President of Afghanistan Offers Olive Branch to Taliban

The Washington Post reports that Afghan President Karzai essentially is asking the Taliban, especially it's moderates to cease fighting and join with the Government to rebuild Afghanistan. The Post goes on to quote Taliban Commander Akhund, speaking by telephone from an undisclosed location,who said the United States and its allies toppled the Taliban and installed a "puppet government" after intense bombing," and that "The Afghan people should stand up.. and join the Taliban in the freedom struggle and force out foreign troops like Soviet forces,".Wow, deja vu about what was said about the Afghan Government at an earlier time under Russian military occupation!
Interesting, why doesn't the Canadian Press report the fact that President Karzai is offering an olive branch to the Taliban (who by the way now call themselves freedom fighters)? Is it at all possible to 'give peace a chance'? Are the Taliban a group that can be reasoned with? Are they that big a threat to suddenly elicit an appeal to consider peace from President Karzai? Certainly not the impression our western leaders have been giving us. The impression we are being given in the West is that they are just a small bunch of loose terrorists that we are just mopping up. What is really motivating President Karzai to ask the Taliban to accept the olive branch? This seems like a pretty dramatic appeal. Why?....

Fallen Soldier's Dad Critical Of PM Harper

CP reports and quotes fallen soldier Mathew Dinning's father at his eulogy saying "Now I'd like to show you some of the video that Mr. Harper wouldn't let you see close up of Matthew's arrival home,". He also only weeks before his son's death penned a letter to Harper decrying the government's refusal to lower flags on Parliament Hill for fallen soldiers.

Letter To The Editor - April 29, 2006 - From Peter Adamovich - Re: School Closure Procedures Review

LFP will post Letters to the Editor prominently. Send Email letters to EDITOR-LFP.

Editor
I'm very glad the school district will review their closure procedures. The current process fails to inform all parties of the ultimate goals of closure.

During the South Carvolth review process, district administration informed trustees and parents that the reasons were not financial, which is good because closing the school would have recovered less than 1% of the district's overall budget, even if all the students had stayed in the district. Since more than half of South Carvolth'sstudents are enrolled in Surrey schools, the District is not even saving that 1%.

The administration cited declining enrollment, and prior to the review South Carvolth actually had 3 more students enrolled for September than were graduating and moving on to High School. Under-utilization was also mentioned, but the school that was closed had 77% utilization where other schools in the district are currently around 60% and are projected to have even more empty desks in the future.

The District's policy states they can review any school when there is room in the surrounding schools for the students that would be displaced. Any other considerations are secondary, although there are eight clear points listed. Only one of those 8 is measurable. Any change in the process that would make it clearer to all parties involved what the benefits and drawbacks of closing a school will be an improvement.

I do hope any future process also includes some sort of requirement to adhere to the process itself, however. The current process states that alternatives to closure must be presented, and in the case of the South Carvolth review the total number of alternatives presented was zero. None. The fact that the vote actually took place when the districts own guidelines were not being followed should concern all of us,not just those directly affected.

Peter Adamovich
South Langley....

Letter To The Editor - April 29, 2006 - From Peter Adamovich - South Carvolth Kids going to Surrey School

LFP will post Letters to the Editor prominently. Send Email letters to EDITOR-LFP.

Editor,
As quoted in the Langley Times of April 28, School Trustee Sonya Paterson characterizes the decision by many parents to enroll their children in a small rural school as a threat. It wasn't a threat, and choosing a school that suits our ideals isn't really "jumping ship" as she believes. The parents and students of South Carvolth told the trustees and administration what we value. The board voted 5 to 2 in favour of not providing that sort of service to our community. The trustees were informed of that intention prior to voting, and they essentially voted those students (and the provincial funding that goes with them) out of the district.

In my case, another issue is distance: Halls Prairie Elementary in Surrey is actually the closest school to my home after South Carvolth closes. While not everyone in a rural community can hope that their children can walk to school, my daughters could have. That option is no longer available, but if I have to choose between sending them down the street or 6 km away, I'll choose down the street even if there happens to be a school district border between here and there. I'm free to send my childrento a school (or district) that I believe shares the values I do.

