Daily Digest January 3 - 4, 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 -
Maybe the sky is falling
http://www.thetelegram.com/index.cfm?sid=206633&sc=80

CHARLOTTETOWN GUARDIAN -
The PNP and lessons to be learned
The province needs to change the rules to ensure full disclosure and accountability.
http://www.theguardian.pe.ca/index.cfm?sid=206651&sc=103

CAPE BRETON POST -
Drug battle still evolving
http://www.capebretonpost.com/index.cfm?sid=206504&sc=151

HALIFAX CHRONICLE HERALD -
Making good use of EI to repay old mistake
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Editorial/1098786.html

Fighting the flu
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Editorial/1098968.html

MONTREAL GAZETTE -
Make every vote count - equally
http://www.montrealgazette.com/opinion/Make+every+vote+count+equally/1139832/story.html

Quebec should condemn assisted suicide explicitly
http://www.montrealgazette.com/opinion/editorials/Quebec+should+condemn+assisted+suicide+explicitly/1136635/story.html

KINGSTON WHIG STANDARD-
Are the Conservatives at war?
http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1371449

COALITION PERIL FOR LIBERALS
http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1371470

Ignatieff leading the Liberals is a reassuring development
http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1371475

NEVER GROW COMPLACENT
http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1371417

Why you can only voice platitudes about Mideast 'progress'
http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1371415

TORONTO STAR -
Gloom and doom can be overstated
http://www.thestar.com/Opinion/article/561080

Cool Gaza crisis, then push peace
http://www.thestar.com/Opinion/article/561065

GLOBE & MAIL -
Israel and Hamas: Both sides need to save face
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090102.wegaza03/BNStory/specialComment/home


TORONTO SUN -
A dearth of real political leadership
http://www.torontosun.com/comment/editorial/2009/01/04/7912526-sun.html

LONDON FREE PRESS -
Cure for recession looms in the distance
http://lfpress.ca/newsstand/Opinion/Editorials/2009/01/03/7908891-sun.html

WINDSOR STAR -
Israel-Gaza: The key to any kind of peace
http://www.windsorstar.com/opinion/editorials/Israel+Gaza/1137110/story.html

EDMONTON JOURNAL -
Should Obama butt out now?
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/editorials/Should+Obama+butt/1140015/story.html

RED DEER ADVOCATE -
Anti-Semitism dressed up as statesmanship 
http://www.albertalocalnews.com/reddeeradvocate/opinion/Anti-Semitism_dressed_up_as_statesmanship.html


ISSUES

AFGHANISTAN -
America's other glorious war
http://pacificfreepress.com/news/1/3542-an-other-glorious-war.html

Taliban benefits from corruption in Afghanistan, paper says
USA Today (12/03/2008)

Changing tactics, Taliban turn to precision marksmen
McClatchy Newspapers (12/03/2008)

Afghan security not as bad as portrayed: NATO force deputy
AFP (12/03/2008)

For Afghans, a Price for Everything, and Anything for a Price


CANADIAN FORCES -
Troops in Kandahar silent on murder charge
http://www.thestar.com/SpecialSections/article/561416


CANUSA/USACAN -
Will the global economic crisis save or kill NAFTA?
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20081224/YE_nafta_canada_090104/20090104?hub=TopStories

U.S. change will blow north
http://www.thestar.com/Opinion/article/561104


ECONOMIC AFFAIRS -
Markets are imperfect, but regulations are even more so
We need more market regulations but they should be kept to a minimum
By GEORGE SOROS http://www.montrealgazette.com/opinion/op-ed/Markets+imperfect+regulations+even+more/1139843/story.html


FOREIGN AFFAIRS -
Israel strikes at Obama
Siege of Gaza may short-circuit border plans
http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/eric_margolis/2009/01/04/7912556-sun.html

Troops surround Gaza City
http://www.thestar.com/news/world/article/561475

The Islamic movement that just won't die
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090103.wgaza03/BNStory/International/home

Only the end of Hamas can bring peace to Gaza
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/op-ed/Only+Hamas+bring+peace+Gaza/1140093/story.html

Efforts for U.N.-backed ceasefire in Gaza fail
http://www.nationalpost.com/story.html?id=1138567

