Daily Digest December 15, 2008

The DAILY DIGEST: INFORMATION and OPINION from ST. JOHN'S to VICTORIA.
ARCHIVED at http://cdndailydigest.blogspot.com/

EDITORIAL PAGEs

HALIFAX CHRONICLE HERALD -
Airline deregulation a good deal for Canada

Ignatieff now holds the hammer in Parliament

Officials' easy way out: Shoot messenger

AMHERST DAILY NEWS -
More than one way to sell fish

MONTREAL GAZETTE -
Canada must do more to make airports safe
http://www.montrealgazette.com/opinion/editorials/Canada+must+more+make+airports+safe/1076138/story.html

OTTAWA CITIZEN -
Well worth a shot
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/editorials/Well+worth+shot/1076239/story.html

Empty labels
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/editorials/Empty+labels/1076238/story.html

BELLEVILLE INTELLIGENCER -
Maybe it's time to adopt our own American-style of government

TORONTO STAR -
Backlogs plague criminal courts
 
Ontario needs John Tory

GLOBE & MAIL -
People can't be bribed into spending
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081214.weconsumption15/BNStory/politics/home

Frugal, all too frugal
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081214.weenvironment15/BNStory/politics/home

Humans, as well as cargo
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081214.weRail15/BNStory/specialComment/home

NATIONAL POST -
Auto workers must share the burden
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=1076811

New-school boss, old-school rules
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=1076813

NIAGARA FALLS REVIEW -
Eerie similarity seen in auto, steel industries

K-W RECORD -
Harper is stuck with Afghanistan deadline

WINDSOR STAR -
Are judges a 'special group?'
http://www.windsorstar.com/opinion/editorials/judges+special+group/1076433/story.html

SUDBURY STAR -
EI puts needed money into the economy

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS -
Who should get the loot?
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/westview/who_should_get_the_loot.html

Quebec's English school boards deplore court stance
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/westview/quebecs_english_school_boards_deplore_court_stance.html

SASKATOON STARPHOENIX -
Ignatieff will give PM fair fight

REGINA LEADER-POST -
Why my Canada includes Quebec

CALGARY HERALD -
Democracy.ca? not just yet

CALGARY SUN -
Unemployed deserve better deal

GRANDE PRAIRIE DAILY HERALD TRIBUNE -
Canadians get failing grade in survey

EDMONTON JOURNAL -
Federal gov't must resist American effort to sabotage wheat board
Putting Canadian system under international scrutiny merely competitive ploy
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/Federal+must+resist+American+effort+sabotage+wheat+board/1076706/story.html

RED DEER ADVOCATE -
Nuclear weapons-free world is a possibility

New leader wise to Harper's tactics

VANCOUVER PROVINCE -
Harper's blunders may blow up in his face
http://www.theprovince.com/opinion/editorials/Harper+blunders+blow+face/1076987/story.html

VICTORIA TIMES-COLONIST -
Alpha-male Ignatieff braces for a fight

ISSUES

ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS -          
Truth inquiry may be at work by January


AFGHANISTAN -
Bush hails progress during last trip to Afghanistan

Another blow to NATO's supplies

US drone kills two in NWA

Pakistan truckers refuse to haul NATO, US supplies

Face to face with the Taliban

Taliban take hold of vital road

Afghan war is 'a fight that can't be won'

Taliban vow to kill more Canadians


CANADIAN FORCES
Air force considers adding more search and rescue choppers

Ottawa to sign the contract to purchase 16 Chinook helicopters


CANUSA/USACAN
U.S. must move first on auto aid: Clement


ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
Canadian auto industry could lose up to 20,000 jobs even with aid package: experts

House prices slip 10 per cent across Canada in November; sales fall 42 per cent

Bush Administration Discusses Auto Rescue Worth Up to $40 Billion

Tories set to add forestry, mining to bailout list

Industries seek aid on taxes and credit, no bailout

Credit card relief urged for indebted Canadians

Bringing infrastructure back from brink

Canadian holiday retail sales to prove more resilient than expected: observers


FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Will Obama continue the encirclement of Russia? view


JUSTICE SYSTEM
Supreme Court starts hearing arguments on Bill 104 legality


MIGRATION
Government to cut red tape for skilled foreign workers


POLITICS IN THE PROVINCES
Alberta premier gets tough with Ottawa, sends wish list of economic demands

