Daily Digest October 17, 2008

The DAILY DIGEST: INFORMATION and OPINION from ST. JOHN'S to VICTORIA.

EDITORIALs

ST.JOHN'S TELEGRAM -
Still looking out for No. 1

CORNER BROOK WESTERN STAR -
Some changes may be needed

HALIFAX CHRONICLE HERALD -
Training your brain

AMHERST DAILY NEWS -
The numbers matter here too

MONTREAL GAZETTE -
Taking North Korea off the terror list makes sense

OTTAWA CITIZEN -
Following our leaders -- or not

Susan Riley • Dion deserved better

Raheel Raza • Enemies are everywhere

Dan Gardner • Dion and his great idea

William Watson • What to do about the economy

KINGSTON WHIG STANDARD-
Conservatives In Strong Position

News For Harper Isn't That Good

Should Greens get your green?

Should Voting Be Mandatory?

TORONTO STAR -
A link with Europe?

GLOBE AND MAIL -
The 'right' to camp on public propertyComment3
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081017.eHomeless18/BNStory/specialComment/home

The long-term economic and human consequences of unchecked global warming would likely be far worse than those of any financial crisis http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081017.eSarkozy18/BNStory/specialComment/home

A Canadian victory
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081017.ePasschendaele18/BNStory/specialComment/home

NATIONAL POST -
Passchendaele deserves our support
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=886436

Passchendaele battle was a dirty, deadly secret

TORONTO SUN -

Less talk, more action on homicides

Why voters stay away in droves

HAMILTON SPECTATOR -
Liberals need a new leader

NIAGARA FALLS REVIEW -
Earth to Liberals: Dion is not your biggest problem

Weary voters could use some stability

K-W RECORD -
The numbers game

LONDON FREE PRESS -
Let's thank the losers for their contributions
 
Jobless must fight going into a shell

WINDSOR STAR -
Iran at the UN

What did we accomplish?

No majority, but our luck may run out

Environmental clock is ticking

SUDBURY STAR -
Big red problems

Harper can govern as if he had a majority

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS -
Sooner than later is best
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/editorial/story/4239335p-4882590c.html

The cure not the disease
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/editorial/story/4239382p-4882633c.html

The English is coming! The English is coming!
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/subscriber/westview/story/4239552p-4882670c.html

No time to go wobbly
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/subscriber/westview/story/4239524p-4882747c.html

Japan's experience suggests we should pray for a V-shaped recession
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/subscriber/westview/story/4239522p-4882745c.html

Capitalism is at bay
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/subscriber/westview/story/4239106p-4882394c.html

SASKATOON STARPHOENIX -
Dion departure should be hint to other parties

Calvert proudly 'one of the crowd'

Time to invest in our politicians

Tories must work with Native leaders on change

Small price hikes in food can leave poorest suffering

Green Shift had merits

REGINA LEADER-POST -
Welcoming newcomers with small-town charm

Calvert's premier trait: likeability

CALGARY HERALD -
Court out of step with reality

Got voter fatigue? Take a nap, then go vote

Saying sorry for medical errors can heal so much

EDMONTON JOURNAL -
The lost lessons of Canadian history

A taxing result

Proportional representation not 'fairer'

Dion offered the qualities that voters say they want, but don't

RED DEER ADVOCATE -
Will Harper reach out to his rivals?

LETHBRIDGE HERALD -
A tale of two parties
http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=531&Itemid=56

VANCOUVER SUN -
Democracy's flaws don't justify withdrawal from it

VANCOUVER PROVINCE -
Decision by B.C. Human Rights Tribunal was the cowardly way out

VICTORIA TIMES-COLONIST -
Give Canadians reasons to vote

Green Shift a worthy concept

It's time to demand better performance

Tory majority would have helped the Liberals recover


ISSUES

ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS
Aboriginal group demands IOC suspend Pound for 'savages' remarks


AFGHANISTAN -

Coalition forces on the wrong track in Afghanistan
Anand Gopal : Afghanistan does not need more guns, it needs reconstruction and reconciliation view

Afghanistan probing 17 civilian deaths
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081017.wafghancivilians1017/BNStory/International/home

We need 30,000 more soldiers to beat Taliban,' says general

No one can win war in Afghanistan Time to set troops deadline, negotiate peace deal

Pakistan does some US dirty work

The West Is at a Loss in Afghanistan
Der Spiegel (10/17/2008)

War on Taliban losing support in Pakistan
The Sydney Morning Herald (10/17/2008)