Hamas ready for bitter urban battle
BBC News - 2 hours ago
By Martin Asser Israel's move to ground operations in the Gaza Strip gives Palestinian militants their first chance to trade blows on a more or less equal footing with the Israeli army in the current conflict.
Video: US Blocks UN Security Council Action on Gaza Video: US Blocks UN Security Council Action on Gaza AssociatedPress
Israel Seeks Heavier Blow to Hamas Armed Wing in Gaza Bloomberg
CNN International - guardian.co.uk - Aljazeera.net - The Associated Press
all 11,877 news articles »

Picture of devastation caused by Hamas rocket in Sderot
http://www.reuters.com/news/pictures/searchpopup?picId=7701736

Israeli troops invade Gaza
After a week of aerial, naval, and long-range bombardment, Israel has deployed ground troops into Gaza. view

Gaza: Life under bombardment
Guardian: Hatem al-Shurrab, aid worker for Gaza-based Islamic Relief org shares video diary of latest view

FEDERAL POLITICS -
Is Rob Nicholson a party leader in waiting?
http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1371495

Distrust of PM stays with Layton
http://www.torontosun.com/news/canada/2009/01/04/7912711-sun.html

Layton biggest loser in coalition folly
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/todays-paper/Layton+biggest+loser+coalition+folly/1140017/story.html

Forecasts for the Year of the Iggy
http://www.thestar.com/News/article/560993


PROGRAMMES -
Canada ready to plug into electric cars: study group
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/todays-paper/Canada+ready+plug+into+electric+cars+study+group/1139806/story.html


PRESSURE POINTS -
Soot reduction 'could help to stop global warming'
http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/climate-change/soot-reduction-could-help-to-stop-global-warming-1224481.html


OPINION AND INFORMATION -
Hey! Who's stealing my country anyway?
WHAT I want to know is, by what authority are these monkeys doing this stuff?
http://thechronicleherald.ca/NovaScotian/1098997.html

No end to centuries of savagery in Afghanistan
http://www.paperarticles.com/2008/11/no-end-to-centuries-of-savagery-in.html

Robert Fulford: Israel vs. Hamas; civilization vs. terror
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2009/01/03/robert-fulforf-israel-vs-hamas-civilization-vs-terror.aspx

 A party recast for tough times
http://www.thestar.com/Opinion/article/561068

Some economic stimuli better than others 
http://www.thestar.com/Opinion/article/561069

There's reason for hope in the economy
http://www.thestar.com/business/article/561210

Our circumpolar circumstance
Canadians bear a terrible burden with the North -- it is our shared responsibility just as it is our shared pride and source of meaning http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/op-ed/circumpolar+circumstance/1136756/story.html

People are worth even more than kidneys
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/op-ed/People+worth+even+more+than+kidneys/1136757/story.html

The path to self-improvement
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/op-ed/path+self+improvement/1136755/story.html

Leaders' fight lacks bikers, cleavage, but should be fun
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Opinion/1098869.html

Are the Conservatives at war?
http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1371449

 2008 transformed political landscape 
http://www.thestar.com/Opinion/article/561108


INFOS -
40 Palestiniens et un soldat israélien tués à Gaza
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/international/moyen-orient/200901/04/01-814620-40-palestiniens-et-un-soldat-israelien-tues-a-gaza.php

My prediction for 2009; North America will suffer another 9-11
http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/7324


Manifestations pour demander un cessez-le-feu immédiat à Gaza
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/national/200901/03/01-814567-manifestations-pour-demander-un-cessez-le-feu-immediat-a-gaza.php

La rue arabe crie vengeance
http://www.ledevoir.com/2009/01/03/225575.html

Les soldats ne veulent pas commenter l'accusation de meurtre au 2e degré
http://info.branchez-vous.com/graphics/textecomplet.gif

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)

"To this day, a number of Conservative officials continue to identify themselves based on their provincial allegiances,
to the dismay of senior party officials who call on everyone to be "Conservatives first and foremost."
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081231.wquebec0101/BNStory/politics/home

The senior party officials who "call on everyone to be "Conservatives first and foremost." are not the brightest lights on the Christmas tree.

