Doorknockers getting their walk lists assigned.
Day Twenty-five
Today had its challenges, and an unexpected ending.
I decided it was time to confront my Conservative opponent over the slander and abuse her supporters have been heaping upon my campaign manager and friend, my wife, and myself in a Conservative attack web site in Halton. The decision was not taken lightly, but enough is enough.
Being accused of crimes I have not committed and actions I have no knowledge of is hard enough to ignore. But when it’s suggested my wife would cheer my death or has asked to leave me, it crosses the line. When my female campaign manager is publicly associated with sexual acts, the line is shattered.
The person in Halton in charge of the Conservative Party is Lisa Raitt. She is the candidate now, personally appointed by Stephen Harper. For months I have tried to get Will Stewart, the riding association president, to deal with this disgusting situation, and he refused. Now, it’s Lisa’s responsibility. Will she act to shut this degrading site down? Will she at least apologize to Dorothy and Esther? Will she exhibit some of the moral character she claims her party stands for? I saw her tonight. She did not speak to me.
Today I also made the decision to challenge my opponent on lies she is spreading in Halton. In my mailbox this week was a glossy card from her stating categorically that a Liberal government would eliminate the $100-per-month child payment. Then another appeared stating Liberals will categorically raise the GST. And in a debate this evening she said, categorically, the Green Shift will increase the cost of food and shoes and gas, and march us into a recession.
So, I challenged her. I even held her mailer aloft in the studio and asked for the evidence – any evidence – to support her statements. She did not respond. Because she can’t. She’s a lawyer, and knows when to change the channel. She also knows in 13 days she’ll be back at her high-paid bureaucrat’s job, and words spoken now – false words – leave a smelly trail. In politics, some people think you can say anything to gain power. In downtown Toronto, lies lead to dismissal.
The campaign waged by the Conservatives in my riding has been a huge disappointment. Not a day goes by that I do not have to comfort a single mother terrified her child support will be ripped away, or a worried senior whose been told taxes are going to soar if the Liberals gain power. Like her idol in 24 Sussex, the Con candidate here is not content to trump the government’s record or put forward a vision of hope. Instead, every mailer, every statement and every media interview is laced with fear, threats and voter intimidation.
Shame on her. Shame on Harper. And shame in unlimited amounts on the anonymous purveyors of Internet hate in Halton.
I have a simple message, writ large. You will not succeed. The politics of fear will fail.
Tonight, I came home to this:
I have been meaning to send you this note for a long time now. Coming from an immigrant family and raised in Ontario, I never had any interest in politics. In the recent years, seeing many politicians who blatantly lie and have nothing better to do than insult their opponents instead of tellings HOW they will do what their party proposes only greatly enhanced my distaste for politics. However, can I just say, you are a breath of fresh air?
In the four years I have lived in Milton, I have been very impressed in how you present yourself, how you work for your constituents, and your ideas. You are the only politician that gets amongst the people to talk to them. Rest assured your pamphlets and articles you’ve written in the local newspapers don’t just get tossed into the recycling bin. They are read. I appreciate the town hall meetings you put together as well. I can honestly say, you are the only reason I vote and take any interest in politics. You are very honest, hard working, and you “walk the walk.”
I just wanted to thank you for all you do and please, keep doing it for us! You make me very proud to live in Halton and I feel that you are really looking out for us here. You are doing a great job! Keep it up!
I just watched the debate on Cogeco and while I don’t agree with some things Dion and the Liberal party is proposing, I think you have a lot to offer us and the Liberals are lucky to have you. You will be a great influence on that party. Best of luck on the election. Judy.
And so, a good day. It ends in hope.
60 comments ↓
BY DUBE 10.01.08 9:26 PM
Dube,
Harper was very suitably called to the carpet. M. Dion as well as all others did very well in judiciously pointing out Harper’s lies, his inability to understand what climate change is, and Ms. May learned on air how to say fraud to Mr. Harper, in french.
