Monday, March 2, 2009

Daily Digest March 2, 2009


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

EDITORIAL PAGEs

CAPE BRETON POST -
Plans converge for better health
http://www.capebretonpost.com/index.cfm?sid=227038&sc=151

HALIFAX CHRONICLE HERALD -
Weight-loss industry: Consumers need help
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Editorial/1109141.html

AMHERST DAILY NEWS -
Disaster in wings  View comments3
http://www.amherstdaily.com/index.cfm?sid=227329&sc=61

MONTREAL GAZETTE -
Anti-gang measures have little lasting value
http://www.montrealgazette.com/opinion/editorials/Anti+gang+measures+have+little+lasting+value/1343166/story.html

OTTAWA CITIZEN -
More than child's play
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/More+than+child+play/1343375/story.html

KINGSTON WHIG STANDARD-
POLITICIANS STILL PLAYING GAMES
http://www.thewhig.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1457646

TORONTO STAR -
No future for wind in Ontario 
http://www.thestar.com/Opinion/article/594444

More talk than action on the economy 
http://www.thestar.com/Opinion/article/594446


GLOBE & MAIL -
Advancing on many frontsComment4
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090301.weObama02/BNStory/specialComment/home

Obama: Budget a threat to status quo
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090228.wobamabudg0229/BNStory/specialComment

The ensign and the bison
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090301.weFlag02/BNStory/specialComment/home

NATIONAL POST -
Canada's new haves and have-nots
http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/story.html?id=1343248

HAMILTON SPECTATOR -
Higher tuition: The dangers 
http://www.thespec.com/Opinions/article/523010

ST. CATHARINES STANDARD -
 It always hurts to be dumped
http://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1458094

NIAGARA FALLS REVIEW -
When the Qur'an is mutilated by Muslims
http://www.niagarafallsreview.ca/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1457694

K-W RECORD -
Harper's stimulus package could cost him a lot
http://news.therecord.com/Opinions/article/496690

WINDSOR STAR -
Taser debate: Care and caution needed
http://www.windsorstar.com/opinion/editorials/Taser+debate/1343600/story.html

SUDBURY STAR -
Public's right to know stifled
http://www.thesudburystar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1458202

THUNDER BAY CHRONICLE JOURNAL -
http://www.chroniclejournal.com/stories.php?id=168482
 http://www.chroniclejournal.com/stories.php?id=168482

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS -
Canada's birth-rate crisis
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/westview/canadas_birth-rate_crisis-40524917.html

CALGARY HERALD -
CBC at crossroads
http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/theeditorialpage/story.html?id=86861f97-fcb5-4e68-93a8-ea888e780276

Long-awaited rights reforms on the way
http://www2.canada.com/calgaryherald/news/theeditorialpage/story.html?id=4db98b23-c0f8-4fce-b9d2-1beb47186f94

CALGARY SUN -
What are the odds we trust them?
http://calsun.canoe.ca/Comment/POV/2009/03/02/8584451-sun.html

GRANDE PRAIRIE DAILY HERALD TRIBUNE -
Swift action needed on lottery abuses - Governments need to step in to fix obvious problem
http://www.dailyheraldtribune.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1458483
 
LETHBRIDGE HERALD -
Budding leaders deserve kudos
http://www.lethbridgeherald.com/content/view/36469/56/

RED DEER ADVOCATE -
Global warming unstoppable?
http://www.albertalocalnews.com/reddeeradvocate/opinion/Global_warming_unstoppable.html

Are we digging ourselves into a hole with carbon capture?
http://www.albertalocalnews.com/reddeeradvocate/opinion/Are_we_digging_ourselves_into_a_hole_with_carbon_capture.html

VANCOUVER PROVINCE - 
No perfect truths when debating love
http://www.theprovince.com/opinion/editorials/perfect+truths+when+debating+love/1344018/story.html

VICTORIA TIMES-COLONIST -
Get tougher on drunk driving
http://www2.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/comment/story.html?id=915581ac-57a9-4fcd-b4d4-aff3276fd725

Canadian politics dismal, drifting
http://www2.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/comment/story.html?id=b972ffd8-fbbe-43a3-b8bf-568a2c0f95e9

Time to move beyond fearing the smart
http://www2.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/comment/story.html?id=107ea89e-9696-4a70-8c63-bf612d4dae8f

ISSUES

AF-PAK PROBLEM -
Taliban rivals unite to fight US troop surge
Move by Pakistani militants prompts fears of escalation in Afghan violence
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/mar/03/taliban-pakistan-afghanistan-us-surge

France's Morin favors NATO Afghan withdrawal date
http://in.reuters.com/article/southAsiaNews/idINIndia-38299420090303


CANADIAN FORCES -
Canada to open 8 support centres for members of military
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2009/03/02/support-centres.html

Probe finds Taliban, not Canadians, to blame for slain Afghan boys
http://www.nationalpost.com/most-popular/story.html?id=1344447


CANUSA/USACAN -
Canada wants North American standard on fuel efficiency
http://www.financialpost.com/news-sectors/story.html?id=1344896


ECONOMIC AFFAIRS -
Deep recession began in late 2008: StatsCan    
http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/595132

Small business owners falling through credit cracks
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays-paper/story.html?id=1343244

Canada remains relatively strong: Harper
http://www.financialpost.com/news-sectors/story.html?id=1345287


FOREIGN AFFAIRS -
Treason nobody talks about
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Opinion/1109120.html

The dictionary of empire-speak 
http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/KC03Df02.html


HEALTH CARE RELATED -
Canadians make stem-cell breakthrough
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090301.wstemcells0301/BNStory/Science/home

The French remedy still works for medicare
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090227.wcogagnon02/BNStory/specialComment/home

 Alcohol disorder takes toll
http://www.thestar.com/ParentCentral/Babies&Pregnancy/article/595043


POLITICS IN THE PROVINCES -
Tory's future in politics comes down to the wire
http://www.thestar.com/News/Ontario/article/595063

B.C. moves to regulate payday loan companies to better protect consumers
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5i0qGbRstaGomN_gBtkTT3m7jjuwA


FEDERAL POLITICS -
Harper accused of Afghan about-face
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/595302 Liberals predict Tory attack ads would backfire
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090302/national/ignatieff_attack_ads

PM 'testing' House foes
http://www.ottawasun.com/News/National/2009/03/02/8584246-sun.html

Senate won't rubber stamp $258.6-billion budget, say Liberals
http://www.thehilltimes.ca/html/index.php?display=story&full_path=2009/march/2/senate_budget/&c=2

Ignatieff comes a-courtin' rural voters
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090227.wcorural02/BNStory/specialComment/home

Harper rolls dice to play oil sands 'wild card'    
http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/594953

Tories and Libs focusing on 'key battleground' of fertile Ontario
Conservatives say Ontario will be fertile political ground in the next election.
http://www.thehilltimes.ca/html/cover_index.php?display=story&full_path=/2009/march/2/batterground/&c=1

Ottawa Politics and News from the Hill
http://blog.macleans.ca/category/blog-central/canada-blog/capital-read/


PROGRAMMES -
Ottawa plans consultations over $12B fund for vehicle loans
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays-paper/story.html?id=1321717

GM on right track with Canada plan: Industry Minister
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays-paper/story.html?id=1320002

Ottawa to grill banks on rising fees
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays-paper/story.html?id=1343245

Researchers fear 'stagnation' under Tories
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090302.wresearch02/BNStory/National/home

Afghan projects financed with aid cuts   
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/595062

Patrol vessels back on Ottawa's radar
http://thechronicleherald.ca/NovaScotia/1109203.html


PRESSURE POINTS -
Climate change double-think
http://www.nationalpost.com/opinion/columnists/story.html?id=d42a5618-e09b-4765-b180-edadc59d6677

Oil sands exposé deserves more energetic response 
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/595034

The verdict: guilty of failing the rule of law
http://thechronicleherald.ca/Opinion/1109124.html

