Harper to throw away Jobs for Trades people?

Harper has time to change his budget, it hasn't passed, he needs to recognise that the additional cost of well over $10 billion could be an overload on an already suffering economy. There is such a thing as a tipping point.

Look a these articles. $7 billion here, a few more billion there, Harper thinks the economy is leaking, we know the damn has burst. I will say this, of course

different groups have different views, but facts are facts, and this could be added on top of the already big pile of tough economic news.

http://www41.statcan.ca/2006/1130/ceb1130_001-eng.htm

http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2009/01/29/buy-american.html?ref=rss

Harper can't wait to see what Obama may or may not do. He needs to be proactive. Put measures in the budget now to ensure these industries are protected. If Obama acts against NAFTA, then our businesses can at least survive during what clearly would be a long and drawn out process in trade court. Canada would indeed win, because it is a clear violation of NAFTA.

Any costs associated with protecting our industries would be recovered, with penalties. Spending money in defense of what is right is always good. Workers in these industries deserve it.

Harper hopes, or perhaps knows, because personally I believe this issue is about off shore dumping by China etc., that Canada will be exempt. Obama has a constituency to play too. In the end though, as in the past, Canada is often exempt from regulations and tariffs others may face while entering US markets. Another reason why this probably won't be an issue is the fact that, and I may be wrong, but pretty confident in the numbers, 100% of our steel producers have American owners and or links. They will still be making steel, it is still needed.

The same goes for a lot of construction based industries, some but not all, have ties to American interests, which loopholes them from such clauses. The simple fact is that if American demand grows, they need our materials, or they won't be able to sustain the growth. My apologies to anyone who may loss work/money because of it, it may happen, I hope it doesn't, and I hope I am right about out industries position of strength.

Harpers plan, most likely is to look like he is being tough with Obama, standing up for Canada, all the while knowing a favourable outcome. Clever politics, terrible governing. There is a chance there will not be an exemption, these are extraordinary times. Harper needs to look smart not tough, cause the tough never works for him, and smart is slowly slipping away.

Harpers only saving grace now, and it's telling that it has come to this, is to do the right thing. It's about the only thing he hasn't done so far.

Wisdom, Courage, principles. Andrews sets a new standard.

Bill Casey sent a message to Stephen Harper. He didn't listen. Danny Williams punished him in the polls. He didn't listen. Now two of Newfoundland and Labradors Liberal MP's have seen enough.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2009/01/30/foote-budget.html

Will they be punished, I doubt it, perhaps a slap on the wrist. That's okay. These two political war horses know there are rules that parties have to follow, and they will accept punishment, if any. I can't see them being kicked out of caucus and disrespected in the same way the Con/Reformers did with Bill Casey. The Liberal party welcomes divergent views, anyone who has ever witnessed a Policy convention for the party will know this to be true.

Andrews and Foote have been sent to Ottawa by citizens of Newfoundland and Labrador. They have to walk the streets, eat in the diners, worship in the churches, cheer at the same rinks and share the same communities with the people this budget will hurt.

Harper is playing tricks with the budget, he taken steps to punish the citizens of that great province for not sending any Conservative MP's to Ottawa. This is the bitter, vindictive little man in Harper, that Premier Williams has been so good at calling out. Cutting $1.5 billion from what is owed to the people is just dirty dirty dirty.

Ignatieff is caught in a rough spot too. Party discipline is important. But he is a man of principle and he knows what Harper is trying to do. Harper likes to create wedge issues, both for citizens and members of parties. He drags up the abortion debate, He drags up Gay rights. He pits English against French, West against East...anything he can find to divide people.

As Ignatieff has shown in recent weeks, he is a calm, thoughtful, intelligent man who makes decisions using the best information he can get his hands on. He is smarter than Harper and I doubt he will let this issue divide his party.

This could all backfire. The Liberals, under Ignatieff, can show they are still a broad based party. To pick up on the Key from the New Obama administration, the Liberals can and will be seen as a party that welcomes all views, from all corners. Encourages free thought and dialogue as a way to solutions. A consultative approach with a willingness to listen.

Compared to Harpers iron fist, my way or the highway approach to policy, the Liberal approach is a refreshing refrain from the same old, tired politics.

It was during a time of change in the Democratic party, when a man with a funny sounding name came to be known by all the country after his powerful speech.

Perhaps we have seen the rising of our Obama. Perhaps we are seeing the first signs of a current of change that can bring us to the promised greatness of our democracy. A democracy shaped by people who speak for main street, not by people who seek only to hold power.

Perhaps the man with the warm accent and east coast born strength, can be our new beacon. From the streets of the rock, to the halls of power, with people like Andrews and Foote around, hope has indeed found a messenger.

While my NDP MP Ms. Leslie voted against a document before she saw it, showing an absolute disdain for democracy, in an attempt to stay in her bosses good books, Mr. Andrews and Mrs. Foote showed real leadership. I wonder if they could use some new constituents, mine seems to be on vacation.

Scott Andrews / Kid Newfoundland does whats right!

Hats off to Scott Andrews. The Liberal MP from the Rock has shown a Bill Casey"esque" quality, and is moving ever closer to Folk Hero Status in his home province.

Andrews is declaring he is first and foremost, in Ottawa to protect his constituents, and he won't take Harpers kick in the gut lying down.

Andrews is a street fighter in the political sense. A true backroom warrior who knocked on doors, ran campaigns, made phone calls, stuffed envelopes and held senior positions within the party, before being elected MP.

If Harper thinks he had a fight on his hands with a pissed off Danny Williams, he may have just bitten off more then he can chew now. Andrews won't lay down, these are his people, Newfoundland and Labrador is the province he loves, he stands up for loved ones.

Harper had better know when to back down. Kid Newfoundland can throw with the best of them, and our PM just picked a fight.

Guilty plea in Boudreau Case

I don't even want to say anything about it. Here is the link, but please, be very very cautious. If you are overly sensitive, well not even overly, if you have any sensitivity this will upset you. The actual details, which haven't until now been released, are contained in the statement of guilt. It is awful.

So again, honestly, this isn't something you want to read if you are at work and about to head into a meeting, it truly is disturbing. Okay, I think that is enough of warning, here are2 links.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2009/01/30/ns-karissa-guilty.html

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2009/01/30/ns-karissa-guilty.html

Shocker!!Poll finds Canadians against Fighting in Hockey

Here are links to a few stories;

http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1388510

http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/578326

My question to you is this. How much of this poll is a reflection of the tragic death recently in Ontario? In six months, would poll findings be the same?

Budget to cut funding for stem cell research

Harper, in his stimulus budget, has decided that scientific jobs don't really count. Why else would he cut over $100 million from the budget of Genome Canada and put 1000's out of work.

Here is the article:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090129.wbudgetscience29/BNStory/budget2009/home

Is it just coincidence that Genome Canada funds stem cell research? I am sure Harper will be getting a call from his old buddy George Bush, Yo Harper, good job on the stem cell stuff. Go Neo-Cons.

Above and beyond the motives for the cuts, is the fact that this could send some of our best and brightest minds away. Scientists need research funding, they go where it is. Harper has sent the message to the Scientific research community, no work for you.