The "Open federalism" they advocate promises a flow of decision making powers to the provinces, strengthening Provincialism at the expense of Canadianism. With party policy placing individual provinces ahead of Canada as whole it is natural for individuals  ro "identify themselves based on their provincial allegiances,"

Is thinking and acting as "Canadians first and foremost" above municipality, region, province and political party to be fostered?

I think so, how about you?

         Joe

«¤»¥«¤»«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»§«¤»¥«¤»

From: "Rene Moreau"

To Joe
From Rene Moreau (416-489-8347)
re; NATIONAL POST -
Why Israel can't afford to hold back
http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2008/12/31/national-post-editorial-board-why-israel-can-t-afford-to-hold-back.aspx

   It might be helpful to know that this letter, with no by-line, was
supposedly an editorial board comment piece. The end result is, you
probably can't find out if it was written by the editorial board and
who on the board, or if it was by the owners. If you call, they say it
was printed with the consent of the board and so represents their
opinion. After all, who's to object? (without losing their job)
Considering the content, it really matters.

   Sure they can control the argument by allowing no  objections in
print to their statements. But don't ever let them stop your opinions.
Speak out.

   They want you to think no one else cares, object. If other people
knew you know what they know, think of the revelation.

   There was a time when one letter equalled 500 concerned citizens.
Is it up to 2000 yet?

                                                     Rene Moreau (416-489-8347)

===================================
From: "Suan H.Booiman"
To: , "Stockwell DayOkanagan" <Day.S@parl.gc.ca>, "Cummins John Delta" <Cummins.J@parl.gc.ca>, "Cannan Ron" <Cannan.R@parl.gc.ca>, "Abbott Jim Kooteney" <Abbott.J@parl.gc.ca>, "Fast Ed Abborsford" <Fast.E@parl.gc.ca>, "Harris Richard Cariboo-Princ George" <Harris.R@parl.gc.ca>, "Hiebert Russ" <Hiebert.R@parl.gc.ca>, "Kamp Randy Pitmeados-Maple Ridge-Mission" <Kamp.R@parl.gc.ca>, "Grewal Nina Fleetwood" <Grewal.N@parl.gc.ca>, "Hill Jay Prince George" <Hill.J@parl.gc.ca>, "Lunn Gary Saanich" <Lunn.G@parl.gc.ca>, "Lunney James Nanaimo" <Lunney.J@parl.gc.ca>, "Moore James Port Moody" <Moore.J@parl.gc.ca>, "Strahl Chuck Chilliwack" <Strahl.C@parl.gc.ca>, "Mayes Colin Shuswap" <Mayes.C@parl.gc.ca>, "Stockwell Day" <days1@parl.gc.ca>, "Strahl Chuck B.C. CPC MP." <riding@chuckstrahl.com>, "Mcleod Cathy Kamloops" <McLeod.C@parl.gc.ca>, "Sexton Andrew Borth Vancouver" <Saxton.A@parl.gc.ca>, "Wong Alice Richmond" <Wong.A@parl.gc.ca>, "Cadman Donna Surrey" <cadman.d@parl.gc.ca>, "Duncon John Vanc.Isl.North" <duncan.j@parl.gc.ca>, "Weston John West Vancouver" <Weston.J@parl.gc.ca>, "Warawa Nark Langley" <Warawa.M@parl.gc.ca>, "Hievert Russ" <info@russhiebert.ca>
Subject: Quebec the centre said IGGY

Tories seek to rebuild Quebec organization
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081231.wquebec0101/BNStory/politics/home
DANIEL LEBLANC
From Thursday's Globe and Mail
December 31, 2008 at 10:42 PM EST

The final words of the year are about Quebec, The lone CPC MP

will be handed more power to improve representation, also more

Quebecois will be places in the PM Office.

In the meantime the Western CPC MPs are sound asleep.

Suan

===================================
Subject: RE: Daily Digest December 31 2008-January 2, 2009
                   Subject: Militias won't save Afghanistan
From: "Efstratios Psarianos"

"Nothing said by a political decision maker can be taken as unalterable, as realities change so at times do policy directions."

True, true. Plus, international troops may be needed if Pakistan falls apart, whether or not it comes to blows with India.
 
