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Photo credit Joan Bateman

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THIS ISSUES

CONTENTS 05 Brent Dunstan Heartland & Hinterland...

Columnist

07

Law Aren’t You Supposes to be on My Side?

Columnist Scott Stenbeck

09 EDITORIAL Interview with General Georges

Sada Scott Cowan 12

Mayor

Accountability and Transparency Aren’t Just Talking Points Drew Barns

13 FINANCE

Life Happens! Have you built a

cushion should things go wrong?

BMO consultant - Dan Hein,

15

Golf

Golf Simplified Downhill Shots Columnist Donald Crawley.

16

EDITOR

SCOTT COWAN (403) 504-7092

Farrah Krenek

A Celebrity Shares her Past Fears and Hopes for Tomorrow ART DIRECTOR JOAN BATEMAN Columnist

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The Fashion Files

Gainsboro Spotlight

joan@gainsboro.ca GRAPHICS DIRECTOR

HEATHER COONS

EMAIL

scott-cowan@live.com ADDRESS

377 - 4 Street SE Medicine Hat, AB T1A 0K4 For a complimentary subscription to Spotlight, forward your email to:

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Heartland & Hinterland..... of superiority, a sense of entitlement for the Heartland core of Ontario and more so Quebec, and an anti Western Canadian bias.

And, while all these attitudes may not have begun with him, they were personified in and perfected by our current PM's father, Pierre Trudeau. This can be demonstrated by his policies, actions, and words, as well as through the observations of those who knew him well.

Brent Dunstan Columnist

Heartland & Hinterland.....that was the title of my Canadian Geography textbook in University. The subtitle was, appropriately, "A Geography of Canada". However, based on the actions and attitudes of their political leaders for as long as I can remember, the same book could be subtitled, "The Liberal Party's View of Canada". Just like the premise of the textbook, first published in 1982, of there being evident disparity among the regions of Canada, it's clear that successive Liberal governments, including the present one, favour the central region of Canada over the others.

When Prime Minister Trudeau Senior passed away, the late Alan Blakeney made the following observation regarding him at the time. "He had no particular feel for Western Canada as an agriculture and resource based area," recalled the former Saskatchewan NDP Premier. This is both reflective of PM Trudeau past, and indicative of PM Trudeau present it seems. While it might appear biased to quote a former western Premier with an adversarial perspective, even his western allies admit to the former PM's proclivity to show pro Central Canada prejudice, and disdainful behaviour toward the West. "He said some things that people took the wrong way I think," said Davey Stewart, a Saskatchewan Liberal senator who was appointed by Trudeau. "He tended to say things offhand or

give people the finger or something. I think that was some of the reasons that people didn't like him," Stewart added. I'm pretty sure that off the cuff derogatory comments and giving people the finger might just be evidence of a less than abiding respect for the West by the former Prime Minister. It's hard to misinterpret being given the finger, figuratively or literally.

Senator Stewart's comments are both telling and insightful. It's the offhand comments, the extemporaneous, non-scripted statements, that are indicative of one's true beliefs. Politicians go to great lengths to hone their words, to craft their language, to stick to predetermined talking points, in order to communicate a controlled message.

However, it's the moments of unguarded candour that are the windows through which their true feelings can be seen. This is where Prime Minister Trudeau the son, closely resembles Prime Minister Trudeau the father. Straying from the script, and showing his true colours seems to be something he excels at.

The current Prime Minister’s recent statement that it’s not his job to be a “cheerleader” for pipeline projects is Continued on page 14

The idea of Canada having a Heartland and a Hinterland is based on observing the Core, that being Central Canada, comprised of Ontario and Quebec, being in an advantageous position over the Periphery, that being the rest of the Country. Politically, culturally, socially, and economically, the Core, the Heartland of Canada, has both prospered because of, and has been favoured, to the point of being at the expense of, the periphery, the Hinterland of Canada. This has been particularly true under Liberal Governments, and dare it be said, especially under those led by Prime Ministers native to the Province of Quebec.

To be clear; this is not an anti French polemic, nor is it a generalization about all Quebecers. I've sat and listened to French Canadians staunchly support and defend Canada, maintaining Quebec's place in it, as well as expound the value of fiscally responsible and equitable Federal governance in ways that would put most Western Canadians to shame. However, by their actions and their own words, it's very evident that Liberal Prime Ministers from La Belle Province have exhibited an aura

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6

Aren’t You Supposed to Be on My Side?

