The DAILY DIGEST: INFORMATION and OPINION from ST. JOHN'S to VICTORIA.
ARCHIVED at http://cdndailydigest.blogspot.com/
EDITORIAL PAGEs ARCHIVED at http://cdndailydigest.blogspot.com/
ST.JOHN'S TELEGRAM -
PETA's latest ploy
http://www.thetelegram.com/index.cfm?sid=211032&sc=80
CORNER BROOK WESTERN STAR -
Money for some, little for others
http://www.thewesternstar.com/index.cfm?sid=210913&sc=30
CAPE BRETON POST -
Premier panel has defined role
http://www.capebretonpost.com/index.cfm?sid=210861&sc=151
HALIFAX CHRONICLE HERALD -
Casey has much to offer
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Editorial/1100792.html
Arctic sovereignty: No more northern lite
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Editorial/1100831.html
AMHERST DAILY NEWS -
Ensuring the safety of food supply
http://www.amherstdaily.com/index.cfm?sid=210858&sc=61
MONTREAL GAZETTE -
Canada's financial markets need a national regulator
http://www.montrealgazette.com/opinion/editorials/Canada+financial+markets+need+national+regulator/1179289/story.html
OTTAWA CITIZEN -
Evidence, not theory
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/editorials/Evidence+theory/1178317/story.html
TORONTO STAR -
Government files belong to public
http://www.thestar.com/Opinion/article/571187
Staking Arctic claims
http://www.thestar.com/Opinion/article/571189
GLOBE & MAIL -
Comment14
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090114.weStelmach15/BNStory/politics/home
From Obama to Harper
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090114.wekhadr15/BNStory/politics/home
Clarity and contrast
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090114.weArctic15/BNStory/specialComment/home
NATIONAL POST -
Flogging the coalition dead horse
http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/story.html?id=1178087
TORONTO SUN -
No place in hockey for fighting
http://www.torontosun.com/comment/editorial/2009/01/15/8028346.html
ST. CATHARINES STANDARD -
Bearing the burden of a slow economy
http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1388901
The devil is in the details of what we eat
http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1388910
K-W RECORD -
Canada was right to vote no at UN
http://news.therecord.com/Opinions/article/472288
WINNIPEG FREE PRESS -
Democracy's competitive edge over authoritarianism
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/westview/democracys_competitive_edge_over_authoritarianism.html
SASKATOON STARPHOENIX -
Federal budget consultations all about visuals
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/forum/story.html?id=fd41f5fd-086d-427e-8243-69b5d0804f76
REGINA LEADER-POST -
Recycling and economic realities
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/viewpoints/story.html?id=79a7f731-3802-41bd-94e2-30141f911fa1
Psychoanalyzing our psyche
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/viewpoints/story.html?id=426aa17b-9354-427c-abda-b7fb6bb20aba
Interest in global warming cooling off
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/viewpoints/story.html?id=d910978f-7d65-4d1c-9206-59a1f66f1ff6
CALGARY HERALD -
Quiet revolution in public finance
http://www.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/theeditorialpage/story.html?id=5d55c103-9dd1-46a1-a105-07007becf046
EDMONTON JOURNAL -
Does Nortel's fate teach us lessons?
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/editorials/Does+Nortel+fate+teach+lessons/1179694/story.html
LETHBRIDGE HERALD -
Abused women need safe refuge
http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/content/view/22807/56/
RED DEER ADVOCATE -
Why not celebrate a man of vision?
http://www.albertalocalnews.com/reddeeradvocate/opinion/Why_not_celebrate_a_man_of_vision.html
VANCOUVER SUN -
The time has come for a single regulator
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/editorial/story.html?id=26e02161-6056-4735-9134-ce271c05ef8b
Breastfeeding and Facebook
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/editorial/story.html?id=feb84ede-a747-48fd-98ae-f98cbdc3664e
VANCOUVER PROVINCE -
First step is to stop the missiles
http://www.theprovince.com/opinion/editorials/First+step+stop+missiles/1178520/story.html
VICTORIA TIMES-COLONIST -
The local wish list for Flaherty's largesse
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/comment/story.html?id=44a5c14d-afc8-4a34-94a3-9f3bc09e41fb
ISSUES
ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS -
AFN has a plan that benefits all
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/571159
Assembly of First Nations wants $8B to reinstate Kelowna, boost infrastructure
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=1178082
Minister says report on fixing problems at aboriginal university won't be ignored
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090115/national/aboriginal_university_report
AFGHANISTAN -
The Private Sector failed to Import Sufficient Wheat
http://quqnoos.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2401&Itemid=73
The end of Nato?