There doesn't happen to be an appropriate private school in the area, otherwise I may have considered that an option. Would that constitute "jumping ship" as well? The district administration and the trustees seem to think that's a good option for the families that will be moving into the Highpoint development, and not having those potential students in the district didn't seem to be a good enough reason for the board to keep South Carvolth open. That includes Trustee Patterson who voted to close the school.

The school district has decided it does not want to be in the business of running a small school. The parents of the children that enrolled at Halls Prairie have made it clear that is the kind of school they want. While Trustee Patterson may think the parents and students have abandoned the school district, it is a two way street, isn't it?

Peter Adamovich
South Langley....

Mexico Decriminalizes Pot, Cocaine - Yup You Heard Right!

According to Reuters, Mexico beat Canada to the punch in decriminalization of marijuana, cocaine and even heroin which will no longer be a crime in Mexico if they are in small amounts for personal use. What is the punitive big bad USA going to do about this since it was touted as inconceivable for Canada to do so as their immediate neighbour! Don't worry purists Harper in his 8 to 12 month government will never move to do so with his new sell out buddy George Bush who he just gave $1 billion , softwood limits, duties and apparently Provincial forestry veto rights to.

Softwood Lumber Agreement Unraveling Already - Impinges On Canadian Sovereignty

Yahoo CP reports that the so-called anti-circumvention clause in yesterday's U.S./Canada Softwood agreement allows the U.S. government a veto on changes to provincial forestry policies, impinging on Canadian sovereignty. LFP told you so yesterday! Meanwhile, 'the Bush administration heralded the softwood lumber deal as the dawn of a productive new era in Canada-U.S. relations following years of distracting disputes.' as reported by CP. I guess the Bush Boys love this type of deal making with the Harper Government! Bend over some more why don't we!....

Sweden's Muslims Demand Separate Laws For Muslims!

LFP just had to post this. The Local reports that Sweden's largest Muslim organisation has demanded that Sweden introduce separate laws for Muslims! Needless to say the response from Swedish government officials and others has no been overwhelmingly positive!

Ken Dryden & Gerard Kennedy Makes It Ten Little Indians

Hockey legend, ex Montreal Canadians goalie Ken Dryden has officially joined the crowded race for the federal Liberal leadership per CP. Gerard Kennedy, the 45-year-old, former Ontario education minister has also officially declared as per the London Free Press. See previous posts on candidates.

Do We Really Still Have A Valid NAFTA Agreement Anymore?

Canada, U.S. agree to softwood lumber deal
says the CBC headline. But read the fine print. 'Certain Canadian export restrictions will kick in. Producers would have to pay an export tax of five per cent if there's a small drop in price. If it's a larger drop, they would have to pay as much as 15 per cent. Exporters who don't want to pay the tax will have to limit their volume of exports.' Finally we only get $4 of the $5 billion the U.S. collected in duty back!

OK, so how is this free trade? Are we missing something or did Canadians essentially lose on this dispute agreement and did the U.S. actually win despite all the rulings that said we were in the right on this dispute? I thought NAFTA was supposed to be an agreement to end these types of darn ad-hoc sidebar agreements and countervailing duties! Nothing substantially has changed. What good is NAFTA to Canada any more if its not worth the paper its written on?

Canoe reports that the opposition parties quickly attacked the deal. NDP Leader Jack Layton called it a "sellout," and Liberal Leader Bill Graham sarcastically said it was "a great day - for the American industry." Not a real resounding endorsement from our own B.C. Forests Minister Rich Coleman who said a deal this complex is full of tradeoffs. "You have enthusiasm in some sectors, you have ambivalence in others and you've got some people who are just sort of heaving a sigh of relief and saying we've finally got this done and now we can work within a deal for stability," he said.

Why are we all celebrating, especially our Harper Conservative Government, if this is no longer free trade as per the North American Free Trade Agreement Mulroney's Conservatives signed? The bigger question is what more did PM Harper negotiate away that has not yet been revealed? Is our energy next? What about our water?....