Canada's Charter of rights violated by Doctor

UPDATE;
Below is a new story. The clinic director is trying to defend the doctor. Read it so you know where I am coming from. My reply to his sad excuse, which basically was saying she didn't say she wouldn't treat them, just that she thinks they are disease filled and had sexula problems.
Oh well, of course these women would feel comfortable using this doctor. I know if my doctor told me I was disgusting and he was used to dealing with people like me, that I would feel very comfortable. These women are being oppressed. They are being denied the most basic of rights.

I am not gay, so I can't fully feel the impact of this statement. I can imagine though. I can imagine, being gay, going to work and paying taxes, only to have those taxes pay the salary of Women who would refuse me health care because of her backwards hate filled views. I can imagine the pain and disgust it must cause are awful.
Where is our Prime Minister on this subject? His job is to defend the rights and security of all citizens.
If they weren't lesbians would the Conservative government stay silent? If it was a Cabinet Minister who was told he/she couldn't have access to health care? What will it take for someone to root out injustice, silence hate and eliminate the old conservative principles that too often are built on religious based discrimination.
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/MD-did-not-refuse-lesbians-clinic-says38528377.html

This story made me sick to my stomach. Thank god I am not a lesbian or perhaps my upset stomach would go untreated.

http://thechronicleherald.ca/Canada/1103158.html

This story is about a Doctor who refused to help a Lesbian couple. The article includes this little gem, in which she gave the reason as :

she has no experience treating gays and lesbians who have "sexual problems" and "a lot of diseases and infections." Her words. She thinks gays and lesbians have a lot of diseases and infections.

This Doctor, from Egypt, had to I hope, pass some tests and meet some standards before she could practice in our country, and accept tax payers dollars, some of those tax payers by the way are gay or lesbian. I would think the most basic standard would be that she FOLLOWS OUR LAWS.
This women should be deported. She has trampled on the Human rights of a Citizen.

To put this in perspective. Lets replace the Female Egyptian born Doctor, with a male Canadian born Doctor. If he told a lesbian couple the same thing as this women did, I suspect it would be headline news, the Doctor would loose his ability to practice medicine. Why are we allowing someone to come to our country, ignore our laws, commit what is in essence a hate crime against this couple and then collect taxpayers money.

Do we live in a country where we believe in rights, or do we just pay them lip service.

I suspect the PC police have the college of physicians and surgeons worried about the optics of going after someone who isn't from Canada. I suspect they fear they will be accused of prejudice if they go after this Doctor, who is a minority.


This case would be bigger news, like I said, if it was a white male saying this. It shouldn't matter who did it.
The injustice inflicted on these women is indefensible. She should be punished, and if at all possible forced to compensate these women and deported.

We send undesirables away from our shores, we don't embrace them. If we don't punish this women, severely, the message we are sending the Gay and Lesbian community is simple, your rights don't matter. That's not the Canada I know.

BREAKING:Harper Official: Good fiscal position

These guys just don't get it, here is a quote from Ted Menzies, the PS to the Finance Minister. It is in response to a question from John McCallum. John asked Mr. Menzies to admit they had brought in the first deficit in over 10 years, but Mr. Menzies seems to think everything is okay.

That is the reason Canada is in the good fiscal position that it is in going into this global economic recession. We are better able to fight it. We are better able to adapt to what Canadians need. We will come out of this even stronger.

In his pre-amble, Menzies said they had paid down some debt. It should be noted the ability to make those early debt payments were set in place by the former Liberal government. This budget is the first budget to reflect the policies and fiscal tactics of this government. And as we see, complete failure.

Only a Conservative would ever think of using the phrase good fiscal position to describe a government who has spent us back into deficit.

I wonder what kind fo weasel words they will use to spin this. The problem is, the Tories think things aren't bad. Well, better yet, the tories refuse, and always have refused, to ever admit error. If they admit we aren't in a strong fiscal position, they have to admit error. It's not in their DNA.

BREAKING NEWS: CON MP SAYS ECONOMY IS GOOD

That's right, Parliamentary Secretary Ted Menzies just said in QP that the economy is in good shape. I am trying to get the direct quote from Hansard. If i heard him wrong, i apologise, but I didn't hear him wrong......or i will eat crow as I said

More as news comes.....

Ignatieff brings adult supervision- And Real Solutions

I must say this, I admittedly wasn't in favour of supporting this budget. I didn't think there were enough things in the budget to actually spur growth. My political junkie side said go for the Jugular. Alan J, one of Canada's finest politicians, was often of the mind that you take the chance to form a government when possible. That in fact is the goal of a political party, to govern.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/01/28/ignatieff-decision.html

I also, having been involved in politics for too many years to admit, understand strategy, pragmatism and caution have to be measured into your equation.

Ignatieff has done something that no other politician has been able to do in recent memory. He has brought a calming, mature approach. He, as is his duty as opposition leader, has told Mr.Harper that he needs to start cooperating, focusing on Dinner Table issues, stop being a partisan bulldog, and govern, or he, Mr.Ignatieff, is fully prepared and ready to topple this government and replace it with a Liberal Majority.

Mr. Ignatieff has said he will be watching like a Hawk, being the catalyst to ensure the money Harper pledges, he spends. This is something cities and municipalities have said Harper has done in the past. ( That is announce money, but never hand it out).

Finally an adult has joined the fray. I have decided I will support the parties stance. While I may have concerns with the budget, Ignatieff has done more than enough to show he too understands that the budget needs improvement, and he is going to do all he can to ensure it does indeed improve.

Ignatieff has already made the budget better. Imagine how good it would have been if he had written it.

BREAKING NEWS IGGY SUPPORTS BUDGET

Sources are now saying coalition is dead, Iggy will support budget.
Stay Tuned More news as it breaks...

Danny Boy, the New Captain Canada

I wanted to add this link for several reasons. Not the least of which is that Premier Williams is one of the brightest minds at work in Canada now. His opinion matters, to people all across the country. In boardrooms and around coffee tables. Danny needs to be listened to.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2009/01/28/williams-budget.html

No Stimulus should equal no support

Sorry Jim, No Thumbs up for you!

This budget was supposed to be about stimulus, about encouraging Canadians to spend. This budget was supposed to be a strong response to a crisis. This budget was a failure. The tax cuts should have been more targeted.

According to stats Canada, I am one of the middle class so often talked about. We make up a majority of the tax paying base. This budget will not encourage me to spend one extra cent. The tax credits for renovations are great, if you own and don't rent, if you have enough money to do the work to begin with ( you still pay for it, and wait and wait and wait until the give you the credit), and if you need renovations. Yes it will create some work, and needed work, but it won't do much if anything to actually stimulate economic growth.

Infrastructure spending will help, but not every dollar announced will be spent. Bureaucratic tie ups, non matching funds, and other cost and time delays will mean some of this money will take years to flow, or may not flow at all.

If every cent in this budget that was meant to stimulate actually was used in a stimulative way, it may have, note may have, fixed the problem, or at least stemmed the growing tide of crisis. The problem is, as structured now, not all the money will flow which means the full stimulus effect won't be felt.

Another point to be considered. These numbers could get worse. Harper and Flaherty are being very optimistic in their view of when things should recover. Any slight deviation from their expected course could cause disaster. This scares me because the nature of this crisis is uncertainty, no one really knows. To make assumptions like those Harper has made, could be catastrophic. Only a few weeks ago, Harper and Flaherty said no deficit, no recession, no way. They were dead wrong.

