Besides being a bad husband ( he allegedly committed adultery with Belinda),Tie Domi is a jerk. He owes the coach, his son and the other children he frightened ,an apology. I am appalled at these kind of stupid parents who ruin the game for their children and everyone else.
I just posted about the great Jean Beliveau, who was recently honoured. Compare this jerk to the classy Jean Beliveau. It is hard to believe they played the same sport.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Princeton is still a university
Univeisities t0 me should be places of ideas that can be debated. Unfortunately the militant left has taken over many universities and only orthodox leftist thought is allowed.
I congratulate Princeton and Dean Anne Marie Slaughter on keeping Princeton a true university.h/t TigerHawk
Campus Announcements
Talk focuses on abortion and women, April 4
Posted March 28, 2007; 06:08 p.m.
A lecture titled "How Abortion Harms Women" is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, in 16 Robertson Hall.
The talk will be delivered by Charmaine Yoest, vice president for communications at the Family Research Council, a nonprofit lobbying organization that promotes socially conservative views.
Yoest also is project director of the Family, Gender and Tenure Project at the University of Virginia, a nationwide study focused on parental leave policy. She is the author (with Deborah Shaw Lewis) of "Mother in the Middle" and is working on a new book, "A G.I. Bill for Moms: Mothers, the Market and the American Way."
The talk is sponsored by the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs and the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions.
I congratulate Princeton and Dean Anne Marie Slaughter on keeping Princeton a true university.h/t TigerHawk
Campus Announcements
Talk focuses on abortion and women, April 4
Posted March 28, 2007; 06:08 p.m.
A lecture titled "How Abortion Harms Women" is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 4, in 16 Robertson Hall.
The talk will be delivered by Charmaine Yoest, vice president for communications at the Family Research Council, a nonprofit lobbying organization that promotes socially conservative views.
Yoest also is project director of the Family, Gender and Tenure Project at the University of Virginia, a nationwide study focused on parental leave policy. She is the author (with Deborah Shaw Lewis) of "Mother in the Middle" and is working on a new book, "A G.I. Bill for Moms: Mothers, the Market and the American Way."
The talk is sponsored by the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs and the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions.
War Crimes trial in Montreal
Desire Munyaneza fled Rwanda in 1997 and claimed refugee status in Canada. It took 3 years for the RCMP to discover he was deeply involved in the Rwandan genocide. The IRB rejected his claim and instead of returning him to face justice in Rwanda, He is now being tried in Montreal Canada has laws to try war criminals locally ,even if the crime happened elsewhere. The maximum punishment is life in prison with a possibility of parole. He would serve time in a Canadian prison. This butcher should be sent baqck to Rwanda and be tried by his fellow citizens. The Crown has had 13 witnesses brought to Canada.
The testimony so far has been horrific;
The witness, one of 13 brought to Canada from Rwanda to testify, said she saw Munyaneza ordering people to get into pickup trucks and beating anyone who resisted.
She said she was taken with a group of six others to a forest. There, they were forced to stand in a circle. Munyaneza, who had a gun, was supervising extremist Hutus armed with machetes.
"He told people to kill us and he was standing there, making sure no one would escape," said the woman, who was 21 at the time.
"They started hacking people. When they slashed the woman next to me, I fell down so they would think I was dead. I stayed there until they were gone."
The woman had already fled her home, hid out in caves and coffee plantations in the central African country, and endured rape to survive the systematic slaughter of close to a million Tutsis in just 100 days.
"One soldier took me to the prefecture (office) and I thought he was taking pity on me," she said. "But when we got there, he took me behind the office and he raped me."
I hope Robin Philpot is listening. Munyaneza if found guilty should rot in a Rwandan prison or be executed. I don't want him paroled in Canada to wander our streets.
The testimony so far has been horrific;
The witness, one of 13 brought to Canada from Rwanda to testify, said she saw Munyaneza ordering people to get into pickup trucks and beating anyone who resisted.
She said she was taken with a group of six others to a forest. There, they were forced to stand in a circle. Munyaneza, who had a gun, was supervising extremist Hutus armed with machetes.
"He told people to kill us and he was standing there, making sure no one would escape," said the woman, who was 21 at the time.
"They started hacking people. When they slashed the woman next to me, I fell down so they would think I was dead. I stayed there until they were gone."
The woman had already fled her home, hid out in caves and coffee plantations in the central African country, and endured rape to survive the systematic slaughter of close to a million Tutsis in just 100 days.
"One soldier took me to the prefecture (office) and I thought he was taking pity on me," she said. "But when we got there, he took me behind the office and he raped me."
I hope Robin Philpot is listening. Munyaneza if found guilty should rot in a Rwandan prison or be executed. I don't want him paroled in Canada to wander our streets.
Svend just won't go away
Felon Svend Robinson may run in a aseat in the BC provincial legislature. This guy is even more of a publicity whore than Garth. After being given no jail time for his jewellery heist he actually ran for the federal parliament and had the experience of being defeated by Hedy,the crosses are burning,Fry. Svend just go away.
Svend Robinson considers a run at provincial politics
Peter O'Neil, CanWest News Service; Vancouver Sun
Published: Saturday, March 31, 2007
OTTAWA - Former New Democratic Party MP Svend Robinson has ruled out another federal comeback bid if there's a federal election this spring, but said Friday he's leaving the door open to a career in the B.C. legislature.
"I won't be a candidate in the upcoming federal election," said Robinson, whose controversial 25-year career in federal politics ended before the 2004 election after he admitted he stole an expensive ring to give to his partner, Max Riveron.
Robinson, who was beaten by Vancouver Centre Liberal Hedy Fry when he launched an attempted comeback in the 2006 election, said he's mulling a career in provincial politics
Svend Robinson considers a run at provincial politics
Peter O'Neil, CanWest News Service; Vancouver Sun
Published: Saturday, March 31, 2007
OTTAWA - Former New Democratic Party MP Svend Robinson has ruled out another federal comeback bid if there's a federal election this spring, but said Friday he's leaving the door open to a career in the B.C. legislature.
"I won't be a candidate in the upcoming federal election," said Robinson, whose controversial 25-year career in federal politics ended before the 2004 election after he admitted he stole an expensive ring to give to his partner, Max Riveron.
Robinson, who was beaten by Vancouver Centre Liberal Hedy Fry when he launched an attempted comeback in the 2006 election, said he's mulling a career in provincial politics
Scotty goes into Outer Space
I am a big Star Trek fan. I actually met James Doohan once. He gave a lecture at Mcgill
while I was a student. He said many students had told him they had gone into engineering because of Scotty.
Now Scotty finally gets to warp out of here. RIP James Doohan! Say hello to Dr. McCoy for me.
Star Trek's Scotty plots last course for the stars
Fri Mar 30, 5:25 PM ET
PHOENIX (Reuters) - The remains of actor James Doohan, who played the starship Enterprise's chief engineer Scotty on "Star Trek," will be blasted into space next month, the company organizing the flight said on Friday.
The Canadian-born actor who inspired the catchphrase "Beam me up, Scotty" -- even though it was never actually uttered on the television show -- died two years ago at the age of 85...
Friday, March 30, 2007
Week in Review:Woe is dion
...And that brings us to British Columbia, where the split between the ideology of the right and left is even more pronounced.
Gordon Campbell's provincial Liberal government is Liberal in name only -- and really has a more conservative bent overall.
That means in the four biggest and richest provinces, there's not a lot of love available to Dion.
In the others, such as NDP-run Manitoba and Saskatchewan, the Liberals' left-handed ways put them in the middle of an already crowded field, vying for the same voters as NDP Leader Jack Layton, who has the support of the incumbent premiers.
At this point, whether there's a federal election sooner or later, it's not clear what Dion can do to move the dial from its present setting. What is clear is that it won't be easy.
Mcmurdy thinks that dion has problems in the four richest and most populous provinces Ontario,BC, Alberta and Quebec and little to work with in the other provinces.The Quebec election has given the Tories an even greater ground game. Stelmach is much more supportive of the federal Tories than Ralph, BC is already pretty right wing and the Ontario Party has been berating the federal grits over being soft on crime. Its all so unfair, woe is dion. The whole of dion's career as grit leader will be summarized by the word unfair. To add to dion's problems, the Tory war chest is surging ahead. New ads are being prepared while the grit MPs try and hitch a ride home to spread the grit gospel:its so unfair. To top it off we may get to see Holland and
Jennings do a perp walk or have to apologize in the house for their mail tampering activities. Its been a good week.
Gordon Campbell's provincial Liberal government is Liberal in name only -- and really has a more conservative bent overall.
That means in the four biggest and richest provinces, there's not a lot of love available to Dion.
In the others, such as NDP-run Manitoba and Saskatchewan, the Liberals' left-handed ways put them in the middle of an already crowded field, vying for the same voters as NDP Leader Jack Layton, who has the support of the incumbent premiers.
At this point, whether there's a federal election sooner or later, it's not clear what Dion can do to move the dial from its present setting. What is clear is that it won't be easy.
Mcmurdy thinks that dion has problems in the four richest and most populous provinces Ontario,BC, Alberta and Quebec and little to work with in the other provinces.The Quebec election has given the Tories an even greater ground game. Stelmach is much more supportive of the federal Tories than Ralph, BC is already pretty right wing and the Ontario Party has been berating the federal grits over being soft on crime. Its all so unfair, woe is dion. The whole of dion's career as grit leader will be summarized by the word unfair. To add to dion's problems, the Tory war chest is surging ahead. New ads are being prepared while the grit MPs try and hitch a ride home to spread the grit gospel:its so unfair. To top it off we may get to see Holland and
Jennings do a perp walk or have to apologize in the house for their mail tampering activities. Its been a good week.
Fathers' rights
I had meant to post on this a few days ago, but got caught up in the Quebec election.
Barbara Kay discusses a new men's group in Ottawa
With the Kind permission of Barbara Kay here is the column:
Fathers helping fathers
Barbara Kay, National Post
Published: Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Seven years ago, Ken Sandall's wife walked out on him with their two young children. At the time, Ken was making $2,250 a month. A judge ordered him to pay $2,000 a month in spousal and child support. (Crazy allocations like this happen a lot in family court. But nobody does anything about it, even though lives are ruined.) He slept in friends' basements and lived like a tramp, but he paid until he was forced to declare bankruptcy.
Ken was subjected to more humiliations, including false allegations of sexual impropriety with children. His further trials would make good reading, but so would all the other hundreds of stories I have on file about men who get a raw deal from angry women. Instead, I'd rather tell you what Ken went on to do after he got his life back together again.
Ken became a father's rights activist. From experience, he realized that the one thing men suddenly deprived of their homes and families need more than anything else is relief from the intense loneliness they face. Typically, they have no clue as to their legal rights or obligations and are ill-equipped to negotiate the women-friendly family law maelstrom into which they've been sucked.Ten days ago, under Ken's direction, a new fathers rights support group -- "Ottawa Fathers" -- opened its doors for business. Ken had fairly humble expectations, but before the first day of business ended, he had fielded over 100 e-mails of interest, warm encouragement and petitions for assistance from the Ottawa area and beyond.
A core group of 20 has already formed. The first meeting of the group has been set for April 7. What makes
Ottawa Fathers different from other father support groups, which focus on information-sharing, is that it offers peer support -- they "walk the walk" of the family law journey on a case by case basis, as well as offering a temporary safe house for men who have been thrown out of their family home or who are escaping domestic abuse (yes, it happens more than either side likes to admit). They'll help with paperwork, accompany a man to court, seek a sympathetic lawyer and, in short, just -- you know --be there for them.
To my knowledge, this is the first Canadian initiative that is trying to duplicate for men services like shelters, counselling and paralegal guidance that are widely available for women, all generously funded by charities and government. Needless to say, Ken's group will depend entirely on private funds. No men's groups I know of receive a cent from government or charities.
A lot of the men Ken deals with are suicidal or victims of domestic abuse. About 800 men in Ontario kill themselves every year. Around half of them are at the time of their suicide involved in the family law system. If women were killing themselves in such numbers and had this factor in common, there would be a national outcry. But there seems to be little public interest in knowing why men feel so tortured during a process that is purportedly even-handed in its judgments. Of course it isn't, the suicides are proof of that, and still the beat goes on.ast summer, as an experiment, I asked a male friend of mine to call up Ontario organizations listed by Health Canada as recognized bodies dealing with "family" needs, including help for victims of domestic violence. I also called some, pretending to have a brother with a battering female spouse. Neither of us could get to first base in terms of actual service. There was help on offer for abusing men, and for abused women. Nothing for male victims of abuse by women.
Several of these organizations were funded by government and by The United Way of Greater Toronto. I spoke to the director of allocations at United Way. They have no intention of researching or funding domestic abuse by women against men for the foreseeable future.
Ken Sandall's group is filling a gap that shouldn't be there. You can learn more about Ottawa Fathers here
Bkay@videotron.ca
© National Post 2007
The rate of suicide among men is high and many of the men who kill themselves are involved in the family law system. Perhaps society could acknowledge that fathers are important. The family law system is pro woman and anti man. Changes have been proposed to fix some of this , but it has been fought tooth and nail by women's rights groups.
This all fits in with the ,radical feminist agenda which doesn't want equality with men, but seeks to destroy the family, men and boys.
Barbara Kay discusses a new men's group in Ottawa
With the Kind permission of Barbara Kay here is the column:
Fathers helping fathers
Barbara Kay, National Post
Published: Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Seven years ago, Ken Sandall's wife walked out on him with their two young children. At the time, Ken was making $2,250 a month. A judge ordered him to pay $2,000 a month in spousal and child support. (Crazy allocations like this happen a lot in family court. But nobody does anything about it, even though lives are ruined.) He slept in friends' basements and lived like a tramp, but he paid until he was forced to declare bankruptcy.
Ken was subjected to more humiliations, including false allegations of sexual impropriety with children. His further trials would make good reading, but so would all the other hundreds of stories I have on file about men who get a raw deal from angry women. Instead, I'd rather tell you what Ken went on to do after he got his life back together again.
Ken became a father's rights activist. From experience, he realized that the one thing men suddenly deprived of their homes and families need more than anything else is relief from the intense loneliness they face. Typically, they have no clue as to their legal rights or obligations and are ill-equipped to negotiate the women-friendly family law maelstrom into which they've been sucked.Ten days ago, under Ken's direction, a new fathers rights support group -- "Ottawa Fathers" -- opened its doors for business. Ken had fairly humble expectations, but before the first day of business ended, he had fielded over 100 e-mails of interest, warm encouragement and petitions for assistance from the Ottawa area and beyond.
A core group of 20 has already formed. The first meeting of the group has been set for April 7. What makes
Ottawa Fathers different from other father support groups, which focus on information-sharing, is that it offers peer support -- they "walk the walk" of the family law journey on a case by case basis, as well as offering a temporary safe house for men who have been thrown out of their family home or who are escaping domestic abuse (yes, it happens more than either side likes to admit). They'll help with paperwork, accompany a man to court, seek a sympathetic lawyer and, in short, just -- you know --be there for them.
To my knowledge, this is the first Canadian initiative that is trying to duplicate for men services like shelters, counselling and paralegal guidance that are widely available for women, all generously funded by charities and government. Needless to say, Ken's group will depend entirely on private funds. No men's groups I know of receive a cent from government or charities.
A lot of the men Ken deals with are suicidal or victims of domestic abuse. About 800 men in Ontario kill themselves every year. Around half of them are at the time of their suicide involved in the family law system. If women were killing themselves in such numbers and had this factor in common, there would be a national outcry. But there seems to be little public interest in knowing why men feel so tortured during a process that is purportedly even-handed in its judgments. Of course it isn't, the suicides are proof of that, and still the beat goes on.ast summer, as an experiment, I asked a male friend of mine to call up Ontario organizations listed by Health Canada as recognized bodies dealing with "family" needs, including help for victims of domestic violence. I also called some, pretending to have a brother with a battering female spouse. Neither of us could get to first base in terms of actual service. There was help on offer for abusing men, and for abused women. Nothing for male victims of abuse by women.
Several of these organizations were funded by government and by The United Way of Greater Toronto. I spoke to the director of allocations at United Way. They have no intention of researching or funding domestic abuse by women against men for the foreseeable future.
Ken Sandall's group is filling a gap that shouldn't be there. You can learn more about Ottawa Fathers here
Bkay@videotron.ca
© National Post 2007
The rate of suicide among men is high and many of the men who kill themselves are involved in the family law system. Perhaps society could acknowledge that fathers are important. The family law system is pro woman and anti man. Changes have been proposed to fix some of this , but it has been fought tooth and nail by women's rights groups.
This all fits in with the ,radical feminist agenda which doesn't want equality with men, but seeks to destroy the family, men and boys.
One of the differences between Christians and jihadis
The Roger Smith Hotel Lab Gallery has canceled a disgusting exhibit showing a chocolate naked statue of Our Lord and Saviour during Holy Week! This reminds me of the moron who painted the Blessed Virgin in cow dung! In that case Mayor Giuliani dealt with it. The gallery and sponsoring hotel got a lot of emails and phone calls. There have been calls for an economic boycott.
Can you imagine what the jihadis would have done? We have the example from the Danish cartoons. Christians protested with words , not violent riots and killings.
Can you imagine what the jihadis would have done? We have the example from the Danish cartoons. Christians protested with words , not violent riots and killings.
Tutu and Albright denounce Mugabe:
It is about time we here from some on the left denouncing the monster mugabe:
A cry for Zimbabwe
A moment to end the repression - unless the world retreats into silence
By Desmond Tutu and Madeleine Albright
Zimbabwe, long plagued by the repressive leadership of President Robert Mugabe, has reached the point of crisis. Leaders of the democratic opposition were arrested and beaten, and one was killed, while attempting to hold a peaceful prayer meeting on March 11. Morgan Tsvangirai, head of the Movement for Democratic Change, emerged from detention with a swollen eye and a fractured skull. Several days later, Nelson Chamisa, the movement's spokesman, was stopped en route to a meeting with European officials and beaten with iron bars. Other activists have been prevented from leaving the country to seek medical treatment for wounds inflicted by police. Unrest has continued, as have the violent crackdowns. Mugabe, stubborn and unrepentant as ever, has vowed to "bash" protesters and dismissed international criticism as an imperialist plot.
Although anti-government feelings are prompted by the regime's lack of respect for human and political rights, Mugabe's poor management of the economy is also to blame. The inflation rate, more than 1,700 percent, is the world's highest, while an estimated four out of five people are unemployed. Zimbabwe, once Africa's breadbasket, has become, under Mugabe, a basket case. The crisis in Zimbabwe raises familiar questions about the responsibilities of the international community. Some argue that the world has no business interfering with, or even commenting on, the internal affairs of a sovereign state. This principle is exceptionally convenient for dictators and for people who do not wish to be bothered about the well-being of others. It is a principle that paved the way for the rise of Hitler and Stalin and for the murders ordered by Idi Amin. It is a principle that, if consistently observed, would have shielded the apartheid government in South Africa from external criticism and from the economic sanctions and political pressure that forced it to change. It is a principle that would have prevented racist Rhodesia from becoming Zimbabwe and Robert Mugabe from ever coming to power.
We are not suggesting that the world should intervene to impose political change in Zimbabwe. We are suggesting that global and regional organizations and individual governments should make known their support for human rights and democratic practices in that country, as elsewhere. We should condemn in the strongest terms the use of violence to prevent the free and peaceful expression of political thought. We should make clear our support for the standards enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Given Mugabe's consistent unwillingness to respect the legitimate complaints of his people, this is not the time for silent diplomacy. This is the time to speak out. It is especially important that members of the African Union and Southern African Development Community (SADC) raise their voices, for they have the most influence and can hardly be accused of interventionism. As the examples of Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela remind us, it is never inappropriate to speak on behalf of justice...
It is a shame that the ANC in South Africa has done little to stop the crazy actions of their comrade mugabe. Perhaps Bishop Tutu should have spent less time denouncing President Bush and more time speaking to his own government to help stop the carnage next door. The South Africans by their silence and support have propped up the rogue mugabe regime. Indeed other African leaders have today come to the defense of this monster. Those who are silent are complicit with mugabe's murderous regime. The leaders of Africa have the blood of the people of Zimbabwe on their hands.
Presidenet Mbeki is supposed to start a dialogue with this monster. Alll the frontline states should boycott Zimbabwe and isolate its leadership.
God help the starving people of Zimbabwe.
A cry for Zimbabwe
A moment to end the repression - unless the world retreats into silence
By Desmond Tutu and Madeleine Albright
Zimbabwe, long plagued by the repressive leadership of President Robert Mugabe, has reached the point of crisis. Leaders of the democratic opposition were arrested and beaten, and one was killed, while attempting to hold a peaceful prayer meeting on March 11. Morgan Tsvangirai, head of the Movement for Democratic Change, emerged from detention with a swollen eye and a fractured skull. Several days later, Nelson Chamisa, the movement's spokesman, was stopped en route to a meeting with European officials and beaten with iron bars. Other activists have been prevented from leaving the country to seek medical treatment for wounds inflicted by police. Unrest has continued, as have the violent crackdowns. Mugabe, stubborn and unrepentant as ever, has vowed to "bash" protesters and dismissed international criticism as an imperialist plot.
Although anti-government feelings are prompted by the regime's lack of respect for human and political rights, Mugabe's poor management of the economy is also to blame. The inflation rate, more than 1,700 percent, is the world's highest, while an estimated four out of five people are unemployed. Zimbabwe, once Africa's breadbasket, has become, under Mugabe, a basket case. The crisis in Zimbabwe raises familiar questions about the responsibilities of the international community. Some argue that the world has no business interfering with, or even commenting on, the internal affairs of a sovereign state. This principle is exceptionally convenient for dictators and for people who do not wish to be bothered about the well-being of others. It is a principle that paved the way for the rise of Hitler and Stalin and for the murders ordered by Idi Amin. It is a principle that, if consistently observed, would have shielded the apartheid government in South Africa from external criticism and from the economic sanctions and political pressure that forced it to change. It is a principle that would have prevented racist Rhodesia from becoming Zimbabwe and Robert Mugabe from ever coming to power.
We are not suggesting that the world should intervene to impose political change in Zimbabwe. We are suggesting that global and regional organizations and individual governments should make known their support for human rights and democratic practices in that country, as elsewhere. We should condemn in the strongest terms the use of violence to prevent the free and peaceful expression of political thought. We should make clear our support for the standards enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights and in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Given Mugabe's consistent unwillingness to respect the legitimate complaints of his people, this is not the time for silent diplomacy. This is the time to speak out. It is especially important that members of the African Union and Southern African Development Community (SADC) raise their voices, for they have the most influence and can hardly be accused of interventionism. As the examples of Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela remind us, it is never inappropriate to speak on behalf of justice...
It is a shame that the ANC in South Africa has done little to stop the crazy actions of their comrade mugabe. Perhaps Bishop Tutu should have spent less time denouncing President Bush and more time speaking to his own government to help stop the carnage next door. The South Africans by their silence and support have propped up the rogue mugabe regime. Indeed other African leaders have today come to the defense of this monster. Those who are silent are complicit with mugabe's murderous regime. The leaders of Africa have the blood of the people of Zimbabwe on their hands.
Presidenet Mbeki is supposed to start a dialogue with this monster. Alll the frontline states should boycott Zimbabwe and isolate its leadership.
God help the starving people of Zimbabwe.
Red Ensign to fly next to Maple Leaf on Vimy Ridge Forever!!
Red Ensign to fly over Vimy Ridge year-round
Jennifer Campbell, CanWest News Service; Ottawa Citizen
Published: Friday, March 30, 2007
OTTAWA - The Red Ensign flag under which Canadian troops fought during the First World War will be flown at the Vimy Ridge memorial in France year-round, the Ottawa Citizen has learned.
The decision was made after veterans groups and Red Ensign enthusiasts lobbied the government to fly the flag at a ceremony next week to mark the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge. They then stepped up their request to have the flag fly there full-time.
The Conservative government decided to fly the flag full-time the same day Prime Minister Stephen Harper received letters signed by both of Canada's surviving First World War veterans, neither of whom saw action but both of whom implored the prime minister to fly the flag under which they went to war.
"We intend for it to be a permanent feature of the Vimy memorial," said Jason Kenney, secretary of state for multicultural and Canadian identity....
It is wonderful to have a government who respects our history and institutions. It is easy to say we honour our veterans. HM Government in this case has listened to our veterans and honoured their completely reasonable request.
Ina recent poll 79% of Canadians agreed with flying the Red Ensign at Vimy Ridge. I congratulate HM PM Stephen Harper and MP Jason Kenney for doing the right thing!
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Shapiro resigns
Shapiro the grit ethics commisioner, who continues his work for the grits to the end, is leaving his post in 1 day. I suspect for health reasons. I wish him well on his health issues, but he is no great loss to the the civil service.
I had called for his resignation before.
Shapiro was at best incompetent and at worst a partisan hack. He was found in contempt of parliament and is being sued for $5 million for his incompetence.
Privilege
On September 26, 2005, Deepak Obhrai (Calgary East, CPC) rose on a question of privilege to charge Ethics Commissioner, Bernard Shapiro, with contempt of the House and breaches of his duties and obligations under the Parliament of Canada Act and the Conflict of Interest Code appended to the Standing Orders. Mr. Obrai alleged that Mr. Shapiro had made inappropriate public disclosures in connection with an investigation being conducted by his office, and that he had been negligent in his duty to keep the Member informed as to the nature and progress of the investigation against him. The Speaker ruled on October 6, 2005 that the allegations made by the Member were troubling but that neither the Act nor the Code provide a mechanism for Members to make a complaint against the Ethics Commissioner. He suggested that the Procedure and House Affairs Committee take the matter under consideration to clarify the process with the help of the Commissioner. The Speaker ruled that there was a prima facie breach of privilege and Mr. Obhrai moved that the question be referred to committee. The House adopted this motion.
I had called for his resignation before.
Shapiro was at best incompetent and at worst a partisan hack. He was found in contempt of parliament and is being sued for $5 million for his incompetence.
Privilege
On September 26, 2005, Deepak Obhrai (Calgary East, CPC) rose on a question of privilege to charge Ethics Commissioner, Bernard Shapiro, with contempt of the House and breaches of his duties and obligations under the Parliament of Canada Act and the Conflict of Interest Code appended to the Standing Orders. Mr. Obrai alleged that Mr. Shapiro had made inappropriate public disclosures in connection with an investigation being conducted by his office, and that he had been negligent in his duty to keep the Member informed as to the nature and progress of the investigation against him. The Speaker ruled on October 6, 2005 that the allegations made by the Member were troubling but that neither the Act nor the Code provide a mechanism for Members to make a complaint against the Ethics Commissioner. He suggested that the Procedure and House Affairs Committee take the matter under consideration to clarify the process with the help of the Commissioner. The Speaker ruled that there was a prima facie breach of privilege and Mr. Obhrai moved that the question be referred to committee. The House adopted this motion.
Jean Beliveau
PRIME MINISTER HARPER PAYS TRIBUTE TO JEAN BÉLIVEAU
March 29, 2007
Montreal, Quebec
Prime Minister Stephen Harper today joined former team mates and members of Montreal’s community to pay tribute to Jean Béliveau. Mr. Harper drew attention to Mr. Béliveau’s role as a philanthropist and leader, and hailed him as a role model for future generations of Canadians.
“If the record book had a chapter on devotion, honesty and patriotism, Jean Béliveau would have written it,” said Mr. Harper, addressing a gala evening at the Bell Centre in honour of the former captain of the Montreal Canadiens.
“In one of the world’s roughest, toughest sports, he was always a perfect gentleman. He played with poise, power and finesse. The Habs were a dynasty, and he was their King,” concluded the Prime Minister.
The proceeds of the gala evening will be donated to the Quebec Society for Disabled Children and five pediatric hospitals throughout Quebec, in keeping with Mr. Béliveau’s long-time philanthropy on behalf of sick children.
I am glad HM PM honoured this great Canadian. He joins thousands of hockey greats and fans at the Bell Center to honour Jean Beliveau.The event will raise $1 million for children's hospitals. I have had the pleasure of meeting Jean Beliveau twice in my life. Once when my brother was skating at a skate a thon, Mr Beliveau cam to skate with the kids a few minutes. It was if he was floating on air. I have also met him at another charity event years later. He is in every way a gentleman. He brings honour to our national game. His amazing work with children's charities has helped many kids.
It is a shame that we have so few like this great man playing the game today.
Bravo Mr Beliveau!
More trouble for the Bloc: good
PQ's drubbing, Boisclair's fall heighten Bloc's identity crisis
ANALYSIS: ADQ's win on separatist's turf fuels talk of revising federal party's vision
DANIEL LEBLANC
From Thursday's Globe and Mail
OTTAWA — Everything is up in the air for the Bloc Québécois as sovereigntist forces struggle to deal with the hangover from Monday's bitter defeat in the Quebec provincial election.
From leadership to policy to political positioning, the Bloc faces a number of questions, with no easy answers at hand.
Central to the party's future is the issue of leadership. Will Bloc Leader Gilles Duceppe stay in Ottawa? Not likely if his provincial counterpart, Parti Québécois Leader André Boisclair, is ousted in the wake of his party's historic electoral meltdown.
Once the leadership issue is resolved, other questions come into play. Will the Bloc continue its efforts to modernize and broaden its version of Quebec nationalism in a bid to keep its seats in multicultural ridings on Montreal Island?
Or will the Bloc sacrifice these hard-won ridings in a bid to win back ridings from the Conservative Party in the Quebec City region, or simply keep its current ridings in the francophone and rural areas of Quebec?
The Bloc will do everything it can to keep the Papineau riding in Montreal, held by Haitian-born MP Vivian Barbot, where Justin Trudeau will run for the Liberals. But odds are that the Bloc campaign will not be as prevalent in Montreal in the next election as it was in the 2006 campaign.
The Action Démocratique du Québec, under the leadership of Conservative supporter Mario Dumont, won dozens of seats in Monday's election in cities such as Drummondville and St. Hyacinthe that are currently in Bloc hands.
In the next federal election, the Conservatives will focus in large part on these ADQ strongholds, and the Bloc's survival as a political force depends on its ability to beat back that Conservative offensive.
To reach its goal, the Bloc will face key decisions that centre on one big question: What does the Bloc do in Ottawa?
The bloc will hopefully lose many seats in the next election. Bothe the ADQ and the PLQ will be actively helping the Topries. The bloc has no place in parliament. They do nothing for Canada and should go. Another reason I am happy about the Quebec election is thatit does weaken the bloq. Rumours are rampant here of landry going to lead the bloq and duceppe the PQ. It will be interesting what happens to the separatist forces in Quebec.I hope the PQ and BQW fundamentally revise theri program and admit that separation is not ever going to happen.
ANALYSIS: ADQ's win on separatist's turf fuels talk of revising federal party's vision
DANIEL LEBLANC
From Thursday's Globe and Mail
OTTAWA — Everything is up in the air for the Bloc Québécois as sovereigntist forces struggle to deal with the hangover from Monday's bitter defeat in the Quebec provincial election.
From leadership to policy to political positioning, the Bloc faces a number of questions, with no easy answers at hand.
Central to the party's future is the issue of leadership. Will Bloc Leader Gilles Duceppe stay in Ottawa? Not likely if his provincial counterpart, Parti Québécois Leader André Boisclair, is ousted in the wake of his party's historic electoral meltdown.
Once the leadership issue is resolved, other questions come into play. Will the Bloc continue its efforts to modernize and broaden its version of Quebec nationalism in a bid to keep its seats in multicultural ridings on Montreal Island?
Or will the Bloc sacrifice these hard-won ridings in a bid to win back ridings from the Conservative Party in the Quebec City region, or simply keep its current ridings in the francophone and rural areas of Quebec?
