Sunday, December 28, 2008

Daily Digest December 28, 2008


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

EDITORIAL PAGEs

HALIFAX CHRONICLE HERALD -
Flunking Civics: The price of ignorance
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Editorial/1098006.html

TORONTO STAR -
Russia needs attention
http://www.thestar.com/Opinion/article/558506

Greed, not one's faith, the issue
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/558488

TORONTO SUN -
Federal pols completely out of touch
http://www.torontosun.com/comment/editorial/2008/12/28/7864126-sun.html

VICTORIA TIMES-COLONIST -
Strategies for wise giving in the holidays, and all year
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/comment/story.html?id=539f2fcb-968e-4b44-9e12-3503441adc07

Cheap gas today, but 'peak oil' crisis near
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/comment/story.html?id=1764ec9c-a81f-4b53-8e8f-42593d192c8a

Legislature raids, five years later: A dismal failure
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/comment/story.html?id=879976fa-155b-408a-b16a-9579bd23f72a


ISSUES

AFGHANISTAN -
 Fourteen children among 22 killed in Afghan attacks
AFP (12/28/2008)
[]
Kabul Baghdad, Baghdad Kabul
Al-Hayat (12/28/2008)
[]
Laura Bush says Iraq war not a distraction from Afghanistan
The Associated Press (12/28/2008)
[]
As Taliban nears Kabul, shadow gov't takes hold
The Associated Press (12/28/2007)
[]
War will not bring peace
The Age (12/28/2008)
[]
Afghans fear spiral of violence
Al Jazeera (12/28/2008)
[]
Message to Obama: Send a surge of hope
The Oregonian (12/28/2008)
[]
West banks on Afghanistan surge
The Economist (12/28/2008)
[]
Criminals rewarded
PNS (12/28/2008)
[]
Sending more troops could spill the Afghan war to Pakistan
Pajhwok (12/28/2008)
[]
Afghan cricket team battles to become world class
Telegraph (12/28/2008)
[]
Blasts kill 10 Afghans, two Canadian soldiers
AFP (12/28/2008)
[]
Dogfighting Making a Comeback in Afghanistan
The New York Times (12/28/2008)
[]
Boys killed playing with mortar shell
AFP (12/28/2008)
[]
Stability, not hostility, key to U.S. success in Afghanistan
The Baltimore Sun (12/28/2008)
[]
3 teen sisters killed in rocket attack on Kabul
The Associated Press (12/28/2007)
[]
Tangled U.S. Objectives Bring Down Spy Firm
The Washington Post (12/27/2008)
[]
Afghan maternal mortality rate high
The Washington Times (12/27/2008)
[]
"Afghan situation has improved" - British Ambassador
BBC (12/27/2008)
[]
A U.S. Strategy Unfolds at Kabul's Training Center
Wall Street Journal (12/27/2008)
[]
Suicide car bombing kills five
AFP (12/27/2008)
[]
Afghan tribal elders warn gov't of election boycott if security not assured
Xinhua (12/27/2008)
[]
Dogs of War: Bleeding heart contractors
United Press International (12/26/2008)
[]
Forgotten Afghan war waiting for Obama
Chicago Tribune (12/26/2008)
[]
Study Criticizes Bush Approach to War Funding, Calls for Changes
The Washington Post (12/26/2008)
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Afghanistan's mentally ill left to superstition
Chicago Tribune (12/26/2008)
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Suicide bomber hits foreign forces
Reuters (12/26/2008)
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An Afghan Aid Disconnect
The Washington Post (12/25/2008)
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Ammunition discovered from Afghan capital suburb
Xinhua (12/25/2008)
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Challenge that keeps growing despite rise in troop numbers
The Herald, UK (12/25/2008)


CANADIAN FORCES
Roadside bomb kills two more Canadian soldiers and two Afghans
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/081228/national/afghan_cda_deaths


FOREIGN AFFAIRS
No shortage of hot spots in '09
http://www.torontosun.com/comment/2008/12/28/7864166-sun.html


 A rational Israeli/Palestinian policy?
Aijaz Ahmad: Israel/Palestine two-state solution must include security guarantees for both states Pt8 view

 UN official calls Israel 'Apartheid'
President of UN General Assembly urges Israel to be recognized as an Apartheid state view

   Gaza: Beyond the blockade
Sameh Habeeb reports on the humanitarian crisis taking place inside Gaza's sealed borders view


Haaretz Daily Newspaper
 http://www.haaretz.com/

Israeli troops near Gaza, air strikes continue
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081228.wgaza1228/BNStory/International/home

