Volcanating At The Vatican

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
John, 1:5, NRSV

The Oracle of Ottawa can't help but compare the retired Popes exit to that of Richard Milhous Nixon, all those years ago. The big white elephant of a chopper lifting the powerful into a one time trip to oblivion. It is all so strange and smacking of weirdness. Rumors abound, the internet and social media explode in the search of the most likely causes. Well, the Oracle of Ottawa is not being led astray in the least. It all has nothing to do with prophecy, or strange goings on with the altar boys, which you have to admit is all a welcome change. The Oracle of Ottawa strongly suspects that it all has to do with power and money, mostly the money.  

Cardinal Reinhard Marx the long shot...

Has some large derivative trade gone terribly askew? Did the Popes barber stock tipping finally tank? What is it all really about? The Oracle of Ottawa wonders and wonders. Anyone who knows anything about papal conclaves, is that it surely is something that is impossible to rig. With such a large number of electors, with such diverse goals and backgrounds, you always are nearly sure of the best worst possible choice. The Oracle of Ottawa just has to refer the reader to the guy who today caught his last helo out of Rome. His Holiness must have felt like Mike "The Puffster" Duffy being the last journalist out of Hanoi! And rumor has it that the reason the CBC got him back after all was that the Vietcong paid the CBC an amount to take him back that was just too great to refuse.

Karl Marx had a lot of relatives?

Now the buzz in Canada is that some right wing wack-ball from Quebec is all getting hyped that surely he will be next. The Oracle of Ottawa hardly thinks so. It just isn't going to happen. It will all be very interesting, of that, the Oracle of Ottawa has no doubt. We really need an unexpected Dark Horse to blow everything up so to speak. And of course the Oracle of Ottawa has discovered his long shot favorite. He has deep ties to the actual creator(s) of the left! Why he may even be related, and therefore be rabinical in his recent background. All the way to the House of David. It all could be a real crimp in the Curia...  

The World could use a good steward of the vineyard about now. The more the Oracle of Ottawa see's, the more he likes Cardinal Reinhard Marx. I mean how many Cardinals have been known to don motorcycle leather and lead the annual "run"! The one thing that the Oracle of Ottawa would like to know is; Harley or BMW? Please leave a comment below....

The Next Pope - My Top Three Picks

In the Bible poverty is a scandalous condition inimical to human dignity and therefore contrary to the will of God.
Gustavo Gutierrez, A Theology Of Liberation, p. 165

The Oracle of Ottawa was mildly shocked at the news of the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI as it rolled past the bottom off my screen on the news crawler while I was checking the market open. It was in no way the feeling of utter dejection that the Oracle of Ottawa felt at his election! And I remember the occasion very clearly. The inside power of Opus Dei had a lot to do with this screw-up. At the time I felt it was all going to be a total fail, and history has proven me correct.

Of course the world bookmakers have already opened book on the next Pontiff. But what are the qualities that the Oracle of Ottawa and all the world want in the next Pope? It has to be someone of the political left, and it has to be someone that understands that the social contracts of the world are under constant attack. It has to be someone that understands that the Roman Catholic Church is only as big and powerful as its members. With all that in mind the Oracle of Ottawa will share his picks for the next Pope. I will start with my third choice, ending with my favorite last.

Cardinal Francis Arinze

 For my third choice, the Oracle of Ottawa has to go with the book-makers favorite at 3-1 odds. And that gentleman is Cardinal Francis Arinze,of Nigeria. He is a strapping, good looking man but alas he is 80 years old at the time of this writing.... Hugely respected, but in tight with the right wing that made him. At the end of the day, not a chance.

Cardinal Luis Tagle - The Prince...

 My second choice is Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle. Aged 55! And now presently the Archbishop of Manila and Cardinal of the Holy Roman Catholic Church. Deeply involved in many social issues, and being from the Philippines, the Oracle of Ottawa has heard there are quite a few of those presently outstanding in his patch. This guy seems to have the iron and the spine of a real Italian Prince. And he is sharp as hell (or rather heck), in that it is recorded that he could recite the complete Rosary at the age of three years. No doubt a good choice, but guys like this scare the hell out of the Oracle of Ottawa!

For the Oracle of Ottawa's first choice a small disclaimer must first be stated in that all this data and biographies are in earnest. The Oracle of Ottawa is not having the dear reader on, and that the Oracle of Ottawa takes this issue seriously. It is just that my favorite choice, not even the Oracle of Ottawa could make this up! 

Cardinal Reinhard Marx (seriously...)

