On Thursday the prime minister travelled to a mill in New Brunswick and announced a Community Development Trust. The aim: to help forestry workers and others in one-mill towns cope with economic disaster. They’re facing the twin evils of a too-high Canadian dollar and a decimated US real estate market which has crashed new home construction.
This was a good announcement. The $1 billion is desperately needed by tens of thousands of people in communities in the Atlantic, Quebec, northern Ontario and BC whose work has been ripped from them. Mills have closed and families have been seriously hurt.
The collateral damage from the American housing melt was bad enough, but the romp higher by our currency just finished these folks off. As I have been saying here for months, our minister of finance has to shoulder blame for making the situation worse. He overspent on federal budgets, fuelling inflation, causing a tightening in interest rates which attracted the currency market sharks and goosed the loonie. Then he traveled the country and the world talking up ‘our strong dollar’ giving every indication the Canadian government supported it, attracting yet more capital. And he refused to admit any of the damage this was causing – to carmakers, tourism, retailing or the resource sector – until after his autumn economic update, its Pollyanna forecast and its tax goodies.
Then, scant weeks later, he and his boss are warning darkly of tough economic times and the tide of bad news set to wash in from our southern flank. So, politics as usual. People have been hurting for months, and were left hanging. The dollar’s outrageous 28% increase and the hundreds of thousands of jobs it wiped away, has not been addressed. It is, after all, as easy for a finance minister to talk a currency down, as it is to talk it up.
Now that Parliament is about to resume sitting in two weeks, and on the eve of his first-ever meeting with provincial premiers, Mr. Harper finally does something. Well, almost.
I said it was a good announcement. Dozens of towns and scores of families sure as hell need the money. But it won’t do anything to fix the structural problems which have caused this. It won’t help the auto guys or the tourism operators or the struggling book publishers or retailers who the finance minister accused of gouging. This aid amounts to two hundred bucks per manufacturing worker who has lost his or her job in the last few months.
But that’s not the real tragedy in this.
Mr. Harper, late to aid those whose lives his government has made more difficult, who need help immediately, says no money will flow unless his next budget passes. Ever the politician first, the leader second. He knows the economy is worsening. He knows he’s done nothing to prepare. He knows his political chances will sink as the jobless swell.
So he makes his help to others conditional upon helping himself. Very Christian.
Did you expect this of Stephen Harper?
112 comments ↓
Harper the philanthropist:: $1 billion more for laid off workers, $35 billion less for hard working Canadians/retirees
Harper seems oblivious to the reality that his income trust tax is costing an ongoing loss of $1.4 billion in ANNUAL taxes to Ottawa. In Flaherty speak that would be $7.0 billion because he always multiplies tax effects by five years. If Harper considers that tax loss to be chump change, then this $1 billion one time contribution that he announced today for The Community Development Trust Fund is even more so……by a factor of 35, or 7 depending on whether you are an income trust investor or just a taxpayer, which by the way all income trust investors are:
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/politics/story.html?id=d92a8bc5-0091-40bc-99e7-325f5fdf1c6b&k=88172
Sadly, yes that is what I have come to expect.”NOT A LEADER”!
Hmmm…
The Liberals have promised to fund several multi-billion dollar spending projects. What about that suggests they’d reduce spending?
You may not be aware that various other currencies are also gainging in value against the U.S. dollar. The issue is more about the decline in the U.S. dollar, as you know, than the ascendency of the Canadian dollar.
You should detail exactly what the Liberals, not Garth, are prepared to do to resolve the problems you keep reminding us of.
And, finally, you do know that the Liberals have also come out against a carbon tax, right? As a member of the Liberal Caucus you’ve gotta know that. What gives?
Harper is simply playing politics here–pure and simple. Sure, once again, tie it to the budget to try to force yes votes. Conniving SOB. It looks to me like it’s time to call his hand.
Here in Miramichi, NB, close to a thousand jobs have been lost in the mills in the past few months–more than that when you consider the spin-offs. Those mills are closed forever; the foreign-owned companies won’t re-open them–and they refuse to sell them as they don’t want the competition. I’m not clear on how these dollars are to be spent, but I’m not convinced they will save our community.
I don’t think your figure of $200 per worker is accurate, though, Garth. If I divide $1B by $200, I get 5M. I can’t imagine that 5M manufacturing jobs have been lost in the last few months. Should that be $2000 per worker and 5 hundred thousand lost jobs? Not that that situation is a whole lot better.
I watched Rex Murphy on the National tonight. Wow. He is now telling it like it is regarding Harper and Dion. If you missed it, the video will be available on Friday at
http://www.cbc.ca/national/blog/video/rex_murphy/the_outsider.html
Canadian Bankers Association now calling for bank mergers….good grief…..why am I not surprised?
Globe: No-merger rule ‘out of step,’ bank group says
Sure why not strike when the iron is hot………Harper is in the business of wrecking the country….he takes all his marching orders from the bank dominated CCCE. This has got ot be good for Manulife and Power Corp who can parlay this to their benefit. Let’s have bank mergers followed by massive layoffs in a field of high paying jobs, with high multiplier effects. That way it’s easier for Goldman Sachs and Wall Street to fill the newly created void. Do you suppose Mark Carney is supportive? He’s a newly minted banker now. Hey, let’s consolidate more risk in to the hands of fewer institutions , that way CIBC can bring the economy to the brink instead of just themselves every five years or so along with the virtues of less competition and less need for innovation.
Here’s a novel thought. If we’ve had five maor banks for the past 30 plus years, and the country has grown by 50% over that time, why do we need fewer banks going forward? Doesn’t compute. Meanwhile how do Canadians possibly benefit from the argument for banl mergers, that they need to be able to expand internationally? What does that do for the Canadian back on the farm, apart from expose our Canadian banking system to the ways of international banking. Subprime mortgage lending anyone? Enron opff balance sheet lending anyone? Has anyone ever heard of the concept of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it?”.
Soon Flaherty’s work will all be done. Meanwhile Canada will have gone down the drain. Here’s an idea. Why don’t the banks dividend out their excess earnings to shareholders who can reinvest it in our own country in the manner they think best serves their needs? Oh yeah, they’re only the owners and not the omnipotent managers.
No-merger rule ‘out of step,’ bank group says
STEVEN CHASE
Globe and Mail Update
January 10, 2008 at 9:47 PM EST
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080110.wrmerger0110/BNStory/Business/
This guy needs to go.
Alberta has one industry towns hurting too, Garth. We have been hearing from governments at all levels that all regions have to diversify. For example, Grande Cache was virtually wiped out when the mines closed a few years ago. So, the town then advertised itself as tourist destination and a mecca for retirees – nice little low cost community in the mountains, etc.
It began to boom with this new industry including new resorts opening up and private sector stepping in to create viable businesses.
Then the mines reopened and voila – Grande Cache is now a thriving DIVERSIFIED community. It took hitting bottom to kick start innovation.
There are many manufacturing plants and industries that are NEVER AGAIN going to be viable. We have farmed out too much off shore – our autos are inefficient and expensive. Instead of propping up redundant companies don’t you think it is time for diversification and innovation?
Isn’t that what the new fund is for?
Did you expect this of Stephen Harper?
Yes and I’m not surprised Canadians just gave him another ringing endorsement in recent poll numbers…. CPC up 7%……well done Stephen!
This is an odd program.
It gives each province $10 million, each territory $3 million and then distributes the rest on a per capital basis. The money is not distributed on the basis of need but through a rather arbitrary scheme. It is also spread over three years.
A province with a booming economy stands to get more from the program than a province that has many struggling communities. In fact, according to the press release much of the money will go to things like research and development, studies of an industry’s competitive position in world markets, and other programs that will not directly benefit those who have lost their jobs at least in the short term.