And so, a good day. It ends in hope.
posted by Garth Turner on 10.01.08 @ 11:16 pm |
Yes Garth and your team leader did a great job in the French debate. He was very Prime Ministerial. I am always amazed how Harper outright lies and seems to get away with it.
This day does end with hope. Stephane Dion and his team will lead Canadians to a richer, greener, fairer Canada unlike Harper who wants to dictate. He is a dictator and Canada wants a leader–Stephane Dion fills the bill.
Garth,
Mr. Harper keeps lying that he hired 200 new inspectors food inspectors. I hear that is a lie. Can you or someone get that corrected in the English debate and call him out on that piece of misinformation.
Harper accused others of misinformation in the French debate tonight. Ha! He must be getting worn down from everyone Discovering that HE is indeed the MisInformation Man!
Was a little sad and frustrated after reading today’s earlier post. How does one stand up to hatred and bullies and outright lies?
So I went to Tim’s for a fresh cuppa.
Lo and behold on my way in I saw that Raitt’s sign stood tall while two of yours on either side lay like wounded in the grass.
How does one stand up to bullies?
They merely stand up, I realized quickly.
With hot fresh java in hand, I parked and as the homebound traffic whizzed by, I proudly reinserted OUR signs and waved as a car honked, beaming a smile.
Then I changed my immediate plans and drove around for an hour picking up little red signs scatterred all over the place.
Boy that felt good!
Democracy is alive and well and living in Halton.
I am not a lawyer, but if it was me or mine that was being slandered, I would seek legal council to explore redress in the courts for the vicious crude remarks and outright blatant falsehoods. Whom ever owns, leases, rents the machine(s) that those remarks are emailed from should have to answer for that in court. Seek the maximum punitive damages possible to teach them a lesson! A public apology is insufficient.
It won’t win her a seat in the HOC. You are so right in stating that after Oct 14th she’ll be back in her safe Govt job.
What a sad sack !!!!!
In regards to the debate… Harper can’t complain about 4 versus 1… he is now simply reaping what his negative discourse and poor policies have sown. Overall, Dion won because he stuck the most to talking about policy and solutions, his leadership style, and team approach. Harper had a lot of nerve in the scrum claiming that Dion didn’t talk about the Liberal’s policies, when it was clearly not true. Worst of all, Harper talked about lowering the level of personal attacks in the debate, when it is his party that has spent two years launching attack ads against Dion, including a very insulting website. He doesn’t launch the attacks himself, he just lets his hatchet men and pooping puffins drop bombs and then sits back and looks prime ministerial. That is clever politics but poor leadership.
Mr. Harper keeps lying that he hired 200 new inspectors food inspectors.
By Barb the proofreader on 10.01.08 11:30 pm
Yes Garth, do bring this to M.Dion’s attention. It is a VERY salient point as he CUT the budget for food inspection from some 300+million to 260 million.
This is a blatant lie and another person is now dead from his indirect actions. He is up to 20 dead now. How many more before he is gone??????
I don’t know if it’s an indication of how my riding will vote…I have a Con MP and my husband said he was at the VIA station this morning handing out pamphlets….well, he tried to.
There were approximately 100 people boarding the train, and everyone walked by him and said NO. He tried to hand my husband one and he said “absolutely not” and the MP said “you don’t want one?”. My husband said from what others noticed, only one or two people took the brochure. One woman said “you have nerve…you’ve already wasted taxpayer dollars with those cheesy 10% flyers and now you want to push more crap on us?”…he looked a little shocked apparently.
“Enough is enough”
Damned right enough is enough. More to the point, time to get folk involved who don’t have the slightest idea of what dubya’s and harpo’s collusion will bring to this continent.
I include Mexico too, but I’ve forgotten his name. In any event, if we want to stop another Euro (Amero) happening here, best we get off our asses and talk with folk who are unsure of which way to vote.
Speaking of which . . .
****************************************
The closer the nonsense of this planet soars to a crescendo, the closer the NAU gets to us.
Supposedly, most of it has already been signed, is close to a done deal and in place, but because we’re all too busy arguing between ourselves, most don’t even know it’s here.