Canada 'twiddles its thumbs' waiting for an American-made climate strategy: environmentalists
Obama shows 'real leadership' on environment, but Canada is stuck in a holding pattern.
http://www.thehilltimes.ca/html/cover_index.php?display=story&full_path=/2009/march/2/canada_twiddles_thumbs/&c=1


OPINION AND INFORMATION -
Automotive bailout must not be free ride
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays-paper/story.html?id=1343240

Harper philosophy collides with economic reality
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090301.wPOLconservative02/BNStory/politics/home

We're not waiting for our politicians to think globally
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090227.wcoworld02/BNStory/specialComment/home

Spending Smarter on Infrastructure
http://www.spendingsmarter.ca/news/assets/March%202009.htm


INFOS -
Harper fait volte-face sur l'Afghanistan, selon l'opposition
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/200903/02/01-832593-harper-fait-volte-face-sur-lafghanistan-selon-lopposition.php

Une question d'image, selon des experts
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/200903/01/01-832342-une-question-dimage-selon-des-experts.php

Afghanistan: les Occidentaux ne vaincront pas, affirme Harper
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/200903/02/01-832399-afghanistan-les-occidentaux-ne-vaincront-pas-affirme-harper.php

Ottawa a accordé un permis à un présumé trafiquant de drogue
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/200903/01/01-832329-ottawa-a-accorde-un-permis-a-un-presume-trafiquant-de-drogue.php

Le gouvernement fédéral veut que la population se méfie des fraudeurs
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/090302/N030256AU.html

L'armée canadienne attribue aux talibans la mort de trois enfants afghans
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/090302/N0302170AU.html

Les conservateurs laissent tomber les gants devant Micheal Ignatieff
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/090301/N0301100AU.html

Le ministre fédéral de l'Environnement, Jim Prentice, se rend à Washington
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/090301/N0301122AU.html

Ottawa créera un réseau de huit centres de soutien aux militaires
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/090302/N0302168AU.html

Garderies: un gouvernement du PLC créera un réseau national, dit Ignatieff
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/090301/N0301124AU.html

Un « virage » conservateur critiqué
http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/Politique/2009/03/02/001-afghanistan-reactions.shtml

Impossible de gagner en Afghanistan, dit Harper
http://www.ledevoir.com/2009/03/02/236813.html

Ignatieff lâche Elizabeth May et les verts
http://www.ledevoir.com/2009/03/02/236803.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: alan heisey <hize@earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: BELOW(30) March 2nd, 2009

j, please advise bill allen that the combined might of respondents' letters to the useful dd service has less influence, in my humble opinion, than a formal resolution from a cpc eda meeting after a discussion with the resolution being forwarded to the ministers involved. the break for the ministers involved is that the tory ridings collectively very rarely resolve anything, so damming letters in the daily press get read by ministerial underlings who report trends carefully.

but dd exchanges make us feel good, usually. cz

===================================
From: "Rebecca Gingrich"
Subject: DD

Joe--I can't but think of adscam when reading this 'trust us' blather. No
oversight? Isn't that what adscam was also? Sadly, with oversight or not
we are again being used as trough fillers.
Expect mistakes? What else would we expect. We all know that promises are
not worth the paper they are written on, words mean nothing to our exalted
leaders of any Party, and we should just shut up and keep paying our taxes.
If we lose our jobs and have no earnings that the government can tax, they
will come up with creative ways to add taxes to other areas.
We are accuse of living on credit and not paying our bills, but the
governments have no such problem. I guess when you don't have to be
responsible for your own waste you can throw our money around? They have
accessed the motherlode--that being the poor taxpayer. Why there hasn't
been a tax revolt in this country speaks volumes about us as gutless
wonders. That we have lived our entire life knowing in our souls that we
cannot trust any government, we are now being raped and pillaged and told to
trust the untrustable. How true it is that we get the government we
deserve. There is more of us than there is of them. The longer we keep
bowing and scraping to these monsters the longer we give them to perfect
their complete dictatorship over us.
How much longer will we be so complacent? What will it take to bring
democracy back to this God forsaken country?
Becky

===================================
From: The Natroses to Hill Times

Navigable Waters Protection Act will impact Canadians
http://www.thehilltimes.ca/html/cover_index.php?display=story&full_path=/2009/march/2/letter7/&c=1
Changes to the Navigable Waters Protection Act included in Budget Bill C-10 will bring on a host of new changes in other areas that will impact Canadians.

By classifying waterways, access for the average Canadian will be limited, and in some cases it will cost money to sail a boat through some areas.

By giving the power and decision-making to the minister, the Harper government has done away with consulting the people. But it is no different from the changes that have been made in other government departments where the ministers control the direction, and policy decisions where input is limited and left to the discretion of the minister. Departments such as Fisheries and Oceans, Immigration, Public Safety, and Transportation all have immense powers to make changes without the bother of debate or being accountable to ordinary Canadians.

Nancy Clarke

Grand Bank, Nfld.
===================================
From: Eugene Parks to Hill Times

 GM's loan request big, but end of automotive production bigger
GM is requesting a loan of $10-billion. That is a one-time loan for about one per cent of Canada's yearly economic output; or four per cent of the federal budget. That's a lot of cash.

The Canadian auto industry accounts for roughly 500,000 Canadian workers, significantly more than one per cent of the Canadian economy (or four per cent of one year's federal revenues).

Letting the auto industry fail means a jump in Canadian unemployment to 10 per cent or more. And, federal revenues drop by more than four per cent while unemployment and welfare payments jump significantly.

Asking for a $10-billion loan is a big deal; the end of domestic automotive production in Canada is a bigger, and more costly, deal.

Eugene Parks
Victoria, B.C.

===================================
Subject: Doom, gloom .. All we need is an asteroid collision and we'll have a (bad) boom, too ...
From: "Efstratios Psarianos"

Dum-de-DUM-dum ...
 
AIG heads back to cash counter, The US budget, GM and Toyota are hurting, and Mother Britannia sinks below the waves she once ruled
http://news.thomasnet.com/IMT/archives/2009/03/weekly-industry-crib-sheet-030209-aig-back-for-more-obama-budget-for-2010-unemployement-up.html?WT.mc_t=blg&WT.mc_n=blg0309&channel=email

===================================
From: "Serge Crespy"
Subject: SPIRITUAL $$$$$$$$

Hi, Joe:
Governments are asking people to inhale, as they exhale; save, save, as we should spend, spend, to motivate the economy.  The short breathing spells, hit and run, profit-taking philosophy of business has damaged the economy.  The system must take a deep breath for all related cycles to stabilize.

An extended feeding-frenzy has remained unchecked resulting in a major case of constipation for the economy.  Cod liver oil, (assistance) is being administered by the Governments; too much will create another problem.

Governments must re-energize capitalism with an equal sense of spiritualism; a "New World Order", with the spiritual instinctively moderating one's physical needs and wants.  All personal beliefs aside, one must ultimately be considerate of  "We, The People".   As GOD does not have an advertising budget, I have no-doubt that collectively, society will elevate itself to the next level.

Sincerely,
Serge Crespy
Collingwood, ON

===================================
From: Ron Thornton

Hi Joe:

After a while, maybe we should just capitulate and go with the flow. Maybe we are wrong. For example, the Edmonton Public Library no longer asks for membership dues. On renewal, they simply ask if you wish to make a donation. If you don't, they'll just hand you your membership for nothing. Considering the material is available to all, as the membership just gives you the option of removing it for a few weeks, I thought this a pretty stupid, irresponsible move. Then I thought, if they really don't want me to pay, then maybe I should shut up and save the $12 annual fee. I know, who can't afford a dollar a month?  Then again, why argue?

You argue against Bill C-10, yet you don't consider that maybe the Chinese would like to buy up our country, too. While they are busily buying up the US debt, maybe they would like to invest in every small to medium sized business (or anything valued at less than a billion bucks) on this side of the border. After they finish buying up everything, then maybe a few of those billion folks might like to move to our sparsely populated land to run those businesses. Open the borders, I say! I mean, those who own our country should be given the opportunity to live in it, shouldn't they?