Scott Stenbeck

1(866)783 6232 Law Columnist

Probably very early in my representation of a client on a contested matter, I ask something like this: “Would you like me to sugar-coat this, or do you want my honest professional opinion?”

From my humble perspective, the worst kind of lawyer is the one that blindly sees only their own client’s side of an issue. Then forges ahead without any regard for the other perspectives or arguments are out there available. This can feel good from a client’s perspective. “Wow, my lawyer is really on my side. My lawyer really understands me.”

It feels good right up until a judge gives a decision contrary to the client’s position. The client isn’t ready for such a decision and didn’t know it was possible. That kind of lawyering to me is about as responsible as a chain-smoking, overweight diabetic liking their doctor. All because he doesn’t tell them to stop smoking and lose weight. It feels good to have someone tell us what we want to hear, and agree with us, but that isn’t why we hire professional advice.

I have yet to see the case that is 100% one-sided. Even in cases where almost all the facts and the law are on one side, our system is a human one. The Judge that decides is a human being. You never know exactly what will come out of a witness’s mouth in Court, no matter how much you prep them.

You never know exactly what will resonate with a judge. You never know exactly how an opposing witness will respond to cross examination. I can remember the days long ago when I would walk smugly into Court thinking that there was no way I could lose because I had the best case law and had prepped my witnesses well. 17 years after finishing law school, 18 years after my first trial, I can tell you that while I still go in ready and confident, it is

with a lot more awareness of the risks and possibilities. I feel I have a duty to my clients to convey those kinds of inherent trial risks to them clearly.

I have always seen one of my roles as counsel as playing “devil’s advocate,” for my clients.

To the other lawyer, the opposing party, and in Court, you would never see that I could even imagine why my side of a case isn’t the right one. But in the solicitor-client privileged confidentiality of my office, I have a responsibility to let my client know all the risks. Plus all the other views a judge could take. This unfortunately, isn’t always appreciated. Often when I try to lay out for a client the counter arguments out there, they want to debate me, as if I need to be convinced. I don’t need to be convinced why the side I’m representing is right. I need to convey the opposing arguments that could come arise.

Sometimes this goes so far as a client questioning my loyalty to them and their cause.

Again, this is like someone hating their doctor because they tell them to lose weight and stop smoking. The doctor is still going to do his best and treat the patient as best as possible. But he has a professional responsibility to convey the risks indulging certain behaviour. Likewise, sometimes a client will say to me, “What do you think I should do in this situation?” That situation may have to do with...consenting to access time changes, or releasing personal property, or whatever.

The client usually has in mind what they willing to give away. Sometimes my recommendation will be different. That doesn’t mean I still won’t do my very best for the client, if they reject that advice.

I once heard a judge in an informal out of court conversation conclude. A good lawyer should be able to understand the other side’s argument so well, that the lawyer could argue it against himself if necessary. I tend to agree with that for two reasons. First, most cases do settle. There can sometimes be a difference between what I think the other side argues, and what they actually want.

The more I understand what is really important to them, the better I can advise my client. In terms of what points we can maybe give a little, in order to get things back that

are important to my client. Second when a case doesn’t settle, understanding the other side’s argument is no different than a boxer reviewing tapes of an opponent’s previous fights. If the other guy has a mean left hook, that would be something I would want to know in advance. That doesn’t mean I think he is a better fighter. It just means I want to be well prepared. Similarly, when I know that the other side is going to reference specific case law, or make a certain argument, I try to explain this to a client. That doesn’t mean I think they should, or will win. It just means I want to prepare in advance and be ready.

Sometimes there is a difference between professional services that make us feel good in the short term, versus what is actually in our best interests. Doctors, dentists, and lawyers, all have a fiduciary obligation to their patients and clients. That means we have to look out for their interests.

We expand beyond things that make a client or patient happy in that single moment in our offices. Any time a doctor has told me to lose weight (which happens on every visit) it has made me unhappy.

However, his professional obligation to me is to give me that advice. Sometimes the things I tell my clients makes them unhappy, even angry. I have a professional obligation to do so regardless of personal feelings. I apprehend a bigger risk or danger down the road, if I don’t give that appropriate advice.

When your lawyer tells you something you don’t like hearing, know that they’re doing it because they are on your side. They don’t want you to make an uninformed decision, or takes risks without having full knowledge. Be far more wary of the yes-man, the advocate, that never contradicts a client. If all people needed from their lawyer was someone that always agreed with them, clients could save a lot of money. Just go talk to your friend, a family member, or a mirror for that matter.