Yet another splendid reason for a major Oct. 14 upset, when the Libs. unexpectedly win by a handsome majority.
http://tinyurl.com/e9ue4
Monsieur Dion hit a home run in last nights debate .
Three thousand phone calls were received at the station in Quebec congratulating him .
Buh,bye ! Con-clones .
Layton just came out and endorsed the Obama campaign. So un-priministerial to get involved in a U.S. election campaign.
Hi Garth, I think Mr. Dion did very well last night in the French debate. I was wondering if he could have said directly to Harper how his CONservative party had slandered him for over 2 years by all those TV advertisements and spending million of dollars in doing so. Most Canadians know that’s not leadership at all.
Go Garth Go.
As an old PC party member I have nothing but disdain for the present Conservative party & remain embarrassed by their campaign of lies & hate.
What ever happened to the party that had an actual plan to help the people –the one that by it`s name was socially progressive & fiscally conservative?
Did it end when Peter Mckay sold us down the river to the Reformists of the west where the right wing agenda of gay bashers , anti-abortionists & death penalty lovers abound?
As a loyal Conservative supporter I tried to overlook what I had thought were just early indiscretions of this party when it first took power telling myself that as a bunch of rookies , this was bound to happen. But as it became clear that this party had a plan in place & what I thought were missteps were actually part of the plan , I took another look at what & who I was supporting.
I have not liked what I have seen.
This government delights itself in the shafting of seniors (income trust debacle) , it finds solace in the firing of whoever gets in it`s way (Linda Keen for just doing her job) , it revels running campaigns of lies & hate (the campaign against Garth Turner).
How can any reasonable person remain a supporter of this party–certainly not me–I was fooled once , not again.
Dr Mike Popovich–former life-long Conservative.
To night is the Palin/Biden and there is where most will be focused say what you will, having said that the French Debate will stand out more. Much as said already and the spins have begun, Steve has always had problems looking people straight in the eye when he speaks….hmmm wonder why, last night he appeared to a recluse, perhaps he was not sure he had the American Flag pin on or his Canadian one…sure was not Quebec. We are Canadians and by nature not flag wavers..the Americana’s own that, heck they will even dress head to toe stars and strips. In any rate it was clear from Steve’s/Bush’s word “Our Economy is Strong” we are doomed with Bush 44 in Ottawa.
“In the recent years, seeing many politicians who blatantly lie and have nothing better to do than insult their opponents instead of tellings HOW they will do what their party proposes only greatly enhanced my distaste for politics.”
Exactly, and this is what we want to see this evening. Why the Conservative policies, including those that they haven’t focused on (Turning the Corner) are wrong and what the Libs alternatives are. M. Dion, take a page from Mr. Brisson, he didn’t attack the man Flaherty, he went after his policies or lack thereof!
Herb was kind enough to direct me to the Macleans live-blogging blow-by-blow of the French debates, from which there was a tiny link to this document:
http://www.cmaj.ca/cgi/rapidpdf/cmaj.081477v2.pdf
I hope this doesn’t slip under the media radar, with passages like this:
I’m so excited I can hardly sit still. First, it was Scott Brison’s thumping of Jim Flaherty on the “CBC X Challenge” on Tuesday night:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080930.WBTaber20080930184911/WBStory/WBTaber/
And now we have this telling everyone that M. Dion was the clear winner of last night’s debate:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/v5/content/election2008/poll.doc
I’m hoping that tonight will make it a hat trick!! I’m excited that people are paying attention to the real Liberal values and not Con spin! Go, Mr. Dion! Go! I WANT MY CANADA BACK!
Brain,
here is some more grist for your “media-fix” mill.
Aaron Wherry links to some surveys gauging audience reaction to the CBC’s “X Challenge” and last night’s Leaders Debate, and aks what gives with media reports of CPC superiority -
“BTC: Ball don’t lie” at http://blog.macleans.ca/category/blog-central/national/the-commons/
I was struck by a thought an “analyst” expressed last night, and wish I could remember who it was -
Harper may have gotten ganged up on and beaten up by the other four leaders in the French debate. BUT, if it sticks with the electorate, it just means that the anti-CPC vote will be split four ways.