The Bloc will do everything it can to keep the Papineau riding in Montreal, held by Haitian-born MP Vivian Barbot, where Justin Trudeau will run for the Liberals. But odds are that the Bloc campaign will not be as prevalent in Montreal in the next election as it was in the 2006 campaign.
The Action Démocratique du Québec, under the leadership of Conservative supporter Mario Dumont, won dozens of seats in Monday's election in cities such as Drummondville and St. Hyacinthe that are currently in Bloc hands.
In the next federal election, the Conservatives will focus in large part on these ADQ strongholds, and the Bloc's survival as a political force depends on its ability to beat back that Conservative offensive.
To reach its goal, the Bloc will face key decisions that centre on one big question: What does the Bloc do in Ottawa?
The bloc will hopefully lose many seats in the next election. Bothe the ADQ and the PLQ will be actively helping the Topries. The bloc has no place in parliament. They do nothing for Canada and should go. Another reason I am happy about the Quebec election is thatit does weaken the bloq. Rumours are rampant here of landry going to lead the bloq and duceppe the PQ. It will be interesting what happens to the separatist forces in Quebec.I hope the PQ and BQW fundamentally revise theri program and admit that separation is not ever going to happen.
A miracle in Northern Ireland
A few days ago I was watching the news and saw video of th Reverend Ian Paisley sitting with the IRA marxist terrorist Gerry Adams! I think it is good to end the years of fighting . It will be interesting tyo see how these two parties get along. Paisley's DUP is a capitalist free market party, while the Ira front organization is marxist. I think these issues can be settled with words not guns and that is good! I hope this will work. Many members of the DUP are not happy and two officials of the party have resigned. I hope the moves toward peace continue. More violence helps no one!
...Securing a six-week delay to power-sharing - which the British government had wanted to start on March 26th - has pacified most of the party's hardline waverers.
Paisley will be First Minister in the assembly, with Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness, a former IRA member, as deputy.
After Monday's historic meeting, McGuinness said he expected more talks in the coming weeks to prepare for government.
"I have to say Ian Paisley was very civil and cordial and the meeting was conducted in a very work-person-like fashion," said McGuinness who stressed earlier this month the best government comes when there is lively, but constructive, debate.
Britain's Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Peter Hain, who is a former anti-apartheid campaigner, has pointed to South Africa as an example of how deals between the "most polarised parties" had the best chance of sticking.
Constitutional disagreements aside, the two sides will also have to reconcile DUP free-market economics with Sinn Fein's socialist support for the redistribution of wealth.
Elsewhere, the DUP wants a selective education system while Sinn Fein favours a comprehensive system that treats everybody the same way regardless of their academic achievements.
However, there is some common ground.
Both parties have mastered the art of community-based politics and their elected representatives make a point of being on first-name terms with their constituents.
They have both voiced strong opposition to London's plans to introduce unpopular water charges in the province and both have campaigned for improved infrastructure and public services.
Isaiah 1 6-8
6
3 Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; The calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them.
7
The cow and the bear shall be neighbors, together their young shall rest; the lion shall eat hay like the ox.
8
The baby shall play by the cobra's den, and the child lay his hand on the adder's lair
...Securing a six-week delay to power-sharing - which the British government had wanted to start on March 26th - has pacified most of the party's hardline waverers.
Paisley will be First Minister in the assembly, with Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness, a former IRA member, as deputy.
After Monday's historic meeting, McGuinness said he expected more talks in the coming weeks to prepare for government.
"I have to say Ian Paisley was very civil and cordial and the meeting was conducted in a very work-person-like fashion," said McGuinness who stressed earlier this month the best government comes when there is lively, but constructive, debate.
Britain's Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Peter Hain, who is a former anti-apartheid campaigner, has pointed to South Africa as an example of how deals between the "most polarised parties" had the best chance of sticking.
Constitutional disagreements aside, the two sides will also have to reconcile DUP free-market economics with Sinn Fein's socialist support for the redistribution of wealth.
Elsewhere, the DUP wants a selective education system while Sinn Fein favours a comprehensive system that treats everybody the same way regardless of their academic achievements.
However, there is some common ground.
Both parties have mastered the art of community-based politics and their elected representatives make a point of being on first-name terms with their constituents.
They have both voiced strong opposition to London's plans to introduce unpopular water charges in the province and both have campaigned for improved infrastructure and public services.
Isaiah 1 6-8
6
3 Then the wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; The calf and the young lion shall browse together, with a little child to guide them.
7
The cow and the bear shall be neighbors, together their young shall rest; the lion shall eat hay like the ox.
8
The baby shall play by the cobra's den, and the child lay his hand on the adder's lair
Legault and Hebert discuss the election in Quebec
The pur and dur Josee Legault seems quit annoyed that Mr Boisclair seems willing to abandon the central plank of the PQ:
Soft on sovereignty
Boisclair's willingness to work with ADQ on constitutional change means PQ knives will be out for him
JOSEE LEGAULT, The Gazette
Published: Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Yesterday, Pequistes witnessed the surprising return of former leader Pierre Marc Johnson's "national affirmation."
It was one thing for Andre Boisclair to decide he would stay on as leader, even though he led the Parti Quebecois to third-party status. But it was quite another to take it upon himself, without a party congress, to make the stunning statement that sovereignty is desirable but not do-able, for now, and that the PQ's program must be adapted accordingly.
Translation: Boisclair is getting ready to dump Article 1 of the PQ program to get in tune with Mario Dumont's autonomist stance.
"The rise of the ADQ," Boisclair mused, "means the people want a real change when it comes to the way politics are done, but also on the national question." Then, in a major throwback to Johnson's "affirmationist" era, he lumped the PQ in with the ADQ, saying "two-thirds of the National Assembly is represented by people who think that the constitutional status quo is not acceptable."
"The Parti Quebecois must take notice of this fact and accept its consequences," he declared. Boisclair also vowed he would do all in his power "to keep Pequistes from falling into denial." A few minutes later, Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe agreed with him.
For many PQ members, Boisclair's statement must have added insult to injury, barely hours after they suffered their worst defeat ever. Those who thought Boisclair soft on sovereignty will find their impression confirmed....
"Will you fight for greater autonomy alongside the ADQ?," he was asked. "I will do whatever is in the best interest of Quebec." It doesn't need much decoding to see through Boisclair's statement. In his eyes, sovereignty hasn't been put on the back burner. It has fallen off the stove altogether.
Some will say Boisclair wants to trap federalists by trying to re-create the conditions for another failed attempt to renew the constitution, leading to a new rise in sovereignist sentiment.
But Boisclair knows Ottawa has played in this movie before and will never again get its hand caught in the constitutional cookie jar for fear of another failure. Stephen Harper is much too smart to go down that path again.
That leaves only one explanation: For reasons known only to him, Boisclair is intent on watering down the PQ's option, taking a page from Johnson's affirmationist song book.
Harper and Dumont must be pinching themselves and wondering what they did to deserve such good luck.
If you remember back to Pierre Marc johnson, the party ate him alive. It now seems that duceppe and boisclair are in trouble for watering down the raison d'etre of the PQ. The knives are already being unsheathed .
Hebert also notes the decline of the PQ
PQ fails miserably to rally sovereignists
Chantal Hébert
MONTREAL–Quebecers all but showed the Jean Charest Liberals the door yesterday even as they served the sovereignist Parti Québécois stern notice that its days as a major force in the National Assembly could be numbered....
It is the second time in as many campaigns that the PQ failed miserably to rally sovereignist sympathizers around its plan for another referendum.
Given a choice between pondering whether that reflects poorly on its core cause of sovereignty or on its leader's skills, the party will almost certainly zero in on the latter. It is ultimately easier for the PQ to keep on replacing its leaders than to give up on its dream of an independent Quebec...
Between now and the next Quebec campaign, there will almost certainly be a federal election. On that score, Charest's failure to secure a majority will not resonate very loudly on Parliament Hill. From where Stephen Harper sits, the re-election of a federalist government in Quebec, the stunning rise of the ADQ, combined with a historical defeat for the Parti Québécois amounts to yet another green light on the road to a possible federal vote this spring.
One of my commentators Cerberus said...
How do you figure Harper won and that Dumont will be an ally?
60% of the seats in the National Assembly are now held by soft and hard separatists. Dumont wants something more than sovereignty-association but outright autonomy. And when he says that he doesn't qualify it by saying "within the provincial spheres of jurisdiction".
Dumont is a separatist; he just doesn't think it is practical to hold a referendum on it right now.
How anyone can cheer his victory is beyond me....
Firstly the ADQ do not want separation. If he reads the comments of both Legault and Hebert and of Lysiane Gagnon that should be clear to him.Also Cerebus misunderstands how things work in Quebec. There is a strong underpinning of Quebec nationalism and that will not go away any time soon. The ADQ represents another step away from separation.It also seems to be moving the PQ away from their wretched goal. The ADQ also represents a shift back to the center right. The socialist model of Quebec has oriduced economic stagnaton. The ADQ is linked in many ways to the federal Toires. This can only help Tory chances in Quebec. HM PM Harper has been successful in virtually derailing the separatist movement. He will also gain more Quebec seats. That is why I am happy.
Soft on sovereignty
Boisclair's willingness to work with ADQ on constitutional change means PQ knives will be out for him
JOSEE LEGAULT, The Gazette
Published: Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Yesterday, Pequistes witnessed the surprising return of former leader Pierre Marc Johnson's "national affirmation."
It was one thing for Andre Boisclair to decide he would stay on as leader, even though he led the Parti Quebecois to third-party status. But it was quite another to take it upon himself, without a party congress, to make the stunning statement that sovereignty is desirable but not do-able, for now, and that the PQ's program must be adapted accordingly.
Translation: Boisclair is getting ready to dump Article 1 of the PQ program to get in tune with Mario Dumont's autonomist stance.
"The rise of the ADQ," Boisclair mused, "means the people want a real change when it comes to the way politics are done, but also on the national question." Then, in a major throwback to Johnson's "affirmationist" era, he lumped the PQ in with the ADQ, saying "two-thirds of the National Assembly is represented by people who think that the constitutional status quo is not acceptable."
"The Parti Quebecois must take notice of this fact and accept its consequences," he declared. Boisclair also vowed he would do all in his power "to keep Pequistes from falling into denial." A few minutes later, Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe agreed with him.
For many PQ members, Boisclair's statement must have added insult to injury, barely hours after they suffered their worst defeat ever. Those who thought Boisclair soft on sovereignty will find their impression confirmed....
"Will you fight for greater autonomy alongside the ADQ?," he was asked. "I will do whatever is in the best interest of Quebec." It doesn't need much decoding to see through Boisclair's statement. In his eyes, sovereignty hasn't been put on the back burner. It has fallen off the stove altogether.
Some will say Boisclair wants to trap federalists by trying to re-create the conditions for another failed attempt to renew the constitution, leading to a new rise in sovereignist sentiment.
But Boisclair knows Ottawa has played in this movie before and will never again get its hand caught in the constitutional cookie jar for fear of another failure. Stephen Harper is much too smart to go down that path again.
That leaves only one explanation: For reasons known only to him, Boisclair is intent on watering down the PQ's option, taking a page from Johnson's affirmationist song book.
Harper and Dumont must be pinching themselves and wondering what they did to deserve such good luck.
If you remember back to Pierre Marc johnson, the party ate him alive. It now seems that duceppe and boisclair are in trouble for watering down the raison d'etre of the PQ. The knives are already being unsheathed .
Hebert also notes the decline of the PQ
PQ fails miserably to rally sovereignists
Chantal Hébert
MONTREAL–Quebecers all but showed the Jean Charest Liberals the door yesterday even as they served the sovereignist Parti Québécois stern notice that its days as a major force in the National Assembly could be numbered....
It is the second time in as many campaigns that the PQ failed miserably to rally sovereignist sympathizers around its plan for another referendum.
Given a choice between pondering whether that reflects poorly on its core cause of sovereignty or on its leader's skills, the party will almost certainly zero in on the latter. It is ultimately easier for the PQ to keep on replacing its leaders than to give up on its dream of an independent Quebec...
Between now and the next Quebec campaign, there will almost certainly be a federal election. On that score, Charest's failure to secure a majority will not resonate very loudly on Parliament Hill. From where Stephen Harper sits, the re-election of a federalist government in Quebec, the stunning rise of the ADQ, combined with a historical defeat for the Parti Québécois amounts to yet another green light on the road to a possible federal vote this spring.
One of my commentators Cerberus said...
How do you figure Harper won and that Dumont will be an ally?
60% of the seats in the National Assembly are now held by soft and hard separatists. Dumont wants something more than sovereignty-association but outright autonomy. And when he says that he doesn't qualify it by saying "within the provincial spheres of jurisdiction".
Dumont is a separatist; he just doesn't think it is practical to hold a referendum on it right now.
How anyone can cheer his victory is beyond me....
Firstly the ADQ do not want separation. If he reads the comments of both Legault and Hebert and of Lysiane Gagnon that should be clear to him.Also Cerebus misunderstands how things work in Quebec. There is a strong underpinning of Quebec nationalism and that will not go away any time soon. The ADQ represents another step away from separation.It also seems to be moving the PQ away from their wretched goal. The ADQ also represents a shift back to the center right. The socialist model of Quebec has oriduced economic stagnaton. The ADQ is linked in many ways to the federal Toires. This can only help Tory chances in Quebec. HM PM Harper has been successful in virtually derailing the separatist movement. He will also gain more Quebec seats. That is why I am happy.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
grits are going to fan out across the country to produce more pollution and greenhouse gases
After his own cross country trip was virtually ignored, dion has decided to send everybody out to trash talk the budget during the easter break. Wonder if garth will go? We will all have to ask these minions of dion, what is the problem with the budget? I have heard precious few actual reasons why dion dislikes the budget. He just thinks more money should be spent. Will the dion minions be bringing Easter eggs? Hopefully Mark Holland won't be left behind in Ottawa. Holland would probably open the mail of all the other grits.Dion will again cross the country as well. Once again the dion catchword is unfair. I'm not sure what all these trips are going to accomplish , except for a lot of hot air and greenhouse gases. perhaps thye grits should pay more attention to actually finding people to run for them. So
OTTAWA — Liberal Leader Stephane Dion is sending Liberal MPs on a cross-country, pre-election mission to trash the federal Tory budget.
Convinced that Prime Minister Stephen Harper intends to force an election this spring, Dion will attempt to pump up Liberal troops Thursday with a speech to caucus members and parliamentary staff.
Insiders say he will urge MPs to fan out across the country during the two-week parliamentary Easter break, delivering the message that Harper’s second budget is divisive, unfair, unfocused and a drain on the treasury.
“We know why we voted against this budget and we want to communicate it strongly to Canadians,” Dion said in a brief interview.
“We think it’s a missed opportunity for Canada ... and it’s too bad because the government had a lot of room to do an improvement for our economy and for the social safety net and our environment.”...
OTTAWA — Liberal Leader Stephane Dion is sending Liberal MPs on a cross-country, pre-election mission to trash the federal Tory budget.
Convinced that Prime Minister Stephen Harper intends to force an election this spring, Dion will attempt to pump up Liberal troops Thursday with a speech to caucus members and parliamentary staff.
Insiders say he will urge MPs to fan out across the country during the two-week parliamentary Easter break, delivering the message that Harper’s second budget is divisive, unfair, unfocused and a drain on the treasury.
“We know why we voted against this budget and we want to communicate it strongly to Canadians,” Dion said in a brief interview.
“We think it’s a missed opportunity for Canada ... and it’s too bad because the government had a lot of room to do an improvement for our economy and for the social safety net and our environment.”...
Mugabe jails opposition again
Mugabe has shown everyone he is an evil tyrant. He seems unable to hide his wickedness, even while the whole world watches. Mugabe's thugs have rearrested the Opposition leader, only days after almost beating him to death. Where are the cries from the left denouncing their comrade mugabe?Mugabe now rules over a nation that is literally dying. The life expectancy of its citizens has plummeted and its farms are barren. This mad dog must be stopped. I think his people and even his own party will rid themselves soon of this monster. At least I hope so. The west and mugabe's neighbours must do all they can to stop mugabe's rule of terror.
Police seize leader of Zimbabwe’s opposition party
Angus Shaw, Associated Press
Published: Wednesday, March 28, 2007
HARARE, Zimbabwe – Police stormed the offices of Zimbabwe’s main opposition party today and arrested its leader, hours before he planned to talk to reporters about a wave of political violence that had left him briefly hospitalized.
Party head Morgan Tsvangirai was taken along with other political opponents of President Robert Mugabe in a bus to an undisclosed location, witnesses said.
Police first sealed off approaches to his headquarters and then fired tear gas to drive away onlookers, they said.
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The Movement for Democratic Change said Tsvangirai had been scheduled to give a news conference on the government’s escalating violence against its political opponents.
“Tsvangirai and a number of others we have not been able to identify have been taken by police in a bus,” said Eliphas Mukonoweshuro, an aide to Tsvangirai.
Police seize leader of Zimbabwe’s opposition party
Angus Shaw, Associated Press
Published: Wednesday, March 28, 2007
HARARE, Zimbabwe – Police stormed the offices of Zimbabwe’s main opposition party today and arrested its leader, hours before he planned to talk to reporters about a wave of political violence that had left him briefly hospitalized.
Party head Morgan Tsvangirai was taken along with other political opponents of President Robert Mugabe in a bus to an undisclosed location, witnesses said.
Police first sealed off approaches to his headquarters and then fired tear gas to drive away onlookers, they said.
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The Movement for Democratic Change said Tsvangirai had been scheduled to give a news conference on the government’s escalating violence against its political opponents.
“Tsvangirai and a number of others we have not been able to identify have been taken by police in a bus,” said Eliphas Mukonoweshuro, an aide to Tsvangirai.
Senator Segal is a true Loyal Tory
I like Senator Segal. I think it is a greata sset to have him in the Tory party.Here are a couple of articles from Senator Hugh Segal, who loyally supports the Tories. He likes the budget of HM Government!
Harper's budget: true to Tory values
Hugh Segal, National Post
Published: Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Budgets always attract critics. That is the nature of the democratic process. The narrative typically is defined by the engagement between right and left -- betweethe strong defenders of the federal spending prerogative and the similarly intense defenders of small government.
For Conservatives, who were out of office for over 13 years, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty's 2006 and 2007 budgets represent more than just an affirmation that Conservatives are back in government -- although many still pinch themselves to make sure this is not a mirage. These two budgets are, in fact, a compelling affirmation of why Conservatives wanted the chance to form a government to begin with.
While critics can argue about the sheer size of the latest budget, the important thing is that the Tories' core principles are evident. The Conservative government is spending less than it brings in with revenues, returning record amounts to taxpayers, and paying down debt. This demonstrates prudent and balanced fiscal management, and serves to distinguish the Tories from the Liberal opposition....
Also in the Globe and Mail:
Also some advice on how to work a minority government from a man who has been involved in minority governments in the past.
This horrible evil man should die in prison or be executed.
It is truly depraved and evil to harm any child. To harm one's own child is beyond comprehension. Good for the RCMP for catching this murdering ,lying vermin.
Luke 17:2 : It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
GANDER, N.L. - Nelson Hart, portrayed at his murder trial as a chronic liar and scared, insecure man, was convicted Wednesday of two counts of first-degree murder in the drownings of his twin daughters at a Newfoundland lake.
Hart broke down and cried after the verdict was read. He was automatically sentenced to life in prison with no parole for at least 25 years.
His wife, Jennifer, also wept and stormed out of court.
At the centre of the emotionally charged case were two videotapes - secretly recorded by undercover police - that showed Hart confessing to how he drowned his three-year-old girls nearly five years ago.
Hart’s lawyer said his client confessed only because he was intimidated by officers he believed were violent gangsters.
But the Crown said the tapes show a relaxed Hart explain in detail how he carried out a careful plan to kill the girls, an argument the six-man, six-woman jury ultimately believed.
Karen and Krista Hart drowned while with their father at Gander Lake in central Newfoundland on Aug. 4, 2002.
Luke 17:2 : It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.
GANDER, N.L. - Nelson Hart, portrayed at his murder trial as a chronic liar and scared, insecure man, was convicted Wednesday of two counts of first-degree murder in the drownings of his twin daughters at a Newfoundland lake.
Hart broke down and cried after the verdict was read. He was automatically sentenced to life in prison with no parole for at least 25 years.
His wife, Jennifer, also wept and stormed out of court.
At the centre of the emotionally charged case were two videotapes - secretly recorded by undercover police - that showed Hart confessing to how he drowned his three-year-old girls nearly five years ago.
Hart’s lawyer said his client confessed only because he was intimidated by officers he believed were violent gangsters.
But the Crown said the tapes show a relaxed Hart explain in detail how he carried out a careful plan to kill the girls, an argument the six-man, six-woman jury ultimately believed.
Karen and Krista Hart drowned while with their father at Gander Lake in central Newfoundland on Aug. 4, 2002.
Aislin Cartoon and Lysianne Gagnon on PQ fall
This cartoon is very funny.
Lysiane Gagnon also says this:
...Whether it is temporary or a sign of the times, the decline of the PQ means that the issue of sovereignty, let alone the possibility of a referendum, will be on the backburner for a long time. More than two-thirds of the voters, by choosing either Jean Charest's federalist Liberal Party or Mr. Dumont's "autonomist" ADQ, in effect rejected sovereignty.
Or maybe the soft, ambivalent kind of nationalism proposed by the ADQ -- an "autonomous" Quebec in a united Canada -- served as a convenient, yet dignified, exit from the sovereigntist agenda. Quebeckers don't want to vote against sovereignty (this is why most of them don't want a referendum) and they don't want to be seen as unconditionally embracing federalism, because this would look like an abject surrender. A gradual move to some milder, innocuous version of sovereignty (even if it is a totally unrealistic scheme) is a graceful way out of the conundrum...
The question now is not so much who could replace Mr. Boisclair as who would want to replace him. There will be a great deal of pressure on Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe, who many Péquistes believe would be the best leader they could have. But Mr. Duceppe has it easy on the federal scene, and he might not be too enthusiastic at the idea of leading a divided and bitter party. In any case, he can use the coming federal election as the ideal pretext to turn down the job offer....
The PQ and separation are not dead, but they are not in particularly good healthy either.Mme gagnon makes a good point that the undefined autonomy of mario makes a good exit startegy fro separatist voters in Quebec. We have discuused Quebec separation for too many years in Quebec. The POq have not changed their platform in over 30 tears regarding separation. They need to take a long haed look at their option and their future. Separatists have sugar coated separtion by calling it "sovereignty" . They have asked unclear questions on referendums and pretended that the separation movement is not the worst kind of ethnic nationalism. Quebecers want to remain in Canada. We have said it thrice, the last time being this last election. If The PQ had won they would have said the electorate endorsed their option , they did not. This is another loss for separation and a win for Canada and HM Government!!
Lysiane Gagnon also says this:
...Whether it is temporary or a sign of the times, the decline of the PQ means that the issue of sovereignty, let alone the possibility of a referendum, will be on the backburner for a long time. More than two-thirds of the voters, by choosing either Jean Charest's federalist Liberal Party or Mr. Dumont's "autonomist" ADQ, in effect rejected sovereignty.
Or maybe the soft, ambivalent kind of nationalism proposed by the ADQ -- an "autonomous" Quebec in a united Canada -- served as a convenient, yet dignified, exit from the sovereigntist agenda. Quebeckers don't want to vote against sovereignty (this is why most of them don't want a referendum) and they don't want to be seen as unconditionally embracing federalism, because this would look like an abject surrender. A gradual move to some milder, innocuous version of sovereignty (even if it is a totally unrealistic scheme) is a graceful way out of the conundrum...
The question now is not so much who could replace Mr. Boisclair as who would want to replace him. There will be a great deal of pressure on Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe, who many Péquistes believe would be the best leader they could have. But Mr. Duceppe has it easy on the federal scene, and he might not be too enthusiastic at the idea of leading a divided and bitter party. In any case, he can use the coming federal election as the ideal pretext to turn down the job offer....
The PQ and separation are not dead, but they are not in particularly good healthy either.Mme gagnon makes a good point that the undefined autonomy of mario makes a good exit startegy fro separatist voters in Quebec. We have discuused Quebec separation for too many years in Quebec. The POq have not changed their platform in over 30 tears regarding separation. They need to take a long haed look at their option and their future. Separatists have sugar coated separtion by calling it "sovereignty" . They have asked unclear questions on referendums and pretended that the separation movement is not the worst kind of ethnic nationalism. Quebecers want to remain in Canada. We have said it thrice, the last time being this last election. If The PQ had won they would have said the electorate endorsed their option , they did not. This is another loss for separation and a win for Canada and HM Government!!
The opposition is scared:Tory gun bill will pass!!
Centrepiece Tory gun bill poised to pass Commons
Janice Tibbetts, CanWest News Service
Published: Tuesday, March 27, 2007
OTTAWA - A bill to automatically jail people for more than one dozen gun crimes appears to have enough support to pass the Commons, weakening speculation the government could trigger an election by painting the opposition as obstructionist on anti-crime legislation.
The NDP is planning to team up with the Conservatives to vote for the proposed legislation - a centrepiece of the Conservative justice agenda - giving it the backing it needs in the minority Parliament.
The bill has been winding its way through the parliamentary process since it was introduced last spring and it is expected to come back to the House of Commons for a final debate as early as this week, followed by a vote next month.
If the bill passes, it will require escalating sentences for a variety of gun-related crimes, ranging from three years for a first offence to seven years for repeat offenders.
The original bill proposed a 10-year minimum sentence for three-time offenders for certain crimes, but the government has decided to eliminate the decade term in exchange for NDP support. "If that is what happens, we will support it," said NDP justice critic Joe Comartin.
The Bloc Quebecois and most Liberals oppose the legislation, insisting judges retain at least some flexibility to sentence as they see fit.
The Liberals and the Bloc members of the justice committee had teamed up to effectively kill the gun bill last month, but the two parties do not collectively hold a majority in the House as they do on the committee.
The Conservatives, from Prime Minister Stephen Harper down, have seized every opportunity to chastise the opposition for blocking crime legislation, prompting speculation that government is setting the stage to use its stalled law-and-order agenda as a reason for going to the polls.
"They think it suits their purposes to try and paint us as not caring about keeping our communities safe," charged Liberal justice critic Marlene Jennings...
HM Government is in excellent shape. The opposition parties are increasingly frightened by the prospect of an election. It seems that they will take turns supporting Tory legislation in order to avoid the defeat of HM Government. This will allow them top be outraged but supportive. The NDP will now support anti gun crime legislation. I am in favour of the Tory law and order agenda and I hope that all the legislation is passed by the quivering bunnies of the opposition. As I have said before the Tories will now be able to rule as a majority. Perhaps we won't have an election untiol 2009. Perhaps we will! I am happy with both scenarios.
Janice Tibbetts, CanWest News Service
Published: Tuesday, March 27, 2007
OTTAWA - A bill to automatically jail people for more than one dozen gun crimes appears to have enough support to pass the Commons, weakening speculation the government could trigger an election by painting the opposition as obstructionist on anti-crime legislation.
The NDP is planning to team up with the Conservatives to vote for the proposed legislation - a centrepiece of the Conservative justice agenda - giving it the backing it needs in the minority Parliament.
The bill has been winding its way through the parliamentary process since it was introduced last spring and it is expected to come back to the House of Commons for a final debate as early as this week, followed by a vote next month.
If the bill passes, it will require escalating sentences for a variety of gun-related crimes, ranging from three years for a first offence to seven years for repeat offenders.
The original bill proposed a 10-year minimum sentence for three-time offenders for certain crimes, but the government has decided to eliminate the decade term in exchange for NDP support. "If that is what happens, we will support it," said NDP justice critic Joe Comartin.
The Bloc Quebecois and most Liberals oppose the legislation, insisting judges retain at least some flexibility to sentence as they see fit.
The Liberals and the Bloc members of the justice committee had teamed up to effectively kill the gun bill last month, but the two parties do not collectively hold a majority in the House as they do on the committee.
The Conservatives, from Prime Minister Stephen Harper down, have seized every opportunity to chastise the opposition for blocking crime legislation, prompting speculation that government is setting the stage to use its stalled law-and-order agenda as a reason for going to the polls.
"They think it suits their purposes to try and paint us as not caring about keeping our communities safe," charged Liberal justice critic Marlene Jennings...
HM Government is in excellent shape. The opposition parties are increasingly frightened by the prospect of an election. It seems that they will take turns supporting Tory legislation in order to avoid the defeat of HM Government. This will allow them top be outraged but supportive. The NDP will now support anti gun crime legislation. I am in favour of the Tory law and order agenda and I hope that all the legislation is passed by the quivering bunnies of the opposition. As I have said before the Tories will now be able to rule as a majority. Perhaps we won't have an election untiol 2009. Perhaps we will! I am happy with both scenarios.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
dion and the funny grits: the party of perpetual outrage
The grits seem to have perfected being perpetually outraged. Today dion is outraged that HM PM Harper was resolute during the Quebec election campaign. Dion is actually parroting the separatist leader Boisclair!
It is actually funny to watch Iggy, dion and their trained seal colleagues quiver with feigned out rage during Question period:
If Steffi was really concerned about Canada’s troops he wouldn’t have appointed Denis Coderre as his party’s defence critic. Coderre, when not marching along side Hezbollah supporters, is calling Canada’s Chief of Defence Staff Rick Hillier, a “pawn” of the Conservative government. The fact that Hillier is Canada’s top soldier does not put him above criticism, but once again, playing politics with the military; saying that Hillier was a pawn was showing a complete and utter lack of respect for the military.
There was nothing wrong with what Harper said; he merely stated that he wished the Liberals had as much passion for Canadian troops as they have for the Taliban. Going back to 1993, it’s hard to argue this point on the facts.
Of course it is perfectly okay for Dion to describe Harper as a “neo-con” and a climate change “denier” with all the connotations that those terms are meant to imply. Watching Dion and his loyal sidekick Iggy shake with righteous indignation makes for good comedy.
The title of a National Post editorial on this parliamentary exchange says it all - “Dear Stéphane: Be a man”.
Dion is even outraged by firendly journalists:
I interviewed Dion on Channel 10 recently and some may remember that I predicted he would win the leadership. I was surprised to see how inept he was with an obvious question. Four dots … Indo-Canadian MP brings key Indo-Canadian votes to Dion … said MP has a father-in-law very much wanted for the Air India review … father-in-law doesn’t want to be subpoenaed … Dion to the surprise of many votes to let lapse that part of the Anti Terrorism bill that would have allowed such a subpoena to issue (remember this was a Liberal Bill when Dion was in Cabinet). I suggested that one might be tempted to connect those dots and Dion went ballistic. It wasn’t the outrage that startled me – that would have been the appropriate defense if the suggestion was true or not. No, it was the unpreparedness … the suggestion that somehow I had asked a dirty question and all this after a columnist for the National Post had written about it and the Prime Minister had asked Dion in the House about it....
Perhaps we should put mixed drinks in the hands of dion while he is in question (not a common event)period. The drinks( like most Canadians) would be shaken and not stirred.
It is actually funny to watch Iggy, dion and their trained seal colleagues quiver with feigned out rage during Question period:
If Steffi was really concerned about Canada’s troops he wouldn’t have appointed Denis Coderre as his party’s defence critic. Coderre, when not marching along side Hezbollah supporters, is calling Canada’s Chief of Defence Staff Rick Hillier, a “pawn” of the Conservative government. The fact that Hillier is Canada’s top soldier does not put him above criticism, but once again, playing politics with the military; saying that Hillier was a pawn was showing a complete and utter lack of respect for the military.
There was nothing wrong with what Harper said; he merely stated that he wished the Liberals had as much passion for Canadian troops as they have for the Taliban. Going back to 1993, it’s hard to argue this point on the facts.
Of course it is perfectly okay for Dion to describe Harper as a “neo-con” and a climate change “denier” with all the connotations that those terms are meant to imply. Watching Dion and his loyal sidekick Iggy shake with righteous indignation makes for good comedy.
