by Sean Orr | We stand on guard for thee (and thine oil): Baird says Suncor to stay in Syria as UN declares ‘civil war’. Ah yes, we’re living in the new Canada. Previously, like in the wake of the Suez Crisis, we would have sent in those iconic blue-helmeted peacekeepers. Now we’re killing climate treaties and making a buck off internecine strife. “And the bombs bursting in air…”

All Hahns on deck: Did ferry fares really have to go up? What we really need is some better management. We should run BC Ferries like a business. Maybe get some American CEO to take the helm. And since we’re cancelling Kyoto, there’ll be a “new penalty surcharge for walk-ons, (and) all single occupancy vehicles will receive gift certificates”.

Tweet of the Day via Robert W. White, “Is it 1954 again? New elevated waterfront road to ‘significantly reduce congestion and improve travel time reliability.” Remember, remember, Project 200.

‘Tis the season: Canada Post janitor charged with stealing Christmas mail and Vancouver man arrested in iPhone delivery scam. Yet more reasons to #occupyxmas. ‘Tis also the season for another weird op-ed from Pete McMartin: Deck the halls with tons of folly.

Where am I going with this? I’m not sure. Christmas does that, distracts you. There are lots of things to attend to at this time of the year, such as paying the phone bill and remembering if your wife’s birthday falls on Dec. 6 or Dec. 8.

Now that is some cutting edge editorial work. It really makes you think (about what possessed you to read it).

Vancouver’s new council prepares for $13,000 inauguration gala at False Creek. Big deal. That’s like a couple of glasses of Black Pearl. If I were elected mayor, not only would I have a beer-bong full of Cognac, I’d also make sure there was a fist-sized black truffle on everyone’s plate; that there was a fucking trough of beluga caviar on the side board; that every dinner table would be made from ground up, reconstituted pieces of Bimini’s; and each server will actually be a hologram of Will.i.am. How would I pay for such a lavish affair? My new 25-cent surcharge on every time someone looks at the mountains. We’re talking revenue streams out the yin-yang!

Bonus: Only in Halifax – Teen Steals Meat, Then BBQs Evidence At Crime Scene.