Yep. Mr. Stephen Harper just declared this evening as "historic", after he joined the NDP and Blocheadquebecois to knock over the Liberals.
Historic? Please. We've seen minority governments toppled before. There was nothing unusual about this! All the parties got together and kicked out the Paul Martin Liberals out for something the Jean Cretin Liberals did. Don't worry, I spelled Jean's name the way I did on purpose. What a frigging circus. I'm going to make some predictions right here, right now. If I'm wrong, don't bother to point it out, because I'm sure I will have figured it all out by my wittle self.
1) Everyone will attack the Liberals over the whole corruption thing, and for the most part, the Canadian public won't care. The Liberals will attack the Conservatives and Stephen Harper, and the Canadian public won't care. They have nothing against Harper, they just don't like what he's selling. Oh. And Harper will say something stupid. When the dust settles, we'll still have a Liberal minority, albeit with less seats.
2) Stephen Harper will be gone by August.
3) Jack Layton will continue to push his socialist agenda with increased fervour.
4) With the exception of the Bloc, the other two parties will be loathe to force another election for fear of further pissing off the Canadian's and thereby handing the Liberals a majority government.
5) Conrad Black will be denied his request to recover his Canadian citizenship. This has nothing to do with the election, but that embezzling blowhard just grinds my gears.
More to follow in the coming weeks. Harper also asked Canadians to ask themselves if they are better off from the last government. What a gift to Martin. Most Canadians will answer yes. Lower unemployment and lower debt load are just two of the war chests of arguments that Martin has on his side. Seriously! Anyone hear reading this less better off from the last two years? I welcome your comments to prove so...
I love it... Allan Gregg with the strategic counsel just called this a "perverse exercise", in light of the fact that the Liberals will likely get another minority. God bless you CTV Newsnet, you always get right to the point.
Later, I'll post a massive missive from the last election in which I totally owned a Harper booster via email... Good times.
Monday, November 28, 2005
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Not Going To Be A Dad Anymore
My wife had a miscarriage at the beginning of October, but I didn't quite feel like writing about it until now.
More to point, I'm not terribly interested in writing about it at all, so I am going to leave it at that. We're still broken up about it, but are trying our best to move forward.
We just returned from a trip out to Calgary and Winnipeg, which included a very nice weekend in Banff. Beautiful place! It was quite the contrast to Winnipeg, which is freaking hole. Seriously. Picture a bunch of buildings constructed in 1975, left to flounder, throw in a few abandoned grain elevators and factories, and some that SHOULD be abandoned, and you have Winnipeg.
Oh, and many people in Winnipeg are rude and quite ignorant. Want examples? Too bad, you'll just have to take my word. I'll worry about evidcence the next time I'm writing an essay, treatise, or political speech.
Here is a random picture of myself and my better half in Banff.
Now, here are two random and cynical observations of the North American political landscape:
1) Our opposition parties in the Canadian House of Commons are the sorriest bunch that I've ever seen. It's like watching a bunch crackheads play 'double dutch' on the edge of a short pier. They all cry moral outrage at the Martin Liberals over something the Chretien Liberals pulled, yet don't have the balls to pull the trigger and send us to a Christmas election. That, and they are also not eager to have an election because the Gomery report did not triggger the appropriate public outrage and corresponding dive in the polls for the Liberals.
2) To defend his War in Iraq, Bush recently went to a gathering of veterans on Veteran's day and delivered a completely self serving speech. I would normally expect sleazy behaviour from people of all political stripes at many occasions and not feel any true sense of moral outrage, but seriously folks... Bush basically went to a gathering designed to honour the sacrifices of all past, present, and future soldiers, and tried to tie his reasons for going to war to the sacrifices of those people. Unnacceptable. He even used that forum to call his critics a bunch of liars, further drifting away from the point of the ceremony. In contrast, our Prime Minister went to a Remembrance day ceremony, talked entirely about the sacrifices of our troops, and left it at that. I don't know what makes me more angry; the audacity of Bushs' stunt, or the relative lack of outrage from veterans and the public alike. There was some standard rhetoric from Democrat leaders, but nothing of a sufficient nature.
Stupid planet.
More to point, I'm not terribly interested in writing about it at all, so I am going to leave it at that. We're still broken up about it, but are trying our best to move forward.