The title of a National Post editorial on this parliamentary exchange says it all - “Dear Stéphane: Be a man”.
Dion is even outraged by firendly journalists:
I interviewed Dion on Channel 10 recently and some may remember that I predicted he would win the leadership. I was surprised to see how inept he was with an obvious question. Four dots … Indo-Canadian MP brings key Indo-Canadian votes to Dion … said MP has a father-in-law very much wanted for the Air India review … father-in-law doesn’t want to be subpoenaed … Dion to the surprise of many votes to let lapse that part of the Anti Terrorism bill that would have allowed such a subpoena to issue (remember this was a Liberal Bill when Dion was in Cabinet). I suggested that one might be tempted to connect those dots and Dion went ballistic. It wasn’t the outrage that startled me – that would have been the appropriate defense if the suggestion was true or not. No, it was the unpreparedness … the suggestion that somehow I had asked a dirty question and all this after a columnist for the National Post had written about it and the Prime Minister had asked Dion in the House about it....
Perhaps we should put mixed drinks in the hands of dion while he is in question (not a common event)period. The drinks( like most Canadians) would be shaken and not stirred.
This is ugly: death threats over a blog?
Blog death threats spark debate
Prominent blogger Kathy Sierra has called on the blogosphere to combat the culture of abuse online.
It follows a series of death threats which have forced her to cancel a public appearance and suspend her blog.
Ms Sierra described on her blog how she had been subject to a campaign of threats, including a post that featured a picture of her next to a noose.
The police are investigating while the blogosphere has launched its own enquiry.
One of the issues raised is the question of how women bloggers are treated online.
Ms Sierra, author of popular blog Creating Passionate Users, began receiving death threats four weeks ago...
This is over the top. It is ridiculous to threaten death over blog posts. These people have gone over the edge. I hope the authourities are notified and the offending bkoggers are dealt with. I have noticed that anonymous posters are far more viscious. I will seriously have to consider whether I should continue allowing anonymous comments.Even free speech has some limits!
Prominent blogger Kathy Sierra has called on the blogosphere to combat the culture of abuse online.
It follows a series of death threats which have forced her to cancel a public appearance and suspend her blog.
Ms Sierra described on her blog how she had been subject to a campaign of threats, including a post that featured a picture of her next to a noose.
The police are investigating while the blogosphere has launched its own enquiry.
One of the issues raised is the question of how women bloggers are treated online.
Ms Sierra, author of popular blog Creating Passionate Users, began receiving death threats four weeks ago...
This is over the top. It is ridiculous to threaten death over blog posts. These people have gone over the edge. I hope the authourities are notified and the offending bkoggers are dealt with. I have noticed that anonymous posters are far more viscious. I will seriously have to consider whether I should continue allowing anonymous comments.Even free speech has some limits!
Michael Coren agrees with me on the Triumph of the end of Slavery
Micael Core makes the same point I have before. The abolition of slavery is a triumph. The slave trade was tragic. And one wonders when the arabs and africans involved in the slave trade will own up to their role.
We ended slavery. So why all the guilt?
Michael Coren, National Post
Published: Tuesday, March 27, 2007
This week, we commemorate the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade by the British parliament. But rather than celebrate Britain's courageous role in ending an abhorrent institution, Britons find themselves embroiled in tedious debates. The Church of England is seriously considering paying reparations for its role in the slave trade, and the city of Liverpool has formally apologized for slavery. Prime Minister Tony Blair, who has expressed regret for Britain's role in the trade, is being pressured to up the ante and make a formal apology too.
Hardly a day goes by without another confused European or North American screaming contrition and indirectly blaming the churches and Western civilization for the use of African slaves between the late-16th and mid-19th centuries.
Problem is, calls for apologies, reparations and histrionic denunciations of Western civilization reveal an achingly flawed understanding of history and human nature.
It's surely a self-evident truth in the opening years of the 21st century that slavery is an intolerable evil. Also self-evident is that earlier cultures did not share this opinion and that the most sophisticated of them, of all races and religions, thought it inevitable and even ethical that the powerful would enslave those whom they defeated and those who could not effectively resist capture. One culture and one religion, however, are distinguished for condemning and ending slavery when it was easier and far more lucrative not to have done so. The culture is Anglo-Saxon and the religion is Christianity....
In 1843, the British took Karachi from its Muslim leaders and demanded that the slave trade be stopped immediately and the slave market be torn to the ground. They built in its place a huge fruit and vegetable market that operates even to this day.
It is beyond dispute that in the eyes of African and Arab leaders in the 19th century Christian expansion signified an end to slavery, which is one of the reasons why British ships so regularly battled Muslim pirates around north Africa and why Anglo- Saxon culture was seen as a liberating force by contemporary liberal movements...
We ended slavery. So why all the guilt?
Michael Coren, National Post
Published: Tuesday, March 27, 2007
This week, we commemorate the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade by the British parliament. But rather than celebrate Britain's courageous role in ending an abhorrent institution, Britons find themselves embroiled in tedious debates. The Church of England is seriously considering paying reparations for its role in the slave trade, and the city of Liverpool has formally apologized for slavery. Prime Minister Tony Blair, who has expressed regret for Britain's role in the trade, is being pressured to up the ante and make a formal apology too.
Hardly a day goes by without another confused European or North American screaming contrition and indirectly blaming the churches and Western civilization for the use of African slaves between the late-16th and mid-19th centuries.
Problem is, calls for apologies, reparations and histrionic denunciations of Western civilization reveal an achingly flawed understanding of history and human nature.
It's surely a self-evident truth in the opening years of the 21st century that slavery is an intolerable evil. Also self-evident is that earlier cultures did not share this opinion and that the most sophisticated of them, of all races and religions, thought it inevitable and even ethical that the powerful would enslave those whom they defeated and those who could not effectively resist capture. One culture and one religion, however, are distinguished for condemning and ending slavery when it was easier and far more lucrative not to have done so. The culture is Anglo-Saxon and the religion is Christianity....
In 1843, the British took Karachi from its Muslim leaders and demanded that the slave trade be stopped immediately and the slave market be torn to the ground. They built in its place a huge fruit and vegetable market that operates even to this day.
It is beyond dispute that in the eyes of African and Arab leaders in the 19th century Christian expansion signified an end to slavery, which is one of the reasons why British ships so regularly battled Muslim pirates around north Africa and why Anglo- Saxon culture was seen as a liberating force by contemporary liberal movements...
HM PM Stephen Harper the true winner of Quebec election
I think I , like most Quebecers are pleased with the results of the Quebec election. I wanted to try Mario`s party but was a bit afraid too. We will now have a chance to see Dumont in action. He will have to show that he can help bring abouit change. He has also promised what Charest has promised before a decrease in the siz of government, a reworking of the Quebec model. Perhaps between them they can take on this onerous and worthy task. The union stranglehold must be broken in Quebec and I wonder if an ADQ/PLQ coalition is striong enough to do that. I was disappointed that Mario spoke no English last night.
In the final analysis, as I have said before, HM PM Stephen Harper has won. He has two strong allies who won big and a real change in attitude for Quebecers. They have voted towards the right! He has neutralized dion`s ability to claim to be the only one to keep Quebec in Canada. Dion did little to help Charest. I am sure the ADQ and PLQ will be helping the Tories in the next election.This shows HM PM strategies have paid off. He has submerged the separatist threat for a while. Indeed Mr Boisclair actually talked about Quebec`s place ijn the Canadian federation. I hop Boisclair stays. He is an asset to federalism. I am sure the pur and the dur will get rid of him very soon.
The voters have swept away the old thinking.It is time to really debate the day to day issues of the economy taxes and te unions!
Everyone needs a break from the constant talk of separation.
So the winner is HM PM, the losers are Boisclair and Dion and to a lesser extent Charest. The voters are punishing Charest for a lot of non action on many promises. Charest is also on probation. Let`s see if he will get his act together.
In the final analysis, as I have said before, HM PM Stephen Harper has won. He has two strong allies who won big and a real change in attitude for Quebecers. They have voted towards the right! He has neutralized dion`s ability to claim to be the only one to keep Quebec in Canada. Dion did little to help Charest. I am sure the ADQ and PLQ will be helping the Tories in the next election.This shows HM PM strategies have paid off. He has submerged the separatist threat for a while. Indeed Mr Boisclair actually talked about Quebec`s place ijn the Canadian federation. I hop Boisclair stays. He is an asset to federalism. I am sure the pur and the dur will get rid of him very soon.
The voters have swept away the old thinking.It is time to really debate the day to day issues of the economy taxes and te unions!
Everyone needs a break from the constant talk of separation.
So the winner is HM PM, the losers are Boisclair and Dion and to a lesser extent Charest. The voters are punishing Charest for a lot of non action on many promises. Charest is also on probation. Let`s see if he will get his act together.
Quebec Election : Final
Jean Charest has been re elected. The advance poll ballots went massively for Chrest and he won.
Boisclair in his speach talked of Quebec's place in Canada and the world. Extraordinary statements froma separatist leader.
The finally tally seems to be PLQ 48 ADQ 41 PQ 37.
The people of Quebec have started the process of marginalizing the PQ. The next election which will come in the next 18 months, I think will be crucial. I hope the BQ will be demoralized and preoccupied with battling to keep the PQ alive.
The grits, NDP and Bloq must be shaking in their boots. HM PM Harper is Captain Canada!!!
Boisclair in his speach talked of Quebec's place in Canada and the world. Extraordinary statements froma separatist leader.
The finally tally seems to be PLQ 48 ADQ 41 PQ 37.
The people of Quebec have started the process of marginalizing the PQ. The next election which will come in the next 18 months, I think will be crucial. I hope the BQ will be demoralized and preoccupied with battling to keep the PQ alive.
The grits, NDP and Bloq must be shaking in their boots. HM PM Harper is Captain Canada!!!
Monday, March 26, 2007
CBC predicts Charest Minority
If Charest manages to win his seat, h will lead a PLQ minority. This ius great news. It will shift the PLQ further to the right. In order to govern they will need ADQ support. Maybe there will be cuts to the civil service and tax cuts. The voters have Quebec are showing that they want to change the Quebec model. Andre Boisclair is toast.
Many of the commenttors are saying HM PM Stepehen harper has driven the separatists movement underground. This should make Canadians happy. I am sure it makes HM PM extremely happy.
The scene at Club Soda where the PQ are having their rally is pretty quiet. I hope this election means a fundamental shift away from the divisive and useless question of separation.
Many of the commenttors are saying HM PM Stepehen harper has driven the separatists movement underground. This should make Canadians happy. I am sure it makes HM PM extremely happy.
The scene at Club Soda where the PQ are having their rally is pretty quiet. I hope this election means a fundamental shift away from the divisive and useless question of separation.
Quebec Election Results
The results are stunning. It is early but the ADQ and the Liberals are neck and Neck. The PQ is running third and 62% of Quebecers reject a referendum! This is very exciting.
Liberals embrace report of arrogant socialist
Dion has been quick to embrace the daycare agenda of Fraser Mustard.
The grits really do want to spend vast amounts of our money. Mustard's report has a definite agenda and he has found a socialist ally in dion. I accept some of the conclusions about brain function and responses, but I reject the daycare as solution approach that Mustard and his daycare friends want. They want to brainwash children at an early age. Why else would Mustard claim Cuba as an example?
The grits really do want to spend vast amounts of our money. Mustard's report has a definite agenda and he has found a socialist ally in dion. I accept some of the conclusions about brain function and responses, but I reject the daycare as solution approach that Mustard and his daycare friends want. They want to brainwash children at an early age. Why else would Mustard claim Cuba as an example?
An excellent letter to the editor in the National Post
Silent South Africa
National Post
Published: Monday, March 26, 2007
Re: South Africa Defends Its 'Quiet Diplomacy' With Zimbabwe, March 24.
How ironic (and hypocritical) that the African National Congress (which controls the government of South Africa) should pursue a policy of "quiet diplomacy" with the dictatorship of Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe; whereas, not too long ago, the same group (and its allies in sub-Saharan Africa) staunchly opposed a similar policy of "constructive engagement" when it was pursued by Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher vis-a-vis apartheid South Africa.
Instead of "quiet diplomacy," the ANC advocated sanctions, economic divestment and even the use of terrorism (with the active support of the Soviet bloc and Communist Cuba) in order to bring down the white minority regimes of southern Africa. Now, in the name of "African solidarity," it opposes the very same measures as it relates to the brutal Robert Mugabe who, as rightly noted by Australian Prime Minister John Howard, has turned what was once the breadbasket of Africa into a "total heap of misery."
Perhaps South Africa's reluctance to criticize Zimbabwe is rooted in the ANC's own abysmal record of governance over the last 12 years, which has seen ongoing political corruption, violent attacks against South Africa's white farmers and the country becoming synonymous with rape and murder.
Ten more years of ANC rule and the once First World South Africa going the way of Mugabe's Zimbabwe is not outside the realm of possibility.
Deepinder Gill, Mississauga, Ont.
Thank you Mr Gill for your letter. Mugabe and his ANC comrades are sticking together. The ANC watches while mugabe destroys his own country and allows thousands of his people to die. The living conditions were actually better under Ian Smith. Mugabe will be remembered as a corrupt tyrdant, Perhaps the ANC can be shamed into disassociating themselves from this monster, but commies have high levels of tolerance for ideological bloodletting
National Post
Published: Monday, March 26, 2007
Re: South Africa Defends Its 'Quiet Diplomacy' With Zimbabwe, March 24.
How ironic (and hypocritical) that the African National Congress (which controls the government of South Africa) should pursue a policy of "quiet diplomacy" with the dictatorship of Robert Mugabe in Zimbabwe; whereas, not too long ago, the same group (and its allies in sub-Saharan Africa) staunchly opposed a similar policy of "constructive engagement" when it was pursued by Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher vis-a-vis apartheid South Africa.
Instead of "quiet diplomacy," the ANC advocated sanctions, economic divestment and even the use of terrorism (with the active support of the Soviet bloc and Communist Cuba) in order to bring down the white minority regimes of southern Africa. Now, in the name of "African solidarity," it opposes the very same measures as it relates to the brutal Robert Mugabe who, as rightly noted by Australian Prime Minister John Howard, has turned what was once the breadbasket of Africa into a "total heap of misery."
Perhaps South Africa's reluctance to criticize Zimbabwe is rooted in the ANC's own abysmal record of governance over the last 12 years, which has seen ongoing political corruption, violent attacks against South Africa's white farmers and the country becoming synonymous with rape and murder.
Ten more years of ANC rule and the once First World South Africa going the way of Mugabe's Zimbabwe is not outside the realm of possibility.
Deepinder Gill, Mississauga, Ont.
Thank you Mr Gill for your letter. Mugabe and his ANC comrades are sticking together. The ANC watches while mugabe destroys his own country and allows thousands of his people to die. The living conditions were actually better under Ian Smith. Mugabe will be remembered as a corrupt tyrdant, Perhaps the ANC can be shamed into disassociating themselves from this monster, but commies have high levels of tolerance for ideological bloodletting
Election Day Quebec
Today is a day I have been waiting for. Today the debate in Quebec will probably be fundamentally changed. In almost all scenarios 60% of Quebecers will vote against the PQ and separation. I am hoping for a Charest majority with a strong ADQ showing.
Perhaps we can finally get to work in Quebec and change the Quebec model, which has failed. Our government is too big we have mortgaged our grandchildren's future to pay for goldplated social programs. There are too many civil servants and too many people on welfare. Business is hindered by the stranglehold of the unions.
It is time to make Quiebec a less socialist place. We have to . We cannot afford this model. Even with the help of our fellow Canadian citizens.
Is it fair that equalization pays for Quebec to have superior social; programs?
So I look to a new and more useful debate in my home province. A debate that is long overdue. A debate that will help make Quebec a more prosoerius place. I belive that Quebec can become more prosperous as part of Canada. HM PM Stephen harper and his more open federalism brings us back to the intent of our founding fathers and Our Founding Mother HLIM Quieen Victoria. The separatist threat will never completely die, but i hope that it will be submerged by this new debate and the new openess of HM Government.
I hope everyone in Quebec goes out and vores today.
Perhaps we can finally get to work in Quebec and change the Quebec model, which has failed. Our government is too big we have mortgaged our grandchildren's future to pay for goldplated social programs. There are too many civil servants and too many people on welfare. Business is hindered by the stranglehold of the unions.
It is time to make Quiebec a less socialist place. We have to . We cannot afford this model. Even with the help of our fellow Canadian citizens.
Is it fair that equalization pays for Quebec to have superior social; programs?
So I look to a new and more useful debate in my home province. A debate that is long overdue. A debate that will help make Quebec a more prosoerius place. I belive that Quebec can become more prosperous as part of Canada. HM PM Stephen harper and his more open federalism brings us back to the intent of our founding fathers and Our Founding Mother HLIM Quieen Victoria. The separatist threat will never completely die, but i hope that it will be submerged by this new debate and the new openess of HM Government.
I hope everyone in Quebec goes out and vores today.
Dr Fraser Mustard: arrogant socialist
I was listening to The Current on the socialist CBC when I heard an interview with Dr Fraser Mustard, He was absolutely infuriating. He basically suggested that parents are incapable of raising children in the modern world, because they just don't understand brain developement. He cited Cuba and Sweden as models for childcare. he seems to advocate all children going to daycare. he staed that there was a high degree of illiteracy due to poor parenting. Perhaps he shoyuld read the studies about our high rates of illiteracy among new immigrants His assumption that bad parenting lead to a high rate of illiteracy in a large segment of the population is wrong.
He might be a recognized expert in childhood developement but he is an aroogant,social;ist childcasre only advocate.
There was a mother, Beverley Smith, on after hime to counter his claims. She correctly noted that parents should be given the choice as how to raise their children. She also also said how arrogant and condescending Mustard sounded. She also noted that many parents can do a better job than daycare!
You can hear Dr Mustard here,
The Current has posted todays episode
He might be a recognized expert in childhood developement but he is an aroogant,social;ist childcasre only advocate.
There was a mother, Beverley Smith, on after hime to counter his claims. She correctly noted that parents should be given the choice as how to raise their children. She also also said how arrogant and condescending Mustard sounded. She also noted that many parents can do a better job than daycare!
You can hear Dr Mustard here,
The Current has posted todays episode
The insane regime in Iran
The despicable mullocracy has kidnapped HM Sailors and now seeks to charge them This is an obvious attempt to divert the attention in Iran of their crumbling economy and econmic woes. It also seems like revenge for the new sanctions and the US legally detaing Iranian troops. The Iranian opposition must be funded and encouraged. The people of Iran are ready for a change. The young people of Iran have shown by their protests that they don't want the mullahs. Only by terrible repression are the mullahs able to hold on to their illegitimate power. I hope that HIH Prince Reza Pahlevi and his allies will soon be able to regain power and Iranians can be free. This show trial in front of a kangaroo court in Iran should be denounced by every nation in the world. The mullahs must return HM Forces. They already have been tortured into "confessions". Even stronger sanctions should be applied to this rogue regime. Of course the allies of evil China and Russia will block this.
It is also sad that the United Kingdom is not more willing to protect HM Forces. The rules of engagement that theses sailors live under are terrible. They should be able to defend themselves. Tony Blair should be ashamed of himself.
Iran warns that sailors may face charges By DAVID STRINGER, Associated Press Writers
45 minutes ago
LONDON - Iran warned that 15 British sailors and marines could face charges for allegedly entering Iranian waters and rejected British requests to meet with the servicemen detained off the coast of Iraq.
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki threatened unspecified consequences for the Royal Navy crew in comments to reporters in New York on Sunday. He described the charge against them as "illegal entrance into Iranian waters."
"In terms of legal issues, it's under investigation," Mottaki said.
The capture and detention of the British service personnel increased tensions between Iran and the West that already were high over Tehran's nuclear program and allegations that Iran is interfering with the U.S.-led war in Iraq.
The U.N. Security Council agreed Saturday to tougher sanctions against Iran for its refusal to meet U.N. demands that it halt uranium enrichment. Many in the West fear the country's civilian nuclear research is cover for a weapons program, a claim Iran denies.
It is also sad that the United Kingdom is not more willing to protect HM Forces. The rules of engagement that theses sailors live under are terrible. They should be able to defend themselves. Tony Blair should be ashamed of himself.
Iran warns that sailors may face charges By DAVID STRINGER, Associated Press Writers
45 minutes ago
LONDON - Iran warned that 15 British sailors and marines could face charges for allegedly entering Iranian waters and rejected British requests to meet with the servicemen detained off the coast of Iraq.
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki threatened unspecified consequences for the Royal Navy crew in comments to reporters in New York on Sunday. He described the charge against them as "illegal entrance into Iranian waters."
"In terms of legal issues, it's under investigation," Mottaki said.
The capture and detention of the British service personnel increased tensions between Iran and the West that already were high over Tehran's nuclear program and allegations that Iran is interfering with the U.S.-led war in Iraq.
The U.N. Security Council agreed Saturday to tougher sanctions against Iran for its refusal to meet U.N. demands that it halt uranium enrichment. Many in the West fear the country's civilian nuclear research is cover for a weapons program, a claim Iran denies.
Sunday, March 25, 2007
HM PM on the Abolition of the slave trade
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER ON THE BICENTENARY OF THE ABOLITION OF THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE
March 25, 2007
Ottawa, Ontario
Today we mark an historic victory in the struggle for freedom and human dignity: the abolition of the African slave trade throughout the British Empire.
"On March 25, 1807, King George III proclaimed into law the Act for the Abolition of the Slave Trade, the culmination of a decades long campaign by courageous abolitionists, led by the great parliamentarian William Wilberforce. With this the full might of the British Empire was directed to ending the barbaric practice of the African slave trade, that saw millions uprooted from their homes and families, transported in deplorable and often deadly conditions, then sold into a life of bondage in the Americas.
On this day we should also recall the important role that Canadians played in the struggle against slavery, most notably the leadership of Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe who persuaded the Legislature of Upper Canada to adopt the first meaningful restrictions on slavery within the British Empire in 1793; and those who made Canada the North Star of the Underground Railroad for thousands of escaped slaves.
While we must always be vigilant in combating the vestiges of racial discrimination, Canadians can take great pride that we have built a society of hope and equality of opportunity. Let us dedicate ourselves to continuing this work by combating contemporary forms of slavery, such as human trafficking.”
See also the excellent post of abouth the movie Amazing Grace.
Slavery existed for millennia , yet it was principled Christians in the British Empire that acknowledged it was wrong and did something about it. The slave trade was also abolished in the United States around this time but continued illegally for the next 50 years.
Indeed slavery still exists today. So the abolition of the slave trade is a triumph , as well as a tragedy. I again ask when will the Arabs and othe African own up to their responsibilty for the slave trade?
Lucy
Lucy is a play about an autistic teenager. She is named after the hominid fossil Lucy, by her anthroplogist mother. Lucy has come to live with her mother, whom she has not seen for several years. her father is exhausted and wants her mother to take on Lucy for one year.It is fairly evident in the play that Lucy's mom also has a form of autism. It is a very interesting , yet disturbing play. It is about autism, but it is also about our relationships to our mothers, ourselves and the world around us.
The acting was good, though I found the actor who played Lucy as less than believable as an autistic 13 year old. It was overall a good play. Canstage sponsored and developed this play tghemselves and i congratulate them for that.
Cuba proposes to gut UN Human Rights probes
Cuba is a police state. It's citizens have almost no rights. Dissidents are regularly jailed and even executed. The tyrants at the top live like billionaires, while their people eke out an existence.
Even the Swedish understand this.
Cuba is now leading the charge to strip the new UN human rights commission of the right to examine individual nations. Cuba wants individual nations to assess their own human rights.
On the heels of a well-received report on Darfur by the newly revamped UN Human Rights Council, the body is in danger of having its power stripped away. The EU says, give the council more time.
Cuba is leading a bid by a number of countries to strip the Human Rights Council of its power to investigate and condemn violations of human rights, a move some activists warn could jeopardize the entire UN's credibility...
It is another attempt for tyrants to hide their criminal and evil behaviour. It is laughable that Cuba has anything to say about human rights.
Today's Montreal Gazette editorial said it well:
The shameless temerity of it leaves you too discouraged even to laugh in derision. Fortunately, the world is blessed with Amnesty International and other groups with the patience, courage and determination to keep pounding their fists against the stone walls of government disregard for rights. These groups are raising the alarm, for what that is worth, about this scheme.
The council will not decide the fate of the rapporteurs - UN agencies do nothing speedily - until June. The problem is that many of the governments that send delegates to the Human Rights Council are untouched by condemnation from activists, or even by criticism from other governments.
After all, a few months of grumbling in the democratic countries is no problem - the home country populations will in some cases never even hear about it.
If the council does turns its back on human rights by adopting this Cuban scheme, Canada and other democracies should quit the council as a waste of time and seek other ways, outside the UN, to promote the liberty and dignity of individuals around the world.
The increasingly obvious question is why are western nations in the UN at all?
Even the Swedish understand this.
Cuba is now leading the charge to strip the new UN human rights commission of the right to examine individual nations. Cuba wants individual nations to assess their own human rights.
On the heels of a well-received report on Darfur by the newly revamped UN Human Rights Council, the body is in danger of having its power stripped away. The EU says, give the council more time.
Cuba is leading a bid by a number of countries to strip the Human Rights Council of its power to investigate and condemn violations of human rights, a move some activists warn could jeopardize the entire UN's credibility...
It is another attempt for tyrants to hide their criminal and evil behaviour. It is laughable that Cuba has anything to say about human rights.
Today's Montreal Gazette editorial said it well:
The shameless temerity of it leaves you too discouraged even to laugh in derision. Fortunately, the world is blessed with Amnesty International and other groups with the patience, courage and determination to keep pounding their fists against the stone walls of government disregard for rights. These groups are raising the alarm, for what that is worth, about this scheme.
The council will not decide the fate of the rapporteurs - UN agencies do nothing speedily - until June. The problem is that many of the governments that send delegates to the Human Rights Council are untouched by condemnation from activists, or even by criticism from other governments.
After all, a few months of grumbling in the democratic countries is no problem - the home country populations will in some cases never even hear about it.
If the council does turns its back on human rights by adopting this Cuban scheme, Canada and other democracies should quit the council as a waste of time and seek other ways, outside the UN, to promote the liberty and dignity of individuals around the world.
The increasingly obvious question is why are western nations in the UN at all?
A country with an even stupider parole system than Canada
Meinhof gang killer is released
Brigitte Mohnhaupt was once called the most evil woman in Germany
A former member of the Baader-Meinhof gang has been released after serving 24 years for her involvement in kidnappings and murders in the 1970s.
Brigitte Mohnhaupt, 57,was released from the Aichach prison in Germany on Sunday, a prison official said. Last month a German court ruled that Mohnhaupt qualified for early release after serving a minimum proportion of her five life sentences....
One of the group's most prominent targets was the German industrialist Hans Martin Schleyer - who was kidnapped in September 1977 and shot six weeks later.
Speaking before the court ruling, Mr Schleyer's son Joerg said members of the group had expressed no remorse for the killing.
"I can't understand that we would take [let] them out because within the last 30 years there's nothing they said - 'OK we're sorry we murdered your father...
Another one of these monsters is asking for a pardon. They all should have died in prison or been executed. I am not sure how such people , who are only sorry they were caught can be allowed to go free. I doubt even our muddle headed parole board would have allowed such monsters out.Fortunately both Ulrike Meinhof and Andreas Baader died in prison(the cowards both committed suicide). Otherwise I am sure the German courts would have let them out as well.
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Mugabe on the way out?
It looks like the butcher of Zimbabwe is losing his iron grip on power. Mugabe has made Zimbabwe a living hell. Even his own party is beginning to see that the monster must go. Pressure should be put on the neighbours of Zimbabwe by the west. The silence and active support of countries like South Africa make them complicit with this homocidal regime. I hope and pray that the suffering of the Zimbabwean people ends soon.
Leaders 'plan end to Mugabe era'
By Martin Plaut
BBC News
Robert Mugabe's grip on power appears to be fading
As Zimbabwe slides into chaos and repression, there are indications President Robert Mugabe could be eased out of power by his own old guard.
Leading members of the ruling Zanu-PF party and the opposition are reportedly mapping out an end to the Mugabe era.
Sources in the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) say the former security and army chiefs have held talks with the MDC leader, Morgan Tsvangirai.
Mr Tsvangirai was badly beaten in police custody earlier this month.
The MDC leader is said to have met the former security and army chiefs, Emmerson Mnangagwa and Solomon Mujuru.
The next week could not just be critical for the future of Zimbabwe, but for southern Africa as a whole ...
Leaders 'plan end to Mugabe era'
By Martin Plaut
BBC News
Robert Mugabe's grip on power appears to be fading
As Zimbabwe slides into chaos and repression, there are indications President Robert Mugabe could be eased out of power by his own old guard.
Leading members of the ruling Zanu-PF party and the opposition are reportedly mapping out an end to the Mugabe era.
Sources in the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) say the former security and army chiefs have held talks with the MDC leader, Morgan Tsvangirai.
Mr Tsvangirai was badly beaten in police custody earlier this month.
The MDC leader is said to have met the former security and army chiefs, Emmerson Mnangagwa and Solomon Mujuru.
The next week could not just be critical for the future of Zimbabwe, but for southern Africa as a whole ...
The Tories have defined dion
Stephane Dion has allowed the Tories to depict him as a whining , flip flopping ,frightened small child. Dion is doing everything possible to reinforce that image.
The editorial in the Post gives dion a way to counteract this, but I doubt he will listen.
"This is certainly a pattern," Mr. Dion told Parliament, referring to the Prime Minister, "where he acts as a bully and I don't want to follow this way, I don't want to do that."
Then don't follow it, Mr. Dion. Or do. Either way, stop whining like a child whose older brother just got a bigger lollypop. Act like a leader, or at least a grownup politician. Accept that in the cut-and-thrust of political jousting your opponents are going to make allegations against you and your party every bit as outsized as the ones you make against them.
I think the It's Not fair line by dion sunk his ship before it got into the ocean.
The editorial in the Post gives dion a way to counteract this, but I doubt he will listen.
"This is certainly a pattern," Mr. Dion told Parliament, referring to the Prime Minister, "where he acts as a bully and I don't want to follow this way, I don't want to do that."
Then don't follow it, Mr. Dion. Or do. Either way, stop whining like a child whose older brother just got a bigger lollypop. Act like a leader, or at least a grownup politician. Accept that in the cut-and-thrust of political jousting your opponents are going to make allegations against you and your party every bit as outsized as the ones you make against them.
I think the It's Not fair line by dion sunk his ship before it got into the ocean.
Senator Edwards
I am somewhat dismayed by Senator Edwards decision. His 57 year old wife has breast cancer metastatic to the bone. Her chance of survival for 5 years is about 20 %. It is probably less than that because of her age. She is likely to have fairly debilatating chemo soon.The couple has young children. They should have as much family time as possible now.
Running for the presidency is not a good idea for this family right now.
It is the decision of the Edwards family and it is not any of my business, but I hope and pray Senator Edwards reconsiders his decision. I have lived through this experience both as a physician and as a friend and relative. There are going to be difficult times ahead for this family. In either case I offer my best wishes and prayers to Elizabeth Edwards and her family.
Aislin on the ADQ and More on the Quebec election
This most recent Aislin cartoon kind of summarizes some my problems with the foor in mouth candidates of the ADQ.
I am anxious about the vote. I voted Charest, but I wouldn't be too unhappy with an ADQ win. Both La presse and the Montreal Gazette(in a like warm way) have endorsed Charest. I would be very upset with a PQ win or minority. I remember 1976 when many voted for the Union National and the Levesque and the PQ came up the middle to a majority. That is another reason i voted Charest. I( L Ian Macdonald) think most Quebecers want a Charest government with a Mario opposition. Mario need to get a better team next team. I don't think his present team is ready for prime time.
