I am somewhat surprised by the response to my recent blog on 'the need for a new religion'?!? What does a responsible Philosopher King-Poet mean to say or pose by such? I think some of the posted comments reflect the intent, the purpose, the possibilities. In our dialogue, we approach the good, we define it, we give it life, we serve as its trustees and beneficiaries. The pursuit of happiness and the manifestation of tempered passion, compassion elevate us; I think that is the spirit that binds us, binds friends to each other. It is a mystery of our hearts and minds, a logos or logic of the soul. If the good, or God is real then maybe the mischiefous, or forms of evil are also real and must be challenged. I will be publishing a piece on Hitler's Nazi Germany and its significance to this time, to local and global justice and politics and economics, in the near future. Behavioural evil or gross mischief is a problem in our times yet good laws are able to discipline, to properly punish, and to protect the communities or polis of today and tomorrow. WINSTON GEORGE TANNIS, Philosopher-Sociologist-Jurist-Artist

A Chronicle of News Items, Newsworthy Stuff of Interest to Me JANUARY 2008 (all news pieces taken from Beacon NewsWatch, EqualityWatch and Human RightsWatch records, Copyright, Winston George Tannis, 2008) - LAWYER AT BORDEN LADNER GERVAIS forced to resign based on improper sexual relations with a family law client while also sleeping with fellow partners and while still married - US PRESIDENTIAL RACE - Some think Hillary Clinton has lost her momentum with Obama securing even more support with Iowa victory and with New Hamphire pointing to Obama again but with Clinton winning; - BRITNEY SPEARS makes for spectacle in child custody conflict with former husband Federline - PAKISTAN POLITICAL HOPEFUL murdered upon return to Pakistan after self-imposed exile - her succession of father's role being continued through her son - UN investigation into death requested - FORMER CHIEF JUSTICE JULIUS ISAAC included in New Year's Recognition Poem and Statement by Chair of BeaconWatch International (BWI) Winston George Tannis and becomes candidate for inclusion in Beacon Who's Who In Thinking alongside Dr. Nancy Olivieri - NATIONAL GALLERY OF CANADA SECURITY PERSONNEL placed on BeaconWatch International (BWI) Negative WatchList for behaviour in contravention of public interest - CONFICIUS INSTITUTE experiences rapid global growth by operation of Chinese government's aim to provide cultural and linguistic training - RUINED PRESS BARON CONRAD BLACK seeks lenience in imprisonment terms based on his non-residency status in the U.S. - GEORGIA ELECTION results in victory for incumbent with questions raised about improper election administration techniques - TENNIS STAR MARTINA HINGIS subjected to a two year ban from professional tennis because of performance enhancing drugs - KENYAN VIOLENCE AND ELECTION leads to over 300 dead and many more homeless with severe medical supply shortages - McDONALDS COFFEE BARS are to compete with Starbucks and recent wave of studies suggest coffee consumption has positive health values - GAZA STRIP VIOLENCE continues with Israelies claiming need to address insurgents for latest round of attacks - JAPAN considers lessening restrictions on U.S. beef and Japanese drugmaker EISAI acquires MGI Pharma - CANADA CONTINUES SHAM with award granted to Louise Arbour in the face of pending litigation for various domestic and international crimes and alongside certain (highly dependent) members of the international community - FRANCE'S SARKOZY TO MARRY FORMER SUPER MODEL - LEBANON FACES CONTINUING CRISIS following war with Israel, the stepping down of President Lahoud, and polarization between US backed governing coalition and Iran-Syria backed opposition - RECENT LOVER OF ACTRESS LINDSAY LOHAN declares she is a dynamo in bed as disclosed in various media reports - INTERNATIONAL CRIMINAL COURT PROSECUTOR to be approached by BWI Chair and Secretary General Winston George Tannis, again in 2008, to deal with obvious crimes committed through Canadian airspace and based on national inability founded on facts of interference and grounded on basic bias doctrine (also, Kirsch problem remains) - STANDOFF BETWEEN AMERICANS AND IRANIANS in Gulf attracts typical legal debate and posturing - BEACON TALENT WATCH continues its work into 2008 as Director-Producer W.G. Tannis continues to review casting and other staffing possibilities in perfecting the script and score for his major motion picture - FORMER CANADIAN SENATOR AND DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR OF POLITICS become formal supporters of work being led by legal genius Winston George Tannis as he guides the HRI Projet towards another report to the UN Security Council and other members of the global community - ACTRESS CAMERON DIAZ recognized by BWI for her commitment to sustainable development programs and reforms - AMBASSADOR, SECRETARY GENERAL AND COUNSEL W.TANNIS OF BWI continues discussions with a variety of philanthropists, corporate and government leaders about the multi-million dollar historic inquiry he is leading to resolve and review a major global governance, peace, security and stability crisis (a list of qualified legal aids and scientists is being formulated by him in order that the mandate be properly