History Project Limited Partnership has been forced to cease operations and is being dissolved. The Partnership developed an outstanding product, but unfortunately it is unsuccessful as a commercial enterprise. It is with deep regret that we must advise all creditors of our inability to pay the amounts owing to them ..."
The death knell may have sounded, but they had forgotten about a "determined" and "stubborn" Byfield.
Just the other day, a 10-page bulletin reached my desk from SEARCH (The Society to Explore and Record Christian History). In it Byfield claimed the new society was committed to producing the last six of the 12 books of the series called 'The Christians: Their First Two Thousand Years, and it would cost $3 million, including $1 million up front to begin production.
He then added, "As yet we have no money, but we deeply believe that if the work is good, then God will make it happen."
Byfield said the project had been discontinued because "its sales method -- telemarketing -- proved so costly."
He then outlined six things in the society's favour including people, who created the first six books want to finish the job, as well as the society has some 55,000 copies of the first six volumes stored gratis in Edmonton.
While more than 10,000 people bought the first six books, Byfield said he was enouraged that since the society was established, more than 1,800 had written, e-mailed or phoned to say they intend to buy the last six volumes.
Byfield, who was general editor for the first six volumes, will continue in that role while Hopkins will serve as associate editor and Dean Pickup as art director. In addition, a qualified staff of writers and artists are willing, actually, anxious to join the renewed project, which is in the midst of trying to gain up-front financial stability.
The first six volumes included: The Veil Is Torn (AD 30 to 70) -- Pentecost to the Destruction of Jerusalem; A Pinch of Incense (AD 70 to 250) -- From the Fall of Jerusalem to the Decian Persecution; By This Sign (AD 250 to 350) -- From the Decian Persecution to the Constantine era; Darkness Descends (AD 350 to 565) -- The Fall of the Western Roman Empire; The Sword of Islam (AD 565 to 740) -- The Muslim Onslaught all but Destroys Christendom; and The Quest for the City (AD 740 to 1100) -- Pursuing the next world, they founded this one.
The final six volumes will include such titles as The Glorious Disaster; The Birth of Modernity; The Century of Giants; The Christian Democracies; Unto the Ends of the Earth and The Fifth Resurrection -- From the Fall of Christian Europe to the Rise of the Christian South and the time period stretches from 1100 AD to 2001 AD.
For more information concerning this epic, and highly recommended project, contact Byfield at tedbyfield@thechristians.ca or www.thechristians.ca website.
However, "determined" and "crusader for what's right" could certainly be added.
Two years ago, Byfield's most ambitious project, the much-anticipated $5 million, 12-volume Christian History Project, collapsed and there were those who were ready to give it a proper burial.
However, Byfield wasn't about to give in to circumstances.
In a May 30, 2005 column, I quoted the project's then president and CEO Bob Doull as saying he suspected a technician (with possible Muslim ties) of tampering with the expensive computer system on Dec. 28, 2004. Based in Edmonton, the 'puter "housed" the volumes, artwork and all the customer records. Edmonton police, apparently, looked into the incident.
To make matters worse, on Feb. 13, 2005, CHP was struck a second time; this time it was less devastating as the criminal(s) attempted to "take down the telephone system."
Doull said he had "set up a couch outside the server room" to watch for the culprit(s), however, the two incidents had sent the project into a tailspin even though added security systems were in place. "It paralyzed our customer service," stated Doull, admitting about $700,000 would be needed to restore a workable system. He then added he intended to return to being a community newspaper publisher.
All hope seemed lost, for a letter on March 1, 2006 from spokesman, Brian Lehr, read, in part: "We wish to inform you that the Christian History Project Limited Partnership has been forced to cease operations and is being dissolved. The Partnership developed an outstanding product, but unfortunately it is unsuccessful as a commercial enterprise. It is with deep regret that we must advise all creditors of our inability to pay the amounts owing to them ..."
The death knell may have sounded, but they had forgotten about a "determined" and "stubborn" Byfield.
Just the other day, a 10-page bulletin reached my desk from SEARCH (The Society to Explore and Record Christian History). In it Byfield claimed the new society was committed to producing the last six of the 12 books of the series called 'The Christians: Their First Two Thousand Years, and it would cost $3 million, including $1 million up front to begin production.
He then added, "As yet we have no money, but we deeply believe that if the work is good, then God will make it happen."
Byfield said the project had been discontinued because "its sales method -- telemarketing -- proved so costly."
He then outlined six things in the society's favour including people, who created the first six books want to finish the job, as well as the society has some 55,000 copies of the first six volumes stored gratis in Edmonton.
While more than 10,000 people bought the first six books, Byfield said he was enouraged that since the society was established, more than 1,800 had written, e-mailed or phoned to say they intend to buy the last six volumes.
Byfield, who was general editor for the first six volumes, will continue in that role while Hopkins will serve as associate editor and Dean Pickup as art director. In addition, a qualified staff of writers and artists are willing, actually, anxious to join the renewed project, which is in the midst of trying to gain up-front financial stability.
The first six volumes included: The Veil Is Torn (AD 30 to 70) -- Pentecost to the Destruction of Jerusalem; A Pinch of Incense (AD 70 to 250) -- From the Fall of Jerusalem to the Decian Persecution; By This Sign (AD 250 to 350) -- From the Decian Persecution to the Constantine era; Darkness Descends (AD 350 to 565) -- The Fall of the Western Roman Empire; The Sword of Islam (AD 565 to 740) -- The Muslim Onslaught all but Destroys Christendom; and The Quest for the City (AD 740 to 1100) -- Pursuing the next world, they founded this one.
The final six volumes will include such titles as The Glorious Disaster; The Birth of Modernity; The Century of Giants; The Christian Democracies; Unto the Ends of the Earth and The Fifth Resurrection -- From the Fall of Christian Europe to the Rise of the Christian South and the time period stretches from 1100 AD to 2001 AD.
For more information concerning this epic, and highly recommended project, contact Byfield at tedbyfield@thechristians.ca or www.thechristians.ca website.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Ethiopian Jews' long journey 'home'
NEWS ITEM (March 14, 2007): More than two decades after they were brought to Israel, State finally completes construction of monument commemorating 4,000 Ethiopian Jews, who perished on journey to the Holy Land.
It was a short story out of Jerusalem on Wednesday, which caught my eye and by the time I had finished the eight paragraphs, tears had welled up for I had been a minor part in reporting on the exodus in which so many died.
The mass departure of Ethiopian Jews from their country as part of the "Moshe Operation" began in 1983, when thousands started moving clandestinely towards the Sudanese border, according to Ynet News. During their journey and stay in temporary camps in Sudan they endured murders, rapes, diseases, robberies and hunger.
On Jan. 21, 1999, I wrote the following report for World Net Daily with the headline: The Black Jews and the Ark:
JERUSALEM: When 17,000 Ethiopian Jews were airlifted from the slums of Addis Ababa to the pristine air of Tel Aviv during Operation Solomon in May 1991, it evoked strange stories, particularly that the Falashas had escaped with the Ark of the Covenant from St. Mary of Zion church in Aksum.
However, as much as the Ethiopian Jews would have savored taking the coveted religious object back to Jerusalem, the powerful Ethiopian Orthodox Church, not the ostracized Falashas, were in control of security of the "terrible, golden container," which had been taken out of Solomon's Temple.
From the movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark: Indy's professorial skills will begin to shine here:
INDY: The Ark of the Covenant, the chest the Hebrews used to carry around the Ten Commandments in.
EATON: What do you mean "The Ten Commandments"? You mean the Ten Commandments?
INDY: Yes, the actual Ten Commandments. The original stone tablets that Moses brought down out of Mount Horeb and smashed, if you believe in that sort of thing. (The men were impressed but impassive).
INDY: Either you guys go to Sunday School?
MUSGROVE: Well, I, I?
INDY: Now, look, the Hebrews took the broken pieces and put them in the Ark. When they settled in Canaan, they put the Ark in a place called the Temple of Solomon.
BRODY: In Jerusalem.
INDY: Where it stayed for many years. Until, all of a sudden, whoosh, it's gone.
EATON: Where?
INDY: Well, nobody knows where or when.
In the late Louis Rapoport's extraordinary book, "The Lost Jews," he detailed the connection between Beta Israel and the Ark:
RAPOPORT: "The Ark is the 'pivot round which the Abyssinian Church revolves,' according to Lake Tana explorer R.E. Chessman. There is a replica of the Ark, called the tabot, in every Ethiopian church, which represents the original Ark of shittim wood that contained the stone tablets Moses brought from Mount Sinai. Every year the Christian priests take out the replica during the Feast of Timkat, or Baptism. (In 1999, Timkat was celebrated in Aksum on Tuesday, Jan. 19). As the Ark passes, the people prostrate themselves before it. Ethiopian priests, who believe they are the Levites' successors -- the Falasha priests claim to be the Levites' descendants -- still dance as David did before the tabot. For the legend of the Ark is the cornerstone for the priests' claim that Ethiopians were the elect of God -- in place of the Jews, who had rejected the "messiah" -- and, therefore, the Ark was in their custody.
"How do the Beta Israel refer to the Ark? The Ark's power to defeat Israel's enemies is commemorated in one Falasha prayer: And it came to pass when the Ark set forward that Moses said, 'Rise up, Lord, and let Thy enemies be scattered.' And in the Apocalypse of Baruch, which is included in the Falasha liturgy, it is related that 'God raised up Nebuchadnezzar,' who captured 'Zion' -- the Ark, whose wood was like a white pearl radiating multi-colored images, according to the vision of the 14th century Falasha ascetic, Gorgorios.
"One Beta Israel story, recorded in the 19th century by a Protestant missionary, says the Christians did place the Ark in Aksum, but "only when a Falasha approaches it does the wall before it open up, whereupon he prostrates himself in front of the Holy Ark.
"The Falashas' belief in the Ark's powers led them to march unarmed to Aksum in 1862, where they prayed the walls of the cathedral holding the Ark would tumble down and they would then take it back to Israel, where it belonged. They were laughed at and beaten, and many died on the road."
During the Corbett-Harron expedition in November 1990, although the roads were demolished leading from the capital of Addis Ababa to the north and the search for the Ark had been canceled, the trail was still warm, knowing that the Black Jews were still in the country.
Most sources told us that thousands were still abandoned in the Lake Tana-Gondar areas, barely surviving while Ethiopia was being laid waste by armies from the north, central and the south.
On the last day in the war zone, Harron and I were almost ready to give up our search for these forgotten peoples.
Then a miracle happened on Nov. 15, 1990, when we celebrated Sigd, the Ethiopian Jews' day of prayer to return to their homeland, Israel, and the freeing of the Jews from Babylonian captivity. It's a celebration unlike any other in Ethiopian or Jewish history.
CORBETT'S DIARY: Thursday, Nov. 15, 1990, ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia: "As we drove through the weaving traffic, we reached the Asmera road, which seemed to be blocked off and Sherry Yano (with CPAR -- Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief) was told by one of the few traffic cops I'd seen in Addis, that the road was off-limits because of a celebration at the Israeli embassy.
"So parking the land cruiser, we started walking along the road, filled with people going to and fro with many children in their Sunday best, along with women with great umbrellas and long, white dresses, and finely-robed men.
"Everyone had a wide smile on their faces and there was an unexplainable glow.
"Even the youngsters were different.
"I kept my vidcam recording this scene, and while the kids were curious, they allowed the three of us to be part of their celebration walk.
"On the side of the hill, guarded by what I knew to be an Israeli agent, the white-robed throng poured through the gates from the embassy, well hidden in the trees.
"Their lilting voices lifted into heaven.
"I felt a part of these radiant people.
"As we walked along, we inquired about where the leaders' compound was, and first a smiling man and then a young boy pointed the way.
"Just then a small car pulled up and two of Sherry Yano's friends yelled greetings.
"They, too, had a radiant look.
"One young woman, Jody, in a white wrap-a-round, and she, too, was bubbling about the celebration on the Israeli embassy grounds and how she had joined in dancing with thousands of Falashas.
"The small car now held all five of us as we turned down a narrow dirt road and stopped in front of a locked compound.
"Stepping through a narrow gate opening, I saw at least 100 men, women and children in their finest clothing, sitting alongside a neat bungalow, feasting on injerra and other typical Ethiopian food; chatting away, but I didn't feel out of place.
"Lyle and I were introduced to Andy (I was to learn later his last name was Goldman), a tall, twentysomething man from just outside Washington, D.C., who was with the North American Conference on Ethiopian Jewry with their headquarters in New York City.
"Andy said he preferred to be anonymous because this was such a sensitive issue, so I called him Andy No-Name because he didn't mention his surname in any conversation. And I didn't ask.
"Others were just as hesitant, even to the edge of paranoia.
"Walking up the steps to the living quarters of the neat bungalow, a woman, in a brightly colored dress, was sopping injerra in a bean mixture -- wot -- and was offering me a bite.
"In crowded rooms there were the celebrants. Andy No-Name led us to one particular room, slowly opening the door and there were a dozen Falasha priests.
"There were 14 altogether in the small room. One was a woman and one a teenage boy, who was, undoubtedly, a server of the special boiled meat from the rites of the animal slaughter earlier in the day.
"No one said a word as I moved my vidcam around the room, but there was no noticeable annoyance at an intruder in their inner circle.
"After leaving this sacred area, I passed through a roomful of women, all sitting on the floor drinking tea, and as I moved through I kicked a tray full of cups and quickly apologized for my big feet.
"They laughed and nodded at me.
"In the rear of the bungalow were more housing quarters with a dozen families in one spacious room. There appeared to be a sense of unity and purpose even in such cramped quarters.
"Then Andy No-Name asked me to sit down on a pile of leaves and we would talk, without the vidcam rolling.
"He explained the hardships of the Ethiopian Jews from the war-torn areas of Gondar and Lake Tana, but there were survivors and they all wanted to go to Israel and they had, in small numbers.
"Then it was a good thing I was sitting down, for when I asked how many Falasha Jews were in this one place in Addis, he replied: "About 22,000. There are between one and two thousand still remaining in Gondar." Did he say 22,000? I had heard him correctly and no doubt within a couple of months' time, all the Falasha Jews -- Beta Israel -- in Ethiopia would be all in one place, ready to go home to Israel."
The 1990-1991 drama of the civil war was forever overshadowed on Friday-Saturday, May 24 and 25, when Israel airlifted thousands of Ethiopian Jews from Addis Ababa in a lightning operation before the rebels closed in on the capital.
The 21-hour airlift of about 17,000 Falashas was launched in secrecy with military censors barring all news reports from Israel until after the last plane took off from Addis.
Military sources said the 'Lost Jews' were flown out in 30 unmarked civilian and air force planes, under the code name, Operation Solomon. The first great airlift in 1983-1984 had been dubbed Operation Moses.
However, the greatest regret was they had left behind the Ark of the Covenant, still "resting" in a church in the northern town of Aksum.
It was a short story out of Jerusalem on Wednesday, which caught my eye and by the time I had finished the eight paragraphs, tears had welled up for I had been a minor part in reporting on the exodus in which so many died.
The mass departure of Ethiopian Jews from their country as part of the "Moshe Operation" began in 1983, when thousands started moving clandestinely towards the Sudanese border, according to Ynet News. During their journey and stay in temporary camps in Sudan they endured murders, rapes, diseases, robberies and hunger.
On Jan. 21, 1999, I wrote the following report for World Net Daily with the headline: The Black Jews and the Ark:
JERUSALEM: When 17,000 Ethiopian Jews were airlifted from the slums of Addis Ababa to the pristine air of Tel Aviv during Operation Solomon in May 1991, it evoked strange stories, particularly that the Falashas had escaped with the Ark of the Covenant from St. Mary of Zion church in Aksum.
However, as much as the Ethiopian Jews would have savored taking the coveted religious object back to Jerusalem, the powerful Ethiopian Orthodox Church, not the ostracized Falashas, were in control of security of the "terrible, golden container," which had been taken out of Solomon's Temple.
From the movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark: Indy's professorial skills will begin to shine here:
INDY: The Ark of the Covenant, the chest the Hebrews used to carry around the Ten Commandments in.
EATON: What do you mean "The Ten Commandments"? You mean the Ten Commandments?
INDY: Yes, the actual Ten Commandments. The original stone tablets that Moses brought down out of Mount Horeb and smashed, if you believe in that sort of thing. (The men were impressed but impassive).
INDY: Either you guys go to Sunday School?
MUSGROVE: Well, I, I?
INDY: Now, look, the Hebrews took the broken pieces and put them in the Ark. When they settled in Canaan, they put the Ark in a place called the Temple of Solomon.
BRODY: In Jerusalem.
INDY: Where it stayed for many years. Until, all of a sudden, whoosh, it's gone.