Only 2 more days to go.
I am anxious about the vote. I voted Charest, but I wouldn't be too unhappy with an ADQ win. Both La presse and the Montreal Gazette(in a like warm way) have endorsed Charest. I would be very upset with a PQ win or minority. I remember 1976 when many voted for the Union National and the Levesque and the PQ came up the middle to a majority. That is another reason i voted Charest. I( L Ian Macdonald) think most Quebecers want a Charest government with a Mario opposition. Mario need to get a better team next team. I don't think his present team is ready for prime time.
Only 2 more days to go.
Election? Is 40% enough?
HM PM and his team have gotten our party to the brink of a majority!
Tories reach 'Magic' 40% in poll
Leading Liberals in every region except Quebec
Norma Greenaway, CanWest News Service
Published: Saturday, March 24, 2007
OTTAWA - Prime Minister Stephen Harpers' Conservatives have surged to 40% in popular opinion and entered majority government territory, a new poll says.
The poll, conducted exclusively by Ipsos-Reid for CanWest News Service and Global Television after the Harper government delivered its new budget, shows the Tories have opened up an 11-point lead nationally over Stephane Dion's Liberals.
"The big news is they hit the big four-oh," Pollster Darrell Bricker said of the Conservatives' numbers. "They've hit the magic number. When you get to 40 [per cent], you can start talking about forming a majority government."
It's the first time Ipsos-Reid reported the Conservatives, who scored a minority victory 14 months ago, could win a majority.
Grit support plunged to 29% from 34% in a survey conducted a week earlier.
Moreover, the poll indicates the Conservatives have opened up a 10-point lead (43% to 33%) over the Liberals in Ontario, the crown jewel of Canadian politics with 106 seats. They also are locked in a virtual tie with them in Quebec, 26%-25% for the Liberals. Quebec has 75 federal seats...
The polls are now consistently showing the Tories on the rise. The budget which I rated as a B, is an A for strategy. Ipsos Reid also found that 31% of Canadians were open to switching to the Tories before the budget. The new polls show all these people did not switch, but the Tories have genuine potential to grow! I was listening to someone from Ipsos Reed last night. he said that 40% is good , but does not guarantee a majority. He also made the point that none of the opposition parties at this point would be reckless dare trigger an election. The Tories could rule as if they had a majority!! let's get some more great legislation passed and get our numbers up even more. I want to see the grits wiped off the face of the electoral map. I know this is just a fantasy, but I truly believe that HM PM Stephen Harper could put the proverbial dagger through the heart of the corrupt grit beast.
The libloggers must be apoplectic.
Tories reach 'Magic' 40% in poll
Leading Liberals in every region except Quebec
Norma Greenaway, CanWest News Service
Published: Saturday, March 24, 2007
OTTAWA - Prime Minister Stephen Harpers' Conservatives have surged to 40% in popular opinion and entered majority government territory, a new poll says.
The poll, conducted exclusively by Ipsos-Reid for CanWest News Service and Global Television after the Harper government delivered its new budget, shows the Tories have opened up an 11-point lead nationally over Stephane Dion's Liberals.
"The big news is they hit the big four-oh," Pollster Darrell Bricker said of the Conservatives' numbers. "They've hit the magic number. When you get to 40 [per cent], you can start talking about forming a majority government."
It's the first time Ipsos-Reid reported the Conservatives, who scored a minority victory 14 months ago, could win a majority.
Grit support plunged to 29% from 34% in a survey conducted a week earlier.
Moreover, the poll indicates the Conservatives have opened up a 10-point lead (43% to 33%) over the Liberals in Ontario, the crown jewel of Canadian politics with 106 seats. They also are locked in a virtual tie with them in Quebec, 26%-25% for the Liberals. Quebec has 75 federal seats...
The polls are now consistently showing the Tories on the rise. The budget which I rated as a B, is an A for strategy. Ipsos Reid also found that 31% of Canadians were open to switching to the Tories before the budget. The new polls show all these people did not switch, but the Tories have genuine potential to grow! I was listening to someone from Ipsos Reed last night. he said that 40% is good , but does not guarantee a majority. He also made the point that none of the opposition parties at this point would be reckless dare trigger an election. The Tories could rule as if they had a majority!! let's get some more great legislation passed and get our numbers up even more. I want to see the grits wiped off the face of the electoral map. I know this is just a fantasy, but I truly believe that HM PM Stephen Harper could put the proverbial dagger through the heart of the corrupt grit beast.
The libloggers must be apoplectic.
Letter to the editor: National Post
National Post
Published: Saturday, March 24, 2007
The circulation numbers for the National Post are way up in Toronto, with The Globe and Mail on the decline. The Post is a gift from Lord Black to the people of Canada. Thank you, Conrad Black. Perhaps there is hope for Toronto after all. I hope the Post continues to strive to become Canada's best-read paper. Good work, everyone.
Roy Eappen, Montreal.
It is interesting that the grits plan to sue the National Post, over that excellent Jonathan Kay piece. As you can see from the Kay link I just listed, Kay has confirmed what other grits have said years ago. As Joanne says you can't buy publicity like this. I would love to have lawyers deposing the MPs, and grit officials under oath. We would also have access to any grit documents from the convention. The grits don't seem to have thought this out very well. If the source of the story is revealed, it will surely be a high ranking grit. More of the grit internal rifts will be revealed. All of this will make the Post even more of a must read. The mop and pail and the red star will be so very jealous.
Published: Saturday, March 24, 2007
The circulation numbers for the National Post are way up in Toronto, with The Globe and Mail on the decline. The Post is a gift from Lord Black to the people of Canada. Thank you, Conrad Black. Perhaps there is hope for Toronto after all. I hope the Post continues to strive to become Canada's best-read paper. Good work, everyone.
Roy Eappen, Montreal.
It is interesting that the grits plan to sue the National Post, over that excellent Jonathan Kay piece. As you can see from the Kay link I just listed, Kay has confirmed what other grits have said years ago. As Joanne says you can't buy publicity like this. I would love to have lawyers deposing the MPs, and grit officials under oath. We would also have access to any grit documents from the convention. The grits don't seem to have thought this out very well. If the source of the story is revealed, it will surely be a high ranking grit. More of the grit internal rifts will be revealed. All of this will make the Post even more of a must read. The mop and pail and the red star will be so very jealous.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Old scandals: tread lightly grits!
So Mark Holland wants to dredge up an old alleged alliance scandal involving Stockwell Day. Perhaps the Tories should bring up the HRDC scandal, the gun registry scandal,the Tony Valeri scandal, the unsolved Sponsorship scandal and the many other grit scandals. Millions of taxpayers dollars are missing form all of these scandals and yet the grits feel we should forget about them.Perhaps Holland would like to investigate where his grit friends put that missing $41 million form the Sponsorship scnadal. The grits should reimburse Canadians before talking about other people's scandals.
Congratulations National Post:Thank you Lord Black
The circulation numbers for the National Post( one of my favourite media outlets) are way up in Toronto! Interesting for this internet age.The mop and pail is on the decline. The National Post is a gift from Lord Black to the people of Canada. Thank you Lord Black!!!
Perhaps there is hope for Toronto after all.
The NADbank survey, which is relied upon by media buyers to guide millions of dollars worth of advertising spending each year, reported that the Post's Saturday readership grew by nearly 29.7% in the 2006 study when compared to 2005 survey results. On weekdays, the National Post increased its readership by 3.5% in 2006, compared to the year before.
Commenting on the National Post’s performance, Douglas Kelly, Editor in Chief of the National Post said: “These increases reflect our efforts to create a unique newspaper rich with news that matters to Canadians, features that tell compelling stories and commentary that challenges conventional wisdom, together with our award-winning design. As we further enrich the Post, we will
continue to reach a targeted and desired readership.”
The Post recorded strong gains in a number of important demographic areas. The number of readers in the Toronto region with high personal and household incomes soared. The number of Saturday readers with personal incomes greater than $100,000 grew by 47% and those with household incomes of more than $100,000 increased by 40%. Weekday readership of those with personal incomes greater than $100,000 grew by 48%.
In addition, the readers in the highly sought after 35 to 49, soared by 104% on Saturday and 54% on weekdays.
In contrast, The Globe and Mail's readership eroded. The Globe's Saturday readership declined by 3.7% and 4.3% on weekdays. The Globe also suffered a loss in important demographic areas, including those with personal incomes above $100,000.
Perhaps there is hope for Toronto after all.
The NADbank survey, which is relied upon by media buyers to guide millions of dollars worth of advertising spending each year, reported that the Post's Saturday readership grew by nearly 29.7% in the 2006 study when compared to 2005 survey results. On weekdays, the National Post increased its readership by 3.5% in 2006, compared to the year before.
Commenting on the National Post’s performance, Douglas Kelly, Editor in Chief of the National Post said: “These increases reflect our efforts to create a unique newspaper rich with news that matters to Canadians, features that tell compelling stories and commentary that challenges conventional wisdom, together with our award-winning design. As we further enrich the Post, we will
continue to reach a targeted and desired readership.”
The Post recorded strong gains in a number of important demographic areas. The number of readers in the Toronto region with high personal and household incomes soared. The number of Saturday readers with personal incomes greater than $100,000 grew by 47% and those with household incomes of more than $100,000 increased by 40%. Weekday readership of those with personal incomes greater than $100,000 grew by 48%.
In addition, the readers in the highly sought after 35 to 49, soared by 104% on Saturday and 54% on weekdays.
In contrast, The Globe and Mail's readership eroded. The Globe's Saturday readership declined by 3.7% and 4.3% on weekdays. The Globe also suffered a loss in important demographic areas, including those with personal incomes above $100,000.
More on the Kyoto church service
I forgot to mention some of the litany included Quebec is an environmental leader. They all forgot to mention we are Quebec has the highest debt and not a great economy.
Suzuki seemed wistful for the days when there were almost no humans on the plabet.
Suzuki also made another factual error. He claimed there are more humans than mice or rats on earth.
Gore started out his speech pitying himself for not having air force 2 and a motorcade anymore. Funny for a man telling us all to cut back.Gore also pointed out that we are all behind China's environmental laws. He showed a graph of that too. This is funny because China's laws are observed in the breach. Gore also used hurricanes as proof of global warming. The strength of storms, since he admitted no correlation of numbers of storms with global warming. he of course obfuscated that. He didn't point how few and mild the hurricane season was this year. he did point out the poor levee system in New Orleans, but forget to mention he did nothing to fix that from 1992-2000. His speech was really to make the point that Gore should be president of the US. Fortunately the people of the United States thought better of that idea.
There is more on Gore's polar bear photo.
"It's just too cute to be true," Mr. Simard said. "You have to keep in mind that the bears are not in danger at all. It was, if you will, their playground for 15 minutes, you know what I mean? This is a perfect picture for climate change, in a way, because you have the impression they are in the middle of the ocean and they are going to die, with a Coke in their hands. But they were not that far from the coast, and it was possible for them to swim... They are still alive and having fun."
Finally at least 3 protesters were dragged away screaming Gore and his henchman want to depopulate the earth.The audience booed them and calle them names. They were dragged off to see the grand inquisitor I'm sure. Both Gore and Suzuki complained about how many people live on the earth and seemed to miss the days when we were only a few.There was no time for question of course. And at the end of this farce AlGore got an honourary degree from Concordia University.
Suzuki seemed wistful for the days when there were almost no humans on the plabet.
Suzuki also made another factual error. He claimed there are more humans than mice or rats on earth.
Gore started out his speech pitying himself for not having air force 2 and a motorcade anymore. Funny for a man telling us all to cut back.Gore also pointed out that we are all behind China's environmental laws. He showed a graph of that too. This is funny because China's laws are observed in the breach. Gore also used hurricanes as proof of global warming. The strength of storms, since he admitted no correlation of numbers of storms with global warming. he of course obfuscated that. He didn't point how few and mild the hurricane season was this year. he did point out the poor levee system in New Orleans, but forget to mention he did nothing to fix that from 1992-2000. His speech was really to make the point that Gore should be president of the US. Fortunately the people of the United States thought better of that idea.
There is more on Gore's polar bear photo.
"It's just too cute to be true," Mr. Simard said. "You have to keep in mind that the bears are not in danger at all. It was, if you will, their playground for 15 minutes, you know what I mean? This is a perfect picture for climate change, in a way, because you have the impression they are in the middle of the ocean and they are going to die, with a Coke in their hands. But they were not that far from the coast, and it was possible for them to swim... They are still alive and having fun."
Finally at least 3 protesters were dragged away screaming Gore and his henchman want to depopulate the earth.The audience booed them and calle them names. They were dragged off to see the grand inquisitor I'm sure. Both Gore and Suzuki complained about how many people live on the earth and seemed to miss the days when we were only a few.There was no time for question of course. And at the end of this farce AlGore got an honourary degree from Concordia University.
The lying high priest Gore
So I heard Suzuki and Gore speak after the litany. Suzuki mentioned he became an environmentalist because of Rachel Carson's silent spring. He mentioned the evil of ddt. I have posted before of the evil of the ddt ban. Suzuki also called Rex Murphy stupid for not worshiping Al Gore. He avoided bashing harper( probably because of the hundred of complaints registered the last time) but he did bash the Bush presidencies. He kept saying how desperate everything was. He talked about a statement of doom and gloom from scientists 15 years ago. The statement said we only had a decade to fix things or everything would collapse. I guess Suzuki didn't notice it has been 15 years from this statement. Perhaps he should have also noted that some from the statement now deny his vision.
Allegre's second thoughts
The Deniers -- The National Post's series on scientists who buck the conventional wisdom on climate science
LAWRENCE SOLOMON, Financial Post
Published: Friday, March 02, 2007
Claude Allegre, one of France's leading socialists and among her most celebrated scientists, was among the first to sound the alarm about the dangers of global warming.
"By burning fossil fuels, man increased the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere which, for example, has raised the global mean temperature by half a degree in the last century," Dr. Allegre, a renowned geochemist, wrote 20 years ago in Cles pour la geologie.." Fifteen years ago, Dr. Allegre was among the 1500 prominent scientists who signed "World Scientists' Warning to Humanity," a highly publicized letter stressing that global warming's "potential risks are very great" and demanding a new caring ethic that recognizes the globe's fragility in order to stave off "spirals of environmental decline, poverty, and unrest, leading to social, economic and environmental collapse." The audience treated suzuki like a roxk star. There was of course no questions.
Then Suzuki introduced the real fraudster,Al Gore. Gore tried to be folksy and funny. He showed many graphs and photos. He again told the polar bear lie. He claimed many polar bears had drowned. He also said there were drowning penguins. Indeed he used a photo I had previously seen, to prove his lies. He used a lot of graphs with unclearly labeled x and y axes. In fact in one graph he just showed a rising curve with no issue of scale.
It was a slick con. He then whined how if he was president he could get things done. Gore was vice president and nothing was done. He forgets every US senator rejected kyoto both GOP and Dem. Gore has shown himself to be a charlatan. Even the polar bears know it.
Thursday, March 22, 2007
I voted for Charest last Monday
I voted for Mr Charest's party for a number of reasons. Mario's team seems non existant or foolish. Look at the latest fool:
ADQ candidate apologizes for anti-Semitic remarks
Last Updated: Thursday, March 22, 2007 | 8:02 PM ET
CBC News
An ADQ candidate in Abitibi-East, Que., is trying to stamp out sparks that erupted after he posted online comments with anti-Semitic connotations.
Gilles Gagnon finds himself backed into another corner for writing about American and European Jews on his business's website.
The local ADQ candidate in my riding or his workers never contacted me nor did I get any campaign literature. The PLQ candidate Bachand sent me literature and his workers called twice.
I still have lingering doubts about Mario's commitment to Canada.
I was not happy with Mario's stunt during the debate. I would like to see Mario as the opposition leader. I still think Jean Charest is the most capable of the three to be premier. We will see Monday
ADQ candidate apologizes for anti-Semitic remarks
Last Updated: Thursday, March 22, 2007 | 8:02 PM ET
CBC News
An ADQ candidate in Abitibi-East, Que., is trying to stamp out sparks that erupted after he posted online comments with anti-Semitic connotations.
Gilles Gagnon finds himself backed into another corner for writing about American and European Jews on his business's website.
The local ADQ candidate in my riding or his workers never contacted me nor did I get any campaign literature. The PLQ candidate Bachand sent me literature and his workers called twice.
I still have lingering doubts about Mario's commitment to Canada.
I was not happy with Mario's stunt during the debate. I would like to see Mario as the opposition leader. I still think Jean Charest is the most capable of the three to be premier. We will see Monday
The Litany of the church of kyoto
I just got home from listening to Al Gore and Suzuki for almost two and one half hours . I will talk about them later. In the lead up to these two windbags. First we had Sarah Harmer and Sam Roberts sing. Both were very good singers. They were the moderators of the litany. First the welcome from the green city official ,Alain Desousa. Then the young socialist leader of the Canadian Federation of students Amanda Aziz spoke. She brought solidarity from the other comrades and bashed any government that didn't cut university fees. Then it was the Quebec Minister of the Environment Claude Bechard who gave a good election type speech(the election is Monday and he is running) about the accomplishments of Mr Charest's government. Then Steven Guilbeault the head of Greenpeace Quebec. He is rumoured to be running for the grits or the NDP. He took this as an opportunity to bash HM PM Stephen Harper. Through all of these speeches you heard the same litany. The young are our future, climate change is undeniable,we must do something no regardless of the cost. Instead of amens the church members clapped. By the end of it I was already tired and then the high priests started the homilies...
More from the church of Kyoto
I left my new Lexus at home snd took the bus and metro to the church of Kyoto. The university and CEGEP students in Montreal seem to be striking for lower fees and are blocking traffic downtown.
The room is rapidly filling. The first 25 rows are for true believers and VIps. There are no mics in the audience ,so I guess the high priests will not be questioned.
The only way to speak to Suzuki is to buy a book and have it signed by the high priedt Suzuki.
The slogans still flash. The latest one says not to eat meat. The church of kyoto is closing in on me.
The room is rapidly filling. The first 25 rows are for true believers and VIps. There are no mics in the audience ,so I guess the high priests will not be questioned.
The only way to speak to Suzuki is to buy a book and have it signed by the high priedt Suzuki.
The slogans still flash. The latest one says not to eat meat. The church of kyoto is closing in on me.
An Heretic in the Church of Kyoto
I am writing this from Room 517 of the Palais des Comgres in Montrealon my Treo 680. Today this room is the Church of Kyoto. In a few hours the high priests Al Gore and David
Suzuki will be giving their homilies here. I sit here a Kyoto heretic, waiting to see if I can be moved by their homilies.
Romm 517 is huge. It holds 5000 people and I am told the event is sold out. The front of the room has huge screens which constantly flash pro student union and environmental tips and advertising. Some of these tips:try to never fly(how did the high priests arrive?) and live close to your job.
The service is sponsored by Youth Action Montreal and Concordia University. Indeed I get to witness the high priest gore be given an honourary degree later this afternoon.
The collection plate will be full. The tickets cost sdults 50 dollars and students 20 dollars.. More later...
Suzuki will be giving their homilies here. I sit here a Kyoto heretic, waiting to see if I can be moved by their homilies.
Romm 517 is huge. It holds 5000 people and I am told the event is sold out. The front of the room has huge screens which constantly flash pro student union and environmental tips and advertising. Some of these tips:try to never fly(how did the high priests arrive?) and live close to your job.
The service is sponsored by Youth Action Montreal and Concordia University. Indeed I get to witness the high priest gore be given an honourary degree later this afternoon.
The collection plate will be full. The tickets cost sdults 50 dollars and students 20 dollars.. More later...
This is a better way
I think that the fedarl transfers to the provinces emesh the federal government in many provincial responsibilities. I agree with this authour that the feds should just cut the taxes and let the provinces increase theirs if they want to. This would guarantee everyone stuck to their own powers! perhaps this would decrease the whining of all the premiers as well. It would be the provincial governments who set their taxes and had to be accountable for their spending.
..."Unfortunately, the issues come down to a large degree to the very nature of Canada's federal system," according to Matthew Sherwood, an economist with the Economist Intelligence Unit, which prepared the document. And while it wasn't included specifically in this analysis, it's arguable that a new federal budget featuring a huge boost in transfers to provinces will worsen the efficiency of government in Canada.
The report notes that the reliance of provinces on federal transfers already causes federal interference in provincial responsibilities, constant squabbling over money and taxpayer confusion about where their money is spent and who's accountable for spending it well.
Incidentally, the president of the C.D. Howe Institute, Bill Robson, has just made the same point about the "toxic" effect on accountability of the big, new transfers. Far better, he suggests, to let each level of government take the heat for raising its own revenues, with Ottawa cutting taxes to make room for provinces to raise their own.
As for the competitiveness ranking, we might choose to take it with a grain of salt, since nobody can measure competitiveness precisely.
Rankings put out by different analysts can vary greatly. But still, the problems seem to be real.
This new report ranks Canada's business environment a laudable third in the world. But it was No. 1 just two years ago and the outlook is for further decline. Another competitiveness ranking from the World Economic Forum, perhaps the best-known such comparison, recently placed Canada 16th, down from 13th a year earlier....
..."Unfortunately, the issues come down to a large degree to the very nature of Canada's federal system," according to Matthew Sherwood, an economist with the Economist Intelligence Unit, which prepared the document. And while it wasn't included specifically in this analysis, it's arguable that a new federal budget featuring a huge boost in transfers to provinces will worsen the efficiency of government in Canada.
The report notes that the reliance of provinces on federal transfers already causes federal interference in provincial responsibilities, constant squabbling over money and taxpayer confusion about where their money is spent and who's accountable for spending it well.
Incidentally, the president of the C.D. Howe Institute, Bill Robson, has just made the same point about the "toxic" effect on accountability of the big, new transfers. Far better, he suggests, to let each level of government take the heat for raising its own revenues, with Ottawa cutting taxes to make room for provinces to raise their own.
As for the competitiveness ranking, we might choose to take it with a grain of salt, since nobody can measure competitiveness precisely.
Rankings put out by different analysts can vary greatly. But still, the problems seem to be real.
This new report ranks Canada's business environment a laudable third in the world. But it was No. 1 just two years ago and the outlook is for further decline. Another competitiveness ranking from the World Economic Forum, perhaps the best-known such comparison, recently placed Canada 16th, down from 13th a year earlier....
Al Gore doesn't want to hear the other side
One of the high priests of kyoto testified in front of a US senate committee yesterday.
He didn't provide his testimony in advance as is required. He arrived late and avoided listening to the GOP members statements.
This from Newsmax:Gore first demanded to be granted an unprecedented 30 minute opening statement to the Senate EPW Committee for Wednesday’s (March 21) global warming hearing scheduled for 2:30 pm ET.The GOP minority on the EPW committee agreed to the 30 minute opening statement.
But then Gore demanded a waiver of the EPW committee’s 48 hour rule that requires all witnesses before EPW to submit their testimony in advance. The GOP minority on the EPW committee then agreed to waive the 48 hour rule in favor of allowing Gore to submit his testimony 24 hours before the hearing.
But in a breaking news development on Capitol Hill, the former Vice President has violated the new 24 hour deadline extension by failing to submit his testimony — even with the new time extension granted to Gore.
As of 8pm ET Tuesday evening, the testimony still has not been received by EPW, a clear violation of committee rules.
The word on Capitol Hill says not to expect Gore’s testimony to the Senate EPW committee until Wednesday (March 21) — the day of the hearing.
It appears that Gore does not believe the same rules apply to him that apply to every other Senate EPW witness.
The question looms on Capitol Hill: Is Gore delaying the submission of his testimony until the very last moment because he fears it will give members of the EPW committee time to scrutinize it for accuracy?
He then gave a simplistic speech which showed little scientific acumen. Mr Gore seems afraid to debate or even listen to his critics. He is using this to try and become the US president.
It is the Czech president who speaks the truth:
Czech President: Environmentalist 'Religion' Like Communism
NewsMax.com Wires
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
PRAGUE -- Czech President Vaclav Klaus said on Wednesday that fighting global warming has turned into a a 'religion' that replaced the ideology of communism and threatens to clip basic freedoms.
The right-wing president, a free-market champion, wrote to the U.S. Congress that adopting tough environmental policies to fight climate change would have destructive impact on national economies.
'Communism has been replaced by the threat of an ambitious environmentalism,' Klaus wrote in response to questions from the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Al Gore and David Suzuki will be speaking in Montreal today. Gore is getting an honourary degree from Concordia. Wonder if it will be a B.S.?
He didn't provide his testimony in advance as is required. He arrived late and avoided listening to the GOP members statements.
This from Newsmax:Gore first demanded to be granted an unprecedented 30 minute opening statement to the Senate EPW Committee for Wednesday’s (March 21) global warming hearing scheduled for 2:30 pm ET.The GOP minority on the EPW committee agreed to the 30 minute opening statement.
But then Gore demanded a waiver of the EPW committee’s 48 hour rule that requires all witnesses before EPW to submit their testimony in advance. The GOP minority on the EPW committee then agreed to waive the 48 hour rule in favor of allowing Gore to submit his testimony 24 hours before the hearing.
But in a breaking news development on Capitol Hill, the former Vice President has violated the new 24 hour deadline extension by failing to submit his testimony — even with the new time extension granted to Gore.
As of 8pm ET Tuesday evening, the testimony still has not been received by EPW, a clear violation of committee rules.
The word on Capitol Hill says not to expect Gore’s testimony to the Senate EPW committee until Wednesday (March 21) — the day of the hearing.
It appears that Gore does not believe the same rules apply to him that apply to every other Senate EPW witness.
The question looms on Capitol Hill: Is Gore delaying the submission of his testimony until the very last moment because he fears it will give members of the EPW committee time to scrutinize it for accuracy?
He then gave a simplistic speech which showed little scientific acumen. Mr Gore seems afraid to debate or even listen to his critics. He is using this to try and become the US president.
It is the Czech president who speaks the truth:
Czech President: Environmentalist 'Religion' Like Communism
NewsMax.com Wires
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
PRAGUE -- Czech President Vaclav Klaus said on Wednesday that fighting global warming has turned into a a 'religion' that replaced the ideology of communism and threatens to clip basic freedoms.
The right-wing president, a free-market champion, wrote to the U.S. Congress that adopting tough environmental policies to fight climate change would have destructive impact on national economies.
'Communism has been replaced by the threat of an ambitious environmentalism,' Klaus wrote in response to questions from the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Al Gore and David Suzuki will be speaking in Montreal today. Gore is getting an honourary degree from Concordia. Wonder if it will be a B.S.?
Mugabe must go : Montreal Gazette Editorial
Zimbabwe needs a saviour
The Gazette
Published: Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Twenty-seven years ago, Robert Mugabe came to power as Zimbabwe's saviour, hailed as the hero in the successful battle against colonialism.
Today, Zimbabwe needs another hero - to free it of Mugabe. There is a new champion of democratic rights, but he, and his followers, have been badly beaten. Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, was attacked by police after a demonstration in Harare, the capital.
Once one of Africa's most developed economies, Zimbabwe today is in crisis. Its annual inflation rate is 1,700 per cent. More than 80 per cent of Zimbabweans live in poverty. In 1990, life expectancy was 60. Today, it's 38....
Mugabe thinks of himself as a liberator. He is a despicable tyrant who has enslaved and impoverished his people. I agree with the editorial. The government of South Africa must help topple this vermin.His presence is destabilizing the entire region.Hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans now live in the bordering states. I an ibcreasing thinking that only armed intervention from the West will end the suffering of the Zimbabwean people. Unfortunately no one has the stomach to deal with this madman
Update Daimnation has news that 2500 stromtroopers from Angola are coming to help mugabe. The commie thugs seem to hang together.
The Gazette
Published: Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Twenty-seven years ago, Robert Mugabe came to power as Zimbabwe's saviour, hailed as the hero in the successful battle against colonialism.
Today, Zimbabwe needs another hero - to free it of Mugabe. There is a new champion of democratic rights, but he, and his followers, have been badly beaten. Morgan Tsvangirai, leader of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change, was attacked by police after a demonstration in Harare, the capital.
Once one of Africa's most developed economies, Zimbabwe today is in crisis. Its annual inflation rate is 1,700 per cent. More than 80 per cent of Zimbabweans live in poverty. In 1990, life expectancy was 60. Today, it's 38....
Mugabe thinks of himself as a liberator. He is a despicable tyrant who has enslaved and impoverished his people. I agree with the editorial. The government of South Africa must help topple this vermin.His presence is destabilizing the entire region.Hundreds of thousands of Zimbabweans now live in the bordering states. I an ibcreasing thinking that only armed intervention from the West will end the suffering of the Zimbabwean people. Unfortunately no one has the stomach to deal with this madman
Update Daimnation has news that 2500 stromtroopers from Angola are coming to help mugabe. The commie thugs seem to hang together.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Dion still suing Duceppe
OTTAWA — Lawyers representing Stéphane Dion are demanding to see the bank records of Bloc Québécois Leader Gilles Duceppe as part of a $400,000 lawsuit Mr. Dion launched before he became Liberal Party Leader in December.
Mr. Dion's lawyers want the personal information to bolster their argument that Mr. Duceppe can afford to pay for the damage they allege was done by a Bloc pamphlet on the sponsorship scandal.
The French pamphlet circulated by Bloc MPs in the fall of 2005, titled La route de l'argent, showed arrows pointing to Mr. Dion and other Liberal politicians. Mr. Dion said the Gomery commission absolved him of any links to the scandal, yet the pamphlet falsely says he benefited financially.
Mr. Dion filed the suit in December of 2005 but it has not attracted public attention until this week. It's unclear whether it will have an impact on the stability of the current minority Parliament.
The Globe and Mail
Though the discussions are rarely publicized, party leaders are regularly in contact with each other through one-on-one meetings and phone conversations. The meetings can focus on mundane matters such as party positions on coming legislation as well as more high-stakes issues such as whether to topple the government.
Mr. Dion said he intends to follow through with the suit to defend his reputation and does not expect it will affect his professional relationship with Mr. Duceppe.
The 3 opposition parties would have to unite to bring down the HM Government. I think if dion were smart, he would drop this suit. In public the 2 leaders say this would not cause any problems between the two leaders and their parties, but I doubt that.
Mr. Dion's lawyers want the personal information to bolster their argument that Mr. Duceppe can afford to pay for the damage they allege was done by a Bloc pamphlet on the sponsorship scandal.
The French pamphlet circulated by Bloc MPs in the fall of 2005, titled La route de l'argent, showed arrows pointing to Mr. Dion and other Liberal politicians. Mr. Dion said the Gomery commission absolved him of any links to the scandal, yet the pamphlet falsely says he benefited financially.
Mr. Dion filed the suit in December of 2005 but it has not attracted public attention until this week. It's unclear whether it will have an impact on the stability of the current minority Parliament.
The Globe and Mail
Though the discussions are rarely publicized, party leaders are regularly in contact with each other through one-on-one meetings and phone conversations. The meetings can focus on mundane matters such as party positions on coming legislation as well as more high-stakes issues such as whether to topple the government.
Mr. Dion said he intends to follow through with the suit to defend his reputation and does not expect it will affect his professional relationship with Mr. Duceppe.
The 3 opposition parties would have to unite to bring down the HM Government. I think if dion were smart, he would drop this suit. In public the 2 leaders say this would not cause any problems between the two leaders and their parties, but I doubt that.
Budget 2007 :cartoons
This a hilarious one from Graeme Mackay
Aislin's cartoon was pretty funny yesterday. It is a scream today
Aislin's cartoon was pretty funny yesterday. It is a scream today
Update on My post on the Red Ensign
I am glad that the government will honour our veterans and honour their request.
HM Prime Minister once again shines!
Harper wants Red Ensign to fly at Vimy, sources say
ALEX DOBROTA
OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper has requested the Red Ensign flag fly at Vimy Ridge ceremonies next month, The Globe and Mail has learned.
