Paul Martin is currently holding a news conference in Regina… outside of denying that Herle stated in caucus that the Libs could win a majority “without Quebec”, much of it’s been in French, and the rest has been a whole lot of nothing. He intends to talk to George Bush about softwood lumber…. questions about Gomery and answers about how his members are going to “work twice as hard as everyone else”… “transparent as possible” … “we called the inquiry”.. usual meaningless crap.
To a question about Alberta’s evil gains on the energy front at the expense of the rest of Canada, he’s yacking on about alternate energy sources.
“This country wasn’t built on jealousy”
Oh, there’s a good question – “there’s a perception that Alberta is “raiding” other provinces for highly skilled workers… ”
“Let Alberta be a beacon for the best and brightest on the condition that the rest of Canada is as well”.
Now, there’s a quote for the ages.
Update – here’s another;
“Our goal was to take the pulse of Saskatchewan and the pulse of the prairies and we were successful at that.”
A 650 CKOM reporter was just interviewed by David Kirton on her experience at the news conference. It turns out she was the only reporter from Saskatchewan allowed to ask questions (she raised the softwood lumber issue) and at that, she wasn’t sure how she pulled it off, as she wasn’t on the approved list of names. She also noted that of the 6 or 7 he took in total, three were from “French reporters”.
This of course, was at Paul Martin’s Liberal caucus meeting in Regina, where over 100 Liberal MP’s have been gathering in hopes of following through on David Herle’s prediction of an additional 8 – 10 seats on the prairies.
Oh, and deal with that westernalienationthingmabob.
You could say that economic class immigration is raiding the rest of the world of it’s best and brightest too. What’s the point?
People go where the grass is greener. The grass is neon in Alberta.
When AB’s economy was in the crapper, people moved away. It’s flying now so people are moving there.
That’s economics. Labour mobility is an integral part of a successful economy (one that is harmed by government meddling like UI subsidies for fishermen to remain in economic basket case towns.) Besides, what’s the feds gonna do? Tell people they’re not allowed to move?
WOW – what a lot of B__ S__. Does PM think we are that stupid. And in French – what % of the population in the west uses French as their first language. It is just another slap in the face from the Liberal Gov’t.
You were listening, too, eh Linda?
This was only topped by local tv coverage of him standing and waving to his party supporters with that giddy rubber smile on his face.
“Besides, what’s the feds gonna do? Tell people they’re not allowed to move?”
Anyone who looks at the direction of our current government and thinks this a joke is kidding themselves.
“Let me see your papers….I see you live in Kanata….and you’re employed by the Federal Farming Cooperative of Eastern Ontario……Care to explain what you’re doing in a westbound automobile in Saskatchewan?”
Any guesses how far into the future one has to look?
Not very far Rob. Maybe just over the next horizon?
I agree with Kate about that ‘rubbery face’. It sickens me too. I don’t even want to eat after watching that smile. Hard to eat and puke at the same time. I just despise that guy. There’s absolutely nothing to like about him. Sickening.
I saw only one clip of Paul Marti and the Liberals in Regina. From that clip, it seemed that the majority of supporters come from the Fix-O-Dent generation. Let’s hope that generation won’t want to get out and vote in a winter election even if Paul Martin is promising them new hips and knees for free. I say this with full respect for the elderly who seem to outnumber the younger eligible voters who don’t need replacement body parts and who will vote with their brains and not from their hips and knees.
“Let Alberta be a beacon for the best and brightest on the condition that the rest of Canada is as well”. PMPM
So there are conditions now to living in Alberta? Sounds like a bit of Orwellian speak, eh.
“ALL ANIMALS ARE EQUAL
BUT SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS. ” Naaa it can’t be because:
“The proof is the proof, and if we have the proof, then that is the proof”. PMJC
If “Alberta is a beacon on the condition ROC is too” the same Dithering rationale dictates that Ralph’s private health care is a beacon as long as the rest of Canada;s is as well 😉
More empty rhetoric from the Liberal camp. Did anyone else notice Martin’s absence from tory blue Calgary during his whirlwind tour. He managed to hobnob in Edmonton though(probably in a desperate attempt to help prop up landslide annie’s cascading credibility-haha good luck).