Robert Gates: To succeed in Afghanistan will require much more than just guns
The Independent, UK (10/17/2008)

Pakistani Taliban will not disarm, says spokesman
http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2008/10/pakistani_taliban_wi.php


ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
Canada, EU working towards 'historic' agreement: PM

Crisis casts shadow on trade pact

Steep recession looms for North America

Lower gas prices: silver lining in economic gloom

Canadian consumer confidence hits lowest level in 26 years

Harper, EU brass set to discuss economic crisis


HEALTH CARE RELATED
Nature may ease ADHD symptoms
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081017.wladhd17/BNStory/specialScienceandHealth/home


JUSTICE SYSTEM
No Charter right to safe-injection site, Ottawa says in court documents
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/081017/national/insite_appeal

Amnesty slams probe into Canadians jailed in Syria


POLITICS IN THE PROVINCES
French workers gain access to Quebec market
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081017.wque_sarkozy1017/BNStory/National/home

Alberta first to offer medical information online

Charest rules out snap fall election

France's Sarkozy tilts against Quebec separatism
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/081018/canada/canada_us_france


POLITICS
Harper changes his tune on future deficits all 384 news articles »

Canada PM sees 2008 surplus, won't comment on '09

Harper now refuses to rule out a deficit
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081017.wtories18/BNStory/politics/home

PM says he'll govern as if he has a majority

The future of the Liberal Party all 509 news articles »

Centre is the battlefield for next vote.. MORE...

We need leaders, not egomaniacs

Michael Harris: Lizzy wants cash, Steve wants civility, Jack wants respect, and Stephane wants to strangle network executives over at CTV. And Gilles? Why he wants nothing at all except to enjoy Canada's.. MORE...

Liberals don't get it.. MORE...

Dion has no other option but to quit. MORE...

Mon Dieu, Dion! It's time to resign!. MORE...

Dion deserved better: MORE...

Dion took a great idea down with him.. MORE...

Liberals must reclaim the centre.. MORE...

Funny how the left doesn't want to unite. MORE...

Harper offended Quebecers on culture and it cost him his majority. MORE...

The campaigning is over: Let the governing begin. MORE...

Mr. Harper's Canada
TOM FLANAGAN : Prime Minister Stephen Harper invoked these words from Scripture in his election-night speech not to announce a social conservative theocracy but to signal a strategic shift. MORE...

Proportional representation not 'fairer'.. MORE...

A little passion might have helped voter turnout. MORE...

Harper better off for keeping cool amid crisis flak. MORE...

Here's 10 election day thoughts MORE...

Key Liberals send out feelers for Dion's job

Nervous Liberals wait on Dion

'It's over' for dion, research suggests

The knives come out for Dion

Liberal MP: Dion Should Step Down

Harper's office feels betrayed by Charest

Thank you, Mr. Charest, Bloc gloats

Dion rejected warnings on 'loser' Green Shift

Could McKenna be the Liberal leader?

Dion will be replaced by a senior: Stevie Cameron

Brison not interested in Liberal job....

What say Justin Trudeau?

CTV airs defence of its decision to broadcast Dion's fumbling interview

Liberals, provinces slam Tory plans for Senate
Conservative plans to push for Senate reform are facing stiff opposition from Liberal senators and provincial governments, in addition to raising questions over their feasibility in Conservative ranks.
Flaherty to keep finance helm: official

Leading economist urges 'deficit spending'

Ottawa on track for deficits: TD

Departing MPs take giant pensions with them
 
MP lost seat, gained bride in 24 hours

May fends off calls for her resignation

Greens excited to see fortunes bloom at federal election polls

And the Big Loser is----Stephen Harper


PROGRAMMES
Canada will become first country to declare BPA hazardous to health

Consumer groups scrambling for details on BPA restrictions to be announced


PRESSURE POINTS
EU climate change push in disarray

Campaign misinformation has set back climate change debate


OPINION AND INFORMATION
MacKenzie vs. Dallaire

Today's politics: colder and meaner
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=886438

Afghanistan: Penetrating the Propaganda


INFOS
Le bureau de Harper se sent trahi par Charest
http://www.ledevoir.com/2008/10/17/211037.html

Ce vendredi est la Journée internationale pour l'élimination de la pauvreté
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/081017/N101724AU.html

Les rumeurs sur la démission de Dion s'intensifient; Volpe demande sa tête
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/081016/N1016142AU.html

Le Bloc québécois rappelle à Stephen Harper qu'il est toujours minoritaire
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/081016/N1016132AU.html