We just returned from a trip out to Calgary and Winnipeg, which included a very nice weekend in Banff. Beautiful place! It was quite the contrast to Winnipeg, which is freaking hole. Seriously. Picture a bunch of buildings constructed in 1975, left to flounder, throw in a few abandoned grain elevators and factories, and some that SHOULD be abandoned, and you have Winnipeg.
Oh, and many people in Winnipeg are rude and quite ignorant. Want examples? Too bad, you'll just have to take my word. I'll worry about evidcence the next time I'm writing an essay, treatise, or political speech.
Here is a random picture of myself and my better half in Banff.
Now, here are two random and cynical observations of the North American political landscape:
1) Our opposition parties in the Canadian House of Commons are the sorriest bunch that I've ever seen. It's like watching a bunch crackheads play 'double dutch' on the edge of a short pier. They all cry moral outrage at the Martin Liberals over something the Chretien Liberals pulled, yet don't have the balls to pull the trigger and send us to a Christmas election. That, and they are also not eager to have an election because the Gomery report did not triggger the appropriate public outrage and corresponding dive in the polls for the Liberals.
2) To defend his War in Iraq, Bush recently went to a gathering of veterans on Veteran's day and delivered a completely self serving speech. I would normally expect sleazy behaviour from people of all political stripes at many occasions and not feel any true sense of moral outrage, but seriously folks... Bush basically went to a gathering designed to honour the sacrifices of all past, present, and future soldiers, and tried to tie his reasons for going to war to the sacrifices of those people. Unnacceptable. He even used that forum to call his critics a bunch of liars, further drifting away from the point of the ceremony. In contrast, our Prime Minister went to a Remembrance day ceremony, talked entirely about the sacrifices of our troops, and left it at that. I don't know what makes me more angry; the audacity of Bushs' stunt, or the relative lack of outrage from veterans and the public alike. There was some standard rhetoric from Democrat leaders, but nothing of a sufficient nature.
Stupid planet.
Monday, August 29, 2005
I'm Going to Be a Dad!
Oh yes, you read it right. I'm on a one way street to parenthood. We found out almost a month ago but wanted to wait a while to be certain. This is easily the most exciting thing ever. My whole life is about to change, and it's all good. The timing is quite nice as well. I'm 27, and wanted to start having kids before 30. It just makes sense. I want to be young enough to get the most out of the experience, and also retire on schedule. What can I say, I'm all about the practicality. We're also both done school, and I know far too many people who have had to stop school and go back in the middle of the whole process. We're now pretty set as far as edumacation goes, which will come in handy. Now comes the logistics of telling friends... shouldn't be too hard. If there is one thing that travels fast than the speed of light, it is gossip... especially pregnancy gossip. Oh, by the way, cats don't like cars. Well, at least one of mine don't. She freaked out in the car and meowed all the way to Hamilton tonight. Of course, they were also locked up in cat carriers... I suppose that I would be pissed if someone crammed me into one of those as well. I'm in Hamilton right now, crashing at my brother's until I go to a conference tomorrow. Since I'm going to North Bay for a wedding immediately afterwards, I'm foisting my cats upon him and his wife so that they are not left to their own devices. What can cats do when left alone for too long, you ask? Get stuck behind my bookshelf and meow themselves hoarse, for one thing. Oh, and destroy photo albums. Now, as for this two day conference that I'm going to: It is all about call centre operations and performance measurement. It will be interesting considering that mine is one of the smallest ones known to man: About seven people. I used to work in a 500 seat behemoth, and find the operational matters just a teensy bit different. I think that I'll change the pace that I normally set at these things and do more listening and passive networking. Am I suffering from a call centre inferiority complex? You betcha. Wow. I've become incredibly boring. Mind you, it is not that much of a far cry from the 'average boring' designation that I had. I have, as of late, become even more work focused than I have before. Is it part of some strange growing up business? Pish posh. I know many people older than I who have a much more carefree perspective on life than I... Is it the fact that I'm and expectant parent? Hardly. I've been thinking about this a lot lately, and I truly believe that age is not the driving factor in ones outlook and maturity. I think that it is a potent mixture of personality and experience. I get very angry when people try to lump behaviours into an age column, especially once a person gets past the mid 20s. It's not that I believe that I won't change in the coming years, but I think that it is foolish to assert that a person who is 35 or 40 is automatically more mature or wise. It is with that notion that I end this ramble. I guess that all I am trying to say is that I feel almost too ready for this new step in my life. I'm waiting for some late 20s paranoia to kick in, or this strange inner child to step up and tell me that I didn't seed enough wild oats yet, but it's just not happening. Well then... let the games begin.