EATON: Where?
INDY: Well, nobody knows where or when.
In the late Louis Rapoport's extraordinary book, "The Lost Jews," he detailed the connection between Beta Israel and the Ark:
RAPOPORT: "The Ark is the 'pivot round which the Abyssinian Church revolves,' according to Lake Tana explorer R.E. Chessman. There is a replica of the Ark, called the tabot, in every Ethiopian church, which represents the original Ark of shittim wood that contained the stone tablets Moses brought from Mount Sinai. Every year the Christian priests take out the replica during the Feast of Timkat, or Baptism. (In 1999, Timkat was celebrated in Aksum on Tuesday, Jan. 19). As the Ark passes, the people prostrate themselves before it. Ethiopian priests, who believe they are the Levites' successors -- the Falasha priests claim to be the Levites' descendants -- still dance as David did before the tabot. For the legend of the Ark is the cornerstone for the priests' claim that Ethiopians were the elect of God -- in place of the Jews, who had rejected the "messiah" -- and, therefore, the Ark was in their custody.
"How do the Beta Israel refer to the Ark? The Ark's power to defeat Israel's enemies is commemorated in one Falasha prayer: And it came to pass when the Ark set forward that Moses said, 'Rise up, Lord, and let Thy enemies be scattered.' And in the Apocalypse of Baruch, which is included in the Falasha liturgy, it is related that 'God raised up Nebuchadnezzar,' who captured 'Zion' -- the Ark, whose wood was like a white pearl radiating multi-colored images, according to the vision of the 14th century Falasha ascetic, Gorgorios.
"One Beta Israel story, recorded in the 19th century by a Protestant missionary, says the Christians did place the Ark in Aksum, but "only when a Falasha approaches it does the wall before it open up, whereupon he prostrates himself in front of the Holy Ark.
"The Falashas' belief in the Ark's powers led them to march unarmed to Aksum in 1862, where they prayed the walls of the cathedral holding the Ark would tumble down and they would then take it back to Israel, where it belonged. They were laughed at and beaten, and many died on the road."
During the Corbett-Harron expedition in November 1990, although the roads were demolished leading from the capital of Addis Ababa to the north and the search for the Ark had been canceled, the trail was still warm, knowing that the Black Jews were still in the country.
Most sources told us that thousands were still abandoned in the Lake Tana-Gondar areas, barely surviving while Ethiopia was being laid waste by armies from the north, central and the south.
On the last day in the war zone, Harron and I were almost ready to give up our search for these forgotten peoples.
Then a miracle happened on Nov. 15, 1990, when we celebrated Sigd, the Ethiopian Jews' day of prayer to return to their homeland, Israel, and the freeing of the Jews from Babylonian captivity. It's a celebration unlike any other in Ethiopian or Jewish history.
CORBETT'S DIARY: Thursday, Nov. 15, 1990, ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia: "As we drove through the weaving traffic, we reached the Asmera road, which seemed to be blocked off and Sherry Yano (with CPAR -- Canadian Physicians for Aid and Relief) was told by one of the few traffic cops I'd seen in Addis, that the road was off-limits because of a celebration at the Israeli embassy.
"So parking the land cruiser, we started walking along the road, filled with people going to and fro with many children in their Sunday best, along with women with great umbrellas and long, white dresses, and finely-robed men.
"Everyone had a wide smile on their faces and there was an unexplainable glow.
"Even the youngsters were different.
"I kept my vidcam recording this scene, and while the kids were curious, they allowed the three of us to be part of their celebration walk.
"On the side of the hill, guarded by what I knew to be an Israeli agent, the white-robed throng poured through the gates from the embassy, well hidden in the trees.
"Their lilting voices lifted into heaven.
"I felt a part of these radiant people.
"As we walked along, we inquired about where the leaders' compound was, and first a smiling man and then a young boy pointed the way.
"Just then a small car pulled up and two of Sherry Yano's friends yelled greetings.
"They, too, had a radiant look.
"One young woman, Jody, in a white wrap-a-round, and she, too, was bubbling about the celebration on the Israeli embassy grounds and how she had joined in dancing with thousands of Falashas.
"The small car now held all five of us as we turned down a narrow dirt road and stopped in front of a locked compound.
"Stepping through a narrow gate opening, I saw at least 100 men, women and children in their finest clothing, sitting alongside a neat bungalow, feasting on injerra and other typical Ethiopian food; chatting away, but I didn't feel out of place.
"Lyle and I were introduced to Andy (I was to learn later his last name was Goldman), a tall, twentysomething man from just outside Washington, D.C., who was with the North American Conference on Ethiopian Jewry with their headquarters in New York City.
"Andy said he preferred to be anonymous because this was such a sensitive issue, so I called him Andy No-Name because he didn't mention his surname in any conversation. And I didn't ask.
"Others were just as hesitant, even to the edge of paranoia.
"Walking up the steps to the living quarters of the neat bungalow, a woman, in a brightly colored dress, was sopping injerra in a bean mixture -- wot -- and was offering me a bite.
"In crowded rooms there were the celebrants. Andy No-Name led us to one particular room, slowly opening the door and there were a dozen Falasha priests.
"There were 14 altogether in the small room. One was a woman and one a teenage boy, who was, undoubtedly, a server of the special boiled meat from the rites of the animal slaughter earlier in the day.
"No one said a word as I moved my vidcam around the room, but there was no noticeable annoyance at an intruder in their inner circle.
"After leaving this sacred area, I passed through a roomful of women, all sitting on the floor drinking tea, and as I moved through I kicked a tray full of cups and quickly apologized for my big feet.
"They laughed and nodded at me.
"In the rear of the bungalow were more housing quarters with a dozen families in one spacious room. There appeared to be a sense of unity and purpose even in such cramped quarters.
"Then Andy No-Name asked me to sit down on a pile of leaves and we would talk, without the vidcam rolling.
"He explained the hardships of the Ethiopian Jews from the war-torn areas of Gondar and Lake Tana, but there were survivors and they all wanted to go to Israel and they had, in small numbers.
"Then it was a good thing I was sitting down, for when I asked how many Falasha Jews were in this one place in Addis, he replied: "About 22,000. There are between one and two thousand still remaining in Gondar." Did he say 22,000? I had heard him correctly and no doubt within a couple of months' time, all the Falasha Jews -- Beta Israel -- in Ethiopia would be all in one place, ready to go home to Israel."
The 1990-1991 drama of the civil war was forever overshadowed on Friday-Saturday, May 24 and 25, when Israel airlifted thousands of Ethiopian Jews from Addis Ababa in a lightning operation before the rebels closed in on the capital.
The 21-hour airlift of about 17,000 Falashas was launched in secrecy with military censors barring all news reports from Israel until after the last plane took off from Addis.
Military sources said the 'Lost Jews' were flown out in 30 unmarked civilian and air force planes, under the code name, Operation Solomon. The first great airlift in 1983-1984 had been dubbed Operation Moses.
However, the greatest regret was they had left behind the Ark of the Covenant, still "resting" in a church in the northern town of Aksum.
Thursday, March 8, 2007
The years of living dangerously
March 9/07
When Ivan Safronov, a military correspondent for Russia's top business daily, Kommersant, fell to his death from the fifth floor of his Moscow apartment building last week, it reinforced the fact that journalism can be deadly.
And two organizations, the International News Safety Institute (INSI), based in Brussels, Belgium, and the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), have the facts and figures to make such an assumption.
Safronov's death remains under investigation, for as INSI director Rodney Pinder pointed out in an AP story: "Thirteen journalists have died in Russia since (President Vladimir) Putin came to power, and there hasn't been a conviction."
Meanwhile, both the INSI and the CPJ delve into a world of intrigue and have done so since the 1990s when it involves journalists, whether they are front-line news reporters, TV cameramen and women, behind-the-scenes editors and, of course, the Internet and its subsidiaries, which manages to peer into the seedier sides of life as no other medium has done before.
Besides Safronov's sudden demise, another highly-suspect case was that of investigative reporter Anna Politkovskaya, who was delving into the abuses by Russian troops in Chechyna. She was shot and killed outside her apartment last October, according to an AP report.
In pursing the matter, the INSI has reported that more than 1,000 journalists and their support staff have died in the past decade, and that Iraq and Russia happen to be the deadliest countries.
Just in the last couple of days that point was driven home when Iraqi TV cameraman Youssef Sabri was killed in a car bombing.
Apparently, Sabri was filming Shi'ite pilgrims in Karbala from the back of a police truck when he was killed by an explosion, which ripped through a police checkpoint.
Although the figures from the INSI were much higher because they included translators, fixers, office staff and drivers, the CPJ, claimed at least 95 journalists, not including Sabri, have died since the Iraq war began in 2003.
The INSI began compiling its list in 1990 while the CPJ started in 1992 when they reported 42 journalists were killed in scenarios involving murder, being caught in crossfire, and being on dangerous assignments. Some 11 others died that year, but the reason for their deaths still have not been confirmed.
While both groups might have discrepanies in their statistical data, the CPJ claims 55 died in 2006, with those involved in reporting on a variety of fronts from war, politics, corruption, crime, human rights, sports/culture to business. Of the reported 55, some 32 died in Iraq and two in Russia.
Briefly are details about just a few of those killed in Iraq during 2006:
* Munsuf Abdallah al-Khaldi, Baghdad TV, March 7, Baghdad: Unidentified gunmen in west Baghdad shot al-Khaldi, 35, a presenter for the Iraqi television station Baghdad TV. Al-Khadi was driving to the northern city of Mosul to interview poets when assailants stopped the car and fired three shots ... One passenger was killed and two others injured. Al-Khaldi presented an educational and cultural show focusing on Middle Eastern poetry.
* Amjad Hameed, Al-Iraqiya, March 11, Baghdad: Hameed and his driver Anwar Turki were shot and killed by gunmen apparently affiliated with al-Qaeda in an ambush in central Baghdad. Hameed had been head of programming for Iraq's state TV channel Al-Iraqiya since July 2005 ... The father of three children had just left home for work when he was shot several times in the head and chest.
* James Brolan and Paul Douglas, CBS, May 29, Baghdad: Cameraman Douglas and soundman Brolan were killed when a car bomb exploded while they were on patrol in Baghdad with Iraqi and American soldiers. Correspondent Kimberly Dozier, the third member of the CBS crew, was seriously injured in the attack.
* Ismail Amin Ali, freelance, August 7, Baghdad: The body of freelance journalist Ali, 30, was discovered in late evening by police in the eastern section of Baghdad known as al-Sadr City, according to a CPJ source. His body was riddled with bullets, and Iraqi police said they found signs of torture. The journalist had been abducted while he was at a gas station two weeks earlier. The kidnappers had demanded ransom, but his family was unable to pay.
While Politkovskaya's murder on Oct. 7, 2006 in Moscow received world-wide attention, there was also another journalist -- Vagif Kochetkov, who worked for Trud and Tulsky Molodoi Kommunar -- who died on Jan. 8. The 31-year-old from Tula, 125 miles south of Moscow, reported on politics, social issues and culture.
On the night of the attack, Kochetkov told his parents he was meeting an unidentified person, and he would return home to download his work onto his computer. That evening he called from a local coffee shop and told them he'd be home in an hour. On the way, he was attacked. Although his condition wasn't considered serious at first, he began to deteriorate and after brain surgery on Jan. 5 he fell into a coma and died three days later. Just prior to the attack, Kochetkov wrote an article on the activities of a Tula drug-dealing group with the banner headline: "Revenge of the Mafia?"
As we said, and statistics will confirm, journalism can be a dangerous profession.
When Ivan Safronov, a military correspondent for Russia's top business daily, Kommersant, fell to his death from the fifth floor of his Moscow apartment building last week, it reinforced the fact that journalism can be deadly.
And two organizations, the International News Safety Institute (INSI), based in Brussels, Belgium, and the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), have the facts and figures to make such an assumption.
Safronov's death remains under investigation, for as INSI director Rodney Pinder pointed out in an AP story: "Thirteen journalists have died in Russia since (President Vladimir) Putin came to power, and there hasn't been a conviction."
Meanwhile, both the INSI and the CPJ delve into a world of intrigue and have done so since the 1990s when it involves journalists, whether they are front-line news reporters, TV cameramen and women, behind-the-scenes editors and, of course, the Internet and its subsidiaries, which manages to peer into the seedier sides of life as no other medium has done before.
Besides Safronov's sudden demise, another highly-suspect case was that of investigative reporter Anna Politkovskaya, who was delving into the abuses by Russian troops in Chechyna. She was shot and killed outside her apartment last October, according to an AP report.
In pursing the matter, the INSI has reported that more than 1,000 journalists and their support staff have died in the past decade, and that Iraq and Russia happen to be the deadliest countries.
Just in the last couple of days that point was driven home when Iraqi TV cameraman Youssef Sabri was killed in a car bombing.
Apparently, Sabri was filming Shi'ite pilgrims in Karbala from the back of a police truck when he was killed by an explosion, which ripped through a police checkpoint.
Although the figures from the INSI were much higher because they included translators, fixers, office staff and drivers, the CPJ, claimed at least 95 journalists, not including Sabri, have died since the Iraq war began in 2003.
The INSI began compiling its list in 1990 while the CPJ started in 1992 when they reported 42 journalists were killed in scenarios involving murder, being caught in crossfire, and being on dangerous assignments. Some 11 others died that year, but the reason for their deaths still have not been confirmed.
While both groups might have discrepanies in their statistical data, the CPJ claims 55 died in 2006, with those involved in reporting on a variety of fronts from war, politics, corruption, crime, human rights, sports/culture to business. Of the reported 55, some 32 died in Iraq and two in Russia.
Briefly are details about just a few of those killed in Iraq during 2006:
* Munsuf Abdallah al-Khaldi, Baghdad TV, March 7, Baghdad: Unidentified gunmen in west Baghdad shot al-Khaldi, 35, a presenter for the Iraqi television station Baghdad TV. Al-Khadi was driving to the northern city of Mosul to interview poets when assailants stopped the car and fired three shots ... One passenger was killed and two others injured. Al-Khaldi presented an educational and cultural show focusing on Middle Eastern poetry.
* Amjad Hameed, Al-Iraqiya, March 11, Baghdad: Hameed and his driver Anwar Turki were shot and killed by gunmen apparently affiliated with al-Qaeda in an ambush in central Baghdad. Hameed had been head of programming for Iraq's state TV channel Al-Iraqiya since July 2005 ... The father of three children had just left home for work when he was shot several times in the head and chest.
* James Brolan and Paul Douglas, CBS, May 29, Baghdad: Cameraman Douglas and soundman Brolan were killed when a car bomb exploded while they were on patrol in Baghdad with Iraqi and American soldiers. Correspondent Kimberly Dozier, the third member of the CBS crew, was seriously injured in the attack.
* Ismail Amin Ali, freelance, August 7, Baghdad: The body of freelance journalist Ali, 30, was discovered in late evening by police in the eastern section of Baghdad known as al-Sadr City, according to a CPJ source. His body was riddled with bullets, and Iraqi police said they found signs of torture. The journalist had been abducted while he was at a gas station two weeks earlier. The kidnappers had demanded ransom, but his family was unable to pay.
While Politkovskaya's murder on Oct. 7, 2006 in Moscow received world-wide attention, there was also another journalist -- Vagif Kochetkov, who worked for Trud and Tulsky Molodoi Kommunar -- who died on Jan. 8. The 31-year-old from Tula, 125 miles south of Moscow, reported on politics, social issues and culture.
On the night of the attack, Kochetkov told his parents he was meeting an unidentified person, and he would return home to download his work onto his computer. That evening he called from a local coffee shop and told them he'd be home in an hour. On the way, he was attacked. Although his condition wasn't considered serious at first, he began to deteriorate and after brain surgery on Jan. 5 he fell into a coma and died three days later. Just prior to the attack, Kochetkov wrote an article on the activities of a Tula drug-dealing group with the banner headline: "Revenge of the Mafia?"
As we said, and statistics will confirm, journalism can be a dangerous profession.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
A case of the DSTs this Sunday
For March 7/07
Remember when the trite saying of "spring ahead, fall back" was sufficent?
Not any more since we're in the computer age and your machinery could go slightly "haywire," to use a non-scientific term on Sunday.
That's right, Anna Schecter, who is part of Brian Ross' investigative team at ABC News, reports: "A new law requiring daylight savings time to start March 11, three weeks earlier than normal threatens a widespread Y2K-like computer glitch in U.S. computers preset for the later start date of April."
And, it's all George Bush's fault, or, at least we'll blame him, for the U.S. president is the one responsible for approving the March 11 date in order to save energy since most states (and provinces) don't need to turn their lights on as early in the evening.
In Schecter's report, she clearly states: "The DST extension is part of an energy bill passed in 2005 in an effort to cut back on the use of electricity."