Le français est presque absent de plusieurs pays de la Francophonie
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/081016/N101698AU.html

Les mauvais résultats des libéraux aux élections coûteront cher au parti
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/081016/N101658AU.html

Parti libéral du Canada
Dion convoque la presse
http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/Politique/2008/10/17/002-dionannonce.shtml

Guantanamo
Omar Khadr torturé?
http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/National/2008/10/16/001-khadr-torture.shtml

Walkerton - Santé
Des conséquences à long terme
http://www.radio-canada.ca/regions/Ontario/2008/10/17/001-walkerton-etude_n.shtml

Québec
L'économie avant les élections
http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/Politique/2008/10/15/001-elex-charest-reax.shtml

Discours du chef conservateur
Minoritaire en sièges, majoritaire en confiance
http://elections.radio-canada.ca/elections/federales2008/2008/10/15/012-harper-allocution.asp

Les verts ont-ils contribué à la déroute des libéraux?
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/elections-2008/200810/17/01-30174-les-verts-ont-ils-contribue-a-la-deroute-des-liberaux.php

Baisse d'appuis au Bloc: le taux de participation blâmé
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/elections-2008/tour-du-canada/quebec/200810/17/01-30187-baisse-dappuis-au-bloc-le-taux-de-participation-blame.php


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QUESTIONS

WILL THE WORKERS COME THROUGH CANADIAN IMMIGRATION PROCEDURES?

WILL THEY BE LIMITED TO RESIDENCE IN QUEBEC OR BE AT LIBERTY TO GO ELSE WHERE?

It will soon be easier for French workers to cross the Atlantic to work in Quebec than it is for other Canadians to work in the province.  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081017.wque_sarkozy1017/BNStory/National/home

WILL THIS VOLTE-FACE INCREASE OR DECREASE CITIZENS' RESPECT FOR POLITICIANS?

QUEBEC CITY, TORONTO, OTTAWA ­ Stephen Harper refused Friday to rule out the possibility of a deficit next year despite his promise during the election campaign that he would not allow one if re-elected.

While the Prime Minister said he intends to maintain a balanced budget this year, he did not say the same for 2009-10. The statement was a far cry from his assertions during the election campaign.

"I don't think we're in a position yet to know all the information in that regard," Mr. Harper said in Quebec City, where Canada is hosting a summit of French-speaking governments. "It would be premature to speculate on that. I will just say that the Government of Canada will maintain responsible fiscal policies and the Government of Canada will ensure that whatever we do is in the long-run interests of the Canadian economy."

Asked Oct. 7 if he would unequivocally rule out running a deficit during the length of his term if re-elected, he responded "yes, yes," pointing to the modesty of his party's spending program. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081017.wtories18/BNStory/politics/home

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Subject: For the DD
Michael Watkins
Emerson-Free Vancouver Kingsway
-------------------------------

One by-product of Harper's legislative agenda from the last parliament
were changes to the Elections Act which forbade corporate funding of
political parties. Yet if you look at the legislation through the prism of
one of our local races in B.C., its clear that the legislation didn't
really solve the problem but only served to push corporate support further
underground.

A little mini-drama is playing out in B.C. where two candidates account
for 100% (rough calculation but accurate enough) of registered third-party
advertising on behalf of **individual candidates** (as opposed to
organizations supporting *causes*). Imagine that - of all registered third
parties across the country only two from B.C. attracted individuals who
supported them. One was merely an ambitious, if unqualified, Liberal - who
failed.

The other case is far more interesting as it involves Garry Lunn, who was
minister of Natural Resources at dissolution. He got 50% of all the
individuals who registered as third parties. One candidate. Imagine.

Of those individuals, one is married to none other than Gwyn Morgan, the
founding CEO of EnCana Corp (retired not all that long ago, moving from
Calgary to the coast), Canada's largest independent oil and gas company.
Morgan like EnCana has an interest in seeing Lunn re-elected, and
Conservatives being in power, as a pipeline crossing B.C. to the coast,
and approval for tanker traffic to that pipeline, are part of his
self-interest.

Another individual is named in the "in and out scheme".

Lunn has been an outspoken proponent of off-shore drilling, something
which even B.C. Conservative-leaning voters have turned away from
according to polls. His supporters, including 'co-campaign manager' Byng
Giraud (Mining Association of BC), have deep industry ties. Some are
contributing cash via third party or first party schemes. Others are
contributing their time.

Perhaps such contributions pass the sniff test from a legal perspective
but they don't meet the spirit of the law forbidding corporate donations
to parties. The act as amended doesn't provide the protection from undue
influence sought by the government - its simply not workable.