Sunday, July 10, 2005
What It's Really All About
I haven't wrote anything for a long time, but this particular event deserves a few moments.
MP Chuck Cadman just died of skin cancer.
http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/07/09/cadman-050709.html
A few months ago, this independant MP cast a deciding vote that kept Martin's Liberals in power. But he didn't vote for the budget to keep the Liberals in, he did it because it was what his constituents wanted. More specifically, they didn't want an early election. Imagine that. A politician who voted according to the needs of the people who voted in. Check out his web-page, and look at a history of the work that he has done. It's a reminder about how representative democracy is supposed to work.
http://www.chuckcadman-mp.com/
His vote in the confidence motion got my attention. Looking at what he's done for the people of this country has earned my respect, and my thanks. He has conducted himself with class, respect for his colleagues, and dignity. Read his story, the reasons he entered public service, and how we can all learn something from him.
MP Chuck Cadman just died of skin cancer.
http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2005/07/09/cadman-050709.html
A few months ago, this independant MP cast a deciding vote that kept Martin's Liberals in power. But he didn't vote for the budget to keep the Liberals in, he did it because it was what his constituents wanted. More specifically, they didn't want an early election. Imagine that. A politician who voted according to the needs of the people who voted in. Check out his web-page, and look at a history of the work that he has done. It's a reminder about how representative democracy is supposed to work.
http://www.chuckcadman-mp.com/
His vote in the confidence motion got my attention. Looking at what he's done for the people of this country has earned my respect, and my thanks. He has conducted himself with class, respect for his colleagues, and dignity. Read his story, the reasons he entered public service, and how we can all learn something from him.
Saturday, May 07, 2005
Cruising for a Bruising
I am apparently going on a cruise this upcoming January, courtesy of my wife's aunt. Her aunt and uncle are treating both of their extended families to the cruise to Cozumel. Why? Because clearly, they rock.
Wednesday, April 20, 2005
Helter Skelter...
I'll be so glad when I get regular internet access back in my life. Anyhoo...
I would be remiss to point out the recent tom-^#$%^#$%- ery going on in Parliament.
I'm not a card carrying Liberal, but I feel for Martin. Here's a brief expo on why.
It just kills me as well that people can't wait to form their own judgements until after the inquiry is finished. Why get mad about something you don't know? Let the judge with fifty decades of experience figure things out and then roast everybody who was involved. This is of course complicated by the inane ramblings of our beloved opposition.
I just think that Harper is chagrinedbecause Martin called the inquiry before he had a chance to force Martin to do so. He's still muddling about the house asking questions that are designed to inflame the public, which they do. Then, as everything reaches a fever pitch, Harper, Layton, Duceppe, and anyone else looking to wallow in histrionics stands up in the house, and demands that the Prime Minister "do something"! Then, Martin stands up, rhymes out all of the things that he did (firing crown corporation presidents that were involved, sacking Alfonso Mafiano, and calling the inquiry), and the opposition stares blankly into space, and simply repeats their demands that something be done. They just don't know what else to do. They spent so many years delighting in the obsinate stone-walling of Jean "da boss" Cretien, that they still can't figure out what to make of a government tyhat actually tries to the right thing most of the time.
The only thing that can be done any further is to dissolve the government, but Harper is nervous about it, and rightly so. I think that he's just wanting to drag on question period for as long as possible, and make the Liberals unpopular enough from the rhetoric so that he can get a majority government, which is exactly what is not going to happen if the election is called at the moment. They should either shit or get off the pot. In other words, pass the no-confidence motion, get the election over with, OR, let's just imagine this for a moment, wait for the Gomery report.
The fact that Harper and friends want to have an election at this point, and spend another $245 million dollars, only to get a minority government that will fall six months afterwards, really burns my cheese. I've been trying to find something seriously wrong with the current government while ignoring the Cretienites, and I just can't. That's the problem with politics, though... Harper and friends are bound to disagree with everything that Martin's government does simply for the fact that they are not the ones in power. Untill we get over that hump, we're going to be perpetually hosed.
I would be remiss to point out the recent tom-^#$%^#$%- ery going on in Parliament.
I'm not a card carrying Liberal, but I feel for Martin. Here's a brief expo on why.
It just kills me as well that people can't wait to form their own judgements until after the inquiry is finished. Why get mad about something you don't know? Let the judge with fifty decades of experience figure things out and then roast everybody who was involved. This is of course complicated by the inane ramblings of our beloved opposition.