Of course, whatever happens south of the border, certainly affects its northern neighbours, and even in the Vernon area there might be mini-Y2K "headaches" with computers unless software patches have been installed to adjust computer settings to the change.
Is this a serious issue?
In Schecter's reports, she quotes former White House counterterror and cyber crime chief Richard Clarke as saying "traffic lights and switches on train rails are two candidates that could cause an accident." Clarke also theorizes bank vaults could open an hour later, but then downplayed the problems by saying, "The difference between this and Y2K is that systems continue to work, they're just an hour off, wheras with Y2K we had reason to believe that systems would stop working."
Although the date has shifted from April back to March 11 and stretches to the first Sunday in November this year, DST first kicked off in 1915 and had been mulled around a great deal longer. In fact, Benjamin Franklin, when not flying a kite, saw the advantage of an extra hour of daylight in the spring with the days getting shorter in the fall while he was an envoy to France in the 1770s.
According to the CBC, the Americans adopted the Uniform Time Act in 1966. This meant each state could adopt DST in each time zone and then in 2006, most states and Canadian provinces moved their clocks ahead one hour "on the first Sunday in April."
Of course, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and "pockets" in Ontario and northern British Columbia had to be different with their own time zones. But what's an hour here or a half-hour there?
There has even been considerable discussion on other reasons for changing to an earlier DST date as set by the U.S. and it involves economics. For as Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty was quoted as saying: "We're not anxious to have a disconnect between us and our chief trading partner."
***
"I don't really care how time is reckoned as long as there is some agreement about it, but I object to be told that I am saving daylight when my reason tells me that I am doing nothing of the kind. I even object to the implication that I am wasting something valuable if I stay in bed after the sun has risen. As an admirer of moonlight I resent the bossy insistence of those who want to reduce my time for enjoying it. At the back of the Daylight Saving scheme I detect the bony, blue-fingered hand of Puritanism, eager to push people into bed earlier, and get them up earlier, to make them healthy, wealthy and wise in spit of themselves." (Robertson Davies, The Diary of Samuel Marchbanks, 1947, XIX, Sunday.)
***
HERE A-HUTCH, THERE A-HUTCH: Canmore, Alta. mayor, Ron Casey, has a chewing and burrowing problem in his mountain vacation spot. It seems the town, pop. 11,500, on the outskirts of Banff National Park, is being overrun with rabbits. Yes, those bunnies numbering more than 1,000 are everywhere and causing havoc. It seems Peter Cottontail and friends were kept under control in the past by predators such as the now-vanishing coyotes, but they're free to roam on their own in 2007.
***
BOGART SHOULD HAVE BEEN THRILLED: "And the Oscar for African Queen goes to Humphrey Bogart." His response: "&^%$, I hope I'm never nominated again. It's meat and potatoes roles for me from now on." (From Uncle John's Bathroom Reader).
Remember when the trite saying of "spring ahead, fall back" was sufficent?
Not any more since we're in the computer age and your machinery could go slightly "haywire," to use a non-scientific term on Sunday.
That's right, Anna Schecter, who is part of Brian Ross' investigative team at ABC News, reports: "A new law requiring daylight savings time to start March 11, three weeks earlier than normal threatens a widespread Y2K-like computer glitch in U.S. computers preset for the later start date of April."
And, it's all George Bush's fault, or, at least we'll blame him, for the U.S. president is the one responsible for approving the March 11 date in order to save energy since most states (and provinces) don't need to turn their lights on as early in the evening.
In Schecter's report, she clearly states: "The DST extension is part of an energy bill passed in 2005 in an effort to cut back on the use of electricity."
Of course, whatever happens south of the border, certainly affects its northern neighbours, and even in the Vernon area there might be mini-Y2K "headaches" with computers unless software patches have been installed to adjust computer settings to the change.
Is this a serious issue?
In Schecter's reports, she quotes former White House counterterror and cyber crime chief Richard Clarke as saying "traffic lights and switches on train rails are two candidates that could cause an accident." Clarke also theorizes bank vaults could open an hour later, but then downplayed the problems by saying, "The difference between this and Y2K is that systems continue to work, they're just an hour off, wheras with Y2K we had reason to believe that systems would stop working."
Although the date has shifted from April back to March 11 and stretches to the first Sunday in November this year, DST first kicked off in 1915 and had been mulled around a great deal longer. In fact, Benjamin Franklin, when not flying a kite, saw the advantage of an extra hour of daylight in the spring with the days getting shorter in the fall while he was an envoy to France in the 1770s.
According to the CBC, the Americans adopted the Uniform Time Act in 1966. This meant each state could adopt DST in each time zone and then in 2006, most states and Canadian provinces moved their clocks ahead one hour "on the first Sunday in April."
Of course, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and "pockets" in Ontario and northern British Columbia had to be different with their own time zones. But what's an hour here or a half-hour there?
There has even been considerable discussion on other reasons for changing to an earlier DST date as set by the U.S. and it involves economics. For as Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty was quoted as saying: "We're not anxious to have a disconnect between us and our chief trading partner."
***
"I don't really care how time is reckoned as long as there is some agreement about it, but I object to be told that I am saving daylight when my reason tells me that I am doing nothing of the kind. I even object to the implication that I am wasting something valuable if I stay in bed after the sun has risen. As an admirer of moonlight I resent the bossy insistence of those who want to reduce my time for enjoying it. At the back of the Daylight Saving scheme I detect the bony, blue-fingered hand of Puritanism, eager to push people into bed earlier, and get them up earlier, to make them healthy, wealthy and wise in spit of themselves." (Robertson Davies, The Diary of Samuel Marchbanks, 1947, XIX, Sunday.)
***
HERE A-HUTCH, THERE A-HUTCH: Canmore, Alta. mayor, Ron Casey, has a chewing and burrowing problem in his mountain vacation spot. It seems the town, pop. 11,500, on the outskirts of Banff National Park, is being overrun with rabbits. Yes, those bunnies numbering more than 1,000 are everywhere and causing havoc. It seems Peter Cottontail and friends were kept under control in the past by predators such as the now-vanishing coyotes, but they're free to roam on their own in 2007.
***
BOGART SHOULD HAVE BEEN THRILLED: "And the Oscar for African Queen goes to Humphrey Bogart." His response: "&^%$, I hope I'm never nominated again. It's meat and potatoes roles for me from now on." (From Uncle John's Bathroom Reader).
'Junk' that kills body and mind
Perhaps, there should be a warning label with this column: Do Not Take Any 'Junk' If You Want To Survive. By 'junk' I mean anabolic steroids, human growth hormones or supposedly muscle-enhancing pills that turn 98-pound weaklings into Superman or Superwoman.
And if you think that only prominent athletes, whose names are in the papers on a daily basis, subject themselves to ingesting this type of "junk," then take another guess.
Your little darlings, both male and female, in assorted sports are aware of easily-obtained "junk" and countless numbers apparently pop those pills, etc. for sleeker physiques and more mental and physical prowess. However, they, eventually, will learn that such "junk" will be equivalent to encountering kryptonite, which always reduced Superman to a mere mortal.
The reason for bringing this up is because it's become the scourge of this generation. Perhaps, in past generations as well. And now those athletes from the '60s, '70s and '80s are finding out just what "hell" on earth really means.
Take for instance, an individual, once described as looking like "Andre The Giant's angry, big brother," has now reached that aging group and laments adhering to the premise of "Better living through chemistry."
"When I was a kid, I wanted to be the greatest athlete of all time," he offered the other day, adding, "so in the 1960s I discovered a new source of power."
From the 160-pound weakling, he eventually bulged to 305 pounds and, suddenly, turned into a mean-spirited individual, who found that his "artificial" muscles and bulk could actually swell his bank account. However, just as quickly as his athleticism skyrocketed, it evaporated.
And with age, he almost shouted: "Stay away from any semblance of 'junk.' It will ruin your body and, possibly, your mind."
However, that advice is missing today, in most high-powered sports circles, which often treats such warnings as so much rhetoric. There was even snickering after one-time baseball star, Jose Canseco, "confessed" in a best-selling book about his "junk" use and implied San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds was one of a bevy of superstars, who were caught up in that so-called "drug culture."
The BALCO revelations also put the spotlight on Bonds and Jason Giambi among others, but also made it clear that to investigate and report on such behaviour could be precarious, for two investigative reporters, Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams (who wrote the book, Game of Shadows) barely escaped jail time for the wide-ranging expose.
The use of designer drugs even reached another level with a breaking story in the past few days and that is "illicit steroid distribution networks" are being targeted on the U.S. East Coast where reported customers have included Los Angeles Angels' outfielder Gary Matthews Jr., former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield and a doctor for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
When pro wrestling went to court in 1994 with such illustrious names as Hulk Hogan (Terry Bollea) coming to the forefront, there were smiles all around and it was treated not with contempt, but with a degree of acceptance, passing it off even as "wrestlers will be wrestlers." Although the BALCO situation met with initial shock, it eventually wallowed in a bog filled with lawyers trying to prevent the names of certain high-priced jocks from getting into the dailies.
However, there's one troublesome aspect in all this scenario: It may get to the point that certain "name" athletes will want such publicity, adhering to the premise of "you can say anything you want about me as long as you spell my name correctly."
It really is just another step in the downfall of today's so-called progressive society.
What is needed, is qualified "counselors" to go into every school and every schoolyard in North America and admonish and teach would-be athletes about the horrific consequences of "junk use," whether it be injectible designer drugs/steroids or pills of any sort.
It certainly might help save a generation.
While this column might be "preaching," hopefully, it might salvage some from the "living hell" experienced by the aging and withering individuals, who once believed they had discovered the secret formula of "better living through chemistry."
SWAN SONG (From Uncle John's Bathroom Reader): The Myth: General Douglas MacArthur coined the saying "Old soldiers never die; they just fade away." The Truth: He was just quoting a British Army song from World War I ... Did you know that 'Dugout Doug' was Elvis' idol and that Presley memorized every line of dialogue from the George C. Scott film, Patton? And now you know.
And if you think that only prominent athletes, whose names are in the papers on a daily basis, subject themselves to ingesting this type of "junk," then take another guess.
Your little darlings, both male and female, in assorted sports are aware of easily-obtained "junk" and countless numbers apparently pop those pills, etc. for sleeker physiques and more mental and physical prowess. However, they, eventually, will learn that such "junk" will be equivalent to encountering kryptonite, which always reduced Superman to a mere mortal.
The reason for bringing this up is because it's become the scourge of this generation. Perhaps, in past generations as well. And now those athletes from the '60s, '70s and '80s are finding out just what "hell" on earth really means.
Take for instance, an individual, once described as looking like "Andre The Giant's angry, big brother," has now reached that aging group and laments adhering to the premise of "Better living through chemistry."
"When I was a kid, I wanted to be the greatest athlete of all time," he offered the other day, adding, "so in the 1960s I discovered a new source of power."
From the 160-pound weakling, he eventually bulged to 305 pounds and, suddenly, turned into a mean-spirited individual, who found that his "artificial" muscles and bulk could actually swell his bank account. However, just as quickly as his athleticism skyrocketed, it evaporated.
And with age, he almost shouted: "Stay away from any semblance of 'junk.' It will ruin your body and, possibly, your mind."
However, that advice is missing today, in most high-powered sports circles, which often treats such warnings as so much rhetoric. There was even snickering after one-time baseball star, Jose Canseco, "confessed" in a best-selling book about his "junk" use and implied San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds was one of a bevy of superstars, who were caught up in that so-called "drug culture."
The BALCO revelations also put the spotlight on Bonds and Jason Giambi among others, but also made it clear that to investigate and report on such behaviour could be precarious, for two investigative reporters, Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams (who wrote the book, Game of Shadows) barely escaped jail time for the wide-ranging expose.
The use of designer drugs even reached another level with a breaking story in the past few days and that is "illicit steroid distribution networks" are being targeted on the U.S. East Coast where reported customers have included Los Angeles Angels' outfielder Gary Matthews Jr., former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield and a doctor for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
When pro wrestling went to court in 1994 with such illustrious names as Hulk Hogan (Terry Bollea) coming to the forefront, there were smiles all around and it was treated not with contempt, but with a degree of acceptance, passing it off even as "wrestlers will be wrestlers." Although the BALCO situation met with initial shock, it eventually wallowed in a bog filled with lawyers trying to prevent the names of certain high-priced jocks from getting into the dailies.
However, there's one troublesome aspect in all this scenario: It may get to the point that certain "name" athletes will want such publicity, adhering to the premise of "you can say anything you want about me as long as you spell my name correctly."
It really is just another step in the downfall of today's so-called progressive society.
What is needed, is qualified "counselors" to go into every school and every schoolyard in North America and admonish and teach would-be athletes about the horrific consequences of "junk use," whether it be injectible designer drugs/steroids or pills of any sort.
It certainly might help save a generation.
While this column might be "preaching," hopefully, it might salvage some from the "living hell" experienced by the aging and withering individuals, who once believed they had discovered the secret formula of "better living through chemistry."
SWAN SONG (From Uncle John's Bathroom Reader): The Myth: General Douglas MacArthur coined the saying "Old soldiers never die; they just fade away." The Truth: He was just quoting a British Army song from World War I ... Did you know that 'Dugout Doug' was Elvis' idol and that Presley memorized every line of dialogue from the George C. Scott film, Patton? And now you know.
Time for semi-annual Kerwoods
Unless you've been on another planet or sitting in the bizarre hearings involving the final "destination" of former reality star, Anna Nicole Smith, then you're aware that everyone and their dog are giving out awards.
It's the annual season for the Oscars and Emmys and the Golden Jockstraps for the top athletes, however, you, perhaps, missed out on the semi-annual Kerwoods, honouring the most bizarre of the bizarre.
But before delving into the grab bag, the Ol' Columnist would be remiss without checking in with the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, who have named Liberal Senator Colin Kenny as the winner of the federal "Teddy" Award for being "the worst offender when it comes to government waste and overspending."
The CTF even held an Oscar-like ceremony in awarding Kenny for the "Best Comedic Performance by an Unelected Official" for his starring role in "Letters & Bills from Dubai."
It seems in 2006, Kenny and other Ottawa top dogs (aka freeloaders) were shuffling off to Kandahar to check on our troops. However, there was a twist in the plot and the military commanders held up a stop sign and in Dubai, the "Have Credit Card, Will Travel" Bunch checked in to the Renaissance Hotel for seven days at a cost of, now get this, $30,000. On top of this the entire overseas jaunt for these penny-pinchers came to $138,000.
And are you ready for the "municipal" Teddy award?
It went to my former stomping grounds of Edmonton and their glorious international idea of hiring 30 actors at $30,000 to hand out, get this, yo-yos in Washington on Canada Day.
The Teddies, of course, are named after a fired senior public servant (chairman of the Canada Labour Relations Board), Ted Weatherill, who billed his bosses $733.43 for a lunch for two. Oh, yes, it was in that quaint little village of ... Paris, France.
However, this column was supposed to be about what I call the Semi-Annual Kerwoods and this time I checked through my files and selected a few that have already been given Darwin Awards for "stupidity."
From the hundreds I read, these made my list:
* Man Glued to Rhino Buttocks (1999): A Vermont native toured the Eagle's Rock African Safari Zoo when he decided to "demonstrate the power of Crazy Glue." Our genius rubbed several ounces of the sticky substance on his hands and then placed them on the buttocks of a passing rhino. Well, "Sally the Rhino" took off, goring a shed wall and destroying two fences. Incidentally, did I tell you that "Sally" had been constipated and had been given a laxative? The upset rhino proceeded to "shower" his glued rider with 30 gallons of rhinoceros diarrhea before being detached from the "messy" scene.
* Another Kerwood also goes to a Darwin honourable mention from 1995: It seems Robert Ricketts, a 19-year-old student at Bowling Green U. in Ohio, was struck by a moving train and his head was bloodied. Apparently, Rapid Robert was trying to see how close he could get to the train without getting hit. He miscalculated, but he did live.
* Do you remember Larry Walters? He's the bright one who bought 45 weather balloons and tied them to his tethered lawnchair. After strapping himself in with what every "astronaut" would need -- a few sandwiches, some Miller Lite, and a pellet gun, Ol' Larry was ready for a smooth and lazy ascent to about 30 feet over his backyard. By the way, he had the pellet gun to pop the balloons on his planned slow descent. Well, sometimes the best-laid plans do not work, and Mr. Balloon Man soared into the sky like a cannon and leveled off at 16,000 feet. After crossing the LAX corridor and being spotted by Trans World and Delta pilots, he blacked out over Long Beach where the cops were waiting for Lawn Chair Larry.