There could be benefits of selling off our country to foreign interests, especially the Chinese. While Maple Leaf continues to have its public relations problems, I can't help but remember how the Chinese took care of their tainted milk concerns. If some guy is making millions to run a company into the ground, I wonder what kind of golden handshake such a CEO would get in China? No doubt it would involve some kind of celebration involving fireworks, or something that rather sounds like fireworks.

As for having legislation shoved through Parliament without any proper vetting, I really don't know what your problem is. I mean, if Iggy didn't like it, he would have said so. Wouldn't he? I mean, if Jack is nuts and Gilles just wants to suck the rest of us dry, then I'm sure we have Stephen and Mikey standing on guard for thee and we. All they ask is that we bend over, grab our ankles, and give thanks for what we are about to receive.

Okay, maybe the path of least resistance might actually prove to be just one big pain in the ass after all. Never mind.

Ron

=====
Mikey _______?

=====
Mikey Ignatieff, Joe. You know, Stephane Dion with testicles.

=====
. . never noticed Iggy's first name before.I

        Joe

===================================
From: Lorimer Rutty
Subject: new subscribers

Joe
You identified one of two new subscribers.
Being blinded by this exhilaration you forgot to mention to them the 
DD rules of the substrate.
It's 12 point. Don't you remember?

Lorimer

===================================
From: Caspar Davis
Subject: Harper Using Elections Canada to Chills Citizens' Groups  - HarperIndex.ca

Hi Joe,

In case you haven't seen this:
http://www.harperindex.ca/ViewArticle.cfm?Ref=00193

Elections Canada warning chills citizens' groups
Warning letter blurs lines between advertising and advocacy.
http://www.harperindex.ca/ViewArticle.cfm?Ref=00193
by Ish Theilheimer

Ottawa, February 26, 2009, HarperIndex.ca: A chill could fall on advocacy groups of all kinds if a letter the Sierra Club of Canada got this week from Elections Canada is any indication.

The letter received by Sierra Club's executive director Stephen Hazell said that the organization had violated the Elections Act by holding a joint news conference and issuing a news release during last fall's general election, without registering as a third party.
 (There is a video )

===================================
From: John Halonen

It may be better for Stephen Harper to tell his real truth. 

If Canada is to have a future that is positive from a totally Canadian perspective,
   we really need to have a leader that wants it and believes that Canada has a future.

If Canada is to have a future just for Canadians, then the actions by our government
  should portray that.

Unfortunately we have a leader that has no direction and cares less. The actions of
  our Prime Minister should be one that all Canadians can follow.  Where is our future, 
  without a leader that we can follow and believe in?

John  Halonen

===================================
From: Charles Tupper
Subject: THE SECRET GOVERNMENT

         THE SECRET GOVERNMENT

A small number of extremely wealthy people, descendants of wealthy families in Europe and the U.S, own a major part of the material wealth of the world. This power is concentrated in London which is the centre of the world banking system. The control they exercise is kept within the original families and passed down from generation to generation. They are highly organised, operating in secret through a web of 'private' organisations.

This group is known as the Global Elite.

Their wealth is accumulating on a compound basis. They determine the course of history, through virtual control of the world economy.

They are working to a 'grand plan' which is now well-advanced.

The common reaction of people when first hearing of the global elite and their operations is one of disbelief and a refusal to give the claims any credibility as it appears so outrageous. But during the last few years there has been an increasing volume of books, articles and essays, all with the same story. All are based on well-documented research. The information revealed is consistent with the events of recent history, leaving no room for doubt. It is the "New World Order" taking shape - the Global Elite strategy.

===================================
From: "Rebecca Gingrich"
Subject: DD

Joe--re the submission by Charles Tupper and Harper's words re supporting Israel in it's attack on Iran.
If I have this straight our PM is in support of genocide, war for nebulous reasons(same as justification for attacking Iraq--WMD) and would probably send our children and grandchildren to fight a battle for a foreign state?????

The IAE has stated that Iran does not have nuclear weapons.  Same as they said for Iraq where they were proven correct.  Iran has not attacked anyone--but Canada has attacked Yugoslavia and Afghanistan  in the past few years.  Israel has attacked innocent people and killed(genocide) women and children while stealing their land, killing their livestock, destroying their orchards and chemically polluting their fields, using banned weapons and we support them?????  As for Iran acquiring weapons to 'act on the ideology of evil', I think that description fits Israel to a T.  We have just been given proof of that.

Harper must be stopped.  He is supporting something that the majority of Canadians find evil and against everything we have ever been taught.  Sadly there is not a political party in Canada that is not controlled by the evil money masters.

How can any thinking person accept the actions of the state of Israel which we have seen over and over again since before 1948, and yet castigate Iran which has a long history of being a peaceful nation?  Are Canadians, in Harper's eyes, so controlled that he believes we will not think this through for ourselves.  Then we have Lawrence Cannon supposedly meeting with the leader of Hamas, Abbas, when the entire world knows(at least those of us that think) that Abbas is NOT the leader of Hamas, but, like Harper and our other 'leaders' is nothing more than a puppet of Israel.

I will state it again--I AM ASHAMED TO BE A CANADIAN.  Harper does not speak for me.

Becky
===================================
Posted by at No comments:

BELOW(30) March 2nd, 2009


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)

This is sent because it's done up to date at 1:15 and there may be more by the time the Digest is done to-day (or early tomorrow).

Bill Allen is one of two new subscribers. (Four so far have been lost. One a Don from Landmark MB.)

Bill, "Silent Watchers" are my term for those who receive the Digest but have never contributed their thoughts.  Aase does that on a
number of sites.  She follows the various contributors and comments to me on some of their peccadilloes from time to time. Betcha
some receiving the DD do the same.

Am I able to answer your question posed below? Not really, except to suggest this, the most effective influence is my view is not contrarians such as myself but those known as CPC supporters.  Their expressing to M.P.s they know concern about having to wage the coming election from a defensive position to those in the Riding opposing arbitrary changes to the Navigable Waters Protection Act and other Acts would be as effective as anything could be.

         Joe

"I am on a learning curve with your process. I would rather influence change Bill C-10 and the ideological additions to it re the Navigable Waters Protection Act in particular, than simply to talk about my concerns."

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From: "Suan H.Booiman"Subject: Grits dis PM's 'Tarzan' threat

Joe the Grits have to wait for the cheque from Ottawa, without
it they would be bankrupt paying for an election. Simple.
 
Suan
===================================
From:Joerge Dyrkton
Subject: 'The Rights Revolution' by Michael Ignatieff - A Critique in the Light of Events

Hello Joe,
 
My offering this month is a little longer than usual (so I will not paste it onto your Daily Digest) but if you (or others) are interested in reading a critique of Michael Ignatieff's 'The Rights Revolution' check out my blog at:
www.joergedyrkton.blogspot.com
Thank you very much.
 
Joerge Dyrkton, D.Phil.

===================================
From: Gord Hill
Subject: Who is minding the store??
 
Our Passports are processed in Washington D.C.?
Our communications are processed in India?
Our country's markets and resources are processed at Head Offices throughout the World?
Our retail, wholesale, distribution, shipping are processed where??
Thomas Caldwell stated that we need Canadian CEO's and Canadian Corporations
in order to maintain our sovereignty, why are Canadians not listening?
Why is our country not accounting, assessing, regulating and managing all our resources for
the benefit and the sovereignty of its citizens???
We should and must trade with others, but, if we do not own the resources, products, patents, ideas that are produced and are within the boundaries of  Canada is this in fact trading???or is it warehousing?
Balance is required and in order to create balance you must have sovereignty or others will balance things for you.
Canadians need to decide what is to be made here and what is to be bought elsewhere. Is this our decision any longer?
 
