This week the Harper Administration published a report on its progress regarding climate change, greenhouse gas emissions and where we stand with regard to the Kyoto Protocol. The report’s the only tangible result of the Kyoto Implementation Act passed by Parliament a few months ago. (That vote, by the way, was supported by a majority of MPs from three parties, while all the Conservative members voted against it.) The government is now required to tell Canadians where we stand on this critical issue.
The results are not hopeful. As Liberal researchers concluded: “For example, the report notes there will be zero GHG emissions reductions from industry in 2008 and 2009; instead, GHG emissions will increase 5 per cent from 2005 by 2009. The report also admits that government programs such as its renewable heat program, its ecoEnergy Retrofit program, and its ecoAuto Rebate program will result in just over 1 megatonne in annual GHG emissions reductions.”
In other words, we are missing our targets by a country mile. There is no real plan to address climate change in the next few years. We screwed up. Canada’s no longer part of the solution.
Stephane Dion thinks that’s unacceptable. He said so in a media conference this week, and outlined his plan. PMSH did not comment on the report.
MPtv was at the presser. To view the vid, click here.
132 comments ↓
In other words, we are missing our targets by a country mile. There is no real plan to address climate change in the newt few years. We screwed up. Canada’s no longer part of the solution.
Stephane Dion thinks that’s unacceptable. He said so in a media conference this week, and outlined his plan. PMSH did not comment on the report.
posted by Garth Turner on 08.24.07 @ 12:08 pm
We didn’t get it done .. WE DIDN’T GET IT DONE !! Why did’nt we do better?!
When you start 35% in the hole and behind in your Kyoto targets, it’s tough to instantaneously comply as demanded.
Of course, the real villain is the Alberta oil sands which is spewing GHGs galore. The Dion Liberal plan is to charge the oil sands a $20 – $30 per tonne penalty for any new GHGs, which amounts to a hidden tax on Alberta oil production.
The contradiction in the Liberal position is that when Dion was a minister in the Chretien and Martin governments they knowingly allowed GHGs from the oil sands to increase without any penalties contributing to the Liberal 35% excess GHGs.
So why are the Dion Liberals now penalizing Alberta? Is it because it’s good politics in Eastern Canada to trash CPC Alberta over Kyoto?
Hey Garth – did you “launder” money through your riding as well for the federal Tories?
No. — Garth
“Kyoto Implementation Act passed by Parliament a few months ago. (That vote, by the way, was supported by a majority of MPs from three parties. We screwed up.”
Canada’s no longer part of the solution.” Question, when were we?
btw shame about Dion`s dog Kyoto having asthma, didn`t know CO2 could cause breathing difficulties other than asphyxiation.
A History Lesson
Humans originally existed as members of small bands of
nomadic hunters/gatherers. They lived on deer in the
mountains during the summer and would go to the coast
and live on fish and lobster in the winter. The two
most important events in all of history were the
invention of beer and the invention of the wheel. The
wheel was invented to get man to the beer. These were
the foundation of modern civilization and together
were the catalyst for the splitting of humanity into
two distinct subgroups: 1. Liberals and 2. Conservatives.
Once beer was discovered, it required grain and that
was the beginning of agriculture. Neither the glass
bottle nor aluminum can were invented yet, so while
our early humans were sitting around waiting for them
to be invented, they just stayed close to the brewery.
That’s how villages were formed.
Some men spent their days tracking and killing animals
to B-B-Q at night while they were drinking beer. This
was the beginning of what is known as the Conservative
movement. Other men who were weaker and less skilled
at hunting learned to live off the conservatives by
showing up for the nightly B-B-Q’s and doing the
sewing, fetching, and hair dressing. This was the
beginning of the Liberal movement. Some of these
liberal men eventually evolved into women. The rest
became known as girliemen.
Some noteworthy liberal achievements include the
domestication of cats, the invention of group therapy,
group hugs, and the concept of Democratic voting
to decide how to divide the meat and beer that
conservatives provided. Over the years conservatives
came to be symbolized by the largest, most powerful
land animal on earth, the elephant. Liberals are
symbolized by the jackass.
Modern liberals like imported beer (with lime added),
but most prefer white wine or imported bottled water.
They eat raw fish but like their beef well done.
Sushi, tofu, and French food are standard liberal
fare. Another interesting evolutionary side note: most of their
women have higher testosterone levels than their men.
Most social workers, personal injury attorneys,
journalists, dreamers in Hollywood and group
therapists are liberals. Liberals invented the
designated hitter rule because it wasn’t fair to make
the pitcher also bat.
Conservatives drink domestic beer. They eat red meat
and still provide for their women. Conservatives are
big-game hunters, rodeo cowboys, lumberjacks, pilots,
construction workers, firemen, medical doctors, police
officers, corporate executives, athletes, Marines, and
generally anyone who works productively.
Conservatives who own companies hire other
conservatives who want to work for a living.
Liberals produce little or nothing. They like to
govern the producers and decide what to do with the
production.
Liberals believe Europeans are more
enlightened than Americans. That is why most of the
liberals remained in Europe when conservatives were
coming to America. They crept in after the Wild West
was tamed and created a business of trying to get more
for nothing.
Here ends today’s lesson in world history: It should
be noted that a Liberal may have a momentary urge to
angrily respond to the above before forwarding it. A
Conservative will simply laugh and be so convinced of
the absolute truth of this history that it will be
forwarded immediately to other true believers and to
more liberals just to piss them off.
Thanks for passing along that American chain letter. — Garth
Hey Myron, Dion was the Environment Minister for Martin, not Chretien, and only for about a year and a half. The emissions you speak of mainly came from Alberta and it’s oil boom.
And the Feds are losing revenues because of Income Trusts? Expose the lie!!!!!!
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070824/budget_surplus_070824/20070824?hub=TopStories
Wasn’t Kyoto thought up to create a carbon trading market where polluters can continue to pollute providing credits from non polluting or developing countries are sufficiently bought? How does this thinking work to do anything to help the overall global climate? Wouldn’t this be to the same effect as telling kids to only pee in the shallow side of the swimming pool. Who would want to swim in the deep side after that? I think the focus should be more to reduce our GHG emmisions year by year and not to try to meet any target as it would most likely fail anyway. I don’t think Stephane Dion and the Liberals would do any better then the Conservatives as the Liberals have been proven failures to try to meet any Kyoto target.
As well when did it morph from “global warming” to “climate change”? I do not think that what we pollute with and how we treat this Earth is a good thing but I am thinking this whole “climate change” is becoming like the Y2K bug that creates a mass hysteria for no valid reason.
Oh JOY! Kyoto. This will be a ‘hot’ topic for sure! I expect the GHG levels to rise to double the current before it is done here. LOL
My… Alberta spews carbon like never before and The loggers are cutting trees, that breathe this carbon. When will it all stop! You cannot do both.
By Dale on 08.24.07 12:52 pm
Hey Myron, Dion was the Environment Minister for Martin, not Chretien, and only for about a year and a half. The emissions you speak of mainly came from Alberta and it’s oil boom.
Dion was a minister in the Chretien government and as such he was intimately involved in all the Chretien government decisions of which he was fully aware as a Cabinet member.
Dion was as responsible for the environment as was any other member of the Chretien cabinet, and he cannot absolve himself of the 35% excess GHGs incurred during the Chretien-Martin regimes, regardless of the source of the GHGs.
Dion must be held accountable for Canada’s failure to meet our Kyoto obligations under the past Liberal governments. Ignatieff got it right when he challenged Dion with “We didn’t get it done !!”.
Gee, it’s all SD’s fault. No! It’s all PMSH’s fault. No… it’s….
Geesh. What the heck does it matter at this point. Bottom line is we need our elected representatives to give up on the BS and work together for the future generations and start to clean this mess up.
Two wrongs don’t make a right. For those that also want to keep reminding the ‘other side’ about all the things that were done wrong… GROW UP!
If we don’t start to act like the supposed intelligent species we think we are, it will be too late.
By Captain George on 08.24.07 12:48 pm
Is this the script for an upcoming episode of Trailer Park Boys?
Yea, though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I fear no Moron’s, as My Staff isth biggeren yers!
Oh God more Kyoto crap. Any solution will involve taxpayers footing the bill. In hypocritical Canada we can’t have that can we?
PMSH can no more make a positive comment on the environment, than he can come back from when it has not been.
So please continue to bash Kyoto,like it or not, it is a plan much the same as the Canadain Space Arm was. hmmmm
By Greg on 08.24.07 1:37 pm
Thought you would have recognized it hanging on the wall at CPC ATTACK Headquarters , framed , and gifted from Bush.
“The results are not hopeful. As Liberal researchers concluded:”
Gee no bias there….I’m more likely to listen to Pembina than the opposition and that’s probably why Harper didn’t bother commenting.
The report was written by the government. Do you stop to actually read things? Just curious. — Garth
looks like the red rally is a bust…a red rally would have seemed more in place in Soviet Russia
Canada’s #1 CO2 emitter:……
Ontario Power Generation!!!!!!
Sorry Garth, you have to shut down this blog and in fact all you Ontario peeps will have to turn off your computers. You’re ruining the planet for me.
Turn the lights off on your way out.
Righ on Garth. Keep up the good work.
Several note’s above are reminiscent of how blind a mothers love for her son can be. Fatty does have a loyal following though. But Conservatives as the captains of industry???? That IS funny.
What a cheeseball web site! That’s what you get when you pay minimum wage.
http://www.conservative.ca/
good to hear it.
heh
their very own adscam. if they had the books to back it up they wouldn’t be running to the courts already. this could be fun.
Dion must be held accountable for Canada’s failure to meet our Kyoto obligations under the past Liberal governments. Ignatieff got it right when he challenged Dion with “We didn’t get it done !!â€.
By Myron on 08.24.07 1:24 pm
Ok. SO the Libs didn’t get it done by their own admission (Iggy). Now we know the Cons. are geting it done either.
So what are we to do? As many have pointed out one major source is the Alberta Oil Sands. Mr. Dion proposes a fee for addition GHG’s from the oil sands. Yes, this can be seen as a tax which no doubt will be passed on to consumers and will give incentive for them to reduce their use of oil, which also will lead to a reduction in GHG’s.
