Ten Commandments for Con Men

Tips by Victor Lustig, who once sold the Eiffel Tower.

Source: Fakes, Frauds & Other Malarkey, via Marc Manus

1. Be a patient listener (it is this, not fast talking, that gets a con-man his coups).
2. Never look bored.
3. Wait for the other person to reveal any political opinions, then agree with them.
4. Let the other person reveal religious views, then have the same ones.
5. Hint at sex talk, but don’t follow it up unless the other fellow shows a strong interest.
6. Never discuss illness, unless some special concern is shown.
7. Never pry into a person’s personal circumstances (they’ll tell you all eventually).
8. Never boast. Just let your importance be quietly obvious.
9. Never be untidy.
10. Never get drunk.

Pub Night

Tonight! New Edinburgh Pub. 8 pm. Let's do it before the tanned guys get back.

Canadian Distress Signal

Canadian Distress Signal

Howie Wilson: Obit

Howie Wilson

1940-2012 Howie Wilson, dedicated public servant, bagarreur and bon vivant, died on February 19th, aged 71We are immensely sad as we mourn the death of our dear Dad, Howie Ross Wilson.

Howie was born in Edmonton in 1940 but spent most of his high-school years in Hay River, NWT. He attended the University of Alberta on a scholarship where he met his wife Lassie (Frances) Chalmers in 1962. They married in 1964 and moved to Ottawa where Howie began his 39-year public service career. Throughout his career, he prided himself in providing frank, informed and impartial advice to deputies, ministers and even the Prime Minister. As his dear friend Peter Clark said: "Howie Wilson was a great Canadian who understood both the public and how to serve them." He loved a good intellectual challenge, and his last assignment as Ethics Counsellor was certainly that. He took a lot of heat but enjoyed every minute, every political cartoon, and was proud of the work of the Office.

Howie applied the same fair and principled approach to parenting that he did to his work. He was a hands-on Dad to us as young children spending time on long canoe treks, teaching logic puzzles, and helping us discover the world. As we got older he would engage us in loud nightly debates over dinner on the topics of the day. Dad loved traveling and a fine meal, so all our family holidays included Dad spending a good part of the day strategizing on how to find the best restaurant in the town that were visiting. We have many fond memories of great meals.

He loved being a grandfather, and was fondly referred to as Howie, grandpapa Howie or Bozo One by his grandchildren Jasmine, Nicolas, Véronique, Benjamin, Juliette, Oliver and Eric. When his 4-year old grandson Oliver heard about his death, he said: "Today is a sad day, and my grandpa Howie is a bright start in the sky now."

During his retirement, Howie had time to rediscover his passion for opera, become more active in the Rideau Club, and make daily jaunts to the Market to his favourite shops, including Sasloves.

Howie is sadly missed by his wife Lassie; by his children Patricia (Christopher), Stewart (Ira), Andrew; his grandchildren; his sister Linda Stewart (Merrill); his in-laws Dennis Chalmers (Kate), Barb Izzio (Joe); Elinor Murphy, Shannon Fynn, Celine Nadreau; and his nieces and nephews.

We will hold a memorial service on August 30, 2012 to celebrate his life. He would have been 72. We look forward to sharing stories and memories of Howie with his friends and family.

Howard Wilson: RIP

Our colleague, Howard Wilson, died suddenly on Saturday. Obits are here and here.

Feel free to contribute to the comments. Include your name in the text as only the 'anonymous' format appears to be working. You can also use Twitter for this: #amigosnewsletter

Official Amigos Necktie?

Trade Commissioner Wins Suit Against Paying Pool Charges

Anyone ever consider fighting unjust charges relating to your staff quarters to the extent you will wage the battle for 6 years? Ian Thomson, TC in Dubai, did. And he won! Here.


Does anyone else think they should just give staff a set allowance for housing and tell them to find their own damn housing. Get yourself a palace and pay the extra amount; live in a garret and keep the change. Result: massive savings and huge boost in morale all around.

David Clemons, RIP

David Henry Clemons

CLEMONS, David Henry - With deep sadness, the family of David Henry Clemons announces his tragic, sudden passing at his home on Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 70 years of age. Predeceased by his parents George and Helen Clemons (nee Henry). Beloved husband of Patricia (nee McMahon). Much loved father of Gregory (Donna), Abbotsford, B.C., Jeffrey, Kingston and Janine (New Zealand). Caring step-father of Robert Williams, California, James Williams and Suzanne Williams, England. Proud grandfather of Ethan, Elena and Matilda. Dear brother of Nora Fueten (Horst) and the late Ketha McLaren (Duncan). Also missed by nieces and nephews Frank, Louise, Mary and Angus. David had a long and successful business career. He had been a Trade Commissioner to Trinidad and Germany, and C.E.O. of Holstein Canada until 1993. He later worked as European representative for Destron- Fearing and was C.E.O. for the Egg Marketing Agency and worked to develop mega-Nutrel. David was an avid cyclist, swimmer and conservationist. The family will receive friends at McCLEISTER FUNERAL HOME, 495 Park Rd. N., Brantford for a memorial visitation on Friday, February 10, 2012 from 2 - 4 and 7 - 9 p.m. Cremation has taken place. The Funeral Service to honour David's life will be at ST. ANDREW'S UNITED CHURCH, 95 Darling St., Brantford on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 11:00 a.m. If wished, memorial donations to your favourite charity would be gratefully appreciated. McCLEISTER 519-758-1553 www.mccleisterfuneralhome.ca

Cruise Ship Captain Starts New Job

Italian Cruise ship captain Francesco Schettino began his new job as a bus driver yesterday....