Quebec parents take language rights case to top court


FEDERAL POLITICS
Stephen Harper has tough words for coalition
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20081215/harper_atlantic_081215/20081215?hub=Canada

Harper Says Canada Economy May Post No Growth in 2009

Budget talks show signs of political thaw

Brison 'confident' government will address Liberal concerns

Liberals ask Flaherty to see government books

Liberals want details from Flaherty

Canada's Coalition Chaos

Hundreds of would-be senators flooding Tories with job requests

Liberals say Flaherty admits economy now worse than projections in fall update

Bloc leader Duceppe says coalition still best solution to economic crisis

Brison 'confident' government will address Liberal concerns

Liberals urging Ignatieff not to defeat PM Harper next month

Layton cools talk of toppling Tories

Liberal MP hints at support and hope for Conservative government

Conservatives under 'tremendous pressure' to put together next budget

PM wants to reach out, but opposition parties say they've been stung

Government spending in Saguenay a boon to region - and its MP

PM Harper's 'bruised' but he's still in control, say Conservatives

Prime Minister should hire some better advisers: Tories

Ignatieff & Quebec
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081212.wcogagnon15/BNStory/politics/home

The Canadian finance minister who wasn't
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081212.wcomartin15/BNStory/politics/home


OPINION AND INFORMATION
What makes a truly great leader?

Observations on the future of the West

The Coming Anarchy

Good grief - what's next?

Fraser Institute: How the feds Can Foster Energy Development

When will the oil run out?

Anger and grief over war dead


INFOS 
Les prétendants au Sénat inondent le bureau de Harper
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/200812/15/01-810700-les-pretendants-au-senat-inondent-le-bureau-de-harper.php

Une coalition PLC-NPD reste la solution, dit Duceppe
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/200812/15/01-810673-une-coalition-plc-npd-reste-la-solution-dit-duceppe.php

Flaherty aurait admis que son énoncé était trop optimiste
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/200812/15/01-810637-flaherty-aurait-admis-que-son-enonce-etait-trop-optimiste.php

La rencontre avec Flaherty a été fertile, selon les députés libéraux
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/081215/N121534AU.html

L'Alberta demande l'élaboration d'un accord sur le commerce intérieur
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/081215/N1215120AU.html

Un nouvel épisode du débat sur la langue d'enseignement entendu à la Cour suprême
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/081215/N1215140AU.html

Le NPD s'oppose à la nomination de nouveaux sénateurs par les conservateurs
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/081215/N1215132AU.html

Budget: Layton attend un «miracle»
http://www.ledevoir.com/2008/12/15/223442.html

Ottawa s'apprête à signer le contrat d'achat de 16 hélicoptères Chinook
http://www.ledevoir.com/2008/12/15/223441.html

Un nouveau système inquiétant
http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/National/2008/12/15/001-securite_aerienne.shtml

Dans les bonnes grâces d'Ottawa
http://www.radio-canada.ca/regions/saguenay-lac/2008/12/15/001-saguenay-argent-ott_n.shtml

BELOW(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)30)(30)(30)(30)(30)

Subject: "earthworm" 08 12 14 sunday.pdf

Respond relentlessly!
best item?_______
worst item?______

Al Heisey, Hize, cz most sincerely asks for responses  to his bi-weekly post that forms the major part of BELOW(30) to-day.

His address is <hize@earthlink.net>.

cz, being himself frankness personified, welcomes comment on both headings.

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From: "John Dowson
Subject: Disabilities savings plan set to roll out

Joe thanks a million for researching this article. If you find anymore on this please email me. I have been involved with this for the past 8 years and worked with Minister Flaherty and the committee chair Jim Love. (the lawyer) This came out of our proposal for a pooled "Henson" trust. John Dowson
http://www.ottawacitizen.com:80/news/todays-paper/Disabilities+savings+plan+roll/1074832/story.html

=====
Pleased the Digest was of value to you.

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From: "Suan H.Booiman"
Subject: Afghanistan

Joe,
 
The efforts of peace would reach a possibility if some one
in power at last states publicly that the Taliban are religious
murderers that use 13 year old to do their job, with that
raising the question when the Muslim leaders and believers
will decide to separated from those that use extreme violence
to gain power. The first place to start with are all the Muslims
that moved to, for us known as, democratic countries. Time
for all Muslims to make a choice. till than we loose more men and
women.
 