It seems to be a poorly designed program and is dependent on the next budget passing.
It almost appears to be a desperate move by the government to stay in power more than an economic program.
Garth as I have said before we are doomed until all political parties develope long term 25 year plans so voters have real choice in how they want to go. This new method of living by the latest sound byte and reacting to the latest poll is like all of us getting on an airoplane and hoping we have enough fuel to land wherever the flight crew finally decides is the secret destination.
SO Harper dumps 14.4 billion on the dbt…and now has the nerve to say that the 1 billion is contingent on passing his budget??? Are these people crazy?? Look, pick whatever side you want, but as a governmen, their job is to help the people first, thats it…So if 1 billion is going to help, give it…I mean, Harper had no problem throwing 20 billion extra at the military, so whats 1 billion for helping Canadian families in need…
Yeah we expected it. What about food costs going up 20% soon and then another 20% immediately after? Food/Heat/Gas? Google
I agree with all Garth has to say on this post. There should be no strings on financial aid to help communities with lost jobs. I can see the strategy that the CPC is using doing this, but the way about it is wrong. Dangling carrots is not right by any party. The CPC is far from the only party to do this however. Liberals calling elections shortly after opposition party leader conventions are similar in self serving party first tactics. I am fast running out of options on who to cast my ballot for.
“So he makes his help to others conditional upon helping himself. Very Christian.” –Garth.
Garth, when you call PMSH’s actions “very Christian,” what do you mean by “Christian”?
Are you referring to one who follows the teachings of Christ in word but not in deed, or in word and in deed?
If it is the latter, how many politicians in Ottawa follow Christ in actions as well as in words?
If they did, they would be loving their enemies, including PMSH, instead of being the first to cast a stone while living in glass houses.
We can love everybody without malice and still disagree respectfully and honourably. Don’t forget that others will judge us by the same standards by which we judge them.
The key to our own healing is not what others have said and done to me, but how did I respond. Was I kind? Was I charitable? Was I seeking as hard to understand as I was to be understood?
The religious trap that it is so easy to fall into is that we judge others by their outward actions, but we judge ourselves by our intentions.
I will grant you that I believe that you meant well, but some others may not be so gracious.
So he makes his help to others conditional upon helping himself. Very Christian.
Did you expect this of Stephen Harper?
posted by Garth Turner on 01.10.08 @ 9:57 pm
Absolutely, and I am quite surprised that it has taken this long for the electorate to figure this out for themselves.
What else can be expected of lying hypocrites? Lying seems to have been perfected to some degree, but not by this bunch. Remember Chretien’s infamous “scrap the GST”?
Provided income tax cuts are moderately decreased first, then the GST — whether 7% or 12% — becomes much easier to absorb. Spend less — it’s called self-discipline and self-responsibility. If it is not a necessity, it is not worth gawking over.
Unfortunately, with the track record of this present goobernment not much — if anything — will change.
Some may remember that a few weeks ago, I posted a link which said that “food prices will rise in the future”. I’m not sure whether it was on CTV or CBC tonight, but now it has become a reality — the food prices (covering most foods) will go up by 15-20% this year AND next. Time to tighten the spending belt.
Of course I expected this of Harper. And I am wondering if Bush gave him back the $1 billion of Canada’s Lumber Industry money that Steve left behind in the USA after signing the worthless softwood lumber deal.
Naaaaaaaaaaaaaaa didn’t think so. This $1 billion is just taxpayers $$$$ that Stevie is using for his own political games.
Kick his sorry fat a** out of Ottawa. I want him and his minions gone!!! Don’t pass his sorry-a**ed budget. Anyone can offer a better deal than this measly one-time billion of the industries own money.
I want my Canada back.
I made this comment earlier Thursday Evening in the G&M comments.
Harper as usual is playing political games with yet another serious issue by tying this announcement into the future budget. If he really was serious about doing something positive and honestly about it he would make this happen immediately with no strings attached.
* Posted 10/01/08 at 8:32 PM EST
How anyone can defend this despicable man is beyond me. Mr. Harper you are a low life piece of cr–
Dear Garth,
You’re preaching to the converted!
As much as I will hate to see it Harper, with these bribing tactics, will win the next election UNLESS WE, the readers of this blog, DO SOMETHING!!!
And I’m NOT talking about donating money (although that would be nice too).
What I, an incessant reader and analyzer, have been DOING for the past couple of months is collecting names and phone numbers of people who say, “I’m not wasting my time voting (they’re all the same)!”, or some such thing when I ask them who they’re going to vote for in the next election.
Q/ Why do I get their phone numbers (I have sheets of these names on my fridge)?
A/ To call them up and drag them out to VOTE FOR CHANGE on election day!
Q/ How do I get them to agree to me calling them on election day?
A/ When they say “they aren’t voting” I say, “Okey dokey, but if only 3 people vote then those three people get to decide who lowers or raises taxes… don’t you want to be one of those people? I’m going to call you on election day to make sure you go have your say… what’s your number?”
Now, sometimes people come back with the question, but I don’t know who to vote for to which I reply…
“Well, any vote is a good vote, but I’m going to be voting for CHANGE!!!”
And then I get their phone number no matter what they say about who they are going to vote for.
ON ELECTION DAY I will call them early in the morning to remind them that it’s voting day and call them throughout the day to make sure they have voted, and drive them to their voting place if they haven’t… basically dragging all people on my list to the polls on election day.
Analyzing and pontificating isn’t gonna get the job done… We need to DO SOMETHING…
Start collecting names of people who are planning on not voting TODAY, and keep collecting those names until election day when you will drag those people to the polls, and …
VOTE FOR CHANGE!!!
Before an election is even on the radar screen I already have 28 names and numbers on my fridge!
See if you can beat me!
I dare you.
Sincerely,
MB
Mr Garth TurnerMP,
Some links to Ron Paul, the Federal reserve,the new world order.
One on ‘Arithmatic,Population,and energy’.
Ron Paul Courageously Speaks the Truth
14min.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7d_e9lrcZ8&feature=related
Ron Paul 0wnz the Federal Reserve 5min.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4kxTkhwR_Q&feature=related
Ron Paul on Federal Reserve, banking and economy. 9min.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji_G0MqAqq8&feature=related
Corrupt Federal Reserve – Robbing Americans Since 1913 [1/3] (9min+).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPU8w7Bxc0A&NR=1
America: Freedom to Fascism – Director’s Authorized Version. 1hr51min.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1656880303867390173
AMERICA: Freedom To Fascism. Aaron Russo Interview. 37min.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3254488777215293198
America: Freedom to Fascism: Aaron Russo Pt.1 10min. audio interview.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=F1nTKRQpmf8
The Illuminati and the New World Order.
10min.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m89SB59DT34&NR=1
INGSOC – Goldstein’s Book Part 1 George Orwell’s ’1984′. 5min.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_JJ2MVHDfY
Zeitgeist- the movie, 2007. 1:57min.
http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/
The Most IMPORTANT Video You’ll Ever See (part 1 of 8). 9min. each.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-QA2rkpBSY&feature=related
Community Development Trust
Ironic that he should call it a TRUST!!!!
Expected it Garth? It should be clearer and clearer that the only one Harper serves (besides Bush) is himself.
Fact: We have a man who swelled troops from 800 to 2200 soldiers (its 2500 now and growing) in Afghanistan and marched them south to an area where 8000 U.S. soldiers took 300 casualties in less than 3 years. We’ve been there 2 years in the south with Harper and have taken 75 casualties under his leadership. Folks, there is no way this leader could not have known we would take these kind of losses. None. Its not a far reach to suggest that he may as well have pulled the triggers himself. Think long and hard about this the next time you see Harper in fatigues for a proud photo op and remind yourselves that he wanted to go into Iraq with the U.S., writing a letter of apology to the NY Times for not doing so.