* And, finally, another Darwin caught my eye and it was the "Blondes and Oil Changes" episode from 1996. It seems Amy Brasher, another "nuclear scientist" from San Antonio, took her car to a mechanic for an oil change. She, however, forget to tell anyone that there were 18 packages of marijuana packed around the car engine. The mechanic called the cops. Amy had an explanation or what she thought was a reasonable explanation: "I didn't realize that the mechanic would have to raise the hood to change the oil." Duh!
It's the annual season for the Oscars and Emmys and the Golden Jockstraps for the top athletes, however, you, perhaps, missed out on the semi-annual Kerwoods, honouring the most bizarre of the bizarre.
But before delving into the grab bag, the Ol' Columnist would be remiss without checking in with the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, who have named Liberal Senator Colin Kenny as the winner of the federal "Teddy" Award for being "the worst offender when it comes to government waste and overspending."
The CTF even held an Oscar-like ceremony in awarding Kenny for the "Best Comedic Performance by an Unelected Official" for his starring role in "Letters & Bills from Dubai."
It seems in 2006, Kenny and other Ottawa top dogs (aka freeloaders) were shuffling off to Kandahar to check on our troops. However, there was a twist in the plot and the military commanders held up a stop sign and in Dubai, the "Have Credit Card, Will Travel" Bunch checked in to the Renaissance Hotel for seven days at a cost of, now get this, $30,000. On top of this the entire overseas jaunt for these penny-pinchers came to $138,000.
And are you ready for the "municipal" Teddy award?
It went to my former stomping grounds of Edmonton and their glorious international idea of hiring 30 actors at $30,000 to hand out, get this, yo-yos in Washington on Canada Day.
The Teddies, of course, are named after a fired senior public servant (chairman of the Canada Labour Relations Board), Ted Weatherill, who billed his bosses $733.43 for a lunch for two. Oh, yes, it was in that quaint little village of ... Paris, France.
However, this column was supposed to be about what I call the Semi-Annual Kerwoods and this time I checked through my files and selected a few that have already been given Darwin Awards for "stupidity."
From the hundreds I read, these made my list:
* Man Glued to Rhino Buttocks (1999): A Vermont native toured the Eagle's Rock African Safari Zoo when he decided to "demonstrate the power of Crazy Glue." Our genius rubbed several ounces of the sticky substance on his hands and then placed them on the buttocks of a passing rhino. Well, "Sally the Rhino" took off, goring a shed wall and destroying two fences. Incidentally, did I tell you that "Sally" had been constipated and had been given a laxative? The upset rhino proceeded to "shower" his glued rider with 30 gallons of rhinoceros diarrhea before being detached from the "messy" scene.
* Another Kerwood also goes to a Darwin honourable mention from 1995: It seems Robert Ricketts, a 19-year-old student at Bowling Green U. in Ohio, was struck by a moving train and his head was bloodied. Apparently, Rapid Robert was trying to see how close he could get to the train without getting hit. He miscalculated, but he did live.
* Do you remember Larry Walters? He's the bright one who bought 45 weather balloons and tied them to his tethered lawnchair. After strapping himself in with what every "astronaut" would need -- a few sandwiches, some Miller Lite, and a pellet gun, Ol' Larry was ready for a smooth and lazy ascent to about 30 feet over his backyard. By the way, he had the pellet gun to pop the balloons on his planned slow descent. Well, sometimes the best-laid plans do not work, and Mr. Balloon Man soared into the sky like a cannon and leveled off at 16,000 feet. After crossing the LAX corridor and being spotted by Trans World and Delta pilots, he blacked out over Long Beach where the cops were waiting for Lawn Chair Larry.
* And, finally, another Darwin caught my eye and it was the "Blondes and Oil Changes" episode from 1996. It seems Amy Brasher, another "nuclear scientist" from San Antonio, took her car to a mechanic for an oil change. She, however, forget to tell anyone that there were 18 packages of marijuana packed around the car engine. The mechanic called the cops. Amy had an explanation or what she thought was a reasonable explanation: "I didn't realize that the mechanic would have to raise the hood to change the oil." Duh!
Crossing border can be a real pain
So you have the February Blahs?
It's a malady which strikes the Ol' Columnist at this time of year, much like a right uppercut from the heavyweight champion, whoever he is these days.
You know the symptoms: There's a chill in your bones and your brain hasn't worked on all cylinders since last July and you can vaguely remember what warm weather was really like. Very vaguely.
So there I was driving along in the Ol' Chariot, with the windshield wipers attempting to scrap off the mixture of snow and rain, while dreaming of being toasted on a southern beach. It was then the morbid voices on Bill Good's radio program began relating the problems on our border ever since 9-11.
Of course, I sometimes live in the past, remembering a casual walk across the bridge at Niagara Falls, Ont. and into the U.S. It was a breeze. Or flying to Florida or California was a cinch. But that was before than awful day when North Americans woke up to the realization that terrorists did, indeed, live among us.
When I arrived back at the Ol' Homestead, I began to check out some of the current news stories concerning border security; and discovered something called the border security plan, which I had overlooked.
In keeping you and me up-to-date, here briefly are some of the points put out by Canada's Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day on Friday, Jan.12:
* Canada intends to spend more than $368 million on border protection in the next five years.
And what does than mean? Well, if you work for the feds, there goes your Christmas bonus, and, perhaps, that winter vacation to somewhere humid.
* Some $337 million of that Day bankroll will be spent on the electronic-Manifest program. What's that, you might ask? It allows for computer-automated risk assessments of cargo shipments before they reach Canada, according to the AP story.
And the reason for the eManifest plan was because some 18,000 trucks cross the U.S.-Canada border every day and this is what Day said at Windsor, Ont. when the program was introduced: "I even sometimes surprise my American friends when I remind them that the trade that comes across the Ambassador Bridge in total is greater than all the trade that exists between the United States and Japan."
Of course, Day's pronouncements were in line with Prime Minister Stephen Harper's post-election promise in tightening the security, and rightly so, along the 4,000-mile border.
While security concerning the transporting of goods will increase dramatically in the next few years, individuals will be adhering to a new set of guidelines. Stringent rules will, or are, now being enforced.
When checking with the Canada Border Services Agency (cbsa.gc.ca), I learned that they have a workforce of about 12,000 public servants and provide services at about 1,200 points across the nation and 39 international locations.
Some of the things that the CBSA does (and, of course, they use that word, "we," in all cases):
* We manage 119 land border crossings.
* At 61 land border crossings and nine international airports, we operate on a 24/7 basis.
* We operate four immigration detention facilities in Laval, Toronto, Kingston, and Vancouver for individuals deemed to be inadmissable for a number of reasons including: posing a danger to the public or to national security; unlikely to appear for an immigration process; or for whom identity has not been confirmed.
Then "we" continued with the CBSA responsibilities, which included:
* We administer legislation that governs the admissibility of people and goods into and out of Canada.
* We establish how people and goods move through our borders.
* We detain those people who may pose a threat to Canada.
* We remove people who are inadmissable to our country, including those involved in terrorism, organized crime and war crimes or crimes against humanity.
And the list goes on and on.
As for me, after reading the CBSA "handbook" I think I'd better stay right at home.
Forget about being "toasted" on a southern beach some where.
Could someone sell me a cheap heat lamp and please pass me some suntan lotion?
RAINING CATS AND DOGS (From Uncle John's Bathroom Reader): Meaning: Torrential rain. Origin: In the days before garbage collection, people tossed their trash in the gutter -- including deceased housepets -- and it just lay there. When it rained really hard, the garbage, including the bodies of dead cats and dogs, went floating down the street.
It's a malady which strikes the Ol' Columnist at this time of year, much like a right uppercut from the heavyweight champion, whoever he is these days.
You know the symptoms: There's a chill in your bones and your brain hasn't worked on all cylinders since last July and you can vaguely remember what warm weather was really like. Very vaguely.
So there I was driving along in the Ol' Chariot, with the windshield wipers attempting to scrap off the mixture of snow and rain, while dreaming of being toasted on a southern beach. It was then the morbid voices on Bill Good's radio program began relating the problems on our border ever since 9-11.
Of course, I sometimes live in the past, remembering a casual walk across the bridge at Niagara Falls, Ont. and into the U.S. It was a breeze. Or flying to Florida or California was a cinch. But that was before than awful day when North Americans woke up to the realization that terrorists did, indeed, live among us.
When I arrived back at the Ol' Homestead, I began to check out some of the current news stories concerning border security; and discovered something called the border security plan, which I had overlooked.
In keeping you and me up-to-date, here briefly are some of the points put out by Canada's Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day on Friday, Jan.12:
* Canada intends to spend more than $368 million on border protection in the next five years.
And what does than mean? Well, if you work for the feds, there goes your Christmas bonus, and, perhaps, that winter vacation to somewhere humid.
* Some $337 million of that Day bankroll will be spent on the electronic-Manifest program. What's that, you might ask? It allows for computer-automated risk assessments of cargo shipments before they reach Canada, according to the AP story.
And the reason for the eManifest plan was because some 18,000 trucks cross the U.S.-Canada border every day and this is what Day said at Windsor, Ont. when the program was introduced: "I even sometimes surprise my American friends when I remind them that the trade that comes across the Ambassador Bridge in total is greater than all the trade that exists between the United States and Japan."
Of course, Day's pronouncements were in line with Prime Minister Stephen Harper's post-election promise in tightening the security, and rightly so, along the 4,000-mile border.
While security concerning the transporting of goods will increase dramatically in the next few years, individuals will be adhering to a new set of guidelines. Stringent rules will, or are, now being enforced.
When checking with the Canada Border Services Agency (cbsa.gc.ca), I learned that they have a workforce of about 12,000 public servants and provide services at about 1,200 points across the nation and 39 international locations.
Some of the things that the CBSA does (and, of course, they use that word, "we," in all cases):
* We manage 119 land border crossings.
* At 61 land border crossings and nine international airports, we operate on a 24/7 basis.
* We operate four immigration detention facilities in Laval, Toronto, Kingston, and Vancouver for individuals deemed to be inadmissable for a number of reasons including: posing a danger to the public or to national security; unlikely to appear for an immigration process; or for whom identity has not been confirmed.
Then "we" continued with the CBSA responsibilities, which included:
* We administer legislation that governs the admissibility of people and goods into and out of Canada.
* We establish how people and goods move through our borders.
* We detain those people who may pose a threat to Canada.
* We remove people who are inadmissable to our country, including those involved in terrorism, organized crime and war crimes or crimes against humanity.
And the list goes on and on.
As for me, after reading the CBSA "handbook" I think I'd better stay right at home.
Forget about being "toasted" on a southern beach some where.
Could someone sell me a cheap heat lamp and please pass me some suntan lotion?
RAINING CATS AND DOGS (From Uncle John's Bathroom Reader): Meaning: Torrential rain. Origin: In the days before garbage collection, people tossed their trash in the gutter -- including deceased housepets -- and it just lay there. When it rained really hard, the garbage, including the bodies of dead cats and dogs, went floating down the street.
Facts, not fiction, about Jerusalem.
Even in this world of supposedly instant communication, fact and fiction often become tangled. And in the Middle East such mingling of the truth and lies seems to be an every-day occurrence.
Just this week, the Iraq and Iran situation became cloudier with miscommunications between George Bush's White House and the generals in the field in that "hell-hole" known as Baghdad.
And another quagmire has to be Jerusalem, and the on-going construction work at the Temple Mount's Mugrabi Gate.
As a former Middle East reporter, based in that contentious city to three religions -- Judaism, Christianity and Islam -- the "war" has been ongoing. It could escalate this weekend with Muslims expected to voice more than just their opinion as to has the right to hold sway over Jerusalem. This despite a supposed agreement with Turkey to send in a technical inspection team after a meeting between Israeli PM Ehud Olmert and Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
As I've written in the past, much of mankind's future will be determined in the Israeli city, and not in Washington or Moscow or Tehran.
When I went searching through my Middle East files I discovered the viewpoints of an expert, Steven Shamrak, who offered explanations for just who has rightful ownership to The Land.
* 1. Nationhood and Jerusalem -- Israel became a nation in the 14th century B.C.E., some 2,000 years before the rise of Islam.
* 2. Since 1272 B.C.E. the Jews have had dominion over the land for up to 1,000 years with a continuous Jewish presence in the land for the past 3,300 years.
* 3. The only Arab dominion since the Arab invasion and conquest in 635 C.E. lasted no more than 22 years.
* 4. King David founded the city; Muhammad never came to Jerusalem.
* 5. Jerusalem has been the Jewish capital for more than 3,000 years. It has never been the capital of any Arab or Muslim entity.
* 6. Jerusalem is mentioned more than 700 times in the Jewish Holy Scriptures, known as the Tanach. It's not mentioned in the Koran.
*7. Jews pray facing Jerusalem while Muslims pray facing Mecca.
* 8. In 1854, a reporter for the New York Tribune, Karl Marx, yes that Karl Marx, wrote that Jews made up two-thirds of the city's population.
* 9. When Mark Twain toured "Palestine" in 1867, he had this to say: "A desolate country whose soil is rich enough but is given over wholly to weeds. A silent, mournful expanse. We never saw a human."
* 10. An official Ottoman Turk census in 1882 showed only 141,000 Muslims (Arab and non-Arab) in the entire Land of Israel.
* 11. In 1906, Karl Baedeker's travel guide showed Jerusalem's population of 60,000 of which there were 40,000 Jews; 13,000 Christians and 7,000 Muslims.
* 12. As the Jews came and drained the swamps and made the deserts bloom, Arabs followed. They came for jobs, for prosperity, for freedom. And, they came in large numbers.
* 13. In 1922, with what was widely acknowledged as the illegal separation of Transjordan, the Jews were forbidden to settle on almost 77 per cent of "Palestine," while Arab settlement went unrestricted and encouraged by British mandatory authority.
* 14. Prior to the Second World War, Mojli Amin, a member of the Arab Defense Committee for "Palestine," proposed the idea "that all the Arabs of 'Palestine' will leave and be divided up amongst the neighboring Arab countries. In exchange for this, all the Jews living in Arab countries will leave and come to Palestine."
* 15. Did you know that Saudi Arabia was not created until 1913, Lebanon until 1920? Iraq did not exist as a nation until 1932, Syria until 1941; the borders were established in 1946 and Kuwait in 1961.
While these cover 15 of the 29 truths, Shamrak also offered these points:
* Israel is a front-line defense in the war between Islamic expansionism and Western democracies.
* UN anti-Israel bias and double-standard is applied to Israel by international community.
* Jewish people have the right to live in peace on all the land of their ancestors.
* Israel is the only Jewish state.
* There are 60 Muslim countries, including 22 Arab ones. They have enough land to accommodate all Arabs.
* Negotiation will not stop terrorism. It only makes it stronger.
Shamrak, in my opinion, makes valid points concerning Israel, which faces another temptuous and volatile weekend as the entire world watches.
Just this week, the Iraq and Iran situation became cloudier with miscommunications between George Bush's White House and the generals in the field in that "hell-hole" known as Baghdad.
And another quagmire has to be Jerusalem, and the on-going construction work at the Temple Mount's Mugrabi Gate.
As a former Middle East reporter, based in that contentious city to three religions -- Judaism, Christianity and Islam -- the "war" has been ongoing. It could escalate this weekend with Muslims expected to voice more than just their opinion as to has the right to hold sway over Jerusalem. This despite a supposed agreement with Turkey to send in a technical inspection team after a meeting between Israeli PM Ehud Olmert and Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
As I've written in the past, much of mankind's future will be determined in the Israeli city, and not in Washington or Moscow or Tehran.
When I went searching through my Middle East files I discovered the viewpoints of an expert, Steven Shamrak, who offered explanations for just who has rightful ownership to The Land.
* 1. Nationhood and Jerusalem -- Israel became a nation in the 14th century B.C.E., some 2,000 years before the rise of Islam.
* 2. Since 1272 B.C.E. the Jews have had dominion over the land for up to 1,000 years with a continuous Jewish presence in the land for the past 3,300 years.
* 3. The only Arab dominion since the Arab invasion and conquest in 635 C.E. lasted no more than 22 years.
* 4. King David founded the city; Muhammad never came to Jerusalem.
* 5. Jerusalem has been the Jewish capital for more than 3,000 years. It has never been the capital of any Arab or Muslim entity.
* 6. Jerusalem is mentioned more than 700 times in the Jewish Holy Scriptures, known as the Tanach. It's not mentioned in the Koran.
*7. Jews pray facing Jerusalem while Muslims pray facing Mecca.
* 8. In 1854, a reporter for the New York Tribune, Karl Marx, yes that Karl Marx, wrote that Jews made up two-thirds of the city's population.
* 9. When Mark Twain toured "Palestine" in 1867, he had this to say: "A desolate country whose soil is rich enough but is given over wholly to weeds. A silent, mournful expanse. We never saw a human."