discharged with a suitably resourced inquiry staff) - KILLER OF ARDETH WOOD PLEADS GUILTY in case where young upwardly mobile and university educated woman killed by an allegedly simple, troubled man; similar to cases being pursued by WINSTON GEORGE TANNIS at BWI where various crimes against property and reputation, harassment and hate crimes are being examined by him as committed by 'troubled, sour losers and defeated persons' - SECOND MURDER IN TORONTO, CANADA OF 2008 near rich Yorkville area and a local strip club or erotic dance bar - INTERNATIONAL SEX RING IN TORONTO, CANADA investigated because improperly drawing East European women to Canada then compelling them into prostitution - OSCAR PETERSEN, DEAD JAZZ PIANIST celebrated for surviving racist circumstances in Canada and finding economic outlet in music on international stage - CANADIAN RACISM CONTINUES TO FACE attack and proper challenge by scholars, First Nations people, visible Arab and Asian Canadians, women and others by way of claims for investigations, compensation and restitution for breaches of law, unusual cruelty, and denial of basic rights and constitutionally contemplated opportunities - NAPLES IN THE MIDST OF GARBAGE STRIKES because of landfill site overload and other problems - REVIEW OF UN 2007 ACTIVITIES ... realization and acknowledgment that climate change is man made and with current Secretary General being first to visit Antarctica and witness melt down; UN Security Council sends its largest field mission to date to Africa; Sudan food aid with drought and water crisis; - SNOWBOARDING AND DOWNHILL SKIING dangers on increase as participants take more risks leading to death, brain damage and other injuries (helmets strongly recommended by experts) - AUSTRALIAN OPEN TENNIS begins with Serena Williams winning first match - WINSTON GEORGE TANNIS IS 'ORDER OF CANADA' CANDIDATE in light of his historic work of the 1990s and continuing to this day with his writings, lectures, seminars ... on laws, the arts, the economy, global peace, conflict resolution, family law, philosophy, the value of an arts education ... via his pubication The Beacon Letters / Les Lettres du Balise and other forums, and as Governor General compelled to consider such in continuing disclosure of his genius - US ECONOMY STIMULUS PACKAGE to be proposed with similalry minded monetary policies contemplated - WINSTON TANNIS MEETS WITH FRED AWADA, Founding Executive Director of the Lebanese and Arab Social Services Agency of Ottawa, in his capacity as BWI Ambassador and world leading jurist to discuss their respective work, accomplishments, Mr. Tannis' experiences at the Federal Courts of Canada and on Bay and King Street, and, multi-disciplinary integration strategies for new immigrants including enhanced mediation and adversarial models - CARLETON UNIVERSITY IN POLITICAL CAPITAL OF CANADA continues to deal with violence against women concerns on campus with enhanced security measures (racism and abuse of power suits against Carleton U. and Ottawa U. also being reviewed) - US PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFULS move on to Nevada and South Carolina with Romney and Clinton still conducting strong campaigns with Obama - NUMBER ONE PLAYER ROGER FEDERER moves on to 4th round of Australian Open with hopes to win third consecutive title - BWI CONTINUES INVESTIGATION OF SMALL AND BIG BUSINESS OPERATORS working in concert to combat constitutionally contemplated and legitimate consumer protection movement and watch group - SECRETARY GENERAL W. TANNIS explains law of privacy provisions to retail chain employee in Canada at a Zellers site viewing (Zellers is part of the HBC group of companies - the largest and oldest national department store corporate family) - NUMBER OF VISITORS FROM US TO CANADA drops, possibly in light of pending litigation and international trial and, embargos to be imposed for mischiefous national and international conduct in violation of UN Charter and constitional norms - CHAIRMAN WINSTON TANNIS AUTHORIZES NEW DIVISION AT BWI titled Beacon WebWatch to compliment its LawWatch and EqualityWatch divisions - BILL SAMPSON CASE featured on CTV to discuss Canadian government non-action in the face of Saudi alleged torture of this Canadian 'ex-pat' and related issues (program is titled "Confessions of An Innocent Man" and plays to ironic circumstances and procedural justice submissions) - JOURNALISTS DEIRDRE MCMURDY OF NATIONAL POST, AMERICAN SEYMOUR HERSH, AND CHRISTOPHER HITCHENS OF HARPER'S TO BE REMOVED FROM MEDIA 'DREAM TEAM' in proper prosecution of abuses occuring via North American airspace, due to apparent incompetences, illegal and unethical conduct and agency status (i.e., fundamental conflicts) - WINSTON GEORGE TANNIS TO BE COMPARED to young suave-sexy Canadian poet prince songwriter-artist-writer Leonard Cohen, and proper successor to his legacy, yet with his own distinctive style, filmaking approaches and communion with his diverse audiences; similarly, WG is being compared to consumer protection advocate Ralph Nader of the United States due to his good works at BWI and his previous works in favour of the public good; some supporters of BWI and others believe he should become Prime Minister - SONGWRITER WINSTON GEORGE FINISHING a series of duets with Mariah Carey, Sheryl Crow, Whitney Houston and Barbra Streisand