Remind yourselves that he’s ballooned defense spending by (please correct me if I’m wrong) 25 billion over 4 years and growing.
As for the currency crisis in the U.S., Garth is, as they say, on the money. Our structural logging industry is all but dead. Freefall U.S. housing construction starts combined with a loonie at par has all but killed our export market. To be fair, slowed demand is what it is. Its not just currency here that has caused this lumber crisis. But currency keeps the U.S. from shopping abroad in a big way as they are likely to keep up with the shrunken demand from the U.S. and what does that mean for exports? It means there aren’t any.
And its not just lumber that is dead at 90 plus cents canadian vs. the U.S. dollar. A loonie at par kills our manufacturing exports to the states with anything generic that we sell. Marque products like the Blackberry are another story, but even there, it makes our exports more expensive and it has to effect manufacturing exports, even with exclusive products found no where else in the world. The greater the rise of the loonie, the worse it gets. China and Japan know it, lowering their currencies to keep their exports from inflation that the U.S. can’t afford.
If the U.S. continues their free fall with currency however, driven by a lust for war and inept Republican policies, the end result will be that Canada will have to adjust no matter what and it will be painful, no question.
If the loonie rises past 1.05 U.S., oil exports to Canada will slow. If it hits 1.10 plus, oil exports might stop all together, with the U.S. buying oil from cheaper markets. If the loonie hits 1.20, natural gas exports will be effected.
We should have 3 bastallions of defense in Canada, defences that I see Harper doing nothing about whatsoever, other than attacking them. The first is Canadian mining outside of the Canada. Unfortunately, Harper has paved the way for M & A’s of Tech Cominco and Alcan, two of Canada’s largest mining companies with more to come. Instead of Harper protecting Canada’s industry that can weather a high dollar, he’s encouraging U.S. ownership through the taxation of income trusts, M & A’s by U.S. multinationals, deregulation of the wheat board (of which we have no Canadian grain handlers to take over, so its U.S. owned if he succeeds), media through deregulation and privatization of the CBC, and eyeing the privatization of our nuclear crown corp AECL,
http://www.harperindex.ca/ViewArticle.cfm?Ref=0067
And if he has his way, its the deregulation of insurance in this nation, and the dismantling of universal healthcare for U.S. corp benefit.
Folks, its the NCC playbook. Be well aware of where Harper comes from.
The second defense is our banks. They are highly profitable! If our banks start taking losses in this country, we could see Harper try to weasel in banking deregulation and if that happens, its goodbye Canadian economic sovreignty. This is my greatest fear, by the way, if Harper ever gets a majority.
Our third defense against a high dollar is our governments ability to save for tough times for much more seriously needed social programs big and small. This is Harpers greatest failing of all. There is simply no economic plan for a recession.
We have nothing saved for a rainy day, slashed government revenue with another GST point reduction coming and tax cuts to the rich (and poor in personal income tax, but that’s just an election ploy. If the Cons win, its gone), ballooning defense spending, no incentives for clean energy development in Canada from oil producers and green energy producers alike… simply put, we have absolutely no plan whatsoever for tough times! There is no plan for a U.S. currency freefall if This corrupt, inept whitehouse continues its ghastly imperial war for middle east oil…
If Harper/Flarehty had a plan, they wouldn’t have lowered tax revenues, jacked spending and talked up the loonie as Garth has so aptly pointed out, in the face of an economic slowdown that Garth (and myself) saw coming a year and a half ago, that could lead to a Canadian recession and I fully believe at this point, that we’ll have one here in this country. A high dollar, coupled with all time high real estate valuations and falling commodities is all thats needed.
Folks… the worlds number one customer is about to lose its ability to buy. Lets vote for a government that can weather the storm, cause it sure isn’t this bunch of boom and bust war mongerin’ U.S. sellout bozo’s we’ve got now. Lets get rid of this Republican pretending to be a Canadian once and for all. I don’t care if he speaks fluent English, its arrogant pious evil that comes from his mouth.
Garth (and your side kick, Brent), your boss (and hero) sat in the Liberal Cabinet, when tens of thousands of high-tech workers were laid off and I didn’t see too many tears shed for them! And, the Libs had no problem mismanaging our taxes to the tunes of Billions of dollars(HRDC, gun registry, adsam, etc.).
The thousands of jobs “lost” is not just due to our dollar, as you should know. We have seen the China/India outsourcing going on now for quite some time (way before Mr. Harper’s administration). In fact, one of Stephane Dion’s mentor, Paul Martin, has his ships being built in China. So Garth, now that you are a Liberal, maybe you should ask them why they paved the way for our jobs to be outsourced in the first place.
Hi Garth,
What a guy. And he expects folks to go for this, this deal? As he and Dim Jim stand together and spout off all sorts of shit.
Steve and Lunn and are working together on new material for the “Shun Lunn” site. Trying to tear a woman’s career down whilst pretending they ever had one between them.
Steve and Maxim are so into what’s happening in Khandahar and today is the day that he hears back from Manley and the gang on how many more Canadian kids can die over the next 5 to 10 years because now he’s got bunker busters AND also Dr. Johnston is dropping by regarding his ex friend the pope, no, the dali lama, no, Lyin Brian Muldoon with terms of reference. But he did apologise for taking the $300,000.00 errr $250,000.00. Whatever.
So do I expect such a thing of Steve Harper? A man in love with his own image that he sends out a calendar of himself each month? First pic is of himself admiring pics of himself on his front window? (no weird issues there, none at all!)
Yes! The man is an selfish, cruel, self-absorbed ass. He should go back to the weird red neck think tank and lock him self up again. Or move stateside and become a speechwriter for Huckabee or one of them.
Or finish his hockey book. There are only a million well written books on every aspect of hockey imaginable. Like we need another history. I do recommend the latest one by Bill Gaston. Super funny. All about beer leagues. And Steve’s book; it will end up in one of those cardboard bins at the grocery store with all the odd books marked down 60% all sales final.
Good bye Steve, Gary, Rob, Jim, Maxin, Bev, Pete, Rona, all the bobble heads, Jim, Tony, smug blond on the back row, old guys up there too, del Mastro, disgusting, Poliver, smarmy brat, etc. etc… god what a boring bunch. What damage you have done.
I only wish you feel have the shame you should for the hurt you have inflicted.
Geo
Ladies and Gentlemen: First Happy New Year….
Garth, to answer your guestion, YES, why, because the Reform/Alliance and now Conservatives and especailly Mr. Stephen Harper have done nothing but play negative politics since the beginning, remember pensions and fancy cars, then bashing Liberals, and yes there was “Stoneaway” the goverment waste and the list goes on. Stephen Harper has never, (please correct me here wtih time and dates) run a company or been in charge of any multi national company ever! So why should we be surprised. Stevie boy the “Bully on the Hill”, has also never answered Paul Martin’s question on who paid his wages during a blank period of time prior to his political come back, hmmm would that explan his cowing down to Brain Mulroney?
Now Garth, I must if you would allow me to correct you on your $200 per person from the one billion, every Canadian knows that their will be the good ode provincial handling fees coupled with all others who are well deserving, so it would be far less.
“Stephane Dion, must now as we speak call him to task” and tell all Canadians he will not support a Prime Minister who acts in a bullish manner making demands for his poltical futrure at the expense of hardworking Canadians, after having shoved his head in the sand while the Winds of Economic Depression rose from the dust into a catistrophic storm destroying the lives of many hard working people who deserved much more.
I want my Canada Back, NOW!