Can we trust them now?

Fool me once, shame on me, fool me twice and my countries economy collapses...wait that's not how it is supposed to end.

Like sex without foreplay, a budget with no stimulus

I have a cat, Carmen. He does things he isn't supposed to do like scratches furniture, wakes us up in the middle of the night and so on. We have given up yelling, cause all it does is startle the cat for a few seconds , then he acts bad again.

Harper is like my cat. He was scolded for his first budget, and throne speech. He almost lost his job. He was startled. And for a few seconds acted nice.

His budget shows me he doesn't get it. We are in a time of serious economic crisis and needed stimulus. This budget means a family with a combined income of $100,000 will save about $250. How is this stimulus.

Listen to Mayors, some won't be able to use the infrastructure money cause they are cash strapped.

Over 2 years Harper has made billions in announcements for infrastructure, but it was never used because Mayors couldn't afford their 1/3. This problem still remains.

In a budget where ensuring people stimulate the economy is key, giving across the board tax cuts don't cut it. Someone who makes more than $150, 000 /year, won't go right out and spend the few extra dollars they see on their paycheque. That money than, meant to stimulate the economy, will sit in a bank.

Harper wanted to sa badly to please everyone, that he did nothing. This budget was like sex without the foreplay, no stimulus, over fast, not something to brag about.

I hope Ignatieff asks for some major changes. I hope he gets them, or I hope the GG comes to her senses and gets rid of Harper.

This budget will fix nothing, only make it worse.

While Canadians lose jobs, Harper spends big on trips

It's clear why Harper, only a few short weeks ago, said we should go out and spend, he was doing a lot of it himself.

The CP is running a great story

http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Politics/2009/01/26/8154811-cp.html

This guy can't control himself. You can be certain Harper and staff didn't stay in motels and didn't snack on pretzels.

This is the most out of touch PM in History.

Don Newman shocked by Bairds Comments

Here is the clip. The section is from about 9:35-10:40. Newman seem shocked that Baird says he wasn't ever told by Municipal leaders that money is an issue.

I like how Don keeps saying , " really?!"

http://www.cbc.ca/video/popup.html?http://www.cbc.ca/mrl3/8752/politics/politics_mon.wmv

If for whatever reason the clip won't load, it is on the CBC politics website, Monday January 26th edition.

I have added some articles, written during the time Baird met with Municipal leaders. It clearly indicates Mayors and Wardens are telling Baird that money is an issue for them.

http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/278495

http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/570334

In these articles he talks about getting rid of red tape as a desire all parties have. They all want to see this happen, because it recognizes that currently not enough money is available, and they need to free it up. In other words, it recognizes that Municipalities don't have the access to the capital they need now to create jobs.

So I ask again, when Newman mentions that he has heard Mayors say they don't have the money to get these projects started, and Baird says he has never heard that, just what does he mean?

Look, if I am reading these articles and statements incorrectly, then I will eat my words, but come on, take away the spin and arguments around wording, and don't we see a contradiction in what Baird says from one day to the next?

Bairds Budget Blunder

Last night I decided I need TiVo. Well for a minute I did. John Baird dropped a bombshell.

Don Newman, in referencing his talks with Mayors and officials from cities and towns, said he had heard the big issue for the municipalities was that they couldn't afford their 1/3 of most infrastructure projects.

That's when the shocker hit, this isn't a direct quote, but Baird told Newman he has never heard of this issue. Newman looked puzzled, and asked again, it seemed like he was trying to correct Baird, and rightly so. Anyone who has any interest what so ever in current affairs knows the reality. We hear it over and over again on the news. Municipalities have infrastructure needs they can't meet because of costs.

They agree they need the pay their share 1/3, but until now the Harper conservatives won't front end load the cost, which would help get all these projects going.

Baird, after Newman pressed him on the issue several times, still said that he has never been told by a big city mayor that the 1/3 cost was an issue.

Either Baird isn't listening to anyone or thing other than Harper, or this is the way the Conservatives are again going to spin things.

Here is what will happen, as has already happened. Harper makes an announcement of "x" number of millions, has a big press conference, flies in his private Jet to the event, announces the money, and then it stays in the bank because Harper won't allow for front end loading of costs.

Harper then touts his infrastructure spending, but in reality that money sits in the bank, no work gets done, but Harper can still say he did something, when all he did was create work for those staging his press conferences.

I know this may all sound like semantics and perhaps Baird misspoke.

No he didn't. He was asked a very clear question about a subject that is widely talked about. We all know that Municipalities and Cities are in a financial bind, Baird seems to no be aware, and he is the Minister in charge of Infrastructure.

This can't be good.

Harpers Throne Speech Bombshell

For those of you who didn't hear or read the speech from the throne, or more appropriately, the brief comment from the throne, here is a link to the English text

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/01/26/throne-speech-transcript.html

Short and sweet, it was more of a description of what they think has happened. Harper seems to blame the situation on everything but his government. At its core, if you believe this throne speech, Harper appears to have softened his approach, and may present a budget that represents the majority view of the House, not his parties view.

The trust issue is the problem with this guy. He has flip flopped so much, action now is his only true path to redemption. His words are soft, he has gone back on his words far too often.

I was bothered by something he did say, here is a copy of the part in question:

As Canadians expect, the economy will be the focus of our government’s actions and of the measures placed before Parliament during the coming year. In pursuing measures to support the economy, our government will also attend to the other important priorities that it set out in the speech from the throne to open the 40th Parliament.

What this says to me, is that he may present an updated budget, but he will stick to his neo-con, reform party born policies. It was that speech from the throne only a few weeks ago that started the whole crisis which almost cost Harper his job. I don't think he gets it still. I think he believes on the economy he has to budge, but not on anything else. The only reference in this throne speech to issues that aren't economic based (education, housing, health care, aboriginal issues, immigration,the environment, funding for arts and culture), was a reference to his old throne speech. That throne speech laid the groundwork for Harpers Conservatives to slash funding to arts, health, education, housing, women's groups, immigration support, environmental protections and so on.

Harper may have seen the need to cooperate on economic issues, but the test is whether or not he sees fit to cooperate, as all Canadians expect and want, on all issues MP's face.

I hope he has learned his lesson, I fear he hasn't.

Dastardly Debt duo

These are the two guys, who mere weeks ago said we should buy stock with all our extra money and that talk of deficits and recession were just liberal fear mongering. Do you really want these 2 in charge of your tax dollars.

Sources are saying the throne speech will be 600 words long. Harpers last speech 4000 words. Why the huge difference? Most likely because he was forced to treat this throne speech like an adult would, so after cutting out all the partisan garbage, the speech goes from 4000 to 600

Maybe that's the reason, who knows

After the Throne Speech you can be sure I will update...waiting now......44 minutes to go

The leaks we have seen from this government on the budget are awful. There response is, of course, the Liberals did it.

The facts are , the Liberals didn't. Yes, details about general programs were leaked, ie., more money for Health Care.

Harper touts out Ministers to give specific figures. This flies in the face of Parliamentary privilege. The MP's should be the first to see/hear budget info, of course after the government.

Harper just wants to get people talking about something else, because he knows if we talk about the real issue, his massive failures on the economy, that it may not be good for his image.

