From Ahmadinejad To Ramage Trial

MAHMOUD AHMADINEJAD has blood on his hands. And no matter how revisionists, including those in the United Nations and at Columbia University, try to dull the senses with their rhetoric, this Iranian terrorist had no business on our side of the pond. And while Columbia president Lee Bolinger tried to belittle Ahmadinejad with his introductory remarks, nevertheless, the question remains: Why was this Madman even invited?
Why would anyone want to listen to this little demon, one filled with hate and destruction, including wiping Israel off the map and then annihilating the United States? There are those that would believe that Canada would be safe if there was such a (nuclear) confrontation between the U.S. and Iran. But that really is questionable, not when the N word is so freely used.
Ahmadinejad is a liar and a fraud and such despicable words as Israel being "vanished from the pages of time" must naw at the innards of any sane person.
As someone who has worked as an investigative reporter in The Land, the threat as posed by Ahmadinejad is real and countless people within the Jewish state are concerned with that creep's threats. And yet the U.S. and its liberal bent tolerate such a demonic presence.
Again, this columnist asks the question: Why?
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The second question for today has to be: Why are 2,500 Canadians still in southern Afghanistan?
Now, the warriors would offer the premise that we are saving a civilization and silencing terrorists in that war-torn country. Perhaps, that's true, but the question still remains: Are we, as Canadians, willing to sacrifice our elite troops? Are we?
That question came to mind Tuesday after learning of the death of Cpl. Nathan Hornburg, a 24-year-old reservist with the King's Own Calgary regiment.
Cpl. Hornburg was hit by a mortar shell and quoting from a CBC News report, "he was fixing a truck that had fallen off the Leopard tank in the Panjwaii district, about 47 kilometres west of Kandahar city."
Of course, the questions as to why we are there must be answered in time for 71 Canadians and one diplomat have been killed and our military machinery with the endorsement of Canadian PM Harper plan to stay there until at least 2009 and, undoubtedly, beyond.
Why? Is it to "rebuild the democratic process"? And at what cost, Ottawa? More lives of our elite?
Just in the past few months, the final bell has tolled for the likes of Hornburg, Maj. Raymond Ruckpaul, Master Warrant Officer Mario Mercier, Master Cpl. Christian Duchesne, Pte. Simon Longtin, Cpl. Jordan Anderson, Cpl. Cole Bartsch, Master Cpl. Cpl. Colin Bason and the list goes on and on.
Why? And for what?
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And then there are those why? questions in the playpen of life -- sports.
Mike Tyson, once tagged as the Baddest Man on the Planet, will probably be just a prisoner number, for his trangressions -- and soon.
Why?
Well, Tyson could land back behind bars for a lengthy stretch after being convicted in an Arizona court. He nearly crashed his vehicle into a cop car and, in turn, they uncovered cocaine and marijuana. Of course, Tyson, the one-time feared world heavyweight champion, has been in deep trouble before. He spent three years in an Indiana cell after a rape conviction back in 1992 and also three months in 1999 for assault charges in Maryland.
Why? What a sad case and he's only 41.
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Then there's former Boston all-star shortstop Jose Offerman, who has seen action with Philadelphia, New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers.
On Aug. 14, Offerman apparently went off the deep end and attacked a pitcher and catcher while playing for the Atlantic League's Long Island Ducks. The 38-year-old was nailed with two counts of second-degree assault and Monday in Bridgeport, Conn. he pleaded not guilty. He'll be back in court Oct. 17.
Why? It appears to be a case of diamond rage.
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Finally, 48-year-old Rob Ramage has been in a Newmarket, Ont. courtroom the past few days. The former Toronto Maple Leaf player has pleaded not guilty to five criminal charges.
On Dec. 15, 2003, Ramage was driving a rental car in Woodbridge, Ont. and collided with a Nissan Pathfinder, driven by Michelle Pacheco. Rampage's passenger, former Chicago Blackhawks star Keith Magnuson, was killed and Pacheco was injured in the head-on crash.
Why? Among the charges against Rampage were impaired and dangerous driving.