Let me get this straight:Harper makes his buddy Bush real happy by giving up $1 billion in the “soft wood” fiasco and he now takes another billion of our own money to try and help out the same people he shafted.So much for having a degree in economics.This guy needs to be turfed out along with the rest of his incompetent bunch.They have done enough harm to this once proud and prosperous country.The only ones getting rich here are the “oil barons” usually Americans along with Canadian big business whose only bottom line is profit which goes out of the country anyway.And he was worried about the “Income Trust” tax advantage for mostly retired Canadians.We can now see where his loyalties are!
Yes I did expect this of PM Harper as I would with most party leaders. It is politics in 2008, party comes first, the people second. It has been that way for quite some time. Maybe if the economy tanks to some extent, people might wake up and vote for representation rather than party politics…but I won’t hold my breath!
Harper is holding Canadian at-risk workers as hostages. His demand: pass all my confidence measures or to hell with helping “ordinary Canadians”.
What a jerk!
And he wonders why women cringe???
wow,back come the old phrases,regarding announcements like these,and may I add also the public inquiry where the ndp are trying to,skin the carcass twice.Thanks Heller for the Catch-22.
“Did you expect this of Stephen Harper?”
Not the one I voted for, but the one I got.
Did you expect this of Stephen Harper?
Yes…
and when the budget comes around, being an omnibus bill, Mr. Harper will accuse the opposition parties of not cring for these hard hit towns, while the real truth will be that they are opposing the ideological CRAP that will acompany this one budget measure. Just like he did with the crime bills.
Throw him out of the corner office. The nexy government can support these communities without tying it to the passing of a budget or anyother legislation.
Morning Mr. Garth, We will be having a budget very soon from what I hear right? From where I sit, a billion dollars is a lot of money and if it’s included in the budget, it has the approval of parliament if it passes. If the budget does not pass, this money wouldn’t flow anyway because the spending framework would not be in place and wouldn’t be worked out before an election campaign anyway. I know from agriculture, when there is an announcement of help it is often months before the suits decide who gets what, where and how.
At ‘least’ this is new money. Not like agriculture where they keep announcing the same money over and over. Like ‘Agri-invest’, the $600 million to ‘kick-start’ it is actually old money they are pulling from CAIS.
Looking at the new agriculture program, the new one billion announced is probably being saved from agriculture spending! The rates on the ‘new program’ are so low, it’s jaw dropping.
So, as a vegetable farmer not only is there no workable insurance for my crops, there is no federal SDRM and we are being hit by more and more Unfair free trade deals.
It has been brought to my attention that the reason it takes so long to process a claim for farmers in the event of losses is because for some reason they are opening up every year going back as far as 2000, they change the formula and rules and many farmers are being hit with ‘over-payment’ bills. One farmer I was told about suddenly got hit with a $300K bill and in order to pay it back he will have to sell his farm. The payments he received in the past of course went to pay down mounting debt and over extended credit lines.
I don’t know this particular farmer, but his story is being repeated again and again and again.
There is no subsidy for agriculture in Canada. These programs that are in place are supposed to cover for losses that happen and are not controllable by the farmer. One hail storm, wind storm, virus, etc. etc. in just a few minutes time can wipe out an entire year’s income. For many crops like mine, there is no insurance.
This new one billion dollar bail out came lightening fast compared to help for agriculture…why the difference?
Leasa
Gosh, doesn’t it make you feel warm and fuzzy all over that your PM wants to help – only by blackmail. Him first, you second.
I question the timing of the GST cut – those revenues could have gone towards a lot of needed help. Has Harper not heard of money for a rainy day?
Harper doesn’t need this in the budget – he can go ahead right now.
Lets get rid of this Republican pretending to be a Canadian once and for all. I don’t care if he speaks fluent English, its arrogant pious evil that comes from his mouth.
By brain on 01.11.08 4:14 am
I could not agree more-Harper and all his newly CONverted Alliance buddies have for years lobbied and worked to change Canada from a parliamentary democracy into an Americam style republic, it is one of the reasons they can get along with the BLOC becasue each in their own way are separatists who want to fundamentally change our Canada.
As an independent critical thinker when you consider their agenda you can underatand why an unstable economy with regional infighting can justify their plan to radically change the way we re governed and who the haves and have nots are in Canada.
Great Post Brain
Non illegitome carborundum
So he makes his help to others conditional upon helping himself. Very Christian.
Did you expect this of Stephen Harper?
posted by Garth Turner on 01.10.08 @ 9:57 pm |
You’re never happy, are you, he’s either too Christian or not Christian enough.
I expect a leader to do the right thing for others, stripped of self-interest. If he believes in such Christian values, then let him practice them. — Garth
Did you expect this of Stephen Harper?
What else would I expect from Caesar Disgustus, the Emperor of Quid pro quo?
It is OUR money not his. Another faux pas of this mental midget posing as a leader.
What we expected from Harper is transparent accountability as the CONservative “new way” but this is what we got
“The Canadian economy’s record of habitually churning out robust employment growth came to an abrupt end in December, as 18,700 jobs disappeared, Statistics Canada said Friday.
Six of the 10 provinces lost jobs in December, led by the manufacturing heartlands of Ontario and Quebec.”
Toronto Star Editorial: How will Harper handle adversity?
Although belatedly, I am pleased to see that the Toronto Star has finally found its voice on the income trust issue with today’s acknowledgement by Carol Goar of:
“Then there was the income trust fiasco. Harper’s……..
http://caiti-online.blogspot.com/2008/01/will-toronto-star-ever-find-its-inner.html
Hi again Garth,
Just a note of interest for those who follow our wildlife in Norfolk County and southern Ontario.
Yesterday morning our driver was returning from making over night deliveries. At around 8 a.m. he spotted a what appeared to be dead cougar on highway 24, just a few miles north of Waterford. He is 100% sure it was a cougar because he took a second look and knows his wildlife. He said on driving toward it he originally thought it was a dear because the colour of the coat, but as he came closer he realized it was in fact a cougar.
We did call the police and reported it, but by the time we made the call and they took a look it was gone. It was either simply unconscious and wandered off or someone picked it up for it’s coat. Our driver said it was a good sized cat, and he’s glad he didn’t get out of the truck because if it was only out cold, he could have been hurt.
Interesting, eh?
Have a good day,
Leasa
Buying votes with our $1 billion. While I never liked or voted for, I did not believe that Stevie was that stupid. It really does show his attitude towards Canadian voters and governing.
Barack Obama has the right idea ‘Change We Can Believe In!’ At the moment, I do not see any polical party I can believe in with satisfaction that will bring the needed change.
About the only vision I can conjure up is Dion and Elizabeth May, two knowledgeable, honest people who compliment each other.
As to the rest of the Liberals (Garth excluded as he is a Centrist in my opinion), NDP, and most of the Ontario Greens under Frank ds Long, nyet!
The old PC party is worn out, gone, and over. The CRAP (CPC) is just a northern version of the Rethuglicans.
DISGUSTING…all of them.
Oops, make that Frank de Jong.
I have been convinced for awhile now that the libs are coming back with a majority after the next election, and I have expressed that sentiment on this blog.
But given the crass actions of Harpo, Van Loon, Lunn, et al, I am now really hard pressed to see where the CONpranos even get to 85 seats in the next election!
By MB on 01.11.08 2:18 am
Good idea. Make the grassroots rise up and grow. The hardliners are a waste of time to attempt to communicate with. The apathetic are the ones that can make a real difference.
Last election I got a friend, who several other friends, to go to the polls and vote. He is a member of our CF and gave up on voting years ago. That says something to me.
I, for one, am damn tired of the Americanization of Canada and its politics.
What idiotic and corrupt government planning results in.
Lava Threatening Last Royal Gardens Homes
Say what??? They could not figure out where the lava would run? Is this a George Carlin moment? YES! ‘They build their home next to an active volcano and are surprised when they find lava in their living room?’