A call for more troops in Afghanistan will test the UK's defence resources – and Nato itself – to breaking point
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/jan/15/afghanistan-nato-troop-surge
CANUSA/USACAN -
Hillary sounds a lot like Harper
http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/lorrie_goldstein/2009/01/15/8029751-sun.html
Tories feel the heat over climate
Ottawa must harmonize environmental plan with one proposed by Obama administration
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/571305
Here's how Obama can raise Harper's game
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090114.wcomartin15/BNStory/politics/home
More common sense at border predicted
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/571304
U.S. market riskiest for Canadian exporters: poll
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/090115/canada/canada_us_trade_usa
ECONOMIC AFFAIRS -
Telecom giant Nortel granted bankruptcy protection
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090114/Nortel_board_090114/20090114?hub=Canada
FOREIGN AFFAIRS -
UN headquarters in Gaza hit by Israeli shells
http://www.torontosun.com/news/world/2009/01/15/8032031.html
Still out there, but al-Qaeda has been severely disrupted
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article5519623.ece
HEALTH CARE RELATED -
It's a tough pill to swallow, but it may save your life
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=1095957
Canadians still waiting too long for surgery
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=932246
Ont. hospitals not managing infections well
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=932135
Study weighs cancer risks from repeated CT scans
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=1031449
POLITICS IN THE PROVINCES -
Premiers gird for fresh equalization battle
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090115.wPOLpremiers0115/BNStory/politics/home
Ont. to push Harper on infrastructure projects and help for laid-off workers
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090115/national/first_ministers_mcguinty
N.B. premier to urge Ottawa to allow flexible use of stimulus funding
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090115/national/first_ministers_graham
Campbell suggests he'll take the high road in upcoming First Ministers' meeting
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090115/national/first_ministers_campbell
Plan for federal securities watchdog a non-issue, Alberta's Stelmach says
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090115.wstelmach15/BNStory/politics/home
Time for some financial recognition
http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Columnists/Waugh_Neil/2009/01/15/8028251.html
Cut trade barriers: Stelmach
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=1178078
FEDERAL POLITICS -
Government sees red over Liberal poaching PCO insider
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090114/national/ignatieff_adviser
Watchdog bites PM: Harper likely regrets appointing parliamentary budget officer
http://www.ottawasun.com/News/Columnists/Weston_Greg/2009/01/15/8029051-sun.html
Hiring looks good on Liberals
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=1178077
Civil servant's move seen as boost for Ignatieff
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090115.POACHED15/TPStory/National
Top official approached him for job: Ignatieff
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/571694
Budget officer answers to me: librarian
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Entertainment/Budget+officer+answers+librarian/1178263/story.html
Ignatieff is more of a challenge for Harper
http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/opinion/article/540748
Le Devoir exclusive Iggy interview
http://www.ledevoir.com/2009/01/15/227507.html
Duceppe's warning to Iggy
http://www.ledevoir.com/2009/01/15/227499.html
Ottawa remiss in truck deal, Layton says
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/571323
CTV complaint discussed
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Metro/1100911.html
Harper not trusted to handle economy: poll
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/Business/Harper+trusted+handle+economy+poll/1179591/story.html
http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/story.html?id=1178087
We need a plan to reduce the deficit
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090114.wcodeficit15/BNStory/politics/home
Tories feel the heat over climate
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/571305
Liberals ponder merits of a shift left