* 10. An official Ottoman Turk census in 1882 showed only 141,000 Muslims (Arab and non-Arab) in the entire Land of Israel.
* 11. In 1906, Karl Baedeker's travel guide showed Jerusalem's population of 60,000 of which there were 40,000 Jews; 13,000 Christians and 7,000 Muslims.
* 12. As the Jews came and drained the swamps and made the deserts bloom, Arabs followed. They came for jobs, for prosperity, for freedom. And, they came in large numbers.
* 13. In 1922, with what was widely acknowledged as the illegal separation of Transjordan, the Jews were forbidden to settle on almost 77 per cent of "Palestine," while Arab settlement went unrestricted and encouraged by British mandatory authority.
* 14. Prior to the Second World War, Mojli Amin, a member of the Arab Defense Committee for "Palestine," proposed the idea "that all the Arabs of 'Palestine' will leave and be divided up amongst the neighboring Arab countries. In exchange for this, all the Jews living in Arab countries will leave and come to Palestine."
* 15. Did you know that Saudi Arabia was not created until 1913, Lebanon until 1920? Iraq did not exist as a nation until 1932, Syria until 1941; the borders were established in 1946 and Kuwait in 1961.
While these cover 15 of the 29 truths, Shamrak also offered these points:
* Israel is a front-line defense in the war between Islamic expansionism and Western democracies.
* UN anti-Israel bias and double-standard is applied to Israel by international community.
* Jewish people have the right to live in peace on all the land of their ancestors.
* Israel is the only Jewish state.
* There are 60 Muslim countries, including 22 Arab ones. They have enough land to accommodate all Arabs.
* Negotiation will not stop terrorism. It only makes it stronger.
Shamrak, in my opinion, makes valid points concerning Israel, which faces another temptuous and volatile weekend as the entire world watches.
Passing the Valentine's Day test
So, men, you've forgotten what day it is, have you?
That's right, Mr. Macho, it's not Christmas, or New Year's or even Sir Smithers' birthday; but it's Valentine's Day 2007.
Can you still remember when holding hands and giving her chocolates and a bunch of flowers was an everyday occurrence and not something that you handed out in order to "pay" for some known or unknown indiscretion?
Now, this is not a lecture from the Ol' Columnist, for I must confess, The Missus even questioned my motives when I was extra affectionate and even promised to pick up some clothes that were lying around.
It was mainly because I'd just taken the Valentine's Day Quiz as put out by Reader's Digest and made a passing grade of 70 per cent that I'm now gloating just a bit.
In order for you to get in the good graces of your lady this year, check out your knowledge:
* 1. The lovers' holiday, known as Valentine's Day, has its origins in the Pagan rite of ... Romance; Joviality; Fertility; Wine making ? Correct answer: Fertility. The annual Roman fertility rite dates back to the 4th century B.C. Young men drew from a box the names of young women, who became their companions.
* 2. The pagan fertility festival was named after what Roman god? Venus; Lupercus; Odraticus; Fortuna? Correct answer: Lupercus.
* 3. Valentine was stoned, clubbed and beheaded because he ... Secretly married young lovers; Ate too much chocolate; Refused to send the Roman emperor a Valentine's Day card; Failed to pay income tax? Correct answer: Valentine began secretly marrying young lovers after Emperor Claudius II banned marriage.
* 4. Why is the name Arterius important to the Valentine's Day story? Correct answer: He was Valentine's jailer.
* 5. Which civilization introduced Valentine's Day cards? Greece; Rome; India; Babylonia? Correct answer: It was Roman men who first offered women written wishes of affection.
* 6. Who sent the earliest surviving Valentine's Day card? Correct answer: Charles, the Duke of Orleans, sent his wife a card while she was imprisoned in the Tower of London.
* 7. Sending anonymous Valentine's Day cards in England became fashionable after ... A paper mill strike ended; A reduction in postal rates; An increase of card shops ... A reduction of printing costs? Correct answer: A drop in postal rates.
* 8. The son of Venus, goddess of love and beauty, is associated with Valentine's Day. What is his name? Correct answer: Cupid, of course.
* 9. The letter X represents a kiss and was once used to convey what message? Correct answer: Sworn oath, for in days of old, when many did not know how to write, an X or the sign of the cross was accepted as a sworn oath.
* 10. Why did the Allied governments outlaw troops from the writing of XXX in letters home during WWII? Correct answer: To prevent spies from using it as a code.
So you've taken the test, even though you have all 10 correct answers. I had only three wrong and I didn't peek once.
Now I wonder what the Missus would like on this special day? However, there's one suggestion from a Japanese spa which I refuse to indulge in and that's to go dipping in chocolate. It was an ancient practise of the Aztecs, who believed it was an aphrodisiac that "invigorated men and made women less inhabited."
Perhaps, a box of calorie-reduced chocolates and a handful of flowers will fit the bill.
If I don't hear the slamming of any doors, I'll know that I'm still her "Valentine," after all these years.
EMBRACE FOR THE AGES: In the pre-dawn of Valentine's Day, some bone hunters in Italy have found a prehistoric couple wrapped in each other's arms near Verona, which was the setting for Shakespeare's doomed romance about Romeo and Juliet. Archaelogists suggest the "bones" are from the late Neolithic period of about 5,000 years ago. There's also a suggestion that durng that era, a wife would be "sacrificed" and buried with her husband when he died.
DID YOU KNOW? (From Uncle John's Bathroom Reader): E.A. Murphy, Jr. Murphy was not an optimist. An American engineer in the 1940s, he was the first to utter the words "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong" -- Murphy's Law.
That's right, Mr. Macho, it's not Christmas, or New Year's or even Sir Smithers' birthday; but it's Valentine's Day 2007.
Can you still remember when holding hands and giving her chocolates and a bunch of flowers was an everyday occurrence and not something that you handed out in order to "pay" for some known or unknown indiscretion?
Now, this is not a lecture from the Ol' Columnist, for I must confess, The Missus even questioned my motives when I was extra affectionate and even promised to pick up some clothes that were lying around.
It was mainly because I'd just taken the Valentine's Day Quiz as put out by Reader's Digest and made a passing grade of 70 per cent that I'm now gloating just a bit.
In order for you to get in the good graces of your lady this year, check out your knowledge:
* 1. The lovers' holiday, known as Valentine's Day, has its origins in the Pagan rite of ... Romance; Joviality; Fertility; Wine making ? Correct answer: Fertility. The annual Roman fertility rite dates back to the 4th century B.C. Young men drew from a box the names of young women, who became their companions.
* 2. The pagan fertility festival was named after what Roman god? Venus; Lupercus; Odraticus; Fortuna? Correct answer: Lupercus.
* 3. Valentine was stoned, clubbed and beheaded because he ... Secretly married young lovers; Ate too much chocolate; Refused to send the Roman emperor a Valentine's Day card; Failed to pay income tax? Correct answer: Valentine began secretly marrying young lovers after Emperor Claudius II banned marriage.
* 4. Why is the name Arterius important to the Valentine's Day story? Correct answer: He was Valentine's jailer.
* 5. Which civilization introduced Valentine's Day cards? Greece; Rome; India; Babylonia? Correct answer: It was Roman men who first offered women written wishes of affection.
* 6. Who sent the earliest surviving Valentine's Day card? Correct answer: Charles, the Duke of Orleans, sent his wife a card while she was imprisoned in the Tower of London.
* 7. Sending anonymous Valentine's Day cards in England became fashionable after ... A paper mill strike ended; A reduction in postal rates; An increase of card shops ... A reduction of printing costs? Correct answer: A drop in postal rates.
* 8. The son of Venus, goddess of love and beauty, is associated with Valentine's Day. What is his name? Correct answer: Cupid, of course.
* 9. The letter X represents a kiss and was once used to convey what message? Correct answer: Sworn oath, for in days of old, when many did not know how to write, an X or the sign of the cross was accepted as a sworn oath.
* 10. Why did the Allied governments outlaw troops from the writing of XXX in letters home during WWII? Correct answer: To prevent spies from using it as a code.
So you've taken the test, even though you have all 10 correct answers. I had only three wrong and I didn't peek once.
Now I wonder what the Missus would like on this special day? However, there's one suggestion from a Japanese spa which I refuse to indulge in and that's to go dipping in chocolate. It was an ancient practise of the Aztecs, who believed it was an aphrodisiac that "invigorated men and made women less inhabited."
Perhaps, a box of calorie-reduced chocolates and a handful of flowers will fit the bill.
If I don't hear the slamming of any doors, I'll know that I'm still her "Valentine," after all these years.
EMBRACE FOR THE AGES: In the pre-dawn of Valentine's Day, some bone hunters in Italy have found a prehistoric couple wrapped in each other's arms near Verona, which was the setting for Shakespeare's doomed romance about Romeo and Juliet. Archaelogists suggest the "bones" are from the late Neolithic period of about 5,000 years ago. There's also a suggestion that durng that era, a wife would be "sacrificed" and buried with her husband when he died.
DID YOU KNOW? (From Uncle John's Bathroom Reader): E.A. Murphy, Jr. Murphy was not an optimist. An American engineer in the 1940s, he was the first to utter the words "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong" -- Murphy's Law.
A man with a definite (water) plan
Steve Skultety has a plan.
And what's more at $90 mil it would be a bargain in meeting our future water needs.
I have to admit that the word, "water," in the past has always conjured up thoughts of the Sons of the Pioneers warbling "Cool, Cool Water," or Jack Nicholson's movie classic, "Chinatown." in which the underlying theme wasn't Roman Polanski slicing and dicing Jack's nose, but getting water flowing into Los Angeles by any means.
And, of course, I can't forget recalling the school nurse reiterating time and again to drink eight glasses of water a day to stay healthy.
So when Skultety handed me a letter about water after church service on Sunday, I had envisioned placing it under the heading of "Letters to the Editor," and even told The Boss that he should find a spot for it in today's paper.
Then I began to re-read Skultety's plan.
He began: "A recent figure of $42 million was mentioned for water treatment, which would give us good quality water, however, it will do nothing towards increasing water supply volume. So to guarantee available water for Vernon and this valley's needs, now and in the future, we need to look elsewhere."
Where is this elsewhere?
Skultety then proposes transporting water via a pipeline from the Revelstoke Dam, which is above the 2,000-foot level to Okanagan Lake at about the 1,000-foot level.
"It would mean the cost of transporting would be nil due to the elevation difference," he emphasized.
For those not in the know, such as myself, I looked up about the Revelstoke Dam and found it is one of four dams in B.C. that regulate the flow of the Columbia River. And according to a B.C. Hydro blurb, its hydroelectric complex comprises a 175 m high concrete gravity dam in Little Dalles Canyon, a 122 m high earthfill dam on the west bank of the river, and a powerhouse in the riverbed, immediately downstream of the concrete dam.
In continuing with the letter, Skultety claimed such a proposed pipeline had definite plus sides such as:
* Prior to discharging this water into Okanagan Lake, generating power from it would eventually repay the capital invested in the project.
* An increase in the Okanagan River in summer to minimize the "salmon fry die-off" due to low flow and high-water temperature.
* Better lake level control year round.
* Increased fish production in the lake.
* Faster water turn over.
* Better cleansing and flushing effect.
* More water for food production.
Then Skultety spoke about the cost of the Revelstoke Dam to Okanagan Lake pipeline, stating it would be about $90 million for the 90 miles at $1 million a mile. Such a pricetag would be reasonable since it would be spread among users from Vernon to Wenatchee, Washington on the Columbia.
Skultety pointed out that since the Okanagan Lake is part of the Columbia watershed, the environmental hazards would be minor for there wouldn't be a mixing of different watersheds nor would there be any toxics being transported.
"In addition, our current water source could be returned to agricultural use untreated, and we could keep our valley greener and healthier."
However, there was a minus side; and Skultety pondered whether politicians would question where and who would turn on the first tap.
His letter ended on a positive note: "This pipeline would benefit the entire valley, not just Vernon, and we should act now before some private enterprise starts selling us our water because we didn't plan for our future needs. It is our opportunity to make the Okanagan Valley the Napa of the North."
Hear, hear, I'll drink to that. Water, that is.
SOME THINGS I WISH I'D SAID (But Mark Twain did and Uncle John's Bathroom Reader quoted him): "Adam and Eve had many advantages, but the principal one was that they escaped teething." ... "Get your facts first, and then distort them as much as you please." ... "Noise proves nothing. Often a hen who has merely laid an egg cackles as if she has laid an asteroid." ... "Man is the only animal that blushes. Or needs to." and, finally, "It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt."
And what's more at $90 mil it would be a bargain in meeting our future water needs.
I have to admit that the word, "water," in the past has always conjured up thoughts of the Sons of the Pioneers warbling "Cool, Cool Water," or Jack Nicholson's movie classic, "Chinatown." in which the underlying theme wasn't Roman Polanski slicing and dicing Jack's nose, but getting water flowing into Los Angeles by any means.
And, of course, I can't forget recalling the school nurse reiterating time and again to drink eight glasses of water a day to stay healthy.
So when Skultety handed me a letter about water after church service on Sunday, I had envisioned placing it under the heading of "Letters to the Editor," and even told The Boss that he should find a spot for it in today's paper.
Then I began to re-read Skultety's plan.
He began: "A recent figure of $42 million was mentioned for water treatment, which would give us good quality water, however, it will do nothing towards increasing water supply volume. So to guarantee available water for Vernon and this valley's needs, now and in the future, we need to look elsewhere."
Where is this elsewhere?
Skultety then proposes transporting water via a pipeline from the Revelstoke Dam, which is above the 2,000-foot level to Okanagan Lake at about the 1,000-foot level.
"It would mean the cost of transporting would be nil due to the elevation difference," he emphasized.
For those not in the know, such as myself, I looked up about the Revelstoke Dam and found it is one of four dams in B.C. that regulate the flow of the Columbia River. And according to a B.C. Hydro blurb, its hydroelectric complex comprises a 175 m high concrete gravity dam in Little Dalles Canyon, a 122 m high earthfill dam on the west bank of the river, and a powerhouse in the riverbed, immediately downstream of the concrete dam.
In continuing with the letter, Skultety claimed such a proposed pipeline had definite plus sides such as:
* Prior to discharging this water into Okanagan Lake, generating power from it would eventually repay the capital invested in the project.
* An increase in the Okanagan River in summer to minimize the "salmon fry die-off" due to low flow and high-water temperature.
* Better lake level control year round.
* Increased fish production in the lake.
* Faster water turn over.
* Better cleansing and flushing effect.
* More water for food production.
Then Skultety spoke about the cost of the Revelstoke Dam to Okanagan Lake pipeline, stating it would be about $90 million for the 90 miles at $1 million a mile. Such a pricetag would be reasonable since it would be spread among users from Vernon to Wenatchee, Washington on the Columbia.
Skultety pointed out that since the Okanagan Lake is part of the Columbia watershed, the environmental hazards would be minor for there wouldn't be a mixing of different watersheds nor would there be any toxics being transported.
"In addition, our current water source could be returned to agricultural use untreated, and we could keep our valley greener and healthier."
However, there was a minus side; and Skultety pondered whether politicians would question where and who would turn on the first tap.
His letter ended on a positive note: "This pipeline would benefit the entire valley, not just Vernon, and we should act now before some private enterprise starts selling us our water because we didn't plan for our future needs. It is our opportunity to make the Okanagan Valley the Napa of the North."
Hear, hear, I'll drink to that. Water, that is.
SOME THINGS I WISH I'D SAID (But Mark Twain did and Uncle John's Bathroom Reader quoted him): "Adam and Eve had many advantages, but the principal one was that they escaped teething." ... "Get your facts first, and then distort them as much as you please." ... "Noise proves nothing. Often a hen who has merely laid an egg cackles as if she has laid an asteroid." ... "Man is the only animal that blushes. Or needs to." and, finally, "It is better to keep your mouth shut and appear stupid than to open it and remove all doubt."
So much for being a Maverick
When I worked with Garth Turner at the Toronto Sun, I could sometimes overhear such words as "pompous," followed by a precise vulgarity. There's a possibility I might have even used them.
Then in November, 2006, I had a change of heart when Turner stood up to the present-day puppet master, Stephen Harper, and his so-called Conservative puppets; and for his grief, he was tossed aside.
As a seasoned "blogger," Turner claimed his boot from Harper and his sad-sack band "was the symbol of just how bankrupt the political system has become. After all, my electors were screwed in this incident, and for all intents and purposes, the national party just doesn't care."
Then he went on to "blog," with these words: "The party brass refused to tell them why I was tossed, or provide evidence to support it, or come clean or why they decided in secret I will be disqualified as the nominated candidate and in fact banned from the Tories again. Apparently not content to kill me once (kicked out of caucus last month), they killed me again last Friday (no longer a candidate, and never to be one)."