A billion dollars in aid in a drop in the bucket considering the desperate shape of many sectors of the economy. Harper has already thrown away over 10 Billion in dumb GST cuts, and poured billions into unnecessary military spending…but when it comes to supporting average working Canadians…next to nothing. What a joke.
Did I expect this of Harper? Yup. Narrow minded. Short sighted. Opportunistic. Combative and partisan to a fault. Right wing zealot. No ‘real world’ experience and never held a job in the private sector (other than working for his daddy I think). No wonder his policies lack coherence and coordination.
The next few months will be interesting to be sure. Harper’s track record indicates that he does not handle pressure and stress well. He becomes volatile, ultra aggressive, mean-spirited, and vindictive. Not exactly qualities that I consider ‘leadership’ material. I hope this brutish little man exits soon from the office that he fell into by default.
Leasa – interesting by NOT ON TOPIC – and, aren’t you concerned these things are happening? Animals going places they don’t normally go?
Are you trying to start up another line of discussion to avoid the negatives about Harper – it won’t work my dear.
You are a shit garth!
Did I expect this of Stephen Harper? Of course. And this is not a bad thing. Why? Well, I expect major apportionments of tax dollars to be voted on in Parliament. This $1B program SHOULD be a part of a budget – it is part and parcel of what should be a bigger financial plan for a country. It is really odd that a sitting MP would suggest that $1B of taxpayer money should NOT be voted on in Parliament. I guess that kind of democratic impulse – wanting to actually vote on how taxpayers’ money is spent – is absent from a politician who crosses the floor and does not face the people of his riding under his new party banner.
Thoughts Garth?
An interesting little excerpt regarding how we help our neighbor.
Flaw may permanently ground 160 jets, Air Force general says
The A through D models are used in the United States for air-defense missions. After the initial grounding, the service had to move F-16s to cover for F-15 missions, and Canadians had to help cover missions over Alaska, according to Air Force officials.
By Leasa on 01.11.08 8:53 am
I, for one, am not surprised to hear your report!
You’re never happy, are you, he’s either too Christian or not Christian enough.
I expect a leader to do the right thing for others, stripped of self-interest. If he believes in such Christian values, then let him practice them. — Garth
By Phil on 01.11.08 8:30 am
Or to put it another way, Phil, what Mr. Harper has said is his government will help these communities only if the opposition parties pass his budget and help him stay in power.
He’s made this assistance conditional on him getting something out of the deal, the passing of the budget, the continuation of his minority government and himself as PM.
That is not Prime Ministerial! Is he offering the money because its the right thing to do, or because he can get political leverage out of it?
But, giving something on the proviso that you get personal gain, that certainly is not Christian… period.
From Quebec…
It is so refreshing to hear our provincial PM blast PMSH for his attitude. He clearly states those in difficulty need this NOW, and this aid should not be contingent on his winning his next budget. This is being played on TV and radio news everywhere.
Duceppe is on a rampage and getting lots of French media attention.
Looks like that bribe PMSH tried to gain support here did not last long.
Thank goodness…
There is hope.
Any party which wants votes should simply promise progressive (i.e. perhaps tied to innovation in order to create sustainable, also environment-related while we’re at it) help for new jobs in affected sectors. It would be less than wise to throw money at auto makers to have them simply close their doors again like in 2005.
I also personally find the “you get this if you don’t vote against the budget” attitude absolutely disgusting. I don’t think I have ever seen any aid package tied to what will likely be an election. That is real dishonest blackmail.
This new one billion dollar bail out came lightening fast compared to help for agriculture…why the difference?
Leasa
By Leasa on 01.11.08 7:42 am
Maybe…just maybe… PMSH is only now realizing the huge MESS his government has made.
Perhaps it is because all the CPC know what to do is react and try to react to fix problems they made worse, rather than have vision and policy that is pro-active and actualy makes things better.
Perhaps, The Bully on The Hill needs support in the manufacturing heart of Canada, and is willing to spend YOUR MONEY to cling to power.
This klutz is NOT A LEADER, and IF he is involving the “brains”(?) of his caucus to arrive at solutions, then the entire CPC do not show vision nor leadership.
It seems the present gooberment do not really care about the people – just the power.
I WANT MY CANADA BACK!
The Liberal Party’s schadenfreude hopes for a Canadian recession to help them win back the trough are a bit premature. It seems Canada’s economic position has it situated as the best country in the world to ride out a global recession.
http://www.financialpost.com/story.html?id=228665
“It may not be an easy year but with inflation quiescent, governments rich enough to open the fiscal floodgates, and most importantly, the consumer in robust health, Canada is well-placed to withstand a U.S. slump.”
“Undoubtedly, largest chunks of the export will continue to struggle this year as a flattening out in commodity prices adds to the strain of strong Canadian dollar but the sector is increasingly finding new markets in China and Latin America which are desperate for raw materials.
The strong Canadian dollar also has an upside of course. It will keep import prices cheap, adding another support to the Canadian consumer.”
We will all see, one year from now. — Garth
Jon Stewart made the point last night, as did Stephen Colbert when they stated ‘How dare the people not vote as we, the intellectual elite political pundits, told them to!’
What a leader, eh?
Garth, I’ve never seen Canadian politics so weird. May be it’s all part of a big plan to cause so much confusion that the Devil we know starts to look like… a leader?
Anyhooo, the plan is working–or, at least the part of the plan to “Deliver us into confusion” is working.
You are a shit garth!
By Kevin on 01.11.08 9:26 am
———————
I guess that makes the vast majority of the posters on here today a “shit” then eh Kevin. No Kevin, it is Harper that is a shit and a pretty big one at that. I would venture to say this little blackmail scheme is going to knock those so called 7 points he just gained in the latest poll back to where it was a week ago. Yet again I might add.
John G, you are peeing your pants in glee because Harper is what, back at the same polling numbers he has had for over 2 years now. In spite of a so called lousy opposition Leader and party. Pretty sad John, pretty sad.
I might add, judging by the media coverage and outrage by, what seems to me anyhow,the vast majority of those on the street, the disgust in Harper the little blackmailer.
Watch for all parties in the House call for this money bill to be passed immediately and unanimously. This can be done without waiting for the budget.
By Leasa on 01.11.08 8:53 am
Very interesting. There have been recent sightings of cougar in the Gatineau Park, here in Québec, and around the National Capital Region.
This is good news. The eastern cougar, once hunted close to extinction, is making a comeback.
More info:
http://www.ontariopuma.ca/index.html
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2006/06/13/ot-cougar20060613.html
http://www.northernontario.org/Environment/MiscArticles_GhostCat.htm
http://nature.ca/notebooks/english/estcoug.htm
By Leasa 8:53AM
I fear the fleeting feline phantom of feminine fantasy fakes a faint. Probably, a dead cat bounce if you ask me…similar to the Reformer/Conservative bounce in the polls. Surly, the people of Canada will come to see what a sorry lot this government is before they completely ruin the country. And, you Leasa, are too nice a person to be associated with that sorry lot. Its time you saw the light.
Brian, I think you made a great comment.
I just came from posting an item to the Globe and Mail; I am totally sick of reading the Dion bashing.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080109.wlivemartin0110/CommentStory/specialComment/home
I have more of an idea of what is actually transpiring in the US presidential race than most of you on here. I have REAL concerns about what I see going on and the media manipulation, and the elections ARE rigged. I got post at leats a dozen urls on here proving that to you all but you’d just get overwhelmed by them. Dennis Kucinich is the REAL problem for the US powers that be – NOT Ron Paul, because the guy won’t take his blinders off and see that politics and a free market don’t mix. We need regulations!