Israel broadens air assault
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/558869 Calls grow around world for calm in Gaza
CNN International - 37 minutes ago
(CNN) -- International pressure is mounting on Israel and the Palestinians to halt violence in Gaza, with the United States, the United Nations, the European Union and other countries all calling for an immediate restoration of calm.
[] Video: Israeli air raids on the Gaza Strip continue - 28 Dec 08 [] Video: Israeli air raids on the Gaza Strip continue - 28 Dec 08 AlJazeeraEnglish
 UK protest as Gaza raids continue BBC News
 AFP - Xinhua - Reuters - Times Online
 all 9,433 news articles »


HEALTH CARE RELATED
Trudeau-era minister rejects idealistic image of health system
http://www.timescolonist.com/news/todays-paper/Trudeau+minister+rejects+idealistic+image+health+system/1120082/story.html


POLITICS IN THE PROVINCES
Williams Ready for Battle With AbitibiBowater
http://www.vocm.com/news-info.asp?id=33318


FEDERAL POLITICS
New chairman of pro-life Parliamentary caucus pushing to reopen abortion debate
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/081228/national/abortion_parliamentary_caucus

Budget should help most vulnerable, says Ignatieff
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20081228/ignatieff_budget_081228/20081228?hub=TopStories

Another Senate pig-out
http://www.torontosun.com/comment/2008/12/28/7864151-sun.html

Senate silliness and scorn
http://www.torontosun.com/comment/2008/12/28/7864171-sun.html

Introducing the Harper Crash Master
http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/lorrie_goldstein/2008/12/28/7864131-sun.html


OPINION AND INFORMATION
Canada, The State of the Federation 2006/07
Transitions, Fiscal and Political Federalism in an Era of Change
http://www.renoufbooks.com/ShowBook.asp?na=1&navID=588144&selID=88495

Historic coalition rocked, but didn't crush, Tories
http://www.canada.com/theprovince/news/story.html?id=bcbeb42f-052e-444d-8f08-950abc52e2d3

Dion, Campbell felt sting of carbon tax
http://www.theprovince.com/Business/Dion+Campbell+felt+sting+carbon/1119871/story.html

Economic crisis left no part of Canada unscathed
http://www.theprovince.com/news/todays-paper/Economic+crisis+left+part+Canada+unscathed/1119739/story.html

Annus horribilis
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/columnists/Annus+horribilis/1119671/story.html

2008: a year when politics grabbed the spotlight. If only it hadn't (In Canada, at least)
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/todays-paper/2008+year+when+politics+grabbed+spotlight+only+hadn+Canada+least/1119589/story.html

Who won and who lost in the great crisis of 2008
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/558489

The year in review: 2008 was a teeter-totter
http://www.thestar.com/news/ideas/article/558724

Goodbye to the absurdity of 2008
http://www.thestar.com/news/article/558762

Economy among year's top stories
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Opinion/1097960.html


INFOS 
Deux soldats canadiens tués par une bombe artisanale
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/dossiers/le-canada-en-afghanistan/200812/28/01-813464-deux-soldats-canadiens-tues-par-une-bombe-artisanale.php

Israël mobilise 6 500 réservistes
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/international/moyen-orient/200812/28/01-813495-israel-mobilise-6-500-reservistes.php


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: "The Natroses"
Subject: Re: Daily Digest December 27, 2008

Hi Joe, I think a lot of people have forgotten a few things about Canada after the war and the 1960s. This era for many ordinary workers, tradespeople and the typical middle-class, life was not a bed of roses. Even though I was just a child, I remember the nasty GM strikes. I remember children coming to school hungry. I remember houses lit only by the oil lamp, including mine at times. Electricity was to be used only when necessary. I remember the times, where I saw my father put a lock on his lunch pail when a strike was looming, or when it was over with. Why? Dead rats would appear in his lunch pail, and from what I was told, they wanted my father to stop fighting and working for better working conditions, and pay was a secondary factor. Poor working conditions, poor pay and many other safety issues were a problem everywhere, and not just at GM plants. Check out the steel mills in Hamilton, just another horror story. Lets go to the wheat silos, where workers were subjected to wheat dust on a daily basis. Most of them are long dead from lung disease. Check out the lousy conditions of what sailors had to endured, or the worker in the fishery. Now lets go to the white-collar workers - the clerks, the cashier, the bank tellers, or the lowly secretary. Teachers and nurses had to put up with a lot of crap from their superiors, besides the lousy salaries. The only people that seem to have a lot of cash in those days, were the store owners or companies, and not the typical worker.

