Hey, who let you in?
So, will there be an election this autumn? Listening to our macho man prime minister at the end of the Conservative caucus meeting this week, you’d sure think so.
Fish or cut bail, he told Stephane Dion. Bring my government down or just back off beanstick, and let us pass what we want. And, you little shifty punk, no more of those “kangaroo court” committee meetings where you make us answer really hard questions. Like cheating on elections, and such. Four eyes. Loser.
At least PMSH did not accuse the Liberal leader of screwing anyone, instead choosing to portray his rival as the screwee. “Either we govern,” the northern Terminator said, chewing on a hollow tip and flicking a gold coin from his chaps at desperate reporters, “or we go to an election.”
Of course, the guy would love to have a vote as soon as possible. The Elections Canada case is going very badly for the governing party, and they’ll likely be found guilty of defrauding taxpayers. The onion called Max & Julie has only started to peel, as we all find out how a biker babe got to represent Canada to presidents. And then there’s Cadman.
Of greater concern is a sinking economy. Jobs being lost, families under stress, real estate being crunched, inflation and interest rates on the rise, Ontario deindustrialized, tourism tanking and the export sector dropping like a stone. This is all just going to get worse over the next year so, yeah, Conservatives want to vote right now.
And then there’s that ice thing. You know, the Ward Hunt Ice Shelf, which is breaking apart leading to what scientists say will be an ice-free summer Arctic for the first time since Stock Day walked with the dinos. Mr. Harper would love to have an early election, since waiting until the fixed date of October 2009 could put us smack in the middle of an economic and environmental crisis.
Therefore, I think we can all expect a slew of confidence votes once Parliament resumes, slated for mid-September. There will be an economic statement, with one. A crime package with one. Even a new environment plan with one.
And what will Stephane Dion do? Give Mr. Harper the election he wants? Hold his fire for a better shot to come? Roll the dice on a Green Shift platform?
Let’s vote. Nobody abstains here at garth.ca. Yea or nay?
318 comments ↓
You know, I think Canada is in pretty good shape – although if you were to gauge it by the echo chamber that exists on this comment page, you wouldn’t know it. So sure, let’s have an election. I think the Conservatives will fare rather well. Having said that, given the size of Mr. Dion’s leadership-related debt and his chances of paying it off once he is no longer the Liberal leader, I would say that he will be abstaining – as usual.
Hold his fire. Harper is about to show his temper.
Hold his fire. I want to see Harper lose that infamous temper when the Conservatives are found guilty of defrauding taxpayers.
If Dion wants to maintain any shred of dignity and self respect in the eyes of the Canadian voter he has no choice but to pull the trigger.
I suspect he will continue to be rightfully ridiculed and resign himself to it because he’s too scared to give up his position as Liberal leader.
Either way it’s a lose lose situation for creampuff Professor Milquetoast.
Hi Garth, I vote to hold off a while longer. Harper is on the ropes…and with some of the information coming out on the Elections Canada case it looks like some criminal charges could be pending. If charges are laid that’s the time to strike!!!
+1 for an election.
Wait ’til after Bush is gone and/or on trial, Harper will be standing naked and alone on the world stage.
Under no circumstances are these CPC buffoons allowed to go any where near a majority, if thats not the case then bring’em down. But be prepared to fight fire with fire, don’t make the same mistakes that the Dems did in ’04, follow Obama’s lead in nipping it in the bud, doesn’t mean you have to lower yourself to their level of substance free attack politics, but be ready for the mud and lies, have a coherent strategy in place to deal with it, use the media and all other assets to control the message…
Garth
Let’s vote! No more please Garth – we cannot endure another nano second of toxic Parliamentary Committees and attack QP in the House.
Although, Mr. Harper can and likely will prorogue parliament any time now. He’s bluffing.
People are suffering with job losses, uncertainty and a shocking absence of economic leadership with compassion in a business climate that is spirally downward.
These things are self-evident and circumstances call on all Canadians for serious solutions. No more Liberals hiding behind curtains.
This is not about political strategy anymore this is about will – a will to act. We need to act on the Green Shift now. We are running out of time on the environment.
No more, please M. Dion summer is waning; fall is close. Tell me you understand our frustration and the need to act now.
Waiting has it’s risks and pulling the plug has it’s risks too.
Even though Harper has challenged Dion with his ‘fish or cut bait’ taunt, I suspect Harper wants to hold off an election until after the New Year, when he will have to produce a Throne Speech and Budget.
By taunting Dion, Harper gives Dion an excuse to hold back and just cave on the September confidence votes by abstaining … with the usual mantra “I will decide when it’s best to have an election”.. or something like that.
A Winter election is not a good time to be preaching global warming and the Green Shift carbon tax either … so maybe abstaining on the Budget and waiting until springtime would be a lot better.
But then we are only a few months away from the mandated October 19th election date … so why not just wait until then .. and Canadians will be grateful that Dion did not precipitate a premature election that Canadians don’t want anyway.
So I guess my response would be yes an election on October 19, 2009 … and if the Liberals are lucky, the Conservatives will have totally wrecked the Canadian economy by then.
The Right Honourable Prime Minister Stephane Dion
Minister of Something Important Garth Turner.
Sounds good to me ….LOL
Time is on Mr. Dion’s side. Let the chickens come home to roost and then see what is in the nest! That onion may turn out to be a garlic clove! I hope Mme. Couillard writes well and quickly plus has a good editor for her biog! And don’t forget the American Election playing out! Obama may have some news for Harper, too, come campaign time here! Payback is known to be a witch!
Then there is the unjust dismissal suit from Ms. Keene. That may prove to be another onion or leek? Let the millsones grind and see what the grist yeilds!
The names on the “stones” might read Ipsos-Reid and what is the other brand?
+1 more for an election. A conservative majority I hope.
Yeah sure,don’t call an election now because Harper is about to take a fall. And when he doesn’t you can always fall back on the old standby’Canadians don’t want an election now,because it is too hot,too cold,too sunny,too close to Easter,Christmas,Hallowe’en,or whatever.As if Dion or any liberals have their finger on the pulse of the nation and not your hand on our wallet.Give us a break,sheet or get off the pot.
I have always maintained over the past couple of years that Harper should not be brought down on his agenda.
As another poster said. Hold the fire, Harper’s temper is starting to show and it is only gonna get worse for him and his faithful over the next year or so. They are just petrified of it and it shows.
Hold off on the election – why should the Liberals clean up a Conservative mess. To be fair, the economy meltdown is not all their fault – but the mental midget is quite keen on saying “all the fundamental are sound” – whilst the economy is clearly is trouble…
M. Dion can sit back and let the CPC implode all he wants as far as I’m concerned.
At first I was frustrated that an election wasn’t called last fall, but now I know better.
M. Dion can abstain and/or ignore any challenge tossed out by the CPC as he chooses. Conversely, he can call their bluff(?)as is his want.
As Molly? or Liz? has said in the past blog entries, lets find out what’s been going on in the back rooms under the direction of … umm you know… the guy who ran for cover after Bernier shot the CPC in the foot.
Either way Dion holds the cards and Harper said so on national tv.
I say even though I’m of a typical Canadian temperment, let’s watch this PM sweat til he admits (or is forced to admit) what he agreed to allow happen under his watch comes home to roost.
My2cents
I abstain…its what my leaders been doing for months now…why stop now.
Lets walk out on the Harper speech…oh ya, we already did.
Let Harper twist in the wind for some while longer. His chickens are only now starting to come home to roost.
Canadians have a right to the truth. Let Mr. Open, Accountable and Transparent Harper and his government that is “clean” tell the truth for all to hear.
I do agree that allowing the Harper government to unravel like so much Gordian Knot would lead to a Liberal minority/majority, too much waiting could sideline the issues the party has spent so long cultivating. Unlike the previous elections, during which the main scandals were playing out during the voting, whether or not the current gov’t will continue to dole out scandal is a mystery. Perhaps we should not look a gift horse in the mouth.
So, Garth, being the insider you are I’ll trust you to make the decision on whether or not the Liberals have both the funding and the foothold to make a case for an election. If not, then I would start scurrying away the dirty laundry of the conservative party and bring it out in one big hamper when the time for an election is night.
Posturing before the ship sinks…this brave front is designed to mask their fear.
They are trying to create an opportunity to “rebrand” their desperation for an election. If they get an election, all house business is finished. All investigations into their attempts to defraud Canadians are finished. All their lies will disappear. And they can wipe their hands of all of their promises.
I say let them stew. When things some to a point where criminal charges can be proceed, then pull the plug.
It isn’t like they are achieving anything anyway. Dumbass symbolic gestures without teeth constitute “success”. They are completely bankrupt of ideas. They are doing everything they can to buy votes. And they are bald-faced liars.
When the government changes, everything can be corrected anyway.
Dion can show a lot of guts by simply stating, “go ahead, ridicule us, ridicule me, the opinions of the CPC are worthless anyway…I am doing this for the good of the country and this is what leadership is about”. A clear explanation of why the LPC will abstain, to allow all of these investigations into the dealings of the CPC to come to a conclusion, needs to be told and retold so that every Canadian understands what is going on.
Austin
The longer the current cons stay in power the worst off Canada is on the world stage, on global warming, on our own dependency for fossil fuels to drive our economy, for our own federal economy(not just certain regional economies) on our federal unity, on our civil liberties, on what it has always meant to be a Canadian (for the last 141 years). The answer to the question is YES WE NEED AN ELECTION A.S.A.P., that being said The Honourable Stephane Dion has shown some real wisdom, leadership, and patience to refrain from triggering an election to date, the cons have an abundance of money and all the facilities at their disposal to fire up the slogans and propaganda machine. With absolutely no help from the N.D.P. to get rid of this clown and his band of merry men, in fact Jack Layton seems to play directly into Harpers hand on almost every issue, Mr. Dion should continue to use his wisdom and the strength of his team to go when the time is right.
Mr. Dion has been put in a very difficult place however, if we do not go to an election right away, the environment suffers, if we go now and the cons bags of tricks and bribes proves to be too much to win the election for the Liberals, then the environment loses for ever. I believe the world needs the old Canada back and Canadians need to get back to what being Canadian has always meant!
Interesting editorial in the National Post today re election campaign financing. Is there a double standard?
You decide.
=======================================
Election Canada’s double standard
National Post
Published: Thursday, July 31, 2008
The federal Conservatives are accused of having shuffled $1-million between national headquarters and local candidates in the last federal election, allegedly as part of a plan to boost the amount of TV advertising the party could buy. It’s a story that has gotten plenty of play, especially in Ottawa.
Meanwhile, however, candidates in the federal Liberal party’s 2006 leadership race still owe as much as $2.3-million in campaign expenses to banks and large donors –despite the fact that the 18-month deadline allowed by law for clearing such debts has passed. The Conservatives are subject to a criminal investigation by Elections Canada, complete with RCMP raids of their party offices, while the same agency gives the Liberals up to two more years to pay off outstanding bills and loans without any penalty.
That certainly looks like a double standard to us.
Of the 11 people who sought the top Liberal job in December, 2006, just two — Carolyn Bennett and Bob Rae — have paid off all their expenses. The remaining nine — including Liberal leader Stephane Dion and runner-up Michael Ignatieff — owe nearly $2.3-million collectively. Mr. Dion himself is said to owe nearly $600,000, although the exact figure is not likely to be known until Elections Canada releases it later this week, after working out a repayment plan with the opposition leader.
Under the Elections Act, these obligations should have been paid in full by June 3 of this year — 18 months after the leadership vote. Yet, for some reason, Chief Electoral Officer Marc Mayrand has given most of the candidates until the end of 2009 to make good. Ken Dryden has been given until the end of June, 2010.
The continued indebtedness of the campaigns is yet another sign of the Liberals’ fiscal desperation. The party Web site now includes a page with the sappy plea “Contribute to a former Liberal leadership candidate.” (Which one? Your choice. Pick a candidate, any candidate.)
“By contributing to this valuable member of the Liberal family, you are helping to ensure that we are moving in the right direction,” the plea continues. “We are growing more united every day and as a team we are working together to help each other succeed.”
The sad truth, though, is that the $2.3-million still owing is nearly half the sum outstanding when the leadership race concluded — despite the passage of a year and half of direct appeals, fundraisers and Web site entreaties. If party supporters were enthusiastic about getting the Liberals in shape for the upcoming election, there is little doubt they would have donated the needed amounts by now.
There is also little chance the remaining millions will be paid by the end of Elections Canada’s grace period. The $2.3-million figure is almost three times what the entire Liberal party raised for all its operations and campaigns in the first quarter of 2008. From January to April of this year, the Liberals managed to raise less than $850,000 from private donors — the same private donors they will be relying on to contribute to a possible federal election. It is unlikely that between now and the end of next year, the same few thousand party donors can give enough to keep the doors open and the lights on at Liberal HQ, underwrite the party’s national election efforts and pay back the debts of former leadership contenders.
Some would argue that the Liberals’ leadership debts are not as serious an infringement as the Tories’ alleged ad spending irregularities. According to this view, Elections Canada’s lenience with the Liberals does not amount to favouritism. The Tories, after, all are accused of unethically influencing the outcome of a general election, while the Liberals’ alleged violations affect only their own party’s leadership selection process.
But the point of the two rules is the same: to regulate the effect of private money on politics. Most of the money owed by Mr. Dion and Mr. Ignatieff was lent by banks, corporations and wealthy entrepreneurs, all of whom may have public-policy issues pending before Parliament. The longer that leadership candidates have outstanding debts to such creditors, the greater the risk that voters will perceive them to be beholden to special interests.
We see the Liberals’ and Tories’ alleged infractions as similarly significant. So the question presents itself: Why has Elections Canada chosen to treat them so differently? Mr. Mayrand, we’re waiting for your answer.
Hold his fire. No need for more rope, just more time to let the general public know who this lying SOB Harper really is.
Please, pretty please with sugar on it…let’s go to the polls.
I’m positive my stomach can’t abide the incompetents that are in office continuing in that capacity.
Dion loses credibility if he doesn’t call an election!
This post really belongs in the last topic where one blogger alluded to Lorrie Goldstein’s column in the Sun today. I thought I’d post it here today for everyone’s information.
BTW, there’s a chapter in the bestseller Freakonomics that discusses theories and myths related to the increase in violent crime over the last few decades and why it started to slowly reverse in 1991. Goldstein alludes to this in his column. Thought-provoking reading for those who haven’t yet read it.
========================================
July 31, 2008
Stats are a crime
The real numbers on Canada’s crime rate tell a shocking story
By LORRIE GOLDSTEIN
Today let’s take a break from the BS we’re being fed about global warming to examine the BS we’re being fed about crime statistics.
Specifically, about how “low” they are today compared to the past, how anyone who believes otherwise is paranoid and how the best way to make the crime rate even lower is to go even softer on criminals than we already are.
First, let’s examine what the crime rate actually is compared to years ago, as opposed to what we’ve been told it is.
Here are some figures you probably didn’t see widely quoted in the media earlier this month when Statistics Canada released its 2007 data on falling Canadian crime rates.
- First, violent crime is up 320% since 1962, when modern records first started being kept.
- Second, property crime, which many victims don’t even bother to report anymore, is nonetheless up 75%.
- Third, the overall crime rate is up 152%.
What, you say? You’ve been told, ad nauseam, by soft-on-crime politicians, media, criminal lawyers and prisoners’ rights groups that crime has been going down for years?
You’ve been told people who think as you do — that our streets aren’t as safe as they used to be — are suffering from paranoid delusions fuelled by right-wing politicians and irresponsible media?
Okay, let’s look at the actual numbers from Statistics Canada.
Canada has been keeping uniform crime statistics since 1962.
- In that year, there were 221 reported violent crimes per 100,000 population. Last year there were 930 — a 320% increase in the crime rate compared to 1962.
- There were 1,891 property crimes per 100,000 population in 1962, 3,320 in 2007, a 75% increase.
- The overall crime rate was 2,771 incidents per 100,000 people in 1962, 6,984 last year, a 152% increase.
Any graph that accurately tracks crime rates shows a steep increase throughout the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, peaking around 1991, then falling relatively slowly ever since.
The key word is slowly. While it’s true the crime rate has been decreasing since 1991, it has never returned to anywhere near the far lower rates of 45 years ago, particularly for violent crime, the category law-abiding people most care about.
No one knows why the crime rate peaked around 1991, not just in Canada, but the U.S.
Some argue it was due to the gradual aging of the giant baby boomer generation, particularly young males who, as a group, commit most crime. Another controversial theory cites the increasing availability of abortions, meaning fewer unwanted, neglected children.
Whatever happened, the hug-a-thug crowd today uses the relatively small post-1991 drop in the crime rate to argue that since crime is going down, we don’t need to toughen laws or impose stiffer sentences. In fact, they say, we should do the reverse.
Nonsense. One could just as easily argue the skyrocketing crime rate we experienced throughout the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s to levels which essentially still exist today for violent crime, was the result of the soft-on-crime attitude of both federal Liberal and Progressive Conservative governments.
REHABILITATING OFFENDERS
That attitude was best summed up in a 1971 speech to Parliament by then Liberal solicitor-general Jean-Pierre Goyer. Complaining about the high costs of keeping criminals incarcerated, he said: “The present situation results from the fact that (the) protection of society has received more emphasis than the rehabilitation of inmates. Consequently, we have decided from now on to stress the rehabilitation of offenders, rather than the protection of society.”
Yes, you read that right.
Remember it the next time someone from the hug-a-thug crowd tries to tell you the crime rate is down.
Hold his fire. I want to see Harper lose that infamous temper when the Conservatives are found guilty of defrauding taxpayers.
By Barb the proof-reader
on 07.31.08 11:23 pm
Ditto Barb. Bad times ahead for the misfits currently running our country.
“. . . Yea or nay?”
NAY. Absolutely, positively NAY.
Do not give them what they want — if the Libs. do, CRAP gets another minority govt. then it essentially kills Canada off altogether.
Let them implode. CRAP has deliberately quickened the downturn of Canada; let them be held responsible for this unnecessary mess, and especially to answer the charges against them — GUILTY ON ALL COUNTS.
BTW, harpo and bernier resemble two Pinocchios — watch their noses grow in length.
“. . . Like cheating on elections, and such. . . .”
dubya won two elections by cheating, and look where it’s got them.
****************************************
Either (a) China is responsible for causing the WTO talks to collapse, or (b) propaganda from the US govt. — more likely — is using the msm to print false reports.
http://tinyurl.com/5kqwsb
****************************************
Seems as if the Russkies are closing up shop. I wonder why?
http://tinyurl.com/5avxmm
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Kinda cute how the EU and US banks “free up” billions of dollars to ease the credit crunch; the dollar is almost toilet paper now!
http://tinyurl.com/6r99ta
Not until the judgements are in that will surely go against the Con-bots. Resulting in twenty of twenty five more seats for the Liberal’s .
You can always tear up whatever goofy laws the morons come up with once you are back in power .
Choose wisely.Vote Liberal
Fat Bastards theme song
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The Cons have been shotting their foot so much in the last while that I don’t think they have any toes left!!!! There is more than enough for the Libs to shoot for…Go for it…let’s vote…And let’s not forget the income trusts, think BCE…
The Cons have been shooting their foot so much in the last while that I don’t think they have any toes left!!!! There is more than enough for the Libs to shoot for…Go for it…let’s vote…And let’s not forget the income trusts, think BCE…
By Bocanut on 07.31.08 11:28 pm
Yea, whatever you say numbnutz !
Garth i read on another blog that the Liberal Party of canada is in serious finacial problems? Any truth?
Rod
I was going to say go all in. However, after reading several of the earlier posts I have to agree with those that suggest waiting a little longer.
Yea.
I’m ready when you are.
Garth;
Stephane Dion and his caucus are the ones to make this decision. I was urging to go in the spring but I have seen the wisdom of Dion’s approach.
I love the discussion and debate that is going on about the Green Shift. I’d like to see the other pieces of the platform.
In Montreal, we voted to have the leader report at the biennial on progress on the platform/policy issues that grassroots Liberals chose. The three big ones for me are a plan on how to fund the Kelowna Accord and Ken Dryden’s agreement with the provinces/territories on Child Care and a National Housing Policy to kickstart affordable housing.
I’m not sure if those will be fully developed by election time but I think they are critical. So given the time required for consultation to develop the Green Shift, I’d say there’s lots of work for Liberals to be doing to prepare the platform. If you push for an election before you’re ready, then it’s a big issue.
And of course, the economic issues need to be thought through very carefully. Tax cuts mean program cuts and we’ve seen enough of those when Chretien and Martin were cleaning up Mulrooney’s mess. Flaherty can’t be trusted to give you clean books – look what he dumped on his in Ontario. So be prepared for a mess.
I like the idea of going when the American campaign is full blown because Obama is talking our language, in my opinion.
However, there is wisdom in letting Harper hang himself like he’s doin’ with these 10%ers. But the criminal charges will be stalled by a corrupt RCMP, so I don’t know if you can wait for that. And there’s no guarantee that Duceppe or Layton will play ball. Maybe that’s why Harper is pushing so hard!
Canada cannot afford to have a majority or even a minority Harper government. Take the time to get it right and then go to the people.
Dion has the emotional maturity to recognize if he himself is stalling for any reason and I believe he will accept a consensus to go when the trigger is there. My opinion is that the trigger will be obvious!
I think I hit on all the pros and cons for going and waiting. So the ball’s in your court, that’s why we elect MPs for their judgement and ability to weigh all of these difficult matters.
There are no guarantees in elections, but Canada can NOT afford another Harper government. Go when you can give us back our Canada, please.
I have never abstained from voting – so sure election this fall is just fine with me.
“Let’s vote. Nobody abstains here at garth.ca. Yea or nay?” – unlike like the federal Liberal MPs in House of Commons, eh?
Garth,
This is what I see:
If it’s a “Harper leader” versus “Dion leader” election, Harper will win.
If it’s “Liberal Party” versus “Conservative Party” election: Liberals will win.
If it’s the “Liberal team” versus the “Conservative team”: Liberals will win.
If it’s “Liberal ideas & policies” versus “Conservative ideas & policies”: Liberals will win.
If Harper defines the election, he is going to make a Harper versus Dion election.
For the last 3 years the Liberal communication team has been asleep. It seems like they are asleep now. So wake up or sit in opposition for 4 years while Harper dismantles everything our parents and grandparents have built.
Daryn
By Bonnie N BC on 07.31.08 11:45 pm
Whoops, typo “spirally” should be “spiraling” or maybe the ITQ blog thingy is rubbing off.
Nothing I would love more than to see Mr Dion kick some sand in the face of that bully Mr Harper.
Mr Dion`s resolve to wait until the proper time is commendable & most remarkable–he has faced ridicule at every turn–not from the Canadian people , just from our so-called governing party who knows no bounds in the unethical treatment of smart people.
Harper is posturing—he now has a real fear of Mr Dion being the leader that he is not.
His party spent like a drunken sailor to tell the public that Mr Dion was “not a leader”—unfortunately for the “New” Conservatives , Mr Dion survived this incredible attack & is pushing forward with a plan of his own.
Is the time right for an election??
Mr Harper wants one now before things get worse for him–not necessarily his party—but for him–he loves being King & he believes that He IS the party.
I am not sure if the fall is the right time or not—the chickens need time to come home to roost for Mr Harper–& believe me , they are on their way.
If Mr Dion decides this is it , I am ready , as are all income trust investors.
Joe Preston , look out–we are coming for you.
Dr Mike Popovich–former life-long Progressive Conservative.
Bring on an election. I can’t see Liberals actually bringing down the government when their Leadership candidates can’t manage to raise enough money to pay year-old debts, the Party finances have never been worse, Dion can hold his Green Shift meetings in phone booths once you remove all of the Liberal die-hards that show up, while Iggy and Rae continue to give him enough rope to hang himself with. The only reason the Liberals will go to the polls in the foreseeable future will be to lose the election so they can finally be rid of Dion, and Iggy or Rae can be leader. This scenario will have nothing to do with Liberals being ticked at the government or because they all of a sudden have a clue about running the country. (They’ve had plenty of opportunities to kill this governemt that they say is so bad, and all they did was sit on their hands.) It will hinge on how many backbenchers Iggy and Rae secretly have in their camps. Once one of those gentlemen reach critical mass in terms of caucus support…..it’s all over and off to an election we will go. Otherwise, the Liberals will allow PMSH to govern until October 2009…..complaining all the way about how bad a job Harper is doing.
Hold his fire. Harper is about to show his temper.