B.C. Government Introduces Legislation to Limit School Class Sizes

Education Minister Shirley Bond says the bill will set out new class sizes for Grades 4 to 7 and for students with special needs. No classes in Grades 8 to 12 will have more than the current district-wide average maximum of 30 students. Reported by Global BC.No classes in Grades 4 to 7 will have more than 30 students and no more than three special needs students unless the teacher and supervisors agree.

3 Way Liberal Leadership Race

Michael Ignatieff, Bob Rae and Stéphane Dion are the only 3 that can win the race. Chantal Hebert reports in her Toronto Star column today that these 3 are the only Liberal Leadership candidates on the organizational map in Quebec and they are head and shoulders above the rest when it comes to communicating in french. Even money bags Belinda Stronach saw the writing on the wall this time around on needing Quebec's support to win and decided not to run this time. LFP agrees with Chantal and suggests that the strong friendship between Rae and Ignatieff will result in each sending their support to the other in a run off. LFP further predicts that the strongest contender and momentum in the Liberal Leadership race will be in favour of Michael Ignatieff.

Voters Like Idea of a Liberal-NDP Merger

CTV reports that a Decima Research poll found that 25 per cent of Canadians believed the two parties should unite. The Decima poll suggests luring voters away from the NDP will be crucial if the Liberals hope to recapture power.

Bob Rae, a former NDP premier of Ontario, advocates uniting "progressive'' voters while Michael Ignatieff, a rookie Toronto MP and acclaimed scholar, is urging the party to plant its flag firmly on the centre-left of the political spectrum. Both are very good friends and both are declared candidates seeking the Liberal Party leadership.

Letter to the Editor - April 26,2006 - From Tom Ouellette - Honour Our Troops - Red Fridays

LFP will post Letters to the Editor prominently. Send Email letters to EDITOR-LFP.
Red Fridays


RED FRIDAYS ----- Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing Red every Friday. The reason? Canadians who support our troops used to be called the "silent majority". We are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home in record breaking numbers.

We are not organized, boisterous or over-bearing. We get no liberal media coverage on TV, to reflect our message or our opinions.

Many Canadians, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to recognize that the vast majority of Canadians supporting our troops. Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity and respect starts this Friday -and continues each and every Friday until the troops all come home, sending a deafening message that every red-blooded Canadian who supports our men and women afar will wear
something red.

By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make Canada on every Friday a sea of red much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers. If every one of us who loves this country will share this with acquaintances,co-workers, friends, and family. It will not be long before Canada is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the once "silent" majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media
lets on.

The first thing a soldier says when asked "What can we do to make things better for you?" is...We need your support and your prayers. Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example; and wear some thing red every Friday.

IF YOU AGREE -- THEN SEND THIS ON.

Tom Ouellette
c.c. Aldergrove Star, Langley Times, Langley Advance

Tom Ouellette ran unsuccessfully against the incumbent in the past November 2005 Langley Township Municipal election. While not successful, his showing was impressively close to the incumbent.
....

Total Taxes For Average Canadian Family Increased 1,600 % Since 1961!

CTV reports that the total tax bill for the average canadian family has increased 1,600 % since 1961 as released by the Fraser Institute. The Fraser Institute study finds that Canadians now pay more annually in taxes than they spend on shelter, food and clothing combined! By the way these are all taxes combined. British Columbia at 49.1 percent imposes the heaviest tax burdens in Canada. You should be happy to know that Langley Township's property tax increases of 5% this year and upcoming compounded 5% tax increases in the next 2 years following are not included yet in these numbers! Joy. Don't you feel better now?....

"Happy Fun Kid's Club" - by Rick Mercer

Don't know where to park your kid with the $1200 from Stephen Harper's Conservatives for child care. Rick Mercer's solution is "Happy Fun Kid's Club".

Are The Harper Conservatives Essentially Censoring Our War Dead Images? Why?

Is the Conservative Government afraid that Canadians, seeing the bodies, seeing the coffins, seeing our flags at half mast may turn people off on the mission? It seems to LFP that is clearly what is concerning them as reported by CTV. Also see the National Post. Looks like Harper is still working from George Bush's playbook on politics and governance.

