Prank on Chirac

According to CNN today, French President Jacques Chirac took a call from Canada's newly elected leader only to find he had been fooled by a pair of radio pranksters known as the "Masked Avengers" in Canada's French-speaking city of Montreal. The radio stations in Montreal seem to be on a roll. I can remember when they (Chretien) called Queen Elizabeth II and managed to get away with it.

Chirac's office confirmed that the French leader had taken a courtesy call on Thursday purportedly from Canada's new conservative Prime Minister-elect Stephen Harper. Wonder how they managed to get his #? Maybe someone in the Liberal Govt leaked it.

But after swapping diplomatic niceties during a lengthy chat, Marc-Antoine Audette of CKOI radio Canada's most popular station with over a million listeners let the 73-year-old Chirac in on the joke.

"We chose Mr. Chirac because he is pretty famous, he is the president of France, and for us it was the chance to talk to a head of state," Audette, 25, said by telephone from Montreal.

"It was the first time my partner Sebastien Trudel and me had spoken to a head of state." Since the real Harper had not yet spoken to Chirac, "we said, why not, we'll give it a go and we're delighted that it worked."

Chirac did not react once to Audette's outrageously thick French-Canadian accent as the two men discussed relations, including the name of Canada's new ambassador to France Richard Z. Sirois, who unbeknownst to Chirac is a well-known French Canadian humorist.

When Audette complained of the poor press coverage Harper has had in France, Chirac said: "You cannot stop the newspapers from saying any old rubbish, it's true in France and it's true in Canada, so don't let yourself be impressed by that."

"Exactly Mr. President, liberty, equality and fraternity. Amen," said Audette in his the over-the-top accent, a response that earned the fake prime minister an invitation to make an official visit to France.

When Audette finally revealed himself as a bogus prime minister, Chirac burst out laughing.

"In any case, know that my friendship for Canada and the new conservative government is a real friendship and without reserve," he said.

The radio station has previously hoaxed Tiger Woods, Paul McCartney and Janet Jackson. Classic...... At least Stephen Harper knows that France will welcome him shall he choose to visit as the PM of Canada.

HAHA

Conservatives take control.

Canadians awarded Conservative Leader Stephen Harper with a minority government Monday, putting an end to more than 12 years of Liberal rule.

As of 1:00 a.m. ET, the Conservatives were in line to take 125 seats, versus 103 for Paul Martin's Liberals.

But prime minister designate Harper was denied the 155 seats needed to lead a Tory majority, meaning he'll have to rely on the backing of at least one opposition party to survive in the 308-seat House of Commons.

The NDP also gained more seats than previously handing them the balance of power. I was hoping for a Conservative majority, but I will watch closely as PM Harper makes Canada a better place and works with other partys to steer through the muck that has been created by the Liberals after 13 years.

Ousted PM Paul Martin is to resign as the leader of the Liberal party. He will still work his seat that he won, but will let others take control of the Liberals.

Congratulations Conservative Party and Stephen Harper.



President George Bush and PM elect Stephen Harper in 2004

Greg Johnson's music gaining popularity in USA

Ted and Greg at some Air Force installation we went too.


Greg Johnson from New Zealand and his band who includes the talented Ted Brown are bracing themselves for a lot more touring, gigs and shows up here in USA. The song "Save Yourself" off the -Here comes the Caviar- album is rapidly gaining popularity here in USA. This week the song has been released to at least 14 radio stations across this country. The reviews have been fantastic and all the hard work they, and Gregs manager Michelle, have been doing up here for the last 3 years is starting to pay off.

WBOS in Boston was the first radio station to really push Greg's music in the last part of 2005 and the domino effect has begun from there. If you don't have his album from www.cdbaby.com, or have not downloaded his songs from i-tunes (North America) then log onto www.wbos.com . With the song(s) really taking off, you'll certainly be hearing Gregory Johnson at a radio station near you.

Those of you who have visited me in LA, would have more than likely been induced into joining me on a Sunday evening to watch Greg and co warm up for the week over a couple of Renee's specials and a few great songs..... Those nights are always fun and have become quite legendary, especially when I offer my assistance in singing... HA.

So keep up the good work guys, big things are happening from the release of your music here in USA..... WOO HOO

Conservatives on cusp of majority in Canada

It doesn't seem that many of you out there are interested in the Canadian elections happening on January 23rd, but I am. SO it is great to hear that the Consevative party is polling on the cusp of being able to form a majority government. That is great news as Canada has been run by the Liberals for the last 13 years mostly on a minority government. A majority will give the Canadians some more stability in Government and a switch to the Conservative right will also be a nice fresh change from the Liberal left. If your in Canada vote Stephen Harper and the conservatives on election day.

Stephen Harper taking on the PM

Otawa Canada. Conservative (right) Leader Stephen Harper has for the first time displaced Liberal Leader (left) Paul Martin as the politician Canadians most favour to lead the country, a new poll shows. This is good news as the Conservative Party is also gaining a great amount of popularity ahead of the Canadian Elections on January 23rd.