Joan Jessome, Public enemy #1

Surprise surprise surprise. Joan Jessome may be leading another group into a strike. It's time we got rid of this women who will sacrifice the well being of those in her union, for more on Camera time for her.
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Front/1102700.html

My favorite part in the whole story is this line, from Joan;
"This is the traditional way bargaining goes, although it wasn’t our intention to stay there all day, because it’s just the money on the table. It’s just the wages," union president Joan Jessome said Saturday night.

The, " it wasn't our intention to stay there all day" part. Classic Joan. Sure she wants this strike to end, she is only looking out for kids and Union members, but she can't be bothered to negotiate all day. Sounds like concern to me. Sounds like someone had Saturday night plans. And by the way Joan, we know it's about wages, it's always about wages with you, always always always.

A few things about this whole Bus drivers strike that bother me.

First, the annoying ad they are running on Radio . The womens sad voice, says she is a school bus driver, and that the kids safety is their biggest concern. I am sure this is of cold comfort to the thousands of kids, who now have to walk slippery, dangerous, snow covered and sometimes impassable sidewalks to get to school. This seems very safe. I can just see it now, kids jumping over piles of sidewalk snow, out into traffic. Also in this ad, and in interviews with drivers, they all say they love their job. Alot of people hate their job. These people seem to have jobs they love, that have part time hours and pay what is roughly an average hourly rate in this Province, if you really love a job, pay isn't an issue. ( Yes they need to live, but again, the hourly rate is pretty average for this province)

Second, Joan said it wasn't fair that her Union members get no benefits and pensions, and the salary is too low. Isn't this Joans fault? I know people in Unions, if they didn't receive benefits, pensions and had, as Joan describes it, low pay, they would can their union boss. Why has Joan allowed this to become so bad ? Why, because no TV network would do a story on a well managed Union, it's only in Joans own created chaos does she get her needed air time.

Third, while I don't think it's an amazing salary, $12-14 an hour, for what is part time work, isn't bad. I know other people who make less money and work more hours, they would never take it out on kids, they take it up with their employees.
Joan isn't concerned with her members, if she was she wouldn't be constantly overseeing strikes. A union leader is supposed to ensure his/her members are well taken care of, not just be strike planners.

I love how Joan or one of her people always say, we are doing everything we can to ensure your kids get to school safe and on time. That's such a load of....well you know. If she were doing "everything " she could, she would keep the buses running. She always says she isn't trying to punish kids or parents, but they are always the only ones to get punished. Joan knows this, just too cowardly to admit it.


Nova Scotia has three major impediments in the way of our progress. 1- Joan Jessome and her strike or bust attitude scares away more jobs then she creates. She has yet to see a strike she can avoid, or a TV Camera for that matter.
2- Phil Pacey and his anti-anything newer than 100 years crusade.
3- A government with no backbone to stand up to fools like Joan, and no plan to address our growth needs.

It's sad really. Joan Jessome is the big problem. She dresses up like she is heading out to a cruise ship showing of Chers greatest hits, and goes before the Camera to plead the case of her common folk members. The members need to realise, the general population , doesn't respond well to a women who tells them they will have to deal with the headaches she is creating, and shows little sympathy. She is a terrible public face for your members. She does you harm . and is a media hog who strives for the attention.

Be smart union members, get rid of Joan. I guarantee the tax paying public, whose money you want and kids you are paid to drive, will have a much better image of you.

Oh and tell Joan , when she wants to go on TV, to beg for more money, and to plead the poverty case on behalf of members, perhaps all the big jewelery, dangly earrings and frills you have should be kept under wraps. Try to appear like you are one of them. They wear jeans and sweaters, you wear diamonds and leather. Joan needs a crash course in PR, or better yet a crash course on how to retire early. Do us all a favour Joan, if you want to be on TV, become an actor, not a Union boss.

Spains Lottery Genius

For those who don't know about it, here is an article that describes what I am talking about;
http://www.live-pr.com/en/el-gordo-delivers-big-winnings-to-r1048252319.htm
Now my idea is a little different than theirs , but bare with me.
I think this idea needs to come to Canada now. I play the lottery, not always, but a few times a month. A straw poll of my friends, some who play religiously, some like I do, and some less than most. They all agreed, they wouldn't really change their habits if we adopted a more broad award system. The basic theory is this, if the jackpot is at $43 million, like it is now, the 6/49 folks award lets say for arguments sake 100 top prizes, $43 million divided by 100 is $430,000. I think if 100 people could win that, it tops 1 or 2 splitting it, even if you awarded 50 top prizes, then it's $860,000. I know the argument is you win less, so it's less appealing, I would agree, but would guess, unscientifically of course, that die hard players still would play, some may quit, but other new players may start buying because of the increased odds. Look, I admit, $43 million would be amazing, but so would $430, 000. If i wasn't happy with the smaller amount, I don't deserve any.

Harper Loses a close ally in Bush

It must be hard to lose a good friend. Stevie, as his good buddy Bush called him, lost not only a fellow neo-con, but an ideological soul mate. Harpers government, from it's policies to its electoral strategy, comes straight from the books of Karl Rove and Dick Cheney.

If you want to know why our Country is in the mess it is, I encourage you to watch this 31 second clip:

http://bushharper.com/

The site highlights the striking similarities between Bush and Harper, and in turn the Cons/reform party and the Republicans.

This isn't the kind of leader we need. Harper is easily one of the most Republican/religious conservative leaders in the free world.

Remember " Yo Harper". http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080707/bush_harper_080707?s_name=&no_ads=

It was that moment that best describes Harpers worshipping of Bush. NO self respecting leader of our Country should ever allow a US President, or anyone disrespect the office in such away. Harper seemed to liked it, his hero talking to him, just sad. Bush would have known better than to talk to Chretien or Martin that way.

Flaherty's Fiscal Fiasco

Despite his warm and fuzzy cat cuddling image...can you believe this sad attempt to look kind... Harper is causing some real heartaches and rough times in this great country.

This isn't my first post on this topic, but the news is fast and furious. Harpers Finance flunky Jim Flaherty has really put us in a bind. This years deficit $30 billion plus.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090122.wPOLdeficit0122/BNStory/politics/home

I remind you that this news, comes from a Prime Minister and Finance Minister who mere weeks ago said there was no recession and no need for deficit spending. $30 billion plus this year, and next, with at least 5 more years of no surplus. The $100 billion mark is in within Harpers reach, and that's the problem, this so called economist seems to be doing everything he can to ruin our economy.

Below is a copy of text from a CTV online article

Just two months ago, the Tories flatly dismissed that deficit spending was imminent and championed their conservative fiscal policies.
And during the fall federal election, Harper said repeatedly that his government would keep the country's finances out of the red. ( Link to story below)

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090122/Ottawa_Deficit_090122/20090122?hub=TopStories

Harper has become , in my opinion, so clearly duplicitous, that I can't believe he doesn't know it.

Whether or not you were a fan of Prime Ministers past, I can scarcely remember one who so often would say one thing and do another; Income trusts, Senate appointments, fixed elections, promise to Cape Breton Veterans widow, no deficit spending and on and on.

The tired excuse of the Economic times have changed is dead. Every other party and Canadian recognised the crisis in October. Harper told us to buy stocks with all our extra money, not worry about a recession and that the books would be balanced. The crisis has indeed changed the outlook, but the challenge still could have been met with more planning and preparedness.

