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September 8, 2008

Reader Tips

Good evening ladies and gentlemen, welcome to SDA Late Nite Radio. Tonight, for your delectation and pursuant to our Sunday night classical music show, here are Wynton Marsalis and the English Chamber Orchestra performing the Allegro first movement of Joseph Haydn's Trumpet Concerto in E-flat major, conducted by Raymond Leppard (7:00).

Your Reader Tips are, as always, welcome in the comments.

Posted by Vitruvius at September 8, 2008 12:01 AM
Comments

your breaking my ba lls Hans Brix , not any more


http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,418205,00.html

Posted by: cal2 at September 7, 2008 11:10 PM

VP Palin bags her first MSMoose:


http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/08/business/media/08msnbc.html?_r=1&hp=&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print

Posted by: john at September 7, 2008 11:35 PM

"Emerson, Hearn and Solberg were regarded as competant, likeable ministers, people that were more progressive in their ideas. They weren't sort of the knuckle-dragging neanderthals that some of those ministers in the Conservative cabinet are, and I think it shows a level of frustration". Ralph Goodale.
http://www.discovermoosejaw.com/index.php?option=com_ezine&task=read&page=11&category=1&article=6043&Itemid=235

Posted by: Moose Javian at September 7, 2008 11:35 PM

Breaking news ... the Large Hadron Collider experiment will fail. There is no "Higgs boson". I have this on good authority.

On a related note, the world will not implode on Wednesday. That is all.

Posted by: nv53 at September 8, 2008 12:06 AM

This is an interesting article by David Warren.

Canadian consensus
The prospect of a Canadian general election leaves me, and I would guess most of my countrymen, bored.

Now, boredom comes in slightly different flavours, and I will admit that the emotions associated with betrayal enter into mine. But it is like the vanilla in the ice cream; one is so used to it. We have about five parties representing five slightly different grades of vanilla. The Tories perhaps anger me the most, because they promise chocolate chips, and don’t deliver. Well, maybe a couple of chocolate chips, but the irritation value of the false packaging more than compensates for them.

http://davidwarrenonline.com/

Posted by: Revnant Dream at September 8, 2008 12:06 AM

It's late, so I hope all and sundry will forgive me for the following bit of doggerel:

I have welcomed the dawn from the fields of Saskatchewan,
Cursing the wheat pool and the god-damn CPR.
From there I was Alberta bound, sinking in oil-filled ground,
Bitching about the federals taking all our dough.

From Vancouver Island to the Alberta highlands,
'Cross the prairies and lakes to Ontario, my home.
From the sound of Mount Royal's chimes, down to the Maritimes,
Something to whine about, this land of ours.

In the land of the Midnight Sun, I've seen Northern Lights shine,
Wondering why their vote counts ten times more than mine.
Down in BC's interior, I can't see crosses burn,
But the Libs told me, so I know it must be true.

In the Lower Mainland, I'm a stranger in my own land,
Can't read the alphabet on any sign I see.
I guess multi-cult is just great, so why assimilate?
We'll all get together and find someone to hate.

(chorus)

From there to Toronto, flying Mapleflot, don't you know?
Grumpy stewardess dumps hot coffee in my lap.
Downtown, I meet media whores and drunken latte bores,
Crying in their cups because Dion's not the man.

Then it 's drive down the 401, Montreal's native son,
Searching for poutine and a decent smoked meat meal.
But the Arabs protest today, can't get there anyway,
Duceppe wears a hijab; his ears give him away.

(chorus)

SoI find my way to Halifax, land of the pogey stamps,
Meeting all the people, nice as they can be.
They cash government checks, watch the economy wreck,
Williams cries loudest while he shoos big oil away.

We used to be a great country, the True North strong and free,
Now we're all groups of losers, screaming for some dough.
Guess I'll just have to wait until Alberta separates,
'Till then we'll have to mourn for this land of ours.

Posted by: KevinB at September 8, 2008 12:59 AM

We're all groups of losers? Speak for yourself.

Posted by: Vitruvius at September 8, 2008 1:04 AM

I want to know who this Rob Bagg fellow is, and where did he come from? He made some clutch catches for us, got some important first downs. He reminds me of Brett Ralph in Calgary, a guy that the defenders forget about, who manages to find the right place to stand unnoticed.

An important kind of role player to have.

Posted by: Kevin at September 8, 2008 1:09 AM

We are a very diverse country.

From sea to see to C.

The more dee-verse we are, dee-wurse it gets.

Posted by: foobert at September 8, 2008 1:11 AM

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/08/business/media/08msnbc.html?_r=3&hp=&oref=slogin&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

"MSNBC tried a bold experiment this year by putting two politically incendiary hosts, Keith Olbermann and Chris Matthews, in the anchor chair to lead the cable news channel’s coverage of the election.

That experiment appears to be over.