What really pisses me off though, is when the fools in the crowd look so smitten and happy to meet him. That makes my skin crawl……..
The pmpm tour reminds me of Alli Babba and the forty thieves. Everyone out west had better watch their wallets …this s.o.b will shake your hand with one hand and pick you pocket with the other.
What’s interesting about the “hobnobbing in Edmonton” was the “thank you for supporting us” dinner at $25 a plate. According to a news report (I forget where I saw it), approximately 3 dozen supporters who had given the max $5k were invited.
36 x 5k = 180k. That’s not a hell of a lot of support for a city with almost a million people.
Of course, it’s likely 100k more than he’d get out of Calgary, but still…
Licia Corbella in the Calgary Sun made an excellent point about that fundraising dinner in Edmonton, PMPM can get us taxpayers to pay for his trip west, because he spoke with someone (Canada West Foundation ?) about western alienation. So he is not fundraising since then the Librano Party would have to pay for it. So enjoy it kids, this trip is on our dime.
I personally liked all the talk about “taking the pulse of the west.”
Nobody took MY pulse. Did anyone here get a call or a visit from their local Lib?
“I saw only one clip of Paul Martin and the Liberals in Regina. From that clip, it seemed that the majority of supporters come from the Fix-O-Dent generation.”
And I have a theory why that is:
Old people ( >35) across Canada are making a killing in the housing market and don’t give a shit about peasant concepts like taxes and corruption. They just want their health care.
Young people (under 35) are heavily anti-gun registry. Only half of them support gay marriage , they are much more affected by our shitty legal system, and are substantially more concerened about the economy and taxes than old people. They represent a huge untapped CPC demo, they just don’t know it yet.
Good to know that Regina has suddenly become a haven for the displaced of Quebec who apparently are also in need of artificial joints – WTF’s with the french language. That little stunt didn’t likely win him much support.
Candace said, “Nobody took MY pulse. Did anyone here get a call or a visit from their local Lib?”
I certainly didn’t and it’s a good thing too. I am not sure how I’ll react when screeching Annie stands at my threshold. Maybe I should put a sign up on the lawn to help keep the bugs away: “Warning: Alberta Republican.” Yeah, that should do it.
With regards to the “Alberta is “raiding” other provinces for highly skilled workers… ” Ralph Klein was heard on the radio news last night expressing sympathy to this very notion. When he was asked about rolling provincial gas taxes back in order to give consumers a break, his answer was very odd, almost pointless, yet very telling to the observant. Paraphrasing, he answered that the tax break would just anger neighbouring provincial governments by enticing yet more of their people to move to Alberta.
I have suspected for at least 6 years now that these enormous surpluses in Alberta was a sign that the government here is tacitly colluding with other provinces to keep taxes way too artificially high. I have long been suspicious that there was anger that the “Alberta Advantage” was too much for other provinces to compete with and therefore, it’s been saddled by a sympathetic Klein government (Ralph is a devoted federalist).
A visit to:
http://www40.statcan.ca/l01/cst01/demo05a.htm
reveals population growth, stagnation, or decline in principal cities in Canada (Toronto has amazing growth the last 5 years, very impressive). It also gives one a hint as to who may be complaining the most about Alberta.
When westerners are under siege from Librano$ looking to make inroads, who turn up on their doorstep wearing the Paulie masks, simply tell them you’re running for the western separatist party in the next election. If enough of us do it, it’ll certainly make polling interesting, not to mention the campaign a lot more frustrating for the Librano$. I sure as hell hope that Alberta has a good replacement for Klein in the event that it does come down to pulling out of this Banana Republic.
Stop people from moving to Alberta?
Easy…implement NEPII via kyoto.
Like the 80’s, voters will leave Alberta with their UIC cheque in hand back to Ontario.