No wonder he was smug and smiling in the catbird seat for most of the debate.
By Barb the proofreader on 10.01.08 11:30 pm
By A.R.Wainwright on 10.02.08 12:17 am
for your consideration
I’d be careful about focusing to much on the number of inspectors hired. imo, that’s exactly what mr harper wants.
With the focus on inspectors, he can
- say he’s ramping up after the previous gov (the libs) CUT inspectors
- avoid the most important issue — that he’s moving the food industry towards self policing
here’s a secret doc that outlines mr harper’s plans (PDF)
http://www.foodsafetyfirst.ca/downloads/Treasury_Board_2007-2008_Strategic_Review.pdf
Mr dion needs to focus on the self policing issue. doing so allows him to bring up the fact that the Maple Leaf Foods meat-packing plant that is responsible for 20 deaths in canada (listeriosis outbreak) was already “self policing” itself. this proves that self policing sux.
Only effective government policing can ensure the safety and purity of our food supply. If approached properly, the food safety issue can really hurt the harper conservatives. Mr harpers conservative ideology obligates him to make the change from government oversight to self policing, he just can’t help himself. And wouldn’t you know it, that goes totally against what canadians want
Canadians don’t trust food industry to police itself, poll finds
http://www.nupge.ca/news_2008/n02oc08b.htm
Ontario death pushes listeriosis toll to 20
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2008/10/01/listeria-death.htm
I watched the French language debate last night and loved it! Dion more than held his own and Elizabeth May couldn’t contain herself as Harper tried to lie during the debate, and actually called his environmental plan a ‘fraud’. At another point she looked at him incrediculously and retorted “That is ridiculous!” She definitely called Harper out on his lies and misrepresentations.
I’m sure there will be a flurry of polls out later today in Quebec and lots out on Friday or Saturday after the debates this evening.
As far as the local campaign goes, we all wish you the best Garth! My wife and I have volunteered to drive anyone contacting our local Liberal candidate’s office to the polls on election day. I hope our two cars are very busy!
Remember to vote strategically everyone! This Harper madness can be stopped.
For a copy of my strategic voting reports just email me and let me know which one you want: BC, Prairiers, Ont, Queb or Atlantic.
TS
strategicvoting@yahoo.ca
What really stood out for me in the debate was the contrast in values (I am not sure this is the right use of the word but I can’t think of anything that suits better) between the new Conservatives and the other parties. It seemed stark. There were differences between the other leaders in the policies that they believed would be best to promote those values but the general values were the same. Take out Duceppe’s Quebec parochialism and he fits as well as the other opposition leaders.
When it comes to the economy, the Conservatives are campaigning on laissez-faire: the idea that government should never intervene in the economy to cushion the blow of an economic downturn. Everyone is on their own. The other leaders recognize that this is the time when government needs to take the most positive action.
On the environment the Conservatives oppose the idea that you can be good steward’s of the environment and not destroy the economy. They have one dimentional thinking and that is maintaining the status quo. The result is that there “hard targets” will allow overall emissions to increase with the rate of environmental exploitation.
The Conservatives also see arts and culture through their own narrow, elitist perspective. They don’t see arts and culture through the broader spectrum. Harper talks about “galas” and tax breaks for the affluent. Programs that help the poor and less affluent “network” with those who can give them a “hand-up” are the ones being eliminated as well as those that allow all of us enjoy our rich artistic and cultural heritage. To Conservatives no one in the lower income groups should enjoy themselves, only work themselves to the bone to make the CEOs of big corporations rich.
The differences really stood out and it is unfortunate that we have a system that allows an affluent minority control the welfare of our society.
About the debate which i listened to in French…
First off, I found an interesting contrast: Dion doing Harper and Harper doing Dion! Seemed M. Dion wanted to show backbone, and he succeeded. Harper, well, he wanted to stay nice and fuzzy. He failed.
