As of last night the Anaheim Ducks had 19 points in the NHL standings and the Maple Leafs have 18.

So what's the rush to bring Brian "Family Guy" Burke when Uncle Cliff Fletcher's team is doing just fine?

And how come we know more about Burke not getting to spend time with his adult kids in Boston and his wife's broadcasting career than we do his plan to bring a Stanley Cup to Toronto?

The more the latest genius promising to take us to the promised land talks, the more I think they should actually make him beg a little first.

On the Leafs Lunch program with TSN's Darren Dreger on AM 640 this week Burke outlined his priorities: 1) to have total control 2) see more of his family and 3) "To win."

The first two are not as important to Leaf fans as the third.

Interesting how things change. Last November on the prospect of coming to Toronto he said, "you guys know my view on some members of the media. Some of the stuff they write, I've said it a million times, can only be described as a drug-induced fantasy.

"To talk about a GM going there, who doesn't want to go there, who's happy and doesn't have an out, I wish some of these people would call me before they write these rumours," Burke said, adding "I can't say it anymore clearly -- my wife and I want to stay in Anaheim and I think ownership wants me to stay. I'm under contract for this year and next year and I intend to stay in Anaheim for as long as they want me. I don't have an out and I don't want an out."

Something must have changed because less than a year later he's awkwardly manoeuvred himself out from his team in the middle of the season and is ready to entertain offers from other clubs?

You sure you want this guy in your slit trench?

Can we get Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin out of their contracts, too?

Now I realize Burkie, as the palsy hockey people call him, is a great GM and is coming here but this really is a nudge, nudge, wink, wink silly charade.

Of course, if he brings the Cup here I will be the first one to say, "Man, I love that Burkie."

---

Speaking of brave, hats off to Julie Baldwin, a 35-year-old mother of two who landed in Afghanistan for her second tour of duty to serve her country and her country's troops coffee. She's one of the patriotic Tim Hortons crew over there. Amazing.

Civilian Canadians have really done their part on the homefront, too -- the Highway of Heroes phenomenon covered by ex-pat Kevin Tibbles on NBC News this week is a prime example. "We are with our troops," said the Sun's Pete Fisher, who like fellow Sun photo desl member Calvin Reynolds wears red every Friday in support.

---

How about that Alvin Curling and Roy McMurtry, spending 17 months and $2 million to tell us it's racism and the lack of basketball courts causing the shooting violence. It's like the thugs wrote it themselves.

Somebody has to stand up for the teachers and cops who are not racist. And stand up for a province which provides opportunity for all those who desire it.

The punks with guns are just losers and criminals and no amount of money you throw at them is going to change that.

---

Still waiting for Finance Minister Jim Flaherty to tell me who in his Whitby-Oshawa riding told him they are against a federal backstop for the auto sector. But I did hear some calling me a "Commie" for me calling him out on it. You call me what you want. I am trying to save your town.

---

Went to my pal Lucio Salonia's birthday at Sultan's Tent on Front St. and can't wait to go back and see belly dancer Irina perform again. Sultan's is a good place for a celebration. Sandrine Tonoukouin was doing that for her master's degree from U of T with pals Naa Kwarley Quartey, Priya Tanna, Fathi Egal and Shukri Aloukar. Toronto is quite a place where people of all cultures and backgrounds do just fine together and have a great life. It's too bad a few idiots with guns and excuses ruin it for everybody else.

Enjoy your weekend, everyone. Scrawler out!