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Opinion/1100882.html
Longtime Tory loyalist Leo Housakos is government's liaison for the Montreal region
http://www.lavalnews.ca/articles/TLN1701/cover170104.html
Harper hints at tax cuts for middle class
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=1181605
PROGRAMMES -
Mounties fuming over rollbacks to wage-hike pact
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20090115.RCMP15//TPStory/National
Plan offers tax credit for home renovations
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090115.wcredit15/BNStory/politics/home
Fedreal government pledges to help Nortel
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/090114/canada/canada_us_nortel_government
OPINION AND INFORMATION -
Don't take sides but do take a stand
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/571224
Political Internet use clearly a rising wave
http://www.vancouversun.com/Technology/Political+Internet+clearly+rising+wave/1178787/story.html
A blow to our national psyche
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=1178041
Labour calls on Flaherty to keep workers in mind
http://www.thestar.com/Opinion/article/571223
Agreement needed on EI and training
http://www.thestar.com/Opinion/article/571160
Dumb gov't intervention immoral
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/forum/story.html?id=044afcc1-0912-465d-9a09-6a2741bc5f55
Avoid deficit-budgeting excess
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/forum/story.html?id=f634183c-189b-42d0-8d07-d72945961f1b
INFOS -
Les provinces ne veulent pas d'une baisse d'impôts généralisée
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/200901/15/01-818014-les-provinces-ne-veulent-pas-dune-baisse-dimpots-generalisee.php
Les maires des grandes villes demandent de la souplesse
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/national/200901/15/01-817992-les-maires-des-grandes-villes-demandent-de-la-souplesse.php
Ignatieff dévoile ses attentes pour le budget fédéral
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/200901/15/01-817818-ignatieff-devoile-ses-attentes-pour-le-budget-federal.php
Le ministre Kenney dénonce l'incitation à la haine lors de manifestations
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/200901/15/01-817858-le-ministre-kenney-denonce-lincitation-a-la-haine-lors-de-manifestations.php
Les autochtones souhaitent qu'Ottawa leur réserve 3 milliards
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/200901/15/01-817963-les-autochtones-souhaitent-quottawa-leur-reserve-3-milliards.php
Recul de dix ans pour les produits du terroir
http://www.ledevoir.com/2009/01/15/227506.html
Budget fédéral: Ignatieff pose ses conditions
http://www.ledevoir.com/2009/01/15/227507.html
Ignatieff débauche un conseiller de Harper
http://www.ledevoir.com/2009/01/15/227498.html
Mise en garde de Duceppe à Ignatieff
http://www.ledevoir.com/2009/01/15/227499.html
Ottawa souhaite moins de contrôle
http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/environnement/2009/01/14/001-environnement-ottawa-LCPE.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: Larry Kazdan
To: letters@theherald.canwest.com
Subject: Re: War will always be with us, but it is changing, Barry Cooper,
January 14
- Re: War will always be with us, but it is changing, Barry Cooper, January 14
- Barry Cooper states that 'War is not going to disappear,' and that efforts to regulate, control, or limit war by UN agreements, international law and the like are almost a waste of time. That is an interpretation open to serious challenge. The governing institutions that we devise are extremely influential in determining whether contentious issues can be resolved by legal and judicial means, rather than by military conflict. For example, Germans and French were at war during the time of Napoleon, then again in 1871, again in 1914 and once more in 1939. But today, as part of the European Union, these countries participate in a shared currency, enjoy open borders, and elect representatives to a common European Parliament. The threat of a general European War has receded to practically nil. On the international scene, we can similarly start building the institutions and consciousness of a global community by supporting the establishment of a Parliamentary Assembly at the United Nations (detailed at www.unpacampaign.org). Building the next generation of governing institutions would be a much wiser focus for our resources and intelligence than a fatalistic resignation to violence, and a never-ending search for ever more destructive and insidious techniques of warfare.
- Larry Kazdan , Vice-President,
- World Federalist Movement Canada – Vancouver Branch
- Barry Cooper states that 'War is not going to disappear,' and that efforts to regulate, control, or limit war by UN agreements, international law and the like are almost a waste of time. That is an interpretation open to serious challenge. The governing institutions that we devise are extremely influential in determining whether contentious issues can be resolved by legal and judicial means, rather than by military conflict. For example, Germans and French were at war during the time of Napoleon, then again in 1871, again in 1914 and once more in 1939. But today, as part of the European Union, these countries participate in a shared currency, enjoy open borders, and elect representatives to a common European Parliament. The threat of a general European War has receded to practically nil. On the international scene, we can similarly start building the institutions and consciousness of a global community by supporting the establishment of a Parliamentary Assembly at the United Nations (detailed at www.unpacampaign.org). Building the next generation of governing institutions would be a much wiser focus for our resources and intelligence than a fatalistic resignation to violence, and a never-ending search for ever more destructive and insidious techniques of warfare.
From: "Brian D. Marlatt" <bdmarlatt@3web.com>
Subject: More on the Senate
Joe,
As you know, I am being negligent in my other responsibilities these days when allowing myself to endulge in political discussion. There is just so much to do and so very, very little time to do what needs to be done. So you and Ron Thornton will have to forgive me if I am brief in reply to his remarks. I am aided, by chance, in the appearance in the January 14 DD of a the link to second Winnipeg Free Press article concerning the perils of electing senators or distributing seats according to province, as if they were intended to be representative of the provinces, by Frances Russell. The example is Australian and entitled " Australian Senate a receipe for disaster" . The article shows well the constitutional crisis, deadlock, and discord that results from the kind of model which makes senators partisan politicians, representative or accountable to their provinces and where seats are distributed by province (state in the Australian example) without reference to population. As Russell and Christopher Moore, in the referenced popular history article, make note, the idea of not too precise regional division of senate seats in Canadian Confederation was explicitly intended to prevent the kind of provincial prejudice and tension which representation by province would have provided. The Fathers of Confederation had before them both their own experinence in the1850s and the US Civil War over "states rights", then raging, as cautions. I note too that (to address another point raised by Mr. Thornton recently) the united Canada's were divided into two provinces at Confederation and the seats in the Upper Chamber to which their population entitled them was divided between them. The idea that the two largest provinces should have been further subdivided does not follow, given that their population was in fact largely on the banks of the lower Great Lakes and St. Lawrence and continues so today, just as here in BC our population is almost entirely in the Lower Mainland.
Both election and shorter terms with the possibility of reappointment or reelection would introduce the very element of partisanship which the present system of appointment is intended to guard against. Such partisanship as does exist is muted in comparison to the Lower House and permits the Senate to provide advice in the form of "sober second thought" consistent with the Senate's constitutional role as a revising chamber. Few acts could pose a greater threat to national unity or political stabilility within Canada today or at Confederation than to make Canada's Senators responsbile too or elected by provincial election to represent some sort of provincial interest, one province against another. Canadian interest taken as a whole is to the point; the constitution speaks only of "the welfare of the provinces" and that is something to be pursued collectively as a nation, not as province against province.
Today, the provinces of Ontario and Quebec represent over 38% and 23% of Canada's population respectively - or 62% of the total population as a whole - while Ontario by itself represents 40% or more of all economic activity (which makes the present crisis in the manufacturing sector all the more worrisome - and it is worth noting that it is the cars and trucks they are not making that the oil produced elsewhere in Canada will not be required to fuel if the crisis continues). The 24 senate seats divided between these two provinces of such size and economic importance is, if anything, underrepresentation. I am often led to wonder why those who wish to change the senate do not ask why seats in their own senate division are not transferred from the smaller to their larger provinces if equal or proportional representation by province was really the underlying issue. The reason always seems to lye somewhere else. I am reminded that when the interim leader of the old CA party was asked about the issue and answered by referencing a disproportion by province when considering BC and PEI, he then admitted that his real concern was the balance between the far lesser populated West (29%) as opposed to what he called Central Canada (again two regions representing a total 62%).
Finally, as to the idea that an elected Senate would make our system more democratic, this is simply not so. The suggestion is to repeat one of the two great failings of understanding of the nature of our parliamentary democracy and federalism that has appeared from time to time (the other is that the Senate should be reflective of provincial interest - I refer you to the literature on the subject and Australian troubles originating from such arrangements, described in the article above). As the noted constitutional scholar F.A. Kunz (who cannot be cited too often) observed, it is not necessary for all offices within our government to be elected to make it democratic, it is enough that those whose legislative role is to bring forward legislatation that may in time become positive law should be elected, while those who serve to offer conservative philosophical reserve and caution may otherwise be called upon to fulfil their responsibilities.
Such, at least, is my humble understanding...and my final word for a time because, again, I have far too much to do if I am to be responsible at all.
Brian Marlatt
South Surrey-White Rock-Cloverdale
===================================
From: Larry Kazdan
Subject: Joe - my rebuttal - thx, Larry
- Meanwhile, Larry Kazdan is correct when he states that a coalition does not change the result of an election. However, when they ran, the parties involved at that time denied even the possibility that they might join together. Talk about a hidden agenda. Now, if they wish to seek a new mandate, putting forth the possibility that they might combine forces to change the government, then I have no problem with that. I would still hate to see a government holding power only through an 18-month contract with the separatists, but at least when we next head to the polls we would be presented with a clearer, more honest, picture of the potential consequences.
- There are reasonable grounds to oppose the coalition such as has been stated above ( ie. other than blaming the NDP and Liberals for 'overturning the results of the election'). However, if one believes that a government should not propose policy which they had not previously made public, or even denied they would do, one might have trouble supporting numerous Conservative acts such as attempting to cut public election funding, limiting pay equity and right to strike, or appointing 18 Senators. Perhaps if Harper unveiled his 'hidden agenda', at least when we next head to the polls we would be presented with a clearer, more honest, picture of the potential consequences.
- --
- Larry Kazdan ,
- --
Bob Taubman
Subject: Two cheers and a jeer (Ottawa Citizen, 11 Jan 2009, Page A7)
Hi Joe,
Thought this article might be of interest to some.
Bob Taubman
![[]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sV00Hcw5Wkkvm9COJuCq-Qa4kRxIceeT_Fq-FNijp6WJEj3kw2YmnJws_wQDhIgzS_t_ul1sNqA_jlvy_a8q4Mj8IG4o7G6LFilfD6rfQM3HjCSXBijnZ36d2tkLAzs5wZ_aBZg7_EOwUUXuZ0cj-0h_50BhQURKWOX3NX6DV0KQHsJq_8zWVVqq01teHpm-4dQH5rm6DxSewaQX0=s0-d)
Two cheers and a jeer Ottawa Citizen
11 Jan 2009
One of Canada’s foremost experts on the Constitution, political scientist Peter H. Russell has written a new book that looks at minority rule in Canada and contrasts it with the much different European experience. Two Cheers for Minority Government is... read more...
===================================
From: "Rebecca Gingrich" <r.gingrich@sympatico.ca>
Subject: Israel attacks UN in Gaza
And yet our government defends Israel, stands with Israeland defends the
Jewish faith? Just more proof that Israel is above any law, justice,
morality and ethics? Interestingly the Israelis state that militants were
shooting from the location but the UN denies this. Guess who our 'leaders'
believe?
becky
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/breaking-news/world/middle-east/israel-bombs-un-headquarters-in-gaza-14142586.html?startindex=-1
Israel bombs UN headquarters in Gaza
Thursday, 15 January 2009
The United Nations headquarters in Gaza are in flames today after being hit
by Israeli artillery fire during the country's ongoing military assault on
the Palestinian territory.
===================================
From: Tom Brewer
Subject: Letter
Hers is another letter :
___________________________________________________________________
Exploiting Sask. gone too far
This article from the Star Phoenix makes my blood boil. We, the residents of Saskatchewan have learned well of the deceit Harper throes our way. We only have to remember the failed promise relating to equalization payments to really see what is going on.
In my opinion Harper and every Conservative used the electors in this province to do one thing….
GET ELECTED! Proof… the song sheets every Conservative candidate sang from, used to make us believe how much better we would be with Harper at the helm.
Saskatchewan was only starting to reap from it's work. The fact Harper used this is evident of the disdain he has for the previous government who worked diligently to ensure every resident would benefit.
How can it be other areas benefit more than Saskatchewan? The equalization funds we were promised went to Quebec. Lot of help that did us and remember those were monies to help us long before we became a "have" province.
What have we gained with Harper as Prime Minister? Not much in my opinion. A few road contracts, a bridge or two… the money for coal burning power plants ($240 million out of a $1.4 billion program who pays the rest and will the program even get off the ground now?) and of course redevelopment of our exhibition grounds. Peanuts compared to other provinces!
Of course we think we have died and ended up in heaven, right?
It is true… our Province, its people have been exploited again. The biggest difference this time is the light peck we get on the cheek instead of the slap of a hand. When will we wake up? Get your hand out of our pockets Mr. Harper.
===================================From: "Don Keir"
I say "{Amen" to BGecky's evaluation.
Again with the 'poor jews'
spin--will we ever wake up? I guess we are all supposed to be programmed to
believe Israel can do no wrong--you know--like our PM and all the other
parties?
Becky
They have ridden this donkey to death.
I recently picked this excerpt off the internet,
Editor's Comment Martin van Creveld, a world-renowned professor of military history at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, has a habit of being bluntly truthful. This is what he said in an interview earlier this year:
"We are in no danger at all of having an Iranian nuclear weapon dropped on us. We cannot say so too openly, however, because we have a history of using any threat in order to get weapons … thanks to the Iranian threat, we are getting weapons from the U.S. and Germany."
"Our armed forces are not the 30th strongest in the world, but rather the second or third… We possess several hundred atomic warheads and rockets that can launch them at targets in all directions. Most European capitals are targets of our air force … We have the capability to take the world down with us. And I can assure you that this will happen before Israel goes under."
My comment was, MMMM ... Who are the terrorists ?
Don Keir
===================================
From: "Jacob Rempel"
Subject: FW: To the Editor, DAILY DIGEST
Brian Marlatt of White Rock wrote in the
Vancouver Sun as quoted in the DAILY DIGEST.
"If you don't like democracy, support STV. Like all forms
of proportional representation. STV is about voting by party.
Simple, clear, democratic and well understood, the status quo is best."
My reply: ---
We vote for party now, and usually get a government elected by a minority of voters.
I know that in most cases I vote party, and that usually Brian does too. Even in civic
municipal elections, most candidates are known as party members. Usually we vote
party line then too. In civic elections, we usually know more politicians personally,
and it's easier to vote without regard to party connections, and I sometimes do so.
Ideology is less important.
I sometimes vote for an individual not in the party in which I am a member, as you may
do as well. Most proportional representation systems provide for such voting as well.
I prefer a system other than the STV, but that would be an improvement over
the status quo, which almost never represents a majority opinion (or mine!).
Most proportional party representation systems are modified to provide for
voting for any candidate as well, which good.
Even today, party bosses call the shots in the party, in parliament, and in government.
The best we can hope for is that party members succeed in choosing as their leaders
persons who are strong, honest, genuine democrats who accept the best ideas from within
their own parties and from others. Ultimately it's a matter of voting for persons whom we
don't know personally, but who demonstrate insight, strength, honesty, and competence.
The real problems lie in citizen apathy between elections. Each party should have very large
numbers of citizens active in regular monthly local meetings, where they examine many public
issues and FORCE their elected leaders to act on the interests of citizens. In the "status quo",
system, leaders will continue to call the shots according to their personal ideas and sometimes
for the benefit of allies (and themselves?).
If large numbers of citizens were actively engaged in all political parties, the status quo would
work better too, but even then I would prefer proportional representation by party. Every party
has certain good insights and interests -- issues which other parties tend to ignore. Those issues,
minority issues but often important, are more likely to get necessary attention.
What concerns me now is that elected governments attend mainly to the advice and interests of
CEOs who very competently run international corporations. Such counselors are not patriots.
Their loyalties are to the interests of majority shareholders who read monthly profit margins.
Such CEOs also seek executive bonuses secured by showing high profit margins for foreign
shareholders who favour high profit margins from foreign investments in "banana republics".
Summary: We need much more citizen engagement in every party. We also need a
modified system of proportional representation by party in the House of Commons.
--- Jacob Rempel, Vancouver
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