I’d share his name but I don’t have it. He’s a yellow belly.

In the interests of gender equality I hasten to add that ‘he’ might be a ‘she.’ But since I’m dealing with a lily-livered Lilliputian I’ll pick on my own brand and assume it’s a ‘he.’ A nitwit in either case.

His note arrived only hours after my opinion-editorial was published. Being read is gratifying so I won’t complain too much. There’s also the diversion of getting a rise out of a goof, probably a public service as I suspect this dolt leads an otherwise pedestrian existence.

What got his sphincter moving was a piece I wrote about a KGB veteran who is now a fugitive holed up in some religious sect’s basement. Squatting and claiming “sanctuary” he is apparently unaware of the fact that planting a Porta Potty confers no asylum rights, not even in British Columbia.

Before this ex-apparatchik went subterranean he had a hearing at the Immigration and Refugee Board. It ruled, properly, that he was inadmissible to Canada because of his previous career with the Soviet secret police. Nevertheless, this non-citizen has “rights.” So a Federal Court judge carefully reviewed the case. The deportation order was upheld. That’s when the ex-Commie apparently found Christ.

Just as I don’t want a Nazi next door so too I don’t want the KGB in Canada. Others do. They insist this comrade never harmed anyone, is a family man, has been in-country for years and broke no laws. Not so. He had no right to come here and thus has no right to remain. And now he’s in contempt of court. He even readied his underground lair before the judge’s decision was made, evidence of an intent to ignore our laws if things didn’t go his way. That this fellow still garnishes sympathy confirms that there are a folks out there who “learned” about the KGB by watching Boris and Natasha’s antics on Bullwinkle cartoons. They don’t want to be reminded that the KGB murdered millions more than the Nazis ever did. Instead they want special treatment for this KGB man. I suppose to be fair they’d have to admit that there were some nice Nazis too. Personally I prefer the rule of law: no exceptions and no excuses.

Now I expect flak whenever I write. So it’s OK when someone sends a letter to an editor to disagree with me. Indeed I have friends who chortle whenever I take one on the chops. A clever counterpunch sometimes even provokes a guffaw on my part. I can laugh because I know that before anything appears in print, in this newspaper or any other, whether I write it or you do, an editor (perhaps several) has verified that it is neither bogus nor defamatory and that whoever has written it is who they say they are.

Now that’s critical. Editors aren’t generally censors. They’re gatekeepers. Not everything gets past them and that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Their role is not to restrict “free speech” but to ensure that anyone who has something to say also demonstrates the courage of their convictions. A person does that by attaching their real name to whatever they want to share in the public arena.

Many of us have encountered the loudmouth who corners you at a party and then goes on and on about some pet peeve. Try to escape by asking why he doesn’t share his views by publishing them, sweetening your pitch by adding that doing so would edify the otherwise apparently ignorant masses, and you’ll be told that the mainstream media is manipulated by sinister forces that prevent “the truth” from “getting out there.” Actually what happens is that good editors everywhere work hard to ensure that bigots, boors and bastards rarely get published. Which is exactly what they should do.

Alas we now live in a world where those who believe in conspiratorial cabals have access to innumerable “chat rooms” and “blog sites” where they can blow their loads while hiding behind infantile pseudonyms. Obviously underemployed, these troglodytes expend their waking hours vomiting up whatever they want to, without fear of repercussion. Quick to invoke their right to “freedom of speech” these wannabe writers nevertheless refuse to name themselves. I recently encountered their caveman culture when I asked some lout calling himself “the Canadian” (even though he seems to reside in Los Angeles) who he is. Rather than answer he scuttled away, just like one of those saw bugs that cut and run when you turn over a rock.

I loathe those who would restrict free speech. But anyone who “shares their thoughts” on the Internet should be required to identify who they are before they have their say. Hate speech oozes from those who hide in contrast to free speech which arises from those not afraid to tell you what they think because they are not afraid to affirm who they are. That’s why I’ve signed this editorial. Think, say, or write what you will about what I have to say but at least you know I’m no chicken.

See the announcement on his blog ( yes, he has a blog ):

“Vancouver based “ABBA Cadabra,” a tribute band to the music and magic of ABBA, is giving a benefit concert on Saturday, June 27 2009 at 8:00 p.m. in St. Andrew-Wesley United Church (1022 Nelson St., Vancouver, BC). Proceeds go to the Lennikov Family Support Fund.”

Now, the Canadians will have to support him..?!

So, here is this man deal – break the Canadian Law; use the Canadian taxpayers for years; undermined the Federal Courts, and have a Benefit Concert to collect some money….

What is next? May be, his own reality show on prime time?!

Someone, please, make sense of this!!!

The KGB agent should be deported immediately!

If Canadians don’t enforce and respect their own laws, who will?

KGB (now FSB ) was a dangerous tool of a dictatorial regime. It was not a Country Club full of friendly people.

Under the Soviets, for many, it was a prestige to be a part of this Group of Selected people with special trainings and privileges.

Repression, fear and force were the tactics applied by the KGB agents.

It is ridiculous that this man is even in a church. Religion was considered back then a “poison” for the masses. Mr. Lennikov should go home!

The law should be enforced! Canada should not be played like that by a deceitful agent of a Foreign State.

For eight years, the Canadian taxpayers carried Mr. Lennikov on their shoulders. The court procedures, the interviews, the investigations etc.

Apply the Canadian Law! This is the right thing to do, and the only thing to do!

It’s also interesting that none of these compassionate MPs ever came forward in defence of elderly Ukrainian Canadians who have been falsely accused of war crimes and lying to get into the country, who have in fact been exonerated by the courts, yet still face the threat of deportation.

By all appearances, their compassion seems to be highly selective, not to mention self-serving.

not ok to wear a swastika t-shirt

perfectly ok to wear a hammer-and-sickle t-shirt