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8

Interview with General Georges Sada

Photo credit Joan Bateman

More ink has been spent claiming George W. Bush lied about weapons of mass destruction in Iraq; than any comparable story in recent memory. Over seven years into the Obama administration, and I heard comments repeated about Bush and no weapons this week. Therefore, the war in Afghanistan and Iraq was unjust. The Gitmo prison is an American tragedy, claimed the democratic candidate for President, yet Obama hasn’t closed the prison. But now in his last year, he is releasing prisoners to fight against Americans and their allies in combat today. The only thing the first affirmative

action president can do in order to misdirect people on his dismal record, is still blame Bush for everything from the economy to the Middle East.

I spent time with General Georges Sada and had the record set strait. He rose up through the ranks of the Iraqi air force based on achievement. He was trained as a top gun pilot in the USA when Saddam was still in the good graces of the USA administration. Later he received extensive training flying Mig jets in the Soviet Union. He was promoted to the rank of general with two stars. His military career involved flying supersonic jet fighters, and leading men. His personal story is one of Hollywood dimension.

Hailing from Assyria and being Christian, he was the only ranking officer in Hussein’s inner circle who was not a Muslim.

Saddam once invited him to his palace for dinner. Sada was in fear of being killed knowing Saddam’s habit of having a last meal with his victims. Saddam laughed when he hesitated eating, reassuring him the food was not poisoned. After the meal he said, “Georges, eighteen times you have defied my orders, but eighteen times you were right.

That is why I keep you around; you’re the only one who tells me the truth!”

Scott Cowan EDITORIAL

The General recounted an incredible story. Saddam had over ninety planes on the tarmac waiting for the order to deploy. They were loaded with chemical weapons of mass destruction. All other officers present were applauding Saddam, telling him he would be the new lion of the Arab world. No one dared defy him when he was determined on a course of action.

“Georges what do you think,” asked Saddam?

“Our pilots will be destroyed because they are all blind.”

“What do you mean Saddam thundered?”

Officers held their breath knowing Sada would be shot or worse.

“Mr. President, our French jets and Migs are equipped with radar of a fifteen mile radius. Israel has American fighters equipped with a one hundred and fifty mile radius.

Our enemies will engage us, and fire their missiles before we know they are there. I estimate one to three planes will reach Israel.

Saddam was willing to issue the order if even one plane reached Jerusalem. Our jets and their payloads will rain down on Syria. They will think we have attacked them, and will respond. Israel will then fire nuclear weapons vaporizing our cities.”

Saddam ordered the planes to stand down. Officers and commanders were all aware of the code which meant to arm planes with chemical weapons or tipped artillery. “Special ordinances required,” was all that was necessary for weapons of mass destruction to be brought out of hiding and Continued on page 21

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Accountability and transparency aren’t just talking points be that any member of the public service … has a fundamental duty to do something about anything that you believe is not correct.”

DREW MLA BARNES Cypress - Medicine Hat cypress.medicinehat@assembly.ab.ca 403-528-2191

Accountability and transparency.

Those two words are so deeply ingrained into our political culture and language that, at a certain point, they almost lose all meaning. We hear them on the campaign trail, read them in the newspapers, and see them used daily by politicians at all levels.

If one were to take a poll on the question, “Do you agree that the government should be more accountable and transparent?”

I’d wager that the results would be almost unanimously in favour. And, yet, the fact remains that we all like these concepts in theory while still wanting to see more of them in practice.

Where is the disconnect? Why do these important concepts not seem to translate into government to the extent we wish to see? And what do these words really mean?

In early February, as members of the Leg islature’s Public Accounts Committee, my Wildrose colleagues and I had the opportunity to ask questions to the heads of government departments in charge during Premier Redford’s expense scandals, including misuse of government airplanes and the construction of the “Skypalace” atop the newly renovated Federal Building. The goal was to find out what happened, why it happened, and how best to ensure these things do not happen again.

The Auditor General noted that processes in place to prevent such abuses failed. He cited the “aura of power” from the Premier’s office that led to these processes being circumvented or ignored. And, in his own words, he said that “the biggest lesson would

12

When we attempted to ask the senior bureaucrats for specifics on how these processes failed, we were stonewalled.

Answers were not forthcoming. And the NDP chair of the committee even went so far as to shut down questions being asked.

I know that some might say, “What’s the point? Hasn’t this issue been dealt with?