We Canadians are made of better stuff then this. Stand up!
 
We need to use everything we have or have had, to get our country back - income trusts, P3's, Canadian stock issues, where foreign companies that have control over Canadian resources fail or need to sell we must be ready to get back through legitimate purchases the control that we so easily gave away!
 
Our forefathers did not give up their lifes in two World Wars for us, so that we would treat their goals and accomplishments and reward them by giving away the country they fought so hard to preserve.
 
 Stop it! My heart is breaking and so is theirs. If you feel that what is going on is wrong there is an alternative www.pcparty.org .
 
Gord Hill
Hamilton East - Stoney Creek
Candidate of Record
The Progressive Canadian Party

===================================
From: Ray Strachan
Subject: Well they did make the Newspapers

Joe

Yesterday in my praise of Steve and Pete I mentioned how the National
News,described  the RUSSIAN BOMBER STORY.   I made a little levity of it all.
But I did say "And The Morning Newspapers haven't even come out yet"   Well, I
was very surprised on how little coverage showed up on the DD today.   Just
the two stalwarts,   The National Post and The Toronto Sun.  Well they saw it
much as the National  TV News Media did,    very grave happening, altho it
sounds like an essay that could have been written in a Grade 1 class.    But
what we do know is that those two Papers are so very,very,very classy,
demanding Fair and Balanced Coverage.    And of course there could have been
many other stories in the other Dailies. I was sorry I cound not read them
all,front to back. I may have been further enlightened.

Ray Strachan

===================================
From: Judy Lewis

Good Letter to the Editor in the Star, Joe!
 
Judy Lewis
Bill C-10: Short-term gain at cost of long-term pain
http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/594393

=====
Judy, Thanks. A major HIT! Joe

===================================
From: "Anne Dickinson"
Subject: Re: Daily Digest February 27, 2009

Hi Joe-
 
Someone should explain to the Fort MacMurray construction worker (that is, if he actually exists and is not just
another right wing urban legend)- lets call him Joe the Construction Worker- that working with heavy machinery
is dangerous work if impaired which is why he has to be tested.
 
That he suggests that this such testing is unfair and that welfare recipients in particular should also be tested suggest that he is also Joe the not very brght redneck.
 
Anne

===================================
From: "Rebecca Gingrich"
Subject: DD

Joe--the NP article--'what ever happened to strong and free' opens up a can
of worms that must be addressed. A government who legislates laws like this
must be stopped immediately. I find it more than reprehensible that the
same government making these stupid intrusive laws also makes billions on
the taxes they charge for this habit they pretend to abhor. Same with
alcohol--we spend large amounts of tax dollars on pretending to stop
drinking and driving when the sole controller of the product is the
government that taxes us into oblivion every time we use the product. I do
not drink at all but my tax dollars go to playing this game. Governments at
all levels have only one aim--to totally subjugate our every move to their
own dictates. The smoking in cars with minors present is just the latest
step to our total loss of control over our lives.
How well this story fits into the story about evolution posted on the DD.
Why don't we get taught the truth--that we are devolving at a faster and
faster rate with each passing year. We have lost almost any moral and ethic
we have ever had. Criminal action is condoned by the Injustice System in
our strong and free country. Innocent people are treated worse than
criminals if they speak their minds. The country is not only in an economic
depression, we are in a moral, ethical and freedom depression. I don't call
that 'evolution' by any standard.
becky

===================================
From: Zeb Landon
Subject: Gerard Kennedy proposes augmenting the Gas Tax Transfer in order
 to delivery stimulus equitably (non-politically) to Canadian communities

Joe,
I thought Gerard Kennedy's proposal to use the Gas Tax Transfer as a proven non-politicized vehicle that could target federal stimulus monies to municipal infrastructure costs  deserved more attention than the media has given it.  I could not find anything on it  in the media, since I heard about it on the news, late last week.

We do need a system of equitable (i.e., regionally and subregionally 'fiscally balanced') support for municipal-level infrastructure from federal monies.  -- One that works like clockwork, i.e., every quarter the feds remit a certain amount (more or less depending on a per capita formula) to all Canadian municipalities  (with no delays, if's, but's, etc.).

Right now, bureaucrats in my municipality must waste days writing up applications for grants, while other bureaucrats at higher levels (federal and provincial) often it seems on no particular schedule consider municipalities' applications, and then they second-guess what their political masters want to do.  Nobody knows when the money will come, or how much or if:  -- a system that wreaks havoc on planning budgets and on all that depends on the budgets.  I consider this horrible system of grant application a pin the tail on the donkey system.

 Zeb Landon

===================================
From: Caspar Davis
Subject: Tax Evasion, Swiss/Canadian Style

Thanks to Mel Hurtig, who writes:

I recently suggested that the IRS and the Department of Justice in the U.S. will be going after 17,000 Americans re the illegal UBS tax evasion schemes.

Wrong. The number is closer to 52,000.  UBS has dumped their CEO and has already agreed to pay a $780 million US fine and promised to reveal the names of their clients in the U.S. Two UBS managers in the U.S, have been indicted and one has pleaded guilty in a scheme to allow wealthy Americans to evade U.S. income tax. Now, what about Canada?

I am waiting for some MP to raise the activities of UBS in Canada in The House of Commons. We already know that UBS had a long-time covert operation in Canada that funnelled billions of dollars offshore and that they had a countersurveillance team using encrypted computers to conceal billions of dollars from Canadian Revenue Service, and that UBS regularly sent agents into Canada (illegally) from Zurich to lure wealthy Canadians in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary into their bank's schemes. We also know that Michael Wilson was very much involved, and that he has refused to answer questions re UBS.

Shouldn't he be called to testify about such tax evasion before a House of Commons Committee? After all, he was Brian Mulroney's Minister of Finance.

I've written before about billions of dollars leaving Canada annually in transfer pricing. Bravo to the Canada Revenue Agency for nailing Chrysler with a $500 million charge (with more to come). Bear in mind we're talking here about only one bank and only one auto company.

I find it difficult to undertand why no NDP or Liberal MP has failed to ask our Prime Minister and current Revenue Minister about all of this in the House of Commons. Shouldn't we at least know the names of the wealthy Canadians who have been ripping off the tax system causing you and your friends and family to pay too much tax????

Mel Hurtig

=====
Wasn't there also an offshore tax evasion Bill introduced then withdrawn?
===================================
From: "Brian D. Marlatt"
Subject: Cat out of the bag.

Grafting parts of one system of government onto another can be expected to have unexpected or unfortunate results. Electing senators to represent provincial interest in imitation of the federalism of America's united states reverses the relationship between Canada's Parliament and its provinces in Canadian federalism; borrowing the practice of hearings to confirm Supreme Court appointments calls into question the independence of the judiciary and the rule of law as understood in Canada; allowing a prime minister and government to treat other members of parliament as if they were nobodies even within parliament or asking the GG to prorogue parliament so as to avoid a vote of non-confidence is to call into question the Canadian constitutional principle of responsible government. Those who would graft the practices of others onto our own constitutional practices show disdain for both constitutions and disrespect for the people when they are asked to accept them blindly or simply because they are done elsewhere. An agenda at odds with established constitutional practice calls into question a government's right to govern.

So it is with idea of "tack-ons" to the Throne Speech or the central money bill, the Budget. In December, political crisis nearly became a constitutional crisis when "tack-ons" to the Throne Speech and economic update proposed to reduce government's responsibility for a woman's right to pay equity to negotiable marketplace transactions and to transform the means of political financing in partisan ways. The borrowed practice of "tack-ons" are of a similar nature.

In the United States budgetary "tack-ons" force through measures that might otherwise fail; however unsavoury, they do so without the possibility of bringing down the government and forcing an election. Grafting the practice of "tack-ons" onto Canadian parliamentary practice via far-reaching amendments to the proposed Budget, to change the Competition Act, the Canada Investment Act, and Navigable Waters Protection Act without meaningful or separate debate, imperils our constitutional principle of responsible government, surely.