Harper was too busy being partisan, too scared of losing his job to be paying attention. Now Canadians pay.

Potato Pete's Pathetic Pooch house performance

Peter " Bye Bye Jobs" MacKay is at it again. Under his watch , the political Minister/Puppet for Nova Scotia has watched as thousands of jobs have vanished. We saw it at Moirs, Trenton Works and now lumber mills.

According to the CBC, a Century Old business will be forced to close its doors, devastating its employees and their families.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/nova-scotia/story/2009/01/22/ns-comeau-lumber.html

The damage to the community will be swift. A hundred years of solid business destroyed in a few years by a government that doesn't seem to care about anything beyond partisan gains.

MacKay is supposed to stand up for Nova Scotia. How does he show it? By supporting Harper on the Atlantic Accord, and not standing shoulder to shoulder with Bill Casey, on the side of Nova Scotians. He helps engineer an economic strategy that has seen thousands of job losses locally, and many more nationally. He allows Navy ships, based on the Atlantic Coast, to be shipped to Vancouver to ensure their shipyard workers have jobs, not ours.

He is either blind and can't see that Harper is using him as punching bag and trying to ruin his career by damaging our province, or he likes the warmth that comes from being so snuggled up close to Harper and his backside, that he doesn't mind if the rest of us suffer.

MacKay should take the lead of Bill Casey, stand up for his province and do his job.

UPDATE:

Sadly, while writing this article, another NOva Scotia business was announcing job cuts. Hundred of employees of ACA in the Annapolis Valley are losing their jobs, and Peter remains silent.

Bourque Newswatch or " Con Spin doctor"

I used to respect Bourque Newswatch. It was a great way to get the headlines, etc., He always has been, but recently it's gotten worse, in love with anything Conservative.

No mention of $105 billion debt, no mention of Income trust flip flops. I once wrote him a note, asking why he was so harsh on Liberals, his response to me was to call me a name and spout some Tory spin.

Look at Bourque today, nice picture of MacKay, some feel good fluff, and a few stories trashing the coalition. Bourque was quick to highligt a poll that showed a majority were against Coalition. Those numbers are now reversed, Harper is slipping into George Bush popularity realm, and Bourque won't show those stories.

What we need is a new Honest, Fair and Balanced alternative to Bourque. His tired old Conservative views are better left to the cave dwellers and knuckle draggers who support Harpers neo-con view of everything, then to moderate, fair minded Canadians.

I wonder if Bourque will post an Articles as headliners on his page outlining Harpers line of broken promises. Or does Bourque want a Senate seat too.

Breaking News:Harpers $105 billion dollar boondoggle

I almost fell out of my chair. The Parliaments Budgetary watchdog appointed by Harper himself, has said our deficits could go as high $105 billion. Wiping out every bit of progress made under previous Liberal governments.

Harper and Flaherty have in 2 short years taken our economy from healthy to devastated. The legacy Harper wants to leave to our future generations is increasing debt , damaged environment, collapsing Health care system, weakly funded education systems and hyper partisan Parliament.

Harpers own words , only a few months ago, prove he is either completely incompetent or lied to us. When Liberals warned that Harpers economic ways would bring about deficits, He, and his friends in the media called Liberals fear mongers and Harper said, under him there would be no deficit.

Harper has gone from saying no deficit, to creating a $105 Billion..with a B deficit. I wonder why all those Conservative supporters who said only Tories could handle the economic crisis have gone so quiet. Nothing worse than being wrong, and not being able to admit it. Harpers support is plummeting in George Bush style.

Harper looks like yesterdays man when next to Obama. Obama shows us that we deserve better, Harper reminds us why we should never trust the Cons again. Lied about deficits, lied about Senate appointments, lied about Income Trusts.

Anyone remember Mulroney, Buchanan, Harris......Tory times are tough times. Never was a more true statement uttered in Canadian politics.

Obamas' bump--for the Liberals

There was a great globe and mail article today,

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090120.wpoll21/CommentStory/politics/home

Not only does the article highlight the impressive job the new Liberal leader is doing , but it highlights the poor job Harper is doing it. More than half, 55%, of Canadians do not approve of how Harper is handling things,

“That is a very bad number,” Ekos president Frank Graves said of the disapproval rating. “That is getting up into [former U.S. president] George W. Bush numbers. Not quite, but 10 more points, and you're up to as bad as it gets for elected leaders.”


Harper is about as popular as Bush. This comes as no shock, and proves that his recent victory had little to do with him, and much more to do with weak opposition. We now see a new leader, in Ignatief, who Canadians are warming to ( his favourables are higher then Harper, already)
who and who clearly would be a much better leader for our Country when it comes to dealing with Obama. The fact is this, Obama is an instant cultural icon. He is credited by some, with single handedly changing the image of the Bush bruised America.
Harpers ideology is out of whack with Obama's. We will need to work with the US administration. Iggy is such better suited to do just that, Canadians know it, and Harper is worried.
for
I doubt Harper has the political or personal strength or ability to best Ignatief in an election. We all will watch what a Liberal Government can do for people, as we watch Obama get to work. Canadians will want the same from their government. Who can honestly say that if you prefer the politics of Obama, you would vote for Harper over the Liberal Party of Ignatief.

When Obama comes to Canada, Harper will stand close and try to steal some of the love, and maybe boost his own number. The problem is, the comparison, once Harper wants to make it, is there to talk about, and Harper, unlike Iggy, offers nothing similar to what Obama does. If I were Harper I would stay away from Obama. Some may argue that to stand beside him will boost Harpers image. I argue just the opposite. If I park my Ford Focus next to a Mercedes, it doesn't make my car look better, just reminds people how great the Mercedes is. Harper next to Obama will just remind people what we have, but could have. Like I said, if I was Harper I would stay away, but since I want Harper gone, my free advice to Harper, stand next to Obama alot.

Bye Bye Bush

Today is the day, Bush is Gone Barrack is in. What started in Illinois, on a cold windy day, was an improbable search for a new way. A man, with as he says it, little supporters, no money and little chance to win, has transformed a world. I know that sounds impressive, and maybe over reaching but it's not. A recent survey showed that many Americans, who mere months ago felt differently, now feel Dr. Kings dream has been realised. The number of African Americans who believe it has skyrocketed.

Obamas victory is evidence that, man and women, of any colour, when given the chance, Will always vote for the better candidate. Election night was a victory for dreams and ambition, not just Obama. My words will never clearly capture the greatness of the occasion, so I leave it with you, to watch, enjoy and hopefully remember.


Other things did happen in the world today, but most will get lost in the shuffle, so here are a few headlines:

www.herald.ns.ca A great story in it today about Conrad Black not getting a pardon from Bush.
Gen. Walt Natynczyk, chief of the defence staff, spoke to several hundred people at a Pier 21 fundraiser. He talked about the need to build new warships, does this mean worker for our shipbuilders, let's hope so. And Mayor Peter Kelly is asking the URB to look into the NS power outage issue. I agree with Mayor Kelly, every storm and power goes out, this isn't normal.

www.theglobeandmail.com

Omar Khard has mentioned Maher Arar , according to the FBI. Arar, tortured in Syria, and paid millions by the Canadian government to settle their liability, has always claimed innocence, and I for one believed him. Could this prove to have been one of the biggest scams ever pulled by a terrorist, or more here say. This will be interesting to see.

