Unlike Canada Day, and B.C. Day. this holiday does NOT celebrate Victoria but its namesake, Queen Victoria, Queen of England, Empress of India, Defender of the Faith, etc., etc. Like the greater part of the population of the city, I'm a Johnny come-lately, Easterner, Mainlander, Ontario carpetbagger, almost competely ignorant of the rich history of our little berg. Long-time Monday Magazine stalwart, now author and freelance journalist, Ross Crockford is a late-comer too, but he's made up for it, (in some small part) researching and authoring the book, 'Victoria: The Unknown City.' Ross Crockford getting familiar with Victoria in the first half.

And; the passing of Tony Blair, John Howard, and George W. Bush from the global spotlight means nothing to the ascendant Global Security State. Most in Britain, Australia, America, and Canada failed to notice the death of Western democracy; they, for the most part support the new totalitarianism ushered in with the new Century.

 

The lack of opposition to the militant post neo-colonialism practised by their respective governments presumably means those citizens are willing to allow their labour be taxed to forward obscenely expensive military "Missions" abroad, and collateral militarization at home, to stay the course. The insanity doesn't go entirely unnoticed within the gearworks of government, and some speak out.

 

Though ostensibly protected by law, whistleblowers always pay for their exposure of insider doings, and former British Military Intelligence agent, Annie Machon is no exception. The former MI5 operative found herself quickly on the outside when she and her partner filed, what they believed sensible criticism of operational shortcomings threatening national security. Now out of the spy game, Machon is a freelance journalist, media commentator, public speaker, and author of the book, 'Spies, Lies and Whistleblowers: MI5 and the David Shayler Affair.'

 

Annie Machon will be here in Victoria this coming Sunday presenting, 'The Inner Workings of the Secret State' at Alix Goolden Hall, 907 Pandora. Annie Machon in the second half.

And; Victoria Street Newz publisher and broadcaster, Janine Bandcroft will be here at the bottom of the hour to brings us up to speed with the goings on going on on Victoria's Streetz. But first, Ross Crockford and Victoria from crown to ankle.