What I found interesting, was watching the FRENCH commentary and call-in after the debate. The swing towards the LPC was significant. Even one die-hard separatist, who will still refuses to vote Federalist, stated categorically he would choose Dion as #2 choice – after the Bloc. Interesting, his commentary was only praise for Dion, and no comment about Duceppe. Considering the “hate” the separatists have/had(?) for M. Dion it seems it is fading…
Overall, have no doubt that those Francophones flirting with Harper, are now seriously reconsidering. During the call-in, even M. Lord the NB politician who kept praising Harper was continually being put down by the call-ins.
By contrast, I found the English media, including the CBC Mansbridge panel, were still on the old “Dion is in trouble” line. If only the English MSM would get back to objectivity, maybe we could have a more fair election.
Tonight is going to be interesting. For those who intend to spend more time on the US debate, get a recorder, and focus on OUR country!
OH, and Ms. May did quite well. Her bubbly ” I think I passed my French exam” was absolutely priceless!
I WANT OUR CANADA BACK! Maybe… just maybe…
Did they talk about Afghanistan and the “we intend to leave by 2011″ statement?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zyn9QIQtP68&NR=1
http://www.nandotimes.com/nt/images/century/photos/century0258.jpeg
http://www.phillip-lee.com/content/Blog_images3/vietnam%20napalm_m.jpg
They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them. .
Harper has been the Bully of the Schoolyard for the last three years, and now the other kids get a chance to corner him in the playground.
From what I heard, the French debate was exactly this, the bully was cornered and the other kids aren’t allowing him to say Uncle.
If this carries into the English debate, then it may be possible that Harper is going to loose.
I won’t be watching the English debate, as I have some project work that requires my attention.
Go Dion Go!!!
Go Garth Go!!!
Harper, Blows, Blows, Blows!!!
No wonder he was smug and smiling in the catbird seat for most of the debate.
By Herb on 10.02.08 8:39 am
I was not impressed with Harper’s attitude. He says he wanted to have a little FUN.
FUN? This election is serious business but he’s treating it as if it were some kind of big joke.
Joke’s on you Harpoon.
The Burlington Post has a feature called “Ask the Candidates”. For yesterday’s question, here is Lisa Raitt’s response: Conservative candidate Lisa Raitt did not respond.
How telling. On Oct 15, she’ll be back on the GO Train to her office in TO, while Garth will on the road to Ottawa.
Garth,
Seems to me many immigrants have a better understanding of what democracy is than many native born Canadians?
Could it be attributed to apathy, complacency, or just not having experienced what the alternatives are under other governments?
By Zorpheous on 10.02.08 9:59 am
Well said. The Bully is always the REAL COWARD, and when they are cornered they slither back under the rock they crawled out from under.
Just like I witnessed in the McCain/Obama Debate. McCain didn’t have the GUTS to even look into Barack Obama’s eyes the entire evening, even though Jim Lehrer made a point about his wanting them to TALK to each other. McCain can only talk AT people, not to or with them. Just like Bob Dole who always talked in the Third Person.. He just stood there with his typical (and lifelong) Jet Jock smirk. Seems they are all the same mentality…which is grossly DYSFUNCTIONAL. What does that say about those who support them? Birds of a feather I think! None of them are fit for leadership.
Joke’s on you Harpoon.
By Ron p on 10.02.08 10:04 am
Harper is THE JOKE, but this Canadian is NOT laughing.
Well, C.B., that makes you a raging socialist. You don’t have to belong to a socialist party to be one, you don’t have to subscribe to a specific philosophy or put your faith in specific economic measures as solutions. All you have to do is recognize that the common weal trumps the freedom to exploit or “control the welfare of our society” for your own advantage, that all political action must be directed to the good of the body politic, that greed is a poor organizing principle for society, and that cooperation and not competition is what got us out of the trees and into human development.
What makes such “socialists” raging is that rage is all they can do. Decades of power and propaganda have stacked the deck in favour of the “affluent minority”. Society will only wake up and insist on its rights in step with the operations of the controlling minority coming unstuck. So it’s rage away, or be silent and accept the status quo.