I just think that Harper is chagrinedbecause Martin called the inquiry before he had a chance to force Martin to do so. He's still muddling about the house asking questions that are designed to inflame the public, which they do. Then, as everything reaches a fever pitch, Harper, Layton, Duceppe, and anyone else looking to wallow in histrionics stands up in the house, and demands that the Prime Minister "do something"! Then, Martin stands up, rhymes out all of the things that he did (firing crown corporation presidents that were involved, sacking Alfonso Mafiano, and calling the inquiry), and the opposition stares blankly into space, and simply repeats their demands that something be done. They just don't know what else to do. They spent so many years delighting in the obsinate stone-walling of Jean "da boss" Cretien, that they still can't figure out what to make of a government tyhat actually tries to the right thing most of the time.
The only thing that can be done any further is to dissolve the government, but Harper is nervous about it, and rightly so. I think that he's just wanting to drag on question period for as long as possible, and make the Liberals unpopular enough from the rhetoric so that he can get a majority government, which is exactly what is not going to happen if the election is called at the moment. They should either shit or get off the pot. In other words, pass the no-confidence motion, get the election over with, OR, let's just imagine this for a moment, wait for the Gomery report.
The fact that Harper and friends want to have an election at this point, and spend another $245 million dollars, only to get a minority government that will fall six months afterwards, really burns my cheese. I've been trying to find something seriously wrong with the current government while ignoring the Cretienites, and I just can't. That's the problem with politics, though... Harper and friends are bound to disagree with everything that Martin's government does simply for the fact that they are not the ones in power. Untill we get over that hump, we're going to be perpetually hosed.
Monday, March 28, 2005
When I'm With You, I Don't Care, Where It Is I'm Falling
Paul Hester, former drummer for Crowded House and Split Enz, was found dead last night of an apparent suicide. Sad day.
This event is not ulnike the Schiavo case that rages on in the US of A right now. A big difference is that this poor man had the means to take his life, and this equally poor woman did not. Her husband decided to enforce what he claimed to be certain was her choice. I think that the labels of "die with dignity", "erring on the side of life", and "moral authority" need to take a break. I'll keep this brief. There are two things at play here: The rule of law, and common sense:
The legal end: Thirty court rulings facilitated by learned and just men and women have decided that these were her wishes. It's pretty hard to question justice and process when you have that kind of a number. I hope that when I'm in her situation, that my wife pulls the plug. I'm not knocking those who wish to stay alive by a machine, but I know what my choice is.
The common sense end: Should you ever have difficulty understanding where I'm coming from, have a loved one lash you to your bed so that you can do nothing but stare at the same wall for just a weekend. Put a muzzle on your face so that you can't talk. At the end of the weekend, imagine that life for the next 15 years. No way to communicate, or doing anything for yourself. Her family is claiming that her brain wasn't liquified, and that she is perfectly conscious underneath that blank stare. Considering what I just wrote, I hope that you agree with me when I say that for her sake, I hope that such a thing is not true.
Paul and Terry, rest in peace.
This event is not ulnike the Schiavo case that rages on in the US of A right now. A big difference is that this poor man had the means to take his life, and this equally poor woman did not. Her husband decided to enforce what he claimed to be certain was her choice. I think that the labels of "die with dignity", "erring on the side of life", and "moral authority" need to take a break. I'll keep this brief. There are two things at play here: The rule of law, and common sense:
The legal end: Thirty court rulings facilitated by learned and just men and women have decided that these were her wishes. It's pretty hard to question justice and process when you have that kind of a number. I hope that when I'm in her situation, that my wife pulls the plug. I'm not knocking those who wish to stay alive by a machine, but I know what my choice is.
The common sense end: Should you ever have difficulty understanding where I'm coming from, have a loved one lash you to your bed so that you can do nothing but stare at the same wall for just a weekend. Put a muzzle on your face so that you can't talk. At the end of the weekend, imagine that life for the next 15 years. No way to communicate, or doing anything for yourself. Her family is claiming that her brain wasn't liquified, and that she is perfectly conscious underneath that blank stare. Considering what I just wrote, I hope that you agree with me when I say that for her sake, I hope that such a thing is not true.
Paul and Terry, rest in peace.
Monday, February 14, 2005
Dammit
No consistent access to the internet, and a stupid busy life and work schedule. I will one day write again. Hopefully sooner as opposed to later.
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