Firefighters statement says Mayencourt not telling all the story

Breaking news

Mayencourt's story with panhandler does not match with what a Vancouver City Fire Crew saw ....

This from CKNW ...

Some new information has come to light about the late February altercation involving BC Liberal Lorne Mayencourt and a man described as a panhandler.
Firefighters witnessed the dispute and describe some jostling, leading up to a punch to Mayencourt's face.

"According to the fire crew, Mr. Mayencourt used his open hand and he touched this gentleman on the forearm, where the other gentleman immediately punched Mr. Mayencourt in the face."
For more on Mayencourt, BC Liberals, and Gordon Campbell use the Technorati search box in the sidebar

St Paul's is ours, Leave it alone Campbell

Liberals will rip the heart of our soul

Do you live near St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver?

Do you want it to remain where it is?

The Liberal Government is set to move it. They have rather conveniently delayed the decision until after the election. What is motivating the sale and move is considered a win win for Liberal backers and proponent for P3 projects.

Currently St Paul's sits on some extremely valuable real estate. The Libs see the sale of the land developers as a plus. Great one time return. The downside of course is that the development will seriously affect the Westend community.

The community has seen enormous development over the years. Past City Councils and Socred governments have wanted to rip the heart of the community out for years. Mole Hill is an example. This area of older homes had been slated to be torn down for park and highrise development for 25 years or more.

Many people in the community fought back. They saved it. Former MLA Tim Stevenson was a key figure is saving Mole Hill. He lobbied hard, presented the case to BC Housing and they found a workable solution. We saved it. As Tim's CA during this time, I know the effort he put into getting it done. Current MLA, Lorne "Uncle Tom" Mayencourt has tried to take credit for his Liberal government finishing the job.

St. Paul's like Mole Hill is a part of the character of the community. Sell it and that takes away part of the collective soul. How many people have taken their loved one there to be looked after? How many dedicated staff have worked there looking after the diverse community that makes the Westend?

It's not just a building, its the people, the struggles, it belongs to the people, and like no other hospital in BC, you can feel its heart pumping.

I have been there to be with friends dying with AIDS. So many that I can not give you a number. I have spent night upon night with someone no one else knew anymore. I have been angry inside, demanding treatment and respect and we got
it. I have been with nurses there that have cried with me, with their patients, I have seen families come back in after their loved one has passed away to thank the staff for the care and their support.

What I have seen of St Paul's pales in comparison to what my partner Steven saw. He almost died in there in 1996. He died in there on June 9, 2002. He knew the nurses, he knew every little piece of the hospital, he knew the people there before him. He knew the respite staff. He felt the soul of what was St Paul's. He was one of many that made up its soul.

Now today we are facing the loss of what makes St. Paul's different than any other hospital. If St Paul's is moved leaving behind a few services we will all be losers. How can the decision makers not see this. Is health care all about numbers to them? Don't they see the heart? Don't they see or feel the community soul?

A vote for Lorne Mayencourt, no matter what his position is on St Paul's is a vote to take away a part of the soul that makes the Westend home for me, even though now I live in Kelowna. If Lorne had any clout in the Liberal government we would not be talking about moving St. Paul's.

In the names of Cliff, George, Paul, Michael, Mike, David, Jim, Mikey, Daniel, Paul, Archie, Jessie, Jim, Ron, Ron, and my love Steven and many more, lets keep what made their last days, what is supporting so many today, what is the heart of our soul alive.

Homophobia rules the day at Immigration Canada

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO STOP JUAN’S DEPORTATION!

On February 18, 2005 Canada’s Minister of Immigration, Joseph Volpe announced that spouses and common law partners of Canadian citizens or Landed Immigrants – regardless of their status -- will be permitted to remain in Canada pending the outcome of their sponsorship application. This directive from the Minister is being flagrantly disregarded by officials from the Department of Immigration in a case which smacks of homophobia.

Juan Camacho, a citizen of Colombia, and his Canadian partner Einar Maartman, have lived together in a loving relationship since May 2001. The couple lived together in Colombia for two and a half years but were obliged to flee the country for security reasons.

The human rights situation in Colombia is extremely bad and gay people together with other sectors of society are targets of violence both by state and non-state actors. While in Colombia, Juan challenged the legal and social order to win residency for his partner, Einar – something which is unheard of. As a result of this courageous struggle for gay rights in Colombia, Juan and Einar were assaulted, held at gunpoint and suffered continued harassment and death threats.

One year ago, Juan and Einar came to Canada, convinced that the Government of Canada would offer protection and allow the couple to live together. Many prominent and highly credible human rights organizations fully backed Juan’s claim for asylum, highlighting the dangers the couple would face if they were obliged to return to Colombia.

Shockingly, despite the abundance of documentation, Juan’s claim for asylum was rejected on April 19, 2005.

Given the commitment made by Minister Volpe on February 18 of this year, Einar initiated a family-class sponsorship application on behalf of his spouse (Juan and Einar were legally married in Canada on March 19, 2004). The application was received by Immigration Canada on March 14, 2005. Despite the pending application and the Minister’s stated commitment, the Immigration Officer issued a deportation order against Juan effective this May 3, 2005!

Liberal Members of Parliament Mario Silva and Sarmite Bulte both have advised the Immigration Officer of the directives by Minister Volpe. However the Immigration Officer maintains that the deportation order will not be lifted.

We need your help! Please see the opposite side of this page for a sample letter you can send yourself to Minister Volpe. Time is of the essence, so please act today! For further information, you can contact us at 647-998-3650/647-280-6749 anytime. Email: einarmaartman@hotmail.com. Thank you!
_________________

SAMPLE LETTER
The Honourable Joseph Volpe, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Canada
House of Commons, Ottawa, ON., K1A 0A6

RE: Mr. Juan Fernando Camacho Tamayo, File # 3792-4271-6308; Removal Order-Request for Minister’s Intervention

Minister Volpe,

I am writing in support of Mr. Juan Camacho, a failed refugee claimant from Colombia who has received a deportation order for May 3rd, 2005.