Welcome to the club.
Ipsos poll done immediately following debate;
http://www.ipsos-na.com/news/pressrelease.cfm?id=4103
CBC is doing a poll on which debate people will watch tonight. This is telling.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/polls/debates.html
Will it be our homeys for you or will it be side show Sarah and Schlick??
To the Conservatives, political opponents are enemies to be destroyed, crushed, minced, if possible, to bits and pieces and thrown to different ends of Canada never to be pieced together again except perhaps the second arrival of Jesus Christ.
How can politics turn into war against an opponent defies me. After all, this is just politics and no one, absolutely no one, stays forever in politics.
No one should destroy anyone just because he disagrees with your views. Explain, convince and reason to gain his side but to destroy him because he disagrees only shows how weak that person’s positions are.
Garth may be most the unlikeable person in the world but what business or right does anyone has in destroying his family?
Respect for opponents is a very rare trait among Conservatives.
There was a good article in the Sun today on the manufacturing jobs being lost in Ontario and the closing of the Kraft plant. But lists all others job losses in the last two weeks. It’s staggering the number of job losses in Ontario in the last two weeks alone
Stephen Harper, here for a good time not a long time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3dVG8R7qVE
I watched the French debate last evening. May not have caught everything as I was extremely tired. I thought Dion did extremely well. Todays Ipsos poll attests to that. I especially liked many of Duceppe’s comments, but he’s had the most experience of anyone in these debates. I’ve been reading on-line commentary in the English papers and the CBC’s The National and have to agree with Cherniak’s comments (tho I’m not necessarily a fan of his):
“I’ve been going through the French clips this AM. Looks like they are saying great things about Dion. I can’t say the same for English Canada. I’m not sure what the journalists in English Canada think they are doing, but in my opinion, they are pathetically unable to comment on the gist of the debates in French. Jeffery Simpson’s comment that Dion speaks to fast, for example, proves he knows very little about the Quebec take on the French language.”
As someone commented, why didn’t the CBC have various media pundits on after the debate rather than each political party’s strategists. And, what’s with the stupid question about each leader having to saying something nice about another. However, I think May’s response was probably the best.
I believe I read somewhere that EVEN Chantal Hebert had a kind word for Dion (tho I haven’t seen it in print yet). That’s saying a LOT as she’s not said a kind word about him since he won the nomination. Just MO.
Not sure I’ll be able to stay up late enough to see either the English debate or the VP debate. I thought I heard they be on at 10 pm our time.
Go Dion go.
Harper is THE JOKE, but this Canadian is NOT laughing.
By Bill-Muskoka (not anymore) on 10.02.08 10:41 am
Bill, You made me feel so proud this morning.
Being a Canadian by birth, I am not used to having my Canadian flag waved as you have done in the above statement.
Especially as you have been through the “mill” in the US Marine training.
And then CHOSE to become a Canadian.
We Canadians tend to be too quiet about our patriotism. Sometimes too much so.
AND we do have MUCH to be proud of.
BUT, Not the lying prime minister we have now.
No. He has single handedly bashed Canada’s reputation around the world.
I just hope that after we are rid of him we can, by the dint of hard work, get back into the place of worthy example and leadership that we have enjoyed in the past.
M. Dion is the man to help us to that place. (With Garth’s advice and enthusiastic aid.) Right Garth. (Thats not a question)
I WANT MY CANADA BACK!
By CAL on 10.02.08 7:28 am
Cal, remember it is not “my Canada,” but “our Canada” together, even those you disagree with. Canada is a democracy, not simply made up of those who share your view on Canada.
Canada is multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, and pluralist. “My Canada” in exclusion of others should have no place in our vocabulary.
Canada is multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, and pluralist. “My Canada” in exclusion of others should have no place in our vocabulary.
