Wednesday, December 17, 2008

Daily Digest December 17, 2008


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

EDITORIAL PAGEs

ST.JOHN'S TELEGRAM -
Looking out for No. 1 View
http://www.thetelegram.com/index.cfm?sid=201743&sc=80

CORNER BROOK WESTERN STAR -
Find a better way
http://www.thewesternstar.com/index.cfm?sid=201515&sc=30

CHARLOTTETOWN GUARDIAN -
It's the thought that counts
Donating turkeys raised off-Island shouldn't ruffle the 'buy-local' feathers
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=201834&sc=103

HALIFAX CHRONICLE HERALD -
So shoe me
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Editorial/1096356.html

Taser report appalling
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Editorial/1096459.html

Is Canadian democracy in crisis?
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Opinion/1096342.html

AMHERST DAILY NEWS -
Harper gets his medicine
http://www.amherstdaily.com/index.cfm?sid=201588&sc=61

MONTREAL GAZETTE -
Greed made fools of financial giants
http://www.montrealgazette.com/opinion/editorials/Greed+made+fools+financial+giants/1084501/story.html

OTTAWA CITIZEN -
Infrastructure costs run deep
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/editorials/Infrastructure+costs+deep/1084133/story.html

There is a third way on the Big Three
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/op-ed/There+third+Three/1087725/story.html

KINGSTON WHIG STANDARD-
Afghanistan's Human Cost
http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1349456

Auto Industry Must Be Saved
http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1349431

Change Policy On Tasers
http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1349437

BELLEVILLE INTELLIGENCER -
No rich uncle around to help global economy return to life
http://www.intelligencer.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1350778

TORONTO STAR -
Harper zigzags on the economy
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/554978

Ignorance exploited
http://www.thestar.com/Opinion/article/554979

GLOBE & MAIL -
New policies, familiar rhetoricComment114
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081216.weHarper17/BNStory/politics/home

Time to pull its weight
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081216.weJapan17/BNStory/specialComment/home

NATIONAL POST -
Quebec's creepy new curriculum
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=1083934

How the other half lives
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=1083936

HAMILTON SPECTATOR -
There's only one priority 
http://www.thespec.com/Opinions/article/483193

K-W RECORD -
Flaherty wakes up, smells the economy
http://news.therecord.com/Opinions/article/459911

SUDBURY STAR -
Auditor should probe food agency
http://www.thesudburystar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1350010

THUNDER BAY CHRONICLE JOURNAL -
Better education key tool to combat rising poverty
http://www.thesudburystar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1350014

Canada denies environmental challenge
http://www.thesudburystar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1350049

Get ready now for the budget
http://www.chroniclejournal.com/stories.php?id=153673

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS -
Harper hoping WTO kills wheat board for him
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/westview/harper_hoping_wto_kills_wheat_board_for_him.html

SASKATOON STARPHOENIX -
World requires Canada's return as moral leader
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/forum/story.html?id=922432d0-2d21-492f-abf4-9d1506900f95

REGINA LEADER-POST -
Harper resorts to stacking the Senate
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/viewpoints/story.html?id=23e02897-83b1-4c76-880f-127abcdb3422

CALGARY HERALD -
Time for alberta to turf the dysfunctional rcMp
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/theeditorialpage/story.html?id=adf0135b-171c-44ce-b308-55dce32189e5

CALGARY SUN -
Harper loses gusto for Senate reform
http://calsun.canoe.ca/Comment/POV/2008/12/17/7777076-sun.html

EDMONTON JOURNAL -
The shoe drops
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/shoe+drops/1084971/story.html

Taser report doesn't face key issues
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/Taser+report+doesn+face+issues/1084970/story.html

LETHBRIDGE HERALD -
Strong opposition voice is important
http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/content/view/16643/56/

RED DEER ADVOCATE -
Vast tailing ponds have no impermeable liner 
http://www.albertalocalnews.com/reddeeradvocate/opinion/Vast_tailing_ponds_have_no_impermeable_liner.html