Right now, relations between India and Pakistan are getting tenser, and many worldwide are losing patience with Pakistan. In particular, many believe that Pakistan's government isn't in control domestically (without taking the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), where it wasn't meant to be in control). And many in Pakistan are wondering whether or not their country's facing partition: Baluch movementss in Baluchistan Province (SW Pakistan) are in armed revolt; the NWFP is a warren of lawlessness (in the formal sense); Kashmir is riddled with Kashmiri separatists; the Punjab's relatively quiet and comparatively affluent (that's where much of the Army personnel comes from) and the Sindh Province is a feudal land (politically, by political clientelism ... 'patrons' dishing out favours for votes; socio-economically, by a landed aristocracy with extensive estates and numerous 'peasants' (for lack of a better term) under their influence ... the Bhuttos are a Sindhi land-owning family, for example).
 
Things are getting iffy in Pakistan, with some Pakistanis wondering if Pakistan will be broken up (with some parts perhaps being annexed to Iran, Afghanistan, and maybe even India), and whether there aren't any countries that have decided to encourage this (in particualr, the US). Pakistan's already 'lost' Bangladesh ... is Baluchistan going to be annexed by Iran, the NWFP by Afghanistan, the Punjab by India, and Kashmir to strike for independence? In the latter case, what will a 'free' Kashmir mean for India ... will it be a time-bomb in the region, with ex-Pakistani Kashmir's aiming to free Indian Kashmir? Will Afghanistan, with the NWFP grafted on, break into pieces, with the SW half turning into Pashtoland (or whatever) and the NW part either going its own or otherwise dismembered and pieces of it annexed? And where does Sindh fit in all this?
 
There may yet be a whoooole lot of rockin' and rollin' in the area ... and international troops may well have to be present in the future. On the positive side, any missions there probably won't be NATO ones, unless happens a la September 11th, 2001. On the downside, both India and Pakistan have nukes ... so ...
 
Stratos
 
=====
Plus ça change, plus . . .
===================================
From: "Rebecca Gingrich"
Subject: The truth dare not be spoken?

Jewish editor sacked for publishing article
http://www.indcatholicnews.com/speech.html

Subject: RE: Daily Digest December 30, 2008
From: "Efstratios Psarianos"
Harper promises to remain staunch ally of Israel as he helps light menorah
http://www.metronews.ca/toronto/Canada/article/158649

Harper a 'staunch ally of Israel--but is he a staunch defender of Canada?
Israel is a genocidal state and Canada should not be defending them while
killing in Afghanistan to 'allow girls to go to school and bring them
democracy'! The stated mission of Afghanistan is in direct opposition to
what Canada defends in Israel.
While defending Israel he is signing away Canada with military agreements
and NAU moves. Harper defends the HRTs and therefore is against free speech
in Canada. So, who is a staunch ally of Canada? Certainly not the PM.
Harper will not open the abortion debate--something petitioned for by
Christians. But then, could it possibly be because Morgenthaler, a Jew, was
awarded the OoC by stealth for criminally doing abortions? Harper defends
the Jewish faith--but not Canadian children?

Hamas is trying to defend itself. Israel bemoans the rockets in Sderot--a
place not even inhabited by Jews.
As for what Harper should say in public--is Stratos suggesting that he should
only support genocide in private? It is bad enough that if he says this in
public we know he has gone further in his defence of Israel than he says.
When a politicians lips are moving you know he is lying.
becky

Joe--something I forgot to mention in my last posting.  Canadian taxpayers are on the hook for $100M for the Aspers Human Rights Museum, plus the cost of yearly upkeep.  Is this more support for Israel?

Becky

===================================
From: Larry Kazdan
To: Letters@globeandmail.com
Subject: Letter to Editor re: Political will is more than hopes and prayers, Peter Raymont, Jan. 2

Re: Political will is more than hopes and prayers, Peter Raymont, Jan. 2

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090102.wcoalbright02/BNStory/specialComment/home

The United Nations also requires its own troops to deploy rapidly as a 'first responder'.  Canada could make an invaluable contribution by backing the creation of a standing UN Emergency Peace Service (UNEPS).  Aside from providing a robust military presence to establish security immediately, the proposed service would also contain police to restore law and order as well as an array of civilian teams specializing in humanitarian, human rights and peace-building activities.  By championing its creation, Canada could also help restore its own traditional reputation as a global peacebuilder and UN supporter.

Larry Kazdan,

Vancouver, B.C.

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