Mr. Harper told his cabinet ministers yesterday that he wanted both the Red Ensign and the Maple Leaf hoisted in Vimy, France, at the 90th anniversary of the First World War battle, sources close to the Prime Minister said.
HM Prime Minister once again shines!
Harper wants Red Ensign to fly at Vimy, sources say
ALEX DOBROTA
OTTAWA -- Prime Minister Stephen Harper has requested the Red Ensign flag fly at Vimy Ridge ceremonies next month, The Globe and Mail has learned.
Mr. Harper told his cabinet ministers yesterday that he wanted both the Red Ensign and the Maple Leaf hoisted in Vimy, France, at the 90th anniversary of the First World War battle, sources close to the Prime Minister said.
I am My Own Wife
I go to a lot of theater and have subscriptions to and support a few Canadian theater companies. I have actually seen this play 3 times!, Once in NYC off broadway, last year with ,Canstage in Toronto and most recently in Montreal at the Segal Theater.
It is the result of interviews by the authour Doug Wright, with a German transvestite who survived the nazis and communism. It is a one person show and involves 40 characters. Alll three of the actors(Jefferson Mays,Stephen Ouimette and Brett Christopher) who have seen playing this role have been very good. I think Jefferson Mays did the best job.
The story is truly odd. Charlotta von Malsdorf(born Lothar Berfelde> saves many objects from the 1890's ( the German Gay Nineteies, the Gründerzeit). Charlotta manages to survive too of the most repressive and evil regimes in the history of humanity. The story is true, but one wonders how much embellishment occurred. The second act does talk about Charlotta's informing for the stasi.Charlotta comes off as a brave, kind person, who survived horrible circumstances. All in all a fascinating play. The performance of Brett Christophe is well worth seeing.
National Post: Letter to the Editor
Further to my post from yesterday, the National Post published my letter to the editor.
God save 'our' Queen
National Post
Published: Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Re: Keep saluting our Queen, Ian Holloway, March 20.
I wonder what Captain Aralt Mac Giolla Chainnigh was thinking when he joined the Royal Military College on Kingston, Ont. His attempts to denigrate the Crown are outrageous. If he really believes his republican piffle, let him resign his post and join a republican movement. Canada is, constitutionally, a monarchy -- that is unlikely to change. I hope Her Majesty's Canadian government will vigorously defend our institutions in the upcoming court case launched by Capt. Chainnigh.
God save the Queen of Canada
Roy Eappen, Montreal.
God save 'our' Queen
National Post
Published: Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Re: Keep saluting our Queen, Ian Holloway, March 20.
I wonder what Captain Aralt Mac Giolla Chainnigh was thinking when he joined the Royal Military College on Kingston, Ont. His attempts to denigrate the Crown are outrageous. If he really believes his republican piffle, let him resign his post and join a republican movement. Canada is, constitutionally, a monarchy -- that is unlikely to change. I hope Her Majesty's Canadian government will vigorously defend our institutions in the upcoming court case launched by Capt. Chainnigh.
God save the Queen of Canada
Roy Eappen, Montreal.
Research and Budget 2007: Enough Funding?
I have many friends who are clinical and bench researchers. I think research speandin is a good idea. I got an email from the Mcgill Medical Faculty pointing out this site. My University does not seem very happy with the amounts pledged for medical research.
Here are some of the iniatives. Researchers never think the money they get is enough. I think that there is substantial money being given for research.
There is far too much spending in this budget, but funding for research is necessary and can lead to many economic benefits for Canada.
Providing $500 million per year starting in 2008–09 to provide labour market training to help people who are not eligible for employment-insurance-related training get the skills they need and employers want. Any Canadian who needs training will be able to get training.
Supporting leading Centres of Excellence in Commercialization and Research with an investment of $350 million over 2006–07 and the next two years.
Providing Genome Canada with an additional $100 million in 2006–07 to extend promising research projects and sustain funding for regional genome centres and related technology platforms.
Investing $30 million in The Rick Hansen Man in Motion Foundation in 2006–07 to translate research into practical benefits for Canadians living with spinal cord injuries.
Extending and improving the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership through the provision of an additional $105 million over five years.
Improving the Temporary Foreign Worker Program with a $51-million investment over two years.
Dedicating $34 million over the next two years to help Canadian-educated foreign students and skilled foreign workers stay in Canada as permanent residents.
Creating the Foreign Credential Referral Office with a $13-million investment over two years.
Providing $2 million over the next two years to launch a new international education marketing campaign to attract talented students to Canada.
Here are some of the iniatives. Researchers never think the money they get is enough. I think that there is substantial money being given for research.
There is far too much spending in this budget, but funding for research is necessary and can lead to many economic benefits for Canada.
Providing $500 million per year starting in 2008–09 to provide labour market training to help people who are not eligible for employment-insurance-related training get the skills they need and employers want. Any Canadian who needs training will be able to get training.
Supporting leading Centres of Excellence in Commercialization and Research with an investment of $350 million over 2006–07 and the next two years.
Providing Genome Canada with an additional $100 million in 2006–07 to extend promising research projects and sustain funding for regional genome centres and related technology platforms.
Investing $30 million in The Rick Hansen Man in Motion Foundation in 2006–07 to translate research into practical benefits for Canadians living with spinal cord injuries.
Extending and improving the Aboriginal Skills and Employment Partnership through the provision of an additional $105 million over five years.
Improving the Temporary Foreign Worker Program with a $51-million investment over two years.
Dedicating $34 million over the next two years to help Canadian-educated foreign students and skilled foreign workers stay in Canada as permanent residents.
Creating the Foreign Credential Referral Office with a $13-million investment over two years.
Providing $2 million over the next two years to launch a new international education marketing campaign to attract talented students to Canada.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Dion on the run from Quebec reporters
As I said this morning , Dion's opposition to the budget will lose him more credibility in Quebec.
Tonight I watched as he was barraged with questions by Quebec reporters. they want to know why he wasn't doing what all Quebec federalists and separatists were doing and supporting the budget. He replied in Frenach he hoped Charest would win and ran away.
You can watch dion scurrying away like a frightened mouse here. ( Note this versions runs from 1130 Pm March 20- 1130 pm March 21,2007. The clip is near the start of the National.)
I am sure HM PM Stephen Harper will hammer dion on this issue in French and English.
This is a true Achilles heel for dion in Quebec.Time for the Tories to let the verbal arrows fly into Dion's Achilles heel.
One Dominion also notes a new grit split. Keith Martin and Joe Comuzzi plan to support HM Government!
Knut the Polar bear
I have heard some stupid things from animal rights activists in the past, but this takes the cake.Berlin gripped by fate of polar bear cub Knut.( I seem to blog about polar bears a lot. I think they are magnificent creatures!)
Tue Mar 20, 2007 6:54PM GMT
BERLIN (Reuters) - Berlin Zoo rallied to the defence of Knut, a three-month-old polar bear cub, on Tuesday, rejecting demands that the animal be allowed to die after being abandoned by its mother.
The fate of "cuddly Knut" has gripped the German capital since his birth in December. Rejected by his mother Tosca, the cub was adopted by a zookeeper who moved into the animal's enclosure to care for him round the clock.
Some animal rights campaigners think this will humanise the bear too much and want the zoo to stop saving young animals.
Photo
"Hand-rearing a polar bear is not appropriate and is a serious violation of animal rights," Bild newspaper quoted animal rights campaigner Frank Albrecht as saying.
"In fact, the cub should have been killed," he added.
Berlin Zoo said the animal would not be put down or left to fend for itself: "That's complete nonsense," a spokesman said.
So lets kill animals in the name of animal rights. These nuts probably think they can drown Knut. These people must have studied Orwell's 1984 as a handbook. Death is life,Life is death. Kindness is eveil.
These people are truly revolting. The Berlin Zoo has already said they would ignore this warped way of thinking. Perhaps the animal rights could be fed and cared for my someone and they could me humanized.
Update:
National Post Editorial on Knut.
Charest's big promise
Once again this goes under the heading: I will believe it when I see it.
Charest vows tax cuts in federal budget's wake
RHÉAL SÉGUIN AND TU THANH HA
Globe and Mail Update
Quebec Premier Jean Charest is using a portion of the additional cash handed to Quebec by Ottawa in Monday's federal budget to cut taxes by $700-million, hoping this will boost Liberal fortunes less than week before the election.
In making the surprise promise on Tuesday, Mr. Charest told Quebeckers to defeat the separatists and hand him a “strong mandate” so that Quebec could return to the years of prosperity that existed over 30 years ago before the Parti Québécois first came to power....
“Our government has been fighting for four years to give Quebec the room to manoeuvre…..We must think of the middle class,” Mr. Charest said in a speech at a Montreal business luncheon.
Charest previously promised $1 billion in tax cuts and we got nothing. Quebecers are the most highly taxed people in North america. We have to pay for this massive civil service and huge nanny state. I hope Charest means it this time. I have my doubts.
Charest vows tax cuts in federal budget's wake
RHÉAL SÉGUIN AND TU THANH HA
Globe and Mail Update
Quebec Premier Jean Charest is using a portion of the additional cash handed to Quebec by Ottawa in Monday's federal budget to cut taxes by $700-million, hoping this will boost Liberal fortunes less than week before the election.
In making the surprise promise on Tuesday, Mr. Charest told Quebeckers to defeat the separatists and hand him a “strong mandate” so that Quebec could return to the years of prosperity that existed over 30 years ago before the Parti Québécois first came to power....
“Our government has been fighting for four years to give Quebec the room to manoeuvre…..We must think of the middle class,” Mr. Charest said in a speech at a Montreal business luncheon.
Charest previously promised $1 billion in tax cuts and we got nothing. Quebecers are the most highly taxed people in North america. We have to pay for this massive civil service and huge nanny state. I hope Charest means it this time. I have my doubts.
Dion whines about budget
Dion might be expected to vote against a Tory budget, but he should have come armed with better reasons. He claims money offered Quebec to resolve the fiscal imbalance, for instance, is only a slight, $1-billion improvement on what the previous Liberal government was offering. Harper's claims are "helium inflated," he said, and "all the experts" will agree once they analyse the numbers.
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But Premier Jean Charest, a fellow Liberal, hopes to ride to victory in the March 26 Quebec election on the strength of the Harper promise. Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe has given it his qualified blessing. So has Parti Quebecois leader Andre Boisclair, in hopes of neutralizing Charest's advantage. This leaves Dion, isolated and exposed, arguing, provocatively, that Quebec is being short-changed. Given that he has been a fiscal-imbalance doubter for years, this is a curious turnabout -- one Harper will exploit mercilessly.
Dion might be right on the fiscal imbalance -- an ephemeral political construct, invented by provinces to pry more money from federal coffers -- but his political instincts are all wrong. He could have emphasized the feeble and mostly ineffective environmental measures in the budget -- no doubt he will, as debate unfolds. In his first response, though, he said the budget "does nothing for families."
Some families, true -- notably childless working couples. On the other hand, a family with a stay-at-home spouse and two kids could save $829 on the 2008 tax bill. As its centrepiece, the budget offers families, including the wealthy, a $2,000 credit for every child under 18. Doling out $519 in tax relief to someone making $150,000 a year may not make economic sense, but it will be politically attractive to middle class voters.
Dion is neutralizing his Quebec credentials. The Tories will claim all parties who support Quebec should vote for this budget. Indded the Bloq has said this budget helps Quebec. Dion will vote against substantial new money for Quebec. It is a tactical error for the grits. His oppositions seems more like a whining child than serious debate. Mr Charest hopes to gain re election partially through this budget. I am sure that dion is burning more of his bridges froim his already distant provincila liberal party of Quebec. The Tories will now rightly claim thatoiurs is the poarty that respects the Constitution and the seeks to keep Canada together.
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But Premier Jean Charest, a fellow Liberal, hopes to ride to victory in the March 26 Quebec election on the strength of the Harper promise. Bloc Quebecois leader Gilles Duceppe has given it his qualified blessing. So has Parti Quebecois leader Andre Boisclair, in hopes of neutralizing Charest's advantage. This leaves Dion, isolated and exposed, arguing, provocatively, that Quebec is being short-changed. Given that he has been a fiscal-imbalance doubter for years, this is a curious turnabout -- one Harper will exploit mercilessly.
Dion might be right on the fiscal imbalance -- an ephemeral political construct, invented by provinces to pry more money from federal coffers -- but his political instincts are all wrong. He could have emphasized the feeble and mostly ineffective environmental measures in the budget -- no doubt he will, as debate unfolds. In his first response, though, he said the budget "does nothing for families."
Some families, true -- notably childless working couples. On the other hand, a family with a stay-at-home spouse and two kids could save $829 on the 2008 tax bill. As its centrepiece, the budget offers families, including the wealthy, a $2,000 credit for every child under 18. Doling out $519 in tax relief to someone making $150,000 a year may not make economic sense, but it will be politically attractive to middle class voters.
Dion is neutralizing his Quebec credentials. The Tories will claim all parties who support Quebec should vote for this budget. Indded the Bloq has said this budget helps Quebec. Dion will vote against substantial new money for Quebec. It is a tactical error for the grits. His oppositions seems more like a whining child than serious debate. Mr Charest hopes to gain re election partially through this budget. I am sure that dion is burning more of his bridges froim his already distant provincila liberal party of Quebec. The Tories will now rightly claim thatoiurs is the poarty that respects the Constitution and the seeks to keep Canada together.
The Red Ensign
I have always favoured the Red Ensign over the grit imposed flag. I say let the Veterans fly the Red Ensign. They fought and died under the Red Ensign!
With what flag should we honour Vimy Ridge?
Veterans groups want to mark anniversary with ensign under which soldiers fought
ALEX DOBROTA
From Tuesday's Globe and Mail
OTTAWA — Nearly a century ago, Canadian soldiers crossed a muddy ridge in Vimy, France, as they fought and died under a flag relegated since to history -- the Red Ensign.
Today, a group of campaigners and veterans groups are mired in a fight with the federal bureaucracy to hoist that standard once more over Vimy Ridge.
But Ottawa is yielding not an inch. Next month, on the battle's 90th anniversary, the Maple Leaf, Canada's official flag since 1965, will fly alone at the newly restored Canadian National Vimy Memorial, a spokeswoman said.
And the Red Ensign will only be displayed inside an interpretative centre nearby, she said.
The Globe and Mail
"That's a flag that more that 111,000 people died under -- what's going on here?" asked John Heyes, a retired public servant who has been lobbying Veterans Affairs Canada.
"For me, my granddad was in the Great War and he was wounded twice in France," Mr. Heyes said. "I look at this and say 'why isn't that flag going to be there?' "
As many as 3,598 Canadians died at Vimy in April of 1917, during what many consider as this country's greatest deed of arms.
Mr. Heyes and Bill Bishop, a B.C. maintenance worker, have led the brunt of the charge against Ottawa, sending hundreds of letters to government departments and MPs.
They want the Red Ensign to fly alongside the Maple Leaf at Vimy. And their campaign has garnered support from a dozen Ontario branches of the Royal Canadian Legion and from the RCMP Veterans' Association.
The proposal was also endorsed by Conservative MP Jason Kenney, the Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and Canadian identity. In a letter penned this year, Mr. Kenney said he approved of the idea of both flags flying over Vimy commemoration ceremonies, Mr. Heyes said.
But Veterans Affairs cited a governmental protocol that allows no other flag than the Maple Leaf to fly on federal property. The land on which the Vimy Memorial was build was donated to Canada by France...
These are the men and women who fought for our freedom. If we truly honour them we should pay attenetion to their wishes as well. Fly the Red Ensign in their honour!
HM Government must fight he petty bureaucrats and make this happen.
Prof Hollaway right, RMC Prof wrong: God Save the Queen
The central role of the monarchy in our constitution, should be fairly obvious to anyone who reads it. This officer should resign his commission and campaign for his beliefs, but he has no place at the Royal Military College!. I hope the grit judges actually have read the constitution and blast this fool out of the water.
Keep saluting our Queen
Ian Holloway, National Post
Published: Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Captain Aralt Mac Giolla Chainnigh (until recently, Harold Kenny), a professor of physics at the Royal Military College and an officer in the Canadian Forces Reserves, has sued the government for what he alleges to be a "degrading" policy of requiring officers to stand during the loyal toast and salute during the playing of God Save the Queen. News reports suggest that Capt. Chainnigh has been fighting the policy for five years and has had his grievance denied by both the Canadian Forces Grievance Board and General Rick Hillier, the Chief of the Defence Staff. Capt. Chainnigh is now asking the federal court to declare the requirement to pay respect to the Crown as unlawful on the basis that it amounts to what he describes as "institutional harassment." In his public comments on the case, Capt. Chainnigh has repeatedly described Queen Elizabeth as a "foreign monarch." The news report says that his objection "is based on the premise that while Canadian law allows anyone to question the role of the monarchy in governing our country, officers have to shelve their beliefs and show loyalty to the Queen at events such as mess dinners, parades or Remembrance Day ceremonies, where they must salute for God Save The Queen."... With the exception of the Monarchist League, many Canadian monarchists have fallen into the blunder of seeking to avoid confrontation by minimizing the constitutional centrality of the Crown in Canada. As much as Capt. Chainnigh might wish it otherwise, the bottom line is that ours is a thoroughly monarchical system of government. We are a constitutional monarchy to be sure, but we are a monarchy all the same. Those like him, who hold publicly-conferred office yet who deny or belittle our system of government, are themselves arguably behaving contemptuously of Canada and its institutions. Happily, both the Canadian Forces Grievance Board and Gen. Hiller seem to have been robust in their denial of Capt. Chainnigh's grievance. Now it will be interesting to see how staunchly the government of Canada is willing to defend the constitution.
God Save the Queen.mp3
Monday, March 19, 2007
My Overall impression of the budget after a few hours
I am disappointed that some of my wishes did not come true I wanted more personal income tax and business tax cuts There were some tax breaks for families ,but I would preferred cuts to all the tax brackets and elimination of more of the poor from the tax rolls. There has been a lot of spending, which never makes me too happy.
I am glad about the increased payments to the provinces especially Quebec. My Post on the SES poll explains why.
I am not totally happy with the budget , but I think it is the best we can do with the political realities of the day. There are several positive tax cuts, but they should be bigger and affect more people. I also wanted to see more done on reducing the capital gains tax.
I give this budget a B minus. I like it but it could be fiscally much more conservative!
I am glad about the increased payments to the provinces especially Quebec. My Post on the SES poll explains why.
I am not totally happy with the budget , but I think it is the best we can do with the political realities of the day. There are several positive tax cuts, but they should be bigger and affect more people. I also wanted to see more done on reducing the capital gains tax.
I give this budget a B minus. I like it but it could be fiscally much more conservative!
Budget first impressions
The budget has a lot of spending. It does give more to children with families($310 credit for each child under 18) and tries to reduce the marriage penalty, but how is not clear to me yet. Huge money for Quebec. Not enough tax cuts for individuals and business. No cut to capital gains tax.
I am ok with cutting tax breaks for oil sands developements. I agree with the steps taken to help the elderly: $1000 increase in age deduction,RRSP open until age 71.
So far I think not enough tax cuts, but it is a budget that will accomplish increased support for the party. I will have to see the details of how they solved the marriage penalty. I will wait to see Sara's comments.
Dion and Layton say they will oppose the budget!!! Its all up to Duceppe and in essence up to Boisclair.
Update: Duceppe supports HM Government!!!
I am ok with cutting tax breaks for oil sands developements. I agree with the steps taken to help the elderly: $1000 increase in age deduction,RRSP open until age 71.
So far I think not enough tax cuts, but it is a budget that will accomplish increased support for the party. I will have to see the details of how they solved the marriage penalty. I will wait to see Sara's comments.
Dion and Layton say they will oppose the budget!!! Its all up to Duceppe and in essence up to Boisclair.
Update: Duceppe supports HM Government!!!
More on that SES Poll: Impact on Charest and Harper
Impact on Harper and Charest
Question - As you know, Prime Minister Stephen Harper supports the concept of “open federalism”. The Harper government has announced $350 million to support Quebec’s environmental plan. Likewise, there is expected to be additional new equalization transfers from the government of Canada to the province of Quebec in the federal budget.
As a result are you likely to view Stephen Harper more favourably, about the same or less favourably?
All Quebecers (N=500)
More favourably - 27.0%
About the same - 33.5%
Less favourably - 36.6%
Unsure - 2.9%
As a result are you likely to view Jean Charest more favourably, about the same or less favourably?
All Quebecers (N=500)
More favourably - 20.9%
About the same - 38.0%
Less favourably - 37.8%
Unsure - 3.2%
Associate with Provincial Liberals (N=129)
More favourably - 48.0%
About the same - 29.8%
Less favourably - 18.9%
Unsure - 3.3%
The tables with the tabs are posted on our website ,
These poll numbers show positive fall out for Charest and Harper if the rumours of the budget are true. The current rumour is an extra $2.2 billion for Quebec.
Remeber it was a small sample size, but I think the numb ers will hold.
Question - As you know, Prime Minister Stephen Harper supports the concept of “open federalism”. The Harper government has announced $350 million to support Quebec’s environmental plan. Likewise, there is expected to be additional new equalization transfers from the government of Canada to the province of Quebec in the federal budget.
As a result are you likely to view Stephen Harper more favourably, about the same or less favourably?
All Quebecers (N=500)
More favourably - 27.0%
About the same - 33.5%
Less favourably - 36.6%
Unsure - 2.9%
As a result are you likely to view Jean Charest more favourably, about the same or less favourably?
All Quebecers (N=500)
More favourably - 20.9%
About the same - 38.0%
Less favourably - 37.8%
Unsure - 3.2%
Associate with Provincial Liberals (N=129)
More favourably - 48.0%
About the same - 29.8%
Less favourably - 18.9%
Unsure - 3.3%
The tables with the tabs are posted on our website ,
These poll numbers show positive fall out for Charest and Harper if the rumours of the budget are true. The current rumour is an extra $2.2 billion for Quebec.
Remeber it was a small sample size, but I think the numb ers will hold.
The Nosedive of the left?
Meanwhile, the Liberals under Stephane Dion are said to be considering a one-third female candidate rule in the next election. Going nowhere fast and haunted by recent scandal, the Liberals are counting on this obvious bit of grandstanding to appeal to female voters.Perhaps Mr. Dion should look at Mr. Martin’s proposal and counter propose, taking only the female NDP members of Parliament. After all Mr. Martin would apparently rather stick pins in his eyes than be a part of any formal merger he may or may not have been proposing with the Liberals.
If as it would appear these are trying times for Canada’s political left, it bears pointing out that a good many of their wounds are self-inflicted. Simply put, while desperately determined to portray themselves as progressive champions of the “little guy,” the left conveniently overlooks the fact they long ago became the establishment. For much of the last 50 years, electoral success across this country has repeatedly placed them in the position to either put up or shut up.
They have done neither. Now they find themselves a casualty of their own success.
Having exploited the oppositional nature of politics to frame many issues in an “us versus them” context, they have deliberately sought to polarize public opinion. While this has resulted in all parties engaging in dirty, disingenuous and divisive politics, none proved better at it than the Liberals....
I think Macfarlane has made some valid points. The liberals are trying to be the outsiders. This is laughable, they have been the ultimate insuders for decades. So when thy try to run as outsiders everyone has to chuckle. They have spent much of their time demonizing the right , they have managed to accomplish little else but electoral victory. They say they beleieve in Kyoto , but did nothing about it for years. They now wish to discriminate against male candidates. i guess the grits have forgotten they are the party of the charter. Its also funny that the left respects democracy unless it may lead to a Tory government.
The left has now been caught in their own lies. Canadian Tories are a perfectly reasonable and better alternative to the America hating , big brother government of the left:
What’s worse, if, like Pat Martin, you “would rather not breathe the same air as a Tory,” PM Harper hasn’t obliged by being the innately evil Bush-keteer they had threatened voters with for years. Ralph Goodale aside, most find Harper’s performance as prime minister refreshing and effective.
The political climate in this country is changing. Special interest groups can no longer set the agenda through hollow rhetoric, staged histrionics and blatant scare tactics. A Conservative government has been elected and the sky hasn’t fallen.
Turns out your right-wing neighbour, friend, aunt or mom wasn’t the enemy after all.
If as it would appear these are trying times for Canada’s political left, it bears pointing out that a good many of their wounds are self-inflicted. Simply put, while desperately determined to portray themselves as progressive champions of the “little guy,” the left conveniently overlooks the fact they long ago became the establishment. For much of the last 50 years, electoral success across this country has repeatedly placed them in the position to either put up or shut up.
They have done neither. Now they find themselves a casualty of their own success.
Having exploited the oppositional nature of politics to frame many issues in an “us versus them” context, they have deliberately sought to polarize public opinion. While this has resulted in all parties engaging in dirty, disingenuous and divisive politics, none proved better at it than the Liberals....
I think Macfarlane has made some valid points. The liberals are trying to be the outsiders. This is laughable, they have been the ultimate insuders for decades. So when thy try to run as outsiders everyone has to chuckle. They have spent much of their time demonizing the right , they have managed to accomplish little else but electoral victory. They say they beleieve in Kyoto , but did nothing about it for years. They now wish to discriminate against male candidates. i guess the grits have forgotten they are the party of the charter. Its also funny that the left respects democracy unless it may lead to a Tory government.
The left has now been caught in their own lies. Canadian Tories are a perfectly reasonable and better alternative to the America hating , big brother government of the left:
What’s worse, if, like Pat Martin, you “would rather not breathe the same air as a Tory,” PM Harper hasn’t obliged by being the innately evil Bush-keteer they had threatened voters with for years. Ralph Goodale aside, most find Harper’s performance as prime minister refreshing and effective.
The political climate in this country is changing. Special interest groups can no longer set the agenda through hollow rhetoric, staged histrionics and blatant scare tactics. A Conservative government has been elected and the sky hasn’t fallen.
Turns out your right-wing neighbour, friend, aunt or mom wasn’t the enemy after all.
Slavery in Africa 2007
This year marks 200 years since the Abolition of slavery in the British Empire.
153 years after the British abolished slavery in Sudan it still persists. Once again Arab militias enslave black people. Do you ever hear of calls for reparations from the slave selling Arab countries?
No return for Sudan's forgotten slaves
By Joseph Winter
BBC News, southern Sudan
Akech Arol Deng has not seen his wife and son since they were seized by Arab militias from their home in south Sudan 19 years ago.
His son, Deng, was just three years old at the time but Mr Arol is sure they are still alive, being used as slaves in the north.
"I miss them so much. I really hope that one day they come back," Mr Arol told the BBC News website mournfully in his home of Malualbai, just a few hours' on horseback from the Bahr el-Arab river which divides Muslim northern Sudan from the Christian and Animist south.
It's like I was still in the camp, it's the same situation as in the north
Arek Anyiel Deng
Sudan's slave voices
Some 8,000 people are believed to be living in slavery in Sudan, 200 years after Britain banned the Atlantic slave trade and 153 years after it also tried to abolish slavery in Sudan.
But rows about money mean no-one is doing anything to free them.
In the same year that Mr Arol's family was kidnapped, Arek Anyiel Deng, aged about 10, was seized from her home, not far from Malualbai.
Arab militias rode in to her village on horseback, firing their guns. When the adults fled, the children and cattle were rounded up and made to walk north for five days before they were divided between members of the raiding party
153 years after the British abolished slavery in Sudan it still persists. Once again Arab militias enslave black people. Do you ever hear of calls for reparations from the slave selling Arab countries?
No return for Sudan's forgotten slaves
By Joseph Winter
BBC News, southern Sudan
Akech Arol Deng has not seen his wife and son since they were seized by Arab militias from their home in south Sudan 19 years ago.
His son, Deng, was just three years old at the time but Mr Arol is sure they are still alive, being used as slaves in the north.
"I miss them so much. I really hope that one day they come back," Mr Arol told the BBC News website mournfully in his home of Malualbai, just a few hours' on horseback from the Bahr el-Arab river which divides Muslim northern Sudan from the Christian and Animist south.
It's like I was still in the camp, it's the same situation as in the north
Arek Anyiel Deng
Sudan's slave voices
Some 8,000 people are believed to be living in slavery in Sudan, 200 years after Britain banned the Atlantic slave trade and 153 years after it also tried to abolish slavery in Sudan.
But rows about money mean no-one is doing anything to free them.
In the same year that Mr Arol's family was kidnapped, Arek Anyiel Deng, aged about 10, was seized from her home, not far from Malualbai.
Arab militias rode in to her village on horseback, firing their guns. When the adults fled, the children and cattle were rounded up and made to walk north for five days before they were divided between members of the raiding party
Mugabe lashes out at everyone
The monster is now lashing out at everyone. The old lion is being circled by the young lions of his own party.
Mugabe says colleagues plotting with the West
MacDonald Dzirutwe, Reuters, with files from Daily Telegraph
Published: Friday, March 16, 2007
HARARE — Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe accused officials in his ruling ZANU-PF party yesterday of plotting against him with the help of Western countries he says are sabotaging the country's economy.
The veteran leader — whose government this week caused international outrage after opposition leaders said they were tortured in police detention — said imperialists were taking advantage of the ZANU-PF succession to re-assert themselves.
"There has been an insidious dimension where ambitious leaders have been cutting deals with the British and Americans," Mr. Mugabe told a meeting of ZANU-PF's youth league in Harare.
"The whole succession debate has given imperialism hope for re-entry. Since when have the British, the Americans been friends of ZANU-PF? Have we forgotten that imperialism can never mean well for our people?"
So he sees plots from inside and outside. It looks like mugabe's days are numbered.
The people of Zimbabwe should hope for the end of ZanuPF.They have destroyed the nation and killed its people.
Here are what of the bloggers are saying about Zimbabwe.
Breached conditions'
The Radical Soldier of Zimbabwe!, meanwhile, is having none of it and offers what could be a radical solution to challenges facing the country.
Laer blames China for the UN's weakness vis-a-vis Zimbabwe
"Europe intervened in the Balkans and the 'coalition of the willing' did a job in Iraq, but nobody seems to care about Zimbabwe," he lamented.
"Britain, in my view, has more legal grounds to invade Zimbabwe than it did Iraq. Britain was the former colonial power in Rhodesia and negotiated the Lancaster House Agreement. The agreement is actually worth reading. It sets out the principles under which democratic Zimbabwe should have been governed, and was in fact governed for the first few years.
"Mugabe has clearly violated the agreement. He has breached conditions including white representation in parliament [NB this clause has expired], independence of the judiciary, citizenship and payment of pensions. These should be sufficient grounds for Britain to demand change or otherwise invade. Who knows? Maybe John Howard will even commit a couple of hundred Australian troops."
I do wish for an end to th suffereing of the people of Zimbabwe, but I hope for an internal revolt against this madman. I hope the west is funding the opposition and helping to contribute to the downfall of this viscious killer.
Mugabe says colleagues plotting with the West
MacDonald Dzirutwe, Reuters, with files from Daily Telegraph
Published: Friday, March 16, 2007
HARARE — Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe accused officials in his ruling ZANU-PF party yesterday of plotting against him with the help of Western countries he says are sabotaging the country's economy.
The veteran leader — whose government this week caused international outrage after opposition leaders said they were tortured in police detention — said imperialists were taking advantage of the ZANU-PF succession to re-assert themselves.
"There has been an insidious dimension where ambitious leaders have been cutting deals with the British and Americans," Mr. Mugabe told a meeting of ZANU-PF's youth league in Harare.
"The whole succession debate has given imperialism hope for re-entry. Since when have the British, the Americans been friends of ZANU-PF? Have we forgotten that imperialism can never mean well for our people?"
So he sees plots from inside and outside. It looks like mugabe's days are numbered.
The people of Zimbabwe should hope for the end of ZanuPF.They have destroyed the nation and killed its people.
Here are what of the bloggers are saying about Zimbabwe.