Riding a surge of support in British Columbia, the Prairie provinces and Quebec, Mr. Harper has the trust of 32 per cent of voters, compared with 25 per cent for Mr. Martin and 17 per cent for NDP Leader Jack Layton. It is looking very good for Canada and Canadians that Stephen Harper will be the next Prime Minister of Canada.

Hillary Clinton and Balafonte at the same function

Hillary Clinton and Belafonte are both slated to appear at The Children's Defense Fund's 2006 Winter Benefit awards luncheon tomorrow....... I would expect that Hillary should denounce Belafonte's Caracas comments for want of not being painted by the same brush.... Belafonte is out of control.

President AhMADinejad of Iran goes nuclear

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Thursday said that the Iranian nation is determined to defend its right for access to nuclear technology and will not let the enemies deprive it of such a legal right, and therefore removed the seals on it's nuclear plants.

Problem is that he is already using the word enemy. This is a man who doesn't think that the holocaust even happened, and that the state of Israel should be moved to Alaska or Eastern Europe. Is the enemy he is talking about Israel, USA, UK or New Zealand? I am sure that the first 3 are on his list, but with Nuclear power this guy could and probably will cause havok.

The President of Iran was born on October 28th 1956, Ahmadinejad was the mayor of Tehran from May 3, 2003 until June 28, 2005 when he was elected president. He is widely considered to be a religious conservative with Islamist and populist views. Ahmadinejad was a civil engineer and an assistant professor at the Iran University of Science and Technology before his mayorship. He seemed to be good news for the west when he was elected, but now the power may have gone to his head, and he is quickly making a mockery of himself internationally with his proposterous remarks and desire to get the nuclear power ramped up and more than likely weapons in his war chest.

With the Prime Minister of Israel Sharon in hospital and unlikely to return to power, I am concerned. It is relative common knowledge that if intelligence was proven that Iran was preparing nuclear weapons, that Israel would go in and destroy the manufacturing of the weapons as they did in Iraq on 7th June 1981. Will the next PM of Isreal have the balls to go in and continue with PM Sharons mandate? I hope so.

The UN is looking at the Iran nuclear problem right now, but knowing their track record it may take a while for them to get tough......

Lets hope this gets settled peacefully, but I am thinking that Iran may be the next hotspot to target.

Canadian Election Polls rising to the right

I am happy to see that the Canadian public is learning fast, and the Conservatives (right) are enjoying between 7-12% more popularity in the polls over the current party in power the Liberals (left). It will be fantastic for Canada to go right and prosper. Now is the time for the people of Canada to make the correct decision for the country and vote for the Conservatives on election day January 23rd.
Poll here

Senator John McCain in New Zealand

According the the NZ Herald. Influential United States senator John McCain yesterday pledged to push New Zealand's case for a free-trade deal with the Bush Administration. This is a good thing, as the Republican Senator has a strong chance of being the next President of the USA. John McCain is very well respected and has the ability to get things done. Winston and Phil are lucky to have met him.

He said New Zealand's nuclear-free policy should not impede such a mutually beneficial agreement and that he was confident both governments were "very committed to the proposition". Having said that, NZ has missed the boat a few times with the Free Trade deal, and others have gained by the Labour Governments relative lack of respect for the USA.

Senator McCain, who challenged George W. Bush in the 2000 Republican presidential primary and is considered a contender for the next one, offered his help at a meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters and Trade Minister Phil Goff in Christchurch.

The senator was passing through New Zealand after a visit to Antarctica with two other Republican senators, Susan Collins and John Sununu, plus members of the US House of Representatives.

After the meeting, Senator McCain said a free-trade deal between the US and New Zealand "would be very beneficial for both countries".

"I'm confident that both governments are very committed to the proposition and we can work it out."

New Zealand's anti-nuclear policy, long considered a barrier, was "a reality and something that's going to remain a reality and should not impede or stand in the way of issues of mutual interest such as a free-trade agreement.

"We don't agree with it, but that's the way it is. We don't expect to agree on every position." said Senator McCain (R).

Mr Goff said the the explicit support of Senator McCain was a step forward.

"John is an influential person within the system. He has offered to take up our case for an FTA with the Administration. That's not a silver bullet, but obviously the support of somebody of his standing is important to assist our case along the way.

"I don't think we are going to get an early resolution of our desire for an FTA, but it's something we've just got to work away at till we ultimately get there."

Especially helpful was the fact that the former Vietnam prisoner of war used to be a Navy man, Mr Goff said.

"NZ has tended to have some of its problems with people in the Navy who have been resentful of the ban."

The politicians also discussed climate change and the work New Zealand's troops were doing in Afghanistan and Iraq. Way to go John.... Follow through for NZ please.

Conservative Party gaining

The Conservative (right) Party of Canada under the leadership of Steven Harper is gaining momentum and popularity. The Liberal (left) Party under Paul Martin (PM) may be removed from power after 13 years on election day January 23rd. I hope so. It would be GREAT for Canada to veer right and get some political balls.