Monthly Archives: November 2008
Democracy Being Pushed Aside?
| 11/29/2008 | Posted by Patti under Canadian Politics |
It appears life has become ‘interesting’ in Harper’s Ottawa. At this point, he could well be hanging on by a fraying thread to his minority government. The current state of affairs has been brought about by his own inability to recognize that Canadians haven’t trusted him with a majority to govern with. Being in a minority position usually means a bit of reaching out and compromise — but not Harper.
His little man of confederation — Flaherty brought down an economic update statement on Thursday. The statement was the usual hot air that we get from politicians of all stripes accompanied by no indication that the Conservatives are actually moving to do anything to keep the economy moving. Interestingly enough, Flaherty was flying in the face of what his boss had been touting only a week before in Chile.
Harper lectured world leaders on the necessity of allowing deficits and doing stimulous spending in economic times which have deteriorated at a rate that has been stunning to say the least. The statements go against everything that Harper has ever stood for when it comes to his take on economics. For a brief moment, it appeared that Harper might actually get what needs done… then Flaherty opened his big mouth. (more…)
Rae Needs to Grow UP!
| 11/17/2008 | Posted by Patti under Canadian Politics |
Liberal leadership race has barely started to get underway and he’s thrown his first hissy fit. Riding executives were gathered in Toronto yesterday for a question and answer session with the three declared candidates. The meeting was setup by Liberal executives to be a closed door session. Ignatieff agreed to that while Leblanc and Rae wanted it opened to the media. Since all three couldn’t agree the original format was maintained.
Leblanc was adult enough to accept that he wasn’t going to get his own way while Rae showed up and made a show of not attending. Grow up for pete sake!
One Brave Young Lady
| 11/16/2008 | Posted by Patti under Afghanistan |
The seventeen year old girl Afghan girl who suffered an acid attack on her way to school last week has vowed to continue her schooling. While no one has claimed responsibility, it appears that the attacker was likely a Taliban operative.
The Taliban, when they were in power, violently suppressed the education of most of the young people but especially young girls. Until this brazen attack the Taliban has mostly attacked teachers and administrators or destroyed schools during the night. It would appear they are becoming increasingly desparate. (more…)
Ignatieff to Run For Liberal Leadership
| 11/13/2008 | Posted by Patti under Canadian Politics |
Michael Ignatieff has announced his intention to run for the Liberal Leadership. He ran and lost the last time in a contest that was bitterly fought with former NDP Premier of Ontario Bob Rae. In the last race Ignatieff had recently returned to the country after many years away in high profile teaching positions. I objected to his leadership on that basis the last time.
Since then he has twice won the trust of the people of his riding and served admirably in the House of Commons. He’s a very intelligent man who could offer much to the party. At this point, I’m looking forward to how his run goes. If he manages to acquit himself well, he and the party may just have my support.
PickupPal Illegal in Ontario
| 11/12/2008 | Posted by Patti under General |
The Toronto Star reports today that the Ontario Highway Transport Board has ruled the activities of PickupPal illegal in Ontario. The site is a ride sharing site operated from Roseneath, Ontario with members from around the world. The idea is to reduce pollution through coordinating car pooling. Some public transit firms like Trentway Wager had asked the board to rule on the site under the Public Vehicles Act.
Because the people who setup rides are charging a fee, the board has ruled in favour of Trentway. A bill is currently before Queen’s Park to make the practice legal as long as those providing the rides only do so once a day and only charge enough to recover fuel costs. Hopefully it will pass quickly as the more cars off the road the greater the benefit for the environment.
Highway of Heroes on NBC Nightly News
| 11/11/2008 | Posted by Patti under Remembrance Day |
In a rare moment of notice from our neighbours to the south, a segment on the Highway of Heroes which stretches from Trenton to Toronto along Canada’s busiest highway the 401 was broadcast on NBC on our Remembrance Day. Myself and a contingent from my Legion branch are among those who stand on those bridges in all weather to show our regard and our respect for those who have given their lives in Afghanistan.
It’s good to see that Americans are being made aware of both our service and how we, as Canadians, respond to those losses. I’m glad the segment was put up on the web as I was presiding at a Veterans dinner as it was being broadcast.
The turnout at our services in the morning was good. The OPP and the local community policing group did an excellent job of blocking traffic from moving past the town square as we conducted the services. This was especially important during the silence as two regular force guys and one of our guys were positioned at different points of the park to call out the names of the Canadians killed in the last year.
Lest we forget; lest we forget
Sacrifice Medal Criteria to Be Reviewed
| 11/6/2008 | Posted by Patti under General |
Back in July the Governor General approved a new medal for our forces. The Sacrifice Medal was meant to replace the often understated ‘wound stripes’ worn be Canadian Forces personnel when they were wounded. The new medal was to cover wounds as the direct result of hostile action and could be earned posthumously. It also includes those who suffer PTSD as a result of hostile action.
Sounded pretty straightforward until one pays attention to the fact that it is only back dated to October 2001. That pretty much corresponds with Canada’s arrival in Afghanistan and very effectively cuts out those who would have earned it in Korea or the wide range of peacekeeping missions Canada has been part of. (more…)
Obama’s Big Shoes
| 11/5/2008 | Posted by Patti under General |
To read the papers today one gets the sense that Obama’s victory in the American election has sparked an almost messianic response. Expectations seem to be high that Obama is going to change not only the USA but every other problem in the world. Unless he’s hiding the fact that he’s Christ incarnate, that would be pretty much impossible.
I watch the wave of euphoria, considering the mountains that he has climbed, I can understand that sense of elation. While he never made his race an issue during the long election campaign, he understandingly has struck a chord for African-Americans, a chord of hope and now proved example that there is no reason for them to not aspire to be all they can be. That no mountain is too high for them to reach for. (more…)
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