Category: General
Ignatieff Slams MIA Prime Minister
| 2/10/2009 | Posted by Patti under General |
Ignatieff went after the Prime Minister’s absence from both the House and the public scene when it comes to the economy and the value of the economic stimulus contained in the budget. I watched Obama’s press conference last night and found it refreshing to see a politician speaking very frankly about the state of the economy and how he wanted to see it dealt with.
Yes, I know, he was trying to sell a stimulus package which is receiving largely partisan opposition. It was refreshing to hear that opposition being framed not just as partisan game playing but asking the questions and laying out guidelines for what he sees as necessary for the good of the people and the economy and where there is room for bipartisan cooperation and what wont gain traction with him.
The major difference between the leadership of the two countries is that in the US, the leaders recognized and faced the fact that the economy was sliding towards and over the edge while in Canada, the Opposition parties were sounding the alarm while the government was busy telling us that if a recession was going to happen, it would have already taken place. (more…)
Murder Charge Debate
| 1/6/2009 | Posted by Patti under General |
The new year started off with a Canadian soldier serving in Afghanistan being charged with second degree murder in the death of an unarmed presumed insurgent during a battle in Helmand province that took place in October. Captain Robert Semrau, a member of the Operational Mentoring Liaison Team who train and work with the fledgling Afghan army was charged Dec. 31st. He’s in custody and being returned to Canada where he will face a hearing to determine if he will remain in custody until his case is heard.
We all need to remember that Captain Semrau like any Canadian is entitled to be considered innocent until proven guilty. Until the details of the charges and the alleged incident come out, we don’t need to be rushing to judgement.
Canada Has an All White Christmas
| 12/25/2008 | Posted by Patti under General |
For the first time in almost 40 years, Canada has experienced a coast to coast white Christmas. A series of snowfalls in the days leading up to Christmas has brought the white stuff from coast to coast which is an unusual occurence. The forecast for the next few days shows a warming trend with snow. What wacky weather we have at times.
Hope all have a happy and joyous Christmas
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.
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…)
History is Made — Obama Elected President
| 11/4/2008 | Posted by Patti under General |
I just watched a class act take place. Senator John McCain completed one of the classiest concession speeches I’ve ever seen. He conceeded the election to Senator, now President elect, Barack Obama. I don’t normally care about an American election (in case you are new around here, I’m Canadian) and as intrigued as I was by this one, I never truly thought that this would happen.
The American people have elected a black person to their highest office. I never thought I’d live to see it. I just learned that for the first time in American history seventeen woman have been elected to their Senate. Here I thought 30 women in our House of Commons was just a good start. I guess progress has different measures.
I’m sure there will be a lot of commentary and analysis of what this win will mean for the USA and its place in the world. I’ll catch up to it later, I’m heading for bed.
Election Dust Settles
| 10/23/2008 | Posted by Patti under General |
Ok, it is now almost 10 days after the Canadian election and I haven’t yet commented. No, I haven’t been licking my wounds because the boy Harper got back in and with more seats. Life just has been a bit rushed lately. It will be a bit rushed for the next two to three weeks as Remembrance Day approaches. Damn offline life intruding into my blogging time!
Anyways, back to the election. As the dust settles on the worst showing by the Liberals in at least 20 years, Dion has said he will leave the leadership of the Liberal party as soon as a new leader has been chosen. Some consider him to be a lame duck leader but that isn’t necessarily so as the alternative is a dog fight between the Rae and Ignatieff camps over who will be interim leader. Dion staying on stops that fight from taking place in the midst of preparing for a leadership race. (more…)
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