So if taxing Alberta oil is the east’s way of getting at them as you suggest and is therefore unacceptable, do you have any suggestions on how we might cut the GHG’s coming from the oil sands so we can get back on track?
PS. Do you live in Alberta? Just because you paranoid doesn’t mean the East’s not out to get you!
“The results are not hopeful. As Liberal researchers concluded:â€
Gee no bias there….I’m more likely to listen to Pembina than the opposition and that’s probably why Harper didn’t bother commenting.
The report was written by the government. Do you stop to actually read things? Just curious. — Garth
I was referring to the commentary not who published the report. I doubt Lib Head Office has the money to publish such a report..
Lots of typos:
That was meant to say: So now we know the Cons are not getting it done either.
Dion and the other opposition leaders have already lost credibility on our ability to meet our targets by 2012. Want to know how
to really reduce GHG emmissions? Buy Mark Jaccard & Jefferey Simpsons Book “Hot Air” at the end of Sep. I’m looking forward to it.
Flaherty, hep me, hep me. The damm markets up agin another 100 points. Hep me shorts are fallin! Ima having a liquidity crisis!
Yea, though I walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death, I fear no Moron’s, as My Staff isth biggeren yers!
By Greg on 08.24.07 1:37 pm
ROFLMAO! Yeppers Greg!
Like Teddy Roosevelt said ‘Walk softly and carry a BIGSTICK!’
All the blaming of the JC/PM government, and now the Harper government (albeit Baird has brought it on himself) over our GHG’s is missing the point. You and I are the problem.
You (the general public) want, want, want, and take, take, take, and then are amazed that it is resulting in GHG emissions?
One good thing, the arseholes are killing themselves off on our highways…unfortunately they usually involve innocent people. Another pair of Bozos did it to it on the QEW this morning Road-rage duel behind QEW collision?
Folks, seriously, you have to be the eyes and ears for the OPP. If you see these idiots get their plate number and call the OPP at *677 on your cell. They will need your location, direction of travel, a cross reference, as in major road not the nearest Timmy’s, make and model (if possible to get) and colour of the vehicle(s).
Help save lives, become an active part of our community, or any other community. Do not tolerate these immature twits, and BTW, the guy in this morning’s accident was no teenager, he was 56.
Likewise, if you see some smoking vehicle spewing crap all over call the OPP (in Ontario) and help make our roads clean and safe.
Also, if you have a vehicle that is running rough, the Check Engine Light is ON, then please take it in and have it fixed.
We cannot force the bigger polluters to stop, that is the government’s sole responsibility, as well as their’s, but we have to each do our part.
Bring back the One Tonne Challenge…it made sense, was a good diea, and Rick Mercer is entertaining, unlike, God forbid, Baird or someone like Monte Solberg on TV.
Oh, and support real candidates that have been green, not the recent ‘for convenience’ converts, or simply vote Green.
Have a nice discussion and afternoon.
As to Kyoto…remember it started with the Montreal Protocol, which G.H.W. Bush signed.
Kyoto at least got governments to work together, except, and naturally, the WORST polluters the U.S.A., China, and Russia.
It was a start, like START (STrategic Arms Reduction Talks). We need to revisit it all, especially in light of the recent severe climate changes, and do more.
The days of saying, we will do something later, or ‘I am not going to sacrifice because so and so will not’ have to end.
Everyone has to do their part. Those who refuse will have to be dealt with via the legal system, and the penalties should be harsh.
It is your world. Decide how you want it to be. Exercise your freedom where it truly matters…your future and your life.
Myron,
It’s not the simple and you know it. No minister except the PM is ultimately responsible for all the portfolios. Each MP is responsible for their own portfolio.
Plus, the Kyoto Accord wasn’t even ratified until 2005. Last time I check that was not 10 years ago. And the Libs were out of office less than a year later. It’s somewhat hard to get anywhere in that time especially with a minority Lib government and the Leader of the Opposition at the time didn’t even believe in Global warming.
We need to start over from scratch, that much is obvious. The Libs should not be getting any more traction out of this. Look what a hypocrite Dion is about SPP. The SPP was an idea conceived and executed by the former Liberal government. To claim otherwise is simply wrong. The Conservatives are much worse of course, but the degree of separation is miniscule. Start from scratch, start with the Oilsands, don’t download onto the public without consultation and include the U.S. and Australia. A worldwide agreement that works for the world. These mealy mouthed politicians here and in those countries will keep on stalling until ‘their’ time in gov’t is finished. Leave it for the next guy. Even they will have no place to escape. It’s now or never, pony up and get it done.
Oh and how about we Canadians demand a new ministry. The Ministry of Climate Change and give it please to non-politicians, who can think outside of the next election.
So what are we to do? As many have pointed out one major source is the Alberta Oil Sands. Mr. Dion proposes a fee for addition GHG’s from the oil sands.
By James – Chatham on 08.24.07 2:24 pm
I am so sick of this false demonizing of Alberta and the tarsands as being responsible for Canada’s GHG emissions.
This is a red herring used by Liberal politicians to score points with the Ontario electorate. Pick on Alberta… demonize Alberta because it’s easier than looking in our own back yards. Typical Liberal tactic of regionalizing this country and pitting one region against the other.
If you believe that CO2 is a problems then you need to look at who the emitters really are.
The top 10 CO2 emitters, who account for 43% of Canada’s CO2 emissions break down like this:
6 out of the top 10 are electricity generators. Spots 1 – 5 and #8. And they alone account for 32.68% of Canada’s total emissions.
3 of the top 10 are oil & gas operations. Spots 6, 7, & 9. They account for 8.91% of Canada’s total emissions.
Coming in at #10 is a steel producer who accounts for 1.75% of Canada’s emissions.
So clearly, the problem (if you believe CO2 is a problem) is in electrical generation. And until you all admit this and embrace nuclear energy as the best way to mass produce electricity, Canada’s emissions will continue to increase. There aren’t enough rivers to dam up (which cause other environmental problems) and you can’t build that many solar panels or wind turbines without doing serious environmental damage as well.
If you want Alberta to be the first province to leave Canada, then please, continue to promote imposing NEP 2. If you think CO2 is a problem and truly want to reduce it then look for alternate ways to generate electricity… and fast. And perhaps look at how you use electricity yourselves.
Do you have air conditioning at home?
Do you own power sucking toys like an Xbox?
Do you really truly need to be using your computer this very moment?
Ok. SO the Libs didn’t get it done by their own admission (Iggy). Now we know the Cons. are (not) getting it done either.
So what are we to do? As many have pointed out one major source is the Alberta Oil Sands. Mr. Dion proposes a fee for addition GHG’s from the oil sands. Yes, this can be seen as a tax which no doubt will be passed on to consumers and will give incentive for them to reduce their use of oil, which also will lead to a reduction in GHG’s.
So if taxing Alberta oil is the east’s way of getting at them as you suggest and is therefore unacceptable, do you have any suggestions on how we might cut the GHG’s coming from the oil sands so we can get back on track?
PS. Do you live in Alberta? Just because you paranoid doesn’t mean the East’s not out to get you!
By James – Chatham on 08.24.07 2:24 pm
What Dion is not telling you is that a Liberal government would be purchasing Kyoto Carbon Credits from China, Russia, India, etc. to cover the 35% excess Liberal GHGs. This would send money into the pockets of Liberal friends particularily in China as the Canadian taxpayer is forced to cover the Billions it would cost to mitigate the Liberal failure.
As for the oil sands, the carbon tax that Dion proposes is just another way to collect more taxes from Albertan resources for the benefit of Eastern Canada and particularily Quebec, which would be selling carbon credits to Ottawa and a PM Dion would finance with a carbon tax on the oil sands. Neat, eh ?!
Where you fail is to understand that the Conservatives will meet Kyoto but on an extended time basis to compensate for the 35% excess GHGs collected by the Chretien-Martin-Dion government, which the originally intended to cover with Carbon Credits from China.
Your GHG guilt trip based on misinformation by the mostly Liberal MSM and Liberal-created green groups is typical of the ignorance of most eastern Canadians. If Ontario had to shut down it’s coal-fired power plants as promised by Dalton McLiar in 2003, you would be squealing like stuck pigs and crying for relief.
Before eastern Canada decides to tax the Alberta oil sands, you should consider the possibility, nay probability, of Alberta seceding from Canada and then forcing Ontario to bear the Maritime welfare basket cases. This is a reality you must broach when you listen to Dion’s political proclamations that seem to salve your guilt for Canada being the cause of global warming.
Since global warming due to manmade GHGs is only a political scientific determination, everybody in Canada should be wary of the probable breakup of the country if another prime minister from Quebec tries to rob Alberta of it’s birthright. Of that you can be 99% certain, so go ahead and force Kyoto on Canada and the Alberta oil sands, but when your fantasies blow up in your face, what are you going to do??
The war of words over Kyoto continues, with Layton and Duceppe talking tougher than Dion.
While Layton said his party would pursue other legislative options in Parliament, the Bloc Quebecois hinted that it might turn the matter of Canada’s Kyoto targets into a confidence issue that could bring down the minority Conservative government and force an election in the fall.
The obvious danger is that Layton and Duceppe will start playing some hardball with Dion.
The other unknown is how much sand Baird kicks in their collective faces, as he ignores their demands to do more on Rodriguez’s idiotic Bill C288.
By Captain George on 08.24.07 2:03 pm
The closest I have been to CPC headquarters was via my stolen employers remittance dollars thanks to Mr. Bullroney and his enforcement agency.
Dion must be held accountable for Canada’s failure to meet our Kyoto obligations under the past Liberal governments. Ignatieff got it right when he challenged Dion with “We didn’t get it done !!â€.
By Myron on 08.24.07 1:24 pm
Yes Myron – Although my memory is not what it used to be, I seem to recall that the neocons – aka Harper – did everything they could to stop the Libs from bringing in legislation. Just like they did about almost all legislation that the Libs wanted to bring in. Now the cons just repackage previous Lib legislation and call it their own. No vision at all!!.
Federal surplus more than doubles
…..quick, give it to the States!
this is cute…from google:
“Police posed as protesters, but masked men unknown CTV.ca”
then when you click on the story:
“Quebec police says masked protesters were cops
Updated Thu. Aug. 23 2007 11:01 PM ET”
Only Tonto knows for sure.
