A couple of things off my chest...(24 Sep 2007)

I've been laying quite low for some time due to work (and recovery).

It's amazing what sobriety can do to creativity.

I couldn't be as vitrolic and vituperative as I used to be 2 years ago, but at least there are better ways of expressing exasperation and frustration.

They say that a person reaps what "he" sows. I think that the secret to staying alive and sane is not what is being sown, but it's sown.

So... here goes anything...

1. Can't you help a brother out? TorSun's Lonnie Goldstein makes a valid (and obvious) point about NATO's fence-sitting ways when it comes to Afghanistan.
   Sadly, just like any favours, the whole deal is a two-way street - I bring the steaks, you bring the BBQ. And Afghanistan ain't Canada: almost every warlord wants a piece of every action at all costs with almost no regard to the subjects who serve them.
   It's almost like Iraq, where in spite of all Coalition efforts, everone hates each other so much they'd have to take it all out on GI Joe.
   So, after 70+ of our brothers and sisters gave their lives to ensure peace and social justice to the peoples, Hamid and NATO should step up to the plate more often and give the rest of us Canuckleheads a bit of respite.
   Unless, of course, they want to join Confederation. (Sorry - we have enough problems with 10 provinces and 3 territories. And you wouldn't want GST added to your goats!)
   
2. Sometimes, it snows in Victoria. Back in the day, HMCS Saskatoon was one of the better MCDVs where the personnel were proud to serve.
   I've experienced the camraderie of the crew members and the diligence and dedication displayed by the senior hands. That was the 'Toon I remembered.
   But over the past year, the MCDV Navy was rocked by a drug scandal involving 3 junior ratings and the Cox'n.
   As a recovering abuser, as much as I'm saddened by what had become of this crew (or more precisely, a version of it - FTWK), I'm not too surprised. Just like any big organisation staffed, the Navy has it's share of addicts and misfits. The only difference is that the ordinary person has set a high expectation on the avaerage serviceman wrt dress, comportment and conduct.
   There are other things that I could say about this and everything else in Esquimalt, but only if you ask me politely. It's just that I'm plain sad about this mess.

Roger. Out.