By rms on 07.31.08 11:19 pm
The cow-boy can be awesome when he throws a tantrum. Do you remember when he kicked that chair in the last run-up?
In keeping with their theme of DENY … CONCEAL … BLAME OTHERS, he’s now saying he did not authorize his VENTRILOQUIST to speak to Zytaruk about Cadman.
I asked his primper/preener to put a l’il note in the watchpocket of his levis in Levis. TGIF … Toes Go In First.
Let’s vote. Nobody abstains here at garth.ca. Yea or nay
I be over here at the Greyhound terminal lookin’ fer Harry S. Saw a newsflash on the monitor…Day decries.
That sumbitch is always decrying ’bout something … Anywho, Harry S ‘sposed to be on his way to the old jump tower at Rivers.
He’d better damned well be prepared to jump … He ain’t gettin’ no harness.
Voting time. Enough already. Any more waiting and it will be October 2009 when we have an election and I don’t want another year of what’s happening right now.
Yea, Yes, Si, Oui, Ja, Sim, Ken, Ta, Jes, Hai, Opo, Shi, etc. and now, please! For the peace of mind of everyone. It is very difficult to live in a schizophrenic world.
I say fire, but if you think that the chances are better to wait… I dunno.
A lot of people out here want an election, and the longer you delay they lose a bit more faith in you.
Give Harper the ultimatum – you’re going to call whatever bluffs he wants to throw. If he wants an election that bad, he should call it himself.
Got Rope, we’re all pretty much aware you’re ’bout at the end of your tether. I checked the local Gold Book … They don’t list a trade designation for Horse’s Ass Whisperer.
for creampuff Professor Milquetoast.
By BocaNUT on 07.31.08 11:28 pm
DECENCY, and respectful dialogue does cause that type of mindset among the lower forms of animal life.
hold off
Election, There have been and are too many opportunities for the conservatives to erode away the principles which most Canadians believe in. As in Ontario it will take us decades to recover.
No election until the in & out scheme has been decided by the courts.
It’s a flip chart Harpo!
For an improving trend, ya gotta flip it.
Pay close attention to the footnote.
!UOY WERCS
http://multimedia.thestar.com/images/41/89/b9c0c53641ed9836acbf52448b95.jpeg
“Therefore, I think we can all expect a slew of confidence votes once Parliament resumes, slated for mid-September. There will be an economic statement, with one. A crime package with one. Even a new environment plan with one.”
Come on! We are just being KILLED by Harpo and their Corporate-Loving laws. I am SO SICK and TIRED of getting Corporate fingers in my ARSE all the time!!! Dion is a WIMP. ELECTION NOW!
Harper will hold up Elections Canada as long as he can in court. They will not charge the party until the court challenge is completed
Garth,
You are definitely not alone in your correct assessment of Harper.
It’s time for Harper to get real about nationalism:
PM’s speech shows he is either completely ignorant or deeply arrogant
This should be a simple decision, if a bill is being passed that you believe is bad for the country, your constituents and/or yourself you vote against it. It shouldn’t be about overthrowing the government or trying to attain power, just do what’s best for the people.
I have seen no reason to change my vote:
ERASE THE DISGRACE – ÉCRASEZ L’INFÂMIE!
Wouldn’t it be great if the LPC could get its act together and make it so!
Hold his fire for a better shot to come? – Garth
From the 1971 FA Cup Final songbook, Liverpool vs. Arsenal:
“He shot, he missed, he must be bloody drunk…. Charlie George, Charlie George!”
That’s probably the same feeling PMSH has about Mr. Dion; if he forces and election, the Libs will loose.
While the economy suffers, the environment takes a back seat, this government continues its incompetancy; just how many time does PMSH and his Cons have to stick their proverbial heads up before Mr. Dion takes a shot? Pull the trigger, Mr. Dion.
BTW.. Guess who scored the winning goal? Charlie George!
By Mark Radke on 07.31.08 11:19 pm
In May, GDP shrank that is the size of the economy got smaller. During the same period, the Fed surplus disappeared into red ink. Manufacturing jobs disappearing, along with all the service industry jobs they support.
Canada’s in pretty good shape? There appear to be cracks in Mr. Flaherty’s Canadian Shield.
Now one month, does not a trend make.. but I doubt June will be any better.
The Liberal party is virtually broke, and Dion is still searching for a sugar daddy to pay off his leadership debt. For that simple reason alone we will not see an election, but a whole lot more abstaining from votes, rather pathetic from the once powerful Liberals. To me this is reassuring in that it will kill the “green shaft”, the last thing this country needs is more expense, and social engineering from the Libs.
Form a new party. Call it the “None of the Above Party.” When I look at my voting choices, I think to myself: “Thirty million Canadians, and this is what we get to choose from?????”
I vote for None of the Above!
Wait for the charges. The Cons as a party have a criminal mind and they are not very disciplined when it comes to their tempers, give em more rope.
The problem is of course, more of the same sniping come fall, confidence votes thrown out by Harpo, not taken up by Dion, bad press, same old, and that is what will send Canadians into their caves and guarantee a very poor voter turnout.
Unless the U.S. election remind people, it is time for a change.
When is enough, enough?
Mike Larson–MONEY MARKETS–08-01-08
If you read this running account of the DUBYA economic disaster thoroughly, you develop a sense of what awaits us in Canada.*** Predictions the US manufacturing downturn and consumer demand will continue on a much longer timeline … before the economy has fully recovered for a slow upward crawl.
***Flim Flam Dim Jim Flaherty is going to be wearing this one big time. He didn’t anticipate because he wasn’t watching the indicators. When the unemployment clamour starts, where will he run?
http://www.moneyandmarkets.com/Issues.aspx?NewsletterEntryId=2039
Garth: Go for it……no more pussyfooting around >Enough of this minority Government….put the Carbon Shaft to a test.
I would love an election showdown with Harpo. But we can not have one until Elections Canada can assure Canadians of a fair election free of Tory fraud and coruption. The man is a liar, cheat, and bully and only represents major oil and US interests. Don’t be fooled again.
McCain campaign to ride into Calgary: Republican fundraiser making trip this month to solicit donations from 50,000 American voters living in the city
Kansas Senator Sam Brownback is being invited to the city in August by a well-known Tory supporter and lawyer, Gerry Chipeur, who also has significant links to the U.S. Republican Party. Mr. Chipeur said the trip is still tentative, depending upon events.
Obviously, we have another Tory traitor trying to turn Canada over to the U.S.! I wonder if he has violated the law as a member of the Queen’s Court? Someone should be tracking this!
Elections Canada should also be tracking this. And they worry about some guys on camels thousands of kilometres across the ocean. The ENEMY, the REAL terrorists are already HERE! They would destroy Canada for profit. I believe that makes them MERCENARIES at best?
You know, I think Canada is in pretty good shape – although if you were to gauge it by the echo chamber that exists on this comment page, you wouldn’t know it. So sure, let’s have an election. I think the Conservatives will fare rather well. Having said that, given the size of Mr. Dion’s leadership-related debt and his chances of paying it off once he is no longer the Liberal leader, I would say that he will be abstaining – as usual.
By Mark Radke on 07.31.08 11:19 pm
….hmmm….obviously a person who isn’t one of the thousands who’ve lost their jobs.
Well, wet your pants folks, Harper’s playing Mr. Toughy again…boring, yawn and as they say – “empty wagons rattle the most”.
CRAP SOAP OPERA
Biker babes, cleavage, wholesale sell off of Canadian interests to the south, lies, deception, negative ads, cash in paper bags, job loss misery…..why on earth would you want an election?
The Government must be able to govern on the current agenda.
Let it be known that sunken ships are now marked on your navigational GPS and the SS CRAP will appear there someday.
Pull the trigger – but pull it on the proper motion.
Don’t pull it on the crime bill – in fact, let that one pass (but vote on it). Throw that whole – soft on crime -garbage back in their faces.
Pull it on the economy, or the enviroment.
The biggest mistake Dion can make now is to abstain from anything. In fact – have EVERY Liberal MP there for every vote – and make the PM sweat.
Harper is posturing. As a bully – he is acting tough – he’s got no choice – he has to keep the act up, whether he wants to or not. In fact, this is probably the weakest (and most pathetic) that I’ve seen him.
We gotta get rid of Harper and his goons. If we can do that sooner, then lets have the election sooner. If waiting an extra month or two while they continue to abuse their positions, then that is what we may have to put up with to secure a better chance of giving them the boot.
Well, we’ve waited this long to turf the reformers out, so if Mr. Dion wants to wait till the fall, no biggie. I can hardly wait….
I think we should have an election, but really now isnt’t this all a little bogus. I mean like F Legnano said yesterday, if the PM wants a majority, all he has to to ask the Governor General to dissolve parliment. M. Dion can’t do it on his own, he would need at least the other opposition members on side and there would have to be a vote on something…again when Mr. Harper decides to recall parliment. I, quite frankly, am getting quite annoyed with the braying from both sides. THe Cons who brayed incessantly when they were in opposition about the need for transparency and honor in government and when they have the chance, behaving no differenltly or with any more honour than their predecessors. Some might argue with less, as they were claiming the moral high ground. And the Libs who make noise about the inadquacies of the the Government and yet bob and weave when the time comes to vote. The mean spiritedness and hypocrisy of the Cons, lack of courage by the Libs and the ineptness of the others in general are leading me to despair about politics in this country. Oh Sir Wilfrid, return and deliver me from short sighted, self serving prime ministers.
I say go for an election, though ideally only when a steady stream of scandals are sure to unfold during the campaign. If you can let some independent reports stain Harper’s campaign, your work is made that much easier!
Go for it sometime in the fall. We’ve seen enough of Harper.
-1 for an election… but with a great deal of caution. The conservatives are about to go reep the awards of another scandle, but the downside to abstaining is the negatively coverage by the media.
To pull off a successful election it will take a full scandel to hit the press on the conservatives (Election Canada), and it will take significant leadership out of the entire Liberal team with something strong in addition to the Shift.
harper sure is scary. i would be concerned if he was my seat mate on a greyhound bus.
i say no election until the libs can find a leader that will put forth real issues.
I say wait. Any stupid moves the Cons make can be tied up in the senate for quite a while. Any “not great” moves can always be modified or dropped. Canadians need to suffer enough to realized what a stupid thing they did electing Harper (though I cannot entirely blame them either) and his mindless/gutless MPs. They need to learn the hard way that knee jerk reactions usually lead to pain.
In the meantime, if 67 Cons are successfully charged for the In/Out Scheme, the party may very well cease to exist and then no election would be needed. Let Harper squirm in his own CRAP. “No pain, no gain.”
I think that the Liberals have the luxury of choosing the timing of this next election. Having said that, the Liberal party needs to make it’s reasons for abstention clear to the Canadian public.
Not everyone is as well-versed in parliamentary procedure as Stephen Harper and his wonks. Please Garth – tell your constituents (and encourage your colleagues to tell theirs) about the finer points of confidence motions and this game of chicken that the Conservaforms have been playing with our taxpayer dollars.
Harper and his cronies have used legislation as a way to set the Liberals up for taunting based on their ‘voting record’. Last time I checked, abstention was much more of a vehicle for contempt of the ruling partner than voting ‘nay’.
Hey Garth,
If the Cons 10%ers are labeled as electioneering propoganda (probably have to be decided on a flyer by flyer basis) and they have to pay back the taxpayer’s money, any idea how much that might be?
A drained Con war chest would also be a great time to call an election too.
I say vote one the Elections Canada issue has been resolved.
Turner you are starting to sound like a very desperate man that knows he is stuck in the wrong party. Throwing in the global warming “give me a grant” scientists Ward Hunt Ice Shelf scare tactic (without blaming Flaherty) was a nice touch. After reading this latest post I have to ask myself “How many scotches do you drink before you press say it”? There an old saying that was just recently said by one of the greatest Prime Ministers of our time “fish or cut bait”. My guess is the fishing pole is nowehere to be found.
Hell, no. I haven’t seen Steve hold his breath until he turns blue for a long time and I feel a “snit” coming on!!!
Don’t go yet we need the results of the In & Out court challenge, the Cadman affair, Mulroney/Shreiber public enquiry and of course Max and Julie fun and games. So hold your fire the more the general public hear about Macho Man the more disgusted they will be. This is not because Libs are afraid of an election but because we want to see all the Cons chickens come home to roost.
I think you need to wait until the polls show the public has really understood that Stephane can be trusted and the Green Shift is indeed a neutral proposal. After all, Stephane wants the Auditor General to audit the program to prove it is neutral.
Right now Canadians are worried about the economy and can be easily scared by the Neocons who are already calling this an added tax and as usual are liars.
I support whatever decision is made by the Liberal team. My donation to the party was already made very easily on line. I trust all those concerned about Canada and the planet’s future have found the same ease with donating to the Liberal party.
There has been a lot of criticism in the past from the neocons regarding Stephane’s speaking in English which has improved immensely. However, I prefer his intelligent, adult spoken English to Mr. Harper’s rather ignorant, back alley “screwing Canadians” and “fish or cut bait”. He sure sounds like an egotistical yappy, bullying teenager to me. Not exactly whom I want to represent Canada. He certainly doesn’t sound too prime ministerial and certainly doesn’t sound like he has any substance to him.
Stephane Dion is a true man of deep thought and wisdom. Harper has helped through his negativity toward Stephane, to show us the courage, quiet patience, statesmanship and perseverance that Stephane exhibits in the face of horrible negativity from the neocons. Stephane is THE MAN and he can lead Canada to a richer, greener and fairer country.
I find it interesting that Stephane apparently came into politics on the request of Jean Chretien to help to keep Canada together when Quebec separation was a big issue. Harper came into politics wanting the power to destroy the federal government. Why would anyone vote for Steven Harper and his gang?
http://tinyurl.com/66uuxz
Election time is my vote.
You don’t need the Election Canada ruling, throw it at the wall, it will stick.
The environment, LOL, you can bitch slap “Do Nothing” Bird Baird from Milton to Ottawa and back.
The Economy is tanking, and it is easy to pin it on Harper.
Three pitches, three strikes, and their out.
ELECTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ELECTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ELECTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ELECTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ELECTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ELECTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ELECTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ELECTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ELECTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ELECTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ELECTION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh, did I say I wanted an Election now?
Well I do, just incase you missed it Garth
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I thought it was a very bad move on Dion’s part to be so public in his musings for an election. The top number one rule in any strategy is to keep your cards close. OF course Harper is parading around with election talk now, that is exactly what you get as a result on not keeping quiet until the moment of unplugging the government happens.
Having said that, I think there are some bills coming through that I just cannot support as a liberal, the crime bill, which is the least of them. There is one, I am told, that has some innuendo about abortion. How can we support an economic statement that has us running a deficit for a few months now.
I really do this it’s time to unplug these folks who behaviour makes their talk of liberal arrogance as being humble.
Jeff Rubin,TD Economist, who has a very good record at predictions, figures inflation will be 6% be year end mostly due to energy and food costs and if this is not addressed it will lead to a spiral effect. He currently sees no way to aviod it as there is no plan in either the US or Canada to fight it.
I say wait, go when you can win and win big. Let’s see what a real leader Harper is in the latter half of the year and into next.
By Dan on 08.01.08 8:02 am
Very astute and I agree fully. Garth tried to vote for his riding instead of the party line and was shot down. Although I don’t always agree with Garth I do support voting according to constituents’ wishes instead of just the party line.
I also believe that, if either the governing party or the opposition puts forth legislation which is good for Canadians, it should be supported by all parties. I find it appalling that parties oppose other parties’ bills and ideas simply because “that’s their job”. What is their job is to do what is right for Canada FIRST. Party philosophy should come a distant second. Whether the governing party, the opposition party or the fringe party – all MPs are paid to work for Canada and neither their parties nor themselves.
The government works for Canada first and foremost.
I know this has nothing to do with today’s blog but ever since reading Steven Truscott’s last interview (earlier this week), I cannot stop thinking about his admirable level of class and dignity. This gentleman was royally shafted but he came out of the experience like a gentleman, made a normal life for himself and his family and, now, has won what he sought for so long and will now fade into the sunset, so to speak. What class. What dignity. What a great, great man. No media whining, no hysterics; just pure, unadulterated class.
While ashamed at the justice system for taking so long to make t hings right, I am proud that Steven Truscott is a Canadian.
What a role model. Total class.
Just reading my local paper, Harper states that he has a “mandate” from the canadian people. Since when does a minority give a mandate for anything but being the “government” until it is defeated.. It seems that Harpers 2009 date has started to bite him in the BUTT.
Peter MacKay’s Wine Bottle
THE WEST ISLAND CHRONICLE
Peter MacKay’s Wine Bottle
by Richard Cléroux
Article online since July 31st 2008, 18:38
Two years ago, when he was still Foreign Affairs Minister, Peter MacKay gave a woman a bottle of wine. Taxpayers paid for it.
It was no ordinary bottle, but she was no ordinary woman.
MacKay was hosting his American counterpart, Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, one of the most powerful and sophisticated women in the world.
MacKay wanted to give an appropriate gift, something she would remember for a long time.
So he gave her a bottle of Niagara ice wine.
It must have made quite an impression because that was the start of something that became more than an affair of state.
MacKay invited Rice to his home in Pictou, N.S., a visit the New York Times described as ‘non-official.’
He took her out to the local Tim Horton’s for a real date.
If she noticed a difference between Washington and Pictou, she didn’t say. In any case, it worked.
She invited MacKay back to Washington and soon things were going great.
But alas, time changes a lot of things, and today the happy couple are no more.
There’s a problem. It’s that bottle of wine.
Canadian ice-wines vary widely in price. You can buy a decent half-bottle for $30 but after that the price goes up, way up, as much as for a bottle to the finest champagne.
The better Canadian ice-wines can cost $300 or $500 a bottle. The Joseph DeMaria winemakers sell their Meritage (Vintage 2002) for $5,000 a bottle. That’s a stiff price. It’s also a great ice-wine, and a very nice gift.
So what kind of wine did MacKay give?
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, that most secretive and least accountable of Canadian prime ministers, has decided not to reveal the cost of MacKay’s bottle.
Repeated attempts by the public and the news media in the past year have failed to get Harper to come clean.
So why is Harper hiding the price?
Is it because it was so astronomical that Harper will be criticized for spending too much on a gift for MacKay’s American lady friend?
Taxpayers can be awfully hard on wasteful politicians.
Or did it cost so embarrassingly little – something Rice could have picked up at the airport duty free shop on her way out.
It would not do for Harper to be the butt of White House jokes, with George Bush laughing at him all the way up the Potomac.
Whatever the reason, the word came down from on high to the Access to Information people in Ottawa that under no circumstances should the public be told the price of the wine.
The more the public servants dug in their obedient heels, the more the news media on Parliament Hill put pressure to find out the cost of the bottle. Some reporters are obsessed.
One La Presse newspaper researcher, William Leclerc, has filed repeated requests, week after week for more than a year, and still has no results.
One Access clerk told him that if the price were ever known publicly, it would damage Canada-U.S. relations. Leclerc doesn’t know what to make of that.
Another clerk said it was TOP SECRET and that the information has been locked in an office safe. Leclerc is believes the clerk meant to say locked in a filing cabinet.
Leclerc has gone up higher, filing a complaint with the Commissioner for Access to Information, Robert Marleau, who is investigating.
This thing could go up even to federal court. There are already a couple of cases before federal court to get information out of Harper. Meanwhile, public servants have spent hundreds of hours and thousands of dollars dealing out refusals.
It just doesn’t make any sense. But then a lot of things don’t make sense with this government.
Hold. We have yet to see the whites (reds) of Harpo’s eyes. It’s coming.
Bluster is always first before the implosion.
“Don’t forget. Don’t forget this.”
How much credibility does a former speech writer for Brian Mulroney have?
You be the judge:
Today L. Ian MacDonald (L to his friends) wrote a piece for the National Post entitled the “New Tory Heartland” about how Harper is apparently going to capture a majority off the backs of Quebeckers. This is the second time in a week that L has written such a thesis.
In this week’s iteration, L quotes the recent words of Stephen Harper that:
“I give you my word that as long as I’m prime minister, there will be no new taxes.”
L ends his article by saying that these words of Harper’s were “the first speech of the next campaign.” Coming from a speech writer, that is quite the insight?
Perhaps L is a better speech writer than he is a student of history. Seems to me that Harper made a similar promise in the last election that he abruptly broke for reasons that have never been substantiated, unless 18 pages of blacked out documents meets your test of substantiation.
I believe the definition of insanity is believing a person who has blatantly lied to you in the past and expecting a different outcome. Seems to me Harper had this to say about “no new taxes” in the last election:
“When Ralph Goodale tried to tax Income Trusts … don’t forget, don’t forget this …they showed us where they stood. They showed us about their attitudes towards raiding seniors hard earned assets and a Conservative government will never allow either of these parties to get away with that”
When Stephen Harper says “I give you my word as Prime Minister”, doesn’t L know that Stephen Harper’s word is totally worthless?
L’ian MacDonald is espousing insanity.
Garth i read on another blog that the Liberal Party of canada is in serious finacial problems? Any truth?
Rod
See, Garth. These are the people that frequent your blog. People who have been living under rocks for the last year.
Rod:
Yes, the Liberal party is in financial trouble. Even worse off than the NDP…
Campaign financing is in place. Don’t worry your pretty head. — Garth
“for creampuff Professor Milquetoast.
By BocaNUT on 07.31.08 11:28 pm
DECENCY, and respectful dialogue does cause that type of mindset among the lower forms of animal life.
By PYOTR PETROBITCH on 08.01.08 6:57 am”
Would you prefer the terms “beanstick,shifty punk,four eyes and loser” that Garth used to describe your pathetic excuse for a Liberal leader?
I believe the real question should be this: Do the Liberals need to keep the government in power in the fall?
At this point the Liberals cannot afford to continue keeping the government in power. That means that the Liberals must start voting against the government and not abstaining.
At the same time, they need the support of one of the other opposition parties to bring down the government and the government needs the support of one of the opposition parties to stay in power. This would put the other parties on the hot seat. All spring they knew that the Liberals would not bring down the government and they were free to vote as they pleased.
The NDP are particularly vulnerable at this point and may actually shore up the government. They have lost a lot of credibility on the environmental issue. It is not a given that they would risk bringing down the government unless they are totally out of touch.
In short, I don’t believe that the Liberals need to prevent the fall of the government.
An election?
Be ready, be very ready.
I will let you know when the time is right.
Plan your work, work your plan!
An election preparedness is like a space shuttle launch. Plan up until the time of the best date(s), monitor behaviours, activities, party workers preparedness, mood and sentiments, total national campaign and riding organization, public moods, determine if the messaging is correct, assess the opponents, watch trend lines, just to name a very few things, and then make the judgement call for the election.
Like the shuttle launch, when they hit the go button, there is no turning back, your committed to the task.
This not a spectator sport and there are no dress rehearsals.
One chance to get it right, don’t screw up!
I say vote, but stress Income trusts, all the lies that SH has made, the economy down the tubes, the breakup of the country, Income splitting from RRIFs, gun control, and so on. the Green Shift definitely needs a better “pitch” and real numbers.
Yay! If you keep it up it will be Oct 2009 and neither party will get to say Yay.
While I like Dion, he has threatened elections too often – it makes him look weak. Let’s hear no more on the subject from him until the day he is ready to bring down the gov’t.
Secondly, here is a word of advice: do not fall for the Harper line about having a “mandate to govern”. A minority government has no such thing! My crystal ball says the party to win the next election will be the one that vows to respect the electorate and work as a coalition (formal or loose) in case of a minority.
Of course Harper didn’t have much choice – no party would ally with the Cons. The Libs, however, could easily form working relationships with the NDP and Bloc. That would get my vote!
If the Liberal party members keep abstaining on behalf of Canadians, then I would hope that they would be working on parliamentary reform legislation as our form of democracy is not working. We vote for people to represent our ridings in the House of Commons. Part of that job is required to vote on issues such as federal budgets. So they can either vote on the confidence motions, vote yes if need be rather then abstain and let bills pass, change our unworkable system, or resign from their elected jobs. I think bringing the house down would be the easist route though.
Stand by Ladies and Gentlemen for the most negative attack add campaign in Republican style ever to hit the Canadian public. Theses clowns who asked Canadians for a minority government and stood behind large “ACOUNBTABILTY” signs have been plotting this move rather than thinking about economy and future of children and grandchildren. They have the MSM so scared they will not speak up and look out many dumps of past Liberal wrongs. Should Steve win in any way shape or form it will be Reform full speed ahead……go by Canada! Hello Neo Con Washington….so please think M. Dion before you make your move.