After months of accusations of political bias and simmering animosity between MSNBC and its parent network NBC, the channel decided over the weekend that the NBC News correspondent and MSNBC host David Gregory would anchor news coverage of the coming debates and election night. Mr. Olbermann and Mr. Matthews will remain as analysts during the coverage."

Posted by: BB at September 8, 2008 2:04 AM

The beginning of forced Vegetarianism by the UN. Its started folks as we all knew it would. Its in tune with the socialist view & environmentalist nature worship.


http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/sep/07/food.foodanddrink

Posted by: Revnant Dream at September 8, 2008 3:16 AM

The only loser here appears to be you Kevin.

Posted by: AtlanticJim at September 8, 2008 5:43 AM

English as she is spoke.

Ad$Cam Jean Chretien: "A proof is a proof. What kind of a proof? It's a proof. A proof is a proof. And when you have a good proof, it's because it's proven."
...-

"Hearing problem hurts grasp of 'music' of English, Dion says"

"His inability to effectively communicate makes many of his caucus members nervous, especially as he is trying to explain his complicated carbon-tax scheme to voters."
http://tinyurl.com/6j7ts8 (g-m)

Posted by: maz2 at September 8, 2008 7:39 AM

from column in Ottawa Citizen today (headline:some media balk over state-of-the-art Tory broadcast media)

Oddest choice of rousing song to welcome a leader:U2's Vertigo,piped in for Stephane Dion's intro and outro's at his Ottawa campaign launch yesterday.

VERTIGO:"a sensation of whirling and a tendency to lose balance"

Posted by: Sammy at September 8, 2008 8:01 AM

Taliban Jack Layton's Music: Cut'n'Run. Surrender.

"This is a racket and it should be shut down," she yelled. "We need a peace economy, not a military economy."
...-

"MacKay demands NDP drop candidate over military remarks"
"But the party says the candidate did nothing wrong."
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Canada/1077616.html

Posted by: maz2 at September 8, 2008 8:16 AM

Several morning polls
CNews poll
Who do you think will win the October 14th election?
The Conservatives 78%
The Liberals 15%
The NDP 5%
Other 2%
Total Votes for this Question: 1708

Halifax Chronicle Herold
If the federal election were today, which party would you support?
Total Votes Received: 1985
Conservative 650 33 %
Green 96 5 %
Liberal 355 18 %
NDP 412 21 %
Another party 41 2 %
Undecided 261 13 %
Don't plan to vote 170 9 %

[Star Poll]
thestar.com Poll
Do election campaigns influence your vote?
Yes 76 19%
No 309 78%
Don't know 7 1%

Posted by: spike at September 8, 2008 8:26 AM

Who do you think will win the October 14th election?

The Conservatives 78%
The Liberals 15%
The NDP 5%
Other 2%

Total Votes for this Question: 1788
http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Politics/2008/09/08/6699096-cp.html
...-

>>> On the same page at Canoe: The MSM left bias.

"Tories' face tough grilling at first early-morning news conference
By THE CANADIAN PRESS

"today's unveiling of a new series of campaign ads attacking Liberal Leader Stephane Dion received no live coverage on any of the major national television networks."

"The Conservatives have received extensive coverage of past attacks ads - so much, in fact, that at least one series was never actually launched because it received so much free play in news broadcasts and on the web."

Posted by: maz2 at September 8, 2008 8:27 AM

Now look what that Bush done did do.
CTV staff sourly say, "The news was welcomed by some nations."
...-

"Markets soar after announced Freddie, Fannie bailouts

News of a U.S. government bailout for struggling mortgage companies buoyed the world's stock markets on Monday."

From Comments:

"Michael (Ottawa)
This is probably the best thing a Bush government ever did!"
http://tinyurl.com/5sdtbb (ctv staff)

Posted by: maz2 at September 8, 2008 9:01 AM

(Via SWJ) Dexter Filkins, Right at the Edge

...But even after a joint inquiry by the United States, Pakistan and Afghanistan, it remained unclear why American soldiers had reached the point of calling in airstrikes on soldiers from Pakistan, a critical ally in the war in Afghanistan and the campaign against terrorism.

The mystery, at least part of it, was solved in July by four residents of Suran Dara, a Pakistani village a few hundred yards from the site of the fight. According to two of these villagers, whom I interviewed together with a local reporter, the Americans started calling in airstrikes on the Pakistanis after the latter started shooting at the Americans...

Posted by: Charles MacDonald at September 8, 2008 10:06 AM

Right on que this morning CBC TV news talking hairspray helmet Heather Hiscox after prattling about the bad news polls... chimes in with Harper's "Hidden Agenda".

Didn't even bat an extended eyelash.....

Posted by: OMMAG at September 8, 2008 10:08 AM

Funny how the polls changed as soon as the election was called.

Moncton N.B. Liberal MP has charged that Harper will "turn out the lights on the Maritimes".

Such hyperbole does not become a politician. More apropos for the Canadian Press. The bastion of Liberaldom.