The Oracle of Ottawa's first choice for the next Pope is Cardinal Reinhard Marx  (59 years old), former Bishop of Trier, Germany, really! Like the Oracle of Ottawa said, you can't make this up! And pardon me but there is a warm resemblance to Karl Marx, which really makes the Oracle of Ottawa wonder could he be even distantly related? And the good Cardinal has written a book recently (2008) entitled "Das Kapital: A Plea For Man" !! The good Cardinal truly believes that capitalism and the messes it creates requires a "fundamental social debate" Amen to that Your Eminence!! Now if you are a clever Catholic punter, the Oracle of Ottawa is sure that you could get the good Cardinal at around 500-1 at your local bookmaker, and the more the Oracle digs on Cardinal Reinhard Marx the more he is very impressed. This is the Pope the whole world really, really needs. And right now, if not sooner!! 

This is the Pope the Holy Roman Catholic Church  and the whole world needs. Now, Right freaking NOW!!

Can Ontario Win With Wynne?

We are through the looking glass now folks! Fuck me!
Malcolm Tucker, The Thick Of It

The first tangible benefit of Kathleen Wynne being Premier of Ontario is that Rob Ford, the mayor of Toronto, will now have someone of the opposite sex to march with at Gay Pride this summer! Also the people of Ontario will have the comfort of knowing that the Premier designate will not have the usual personal pressure of worrying about someone cutting their grass as far as the "significant other" goes.

Kathleen Wynne...Oy vey!

 It goes without saying that Kathleen Wynne is not the prettiest bulb in the box, but as far as her "partner" goes, no one is going to make a move on that anytime soon. Holy shit! That poor bitch is the homliest thing in the history of Ontario. They may have to change the license plates in Ontario. The Oracle of Ottawa has just found some thing he would rather not discover...

The Oracle of Ottawa was very upset that that nice Gerard Kennedy lad folded like a deck chair on the Titanic! As the Oracle of Ottawa sees it, Gerard knows the writing is on the wall for the present Liberal government, and he decided that he would let the fiasco pass, and score the prize the next time out. All for several points of  future interest of course, like a cabinet post etc.

Now the question is, how long will the gay Premier last? Will she be smart enough to kick the corporate over-whores from the temple? Will she be astute enough to make a pass at Andrea Horwath  and reset some of the terrible Labour Law practices that have seeped into the Liberal house? If the meeting is productive, will she allow the clip to be posted to You Tube? Yes the Oracle of Ottawa thinks Andrea is super hot and pretty. Pretty enough, just like Dalton, to be Premier for a very long time...

Meanwhile Tim "Chain Gang" Hudak is all rather perplexed at the whole thing. Kathleen Wynne doesn't look very happy to him, let alone "gay". Ole Tim is still trying to figure out how any body that is Premier of Ontario could have such an ugly sister? The handlers, spin doctors, and fart catchers assorted have been engaged are presently working on the problem.....  

Meanwhile - back at Tory Headquarters....

Charlie Angus Decides to Stay Free Range

When history moves - really moves, that is - it does so in great convulsive jolts.
David McNally, Another World Is Possible, p. 13

One of the greatest pleasures of watching Question Period in recent times is to see the faces of all the Conservatives turn to a sickening ashen gray when Charlie Angus rises in his place and kicks off another scandalous session of close and often embarrassing, but always entertaining grilling. Why if it wasn't always so wild and raucous I am sure you would be able to hear all one hundred and sixty six Tory assholes snapping shut, all at the same time .. Well okay, one hundred and sixty five, there is one minister on the front bench who's asshole would snap open and wink at the handsome Charlie... But of course that is another blog post for the future..(or not...)

Charlie Angus - Staying Free Range...

It would have been an absolute shame if Charlie Angus would have decided to run for the NDP party leadership job. And it was with great relief that the Oracle of Ottawa heard the news that Charlie has put any such speculations to rest. Now Question Period will never be boring! While the rest of the leadership hopefuls pull back as to protect themselves from making any gaffs. The front liners such as Charlie Angus, Yvon Godin  and all the rest of the gang will, I am sure, pick up the slack. The new crop of youngsters are coming along very well and several great talents will no doubt emerge.

Go With The Buick!!

The NDP has a big decision to make in the near future. It is starting to look like a classic purchase decision. It is a lot like the guy that wins a little money at the Lottery. He has enough to lease the Porsche or to buy the Buick. Now in this case the Porsche  is being represented by Brian Topp, The Buick is being represented by Paul Dewar. Now a Porsche is really cool and all and it goes like snot done a frozen razor blade! But, alas, the engine will come out of the car for the first time usually around 60,000km... The Oracle has seen Buicks with nearly 500,000km on them and the engine has never been gone into for any reason...You can drive them until the body rusts through...What the Oracle of Ottawa is saying is that the the rank and file of the NDP have got to do their homework!! And by that I mean that you must check out the health condition and  health histories of your leadership candidates!

Can you say; Aus Motor??

