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 -
Worth the weight?
http://www.thetelegram.com/index.cfm?sid=235021&sc=80
CORNER BROOK WESTERN STAR -
No time to be wasted
http://www.thewesternstar.com/index.cfm?sid=235011&sc=30
AMHERST DAILY NEWS -
MacKay for NATO, impossible to say
http://www.amherstdaily.com/index.cfm?sid=234461&sc=61
MONTREAL GAZETTE -
Loosen EI rules to stimulate economy
http://www.montrealgazette.com/opinion/editorials/Loosen+rules+stimulate+economy/1420613/story.html
Banning Galloway is wild over-reaction
http://www.montrealgazette.com/Life/Banning+Galloway+wild+over+reaction/1420614/story.html
OTTAWA CITIZEN -
Undeserved publicity
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Undeserved+publicity/1420756/story.html
A sad commentary
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/editorials/commentary/1420757/story.html
TORONTO STAR -
Fix welfare rules that hurt jobless
http://www.thestar.com/Opinion/article/607041
Timely Afghan advice
http://www.thestar.com/Opinion/article/607042
GLOBE & MAIL -
Cold blood and adult penaltiesComment
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090323.weStephanie24/BNStory/specialComment/home
From toxicity to legacy
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090323.weToxic24/BNStory/specialComment/home
NATIONAL POST -
Bringing together two Canadian oil giants
http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/story.html?id=1420212
HAMILTON SPECTATOR -
Shame on Fox network
http://www.thespec.com/Opinions/article/535648
NIAGARA FALLS REVIEW -
Stimulus package alarms auditor
http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1491698
WINDSOR STAR -
Border jobs
http://www.windsorstar.com/opinion/editorials/Border+jobs/1421045/story.html
SUDBURY STAR -
Another way we're not so much like Americans
http://www.thesudburystar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1492209
THUNDER BAY CHRONICLE JOURNAL -
Relief is planned for homeowners
http://www.chroniclejournal.com/stories.php?id=174111
WINNIPEG FREE PRESS -
Free vote on gun law
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/editorials/editorial---free-vote-on-gun-law-41739602.html
Euro in danger of collapse over crisis
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/westview/euro-in-danger-of-collapse-over-crisis-41739587.html
Pope's condom message reckless
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/westview/popes-condom-message-reckless-41739477.html
WINNIPEG SUN -
Fox News host is an idiot, not a satirist
http://www.winnipegsun.com/comment/editorial/2009/03/24/8860906-sun.html
SASKATOON STARPHOENIX -
Preventing entry of Galloway hurts image of Canada
http://www.thestarphoenix.com/opinion/Preventing+entry+Galloway+hurts+image+Canada/1420911/story.html
CALGARY HERALD -
A question of law, not speech
http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/theeditorialpage/story.html?id=f5e237f5-a1fd-4c0c-b49b-0863c9e29b41
Gusher of an oil deal, positive sign of recovery
http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/theeditorialpage/story.html?id=f3e3af8b-507b-4e2e-acb6-ac99cb4079ba
Here's why government debt is dumb
http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/theeditorialpage/story.html?id=7795a220-de3f-4c8f-a3e1-de4998f03fed
When science gets religious, watch out
http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/theeditorialpage/story.html?id=848c7e11-1c37-4357-bd5b-2637ada208ce
EDMONTON JOURNAL -
Petro-Canada fades into Suncor
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/editorials/Petro+Canada+fades+into+Suncor/1421441/story.html
RED DEER ADVOCATE -
Canadians at tipping point on corporate bailouts
http://www.albertalocalnews.com/reddeeradvocate/opinion/Canadians_at_tipping_point_on_corporate_bailouts_41747957.html
PRINCE GEORGE CITIZEN -
Talk show host apologizes for slamming Canada
http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/20090323182916/opinion/editorials/talk-show-host-apologizes-for-slamming-canada.html
VANCOUVER PROVINCE -
Just ignore this late-night idiot
http://www.theprovince.com/opinion/editorials/Just+ignore+this+late+night+idiot/1421233/story.html
SURREY NOW -
Senate's 'sober second thought' needed
http://www2.canada.com/surreynow/news/viewpoint/story.html?id=e1bb4a4e-6c3c-49a4-a610-3c88dc4efb6b
VICTORIA TIMES-COLONIST -
Lessons from Mexico's drug-fuelled war
http://www2.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/comment/story.html?id=709cf971-4783-49e6-b537-ed6a400f1f3f
British MP odious, but he shouldn't be barred
http://www2.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/comment/story.html?id=61d2fbc0-bf5b-4294-ac2f-c0f6fe7bfb22
ISSUES
ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS -
TB and First Nations
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090323.wcoTB24/BNStory/specialComment/home
AF-PAK PROBLEM -
U. S. unveils strategy on Afghanistan to NATO
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays-paper/story.html?id=1420330