With his dismissal from the Conservatives and Harper's gang, Turner was labelled with the tag of "maverick," which he wore proudly around his neck.
And so, what I and thousand others in the burgeoning nation of "bloggers," believed was a new era when our voices would be heard and Turner would, begrudgingly, become a leading force, there definitely was an aura of hope.
But wait, in just the last day or so, this so-called "Maverick" has jumped from the "blog nation" to Stephane Dion's weak-kneed Liberals and destroyed, completely, his image as someone honourable and one who might deserve some respect in that self-centred profession, known as politics.
Turner has turned his back, not only on the Conservatives, but on the rest of Canada, not because he's joined the Liberals, but because he has scuttled the dream, any dream, of people who had almost forgotten how to dream.
The nightmare of "business as usual" in Ottawa continues and as Roy Clancy of the Calgary Sun wrote about Turner and his ilk, "they'll break your heart every time."
Then Clancy quoted some bloggers, who mumbled the likes of "You want to know (Turner) why Canadians are cynical about politics, then take a good long look in the mirror." Or as another hissed: "Finally, a sheep in sheep's clothing" and then continued on with his diatribe.
Perhaps, Turner has every right to pussy-foot around the Liberals or whoever will pat him on the back and mutter, "now you be a nice boy, and we'll buy you lunch," but then again Canada was looking for a hero, a maverick, but what we got was just another non-principled politician.
The shame of it all.
Some day, my fellow Bloggers, a real hero will emerge. I think.
***
YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS STUFF UP: The plot thickens as the attractive American astronaut is charged with "trying to murder the woman she believed was her romantic rival for a space shuttle pilot's affection" and that's just the opening scene. The love triangle has a dozen plots and sub-plots and it's all entangled because these two female rivals are, allegedly, on the prowl for another (male) astronaut. No, it's far too complicated for the movie of the week, but you can catch it on your nightly TV newscast.
***
FRANKIE COULD BELT 'EM OUT: The neighbours could hear my bellowing a mile away, I think. Although some of the words were juggled, I was trying to deliver my rendition of Frankie Laine's That's My Desire, That Lucky Old Sun, Mule Train, Jezebel and even the theme from Rawhide. In an era of big-voiced crooners, Laine was the "king" and he died on Tuesday. He was 93.
***
THEIR REAL NAMES (From the Best of Uncle John's Bathroom Reader): Did you know that Woody Allen was really Allen Konigsberg; Jack Benny was Joseph Kubelsky; Michael Caine was Maurice Mickelwhite; and Frankie Laine was Francesco Paulo LoVecchio.
Then in November, 2006, I had a change of heart when Turner stood up to the present-day puppet master, Stephen Harper, and his so-called Conservative puppets; and for his grief, he was tossed aside.
As a seasoned "blogger," Turner claimed his boot from Harper and his sad-sack band "was the symbol of just how bankrupt the political system has become. After all, my electors were screwed in this incident, and for all intents and purposes, the national party just doesn't care."
Then he went on to "blog," with these words: "The party brass refused to tell them why I was tossed, or provide evidence to support it, or come clean or why they decided in secret I will be disqualified as the nominated candidate and in fact banned from the Tories again. Apparently not content to kill me once (kicked out of caucus last month), they killed me again last Friday (no longer a candidate, and never to be one)."
With his dismissal from the Conservatives and Harper's gang, Turner was labelled with the tag of "maverick," which he wore proudly around his neck.
And so, what I and thousand others in the burgeoning nation of "bloggers," believed was a new era when our voices would be heard and Turner would, begrudgingly, become a leading force, there definitely was an aura of hope.
But wait, in just the last day or so, this so-called "Maverick" has jumped from the "blog nation" to Stephane Dion's weak-kneed Liberals and destroyed, completely, his image as someone honourable and one who might deserve some respect in that self-centred profession, known as politics.
Turner has turned his back, not only on the Conservatives, but on the rest of Canada, not because he's joined the Liberals, but because he has scuttled the dream, any dream, of people who had almost forgotten how to dream.
The nightmare of "business as usual" in Ottawa continues and as Roy Clancy of the Calgary Sun wrote about Turner and his ilk, "they'll break your heart every time."
Then Clancy quoted some bloggers, who mumbled the likes of "You want to know (Turner) why Canadians are cynical about politics, then take a good long look in the mirror." Or as another hissed: "Finally, a sheep in sheep's clothing" and then continued on with his diatribe.
Perhaps, Turner has every right to pussy-foot around the Liberals or whoever will pat him on the back and mutter, "now you be a nice boy, and we'll buy you lunch," but then again Canada was looking for a hero, a maverick, but what we got was just another non-principled politician.
The shame of it all.
Some day, my fellow Bloggers, a real hero will emerge. I think.
***
YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS STUFF UP: The plot thickens as the attractive American astronaut is charged with "trying to murder the woman she believed was her romantic rival for a space shuttle pilot's affection" and that's just the opening scene. The love triangle has a dozen plots and sub-plots and it's all entangled because these two female rivals are, allegedly, on the prowl for another (male) astronaut. No, it's far too complicated for the movie of the week, but you can catch it on your nightly TV newscast.
***
FRANKIE COULD BELT 'EM OUT: The neighbours could hear my bellowing a mile away, I think. Although some of the words were juggled, I was trying to deliver my rendition of Frankie Laine's That's My Desire, That Lucky Old Sun, Mule Train, Jezebel and even the theme from Rawhide. In an era of big-voiced crooners, Laine was the "king" and he died on Tuesday. He was 93.
***
THEIR REAL NAMES (From the Best of Uncle John's Bathroom Reader): Did you know that Woody Allen was really Allen Konigsberg; Jack Benny was Joseph Kubelsky; Michael Caine was Maurice Mickelwhite; and Frankie Laine was Francesco Paulo LoVecchio.
Get out of the purple rain, Prince
What, no, Janet Jackson and her wardrobe malfunction?
What, no, rumbling John Madden or smooth Pat Summerall or Bill (The Baby Blimp) Parcells being soaked in some sticky Gatorade on the sidelines?
Instead, what a mere 140 million TV viewers and yours truly got to see during Super Bowl XLI was a strange-looking guy with a purple guitar making a racket in HDTV and platform technology, and seven hours and 55 minutes, more or less, of commercials, where the main attraction was some SLAP-stick. And I do mean Bud Light SLAP-stick.
And what we also got besides the Purple Rain and (Prince) Rogers Nelson, formerly known as TAFKAP (my computer won't make that weird symbolic sign), were two lesser, and often non-descript entities -- Jim Nantz and Phil Simms.
Say, didn't Simms used to play for the New York Giants back in 1987?
Yes, he did and admirably, I might add as he set a Super Bowl record with an 88% completion percentage and took Parcells' Giants to a 39-20 triumph over John Elway and his Denver Broncos in XXI.
So what's Simms up to these days? He played second fiddle to technology when the Indianapolis Colts splished-splashed their way past the Chicago Bears 29-17 in XLI.
If you'll forgive me, this is what I wrote 20 Super Bowls ago:
* John Madden, who works as the Slice Blimp in the off-season, has given us such words as Bam! Boom! Whack!
But now he's done something definitely unique in addition to giving Daniel Webster and his dictionary fits, with a series of questions as the Giants started the countdown to Gatorade.
Madden, before God, Pat Summerall and a billion Chinese, asked the provocative questions: 1. How does sweat sound in stereo? 2. How does spit sound in stereo? and, most important, 3. How does chewing a mouthpiece sound in stereo?
The CBS Super Bowl XXI, directed by Sandy Grossman, was broadcast in stereo to such football hotbeds as Nicaragua, Iceland, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Luxembourg and, on a delayed and edited basis, to the Chinese where the Super Bowl is known as Gan Lan Qui (olive ball) because of its shape.
Then Madden followed up his stereo comments with a description of the Gatorade buckets -- "there's the Mother bucket, the Father bucket and even the Baby Bucket." And CBS provided us with such startling graphics as the Father Bucket (it eventually was poured over Parcells) contains 10 gallons of the sticky stuff, weighs 12 pounds, stands 23 1/4 inches high and is in its third year.
While such nonsense was espoused near the conclusion of Super Bowl XXI, it gave the telecast just the right touch, and if one was scoring the broadcast, the CBS crew of Summerall, Madden, Brent Musberger, Dan Dierdorf, Irv Cross and Will McDonough has to rate a 9. Nobody, as Bobby Bare used to sing rates a 10, only Bo Derek.
Summerall, the former Giants kicker, didn't allow his bias to show, and gave us a first-rate, straight-forward play-by-play report, with the least amount of verbal diarrhea, although he could have been a touch more excited. But that's Summerall's style, and he's too old and set in his ways to change now.
While Madden and Summerall were giving the viewer accurate and entertaining performances, host Musberger and Dierdorf, the former Incredible Bulk of the St. Louis Cardinals, were equally adept, particularly in their analytical view of a replay involving Denver's Clarence Kay and then the subsequent safety when the Giants' George Martin tracked Elway into the end zone.
Even the billion Chinese will savor Super Bowl XXI, even if they can't understand Madden's Bam! Boom! Whack! or what spits sounds in stereo.
And, finally, there was no over-rated guitar plucker prancing out there in the Purple Rain nor the dull (not dulcet) sounds of Nantz and Simms nor anyone humming to 'Who Let The Dogs Out?'
SUPER BOWL HALL OF FAME: Top 3 commercials, as rated by at least three fans and MSNBC: 1. Apple "1984" (1984); 2. Coke "Mean Joe Greene" (1979); 3. E*Trade "Monkey" (2000). Honourable mentions: Reebok "Terry Tate: Office Linebacker" (2003); Monster.com "When I Grow Up ..." (1999).
SUPER BOWL HALL OF SHAME: 1. Apple -- "Lemmings" (1985); 2. Burger King -- "Find Herb the Nerd" (1986); 3. Just for Feet -- Kenyan runner ad (1999). Dishonourable mentions: Holiday Inn -- Sex change ad (1997); Budweiser -- Flatulent horse ad (2004).
'MISTAKE IN THE LAKE': Remind me NEVER to be photographed after taking a dip in the Okanagan in early February.
What, no, rumbling John Madden or smooth Pat Summerall or Bill (The Baby Blimp) Parcells being soaked in some sticky Gatorade on the sidelines?
Instead, what a mere 140 million TV viewers and yours truly got to see during Super Bowl XLI was a strange-looking guy with a purple guitar making a racket in HDTV and platform technology, and seven hours and 55 minutes, more or less, of commercials, where the main attraction was some SLAP-stick. And I do mean Bud Light SLAP-stick.
And what we also got besides the Purple Rain and (Prince) Rogers Nelson, formerly known as TAFKAP (my computer won't make that weird symbolic sign), were two lesser, and often non-descript entities -- Jim Nantz and Phil Simms.
Say, didn't Simms used to play for the New York Giants back in 1987?
Yes, he did and admirably, I might add as he set a Super Bowl record with an 88% completion percentage and took Parcells' Giants to a 39-20 triumph over John Elway and his Denver Broncos in XXI.
So what's Simms up to these days? He played second fiddle to technology when the Indianapolis Colts splished-splashed their way past the Chicago Bears 29-17 in XLI.
If you'll forgive me, this is what I wrote 20 Super Bowls ago:
* John Madden, who works as the Slice Blimp in the off-season, has given us such words as Bam! Boom! Whack!
But now he's done something definitely unique in addition to giving Daniel Webster and his dictionary fits, with a series of questions as the Giants started the countdown to Gatorade.
Madden, before God, Pat Summerall and a billion Chinese, asked the provocative questions: 1. How does sweat sound in stereo? 2. How does spit sound in stereo? and, most important, 3. How does chewing a mouthpiece sound in stereo?
The CBS Super Bowl XXI, directed by Sandy Grossman, was broadcast in stereo to such football hotbeds as Nicaragua, Iceland, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Luxembourg and, on a delayed and edited basis, to the Chinese where the Super Bowl is known as Gan Lan Qui (olive ball) because of its shape.
Then Madden followed up his stereo comments with a description of the Gatorade buckets -- "there's the Mother bucket, the Father bucket and even the Baby Bucket." And CBS provided us with such startling graphics as the Father Bucket (it eventually was poured over Parcells) contains 10 gallons of the sticky stuff, weighs 12 pounds, stands 23 1/4 inches high and is in its third year.
While such nonsense was espoused near the conclusion of Super Bowl XXI, it gave the telecast just the right touch, and if one was scoring the broadcast, the CBS crew of Summerall, Madden, Brent Musberger, Dan Dierdorf, Irv Cross and Will McDonough has to rate a 9. Nobody, as Bobby Bare used to sing rates a 10, only Bo Derek.
Summerall, the former Giants kicker, didn't allow his bias to show, and gave us a first-rate, straight-forward play-by-play report, with the least amount of verbal diarrhea, although he could have been a touch more excited. But that's Summerall's style, and he's too old and set in his ways to change now.
While Madden and Summerall were giving the viewer accurate and entertaining performances, host Musberger and Dierdorf, the former Incredible Bulk of the St. Louis Cardinals, were equally adept, particularly in their analytical view of a replay involving Denver's Clarence Kay and then the subsequent safety when the Giants' George Martin tracked Elway into the end zone.
Even the billion Chinese will savor Super Bowl XXI, even if they can't understand Madden's Bam! Boom! Whack! or what spits sounds in stereo.
And, finally, there was no over-rated guitar plucker prancing out there in the Purple Rain nor the dull (not dulcet) sounds of Nantz and Simms nor anyone humming to 'Who Let The Dogs Out?'
SUPER BOWL HALL OF FAME: Top 3 commercials, as rated by at least three fans and MSNBC: 1. Apple "1984" (1984); 2. Coke "Mean Joe Greene" (1979); 3. E*Trade "Monkey" (2000). Honourable mentions: Reebok "Terry Tate: Office Linebacker" (2003); Monster.com "When I Grow Up ..." (1999).
SUPER BOWL HALL OF SHAME: 1. Apple -- "Lemmings" (1985); 2. Burger King -- "Find Herb the Nerd" (1986); 3. Just for Feet -- Kenyan runner ad (1999). Dishonourable mentions: Holiday Inn -- Sex change ad (1997); Budweiser -- Flatulent horse ad (2004).
'MISTAKE IN THE LAKE': Remind me NEVER to be photographed after taking a dip in the Okanagan in early February.
Super mystery and Super Sunday
While the mystery of who's the best quarterback, Peyton Manning or Rex Grossman, will, undoubtedly, be solved on Super Bowl Sunday, there is one mystery which still remains: What really happened to Carroll Rosenbloom ?
Of course, most people, except for certain football fanatics, have forgotten the name, but he was an integral part of the NFL and was a major story, for even this reporter some 27 years -- the last Super Bowl I was, supposed, to cover. But that's another story.
So how does this story even involve Sunday's combatants, the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears?
If you'll allow me to disgress, on Thursday, Jan. 17, 1980 in the Toronto Sun, I wrote about a "fading blonde" named Georgia Rosenbloom, who took over as boss of the Rams when her husband, Carroll, drowned in the heavy surf off the Florida coast in April (1979).
There's that name -- Carroll Rosenbloom.
And the story then detailed about her surviving a "palace revolt" and also severe injuries suffered by her team.
Then I wrote: "The off-the-field dramatics provided more intrigue than the Rams' on-the-field activities. First, there was the death of Rosenbloom, who made an even swap with Robert Irsay a few years back -- the Colts to Los Angeles and the Rams to Baltimore. He (Rosenbloom) was a complex man ... while Georgia minded the Rosenbloom household ..."
Though countless expected Georgia Rosenbloom (Frontiere) to fail since most believed the inheritance of the Rams was nothing more than a tax dodge, she took complete control and, eventually, moved them to St. Louis.
However, those Rams with MVP quarterback Kurt Warner and head coach Dick Vermeil in control did succeed and brought Super Bowl XXXIV hardware to St. Louis early in 2000.
So where does Super Bowl XLI all tie in and what is the Robert Irsay connection with (Carroll) Rosenbloom?
Well, the senior Irsay as his bio details was born in Chicago in 1923 and was the longtime owner of the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts franchise.
In Wikipedia, it reads: "While previously the owner of the then-Los Angeles Rams, Irsay essentially traded franchises with Carroll Rosenbloom, the then owner of the (Baltimore) Colts in 1972. In a controversial move, Robert Irsay moved the Colts to Indianapolis in the early morning hours of March 29, 1984."
After the senior Irsay's death on Jan. 18, 1997, the Colts were taken over by his son, Jim, an eccentric, but generous CEO, who runs the Colts today with the assistance of team president Bill Polian.