VANCOUVER SUN -
Taxpayers must see the benefits from stimulus spending
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/editorial/story.html?id=c25d9009-430e-4737-8207-a0c656adfb43

VICTORIA TIMES-COLONIST -
Despair and the shoe incident
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/comment/story.html?id=6c23147a-ab22-485c-a8fc-9f01b9f2556e

There's nothing wrong with a shoe-throwing patriot
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/comment/story.html?id=1adf940a-264d-4da6-a78b-6e37f20786ff


ISSUES

ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS -          
Poundmaker's lesson
A dramatic standoff at a First Nations reserve in Saskatchewan 124 years ago offers lessons for native policy in our own age http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=1083983

Last resort: Natives stand up
Canadian government plays divide and conquer with Algonquin indigenous people over logging 

AFGHANISTAN -
WFP calls for 'human rescue package'
http://quqnoos.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2239&Itemid=48

'Higher level of violence' expected in Afghanistan
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=1083929

Gunmen attack new Afghanistan supply route
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article5361455.ece

U.S. Military to Launch Pilot Program to Recruit New Local Afghan Militias
http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/iraq/2008/12/16/us-military-to-launch-pilot-program-to-recruit-new-local-afghan-militias.html


CANADIAN FORCES
Forces fall short on troops mental-health needs: report
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/world/afghanistan/story.html?id=1088008

Bigger military spy drones arrive at Kandahar Airfield
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20081217/Military_drones_081217/20081217?hub=Canada


ECONOMIC AFFAIRS
Chrysler, Ford to halt production at plants
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20081217/chrysler_plant_081217/20081217?hub=TopStories

Carney urges banks to lend more
http://business.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081217.wcarneyspeech1217/BNStory/Business/home

McGuinty criticizes banks, says he can't cut taxes
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081217.wmcguintyBanks1217/BNStory/Front

Related: Bank of Canada has prepared range of options
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081217.wcarney1217/BNStory/Front

'ALL AVAILABLE TOOLS' TO SPUR U.S. ECONOMY
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=1083870

Dear Mr. Harper: Don't cut the GST again
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081216.wcosimp17/BNStory/politics/home

Not all stimulus is created equal 
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/555006

 Real economic stimulus requires big spending now 
http://www.thestar.com/Opinion/article/555000


HEALTH CARE RELATED
Doctors debunk holiday medical myths 
http://www.healthzone.ca/health/article/555645


POLITICS IN THE PROVINCES
Which McGuinty will Ontarians see?
http://www.thespec.com/Opinions/article/483206


FEDERAL POLITICS
Harper's pessimistic talk making a bad situation worse, critics say
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20081217.DEPRESSION17/TPStory/National

Flaherty changes tune on economy
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/081217/canada/canada_us_economy_flaherty

Tories can learn from Quebec history and polls
http://www.thestar.com/Canada/Columnist/article/555148

New Mr. Nice Guy
http://www.canada.com/montrealgazette/features/viewpoints/story.html?id=7cfaecac-d028-4a82-bc7d-45fa6d767db1

When power is near, Liberals focus
http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/editorial/story.html?id=2c1f5651-0a2a-404b-85d1-b5dc28be12ea

Ignatieff starts from position of strength in Quebec
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2008/12/17/l-ian-macdonald-ignatieff-starts-from-position-of-strength-in-quebec.aspx

Michael Ignatieff's new book, coming soon to a leadership convention near you
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2008/12/17/michael-ignatieff-s-new-book-coming-soon-to-a-leadership-convention-near-you.aspx

Change your partner and do-si-do
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/554998

 Despite the descent from his principles, Harper's luck seems to be holding
http://news.therecord.com/Opinions/article/459473

Meet Stephen Harper, easy-going pushover
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2008/12/17/kelly-mcparland-meet-stephen-harper-easy-going-pushover.aspx


