76 Replies to “Reader Tips”

  1. “Weak government”? No, Ted, it’s called a MINORITY.
    Your comments about the Conservatives are so unbalanced, they’re falling over.

  2. Liz asks “….Wonder if we can look forward to real fisticuffs between the Libs and the Dips in committee?”
    Fist fight with these panty waists!?
    More likely the kind of slap fest you’d get with the “designer guys” getting their shorts in a knot.
    Speaking of shorts in a knot … wouldn’t it be fun to see Dion’s face if someone gave him a wedgy?

  4. lookout – I totally agree. Parents and parenting have been removed from the picture, as Big Govt, a product of Liberal/NDP socialism, moved in.
    But with the nanny state, you also obtain no responsibility, no accountability. That’s because Big Govt rapidly transforms itself from a utopian focus on ‘perfect services’ to a pragmatic focus on Jobs For Civil Service Employees. The employees, their wages, pensions, benefits, security etc of the Big Govt rapidly become the sole focus of the State. The original notion of ‘providing services’ disappears. The Public Service Union moves in.
    That’s a key reason why, as nomdeblog pointed out, govts should not be involved in providing public services. No Air Canada, no CBC, no Via Rail. No childcare. Nothing. These things should all be moved far, far out of the reach of both politicians, and public employee unions, and into the responsible hands of private companies. Only private companies can be held responsible – and their contract either renewed or refused. The civil service? Heh. They’re hired for life..no matter how incompetent.

  5. Halo! Stachyou, Citoyen Dion? Oui, oui.
    Message from Ted to Irwin to Ruby to Joe to Borys to Mario:
    Librano$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
    …-
    Top 5: MPs With The Largest Telephone Bills
    For the fiscal period dated April 1, 2006 – March 31, 2007:
    #1. Liberal MP Irwin Cotler $38,642
    #2. Liberal MP Ruby Dhalla $26,558
    #3. Liberal MP Joe Volpe $26,101
    #4. Liberal MP Borys Wrzesnewskyj $25,940
    #5. Liberal MP Mario Silva $24,357
    The House of Commons defines telephone expenditures as “long distance calls, certain constituency telephone services and wireless devices.” …-
    File Photo: Comedian Tom Green attempts to get in on the scrum with Irwin Cotler outside the House of Commons in Ottawa after Question Period, on Monday October 24, 2005. Fred Chartrand/CP …-
    Puffin Poop on the Scrumbags here:
    http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20071120.WBwblogolitics20071120084652/WBStory/WBwblogolitics/

  6. OMMAG: Wonder if Dion has anything THERE that giving him a wedgie would change his voice?
    One thing for sure he couldn’t look more gormless.

  8. Et & Lookout …. How do we get rid of the ones we have been saddled with so far? What we do get rid of federally ends up on the Provincial agenda.
    Actually CBC is the last federal corp that we really have to worry about ditching … unless you consider the wheatboard.
    Everything else is regulatory in nature and getting government out of the regulating business is NOT going to happen.
    BTW A/C we did get rid of it’s a public traded company. Problem with them is governments interfering in things like equipment purchases or regulating in their favour at the expense of consumers.
    Now don’t get me started on government subsidies!

  9. Tories widen lead despite Mulroney-Schreiber flap
    [The nub is here:]
    The poll also suggests the Tories are neck and neck with the Bloc in Quebec.
    Anderson said the provincial sample is small enough that drawing conclusions from a single survey is iffy, but the trends are clear over three weeks and they show the Tories challenging the Bloc strongly.
    “You could probably make the case that in Quebec, where the Conservative numbers have shown up pretty strongly this week, that we do know that Quebec voters are pretty fed up with allegations of corruption and scandal and that sort of thing,” he said.
    “It’s probably reasonable to assume that they like the way that Stephen Harper reacted to the Mulroney affair.”
    He said the Tories seem to be making progress in Quebec.
    “On balance, it looks like those nationalist Quebec voters, those BQ voters from previous elections are saying that the Conservatives, so far, are on the right track.” …-
    http://www.thestar.com/News/article/278279
    The Majority Rule: Speak softly and carry a big Quebec stick.