Always the Albertans talking about their birthright. Read some Canadian history. Alberta was not part of the original Canada, in fact it was a Land grant made by the Crown via the Hudson Bay Company and the Northwest Trading Company, based out of Montreal.
Alberta’s History
The province of Alberta, as far north as about 53° north latitude, was a part of Rupert’s Land from the time of the incorporation of the Hudson’s Bay Company (1670). After the arrival in the North-West of the French around 1731 they settled the prairies of the west, establishing communities such as Lac La Biche and Bonnyville. Fort La Jonquière was established near what is now Calgary in (1752). The North-West Company of Montreal occupied the northern part of Alberta territory before the Hudson’s Bay Company arrived from Hudson Bay to take possession of it. The first explorer of the Athabasca region was Peter Pond, who, on behalf of the North-West Company of Montreal, built Fort Athabasca on Lac La Biche in 1778.
Maybe the French Quebecers actually own all that oil, eh? Wouldn’t that be a pisser for sure? LMAO!
Alberta
There’s something pleasantly ironic about watching the last bastion of Laissez Faire market liberalism bicker about how big their royalty rebates should be.
you gotta love ‘em.
Everything before Jan. 9, 1926 is irrelavent Bill. As of this date is was all Albertans’ birthright. You must be really peeved at your Ontarian forebearers for making Alberta an equal province in confederation.
http://data2.collectionscanada.ca/e/e001/e000008178.jpg
I am so sick of this false demonizing of Alberta and the tarsands as being responsible for Canada’s GHG emissions. – By Reid on 08.24.07 3:08 pm
You’re right to a point. If you’re saying the oil sands is not the only major contributor to GHG’s and that Mr. Dion should spread the plan around so everyone shares in cutting GHG’s, I would agree.
However, the message I get from those who support the oil sands is, we’re untouchable or so what, with reasons from being the economic growth stimulus of Canada to the Eastern conspiracy against Alberta theory.
As for nuclear energy, its clean save for the spent fuel rods. I’m not too concerned about low level waste, but the high level stuff that remains dangerous for thousands of years, where are we going to put it.
Bottom line, we all need to reduce our energy consumption and if increasing taxes or charging the real price for energy gives us that incentive, good. But we can’t have it both ways. When energy is cheap, we use it and generate GHG’s.
Like Teddy Roosevelt said ‘Walk softly and carry a BIGSTICK!’
All the blaming of the JC/PM government, and now the Harper government (albeit Baird has brought it on himself) over our GHG’s is missing the point. You and I are the problem.
You (the general public) want, want, want, and take, take, take, and then are amazed that it is resulting in GHG emissions?
One good thing, the arseholes are killing themselves off on our highways…unfortunately they usually involve innocent people. Another pair of Bozos did it to it on the QEW this morning Road-rage duel behind QEW collision?
Folks, seriously, you have to be the eyes and ears for the OPP. If you see these idiots get their plate number and call the OPP at *677 on your cell. They will need your location, direction of travel, a cross reference, as in major road not the nearest Timmy’s, make and model (if possible to get) and colour of the vehicle(s).
Help save lives, become an active part of our community, or any other community. Do not tolerate these immature twits, and BTW, the guy in this morning’s accident was no teenager, he was 56.
By Bill-Muskoka on 08.24.07 2:43 pm
Bill – not as serious I know but, about 18 yrs ago my DH was driving me to work when we saw 2 guys in a car ahead of us, on a major street in Hfx. One threw out a fairly large bag from Tims’s. I took down their license plate and called Motor Vehicles & another govt. agency when I got to work. They wouldn’t do anything but said they’d make a note on the registered owner’s file. My DH was a 2nd witness. Why the heck do we have laws on the books if they’re not enforced. I’m disgusted how people treat our environment and how the govt., no matter what level, does nothing to enforce the laws – other than if you should owe them a dollar – if you’re an avg. citizen.
Guess I gotta finish preparing our dinner – DH has to leave 5:30 am tomorrow for a BMW moto rally in NB.
This link gives a different perspective – right or wrong, it really doesn’t matter..
http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/co2.php
Duceppe and Layton are posturing – actually Dion said he’d have to see what’s in the throne speech before he made a decision – think about it – how can Duceppe and Layton decide when they don’t know what’s in it yet?
The CPC supporters keep saying that because Dion was in cabinet he was part of the decision making? Huh? He may have had input, but we all know the PM makes the final decision. Do you really think Harper’s cabinet ministers make decisions? Not on your life.
Pitiful statements and arguments all the time – Harper’s been PM longer than Dion was environment minister.
The phrase “getting it done” is quite dumb, but anyway – what exactly have they got done? Softwood lumber deal – collapsing. Wait times – nadda yet. Create daycare spaces – nadda. Accountability Act – many flaws and not totally implemented yet. Promise to keep open and transparent – not done yet. Promise to keep promises – not done. 2,500 more police – not done yet. I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m sure not impressed – can’t even keep up with his so-called 5 priorities.
Sheesh
So:
We have Albertans saying “don’t bother us. We are going to make as much money as possible and to hell with the environment and to hell with anyone who says we should shareâ€
We have Ontarioans who say “our extraordinary use of energy is our right, so don’t blame us for the environmentâ€.
We have CONS who say “this is all the Lib’s fault so don’t blame us if we are not willing to take a stand and make a positive differenceâ€
We have LIBS who say “this is all the Con’s fault because they will not do what we should have doneâ€
People, people, people… ALL of the above are the problem. The environment is a global issue – not some partisan pin-ball to be batted around and passed off as someone else’s fault. If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem.
Walk or cycle to the corner store for that beer instead of taking the SUV/Minivan/Car. Not only will you cut down on GHG, and save money on petrol, but you might actually get healthy..
Turn down the furnace in winter and a/c in summer. Etc. etc
Perhaps, the CONs will get out of the past and do something looking towards the future, but that would mean some sacrifice which they appear unwilling to make.
As voters, our DUTY is to make sure what ever party is in power MUST meet our common goals. At this time, the CONs are screwing up. The last time the LIBs did not follow through probably due to “political considerationsâ€. Whomever gets to form a government MUST BE PRESSURED by the electorate to follow through.
That is, unless you are so bloody greedy, do not care about what kind of environment you pass on to the next generation, and act like it does not matter because you will be DEAD when the problem reaches critical.
Our native peoples have the right idea; You cannot own Mother Earth. We are only here to take care of Her for those who follow. You cannot “own†land, and only buy the right to take care of property for the next generation. Show Her some respect.
Grow up.
By Marc on 08.24.07 1:09 pm
Consider an old saying, “If the mountain won’t come to Muhammad, them Muhammad must go to the mountain.
If a country such as de good old USA wants to get every last penny out of it’s current industrial developments, it may be cheaper to invest some dollars in a new project in a developing country, which will, in turn outlast the old US investment and as time passes will contribute less GHG to the environment.
This of course does nothing for the air quality in the North American environment in the meantime.
To offer some perspective on Global Warming, may I say that in my 5 plus decades I have seen with my own eyes the drastic changes in temperature and snowfall amounts.
Briefly let me say, that in the past 30 years, I have experienced the variation of plowing the snow twice or 3 times a day to having to plow twice or 3 times a year.
I am not a great advocate of published statistics always, but I believe what I see, touch and personally experience.
Hi Garth, Off topic here but regarding your Tory lost tour, Do I have to register to attend the Vancouver town hall or do I just show up at the location? Also is it posted somewhere the time and location as the date is Sept 08. Finally will you be accepting donations for any of the costs as I can’t really cover a hall rental but intend to chip in a bit as it must be an expence from somebodies pocket and I feel obliged to pay my share. Thanks. and looking forward to Sept 08
Bless you, Marc. No res required – just show up. Details of times and locations of meetings will be published here on Tuesday. — Garth
Hell, why worry about Kyoto and the environment. Most of the bad effects won’t happen for at least 100 years and we’ll all be dead by then so why worry about it. Leave the mess for your kids and grand children. The governments don’t care so why should you.
If you want to do something then get serious and implement drastic programs today like removing 60% of the cars off the road, increasing gasoline prices to $5 per half litre, stop coal generation, etc. etc. etc.
Otherwise quit crying about it.
By Myron on 08.24.07 3:18 pm
What Dion is not telling you is that a Liberal government would be purchasing Kyoto Carbon Credits from China, Russia, India, etc. to cover the 35% excess Liberal GHGs. This would send money into the pockets of Liberal friends particularily in China as the Canadian taxpayer is forced to cover the Billions it would cost to mitigate the Liberal failure.
I don’t want to sound like Pte Hoople, but can you provide some relevant resource material? I would find it interesting.
You make some good points regarding the status of Ontario’s pollution, but seem to miss an overall view. Just because Ontario governments speak with forked tongue, doesn’t mean it justifies rampant disregard for the goals of the Kyoto accord.
You know about Lemmings right?
Another word from the old and somewhat wise, don’t presume to speak for all Albertans or Westerners. They have minds too. Although Pte. Hoople and the Prairie Dog Company thinks otherwise, I have absolute confidence in the ability of Western Canadians to think for themselves and honor the efforts of such people as the Regina Rifles, the Winnipeg Grenadiers and the Princess Patricia’s.
We are a Nation, and we should act accordingly. We must honor our debt to our Aboriginal People and rise above those who would control us for their own gain.
Wallow in the swamp if you must, it will only take, never give.
BTW Myron,
The question still stands, how do we go about reducing GHG’s from the oil sands projects if not by imposing co2 levies on production?
Once that question is answered, to be fair, a similar method should be used on all other energy that produces co2, Ontario Power Generation included.
By Reid on 08.24.07 4:53 pm
Well, tell you what. Maybe some really talented lawyer can do a little fine tooth comb examination of those documents. I wouldn’t be so bloody cocky about it. 1926, eh? Wow you are the New Kids on the block aren’t you?
Alberta has managed, with their 10 gallon sized ego, to piss off the rest of Canada. If you just acted like you belonged to this great country, no one would care. In fact, I do not care.
But I do so enjoy the prospect that someone missed dotting an ‘i’, or crossing a ‘t’.