Afghanistan: pitfalls for the US
http://www.paperarticles.com/search/label/Afghanistan
NATO can't measure Afghan war performance - general
http://in.reuters.com/article/southAsiaNews/idINIndia-38684320090324
Long Drought Raises Spectre of Famine
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=46253
Afghan Villages Fight Corruption
http://www.afghanconflictmonitor.org/
At last we get it - this war is Vietnam for slow learners
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/mar/25/simon-jenkins-obama-iraq-war
Karzai Seeks Russia Help to Stay Afghan Leader, Kommersant Says
http://www.e-ariana.com/ariana/eariana.nsf/allDocs/444992E27DFD217F87257583005E94E0?OpenDocument
CANUSA/USACAN -
'Vile' words unite us
With 116 dead heroes, we apologize for not getting the joke
http://www.torontosun.com/news/columnists/2009/03/24/8861376-sun.html
Fox News bashing Canada and it's Soldiers, Why?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twmBwi7mDkc
FOX News scrapes bottom
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays-paper/story.html?id=1420272
ECONOMIC AFFAIRS -
Petro-Canada, Suncor seek repeal of ownership limit
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/090324/canada/canada_us_petrocanada_suncor
Merged Suncor-Petrocan will expand refining network, not shrink it, says analyst
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090324/national/suncor_petrocan_refineries
EI, individual bankruptcies up in Canada Video
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/03/24/ei-bankrupt-canada-january.html
Hundreds to be hired to process EI claims, says HR minister
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/03/24/employment-ei-claims-hiring.html
Oil merger raises fears of raw deal at the pump
http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/607197
FOREIGN AFFAIRS -
EU rejects China's calls for global currency
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090324.wchina0324/BNStory/crashandrecovery/home
Russian flights were nothing out of ordinary, MPs told
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/607187
Why the US can't bully Iran
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/KC25Ak02.html
JUSTICE SYSTEM -
We'll work to rebuild trust: RCMP
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays-paper/story.html?id=1420195
Federal Privacy Commissioner takes Air Canada to court over customer records
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays-paper/story.html?id=1420188
Mulroney seeks 'clarity' but denies he wants to block inquiry
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090324/national/mulroney_schreiber
MIGRATION -
Spike in Canada refugee claims shows 'systemic abuse,' Kenney charges
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=1423713
Canada saw steep rise in asylum-seekers in 2008
http://www.thestar.com/News/World/article/607282
Immigrants must speak our languages
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays-paper/story.html?id=1420214
POLITICS IN THE PROVINCES -
McGuinty still mulling merging federal and Ontario taxes in this week's budget
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090324/national/ont_budget_taxes
Life after John Tory
What will the next leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party need to do
in order to appeal both to the party's support base and to the broader electorate? http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090324.WPCPanel24/BNStory/politics/home
PC staffer sacked over alleged hacking attempt
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090324.wPOLont_probe0324/BNStory/politics/home
B.C. Liberals hold 11-point lead with campaign three weeks away
http://www.vancouversun.com/news/Liberals+hold+point+lead+with+campaign+three+weeks+away/1421713/story.html
Common Sense Revolution alive and kicking
http://news.therecord.com/Opinions/article/507964
FEDERAL POLITICS -
EI remedies too little, too late: Opposition
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090324/national/ei_funds
Flaherty says Europe must follow U.S., buy bad debt
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090324/flaherty_AM_090324/20090324?hub=Canada
VIDEO
http://watch.ctv.ca/news/Redirect/?ClipId=153327
Why Tories won't kill gun registry
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/607155
Liberals drop demand for advance details, approve $3 billion stimulus fund
http://www.metronews.ca/toronto/canada/article/202194
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090324.wPOLbudget0324/BNStory/politics/home
Pro-Lunn groups under scrutiny for election roleComment66
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090324.wlunn24/BNStory/politics/home
Ignatieff surfing on popularity of his 'Quebec nation' idea
http://www.montrealgazette.com/news/Ignatieff+surfing+popularity+Quebec+nation+idea/1420621/story.html
Working together in tough times VIDEO
http://www.onprobation.ca/?q=regional
PROGRAMMES -
