It's time to ask the tough question

In case you haven't read the news, we're killing the polar bears (global warming). I'm hoping to put the current federal government in the hot seat by writing to CBC. See below...

I count on news agencies, particularly CBC, to ask the questions that I physically can not. For example, I am unable to question our prime minister but CBC can, on Canadian's behalf. I have patiently waited for the CBC to ask why it is acceptable to make no effort toward our Kyoto accord obligations simply because we can not meet its ultimate objectives. This behaviour is similar to firefighters rescuing no-one (from a burning building) simply because they can't save everyone.

If CBC has enquired with respect to these matters then please point me to the article containing the government's response (provincial or federal).

I'm back from California

My flights back were fairly uneventful except for the the wife "tearing a strip off" her husband in the row in front of me, and major engine/landing gear problems on my Vancouver to Victoria flight (the original plane was towed to the shop and the crew prep-ed another plane).

I don't understand US culture (in California). I felt more comfortable in Geneva then in California. Here are some examples (yes, they aren't isolated to the US): 1.5 million dollar homes next to a neighborhood where people live 200% below the poverty line; you drive everywhere; people seem to like hierarchy (I'm above you).

With respect to the conference, my best conversations were with the two taxi drivers during my ride to and from the hotel. By the way, Heath Ledger (the new Batman movie www.imdb.com/title/tt0468569/) died because he was still partially in character. His medication issues were due to his residual joker persona. Has anyone had a better taxi conversation?

Another positive aspect of the trip was the view from the airplane of the regions geography and topography. Wow!

From California...

I'm attending a conference in California about 65 miles west of Los Angeles. The weather is quite nice - 25C and sunny. But let me start from the beginning...

My departure-day started at 9:30 (AM) when I caught my first bus. I walked onto my second bus at 10:21 and arrived at the airport well before my 12:30 flight. Taking a taxi, or the shuttle, would have cost me money and, in turn, would have cost my supervisor money. Being a nice guy, I took the bus (pre-paid for UVic students, a.k.a free). And, I arrived at the hotel 12 hours later. (You hear ominous music.)

When I checked in and the lady realized that I was going to the US, she looked at me, square in the eyes, and asked, "Do you have a passport?". Why would she presume that I didn't? During my first security check at Victoria International Airport, the officer ran a chemical check on my laptop. He was looking for traces of explosives (and other stuff). On my second security check at Vancouver airport, I removed my shoes so that they could be x-rayed, I was given the full pat-down and they checked all of my belongings, including my laptop, for traces of explosives (and other stuff). My conclusion is that I look like a drug smuggling idiot without a passport. Now, there's a good way to get caught - don't have a passport. "I mean, dude, I just want to enter the US, man. I'm goin' to see some friends, man. No, that's medical marijuana...".

Did I mention that two of my three flights were delayed.

Now the question, I'm left pondering, is why the security checks don't occur when Veronica's with me...

Surf's up. (or whatever they say)