Posted by: bud at September 8, 2008 10:09 AM

From comments section of G&M (Taber article re the Libs plane woes)..Jane mentioned that the Libs were touting plane's capability of 'landing on gravel roads'
'It's a good thing the plane can land on gravel...that'll come in handy when the campaign hits the skids'

Posted by: Sammy at September 8, 2008 10:19 AM

Watched Radio Canada's 10 o'clock news Sunday night and their analyst Michel C. Auger says that the Conservative Party is financed by 'the private sector'. I guess that means Obama's millions of individual small donations come from the "secteur privé" also.

It is the Liberal Party which in the past had the most contributions from large corporations.

I have written to complain about this blantant lie - Conservative organizers please note this lie that the Conservative Party is the big business financed party. It will be passed on again elsewhere too if we don't keep an eye on this.

Posted by: Nicola Timmerman at September 8, 2008 10:36 AM

(Via SWJ) Tom A. Peter, U.S. begins hunting Iraq's bombmakers, not just bombs

IEDs, the military's name for roadside bombs, have posed the biggest threat for most of the war, accounting for the death of more than half of all US servicemen killed in combat. But since the troop surge began earlier this year, which is also when the military began to place a greater emphasis on counterinsurgency tactics, US military officials say IED attacks have dropped by 70 percent.

Explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) technicians attribute the decline to a shift from targeting the devices alone to investigating and searching for entire bombmaking groups. Instead of simply detonating IEDs as soon as they found them, EOD teams began spending more time studying the devices, questioning locals, and trying to trace the bombs back to their source...

Posted by: Charles MacDonald at September 8, 2008 10:45 AM

World Summit on Counter-Terrorism: Terrorism's Global Impact

ICT's 8th International Conference
Interdisciplinary Center (IDC) Herzliya, Israel
8-11 September 2008

Live Webcast (under "Spot Lights")
Tonight's keynote address is by Benjamin Netanyahu.

(To check what time it is in Israel, I recommend the Jerusalem Post website, http://www.jpost.com).

Posted by: Charles MacDonald at September 8, 2008 10:50 AM

nicola - you are right to complain about this lie. But although their intention was to create an image of 'private corporations', the reality is that the Conservative Party IS financed by 'the private sector'; namely, the donations of individual citizens. Not businesses.

The Liberals used to get lots of money from the large private corporations; that was their basis. Then, Chretien put in a law lowering the donation limit to, I think it was 5,000. Then, it was lowered again to 1,500.

Chretien did this, in my view, to break the Liberal Party after He, The God, left it. He wanted to ensure that Martin failed..and even..that anyone after him failed. Chretien's narcissism is enormous.

The Liberals, as an elitist party, have no use for or contact with the peasantry. They move only in the Higher Circles of the elite in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal. The peasants are to be ruled, not interacted with.

The Conservatives are the party of the middle class and have an enormous grassroots funding system. Their money comes from the individual on the street.

As for lies, our Canadian MSM are firmly Liberal; they are part of this elite governing class and they are extremely busy in presenting lies and manipulation now - and this will increase as they work to get the Liberals back in power.

Posted by: ET at September 8, 2008 10:51 AM

LLoyd Robertson did an interview with Prime Minister Stephen Harper at Harrington Lake.

view at CTV.ca

Posted by: bluetech at September 8, 2008 10:55 AM

(Via SWJ) Julian E. Barnes, Pentagon debates development of offensive cyberspace capabilities

The current emphasis is on intelligence gathering and defending U.S. electronic security, but some officials think the military should know how to attack other nations' computer systems.

Posted by: Charles MacDonald at September 8, 2008 10:56 AM


Conservative Bashing Corp.(pravda) in full swing now.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canadavotes/story/2008/09/08/tory-media.html#socialcomments


even the notably left readers notice the bias on this one , read the comments.

Posted by: cal2 at September 8, 2008 11:03 AM

...Conservative organizers please note this lie that the Conservative Party is the big business financed party. It will be passed on again elsewhere too if we don't keep an eye on this. Posted by: Nicola Timmerman at September 8, 2008 10:36 AM

Nicola - there is one reason, and one reason only that Mickey Fortier is in cabinet, okay? And it ain't cuz his head is really, really shiny when the sun hits it.

Posted by: hardboiled at September 8, 2008 11:05 AM

hardboiled - what is that reason? Thanks in advance.

Posted by: ET at September 8, 2008 11:06 AM

Absolutely maarvelous trumpet in todays "readers tips". I never knew the trumpet could do that. Good on you Vitruvius. Neil Thompson

Posted by: neil Thompson at September 8, 2008 11:14 AM

Chretien did this, in my view, to break the Liberal Party after He, The God, left it. He wanted to ensure that Martin failed..and even..that anyone after him failed. Chretien's narcissism is enormous. Posted by: ET at September 8, 2008 10:51 AM

Pretty far off the mark there ET. Cretin dropped the donations limits to offer an appearance that the Libranos were reacting to adscam, and tightening the rules. Secondly, and with earnestness of the Cons, enacted Bill C-61 that restructured politiical party financing - tieing it directly to the treasury. A fully indexed amount paid per vote, entrenching established parties, and providing more certainty in cashflow to the parties.