With all the 200 year old Land Claims, seems to me a mere 81 years (102 years actually, oh and a jpg image maens nothing), as you claim, should be no tribble at all?
Now, looking at the fact that Alberta became a province on September 1, 1905, and that The district of Alberta was created as part of the North-West Territories in 1882. As settlement increased, local representatives to the North-West Legislative Assembly were added. After a long campaign for autonomy, in 1905 the district of Alberta was enlarged and given provincial status, with the election of Alexander Cameron Rutherford as the first premier. you may well have a few land claims to deal with also from the AFN, Cree, South Slavey, and North Slavey. In fact, Yellowknife may have a few questions regarding the Athabasca Oil Sands.
So, who is the largest employer now…Still the Goobernment of Alberta at 35,000?
Have such a pleasant evening.
By Bill-Muskoka on 08.24.07 2:43 pm
Glad to return the favor Bill. So many arseholes, so few bullets.
ROTFLMAO…If it weren’t for a sense of humor how could we ever endure?
By Reid on 08.24.07 4:53 pm
Well, tell you what. Maybe some really talented lawyer can do a little fine tooth comb examination of those documents. I wouldn’t be so bloody cocky about it. 1926, eh? Wow you are the New Kids on the block aren’t you?
Alberta has managed, with their 10 gallon sized ego, to piss off the rest of Canada. If you just acted like you belonged to this great country, no one would care. In fact, I do not care.
But I do so enjoy the prospect that someone missed dotting an ‘i’, or crossing a ‘t’.
With all the 200 year old Land Claims, seems to me a mere 81 years (102 years actually, oh and a jpg image means nothing), as you claim, should be no tribble at all?
Now, looking at the fact that Alberta became a province on September 1, 1905, and that The district of Alberta was created as part of the North-West Territories in 1882. As settlement increased, local representatives to the North-West Legislative Assembly were added. After a long campaign for autonomy, in 1905 the district of Alberta was enlarged and given provincial status, with the election of Alexander Cameron Rutherford as the first premier. you may well have a few land claims to deal with also from the AFN, Cree, South Slavey, and North Slavey. In fact, Yellowknife may have a few questions regarding the Athabasca Oil Sands.
In fact,
10. All lands included in Indian reserves within the Province, including those selected and surveyed but not yet confirmed, as well as those confirmed, shall continue to be vested in the Crown and administered by the Government of Canada for the purposes of Canada
sort of stiffles your little minded attitude. read that carefully, because the control remains under the Crown, i.e., Government of Canada, not Alberta, unless Canada decides to release such control. In fact, that was probably a basis for NEP.
So, who is the largest employer now…Still the Goobernment of Alberta at 35,000?
Have such a pleasant evening.
Oh, and thanks for the link to a picture. That made it real easy to quote your anathema.
Nice photo of Dion sitting in a maple tree. He must be no bigger than a squirrel or a hamster.
Oh, and for more charming reality news try this one on for a proper fit As Big Oil pumps Alberta for profit, the province’s royalty take is shrinking Is it time to get greedy?
Without energy, Alberta’s gross domestic product would be about half the size, according to economists Robert Mansell and Ron Schlenker of the University of Calgary, who added that without royalties, a provincial sales tax of 16 per cent would be needed to make up the revenue. And they said the calculations were probably understated, alluding to the fact that without energy, there’d be hardly any economy at all in Alberta, with no need for all the engineers, lawyers and accountants, never mind all the restaurants and Canadian Tires.
Read the article, learn a little bit from historical reality, and then sit back and think it all through. Ontario is not your enemy, you are! Oh, and if you screw it all up, don’t ask us to give you our much needed revenues either. Although we would because we are Canadians and care about all Canadians.
Ther is a long known lesson in the North…never go around pissing off people…they might be your only hope of survival when you hit the wall of reality.
Wowsers, the blog has become a Dating Service now! Sounds like Hunter is looking for some companionship? Keep a tight grip on those nuts Bud, Fall is coming and you will need to stock up for winter!
KPN,
Why the heck do we have laws on the books if they’re not enforced.
We;;, for one tyhing that would interrupt the cop’s Timmy’s break and deprived them of thowse Kop Kibbles. LOL
Personally, I am quite proud and satisfied with how the OPP do their job.
By Bill-Muskoka on 08.24.07 7:50 pm
Following Bill’s lead, all recent immigrants to Canada and those Canadians that have ever crossed the border into the US are invited to give Americans a lesson on the Alamo, and how it has affected US/Mexico relations since that time.
Feel free to base any presentation on your own personal self interests, and what you can learn from reading internet postings, having never lived there during critical and historic events, prior to your visits there.
Hello everyone, things are looking good for NL, seeing as the MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) has been reached between the NL Provincial Gov’t and stakeholders in Hebron-Ben Nevis. But ya, it’s too bad Harper han’t kept his promise to “exclude non-renewable resource revenues from the equalization formula”: NL has 11 Billion $’s in debt to pay off and all. Not to mention, we still need to find a way to rebuild the cod fishery,etc..
But anyways, Garth, if Harper makes any comments in public on Hebron and/or the implications of the deal, would you dedicate an article to it on this blog?!
A little brevity for the evening. After the link is made, scroll down a little and hit the play button — diferent view of America.
http://www.htportal.org/reviews-570.html
I found this on CBC website:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/interactives/map-canada-oil/
And here is Quebec’s oil and gas info:
http://www.mrnf.gouv.qc.ca/english/energy/oil-gas/index.jsp
Note, that while Alberta has the largest oil (conventional and crude), Sask and NFLD is quite high.
I was also surprised that Ontario, Manitoba, BC, and Quebec were in the oil and gas business. It’s amazing that this is kept quiet by those who love to bash Alberta.
Scandal Watch: The Return of Sleaze
by Romeo St. Martin
http://www.garth.ca/weblog/2007/08/24/kyoto-redux/#comments
67 candidates involved in Tory ad program: Elections Canada
‘In-And-Out’ Process
Glen McGregor And Tim Naumetz, CanWest News Service
http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/canada/story.html?id=c20b4b2e-824e-4493-a23b-0ad320997190
Back to the economy:
Strong economy funnels cash to Ottawa as surplus more than doubles
OTTAWA (CP) – The federal government is once again awash in cash thanks to a much stronger than expected economy.
The Finance Department says the budget surplus for fiscal 2007-08 will be much higher than projected. In March, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty estimated the surplus would reach $3 billion.
However, the surplus had already reached $6.4 billion in the first three months of the fiscal year, from the beginning of April through the end of June.
That comes despite a 7.6 per cent jump in spending on defence, increased transfers to the provinces and territories, and government operating expenses.
The Finance Department has also revised upward its predictions for economic growth this year to 5.2 per cent from 3.9 per cent.
Oops! See what happens when a government spends money where it’s needed (ie: military)…AND…there are no mysterious brown evelopes involved?
By Dale on 08.24.07 2:50 pm
Agreed. But who would sign a big international accord without a plan. A short and long term plan would have been needed in order to secure Cabinet support for signing the Accord. No PM or government is dumb enough to sign such an international agreement without a plan.
By Marie on 08.24.07 2:54 pm
Marie, I think we need to hit up Dalton and the coal fired power plants he promised to have shut down in Ontario by this year. Now he is saying that he can’t afford to do it, and that it is a federal problem.
I think a worldwide agreement would simply take too long and would end up being just a bunch of hot air. It’s easy, act now with tangible measures.
Now the cons just repackage previous Lib legislation and call it their own. No vision at all!!.
By kpn on 08.24.07 3:35 pm
this was done when Chretien took office after the Mulroney/Campbell years. Your argument here does not hold water…
Do you really think Harper’s cabinet ministers make decisions? Not on your life.
By slg on 08.24.07 5:29 pm
And you know this for a fact how???
You cannot “own†land, and only buy the right to take care of property for the next generation. Show Her some respect.
Grow up.
By maybe Rhino? on 08.24.07 5:43 pm
Excellent post. You hit it right on the head.
A secondary thought on the ownership of land. It is interesting how in some provinces, you think you own a piece of land until something really valuable like Oil or Gas is found underneath it. Then the Gooberment, as Bill likes to call it, troupes out this neat old law which says all those property taxes you paid over the years were only for the top 6 inches. Yes folks, surface rights is all you have. If a company decides it wants to drill on your land, and you refuse, they can make an application to the Gov. to force you to lease them the necessary ground AND access. You get paid what some gov. board decides is appropriate and the company isn’t even responsible for damages caused by salt and such things that they bring up in the drilling process.
So much for land ownership rights. I know it’s different in Alberta, so no need to tell me.
By Old Enough to Remember on 08.24.07 8:28 pm
I lived in Alberta. Saw the mess it was in, and moved to where some work was available, other than flipping burgers. It that was your import?
Note, the articles I cited were written by people who know far more about reality there than you or I.
As to the Alamo, interesting…Are you planning San Antonio North soon?
Maybe the Pink Palace in Edmonton will be the battle ground, eh? The old Bay on Jasper would be even better, near enough the Boardwalk that a brew and snacks can be had by all.
They can transport the supplies on the LRT I am sure.
Oh, and the U.S. has more Mexicans now than when the Alamo was an issue. LOL
By Charles Oxley on 08.24.07 9:35 pm
Pretty much spot on in my book. LMAO!
I especially liked the ones about guys and their cars.
The geniuses are at it again! A $100M plan to ease gridlock in 2 years or less
Although it has no capital budget of its own, the GTTA has approved spending $1.5 million out of its $8 million operating budget to design two Web-based tools it says would improve customer service.
SAY WHAT? I want that contract…a little Java and HTML, a server to put it on and VOILA…I’m a millionaire. Who’s your daddy? Man, does anyone in goobernment have any concept let of what money is?
Have all the percentages and zeros taken their brains into atrophy? Methinks so.
Anyone see RCAF last night? it was a hoot and then some.
The CPC Attack Ads against DION were right at the expected level we have come to know from the bubblegummers at the Death Star.
Oh, and I glimpsed Cathy is all in a tither than Ontario has oil and gas too. Well, sonuvagun. The difference is we are not doing what the Oil Sands are, but that is a technical matter beyond her scope to comprehend. Besides, Alberta deserves to be treated with respect like they treat the other provinces.