Bloggers Are The New Sherpas

The Philadelphia Inquirer states the obvious. "Each morning, we awake to new mountains of information. Bloggers are the new Sherpas, leading their readers through those various ranges. Newspaper reporters and editors are the old Sherpas. Lots of folks - especially liberals and elites - still like the old Sherpas. The mainstream media - MSM - are populated overwhelmingly by left- and hard-left-leaning writers and editors(LFP thinks not in Langley!), and few people even bother to argue the point anymore. American newspapers are not unlike American car companies: Market dominance made them lazy and uninterested(LFP thinks in Langley!) in their customer base, and a lot of that base slowly melted away, even before the new media arrived. When blogs and talk radio and cable arrived and offered a choice to news consumers long disgusted with biased(LFP thinks in Langley!) product, remaining center-right readers began to bolt." LFP says that the new "Sherpas" are especially an up and coming force on the local scene. Howvere some blogs are just personal political career glorification sites (look at me-me-me site!) disguised as the new sherpa! Please consider LFP, one of your local Sherpas from now on! Our rates and quality are better! And we know the quickest and most accurate way throgh the dangerous mountain range of information!....

Then There Were Eight - Bob Rae & Carolyn Bennett In Liberal Race

Canadian Press reports as well as CTV that former NDP Ontario Premier Bob Rae and Liberal MP Carolyn Bennett as reported in Yahoo have joined the slew of Canadian liberal leadership candidates as reported in summary by the CBC. P.S. we at LFP just love Carolyn's website, different, easy & cool(click on her tabletop change for instance). By the way, pity, all the candidates are from Ontario with only Dion and Brison from Quebec and Newfoundland.

Four More Coming Home As Threat Getting Worse

Then There Were 6 – Scott Brison Is In

Scott Brison ( Brison website), a previous floor crossing Conservative and Liberal cabinet minister, joins Joe Volpe, Stephane Dion, Maurizio Bevilacqua, Michael Ignatieff and Martha Hall Findlay as officially declared candidates to succeed the previously elected Paul Martin as Liberal leader at the December convention. See previous posts for more profiles. Great CBC summary site.

Tories Will No Longer Lower Our Flags For Canadian War Dead In Afghanistan

Too choked to comment too much on this one! The Tories will no longer lower our flags for our Canadian boys & girls killed in Afghanistan! "We have returned to the 80-year tradition of remembering all casualties of war or operations on one day - Nov. 11th," Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor said. What is the tragic message that our Government is sending us by this action? How many more casualties can we expect? You respond the way you personally feel (if at all) to Canadian Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor. This is his email if you want to comment to him. Or phone his office here.

Canadian Afghan War Dead Tally - In Honour & In Grief

To view details on Canadian Soldiers killed in the Afghan war to date link to either CBC or iCasualities.org. Below is partial list started from LFP before it started to get too large.

• Capt. Nichola Kathleen Sarah Goddard was the first ever female Canadian Soldier killed in combat. See LFP posting. Captain Goddard was a 26-year-old CFB Shilo-based soldier and was killed during a firefight with Taliban insurgents May 17, 2006.
• Four soldiers were killed today April 22,2006 in what could be the worst one-day combat loss for the Canadian army since the Korean War.
• Pte. Robert Costall, age 22 died and three other canadians were wounded during a firefight with Taliban insurgents north of Kandahar early Wednesday morning March 29, 2006.
• A soldier was killed and another later died from his injuries after their armoured vehicle ran off a road in the Kandahar area on March 2, 2006. Six others were injured.
• A Canadian diplomat was killed and three Canadian soldiers were wounded in a suicide bombing near Kandahar on Jan. 15, 2006.
• One soldier lost his life and four were injured when the armoured vehicle they were travelling in rolled over on Nov. 24, 2005, near Kandahar.
• One soldier died in a suicide bombing on Jan. 27 2004 while on patrol near Kabul. Three others were wounded.
• Two soldiers were killed and three were wounded in a roadside bombing southwest of Kabul on Oct. 2, 2003.
• Four soldiers were killed and eight were wounded in a friendly-fire incident near Kandahar on April 18, 2002. A U.S. F-16 fighter jet mistakenly bombed the Canadians, who were on an training exercise.