A true scandal to be sure: perpetuating incumbent parties, and making it more difficult for upstarts to form. Worse yet, all Canadians get to contribute to political parties. Whether they want to or not.

Factually ET, you are financially supporting the NDP. Which was voted for by the Cons.

Congratulations. You are helping to get Jack Layton and his party elected.

Posted by: hardboiled at September 8, 2008 11:16 AM

Fariborz Haghshenass, Iran's Asymmetric Naval Warfare

As nuclear negotiations between Iran and the international community enter a more dangerous and uncertain phase, further tensions and confrontations are likely on an often-overlooked front: the vital shipping lanes of the Persian Gulf. Given its natural geographic advantages and deliberate military development, the Islamic Republic effectively holds the Strait of Hormuz -- the world's oil lifeline -- at risk. And despite its overall defensive posture in these waters, Iran could take preemptive action in response to a perceived threat of imminent attack.

In this new Washington Institute Policy Focus, Iranian military expert Fariborz Haghshenass outlines what form such action might take given Tehran's efforts to greatly expand the role and capabilities of its unconventional naval forces...

[Full report available in PDF only].

Posted by: Charles MacDonald at September 8, 2008 11:17 AM

An ARAB SPEAKS OUT: An oldie but worth watching again. IT may get taken of the WWW...... Contributed by an Alumnus associate
Here is a powerful and amazing statement on Al Jazeera television. The woman is Wafa Sultan, an Arab-American psychologist from Los Angeles. I would suggest watching it ASAP because I don't know how long the link will be active. It is surprising that the Arab financed TV station in Dubai would allow this to air. She probably, by now, has a very large price on her head. She is one impressive woman. This is not going to stay on the WWW very long.
http://switch3.castup.net/cunet/gm.asp?ai=214&ar=1050wmv&ak=
*******

Posted by: tranio at September 8, 2008 11:17 AM

Posted by: ET at September 8, 2008 11:06 AM

Fortier's a connected player in the circles of $big dough$. He's got their ears.

And Prentice's ministry cuts the cheques. $25 billion dollars of them every year.

Posted by: hardboiled at September 8, 2008 11:19 AM

Down with Bush, the Fattener of the Fertile Crescent!

(Via Contentions) Tina Susman, Another Iraqi casualty of war: Their waistlines

In a land where just staying alive is a challenge, Haider Kareem Said's problem might seem trivial. He's overweight.

But that isn't a mere annoyance or something Said can fix with diet and exercise -- he's 5-foot-4 and weighs 495 pounds. So last month, Said had a band surgically strapped around his stomach, an operation relatively new to Iraq that is proving to be a godsend for people facing an unusual consequence of the war: obesity...

Posted by: Charles MacDonald at September 8, 2008 11:33 AM

mcsquinty ducks and covers.


http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080907/mcguinty_dion_080908/20080908?s_name=election2008&no_ads=


Ill be happy that Danny Whine for Wine Williams lines his pockets with lieberal ridings. nothing like being on the outside looking in. the whole palm up handout group east of the ottawa river should find a major restructuring after a majority.

FREE THE WEST

Posted by: cal2 at September 8, 2008 11:40 AM

hardboiled - I'm sorry, but I don't get the connection you've tried to make between Fortier and Prentice. Because one individual is 'connected' and because another individual 'cuts the cheques' means NOTHING. You haven't actually connected the two.

As for your opinion on Why Chretien cut the donor amounts - that's your opinion. My opinion is very different from yours. So?

Equally, your view that IF the taxpayers' money funds X political party, THEN this means that an individual taxpayer is supporting X political party is an example of false generalization.

After all, I could equally declare that are are helping the NDP. And indeed, you are supporting all the vapid and empty research projects on 'Women/minority groupY/etc as Victims' carried out via SSHRC grants; you are helping..etc.

So?

Posted by: ET at September 8, 2008 11:40 AM

"This is not fair.*"
...-

"McGuinty shies away from Dion endorsement"

"Premier's election message: Treat Ontario with fairness"

"fairness" x 3.
"fairly" x 2.
"fair" x 2.
"fair shake" x 1.
"That's not fair." x 2.
http://tinyurl.com/66bdhc
...-


*STOPIGGY to Dion:
"“Stephane, we didn’t get it. done,” Ignatieff responded. Dion. cut in with, “This is not fair. You don’t know what you speak about.”" (googoo)

Posted by: maz2 at September 8, 2008 11:56 AM

Segma poll.