While Jim Irsay is considered a benevolent man, his father, Robert, was targeted in the Baltimore Sun as "an impetuous and meddlesome team owner prone to drunken fits of rage."
When the Colts headed to Indianapolis, Baltimore was without a franchise until Art Modell did the unthinkable and moved the beloved Cleveland Browns to the East Coast city. However, he did leave the name -- the Browns, etc. -- in the "Mistake By The Lake," and the franchise was resurrected some years later. However, Modell because of that move became a curse word.
As for the late Carroll Rosenbloom, the mystery still surrounds his drowning behind his Golden Beach, Florida home. It has always been questionable, for he was such a strong swimmer. And, although it's been rumoured that the death of the high-stakes gambler, may have been foul play, an investigation ruled it as accidental.
So while there's a new era of leadership with the Indianapolis Colts, the shadows of the late Carroll Rosenbloom and Robert Irsay still remain.
Incidentally, in Super Bowl XIV on Jan. 20, 1980, the one I was referring to at the beginning of this column, Georgia Rosenbloom (Frontiere) and her Los Angeles Rams lost 31-19 to Terry Bradshaw and his Pittsburgh Steelers before 103,985 fans in Pasadena's Rose Bowl.
As for this reporter, I didn't cover the game, for I'd been called back to the Edmonton Sun to take over a management position. But that's definitely another story. Incidentally, the late Paul Rimstead and his brother, Rolf, took my place in the Pasadena press box.
P.S. Although I'm not a betting man, here's Sunday's score: Indianapolis 28, Chicago 14.
COWBOY CONCERT: My pal, Rob Dinwoodie, and Dogwood Road will at the Westwood Hall on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. Also on the program will be Matt Johnston, Butch Falk, Mike Puhallo and Gordie West. Admission at the door is only $10. For info call Sherry Simpson at 375-2274 or Puhallo at 1-888-763-2224.
Of course, most people, except for certain football fanatics, have forgotten the name, but he was an integral part of the NFL and was a major story, for even this reporter some 27 years -- the last Super Bowl I was, supposed, to cover. But that's another story.
So how does this story even involve Sunday's combatants, the Indianapolis Colts and the Chicago Bears?
If you'll allow me to disgress, on Thursday, Jan. 17, 1980 in the Toronto Sun, I wrote about a "fading blonde" named Georgia Rosenbloom, who took over as boss of the Rams when her husband, Carroll, drowned in the heavy surf off the Florida coast in April (1979).
There's that name -- Carroll Rosenbloom.
And the story then detailed about her surviving a "palace revolt" and also severe injuries suffered by her team.
Then I wrote: "The off-the-field dramatics provided more intrigue than the Rams' on-the-field activities. First, there was the death of Rosenbloom, who made an even swap with Robert Irsay a few years back -- the Colts to Los Angeles and the Rams to Baltimore. He (Rosenbloom) was a complex man ... while Georgia minded the Rosenbloom household ..."
Though countless expected Georgia Rosenbloom (Frontiere) to fail since most believed the inheritance of the Rams was nothing more than a tax dodge, she took complete control and, eventually, moved them to St. Louis.
However, those Rams with MVP quarterback Kurt Warner and head coach Dick Vermeil in control did succeed and brought Super Bowl XXXIV hardware to St. Louis early in 2000.
So where does Super Bowl XLI all tie in and what is the Robert Irsay connection with (Carroll) Rosenbloom?
Well, the senior Irsay as his bio details was born in Chicago in 1923 and was the longtime owner of the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts franchise.
In Wikipedia, it reads: "While previously the owner of the then-Los Angeles Rams, Irsay essentially traded franchises with Carroll Rosenbloom, the then owner of the (Baltimore) Colts in 1972. In a controversial move, Robert Irsay moved the Colts to Indianapolis in the early morning hours of March 29, 1984."
After the senior Irsay's death on Jan. 18, 1997, the Colts were taken over by his son, Jim, an eccentric, but generous CEO, who runs the Colts today with the assistance of team president Bill Polian.
While Jim Irsay is considered a benevolent man, his father, Robert, was targeted in the Baltimore Sun as "an impetuous and meddlesome team owner prone to drunken fits of rage."
When the Colts headed to Indianapolis, Baltimore was without a franchise until Art Modell did the unthinkable and moved the beloved Cleveland Browns to the East Coast city. However, he did leave the name -- the Browns, etc. -- in the "Mistake By The Lake," and the franchise was resurrected some years later. However, Modell because of that move became a curse word.
As for the late Carroll Rosenbloom, the mystery still surrounds his drowning behind his Golden Beach, Florida home. It has always been questionable, for he was such a strong swimmer. And, although it's been rumoured that the death of the high-stakes gambler, may have been foul play, an investigation ruled it as accidental.
So while there's a new era of leadership with the Indianapolis Colts, the shadows of the late Carroll Rosenbloom and Robert Irsay still remain.
Incidentally, in Super Bowl XIV on Jan. 20, 1980, the one I was referring to at the beginning of this column, Georgia Rosenbloom (Frontiere) and her Los Angeles Rams lost 31-19 to Terry Bradshaw and his Pittsburgh Steelers before 103,985 fans in Pasadena's Rose Bowl.
As for this reporter, I didn't cover the game, for I'd been called back to the Edmonton Sun to take over a management position. But that's definitely another story. Incidentally, the late Paul Rimstead and his brother, Rolf, took my place in the Pasadena press box.
P.S. Although I'm not a betting man, here's Sunday's score: Indianapolis 28, Chicago 14.
COWBOY CONCERT: My pal, Rob Dinwoodie, and Dogwood Road will at the Westwood Hall on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. Also on the program will be Matt Johnston, Butch Falk, Mike Puhallo and Gordie West. Admission at the door is only $10. For info call Sherry Simpson at 375-2274 or Puhallo at 1-888-763-2224.
Bleak future for fractured world
When the Doomsday Clock ticked forward to five minutes to midnight just a few days ago, it just made a slight blip on most people's screens. It's been something that hell-and-brimstone preachers have been warning about for what seems a century or two.
However, as a former Middle East bureau chief for a major news-gathering service based in Jerusalem, the words from such political figures as former U.S. House speaker Newt Gingrich during the Herzliya, Israel security conference had an impact on me. Even more than a dozen sermons.
In blunt words: This planet could be in its death throes or on a life-support system.
When Gingrich spoke via a video hookup, he foresaw Israel as the prime target from Iran and, if that is true, then it could lead to a "second Holocaust."
His chilling words, which appeared in the Jerusalem Post, were these: "We have enemies who are quite explicit in their desire to destroy us. They say it publicly, on television, on Web sites. We are sleepwalking through this as though it is all a problem of communications, and that somehow diplomacy will enable us to come together and have a wonderful fiesta in which we will all learn to love one another."
Of course, he was referring to the savage threats from Iran's strongman, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and that nation's nuclear weapons program.
While you may have mulled over Gingrich's words in other reports, they should be repeated and repeated until they sink in, even in Canada, for we are joined at the hip with the U.S., and what happens south of the border will have dire consequences here as well.
Although some may question the validity of Ahmadinejad 's "prophetic vision" of a coming messiah, known to Iran as the Madhi, nevertheless, his pronouncements, even the last few days, are downright sinister and scary, particularly when he and his cohorts are possibly armed and definitely dangerous with nuclear weapons.
In continuing his warning, Gingrich was adamant when he said: "Three nuclear weapons is a second Holocaust. If two or three cities are destroyed because of terrorism, both the U.S. and Israel's democracy will be eroded and both will become greater dictatorial societies.
"What (actions) are you in Israel going to take if tomorrow morning Jerusalem, Haifa and Tel Aviv would be destroyed? Similarly, the U.S. needs to consider what policies it would advance if in 24 hours, Atlanta, Boston and San Francisco were destroyed. These threats will become even more imminent in two or five years' time."
Even during the Herzliya conference, Canada's Foreign Minister, Peter MacKay, stated he was "deeply concerned about Iran" and insisted that Tehran must not be allowed to obtain N-weapons. However, just wishing will not evaporate Iran's stockpile, according to a growing number of experts.
While Iran now has come to the forefront as the major threat to world security, a giant nation, China, has spread fear, although on a relatively small scale, at the moment.
On Wednesday, Japan's Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, voiced his concern about China firing a missile to destroy an "obsolete" satellite orbinting some 500 miles above the earth.
According to news analyst, Bill Wilson, "this single event has the possibility of escalating an arms race in space that could make the Star Wars movie series look like prophecy."
Wilson went on to comment that the U.S., Australia, Britain, South Korea and even Canada have, or are preparing, diplomatic protests.
So the dangers are here on earth as well as in the heavens.
In his analytical report, Wilson had this comment: "The apocalyptic Bible book of Revelation predicts a massive military assembly originating from China in the latter days, "Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and it water dried up so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared."
And, of course, there are preachers such as John Hagee, who are deeply concerned.
In Jerusalem Countdown, the front cover has these words: Iran's president has said, "Israel must be wiped off from the map of the world." And then Hagee on the back cover writes: "We are on a countdown to crisis. A nuclear showdown with Iran is apparent. The battle for Jerusalem has begun. This war will affect every person on Planet Earth."
However, as a former Middle East bureau chief for a major news-gathering service based in Jerusalem, the words from such political figures as former U.S. House speaker Newt Gingrich during the Herzliya, Israel security conference had an impact on me. Even more than a dozen sermons.
In blunt words: This planet could be in its death throes or on a life-support system.
When Gingrich spoke via a video hookup, he foresaw Israel as the prime target from Iran and, if that is true, then it could lead to a "second Holocaust."
His chilling words, which appeared in the Jerusalem Post, were these: "We have enemies who are quite explicit in their desire to destroy us. They say it publicly, on television, on Web sites. We are sleepwalking through this as though it is all a problem of communications, and that somehow diplomacy will enable us to come together and have a wonderful fiesta in which we will all learn to love one another."
Of course, he was referring to the savage threats from Iran's strongman, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and that nation's nuclear weapons program.
While you may have mulled over Gingrich's words in other reports, they should be repeated and repeated until they sink in, even in Canada, for we are joined at the hip with the U.S., and what happens south of the border will have dire consequences here as well.
Although some may question the validity of Ahmadinejad 's "prophetic vision" of a coming messiah, known to Iran as the Madhi, nevertheless, his pronouncements, even the last few days, are downright sinister and scary, particularly when he and his cohorts are possibly armed and definitely dangerous with nuclear weapons.
In continuing his warning, Gingrich was adamant when he said: "Three nuclear weapons is a second Holocaust. If two or three cities are destroyed because of terrorism, both the U.S. and Israel's democracy will be eroded and both will become greater dictatorial societies.
"What (actions) are you in Israel going to take if tomorrow morning Jerusalem, Haifa and Tel Aviv would be destroyed? Similarly, the U.S. needs to consider what policies it would advance if in 24 hours, Atlanta, Boston and San Francisco were destroyed. These threats will become even more imminent in two or five years' time."
Even during the Herzliya conference, Canada's Foreign Minister, Peter MacKay, stated he was "deeply concerned about Iran" and insisted that Tehran must not be allowed to obtain N-weapons. However, just wishing will not evaporate Iran's stockpile, according to a growing number of experts.
While Iran now has come to the forefront as the major threat to world security, a giant nation, China, has spread fear, although on a relatively small scale, at the moment.
On Wednesday, Japan's Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, voiced his concern about China firing a missile to destroy an "obsolete" satellite orbinting some 500 miles above the earth.
According to news analyst, Bill Wilson, "this single event has the possibility of escalating an arms race in space that could make the Star Wars movie series look like prophecy."
Wilson went on to comment that the U.S., Australia, Britain, South Korea and even Canada have, or are preparing, diplomatic protests.
So the dangers are here on earth as well as in the heavens.
In his analytical report, Wilson had this comment: "The apocalyptic Bible book of Revelation predicts a massive military assembly originating from China in the latter days, "Then the sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and it water dried up so that the way of the kings from the east might be prepared."
And, of course, there are preachers such as John Hagee, who are deeply concerned.
In Jerusalem Countdown, the front cover has these words: Iran's president has said, "Israel must be wiped off from the map of the world." And then Hagee on the back cover writes: "We are on a countdown to crisis. A nuclear showdown with Iran is apparent. The battle for Jerusalem has begun. This war will affect every person on Planet Earth."
Now for some useless facts
"What should I write about?" It was a standard question for The Missus.
"Well," she says, "you could write about Ken Dryden's No. 29 jersey being retired in Montreal. After all we both knew his father."
I nodded my head, remembering the great humanitarian, Murray Dryden, who passed away in 2004.
"Then, there's the dire situation over in Israel," she continued.
Of course, I'd lived in Israel and had heard about the most recent bombing down in the resort town of Eilat.
"Aw, everyone's written about that," I muttered.
"I've got it. What about those useless facts you're always spouting?"
"That's it," I yelped. "Mr. Useless at your service."
And then I started to ramble on as The Missus "pretended" to pay attention, but then I noticed her eyes were closing.
"Hey, wake up, did you know a snail can sleep for three years."
She was enthralled by my knowledge. Actually, she was speechless.
And so I continued on with these facts, which could be used at your next party. Some came courtesy of Precision Mold Base out of Tempe, Arizona and others were drifting around in the ether when I caught up to them:
* The original game of "Monopoly" was circular.
* The sentence "the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" uses every letter in the English language.
* More people are killed by donkeys annually than are killed in plane crashes.
* Birds do not sleep in their nests. They may occasionally nap in them, but they actually sleep in other places.
* Caesar salad has nothing to do with any Caesar. It was first concocted in a bar in Tijuana, Mexico, in the 1920's.
* Barbie's measurements if she were life size: 39-23-33.
* Underground is the only word in the English language that begins and ends with the letters "und."
* The dot over the letter 'i' is called a tittle.
* Only 1/3 of the people that can twitch their ears can twitch only one at a time.
* Alfred Hitchcock didn't have a belly button. It was eliminated when he was sewn up after surgery.
* The A&W of root beer fame stands for Allen and Wright.
* Bingo is the name of the dog on the Cracker Jack box.
* Elton John's real name is Reginald Dwight.
* Stalin was only five feet, four inches tall.
* The only planet without a ring is earth.
* A group of unicorns is called a blessing.
* Twelve or more cows are known as a "flink."
* A group of frogs is called an army.
* A group of owls is called a parliament.
* Roy Rogers name was Leonard Slye and Dale Evans was Frances Octavia Smith.
* Peanuts are one of the ingredients of dynamite.
* The Bible does not say there were three wise men; it only says there were three gifts.
"Where does it say that?" The Missus interjected.
"I'll look it up later," I replied.
"Do you want to hear more," I asked.
"Sure," was her only answer.
Then I proceeded to ramble on about more "useless facts."
* U.S. President Teddy Roosevelt was the first to announce to the world that Maxwell House coffee is "Good to the last drop."
* Julius Caesar was self-conscious about his receding hairline.
* The toothbrush was invented in 1498.
* Leonardo Da Vinci invented the scissors.
* Frostbite Falls, Minnesota, was home to Rocky and Bullwinkle.
* Donald Duck comics were banned from Finland because he doesn't wear pants.
* The most common letters in the English language are R S T L N E. Sound familiar? Watch an episode of 'Wheel of Fortune.'
"Did you know that, sweetheart?"
There was no reply.
I swear, if I didn't know better, The Missus has just dozed off ... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
"Well," she says, "you could write about Ken Dryden's No. 29 jersey being retired in Montreal. After all we both knew his father."
I nodded my head, remembering the great humanitarian, Murray Dryden, who passed away in 2004.
"Then, there's the dire situation over in Israel," she continued.
Of course, I'd lived in Israel and had heard about the most recent bombing down in the resort town of Eilat.
"Aw, everyone's written about that," I muttered.
"I've got it. What about those useless facts you're always spouting?"
"That's it," I yelped. "Mr. Useless at your service."
And then I started to ramble on as The Missus "pretended" to pay attention, but then I noticed her eyes were closing.
"Hey, wake up, did you know a snail can sleep for three years."
She was enthralled by my knowledge. Actually, she was speechless.
And so I continued on with these facts, which could be used at your next party. Some came courtesy of Precision Mold Base out of Tempe, Arizona and others were drifting around in the ether when I caught up to them:
* The original game of "Monopoly" was circular.
* The sentence "the quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog" uses every letter in the English language.
* More people are killed by donkeys annually than are killed in plane crashes.
* Birds do not sleep in their nests. They may occasionally nap in them, but they actually sleep in other places.
* Caesar salad has nothing to do with any Caesar. It was first concocted in a bar in Tijuana, Mexico, in the 1920's.
* Barbie's measurements if she were life size: 39-23-33.
* Underground is the only word in the English language that begins and ends with the letters "und."