in mind and as he finishes the script for The Bar Dialogues with BWI's HRI Projet of paramount concern - WG TO PUBLISH PIECE TITLED "Why Is The Media and Public Silent To Canadian Torture-Degradation Case With Only Simpson Suggesting a Dictatorship Problem In Assessing High Office Powers" and while also reviewing psychiatric analysis of 20th century tyranny, torture, degradation; systemic problems in Canada and U.S.; and, why Einstein left Germany and refused to lead the state of Israel; he will also publish a piece titled "What Has Happened to Amnesty International?: The Necessity of BWI and Equilibrium In The Global Third Sector" - APPLE LAUNCHES SUPER THIN AND LIGHT COMPUTER with Steve Jobs making public presentations; BWI will consider approaching Mr. Jobs to become a major supporter and sponsor; BWI Chairman Winston Tannis said, "of the Beacon Work Station Program which shall assist full time researchers, student interns and others to complete cutting edge research directed at poverty relief, sustainability, peace, stability and security." - AMERICANS REMEMBER MARTIN LUTHER KING and Winston George Tannis joins Oprah Winfrey in remembering then comments: "King understood and illustrated, to a significant and important extent, that the human spirit amidst the light can shine, and even upon the darkened, the darkness." - NEW ZEALAND'S MOST FAMOUS MOUNTAINEER Sir Edmund Hillary remembered for climbing Everest and other expeditions - VALENTINO FEATURED IN TV SPECIAL review of his work and retirement - SHARAPOVA WINS 2ND AUSTRALIAN OPEN with a match reviewed by Winston George Tannis who will be sending her a note of congratulations - TED AND CAROLINE KENNEDY PUBLICLY SUPPORT OBAMA in current competition for Democratic Party leadership  - ANNAN IN KENYA TO RESOLVE CRISIS involving a growing level of deaths and social chaos - JOHN EDWARDS AND RUDY GIULIANI to exit U.S. Presidential races - ITALIAN PREMIER ROMANO PRODI resigns after losing confidence vote - HOLOCAUST MUSEUM IN ISRAEL creates Arab version of its website - ENVIRONMENTAL SURVEY ranks India and China as underperforming after Clinton and McCain win in Florida

As many of you know, I spend a considerable amount of time protecting the public interest, as well as commenting on the peace processes in the Middle East, the civil war crisis in Lebanon, and similar happenings elsewhere. This is done via my status and work at BWI (an organization that I founded a number of years ago through the WINSTON GEORGE FOUNDATION AND GOVERNANCE ADVISORY (WGGA) in the spirit of the David Suzuki Foundation and other similar organizations. This work includes not only the containment of improper and illegal government action but threatening and exploitive actions by commercial parties or operators. This means that, for example, government agents including police officials are warned not to harass or illegitimately violate the privacy of individuals, and, companies are targeted to contain their predatory, abusive and excessively manipulative practices. Companies, large and small, by illustration, cannot make weak representations and guarantees and otherwise bully treat consumers without confronting the aforesaid corrective force. In the last few years, a number of organizations have been identified and monitored for abusive, exploitive, illegal, corrupt and other practices against the public interest including: Canadian Tire, the Ottawa Police Force, the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law and General Administration, the Fourth Avenue Bar & Grill, the National Post and Ottawa Citizen, the Source at Circuit City, CJOH News, Canadian Intelligence Services, the Federal Courts and the Supreme Court of Canada, Staples/Business Depot, certain Bay Street law firms, Shoppers Drug Mart, the United States Embassy in Ottawa, the Offices of the Privacy Commissioner and Access Commissioner, the Government of Ontario, the Globe & Mail, the Liberal Party of Canada, CTV, the General Hospital Television Series, the Conservative Party of Canada, the New Democratic Party of Canada, Foreign Affairs and Trade Canada, the United Nations Security Council, filmaker Edward Burns, NORAD, Lexmark, Carleton University, the Canadian Medical Association, Chapters/Indigo Books, the City of Ottawa Roads Department, the Governor General of Canada's Office, the Ottawa Civic Hospital and the National Gallery of Canada Security Personnel. On the other side, some companies and government groups are identified as meeting consistent and exceptional practices such as Second Cup, Starbucks, Fashion TV, the Oprah Winfrey Show, Sue Thomas TV Drama, filmaker Alan Parker of Mississipi Burning fame, actresses Nicole Kidman and Barbra Streisand, and those members of the Canadian and American Armed Forces and Intelligence who remain legally 'on guard' for the Canadian, American and North American constitutional interest. This is work that I will continue in 2008. For all those interested in this aspect of my life and who would like more details about the organization, my profile, internship and employment and patron opportunies, the volunteer program, and other good stuff, go to http://beacon.ncf.ca and write me, or my office at beaconwatchintl@yahoo.com, and, or, winstontannis@hotmail.com Hoping you'll continue to wish, pray, and hope for peace in our time, WINSTON GEORGE TANNIS