An interesting sidebar to the battle for Saanich-Gulf Islands are
allegations someone impersonated the NDP, using autodialer/demon dialer
services, to contact and urge voters to cast a ballot for a withdrawn NDP
candidate. Such ballots are considered spoiled. Sufficient numbers of
electors cast a ballot for the withdrawn candidate that a change in
outcome would have been possible, if not even likely.

At least one organization has urged police and Elections Canada to
investigate.

3rd Parties Link Lunn To EnCana
http://mikewatkins.ca/2008/10/16/3rd-parties-link-lunn-to-encana/

Garry Lunn 3rd Party Advertising
http://mikewatkins.ca/2008/10/16/garry-lunn-3rd-party-advertising/

Gary Lunn Campaign Denies Phone Fraud
http://mikewatkins.ca/2008/10/14/gary-lunn-campaign-denies-phone-fraud/

It'd be nice if the Conservative Party for once would stand up for Canada
and actually show that it believes in democracy by doing a thorough and
open investigation of itself.

I won't hold my breath.
Mike
http://mikewatkins.ca/

===================================
From: "Anna Curtis-Steele"
Subject: election

Hi Joe; This election was a waste of the taxpayers money.... There were no substantive changes ...there were no real choices for voters... we heard the same  old motherhood statements and the rest was spent on smearing each other. I can't help but wonder, though ,if the Progressive Conservative Party has stayed in tact,,,they probably would have won this election. Harper's agenda still speaks reform.
Anna

===================================
From: "Rene Moreau"
Subject: A held story?

On the subject of how news can be filtered here, in North America, I
thought this might be of interest.

  I just spent 3 weeks and 2 days in England, experiencing Britain.
While there I read a few  newspapers, like the Financial Post and the
Times etc. Having done so, I have come to the conclusion that the news
in Canada has been 'handled'!
  While 4 banks in Iceland crashed and were nationalized by the
government of Iceland and more banks in Britain were in serious
trouble, like the Royal Bank of Scotland, which lately has been named
as the foreign entity in Canadian-American buy-outs like the  Bell
Canada Enterprises one, and other banks were dropping like flies, was
this big news in Canada?
  Britain's Gordon Brown, prime minister, was talking about
nationalizing British banks that needed a bail out, until he was
visited by a delegation from the U.S. who, apparently,  talked him out
of the nationalization talk and he decided to buy shares in the
shrunken companies, instead, with taxpayers money, of course.
  In Canada, meanwhile, it  would seem that the media was told to
play  the story down so as not to effect negatively, the  current
election!
  Flaherty even said on -----------  that Canadian banks are so well
run that the bailing out feature would be unnecessary, where the
taxpayers foots the bill  to bail out  some of the biggest banks in
the world, as was done through Europe  and the  U. S.
   Now that the elections are over, the story changes, of course and
bail-outs are back on the table. (from Globe and Mail, Tuesday,
October 14th, B7, Sinclair Stewart) Of course we the taxpayers will
supply this money to the mega-rich banks to help them stay competitive
with the world's  banks that got help through the credit crunch!
   Do they think we are nuts, stupid or blind? OBVIOUSLY!
  One wonders these days if  1929 and the depression could happen
again, and the money people could keep it a secret, from some of the
world?
  Just a thought.

                                Rene Moreau (416-489-8347)

===================================
From: Ron Thornton

Hi Joe:

Why is my friend, James (Jim Bob) Christian Parsons such an idiot? Really, I ask sincerely. I have come to the conclusion that a rationale exchange with the boy is rather pointless, as the dear fellow is lost in a world of fantasy. He foams at the mouth, spews all sorts of nonsense in an attempt to marginalize those who disagree with his views, then actually accuses them of being the one bigoted. A strange, strange little man. Jimmy, you are something. I'm not sure what, but you are something.

By the way, when did I refer to "Central and Eastern Canadians as lazy, immoral, Communist, Taliban-loving, criminal-coddlers?" Might I suggest it occurred only in the cobwebs of Jimmy's mind. How have I demonstrated my "loathing of all things non-Albertan?" Maybe Jimmy had a headache and mistook it for a rational thought. If Jimmy is unable or unwilling to answer these questions, I invite anyone to put forth any past examples that come to mind.

Hell, maybe I'm wrong in my recollection...or maybe Jimmy is nuts. I'm sure it is one or the other.

Well, Joe, I guess I can't say this forum has been boring as of late.

Ron.