Senate committee examines credit card fees
http://www.ottawasun.com/News/OttawaAndRegion/2009/03/23/8859951.html
Civil rights groups want action on security watchdog
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090324/national/cda_torture
FAA issues emergency order grounding Sikorsky helicopters until part replaced
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090324/national/nl_chopper_crash
Finley announces $60 million to bolster EI system
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090324/finley_employment_090324/20090324?hub=Canada
VIDEO
http://watch.ctv.ca/news/Redirect/?ClipId=153386
Programs for seniors filled with 'pork':MP
Only one grant goes to riding not held by Tories
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays-paper/story.html?id=1420204
Tories prepared to stand ground on polygamy
http://www.nationalpost.com/news/story.html?id=1423616
I have never supported Hamas, says Galloway
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090324/galloway_canada_090324/20090324?hub=QPeriod
Tories not behind move to bar anti-war British MP, Kenney says
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090324.wgalloway24/BNStory/politics/home
Minister Kenney on the Galloway hot seat
http://www2.macleans.ca/2009/03/24/gallowaywatch-were-through-the-looking-glass-here-people/#more-45143
'I'll be heard in Canada': Galloway
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/heard+Canada+Galloway/1420699/story.html
Banned British MP takes aim at Ottawa
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/607241
PRESSURE POINTS -
El Nino study challenges global warming belief
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090324.welnino0324/BNStory/Science/home
'We have hours' to prevent climate disaster
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/607159
We Can't Get There From Here
Political will and a price on CO2 won't be enough to bring about low-carbon energy sources.
http://www.newsweek.com/id/189293
OPINION AND INFORMATION -
Put 'enhanced drivers' licences' on hold: Civil liberties groups
http://www.canada.com/Technology/enhanced+drivers+licences+hold+Civil+liberties+groups/1423044/story.html
Getting a grip on greed
http://www.thestar.com/Opinion/article/607029
Ontario, don't be seduced by wind's breezy glamour
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/607028
Will the U.S. need help to recover?
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090324.wsymposium0324/BNStory/crashandrecovery/home
Politicians and scientists
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090323.wcoscience24/BNStory/specialComment/home
Toxic pay, toxic politics = trouble
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090323.wcowent24/BNStory/specialComment/home
Waste management
http://www.ottawasun.com/News/Columnists/Weston_Greg/2009/03/24/8863436-sun.html
Politicians slow to protect free speech
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Opinion/1113031.html
Why Galloway should speak
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/op-ed/Galloway+should+speak/1420761/story.html
Citizens or tourists?
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/op-ed/Citizens+tourists/1420760/story.html
The duty of fairness
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/op-ed/duty+fairness/1417128/story.html
INFOS -
Bravade anticipée de George Galloway
http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/International/2009/03/24/004-galloway_frontiere.shtml
Ottawa pourra injecter 3 milliards $ dans l'économie
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/200903/24/01-839842-ottawa-pourra-injecter-3-milliards-dans-leconomie.php
Permis Plus: moratoire demandé
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/national/200903/24/01-839728-permis-plus-moratoire-demande.php
Des groupes demandent une meilleure surveillance des agences de sécurité
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/200903/24/01-839788-des-groupes-demandent-une-meilleure-surveillance-des-agences-de-securite.php
La visite d'Obama a coûté 4 millions
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/200903/24/01-839713-la-visite-dobama-a-coute-4-millions.php
Ottawa tente d'accélérer le traitement des demandes d'assurance-emploi
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/090324/N0324217AU.html
Ottawa pourra rapidement commencer à injecter 3 milliards $ dans l'économie
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/090324/N0324235AU.html
L'opposition craint que les coupes à Radio-Canada fassent mal aux régions
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/090324/N0324175AU.html
BELOW(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)(30)30)(30)(30)(30)(30)
From: Ray Strachan Subject: Bravo Joe and all Canadians
Joe
Reading todays DD gives my a great feeling of confidence, that intelligent
people are in the majority. I think those sporting the 25 watt, mind
bulbs,are far outnumbered. I have not felt this relieved for a long time.