Hasn’t the former government paid the price for their actions?” To that, I would suggest that the person who ultimately pays the price for abuse of tax dollars is the Albertan citizen. It is on the citizens’ behalf that we seek accountability, and while governments come and go, the institutions that are supposed to serve the public remain.

Both the bureaucrats at the meeting and the government chair in a subsequent interview seemed to suggest that there were new processes in place that wouldn’t fail this time. Of course, it goes without saying that the processes weren’t supposed to fail last time, either. The reality was much different.

Things will apparently be better now, we are

assured, and we should trust them and not ask questions.

But of all the roles I have as a legislator, one of the most important is to ask questions and hold the government and its institutions to account. The citizenry, through its representatives, must wield ultimate power over the government.

Accountability and transparency are not just talking points. They are key principles that form the foundation of honest and ethical government. While it’s easy to use these words on the opposition side of the Assembly, it’s much harder to follow through in government. We must never lose sight of this: accountability and transparency mean asking (and answering) tough questions.

The writer Ambrose Bierce called accountability the mother of caution. When we know we are answerable to others for our actions, it keeps us honest. It makes all of us cautious the consequences.

At the end of the day, a truly open and honest government answers to Albertans.

On behalf of all constituents, I will do my utmost to hold this government to the standard we expect and deserve.

BMO Nesbitt Burns

Life Happens!

Have you built a cushion, should things go wrong?

Life throws curveballs – unforeseen events can place tremendous financial stress on us and our loved ones.

Are Canadians well prepared? Have common misconceptions prevented us from arranging suitable protection?

John & Ally Mac, 45, had it all - a healthy, happy family, a comfortable home with an easy-to-manage mortgage, a great job.

John’s earnings made it possible for Ally to stay home with the three kids. To round out their financial plan, John and Ally assessed their life insurance requirements, and arranged sufficient coverage. Life was good and the Mac’s were moving ahead confidently, until tragedy struck. John was hit by a car on his morning stroll. Unable to recover, he left behind a grieving and dependent young family.

As the bills rolled in, Ally understood that without life insurance, it would be all but impossible to manage the day to day finances. The funeral was more costly than she expected; ongoing mortgage payments would have quickly used up their savings. Even had she gone back to work, she would have found it difficult to maintain the family’s lifestyle. Ally feels very fortunate that the family was protected from the severe impact of losing John.

In Canada, life insurance ownership is at its lowest level in 30 years. Under half of us have life insurance (either privately or at work). In tough economic times we can easily make the mistake of putting off a hard look at these very real needs, especially when it might put yet another call on our pocketbooks. That said, I encourage you to think about it - Have you clearly measured your needs? As

single Canadians we can arrange to clear debt, cover the funeral and provide for loved ones and causes that matter to us.

If we are married with or without kids, we can lock in “estate creation”, or “estate preservation”.

The best time to do all this is yesterday – the next best time is right now.

Although there are many sub-sets and variations, think of life insurance coming in 2 basic categories: · Term Life Insurance - coverage for a set period of time. This type of insurance is ideal for short-term planning objectives. Fixed cost 10 Year Term is common, and guaranteed renewal is usually offered at a higher cost, until age 65 or 70. · Permanent Life Insurance: This coverage provides coverage that we cannot outlive. It is usually paid in full over a period of time. Variations include “whole life” and “universal life”.

Actual needs differ by life-stage, lifestyle, your financial comfort zone as well as other priorities. Most uninsured people assume life insurance is too expense. We may be surprised when looking into this – the right protection is often not as costly as we might guess.

Consult with a full service wealth advisor – someone that truly knows you, and has your trust. Design and implement a plan that protects all the people and priorities that matter to you. You and your family deserve the peace of mind this will bring.

the economic conditions of Alberta at the moment. Meet with your financial advisor to build your personalized plan.

Your best plan can leverage life insurance to provide wealth protection & cash flow certainty to fill income gaps created by health emergency. In this way we safeguard survivors’ standard of living.

The point is not to “Get-Rich-Quick” but rather to shield the livelihood and wealth of those we love. The right protection not only provides for near term obligations, it also ensures that long term future plans remain achievable, come what may.

Source: BMO Wealth Institute Report: Insuring for a Financially Secure Future, July 2015

Lets Connect:

Dan Hein, BRE Investment Advisor BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. 606 2nd St SE Medicine Hat, AB T1A 0C9

A complete wealth plan is crucial for managing your financial needs and helping you attain your financial goals.