  10. OMMAG, there’s still the BDC (remember Shawinigate?) EDC (Bombardier’s bank) Via Rail , lots of harbour stuff , CBC.
    “What we do get rid of federally ends up on the Provincial agenda.”
    But with decentralization the Provinces will soon become more and more competitive with each other. They will be competing for capital and people as Canada becomes a true economic union . So the Provinces will be forced to become more productive with scarce resources and sell LCBO etc because they need the cash for infrastructure.
    As ET alludes to, the albatross at both the Fed and Provincial level is government unions that deliver services that should be outsourced. That is a big cause of a lot of what is behind the influences peddling and conflicts our politicians find themselves sucked into.
    Therefore if we want less Airbus fiasco’s let’s get the governments out of the business of business. (Government regulatory issues are a different matter and a necessary evil)

  11. ET, you’re right on there. Some schools have so many support staff and social services in their buildings, all paid for by the tax payer, and often making no difference in the kids’ behaviour–of couse not: the boards’ philosophies and methods are all wrong–the primary purpose of actually EDUCATING gets shoved aside.

  12. Is it just me or does anyone else find it utterly despicable that Belinda Stronach went to the US for breast reconstruction surgery unavailable here in Canada? No one will say a damn thing because it’s breast cancer and she’s donating a million to a chair at some university, but what the hell! An ex-Liberal Cab Min buggers off to the US because she’s rich and the rest of Canada’s women can just suck it up. What utter hypocrisy.

  13. DrWright – I would imagine the greater number of abortions an individual woman has increases her risk for breast cancer even further. This topic was brought up on ‘The View’ – the television show – by a female quest, and the panel on ‘The View’ treated her like she was crap. I don’t know why some women will protect their right to abort their children or other people’s children, even when there is a visible correlation between having an abortion and getting breast cancer. I guess they don’t want the truth to get in the way.

  14. Belinda Stronach is trash, and no amount of breast reconstructive surgery in the States is going to change that.

  15. Harper Gov’t Accomplishments Update
    Posted by Sandy on Nov 20, 2007
    In the spring of 2007, I provided a long list of links that identified Harper government accomplishments. Then, like today, the links showed that our current government, even in a short time and given opposition disruptions, are considerable and commendable. Today I want to revisit those accomplishments.
    However, rather than present a long list every single topic separately, I am going to use the legislative and policy profiles identified by the CPC. Although the CPC links are clearly partisan, I will be using them because they are thorough and, I assume accurate — beginning with the government’s reintroduced crime package today. See also the official government of Canada website under “government initiatives” which are linked according to the month in which the accomplishments occurred.
    * Safe Communities – Reintroduced Nov. 20, 2007 (Link)
    * Accountability (Link)
    * Child Care (Link)
    * Health Care (Link)
    * Sovereignty (Link)
    * Tackling Crime (Link)
    * Lower Taxes (Link)
    While there is no doubt in my mind that the Harper Conservatives are doing an excellent job, we need to continually remind ourselves of their accomplishments — especially given the behaviour by the opposition parties over the past few weeks….-
    http://crux-of-the-matter.com/?p=485

  16. Better security sees Iraqi refugees flood home
    Iraqi refugees are returning home in dramatic numbers, concluding that security in Baghdad has been transformed. Thousands have left their refuge in Syria in recent months, according to some estimates.
    The Iraqi Embassy is organising a secure mass convoy from Damascus to Baghdad on Monday for refugees who want to drive back. Embassy notices went up around the Syrian capital yesterday, offering free bus and train rides home.
    Saida Zaynab, the Damascus neighbourhoods once dominated by many of the 1.5 million Iraqi refugees, is almost deserted. Apartment prices are plummeting and once-crowded shops and buses are half empty.
    …
    The return of so many Iraqis is a strong vote of confidence in the security situation in Baghdad. However, it also reflects the tightening of visa regulations by Syria two months ago, making it more difficult for refugees to stay and impossible for most to come back if violence flares up again. The border crossing into Syria is closed for them. Their trip to Iraq is one way.
    Mugabe grabs platinum and diamonds
    President Mugabe unleashed a devastating new blow to Zimbabwe’s mortally wounded economy yesterday, announcing a new law giving the state a controlling stake in mines operating in the country.
    Under the Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill, the Government can take over 51 per cent of companies mining strategic fuels and minerals, taking 25 per cent without paying.
    The balance of 26 per cent it needs for a majority shareholding will be paid for, it said. However, the Bill brazenly asserts that payment will come from dividends earned from the state’s shares in the companies it takes without having to pay. It gives the state seven years in which to do it.

