President Obama appeared at Dover Air Force base last night as the Americans killed in Afghanistan this week were returned home. He took part in what the Americans call a “dignified transfer” which took place around 4am. He also met with the familes of the fallen heroes. So how is that a lession from Canada?

President Obama is the American forces Commander-in-Chief, almost all of our fallen have been met by the forces Commander-in-Chief, our Governor General. Most often also in attendance is the Chief of Defense Staff, the Minister of Defense and at times, the Prime Minister. Bush never appeared for the return of those fallen heroes of the wars he started.

Those young men and women were okay to go and serve their country and fight wars that were not of their making but for some reason, Bush didn’t feel any need to make sure they were returned as the heroes they were. Maybe now, Obama will consider making the honouring of those soldiers a bit more public and stop fearing any political overtones from giving them the honours they deserve. Read the rest of this entry »

Ignatieff has moved to change the people around him. Ian Davey has been replaced by Peter Donolo as Chief of Staff. Donolo is best known for shepherding former Prime Minister Jean Chretien through his dark days as an underdog Liberal leader.

I see the move as being smart on Ignatieff’s part. It is taking him some time to learn but he is learning how much he needs substance and experience over friendship and loyalty in the circle around him. It has been apparent for some time now that he has been floundering as he listened to those around him. Those around him were clearly drawing on their lack of experience.

Having said that, one task the Liberals have accomplished is they have truly started to be the Official Opposition instead of propping up the government at every turn. That job has fallen to the socialists (NDP) and the separatists (Bloc). Read the rest of this entry »

They shall grow not old, as we who 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

In memory of our fallen Canadians:

Lt Justin Garrett Boyes — Afghanistan October 28, 2009
Spr Steven Marshall — Afghanistan October 30, 3009

Always Caring — Always Canadian — Never Defeated

Support Our Troops — Wear Red on Fridays

Yesterday about 120 people were evicted from the visitors gallery in the House of Commons after what was claimed to be a spontaneous protest over the lack of passage of an NDP climate change bill. Six people were briefly arrested and then banned from the Hill for a year. There has been much speculation over if the protest was orchestrated or spontaneous. Some are pointing the finger at the NDP as being the instigators.

Considering that our Prime Minister has publicly stated he doesn’t watch the Canadian media, it isn’t surprising that protestors feel the need to enter the House of Commons to get the governmment’s attention. They need a bit of better organization though, Harper hasn’t been appearing in the House on Mondays, especially during Question Period.

Really guys, why don’t you just run for office. You’d make about as much sense with your yelling on the floor as you would in the visitors gallery. Course down on the floor, I’d be paying you to act the idiot, so, on second thought, have at it in the Gallery. See how creative you can be on your own dime.