I can’t stress this enough especially given

403-528-6771 Dan.Hein@nbpcd.com www.danhein.ca

BMO Wealth Management is the brand name for a business group consisting of Bank of Montreal and certain of its affiliates, including BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., in providing wealth management products and services. “BMO (M-bar Roundel symbol)” is a registered trade-mark of Bank of Montreal, used under licence. “Nesbitt Burns” is a registered trade-mark of BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bank of Montreal. If you are already a client of BMO Nesbitt Burns, please contact your Investment Advisor for more information. The comments included in this publication are not intended to be a definitive analysis of tax applicability or trust and estate law. The comments contained herein are general in nature and professional advice regarding an individual’s particular tax position should be obtained in respect of any person’s specific circumstances.

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Heartland & Hinterland.....

Continued From page 05

reminiscent of the rhetorical question his father posed to Saskatchewan farmers in 1968: “Why should I sell your wheat?” There just seems to be something hard wired into Liberal Prime Ministers. They appear predisposed to having an inability to comprehend (or at least acknowledge), the value of the contributions that Western Canada makes to the Country through development of it's resources. It matters not if they be through agriculture, forestry, mining, or the petroleum industry. Whether it be via the Canadian Wheat Board or the infamous National Energy Program, resources are devalued, at the expense of Western Provinces (and Eastern Provinces), for the benefit of Central Canada - the Heartland. The NEP will always be exhibit A of the Heartland/Hinterland mindset of Liberal Governments, and the current Prime Minister's obviously less than full and enthusiastic commitment to supporting Alberta's need to transport it's oil to tidewater is ample evidence that not much has changed in 40 years.

While breaking a cardinal rule of Statesmen to avoid referencing domestic politics while abroad, the Prime Minister said the following in Davos, Switzerland. "My predecessor wanted you to know Canada for its resources. I want you to know Canadians for our resourcefulness." As noble as it may be to promote Canadian ingenuity, the statement most certainly implies that there is somehow something ignoble about Canadian resources. Never mind the unavoidable reality that millions of Canadians directly or indirectly make their living thanks to Canadian resources; a fact that isn't going to change anytime soon.

There is a more serious implication in this statement; that "resources" and "resourcefulness" are mutually exclusive from one another. Such a statement betrays a belief that the dinner roll on the Prime Minister's plate was simply dug up by some slack jawed yokel behind the barn; that steel, aluminum, and petrochemical plastics magically appear at those highly subsidized Bombardier factories in Central Canada; that the jet fuel that powered his Challenger to and from the Caribbean island of Nevis over New Year's didn't require engineering and technological genius. Apparently resources are the realm of the lesser classes, devoid of any sort of resourcefulness. Such a comment insinuates that the energy sector is entirely

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populated by Jed Clampett-like characters; backwater hicks enriched by the sheer luck of a missed gunshot that commenced the flow of unending "black gold".

If you think it unfair to portray Liberal leaders from Quebec as anti West, with a sense of entitlement and superiority, I need only to remind you of our Prime Minister's "offhand" remarks made only a few short years ago, when he obviously believed his audience was limited, excluding the Hinterland, and his resource addled "predecessor" was still Prime Minister.

"Canada isn't doing well right now because it's Albertans who control our community and socio-democratic agenda. It doesn't work," Trudeau told interviewer Patrick Lagacé. When asked if he thought Canada was "better served when there are more Quebecers in charge than Albertans," Trudeau replied, "I'm a Liberal, so of course I think so, yes. Certainly when we look at the great prime ministers of the 20th century,

those that really stood the test of time, they were MPs from Quebec. There was Trudeau, there was Mulroney, there was Chrétien, there was Paul Martin. We have a role. This country, Canada, it belongs to us."

To summarize the statement made by our current PM in a past moment of candour: The problem with Canada was Albertans being in charge. The natural conclusion as a Liberal is that Quebecers should be in charge. The proof of this is the Prime Ministers of our times he considers "great" were all Quebec MP's. And finally, the almost chilling statement, "This country, Canada, it belongs to us."

These sentiments are certainly not limited to Quebec based federal political figures. This sort of thinking has been Quebec provincial leadership's stock in trade since the 1960's.

Hanging the Sword of Damocles that is the threat of separation over Canada's head has enabled Quebec to extract a Continued on page 22

If you would like a complementary subscription delivered to your email every month email us at spotlightmagazine@shaw.ca

Golf Simplified Downhill shots You will benefit from following this simple yet practical flow of advice for all downhill shots.