So the question arises, should this prime minister be allowed to continue or should the GG find another parliamentarian to replace him if the Prime Minister asks for dissolution based on the defeat of "tack-ons" to the proposed Budget.

===================================
From: "Brad Thomson"
Subject: RE: "When ye proffer the pigge open the poke." BELOW 30

Joe,

It is painfully obvious what is going on.

Politicians worldwide are controlled by the international bankers and are doing exactly what the bankers tell them to do. If any of them threaten to disobey they are sent copies of the Zapruder film. Or, they are told that the next 911 will be staged against their country so as to scare their own people into submission. Thus, they may as well go along with it now. (Besides, the Russians are coming. That's what Peter MacKay is telling us so it must be true.)

First the gang of bankiing hoodlems implode the economy by pulling money out of the system, then they receive trillions in alleged stimulus funds to create further debt. Next they use this money (further debt) to consolidate and create one central world banking system. One world currency and one world government is not far off now.

The new world order.

These sick, insane maniacs are going to try to kill off most of the population of the planet. But they will fail and kill off everyone including themselves instead. We will be saved only when Jesus steps in at the last minute "lest no flesh be saved". There is no time left for politics and political discussion. Let us pray.

Militarily it is not difficult to determine what they have planned next. Every day the corporate-controlled media, which is nothing more than a mass brainwashing tool, is telling us Iran is now on the verge of having a nuclear (it would have been "nucular" if Bush was still around) weapon. Just like Saddam had them before, no doubt.

Nostradamus predicted the name of the antichrist: Mabus.

What do you get when you put the names Obama and Bush together?

obaMABUSh.

Brad Thomson
Gatineau

===================================
From: Charles Tupper
Subject: Re: "When ye proffer the pigge open the poke."

MONKEY SEE (US) ::: MONKEY DO (CANADA)

...and how about this:

Mar 01 10:36
Canada backs Israeli attack on Iran?
Tags: IRAN ISRAEL

In his harshest rhetoric so far, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper vowed steadfast support for Israel and claimed that the Iranian government has "evil" purposes for its technological achievements.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=87162&sectionid=351020104

Webmaster's Commentary:

Canadians ought to give Stephen a rifle, a parachute, drop him into Iran and let him walk his talk.

===================================
From:  John Duddy
Subject: Re: "When ye proffer the pigge open the poke."

Thanks Joe.

Greetings from Mexico.

 John Duddy.  Usually live in Calgary.

 ===================================
From: Bob Taubman
Subject: Re: "When ye proffer the pigge open the poke."

Hi Joe,
 
What's that saying about never having time to do things right the first time, but always having time to fix things?  Let's do it right the first time. 
 
While I do agree that there is a need to accelerate the approval for and delivering of funds, the need for oversight is more than a bit necessary.  We should ask ourselves, would we allow the Liberals, or the NDP to spend said amount of funds without oversight or without proper explanation?  Obviously, the answer is a loud and resounding "NO!!!".  Same goes for the Conservatives, who screamed and hollered about the AdScam funds.
 
Haste Makes Waste.
 
SSDG.
 
Bob Taubman

===================================
From: "Jacob Rempel"
Subject: RE: "When ye proffer the pigge open the poke."

I like your challenge, Joe, which you call -- "When ye proffer the pigge open the poke."

I say this: Let Mr.Harper open his poke. –

Let him very clearly commit to very specific national high employment infrastructure construction projects, education, and affordable housing across Canada including aboriginal communities, with Canadian sourced materials and contractors, -- projects with starting and completion dates and total costs for each such project. –

I will forgive some mistakes in cost estimates and dates if the explanations are reasonable and understandable.

Better still, resign and join the Fraser Institute.

---Jacob Rempel

===================================
From: "Suan H.Booiman"
Subject: 3 billion stimlation

Joe,
 
 Harpers demands MPs put rush on $3-billion in stimulus spending
 
Start with a question "has there ever been a government that did not make
deals behind closed doors". Dear Iggy and his coalition have the opportunity
to call Harper's bluff, this Central Canadian coalition stands for nothing. I have
no clue where the three billion will go, but neither did we know and still don't
about the "adscam", "the wheeling and dealing of Mulroney and Schreiber".
"McDonald and the railroad"
 
The reality is that those brave oppositions have no money and are waiting
for the tax-payers cheque to keep them alive. There is an old Dutch saying:
the best sailors are those standing ashore. This economic down turn is not
of Canadian making, but be sure there are and will be many that stand in
the hall way to collect money, particular Central Canada, especially the left
leaning "you owe me" of the political created, since Canada became a country
of sort, industrial empires, including the labour unions.
 
Does it really mater where the money goes, there are always be politicians,
industrialists that will whine. besides that those forever available experts
that never have produced anything, in the environment we see such heroes
as Suzuki, Al Gore by name.
 
The voter, a large word for the electorate of all makings, as always has only
one chance to speak and that in an election, between, they, who ever disagrees,
can cry and complain all they want or use their democratic right, directed by
politicians, to call an election. this voter has no power by itself.
 
Suan
 
PS my Sunday morning sermon.

===================================
From: "Bill Allen"
Subject: Re: "When ye proffer the pigge open the poke."

Joe,
This is my first time reading one of your posts so I am not sure about your process. It seems that you are posting a draft and gathering input from readers about the draft to position yourself to make adjustments before releasing the final draft. However, that may not be your process. I need some experience with your posts to see how the process plays out.
 
If I agree with the thoughts expressed you invite me to do so. It is not clear whether that response, if any, should come in direct response to Posting #1 (this 2:27 post) or to Posting #2 (the subsequent 3:24 post). Nor is it clear to me whether the response to you is for your eyes only or is shared in some way. The term "Silent Watchers" is not defined and the process for involving Silent Watchers is not described. That makes responding a pig in a poke of its own. This may be a non issue for those who may be reading my comment. Where a process is not transparent it may reduce participation but, again, this is my first time reading one of your posts so I am not sure about your process.
 
As to Post #2, I find the references helpful. I had read several of them previously when they were first issued. For me I need not just analysis of the actions of the politicians but more focus on the actions that I might take as a taxpayer to detail my concerns. I much prefer to express myself in my own words rather than place myself in a position of agreeing or disagreeing with lengthy comments made by other writers. Post #2 has so many different elements that my responses, however detailed, may not to going to people who are influencing the outcome of Bill C-10. This first time around my comments seem to be going into a black hole.
 
I am on a learning curve with your process. I would rather influence change Bill C-10 and the ideological additions to it re the Navigable Waters Protection Act in particular, than simply to talk about my concerns.
 
I also found Posting #2 to be lengthier than I had hoped for and is in the style of a shaggy dog story. I fear that too many days of this style would become wearisome and I would become a skimming Silent Watcher rather than a person truly engaging the contents.
 
I hope my comments are helpful.
Bill, New Kid on the Block

===================================
From: Larry Kazdan
To: Letters@globeandmail.com
Subject: Letter to Editor re: Harper demands MPs put rush on $3-billion in  stimulus spending, Steven Chase, February 26

Re:  Harper demands MPs put rush on $3-billion in stimulus spending, Steven Chase, February 26
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090226.wPOLstimulus0226/BNStory/politics/home
                    
Stephen Harper brings new meaning to the term "parliamentary oversight".  His government spends money and files a report.  Then opposition MPs get to look it over.  And then?  Hey, mistakes were made.  But get over it.   Parliament saw it, and it's all over! 

Larry Kazdan,
Vancouver, B.C.

===================================
From: James Waters
Subject: Re: "When ye proffer the pigge open the poke."