Con 43% Lib 25% Ndp 15% Bq 8% Grn 7% Other 2%
(via Bourque)

http://www.cyberpresse.ca/assets/pdf/CP204198.PDF
(en francais)

Posted by: maz2 at September 8, 2008 12:07 PM

I believe Chretin was trying to entrench the Liberal Party believing they had much more support than the other parties. He was trying to do to the Conservatives what Harper is going to do to the Liberal Party. Bankrupt them. The added bonus for Chretin was the obvious swipe at Martin.Good governance, what's good for the country, or the people, never, I repeat, never, factor into Liberal Party machinations. Read your history.

Boy, if something happens to deter the oil industry in Nfld/Lab, ole Danny boy will be perty red-faced with extended digits. Worth paying for,twould be.

Danny's another boy who should read his platform. Tis all about co-operating (squeezing) with the Feds to do anything. I suspect Danny will spend the next decade or so dancing alone.
That's what happens when you have 2 left feet.

Posted by: bud at September 8, 2008 12:08 PM

So? Posted by: ET at September 8, 2008 11:40 AM

Sigh.

That's the point. You are being compelled to donate to political parties. Compelled by the force of law. And to parties that you likely don't agree with.

That's wrong. As wrong as having an un-elected bagman in governernment giving the wheres and hows to spread 'policy'. They'll drop him into a nice easy riding this time though.

Posted by: hardboiled at September 8, 2008 12:10 PM

bud, I don't see how Chretien's reduction of donations to political parties could entrench the Liberal Party. Since their donations were primarily from corporations and were very large donations, then, reducing this funding base would reduce their funds.

Relying only on the taxpayer fund of 1.75 per vote was risky, for surely Chretien knew that this meant a reliance on three big cities and the immigrants. Could this be maintained?

hardboiled - every vote gets 1.75. This isn't a payment based on population numbers. It's a payment based on a voter, who is a taxpayer, and is therefore funding the political party that he supported. So, your statement that I am funding the NDP is incorrect. Only voters who voted for the NDP are funding the NDP. From their tax dollars.

What about-
Having to be in a union and paying dues to that union when you don't want to do so..just in order to work;

having that union take a political stance and providing publicity, workers and money (your money) to a specific political party which you don't support;

What about all the judges who are not elected; the Senate - none of whom are elected; the civil service writing up policies; on and on..who are not elected.

So?

Posted by: ET at September 8, 2008 12:22 PM

The Green Party's entire mandate is to increase their votes so they can collect more money.

That is why Elizabeth May wants in on the debates - free advertising to reach the radicals. She actually promotes protest votes with no chance of electing MP's or having any hand whatsoever in governance. The Greens use their money for militant radical special interest anti-government protests and extremism.

We the taxpayers put more than $1 million in Lizzie's radical hands last election - she wants more....like most radicals , to fund her personal vendettas.

Sad times for democracy.

Posted by: lmf at September 8, 2008 12:31 PM

So? Posted by: ET at September 8, 2008 12:22 PM

ET, taxes are forcibly taken from people. If it wasn't redistributed to political parties, might it not be spent for roads, hospitals, national defence, or returned as lower taxes?

I know it is Monday morning dude, but grab another coffee for yourself.

Posted by: hardboiled at September 8, 2008 12:43 PM

lmf and hardboiled - the only taxpayers who contribute to a political party are those who voted for them. Period. The fact that you and I may not like May's views or the NDP's views or whatever, isn't relevant. Other people, taxpayers, who DO like their views and voted for them - pay this 1.75 per vote.

That's democracy. Each vote provides support. In addition to that 1.75 that the voter pays, they can mail in a donation up to 1,100 to that party.

hardboiled - taxes are not forcibly taken from people. Taxes are found in all societies; they are the contribution of the individual to the functioning of the collective. In some cases, they were 'actual work done' - participating on building the roads, the harvests. In other cases, they are 'in kind' work, ie, money.

The fact that this money is going to fund a political party - which represents a political point of view - so? Remember, the money given is equivalent to the vote given. You don't support the NDP - and the NDP gets nothing from you.

As for your remark that it would be 'better spent' on roads and etc - that's valid for anything. Should X money go for a road or a 'research project' on Lesbians and Gays in the 19th c'? Well?

I see nothing wrong with the person-who-voted also pays 1.75 for a political perspective. It enables his perspective to be heard in the House. What's wrong with that? And it costs him far less than the 1,100 private donation he might have to rely on.

By the way - sigh - you haven't answered my other questions.

Posted by: ET at September 8, 2008 12:55 PM

The little bagman that could....and he really, REALLY wants to run this time!!!

Michael Fortier, who was appointed to cabinet in 2006 despite not being elected to office, resigned from the Senate on Monday to run as a Conservative candidate in Quebec in the upcoming federal election.

Fortier, whose appointment as federal public works minister by Prime Minister Stephen Harper sparked controversy following the 2006 election, has since passed on several opportunities to run in byelections.

The lawyer and financier previously said he didn't run for office in 2006 because he "didn't want to run."

Fortier made headlines earlier this summer when he dismissed a senior member of his staff because the man had a romantic relationship with Julie Couillard last year as a company she represented was bidding on a big government contract.