By C. B. Innes on 08.01.08 10:35 am
…That means that the Liberals must start voting against the government and not abstaining.
At the same time, they need the support of one of the other opposition parties to bring down the government and the government needs the support of one of the opposition parties to stay in power. This would put the other parties on the hot seat…
As a strategy M. Dion could do a lot worse. If the government falls (oh, please, please), so be it. We’ll vote before winter has a stronghold. If it does not fall and continues to limp along, at least by not abstaining or absenting itself, the Liberal party will have satisfied voters like me who are sick to death of the apparent ineffectiveness of Liberals in opposition.
I believe it is quite evident that neither the CPC or the LPC are deserving to serve again as the Government of Canada. Since the other parties have little or no hope of forming a government, I would suggest that the party system in Canada is no longer useful to the electorate and would suggest Canadians on mass demand a new form of Government.
That Government could take the form of a Provincially Appointed Government or an elected Independent Government. I have some rough ideas along that line and would suggest we embark on this route if we care at all to see a democratic government that will respect the wishes and will of the constituents. This is necessary as the two main parties in Canada no longer allow representation from the grassroots. When MPs are flown into ridings to run or told how to vote, this destroys basic democracy.
Try for a moment to put aside your partisan choice (whatever that might be) and look at this objectively.
FOR A NEW INDEPENDENT GOVERNMENT IN CANADA
Here is the plan…
1. Each Province and/or Territory is allotted one member of parliament based on their percentage of the population of Canada. For example if Alberta has say 18 % of the population, they get 18 seats. (There will be possibly a few more than 100 seats to accommodate those provinces who have .5 % or more or who might have less than 1% of the population)
Each Province or Territory must have at least one seat.
2. Within each Provincial caucus, the members slated to be in the cabinet will be voted in by the elected members.
3. Each Province and Territory will have one member in Cabinet, the four largest Provinces in population two. (Total 16 members)
4. The Prime Minister will be elected by the 16 members of Cabinet and approved by the Parliament as a whole.
5. Funding for elections will be provided by the federal government and will be limited to the minimal amount necessary. (the amount to be determined by Elections Canada)
No individual or corporate donations will be accepted, the penalty for accepting them will be dismissal from Parliament and a by election will be held in that riding within 60 days.
6. Recall from cabinet can be effected by a vote of 75% of Parliament.
7. Recall from Parliament can be effected by a 60% participation in the form of a petition of the MPs riding.
Why all the chatter about Dion choosing the vote…he can’t do it alone. Harper can do it right now, needs no allies to call an election, unlike Dion.
Appointment to the Canada Revenue Board of Management
Ottawa, Ontario, August 1, 2008… The Honourable Gordon O’Connor, Minister of National Revenue, today announced the appointment of Mr. Norman Halldorson to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Board of Management. Mr. Halldorson was nominated by the Province of Saskatchewan.
I am sure this appointment is fine, but do they let this minister actually make appointments?
Mr. Garth TurnerMP,
I have been paying attention.
An election sooner sounded nice last spring.
But if waiting a bit longer will mean that more average hard working people/families have a chance to figure out what PMSH has really been up to, then so be it.
Hopefully waiting won’t mean too much more really bad pain for most people,
and the end of Canada? (Or Canada being involved in, PMSH’s buddy Bush’s, WW3?)
It seems to me that the people ‘planning’ and managing the world affairs are ‘MAD’.
Unable to see outside there testosterone filled, self-centered, greed filled boxes. Unable to find the best solution for everyone, on our only home, Earth. This is all we have, and there is only one!
I hope Mr. DionMP has a big black book to keep track of all the stuff that PMSH gang has done so we can get ride of the down right bad stuff and fix/improve the other stuff when he is PM next, Hopefully. I’m sure we’ll hear
all about Mr. DionMP other plans to help make Canada the best place possible for everyone, when PMSH gang falls!
-We need to make sure electronic-voting and vote-counting machine are never used in Canada, as PMSH is trying to do! (You have heard of hackers? So what if the election results isn’t instant. They don’t need to be!)
-We need to be sure the Web always stays free and open for everyone, not closed down in 2010 as PMSH is doing! They’ll be no more Garth blog and free links to find out for yourself. Just the information the Corporate run mass media wants to feed you.
You slaves don’t need to find out about that. Can you say, ‘Yes Big Brother’!
-We need to be sure MP’s can speak to everyone without asking PMSH if its ok, and having the words written for then.
-We need MP’s that are able to ask there own questions in the HofC. With out the only questions that they are allowed to ask written down and waiting for then at there seats by the PMO.
-We need Government that does not have and use books on how to subvert and interfere with HofC committee’s works.
-We need a Government that does not ‘offer financial considerations’ to dieing MP’s for there vote to try and bring down governments.
-We need a government that will not sign secretive, ‘Treason’s’, SPP deals, and then have undercover cops try and start violents at peaceful protests.
-We need a government that does not use blacked out documents to try and justify whipping out peoples hard earned savings!
-There are so many more reason to get ride of this lying deceitful PMSH & gang.
I’m sure the Bloggers have many more reasons, that they could post.
Don’t forget PMSH thought a fixed election date was a good thing to bring in.
Letting him drown in it is fine with me, if it don’t mean people/families will get hurt much worse that is already happening under PMSH watch.
Why Does PMSH now want an election?
Is he incapable of managing the country?
It sure looks that way to me!
Thank goodness PMSH & gang is only a minority government, for only a little while longer!
The elimination of this CON, Neo-con, PMSH & gang will not be soon enough.
(Remember; Fool me ones sham on you. Fool me twice sham on me.)
It could mean that PMSH kids will also, hopefully, have a place worth living in, if it’s not to late?
Mr. DionMP is a smart guy; he’ll keep a close eye on this PMSH gang.
Mr. DionMP will do, what and when, he feels is in the best long-term interests of all the human beings in Canada. He’ll certainly do his best, as he is able.
Mr. DionMP acts like a wise man, able to make changes to his overall plans as the information and circumstances change. Someone that is able to listen to others. Then decide on a plan of action that is in the best-long term interest of everyone.
(A fowl is unable to change as the fact do, sound like the PMSH gang!)
I know it’s not quit a Yea or nay answerer, but
Neither do I have all the information and answerers. I for sure don’t want this ‘insane’ ‘screw everyone’ PMSH gang to be able to see the light of day after the next election.
(maybe from behind bars?)
If we are really lucky PMSH & gang will be in jail for the numerous questionable things that have been going on under there watch, and done intentionally by them, and that has caused so much harm to so many.
But we’ll have to wait to see what the courts decide after there see all the evidence and critically consider the laws of our land. Even PMSH & gang are initialed to there fare day in court. Unlike the other Canadian, children and human beings, in jail around the world that PMSH has fail to even speak up for!
(If they can do it to them, they can do it to you and your family next!!!
Have you read your history?)
To bad we couldn’t just send PMSH & gang off to the USA Cuba jail for their extra special treatment (torture).
I bet we can get them to admit to anything we wanted!
(Just musing.)
What are YOU MASS MEDIA PEOPLE doing to help get the word out to the hard working families in this Country?
So hopefully YOUR OWN FAMILIES will have a world that you’d like them to have to living in, and able to survive in???
Just my two cents.
Technically, the minority government may not have a mandate per se but somebody has to govern the country. Otherwise, we’d have total chaos and anarchy. Given that the current government has a slight edge, that’s who gets to govern – with the tacit approval of the other parties.
We have too many parties and this waters down the voting results. It appears that a minority trend is in place and as long as we have minority governments (any party) we have no body with a clear mandate to govern. It also bothers me that we have a one-province party sitting in the federal House. The federal government is for Canada as a whole and I don’t believe that a one-province, one-goal (to separate) party has any place in the federal government.
If the Libs get in with a minority, they won’t have a mandate, either.
Canada’s government NOT at work…again!
Defects in auto recall system: There’s no Canadian law that says manufacturers have to fix any known defects in their vehicles
All the squibbling that wasted taxpayer’s money the past two years could have been used to actually ACCOMPLISH something good for Canadians!
Congrats Oddawahaha…You Did it AGAIN!…NOT!
We’re moving in the right direction(excuse the pun), actually that’s 2/3rd’s of a pun(pu), BUT we aren’t there yet.
We need not be intimidated by Harper’s dare. When you think about it, it really is a hollow threat. He’s so anxious to rule Canada with a single iron fist that he’ll do anything to get it. He has already hijacked the Progressive Conservative party and is on course to hijack our Canadian Soveirenty. How many Canadians actually realize what this means?
He has already proven to be a liar and soon to be a cheat and he will continue to lie and cheat if we let him. Just listening to his unimportant speech yesterday was a reminder that Harper is still repeating the same lines that got him in trouble with the Trust investors. He said yesterday that a Liberal gov’t will TAX you with the Green Shift plan …sounds a lot like…. Remember, a Liberal Gov’t will tax income trusts, don’t forget.
He’s his own worse enemy and when the majority of Canadians finally get it, we’ll be prepared financially and passionately to fight for what is the right thing to do. In the meantime I expect more CRAP will hit the fan and I sure do hope that a majority of Canadians take notice.
Pick your hill. In the meantime make the depth of you talent pool more obvious.
Laws and procedures are only as good as the willingness to uphold them.
Personally, I don’t think there is anything wrong with the way Parliament is, but only the actions (based on arrogance and ignorance or worse yet, the absence of morality) of those who wish to exploit it to meet their own ends.
While all parties are and have been guilty of this in the past, the CPC’s foundation is to destroy it. One only has to look at the way they came about to see the kind of party they will always be.
This is why the CPC must be buried as a political entity. Not just simply lose. Fugly monsters can’t hide behind makeup and lipstick and ill-fitting suits for too long before their true nature shows them for what they are.
FWIW
Austin
Guess a small l liberals should be avoiding Wal-Mart…
http://www.financialpost.com/story.html?id=695459
Pluck the day when it is ripe; ie.,” carpe diem, minimum credula postero.” Horace, I believe.
The object of the govt. is the welfare of the people. Harper thinks it ought to be the welfare of a few close cronies. We have a failed economist of questionable ability and a failed lawyer running the country/ruining the country.
If Dion can mount a strong campaign steeped in confidence, strength and solid argument and a vision that restores trust in the future; then go for it. Mr. Dion, look in the mirror…if you see a winner you have Harper on the ropes…let an election be the knockout blow. Go for it.
Campaign financing is in place. Don’t worry your pretty head. — Garth
Note, he said “CAMPAIGN FINANCING”… not “the money’s in the bank”.
Mr. Garth TurnerMP, FYI
PMSH does not care about your families Health!
Remeber PMSH ‘hand pick’ people, payed to NOT look at the newest good science facts regarding fluoridated water!
Health Canada’s attempt to appear cautionary on this issue is inadequate. After all this group of experts were handpicked by Health Canada and avoided reviewing much of the current research on health effects.
There’s an important world science based conferance on the effect of drinking fluoridated water on the human body next week1
The ISFR & FAN Conferences on Fluoride
August 7-11, 2008 | Toronto, Canada.
University of Toronto, Mississauga Campus.
http://www.fluoridealert.org/conference2008/
Find out for yourself! Find the newest good science facts at,
http://www.fluoridealert.org/
See link above for;
4min long video by, PROFESSIONAL PERSPECTIVES: Dr. Vyvyan Howard.
10 Facts about Fluoride
50 Reasons to Oppose Fluoridation
(see conclution below)
The Absurdities of Water Fluoridation
by Paul Connett, PhD
29 min interview with the author of book
‘The Fluoride Deception’
(For the Who, How, Why.)
And much, much more information and links to the newest good science avalible on the effects of Fluoride on the Human body. Yours and your families bodys!!!
Don’t we want all people to be smart and healthy???
Find out the facts yourselve!
Tell everyone you know, and tell your local governmnet to stop adding this toxic industial water to your drinking water supply NOW!
http://www.fluoridealert.org/
50 Reasons to Oppose Fluoridation.
***Conclusion;
When it comes to controversies surrounding toxic chemicals, invested interests traditionally do their very best to discount animal studies and quibble with epidemiological findings. In the past, political pressures have led government agencies to drag their feet on regulating asbestos, benzene, DDT, PCBs, tetraethyl lead, tobacco and dioxins. With fluoridation we have had a fifty year delay. Unfortunately, because government officials have put so much of their credibility on the line defending fluoridation, and because of the huge liabilities waiting in the wings if they admit that fluoridation has caused an increase in hip fracture, arthritis, bone cancer, brain disorders or thyroid problems, it will be very difficult for them to speak honestly and openly about the issue. But they must, not only to protect millions of people from unnecessary harm, but to protect the notion that, at its core, public health policy must be based on sound science not political expediency. They have a tool with which to do this: it’s called the Precautionary Principle. Simply put, this says: if in doubt leave it out. This is what most European countries have done and their children’s teeth have not suffered, while their public’s trust has been strengthened.
It is like a question from a Kafka play. Just how much doubt is needed on just one of the health concerns identified above, to override a benefit, which when quantified in the largest survey ever conducted in the US, amounts to less than one tooth surface (out of 128) in a child’s mouth?
For those who would call for further studies, I say fine. Take the fluoride out of the water first and then conduct all the studies you want.
This folly must end without further delay.
OT but Maybe Not
Elections, particularly recent federal elections are somewhat strange beasts. They are made up of three factors: voter apathy, voter rage and party platforms marketed as sound bites.
Over the past decade fear has played well to older voters who sometimes have their brains on autopilot after retirement age. Violence, sex and drug issues have always played to that demographic that consider voting a civic duty.
In the last election of the just over 23 million eligible voters only 64.7 % considered voting a civic duty.
It seems to me that unless the under 65 actually get off their duffs and vote in the next election our democracy is on a collision course with the extreme right.
I draw your attention to the Presidential election south of the border. Senator Obama has countered fear with optimism. I will watch with great interest and predict the voter turnout will increase over 2004.
Here in Canada, Mr. Harper is counting on voters staying home to watch Canadian Idol.
Unless this time, the 20 and 30 somethings look to the future and feel compelled to vote we are in deep trouble.
My challenge to M. Dion, waiting will not change the outcome unless you can GOTV.
Mr Tuner. You assessed this liberal leak as a Tory prank. I think you might have been too quick off the mark.
Update at Stephen Taylors blog:
Last night, I was called and invited to meet up with Sarah Bain, a senior communications officer in Dion’s office. Bain wanted to put the Liberal side of the story out there.
“What Bain is communicating here is that while the ten-percenter was produced by LRB, it met a wide distribution list across the Liberal party from LRB to OLO to MP and Senators offices to even party HQ. Therefore, Bain suggests the leak could have come from a variety of Liberal offices. The original ten-percenter was dated July 7th, 2008 and has been in internal Liberal distribution for three weeks. Though the file has been circulated among Liberal staff, my source was LRB.
Bain agreed that the second piece was childish and disrespectful of Dion and noted that the wide distribution of the original ten-percenter among staff meant that any disgruntled Liberal staffer could have made the derivative piece. This may be, and it could have been forwarded to LRB because my source of the first and second document were the same.”
Tell us you don’t have a problem at the OLO?
Still a prank, and definitely not linked to the OLO. — Garth
Garth … do you have any comment on the serious attack on Dion’s leadership coming in a leak from the LRB – Liberal Research Bureau, as reported here:
http://www.stephentaylor.ca/
Sarah Bain, a senior communications officer in Dion’s office apparently confirmed the leak came from within the Liberal party.
Pimples. — Garth
not all small l liberals are that hung up on brand recognition.
Pakistan Admits Taliban Ties In Spy Agency….
Denies U.S. Report That ISI Helped Plan Indian Embassy Bombing In Afghanistan
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/08/01/terror/main4313732.shtml
And this is the country that Bushie & Harper are telling us are our friends in the war against terror and providing a sanctuary for the Taliban…
Is there something wrong with this picture?
Hi Candid Reflections on 07.31.08 12:08 am, If you mist my responce to your post, regarding oil and gas remaining issue.
(I thought it hadn’t get posted/through
for some reason?
I was about to try again, but much shorter this time. But it did get posted.)
See, comment posted ~#193? near the end of the comment section.
By Greg W., Oakville on 07.31.08 10:04 am,
unders, the MPs vs trees
posted by Garth Turner on 07.29.08 @ 11:07 pm, a few post back.
This link my get you there?
http://www.garth.ca/weblog/2008/07/29/time-to-turn-mps-off/#comments
Campaign financing is in place. Don’t worry your pretty head. — Garth
I’m not worrying. I’m sure you’ve got your adds ready for Reader’s Digest and CMT.
Climate issues are getting worse faster and faster.
I say take him down.
Note, he said “CAMPAIGN FINANCING”… not “the money’s in the bank”. – Christian Conservative
The Liberals want to run an election campaign without the debts from the last election paid.
My hope would be that the Conservatives win another minority. This would force the Liberals to call another election.
Can you say bankrupt?
No Room For Democracy In Harper’s Conservative Dictatorship
Don’t You Dare Question My Legislation Or My Government’s Conduct
Megalomania, Propaganda, Hypocrisy And Aggrandizement Run Rampant
July 31, 2008
In an article published on Thursday, July 31, 2008, the Ottawa Citizen describes some of Harper’s remarks during the last day of the Conservative’s annual “summer retreat” or caucus meeting. A few observations are added.
How’s this for a megalomaniacal dictator:
In a new twist, the prime minister also said he would not tolerate efforts by the opposition to use parliamentary committees to debate legislation or launch inquiries into government conduct.
The Commons justice committee, for example, has been all but paralyzed by Conservatives over whether to allow a probe into the Cadman bribery affair.
“I don’t think they [Canadians] believe the purpose of Parliament is to hold investigations into scandals…,” said Harper. “These are all ridiculous political games…”
In other words, Harper refuses to allow a democratic discussion of his policies and legislation, and refuses to submit his government to examination and scrutiny. He will rule with an iron fist, beholden to no one.
The world has seen this kind of tyranny before. In fact, we continue to see it today. And it isn’t pretty.
Spewing pounds of propaganda:
“The purpose of Mr. Dion’s carbon tax is to raise money for the federal government so that he can spend it,” said the prime minister. “That is the only reason a politician ever puts in a new tax…”
Absolutely untrue, Mr. Harper. The policy is actually concerned with the benevolent goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, combating the effects of climate change, creating a better environment, and reducing Canada’s reliance on evermore expensive and depleting carbon-based fuels.
You also conveniently, persistently and purposefully neglect to mention Mr. Dion’s concomitant and compensatory plan to reduce income taxes for each and every Canadian, especially for those most in need.
Concerted propaganda indeed!
With heaps of hypocrisy:
Harper called the plan a “serious error in judgment” that would have a “devastating” impact.
Well, Mr. Harper, your income trust policy of October 31, 2006 exactly mirrors that statement.
You actually caused what you claimed you were preventing, and you thoughtlessly devastated seniors, retirees and Canadians saving for their retirement.
Advancing to aggrandizement:
“I’m confident that we are the only party that has a ‘serious’ agenda in many files – not only the environment, but also the economy, justice, health, relations with our partners in the federation,” said Harper.
“We are the only party that offers to Canadians a plan to govern, a plan to manage the country during this time of slowing global economic growth, and we’re ready to make that case before the public any time.”
Yes, Mr. Harper, you and your disciples are the only ones who have all the answers.
You are the apostle – nay messiah – who will lead us all to salvation.
If Stephen Harper wants an election he can head on down to the GG and ask for one any time he wants.
If Stephen Harper wants to prorogue government and write a new Throne Speech and set a budget, that’s a confidence vote and he can do that too any time he wants.
But Harper wants someone else to do his dirty work. Let Stephen Harper be the one who takes Canadians into an election when half the country is struggling to keep their jobs, roofs over their heads and food on the table. They’ll just love him to death for that!
Also, it will be awkward for Harper to take the country into an election when he and his party have expressed no confidence in Elections Canada.
Stephane Dion and the Liberals can inform Canadians exactly why the Liberals will abstain or vote with or vote against, whatever the case may be, to keep the government standing because Canadians’ desire for open, accountable and transparent government can only come through the courts because of what Harper and his people have done.
Explain to Canadians why the current government must stand until three important court cases are heard and judged.
Explain to Canadians how an election before the machinations used in the last election are exposed will only result in more cheating of Canadians out of their democratic rights and their tax dollars.
Explain to Canadians that if the government falls that the many committees and investigations into wrongdoing will cease, and that Canadians NEED to know what was done by Harper and his crew in:
– the backrooms (In and Out, Cadman;
– hotel rooms (Mulroney-Shreiber;
– biker chick bedrooms (Bernier_;
– embassies (Brodigate);
– any others I have missed.
Pimples. — Garth
By HARRY S on 08.01.08 12:52 pm
………………………………….
Looks more like a bad acne outbreak on the Liberal party complexion.
This scurrilous attack on Dion looks like a well-crafted production and intended to sabotage Dion’s leadership going into the three by-elections.
If you Liberals lose two or even one of the by-elections that will most certainly be the demise of Dion as Liberal leader .. and what a more convenient and timely way to get rid of Dion.
Keep on pinching pimples, Garth …..
I’d say Stevie has (amongst other undesirable and pernicious traits):
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): an anxiety disorder most commonly characterized by obsessive, distressing, intrusive thoughts and related compulsions.
Let’s see:
-Stevie repeats inane catch phrases and ad hominems.
-Stevie repeats promises not to tax income trusts, does the exact opposite, and then repeats the same lies over and over again.
Obsessive compulsive personality disorder (OCPD), or anankastic personality disorder: a personality disorder that is characterized by a general psychological inflexibility. People with OCPD may be anxious about delegating tasks, and they think that actions and beliefs are either completely right, or absolutely wrong.
Let’s see:
-Stevie’s inflexible on any policy, particularly income trusts.
-Stevie runs the country as a fascist dictator, beholden only to his own single-minded and theocratic beliefs.
Megalomania: a psychopathological condition characterized by delusional fantasies of wealth, power, genius, or omnipotence – often generally termed as delusions of grandeur. People with megalomania commonly have an obsession with, irrational perceived need for or preoccupation with great fame and popularity, material wealth, social influence or political power.
Let’s see:
-Stevie sees himself as the “great leader” of a “new Canada”, that you “won’t recognize once he’s through with it”.
-Stevie is perpetually in “election mode”, consistently requiring his minions and disciples to praise each and every one of his actions and public appearances or statements.
Bill-Muskoka: good article. If I recall, years ago Bob Rae promised to bring in a lemon-aid law into Ontario but was persuaded by the auto makers lobby to back down, which he did. I am surprised that no government has enacted something with teeth to protect consumers. I remember the 70s or 80s (my memory is fuzzy on the timing) having constant recalls of GM, Ford,and Chrysler cars. I remember the Pinto’s potential to explode. Personally, I owned probably the only Vega to hold together for 8 years without any problems.
Garth – would this be something you would wish to champion? With the price of cars, this is the sort of protection Canadian consumers need. Repairs cost a fortune and often the defects are very costly to rectify and if one has no protection, it could be devastating.
Bob Rae’s Blog certainly has a lot to say…last update May 5
not all small l liberals are that hung up on brand recognition.
By Geiseric the Lame on 08.01.08 12:53 pm
Has nothing to do with brand…
The comment made by Warren F at 8:57 is disgusting. Perhaps it was your attempt at humour, but to make light of the situation where the poor guy got beheaded is truely over the top. You hate Harper, but to say a comment like that is just plain stupid and ignorant.
Mr. Dion, look in the mirror…
By Michael on 08.01.08 12:33 pm
Can’t Dion see what the rest of Canada sees?-The Addled-Minded Professor Who Can’t Cry Vote.
Garth
Dean Del Mastro is in the news again this week not for his infamous 10% flyer on youth hoodies but for suggesting to a union official from the CAW to boycott GM.
Mr. Del Mastro is Vice-President of Del Mastro Motors, a Suzuki auto dealership in Peterborough.
Del Mastro Mum on union’s comments
CAW official says MP told him to boycott GM products
RENDAN WEDLEY EXAMINER STAFF WRITER
Peterborough Examiner July 31, 2008
Peterborough MP Dean Del Mastro says he will not respond to comments a local Canadian Auto Workers representative made about him at a union meeting in Oshawa on Monday.
At the meeting, CAW member Keith Osborne, of Peterborough, criticized Del Mastro for telling him to boycott General Motors products when he spoke to the Conservative MP during a union blockade of General Motors offices last month.
http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1137909
My comment – sounds like a conflict of interest to me…
It has everything to do with brand.