Todays news is lost in Obama-mania, so I will have more to come, but for now, enjoy and celebrate. A new day has dawned.

Iggys' steady hand approach.

I love the Liberal bloggers who seem to be so in shock that Iggy may take his time and not force an election ( I think the GG has shown she is no outside the box thinker and surely would allow an election over coalition). He is doing exactly, and correctly , what he said he would. He has traveled the country, listened at well attended town halls, and now is conversing with caucus on how to proceed.

I want Harper gone as badly as the next. I don't want him just gone, I want his ideology soundly rebuked. The way we do that is by building a Liberal party that can win a strong and decisive majority. Recent elections and polls show that no majority is likely on either side now. While Ignatief is giving us a strong, and what I believe will be a continued bump in poll numbers, he/we also have to address the parties debt, organization, policy etc.,

Iggy has already begun that process, and has made some strong additions to his office. A national meeting will be held in Vancouver, coming out of it we can present Canadians with a strong, moderate, progressive platform, and then fight and election on solid ground, both financially and organizationally.

Of course, if Harper uses the budget the way he did his economic statement, and doesn't properly address the needs of those Canadians who most need it now, our hand will be forced. So be it. It may be a tough fight, but a fight Liberals can win, if Harper wants to pick it.

I just can't see Harper, after what happened, and the crisis we face, not putting forward a budget we all can get behind. He has too, Canadians, not liberals demand it, and won't stand for any less, they have had enough Ottawa nonsense. They will tell us whether to defeat, or support, that you can count on.

Let's remember who we are with and who we are against, give Iggy the chance, he is exceeding expectations already.

CBC's corporate takeover

I watched CBC newsworld this morning, and I wasn't aware that Tim Hortons had bought our national broadcaster. I joke of course, but I thought it funny, that there on the desk in plain sight for all Canadians to see, well all Canadians who were watching CBC newsworld, was a cup of Tim Hortons. While Coleen and Heather talked about Markets, sports , Obama etc., there it was, center of frame, Tim Hortons.

Now don't get me wrong, I was drinking out of my own tims mug, but my first thought was, nice free advertising, my second was poor Robins Donuts, my third was, if this had been a cup of starbucks, CBC would have been raked over the coals for daring to show this product on air.

Look, I don't think there is anything sinister about it, I found it funny, and to be honest, comforting, it was familiar. But I bet someone is fuming about it.

Update

I thought I would add a little zing to my blog, by giving you more than my tired old views. I will venture to highlight the headline news of the day, local, national and international. A few headlines with link and commentary on the days news.

My thought is that perhaps you can come for some news and stay for some readiong pleasure. Also, since most of my posts, deal with current news, it would be helpful to ensure access to the news I am getting, so I can be as fair as possible.

So here is my first go at it:

In the Chronicle Herald there is a great story about speeding and the dangers of the 101, as well as a great article on the continuing saga of the Armour group trying to create jobs vs the heritage group trying to lock us in the past. http://www.herald.ns.ca

The globe and Mail today has several great reads. Some news on the Gaza truce. An update on jailed Canadian Child soldier Omar Khadr, a story about the mortgage crisis situation, where American based insurance companies want the Canadian taxpayer to fully guarantee their products. As is stated in the article; Such a move would make the federal government ultimately liable for all of the hundreds of billions of dollars in insured mortgage debt.
And a story I have blogged about today( if you are reading this it is the next post on the page ), Senator Brazeau and the missing money
http://www.theglobeandmail.com

In sports news, Steelers and Cardinals in the Superbowl, leafs still suck, Ottawa is getting better( still awful) and the Habs are shaky. In the west, Vancouvers recent Sundin trade hasn't been huge yet, i note yet, and the flames and oilers, same old same old.

The big news of the day is the less that 24 hour away swearing in of Barack Obama, I will be glued tight to the TV, and you can be sure more is to come on this subject.

I can smell my coffee now, I am off, be back soon with more news, stories etc.,

Harper senate appointee and the missing cash

I woke up, looked out my window, and wanted to go back to bed. Snow, rain, wind, blah. I did get up though, I should have gone with my first instinct and stayed in bed, cause my eyes and brain were about to get a kick.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090119.wbrazeau17/BNStory/politics/home

The globe and mail is running a story today. If you have read my blog in the last few weeks, you will be aware of my fury at the recent appointment to the senate of a man accused of sexual harassment, drinking on the job and unfairly dismissing staff. This Harper appointee was the head of a group, tax payer funded group, that spent more than a quarter of a Million, roughly $260,000 of Canadians tax dollars, and has no proof where it went. They claim they paid people to be at board meetings, but there is little to no evidence that any of this work was done, more or less they paid people, no doubt friends and colleagues, for little or no work.

Maybe Harpers genius was in putting him in the Senate, now Mr. Brazeau can't oversee such a waste of taxpayers money. Unless of course you consider the fact that we have to pay this 34 year old man, a bare minimum of $122,000 roughly, for the next 41 years a waste of money, which I do.

Harper has been completely silent on this. Could you imagine if Chretien had appointed a 34 year old to the Senate, guaranteed him a rich mans salary for 41 years, and tried to ignore the fact he/she is tied up in scandal and controversy surrounding hundreds of thousands of taxpayers dollars, Harper and his reform/alliance bunch would have screamed bloody murder.

Harper has taken an ends justify the means approach. I am not certain this massive abuse of taxpayers money can ever be forgiven, or should be. Shame on our Prime Minister.

Mideast mess

I think I should always preface my thoughts on the Mideast situation with this. I think 99.9% of Israelis and Palestinians are being unfairly punished by militants in Hamas, and hawks in the IDF. Most people just want peace, no suicide bombers, no soldiers in cities, no rocket attacks, no air strikes. I am neither pro or anti either side, purely anti-senseless preventable death. I tell people (who can sit through my babbling) a story of living in Ottawa, in a house of several friends, some with family, religious and philosophical links to both sides, some of us with no direct links. This was during a heightened time of violence in the late 90's and early into 2000. At times voices were raised and the rhetoric was question period like. We all still cared about each other, ate together, got sometimes perhaps a tiny bit too drunk with, but never wanted harm to come to the other. I now have, in a slight way a tie to the region. Perhaps that is why the messy war bothers me so much. I am, admittedly then, part of the problem, my disgust should leap from my humanity, not be coerced through friendship or bloodlines.

40,000 stranded pregnant women

CARE international is reporting that there are 40,000 pregnant women in Gaza, with no access to health services. Most can't leave their house, and if and when they need medical attention, hospitals are not equipped to handle them.

If you are a parents, or anyone who just has a soul. Imagine what it would be like, if your spouse was pregnant, and there was no medical assistance for her.

We will be reading about the massive crimes against humanity that occurred in Gaza years from now, and we will ask how it happened, and promise to never allow it again. Like we did after the Holocaust, Rwandan genocide, and Kosovo.

From Banning abortion to blowing cash..Harper style

It seems Canadians are increasingly concerned about the economic crisis. It also seems that those who wish to see us spend our way out of it, are now in the majority. The number of Canadians who think deficit spending is okay has sky rocketed. So what does this mean? Well first I think it shows that Canadians are a little more sophisticated than perhaps given credit for. We recognise that deficits are sometimes a necessary evil.