Such was achieved with little violence when Luther opened the
door to reformation. One was French that resorted to aggression.
 
The United Nations would be a good beginning.
 
Regards,
Suan
 
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Subject: "earthworm" 08 12 14 sunday.pdf

Publisher is Alan Heisey, 38 Avoca Avenue, L.P.H #6, Toronto, ON, Canada, M4T 2B9
Phone 416 923 5381, <hize@earthlink.net> Emailed from Toronto.


Publisher comments
Clearly, how little I understood about rump coalitions!
I apologize to (almost) everyone in Tory Ottawa
(Herewith some desired New Year's Honours (Wish) List, a trifle early
Joe Oliver to the Senate!
Paul Godfrey to be the P.M.'s man in the GTA! - or 416!!
Joe Hueglin to develop the Tory email common carrier
Jillian Saweczko to publish regularly!
Letters
To be removed from this list

"earthworm" 08 12 14 sunday

To proponents of a strong, two party, parliamentary democracy - and some media
*Hize-O-Gram & Replies-O-Gram #53
Clearly, how little I understood about rump coalitions!
Your correspondent fussed mightily in the last edition about the chance of holding
on to our freshly-re-elected government, with the long tradition of a majority
opposition being able to virtually bluff their way into power via a compliant
G.G.
My hesitations were largely offset by a powerful email letter from a fellow
member of St.Paul's adding to the widespread flood of reactions that it was a
long way from a done deal. Resolve back in place, I too wrote a polite note to
the GG, cc to the prime minister and to a couple of hundred names on my email
list.

Glad I redeemed myself thusly, when the passage of a short two weeks showing
how fast the music plays and how firmly in the driver's seat our government sits,
aided, no little in my opinion, by the election of a clearly centrist(!)-right(?) new
leader of the opposition.

I apologize to (almost) everyone in Tory Ottawa
I had a clean hit when I discovered a couple of weeks ago that the party web site
had not bothered to update the list of members of the National Council from the
election before our last one in the middle of last month. But I quite overdid it
when suggesting that failure reflected on the whole fam damily in Ottawa.
My misgivings over that breach of fair comment were heightened early last
week when my email in-tray indicated that all those 15 names I had laboriously
developed at <conservative.ca> were suddenly cut off according to an abrupt
kickback opposite every single one!:

SMTP error from remote mail server after RCPT TO:<(name withheld to protect
the innocent)@conservative.ca>: host mx1.efwmx.net [209.171.54.132]: 521
5.7.1 This system is configured to reject mail from 209.86.89.70 (Spam attack detected)
Naturally I had immediate, multiple pangs of conscience.Which of my particular
Hize-O-Grams, had generated such a total, negative response? I rumbled
through a few issues and saw endless little nicks, which in the aggregate, might
have pushed the person(s) in control of the main switch to throw it?

Finally, I phoned last Friday to party president Don Plett, who was unaware of
this disconnect and undertook to enquire. I have heard zip back from him, but
sent a test mailing this afternoon to his attention and it seems to have gone
through!

Was the disconnect a sorta random shot across my bow? Or a salvo? I will only
know if this edition also gets stalled at the webmaster's in-tray!

In the meantime I clarify the qualified apology I offer in the headline for this
note. I checked the party web site again while drafting this response and find
that, yes, the years' old list of members of the Nation Council is still in place!!
Really, chaps, you should move on this, should you not?!

(Herewith some desired New Year's Honours (Wish) List, a trifle early

Joe Oliver to the Senate!

I well recall the frustration of party activists many years ago when John Diefenbaker
failed to appoint worthies to assorted vacancies in the Senate. So I rejoice
that pressure builds to correct the current 18-seat vacancy.

The newspapers teem with suggestions of who ought to get the honour, with the
National Post recent page on the subject giving much too much space to old
party re-treads who have had their share of the passing goodies. However, the
very last name on their entire page was none other than Joe Oliver,

In my last edition I highlighted Joe's contribution in the last election by scoring
the highest Conservative percentage of the vote in all 23 Toronto electoral districts.
I remind all that these leading candidates with the highest percentages of
the popular vote are the leaders of our party hereabouts and we should honour
and support them. A seat in the senate to Joe or an other of our current team of
sluggers would be a good way of signalling the party's concern with the innards
of Ontario and never mind the boonies of Quebec!