Tide? or Ivory Snow?
It is ironic, Harper introduced legislation to prevent the sitting PM from abusing his powers and manipulating the electoral process to suit his partisan interests as Chretien and Martin did while in power. The result is that we now have the Liberals in Opposition continuing to abuse their position and manipulating the electoral process to suit their partisan interests. You folks will never change – You critize Harper for his “fish or cut bait” comment when all the while Dion has been saber ratteling on a near monthly basis since he was chosen leader and backing down every single time. You critize Harper for being a bully when it is the Liberals using their power on committees to launch witch hunts and using their friends in the public service to launch attacks on the Government. We have been well governed over the last 2 years and the Conservatives will continue to govern well should the electorate choose to return them to power following the next election. One thing is sure, this is a make or break election for the Liberal party. Unless they can get their hands on public funds again soon, their debts and fundraising problems will result in bankruptcy. A majority Conservative government will ensure their demise.
I don’t think either party is really ready for an election, considering both are stuck at 30-33% support. Despite the deceptiCONS BS marketing campaign agaisnt anything not Tory, and a huge amount of gaffes, they still aren’t sinking. And despite the Libs abstaining and waiting, waiting, waiting… They are also fairly solid in their support. So what are the options? Election and a return to a broken minority Parliament? If the Cons win, we get more of the same. If the Libs win, the NDP will do everything it can to tear them down, and the Libs will have cooperation from no one.
This sucks big time. What a waste of money. Or maybe people are just waiting for someone to pull the trigger and show them actual leadership. Maybe an election would tip the scales towards one side or another. In the end though, I suppose I’d rather live with the present Con minority than give them a majority. Can you imagine?
Kids in jail.
Natives being shafted.
The maritimes get shafted.
Women are no longer on the agenda.
The environment is forgotten.
The military gets a few more billions.
Poor folk get nothing.
Students are ignored once more.
Gays fear a repeal of their rights.
Abortion is back-doored into legality.
The Constitution is used for toilet paper.
Quebec and Alberta get even more money.
Ontario is punished for it’s past prosperity.
Jobs are lost, by the thousands.
Taxes are lowered to the point of neutering social spending.
We climb aboard a few more wars.
We send thousands to Afghanistan instead of 200.
Oh ya, real action. Real results. Say hello to another 15 years of rebuilding what the Conservatives have f**ked.
*Abortion is back-doored into illegality.
You know, I think Canada is in pretty good shape – although if you were to gauge it by the echo chamber that exists on this comment page, you wouldn’t know it. So sure, let’s have an election. I think the Conservatives will fare rather well. Having said that, given the size of Mr. Dion’s leadership-related debt and his chances of paying it off once he is no longer the Liberal leader, I would say that he will be abstaining – as usual.
By Mark Radke on 07.31.08 11:19 pm
Ya , know I think Canada is in horrible shape .
Although that echo chamber on your shoulders tells you different .
Canada is now a laughing stock on the world stage,we have lost all credibility thanks to Baba Rum Raisen and the raisenettes .
We turned the Bali convention into a laugh riot when Baird spouted off about how great their ‘Green Plan’ was .
Sure lets have an election so we can toss these morons onto the scrap heap of failed ideologies . You sir,like your party,are a born LOSER !
Garth, do you still suggest that B.C. not get double carbon taxed? One provincial carbon tax and one federal carbon tax? We in B.C. could help solve the Arctic ice situation twice as fast if we were to be charged twice as much, right? Climate change must be prevented and the more it is taxed the quicker it will resolve itself.
You ain’t seen nothing yet. Wait until the paper hits the fan at the IAEA and they finally respond to the Directive to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission Regarding the Health of Canadians.
The level of Con-bot desperation can be measured by how many Con-bot trolls have showed up in the past ten days on this site.
Most are just drive-by,Trolls, who launch unfounded , unsubstantiated drivel and expect everyone to stand up and salute but do not stick around long enough to,even, read the responses .
So,please,by all means keep posting your childish rants . They make me laugh.LOSERS !
Well, I don’t know about anybody else, but I am very happy to live in our country – despite any real or imagined problems. I have a roof over my head (sure, the taxes are high), food on my table, clothes on my back, a job I enjoy, relative freedom of speech and action. If I get sick, I have universal health care. I have fresh water to drink, I have great parks to hike and camp…life is good.
We have a great country no matter how you slice the cake. I am happy and proud to be a Canadian living on Canadian soil.
Harper has signaled his intentions. It isn’t pretty.
Harper doesn’t just want a majority.
Harper wants the Liberal Party of Canada to die. His frivolous lawsuit is part of the plan. He is doing everything in his power to destroy the Liberal Party. His hatred is obvious and malignant.
Harper must be stopped before his “sociopathetic” needs destroy Canada.
By eastofeden on 08.01.08 1:21 pm
You’re most welcome. I, too, was shocked Canada does not have such real and effective laws in place.
I almost laugh at times because Canada tries so hard to copy the U.S., but misses the nail most of the time. Oh, we can get mindless morons elected who think their, and our futures lie in some kind of Far Right Messiah. But when it comes to hard laws like environmental, and consumer, well, not to worry…we don’t Get It Done!
Being from the States originally, I was literally shocked at some the lax regulations Canada has. The EPA, for instance, would be all over Alberta and the Tar Sands like flies on doo doo, but not Canada!
We have more important things to worry about like paying tobacco farmers not to grow crops. Sheesh, will the anti-smoking morons take over the world? Seems like it.
I suggest throwing out the American tobacco companies and turning all manufacturing of such products over to our own First nations.
But that would be beneficial to real Canadians.
One thing is for sure. The U.S. has abortion, we have stupid tobacco and liquor laws, and poor consumer laws.
+1 more for an election. A conservative majority I hope.
By Bob on 07.31.08 11:51 pm
What are you smoking and why aren’t you sharing??
Go for it.
Should have been done a year ago, but now that Dion has publicly mused about “the public being ready” he really doesn’t have much choice but to make good on the threat.
Doesn’t mean it will happen of course. Wouldn’t surprise me a bit to see the NDP or Bloc back off. I always did suspect they were bluffing.
Regards
EhBC
Garth,
No mater when the election is called, my position will not change FROM ABC- LIBERALLY LEANING. For all the decided voters, this is the scenario. however…
To me, M. Dion should try and distance himself from “election talk” particularly since Harpo’s Bizarre are trying to intimidate, and are the ones with the bully-boy tactics.
It is critical that the LPC are not seen as continuing to prop up this faulty gooberment. The CPC are determined to pass any responsibility for election on to the LPC, and that must be deflected. Even the NDP and BLOC are pounding on the LPC as they feel they are”safe” as their votes do not count much – unless they vote in accordance with the LPC.
Keep the focus on the legislation being presented – NOT on the threats of confidence votes. If the legislation makes you gag, vote “nay”, and let the CPC be the ones “forcing an election”. Add to that, that for the gooberment to fall, will require additional support of the NDP and BLOC, then obviously an election is not going to be “all the LPC fault”.
One thing for sure, the LPC CANNOT CONTINUE ABSTAINING!!! REPEAT CANNOT!!! If your party wants to maintain ANY credibility as the Official Opposition, then they must show their values in a public way.
If forced into a confidence vote, make it very clear why you stand against the proposition, declare clearly you do not want to force an election, and state your alternatives to the proposals. Vote in clear conscience, and let the cards fall as they may.
To be blunt, if the other a-political or apathetic Canucks out there are so disinterested in the future of our fine country, and actually are stupid enough to give the Harperites a majority government, then I must say we deserve the destruction of Canada we are presently experiencing.
Should the CPC gain another minority gooberment, their power to threaten with confidence votes will be hugely diminished. They would be hard pressed to justify another election within months of the last one, so at least we can get back to some form of collaborative government, at best – or another election which would likely mean the END OF HARPER, at worst.
Just do your jobs, all you elected Liberals. You were voted in to represent us. Time to do so. STAND UP AND BE COUNTED!!!
Garth, do you still suggest that B.C. not get double carbon taxed? One provincial carbon tax and one federal carbon tax?
By Marc on 08.01.08 2:20 pm
BC really will justifiably feel hard-done by if they get a double whammy on the carbon tax just because they were the first to do the right thing. Some plan to harmonize these taxes is essential.
Jim Muldowney
Edmonton
Keep on pinching pimples, Garth …..
By HARRY S on 08.01.08 1:20 pm
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Just what we need (NOT)! What a totally gross ignorant (Conservative?) comment.
I don’t want to ride the same Greyhound if ever HARRY S is aboard!
Yea, I say we’ve put off an election about as long as possible. The last times you’ve asked this question I’ve said the same time, although I’ll admit waiting has had some advantages. Every day with these CPCs in power is a day our country finds itself worse off than the day before.
There are many positive factors that can work to our advantage come election time, providing as I’ve said before logistics and preparations are in place … and there is no excuse for them not to be by now.
I’ve got a good feeling that the Liberals can run a great campaign. Harper’s record is atrocious, so a long well reasoned list of what he has done, both in terms of legislation and scandals, is easy enough to argue against. Moreover, I think it would help to explain to Canadians what exactly his vision is, e.g. Tom Flanagan’s book Harper’s Team is a good place to start.
At the same time I think the Liberals can point to a proud tradition, and a real debarkation between them and the CPC in terms of vision and accomplishments.
I have no doubt that if done well Mr. Dion can make himself PM of our great country. The secret will be in a well run campaign – I would bring to your attention the story about Obama’s team in the lattest Rolling Stone, that is a great model. I would suggest a campaign of ideas and intelligence – combined with effective replies to the Cons attacks (it shouldn’t be that hard to do).
So, an election in the fall is, in my opinion, ripe with potential for the Liberals. It will be interesting to see how the media will cover it though. I hope deep down some quality journalists (are there any left?) out there will hold this government to task.
“wait until the polls show the public has really understood that Stephane can be trusted and the Green Shift is indeed a neutral proposal. After all, Stephane wants the Auditor General to audit the program to prove it is neutral.
Right now Canadians are worried about the economy and can be easily scared by the Neocons who are already calling this an added tax and as usual are liars.”
I support whatever decision is made by the Liberal team.”
by BONNIE L 9:33AM
_ _ _
I agree Bonnie L and I also hope people will realize who Harper is by way of the court cases so the general population understand these matters clearly.
Funny that Baba Rum Raisen,Dear Leader,Little Stevie Blunder cannot create any daylight between himself and Dion in the polls .
Not a leader ? Bah !
Ignore the bum. The PMO has no legal power according to the Candian Constitution.
What is stopping Parliament from stripping the PM of all power and choosing a new cabinet?
We have a great country no matter how you slice the cake. I am happy and proud to be a Canadian living on Canadian soil.
By eastofeden on 08.01.08 2:38 pm
Yes, we do, and this Canadian wants to keep it that way. I do not want to see the errors the U.S. has made become part of Canada’s way of life.
But, we can. and must do BETTER. We were on our way with things like the Kelowna Accord, but Harper squashed that hard won agreement.
He has killed off funding for essential programs that actually help people, and instead tried to Play Cowboy sucking up to Bush with his military spending fiasco.
Funny thing about foreign affairs…If you don’t go around the world all puffed up and acting self-important, and make friends not enemies with trade policies, etc., you don’t need all the military to defend yourself against pissed off people who have been wronged.
Likewise, unless you have Imperial Empire designs and goals you don’t need the latest toys.
The Cold War is long over, and I lived through all of it. Who are our enemies? Russia? Well, we will NEVER have a big enough military to confront them. That is simple reality.
Harper’s ideology, like he should be, is way past its expiry date…circa 1950-60′s.
I never have liked Ground Hog Day (the Movie), and see very clearly either Harper and his ilk go, or Canada does. Our choice, and OUR responsibility.
This is very serious stuff, and all the partisan crap that is spewed is not working towards a true solution. It has been like watching two gangs play machismo with each other. Time for the adults to grab them both by their ears and set them down for a long time out.
To say I am disgusted would not even come close to my feelings watching these spoiled little power perverts waste our time and hard earned money.
Harper is neither a leader or a visionary for canada’s future. he is just a power seeking perverted PUNK. He has no class whatsoever, and does NOT represent me as a Canadian. he is a minority government and that is as close as he and his lying ilk should ever be allowed to have power.
Canadians were pissed at the Liberals, now they should be pissed at themselves and how they were suckered by the Reform/Alliance morons from Alberta and rural Ontario.
Yes, we will have an election…someday. At this point I am thoroughly disgusted with both major parties, but far more so with Harper. it is not so much about the platform, but the total disregard for maturity, decency, and class, which they totally lack. He has FAILED to gain my respect, and his Front bench Goon Squad has been a complete and total disgrace in OUR House of Commons.
Have a nice Civic Holiday!
Don’t.
If Harper had a majority, the opposition could abstain or vote against and it would make zero difference. Nobody will vote against the Liberals because he gave Harper a majority from 2006 to 2009.
Patience is a virtue many here seems to lack.
Harper and his gang are dangerous to the unity of good old canada.
By Alan on 08.01.08 3:35 pm
I’m with you!
This link my get you there?
http://www.garth.ca/weblog/2008/07/29/time-to-turn-mps-off/#comments
By Greg W., Oakville on 08.01.08 12:59 pm
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Greg, I see it now. Impressive list of links.
First thing to consider. Canada contribute 2% to Global warming allegedly. So what are we to do about the other 98%?
Second reality. Human population growth is the real source of global warming. I have not seen a plausible acceptable plan proposal to effectively deal with more than doubling of the human copulation numbers by 2050! (Pun intented)
Third thought. What plans and predictions are there on how humans can effectively cope with a significantly warmer climate over the long haul?
You may recall that I have pointed out that global warming has been with us for a lot longer than most people understand. One example is that the Athabaska Glacier when first found by explorers in the late 1890s extended to East of where the Banff/Jasper Highway now exists. the ice has receded some distance to the West up the gorge. This is where a post grad student in Alberta discovered the “Ice Worms” (he named them)living in the gravel underneath the edges of this ice and back into the fissures. Many other examples exist regards climate changes that date back to the use of coal for heating and then James Watt’s invention of the coal fired steam engine.
Regardless of how you heat, transport, cool, feed, cleanse Homo Sapien, it costs energy. Their are some renewable resources but mostly we have exploited non renewables. It is basic science and engineering that there are finite limits to the standards of living we enjoy today, and beware that most of the planet does not enjoy any where near this same standard. the statement in the media that China and India are bringing on line one new coal fired power plant per week currently is an order of magnitude I find very hard to accept, but none the less they are rapidly trying to electrify and modernize their societies. What we as Canadians do will have negligible impact on this trend.
What we do and how we go about it will define our national character for some time to come. As for the Green Shift, I am not an economist, engineer, nor scientist, and I will remain on the fence until further notice.
What I will do is continue to be a pragmatic switch party voter. The current government has lost my vote that they had for 2 decades due to the ill thought out gun registry and the sponsorship scandal. The current situation as observed from watching most of the Question Period broadcasts on CPAC demands that ALL logical thinking Canadians seriously review who they vote for in the coming election. I am ready, but many other Canadians apparently are not, witness today’s Globe and Mail poll. of 6000 responses it is 50% for & 50% against an election this Fall. Sure I can support waiting until the results of various inquiries are known, but it will not change my intent to switch. The only question is who in my riding will be the best one to replace the chiropractor politician! And it won’t be Russ Rak (Communist)!
By DoryD on 08.01.08 10:31 am
Nice insight into L.
But on the “No new taxes,” didn’t our friends to the south once receive that promise in a Presidential campaign?
And while the winner, technically, kept his promise, all existing taxes were raised when he needed the money!
Given Harper’s record on promises made, bromises broken…. you get the gist!
It is ironic, Harper introduced legislation to prevent the sitting PM from abusing his powers and manipulating the electoral process to suit his partisan interests as Chretien and Martin did while in power.
By Ron on 08.01.08 2:11 pm
Wrong!
Harper did NOT introduce legislation to prevent the PM from abusing his powers, even though Gomery strongly recommended that he do so. Gomery was extremely critical of Harper because of this and because this was the main thrust of his report. Gomery stated very clearly that Harper ignored his report.
As a result the so called “Accountability Act” is a farce achieving nothing significant despite the ridiculous claims to the contrary made by the CPC.
Harper himself is the least accountable PM in recent memory and has carried abuse of PM powers to a level previously unseen. Harper’s shameless manipulation of Zaccardelli over the income trust issue(which never was a scandal) during the last election was outrageous as was his illegal use of funds through the “In and Out” scheme.
The Accountability Act is an abysmal failure.
please wait for the election for the stats are not in and felt yet. The stats for our area re the Parry Sound Muskoka is down 40 % in cottagers and people and local sales. We need these stats to take efect in our area to show the true state of our econamany up here. Never mind the 1600 manufacturouring jobs lost up here aas well
One provincial carbon tax and one federal carbon tax? We in B.C. could help solve the Arctic ice situation twice as fast if we were to be charged twice as much, right? Climate change must be prevented and the more it is taxed the quicker it will resolve itself.
By Marc on 08.01.08 2:20 pm
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Marc, you have not grasped the magnitude of the problem nor the concepts involved. If, as has been stated in the media numerous times, Canada only contributes 2% of the GHGs alleged to cause climate change, how will anything we do make a dent in the problem?
The current human population is nearly 7 BILLION of which about 3 billion live in India/Pakistan and China combined. [half of the problem right there]. This world population will double to 14 billion by the year 2050 if nothing significant happens to change this birth/death rate dynamic.
It is not easy to get one’s mind to visualize these concepts but the first step to solving problems is to define and measure/describe the problem(s)!
Try again, good luck!
Garth I hear your ideas for fund raising are not doing well. What happened, you screw up again? Pull the trigger Garth the people of Canada want’s you to. Face it Garth your screwed if you have a election or not. The Liberal party is broke and is living borrowed time.
The Montreal Gazette
PM Harper’s Speech Shows He Is Either Completely Ignorant Or Deeply Arrogant
JOSEE LEGAULT, The Gazette
Published: August 1, 2008
Prime Minister Stephen Harper has been taunting Liberal leader Stéphane Dion with the same dare for almost a year: Either bring down the Conservative minority government or prop it up obediently. His favourite line: “Fish or cut bait.”
He used those very words again on Wednesday night in his speech at the Conservative caucus meeting in St. Agapit, near Quebec City. The prime minister’s list of colloquialisms might be short, but his constant recourse to “fish or cut bait” shows how increasingly frustrated he’s becoming at being unable to provoke an election himself, because of his own decision to go for a fixed-date election in October 2009.
Another line he has been hammering for months is about what he calls the “real nationalists.” In St. Agapit, he repeated his own definition of this strange creature: “Real nationalists can be proud of their region and love Quebec without wanting to break the Canadian federation. Real nationalists don’t want to destroy, they want to build. Real nationalists don’t look to paralyze things, they act.”
As paternalistic as his theory is, interestingly enough, Harper has actually been getting away with it without anyone in Quebec’s political class even offering the slightest reply.
For one thing, his “real nationalists” line flies in the face of Quebec’s political reality and history. If there’s one thing Quebecers know, it is that nationalism here, as elsewhere, has many incarnations. As for its post-Quiet Revolution version, whether it expresses itself in the form of sovereignity, autonomism or renewed federalism, the political affirmation of Quebec’s specificity as a nation comes in a variety of shapes and visions. Each one implies building something different.
To limit this nationalism to Harper’s definition is either proof of the prime minister’s complete ignorance of Quebec’s political history and makeup, or it shows the depth of his arrogance and paternalism.
For someone who has never lived here and who was ‘intellectually’ trained in Alberta, to tell Quebecers what defines a “real nationalist” would be akin to Jacques Parizeau telling Canadians from outside of Quebec what constitutes “a real Canadian nationalist.” I can’t imagine that going down very well.
Of course, Harper also contends that his “open federalism” doctrine is now an intrinsic part of that “real nationalism” in Quebec. But in trying to distinguish himself from Dion’s more centralist vision, Harper says he now wants to spread his open federalism across the country.
When Transport Minister Lawrence Cannon said recently that Ottawa is open to letting provinces strike their own international deals and letting them exercise more autonomy in their economic foreign relations, Ed Stelmach, Alberta’s Tory premier, called this “the most significant policy change in the federal government in at least 25 years.” In yesterday’s Globe and Mail, columnist Lawrence Martin predicted this would “drive Canadian traditionalists bananas.”
But chances are that those new musings coming from the Harper government are like the Parliamentary motion on the Québécois “nation” – just words, or pre-electoral words to be more precise.
As Le Devoir pointed out, although Ottawa never enjoyed it, provinces that wish to do so don’t need its “permission” to extend their own jurisdictions into their respective foreign policies. Quebec certainly has been doing it for decades and it even has a name: the Gérin-Lajoie doctrine, named after one of Jean Lesage’s most prominent ministers.
Quebec has general delegations all over the world. It takes part in Canadian foreign-trade missions, but it also organizes its own. The next one will be in China. In fact, when Cannon said his government would “allow” Quebec to negotiate a work-force mobility deal with France, Premier Jean Charest’s office replied that no such blessing is required. Ottawa hasn’t had a word to say about this, nor was it asked for one, since Charest starting working on the idea.
Maybe the prime minister would be wiser to forget about what constitutes “real” Quebec nationalism. A better idea would be to focus instead on informing himself and his ministers as to how “real” foreign relations work at the provincial level.
The Gazette (Montreal) 2008
What the hell what do they mean no more taxes yes there e is let me explain. They just got 4 billion for the rights to give us sell phone service by more servers but wait now they have the right to charge us more and the right to charge us the 4 billon they paid to have the right to charge those high rates for they have to cover that 4 billion dollar payment for the right to charge us. And that means more taxes for the rates are high for they paid the right to to charge us for the total of the 4 billion.
Are these the persons in question that E
elections Canada is investigating?
Note: List contains 65 names, as two candidates did not receive sufficient numbers of ballots to qualify for a public refund of expenses.
British Columbia
Burnaby-Douglas, George Drazenovic
Burnaby-New Westminster, Marc Dalton
Cariboo-Prince George, Dick Harris
Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca, Troy DeSouza
Kelowna-Lake Country, Ron Cannan
Kootenay-Columbia, Jim Abbott
Nanaimo-Cowichan, Norm Sowden
Okanagan-Coquihalla, Stockwell Day
Okanagan-Shuswap, Colin Mayes
Prince George-Peace River, Jay Hill
Vancouver East, Elizabeth M. Pagtakhan
Vancouver Kingsway, Kanman Wong
Saskatchewan
Cypress Hills-Grasslands, David Anderson
Desnethe-Missinippi-Churchill River, Jeremy Harrison
Manitoba
Winnipeg Centre, Helen Sterzer
Ontario
Algoma-Manitoulin-Kapuskasing, Ian West
Davenport, Theresa Rodrigues
Kitchener Centre, Steven Cage
London-Fanshawe, Dan Mailer
Parkdale-High Park, Jurij Klufas
Sarnia-Lambton, Patricia Davidson
Scarborough Centre, Roxanne James
Thunder Bay-Rainy River, David Leskowski
Timmins-James Bay, Ken Graham
Toronto Danforth, Kren Clausen
Trinity-Spadina, Sam Goldstein
Vaughan, Richard Majkot
Windsor West, Al Teshuba
York-South Weston, Steve Halicki
Quebec
Argenteuil-Papineau-Mirabel, Suzanne Courville
Beauce, Maxime Bernier
Beauport-Limoilou, Sylvie Boucher
Bas-Richelieu-Nicolet-Becancour, Marie-Eve Helie-Lambert
Charlesbourg-Haute-Saint-Charles, Daniel Petit
Compton-Stanstead, Gary Caldwell
Drummond, Jean-Marie Pineault
Gatineau, Patrick Robert
Hull-Aylmer, Gilles Poirier
Lac-Saint-Louis, Andrea Paine
Laurentides-Labelle, Jean-Sarge Beauregard
Levis-Bellechasse, Steven Blaney
Lotbiniere-Chutes-de-la-Chaudiere, Jacques Gourde
Louis-Hebert, Luc Harvey
Louis-Saint-Laurent, Josee Verner
Megantic-L’Erable, Christian Paradis
Montmorency-Charlevoix, Yves Laberge
Mount Royal, Neil Martin Drabkin
Notre-Dame-de-Grace-Lachine, Allen F. Mackenzie
Pierrefonds-Dollard, Don Rae
Pontiac, Lawrence Cannon
Portneuf-Jacques-Cartier, Howard M. Bruce
Quebec, Frederik Boisvert
Richmond-Arthabaska, Jean Landry
Saint-Laurent-Cartierville, Ishrat Alam
Shefford, Jean Lambert
Sherbrooke, Marc Nadeau
New Brunswick
Beausejour, Omer Leger
Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe, Charles Doucet
Nova Scotia
Dartmouth-Cole Harbour, Robert A. Campbell
Halifax, Andrew House
Halifax West, Rakesh Khosla
Prince Edward Island
Malpeque, George Noble
Newfoundland and Labrador
Bonavista-Gander-Grand Falls-Windsor, Aaron Hynes
Humber-St. Barbe-Baie Verte, Cyril Pelley Jr.