  18. Ted: “opposition party calling for the RCMP to investigate something it is a “truly sickening spectacles of blatant political interference in our systems”, but it was proper and reasonable when the Conservatives did it with Shawinigate, Sponsorship, income trust leaks, etc., it was A-OK.” Ted, I think the salient point here is that it is entirely appropriate for any opposition party to call for an investigation WHEN THERE IS SOMETHING SIGNIFICANT TO BE INVESTIGATED — something happening in the context of the current government that needs rectifying. 20 year-old cases where we are not going to get our money back is not a good example. The Canadian public are the losers here because a lot of money will be spent on an enquiry and nothing will be gained. We risk Brian Mulroney walking away with even more money in his pocket. This is a can of worms that the Liberals chose to open and it will backfire on the taxpayer. Politicians also look quite foolish when spending inordinate amounts of time on this non-issue.

  21. LindaL at 11:16pm Just what I would say.
    A note to BC Eviro Minster Penner. .
    Dear Minister Penner & Jerry Muir,
    The difficult position of government who hopes to be re-elected.
    To avoid stepping on Exxon, Chevron and GM toes [
    re-election funding], while convincing the voters of an
    intense and earnest desire to usher in clean energy. 90
    million$ for futuristic buses is safe ground. 20 Very
    Valuable buses.
    No mention of current 1993 Nickel Hydride and Lithium polymer
    ion battery for Electric Vehicles however. BC has oil to
    sell.
    No help for Delta*s Dynasty electric vehicle manufacturer who
    meets Federal DOT regulations, yet is denied license to sell
    their about town Dynasty EV. Same injustice for Zenn motors
    in Quebec. [ Check the CBC news clip on my site..
    TonyGuitar.blogspot.com ]
    Zenn Motor cars have won quality and performance prize
    recognition in other countries.
    Talk of battery energy for automotive use can cause a
    political party to lose serious funding, I suspect. Too bad,
    since popularity of EV use in Vancouver could help do away
    with that ugly amber smog dome one sees over the city from
    Grouse mountain. That would also contribute to a reduction in
    respiratory health costs.
    So we are going to stick with 96% dependency on oil then?
    Damaged refining will certainly cause a crippled economy.
    Brazil has suffered a severe gas shortage and having
    declared… ** Never Again**, they are at 75% high efficiency
    cane based biofuel. Gas and diesel are in the minority in
    most of South America. Who is the banana republic?
    AutoblogGreen.com
    France uses electric vehicles for their postal service. Bills
    get delivered, bills get paid and the economy steams along,
    gas or no gas. Many taxis in Paris run on compressed air.
    You can still get around, gas or no gas. Dept store truck
    fleets run on battery power in both the UK and France so
    goods are delivered… gas or no gas.
    Road taxes for EVs can be collected at BC government agents
    offices and or kiosks according to quarterly odometer
    readings.
    There is a bloom of electric bikes, mopeds and electric
    scooters on the roads here in central Vancouver Island. All
    of them are made in China. Instead of shipping all our
    natural resources to Chine, it may be wiser if we were to
    produce those finished products here in Canada.
    Understanding the stresses of remaining in government, I
    remain hopeful all the same. = TG

  22. *
    Forbes List of 2007 year – 10 WORST vehicles
    ====================================
    Topping the list: The Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Nitro, Jeep Liberty, Dodge Caliber and Dodge Magnum.
    A massive recall involving anti-lock braking system control modules affected 11 different Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep models, including the Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Caliber, Dodge Magnum, Dodge Nitro and Jeep Liberty, which were all on our turkeys list, while another recall concerning automatic-transmission control modules potentially affected eight different vehicles, including the Magnum, Nitro and Liberty.
    [1] Chrysler Sebring [Xmission module]
    [2] Dodge Nitro [Xmission control module ]
    [3] Jeep Liberty [ anti-lock troubles ]
    [4] Dodge Caliper R/T AWD [fuel costs can drain wallet]
    [5] Dodge Magnum [ ranks bottom – Consumer Reports]
    [6] Ford Crown Victoria [ weak side crash protection]
    [7] Chevrolet Aveo [front fuel line recall]
    [8] Nissan Quest [Front suspension Bolt recall] [Crash risk]
    [9] Hyundai Entourage [least reliable]
    [10] Pontiac Grand Prix [Fuel tank recall-1602 vehicles]
    forbes.com/forbeslife/2007/11/15/cars-worst-year-forbeslife-cx_bh_1115cars.html
    ==================
    Forbes checks across recalls, Consumer Reports, and other sources. = TG