The fundamental animus of NEPI was to appease Ontario economically, Quebec politically and to snuff out Alberta’s foreshadowing defiance towards eastern hegemony.
I must say, a brilliant Trudeauian stroke under the tired simulacrum of “nationalization”.
It’s 2005 and nothing has changed.
Don’t bend over Alberta.
The talk of a federal raid of Alberta’s resource coffers is interesting to say to least. Alberta makes money from selling energy in the form of hydrocarbons. If the feds want a piece of Alberta’s energy pie to distribute to the east, then why can’t the west share equally in the energy pie from hydro projects like James Bay in Quebec?
If we’re going to “nationalize” Alberta’s resources…why not the resources in every part of the country. And if the provinces lose control over their resources by some federal edict…development of those resources will stagnate and the brightest people will leave.
Sorry. Posted this elsewhere by mistake….
Nation needs majority government: Grits
Alexander Panetta
Canadian Press
Thursday, August 25, 2005
CREDIT: DON HEALY, Leader Post
Prime Minister Paul Martin talks to reporters in Regina, Sask. on Thursday, August 25. The Liberal National caucus is meeting in Regina this week.
REGINA — The federal Liberals have begun a sales pitch to Canadian voters that what the country really needs is a majority government.
The party has recovered enough from its spring near-death experience in Parliament that it’s thinking far beyond simple survival and taking that case to the public.
Much of the hallway chatter at a summer Liberal retreat that ended Thursday revolved around shedding the government’s minority status — and why that would be good for Canada.
Though he cautioned MPs to avoid sounding “cocky,” Prime Minister Paul Martin took the opportunity at a closing news conference to sing the praises of majority — Liberal — government.
“Obviously with a majority government it’s much easier to fulfil an agenda,” he said after the four-day meeting.
“But our goal is to supply a good government — whether it’s a majority or minority.”
Still, the goal of many Liberals is to get re-elected in a big way, in a vote expected this winter.
That talk was more than just hubris. Even one anti-Martin Liberal conceded prospects look good for the prime minister.
“He’s going to win. And I think he’ll get a majority,” he predicted.
Several cabinet ministers argued that minority status has put a drag on the Liberals’ attempt to govern.
Finance Minister Ralph Goodale suggested the partisan rancour in Parliament could kill any serious discussion on bank mergers.
Foreign Affairs Minister Pierre Pettigrew grumbled about international meetings he was forced to miss. He said Canada’s place on the world stage is being hampered because the government fears it could be toppled when ministers leave the country.
“I believe Canadians want a majority government in the next election instead of repeating another season of extreme partisan politics,” Pettigrew said.
Defence Minister Bill Graham said Canadians are waking up to the shortcomings of minority government.
“I think people have realized that while a lot of people felt that minority governing sometimes produces different types of results, they also have their inherent instabilities,” he said.
But the Liberals have considerable obstacles in their path, starting with their poll numbers.
The latest surveys gave them a comfortable lead over the Conservatives but still had them under 40 per cent — the traditional dividing line between majority and minority status.
The party’s campaign boss David Herle told MPs at a closed-door meeting that Liberal fortunes could land anywhere between a cushy majority and outright defeat in the next election.
Liberal party finances are also far from ideal. MPs learned this week that the party has a $1.9-million debt.
Herle told them, however, that the party will spend the maximum limit in the next election campaign by borrowing.
The party’s up-and-down, scandal-plagued year has hurt its ability to raise money, MPs said privately.
National director Steven Mackinnon also told MPs privately that the party lags “five years behind” the Tories in the sophistication of their Internet fundraising, one MP said.
Another potential problem is voter fatigue. The Liberals will be seeking their fifth consecutive mandate, a feat achieved only once in Canadian history and not in the last 50 years.
The Liberals will seek to do that by campaigning to the left and targetting NDP voters and so-called Red Tories, Herle reportedly said.
And then there’s Quebec.