Labrador, Joe Goudie
Random-Burin-St. George’s, Cynthia Downey
___________________________________________________
OTTAWA _ A primer on the alleged misconduct of the federal Conservative party in the last federal election, courtesy of Canadian Press:
I don’t want to ride the same Greyhound if ever HARRY S is aboard!
By Candid Reflections on 08.01.08 3:16 pm
Not funny… not even close!
Conservatives Attempted To ‘Hide’ Another Major Climate-Change Report
The Canadian Press
August 1, 2008 4:00PM (EDIT)
OTTAWA — A senior official in Conservative Health Minister Tony Clement’s office was forced to concede that the release of a major study on climate change and health could have gone “way differently and way better,” as she prefers to describe the apparent concealment.
Rita Smith, Clement’s communications director, attempted to brush aside suggestions the Harper government sought to ‘hide’ the 500-page report.
But the Conservative government’s hand was forced when parts of the report were leaked to the media last week.
Clement’s office was then forced to email the report, but did so only in pieces, to journalists late Thursday and the health minister later held a brief scrum with reporters at the Conservative caucus retreat in Levis, Que.
Apparently, the Conservative government’s plans were quashed when journalists started poking around.
The report, titled “Human Health in a Changing Climate: A Canadian Assessment of Vulnerabilities and Adaptive Capacity,” was supposed to be released this spring.
When spring came and went, some of the report’s authors worried it would be buried in a quiet corner of Health Canada’s website.
A similar fate befell another major climate-change study released earlier this year by Natural Resources Canada.
After years of research, input from more than 140 experts and $50,000 paid to a public-relations firm, Natural Resources only posted the study online after 5 p.m. on a Friday with no flourish.
Pollution Probe’s Quentin Chiotti contributed to both the Health Canada and Natural Resources reports. He says the science shows Ottawa needs to do more to help Canadians adapt to climate change.
“If this [Conservative] government doesn’t have a clear adaptation strategy and is treating these assessments the way that they are,” he said, “what does that say about this government’s understanding of adaptation? I don’t know.”
How’s this for ‘tax leakage’?
“…more than $3 billion in ‘tax leakage’ from the transaction…”
———————————–
Another LBO Of A Canadian Income Trust Due To Harper’s Income Trust Tax
Fording Canadian Coal Trust To Be Bought By Teck Cominco
Brenda Bouw, THE CANADIAN PRESS
July 29, 2008 (EDIT)
VANCOUVER – Teck Cominco Ltd. pulled the trigger on a deal to buy the assets of Fording Canadian Coal Trust for about US$14 billion.
Tuesday’s bid is for US$12.4 billion in cash and shares worth about C$1.5 billion.
Don Lindsay, president and CEO of Teck Cominco said the structure of the deal is key because of the tax advantages, and the fact the company already owns 20 per cent of Fording.
Teck expects to reap more than US$3 billion in tax benefits from the transaction based on established rules covering the acquisition of Canadian resource properties. It will fund the cash portion largely from a US$9.8-billion loan facility it has arranged with a syndicate of banks.
The deal follows what Fording described as an extensive review of strategic alternatives, particularly in light of the need to address our income trust structure before 2011.
my read of things is Privy (Cabinet) holds all the power and the only thing that stops it from running rampant between elections is the will to be re-elected and the Governor General.
since the PM picks the Cabinet…
With to-days “Breaking News” that GM is reporting a $15,500,000,000! quarter loss you would think King Harper would be talking to Canadians about his plan for shoring up manufacturing jobs rather than “THREATENING” the 70% of the peoples representatives that did not vote for him or his sheep in Reform clothing members!
If this [Conservative] government doesn’t have a clear adaptation strategy and is treating these assessments the way that they are,” he (Quentin Chiotti) said, “what does that say about this government’s understanding of adaptation? I don’t know.”
By Robert Gibbs on 08.01.08 5:15 pm
It really quite simple. The title of the study is,”Human Health in a Changing Climate: A Canadian Assessment of Vulnerabilities and Adaptive Capacity.”
Since PMSH et al are climate change deniers, then for them, the premise of the report, that climate change will affect human health, is invalid. Therefore, for them, the report, in its entirity, is invalid.
And since for those who do believe in climate change, the report is a call for government action, is it any wonder that PMSH et al would try and brush it under the carpet?
No surprise at all. Now if it supported their position, the trumpets would be have been out for its release.
By Candid Reflections on 08.01.08 4:21 pm
B.C. has had a carbon tax for 1 month now. It is working effectivly in my opinion. The Sea to Sky landslide was not due to climate change, but is reported as natural. 1 month ago it would have been the direct result of climate change most likely. Windstorms of 2005 were caused by climate change. The Kelowna mountatin fire in 03, caused by climate change. Flooding on flood plains, caused by climate change. Now we are back to natural disastors. Who would have thought it could be such an easy problem to fix.
Libs in Ottawa.
Tories in your province.
It’s the best route for Canada’s success.
This is why the CPC must be buried as a political entity. Not just simply lose. — Austin So, 12:24 pm
Patience is a virtue many here seems to lack. — Pascal, 3:40 pm
Spot on! To this harriedhairy’s(?) post from earlier also has to be added, and in this case, patience is very much an excellent virtue, for the long-term benefit of many.
Wait until as long as possible — even Oct. ’09 — because then CRAP will have buried themselves in the litany of lies and doublespeak they continually spew forth.
Added to Pyotr’s post re: higher unemployment, with spiralling energy, food and transportation costs, etc. — all this will come straight back and annhiliate CRAP outright.
Dion would have handled this inevitable worldwide economic downturn differently — i.e., possibly taxing IT’s at 11%, increasing the GST to 9%, lowering income tax rates, gaining new trading partners, so overall Canada would have dipped, but not gone down the toilet as CRAP seems hell bent on taking us.
So wait for the call, as it will come. Put our own houses in order first; get all that’s necessary done, then vote.
Bury CRAP for good. No second chance.
BTW, I received Ron Cannan’s “feel-good” flyer from CRAP; I’ll write some of harpo’s outright lies, then mail it back. He asked for comments, so a few are on their way!
Pollution Probe’s Quentin Chiotti contributed to both the Health Canada and Natural Resources reports. He says the science shows Ottawa needs to do more to help Canadians adapt to climate change.
“If this [Conservative] government doesn’t have a clear adaptation strategy and is treating these assessments the way that they are,” he said, “what does that say about this government’s understanding of adaptation? I don’t know.”
By Robert Gibbs on 08.01.08 5:15 pm
“”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"”"
Just like the bulk of Acid Rain making
comes from Ohio River Valley Coal fired Power Plants, much of the climate change
GHGs are from outside Canada. The current inhabitants of the HoC have no idea how to deal with it or even understand it, if they even wanted to.
It is my firm belief that we need to modify how we select the nominees for general election to Canada’s Parliament.
SCoC Chief Justice Estes stated that juries get it right 97.7% of the time
during his retirement interview. I submit that given the opportunity for average citizens to choose who they want nominated instead of allowing political parties and prime ministers to foist their buddies on us, there would be a higher level of insight and more intelligent debate in the House. Much of the cause of climate change is not rocket science, and can be understood better when the elected members owe there loyalty to the electors and not to party back room manipulators.
Also what does that say about a PM who suffers from asthma, when it can be shown that more of the GHGs will produce more asthma attacks. Yo ain’t too bright, huh?
Somebody mentioned our burgeoning world population as being the problem – I agree. We have too many people on the planet to survive. Add to that the westernization of other continents and we have mass consumerism which can mean only one thing: depletion of our resources and more pollution. Canada’s contribution to global warming is small – although I’m not excusing it.
We North Americans are voracious consumers of stuff we don’t need (iPhone, anybody?), we have triple-packaged goods in our stores because of shoplifting, our foods are processed beyond recognition – all of this take resources.
We import manufactured goods from two of the world’s biggest polluters and then we beat ourselves up over our contribution to global warming. We need to stop consuming useless garbage and supporting the violation of our planet.
Canada is one of the most naturally beautiful countries in the world and we are destroying it. Our north is being violated for the sake of the economy (oil reserves, diamonds, lumber) but nobody seems to want to stop it – after all, the economy comes first. Wrong – quality of life comes first. If we lived simpler lives and weren’t so compelled to have everything we’d be far better off. We’ve been brainwashed into consuming anything and everything that is placed before us – the economy comes first, right? Wrong. Dead wrong.
Sorry to be harsh, but that is what I see as the crux of the issue.
Bernier Report Released:
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080801/bernier_report_080801/20080801?hub=TopStories
A day or two ago, two cigarette companies were fined billions, but they have fifteen years or so to pay those fines.
Now, the state of MA is suing Merrill Lynch for doing some naughty things!
http://tinyurl.com/6h5ezu
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So commodities have their sharpest decline in 28 years . . . will there be some REALLY good buys?
http://tinyurl.com/56jvn6
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Isn’t uranium one of the ingredients in making nukes? Russia is now #2 in the world with uranium.
http://tinyurl.com/6m6rwt
****************************************
No links, but heads with a couple of paras.
“Wal-Mart Warns of Democratic Win
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. is mobilizing its store managers and department supervisors around the country to warn that if Democrats win power in November, they’ll likely change federal law to make it easier for workers to unionize companies — including Wal-Mart.”
WRH.com
“There is a lawsuit if they start using their stores for political campaigning.”
****************************************
“Jobless rate rises to 4-year high of 5.7 percent
“The nation’s unemployment rate climbed to a four-year high of 5.7 percent in July as employers cut 51,000 jobs, dashing the hopes of an influx of young people looking for summer work.
WRH.com
“And if you believe the government when they say unemployment is only 5.7 % I have some of Saddam’s ‘nookular’ bombs to sell you!”
I would really like to know how many of the Regular posters here Voted for Steve?? By that I only Read and Value the PROGRESSIVE ones and Skip the “101st Keyboard Komandoes” the Harpies.Whether you swing Left or Right as long as you’re Progressive you’re OK by me, for than you’re using the “Common sense the Good Lord Gave Ya” as my dear departed PC Mom would say.She also said “Great Minds think Alike and FOOLs Seldom Differ”.
Since before Bush Farce 2000 I’ve been Reading the USA Progressive blogs and so I could see what was in store for Canada from Harper and I’ve not been disappointed.Sad Yes Disappointed No. So that’s the ONLY reason Garth didn’t get my Vote.I didn’t know the Liberal anymore than I knew Garth,but the CONs weren’t getting the Chance to destroy Canada like Bush has the USA if my Vote could possibly help to STOP him.
I’m a Proud Progressive. I never really understood that much,but the Progressive USA blogs helped me see that it’s NOT the “LEFT” or” RIGHT” that’s the problem it’s the Liars and Crooks we Allow to FOOL us into electing them.I see Garth and Dion as Progressives not CON or Lib and that’s why Garth will get my Vote.Garth has earn my support for he has stuck to his Beliefs and he has put Canada and Canadians before Party.He is the Type of Representive we need in Government.
I’m more disappointed in Our “Free Press” than I am with Harper and his CONs.The MSM in the USA are the biggest traitors to the American Public more so than Bush’s cabal for they willing Ignored Crimes to the US Public and Constitution they instead willing Propagated the WH talking points. Sadly I see much the same with Cdn MSM,just look at the NP crap about Dion’s Finaces while IGNORING the CONS that got extentions. It isn’t ONLY the Post it’s with all the Corp Owned and the CBC.Old Lapdog Larry (as I now refer to Him)Martin in the “respected’ G&M propagating the Harper “Unity” myth like a Lapdog Armstrong Williams in the USA getting Paid $250,000 by the Repugs to propagate Bush’s “No Child Left Behind”.Forget about an Elec tion not much worse can happen we’re already in Deficit about the Time I predicted going by the “Bush Chart” start going after the Media. The Privately Owned Networks Pay thier OWN way,they Live or Die on thier Own Dollar,BUT the CBC USES our Tax dollars and when they start the Bullshit like Newman on Politics” stating that he finds it HARD to understand Dion in QP and the CONs “Dion Not a Leader” Bullshit than we have got to call them on it.I’ve Phoned and let my opinion be known so should alot more.I don’t want my tax dollars USED to Propagate.
Sorry for the Long post,but we Canadians need to Wake the Hell Up and Give Dion a Chance I TRUST him and I TRUST Garth we need more Progressives running this Country .I’m glad to hear about “Infighting” with the Liberals for that’s allowing differing Opinions to be Heard and that my friends is a Progressive Democracy and that’s all I want for my Canada. Thank You if you took the time to read my Post this is just my uniformed Opinion,by I’m learnin’ with all your help and most of All Garth for willing and honestly trying to Inform and Educate the Public.It isn’t Garth’s fault if the Harpeis don’t want to Listen,but the True Progressives are and that’s all that counts.Thanks again Garth,but I can wait til ’09 to vote for you I want Harper to Sink into the Shit he’s been Smearing Canada with and I’d say in another 6mths the Sewre Pipe will break.
The same way in which the Con-bots stole the election with the collusion of Zacardelli and the RCMP over the so-called investigation into ‘leaks’ on the Income Trusts file by Minister Goodale .
Used more money than was allowed by law to finance their campaign .Using fraudulent means to pump up their ability to spend more money on advertising to the tune of 1.3
million .
Con-bots have been breaking the law forever in their desperate attempt to cling to power .
Note, he said “CAMPAIGN FINANCING”… not “the money’s in the bank”.
By Christian Conservative on 08.01.08 12:43 pm
Excuse me Christ but in my book, making sure the finance is in place means that the
Monies are ready & available to spend. It doesn’t necessarily mean that according to your “brain”, the money isn’t already in the bank. Just an observation.
“How many scotches do you drink before you press say it”? There an old saying that was just recently said by one of the greatest Prime Ministers of our time “fish or cut bait”. My guess is the fishing pole is nowehere to be found.
By Brian Wilson on 08.01.08 9:10 am
Brian, it looks like you’ve been smoking that funny tobacco today or maybe snorting a bit of that white stuff. It doesn’t mix well with the beer you keep guzzling in cowboy country. FYI, I would say that Mr. Dion’s fishing rod is fully baited & getting more & more bites daily. Many many more bites. Btw Brian; please note that the fishing pole you’re alluding too is actually called a ‘Fishing Rod” (chuckles) Keep nibbling though but please be careful of that big yank when Dion reels you suckers in.
Cheers
Boys and girls…it’s not about the
Liberals, it’s about the Conservatives.
Hold them accountable!
Hit them with accountability on performance.
Hit them again!
Then
Hit them again!
Then
Hit them again!
Do it until they cower and don’t get up.
It won’t take long. They don’t like receiving what they dish out.
Focus must be on them on them ….always!
Hit them punishingly hard and often!
Distress common at CBC
Employee survey describes ‘troubled’ work environment
Ottawa Sun – August 1, 2008
Almost half of CBC’s 10,000 employees suffer from “high levels” of psychological distress related to their working conditions, according to a 2005 “wellness” survey of 4,630 staff obtained through the Access to Information Act.
The survey, which cost an estimated $100,000, asked employees questions related to psychological health, harassment, working conditions and job satisfaction.
The results describe a “troubled” working environment where 44% of staff displayed symptoms of high-level psychological distress. Nine out of 10 afflicted workers said it was related to their work. Those classified as distressed also took twice as many sick days.
When it came to harassment, 12% of staff said they had endured abusive comments, rude gestures and even death threats from their fellow employees and supervisors.
More at:
http://www.ottawasun.com/News/National/2008/08/01/6324986-sun.html
………………………………………..
Hmmmm … 10,000 employees and $1 Billion annual subsidy … so that means each job is subsided by $100,000 by Canadian taxpayers ….?
Hmmmm not enough information to make a decision.
Anyone know what date the legal ruling on the Elections Canada “In/out Boo Boo” is expected?
If the Conservatives win on this legal in/out decision I may use their techniques to pay my tax bill.
Garth are you still taking names for the pre-meeting with big D?
Have a good long weekend everyone!
Why is there no data on Canada to the IMF?
Consumer price index (CPI) is a measure of a country´s general level of prices based on the cost of a typical basket of consumer goods and services. Data are period averages.
http://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/index.php?db=MEIIFS
Expert Report Questions Tory Greenhouse-Gas Claims & Calculations
The Canadian Press
August 1, 2008 (EDIT)
OTTAWA — The Harper Conservative government is likely overstating how much its climate-change plan will lower greenhouse gases, says a federal advisory panel.
Flaws in government calculations skew projections around the Tories’ policies, the National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy says in a report to be released Saturday.
“Problems persist with how individual policy measures are calculated and with their projected emission reductions,” the report says.
“Individual policy measures continue to be presented without these sources of overestimation adequately being taken into account.”
“We thought it was on the [very] optimistic side in terms of how much reductions would actually happen.”
Many experts have criticized Harper’s plan as nothing more than ‘window-dressing’ that will result in little-to-no reductions in greenhouse gases.
Bring it on lets bury the corrupot liberals once and for all, and oh by the way where is the 44 million from the sponsorship scandal and as for the enviroment Harper is doing as much as Dion did which is zilch. If the greenshift is what Canadians want why exempt gas, since Canadians want this maybe Dion can grow some and do this. I can see him know at G8 meetings now, when it is time to vote, will abstain or will he call a time out till he takes a poll. I suppose if the libs are back in GM will recall all the laid off workers because people will now buy big trucks and SUV’s since its Harpers fault they don’t, yeah lets make Canada a nanny state
I always figured M. Dion as a chess player not ‘go fish’.
Dion’s call.
As for the ‘biker babe’? Hope Mad Max doubled up the rain gear before he went into that sewer. Fool.
Considering I never voted for the Conservatives in the first place, an election couldn’t have come soon enough for me.
I would have preferred it this summer than this fall. As for a fall or winter election at this point I’m saying hold off. Wait for the US election to take place and get some concrete dirt on the Cons.
All what I ask is that you find away around it other then abstaining. You lose credibility with the general public when you criticize but then fail to vote on issues.
At this point all what I care about is that on election day, whatever that day is, the Conservatives will not be in power after that point.
I’m willing to suck it up if the ends justify the means.
. . . The Kelowna mountatin fire in 03, caused by climate change. . . .
Marc, 6:08 pm
Hi Marc, not sure if you’re being a little facetious, but a couple of lightning strikes on tinder-dry trees, plus a lot of deadwood which had not been touched for a year or two (due to tree-huggers) were the cause of the fire.
It was curious to watch the fire from a different area of Kelowna; we used to see smoke billowing out of the forested areas (couldn’t see any houses), but on CHBC-TV, quite often the fire destroyed one house completely, skipped the next-door neighbor and burnt the one following.
Forty or so homes were rebuilt.
When 20-year-old Ellen Page from Halifax got an Academy Award nomination for best actress, we all cheered. When our hockey team won gold at the World Juniors, we all cheered. Now you don’t have to be a movie fan or a hockey fan to be moved by this stuff. You just have to be a Canadian.
And likewise, you don’t have to be a genius to be very proud of the fact that Canadian scientists won the Nobel Peace Prize. I mean this is the mother of all prizes. In fact, Mother Theresa got one.
So what happened this past week when these Canadian scientists came to Parliament Hill for a reception in their honour with their Nobel prize tucked up underneath their arms? The Prime Minister, the guy who’s job it is to represent us at these things refused to attend. The Canadian cabinet refused to attend. And why? Because these scientists, who – I don’t know if I’ve mentioned this or not – won the Nobel Peace Prize, had the gall to do it by formulating a plan to fight climate change. And my guess is it doesn’t call for an increase in oil sands production. So as a result, not a single cabinet minister would cross the hall and shake their hands.
Now remember, this is the same government that just recently fired the national science advisor. A guy whose job it was to advise the Prime Minister and cabinet on all issues pertaining to science. Well they just didn’t see the need for that guy. With this crowd being a science advisor is a bit like being the Maytag repairman. The phone just doesn’t ring.
What I want to know is: how did we get here? Canadian scientists discovered insulin. We invented the Robertson screwdriver for God’s sakes. And suddenly science is the new enemy.
I understand that in politics people and parties have enemies, and destroying your enemy is the name of the game. That’s the way you win. But we cannot allow the government to declare war on knowledge, otherwise we all lose. Unless of course they start passing out Nobel Prizes for idiocy.
Rick Mercer
February 20, 2008
I’m always a little dubious when someone tosses out the “Progressive” label. Depending on how one chooses to define the term it could mean pretty much anything.
FWIW, Harper didn’t actually call Dion a “beanstick” or a “shifty little punk”
or “Four eyes” or “loser”.
I only mention it because a writer named Linda McQuaig once did a piece all based on “What might have been said behind closed doors at a caucus meeting”. Using that rationale it’d be possible to attack pretty much anyone on anything. Rather like saying “I have no idea whether or not this is actually true however, assuming it is, …”
Mr. Garth TurnerMP,
Could it be PMSH hope for an election just when the USA is having there’s, and hoping that the Canadian electorate will be distracted?
Hoping that more Canadians don’t figure out what PMSH and his gang have really been up to and would like to do to dismantle any hope that Canadians will have a bright future.
PMSH must be hoping that more people don’t start to pay more attention to what he’s been doing, at least until after the election, it’s PMSH last best hope of being more that just another oil/grease spot in history.
PMSH must be hoping Canadians won’t catch on until it’s too late to stop this PMSH gang and his Buddy Bush form doing more permanent damage to our democracy and our freedoms. They act just like dictator and fascists! PMSH has no clothes.
You have been paying attention, right???
I hope Mr. DionMP waits just a bit longer to be sure to put PMSH and gang out for good rid-dens!
“I find it interesting that Stephane apparently came into politics on the request of Jean Chretien to help to keep Canada together when Quebec separation was a big issue. Harper came into politics wanting the power to destroy the federal government. Why would anyone vote for Steven Harper and his gang?
http://tinyurl.com/66uuxz
By Bonnie L on 08.01.08 9:35 am”
Hi Bonnie, your posting has captured the essense of the two men. Dion is driven by a higher calling to serve the nation, Harper wallows in his gutter politics of personal power.
Vote for Harper and you vote for the alberta alliance/reform whackos and canada does not need them.
Does it really matter?
The Libs have a plan to salvage the environment and stimulate the economy. They think Canada has a big problem brewing on the southern horizon and in our true north.
The Cons think the Libs are just trying to “screw” us all. Canada doesn’t need a plan because there is nothing wrong with our economy or our environment after all climate change is just a scam to steal money from Alberta.
The Cons say Dion is not a leader and the Libs think Harper is some kind of religious megalomaniac.
So what if the Con’s abuse our tax dollars and manipulate our electoral system the Liberal were worse so by the Cons estimation they are justified. After all according to some Cons the only good Liberal is a bombed out Liberal?
The Cons think it is OK for each Province to have a separate foreign trade policy they say that is their definition of diversity since multiculturalism is so passe`.
Let the fear mongering -and the messenger killing begin because under the Harper government their is no debate no discussion. Personality politics and win at any cost.
Let the Campaign begin as this is Canada’s new blood sport under the Harper Cons and may the lowest drive by smear win the day!
By Charles Oxley on 08.01.08 6:26 pm
Wait until as long as possible — even Oct. ‘09 — because then CRAP will have buried themselves in the litany of lies and doublespeak they continually spew forth.
Added to Pyotr’s post re: higher unemployment, with spiralling energy, food and transportation costs, etc. — all this will come straight back and annhiliate CRAP outright.
Dion would have handled this inevitable worldwide economic downturn differently — i.e., possibly taxing IT’s at 11%, increasing the GST to 9%, lowering income tax rates, gaining new trading partners, so overall Canada would have dipped, but not gone down the toilet as CRAP seems hell bent on taking us.
So wait for the call, as it will come. Put our own houses in order first; get all that’s necessary done, then vote.