Maybe the grip around our mouths by the Fascist-Neocon organizations can be
broken, but having said that,I know they have not and will not, give up their
push for supremacy over us all. Freedom of speech is always the first to
go.Please keep the word "vigilant" forefront in your minds,watching for cracks
in our protective freedoms. That of course would be for "OUR" childrens and
grandchildrens futures.
Ray Strachan
===================================
From: "Serge Crespy"
Subject: IRAQ "GOODWILL" OIL
Dear Joe:
As a "perk" by Iraq, Coalition Armed Forces personnel should be deserving of one barrel of crude oil per month of service in Iraq; a modest twelve barrels per month of service for the families of the deceased soldiers; what does the public think?
Sincerely,
Serge Crespy
Collingwood, ON
===================================
From: "Bernard J Finestone"
Subject: Re: Daily Digest March 22, 2009
Dear Joe,
Rebecca Gingrich is doing an excellent job advancing anti-semitism. She really does not need help from Galloway.
HCol Bernard J Finestone, CD, CdeG (Ret)
=====
What would be the term for someone critical of actions of the state of Israel?
===================================
From: Larry Kazdan
To: feedback@ott.sunpub.com
Subject: Letter to Editor re: Correcting the right - Conservatives need to
be committed to core values, Peter Worthington, March 23, 2009
- Re: Correcting the right - Conservatives need to be committed to core values,
- Peter Worthington, March 23, 2009
- We don't want to fight but by Jingo if we do
- We've got the ships, we've got the men, we've got the money too
- We've got the ships, we've got the men, we've got the money too
===================================
From: The Natroses
Hi Joe,
Kenney's stated that it was Galloway's actions and not his words, that banned him from Canada. What he neglected to say, that actions of raising money to provide supplies of food and medical aid, delivery of the supplies to the Palestine people, is now considered a security risk.
So if this is so, what about other groups within and out of Canada who raised money for people where alleged terrorist organizations are operating, are these people going to represent a security threat to Canada.
I read a few articles, where Canadians who participate/donate their time and money to causes that are not in keeping with the Harper government are being watch. Has anyone thought that ideology of the Harper's government is surfacing, and showing its faces in different areas of government policies. The timing of banning Galloway, is just after the fact of taking away the grant of the Canadian Arab Federation, for English classes. The reason given that the money was being spent on other things, and not English classes. Things like going after the Harper government and their policies on Israel. What I do not like is the fact that Arab immigrants will be force to take English classes elsewhere, and will not have access to English speaking Arabs, who would share the same cultural and values that has not been watered down to a Canadian version. It happened after WWII, the people who did not learn English very well or not at all had troubled being taught English by people who did not shared the same values and culture. If you talk to them, they certainly have opinions on what is being taught, and how it is being taught.
Is this an attempt for the Harper conservatives, to use English lessons to pave the way to introduced neo-conservative values at a much earlier stage, to create a steady supply of neo-conservative voters. I find it comical to see an immigrant that came from a war-torn country, advocating and urging other Canadians to vote for a party that are using much of the same tactics as the original country, but without the blood spilled onto the ground. It is so much cleaner to cut funding to groups that do not represent the Harper government.
===================================
From: Rebecca Gingrich
Subject: Galloway banned for respecting democracy.
Dear Editor,
George Galloway is being banned from Canada by Jason Kenney who is acting as Israel's front man because he has had the nerve to defend democracy. Hamas was democratically elected with the entire world monitoring that election. But then, it is only democracy if we say so, and our government doesn't.