The party no longer seems on the cusp of annihilation there — which was the case this spring — but could fall short of a majority because of the continued dominance of the Bloc Quebecois.
“In no way are we envisioning a majority government without success in Quebec,” Martin told the closing news conference in Regina.
Anonalogue: “old people >35”??? WTF what, are you 12 or something? OLD PEOPLE?
I’ll have you know that, at 44, middle age will ALWAYS be 10 years older than me.
old people … jeezus
I’m wounded too, Candace. I’ll have to pour a glass of merlot to get some colour in these wrinkled cheeks…
In all honesty, Ralph Klein has got to go and I mean NOW. He has placated the Federalis and the other provinces at the backs of the deserving hard working Albertans. Is this what the concept of a confederation of equals is supposed to mean? Forcibly align the wealth of provinces by disjointed, improportionate, and punitive taxes or by more sinisterly making a quilt complex out of a province’s “fluke” of geography (and never ever mention that resources are a provincial jurisdiction)?
NEP1 was not imposed on us here in Alberta by the Liberals alone. Then Premier Peter Lougheed also had to sign the death warrant, which cost Alberta $92 billion over the next decade. And now NEP2 is looming via any number of mechanisms, and judging by Premier Klein’s sympathetic panderings, he cannot be trusted to protect our interests were the circumstances thrust upon us again.
I have never voted for Ralph Klein in any provincial election as he is well and truly anything but a conservsative.
Analogue,
Oh!Oh! The ladies are on your case and that ain’t good!Flowers and Wine, my lad. Let’s see you do that in cyberspace.
35 is old now? Guess I need to tell my 23 year old daughter it’s all downhill from here.
Damn. I’m officially old in November then.
Best make the rest of the summer a good one then, eh?
So, I guess the Liberal platform will be “all things to all people (except crazy right-wingers)”. Is this a significant change?
Re: putting up a sign – we’re in Annie’s riding, maybe I should put up a sign saying, “BEWARE: Extremely pro-Bush, pro-war, conservative American and immensely disillusioned and angry former Trudeau Liberal live here.”
*and, BTW, 40 is the new 20 – or at least the new 25. Doesn’t everyone know that??? I’m sure glad of it as I turn 34 next week!
So that’s three of us for sure in Annie’s riding; Meq Q, Candace, and I. I’m moving to Patricia Heights at the end of the month, but I think I’m still stuck in her riding. 3 people participating in Kate’s blog from Annie’s riding gives me the impression that there’s more than just me who feels guilty this riding has swung her way for the past decade. Sorry about that Canada.
NO ONE is old anymore, by their own reckoning, not even my 75+ parents. In fact, we have no adults anymore; everyone’s a perpetual teenager.
I don’t feel old at 33. Not a bit at all. Age, schmage. I find both younger women and older women equally attractive. I’ve been with both. More important than age is what’s going on in her head. Is she smart, rational and logical or is she a moonie bimbo? Is she naughty and fun or is she prim, proper and boring? That sort of thing.
It ain’t how old you are; it’s what you do with yourself that matters.
Just look at Demi Moore. Whoooahw! She’s, what, over fifty? See? It’s what you make of yourself. That Kelso from “That 70’s Show” is one lucky SOB.
Me? I still feel as if I’ve yet to begin the first day of the rest of my life. Feels the same as the morning after high school graduation.
I remember when I first saw Mary Walsh (Marg, Princess Warrior, This Hour Has 22 Minutes) in person. Before I realized who she was, I thought, “whoa; hot babe alert!” and admired her caboose. Yes, believe it or not, she looks real fine in person, way better than on telly. But alas, she had a guy with her, and they frenched a little right out in the open! What is she, over fifty? Still looks like fun to me!
Stephen McAllister,
And all this started with my little ole comment about the Fix-O-Dent generation?
Stephen, at 33 you can have requirements. At my age there is only one requirement. She’s gotta have BIG BOOBS!