By Tim on 10.02.08 12:27 pm
Yes and Canada is prochoice, does not put 14 year olds in jail, protects the environment, supports the arts and a one-tier universal health care system, cares for the less fortunate, works for peace and encourages fairness in all its dealings.
Well goodness gracious me …
See what Paul Wells finds when comparing the Dion and Harper platforms at http://blog.macleans.ca/category/blog-central/national/inkless-wells/
That be enough to suffice, shouldn’t it?
I WANT MY CANADA BACK!
By CAL on 10.02.08 7:28 am
Cal, remember it is not “my Canada,” but “our Canada” together, even those you disagree with. Canada is a democracy, not simply made up of those who share your view on Canada.
Canada is multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, and pluralist. “My Canada” in exclusion of others should have no place in our vocabulary.
By Tim on 10.02.08 12:27 pm
Precisly Tim. And an inclusive Canada is what I call “MY” Canada. mr harpo’s Canada is anything but.
oops. Should be “precisely”
Did not consult my dictionary. So sorry.
Seems to me many immigrants have a better understanding of what democracy is than many native born Canadians?
Could it be attributed to apathy, complacency, or just not having experienced what the alternatives are under other governments?
By Bill-Muskoka (not anymore) on 10.02.08 10:34 am
Bill, I attribute this to our schools no longer teaching students how to think analytically. Shallow thinkers do not get the real essence of what is happening and what the consequences really are.
This is becoming evident across the board in more levels of our society. This is a very dangerous trend arising that threatens the very survival and health of our nation!
Sound byte politics and thinking does not promote problem solutions. I listened to a CBC Radio program over a year ago that described how our new generation’s attention cannot be held beyond 1.7 seconds on average. The ability to concentrate for longer periods of time on critical information and situations needs to be addressed!
Just driving down the highway and being observant of those around you reveals many who lack concentration, and the ability to multi-task. Successful operators constantly check many facets of their environment frequently and do not miss the significant indicators of changing conditions from both audio and visual signals. Successful people also know when to take a break, get some sleep, and keep watered/nourished.
Life is a test that cannot be crammed for in advance, it has to be learned from wise teachers and examples. Those who jump to conclusions before the evidence is gathered, and before the proper calculations are done will at some point experience one or more serious failures.
Much of what we are living through today has happened in similar form before, if you both use your memory and study histories.
What sets immigrants apart is their willingness to make a change in their circumstances and willfully select a better option. [As I recall some of what my English Grandfather said and did.]
I also know that a good memory has to be cultivated! Cutting funding to both Sciences and the Arts is a huge warning signal to the future of our species never mind our country. Bon chance, Mon Amis.
On the environment the Conservatives oppose the idea that you can be good steward’s of the environment and not destroy the economy. They have one dimentional thinking and that is maintaining the status quo.
By C. B. Innes on 10.02.08 9:19 am
CBI, the error in thinking contained above is that the “Status Quo” even exists. Nothing stays the same, as there is continual change in effect and on the go. [Remember the old adage that the only things assured in this life are death, change, and taxes]
Hence, to attempt to maintain something that does not exist is futile and cannot happen or work. Because conditions are always in flux, the best options always require aiming at what is the best case to affect the direction of change(s) and thus shoot at where the best guess is for the moving target. Maintaining the status quo is an admission of failure to understand the regime(s) that are operating! In the current state of the World, failure is a very dangerous option indeed!
I missed the French language debates last night for personal family reasons. I did see some of the news casts afterward. One thing that you might not have noticed is the very darkened skin around Harper’s eyes that make up did not cover up. If he has lost some sleep over what to say in the debates, I predict he will lose a lot more sleep in the coming days.
Lesson: tell the truth and sleep well!
Lil Lib:
Good for you! I’m not in Garth’s riding but it is absolutely disgusting what he has had to put up with.
Anyway, not everyone has the integrity to do what you did and I thank you for it. We need more people like you.
Herb and Dube:
Thanks for your links to MacLeans and the CMAJ link.
Couldn’t agree more with you Garth. Politics it seems has become a very dirty business. In spite of it all, I wish you every success.