There is, of course, a lot more to be said about our prime minister's unshared
passion to convert the upper house to an elected base.We in Ontario and Quebec
smell the pressures from the eastern and western hinterlands to repress the power
of the populations of central Canada by strengthening the importance of the regions
through an elected senate.

It would add considerably to the case for such a method of selection if the bill to
amend the house of commons were to make it clearer than it does now that in the
house of commons people matter totally, and acreage not at all.

Paul Godfrey to be the P.M.'s man in the GTA! - or 416!!

There was a period after Paul Godfrey was at liberty from service with the
Rogers juggernaut when I had hoped that our prime minister would invite him
up to Ottawa for a chat.

I never thought he could be snaffled to take a key seat contest in ourtown, but
one thing lacking in our present party establishment is anyone in Toronto recognized
as a major mover and shaker and confidant of the p.m.

Now that he has tied into the Post for a spell, it seems to me he should be appealed
to not on the basis of dough or prestige, but simply that ourtown has few
with his feelings for the city and the people who make it tick, and he could help
us get back the 14 seats we had in 1984, perhaps better than any other local!
Paul could do a huge amount with a very few hours of his time, and it could very
well help his new newspaper, which published yesterday, Saturday, a front section
of comment on the Ottawa scene which was simply outstanding, and I read
all four dailies, almost every day!

Joe Hueglin to develop the Tory email common carrier

It is my view that active Tories have a hard time keeping well informed on the
citizen levels of the party. A big chunk of this is because the mass media are so
dazzled with our professionals that they never get around to figuring out just
how big a chunk of the electorate support our "amateur teams" as compared
with their editorial devotion to hockey or the arts, or darn near any other aspect
of our society.

Given this reality one might have hoped that the internet would be more aggressively
used, but the privacy laws have so much of our membership cowed that it
seems little good comes through.

Building one's own email address list is a large order, and I wonder whether our
party's citizen levels should not consider the case for a common carrier to carry
more and more messages into the ether. I have muttered here before about trying
to evolve an offshoot of Joe Hueglin's daily digest for those of us who are not
preoccupied with narrowcasting to a select small segment of the email universe.
The charm of Joe is that his lists are mostly tories and he himself is a poor wandering
Tory who needs to be nurtured back closer into the light. More to be said
on this by others, please.

Jillian Saweczko to publish regularly!

This feisty, grandmotherly, candidate of record from the recent Toronto imbroglios,
(Parkdale High Park) has muttered to me that she would like to publish
perhaps a monthly email newsletter to her membership. She also admits to a desire
to promote beyond the borders of her constituency, which is when she encounters
the difficulty of getting quality, or any, emailing lists.

I encourage her to explore new options, partly because she told me that the T.O.
candidates want to convene an event early in the new year, which would be a
"fun" one! I of course rush this tidbit into print, since it is all that is available
about the local party. Encourage this kind of thinking.

Letter from Doug Hawkins, Whitby-Oshawa

Dear Conservative friends:
Convention 2008 is now history ; and what a great convention it was !
It was so rewarding to get together with our Conservative family!
The convention produced some great memories: the Prime Minister's speech; the
vigorous but respectful debate on policy and constitution; the hospitality suites;
and the opportunity to interact with delegates from across our land.
Thank you to everyone who supported my candidacy for National Council.
Getting to know so many of you from all parts of Ontario has been a great experience.
Please send me a note at any time... doug-hawkins@rogers.com as I appreciate
being kept up-to-speed on what is happening in your EDA.
Let me encourage you to continue to work harder than ever at strengthening our
Party.
Let's all work towards electing and re-electing Conservative Members of Parliament.
Let's all work towards improving communications within our Party.
Let's all work towards attracting more and more Canadians, especially young
Canadians, to Conservativism.
Let's all work towards becoming the great Party of outreach that we can be !!
Last...but not least..Margo,Tyler and Mark join me in extending to you and yours
our warmest wishes for this Christmas season and the New Year.
Sincerely,Doug Hawkins

To be removed from this mailing list You may unsubscribe at any time
by clicking "Reply" and writing "unsubscribe" or "disconnect" or even "git" on the subject line
of this note. Next issue from Toronto. cordially, hize.
P. S. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and "Seasons's Halucinations" to all!
Replies-O-Gram
#53
Respond relentlessly!
best item?_______
worst item?______

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