Hee, hee, Old Squid… probably not the best place to discuss mammaries, as we’re in mixed company. BTW, I just care that they be real; size is irrelevant. But that’ll be quite enough about that. Don’t want to make Kate come all the way out here with her shootin’ iron.
It’s OK to talk about big boobs. After all, we are talking about Paul Martin ending Western alienation. So Paul can get the pulse of the prairies in one day huh?
You Edmontonians get that Annie now!!! 🙂
Folks, I realize you’re having fun, but try to keep in mind that this is a comments section, attached to a post, and discussion should attempt to stay on topic.
If you just want to chatter, try IM.
good call, Kate. What WAS the point of the post, anyway?
Oh, right. Alienationthingamabob. I actually googled it and posted, but the short & skinny is…
the west was f*cked.
But… not everyone in the east sees it that way.
Kate, lovin’ ya, but gotta tell ya, that was a way more boring comment than what I wanted to say.
Regardless…
A commenter asked me (re alienation) so – what are you going to do about it?
Well. I’ve already emailed Cheney. I’ve posted lots.
Zip has happened (not even an auto response from Cheney, I’m trying to get over feeling rather crushed).
So: Do we all email Ralph? What? What? What?
What CAN we do?
David Herle thinks the Libs can get more seats in the West? Sure, and I could snap my fingers right now and make Shania Twain suddenly appear, poof! right in front of me, naked!
The Liberals are losing it. I’m loving this looong campaign already!
The only way to alleviate Westernalienationthingamabob is to elect the Conservatives with a majority. Are you listening, Easterners? Do y’all want to still have a Canada after the next election? Don’t even think of voting for the Librano mob…
And remember, I’m currently an Easterner, but if the West separates, I’m defecting sooner rather than later…
Media bias or what.
Remember when during the last election Harper mused openly about the CPC forming a majority? So where is the outrage now?
And they had the nerve to make this prediction in the west.
I keep having this recuring dream where its election night and though the ditherals have conceeded defeat the returns show that they have only managed to hang on to one seat.
Any thoughts on why they deserve to hang on to even one?
Because I can’t think of any.
Oh yeah, the reference to Westernalienationthingamabob, Make sure you pronounce it the way the ditherals do.
Western alien nation….the “those people are different” nation.
The liberals need to be ousted next election for the sake of the country. Not a coming in second place loss, a revoking official party status type loss. Keep em to 10 seats or less, preferably less.
Another objective Globe front-pager, August 26: “Klein steps up sabre-rattling on oil revenue”.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20050826.wxalberta26/BNStory/National/
So this is sabre-rattling? ‘…Klein warned yesterday that politicians who consider themselves “great Canadians” will “keep your hands off” the western province’s swelling coffers…’
Meanwhile, Dalton McGuinty is merely musing: ‘His [Klein’s] warning was partly brought on by Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty’s recent musing that Alberta’s wealth is becoming “the elephant in the room” and that the growing regional economic disparity needs to be addressed.’
Mark
Ottawa
Through hard work, dedication and sacrifice, Albertans have EARNED the financial position that they are in. “You don’t get rich by cut’n cheques”. If Ontario will be a have not in five years it’s the governments fault (and those whom elected them). The key to bettering your situation is to take ownership for the position you are in. I work in the oilpatch and I pound in alot of hours in a shift, minimum 10 to 12 hrs a day, 7 days a week. How many people are jealous of that?
The Liberals think Canada needs a majority criminal government. Hmmm, what part of the current political situation don’t these idiots get? Certainly not the fact that the majority won’t vote for them. And most of those non-voters hate their guts and would love to see them serve their next term not in Ottawa, but in prison. The first casualty has got to be that screechin’ deputy dog. Albertans got to canvas that area and crush her.
We’re on it, Irwin.
Where’s PMPM going to find the Doctors,Nurses,X-ray tecs, Lab specialists, Medical support staff? Schools are supposed training them but they can’t get full time employment. A lot of them go state side. Does that mean in the near future “we trained you at our expense.. we own you???