That is good news Jordan, is very happy for NFLD, now I suggest they pay of their debt with their royalties not with money transfered to them from the rest of Canada well they use the royalties to increase their social programs and infrastructure to a per capita level higher then the so called have provinces like Ontario.
As to Mr.Dion/Kyoto and believe it or not, I am not slamming the man, I provide this insight from Ms.Stewart
She notes Stéphane Dion was the federal/provincial minister at the time and he was against Kyoto. “When the prime minister only gets crap from everybody, why is he going to be supportive?” asks Stewart. Today, she sighs, Europe is “way ahead of us. Way ahead.” – Northumberland Today
I post that to show that people evolve, their goals and thinking patterns change as time progress and more information is made available. This works on both side of the aisle of the HofC. The crappy part of politics is you make decisions on the information you have on hand, not what is going to be known in six months or a year. Wouldn’t having a crystal ball be wonderful
Flipping back a couple of posts to the Government building sell off, I see an article today referring to the budget surplus and wonder if this is real, then why the sell off?
The budget surplus for fiscal 2007-08 will be much higher than projected, says the Finance Department. In March, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty estimated the surplus would reach $3 billion.
However, the surplus had already doubled that in the three-month period ending in June.
“For the first three months of the 2007-08 fiscal year, the budgetary surplus is estimated at $6.4 billion,” the department said in a statement.
That’s up $0.5 billion from the $5.9 billion surplus reported in the same period last year.
If these figures are accurate, selling assets looks like an accounting manipulation, as is often done in order to represent losses or gains according to the desires of those who are presenting them.
Oh, and the U.S. has more Mexicans now than when the Alamo was an issue. LOL
By Bill-Muskoka on 08.25.07 9:27 am
I often wonder how many illegals there really are in the US. I see estimates of about 12 million, but how do you actually count them?
Here is a link that people from all provinces with an agriculture base should look at and consider. The ramifications of the cheap illegal labor in regards to Ag products should be a sobering thought to many. Couple this with the SPP’s proposed regulatory changes.
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8G6U2KO8&show_article=1
Man, does anyone in goobernment have any concept let of what money is?
Have all the percentages and zeros taken their brains into atrophy? Methinks so.
By Bill-Muskoka on 08.25.07 9:36 am
Bill…i think part of the problem is that governments have open and transparent tendering systems in place for contracts…and industry takes advantage of that by charging a “government” rate which is much higher that the private sector rate.
Until governments smarten up and tell contractors that they are not willing to pay what the contactor is asking for…things will not change…
Dion said in 2006 he wouldn’t be able to meet the Kyoto Targets if he was PM. Now he is saying that the current government must meet them and comply with the 2012 targets.
Dion is a hypocrite and a liar of the first order. And my question for him and Garth is would and could a Liberal Government comply with the 2012 Kyoto targets?
The reason why I ask it here is because from my dealings with Dion, he doesn’t reply or even acknowledge the question when hard questions are asked.
Get you facts straight. He made that comment with regard to 2006, not subsequent years. He was correct. You are not. — Garth
I stand to be corrected Greg but concerning your post, one of the reasons for the sell off was to get out of the building repair building. These building I believe the G&M reported a few months back need massive investment to make them energy efficient and bring them up to modern code. I believe if you read the article on the sale you will find that the new owners are now obligated under the sales contract to do so in order for the longer term rental agreement to remain in effect. The tenants under this agreement must maintain the interior, i.e. they are responsible for moving cubicles around, etc etc , pretty much standard in commercial real estate rentals. I am not making a firm decision on the good or bad on this deal until I can find out more information and some time passes.
Yes, I will correct you. The government claims its RE portfolio in general needs more than $3B in repairs, but these nine bldgs were in good shape. We sold off the best assets we have to the private sector, who clammoured to get them. Now PWGSC has started the process to sell 30 more, several of them being heritage and landmark structures. — Garth
Garth, you being the all knowing, all seeing, is their a section of PWGSC site that list which building needs how much in repairs. Was this information made available during your committee meeting.
Committee testimony. I provided a link days ago — Garth the Omniscient.
Until governments smarten up and tell contractors that they are not willing to pay what the contactor is asking for…things will not change…
By Adam on 08.25.07 10:06 am
Re: By KH on 08.25.07 10:17 am
I think the above poster addressed it quite well. These are some of the core issues why gov. is so inefficient when it comes to maintenance. Any dealings with Gov. are so often seen as a carte blanche invite to wallow in the trough.
They need to approach it like Loblaws do when purchasing, they tell prospective suppliers WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO PAY, not how much will you charge me. You want the deal or not?
Garth, Disregard my comment seeking a link, I have found it. The way it reads to me is the Govt sells the building for 1.3B, and we lease back over the next 25 years at 1.3 and the true profit the new owner gets is the appreciation over that time for the value of the building, but they also in turn pick up the maintaining cost and risk associated with the ownership of the building. Now if the PWGSC web site is correct, I am really wondering what is wrong with this. In simple terms, I sell you my house for 300K, I rent it back for 25 years at 300k but you have to paint it, fix the roof and worry about the plumbing crapping out(excuse the pun), and your up take on this is the market continues to increase in value you get the difference between the 300K and whatever you sell it for in 25 years. It that correct.
It might be a fine deal. Might not. The problem comes when the house is sold and the owner is not given a validated reason why. Trust with this government is a perilous commodity. — Garth
By Greg on 08.25.07 8:59 am
People here in Cottage COuntry have been given a land ownership reality check recently.
New Fee Battle
Those who have 2 storey boat houses have now been sent invoices by the MNR. The lake bed land their little playpens set on is Crown Land, they do not own it, and are being required to either purchase it, or lease it.
Naturally, all the Citiots are in an uproar. How dare they be made to contribute to the area’s natural resources. Don’t these Hicks know who they are? Yeppers, we do, and so does the law, and the Province. We, locally, are upset that the MNR cannot even afford fuel for their vehicles to perform their jobs. We support the fees and if people want to play, then they must pay…we certainly do.
We live here year around, pay taxes, suffer through the winters, and these people think they have a playpen at their disposal, along with all their noisy toys, garbage, trash, and Timmy’s cups. We think otherwise. Add to that the fact that get to vote in elections as property owners, and we tend to feel like second class citizens at the mercy of the Citiots.
We, of course, have our Parachute MP, Two Tier Tony Clement. Yeah right, like he has a brain of his own.
By Adam on 08.25.07 10:06 am
Such a very thing has happened here in the Muskoka. The District government has rejected tenders lately because they were way beyond the engineer’s estimated cost.
I think it came as a shock to some local well-to-do contractors who have made millions at the public trough. It is about time too!
We have ‘Good Old Boys’ here, just like everywhere else.
By Greg on 08.25.07 9:59 am
When they held the Olympics in Atlanta the joke in the U.S. was ‘Mexico has no entrants because everyone who can run, jump, or swim is already here!’ The relaity is, that since slavery was abolished, too many produce farmers would be out of business if it were not for the Migrant workers from Mexico. Likewise, the wealthy would be out of housekeeprs and servants as well.
I remember back in the 1980’s having to prove I was an American Citizen in order to get a job. SAY WHAT! I was absolutely astonished how friggin’ STUPID the goobernment had become. I had to provide my Birth Certificate to prove I was an American. I guess being a Caucasian and speaking fluent English (well I do now after learning real English as a Canadian…LOL), was not obvious to some bureaucrat shuffling papers. They have the English/Spanish problem, we the English/French problem. Go to Miama and try to find a cabbie that speaks English…Good luck! LOL
Have a good day all. I have things to attend to.
By Bill-Muskoka on 08.25.07 9:27 am
I lived in Alberta. Saw the mess it was in, and moved to where some work was available, other than flipping burgers.
Bill, an underemployed man, pounding Jasper Ave in Edmonmton during less prosperous times, does not exactly give one much insight on important political, environmental, Constitutional and economic issues that define Canada.
I don’t know when you came here, but a case in point. You say: “Are you planning San Antonio North soon?”
I’ve heard these same arguments, along with many you put forward on SPP, almost twenty years ago concerning the Canada/US Free Trade election. Unlike now with the internet, I had very active kitchen party debates on these very issues with some strong Saskatchewan NDPers in Toronto. Either you weren’t here during this time, or you weren’t engaged or interested in the political process then.
The wonderful thing about Canada is the ability to move around, chase your dreams, find work where it is available.
These Alberta/Ontario whatever arguments that you like to engage in and foster do nothing for national unity and advance understanding and cooperation.
I sell you my house for 300K, I rent it back for 25 years at 300k but you have to paint it, fix the roof and worry about the plumbing crapping out(excuse the pun), and your up take on this is the market continues to increase in value you get the difference between the 300K and whatever you sell it for in 25 years.
By KH on 08.25.07 11:02 am
Consider though, what they have after 25 yrs, and what you have. They have a well maintained building that has appreciated greatly. You have a mitt full of rent receipts and whatever value you were able to obtain on returns from the original sale price. If this amount was re-invested elsewhere, it may produce results, but apparently the proceeds of the sales are just going into general revenues and will end up who knows where? Maybe things like providing 1 million dollars to a Cricket club, or providing funding for the Outgames. Better still, paying the expenses of Brian Mulroneys in laws while they attended the French Speaking Nations conference in France as part of the Canadian contingent.
Anyone see RCAF last night? it was a hoot and then some.
The CPC Attack Ads against DION were right at the expected level we have come to know from the bubblegummers at the Death Star.
By Bill-Muskoka on 08.25.07 9:42 am
Why don’t you watch something current, that was from ages ago smart ass.
Well, Billy, unlike you, a transplanted American turned Canadian, I am a born and raised Canadian. And I really can’t stand it when people, such as yourselves bash Alberta. Albertans are Canadians. Alberta provides much needed tax funds to the rest of Canada. So I would appreciate if you start up divisive crap to yourself.
From the Far (Right) Side Fla. Televangelist Loses Show After Muslims Complain
n a May 2 broadcast, the televangelist said Islam was a “1,400-year-old lie from the pits of hell” and called the Prophet Mohammed a “murdering pedophile.” He also called the Koran a “book of fables and a book of lies.”