I do have one comment on it all, and no I don’t support the Conservatives. But I do recall that both the Chretien and Martin Liberals spent a pile of money and time in demonizing Harper. Perhaps this is at least in part Harper’s motivation for resorting to such sleazeball tactics. The point is, the tactics really aren’t new, it’s just that the bar has been “lowered” if you know what I mean.
Kudo’s to you Garth for your attempts to rise above it all, and best of luck!
For those who continually use the term Harpo’s, I would like to inform you that it is a finer dining establishment here in the Schwaa on the opposite side of Stevenson Rd. from the Oshawa Shopping Center.
http://www.harpos.ca/
The vintage wines are not Harper’s!
Stephen Harper, here for a good time not a long time
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3dVG8R7qVE
By Bekker on 10.02.08 11:23 am
If Harper is having a good time, then I need to get a new dictionary and vocabulary! I am also mystified about where he is getting his pay off! What is the incentive, where is the profit?
Just maybe the Auditor General needs to be given some greater latitude and direction into surveying political remuneration and incentives! IMHO
By Truth B Told on 10.02.08 5:15 pm
Not to mention the dissing of the Marx Brothers’ business manager, Harpo Marx.
By Truth B Told on 10.02.08 2:18 pm
Beautifully stated mon ami.
I think a major part of the problem, from my U.S. perspective, was the Standardization of tests and the concept that everyone fits the 50% tile. People simply do not. we have Savants mixed in who’s gifts are narrow, but extraordinary. We have the mentally challenged, who with proper training can identify their natural gifts and talents and have a meaningful and fulfilled life.
Much of this came from both extremes, the Conservative ‘Boot Strap Ideology’ and the Ultra Liberal ‘everyone is equal ideology’. The fact is we are all unique, and that is how it is meant to be. otherwise we may as well be living in The Matrix. Regardless, we are all in it together.
The Lobbyists who promoted ‘uniformity in education’ imposed so many paper trails that teachers lost the time to actually do their primary task…to TEACH!
Were we to have the issue raised before our Parliament and Legislatures your synopsis would be a foundation for the much needed adjustment.
Sorry, but I must now head to a meeting or I would say much more.
Bon nuit.
By A.R.Wainwright on 10.02.08 12:22 pm
Thank you very sincerely. Your comment touched my deepest heart.
Will it be our homeys for you or will it be side show Sarah and Schlick??
By Comrade Okie on 10.02.08 11:12 am
Homeys for me, albeit it will be recorded and watched later. I can always catch the humour of the VP debate online tomorow. It should be a HOOT and
Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert will reveal the REAL stories from it, but not the Talking Heads at CNN and Faux. LOL My washing machine has less SPIN than their self-centred TRIPE!
I wish you could see the picture the Orillia Packet and Times ran of Harper from last night. The Angry Bully came out in full FURY! So much for Sweater Man and fireside photo ops.
Harper hammered on economy in debate
By Truth B Told on 10.02.08 2:36 pm,
I agree, but that is the Conservative economic policy. They are determined to be the party of free enterprise, free markets and free trade and have no intention of doing anything in the belief that everything will unfold according to some natural law. You simply hold steady.
Garth
What’s the deal with a Mr. Baril, a memeber of the Halton Liberal Riding Executive, tossing you a question from the audience on Canada AM? Did he identify himself as a member of your organization?
Yes. CTV asked each candidate’s campaign to provide one questioner, which they did. I do not believe the producer arranged for any non-partisan questions, preferring to have them staged and predictable, despite my preference that all questioners be non-aligned. If you object, tell them. — Garth
No objection here, although there is apparently some evidence the producers wanted the questioners to be folks other than members of the campaign team but what are you gonna do?
Dan Baril is not on my campaign team. He is not on my riding association. Nor is he my pollster (wish I had one). He just asks good questions. Pass it on. — Garth
To be clear you’re saying he isn’t currently on the Halton Federal Riding Association Board of Directors, nor has he been recently?
Ask him: danbaril@corestrategies.ca. — Garth