If you are tackling them a different way and having consistent success- stay with your plan.

But the majority of golfers will find my simplified system much easier to follow and achieve success. Easy as one, two, three.

One: Understand that because of the nature of the lie, you are on a downhill, the ball will fly low and run. Therefore club up. That means take more loft. I you want to go 8 iron distance take a 9. The ball will fly lower and run more.

Second principle, set your body parallel to the slope. Knee’s, hips, shoulders (whenever possible) parallel to the slope you are standing on. Another way of describing this ,is to position your spine perpendicular to the round. More weight will be on your downhill foot, just like skiing.

Three: Swing the club along the slope. Resist the temptation to try and lift the ball up in the air. Swing the club up the slope going back and DOWN the slope, coming through to ensure the bottom of your club strikes the bottom of the ball.

Follow my cause and effect article that was recently published in the national GOLF Magazine in the United States. http://www.bouldersclub.com/files/Donald%20Crawley%20-%20Golf%20Magazine.pdf

Making Putts.

We all want to make putts, a bunch of them. The only way that is possible is if the club face is square to the line, and traveling down the line at impact. Are you spending some practice time aiming the putter face square?

A lot of people work on grip and stroke.

They are important, but the aim of the putter face is critical on every putt, short, medium or long. That is why you see the

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pro’s on TV take their time to line up the ball. This doesn’t work for everyone but it may help you to line up the name on the ball, perpendicular to the chosen target line. You can draw a straight line on your ball with a sharpie. That line is giving you an added visual as to what straight is. Be sure to aim the ball line down the chosen line, not necessarily the hole, unless the putt is dead straight.

Once the ball is lined up, the next step is the one most important. Aim your putter face perpendicular, at right angles, to the line on the ball. If you have a line on your putter, use that as another added visual line. Pointing in the same direction as to the line on the ball. Look at your putter face and track it through the line and toward the target. So now you are lined up straight. Seeing the face square to the line at address is essential, and will help you line up your stance square, parallel to the target line.

Of course, the grip, arm and body alignment have to be correct also. But if you can see that the face is square and aimed correctly, it breeds more confidence that you can swing the putter head on line.

Let the putter head swing along the target line at impact, with a square face, and your ball will roll straight. Your short game will improve exponentially. Your inner pro will be making those long putts!

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Spotlight is pleased to introduce Farrah Krenek as our new columnist. She is an actress best known for her role in the hit series, "Orange is the New Black."

The motion picture "Sisters," and "Freud's Magic Powder." She is an actress and motivational speaker. She specializes in speaking out against bullying.

Spotlight met her in New York and we were captivated by her enthusiasm for life, and her very real concern to reach out to those without a platform to express their needs and dreams.

A Celebrity Shares her Past Fears and Hopes for Tomorrow I honestly never know where or how to begin... If anything, life has taught me that there's never really a good time, or a good excuse, or even a right day of the week, to start anything... I guess the best thing to do is just launch my new column.

I've had the privilege of meeting so many people during the journey of my career. Not just meeting them, but hearing their story. In the end, if you just shake hands with

Farrah Krenek Columnist

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someone and pose for pictures... you don't really know them... You just captured a moment with them. People often misunderstand what the meaning is of being a celebrity, or being in the spotlight. To me it's a responsibility. The definition of a celebrity is a person that impacted your life in such a way that you praise them as a form of thanks. With that you make them famous.

Now... the question is... what are you going to do with this fame. Fame is 4 letter word.

It's no different than love, hate, or eyes. The thing is once you have it... what are you going to do with it? Well... with me... I want to help people. If fate gives me this position... I want to be your voice, and use it for those that don't have one, or feel that they don't have influence. I grew up watching TV shows, and films. Not once did I ever see on those screens a girl like me... I really didn't have an actress that shared my stature, or remotely resembled me in any way... After all, I'm sure there were many gay actresses out there. But they were the girly feminine kind... the ones that weren't so painful obvious as I appeared. God knows I searched forever. Of course I never saw her, or anyone else with whom I could relate...

So one day I decided... I'm going to BECOME her. I knew there were many other girls like me out there. They needed someone they could relate to and finally say, "she's just like

me." She gets it." I didn't know where they were, but it became my mission, and desire to represent them. To become the me,I never had, and was denied. I wanted to be the face of LGBT cinema.. The gay female casting directors would call when a role would open up... And here I am... It's not just about the red carpet and photos... It's about reaching out to the youth, and those that are way past. Telling the world with my every day presence that no matter what you're going through today... I promise you... I guarantee you that tomorrow is going to be better.