* The dot over the letter 'i' is called a tittle.
* Only 1/3 of the people that can twitch their ears can twitch only one at a time.
* Alfred Hitchcock didn't have a belly button. It was eliminated when he was sewn up after surgery.
* The A&W of root beer fame stands for Allen and Wright.
* Bingo is the name of the dog on the Cracker Jack box.
* Elton John's real name is Reginald Dwight.
* Stalin was only five feet, four inches tall.
* The only planet without a ring is earth.
* A group of unicorns is called a blessing.
* Twelve or more cows are known as a "flink."
* A group of frogs is called an army.
* A group of owls is called a parliament.
* Roy Rogers name was Leonard Slye and Dale Evans was Frances Octavia Smith.
* Peanuts are one of the ingredients of dynamite.
* The Bible does not say there were three wise men; it only says there were three gifts.
"Where does it say that?" The Missus interjected.
"I'll look it up later," I replied.
"Do you want to hear more," I asked.
"Sure," was her only answer.
Then I proceeded to ramble on about more "useless facts."
* U.S. President Teddy Roosevelt was the first to announce to the world that Maxwell House coffee is "Good to the last drop."
* Julius Caesar was self-conscious about his receding hairline.
* The toothbrush was invented in 1498.
* Leonardo Da Vinci invented the scissors.
* Frostbite Falls, Minnesota, was home to Rocky and Bullwinkle.
* Donald Duck comics were banned from Finland because he doesn't wear pants.
* The most common letters in the English language are R S T L N E. Sound familiar? Watch an episode of 'Wheel of Fortune.'
"Did you know that, sweetheart?"
There was no reply.
I swear, if I didn't know better, The Missus has just dozed off ... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
Sports scandals a sign of the times
It once was described by a now departed sports scribbler as "the playpen of life."
Now, it could be best tabbed as "the pig sty."
It's a sordid underbelly that sometimes deals with shady lawyers and sports agents as well as not-so-gullible athletes, who often break down the legal boundaries while clinging to "I know nothing" defence.
Just this week, two seasoned NFL writers -- Jason Cole and Charles Robinson -- delved into the possibility of New Orleans Saints' running back Reggie Bush taking cash and gifts while he was playing at USC. Definitely a no-no, if true.
However, while a U.S. federal investigation has not revealed all the facts and figures to the general public to date, it's a serious charge put forward by the Yahoo! Sports investigative team.
But it's not surprising to learn about illegal activities in sports.
Take for instance, the high-profile BALCO case, which has wrapped its deplorable arms around the likes of baseball superstar Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees star Jason Giambi, sprinter Tim Montgomery and others.
While Bonds is still being investigated concerning taking steroids, five defendants, including BALCO founder Victor Conte, have pleaded guilty to illegal drug distribution, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Not only has The Chronicle reported on it, but two of their reporters, Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams, were ruled in September, 2006 to be in contempt of court for "refusing to testify to a grand jury investigating leaked transcripts in the (steroid distribution) case," involving BALCO (Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative).
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White sentenced the reporters to 18 months behind bars and docked their newspaper $1,000-a-day. The pair, meanwhile, are free with the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Frisco hearing the case in March.
While this reporter has detailed the "top cheaters" as well as the "dirtiest players" in a July, 2006 column, it's time to put forward an annual list of sports scandals from a wide range of scources.
Remember, this is my list, but you might have a different order:
* 1. The BALCO scandal. That case is on-going, but its repercussions will, undoubtedly, change the face of baseball and other sports, for it involves stars, such as Bonds.
* 2. Canada's Ben Johnson. It was a crushing blow to the sprinter and the entire nation when he was found to have used a banned substance during the 100 metres at the 1988 Seoul, South Korea Olympics. It left Johnson's life in disarray.
* 3. Tonya Harding. It was a whack attack heard around the world when figure skater Harding "hired" some goons to attack fellow competitor Nancy Kerrigan's knees in 1994. Since then Harding has been lost in an avalanche of bad publicity.
* 4. Pete Rose. An on-going drama, which still haunts baseball. The one-time superstar with the Cincinnati Reds was certain to gain Hall of Fame status, but he was banned from the game by former Major League Commissioner A. Bart Giamatti for his betting misdeeds. Rose is still denied access to Cooperstown, but, supposedly, thrives on appearances at baseball-card shows.
* 5. Mike Danton. A one-time player with the NHL's St. Louis Blues remains behind bars for his involvement in a murder-for-hire plot.
* 6. Mike Tyson. A walking-talking disaster appears ready to fall -- once again. The former, bruising heavyweight champion of the world is now cavorting with the unsavoury characters from the Las Vegas Strip.
* 7. O.J. Simpson. The former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL superstar with the Buffalo Bills, who was cleared of a double murder, has stooped to a new low with his latest book project. Oh, what a tangled web, O.J.
Of course, there are dozens of other scandals and the list could include the Kobe Bryant sex assault case; the Sammy Sosa cork bat case along with a bevy of college basketball points-shaving incidents.
One which we haven't mention is the gambling case, involving former Philadelphia Flyers' standout-turned-Phoenix Coyotes' assistant, Rick Tocchet. It probably deserves an entire page in the future.
JUST A BLIP: In case you missed it, the mothership paper reported in Wednesday edition that two Powell River Kings, Adam Presizniuk and Brandon Cummings, both 20, didn't appear in the Jan. 17 BCHL all-star game in Surrey. It seems Presizniuk and Cummings had been out drinking and causing a ruckus the night before and, according to the story, "slept off the effects while in RCMP custody."
Now, it could be best tabbed as "the pig sty."
It's a sordid underbelly that sometimes deals with shady lawyers and sports agents as well as not-so-gullible athletes, who often break down the legal boundaries while clinging to "I know nothing" defence.
Just this week, two seasoned NFL writers -- Jason Cole and Charles Robinson -- delved into the possibility of New Orleans Saints' running back Reggie Bush taking cash and gifts while he was playing at USC. Definitely a no-no, if true.
However, while a U.S. federal investigation has not revealed all the facts and figures to the general public to date, it's a serious charge put forward by the Yahoo! Sports investigative team.
But it's not surprising to learn about illegal activities in sports.
Take for instance, the high-profile BALCO case, which has wrapped its deplorable arms around the likes of baseball superstar Barry Bonds of the San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees star Jason Giambi, sprinter Tim Montgomery and others.
While Bonds is still being investigated concerning taking steroids, five defendants, including BALCO founder Victor Conte, have pleaded guilty to illegal drug distribution, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Not only has The Chronicle reported on it, but two of their reporters, Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams, were ruled in September, 2006 to be in contempt of court for "refusing to testify to a grand jury investigating leaked transcripts in the (steroid distribution) case," involving BALCO (Bay Area Laboratory Co-Operative).
U.S. District Judge Jeffrey White sentenced the reporters to 18 months behind bars and docked their newspaper $1,000-a-day. The pair, meanwhile, are free with the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in Frisco hearing the case in March.
While this reporter has detailed the "top cheaters" as well as the "dirtiest players" in a July, 2006 column, it's time to put forward an annual list of sports scandals from a wide range of scources.
Remember, this is my list, but you might have a different order:
* 1. The BALCO scandal. That case is on-going, but its repercussions will, undoubtedly, change the face of baseball and other sports, for it involves stars, such as Bonds.
* 2. Canada's Ben Johnson. It was a crushing blow to the sprinter and the entire nation when he was found to have used a banned substance during the 100 metres at the 1988 Seoul, South Korea Olympics. It left Johnson's life in disarray.
* 3. Tonya Harding. It was a whack attack heard around the world when figure skater Harding "hired" some goons to attack fellow competitor Nancy Kerrigan's knees in 1994. Since then Harding has been lost in an avalanche of bad publicity.
* 4. Pete Rose. An on-going drama, which still haunts baseball. The one-time superstar with the Cincinnati Reds was certain to gain Hall of Fame status, but he was banned from the game by former Major League Commissioner A. Bart Giamatti for his betting misdeeds. Rose is still denied access to Cooperstown, but, supposedly, thrives on appearances at baseball-card shows.
* 5. Mike Danton. A one-time player with the NHL's St. Louis Blues remains behind bars for his involvement in a murder-for-hire plot.
* 6. Mike Tyson. A walking-talking disaster appears ready to fall -- once again. The former, bruising heavyweight champion of the world is now cavorting with the unsavoury characters from the Las Vegas Strip.
* 7. O.J. Simpson. The former Heisman Trophy winner and NFL superstar with the Buffalo Bills, who was cleared of a double murder, has stooped to a new low with his latest book project. Oh, what a tangled web, O.J.
Of course, there are dozens of other scandals and the list could include the Kobe Bryant sex assault case; the Sammy Sosa cork bat case along with a bevy of college basketball points-shaving incidents.
One which we haven't mention is the gambling case, involving former Philadelphia Flyers' standout-turned-Phoenix Coyotes' assistant, Rick Tocchet. It probably deserves an entire page in the future.
JUST A BLIP: In case you missed it, the mothership paper reported in Wednesday edition that two Powell River Kings, Adam Presizniuk and Brandon Cummings, both 20, didn't appear in the Jan. 17 BCHL all-star game in Surrey. It seems Presizniuk and Cummings had been out drinking and causing a ruckus the night before and, according to the story, "slept off the effects while in RCMP custody."
Pour me another, make it a double
So I'm hooked.
It was something that the Ol' Columnist thought he'd never say.
Yes, I've conquered another world. This time, the taste for one of the planet's greatest so-called "addictions" -- coffee.
Perhaps, it's best to trace my previous objections to such household names as Folgers, Hills Bros., Maxwell House, Nestle', MJB, Columbian and Lavazza Premium Drip. And, of course, staying away from the now familiar Starbucks or Beans To Cup, where I happened to stop the other day.
However, when growing up in the great Nova Scotian metropolis of Bass River, the notable beverage was tea. And through the years, there were brand names such as Salada, Tetley, Red Rose, Twinings and Lipton. However, coffee drinkers were to be avoided like the plague.
There's even a fading photograph of the Boy Wonder on his tricycle wheeling across the Bass River Bridge with a 90-cent package of coveted tea.
Fast forward to Edmonton and there's a fading photograph of former Oilers' tough guy, Dave Semenko, and yours truly sipping tea with our pinkies extended with Mr. Twining (or, maybe, he had some other English moniker) showing his two "pupils" proper manners in tea-drinking. It was an experience not to be forgotten.
With another fast forward, it's early November, 1990, and the Boy Wonder, who's aged considerably, is seated by a bonfire in deepest Africa.
After abhoring even the mention of "coffee" until that point in my life, I was there, sipping "kaffa."
Perhaps, the Ol' Columnist's diary would explain it best:
* Well, the sun has now set and we have "retired" for a feast of injerra -- a dish of spicy meat and cheese ... However, I wasn't prepared for the night-ending ceremony, in which a woman, in traditional African clothing, held a container of a dark, pungent liquid over the flickering bonfire ... From my Ethiopian friends, I learned it was called "kaffa" ... However, on sipping it, I thought it was tar used in road construction ... The taste lingered for days and days ... So this is original "brand" of coffee. No thanks, I said to myself, "never again."
Of course, I wanted to find out where it had originated and there's one story that has spread throughout the world about a Caffa Ethiopian sheepherder named Kaldi, who noticed his sheep becoming hyperactive after eating some "red cherries" from a certain plant. Kaldi tried it himself and he became as "jumpy" as his animals.
Now, along came a monk, who noticed a change in Kaldi's behaviour and condemned those "red cherries" as the "devil's fruit." But later the monks discovered the crushed berries helped them stay awake during prayers.
Before learning this tale, I thought the Ethiopian monks stayed awake in their caves about the monasteries by chewing on something called "chat, which is known to produce an "unnatural high."
But back to "kaffa" -- when I returned to Canada, I determined never to drink anything resembling coffee.
That was until just a few days ago when the "Boss" along with fellow columnist George Dobie and me decided to go for a "coffee" break.
Without thinking, I poured myself a cup and found it not only stimulating, but it tasted great. That's why I'm telling you, I'm now hooked on coffee.
Of course, you can still bribe me with tea, but coffee would be more than a bonus in the future
ON THE STARBUCKS TRAIL: Maybe, you've heard about a scruffy guy named Winter (just Winter), who's only mission in life is to drink coffee at every Starbucks on the planet, according to a feature article in the Palm Beach Post. The 34-year-old told a reporter and I'll quote: "In my teenage years, I guess I had no clue about my place in the world. I was just living, like, living the way that most people live. I was existing, really, instead of acting with purpose. Since that time, I've been determined to act with purpose." Winter has apparently found it; since he's "stopped" at 6,550 Starbucks out of 7,102 in existence. And a few other facts, according to the Florida newspaper, he's sipped gallons of coffee in his travels, but someone should remind him that Starbucks adds 2.8 stores a day in the U.S. alone. So you better watch out for him and his $11,000 Hyundai Accent, and also some guy named Bill Tangeman, who is filming his "Starbucking" adventures. However, the question of the day has to be: What about bladder control, Winter?
It was something that the Ol' Columnist thought he'd never say.
Yes, I've conquered another world. This time, the taste for one of the planet's greatest so-called "addictions" -- coffee.
Perhaps, it's best to trace my previous objections to such household names as Folgers, Hills Bros., Maxwell House, Nestle', MJB, Columbian and Lavazza Premium Drip. And, of course, staying away from the now familiar Starbucks or Beans To Cup, where I happened to stop the other day.
However, when growing up in the great Nova Scotian metropolis of Bass River, the notable beverage was tea. And through the years, there were brand names such as Salada, Tetley, Red Rose, Twinings and Lipton. However, coffee drinkers were to be avoided like the plague.
There's even a fading photograph of the Boy Wonder on his tricycle wheeling across the Bass River Bridge with a 90-cent package of coveted tea.
Fast forward to Edmonton and there's a fading photograph of former Oilers' tough guy, Dave Semenko, and yours truly sipping tea with our pinkies extended with Mr. Twining (or, maybe, he had some other English moniker) showing his two "pupils" proper manners in tea-drinking. It was an experience not to be forgotten.
With another fast forward, it's early November, 1990, and the Boy Wonder, who's aged considerably, is seated by a bonfire in deepest Africa.
After abhoring even the mention of "coffee" until that point in my life, I was there, sipping "kaffa."
Perhaps, the Ol' Columnist's diary would explain it best:
* Well, the sun has now set and we have "retired" for a feast of injerra -- a dish of spicy meat and cheese ... However, I wasn't prepared for the night-ending ceremony, in which a woman, in traditional African clothing, held a container of a dark, pungent liquid over the flickering bonfire ... From my Ethiopian friends, I learned it was called "kaffa" ... However, on sipping it, I thought it was tar used in road construction ... The taste lingered for days and days ... So this is original "brand" of coffee. No thanks, I said to myself, "never again."
Of course, I wanted to find out where it had originated and there's one story that has spread throughout the world about a Caffa Ethiopian sheepherder named Kaldi, who noticed his sheep becoming hyperactive after eating some "red cherries" from a certain plant. Kaldi tried it himself and he became as "jumpy" as his animals.
Now, along came a monk, who noticed a change in Kaldi's behaviour and condemned those "red cherries" as the "devil's fruit." But later the monks discovered the crushed berries helped them stay awake during prayers.
Before learning this tale, I thought the Ethiopian monks stayed awake in their caves about the monasteries by chewing on something called "chat, which is known to produce an "unnatural high."
But back to "kaffa" -- when I returned to Canada, I determined never to drink anything resembling coffee.
That was until just a few days ago when the "Boss" along with fellow columnist George Dobie and me decided to go for a "coffee" break.
Without thinking, I poured myself a cup and found it not only stimulating, but it tasted great. That's why I'm telling you, I'm now hooked on coffee.
Of course, you can still bribe me with tea, but coffee would be more than a bonus in the future
ON THE STARBUCKS TRAIL: Maybe, you've heard about a scruffy guy named Winter (just Winter), who's only mission in life is to drink coffee at every Starbucks on the planet, according to a feature article in the Palm Beach Post. The 34-year-old told a reporter and I'll quote: "In my teenage years, I guess I had no clue about my place in the world. I was just living, like, living the way that most people live. I was existing, really, instead of acting with purpose. Since that time, I've been determined to act with purpose." Winter has apparently found it; since he's "stopped" at 6,550 Starbucks out of 7,102 in existence. And a few other facts, according to the Florida newspaper, he's sipped gallons of coffee in his travels, but someone should remind him that Starbucks adds 2.8 stores a day in the U.S. alone. So you better watch out for him and his $11,000 Hyundai Accent, and also some guy named Bill Tangeman, who is filming his "Starbucking" adventures. However, the question of the day has to be: What about bladder control, Winter?
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