Couillard is the former girlfriend of Maxime Bernier, who resigned from the foreign affairs portfolio in May following Couillard's revelations he had left confidential government documents at her residence.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canadavotes/story/2008/09/08/fortier-resigns.html?ref=rss

Posted by: hardboiled at September 8, 2008 12:56 PM

Craig Westcott will be running for the CPC in St. John's East, retiring CPC MP Norm Doyle's previous riding. This is a great candidate for the CPC. He gave a blistering speech @ NOIA against the Danny Williams' handling of the offshore oil and gas industry found here http://tinyurl.com/6exl2m.

Geoff Meeker endorses here http://tinyurl.com/5fd22s

St. John's east consists of the provincial riding of Topsail and is held by PC member Elizabeth Marshall, who resigned from Danny's cabinet back when she was the health minister due to "interference from the Premier" within her portfolio. She is the only current member of the NL PC MHA's to publicly state that she will stay neutral during the ABC campaign.

This is definitely a seat the CPC could defend and keep. It will be close especially if NDP Jack Harris runs.

Posted by: Glenn at September 8, 2008 1:00 PM

"taxes are not forcibly taken from people."

You are genuinely clueless dude. By the looks of it, you've been grabbing the brandy bottle instead of the coffeemaker.

Posted by: hardboiled at September 8, 2008 1:05 PM

"The Culture War's Decisive Battle has Begun

In every war there is one decisive battle. This battle doesn't end the war; a great deal of hard fighting lies ahead. But in retrospect it's the moment when one side's ultimate victory -- and the other side's ultimate defeat -- were sealed. In our Civil War this decisive battle was Gettysburg. In World War II, it was Midway.

Unexpectedly -- perhaps even astonishingly -- this year's presidential campaign is shaping up as the decisive battle in the Culture War that's been tearing apart our country for decades.

On one side are the Traditionalists. We believe that church and State should be separate, but that religion should remain at the center of life. We are a Judeo-Christian culture, which means we consider those ten things on a tablet to be commandments, not suggestions. We believe that individuals are more important than groups, that families are more important than governments, that children should be raised by their parents rather than by a village, and that marriage is a sacred relationship between a man and a woman. We believe that rights must be balanced by responsibilities, that personal freedom is a privilege we must be careful not to abuse, and that the rule of law cannot be set aside when it becomes inconvenient.

We believe in economic liberty, property rights, and in giving purposeful and industrious entrepreneurs the elbowroom they need to start and run their businesses -- and thus create jobs for all the rest of us -- with a minimum of government interference. We recognize that people in other countries see things differently, and we are tolerant of their views. But we believe that despite its imperfections the United States is history's most blessed country, and when attacked we will defend this country with our lives.

Tuning Out, then Tuning In

On the other side of this culture war are the Left-Wing Liberals."
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2077400/posts

Posted by: maz2 at September 8, 2008 1:17 PM

hardboiled - instead of resorting to ad hominem, you ought to deal with the argument. You haven't answered any of my questions.

By the way, I don't drink coffee. Or, sigh, brandy. I'm a very dull person. Now..back to the issues.

And what's your point about Fortier? You obviously don't like him but - so? I don't think that it has to do with him being appointed rather than elected, for you are just as upset with tax dollars going to elected MPs - dollars paid for by the voter who voted for them.

And I repeat; taxes aren't forcibly taken from people. They are an agreement made by a citizen, as an individual, living in a state. If we disagreed, then, I think you'd see a political party emerge that said: No taxation. I don't think that has happened.

Posted by: ET at September 8, 2008 1:31 PM

Walk softly and carry a big Quebec stick.

Start reading from the bottom of the report.

"Some confide they are concerned that Dion's lack of popularity in Quebec will hurt the party.

But perhaps the most telling indicator is that several key Quebec Liberals all say privately that they are already beginning to look beyond this campaign and speculate on what will happen "apres Dion."

"If it is a Harper minority, the next leader will be (Michael) Ignatieff or (Bob) Rae," said one Liberal insider who traded anonymity for candour. "But if it is a Harper majority, we're looking at the next generation of leaders.""
...-

"Quebec could be key to Tory majority

OTTAWA - He has run in five election campaigns as a member of Parliament, in two leadership campaigns and led his party through two general elections.

However, the battle Stephen Harper is about to fight for the hearts and minds of Quebecers will likely be like no battle he has fought before.

For the Conservatives, Quebec could very well hold the key to a majority government."
http://tinyurl.com/6zbs2w

Posted by: maz2 at September 8, 2008 1:56 PM

"The Liberals used to get lots of money from the large private corporations; that was their basis. Then, Chretien put in a law lowering the donation limit to, I think it was 5,000. Then, it was lowered again to 1,500."

Harper then reduced that limit to 0, let's not forget.