Breached conditions'
The Radical Soldier of Zimbabwe!, meanwhile, is having none of it and offers what could be a radical solution to challenges facing the country.
Laer blames China for the UN's weakness vis-a-vis Zimbabwe
"Europe intervened in the Balkans and the 'coalition of the willing' did a job in Iraq, but nobody seems to care about Zimbabwe," he lamented.
"Britain, in my view, has more legal grounds to invade Zimbabwe than it did Iraq. Britain was the former colonial power in Rhodesia and negotiated the Lancaster House Agreement. The agreement is actually worth reading. It sets out the principles under which democratic Zimbabwe should have been governed, and was in fact governed for the first few years.
"Mugabe has clearly violated the agreement. He has breached conditions including white representation in parliament [NB this clause has expired], independence of the judiciary, citizenship and payment of pensions. These should be sufficient grounds for Britain to demand change or otherwise invade. Who knows? Maybe John Howard will even commit a couple of hundred Australian troops."
I do wish for an end to th suffereing of the people of Zimbabwe, but I hope for an internal revolt against this madman. I hope the west is funding the opposition and helping to contribute to the downfall of this viscious killer.
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Big Sister Hillary Clinton
One of my friends in California, who is considerably more left wing than I am, but does not like Chairwoman Clinton, sent me this video. It was apparently made by an Obama supproter.
Cell phones in the hospital?
A study from the Mayo clinic has shown that new digital cell phones do not actually interfere with hospital equipment. I am not particularly surprised as the technology used for pagers which is similar, has been in hospitals for many years and there has never been a problem. It's time to get rid of the cell phone bans in hospital!
On the other hand there is danger in the community with some of the implantable defibrillators and other such ban,Mayo Clinicdevices and the anti theft monitors at stores.Patients and the staff of such stores should be made aware of this.
On the other hand there is danger in the community with some of the implantable defibrillators and other such ban,Mayo Clinicdevices and the anti theft monitors at stores.Patients and the staff of such stores should be made aware of this.
The Budget:My Wishes
So here are some of my wishes for the budget.
I believe that we can spend our own money better than any government. I like this government and I still don't want them to have my tax dollars.
I urge HM Minister of Finance to cut tax rates for all income brackets. I want the taxes rates on the lowest paid Canadians to fall to 0. I want as many lower income Canadians as possible to pay no income tax. I also want to see income splitting. The tax system needs to be more friendly to families. I hope HM Finance Minister Flaherty also continues to pay down the debt. The less debt we have the less interest we have to pay. I would love to see large cuts to CBC funding. It is time to cut some departments and commissions. The CRTC has long outlived its usefulness.
If the government must put money into Kyoto, let it be tax credits for those companies that reduce their greenhouse gases. The penalties proposed by dion are of course a recipe to kill jobs and destroy the economy.
My ultimate wish would be a flat tax with a high deductible.
We have become used to a wasteful massive nanny state. It is time to cut back and the best way to do that is to starve the state of our tax dollars , so the monster spending can not occur.
I make a very good living. I also pay very high taxes. I would love to see massive tax cuts in tomorrow's federal budget, but realistically that is not going to happen for me. I hope some of my wishes will come true!
I believe that we can spend our own money better than any government. I like this government and I still don't want them to have my tax dollars.
I urge HM Minister of Finance to cut tax rates for all income brackets. I want the taxes rates on the lowest paid Canadians to fall to 0. I want as many lower income Canadians as possible to pay no income tax. I also want to see income splitting. The tax system needs to be more friendly to families. I hope HM Finance Minister Flaherty also continues to pay down the debt. The less debt we have the less interest we have to pay. I would love to see large cuts to CBC funding. It is time to cut some departments and commissions. The CRTC has long outlived its usefulness.
If the government must put money into Kyoto, let it be tax credits for those companies that reduce their greenhouse gases. The penalties proposed by dion are of course a recipe to kill jobs and destroy the economy.
My ultimate wish would be a flat tax with a high deductible.
We have become used to a wasteful massive nanny state. It is time to cut back and the best way to do that is to starve the state of our tax dollars , so the monster spending can not occur.
I make a very good living. I also pay very high taxes. I would love to see massive tax cuts in tomorrow's federal budget, but realistically that is not going to happen for me. I hope some of my wishes will come true!
Nik on his own SES Quebec election Poll
I am on the SES mailing list andI thouight people might like to read what Nik himself has to say about the poll.The poll size is small, only 500 people.
The news is really not that good for Boisclair. It looks to me that Charest may still pull this off. The all important federal budget comes tomorow!!
SES Quebec Election Poll - Leadership and Party Scorecards
Nik on the Numbers...
The results of the Quebec provincial election will have reverberations outside of Quebec. I believe they will impact the timing of the next federal election but more importantly we may see a shift in the provincial landscape. At SES, we wanted to provide Canadians a glimpse into the Quebec election. There is quite a bit of polling data to cover so I will focus on the analytical highlights. The detailed polling stats (in French and English) are on our website. SES explored perceptions of the party leaders and also the parties.
You can share your views, rate the opinions of others, and ask me questions about this poll or any other issue on my blog at www.nikonthenumbers.com.
Methodology
Polling on March 14th and 15th, 2007, after the leaders' debate. Random Telephone Survey of 500 Quebecers, 18 years of age and older. Accurate 4.4%, 19 times out of 20.
Quebec Election Key Findings and Analysis
Charest does well on most leadership measures. Dumont runs a strong second. Boisclair’s personal image trails both Charest and Dumont on most factors.
Among their own political tribes, Boisclair’s approval ratings are relatively the weakest. Charest scores well among self-identified Liberals, Dumont scores well among self-identified ADQ supporters, Boisclair does not get as strong a comparative rating among self-identified PQ supporters.
Dumont does well among Quebecers who do not identify with any of the parties (swing voters) and among middle aged voters. However, his party is seen as being weak on policy and there is a perception that his team is weak.
The Charest Liberals are seen as having a strong team and a strong platform.
Quebecers who usually self identify with the PQ prefer Dumont over Charest.
The research suggests that Dumont is tapping into disgruntled PQ voters and that his support is more populist than party oriented.
All this adds up to volatility. Any further meltdown for Boisclair or the PQ will help Dumont. For the close of the campaign, we may see a shift in strategy for the Liberals to the team and the platform. Looking at these numbers, I would not be surprised to see personal attacks on Dumont (especially from the PQ).
The tables with the tabs are posted on our website.
Feel free to forward this e-mail. Any use of the poll should identify the source as the “SES Research Quebec Election Survey.”
Cheers,
Nikita James Nanos, CMRP
President & CEO
email: nnanos@sesresearch.com
web: http://www.sesresearch.com
The news is really not that good for Boisclair. It looks to me that Charest may still pull this off. The all important federal budget comes tomorow!!
SES Quebec Election Poll - Leadership and Party Scorecards
Nik on the Numbers...
The results of the Quebec provincial election will have reverberations outside of Quebec. I believe they will impact the timing of the next federal election but more importantly we may see a shift in the provincial landscape. At SES, we wanted to provide Canadians a glimpse into the Quebec election. There is quite a bit of polling data to cover so I will focus on the analytical highlights. The detailed polling stats (in French and English) are on our website. SES explored perceptions of the party leaders and also the parties.
You can share your views, rate the opinions of others, and ask me questions about this poll or any other issue on my blog at www.nikonthenumbers.com.
Methodology
Polling on March 14th and 15th, 2007, after the leaders' debate. Random Telephone Survey of 500 Quebecers, 18 years of age and older. Accurate 4.4%, 19 times out of 20.
Quebec Election Key Findings and Analysis
Charest does well on most leadership measures. Dumont runs a strong second. Boisclair’s personal image trails both Charest and Dumont on most factors.
Among their own political tribes, Boisclair’s approval ratings are relatively the weakest. Charest scores well among self-identified Liberals, Dumont scores well among self-identified ADQ supporters, Boisclair does not get as strong a comparative rating among self-identified PQ supporters.
Dumont does well among Quebecers who do not identify with any of the parties (swing voters) and among middle aged voters. However, his party is seen as being weak on policy and there is a perception that his team is weak.
The Charest Liberals are seen as having a strong team and a strong platform.
Quebecers who usually self identify with the PQ prefer Dumont over Charest.
The research suggests that Dumont is tapping into disgruntled PQ voters and that his support is more populist than party oriented.
All this adds up to volatility. Any further meltdown for Boisclair or the PQ will help Dumont. For the close of the campaign, we may see a shift in strategy for the Liberals to the team and the platform. Looking at these numbers, I would not be surprised to see personal attacks on Dumont (especially from the PQ).
The tables with the tabs are posted on our website.
Feel free to forward this e-mail. Any use of the poll should identify the source as the “SES Research Quebec Election Survey.”
Cheers,
Nikita James Nanos, CMRP
President & CEO
email: nnanos@sesresearch.com
web: http://www.sesresearch.com
I'll believe it when I see it
Dumont would cut back civil servant jobs after election victory
Canadian Press
Published: Saturday, March 17, 2007
Mario Dumont says his party would cut the number of provincial civil servants if his Action democratique du Quebec wins the March 26 Quebec election.
The ADQ leader said Saturday that he does not want to attack the job security of ...
Charest made the same promise last election. The unions in Quebec are so strong , very little can be done to cut the massive costs of government. I think Mario really means it ,but his hands will be tied like all the other parties. The PQ is in the back pocket of the unions. Boisclair made a comment about not being so dependant on unions and he was criticized by his own party.
Quebec has twice the civil servants oper capita as compared to Ontario( Ontario does not have a particularly lean civil services.) The unions in Quebec and the attitude of a lot of the public has mad streamlining government virtually impossible. The PQ is in the pocket of the unions and the hands of everyone else are tied by the unions.
The endless talk of separation has taken the emphasis off the real issues, the economy and reducing the massive costs of government.
Since the Quiet Revolution, a mammoth civil service has become ingrained in Quebec's political culture. The number of civil servants in Quebec per capita is roughly twice that of Ontario, says Pierre-Pascal Gendron, a professor of economics at the Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning in Toronto. 'The public sector is quite large and it's a problem that's not going away.' Polls suggest Quebecers are loath to give up the sprawling social safety net and the well-paid government jobs that have become such an integral part of the provincial system. In January, the polling firm CROP asked 1,000 people across the province about cutbacks to government services. The results showed 60 per cent of those polled want the government to continue to be a big player in Quebec society. But the system is becomming increasingly unsustainable -- 12 cents of each dollar raised by the Quebec government now goes to servicing the province's debt, even as spending continues to outpace revenue, according to a report last month by TD Bank.
What these gold-plated social programs all add up to is a hefty bill for other Canadians. 'If you're in another province it means you're paying more to support Quebec,' says Jason Clemens, director of fiscal studies at the Fraser Institute, about federal transfers. 'If you go to a citizen in Saskatchewan, where they're just entering a growth phase and correcting some of their problems, they're asking, 'why should we subsidize poor policy in another province?' '
Experts say Quebec's sluggish economy and reliance on federal handouts has created a deeply dysfunctional business climate, openly hostile to competition and entrepreneurship. Consider an incident on a frigid Saturday morning in late February, when dozens of protesters clashed with police in Montreal's north end. The placard-wavers weren't there to fight homelessness and poverty, or even to oppose the war on terror. No, the activists punching the air with their fists were car salesman. One of their own, the Pie IX Dodge-Chrysler dealership, had dared to sell cars on the weekend. The move was a direct slap in the face to a 35-year-old agreement barring any new car dealer from doing business on Saturdays and Sundays in the city. A week earlier, one rival salesman had hurled a chunk of ice at Sam Hajjar, the offending dealership's manager. This time he was prepared, with police, private security personnel and muzzled guard dogs at the ready. A few customers managed to dodge the seething mob, but not before someone scratched the paint off two of Hajjar's demonstration models.
If it seems strange that car dealers, the most red-blooded capitalists of them all, would fight to not sell cars, consider the wealth of statistics and polls that reinforce Quebecers' aversion to the typical North American workload. When Bouchard claimed that people in the province were lazy, he was pilloried for it, and widely portrayed as a traitor, but he was simply giving voice to data from Statistics Canada that show Quebecers do work less than everyone else in the country. In a report last year, researchers found workers in Quebec put in, on average, 1,750 hours a year, or 130 less than top-ranked Alberta. And the trend is toward less work, not more. Quebec's labour productivity declined between 1997 and 2005, according to another StatsCan study.
Canadian Press
Published: Saturday, March 17, 2007
Mario Dumont says his party would cut the number of provincial civil servants if his Action democratique du Quebec wins the March 26 Quebec election.
The ADQ leader said Saturday that he does not want to attack the job security of ...
Charest made the same promise last election. The unions in Quebec are so strong , very little can be done to cut the massive costs of government. I think Mario really means it ,but his hands will be tied like all the other parties. The PQ is in the back pocket of the unions. Boisclair made a comment about not being so dependant on unions and he was criticized by his own party.
Quebec has twice the civil servants oper capita as compared to Ontario( Ontario does not have a particularly lean civil services.) The unions in Quebec and the attitude of a lot of the public has mad streamlining government virtually impossible. The PQ is in the pocket of the unions and the hands of everyone else are tied by the unions.
The endless talk of separation has taken the emphasis off the real issues, the economy and reducing the massive costs of government.
Since the Quiet Revolution, a mammoth civil service has become ingrained in Quebec's political culture. The number of civil servants in Quebec per capita is roughly twice that of Ontario, says Pierre-Pascal Gendron, a professor of economics at the Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning in Toronto. 'The public sector is quite large and it's a problem that's not going away.' Polls suggest Quebecers are loath to give up the sprawling social safety net and the well-paid government jobs that have become such an integral part of the provincial system. In January, the polling firm CROP asked 1,000 people across the province about cutbacks to government services. The results showed 60 per cent of those polled want the government to continue to be a big player in Quebec society. But the system is becomming increasingly unsustainable -- 12 cents of each dollar raised by the Quebec government now goes to servicing the province's debt, even as spending continues to outpace revenue, according to a report last month by TD Bank.
What these gold-plated social programs all add up to is a hefty bill for other Canadians. 'If you're in another province it means you're paying more to support Quebec,' says Jason Clemens, director of fiscal studies at the Fraser Institute, about federal transfers. 'If you go to a citizen in Saskatchewan, where they're just entering a growth phase and correcting some of their problems, they're asking, 'why should we subsidize poor policy in another province?' '
Experts say Quebec's sluggish economy and reliance on federal handouts has created a deeply dysfunctional business climate, openly hostile to competition and entrepreneurship. Consider an incident on a frigid Saturday morning in late February, when dozens of protesters clashed with police in Montreal's north end. The placard-wavers weren't there to fight homelessness and poverty, or even to oppose the war on terror. No, the activists punching the air with their fists were car salesman. One of their own, the Pie IX Dodge-Chrysler dealership, had dared to sell cars on the weekend. The move was a direct slap in the face to a 35-year-old agreement barring any new car dealer from doing business on Saturdays and Sundays in the city. A week earlier, one rival salesman had hurled a chunk of ice at Sam Hajjar, the offending dealership's manager. This time he was prepared, with police, private security personnel and muzzled guard dogs at the ready. A few customers managed to dodge the seething mob, but not before someone scratched the paint off two of Hajjar's demonstration models.
If it seems strange that car dealers, the most red-blooded capitalists of them all, would fight to not sell cars, consider the wealth of statistics and polls that reinforce Quebecers' aversion to the typical North American workload. When Bouchard claimed that people in the province were lazy, he was pilloried for it, and widely portrayed as a traitor, but he was simply giving voice to data from Statistics Canada that show Quebecers do work less than everyone else in the country. In a report last year, researchers found workers in Quebec put in, on average, 1,750 hours a year, or 130 less than top-ranked Alberta. And the trend is toward less work, not more. Quebec's labour productivity declined between 1997 and 2005, according to another StatsCan study.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Italy muzzles its bloody paparazzi
am not a big fan of the bottom feeding paparazzi. They have tormented many including the Royal Family. I believe everyone, including celebrities have a right to some privacy and to be left alone. Italy has brought some sanity to the excesses of the paparazzi. The rest of the world should follow the Italian lead.
Italy ends paparazzi's La Dolce Vita
Last Updated: Saturday, March 17, 2007 | 11:58 AM ET
CBC Arts
The celebrity media corps in Italy is finding that its free-ranging days may be over in the land that gave birth to the word paparazzi.
The word paparazzo comes from the name of the aggressive photographer featured in Federico Fellini's 1960 film, La Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life), starring Marcello Mastroianni as a gossip journalist.
A close aide to Italy's Premier Romano Prodi, seen here delivering a speech on Feb. 24, 2007, was mentioned during a conversation between two photographers allegedly involved in an extortion ring.
(Plinio Lepri/Associated Press)
The country's privacy watchdog has forbidden any publication of "private facts and behaviour that is not of public interest, not relevant to the story … and violate the protection of the sexual sphere."
The Privacy Authority says violations of that rule carry a three-month to two-year prison sentence as well as possible fines.
The edict, sent out Friday, follows the discovery of a photographers' blackmailing ring in which photos and transcripts of alleged telephone interceptions were used against actors, soccer players and politicians.
A photographer at the centre of the investigation was arrested this week along with two other colleagues..
Italy ends paparazzi's La Dolce Vita
Last Updated: Saturday, March 17, 2007 | 11:58 AM ET
CBC Arts
The celebrity media corps in Italy is finding that its free-ranging days may be over in the land that gave birth to the word paparazzi.
The word paparazzo comes from the name of the aggressive photographer featured in Federico Fellini's 1960 film, La Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life), starring Marcello Mastroianni as a gossip journalist.
A close aide to Italy's Premier Romano Prodi, seen here delivering a speech on Feb. 24, 2007, was mentioned during a conversation between two photographers allegedly involved in an extortion ring.
(Plinio Lepri/Associated Press)
The country's privacy watchdog has forbidden any publication of "private facts and behaviour that is not of public interest, not relevant to the story … and violate the protection of the sexual sphere."
The Privacy Authority says violations of that rule carry a three-month to two-year prison sentence as well as possible fines.
The edict, sent out Friday, follows the discovery of a photographers' blackmailing ring in which photos and transcripts of alleged telephone interceptions were used against actors, soccer players and politicians.
A photographer at the centre of the investigation was arrested this week along with two other colleagues..
George Jonas:Reflections on Islam
George Jonas is a wonderful conservative writer. he has written many books and columns. He has written a new book called Reflections on Islam. The National Post has excerpted some of the introduction this week. It looks like it will be a compelling read by someone who understands the threat of the jihadis. I hope it becomes a best seller, so more people will understnad the jihadi threat to our very way of life.
Today, Key Porter Books will release Reflections on Islam
Ideas, Opinions, Arguments, by Post columnist George Jonas. What follows is an edited excerpt from the book's introduction: Islam's inconvenient truths
George Jonas, National Post
Published: Thursday, March 15, 2007
For liberals, it goes against the grain to think of entire ethnic, racial or religious groups as hostile. It especially goes against the grain to think of other groups as morally or intellectually flawed. This is a good thing.
The bad thing is that this reluctance sometimes stands in the way of a sober and factual analysis. In recent years, it has prevented many liberals from facing certain facts about Islamism and Islam, including the relationship between the two.
Islam is one of the world's great religions. Islamism is a radical movement of intolerance, coercion and terror. The followers of Islam are a billion faithful Muslims around the world. The followers of Islamism include Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaeda, Sheikh Omar and his Taliban, the nuclear ayatollahs of theocratic Iran, the militants of Hezbollah, the Armed Islamic Group of Algeria, the late Shamil Bashayev's human bombs from Chechnya and a string of other terrorists in far-flung parts of the globe....
You can read more excerpts here.
...Perhaps Muslim resentment and rage should not have come as a surprise to anyone. Western ascendancy had been rubbing salt into the wounds of Islamic decline for centuries. As the Princeton scholar Bernard Lewis observed in 1990:
"For a long time now there has been a rising tide of rebellion against this Western paramountcy, and a desire to reassert Muslim values and restore Muslim greatness. The Muslim has suffered successive stages of defeat. The first was his loss of domination in the world, to the advancing power of Russia and the West. The second was the undermining of his authority in his own country, through an invasion of foreign ideas and laws and ways of life and sometimes even foreign rulers or settlers, and the enfranchisement of native non-Muslim elements. The third -- the last straw -- was the challenge to his mastery in his own house, from emancipated women and rebellious children. It was too much to endure, and the outbreak of rage against these alien, infidel and incomprehensible forces that had subverted his dominance, disrupted his society and finally violated the sanctuary of his home was inevitable. It was also natural that this rage should be directed primarily against the millennial enemy and should draw its strength from ancient beliefs and loyalties."
For radical Islam, this millennial enemy was not only America or Israel, but the entire "House of War," the world of non-Islamic beliefs and values in general, and Western beliefs and values in particular. The countries of Europe could not exempt themselves from this jihadist view by conciliatory gestures. Neither could Canada.
Boisclair a disaster
Boisclair is doing badly within his own party. Calls to unity are falling on deaf ears. The party is unable to get volunteers. Gilles Duceppe and Boisclair are barely on speaking terms. There seems to be open rebellion . Even formerly solid pequistes are going to the ADQ. Duceppe is very conscious of the efects of the defeat of his provicial "ally". This column gives me great joy.
Duceppe songe déjà au 27 mars
Denis Lessard
La Presse
Québec
Prière de ne pas inviter André Boisclair et Gilles Duceppe au même party. À la même assemblée publique? Pour appeler, la main sur le cœur, le ralliement de tous les souverainistes devant les caméras? Bien sûr. Mais pas plus.
Dans la campagne d’André Boisclair, le grand rassemblement de cet après-midi vise à mobiliser des troupes déstabilisées avant l’assaut sur le champ de bataille bien incertain de la région de Québec. Plus de 1000 militants sont attendus. Ils viendront aussi voir Lucie Laurier.
Clairement, le jeune chef a réussi au débat télévisé de mardi une performance bien supérieure aux attentes, et sa campagne en a été revigorée. Mais au-delà de ce sursaut d’énergie du chef, les troupes n’ont pas du tout la même assurance sur le terrain.
On en est rendu à payer les scouts dans la circonscription de Vachon pour aller distribuer les brochures de Camille Bouchard. Où sont les bénévoles? Dans Outremont, ceux qui font le pointage du PQ ont une réaction surprenante quand l’électeur répond qu’il ne vote pas péquiste. Candides, ils demandent : « Est-ce que c’est à cause du chef? »
Duceppe songe déjà au 27 mars
Denis Lessard
La Presse
Québec
Prière de ne pas inviter André Boisclair et Gilles Duceppe au même party. À la même assemblée publique? Pour appeler, la main sur le cœur, le ralliement de tous les souverainistes devant les caméras? Bien sûr. Mais pas plus.
Dans la campagne d’André Boisclair, le grand rassemblement de cet après-midi vise à mobiliser des troupes déstabilisées avant l’assaut sur le champ de bataille bien incertain de la région de Québec. Plus de 1000 militants sont attendus. Ils viendront aussi voir Lucie Laurier.
Clairement, le jeune chef a réussi au débat télévisé de mardi une performance bien supérieure aux attentes, et sa campagne en a été revigorée. Mais au-delà de ce sursaut d’énergie du chef, les troupes n’ont pas du tout la même assurance sur le terrain.
On en est rendu à payer les scouts dans la circonscription de Vachon pour aller distribuer les brochures de Camille Bouchard. Où sont les bénévoles? Dans Outremont, ceux qui font le pointage du PQ ont une réaction surprenante quand l’électeur répond qu’il ne vote pas péquiste. Candides, ils demandent : « Est-ce que c’est à cause du chef? »
Tory fundraising letter proof of election?
I have been a long time contributer to conservative political parties in this country. Political parties are always sending out fund raising letters to make the party election ready. I am not sure this latest Tory fund raising letter is real proof of anything, but that the Tories are good at raising money. Perhaps the media pundits should take up augury or reading tea leaves.
Conservative memo urges troops to prepare for possible election `within a week’
Alexander Panetta, The Canadian Press
Published: Friday, March 16, 2007
OTTAWA — The Conservative party has warned its members that a federal election campaign could start within days in an internal fundraising letter that makes an “urgent” appeal for donations.
Despite Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s assurances that he does not want an election, his party heavyweights are warning supporters that anything can happen after the federal budget gets tabled Monday.
“We need to be ready to campaign within the next week,” said the note, which was sent to members Thursday.
“Without your help, we may need to cut back on major parts of our campaign plan. That’s why I’m making an urgent appeal today to our most loyal supporters.”
The note by Irving Gerstein, chair of the Conservative Fund Canada, was obtained by The Canadian Press after it was erroneously sent to a former Conservative...
Conservative memo urges troops to prepare for possible election `within a week’
Alexander Panetta, The Canadian Press
Published: Friday, March 16, 2007
OTTAWA — The Conservative party has warned its members that a federal election campaign could start within days in an internal fundraising letter that makes an “urgent” appeal for donations.
Despite Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s assurances that he does not want an election, his party heavyweights are warning supporters that anything can happen after the federal budget gets tabled Monday.
“We need to be ready to campaign within the next week,” said the note, which was sent to members Thursday.
“Without your help, we may need to cut back on major parts of our campaign plan. That’s why I’m making an urgent appeal today to our most loyal supporters.”
The note by Irving Gerstein, chair of the Conservative Fund Canada, was obtained by The Canadian Press after it was erroneously sent to a former Conservative...
Friday, March 16, 2007
More Scientists speak out:Suzuki ,Gore are you listening?
I am sceptical of global warming. These scientists say their colleagues are overplaying their hand. I also note that these are experts in climatology , unlike Suzuki who is not!:
Two leading UK climate researchers have criticised those among their peers who they say are "overplaying" the global warming message.
Professors Paul Hardaker and Chris Collier, both Royal Meteorological Society figures, are voicing their concern at a conference in Oxford.
They say some researchers make claims about possible future impacts that cannot be justified by the science.
The pair believe this damages the credibility of all climate scientists.
They think catastrophism and the "Hollywoodisation" of weather and climate only work to create confusion in the public mind.
They argue for a more sober and reasoned explanation of the uncertainties about possible future changes in the Earth's climate.
I do not completely reject that there is global warming but its cause and extent seem to massively overstated, by the left which wants to use this to destroy capitalism. It is the last resort of the marxists who were defeated in the cold war to destroy the Western way of life and to ensure ppoverty for much of the world.
These scientists correctly point out that you have to have data to have science and the data jsut isn't convincing. These scientists do believe in the phenomena ,but seem to be keeping an open mind. They are real scientists.
Two leading UK climate researchers have criticised those among their peers who they say are "overplaying" the global warming message.
Professors Paul Hardaker and Chris Collier, both Royal Meteorological Society figures, are voicing their concern at a conference in Oxford.
They say some researchers make claims about possible future impacts that cannot be justified by the science.
The pair believe this damages the credibility of all climate scientists.
They think catastrophism and the "Hollywoodisation" of weather and climate only work to create confusion in the public mind.
They argue for a more sober and reasoned explanation of the uncertainties about possible future changes in the Earth's climate.
I do not completely reject that there is global warming but its cause and extent seem to massively overstated, by the left which wants to use this to destroy capitalism. It is the last resort of the marxists who were defeated in the cold war to destroy the Western way of life and to ensure ppoverty for much of the world.
These scientists correctly point out that you have to have data to have science and the data jsut isn't convincing. These scientists do believe in the phenomena ,but seem to be keeping an open mind. They are real scientists.
Tory vs Tory
Tories quick to fight Alberta court order to hold new nomination meeting
By JAMES STEVENSON
CALGARY (CP) - Canada's governing Conservative party appeared unwilling to back down from a legal fight with its own members Friday after an Alberta judge ordered a new nomination meeting in the Calgary riding currently held by controversial MP Rob Anders.
Just hours after release of the written ruling that set aside Anders' acclamation last August, the party tried unsuccessfully to have it blocked pending an appeal.
A lawyer for the anti-Anders group said Friday afternoon that he would be "astounded" if another stay application didn't go to Alberta's Court of Appeal early next week.
In a terse statement, Conservative party president Don Plett said the Tories "will be reviewing the decision carefully."
The legal manoeuvring came after an apparent victory by 11 disgruntled Conservatives who have fought Anders' acclamation since last summer, claiming that the party didn't follow its own rules regarding nomination races.
Court of Queen's Bench Justice Ged Hawco agreed that the party didn't conduct a "fair and effective candidate selection process" and didn't adhere to the rules about setting nomination meeting dates.
He also said that Colleen Mason, chairwoman of the riding's nomination committee, who happens to live with Anders' office manager, should be replaced.
Along with ordering the Tories to hold a new nomination process in the Calgary riding, Hawco ordered the party to pay all legal costs in the protracted dispute.
"We all believe that this decision begins to rectify some of the abuses of the system that have been seen in all parties over the last 20 years," said John Knox, one of the anti-Anders group.
Knox said it wasn't the Tory party that so vigorously fought to protect Anders' nomination, but professional party staffers "who have been hired to do everything they can do" to make sure the Conservatives win the next election, which could come as early as this spring.
"Over the last 20-30 years, the power of individual riding associations . . . have been over-ridden by central authorities who tend to look at overall," he said.
I think another nomination meeting should be held , It will probably yield another Anders victory. I don't like the parachuting of Candidates or rigging of nomination meetings. All the parties do it and it is not always good for democracy. I think the Tory party should drop its opposition to this ruling and let another nomination meeting occur. It will look more open and straught forward. This fightig of Tory against Tory is unseemly and not helpful in the task of winning a majority.
HM PM Harper will be the ultimate winner of Quebec election
Credit for ending fiscal imbalance won't be premier's
Published: Friday, March 16, 2007
Jean Charest shouldn't be the one to claim credit if Ottawa comes through with its anticipated billion-dollar windfall for Quebec in next week's federal budget, Action democratique du Quebec leader Mario Dumont said yesterday.
This comment is interesting . Both Charest and Mario have complemented HM PM.
The polls are looking like a Charest or even an ADQ minority government.
So everyone will be watching Monday's budget.
Leaders wait breathlessly for the word from Jim Flaherty
Federal budget and fiscal imbalance will be main campaign story next week
L. IAN MACDONALD, The Gazette
Published: Friday, March 16, 2007
With the leaders' debate behind them, the three main parties in the Quebec election are waiting for weekend polls that might shape the strategy, and certainly the spin, going into the final week of the Quebec campaign.
For what it's worth, my sense is that the Liberals are clinging to a small lead in the lower mid-30s, one that doesn't include what Robert Bourassa called the ballot box bonus of three or four points.
And then, within the margin of error, either the Parti Quebecois or Action democratique du Quebec could be in second place in the high 20s.
Should Mario Dumont and the ADQ move past the PQ into second place, that would be a devastating blow for the already battered morale of the PQ. And should Dumont cross the 30-per-cent threshold, he'd be in second place for sure, with a minority government a very real prospect.
A lot of the positioning for the final week will depend on how the numbers shake out in a Leger Marketing poll expected tomorrow
The PQ claims they will have a referendum even if they have a minority government. This is a nonsensical statement. Mario is saying he will not form a coalition but will watch to see who has the most seats. A reasonable stance. Mario could very well be the preniere maker.
In almost all of these scenarios HM PM is the winner. He is friendly with two out of thre of the parties and the PQ has ata most a hope of a minority. The people of Quebec are winners tooo. Very few of us want a referendum and it looks like we won't be getting one. HM PM will have to careful not to be too generous to Quebec so as not to enrage the other provinces or look like he is titlting the odds in Quebec.
I look forward to a fascinating ten days in Quebec.
Published: Friday, March 16, 2007
Jean Charest shouldn't be the one to claim credit if Ottawa comes through with its anticipated billion-dollar windfall for Quebec in next week's federal budget, Action democratique du Quebec leader Mario Dumont said yesterday.