The same poll also shows that Canadians are increasingly coming back to the Natural Governing party, the Liberals. Canadians know the Liberal track record on the economy is strong. They are proven deficit and debt fighters, they know how to balance the books. This all scares me. You may be confused as to why. Simply put, Harper, who says he doesn't govern by polls, but clearly does ( I suspect a pollster told him people don't like hearing he governs by polls, so he won't say it) now has a mandate and reason to spend like a drunken sailor ( no offense meant to my drunk sailor friends), in his mind at least.

Electoral victory is all that matters to the Conservative/Reform Party. The Provincial tory government in Nova Scotia is facing defeat. Prem Rodney, a close advisor and supporter of the Harper/Bush bunch is going to put off a budget( you call that leadership in economic crisis) to wait for more money from Ottawa, so he can look like he is doing something, and then call an election. Harper will go against his neo-con beliefs and spend billions on infrastructure, but call everyone else socialists when he can.

I believe we need a stimulus package. I agree with the spending. I don't agree with the motives. Harper will use the money to bolster his support and supporters. This kind of political interference never causes a good end result.

Harpers problem is he knows his days are numbered. He will be remembered for taking over a healthy country economically and socially, and turning it into a country where regional, ethnic, and gender divides have been created and our books are in chaos. He has re-opened the Abortion debate, gay marriage debate, took equality out of status of women mission and ended the pay equity system. He will be remembered for going from surplus to huge deficits, maybe up to $40 billion.

Harper hopes pictures of him, in a hard hat, announcing jobs and projects will fix his image. It won't. Just a few short weeks ago, he told people the economy wasn't as bad as Liberals , NDP and Bloc supporters were saying, and he encouraged people to go out and buy stock.

He has done a complete 180 on his economic " principles". The Conservatives have only one principle that they follow, victory at all cost. This is no way to run a country.

With Iggys poll numbers way up, and support slipping from Harper, he may just do whatever he has to so as to stay in power. Motivated only by desire to win, armed with our tax dollars, and hoping to firm up support in his base ( Religious groups, NRA supporters, Republicans and Reform/Alliance people) Harper has the ability to do massive harm to our fragile economy, lets hope someone in his inner circle can stop him, but no one has yet.

Harper has done these few things in the last year that make me question his politcal skills and compassion.
1-Created a hug deficit
2- Allowed a committee to investigate making abortion illegal.
3- Flip flopped on income trusts, costing millions of seniors billions of dollars.
4- Killed Kelowna accord and the help the First Nations requested.
5- Appointed almost 20 partisan hacks to the senate, after saying he never would ( One appointee is 34, charged with sexual assault and will make millions because he has his seat until 75 almost 40 years)
I could go on, but you get the point. Harper is all over the place. He needs a long vacation.

Israels rock and hard place position

Oddly enough it took the, as I am sure they would describe it, reasonable answer of the Israeli government, that best describes the error in their current strategy. An Israeli defence Ministry spokesperson, summed up the problem in roughly this way. Israel has to respond to Hamas attacks and wipe them out, because a ceasefire won't work. His reasoning as to why it wouldn't work, was that Hamas can't be trusted to stop attacks and respect the ceasefire.

Let's take his premise as legit, not that I believe it, but for arguments sake. Hamas can't be trusted, they are a terrorist group who won't follow rules. If Israel knows Hamas won't follow the rules, but says they won't stop attacking until Hamas stops attacking them, aren't they basically admitting there is no end. It's sort of like saying I am going to throw buckets of water into this lake, until it stops being wet. You better have a good bucket throwing arm.

They could kill every Hamas militant or other terrorist in Gaza. Militants from other places would come, or some people in Gaza not killed, would plan, train and commit more bombings. Those left behind are the exact people recruiters look for, young, traumatized by war, family members dead and angry. Perfect for brainwashing and indoctrination.

Israel knows it will never stop terror by bombing Gaza. They know Hamas militants and/or other terrorist groups will keep up the fight.

Israel is the only party that has the true ability to alter the direction of the situation. Terror groups are too many, with different allegiances, goals etc., Israel has the institutionalized ability to stop 90% of the bloodshed.

Then you focus on the remaining 10%, by helping moderate Palestinians find normality. They want rid of terrorists as much as Israelis do. When their lives improve, they will seek out and eliminate the evil that lies within. An evil that isn't prescribed to by a majority of Palestinians, an evil that exploits and sacrifices innocent Palestinians and Israelis for their cause. An evil that is not representative of anything other than their own desires.

To punish a people who are struggling for statehood , because terrorists have hijacked their freedom, is a far greater punishment than these people should be asked to ever bare.

OHL's new jerk reaction

I am a political junkie. Love it in all shapes, forms, colours etc., I watch with interest, political news from any source I can, and I have professional experience in politics. So far be it from me to have an opinion on Hockey, but I do. In between yelling at Mike Duffy or Don Newman, from the comfort of my sofa, and through the TV, and after I have had a good dose of Blitzer or Brown, I watch TSN. From Boxing and hockey to curling and golf, and oddly the occasional spelling bee ( my thoughts about spelling bees on TSN can be discussed later), I get my fill.

So with that in mind, and noting my limited expertise in the field, I offer you this thought in reaction to the OHL's recent rule change regarding helmets during fights, a decision made in response to the terrible and tragic death recently of a man in Ontario during a hockey fight.

This was a preventable death yes. As preventable as deaths from car accidents are, which is completely. I bet you are wondering what I mean. I mean that deaths from car accidents are completely, 100% fool proof preventable. Just ban driving any vehicle whatsoever. In turn we can prevent terrible, tragic, accidental deaths in sports by just banning all sports. I hope you all get I don't actually want to ban either of these things.

The point I am making is this. From what I can tell, this death was a fluke, no one wanted to see this man die, it was a fight in Hockey, that ended horribly. Part of the reason was that his helmet was off. This new rule will penalize players a little more, if they take their helmet/chin strap off. But they still can fight, they still will. These are kids, as young as 16 and as old as 20. They are playing hockey in one of the best leagues in the world. Often away from home, in sell out rinks, with autograph seeking fans cheering and willing them to victory. Hockey is a rough sport. Tempers flare, and with the hormones and testosterone levels of teenage boys, mixed with what must be thrilling adrenaline rushes from the screaming packed houses, fights will happen, regardless of penalty, unless it is banned.

With that said, I don't think fighting should ever be banned. I suspect, and I may be wrong, but people have died or been permanently injured, from hockey injuries, that weren't fight related. I have seen people crash into the end boards, head first. We all have seen these big hits that knock guys helmets off, chin strap be damned. In football, huge men hitting each other as hard as they can over and over has caused broken necks, life altering injuries, and could easily lead to death. Car accidents lead to deaths. Poorly built electrical equipment that catches fire causes death. Falling trees due to hurricanes cause death. You get where I am going. There are billions of people, we all will die. Some deaths will be senseless, awful, and gut wrenching, as in said Ontario hockey death. Others will be due to natures course on our tired and strained bodies.