Joe,
I was expecting something quite harsh, since you had cautioned us against reacting too strongly.   I think Mr. Harper is trying to balance the need for quick action to help our country's economic recovery with the on-going demand for accountability to Parliament.  While we don't need political grandstanding by the opposition, we do need serious oversight.  Hopefully we will get that yet.
Jim Waters

===================================
From: "Ben & Millie Sveinson"

Hi Joe,
Keeping it simple, the one caveat is the only logical and transparent route to take and support.Ben Sveinson

===================================
From: "DA"

Hi Joe, A friend sent me your Canadian Daily Digest and I would like to subscribe to it. It would be much appreciated. Thanks, DA

=====
Makes my day -

Be a "friend " to others and pass the DD on with your recommendation,eh?
===================================
From: Ray Strachan  
Subject: Re: "When ye proffer the pigge open the poke."

Joe...Regarding the Three Billion, I absolutely think there should be a great
amount of oversight but I am not sure by whom. Hey,the whole World Banking
System
 Collapsed.  Who was running that,   what oversight.   There are just some
things of mystery that cannot be overseen.  They can appear to be overseen
but, Presto, the magicians do their job. A puff of smoke, what seemed to be
honest is not honest anymore,  what seemed to be truth is not truth anymore,
what seemed to be dishonest is not dishonest anymore, what seemed to be
DEMOCRACY is sure as hell not Democracy anymore. That is just a word allowing
the Pigs to Take over the Money Hose. You see it is the Politicians in the
Poke,   The Pigs Just Run Everything from behind the curtain,. But please
folks  "dont wake up". When you do wake up,if you had a wish,you will wish you
were in The Long Sleep.Not the Catnap.    Ray Strachan  

===================================
From: Real Gagne
Subject: Re: "When ye proffer the pigge open the poke."

Joe:

Plus que ca change, plus que c'est la meme chose.

Contrary to what Travers implies (that the current Harper administration is somehow on a totally new path in terms of public spending irresponsibility), those of us with long memories are well aware that exactly the same kind of thing happened under the Chretien Liberals and the Mulroney Progressive Conservatives before them, and before that all the way back to the railway scandals of old John A.

Do I like it? No. Do I approve of it? No!

But I'm not about to attribute this kind of thing only to Harper. He seems to me to be no better, AND NO WORSE, than most of his predecessors.

Real

=====
. . . true.

And they may have all promised
Accountability and Transparency
as well.

        Joe

===================================
From: "Barry Douglas"
Subject: thank you RE: "When ye proffer the pigge open the poke."

Illuminating.
 
"Trust me"??? – you got to be kidding,

===================================
Subject: Re: "When ye proffer the pigge open the poke."
From: The Natroses

Hi Joe - It really comes down to how much Harper wants to be in power,
and he is rolling the dice once again; counting on Canadians to be
asleep at the switches. Have you wonder why the Harper government is
doing this. I believe it is the long term cozy relationship between
big business and the input of massive dollars into government agencies
and banks to try to prevent real estate prices to take a steep dive,
as it did in the United States. In the last 10 years or so, as real
estate prices increase - so did easy credit in obtaining the mortgages
for the pricey real estate. Another factor that played into is the
high wages for many who work in the oil/mining industry. A great many
of them, plunked their money on over-price real estate without ever
thinking that the economy would take a dive. Part of the so-called
economic growth of Canada, is due part to paper assets such as new
housing construction and a giant increase in mortgage debt. The final
factor is the towns/cities jumping on the bandwagon of assessing
property at a market value level. Where property taxes increased on a
regular basis, just on the market value, and not necessarily on
improvements made to the property or services rendered by the town or
city. I believe the government is trying to save the paper assets from
taking a steep nose-dive where house values will  be less than the
mortgages that are on the houses. Too many of the big guys would be
hurt by a nose-dive of property value, which is why one of the first
things that Harper did was to covered the backside of CHMC, and put
the taxpayer on the hook when people start to walk away from their
homes or go into bankruptcy. These days, it is no shame in doing
either, since we see plenty of examples coming from the big guys.
This is why Harper needs the 3 billion slush fund, not to provide aid
for the little guy but to try to prevent the slide of the paper
assets. I know 3 billlion is just a drop, for what is really needed -
but if Harper gets his way, this 3 billion could be the start of more
money directed where there is no accountability, and the taxpayers
will not get in his way.
The conservatives actually believe in the crap that Canadians are not
paying attention to what is being said in Ottawa. From where I am
sitting, Harper is a dirty word even for the people who do not bother
keeping up with the news. One just have to think of cancelling and on
again contracts of coast guard ships. Even the companies who have
bidded on the contracts, are very hesitate to bid on them the third
time - since the reason given was the bids all came in to high.
Government agencies seem to be in business only to collect the large
sums that companies pay to have a chance to bid on a contract.
So, the Liberals should call their buff on an election and insist that
the 3 billion dollars be tracked and notify to the public ahead of
releasing the money to whoever will benefit from this fund.

===================================
Subject: Re: "When ye proffer the pigge open the poke."
From: Beverley Smith

A government that faced defeat and sneakily avoided it by shutting down, and that now wants our money to be spent in ways not endorsed by us, as an emergency and with a 'just trust me ' attitude is a very troubling scenario. Whatever the crisis the optics are very bad.

It is however consistent with the top-down management style this government has seemed to have, of not listening to the public, bypassing public hearings, holding token fast 'consultations'  for the budget that for all 3 prairies provinces allowed only 3 hours to hear the hundreds who wanted to talk 

This is a tokenism government with a clear clear agenda they want to push forward without the public having input.  Now when it is clear this is illegal, they have to come out into the open and admit they want $3 billion from us, no questions asked.

Bev Smith
Calgary

===================================
Subject: Re: "When ye proffer the pigge open the poke."
From: John Halonen

Harper stills tries to sell his future as being in tune with the previous BUSH government of the US.

One should learn and be aware that times have changed. We need oversight. 

This is not to say that a stimulus is not required.

John Halonen
===================================
Posted by at No comments:

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Daily Digest March 1, 2009


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

EDITORIAL PAGEs

MONTREAL GAZETTE -
Prevention might be the best cancer cure
http://www.montrealgazette.com/opinion/editorials/Prevention+might+best+cancer+cure/1341531/story.html

OTTAWA CITIZEN -
The right to witness
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/opinion/right+witness/1338809/story.html

TORONTO STAR -
Separatist 'facts' need challenging
http://www.thestar.com/Opinion/article/594435

Double talk on tar sands
http://www.thestar.com/Opinion/article/594433

GLOBE & MAIL -
Is the Bank of Canada running out of bullets?
http://business.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090301.wbankcda0301/BNStory/Business/home

NATIONAL POST -
Canada's new-found moral authority
http://www.nationalpost.com/todays-paper/story.html?id=1338535

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS -
Israel an apartheid nation? (1)
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/westview/israel_an_apartheid_nation-40498562.html

Israel an apartheid nation? (2)
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/westview/israel_an_apartheid_nation-40498512.html

EDMONTON JOURNAL -
When dirty's tarred, will oil be soiled?
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/editorials/When+dirty+tarred+will+soiled/1342011/story.html
 
Why so slow on human fatalities?
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/editorials/slow+human+fatalities/1339843/story.html

VICTORIA TIMES-COLONIST -
Soaring costs a bad symptom
http://www2.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/comment/story.html?id=b9d623a7-f779-41ef-9304-cb584ed9a326


ISSUES

ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS -          
Your Line, My Land: Call for Investigation from Akwesasne
http://www.pacificfreepress.com/news/1/3788-your-line-my-land-call-for-investigation-from-akwesasne.html


AF-PAK PROBLEM -
Canadian PM says Afghan war can never be won
http://in.reuters.com/article/southAsiaNews/idINIndia-38277120090302?sp=true

MPs and Lawyers Admired Karzai's Decision
http://quqnoos.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2618&Itemid=48

Afghan snap election unlikely, officials say
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090301.wafghan_election02/BNStory/International/home

US rejects Karzai's ploy to call April poll
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article5827880.ece

Hamid Karzai accused of brinkmanship over call for early Afghanistan election
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/mar/01/hamid-karzai-afghanistan-election

Concern grows over Karzai poll call
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/asia/2009/03/20093113256239239.html