Such a fine example of Christian tolerance this preacher exhibits. Why, I bet he would just love to be Pat Robertson’s personal Sniper for those Robertson declares ‘unfit’?
Oh yeah! This says it like it IS!
Bush speaks on Viet Nam
Anyone who watches Comedy Central’s The Colbert Report knows that it is a thinly veiled satire of Fox News’ “The Reilly Factor” and other far right wing demagoguery.
Canadian comedy, I would suggest, has a strong history in satire.
Perhaps “Garth Turner unedited” needs a similar injection of good old Canadian satire.
Any clever Colbert types out there want to have their go at it?
I was thinking of naming my new character “Muskoka Bigot”.
Maybe one of the doofus characters from the Red Green Show could be a good starting point in developing a character…
Any takers?
(and no, you are not allowed to satirize yourself)
These Alberta/Ontario whatever arguments that you like to engage in and foster do nothing for national unity and advance understanding and cooperation.
By Old Enough to Remember on 08.25.07 11:43 am
Well, Billy, unlike you, a transplanted American turned Canadian, I am a born and raised Canadian. And I really can’t stand it when people, such as yourselves bash Alberta. Albertans are Canadians. Alberta provides much needed tax funds to the rest of Canada. So I would appreciate if you start up divisive crap to yourself.
By Catherine on 08.25.07 12:02 pm
Old enough and Catherine, well said. One hundred percent right on. I take it with a grain of salt knowing where its coming from.
Bill are you feeling like the only Liberal at a Skin Head Rally today?
I see they bandaged their wounds and are back for another trouncing.. No sign of some of them yet, maybe they required surgery. A labotamy should do them a world of good.
Geezus, I see Garth had a blackout of sorts last night. Reminds me of a time back the same thing happened to me back in good old Alberti.
You sees, I was up in Edmonton, hanging out with my buddy from K-Beck (no doubt a K-Mart rip-off) , Tree Rivers Jacks , who says to me – “Musk – I gotta learn you some Canuck culture if you’re gonna survive up here.â€
Then Tree Rivers says “Let’s go fishin. I‘ve got poles, and a canoe .†“Sure things I say.†So Tree Rivers grabs the gear, and as we’re heading out , he stops and says. “Hold it. I forgot the bra door.†Funny custom these Canadians have, I think to myself, they use doors to hang underwear. I didn’t even know Tree Rivers had a wife.
Next thing we arrive at Tree Rivers favourite fishing hole. “You call this a lake?†I says. “Hell, back in Texas we have backyard swimming pools that are larger.â€
Tree Rivers then says, “Tabernac, the mosquitoes are bad today. Better slap some of this on.” “Huh?†I reply. Then I looks at that bottle. Damn these Canadians sure are polite folks. Made up a special brew for me – and labelled it Musk’s Oil. If truth be told, it does taste a little bitter at first, kinda like the first time when I had some ‘shine back in North Carolina.
We paddle out for a bit, cast the lines, and then Tree Rivers hands me this funny looking stubby bottle and says “Musk, wash down the oil with this. It’s imported. Strong stuff – only available in K-Beckâ€. Hell, it sure weren’t no Budweiser.
So, we cast a few times, and I’m getting a bit dizzy as Tree Rivers hands me a second bottle. “So, how do you define a Canadian ?†I ask him.
Well, Tree Rivers tells me, there’s this old guy, Pierre Berton who once said “A true Canadian is one who can make love in a canoe without tippingâ€.
Now I’m getting nervous. I’ve heard about these Frenchies being great lovers. And I’ve heard about this Pierre guy dating Barbara Streisand, and all these other women while being Prime Minister.
I looks suspiciously over at Tree Rivers, and he‘s busy away baiting his hook with a worm, thinking nothing much, trying to catch some small fry so we can eventually go after the big lunkers. I takes another swig from the bottle, place the half full stubby down and announces “Hell, back in the good old USA we could do better than that. I can piss off of a canoe standing up.â€
So, I staggers to my feet, Tree Rivers desperately steadies the canoe, and I pull out, what I used to call the “Family jewelsâ€. And that’s when the blackout occurred.
Back on shore, Tree Rivers slaps my face with the paddle a few times to make me come to.
“What happened?†I ask.
“Well, let me tell ya, Musk, you got the night crawler initiation. Them poor minnies got confused when they saw me baiting, and you pissin‘. I guess they weren’t as hungry as I thought and went for the smaller package.â€
Good old Tree Rivers Jacks. Wonder where he is today.
- Muskoka Bigot
Bill are you feeling like the only Liberal at a Skin Head Rally today?
I see they bandaged their wounds and are back for another trouncing.. No sign of some of them yet, maybe they required surgery. A labotamy should do them a world of good.
By Greg on 08.25.07 2:28 pm
More like a Pinata at a KKK or Neo-Nazi meeting, but then, I bear great gifts when struck!
Yes, their First Aide Kit needs some replenishing, but darn, you know when I was a kid I learned a really nifty lesson from my older brother. Seems there was this hornet’s nest on the garage, and he, being the older one, was assigned the task of painting the garage.
Well, those nasty old hornets thought the garage was theirs to control. He got stung, and then pissed. He took a broom, wrapped a turpentine soaked rag around the end, lit it up, and went to burn the hornet’s nest. That REALLY PISSED them off. But, it pissed him off even more. He then went in and got the Old man’s 12 gauge shotgun (a rather unique one designed for shooting out of Bi-planes during WWI), and BLASTED the hornet’s nest into gazillion pieces, along with the hornets.
Now, although he thought he had won the battle, he overlooked one very important point…The Old Man’s BRAND NEW car was inside the garage, and now it had no passenger side windows, thanks to my brother the Buckeroo. When the Old Man found out the hornet stings was very minor compared to what his arse felt.
Moral, when you are surrounded by nasty, inate behaviour, bothersome little bugs, leave them alone. if you chose to act, think it through very carefully, because you may cause more problems than the nasties do. The other approach is to wait for night to come, when they are all safely tucked inside, and then burn the living Hell out of them.
Today we simply apply RAID! Hey, it is still a lot of fun to stir up the hornet’s nest, as long as you know what you are doing, and they don’t.
“A true Canadian is one who can make love in a canoe without tippingâ€.
Old Enough to Remember on 08.25.07 3:25 pm
Well, there you go talking about American beer. We all know what love in a canoe is, and that pretty much sums up that stuff they call beer down there. Nice story, thanks for taking the time to type it all.
Now, when I lived in Edmonton, I thought ‘Wow, what a beautiful city…how the heck did they let it go so far down?’ when I moved to Ontario, I looked at Toronto and said ‘Wow, what a FILTHY city, how could Canadians let it get this ugly?’ I lived in Ottawa, and thought…What a beautiful city, too bad the people are so afraid because they all work for the government, and why are Parliament Hill’s buildings so filthy? Yet, inside they are truly magnificient? That would have been back just befoe we all jumped into this current millenium.
Yeppersm Albertans are Canadians, or some are. The ones that go Nananana to the East are just Albertans to me. That is my sole point. Want some? Give some! But, then I actually do know what texans are like, and whne I hear and see that behaviour here it saddens me greatly. We are better than that. Now, do recommend the Red worms or the crawlers? I hear we aren’t supposed to use minnows unless they are purchased locally. Kind of like our MP…ain’t local, and has been an environmental danger in the waiting.
Greg,
Maybe we need to break out the Duct Tape, eh? Seems we, along with Garth, could have one heck of a lot of fun with such a project?
By Bill-Muskoka on 08.25.07 4:24 pm
when I moved to Ontario, I looked at Toronto and said ‘Wow, what a FILTHY city, how could Canadians let it get this ugly?’
See Bill, this is why I suggested you need some sensitivity training or ability to look at this from a different person’s perspective.
I too have lived in the three cities you mention at various stages in my life.
Out of the three you mention, Toronto is the largest, and most diverse. It is where most of Canada’s immigrants arrive, and live today.
Many of my Chinese friends from mainland China feel it’s a wonderful place.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
(and I could say more based upon other comments of your’s elsewhere on related issues, but I won’t. Others will know what I’m referring to)
By Old Enough to Remember on 08.25.07 5:01 pm
Ah, the old PC route, eh? Maybe you need some honesty training…Ya think?
Anyway, you think what you want, and I will think what I want. Isn’t freedom a wonderful thing?
Everyone have a pleasant evening. I am off to read and watch some DVD’s with my loving wife.
Garth wrote.
>Get you facts straight. He made that >comment with regard to 2006, not >subsequent years.
I said he made the comment in 2006. Are you saying that in 2006 he could meet the 2012 targets?
> He was correct. You are not. — Garth
Sorry I don’t take your word for it and just because you say I am wrong doesn’t mean it is true by any stetch of the imagination. Cite you facts and prove it!!
I will provide the article again where he admitted that he couldn’t meet the targets to prove that I am not wrong as you allege. I did it before in another traed and can do so again.
Garth, If Dion couldn’t meet the 2012 targets in 2006 How in the hell can he make them in 2007? What has changed? According to Dion things have gotten worse since then. Unfortuantely, Dion has the habit of saying what the public wants to hear and doesn’t back those comments by also stating how he is going to accomplish those targets. So, once again I wll ask the question which you failed to answer.
Will Dion and the Liberal party be able to meet the 2012 Kyoto targets if they were the governmnet? Also if yes, then how are they going to accomplish that?
Finally,You normal sarcastic reply is not necessary. Just straight and honest answer will do, Thank you very much.
I guess if Mr. Dion were PM, this comment would be relevant. But he’s not. Mr. Harper is, so let’s discuss his record. — Garth
- Muskoka Bigot
By Old Enough to Remember on 08.25.07 3:25 pm
A piece of advice. Don’t leave your day job.
Any takers?
(and no, you are not allowed to satirize yourself)
By Old Enough to Remember on 08.25.07 1:21 pm
Is this what you had in mind?