Bury CRAP for good. No second chance.
…………………………………………………………………
Great strategy for the Dion Liberals, Chucky …. abstain for 4 years and let the Conservatives govern as if with a majority … and watch the country go down the crapper while your Liberals take their precious time to ” Put our own houses in order first; get all that’s necessary done, then vote.” (in October ’09).
Meanwhile Canadians suffer immeasurably while Dion tries to ‘get it done’ by ‘making a prioritee’ after 4 years of abstaining and dithering. Now that sounds like a political party I could vote for with confidence.
Chucky … if Dion is unable to convince the Liberal party to back him up and defeat the Harper government at the very first opportunity in September’08, you might as well wind up the Liberal party and throw it into the ashbin of history as a failed political entity.
Canadians can’t wait any longer for Dion to ‘sell’ his Green Shift and wait for all the HoCs committee reports about past election financing, Mulroney and some tart from Montreal.
IT’S THE ECONOMY … STUPID …!!!!
Harper and his boys=the alberta alliance/reform party,period.
Harper,never.
I agree with that.
Bernier Report Released:
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080801/bernier_report_080801/20080801?hub=TopStories
By wjp on 08.01.08 7:08 pm
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Did you notice the wording, WJP?
………………………………..
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/471446
The long-awaited report concludes the former foreign affairs minister’s temporary loss of military summit briefing materials will likely be seen as an individual gaffe rather than “a systemic failure” of the government’s regime for protecting classified information.
But the report, released late Friday before a holiday weekend in much of Canada, says the incident was “injurious to the national interest.”
“The NATO Summit Conference Briefing materials were not adequately safeguarded,” the report says, noting the set of 26 documents – including some marked secret – were left unattended in the minister’s unlocked briefcase both in a Bucharest hotel room and in Canada after his return from the early April conference.
As a result, Bernier violated the federal security policy governing proper safeguarding and transportation of classified information, the report found.
In addition, Foreign Affairs officials did not follow a requirement to number and control all versions of briefing books, and it was routinely left up to recipients to dispose of them as they saw fit.
The report recommends a range of measures to beef up ministerial security, including better training, stricter monitoring and improved measures for tracking briefing books.
Foreign Affairs Minister David Emerson, who replaced Bernier, said in a statement he accepts the recommendations.
……………………………..
They are saying it is not a “systemic failure” and only the Minister’s personal failure. This is why Paul Dewar NDP MP is correct to label this a white wash since it is obvious that the systems were inadequate to monitor and alert the department when documents were missing or not in control!
This is more evidence that we need to elect another government other than this “rookey new ammature government!”
The Liberal party, as well as most members that ran in the leadership contest are straining under an enormous debt. This it a pro Liberal blog. How many people here have actually put their money where their mouth is and help pay down their leaders debt. Can’t be that many with such a large debt outstanding. Money talks, Bullshit walks. Anybody here that has not contributed is part of the Liberal problem”. The Conservative mind set is “What can I do for my Country”. The Liberal mind set is “What can my Country do for me.” That is why your party has got money troubles. You are all just sitting back, waiting…..
By albo on 08.01.08 9:06 pm
Thought Albo was the name of a dog
food ?
Woof ! Woof !
Dream on little doggy . The Con-bots will be eviscerated in any forthcoming election.
Choose wisely. Vote Liberal
>What is stopping Parliament from >stripping the PM of all power and >choosing a new cabinet?
It is in the hands of the opposition. Thus far the Liberals have demonstrated a lack of will and I thought Mr Dithers himself was bad.He doesn’t hold a candle to the current Liberal leader.
The liberals can change it very easy by finally have the guts and fortitude to their so called principles and vote to bring down the government when parliament reconvenes. I don’t think they have the guts to do it because Dion knows full well if he causes an election and loses(which is highly) will no longer be leader of the Liberal party but rather will be back teaching as a professor. The Liberals actions thus far has absolutely nothing to do strategy but rather everything to do with survival of Dion’s leadership.
IT’S STUPID HAIRY!!!!!!
Clueless as always . Sinking like a stone in the polls .
CRAP is dead .
Harper and his boys=the alberta alliance/reform party,period.
By ken on 08.01.08 11:37 pm
That is far better then the Liberal mafia.
By Marc on 08.01.08 6:08 pm
Marc, that rock slide could just as easily have been triggered by a minor earthquake. Do you live in BC? I have run the Hope Princeton Hwy and recall the Nicolet River slide that was triggered by a minor quake, and have you seen Turtle Mt. in the Crows Nest Pass? I like that scenery but born a flatlander, I will always return to a less dangerous life style.
Climate change is not easily blamed for natural disasters. There are other factors involved and only precision records over long time intervals can positively prove the trend lines are valid. I have yet to read that our star, the Sun, is not partially to blame. If it is actually burning hotter and emitting more energy, then this too could be a factor, but difficult to prove due to the “Sun Spot” eruption cycle that occurs on an eleven year frequency! How about the interstellar dust clouds, if they are thinner then more energy from the Sun strikes the Earth. Did notice that the last Space Shot to the orbiting Space Lab, the Astronauts collected some of the accumulated dust off the solar panels after making their repairs during the space walks. What I am getting at is climate change maybe due to many things besides and including GHGs.
BY RM ON 08.01.08 12:46 AM
RM, your argument falls flat on it’s face. There is not one single Canadian who says we should get “softer” on criminals. So you’ve made an argument where there was none.
Just to straighten you out, it’s well known that crime “prevention” is what’s called for, since it is far superior to INCREASING jails. So skip the rhetoric about anyone saying they want softer penalties or any such nonsense.
The problems we face today come from Harper-type mentalities, people too stupid to realize that it takes a good society and a lot of work to raise good citizens.. not a cruel society that doesn’t have a clue as to what cause crime. There are causes you know, RM, crime doesn’t just decide to happen.
And I’ll point fingers. It’s the right-wing thoughtless style of free enterprise that creates media giants who put violence on tv. It’s the right-wing who want guns, guns, guns.. a direct cause of crime. It’s the right-wing who don’t believe in social safety net for the less fortunate, creating more homeless and crime.
Seems to me the right-wing cause a lot of crime, not the least of which starts in the PMO with ripping us off with Harper’s white collar type of crimes. I hope he goes to jail for all he’s done. Harper is a pretty bad example for kids today, and I can just see some guy committing a crime and suggesting that if Harper gets away with his crimes, why can’t they?
Come on! We are just being KILLED by Harpo and their Corporate-Loving laws. I am SO SICK and TIRED of getting Corporate fingers in my ARSE all the time!!! Dion is a WIMP. ELECTION NOW!
By Name(required) on 08.01.08 7:40 am
***********************************
Dinna ben doon Laddie!
. . . captured the essense of the two men. Dion is driven by a higher calling to serve the nation, Harper wallows in his gutter politics of personal power.
Bonnie L, 9:35 am and TS, 11:20 pm
– and –
Meanwhile Canadians suffer immeasurably . . . IT’S THE ECONOMY … STUPID …!!!!
hasbeenhairy, 11:35 pm
Bonnie L and TS are correct.
Dion has a greater purpose to serve, primarily that of a nation. One nation — Canada. Not a “nation within a nation”, just one nation with different cultures.
Your two cents worth also serve a purpose — quite clearly, it spells out who is deliberately driving Canada into the ground.
Neither the Libs., Bloc, Dippers, Greens, Rhinos et al have the privilege of running the country — only CRAP does. Hence, CRAP is fully responsible for putting us where we are now.
No one that I know of elected CRAP to be so utterly incompetent at what they are doing, to listen to and follow someone else’s path (dubya’s).
Let’s view this as a trial run for the Libs. to note all the blatant lying and cheating that CRAP has done, then fix it in the election.
The Green Shift will take care of itself, but the economy won’t. Canada needs a STRONG party in; that’s why CRAP are gone — they are nothing more than a bunch of pansies.
If you need further assistance, please dial 9-1-1 and ask!
BY SUE ON 08.01.08 7:23 PM
Sue,
I enjoyed your post very much. Sounds like we think alike. Learning curve, but ahead of the crowd. We do have criminals in charge, it’s not just a Canadian problem, and we have to go with those we trust, after some research of course. It sure opens your eyes.
I trust honest people. Dion and Garth are clearly honest. Oh, and they have guts, which I like too.
ROBERT GIBBS 08.01.08 1:20PM
I agree Harper definitely has some degree of mental/emotional disorder which shows in the ease he has in carrying out counter-intuitive initiatives. That’s why his backers picked him. And with his intellectual training done in Alberta, he’s got that pavlovian response to cater to big biz.. make government small, forced against the common good will, and contrary to common sense break up the power so it’s easier pickings for corrupt big biz. Seems we Canadians haven’t figured out we’re being taken over by that corrupt model. It’s been in use for 60 years, 90 years, heck it’s been around forever. We just never learn, do we. He caters to the corrupt big boys who’ve never blinked about causing wars because they think war is good for the economy. Harper’s been working with those boys for decades.
“The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. In the meantime, in between time, ain’t we got fun?”
CPC Rhetoric on election is just that, not much chance of a majority with Quebec Bloc 37%, Libs 27% and CPC 18%.
Harper best buy more votes in Quebec!
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=abf4c3a4-9cdb-4f4e-9a52-796f0649a1be
Vote for Harper and you vote for the alberta alliance/reform whackos and canada does not need them.
By ken on 08.01.08 11:29 pm
Psssssttttt – old scare tactics – not going to work! Try something else.
Who is watching cell phone safety?
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/471613
Who is dissing the woman now?
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=b55dbc42-55a7-40cb-a933-b68e090dd38f
More CPC Denials:
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080802/climate_report_080802/20080802?hub=TopStories
Will CRAP ever learn to CONTROL THE CLEAVAGE?
In accordance to CRAP Policy, the sensitive sections of the briefing materials should have been BLACKED OUT.
Did Foreign Affairs budget not provide for ample supply of black magic markers?
Very slippery for CRAP to release the report before a long weekend. Well my bosom friends, the sole in the frying pan of Mad Max is starting to stick. Even a Biker Babe uses teflon products.
The end is rear.
How stupid can the CRAP get? Absolutely pathetic!
http://newsdurhamregion.com/news/breaking_news/article/104240
I just love that neo-con/neo-Republican propaganda -
In a “Weekly Observer” article called “Beware false prophets” in to-day’s Ottawa Citizen, Robert Sibley shows that the only thing standing between the West and chaos is the American empire, which better last as long as the Roman did.
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/observer/story.html?id=0412505e-99d6-495f-a117-0d98ee273d3a
Never mind some of the inconsistencies and problems of the USA (how about “purported mistakes in Iraq”? Sibley’s treatment of American defence costs is particularly noteworthy). We obviously should stop criticizing the Empire, beware of the false prophecies of “declinists”, and (citing Edward Gibbon at the article’s masthead) fight human nature’s “strong propensity to depreciate the advantages, and to magnify the evils, of the present times.”
Sibley does not say to stop worrying and be happy, nor to elect Harper and his neo-Republican party in perpetuity to secure the benefits of civilization. Propaganda cannot be that forthright.
ERASE THE DISGRACE – ÉCRASEZ L’INFÂMIE!
It’s accountability STUPID! Remember, the theme Harper and his ilk ran on the last election?
These morons haven’t a clue what class or integrity are about. They are LOSERS!
GET RID of THEM ASAP!
Don’t give Harper an inch. One more year of his constant campaigning and scandals and even his own party will want him out.
Wait til 2009.
I think we should have an election – nothing has been done particularly well politically in this country for years.
The problem is that there is absolutely no person or party to vote for. I would probably be described as ‘conservative’, but the Cons. party has been so changeable under Harper’s leadership, trying to pander to the loudest opinions. Our own representation is impotent, and the only changes to come through this country in years benefit only the loud and whiny GTA. The Liberals have elected as their leader a diminutive man who doesn’t appear capable of organizing a bake sale, never mind running a country. And now they want to add another tax to us – because now they want to us my money to change the world! The way that party handles money?!
I don’t care if we vote or don’t vote. I’ve always considered it my responsibility (along with every eligible Canadian) to vote, but for whom do we vote now?
Harper and his boys=the alberta alliance/reform party,period.
By ken on 08.01.08 11:37 pm
Except that they haven’t kept those ideals either!
If you would like to see how many Albertans feel about the East and the country of Canada…I would suggest you read the comments following this article…
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=eae11d94-6447-4aac-bb30-d51bdf141099
Hi HARRY S on 08.01.08 11:35 pm,
‘Meanwhile Canadians suffer immeasurably while Dion tries to…’
Mr. Harry S, It’s not anything to do with Mr. DionMP, but all to do with the acting PMSH and gang government. PMSH is the one that has all his fingerprints on the controls now and for the past two years! His entire B.S. is quickly catching up with him, and more people everyday are starting to see what has really been going on under PMSH watch/orders.
PMSH, as we have seen is incapable of governing this Country.
He is not well informed.
He is not a critical-thinker.
He is not a good planner.
PMSH is not a good leader at all!!!
PMSH is just another schoolyard bully without much brainpower to comprehend the big picture and think outside the box, or even to seek out the best and brightest for solution to our present and future predicaments.
(Was PMSH given Fluoridated-drinking water as an infant?
It’ll lower your IQ permanently!)
See http://www.fluoridealert.org/
PMSH is unable ‘to get the job done’. Even for his own kids future best long-term interest.
Do you really think PMSH even cares about you and your family’s best future interests at all???
Why do you think PMSH would rather be campaign full time than doing his job and governing for everyone’s best long-term interests?
PMSH seem to be taking his orders from his corporate masters. Not at all looking out for you, your family and the other human beings of the world.
PMSH has NO clothes.
PMSH seem to know a lot about being ‘insane’ and ‘screwing everyone’.
He needs to be forever exiled to the history books.
(You know, to become just another small grease/oil spot in between the pages.)
I want my PM to be a smart critical-thinker, to be a wise person that is able to adjust there planning as things and information changes. To help get us all to a better future. I want my PM of Canada to act in everyone’s best long-term interest. Just the way a Canadians PM should act.
PMSH is NOT my idea of what a Canadian PM should be at all!!!!
Hi wjp on 08.02.08 10:00 am,
Thanks if the link.
Sound like the CIA plans of conquest of Canada without firing a shot could be working.
But maybe it’s just the message the masters of the corporate run media want us to hear?
Hi wjp on 08.02.08 8:41 am,
Thanks for the link to article about.
‘The Harper government is dismissing suggestions that it tried to play down (cover up) the release of a major report warning about serious health effects from climate change.
Health Minister Tony Clement’s communications director conceded Friday that the release could have gone “way differently and way better.” But Rita Smith denied any attempt to bury the 500-page report by releasing it late Thursday with no fanfare.
The Conservative government’s hand was forced when parts of the report were leaked to the media last week, Smith said.’
If we don’t, and quickly stop and decrease the addition of green house gasses to the world atmosphere, it is going to get very BRUTAL and literally DEADLY!
Are you well informed? Have you been paying attention?
So you still don’t believe all the good scientist regarding man-made climate change?
You don’t have to, to still conclude that taking action now is the best course of action for your best interests and that of your families and the rest of the people on our only planet Earth, the only one we have!
Here is the 10 min argument/reasoning to why we should act to stop climate change now. Inaction is still a choice, be it a very, very bad choice.
‘How It All Ends’ 10min
http://www.youtube.com/user/wonderingmind42
Also if you go to the same link above and scrawl down you can watch,
‘The Most IMPORTANT Video You’ll Ever See.’
(The shows/talk title is;)
‘Arithmetic, Population, and energy’
By wjp on 08.02.08 10:00 am
meh – a lot of noise is all.
I’ve said before, this country has got problems that need to be dealt with – yet who is going to show leadership and tackle them?
I love this country. I’ve been lucky enough to live in Manitoba, Alberta, BC (briefly) and now in Ontario. I’ve also been priviledged enough to travel overseas, and I know first hand how good we have it here. I want a strong, united country – but our current system is broken. And it doesn’t need to be tinkered with – it needs a major overhaul.
The Senate needs to be reformed – but to reform the Senate also requires that we reform the HoC (IMO). It also requires that we “renew” the federation – but I see no desire from our politicans to do so.
The Green Shift – at least is a radical change in taxation policy – and what I like about it is that it is a consumption tax. While some may call consumption taxes “regressive” – there are ways to make it not regressive. The GST is a good tax, becuase it isn’t as regressive as a VAT. (necessities aren’t taxed, for example) However, as long as Alberta and Saskatchewan are opposed to the Green Shift – it would be a mistake to implement it. It is, however, a great way to start a dialogue – and that’s what Dion needs to do now. Have a dialogue – not with Harper – but with Alberta and the West – not sell the Green Plan as is, but to discuss their concerns, and find a way to address them.
This country is in dire need of constructive dialogue. Harper won’t do it (as is shown by his actions). Will Dion?
CRAP with Confidence
http://crazyopinions.com/__oneclick_uploads/2007/09/remain_calm.jpg
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=abf4c3a4-9cdb-4f4e-9a52-796f0649a1be
By wjp on 08.02.08 6:39 am
It looks to me like Harpo is giving direct orders to some unseen divinity on high.
http://a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/media.canada.com/5b6e4c44-1c52-4892-9c05-6cb84120e9ce/080108harper.jpg?size=l
Psssssttttt – old scare tactics – not going to work! Try something else.
By Catherine on 08.02.08 7:10 am
We don;t need scare tactics . We have the unadulterated truth on our side .
Canadian’s are wide awake as to who and what the CRAP party is . Republican’s North .
Crap will be lucky to get ninety seats in the next election .
Hi Catherine on 08.02.08 7:10 am,
I was just wondering if you might still be chained up in this cave?
FYI: anyone.
Plato’s: Allegory of the Cave. 7min17sec
(Read for you, with modern images.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ei7LqbYb8M&feature=related
If you’d rather;
“Belief in myth avoids the discomfort of thought.”
You simple need to wait until after 2010 when PMSH plans will mean your access to the web will be closed down.
All of your web surfing will cost you $$$$! For every hit every time!!!!
All your sources of information will be past through the Corporate run media filters. Don’t worry be happy.
Slaves don’t need to know that.
Can you say, ‘Yes Big Brother’!
PMSH has started his masters’ plans to bring in electronic-voting and electronic-vote counting. You have heard of HACKERS? Just look at what has happened to the South!!!
(Paper ballots votes and hand counting is the only way to be sure the people have any say in anything! It has always worked in the past. Who says there results need to be instant anyway???)
If electronic voting comes to fruition as PMSH has started down that path, all our Freedoms and Democratic world will ends forever!
What kind of world do you and your family want to try and survive in???
Have you been paying attention?
Are you well informed?
What are you going to do to keep your freedoms?
Don’t just site there any longer!
Take action in your families best long-term interests.
Get organized, there is still a bit of time to take action, but not too much more!
You could even run for office, or help someone you know and trust run.
Be very brave! You can do it!
Here you go Con-bots . A nice,ice cold,glass of blue kool-aide for ya’ .
It’ll make swallowing Harpo’s lies,and crap, go down easier .
It is unfortunate you are not capable of using the brains God gave ya’ . Oh,well .
“Hi Marc, not sure if you’re being a little facetious,…”By Charles Oxley on 08.01.08 10:05 pm
I was being completly facetious. Watching the B.C. carbon tax propoganda commercials, I would believe that those forest fires were sparked by spontaneous combustion. Those same commercials show that the windstorms that wrecked Stanley park was climate change in action. So hurricane Frieda in the 60s was natural, and the windstorms in 05 were climate change caused? It would be nice if the politicians selling us on a carbon tax would use a little honesty. I thought mother nature had been relieved of her duties, until I heard Kevin Falcon say taht mother nature caused the rock slide on the Sea to Sky highway.
Great strategy for the Dion Liberals, Chucky …. abstain for 4 years and let the Conservatives govern as if with a majority … and watch the country go down the crapper
“abstain for 4 years”???????????????
Deep in the bowels of a CRAP brain “abstain for 4 years” can also mean “Liberals supported the Harper gov’t”. Is this their definition of accountability; to either blame the opposition when they don’t want to own their mistakes or take credit when credit isn’t even due.
“let the Conservatives govern as if with a majority ”
Well they don’t have a majority and there’s a reason. Canadians are not convinced enough to give any party a majority.
“and watch the country go down the crapper”
The CRAP gov’t has only themselves to blame for their management of the economy.
SUCK IT UP YOU HONEYWAGON DRIVERS
Two Lessons from this Week’s Dollar Action
Jack Crooks–Money Markets–08-02-08
“In short, we have forecasts, time-frames, and reasons, but if the market tells us those things are wrong — we should act. Let me give you a great example from this past Thursday:
U.S. second-quarter GDP growth undershot expectations …
Weekly jobless claims overshot expectations …
And capital started stampeding out of the dollar.
In a game of expectations, it seemed as though traders were ready to erase the dollar’s latest rally and send it dramatically back to test all-time lows.
Turns out, it only took a few hours for the all-out dollar stampede to make a sharp U-turn.”
http://www.moneyandmarkets.com/Issues.aspx?NewsletterEntryId=2043
http://images.moneyandmarkets.com/1033/86743.html
“In fact, the U.S. dollar index actually finished the session relatively flat from where it stood when the fireworks started.”
But the point of the two rules is the same: to regulate the effect of private money on politics. Most of the money owed by Mr. Dion and Mr. Ignatieff was lent by banks, corporations and wealthy entrepreneurs, all of whom may have public-policy issues pending before Parliament. The longer that leadership candidates have outstanding debts to such creditors, the greater the risk that voters will perceive them to be beholden to special interests.
We see the Liberals’ and Tories’ alleged infractions as similarly significant. So the question presents itself: Why has Elections Canada chosen to treat them so differently? Mr. Mayrand, we’re waiting for your answer.
By RM on 08.01.08 12:31 am
Perhaps your a bit slow as to why money spent on leadership conventions as opposed to federal election campaigns are different, so by all means, allow me to explain.
The big reason as to why the NCC/Harper party is opposed to the rule of law specifically concerning election laws…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Citizens_Coalition
Among other things…
http://nationalcitizens.ca/cgi-bin/oms.cgi?rm=show_category&cid=1
http://nationalcitizens.ca/doc_bin/agenda_canada.pdf
Is because the NCC, like Harper and his U.S. corp multinational minions (one and the same in reality), wants to buy federal elections with a majority government to change the systems of government we’ve enjoyed in the past/present to facilitate the sale of Canada.
Anyone who wishes to see Harpers agenda can see it easily in the links. Its about the capture of Canadian $$$ market share by U.S. corps in Canada through changes in the system. Deregulate, decentralize federal powers, get the senate equal and elected, less numbers to buy off… weaken MP power, sell off all the crowns, destroy all boards, its all for U.S. market share expansion, especially in sectors they now don’t have access t such as healhcare and insurance and the sale of Canadian grain. Harper is nothing more than a U.S. puppet plant to this end. Anyone who wants to see Harpers agenda can easily find it in the links above.
Election laws are the same as leadership financing? They are apples and apples? Lib leaders were bought off by private interests? Prove it. Links, please. Thats pretty ignorant slander and a major laugh to boot considering the NCC gave Stephen Harper $50 G’s to campaign with in 93′ to run in Calgary federally, illegal today due to the very election law(s) that the NCC/Harper wants destroyed as surely as Harper follows the rules of election laws himself. Cadman… “In and Out”… NCC background… its not hard to extrapolate that Harper would buy any election illegally if he could much like any other U.S. government before him.
Only a fool or a bought propagandist would make such a claim as the one you have RM and since I’m known to be less than kind to both RM, you can kindly kiss my ass and take your “crime rate is skyrocketing” blab with you. Mass media violence and advertizing, divorce, drugs, these “other” stats have risen dramatically since 62′ as well, slowpoke. Its more than one pox thats in the mix other than “we need Republicans, er, I mean, Conservatives to get TOUGH on crime”. Wanna hug a thug, hug a Rethuglican (or a Conservative, same thing. Don’t think so? Ask Linda Keen). Wanna vote for liars and Harpercrites? Con 10 percenters point the arrow to the right box. We know who RM votes for… (if he/she is even from this nation) birds of a feather as they say.
Vote for Harper and you vote for the alberta alliance/reform whackos and canada does not need them.
By ken on 08.01.08 11:29 pm
Psssssttttt – old scare tactics – not going to work! Try something else.