PROGRAMMES
Year of the Afghan mission
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081216.wcoafghan17/BNStory/specialComment/home


OPINION AND INFORMATION
We owe the dead soldiers our attention
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081217.wblatchford17/BNStory/Afghanistan/home

Parliamentary democracy in Canada continues to be destroyed
http://www.huntsvilleforester.com/article/125120

Real economic stimulus requires big spending now
http://www.thestar.com/Opinion/article/555000

There's only one priority
http://www.thespec.com/Opinions/article/483193

New job skills trump bailouts
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081216.wcosimp17/BNStory/politics/home

 Our prime minister has shown himself to be unethical
http://news.therecord.com/Opinions/article/458962

The price we pay
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=1083979

Mazar-e Sharif: An Afghan oasis
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=1083980

Canada's recession-proof public service
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2008/12/17/national-post-editorial-board-canada-s-public-service-can-t-be-fired-can-t-be-satisfied.aspx

World's Friendliest Countries
http://www.forbes.com/2008/12/09/relocate-world-countries-employment08-forbeslife-cx_ds_1210friendly.html?feed=rss_popstories

Why Doesn't Harper Fire Flaherty?
http://www.jameslaxer.com/2008/12/why-doesnt-harper-fire-flaherty.html


INFOS 
Le poids du Québec aux Communes pourrait diminuer au profit de l'Ontario
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/200812/17/01-811376-le-poids-du-quebec-aux-communes-pourrait-diminuer-au-profit-de-lontario.php

Flaherty prévoit un déficit en 2009
http://lapresseaffaires.cyberpresse.ca/article/20081217/LAINFORMER/81217025/5891/LAINFORMER01

Flaherty veut mettre en place des projets d'infrastructure rapidement
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/200812/17/01-811291-flaherty-veut-mettre-en-place-des-projets-dinfrastructure-rapidement.php

Ignatieff dévoilera son cabinet fantôme en début d'année
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/200812/16/01-811033-ignatieff-devoilera-son-cabinet-fantome-en-debut-dannee.php

Une victoire pour McGuinty?
http://www.radio-canada.ca/regions/Ontario/2008/12/17/003-ontario-communes_n.shtml

Traitement incomplet du stress post-traumatique
http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/societe/2008/12/17/001-Syndromeposttraumatique.shtml

Ottawa appelé à la rescousse
http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/Economie-Affaires/2008/12/16/005-conference-board-plan.shtml

Des chiffres sont réclamés
http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/Politique/2008/12/15/003-budget-consultations.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)

From: Ray Strachan
Subject: Hullo

Hi Joe

I would almost Beg You   to type in,  " Dual Citizenship-Loyal To Whom" by Dan
Eden. http://www.viewzone.com/dualcitizen.html Please.

Then explain to me  ,How we can ever have  DEMOCRACY in North America again
regardless of what Government we may have.

Thanks

Ray Strachan

===================================
From: Larry Kazdan
Subject: Letter to Editor, National Post

Yes, there is a sanity clause

Re:  Kelly McParland: Layton adds another weight to Ignatieff's ball and chain, December 16,
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2008/12/16/kelly-mcparland-layton-adds-another-weight-to-ignatieff-s-ball-and-chain.aspx

So, Layton is not only willing 'to vote against sanity itself' to get rid of Stephen Harper but furthermore demands a crazy socialist agenda including a new housing program, a new daycare program and money to provide relief to individual Canadians.   When will Layton come to his senses and support Conservative-type spending that the public really wants:  killer drones for the Canadian military, continued subsidies for the oil and gas industry, and $130,000 a year for each of 18 new Conservative Senators?

Larry Kazdan ,

===================================

By: Frances Russell

Last June in Saskatoon, Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued this threat to supporters of the Canadian Wheat Board's export monopoly.

"We'll continue to fight in Parliament... But the bottom line is this. Mark my words. Western Canadian farmers want this freedom (an open market) and they are going to get it. And anybody who stands in their way is going to get walked over."