Old Enough I am I am
I am an old Tory man
My jowls are long
My howls go on
I must be heard
And like a turd
I leave a skid mark
It’s no lark
Can be seen in the dark
Old Enough I am I am
I’m old and mean
Like machine
My parts are dusty
Mind is rusty
I shriek so shrill
Should take a pill
My doctor says can’t fix me
I am you know like bumble bee
I float and flutter
Mind in clutter
Flew in spigot
There found bigot
Him not same as me you see
Different color, he ain’t yeller
Old Enough I am I am
Just an old flim flam man
They say bad things, about me
Can’t leave chair to take a pee
Must be there, to be fair
Then I check my underwear
I huff and puff
And think I’m tough
My tongue is rough
It flaps around
Noise abounds
I don’t hear car
It’s not far
Now I am, part of Tar.
By Bill-Muskoka on 08.25.07 4:24 pm
“Well, there you go talking about American beer.”
Actually Bill, it was a bit more subtle than that. That’s why you didn’t get the connection, you didn’t grow up here, and you lack a full understanding of Canadian culture.
When Muskoka Bigot said:
“Hold it. I forgot the bra door.†Funny custom these Canadians have, I think to myself, they use doors to hang underwear. I didn’t even know Tree Rivers had a wife.
What he was referring to was a “golden arm” (a translation of the french “bras (arm) d’or (of gold)”. Now you know where “La bra dor” comes from). Scroll down this blog entry to “Memories” for this anecdote:
http://www.cangames.ca/newlook/glory/1979.html
Sometime during the convention, Gary Gygax told attendees that the first one to bring him a “golden arm” would receive a signed first edition copy of his D&D book. One entreprising young gamer boarded his car, drove to Hull and bought a case of Brador Beer. In those days, Brador had a reputation all over North America for it’s high alcohol content, but was only available in Quebec. The young gamer still attends CanGames and still has his signed first edition copy of D&D.
For others, a nostalgic pic of a Brador stubby, see this E-Bay pic:
http://cgi.ebay.com/malt-liquor-molson-brador-canadian-stubby_W0QQitemZ280146325755QQihZ018QQcategoryZ563QQcmdZViewItem#ebayphotohosting
Good attempt at Spin Garth but no cigar. Since you didn’t answer my question. I can only conclude that No, Dion and the Liberals could not meet the 2012 Kyoto targets just as he said in 2006. btw, The link follows to what he said. http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=b04fc1ea-e90f-4160-a571-499c6bbc64aa
Now what has changed since he said he couldn’t meet the 2012 targets? Contrary to what you said ,that my friend is very revelant in case you didn’t notice and it has nothing to do with Dion being the PM at the moment but he aspires. So why don’t you answer it. Or is it what some are saying that the Liberals don’t have a plan.
Btw,Your continued stonewalling about answering the question only confirms that Dion and the Liberals indeed do not have a plan so my advice to you is answer the question.
I now you likely won’t beacuse since when has any politician took advice from a voter and that includes all parties and their party leaders including Dion and Harper and the others.
Actually, I have no idea what the answer is. Ask Stepahne Dion. I’m far more interested in what the current government will do about it. Aren’t you? — Garth
>Mr. Harper is, so let’s discuss his >record. — Garth
Actually, Harper’s record on the environment has been excellent when compared to Liberal governments and even with Dion as the Environment Minister. Sorry Garth we can only judge Dion’s environment record on what he did as minister regardless what he has promised. After all we must take what politicians say with a grain of salt because most of the time they are only lies. Oh sorry, I forgot you prefer rhetoric.
By Greg on 08.25.07 7:09 pm
Hey, not bad. Made me chuckle. It’s the kind of verse worth remembering – just susbstitute the name of the person you target it against (and btw, that 3rd verse needs a bit of work).
But, you forgot the last verse.
I wrote the verse, my name is Greg
spent my years emptying out the keg,
One day Green, Next day Lib,
Tough for all to keep the fib,
Bill’s my bud, so is Rob,
Time to shit? So, where’s the cob?
Hominem is my favourite ruse,
Different opinion? Here comes abuse.
Now I’ve learned to bunker down,
Create concensus? There are no bounds.
As for the oil sands, the carbon tax that Dion proposes is just another way to collect more taxes from Albertan resources for the benefit of Eastern Canada and particularily Quebec,
Actually our Alberta based company is buying offset credits from Alberta farmers and selling them to the 100 Alberta regulated emitters and this is scientifically proven to improve the environment and reduce CO2 emissions by 35% right here in Alberta. We have the first commercial climate change program in northamerica and recently Lloyds of London have agreed to underwrite our program and the deals we do to help the Alberta regulated emitters meet their compliance targets under Alberta’s Climate Change Act proclaimed here on March 3,2007. BTW it is first jurisdiction in North America to legislate mandatory targets for companies that emit more than 100,000 tonnes of CO2 per annum.Ya it’s intensity based but it’s more than anybody else is or has done.
So in my view Alberta is also providing a solution not just allowing companies to emit. No credits from anywhere else but Alberta are allowed to be sold here in Alberta so the farmers of Alberta can now benefit from a new value added revenue opportunity while significantly improving the environment.
Mr Garth TurnerMP,
For anyone out there that would like to learn more about Global (heating),
and I hope you are critical thinkers,
here are two book to read,
KICKING THE CARBON HABIT, Global Warming and the Case for Renewable and Nuclear Energy. By WILLIAM SWEET
http://www.columbia.edu/cu/cup/catalog/data/023113/0231137109.HTM
and
The WEATHER MAKERS, by Tim Flannery
How we are changing the climate and what it means for life on earth.
http://www.harpercollins.ca/global_scripts/product_catalog/book_xml.asp?isbn=0002008319
For info. on Canada’s Nuclear power go to http://www.aecl.ca/
From the Far (Right) Side Fla. Televangelist Loses Show After Muslims Complain
n a May 2 broadcast, the televangelist said Islam was a “1,400-year-old lie from the pits of hell†and called the Prophet Mohammed a “murdering pedophile.†He also called the Koran a “book of fables and a book of lies.â€
Such a fine example of Christian tolerance this preacher exhibits. Why, I bet he would just love to be Pat Robertson’s personal Sniper for those Robertson declares ‘unfit’?
By Bill-Muskoka on 08.25.07 12:05 pm
So Billy, is this preacher advocating that his young strap on bombs and go blow themselves up in workplaces or residences where this preacher’s “infidels” work or reside?
If so, then this preacher is no different than the islamic terrorist clerics we hear from Hezbollah, Hamas, Iran, even in Britain and Canada.
And Billy, please provide us the link to this news story or at least the transcript…. thanks darling.
I guess if Mr. Dion were PM, this comment would be relevant. But he’s not. Mr. Harper is, so let’s discuss his record. — Garth
By Van on 08.25.07 6:30 pm
Well, your leader, Stephane Dion, sat in Cabinet during the Liberal administration, while they were discussing the Kyoto protocol. Surely, if he was a committed environmentalist, he should have spoken out during those many years. He didn’t and the Liberals didn’t put any policies in place to lower the GHG. That’s Mr. Dion’s record.
Van is living in fantasy land! Harper’s environmental record has been ‘excellent’? Other than cancel all of the Liberal initiatives that were put in place before the last election, then re-label them as his own, and re-launch them with less funding, what has Harper done? The answer is nothing! He had two attempts at a climate change/environmental policy and both times he failed miserably. With Dion as environment minister the Libs were finally making some progress…under Harper the country has been going backwards from these first meaningful baby steps. Let’s all remember that until the environment became a hot political issue Harper was in denial that the issue even existed. Van…your posting is nothing but rhetoric and fantasy.
To illustrate just how bad and feeble Harper’s environmental attempts have been…consider the fact that even the right-wing C.D. Howe Institute criticized the Harper environmental plan.
By Old Enough to Remember on 08.25.07 10:30 pm
“Different opinion? Here comes abuse.”
Definition of Hypocrite, google it..
There’s that plagiarism again. Such a poor effort.
I expect most of the subtleties flew straight over, but I don’t feel the need to explain, in long and boring detail.
I’m Old Enough I am I am
Just an old Flim Flam Man
Egocentric I will be
Void of class fits to tee
I march and march, live long day
There are those, who would say
My words sound fine, just to me
Then again, have brain of flea.
Don’t read so good, as I am old
Still do try to be bold
If has no label, seems like fable
Today I huff, tomorrow puff
Surely this should be enough
I don’t like that old Greenberal Man
He makes me sound like a sham
He calls me Hoople
Can’t fool poople
They know I am a Flim Flam Man
Now remember to take your med’s, you will feel much better in the morning dear.
P.S. The above took me 5 mins, how long did you work on your corn pone?
Tom,
I am beginning to think you may have a reading comprehension problem. What I actually said is that WHEN compared to the Liberal record Harper’s record is excellent. Most rational people will agree that the Liberals actually did next to nothing while in Government about Climate change or even Kyoto. So it stands to reason that it wouldn’t take very much to beat the Liberal record even with Dion as Environmental Minister
Obviously you have forgotten the “WE DIDN’T GET IT DONE” comment during the Liberal Leadership Convention. However, since you stated that with Dion as Environment Office the Liberals were finally made progress. Care to elaborate please because according to the experts Dion and Liberals record was atrocious, with our green house gases increasing even more than the USA.
Having worked on this Alberta Carbon offset program for the last 5 years I can tell you that Mr. Dion had a Liberal Carbon Offset Program ready to start in January of 2006 and had even commited 2 billion dollars in the budget for the development of a domestic offset trading system complete with an arms length Crown Corporation.
I was at the consultation meeting in Calgary in the fall of 20o5 and had Paul Martin and the Liberals won that election we would be leading the world on Climate Change mitigation strategies.
We would not be waiting for the U.S. Congress to take the lead and tell us what to do on the environment.
And Billy, please provide us the link to this news story or at least the transcript…. thanks darling.
By Catherine on 08.26.07 4:19 am
Actually I did, but the HTMLwas in error. Fla. Televangelist Loses Show After Muslims Complain
As to your divertive excusing of the man’s errors, those questions you must answer for yourself.
By Old Enough to Remember on 08.25.07 8:52 pm
Thanks you for sharing, and clarifying that bit of Canadian trivia. Whereas we are both old enough to remember many things, some of which we do not wish to, I am sure that such trivia is fascinating, and yet not common to all. That is what makes each of us unique…life experiences and memories.