Even if it's not, you have the chance to make that day better! Set the world on fire. Just by being the beautiful you that you are, YOU are enough. YOU matter. YOU have a voice...

If nobody is listening... I promise you that I am.... talk to me. There is nothing that can't be fixed, solved, battled, and overcome. You just have to give it a chance... Give it your best... Together we'll get through every trial.

The most beautiful thing God ever gifted us with is life... It is our responsibility and absolute duty to make it good not only for ourselves, but for all those around. Especially those that feel they have no purpose.. I believe in you. I believe you can. And you will... And when you do... think of me... and do the same for someone else. I love you all.

Farrah

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Interview with General Georges Sada Continued From page 09

“A dream doesn’t come to reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.” Colin Powell

used.

Before the USA attacked Iraq, three commercial aircraft were used to make sixty sorties to Syria removing the stocks of chemical weapons. Tons of ordinance was sent on caravans of trucks. UN inspectors were handed brief cases full of money to wave through the convoys of vehicles. Saddam joked about how he moved weapons from one place to the other ahead of inspectors, as if in a game of chess. He ordered scientists to memorize their research so laboratories could be set back in place at a moment's notice. Then the evidence was burned.

A leading British investigative reporter spent hours hearing his stories. Finally he said, “General I believe everything you have told me, but I can’t write this story. It is the opinion of my paper that Tony Blair should lose the election. If I report your story he will win.”

One of the three leading USA television networks interviewed Sada, asking if he could identify voices on a video tape obtained in one of Saddam’s palaces. He named all the men accurately only hearing the audio. They were discussing plans to drop chemical weapons in the Washington DC water supply. It would have been a massive death count. This attack was prevented by George Bush’s invasion. The network did not report on the evidence.

One of Sada’s most serious revelations was that Saddam had paid a ten million dollar deposit to the Chinese government. This payment was for the purchase of nuclear devices. The delivery of the weapons was also prevented by the American invasion.

The British Government has bestowed their highest civilian award on General Sada.

He personally prevented Saddam’s son from executing over forty coalition pilots during the first gulf war. Most of those aviators were American military. To date the USA has issued no formal recognition for his gallantry.

General Sada has given extensive testimony to USA officials regarding the weapons of mass destruction, and the whereabouts of the same. Democrat sub-committees are fully aware of the information and for political partisan reasons, choose to suppress the evidence. Hillary Clinton sat on at least one of those committees.

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I asked if there was a compassionate or human side to Saddam. The general responded by saying that looking into the face of Saddam was to see evil personified.

The only time he laughed was when others were being tortured, or dying. His son’s were worse. He knew Saddam before he rose to power. Their wives taught at the same school.

He was nothing more than a gangster back then. Murder up close, or on a scale of tens of thousands was the same to this man who enslaved Iraq.

The UN “Oil for food program,” was a joke feeding only the army. The UN embargo gave Saddam time to rearm. He would send Iraqi oil tankers to Iran, off loading his oil, in-trade for Iran’s; paying only a handling and refilling premium. When Iraqi barges were stopped and tested, they contained Iranian oil and were sent on their way. Iran’s tankers transporting the Iraqi oil were never stopped.

The general claims Saddam would have obtained more chemical weapons and very quickly nuclear arms. The very delivery being interrupted by the war. He wouldn’t have hesitated attacking Israel and he absolutely intended to smuggle weapons of mass destruction on to American soil.

Was George W. Bush a villain president or a savior of epic proportion? You decide.

Comments send to scott-cowan@live.com

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Heartland & Hinterland.....

Continued From page 14

disproportionate share from Canada by virtually any standard of measure. The truly astonishing thing about this is the sense of entitlement some, and again I stress some, Quebecers exhibit in regard to their relationship with the "Rest of Canada". The most stunning example of this might very well have been the concept of "Sovereignty-Association" proposed by the separatist Parti Québécois government in the 1980's, as an model for Quebec's relationship with Canada. Their idea was that an independent Quebec would continue to use Canadian currency, participate within Canadian trade laws and international trade agreements, and continue to have it's citizens move freely between Quebec and the "Rest of Canada", while having complete political autonomy.