Things did get better by the end of the 1960s, because the government step in with regulations, work standards, health insurance, to put an end to the lousy working conditions that workers found themselves in, the terrible strikes,  and life got better for everyone. The companies shifted their profit margins towards looking after the consumer and new marketing ploys. By the 1970s, this is where consumer goods become disposable. Remember the good Admiral fridges of the 40s and 50s, the Admiral television sets - products that were built to last at least 30 years. Certainly not to be dispose of every 5 years, like the cars of the 1970s. Today, the big ticket purchases you are lucky to have it last 10 years, and if one decides to get it repair - HAVE FUN trying to find parts for it. For the latest technology such as a computer printer, where replacing the printer head will cost you more or just a few dollars less, than buying a brand new printer. Computer or electronic equipment, anyone is lucky to have devices to last 5 years or longer. My monitor is going on 6 years, but I would not be surprise if it finally kicks the bucket. Perhaps my monitor was built on a day, where they ran out of cheap parts, So unlike my microwave that lasted only 2 months!

The 1960s was the golden years, where a single person could work for minimum wage, rent an apartment, and still have enough to go out for a few bottles of beer. By the 1970s, this all change at a very slow rate throughout the years; the gap between CEOs, upper management and the worker is so wide now, the government has to address this now, before the other pressing issues take over to erode the gap even further. Pressing issues such as lowering of worker's wages and benefits for the Big 3. It is just a step closer to reduce wages in other sectors. Combined this with the relaxing of regulations concerning health and safety, the lengthy waiting period a worker endures if applying for workmen's comp, and outright denial of servance pay for workers where companies have close up shop for good.

One has to see the pass for what it is, and why spending increase by the governments in the 50s and 60s. Quality of life issues was apparent and obvious to any politician. Today, I fear the politicians will ignore quality of life issues, in favour of keeping the profits high for banks, insurance companies, Big Oil and the big manufacturers.

Workers have to be seen more than a consumer in today's world. They are the most important cog in the system - for without them, how would companies sell their wares or make a profit.

Former economists of the past look through a lens of industry and workers and in they respective eras. What they did not take into account is the psychology that interplays between everyone, the education levels, the advent of the information age, the medical and health advances where people are living longer, and so many social/economic factors that are influencing the economic policies of world governments.

The old model of supply and demand, is no more in this world, when only a handful of companies control the majority of resources, and therefore control the supply and demand. The only thing that drop in price was oil in my eyes, and I saw no drop in prices on other consumer goods. My grocery bill went up once more again, in areas of plastic bags, detergents, and any product that uses oil by-products. Nor did I see a price drop in goods regarding reduced transportation costs. 

We need a new economic model, that takes into account the greed, the unethical practices and the social conscience of big business. We need a new economic model that takes into account the outward pressures that are pressing in on the workers. We need a new economic model period! 

From the Natroses

===================================
From: "Robert Ede"
To: letters@thejournal.canwest.com
Subject: misbegotten apprehensions re: "mysteries ... (at) Rideau (Hall)"

Dear Ed,
 
Your Editorial ( Too much Mystery on the Rideau) hit all the right points - except you've got all the points backwards.
 Don't feel bad though ... so does virtually every other Canadian.
 
 ..."The power of the vice-regal office has grown immensely of late..." in fact the powers always existed in BNA 1867, it just been a while since regular Canadians saw the connection between day to day events and the Vice Regal's powers.

"...we must be assured that our head of state ... acts on our behalf." In our modified-version of the British Constitutional Monarchy model, authority to use powers greater than the Queen's-in-Britain has been delegated to the GG and as Constitutional authorized 'top-dog' S/He owes no one an explanation.

Now, if the Governor General were elected .... that brings in the accountability you talk about, but no one (save me) is talking about electing the GG.

Meanwhile no one is talking about enforcing the s.21 (3)(4) & s.31(3)(5) property-ownership & net-worth qualifications /disqualifications (once they are adjusted for 140 yrs of inflation) specified for Senators ... the discussion is all about making them another body of partisan vote-buyers (and who needs more of that)

See published Ensign article Dec 5/o8 regarding what they talked about for so long

and see my blog for what should have been done that day
--
Robert (Rob) Ede,
Thornhill ON

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From: "Rebecca Gingrich"
Subject: Harper lights menorrah but not a Christmas Tree

Sent to <harper.s@parl.gc.ca>

Mr. Harper--the article below appeared in the media three days before Canada celebrates the Birth of our Saviour.
It raises a question in my mind--who will protect Canada from the insidious encroachment of the zionists into our country?  Who will protect our right to celebrate the Birth of Christ in our country?  Who will defend us from those that were instrumental in the murder of Christ?  Obviously not you. 