My goal has been, all along to attempt to say we are also one as a nation. When someone starts with the UP YOURS…I find it is not for the betterment of the nation as a whole.
Like the bumber sticker I saw on a rather old, beat up pickup truck this morning at the Tim’s Drive Thru ‘Farmers Feed the Cities’. They do indeed. Each of us is very reliant on others, and we are far stronger, and more secure individually as a village, working together, than as the Rambo brained narcissist.
The old wounds need to be caste aside, because we are now faced with a more common enemy…Globalism and the belief that national boundaries, cultures, and sovereignty should be replaced by some Big Brother benevolent group of undisclosed power perverts.
As to Alberta, my only real complaint has been, and shall continue to be the whiney, separatist attitude I see too many portray. Likewise, I do not believe, and never have, that Toronto is the so-called ‘Centre of the Universe’. While I admire many things baout the city, it is not its materialism that I find intriguing, but rather the people.
I hold to a rather archaic concept that Canada, derived from the word ‘Kanata’ still refers to a ‘Village’, wherein we are all bound together in an indiivisable chain of mutual support, and common concern for each other. We are a nation, and as such must address our national needs first before worrying about the global consumerism that has overtaken this western world. We have lost something very precious I fear, our humanity, and our humility before God, and each other.
The basis for dealing with such a matter spans the fullest of philosophical spectrums from the satire, to the gentlest of methodologies.
I reject the materialistic belief that my quality of life depends on what I control, possess, and or can acquire. My quality of life certainly includes material necessitities, but I believe we each need to re-assess what those true necessities are?
While we have disagreed, I am finding you reaching out in friendship, and with a heretofore undisclosed decency that befits someone truly old enough to remember, and with that comes wise enough to know better.
I may be in error, but then that relieves me of the burden of seeking truth and leaves it in your hands, as well as the results.
As a wise man once said Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. Matthew 12:25
When I look at the marvelous gifts of natural resouces we, as a nation, have been granted, and then reflect that those same resources were once available to the United States, but alas they consumed with ceaseless glutony until, and squndered the gifts, now, they are slaves to foreign lands, I shudder that we would take the same course. Will we sell our very soul and future for a momentary flash of prosperity, or wisely manage those resources? Will we be the nation where the people of the world have a place to truly prosper and live in harmony and peace, or follow like brainless morons the course of our southern neighbors? The decision is ours to make, and the consequences are our’s to bear.
As the old Knight said ‘Choose wisely!’ Rumi said If you are irritated by every rub, how will you be polished? which reflects perfectly that which is within, not without, for no one can see through a rough stone, thus If one man would conquer in battle a thousand times a thousand
men, and if another man would conquer himself-the latter is the greater conqueror. Siddhartha Guatama (The Buddha)
I will not be making many comments over the next few days due to other responsibilities, but will try to keep up on the refelctions of the more poignant commenters. Have a good day today, and tomorrow.
I was at the consultation meeting in Calgary in the fall of 20o5 and had Paul Martin and the Liberals won that election we would be leading the world on Climate Change mitigation strategies.
We would not be waiting for the U.S. Congress to take the lead and tell us what to do on the environment.
By Calberta on 08.26.07 11:39 am
If, if, if the fox hadn’t stopped to s..t he would have caught the rabbit. Get real and take this nutty professor off the pedestal. They just never got it done and that is a fact.
Pass the mashed potatoes.
And the blame.
When you’re flying over southern Ontario, it doesn’t take a genious to realize just how little atmosphere we got.
I have a few more detailed suggestions for Southern Ontario.
We have lost something very precious I fear, our humanity, and our humility before God, and each other.
By Bill-Muskoka on 08.26.07 12:43 pm
Unfortunately, this is not a new thing and has been with us a very long time. Difference being we have access to so much more information and education that should at the very least, understand the beast, and where our efforts need be applied.
As a younger man, and in one of my reflective moments, I pondered a new revelation of awareness;
Some people grow old and wise, many others merely grow old.
You said, “I reject the materialistic belief that my quality of life depends on what I control, possess, and or can acquire. My quality of life certainly includes material necessitities, but I believe we each need to re-assess what those true necessities are?”
“Will we sell our very soul and future for a momentary flash of prosperity, or wisely manage those resources”
The simple wisdom of the story of the tortoise and the hare.
In Voltaire’s Bastard he places us in the final stages of an Age of Reason where rationality has (inevitably) degenerated at the hands of value-free technocratic elites into a brutal and inhuman global system of consumption and exploitation.
Albert Einstein said, “Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complicated, and more violent. It takes a lot of courage… and a touch of brilliance to move things in the other direction.”
Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belabouring those problems which divide us.
Let both sides unite to heed in all corners of the earth the command of Isaiah – to “undo the heavy burdens -. and to let the oppressed go free.”
Now the trumpet summons us again – not as a call to bear arms, though arms we need; not as a call to battle, though embattled we are – but a call to bear the burden of a long twilight struggle, year in and year out, “rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation” – a struggle against the common enemies of man: tyranny, poverty, disease, and war itself.
Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country..
John F. Kennedy
http://www.famousquotes.me.uk/speeches/John_F_Kennedy/5.htm
Garth wrote.
>Actually, I have no idea what the answer >is. Ask Stepahne Dion.
Well at least you admit you have no idea what the Liberal policy on meeting the targets are. And, asking Dion is a lost cause because he doesn’t even acknowledge my emails or his handlers won’t allow him to. Remember Vimy, Garth?
Guess he’s a quick learner. — Garth
Myron:
I’m at our cottage now and don’t have it with me but I downloaded Dion’s plans for combatting climate change. When I get home I’ll look it up again but you are mistaken in saying he wants to charge a carbon “tax” which would then be used for other things etc. He specifically states that it would not be a tax but would be a charge which would be paid to an independent body to hold. If and when the payee lowered their emissions to the levels specified, they could get that payment back but if they did not reduce emissions, that money would go to projects predetermined by gov’t. to fight climate change.
In eighteen months, Dion did a lot of work on the climate change file. He wrote a very comprehensive plan after much consultation as well as arranging the international climate change conference in Montreal where he got an agreement among the nations.
In the eighteen months, a number of his plans were or were in the process of being implemented but when the CPC’s won the election they cut these programs and then brought in similar, weakened programs with different names to replace them. He said he didn’t expect to meet the goals of Kyoto but the protocol was the agreement that should be embraced by the international community. I think he meant that we need to work toward the same goal by co-operating with each other. By lessening their emissions. companies could avoid paying for carbon credits. This would be to their advantage because it would improve their bottom line and would also be an incentive to use new emerging technologies to cut emissions.
When the CPC’s criticize Dion for not doing more on climate change when he was a member of cabinet, I think he didn’t get more done for the same reason John Baird has gotten even much less done. He wasn’t the P.M.!
Gee, there seems to be so many angry conservatives carrying rocks. Your faces are already masked due to technology and the internet so you will never have to expose yourself like that Skeena Slinky did in her public tax payers office; so, what’s your problem anyways?
Do you feel slighted or something?
Thanks Garth for paraphrasing and mirroring the new canadian governments agenda.
Damn rights it’s scary.
Nude conservatives being promoted. Where is Baird and Kenny’s nude pictures. This would be so cool to see their asses.
Marc:
You do realize that the world turns and eventually we all are subjected to the same environment don’t you? The sea and air currents effect us all in the long run.
Also, what kind of propaganda do they feed you in Alberta? People in the east don’t have it in for Albertans but they are concerned about climate change and your own Prof. Schindler is concerned about your water being sacrificed to the oil sands. Actually, Ontario was a have province before Alberta was and I honestly felt provinces were all for one Canada and Canada for all provinces. I believe that is the way it should be. In fact, when I went to school in Alberta for a year, I thought there were some very fine Albertans and that they were very hospitable. I believe most still are.
Hope you read this too, Van.
Garth wrote.
>Guess he’s a quick learner. — Garth
What a stupid thing to say from a elected MP but I expect as much from you Garth..From your comments it appears that Dion will only reply to known supporters and he wants to be our next PM. All I can say to that Garth is that you both are idiots if he acts as you do.
Not from Alberta Pat so I am not sure why you want me to read your post. But I did just the same.
Sorry Van, I guess it was my previous post I hoped you’d read but since you got this far, I guess you read it. Calberta had a good post. I hope you read it. I am believing you are sincere in wanting information. I did see and hear Stephane Dion earlier this year and my husband and I were impressed with his seriousness as well as a gentle humour. I guess he could stand up for himself too when necessary.
We thought he was a refreshing change from those whose only angle was a thirst for power and winning gains for only the wealthy. He seemed to have an honest interest in working for the greater good .
I know Mr. Harper believes in small government and low taxes. He believes any social programs should be under provincial jurisdiction but health care ,to be universal and to have some uniformity and standards and to stay mostly publicly paid for and delivered, (proven to be cheaper and better), the federal government needs to enforce the Canada Health Act. Because of his ideology, I don’t believe he will do this if he gets a majority.
My values, as a Canadian, tell me I don’t want anyone who is ill or in an accident etc. etc. to be unable to get good care because they haven’t got enough money. I think if we share the risk of health problems, no one will lose their home or their life savings as they do sometimes south of the border.
My dad was a country doctor and he used to take me on some of his calls to show me how many were having a tough time coping. He used to take produce and poultry in part payment of quite a number of patients’ bills. He used to say that these people were the salt of the earth. City people who have lost their jobs or who are working two part-time jobs are in the same boat. Middle-income people also can be seriously impacted by sudden illness as well. No one should make big profits on the back of the suffering of others. This is when people need a hand up so they have a more even playing field.
I think we need a strong federal government to bring about a strong answer to climate change too. If the provinces all go their separate ways , our efforts will be weaker, don’t you think?
Anyway, I hope you think about these things when you are deciding what you really want for Canada.
Thanks for reading this.
What we need is a serious reality check. There are some things that the Provinces should be responsible for and administrate, but when a matter crosses the provincial borders then that is the realm of the federal government.
We are still a country last time I checked? That requires actual, informed, altruistic leadership, which we simply do not currently have.
You comments are very valid Bill but the problem we have had in the past is that successive federal governments have been interfering in areas of provincial jurisdiction.
By van on 08.29.07 8:08 pm
And those would be?