Watch the news in Vancouver and one might not be faulted for thinking that all South Asians are bloodthirsty thugs.

There are many times when I feel that the political radar of the Georgia Straight’s Charlie Smith is skewered by irrelevance, a point that I have written about in the past and an opinion which is only buttressed with blog updates like this by his staff.

This piece, however, shows that Smith, when on, is still one of this city’s best commentators.

I have often pontificated, both verbally and in print, about the Vancouver media’s portrayal of South Asians when associated with any type of criminal activity – either alleged or proven.

Right now I am off to meet a high profile South Asian who thankfully doesn’t seem to be pigeonholed based on his or her race.  But later in the day I will be back with a more in depth analysis on how South Asians are always classified in such a limited way by local reporting.

Colbert brutalized Ujjal...and they both loved it.

Ujjal plays the straight man well and Colbert is excellent as usual.  Although, the Himalayas most definitely extend into India, so I am not sure what he was talking about.  I also liked the fact that Colbert was able to pronounce his name much better than many Canadian commentators, who regularly brutalize the delivery.

The second funny piece of the day comes from…OK, wait for it…the Georgia Straight’s Charlie Smith.  What a surprise.

Smith takes issue with the fact that the City of Vancouver website has a portion of it devoted to…again, wait for it…the Mayor.

Oh the horror.

And get this…he has a video promoting Vancouver as a Green Capital to the world.

I know…a disgrace of epic proportions.

I mean, it’s not like other cities have profiles of their Mayor on their websites.

That would be ridiculous.

Great reporting, as per usual Charlie.  Keep up the tough investigative journalism.

• This account and more particularly the accompanying photo represent the ugly side of residential reactions to the HEAT shelters.  With acknowledgment for the fact that there was most definitely behaviours exhibited that caused anger, fear and safety concerns amongst local residents, there can be little doubt that there were also members of the neighbourhood who simply do not believe that the homeless belong within their vicinity.  Like I suggested on Sunday, this is one of those issues that the Mayor needs to stand up for regardless of the political hits he takes from the NIMBY front – he won an election on ending homelessness, and this initial upset by the minority should be considered as little more than minor potholes in the broader path ahead.

• Mason’s right – Vancouverites, which traditionally aren’t known as the most friendly city dwellers for visitors, needs to step up to the plate and contribute towards showing the world the most friendly and accomodating face possible.  Even if the weather, our medal count or other unforseen circumstances don’t work out as well as planned, the one given should be the way in which we collectively welcome the world with a spirit worthy of long-lasting, positive memories for our guests.

• Charlie’s at it again – his crusade continues.  First, with consideration for the fact that municipal politics doesn’t exactly generate excitement or often times even basic interest from the general public (a result caused from combining smaller scale issues with ongoing voter apathy), I would argue that Gregor Robertson’s name recognition is quite healthy – or at least healthy enough not pose a threat to his reelection chances as Smith asserts.  If Robertson is going to lose, it certainly won’t be because people don’t know who he is or what he has done.  Secondly, I much prefer a City Manager that doesn’t hide in the backrooms with her unelected officials making clandestine and political decisions as Judy Rogers used to.  Does it seem that Penny Ballem is somewhat of a micro-manager?  I’d have to say absolutely.  Yet in consideration of the fact that because of the way that the Vancouver Charter is constituted, the City Manager has far greater powers than the Mayor or Councillors in many respects, and thus I think that Ballem is appropriate in stepping up and explaining positions and directions.  In one instance Smith wants to hear from the policy experts on housing from within City Hall, and then in the next sentence he wants only the Mayor to speak up on such an issue.  Make up your mind, Charlie.

• I am as proud of Canadian artists, and more specifically Vancouver artists, as anyone, and truth be told, I have a couple of Nickelback songs in my music collection.  But band of the decade?  I’m speechless.  I guess there is no accounting for the tastes of those souls who still purchase albums in a physical store.  That video in the link by the way is a riot.

• No word from Mike Klassen yet.  I will continue to try and pry out of him his intentions for the 2011 election, however, because I think it goes to the very credibility of everything he writes about on his CityCaucus website, where the predominant theme is how bad the Vision Vancouver adminisration is.  My prediction?  One of the two authors behind that particular web presence will announce their political aspirations at some point (again, ONLY speculation on my part boys…no need to forward another lawsuit threat).

(the sports edition)

• This is a satisfying story to read about as a former Grizzlies fan that was crushed when that bastard Heisley moved them to Memphis.  The  team’s ticket prices are lowest in the league and attendance was second lowest in the NBA last year. Add the two together and the Grizzlies generated only $322,000 per game, which is one sixth of what the LA Lakers pull in at the gate.  Maybe it wasn’t Vancouver after all.

• I am not as happy to hear about this prediction, however.  Are sponsors, or a lack thereof, the determining factor as to whether the games are a success or not?  Not entirely.  But I have a feeling that the tourist element in Vancouver is also not going to be as strong as earlier forecasts.

• A propagandist?  Wow, thanks Charlie!  Once again, I wish that such a title was accompanied by that elusive cheque that Charlie is so hotly pursuing.  Alas, it unfortunately isn’t, which will likely force Charlie to go back to the hard hitting stories about Vision Vancouver colour schemes that has earned him the reputation that he so richly deserves.

• I am very excited about the picking of the Olympic Men’s Hockey team which will be announced on December 30 by GM Steve Yzerman.  I don’t mind these predictions, although if Stamkos doesn’t make it just like Crosby didn’t four years ago, it will be a huge mistake…mark my words.

• Don’t hold your breath, Canucks fans.  It has been a rough first half for you guys and for my  beloved Habs, although they have just won 3 in a row with the return of Markov.  If the Canucks make it, so too will the Habs.  If they don’t, I think both teams miss.  Somehow I have a feeling that their fates are linked.

• This will be fun.  In fact, pulling football (Br) and football (Am) away from the dome will be more of an impetus for myself and many other quasi-fans to make more of an effort to attend games.  I absolutely hate BC Place, and no amount of renovations are going to change that.  Like I have previously stated, this is the stadium that is going to be responsible for the worse opening ceremonies in Olympic history.

That’s it for today, and for the next few, folks.  Merry Christmas to you and your families.  I will see you back here after Boxing Day.