Mr. Camacho’s Canadian partner, Einar Maartman, sponsored Mr. Camacho on March 10, 2005 and the application and received by CPC Vegreville on March 14, 2005. That application preceded the negative decision on PRRA by a few days (which was issued March 17th, 2005).

I am very concerned about the deportation order. Mr. Maartman and Mr. Camacho have been in a long-term relationship and were married on March 19, 2004. They are counting very much on having their sponsorship application duly processed by CPC Vegreville. Mr. Camacho has recently been issued a work permit valid until February 7, 2006.

I am aware of progressive new policy governing sponsorship application announced by you on February 18th, 2005, whereby spouses and common law partners of Canadain citizens or permanent residents, regardless of their status, will be allowed to remain in Canada while their immigration application is being considered.

In the spirit of offsetting the hardships that Mr. Maartman and Mr. Camacho would experience if they had to be separated during the application process and the very real risks they would face if forced to return to Colombia, I respectfully request:

a) The immediate stay of the deportation order.

b) Review of the sponsorship policy and its application in this case.

c) Review of the PRRA Officer’s decision; I am concerned it is informed by a homophobic bias.

Your immediate attention to and assistance with this case would be appreciated.

Sincerely,

PLEASE FAX AND E-MAIL:

Minister of Immigration, The Honourable Joseph Volpe, Volpe.J@parl.gc.ca,

Fax- 613-992-9791, Tel- 613-992-6361

Please c.c. Your e-mail and fax to the following:

Member of Parliament, Mario Silva, Silva.M@parl.gc.ca, Fax-613-995-8202 /416-654-5683

Member of Parliament, Sarmite Bulte, Bulte.S@parl.gc.ca, Fax-613-995-1529

Christian teacher goes too far in Quesnel

"Sexual orientation can be changed and the success rate for those who seek help is high. My hope is that students who are confused over their sexual orientation will come to see me. It could save their lives." ~ Chris Kempling, Quesnel school teacher and student counselor, Letter in the Quesnel Cariboo Observer, February 2004

The BC Civil Liberties Association said Friday in BC Appeals Court there is a limit to freedom of speech and I agree with them. As someone that has worked with many gay men that have been told they were diviants, they could change if only they tried and prayed, i have seen the damage people like Kempling do.

Our youth need to be suppported. It is nothing short of Child abuse when Chris Kempling and his ilk tell our youth they are sinners or can be someone they are not. It is unacceptable and extremely damaging to these youth and they should not be permitted to do this in our schools. The Quesnel School Board should dismiss him.

For more on Kempling, gay rights, use the Technorati search box in the sidebar.

"Queer Hydro Bill"

Straight reports "Queer Hydro Bill"
CBV Collection Services Ltd. On April 13, the caller left a message at 7:36 p.m. stating:

“Michael Bishop, you’re a queer. You need to pay your Hydro bill.”

more here ...

Now watch the Right wing social conservatives say "don't worry" as this is an isolated incident!

ZAPatero Pope Benedict XVI

ZAPatero!

Spain's Zapatero government has eliminated mandatory Catholic religious instruction in schools, approved a bill in the first step towards full legalization of same-sex marriage. The Bill will now go to the Senate for approval and according to most media reports, it will pass.

Spain's new government didn't stop there, they have added "no fault divorce" in a country that is is 94% catholic.

I suspect we have one unhappy Pontiff! He just got ZAPateroed!

see also: Section 15 article 4. Pope Rats frets losing power in Spain and if you need the Pope, perhaps you need devine intervention, instant online Prayer help is available. Have You Had Enough Yet bloggers have this.

e writ has dropped and the gloves are ON!

Yep, Sean Holman at the Vancouver Sun gets the good stuff. I got this email as well.


From: Lorne Mayencourt [mailto:info@lornemayencourt.com] Sent: April 20, 2005 12:32 PM

Subject: The writ has dropped and the gloves are ON!

THE WRIT HAS DROPPED AND THE GLOVES ARE ON!

The 2005 Provincial election campaign has officially begun. BC will be going to the polls on May 17th and Lorne Mayencourt needs your vote. Lorne Mayencourt is the incumbent Liberal candidate for Vancouver-Burrard.

For the past four years, Lorne has committed his tireless energy to improving our community and making Vancouver-Burrard a place where Safe Schools, Safe Streets and Safe Communities is more than just a slogan. Lorne needs your help to continue the progress. (Yeah Right!)

For more on Lorne Mayencourt, BC Liberals, Mary Polak and Gordon Campbell use the Technorati search box in the sidebar!

Pretending to be Lorne Mayencourt

Lorne Mayencourt, Vancouver's worst kept secret...

I found this bit of news while looking for updated info on the the Gay "Uncle Tom" Lorne Mayencourt and his favourite Liberal Candidate, Mary Polak.

It's from the Vancouver Courier ...

Someone suggests Lorne spend five days pretending to be Lorne Mayencourt. We all laugh uproariously.

- Friday, 1:15 p.m.: Lorne announces he'd like to spend five days pretending to be Courier columnist and satirist Michael "Look at my joystick" Kissinger. I do the research. It can be done, Kissinger tells me, but is Lorne circumcised? I ask.

"No problem," Lorne says. "Last year, I spent five days pretending to be a ritual mohel. Hand me that knife."

I look on in awe. George Plimpton never did that.
-------------
Dear Courier,

Lorne was kidding, he told me he was circumcised, not that I know why he told me, maybe he thought I was cute.

Rick