Galloway was banned because the masters of Canada, the JDL demanded it. That is the one and only reason this occurred. And now this same organization is promising that anyone that listens to Galloway or attends any meetings with Galloway will be monitored by the government and of course our Israel defending 'leaders will comply with this directive.
Harper has stated that he 'stands with Israel' and 'defends the Jewish faith' well and good as an individual. As Prime Minister, however, he has a higher duty preserving freedom of thought, speech and association - two out of the three of which are being directly threatened through George Galloway being refused entry into Canada.
Yours truly,
Rebecca Gingrich
Princeton, Ontario
===================================
From: "Mahmood Elahi"
To: <letters@nationalpost.com>
Subject: Canada must stop replicating failed Soviet mission
The Editor
National Post
Canada must stop replicating failed Soviet mission in Afghanistan
Re "Afghan mission morale still high," by Matthew Fisher and Quotation from Fen Hampson, Director, Norman Patterson School of International Affairs (March 23).
Matthew Fisher may be reminded that high morale is not enough to win the war. It must be associated with proper strategy. When 80,000 (later raised to 100,000) Soviet troops invaded Afghanistan to stop the fanatical Mujahedins from toppling the pro-Moscow regime in Kabul, they didn't train and equip the Afghan army and took up the combat themselves. The Soviet forces were supremely confident that they could defeat the insurgents on their own. The Soviet Union was a formidable superpower and the Soviet forces were backed up by fighter bombers, helicopter gunships, tanks and mechanized infantry divisions in full combat gear. The ragtag Mujahedins had little apparent chance against such a military machine. But the Mujahedins resorted to hit-and-run attacks, using Pakistan's tribal areas as their staging posts.
The only way to stem the insurgents from infiltrating Afghanistan was to take out their bases in Pakistan. But Pakistan was an American ally and any attack on Mujahedin bases inside Pakistan would have triggered a direct confrontation with the United States which was already supplying the insurgents with lethal weapons. As a result, when the Soviet troops were forced to withdraw after almost a decade of fighting, the Afghan army was ill-equipped to face the Mujahedin onslaught and the pro-Moscow regime fell like a house of cards.
By taking up the combat, Canada, U.S. and their NATO allies are basically replicating the failed Soviet mission. Now as then the Taliban are carrying out similar attacks by using Pakistan's tribal areas as their staging posts. And the United States cannot attack the Taliban bases inside Pakistan. Although Pakistan is still an American ally, it will never allow American forces to operate inside Pakistan, because it will impinge on its sovereignty and it will enrage the tribal population.
If 100,000 heavily-armed Soviet forces could not defeat the insurgents, 50,000 American and 3,000 Canadian forces cannot do the same. With areas surrendered by Pakistan, the Taliban and its acolytes are now in a far stronger position to carry out their attacks on NATO forces.To avert further catastrophe, Canada, the United States and their NATO allies should make equipping and training the Afghan army their top priority. The U.S. and Canadian troops should provide logistical support to the Afghan forces, but the bulk of the fighting should be left to them. Pakistan should be prodded to join the Afghan forces to fight the Taliban. Canada and its NATO allies have been talking about equipping the Afghan forces, but if they were serious, after seven years there should have been a combat-capable Afghan army in place. As for Fen Hampson's comment that "Europe doesn't want further engagement in Afghanistan, it wants out," it may be pointed out that this is perfectly OK if it is accompanied by measures for the Afghan army to hold on its own.
MAHMOOD ELAHI
===================================
From: "Serge Crespy"
Subject: "A WORLD DOLLAR"
Hi, Joe:
I take this opportunity to suggest the basis for value of a "World Dollar"; such currency value being the monthly average (195 Countries') Gross Domestic Product number, which is to be combined with the monthly average (195 Countries') Consumers Price Index number.
Best Wishes, Joe:
Sincerely,
Serge Crespy
Collingwood, Ontario
===================================
From: alan heisey <hize@earthlink.net>
Subject: "earthworm" 09 3 22 sunday
Publisher is Alan Heisey, 38 Avoca Avenue, L.P.H #6, Toronto, ON,
Canada, M4T 2B9
Phone 416 923 5381, <hize@earthlink.net> Emailed from Naples.