By Catherine on 08.02.08 7:10 am
Does the truth not scare you? Those Alliance/Reform policies that have been enacted behind the scenes by Yo Harper have wrecked havic in many people’s lives and your suggestion is… try something else? Howsabout try Dion so Canada can be set right again instead of this wacko Bush tilt.
By Men With Hats on 08.02.08 12:16 am
By Candid Reflections on 08.02.08 12:33 am
By Charles Oxley on 08.02.08 12:44 am
By wjp on 08.02.08 6:39 am
By Bill-Muskoka on 08.02.08 9:09 am
By Sherm on 08.02.08 9:47 am
By cndnsunshine on 08.02.08 9:55 am
By Greg W., Oakville on 08.02.08 10:40 am
……………………………….
You people are sending a mixed message to Garth … whether there should be an election in October’08 or October’09. It’s a mish-mash of emotional outbursts, pompous boasting and wild speculations.
What is the consensus amongst forum Liberal trools … election NOW or election LATER ..??!!
Please provide our MP Garth with your clear and concise explanation (in 125 words or less and cut out the irrelevant crap) of your opinion on election timing, so he, Garth, can relay it to Dion when he arrives in Halton later this month.
(Others than the above aforementioned trools can also provide their opinion, but make it short and rational.)
If you would like to see how many Albertans feel about the East and the country of Canada…I would suggest you read the comments following this article…
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/story.html?id=eae11d94-6447-4aac-bb30-d51bdf141099
By wjp on 08.02.08 10:00 am
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is the results of divide and conquer leadership. Ain’t that just loverly! Maybe it is time for a civil war not an election. Get out the bugles and sabers, man the cannons, everybody
raise their flag and charge headlong into idiocy!
Mr. Garth TurnerMP,
It just occurred to me that PMSH biggest fear is that all ‘THE PEOPLE’, bloggers, readers and people that have been paying attention, start to stand up, and start knocking on there neighbors door and filling them in on what PMSH has been up to these last two years!!!!
Hopefully more people will start to pay attention to what is really going on with PMSH and the others!!!! Hopefully the people will start to talk to each other more.
Don’t allow ‘them’ to divide and concur. Be brave!
Be as brave as this guy. There is strength in numbers!!!
President John F Kennedy Secret Society Speech version 2. 5 ½ min.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhZk8ronces&feature=related
J. F. Kennedy talks about secret devils,(Masons& Illuminati) 4 1/2min.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1smgz-px1Q&feature=related
(PMSH and Bush are best (buddies) Have you been paying attention?)
President Eisenhower even knows about it, but called it something else.
WARNING FOR US ALL!!! Few min.
http://www.sonyclassics.com/whywefight/main.html
JFK telling us the 911 truth. 4 1/2min.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxnpujfanUM&feature=related
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: truth about the Bush presidency 2. 7min
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cz6kG11Ek1w&feature=related
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: truth about the Bush presidency 1. 7min.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WonM34-OpuY
Talk by Naomi Wolf – The End of America. 48min
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjALf12PAWc
AMERICA: Freedom To Fascism. Aaron Russo Interview. 37min
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3254488777215293198
For his movie, 111min.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1656880303867390173
Mr. Garth TurnerMP,
(2nd try to be sure it got though.
If you got the 1st try please, delete this one.Thanks.)
It just occurred to me that PMSH biggest fear is that all ’THE PEOPLE”, Bloggers, readers and people that have been paying attention, start to stand up, and start knocking on there neighbors door and filling them in on what PMSH has been up to these last two years!!!!
Hopefully more people will start to pay attention to what is really going on with PMSH and the others!!!! Hopefully the people will start to talk to each other more.
Don’t allow ‘them’ to divide and concur. Be brave!
Be as brave as this guy. There is strength in numbers!!!
President John F Kennedy Secret Society Speech version 2. 5 ½ min.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhZk8ronces&feature=related
J. F. Kennedy talks about secret devils,(Masons& Illuminati) 4 1/2min.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1smgz-px1Q&feature=related
(PMSH and Bush are best (buddies) Have you been paying attention?)
President Eisenhower even knows about it, but called it something else.
WARNING FOR US ALL!!! Few min.
http://www.sonyclassics.com/whywefight/main.html
JFK telling us the 911 truth. 4 1/2min.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxnpujfanUM&feature=related
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: truth about the Bush presidency 2. 7min
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cz6kG11Ek1w&feature=related
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: truth about the Bush presidency 1. 7min.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WonM34-OpuY
Talk by Naomi Wolf – The End of America. 48min
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjALf12PAWc
AMERICA: Freedom To Fascism. Aaron Russo Interview. 37min
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3254488777215293198
For his movie, 111min.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1656880303867390173
Hi HARRY S on 08.02.08 12:15 pm,
This is a political forum remember!
(It takes all kinds to make the world go round.)
And Not everone here is ‘Liberal trools’
You are a good example of that.
If Mr. Garth TurnerMP or anyone had all the answere to all the issues, you might say they were ‘GOD’, or ‘insane’.
Or my father would somethings piont out,
if you know it all, you are a ‘F-ing’ know it all.
And Mr. Harry, why are you so concerned in know, having a clean picture of what the people want at this time?
We’ll all make our own minds in the voting boths, when ever that comes.
We see the Liberals’ and Tories’ alleged infractions as similarly significant. So the question presents itself: Why has Elections Canada chosen to treat them so differently? Mr. Mayrand, we’re waiting for your answer.
By RM on 08.01.08 12:31 am
…geez – don’t use your brain or research for info – just believe the BS the Tories tell you to believe.
Ya, Harper’s in a hurry because the poop is coming out….notice that the “hidden” reports come out on Friday’s/long weekends/summer? Talk about a chicken – Mr. Harper…hide and run away.
So the Big He-Man blames a woman for Bernier’s stupidity. So Bernier didn’t look into his brief case for 6 weeks? C’mon, give me a break.
And for those women out there – do you really think Tories respect women?
Health Canada reports, environmental reports, Harper environmental plan – are all negative against Harper.
How much damage can the Harperites do to this country between now and Oct 2009? How much have they already done?
There’s your answer.
Despite the inherent political risks in an election, there are far more compelling reasons to take down this Tory scum. Perhaps waiting for the economy to totally tank would show people how unfit Harper et al are to govern, but letting them continue down this path is, IMHO tantamount to being an accessory after the fact.
Personally, I think the Liberals need to get a much stronger message out. The Green Shift plan is a good idea at a politically bad time. There are other issues: Tory corruption, Tory attacks on the sovereignty of our nation, its blue chip companies, income trusts, the surplus, the Canadian Wheat Board, etc, etc, etc.
While it may be good to poll voters to gauge their appetite for an election, I believe this to be a far too passive approach. If people knew what you and I know about this gang of theives and carpetbaggers, they would be clamouring for regime change.
Time to be a little more pro-active Liberal Party.
By HARRY S on 08.02.08 12:15 pm
Try reading dipstick!!!
Did it escape your attention that PMSH appointed his former mentor, Preston Manning, to the Science Council of Canada?
What are the former Alliance Leader’s credentials for this appointment? The only one I can think of is his Christian Ministry counts as bible science. “Don’t let any of that new fangled Carbon Dating and DNA stuff get promoted that conflicts with the Reform/Alliance view of history!”
This takes on a new twist from the “Back to the Bible Hour” radio broadcasts of his father, Ernest Manning, former Premier of Alberta! When Ernest Manning retired after two plus decades of running the “Wild Rose” Province he was appointed to directorships in both Imperial Oil and the Imperial Bank of Commerce within weeks. Now who was he really working for
all those years?
It was religious ideals that got us into wars in Iraq and Afganistan that cannot be won. This type of conflict have been on going on and off for over 2 millenia, and show no sign of ever being resolved in the foreseeable future.
CRAP’s constipation will end this fall come hell or a good book.
Yes, Julie’s autobiography coming this fall to a bookstore near you.
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/story.html?id=602804
This is the results of divide and conquer leadership. Ain’t that just loverly! Maybe it is time for a civil war not an election. Get out the bugles and sabers, man the cannons, everybody
raise their flag and charge headlong into idiocy!
By Candid Reflections on 08.02.08 12:36 pm
It may be the way, all Provinces going on their own, certainly what we are facing economically is not going to bring the country together…this would be a pity but unless there is a change in federal governance, which means the death knell of political parties, I suspect this is the direction we are heading. Certainly the CPC and the Liberals are not willing to put aside partisan differences for the good of Canada. One can blame either side, which we have been doing on here for months but the reality is neither party deserves to govern Canada. When we can get everyone on here to admit to that, then and only then do we have any chance for the future of a united country. I will not hold my breath!!!
By brain on 08.02.08 12:11 pm
B…B…B…B…But Brain
Let’s get after the real criminals and potential criminals. Let’s revise the age of consent [to sex -- of course] from 14 [FOURTEEN] to 16 [SIXTEEN].
How are we going to chase these criminals down?
Who will be looking over everyone’s shoulder? In a more enlightened era, such people were known as voyeurs. [who were jazzed by the opportunity to watch]
What happens when two 14-year olds, or two 15-year olds, or two 15-year, 11.9-month olds are “caught” en flagrante delectable?
Who is going to monitor, apprehend and prosecute these criminals for conviction?
TorqueMada … or a Harper mullah-faqir?
I can hear the conversation now;
“Hey, what are you kids doing down there.”
“We’re shagging, ma.”
“Oh, that’s good … don’t fight now.”
Anybody know where George Orwell is buried?
It just occurred to me that PMSH biggest fear is that all ‘THE PEOPLE’, bloggers, readers and people that have been paying attention, start to stand up, and start knocking on there neighbors door and filling them in on what PMSH has been up to these last two years!!!!
By Greg W., Oakville on 08.02.08 12:39 pm
?????????????????????????????????
Greg, a huge segment of Canadians are so turned off by the political bickering carried by the media that they refuse to talk about politics, and walk or run away from any discussion of same. They also are turning off news casts and tuning to all music to avoid the issues.
It is like the total disconnect we employ toward the constant bombardment of advertising. The degree of credibility and acceptance of political facts and developments is plummeting rapidly unfortunately. As my brother-inlaw back in Edmonton said years ago, politics is a mug’s game! (British for con artist)
By wjp on 08.02.08 10:00 am
I note the MAJORITY of Albertans LOVE Canada just the way it is. As usual it’s the squeeky ones that get attention.
Like a few of our lovely trolls here.
They are like the spoiled brat in the supermarket or store wanting attention over their own selfish fantasies. Best course is to IGNORE them, as we can’t very well reach over and SMACK them which most of them seriously needed a long time ago!
Let’s have an election! Hopefully the Cons will only get a minority, so we can get rid of Dion and have another election with Iggy or Rae leading the way in a couple years..then, back in Government where we belong baby!
NATIONAL CITIZENS COALITION–SOME GOALS
“Harper became a vice president of NCC the day he resigned his Parliamentary seat in 1997, and since he left the organization’s presidency to go back into politics, his position has never been filled.
The NCC is a well-funded right-wing Canadian lobby group that has been heavily involved in advertising and political campaigns and legal challenges in support of its goals of “more freedom with less government.”
The impetus that led Colin M Brown to found the organization in 1967 was his stalwart opposition, as an insurance agent and doctor’s son, to public health insurance or “socialized medicine,” as it was framed at the time by its opponents. The NCC has publicly stated that as a matter of principle it conceals the names of the interests that fund its campaigns.
In January 1997, Stephen Harper quit his Parliamentary seat and was named Vice-President of the NCC the same day.
NCC has campaigned prominently on many libertarian, anti-worker and anti-public service issues over the years including:
1.campaigns to “de-unionize” the workforce;
2.opposition to fair tax reform;
3.privatization and/or elimination of public sector services;
4.discredit any activity carried out through the public sector such as education or health care;
5.court challenges to social unionism;
6.“closed shop” provisions in Canadian labour law;
7.lobbying campaign to have “right-to-work” legislation implemented in Alberta;
8.legal and advertising support for challenges to Canadian Wheat Board;
9.court challenge to annul election of BC NDP government, advertising campaigns against targeted politicians and parties; Using 10%-ers now
10.media campaign attacking MP pensions; Then opting in
11.court challenges to electoral laws that would limit third party spending;
12.media campaign attacking grants for the arts, advocacy organizations, and social science research;
13.attacks on public funding for what it calls “interest groups” such as human rights or women’s groups.
DOES ANY OF THIS SOUND FAMILIAR?
Total whitewash covering for the fool who trusted Bernier and released the documents without numbering them. They can’t blame Bernier without accepting blame themselves. The document review will conclude system failure and recommend a review of current practices thereby turning poor work into more work.
It happens all the time.
An election in Oct/08 thats my vote. Locally the CRAP MP Hiebert is busy sending out 10 percenters trying to trash the Liberals. These 10%ers do not appear to be meeting the rules for content. This indicates to me that they are on the ropes. Don’t forget the income trust debacle cost Canadians 25 billion plus and now we are running a deficit because the Finance Minister does not believe that he needs to be prudent. I say out with them now before we go deeper in the hole.
Wow, talk about deja vu! Weren’t we talking about the same thing just a few years ago? Honestly, nothing changes except for the names. It’s getting ‘old’, or maybe I simply don’t care like I used to.
Anyway, back on the ranch and I do mean ranch…as most of you know I am a vegetable farmer (specialties), so imagine my surprise when Thursday evening an Angus heifer shows up on my land! She’s a yearling and about 1200 lbs. She seemed to be content to stay munching on the left overs from harvested fields so we weren’t too concerned. We did try however to corral her, but the aggressive black angus wasn’t having any. We called around to every local beef farmer and no one was missing a cow! So, yesterday morning we had our ‘find’ advertised extensively and still no takers. There is a risk that a lose cow can become a serious traffic hazard so we called our OPP and they sent an officer out yesterday morning. The officer and I chased that heifer through fields and the woods for two hours. Finally we gave up when she again wandered back into the bush, the officer had a choice, let her go or shoot her. We let her go. Yesterday evening she showed up again, this time grazing on new plantings. Yikes! My husband and I tried very hard to corral her into one of our barns. She is very crafty and outmaneuvered us at every turn. This morning she was up by our barns and we decided to enlist the help of our son to try again to corral her. When we went back out, she was once again gone. So, that’s where we are now with our mystery cow saga. Stay tuned.
Got to go…Leasa
O’Connor, Minister of National Revenue, today announced the appointment of Mr. Norman Halldorson to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) Board of Management. Mr. Halldorson was nominated by the Province of Saskatchewan.
I am sure this appointment is fine, but do they let this minister actually make appointments?
By wjp on 08.01.08 11:58 am
????????????????????????????????
WJP, I think that if you check into this, you will find in Hansard where all such appointments are made pending the approval of the HoC, when they are sitting again. Ever notice that the US Congress sits during July and only takes Aug. for Summer Vacation? We are not getting our moneys worth from our legislators, IMHO!
Bring on fall election, Liberals say
Party increasingly confident it’s in good position as Tories deal with scandals, stagnant popularity
Toronto Star – August 02, 2008
Les Whittington
OTTAWA – The election dare that Prime Minister Stephen Harper has issued to the increasingly confident Liberals has set the stage for a fall election.
Bob Rae, the MP for Toronto Centre, said yesterday that his party believes it is in a good position to go to the polls.
“The issues are increasingly coming together and the differences between the Liberals and the Conservatives are very clear for everyone to see,” said Rae, citing an earlier remark by Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion.
Rae was responding to the electoral challenge Harper hurled at the Liberals this week. When Parliament resumes sitting in the fall, the Prime Minister said, the Liberals must stop opposing the minority Conservative government’s legislative priorities or defeat the Tories on a vote of confidence, forcing an election.
“If Mr. Harper calls the House back on Sept. 15th, as he has said he will do, then I suspect it will be a very lively and intense session,” Rae, his party’s foreign affairs critic, said in an interview. “The choice for Canadians is becoming increasingly apparent and it’s really just a matter of time” before the country is asked to vote on a new federal government, he added.
With Dion struggling to find his feet since becoming opposition leader in late 2006, the Liberals have passed up numerous opportunities to defeat the Conservatives and force an election. But Dion’s colleagues are expressing more confidence as they get ready for the renewal of Parliament next month. And many Liberals expect an election before Christmas.
Liberals are relieved that the Tories, despite 2 1/2 years in power, have not been able to consolidate their support in the polls and instead remain stuck in a close race with Dion’s team.
“Canadians are very wary of this government and this prime minister,” said Liberal House Leader Ralph Goodale.
“They are not prepared to easily hand over to him, and his neo-conservative kind of government, the keys to the kingdom, and that spells opportunity from the point of view of the opposition.”
He pointed out Harper has failed to budge his party’s popularity despite having all the tools of government power at his disposal, despite spending billions of dollars on new government programs and despite “the most petty, mean-spirited, negative advertising” against Dion.
Politically, a lot has changed in the past year, Goodale said. With Ontario close to a recession, the Conservatives’ handling of the economy has become an urgent issue.
And the Harper government, elected in 2006 on a promise of squeaky clean government, is mired in scandals over election spending, the alleged attempt by the Tories to bribe the late independent MP Chuck Cadman and the firing of former foreign affairs minister Maxime Bernier in the Julie Couillard affair, Goodale noted.
Liberals are also encouraged that Dion’s proposed “Green Shift” carbon tax plan clearly distinguishes their approach to climate change from Harper’s.
Goodale said the environment, ethics and the economy stand as the issues of prime concern for his party in advance of Parliament’s next sitting.
Dion is on vacation and was not available yesterday for comment.
………………………………
But Bob Rae and Goodale are available in Dion’s absence and silence. Who speaks for the Liberal party in times of crisis and challenge .. who speaks for Canada now ..???
One would-be Alberta MLA issues his welcome to new immigrants.
Monday, August 27, 2007
If you move to alberta – adapt or leave: craig chandler.
Alberta PC nomination candidate Craig Chandler [Calgary Egmont] has eloquently declared his feelings towards new Albertans who choose to exercise their constitutional right to vote for a political party other than the 36-year old ruling Progressive Conservative Party of Ed Stelmach.
I wonder which point in Ed Stelmach’s five-priority plan Chander is promoting when he wrote this:
“To those of you who have come to our great land from out of province, you need to remember that you came here to our home and we vote conservative. You came here to enjoy our economy, our natural beauty and more. This is our home and if you wish to live here, you must adapt to our rules and our voting patterns, or leave. Conservatism is our culture. Do not destroy what we have created.”
Premier Stelmach would not approve Chandler’s nomination … Chandler ran as an Independent Conservative in Calgary Egmont and lost.
Chandler sounds like a Robert Mugabe kind of guy. It seems a lot of candidate rigging goes on in Alberta.
Let’s have an election! Hopefully the Cons will only get a minority, so we can get rid of Dion and have another election with Iggy or Rae leading the way in a couple years..then, back in Government where we belong baby!
BY DARREN RAISER ON 08.02.08 1:43 PM
Don’t want Iggy (‘Existentialist of terrorism’, Iraq war-”glorious beginning of a new American imperial order”) or Rae (like him but don’t want him running the country).
Only Dion.
MP offers prize to teens who peddle his petition
Updated–Thurs., Nov.,8, 2007 CBC News
“An Ottawa MP is drawing fire for offering teenagers a chance to win a $1,000 scholarship if they write an essay — and collect 25 signatures on a petition to raise the age of sexual consent from 14 to 16.”
The MP in question? PARIAH Poilievre
I note the MAJORITY of Albertans LOVE Canada just the way it is. As usual it’s the squeeky ones that get attention.
By Bill-Muskoka on 08.02.08 1:41 pm
The true test of that love will be well tested if Dion gets the opportunity to implement his green shift plan. A opinion piece in the Vancouver Sun today feels that Dion’s plan would split the country with Alberta and Sask seperation desires going up. Albertans will mot play with words to confuse the voters as the PQ did in their two referendums.
Thanks to Dion’s Bill C237 entitled Negotiation of Terms of Separation Act makes it very easily for either province to ask the simple straight forward question required by the act such as “Do you want to separate from Canada” and could very well win it.
The Liberals don’t seem to understand or perhaps even care what the voters in these two provinces think or feel by such a tax crab because they only have one seat between them and want to improve their standing in Ontario and Quebec by shifting money from Alberta and Sask to the big two. Remember even one Liberal Mp said as much.
I lived through Trudeu’s NEP program and Dion’s Green Shift plan scares the hell out of me for the very same reasons that Trudeu’s plan split the country.
Best course is to IGNORE them (Albertans), as we can’t very well reach over and SMACK them which most of them seriously needed a long time ago!
By Bill-Muskoka on 08.02.08 1:41 pm
You do so at your own peril Bill. Btw, your arrogance is unbecoming of you. Secondly I wonder if you would be bashing Ontario in a similar fashion if the roles and circumstances were changed and Ontario had all the oil and gas wealth. I rather doubt it. In any event you comments seem to be indicating considerable amount of a bit of envy. Act like a former marine and suck it up my friend.
When we can get everyone on here to admit to that, then and only then do we have any chance for the future of a united country. I will not hold my breath!!!
By wjp on 08.02.08 1:28 pm
Neither will I! Dion is a fair and principled human being. Iggy I DO NOT TRUST! Rae is good, but well versed in sly politics.
Harper is simply a simple minded PUNK with no class whatsoever. His PMO is an even bigger disgrace to Canada, especially Flaherty, Clement, and above all Van Loan. Baird is just a twink in a suit. If Harper’s goal was to be like Bush…Congrats he succeeded because I cannot think of lower lifeform in politics than that pair of pathological liars.
Who shall I blame? Canadians who mindlessly vote for a party rather than a CANDIDATE! They don’t deserve the freedoms they have, and will soon lose them if they do not change. Don’t believe me? Look at the U.S.! The Constiution has been literally trampled by the Bush administration. It is a complete disgrace to the Founding Fathers (and mothers who participated, but were not allowed to sign) and everyone who ever served to protect it. The first and foremost obligation under oath of everyone who serves in the U.S. military is ‘to defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic.’.
We have choices with the Greens and NDP (Sorry but that is true, yet scarey with Layton as their leader). Dion is OK, but certainly does not light my fire as a leader. He is not a Barack Obama, but has potential, yet I think lacks something. Perhaps it is his experiential persona that leaves me not convinced?
Quite honestly, I am sorely disappointed with both main stream parties, yet will not paint individual candidates with a brush because of their party. They have to earn my vote through integrity and courage. The reason I wish I could vote for Garth.
ERASE THE DISGRACE – ÉCRASEZ L’INFÂMIE! — Herb, 9:08 am
————————
Wait til 2009. — Sherm, 9:47 am
————————
It’s a mish-mash of emotional outbursts, . . .
hairy the purple poople eater, 12:15 pm
————————
We’ll all make our own minds in the voting boths, when ever that comes.
Greg W., Oakville, 12:55 pm
————————
. . . Harper’s in a hurry because the poop is coming out . . .
slg, 12:56 pm
Whoa mercy! G’day’ y’all; ’tis a beautifully bright, sunny and cool day here in Kelowna — jes’ the way I like it.
All excellent lines, worthy of re-printing them. Yes / Oui / Ja / Si — even hairy’s attempt at being funny.
SLG’s line is extremely well put; goes with Sherm’s and Herb’s memos — the longer Dion waits, prepares himself and the Libs. for the election, the deeper the hole harpo digs himself and CRAP into — he knows it, too,
For the purposes of hairy’s learning capabilities, I state my POV right here:
Hold fire until Oct. ’09.
This one line may be too difficult for hairy to comprehend, but it’s the best I can do.
By this time, the good ship harpo will be like the tail end of the Titanic, with harpo standing at the stern and yelling, “I’m the queen of the netherworlds!”
It’s all over bar the shouting.
————————
. . . It was religious ideals that got us into wars in Iraq and Afganistan that cannot be won. . . .
Candid Reflections, 1:16 pm
It is well-known that dubya has Christian roots, yet I wonder that if The Christ returned to the mess that dubya has created, He would simply shake his head and say, “Enough already.”
The record is stuck in the groove, keeps playing the same thing over and over again, political lies, economic meltdowns designed to divert sheeple’s attention away from never-ending wars here, there and everywhere.
Only things that do change are the people involved, up-to-date weaponry and time.
Time constantly moves forward, but there will always be those who don’t recognize this.
Didn’t Einstein once say something to the effect of, “WWIII will be fought with nuclear weapons, but WWIV will be fought with sticks and stones?”
So much for advancement. Stop this planet, ‘coz I wanna break on through to the other side!
By HARRY S on 08.02.08 2:16 pm
Not Harry S. , he can’t even get his times straight!!!