  23. Iraqis are in retreat; retreating from exile in Syria, etc.
    …-
    Better security sees Iraqi refugees flood home
    Iraqi refugees are returning home in dramatic numbers, concluding that security in Baghdad has been transformed. Thousands have left their refuge in Syria in recent months, according to some estimates.
    The Iraqi Embassy is organising a secure mass convoy from Damascus to Baghdad on Monday for refugees who want to drive back. Embassy notices went up around the Syrian capital yesterday, offering free bus and train rides home.
    Saida Zaynab, the Damascus neighbourhoods once dominated by many of the 1.5 million Iraqi refugees, is almost deserted. Apartment prices are plummeting and once-crowded shops and buses are half empty. …-
    http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1928647/posts
    Baghdad voices: Improved security
    Four Iraqis across Baghdad describe a welcome drop in violence in their city in recent weeks.
    SAADI, DOCTOR, AL-YARMOUK HOSPITAL, BAGHDAD
    I have been working in this hospital for about eight months and the security situation has definitely improved during that time. …-
    http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1928741/posts

  24. “News” from the wimps and whiners, at the Ottawa Citizen/MSM: Go to TO, Ottawa Citizen/MSM, and beg for $$$$$$ from Premier Liar Liberal McGuinty.
    1. The Weather:
    What a mess
    A sprinkling of freezing rain and snow overnight has left area roads in rough shape…-
    2. The Whining:
    Tories dismiss concerns over city infrastructure
    Mike De Souza, The Ottawa Citizen […]
    In the Commons, Prime Minister Stephen Harper dismissed the concerns, explaining that his government had answered the country’s infrastructure needs.
    “Since coming to office, this government has announced record amounts of spending, and record new programs into dealing with infrastructure in Canada,” Mr. Harper said. “They amount to an additional $33 billion over the next seven years. This covers everything from national down to certain types of municipal and local infrastructure.”

  25. Always wondered what a bitchslap* was? It’s socialism in action.
    …-
    Venezuela:A Female Legislator Slaps A Journalist While On-Air(shocking mayhem by Chavez supporter)
    An irate Venezuelan politician rushed a television journalist conducting his show on Tuesday (November 20), attacking him for what she claims to be slander.
    A supporter of President Hugo Chavez’ socialist party, representative Iris Varela stormed onto the set of Gustavo Azocar’s television show, slapping him, breaking his glasses, hitting him with a microphone and overturning furniture.
    Azocar, who also published a book denouncing several members of the Chavez administration for corruption, said he had invited Varela to defend herself on his show.
    “When we presented the book in Caracas — and there are videos — I said that if Iris Valera wanted to exercise her right to defend herself that she do it. I think it’s a right we all have to defend ourselves,” the journalist said after the attack.
    Varela, who was at the television studio to appear on another program, later said she was fed up with accusations of corruption made on the show that she says are untrue. …-
    http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1928770/posts
    *A figurative example: Al Franken was on TV last night and bitch slapped Bill O’Reilly. (urban dict.)

  26. “He swore that he didn’t have any business with Schreiber. … A former prime minister came and, on the Bible, says that he had no business, so I had no choice but to accept his word,” Chrétien told The Canadian Press yesterday. “I don’t have any regret because I acted with the facts I had in front of me.”
    What evidence did Chretien have to investigate Mulroney in the first place if at the end he “had no choice but to accept his word.” Makes trials real simple, “Are you innocent of the charge? “Yes!” “Oh, all right then, on you go, sorry to have bothered you.”
    Could anyone imagine accepting Cretin’s word on anything, not likely.

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