Our current problems in Afghanistan are not just to do with lack of troops – they are the result of ignoring history
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/feb/27/afghanistan-foreignpolicy

US airstrike kills eight in South Waziristan (includes a map)
http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2009/03/us_airstrike_kills_e.php


CANADIAN FORCES -
Canadian women take on larger role on Afghanistan's front lines
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090228/national/afghan_cda_front_lines

General says new army manual will shape the future of Afghan war
http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5hDo3AlyWggWhA9cqCcweH2CiwouQ


ECONOMIC AFFAIRS -
Central bank tactics pushed to brink
http://business.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090301.wbankcda0301/BNStory/Business/home

How Ford dodged a bailout, so far
http://www.wheels.ca/reviews/article/514035


FOREIGN AFFAIRS -
NATO can't defeat Afghan insurgency, PM says
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/594902

Canada, allies will never defeat Taliban, PM says
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090301.wPOLharperafghan0301/BNStory/politics/home

Harper says Afghan mission major NATO test: report
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/090228/canada/canada_us_harper

 Canada's Mideast conflict 
http://www.thestar.com/Opinion/article/594424

Cannon sizes up Gaza aid on Mideast trip    
http://www.thestar.com/News/Canada/article/594916


POLITICS IN THE PROVINCES -
Ontario    Green bin waste trucked to N.Y. 
http://www.thestar.com/news/ontario/article/594806


FEDERAL POLITICS -

Harper targets the centre in stump-style speech
With Conservative Party officials warning that an election campaign could start as soon as this week, Prime Minister Stephen Harper urged party supporters on Saturday to heed the "quiet people you don't see on the nightly news" and target the "broad middle" of the political spectrum. http://www.canada.com/news/story.html?id=d62fb969-a4a2-4f8a-aa7b-c8de77035dc1

Tories prepare Ignatieff attack ads
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/594913

Harper's talk of election born of frustration, says top minister
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090301/national/tories_elxn_talk

Baird defends $3B in emergency spending
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090301/baird_stimulus_090301/20090301?hub=QPeriod

PSAC pressuring Liberals to alter budget
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090228.wpsac0228/BNStory/politics/home

Liberals will run in all ridings, including the one where May lost; Ignatieff
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090228/national/ignatieff_may

Ignatieff stresses Liberal commitment to national daycare during Halifax stop
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/capress/090301/national/ignatieff_child_care


PROGRAMMES -
Canada's border porous: Report
http://www.thestar.com/news/canada/article/594906


OPINION AND INFORMATION -
Should our leaders lie to us?
Hope vs. fear: Should reality always trump optimism?
Amid a ceaseless barrage of negative numbers, are leaders obligated to communicate harsh reality ...
http://www.thestar.com/news/insight/article/594708

The Conservatives' 'Cleansing' Moment
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/28/AR2009022801724.html?wpisrc=newsletter

'I hope this is not one of Peter's games'
http://blog.macleans.ca/2009/02/28/i-hope-this-is-not-one-of-peters-games/#more-39768

RED DAWN PART DEUX: MACKAY BATTLES THE EVIL RUSSIANS
http://communities.canada.com/ottawacitizen/blogs/defencewatch/archive/2009/02/28/red-dawn-part-deux-mackay-battles-the-evil-russians.aspx

 Mounties' fall from grace 
http://www.thestar.com/Opinion/article/594422

 Sun setting on old political ideologies 
http://www.thestar.com/Opinion/article/594423

Killing the Electric Car
http://www.pacificfreepress.com/news/1/3787-killing-the-electric-car-cbc-television.html

Canadian Sovereignty? Canada's Passport Instructions
http://pacificfreepress.com/news/1/3785-canadian-sovereignty-canadas-passport-instructions.html

Muzzle master
http://www.ottawasun.com/Comment/2009/03/01/8575451-sun.html


INFOS -
Les insurgés afghans sont là pour rester, croit Harper
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/international/moyen-orient/200903/01/01-832319-les-insurges-afghans-sont-la-pour-rester-croit-harper.php

Les conservateurs laissent tomber les gants devant Ignatieff
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/200903/01/01-832310-les-conservateurs-laissent-tomber-les-gants-devant-ignatieff.php

La frontière canadienne serait trop poreuse
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/national/200903/01/01-832296-la-frontiere-canadienne-serait-trop-poreuse.php

Ottawa n'augmentera pas l'aide à Gaza
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/200903/01/01-832251-ottawa-naugmentera-pas-laide-a-gaza.php

Élections: Harper aurait laissé parler sa frustration
http://www.cyberpresse.ca/actualites/quebec-canada/politique-canadienne/200903/01/01-832282-elections-harper-aurait-laisse-parler-sa-frustration.php

Ignatieff vise le centre
http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/Politique/2009/02/28/005-ignatieff-halifax.shtml

L'avertissement de Flaherty
http://www.radio-canada.ca/nouvelles/Politique/2009/02/28/002-flaherty-opposition-avertissem.shtml

Garderies: un gouvernement du PLC créera un réseau national, dit Ignatieff
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/090301/N0301124AU.html

Le ministre fédéral de l'Environnement, Jim Prentice, se rend à Washington
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/090301/N0301122AU.html

Le Parti vert reste uni derrière Elizabeth May, au sortir de son congrès
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/090301/N0301110AU.html

Les libéraux présenteront des candidats dans toutes les circonscriptions
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/090228/N022852AU.html

L'avenir de l'OTAN est en jeu si la mission afghane échoue, selon Harper
http://info.branchez-vous.com/Nationales/090228/N022837AU.html

La Teoria Conspiratoria
Merchants of misery
http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/493.html

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Is "the future of the Treaty Organization (NATO) was based largely on the success of the mission in Afghanistan."?

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The future of NATO is at stake if Afghanistan fails, according to Harper
        Stephen Harper. THE CANADIAN PRESS / Darryl Dyck
http://translate.google.com/translate?prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Finfo.branchez-vous.com%2FNationales%2F090228%2FN022837AU.html&sl=fr&tl=en&history_state0 =

Prime Minister Stephen Harper said during an interview with American newspaper The Wall Street Journal, that the future of the Treaty Organization (NATO) was based largely on the success of the mission in Afghanistan.

Mr. Harper also told the newspaper known as Afghanistan was a serious test for NATO. Failure of troops in this country could, in his opinion, endanger the organization in its present form.

He also said that the effort in Afghanistan disjoint highlighted the divisions among the members of the Alliance. He added that it was necessary for NATO to take in hand as in the case may be, it could no longer engage in new missions of this magnitude.

For the Canadian prime minister, if we can no longer rely on NATO, it could have negative repercussions for Canada. Harper said, Russia has recently tested on numerous occasions Canadian airspace in the Arctic.  And he insisted that the country was once a potential threat to his country.

Targeted by the Kremlin to the seabed of the Arctic are now discussed under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea But other provocations are disturbing, according to Mr. Harper.

"They are testing our airspace more frequently than they did for a very long time," he said. This represents an assault not only in the Arctic but aggression in general. And it is increasingly worrying .

He also told the U.S. daily that the United States should rethink their strategy in Afghanistan to help Afghans to take care of themselves rebellions to establish a government that will go in the right direction. It is not NATO fight the rebels, he said.

It is illusory, he said, to think that we could quickly put up a Western-style democracy.  According to him, but rather hope to see rise to a government that would be formed in part on certain democratic standards.

Canadian Prime Minister was encouraged by the Obama government decision to increase the number of troops in Afghanistan.  But he urged the new administration to properly assess the objectives and to ensure they are realistic and achievable. "

© La Presse Canadienne, 2009 © The Canadian Press, 2009

===================================
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"When ye proffer the pigge open the poke."


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"When ye proffer the pigge open the poke."

Two phrases are relevant to Harpers demands MPs put rush on $3-billion in stimulus spending on threat of an election.