Then There Were Five - Liberal Leadership Race

Former immigration minister Joe Volpe has joined the other 4 formally announced candidates to succeed Paul Martin as the elected Leader of the Canadaian Liberal Party. Volpe has a lot of support from new MP 's such as Surrey's Suhk Dhaliwal. See previous article re other declared candidates.

Muriel's Thoughts - April 20, 2006

Township Council Approves Parklane Development In Fort Langley

Despite the protests of many citizens from the Township, Langley Township Council recently approved the Parklane development on the former Interfor lands. While attending thepublic meeting last week, I listened to a number of Fort Langley citizens who spoke passionately about their concerns regarding increased traffic, illegal suites, visual disturbances for current property owners and the noise from frequent train traffic. While I agree that all of these are major concerns, I am surprised that very little attention has been paid to the very real threat of flooding in the area. I am wondering how many others question the wisdom of placing hundreds of new homes on a recognized floodplain?

While on Council, I referenced all of my decisions regarding the appropriateness of development on management guidelines based on the “WestwaterResearch Centre” report prepared for the Township. Reference to that comprehensive report indicates that the lowlands around Fort Langley have floodplain status and that construction should be avoided due to potential flooding problems.

The view concurs with the findings of The Fraser Basin Council which has published information regarding the risks associated with development in the floodplain of the Lower Fraser River. They point out that while there have been no catastrophic flood events on the Fraser River since 1948 that the risk of “the Big One” remains. Their report refers to a one-in-three chance that a Fraser River flood of record will re-occur within the next 50 years and that given the “significant development” in recent years within the Lower Fraser floodplain that a flood of this magnitude could be catastrophic.

They advise that the most effective method to reduce this risk is to have local governments take into account flood risks and to regulate development on the floodplain in order to ensure that development occurs on the least hazardous lands to ensure public safety and protection of property(1).

Based on this criteria alone, why did Council support this development? When the inevitable happens, who will be left to pick up the pieces and pay the price? Parklane? The Municipality? The Provincial Government? In a worst case scenario, I believe that we would all be left holding the bag as a result of the failure of our local government to deny development on lands which are not suitable. I believe that we all deserve better.

Sincerely, Muriel Arnason

Muriel Arnason was Langley Township's longest serving Councillor and in December 2005 decided to take a break from Council. She cares very much about the people and now shares her thoughts in LFP regularily.
(1)The Fraser Basin Council

....

David Emerson Frustrated as a Conservative And More! Minister's Office Denies Remarks

Shocking revelation from the Toronto Star today. The Star says David Emerson's complaints are that the government is too partisan and too tightly controlled under Prime Minister Stephen Harper and "They hate the f---ing Liberals and they're doing everything they can to screw them,". Wow, sounds like some newspaper Editors! He further is reported as saying that he is frustrated being a member of the Conservative government. Even more dramatic statements were attributed apparently to Emerson saying that Harper is a hard-ass, that he is incredibly focused but has no people skills. Well this news will certainly result in damage control and have big ramifications! Watch the spin on this one it should be great! Nothing like press like this to endear yourself with the Conservative caucus especially if you used to be a Liberal Minister before. The Toronto Star article does say that the Minister's office denies the remarks. UPDATE: PM Rejects claims Emerson frustrated ..see CTV. Told you it would spin!

Then There Were Four - Liberal Leadership Race

Maurizio Bevilacqua is the 4th to officially join the race to succeed Paul Martin as the federal Liberal leader as reported by the Globe and Mail. He is staking out the centre-right position as a candidate for the convention in December in Montreal. See previous LFP report for other candidates.