This comment is interesting . Both Charest and Mario have complemented HM PM.
The polls are looking like a Charest or even an ADQ minority government.
So everyone will be watching Monday's budget.
Leaders wait breathlessly for the word from Jim Flaherty
Federal budget and fiscal imbalance will be main campaign story next week
L. IAN MACDONALD, The Gazette
Published: Friday, March 16, 2007
With the leaders' debate behind them, the three main parties in the Quebec election are waiting for weekend polls that might shape the strategy, and certainly the spin, going into the final week of the Quebec campaign.
For what it's worth, my sense is that the Liberals are clinging to a small lead in the lower mid-30s, one that doesn't include what Robert Bourassa called the ballot box bonus of three or four points.
And then, within the margin of error, either the Parti Quebecois or Action democratique du Quebec could be in second place in the high 20s.
Should Mario Dumont and the ADQ move past the PQ into second place, that would be a devastating blow for the already battered morale of the PQ. And should Dumont cross the 30-per-cent threshold, he'd be in second place for sure, with a minority government a very real prospect.
A lot of the positioning for the final week will depend on how the numbers shake out in a Leger Marketing poll expected tomorrow
The PQ claims they will have a referendum even if they have a minority government. This is a nonsensical statement. Mario is saying he will not form a coalition but will watch to see who has the most seats. A reasonable stance. Mario could very well be the preniere maker.
In almost all of these scenarios HM PM is the winner. He is friendly with two out of thre of the parties and the PQ has ata most a hope of a minority. The people of Quebec are winners tooo. Very few of us want a referendum and it looks like we won't be getting one. HM PM will have to careful not to be too generous to Quebec so as not to enrage the other provinces or look like he is titlting the odds in Quebec.
I look forward to a fascinating ten days in Quebec.
Boisclair is not very bright
Andre Boiscliar has decided to dig in his heels ,inspite of calls from people of Asian descent within and outside of the PQ.
This just reinforces the perception of the PQ as an ethnocemtric nationalist party.The PQ was beginning to live down Parizeau's money and ethnics comment and now this.
Mr Boisclair must not have a very wide circle of friends.
As some of my readers said yesterday most racists are idiots. Boisclair made a radio host apologize for acomment made about Boisclair. It is a shame that Boisclair can't do the same.
Boisclair needs to be badly defeated . His statements should be repudiated by the voters of Quebec.
Update: Aislin's cartoon is funny and is on this topic.
This just reinforces the perception of the PQ as an ethnocemtric nationalist party.The PQ was beginning to live down Parizeau's money and ethnics comment and now this.
Mr Boisclair must not have a very wide circle of friends.
As some of my readers said yesterday most racists are idiots. Boisclair made a radio host apologize for acomment made about Boisclair. It is a shame that Boisclair can't do the same.
Boisclair needs to be badly defeated . His statements should be repudiated by the voters of Quebec.
Update: Aislin's cartoon is funny and is on this topic.
dion flip flops yet again
Dion has suddenly discovered that Canadians want to be safe from criminals. I guess being told by the Mr Bryant ,HM Minister for Justice in Ontario, that the grits' platform was losing votes, helped motivate this latest flip flop.
Dion backtracks on reverse-onus crime bill
Chris Wattie, CanWest News Service; National Post
Published: Thursday, March 15, 2007
STREETSVILLE, Ont. -- The federal Liberals unveiled a new emphasis on law and order Wednesday with a platform aimed at blunting Conservative charges they're soft on crime.
Liberal Leader Stephane Dion promised to support an amended version of the Tories' plan to introduce "reverse-onus" bail hearings for gun crimes, forcing those accused of such crimes to prove in court they're not a public safety risk.
The crime agenda also included everything from a promise of tough new anti-spam legislation to a pledge of more money to the provinces to hire additional police officers and Crown attorneys.
But while Dion said he now agrees with the Conservatives' proposal for reverse-onus bail hearings, he was less clear on whether he'll support other government bills on the issue.
"The Liberal opposition is prepared to offer this government our help to pass legislation that would make it more difficult for those arrested on gun charges to be released on bail," Dion said.
Asked about other Tory law and order bills currently stalled in Parliament by opposition amendments, Dion said the Liberals were "very willing to work with the government," but insisted they'd continue to pursue amendments, such as those that've stalled a bill to impose minimum sentences for gun crimes.
"We have proposed a series of amendments that would make it effective for the Canadian people," Dion said.
So dion agrees with the reverse onus on bail and wants to fight crime, but he won't actually commit to helping HM Government pass any laws.
I tend to agree with HM Prime Minister:
Prime Minister Stephen Harper was also in the Toronto area Wednesday and dismissed the Liberal leader's new emphasis on fighting crime.
"After spending the last couple of months opposing every tough on crime measure, voting down his own anti-terrorism measures, bashing the police in the House of Commons, he now wants to be tough on crime," Harper said.
"I hope it lasts."
The dion approach has been to support a Tory bill and then gut it with amendments.
Dion is trying to neutralize the Tories obvious advantage in this area. I guess he has learned from the master HM PM. HM PM has completely neutralized the grit advantage on the environment.
Dion backtracks on reverse-onus crime bill
Chris Wattie, CanWest News Service; National Post
Published: Thursday, March 15, 2007
STREETSVILLE, Ont. -- The federal Liberals unveiled a new emphasis on law and order Wednesday with a platform aimed at blunting Conservative charges they're soft on crime.
Liberal Leader Stephane Dion promised to support an amended version of the Tories' plan to introduce "reverse-onus" bail hearings for gun crimes, forcing those accused of such crimes to prove in court they're not a public safety risk.
The crime agenda also included everything from a promise of tough new anti-spam legislation to a pledge of more money to the provinces to hire additional police officers and Crown attorneys.
But while Dion said he now agrees with the Conservatives' proposal for reverse-onus bail hearings, he was less clear on whether he'll support other government bills on the issue.
"The Liberal opposition is prepared to offer this government our help to pass legislation that would make it more difficult for those arrested on gun charges to be released on bail," Dion said.
Asked about other Tory law and order bills currently stalled in Parliament by opposition amendments, Dion said the Liberals were "very willing to work with the government," but insisted they'd continue to pursue amendments, such as those that've stalled a bill to impose minimum sentences for gun crimes.
"We have proposed a series of amendments that would make it effective for the Canadian people," Dion said.
So dion agrees with the reverse onus on bail and wants to fight crime, but he won't actually commit to helping HM Government pass any laws.
I tend to agree with HM Prime Minister:
Prime Minister Stephen Harper was also in the Toronto area Wednesday and dismissed the Liberal leader's new emphasis on fighting crime.
"After spending the last couple of months opposing every tough on crime measure, voting down his own anti-terrorism measures, bashing the police in the House of Commons, he now wants to be tough on crime," Harper said.
"I hope it lasts."
The dion approach has been to support a Tory bill and then gut it with amendments.
Dion is trying to neutralize the Tories obvious advantage in this area. I guess he has learned from the master HM PM. HM PM has completely neutralized the grit advantage on the environment.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Ledrew gets his own talk show on CFRB
I got this email from CFRB. It seems the former President of the federal grits and sometime Toronto mayoral candidate, the bow tie wearing Stephen Ledrew will have his own talk show on CFRB:
Newstalk 1010 CFRB is pleased to announce that Stephen LeDrew will host his own talk show Sunday mornings 11am to noon starting this Sunday. Stephen will debate the big issues of the day with the newsmakers and take your calls. The new show will be called Issues with Stephen LeDrew.
LeDrew is well connected as a lawyer who deals with regulatory and policy issues at all levels of government. He was elected President of the Liberal Party of Canada in 1998 and again in 2000, serving as Party President for almost six years, until November 2003. As Party President, Stephen oversaw not only the rebuilding of the Party finances, but the transition of leadership in the Party from Prime Minister Jean Chrétien to Prime Minister Paul Martin. He was one of CFRB's commentators at last year's Liberal Leadership Convention in Montreal and is a regular contributor to the Bill Carroll Morning Show.
CFRB Operations Manager Steve Kowch is thrilled to have LeDrew join the on air line up on the weekend. "Stephen is very familiar with the important issues of the day and we look forward to hearing him debate those issues with the newsmakers Sunday mornings on CFRB."
LeDrew says being on CFRB is like a dream come true. "I'm really excited to be part of the CFRB team and to host my own show Sunday mornings," says LeDrew.
LeDrew also hosts It's LeDrew seen across Canada Tuesday and Thursday night at 7 pm on ichannel. He also appears weekly on CBC's Politics with Don Newman.
Issues with Stephen LeDrew starts this Sunday morning at 11 on CFRB.
This could be very interesting. I am a frequent caller to CFRB talk shows.
Newstalk 1010 CFRB is pleased to announce that Stephen LeDrew will host his own talk show Sunday mornings 11am to noon starting this Sunday. Stephen will debate the big issues of the day with the newsmakers and take your calls. The new show will be called Issues with Stephen LeDrew.
LeDrew is well connected as a lawyer who deals with regulatory and policy issues at all levels of government. He was elected President of the Liberal Party of Canada in 1998 and again in 2000, serving as Party President for almost six years, until November 2003. As Party President, Stephen oversaw not only the rebuilding of the Party finances, but the transition of leadership in the Party from Prime Minister Jean Chrétien to Prime Minister Paul Martin. He was one of CFRB's commentators at last year's Liberal Leadership Convention in Montreal and is a regular contributor to the Bill Carroll Morning Show.
CFRB Operations Manager Steve Kowch is thrilled to have LeDrew join the on air line up on the weekend. "Stephen is very familiar with the important issues of the day and we look forward to hearing him debate those issues with the newsmakers Sunday mornings on CFRB."
LeDrew says being on CFRB is like a dream come true. "I'm really excited to be part of the CFRB team and to host my own show Sunday mornings," says LeDrew.
LeDrew also hosts It's LeDrew seen across Canada Tuesday and Thursday night at 7 pm on ichannel. He also appears weekly on CBC's Politics with Don Newman.
Issues with Stephen LeDrew starts this Sunday morning at 11 on CFRB.
This could be very interesting. I am a frequent caller to CFRB talk shows.
Black Jacques Chirac
It had long been rumoured that Chirac might run to be President of France again, in order to evade prosecution.
Well maybe he should have run again:
Corruption judge 'to quiz Chirac'
French President Jacques Chirac
Jacques Chirac will lose his presidential immunity in mid-June
French justice officials say President Jacques Chirac will be questioned when he leaves office by a judge leading a corruption case, AFP news agency says.
The investigation dates to the time when he served as mayor of Paris. Several of Mr Chirac's political allies have already faced investigation.
Mr Chirac, 74, has denied the allegations dating from 1977-1995.
He said on Sunday he would not stand again for president. He has been immune from prosecution while head of state.
Mr Chirac will stand down in mid-May, following presidential elections next month, and his immunity will end a month later.
During his time as mayor, there were widespread claims that Mr Chirac and his entourage were using city funds to pay for his then political party, the Rally for the Republic (RPR). ...
If tried and convicted, maybe he will be pardoned by his successor.
More of the bloody cowards are caught
The police have apprehended three of the four vermin who attacked a decorated Canadian soldier,Master Cpl Collin Fitzgerald. The fourth is still at large. If anyone has any information about this crime.Please contact the OPP. This last guy needs to be caught. This crime cries out for justice.
Police have charged 22-year old Ian Tait and 19-year old Jeremy Stewart with assault.
Twenty-one-year-old Travis Baldwin was arrested earlier in connection with the assault and police continue to seek a fourth suspect. (CFJR)
I really hope that if these hoodlums are guilty they are given long custodial sentences. This is beyond disgusting.
Police have charged 22-year old Ian Tait and 19-year old Jeremy Stewart with assault.
Twenty-one-year-old Travis Baldwin was arrested earlier in connection with the assault and police continue to seek a fourth suspect. (CFJR)
I really hope that if these hoodlums are guilty they are given long custodial sentences. This is beyond disgusting.
Is Boisclair a racist
I am from India. I usually don't try and find racism everywhere I look.
However,I was somewhat surprised by Andre Boisclair's comments:
Boisclair remarks on 'slanted eyes'
INGRID PERITZ
MONTREAL -- Parti Québécois Leader André Boisclair said during a speech on global competitiveness that he was surprised to see so many students "with slanted eyes" when he was studying at Harvard University.
Speaking to university students in Trois-Rivières yesterday about growing competition from emerging economies such as India and China, he said he had witnessed the trend firsthand while on a master's program at Harvard.
Mr. Boisclair studied at the John F. Kennedy School of Government before running for the PQ leadership in 2005.
"When I was at Harvard, where I spent a year, I was surprised to see that on campus, about a third of the undergraduate students had slanted eyes," he said to a large classroom packed with students. He went on to say that 80,000 students from India and 60,000 from China study in the United States yearly.
The Globe and Mail
"They're not going to work in sweatshops. They're people who will later work as engineers, managers, and will create wealth. They're people who will innovate in their countries. There is ferocious competition in the world today."
Mr. Boisclair also told the students they had benefited from the language battles their parents' generation had fought.
"The English sales ladies at Eaton's . . . you didn't live through that," he said, evoking a rich symbol of English dominance in Quebec.
His media consultant when questioned abour Boisclair's unfortunate choice of words said it was a not an issue.
This incident is particularly surprising after Boisclair was crying that someone called him "tapette" a pejorative term for gay people. Boisclair also brings up the English Ladies at Eaton's( a separatist fiction used to denigrate the Emglish). I think that is also somewhat odd.
Mr Boisclair is a hypocrite. He now evokes images of the ethnocentric nationalism
from Lionel Goroulx et al. He needs to apologize to our Asians and English citizens.
However,I was somewhat surprised by Andre Boisclair's comments:
Boisclair remarks on 'slanted eyes'
INGRID PERITZ
MONTREAL -- Parti Québécois Leader André Boisclair said during a speech on global competitiveness that he was surprised to see so many students "with slanted eyes" when he was studying at Harvard University.
Speaking to university students in Trois-Rivières yesterday about growing competition from emerging economies such as India and China, he said he had witnessed the trend firsthand while on a master's program at Harvard.
Mr. Boisclair studied at the John F. Kennedy School of Government before running for the PQ leadership in 2005.
"When I was at Harvard, where I spent a year, I was surprised to see that on campus, about a third of the undergraduate students had slanted eyes," he said to a large classroom packed with students. He went on to say that 80,000 students from India and 60,000 from China study in the United States yearly.
The Globe and Mail
"They're not going to work in sweatshops. They're people who will later work as engineers, managers, and will create wealth. They're people who will innovate in their countries. There is ferocious competition in the world today."
Mr. Boisclair also told the students they had benefited from the language battles their parents' generation had fought.
"The English sales ladies at Eaton's . . . you didn't live through that," he said, evoking a rich symbol of English dominance in Quebec.
His media consultant when questioned abour Boisclair's unfortunate choice of words said it was a not an issue.
This incident is particularly surprising after Boisclair was crying that someone called him "tapette" a pejorative term for gay people. Boisclair also brings up the English Ladies at Eaton's( a separatist fiction used to denigrate the Emglish). I think that is also somewhat odd.
Mr Boisclair is a hypocrite. He now evokes images of the ethnocentric nationalism
from Lionel Goroulx et al. He needs to apologize to our Asians and English citizens.
Mario's foolish blunder
I said yesterday that I did not like Mario's little stunt with the document. The 3 leaders agreed to no propos. It also seem pretty opportunistic. Now mariuo is being pummeled for it, even by his own side:
MONTREAL (CP) - The Quebec election campaign resumed with a bang Wednesday as Mario Dumont demanded the resignation of a key Liberal cabinet minister over a deadly overpass collapse last year.
But the daring move by the leader of the Action democratique du Quebec threatened to whip back on him.
One of Dumont's own ADQ candidates questioned his tactics and opponents accused him of using five deaths for political advantage in the three-way race to lead the province.
Dumont pursued an attack he launched in a dramatic moment of Tuesday's leadership debate, suggesting Premier Jean Charest's government knew of structural problems in the freeway overpass.
Dumont accused the Liberals of covering up key information after the bridge fell down last fall and he demanded the resignation of Transport Minister Michel Despres.
"The government chose to hide part of the facts from Quebecers, facts that were in the government's possession," Dumont said in a news conference in Quebec City.
In the midst of Tuesday night's leaders' debate, Dumont levelled the accusation at Charest while brandishing memos outlining problems with the overpass.
In a note dated June 17, 2004, Transport Quebec engineer Gilbert Bosse wrote that the overpass over Highway 19 near Montreal "shows problems with its foundations."
"During general inspections, damage was seen and deserves special attention."
After a follow-up inspection, engineer Christian Mercier sent a memo on March 1, 2005, noting some degradation in the bridge foundation.
"According to our observations, we don't believe it is necessary to proceed with a more detailed inspection," Mercier wrote.
The engineer added that local inspectors should wait for more serious damage to appear before taking on about $385,000 in repairs.
So the documents actually say no work needed to be done at that time. Where is the AHA moment?? This childish prank may cost Mario votes. He should forget it and move on. I think as I thought yesterday , this was a blunder. I expected better from an experienced politician.
This is the opinion of many including L.Ian Macdonald:
The first two segments passed without incident, but then suddenly in the third, on the economy and managing the state, Dumont brandished a 4-year-old transport department memo warning of problems with overpasses on Autoroute 19.
This was right out of the blue, "a rabbit out of the hat," as Charest said. It was also against the debate rules to use a prop - Dumont wasn't supposed to show it, but he could read from it, and his reading was that Charest should have known about the danger of de la Concorde overpass collapse last fall, which was, therefore, his fault.
This wasn't about the management of the state, but about micro-management, as if the premier should see every piece of paper written in the bowels of the bureaucracy. It was the kind of stunt Stockwell Day pulled in the 2000 federal debate with his "no 2-tier healthcare" card - and could have the same bad result.
For a leader on the rise, whose objective is to be taken seriously as a potential opposition leader, this was an unforced and inexplicable error. Worse, it was cheap and cheesy.
But Dumont recovered in a sharp exchange with Boisclair. When the PQ leader accused him of being old-style, out-of-date, Duplessist rather than an "autonomist," Dumont replied the sovereignty speech was so dated it was in black and white. A direct hit.
Until that exchange, Boisclair had shown no evidence of killer instinct. In the final segment on Quebec's future, he wasn't cornered by Charest on another referendum, and may have won back some disillusioned Pequistes parked with Mario. He may also have done well enough to pull out of his tailspin.
Throughout the first hour, Charest seemed to be telling viewers they were getting very, drowsy. He looked pretty drowsy himself, reciting his government's achievements. He bore the incumbent's burden of defending the record, while looking like a premier.
He can thank Dumont and his cheap stunt for waking him up. For the remainder of the debate, Charest was dominant.
Macdonald feels Charest was the winner of the debate. I kind of agree , but the Aislin cartoon I posted yesterday expressed my feelings best.
Now the Montreal Gazette claims Charest has turned the tables on young Mario:
Overpass charges disputed
Fire Minister: Dumont. But documents show government didn't ignore problem, officials say
ANDY RIGA, HUBERT BAUCH, KEVIN DOUGHERTY, and PHILIP AUTHIER, The Gazette
Published: Thursday, March 15, 2007
Premier Jean Charest's government yesterday turned the tables on ADQ leader Mario Dumont, calling him dishonest and accusing him of using an "unpredictable" human tra-gedy - the deaths of five people in a Laval overpass collapse last fall - to score political points in Tuesday's leaders' debate.
And Parti Quebecois leader Andre Boisclair said Dumont was "totally irresponsible" if he held on to the memos he brandished in the debate rather than submit them to the commission investigating the accident.
In Quebec City, the Transport Quebec engineer who oversees inspections contested the claims by Dumont.
The de la Concorde Blvd. tragedy should not have been taken into the Quebec leaders debate on Tuesday, says Charles Ghorayeb, one of Mario Dumont's own candidates.V
"Nothing in the memos, none of the damage that was observed, could have led us to anticipate what was going to happen on Sept. 30" when the overpass collapsed, said Anne-Marie Leclerc, an assistant deputy minister.
Marios electoral support is not very deep> This may be a very bad thing for the ADQ.
MONTREAL (CP) - The Quebec election campaign resumed with a bang Wednesday as Mario Dumont demanded the resignation of a key Liberal cabinet minister over a deadly overpass collapse last year.
But the daring move by the leader of the Action democratique du Quebec threatened to whip back on him.
One of Dumont's own ADQ candidates questioned his tactics and opponents accused him of using five deaths for political advantage in the three-way race to lead the province.
Dumont pursued an attack he launched in a dramatic moment of Tuesday's leadership debate, suggesting Premier Jean Charest's government knew of structural problems in the freeway overpass.
Dumont accused the Liberals of covering up key information after the bridge fell down last fall and he demanded the resignation of Transport Minister Michel Despres.
"The government chose to hide part of the facts from Quebecers, facts that were in the government's possession," Dumont said in a news conference in Quebec City.
In the midst of Tuesday night's leaders' debate, Dumont levelled the accusation at Charest while brandishing memos outlining problems with the overpass.
In a note dated June 17, 2004, Transport Quebec engineer Gilbert Bosse wrote that the overpass over Highway 19 near Montreal "shows problems with its foundations."
"During general inspections, damage was seen and deserves special attention."
After a follow-up inspection, engineer Christian Mercier sent a memo on March 1, 2005, noting some degradation in the bridge foundation.
"According to our observations, we don't believe it is necessary to proceed with a more detailed inspection," Mercier wrote.
The engineer added that local inspectors should wait for more serious damage to appear before taking on about $385,000 in repairs.
So the documents actually say no work needed to be done at that time. Where is the AHA moment?? This childish prank may cost Mario votes. He should forget it and move on. I think as I thought yesterday , this was a blunder. I expected better from an experienced politician.
This is the opinion of many including L.Ian Macdonald:
The first two segments passed without incident, but then suddenly in the third, on the economy and managing the state, Dumont brandished a 4-year-old transport department memo warning of problems with overpasses on Autoroute 19.
This was right out of the blue, "a rabbit out of the hat," as Charest said. It was also against the debate rules to use a prop - Dumont wasn't supposed to show it, but he could read from it, and his reading was that Charest should have known about the danger of de la Concorde overpass collapse last fall, which was, therefore, his fault.
This wasn't about the management of the state, but about micro-management, as if the premier should see every piece of paper written in the bowels of the bureaucracy. It was the kind of stunt Stockwell Day pulled in the 2000 federal debate with his "no 2-tier healthcare" card - and could have the same bad result.
For a leader on the rise, whose objective is to be taken seriously as a potential opposition leader, this was an unforced and inexplicable error. Worse, it was cheap and cheesy.
But Dumont recovered in a sharp exchange with Boisclair. When the PQ leader accused him of being old-style, out-of-date, Duplessist rather than an "autonomist," Dumont replied the sovereignty speech was so dated it was in black and white. A direct hit.
Until that exchange, Boisclair had shown no evidence of killer instinct. In the final segment on Quebec's future, he wasn't cornered by Charest on another referendum, and may have won back some disillusioned Pequistes parked with Mario. He may also have done well enough to pull out of his tailspin.
Throughout the first hour, Charest seemed to be telling viewers they were getting very, drowsy. He looked pretty drowsy himself, reciting his government's achievements. He bore the incumbent's burden of defending the record, while looking like a premier.
He can thank Dumont and his cheap stunt for waking him up. For the remainder of the debate, Charest was dominant.
Macdonald feels Charest was the winner of the debate. I kind of agree , but the Aislin cartoon I posted yesterday expressed my feelings best.
Now the Montreal Gazette claims Charest has turned the tables on young Mario:
Overpass charges disputed
Fire Minister: Dumont. But documents show government didn't ignore problem, officials say
ANDY RIGA, HUBERT BAUCH, KEVIN DOUGHERTY, and PHILIP AUTHIER, The Gazette
Published: Thursday, March 15, 2007
Premier Jean Charest's government yesterday turned the tables on ADQ leader Mario Dumont, calling him dishonest and accusing him of using an "unpredictable" human tra-gedy - the deaths of five people in a Laval overpass collapse last fall - to score political points in Tuesday's leaders' debate.
And Parti Quebecois leader Andre Boisclair said Dumont was "totally irresponsible" if he held on to the memos he brandished in the debate rather than submit them to the commission investigating the accident.
In Quebec City, the Transport Quebec engineer who oversees inspections contested the claims by Dumont.
The de la Concorde Blvd. tragedy should not have been taken into the Quebec leaders debate on Tuesday, says Charles Ghorayeb, one of Mario Dumont's own candidates.V
"Nothing in the memos, none of the damage that was observed, could have led us to anticipate what was going to happen on Sept. 30" when the overpass collapsed, said Anne-Marie Leclerc, an assistant deputy minister.
Marios electoral support is not very deep> This may be a very bad thing for the ADQ.
This is what Iraq was like under Saddam Hussein
For the protesters against the Iraq war, perhaps you should remember what living( and often dying) under Saddam was like:
1990: Observer journalist executed in Iraq
Britain has strongly condemned the Iraqi authorities over the execution of The Observer journalist Farzad Bazoft in Baghdad.
Mr Bazoft - who came to live in Britain from Iran in the 1980s - was convicted by the Iraqis of spying four days ago. He was hanged at dawn after a last minute appeal for clemency from the British prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, failed....
Mrs Thatcher called the execution of Mr Bazoft "an act of barbarism".
1990: Observer journalist executed in Iraq
Britain has strongly condemned the Iraqi authorities over the execution of The Observer journalist Farzad Bazoft in Baghdad.
Mr Bazoft - who came to live in Britain from Iran in the 1980s - was convicted by the Iraqis of spying four days ago. He was hanged at dawn after a last minute appeal for clemency from the British prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, failed....
Mrs Thatcher called the execution of Mr Bazoft "an act of barbarism".
Congratulations to Professor Charles Taylor
The eminent philosopher Charles Taylor ( not the war criminal ex head of Liberia) is the father in law of one of my friends.He was recently appointed by Premier Charest to a commission on reasonable accommodation.
I have my issues with him and his sister( Greta Chambers). I feel they have been too accommodating of the Quebec separatists. He also ran 4 times for the NDP! I also think he is a brilliant man.
I do agree with him on many of his thoughts. He is deeply religious and he disagreed with Trudeau on Quebec. He felt Trudeau was too centralist.
He has just won a prestigious prize:
Canadian philosopher Taylor wins $1.5M religion prize
Chris Lackner, CanWest News Service
Published: Wednesday, March 14, 2007
OTTAWA — Born of Canada's two solitudes, it's not surprising that philosopher Charles Taylor — this year's recipient of the prestigious Templeton Prize, worth US$1.5-million — has garnered an international reputation as a bridge-builder.
Searching for common ground across divided lines is intrinsic to his identity.
"His mother was French and his father was English," said Lindsay Waters, Taylor's editor at Harvard University Press. "Like the Mississippi River or the St. Lawrence Seaway, that line runs right through him. But divisions can be swept aside, and Charles knows that."...
I congratulate Professor Taylor on this well deserved prize.
The end of Mugabe?
Anyone who reads my blog knows I despise Robert Mugabe and his thuggish government.
There is once again international pressure coming to bear against this monster.
Call for extra Zimbabwe sanctions
Western nations are calling for increased sanctions against Zimbabwean officials, after the violent break-up of an opposition rally last weekend.
The US said it was considering extending a travel ban and asset freeze, and the UK urged European governments to take similar measures.
Meanwhile Zimbabwe's government warned that anyone who incited violence to overthrow it would pay a heavy price.
Opposition activists were arrested and severely beaten after Sunday's rally.
What is happening in Zimbabwe is truly tragic
Tony Blair
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who had to be treated for a fractured skull, said the beating should be an "inspiration" for the opposition's struggle.
Now even the South African comrades are tiring of this monster. Aid should be given to the opposition.The people of Zimbabwe need to be helped to overthrow their tormentor. Europeans and especially African nations need to shun mugabe and his thugs.
African Union find the monster embarassing:
Zimbabwe situation 'embarrassing': AU chief
David Clarke, Reuters
Published: Wednesday, March 14, 2007
LONDON — African leaders are embarrassed by the situation in Zimbabwe and perhaps could do more to help, but have met stiff resistance from Harare, African Union Chairman John Kufuor said on Wednesday.
The beating of Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and dozens of others during a crackdown on political protests has triggered world outrage but the response within Africa so far has been relatively muted.
"The African Union is very uncomfortable. The situation in your country is very embarrassing," ...
Both the African Union and the Commonwealth should turn the screws on this horrible man.
There is once again international pressure coming to bear against this monster.
Call for extra Zimbabwe sanctions
Western nations are calling for increased sanctions against Zimbabwean officials, after the violent break-up of an opposition rally last weekend.
The US said it was considering extending a travel ban and asset freeze, and the UK urged European governments to take similar measures.
Meanwhile Zimbabwe's government warned that anyone who incited violence to overthrow it would pay a heavy price.
Opposition activists were arrested and severely beaten after Sunday's rally.
What is happening in Zimbabwe is truly tragic
Tony Blair
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader Morgan Tsvangirai, who had to be treated for a fractured skull, said the beating should be an "inspiration" for the opposition's struggle.
Now even the South African comrades are tiring of this monster. Aid should be given to the opposition.The people of Zimbabwe need to be helped to overthrow their tormentor. Europeans and especially African nations need to shun mugabe and his thugs.
African Union find the monster embarassing:
Zimbabwe situation 'embarrassing': AU chief
David Clarke, Reuters
Published: Wednesday, March 14, 2007
LONDON — African leaders are embarrassed by the situation in Zimbabwe and perhaps could do more to help, but have met stiff resistance from Harare, African Union Chairman John Kufuor said on Wednesday.
The beating of Zimbabwe opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai and dozens of others during a crackdown on political protests has triggered world outrage but the response within Africa so far has been relatively muted.
"The African Union is very uncomfortable. The situation in your country is very embarrassing," ...
Both the African Union and the Commonwealth should turn the screws on this horrible man.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Aislin on debate
Montreal is a hockey mad city. Aislin, the Montreal Gazette's cutting political cartoonists sums up last night's debate pretty well.
Garth silenced
Kate has a great picture that says ten thousnad words.
I guess Garth should pay attention to Elizabeth May of the green party:
He remains welcome to join the Green Party of Canada should Mr. Dion throw him out of caucus," Ms. May said.
That day may come sooner than you thought garth!
I guess Garth should pay attention to Elizabeth May of the green party:
He remains welcome to join the Green Party of Canada should Mr. Dion throw him out of caucus," Ms. May said.
That day may come sooner than you thought garth!
HM PM Stephen Harper slaps down The Leader of HM Loyal Opposition yet again
Mr Dion is pummeled whenever he is in the house, which is why dion seems to avoid the house.
The scene. Climate change? Not much more to say about that for now. Afghanistan? Better to wait and see how the vaunted spring offensive goes. The anti-terrorism act? Too much potential for misstep. The budget? Hard to complain about something that isn't due for another few weeks.
It is not easy being in opposition. No matter how slow the news day, no matter how benign the government, you must find something - some perceived scandal, injustice or failure - to complain about. Preferably without seeming to whine.
So it was that Stéphane Dion rose in the House of Commons Thursday, a man in need of an issue. An argument. A point. A wedge (not to be confused with a wedgie). Though, if all else fails, sweeping generalities about ideology will do.
"Mr. Speaker, Canadians wonder why this Prime Minister attacks the independence of our courts and imposes his ideological cuts on the most vulnerable Canadians," he began. "Will he admit that when he boasted that we would change Canada into a country that we would not recognize, what he had in mind was his right-wing, republican agenda?"
"Mr. Speaker," Stephen Harper replied, "it is pointed out that I'm a monarchist, not a republican."
HM PM confirms his credentials as a Blue Tory and silences more grit silliness from their rather whiny leader. I would have loved to have seen this exchange.