Winning 12 of Toronto's 23 ridings, one Spring at a time
Rusticating in Naples I am reminded of just how huge the problem of
winning city of Toronto seats is for the Conservative Party. My take
is that our national leader, his cabinet and caucus are proven
electables in most of Ontario, Western Canada and the rest of TROC.
Our city's recent, (alas blanked), slates of candidates (of record)
are surely the equal of the talented men and women elected,
regularly, elsewhere in the country.
I submit that the problem, as Pogo once said, is us, the Toronto
Tories, collectively.
We don't want to win so badly that we can expect to deliver our 23
constitutencies, hey, maybe even just a couple or three, predictably,
when the balloon goes up, as it will again in the next two to four
years.
If one views the "Toronto problem", not as yet another national
campaign which does not resonate in our town, nor candidates of
greater, and lesser accomplishments, also unresponded to by the
Toronto electorate, collectively, then truly, all that is left is us.
Heaven knows we support the national leader and campaign and our local
team, so where, possibly, could we be missing it?
I submit we are missing it, right now, in this new Spring of 2009 by
not having any "Spring 2009 pre-election campaign" up and running in
massive contacts with our sophisticated population (our neighbours, if
you care to think of them that way) who are always ready to give us,
the Toronto Tory, urban underdogs, yet another chance.
I don't think it wise to consider we could or should win all 23
Toronto seats, that would take such a tidal wave, as of quite
unimaginable proportions. I do think that scattered, unevenly across
the 23, recently-freshened, brain trusts which head up our local party
constituencies, there are hungry, ambitious, driving men and women who
can see a target of a decent half of those waiting, wanting electoral
districts as within our collective capacity.
After all, as I reminded all who read "the plaintive squawk" at our
last November Winnipeg convention, in 1984 we won 14 of the 23 seats
which then constituted the smaller city of Toronto! "14 out of 23" Say
it again, and again, and again, as a mantra!
I checked exactly where we stand with a long-seasoned, current
president of a downtown riding association about how closely he and
his counterparts were working together on "the Toronto problem". His
view is that the idea of the ridings working together is bruited
regularly, but nothing concrete is happening. I hope he is wrong,
since this upcoming, glorious, - Spring 2009 - is the first season of
perhaps three springs, and 15 seasons. wherein the battles of Toronto
Tories are being waged silently or brashly, and where and whether we
are currently winning this spring's battles, or losing, yet again, as
we have proven so good at losing!
I hope it is clear that I think winning in ourtown is not all that
dependent on the prime minster and cabinet, nor on even more
outstanding, newly nominated candidates proven, or new, for the next
fray, but on us, little people, Tories mostly, with tens of thousands
more to come, with big aspirations and the smarts to carry them out.
I even have a "Spring 2009 Toronto Campaign Strategy ready for us to
put into action so that on the summer solstice, June 21st next, we can
say, "progress made, progress to come!"
Please understand that my concept of an easily-initiated Spring 2009
campaign is that we will have buttonholed, in person about 100,000
Toronto residents at subway and bus stops and left them something to
read about the 23 local riding associations in the city which they are
invited to read about and possibly attend, and ideally join.
Since last setting out this idea (to apparently massive indifference?
who knows, who knows?) I have evolved it in an important particular.
On the front page of this edition of "worm" I reproduce a photo of the
Spring 2002 newly-elected board of Trinity-Spadina e.d.a. I had hoped
that the newly elected St. Paul's board would have snapped a group
photo when they met recently to finalize a new executive, but no such
luck!
I propose that all 23 Toronto ridings get fresh, friendly group photos
of their board members taken and used as the colourful front page
interest-arousers in the pamphlets which they distribute to X thousand
neighbours at subway and bus stations. The photos should ideally be
taken outdoors in a prominent local location, possibly with kids and
dogs, but relaxed and inviting! I would like to think that all in the
photos would be identified in the caption but there seems such
inordinate hesitations about that basic information that I suggest
they leave out all names, merely identifying them all as your
neighbours!
Key message of the pamphlet is a social introduction and an invitation
to a specific series of summer, ideally outdoor receptions in mid- June to meet the local boards and consider joining the associations -
all those details I leave to local associations, asking only that they
not accept submitting copy to Ottawa before publishing!
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