You prefer to give our country and our souls to the murderous state of Israel.  As go the Palestinians so will go Canada when these people have complete control of our government.  We are not allowed to say Merry Christmas or have Christmas trees on public property.  And yet, you light a candle on the menorrah to celebrate a foreign State?

The 'jewish community will never bow to hate and violence'???

http://www.kawther.info/wpr/2008/12/25/the-rockets-of-hunger-and-israel-propaganda The jewish State IS hate and violence.  Check out how the Gazans and other Palestinians are murdered daily.  Check out how they are starved, their land confiscated, their children imprisoned, all by Israel.  Israel is responsible for most of the death and mayhem around this planet.  Even to the 'terrorist' attacks in Mumbai.  Get your facts straight before you bow to evil!

Israel murders a Canadian UN Envoy in Lebanon and you turn our other cheek? 

Is there no Canadian who deserves defending from this evil?

You are going down the path to Hell and taking our country with you.  Many many Canadians I have talked to about this article are shuddering in horror of what you stated and did.  I don't know if you have a drive to be the PM of Israel, but this action alone is ample proof that Canada is not your country to govern.  A Canadian PM must have the best interest of Canada first and foremost.  This slap in the face to Canadians, along with other statements you have made when grovelling to the money masters of the world prove that Canada's welfare is secondary to Israel.

I hope you and your family had a Merry Christmas.  For the moment we can still say Merry Christmas in private, but the time is short--Christ will be eradicated from Canada to also serve Israel.

In closing I am adding the web site for an address given by a real leader. 

President Ahmadinejad is not afraid to mention the Birth of Christ and how important that event is to our entire world.  Sadly, our 'leaders' do not have the same courage.  The mantra from the zionist poodles will be that he only said these words to anger Israel!  Why dare the truth not be spoken? http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/dec/25/ahmadinejad-christmas-message

Rebecca Gingrich
11 Church Street
Princeton, Ontario
N0J1V0

http://www.900chml.com/News/National/Article.aspx?id=74017
at 22:24 on December 22, 2008, EDT.

Harper promises to remain staunch ally of Israel as he helps light menorah

THE CANADIAN PRESS

CALGARY - Prime Minister Stephen Harper promised to keep close ties with Israel on Monday as he helped light a menorah in his home riding of Calgary to celebrate the Jewish festival of Hanukkah.

"Under my government, our country will remain a resolute defender of the Jewish faith, of Jewish religious freedom and our country will remain a staunch ally of the state of Israel," he told a standing room-only crowd gathered at city hall.

Harper also reflected on the deaths of a rabbi and his wife who were killed in last month's terror attacks in Mumbai, calling their deaths a lesson that evil is still very much alive in the world.

But he said the fact a new rabbi came to the region soon after shows that the Jewish community will never bow to hate and violence, and said it's Canada's job to help end oppression and intolerance around the world.

Rabbis from across the country took part in the ceremony, some flying in for only a few hours to help light the candles with the prime minister.

Harper also recalled visiting a museum set up at the site of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp last spring in Poland.

"Like all who went there, I was moved beyond words by what I saw - to revulsion, to anger, and most of all to a deep, aching sadness for the millions of innocents who perished there."

On the long plane ride home to Canada, he also felt hope, he said, reflecting on the fact that people left the horrors of the Holocaust behind "to build the thriving, modern democratic state of Israel."

"And also hope because today, most people in most civilized countries, recognize anti-Semitism for what it is: a pernicious evil that must be exposed, confronted and repudiated whenever and wherever it appears."

The event marked the 20th anniversary of the city's community menorah, said Calgary Mayor Dave Bronconnier.

Content Provided By Canadian Press.

