The Jerks Who Call The Shots

Lockerbie’s most responsible asshole; Toronto, John Baird’s wascally wabbit; Bill Moyers on health care reform; AND: The Ice Cream Man Cometh

That’s the most flattering picture of John Baird I could find. Honest. | Sean Kilpatrick / CP via The Star

Families and friends of the victims of the Lockerbie Bombing have every right to be pissed—just not at the British government.

The person responsible for the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, Abdel Basset Ali al-Megrahi, who was convicted in 2001 for the deaths of 270 people, was released on compassionate grounds. Money is about to die. But then the asshole gets a warm reception back in Libya.

Some critics, mentioned in this New York Times piece, claimed Britain released al-Megrahi to help advance negotiations between British oil companies and the Libyan government. That would be pretty crass, I admit.

But if the guy really is about to die, and if the world knows he really was responsible, it was only reasonable to let him die at home. The ultimate villain—the guy we should all be mad at—is North Africa’s ultimate prima donna, Colonel Gaddafi, who seems to get away with everything, possibly including Lockerbie, too.

F-bombs For Busses

John Baird’s made quite a turn, once telling Toronto to "fuck off" when the city asked for infrastructure money, now saying he’ll cut the red tape to make sure the money starts flowing after the funds, eventually granted in the Tories’ stimulus plan, got stuck.

The member from Ottawa West-Nepean must have been cursing under his breath when finally had to make that promise or risk pissing off GTA voters. Don’t worry, you’ll get us next time!

Bill Moyers on Health Care

Bill Moyers Journal has a particularly good documentary on the real costs of America’s ass-backwards health care system. You can watch it on-line here.