Though clearly a budget item, whether by plan or by oversight, it was not spelled out in the budget while non-budgetary items, reshaping the Navigable Waters Protection Act (NWPA), The Competition Act and Investment Canada Act, were.

The $3-billion is a lump sum from the Budget 2009 stimulus package that will be handed to Treasury Board, as Ottawa's cash manager, to allocate money as it sees fit. It will later report back to Parliament on how the cash was spent

The phrases? The first is the admonition not to buy a pig in a poke, not to accept without examining first what is in the bag. The second relates to what can and does occur when there has not been due diligence. Rather than the suckling pig purchased to grow
and be of benefit, at times opening of the poke let the cat out of the bag.

We have been apprised to "Expect mistakes in stimulus spending" by Finance Minister Flaherty. This is a thoroughly reasonable statement, taken as a truism when regarding human frailty. Quite a different matter, however, should it be called upon in the future in this manner: "I told you beforehand so don't complain now!".

"Trust me" is the essence of what is being not asked but demanded.  Demanded for no change in either Bill C-10 or interim supply will be accepted or another election will be called, even though it's known that "Canadians do not want new election".

Trust? Accepting the headlines Ottawa remains in surplus as of December in the Canadian Press and the "April to December 2008: budgetary surplus of $0.5 billion" on the December 2008 Fiscal Monitor found at http://www.fin.gc.ca/fiscmon-revfin/2008-12-eng.asp both depend upon trust.

Reading deeper into the Fiscal Monitor as developed in "December 2008: Canada deeper in debt"  below the positives proclaimed alter to a negatives. They are valid only if the increase in the debt that has occurred this fiscal year is ignored.

Harper demanding MPs put a rush on $3-billion in stimulus spending will enable his government to bypass normal approval processes, which is disturbing particularly in that monies allocated in the last fiscal year have not worked their way into the economy as yet.

Have the matching-dollar obligation by provincial and municipal governments played a role in this? Will this be overcome in the spending of the new $3 billion? Or are there projects planned other than reaching down to the local level?

The answers will be Interesting, though we may not know for some time, that is unless Ignatieff follows the opinion James Travers offers in the opening sentence of his article "Harper's $3 billion fund needs oversight".

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Outdoor Life: Waterways in danger?
http://www.tbsource.com/tbLIFE/index.asp?cid=116095

Canada: Government Tables Major Amendments To The Competition Act And Investment Canada Act – Some Good,
http://www.mondaq.com/article.asp?article_id=74558&lk=1

Harper demands MPs put rush on $3-billion in stimulus spending
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20090226.wPOLstimulus0226/BNStory/politics/home

Expect mistakes in stimulus spending: Flaherty
http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2009/02/25/stimulus-spending.html

Canadians do not want new election: Harper
http://ca.news.yahoo.com/s/reuters/090227/canada/canada_us_election

Canada budget officer urges improved reporting
http://www.reuters.com/article/marketsNews/idUSN2639572420090226

===============================
Harper's $3 billion fund needs oversight
http://www.thestar.com/comment/columnists/article/594542
James Travers OTTAWA Feb 28, 2009

Stephen Harper says he's ready to fight an election over a Conservative slush fund. Michael Ignatieff should call the bluff.

What the Prime Minister is proposing would create irresistible political temptations, won't effectively stimulate the economy and is dangerous to democracy. Apart from stirring sponsorship scandal memories, the plan for cabinet to distribute $3 billion behind closed doors is an acid test for public accountability. If Harper has his way, Parliament's defining responsibility to control public spending will be further diminished even as executive powers again expand.

"Trust me" is not a credible proposition from a prime minister who broke his word and law to force the fall election. Suspending fiscal oversight is not a reassuring response to a leader who ignored available evidence to campaign on the assurance that Canada would escape recession and as recently as November forecast surpluses.

It's no more prudent for taxpayers to leave politicians alone with buckets of cash than it's wise for parents to leave children alone with the cookie jar. One leads as predictably to abuse as the other to sugar fits.

So why run the risk? Urgency is the answer. A government that resisted boosting the economy three months ago is now so determined to flush money out the door it's ready to short-circuit safeguards.

Mad-rush spending is suddenly so essential that Harper is threatening the fifth election in just nine years – if he isn't given extraordinary freedom. The logic is bizarre.

In this crisis, $3 billion is chump change and won't provide instant relief for a $1.5 trillion economy. If the justification is a stretch, the election bravado is a leap. Another campaign would delay the economic rescue package by many months and almost certainly for too long to ease the financial pain.

At least Harper, unlike Jean Chrétien, is announcing the fund while confirming the obvious: mistakes will be made. Even if pre-emptive damage control, that's a step forward. Still, the national comfort level should be pegged on skeptical.

Conservatives have a shoddy record of spreading infrastructure millions where they will have most impact on party fortunes. Just as worrying, this government is quietly kneecapping the independent office it noisily created to "bring truth to budgeting" and now want off Ottawa's twisted money trail.

Revealing in itself, the ugly fight with budget officer Kevin Page is rich with implications for accountability and the slush fund. Twice Page has embarrassed the government in the year since his position was created. First he revealed the rising costs of the Afghanistan mission at a sensitive moment in the last campaign. Then he projected deficits just days before Finance Minister Jim Flaherty wrongly predicted surpluses. No surprise, the government wants no repeats. It will try to control information about the $3 billion fund, leaving the bad news to some future, post-election auditor general report.

Fortunately, there's a solution that requires some Liberal backbone, not an election that would not be in the national interest now. As a condition for continuing Liberal support of the budget still making its way through Parliament, Ignatieff should insist that the $3 billion fund be transparent. One caveat would guarantee that Page gets the funding that he was promised and needs to do his job. Another would force the immediate creation of a website to allow the timely tracing of public dollars all the way into private pockets.

If the Prime Minister has nothing to hide, he has nothing to fear.

=====================================
December 2008: Canada deeper in debt
 http://mikewatkins.ca/2009/02/27/december-2008-canada-deeper-in-debt/

Speaking of secrecy, our government officials and the elected mouthpieces who notionally run these departments often hide or keep secret important truths simply by talking about something else.

If one reads the latest news release from the Department of Finance one might conclude that Canada and Jimmy Flaherty are doing a good job.

Yet the secret truth, available with just a little digging, is that Canada dipped deeper in debt in December 2008, to the tune of an additional 3.8 billion on top of somewhere between 15 and 50 billion dollars of new debt incurred so far this fiscal year.

http://64.21.147.48/tv-20090227-125543.gif  

The chart illustrates a total new debt line (dark blue) and a dotted "best case" line. There are two primary factors which drive the difference between the two lines:
  1. Year over year there was an announced change in how certain crown corporations obtain their borrowing; where previously said crown corporations (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the Business Development Bank of Canada and Farm Credit Canada) obtained their own borrowing, this fiscal year the federal government proper arranged this financing to lever the stronger borrowing power of the national government and thus save some interest charges.
  2. After the election - you might recall it was the election where Harper and Flaherty tried hard to pretend that all was well, that Canada would never go into deficit - Flaherty did an about face and called the situation facing the world and Canada a "crisis" and decided to help out the Canadian banks to the tune of buying $25 billion in CMHC-insured mortgages off the banks so they could clean up their balance sheets. Its something of a shell game.
Points 1 and 2 are related. CMHC is one of the crown corporations the government is obtaining financing for. Ultimately we taxpayers are all on the hook for what happens to these mortgages, because if as in the U.S. there is a surplus of defaulted mortgages over the insurance funds protecting them, guess who will be paying for the mess? You and me.

Even if we give Flaherty the benefit of doubt, writ large, and take off 10B + 25B = $35 billion dollars from the gross new accumulated federal debt, we are still left with over $15 billion dollars in new debt incurred by Stephen Harper's government.

Flaherty can play word games and claim that the government is still capable of operating without a deficit but the reality is that we are in fact 3.8B deeper in the hole in December, or $15.2B of new debt on a cumulative basis so far this fiscal year.
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