Posted by: KS at September 8, 2008 2:43 PM

Lizzie May will have to squeal from the sidelines again.No debate for the greeens.Yes,common sense wins. Her little ploy of putting up a digraced liberal as a bargaining chip was thrown off the table.

Posted by: wallyj at September 8, 2008 3:40 PM

Well here is an interesting poll

"Which party has the best opportunity to win over Undecided Voter's"
ctv.ca

bloc 38 votes 0%
conservatives 5238 votes 57%
greens 892 votes 10%
liberals 1788 votes 19%
ndp 1288 votes 14%

Posted by: bryanr at September 8, 2008 3:48 PM

Democracy and freedom is coming to Canada.
...-

Democracy

"It's coming to America first,
the cradle of the best and of the worst.
It's here they got the range
and the machinery for change
and it's here they got the spiritual thirst.
It's here the family's broken
and it's here the lonely say
that the heart has got to open
in a fundamental way:
Democracy is coming to the U.S.A."
H/T Leonard Cohen
...-

"But westward, look! the land is bright."
(H/T A.C. Clough, 1869)

Posted by: maz2 at September 8, 2008 5:19 PM

Librano or Con,
are they simply run,
by the very same Don?

Before yesterday's spending crescendo, the penny-pinching Canadian Taxpayers Federation had compiled a list of almost 300 Tory announcements totalling $8.8 billion since June.

"As opposition, the Conservatives lampooned the Liberals for doing this kind of shameless pre-election spending, " said taxpayer federation spokesman Adam Taylor.

http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com

Posted by: hardboiled at September 8, 2008 5:33 PM

Appointed by Liberal Chretien in 2000.
...-

"Ex-privacy czar committed frauds: Crown

OTTAWA - The fraud trial of former privacy commissioner George Radwanski got underway Monday with some damning testimony.

Court heard that Radwanski failed to report a $35,000 loan he got from his chief of staff in 2001 as required by the federal conflict of interest code.

The loan was in the form of a mortgage on Radwanski's residence.

The Crown alleges it was repaid largely through a fraudulent travel advance of $15,000 for Radwanski and a payment of $16,000 in vacation leave he didn't earn.

Radwanski and his former top aide, Arthur Lamarche, are on trial in Ontario Superior Court charged with fraud and breach of trust."
http://tinyurl.com/6m383n

Posted by: maz2 at September 8, 2008 5:45 PM

"Money heals all wounds as Liberals settle Green Shift name dispute

The Liberal Party of Canada will continue to use "Green Shift" under license from Green Shift Inc. ...MORE TO FOLLOW...."
(nnw)

Posted by: maz2 at September 8, 2008 5:49 PM

Taliban Jack Layton (NDP) is not available for comment.
...-

"US drones kill 13 in Pakistan [old friend of Osama bin Laden]

Missiles fired by US drones killed 13 people, including 7 foreign militants, on Monday in a Pakistani village where a religious school founded by an old friend of Osama bin Laden is located, intelligence officials and witnesses said.
"There were two drones and they fired three missiles," said a resident of Dandi Darpakheil, a village in the North Waziristan tribal region near the Afghan border.
A military official said a house and madrasa founded by Taliban commander Jalaluddin Haqqani were the targets."
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2077616/posts

Posted by: maz2 at September 8, 2008 5:57 PM

PM Harper:
"I think it’s gun crime we have to deal with, not some duck hunter with a shotgun.”"
Bravo. More, please.
...-

"PM urges crackdown on violent crime

RICHMOND, B.C. — Prime Minister Stephen Harper flatly rejected a growing chorus of calls for tougher gun control laws today, insisting the Conservative plan is to tackle violent crime instead of punishing innocent duck hunters.

As Liberal Leader Stephane Dion’s campaign stopped at Montreal’s Dawson College — the site of a 2006 shooting spree that killed one student and injured 19 — to call for beefed-up gun measures, Harper responded by saying his government has no plans to further restrict weapons.

“This party has favoured the registration of gun owners. This party has favoured the registration of restricted weapons. This party has increased screening requirements for the purchase of all weapons and the fact of the matter is handguns and many weapons are in fact very difficult to own legally in this country,” he said.

“I don’t think by registering every shotgun or long gun or having further restrictions on weapons you’re going to deal with gun crime. I think it’s gun crime we have to deal with, not some duck hunter with a shotgun.”"

"Harper attended a rally in the Regina riding of Liberal stalwart Ralph Goodale today, before heading to Winnipeg."
http://tinyurl.com/6ja6tr (sun)

Posted by: maz2 at September 8, 2008 6:47 PM

"The suspect is described as a black male in his early 20s."
...-

"Daytime shooting leaves one dead in Toronto
By CNEWS

Three Toronto schools have gone into lockdown following a deadly shooting at a bus stop this afternoon, according to CP24.