Harper's boots just changed feet. Last Tuesday, the results of the CWB's second biennial director elections were announced. Four of the five victorious candidates -- and eight of the 10 farmer-elected directors -- back the state trading enterprise's single desk.

The prime minister should be humbled by, and listen to, this resounding democratic verdict. He and his party have been making much lately of their devotion to democracy to discredit the Liberal-NDP coalition supported by the Bloc Québécois and, more recently, to discredit Michael Ignatieff's accession to the Liberal leadership through a "closed-door" vote by caucus and party officials.

Harper has an out. He can abandon his dirty tricks campaign against the CWB and still "walk over" democracy by turning to the World Trade Organization. The WTO's Doha Round, if it survives, is more than prepared to dispatch the pesky marketing agency for him.

The day after the CWB director elections, Crawford Falconer, New Zealand's WTO ambassador and agricultural chair, released a new text that would declare the CWB illegal in 2013, the deadline for a new agreement.

The CWB is isolated at the WTO. The former Australian government abolished the world's only other single-desk wheat board. And the WTO draft text contains a footnote exempting New Zealand's kiwi fruit exporting agency from the CWB's fate.

Dustin Gosnell, the CWB's director of strategic planning and corporate policy, says the WTO "is one step closer to cementing language that would cause us to lose the single desk and how it's happening is really most discouraging. It's really the chair railroading it through."

National Farmers Union president Stewart Wells says the WTO is a "most undemocratic organization." Canada isn't even in most of the meetings involving agriculture. They are dominated by the U.S., European Union, Argentina and Brazil.

Driven by multinational agribusiness giants Archer Daniels Midland, Bunge, Cargill, ConAgra and Louis Dreyfus, the U.S. has laid 14 unfair-trading complaints before international trade panels against the CWB over the past two decades and lost every one.

Its last loss was 2004, when all U.S. complaints were dismissed. So the U.S. simply went to the WTO and got the rules changed, continued Wells in an interview. "By definition, the board is outlawed, regardless of its trading practices."

Wells says the "ABCD" of world food production control virtually all food exports around the globe -- "everything that comes onto your plate, even chocolate" -- and they wield the real power at international trade talks. "The CWB handles $7 billion annually. These companies know that if the wheat board is gone they will handle that $7 billion and be able to skim off a bit for themselves."

He calls the WTO "the next best opportunity for the Harper government to destroy the wheat board and we've got to make sure they don't do it."

Historically, Canada's position on the CWB at international trade talks has been that the future of the single desk is a decision for Canadian farmers to make in Canada.

Under Harper, that's now history. Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz has said the government will fight to preserve Canada's supply-management system. But he has been silent about the CWB.

Jeff Nielsen, the one "choice" director elected last week, told the Red Deer Advocate that it's just a matter of time before board "reform" occurs. "It may not be the government of Canada that does it, it may be the WTO trade talks that do it..."

Harper has had the CWB in his crosshairs since he was president of the far-right National Citizens' Coalition. As prime minister, he has fired its CEO, Adrian Measner, imposed a "gag order" on the board and its members from defending the single desk, twice arbitrarily stripped farmers' names from the CWB directors' voting lists, violated the prohibitions against third-party advertising during director elections and tried to violate the federal Privacy Act by allowing his minister to pressure the board to hand over farmers' confidential financial information.

Three times in 11 months, a federal court has found that the government has broken Canadian laws in its ongoing anti-democratic and demagogic attacks on the CWB.

The Harper Conservatives hate the CWB because it violates their neo-conservative determination to reduce governments to insignificance in favour of globalized business, the driving force behind all so-called free-trade agreements.

These trade deals are the "economic constitutions" responsible for creating today's global economic crisis. Why? Because they hollow out economies and abolish stable employment and lifestyles for people around the planet.

Frances Russell is a Winnipeg-based freelance journalist and author.


===================================


No comments: