Saturday, January 24, 2009

Daily Digest January 23-24, 2008


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

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Making my day.

The following post was received and made my day.

This Digest includes the most complete comment on the upcoming Budget 2009 any of your contacts who may have an interest in such matters could have made available to them.

Please send them this Digest and an invitation to receive it to them.

Any choosing to do so will once again be Making my day.

         Joe
____________________________________________________________________
Subject: Add me to your CONSERVATIVE/COMMUNICATIONS/NET email list
From:
To: joe.hueglin@bellnet.ca


Hello Joe,

A friend forwarded me one of your recent emails. It looks good.

I would also be interested in receiving it if you could add me to your list.

Thanks

        PROGRAMMES -
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EDITORIAL PAGEs

ST.JOHN'S TELEGRAM -
Ad scandal isn't dead yet
http://www.thetelegram.com/index.cfm?sid=214228&sc=80

CORNER BROOK WESTERN STAR -
Get serious, start fixing
http://www.thewesternstar.com/index.cfm?sid=214425&sc=30

CHARLOTTETOWN GUARDIAN -
Remaining vigilant about equalization
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=214382&sc=103

CAPE BRETON POST -
Change channel to social spending
http://www.capebretonpost.com/index.cfm?sid=214165&sc=151

Emotions conflict over RCMP news
http://www.capebretonpost.com/index.cfm?sid=213487&sc=151

HALIFAX CHRONICLE HERALD -
Taking nothing for granted
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Opinion/1102496.html

Code Orange, Code Grey
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Editorial/1102421.html

Budget-making and the oil-price illusion
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Opinion/1102443.html

It's hard to trust this public Internet
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Opinion/1102583.html

AMHERST DAILY NEWS -
Deficit preferable to massive cuts
http://www.amherstdaily.com/index.cfm?sid=214017&sc=61

SAINT JOHN TELEGRAPH-JOURNAL -
New economy, new strategy
http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/opinion/article/550173

Give Harper a chance to act
http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/opinion/article/550175

The federal budget dilemma
http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/opinion/article/550176

MONTREAL GAZETTE -
Building bonfires on a frozen lake
http://www.montrealgazette.com/opinion/editorials/Building+bonfires+frozen+lake/1212943/story.html

And another thing ...
http://www.montrealgazette.com/opinion/editorials/another+thing/1212945/story.html
 
Dutch courts embark on a slippery slope
http://www.montrealgazette.com/opinion/editorials/Dutch+courts+embark+slippery+slope/1209246/story.html

OTTAWA CITIZEN -
Learning difficulties
  http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/editorials/Learning+difficulties/1208405/story.html

Right balance in tough times
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/editorials/Right+balance+tough+times/1208406/story.html

KINGSTON WHIG STANDARD-
Ottawa about to embark on irresponsible spending spree
http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1402904

This is Canadian democracy?
http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1402907

TORONTO STAR -
Obama rolls back Bush's excesses
http://www.thestar.com/Opinion/article/576491

Revisiting listeriosis
http://www.thestar.com/Opinion/article/575777

GLOBE & MAIL -
Straightforwardness without panic
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090123.wEMessaging24/BNStory/specialComment/home

U.S. ups the ante with ChinaComment7
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090123.weChina24/BNStory/specialComment/home

Parental sine qua non
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090123.weliteracy24/BNStory/specialComment/home

NATIONAL POST -
The sky isn't falling
http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/story.html?id=1213192

Scotland's poet of the common man
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=1213191

HAMILTON SPECTATOR -
Carry a gun -- do the time
http://www.thespec.com/Opinions/article/501237

NIAGARA FALLS REVIEW -
The real crisis in Canada is failure of leadership
http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1402945

K-W RECORD -
Let's hope the budget revitalizes our economy and avoids tax cuts
http://news.therecord.com/Opinions/article/476558

WINDSOR STAR -
DRIC debate
The debate over an international truck route linking a third border crossing is not about jobs, and it's not about traffic flow -- it's about health. http://www.windsorstar.com/opinion/editorials/DRIC+debate/1212727/story.html

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS -
Time for an economic paradigm shift
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/westview/time_for_an_economic_paradigm_shift38266304.html

Brazeau is too close to too many fires
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/westview/brazeau_is_too_close_to_too_many_fires38266034.html

Inaugural speech lacked catchphrase but that's a good thing
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/westview/-Inaugural-speech-lacked-catchphrase-but-thats-a-good-thing38215329.html

Stimulating Ideas: 'Stimulus' spending is no cure
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/westview/Stimulus-spending-is-no-cure38215314.html

Access to credit should be top budget priority
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/westview/access_to_credit_should_be_top_budget_priority38129869.html

WINNIPEG SUN -
Make pandemic plan law
http://www.winnipegsun.com/comment/editorial/2009/01/23/8118201-sun.html

SASKATOON STARPHOENIX -
Return Khadr home to ensure justice served
  http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/forum/story.html?id=ddf630e7-dc1a-42da-81a4-90834d3db413

Expect some budget goodies
http://www.canada.com/saskatoonstarphoenix/news/forum/story.html?id=cbca2eac-9d83-406b-a2d4-29fb04ef1ed6

REGINA LEADER-POST -
Watch the fine print in Tory promises
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/viewpoints/story.html?id=0186111b-896d-469b-b0f6-43346a03fd3c

Following doctor's orders
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/viewpoints/story.html?id=452b19d2-c153-419a-8e94-7ae3f5970a52

American influence waning in the new world order
http://www.canada.com/reginaleaderpost/news/viewpoints/story.html?id=aa40e61b-915f-46f9-b3ec-c4364e388c7e

GRANDE PRAIRIE DAILY HERALD TRIBUNE -
Gitmo closing will rescue Khadr - Maybe now the feds will see the error of their ways
http://www.dailyheraldtribune.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1402113

PM defends budget deficit, dismisses longer Afghan mission
http://www.dailyheraldtribune.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1402106

RED DEER ADVOCATE -
PM's image suffers next to Obama 
http://www.albertalocalnews.com/reddeeradvocate/opinion/PMs_image_suffers_next_to_Obama.html

Obama and the terrorists 
http://www.albertalocalnews.com/reddeeradvocate/opinion/Obama_and_the_terrorists.html

PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN -
Premier looks to province's future
http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/20090123171592/opinion/editorials/premier-looks-to-province-146s-future.html

VANCOUVER SUN -
Will there ever be peace in the Middle East?
http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/editorial/story.html?id=558c6250-1ab1-40b9-ae40-bdeff900f26f

VICTORIA TIMES-COLONIST -
Canada treating Khadr badly
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/comment/story.html?id=e93640ae-605c-4d99-8a6e-d8fc5c1b804e

Election gag law should make you retch
  http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/comment/story.html?id=ad54864a-b5ef-4fc6-ae48-0f15dce32f95

It's sad to imagine B.C. without the giant trees
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/comment/story.html?id=be1147e7-2883-40ca-aa89-677dcb4f2c99

Tax-paying public has absolute right to know
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/comment/story.html?id=fbe95786-c822-4f78-a9f7-78c3a171d3c8

ISSUES

ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS -          
Language on life support
Dozens of First Nations tongues just a generation from extinction
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=1213150


AFGHANISTAN -
Kabul's rift with the US widens
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/KA23Df01.html

Afghanistan caught in friendly fire
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/KA21Df01.html

Marines ready to deploy in Afghanistan
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=1213166

Presidential Elections Delayed
http://quqnoos.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2444&Itemid=48

President orders air strikes on villages in tribal area
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/24/pakistan-barack-obama-air-strike

Pakistan demands Obama halt raids
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=268722&version=1&template_id=41&parent_id=23

Afghanistan, Pak central front in terror war'
http://www.paperarticles.com/2009/01/afghanistan-pak-central-front-in-terror.html

 Aligning a Counterinsurgency Strategy for Afghanistan (Full PDF Article)

UK ministers accused over Afghanistan
 http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=555233&category=Frontend&Country=AFGHANISTAN

Dutch insist Afghan role to end
http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=555236&category=Frontend&Country=AFGHANISTAN

11civilians killed in US raid: Officials
http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=555241&category=Frontend&Country=AFGHANISTAN

Fearing another quagmire in Afghanistan
http://www.southasianmedia.net/index_story.cfm?id=555247&category=Frontend&Country=AFGHANISTAN


CANUSA/USACAN -
American prescription an overdose in Canada
Conditions here vastly different from those in the once spendthrift U.S.
http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/576540

Can Canadian anti-americanism survive Obama?
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=1213428

Harper hopes to have joint energy and climate change-plan on U.S. agenda
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=1213159

PM sees 'fresh start' with U.S.
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/576627


ECONOMIC AFFAIRS -
The unbearable heaviness of pensions
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=1213195

TD Bank announces 'inactivity' fee for customers not using line of credit
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=1213181

India, Canada to Launch Free Trade Talks
http://www.worldtrademag.com/CDA/Articles/Breaking_News/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000513262

Food prices lead inflation count, up 7.3% in 2008
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=1213246

Fight to cap credit card rates, fees heats up
http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/576545

Fixing the bank crisis is the easy part
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Global_Economy/KA24Dj02.html


FOREIGN AFFAIRS -
New wave of violence feared: Humanitarian Crisis
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=1213160

Obama's glimmers of neo-conservatism
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=1213423

Fears rise that U.S. Will seize big banks
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=1213227

Hamas is more powerful and popular than ever
http://www.thestar.com/Opinion/article/576477

No Israeli apology for defeating Iran's Islamic proxy
http://www.thestar.com/Opinion/article/576476

Tearing up the US's Middle East playbook
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/KA24Ak02.html

Obama adds diplomatic dynamite
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/KA24Ak04.html

Gaza just one of many jihadi fronts
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/KA24Ak01.html

Hey Obama, what about North Korea?
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/KA24Dg01.html

All hail to the ox
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/KA24Ad01.html

China's modern muscle on parade
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/China/KA24Ad02.html


HEALTH CARE RELATED -
Test finds listeria in Maple Leaf Foods meat
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090124.wlisteria0124/BNStory/National/home


JUSTICE SYSTEM -
Gun laws must target criminals
http://www.ottawasun.com/Comment/2009/01/24/8130651-sun.html


MIGRATION -
Afghan woman given refuge in Canada
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090124.wafghan20/BNStory/National/home


POLITICS IN THE PROVINCES -
Ontario's back is to the wall
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090123.wcoessay0124/BNStory/specialComment/home

Ont. taking 'long, hard' look at harmonizing GST and sales tax: McGuinty
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090123/national/ont_tax_harmonization

Stelmach hoping for support in federal budget
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/edmonton/story/2009/01/24/edm-stelmach-federal-budget.html

MCGUINTY: NEW ETHANOL PLANT MEANS GREENER FUTURE
http://www.thepeterboroughexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1403173


FEDERAL POLITICS -
What happens next if PM loses vote on coming budget?
Following the fiasco that ended with Harper proroguing Parliament, some of Canada's top legal minds walk us through the rules of the House. Politicians and public, take heed http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/575768

Information watchdog alarmed by Harper government clampdown
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/01/22/access-harper.html

Omar Khadr not a 'child soldier,' Harper says
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=1213176

Harper playing games with budget leaks: Ignatieff
http://www.nationalpost.com/most_popular/story.html?id=1211421

Harper defends budget deficit
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/576621

Gird for worst as MPs gather for Budget, Round 2 
http://www.thestar.com/Opinion/article/576474

Tory budget leaks called 'irresponsible'
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/576591

Won't act rashly, Ignatieff vows
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/576593

Layton and Ignatieff hammer Harper for budget leaks
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/576290


PRESSURE POINTS -
Up to 60,000 turkeys to be culled after Abbotsford avian flu outbreak
http://www.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/news/story.html?id=1211181

A number of articles on corn ethanol
http://biofuelsdigest.com/blog2/2009/01/23/corn-ethanol-emits-51-percent-less-greenhouse-gas-than-gasoline-new-study-finds-based-on-modern-data/


OPINION AND INFORMATION -
Parliament vs. The People all 232 news articles » 
On Monday, our MPs are coming back. Will they bring the madness with them?
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Parliament+People/1214987/story.html

Philosopher Kings
The return of the house will give Canadians the chance to observe two public intellectuals trying to balance concepts of principle and pragmatism -- a feat fundamental to peace, order and good government
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Technology/Philosopher+Kings/1212626/story.html

The world is sinking in a sea of debt
And with more on the way, funding it may be easier said than done
http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/576543

Property rights eroding state of marriage all 68 news articles »
http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Columnists/Jacobs_Mindelle/2009/01/24/8133086-sun.html

What to do with Omar khadr all 18 news articles »
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/What+with+Omar+khadr/1214548/story.html

We must talk about the facts
http://www.ottawasun.com/News/Columnists/Harris_Michael/2009/01/23/8119201-sun.html

MPs get chance to be relevant
Ottawa becomes last resort for apprehensive workforce
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays_paper/story.html?id=1213180

Deficit dummies
Wild spending spree to fix recession will ultimately harm Canada
http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/michael_dentandt/2009/01/23/8120896-sun.html

Beauty of the moment
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/westview/beauty_of_the_moment38266224.html

Volunteer groups say giving time should be as valuable at tax time as giving cash
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090124/national/volunteer_tax_break

Is Afghanistan going to be Obama's Iraq? - Moscow denies NATO access to Afghanistan - Barack Obama inauguration:This Emperor has no clothes,. It will all end in tears
http://eldib.wordpress.com/2009/01/25/is-afghanistan-going-to-be-obamas-iraq-moscow-denies-nato-access-to-afghanistan-barack-obama-inaugurationthis-emperor-has-no-clothes-it-will-all-end-in-tears/


INFOS -
MacKay cité comme possible futur secrétaire général de l'OTAN
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/200901/24/01-820534-mackay-cite-comme-possible-futur-secretaire-general-de-lotan.php

Le budget crucial des conservateurs
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/200901/23/01-820492-le-budget-crucial-des-conservateurs.php

Harper invité à suivre l'exemple d'Obama
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/200901/24/01-820551-harper-invite-a-suivre-lexemple-dobama.php

Ottawa dévoile son budget au compte-goutte
http://www.ledevoir.com/2009/01/24/229211.html

L'effeuillage budgétaire continue
http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/National/2009/01/24/001-harper-defend-deficit.shtml

Le retour de la grippe aviaire
http://www.radio-canada.ca/regions/colombie-britannique/2009/01/24/001-grippe-aviaire_n.shtml

Élections Canada s'adresse aux tribunaux
http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/National/2009/01/23/001-elections_pcc_depenses.shtml


===================================
Joining the family
By Leonard Stern, The Ottawa Citizen
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/op-ed/Joining+family/1211627/story.html

It's tricky talking about national character, because nations are big and diverse places. Yet the Obama inauguration conveyed some attributes that are quintessentially American.

The U.S. is a confident, Christian country, as was clear from Rev. Rick Warren's prayer. Never in the Canada of today would the swearing-in of a prime minister be accompanied by a blessing invoking Jesus Christ.

Mr. Obama channelled Benjamin Franklin and celebrated the importance of hard work and industriousness, values that trace back to the settlers who carved America from the wilderness. The new president paid tribute to liberty and freedom, values rooted in the American experience of fleeing persecution in Britain.

I've heard big speeches from Canadian leaders that could have been delivered by the prime ministers of Sweden or New Zealand; Mr. Obama's inaugural address could only have been delivered by an American.

So what about Canada? What are our unifying values?

The Canadian government, it turns out, has informally codified the meaning of Canadian citizenship, in a document titled A Look At Canada. The 47-page booklet is given to people seeking to become Canadian. I know that journalists are supposed to be cynical, but I quite like this document.

It explains that because Canada is a large country with a small population, we created a federal style of government "that is based on compromise and co-existence."

From this, certain values developed. "We try to understand and appreciate the cultures, customs and traditions of all Canadians, whether they were born in Canada or came here from another country." Canadians celebrate peace — "We are proud of our non-violent society"; equality — "We respect everyone's rights"; community — "People who help others without being paid are called volunteers. There are millions of volunteers across Canada."

These values, according to A Look At Canada, are core Canadian values, which newcomers are expected to adopt in order to acquire citizenship. Yet many current Canadians are indifferent to, or even reject, those values. We simply inherited our citizenship, having been being born on Canadian soil or to a Canadian parent.

Even if we think this is the worst country in the world, we are Canadian. Our citizenship exists independent of our beliefs and allegiances. But for immigrants, to obtain Canadian citizenship they have to commit publicly to Canadian values.

National identity is a bit like religious identity. There are people who were born, say, Roman Catholic or Jewish, and identify as such, even though they are ignorant of their tradition's teachings. Converts, meanwhile, are required to study the faith, adopt certain practices and make certain affirmations.

Religious conversion — just like a citizenship ceremony — often culminates in the swearing of an oath. Thus we get the phenomenon of converts who are more committed to their new communities than those whose membership goes back generations.

Another citizenship model is that of the family. You join a family mainly through blood or marriage — you're born into it or marry into it. Marrying into a family is hardest, because you have to pass some equivalent of a citizenship test. Prospective in-laws want confirmation that you have good prospects and acceptable table manners. (Even though their natural-born son, whose family membership is based on blood, is a slob and a drop-out.)

Citizenship and Immigration Canada even refers to "the Canadian family." In A Look At Canada, the Canadian family puts forward its most attractive face to prospective new members, the way our own families do when a grown child brings home a serious mate.

No yelling or squabbling. On anglophone-francophone relations, the booklet says only that "English- and French-speaking people have lived together in Canada for more than 300 years," the suggestion being that those 300 years have been harmonious.

There's nothing wrong with a little propaganda. The American frontier was not nearly as romantic as we're told, but Americans today are the people they are — independent, entrepreneurial — because they think it was. A Look At Canada tells immigrants that environmentalism is a core Canadian value, although those of us who have been here awhile might be surprised to hear it. Perhaps if enough Canadians start believing this, then someday it will be.

There is a movement afoot to minimize the birthright aspect of citizenship. Canadian law has long held that citizenship gets passed down from parent to child, indefinitely, even if the family long ago left Canada. The law will change this spring. As of April 17, children born outside Canada to Canadian parents themselves born abroad, no longer get instant citizenship.

The new rule essentially states that, at some point, descent alone ceases to be a sufficient claim to membership.

Now, people who belong to groups where membership is determined primarily by descent and blood sometimes say that anything else dilutes identity. But in the case of citizenship, a renewed focus on beliefs and values might actually strengthen Canadian identity, making it something more meaningful than an accident of birth.

Leonard Stern is the Citizen's editorial pages editor. E-mail: lstern@thecitizen.canwest.com

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