Police, along with the K9 unit, are investigating the scene of the Eglinton and Keele streets shooting which left one man dead. The suspect is described as a black male in his early 20s."
http://tinyurl.com/68rkqa

Posted by: maz2 at September 8, 2008 6:52 PM

George Radwanski, editor emeritus of the Red Star is finally on trial for fraud:
http://start.shaw.ca/start/enCA/News/NationalNewsArticle.htm?src=n090883A.xml

Posted by: DrD at September 8, 2008 7:10 PM

George Radwanski, editor emeritus of the Red Star is finally on trial for fraud:
http://start.shaw.ca/start/enCA/News/NationalNewsArticle.htm?src=n090883A.xml

Posted by: DrDave at September 8, 2008 7:11 PM

Ernie said:

"And somewhere in Halton today a man's head explodes! ;-)"

Whose head has exploded now? Not Taliban Jack Layton's head again?
Nope! This time, it's Barf Turner's head.
...-

"Liberals have a new writ expense: Paying for "Green Shift

The good news for Jennifer Wright of Green Shift Inc is that the Liberals are conceding that she owns the rights to the name "Green Shift" and so have agreed to pay her a license fee.

The bad news for the Liberals is that this license fee is a writ expense, and will count against their campaign spending limit."
http://stevejanke.com/archives/272886.php

Posted by: maz2 at September 8, 2008 7:12 PM

Russia-Iran Watch.
...-

"Russia prepares to launch Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant

"Iran is paying Russia more than $1 billion to build the 1,000-megawatt light-water reactor."
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2077738/posts

Posted by: maz2 at September 8, 2008 8:00 PM

Elizabeth May, about not being a participant in the election debates, via globeandmail.com:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080908.wgreens0908/BNStory/politics/home

“This is anti-democratic, closed-door, backroom decision making by four national party leaders who are all men and five television executives – who are all men – to keep out the one woman leader of a federal party,” Ms. May told reporters on Parliament Hill, where she responded to the announcement that she will not be invited to the debates. “And I don't think many Canadians will think that was fair.”

I’m so tired of the moonbats making an issue of males vs. females. I’m a woman. I don’t think this decision is “unfair.” Playing the gender card is retrograde. I’m much more interested in what either men OR women have to say about issues of importance to ALL Canadians. Men and women share a common humanity and that’s the perspective I’m interested in.

Gender politics pander to the lib-left feminists and gays and usually leave out vast swaths of Canada’s populace—and have since the late ’60s. We’ve had enough of this kind of unequal politics, always masquerading under the “equality” banner.

Elizabeth May insists that the “public airwaves” belong to the public. ’Only problem is, the way our system works is that private companies own the TV channels. I guess it’s their decision and it will be difficult for Ms. May to change their minds.

Posted by: batb at September 8, 2008 8:01 PM

Ds.May has reached her ultimate goal,she has become a victim of discrimination.Alert the HRC's.

Posted by: wallyj at September 8, 2008 8:09 PM

http://venturebeat.com/2008/09/05/xbox-360-defects-an-inside-history-of-microsofts-video-game-console-woes/

When his fourth Xbox 360 video game console died in April, Chris Szarek wasn’t surprised.

The Chicopee, Mass. gamer was accustomed to the hardware failures that became known throughout the Internet as RROD, or the “red rings of death” which flash when the console becomes inoperable.

A 40-year-old photographer, Szarek was a hardcore Microsoft fan who spent more than $1,000 on his games. But each time one of his Xbox 360 consoles failed, he had to spend time convincing Microsoft’s tech support that they should send him a new console. Each time he got a refurbished console as a replacement (a machine that had been returned to a repair center in Texas, fixed as much as possible, and then shipped back out). When he complained on the Internet and to the media about the shoddy product and poor customer service, people branded him a cry baby and wrote him off as a statistical anomaly. But by the spring of 2008, Szarek was vindicated. There were at least a million or two other people like him.

Posted by: tomax7 at September 8, 2008 8:26 PM

"We need a peace economy, not a military economy."

That would be a capitalist economy, which is about production, rather than a socialist one which is about looting. So no reason to vote NDP, for people who favour peace.

"taxes are not forcibly taken from people"

So why don't you not pay them and find out what happens?

Taxes, contrary to the hogwash from Oliver Wendell Holmes (I think it was) are fundamentally uncivilized. The noblest political goal is the tax-free society. It's a long way off, but it's not impossible. We should be planning now.

Posted by: nv53 at September 8, 2008 10:24 PM

"McGuinty shies away from Dion endorsement" -- Could be he is holding back so that brother David will soon have a shot at the leadership. Really, I think many Liberals do not want them to win . . . and would want a significant enough defeat to leave no doubt about whether Dion should stay on as leader.

Posted by: LindaL at September 9, 2008 1:40 AM

Wescott is a good choice for PC's in Newfoundland. I am pleased that if nothing else he will have an opportunity to communicate again to the people of Newfoundland what a manipulator and tyrant Williams is. Wescott's story is worth listening to.

Posted by: LindaL at September 9, 2008 1:43 AM
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