A guy that at the age of 51 years or there abouts that is already a cancer survivor is and should be out of the running. Investigate family trees, does the candidate come from long lived genetic stock? i.e. How long did the candidates parents live? And their parents? Hence my liking for Paul Dewar.. Did you know that there is a Commanders medical in the Royal Canadian Navy? To get your third ring and your own command of a Canadian warship all the Executive officers must pass the Commanders medical. It consists of mostly a very detailed heart check. One weird looking pattern and or beat and your future Naval career is over. That is hard but that is life at the level of the "show"... Choose carefully, I just can't go through what I went through this summer ever again in this lifetime... Go with the freaking Buick!!!

Classic Charlie Angus; shit kicking the be'jesus out of the barely there Conservatives...

Letter to David McGuinty (II) Re: Leadership Run

Anger be now your song, immortal one,
Akhilleus' anger, doomed and ruinous,
that caused the Akhaians loss on bitter loss
and crowded brave souls into the undergloom,
leaving so many dead men--carrion
for dogs and birds; and the will of Zeus was done.
Homer, The Iliad, Book I, Quarrel, Oath, and Promise, Lines 1-6, Robert Fitzgerald Translation

Dear David:

Having survived this last fiasco, with all your usual aplomb and grace, Dawg, you can be my Prime Minister! How about this for a campaign Tag line? David McGuinty; Mackenzie King without the weirdness! We gotta do something! I can't let Canada and Ottawa South turn into freakin' Texas! It's all settled here. The wife is on board. We are going to order up are Liberal Party cards forthwith! If the leadership convention is in Ottawa we will be there! And why do I figure you will take it all in the first ballot? I got a few bushes to beat and I think I can get a few more people on board, no problem. With you at the helm Dave I see a four termer with no theatrics. I hate this change crap. I want a dynasty!!I want the Conservatives so far in the wilderness that they start herding sheep in Alberta! I want Steve Harpers nickname in the history books to be "Dief."

Prime Minister Mackenzie King

I just want the Canada that I remember so fondly as a child. The toleration, the boundless and unlimited future, a member of a nation of a people above... (you can use that in your acceptance speech...) I just want the Canada I have always known. And when you are at that next caucus meeting, get on about that stupid Party interference! The party structure should ensure the process of allowing the members and the voters to select their own candidates and riding members! If some riding picks a candidate with two heads and seven supernumerary nipples, that riding has a candidate with two heads and seven nipples! Dona and done! The last remanent's of the feudal system died out in the early 20th century. Not that long ago. Your job Dave is to eradicate the last remaining bits in the Liberal Party structure. No more drop in candidates.. No more it is his time... That will be decided by the party delegates.

Prime Minister David McGuinty?

The mighty Liberal Party has been in this situation before. I looked it up! It was the stomping of 1958. When you figure in that there were then only three parties and not five, and there was less than 300 seats up for grabs, not 308 as per today.. The situation of today is roughly proportional to the situation of 1958. And out of that wreckage we got some of the finest Prime Ministers in all of Canadian history. History has come full circle. It is our time, our greatness, our creation!

Some light briefing notes...All in, a hell of an act to follow... But your up for it Dave.....

                                                                                              Yours Truly:
                                                                                        The Oracle of Ottawa

The World Needs More Boris Yeltsin

The vocation of every man and woman is to serve other people.
Leo Tolstoy, What Is To Be Done? (1886) Chap. XL, as translated in The Novels and Other Works of Lyof N. Tolstoï (1902) edited by Nathan Haskell Dole, p. 281

I was quiet pleased to see that the Russian people have honored the memory of Boris Yeltsin, Russia's first elected president, by unveiling a grand and tasteful marble monument. He would have been eighty years old on February first. I quiet approve of it. It brought back a lot of memories.
   

Boris Yeltsin,  21-02-1989

 Boris Yeltsin had my favorite attributes of a great leader. Joviality and benevolence. Everybody got a taste. If you deserved it, you got a break when you really needed it. Many people say he was a buffone and / or an alcoholic. Hell no! I say that Boris Yeltsin was the greatest Russian since Peter The Great! And history will prove me right. If you wonder what the average Russian is like, I can't give a better example then Borris. He drank his wodka. Praised God, in his own way. And sought to find a comfortable vantage point for his people and himself to let the world be the world. And in that was his greatest success.
 

Boris Yeltsin does Washington...

 There were many evil forces against him through out his whole term of office. Due to the situation he inherited,  it was always damned if I do and damned if I don't. The worst possible situation to serve in elected public office. Looking back on it all I realize now that a lot of the "drunkenness" and the weird behavior looks a lot like other chemicals, I will even go so far to say that LSD could be a real candidate! The gangsters wanted him gone and for good. And LSD and other even more exotic chemicals were developed in the end of the Soviet era. There was a big bag to choose from.

" I am leaving. I did all I could do. "

Greed and fear can make men do insane things. But Borris pushed on. He did all he could do and then left. And upon leaving, enjoyed his retirement. Power is not all it is cracked up to be folks! And it really cuts into quality leisure time. To be out of it and having the phone go dead and the fart catchers gone is better then sex! 

(Photos: www.kremlin.ru)