The title of the article is appropriate
The Liberals accuse the Conservatives of being conservative, the Conservatives seem unmoved
No wonder:But even as Mr. Dion drew cheers for taking jabs at the Conservatives for their negative attack ads, Liberal organizers acknowledged that half of riding associations have not yet chosen a candidate or scheduled a nomination meeting.
Dion must wonder why he gets out of bed some days.
Update: Here is the exchange form Hansard:
Hon. Stéphane Dion (Leader of the Opposition, Lib.): next intervention
Mr. Speaker, Canadians wonder why the Prime Minister attacks the independence of our courts and imposes his ideological cuts on the most vulnerable Canadians. He gave the answer. He called Canada “a northern European welfare state in the worst sense of the term”. He said that our courts were “biased”.
Will he admit that when he boasted that he would change Canada into a country that we would not recognize, what he had in mind was his right wing republican agenda?
next intervention previous intervention [Table of Contents]
Right Hon. Stephen Harper (Prime Minister, CPC): previous intervention next intervention
Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out that I am a monarchist not a republican.
Quebec debate
The debate was quite animated. I thought Premier Charest looked the most dignified. Mario came across to as passionate, but a bit disorganized . Mario brought out a report purporting to be about the collapsed Laval overpass.I was not impressed by the use of this prop, after all the agreement was not to use props.
Boisclair was was whispering throughout the debate. He made the same tired arguments about separation. He looked drawn and somewhat haggard.
I did think that Premier Charest made many good points and seemed the most capable of the three to govern. Mario was passionate , but a bit naive. Boisclair was by far the least believable or passionate. Boisclair shopuld have stayed home. He is living in a dream world.
Charest boasted of new-found friendliness with Canada that will deliver millions in transfers from Ottawa in coming days.
Boisclair promised a referendum as soon as possible if his party wins the election on March 26.
For his part, Dumont clarified at least one point in his stand for increased autonomy for the province within Canada, telling Boisclair he is living in a dream world.
"Don't count on me to help you organize a referendum," Dumont told the PQ leader.
Dumont is the leader of the third-placed party and might end up with the balance of power in a minority government.
"You will cross your arms and hope for a fight with Ottawa," Dumont said. "You don't have a strategy, you're living in your dream of a referendum."
Charest warned of the strife that a sovereignty referendum could bring - a topic he has hammered away at since the outset of the campaign.
"We are no longer caught in quarrels between Quebec and Canada," said Charest, referring to his warm relationship with Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
"Quebecers do not want quarrels and repetitive referendums. We also don't want surprises or improvisation."
Overall I liked Lakisha Jones best from American Idol!( I flipped the channelsoccasionally.)
Jaggi Singh in trouble again
The guy who interrupted the Cancer Funding announcement by HM PM Stephen Harper at the Montreal General has been arrested yet again.
Jaggi Singh released on $1,000 bail
Montreal Gazette
Published: Tuesday, March 13, 2007
A municipal court judge released Jaggi Singh on $1,000 bail today, saying the hefty bond could discourage his activism.
Singh had been in detention since Thursday when he was arrested at an evening march to celebrate International Women’s Day.
Police contend Singh violated a bail condition of not attending any illegal or unpeaceful demonstrations and if he’s at one that gets violent, he must leave...
I don't like Jaggi Singh. He is an anarchist rabble rouser. I do support his right to peaceful demonstration. I wonder how he supports himself in his life of protesting everything? Jaggi needs to get a job and learn how to be more peaceful. Perhaps he can take up yoga or bio feedback.
Jaggi Singh released on $1,000 bail
Montreal Gazette
Published: Tuesday, March 13, 2007
A municipal court judge released Jaggi Singh on $1,000 bail today, saying the hefty bond could discourage his activism.
Singh had been in detention since Thursday when he was arrested at an evening march to celebrate International Women’s Day.
Police contend Singh violated a bail condition of not attending any illegal or unpeaceful demonstrations and if he’s at one that gets violent, he must leave...
I don't like Jaggi Singh. He is an anarchist rabble rouser. I do support his right to peaceful demonstration. I wonder how he supports himself in his life of protesting everything? Jaggi needs to get a job and learn how to be more peaceful. Perhaps he can take up yoga or bio feedback.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Finally South Africa says somerthing about comrade butcher
One of the reasons that the despicable mugabe is still in pwoer is the silence and aid he gets from his fellow marxists at the ANC in South Africa. Even they can't stay silent:
South Africa, seen as Zimbabwe's most important neighbour, broke its usual silence on the government in Harare to state its concern.
"South Africa urges the Zimbabwean government to ensure that the rule of law including respect for rights of all Zimbabweans and opposition leaders is respected," Deputy Foreign Minister Aziz Pahad said.
'Sadistic attack'
As the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader and the other activists were led away from the Harare court to a hospital for treatment, Mr Tsvangirai condemned their treatment by police.
"It's a horrible assault. A sadistic attack on defenceless people," he said.
It was the most vicious assault I have ever witnessed
Tendai Biti
MDC spokesman
Speaking to the BBC from the hospital, MP Tendai Biti, secretary-general of Mr Tsvangirai's faction of the MDC, described how he and his colleagues were beaten up...
The government of South Africa must aid the struggle for freedom of the people of Zimbabwe. They must stop standing by and allowing this butcher to satisfy his blood lust. South Africa needs to cut off all aid to Zimbabwe. Mugabe and his wife should no longer be welcomed on their frequent shopping trips to South Africa. The other border states should do likewise. Mugabe and his henchmen must go.
Dion tongue lashes garth( hope thats not too violent for you robbie)
It seems garth has been muzzled by dion. (h/t to reepo creepo)
The political whore post was removed from his site almost hours after posting....and at the request of a furious Dion according to the sources. Dion was on the TV circut this weekend talking about how "above board" his campaign will be...and then theres Garth calling Kellie Leitch and PMSH a whore!...For all the complaining that Garth did about Harper and how controlling he was there was never any request directly or indirectly from the CPC leaders office demanding a post be removed...ever. They asked that he respect caucus confidentiality, but never to remove posts. Who's the control freak NOW eh weasel?
Well well, even dion couldn't stomach garth's comments. The grit party whips are going to have to work triple overtime. So the predictions that garth wouldn't kas long as a grit seem to be coming true. garth seems to have a narcisisstic personality disorder. He will never change. At least he is dion's headache now.
More from BBS.
The political whore post was removed from his site almost hours after posting....and at the request of a furious Dion according to the sources. Dion was on the TV circut this weekend talking about how "above board" his campaign will be...and then theres Garth calling Kellie Leitch and PMSH a whore!...For all the complaining that Garth did about Harper and how controlling he was there was never any request directly or indirectly from the CPC leaders office demanding a post be removed...ever. They asked that he respect caucus confidentiality, but never to remove posts. Who's the control freak NOW eh weasel?
Well well, even dion couldn't stomach garth's comments. The grit party whips are going to have to work triple overtime. So the predictions that garth wouldn't kas long as a grit seem to be coming true. garth seems to have a narcisisstic personality disorder. He will never change. At least he is dion's headache now.
More from BBS.
Dion still doesn't get it
Dion s again whining that the Tories stole his policies. He once again directly endorses the policies of HM Government.
Dion said the timing of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's recent funding announcements on issues like Afghanistan and public transit is suspicious.
Dion said he suggested more money was needed for aid in Afghanistan several weeks before the Conservatives committed $200 million.
The Liberal leader accuses Harper of repackaging Liberal programs the Conservatives cut, and then claiming it is new funding.
Dion said this must make him the most influential opposition leader in a generation.
HM Government is also redirecting grit programs , so that they can help grass roots organizations that actually do some good. HM Government closed several SOW offices and is now going to redistribute the money to more worthy women's groups. The advocacy groups are still out of luck!
Dion is not a leader.
Dion said the timing of Prime Minister Stephen Harper's recent funding announcements on issues like Afghanistan and public transit is suspicious.
Dion said he suggested more money was needed for aid in Afghanistan several weeks before the Conservatives committed $200 million.
The Liberal leader accuses Harper of repackaging Liberal programs the Conservatives cut, and then claiming it is new funding.
Dion said this must make him the most influential opposition leader in a generation.
HM Government is also redirecting grit programs , so that they can help grass roots organizations that actually do some good. HM Government closed several SOW offices and is now going to redistribute the money to more worthy women's groups. The advocacy groups are still out of luck!
Dion is not a leader.
Bloody Cowards need to rot in jail
I am appalled that a Canadian hero is treated like this.
Prior to the assault, Fitzgerald said he'd been at the bar visiting with his fiancée’s brother and some other childhood friends when he moved to the table.
After coming to, Fitzgerald said friends helped him up and drove him to the hospital.
Ontario provincial police Const. Paul Murphy said a 21-year-old Morrisburg man has been charged with aggravated assault. The man's name was not released.
Murphy said more charges are expected to be laid against the man. Police also expect to lay charges against several other suspects, he said.
After serving eight months in Afghanistan, Fitzgerald said "not in a million years" did he expect to be shown such disrespect.
These cowards should be charged with attempted murder.The morons deserve long sentences in federal prison. HM PM Harper,Dion , Layton and everyone should immediately condemn this attack.
(H/T SDA)
Abortion the ultimate child abuse
An interesting study showing increased rates of child abuse among poor women with a history of abortion. The study is small , but shows an interesting trend.
It also reiterates the emotional consequences of abortion. For far too long abortion has been seen as very benign. It is not and more and more evidence is coming out to show that this procedure has profound consequences for women, and those who love them. Women need to be informed of this before undertaking an abortion.
A New Zealand study that tracked young women from birth to 25 years of age found that young women who had abortions were significantly more likely to experience subsequent depression, suicidal behavior and substance abuse, even after the researchers controlled for previous mental health problems.
"Taken all together, these studies show that the mental health effects of abortion don't stop with women," Reardon said. "They will impact their families, too."
Coleman's team suggested that professionals should be aware of the links between abortion and maternal mental health problems and "sensitively inquire about any history of abortion and related, unresolved negative emotions when working with women engaged in or at risk for aberrant parenting."
Finally, the authors concluded that while additional research is always needed, there can no longer be any doubt that abortion significantly impacts the health of women and their families.
"For years, abortion was construed to be a benign medical procedure carrying little if any potential for lasting adverse effects," they wrote. "However ... the last several years have brought greater understanding that abortion for many women is an issue with profound physical, psychological, spiritual and lifestyle dimensions that are intimately tied to many aspects of their lives."
It also reiterates the emotional consequences of abortion. For far too long abortion has been seen as very benign. It is not and more and more evidence is coming out to show that this procedure has profound consequences for women, and those who love them. Women need to be informed of this before undertaking an abortion.
A New Zealand study that tracked young women from birth to 25 years of age found that young women who had abortions were significantly more likely to experience subsequent depression, suicidal behavior and substance abuse, even after the researchers controlled for previous mental health problems.
"Taken all together, these studies show that the mental health effects of abortion don't stop with women," Reardon said. "They will impact their families, too."
Coleman's team suggested that professionals should be aware of the links between abortion and maternal mental health problems and "sensitively inquire about any history of abortion and related, unresolved negative emotions when working with women engaged in or at risk for aberrant parenting."
Finally, the authors concluded that while additional research is always needed, there can no longer be any doubt that abortion significantly impacts the health of women and their families.
"For years, abortion was construed to be a benign medical procedure carrying little if any potential for lasting adverse effects," they wrote. "However ... the last several years have brought greater understanding that abortion for many women is an issue with profound physical, psychological, spiritual and lifestyle dimensions that are intimately tied to many aspects of their lives."
Monday, March 12, 2007
More witty replies from garth
I emailed garth and here is his witty, cogent reply:
Buzz off Roy.
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network
-----Original Message-----
From: Roy Eappen
Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2007 16:56:33
To:garthturnr@aol.com
Subject: resign
Your comments about Dr Kellie Leitch are despicable, as are your
comments about HM PM Stephen Harper. You should resign. You are a
liability to your party( whichever one it is this week) and to
Canada. You are a publicity whore. You seem unable to go ten days
without having your names in the papers. You no longer serve a purpose
in the parliament. Have some pride and resign now.
Dr Roy Eappen, MDCM,FRCP(c),CSPQ
Buzz off Roy.
Sent from my BlackBerry device on the Rogers Wireless Network
-----Original Message-----
From: Roy Eappen
Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2007 16:56:33
To:garthturnr@aol.com
Subject: resign
Your comments about Dr Kellie Leitch are despicable, as are your
comments about HM PM Stephen Harper. You should resign. You are a
liability to your party( whichever one it is this week) and to
Canada. You are a publicity whore. You seem unable to go ten days
without having your names in the papers. You no longer serve a purpose
in the parliament. Have some pride and resign now.
Dr Roy Eappen, MDCM,FRCP(c),CSPQ
More Lies from garth
Since becoming a grit, garth seems unable to tell the truth.BBS has exposed another lie. Dion should make him resign for the good of the grits and Canada.
Happy Commonwealth Day
Today we celebrate our links to one third of the human race and Our Links to the Crown. It is Commonwealth Day.
COMMONWEALTH CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS
Each year, Commonwealth Day is celebrated on the second Monday in March. The Queen, as Head of the Commonwealth, marks the day by broadcasting a message to the fifty three member countries. During her reign, Her Majesty has visited every country in the Commonwealth, with the exception of Cameroon.
This month's Focus highlights traditional customs and ceremonies which The Queen has witnessed or taken part in during her travels to the Commonwealth....
The Royal Anthem
Here is HM Commonwealth Day Speech:
Text of The Queen's message to the Commonwealth, 12 March 2007
Today's Commonwealth is home to nearly a third of the world's population. Its almost two billion citizens come from so many faiths, races, cultures and traditions.
I think that one of the reasons for the success of this organisation is that it draws not only on certain shared values, but also from the principles and practices of everyday life, which can be observed day after day in the cities, towns and villages of our 53 member countries.
Over thousands of years, the very basis of community life has been the pooling together by individuals of their resources and skills. Rather than having to be good at everything, people were able to practice their own skill or craft. The lesson of community life is that to flourish we must help each other. To do this, there has to be a sense of fairness, a real understanding of others' needs and aspirations, and a willingness to contribute.
Despite its size and scale, the Commonwealth to me is still at heart a collection of villages. In close-knit communities like these, there are beliefs and values we share and cherish. We know that helping others will lead to greater security and prosperity for ourselves.
Because we feel this way, our governments and peoples aim to work even more closely together. And as individuals, we find that taking part in Commonwealth activities can be inspirational and personally rewarding.
In today's difficult and sometimes divided world, I believe that it is more important than ever to keep trying to respect and understand each other better. Each and every one of us has hopes, needs, and priorities. Each of us is an individual, with ties of emotion and bonds of obligation - to culture, religion, community, country and beyond. In short, each of us is special.
The more we see others in this way, the more we can understand them and their points of view. In what we think and say and do, let us as individuals actively seek out the views of others; let us make the best use of what our beliefs and history teach us; let us have open minds and hearts; and let us, like the Commonwealth, find our diversity a cause for celebration and a source of strength and unity.
This is a thought worth bearing in mind as we gather on Commonwealth Day: we are a thriving community; we value our past; we make the most of our present; and we are working together to build our future. By respecting difference and promoting understanding, that future will be a better one for us all.
You can download or listen to the podcast of Her Majesty's Commonwealth day speech here.
NHL and Chris Simon
I don't know a lot about hockey. I did used to watch the occasional game in the past. I don't watch anymore. The thugs in the game must go. They are destroying the game. I was disgusted by Todd Bertuzzi. I recently saw an interview with Steve Moore on the National. Bertuzzi has gotten away with destroying another man's life. Indeed the thug represented Canada on our national team.
The Simon stick swinging incident is also very troubling. It was a deliberate and viscious attack on Ryan Hollweg. A twenty five game suspension is inadequate. Chris Simon should lose one year of play and salary! I am not the only one who thinks this:
Poll Did the NHL give Chris Simon a long enough penalty?
Yes
34.78 %
No
65.22 %
He should probably aslo be charged with assault. These incidents must stop. It is a terrible example for our kids . The NHL must be far harsher in its penalties.
The Simon stick swinging incident is also very troubling. It was a deliberate and viscious attack on Ryan Hollweg. A twenty five game suspension is inadequate. Chris Simon should lose one year of play and salary! I am not the only one who thinks this:
Poll Did the NHL give Chris Simon a long enough penalty?
Yes
34.78 %
No
65.22 %
He should probably aslo be charged with assault. These incidents must stop. It is a terrible example for our kids . The NHL must be far harsher in its penalties.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Garth needs to be horsewhipped
Garth has committed more character assassination. In his never ending attempt to keep his wretched name in the media, he has insulted HM Prime Minister and Dr Kellie Leitch. H/T to Chucker Canuck
Garth you are unfit to eat the dirt under Dr Leitch's feet. She has helped many children. As well:
As a result, she is the only cross-appointed professor in a Faculty of Medicine and a Faculty of Business at a Canadian university, the youngest Division Chair of a surgical specialty in the history of the university and hospital and the youngest Division of Paediatric Surgery Chair at an academic health sciences centre in Canada.
She also Chairs the new Health Sector MBA program at the Ivey School of Business that will produce doctors who will have business acumen, medical expertise and political understanding
Recently, Dr. Leitch was named by the Globe and Mail and MacLean’s as one of Canada’s “Top 40 Under 40” for her leadership in the Health Care field and community involvement.
She is much more qualified for any government appointment than you are Garth. You should be ashamed of yourself. You sicken me.
As to your comments about HM Prime Minister, you are beyond despicable. I am so glad you are no longer a member of the Tory party. You are an embarassment to the grits. I doubt even dion will be pleased by your comments.
You should grovel and beg for forgiveness from these two people. You should apologize to your constituents for being a monumental embarassment.You are a sniveling coward.
Canada is lucky that such a pre eminently qualified doctor as Dr Leitch is working here. She could earn much more money in the United States. Garth's comments are as usual thoughtless and stupid. Your feeble attempt at apology is way too little , way too late.
Considering that you garth used some of the money raised by this great woman, you should be even more ashamed. Will you return the money now? You were elected by people who want Stephen Harper to be HM PM. You have betrayed them.
I hope the people of Halton send you packing very soon. You should resign. You are not useful to the grits, your constituents or to Canada. Go garth, go now.
Garth you are unfit to eat the dirt under Dr Leitch's feet. She has helped many children. As well:
As a result, she is the only cross-appointed professor in a Faculty of Medicine and a Faculty of Business at a Canadian university, the youngest Division Chair of a surgical specialty in the history of the university and hospital and the youngest Division of Paediatric Surgery Chair at an academic health sciences centre in Canada.
She also Chairs the new Health Sector MBA program at the Ivey School of Business that will produce doctors who will have business acumen, medical expertise and political understanding
Recently, Dr. Leitch was named by the Globe and Mail and MacLean’s as one of Canada’s “Top 40 Under 40” for her leadership in the Health Care field and community involvement.
She is much more qualified for any government appointment than you are Garth. You should be ashamed of yourself. You sicken me.
As to your comments about HM Prime Minister, you are beyond despicable. I am so glad you are no longer a member of the Tory party. You are an embarassment to the grits. I doubt even dion will be pleased by your comments.
You should grovel and beg for forgiveness from these two people. You should apologize to your constituents for being a monumental embarassment.You are a sniveling coward.
Canada is lucky that such a pre eminently qualified doctor as Dr Leitch is working here. She could earn much more money in the United States. Garth's comments are as usual thoughtless and stupid. Your feeble attempt at apology is way too little , way too late.
Considering that you garth used some of the money raised by this great woman, you should be even more ashamed. Will you return the money now? You were elected by people who want Stephen Harper to be HM PM. You have betrayed them.
I hope the people of Halton send you packing very soon. You should resign. You are not useful to the grits, your constituents or to Canada. Go garth, go now.
Zimbabwean Opposition leaders jailed
Mugabe's storm troopers have arrested the few opposition leaders that remain in Zimbabwe and out of prison. The Monster broke up a prayer meeting. I commend these brave men for opposing this maniac, when the danger is so great.
Zimbabwe opposition chiefs held
Mr Tsvangirai leads the Movement for Democratic Change
The leader of the main opposition party in Zimbabwe, Morgan Tsvangirai, and several colleagues have been detained.
They were seized after trying to hold a prayer meeting that the government said breached a ban on political gatherings.
Riot police sealed off roads in Harare and used tear gas and water cannons as they fought running battles with activists, opposition officials said.
The rally had been called by the Save Zimbabwe Campaign - a coalition of groups agitating for political change.
Officials for the Mr Tsvangirai's party, the Movement for Democratic Change, told the BBC that he was being held with five other senior members of the leadership at Highfield police station.
MDC spokesman Eliphas Mukonoweshuro said the protesters were not doing anything wrong.
Zimbabwe opposition chiefs held
Mr Tsvangirai leads the Movement for Democratic Change
The leader of the main opposition party in Zimbabwe, Morgan Tsvangirai, and several colleagues have been detained.
They were seized after trying to hold a prayer meeting that the government said breached a ban on political gatherings.
Riot police sealed off roads in Harare and used tear gas and water cannons as they fought running battles with activists, opposition officials said.
The rally had been called by the Save Zimbabwe Campaign - a coalition of groups agitating for political change.
Officials for the Mr Tsvangirai's party, the Movement for Democratic Change, told the BBC that he was being held with five other senior members of the leadership at Highfield police station.
MDC spokesman Eliphas Mukonoweshuro said the protesters were not doing anything wrong.
English Debate in Quebec?
I first saw this suggested in an opinion piece by Marianna Simeone ,on the CBC 6pm News show last week. She got a lot of positive response to her suggestion.( (You can watch that show on the CBC Montreal website.)
I also think that there should be an English as well as a French debate for the Quebec election. There is a substantial anglophone minority in Quebec and I think they deserve to hear the leaders debate in both official languages of Canada. It would also be a sign that the English minorityy is respected not just tolerated.
The anglophone vote has overwhelmingly gone to the PLQ in the past. People tend to ignore us now. If the other parties want to get their messages across to Quebec's most numerous minority they should agree to an English debate. I also think that having only one debate ( Tuesday at 8PM on RDI) is inadequate. An English debate would allow all Quebecers another chance to see how the leaders think. After all their performance in English will matter for international and national issues as well.
I also think that there should be an English as well as a French debate for the Quebec election. There is a substantial anglophone minority in Quebec and I think they deserve to hear the leaders debate in both official languages of Canada. It would also be a sign that the English minorityy is respected not just tolerated.
The anglophone vote has overwhelmingly gone to the PLQ in the past. People tend to ignore us now. If the other parties want to get their messages across to Quebec's most numerous minority they should agree to an English debate. I also think that having only one debate ( Tuesday at 8PM on RDI) is inadequate. An English debate would allow all Quebecers another chance to see how the leaders think. After all their performance in English will matter for international and national issues as well.
Mario needs to vet candidates better
ADQ fires another
Dumont sacks second candidate for comments on immigrants
FRANCOIS SHALOM; ELIZABETH THOMPSON of the Gazette, The Gazette
Published: Sunday, March 11, 2007
Incendiary comments from an ADQ candidate denigrating immigrants ruined what should have been a triumphant day for party leader Mario Dumont.
Instead of basking in the stellar poll numbers published yesterday that put his Action democratique du Quebec seven points from the lead in the race for the March 26 election, Dumont found himself having to fire his second candidate of the campaign.
He sacked Christian Raymond, whose explosive statements made to a local newspaper recall the polarizing Herouxville declaration on reasonable accommodation.
Raymond, a St. Jerome businessman who won the ADQ nomination in the riding of Prevost, told the weekly Le Mirabel that native Quebecers should "boost their birth rate, otherwise the ethnics will swamp us."
"People come here and we're supposed to let them wear turbans and kiss the asphalt (praying toward Mecca)," Raymond was quoted as saying.
These comments are truly stupid and racist. Mario was right to fire him. It is unfortunate that he seems to be put on the defensive so much by these bad candidates.
I think that the ADQ candidates need to be more thoroughly questioned before they are allowed to be candidates. This damages Mario's campaign
Dumont sacks second candidate for comments on immigrants
FRANCOIS SHALOM; ELIZABETH THOMPSON of the Gazette, The Gazette
Published: Sunday, March 11, 2007
Incendiary comments from an ADQ candidate denigrating immigrants ruined what should have been a triumphant day for party leader Mario Dumont.
Instead of basking in the stellar poll numbers published yesterday that put his Action democratique du Quebec seven points from the lead in the race for the March 26 election, Dumont found himself having to fire his second candidate of the campaign.
He sacked Christian Raymond, whose explosive statements made to a local newspaper recall the polarizing Herouxville declaration on reasonable accommodation.
Raymond, a St. Jerome businessman who won the ADQ nomination in the riding of Prevost, told the weekly Le Mirabel that native Quebecers should "boost their birth rate, otherwise the ethnics will swamp us."
"People come here and we're supposed to let them wear turbans and kiss the asphalt (praying toward Mecca)," Raymond was quoted as saying.
These comments are truly stupid and racist. Mario was right to fire him. It is unfortunate that he seems to be put on the defensive so much by these bad candidates.
I think that the ADQ candidates need to be more thoroughly questioned before they are allowed to be candidates. This damages Mario's campaign
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Great Global Warming Swindle
I have been interested in seeing this video since reading about it on Gay and Right. You can see the video of that Channel 4 program ,The Great Global Warming Swindle,here.
It is very interesting. I wonder if Suzuki or Gore will watch it. Of course not the high priests of kyoto would consider it heresy. The grand inquisitor Suzuki is too busy frightening children to pay attention to science.
Partition Possible?
Inspite of the wishful thinking of some in Quebec, :Supreme Court ruled Quebec's borders not set in stone
Text of decision indicates that no one could predict outcome of talks after Yes vote
The Gazette
Published: Saturday, March 10, 2007
As Quebec politicians continue to assert that Quebec would be indivisible in the event of separation, The Gazette here publishes an excerpt from the 1998 Supreme Court of Canada "reference case" ruling, which says Quebec's borders would in no way be guaranteed.
In the landmark decision, answering questions posed by the federal government in 1996, the Supreme Court said that Quebec has no right under the constitution or under international law to leave Canada unilaterally. However, the justices said, in the event of a "clear majority" vote for independence on a "clear question," the federal government and the other provinces would have a duty to negotiate independence....
..96 No one can predict the course that such negotiations might take. The possibility that they might not lead to an agreement amongst the parties must be recognized. Negotiations following a referendum vote in favour of seeking secession would inevitably address a wide range of issues, many of great import. After 131 years of Confederation, there exists, inevitably, a high level of integration in economic, political and social institutions across Canada. The vision of those who brought about Confederation was to create a unified country, not a loose alliance of autonomous provinces.
Accordingly, while there are regional economic interests, which sometimes coincide with provincial boundaries, there are also national interests and enterprises (both public and private) that would face potential dismemberment. There is a national economy and a national debt. Arguments were raised before us regarding boundary issues. There are linguistic and cultural minorities, including aboriginal peoples, unevenly distributed across the country who look to the Constitution of Canada for the protection of their rights. Of course, secession would give rise to many issues of great complexity and difficulty. These would have to be resolved within the overall framework of the rule of law, thereby assuring Canadians resident in Quebec and elsewhere a measure of stability in what would likely be a period of considerable upheaval and uncertainty. Nobody seriously suggests that our national existence, seamless in so many aspects, could be effortlessly separated along what are now the provincial boundaries of Quebec...(You can read the whole decision at this link)
The solution for those who want Quebec's territory to remain intact is of course to remain as part of Canada. That is the dirty little secret that separatists never want to admit. A breakup with Canada would be very messy and costly.
Text of decision indicates that no one could predict outcome of talks after Yes vote
The Gazette
Published: Saturday, March 10, 2007
As Quebec politicians continue to assert that Quebec would be indivisible in the event of separation, The Gazette here publishes an excerpt from the 1998 Supreme Court of Canada "reference case" ruling, which says Quebec's borders would in no way be guaranteed.
In the landmark decision, answering questions posed by the federal government in 1996, the Supreme Court said that Quebec has no right under the constitution or under international law to leave Canada unilaterally. However, the justices said, in the event of a "clear majority" vote for independence on a "clear question," the federal government and the other provinces would have a duty to negotiate independence....
..96 No one can predict the course that such negotiations might take. The possibility that they might not lead to an agreement amongst the parties must be recognized. Negotiations following a referendum vote in favour of seeking secession would inevitably address a wide range of issues, many of great import. After 131 years of Confederation, there exists, inevitably, a high level of integration in economic, political and social institutions across Canada. The vision of those who brought about Confederation was to create a unified country, not a loose alliance of autonomous provinces.
Accordingly, while there are regional economic interests, which sometimes coincide with provincial boundaries, there are also national interests and enterprises (both public and private) that would face potential dismemberment. There is a national economy and a national debt. Arguments were raised before us regarding boundary issues. There are linguistic and cultural minorities, including aboriginal peoples, unevenly distributed across the country who look to the Constitution of Canada for the protection of their rights. Of course, secession would give rise to many issues of great complexity and difficulty. These would have to be resolved within the overall framework of the rule of law, thereby assuring Canadians resident in Quebec and elsewhere a measure of stability in what would likely be a period of considerable upheaval and uncertainty. Nobody seriously suggests that our national existence, seamless in so many aspects, could be effortlessly separated along what are now the provincial boundaries of Quebec...(You can read the whole decision at this link)
The solution for those who want Quebec's territory to remain intact is of course to remain as part of Canada. That is the dirty little secret that separatists never want to admit. A breakup with Canada would be very messy and costly.
Union Blackmail
The dems are run by special interest groups. The umions now seem to dictate to the dmes:
AFL-CIO May Urge Democrats to Move 2008 Convention
The AFL-CIO, angry about Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter's veto of a pro-union bill, may recommend that Democratic Party move its 2008 convention from Denver.
The bill would have made it easier to set up all-union workplaces.
"The attention of the American people will be focused on Denver and the state of Colorado as they prepare to host the 2008 Democratic National Convention," the labor federation's executive council said in a resolution passed during their winter meeting in Las Vegas. "Union members and working people will make up more than a quarter of the delegates to the Denver convention.
"Unless we can be assured that the governor will support our values and priorities, we will strongly urge the Democratic Party to relocate the convention," said the resolution passed Thursday
The governor of Colorado is a dem and vetoed the bill becuae he felt it was one sided. Unfortunately balance is not what the socialist unions want. It will be interesting to see if the dems move their convention or if the governor backs down. A sad day for the great state of Colorado and the United States. Let's just call them the AFL Cio dems.
AFL-CIO May Urge Democrats to Move 2008 Convention
The AFL-CIO, angry about Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter's veto of a pro-union bill, may recommend that Democratic Party move its 2008 convention from Denver.
The bill would have made it easier to set up all-union workplaces.
"The attention of the American people will be focused on Denver and the state of Colorado as they prepare to host the 2008 Democratic National Convention," the labor federation's executive council said in a resolution passed during their winter meeting in Las Vegas. "Union members and working people will make up more than a quarter of the delegates to the Denver convention.
"Unless we can be assured that the governor will support our values and priorities, we will strongly urge the Democratic Party to relocate the convention," said the resolution passed Thursday
The governor of Colorado is a dem and vetoed the bill becuae he felt it was one sided. Unfortunately balance is not what the socialist unions want. It will be interesting to see if the dems move their convention or if the governor backs down. A sad day for the great state of Colorado and the United States. Let's just call them the AFL Cio dems.
Arthur Branch for president?
There is buzz that former Senator Fred Thompson and current Law and Order DA Arthur Branch, may run for the presidency . He will answer questions about this on Fox news Sunday with Chris Wallace.
I like Senator Thompson, but don't know very much about him. His character and he are very conservative, so I think he is worth taking a look at. Thompson is the best Law and Order DA since Adam Schiff left. He is also very tall which can be useful, but not always.