===================================
From: "Peggy Merritt"
Subject: Re: Daily Digest December 27, 2008

Hi Joe:  We have a new computer so I don't know whether this will reach you.  Hope you had a lovely Christmas with you family and all the best in the 2009.  Just a small comment about shoe throwing.  I don't care whether or not someone dislikes the President of the USA he doesn't deserve the disrespect he gets from the so called pundits many of whom don't let facts get in the way of their political bias.  I have a deep respect for the people who assume the top political jobs in North America and little respect for those who oppose them with disrespect from their comfy armchairs.  Thank goodness we have people who will assume leadership responsibility who give up their lives 24/7 to deal with issues that would boggle the minds of most voters.  The media are not very knowledgeable on many issues and do certainly ignore many facts that would muddy up their claims.I get sick of the opinions of so called eggsperts (shades of Victor Borge) who are dragged in on various newscasts to support the stand that a so called editor has. We have negative media overload in TO and it shows in the lack of support  the current government gets nationally. Thanks for giving me this opportunity Joe.  You are doing  wonderful job keep up the good work.  Peggy Merritt

===================================
No shortage of hot spots in '09
By ERIC MARGOLIS
Last Updated: 28th December 2008, 4:32am

 
This year certainly has been an "annus horibilis," to borrow Queen Elizabeth II's pithy term. Next year could bring even worse.

Hot spots we should be watching in 2009:

- America's $13.7-trillion bubble economy will further deteriorate. After decades of intoxication on the steroids of reckless borrowing and cheap credit, America faces rehab. The U.S. Treasury's reckless printing of billions must eventually create a firestorm of inflation. A debased U.S. currency, rising unemployment, and destroyed savings will encourage extremism and political violence around the globe. The Pentagon may not get $534 billion it wants to dominate the globe and wage wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. In spite of president-elect Barack Obama's election promises, there is no end in sight to either conflict.

- Canada must unfairly suffer America's woes in spite of having avoided Wall Street's frauds. To restore its economy, Ottawa must slash personal and corporate taxes and cut military spending.

- Russia is in a surly mood, feeling under siege by NATO. U.S. and NATO attempts to bring Ukraine and Georgia into the alliance risk igniting a truly dangerous crisis. Thanks to the kindergarten behaviour of Ukraine's feuding politicians, that wobbly nation courts possible breakup, civil war, even re-absorption into Mother Russia.

- Nuclear armed India and Pakistan, which fought three wars over divided Kashmir since 1947, are again at scimitar's drawn over the Himalayan mountain state. The Mumbai massacre last September, likely conducted by Kashmiri separatists, underlines the urgent need to settle this crisis. Kashmir remains the world's most dangerous nuclear confrontation. Between 40,000-80,000 Kashmiris have died since an anti-Indian independence struggle erupted in 1989.

- Iran continues to advance its nuclear program to the point where it could make weapons, if it so desired. Israel is pushing the U.S. to attack Iran even though U.S. intelligence says Iran has halted weapons programs. Israel may attack on its own, hoping to draw the U.S. into war against Iran. This would expose U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan to heavy attacks by Iranian special forces and possible closure of the Gulf, which supplies around 40% of the world's oil.

- Africa's worst humanitarian crisis is not in Darfur but in Somalia. Half its 10 million people face starvation. Somalia's only somewhat effective government in the past decade, a moderate Islamic movement, was overthrown by a U.S.-Ethiopia invasion two years ago, creating anarchy and the ongoing wave of Somali piracy. The U.S. and Britain may soon intervene militarily in Somalia and Zimbabwe.

- The 60-year Palestine conflict will continue, dashing hopes for peace. American supporters of Israel's right wing parties, led by Likud, have already blocked efforts by the new Obama administration to press Israel into land for peace concessions. This conflict will continue to poison America's relations with the Muslim world.

- The long rule of Egypt's 80-year old dictator, Hosni Mubarak, could end in 2009, igniting a violent power struggle. This U.S.-sustained dictatorship is ripe for Islamic or nationalist revolution, led by a later-day Gamal Abdel Nasser.

- Iraq will remain a violent, splintered wreck, run by gunmen and American troops. If large numbers of U.S. troops withdraw, its civil war may resume. Iran will tighten its grip on Iraq.

- Afghanistan will be to Obama what Iraq was to George W. Bush. Pentagon plans to double the number of U.S. troops there by spring will intensify the war and spread it ever deeper into Pakistan, which is already a smoking volcano of violence and rebellion. Canada is getting sucked in ever deeper as it reconfigures its threadbare military for colonial warfare. Expect attacks on Canada or its interests abroad.

- China's rapidly falling exports, the engine of its near 10% annual growth, are already producing mounting social unrest. If China's "social capitalism" falters, watch out for an internal explosion. Watch also for rising tensions in Thailand and Korea, where the death of dictator Kim Jong-il, followed by "unanticipated reunification," scares the wits out of Seoul and Tokyo.
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