For MONTHS I have posted this podcast around and only NOW Is getting respectability (you know how they love to shot the messenger!) and so I offer it up to as I posted it as an item on my blog:
http://ladybroadoak.blogspot.com/2008/01/repost-of-important-item-dr-michael.html
The effects of the US shakedown can be avoided here in Canada – we aren’t so big that the biggest abuses can’t be avoided as it is “down” there.
I continue to support Dion, I wish to hell the Liberals could quit sniping at the guy and really support him. Canada still has TIME on its side unlike the US with its controlled media.
Canada cannot survive if it ONLY exists to prop up American militarism, which is what The Harper would net us if by some horrible turn of events he gets more consolidated power.
(You go Garth! Again, I am counting on you … you have the guts, the intelligence, the commitment to the all segnments of the population often referred to as public SERVICE and perhaps the verve I see lacking in the US politicians, except Kucinich.) As a planet, we do NOT need a war with Iran, and Canadian troops anywhere in the Middle East.
Harper and his government have made a big deal over setting “priorities” but it appears they have failed to make the right priorities. I tend to agree with Stephane Dion is that it is difficult to set priorities because you don’t know that the future might bring.
It is evident that the government failed to make the safe production of medical isotopes a priority. Instead, they made things like across the board family allowance payments for pre-school age children, more money for provinces (especially Quebec), and tax cuts their priorities. It is dishonest for Harper to try to lay the blame elsewhere when he failed to make the safe production of medical isotopes a priority. The result is that he has had to compromise safety in order to get production.
Harper and his government also failed to make the economy a priority. Any intelligent economist should have seen problems on the horizon as the impact of deficit spending and off-shoring production hit the U.S. economy. This current program seems to be another example of setting the wrong priorities.
Harper’s priority setting is focused on the “power game” or on achieving absolute power not on governing. It is being proven to be the wrong way to set priorities.
Yes I expected this of PMSH the man hasn’t stoped campaigning since he took office. Nothing he has done has not been done without an eye on HIS majority. The opposition parties MUST keep questioning him, rattle him because when he is rattled he shows his true character that of a mean spirited, small minded bully.If you don’t like the direction he is taking this country GET OUT AND VOTE IN THE NEXT ELECTION.
I wish Harper did not help New Brunswick. This makes him look good and I hate that.
What’s going on with that long gun registry. I liked that. I don’t care if it cost 50 thousand dollars to register each rifle. I think it was great.
That stupid Harper wants to arm our boarder guards. What’s with that I ask. Why in the world should we protect our boarders anyways. I liked the idea of the Guards running away from their stations when a bad person comes. That was a great plan.
I know he wants to punish criminals, and that’s not right either. When a criminal does bad things it is our fault. It is our terrible society.
I think victims of rape and murder should learn to forgive everything, and help the bad people.
I wish for Dion to be our PM. He is so strong and decisive. He is so honest.
I don’t know why my friends like Harper. I hear that he is evil and I also heard he has a 666 mark under his hair.
Maybe that’s why he hides his scalp with his hair. Will we ever know?
Dion looks so clean, and I like how he get so angry at everything that the bad Harper guy does.
I want my Canada back in the hands of the Liberals so that they can do ,,,,, well I’m not sure.
Slow day at the PMO, I gather… — Garth
“It may not be an easy year but with inflation quiescent, governments rich enough to open the fiscal floodgates, and most importantly, the consumer in robust health, Canada is well-placed to withstand a U.S. slump.”
By Reid on 01.11.08 10:13 am
Rich enough?
Interestingly, prior to the First Minister’s meeting, officials from the Finance Department have been putting out the word that the cupboard is bare, and the Premiers need not bother asking for more funds.
So where did the surplus go if Canada’s economy is still on fire.
Well, the PM and Flaherty handed out some tax cuts, a good thing;
paid off more of the countries debt than needed, generally a positive if not overdone, which I think it was;
messed up on IT tax leakage and turned it into a flood reducing tax revenues, and finally spent anything that remained.
But do I expect anthing different from Mr. Incompetant Finance Minister Flaherty, he who thinks deficit budgets are balanced. No.
With his budget “planning” if there is a downturn or even a despirate need, where is he going to find the money?
Once again great ideas today. Our local paper had an article on how business is killing itself from short term planning for profit rather than long term planning for growth. It confirmed what wrote in my post last night about the need for long term government planning. Stop and think about it, China did not get to where it is without a long term plan. Twenty years ago Japan was the worlds leader because they followed a long term plan. Europe is leading the world in green technology becuase that is their long term plan. I was reading where that cheap car in India is part of their long term plan. Japans problems today are a result of not updating their long term plan and setting new goals as conditions change.
The question is how can we do that here?
So New brunswick has lost there forestry industry. The provincial government should immediatly cancel any rights to wood the shut down companies have unless they start up immediatly. Now all of your forests are available for harvest again. Now you jumpstart lots of tiny locally owned companies that use selective harvest to produce Eco-lumber which becomes a specialty product that would be attractive in Europe. Then go one step further and open a few furnature companies producing a provincial brand of eco-furnature. In other wrds think IKEA! In 10 years you wil be emloying twice as many people as in the past. Most people don’t know that because of subsidies the B.C. forestry industry has been a net drag on their economy for about twenty years? I suspect when you add it up forestry has been a negative industry for Canada at least that long. This same model can be used in every part of the country and we can make forestry once again an engine of our economy.
Auto industry a problem? Why? If india and china can produce cheap cars suitable for their clomate why can’t we? The infrastructure and skilled workforce are already in place all we ned is a Canadian company that will produce a stripped down car that gets 50mpg and works at -40C for under $10,000. Think ’69 Dodge dart where the only options were white walls and steering wheel. The first industrialised country that goes this direction will become the leader of the future car market.
There are enough smart people on this site to come upwith thousands of similar ideas. The only three rules are think small, think local and think green. The best thing that can happen to us in the coming recession is getting rid of as any large corporations as possible because for every one that goes opens up hundreds of local opportunities to BRING BACK OUR CANADA!!!!!!
Leasa – interesting by NOT ON TOPIC – and, aren’t you concerned these things are happening? Animals going places they don’t normally go?
Are you trying to start up another line of discussion to avoid the negatives about Harper – it won’t work my dear.
By slg on 01.11.08 9:22 am
Not at all SLG, not at all. If you’ve been reading my few replies of late, you would know that I don’t ‘protect this government’ by any means.
That cougar was exactly where he was supposed to be. This is his native land and as another poster pointed out so well, any cougar seen here is a good thing. We put that highway on his home, not the other way around. He/she was obviously just trying to get from one woodlot to another.
You know what…yes, once in a while I do post off topic. There is so much more to life than work and politics. I work a lot. I am becoming less and less interested in politics and the process. If all I ever did was think work and politics, I’d go nuts.
The cougar excited me and I wanted to share it. That’s all there is. Sorry, no ‘tricks’ here.
I truly hope you have a good day.
Leasa
By Rob Wiebe on 01.11.08 10:35 am
Thank you Rob! I contacted the foundation and reported it. The sightings map was very interesting. Seems they are making a come back! We have lots and lots of deer in our area…so maybe nature is recovering?
Leasa
Leasa,
This is off topic also I have a question for you, being a farmer do you know how I can stop my cherry trees from having brown rot again this year?
Last year we lost the whole crop to brown rot. It was such a shame that the fruit rotted before it was even ripe.
Well well…once again Dion sticks his foot firmly in his mouth…along of course with Garth who always rants before he knows the facts…..
http://www.torontosun.com/News/Columnists/Weston_Greg/2008/01/11/4767089.php
What facts would those be? — Garth
Zeitgeist- the movie, 2007. 1:57min.
http://www.zeitgeistmovie.com/
By Greg W., Oakville on 01.11.08 2:43 am
Greg, I just watched Zeitgeist, thanks to you. I’ll be sending it to almost all of my friends and family (some would turn off after the first part, because of religious beliefs). I think Zeitgeist is “The Most IMPORTANT Video You’ll Ever See”.
I urge everyone on this blog to take 2 hours out of your life (away from the tv) and watch this. It would be fascinating to have a discussion on this blog about this movie. I am blown away by what I just saw. I can’t thank you enough!
When the U.S. goes into a recession, Canada can weather the storm so long as the Asian market continues to buy our commodities at trade surplus levels. If that slows down, when the U.S. catches their cold Canada will catch pnemonia shortly after.
from the Sun op-ed…
wrong
Dion is calling for Lunn’s resignation because the Minister’s own correspondence proves him guilty of political interference.
Weston is a hack.
(Angus Reid Global Monitor) – Stephen Harper and Angela Merkel are among the most admired current heads of government, according to a nine-country poll conducted by Angus Reid Strategies for Maclean’s. On a scale of one to 10, respondents rated the Canadian prime minister and the German chancellor at 5.9 points and 5.7 points respectively.
Watching Harper play at running Canada is like watching a teen with his first car. Oh, gee it needs an oil change, transmission fluid change, probably repair, new tires…so what does the teen do? Buys and install an expensive Boom Box, then new racing rims, lights, decals, and turns his POS into what he think will get him laid on a date.
Yep, sounds just like Harper’s approach. A teen with his parent’s money, and no experience, foresight, or maturity to control his spending.
Re: comments by William Dahl on 01.11.08 11:35 am,
I believe that your comment brings up one of the major fallacies of current business philosophy and that is the the dicotomy between profit and growth. What has been ignored is the ability of a business to adjust to changing circumstances by means other than “growth.” The reason we have company after company being bought out by other companies is to achieve growth in order to maintain or expand profits.
Could it be that there is a point at which this is no longer a rational strategy?
Most of the foreign investment in Canada since 2000 is not new investment but simply the takeover of already established enterprises. This alone does nothing to ensure an adaptation to changing market conditions. Yet it is something that has been encouraged by government and even subsidized by government either directly or through tax incentives.
It seems that we get hung up on what some call “conventional wisdom” but as times change that often becomes conventional stupidity. Maybe the concept of “the bigger the better” should be reconsidered.
This new one billion dollar bail out came lightening fast compared to help for agriculture…why the difference?
Leasa
By Leasa on 01.11.08 7:42 am
Why of course it did Leasa. Harper can’t get enough votes from a few farmers to get his lusted for majority (Chances or slim and none), and besides, does he look like he has been starving?
Caesar Disgustus wants one thing, and only one thing POWER!
By Judy Roberts on 01.11.08 11:53 am
Yes Judy…first, in February, trim your cherry trees of any dead wood or over-growth. Next, at the end of Feb. you need to treat your trees with a dormant spray. Any nursery type business will give you what you need if you tell them you want to spray your cherry trees with a dormant spray. Make sure you do this BEFORE any buds set.
Dormant sprays containing copper or sulfur help prevent many of the diseases we see each spring, including peach leaf curl, powdery mildew, shothole fungus, and brown rot on stone fruits (peaches, nectarines, plums, cherries…).
Spray oils help to smother overwintering insect pests, and help the spray stick to the trees. Some other products may help the spray stick even better, and should be used when rain is likely soon after spraying.
Ornamental trees that are related to fruit trees should also be sprayed — flowering plums, pears, crabapples, etc.
~Nurseries will also help to put you on a care program to ensure the best cherries possible.
~Once your cherries start to turn red, you will have to fight the birds off. I used to hang tin pie plates from the branches. Seemed to work well.
~Make sure you follow the label very carefully before using any chemical and store it in a cool locked place.
Are you going to make cherry jam? YUM!
lEASA
Leasa,
If you haven’t seen the animated movie ‘Over The Hedge’ make sure and do so. You will be rolling on the floor with laughter.
By Fort on 01.11.08 6:39 am
Yup Fort, we all remember that Happy Birthday gift to “Dubya”……and to think Stevie boy slamed Gomery for 40 million….then trashed the report!
By Michael on 01.11.08 10:37 am
Thanks Michael…I really do in real life try to be a nice person. When I die and people say I was a nice person I think it would be great if they could really mean it. Not a bad legacy.
As you know, I am disappointed in my party on a few fronts. Angry in fact. But, I am asking myself, do I turn on my long standing support and involvement because of those issues? I really feel that it is only when the CPC gets a majority that we can truly deal with violent offenders and abuses against children. So, what do I do?
Here is another dilemma of mine; Mr. Dion and the LPOC will not change any of my concerns and history tells me that they will not address my issues on crime and the legal process.
The NDP? Nope…they have no idea where our food comes from and would not support ag. at all. Green? Do they have the word agriculture in their vocabulary? Maybe on paper, somewhere.
Who would turn Free Trade into Fair Trade? Who would finally punish those who hurt our children? Who would protect our water? Who?
(sigh) It depresses me.
Sincerely, Leasa
It is interesting to note that Harper’s priorities for federal-provincial discussions are senate reform and the federal spending power not the economy. It is also becoming more evident that the one billion economic package was a hurried attempt to undermine the issue prior to the meeting.
The political theory under which Harper operates believes that government should not interfere in the marketplace. This is probably why the announced program seems to make so little sense, it is nothing more than a political strategy.
It would seem that this is the worst timing for a PM to start a campaign to limit its ability to deal with economic issues.
What facts would those be? — Garth
“(Memo to Dion: There’s nothing much that irks public servants more than politicians blowing self-righteous hypocrisy on serious issues such as nuclear safety.)
In her latest report, Fraser warns of “significant deficiencies” at AECL, including at the antiquated Chalk River facility where a recent reactor shutdown cut off half the world’s supply of radioactive isotopes used in medical scanners.
That said, aside from some bullying of the nuclear regulator, it is hardly a problem of the Conservatives’ making as Dion would have Canadians believe.”
So Garth, who’s trying to politicize this issue? The facts speak for themselves
On a scale of one to 10, respondents rated the Canadian prime minister and the German chancellor at 5.9 points and 5.7 points respectively.
By HLH on 01.11.08 12:41 pm
Based on your stats I would rank Harper as a flunky. Usually 70% is passing, For losers they go down to 60%. But then, some love mediocrity.
By Leasa on 01.11.08 12:58 pm
When I was a kid we had a Concord grape arbor, a cherry tree, and rhubab. My mom and I would make grape and cherry jelly in the little Kraft sandwich spread jars and seal them with paraffin wax with a short piece of string to pull the plug.
We made cherry rhubarb pies and I still love them today. They can have all these strawberry rhubarb pies. LOL
On a scale of one to 10, respondents rated the Canadian prime minister and the German chancellor at 5.9 points and 5.7 points respectively.
By HLH on 01.11.08 12:41 pm
Wow, he managed to get a bare pass. This certainly suggests that there is a poor selection of national leaders out there. I don’t believe this gives anyone bragging rights.
Thank you Leasa for your good advice.
Our efforts to reduce our carbon foot print is to add fruit trees to the existing mini orchard we had when we bought this house. We use, freeze and make preserves of the bounty of our garden.
But then, some love mediocrity.
By Bill-Muskoka on 01.11.08 2:05 pm
That’s a strange comment coming from you! Mediocrity is your middle name
Going Under Down Under
US loan fallout deepens
Trading halt signals end is near
By John G on 01.11.08 2:31 pm
Whatsa matter John…hit a few nerves in your Harper neural nodes? LOL
Do you honestly believe a clearcut case political interference involving documented abuse of the powers of Ministerial office ISN’T a political issue?