We could do lots of things to make sure certain deaths don't happen. And I hope, out of this death, Hockey Canada does look hard at the issues of players safety, in all aspects. I hope from this honest, open, consultative and wide spread debate that we should have on the issue ( Hockey is our sport, we should set the example for the rest of the world), that we can come up with new and appropriate ways to prevent as much injury and death as possible, and hopefully to end any death completely. Knee jerk reactions are rarely looked back upon as well advised. The phrase " in hindsight" tends to come up a lot. Our approach to this issue should be genuinely Canadian; calm, open, thoughtful, informed, caring.

It's our great game, let's protect the men and women, boys and girls, who play it.

Canadian Bailouts begin

I shouldn't be shocked. It's not like we didn't see this coming. The up side is I now can say I finally own a piece of Nortel, the sad part is, it's worth a lot less then this warm cup of coffee in my non typing hand ( yes i type with one hand sometimes) .

This is concerning. If Nortel, at one point the most valuable company in Canada and technology giant, can crash and burn, then certainly others will follow.

If we can remember all the way back to October, it started with one big collapse, Bear Sterns, and then boom, down came the whole house. Yes I recognise Bear Sterns was not the first affected, but first major firm, and first really noticed one, because of it's impact.

So Stepehen " i'll trade my principles any day" Harper, has decided to bailout this massive corporation. Some of you may ask, well why is that so bad? It's bad because the precedent it sets is staggering.

Surely now every business that is in trouble, every corporation looking ahead at tough years, and most likely our banks, will want our money. How can the government say no. If it's okay for a company, once seen as a world leader, flush with cash, and staffed by some of the brightest minds in the world , to get a handout, then how can we disallow any other group.

The crisis is affecting every sector. The government has to recognise this fact. It also has to recognise that the government has a bad track record in and shouldn't be engaged in, picking winners and losers in the market. Winners and losers in the business sector will be declared through spread sheets and profitability.

If your business fails, your business fails, everyday many businesses close shop. That's okay. If Nortel is so poorly managed, so broke, so incapable of surviving in this economic climate, then so be it. Government isn't here to be a revolving line of credit.

A friend of mine, successful in the business world, said to me once, his strategy for investing is to stay out of things the government is involved with. He once said to me, " If I need government money to run my business, I am not running it correctly."


He told me he has three colleagues, all involved in business through government programs. All failed. Two of them tried again, sans government help, same business, same model, same plan, different results.

My point is this, governments shouldn't be in the job of picking winners and losers. Governments should be creating a business environment that enables those who can be successful to do just that. Through reduction of red tape, corporate tax levels and infrastructure investments, the government can make the business climate healthy, without putting billions of taxpayers dollars at risk.

Harper is handing out Billions to big banks and his corporate buddies, not much fan fare. I see Harper re-announced some money he was going to spend. Making the announcement twice was for what purpose? Does Harper think saying he will invest 10 billion twice, means he can claim a 20 billion investment.

From now on, the government should have to put on a big show, like Harper does when he hands out money to community groups. He likes to go on stage, hold up a big cheque and say look at all the money we are giving to you common folk. Next time he hands out billions to banks or tech giants, he should have to go on stage, with a big cheque, and hand it to the CEO. If Harper believes his bailout is just, then he should have no problem doing this.

I hope Harper hasn't flip flopped while I was writing this, it happens so much now, it's hard to keep track of.

Harper to run deficit for decade

Stephen Harper, to win votes , said during the election he would not run a deficit. Now we see that not only was that a lie, but that the deficit for this year will be one of the largest deficits in Canadian history, and we will continue to rack up deficits, and in turn add to our debt, for at least the next 5 years.

Kevin Page, the Parliamentary budget officer, appointed by Stephen Harper, is predicting half a decade of deficits. How did this happen? We had a government that went 12, or perhaps 13 straight years with surpluses, they were blasted by Harper for bad fiscal management. Harper finally gets his shot, inherits the healthiest economy in the G-20, surpluses, jobs being created, and a contingency fund of billions set up to handle these situations.

What did Harper and Flip Flop Flaherty do? Within 2 years, surplus gone, contingency gone, deficits back, economy floundering. Is this the strong fiscal leadership Harper promised.

According to the globe and mail, Mr. Page and his staff aren't excited about the prospects ahead:

"It would be very hard to bring it back to balance in five years," Mr. Page said.
One of his staff suggested it might even take Ottawa seven to 10 years to return to balanced budgets under some scenarios, but cautioned there are too many factors at play to forecast with precision.
Mr. Page said, however, that in excess of half a decade is probable. "It's going to take more than five years," he said.

So, under Harper we have gone from a country of economic strength and hope, to a government that may run a deficit for up to a decade.

The old, but very important question needs to be asked about the Harper governments performance, " Are you in better or worse shape economically now, then you were under the former liberal government" The answer for a large majority of people, accept those serving in Harpers Cabinet is simple, worse, Much worse.

In roughly 2 years Harper has destroyed our economic strength, re-opened the abortion debate, re-opened the gay rights debate, re-opened the equality for women debate, has seen tens of thousands of job losses, and flip flopped on income trusts, veterans survivors benefits, no deficits, more house cooperation and senate reform. He broke promises on all those issues, most Canadians are worse off, and we have a decade of red ink to look forward to.

For a leader who likes to think he is always the smartest guy in the room when is he going to make a smart move.

Will Bill Casey replace Rodney MacDonald

Nova Scotia politician turned folk hero, Bill Casey has decided to call it quits. The Chronicle Herald reports that Mr.Casey will not run in the next federal election.

http://thechronicleherald.ca/Front/9010283.html

Note in the story how he says he will explore new directions. That has provincial tories drooling. The thought of Bill Casey as their leader gives even the most disgruntled tory supporter, and there are alot of them, hope.

I hate to be the bearer of more bad news to these tory faithful, but on top of the fact that you will have to face a reinvigorated, and surging provincial liberal Party and leader, you will have to do it without Bill.

If he has proven anything, Mr.Casey has proven he will rise above the political spin, and stand up for his constituents and what he and they believe is right, he is not blindly partisan.

Mr. Casey is not a good fit in the Nova Scotia PC Party, in its current shape. This party is too lost. Floating from one crisis to another, with no real direction or even philosophy. Bungled programs and legislation and a general lack of control ( 4 wheelers for kids with taxpayers dollars, Sunday shopping, regulated gas, delayed budgets,conflict of interest from Cabinet Ministers, patronage appointments to former Cheifs of Staff, the list goes on).

The only thing we can be certain to hear from our Prem, is a partisan take on everything, the only action we can be certain of, is sadly inaction.

The soon to be held provincial election will surely see Rodney and friends tossed. Stephen McNeil has made great leaps forward not only in creating a strong, and increasingly popular image personally, but in rebuilding the Liberal party's machine. Darrel Dexter is stable, but seems to have peaked, albeit at a high level and has a strong shot at the big job. My guess is the Liberal party will retake a large chunk of vote they lost to the tories in past elections, and some soft NDP vote. Outside Metro the liberals will be strong, the tories will collapse, and Halifax will be a relatively equal mix of all three parties.

While sitting in the opposition, and most likely third place parties benches in the Nova Scotia Legislature certainly is a new direction, I am not sure if it's a path Mr. Casey would be willing, or wise to take. My advice to Mr.Casey, go out on a high note, you are well respected and admired, both properly deserved. Look at life through a new lens, spend time with family, friends, take a vacation, and stay away from that Rodney, no good can come from it.