=====
. . . can't say it's been overly productive though.

===================================
From: Ray Strachan
Subject: Re: The first shot in what will be a continuing campaign.

Quoting Joe Hueglin <joe.hueglin@bellnet.ca>:
Hey Joe....I think Harper is a Leopard. I think he is incapable of changing
his spots.   Its just dam unfortunate that the bugger holds all the aces. Just
watch him push any of the other 3 parties to the brink.   There is no way that
any of them could possibley force another election and people will not see the
agenda that he will run, which will be one of deception which is about the
only thing that comes natural to him.    So where does that leave us, we
people who are not Harperites?    We will be just frozen like  deer in the
headlights. This is my fear. Due to the way the elected member count worked
out,there is just NO POWER to fight him with.  I hope I am wrong, if Im not,
its going to be a hell of a period to watch.......Do you see any silver
lining?......Ray

===================================
From: "Rebecca Gingrich" <r.gingrich@sympatico.ca>
Subject:  Fat cat AIG bosses flew to England for £60,000 partridge shoot days after £65bn bail-out
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1078244/Fat-cat-AIG-bosses-flew-England-60-000-partridge-shoot-days-65bn-bail-out.html

===================================
From: Nancy Clarke
Subject: Re: The first shot in what will be a continuing campaign.

Hi Joe,

"How does his statement that the choice is Reform the Senate or be prepared for him stacking it fit into his newly proclaimed "Come let us reason and work together" approach? "Not at all" is the short answer."

 

Of course, it does not fit. I pick this up, in fact any 5th grader would have pick this up too. In fact my daughter who is only 13 picked this out, and made the comment how can he say we work together, and than start making demands. He sounds more like my teachers. To explain the teachers remark is that teachers make demands on the students without taking into consideration what kind of homework/projects/tests are due in the other classes.

I see Harper's comments as a direct threat to the provinces. The threat is for  economic investments in your province, I want in return agreement in Senate reforms. It sounds to me he laying out the groundwork for his pet project of senate reform, by attaching strings on any investments that are over and above what the federal gives to the provinces.

From where I am living, dealing with the Harper government, the province had strings attached to the agreements where fed dollars were concern. Over this past summer, I never seen so many signs where road improvements was being made on the TransCanada highway, stating that the road construction came from the federal government.The signs implied that all the source of money came from the federal government and their coffers. It reminds me of what Harris did,  when he was the Premier of Ontario, and his signs. As an ordinary citizen, I expect the provincial and federal government  to work together and not having either side putting strings on the conditions that are purely political in nature.

Perhaps senate reform will be put on the back burner until the economy is put right. The economy should be the priority, and nothing more. IF Harper does put strings attached to any federal monies to the provinces, the two provinces that may put up a fight are NL and Quebec, Quebec is hurting in the natural resource sector as well as in manufacturing. Newfoundland and Labrador is hurting big time in our natural resource sector, as well in areas that are in federal control such as the fishery, due to mismanagement by the feds over the years. Add in the messages that were sent by Quebecers, Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to Harper, Harper will be doing a high wired act to appease these two provinces and at the same time pleasing the other provinces.

I am just waiting for Harper to fall off this wire, and if comments from McKay are any indication regarding NL, Harper has no intention of working together with the provinces. It is either their highway, or be force off the main highway. 

===================================
FROM SEVERAL SOURCES

With all the turmoil in the market today and the collapse of Lehman Bros and Acquisition of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America this might be some good advice. 

For all of you with any money left, be aware of the next expected mergers so that you can get in on the ground floor and make some BIG bucks.  Watch for these consolidations in later this year:

1.) Hale Business Systems, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Fuller Brush, and W R. Grace Co. Will merge and become: Hale, Mary, Fuller, Grace.

2.) Polygram Records, Warner Bros., and Zesta Crackers join forces and become:  Poly, Warner Cracker.
             
3.) 3M will merge with Goodyear and become: MMMGood.

4. Zippo Manufacturing, Audi Motors, Dofasco, and Dakota Mining will merge and become: ZipAudiDoDa .

5. FedEx is expected to join its competitor, UPS, and become: FedUP.

6. Fairchild Electronics and Honeywell Computers will become: Fairwell Honeychild.

7. Grey Poupon and Docker Pants are expected to become: PouponPants.

8. Knotts Berry Farm and the National Organization of Women will become: Knott NOW!

And finally...

9. Victoria 's Secret and Smith &Wesson will merge under the new name:  TittyTittyBangBang

Other merger tips are welcome
===================================