They can have all these strawberry rhubarb pies. LOL
By Bill-Muskoka on 01.11.08 2:14 pm
Do know that a strawberry rhubarb pie that you buy in a store does not have any strawberries in it? Strawberry rhubarb is a variety of rhubarb.
Yup.
By C. B. Innes on 01.11.08 3:23 pm
I am not sure what store you buy from, but the one’s we get definitely have strawberries and rhubarb in them. We get them from Loblaw’s Independent grocer. I have never heard of strawberry rhubarb?
I still want cherry and rhubarb. LOL
By C. B. Innes on 01.11.08 3:23 pm
Now, C.B. I would really like a link on that because there is no such thing listed. I once had a dog, as a young lad, and a friend tried to convince me my dog was a Chicken Hound by pulling an egg from under it. I wasn’t that gullible then, and have even more discretion now. LOL
I recall an experiment by the Michigan Department of Natural resources to breed a new game fish. Seems they took a Coho Salmon and crossed it it with a Walleye Pike. It didn’t survive because it did not have enough aggression, so they crossed that with a Muskie and came up with a Kowalskie…they were so dumb they all drowned. LOL (Old Chicago joke BTW)
Hi VIRGINIA SIMPSON, ON.,
Thanks for the link you gave above.
http://ladybroadoak.blogspot.com/2008/01/repost-of-important-item-dr-michael.html
Watch out for all that rhubarb, folks, it’ll give you stones! Which is probably more painful than watching Harper and Flaherty mess up the economy.
Since the cupboard is bare, according to the Finance Dept., where is the Pm finding the $1B?
Just a thought, but he doesn’t have it and thats why he’s tied it to the budget. He knows the opposition are getting ready to turf him so he sets himself up for a double gain:
First he’ll blame the opposition for blocking the payout, but also his government won’t be stuck trying to find $1B they don’t have.
Cynical, maybe……
By Leasa 1:12PM
Leasa; when I die I hope they will say, “Look, the sucker is moving…his eyes are opening, he is still alive.”
LOL
By James- Chatham on 01.11.08 4:48 pm
I say, I do believe you have it spot on Old Chap!
say, I do believe you have it spot on Old Chap!
By Bill-Muskoka on 01.11.08 5:28 pm
Bill, accents all wrong.
Try the Monty Python’s Yorkshiremen sketch, “When I wer’ a lad, used to live in shoebox in middle o’ road!”
That would be closer, you’d only be 30 miles off!
Or for the more modern types, Neville Longbottom (Harry Potter movies) or dare I say it, Scary Spice (both from Leeds)
Now, C.B. I would really like a link on that because there is no such thing listed.
By Bill-Muskoka on 01.11.08 4:13 pm
If you wanted to try growing some from plants you could order from here:
http://www.cornhillnursery.com/retail/fruit/rhubarb.html
Or if you prefer seeds, they sell them them at this location which gives a good description of the fruit:
http://www.localharvest.org/store/item.jsp?id=6126
The next time you visit Loblaws check the ingredients on the pie. If “strawberry rhubarb” is listed rather than strawberries and rhubarb separately then you will know there are no strawberries. Loblaws sells the “strawberry rhubarb” all rhubarb pies in their SuperStores.
By James- Chatham on 01.11.08 6:29 pm
Bloody good show! I shall persevere with greater diligence.
BTW, King of the who? LMAO!
By C. B. Innes on 01.11.08 6:35 pm
it is a great Rhubarb to work with, and tolerates a lot of abuse
I shalt remember this information the next time I am in the mood to abuse some rhubarb. One must properly select it you know! LOL
PS: I am not accustomed to being abusive to vegetables, nor other organic forms of matter, yet I understand that some have a certain proclivity towards the same.
I have been following news, daily, surrounding the “Lunn letters” this past week and have been astounded by just how excrable this CPC government can be. I wish Parliament had been sitting so that the various Opposition would have been able to hammer on it while the wound is still fresh. I hope the events do go to a public inquiry or equivalent to get a good airing of the chronology. If that does not take place, then if not for the loss of a highly competent civil servant and associated remunerative and reputational hardship, I would almost like to see Harper carry through with his threat (via Lunn as proxy) to fire Linda Keen so that she can sue the government for wrongful dismissal and have the events publicly aired in that manner. Let the public see how repugnant these clowns are. I have no doubts whatsoever that Keen would be victorious and Harper and Lunn would be exposed as shameful curs.
I too like the off-topic stuff and have managed to remain incognito since Christmas to recharge. With respect to the cougars, I’ve heard of several incidences in the news over the past 2 years or so in Eastern Canada, and am too glad of it (although I’d not want a close encounter – the largest cats I’ve seen in the wild were a family of lynx hunting whilst I was going cross country skiing, and they were big enough).
With respect to the fruit, I believe the widespread bee die-off last year that may also be playing a role in lost crops, due to a lack of pollination (although probably not in your case since there was fruit). My mother has an assortment of fruit trees on her farm, including cherries, and did not have a a single thing to harvest this year. And an acquaintenance who raises bees on the side lost his entire hive to last year’s mystery affliction. Hope it’s only temporary, like those mass fish die-offs that occur from time to time through inexplicable algae blooms contaminating the waters.
By C. B. Innes on 01.11.08 3:23 pm
I am not sure what store you buy from, but the one’s we get definitely have strawberries and rhubarb in them. We get them from Loblaw’s Independent grocer. I have never heard of strawberry rhubarb?
I still want cherry and rhubarb. LOL
By Bill-Muskoka on 01.11.08 4:01 pm
You’re right C.B. – strawberry rhubarb is redder and more sweet than regular rhubarb. I removed my regular rhubarb plant and meant to replace it with a strawberry one, but never got around to it. We just don’t eat enough of it. My Mom always made a desert of stewed rhubarb and strawberries. Yummy with a little bit of cream.
Talking about fruit trees. Years ago we got a Mirabelle and a Quetch Plum tree from northeastern France. Problem is the Mirabelle suffers from black knot disease which they don’t have in Europe. Most of the problem is related to wet springs which we suffer from in N.S. We’ve sprayed them with dormant oil, & cut out the affected limbs, but its a never ending problem. Because they come from where my DH grew up, he won’t let me replace them with ones that are not, or less, susceptible to this disease. I bought that sulphur product but haven’t gotten around to applying it. Hopefully this year. Well, even if the original Mirabelle croaks, unfortunately, there are 2 more that have rooted beside it. LOL
Bill-Muskoka on 01.11.08 4:13 pm
Bill-Muskoka on 01.11.08 10:33 pm,
It is good to know that “strawberry rhubarb,” like the rest of us, can take the unfair abuse you sometimes dish out!!!!
I expect Prime Minister Stephen Harper to be shrewd, ruthless, cunning, sly, wily, crafty, scheming, calculating, astute political manipulator. Why, Mr. Turner, do you really expect him to be a Christian and altruistic politician?
If Mr. Harper were any different, he was not Stephen Harper.
It is good to know that “strawberry rhubarb,” like the rest of us, can take the unfair abuse you sometimes dish out!!!!
By C. B. Innes on 01.12.08 9:31 am
Here, have another slice C.B. LOL
Harpers announcement in Traceyville on Thursday January 10 2008 is a crass
display of political opportunism. Tying the aid package, which is minimal at
best, to approval of the up-coming Budget is abhorrent. The EI fund has a
large surplus and could be used to fund this aid package & enhance it as
very few of us who pay into it will ever be able to benefit from it.
We all need to make fast & persistent contact with our MP’s and leave no
doubt in their minds that this is unacceptable. The Conservative Members
must now decide they can no longer tow the Party Line and speak out for the
people they represent and advise Mr Harper that they work for the people of
Canada not Mr Harper and his CRAP Party