Liberals everywhere,
Make friends and develop acquaintenances with your NDP friends.
We need need NDP support in the next election for a majority Liberal win.
In the meantime the Conservatives are rapidly turning to salt.
but make it short and rational.)
By HARRY S on 08.02.08 12:15 pm
Priceless coming from this Con goofball.
In Harry’s case; one can’t expect rational behaviour from an irrational person.
Have you seen those pictures of the smog in Beijing?
Unbelievable. Now could you imagine Harper gasping for breath at that Olympic opening?
Then if you can’t, then why should the people of China or anyone else for that matter face that every day.
More smog there, than a meeting of friends, when they used to smoke ‘stogies’ at the Albany Club.
BY BRAIN 08.02.08 12:11PM
Brain, simply a Great post.
If anyone does independent research for themselves, you’ll come to the same horrifying conclusion that Harper has been, and continues to be, “The Facilitator” .. not for the people, but rather, for big business. He is still an NCC corporate lobbyist. And it’s all very deceitful. One’s first clue should be that, when Harper or the NCC say something, they mean the opposite. Like “National Citizen’s Coalition”. That group is a corporate lobby group, who have given themselves the misleading name as a disguise. To me that is disgusting. But true. And when you realize that, everything else falls into place. Every word Harper says is a calculated lie. It’s very sad, for Canada, but people, please look this all up for yourselves. Canada is losing a war, a takeover, because we are not paying attention. We are being sucked dry. It doesn’t have to happen. Just stop believing the lies and do your own research, and for Canada’s sake, please vote Harper OUT.
—
I’d like to further add that the same guy comes to this blog and friendlies up, but he uses the same monologue each time, with a different name every few weeks, but the statements and tactics are the same. First he makes benign statements to become part of the discussions, then less neutral, and finally attacks other comments. That is a violation of trust but I expect nothing less from guys who work for Harper.
Hay Leasa on 08.02.08 1:59 pm,
It sounds like your Angus heifer is smarter than the average cow!
And she even know were the best meals can be found
Have you thought about an electified fence wire? It might help reduce your losses.
Have you tryed putting a few carrots inside an open barn door to try and lower her in?
Thanks for that PYOTR PETROBITCH on 08.02.08 1:47 pm,
I wonder if the Mass Media will be allowed to tell the people this kind of important information about PMSH past and present agenda?
You mass media people with families,
Want kind of world do you want you and your family to try and grow up in???
Hi Candid Reflections on 08.02.08 1:30 pm, The scarry part of what you say is that the tuning out is more that likely been engineered by the people behind the curtains.
+1 for an election
Let’s go already…when Harper gets a smaller minority or Dion gets a small minority , the knives will be out for Harper. Do you really think Conservatives will keep him around if he gets a smaller minority ? No they will not.
Let’s get it on !!!
Garth, DITCH DION.
If an Anglo spoke french as poorly as he does english, they’d mock him in la belle province.
Come and hear him speak, and you will have something different to say. — Garth
Dion is the Shawinigan Stranglers final revenge upon the Martinite faction of Liberal party who dared to turf him out.
He left the Martin Liberals holding the bag on Adscam,changed the fund raising system which has now left the Libs virtually bankrupt,and now Ailene Chretien’s hand picked choice, the dithering Dion ,will put the final nail in the Liberal coffin with the moronic Green Shift fiasco.
After the next election, Libs without any money will finally pay for their corrupt ways and have to shut down or merge with another party the same as the Mulroney Conservatives were forced to unite with the Reform party.
That’ll leave Chretien satisfied that he finally got his revenge back at the Martinites regardless of the fact that the ultra vindictive “Da Boss” had to destroy the Liberal Party to do it.
I lived through Trudeu’s NEP program and Dion’s Green Shift plan scares the hell out of me for the very same reasons that Trudeu’s plan split the country.
By Van on 08.02.08 3:50 pm
Well Van man , you scare too easily and you’re not alone because the two emotions in human beings that are always exploited are fear and greed.
But for just a moment, let’s put your fears aside because the NEP died along time ago. I know, I have lived in Calgary for 30 years. There was a world-wide recession at that time with interest rates over 20%; nothing to do with NEP. It was more like this….the majority of Albertans didn’t understand the NEP back then… anymore than the Green shift today. You didn’t have to understand it, you simply took the easy way out by taking the word of our prov govt and the energy industry. Well now, I’m sure THEY wouldn’t lie to us.
Any citizen who neglects to question it’s gov’t, who fails to make an effort to understand the issue of the day and then act accordingly to do the right thing, is a citizen who helps to undermine the rights of the majority and by doing so doesn’t realize that these rights can disappear in a heart beat.
No, it wasn’t the NEP then or the Green Shift today that irks me, it’s the fact that our gov’t is working for the energy elite, the banking industry…etc etc……but not for me or you.
I’m a fellow citizen of yours and I’m trying to tell you that we are being ripped off financially and environmentally; and yet you continue to side with the companies (oh those poor oil companies) that are only making 11 billion dollars (EACH),every three months. What’s your take from that piece of pie? How long will it be before your pals in the energy sector are all owned by foreigners? Will you be there; down by the docks to wave those pirates goodbye as that ship sails?
You need to know that the very entity that you have chosen to support are the very ones who are instilling the fear in you and you have bought it hook line and sinker just the way it was planned.
We, you’re fellow Canadians want you on our side, the side of the people for we are the ones who are insisting that the govt is working in our best interests and well being. How much more Canadian can you get?
Yes, Julie’s autobiography coming this fall to a bookstore near you.
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/canada/story.html?id=602804
By Captain George on 08.02.08 1:16 pm
vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvv
This HoC Committee can and will issue subpeonae for all parties deemed to have pertinent information to come and testify before it. We learned last Winter that Parliament has the power to compel anyone to appear and testify. No one has the right to refuse to answer completely and truthfully as RCMP Dep. Comm. Busson learned. Parliament is the only court in the land that supercedes the Supreme Court. Both Couillard and Bernier better have their stories straight for this prime appearance! Now will the person that was hiding in the hall closet when Bernier left his briefings in the hallway on his way to the bedroom please step up and testify!
Stay tuned for more from “As The Worm Turns” coming to you over the CPAC Network on Parliament Hill!
Did anyone see The Daily Show guest Brian Williams? I’ve never heard anyone with the balls to say on tv what he and Jon said. To see the skit, start at this link,
http://tinyurl.com/6z84ac
and clicking on the video will get you directly to Comedy Central. Once there you’ll see Jon Stewart’s July 31st show, and click on Clip 3.
The 7 min. skit is interesting, but at 6min. 40secs. there’s one split second where he slips in a statement which has taken the MSM 47 years to say:
“Maybe you cold argue that a military industrial complex depends on having enemies.”
To put that in perspective, spend 1 min. viewing this next clip, President Eisenhower’s farewell address to the American people:
http://tinyurl.com/35ghpq
“In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.”
Hmm… Warned by Eisenhower, over 47 years ago. Too bad Americans didn’t catch on earlier. I guess they didn’t understand. I guess we didn’t understand. It explains a lot of our twentieth century – if you catch on to the fact that politicians have been manipulated into making it possible for big military to thrive.
but make it short and rational.)
By HARRY S on 08.02.08 12:15 pm
Priceless coming from this Con goofball.
In Harry’s case; one can’t expect rational behaviour from an irrational person.
By AToryNoMore on 08.02.08 4:50 pm
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Harry read the poll taken in the online version of the Globe and Mail yesterday
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/Page/document/v5/content/poll/pollResultHub?id=97237&pollid=97237&save=_save&show_vote_always=no&poll=GAMFront&hub=Front&subhub=VoteResult
And he does not like the indecision presented by a virtual tie!
I know that 9000 responses are not scientifically significant in a population of 30 + million, but it is an indication of where the nation is at this moment! It is also an indication that Dion would probably want to see more favorable acceptance for the need for an election. This will come later on no doubt!
Anybody know where George Orwell is buried?
By PYOTR PETROBITCH on 08.02.08 1:28 pm
Last report was deep in the THX-1138 Complex, in stasis!
NATIONAL CITIZENS COALITION–SOME GOALS
“Harper became a vice president of NCC the day he resigned his Parliamentary seat in 1997, and since he left the organization’s presidency to go back into politics, his position has never been filled.
By PYOTR PETROBITCH on 08.02.08 1:47 pm
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If it can ever be proven that PMSH is issuing orders to and still in control of the NCC, this is a clear case of CONFLICT OF INTEREST! All Cabinet Ministers and the PM must not hold office nor interests in outside organizations. Their investments either must be sold or placed into escrow (at arms length). Remember the hooharah over Cretien’s 25% ownership of a golf and convention center occurred because the purchaser defaulted and the shares reverted back ala L’ Petite Homme du Chicoutimi?
Anybody know where George Orwell is buried?
By PYOTR PETROBITCH on 08.02.08 1:28 pm
Last report was deep in the THX-1138
Complex, in stasis!
By Bill-Muskoka on 08.02.08 6:31 pm
This maybe correct!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Orwell#About_George_Orwell
Orwell died in London from tuberculosis, at the age of 46.[14] He was in and out of hospitals for the last three years of his life. Having requested burial in accordance with the Anglican rite, he was interred in All Saints’ Churchyard, Sutton Courtenay, Oxfordshire with the simple epitaph: “Here lies Eric Arthur Blair, born June 25, 1903, died January 21, 1950″; no mention is made on the gravestone of his more famous pen-name. He had wanted to be buried in the graveyard of the closest church to wherever he happened to die, but the graveyards in central London had no space. Fearing that he might have to be cremated, against his wishes, his widow appealed to his friends to see if any of them knew of a church with space in its graveyard. Orwell’s friend David Astor lived in Sutton Courtenay and negotiated with the vicar for Orwell to be buried there, although he had no connection with the village.
The true test of that love will be well tested if Dion gets the opportunity to implement his green shift plan. -end quote
I can hardly wait for more tax money in MY pocket. It’ll be back to Paul Martin times with personal income tax cuts, plus Dion promises to cut more over the years. AND I’ll have money to retrofit my home to save and save on heating it. And savings…. Bring back the Income Trust.
Let the good times roll again. Vote Dion.
By HARRY S on 08.01.08 11:35 pm
Think TIE-WRAPS AND EARS HARRY!
“It’ll be back to Paul Martin times with personal income tax cuts….”
You must be relatively well-off to actually see your income taxes decline. At the time Martin lowered taxes for the poor I was making around $15,000 a year. My take home pay actually declined because while he lowered the income tax he increased pay roll taxes actually making take home pay decline.
Hopefully, Dion will not pull this kind of a stunt on those with low incomes but from what I have seen of the plan it is entirely possible.
An election this fall. My vote: yes – but ***
***only if Harper calls it
–––
From another discussion board:
Re: Bring on fall election, Liberals say
This is what Dion must do this fall.
When the Parliamentary shenanigans start up again mid-September and assuming Harpocrite does NOT prorogue (i.e. dismiss) Parliament……..
Dion stands in front of the camera and says “We don’t want an election because we want this Parliament to work for the good of the Canadian people. If Mr. Harper wants an election, then he should go over to Mme Michelle Jean and tell the Governor General that Parliament does not work and he wishes an election now.”
Harper won’t do this because if the GG is doing her job, she will tell the sneering fear-meister that she will ask the opposition parties to form a government. The GG should wear a flak jacket.
••
BTW – for the general elucidation of this forum/blog – “I just want my income trust money back. It’s amazing how Oct. 31/06 politicized the whole lot of us [investors who lost mega-$] into an infectious rabble.”
By Candid Reflections on 08.02.08 7:35 pm
Last report was deep in the THX-1138
Complex, in stasis!
By Bill-Muskoka on 08.02.08 6:31 pm
Thanks to you both … He really had a sense of his subject, didn’t he?
By Greg W., Oakville on 08.02.08 4:58 pm
Hay Greg! We’ve tried everything. We had to go out tonight, but I checked when we got back, she wasn’t here, but there were fresh prints. The only hope we have is being able to corral her but we have to have enough hands here to help. Our staff is off until Monday… She unfortunately is doing a lot of damage, the fresh young plantings are just too yummy. Even so, I did get a real kick out of her…how many 49 year old women can say they started a day by chasing a heifer through the fields and bush with a police officer? LOL
I think what I am trying to say by sharing this personal episode in my life is that, well, there is more to life than worrying about politics…accept the things you cannot change…because we can’t.
Tomorrow will bring us all adventure and excitement, if we let it.
Leasa
By Candid Reflections on 08.02.08 7:35 pm
I mustadmire your willingness for accuracy. A very rare trait on most blogs. Thank you. We all learn from each other. How nice…truly, the epitome of civilized relations.
By PYOTR PETROBITCH on 08.02.08 9:26 pm
Yes, but I think things have grown far darker than even Orwell imagined. We are in the Second Inquisition Age, not the Second Coming!
I think what I am trying to say by sharing this personal episode in my life is that, well, there is more to life than worrying about politics…accept the things you cannot change…because we can’t.
Tomorrow will bring us all adventure and excitement, if we let it.
Leasa
By Leasa on 08.02.08 10:32 pm
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I know you are not related because if that animal was no claimed and were eating off my cousins, it would have already been hung, drawn and quartered!
Dad and his cousins after church one Sunday on the original homestead North of Shakespeare, Ont. ran a deer out of the cattle into a narrow fence corner, slit its throat and had it hung in the barn before Sunday dinner back in the twenties! That is what you call venison, but if you shoot one miles back in the bush and have to haul it out on a travois, thats deer meat! Need any help with that veal?
BTW – for the general elucidation of this forum/blog – “I just want my income trust money back. It’s amazing how Oct. 31/06 politicized the whole lot of us [investors who lost mega-$] into an infectious rabble.”
By Windsurfer on 08.02.08 9:20 pm
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Hey Windy, I sympathize. I would be one of you except I have a good financial adviser who knew his stuff, does not like Income Trusts and kept us out of them.
Flaurety boy should consider himself to be very lucky, because if he was an American Sect’y of Finance he would either be in a pine box or well hidden in a Fort Knox type hidey hole for that stunt he pulled here! And as Yogi Berra said “It ain’t over until the fat lady sings”! [How heavy is Julie and does she sing? We know she was an actress at one time.] Stay tuned, this will be an interesting Fall. [pun intended]
Harper won’t do this because if the GG is doing her job, she will tell the sneering fear-meister that she will ask the opposition parties to form a government. The GG should wear a flak jacket.
By Windsurfer on 08.02.08 9:20 pm
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
OK, time is up, and this needs to be brutally blunt. We would already have a coalition Government of Liberal and NDP, but Jackass Layton won’t play ball. He wants to rule the roost with his weird brand of socialism and cannot negotiate what should have been a simple deal to replace Harpers misguided gang.
You think Deif, Stanfield, & John A. MacD. are turning over in their graves, just think about Tommy Douglas, J.S. Woodsworth, & David Lewis must be jumping up & down!
Time is on Dion’s side right now, but no one can predict what will eventually happen. [I hope the fat lady sings en Anglais!]
We, you’re fellow Canadians want you on our side, the side of the people for we are the ones who are insisting that the govt is working in our best interests and well being. How much more Canadian can you get?
By Ron p on 08.02.08 5:42 pm
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Ron, this is exactly what and why we need a Primary Election System to get our political system back into the control of We The People! When riding association members can say It is My Turn Next to Run, or the leader can parachute a nominee into a riding, we do not have any control of who we get as candidates. When each party has to run out a selection for those who register for their party in the Primaries and there is an open box for a write in nominee, then you get the bulk of the population interested and involved in the process. Right now the vast majority are so turned off that this next election maybe stolen by lack of interest and resignation to the inevitable. This very bad for everyone’s rights and freedoms.
Once in the history of Alberta there was an election in which all ridings voted Conservative and no Liberal, no NDP. They allowed the opposition leaders to sit in the gallery and occasionally speak. This is an indicator of the degree to which there has been a mono-political mentality in Alberta for a long time. It has much to do with the influences of the Depression in the thirties and how they suffered back then. Saskatchewan took the exact opposite route even though the conditions and the populations were so similar. It has its roots in the leadership and ideals expressed way back then and carried forward to today.
At the time Martin lowered taxes for the poor I was making around $15,000 a year. My take home pay actually declined because while he lowered the income tax he increased pay roll taxes actually making take home pay decline. -end quote
What year was that? Was that when the changes were made to the Canada Pension Plan back in 1997? That was brilliant to save our CPP fund so the pensions were available when people retired.
Actually I was taking about the tax cuts in 2005 that Yo Harper cancelled in 2006, which we still haven’t received totally back.
Garth,
Communication advice.
Harper’s communication people are going to try to define the election as, a Harper versus Dion election. For example, when Harper says speeches, he won’t refer to the conservative party or his cabinet ministers or party; he will only speak of Dion and Harper.
The best way to break this strategy down is to ensure that Mr. Dion refers to his team as much as possible. For instance, in a presentation, he should mention things like: “Mr. Ignatieff proposes this policy to address this problem. Or, Mr. Rae has proposed that we follow through on this policy proposal in response to this challenge.” ETC.
Further, Dion needs to mention the Liberal party by name as much as possible. For example, “The liberal team is ready for an election or, We in the liberal party are ready to take on Harper.”
Harper only appeals to a certain segment of the electorate. So its okay to let Harper keep his one man government image alive and well. Moreover, Dion should confront this by promoting, ideas, team and party. So if Harper wants the defining issue to be Harper vs. Dion. We keep the “Harper vs” part but, it change it to; Harper vs. the liberal team.
I have been watching Dion closely in his presentations on TV and the internet….There is potential in Dion that is not being communicated well. While he did show signs of improvement since May, his communication team deserves an “D-” overall for the way in which they have handled him.
Someone on the communication team needs to understand the challenges of learning a second language. Im not sure that there is someone like this advising him.
This is the Dion we need to find:
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=r1I_IlcOsx4
This clip shows all of Dion’s strengths: sincereity, thoughtfulness, experience, vision, intelligence. In short, the Dion that can beat Harper.
Please deliver this message.
Daryn
If an Anglo spoke french as poorly as he does english, they’d mock him in la belle province.
Come and hear him speak, and you will have something different to say. — Garth
By An old friend on 08.02.08 5:37 pm
I think the exact opposite is the truth, French Canadians are appreciative of anyone (anglais) who attempts to speak their language.
By Candid Reflections on 08.03.08 12:23 am
Hi Candid, I have to tell you that thought ran through my mind. LOL After speaking to a couple of ‘cow-guys’ I learned that often a lost cow is not claimed nor looked for because of serious liability issues for any damage it’s done on it’s discovery of freedom. The black angus is a marbled beef and supposed to be superior. She is still not showing herself so far this morning, so maybe this is something I won’t even have to consider.
Leasa
Hi Leasa on 08.02.08 10:32 pm,
I kind of hope we can change thing for the better. But we are running out of time to get the job done.
Especially with PMSH closing down the free web in 2010. And his ordering electronic voting and vote counting machines. You have heard of HACKERS?
Can you say, ‘yes big brother’.
But there is still a bit of time to try and get the informantion out to people.
We can still stop these ‘insane’ people behind the curtain. PMSH is just one of there puppets.
One more thing, Leasa on 08.02.08 10:32 pm,
Are there any horse people around your area that could help with the round up?
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=r1I_IlcOsx4
This clip shows all of Dion’s strengths: sincereity, thoughtfulness, experience, vision, intelligence. In short, the Dion that can beat Harper.
Please deliver this message.
Daryn
By Daryn on 08.03.08 1:49 am
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
That disclaimer at the end of the video is important and should appear at the beginning, too! Also the disclaimer should be named up front as proof that he/she is not a member or affiliated with any political party as stated. On further scrutiny the video poster “PESOLIV” has made several videos about Mr. Dion and one about Justin Trudeau. While I am not saying that this author is biased, but he presents the position of making videos about Liberals and pro-liberal topics, hence that person needs to “come out” of the anonimity closet to authenticate the claim of not being a member or associated with any political party, IMHO! That video does present an aura of “lets correct the record” and “here is the truth of these matters”. I LIKE THAT, IT IS GOOD JOURNALISM, AND GOOD FOR THE SOUL, TOO!
Very good link, Daryn, Thanx.
By Emilie on 08.03.08 1:29 am,
Martin always made the less well off pay for the more affluent. He was the minister who introduced a wide range of policies designed to concentrate wealth in the hands of the more affluent Canadians so they could compete in the global marketplace. That is why he made low income earners pay proportionately more rather than increasing the pension deductions limits which would have made the more affluent pay higher premiums.
Martin was not really all that different from Harper when it came to economic policy. Both are corporatists who believe that the line between government and those who control capital should disappear and that the role of government is to serve those who control capital. They merely has slightly different views on how that should be accomplished.
Men With Hats- 08.01.08 6;03 pm
You say the CPCs
“Used more money than was allowed by law to finance their campaign .Using fraudulent means to pump up their ability to spend more money on advertising to the tune of 1.3
million”
I say “Whoop de doo”, but there is one not so small difference: The CPCs used their own money while the Liberals used stolen money from the public treasury, yes both your and my tax dollars, millions of dollars. And a Liberal PM set the ‘terms of reference’ such that the presiding Judge- Mr.Gomery could not lay or even recommend even that charges be made against any elected officials as there were at least 15 prime suspects who received some of those stolen monies in their election campaigns. It is both a crime to knowingly receive stolen funds and another to not report financial contributions Oh sure, 1. they didn’t know that the campaign fund donations in a brown bag were stolen and 2. Why were they not charged with not reporting such donations? Maybe you MWH can answer this? 3. Where did the missing 30 million dollars get to?
And you Liberals want to talk about scandals. Your party is the perpetrator of the biggest scandal in the country’s history. If you were half smart that is a topic you would avoid like the plague.
Lewis
I’m always amused, and saddened, when so much noise is made, by various governments, about doing something to help low-income Canadians or fighting “poverty”. When the dust settles an enormous amount of government funding flows into the pockets of high middle and wealthy Canadians. If even a moderate amount of funds spent subsidizing Canadians, individuals and families, who shouldn’t nedd subsidies really was committed to fighting poverty I believe we could make enormous progress. Sadly I don’t believe the poor are enough of a vote-rich segment to have a voice.
Van lied: “I lived through Trudeu’s NEP program and Dion’s Green Shift plan scares the hell out of me for the very same reasons that Trudeu’s plan split the country”
BY VAN 08.02.08 3:50 PM
Trudeau didn’t split the country. Only Conservative Politicians and their greed split the country, on purpose, for political gain. We know the truth, but political lies keep getting spun.
Van intends to misguide. He spreads lies, just like all the lying Alberta Conservative Politicians before him, who continue to lie to Albertans that there was somehow no world wide recession.
Van, why don’t you blame the culprits, the greedy big oil and their political puppets who have robbed Alberta and Canada of the higher royalties that should have been paid? Get your facts straight.
I lived through the NEP and I saw what Lougheed did. It was all quite unneccesary, and had Alberta Conservatives not put big corporate oil first, then Albertans would have been far better off. They blamed Trudeau, but the politicians robbed us and lied to make it seem like it wasn’t them, their old political tactic to this day. Lies.
Alberta Politicians, and Van, would have people here believe that only Alberta suffered in the early 1980 recession. And sure enought, some Albertans fell for it. Alberta, just like the rest of Canada, the United States and the rest of the world fell into recession for several reasons, after the oil crisis of 1979. And the recession deepened when the U.S. Federal Reserve made the mistake of increasing rates, that eventually climbed to 20.5%. Yup, Alberta and the rest of Canada had problems, and so did the world, but to suggest that we in Alberta were alone is just pure lies compliments of lying politicians.
Harper too, expects people to be that stupid.
But in reality Van, Alberta and Canada would have been much better off if we had kept all those decades of oil profit within Canada, but the Alberta Politicians catered to big, foreign, multinational oil companies. The oil companies have done Alberta wrong. Who, Van, would you rather have receive our oil profits.. we in Canada, or foreigners? The conservatives chose to give our money to foreigners when they catered to big oil. Greed Van. Smarten up.
By Lewis on 08.03.08 5:05 pm
And so adscam makes all the lies,deceit and the attempt to defraud the taxpayers with the “in & out scheme” okay with you…certainly glad to see you CPC people are different…LMAO…
No question… Dion will cower like he always does. If he goes to the polls before December and loses, he’s done as leader. If he holds off until at least the spring, he can cling to what little power he has for another two years(ish).
Considering his history, it is fairly easy to predict his actions (or complete lack thereof) come this fall.