Quebec would thus enjoy the economic advantages of the federal union and the benefits of political independence. In effect, Sovereignty-Association is the equivalent of a 19 year old demonstrating independence from his/her parents by moving from a main floor bedroom to the basement; financial security, without anyone telling him/her when to go to bed. The comical element was that there were those within the separatist movement that truly couldn't see why the "Rest of Canada" had issues with this arrangement. In fact, the illogic of separation from Canada by Quebec is magnified by the evident Heartland/Hinterland reality, given Quebec obviously benefiting from being part of the core region.

This school of thought filters down to the municipal level as well. Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre's viewpoints on the Energy East Pipeline project are the very definition of myopic and parochial. Not surprisingly, Mr. Coderre is a former Federal Liberal Cabinet Minister. It's been said that someone with his background should be able to see the issue from a more national perspective, but really, his views are quite typical. One need only review some of Mr. Coderre's statements in regard to Energy East. The checklist of Quebec Liberal character is satisfied; wanting a disproportionate economic benefit? “The economic reality is that it’s only 33 jobs and at most $2-million per year of municipal revenue, (for Montreal)” Check. Disparaging comments about Alberta politicians who expressed criticism of his stance? “Probably

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the same people who think the Flintstones is a documentary.” Check. A duality of standards mired in hypocrisy? "We've got to be really careful to protect our water."

This from a mayor who sought and received permission (from the current Liberal Federal Government) to dump 8 BILLION LITRES of raw sewage into the St. Lawrence River.

Check and Mate.

It's matters such as these that have the media, mere months into Trudeau Part Deux, expressing concerns about national unity.

But, in spite of the Prime Minister's extolling the virtues of Quebec sourced Prime Ministers, if there is one facet of their leadership where there is an evident shortcoming, it is national unity. Their reputation as champions of the cause of national unity is the result of their stimulating the need to champion the cause in the first place. It's hardly a coincidence that it was under the watch of PM Trudeau the 1st, that Rene Levesque (wonder of wonders, a former Quebec Liberal cabinet minister), was instrumental in forming the Parti Québécois, as well as his being in power when the PQ was first elected to form a Government in Quebec. Similarly, the birth of the separatist Western Canada Concept occurred during first Trudeau era, and was driven to it's peak of popularity, thanks to the Federal Liberal's National Energy Program.

The former separatist movement confirms the adage that if you give a mouse a cookie, he's going to ask for a glass of milk. The latter demonstrates that you can only bite the hand that feeds you so many times.

What is truly interesting is that separatist sentiment on both fronts actually declined in the decade between Quebecer-led Liberal Governments. In spite of an Albertan Prime Minister in control of "our community and socio-democratic agenda", support for Quebec nationalism was the lowest it has been in several decades, when the Conservative Government left office. Any momentum for Western separatism was virtually non-existent, as Western Canadians were being well represented, and their concerns adequately addressed. Yet, within 100 days of a Liberal Government taking office, the issue of national unity was back in the news, and there is evident animosity between the regions of Canada.

Our Federal Government will seek improved

relations with Iran, for the expressed purpose of assisting Quebec-based Bombardier improve it's access to foreign markets. It will support the sale of military equipment manufactured in Ontario to Saudi Arabia, likely paid for with the same money Canadian refineries paid for imported Saudi oil. This is oil that otherwise could have come from Alberta, would the current Government give a similar level of support to Western Canadian based companies to have the ability to deliver it to Eastern Canadian refineries.

One of the challenges of gaining political office is the need to govern, not just for the benefit of those that voted for you, but for the full breadth of your constituency, including those who didn't vote for you. The higher the office, the larger the constituency, and the broader the scope one's concerns must be. Prime Minister Trudeau holds the highest political office in Canada, and as such, must govern in the national interest, a national interest that includes the west. Thus far, for all appearances, he is demonstrating he is a product of his pedigree and environment - by his own admission, a Liberal from Quebec, serving the interests of the Heartland of Canada, while allowing the Hinterland to suffer it's fate as a secondary concern. Canada is a Confederation, by definition an agreement among it's Provinces to cooperate with one another.

If the Prime Minister wants to demonstrate true leadership, he should preside over Confederation equitably, promoting cooperation rather that perpetuating the recurring Liberal Governments habits of sowing seeds of discord, by embracing the Heartland and marginalizing the Hinterland.

There's a lot more that unites Canadians than divides them. Sadly the Trudeau government has done little so far to reinforce that.

Brent Dunstan

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ELIE ESPER SALON AND BRIDAL CFW NYC 24