Local News Review Langley Times - 4/19/06

The Translink board is meeting today at our new Township Hall Council Chambers and will discuss the Translink parking tax. Dear God in heaven, please help Kevin Falcon get rid of these morons, pleaseeee! Hope the Translink board bureaucrats had a tough time getting across the Port Mann this morning! They sure didn’t take the bus I bet. Mayor Dianne Watts of Surrey is forwarding a motion to ‘park the tax’ that will probably not go to far because of the big northeast of the Fraser urban majority on the Translink board. Best idea yet is park the Translink Board itself! If these bozos had to run for public election for the Translink board most of them would lose including our beloved appointee Mayor Kurt Alberts. Anyhow read the Times Editorial which just reiterates the obvious. Langley and the south of the Fraser folks are always screwed by Translink! Then read the Al Irwin article about Mayor Alberts on the Parking tax where it seems to me that he lolly gags around in circles on the topic. Our Mayor should unequivocally simply say it is just B.S. At least it appears he will most likely vote against the parking tax.

Meanwhile Gas prices are going through the roof with no end in site because George Bush and his Mini Me Harper are sabre rattling about Iran! Which means more out of the way trips to Abbotsford Fraser highway gas alley where we have to line up with the masses to get cheaper GVRD tax free gas. And if you can tell me what the Editor's message is in his editorial today on I think, this topic, you win the Gumby award for dechipering! Does rambling come with boredom or time or both?

Meanwhile obviously the paper had a dearth of good letters to the editor and once again dug up a letter on divinity. Ever notice that they love to publish this pablum with glorious lines like "vastness of space and the nano-universe" ? Also get this wonderfully creative headline added by the I assume the editor on this letter, "Editor: Faith in God can be a wonderful blessing or a curse". Very pertinent to Langley ain't it? When can we expect equal opportunity divinity letters for other religions? Not bad though, consider sometimes fully one quarter to one third are divinely inspired letters!

A really great letter says it all though that the abundance of jobs out there are probably low paying minumum wage and part time jobs!

Proof that times are tough for people are that hard working crooks now climb telephone poles to cut high tension telephone cables for their copper resale value! Maybe this experience now better qualifies them as telephone repairmen!....

Local News Review Langley Advance - 4/18/06

The editorial today suggests that both provincial parties “put politics aside” and work together to implement the 62 recommendations that Judge Ted Hughes suggested clean up B.C.'s child protection system. I don’t think so! Nice try anyhow. Imagine.. two political parties working together! LFP reported on the base story before.

Councillor Richter in a news story by Matthew Claxton suggests that the entire Translink parking tax should be cut and that "It's about time people got upset about this,". Where is our silent mayor on this item? He occupies one of the 12 seats on Translink and is a decision maker!

I don't know about you but something is desperately wrong when municipalities start relocating/diverting our rivers, creeks & brooks. Why not just divert them all into our culverts or better still into one straight river in Langley!?

Duh, Township folks' "satisfaction with Township services has slipped" according to a Township commissioned survey. Yet Councillor Bob Long in the column responding to the survey says "The results gave him confidence council is generally headed in the right direction with the current budget..". Wonder what Bob had in his coffee when he said that? Lets see 5-5-5 % municipal tax hikes in the next 3 years. So if satisfaction slips even more in the next survey does that mean Council is heading in an even more right direction then Bob? Like I said ..Duh.

Meanwhile South Carvolth Kids are on the move with many going to go to a Surrey school. Sad.

By the way kudos to the Langley Advance on listing all their archive issues for viewing on their web page and our favorite article of all for 2005.. Nov 18th! Ah yes.. the questionable advisory committee! ....

BC 211 Telephone Service Coming Soon

211 is a three digit telephone number that links people to community, social, health and government services answered by live operators as described by Civicinfo BC . What is it? Kudos to the Provincial Government and the United Way on a great iniatiative. I may donate again every year!

New Harper Tories - Get In Line Or Get Fired

CP reports about the muzzling of a Federal Government bureaucrat on his novel about global warning just as Harper's Tories axe 15 Kyoto research programs. The report also says, "Paradoxically, the incident takes place during the same week the Conservatives unveiled new 'whistleblower' protection, designed to shield outspoken public servants from intimidation and threats to their livelihood." See also "Loose lips sink careers" report by CP for more elaboration on Harper's Tories muzzling. Ahh... the more things change, the more the